Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 11

One day, while Nandini was grazing happily in the jungle, a lion espied her and followed her in order to allay his hunger. Dileepa observed this; he used all his skill and might to foil the lion from pouncing on her; he resolved to offer his own body in exchange. That lion, though feline and ferocious, was a strict follower of Dharma. Moved by compassion at the sacrifice that the king was willing to make to save the cow that he worshipped, it released the cow and the king from its clutches, and left the place.

Nandini was filled with an inexpressible sense of gratitude and joy at the self-sacrificing gesture of Dileepa. She said, "King! This

moment, the curse that afflicts you is lifted! You will have a son who will subdue the whole world, support the principles and practice of Dharma, earn renown on earth and in heaven, enhance the fame of the dynasty, and, more than all, continue the Ikshvaku line, wherein, the Lord Himself, Narayana, will one day take birth! May this son be born soon". Nandini blessed the King. Attended by the King, the sacred cow returned to the asram of Vasishta.

  

Vasishta had no need to be told! He knew all; as soon as he saw the face of the King and Queen, he surmised that their wish was fulfilled; so, he blessed them and permitted them to leave for the City. Then, Dileepa and Queen Sudakshina prostrated before the Sage and reached the Palace, full of joy at the happy turn of events.

The child grew in the womb as the blessing guaranteed. When the months ran their full course, at an auspicious moment, the son was born. When the happy tidings spread over the city and kingdom, thousands assembled before and around the palace in great joy; the streets were festooned with flags and green leaves; groups of people danced in glee calling on all to share in the thrill; they waved camphor flames to mark the occasion. Huge crowds exclaimed 'Jai' 'Jai' and moved on towards the Palace grounds.

Dileepa ordered that the birth of the heir to the empire be announced to the multitude gathered in the vast grounds of the Palace, by the Minister himself, and when he did so, the joyous acclamation of the throng hit the sky. The applause was loud and long; the jais echoed and re-echoed from one street to another. It took many hours for the gathering to disperse and reach home.

On the tenth day, the King invited the Guru and celebrated the rite of Naming the New-born (Namakaranam). The name Raghu was selected, on the basis of the asterism under which he was born. The child gave delight to all by its prattle and play; he was liked by all as a bright and charming youngster; he crossed his teens and became a brave, resolute, efficient helpmate of his father!

One night - no one could guess why the king felt so - while conversing with the Queen he said, "Sudakshina! I have achieved many a grand victory! I have succeeded in celebrating many a great ritual sacrifice. I have fought many a grim battle with mighty invaders and triumphed over them all, including even ogres and sub-human Titans! We are blessed with a son who is a precious gem! We have nothing more to gain.

"Let us spend the remainder of our lives in the adoration of God. Raghu is the repository of all virtues; he is fit in all respects to take up the burden of ruling over the Empire. Let us entrust the realm to him; we shall retire into the silence of the forest, live on roots and

fruits, serve the sages who lead austere lives filled with godly thoughts and godward aspiration, and sanctify every moment with Sravana (Listening to the sacred teachings), Manana (Meditating on their inner meaning) and Nididhyasana (Practicing the path laid down) We shall not yield for a minute to sloth based on Thamasic qualities."

So saying, he called the Minister to his presence as soon as it was dawn: he directed that arrangements be made for the Coronation and marriage of the Prince. Full of the spirit of renunciation, he asked the Queen what her plans were. She shed tears of joy and gratitude and said, "What greater good fortune can I gain? I am bound by your order; proceed with your plans". Her enthusiasm and willing acceptance strengthened the resolution of the Emperor.

Continued.....

Love.

Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 10

When the king and queen entered the cottage and sat in their places, with the assembled sages and seekers, Vasishta suggested to the latter to move into their own hermitages, and asked the king the reason for his coming to his place accompanied by the queen and none else. The king communicated to his preceptor the nature and depth of his grief, and prayed for the only remedy that could remove it, namely, his Grace.

Listening to that prayer, Vasishta was lost in deep meditation. Perfect silence prevailed. The king too sat in the lotus posture on the bare floor and merged his mind in God; the queen attuned her mind with the Divine.

