![\"Ramaandfamily\"](\"https:\/\/vaishnava-news-network.org\/vaisnava-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Ramaandfamily.jpg\")
<\/a>Rama-katha is endless. Sankarsana (Lord Anantadeva) himself continuously sings the glories of Sri Rama, but even with unlimited mouths he is unable to touch the end in any way. We can just relish, and pray that these infinite pastimes may appear in our heart. Tulasi dasa has written Rama-caritra-manasa, which is based on Sri Valmiki’s Ramayana. All the pastimes written by Tulasi dasa come from the Ramayana and other Puranas, but the principles of bhakti that he gave there have been taken from Srimad-Bhagavatam. He presented important selected verses, especially from the eleventh canto, and translated them into Hindi poetry.<\/p>\nSome people consider Tulasi dasa to be a mayavadi, but this is not correct. If we study Rama-caritra-manasa carefully, we can see that Tulasi dasa has written down the same principles that are in Srimad-Bhagavatam. God is personal, the living entities are His parts and parcels, and our eternal constitutional position is to serve Him with love and affection.\u00a0 Another important point is that Tulasi dasa could not have written Rama-caritra-manasa unless he truly saw all these pastimes of Rama. Just as Valmiki received the mercy of Narada Muni, similarly, when Tulasi dasa sat down in trance, all the pastimes came into his heart. He has certainly received the mercy of Vyasadeva. Only by Sri Vyasadeva\u2019s mercy could he have written these pastimes.<\/p>\n
The main topic of this class is ‘anyavilasita sunyam,’ freedom from desires other than the desire to please Krsna. Bharata and Satrughna had gone to their maternal uncle’s place, and upon returning to Ayodhya, they noticed that all was silent. Usually the city was cheerful and so many activities were joyfully taking place, but now it was like a lady whose husband is dead and who wears no decorations or ornaments. Seeing these and other inauspicious omens, Bharata and Satrughna became fearful. When they entered the royal palace and went to Kaikeyi’s chamber, they were stunned to hear how Rama had gone to the forest for fourteen years and, because of that, their father had died of a broken heart. When Bharata heard this news and the reason for it, he became completely inimical towards his mother. From his heart he disconnected his relationship with her, and because of his pain and shock, he spoke harshly and abandoned her.<\/p>\n
Bharata later assembled the citizens of Ayodhya, including Kausalya and Vasistha Rsi, and went to the forest to try to bring Lord Rama back. Because he was now the eldest member of the family, he was responsible for making the decision as to what to do. Maharaja Janaka would be holding a sabha, an assembly meeting, on the next day. To prepare for this, Bharata first went to Mother Kausalya and requested her, \u201cO mother, Rama loves you and always obeys your orders. You miss Him so much, and we all want him back. Please ask him to return and happily rule here in Ayodhya.\u201d When Kausalya heard these words she said gravely, \u201cYes, you are right. I also want this, but I cannot do what you ask. Your suggestion is not against dharma, but now you should look at Rama’s position. According to religious principles, He is also trying to execute the order of your father. From your respective positions you are both trying to act righteously. I’m sorry, but I know He will never change His decision, so I cannot do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Disappointed, Bharata now went to his Gurudeva, Vasistha Muni, and made the same request. He said, \u201cIf you order Rama, He will come back and you will be the cause of everyone’s happiness.\u201d Vasistha Muni’s answer was similar to that of Kausalya, but he presented an alternative. He said, \u201cInstead of Rama, if you yourself agree to go to the forest, perhaps I can make him return to Ayodhya. Someone must go, so you can do it.\u201d Bharata very enthusiastically agreed, but when Vasistha presented the proposal to Rama, he could not change His decision. Again, Bharata was disappointed.<\/p>\n
Bharata thought his only remaining shelter was Sunaina devi, the wife of Maharaja Janaka. He visited her on the evening before the sabha, and very politely pleaded at her feet, \u201cMother, are you not worrying about your daughter? She is so gentle and tender, and She is going to the forest for fourteen years where she must perform severe austerities. I know your heart is so soft and you cannot bear this pain. You must do something to help them.\u201d\u00a0 Sunaina replied, \u201cWhat you are saying is what I also want. But my husband is very strict and he will never change his mind nor hear my words. He will consider both sides as per the principles of religion, and then he will give his decision. He is a liberated soul, and nobody can influence him.\u201d Because Janaka Maharaja was a jnani-bhakti, a devotee with some aisvarya, he knew well that there would never be a problem for Rama \u2013 anywhere He would be. Bharata was again disappointed, but there was nothing he could do.<\/p>\n
