VIRAADHA VADHA

oNE DEMON CAME ACROSS THEM.H e was equal to Yama.He was coming along with the animals he killed.He killed three lions,four tigers,ten deers,and an elephant.He saw them and leaped on to them.He held Seetha in his arms and told Rama.

You are atired like sages.Does any one come to the forest with a woman?You are holding arrows,bows and swords.It does not seem to be right.I think you dont know about me.I am a cannibal.I kill and eat the sages here.My name is Viraadhudu.This lady is fit to be my wife.I will kill both of you and drink your blood.

Seetha shuddered with fear.Rama was aghast with the developments.He was sorrowful.His mouth became dry.Rama turned to Lakshmana and said so.My wife is in the hands of Viradhudu.What more trouble can we have? kaikeyis plan has succeeded.She was not satisfied with merely getting her son the throne.She Sent us to the forest with this idea only.She is long sighted.Her determination has borne fruit.To me nothong is as sorrowful as another male touching Seetha

Lakshmana consoled Rama.You are the leader of everything.I am here to help you.Dont feel tensed up unnecessarily.It is not right.I will kill this demon this moment only.Lakshmana turned towards Viradha and asked about him.

Viradhudu did not reply but questioned them and where they were going.

Rama answered him that they were of Ikshvaakula vamsam.To abide by the rules of elders ,they had come to live in Dandakaaranya.But why was ViraDHA HERE?

Viradhudu replied so.He was the son of Jaya.His mother was Satha hrada.He was viradhudu.He had aboon from Brahma.He can not be killed by any weapons.So ,it would be better for them to leave Seetha and go away.Then he would not harm them.

Rama got angry and directed seven arrows on Viradha.Viradha disengaged Seetha and held his pierce and went towards Rama and Lakshmana.Rama broke his weapon into two by his arrows.He held them high and took them into the forest.Rama told Lakshmana that it was as if Viradha was showing them the way in the forest.

Seetha was afraid and wailed .She told him to leave them and take her instead,because any how she would become prey to the wild animals of the forest.

Rama and Lakshmana heard Seethas pleadings and determined to kill the demon.Rama cut his right shoulder and Lakshmana cut his Left shoulder.Viradha fell down.Rama and Lakshmana thrashed him and punched him severely but the demon did not die.Then Rama remembered that the demon can not be killed by weapons.So he told Lakshmana that they would bury the demon in a pit.Hearing this Viradha could remember his past.

He pleaded with Rama to forgive him.He could not recognise them.Actually ,he was a gandharva.His name was Thumburudu.By the curse of Kubera ,he became a demon.When he pleade with Kubera to pardon him,Kubera said that the curse would go when Rama would kill him.

There was a sarabhanga munis aasram with in a distance of 11/2 yojanas.Good will come if they go and meet him.That sage was very righteous.H erequested them to bury him in the pit.People who cremate demons would go to punya lokas.

Lakshmana dug a pit and they both buried Viradha.Viradha went to heaven.

Rama,Lakshamna and Seetha continued their journey.Rama hugged Seetha after killing the demon.

Rama said Lakshmana that as there seems to be danger everywhere in the forest,It would be better if they reached Sarabhangaasramam fast.

ARANYAKAANDAMU-DANDAKAARANYAM

Sree raama entered Dandakaaranya.He observed and assessed sages abodes.They were so beautiful,attractive and luring.Trees were full of Fruits and creepers were full of flowers.various types of birds in groups were a feast to the eyes.Chanting of vedas by sages was pleasant to ears.He let down his bow and arrows after coming to this place.Rushis welcomed Rama ,Lakshmana and Seetha with open hearts and him about their problems.Rushis told Rama that he was their ruler whether he was in Ayodhya or in the woods.He has to hold his bow and arrows and protect them like a father from cruel and wicked people.They are devoid of anger and became sages.They are not efficient to protect themselves.So he has to protect them.Rama ,Lakshmana and Seetha stayed that night with the sages .Early in the morning,THey walked into the forest taking from the sages.They entered the deep forest where wild animals like tigers and lions live.

Seetha tells about herself

Anasuya asked Seetha to tell about her swayamvaram though she came to know about it through others.Janaki started telling her so.Janakamahaaraju,who wasthe ruler of Mithilanagaram was ploughing land to do yagna.At that time she came from the earth and thus she came be his daughter.They brought her up with love and afeection.She reached the age of marriage.He was worried about his daughters marriage as if a poor and destitute farmer feels if the grain gets lost.The reason was that if there is a daughter of marriageable is in house ,it is natural for the parents to feel that tension.Such people are looked down not only among equals but also among people of lesser caliber.Even if he is not les than Indra,then too he has to face such a situation from public.Janaka was tense that such a time is nearing him.He was always with troubled conscience.He was like a victim who is fighting helplessly in deep sea waters to come ashore safely.He was sorrowful all the time.

