читать дальше PART-1
(Ram prepares for ashmedh Yagna and let loose the horse)
One day, the great sage, Agastya, came to see Lord Rama at His royal court.
Ram-"You are a great ascetic, what can I do for you? Today we all have become cleansed by your coming here."
Agastya replied-"Your Darshan is difficult even to Devtaa, that is why I have come here. Seeing you here my all sins are destroyed."
During their conversation, Lord Rama expressed His great unhappiness at having killed Ravana, due to his being the son of a brahmana.
Ram said-"Hey Vipravar, No Braahman has ever heard a harsh word from Ikshwaaku family's person, and I killed them? Braahman are the roots to bear Ved tree and I have killed such Braahman family, what should I do to repent?"
Agastya replied-"You are beyond Prakriti, you are Parameshwar, you are the Creator, you are the sustainer and you are the destroyer. Even the greatest sinner's sins are washed away by taking your name only. Whoever does Ashwamedh Yagya, his all sins are washed away. You are omnipotent, so you also do Ashwamedh Yagya."
Ram then asks the method for doing ashmedh yagna. What type of horse should be in this Yagya? What is the method of worship? And whom should be won for it?
Agastya Jee said - "Whose color is shining like Gangaa water and ear are black, mouth is red and tail is of yellow color, that horse is good for the Yagya. Write a letter on Vaishaakh Maas Poornimaa, such that it should describe your name and grace. Tie it on the forehead of the horse and leave him to wander around. He should be protected very well. If somebody takes him forcefully, it is guards' duty to bring him back from them. The Yagya doer should stay back in his city in a disciplined way until the horse comes back. He should always hold a horn of a deer. He should donate grains and wealth for one year. A beggar wants whatever thing, the Yagya doer should give him the same thing. Do this Yagya, it should destroy your all sins."
Rama agreed to this proposal and then asked Agastya to go to His stables and select a suitable horse. Thereafter, all of the necessary paraphernalia was collected. Rama then accompanied Agastya Rishi to the banks of the River Sarayu. There, Rama used a golden plough to prepare the sacrificial arena, and many palatial buildings were constructed. All of the great sages were then invited. Being extremely eager to see Lord Rama- Narada, Asita, Parvata, Kapila, Angira, Vyasa, Atri, Yajnavalkya, and Sukadeva, as well as numerous others, soon arrived at Ayodhya. Lord Rama gave them all gifts of cows and gold.Later, as they were all seated together, Lord Rama questioned the great sages, and they, in turn, gave Him instructions on various subjects.After some days, Vasishtha Muni informed Rama that the proper time for releasing the challenge-horse had arrived. Rama then ordered Lakshman to bring a suitable horse. In turn, Lakshmana spoke to the military commanders, instructing them to be ready to depart, for the Protection of the challenge-horse.The commander-in-chief, Kalajit, then brought the horse to be sacrificed. This horse was decorated very nicely, and the necessary rituals were performed
The horse was brought to Yagya Mandap. Agastya Jee was appointed as Brahmaa, Vaalmeeki Jee was appointed as Adhwaryu and Kanv Rishi was appointed as the gatekeeper. Yagya Mandap had eight gates and there were two Braahmans at each gate. On eastern gate were Deval and Asit Rishi, on southern gate were Kashyap and Atri Rishi, on western gate were Jaatookarnya and Jaajali Rishi, and on northern gate were Dwit and Ekat Muni.Then women came and worshipped the horse, Vashishth Jee tied the letter which was made of gold, on his forehead.
The letter read
"Our Raam is a great archer and is the Lord of Raghu Vansh. He is starting Ashwamedh Yagya, so he sends this horse around. Shatrughn who has killed Lavanaasur is the guard of this horse. Whoever king is proud of his bravery and might, let him come and dare to catch this horse and challenge Shatrughn."
Rama ordered Shatrughna to follow the horse, and defeat anyone who would attempt to capture it.
Finally, the horse was let loose.Bharata's son, Pushkala, accepted a sword from Lord Rama's hand and took up his position, guarding Shatrughna's rear. At this time, Rama requested Hanuman to also go and protect Shatrughna. Jaambvaan, Angad, Mayand, Sugreev, Nal, Neel etc Vaanar also got ready to go with that horse. Then Raam asked His Commander of army to suggest some other names who could go with the horse and sent all those people also along with the horse. Shatrughn went to his mother Sumitraa and asked her permission to go with the horse.