The next morning Guru Vasistha convened the assembly. On one side Lord Rama was sitting with Sita devi, on the other side Bharata was sitting with all the citizens of Ayodhya, and Maharaja Janaka was on the asana in the middle, to hear the case and give the decision.\u00a0 The evening before, all had agreed to abide by the order of Maharaja Janaka because he knew religion and was impartial.<\/p>\n
He first inquired from Bharata, \u201cWhat is your proposal? Please speak.\u201d With folded hands, Bharata said, \u201cAll I want is that Lord Rama shall come back to the kingdom. His father has given his order, but under unfortunate circumstances.\u00a0 Maharani Kaikeyi also became influenced, and she participated in this decision. This should not be considered as the ultimate decision, because now we can see that there is no real purpose for them to go to the forest. I am not going to accept the position of the king. By all evidence it belongs to Rama. This is what all the citizens want, and I also want it. It will be a great injustice if we send Him to the forest and don’t give Him this position.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maharaja Janaka was silent. He then turned to Lord Rama and asked Him to speak. Rama then said, \u201cYes, you have heard what Bharata said. My father agreed with the order to send Me to the forest and to give the position of king to Bharata. Mother Kaikeyi jointly participated, and my father kept silent. \u2018Maunam sammithi laksanam. Silence is the symptom of agreement or consent.\u2019 Now Kaikeyi wants to retract her statement, but that cannot be accepted. Why? Because my father is here no more. If he would be here and just remain silent, then I could agree. But that is not the situation. That is what I have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maharaja Janaka closed his eyes and went into silent meditation upon his Gurudeva, Lord Sankara. After coming out of his meditation he very gravely began to speak, \u201cYes, what Bharata has said is true and is according to religious principles. He is speaking with a pure feeling of love. His prema for Rama is very deep, like an ocean, and Rama’s maryada, His adherence to dharma and strictness in following the principles of religion, is like a mountain.\u00a0 Bharata’s ocean of love is so deep that the mountain will sink into that ocean. Bharata has won, and whatever is his decision shall be done.\u201d When everyone heard that Rama would now come back, they all began jumping in ecstacy, and Bharata was also so happy.<\/p>\n
However, Maharaja Janaka had something else to say. All could see that he was still very grave, and they waited to see what would come from his mouth. He then said, \u201cThough the ocean of Bharata’s love is so deep that Rama’s mountain of maryada has sunk into it, at the same time this mountain is so strong that it will not deviate even an inch, even if it is drowned in water. It will stay in its position. Rama may be overcome by the love of Bharata, but He will not move.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then he looked to everyone and said, \u201cNow Bharata should consider this point. It is true that his love has won, and there is no comparison to his love, but he should know the principle of love. The current of love does not consider any obstacles on the way. It crosses all the general rules and regulations, and there is no principle of religion which controls it. It has its own law and tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe heart and theme of love is that one who loves will always be very careful about the desires of his lover. He will not impose his desires upon his lover, but will instead minutely observe what his worshipful deity wants. That is what must be seen and understood. So my question to Bharata is this: Did you try to understand what Rama wants, or did you become overwhelmed with your own desires? Did you think, \u2018If I am unsuccessful in bringing Rama back, then all the citizens will criticize me. Perhaps for my own reputation I may be doing this.\u2019 To be only thinking of what is pleasing to Rama is the principle of real love.\u201d<\/p>\n
