Aranya Kaanda
114 - Sri Rama takes a vow to kill the demons
Chaupais
Description
Then said Sri Rama (the Hero of Raghu's line) to the sage, " I have nothing to hide from you, my lord. You know what for I have come; that is why, holy father, I have not dwelt at length on this point. Now, my good sir, give me some advice, by following which I may be able to kill the enemies of the hermits." The sage smiled when he heard the Lord's remarks. "With what intention have You asked me this question? It is by virtue of my devotion to You, O Destroyer of sins, that I know a bit of Your glory. Your Maya (Creative Energy) is like a huge tree of the species known by the name of Udumbara, with the countless multitudes of universes for its clustering fruits. The animate and inanimate beings (inhabiting the various universes) are like the insects that dwell inside the fruits and know of no other fruit (besides the one they inhabit ). The relentless and dreadful Time-spirit devours these fruits; but even that (all-devouring) Time ever trembles in fear of You. You, who are the suzerain lord of all the regional lords, have asked my advice as though You were an ordinary human being. I ask this boon of You, O Home of mercy: pray dwell in my heart with Your Spouse (Sita) and younger brother (Laksmana) and let me have intense devotion, dispassion, fellowship with the saints and unbroken love for Your lotus feet. Even though I know You to be the same as the indivisible and infinite Brahma (the Absolute), who can only be realized ( and cannot be known by any other means) and is adored by the saints, and even though I depict You as such, I feel enamoured of Your qualified form again and again. You have always exalted Your servants; that is why You have thought fit to consult me, O Lord of Raghus. There is, my lord, a most charming and holy spot; it is called Pancavati. Sanctify the Dandaka forest (where it is situated) and redeem it from the terrible curse of the great sage (Sukracarya). Take up Your abode there, O Lord of Raghu's line, and show Your grace to all the sages." On receiving the sage's permission Sri Rama departed and drew near to Pancavati in no time.