The story of the 7th descent of Lord Narayana as Sri Ramachandra with his three brothers is depicted in all its grandeur by Sage Valmiki (original name Ratnakar) in Srimad Ramayana, one of the greatest epics of all time (the other being Srimad Bhagavatam).
Valmiki lived during the glorious years of Lord’s descent to the earth, when the nation was resounding with the fame of Rama, the prince of Ayodhya who churned the hearts of all – the citizens and sages alike.
In Srimad Bhagavatam a brief mention is made of this avatar thus by the will of the Lord he took his descent on this earth as Sri Rama along with his part manifestations viz Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatruguna and appear as ordinary mortals.
Ramayana is very popular and sung even in the remotest villages of India – Whenever Hinduism prevails.
What the present articles intends is to present in a nutshell the story and exploits the avatar of the Lord as Sri Rama.
We ordinary mortals beg of the Lord to beget good issues but the Lord is worried about choosing his parents. The lord chose King Dasaratha & Kousalya devi as his parents. King Dasaratha (Son of Ajan) of Ishvagu dynasty who righteously ruled the kingdom for many years had no issues and hence was depressed. To get good issues he worshipped Lord Narayana for one whole year intensely along with his three wives. The Lord appeared in the king’s dream and asked him to worship “Tulsidevi” to beget worthy and virtuous sons. Accordingly the king worshipped Tulsidevi and thereafter performed Puthra Kameshti Yagna with the help of Sage Markendaya in the august presence of Vasishta Muni.
Let us go back in time to the time when Ravana, the Asura King of Sri Lanka did severe penance and Lord Brahma pleased with his tapas granted him several boons. The powers that Ravana got was used to torture the devas to such an extent that it became unbearable. They had to go in appeal to Lord Narayana to save them from the Asura King Ravana.
From the sacred fires of the homa arose a dark handsome young man with a vessel containing “payasanna” prasada. He gave the vessel to King Dasaratha and requested him to distribute the same to his worthy sons.
King Dasaratha was beside himself with joy and enthusiastically went into the inner chamber and called out to Kousalya devi. With Kousalya Devi came along Sumitra Devi who was close to her. Then came his last and third dear wife Kaikeyi. Therefore King Dasaratha distributed the payasam in equal proportions – one quarter each to his three wives and the last quarter was again given to Sumitra Devi as per the wishes of Kousalya and Kaikeyi. There are many theories about the quantum / proportionate of distribution of this payasam but this article does not intend to dwell on this controversial issue.
After staying in the womb of Kousalya Devi for full term of 12 months (A child before it is conceived stays in the father’s womb for 2 months, and then stays in the womb of the mother for ten months.) But here he stayed in the womb of the mother for full 12 months, because they were born on the earth by the payasam and not through the normal method. Sri Ramachandra was born on navami thithi under the star punarvasu, mithuna rasi. The other three were born as Bharath to Kaikeyi under the star Pushya, Lakshmana and Shatruguna under the starts Aslesha and Jyesta to Sumitra.
When the Lord was about to descend Navami (Number 9) came running so that HE would appear on that “Thithi”. It may be stated here that number 9 is unique in the sense that if you divide, multiply or add to 9 you get 9. The star Punarvasu indicated that the Lord would appear again (Punar) (Vasu) as the son of Vasudev.
The naming ceremony of the children was celebrated in all pomp and grandeur as befitted their status. It was Sage Vasishta who named the boys as Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatruguna. Under the able guidance of Asthana Guru Vasishta, the children were taught all the arts of the world. Sri Rama was so handsome that whoever sets his eye on him could not take off their eyes.
By now the children were 15 years of age and the King was contemplating their marriages.
At this point Sage Viswamitrar came visiting King Dasaratha. The Sage was greeted warmly by the King as it was considered a good augury when saints come visiting once place. He enquired of the sage’s welfare as it was the King’s prime duty to look after the welfare of his subjects and Rishi Munis.
Viswamitrar then related the difficulties he was facing in conducting yagnas/ homas as he was troubled by asuras particularly by the “Thataka”. King Dasaratha immediately replied that he himself would come with his army to give protection to Viswamitrar by destroying “Thataka”. But Viswamitrar would not accept Dasaratha’s offer and asked him to send Sri Rama with him to the forest. The king was beside himself with sorrow and was not willing to part with his darling son. Knowing the sage’s anger the king was in a baffled and perplexed mind. Viswamitrar told the king to consult Sage Vasishta and come to a good conclusion. He added “Aham vedhi……” he is no ordinary person indicating that Sri Rama was the Lord himself.