When everyone heard this, especially Bharata, it was as if the earth had slipped from under their feet. For some moments Bharata’s breathing stopped, and it was as though he was deaf and dumb. Maharaja Janaka continued, \u201cNow you must decide what to do. Your case is strong and you have won; you must tell Rama what you want Him to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bharata had now gotten the biggest shock of his life. His whole nervous system had broken due to this lesson about love, and his heart and thinking were completely changed. When he approached Rama, who understood the mood and gravity of his feelings, Rama said, \u201cYes, you have won. You want me to rule the kingdom, so I accept your request. I will now act as the King of Ayodhya. Since I am the king, you must now follow my directions. What should you do? You should let me go to the forest and fulfill the orders of our father. On my behalf, while I am in the forest, you should become My representative and do the needful duties for the kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bharata accepted this, and we cannot understand what kind of happiness he was feeling. So many opposite sentiments were coming in his heart and jumping, but he accepted Rama’s order because now he understood the meaning of love. Even if one has to drink poison to please his lover, he should do this. This is the evidence of pure love.\u00a0 Similarly, when Kaikeyi was requested by Rama as a child to later banish him and give the kingdom to Bharata, her heart was broken and she cried out, \u201cNo, Rama. I cannot do that.\u201d Why not? She loves Rama more than Bharata. How could she do that? But Rama compelled her; He forced her, saying, \u201cYou must drink this poison, mother, because it is for the welfare of the whole world.\u00a0 This is My purpose for coming here, so you must do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bharata thus took Rama’s crown, His wooden sandals, and His rajai. Rajai is a Hindi word. Most people, those who are not dedicated to the personal form of Lord Rama, think that rajai means only \u2018quilt.\u2019 They say, \u201cJust see how Bharata is so cruel.\u00a0 Rama had to go to the forest, and Bharata even took his sandals and his quilt.\u201d But here rajai here does not mean quilt.\u00a0 It comes from the word raji, meaning \u2018to agree.\u2019 Bharata took the orders of Rama, to act as His representative and manage the kingdom in His absence.<\/p>\n
Here is a very important lesson for all who are practicing bhakti. We hear the sloka beginning \u201canyavilasita sunyam,\u201d and we can very critically look into our hearts and consider, \u201cWhat am I doing? Am I trying to serve Krsna in the way my mind likes to serve Him?? It is a subtle difference, because the mind is very tricky. If we fail to distinguish between these feelings, then anyavilasa, material desires, will cover our bhakti and there will be no way we can advance. Today, about ninety-nine percent of the devotees are like this. Some do it willfully, and some fail to distinguish the difference. If Gurudeva asks them to do something which is not pleasing to their own mind, they get angry or annoyed with him. That is prevailing in the majority of cases. We have to very carefully observe this and try to kick out this anyavilasa.<\/p>\n
Bhakti is not so cheap. We are trying to attain that love which controls both Srimati Radhika and Krsna, but we must understand what price we have to pay for this. We have to give up everything we consider to belong to us. We do not have any separate existence of our own. The feeling of unconditional, unalloyed surrender is so deep that we become one with the mood of Gurudeva. Then, within our hearts, all aspirations are no longer our aspirations. They are Gurudeva’s aspirations, or those of Hari, Guru, and Vaisnava. This is the state we want to achieve, and unless we attain it, there is no way to advance in bhakti.<\/p>\n
Whatever position we want to achieve in eternal Vraja, we have to start practicing here with Gurudeva. We have to apply this verse, anyavilasita-sunyam. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written: \u201cI have happily mixed all my desires in Your desires. My desires follow Your desires. There is no difference. They do not go even to a small degree in a different direction. They are completely in line with Your desires.\u201d This is what we want.<\/p>\n
Maharaja Bharata then returned to Ayodhya with all his citizens, and he brought the sandals of Lord Rama. There was so much pain and grief on his return that he did not enter the kingdom. He acted like a representative and stayed in a village near the city, called Nandigrama. There he made a small hut, like Rama’s hut in the forest, and took the dress of a renunciate, like Rama. He did not cut his hair, and he lived only on fruits or whatever was available in the forest. He placed those wooden sandals on an altar and began worshipping them, just as if he was worshipping Rama. He performed arati, offering food, and made all the decisions based on consultation with those wooden sandals. All his ministers also came there to discuss the ruling of the kingdom.<\/p>\n
