My Ramayana in 60 Verses

The Ramayana is a historical chronicle of events during the life of Lord Rama, in an ancient time in a land called Bharatvarsh a part of which is now modern day India. Lord Rama was the 7th avatar of  Bhagwan (God) Vishnu.

This year's theme for the A to Z Challenge was given to me through meditation. But more than just a theme I was also asked to write this from the perspective of Divine love and not just a recounting of the events as they took place. Hence the essence of my posts is "Love is in the air".

The individual theme and tone of my verses are also given to me. And I try to convey what Spirit wants to say through my poetry and prose. In essence, I only transcribe what is given to me, the author of these posts is my soul, the Universe, God and Goddess.

Each set of verses are accompanied by prose, the links to which are included as headings.

Assessing Creation

Lord Vishnu watched King Dasharath

Ayodhya he did rule

He also watched his beloved Earth

Wrecked by Ravana the fool

Earth Goddess cried out in despair

Oh Lord I'm being torn apart

The blood of mankind fills the air

Destroyed is my soul and heart

Birth

Lord Vishnu conferred with His Goddess Lakshmi

Their plan must now begin

His love for her made her blush demurely

He conveyed it with a sweet grin

Time to take a human birth

Lord Vishnu did exclaim

And so Lord Rama came upon this Earth

Evil to destroy or tame

Consort

Goddess Lakshmi watched with pride

As He descended to the Earth

She waited for a little while

To also take a birth

She is Lord Vishnu's precious heart

His shakti (strength and power) and His joy

Sita emerged in Mithila from the Earth

King Janak's spirit did fly

Delight

Young Rama he stole the hearts of all

So proud his mother Kaushalya

Sweet Sita prayed the Lord to grace her hall

She was the golden girl of Mithila

Divinity delighted every heart

Citizens of heaven included

Sita Rama though far apart

Eternally connected

Education

Vishwamitra came to Dashrath's court
Rama and Lakshman he did take
Life's lessons and dharma were they taught
Fearsome yet loving warriors they did make

They learned forgiveness, obedience and respect
They learned of right and wrong
They learned to sharpen intellect
They learned that pride makes one fall

Fate

To Mithila the trio came

Sita's Swayamvar to attend

Citizen's in awe of Rama's fame

To Sita they did tell

Sita wondered why his name

Quickened her beating heart

Perhaps this meeting was her fate

Was he her life counterpart?

Germination

Rama looked up and caught his breath

Sita's eyes beheld her Lord

Vishnu Lakshmi's beating hearts

Drowned every other thought

Somewhere deep within their souls

A recognition dawned

Though human minds negate those realms

Yet love began to spawn

Human Headsets

Kings and princes from far off lands

Full of arrogance and pride

Came to seek Sita's hand

The bow to lift they tried

Sita watched with anxiety

Each failure a relief

Beseeching Rama silently

To make true her desired belief

Invincible

The bow it was invincible

Steadfast it did not move

King Janak sad and irascible

Lord Rama calm and aloof

He knew He could win Sita's hand

But the timing must be right

And Guru must first command

Before He ended Sita's plight

Joining

Sita to Gauri Mata did request

It's only Rama with whom I'll go

Then at Vishwamitra's kind behest

Did Rama lift up the bow

A garland of flowers in Sita's trembling hands

Heart beating in joy and desire

She placed it around the neck of Rama

His demeanour calm but heart on fire

Kingship

Dashrath watched his beloved Son

Grow into a fine young man

Hearts of all the young prince had won

It was time his reign began

A proclamation was soon made

Rama to be crowned the king

But Manthara the cunning maid

Poisoned Kaikeyi's mind to sting

Love Misplaced

Two boons she asked from days gone by

Given thoughtlessly by king

Lust destroyed Dashrath's honourable mind

And made him Kaikeyi's plaything

She ordered Bharat be made the king

Rama to the forest must go

Fourteen years of banishing

Would make her heart glow

Minds

Dashrath's mind in despair and turmoil

Kaushalya's in shock

Lakshman's rage shook the soil 

But Rama was stoic like a rock

Vishnu Lakshmi with a knowing nod

Prepared to leave together

King's action to people felt roughshod

But the divine plan was now or never

Nexus

Rama, Sita, Lakshman in simplicity

Set forth for adventures new

Fulfilling many destinies

Did Rama arrange this too?

