We are nearing the conclusion of the Ramayana epic in the next few weeks retelling in its entirety. While we are studying the epic since last few years, in the parallel world, Rama has emerged in his birthplace of Ayodhya, fulfilling the wishes of a billion-plus India. We can treat it as a great omen in spreading the virtues of Rama and his divine play. Just look at this stat – after the inauguration last year, Ayodhya is now India’s top religious destination driven by national sentiment and the awakening of deeply buried history in the nation’s veins. Since the consecration on January 22, 2024, the temple has reported crores of devotees visiting with some reporting over 6 crore. Officials have noted daily visitor numbers in the range of 1 lakh (100,000) or more conservatively. This pilgrim number has surpassed every other famous temple. This is the power of India waking up to its mythological and spiritual greatness. Even though we came so far, there is much left to desire in bringing a movement which touches every soul positively through the divine grace of Rama. We need to see to it that the Rama-bhakti movement or the mission on Rama is spread all around the world, similar to a Hare Krishna movement, as a token of our life work to pass on to our future. This will be the best gift one can give to the present and next generation and the many after that. Remember, I am partly sustaining in US since an year or more through the Hare Krishna movement of 1960s, 70s. We cannot waste our time without building something monumental on the ground.
The Rama-Bhakti Movement of our time needs to be emerging on the ground in line with deep wishes submeged within everyone around the world. The movement can emerge as a global spiritual and cultural renaissance, dedicated to sharing the timeless ideals of Maryada Purushottam Shri Rama—truth, integrity, compassion, and selfless duty. This movement would present Rama not only as a divine figure but as a living guide for moral strength, family harmony, and ethical leadership. Its action plan should combine the outcomes envisioned for devotion, education, and social transformation. The first step would be to establish Rama Centres worldwide—spaces for meditation, Ramayana study, bhajan gatherings, and seva (service). While we had seen an example of one great temple last year, in the next 15 years, the Rama-Bhakti Movement needs to reach a global network of 1,000+ active temples touching millions of lives—each promoting devotion, moral education, and compassionate service. These centers would not only serve as houses of worship but as living universities of dharma, spreading Rama’s message of righteousness and harmony across the world.
A simple action plan will include these steps in these centers: Establish a Clear Mission - Focus on Rama’s core ideals: truthfulness, dharma (righteousness), compassion, loyalty, humility, and service. Define the movement’s purpose: “To inspire the world through the timeless values of Lord Rama.” Promote Bhakti Through Music and Chanting - Encourage chanting of Rama Nama (e.g., “Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama”) in public spaces. Organize Rama Kirtans, bhajans, and musical festivals to attract diverse audiences. Develop Educational Programs - Launch online and offline courses on Ramayana, dharma, and ethical living. Partner with schools and universities to introduce value-based education inspired by Rama’s life. Foster Interfaith Harmony - Highlight Rama’s universal values that resonate across cultures and religions. Promote dialogue and unity through shared ethical principles. Publish Literature and Translations - Translate the Ramayana and related texts into multiple languages. Publish commentaries, children’s books, and devotional guides. Build a Devotee Network - Encourage daily sadhana (spiritual practice), satsangs, and study circles. Create volunteer opportunities and leadership training for spiritual ambassadors. Organize Global Festivals - Celebrate Sri Rama Navami and other key events with grandeur and inclusivity. Host Ramayana-themed cultural fairs, art exhibitions and drama performances etc. Engage in Social Service - Launch initiatives like “Seva in the Name of Rama”—feeding the poor, disaster relief, education drives. Emphasize Rama’s compassion and service to humanity as central to the movement.
The results of such an initiative would be profound. Spiritually, it would nurture a generation rooted in dharma and inner discipline; socially, it would foster communities bound by ethics, empathy, and purpose. Internationally, it would project India’s civilizational wisdom as a model of moral strength and harmony. The Rama-Bhakti Movement, thus, would not merely worship Rama—it would awaken his ideals as a living force for personal and societal transformation.
Coming back to the story, we had seen death delivering its message in the last post to Rama. In the later years of Rama’s reign, Death appeared before him in ascetic form, bearing a message from Brahma. The Creator reminded Rama of his divine origin as Vishnu, the sustainer who once empowered creation and later descended to earth to restore dharma by defeating Ravana. Having fulfilled his purpose and completed eleven thousand years among men, Rama was invited to return to his celestial abode. Rama accepted with serenity, recognizing the fulfillment of destiny and divine will. His calm submission to cosmic law revealed his perfect harmony of duty, detachment, and divinity—where even Death bowed before him.