She was ayonija ie she was not born from mothers womb.He could not find a proper bridegroom for his daughter.So ,he declared swayamvaram.In there house there was a siva dhanush from ages.If any anyone uses it succesfully that bow and arrow,he would give his daughter to him.But people who came could not even move it.It was so heavy.Those who cant even move it,can they lift it and shoot?

After sometime,Viswamithra brought Rama and Lakshmana along with him to Mithila.They came to see the yagna being performed by Janaka.Viswamithra introduced Rama and Lakshmana to Janaka and told that they were eager to see the shivadhanush.Janaka arranged for it .Rama took that bow in his hands and saw if the strings were alright but it broke into two pieces with the pressure exerted by Rama.So much noise could be heard while it was breaking down.Janajas sorrow left him with that incident.He decided to give his daughter to Rama and brought jalakalasam to hand over Seetha to Rama.

But Rama intervened and told him that without his fathers consent he would not approve .Then they called for Dasaradha and she was married to Rama .Like this Seetha became Ramas wife.She is in love with her husband who always goes in the of righteousness.

Anasuya hugged Seetha and was happy by the way Seetha told her story .It was darkening outside.So ,she advised Seetha to go to Rama and follow him always.She was happy seeing Seetha and so requested her to adorn herself .She would enjoy seeing her decorated .Seetha did as per the wishes of Anasuya and went to Rama.Rama was happy seeing Seetha adorned beautifully .Seetha expalined to him what all happened between her and Anasuya.Rama and Lakshmana were very happy that Anasuya gave such a good treatment to Seetha.That night they stayed in that sages aashram .Sages told Rama that in that forest dangerous Rakshasas were there.They live in different attires.Some are maneaters.Some take blood only as their diet.Wild animals are numerous in the forest.Even if Sages are not alert,those demons would eat them also.So,we should be alert.They showed him the way in to the forest,which was frequently used by sages to bring fruits and flowers.Taking the blessings of the sages,Rama entered the forest along with Seetha and Lakshmana as if Sun was entering in to the clouds.

Rama was appearing like THe SUN itself and Seetha was following him like a shadow.How appropriate it all looks .Janaka guided her to follow her husband like a shadow and never to leave him.

SEETHA,RAAMA,AND LAKSHMANA REACH ATHRI AASRAMAMSeetha,raamalaskhmana

Seetha,raama and Lakshmana started and went ti Athri mahaamunis aasramam.THEY Bowed to him with respect.Athri mahaamuni and his Anasooya recievd them as if  Rama was his own child.They took care of them very well.Athri then told Seetha to BOW TO Anasuya.He started telling Anasuyas greatnes to Seetha.In olden days there were no rains for ten years continuously and there was drought.Then she touched fruits and gave to sages. For some auspicious ocassion she converted ten nights into one night.She was like a mother to Seetha. .She made river Ganges to flow.She did severe penance for ten thousand years.She won over anger.She was so great that even sarva bhoothas pay homage to her.She did so many great works and so she got the name ANASOOYA.
Raama also directed Seetha to pay heed to Athris words and do as he said.Seethadevi also happily 
complied.


Anasooya was happy with Seetha.She was lucky because she was able to go in the right path.It is great for a woman to leave all the worldly pleasures and follow her husband to the woods.Whether the husband be a civilian,sinner,or good man,Bad man,whatever it might be,if a woman serves her husband with love and affection,she would go to heaven.Bad women dont realise this and do wrong acts as a result of which they go to hell.Be as you are now and you would reap fame and fruits of righteousness.


Seetha attuned to Anasooyas words and said from such a great soul such talk is relevant.She too knew that for a woman husband is her god.Even if her husband was bad ,she was supposed to respect him,.Then why not a great person like Rama would she not serve/Rama was amine of good traits.He is kindhearted towards all the life.His love and affection towards every one is consistent.He is jithendriyudu ie he has control over his senses.He is a righteous man.He loves like parents.


When she was leaving for the woods,even kousalya told her about pathivrathyam. She did not forget those sayings also.Here Anasooya is talking like mother inlaw to Seetha.Athri treatd Rama like a son and said Anasooya was like his mother.So it is likely that Kousalya is as great as Anasooya.Seetha was reviving what her mother told at the time of her marriage.Saavithri did serve her husband and reached heaven.Anasooya would also go to heaven as she too was sreving her husband similarly.