At last, Vasistha opened his eyes and said, "King! The will of God can be thwarted by no man, whatever his might or authority. I have no power to override the decree of the Divine. I cannot manifest enough Grace to confer, through my blessings, the son you desire. You have drawn on yourself a curse. On one occasion, when you were approaching the

Capital, during your journey home, the Divine Cow, Kamadhenu, was reclining in the cool shade of the Divine Tree, the Kalpatharu! Your eye fell on her, but caught up in the tangle of worldly pleasures; you ignored her and passed on, in pride, to the palace. 

Kamadhenu was pained at the neglect, she was hurt that you had failed to honor her; she felt that your people will start dishonoring the cow, since the king himself had failed in his duty. When rulers, who do not revere the Vedas or adore Brahmins who learn and practice the Vedas or neglect the cow which sustains man, continue to rule without restraint, she argued, there will be no Dharma in the land.

"Kamadhenu cursed you that day that you should have no son to succeed to your throne; she declared, however, that when you take the advice of the Guru and start in humility and reverence to serve the cow and worship her in gratitude, the curse will be rendered ineffective and you will be rewarded with a son and heir.

"Therefore, worship the cow from this moment, with your queen, as laid down in the sacred texts and you are certain to have a son. The hour is near when cows start returning home from the pasture. My treasure, the divine cow, Nandini, is fast approaching the hermitage. Go, serve her with devotion and steady faith. Give her food and drink at appropriate hours. Wash the cow and take her out to the pastures and see that no harm comes to her while she grazes."

Vasishta then initiated the King and Queen in the ritualistic vow of 'Cow Worship' (Dhenuvratha); he sent them into the cow-shed with holy water and offerings for the worship and himself walked towards the river for ablutions and evening prayers.

Continued...

Love.

Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 9

Nevertheless, the Maharaja was apparently overcome by some mysterious anxiety; his face was losing effulgence. The lapse of a few years did not improve matters. Despair wrote its deep lines firmer on his brow. 

One day, he revealed the cause of his gloom to his queen Sudakshina, "Darling! We have no children, and sadness is overpowering me as a consequence. I am even more affected when I realize that this Ikshvaku dynasty will terminate with me. Some sin which I committed must have brought about this calamity. I am unable to decide the process by which I can counter this malign destiny. I am eager to learn from our family preceptor, the sage Vasishta, the means by which I can win the Grace of God and make amends for the sin. I am very much agitated by grief. What do you suggest as the best means to win Grace?"

Sudakshina did not take time even to think out the answer. "Lord! This same fear had entered my mind too, and caused me much grief. I had not given expression to it. I smothered it in the mind for I cannot, I know, reveal my fears, without being prompted by you, my Lord. I am ever willing and eager to support and follow implicitly what appeals to you as the best means of overcoming our sorrow. Why should there be any delay? Let us hasten to consult revered Vasishta", she said.

Dileepa ordered the chariot to be brought for the pilgrimage to the hermitage of the Preceptor. He directed that no escort or courtier need accompany him that day. In fact, he drove the vehicle himself and reached the simple cottage of his Gurudev.

At the sound of the chariot, the hermits on the out-skirts of the Asram went into the cottage and made known to their Master the arrival of the Ruler of the Empire. Vasishta showered his blessing on him as soon as he saw him near the door and lovingly inquired about his health and the welfare of his subjects and his kith and kin.

Sudakshina fell at the feet of the sage's consort, the famed Arundhathi, embodiment of all the virtues which adorn the noblest of women. Arundhathi lifted her into her arms and fondly embraced her prodding her with questions about her welfare. She led her into the inner part of the hermitage. 

As befitted the monarch of the realm, Dileepa acquired from Vasishta whether the Yajnas and Yagas the ascetics had to perform as part of the cultural tradition were being carried out without any handicap, whether the anchorites were experiencing any difficulty in acquiring food and carrying on their studies and spiritual practices, and whether their sylvan campuses were terrorized by wild beasts. He was yearning, he said, to make their studies and spiritual exercises progress well without any distraction due to adverse environment or counter-influences.

Continued.......

Love.