Sarveshu ramante iti Raamah (Sri Rama is the one who brings happiness to everyone)

by Gaurang Damani

@ShriRamTeerth

Ayodhya’s King Dasharatha had a daughter named Shanta. She married the accomplished Rishi Rishyashringa. He will be one of the sapta Rishi-s in the next manvantara (era) due to his yogic practices.

Dasharatha required a son who could take charge of his vast kingdom. Dasharatha asked his kula-guru Rishi Vasishtha for advice. He told him to perform the Mahaalaya shraadha for his pitru’s (departed ancestors) blessings. The rituals include the pinda daana offerings to keep our pitru-s free from hunger and thirst. The Vedic scriptures assure us that our offerings reach our pitru-s like a calf finds her mother amidst many other cows.

Afterwards, Vasishtha recommended him to worship Goddess Kamakshi in Kanchi. Thus, he went to Kanchi and worshipped the Goddess with great devotion. She appeared and blessed him with 4 sons. The gratified king returned to Ayodhya.

As per Vasistha’s advice, a putreshti yagnya was performed under the guidance of Dasharatha’s son-in-law Rishyashringa. Vasishtha instructed Dasharatha to treat with respect all the attending Brahmana-s, Kshatriya-s, Vaishya-s, and Shudra-s. Vasishtha said actions performed with disrespect or deception do not give any benefits.

During that time of the ceremony, the Deva-s (demigods) and Siddha-s (accomplished sages) assembled in the higher realms to receive their share of the yagnya’s offerings. They prayed to God Vishnu for relief from a wicked Rakshasa named Ravana. Rakshasa-s are giant cannibals who know the mysterious art of illusion. Due to God Brahma’s boon of invincibility, the evil Ravana terrorized the Deva-s, and harassed Brahmana-s, kings, and women.

A Vishnu pleased appeared before the Deva-s and Siddha-s and heard their request. He agreed to take an Avatara on Earth and undergo suffering as a human to provide relief from Ravana, and for another reason.

The doorkeepers of Vishnu’s abode Jaya and Vijaya had insulted the 4 pious Sanat-Kumara-s. They cursed the 2 for rebirth on planet Earth. When they begged for forgiveness, they were given 3 lives as Vishnu’s enemies with redemption at the hands of a Vishnu-avatara. 1st birth was as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Their 2nd birth was as Ravana and Kumbhakarna. Their 3rd rebirth was as Shishupala and Dantavakra.

Thus, Vishnu chose the radiant King Dasharatha as his medium. From Dasharatha’s yagnya kunda, a divine entity carrying prasada appeared. With devotion and courtesy, Dasharatha accepted that offering. He gave half its part to Kaushalya, a quarter to Sumitra, and 1/8th to Kaikeyi. Finally, he asked Sumitra to drink the remaining part of the drink.

In due course, Kaushalya gave birth to Raama (राम, rāma), who had a dark complexion with a skin tone like that of a blue lotus. Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata. From Sumitra came Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Raama was an Avatara of Vishnu, and Lakshmana was a manifestation of Vishnu's serpent Adi Shesha. The people of Ayodhya indulged in great festivities including music and dance. Dasharatha fed the citizens, and bestowed many cows to Brahmana-s.

The 4 princes started growing up in Ayodhya. Raama and his 3 brothers learnt the basic Vedic scriptures under the guidance of Rishi Vasishtha. Dharma (righteousness) and satya (truth) became their strength. They also became skilled in weaponry, much to the delight of their father.

Later, when Rishi Vishwaamitra came to Ayodhya, Dasharatha offered his services to the sage. He asked for Raama to come to the forest to counter Rakshasa-s in the forest. When Dasharatha hesitated saying he is not even 16 years old, Vishwaamitra started getting angry. Vasishtha stepped in and said it is Raghukula-tradition to keep one’s word. Thus, Raama was called to the court.

Before going to battle, Raama had many queries about Dharma and spirituality. Vasishtha explained to Raama the summary of all the Vedic scriptures, later called the text ‘Yoga Vaasishtha.’ Vishwaamitra took Raama and Lakshmana along, and taught the 2 youths the knowledge of many celestial weapons. Raama killed Tadaka, Subahu, and many other Rakshasa-s. He threw Mareecha more than 100 yojana-s (around 900 km) away into the sea with Manava-astra.

The next day, Vishwaamitra decided to take the brothers to the Videha kingdom. There, King Janaka was conducting a grand yagnya to honour God Shiva's celestial bow which was in his possession. En route, Raama redeemed Ahalya helping her rejoin her husband, Rishi Gautama.

Later in Mithila, Janaka remarked that many kings including Ravana had failed to even lift Shiva’s bow, let alone string it. Janaka then offered the hand of Seeta to Raama if he can fix a string to the celestial bow. Raama accepted the challenge.

Over 5,000 strong men carried the heavy celestial bow on a cart having 8 wheels. Raama bend before the bow and circumambulated it while meditating on Shiva. Raama lifted the bow with ease and stringed it causing it to break in the middle. The thunderous sound shook the Earth as if a mountain had split. Thus, Raama won the hand of Seeta.

The royals came from Ayodhya to attend the marriage. Dasharatha expressed surprise when he heard that Seeta was found in the ground. Janaka’s kula-guru Rishi Shatananda then narrated the related significant events.

A king named Padmaksha worshipped God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi for her to become his daughter. They appeared and granted him a fruit, blessed him, and left. Padmaksha opened the fruit to find a luminous girl child. When she grew up, Padmaksha arranged a swayamvara that was so difficult that no one could win her hand. Many Asura-s were smitten by her beauty and a war ensued during which Padmaksha was killed. The maiden escaped in to the fire when she saw Ravana was trying to kidnap her. Ravana poured water only to find 5 gems, which he took in a casket to Lanka. He and Mandodari opened it the next day to find a small girl child. Mandodari said Goddess Lakshmi remains steady only in the house of a jitendriya (one who can control his senses). Otherwise, she can destroy his clan. She insisted that Ravana's soldiers escort her out of Lanka and bury her in the ground somewhere. This was done in an abandoned field outside the splendid city of Mithila. She was then found by Janaka and raised as Seeta.

Back in Mithila, after a mutual agreement, it was decided that Seeta’s younger sister Urmila would wed Lakshmana. Janaka’s nieces Mandavi and Shrutakirti would marry Bharata and Shatrughna respectively. It was a grand ceremony as per the Vedic scriptures. After completion of the wedding, the royal convoy embarked on the return journey.

When they returned, there were great festivities in the highly decorated Ayodhya. Enthusiastic people gathered to welcome Raama, Seeta, and the other royals. Rituals were performed in the palace to welcome the brides.

Raama began to discharge his duties as a husband and an obedient son. He served his superiors with high reverence. His parents, brothers, and stepmothers had profound love and affection for him.

The people of Ayodhya had an endearing love for Raama as he always worked for their welfare. He had control over his anger but acted with courage and toughness against the wicked. He was learned, being well versed in the Vedic scriptures. Raama’s language was sublime and he always started his speech with pleasant words. He always spoke the truth. He had no arrogance and disliked no one. His heart was pure. Raama was a pious, wise, kind, and humble prince. The phrase ‘sarveshu ramante iti Ramah’ is applicable, meaning Raama is the one who brings happiness to everyone.

This article is an excerpt from the book ‘Untold stories of Ramayana’ by Gaurang Damani. The book is available online.