With a heavy heart King Dasaratha agreed to send Sri Rama with the sage. Thus Rama accompanied by Lakshmana proceeded to the forest with the sage trekking long distances by foot.
Seeing the plight of these two boys Viswamitrar taught them two mantras called Kalai and Adipalai which will remove the tiredness and keep them away from pangs of hunger.
That night they stayed in a hermitage and next morning after finishing the morning routine they went to the yagnashala where Thataka was a hindrance to Sage Viswamitra.
Upon the advice of Sage Viswamitrar Rama killed Tataka though it was against their principle to kill a woman. Then Viswamitrar taught Sri Rama all the sastra vidya that he knew, thus indicating the necessity of having a guru even if he is a prince.
Viswamitrar then took the boys along with him telling the importance / history of the places visited.
At this time in the kingdom of Mithila, the swayamvara of Sitadevi as being conducted by her father Janaka Maharaja. The condition was that whoever lifts the Shivadanusu (the bow of Lord Shiva); he would give his daughter’s hand in marriage to that being / Prince. It was at this juncture that Viswamitrar arrived with Rama and Lakshmana.
Many reputed princes of great strength and valour tried lifting up this Sivadanusu. They could not even lift het bow let alone putting the arrow to the bow. Sri Rama lifted the bow with utmost ease. Thus Sri Rama won the hand of Sitadevi.
There upon Janaka Maharaja informed King Dasaratha about the Swayamvara and with due respects proposed the marriage of Sitadevi to Rama. It was also decided to perform the marriages of the three brothers of Rama to the cousins of Sitadevi accordingly Urmila to Lakshmana, Mandavi to Bharatha and Srutakeerthi to Satruguna. The Marriage was performed with great gaiety and splendour as befitted the kings of both states.
Thereafter the four brothers with their respective wives accompanied by their parents proceeded to Ayodhya.
On the way Parasurama who was eager to pass on his Vishnu Tejas to Sri Rama that was in his possession met Sri Rama on the way and invited him for a fight. King Dasaratha requested Parasurama to leave his son alone but Parasurama would hear nothing of it. In the ensuing fight Sri Rama conquered Parasurama who lost all his powers to Sri Rama.
Sri Rama asked Parasurama to choose either returning to the Mandara the habitat of Parasurama or mutilate his legs in such a way that he would not able to wander anymore. Parasurama chose to return to Mandara Mountain where it is believed, he still exists.
The entire retinue continued the journey to Ayodhya where they were received with due devotion, respect and love by the citizens. From then onwards for twelve years, Sri Rama lived with his consort Sitadevi.
At the end of twelve years King Dasaratha eager to retire from enactive life proposed the “Pattabhishekam” of Sri Rama who would take over the reins of the Kingdom. Towards this end King Dasaratha called for a meeting of all Rishi Muni’s, senior politicians and also the citizens of the Kingdom and placed this proposal for their approval. Everyone present with no discard was very much for the Pattabhishekam of Sri Rama and stepping down of King Dasaratha. So the stage was set for Pattabhishekam celebrations.
At this juncture, on the advice of her trusted aide, Kaikeyi Devi chose to remind King Dasaratha his granting of favours earlier which she proposed to ask for now. She reminded that King of this and asked that the enthroning ceremony be performed to her son Bharatha and that Sri Rama should be sent away to the forest for a period of 14 years.
King Dasaratha was grief stricken at this request but being a person who followed the path of Dharma could not go back on his promise. He requested his wife Kaikeyi to reconsider her request but she stood by her demands and repeated that Pattabhishekam should be done only to her son Bharatha. When this drama was going on Bharatha & Shatrugun had gone on a visit to their uncle’s place. Kaikeyi sent for Rama and conveyed the above stating that it was his father’s wish and being afraid that Sri Rama would not obey his father she herself chose to convey the above to Sri Rama.
It is stated that this request did not in anyway upset Sri Rama’s equilibrium and with the same smiling face (when he was informed of his Pattabhishekam) agreed to the above proposal.
When Sri Rama started his preparation for going to the forest, Sitadevi and Lakshmana also insisted on joining him in his sojourn. Thus Rama, Lakshmana and Sita proceeded to the forest and walking along the Ganges river bank reached Bharadwaj muni’s hermitage in Chitrakoot.
