GODS and GODDESSES
Dasavataram
Ramavatara - Maha Vishnu as the ideal human being
A
Raja called Moolagan escaped Parasurama's wrath and thus he was responsible
for the continuance of the Kshatriya Vamsam. His descendant Raghu was a
king of great valour. He had a son called Ajan. Ajan's son was Dasaratha.
Dasarathan's wives Kosalai, kaikeyi
and Sumithirai gave birth to Rama, Lakshmana, Baratha and Shatrugunan.
They grew up learning all the arts and enjoying great love and care.
At this stage, sage Viswamitrar asked
Dasaratha's help in slaying the demons who were giving him hindrance in
his yagnas. Sage Visvamitra asked for Rama to accompany him to the forest
to fight the demons, refusing the assistance of the huge army of soldiers
that Dasaratha was ready to place at his disposal. Rama was too young and
Dasaratha was agonised about sending his young son to fight against mighty
demons.
But at Sage Viswamitra's insistence,
Rama and Lakshmana accompanied him to the forest and there stood guard
and helped him in successful completion of his yagas, slaying Thadakai
and all the demons who dared to interfere. The pleased Viswamitra took
them to Mithilai, where Rama lifted the Siva Dhanusu which could not even
be moved by anybody else and married Sita devi, daughter of King Janakar.
They returned to Ayodhya and king
Dasarathar wanted to crown Rama king. Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi listening
to the cruel advice of her servant Mandarai (Kooni), asked Dasaratha to
grant her the two boons which he had granted her earlier during the war
with Sambasuran. She asked that by one boon, Rama should be sent to the
forests for 14 years and by the other boon for her son Barathan to be crowned
king. Rama, ever obedient, gladly left to the forests accompanied by his
wife Sita and brother Lakshmanan. On hearing this shocking news Dasarathan
died of grief.
In the forests, Rama gained a good
friend Guhan, a tribal chieftain who helped him cross the Ganga. Rama built
a parnasalai in Chitrakootam and lived happily in the peaceful surroundings.
Barathan, who had been at his grandparents'
place during the whole proceedings, was extremely aggrieved to hear of
his mother's doings. He reached the forest and pleaded with Rama to return
to the kingdom and become king. But Rama refused to disobey his father's
and mother's wishes. Thus Baratha returned to rule the kingdom on behalf
of Rama, placing Rama's padukais (wooden sandals) on the throne. Rama reached
the Dandakarunyam forest area and lived happily there. Surpanakai, sister
of Ravanan, the asura king of Lanka, saw and fell in love with Rama. She
begged Rama to marry her. Lakshmana angered, cut off her nose. Surpanakai
rushed to complain to her brother Ravana and advised him to abduct and
marry the beautiful Sita.
On Ravana's request Mareechan,
his uncle took the form of a golden deer and roamed the forests near Sita's
Parnasalai. One day Sita saw and fell in love with the golden deer and
asked Rama to get it for her. Rama went behind the deer leaving Lakshmana
behind with Sita. As Rama's arrow pierced it, Mareechan cunningly cried
out to Lakshmana for help in Rama's voice. Hearing this, Sita ordered Lakshmana
to rush to his brother's aid. While Sita was alone, Ravana in the guise
of a sadhu came begging for alms. He grabbed Sita and flew off in his Pushpaka
Vimana. Enroute Jadayu, the king of the birds fought valiantly with Ravana,
but was hurt badly. He informed Rama and Lakshmana, who had come in search
of Sita.
Rama set off in search of Sita. On
the way he met Sabari, his arch devotee. He then met Sukreeva, the vanara
(monkey) king, his minister Hanuman and Vali's son Angadhan. They agreed
to help Rama rescue Sita. The mighty Hanuman flew across the ocean to reassure
Sita that Rama was coming to rescue her. He gave her Rama's ring. Sita
was overjoyed, blessed Hanuman and gave him her Choodamani (an ornament
that adorned Sita's head) to give to Rama. Hanuman as a messenger conveyed
Rama's wishes for Ravana to release Sita. Ravana laughed and insulted Hanuman.
To teach Ravana a lesson and to prove the might of Rama, Hanuman set fire
to the Ashokavanam and got back to Rama. They soon built a bridge of rocks
across the ocean and reached Lanka. Vibeeshanan, Ravana's brother realising
the might of Rama and ashamed of Ravana's misdeeds advised Ravana to release
Sita. Ravana refused and prepared for war. The mighty army of Ravana was
destroyed. Kumbakarna, Ravana's brother was killed. Indrajit, Ravana's
son was killed next. Finally, Ravana himself came to fight with Rama. Rama
killled him with his Ramabaanam. Vibeeshanan was crowned the king of Lanka.
Rama thanked all his friends for their valuable help and returned to Ayodhya.
Barathan welcomed him with great joy. Rama was crowned king and he ruled
justly for a long time.
Ashtalakshmi temple, Besant Nagar, Chennai
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