Ganesh Chaturthi: 11th September, 2010

Lord Ganesha

Ganesha, the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon is beheld as the most auspicious God of new beginnings and widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

Ganesha has the head of an elephant on which is perched a delicate tiara, four podgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second an ankush or goad made from his own broken tusk, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (sometimes replaced by modaks, his favourite sweet).

On Ganesha Chaturthi Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees. Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi it is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon) sometime between August and September. The festivities last for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi.

Chhatrapati Shivaji

Started by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and nationalism, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi was revived by Lokmanya Tilak. Though celebrated all over India, it is most elaborate in Maharashtra and other former states of the Maratha Empire.

Clay Models of Ganesha

About two months prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, life-like clay models of Lord Ganesha are made by skilled artisans. The festival starts with the installation of these Ganesh statues in colourfully decorated homes and mantapas (specially erected temporary structures) in every locality.

Invoking Life Into Idols of Ganesha

The priest, then invokes life into the statue amidst the chanting of mantras, known as the Pranapratishhtha ceremony. After this the ritual of Shhodashopachara (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas, 21 durva (trefoil) blades of grass and red flowers are offered. The statue is anointed with red unguent, typically made of kumkum and sandalwood paste. Throughout the service, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda, the Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad and the Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.

For ten days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped.

Ganesha, Enjoying the Modak

The favourite sweet during the festival is the modak. The festival abounds with cultural activities like songs, dramas and orchestra along with free medical checkups, blood donation camps and charity for the poor.

Ganesha Idols Taken for Immersion on Anant Chaudas

On the 11th day, the statue is taken in a procession through the streets amidst much fanfare. Being immersed in a river or the sea symbolizes a ritual farewell to the Lord journeying towards his abode in Kailash, taking away the misfortunes of his devotees.

Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudcha Varshi Laukar Ya

The festival ends with ardent entreaties to Lord Ganesha to return the next year with chants of, "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudcha Varshi Laukar Ya!" (Hail to Lord Ganesha! Return soon again next year).

Swami Shivananda Recommends:
On Ganesh Chaturthi meditate on stories related with Lord Ganesha during the Brahmamuhurta, early in the morning. Soon after a bath, go to the temple and pray to Lord Ganesha with dedicated devotion, offering some coconut and sweet pudding. Ardently entreat Him to remove all obstacles hampering the spiritual path. Worship Him at home with the assistance of a priest. Sense his living presence by having an image of Lord Ganesha at your residence.

Stories Related to Lord Ganesha

Goddess Parvati with Son Ganesha

Hindu Scriptures relate the story of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha means Lord (isha) and Ganapati stands for (pati) of Shiva's ganas. The deity was created by goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

According to legend, Parvati wanting to bathe conceived an idea of creating a son who could guard the entrance. She created Ganesha out of the sandalwood paste that she used for bathing and breathed life into the figure. Standing watch at her door, he was instructed not to let anyone enter. Lord Shiva, (third god of the Hindu Trinity who presides over the dissolution of the world) chose that very moment to drop in, after a long period of meditation at Kailash (Shiva’s abode).

Ganesha not knowing Shiva stopped him from entering Parvati's chamber. Enraged at his impudence, Shiva drew his sword and slashed off Ganesha's head. When Parvati emerged and absorbed the scenario she flew into a rage.

The Gods were petrified and Shiva, eager to pacify Parvati, dispatched his ganas (attendants) to bring the head of the first living being, sleeping with his head towards the north (auspicious direction associated with wisdom). They spotted an elephant in such a posture and brought its head. Positioning the head on the trunk of Parvati's son, Shiva breathed life into him. Ecstatic, Parvati embraced her elephant-headed son whom Shiva named Ganesha, the lord of his ganas.

Karitikeya And Ganesha

Another tale recounts how the Gods decided to choose their leader between the brothers- Kartikeya and Ganesh. Whoever took three rounds of the earth first would be acclaimed with the position. Kartikeya seated on a peacock, his vehicle, soon enough ventured for the mission. Ganesh was given a mooshak or rat, which moved swiftly. He made obeisance to his parents and circumambulating them three times, completed the test before Kartikeya. He reasoned, "My parents pervade the entire universe and going around them, is more valuable than going round the earth." All present were amazed at Ganesha's logic and he was renowned as Ganaadhipati or leader, now famed as Ganpati.

