The Elephant On The Mouse

The Elephant On The Mouse

Madanmohan Tarun

When Ganesha, the elephant headed son of Sihva and Parvati, started for a round of the universe on his humble mouse, as a challenge, imposed by his parents, people were sure of his defeat in comparison to his elder brother Kartikeya, who had to perform this round on his peacock.

Kartikeya had nothing to think. The speed of a peacock had no comparison with a mouse ,his brother used for riding. He was sure of his victory. He took this challenge comfortably.

Ganesha always enjoyed taking challenges. He was ocean of intellect.

Before starting for taking the round of the universe, he sat closing his eyes under a huge banyan tree. His rat sat closer to him. It could read his mind. He was a part of his soul. He was a bit worried, but knew that his master will certainly come out with some way out.

Ganesha visualized the whole universe under his closed eyes. He saw trees, mountains, fountains, rivers, ocean all as a combined product of the earth, the sky, sun, moon, clouds, days and nights and all visible and invisible elements of this creation which makes this universe as a whole. And presently they all reflected within him with their full details. This was the brahmand in pind.

A brilliant question flashed in his mind. Whose product is he? Of his parents. They are his creators. They are his brahmand.

This solved his problem. He ran his palm on the back his mouse with affection. The mouse realized the meaning of his touch. He was ready to carry his master on some unique journey. Ganesha told something in the ear of his mouse and sat on him. He went near his parents. Folded his palms, bowed his head and started having a parikramaa, taking a round on is parents riding on his mouse. He made five parikramaas of his parents. People thought he is doing this for the good will of his parents before leaving for the round of the universe.

After some time Kartikeya arrived after completing his round of the universe, but the Ganesha was yet to start, people thought.

Shiva asked -‘what happened, Ganesha! You did not go for a round?’

‘I have already completed my round of the universe five times.’

Shiva and Parvati gave a questioning look at him.

Ganesha explained the theory of Brahmaand in pind.

Everything is complete in itself. Everything is a complete brahmaand in itself.

If the complete is taken out of the complete, only the complete remains.

He made parikramaa of his parents, his creators.  The creation moved around the creator. The creation is not different from the creation as a whole. His parents are not different from him or from the whole creation around. He moved around the pind, the unit, which is the whole brahmaand in itself.

This explanation silenced everybody.

Ganesha was the winner.

His mouse was now playing in his lap.

RamaayaN by Valmiki -32 The Ultimate Journey

RamaayaN by Valmiki 32

MadanMohan Tarun

The ultimate journey: Na bhooto, Na bhavishyati

One day kaal, the death, came to meet Ram. He requested Laxman to seek his permission.

Laxman informed Ram about him. Ram asked Laxman to send him in. While meeting Ram the death told him that no one should come here while they were talking. Ram asked Laxman to ensure the same. The death told Ram that he has brought a message from Brahma for him. He has said that Ram has stayed on the earth for sufficient period of time. He has almost corrected everything and has regularized the system effectively there. Now we need him here. In case he wishes to come back, we shall be very happy.’ Ram assured death that he will take some decision soon.

In the mean time, while Ram was talking to the death, rishi Durvaasa came and asked Laxman to inform Ram that he wanted to meet him immediately. Laxman humbly told him to wait for some time .Durvaasa became angry and told him that he will curse all if he did not inform Ram without any delay.  Laxman thought it better to face the repercussion of breaking rule himself by meeting Ram than to make everybody suffer. Laxman went inside while Ram was still talking to death. Laxman informed him about the arrival of rishi Durvaasa and his desire to meet him. Knowing this, the death left immediately. Ram called Durvaasa in. After Durvaasa returned back, Laxman went to Ram and requested him to punish him with death as per his ruling. This shocked Ram badly.

Ram called a meeting of all and announced that Laxman has to leave them all forever as he has broken a ruling given by him. Nobody dared to say anything against Ram. Laxman left immediately to the bank of river Sarayu. He sat on the bank in samaadhi mudra, restrained all his senses, held his breathe and disappeared from all earthly eyes.

Ram lost his peace and felt it impossible to live without Laxman.

He sent a messenger to call Shatrughna. Shatrughna crowned his son Subaahu as king of madhura and Shatrughaati as king of vidisha and left for Ayodhya.

Ram called a meeting of all who were present in Ayodhya. He declared that he will now leave the earth for his further journey. The kingdom of Ayodhya will be cared by Bharat as the king of Ayodhya. Bharat started weeping like a child before him and did not agree to leave Ram, so was the Shatrughna.

All residents of Ayodhya declined to stay there without him. Finally Ram agreed to take them all on his ultimate journey.

He announced that Hanuman will never die. He will always be on the earth and help the needy.

He asked Vibhishan to be in Lanka forever. Jamvant, Dwivid and Mayand will live till the incarnation of Lord Krishna.

With these words, Ram stopped all his communication. He started moving towards river Sarayu.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of men and women.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of colorful birds.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of animals.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of monkeys, bears and apes who had participated in the great war of Lanka.

He was followed by great Sugreeva.

He was followed by glorious Bharat and Shatrughna, his two brothers.

They all were silent and were in very high state of mind.

Now all were moving in the water of sarayu.

The water of Saryu was increasing with their every further step.

Now only their heads were seen…

Now... now …they all submerged in to the deep water of Sarayu and disappeared…

It was now only water and water and water seen everywhere...nothing else.

The pious river Sarayu was flowing with extraordinary glitter.

The wind was blowing silently …

And the trees and mountains around were thinking why they could not follow them…

(Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki 31 Ram-Rajy

RamaayN by Valmiki 31

MadanMohan Tarun

Ram – Rajya

Ram led a lonely and painful life.

He was a man of principles. He never accepted or implemented anything less than hundred percent.

He was a ruthless king.

He cared happy, healthy, rich, principled and trouble free life for the people of his kingdom.

Men, women, and children all enjoyed equal rights there. Even animals had right to go to the king and complain if any injustice was done to them. They were heard by the king with equal attention as human beings and culprits were punished accordingly.

People followed Varnashram dharma. If anybody failed to do so, he\she was ruthlessly dealt with.

Nobody dared to commit theft or anything which lowered high standards of morality fixed by the king.

