Adhokshajaya namah

Emperor Parikshit enquired, “O revered Guru! How did Srirama, behave with his brothers who were his partial incarnations? How did his brothers and the citizens behave with him?”

In response Maharishi Śuka said, “O Emperor! After assuming kingship, Srirama who was the Lord for all the three worlds, commanded all his brothers to go and conquer the world (digvijay yatra). He remained in Ayodhya giving audience to his citizens. Along with his brothers, he personally looked into the needs of the citizens of Ayodhya.

All the royal paths of Ayodhya would be sprinkled with perfumed waters and with the intoxicated waters sprinkled by elephants. This sparkling city appeared like the young woman who takes great pride when her ruler is ruling over her efficiently.

The palaces of this town were decorated with golden pots. Temple towers, royal assemblies, temples, entertainment zones and other such places dazzled with colourful flags.

The entrances to the houses in this city were auspiciously decorated with archways consisting of banana plants replete with fruits, betel nut trees, colourful cloth flags, mirrors and flower garlands.

Colourful clothes adorned the streets. At various junctions in the city’s royal paths, the citizens would stand holding Puja materials. They would approach Srirama and would pray, “O Lord, please protect this Earth which You have, in Your previous incarnation as Varaha (boar), rescued from the bottom of the ocean.” In this way they always sought auspiciousness.

A long time elapsed after the coronation ceremony. The citizens of Ayodhya were very eager to see Him. Men and women came out of their homes and climbed up on the roofs of the palaces. Seeing the lotus-eyed Lord, they showered flowers upon him. Even after gazing at him for long hours they remained dissatisfied.

Thereafter Srirama entered his palace, which in the past had been occupied by all his fore-fathers, who were great emperors. This palace was devoid of boundaries. It was replete with treasuries and uncountable, invaluable precious objects. All the doorways in this palace were made of corals. The pillars were made of cat’s eye. The floor of this palace was made of the exquisite emerald stone. The walls of this palace reflected brightly with their crystals. The entire palace was decorated with colourful flags, garlands, curtains and silken clothing that reflected with many priceless gems, glittering pearls and other exquisite objects. Perfumed incense sticks, brightly burning oil lamps and flower garlands which were decorated throughout the palace added beauty to it. With their grand attire, men and women who wandered in this palace and who served there resembled Devatas.

Srirama is very dear to Mahatmas who are soaked in Self’s bliss. With her pleasant behaviour, Mother Seeta who was an embodiment of pure love always brought joy to Srirama. Together with Seeta, Srirama would leisurely wander through the palace.

Srirama, whose tender lotus feet are worshipped by humans, enjoyed all the palatial luxuries for many years without transcending the limits of righteousness”.

With this the eleventh chapter of the ninth canto comes to an end.

Ninth Canto Chapter Twelve

In this chapter, the stories of Rama’s descendants are narrated.

Maharishi Śuka continued, “Rama’s son was Kusha. His son was Atithi. Atithi’s son was Niṣadha whose son was Nabha. Nabha’s son was Pundareeka. Pundareeka’s son was Kṣemadhanva. Kṣemadhanva’s son was Devānīka whose son was Anīha. Anīha’s son was Pārīyātra. Pārīyātra’s son was Balasthala. Balasthala’s son was Vajranābha”.

Swamiji explains: Within their names is contained all their noble qualities. With just the understanding of the meaning contained in their name, we can describe their qualities elaborately.

“Vajranābha had a son called Sagana. Sagana’s son was Vidhṛti whose son was Hiraṇyanābha. Hiranyanābha was the disciple of Maharishi Jaimini and he became a great Yogi. Maharishi Yājnavalkya who was residing in Kosala kingdom learnt from this king the great knowledge called ādhyatma-yoga which causes a great spurt in the spiritual growth of the aspirant. It shreds the knot called spiritual ignorance from the heart.

Hiranyanābha’s son was Pushya. Pushya’s son was Dhruvasandhi whose son was Sudarṣana. Sudarṣana’s son was Agnivarṇa. Agnivarṇa’s son was Sīghra. Sīghra’s son was Maruvu.

Maruvu conquered death due to mastery in Yoga. Presently he is residing in the village called Kalāpa. At the end of Kali-yuga he will revive the Sun-dynasty.

Maruvu had a son called Prasuśruta whose son was Sandhi. Sandhi’s son was Amarṣana. Amarṣana’s son was Mahāsvānta. Mahāsvānta had a son called Viśvasāhu whose son was Prasēnajit. Prasēnajit had a son called Takṣaka. Takṣaka’s son was Bṛhadbala. Your father Abhimanyu killed Bṛhadbala during the Mahabharata war.

All these are the past kings of the Ikṣwāku dynasty. Now I shall narrate the future kings of Ikṣwāku dynasty.

Bṛhadbala’s son Bṛhadrana will acquire great renown. He will beget a son named Urukriya. Urukriya’s son will be Vatsavṛddha. Vatsavṛddha’s son will be Prativyōma whose son will be Bhanu. Bhānu’s son will be Divāka. Divāka will be a great army commander.

Divāka’s son will be Sahadeva whose son will be Brhadaśva. Bṛhadaśva’s son will be Bhānumanta. Bhānumanta’s son will be Pratikāśva. Pratikāśva’s son will be Supratīka. Supratīka’s son will be Marudēva. Marudēva’s son will be Sunakṣatra. Sunakṣatra’s son will be Pushkara whose son will be Antareekṣa. Antareekṣa’s son will be Sutapasa. His son will be Amitrajit. Amitrajit’s son will be Bṛhadrāja. His son will be Barhi. Barhi’s son will be Kṛtanjaya whose son will be Raṇanjaya. Raṇanjaya’s son will be Sanjaya”.

Narayana.