Rama's Vow to Destroy the Demons
Seeing the bones of sages and the devastation caused by demons, Rama is moved by compassion and righteous anger. He vows to destroy the rakshasas and protect the ascetics of the forest.
Aranya Kand · Episode 6 / 18
Episode Text
अस कहि जोग अगिनि तनु जारा। राम कृपाँ बैकुंठ सिधारा॥ ताते मुनि हरि लीन न भयऊ। प्रथमहिं भेद भगति बर लयऊ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asa kahi joga agini tanu jārā। rāma kṛpāṃ baikuṃṭha sidhārā॥ tāte muni hari līna na bhayau। prathamaṃhiṃ bheda bhagati bara layau॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Saying this, Sharabhanga burned his body in the fire of yoga and, by Rama's grace, departed for Vaikuntha. The sage did not merge into the Lord in the usual way, because he had already received the boon of devotion in the mode of distinction.
रिषि निकाय मुनिबर गति देखी। सुखी भए निज हृदयँ बिसेषी॥ अस्तुति करहिं सकल मुनि बृंदा। जयति प्रनत हित करुना कंदा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
riṣi nikāya munibara gati dekhī। sukhī bhae nija hṛdayaṃ bisesī॥ astuti karahiṃ sakala muni bṛṃdā। jayati pranata hita karuṇā kandā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the lofty destiny attained by the great sage Sharabhanga, the host of sages became especially joyful in their hearts. All the sages praised Rama, saying, 'Victory to the compassionate Lord, the source of grace and the benefactor of those who seek refuge!'
पुनि रघुनाथ चले बन आगे। मुनिबर बृंद बिपुल सँग लागे॥ अस्थि समूह देखि रघुराया। पूछी मुनिन्ह लागि अति दाया॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
puni raghunātha cale bana āge। munibara bṛṃda bipula saṅga lāge॥ asthi samūha dekhi raghurāyā। pūchī muninha lāgi ati dāyā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Then Raghunatha continued on into the forest. Great hosts of sages joined Him. Seeing the heap of bones, Raghuraya was filled with great compassion, and He asked the sages about it.
जानतहूँ पूछिअ कस स्वामी। सबदरसी तुम्ह अंतरजामी॥ निसिचर निकर सकल मुनि खाए। सुनि रघुबीर नयन जल छाए॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jānatahūṃ pūchia kasa svāmī। sabadarasī tumha antarajāmī॥ isichara nikara sakala muni khāe। suni raghubīra nayana jala chāe॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The sages said, "O Lord, You are all-seeing and the Inner Knower of all hearts. Even knowing this, why do You ask us as though You did not know? The hosts of demons have devoured all these sages." Hearing this, tears of compassion filled Raghubir's eyes.
निसिचर हीन करउँ महि भुज उठाइ पन कीन्ह। सकल मुनिन्ह के आश्रमन्हि जाइ जाइ सुख दीन्ह॥ ९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nisichara hīna karauṃ mahi bhuja uṭhāi pana kīnha। sakala muninha ke āśramanhai jāi jāi sukha dīnha॥ 9 ॥
Meaning:
Rama raised His arm and vowed that He would rid the earth of demons. Then He went from one sage's hermitage to another, granting them the joy of His presence and conversation.