Sundar Kaand - An Illustration of Shree Raam's Power
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
AN ILLUSTRATION OF SHREE RAAM’S POWER
SUNDAR KAAND
Page 813 CHOWPAAEE #3
प्रविशि नगर कीजै सब काजा, हृदय राखि कोशलपुर राजा ।
गरल सुधा रिपु करै मिताई, गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई ॥
Pravishi nagar keejai saba kaajaa, hridai raakhi Koshalpur Raajaa,
Garala sudhaa ripu karai mitaa-ee, gopada sindhu anala sitalaa-ee.
Translation
Keep the image of Shree Raam in your heart when entering any city (village, town, etc.).
One will be victorious in all worthwhile undertakings. Through His grace, poison becomes nectar; foes become friends; the ocean shrinks to the volume of water trapped in a cow’s hoof print; and fire is cooled.
Interpretation
The first line is quite familiar to the Hindu population. It is used as a Mantra on a daily basis as one embarks upon the journeys of the day. The fruit of this recitation is that the journeys will find purpose and success.
The second line is equally potent, anchored in the understanding that one must remember the exploits of Shree Raam as we embark upon challenges. The four analogies referred to find favour in the Raamaayan.
When that famous churning of the Ocean took place, poison was one of the fourteen products. Everyone backed off but, empowered by his constant repetition of the name, Raam, Bhagwaan Shiva swallowed it. This bold act was done out of the abundance of care and love Shivaji has for mankind. The utterance of the name, Raam, starting from the gut and welling up, countered the poison from getting past Lord Shiva’s throat. It got locked there and displayed its effect. Consequently, Lord Shiva begot the name, Neela Kantha (blue throated).
Maareech, Raavan’s maternal uncle, involved himself in many hideous acts, including the desecration of Hawan performed by the pious who are dear to the Supreme. However, the touch of Shree Raam’s weapon transformed his entire thought process. He now became a devotee of Shree Raam, from foe to friend. This transformation engaged the attention of Shree Raam to the extent that the Lord dedicated an intriguing part of His exploits to Maareech, the devotee. The world chases after Him and here He was, lovingly chasing after Maareech who was in the guise of a deer.
Shree Hanumaan set about crossing the vast ocean to get to Lanka. The purpose of the mission hinged on the delivery of Shree Raam’s ring to Mother Seeta. The undertaking would serve to give Seeta Maataa hope that She will be rescued from Her captivity. Hanumaanji undertook the virtually impossible task of crossing that large expanse of water without any help. With Shree Raam firmly entrenched in his heart, he tackled this challenge and indeed was successful.
Infuriated by the contempt of Raavan, displayed against Shree Raam, Pawan Putra Hanumaan burnt Lanka to the ground. This act was achieved by the very fire lit on his tail by Raavan’s followers. Noticeably, though, the fire neither damaged his tail nor extended to His body. That firm belief that Prabhu Raam is in control extinguishes any fire that is lit with the intention to threaten our well-being, be it physical or mental.