Sumitraa said - "Go, and be successful. Protect your nephew Pushkal. He is very religious."
Thus then there journey started and Ashwamedhna yagna began
PART-2
The Journey of Horse
The horse started his journey. He headed towards east. Bharat's son Pushkal went to his palace, asked permission from his wife Kaantimatee, and instructed her to behave properly with all elder and young women. She gave him his bow, two quivers, armor, crown and two earrings to wear and worshipped him. Then he took permission from his mother Maandavee and started on his journey. Shatrughn heard the praise of his brother Raam at several places. After the praising Raam, they used to give him costly clothes. jewelry etc. Raam had a minister whose name was Sumati, he was also following Shatrughn. The horse was going through Paanchaal, Kuru, Uttarkuru and Dashaarn etc countries.
Traveling thus they came to Ahichchhatraa Nagaree which was very beautiful and was decorated with various things. Its king was Sumad. There were many beautiful gardens, so the Yagya horse entered one of the forests and others followed him. There they saw a temple.
Shatrughn asked Sumati - "O Minister, Tell me whose temple is this? And why this Devtaa is here?"
Sumati knew everything, he said - "This is Kaamaakshaa Devee temple. She came here on the request of king Sumad. She fulfills all wishes for everybody so you also do Pranaam to her."
Shatrughn did Pranaam to her and asked what Punya Sumad did so that Devee came here.
Sumati continued- After his parents had been killed by rival kings, Sumada went to the forest and performed severe austerities, while meditating upon Goddess Bhavani (the wife of LordShiva).Being afraid of the strength of his tapasya, Indra sent Cupid, along with many Apsaras, to obstruct him. But, it came to be that, even in the presence of the celestial damsels, the king did not waver in his determination. At last, goddess Kamakshi appeared to the king and advised him that, in the future, when Lord Rama's brother would come to his kingdom, while following a challenge-horse, he should accompany him after giving his all his kingdom wealth e.t.c. this is how in the end he would attain moksha.
Shatrughna was delighted to hear this. Meanwhile, seated in his court, King Sumada heard from a messenger that a challenge-horse had come to his city. The king had always been thinking,When will the challenge-horse of Lord Rama come here, as predicted by goddess Kamakshi?The king arranged for a very royal reception for Shatrughna and his entourage. When they met, King Sumada placed Shatrughna and Pushkala on an elephant, so that they could enter the city in style.
After remaining for three nights, Shatrughna again set out, following the challenge-horse. The horse proceeded through areas inhabited by numerous sages, and so Shatrughna could hear everywhere the glories of his elder brother being sung.One day, the horse entered the ashram of Cyavana Muni. When Shatrughna entered the hermitage, he saw Cyavana, seated next to Sukanya. Shatrughna introduced himself as the brother of Lord Rama. In the course of their conversation, Shatrughna invited Cyavana to Rama's ashvamedha-yajna, and he ordered Hanuman to carry the sage to Ayodhya.
Horse continued his journey and others followed him. Horse arrived in Ratnaatat named city of King Vimal. King Vimal immediately came to see Shatrughn and said - "What can I do for you?" Shatrughn embraced him and Vimal handed over his kingdom to his son and accompanied the horse procession.
The horse proceeded again. Several million (Crore) people were guarding him. Now he came to Chakraankaa Nagaree. Its King's son Daman was wandering for hunting. He saw the horse adorned with golden letter and sandalwood paste. Daman opened the letter, read it and thought, "Who is this proud man who is greater than my father? Today I will teach him a good lesson." So he sent the horse to his city and he himself came to fight. In the meantime Raam's army arrived there looking for the horse, and when they didn't see the horse, King Prataapaagraya saw Daman's army facing for fight. His people said to him, "Maybe this man has taken our horse.", so Prataapaagraya sent his servant who asked Daman - "Where is Shree Raam's horse? Who has taken him? Doesn't he know Shree Raam?"
Prince Daman said - "I have taken him, and whoever wants to fight with me, he can fight with me and take his horse."
Both armies started fighting. Daman shot an arrow which felled Prataapaagaya, and then he waited for Shatrughn. Prataapaagraya's Saarathee took him off the battleground. People reported this to Shatrughn. When Shatrughn came to know about this he became very angry and asked - "Who has taken our horse and who has defeated Prataapaagraya?" His servants said - "King Subaahu's son Daman has taken out horse."
to be continued........................................