The Indian Dharma

A warm welcome to all of you for our second mega-project!!!

Commencing today, we’re going to witness a few of the important life/leadership/management lessons from the second great epic of our “Sanaathana Dharma” – The Mahaabhaarata! In our previous project, we had witnessed few important life/leadership/management lessons from the first great epic – Shrimad Ramayana.

In the modern day world, day in and day out we are witnessing innumerable problems of varying types and of varying intensities. However, for every problem that we face in the modern-day society there are clear-cut solutions available in our “Indian Dharma”, which is nothing but the “Sanaathana Dharma”. We have of course reflected and pondered upon a few kinds of problems and the ways to handle them during our Ramayana project. Now we are going to extend the discussion further with the basis of the next great epic of our Indian Dharma, which is the Mahaabhaarata.

As many of us would agree, Mahaabhaarata is one text that is extremely close to our hearts. Of course as mentioned above, our Indian Dharma comprises and revolves around the two great epics – Shrimad Ramayana and Mahaabhaarata. The Ramayana comprises of all the life instances of Lord Shri Rama. The Mahaabhaarata comprises of all the life instances of the great clan called “Bharata”, which further comprises of the two groups called the “Kauravaas” (Sons of King Dhrithiraashtra) and the “Paandavaas” (Sons of King Paandu) and the bridge between the “Kauravaas” and the “Paandavaas”, who always strived to unite both the sub clans together – Lord Shri Krishna! Thus, this second mega project is on the Mahaabhaarata!

Whenever we begin to analyse and learn something from a great text, it is important for us to know something about that text, who is the author of that text, what is the author’s specialty, etc. Also, it is important to understand the underlying message that the text conveys to the reader. This in Sanskrit is categorized into the following three attributes – “Prabhanda-Vailakshanyam”, “Vaktru-Vailakshanyam” and “Vishaya-Vailakshanyam”.

As we are discussing thus, we might have a question in mind: As the famous “Thirukkural” authored by the great poet “Thiruvalluvar” states,

 “Yepporul yaar yaar vaai ketpinum apporul meipporul kaanbadhu arivu!!”

According to the above “Thirukkural”, Thiruvalluvar says that irrespective of the author of whatever text, if the text conveys “Dharma”, we should learn it. In other words, it says that the author of a text is not important. However, what is more important is that whether the text conveys important lessons for our daily life or not. This is true and I agree to it! However, this might be true only for those texts that are authored by modern day people. This might not hold good for those texts, which were written thousands and millions of years ago.

In fact, there is a huge difference in reading those ancient texts and in reading modern day texts. If we look at it closely, whenever we read the modern day books, we just read and forget most of them and move on! However, if we happen to read those important and ancient texts like the Bhagawad Gita, Ramayana, etc. our approach would be vastly different! This is because, these ancient texts were written by ancient “Maharishis” (Sages) who were extremely high-level scholars and through that, we have a definitive faith that these kind of texts serve as an effective medicine to all our modern day personal and societal problems. Hence, we tend to accept and follow whatever our great forefather-sages have taught us. In that way, it is very important for us to understand the significance of the great Sage Veda-Vyaasa who is the author of this great epic called Mahaabhaarata!

Who is Sage Veda-Vyaasa? What is his significance? In turn, what is the overall significance of the Mahaabhaarata text? Let us wait to witness during the next episode!! 🙂

Dear esteemed Readers,

It has been a wonderful journey over the past one year in writing this blog on “Life Lessons from Shrimad Ramayana”. With the divine grace of Mother Sita & Lord Rama we had the opportunity to traverse through all the seven Kaandas of Vaalmiki Ramayana (Baala Kaanda, Ayodhya Kaanda, Aaranya Kaanda, Kishkinta Kaanda, Sundara Kaanda, Yuddha Kaanda and finally the Utthara Kaanda) in about 324 episodes in total. In the due course of our discussion through each and every life instance of Lord Rama and Mother Sita, we had the opportunity to learn important principles of “Dharma” (Righteousness) for our modern day life, along with some important lessons for modern day leaders and managers.

