Lava Kusha sing the Ramayana
Vanam Vasudasa Valmiki Ramayana-3
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
Hans India Sunday Magazine (19-01-2020)
Valmiki composed
twenty-four thousand stanzas and taught them to Lava and Kusha, the sons of
Rama and Sita. They both sing the ballad among the groupings of sages and
saints, and win laurels. Rama on hearing that the boys are singing on the
streets of Ayodhya, brings them to his palace, and summons all his brothers and
ministers to listen to the ballad. Rama himself was astonished as the ballad
sung by these youngsters narrates the legend of Sita. But he paid his attention
to listen the 'Legend of Sita.
The
story of Raghu Rama who incarnated in human form on the earth itself is
Ramayana. Spread over the entire universe, the Sri Ramayana is an accomplished
one to make everyone holy and pious. Reading Ramayana is nothing but serving
the Sri Rama himself. Reading Ramayana ensures wiping out of all sins, provides
virtue to those who desire to be virtuous, provides funds to those who have
ambition to accumulate wealth, provides lust to those who have desire for lust.
Valmiki starts telling the Rama story right from his birth till his holy demise
being empowered to do so by Lord Brahma.
Ayodhya
In the Kosala country adjoining River Sarayu where all the people
lived happily, there was a glorious city with well-devised royal highways
called Ayodhya. The city was surrounded with gateways and archways. This
greater Ayodhya with its natural beauty in all aspects overtakes the famous
Lakhimpur. The city can be compared with heavenly capital Amaravati. As the God
manifested in the form a human being there the city came to be known as
Ayodhya. Wherever there is God Mahavishnu that itself is the paradise and, in
his service, there is Nirvana. The Ayodhya was ruled by king Dasharatha who
belongs to the Ikshvakas dynasty and was supposed to be greatest of all his
ancestry.
Ayodhya is encompassed with Vedic scholars who always worship the
ritual fire. The Brahmins of Ayodhya were known for charity and they used to
donate all their wealth as and when anybody asks for. None of them had any
necessity to beg or borrow from anyone. Reciting of sacred theology, the Vedas
was their everlasting routine.
The Kshatriyas, evincing keen interest in the teachings
of Brahmins were leading their lives and turned towards the Brahmans, the
scholarly class, for intellectual and religious support. The trading class
Vaisyas were supportive of king and helped in improving state’s economy. The
Sudras the working class, while performing its own duties, was always working
for the other castes. Totally distancing themselves to cheating, theft
etc. they were serving the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and were
concentrating on their hereditary professions.
The
city Ayodhya was well protected by the king from Ikshvakas dynasty namely
Dasharatha. The ministers of king Dasharatha were intelligent, religious,
virtuous, believers in justice, capable, fighters, valorous, noble, courageous
and so on. They made the rulership meaningful with their virtuous, skillful and
efficient administration. Accompanied with such of those effectual and
good-natured ministers the illustrious king Dasharatha ruled the earth.
In
fact, without any distinction everyone who lived in Ayodhya were good in every
aspect. In the glorious city of Ayodhya all are exuberant and virtuous ones,
and scholars are learned ones, people are satisfied with their own riches, they
have no greed, and they advocate truthfulness alone.
Dasharatha plans
to perform
Ashvamedha Yagam
in pursuit of children
King Dasharatha had three wives namely Kousalya, Sumitra
and Kaikeyi. They were daughters of king of Kosala, king of Magadha and king of
Kekaya respectively. Despite having enormous wealth and everything at their
doorstep, Dasharatha and his three wives were not begotten with children. Any
many rituals appeasing gods that they performed did not help in this regard.
One day he tells his ministers that he intends to perform an elaborate Vedic
ritual, Ashvamedha Yagam, the horse sacrifice, as enshrined in the scriptures to beget children. He also elicits their
opinion with a request to show him a way out to get children. His proposal to
perform Ashvamedha
Yagam gets support from all including Sage Vasishta, Royal Priest.
Brahman
scholars along with Sage Vasishta and all other important personalities in
their turn have blessed and honored king Dasharatha. Saying that any activity
undertaken by great, honest and candid persons like him would be successful,
the ministers assured king Dasharatha that they would stand by him.
At
this point of time minister Sumantra told king Dasharatha that he would give an
idea to him to have children. He advised Dasharatha to invite sage Rushyasrung
to fulfill his desire of having children. Sumantra, detailed the importance of
Sage Rushyasrung and beseeched the king to invite that sage to preside over the
planned Vedic ritual, for that Sage's entry into any kingdom is auspicious for
that land and people.
Dasharatha
invites Rushyasrung
Dasharatha on hearing the advice given by his minister
Sumantra in turn briefed his Royal Teacher and Chief Priest Vasishta about it.
Vasishta said that what all told by Sumantra is true and suggested Dasharatha
to heed to his advice. Dasharatha went to Rushyasrung and requested him to come
to Ayodhya and after his acceptance to come along with his wife Shanta,
Dasharatha made all arrangements.
Dasharatha
entered Ayodhya along with Rushyasrung
Citizens of Ayodhya on knowing the arrival of their king
Dasharatha along with sage Rushyasrung, became jubilant and in accordance with
the commands of king decorated the city gorgeously. On reaching his inner
palace chambers king Dasharatha worshipped Rushyasrung and made him
comfortable. He was also very happy as his devotions are now becoming a reality
and he would soon have children. For the excellent treatment he had sage
Rushyasrung also felt immensely pleased.
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