Why do we revere Ramayana or
Sunderkand Paaraayan or Paath?
(Compilation
for a discourse by N.R. Srinivasan, April, 2014)
Ramayana is the most ancient
literary piece hailed as Adikavya. Even today it is the most thrilling and
popular scripture read by all humanity translated into may languages. “The
inner voice of Valmiki, the voice of the Creator, prompted him to use the sloka
metrical form to put into 24000 verses, the whole story of Srirama which he
heard from Sage Narada. If he should do so, the Voice assured him that as long
as hills stand, and the rivers flow on this earth, so long would the story of
Ramayana will be current to the world” say D. S. Sharma introducing Ramayana.
Its proof is in Ramayana Parayana or Path which is ceremoniously and
religiously read and heard by millions all over India year after year
during Ramanavami and Navratri or Dussera
which is a special religious event more than other Hindu Religious Festivals.
Ramayan Path is the act of
reading (Pathanam) and listening (Sravanam) Ramayana on specific days devoted
to Sri Rama the seventh Incarnation of Vishnu. Both these holy reading and
listening are themselves considered to be Aaraadhana or act of worship of the
Supreme. Rama-japa is recommended by none other than Lord Siva in Vishnu
Sahsranaama.
Lord Siva suggests to Parvati
that one easy method to achieve the whole effect of chanting Vishnu Sahasra
Naama (VSN) is by chanting Raama thrice-“Raama raameti raameti rame raaame manorame|
sahasranaama tattulyam Sri Raamanaama varaanane ||”.
Ma is the
seed letter (beejaakshara) in the Panchaksharee (five syllables) Vedic mantra “Namah Sivaayaa”. Raa is the seed letter
in the Ashtaaksharee mantra (eight syllables) “Om Namoe Naaraayanaaya”. In
combination it became a powerful mantra of Siva-Vishnu by chanting which over
thousands of years once the greatest sinner became later the holiest and wisest
sage in the world who is credited with the first literary master piece of 24000
Slokas of the great epic Srimad Ramayana.
In Kalisantaranopanishat Brahma
(Hiranyagarbha) reveals the following Shodashaksharee Mantra to Narada for
effective meditation:
Sa
hoevaacha Hiranyagarbhah (Brahma
said to the inquiring sage Naarada):
Hare
Raama Hare Raama Raama Raama Hare Hare |
Ramayana Paraayana during nine
days preceding Ramanavami or during nine days of Navaratri is as effective as
constant meditation on Rama mantra stated above. If it is not possible to whole Ramayana
during these festive days at least
Sundarakanda should be read or heard during these nine days festivals.
Canto CXI of Valmiki Ramayana
elaborates the consequences of listening to and reading of the Ramayana;
Etaavadetadaakhyaanam
sottaram brahmapoojitam | ramayanamiti khyaatam mukhyam Valmikina kritam || 1 || Tatah pratishthitaa
vishnuhsvargaloke yathaa pura | Yena vyaaptamidam sarvam trailokyam sacharaacharam ||2|| Tatoe devah sagandharvaah
siddhaascha paramrshayah | Nityam srinvanti samhrishtaah kaavyam Raamaayanm
divin ||3|| Idamaakhyaanam-aayushyam saubhaagyam paapanaasanam Ramayanam
vedasamam sraaddhesahu sraavayed budhah ||4|| Aputro labhate putrm-adhano labhate dhanam | sarvapaapaih pramuchyeta paadamapyasya yah pathet ||5||
Paapaanyapi ch yah kuryaad-ahanyahani maanavah | pathyat-ekam-api slokam
paapaat sa parimuchyate ||6||
Thus conclude Ramayana. Then Vishnu who pervades all sentient and non-
sentient beings in this world went back to
His abode Vaikuntha. This Ramayana chiefly composed by Valmiki is worshiped by all sages and those that
meditate on Brahman. Therefore the Gods with the Gandharvas, the Siddhas and
great sages listen to the Epic Ramayana in heaven constantly with
pleasure. Listening as well as reading
Ramayana gives longevity, makes one rich, and enables one to absolve all sins.
