Kamba Ramayana by P S Sundaram

Kamba Ramayana by P S Sundaram

Author:P S Sundaram [P.S., Sundaram]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789351181002
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2013-04-15T16:00:00+00:00


THE DISPATCH

When Hanuman arrived, Sugriva turned to him and said, ‘O son of the wind, what are you waiting for? Your speed is without match. Go forth and search for Sita in heaven, on earth and in the netherworld.

‘In the south is Ravana’s great city. The thieving rakshasa is most likely to have taken Sita there. Tara’s son and Jambavan will join you in your mission. Two vellams of the mighty army will go with you. Who else do we need when we have you? Go forth, great Hanuman, and win more fame.

‘Search first in the Vindhya, that mountain with a thousand peaks, so worthy of reverence. If you don’t find any sign of Sita there, proceed south towards holy Narmada where even the gods bathe.

‘If still unsuccessful, proceed further and reach the Pandu mountain, the one that touches the moon and where the red-rayed lord loves to linger on his journey westward.

‘Near that mount flows the sacred river Godavari, the ancient stream down which roll pearls, gold and gems resplendent. Those who bathe in it are assured freedom from human bondage and earthly wanderings.

‘Further south is the famous Venkatam, the sacred hill that divides the northern tongues from the southern ones. This holiest of holy places is the abode of the vedas and other scriptures. All your sins leave you when you get there, and with no effort on your part, you can gain salvation.

‘But avoid this sacred spot, since you have work to do. Go instead to the well-watered Tondaimandalam with its majestic river, Caveri. Make a thorough search on both the banks of this cool stream, divine and famous.

‘In Chola country, all along its streams clear as the minds of those in heaven, there are many sages engaged in austerities, oblivious to all except the feet of the lord. Go past them all quickly and remember that the idle achieve nothing.

‘Go then through the hilly Chera land lit up with gems and arrive at the Pandya land, the very heart of the Tamil language. In this southern Tamil country, on the Podiya hill is the great sage’s Tamil Sangam. You might be reluctant to leave that fount of knowledge but just salute it and go on to golden Tamrabarani.

‘Beyond that is the Mahendra mountain, where elephant calves are reared. And there, in front of you, will be the sea. Once there, conduct a search in every direction. Take a month if you need, and come back with news. Now leave at once,’ concluded Sugriva.

Hearing these instructions with great satisfaction, Rama took Hanuman aside and said, ‘Wise one, let me have a word with you. Should you see her, this is how you can identify her.

‘How can I describe her adequately? Whatever I say will sound like stale similes, so beloved of the poets. Yet in Sita’s case, they’d be no more than the barest truth.

‘Learned poets are wont to compare the instep of a beauteous maiden to the back of a tortoise or some such. It would be an insult to so describe Sita’s feet.



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