Sri Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana enters the deep inner dandaka forest and begin to live amid seers, sages and demons. This is the place where he need to co-exist with them for fourteen years. His presence in the forest means a safety net to all those sages, brahmins who constantly fear for their life because of demonic activities. Right at the commencement of exile, all these men assembled in the company of Rama and seek his protection. Rama’s presence would decrease the demonic forces, charateristics in the nature and increase the holiness, righteousness in the world. His period in dandakaranya also marks the presence of these virtues in the dangerous places. Whenever the demonic forces, bad activities increases in nature, a Rama would take birth to restore order. The noble soul is living in this period and answers the same in reply to Sita’s concern in slaying the rakshasas. The third book sheds light on how he lived through most of his exile and His encounter with evils pervading the forests. Most of his time lapses in company of holy men and any activity of significance is mentioned. In the next chapter we can see how he completed 10 years without any problems.
In chapter 11, Rama comes across a lake from where divine music is heard. Surprised at the musical notes from beneath the waters of the lake he enquires with the sage who is following, and that sage narrates the episode of Sage Mandakarni. Then Rama proceeds on wondering at that lake, and he visits all the hermitages about there and thus elapsed are ten years. Again, Rama returns to the hermitage of Sage Suteekhsna, and after staying there for some time, takes leave of that sage and proceeds to see Sage Agastya. And on the way he visits the brother of Sage Agastya. Rama, on the way narrates about the great deeds done by Sage Agastya in protecting humans from demons, and also depicts the propitious nature of Agastya's hermitage.
Rama pressed on as Sita and Lakshmana followed him. Their travel took them through beautiful landscapes and waterscapes. The vistas that unfolded before them as they went along were breathtaking. The majestic mountains veiled in the mists appeared blue, undulating sand dunes lent charm to the sinuously flowing rivers, and lakes were studded with jewel like lotuses of varied colors. Waterfowl, cranes and ducks enlivened its waters. In the woods roamed elephants, deer and buffalo. One day they came to a lake, whose pristine waters shimmered and were host to swan and duck that glided gracefully on its surface. From its quiet and limpid waters, there emanated the sound of music. To the eyes nothing was visible, but to the ears reached the melody of song accompanied by the instruments of music. Captivated by it and curious, they asked the ascetic Dharmabhrit about it. He narrated a story in reply. "This lake," he said, "created by the powers of sage Mandakarni's penance is known as Panchapsara. Living on air, standing in water the sage practiced rigid austerities for ten thousand years. Alarmed and agitated, the devas said to each other, "Mandakarni aspires to our state." To put an end to this impending threat, the Gods sent for five of the most enchanting apsaras. Dazzling and shining like streaks of lightning, they came down to earth to distract and destroy his tapas. Enticed by them, enamored of their charms, he married them, abandoning the austerities that had sustained him for thousands of years. The home of the apsaras is on the bed of this lake, where they live in joy with their master rendered youthful by merit of his profound austerities. They pass their time in song and dance which mingles with the tinkle of their ornaments. That is what you hear", concluded the ascetic. Taking leave of Dharmabhrit, Rama beheld a cluster of holy ashrams ahead of them sanctified by the spiritual might of the rishis. Received by them with delight, worshipfully honored, the god-like Ikshvaku warrior wandered the silent woods, sojourning with the many sages in the forest of Dandaka. Rama would spend from several weeks to several months, in some hermitages and a little over a year at others enjoying their hospitality. Thus passed ten years of his exile. Later Rama went back to Sutikshna's hermitage where he stayed for a while. One day as he sat at the feet of the sage, he said in all humility "Sir, where does sage Agastya dwell in the forest? I have always wanted to pay him my respectful homage. May I, with your consent do so?" Sutikshna said "It is also my desire that you meet him. His hermitage lies south of here. Break your journey at the ashram of Sudersana, brother of Agastya".
