Rama

"So, Rama, at last, fell in with these monkeys. They told him that they had seen flying through the sky a chariot, in which was seated a demon who was carrying away a most beautiful lady, and that she was weeping bitterly, and as the chariot passed over their heads she dropped one of her ornaments to attract their attention. Then they showed Rama the ornament....the monkeys told Rama who this demon king was and where he lived, and then they all went to seek for him."

"...the monkey-king Vâli and his younger brother Sugriva were then fighting amongst themselves for the kingdom. The younger brother was helped by Rama, and he regained the kingdom from Vali, who had driven him away; and he, in return, promised to help Rama. They searched the country all round, but could not find Sita. At last Hanuman leaped by one bound from the coast of India to the island of Ceylon, and there went looking all over Lanka for Sita, but nowhere could he find her....he found Sita under a tree, pale and thin, like the new moon that lies low in the horizon....Hanuman came nearer to Sita and told her how he became the messenger of Rama, who had sent him to find out where Sita was; and Hanuman showed to Sita the signet ring which Rama had given as a token for establishing his identity....she gave him a jewel from her hair to carry to Rama; and with that Hanuman returned."

"Learning everything about Sita from Hanuman, Rama collected an army, and with it marched towards the southernmost point of India. There Rama's monkeys built a huge bridge, called Setu-Bandha, connecting India with Ceylon. In very low water even now it is possible to cross from India to Ceylon over the sand-banks there....Rama was God incarnate, otherwise, how could he have done all these things? He was an Incarnation of God, according to the Hindus.... believes him to be the seventh Incarnation of God."

"The monkeys removed whole hills, placed them in the sea and covered them with stones and trees, thus making a huge embankment. A little squirrel, so it is said, was there rolling himself in the sand and running backwards and forwards on to the bridge and shaking himself. Thus in his small way he was working for the bridge of Rama by putting in sand.... Rama saw it and remarked: "Blessed be the little squirrel; he is doing his work to the best of his ability, and he is therefore quite as great as the greatest of you." Then he gently stroked the squirrel on the back, and the marks of Rama's fingers, running lengthwise, are seen on the squirrel's back to this day."

"...when the bridge was finished, the whole army of monkeys, led by Rama and his brother entered Ceylon. For several months afterwards tremendous war and bloodshed followed. At last, this demon king, Ravana, was conquered and killed; and his capital, with all the palaces and everything, which were entirely of solid gold, was taken.... all these golden cities fell into the hands of Rama, who gave them over to Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, and seated him on the throne in the place of his brother, as a return for the valuable services rendered by him to Rama during the war."

"Early during the period of exile, Bharata, the younger brother had come and informed Rama, of the death of the old king [Dasharatha] and vehemently insisted on his occupying the throne. During Rama's exile Bharata would on no account ascend the throne and out of respect placed a pair of Rama's wooden shoes on it as a substitute for his brother. Then Rama returned to his capital, and by the common consent of his people he became the king of Ayodhya."

"Rama passed a few years in happiness with Sita, when the people again began to murmur that Sita had been stolen by a demon and carried across the ocean. They were not satisfied with the former test and clamoured for another test, otherwise she must be banished."

"In order to satisfy the demands of the people, Sita was banished, and left to live in the forest, where was the hermitage of the sage and poet Valmiki. The sage found poor Sita weeping and forlorn, and hearing her sad story, sheltered her in his Âshrama. Sita was expecting soon to become a mother, and she gave birth to twin boys. The poet never told the children who they were. He brought them up together in the Brahmachârin life. He then composed the poem known as Ramayana, set it to music, and dramatised it."

"Valmiki dramatised "The Life of Rama", and taught Rama's two children how to recite and sing it."

"There came a time when Rama was going to perform a huge sacrifice, or Yajna, such as the old kings used to celebrate....Now Rama's wife was not with him then, as she had been banished. So, the people asked him to marry again. But at this request Rama for the first time in his life stood against the people. He said, "This cannot be. My life is Sita's." So, as a substitute, a golden statue of Sita was made, in order that the; ceremony could be accomplished."