I sincerely thank each and every reader for their immense support and time to read through and come up with their constructive comments/feedbacks/appreciations constantly for the blog, which has been motivating me to come up with my best every time!

Now that we’ve completed this first mega project, we are gearing up for the commencement of the second mega project! I shall keep it as a suspense for now and as we commence it from tomorrow (April 1’st 2018), I’m sure all of us would enjoy it the same way as we did for the first project!

For the convenience of all readers – You can download all the 324 episodes of the Vaalmiki Ramayana project, you can visit the following site:

http://www.theindiandharma.wordpress.com

If you’re an active Facebook user, you can visit the following Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ManagementconceptsfromRamayana/

Once again, I extend my warm regards to all my readers and my sincere request to all of you is to extend the same kind of love and support for the second mega project.

Thank you & see you all soon!!!

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Lakshmana has met with his end after finishing all his duties in the world. He was an epitome for selfless service towards Bhagawan, right from his Day one of birth till the last day! As Sage Dhurvasa unexpectedly enters inside, Lakshmana was perplexed as to how to handle the situation. He knew that he was put into a tricky situation. Thus as Lakshmana was running out of options, he finally barges into Rama’s chamber, even though Rama had warned him not to enter. Thus, Rama too was in a fix situation, as he had to exile Lakshmana from Ayodhya! With a heavy heart, as Rama exiles him, Lakshmana sets out to the forest and unable to bare the separation from Bhagawan, he decides to end his life! Thus, Lakshmana reaches Vaikunta and is waiting for Lord Rama to arrive!

Now moving on, as Lord Rama hears the news of Lakshmana’s demise, he is completely taken aback! He now decides that he has had enough! Its time for him to leave for Vaikunta! He has finished all his duties in this world! He had come to this world to restore Dharma by killing the Raakshasas including Ravana, ruled Ayodhya for over eleven thousand years by establishing Dharma in this world by leading his life as an example for his people to follow!

Thus, Rama has made his decision. As Bharata and Shathrughna come to know of Rama’s decision, they too decide to accompany Rama to Vaikunta. Thus, Rama coronates his sons Lava and Kusa to the throne of Ayodhya and makes his way to the banks of River Sarayu, to the place called “Guptaar Ghaat”. This “Guptaar Ghaat” can be worshipped even today at Ayodhya on the banks of the river Sarayu and this is the very place from which Lord Rama leaves for Vaikunta!

Before Lord Rama leaves for Vaikunta, he decides to meet Hanuman for one last time and wants to take Hanuman along with him. Accordingly as Rama asks Hanuman if he wants to accompany him to Vaikunta, Hanuman surprisingly says “NO”! Hanuman says, “Wherever there is Rama’s name being propagated in this world, I would always be there in all those places to listen to Rama’s story with tears in my eyes! I do not want to accompany you to Vaikunta! These eyes of Hanuman, which has seen the beautiful Rama, would not be able to see anything else again!” As Hanuman says thus, with tears in his eyes, Lord Rama is moved. He acknowledges Hanuman’s words and transfers all his powers to Hanuman before he leaves for Vaikunta!

As all of Ayodhya citizens gather at the banks of the Sarayu river, Lord Rama, followed by Bharata and Shathrughna come towards the river bank, dressed in white robes. They jump into the Sarayu River one after the other and finally depart from Ayodhya to Vaikunta! Thus the four brothers Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shathrughna were born to establish and re-establish Dharma and now their duties are completed without any blemish!

With this note, we finally come to the end of the great Vaalmiki Ramayana. Throughout this season, we had come across innumerable instances wherein Lord Rama stood as an epitome of Dharma at any situation he came through!