It has the same status as Vedas and the wise should make it to be heard in the
funeral rites. [Hindus resort to the
chanting “Rama naam satya hai, Satya bolo mukti hai” as funeral procession
proceeds to the cremation or burial grounds] Those who are sonless obtain a son
and the poor gets wealth by hearing it. Those who read even a quarter verse of this Ramayana is freed from all sins.
The person who is compelled to commit sins every day (like a hunter) is also
freed from sins even if he reads one sloka of this Ramayana.
Chintayed raaghavam nityam
sreyah praaptum ya ichchati | Sravayed-idam-aakhyaanam braahmanebhyo dine dine
||20|| yastvidam raghunaathasya charitam sakalam pathet |soasukshaye
vishnulokam gacchatyeva na samsayah ||21|| pitaa pitaamahastasya tathaiva
prpitaamahah | tatpitaa tatpitaa caiva Vishnu yanti na samsayah ||22||Chatur-vargapadam
nityam charitam raaghavasya tu |Tasmaad yatnavataa nityam srotavyam parmam
padaa ||23|| Srinvan raamaayanam
bhaktyaa yah paadam padameva yaa
| sa vaati braahmanah sthaanam brahmanaa poojyate sadaa ||24|| Evametat
puraavrittam-aakhyaanam bhadramastu yah | Pravyaaharata visrabdham balam
vishnoh pravardhataam ||25||
He who wants to secure bliss
should contemplate on Sri Rama and should narrate the story before the assembly
of Brahamins (Learned class). He who reads this whole Ramayana of Sri Rama
undoubtedly shall attain the World of Vishnu after the end of this life. His
father, grand- father and even fathers of sub-ancestors attain the abode of
Vishnu. The exploration of Sri Rama bestows four objects—Kama, the gratification
of desire ; Artha, acquisition of wealth; Dharma, discharge of
duty and Moksha, emancipation. So, one should listen carefully and diligently.
Listening even one syllable or a quarter
of the verse of the Ramayana with reverence one attains the world of Brahman
and is regarded as respected there by Him. Thus runs this historical narrative.
May all be well with the readers and audiences! Utter it not inaccurately and
repeat it confidently. May the spell of power of Lord Vishnu pervade immensely thereby on all!
Ramanavami is celebrated on
bright fortnight Navami in the Hindu Month of Chaitra in April every year. For all Hindus the Ramayana is an important
religious text. Among the Seven Kaandas (Cantos) of Ramayana, Sunderakaanda is considered the most
important. Why did Valmiki titled other Kaandas
describing the event or Status (Baala Kaanda, Yuddhakaanda etc.), while he did not call this “Hanumad_vijaya-Kaanda”,
for this entirely deals with Hanuman’s adventure. But that would not have gone well with
Hanuman’s liking with his humble nature and dedicated service to Rama. It would not have pleased Hanuman stealing
the show from Rama while his name is glorified. Hanuman throughout Ramayana
presents himself as a humble servant and devotee of Rama. The Key sloka of
Sunderkaanda is in chapter 13:60.
Namostu raammaya salakshmanaaya devyai cha tasmai
jankatmajaayai |
Namostu rude rendra yama-anilebhyo namostu chandraarka marudganebhyaha || 60 ||
Namostu rude rendra yama-anilebhyo namostu chandraarka marudganebhyaha || 60 ||
Obeisance to Rama! Obeisance to
Lakshmana! Obeisance to the daughter of Janaka! obeisance to Rudra, Indra, Yama,
Vaayu, Chandra, Soorya and Maruts”.
Thus in the
above sloka devotees join Hanuman in paying their obeisance to the Supreme
Lord, Sita Devi and his brother
Lakshmana, avatars of Vishnu and
Adisesha).
