Jai Sri Ram.
Rama visits Sharabhanga and SuteekshNa Ashrams:
Viradha, though a Gandarva born of Java and Shatahrada, largely of
curse and by boons granted by Brahma had become a gruesome-rakshasa
who can not be killed by weapons of any sort. The sharp arrows shot at
him by Rama thus went in vain. Leaving Seetha on the ground he grabbed
Rama, LakshmaNa and putting them on his shoulders like babies, started
running into the forest deep.
Rama though would not like to travel with him yet watched and waited
for what he does next. Hearing Seetha scream to sacrifice Her for
their release, both decide to take on the demon and LakshmaNa severed
the left arm while Rama cut the other. Viradha fell on the ground like
a mountain hit by Indra's vajrAyuda but could not be killed by any
further cutting or shearing. Hence LakshmaNa made a huge pit on the
advise of Rama and buried to see the end of him. Rama embraced Seetha
comforting Her from a state of fear and panic.
Thus released of his curse by Rama, Viradha narrated his story of how
he became a demon from being a celestial Gandarva named Tumburu etc.
And before departing helped Rama reach sage Sharabhanga's place.
On approaching Sharabhanga's Ashram, Rama finds Indra waiting on his
chariot un-grounded and saddled with horses of green colour, to take
the Sage along with him to Brahma loka. But the Sage desiring to see
and worship Rama, Seetha and LakshmaNa before that sends him off
un-accompanied.
On arrival the Sage receives Rama, LakshmaNa and Seetha and narrates
the visit by Indra and the Brahma loka that awaits him. Having met
with Him, he said to Rama that all the worlds including that of the
Brahma Loka are of lesser significance and would offer them to Rama,
his guest. Rama rather would reply saying " I do seek a dwelling in
this forest as dedicated by you".
Guiding Rama to seek the assistance of Sage SuteekshNa in this regard,
he departs, invoking Yogic fire and forsaking his body in that, as
snake cast it's molt.
Rama in the garb of an ascetic can not accept the worlds offered by
sage Sharabangha nor a Kshatriya can accept donations like Brahamins.
Pertinent to the context what He seeks is a dwelling as an ordinary
human albeit as God-incarnate he could.
Hence His visit to sage SuteekshaNa, next.
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