Lord Ganesha Riding the Mouse,his Vehicle

There is a story woven around the symbolic snake, rat and the singular tusk. On one of his birthdays, Parvati cooked twenty-one varieties of delicacies and a whole lot of sweet porridge. Ganesha ate to his heart's content and mounting his little mouse, embarked on his nightly rounds. His mouse suddenly stumbled upon seeing a huge snake. To adjust His belly, Ganesha put the snake on as a belt around his stomach. All of a sudden, he heard peals of laughter and saw the moon mocking him. Infuriated, Ganesha broke off one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon. Parvati instantly cursed the moon, confirming that whoever looks at it on Ganesh Chaturthi would be accused of a wrong doing.

The entire cosmos is known as the belly of Ganesha with Parvati as the primordial energy. The seven realms above, seven below and the seven oceans are lodged inside the cosmic belly of Ganesha. They are bound together by the kundalini or cosmic energy symbolized as a huge snake which Ganesha ties around Him. The mouse is our ego and Ganesha, using it as a vehicle, underpins the need to control our ego which ultimately leads to Ganesha consciousness. The significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism.

Ganesha' Ankusha

The ankusha or the goad held in Ganesha's right hand is used to remove obstacles from the path of dharma or righteousness. represents His ruler ship of the world, being an emblem of divine royalty.

Ganesha as Vigna Vinayaka

Revered as Vigna Vinayaka, He is the Lord who removes impediments hampering spiritual aspirants, and bestows worldly as well as spiritual success. "O Lord Vinayaka! The remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with the mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in your hands, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!"

Worsip of Ganesha is a Must on Every Auspicious Occasion

Ganesha, the god of wisdom and prosperity is invoked before beginning any auspicious work by the Hindus. His blessings are said to be imperative for the fulfillment of one's desires.

Ganesha Represent Om

Lord Ganesha represents Om or the Pranava, which is the chief Mantra among the Hindus. This explains the practice of invoking Ganesha before beginning any rite or undertaking any project. His two feet represent the power of knowledge and action. The elephant head is significant in that it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol for Om.

In the Ganapathi Upanishad, Ganesha is identified with the Supreme Self. The legends connected with Lord Ganesha are recorded in the Ganesha Khanda of the Brahma Vaivartha Purana.

His Mantra is Om Gung Ganapathaye Namah. Spiritual aspirants who worship Ganesha as their tutelary deity repeat this incantation or Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah.

The devotees of Ganesha also do japa (incantation) of the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra:

Tat purushaaya vidmahe
Vakratundaaya dheemahi
Tanno dhanti prachodayaat.

Lord of the Brahmacharis

Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom and bliss. Lord of the Brahmacharis, He is foremost amongst the celibates.

Ganesha is the Presiding Deity of the Muladhara Chakra

The eternal child, He is the presiding Deity of the Muladhara Chakra, the psychic centre in the body where the Kundalini Shakti resides.Being the embodiment of innocence, he guards his mother Kundalini (Gauri) and her instrument with great alertness and uncompromising zeal. Lord Ganesha's two powers are the Kundalini and Vallabha or the power of love.

He is the Lord of Ganas, the celestial servants of Lord Shiva.

The Vaishnavas also worship Lord Ganesha, addressing him as Tumbikkai Alwar which means divinity with the
proboscis (elephant's trunk).

