Hari Om.
Let us begin the seventy fifth sarga of the araNya kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
The duo rAma and lakshmaNa followed the directions provided by kabandha and headed in the direction of pampa. Having reached the western banks of pampa, they went to hermitage of SabarI, the ascetic woman who served the sage matanga and his disciples and waited on in anticipation of rAma. She was instructed by the sages as they left their body to wait until rAma comes and offer her hospitality to him. SabarI, the very fortunate woman, realized the greatness of the moment and the guest who had graced. She offered them the forest produce that she had carefully collected in anticipation of him for him. Then, upon the request of rAma, she showed around the glorious forest of matanga and the altar where the sages offered worship before ascending to the high heavens. After showing them around, SabarI took leave of the brothers and shed her mortal coil by entering into the sacred fire. As she entered, out she came assuming a glorious form, well dressed, well decked ascended to the heavens that the sages dwelled in. Onwards…
Having beheld SabarI who ascended the heavens on the merit of her own achievements and splendor, rAma pondered and wondered about the influence and power of the great sages of the hermitage of matanga. He then said to lakshmaNa, the well wisher focused on him –
“O gentle lakshmaNa we have just beheld the wonderful hermitage where the birds and beasts co-exist in harmony. Here the seven seas have converged and having taken bath in them and offered oblations to the ancestors, our inauspicious days are behind us and good days are emerging. O best among men, this feeling delights my mind and my heart sees hope.
प्रणष्टमशुभं तत्तत्कल्याणं समुपस्थितम्।
तेन तत्त्वेन हृष्टं मे मनो लक्ष्मण सम्प्रति।।3.75.5।।
हृदये हि नरव्याघ्र शुभमाविर्भविष्यति।
Come, let us go to the delightful pampa at the foot of the RshyamUka hill. The son of the sun god, sugrIva, lives on the hill with four of his mates, eternally scared of vAlI. I would like to hasten to sugrIva. The quest of sItA would happen under the guidance of this leader of vAnaras”.
lakshmaNa responded positively and said even he was restless to meet sugrIva. The lord of the earth, rAma, then left the hermitage along with lakshmaNa and reached the banks of pampa.
The auspicious lake which was flocked to by noble people, was beset with greenery of the trees and creepers all around it. The lake as such looked lovely like a multi-colored carpet with patches of red lotuses at places, patches of blue and white lilies elsewhere that conferred their hues to the water. The duo beheld the lotus laden lake. The aroma of the lotuses permeated the whole region. On the banks they could hear the shrill hollering of the peacocks. The pampa banks were replete with trees in full bloom – mango, tilaka, guava, aSOkA, fig, karavIra, jasmine, kunda, kEtaki and a large variety of other trees which were in full bloom and looked like pretty damsels bedecked with flowers. Parrots, peacocks and a large number of other types of birds happily chirped there.
Beholding this scenic and lovely lake of pampa, the duo reached there and took bath in the lake of matanga. rAma saw there, sAl trees, champaka trees, heard the buzz of honey bees. The waters of pampa were cool and crystal clear. The sand on the banks gleaned brightly. rAma was smitten in love at this delightful sight of lotus laden lake pampa and said to the truthful lakshmaNa –
“As we have heard lakshmaNa, here on the banks of pampa stands the great mountain RshyamUka replete with minerals and trees in full bloom. The great son of vAnara Rksharaja known as sugrIva lives here on this mountain. We mut go to him soon.
Having lost the kingdom, with my heart aching for sItA how will the destitute me live without sItA, O lakshmaNa”!
Lamenting and brroding thus to the attentive lakshmaNa, rAma with tears in his eyes, walked on the banks of pampa and soon entered the forests of RshyamUka that were densely filled with varieties of trees, beasts and birds.
Here we conclude the seventy fifth sarga of the araNya kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
here we conclude the araNya kAndam, where the mission of rAma got into motion and very humbly submit it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. harihi Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 