Bharatha who returned to Ayodhya from his uncle’s place, learnt of the incident took place because of his mother’s request. Dasaratha Raja attained the lotus feet of the Lord on Rama’s going away to the forest; Bharath had to perform the last rites of his father Dasaratha Maharaja. Bharath would not accede to the plea of his mother to enthrone and instead came to Chitrakoot to plead with Sri Rama to come back and accept the kingdom. HE reached Chitrakoot and fell at the feet of Sri Rama and requested him to accept the throne. Rama effused and thereupon Bharath took the Paduka of Rama and said he would rule the kingdom till Sri Rama come back after 14 years and that the Paduka of Rama would adorn the throne and did Pattabhishekam to the Paduka in Nandi gram. Rama gave extensive advice to Bharatha on the administration of Ayodhya which is known as “Rama Geetha”.
After Bharath left, Rama with Lakshmana and Sita move to Dandakaranya where the Asura called Viratan was killed by Rama. He then went to Sarapunga muni’s ashram and gave him Brahmaloka. The Three moved around the forest and the areas around with much joy.
On one such day Lakshmana mutilated the feathers of Soorpanaka, the sister of Ravana who did the mistake of making advances to Sri Rama and also to him. She went and reported to Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka about the beauty of Sitadevi instead of condemning Sri Rama. Ravana avenged this mutilation of his by abducting Sri Rama’s consort Sitadevi. It was this action of Ravana which led to the war between Sri Rama and Ravana.
The drama was enacted thus. Ravana sent Mareechan in the guise of a golden deer to entice Sitadevi. Sita asked Rama to get the golden deer for herself. Rama ran after the deer. Lakshmana was to be her guard. When Rama did not return, Lakshmana was sent searching for Rama and Sita was alone. Ravana took this opportunity and appeared in the guise of a saint asking for “Biksha”. When Sitadevi crossed the threshold to put the alms in the Biksha Patara, Ravana snatched her and put her on his vahana and took her away.
As she was being carried away, she cried for help and went on dropping her ornaments one by one. Jadayu who heard this tried to fight Ravana, but he cut off its wings and he fell on the ground. Ravana flew to Lanka with Sitadevi.
Sitadevi was kept in Ashokavana surrounded by rakshasa women. She was to be coaxed by these rakshasa women to accept Ravana, Ravana used to visit Sita daily and waited patiently for her acceptance.
In the meanwhile not finding the deer Rama & Lakshmana returned to the hermit and found Sitadevi missing. Seeing the strewn rice etc, they came to the conclusion that something was a miss and started their search for their beloved Sita. They found Jadayu dead and Sri Rama put him on his lap with great sorrow this loss and performed the last rites for Jadayu.
As Rama and Lakshmana went in search of Sita, Rama came across a devotee by name “Sabari” whom he blessed and gave her moksha. Then he met Sri Hanuman, the minister of Sugreeva, the monkey king and brother of Vaali. Vaali was killed by Sri Rama for his astrocious act of abducting throne and wife of Sugreeva.
He then did Pattabhisheka to Sugreeva and asked him to rule the kingdom happily. He made him to join him during spring but Sugreeva did not. Thereafter Sri Lakshmana brought Sugreevan to Sri Rama and Sugreeva collected his army and sent them on all four sides – to the south with Hanuman as the chief.
Sambathi, the brother of Jadayu could see that Seetha was enslaved in Sri Lanka and on his advice Sri Hanuman went to Sri Lanka and was overjoyed to see Sitadevi. Seeing her trying to end her life, he recited Srimad Ramayana, he gave her the finger ring (Choodamani) of Sri Rama and when about to return to Sri Rama, he was surrounded by rakshasas. Indrajit, son of Ravana bound Sri Hanuman by Brahmastra. Sri Hanuman tried to render good advice to Ravana who enraged, set fire to his tail. Sri Hanuman in turn set fire to Sri Lanka and flew to Sri Rama’s place and handed over the Choodamani to Sri Rama, who was overwhelmed with joy.
In the hour of Abhijit, Sri Rama along with Sugreevan, Angadan and entire army left for Sri Lanka and reached the seashore. At that time, Vibhishanan, brother of Ravana did Saranagathi to Sri Rama which he readily accepted. Vibhishanan adviced Rama about the strength of Ravana’s army. Vibhishana requested Sri Rama to surrender to Samudrarajan and ask him to give way to reach Sri Lanka.
Samudrarajan when even after 3 days of saranagathi did not yield way, so Sri Rama looked at the sea with bloodshot eyes, which made the sea animals, birds, insects to quiver.