41st & 42nd Dohas of Sunderkand

Chaupai:

budha puråna sruti sammata båni,kahi bibhisana niti bakhåni||
sunata dasånana uthå risåi, khala tohi nikata mrtyu aba åi||1||
jiasi sadå satha mora jiåvå,ripu kara paccha muRha tohi bhåvå||
kahasi na khala asa ko jaga måhi°,bhuja bala jåhi jitå mai nåhi°||2||
mama pura basi tapasinha para priti,satha milu jåi tinhahi kahu niti||
asa kahi kinhesi carana prahårå,anuja gahe pada bårahi bårå||3||
umå samta kai ihai baRåi,mamda karata jo karai bhalåi||
tumha pitu sarisa bhalehi mohi mårå,råmu bhaje° hita nåtha tumhårå||4||
saciva samga lai nabha patha gayau,sabahi sunåi kahata asa bhayau||5||

Vibhishana Speaks of Political Wisdom

Vibhishana spoke of political wisdom expounded by learned brahmins, Puranas and Vedas.However Ravana rose in fury as soon as he heard of them and fumed,“Oh wretch!Death is hovering around you now. You have always lived off my generosity, but foolish that you are, you have invariably upheld the enemy's cause. Tell me oh wretch, who is it in this world that I have not triumphed over with the might of my arms? Living in my city you have love for ascetics.Fool! Go and join hands with their lot and explain political wisdom to them."Saying so, Ravana kicked his younger brother. But (even on being hit),Vibhishana, caught hold of his feet over and over again.

Lord Shiva Narrating the Tale of Rama to Parvati

(Shiva goes on to say) “Oh Umå! This is the greatness (glory) of a saint that he does good to the person who is even evil to him.(Vibhishana replied) “ You did well to beat me since you are just like my father. But my Lord! Your welfare lies in worshipping Lord Rama."Expressing himself thus, Vibhishana took along his ministers and left through the path of air, making himself heard by all he said.

Doha: 41
råmu satyasamkalpa prabhu sabhå kålabasa tori|
mai raghubira sarana aba jåu° dehu jani khori||41||

The Lotus Feet of Lord Rama

"Lord Rama is true to his word and( the all-competent) God.Whereas your assembly of councillors is in the clutches of death, Oh Ravana!Therefore I am going to seek refuge in the feet of Lord Raghuvir.Do not blame me.”

Chaupai:
asa kahi calå bibhisanu jabahi,åyuhina bhae saba tabahi°||
sådhu avagyå turata bhavåni,kara kalyåna akhila kai håni||1||
råvana jabahi bibhisana tyågå, bhayau bibhava binu tabahi abhågå||
caleu harasi raghunåyaka påhi,° karata manoratha bahu mana måhi°||2||
dekhihau° jåi carana jalajåtå, aruna mrdula sevaka sukhadåtå||
je pada parasi tari risinåri,damdaka kånana påvanakåri||3||
je pada janakasutå° ura låe,kapata kuramga samga dhara dhåe||
hara ura sara saroja pada jei,ahobhågya mai dekhihau°tei||4||

As soon as Vibhishana left after saying these words, all the demons were doomed for sure (their death was certain.) (Lord Shiva says) “Oh Bhavani! Insulting a saint instantly damages (ruins) one's good fortune.The instant Ravana abandoned Vibhishana, the ill-fated one lost all his grandeur.Cherishing several wishes in his heart,Vibhishana happily headed towards Lord of the Raghus. (He kept thinking) “ I will behold the tender and red-coloured beautiful lotus feet of the Lord on reaching there; which grant joys to devotees.

Ahalya Brought Back to Life by the Touch of Lord Rama's Feet

By merely touching these feet Ahalya, the sage's wife was saved (Gautama, her husband, granted her the boon that she would be brought back to human form by the touch of the feet of Lord Rama and would reunite with him.) and the one who purified the forest of Dandaka(by slaying the rakshasas).The feet which Janaki has posited in her heart, which chased the deceitful deer on this earth and those lotus feet that actually dwell in the lake of Shiva's heart. I am greatly fortunate to be seeing those very feet today.

 

Doha: 42
jinha påyanha ke pådukanhi bharatu rahe mana låi|
te pada åju bilokihau° inha nayananhi aba jåi.42.

Bharata Taking the Padukas of Lord Rama

Oh, those padukas in whom Bharata's mind is steeped!Going just now I will be seeing those very feet by these eyes of mine, today.”

