Rāma Citrakūṭa Āgamana
This is the arrival of Rāma, Sītā and Lakshmaṇa at Citrakūṭa in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. It ends the first part of the exile, which was a journey, and begins their settled life in the forest. They came to the āśrama (hermitage) of Vālmīki Maharshi, were welcomed, built a parṇaśālā (leaf hut) on the bank of the Mandākinī, and performed the full vāstu pūjā before they entered it.
The journey to Citrakūṭa
Bhagavān Rāma had taken guidance from Bharadvāja Maharshi at Prayāga. He and Lakshmaṇa then built a raft themselves and crossed the Yamunā, while Sītā prayed to the Yamunā in mid-river. The three entered the forests to the south and east. The forest on that side of the Yamunā was thick and beautiful.
Rāma walked with a peaceful heart. He pointed out the beauty of the land to Sītā. There were flowering aśoka trees, blossoming pāṭali trees and cuckoos calling from the branches. There were peacocks dancing on the hillsides and clear, cool streams running between mossy rocks. The Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa tells this in chapter 55 of the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa.
Meeting Vālmīki
Vālmīki Maharshi, the great ṛshi who later composed the Rāmāyaṇa itself, had his āśrama at Citrakūṭa. It stood in the lovely forest beside the Mandākinī. Rāma arrived, told Vālmīki who he was and explained their situation. Vālmīki welcomed him with the warmth and honour due to the best of guests, and his joy at Rāma’s coming shows in the text.
Vālmīki told them to settle nearby, on the bank of the Mandākinī, in a place of special beauty. He praised the spot. The river was pure and good for ritual bathing. The forest around it was rich in fruit and flowering trees. The mountain air was sweet-smelling and healthy. This is told in chapter 56.
Building the parṇaśālā
Lakshmaṇa built the parṇaśālā with his own hands. He chose strong branches and poles and wove them into a firm frame. He thatched the roof with leaves and grass, so that it gave real shelter from rain and wind.
Before they entered the hut and lived in it, Rāma performed a full vāstu pūjā. This is the complete rite for starting a new home. It had these parts:
- Viśvadeva bali: offerings to the Viśvedevas, the universal devas of the household.
- Rudra yāga: a rite to call and please Rudra, who rules over wild places and the edges where human homes meet the forest.
- Vaishṇava yāga: offerings to Bhagavān Vishṇu as the one who sustains and protects.
- Pañca-sūnā śānti: rites of atonement for the five daily killings that cannot be avoided in a household. These are done by the hearth, the grinding stone, the broom, the water pot and the pestle.
- Installation of Gaṇeśa and the other household devas.
Only after the whole vāstu pūjā did the three enter the parṇaśālā. This is told in chapter 56.
Life at Citrakūṭa
The three settled into forest life on the bank of the Mandākinī, and they were truly happy. The Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa describes their days as full of the river, the mountain, the flowers and the birds, and of the quiet joy of a life cut down to what is needed. Rāma gathered food from the forest. Lakshmaṇa kept guard. Sītā looked after their simple home. They bathed in the Mandākinī and did their daily rites. The Mandākinī is shown flowing happily beside them, as if welcoming the great ṛshis who had come to her bank. This is told in chapter 56.
Sources
- Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, chapters 54 to 56 (chapter 55: the journey through the forest; chapter 56: Vālmīki, the parṇaśālā and life at Citrakūṭa)