Sarveshu ramante iti Raamah

As per his kula-Guru Vasishtha’s advice Ayodhya’s King Dasharatha performed the Mahaalaya shraadha for his pitru’s (ancestors) blessings. Then, he went to Kanchi to worship Goddess Kamakshi. She appeared and blessed the king with 4 sons. He returned to Ayodhya and performed the putreshti yagnya. Dasharatha’s son-in-law Rishyashringa (Shanta’s husband) officiated the ceremony.

As is well-known, a pleased God Vishnu appeared and gave the holy prasada. A grateful Dasharatha gave it to his 3 queens. Kaushalya gave birth to Raama, who had a dark complexion with a skin tone like that of a blue lotus. Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata, and from Sumitra came Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The people of Ayodhya indulged in great festivities including music and dance. Dasharatha fed the citizens and donated cows to Brahmana-s.

As the 4 princes grew up, they learnt the Vedic scriptures from Rishi Vasishtha. Dharma and satya (righteousness and truth) became their strengths. The 4 brothers also became skilled in weaponry, much to the delight of their father. As they grew up, Rishi Vishwaamitra came to Ayodhya and took Raama and Lakshmana along to counter Rakshasa-s in the forest. He taught the 2 youths the knowledge of many celestial weapons. Later, Raama married Seeta in Mithila in a grand ceremony which all the royals from Ayodhya attended.

As they returned to Ayodhya, Raama discharged his duties as a husband and an obedient son. He served his superiors with high reverence. His parents, brothers, and stepmothers had profound love and affection for him.

The people of Ayodhya had an endearing love for Raama as he always worked for their welfare. He had control over his anger but acted with courage and toughness against the wicked. He was learned, being well versed in the Vedic scriptures. Raama’s language was sublime and he always started his speech with pleasant words. He always spoke the truth. He had no arrogance and disliked no one. His heart was pure. Raama was a pious, wise, kind, and humble prince. The phrase ‘sarveshu ramante iti Ramah’ is applicable, meaning Raama is the one who brings happiness to everyone.

Later, as he was about to be crowned the king of Ayodhya, Dasharatha called him. Dasharatha could only utter ‘Raama’ and choked. At once, the eldest prince asked Kaikeyi if he had done anything wrong out of ignorance. The day Raama was to become the ruler of a vast kingdom, she told him about his exile and Bharata’s kingship. Raama accepted the wishes of his stepmother without any hesitation. He showed no sign of distress or unhappiness. He said it was his Dharma (righteous duty) to obey his elders. He stated he could not breathe for a single moment, after disobeying his father. He touched the feet of Dasharatha and Kaikeyi, circumambulated them both, and immediately prepared to go away in exile. People nearby could not see any change or discomfort in Raama’s facial expressions. He was a true sthita-pragnya (equanimity under all circumstances).

The upset citizens were deprived of their senses. They gathered on roads and their terraces, some tried to stop them, while others followed them. When Raama saw that even old Brahmana-s were walking behind, he descended from the chariot to walk. Lakshmana and Seeta also did the same, and they started walking towards the woods. At nightfall, all were hurt to see that Raama has forsaken the costliest of beds and was sleeping on the ground. They left next day at dawn while the others were sleeping.

Enroute to Chitrakoota, they interacted with Guha, and Rishi-s Bharadwaja and Valmiki. When Bharata came there to plead for his return, Raama said it was his Dharma to obey his father’s wishes. On hearing about Dasharatha’s demise, Seeta, Raama, and Lakshmana performed the pinda-daana. Finally, when Bharata agreed to return, Raama advised him to treat all 3 mothers with equal respect.

After a while, Raama, Seeta, and Lakshmana went deeper in the jungle. They met Atri and his wife Anasuya, Rishi-s Sharabhanga and Suteekshna. As advised, Raama decided to oppose the Rakshasa-s who disturbed the ascetic’s austerities and ate them too. Seeta asked Raama if a righteous person like him was justified to confront the Rakshasa who had so far not shown any hostility towards him. Raama replied that a true Kshatriya wore his weapons to eradicate the word ‘distressed’ from Earth. It was his duty as a Kshatriya to stop the evil Rakshasa-s. After having said so, Raama walked first, followed by Seeta and then Lakshmana.

After 10 years of travel, they reached Panchavati as advised by Rishi Agastya. Garuda Purana says they performed pitru shraadha on the banks of Lake Pushkara. They returned to the banks of River Godavari. The encounters with Shurpanakha, Khara, and Dushana are well-known.

Despite Lakshmana’s warning, Raama went after the golden deer to please his wife. On returning and finding the cottage empty, Raama started crying inconsolably. He rushed from tree to tree and River Godavari, asking if they had seen her. A little in the south, they saw Jatayu whose last words were about Ravana. Then, Raama churned a fire using 2 twigs for performing Jatayu’s last rites on a funeral pyre. The 2 brothers took a bath in the waters of River Godavari. En route, they faced and overcame the ferocious Ayomukhi and Kavandha.

Is there any husband on Earth who for his wife, has or would take so much distress, or walk thousands of kilometres?

At the idyllic Pampa Sarovara, he ate the half-eaten berries of his devotee, a tribal woman named Shabari. The enchanting Vasanta ritu (spring season) made Raama remark that it was unlivable without Seeta. Lakshmana consoled and motivated him. It was then that they met Hanuman and Sugreeva. Raama could have taken Vali’s help who had defeated the mighty Ravana, but Vali had kidnapped Sugreeva’s wife Ruma. After hitting Vali, Raama explained to him that the Vedic scriptures declare that a lustful person who ravishes his daughter, sister, or brother’s wife, must be destroyed. In whatever way a person acts to protect the chastity of a woman, he incurs no sin. Raama added that as a Kshatriya (warrior), he protected the oppressed as Sugreeva was victimized. Raama concluded that it was within his Kshatriya rights to ambush sinful animals in a forest. But Raama granted a boon to Vali, that he can redeem his resentment in a later rebirth. Vali was reborn as the hunter Jara who made God Krishna leave Earth after Dwaraka’s flooding.

Seeta’s search was hindered as Varsha ritu (monsoon) was starting. The dense clouds, lightning, and rains made an emotional Raama remember Seeta. Raama felt disheartened that he was not able to cause misery to his enemy.

After the monsoon, Sugreeva did start the search as promised. When Hanuman found Seeta in Lanka, he sang Raama’s praises to catch her attention. He told her that Raama was living in a lot of grief, anxiety, and sleeplessness for her. He displayed his immense form and offered to rescue her, but Seeta said she would willingly not touch any other male. She added that Raama for his honour will have to himself kill Ravana and rescue her from this sea of sorrow. Which is exactly what he did, but after Hanuman had burned down Lanka.

Concluding article is ‘Maryada Purushottam Raama’…