Hindu Temple of Lubbock TX

Class 37 Nov 26, 2017 Ramayan 3. Aranya Kand

• Video of Class 36. We saw that Mareecha came as a golden deer in Panchavati • expressed a strong desire to get the deer, either dead or alive

• decided to get the deer, even though Lakshman warned him that it could be a demon’s trick. Rama was very well aware it was a trick

• Before they started to live in Panchavati, they had met with (a great friend of ), the vulture. Rama left to get the deer, entrusting Sita with Lakshman and also the Fatherly vulture Jatayu

• Mareecha led Rama away from Panchavati, into the dense forest.

• After chasing for long hours, Rama shot an arrow at the deer. He fell down. But before dying, he remembered ’s words and yelled “Oh ”…”Oh Sita, Oh Lakshmana”…

• Mareecha assumed his original demonic form. Rama then hurried to return • Sita hears the voice and persuades Lakshmana to go in search of Rama . After long argument, Lakshman set out to the forest in search of Rama, totally unwillingly.

• Lakshman protected the ashram before leaving, so that nobody could enter. He also warned Sita not to leave the area • As soon as Lakshmana left, Ravan entered as a beggar, asking for food. Sita was ready to give food to him but she refused to leave the protected area, as promised to Lakshman.

• However, Ravan managed to impress his innocence with his sweet talk and got her out of the area Veer Jatayu’s death

• He then quickly abducted her , revealed his true form and started taking her to on his Pushpak Viman • Jatayu heard the cry and was shocked to see his daughter-like Sita • He knew Ravan very well too . He fought bravely but Ravan cut off his wings. Jatayu fell down to the ground • Sita was helpless. She removed all her ornaments, tied them in a piece of her saree and dropped the bundle on top of a mountain where Sugreeva and other monkeys lived • (Question- Who gave her the ornaments ? )

• Ravana entered the city of Lanka. He tried to impress her with the palace and the city of gold and was forcing her to marry him

• When Sita repeatedly praised Rama and refused to marry Ravana, he gave her one year’s time and said that his men would kill her and eat her at the end of one year, if she did not change her mind • He then ordered Sita to be taken to the center of Ashoka gardens • In the forest Rama met Lakshmana. He was worried about Sita being alone • They came to the ashram and saw everything was scattered. • They were too sad. They started looking for her, everywhere. They saw her footprints and flowers around the ashram • Later they also see the footprints of a gigantic demon • Rama spots Jatayu on the ground, almost dying. He tells them that Ravana took away Sita and took away his life too. He told them all that happened. Jatayu then passed away. Rama did the rites for the dead fatherly Jatayu

• They continued their search. They were captured by Kabandha, the demon • Kabandha= trunk. He was headless. He was a who was cursed.

• Rama cut off his long arms. He wanted to know who they were. • Kabandha was delighted to see them. He tells his story and asked them to burn his body so that he regains his beautiful form. • Kabandha plays very important role in Ramayan. He instructs Rama to meet Sugreeva, the monkey king, befriend him. He also asks Rama to help him and get his help in return

• He asks them to go to Pampa Lake and then to Mount Rishyamukh • He also tells them to visit the hermitage of Sage Matanga. A lady by name Sabari has been taking care of the hermitage. She has been waiting for ages to see Rama before dying. • Sabari shows them the hermitage and then she is liberated from the world • They then start towards Mount Rishyamukh

• End of Aranya Kand- three books • Video of Kabandha and Sabari • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFvAlQn6 a7A • Watch the video to understand the complete story of Sabari’s devotion. The video also shows the 9 fold path to devotion and enlightenment as given by Rama to Sabari