He led value – oriented kingdom with respect to the great traditions, his ancestors followed.

Ram had distributed his large kingdom into various parts for better administration.

Two mighty and noble sons of Bharat, Taksha and Pushkal were the kings of Takshshila and Pushkalvati. 

Two sons of Laxman, Angad and Chandraketu ruled Karupath and Chandrakanta independently.

Shatrughna and his sons looked after Madhupuri and other states.

They were independent to take decisions and implement them for the betterment of living standard of their people and to maintain law and order, but they all were answerable to Ram if situation demanded.

Kush ruled south Kosal and Lava, north Kosal.

Ram-rajya was the symbol of high value system oriented kingdom.

It was rich, happy, healthy and evil free.

Ram was more a caring father than the king of his people.

However, there are a few actions of Ram for which he was criticized.

He killed Shambuk, ruthlessly, only because he was a shudra and was performing penance to achieve divinity and to go to heaven physically.

The way he treated Sita, was never approved by people.

(Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki -30 O mother earth! give me some place

RamaayaN by Valmiki 30

MadanMohan Tarun

‘O mother earth! Give me some place’

Kush and lava presented Ramaayan for many days in their melodious voice.

Ram finally came to know from the story of RamaayaN that these two boys are none other than sons of Sita.

He disused his heart with his brothers and told them ‘if Sita comes back here and declares her chastity in the presence of all, I will accept her back.’

He sent his messenger to Valmiki with the same proposal.

Valmiki assured his messenger that Sita will do the same in the presence of all.

Messenger conveyed word –by- word to Ram what Valmiki had said...

Ram requested all his invitees to be present when Sita takes oath and declares her purity.

The next day was fixed for the same.

Night passed and the morning arrived.

Ram came to his ygyashaalaa and called all invitees there to assemble.

Great rishis like Vashistha, Vaamdeo, Javaali, Vishwamitra, Deerghatama, Durvasa, Pulastya, Bhargava, Chyavan, Bharadwas, Narad ,Gautam,Agastya and many other assembled there. Apart from them great monkeys, members from Rakshasas all attended the gathering  with great curiosity.

After a while Sita came there following Valmiki.

Her head was down and her eyes were shedding tears continuously.

Her presence turned all sitting or standing there into the images of stone, their eyes fixed on the stage where Sita was standing. Their eyelids forgot   movement.

 Valmiki came forward and announced –

‘Sita is spotless. No sin can dare to touch her.’

 Sita went at the core of the stage, looked at the earth, folded her palms and prayed –

‘O mother earth! Give me place in your laps, if I am pure.’

These words of Sita created an unbelievable scene there. The earth cracked with thunderous sound. Sita moved step- by -step and entered into the crack as someone enters into her house comfortably. As she went inside the crack, the earth became as normal as it was ever before. It appeared as if nothing has happened there. Now there was no Sita seen anywhere! She remained only as a part of memory of those who had seen her present before a few minutes earlier there.  They could not believe that such an unbelievable thing has taken place there. They could not convince themselves that Sita ever came to this place and entered into the earth!

Ram was standing alone among the people, shocked…

It was only dead silence which prevailed everywhere …nothing else…

 (Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki - 29 Who these two boys are !

RamaayaN by Valmiki 29

MadanMohan Tarun

‘Who these two boys are!’

Shatrughna reached to Madhupuri. He enquired about Lavanaasur. He was out in jungle. Shatrughna had prepared a strategy to kill him. He waited at the door of his house till he returned back. After returning back from jungle, Lavnaasur tried to enter into his house to get the famous trident, but Shatughna did not give him any chance to do so. He killed him on his own door in a memorable fight.

Killing of Lavanaasur brought great name and fame to Shatrughna. He went so busy in organising his kingdom in Madhupuri that he could not return to Ayodhya for more than twelve years. He gave peaceful, happy, healthy and safe administration to his people. He left for Ayodhya when Ram was performing Ashwamaidha yagya.

Shatrughna spent one night at Valmiki’s ashram on the way to Ayodhya. At night he heard melodious voice of two boys who were singing Ram-katha and playing musical instrument. Valmiki told him that those two boys were Kusha and Lava. Shatrughna met Sita before leaving for Ayodhya and paid respect to her.

Shatrughna did not say anything about Sita or about her two sons to Ram, thinking that it may be painful to him. Shatrughna left Ayodhya within seven days or Madhupuri.

Ram led a lonely life. He never disclosed his heart before others but his brothers knew that he was never comfortable after he sent Sita to the jungle.

All the famous kings, scholars, Brahmins, Rishis, Vibhishan, Hanuman, and Sugreeva with his whole army were invited to take part in this yagya. They all came and were welcomed with great respect by Ram and his mighty brothers.

Idol gold of Sita was made for the performance of the rituals in yagya.

Valmki sent Kusha and Lava to Ayodhya to perform 20 cantos of his RamaayaN. That two, twelve year old boys became attraction to all in whole Ayodhya. People were surprised to see them both who resembled exactly like Ram.

Kush and lava performed RamayaN in their melodious voice before well known kings invited there, experts on various subjects, proficient in knowledge of words, who were well versed in music, knower of relation between the syllables, those who were well versed in astrology, knower of rituals, logicians, and best among  the knower of Vedas. Puranas and Brahmins. Knower of chitra kavya and experts in vocal music and all types of dances. Nothing was a mystery for them.

Kush and Lava were instructed by the poet to perform twenty cantos daily. today was the first day of  their performance .

Before presenting 20 cantos from Ramayan in their melodious voice with playing their instrumental music, Kusha introduced Ramayan by his guru Valmiki before the experts on various subjects sitting there -

‘This great epic is creation of venerable sage Valmiki. This has twenty thousand slokas and hundred legends. It has five hundred cantos and six kandas (parts). Presently he is working on its seventh kand titled as ‘Uttarkand’.’

Kusha and Lava enchanted all by their faultless high class performance.

Ram himself was so much impressed that he asked his brother Bharat to award those two unique boys with eighteen thousand gold coins and whatever else they wanted.  But both of them denied to accept the gift, respectfully, and said -‘we live in jungle and have been brought up there. Our needs are limited. We eat only fruits and roots of trees.’

Those two boys made Ram restless. It never had happened before. He wanted to know ‘who these boys are!’

            ( Ibspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki 28 Birth of Kusha and Lava

RamaayaN by Valmiki  28

MadanMohan Tarun

Birth of Kusha and Lava

When children of Rishis, staying with Valmiki, went to play on the bank of Ganga, saw a lonely woman sitting and weeping continuously on the sand of Ganga. Some of them went running to Valmiki and told him what they had seen. The Rishi immediately left his hermitage and came near the place, where the woman was sitting and crying with painfully and helplessly without any stop. Rishi could realize at the first glance that the lady before him was not an ordinary woman. She looked like flames of fire surrounded by smoke. Rishi introduced himself to her and asked who was she? Knowing that the rishi was none other than famous Valmiki, whose name she had heard several times with respect from her father in-law Dashrath, Sita told him everything what had happened to her. Rishi could mark that she was pregnant. He addressed Sita as daughter and requested her to stay in the hermitage with the wives of other rishis who live there as women hermits. They will take full care of her. Sita agreed to his words and joined other women- hermits and started leading a life of hermit there. Women hermits took full care of Sita as their daughter.
Rishis living on the bank of Yamuna River complained to Ram about the atrocities committed on them by Lavanaasur, the son of famous Madhu, brother of Kaitabha, who were finally killed by lord Vishnu. They told him that Lavnaasur, who rules Madhupuri and areas around, has made their life impossible there. He eats away huge number of men, women, lions, tigers and other animals daily. Rishis requested Ram to give them protection from the atrocities of Lavanaasur. Ram was aware of Lavnaasur, his strength and weaknesses. He collected all necessary details about him from rishis and assured them that they will be free from Lavanaasur soon. Rishis paid respect to Ram and left Ayodhya being fully convinced of the end of the rule of terror of Lavanaasur or ever.
Ram decided to take action against Lavanaasur without any delay. He consecrated Shatrughna as the king of Madhupuri and asked him to bring end to the rule of terror under Lavnaasur forever.  Shatrughna bowed his head before him as an assurance to follow his orders. Ram told him about the strength and weaknesses of Lavnaasur, the son of mother Anala and mighty Madhu. Being pleased of the deep penance of Madhu, Lord Shiva had given him a powerful trident which never fails. While giving his weapon to him he had put a condition that it will remain with him till he remains respectful to Brahmins and gods. It will turn the enemies into ashes as and when used on them. It will remain with his son after him. Ram gave Shatrughna an effective weapon to counter the trident, Lavnaasur had.
Shatrughna sent his well equipped army to Madhupuri a month earlier, before he himself left for the same.
Shatrughna stopped for a night at the hermitage of Valmiki on the way.
Sita delivered twins on the same night.
Rishi named her elder son as Kusha and the younger as Lava.
Shtrughna paid respect to Sita, before he left for Madhupuri.
 (Inspired by Valmiki)
 

RamaayaN by Valmiki -27 Leave away Sita in jungle and come back

RamaayaN by Valmiki  27

MadanMohan Tarun

Leave Sita away in jungle and come back

Information system of Ayodhya, ruled by Ram, was so well organized that he could know every activity, rumor or talk going on in his whole empire.

Vijay, Madhumatta, Kashyapa, Mangala, Kula, Suraj, Kaliya, Bhadra, Dantavakra and Sugandha were his main informers whom he treated as his friends.

They were asked to inform him about every good or bad activity going on in the state as well as what people talked about him.

One day Ram found Bhadra silent and hesitant about communicating him something. Ram encouraged him to come out with the truth, he was hesitant to disclose before him:”Bhadra tell me frankly about the truths going on in the town and in my kingdom as a whole. What people talk of me, Sita, Laxman, Bharat and Shtrughna? Bhadra ! Tell me even if something is unpleasant up to any extent. What are the good or ill words the citizens speak? It will help me in maintaining good things and refraining from bad actions.”

These words of Ram gave courage to Bhadra to speak out the harsh truth he was hiding. He said; “O greatest among kings! Listen, what is talked about you on the crossroads, in the markets, on the streets, in the forests and in the groves. People talk very high of you for constructing a bridge across the ocean. It was never thought or done by anybody before you. They feel proud of killing ten-headed mighty king of Lanka with his whole army by you with the help of monkeys and bears…but, a section of people of your kingdom don’t appreciate Sita accepted by you and brought back to Ayodhya. They say that the woman, who was abducted by Ravan and carried to Lanka in his lap and who was kept months together in Ashoka grove among demons, why Ram did not censor her. They say such conduct of a king will affect their life adversely. Even such women of their houses will claim to remain a part of their family even after committing some wrong act. Since, whatever a king does, subjects follow them as precedence.”

These words disturbed Ram deeply. He sent all informers back immediately. He went inside the room and kept on sitting for quite some time facing the thunders roaring deep within and shaking him badly.

After a few minutes, he sent messengers to   call all his brothers immediately.

Ram had never done so before. When his brothers got his message they left immediately to see him. After some time their chariots arrived at the door of the castle. They went inside where Ram was sitting. Ram welcomed all his brothers and offered them seats around him. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke to them:’ O guardians of the citizens of the kingdom! You constitute all my passions and you are nothing less than my life. I am looking after the kingdom carved by you. You have followed the scriptures with your matured intellect.”

"Today I have come to know such an unexpected thing which has disturbed me badly which I want to share with you all. Our citizens are talking ill of Sita. They don’t appreciate Sita brought back here who was carried away by Ravan in his lap to Lanka .I have told you that Sita was accepted by me after she proved her chastity by entering into the fire and coming out of it safely.”

“But, a section of citizens don’t approve Sita living with me. They talk ill of her and the rumor running around is causing infamy to me and my family. Thus I have decided to send Sita in jungle forever. I cannot wear the infamy of linage of Raghu.”

Ram took a disturbed pause, looked at Laxman and told him firmly: “Brother Laxman! You have carried on many difficult jobs successfully in the jungle. Sita knows you better. If you take her to the jungle, she will have no any doubt.  Sita is pregnant. A few days back she desired to go to jungle for a change with me for some days. This is the proper occasion to use her request. You go to Sita and tell her that I have sent you to take her to jungle for a change as I have no time to leave Ayodhya. These words will convince her. You take Sita to the other side of Ganga and leave her near the hermitage of Brahmrshi Valmiki and come back.”

