Namaste, Hari Om,
This is a nice post, I think the timing is perfect since we are in the first Navratri in the year. At home we have a Sri Mad Devi Bhavatam, and reading verses from it during this period is very beneficial for those walking the spiritual path. Reading the below story will also help us in our religious path - we should note its strongly encouraged to read the Maha Puranas such as the Shiv Puran, and the Bhagavata Purana (And more). These great books contain side stories that build a great understanding and offer answers to many things that happen that we dont normally have answers for. I always believe our minds should be ready, as well as we should be under the guidance of a spiritual teacher (or in contact with a pundit/swami etc..)
Below talks about Shri Rama Ji after he finds out his beloved Sita Devi is missing. I have read other books and studies on this part of the Ramayana. The events were consistent in that Rama Ji felt sorrow in the separation of his dear Sita Devi. I read in a previous book that Rama Ji was so disheartened he yielded the most powerful arrow and was about to let it go on the universe, as all the Gods were terrified, they sent Narada down to calm Shri Ram Ji down. Now I never heard the full details of the discussion until i read this in the Sri Mad Devi Bhagavatam. There are many philosophical points to extract from the below but we can save that for another day. In this great time of Navratri, kindly read with joy...
Here is a link to the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam and other great info related to the Maha Purana.
This great piece of history comes from the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam (translated with his greatness, Swami Vijnanananda, I hope you enjoy reading it:
-SimpleHinduBhai
PS: Please forgive me if I have made any spelling errors, typing is not great, but spell check is : )
*Note: For those who are not very familiar with the part where Sita Mata is taken away, see this nice video;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD-ECKWA7Vo - Ramayana For Kids, Sita is Abducted by Ravana.
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Chapter XXX, page 244-248
[this takes place shortly after Rama returns to the place where they were staying in the forest, small hut like home. They have come to learn that Sita Devi was missing...Shri Rama Ji is in sorrow...]
Vyasa Said: - O king! Rama and Lahksmana, discussing thus, remained silent; when the Risi Narada appeared there from the sky above, singing the Rathantara Sama Veda hymns in tune and musical gamut with his renowned lute. (1-2)
Ramachandra, of indomitable prowess, on beholding him rose up from his seat and gave him quickly an excellent seat and offerings of water for washing his feet. Then he worshiped the Muni and stood with folded hands. When the Muni ordered him, he took his seat close by Narada. (3-4)
On Ramachandra taking his seat there with lahksmana with a gracious heart, Narada asked him in a sweet tone, "O Descendant of Raghu! why are you being afflicted with sorrows like an ordinary moral? I know that the evil minded Ravana has stolen Sita Devi. I heard while in the heavens that Ravana, the descendant of Pulastya, stole away Janaki [Sita Mata], out of fascination, could not know that would be the cause of his death. O Descendant in the family of Kakutstha! It is for the killing of Ravana that your birth has taken place; and for that purpose Janaki has been stolen now. (5-8)
Note: - The Real Janaki was not stolen; Her shadow form was stolen.
O Raghava! The Devi Janaki, in her previous birth, was the daughter of a Muni, and practiced asceticism. While engaged in her austerities, in her holy hermitage, Ravana came and looking at her, prayed that beautiful woman to become his wife. Hearing this, she gave a good reproach to Ravana, when he perforce caught hold of her hairs. That ascetic woman got very angry, and, considering her body polluted by the devil's contact, resolved to put an end to her life and cursed Ravana, Thus - : "O Villain! I will be born on the surface of earth, not from any womb but simply for your destruction and ruin" Thus saying, she parted with her life." (9-12)
O Tormentor of the foes! Ravana, the king of the Raksasas [evil demons], mistook a garland for the extremely poisonous serpent and has stolen away Sita Devi, the part incarnation of Laksmi, in order to root out his race (13).
"O Kakutstha! When the Devas prayed for the destruction of that wicked insolent Ravana, difficult to be subdued, you are born on this earth, in the family of Aja, as a part incarnate of Hari, beyond birth, old age and death." (14)
"O mighty armed! Have patience; Sita Devi is meditating on you day and night." (15)
Indra himself, the king of the Devas, sends the nectar and the Heavenly Cow's Milk in a pot to her daily; she She subsists on that alone."
O Lord! On drinking the Heavenly Cow's Milk, the lotus eyed Sita Devi is living without any hunger or thirst! I use to see her daily". (16-17)
O descendant of Raghu! I am now telling how that Ravana can be killed. Perform, in this very month of Asvin the vow with devotion. (18)
Fasting for nine nights, the worship of the Bhagavati, and repeating the Mantram silently and performing the Homa ceremony, observing all the rules, will certainly fulfill one's all desires. (19)
O the best in the race of Raghu! You should offer the sacrifice before the Goddess, perform Japam, and home ceremony equivalent to one-tenth of Japam. If you do all this, you will certainly be able to release Sita (20).
In days of yore, Vishnu, Siva and Brahma and the Devas in the Heavens all performed this worship of the Goddess. (21).
Therefore, O Raghava! Every person desiring happiness, specially those that have fallen under great difficulties out to do this auspicious ceremony, without the least hesitation. (22)
O Kakutstha! Visamitra, Bhrigu, Vasistha and Kasyapa all of them did this worship before. When some stole away the wife of Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas, he, too, by the force of this worship got his wife back. Therefore O king! Dost thou also celebrate the puja for the destruction of Ravana." (23-24)
O high minded one! This vow was practiced before by Indra for the destruction of Vritra, by Siva for killing the demon Trinuraa, by Narayana for the killing of the demons Madhu and Kaitava; so you should also firmly resolve to perform duly this vow with your whole heart. (25-26).
