The Ramayana Album

Sri Sri Sita-Rama-Laksmana-Hanuman

Dear Friends,

Please accept my humble pranams.  All glories to Srila Prabhupada who kindly came to the West to remind us of the Lord whom we had all forgotten.  All glories to Lord Sri Krsna who came to this earth to display His transcendental pastimes, including His wonderful lila as the ideal monarch, Lord Sri Ramachandra.

This album is a collection of songs and instrumentals glorifying the earthly pastimes of Lord Sri Raghunatha recorded in the Ramayana.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Ramayana, it is an ancient epic poem written by the sage Valmiki.  It is a lengthy and detailed narration of the pastimes of King Ramachandra (also called Rama or Raghunatha, among many names) who was the emperor of this planet millions of years ago in the age called Treta-yuga.  The explanations given under each song title are meant to give a little background, or to set the stage for the song, if you will.

I pray that you, my dear listeners, will kindly overlook the mistakes I have made while playing the keyboard and guitar, the imperfections in my voice due to my damaged vocal cords and my amateur attempts at recording and engineering.  I hope that, even though this is a funky home-recording, you will somehow be pleased with my humble offering.

May Lord Sri Krishna bless you all with pure loving devotion at His lotus feet, and if you are especially attracted to Lord Rama as I am, I hope that these songs will bring you a little closer to fully uncovering your love for Him in your present lifetime.  May Lord Sri Raghunatha protect you always and everywhere, and engage you in His loving service.

Your well-wishing friend,

Phalini devi dasi

PS  Recently, I added song tracks at the end of each blog post.  You can hear the songs if you have VLC Media Player.  If you do not already have VLC Media Player, you can download it here: http://www2.downloadster.org/vlc-media-player/

Farewell to Ayodhya (5:25)

The Transcendental Trio Leave Ayodhya in Sumantra's Chariot

In pursuit of keeping his promise to fulfill the two boons long ago granted to Queen Kaikeyi, Maharaja Dasharatha, the father of Lord Sri Rama, sends his first-born and most beloved son into exile.  At the request of Kaikeyi, Rama is exiled to the Dandakaranya Forest for fourteen years.  Rama's brother Laksmana and His wife Sita devi cannot countenance being separated from Rama for fourteen years.  They both convince Rama to let Them accompany Him during His exile.  The transcendental Threesome depart for the Dandakaranya Forest in a chariot driven by Sumantra, the charioteer of Dasharatha.

They are surrounded by the people of Ayodhya, who are filled with emotions of anger and sadness at the sudden, unexpected banishment and consequent departure of their beloved crown prince Rama, His brother Laksmana and His wife Sita.  This instrumental memorializes the famous scene wherein, after crossing the extensive and beautiful territory of Kosala, and with His face turned toward Ayodhya, Sri Rama joins His palms and addresses the following words to His beloved home, "I take leave of you, O pre-eminent city, carefully protected by King Dasharatha as well as of the deities that protect you and dwell in you.  When the period of my exile in the forest has expired and I have got square with the emperor by executing his command and implementing the promise made by him to Kaikeyi, I shall see you again, united once more with my mother and father."

Farewell to Ayodhya

Sri Rama, Laksmana, and Sita devi then affectionately bid farewell to the Ayodhya-vasis who have followed Them to the end of the country of Kosala.  As the weeping people of Ayodhya watch with dimmed, tear-filled eyes, Sumantra urges the horses on and steers the chariot into the forest.  The people watch until they can see their beloved crown prince no more.

Track 1   Farewell to Ayodhya   5:25

Sumantra's Plea (5:20)

Sumantra begs Rama to return to Ayodhya

Sumantra, the childhood friend and charioteer of Maharaja Dasharatha, is chosen to escort Sri Rama, Laksmana and Sita devi to the forest to begin Their fourteen-year exile.  After taking his precious charges to the edge of the forest, Sumantra is unable to bear the pain of disappointing his dear friend the king, so when Sri Rama indicates to him that it is time for him to turn back to Ayodhya, this command does not appeal to Sumantra.

