Adhyatma Ramayana - Day 17 Kishkindha Kandham

 Adhyatma Ramayana - Day 17   Kishkindha Kandham

As they marveled, they encountered a radiant Yogini, Svayamprabha, meditating motionless, her presence like an unwavering flame. The Vanaras paid their respects, and she opened her eyes, inquiring, “Who are you, and why are you here?” Hanuman recounted their mission: Rama’s exile, Sita’s abduction by Ravana, and their search across the southern lands. “We are one hundred thousand Vanaras, exhausted and thirsty,” he explained. “Seeking water, we entered this cave. Though it was my mistake, meeting you feels like a blessing.”

Svayamprabha smiled warmly and invited them to eat and drink to their hearts’ content. The Vanaras gratefully indulged in the abundant fruits and water, then returned to her, eager to hear her story. She revealed, “This place was gifted to Hema, Vishwakarma’s daughter, by Lord Maheswara for her divine dances. I am her friend, Svayamprabha, living here as a Yogini. Hema, devoted to Lord Vishnu, attained Brahmaloka and left me this sanctuary. She prophesied that a vast group of Vanaras searching for Sita would arrive, and my role was to serve you and guide you to Rama, the Paramatma. My boon is liberation from the cycle of birth and death upon meeting you.” She instructed them to close their eyes, and in an instant, they were transported back to the forest path outside the ditch.

Svayamprabha Meets Sri Rama

Svayamprabha left the cave and hastened to Rama. Overwhelmed with devotion, her voice trembled as she circumambulated him and chanted a heartfelt hymn. “O Lord, I am your humble servant,” she said, her body quivering with awe. “My years of penance are fulfilled by seeing you, the ultimate reality. Grant me unwavering devotion to your lotus feet, the company of your devotees, and the ability to chant your name always, keeping your divine form in my heart.” Rama, pleased with her sincerity, asked for her wishes. “Seeing you has fulfilled all my desires,” she replied. “I seek only to chant your name and avoid those who lack devotion to you.”

Rama blessed her to continue her spiritual practice at Badri. Svayamprabha followed his guidance, ultimately attaining the abode of Lord Vishnu, her soul liberated. Meanwhile, the Vanaras, reinvigorated by their encounter, pressed on with their mission, their hearts set on finding Sita and fulfilling Rama’s command.

The Vanara search party, tasked with finding Sita, trekked tirelessly through dense forests, their hope dwindling as the deadline set by King Sugriva loomed. Despite scouring every corner, including the netherworld of Patala, they found no trace of Sita. Angada, the young prince and son of the slain Bali, voiced his growing despair to the group. “We’ve searched everywhere, yet Sita Devi remains lost. Our time is nearly up, and Sugriva’s decree is unforgiving. Returning to Kishkindha empty-handed means death, especially for me, the son of his enemy. Sugriva cares nothing for my welfare—Rama alone saved me. He’s no paragon of virtue, keeping his brother’s wife as his own. I’d rather die here than face him.” Overwhelmed, Angada declared he would not return, though he permitted the others to leave.

Moved by his anguish, the Vanaras wept and rallied around him, urging resilience. They suggested retreating to a familiar cave for the night, a place abundant with food and water, free from threats—a temporary haven. But Hanuman, the wise and steadfast warrior, rebuked their defeatist thoughts. “Such cowardice is unworthy of us,” he said to Angada. “Rama holds you dear, calling you ‘my Tara’s son.’ His love for you surpasses even that for Lakshmana. Sugriva, too, is loyal to Rama, harboring no enmity. Hiding in a cave is futile—Rama’s arrow can reach anywhere in the three worlds. Trust in his divine nature. Rama is Narayana, the Supreme Being; Sita, Mother Maya; Lakshmana, Adi Shesha. They’ve taken human form to vanquish Ravana and restore dharma. We are blessed to serve them and will find liberation through our duty.” Heartened by Hanuman’s words, Angada rallied, and the group pressed on, reaching the banks of the Southern Sea at the foothills of Mahendra Mountain.

There, the vast, unfathomable ocean stretched before them, intensifying their fears as Sugriva’s deadline neared. “We’ve failed to find Sita or Ravana,” they lamented. “Death awaits us, but perhaps it’s a path to moksha.” Resigned, they wove beds of Darbha grass and lay down, preparing to fast unto death