Lomasa Narrates the Deeds of Rama to Aranyaka

Shesha said:

1. The best brahmana, having heard this very important (advice) from Lomasa, again asked that sage, who knew everything and who was best among the meditating saints. Aranyaka said:

2-4. O best of sages, O you very intelligent one, tell me (what) I am asking you. Preceptors are full of compassion, and explain everything to their servant(s). O magnanimous one, who is that Rama who is reflected upon by you everyday? What are his deeds? O best brahmana, tell me. Why has he taken the incarnation? Why is he born as a human being? (Please) quickly tell me all that to remove my doubt. Shesha said:

5-7. Having heard these very charming words of the sage, Lomasa narrated to him the wonderful good conduct of Rama. Knowing that people have been merged into hell, the lord of the lords of abstract meditation, the charming highest lord, the ocean of kindness — -knowing thus, descended along with Shri in four ways to spiead his glory in the world, by means of which (a man) would cross the terrible (mundane existence).

8-10. Formerly when the Treta age came, Rama, the descendant of Raghu, the full incarnation, having lotus-like eyes, was born in the solar dynasty. That Rama had Lakshmana as his companion and the young (boy) had side-locks of hair on his temples. Due to the promise of their father, the two youths (i.e. Rama and Lakshmana), devoted to Visvamitra, were handed over (to Visvamitra) for the protection of his sacrifice by the king. They were restrained, (good) archers, brave, and were devoted to Visvamitra.

11-15a. To cause an obstacle to them a demoness named Tataka. met them in the fearful forest when they were going along their way. Rama, the descendant of Raghu, sent by the cages' permission Tataka (to face) the torture inflicted by Yama by means of his practice of archery. By the touch of the sole of his foot Gautama's wife Ahalya (who had been transformed into) a stone due to Indra's contact, again got her own form. When Visvamitra's sacrifice proceeded well, (Rama), the best among Raghus, killed with great arrows Marica and Subahu. He broke Shiva's bow that was in Janaka's house.

15b-17. When Rama was fifteen years old, he married, according to (the proper rite of) marriage, the charming Sita not born from the womb. Having had Sita (as his wife), Rama then became (i.e. regarded himself) fortunate. Then for twelve years he enjoyed with her. In his twenty-seventh year, he prepared (himself) for the rank of (i.e. for being consecrated as) an heir-apparent. l8-23a. Then Kaikeyi asked king (Dasaratha to grant) two boons: " By one of the two Rama, having matted hair, should go away along with Sita and Lakshmana for fourteen years. By the second, my (son) Bharata should be (consecrated as) the heirapparent." The king sent away Rama accompanied by Janaki and Lakshmana. For three nights he took (only) water (and) on the fourth day he ate fruits. On the fifth (day) Rama prepared an abode on the Chitrakiita (mountain). In the thirteenth year, O great sage, Rama disfigured the demoness Surpanakha in Paficavati. When he was moving in the forest along with Janaki, the demon (Ravana), due to the ripening of his sins, came to kidnap her.

23b-27. Then on the eighth day of the dark half of (the month of) Magha, at the time called Vrnda, Ravana took away Sita left (alone) without Rama and Lakshmana. She, being taken away by him, wailed like an osprey: " O Rama, Rama, protect me who am taken away by a demon." As a hawk overcome with hunger would take a wailing quail similarly Ravana being under the influence of passion took away Janaka's daughter. When he was thus carrying away the daughter of Janaka, Jatayu, the lord of birds, fought with the king of demons. Struck by Ravana he fell (down).

28-29. On the tenth day (of the first half of Margaslrsa) Sampati told the monkeys about Sita whom (he had seen) on the ninth day of the first half of Margaslrsa to be living in Ravana's house. On the eleventh day Hanumat jumped from the Mahendra mountain and saw her the same night in Lanka. During the remaining (part of that) night Hanumat had the sight of Sita.