Tulsidas was no less a devotee of
Sri Rama. Sunderkaand of his Ramachrait
Manas ends with the verse:Sakal
sumangal daayak raghunayak gun gaan | saadar sunarhi te tarahim bhava sindhu
bina jalajaal [Sunderkaand sings the praises of Sri
Rama. It helps to achieve all that is good and auspicious, both worldly and
spiritual. Whoever hears it with devotion shall without any means be able to
cross the ocean of life. Thus devotees here also join Tulsidas to worship Rama,
Lakshmana, Sita and the then known Vedic Gods. We have now gone up to 33 crores
latest being Saibaba.
The seven parts of Tulsidas Ramayan are equated
with seven great pilgrim centers in India that lead to salvation –Ayodhya,
Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Kanchai, Avantika Puri (Ujjain) and Dvarvatin (Dwaraka).
Sunderkand is equated with Kanchi known for its Shiva Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi.
So it is appealing to all; both Siva followers and Vishnu followers. Also Rama
and Siva are closely associated. It is strange Rameswaram is not in the list!
Beauty and inspiration of the verse
of Sunderkand of Tulasidas Ramayan directs one towards attaining spiritual
knowledge and is attractive to all from the worldly and spiritual point of
view.
Hanuman is Chiranjeevi (immortal)
and will become the next Brahma when the present tenure of Brahma ends. Devotees chant the Sunderkand as an unfailing
ritual and seek the blessings of Hanuman. He is the one living God for all times, simple
and easily accessible. Avatars come and
go but hanuman lives forever with us! Faith and devotion are the key virtues he
builds in us. “Do you seek god? Then see
him in Man. His divinity is manifested more than in any other object. Man is
the greatest manifestation of God” says Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. Then you see
how hard it is to explain the manifestation of Hanuman who has chosen to live
with us when Rama left for his Vaikuntha to help and guide us forever!
My grand-father used to read
Ramayana every day after bath before even consuming his morning coffee. He
always used to keep a plank before his Ramayana paaraayana Peetham ( Vyaaspeeth
or divine bookstand). I was curious to know whom it was for? He told me that the seat was for Hanuman to take his seat
while Ramayana is recited;he comes every day to listen to him and he is visible
only to a true devotee and I too should concentrate and listen with Sraddha
(faith). Immature as I was then, not that I am anything better now, I was
always fascinated with his
monkey pranks and values. I always felt there was lot of time for
liberation and it is time for me to enjoy life like Hanuman in his childhood. I
now know how wrong I am as I advance in age!
Ramayana Parayana or Path worship
is observed as any other festival worship. It includes normal purifactory
rituals, sankalpa or religious resolution, Invocation reading and listening of
the main text, aarati (waving of Lamps), naivedyam (offering food), Mantrapushpam
(floral offering of Veda mantras) and concluding prayer. The function concludes
with offering food to Vedic scholars, feeding the poor and enjoying the blessed
food with all participants and listeners.
Ram is your soul. Sita is your heart. Ravan is your mind that steals your heart from your soul. Lakshman is your consciousness, always with you and active on your behalf. Hanuman is your intuition and courage that help retrieve your heart to re-animate your soul.......... !!! (Excellent interpretation of Ramayan!!!)
The invocation prayer should include the verses besides the regular verses:
The invocation prayer should include the verses besides the regular verses:
Aapadaamapahartaaram
daataaram sarva sampadaam |
lokabhiraamam sriramam
bhooyo bhooyo namamyaham ||
I salute again and again Sri Rama
the delight of the whole world, the reliever of sufferings and the one who
bestows on us all riches.
Koojantam Rama Rameti
madhuram madhuraaksharam |
Aaruhya kavitaasaakhaam
vande Vaalmiki –kokilam ||
I salute sage Valmiki conceived
as a cuckoo bird melodiously singing
the sweet syllables Rama, Rama.
The concluding prayer should include the verse besides the customary
verses and Shanti path:
Mangalam kosalendraaya
mahaneeya gunaatmane |
Chakravarti tanoojaaya
saarvabhaumaaya mangalam ||
May I offer all auspiciousness to
the ruler of the territory of Kosala, an ocean of laudable virtues, son of a
universal monarch! May I offer all auspiciousness to the ruler of the entire
globe!