39th & 40th Dohas of Sunderkand

Chaupai

tåta råma nahi nara bhupålå,bhuvanesvara kålahu kara kålå||
brahma anåmaya aja bhagavamtå,byåpaka ajita anådi anamtå||1||
go dvija dhenu deva hitakåri,krpå simdhu månusa tanudhåri||
jana ramjana bhamjana khala bråtå,beda dharma racchaka sunu bhråtå||2||
tåhi bayaru taji nåia måthå,pranatårati bhamjana raghunåthå||
dehu nåtha prabhu kahu° baidehi,bhajahu råma binu hetu sanehi||3||
sarana gae° prabhu tåhu na tyågå,bisva droha krta agha jehi lågå||
jåsu nåma traya tåpa nasåvana,soi prabhu pragata samujhu jiya° råvana||4||

Lord Vishnu, the All Pervading Spirit of the Universe

Oh dear brother!Lord Rama is not merely a king of humans. He is Lord of the entire universe and kaal,  the eventual destiny of death itself. He is God who is the repository of absolute grandeur, fame, prosperity, religion, renunciation and knowledge.Being beyond maya, Rama is the unborn, all-pervading, invincible, absolute Brahma (the all pervading spirit of the universe) without a beginning or end. God who is an ocean of compassion has assumed the form of a human being to bring about the well-being of the earth, brahmins, cows and the gods. Listen,oh brother!

Lord of the Raghus, is Vishnu Incarnate

He delights his devotees, destroys factions of the wicked and is a protector of the Vedas along with religion. Discarding enmity, bow your head to him.The very same Lord of the Rahus gets rid of the sorrows of those who seek refuge in him. Oh master!Give back that Lord's (Supreme Being's) Janaki, and worship Him who loves us for no self-interest of His.On seeking refuge,The Lord does not even forsake him who has committed the sin of harbouring ill feelings for the entire world. Oh Ravana, grasp this fact in your heart that the Lord whose name destroys the threefold suffering has incarnated as a human being.

Doha: 39

båra båra pada lågau° binaya karau° dasasisa|
parihari måna moha mada bhajahu kosalådhisa||39(A)||
muni pulasti nija sisya sana kahi pathai yaha båta|
turata so mai prabhu sana kahi påi suavasaru tåta||39(B)||

Pulastya Rishi

Oh ten-headed one! I plead and repeatedly fall at your feet that abandoning pride, infatuation and intoxication, you worship Rama, the Lord of Kosala.The sage Pulastya (our grandfather) has had this message sent through his disciple. Oh brother, finding a golden opportunity I have immediately conveyed that truth to you.

Chaupai:
målyavamta ati saciva sayånå,tåsu bacana suni ati sukha månå||
tåta anuja tava niti bibhusana,so ura dharahu jo kahata bibhisana||1||
ripu utakarasa kahata satha dou,duri na karahu ihå° hai kou||
målyavamta grha gayau bahori,kahai bibhisanu puni kara jori||2||
sumati kumati saba ke° ura rahahi,° nåtha puråna nigama asa kahahi°||
jahå° sumati taha° sampati nånå, jahå° kumati taha°bipati nidånå||3||
tava ura kumati basi biparitå, hita anahita månahu ripu pritå||
kålaråti nisicara kula keri, tehi sitå para priti ghaneri||4||

Vibhishana Begs Ravana to Return Sita

Råvana had a very wise minister by the name of Malyavan. He was very grateful to hear the words of Vibhishana (and said)," Oh dear son! Your younger brother is an ornament of political wisdom (is very discreet.)Therefore take note of whatever Vibhisana says.((Ravana fumed)" Both of these fools are busy glorifying the enemy.Is there anyone here? Move them out of my sight!"Thereupon Malyavan returned home but Vibhishana entreated again with folded hands.

The Puranas and Vedas

Oh Lord! The Puranas and Vedas proclaim that good sense and foolishness dwell in everyone's heart. Various kinds of prosperity (joyous state) reigns where there is wisdom and misfortune (sorrow)is inevitable where there is wickedness. Perverse thoughts are dwelling in your heart and that is why you are considering what is good for you as harmful and your enemies as friends.