30-34a. On the twelfth Hanumat stayed on the simsapa tree. On the same night (he told) a story for (generating) confidence (in SIta's mind). Then his fight with Aksa and others took place on the thirteenth day (of the first half of Margasirsa). On the fourteenth day the monkey (i.e. Hanumat) was bound by Indrajit with the missile presided over by Brahma. He burnt Lanka with fire set to his tail. On the full-moon day the monkey (i.e. Hanumat) returned to the Mahendra mountain. (Having spent) five days from the first day of the second fortnight of Margasirsa on the way, Madhuvana was burnt (by the monkey) after again having come back. On the seventh day (a token of) recognition (from Sita) and full report (of the adventure) was given (to Rama).

34b-35. Rama set out on the eighth day when there appeared the Uttaraphalguni constellation and the time was (the auspicious) Vijaya, and when the sun had reached the middle of the sky (i.e. at mid-day). Having made a solemn declaration, Rama went towards the southern direction: (His solemn declaration was: )

36-38a. " Even having crossed the ocean, I shall kill the lord of demons." Sugriva was the companion of Rama who proceeded towards the southern direction. After seven days his army encamped on (the shore of) the ocean. Rama, along with his army encamped on (the shore of) the ocean from the first day to the third day (of the first half of Pausa).

38b-40a. On the fourth day Bibhlsana joined Rama. Consultations took place for crossing the ocean on the fifth day. For four days Rama undertook fasting to death. Then he obtained a boon from the ocean who advised to make a joint effort.

40b-42. (The construction of the bridge) was begun on the tenth day, and was completed on the thirteenth day. On the fourteenth day Rama encamped his army on the Suvela mountain. From the full-mo on day to the third (of the dark fortnight) the army of the lord of the monkeys crossed the ocean and with Lakshmana besieged Lanka for (getting back) Sita.

43-45. The encampment lasted for eight days, beginning with the third day and ending with the tenth. On the eleventh day shuka and Sarana came (to Rama). On the twelfth day of the dark half of Pausa, the counting of (the soldiers in) the army was done. The lord of the best monkeys quickly described the army. For three days from the thirteenth day to the newmoon day Ravana assessed (the soldiers in) his army and showed inclination to fighting.

46-52a. On the first day of the bright half of Magha Angada went (to Ravana) as (Rama's) envoy. Then Sita was shown an illusory head of her husband (by Ravana). For seven days from the second of Magha to the eighth (of Magha), a confused battle took place between the demons and the monkeys. On the night of the ninth day of the bright half of Magha Indrajit bound Rama and Lakshmana with the serpent-noose. When the lordly monkeys were perplexed and were completely nervous, Pavana, on the tenth day, muttered into Rama's ear his real form for freeing him from the serpent-noose. Then there was the arrival of Garuda on the eleventh day. On the twelfth day Dhumraksa was killed (by Rama). He himself killed Kampana in the battle on the thirteenth day. From the fourteenth of the bright half of Magha to the first day of the dark half, Nila (after fighting with Prahasta) killed him after three days.

52b-58a. From the second day of the dark half of Magha till the fourth day, in the fierce fight that lasted for three days Rama made Ravana flee the battlefield. From the fifth day to the eighth day Ravana woke up Kumbhakarna. Then he ate food for four days. After six days — from the ninth to the fourteenth — Rama killed in the battle Kumbhakarna who had eaten up many monkeys. On the new-moon day there was a temporary cessation of hostilities due to grief. During the four days from the first day of the bright half of Phalguna to the fourth day five demons — Bisatantu and others — were killed. In the same way Atikaya was killed (in the battle that took place) from the fifth to the seventh. During (the battle that lasted for) five days from the eighth day to the twelfth day (the two demons) Nikumbha and Kumbha were killed. Then, after three days Makaraksa was killed.

58b-59. On the second day of the dark half of Phalguna Indrajit won (the battle). There was a temporary cessation of hostilities for five days from the third day to the seventh day due to the soldiers being intensely occupied in fetching the herbs.

60-61a. Then, in the battle that lasted for five days (from the eighth day) to the thirteenth day Laksmaria struck Indrajit who was well-known for his power and valour. Temporarily ceasing the hostilities, on the fourteenth day Ravana took initiation (i.e. performed a sacrifice).