He proffers arguments based on his empathy for Dasharatha and his queens.  He pleads with Rama, trying to convince the crown prince to come back with him.  Rama refuses.  He tries to convince Rama to at least send Laksmana back with him.  Rama is unmoved.  He tries to convince Rama to send Sita back with him.  Rama knows that Sita devi will not hear of it.  Rama remains firm in His vow, and supports His brother and wife in Their decision to accompany Him to the forest.  He again asserts that He is duty-bound to help his father keep his word to Kaikeyi.

Sumantra is stunned by the conundrum he faces.  He has two choices.  Either he goes home to Ayodhya with an empty chariot, only to devastate the king and the Queen mothers by reporting that Rama, Laksmana and Sita have actually entered the forest, or he remains in the forest leaving the king and all the Queens and subjects uninformed and wondering what happened.  He is torn by indecision and his heart is breaking.

This instrumental memorializes the painful, heart-rending predicament of Sumantra, the beloved charioteer of King Dasharatha, who after pleading with Rama to change His mind, at last resolves to return home to the desolate city of Ayodhya, bearing the heart-breaking news of the transcendental Threesome's entrance into the forest of Dandaka, far beyond the boundaries of Kosala. 

Track 2  5:20   Sumantra's Plea

Searching for Sita (6:00)

Rama and Lakshmana search for Sita

Sri Rama, Sita devi and Laksmana have left Chitrakoot and are now living in Panchavati.  They have settled into a routine in Their new home constructed by the expert hands of Laksmana.

One day, Sita sees a magical, shining golden deer near their hermitage.  She points it out to Sri Rama, asking Him to kindly catch it for Her.  Rama enjoins Laksmana to stay at the hermitage to keep watch over Sita, then leaves in pursuit of the deer.

After some time, Sita and Laksmana hear Rama's voice calling to Them for help.  Sita is convinced that Rama is in trouble and begs Laksmana to go to His aid.  Laksmana, on the other hand, understands that the deer is a rakshasa (in fact, he is none other than the rakshasa Maricha in disguise) and has impersonated Rama's voice as a ruse to lure Laksmana away from Sita.  He knows also that Rama is invincible, and could not possibly be in danger.

Sita does not understand.  She becomes angry.  She accuses Laksmana of impure motives.  He is so hurt by Her words that He agrees to go to where Rama is.  He creates a protective shield around the hermitage and instructs Sita not to cross over it for any reason.  Laksmana leaves to go find Rama.

Meanwhile, Ravana, the king of the rakshasas, enters upon the scene disguised as a wandering mendicant.  He is delighted that his plan has worked.  He begs for food from Sita, and intimidating Her with the threat of a curse upon her family, demands that She come outside the protective shield to serve him.  He immediately captures Her and boards his flying chariot with Her screaming and struggling to get free of his clutches.

Rama and Laksmana return to the hermitage to find Sita gone.  They search everywhere, unable to find Her.  The deer are looking toward the south, so Laksmana concludes that this means They should travel southward to find Her.  They set out running through the forest.

On the way, they discover Jatayu, the bird who had promised to protect Sita in the absence of Sri Rama.  Jatayu was lying on the ground, his wings severed from his body.  Bathed in blood, his voice growing weak, he reveals to Rama that Sita devi has been carried off by Ravana, the king of the rakshasas.  Jatayu had fought with Ravana, trying to stop him, but Ravana had cut off his wings and dealt him a fatal blow.  As he lies dying in Rama's arms, Jatayu directs Rama and Laksmana to look for Sita by continuing south.

Farther south, They meet Kabandha, a demigod who was cursed to take the body of a rakshasa.  He had been told that he would be released from the curse when Rama and Laksmana killed him by burying and burning his body.  He would then also have the vision to be able to advise Rama and Laksmana where next to proceed in Their search for Sita devi.  Rama and Laksmana obliged Kabandha, and as he rose from the cremation pit in his heavenly form, bathed in glorious light, he told Rama to go meet Shabari on the bank of Lake Pampa, and then Sugriva who lived in a cave on Rishyamook Hill.  Sugriva, the king of monkeys, would help Rama find Sita.  In parting, Kabandha called out to Rama, "Make an alliance with Sugriva!"