His brothers were about to speak but Ram stopped them and said “this is my final decision. I have decided to not to keep Sita with me in the palace. She will go out from here without any doubt and my desire will be brought to action without any delay.”

This decision of Ram silenced all his brothers. They knew it well that Ram does not change his decisions. However, their faces showed that they were not happy with this decision of his brother. Laxman was left with no any option. He left immediately to meet Sita. His other bothers went inside the castle leaving Ram alone as he desired.

Laxman met Sita and told her what Ram had asked him to do.

Sita was happy to know that Ram sincerely cared her desire to go to jungle for a change. She immediately prepared to leave with Laxman.

Laxman covered half of the way on chariot with Sita. Reaching near the bank of Ganga he took a boat and crossed the river.

Laxman remained heavily silent all the way. He was passing through thousands and thousands of thunders within. He controlled himself coercively. But at the moment he reached to the other side of Ganga, He started weeping loudly like a child. He fell down at the feet of Sita.

Sita was shocked to see Laxman weeping and crying like a little child and lying down before her. The behavior of Laxman was most unexpected for her. She had seen mighty Laxman as an obedient brother of Ram as well as an angry young man, who never tolerated anything going wrong in his presence. She was fully aware of the fact that there was nothing wrong in the family. Everybody was comfortable there. Then, what can be wrong with him? Sita started analyzing. Have I done something wrong to him?

Sita asked Laxman: “brother! Have I done something wrong to you? If it has happened from me by mistake ever, I beg your pardon.”

This question brought Laxman back to his senses and he spoke “no …no  ...never... but you have been made prey of injustice for no any fault of yours.”

Saying this Laxman narrated everything for what she was sent here in the jungle.

For a while Sita could not understand what Laxman was saying. If it is true what Laxman was saying, then it is a case of deception. She never thought that Ram, who presents himself as a symbol of higher values and righteousness, will behave in this deceptive manner! Can he be so mean, almost like Ravan!

For others administration of Ram might be a glorious ‘Ram-Rajya’ but for me it was worst than ‘Raavan-Rajya’.

Ravan never misbehaved with me in Lanka, but Ram compelled me to enter into the fire’

I was pure when he slept with me and pushed me on the way to motherhood and now I am impure because a section of people talk ill of me?

Ram, as a husband, should have protected me in public and have told them about what had happened when I was back from Lanka, but he cared more for his own infamy, not of me.

Ram is no more other than an ordinary cruel husband who beats his wife, insults her in various ways and finally kills her.

Even if I am alive, I am not more than a breathing dead body.

Ram always carried a dark corner in his mind where I was kept as a doubtful prisoner. He never believed me. He was always waiting for an excuse to leave me up, even after he tried to burn me down in the ire in the presence o crores of monkeys and others.

I am sorry to say, he behaved with me like a mischievous fellow. He deceitfully sent me to the jungle with you Laxman!

If he had told me frankly about his option after he heard about people who talked against me, I certainly have left the palace immediately and my respect for him would have been intact , but the way he played his card against me , amounts to  be nothing , but  meanness.

I am happy that I am going to deliver my child in a free atmosphere, not in a place where I was always followed by doubts.

I don’t blame anybody for what I have faced in my life. Destiny must have some aim and intentions in creating me and making me pass through such odd adversities.”

Saying this much, Sita became wordless. Her dry, empty and widely opened eyes looked to be stuck with the sky.

Flowing Ganga stopped for a while, blowing wind had a little pause, chirping of birds stopped, jungle carried heavy silence around and Sita lost the feeling of palpitation which carries life in every living being…

             (Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki -26 Ram-Raajya

RamaayaN by Valmiki 26

MadanMohan Tarun

Ram – Raajya

Ram provided value oriented, impartial and rightful administration to his people.

As a king he was symbol of uncompromising righteousness and high values.

He was a hardcore and ruthless disciplinarian.

He cared only welfare of his people.

In spite of all his toughness he was more a democrat than a traditional king.

He made his three brothers in charge of different ministry independently.

He never questioned their any action and they never took any major decision without asking him.

Ram knew the blood of his brothers and had full faith in them. .

His state was thoroughly crime free.

Nobody dared to go against rules.

No case of any theft was ever reported in his empire.

People were rich and happy and they never closed their doors and slept comfortably at night.

His agricultural system was so perfect that people never faced any famine.

Trees were healthy and provided thick shadow and healthy fruits to people.

Rivers never suffered from the scarcity of water.

Medical treatment was made available to everybody.

Not only men and women but animals and birds also enjoyed happy life.

Independence of people was never interfered till they did not play smart against rules.

There was developed education system. Education was made available to each and every citizen.

No one was uneducated in his whole empire.

Temples were well cared and scholars had high place in society.

People were free to worship their gods, be it Vishnu, Shiva, rivers, Sun or moon.

Brahmins, Kshtriyas, Vaishy and Shudras followed their duties with full dedication.

Cultural traditions like music, dancing, dramas and other forms of arts were encouraged to maintain their high standard.

Poets, writers, scholars and saints had high respectability in the society.

Information system of the state was well netted.

King Ram was updated every day about good or bad took place in twenty four hours all around his kingdom.

Actions were never delayed.

Ram Raajya was known as the highest value oriented example of statehood.

               (Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki- 25 Brother! take care of your empire now,Bharat said

RamaayaN by Valmiki 25

MadanMohan Tarun

Brother! take care of your empire now, Bharat said

In no time the news of Ram on the way to Ayodhya covered all directions around. Whosoever  heard this, ran to Ayodhya. Residents of Ayodhya came out from their houses and started confirming the news from each-other. Ayodhya was filled with flood of joy when Shatrughna announced the same. All hearts turned into thrilling waves and dim eyes started glittering with new hope.

Whole Ayodhya and all its habitations were waiting for the return of Ram, right from the day he was sent on exile unjustly.

People painted their houses to give fresh and shining look and they decorated their doors with variety of flowers.

Roads were cleaned and it was ensured that no dust or dirt is left anywhere.

Temples were painted and decorated in the best possible way. Recitation of mantras and sound of hundreds of conches echoed the sky.