Mathura, April 13, 2000<\/strong><\/p>\n Janaka Maharaja gave the definition of bhakti to Lord Rama\u2019s brother, Bharata. \u201cAnyabhilasita-sunyam, jnana-karmady-anavrtam, anukulyena krsnanu-silanam bhaktir uttama. One who has no desire other than to please Krsna, and who is not influenced by the process of jnana-marga (cultivation of the knowledge leading to an impersonal understanding of the Absolute Truth) karma, and so on, is situated in pure bhakti.\u201d The king told him that nothing can control prema (pure love of God); it has its own law. One who has prema will always consider the desires of his object of love. He has no personal interest. He will always think, \u201cHow will my beloved be pleased?\u201d Our real purpose is to please our worshipful deity, God and Guru; not to please ourselves.<\/p>\n Much later, after Ravana was killed, Sita-devi had to undergo the agni-pariksa, fire test. Of course, it was Maya-Sita who entered the fire and the real Sita-devi remained unharmed \u2013 proving that she was completely pure and chaste. Rama then gave the kingdom of Ravana to Vibhisana, Ravana\u2019s brother, and after that He took Sita-devi and all their associates to Ayodhya on a mystic airplane. There were millions and billions of associates, but this airplane was able to expand so that they could all fit on it.<\/p>\n On their journey, Rama pointed out to Sita all the places where they had enjoyed pastimes together, and where He and Laksmana had killed various demons. For example, Rama would say, \u201cOh look, here is where we built the bridge to Lanka. Do you remember?\u201d When they reached Kishkinda, where all of Rama\u2019s monkey associates lived, they stopped. Sita-devi then invited all the wives of the monkeys to come aboard the airplane, as they were also very interested to see Rama\u2019s coronation.<\/p>\n The party stayed one night and then went to Chitrakuta. Hanuman took the form of a brahmana and went to the place where Bharata was staying in Nandigrama.\u00a0 Bharata was living the life of a renunciate there, wearing simple cloth, with matted hair and living on fruits and roots; and all of His ministers lived in the same way. In the guise of a brahmana, Hanuman approached Bharata and said, \u201cOh Bharata Maharaja, Rama has come. Prepare to welcome Him!\u201d Upon hearing that His dear brother had finally returned, He was overjoyed and fainted. When He came to consciousness He said, \u201cI want to give you many gifts. So please accept 18,000 cows, as many beautiful women as you desire, horses, and other wealth. Still I cannot give you anything equal in value to the news you have given Me.\u201d Hanuman then returned to his original form, and Bharata said, \u201cOh, you are Hanuman!\u201d<\/p>\n After Rama\u2019s abhiseka ceremony, He wanted to give many gifts to everyone. Sita-devi thought of a very nice gift to give Hanuman, so she gave him her most beautiful pearl necklace. Hanuman took it, examined it and broke it, and the pearls scattered all over the floor. Sita-devi was surprised and asked, \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Hanuman replied, \u201cOh, I was just seeing if ‘Rama’ is written anywhere here.\u201d \u201cBut don\u2019t you know Rama is in your heart?” she asked. Then Hanuman tore open his chest. In this way, Rama\u2019s associates teach us that whatever is given to others should be in connection with Krsna.<\/p>\n Lord Rama and Sita-devi stayed together for many years, and everyone was very happy within their kingdom. Some people, however, criticized Rama for accepting Sita back after she had been in the palace of Ravana. According to Vedic principles, it is unacceptable to accept one\u2019s wife after her being away for one night \u2013 what to speak of one year. One evening, the wife of a washer-man came home late. Her husband immediately told her that she could not enter the house. He threw her out saying, \u201cI am not like Rama, who accepted his wife back after she\u2019d been with another man.\u201d<\/p>\n This news spread and the story got back to Rama. He was most disturbed, and realized that He had to do something. How could He rule a kingdom in which some of the people did not have faith in Him? He called a meeting, asking all His brothers to come; but none of them could give Him any advice. He Himself then realized what to do. He remembered that Sita had desired to visit all the sages in the forest and shower them with gifts. He asked Laksmana to take her to the asrama of those sages, deliver His sorrowful message to her, and then leave her in the forest. Laksmana was devastated that He was called upon to do this, but He could not say anything, as He was Rama\u2019s younger brother. He therefore had to accept that responsibility.