As a concluding note to our esteemed readers: With today’s episode we’ve come to an end of Season 2 – Life lessons from Shrimad Ramayana! I hope you would have enjoyed reading each of the 324 episodes and would have cherished every innate “Dharma” that we had tried to explain and illustrate! Let us join hands together to pray for the grace of Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Hanuman to give us opportunities to implement and follow all the Dharma that we’ve learnt so far! Let us stay tuned for the next big project that is coming up our way!

Thank you all!! See you soon!!

In the previous episode we had witnessed a fascinating event wherein Yama Dharma-Raja, the God of Death wants to meet Lord Rama. However, Hanuman stood as a stumbling roadblock for Yama Dharma-Raja from entering into Ayodhya. Lord Rama knows this and tricks Hanuman into a tight situation, thus moves him from that place. As Hanuman moves out, Yama Dharma-Raja quickly uses this opportunity to move into Ayodhya and to meet Rama. He conveys to Lord Rama that time is ticking out for him to return to his holy abode – Vaikunta. Lord Rama too realizes Yama Dharma-Raja’s words and makes a plan for the next course of action.

Thus according to Lord Rama’s divine will, Yama Dharma-Raja utters that as he is talking with Lord Rama, nobody should come inside the chamber. Thus Rama calls up Lakshmana and informs him not to let anybody into his chamber till further instructions. He asks Lakshmana to guard his chamber from outside and orders him to execute his order.

As Lakshmana is guarding Rama’s chamber, unexpectedly Sage Dhurvasa arrives at Ayodhya! Lakshmana is completely taken aback by Sage Dhurvasa’s arrival and is perplexed as to how to react. It is to be noted here that Sage Dhurvasa is known for his extreme short temper and anger! As Sage Dhurvasa arrives in front of Lakshmana, he conveys to Lakshmana that he wants to meet Lord Rama urgently. However, Lakshmana knows that his brother has strictly advised him not to send anybody inside until he finishes the conversation with Yama Dharma-Raja. Lakshmana is perplexed as to what to do! One one hand he has Rama’s strict order and on the other he has Sage Dhurvasa who is on an urgent mode, failing which, he would be inflicted with a curse! What does poor Lakshmana do?

He makes up his mind – Rather than obtaining a curse from a Sage, he decides to disobey his own brother. He knows that there is a danger ahead! Hence, he defies Rama’s order and enters into the chamber! Upon seeing Lakshmana walking inside, Lord Rama is stunned! He immediately asks Lakshmana for the reason of his unauthorised entry! Upon listening about Sage Dhurvasa’s arrival, Lord Rama understands that he has been pushed into a tricky situation – He now has to honour his words! Yama Dharma-Raja reminds Lord Rama’s assurance that if anybody enters inside the chamber during this time, he/she has to be exiled for life! Now, Rama clearly has to exile Lakshmana from Ayodhya! As all of us know that Lord Rama is an epitome of Dharma, he stands for it and makes up his mind – The action is very clear – With a heavy heart, Lord Rama exiles Lakshmana forever from Ayodhya!

How cruel that can be! Lakshmana has been that person who has been Rama’s right hand till date! However, as Dharma is compelling to be harsh at times, Lord Rama keeps all his emotions apart, to execute the Dharma. This is a great learning for all modern day leaders – If a harsh decision has to be taken for the welfare of the organisation/team/country, he/she should keep emotions aside to execute the harsh decision, keeping in mind the long-term benefit.

Thus, as Lakshmana hears Rama’s exile orders, he knows what is coming! He immediately leaves Ayodhya and sets out to the forest all alone! However, as he could not bare the separation from his dear Rama, Lakshmana decides to finish his life off! He has completed his duties with perfection. It is now time for Lakshmana to leave this earth and go back to Vaikunta. It is to be remembered once more that Lakshmana is the incarnation of “Aadi-Sesha” (The divine serpent-bed of Lord Vishnu). Thus he finishes off himself finally and returns back to Vaikunta.

As Lord Rama gets the news of Lakshmana’s death, he couldn’t bare himself. He knows how attached he was to Lakshmana. Hence he decides that the time has come for him too, to depart! What does he do? The action continues in the penultimate episode of this season!!

