Ramyana Wonders 6
Aladdin’s Magic in Valmiki Ramayana
Valmiki Ramayana has some magic shows as well. Bharadvaja Maharishi (seer) showed some amazing magic to Bharata. Chapter 91 of Ayodhya Kanda gives a vivid description of the magic shown by Bharadvaja.
The seer asked him why he came alone leaving his army behind. Bharata replied to him that his army was huge and they may damage the trees and huts and defile the water.
Look at the environmental concerns of Bharata!
But Bharadvaja insisted to him to bring the army so that he can entertain everyone. In the middle of the thick jungle, he summoned all the angels. Suddenly a cool breeze came from Malaya and Dardura hills. There was a rain of flowers. Sound of divine gongs could be heard on every side. Apsaras women danced to the tune of the Gandharvas. Earth and sky were filled with sweet and harmonious sounds. Bharata’s army could see the wonderful creations of Viswakarma (Divine Architect).
The forest looked like a paradise with fruit bearing trees. A royal palace emerged from nowhere. Ambrosial drinks of every kind were provided as also magnificent attire and food of every variety well prepared. Rivers were running with sweet water. Magnificent mansions appeared. Bharata entered a palace full of gems. Rivers of Payasa flowed at the feet of Bharata.20,000 Apsara girls appeared and danced.
All were in ecstasy at these marvels and they thought they were dreaming. Then the Gandharvas returned from whence they had come, as also the lovely Apsaras girls.
This is from the translation of Valmiki Ramayana by Hari Prasad Shastri. Bharadvaja achieved more than what Aladdin achieved through his magic lamp. Probably the authors of Arabian Nights copied it from Valmiki!
Sita worshipped Banyan Tree
I have already written about the Indian Wonder: The Banyan Tree. Valmiki gives more information about this tree in Ayodhya Kanda chapter 55:
Rama, Lakshmana and Sita crossed the river Kalindi in a raft. Sita offered obeisance to the river. Then she went to a banyan tree (nyagrodha) named “Shyama”. Vaidehi approached the tree and offered salutations to it, saying, “ “Homage to thee, Oh Mighty tree! May my lord fulfil his vow! May we behold Kausalya and the blessed Sumitra once more!”
With these words, the virtuous Sita with joined palms circumambulated the tree. This shows tree worship was among royals and general public from time immemorial. We have ancient coins with fenced trees. After killing Ravana Rama, Lakshmana and Sita returned to Ayodhya by aerial car. Rama pointed out the tree to her once again and reminded her.
In chapter 56, there is a beautiful description of Chitrakuta forest. All nature lovers must read it. Valmiki must have been well versed with the jungle trees. He never missed an opportunity to mention the trees. Hundreds of trees are mentioned by name in a lot of places. Valmiki must be a great lover of nature.
Rama—A Tiger
Vedas describe Indra and others as Bull. Ramayana described Rama as a tiger among men in several places and bull among men in other places.
Venkateswara Suprabatham sung at Tirupati Balaji temple begins with
“Kausalya Supraja Rama purva sandhya pravarthathe
Uththishta narasardhula karthavyam daivamahnikam” (Balakanda)
Not many people know that this is a couplet from Valmiki Ramayana. The meaning of ‘Narasardhula’ in the couplet is Tiger among men.
Cave of Horrors
We have seen mysterious caves with treasures etc in films such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. But Valmiki beat Indiana Jones stories in the description of mysterious Nikumbila caves. It is a Cave of Horrors where Ravana’s son Indrajit did voodoo ceremonies by sacrificing blood and human beings. Read Valmiki’s own words about this eerie place:
The cave was in a dark place with lot of trees. It was “darkened by trees”. There was “a huge Nyagrodha tree (banyan tree) of fearful aspect” under which the sacrifice was done.
Indrajita went to the sacrificial altar of Nikumbhila and invoked the God of Fire, Pavaka. Indrajita started pour on the libations and the fire blazed up, consuming the oblations of blood. Then he poured libations on the earth.
Indrajita had a boon of winning anyone provided he does a sacrifice there. Vibheeshana warned Rama and Lakshmana to finish off Indrajita before he did the sacrifice. Lakshmana with Hanuman went on time to Nikumbhila and prevented the sacrifice.
Nobody knew what God was worshipped in the cave .Some think it may be Kali or Pratyankara Devi.
Please read other posts by Santanam Swaminathan :
1. Ram –the Best PR Man 2. தியாகராஜ சுவாமிகளுடன் 60 வினாடி பேட்டி 3.நாமும் அனுமார் ஆகலாம் 4.கம்பனுடன் 60 வினாடி பேட்டி 5.ராமாயண வினா-விடை (க்விஸ்) 5.Where is Rama Setu (Rama’s Bridge) ? 6. Did Sita Devi Die in Earth Quake? 7. Ramayana Wonders Part1 (8) . Ramayana Wonders Part2 :How many miles did Rama walk? (9) Ramayana Wonders Part 3: Rama and Sanskrit G’ramma’r 10) Part 4: Who can read all 300 Ramayanas? 11) Ramayana Wonders part 5: Indus Valley Cities in Ramayana 12) Indian wonder: The Banyan Tree 13) இந்திய அதிசயம்: ஆலமரம்