Great singers and musicians and dancers came to greet Ram.

Finally the most awaited moment arrived.

The huge Pushpak Vimaan landed  with thunderous sound and sending shivers to all trees around.

Everyone wanted to see Ram first. They ran and surrounded the Vimaan from all sides.

The upper door of vimaan opened and all eyes hanged there without any movement in their eyelids.

 And there...there...  the tall and mildly black colored Ram appeared like the sun of early morning after the dark night was over. He was followed by charming Sita and mighty Laxman who never left Ram alone in any condition. His love and dedication for his brother left no heights untouched.

Bharat ji ran fast to his brother and hugged him tightly. His eyes were blowing tears without any break and he had become wordless.

Ram took him in his long arms warmly and placed his lips on his head with boundless love and affection .

This great meeting of two brothers filled every heart with deep emotions and every one enjoyed this rare scene with their eyes of hearts .

In the mean time people saw with surprise,  a huge number of monkeys, apes and bears coming out of the Vimaan with glorious Hanuman, mighty Sugreeva, Angagad, Jamvant and Vibhishan, the king of Lanka.

Ram introduced them all respectfully to the people present there.

Ram narrated the whole story and happenings which took place during his exile.

It was eventful. Sita was abducted by Ravan. His meeting with Sugreeva, killing of Vali and coronation of Sugreeva as the king of monkeys , the great jump of Hanuman across the ocean, his meeting with Sita and burning the whole Lanka of Ravan .construction of the bridge by great engineer Neel across the ocean  with the help of mighty army of Sugreeva and crossing

The ocean and finally killing Ravan with his whole mighty army and placement of great Vibhishan as king of Lanka and back to the other side of the ocean with Sita.

People heard every word of Ram with their eyes widely opened with surprise and at the end they welcomed all in same voice and shouted loudly...Jai shri Ram…Jai mother  Sita … Jai brother  Laxman … which echoed the sky.

Shtrughna came and touched the feet of his elder brother, Sita and Laxman. They all received him warmly. Shatrughna invited the whole army of monkeys in the palace which was kept ready for them.

Bharat took all the three with him to the palace where his mothers waited for him.

Ram met Kaikeyee first and touched her feet. Then met Sumitra, mother of Laxman and Shtrughna and finally he met his own mother Kauslya…it was a rare scene charged with deep emotions.

In the mean time Bharat brought wooden sandal of Shri Ram carrying on his head and placed before him and said – ‘Brother! I have repented for all the fourteen years for what my mother did to you and my father. Father lost his life, you suffered so much and Sita faced so many troubles for her no fault .It all happened only because of me and my mother. The history will take me as a black spot on the race of glorious Raghu and my mother will always be quoted as a bad example among women. Brother! I am a sinner, who cannot be excused. However, I have not brought down the glory of great throne which my father left vacant and you left for jungle. The sandal kept near you is not an ordinary one. This is the same sandal of yours which I begged from you in the jungle. I placed it on your throne in your absence and gave my service to the people of your empire sitting and sleeping on the ground in your absence. Now you are back, kindly take care of your kingdom and release me from this burden. I shall always be in your service.’

Whosoever heard these emotion packed words of Bharat, coming from the depth of his heart had no words to praise for  his being a symbol of highest order of human values.

Ram kept his palm on Bharat’s head mldy and accepted his offer.

Now preparations of his coronation started.

Barber gently cut his matted hairs and gave it a proper shape. He took bath with pious water brought from all directions, from the pious rives and oceans. Brahmins recited mantras loudly and clearly and they put tilak on his forehead as the new king of Ayodhya.

This great moment was watched by all with great enthusiasm and glitter of new hopes in their eyes.

Ram was the king of Ayodhya now. He went  to his mothers with Sita and touched their feet and took their blessings.

He met each and every soldier of the army of Sugreeva and expressed his gratitude to them for their unparallel contribution in the war of Lanka and offered them precious gifts.

He met Hanuman and hugged him with love and told him that he will always be in his heart. Hanuman stood before him with his folded palms and head down in respect.

He met Sugreeva with all his respect and requested him to go back to his place, meet his family and take care of his kingdom.

He met Vibhishan, the king of Lanka and thanked him for what he did for him.

He sent them all to their respective places paying heartiest respect to all.

The Pushpak Viman opened it's feathers and started flying in the air.

They all kept it watching till it became invisible to the eyes.

               (inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki -24 Hanuman ! read mind of Bharat

RamaayaN by Valmiki 24

MadanMohan Tarun

Hanuman! Read the mind of Bharat and tell me

Ram was not sure how Bharat will react to his back to Ayodhya. He called Hanuman and opened his heart before him. He said- ‘Hanuman, you are wise and brilliant in reading others mind. My brother Bharat has ruled Ayodhya for all the fourteen years, I was on exile. He has enjoyed boundless power and authority during these days. This is the human nature that one who has tasted power once, does not wish to lose it ever. Apart from this fact he lives there with his over ambitious mother Kaikeyee. I am not sure how Bharat will react to my presence in Ayodhya. Before I leave for Ayodhya from here I want to be sure of everything. I request you to go to Ayodhya and read his mind and tell me. Face is the most dependable mirror to see the reflections of one’s mind and heart. You shall be able to read and analyze invisible feelings and thinking running through his face while talking to you.

 ‘When you meet him, give him full details from the abduction of Sita to killing of Ravan and installation of Vibhishan as the king of Lanka. Also tell him how I killed Vali, elder brother of Sugreeva who denied rights of Sugreeva. Also tell him that I have not come back here only with my wife and Laxman, but I am accompanied with the whole mighty army of Sugreeva, which changed the fate of Lanka.’

‘In case you find Bharat does not want me back to Ayodhya, tell him that I will go back to jungle again without any bad feeling.’

‘While going to Ayodhya, you meet my friend Guh, who lives in Shringverpur, and rules his kingdom. He will be happy to know that I am back and he will guide you to the way to Ayodhya.’

‘I will wait here till I get full information about Bharat and his empire.’

Mighty and wise Hanuman left for Ayodhya without any delay. He met Guh on the way, who welcomed him heartily knowing him so close to Ram. He guided Hanuman to Ayodhya and told him where Bharat lives. Hanuman took his permission and left immediately.

