Friday 1 November 2013

96. Rama promised aegis to the sages.

                        After the Sage Sharabhanga's departure to Brahma's abode, groups of sages assembled and approached Rama.Those groups were Vaikahanasas, who were born out of the nails of Prajaapati, the first ruler of mankind, Vaalakhilyaas, those born from His hair, and those from the water of His feet wash, and those who thrived on drinking rays of sun and moon alone, and those who pounded with stones and others who thrived on leaves alone. Some of them used their own teeth to grid the grain they eat, and some who performed ascesis in neck-deep water, and some who slept with their head resting on their shoulders or on chests without using any kind of bed, and some who were meditating without any repose sitting in an enclosure without any leg-space. And some sages whose food was water alone, air alone to some, some who were meditating staying in sky and some who slept on the bare ground. And some were dwellers on high-peaked places with their senses controlled, and some were wearers of wet cloths, always reciting the name of some God or hymn japa and like that some who meditated with five kinds of fire around them.
              All had Vedic resplendence and firm yogic control, and they arrived at the hermitage of the Sage Sharabhanga for the specific purpose of meeting Rama. 
              They told Rama "You who is born in Ikshvaku dynasty are the protector of earth. You are well renowned in all the three worlds by your repute and valour. All of us know you for your righteousness.
             "O, Rama, we require your protection.  See those hermitages which are dilapidated and forsaken. This is due to the acts by Rakshashas.  Come and see the bodies of the sages variously killed by the ghastly Rakshashas in this forest. At Pampa riverside, and alongside of River Mandakini, and at the surroundings of Mt. Chitrakuta, this hideous massacre is continuing. We are completely helpless against their cruelty. Therefore we request you to be our protector.
           "It looks that our earnest prayers are answered now by the almighty God. Heard and knowing well about you, anyone other than you, could not even dream of facing the cruel, mighty, inhuman, savage, atrocious, merciless, cold-blooded, malevolent and heartless rakshashas.  Please protect us from the rakshashas."
            Rama looked benignly at the sages and told them
"I totally disapprove the way you spoke to me. As a kshatriya it is my duty to protect those who require protection. Command me, for I am at your behest. I, for my personal purpose had to enter the forest. I entered this forest as ordered by my father. Nevertheless I will stay here and protect you from the Rakshashas. 
          "Perchance I have come for your protection.  If I could be of some service to you, then dwelling in this forest will immensely be fruitful to me. I will, certainly eliminate those dreadful rakshashas." Thus Rama promised the sages. After 
promising his aegis to the sages, Rama journeyed towards Sage Suteekshna with Lakshmana and Seetha.  All the sages acompanied him up to the hermitage of the sage Suteekshna.
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