Chapter summary
श्रीरामचरित्रम् Śrī Rāma Caritram
The Story of Śrī Rāma
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Though celebrated throughout the three worlds, King Daśaratha was deeply distressed, for he had not yet been blessed with the joy of a son. Through a great sacrifice, he propitiated the Lord of Raṅga, Acyuta, and indeed, it was that very Lord, Śrī Rāmacandra, whom he obtained as his own son. (v.1)
In the city of Sāketa, Rāma, venerated by all the gods, grew up alongside his brothers. Even in his boyhood, when requested by the foremost of sages, Viśvāmitra, to safeguard his sacrifice, the young prince slew hosts of formidable *rākṣasas* in battle. (v.2)
The great-souled Rāma, having strung the mighty bow of Śiva, then took the tender hand of Janaka's daughter, Sītā, in marriage. The Primeval Lord, in His divine play, humbled Bhārgava (Paraśurāma), who was swollen with pride, bringing him down from the high peak of his arrogance, and then bowed to him in reverence. (v.3)
Thereafter, He, the refuge of the virtuous, returned to the city of Ayodhyā with His kinsmen and dwelt there with all due honour. Each day, with His lawful wife, Sītā, He devoutly worshipped His chosen deity, Nārāyaṇa, who reclines upon the serpent couch. (v.4)
Pledged to uphold His father's word, Rāma renounced the kingdom. Alas, with the daughter of Videha and with Lakṣmaṇa, He journeyed into the forest, wandering as an ascetic with matted hair, yet finding profound joy in serving the most exalted sages like Atri. (v.5)
When Bharata came to meet Him, Rāma, with a pleased heart, bestowed upon him His sandals as a symbol of His authority. The hero then set forth from Citrakūṭa with Lakṣmaṇa, continuing along the forest path, and entered the fearsome Daṇḍaka forest. (v.6)
In the forest, though solicited by Śūrpaṇakhā, who was consumed by desire, Rāma, ever holding His Koḍaṇḍa bow, foiled her wicked plot for Sītā's abduction. He then slew fourteen thousand night-prowling *rākṣasas* and granted protection to the sages. (v.7)
But alas, when the daughter of the king of Videha was carried away by the lord of Laṅkā, who had deceived her like a cunning wolf, Rāma wandered through the forests, searching for her, crying out in anguish, "Alas, alas, my beloved! O daughter of Janaka! O beautiful one, where are you?" (v.8)
Having granted the highest state to Jaṭāyu, the king of birds, Rāma reached the bank of the Pampā lake, distressed by the agony of separation. His heart was indeed consoled by His friendship with Sugrīva; subsequently, having slain Vāli, He bestowed the kingdom upon Sugrīva. (v.9)
Through the messenger, Hanumān, the son of the Wind-god, Rāma learned of the chaste lady's whereabouts. He then reached Laṅkā with His army of monkeys. There, having slain His enemy in battle, He gave the entire kingdom to His brother, Vibhīṣaṇa. (v.10)
Having regained Sītā, Rāma joyfully set out for the city of Ayodhyā in the Puṣpaka chariot, accompanied by the hosts of monkeys. Upon His arrival, He was immediately consecrated with the royal crown, and King Rāma shone forth, majestic as a king in heaven. (v.11)
Later, fearful of public scandal, Rāma abandoned His beloved Sītā. The great-souled one left her at the hermitage of the sage Vālmīki. There, she gave birth to twin sons, Kuśa and Lava, and the sage himself performed the sacred birth ceremonies for the two boys. (v.12)
Then, Sītā, having ensured that Kuśa and Lava were skilled in singing the glorious saga of the hero of Raghu's line, entered a fissure in the earth before her husband with a joyous heart, as she was worshipped by hosts of gods on her divine throne. (v.13)
The Primeval Lord, Rāma, dwelt in His kingdom for ten thousand years, lovingly protecting the world. At the end of His reign, the great-souled one performed the Hayamedha (horse) sacrifice, having invited Māruti (Hanumān), Sugrīva the king of monkeys, Vibhīṣaṇa, and other revered figures. (v.14)
When the grand festival of the sacrifice, including the purificatory bath (*avabhṛtha-snāna*), was completed and His relatives had departed, Vibhīṣaṇa, the king of the night-wanderers, grieved deeply at the impending separation from Śrī Rāmabhadra. To him, the best of the Raghus, after bestowing upon him the Lord of Raṅga, also spoke thus: (v.15)
"Worship this unborn, immutable, Primeval Lord. I am giving you My very Self for your welfare. O Vibhīṣaṇa, you are indeed My devotee; do not grieve. Having received this treasure of My family, go now to your own city." (v.16)
Vibhīṣaṇa, the brother of the one who had once lifted Mount Kailāsa (Rāvaṇa), took this auspicious Raṅga-vimāna, given by the best of the Raghus with a pleased countenance, and, travelling through the sky, proceeded towards Laṅkā. (v.17)
On the ground below, he beheld the most wonderful bank of the Kāverī river (the daughter of Kavera), teeming with Campaka, Kadamba, coconut, Punnāga, Nāga, plantain, Bakula, Asana, and other trees, and also the serene Candra Sarovara (moon-lake). (v.18)
Having placed Śrī Raṅga there in that sacred spot, and having performed his ritual bath according to the prescribed rites, Vibhīṣaṇa then set forth with the desire to worship the Lord. On his path, King Dharmavarmā was also seen. (v.19)
Thus the sixteenth chapter, named "The Story of Śrī Rāma," in the Fourth Part of the "Divyadeśavaibhavam," composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
