In the previous episode we witnessed that Rama and Lakshmana defeat the demon by name Kabandha and it is he who guides them to proceed towards the Rishyamukha mountain and search for Sugriva, the king of the Vaanaraas (Monkeys). Thus, Rama and Lakshmana are now walking towards this Rishyamukha Mountain in the western direction from the place where Kabandha was defeated.
If we look at the present day geography, there is a small cliff near Saketh and Pune, which is called Lonavala. Once we cross this Lonavala Mountain range, we would reach southern India, wherein we would land inside the present day state of Karnataka. It is in this border between Maharashtra, Karnataka and the present-day Andhra Pradesh, is a place called “Hospet/Hampi”. The area around this Hospet/Hampi is the place of Kishkinda, wherein all the Vaanaraas were residing. It is surprising to note that even today if we happen to visit Hospet and Hampi, we would find a huge population of monkeys living there!
Thus, Rama and Lakshmana walk all the way and reach Kishkinda and arrive near the Rishyamukha Mountain, as directed by Kabandha.
“Yesha raamaha shivaf panthaaha yathrairthe pushpithaa dhrumaaha!
Pratheecheem drithamaachruthya prakaasamthe manoramaaha!!
Braartaa nirathaha krudhhena vaalina chakrasoonunaa!
Sooyathaam raama vakshyaami sugreevo naama vaanaraha!!”
Through the above two slokas, Valmiki Maharishi clearly explains the sequence of events wherein Rama and Lakshmana proceed towards Kishkinda in search of the Vanara king by name Sugriva. It is this Sugriva who was chased away by his elder brother Vaali and fearing his life, he was hiding amidst the Rishyamukha Mountain. Sugriva is hiding in this particular mountain because Vaali has a curse that he would die if he comes there! Thus, Rama and Lakshmana near Sage Mathanga’s ashram on the way to this Rishyamuka Mountain.
“Mathanga vanamithyeva vishrutham raghunandana!
Rishyamookasthu pampaayaaha purasthaath pushpithaha dhrumaaha!!”
As Rama and Lakshmana near Sage Mathanga’s ashram, they see a beautiful and a sprawling lake by name “Pampa Sarovar”. It is in the banks of this huge lake, is Sugriva residing amidst the Rishyamukha Mountain. One one side of this Pampa Sarovar lake is the Rishyamukha Mountain and on the other side is another mountain by name “Maalyavaan”. It is in this Maalyavaan Mountain where Rama was residing after he met Sugriva and while the Vaanaraas went to search for Sita. It is near these two mountains are the ashrams of Sage Mathanga and Sabari.
Now, Rama and Lakshmana pass through Sabari’s ashram and they enter inside to meet this old woman by name “Sabari”. Sabari is an ordinary hunter woman who lives amidst the dense forest. Sage Mathanga was the guru of Sabari. While Sage Mathanga was preparing himself to attain salvation (Moksha), Sabari was also willing to accompany him. But Sage Mathanga had given her a small assignment – To be of a little service to Rama and Lakshmana who would pass through for some reason! Sage Mathanga had instructed her that once this assignment is over, she can also attain “Moksha”. It is for this reason that Sabari is waiting in her small hamlet!
As Rama and Lakshmana pass through, Sabari welcomes both of them inside her hamlet and make them comfortable. What happened next? What was the conversation between Rama and Sabari? What is the significance of an “Aachaarya” or a “Guru”? Let us wait till the next episode to find important answers for these questions!
The Indian Dharma 