Sri Durgiana Temple

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Sri Durgiana Temple

Sri Durgiana Temple 

In the courtyard of the temple is a tree where Lava and Kusha bound Hanuman after they captured challenge horse of the Ashvamedha Yagam. Iksvaku, the grandson of Sun-god performed a number of Yagyas on this land. In Bhagavad-Gita chapter 4 verse 1, Lord Sri Krishna says, “I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku.” The architecture of Sri Durgiana Temple is similar to Golden Temple. The original temple was built in 16th century. It was rebuilt in 1921 by Guru Harsai Mal Kapoor in the architectural style of the Sikh Golden Temple. The temple is built in the middle of a sacred lake. A bridge provides the approach to the temple.

Lord Ramacandra Performs the Asvamedha yagam

One day, the great sage Agastya came to see Lord Rama at His royal court. During their conversation, Lord Rama expressed His great unhappiness at having killed Ravana, due to his being the son of a brahmana. Agastya assured Lord Rama that there was no fault on His part, but still, he suggested that He perform the asvamedha-yagam. Lord Rama agreed to this proposal and then asked Agastya to go to His stables and select a suitable horse. Thereafter, all the necessary paraphernalia was collected. Lord Rama then accompanied Agastya to the shore of the River Sarayu. There, Lord Ra-ma used a golden plough to prepare the sacrificial arena, and many palatial buildings were constructed. All the great rishis were then invited. Being extremely eager to see Lord Rama, Narada, Asita, Parvata, Kapila, Arigira, Vyasa, Atri, Yajnavalkya, and Sukadeva, as well as numerous others, soon arrived at Ayodhya. Lord Rama gave them all gifts of cows and gold. Later, as they were all seated together, Lord Rama questioned the great rishis, and they in turn gave Him instructions on various subjects. After some days, Vasishtha Muni informed Lord Rama that the proper time for releasing the challenge-horse had arrived. Lord Rama then ordered Laxmana to bring a suitable horse. In turn, Laxmana spoke to the military commanders, instructing them to be ready to depart, for the protection of the challenge-horse.

The commander-in-chief, Kalajit, then brought the horse to be sacrificed. This horse was decorated very nicely, and the necessary rituals were performed. Satrughna was appointed the protector of the horse, as it would roam at will over the earth. Finally, the horse was let loose. Lord Rama ordered Satrughna to follow the horse and defeat anyone who would attempt to capture it. Bharata’s son, Puskala, accepted a sword from Lord Rama’s hand and took up his position, guarding Satrughna’s rear. At this time Lord Rama requested Hanuman to also go and protect Satrughna. The challenge-horse went toward the East. As it passed through numerous kingdoms, no one tried to capture it, out of respect for Lord Rama’s prowess. At last, the challenge-horse reached the city of Ahicchatra, which was ruled by King Sumada. The horse entered a beautiful garden there, and Satrughna followed it.

After wandering at will, the horse finally came to the asrama of Valmiki Muni. Meanwhile, as Sitadevi’s son, Lava, along with many rishis, were collecting firewood in the  forest, they happened to see the challenge-horse. Lava went up to the horse and read the note on its forehead and then angrily said to the rishis, “Just see the audacity of this ksatriya! Who is this Lord Rama? Who is Satrughna? They are like insects of little strength!” After saying this, Lava seized the challenge-horse. Soon thereafter, the horse’s guards arrived upon the scene and discovered that someone had captured it. Lava drove off these guards with a shower of arrows and so they went to the shelter of Satrughna.

When Satrughna heard from his guards about how the challenge-horse had been captured by a boy who had the likeness of Lord Rama, he quickly had his commander, Kalajit, array the army and set out. Thus, Kalajit went and challenged Lava.

After a fierce battle, Lava cut off Kalajit’s head with his sword. The survivors went and informed Satrughna of their commander’s death and the defeat of the army and so Satrughna next sent Puskala to fight. After an intense duel, Puskala fell from his chariot unconscious onto the battlefield, having been pierced in the chest by Lava’s arrow. Next, Hanuman came to challenge the enemy. Thereafter, while fighting, Ha nu ma n found Lava to be unconquerable by him and so he decided to pretend to faint so that Satrughna could take his place. Com-ing before Lava, Satrughna saw that he appeared just like Lord Rama in His child hood. During the fight that followed, Lava made Satrughna fall unconscious onto the floor of his chariot and so the kings, Suratha and Viramani, as well as others, entered the fray. Soon thereafter, when Satrughna regained consciousness, he again approached Lava to fight.

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When Satrughna put a blazing arrow upon his bowstring, Lava remembered his brother, Kusa, thinking, “If my brother were here, I would not be hum-bled by this Satrughna.” That arrow struck Lava in the chest and made him fall unconscious. Satrughna went and took the unconscious Lava onto his chariot while some students of Valmiki went and told Sitadevi about what had happened. Upon hearing how her son had been arrested, she fell to the ground, weeping. Just at this time, Kusa retuned to Valmiki’s asrama, having gone with some rishis to a place of pilgrimage. Upon seeing his mother overcome with grief, Kusa inquired about the cause, and after hearing everything from his mother he set out to encounter the enemies.

