Authorship and Copyright Notice

All the work on this site is my original work. All rights reserved: Satya Sarada Kandula.

Where other sources have been quoted, they have been acknowledged.

Dhanushkodi (Dhanushkoti) – Where the Rama Sethu begins

For photographs look here : http://satyaphoto.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/dhanushkodi-dhanushkoti-a-perfect-beach/

“Dhanushkoti, where Ram is said to have anointed Vibhishan the king of Lanka. To cover these places, usually people hire autorickshaws, drivers of which also double up as guides. Dhanushkoti was a Railway station in the eastern stretch of the island before 1964, when a massive cyclone not only devoured the town, but also uprooted the railway line. Old British documents are quoted to claim that there were visions to lay a railway line from Dhanushkoti to Srilanka. Now that seems like a dream, what with the current state of affairs.

The remnants of the meter gauge railway line along the road to Dhanushkoti were shown to us by the auto driver. At Dhanushkoti, lies a new temple built by some Calcuttan businessman, after the 1964 catastrophe, in which the original KodandRamar temple was inhumed, remnants of which are still visible overground. The Temple houses Ram, Sita, Lakhsman and Hanuman alongwith Vibhishan” (Source)

“Ram, local people swear, ground his dhanush (bow) in the sands after returning victorious from Lanka. And so the name Dhanushkoti.” (Source)

Another Dhanushkoti.

Gandhamadana Parvatam : Hampi or Rameswaram or ?

Gandhamadana Parvatam: Situated on the highest point in the island, Gandhamadana Parvatam located some 3 km from the Ramanathaswamy Temple has an imprint of Lord Rama’s feet placed on a Chakra (wheel). The place also commands some excellent views of the countryside. Source

See the location of Gandhamadana hill in hampi here ; http://kishkinda.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/hampi-kishkinda-bellary/

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Maps etc

http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/tamilnadu/rameshwaram.htm

http://www.maplandia.com/india/tamil-nadu/ramanathapuram/rameswaram/
View Rameshwaram in a larger map

Rameswaram Temple and the Sethupatis

http://www.rameswaram.com/abttem.html

Source : “The temple of Rameswaram is as old as the Ramayana. At the beginning, the temple was originally a thatched shed incharge of a hermit. The present structure was the work of number of persons spread over a number of centuries.The pride of places goes to the Sethupathis of Ramnad.The existing records show that in the 12th century, Prakrama Bahu, King of Ceylon constructed the Sanctum Sanctorum around the Moolalinga Sri Viswanath and the Ambal shrine. In the 15th century, Udayan Sethupathi of Ramnad and a Vaisya of Nagoor built the western stone tower which is about 78 ft. high and the compound wall.In the 16th century, Tirumalai Sethupathi built a portion of the southern second corridor. His statue and that of his son RagunathaSethupathi are found by the side of the southern entrance to the Ambal temple.In the 17th century, Dalavai Sethupathi built a portion of the main eastern Gopuram.Early in the 18th century, Ravi Vijaya Regunatha Sethupathi built the Palliyarai and the Mandapam in front of the Ambal temple. Later in the same century, the world famous Third Corridor was constructed by Muthuramalinga Sethupathi. His statue and those of his two ministers are found in the western entrance to the Third Corridor.”

In the following article, the author describes the kingly family line that protected the Rama Setu for ‘n’ centuries.

Source :  http://kalyan97.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/1098/

“For thousands of years, there was a royal family in South India with its headquarters at Ramanathapuram near Rameshwaram, known as the Sethupati Rajas or the guardians of the Sethu. Like the Maharajas of Kashi in North India, the specific task of these kings was to guard the sanctity of Rameshwaram temple and protect the Sethu – now so much under the limelight.

