Balakandam !! The legend of the Province Maladha & Karusha !!

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thatha: Prabhathey Vimaley Krutha Ahnikam Arindhamou |

Vishwamithram Puraskruthya Nadhaya: Theeram Upagathou ||

Kailasey Parvathey Rama Manasa Nirmitham Param |

Bhramana Narashardhoola Thena Idham Manasam Sara: ||

Thasaman Sushrava Sarasa: Sa Ayodhyam Upaguhyathey |

Sara: Pravruththa Sarayu: Punya Brahma Sara: Chyutha ||

Thasya Ayam Athula: Shadhdho Jahnavim Abhivarththathey |

Vari Samkshobhajo Rama Pranamam  Niyatha: Kuru ||

 

 

It was in the early hours of dawn Rama & Lakshman arrived on the river bank where Sage Vishwamithra had just completed the ablutions and early morning rituals.  The virtuous and prominent sages of Kama’s hermitage assembled on the river bank, they had already arranged an auspicious ferry for Sage Vishwamithra’s journey.  The honorable Sages spoke to Sage Vishwamithra ‘You may precede the journey through the prosperous routes without any delay, keeping the princes to the front.’ Thus, the Sages of Kama hermitage bade farewell to the revered Sage Vishwamithra and Rama & Lakshman.  Soon the ferry sailed towards the vast ocean, upon the arrival of halfway through they could listen to the earsplitting gush of water, Rama became inquisitive and desired to know the significance of it.  Rama spoke “Oh! Preceptor, what’s that upsurge of noise?”  Sage Vishwamithra explained “ Oh! Rama, Lord Bhrama created an attractive lake Manasa in Mount Kailash, the water surged out of Manasa created a water body around the city of Ayodhya, was famously known as river Sarayu.  This river has got ample of pieties because it was created by Lord Brahma.  Oh! Rama, offer homage to these sacred rivers, the thunderous noise is the convergence of river Sarayu on the river Ganga.”  Rama & Lakshman offered salutations to the sacred river and preceded their journey to the south of the riverbank.  Rama said “ Oh! Illustrious Sage, this dark forest crammed with the trees of Dhava, Ashwakarna, Arjuna, Bilva, Thindhuka, Padala and Badri must be the dwelling place of dangerous creatures like swarms of leaping and chirping insects, predators, vultures, tigers, wild boars, untamed elephants etc. makes this forest too bizarre and wild.”  Sage Vishwamithra spoke “ Oh! Rama, I will narrate you about this miserable forest, once these were the flourished province of Maladha and Karusha who was created by the deities and has divine powers.  Oh! Rama, Lord Indra vanquished the demon Vrutha and afflicted with the sin of Brahmahathya, eventually all the impurities blemished him.   The Sages and Rishis cleansed the impurities on Lord Indra with the sacred water from their vessels; deities were pleased at the dedication of the ascetics, Lord Indra was extremely happy at the turn of events and provided astonishing boons to this sacred land which developed into the flourished province of Maladha and Karusha.  The people lived in this province were led a happy and prosperous life.  Later, a Yaksha female who has the strength of thousands of elephants, has the power to camouflage at her own will, was the wife of the devious demon Sunanda and her son Mareecha who has the powers equivalent to Lord Indra took possession of this sacred land.  Oh! Raghava, the demon Mareecha has gigantic body and dreadful features; he is terrorizing the people who are living in this province, and the malicious Tadaka is mercilessly destroying the inhabitants of Maladha and Karusha. Oh! Rama,  Thadaka lives at a distance of one and half Yojanas from this place, It’s the time to vanquish her with all your valor and eradicate her gruesome deeds.   I entrust the responsibility to you to make this province free from her notorious deeds.  Oh! Rama none could enter into this dark forest because of the horrific deeds of Thadaka, she made the entire province distraught, therefore you have to make this province inhabitable once again.”

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Balakandam !! Rama & Lakshman arrives at the confluence of river Ganga & Sarayu !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kousalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya Pravrarthathey |

Uththishta Nara Shardhoola Karthavyam Deivamahnikam ||

Thasya Rishey: Parama Udharam Vacha: Shruthva Nrupa  Nara Uththama: |

Snathva Krutha Udhakaou Veerou Jepathu: Paramam Japam ||

Thou Prayanthou Mahaveerya Divyam Thripayagam  Nadhim |

Dhadhrusha They Thatha: Sangamey Shubhey ||

Thathra Ashram Padham Punyam Rishinam Bhavi Atha Athmanam |

Bahu Varsha Sahasrani Thapyatham Paramam Thapa: ||

 