In chapter 105, sage Durvasa comes to visit Rama.
In the final phase of Rama’s reign, when Death, bearing Brahma’s message, had come to remind him that his divine mission was complete, a sudden and fateful interruption occurred—one that would set the course for Rama’s final departure from the mortal world.
As Rama conversed with Death in privacy, ensuring that none should disturb them during that solemn meeting, destiny intervened in the form of the fiery sage Durvasa, renowned for his temper and ascetic might. Approaching the royal palace, Durvasa came directly to Lakshmana, Rama’s devoted brother and guardian of the royal threshold. With urgency burning in his eyes, the sage demanded immediate entry. “Bring me at once before Rama,” he declared. “I have an urgent matter that cannot wait!”
Lakshmana, ever dutiful yet bound by Rama’s command not to let anyone disturb their secret conversation, bowed respectfully and sought to calm the sage. “O Blessed One,” he said gently, “Rama is presently engaged in an important discussion. Tell me what you require, and I will see that your needs are fulfilled. Please be patient for a short while.”
But such restraint could not soothe Durvasa, whose fiery temperament was legendary even among gods and sages. His face blazed with anger as he replied, “Saumitri! Do not delay me even for a moment! Announce my arrival to Rama now, or I shall curse your entire house! My wrath shall consume this kingdom, you, Raghava, Bharata, and all of Ayodhya! My patience is at its end!”
The words struck Lakshmana like thunder. Torn between his promise to guard Rama’s privacy and his duty to protect the world from the sage’s curse, he stood silent for a moment, wrestling with the cruel dilemma. At last, with resolute calm, he thought to himself, “Better that I perish alone than see the entire world destroyed because of me.” Resolving thus, he stepped into Rama’s chamber and announced the arrival of Sage Durvasa, breaking the divine condition of secrecy that had been imposed during Rama’s meeting with Death.
At once, Rama concluded his audience with Death, who vanished as mysteriously as he had appeared. Then Rama rose, went forth to receive Durvasa with full courtesy, and bowed before him in reverence. “Welcome, O Great Sage,” he said with folded hands, “Tell me, how may I serve you?”
Durvasa, radiant with the power of long penance, spoke mildly now, the storm of his anger gone. “O Virtuous Rama,” he said, “hear my request. This day marks the completion of my thousand-year fast. I have come to you to ask for food, that I may break my fast as ordained. Provide me with whatever is ready, O Raghava, for I am weary.”
Relieved and overjoyed that the sage’s request was so simple, Rama immediately summoned the royal kitchens and brought before him a variety of dishes prepared for worship—pure, fragrant, and worthy of offering to the gods. With devotion and humility, he served the sage with his own hands. Durvasa partook of the meal as though it were amrita itself, divine nectar, and when he had finished, he blessed Rama, saying, “It is well.” Then, content and peaceful, he departed for his hermitage.
Yet as soon as the sage had gone, the weight of destiny returned to Rama’s heart. He remembered the warning given by Death: that whoever interrupted their secret audience would be condemned, and that such an interruption would mark the beginning of the end of his earthly sojourn. Now that Lakshmana had entered unbidden, the condition had been broken.
Rama’s heart was stricken with sorrow. Though he had fulfilled the highest dharma, the moment demanded another sacrifice—the separation from his beloved brother, who had once followed him to exile and shared every joy and trial of his life. Standing in silence, head bowed, Rama reflected again and again on the course of fate. “All is lost,” he thought, not in despair, but in solemn recognition that the divine cycle had turned its final wheel. Thus began the chain of events that would lead the righteous king from Ayodhya’s throne to the eternal waters of Sarayu, completing his mission and returning to his celestial abode as Vishnu, the eternal preserver of worlds.
This concludes chapter 105 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen sage Durvasa visiting Rama after breaking the secret interaction between death and Rama through Lakshmana. Sage Durvasa arrives at Rama’s palace with an urgent request for a private audience. At the time, Rama is in a confidential meeting with Yama (the god of death), and has instructed Lakshmana that anyone who interrupts will be punished with death. Since Lakshmana interrupted it, he needs to face the consequence. This will begin the chain of events as a king of Ayodhya to the eternal waters of Sarayu after losing the dear brother Lakshmana. Lakshmana sacrificed himself to protect the kingdom from the sage’s curse, initiating his departure from this world which can be seen in subsequent chapter.
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