In fact even today, though the famous Rameshwaram temple (which technically belonged to the Sethupatis) is administered by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the head of the Sethupati dynasty, at present Rajeshwari Nachiar, is the hereditary head of the temple’s board of trustees….. The dynasty is mentioned in the 2000-year-old sagas of Tamil literature, as the brave Marava community guarding the Sethu since the times of Rama, the first recorded reference comes only in the 11th century AD, when Chola king Rajaraja made the head of Marava community as  Sethupati to protect the pilgrims to Rameshwaram temple and the Rama Sethu.

The temple complex itself was built by Sethupati rulers in the 12th century, with Sethupathy Maravar beginning the construction of the grand Ramanathaswamy temple. Then again reference is made in A D1434 to the repair of  the temple walls by the head of the Sethupati clan, known as Udayan Sethupati. Geologists state that till AD1480, when a tsunami damaged the present Rama Sethu, one could walk from India to Sri Lanka on the Sethu!…..”

Authorship and Copyright Notice : All Rights Reserved : Satya Sarada Kandula

Rama Sethu in the Mahabharata

Within the Mahabharata, Markandeya tells the story of the Ramayana to encourage Draupadi after Jayadratha’s attempted kidnapping of her.

Within that is a reference to the Rama Sethu which was called as Nala Sethu after the engineer in the time of Veda Vyasa.

Source : Mahabharata : Vana Parva  : Book 3 : SECTION CCLXXXI :

Translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, tr. :[1883-1896]

And hearing these words of Rama, the genius of Varuna’s abode (Samudra), joining his hands, answered in great affliction, ‘I do not desire to put any obstacle in thy way. I am no foe of thine! Listen, O Rama, to these words, and having listened, do what is proper! If, at thy command, I get a way for the passage of thy army, others then, from strength of their bows, will command me to do the same! In thy army there is a Vanara of the name of Nala, who is a skilful mechanic. And endued with great strength, Nala is the son of Tashtri (Viswakarma), the divine artificer of the Universe. And whether it is wood, or grass or stone, that he will throw into my waters, I will support the same on my surface, and thus wilt thou have a bridge (over which to pass)!’ And having said these words, the genius of the Ocean disappeared. And Rama awaking, called Nala unto him and said, ‘Build thou a bridge over the sea! Thou alone, I am sure, art able to do it!‘ And it was by this means that the descendant of Kakutstha’s race caused a bridge to be built that was ten Yojanas in width and a hundred Yojanas in length. And to this day that bridge is celebrated over all the world by the name of Nala’s bridge. And having completed that bridge, Nala, of body huge as a hill, came away at the command of Rama.

And while Rama was on this side of the ocean, the virtuous Vibhishana, the brother of the king of the Rakshasas accompanied by four of his counsellors, came unto Rama. And the high-souled Rama received him with due welcome. Sugriva, however, feared, thinking he might be a spy. The son of Raghu, meanwhile perfectly satisfied (with Vibhishana) in consequence of the sincerity of his exertions and the many indications of his good conduct, worshipped him with respect. And he also installed Vibhishana in the sovereignty of all the Rakshasas and made him his own junior counsellor, and a friend of Lakshmana’s. And it was under Vibhishana’s guidance, O king, that Rama with all his troops crossed the great ocean by means of that bridge in course of a month.

Authorship and Copyright Notice : All Rights Reserved : Satya Sarada Kandula

Daksha : An ancient South Indian Astronomer who named the stars

Daksha Prajapathi was the son of Brahma, father of Sati and father-in-law of Siva.

Ours is an east facing tradition. When you face east, the South or Dakshina is to your right (Daksha).

Siva who resided in the Himalayas (Kailasa) was also called Vamadeva or the lord of the left.

Please read this lovely story of How this Daksha named the stars!

I would also recommend this : Ksheera Sagara Mathanam (Location)

Authorship and Copyright Notice : All Rights Reserved : Satya Sarada Kandula

Sabari, a Siddha, Sramani and Tapodhana

Valmiki Ramayanam Aranyakanda Sarga 74 : This Version :

This story has been retold in so many ways and always brings tears to the eyes of the devout. When we see what this version of the Valmiki Ramayanam says about this wonderful meeting, we see how many liberties have been taken with the original story. (Location Map of Matanga Asrama)

Sabari is shown here wearing a saree and not the black deer skin described. Her hair is shown opened, instead of matted, the enitre image of a Lady Tapasvi has been removed from public perception, over the course of time.

