The Story of Atri Anusuya (Sarga 117-119)

Sarga 117.
This is the 117th chapter. Shri Rama and companions visit Atri’s hermitage, receive hospitality there, and Anusuya welcomes Sita.

After those sages departed, Shri Ramachandra reflected repeatedly and realized many reasons why it would not be proper for them to remain there. He thought, “I have already met mothers, brothers, and past people in this hermitage; their memories keep returning to me, and each day I grieve thinking of them. The encampment of Maharaja Bharat’s army has made the soil here more sanctified by the trampling of elephants and horses. Therefore we should move elsewhere.” With that thought, Shri Raghunath, with Sita and Lakshmana, left.

They reached sage Atri’s hermitage. The illustrious Shri Rama bowed to him, and Atri, with affectionate warmth like a father, embraced him. Atri personally tended to Shri Rama’s hospitality with devotion and also served the noble Lakshmana and Sita with courtesy. Atri — the foremost of dharma-knowing sages, always attentive to the welfare of all beings — addressed his honored, ascetic, elderly wife, the pious Anusuya, who was revered by all who came near, and comforted her with consoling words: “Daughter of Videha, Nandini Sita, receive her lovingly and respectfully.” Then he introduced Shri Ramachandra to the dharma-steeped ascetic Anusuya, saying:

“At one time, rain did not come for ten years. When the whole world began burning, she performed severe penances and austere vows; by the power of her tapas she made fruits and plants grow here, and she caused the sacred flow of the Mandakini to run again. She who for ten thousand years performed heavy penances and through her superior vows dispelled all obstacles for the sages — that is Anusuya Devi.

“Blameless Shri Rama, she once made a single night equal to a full day in her eagerness to serve the gods. She is worthy of being worshipped by you like a mother.

“She is a revered ascetic for the welfare of all creatures. Anger never touched her. Videha-nandini Sita, go to the elderly Anusuya Devi.”

Hearing Atri’s fine words, Shri Ramachandra said to the virtuous Sita: “Princess, you have already heard the words of sage Atri. For your welfare, go quickly to this ascetic woman who is famous in the world as Anusuya because of her virtuous deeds. Go at once to her hermitage.” Hearing these words of Shri Ramachandra, the illustrious princess of Mithila, Sita — one who knows dharma — went to the pious Anusuya.

Because of old age, Anusuya had become weak. Wrinkles covered her body, her hair had turned white, and, trembling at strong winds like the leaves of a banana tree, her whole frame shook. Sita approached, introduced herself gently, and bowed to the noble, devoted Anusuya. Sita, filled with joy, joined her hands and asked after her well-being. Seeing this disciplined ascetic Sita, aged Anusuya comforted her and said: “Sita, it is fortunate that you keep your eyes fixed on dharma. Honored Sita, you have left relatives and the honors you would receive from them and have followed Shri Rama into the forest — this is a great blessing. Whether at your husband’s city or in the forest, those women and sages whom he loves prosper greatly. A husband, even if ill-tempered, capricious, or poor, is like a supreme deity to a woman of noble character.

“Videha-nandini, after much thought I see no tie more beneficial than one’s husband. Like the imperishable fruit of one’s own austerities, he is capable of bringing happiness everywhere — here and in other realms. Women who dominate their husbands, or wicked women driven by desire, do not follow their husbands; they lack knowledge of virtue and wander after fleeting wants, and they fall into improper actions, losing honor in the world. But chaste women like you, who understand the world, remain engaged in good qualities and meritorious acts; like other noble souls they dwell in heaven. So remain devoted in serving your lord Shri Ramachandra; uphold the virtue of a faithful wife; regard your husband as the foremost deity; follow him at all times and be his companion in righteousness. That will bring you both fame and virtue.”

Sarga 118.
Sita, Anusuya — Anusuya offers Sita gifts; at Anusuya’s request Sita narrates her svayamvara story.