<\/p>\n Sumanta was Laksmana\u2019s chariot driver, and moreover a very great minister of Rama. Laksmana told everything about Rama\u2019s order to Sumanta and said, \u201cMy life is full of miseries. Now, today is the biggest misery of My life!\u201d They passed Prayag and went across a river. \u201cValmiki\u2019s asrama is here,\u201d Laksmana told Sita. Then with a heavy heart, He told her, \u201cEveryone is accusing Rama of accepting an unchaste wife. Many people don\u2019t have full faith in Him now; so how is it possible for Him to rule the kingdom and guide the citizens properly?\u201d<\/p>\n When Sita-devi heard this she fainted, and when she revived she said, \u201cI don\u2019t want to create any difficulties for Him. I do not want Him to be disturbed by the public. Please pay my obeisances to all. Laksmana, I want to pray at Your lotus feet, as I have offended You twice. The first night in Ayodhya, after our marriage ceremony, I stopped You from massaging Rama\u2019s lotus feet. Though this had been Your cherished duty for many years, I took this away from You. When You asked Rama about this, He could not answer. Then we asked the great sage Vasistha and he said, \u2018The duties now have to be divided. So Laksmana, all the duties outside of the house should be taken by You. Sita-devi should now perform all the duties inside of the house.\u2019 In this way it was decided.<\/p>\n \u201cSecondly, I was once allured by a deer in the forest when we were in exile. I heard Marici call out, \u2018Alas, Laksmana!\u2019 Assuming it was Rama\u2019s voice, I told You to go immediately to help Him. You said, \u2018No Sita, it is an illusion created by a demon.\u2019 I insisted and told you, \u2018I know. You are a spy of Bharata, and You have lusty feelings for me. That is why You don\u2019t want to save your brother!\u2019 These words pierced Your heart. You replied that You always saw me as Your mother and had never even seen my face; You said that you had only seen my feet. You could not bear these harsh words. Then, when you went to see Rama, He chastised You saying, \u2018Why did You take heed of the words of that woman?\u2019 Then Ravana came here and begged, \u2018biksana dehi\u2019 three times. When I did not want to come outside of Your circle of protection He threatened me, \u2018I curse you that your husband will die if you do not give anything to me here!\u2019 So please forgive me for these offenses.\u201d<\/p>\n After leaving Sita-devi in the forest, Laksmana lamented, \u201cOh, alas! I will surely give up My life!\u201d Sumanta tried to pacify Him, and told Him the truth of the matter. \u201cOnce I was with Dasaratha Maharaja, and at that time two sages, Vasistha Rsi and Durvasa Muni, came to visit him. Maharaja Dasaratha served them very nicely and then asked them to kindly tell him about the future of his four children. Vasistha Rsi remained silent, and Durvasa Muni responded by saying, \u2018Oh, you have four sons. Very good.\u2019\u201d Dasaratha Maharaja said, \u201cYes, first tell me about Rama\u2019s future.\u201d Durvasa said, \u201cRama\u2019s future will undoubtedly be full of miseries. He will have to leave Ayodhya, and everyone there will feel unbearable separation from Him. You will not be able to bear His absence, and you will die in separation. Rama will later have to be separated from His wife, and after suffering immensely they will become reunited. Then again they will have to be apart; and Rama will rule the kingdom alone without His wife. Do not tell this to anyone.\u201d Dasaratha Maharaja was in complete shock, but he promised that he would not speak to anyone what he had heard. He said, \u201cFrom today, I am your disciple.\u201d<\/p>\n Having heard this from Sumanta, Laksmana realized that His brother Rama is in fact the Supreme Lord Visnu. Sumanta continued telling Laksmana the story that Durvasa Muni had told to Dasaratha Maharaja: \u201cOnce, a very big battle ensued between the demigods and the demons. The demons were defeated and went to the wife of Brghu Maharaja to take shelter; and, being very merciful, she gave them shelter. The demigods went to Lord Vamanadeva and told Him the situation. He then took His cakra and beheaded Brghu Maharaja\u2019s wife. Brghu Maharaja was very upset and cursed Vamanadeva saying, \u201cYou are responsible for my wife\u2019s death. I loved her very much. Now I will have to suffer so much in separation from her. For this I curse You that You will have to suffer in the same way in the future. You will have a very beautiful wife who will serve You in every way. You will be fully satisfied and completely enamored with her feminine grace and charm, and her saintly qualities. You will then be separated from her, and You will always suffer immensely from that pain of separation.