Thus you have become very fond of Sita who can be equated to *kaalratri (night of destruction) for the race of demons.

*Kaalratri means the night preceding the destruction of the universe at the end of a kalpa (time span of the universe's life.

Doha: 40
tåta carana gahi mågau° råkhahu mora dulåra|
sitå dehu råma kahu° ahita na hoi tumhåra||40||

Lord Rama and Sita, His Consort

Oh dear brother! Clutching your feet, I beg of you (beseech you) to grant this token of affection (lovingly accept the insistence of this child.)Return Sita to Rama so that no harm may befall you.

37th & 38th Dohas of Sunderkand

Chaupai:

sravana suni satha tå kari båni,bihaså jagata bidita abhimåni||
sabhaya subhåu nåri kara såcå,mamgala mahu° bhaya mana ati kåcå||1||
jau° åvai markata katakåi, jiahi bicåre nisicara khåi||
kampahi lokapa jåki° tråså, tåsu nåri sabhita baRi håså||2||
asa kahi bihasi tåhi ura låi,caleu sabhå°mamatå adhikåi||
mamdodari hrdaya° kara cimtå,bhayau kamta para bidhi biparitå||3||
baitheu sabhå° khabari asi på,simdhu påra senå saba åi||
bujhesi saciva ucita mata kahahu, te saba ha°se masta kari rahahu||4||
jitehu suråsura taba srama nåhi,° nara bånara kehi lekhe måhi°||5||

Mandodari, Ravana's Principal Queen

The foolish Ravana who was known the world over for his arrogance, guffawed on hearing her suggestion." Women are truly said to be timid by nature.You are scared even on an auspicious occasion. Your mind (heart) is very weak (faint.) In case the troops of monkeys come, the poor demons will feast on them and sustain their lives.It is ridiculous that the wife of a person from whom even the lokpals (deities guarding a region of the universe) tremble and are scared of, should be afraid. "Saying so, Ravana laughed and hugged her to his heart. Showing great affection, he then left for his council assembly. Mandodari was worried at heart at the Supreme Being having turned against her husband.

The Coucillors Rave About Ravana's Might

As soon as Ravana sat in the assembly he got the news that the entire army of the enemy had arrived on the other side of the ocean. Thereafter he asked his councillors to give the correct advice (as to what should be done now) .That is when they laughed and told him to be smugly silent (what is the need of advice in this matter?) "Your highness experienced no fatigue when you triumphed over the gods and demons. Then of what account are men and monkeys? "

Doha:37
saciva baida gura tini jau° priya bolahi bhaya åsa|
råja dharma tana tini kara hoi begihi° nåsa||37||

When a minister, physician and spiritual preceptor, scared (of displeasing) and hoping for a reward, fawn and flatter and do not speak of what is beneficial, then the kingdom, body and religion are consequently ruined, soon after.

Chaupai:
soi råvana kahu°bani sahåi, astuti karahi sunåi sunåi||
avasara jåni bibhisanu åvå, bhråtå carana sisu tehi nåvå||1||
puni siru nåi baitha nija åsana, bolå bacana påi anusåsana||
jau krpåla pu°chihu mohi båtå, mati anurupa kahau° hita tåtå||2||
jo åpana cåhai kalyånå, sujasu sumati subha gati sukha nånå.
so paranåri lilåra gosåi, tajau cauthi ke camda ki nåi°||3||
caudaha bhuvana eka pati hoi, bhutadroha tistai nahi soi||
guna sågara någara nara jou, alapa lobha bhala kahai na kou||4||

Vibhishana

The very same contingency presented itself before Ravana.The ministers lavished him with praises on his face. (Precisely then) knowing it to be an opportunity,Vibhishana came and bowed his head at his elder brother's feet. Bowing his head once again, he sat down at his seat.And on being ordered to speak, spoke these words, “Oh compassionate one! When you have asked my opinion, then dear brother!I speak of your interest according to my wisdom.

