Messengers Carry Vasistha's Command
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 68
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 68
Vasistha dispatches loyal messengers on an urgent mission to bring Bharata home. Follow their perilous journey across ancient India, racing against time to reach the Kekaya kingdom.
Vasistha (the royal sage) listened attentively to the words of the king's counsellors. He then addressed all the friends, advisors, and brahmins (priests and scholars) present:
"Bharata, along with his brother Shatrughna, is living happily in his maternal uncle's house. There, he has been given authority. We must act quickly. Let swift messengers go on speeding horses to bring back these two valiant brothers. Why should we delay in this matter?"
All those present agreed with Vasistha's suggestion. Hearing their approval, Vasistha spoke again, addressing specific messengers:
"Come here:
Siddhartha
Vijaya
Jayanta
Ashoka
Nandana
Listen carefully to your mission:
Go swiftly on fast horses to the city of Rajagriha (the capital of Kekaya kingdom). Conceal any signs of grief and convey these words to Bharata as my command:
'The family priest and all the counsellors wish you well. You must return in haste. An urgent task requires your attention.'"
Vasistha continued with specific instructions for the messengers:
"Do not inform Bharata about Rama's exile to the forest or his father's demise. Keep silent about the misfortune that has befallen the Raghus (the royal family of Ayodhya)."
He then added important details for their journey:
"Take with you silk garments and precious ornaments as gifts for the king of Kekaya and Bharata. Depart at once."
Siddhartha, Vijaya, Jayanta, Ashoka, and Nandana, now prepared with necessities for their journey, mounted excellent horses. They returned to their respective homes to make final preparations for their swift departure to the Kekaya kingdom.
The messengers, provided with necessities for their journey, completed their final preparations and received Vasistha's permission. They set out in haste, their route taking them through varied landscapes:
West of the Aparatala mountain
North of the Pralamba mountain
Along the Malini river flowing between these mountains
Across the Ganga (Ganges) river at Hastinapura
Westward through Kurujangala (a region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers)
Into the country of Panchala (an ancient kingdom in northern India)
As they journeyed, the messengers observed:
Lakes brimming with water
Rivers with crystal-clear waters
Despite the scenic route, they maintained a swift pace, focused on their crucial mission.
The messengers crossed the Saradanda river, notable for its:
Calm waters
Diverse bird species
Bustling human activity along its banks
Next, they encountered the Satyopayachana tree:
Considered divine
Believed to grant prayers
The messengers paid their respects before moving on
Their path led them to:
Kulinga city
Abhikala village, where they:
Crossed the sacred Ikshumati river
Learned that this region was once enjoyed by Dasaratha's ancestors
In this region, the messengers:
Observed Vedic brahmins (priests) drinking water with cupped palms
Passed by the Sudama mountain
As they approached their destination, the landscape grew more diverse and challenging. The messengers, still on horseback, observed:
What were believed to be Vishnu's footprints
The Vipasa and Salmali rivers, which they crossed
Various water bodies: deep wells, tanks, pools, and large lakes
Wildlife including lions, tigers, and elephants
Despite their fatigue and their horses' weariness from the long journey, the messengers pressed on, driven by their sense of duty.
Finally, they reached Girivraja, the capital city of the Kekaya kingdom, arriving under the cover of night. Their dedication to the mission was evident throughout the journey.
The narrator emphasizes their commitment with these words:
To please their master (sage Vasistha), to preserve the royal dynasty, and to protect the honor of the Ikshvaku race and its people, the messengers reached their destination swiftly, without any negligence of their duty.
This concludes the Sixty eighth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.