RAMAYAN

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🙏 Bestowal of Invaluable Weapons 🙏

On the way, a picturesque lake came into view. Stopping at the lake's edge, Vishwamitra said, "O Ram! By slaying Tadaka, you have performed a great act for the welfare of mankind. I am extremely pleased with your deed, valor, and cleverness. Today, I bestow upon you some rare weapons with which you will be able to defeat even indomitable gods, demons, Yakshas, and Nagas. These are the weapons named Dandachakra, Dharmachakra, Kaalachakra, and Indrachakra. Wield them. After wielding them, you will acquire the power to defeat any enemy. Besides these, I give you the Vajrastra made of lightning, Lord Shiva's Shoola, Brahmashira, Eshika, and the Brahmastra, which is more powerful than all other weapons."

"Upon receiving these, you will become the most powerful in all three worlds. I am so pleased with your bravery that I am delighted to bestow upon you the maces named Prachanda Modaki and Shikhara. I also grant you both dry and wet Ashani and Pinaka, as well as Narayanastra, Agneyastra, Vayavyastra, Hayashirastra, and Krauncha Astra. In addition to weapons, I also give you some Pashas (nooses), of which Dharma-pasha, Kaala-pasha, and Varuna-pasha are principal. With these nooses, you will be able to bind and incapacitate even the most agile enemy. Ram! Some weapons are used by Asuras (demons). Policy dictates that enemies should be killed with their own weapons. Therefore, I also give you the weapons used by Asuras, named Kankala, Musala, Ghora Kapala, and Kinkani. Some weapons are used by Vidyadharas. Among them, the principal weapons are Khadga, Mohan, Prasvapana, Prashamana, Saumya, Varshana, Santapana, Vilapana, Madanastra, Gandharvastra, Manavastra, Paishachastra, Tamasa, and the unique Saumanastra. I give you all these weapons as well. Now look at these weapons; these are special kinds of weapons. These are the weapons named Shishira and Daruna, used by the deity Soma. By using Shishira, the enemy becomes stiff with cold, and by using Daruna, the enemy becomes distressed by heat and faints. O Virashreshtha! Wield these weapons of unparalleled power, which crush the pride of enemies and fulfill all desires."

Saying this, the great sage affectionately bestowed all the weapons, which are rare even for gods, upon Ram. Ram was extremely pleased to receive those weapons and respectfully bowed at the Guru's feet, saying, "Gurudev! I am indebted by this kindness of yours. Now, no god, demon, Rakshasa, Yaksha, or anyone else can defeat me, let alone a human. But Munivar! Gandharvas, gods, and Rakshasas also must possess similar weapons, and they might use them against me. Please also tell me the means to defend against them. In addition, please tell me a way by which, after releasing these weapons, they return to me after completing their task." When Ram spoke in this manner, Vishwamitra said, "Raghav! Also acquire these weapons – Satyavan, Satyakeerti, Pratihara, Paradmukh, Avanmukh, Lakshya, Upalakshya – which cut and destroy enemy weapons in their path." After giving these weapons, Guru Vishwamitra also told Ram the methods by which used weapons return.

Walking further, they emerged from the darkness of the forest and reached a place illuminated by the divine light of Lord Bhaskara (the Sun God), and in front of them, various beautiful trees, charming valleys, and enchanting sights were visible. Ramachandra asked Vishwamitra, "O Muniraj! In the beautiful valleys of the mountain ahead, the alluring rows of green trees that are visible, it seems as if there is an ashram behind them. Is that really so, or is it just my imagination? There are also groups of beautiful, sweet-voiced birds, which suggests that my imagination is not baseless."

🙏 Vishwamitra's Ashram 🙏

Walking further, they emerged from the darkness of the forest and reached a place illuminated by the divine light of Lord Bhaskara (the Sun God), and in front of them, various beautiful trees, charming valleys, and enchanting sights were visible. Ramachandra asked Vishwamitra, "O Muniraj! In the beautiful valleys of the mountain ahead, the alluring rows of green trees that are visible, it seems as if there is an ashram behind them. Is that really so, or is it just my imagination? There are also groups of beautiful, sweet-voiced birds, which suggests that my imagination is not baseless."

Vishwamitra Ji said, "My child! This is indeed an ashram, and its name is Siddhashram."

Hearing this, Lakshman asked, "Gurudev! Why is it called Siddhashram?"

Vishwamitra Ji said, "A story is also prevalent in this regard. In ancient times, there was a demon named Bali. Bali was very valiant and powerful and had defeated all the gods. Once, the same Bali performed a great Yagya here. This Yagya was going to further increase his power. Considering this, Devraj Indra (Lord Indra) became extremely frightened. Indra went to Lord Vishnu with all the gods and, after praising him, prayed, 'O Trilokinath! King Bali has defeated all the gods, and now he is performing a grand Yagya. He is a great donor and a generous-hearted demon. No supplicant returns empty-handed from his door. His penance, radiance, and auspicious deeds like Yagya have made the entire universe, including Devlok, tremble. If his Yagya is completed, he will attain the throne of Indra. A demon occupying the throne of Indra is against the tradition of the gods. Therefore, O Lakshmipati! We pray that you find some way to prevent his Yagya from being completed.' Hearing their prayer, Lord Vishnu said, 'All you gods, return to your abodes without fear or worry. I will soon find a way to fulfill your desire.'"

After the gods left, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a Vamana (dwarf) and reached the place where Bali was performing the Yagya. King Bali was greatly impressed by this dwarf but supremely radiant Brahmin and said, "O Vipravar! You are welcome. Command me, how can I serve you?"

When Bali spoke thus, Lord Vishnu, in the form of Vamana, said, "O King! I only need two and a half steps of land to sit and worship the Lord."

Upon this, King Bali joyfully granted Vamana permission to measure two and a half steps of land. As soon as he received permission, Lord Vishnu assumed a colossal form and measured the entire sky in one step and the entire netherworld, including the earth, in the second step, and asked, "O King! Your entire kingdom has come within my two steps. Now, what shall I measure with the remaining half step?"

No supplicant had ever returned empty-handed from Bali's door. Bali did not want to send this supplicant back disappointed either. He said, "O Brahmin! My body is still remaining. Please place your half step on my body."

Upon this, Lord Vishnu measured Bali too in his half step. (This donation by Bali was so great that it became famous by the name Balidan – sacrifice). Pleased with Bali's generosity, Lord Vishnu granted him a boon that this place would always be considered sacred, would be called Siddhashram, and anyone performing penance here would quickly attain all siddhis (spiritual powers).

From that time onwards, this place is famous as Siddhashram, and many sages and ascetics attain liberation by performing penance here. My own ashram is also at this very place. I wish to complete my Yagya sitting here. Whenever I have started a Yagya, demons have obstructed it and never allowed it to be completed. Now you have come, and I will be able to complete the Yagya without worry."

Speaking in this manner, Vishwamitra entered his ashram with Ram and Lakshman. All the sages and their disciples living there welcomed and honored them. Ram said in a humble voice to Guru Vishwamitra, "Muniraj! Please commence the Yagya today itself. I assure you that I will protect your Yagya and free this sacred region from demons."

Hearing these words of Ram, Vishwamitra began gathering Yagya materials.