Vibhishana Advises Ravana to Return Sita

Oh master! The man who desires his well-being, good fame, good sense,an auspicious destiny after his death and various kinds of joys, should abandon the fate of another's wife just like one discards the moon on the fourth night (bright half) of a lunar month.(Just as one does not see the moon on the fourth night one should not look at the face of another's wife.) Even a man who happens to be the sole Lord of fourteen cosmological regions (above, below and including the world) can not stand firmly when he is hostile towards living beings (is ruined.) No one speaks high of a man with the slightest greed even if he is an ocean of virtues and clever too.

.
Doha: 38
kåma krodha mada lobha saba nåtha naraka ke pamtha|
saba parihari raghubirahi bhajahu bhajahi jehi samta||38||

Lord Ramachandra

Oh Lord!Lust, anger, intoxication and covetousness are all paths leading to hell.Dumping all of them, worship Lord Ramachandra, who is adored by holy men (saints.)

35th & 36th Dohas of Sunderkand

Chaupai:

prabhu pada pamkaja nåvahi siså,garjahi bhålu mahåbala kiså||
dekhi råma sakala kapi senå,citai krpå kari råjiva nainå||1||
råma krpå bala påi kapimdå,bhae pacchajuta manahu° girimdå||
harasi råma taba kinha payånå,saguna bhae sumdara subha nånå||2||
jåsu sakala mamgalamaya kiti, tåsu payåna saguna yaha niti||
prabhu payåna jånå baidehi, pharaki båma a°ga janu kahi dehi||3||
joi joi saguna jånakihi hoi, asaguna bhayau råvanahi soi||
calå kataku ko baranai pårå, garjahi bånara bhålu apårå||4||
nakha åyudha giri pådapadhåri,cale gagana mahi icchåcåri||
keharinåda bhålu kapi karahi,dagamagåhi diggaja cikkarahi°||5||

Lord Rama Marches Ahead with His Troops

The very mighty bears and monkeys bow their heads at the Lord's lotus feet and roar. Lord Rama observed the entire army of the monkeys and then mercifully cast his glance on them with his lotus eyes.Acquiring the power of Rama's grace, the best of monkeys seem to have become huge mountains having wings. That is when Lord Rama gladly set forth (marched ahead) with many delightful and auspicious omens taking place.It is but ethical (a conventional norm of the Lord's lila or divine play)that good omens should occur when the Lord whose glory abounds with auspiciousness, goes on a mission.

Janaki, the daughter of Janaka

Janaki, the daughter of Janaka, could also sense that the Lord had marched ahead. Her lift limbs began twitching and seemed to say (that Rama was coming). However whatever boded well for Janaki were evil omens for Ravana.

The Monkeys & Bears Surge Ahead by Air & Land

Who can possibly describe the army as it marched forth? Countless monkeys and bears were thundering.With sharp claws being their only weapons,the bears-monkeys carrying rocks and uprooted trees, surged ahead as they wished (with no restraints); some of them coursed through the air and some by land. They roared very much like the lions.

(With their march and roaring) elephants guarding the eight cardinal directions of the earth were shaken and shrieked.(mythical elephants supporting the world in Hindu cosmology,supposed to cause earthquakes when shaking their bodies)

* According to the omens the throbbing of left limbs is considered auspicious for women but inauspicious for men.

Chhand:
cikkarahi diggaja dola mahi giri lola sågara kharabhare|
mana harasa sabha gamdharba sura muni någa kimnara dukha tare||
katakatahi markata bikata bhata bahu koti kotinha dhåvahi°|
jaya råma prabala pratåpa kosalanåtha guna gana gåvahi°||1||
sahi saka na bhåra udåra ahipati båra bårahi mohai|
gaha dasana puni puni kamatha prsta kathora so kimi sohai||
raghubira rucira prayåna prasthiti jåni parama suhåvani|
janu kamatha kharpara sarparåja so likhata abicala påvani||2||

Oceans Storm When Lord Rama Marches Ahead

The elephants of the eight cardinal points trumpeted, the earth rocked, mountains trembled (shivered) and the oceans stormed.The gandharvas, (heavenly minstrels) deities, sages, nagas and kinnars were all delighted at heart that their sorrows were over now. Several millions of terrifying monkey warriors gnashed their teeth while many millions dashed forth, shouting, “Hail to Shri Ramchandraji, the son of Kaushalya, endowed with mighty valour!”They raved about the Lord's multifarious virtues in the process.