Hanuman reached to Nandi gram, where Bharat lived as a yogi. Nandi gram was two kilometers away from Ayodhya. Hanuman was shocked to see Bharat who looked more like a yogi than a king. He was wearing skin of black dear around his waist; his hairs were matted, he looked weak and thin; he slept on the earth. He worshiped wooden sandal of Ram, placing it on a throne.

After watching him for some time, Hanuman appeared before him and introduced himself as a messenger from Ram.

Bharat was shocked to see a monkey standing before him and claiming himself as a messenger of his brother Ram. He remained wordless for a while then spoke- ‘monkeys are notorious beings. They play lot of fun with people. I am already leading a painful life separated from my brother Ram. Why have you come here to make fun of me? How a monkey can be a messenger of a man?’

Hearing this Hanuman started narrating the whole story as he had heard from Ram. He told Bharat what had happened to Ram in Ayodhya before he left for exile with his brother Laxman and wife Sita. He also gave full details of what had happened with Ram in jungle , how Sita was abducted and how Ravan was killed. Hanuman spoke fluently in error free, chaste Sanskrit with each word pronounced perfectly.

Now Bharat was fully assured of his genuineness and he hugged him tightly .He was excited and emotions. His throat was chocked and his eyes were full of tears... He welcomed Hanuman and offered him a proper seat with full respect and poured down his whole heart before him -‘I have been waiting for my brother Ram to come back from the day I came to know of his exile. Laxman was lucky to be always with him but I was not so fortunate. I always repented for what my mother Kaikeyee did to him. Tell me where is he and when is he coming back. He has already completed his fourteen years of exile. Everybody in Ayodhya, including me is waiting for him. I will hand over the kingdom immediately to him and will be free from the sin, my mother has committed.’

Hanuman told him that he is already on the way to Ayodhya after completing his 14 eventful years of exile and presently he is in the hermitage of rishi Bharadwaj to pay his regards to him and will come to Ayodhya soon as I reach back to him.

Bharat was so much thrilled with joy to know about his brother that he announced a gift of hundred milk- giving cows, several villages and sixteen virgin girls with precious jewel, as wife to Hanuman.

Hanuman gave a smile and respectfully told to the king - ‘I am just an ordinary monkey. What will I do with all these things?’ He thanked Bharat and requested for his permission to leave Ayodya for Prayag. Bharat himself was ready to go with him but Hanuman assured him that Ram will come here soon. Bharat made an arrangement of a fast going chariot for Hanuman but Hanuman told him that he can reach faster to Prayag without a chariot.

He bowed his head before Bharat in respect and left back for Prayag.

                                     (Inspired by Valmiki)

Ramaayan by Valmiki -23 Towards Ayodhya

Ramaayan by Valmiki 23

MadanMohan Tarun

Towards Ayodhya

Fourteen years of exile of Ram was completed.

Ram decided to return back to Ayodhya. He expressed his desire before Vibhishan, Vibhishan requested him to stay in Lanka for some more time and give him opportunity to serve him. Ram welcomed his good will and told him that his brother Bharat and his mothers must be counting days for his arrival there. Now he cannot stay anymore here, that too reaching to Ayodhya will take months together as the way passing through jungles and mountains are not so easy.

Vbhishan told him that he will reach him Ayodhya within a day by his aerial car Pushpak, occupied by his brother Ravan from Kuber.

Before leaving for Ayodhya Ram met Sugreeva and Hanuman and told them about his desire to leave. It made them all sad. They all had become so close to him during these days that they had forgotten that a day will come when Ram will go back to Ayodhya.

Ram met all other monkeys, apes and bears of Sugreev’s mighty army who had given their best to win this war. He thanked them all heartily. He requested Vibhishan to give best of presents as a token of his love and gratitude to each of them   Presents make friendship deeper. Vibhishan did so without any delay. This pleased them all and they shouted loudly with joy and expressed their feelings of satisfaction, but, no one was ready to let Ram go back from there. They expressed either Ram should stay here with them or they all will go with him to Ayodhya. They all assured him to come back after they had participated in his crown ceremony. They desire to be a part of this most awaited function.

Vibhishan told Ram that the Pushpak is so huge and powerful that it can accommodate all in it and fly without any difficulty... Ram agreed to their proposal. This circulated boundless pleasure among all.

Vibhishan brought Pushpak there. All saw this huge swan shaped aerial van with surprise. It was made of pure gold and was decorated with unique jewels. Ram sat on the upper part of it with his wife Sita and brother Laxman. After him all accommodated themselves comfortably and the great van took its flight, carrying all of them, producing tremendous sound. When it took off from the earth, all trees of nearby jungle shivered badly. Gradually it went higher and higher and started flying fast. Now all were enjoying the aerial view of the earth .Trees, rivers and the ocean were looking like pictures in smaller size. It was passing through all the places of importance like memory of past passes through the mind... Ram was giving full description of those places to Sita -

‘This is the place where I killed Kumbhkarna...and here  ...here... I killed Ravan… here Hanuman killed Dhumraakchha and this is the place where mighty Meghanaad was killed by Laxman…this is the place where Kumbh and Nikumbh, two mighty sons were killed … here Mandodari, wife of Ravan, surrounded by thousands of other women abducted by Ravan from place to place wept…and this is the ocean which was crossed  Hanuman with his gallant  leap which can never ever be repeated again… and this is the bridge over the ocean constructed under the guidance of Neel , the great engineer of the army of mighty Sugreeva. I named this bridge as ‘Neel – Setu’ in his respect.

While narrating so many memorable moments to Sita during the war, Ram told Vibhishan to stop at Prayag. He would pay his respect to great saint Bhardwas before entering into the territory of Ayodhya. Vibhishan landed the flying car at Prayag. Maharshi Bharadwas welcomed them all with great pleasure.

                                          ( Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki -22 The criminal silence of Ram

RamaayaN by Valmik- 22

MadanMohan Tarun

The criminal silence of Ram

A tender creeper was crushed by an elephant which was hoping to wear tender colorful flowers

.Ram rained his ruthless words on Sita in public like thunderbolt and shattered her heart into pieces.

This type of meanest treatment from Ram never came to the mind of Sita before. She saw a nasty and horrifying face of Ram for the first time, which remained hidden all the time.

