sarga 10, bAlakAnDam
Individual verses with meanings
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Hari Om.
Let us begin the tetnth sarga of the bAlakAnDam with offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
In this sarga, maharshi gives details of how the celibate sage RSyaSrnga was lured into the anga kingdom to cause rains there and save the state from famine.
Acceding to emperor daSaratha’s request to learn the details of how the sage RSyaSrnga was brought to the anga kingdom, the minister sumantra started to narrate the details.
When the king rOmapAda urged the priests and ministers to think of a plan to bring the sage RSyaSrnga, they thought over it and proposed a plan which they were sure would never fail. The plan was to exploit the fact that RSyaSrnga was always immersed in the study of vEdas and scriptures and is completely ignorant of the existence of women and sensual pleasures. They revealed their plan – “we will plan to appeal to his senses and overpower his mind which will force him to come to anga at once. Beautiful and well adorned courtesans may be sent to the forest to the ASram where he lives. They would tempt him by appealing to his senses and bring him along with them to the kingdom honorably”. The king gave his approval to this proposal.
Acting upon the king’s approval, courtesans moved to the dense forest where the sage lived. RSyaSrnga was in the ASram of his father vibhAnDaka. The courtesans camped at a place not very far from that ASram. The pure and unsullied sage RshyaSrnga always lived in the hermitage, rarely stepped out of it, was immersed in the study of scriptures and never came across anyone else other than his father. He had never seen either a man or a woman born in a town or another place right from the time of his birth. While roaming in the forest, RSyaSrnga one day happened to see the place where the courtesans lived and were singing with sweet voices. Those women approached him and displaying affection asked him “O brAhmin, who are you and what are you doing in this dreadful forest all alone”. Charmed by their appearance and affection, a desire arose in RSyaSrnga and he began to narrate his story. He told them “I’m the son of sage vibhAnDaka and my name is RSyaSrnga. I’m renowned by my karma – what I do. Our ASrama is nearby and I’ll be happy to extend due hospitality to you all there.” Thrilled by the invitation of the sage, the women accompanied him to the ASram. Reaching the ASram, the sage showed them flowing waters to wash their feet and offered fruits. The women took those and in turn offered him their own fruits and sweets. RSyaSrnga had never tasted any food outside of the forest and tasted those with joy as the women embraced him and fed him. All the while the women were apprehensive of the return of sage vibhAnDaka and hence after spending time in frolic with RSyaSrnga they made good their escape in the pretext of performing evening rites.
RSyaSrnga was sad at their departure and ruminating his moments of togetherness with them roamed in the forest and the following day came to the spot where he had seen the enchanting women previously. The women were very pleased to find the sage RSyaSrnga approaching them and went near him. They told him, “O gentle one, pleased to see you. We would like you to visit our ASram where special hospitality will be extended to you”. He agreed to their proposal and they took him away along with them to the anga kingdom. As he accompanied them and reached anga, the god of rain burst forth and inundated the earth causing great joy among the people.
rOmApAda was ecstatic at the sight of the illustrious sage RSyaSrnga who brought rain to his kingdom with his arrival. He went out of his court to welcome the ascetic and welcomed him by prostrating in front of him. He worshipped the foremost among sages and gave appropriate offerings. He prayed that for this act of his (i.e. luring away the son RSyaSrnga), may they not incur the curse of sage vibhAnDaka. RSyaSrnga blessed them and was duly taken into the inner apartments of the royal palace. King rOmapAda offered his daughter Santa in marriage to RSyaSrnga. The sage lived on at that place with peace and happiness with his desires fulfilled.
Thus sumantra narrated in detail about the way RSyaSrnga was lured out into the anga kingdom by rOmapAda.
Here we conclude the tenth sarga of the bAla kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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