Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 9 Chapter 10:44-56

Book 9: Chapter 10

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 9: Chapter 10: Verses 44-56 An account of Sri Rama's pastimes Satrughna (the youngest brother of Sri Rama) bore His bow and the pair of quivers; Sita held the Kamandalu (water-pot of cocoanut-shell) containing the water of sacred lakes and rivers; Angada carried His sword and Jambavan (the king of the bears), His shield of gold, O protector of men! Seated in (the aerial car named) Puspaka, attended by (the aforesaid dancing) women and panegyrized by bards, the Lord shone brightly, O king, like the rising moon in the midst ofminor planets. Welcomed by His (younger) brothers, the Lord too entered the festive city and, on entering the royal palace, duly honoured His stepmothers (Kaikeyi and so on), His own mother (the blessed Kausalya), preceptors (Vasistha and others), His equals in age as well as those younger than He, and was honoured (in return) by them. (Likewise) Sita and Laksmana too met them in a befitting manner. Rising (from their seats), like dead bodies returning to life, the aforesaid mothers of these placed their sons on their lap separation from them)! and, bathing them all over with a flood of tears, shed their grief (of Causing the matted locks (of Sri Rama) to be unravelled, the sage Vasistha (His preceptor) alongwith the elders of His race (the Raghus) bathed Him with the water of (all) the four oceans (in the four quarters) and other (sacred) waters (even) the sage Brhaspati (the His preceptor of the gods) bathed indra (the ruler of the gods). Having whole body including His head, nay, clad in beautiful attire and Laksmana and Satrughna) accepted the throne (of Ayodhya) and like a father protected the people (of His kingdom) who were (all) devoted to their respective duties and endued with the characteristics of their (own) Varna (grade in society) and Mrama (stage in life); while they (in their turn) recognized Him as their father. So long as Sri Rama-who knew what is right and brought happiness to all created beings-reigned as king, time was like Krtayuga (Satyayuga, the first Yuga) though (actually) Treta (the second Yuga) prevailed. Forests, rivers, mountains, Varsas (subdivisions of a Dwipa), Dwipas (principal divisions of the globe) and oceans, all yielded the desired objects of the people, 0 chief of the Bharatas! While Sri Rama-who is the same as Lord Visnu-ruled as king, mental and bodily ailments, old age, self-disparagement, sorrow, grief, fear and fatigue were non-existent. (Nay,) death too did not overtake the unwilling. (Strictly) observing the vow of having (only) one wife (throughout His life) and conducting Himself like a sage even though a king, the pious Lord Himself (scrupulously) performed His household duties (just) in order to give a lesson (to the world). By Her affection, obedience, amiables disposition, intelligence and bashfulness, Sita, who was not only virtuous but meek through humility and knew His intention, captivated the mind of Her (divine) Spouse. Thus ends the tenth discourse, forming part of the Narrative of Sri Rama, in Book Nine of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.