In the previous episode we had witnessed the aftermath of Mother Sita’s disappearance into the earth, once and for all. As per Mother Sita’s last and final wish, Lord Rama accepts Lava and Kusa as his sons and takes them to Ayodhya. Post that, Lord Rama rules Ayodhya for many more years, however he loses all the interest in everything around him because of the irrepairable loss of his beloved Sita. Thus at one stage, he tries to appoint Lakshmana as his successor. However, as Lakshmana is not ready to take up such a position, he gives it to Bharata. After that, Lord Rama gradually retires from administrative duties step by step. He wishes to spend time alone, thinking of those wonderful days and moments that he had spent with his beloved Sita.

As days pass by, Yama Dharma-Raja who is the God of Death, keeps track of Lord Rama’s life and sees that the time is fast approaching for him to return back to Vaikunta. Accordingly, he plans to meet Lord Rama at Ayodhya and comes down for that. However, as Hanuman is the gatekeeper at Ayodhya, Yama Dharma-Raja is unable to enter inside the city palace! Previously, once upon a time, Hanuman had given a tough time of his life to Yama Dharma-Raja by beating him up left, right and center! 🙂 Yama Dharma-Raja remembers each and every beating that he had received from Hanuman and is now scared upon seeing this fellow guarding the gates of Ayodhya! 🙂 Now how does he get inside to meet Rama?

As Yama Dharma-Raja approaches Ayodhya, Lord Rama too realizes his arrival and makes a plan. He knows that Yama Dharma-Raja cannot enter Ayodhya when Hanuman is around! Thus, Rama calls Hanuman for a meeting and as Hanuman arrives, he “accidentally” drops his ring from his finger on the ground and the ring enters into a pit! Rama requests Hanuman to enter the pit and fetch the ring for him! Unable to deny Rama’s request, Hanuman enters the pit in search of the ring. However, little did he know that it was a trap! The pit goes deeper and deeper and as Hanuman goes deep down, he sees the “Mother of Snakes” – Naaga-Maatha” having the ring! As Hanuman requests her to hand over the ring, she disobeys and as Hanuman tries to attack her, he is surrounded by thousands of other snakes! At one point in time, Hanuman has to give up the fight as he is completely helpless! He is now asked to narrate the entire history of Rama and how he met Rama, etc. Naaga Maatha wants to listen to the entire story, before she would hand over the ring to Hanuman!

As Hanuman is narrating the entire story, Yama Dharma-Raja sees it as the right time and in Hanuman’s absence, enters into Ayodhya palace to meet Rama. He informs to Lord Rama that he has to return to his aborde of Vaikunta sooner and earlier. Lord Rama acknowledges Yama Dharma-Raja’s words and assures him that he would be back soon! Meanwhile, Lord Rama from his side also realizes that his duties are all but over in this world and it’s time for him to return back!

How does the return process happen? What happens next? The action continues in the next episode! 🙂

The previous episode marked the shocking end to Mother Sita’s life on this earth, wherein she was upset with all the gloom that built around her to question her integrity and chastity. This should be a big lesson to learn for the men-dominated society, wherein women should be given equal status for everything in life. Mother Sita proved her chastity and integrity by challenging Bhuma-Devi (Goddess Earth) to absorb her if she was pure and chaste. Accordingly, Bhuma-Devi was unable to tolerate the trials and tribulations undergone by her daughter Sita, and hence finally she opened up and absorbed Sita into her – Once and for all!

As Sita is absorbed into the earth and disappears, there is just a handful of grass that apprears at that very place! Lord Rama and the entire lot of people who have gathered are shocked beyond words and expressions! The people who named and shamed Mother Sita are extremely horrified! It is because of their blemish that their beloved King Rama has lost his dearest wife! Lord Rama is pained beyond words! Upon seeing Lord Rama fall on the ground unconsolable, Guru Vasishta and Vaalmiki Maharishi approach Rama and lift him up. They explain to Rama thus, “Oh Lord! This was bound to happen and this is destiny! Mother Sita’s incarnation was to explain to the world, the importance of women in this society! She has successfully demonstrated the significance of women and from this day, the world would remember Mother Sita as the most pure woman, and as an embodiment of integrity and chastity!”

