Rama Liberates Kabandha, Meets Sabari and End of Aranya Kanda

In the last post we came to see how Jatayu breathes his last in the presence of Rama and informs about Ravana as the force behind Sita's abduction. The dejected princess continue the search and comes across Kabandha, who possess an ugly form with long arms. When he captured one each in his arms, Rama and Lakshmana not only severs his arms but also brings his liberation from the grotesque form. That those for whom he was waiting for have arrived, Kabandha was relieved and seeks to help Rama and Lakshmana in return in their search by directing to right person. This book of Aranya Kanda will conclude at this instance where the person has been introduced who has the army to help Rama. How Rama marches towards him, meets and elicits his support will be detailed in next book 'Kishkindha Kanda'. Before that, let us look at the last few chapters of third book Aranya Kanda'.

In chapter 72, when Rama incinerates Kabandha he resurrects as a celestial being and detailing about Sugreeva he urges Rama to befriend him. He informs Rama that Sugreeva is also in a similar condition and he needs some one to rely upon, in order to overcome his problems, and thus Kabandha asks Rama to help Sugreeva, and get help as requital from Sugreeva.

A large pyre was made, the huge distorted body of Kabhanda was placed on it and the fire lit. As soon as the cremation ended there arose out of the ashes, the divinely handsome form of Kabandha, as radiant as a smokeless flame. He sat in his spectacular aerial chariot drawn by graceful swans which had materialized instantly. Celestial garments, ornaments and garlands adorned Kabhanda enhancing his glow which filled the four corners of the earth. "Listen Rama", said Kabandha, "I will tell you how you can recover Sita. There are six judiciously effective ways of combating misfortunes. A man going through a bad period bogged in misery must find solace in the company of another, who is in a similar situation. You will see that friend in Sugriva, a Vanara who lives in exile. He has been banished by his brother Vali, who is the son of Indra. Sugriva lives in the mountains of Rishyamuka on the banks of Pampa. His valor and brilliance will be of great help to you. There is no use crying over what has happened. Whatever is to happen will, none can either stop or overcome fate, which is inexorable and indomitable. Meet Sugriva, form an alliance with him in the presence of Agni and do not ever slight him assuming that he is but a Vanara. He is in fact the lord of the Vanaras. A grateful soul, he would never forget a gesture of kindness shown or help rendered and is worthy of your friendship. Able to take any form at will, Sugriva the son of Riksharaja will achieve what you want. Fearing Vali he lives in the Rishyamuka hills wandering on the sandy banks of the Pampa. Aware of the habitats of all the rakshasa tribes, he can dispatch fearless Vanaras to rescue Sita. He can reach the farthest corners of the earth much before the Sun can. Flying over hills and valleys, he can find Sita whether she is on the peaks of the mount Meru or hidden in the depths of the earth. He can kill her captors and bring her to you."

In chapter 73, Kabandha extols Pampa Lake and details Rama about the course to be adopted to proceed to Mount Rishyamuka to befriend Sugreeva. He details about Matanga hermitage and implores upon Rama to visit an anchoress name Shabari, who is waiting for ages to have a glimpse of Rama.

Kabandha advised Rama of his journey saying, "Along the western horizon runs a path that leads to Rishyamuka. It abounds with blossoming trees and fruit bearing branches. Jambu, Priyala, Amara, Kuta, Naga, Raga, Aswatha, Karnikara and Kadamba vie with hundreds of other species in beautifying the grove. Every branch droops with the sweet burden of its lush fruit, every flower holds honey and every bee seeks it. Traveling from one enchanting garden to another, you will arrive at Pampa, a lake so pristine, that its waters sparkle like crystal. Free from boulders and weeds its bed is covered with soft sands. On its surface float the most ravishingly beautiful lotus and water lilly. Frolicking swan, heron and duck make music while its limpid waters sparkle with fish. The lake will quench your thirst, the woods will satisfy your hunger and the cool scent laden winds will caress your tired bodies. The banks of Pampa where birds sing and flowers blossom are bewitching. Lost in its breath-taking beauty you will forget your grief. The trees there have flowers that none pluck; they neither wilt nor fall, but remain on the branches forever fresh. Close to the Pampa you will find the hermitage of sage Matanga. The disciples of the sage forage into the forest to collect reeds, fruit and flowers for their master. Those ascetics are no longer alive, but their servant Sabari, a renunciate, still lives in the hermitage. A noble woman steeped in dharma she awaits your arrival and wants to worship you before giving up her mortal body. "To the west of Pampa lies another hermitage of great secrecy where herds of elephants, innumerable birds and countless beasts live and roam without fear. Access to the Rishyamukha is rendered difficult by thronging elephant herds. The mountain has been blessed by Brahma that it would one day earn great renown. If a man sleeping on its slopes dreams of wealth, he will obtain it on waking, but if a sinner scales this mountain, he will be slain by the rakshasas in his sleep. On the mountain is a mammoth cave covered by a sheet of rock in which resides Sugriva with his companions. His favorite haunts are the mountain peaks and the banks of Pampa." Having told Rama and Lakshmana all that he had to tell, Kabhandha vanished while his gloriously radiant form illumined the skies.

