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Sarg 5-Raam in Sharabhang Rishi's Aashram

Crossing the forest, Raam said to Lakshman - "We have never seen such a terrible forest. One cannot even walk in this forest, therefore we should go to Sharabhang Rishi's Aashram fast." They arrived there and saw a strange scene. Dev Raaj Indra, radiant like Sun and Fire, was sitting on such a chariot which was standing above the ground. Indra's body was shining and the body's light was spreading all around. He wore such divine clothes which did not get dirty and many Mahaatmaa were worshipping Him. The chariot had green colored horses and the chariot itself was round as Moon. It had a white umbrella on which gold chains were hung. Two Dev Kanyaa (girls) held a Chanvar and a fan and were shaking them on Indra. Sharabhang Rishi was praying Indra.

Raam pointed towards the chariot and said to Lakshman - "Lakshman, See that chariot, how beautiful and how shiny it is? Like Sun. Whatever horses of Indra we have heard about, these are the same horses in the sky. All around the chariot are Dev Gan who have broad chest, long arms, with bow and arrows and wearing red clothes. They look so handsome and young as 25-year olds. Lakshman, you stay here with Seetaa for a few moments and let me find out who is sitting in the chariot."

Raam went to Rishi's Aashram. Seeing Raam coming, Indra asked Sharabhang Rishi to go there and said to Dev Gan - "See, Raam is coming here. Take me somewhere where He cannot see me. Hey Devtaa, He has come here on this earth to do such a work which others cannot do. When He will kill Raavan, then I will see Him." And Indra went to Swarg on His chariot.

Raam came to the Aashram. They greeted Muni and sat on their Aasan. Muni directed Him for their staying place and arranged the food for them. Raam asked Muni the reason of Indra's coming there. Muni told Him everything. "Indra wanted to take me to Brahm Lok which is unattainable for them being their soul unconquered. But when I knew that you were coming here, I didn't like to go leaving my guest here. I will go to Brahm Lok through your Darshan. I have got access to eternal Brahm Lok and Swarg Lok. Now I offer these Lok to you."

Hearing this Raam said - "Hey Muni, I alone will attain all these Lok myself, but now I just want to stay here in your Aashram." Sharabhang Jee said - "There lives one gracious Muni, Suteekshn Jee. He is a Brahmchaaree, he will arrange everything for you. The same path, along with the River Mandaakinee will take you to his Aashram. But just wait, and see the scene of leaving my body. I will leave my body as a snake casts off its skin."

Muni offered Aahuti of Ghee etc in the fire and entered the Agni. His mortal body was completely burned in that sacred fire. He came out as a handsome celestial prince and went to Brahm Lok. He did Darshan of Brahmaa Jee in Brahm Lok. Brahmaa Jee also welcomed Sharabhang Rishi in his Lok.

Sarg 6-Muni Requests Raam to Kill Raakshas

After Sharabhang Muni had left for Brahm Lok, other Muni who lived there, called (1) Vaikhaanasaa (born out of nails of Prajaapati - the first ruler of mankind) - they wash their interior body with water which is a Yaugik process called Dhooli Prakriyaa; (2) Baalkhilya (born from Prajaapati's hair), they wash their utensils after eating food without preserving for the next meal as they believe that Bhagvaan will give them Himself; and (3) the sages who eat grains only pounded by stone; and many other types of sages came to Raam and said - "You have taken birth in Ikshwaaku Vansh and you are the Swaamee of this Universe as Indra is the Swaamee of Dev Gan. You have come here following your Dharm by the order of your father. That is why we want to request you something, please excuse our faults.

Hey Swaamee, That Raajaa is called Paapee (sinner) who does not take care of his public and takes one-sixth part of his produce. Whoever Raajaa protects his public more than his life, he goes to Brahm Lok. Besides the sages who live on fruits, roots and flowers also give their one-fourth part of their Punya to Raajaa who protects his public.

Hey Raam, Many sages are being killed by Raakshas. Many Muni who lived near Pampaa River which is nearby Mandaakinee River, on Chitrakoot Parvat have been killed. So we are in your shelter. Please protect us. Because we do not see any other person who can protect us."

Seeing those Muni sad, Raam said to them - "You could have ordered me for this because I am your obedient. You should not have come as requestors. I have come here only to kill those Raakshas who are killing Muni community and by the order of my mother. Now I have come, so you do not worry about anything." Consoling them like this they went to Suteekhsn Jee.

Sarg 7-Raam in Suteekshn's Aashram

Raam, Lakshman and Seetaa arrived at Suteekshn's Aashram along with the group of Muni. There they saw Muni sitting in Samaadhi state in his Aashram. Raam said to him politely - "I have come here for your Darshan. My name is Raam. You are a Mahaatmaa, please speak to me."

Muni said - "Hey Raam, You can certainly stay here, because fruits and flowers are plentiful here and Rishi and Muni are also always all around. Some fearless deer come here in large herds but they don't harm anybody, rather they lure Rishi. No other problem is there." Raam said - "Then I will kill those deer who come here, but you will be hurt by killing them; and when you are hurt, I will be hurt. Therefore I won't like to live here for long." And the twilight came nearby, so Raam passed that night in Suteekshn's Aashram. Muni made all arrangements for their stay and food.

Sarg 8-Raam Goes from Suteekshn's Aashram

In the morning Raam took bath with Seetaa in the lotus fragrant water, worshipped Agni Dev and other Devtaa and said to Muni Suteekshn - "We are very pleased with your sweet behavior. We stayed here overnight happily, now we ask your permission, along with these Muni, to proceed to Dandak Van, as we want to see Muni community in Dandak Van as they are urging us." They prayed Muni and touched his feet.

Muni hugged them and said - "You may go there with Seetaa closely following you. There live Brahm Gyaanee Muni. You will find many innocent deer there. Birds also live there peacefully. You will see those ponds also which have bloomed lotus flowers, you will see those mountains also which are the source of thousands of waterfalls numerous water birds always wander there. Please come again to this Aashram after seeing them." Then Seetaa gave Raam and Lakshman their quivers, bows and swords. Raam and Lakshman tied them securely and proceeded further.

Mandaakinee
Mandaakinee is the name Gangaa, but sometimes any river which flows continuously is called Mandaakinee.

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