Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam AYODHYA KANDAM Sarga 55 En-route to Chitrakoot: The peerless Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spent the night in quiet repose in the grove of the sage; in the morning they saluted with reverence the sage; perceiving the guests proceed in the direction of the Chitrakoot mountains, the glorious saint responded with doting looks, performed the religious ritual ensuring their safe passage; he spoke to them on the path to Chitrakoot in words like these; “Lords of men first go to where Ganga and Yamuna (also known by the name Kalindi the daughter of the Sun) meet. When you reach the shore prepare a raft and cross the river Kalindi. On the farther bank of the river you will see a well known tree by the name Syama (meaning dark green) where countless birds make this tree their abode, Sita you offer prayers to this holy tree. After walking a small distance from this tree you will find the delightful path to Chitrakoot, this path I have stridden many times.” Thus having received guidance to Chitrakoot Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita conveyed their respectful gratitude to the sage and urged the Saint to turn to his hermitage. After the saint left Sri Rama told Lakshmana “It is the result of our past meritorious deeds that made holy hermit shower on us his unreserved love.” Speaking to each other as abovementioned, placing Sita at the head the two brothers walked towards the shore of the river Kalindi. They made a mighty raft with a comfortable seat therein for Sita; they helped Sita ascend the raft first, after loading their stock inside this raft, the two sons of Dasaratha began to cautiously row the raft. When the raft left the land and was halfway into the river Kalindi, Sita offered prayers to the floods of the river Yamuna, “Goddess Kalindi whose floods I traverse now, pray grant that my lord may keep his vow and see again that town where the children of Ikshvaku reign.” Having come to the other bank they quickly made to the Shyama (dark green) tree, the spouse of Sri Rama offered prayers in reverent tones, with suppliant hands held together and walking around the tree in clock-wise direction thus: “O! Mighty tree allow my husband to complete his vow, I plead upon returning to Ayodhya we meet Sumitra and Kausalya.” After the offer of suppliant prayers with Lakshmana at the head and Sita in the middle and Sri Rama at the rear they rejoiced to gaze at that time the river distinguished with charming sands and water rendered noisy by swans and cranes. Thus they wandered with delight and found by the riverside a pleasant spot where all was smooth and fair around; this place served as their lodging for the night.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 05:43:50 +0000
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