Parabrahman the absolute is the Alpha and the Omega. The Pranava or the Word of Power Om tries to convey to the Universe the Triple Mystery, the Three in One and the One in Three. Gayathri Mantra is an amplification of that Word. It is the quintessence of Vedas, the germ out of which they evolved. Every thousand stanzas in the Ramayana begin with one of the letters of Gayathri. Hence Ramayana is considered something more than an Epic poem and a work of art unlike Mahabharata and considered Holy for a sacred reading (pathanam) and listening (sravanam) like Bhagavadgeetaa.
Gayathri Ramayana is a collection of 24 verses corresponding to the 24 beejaaksharaas (seed letters) of Gayathri Mantra and taken from the 24000 verses of Sri Valmiki Ramayana. Every thousandth verse begins with a Gayathri syllable. Reciting this is believed to bring in the combined efficacy of Sri Ramayanaparayana and Gayathri Japam. Please go through Gayathree Ramayana as given in the Appendix kindly provided by Sri BRG Iyengar, a religious scholar from Bengaluru.
Rama is your soul. Sita is your heart. Ravana is your mind that steals your heart from your soul.
Lakshmna is your consciousness, always with you and active on your behalf. Hanuman is your intuition and courage that help retrieve your heart to re-animate your soul!
REFERENCES:
1. Gita Press, Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, Gorakhpur, India
2. Sarma, D.S., Srimad Ramayana, Ramkrishna
Math, Chennai, India.
3. Prem Bhalla, Hindu Rituals, Rites, Customs and Traditions,
Pustak Mahal, Delhi, India.
4. K. Sreenivas Ayyyanga, The Ramyana of Valmiki, LIFCO Publishers, Chennai, India.
4. K. Sreenivas Ayyyanga, The Ramyana of Valmiki, LIFCO Publishers, Chennai, India.
[This is
a prepared lecture compiled from above references and others for a discourse at
Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville and to benefit those who are not able to attend
the same in person. You are free to download and use it for your reading and
reference as well as circulate to others to spread the wisdom of Vedas and
Hindu values which good act will be appreciated.]
14. : “Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Rishis whosoever see my Lord Rama, who has eyes beautiful as lotus petals, will have their lives fulfilled.”
15.The wide-eyed (Sita), with the intention of blessing Hanuman and preventing any hurt to him, prayed to the Fire God with a pure heart.
16.Hearing the Advice of Vibhishana which was well-meaning, having a superior purpose, mild, reasoned, relevant equally in the past, the present and the future, Ravana was infuriated and being passionately attached gave the following reply.
17. This Vibhishana, the embodiment of dharma and foremost among rakshasas has arrived (to surrender himself to Rama) and he will surely inherit the whole of the riches of Lanka free of all enemies.
18. The valiant Ravana, struck by the vajrayudha of Indra or by thunder-bolt, was never agitated or moved but struck by the arrows of Rama he became extremely hurt, and the bow slipped from his hand.
19.“On the strength of whose valor many rakshasas lost their lives that valiant Rama, I think, is the eternal Narayana Himself.”
20 .The large-hearted Rama was scorching to death the army of the enemy but the rakshasas could not see him, deluded as they were by the Gandharvastra
21. Offering her salutations to the devas and the brahmanas Sita, with folded hands went near Agni and spoke thus
22. When the mountain was shaking, the ganas and devas were tossed about. Parvati also felt the tremor and embraced her consort Maheshwara (Siva)
23. O Chief of Vanaras, henceforth wives, sons, city, country, objects of enjoyment, clothes and food would be undivided between us, that is, we will partake of them as common assets.