One day travelling through beautiful country Rama said, "In the past, demons that were pitiless and wicked lived here. Among them were the two asura brothers who had hatched a plot for the destruction of all Brahmins. They were Ilvala and Vatapi, who enticed their prey by Vatapi changing into the form of a goat, while Ilvala in the guise of a holy Brahmin would accost unwary Brahmins. Ilvala would impress his victims with his impeccable Sanskrit and invite them for a meal, stating that it was the day of his father's 'Shraddha'. Beguiled, the guest would agree. Later, Vatapi turning into a goat would be killed, cooked and consumed by the unsuspecting guest. According to the plan, Ilvala would then call out 'Vatapi! Come out'. Vatapi would jump out, bleating and tearing at the entrails of the guest. Their victim would then be their meal for that day! "Even, as the devas watched helplessly, this dreadful plan continued until they finally sought Agastya's help. Heeding their plea, the sage one-day sauntered past the place where Ilvala was, waiting for a possible prey. Sure enough he was invited. The asura brothers repeated their performance of host and goat. The rishi was fed with great enthusiasm. The make-believe 'Shraddha' ceremony over, as usual Ilvala called out for Vatapi, but Vatapi did not appear. Mocking at the demon Agastya said, "No longer does he have the power to respond to your command, digested by me, he has already reached the abode of death". Enraged, the foolish demon attacked Agastya. As he flung himself on him, the sage's fiery looks generated flames in which the demon was reduced to ashes." After narrating the episode, Rama along with the others entered the hermitage of Sudersana where he was received with much warmth and honour. After a night of rest, they bade farewell to their host, and set out on their last lap of journey. Looking around Rama observed, "Lakshmana, here leaves shimmer, birds are unruffled and ferocious beasts seem to bask in the serenity of the place. These signs of peace and calm suggest the proximity of Agastya's hermitage. The rishi who has conquered death has set apart this holy region as a refuge to help the world." Famed for taming the Vindhya Mountain, his supreme powers, gained through his rigid Sadhana are matchless and mighty. Fearing his presence the rakshasas no longer go on rampage against the ascetics that inhabit these parts. In honor of him, the southern direction is known as the direction of Agastya. He, whose powers commanded and stopped the unbridled growth of Vindhya, threatening to block out even the rays of the Sun, sends waves of fear through the world of demons. Here we shall spend the rest of our exile. Lakshmana, we are here; do inform the sage that Sita and I wait for an audience with him.”
In chapter 12, Rama, Lakshmana, and Seetha enter the hermitage of Sage Agastya. Sage Agastya is also waiting to receive Rama for a long time, and now receives them with all honours, sagaciously perceiving Rama as Vishnu incarnate. Sage Agastya gives a divine bow of Vishnu, two quivers with ever replenishing with arrows, and a golden sword in a golden sheath to Rama, saying that with the very same armoury Vishnu once eradicated evil on earth.
At the hermitage, Lakshmana met a disciple of Agastya, to whom he said, "Rama the son of king Dasaratha is here with his consort Sita, and requests an audience with him. I am Lakshmana, his devout brother. You have perhaps heard of us"? Rama's arrival was announced to the mighty ascetic, who was overjoyed at the wonderful news. "It is my good fortune that brings Rama to me; for years I have longed to see him. Why did you not bring them in immediately? Why this delay?" asked Agastya in his impatience to meet Rama. While Rama waited to be summoned, he felt the peace and serenity at the hermitage where all roamed in freedom and birds sang with abandon. He saw the many altars dedicated to Brahma, Visnu, Maheswara, Indra, Kubera, Dhatru, Vidhatru, Gayatri, to the Sun, the Moon, the serpent god Sesha and to the Vasus. As they walked in, the sage came forth to meet his honored guests. When Rama beheld the sage, he felt as if a confluence of nobility and divinity was walking towards him, he said to Lakshmana, "This radiance can belong to none but Agastya." Rama, Sita and Lakshmana prostrated to the sage. With great love and affection Agastya welcomed Rama, saying, "Rama, you are the king of all the worlds, unfailingly dharmic and worshipful. Noble and honored that you are, you have come to be my beloved guest. I now bestow on you the bow of Visnu. This celestial bow made of gold and encrusted with gems has been crafted by Viswakarma. Brahma had given me this magnificent arrows that dazzle like the Sun and glow like the flaming fires. The quivers that hold them have an inexhaustible supply and have been given to me by Indra. He also gave me a sword whose handle and scabbard are made of burnished gold. This is the mighty sword with which Lord Visnu fought and vanquished the rakshasas. Rama! Accept all these which are like Indra's invincible weapon Vajra, for the destruction of enemies."
In chapter 13, Rama requests Sage Agastya to indicate a place in the forest to make a residence during the days of exile. Sage Agastya foresees the next course of Ramayana, and orients his conversation around womanhood and Seetha. Then that sage informs Rama to proceed to Panchavati where Seetha will be delightful of its surroundings.
