Jeeyar Educational Trust

Jai Srimannarayana!!

Sri Bhadra:chala Sita, Ra:ma, LakshmanaSri Ra:ma:nuja:charya

Jeeyar Educational Trust

"Serve all beings as service to GOD. Worship your own - Respect All" - Sri Chinnajeeyar Swamiji

 
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Sri Valmiki Ramayana As It is - 17

Once the decision was made to send Rama, King Dasaratha called Rama into the court, who was accompanied by Lakshmana. Rama was blessed for a 
triumphant travel by Dasaratha and Kousalya while the royal priest Vasishta chanted Vedic Ashi:rvahcana Manthras. Dasaratha kissed his son Rama on His forehead and entrusted Him to Visvamithra along with Lakshmana. 
Immediately all the devathas were pleased by the union of Rama with Viswamithra, so, they showered flowers rain and blown the devadundubhies(eternal drums). A pleasant wind without dirt touched all the people denoting it is a good time for everyone. The two children followed Sage Visvamithra.

The Rama and Lakshmana dressed appropriately for the journey, with two quivers tied on each shoulder, (the upper portions of the quivers with feathered shafts), gave a picture of two more heads, and Rama and Lakshmana appeared like three headed serpents. They also had bows and swords in their hands and they had leather covers (gloves) to protect their 
hands. When they are following sage Viswamithra they looked like the (twin devathas) Aswani Devathas follwing the Brahma. They walked for about 
12 miles along the south banks of River Sarayu before Visvamithra would utter His first word to Rama. Until then He didn't even turn around to see if the children were following Him. But they earnestly followed 
Sage Vishvamitra, because their father King Dasaratha told them to follow and obey the sage. 

Thus his Pithruva:kya Paripalana started from here and they also passed the test given by Sage Visvamithra by following Him implicitly without questioning and complaining. We must remember here that Rama and Lakshmana were raised in the royal palace, being catered to every whim, and now they are walking 12 miles following the sage to obey their Guru. Also Lakshmana didn't have to go along, He could have stayed back enjoying the comforts of the palace, but as we discussed earlier "Artha has to follow Dharma".

When sage Vishvamithra turned around He addressed Rama thus "Oh Rama! Purify yourself by udakasparsa, and I will give You two manthras which will give You great benefits. Once You receive these manthras, You will no longer feel hungry or tired, you won't be hurt while You are asleep, nor can the demons harm You. * * By reciting these two manthras no one on this earth and in the three worlds will be Your equal in any skill. 
Moreover these two manthras are the origin of all knowledge. These manthras came from Brahma and I want to impart these manthras to you, considering that you are the most eligible one, take these teachings that have been kept safe from the world". On hearing His Guru's words, Rama touched water(udakasparsa) to sanctify himself, and got ready to receive these manthras. 'udakasparsa' means sprinkling water on the head chanting "apavithrah pavithro:va: ... sa ba:hya:bhyantharas suchihi" and then doing 'a:chamanam'. (After yawning also touching ears is as compensation to do the achamanam only. As it is said that there will be ganga in the right ear.) Then Viswamithra did upadesa of Bala and Atibala to Rama and said you have to chant these manthras in your heart so that you will be benefited by them. After getting upadesa Rama shined like the son with thousands of rays in the saradruthu (without any clouds).

Upon learning those teachings He performed all the duties of a student(according sishya dharma) like pada samvahanam etc. to His teacher, later that night all three rested on the riverbanks of Sarayu. Throughout this chapter Visvamithra addresses, Rama only, to teach or instruct on manthras. It shouldn't be misunderstood that Lakshmana was ignored or avoided, while Visvamithra considered that Lakshmana was part of Rama, when it comes to education and these manthras were imparted to Lakshmana also. Sage Visvamithra arranged a darbha (grass) bed on which Rama and Lakshmana slept. Being the sons of an Emperor it was difficult to sleep on grass-bed, but the children didn't complain. Being the guru Viswamithra told them some stories out of love like a mother until they fell into asleep. If one passes the test given by the Acharya, later he comforts you like a mother would. Acharya has the power to give anything and everything, due to the fact that God listens to their plea. 

Rama starats his Sishya dharma paripalana in this 22nd chapter. In Acharyas' presence a disciple has to satisfy with the things that are available there. He is not supposed lookafter his own physical comforts 
though he is caple to get everything. Being the sons of a great chakravarthy and tender princes neither Rama nor Lakshmana didn't demand anything. 
Just they followed their guru, thinking "Acharyo: mama daivatham". 
Because this whole universe is under the control of God (daivadhi:nam jagat sarvam), who is invoked by manthra (manthra:dhi:nam thu daivatham), i.e. He is under the control of Manthra which is taught by  Acharya (thanmanthram brahmana:dhi:nam), thus, Acharya is our Prthyaksha daivam(Visible God). Believing this Rama and Lakshmana slept very well in a new open place in the forest under the protection of their Guru. Because they are still kids, they slept holding their hands on each other. 

Next day morning what happened????
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