Now moving on further, after Mother Sita’s departure, Lord Rama accepts Lava and Kusa as his own sons. He hugs the two children with him and requests them to accompany him to Ayodhya. Rama says to them, “Oh dear children! Till this date, from the day you were born, this Rama has failed in his duty as a father. From today, I shall take up the responsibility on behalf of Sita and make sure that both of you are nurtured well!” Upon hearing this, Lava and Kusa are extremely happy and they accompany their father to Ayodhya.

Years roll by and Lava and Kusa grow up into teenagers. But ever since Lord Rama had lost his dear Sita, he has also lost the interest in everything around him, including his kingdom! He is ruling Ayodhya literally just for the sake of ruling! Of course, Hanuman along with Lakshmana, Bharata and Shathrugna are of immense help to Lord Rama. At one stage, Rama wants to coronate Lakshmana as the “Yuva Raja” of Ayodhya. However, Lakshmana is not at all interested to take up any other position other than being a servant to Rama! Even after repeated requests from Rama, Lakshmana is not ready and hence Bharata is now coronated for the job!

As Bharata takes over the kingdom, Lord Rama slowly starts to retire away from everything. He starts to be all alone by himself and spends time for introspection. Finally after numerous years, Lord Yama-Dharma-Raja (God of Death) realizes that it is time for Lord Rama to come back to Vaikunta! What does he do? Does he manage to bring Rama back? Let’s wait till the next episode to witness the action!

Today we are at an extremely important and a crucial situation wherein there is a debate raging between two important aspects – Is “Raaja-Dharma” more important than protecting and safeguarding “Womanhood” or vice versa? Mother Sita has been the victim on the pretext of upholding the “Raaja Dharma”, for no fault of hers and hence this debate! Eventually, when Lord Rama meets Sita once more along with Lava and Kusa, Mother Sita vents out her frustration because of the cruelty that was inflicted on her! How can Mother Sita be put into such a struggle, given the fact that she is an epitome of “Pathivratha Dharma”? Thus, Mother Sita is furious and she demands an answer from King Rama on this important issue!

Of course, Lord Rama is speechless upon hearing to Sita’s emotional accord and hence he tries to convince Sita to forget the past and to re-start a new life along with Lava and Kusa at Ayodhya. But is Mother Sita going to relent? Let’s see today.

Upon hearing Lord Rama’s reply, Mother Sita makes up her mind and replies him with a smile in her face. She says thus, “Oh King Rama! I understand that you’re a righteous king who stands by the “Dharma” at every moment. From your point of view, whatever you’ve done to me is totally right. I also understand that although you’re physically away from me, I’m always there in your heart. It also shows that over these years since our separation, you did not marry another woman and this shows your deep love and concern towards me! However, what has happened has happened to me! I’m at the verge of a brink in terms of my integrity and Ayodhya has imposed an unanswerable question with regards to my chastity. This indicates that our society is not mature enough to treat a man and a woman on par with each other!”

As Lord Rama along with the entire courtroom listens to Mother Sita, she continues further thus – “Ohh Rama! You may say that you are asking forgiveness to me. I can also forgive you and come back to Ayodhya. But, what kind of a message are we going to send to the people of Ayodhya? There are sadly many women in our society who are currently undergoing whatever sufferings I underwent over these years without you! What would be the answer to all of them? Thus, whatever injustice has been metted out to this Sita, is the injustice that has been metted out to the entire womanhood! If I again re-enter the Ayodhya palace today, what is the guarantee that I would not be suspected again, maybe five years later? This men-dominated society would keep on doing this and should we women have to silently move on with this? Hence, let this episode be a lesson to all those who have the guts and audacity to doubt and talk ill about chaste and pure women! I’m not going to return back to Ayodhya forever!”

