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reached the palace of King Pratinandi, who served him the ujjhitaahāra. The celestial beings showered gold and gems on the earth where Ramarşi received it. When Ramarşi returned to the forest, he thought that whenever I visit the city, there is a commotion. Therefore, he decided to move only in forest for collecting the gocari and end the fast. He himself began to neglect the body and practised meditation for hours standing in Kayotsarga position. Sometimes for a month, sometimes he fasted for two, three or four months, some times he would sit in a position called Paryankasana and meditate, sometimes he would sit in a position called utkatasana - the position of milking cows. Sometimes, he would raise both the hands while meditating, sometimes he stretched them horizontally and meditate. Sometimes, he would stand on his toes and meditate. Once, he travelled to Kotisila. He sat on the rock and with the help of Ksapaka Śreņi, practiced sukla - meditation.
Upasargas by Sitendra Avadhigyani Sita, who was now reborn as Acyutapati Sitendra, noticed the austerities of Rama and began to wonder. "In case Rama achieves kevalgyāna he will be free from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, and our reunion would not be possible. If I anyhow manage to draw him back to the material world, then our reunion would be feasible."
Sitendra, using the mystical powers that he now possessed, turned the forest into a beautiful garden. Swaying to the breezes of spring, mango, campaka and jasmine trees displayed the best of their blossoms. The cuckoo's song enthralled the atmosphere. The fragrant and colourful flowers aroused love. Sitendra, acessed the form of Sitā, dressed up in finery, and demurely stood in front of Ramarşi, accompanied by the damsels of Vidhyadhara clan. Sita said, "O Rama the master of my soul, now I am repenting the greatest folly of my life. I made the biggest blunder by refusing your love and becoming an ascetic. These Vidhyadhara damsels are craving for your love, and hope that you will abandon the ascetism and marry all of them. We will happily live together and play erotic games. Forgive me, for I ignored your love and became an ascetic." When Sitā finished her talking, the vidhyadhara damsels played and sang erotic rāgas and raginis. These rendering of the ragas filled the atmosphere with the fervor of love.
PILIP SON
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