(Chorus)

Rama and Laksmana running in the forest
Searching, searching for Sita devi
Rama and Laksmana running through the forest
Calling, calling for Sita devi

(Repeat)

Ravana sent Maricha to lure Her
In the form of a golden deer
The deer ran off and Rama chased after
Then "Laksmana!  Help!" Sita did hear

Laksmana knew it was a rakshasa trick
But She insisted that He must go
To save Her Rama.  "Go, Laksmana, quick!"
Laksmana left, but in His heart was woe

Rama and Laksmana running in the forest
Searching, searching for Sita devi
Rama and Laksmana running through the forest
Calling, calling for Sita devi

With Rama and Laksmana now gone away
Ravana came to Sita in disguise
He stole Mother Sita and carried Her away
He took Her to Lanka on a chariot that flies

The golden deer became a rakshasa
Rama had killed it when Laksmana arrived
They both ran back to find Sita missing
"Oh no!" Rama cried, "She may not be alive!"

Rama and Laksmana running in the forest
Searching, searching for Sita devi
Rama and Laksmana running through the forest
Calling, calling for Sita devi

They came upon Jatayu, all broken and struck down
He cried, "Rama, Your Sita's in Ravana's hands, flying towards the south!"

Rama and Laksmana running in the forest...

They came upon Kabandha, who begged Them to take his life
He told Them where to find Sugriva who would help Them find Rama's wife

Rama and Laksmana running in the forest...

Track 3   6:00   Searching for Sita

Ten-Thousand Years (Shabari's Song--Tune: traditional Irish melody) (5:40)

Rama satisfies Shabari by accepting her offerings

I am reminded of Shabari when I sing this song.  The old ascetic woman Shabari heard from her guru Matanga Rishi that one day, Sri Rama would appear at the doorstep of her ashrama and bless her so that she could be relieved of her imprisonment in this material world.  She waits patiently for Lord Ramachandra to bless her with His darshan.  Every day, she cleans her ashrama, prepares a comfortable seat, scatters soft, fragrant flowers to cushion his footsteps, gathers clear, fresh drinking water and delicious berries, and looks down the path, expecting her Lord Sri Raghunatha to appear.  When at last He finally does come, she is overwhelmed and overjoyed.  She offers Him water, a nice sitting place and sweet berries.  Although she tastes the berries herself first in order to determine whether they are sweet enough to offer to her beloved Lord, He nonetheless gratefully accepts them and in turn, grants her liberation.

If I must wait ten thousand years
Ere I shall see Thy lotus feet
I'll count my blessings through my tears
Oh noble Rama of wondrous deeds

If I must wait ten thousand years
Ere I shall see Thy lotus face
I'll count my blessings through my tears
And offer Thee my heart's embrace

If I must wait ten thousand years
To see Thy Sita by Thy side
I'll count my blessings through my tears
And at Thy feet pray to reside

If I must wait ten thousand years
Ere I shall come back home to Thee
I'll count my blessings through my tears
And place my head at Thy lotus feet

Track 4   5:40   Ten Thousand Years

Shabari is blessed by Sri Rama

Hanuman (5:31)

This song is about the appearance of Hanuman and his first meeting with Sri Rama and Laksmana.

Sri Hanumanji

Scene I:  Anjana Giri.  Anjana, a heavenly apsara, was somehow cursed to take birth on earth in the form of a female of the simian race.  In her earthly incarnation, she is the wife of the huge and powerful monkey Kesari.  One day, the wind-god sees her and, being magnetically attracted to her, wants to impregnate her.  He implants in her womb a seed which has sprung from the loins of Lord Siva, and which Vayu has been holding in safe-keeping.  Hanumanji is thus born to Anjana.  He immediately grows very large, and very hungry!  Mistaking the sun to be a large fruit, he jumps up into the sky to devour it.  Indra sees this and angrily hurls his thunderbolt weapon at Hanuman to protect Suryadeva.  Hanuman falls down upon a mountain peak, unconscious, the left side of his jaw broken.  His godfather, Lord Vayu (Pavanadeva) immediately rushes to his rescue.  Pavanadeva is so angry that Hanuman has been hurt that he causes the whole universe to suffer from want of air.  The devas hurry to the presence of Brahma to beg his help.  Lord Brahma then goes to see Hanuman.  When Lord Brahma holds Hanuman in his arms, Hanuman regains consciousness and his jaw is healed.  Lord Brahma and the other devas present then confer blessings upon Sri Hanumanji.