As Mother Sita thunders with the above words, the entire courtroom is stunned! Lord Rama couldn’t believe what he just heard! How can his beloved Sita utter such things? Even before Rama could respond one word in reply, Mother Sita continues further, “Let the world learn a lesson today about the significance of womanhood and chastity! If it is proved that I’m a pure and a chaste woman and I’ve been put into this torture that is uncalled far, and if I’m right that many other women across the world are undergoing similar tortures in this men-dominated society, let my mother – Mother Earth (Bhooma-Devi) open up beneath me and absorb me into her forever! I think I’ve completed all my duties in this world and if there is one last wish I can ask for to King Rama – Please accept these two children Lava and Kusa as yours, take them to Ayodhya and bring them up! If this happens, then I’m ready to leave forever!”

Hearing these thunderous words from Mother Sita, Lord Rama is shell-shocked! He couldn’t believe what’s happening! And as Mother Sita is praying ardently thus to Bhooma-Devi, within a few minutes, the earth under Mother Sita’s feet cracks up into a huge hole beneath, and Goddess Bhooma-Devi absorbs Mother Sita into her – ONCE AND FOREVER!!! Mother Sita has vanished from this earth forever!

Upon seeing the miraculous happening, Lord Rama is unconsolable! He literally falls on the ground and is completely dejected beyond words! His heart is completely broken! Mother Sita is no more! In the place where she was absorbed into the earth, is now just a handful of grass! Lord Rama couldn’t do anything to stop Mother Sita’s disappearance!

For today, let us join with the entire courtroom to console the unconsolable Lord Rama! Let us try to recover him from the heavy loss of Mother Sita! Also, let us remember Mother Sita for today and appreciate her unique qualities of patience, sacrifice, chastity and love! We shall wait till the next episode to witness the further action that has to unfold!

In the previous episode we had witnessed the emotional event of Lava and Kusa narrating the whole Ramayana text in front of Lord Rama himself! Upon hearing his and Sita’s episodes, Lord Rama is in uncontrollable tears. He enquires to Vaalmiki Maharishi about the details and whereabouts of these two young children. Along with that, Lord Rama expresses his wish that he would like to see the mother of the two children too!

It is at this time Vaalmiki Maharishi realizes that an important event is about to unfold! As Rama requests for meeting the mother of Lava and Kusa, to his utter shock and disbelief, it is none other than Mother Sita who is walking in front of him! Lord Rama couldn’t believe what he’s seeing in front of him! So are these two kids, his own sons? Is Lord Rama the father of Lava and Kusa? Rama breaks into tears of sorrow and guilt! He has not been with his beloved Sita at a time when he had to be! He has failed in his duty as a father for the two kids!

As Mother Sita walks in front of Rama, he could not face her with eye contact. He is clearly caught guilty now! However, as Rama is about to talk something, Mother Sita thunders with her words, “Oh King Rama!” Upon hearing this, Rama is stunned! How can she address him as “King Rama”, instead of just by his name? Rama wants to re-accept Sita as his wife, but this time, Mother Sita is not ready to do so! Sita continues.. “Oh King Rama! I understand the fact that you were in a situation wherein you had to protect the ‘Raaja-Dharma’, and the easiest way to do so is to abandon your wife, who had been supportive all throughout your life, including the fourteen years we spent in the forest! Everytime there is a doubt, it is me who is always in question. If this is the respect that women are given in Ayodhya, where is the so-called ‘Dharma’ that you are trying to respect and protect?”