61b-70a. Ravana went to fight on the new-moon day. When from the first day of the bright half of Caitra to the fifth day Ravana was fighting for five days, there was a great killing of the demons. Mahaparsva and others were killed (in the battle that took place) from the sixthday of Caitra to the eighth day. On the ninth day of the bright half of Caitra Laksmaria was pierced (i.e. struck) by a missile (discharged by Indrajit). Rama who was full of anger made Ravana flee. The son of Anjani (i.e. Hanumat) brought the Drona mountain for (treating) Lakshmana (with the herbs on the mountain). The demons temporarily ceased fighting on the night of the tenth. On the eleventh day the charioteer Matali sent by Indra devoutly presented Rama in the battle with a chariot (sent by Indra). From the twelfth day (of the bright half) to the fourteenth day of the dark half i.e. for eighteen days Rama fought with Ravana in a single combat in chariots. In the battle that was fierce Rama obtained victory. During the eighty seven days of the war which began on the second day of the bright half of Magha and continued up to the fourteenth day of the dark half of Caitra, there was a cessation of hostilities for fifteen days — thus the (actual) war took place for seventy-two days. The obsequial ceremonies of Ravana and others took place on the new-moon day. Rama stayed on the battlefield on the first day of Vaishakha.

70b-75. On the second day of Vaishakha Bibhlsana was consecrated on the kingdom (i.e. as the king) of Lanka. On the third day took place the purification of Sita and obtaining boons from gods. Having, after a long time, killed the lord of Lanka, he, the elder brother of Lakshmana, accepted the auspicious Janaki, afflicted by the demon (viz. Ravana) and taking her (with him) with great love, he returned. On the fourth day of Vaishakha Rama got into the Puspaka and through the sky again came back to Ayodhya. When the fourteenth year was complete Rama along with his group stayed in Bharadvaja's hermitage on the fifth day of Vaishakha. On the sixth day he met Bharata at Nandigrama. On the seventh the descendant of Raghu (i.e. Rama) was consecrated (as the king) in Ayodhya.

76-79a. Maithili (i.e. Sita) lived without Rama in the house of Ravanafor eleven months and fourteen days. Rama ruled (i.e. was consecrated as the king) when he was forty-two years old. At that time Sita had completed thirty-three years. That lord Rama being delighted entered the city Ayodhya at the end of the fourteenth year and with his brothers ruled there.

79b-83. When he is thus ruling, Agastya born of a pitcher, the priest best among the eloquent, will come to the lord of the Raghu (dynasty). At his words (i.e. suggestion) he will perform a horse-sacrifice. O you of a good vow, his horse will come to your hermitage. His delighted warriors will (also) come to your hermitage. In front of them you will narrate pleasing tales about Rama. O best of brahmanas, along with them you will go to Ayodhya. Seeing Rama having eyes like lotuses in Ayodhya, you (will) be just at that moment crossing the ocean of the worldly existence."

84-86a. Having thus spoken to me, that best sage Lomasa, (most) intelligent of all, said: " What do you want to ask (now)? " Then I spoke proper (words): " Due to your grace I have known all the wonderful deeds of Rama. By your favour I shall obtain the lotus-feet of Rama." The lord of sages saluted by me went (his way).

86b-92. By his favour I have secured the worship of the feet of Rama. That I (i.e. such as I am, I), everyday, repeatedly remember Rama's feet. Being careful, I shall again and again sing his deeds. I shall purify other people by the enchanting song. With a desire to see him and repeatedly remembering the sage's words I shall be delighted. On the earth I am fortunate, I am blessed, I am lucky (that) I shall have a desire to see Rama. Therefore, by all means that charming Rama should be worshipped, for he (alone) should be saluted by all with a desire to cross the ocean of the mundane existence. Therefore, (tell me) why you have come here. Which king, a religious-minded one, will perform the great sacrifice, viz. the horse-sacrifice? You should tell me all that now; and should go to look after the horse. You should, repeatedly remembering Rama's feet, remember them (constantly).

93. Hearing these words of the sage, they were wonderstruck. Remembering Raghunatha, they said to sage Aranyaka.

 

CHAPTER THIRTYSEVEN

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