Moved by Anusuya’s counsel, the obedient princess Sita praised those words and began to speak softly: “Goddess, you are the greatest among the women of this world. It’s no surprise to hear such wise speech from you. A woman’s master is her husband; what you taught is already known to me. Even if my husband lacked noble birth or means, I would serve him without doubt. But since he is praised by all for his virtues, why should I even hesitate to serve him?

“This is Shri Raghunath — kind, self-controlled, steady of heart, devoted to dharma, and dear as a son to his parents. Lord Rama treats his mother Kausalya with great respect, and he treats other queens of the lineage of Dasharatha with equal regard. King Dasharatha never looked upon any woman with lust; he was fatherly and dharma-minded toward all. When I accompanied my husband to the lonely forest, my mother-in-law Kausalya gave me duty’s counsel; her words are firmly fixed in my heart.

“I remember well the teachings my mother gave me by the sacred fire at my wedding. I have not forgotten the advice of other relatives who counselled me. For a woman, there is no ordinance other than serving her husband. Savitri, wife of Satyavan, is venerated in heaven because of her service to her husband. You, Anusuya Devi, honored in heaven, attained your place through service to your husband. In all women, the best are the heavenly Rohini, who by serving their husbands are never separated even for an instant from the moon.

“In this way, many chaste, steadfast women gain honor in the celestial world because of their meritorious deeds. Hearing these words from Sita, Anusuya was delighted. She stroked Sita’s graceful head and then, increasing the princess’s joy, said: ‘Sita, follower of excellent vows, I have accumulated much penance through many observances. By the strength of that tapas I offer you any boon you desire. Tell me — what do you want me to give you?’

“Sita was astonished to hear this. Smiling gently at the ascetic’s offer, she said, ‘You have already fulfilled all my wishes with your words. There is nothing more to be done.’ Anusuya was greatly pleased at Sita’s lack of desire and said, ‘Sita, your freedom from greed gives me special joy. I will fulfill that state of your heart. I give you this beautiful divine necklace, these garments, ornaments, and priceless accessories. Videha-nandini Sita, wear these items; they will enhance your beauty. They are yours and, when used, will remain pure and stainless.

“Daughter of Janaka, bedecked with this divine ornament, you will adorn your husband as Lakshmi enhances Lord Vishnu’s glory.’ At Anusuya’s command, the composed and graceful Mithila princess Sita accepted the garments, ornaments, and necklace as a most pleasing gift. She folded her hands in gratitude and sat at the feet of tapodhana Anusuya in service. Then Anusuya — who observed the highest vows — asked to hear a most dear tale.

“‘Sita, tell me in detail how you were won at your svayamvara,’ she requested. Hearing this, Sita said, ‘Mother, listen,’ and began to tell the story thus:

“The brave king Janaka of the Mithila realm, famed for righteousness and skilled in Kshatriya duties, used to till the field destined for a sacrifice with a plough. From the earth, I emerged — the ground itself opened and I appeared. At that moment, the king was sowing seeds with herbs in his hand; seeing me, covered in dust, he was astonished. In those days he had no other children, so in this new year he lifted me in his arms and poured out all his affection, declaring, ‘This is my daughter.’

“A voice from the heavens — a divine utterance different from ordinary human speech — proclaimed: ‘O king, your declaration is correct; this maiden of virtue is indeed your daughter.’ That voice pleased my righteous father Janaka greatly. The king, who had achieved great prosperity by his merits, gave me in adoption to his beloved queen, a lady devoted to pious deeds, who raised me with proper care and affection.

“When my father saw I had reached marriageable age, he worried like one who fears losing his hard-earned wealth. The father of a daughter often faces humiliation when seeking a match — even from lesser-ranked suitors — so he was deeply distressed. There came a time when he felt great anxiety about my marriage. Considering me a daughter not born of parents (a child of the earth), he desired a husband both worthy and supremely beautiful, but could not make a decision.

“He pondered whether to hold a svayamvara for his daughter. Around then, at a great sacrifice, the god Varuna — pleased by the ceremony — gifted the king an extraordinary divine bow and an inexhaustible quiver of arrows. That bow was so heavy that no human could even budge it; even the kings of the earth could not bend it in their dreams. On receiving it, my powerful father invited kings from all realms and proclaimed: ‘Whoever lifts this bow and strings it shall be my daughter’s husband; there is no doubt.’