Upon hearing this, Lord Rama is unable to give an answer to Mother Sita as he sinks in deeper sorrow! This is perhaps the most embarrassing moment of Rama’s life. What could poor Rama reply? Still he gives his best shot. Rama replies thus, “Oh Sita! I understand the misery that you’ve gone through all these years! I know that I’ve failed in my duties of a husband and as a father for our kids! However, whatever has happened, has happened.. Past is past! Let us begin a new life together with our children. I’m not bothered as to who would say what? Enough is enough! This Rama cannot bare the separation from you! Without Sita, Rama is nothing! Hence Sita, I request you to accept my profound apologies and return back to Ayodhya! Will you please pay heed to this helpless and poor Rama?”

Upon listening this from her beloved husband, Mother Sita is in tears as well. She knows what Rama has gone through without her and she also knows that Rama is always in her thoughts, although she is not physically with him. What is Mother Sita’s decision going to be? Is she going to return to Ayodhya and re-start her life with Rama? Let’s wait till the next episode to witness!

In the previous episode we had witnessed a very important event wherein Lava and Kusa are growing up under the able guidance of Mother Sita and Vaalmiki Maharishi. By the time the children grow up and mature a little bit, the Vaalmiki Ramayana text is ready! Vaalmiki Maharishi decides to teach this text to the two kids and make them propagate this important story to the whole world! Accordingly, the two kids are so bright enough that they easily grasp all the 24,000 slokas top to bottom! Within just a few days, the kids are thorough with all the twenty four thousand slokas.

Hence now it is time for them to start propagating the Vaalmiki Ramayana to the entire world! The two children commence their journey from Vaalmiki Maharishi’s ashram and pass by several ashrams of several great sages. Each and every sage is thrilled to bits upon hearing the entire Ramayana story from these little ones. All of them bless the kids wholeheartedly and in particular, one of them gives a boon that even Lord Rama himself would get to listen to it very soon.

It is to be noted that at this point in time, Vaalmiki Maharishi is also travelling along with Lava and Kusa and as he travels, he shifts his ashram alongside the entire journey. This is why we would find that Vaalmiki Maharishi was initially at a place, which is currently known as “Bittur” near to the city of Kanpur in the present day Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the place where the Ramayana was born! It is from this place, the children commence their journey of propagating the Ramayana. As they move on place after place, finally they reach the place called “Naimishaaranya” wherein Lord Rama is arranging a huge “Ashwamedha Yaaga”. This Naimishaaranya can be worshipped even today, further north of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

As the kids walk their way, they reach this particular place of Naimishaaranya, wherein Vaalmiki Maharishi gets to know that Lord Rama is around! Hence he decides to take the two children to the place where Lord Rama is planning to perform the “Ashwamedha Yaaga”. Thus accordingly, the two children along with Vaalmiki Maharishi commence their journey towards this location. It is when these children are on the way, Bharata has a look at them. It is to be noted that Bharata is getting to see Rama’s children for the very first time! In fact, even Lord Rama doesn’t know that Lava and Kusa are none other than his own children!

When Bharata’s eyes fall on Lava and Kusa who are singing the Ramayana along their way, he is so moved! Tears roll out from Bharata’s eyes automatically. He decides to take these two children directly to Rama, without wasting any more time. Accordingly, as Bharata knocks on Lord Rama and when he tells him about the two unique children, Rama is surprised! However, Rama is a king now, and he doesn’t have time for listening to stories. He asks Bharata, “Oh Bharata! You’re asking me to listen to stories? Do I have time for all this now?” Bharata replies, “Rama! You first listen to the story and later we shall decide if we have time for it or not!” Since Bharata himself is recommending this to Rama, he couldn’t deny Bharata’s words. Hence, Lord Rama calls for the two children.

Thus as Lord Rama arrives at the courtroom, the two children start singing the Ramayana text. They start from the significance of Ayodhya, the birth of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shathrugna, story of Sage Vishwaamithra, Rama-Sita wedding, Kaikeyi’s boon, Rama going to the forest, King Dasharata’s demise, Rama killing Kabandha and the fourteen thousand Raakshasaas, Ravana abducting Mother Sita, Rama going in search of her, meeting of Sugriva, Hanuman, Rama killing Vaali, Hanuman’s visit to Lanka to meet Mother Sita, Rama and the Vaanaras marching towards Lanka, Vibhishana’s episode of surrender, the great Rama-Ravana war, Ravana’s demise and until Rama’s coronation of the king of Ayodhya!

