Saying ‘Panchavati’ is near Nasik is a travesty of truth
(Sri Rama Sojourn in Forests, Panchavati and
Parnasala)
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
Hans India (11-02-2024)
{Notwithstanding
what Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned about the topography of
‘Panchavati,’ as the one near Nasik, a disagreement has been in circulation for
some time whether it is the one near Nasik or near Bhadrachalam. ‘Valmiki
Ramayana’ and Vasudasa Swamy’s ‘Andhra Valmiki Ramayana,’ unequivocally with
evidence-based topographical narration, confirm that ‘Panchavati and Parnasala’
are near ‘Bhadrachalam Godavari’}-Editor Comment
Addressing devotees after the
‘Consecration Ceremony’ at Ayodhya Ram Temple, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi referred to Lord Sri Rama Sojourn in Forests, slightly but strikingly in
deviation with Valmiki Sanskrit Ramayana Version, and also the version in Telugu
verse-by-verse Transcreation by ‘Andhra
Valmiki’ Vavilikolanu Subba Rau (Vasudasa Swamy).
An unambiguous narration of Places Sri
Rama sequentially sojourned, with topographical evidences is mentioned in in
Andhra Valmiki Ramayana, the one and only authentic version of Valmiki Sanskrit
Ramayana in Telugu. Incidentally, Vasudasa Swamy’s 162nd Birth
Anniversary falls on February 13, 2023 (Magha Shuddha Chaviti).
According
to Modi, Sri Rama during ‘Vana Vasa’ went first to ‘Bharadwaj
Ashram’ in Prayag Raj in Uttar
Pradesh, ‘Chitrakoota’ in Madhya Pradesh, ‘Panchavati’ near Nasik in
Maharashtra, ‘Lepakshi’ in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, ‘Kishkindha’
in Karnataka, and ‘Rameshwaram’ in Tamil Nadu and to ‘Sri Lanka’ finally. He
said that, ‘Panchavati’ is the place near Nasik. Conspicuously no mention is
made to ‘Panchavati’ and ‘Parnasala’ which are 30 kilometers from Bhadrachalam,
supposed to be the abode of Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana while in forests. Though
not connected to ‘Vana Vasa’ mention could have been made to world famous ‘Southern
Ayodhya Bhadrachalam Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple.’ Modi’s authenticity of
sources may be right in its own way.
In
Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana and in Vasudasa Swamy Andhra Valmiki Ramayana, Rama
with Sita, and Lakshmana after leaving Ayodhya for forests first reached River
Tamasa, travelled North, touching Northern Kosala, River Veda Shruti, turned
south to cross River Gomathi and pass through southern Kosala. They then
reached ‘Shrungiberipuram’ at the bank of Ganges, took help from tribal king
Guha to cross River Ganges. They reached ‘Bharadwaj Ashram’ at the confluence of Rivers Yamuna and Ganga, near Allahabad or
Prayag Raj in Uttar Pradesh.’
From
there they travelled west along the southern direction of River Yamuna flow,
and at a convenient place crossed the River, where they saw the ‘Tree Shyamam.’
On further travelling two miles through ‘Nilavanam’ reached ‘Chitrakoota’ near
the banks of Mandakinini-Sarayu Rivers and had an audience with Maharshi
Valmiki. After Bharata came there and left, Sri Rama decided to shift from ‘Chitrakoota’
to a faraway place from Ayodhya. They went to ‘Atri Ashram,’ and later trekked
from Chitrakoota Region to the massive Dandakaranya forest into the wilderness.
In
Dandakaranya after killing ‘Viradha’ Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana reached
‘Sarabhanga Ashram’ twelve miles away from the spot of Viradha’s death. On his direction,
travelled west, in a river flowing towards east (opposite direction) to reach
‘Suteekshna Ashram.’ They saw a wonderful Tank and ‘Manda Karni Ashram.’ There,
and as well as in Ashramas of many other Sages, they stayed alternately for
days, months and years, moving hither and thither, from north to south and
back, east to west and back, sometimes to the same place multiple times, for
over ten years.
Later
Sita Rama Lakshmana stayed for a while in ‘Suteekshna Ashram’ before travelling
south for about 60-70 miles (8 Yojanas) to stay in the Ashram of ‘Sudarshana’
brother of ‘Agastya’ overnight. Next day, travelling south for about 8 miles,
reached ‘Agastya Ashram’, and received from him ‘Vaishnava Weaponry’ which Sri
Rama used during his war with Ravana. Agastya suggested them to proceed further,
to stay in a pleasant place called ‘Panchavati,’ surrounded by flowered
forests, with abundant fruits, water, and trees, 16 miles from his place, and
guided them the way. While travelling towards ‘Panchavati’ they met ‘Jatayuvu,’
Dasaratha’s friend, on a Banyan Tree, and heard to his story. All together went
to ‘Panchavati,’ not near Nasik Godavari but near Bhadrachalam Godavari.