“When the gathered kings could not lift the mountain-like bow, they saluted it and left. Later, the noble scion of the Raghu lineage, the truthful and mighty Shri Rama, accompanied by Lakshmana and sage Vishvamitra, came to see my father’s sacrifice. My father honored Vishvamitra greatly. Vishvamitra said to him, ‘O king, these two — Shri Rama and Lakshmana, sons of King Dasharatha — desire to see this divine bow; show it to them.’

“My father brought the bow and showed it to Prince Rama. The mighty Rama, of the glorious Raghu line, with a single blink he lifted the bow, strung it, and drew it to his ear; with that swift pull the bow broke into two pieces with a thunderous sound, as if a vajra had shattered. My father, true to his vow, presented me to Rama; at first Rama, unfamiliar with my father Dasharatha’s intentions, did not accept me. But then, with King Dasharatha’s consent, my father gave me into the self-knowing Shri Rama’s hands. He also gave my younger sister Urmila to Lakshmana. Thus, at that svayamvara, my father bestowed me upon Shri Rama. I have remained ever devoted to my husband—strong, virtuous, and valorous Shri Rama.”

Thus ends the 118th sarga.

Sarga 119.
At Anusuya’s bidding, Sita wears the gifts and goes to Shri Rama; Shri Rama and others stay the night at the hermitage, and in the morning the sages counsel them on the path ahead.

Anusuya, who knows dharma, held Mithila’s princess Sita in her arms, stroked her head, and said: “Daughter, you have recounted this wonderful and sweet event in clear, precise words. I have heard how your svayamvara took place. Sweet-speaking Sita, your tale delighted me. Night draws near; the radiant sun sets, and the creatures that feed by day prepare for sleep. The priests returning with water-pots, having bathed, are on their way back to the hermitage.

“Sage Atri has already completed the evening rites properly; so an ashy-colored cloud appears like the neck of a pigeon. Even the sparsely-leaved trees in distant regions become dense in the dark, and one cannot tell direction. Nocturnal creatures roam; the ascetics of this sacred forest sleep in different corners. Sita, night has come; the sky is studded with constellations, and the moon rises, wrapped in a sheet of moonlight. Go now; I give you permission to go. Enter the service of Shri Ramachandra. Your sweet words have greatly pleased me. First, adorn yourself in front of me with these divine garments and jewels and delight me.”

At these words the lovely Sita, like a celestial maiden, dressed herself in the divine garments and ornaments. After bowing at Anusuya’s feet, she went before Shri Rama. When Shri Rama saw Sita adorned by Anusuya’s loving gifts, he was deeply pleased. Seeing the spectacle of Anusuya’s affection and its manifestation, the noble Raghunath was delighted.

Sita told Shri Rama everything about the garments, ornaments, and the necklace she had received from Anusuya. Lord Rama and the mighty Lakshmana were pleased by the gracious hospitality that Sita received — a hospitality so rare among humans. Then, after honoring all the ascetic women and sages, the cherished son of Raghu, Shri Rama, happily spent the night, observing the hermitage’s hospitality and admiring the moon-faced Sita adorned with Anusuya’s sacred ornaments.

When morning came and all forest-dwelling ascetics bathed and performed the Agnihotra, Shri Rama and Lakshmana sought permission to depart. The pious forest sages spoke to the brothers: “Raghunandan, this forest road is troubled by rakshasas; their mischief is constant. Many man-eating demons, shape-changing rakshasas, and blood-thirsty beasts live in this vast forest. Any ascetic or brahmachari found wandering unprotected may be devoured by those violent creatures. You should prevent and drive away those foes. This is the same path sages use to enter the forest to collect fruits — you must also proceed by this route.”

After the sages spoke these words with folded hands and blessed their safe journey, Lord Shri Rama — who puts enemies to suffering — took his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana and entered that dense forest as if the sun itself had plunged into a cloud.