Sheshnaag

Even the noble,( most supreme and great)Sheshnaag (the snake which patiently carries the earth on his head according to the boon given by Brahma) can not bear the weight of the troops.The Lord of the serpents, can not bear the heavy weight of the thundering troops and is deluded over and over again (is alarmed).He repeatedly catches hold of the tortoise's hard shell with his teeth.

Sheshnaag writing the Tale of Lord Rama on the Back of Kurma

While doing so (that is penetrating his teeth and sort of drawing a line on the tortoise's back) Sheshnaag, the king of the serpents, seemed to be befittingly writing the Lord's eternally sacred tale on the back of the tortoise, knowing that the journey of Rama's departure is supremely attractive.

Doha: 35
ehi bidhi jåi krpånidhi utare sågara tira|
jaha° taha° låge khåna phala bhålu bipula kapi bira||35||

Lord Rama Arrives With His Army at the Sea-Shore

In this manner, Lord Rama, the treasure- trove of mercy, arrived at the seashore and halted his journey.Several brave bears and monkey feasted on the fruits growing all over the place.

Chaupai
uhå°nisåcara rahahi sasamkå, jaba te° jåri gayau kapi lamkå||
nija nija grha° saba karahi bicårå, nahi nisicara kula kera ubårå||1||
jåsu duta bala barani na jåi, tehi åe°pura kavana bhalåi||
dutinha sana suni purajana båni, mamdodari adhika akulåni||2||
rahasi jori kara pati paga lågi, boli bacana niti rasa pågi||
kamta karasa hari sana pariharahu, mora kahå ati hita hiya° dharahu||3||
samujhata jåsu duta kai karani, sravahi garbha rajanicara gharani||
tåsu nåri nija saciva bolåi, pathavahu kamta jo cahahu bhalåi||4||
tava kula kamala bipina dukhadåi, sitå sita niså sama åi||
sunahu nåtha sitå binu dinhe°, hita na tumhåra sambhu aja kinhe° ||5||

Hanuman Burning Lanka

Ever since Hanuman had left after burning the city, the demons residing in Lanka were constantly terrified. They reflected in their respective houses that there is no protection(recourse) for the race of demons now. What good would His entering the city bring (we will be in a miserable condition) when his envoy's might is beyond description. Hearing the citizen's apprehensions from her female spies, Mandodari (Ravana's chief queen) was very distressed.

Mandodari Begs Ravana to Change

In seclusion she folded her hands and fell at her husband's (Ravana's) feet.She spoke words which were steeped in ethical norms, “Oh dear! Stop opposing Lord Hari. Considering my words to be extremely beneficial, posit them in your heart. Oh beloved, husband!The instant His messenger's deeds are recalled the wives of demons miscarry.Call for one of your ministers in case you want your well-being and send back His consort (of Rama) with him. Sita has arrived just like the night of frost to bring disaster to your race of lotus beds.

Lord Shiva and Brahma

Listen carefully, oh Master, even Shambu (Lord Shiva) and Brahma (the creator) can be of no good to you unless you return Sita.

Doha: 36
råma båna ahi gana sarisa nikara nisåcara bheka|
jaba lagi grasata na taba lagi jatanu karahu taji teka||

Rama's arrows are very much like swarming serpents while the hordes of demons are equivalent to frogs. Stop being obstinate and find a way out before they are devoured (swallowed) by them.