Soon thereafter, Satrughna engaged in fighting with Kusa. Before long, a powerful arrow struck his chest, making him fall unconscious onto the battlefield. Hanuman then came to fight with Kusa, but he also soon lost consciousness. Sugriva fought next, but was bound by Kusa’s weapon. Lava and Kusa then tied Hanuman and Sugriva together and dragged them back to Valmiki’s asrama. Later, when Sitadevi saw how Hanuman and Sugriva were bound by her sons, she laughed at them. She then told her sons, “Untie these mon-keys immediately. They will die if they see me laughing at them. This is Hanuman and this is Sugriva.”

Sitadevi told Lava and Kusa that they should not have captured Lord Rama’s challenge-horse. She also informed them that Lord Rama was their father. In reply, Lava and Kusa said that for ksatriyas, there could be no question of sin, even if sons fight with their father, or disciples fight with their preceptor. Still, Lava and Kusa obeyed their mother by releasing Hanuman and Sugriva, as well as the challenge-horse. Sitadevi then prayed to Lord Rama that Satrughna would regain consciousness and so quickly the son of Sumitra regained his senses. Sumati then advised Satrughna that since the horse was now free, they should return to Ayodhya as quickly as possible. When He heard of the arrival of the challenge-horse and its protectors, Lord Rama sent Laxmana to welcome His brother. Thereafter, Lord Rama happily embraced Satrughna and Puskala, who had fallen at His lotus feet. Finally, at Lord Rama’s request, Sumati narrated to Him all that had happened as the challenge-horse wandered over the earth. As a result of hearing this narration, Lord Rama came to understand that the two boys residing at Valmiki’s asrama were His sons. Lord Rama then went to Valmiki and asked about the boys. In reply, Valmiki said, “How is it that You, who live within the hearts of all men, do not know about this without asking?”

Valmiki related to Lord Rama all that had happened after Laxmana had abandoned Sitadevi in the forest. He also explained how he had composed the Ramayana and then taught it to Lava and Kusa and then requested Lord Rama to take Sitadevi back to Ayodhya, along with her sons. Thus it came to be that Lord Rama sent Laxmana to bring Sitadevi back, and so she came and sat next to Him for the performance of the horse-sacrifice.

The sage, Agastya, handed Lord Rama the consecrated sword and instantaneously, as the sword touched its neck, the horse assumed a divine form and got onto a celestial airplane. When questioned by Lord Rama, that divine person explained, “In my last life I was a righteous brahmana, but later on I acted in a manner opposed to the Vedas. Indeed, I became hypocrisy personified, for I practised religion in a most duplicitous manner.”

Meanwhile, Valmiki called for Lava and Kusa and instructed them, “I would like you to go out now and continue reciting Ramayana throughout the land. Go to the homes of brahmanas, the asramas of rishis, and the pa laces of great kings. Sing Ramayana while wandering through the city streets and while traveling through the countryside.” “First, I want you to go to Ayodhya. If Lord Rama invites you to recite Ramayana before the assembled brahmanas, then do so. Do not accept any payment in return, but simply say, ‘What good is gold for those who sim ply subsist on fruit and roots?’ If Lord Rama inquires, ‘Whose sons are you?’ then reply, ‘We are Valmiki’s disciples.’ Sing the verses of Ramayana very sweetly, and make sure that nothing displeases the king, for He 1s considered to be like a father to all living beings.” Lava and Kusha replied, “We shall do as you say.”

That night, they slept peacefully with Valmiki’s advice firmly fixed in their hearts. Thereafter, it so came to pass that Lava and Kusa began reciting the Ramayana, accompanied by stringed instruments, at Ayodhya. The twins’ voices had a transcendental sweetness that made their recitations appear more melodious than the singing of the Gandharvas. The audience was enthralled by their artistry and Lord Rama listened with great curiosity. Turning to one another, people remarked, “Except for the matted hair and deerskin dress, these boys exactly resemble Lord Rama.

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When Lava and Kusa suspended their recitation for some period, Lord Rama ordered Laxmana, “Give these noble-minded boys 20,000 gold coins, costly garments, and whatever else they may desire.” However, when they were offered these gifts, Lava and Kusha refused them, saying, “What is the use of gold for ascetics who live on fruit and roots?”