The princes, Rama and Lakshmana set out westward as indicated by Kabandha. They saw trees having क्षौद्रकल्पफलान् ( fruits of the lesser kalpa OR fruits equal to Kshoudra (wild honey or sugarcane juice)). They stayed on a hilltop for the night. When they reached (crossed over) to the western side of the pampa, they saw the lovely asrama of Sabari over there. They went forward to meet that accomplished lady (सिद्धा). She greeted them with an Anjali (joined palms) and touched the feet of the wise Rama and Lakshmana out of respect.

पाद्यम् water to wash feet, आचमनीयं च and water to sip, सर्वम् all, यथाविधि as per tradition, प्रादात् she offered, ततः then, संशितव्रताम् a woman observing spiritual practices, ताम् of yours, श्रमणीम् austere woman, रामः Rama, उवाच said:

Anyone who has been told by the movie media that Sabari was a sort of ignorant or tribal woman, can see that Valmiki spoke of her as a Siddha, Samshitavrata and Shramani – an accomplished ascetic, who knew the Vedic practice – yathavidhi – of honouring guests.

This portrayal of  Sabari as an enlightened lady ascetic continues over the next few verses.

Sri Rama addressed as Tapodhane and enquired after her practice. “तपोधने austere woman, ते your, विघ्नाः obstacles, निर्जिताः कच्चित् hope you have overcome, ते your, तपः penance, वर्धते कच्चित् progressing indeed, ते your, क्रोधः anger, आहारश्च desire for food, नियतः कच्चित् is controlled indeed? चारुभाषिणि a lady of pleasant talk, ते you, नियमाः spiritual practices, प्राप्ताः कच्चित् attained indeed, ते your, मनसः mind, सुखं कच्चित् happiness, ते your, गुरुशुश्रूषा serving the teacher, सफला कच्चित् has yielded results?”

Thus we see that Sabari was not only a well spoken Tapasvi, well versed in the modalities of austerities, but she was respected as such by Sri Rama. There is also the question of her caste. Movie media has repeatedly portrayed her as a lower caste woman. If that is true, then we must accept that Sri Rama had nothing against other jathis performing Tapas and that Rshis accepted and guided people of any caste or jathi, Else, we must accept her as a higher jathi stri. We cannot have it both ways. In the following shloka, Valmiki edscribes her as a Siddha Sammata – lady accepted and respected by other Siddhas. (like Akka Mahadevi)

Then that Sabari who was सिद्धसम्मता a lady adored and accepted by Siddhas, तापसी austere woman, वृद्धा old woman, सा शबरी that Sabari replied. “अद्य now, तव your, संदर्शनात् by seeing you, मया by me, तपस्सिद्धि: accomplishment of my penance, प्राप्ता is attained.. पुरुषर्षभ best of men, देववरे best among gods, त्वयि when you, पूजिते worshipped, अद्य now, मे my, जन्म birth, सफलम् fruitful, स्वर्गश्चैव even heaven, भविष्यति is certain.”

Sabari’s speech shows us that she knew of Rama’s divinity (deva vare) and that worship of Rama would yield both tapassiddhi and svarga.

Sabari informed Sri Rama that the sages whom she served had reached Svarga by their Vimanas (flight-machines?) when Sri Rama had reached Chitrakuta. They had told her that Sri Rama would reach here with Lakshmana, and at that time she would attain all the higher worlds, and that she must extend hospitality to them.

At Chitrakuta, Sita was still with Rama. She was kidnapped only in Panchavati. Then how did the Rishis know of the future event that Sita would not be there when they visited Pampa? Were the rishis aware of a plan, when Rama was sent to Pancavati by them?

Sabari indicated all the forest produce available near the banks of the Pampa that she had collected for them.