As Lord Rama listens to all this from the two children, he is completely moved! Tears roll down automatically from his eyes, on his rememberance of his beloved Sita and the trials and tribulations that he has undergone in the forest along with her. At one stage, Lord Rama is speechless and couldn’t control his tears! He starts to sob uncontrollably! All his brothers are in the same state too!

As the story comes to an end, Rama tries to enquire who are these two children! He also wants to see the mother of these two children immediately! As mentioned before, Rama does not know that Lava and Kusa are none other than his own children! What happens next? Let’s wait for the next crucial episode to find out more!

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Mother Sita is at Vaalmiki Maharishi’s ashram as she delivers the twin babies of Lava and Kusa. This is a happy moment in the ashram as everybody are rejoicing on the birth of the two twin brothers.

However, Mother Sita is still unable to digest the fact that her beloved Rama had abandoned her for no fault of hers! On the other hand, King Rama was also helpless and in order to protect the righteousness of the Ayodhya kingdom, he had to take such a decision. However, although King Rama might have abandoned his beloved Sita physically, she is still in his heart forever. As Mother Sita gives birth, she misses her beloved Rama terribly! Thus, even a happy moment turns out to be sad and emotional for Mother Sita because of the absence of her husband by her side.

Moving on quickly from this point, the two children Lava and Kusa grow up at Vaalmiki Maharishi’s ashram. Mother Sita brings them up in an excellent manner and the children are obedient and shrewd. Also, both the children learn all the important technicalities of warfare and are becoming two invincible princes. However, one thing that they do not know still is who is their father! Mother Sita hasn’t disclosed that their father is none other than the great king of Ayodhya – Lord Rama!

It is during this time when Lava and Kusa are growing up, Vaalmiki Maharishi sits down to author the Ramayana text! In the initial few episodes we had witnessed the way in which the great Vaalmiki Ramayana was born – We discussed how Sage Naarada visited the Vaalmiki Ashram and gave the “Samkshepa Ramayana”, Vaalmiki Maharishi going to river Tamasa for a bath and finally Lord Brahma’s visit to Vaalmiki Ashram. Eventually as Vaalmiki Maharishi sits down to elaborate the “Samkshepa Ramayana” from thirty-two slokas into twenty four thousand slokas, Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati bless Vaalmiki Maharishi and thus the authoring begins. Within a few years eventually, Vaalmiki Maharishi, with the divine grace of Lord Rama and Mother Sita and also of Lord Brahma, the entire text of Vaalmiki Ramayana is born!

By the time Vaalmiki Maharishi finishes authoring the Ramayana text, Lava and Kusa are mature enough to learn the text byheart! As this text contains all the possible “Dharma” (Righteousness) explained in it, Vaalmiki Maharishi decides to teach this text to the two children. Since Lava and Kusa are still kids, it is easy for Vaalmiki Maharishi to make them by-heart the entire 24,000 sloka-text. Thus, within a few days, Lava and Kusa become experts in the Vaalmiki Ramayana and Vaalmiki Maharishi is pleased at the pace in which the children mastered the entire text! He now wants the text to be propagated to the entire world! He wants the world to realize “Dharma” and embrace it!

Thus with this divine intention, Vaalmiki Maharishi is now taking these two children along with him to different ashrams in and around the locality, wherein the two children sing the entire text to each of the saints living there! As the children go around propagating the text, each and every saint is thrilled to bits upon hearing this divine text!

All the sages bless the two kids and one of the saints renders a unique blessing by saying that, “One day, Lord Rama himself would surely get an opportunity to listen to this text from these two kids!” Is that going to happen? Is this important boon going to become a reality? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out! 🙂