Highly astonished, Lord Rama inquired, “My dear boys, how many parts are there to this epic poem, and which learned sage has composed it?” The twins replied,“O King, the great sage Valmlki is our spiritual master and he is the author of this great literature that narrates the entire history of Your life. The poem consists of six parts, and ne additional part describes Your concluding pastimes. If You so desire, we will recite the entire Ramayana during the intervals of Your great sacrifice.” Thereafter, Lord Rama listened with unbounded pleasure as Lava and Kusa recited Ramayana for many days. At last, Lord Rama positively concluded, “These must be the twin sons of Sitadevi. There is no doubt about this!”

Lord Rama’s heart melted due to great affection for His sons. Finally, after considering the matter very deeply, Lord Rama called for messengers of impeccable etiquette and gave them the following order, “Go at once to Valmiki’s asrama and tell him this ‘If Sita is actually blameless, if her character is faultlessly pure, the let her come here with your permission so that she can prove her innocence before all the assembled citizens.’ “Then, hurry back with Sitadevi’s and Valmiki’s replies. Let Sita come tomorrow at dawn to establish the truth of her chastity in My presence.”

When Sltadevi heard Lord Rama’s message, she could not accept the proposal, for she considered such a public trial to be a great humiliation. Finally, after coming to a firm decision in her mind, Sltadevi dressed in reddish cloth and started for Ayodhya, along with Valmiki. A large crowd had gathered from all corners of the Kosala kingdom. In fact, all the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, as well as other celestials and great rishis, came to witness the trial of Sitadevi’s purity.

Valmiki then arrived, followed by Sitadevi, her head bent low and her hands joined in supplication. Tears filled her large eyes and Lord Rama was firmly fixed within her heart. While  the  assembled  citizens  restlessly  murmured in anticipation, Valmiki approached Lord Rama and said, “O son of Dasaratha, here is the impeccably righteous Sitadevi, whom You abandoned out of fear of public scandal. She has come here to prove her purity, and thus she awaits You r command.” “O Lord Rama, I, who have never uttered a lie, make the following declaration, ‘If Sitadevi is tainted by even the slightest guilt, may the results of my accumulated austerities prove to be eternally fruitless.’ Although You loved Sitadevi deeply, and were convinced of her innocence, You discarded her out of fear of public opinion. By my spiritual vision, I can understand Sitadevi’s perfect purity, and so I have come here to proclaim this truth before You.”

Lord Rama gazed upon Sitadevi for a moment and then announced to the assembly, “So be it! I accept as truth all that the great sage has said. Previously, the demigods had testified to Sitadevi’s purity and so I happily brought her back to Ayodhya. Still, people began to criticize Me and so with great reluctance I sent her away. Now I have decided that if  Sitadevi can prove her innocence before this assembly, I shall once again accept her as the wife I dearly love.”

Everyone fell silent and fixed their eyes upon Sitadevi, who stood with her gaze lowered and her head bent slightly downward. After a short pause, Sitadevi began to speak within the hearing of the assembled people, “O goddess of the earth, please hear my petition. If, since the time of my marriage, I have never thought of anyone but my husband, and if I have never loved any man but my husband, then grant me shelter. In thought, word and action, if I have only dwelt in my Lord and no one else, then give me a place within you so that I need not experience the sham of facing these slanderous people!”

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As Sitadevi was speaking, the earth suddenly opened, and from out of the crevice the goddess Bhumi majestically arose, seated upon a celestial throne borne by divine serpents. The goddess smilingly welcomed Sitadevi and took her in her arms, seating her on the throne by her side. As all beings in the sky and on the earth looked on in astonishment, the celestial throne began to descend into the bowels of the earth.

There was an uproar as all beings uttered exclamations of wonder, praising Sitadevi for this glorious confirmation of her purity. From the heavens, the demigods showered flowers while singing and playing musical instruments.

After Sitadevi disappeared from sight, Lord Rama picked up a staff that had been used during the sacrifice, and while leaning on it, gave vent to His intolerable grief. As tears filled His eyes and anger flared up within His mind, Lord Rama lowered His head and declared, “O Earth, you had better return My Sita immediately or else open up once more so that I can be reunited with her. Sita is your daughter and so I am your son-in­law. Give Me Sita without delay or I will crush your mountains, burn your forests, and then smash you into atoms!”

Lord Brahma said, “My Lord, please remember Your identity! You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu and Sitadevi is the goddess of fortune! She has entered the planet of the Nagas, and very shortly will be reunited with You in Your transcendental abode, Vaikuntha.”

“O Supreme hero, O Lord of the universe and sustainer of all that lives, why must I remind You of Your divine position? O Lord Rama, give up Your grief and hear from Your sons the concluding portion of the great narration that describes Your transcendental pastimes. Th1s ep1c poem, which was composed by Valmiki, will spread Your glories throughout the three worlds for as long as the universe continues to exist.” Having said this, Lord Brahma disappeared from view. Lord Rama then went to Valmiki’s asrama, along with Lava and Kusha. After passing the night, grieving over the loss of Sitadevi, Lord Rama summoned all the rishis and requested His sons to recite the Uttara­khanda of Ramayana.

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