Anasooya was very happy hearing Seethas words.She told her she would bestow her thapodhanam to Seetha.But Seetha sweetly refused saying her blessings were enough for her.Anasooyas love towards Seetha increased double fold hearing these words.


Anasooya gave Seetha many gifts like special pushamaalikalu,clothes,ornaments,perfumes,body sprays.She said if she wore all those ,she would makeher husband as happy as Lakshmi makes Vishnu happy with her beautification.Seethadevi accepted them.

RAMA LEAVES CHITHRAKOOTA

Some sages were residing in chithrakoota near by Ramas abode.But after Bharathas arrival they were of the opinion to leave that place.They were talking in low voices pointing at Rama by their looks.They even seemed to be afraid of him.Rama could not understand their gestures and talked to their head.

He enquired if they had any trouble either with Lakshmana or Seetha.Kulapathi convinced him that Seetha was such a good natured woman.She would never dream of displeasing sages.She would never behave in awrong manner.

Kulapathi said thatthey were facing trouble from rakshasas.Ravana had a brother named Kharudu.He was very atrocious.He would kill and eat men.He creates troubles for sages while they are doing yagnas and yagas.His atrocities increased from the time rama started living there.He killed some of the sages also.So they wanted to move to a new and safer place away from Khara.He is sure to trouble Rama also.So if they wanted ,they too could come with them.

Rama tried to uplift them from fear but they went to another asramam.Rama also thought that if he stayed there ,Bharatha and others would be remembered quite frequently.Bharathas elephants and horses made the place dirty and unhygenic.So,it would be better for them also to leave that place and live in another asramam.

PAADUKAA PATTAABHISHEKAM

bHARATHA ANS sATHRUGHNA ALIGHTED THE CHARIOT.Bharatha held Raama paadukas on his head and went to Nandi graamam.He came down and talked to Vasishta.Kingdom given by Rama will be looked after by Sreeraama paadukalu only.You hold the white umbrella to these Paadukas only.We have to treat them as if they are real Ramas feet.They only will protect the kingdom.I will rule this kingdom till his return from woods.Rama gave it to me to save.Once Rama returns from the woods ,Bharatha would make him wear the padukas and then look at Ramas feet with respect and reverence.Then I would be devoid of this burden and then afterwards I can peacefully serve his brother to his hearts content.If Sreerama takes back the kingdom and looks after the peoples welfare,Bharatha would feel happy fourfold than these material pleasures.

Bharatha wore jataavalakamulu like a sage and lived in Nandi gramam and waited for Ramas return.He enthroned Rama paadukas and he used to brief his deeds to Rama paadukas.He used to serve Rama paadukas.He left all the burden on the paadukas and was ruling the country in its name.

BHARATHA ARRIVES AYODHYA WITH SREERAMA PAADUKALU

Bharatha held sreeraama padukalu on his head and alighted the chariot along with Sathrughna.all others followed Bharatha.

Bharatha came to Bharadwaaja aasrama.He stepped down from the chariot and paid homage to the sage.Bharadwaaja enquired if Bharatha could see Sreerama.

Then Bharatha explained that inspite of repeated pleadings by Vasishta and him,Rama refused to accept the kingdom.He was adamant in his decision to abide by the directions of his father.Then Vasishta advised Rama that if he gave his hemabhooshithamaina paadukalu ,they alone would bring all the good things to the kingdom and well being to its people.

Sree rama accepted Vasishtas request and stood east wards and kept his feet on the padukalu and gave them to Bharatha to enable him to rule the kingdom on his behalf.I have taken Rama spermission and returning back to Ayodhya.It seems that no one would have thought of paadukalu and their speciality.But being THRIKAAGNA,vASISHTA THOUGHT OF greatness of Ramas padukas and directed them to act accordingly.

Bharadwaja praised Bharatha for showing so much love,affection,respect and reverence to his elder brother.There were nothing surprising in such behaviour as he was naturally good charactered and good natured man.It is natural for water to flow down wards and there is no abnormalcy and surprising in such a thing.Dasaradha was ageless for having such a son as Bharatha.

Bharatha went round Bharadwaaja aasram many a time with reverence and started his journey to Ayodhya.He saw Ganga,Yamuna and neared Srungiberapuram.From there he went to Ayodhya.

Ayodhyam was lifeless, morose.No one was walking in the streets.Cats and owls were seen wandering everywhere.

Bharatha observed Ayodhya in such a plight and was telling his aide.Have you seen Ayodhya now?Not even a single humanbeing can be seen.Horses and elephants are not to be seen in the streets.No one is talking and no songs could be heard.Ayidhya is wound up in Rama sokam.No one is dressed up and wearing floral garlands and walking in the streets.There are no festivals observed by the citizens.Even the lights and happiness seems to have gone into the woods along with RAMA.When would Rama come back to Ayodhya and give back its lustre and luminiscence?