Life often takes unexpected turns

Seems desolate and unfair

But blessings lie in many burdens

Though in your face they do not stare.

Opportunity

Opportunity thought Rama and smiled

Affection for Sita to show

The palace walls were too confined

For love to play and grow

For Sita anywhere was home

If Rama was by her side

Her love for him like the sun it shone

No need now for it to hide

Protector

Forest life largely peaceful

The three made it their home

The wicked should be fearful

With Rama and Lakshman on the roam

Many disturbances often deadly

Rama destroyed them made the forest safe

Lakshman ever watchful and ready

By Rama's side his only place

Queen

The future queen blossomed

Rama's love chaste and pure

His care and love thus lessened

The hardships she had to endure

Rama protected the queen of his heart

Gently he did guide

He could not imagine them being apart

He was glad Sita was by his side

Rogue and Radiance

On an island in the ocean

Stood a city made of gold

Love for citizens was not an emotion

Its mighty king did hold

Wherever he did travel

Ravana wreaked havoc

Selfish and tyrannical

Born to plunder and run amok

Beautiful and radiant

Rama peaceful like a dove

Caring and gallant

Born to show us love

Spurned

Shoorpnakha was on the prowl

Besotted by our Rama

But he spurned her love and honoured his vow

One wife to love and charm

Would he make her his beloved wife

If Sita she devoured

Rama showed his displeasure rife

When demoness foolishly enquired

Trickery

Ravana vowed that spurn to avenge

A golden deer he sent

Rama took up the challenge

For Sita's heart on it was set

Rama's arrow struck the golden deer

It screamed out mimicking Rama

Sita anxious filled with fear

Sent Lakshman without a qualm 

Ravana watched Lakshman leave his guard

Then Sita he did trick and abduct

Rama heartbroken and alarmed

His soul into pieces struck

Divinity forgotten

Forgetting divine plans

Rama grief stricken

Fell to his knees with head in hands

Unwavering

Jatayu watited for his Rama

To give him an important clue

On hearing this Rama lost his calm

And roared to Ravana mrityu (death)

Sita unwavering and scornful

Ravan's rage at the point of harm

Meditative and thoughtful

Her soul reached out to Rama

Through veils unseen Rama felt her beseech

He looked up towards the heavens

Commanding all to Sita reach

Protect her from the demons

Veneration

Shabri tasted berries

Sweet ones she gave to Rama

He ate them with such relish

And filled her heart with bliss and calm

Rama and Lakshman searching

Came upon Hanuman

A moment so endearing

Shiva Vishnu's earthly plan

The Vanar (ape like humanoids) army ready

The search for Sita starts

Rama's faith in Hanuman steady

His ring and love for Sita he imparts.

Trijata a loving heart

An angel in disguise

Deceived her cruel king and played her part

Sita to protect and comfort her cries

War

Hanuman watches silently

While Ravana threatens Sita

Gives her Rama's ring obediently

When the demon angrily leaves her

The demons set alight his tail

He sets the city on fire

Hanuman's mission never will fail

For Rama he'll never tire

Divinty joining forces

What chance did Ravana have

Both sides suffered many losses

Rama's heart for both was sad

Rama asked Ravana to surrender Sita

Forgiveness even for his foe

But Ravana's pride was off the meter

He was sure he would win and show.

eXit

Ravana knew not who he faced

He laughed at the man with the bow

But death was ready to him embrace

At Rama's command from below

At last the demon fell to his death

As arrows pierced his body

Rama gave him due respect

Divine love even for the enemy

Yearning

Sita's yearning finally ceased

Her face with love aglow

Her joy at seeing Rama increased

Past year now forgotten so

Rama looked with love at his beloved

Heart bursting with joy and pride

For his Sita strong and so devoted

Was finally back at his side

Zillion

God and Goddess reunited

A zillion hardships braved with zeal

Their plan to save mankind completed

Now time for love and time to heal

Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi

Love all creatures great and small

And if you seek peace and eternity

In their sharan (shelter / refuge) you must fall.