\u201d Hearing this, Vamanadeva happily accepted the curse. He knew that in the future the whole world would be benefited by this. Also, this was but a pretext, as separation naturally increases the happiness of meeting.<\/p>\n Sita-devi was walking towards the asrama of Valmiki Rsi, when some of his brahmacaris spotted her. They informed Valmiki that a lady looking like a demigoddess was coming. Valmiki came out to greet her, and immediately recognized who she was. He said, \u201cOh, you are Sita-devi, the wife of Lord Rama. I know this because I have written the Ramayana. Please come in.\u201d The ladies there were very pleased to see Sita-devi and said, \u201cOh, please allow us to serve you.\u201d Valmiki instructed them how to serve her in every way.<\/p>\n When Rama sent Satrughna to Mathura, Satrughna happened to come by Valmiki\u2019s asrama on the way. He paid obeisances to Sita-devi and her sons, Lava and Kusa, from a distance. Lava and Kusa were very intelligent children. Valmiki was very expert in archery, singing, and music, and he taught Lava and Kusa these arts. They could thus sing in all ragas very sweetly. Valmiki also taught them the Ramayana.<\/p>\n No one in the entire kingdom was there to console Rama. However, the ladies were there to console Sita-devi in the asrama of Valmiki. One day Rama turned to Vasistha Rsi and said, \u201cWill you please perform a sacrifice?\u201d Vasistha replied, \u201cThen you must call your wife back.\u201d \u201cOh, I cannot do that.\u201d \u201cThen you must remarry,\u201d he insisted. Rama said, \u201cIt is not possible.\u201d \u201cThen you will have to make a golden deity of Sita-devi.\u201d Vasistha then performed the sacrifice. In fact, every year he performed a very big sacrificial ceremony for Rama, near Naimisaranya on the bank of Gomati, with a new golden deity of Sita-devi each year.<\/p>\n One year many kings and sages were called, and Valmiki came with Lava and Kusa. The boys were extremely beautiful, with very broad chests and slender waists. During a rest period, Valmiki asked them to sing Ramayana. They had melodious voices, and they sang in such a heart-rendering way that they captured everyone\u2019s hearts. Rama was especially touched, and tears came to His eyes. Valmiki had previously warned the boys, \u201cIf anyone asks you who you are, tell them, \u2018I am a disciple of Valmiki.\u2019\u201d Rama ordered Laksmana, \u201cGo and give them eighteen thousand gold coins and many, many beautiful clothes and gifts. Then ask them who they are.\u201d<\/p>\n When they were presented with these gold coins, clothes, and gifts, they said, \u201cWhat will we do with all these things? We are brahmacaris.\u201d Then Laksmana asked which dynasty they belonged to, and they replied, \u201cYou seem very learned. Why ask this? Why not ask who is our Gurudeva? We are disciples of Valmiki Rsi.\u201d For five or seven days they came and recited the Ramayana, and after many days Rama and others came to know who they were.<\/p>\n Rama then called Valmiki and requested that Sita-devi come and prove her chastity so that He could call her back. Valmiki said, \u201cI have never spoken a lie in my life. I can assure you that Sita is completely pure and chaste.\u201d Rama said, \u201cI know that. I\u2019m quite confident of this, but I want proof for My citizens. So please bring her here. Then we\u2019ll see what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n At this time Brahma, Sankara, and many demigods and goddesses came, curious to see this event. Sita-devi sent Lava and Kusa ahead to their father. She arrived thereafter, and Valmiki spoke gently to her, \u201cO daughter, Sita-devi. Come forward and prove your chastity.\u201d Sita-devi called out to Mother Earth, Prthivi-divi, \u201cMother, please prove this to one and all, that I have never served any other man. I have never even had thoughts of any man other than Rama in my whole life. Please accept me, mother.\u201d Prthivi-devi appeared from the earth and Sita sat on her lap on a golden throne. In a moment, Prthivi-devi completely covered her. In other words, she took Sita-devi back with her into the depths of the Earth.<\/p>\n Rama couldn\u2019t bear to see Sita leave Him like this, and He fainted. Then, when He returned to consciousness, He prayed to Prthivi-devi, requesting her to bring back Sita. He told her, \u201cOne time I went with a bow to the ocean and he was very much afraid. So I can turn you into dust in a moment.\u201d Just then Brahma came and told Rama, \u201cNo. Don\u2019t do it! This is the last time. Sitaji has gone to Your own abode, so You should very quickly wind up Your pastimes and go there.\u201d<\/p>\n Gaura premanande!<\/p>\n [For more information about Rama, Laksmana, Bharata, and Satrughna, see Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.10].<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"