Charama Sloka
APPENDIX
Gayathri Ramayanam
(Rendered by Sri BRG Iyengar of
Bengaluru)
Ragamaalikaa Thriputa Thala
Kalyani :
Tapassvaadhyaaya niratham tapasvee vaagvidhaam varam
Naaradham paripaprachcha Vaalmeekirmunipungavam
Naaradham paripaprachcha Vaalmeekirmunipungavam
1 (Tat)
1-1-1
Sa hathvaa raakshasaan sarvaan yajnaghnaan Raghunandana:
Rushibhi: poojitha: thathra yathendro vijayee puraa 2 (sa)
Rushibhi: poojitha: thathra yathendro vijayee puraa 2 (sa)
1-30-24/25
Dhanyaasi :
Vishvaamitrasthu dharmaatmaa shrutvaa Janakabhaashitham
Vatsa Raama dhanu: pashya ithi Raaghavam abraveeth 3 (vi)
Vatsa Raama dhanu: pashya ithi Raaghavam abraveeth 3 (vi)
1-67-12
Thushtaavaasya tadhaa vamsham pravishya sa vishaam pathe:
Shayaneeyam narendrasya thadhaasaadhya vyathishtatha
Shayaneeyam narendrasya thadhaasaadhya vyathishtatha
2-15-20/21 4 (tur)
Kambodi :
Vanavaasam hi sankhyaaya vaasamsyaabharanaani cha
Bhartaaram anugachchantyai Seethaayai shwashuro dadau 5 (va)
Bhartaaram anugachchantyai Seethaayai shwashuro dadau 5 (va)
2-40-14
Raajaa satyam cha dharmashcha raajaa kulavathaam kulam
Raajaa maataa pithaa chaiva raajaa hithakaro nrunaam 6(rae)
Raajaa maataa pithaa chaiva raajaa hithakaro nrunaam 6(rae)
2-67-34
Bhairavi :
Nireekshya sa muhoortham thu dadarsha Bharatho gurum
Utaje Raamamaaseenam jataamandaladhaarinam 7 (n)
Utaje Raamamaaseenam jataamandaladhaarinam 7 (n)
2-99-25
Yadhi buddhi: krutaam drashtum Agastyam tham mahaamunim
Adyaiva gamane buddhim rochayasva mahaayasha: 8 (yam)
Adyaiva gamane buddhim rochayasva mahaayasha: 8 (yam)
3-11-44/45
Kedaragowla :
Bharatasyaaryaputrasya shwashroonaam mama
cha prabho
Mrugaroopamidam vyaktham vismayam janayishyathi 9 (bhar)
Mrugaroopamidam vyaktham vismayam janayishyathi 9 (bhar)
3-43-17
Gachcha sheeghramitho Rama Sugreevam tham mahaabalam
Vayasyam tham kuru kshipram itho gathvaadya Raaghava 10 (goe)
Vayasyam tham kuru kshipram itho gathvaadya Raaghava 10 (goe)
3-72-17
Thodi :
Deshakaalau bhajaswaadhya kshamamaana: priyaa priye
Sukhaduhkha sahakaale Sugreevavashago bhava 11 (de)
Sukhaduhkha sahakaale Sugreevavashago bhava 11 (de)
4-22-20
Vandhyaasthe thu thapassidhaa: thapasaaveethakalmashaa:
Prashtavyaschaapi Seetaayaa: pravrutthim vinayaanvitai: 12 (va)
Prashtavyaschaapi Seetaayaa: pravrutthim vinayaanvitai: 12 (va)
4-43-34
Mohana :
Sa nirjithya pureem shreshtaam Lankaam thaam kaamaroopineem
Vikramena mahaatejaa Hanumaan Hariyoothapa: 13 (sya)
Vikramena mahaatejaa Hanumaan Hariyoothapa: 13 (sya)
5-4-1
Dhanyaa devaassa gandharvaa: siddhaashcha paramarshaya:
Mama pashyanthi Ye naatham Raamam raajeevalochanam 14(dhee)
Mama pashyanthi Ye naatham Raamam raajeevalochanam 14(dhee)
5-26-41/42
Kamavardhini :
Mangaalaabhimukhee thasya saa thadhaaseenmahaakape:
Upathasthe vishaalaakshee prayaataa havyavaahanam 15(ma)
Upathasthe vishaalaakshee prayaataa havyavaahanam 15(ma)
5-53-27/28
Hitham mahaartham mrudhupoorvasamhitham