Saying so Bharatha went to Dasaradhas palace ,left his mothers there and told Vasishta so.Hey sage!now itself I am going to nandi gramam and live there waiting for Ramas arrival.Vasishta accepted his request and let him go.

Bharatha accepts SRIRAMAS PAADUKALU

Bharatha requested Rama to keep his feet in the golden paadukalu(chappals).These

are enough to bring good gortune to the entire mankind.Rama touched the padukas with his feet and gave them to Bharatha.Bharatha took them with reverence and respect and paid tribute to the padukas.He told Rama in no uncertain terms that he too would lead the life of a sage ,wear cotton dresses,take fruits and tubers as if in forest.He would keep Ramas padukas on the throne and rule the copuntry on behalf of Rama.He would live outside the Ayodhya AND EAGERLY AWAIT Ramas arrival.He would stay like that exaxtly for fourteen years.If by next day,Rama does not return ,then he would Kill himself by getting into the fire ie agnipravesam.

Rama accepted Bharathas conditions.SriRama hugged Bharatha and Sathrughna.He cautioned BHaratha again.He strictly directed Bharatha not to ill treat Kaikeyi at any time.He has to shower love and affection for her.He shoul never make her angry.He is taking the oath on himself and Seetha if he crosses this.

Bharatha decorated Ramas padukas beautifully and prayed to them.Then he went round Rama with reverence and kept them on the head of of an elephant by name,Sathrunjayamu.

Rama treated his teachers,ministers,peoplewith due respect for alland gave fair send off to them.He did namaskarams to his mothersand gave send off to the also.But they did not observe his act and stood there weeping.Then Rama himself went into the parnasaala leaving them to leave the forest.

Bharathuni praaypavesamu

Rama replied Vasishta in a docile manner that this body was given his parents.They take so much risk and pain to see that we grow up properly.We have to fulfill their wishes whole heartedly.It is our moral responsibility.So we have to definitely fulfill their words.So ,I would not waver from the word I gave to him.So ,please understand me and excuse me.

Bharatha understood that Rama was adamant in his decision and would not waver from his decision.So,he told his minister,Sumanthra,to lay grass on the ground.Until Rama accepts his wish,he would not get from thatched bed.I would lie down before Ramas abode covering my face with a cloth like a Brahmin vendor who would wait at the steps of borrower till his loan is cleared.

Sumanthra was looking at Rama as he was confused as what to do.So,Bharatha himself spread hay on the earth and lied down.

Rama was sad at the Bharathas act.He chided him saying that a Brahmin can do like that but A kshathriya cant behave like that.He consoled him to put off his stand and go back o Ayodhya.He was even requesting Bharatha to get up from the bed of hay.

Bharatha still pleaded with his people to request Rama to come back to Ayodhya from that bed only.

They expressed their inability to change Ramas decision because they fully knew his nature.

Rama pleaded Bharatha to hear what his friends were saying and come to an understanding.He gently told him to get up ,touch Rama and touch water from his hands.

Bharatha touched water and told his people that he did not ask his father or mother for the kingdom.He would not accept Ramas stay in the woods.If Rama was so insistent that their fathers request be heeded,then he himself would stay in the forest for fourteen years.

Then Rama replied that neither He nor Bharatha have any right to alter their fathers words.He was fully aware of Bharaths good qualities.He respects his seniors and teachers,.Bharatha was great and truthful man.May all good happen to him!!!

Rama would go back to Ayodhya after completing fourteen years of vannavasa.Then he would rule the country along with his dedicated brother,Bharatha.So,Bharatha,you too help me in fulfilling our fathers wish.

All the sages who came to see the dialogues of Rama and Bharatha were awestruck.They were happy and praised both the brothers.They praised Dasaradhas luck in having such great children.All those sages wanted Ravana vadha to happen and talked thus to Bharatha.

They told him to hear Ramas words because then only their father can stay in heaven.Otherwise he would not have fulfilled Kaikeyis boons and as such he had to go hell.Rama was happy with sages words and prayed them.

Bharatha became dull hearing sages words.He shuddered,tongue was parched and he could not speak anything.

Bharatha fell on Ramas feet and said he could not lead such a big empire.So ,he requested Rama again to rule the country.Rama lifted him and made him sit on his thighs.He told Bharatha with and love and affection that he could very well look after his people.He was a good person,and had good education from able teachers.He had highly intelligent ministers.He could discuss everything with them before implementation.Forget Kaikeyis acts in the throes of lust or monetary benifit.He has to look after her with much respect and love.