Aranya Kanda
Narration
Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita Go to Sage Sarvanga’s Hermitage; Behold the Gods; Are Honored by the Sage; and Sarvanga Muni Goes to Brahmaloka
Having slain in the forest that terrible, mighty demon Viradha, the valiant Shri Ram held Sita to his heart and consoled her. Then he said to his brilliant brother Lakshman, son of Sumitra: “This difficult forest is very distressing. We have never before lived in such woods; thus we have neither experience nor practice of its hardships. Come, let us quickly go to the ascetic treasure, Sage Sharabhanga.” Saying this, Shri Ram went to Sharabhanga’s hermitage.
When they approached Sage Sharabhanga—whose power was equal to the gods and whose inner being was purified by austerity, indeed who by tapas had realized the Supreme Brahman—Shri Ram saw a most wondrous sight. There in the sky he beheld Indra, lord of the gods, seated in a splendid chariot that did not touch the earth. His bodily luster shone like the sun and fire; his radiant form blazed. Many gods stood behind him; their shining ornaments glittered and they wore pure garments. Many other great souls, dressed like him, were praising and lauding Indra. His chariot stood in the sky, yoked with green horses. Looking closely, Shri Ram saw that the chariot shone like the newly risen sun. Above Indra’s head was raised a spotless white parasol, bright as white clouds and as lustrous as the moon’s orb, adorned with garlands of wondrous flowers. Shri Ram also saw two excellent and precious yak-tail fans with golden handles, which two lovely maidens were waving over the lord of the gods. At that time many Gandharvas, gods, Siddhas, and great rishis were hymning the sky-throned Indra with excellent words, and the king of the gods was conversing with Sage Sharabhanga.
Seeing the duly honored Indra, Shri Ram pointed with his finger toward that marvelous chariot and showed it to his brother, saying to Lakshman: “Look, Lakshman, see that wondrous chariot in the sky. Flames of splendor leap from it; it blazes like the sun. Beauty itself, embodied, seems to serve it. The divine horses of lord Indra are surely like those we have heard described; indeed, such divine steeds stand in the heavens. Lion among men, look at the hundred youthful warriors, earringed, holding swords, standing on either side of the chariot. Their chests are broad and wide; their arms are sturdy and massive like clubs. All wear red garments and appear as unconquerable as tigers. Son of Sumitra, on each of their breasts gleam necklaces bright as fire. These youths bear the form of twenty-five-year-olds. It is said the gods always have such an age. As these foremost men appear, how delightful is their sight! Lakshman, until I clearly learn who this radiant person seated in the chariot is, you remain here for one muhūrta with Sita, daughter of Videha.”
Thus ordering Sumitra’s son to stay there, Shri Ram walked over to Sage Sharabhanga’s hermitage. Seeing Shri Ram approaching, Indra, counselor-chief, took leave of the sage and said to the gods: “Shri Ramchandra is coming here. Before he speaks with me, take me elsewhere from here. I should not meet Shri Ram at this time. He has to accomplish that great deed which is very hard for others to perform. When he has conquered Ravana, fulfilled his duty, and achieved his purpose, I will quickly return and have his audience.” Saying this, the thunderbolt-wielding subduer of foes, Indra, honored the ascetic Sharabhanga, asked his leave, and, in his horse-yoked chariot, departed for heaven.
After the thousand-eyed Indra had gone, Shri Ramchandra, with his wife and brother, came to Sage Sharabhanga. The sage was seated near the sacred fire, performing the agnihotra. Shri Ram, Sita, and Lakshman bowed at the sage’s feet, and at his bidding sat down. Sharabhanga invited them to receive hospitality and gave them a place to stay. Then Shri Ram asked the reason for Indra’s coming. Sage Sharabhanga told Shri Raghunath everything and said: “Shri Ram, that boon-giving Indra wishes to take me to Brahmaloka. By my fierce austerities I have won that world—very hard to attain for those whose senses are not subdued. O lion among men, when I learned that you had come near this hermitage, I resolved that without seeing you—such a beloved guest—I would not go to Brahmaloka. Best of men, having met a righteous great soul like you, I shall go to Svargaloka and above that to Brahmaloka. Foremost of men, the good and auspicious worlds that I have won—Brahmaloka, Svargaloka, and the rest—may you receive them.”
When Sharabhanga thus spoke, Shri Raghunath, knower of all the scriptures, said: “Great sage, I myself shall procure for you the attainment of those worlds. For the moment, I only wish to dwell in the place you indicate within this forest.” When Indra-strong Shri Ram said this, the great-knowing sage spoke again: “Shri Ram, a little way from here in this forest lives the highly radiant, righteous sage Sutikshna, observing strict rule. He will ensure your welfare—he will arrange your place and needs. Go to that holy spot in this delightful woodland and take refuge with the ascetic Sutikshna; he will make arrangements for your dwelling. Shri Ram, proceed along the bank of this Mandakini River—whose source you will keep opposite your course—where flower-like little boats can cross, boats borne by blossoms; following the bank thus you will reach there. Best of men, that is the way. But, dear one, wait here for two ghadi. Until, like a serpent shedding its old slough, I cast off these age-worn limbs, keep your gaze on me.”
