The Sun’s Whisper

Agastya departs

Having ‘taught’ the stotra to Raama, Agastya tells him that chanting this is sure to grant victory over fear of forests, wild animals and enemies.

He tells Raama that chanting the stotra thrice ensured that one faces no defeat ever! “Raavana will be destroyed now!” declared the rishi as he left the battlefield and made his way to the skies.

Raama becomes cheerful

Raama who had made a show of being dejected and stressed, then made a show of becoming eager. Sipping water thrice, three times to purify himself, Raama chanted the Aaditya Hrudaya, looking at the sun. After chanting it for three rounds, he became invigorated and took up his bow and braced himself for the last fight.

At that moment Raavana came riding towards Raama (after his inglorious exit) and Raama looked at him as a “yajamaana” (the one performing the sacrifice) would look at the ‘bali pashu” (the animal about to be sacrificed.)

The Sun is thrilled

The Sun was one among the many devathes who had gathered in the skies to witness the epic war. Thrilled at having been ‘worshipped’ by Raama, thrilled that the end of Raavana was imminent, he made a quick dash to Raama on the battlefield.

An ecstatic Surya expressed gratitude to Raama saying, “You chanted the mantra as if praising me. You have granted power to the prayer and everlasting fame to me.”

In a whisper, he said, “End this war. Finish off the lord of darkness.”

Concluded