This may mean, that she did this anyway, everyday, or she knew that they would be arriving that day. It also shows that she did not ‘bite/taste each fruit before she offered it to Rama, as the movies tell us.

At Rama’s request, Sabari told him all about the wonderful hermitage of Matanga Maharshi. After this, Rama blessed her that she could reach any world of her choice, since she had worshipped him. The old and worn out Sabari, wearing clothes of black deer skin, glowing like the brilliant fire, offered herself to the fire (hutasana), and went to heaven.

“इति this, उक्ता had been permitted, जटिला a woman of matted locks, वृद्धा old, चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरा woman wearing bark clothes and deer skin, शबरी Sabari, जीर्णम् emaciated, देहम् body, तस्मिन् मूहूर्ते at that moment, जिहासती desiring to give up, रामेण by Rama, अनुज्ञाता permitted, आत्मानम् herself, हुताशने in fire, हुत्वा after offering, ज्वलत्पावकसङ्काशा body glittering like fire, स्वर्गमेव to heaven, जगाम went.”

She then appeared with beautiful ornaments, robes and fragrances, and glowed like lightening before she disappeared to the place where Maharshis roam.

This section also describes the wonders of Matanga Asrama, which we can discuss in the next post.

Other Questions Needing More Investigation:

• In the popular media : Guha, a noble king, ally and great friend of Sri Rama, is popularly depicted as a ferryman / tribal chieftan, Brahmarshi Valmiki is depicted as a robber turned saint, The Tapodhana, lady ascetic Sabari is shown as a devout lady but not as a knowledgeable one. How did this metamorphis of characters happen? Who was responsible for it? In whose interest was it?
• My first guess is that the ‘bhakthi cults’ deliberately downplayed the gnyana, dhyana and other competency aspects of the characters and highlighted innocent devotion, in order to make God easy and attainable for the masses.
• I also believe that some intentional / unintentional damage was done by the buddhists and jains.
• Of course modern politics and power seeking tendencies try to drown truths with noise and volume, for their own vested interests.

Other Notes : Sabari River :

• There is a legend source unknown to me that Sabari turned into a river, a tributary of the Godavari.
• The picturesque Sabari river that originates in the hilly jungles of the tribal Bastar in Chastisgarh.
• Sabari flows for about 30 km in Andhra Pradesh after entering the State from Chattisgarh and joins the river Godavari at Kunavaram in Khammam district. Once the Polavaram project is constructed, the backwards will extend up to the Chattisgarh border wiping out the Sabari from the face of Andhra Pradesh.
• The backwaters of Polavaram will not allow the Sabari to drain into the Godavari when the dam is full. The overall length of the Sabari will be reduced by about 30 kilometres which will severely upset the ecology of this tribal river.
• The Sabari river is not only important from environment point of view but also from the historical perspective. The river was mentioned in several of the ancient texts of India.  (Source)
• At this time I cannot find any connection between Sabari and SabariMalai where Ayyappa is worshipped. If I do, I shall update that information here.

Authorship and Copyright Notice : All Rights Reserved : Satya Sarada Kandula

Kabandha asks Sri Rama to go West to Pampa. Flora and Fauna description.

Valmiki Ramayanam Aranyakanda Sarga 73 : This Version :

The Importance of this Sarga is that it describes the way to Pampa and Rsyamuka, and the plants and animals that could be found there at that time.

Kabandha asked Sri Rama and Lakshmana, to proceed westward. The route along which the following trees were to be found would be the right way.

