RamarpaNam # 374 -> 377.

Jai Sri Ram.

Pangs of separation :

Unable to bear Seetha's separation, Rama is distressed over the pleasantness of Spring in its full bloom. Even the gentle and cold breeze worked harsh on Him like the heat wave in the peak of summer. He pitied Seetha as She again will be surviving to experience the bitterness as He is alive to the same.

The wind rich in pollen blowing through the lotus pond browsed His skin, as if angered at His being the cause for Seetha's separation. It may be noted here that the term ''rajas'' also will denote anger apart from it meaning the pollen dust. It is prickly because it is cold and comes as a surprise as it blows hiding in trees. Its smell, chillness and gentleness each in its own way harass reminding Seetha of Her like qualities. Air is supposed to sustain life but in case of Rama it is cruel taking life out of Him.

''beeshasmAth vAthap pavathe'' so accolade the scriptures about wind, air and the light. Now Rama, the prime mover of the five elements is under duress by each one of them. The birds and animals are happy in the company of their own specious but Rama is alone, so also Seetha in solitude cursing each of their fate.

A question may arise as to whether Rama the God incarnate should He ail like a commoner at His wife's separation. It is not lust either but a divine longing by the ParamAtman for the privileged Soul, His Consort. She is the one who has no existence apart from the Lord, the assertion of sattva guna like the Nityasuris.

Lakshmana instills confidence in Rama advising Him to shun His languor and weakness, not to lose hope or give up the in zeal in Him. Like the wax and the wig that are intensely associated for the the wig ultimately melting the wax to be burnt together, so also more the stinginess more will be the cause for sorrow. And hence detachedly engaging is the sine qua non for peace and stability in ones' self.

Balaramanuja of Maha Bharata instilled confidence in Arjuna while Ramanuja of Dasaratha Rama does the same act except for the difference as though the Lord had learnt from His disciple first to give it back as Gitacharya in His next Incarnation.

Encouraged by Lakshmana, Rama along with his brother arrives at the precincts of Rishyamuka. On seeing them Sugreeva became suspicious and distressed, hopping from one mountain to another. AT this Hanuma, one of the Ministers of Sugreeva calmed him down saying there is no scare from Vali here on this Mt. Malaya. Then he requests Hanuma to meet the two disguising his monkey form and ascertain the reason for their entering this forest alone with bows and wielders.

Ordered thus by Sugreeva, Hanuma in the guise of an ascetic approaches Rama and Lakshmana greeting and praising them both.