On
reaching ‘Panchavati’ Lakshmana built ‘Parnasala’ a spacious cozy straw cottage,
giving an Ashram look, levelling, and raising the clay for raised floor of the
cottage, strongly pillared with long bamboos. Thereupon on those pillars
excellent beams are made, and the branches of Shamii Trees are spread out,
twined firmly with twines of jute features, and with the cross-laid bamboos for
thatching. Over that blades of Kusha grass, leaves are spread and well
over-covered for the roof. The trio entered it after formal ritual like
housewarming. This and This alone, is what, the ‘Parnasala’ in ‘Panchavati’ 30
kilometers away from Bhadrachalam, since the times of Lord Rama ‘Vana Vasa’
which even now attracts thousands of pilgrims and devotees every day, and not
the one near Nasik.
Notwithstanding
what PM Modi mentioned about topography of ‘Panchavati,’ as the one near Nasik,
a disagreement has been in circulation, for some time, whether it is the one
near Nasik or near Bhadrachalam. Valmiki Sanskrit Ramayana and Vasudasa Swamy
Andhra Valmiki Ramayana, unequivocally with evidence based topographical
narration confirm that ‘Panchavati and Parnasala’ are near ‘Bhadrachalam
Godavari.’ Going by events that followed Sita’s abduction by Ravana, Godavari
at ‘Panchavati’ shall be flowing from North to South, as we see at Bhadrachalam.
This may be confirmed by the fact that, in search of Sita at the hint from
forest animals and birds, Rama and Lakshmana, along the River Godavari
travelled towards South-West first and then towards South.
Yet
another evidence is that, they saw the place where Jatayuvu fell with serious
injuries following his fight with Ravana, along the Godavari Coast, justifying
that the river was flowing towards south. From there Rama and Lakshmana as
suggested by Jatayuvu proceeded towards South-West for six miles, and towards
east to find the southern way. This means Rama and Lakshmana then were towards
South of Godavari near Bhadrachalam, suggesting that, there was no need for
them to cross river. This also explicitly confirms that, ‘Panchavati’ was on
the southern coast of Godavari. Had it been on the east they would have to
cross the river, which in fact was not.
Undoubtedly
it is in all probabilities, either the present ‘Parnasala and Panchavati’ that
was where Sita, Rama and Lakshmana stayed or somewhere few yards this way or
that way. The argument that ‘Panchavati’ was the one near Nasik is travesty of
truth and contrary to Essence of Ramayana Scripture. Evidences like placing
Ravana’s Chariot opposite (nearby) ‘Parnasala’ at ‘Ratha Gutta’ during Sita’s
abduction, to briskly take her from there immediately, prove that, ‘Panchavati’
is on the west of Godavari. Had it been placed on the other side of river,
leaving the place of abduction would have been delayed.
Similarly,
nearby, there is huge mountain refereed as ‘Sita Guttalu’ (Sita Mountains) supposed
to be the place where Sita and Lakshmana stayed back when Rama fought with
Khara at the instance of Shoorphanaka. Close by, towards west there is spacious
open place, where Rama fought with fourteen thousands Rakshasas at a time.
Valmiki Ramayana recorded the existence of ‘Padma Lake’ near ‘Panchavati’ and
towards south of ‘Parnasala’ along River Godavari, on way to Bhadrachalam, a
village known as ‘Doomagudem’ or ‘Dummagudem’ which is still there. It is said
that, on the other side of this village, near a small hillock, fight between
Jatayuvu and Ravana took place.
Had
Sita, Rama and Lakshmana stayed in ‘Panchavati’ near Nasik, as claimed by some,
they might have crossed Vindhya Mountains, Rivers Narmada and Tapati and
travelled through Vidarbha, for which there is no evidence in Sanskrit Valmiki
Ramayana. While searching for Sita, ‘Rama, and Lakshmana,’ touched ‘Krauncha
Forest, Matanga Forest, Rushyamook Hill’ travelling south way. Irrespective of the sojourn Sri Rama for
finally reaching Sri Lanka, it shall be indisputable, that he and Sita and
Lakshmana must have taken the shortest way to reach Ayodhya. They did not touch
Nasik at all. These are few topographical evidences. And hence, ‘Panchavati and
Parnasala’ cannot be near Nasik but only near Bhadrachalam, come what may.
(Source
Vasudasa Swamy Andhra Valmiki Ramayana)
No comments:
Post a Comment