Rama defending the ritual ground .... Ramayana an epical depiction-9 : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Rama defending the ritual ground

Ramayana an epical depiction-9

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Millennium Post, New Delhi (01-03-2020)

            When Rama and Lakshmana curiously enquired about Siddha Hermitage, sage Vishvamitra narrated to them like this.

“Sri Ramachandra! This place once was the domicile of Vamana the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The very fact that Lord Vishnu penanced here indicates that this place is a celebrated one. Even sage Kashyap got success here. And hence this was named as Siddha Hermitage. While Vishnu was in his penance here in the Siddha Hermitage, Emperor Bali after conquering Indra, the Wind gods, the Siddhas etc. was ruling this kingdom in righteous manner and became popular in all the three worlds for his magnanimity. The place where Bali lived was known as Mahabalipuram. When Bali was conducting a grand celebration, a great incomparable Vedic Ritual, all the gods approached Vishnu and requested him to visit the place of ritual and accomplish the task benefiting gods. They appealed and requested him to incarnate in the form of a dwarf for effectively dealing with emperor Bali”.      

  

“Meanwhile, the great sage Kashyap along with his wife Aditi penanced many years for the grace of Lord Srimannaarayana and in response the Lord appears to him. Pleased with his devotion Vishnu asked him to seek any boon that he wants. Kashyap requested the Vishnu that he should be born as his son and save the Devatas from the predominance of emperor Bali. He also requested that the place become popular as Siddha Hermitage in future. Agreeing to his request Lord Vishnu in the form of a dwarf was born to Kashyap’s wife Aditi known as Vamana. In the dwarfish incarnation he approached Bali. Dwarf Vamana solicited Bali and received a space that can be covered with three steps. Vamana occupies the entire universe with his two steps and for the third step he used the head of Bali. Then Vishnu gave the universe-the whole world to Indra”.

“Those who penance here they will not undergo any stress. I am also benefited with this hermitage. Monsters and demons are causing obstacles to my ritual and they will come here and the moment they come they are to be eliminated and killed. We are now going to my hermitage. That hermitage, the way it belongs to me, also belongs to you both”.

Thus, speaking Vishvamitra, led Rama and Lakshmana to his hermitage and entered the place. On their entering the hermitage and on seeing sage Vishvamitra the all other resident sages approached him and suggested that he may undertake the ritual of solemnity that day itself. If done like that, said the sages, that it will benefit Vishvamitra and also the place will become an accomplished one as Siddha hermitage. Accordingly, Vishvamitra methodically undertook the course of ritual, controlling his senses and silently. Rama and Lakshmana after spending that night vigilantly got up next morning as usual and completed their morning prayers and were involved in Vishvamitra’s assigned task.

Rama and Lakshmana safeguarding Vishvamitra ritual

Early in the next day morning the brothers Rama and Lakshmana and after greeting him said, “Oh! Great Sage! At what time those monsters are likely to come here to disturb the ritual? If you let us know, then we will effectively safeguard the ritual from them so that the moment is not passed away”. As the sage Vishvamitra was observing the pledge of silence and hence will not be able to reply, rest of the sages available there, told Rama that they have to safeguard the ritual for six days and nights from that day with utmost caution.

As per the indication of sages Rama and Lakshmana vigilantly watching safeguarded the ritual for six day and nights. While the last night was approaching Rama alerted Lakshmana of possible outbreak from monsters. Then a vociferous and terrifying blare was engendered in the sky on the last night. As anticipated, demons named Mareecha and Subhahu came to hinder the ritual.  On noticing the platform of fire dumped with streams of blood, Rama acted skilfully and hit out Mareecha to a long distance and killed Subhahu. Rama thus made the ritual of sage Vishvamitra a success. On seeing Rama crushing the monsters and demons who came there to obstruct the ritual, the sages congregated there, worshiped Rama and admired and applauded him. Vishvamitra said that “Rama! I am fully satisfied and successful. By enthusiastically safeguarding my ritual you established the name and fame of this great hermitage once again”.

Vishvamitra proceeding to Mithila with Rama and Lakshmana

             Rama and Lakshmana woke-up early in the morning and after attending to daily morning routine, approached and greeted Vishvamitra and other sages present in the hermitage. They told him that they both were waiting for his further orders to accomplish. Replying to Rama and Lakshmana Vishvamitra said like this.

“Oh! Ramachandra! A highly prestigious ritual is going to take place to be performed by King Janaka of Mithila. I along with other sages are going there. You also come along with us. King Janaka with him has an enormous blissful bow that has unimaginable power. Its greatness is unparalleled. Neither Gods, nor Gandharvas, nor Asuras, nor Pannagas, nor Kinnaras, nor Monsters, nor Human Beings are capable of lifting the bow and pull the string. Everyone who tried to handle it failed miserably. Rama, you will have an opportunity to see it and if possible, lift it to string and also watch Janaka’s admirable ritual”. Satisfied with the words of Vishvamitra the brothers Rama and Lakshmana prepared to accompany him. Vishvamitra bidding farewell to the forest gods Vishvamitra told them, on accomplishment of the ritual he plans to go to mountain Himalayas. He went around the hermitage and offered his respects to it before starting on his journey. Along with him sages, Ram and Lakshmana also started. On the way after the sun set, they had a bath in the River Shona and relaxed there that night after performing evening rituals. Then Rama evincing keen interest on the place where they stayed enquired about it as to whom it belonged. Vishvamitra started narrating all about it.