Scene II: The base of Rishyamook Hill on the bank of the Pampa Lake.  After blessing Shabari by accepting her service and trekking on toward Rishyamook Hill on the recommendation of the ogre Kabandha, Rama and Laksmana are spotted by the spies of Sugriva, the king of the monkeys.  Sugriva, who, out of fear of his elder brother Vali has secretly taken shelter of Rishyamook Hill and who is always worried for his life due to the threat of being ambushed by his tyrannical brother, sends his most trusted minister Hanuman to find out the identity and motives of the two handsome young wanderers.

Hanuman takes on a human form to learn about Rama and Lakshmana

Hanuman assumes the form of a mendicant and after meeting and conversing with Sri Rama and Laksmana, learns that They have come with the purpose of meeting Sugriva.  Their hope is that Sugriva will help Them find Rama's wife Sita, who has been kidnapped by a rakshasa.  Hanuman forms an alliance with Rama and Laksmana then and there.  Hanuman resumes his gigantic monkey form and with Sri Rama and Laksmana on his shoulders, proceeds to the presence of Sugriva.

Hanuman assumes his huge monkey form, then carries Rama and Laksmana to meet Sugriva

On the full moon day of Chaitra
You were born to Anjana
The beloved son of Pavanadeva
You appeared a vanara

As soon as you were born you
Could jump just like Lord Pavana
You were hungry so you leapt up high
And tried to eat the sun

But Indra became angry
And hurled his thunderbolt
You fell upon a mountain peak
The left side of your jaw broke

Lord Vayu held you in his lap
Lord Brahma, in his arms
The devas blessed you with their gifts
Which added to your charms

(Chorus)

Hanuman, the wind-god's powerful son
Hanuman, eternal servant of Rama
Hanuman, your pastimes are so sweet
Your whole life is an offering
To Sri Rama's lotus feet

As a trusted minister to Sugriva
You were sent by him to see
Who were the two young warriors
Who had come to his country

You assumed the form of a brahmana-man
And asked Them who They were
Laksmana replied, "We are sons of
Dasaratha, the emperor.

We've come in search of Sita-devi
The wife of my brother Rama
We were told that Sugriva could help us!"
He explained with folded palms

You assumed your massive monkey form
So eager to please Rama
You offered to carry Them to Sugriva
Upon your mighty arms

(Chorus)

Track 5   5:31   Hanuman

Jump, Hanuman! (3:48)

Jump, Hanuman!

Having reached the shore of the sea, the monkeys who were sent to the southern quarter to search out Srimati Sita devi are now faced with an enigma.  Although the great eagle Sampati, the brother of Jatayu, has revealed to them that Sita devi is in Sri Lanka, the monkeys are bewildered as to how to get across the ocean to find her exact whereabouts.  Although they are powerful and can all jump incredible distances, nonetheless, one after another, they admit to each other their inability to accomplish the task of jumping over the ocean and back again.  Jambavan, king of the bears, knows of the dormant powers of Hanuman, which Hanuman has forgotten because of a curse.  He reminds Hanuman that he is the son of the wind-god and that he is destined to do this service for Lord Rama.  As he is reminded of this fact by Jambavan, Hanuman feels his powers return. Jambavan urges Hanuman to jump over the ocean and search for Mother Sita, because he is confident that Hanuman has the energy and strength to jump over to Lanka and then return to their camp on India's southern shore.  The others join Jambavan in encouraging Hanumanji to take up the challenge.

(Chorus)
Jump, Hanuman, fly over the ocean!
Jump, Hanuman, sail over the sea!
Jump, Hanuman, fly over the ocean
Jump!  Hanuman, go see!

See if you can find Mother Sita devi
See if you can find Mother Janaki
You're the one who can perform this feat
So jump!  Hanuman, go see!

(Chorus)

None of us can jump as far as you
For you are the son of Lord Vayu
To do this is your destiny
So jump!  Hanuman, go see!

(Chorus)

We will all be waiting for you
We hope you'll bring us back good news
May you be blessed with victory
Now jump!  Hanuman, go see!

(Chorus)

Track 6   3:48   Jump, Hanuman!