Rama Distributes Wealth to All
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 32
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 32
Rama's boundless generosity shines as he honors Suyajna with lavish gifts. Instructing Lakshmana to reward sages and students, Rama's compassion reaches its peak in uplifting the poor brahmin Trijata.
Following Rama's auspicious order, Lakshmana immediately went to Suyajna's house. He paid homage to the brahmin (priest) in the fire sanctuary (a sacred place for maintaining the holy fire) and said, "O friend, come and see the palace of Rama, who accomplishes all difficult tasks."
After performing the twilight prayers, Suyajna accompanied Lakshmana to Rama's beautiful and prosperous palace.
Rama and Sita, with folded hands, welcomed the Vedic scholar Suyajna as if he were the fire god himself. They respectfully circumambulated him. Urged by Sita, Rama offered Suyajna various ornaments, including:
Golden earrings
Anklets
Armlets
Bracelets
Many other precious jewels
Rama then said to Suyajna, "O esteemed friend, Sita wishes to give your wife her personal belongings:
Her necklace
A golden chain
Her girdle (a belt worn around the waist)
Armlets and elegant bracelets
She offers these as she prepares to depart for the forest."
Rama continued, "Additionally, Sita wishes to give you a couch adorned with an exquisite cover and various precious stones. I'm also presenting you with a thousand elephants, including Satrunjaya, a special elephant given to me by my maternal uncle."
Suyajna gratefully accepted these generous gifts and bestowed auspicious blessings upon Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita.
Rama then calmly addressed Lakshmana, saying, "O Lakshmana, please invite the revered sages Agastya and Kausika. Honor them with precious gems, as rain nourishes crops. Satisfy them with:
A thousand cows
Gold
Silver
Valuable gems
Furthermore, there's a learned preceptor of the Taittiriya branch of the Vedas (an ancient school of Vedic study) who blesses our mother Kausalya. Provide him with:
Chariots
Maidservants
Silk clothes
Continue giving until he is fully satisfied."
Rama added, "Also, show gratitude to our father's noble counselor and charioteer, Chitraratha. Offer him:
Invaluable jewels
Fine clothes
Wealth
Young female calves
A thousand cows
Lastly, provide for the brahmacharis (celibate students devoted to Vedic studies). Give them:
Eighty carts filled with gems
A thousand bulls for carrying grain
Two hundred oxen for ploughing
A thousand cows for preparing food"
Among those present was a poor brahmin named Trijata, a descendant of the sage Garga. He lived in the forest, earning his livelihood by digging the earth. His young wife, distressed by their poverty, urged him to seek Rama's help.
Trijata approached Rama, saying, "O illustrious prince, I am destitute and have many children. I survive in the forest by collecting leftover grains. Please help me."
Rama, with a hint of playfulness, replied, "I haven't yet given away a thousand cows. Throw your staff, and the cows within the area it covers will be yours."
Encouraged, Trijata hurled his staff with all his might. Remarkably, it crossed the bank of the Sarayu river and fell among thousands of cows. Impressed, Rama embraced Trijata and instructed that all the cattle within that vast area be sent to Trijata's hermitage.
Rama then explained that this was a test of Trijata's inner strength and offered him anything else he might desire. Overwhelmed with joy at the gift of cows, Trijata pronounced heartfelt blessings upon Rama for glory, power, pleasure, and prosperity.
In this spirit of generosity, Rama distributed his vast wealth, earned through righteous means (dharma), among his friends and the needy. Everyone present – whether brahmin, friend, servant, or beggar – left satisfied with the honor and charity they received.
This concludes the thirty second chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.