‘He says I was carried by Ravan in his lap to Lanka …was it my choice?

This is not the man whom I married? This is not Ram whom I knew, this is an ordinary fellow whose mind is closed from all sides and can see nothing beyond him.’

 At the moment she realized this fact, he attitude hardened to Ram.

Now she did not remain a weeping and crying Sita with pain, who tried her best to convince Ram in many words of her purity.

She looked straight into the eyes of Ram with her neck high and her face glowing .She told him-

‘You are always addressing me as daughter of Janak... I am not that... I am the daughter of this earth…

I have grown like mountains… I have flown like fountains… No Ravan can dare to touch me ever…I always carry my volcanoes within me…

However, I now take a decision to end my physical life  just now and here itself in the presence o all of you by burning myself in fire and go back to my mother turning myself  into ashes…’

She looked at Laxman and requested him- ‘brother! You prepare a payer for me…I am ready to ride on flames of fire….’ Laxman was badly shocked to hear such words coming from her mouth... he looked at his brother Ram, but Ram remained unmoved...tuff and empty of any feeling…

Taking Ram’s silence over the will of Sita as affirmative acceptance of what Sita had desired Laxman prepared a payer by arranging dry logs on each- other and lit it with fire.

The payer was ready. Within no time it turned into blazing flames

Sita proceeded towards the payer…

She was looking very different from what all present there had seen her till now.

She was wearing deep red colored saaree .Her face was glowing brightly and she herself looked like the blazing flame of fire in its full order. She was looking stronger than the fire, the payer had produced. All who were standing there were thinking -it is not the fire of payer which is going to burn Sita, but the payer itself is going to be burnt her.

 However, everybody was worried as she was reaching nearer and nearer to the payer. They thought Ram will get up now and will stop Sita, going fast to her, but it did not happen. Ram kept on sitting without a sign of any feeling on his face. Nobody present there approved this cruel attitude of Ram to his wife Sita, but no one dared to open their mouth before him.

However crores of monkeys and bears came nearer and stood surrounding the payer. They all were crying loudly with the feeling of their disapproval to what was happening there.

Sita reached closer to the Payer. She folded   her palms to pay respect to the fire and bowed down and touched her mother earth and put a little of its dust on her head. Her firmness at this time cannot be described in words. Now she was about to enter into the fire of payer …but all at a sudden strong wind started blowing and within no time it turned into horrific typhoon. Deep black colored clouds covered the sky around…trees started falling down…clouds started roaring like thousands of lions together…lightning started touching the fire and it all appeared as if the ending point of this earth has arrived…

But to the surprise of everybody standing there, the fire of payer extinguished .Sita was standing there with her both eyes closed in deep meditation thinking that she was standing in the centre of the burning payer. Her face was looking bright like the sun and she was totally untouched from the fire…

This filled everybody with boundless joy…all monkeys, standing around started shouting with their limitless joy in their sky touching voice…

Many poets or narrators of Ramaayan have tried to give so many excuses in order to cover this murderous and meanest act of Ram to his wife Sita. Even Valmiki has written that the god of fire himself came out of the burning Payer with Sita and convinced Ram of her purity and then Ram accepted her...

Ram himself said in favor of his own protection that if he had accepted Sita without putting her to such test, people must have criticized him for accepting a woman who lived for so many months in the house of Ravan…

What a murderous way of testing chastity of a woman and the way chosen to saving himself from the charges of general public!

Inaction of Ram, while Sita was entering into the blazing fire to kill herself shows that he wanted to get rid of his wife forever by encouraging her to die in this way.

This act of Ram was not different from the incidents published in the News papers of today under which husbands kill their wife in various ways, by pouring kerosene oil and lit her up by fire or pushing her down from the running train or into the well or in other different ways. Ram applied the same way cunningly, by encouraging Sita symbolically to kill herself so that nobody charges him ever for such a criminal act of cruelty.

 History will never excuse Ram for his such heinous act of cruelty to his wife and also it will not accept the silence of great people of that time , like Hanuman, Vibhishan, Sugreeva, Aangad Jamvant and many others including Laxman ,who were present at that moment  of such an act and did not open their mouth against Ram.

                              (Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki -21 Sita ! You are free to go anywhere from my side

RamaayaN by valmiki 21

MadanMohan Tarun

‘Sita! you are free to go anywhere from my side’

Sita covered the shortest distance between herself and Ram heavy heartedly and with many questions and doubts in her mind. She was not comfortable at heart ,feeling there was something wrong around her. Days have passed after the war was over and Ravan was killed …but she has not seen her husband even once till now… She was being taken by Vibhishan to her husband now…

When she reached to Ram, she kept on watching his face which she was missing for months...she could not believe that she was standing before her husband…it gave her boundless satisfaction and filled her with immense joy… she felt released of all her mental fatigues and the trauma she was passing through …

But this feeling did not continue longer. What of welcoming her, Ram did not care her presence before him at all. He, rather, gave a nasty and sore look at her and spoke harshly –

‘O Sita, you stand here before me as I have won you back from my enemy after defeating him on the field of battle. I have regained the prestige of Raghu- linage which was wiped out all at once by your abduction. I have killed Ravan who dared to do so and I have proved my manliness. A man who does not take avenge of his insult is worthless. Crossing the ocean by celebrated Hanuman and causing unimaginable devastation to Lanka alone has borne fruit today. The exertion of Sugreeva and his mighty and dedicated army has got its great result. Exertion of Vibhishan, younger brother of Ravan, who left him and joined me for the sake of supporting a great and genuine cause, has proved worthy of his exemplary character.’

‘I have done what a man revenging an insult should have done. I have redeemed my honor.’

Words of Ram went harsher and harsher to Sita without paying any attention to her – ‘let it be known to you that this war was not taken by me for your sake. It was done by me to clear my good name which was vindicated and the stigma attached to my illustrious parentage, belong to. I am now a free soul from all these charges.’

‘No man born in a noble family will accept a woman like you who has stayed in the house of a notorious man like Ravan. He carried you away from Panchvati in his lap. I cannot believe that he has spared you clean. I cannot touch a body which is already enjoyed by someone else other than me.’