Then out of fear samudrarajan came running out with articles required for archana and worshipped Sri Rama. The bridge over the sea was built with hillocks, mountains brought from various places by the monkey army. The bridge measured lengthwise 1000 miles and in breadth 100 miles.
Sri Rama entered Sri Lanka and massacred Asuras. Indrajit bound Rama & Lakshmana by Naga astra which was unwound by Garuda through his heavy breathing (snakes went out of the bodies of Sri Rama and Lakshmana).
Seeing the entire Sri Lanka being occupied by army of monkeys, Ravana sent forth Nikumban, Naranthakan, Durmughan, his son Indrajit and others to fight this army.
In the meanwhile Sri Lakshmana killed Indrajit and angered by this Ravana used the powerful weapon on Lakshmana who fell to the ground as though dead. Sri Rama was overwhelmed with sorrow at this, thinking Lakshmana was dead and also thinking that Sitadevi was killed by Indrajit though it was mayasita. Sri Hanuman immediately brought the Sanjeevani Mountain consisting of herbs due to which Lakshmana got up as though from slumber much to the delight of Sri Rama. Kumbakarna who came to the battlefield was also killed by Sri Rama.
After this the real fight between Rama and Ravana began with full ferocity. Ravana was in his chariot since Rama did not have any weapons / chariot; Lord Indra sent forth his chariot through Madali and weapons consisting of shield etc., which was readily accepted by Sri Rama.
As many times as Sri Rama cut off Ravana’s heads they came back and stuck to his head Madali then explained to Sri Rama that he has to use the Bramastara on Ravana to cut off his neck which he did. Ravana fell on the ground with a thud. Thus ended the war between Rama and Ravana. Sri Rama was then sought by devas who gave life to the entire army of monkeys of Sugreeva.
Sri Rama along with Lakshmana, Sitadevi and the army ascended the Pushpa vimana and proceeded to Ayodhya. Vibhishana was made the king of Sri Lanka. In Ayodhya he was greeted by brother Bharata, the citizens of the place the etc., and Sri Rama’s Pattabhishekam was done with great pomp and splendour.
Sri Rama ruled for 16,000 years and it was then that Sitadevi conceived her children Lava and Kusha. One day when Sri Rama in disguise was going around his kingdom, he overheard two people talking – are of them said when Sitadevi was separated from Sri Rama for one year and he could accept her! I would not have done. So Rama being one who walks on the path of Dharma and being true King and to please the citizen he decided to separate from Sitadevi.
Sitadevi went to the hermitage of Valmiki where she gave birth to twin boys Lava and Kusha. Valmiki celebrated the naming ceremony of the boys.
Sri Rama wanted to perform the Ashwamedha yaga to which Lava and Kusha along with sage Valmiki attended. Sitadevi also came to yagnasalai and Sage Valmiki asked Sri Rama to accept Sitadevi which Sri Rama too accepted, but then Bhoomidevi opened up and Sitadevi went into the abyss and the earth closed up.
Yamadharma raja then came to see Sri Rama and requested Lakshmana to convey to Sri Rama that he wished to see him. When he was invited inside he told Rama that he comes on an important errand and that Lakshmana should be not around and added that when we are alone if any body comes in between he is fit to be killed. Lakshmana was sent out to stand as bodyguard so that nobody comes in. At the point of time, Durvasa Maharishi (son of Sage Abhi) came and asked Lakshmana to allow him to see Sri Rama. Lakshmana pleaded asking the muni to wait until Sri Rama was free. But Duravasamuni told he could not wait until Sri Rama was free and if he is not allowed he would destroy the entire race. So Lakshmanan pondered and thought if by going in and breaking in the privacy of Sri Rma and Yamadharma raja only he would get destroyed, if he would let in the Maharishi, the humanity at large would benefit. SO he went in and as was expected, Sri Rama with a heavy heart kept his promise to Yamaraja and sacrificied Lakshmana.
After Lakshmana attained Vaikunta by entering Sarayu River, Rama also attained vaikunta by entering the same Sarayu River. Before that he wanted to hand over the kingdom but Bharathan refused and requested Sri Rama to send for Shatrugunan from Mathura. Lava was made king of Kosala and Kushan Uttara Kosala. The army of monkeys of Sugreeva, residents of Ayodhya with their families requested Sri Rama to take them along whenever he went.
It was thus that Sri Rama along with this retinue entered Sarayu river to reach Vaikunta.
Thus ends the eighth purna avatar of the Lord.