Chapter 99 - Sage Durvāsa Visits Rāma

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The episode of Durvāsā’s interference in the Devadūta’s conference with Rāma is based on Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, VII sages 103-105.

The sages said:

1-5. O Sūta, you say that by Rāma the deity Rāmeśvara was installed there; similarly, that Sītā was also installed and further that a resort was made by him for the sake of Lakṣmaṇa. These words of yours entirely appear to be contradictory.

O Sūta, earlier you said thus: “Accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, Rāma who was travelling through forests reached this holy spot. After performing Śrāddha in Gayāśīrṣa he had some dispute with Lakṣmaṇa. Angry with him, he went again to the forest.” There was mentioned by you, “Maheśvara was installed by him.” There is a doubt in this, O Sūtanandana, kindly clarify it fully.

Sūta said:

6. In this regard I have no doubt; but you have. Hence I shall explain everything completely. May it be heard, O excellent Brāhmaṇas. This is the primordial holy spot. It does not perish at all.

7. It was on a different day that Raghunandana got into dispute with the son of Sumitrā.

8. But this day when Rāmeśvara was installed by him was a different day altogether. The noble-souled one in a miserable state of mind installed Rāmeśvara himself devoutly.

The sages said:

9. At what time did Raghūttama come there on a certain day? What was the misery he was in? Do narrate this.

Sūta said:

10. Afraid of the popular (scandalous) talk against him, the lotus-eyed Rāma abandoned Sītā, but continued to rule the kingdom.

11. The highly esteemed one did not take another wife. For the proper performance of the Yajña, he made a gold icon of Sītā and placed it in the position of his wife.

12. Uprooting all enemies like thorns he ruled for eleven thousand years, observing full celibacy.

13. At the close of the eleven-thousandth year, O Brāhmaṇas, a messenger from the Devas come to Rāma’s abode.

14. He said: “I have been deputed to you by the king of the Devas. Hence do meet me in an isolated place.”

15. On being told thus by the messenger, Raghunandana came to a very secret place and then took counsel with him.

16. Although he came and sat in the place of discussion, there was still no privacy because there were too many close relatives.

17. Seeing the throng of people in what was expected to be a secluded spot, the messenger (of Indra) laughed a little at the outset. But immediately he became very angry and spoke thus vehemently:

18-19. “Like a serpent with the poisonous fangs extracted or an elephant devoid of ichor, a king who cannot implement his own command, is treated with contempt by men. O most excellent one among the scions of Raghu, I have understood that you have ceased to exert your ability to command. It has come to this that you cannot listen even to the message of Śakra in adequate privacy.”

20. On hearing his words, Rāma’s eyes turned red due to anger. With knitted eyebrows he said to Lakṣmaṇa:

21-23. “While I am seated here in conference with this gentleman, O Lakṣmaṇa, If any man becomes so deluded as to interrupt, I will slay him soon with my own hand undoubtedly. Should I fail to slay him even when he comes here and falls within the range of my vision, let me not attain the excellent goal of a virtuous one.

After realizing this you should be alert yourself at the royal entrance, without hesitation or doubt. Let there not be an occasion when someone is slain by me now at the royal entrance itself.”

24. Lakṣmaṇa said “om” (Yes) by way of assent. Marked with all excellent features, Lakṣmaṇa came to the royal entrance and turned away all the people therefrom.

25. The messenger of the Devas held the discussion with Rāma as ordered by Śakra and other inhabitants of Svarga.

The Devadūta said:

26. It is for the annihilation of Rāvaṇa that you have taken the incarnation on the earth. That wicked one, the sinful thorn of the three worlds, has been slain.

27. Everything connected with the task of Devas has been concluded by you, O highly esteemed one. So let the Devas with Śakra as their leader get their Nātha (Lord) (i.e. yourself) once again

28. Do this favour unto Devas if you like. It is not proper on our part to press our importunity. Leave this highly despised mortal world and come quickly to the heavenly world.

Sūta said:

29. In the meantime Durvāsas, the excellent sage, reached the place. Assailed by hunger he asked loudly: “Where is he? Where is the most excellent one among the descendants of Raghu?”

Lakṣmaṇa said:

30. O leading Brāhmaṇa, kindly wait here for a short while. Our excellent king is engaged in some task of Devas.

31. I humbly bow down and beseech you. Take pity on me. Please wait till Rāma satisfies the messenger of Śakra.

Durvāsas said:

32. If Raghūttama does not grant me audience (lit. come within the range of my sight) immediately I shall no doubt reduce the entire family to ashes by burning.

33. There is no other task weightier than meeting me. O foolish Lakṣmaṇa, why do you prattle something else?

34. On hearing it, Lakṣmaṇa thought within his mind rather miserably. ‘Better that I alone die. Let not the whole family be ruined.’

35. After resolving thus, he rushed to Rāma and feel at his feet on the ground like a log of wood. He then said with palms joined in reverence with a humble bow:

36. “O Lord, Durvāsas, the tiger among sages, stands at the entrance. He is hungry and wishes to see you. What shall I do, please command me.”

37. On hearing his words Rāma said to the messenger: “At my instance go back to the Lord of Devas and tell him unhesitatingly that I will come to him by the end of a year.”

38. After saying thus he despatched the messenger. Then he said to Lakṣmaṇa, “Dear one, do usher in Sage Durvāsas immediately.”

39. Rāma, the Lord then happily took Arghya and Pādya and proceeded welcome the sage joyously. He was accompanied by the ministers.

4042. After duly offering the Arghya and bowing down repeatedly Rāma, the Lord, spoke with words choked due to delight: “Welcome, O excellent sage. Welcome unto you. This kingdom, these sons, and the riches are yours, O holy Sir.

Do this favour unto me, O excellent sage. Accept this. I am blessed and contented that you came to my abode. You are worthy of being worshipped by the three worlds. You are the storehouse of all austerities.”

The sage said:

43-46. O Raghūttama, I have been fasting after concluding my Cāturmāsya Vrata. In my hunger I have now come to your abode for food. O Raghunandana, feed me quickly. I am a recluse. I have nothing to do with anything else such as ready cash etc.

Rāma stood in from and faithfully caused him to be fed with excellent dishes of various kinds of lambatives, chewables, and other types of foods to be swallowed and licked up till the sage was fully satisfied. Foodstuffs of various kinds were also served.