In chapter 74, Sabari is emancipated from mortality after her showing Matanga hermitage to Rama. Both the brothers approach Sabari as said by Kabandha and she adores them on their seeking her presence. She honours them as visitant guests and expresses her desire to depart to the spheres where her teachers are. Rama gives consent to it, on which she offers herself into fire and emerges as a divine angel, to ascend to heaven.

Rama and Lakshmana reached the western bank of the lake. There they spotted the charming hermitage of Sabari who had for decades pined to behold Rama. It was indeed her dream come true and her moment of ecstacy as she offerd him reverential hospitality. Rama asked Sabari, "Have you conquered your anger and the obstacles to your penance? How do your Chandrayana Niyamas fare? Do you rejoice in peace and serenity and has your service to your guru borne fruit?" Sabari herself a Siddha honored by other Siddhas said, "Rama! You are the best among men and gods. My life is blessed by your presence. My gurus had told me that one day you would arrive at this holy ashram and having beheld you I would attain those imperishable worlds from which none return". Sabari offered him fruit that she had gathered with great love from the trees along the banks of Pampa. Rama recognized that Sabari had reached great heights of penance and wisdom. He asked her if he could see the ashram of Matanga of which he had heard so much from Kabandha. She led the princes through the forest and showed them the grove called Matangavanam. Filled with exotic birds, animals and other creatures, the woods consecrated by mantras and purified by the ascetics were rendered sacred. They saw altars facing west, where the most venerable of seers had offered flowers. These altars sanctified by an ever ending flow of worship by the sages had acquired a radiance that still cast their luminence in all directions. The holy Ganga and the seven seas were invoked and brought to the hermitage by the power of their penance. The mighty forces willingly visited the sages whose feeble bodies no longer permitted them to travel. The ascetics bathed in the holy waters and dried their bark robes on the trees.Those garments still remain moist and the garlands made out of blue lotus are still fresh." After showing them the hermitage Sabari said, "Rama, you have seen and heard of its greatness. May I now be permitted to leave this body? I would like to go to the land where those sages whom I had served now dwell." Amazed at Sabari's faith Rama said, "You may go! Go in peace to the world that you desire." Sabari then cast herself into a blazing fire to emerge with a divine body, soaring into the skies with a brilliant dazzle.

In chapter 75, Rama arrives at the auspicious Pampa Lake according to the suggestion of Kabandha. On seeing that pious environ of that lake Rama has a breather and he expects some good to happen now. On further beholding the ladylike Pampa Lake, his thoughts move to Seetha, and he is again dispirited. However, on overcoming that short spell of his anguish, he proceeds with Lakshmana to the nearby of the lake.

After Sabari's ascendance to the land of the celestials, Rama spoke in a reflective mood, "Lakshmana we have visited many hermitages, places of great wonder where deer and tiger live in harmony. We have walked long weary miles and made offerings to spirits and ancestors on the shores of the seven seas. Misfortunes no longer haunt us. My heart is truly joyous and my mind slips into a quiet serenity. Let us now go to the Pampa a veritable feast for the eyes, where the majestic mountain Rishyamuka stands and where Sugriva lives. Our search for Sita depends on him." They reached the lake graced with its profusion of flowers and lush green foliage. Pampa looked like a carpet woven with the manifold hues of its lotus. Cool winds laden with the scent of jasmine came wafting through the woods. Rama stood gazing wistfully at the ravishing beauty of Pampa. In hushed tones of profund melancholy he said, "I have lost my kingdom and my consort! How can I ever live without Sita? Go now Lakshmana and find Sugriva, Lord of the Vanaras."

This concludes Aranya Kanda along with last few chapters 72, 73, 74 and 75. Rama has reached Pampa lake and looks for Sugriva, king of Vanaras by the end of Aranya Kanda. The next book Kiskindha Kanda will detail about the Vanara or monkey army, along with Rama's friendship with Sugriva, which is going to help in his search for Sita. We can look at all the new characters in that book along with members of loyal Vanaras, including the venerable Hanuman, who become extremely loyal servants to divine master - Rama. The focal point of Aranya Kanda is the introduction of Ravana and his abduction of Sita. How Rama builds steps in response will be seen in next book and the initial chapters will lay out the first meeting between Sugriva and Rama. With that, let us close Aranya Kanda and look ahead for what transpires next.