“राम Rama, यत्र where ever, प्रतीचीम् westward, दिशम् direction, अश्रित्य taking, मनोरमाः delightful, पुष्पिताः flowing, द्रुमाः trees, जम्बूप्रियालपनसप्लक्षन्यग्रोधतिन्दुकाः Jambu fruit trees , Priyal trees, Jack fruit trees, holy Banyan trees and trees with red flowers, अश्वत्थाः holy fig trees, कर्णिकाराश्च Karnikara trees, चूताश्च Mango trees, अन्ये च and other, पादपाः trees, धन्वनाः trees on the dry soil, नागवृक्षाश्च different kinds of thorny trees, तिलकाः Tilaka trees, नक्तमालकाः trees that bloom at night, नीलाशोकाः blue Asoka flower trees, कदम्बाश्च पुष्पिताः Kadamba trees in bloom, करवीराश्च Karaveera trees, अग्निमुख्याः Agnimukhya, अशोकाश्च Asoka, सुरक्ताः red trees, पारिभद्रकाः Paribhadrakas, प्रकाशन्ते are shining, एषः that is, शिवः auspicious, पन्थाः route.”

Neolamarckia cadamba Kadmba

After that, they would come across another garden, that looked like Nandana (the garden of Indra) and like Uttara Kuru (modern Uttarakhand), where all seasons were like spring, as in Kubera’s Chaitraratha garden.

After crossing many hills and pleasant forests – they would reach Pampa Pushkarini (Tank) described as below.

“अशर्कराम् soil without stones or pebbles , अविभ्रंशाम् or slipping, समतीर्थाम् not very deep or not very shallow, अशैवलाम् without moss, सञ्जातवालूकाम् smooth beds of sand on the banks, कमलोत्पलशालिनीम् tank with lotus and lily blooms.”

with tame ” हंसाः swans, प्लवाः ducks, क्रौञ्चाः Krauncha birds, कुरराश्चैव and curlews” and fish  ”अकृशानेककण्टकान् fat ones with a single bone, मत्स्यान् fish, रोहितान् prawns, वक्रतुण्डांश्च crooked trunk fish, नडमीनांश्च huge fish” that could be shot with arrows and ” अयस्तप्तान् baked on skewers made of iron.”

The Pampa water was always clear and beautiful and scented with lotus flowers,  अनामयम् healthy, and could be drunk with a lotus leaf.

View from Matanga Hill

The flower plants were born of the sweat drops of the disciples of Sage Matanga and would never wilt.  They would find an old lady called Sabari, who used to serve the disciples of Matanga.  Once Sabari sees your divine form, she will leave for Svargam (heaven – Indra Lokam).  The Nagas cannot attack the asrama of Matanga because of his Vidhana (ruling).

In front of the Pampa, you will find, the ऋष्यमूक rshyamooka mountain, created by Brahma and protected by Sisu nagas (शिशुनागाभिरक्षितः). Whatever a person dreams of on that mountain, he will attain on waking. No sinners can climb this difficult mountain. Even if they do the rakshasas (राक्षसाः) will throw them down in their sleep.

Bears, elephants, tigers and antelopes (रुरून्), come to drink the water of the Pampa.

There is a beautiful rock cave there. It is difficult to enter. There is lovely pond to its east.  Sugriva lives there with 4 vanaras. Sometimes he sits on the mountain top.

Then Kabandha, in his beautiful form, left the place advising Rama to make friends with Sugriva.

Notes :

• Parvati Devi is called Matangi the daughter of Matanga – but that is another story.
• Many Kannada words use Ha, where Telugu and Tamil use Pa. So Hampi could well have been Pampi in other languages.
• View Larger Map : The going west idea supports the bhadrachalam location for Panchavati, as opposed to the Nasik location

Authorship and Copyright Notice : All Rights Reserved : Satya Sarada Kandula

Significance of Rama Setu in Skanda Purana

Source : http://www.bridgeofram.com/2007/05/rama-setu-in-skanda-purana-1.html

“Setu Mahatmya in Skanda Purana
Skanda Purana’s third book, Brahmakhandam, opens with a section, which is famous as Setu-Mahatmya, and dedicates this section spanning over fifty-two chapters to describing in detail, the significance of Rama Setu, its various aspects and its history throughout the ages.

