When Sumantra had proceeded back to Ayodhya, Bhagwan Shri Ram,
Anuj Lakshman & Devi Sita with Nishadraaj Guh came to the ferry (Bank of
Holy River Ganga). Nishadraaj Guh asked Boatman to carry them across the Ganga.
Meantime, Lord Shri Ram goes into Ganga’s bankside water,
take holy water in hand and pray to Ganga:
“Born of Vishnu’s holy feet, you are named from him
(Vaishnavi),
You flow through mountains, O protector of the world! O
Great Mother Ganga! I bow to you.”
Boatman came but refused to carry and said with folding his hands
to Lord Shri Ram, “My Lord! I have heard that the touch of your feet has a
magical effect. Anything touching them turns into a lovely woman. Is it true
that a rock turned into a lady (Ahalya) on touching your feet? My boat is made
of wood only. If it changes into a woman, my family is sure to starve. No, my
Lord, no! You’ll not enter my boat.”
God Shri Ram smiled and asked to Boatman, “Then how’ll we
cross the Ganga? And how can your doubt be set at rest, friend? Let me know.”
Boatman replied to Lord Shri Ram “There is only one way.”
Lord Shri Ram further inquired, “That is what?”
Boatman revealed, “If there’s magic in the dust from your
feet, I’ll first scrub them, then wash them well. Collect the water and then
drink it, if the magic doesn’t affect me, then I’ll let you step into my boat. Ok…Think
it over…shall I send for some Ganga water? ...Boatman louded to his wife
Parvati to bring some Ganga water.”
“All right; wash my feet and get us across at once,” vocalized
Shri Ramchandra.
Boatman’s wife Parvati brings Gangaajal in Katharot (कथौटा/कथरोट).
The Boatman washed Bhagwan Shri Ram’s feet with the holy water
of Ganga.
Having set his doubt at rest, the Boatman made Lord Shri Ram;
Lakshman & Sita with Nishadraj sit in his boat and began to row it towards
the other bank.
Reaching the other back, all the four got down. The Boatman
lay prostrate at Prabhu Shri Ram’s feet. Lord Shri Ram felt that he must pay
the Boatman his wages and understanding husband’s thought, Sita took off her
Gold Ring then after Bhagwan Shri Ram handing it across to the Boatman and said,
“Here is your wages.”
Boatman gives very good answer to Lord Shri Ram:
“A washerman takes no money from fellow washerman, A barber
takes naught from fellow barber, You are a boatman (Bhav-Sagar Khevaiya) and I am
boatman too, So how can I take from you the ferry charge? Ferry me across this
of sorrow, O’ Lord, Help me alight when I reach your bank but pay me not my
ferry charge.” Saying so, the Boatman folded his hands and said, “I have
already got it, the wash of Lord Shri Ram’s feet is much more than my wages. It
has done away with all my sins, sorrow and difficulties. So, I don’t want
anything now.”
Bidding farewell to the Boatman, Prabhu Shri Raghunathji worshipped
Lord Ganesha & Shiva while Devi Sita implored the holy river Ganga, “O
Sacred Mother Ganga! I’ve achieved my heart’s desire on seeing you, Now, Bless
me when I return from exile with my husband and devarji, I may worship you once
again. Fulfill my heart’s desire, Hey! Mother Ganga!"
Said Ganga Maiya then:
“Listen, Vaidehi, beloved wife of Lord Shri Ram, who in
world knows not your glory!
On whom you look they become guardians of heavens,
And all mystic powers wait upon with folded hands,
By deigning to address your prayers to me, you grace me with
your favour and exalt me highly,
With your beloved lord and his brother, you shall return in
all safety to Ayodhya,
Every wish of your heart shall come true, and your fair fame
shall spread throughout the world.”
“The night passed under the open sky, in the company of
Sita, Anuj and friend,
At daybreak did awake the most auspicious Lord Raghunath, to
journey towards holy Prayag.”
Lord Shri Ram accompanied by his brother, wife and friend
Nishadraj, crossed the dense forest and came to Prayag, a town at the
confluence and on the banks of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. God Shri Ram found
bliss, along with Sita and Anuj Lakshman with Nishadraj.
“To behold the confluence of the holy rivers three,
Came a human confluence of noble beings three.”
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