"They arranged even a dramatic entertainment, to enhance the religious feeling in this great festival. Valmiki, the great sage-poet, came with his pupils, Lava and Kusha, the unknown sons of Rama....Under the direction of Valmiki, the life of Rama was sung by Lava and Kusha, who fascinated the whole assembly by their charming voice and appearance. Poor Rama was nearly maddened, and when in the drama, the scene of Sita's exile came about, he did not know what to do. Then the sage said to him, "Do not be grieved, for I will show you Sita." Then Sita was brought upon the stage and Rama delighted to see his wife."

"...the old murmur arose: "The test! The test!" Poor Sita was so terribly overcome by the repeated cruel slight on her reputation that it was more than she could bear. She appealed to the gods to testify to her innocence, when the Earth opened and Sita exclaimed, "Here is the test", and vanished into the bosom of the Earth. The people were taken aback at this tragic end. And Rama was overwhelmed with grief."

"A few days after Sita's disappearance, a messenger came to Rama from the gods, who intimated to him that his mission on earth was finished and he was to return to heaven. These tidings brought to him the recognition of his own real Self. He plunged into the waters of Sarayu, the mighty river that laved his capital, and joined Sita in the other world."

"They grow up, and the king is thinking where to find suitable brides for them, when Visvamitra comes, and after a long colloquy takes away with him Rama and Lakshmana to protect him at the time of sacrifice from the demons that persistently assail him."

"...Abandoning a spot which Rama had made so peculiarly his own; of the thieves who were prevented from breaking into the poet's [Tulsidas] house by Rama himself acting as watchman; of his visit to Brindaban and his interview with Nabhti Ji, and of his persistence in preferring the worship of Rama to that of Krishna, though the latter assured him in person that there was no difference between the two - all these legends as given in the Bhakta-Mala, whatever their foundation, are still popularly accepted as verities and are in dissolubly connected with the poet’s name."

"With this having purified the eyes of my understanding, I proceed to relate the actions of Rama, the redeemer of the world. First I reverence the feet of the great Brahman saints, potent to remove the doubts engendered by error."

"The most elegant composition of the most talented poet has no real beauty if the name of Rama is not in it; in the same way as a lovely woman adorned with the richest jewels is vile if unclothed. But the most worthless production of the feeblest versifier, if adorned with the name of Rama, is heard and repeated with reverence by the wise; like bees gathering honey; though the poetry has not a single merit, the glory of Rama is manifested in it."

"Before the strong wind that could uproot Mount Meru, of what account is such a mere flock of cotton as I am? When I think of Rama's infinite majesty I tremble as I write."

"Whoever in a devout spirit, with intelligence and attention, hears or repeats this lay of mine, he shall become full of true love for Rama, and cleansed from worldly stains shall enjoy heavenly felicity."

"Thus there are in the world four kinds of Rama-worshippers, all four good, holy, and beneficent; but of these four sages who trust in the name they are the most dear to the lord who understand his mysteries. His name is great in the four Vedas and in the four ages of the world, but in this fourth age [Kali Yuga] especially there is no other hope."

"Rama assembled a host of bears and monkeys and had no little trouble to build his bridge; his name can dry up the ocean of life; meditate thereon, 0 ye faithful. Rama killed in battle Ravan and all his family and returned with Sita in his own city, a king to Avadh his capital, while gods and saints hymned his praises, but his servants, if only they affectionately meditate on his name, vanquish with ease the whole army of error, and move, absorbed in interior ecstasy, without even a dream of sorrow."

"As Narsinh was manifested to destroy the enemy of heaven, Hiranyakasipu, and protect Prahlad, so is Rama's name for the destruction of the world and the protection of the pious. By repeating this name, whether in joy or in repose, bliss is diffused all around."

"Thus the very crime for which he like a huntsman killed Bali, was in turn the sin of Sugriva, and again of Vibhishan; but in their case Rama did not dream of censure, but honoured them both at the meeting with Bharat and commended them in open in court."