‘O DAUGHTER OF JANAK! I CANNOT ACCEPT YOU BACK AS MY WIFE. YOUR CHARACTER IS NOT OUT OF SUSPICIAN. YOU ARE FREE ROM MY SIDE TO GO ANY WHERE, BE IT EAST ,WEST, NORTH OR SOUTH. IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE FOR ME….’

He waited a while and spoke-‘If you wish, you can take protection of Laxman or Bharat or Shatrughna or even Vibhishan for the rest of your life, if they allow you to do so.’

Sita was kept on standing stunned all the time. Her eyes remained wide open like a female dear which was pierced by sharp arrows when she was thinking herself protected from all sides. Every word pierced into her heart which was mercilessly released by Ram. She was crying from within but no words were coming out from her mouth. Her eyes were flowing tears continuously. Sita was standing shaken among crores of monkeys and bears having nothing to cover her shame…

                      ( Inspired by Valmiki

RamaayaN by Valmiki -20 Let Sita come walking to me

RamaayaN by Valmiki 20

MadanMohan Tarun

Let   Sita   come  walking to   me  

After meeting Sita in  Ashok -Vatika, Hnuman came back to Ram and requested him to go to Sita  and meet her soon. He told him that goddess – like Sita is deeply stricken with grief.’ Having heard of your victory in war, she longs to see you soon. She told me with her eyes dimmed with tears ‘I desire to see my husband soon.’ Hearing this from Hanuman, eyes of Ram filled with tears and he drew a deep audible breathe and spoke to Vibhishan casting his eyes on ground, ‘Bring Sita here after she has taken bath and adorned with cosmetics and jewels. You go to her without any delay.’

Following his words, Vibhishan left for Ashok- Vatika immediately to convey the desire of Ram to Sita.

Sita replied to Vibhishan ‘I want to see my husband immediately without taking bath.’ However, she agreed to prepare herself according to desire of Ram, on further request of Vibhishan. Vibhishan had taken some women with him who took Sita to a proper place with all facilities available there. Sita washed her hairs and took bath for the first time after she was abducted by Ravan. She was prepared by those ladies with costly robes and valuable ornaments.

She sat in the well decorated palanquin, covered with attractive colored clothes from all sides, arranged by Vibhishan for her. As the palanquin careers started, she was protected from all sides by mighty ogres. The palanquin was kept at some distance, from the place Ram was sitting.

Vibhishan went to Ram and informed him ‘Sita has arrived here.’ Ram heard this but did not response to his words for a while. He looked to be in meditative gesture. After a few moments he opened his eyes but did not show any eagerness to meet or love for Sita. He coldly spoke to Vibhishan to tell Sita to meet him.

By that time, huge number of monkeys and bears had assembled there out of curiosity to see Sita. There was no place to move comfortably. On order of Vibhishan, his soldiers started dispersing monkeys from there to make sufficient place to bring Sita in palanquin from where she was waiting to meet Ram. The action of dispersing monkeys created sky touching uproar which attracted the attention of Ram. He immediately stopped soldiers from doing so and said –‘all those who are here are my own people. They need not be moved from here.’ He looked at Vibhishan and spoke to him-‘remember, apartments, costumes or protective walls don’t constitute a veil for a women. Only her character is her shield. The appearance of women in public is not condemned in times of adversities or during selection of her husband or at a place of sacrificial performance. Now, when I am here she needs no veil while coming over here. Ram stopped for a moment and told to Vibhishan  firmly ‘ LET  SITA  COME  TO  ME  ON  HER  FOOT  ALONE.’

This ruthless attitude of Ram shocked everybody present there. Laxman, sugreeva as well as greatest among monkeys, Hanuman also did not appreciate it .They felt greatly distressed. But they remained silent marking tuff form and gestures of Ram lacking any regard for his wife Sita.

Following words of Ram, communicated by Vibhishan, Sita started walking following Vibhishan.

She was shrinking into her limbs out of modesty while she was approaching to her husband through huge rush of monkeys sitting and standing around.

                             (Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki -19 Cold response to Sita from Ram

RamaayaN by Valmiki 19

MadanMohan Tarun

Cold response to Sita from Ram

After the war was over and Ravan was killed, Sita was the only point of focus to everyone.

They thought the most emotional moment has arrived. Ram will not wait anywhere, he will go to Sita , meet her and bring her  back with him, for whom he has been passing his days and nights restlessly and remembering her every moment for months together. For whom the war took place, killing many from the both sides. But, everyone was shocked to see that Ram remained cold and emotionless all the while and did not show any desire to go to her.

He took more interest in installation of Vibhishan as a king of Lanka.

After all the rituals of Vibhishan’s installations were completed, he went to Hanuman and requested him –‘O wise and eloquent Hanuman! No one else can communicate better than you. I request you to go to Sita who was captivated in Ashok- Vatika by Ravan .Tell her that the war is over and Ravan is killed. Tell her that we are doing well, how is she? And come back to me.’

Hanuman and all, who so ever heard such a formal and brief message for Sita fom Ram, was shocked. But no one spoke anything.

Hanuman left for Ashok- vatika and within no time he was there. He saw Sita sitting under a tree, sad and depressed. She was wearing the same dirty and torn sari, what she was wearing when he had come here a few weeks back. Her face was shadowed with worries and pain.

Hanuman went before her with his head down and hands folded in respect to her. When she saw Hanuman standing before her, a dim smile ran through her dry lips. She asked impatiently ‘How is shri Ram? What happened in war?’ Hanuman told her – ‘o goddess like great Sita!  War is over. Ravan is killed and now gallant Vibhishan is the king of Lanka. Ram is doing well with all. He has sent me to know about how are you?’

Hearing this, eyes of Sita filled with tears and she became wordless and kept on looking at the horizon for a while. Hanuman waited a while, watching her and asked – ‘what happened?’ Sita said ‘nothing. I was always worried for Ram. This news has given me immense pleasure that Ravan is killed and Ram is well with all. I have desired nothing other than the happiness and success of shri Ram ever.’

Hanuman assured her that she will be soon with Ram and took her permission and returned from there, heavy heartedly.

Sita kept on watching the back of returning back Hanuman with her tearful eyes and heavy heartedly.

                       ( Inspired by Valmiki)