Saying thus, the greatly radiant sage Sharabhanga duly established the sacred fire, kindled it, and, uttering mantras, poured offerings of ghee. Then he himself entered the fire. At that time the fire burned up and reduced to ash the hair, the withered skin, the bones, flesh, and blood of that great soul. From the mass of fire the sage Sharabhanga arose in the form of a youth, blazing like fire, and lifting upward from that fire he shone greatly. Bearing also the worlds of the agnihotri men, the great sages, and the gods, he went to Brahmaloka. The twice-born best Sharabhanga, doer of meritorious deeds, beheld there Brahma, the grandsire, with his attendants. Seeing that brahmarshi, Brahma was very pleased and said, “Great sage, auspicious welcome to you.” Thus the fifth sarga of the Aranya Kanda concludes here.
The Sixth Sarga: The Forest-dwelling Ascetics Pray to Shri Ramchandra to Protect Them from the Demons’ Atrocities, and Shri Ram Assures Them
After Sage Sharabhanga had gone to Brahmaloka, many groups of sages came to the brilliantly radiant Kakutstha, Shri Ramchandra. Among them were ascetics of the orders: Vaikhanasas, Valakhilyas, Samprakshalas, Marichis, the numerous Aamakutas, Patra-aharas, Danta-laukhalis, Unmajjakas, Gātra-sayas, Asahis, Ākāshikas, Salila-ahāras, Vāyu-bhakshas, Ākāsha-nilayas, Andilas, Shai-udhvāsis, Nāka-ārdra-paṭa-vāsas, ever intent on tapas, and the five-fires practitioners. All these classes of ascetics were endowed with Brahmanic splendor; through firm practice of yoga, their minds had become one-pointed. They all came near Shri Ramchandra at Sage Sharabhanga’s hermitage. Coming to the supremely righteous, deeply learned Shri Ramchandra—the best of the virtuous, knower of dharma—the assembled sages spoke:
“O joy of the Raghus, along with the Ikshvaku line you are protector and lord over the whole earth, the chief mighty hero. As Indra guards the gods, so you guard mankind. Your fame and valor are known in the three worlds. In you dwell the vow of obeying your father, truth-speaking, and all dharma. O protector, you are a great soul, a knower and enthusiast of dharma. We have come as petitioners; forgive us for speaking for our own need. If a king takes a sixth part of his subjects’ income, like a son’s due, and does not protect them, he becomes a great sinner. O Ram, the ruler who is engaged in protecting his people—regarding all who dwell in his realm as dear as his very life, or dearer, like sons—and who protects them with constant care, he obtains undying fame that endures for many years and, at the end, goes to Brahmaloka and there too receives special honor. Of the excellent dharma which the hermits in a king’s realm practice by living on fruits and roots, a fourth part accrues to that king who protects the people according to dharma.
“O Shri Ram, this great community of forest-dwelling household-renouncers—among whom Brahmins are many, and whose guardian you are—is being slain like orphans by demons. This community of sages is being massacred in great numbers. Come and see the bodies and bones of countless pure-souled rishis repeatedly slain in many ways by these fearsome demons. Those who dwell by Lake Pampa and on the bank of the nearby Tungabhadra River, those who live along the Mandakini, and those who have made their dwellings by Mount Chitrakuta—all these rishis and maharshis are being greatly destroyed by the demons. The terrible havoc these demons have wrought upon the ascetic sages in this forest we can no longer endure. Therefore, to take refuge from these night-rangers, we have come to you. O Shri Ram, lover of those who seek protection, guard us sages who are being slain by these demons. O young hero, upon this earth we see no other refuge greater than you. Save us all from these demons.”
Hearing the words of those austerity-engaged, radiant ascetics, the glory of the Kakutsthas, righteous Shri Ram, said to them: “O best of sages, do not thus entreat me. I am the obedient servant of the ascetic great souls. I have entered the service of my own duty—and along with that I shall gain the fortune of serving you. To remove the suffering that these demons cause you is precisely why, obeying my father, I have come into this forest. For the success of your purpose I have, in truth, arrived here. By gaining the opportunity to serve you, this forest-exile will be greatly fruitful for me. O treasures of austerity, I wish to destroy in battle those demons who are hostile to the ascetic rishis. You great sages, together with my brother, behold my valor.”
Thus granting boon-like assurance to those treasures of tapas, the one intent on dharma, liberal bestower of gifts, Shri Ramchandra—together with Lakshman and the ascetic great souls—went to Sage Sutikshna. Thus the sixth sarga of the Aranya Kanda is completed.