"The story of Rama is a resting-place for the intellect; a universal delight; a destroyer of worldly impurity; an antidote to the venom of passion; a match to enkindle the fire of wisdom; the cow of plenty of this iron age; flowers of ambrosia to make men immortal; a stream of nectar of the face of the earth; destroyer of death; a [[snake to devour toad-like error; befriending good by the destruction of hell in the same way as Parvati befriended the gods by destroying the army of demons; like Lakshmi rising from the sea in the assembly of saints; immovable as the earth that supports all the weight of creation; like the Jamuna, to put to shame the angel of death; like Kashi, the saviour of all creatures; as dear to Rama as the pure Tulsi; as dear to Tulsidas as his own heart's desire; as dear to Shiva as the daughter of Mount Mekal (i.e., the Narmada), bestower of all perfection and prosperity; like Aditi, gracious mother of all the gods; the perfect outcome of love and devotion to Raghubar"

"The heart is as it were a deep place in a land of good thoughts, the Vedas and Puranas are the sea, and saints are as clouds, which rain down praises of Rama in sweet, grateful, and auspicious showers; the sportive actions related of him are like the inherent purity and cleansing power of rain-water, while devotion is beyond the power of words to describe is its sweetness and coolness."

"The story of the marriage of Shiva with the daughter of the snowy mountains is like the winter; the glad rejoicings at the Lord's birth are like the dewy season; the account of the preparations for Rama's wedding are like the delightful and auspicious spring; Rama’s intolerable banishment is like the hot weather, and the story of his journeyings like the blazing sun and the wind; his encounters with fierce demons, by which he gladdens the hosts of heaven, are like the rains that refresh the fields; the prosperity of his reign, his meekness and greatness are like the clear, bountiful, and lovely autumn; the recital of the virtues of Sita, that jewel of faithful wives, is as the undefiled and excellent water; the amiability of Bharat as its unvarying coolness."

"Although Bhawani did not speak out, Mahadev can read the heart and knew her thoughts, and said: Listen to me, Sati; you are just like a woman; but you should not entertain these doubts; this is that Rama, my special patron, whose story was sung by the Rishi Agastya; in whom I exhorted the saint to have faith, and who is ever worshipped by seers and sages."

"He, the heavenly king, detected the deceit; for he sees all things alike and knows the heart, the all-wise lord Rama, the very thought of whom disperses error. Yet even him Sati attempted to deceive — see how inveterate woman's nature is. But Rama acknowledging the effect of his own delusive power, with a sweet smile and folded hands saluted her, mentioning both her own name and that of her father, and added where is Mahadev, and why are you wandering alone in the [[w:Forest|forest?"

"The anguish of my heart is beyond words, but I take comfort when I remember Rama, whom men call the lord of compassion, and whom the Vedas hymn as the remover of distress. Him I supplicate with folded hands. May this body of mine be speedily dissolved. As my love for Shiva is unfeigned in thought, word, and deed, and as his word cannot fail."

"From the day when Sati's spirit left the body he [Shiva] became a rigid ascetic, ever telling his beads in Rama's name, and attending the public recitations in his honour."

"None is so bold but Love steals his heart, and only they whom Rama protects can then escape."

"Then Shiva, after bowing to the Brahmans, took his seat, remembering in his heart his own lord, Rama. Then the sages sent for Uma, who was brought in by her handmaids, richly adorned. All the gods beholding her beauty were enraptured."

"... to whom Gauri's lord is dear as life. He who loves not Shiva's lotus feet can never dream of pleasing Rama; a guileless love for Shiva's feet is the surest sign of faith in Rama. For who is so faithful to Rama as Shiva, who for no fault thus left his wife Sati and made a vow, the pledge of unswerving fidelity? And whom does Rama hold more dear than Shiva?"

"Instruct me, my lord, with regard to him who is the passionless, all-pervading, omnipresent god. Be not wroth at my ignorance, but take steps to remove it. In the wood, though I was too awe-stricken to tell you, I beheld the majesty of Rama, yet my mind was so dull that I did not understand, and I reaped a just reward."

"Es lebe das Frühstück."