Vyatheetha kaalaayathi samprathikshamam
Nishamya thadhvaakyam upasthitha jvara:
Vyatheetha kaalaayathi samprathikshamam
Nishamya thadhvaakyam upasthitha jvara:
Prasangavaan-uttharam-ethad-abraveeth
6-10-27 16 (hi)
Arabhi :
Dharmaatmaa rakshasaashreshtassampraapthoyam Vibheeshana:
Lankaishvaryam dhruvam shreemaanayam praapnothyasamshayam
Lankaishvaryam dhruvam shreemaanayam praapnothyasamshayam
6-41-69 17
(dhee)
Yo vajrapaathaashani sannipaathaanna
Chukshubhe naapi chachaala raajaa
Sa Raamabaanaabhihatho bhrushaartha:
Chachaala chaapam cha mumocha veera: 18 (yoe)
Chukshubhe naapi chachaala raajaa
Sa Raamabaanaabhihatho bhrushaartha:
Chachaala chaapam cha mumocha veera: 18 (yoe)
6-59-139
Kanada :
Yasya vikramamaasaadya raakshasaa: nidhanam gathaa:
Tam manye Raaghavam veeram Naaraayanam anaamayam 19 (yoe)
Tam manye Raaghavam veeram Naaraayanam anaamayam 19 (yoe)
6-72-11
Na hi thay dadrushu: Veeram dahantam arivaahineem
Mohitaa: paramaasthrena gaandharvena mahaathmanaa 20 (nahi)
Mohitaa: paramaasthrena gaandharvena mahaathmanaa 20 (nahi)
6-94-26
Behag :
Pranamya devathaabhyashcha braahmanebhyashcha Mythilee
Baddhaanjaliputaa chhainam uvaachaagnisameepatha: 21 (pra)
Baddhaanjaliputaa chhainam uvaachaagnisameepatha: 21 (pra)
6-119-23
Chalanaat parvathendrasya ganaa devaashchakampire
Chachaala Paarvathee chaapi thadhaashlishtaa Maheshvaram 22 (choe)
Chachaala Paarvathee chaapi thadhaashlishtaa Maheshvaram 22 (choe)
7-16-26/27
Kapi :
Daaraa: puthraa: puram raashtram bhogaachchaadanasamyutham
Sarvamevaa vibhaktam nu bhavishyathi hareeshvara 23 (da)
Sarvamevaa vibhaktam nu bhavishyathi hareeshvara 23 (da)
7-34-41
Yaameva raathrim Shatrughna: parnashaalaamupaavishath
Thaameva raathrim Seethaapi prasoothaa dhaarakadvayam 24 (yat)
Thaameva raathrim Seethaapi prasoothaa dhaarakadvayam 24 (yat)
7-66-1
Khamach :
Sakrudeva prapannaaya thavaasmeethi cha yaachathe Abhayam Sarvabhoothebhyo dadhhamyethad vratham mama (Charama Sloka)
6-18-33/34
Madhyamavathi :
Idam Raamaayanam kruthsnam Gaayathreebeejasamyutham
Ya:pateth shrunuyaadvaapi sarva paapai: pramuchyathe (Phalashruthi)
Ya:pateth shrunuyaadvaapi sarva paapai: pramuchyathe (Phalashruthi)
Repeat
:
Kalyani :
Tapassvaadhyaaya niratham tapasvee vaagvidhaam varam
Naaradam paripaprachcha Vaalmeekirmunipungavam
Naaradam paripaprachcha Vaalmeekirmunipungavam
1-1-1
Meanings of
the slokas
1 .Sage Valmiki, ever
engaged in austerities and reading of scriptures, asked Narada, foremost
among Munis and a Master in the art of word
craft
2. Having killed the demons
obstructing the sacrifice, Sri Rama was felicitated by the sages
as Indra was felicitated long ago on his victory
3. Hearing Janaka’s words,
the righteous Viswamitra said to Sri Rama “O my boy Rama, take a look at this bow”
4. Then, Sumantra approached
Rama’s abode and standing at the entrance of Rama’s bedroom praised Rama and
his forebears in the dynasty.