Rama replied; "O ocean of knowledge! Who is that Devi? What is her influence; whence has she sprung? What is her name? and how is that vow to be duly observed? Kindly describe all these to me in detail." (27)
Narada answered: - "Listen, O Raghava! That Goddess is eternal and ever constant primordial force. If you worship her, all your difficulties will be removed and all your desired will be fulfilled" (28)
"She is the source of Brahma, Vishnu and others and all of these living beings. Without her force, no body would be able to even move their limbs". (29)
That supreme auspicious Goddess is the preserving energy of Visnu, is the creative power of Brahma, and is the destroying force of Siva". (30).
Whatever there exists in this infinite Universe, whether Temporal or Eternal, She is the Underlying Force of all; how, then, can she have an origin! (31)
Her origin is not Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesa, Sun, Indra or the other Devas, not this Earth nor this upholder of the earth; she is devoid of any qualities, the giver of salvation of all, the full Prakriti [nature]. In the time of the final dissolution of this universe, she livers with the Supreme Purusha".
She is also Saguna, full of qualities and is the creatrix of Brahma, Visnu, and Mahesa, and has empowered them, in every way, to create the three Lokas. (34)
She is the Supreme Knowledge, existing before the Vedas, and the Originator of the Vedas. The individual souls, knowing her Nature, become able to free themselves from the bondage's of the world (35).
She is known by endless names. The Brahma and the other Devas might choose to call her according to their actions and qualities. I am unable to describe those names. (36) [unable too because Devi Mata has endless names]
O descendant in the race of Raghu! Her endless names are formed by the various combination of the various vowels and consonants from the letter "A" to the letter "Ksa". (37)
Rama Said: "O best of the Munis! Describe briefly all the rules and regulations as to how that vow and worshiping to be performed. With my heart, full of devotion and faith, I will worship the Goddess today" (38)
Narada said: "O Raghava! On a level plot of ground, prepare an altar. Place the Goddess there and fast for nine days. (39) "O King! I will be your priest and I will, with great energy, carry out this yajna to fulfill the work of the Gods." (40)
Vyasa said: - Then the powerful Bhagavan Hari, hearing all from the Muni, believed them to be true; and, on the approach of the month of Asvin, prepared the altar on top of a hill and placed the Auspicious Goddess, the World Mother and, observing all the rules performed the Vow and worshiped the Goddess.(41-42)
Fasting for nine days, Rama celebrated the vow and duly offered sacrifices, performed the worship and Homa ceremonies. (43)
When, on the grand night of the Eighth lunar day, the two brothers completed the vow as told by Narada, the Supreme Bhagavati was pleased with the worship and appeared before them, mounted on a lion, and remaining there on the mountain top, addressed Rama and Lahksmana, in a sweet grave tone, like the rumbling of a rain cloud, thus: "Rama, I am satisfied with your worship; ask from me what you desire." (44-46)
"Rama! you are sent by the gods for the destruction of Ravana and are born as a part incarnate of Narayana, in the pure and stainless family of Manu". (47)
It is you that, in ancient times, incarnated as a fish for serving the purpose of the Devas and preserved the Vedas by killing the terrible Rakasas for the welfare of the Universe. (48)
It is you that incarnated as a tortoise and held aloft the Mandara mountain, churned the ocean and nourished the Devas. (49)
O Rama! It is you that incarnated, in days of yore, as a boar and helf aloft on your teeth this earth. It is you that assumed the form of a Man-lion and preserved Prahlada, by tearing asunder the body of Hiranya Kashipu, by your sharp nails. (50-51)
"O Decent of Raghu! It is you that assumed, in ancient times, the form of a dwarf and served the purpose of the Devas, by deceitfully cheating Bali, the younger brother of Indra" (52)
"O son of Kaushalya! You are incarnated as the son of Jamadagni in the Brahmin family, extirpated the line of Ksattriya, kings and gave over this whole earth to Bhagavan Kasyapa Risi." (53)
"So you are no born as the son of Dasharatha, in the stainless race of Kakutstha, at the request of the Devas, harassed by Ravana. (54)
Those powerful moneys, born as Deva incarnates, all endowed with great power by Me, will help you. Your younger brother Kahksmana, is the incarnate of Shesa serpent; this indomitable man will kill undoubtedly Indragit, the son of Ravana. (55-56).
You will kill Ravana; then you would worship Me, with great devotion, in the vernal season and then enjoy your kingdom according to your liking. (57)
O best of the Raghus! For full eleven thousand years you will reign on this earth; and after that re-enter your heavenly abode. (58)
Vyasa said: - O King! Thus saying, the Devi disappeared. Rama Chandra became very glad and, completing that most auspicious ceremony, performed the Bejoya Puja on the tenth day and gave lots of presents to Narada and made him go towards the ocean. (59)
O King! Thus stimulated by the supreme Energy, the Highest Goddess brought front to front, Ramachandra, the husband of Kamala, went to the shores of the ocean, accompanied by Lahksmana and the monkeys. Then he built the bridge across the ocean and killed Ravana, the enemy of the gods. His unparalleled fame spread every where throughout the three Lokas. (61).
He who hears with devotion this excellent account of the Devi, will get the greatest happiness in this world, and, in the end, will get the final beatitude. There is no doubt in this. (62)
O King! There are extant many other Puranas, but none is equal to this Sri Mad Devi Bhagavatam. Know, this is my firm belief. (63)
Here ends the thirteinth chapter on the narration of the Navaratra ceremony by Narada and the performance of that Rama Chandra in the 3rd Adhaya in Sri Mad Devi Bhagavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharishi Veda Vyasa. Here ends the Third Book.
The Third Skandha completed.
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Jai Bhagavati Mata Ki Jai!
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