Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Prushtva
Thu Kushalam Thathra Paraspara Samagamey |
Katha
Anthey Sumathi: Vakyam Vyajahara Mahamunim ||
Imaou
Kumarou Bhadhram They Deva Thulya Parakramou |
Gajasimha
Gathi Veerou Shardhoola Vrushabham Upamou ||
Padma
Pathra Vishalakshai Shankha Thuni
Dhanurdharaou |
Ashvinou
Iva Roopena Samupasthitha Youvanou ||
Yadhricchaya
Yeva Gam Prapthou Devalokath Iva Amarou |
Katham
Padmabhyam Iha Prapthou Kima Artham Kasya Va Mune ||
King
Sumithra exchanged warm wishes to Sage Vishwamithra and enquired about Rama and
Lakshmana “ Oh! Illustrious Brahmin/Rishey, I earnestly pray to describe about the
two youths who are valorous as deities/Deva, daring as King of elephants/Gajasimha,
powerful as Shardhoolam & Vrushabha/lion & Bull. These Dhanurdharas/proficient in bow &
arrow who has beautiful wide eyes like lotus flowers has the courage of Lord
Vishnu, their charismatic looks and physical features has the resemblance of
splendid Ashvini Kumaras. Are they
immortals from the abode of deities who has taken an opportunity to walk down
to Earth? These two youths has similar physique and facial expressions, their
presence in the province has the resemblance of the existence of Lord Surya and
Lord Chandra simultaneously. Oh Rishey,
I would like to know more about the valorous youths/Narashreshta who are wielding
powerful weapons and had taken great efforts to cross the difficult paths to
arrive in this province.” Sage
Vishwamithra described the purpose of thevisit of Rama and Lakshman to
Siddhashrama/hermitage and the annihilation of the demons. King Sumathi was spellbound after listening
to the gallant deeds of Rama and Lakshmana, eventually he received the prominent
youths, sons of King Dasaratha with great honor and respect. On that night Rama and Lakshmana along with
Sage Vishwamithra halted in the province of King Sumathi, and on the next day
they have preceded their journey to Mithila.
As soon as they entered the marvelous city Mithila of King Janaka, all the sages assembled were
admired the grandeur of it. Rama’s eye
fell on a very old rundown hermitage that was discarded for long time back and
expressed his desire to listen about the same to Sage Vishwamithra. Sage Vishwamithra narrated “Oh! Raghava, It’s
my pleasure to describe about the great soul who was lived in the hermitage had
mercilessly undergo curse. It was the
marvelous hermitage of the illustrious Sage Gouthama, which was venerated by deities;
he practiced severe austerities living in this hermitage with his wife Ahalya. The thousand eyed Lord Indra, consort of Sacchidevi,
assumed the guise of Sage Gauthama and approached the hermitage while the Sage
was not present. Lord Indra approached
Ahalya and enticed her, expressed his intense desire to have physical
relationship with her. Oh! Raghunandana,
Ahalya was realized the fact that the thousand eyed Lord Indra has the immense
desire to have physical relationship with her, in order to please the King of
Lords she yielded for his desires.
Ahalya was extremely satisfied at her heart of hearts and prompted Lord
Indra, ruler of deities to leave the hermitage before the arrival of Sage
Gauthama. Lord Indra too had immense
pleasure of sense gratification in the association of Ahalya and left the hermitage
abruptly was run into Sage Gauthama. Ultimately,
the resplendent Sage Gauthama cursed Ahalya for her immoral act and discarded the
sacred hermitage. The Surapathi/Lord Indra who was in the guise of Sage was
extremely appalling at the sight of the Sage Gauthama. The most infuriated Sage was cursed the
thousand eyed Lord Indra to turn unproductive for his depraved act and cursed
Ahalya to remain invisible form for thousands of years ignored by all the
living beings, without any food and live with only air, swallow up in dust for
her dishonest and immoral act of sense gratification, ultimately get purified and
regain her original form by the touch of Rama, son of King Dasaratha. Eventually Sage Gauthama abandoned the
marvelous hermitage which was venerated by the Siddhas and Charanas, further preceded
to the serene peaks of Mount Himalayas to practice severe asceticism.”
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
