RamarpaNam-81

File 81.

Date: July 20, 2012.

Jai Sri Ram.

Story of Ahalya.

Koojantam Rama Ramethi maduram mathuraksharam |

Arokya kavitha shakam vande Valmiki kokilam ||

Chanting the divine name of Sri Rama, not only will that yield all the comforts here in this world but also fetch the immortal life that await in Sri Vaikundam.  The all great thing about Sri Rama is that He is true to the title ‘’ripooNamapi vatsala :’’ Then He will be merciful towards His devotees, need no mention.

Coming back to the story of Rama,  LakshmaNa and Vishvamitra entering the city of Vishal, its King, Sumati  welcomed them saying

dhanyo asmi anugRihiito asmi yasya me viSayam mune |

sampraapto darshanam caiva na asti dhanyataro mama ||

Highly impressed of their appearance, physique, gait etc. felt

imau kumaarau bhadram te deva tulya paraakramau |

Sri Rama is said to have all the grace-walk belonging to an elephant, lion, tiger and a bison. These stances are still enjoyable, when NamperumaL of Sri Rangam goes out in procession outside the sanctum sanctorum.

The King was so touched by the events leading to their journey by walk, when they deserve all the comfort of a chariot to move about.

katham padbhyaam iha praaptau kim artham kasya vaa mune |

He kept posing questions like

ashvinau iva ruupeNa samupasthita yauvanau ||

Lord Rama being VishNu, there could be none more handsome than Himself. Still the Sage gives the example of the twin beauty Gods, Ashwini Devatas, so much so warding  off the evil eyes as though the ‘’upamanam’’ is beautier than the ‘’upameyam’’.  This is akin to reducing the elegance of a child by fashioning a black mole in the check.

Accepting all the honors done to them by King Sumati and after resting over night, they all moved on to Mithila.  As they approached the holy city and just at the outskirts saw the ashram belonging to Sage Gautama, though un-inhabited and age-old. Rama was inclined to listen from the Sage Vishvamitra of its history. What followed was the story of Ahalya.

mithila upavane tatra aashramam dRishya raaghavaH |
puraaNam nirjanam ramyam papracCha muni pungavam ||

By Disguised appearance, Ahalya fell a pray to the lust of Indira and she was turned a stone and He, the 1000 eyed one. Sri Rama could turn the stone to life but Indira carry the evidence of his folly ever, for life.