33rd & 34th Dohas of Sunderkand

Chaupai:
båra båra prabhu cahai uthåvå,prema magana tehi uthaba na bhåvå||
prabhu kara pamkaja kapi ke° siså, sumiri so daså magana gauriså||1||
såvadhåna mana kari puni samkara,låge kahana kathå ati sumdara||
kapi uthåi prabhu hrdaya° lagåvå,kara gahi parama nikata baithåvå||2||
kahu kapi råvana pålita lamkå, kehi bidhi daheu durga ati bamkå||
prabhu prasanna jånå hanumånå, bolå bacana bigata abhimånå||3||
såkhåmrga kai baRi manusåi, såkhå te° såkhå para jåi||
någhi simdhu håtakapura jårå,nisicara gana badhi bipina ujårå||4||
so saba tava pratåpa raghuråi,nåtha na kachu mori prabhutåi||5||

Lord Rama Blessing Hanuman

The Lord wanted to pick him up over and over again but Hanuman was so steeped in love that he did not want to get up from His feet.The lotus hand of the Lord was on Hanuman's head. Lord Shiva* became emotional on remembering Hanuman's ecstatic state.Becoming alert soon after, Shiva began narrating an extremely touching tale.

Lord of the Raghus Hugging Hanuman

The Lord lifted up Hanumån and hugged him to His heart. Holding his hand, He made him sit very close to Him. “Oh Hanuman! Tell me, how could you manage to burn the Lanka well-protected by Ravana and its huge impregnable fortress?”

Hanuman Could Burn Lanka due to Lord Rama's Majestic Energy

On finding the Lord so very pleased, Hanuman replied in words stripped of pride."The valour of a monkey makes him capable of skipping from one bough to another at the most. It was all due to your majestic energy, my Raghunath, that I could leap across the ocean and burn the golden city; kill hordes of demons and ruin the Ashoka Grove.There is no greatness (commendable on my part) of mine in this act,oh Lord! "

*It should be remembered in this context that Lord Shiva Himself had taken the form of Hanumån and hence it was easy for him to recall that ecstatic incident.

Doha: 33
tå kahu° prabhu kachu agama nahi jå para tumha anukula|
tava prabhåva° baRavånalahi jåri sakai khalu tula||33||

"Oh Lord, there is nothing difficult for a person with whom you are pleased. Cotton (which can quickly get burnt on its own) can definitely burn a mare-fire (fire beneath the sea, imagined as personified with the head of a mare) with your power.

Chaupai:
nåtha bhagati ati sukhadåyani, dehu krpå kari anapåyani||
suni prabhu parama sarala kapi båni,evamastu taba kaheu bhavåni||1||
umå råma subhåu jehi jånå,tåhi bhajanu taji bhåva na ånå||
yaha sambåda jåsu ura åvå,raghupati carana bhagati soi påvå||2||
suni prabhu bacana kahahi kapibrmdå, jaya jaya jaya krpåla sukhakamdå||
taba raghupati kapipatihi bolåvå,kahå calai kara karahu banåvå||3||
aba bilambu kehi kårana kije,turata kapinha kahu° åyasu dije||
kautuka dekhi sumana bahu barasi,nabha te° bhavana cale sura harasi||4||

Lord Shiva Narrates the Tale of Rama to Goddess Parvati

Grant me your constant religious devotion which bestows supreme bliss, oh Lord, by your grace! 

"Oh Bhavani, on hearing the extremely simple words of Hanuman, the Lord blessed, 'Be it so!' Oh Umå! 'The one who has gauged the true nature of Lord Rama is not attracted by anything other than the worship of Rama. When this conversation between master and servitor gains entry into a person's heart, he attains the religious devotion of Lord Raghunath's feet. Hearing these words of the Lord, the herd of monkeys exulted, “Glory, glory all glory be to the compassionate,blissful Rama!"

Lord Rama Orders Sugriva to Invade Lanka

Soon after, the Lord of the Raghus called for Sugriva, king of the monkeys,and told him to make preparations for marching ahead."Why should we delay any longer? Give orders to the monkeys at once."Seeing this lila (preparations for killing Ravana) of the Lord,the gods showered flowers in abundance and returned to their lokas (celestial regions) from the sky in joyous abandon.

Doha: 34
kapipati begi bolåe åe juthapa jutha|
nånå barana atula bala bånara bhålu barutha||34||

Troops of Monkeys and Bears

Sugriva, the lord of the monkeys, quickly summoned the monkeys and army chiefs who came in large numbers.The troops of monkeys and bears were of various colours and they were endowed with unequalled strength.