Having gifted the most powerful weapons of Visnu to Rama, Agastya said, "Rama, you being here brings me great joy. The long journey must have wearied you. Sita, that sublime embodiment of virtue, who cannot withstand the harsh jungles, follows you out of her great love for you. Let her be happy at this hermitage. From the beginning of time women have made their men happy in prosperity but abandoned them in adversity, such is their nature. They are also blamed for being as fickle as lightning, pitiless as a sword and as swift as the winds. But your consort is free of all taint and her fine qualities match those of Arundhati. Your presence here will sanctify this region and bring it renown." Then in all humility Rama asked of Agastya to tell them of a place where water and green groves abounded and where they could live in peace and tranquility. Agastya said "A few miles from here lies Panchavati, close to the river Godavari. Live there in the midst of those lush woodlands, fulfilling your vow and biding time, until the period of exile is over. Living at Panchavati, your valor will stand you in good stead in protecting the ascetic inhabitants of the forest". Taking worshipful leave of Agastya, Rama started to Panchavati.
In chapter 14, Rama and the other two on their way to Panchavati, come into contact with Jatayu, the mighty eagle. When Rama questions about its identity, Jatayu narrates the creation of animal species along with humans, and informs Rama that he is a friend of King Dasharatha and would like to help Rama in exile.
On their way to Panchavati, Rama beheld a bird, with a large body. Deeming it to be a rakshasa in disguise, Rama and Lakshmana challenged it. The challenge was met with a gentle and caressing voice, "Children, know me to be a friend of your father". Overwhelmed with joy at meeting someone dear to their father in that wilderness, they paid him homage and asked him of his name and lineage. The bird then embarked on the story of his birth, "Listen and I will tell you the names of all the Prajapathis that formerly ruled this earth bound by the oceans. The first among them was Kardama. Vikreeta, Sesha, Samsraya, Sthanu, Marichi, Atri, Kratu, Paulatsya, Angirasa, Prachetasa, Pulaha, Daksha, Vivaswata and Arishtineni followed him. Kasyapa was the last of these great men. Kasyapa Prajapathi married eight of the sixty daughters of Daksha Prajapathi. One of them was known as Syeni who married Aruna, charioteer of the Sun. Aruna was the son of Vinata and brother of Garuda. Syeni and Aruna begot two sons, both eagles. I am Jatayu, the younger of the two and Sampathi is the name of my brother. These forests are full of peril and disasters lurk, at every stage. If you so desire, I will live with you, as your companion and Sita's guard." Embracing Jatayu with great affection, Rama thanked him and gratefully accepted his offer.
In chapter 15, Rama entrusts the construction work of a hermitage, straw-cottage in Panchavati, nearby river Godavari. Lakshmana with all his expertise constructs a cosy cottage and they enter it after the ritual of house-entering ceremony. Rama admires Lakshmana for his construction work and as a thanksgiving he embraces Lakshmana and expresses his heart felt feeling about Lakshmana's concern towards Rama.
After reaching Panchavati, Rama asked Lakshmana to choose a place for their hermitage. But Lakshmana said "I am your servant and I have not that freedom. The decision shall always be yours." Happy with his brother's faith in him, Rama chose a site close to a lake where soft petaled lotuses filled the air with fragrance. Rama said "This must be the place Agastya had in mind for us where the graceful Godavari flows and the colors of the rainbow seem to be trapped in the mineral- rich mountains. Multitudes are the trees that adorn this part of the earth and legion its animals. Trees like the Asoka, Mango, Ketaka, and Champa Kharjura as also Sala and innumerable others form a glorious green canopy, home to countless flocks of birds. The mountains stand majestic and the elephant hordes that roam them seem to be etched against their splendor. Bird song fills the air; the deer cavort and gambol in these forest glades as peacocks dance ecstatically, rendering this holy place so ravishingly beautiful. Let us dwell here with Jatayu." Soon a cottage took shape, built ever so lovingly by one adoring brother for another. Rama loved the cottage and he loved Lakshmana for his affection, embracing whom he said, "Dutiful, dharmic, and ever aware of my needs, you are like a father to me. Dasaratha is not dead but lives through you."
This concludes chapters 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of Aranya Kanda where we had seen Rama visit to lake Panchapsara created by sage Mandakarni and spent 10 years of exile, living in a cluster of holy ashrams of Rishis. After living through without much hiccups, Rama wishes to see sage Agasthya and narrates a legend on him slaying two demons Ilvala and Vatapi. He finally reaches the place of Agasthya where the renowned sage bestows Rama with an array of armoury including a bow, inexhaustible supply of arrows from quivers and a dazzling sword. Sage Agasthya also directs Rama to live in Panchavati in the south near river Godavari. The trio, in the journey, meets Jatayu, the famed eagle bird who wishes for their company and gets it granted. Finally, Laksmana receives a warm embrace from Rama for building a cottage in the locale. We can see how the demonic inhabitation of these forests takes a turn out of smooth journey in the next many chapters.
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