The illustrious Sage Vishwamithra saw in the early hours of dawn that the legatees of Kakustha sleeping on the grass bed and spoke “ Oh! Rama, Kousalya is extremely fortunate to beget you as her son. Oh! Valorous son, the early hours of sun rays has come into sight, there are some important rituals to be performed to satisfy the deities”.   Hearing the compassionate words of Sage Vishwamithra, the two valiant men got up from the grass bed, bathed and performed ablutions reciting the holy hymns of Goddess Sri Gayathri.  After finishing the rituals, they enthusiastically appeared before Sage Vishwamithra and paid obeisance to him.  They continued the journey with the Sage Vishwamithra through the woods, shortly they arrived at a sacred place where river Ganga confluences with the river Sarayu, they witnessed the hermitages of great souls, the place where the Rishis and sages performing severe austerities for several thousands of years.  Rama and Lakshman were highly delighted at this sight and enquired Sage Vishwamithra “ Oh! Revered Sage, Whose hermitages are they? Who is the Preceptor of these great souls?  We are thoroughly inspired by this sight and  we would like to listen more about this place.”  Sage Vishwamithra replied with a smile “ Oh ! Rama,  it  is the place where Lord Kamadeva was burnt by the wrathful third eye of  Lord Shiva,  Lord Kamadeva was disrupted Lord Shiva while performing severe penance.  Ultimately, Lord Kamadeva was burnt into ashes and remained bodiless entity, the place where Lord Kamadeva gave up his body was known as Anga Province.  And these are the hermitages belonged to Lord Shiva, occupied by the disciples of Lord Shiva, who are sinless by nature.  Let us put a halt on this sacred place tonight, tomorrow we will continue our journey to cross Ganga.   Initially we will perform ablutions and meditation before entering into the venerable hermitage.”   The Sages who were present in the hermitages were blissfully approached Sage Vishwamithra, reverentially greeted him and offered water to wash hands and feet, offered initial veneration to Sage Vishwamithra, in a while they offered warm welcome to Rama and Lakshman.  Sage Vishwamithra was pleased at the dedication of the sages assembled; they amused their guests with various myths and legends, Rama & Lakshman along with the sages went to perform meditation at the early hours of sunset, that night Rama comfortably stayed in the precinct of Lord Shiva’s hermitage in the association of virtuous souls and Sage Vishwamithra, happily absorbed in various myths.

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Balakandam !! Rama & Lakshman’s journey with Sage Vishwamithra !! Rama & Lakshman receiving the sacred hymns of Bala & Athibala!!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thatho Vayu: Sukha Sparsha Nirajasko Vavou Thadha |

Vishwamithra Gatham Ramam Dhrushtva Rajeeva Lochanam ||

Pushpa Vrushti: Mahathi Aseeth Deva Dhundhubi Nisvanaou: |

Shankha Dhundhubi Nirgosha: Prayathey Thu Mahathmani ||

Vishwamithro  Yayou Agrey Thatho Ramo Mahashaya: |

Kaka Paksha Dharo Dhanvi Tham Cha Soumithri: Anvagath ||

 

The illustrious sage Vashishta narrated King Dasaratha about the fortunes Rama yet to receive from Sage Vishwamithra, after listening to the encouraging words King Dasaratha brought his children Rama and Lakshman to the hall of assembly.  Prior to their journey, Rama and Lakshman paid obeisance to mother Kausalya, father Dasaratha and revered Sage Vashishta, they blessed the children with the Vedic chants, King Dasaratha affectionately kissed Rama on his forehead and bade farewell to them.   Rama and Lakshman obediently followed Sage Vishwamithra, flowers of various fragrances showered upon them, divine drum beats and sounds of conch reverberated in the city of Ayodhya .  Rama with his charismatic looks, beautiful lotus eyes and attractive hair locks holding his divine bow followed Sage Vishwamithra and Lakshman with his bow sincerely followed his younger brother.  The two young attractive Rama and Lakshman with bows and arrows in their hands followed Sage Vishwamithra, as if the three hooded serpents, their well built charismatic physical features gave out the appearance of the incomparable twin deities Ashwini Kumaras following Lord Brahma.  The two young dynamic Rama and Lakshman in their bejeweled physique carrying bow and arrows, swords on their hands had the resemblances of Skandha and Vishakha son of Lord Shiva, followed Sage Vishwamithra, hence  this made the illustrious Sage shine like Lord Shiva.  They have crossed one and a half yojana and reached at the southern banks of river Sarayu, Sage Vishwamithra addressed ‘Oh! Rama, my children, don’t waste any time, take a handful of water to receive the sacred Hymns related to Bala & Athibala from me.  Upon receiving these sacred hymns, you will be protected from all the illnesses and weariness, attacks and potential dangers, none of the demons could harm you while you are not watchful.  By chanting these hymns you will remain matchless and unconquerable in the three worlds.  Oh! Raghava, if these sacred hymns are well practiced, you will remain matchless in your qualities like flawlessness, handsomeness, skills, excellent clarity in speech, shrewdness etc..  Bala and Athibala are the sacred hymns considered as mothers of all knowledge.  Oh! Raghava, if you keep reciting these holy hymns, you will not experience thirst or hunger.  Oh! Rama, these two sacred hymns are the daughters of Lord Brahma.  I intend to impart the knowledge of these holy hymns to you as you are the virtuous and most capable, hence receive these sacred hymns which are kept safe from the world.  Though you have possessed various qualities that are abundant in you, yet these holy hymns would yield various virtues in you.”  Rama performed ablutions and received the holy hymns from the venerated Sage Vishwamithra who was standing beside them with happy and glowing face.  Rama after receiving these sacred hymns well performed the duties of earnest disciple and shone like thousands of adityas, on that night they peacefully stayed on the river banks of Sarayu, they nestled on the sacred grass completely absorbed in the pleasing conversation of Sage Vishwamithra, eventually Sons of King Dasaratha fallen asleep.

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !