Sanakādi Visit to Rāma (Tulasī Rāmāyaṇa)
One day in the reign of Bhagavān Rāma at Ayodhyā, the four Kumāras came to see him. They are Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatkumāra and Sanatsujāta. They look like young boys for ever and roam all the worlds as digambaras (ones who wear nothing). When they saw Bhagavān Rāma, they were filled with wonder and sang a famous stotra (hymn of praise) to him.
The arrival
On one of the happy days of Rāma’s reign, the king of Avadha went with his three brothers and Hanumān to look at a garden (upavana) near the city. While they walked in that beautiful grove, the four ṛshis Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatkumāra and Sanatsujāta came to the garden, wishing for darśana (the sight) of Rāma.
These four are the sons of Brahmā, born from his mind. From the moment of their birth they chose lifelong celibacy, the state of naishṭhika-brahmacharya. They roam the worlds in constant renunciation, wearing nothing (digambara). They look like children, yet they hold divine jñāna (knowledge) and vijñāna (deep wisdom) greater than all others.
Rāma’s welcome
Bhagavān Rāma welcomed the four ṛshis with the deepest respect. He offered them arghya and pādya, the water given by custom to honour a respected guest, and seated them on proper seats (āsanas). Bharata, Lakshmaṇa, Śatrughna and Hanumān bowed with true bhakti (devotion) at the lotus feet of the Kumāras.
Rāma then stood before them with humility and said:
“O best of ṛshis! The wise always say that a meeting with *sādhus (holy people) like you comes only through puṇya (merit) gathered in earlier lives. Today I have been blessed with the darśana of your divine forms. This humble one has been lifted up, and his life has become worthwhile.”*
The stotra of the Kumāras
The four Kumāras looked at the beautiful and holy divine form of Rāma without blinking, and they were completely charmed. Tears of ānanda (bliss) flowed from their eyes, and the hair on their bodies stood up in devotion. They stood with folded hands, lost in him (tanmayatva), and praised Rāma:
“O Rāma! You are advitīya, without a second. You are ananta, without end. You are anamaya, free of all affliction. You are sarvavyāpaka, all-pervading, and sakala-guṇa-saṃpanna, full of every good quality. We salute you: victory to you.
“O Rāma, whose form is past, present and future (trikāla-svarūpa)! O son of Daśaratha! The Vedas and Purāṇas sing your glory. O ocean of grace (dayānidhi)! Only to remember you destroys all *pāpa (sin). The moment your name is heard, all wishes are fulfilled. The fortunate ones who receive your darśana attain mukti (liberation).*
“Like the Kāmadhenu, you look after the poor. Like the Kalpavṛksha, you grant every wish. Like Agastya, you dry up the ocean of *saṃsāra (the cycle of birth and death). To your devotees you are very easy to reach. Take away their sorrows. Fulfil their wishes. Give them jñāna, vairāgya (freedom from desire), and the wealth of your unbroken bhakti. You are the protector of your devotees.*
“O Rājādhirāja, king of kings! O Lokarakshaka, protector of the worlds! O Devādideva, deva of devas! In your mercy, sit always on the throne of our hearts. O Kāruṇyamūrti, form of compassion, bless us. Give us your unbroken bhakti (akhaṇḍa bhakti). Make us fully content. O Rāma, accept our prayers and our *namaskāra (bow).”*
In many ways the Kumāras praised Rāma, and they felt joy beyond measure. After offering many more words of praise, they took leave of Rāma, the king of Sāketa, with overflowing joy and went to the dwelling of Brahmā.
Sources
- Tulasī Rāmāyaṇa, Uttara Kāṇḍa, “Sanakādi’s Visit to the Ruler of Sāketa”