DOTW: Stories from Uttarkhand

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

I am off today and I have some time to post this.

All that I am writing is from the Gita Press translation of the Srimad Valmiki Ramayan.

After Lakshman drops off Sita and returns to the chariot he is very sad. Then Sumantra (the minister and not the mata) tells this story. According to Sumantra Dashrathji knew that these sad episodes will happen in Ramji's life. One day Dashrathji goes to Vashista's ashram to meet him. There he sees Durvasa muni. Dashrathji asks Durvasa muni about his sons and their bhavishya. Durvasa muni then tells this story.

When the Daityas are vanquished by the devas they seek shelter at Sage Bhrgu's ashram. Sage Bhrgu gives them shelter. Vishnuji is angered and severes Bhrgu's spouse's head with his discus. Bhrgu gets angry with this and curses Vishnuji and says that he will be born as a man and live apart from his wife for many years. Since Vishnuji needs to take an avatar to kill Ravan, he accepts the curse and transforms the curse to separation after the coronation.

So, according to Sumantra, Dhashrathji knew that Ram was Vishnu's incarnation and that he will live apart from his wife after the coronation. Dashrathji keeps it a secret and takes the secret with him when he dies. Sumantra also knows about this because he goes to Vasishta's ashrama on that day with Dashrathji. Now, he tells Lakshman that and Lakshman now knows the secret of Ramji's birth, that is he is an avatar of Vishnu.

Edited by Mandodari - 16 years ago

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ananyacool

@ananyacool

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

Thanks for the story👍🏼 I remember it seeing in the previous Uttar Ramayan. Its must have been so painful to hear for king Dasharatha to hear about this prophecy of his most beloved son😔

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

Why Lava and Kusa are named that way:

Sita gives birth to 2 sons. Valmiki takes a handful of Kusa grass and cleanses one child with it. Since he was cleaned with the Kusa grass he names this child Kusa.
The other child is named Lava because Lava means the lower portion of the Kusa grass. Since the 2nd son was cleansed with Lava (the lower portion of the Kusa grass) he is named Lava.

Satrughan is there when his nephews are born. He stays at the Valmiki ashram the night of the birth of the 2 sons of Ramji. He stays there before his journey to kill Lavanasur. Satrughan hears Ramji's name and Ramji's gotra and is very happy. According to Valmiki Ramayan, Satrughan meets with Sita, speaks with her, and spends an enjoyable time with his bhabi and his newborn nephews.

Satrughana then moves on to invade the land of Lavanasur. He defeats Lavanasur. Then Indra and the devas ask him for a boon. Satrughna asks for Madhura (Lavanasur's capital) and says he wants to settle there. He builds a palace and establishes a kingdom there. He stays there for 12 years. After 12 years he has the desire to see Shri Ram again and he goes back to Ayodhya.

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

This is where there is a disconnect. Satrughna knows about Rama's sons but he does not inform Rama or send any news to Ramji about his sons' birth through servants. I did not understand that. Also, on his way to Ayodhaya after 12 years, he stays at Valmiki's ashram. He does not enquire about his nephews and he is surprised at the accuracy of Ramji's story as it is sung by 2 little boys.

How come he does not connect the 2 little boys to Ramji's sons? Also, how come he does not meet Sitaji this time around? Didn't make sense to me.

After a week's stay in Ayodhya he goes back to Madhura because Ramji says that a kingdom should not be without a king for too long. So, Satrughna goes back reluctantly.

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

Rama's Aswamedha sacrifice:

Did u know?

Rama wants to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. Bharat persuades him not to do so because it will lead to a lot of destruction. Lakshman then advices him to undertake the Aswamedha sacrifice.

U know there is a lot of normal interaction between the brothers. How come the Sagars are not showing that?

Also, after he banishes Sita Rama is filled with grief. Grief-stricken he is sitting all alone on the throne. It is Lakshman who consoles him again just like he did in the Vanvas.

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

Lava and Kusa come to Ayodhaya with Valmiki during the Aswamedha sacrifice and sing the song of Ramji.

Ramji hears the songs for many days. There is a lot of whispering among the avadhis because the 2 boys are a splitting image of Ramji. At the end, out of curiosity, Ramji asks about the composer. The 2 boys say that Valmiki taught them. Through the song Ramji comes to know that they are his sons. He then asks Valmiki to bring Sita and asks her to show that she stayed true to him when she lived apart in Valmiki's ashram. 😕 Valmiki vouches for her. Ramji says he knows that Sita is pure but he needs her oath to appease the (my opinion here) the 😈😈😈 avadhis. 😡😡😡
Sita gets upset and calls for Bhoomi devi who splits open the earth. Sita sits on the seat with her and goes into the Bhoomi.

Now, there is no mention of the horse, or people following the horse, or the 2 sons tying up the horse, or anything like that in this translation. Where does that version which is shown in all the movies and serials come in? Which version of Ramayan is it in?

Ramji finishes the aswamedha sacrifice with both his sons by his side after Sita goes into the bhoomi. Then slowly the mata's pass away. Bharat conquers Gandharvas with his sons and Yudhajit. Bharata establishes his 2 sons there and then comes back to Ramji. Lakshman's sons are established in the territory of Karupatha.

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

One day Rama was conversing with Death. Death is sent by Brahmaji to see Ramji in the form of a Brahmana. Ramaji sees him and Death reminds Ramji of his avataar and that it is time for him to come back to Vaikunt. When Ramji is talking to Death Sage Druvasa comes and asks to see Ramji. Lakshman tells Sage Druvasa that Ramji is busy. Sage Druvasa says if he makes him stay outside very long he will curse the city, the progeny of Ramji, and everyone including Lakshman.

Lakshman stops the curse and takes the curse on himself instead and Druvasa to see Ramji. Lakshman then departs to Vaikunt with his whole body. Rama wants to go to the forest because he cannot live without Lakshman. He asks Bharat to take over from him. Bharata refuses and decides to join Rama in the forest. A message is sent to Satrughan in Madhura who then coronates his 2 sons and decides to follow Ramji. Kusa and Lava are made the kings of North and South Kosala. He advises Hanumaji, Jambavan, Vibishan, Mainda, and Dwivida to remain on earth.

Then Ramji goes to the forest and prepares for his ascent to Vaikunt by immersing himself in Sarayu along with Bharat and Shatrughan. In the end the ascent is so beautifully described. All the Vanars and bears that were devas in animal form take their original shape and join him. All the astras follow him in deva form. All the heavens are there to watch. Apsaras are dancing, the devas fill the heavens and shower Ramji with flowers. All the Rishi/munis are there to watch. Ramji looks resplendent in his Pitamber and jewels. He enters the Sarayu with Mahalakshmi and Bhoodevi at his side.

The people of Ayodhya who follow him are blessed with going to Santanaka lok which is close to Brahma lok.

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

Well, the mini version of Valmiki Ramayan's Uttarkhand is over. I will not be posting much from tomorrow. Got to get back to work! 😭😭😭 It was so enjoyable today. 😍😃

I hope I haven't bored anyone with my posts. They are long but I learned a lot about the original Valmiki Ramayan today. I hope u guys have the same fun reading about it.

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Vibhishna

@Vibhishna

Dazzler

+ 3

Posted: 16 years ago

Thanks for the stories Mandodari ji.

There are some versions in Ramayan in which Shathrugan tells Ram about his stay(s) in Maharishi Valmiki's Ashram and Lord Ram tells him not to reveal it to anyone. In some other versions, Shathrugan does not know who the kids are and does not meet Sita Devi but blesses the children when they are born.

There is one thing I kept wondering . . . Why did both Kaal and Sage Durvaas come to meet Ram at the same time. One of them could have done the job.

I enjoyed reading the stories too. I just took a break today. I have to get back to what I was doing soon. 😭

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 16 years ago

#10

Originally posted by: Vibhishna
Thanks for the stories Mandodari ji.

There are some versions in Ramayan in which Shathrugan tells Ram about his stay(s) in Maharishi Valmiki's Ashram and Lord Ram tells him not to reveal it to anyone. In some other versions, Shathrugan does not know who the kids are and does not meet Sita Devi but blesses the children when they are born.

There is one thing I kept wondering . . . Why did both Kaal and Sage Durvaas come to meet Ram at the same time. One of them could have done the job.

I enjoyed reading the stories too. I just took a break today. I have to get back to what I was doing soon. 😭

Thanks Vibishna. I always think of Valmiki Ramayan as the original. I have never read the original until this serial started. A lot of things made a lot of sense to me after reading the Valmiki Ramayan.

I know about what u r saying. I have work to do tomorrow. 😭 I am a little envious (in a good appreciative way and not jealous or anything) of the Ramayan actors and crew. Even if I could work some behind-the-screen job I would have been very happy. What a great way to earn a living instead of being stuck at the desk with a computer in front.

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DOTW: Stories from Uttarkhand

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