5. Dasaratha gave Sita, who was following her husband (into the forest), enough clothes and ornaments reckoning the number of days to be spent in the forest,
5. Dasaratha gave Sita, who was following her husband (into the forest), enough clothes and ornaments reckoning the number of days to be spent in the forest,
6. It is the king
who is the upholder of Truth and Dharma, it is he who protects
those of good genealogy (kula) and he is the father, mother and well-wisher of
his subjects.
7 .Bharata (after sighting
the hermitage of Rama), spent a few minutes looking at it and then
saw Rama , his Guru, sitting inside with his matted locks.
8. Sutikshna Rishi (in whose hermitage Rama was staying) said to Rama “O Rama of great fame, if
you intend visiting Agastya, the great sage, then make up your mind to go
there today itself”.
9. Sita says to Rama
“ This deer (of golden colour) will be an object of wonder
for Aryaputra Bharata, my in-laws and for myself”
10. O Rama !
Leave this place without delay and go to the powerful Sugreeva. Make friends with him quickly
after going there today alone.“
11. Wait
for the appropriate place and time, taking
with equanimity both likes and dislikes and pleasure and pain which occur over
a period of time and put yourself under the control of Sugriva
12 . Those Rishis, who
by their austerities, have attained the highest goal
of life and have been purified by their tapas, are to be revered and respected.
You should enquire of them about Sita and her present situation with modesty
13. Having conquered by his valour the guarding deity of Lankapuri, who was capable of taking any form she desired, Hanuman, son
of Vayu and very powerful (scaled the ramparts of Lanka)
14. : “Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Rishis whosoever see my Lord Rama, who has eyes beautiful as lotus petals, will have their lives fulfilled.”
15.The wide-eyed (Sita), with the intention of blessing Hanuman and preventing any hurt to him, prayed to the Fire God with a pure heart.
16.Hearing the Advice of Vibhishana which was well-meaning, having a superior purpose, mild, reasoned, relevant equally in the past, the present and the future, Ravana was infuriated and being passionately attached gave the following reply.
17. This Vibhishana, the embodiment of dharma and foremost among rakshasas has arrived (to surrender himself to Rama) and he will surely inherit the whole of the riches of Lanka free of all enemies.
18. The valiant Ravana, struck by the vajrayudha of Indra or by thunder-bolt, was never agitated or moved but struck by the arrows of Rama he became extremely hurt, and the bow slipped from his hand.
19.“On the strength of whose valor many rakshasas lost their lives that valiant Rama, I think, is the eternal Narayana Himself.”
20 .The large-hearted Rama was scorching to death the army of the enemy but the rakshasas could not see him, deluded as they were by the Gandharvastra
21. Offering her salutations to the devas and the brahmanas Sita, with folded hands went near Agni and spoke thus
22. When the mountain was shaking, the ganas and devas were tossed about. Parvati also felt the tremor and embraced her consort Maheshwara (Siva)
23. O Chief of Vanaras, henceforth wives, sons, city, country, objects of enjoyment, clothes and food would be undivided between us, that is, we will partake of them as common assets.
24. The
night during which Shatrughna entered the hermitage of Valmiki,
the same night Sita was delivered of twin male children.
Charama Sloka
If any being
surrenders just once and says “I am yours” I shall
grant Abhayam to all such beings. This is my Vratha.
Phalasruthi
Those who
recite this, the whole of the story of Rama, composed of
the bijaksharas (seed letters) of Gayatri Mantra, in the morning
(Pratah Sandhya), midday (Madhyahneeka Sandhya) and evening twilight period ( Saayam Sandhya), will be saved from all sins.
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