The main themes of these fifty-two chapters are mentioned below:

1. The Description of Merits of Visiting Setu
2. The Construction of Setu
3. Dharmatirtha Becomes Famous as Chakratirtha
4. Redemption of Durdama from a Curse
5. Redemption from Curse of Alambusa and Vidhuma
6. Battle between the Goddess and Mahisasura
7. Mahisasura Killed
8. Sudarsana Becomes a Vampire
9. Redemption of Sudarsana and Sukarna
10. The Sanctifying Power of Papavinasa
11. Glorification of Sita Lake: Indra Absolved of the Sin of Brahmana-Slaughter
12. Glorification of Mangala Tirtha
13. The Glory of Amrtavapi: Salvation of Agastya’s Brother
14. Brahma’s Redemption from Siva’s Curse
15. The Glory of Hanumatkunda: Dharmasakha Blessed with a Hundred Sons
16. The Glory of Agasti Tirtha: The Story of Kaksivan
17. The Glory of Agastyakunda: The Marriage of Kaksivan
18. The Glory of Ramakunda: Dharamaputra’s Atonement for False Speech
19. The Glory of Laksmanatritha: Balabhadra’s Redemption from the Sin of Brahmana-Slaughter
20. The Glory of Jataritha: Dharmaputra Obtains Unlimited Wealth
21. The Glory of Laksmitirtha: Dharmaputra Obtains Unlimited Wealth
22. The Glory of Agnitirtha: Duspanya Relieved of His Ghosthood
23. The Glory of Cakratirtha: Aditya Gets Golden Hands
24. The Glory of Sivatirtha: Bhairava Absolved of the Sin of Brahmana-Slaughter
25. The Glory of Sankhatirtha: Vatsanabha Freed from the Sin of Ingratitude
26. The Greatness of Ganga, Yamuna and Gaya: Janasruti Attains Perfect Knowledge
27. The Glory of Kotitirtha: Krsna Atones for His Sin of Killing His Uncle
28. The Glory of Sadhyamrtatirtha: Pururavas Liberated from a Curse
29. The Glory of Sarvatirtha: Sucarita Attains Sayujya
30. The Glory of Dhanushkoti
31. The Glory of Kotitirtha: Asvatthama’s Liberation from the Sin of Killing Sleeping Persons
32. The Glory of Dhanushkoti: Dharmagupta Gets Rid of His Madness
33. The Glory of Dhanushkoti: Paravasu Liberated from the Sin of Brahmana-Slaughter
34. The Glory of Dhanushkoti: Sumati’s Liberation from Great Sins
35. The Glory of Dhanushkoti: The Jackal and the Monkey Liberated
36. The Glory of Dhanushkoti: Duracara Liberated from the Sin of Associating with Sinners
37. Ksirakunda
38. The Glory of Ksirakunda: Kadru’s Expitation for her Deceitful Action
39. The Glory of Kapitirtha: Rambha and Ghrtaci Liberated from their Curse
40. The Glory of Gayatri and Sarasvati Tirthas
41. The Glory of Gayatri and Sarasvati Kundas: Destruction of Kasyapa’s Sin
42. Ranmocana and Other Tirthas
43. The Glory of Ramanatha
44. The Installation of the Linga of Ramanatha
45. Rama’s Discourse on Philosophy
46. The Reason for the Installation of Ramanatha
47. Rama’s Sin of Brahma-hatya
48. Cessation of Great Sins Incurred by King Sankara
49. Eulogy of Ramanatha
50. The Story of Punyanidhi
51. Pilgrimage to Setu
52. The Glory of Setu”

Vanara Rakshasa Conflicts

The Rama Ravana war over Sita was not the first conflict between the Vanaras and the Rakshasas. The Vanaras were fast and strong and had won over technically sound Rakshasas many times before the Ramayana war.

1. Vali defeated Ravana
2. Vali defeated and killed Dundhubhi and Mayavi, the sons of Maya Danava, the father-in-law of Ravana and Maya ran away to Patala.
3. Under the leadership of Sri Rama and Sugriva, the Vanara Armies defeated the Rakshasas of Sri Lanka.

Authorship and Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved : Satya Sarada Kandula