Rama Makes Chitrakut His Home

When Lord Ram leaves for the forest, the citizens of Ayodhya, who try to persuade him not to take up this exile, follow him out of love for their king and lord. Sri Ram knows, however, that his exile cannot be carried out with the comfort of his people around him. He meets a great sage called Bharadwaj and asks him where he could complete his exile in the appropriate mood of simplicity. Sage Bharadwaj suggests the sacred mountain of Chitrakut, a serene place inhabited by rishis and the long-tailed black species of monkeys. The sage tells Sri Ram that with nothing to lure them away from the path of spiritual quest, inhabitants of the mountain can only commit themselves to virtue whilst living there. It is considered to be the one place, where great rishis can live before undertaking their final journey to liberation. Upon hearing this, Sri Ram decides it would be the most appropriate place for him to spend his exile, and hence proceeds onwards to the hills of Chitrakut.When word goes around that Lord Ram is residing in Chitrakut, Gods, Nagas, Kinnaras and the Guardians of the Eight Quarters flock there to pay their respects and take his blessings. Sri Ram gives them happiness through his very presence and enriches their lives with zest and joy. He treats them with love and respect, and every being, right from the birds to the beasts, feels secure and blessed to be in his presence. When Sri Ram moves to Chitrakut hill, it is transformed from a harsh wilderness into a beautiful abode of happiness, with wildlife and nature flourishing due to the presence of the lord. The mountain glistens in different shades of silver, gold and red due to its rich mineral composition. It is inhabited by herds of deer, harmless tigers, leopards and bears and decorated all around with colours radiating from the different types of birds, flowers and fruits. This ability to transform one’s environment, be it people, animals or even plant life, is a feat that Lord Ram accomplishes wherever he goes, be it the kingdom of Ayodhya, or the wilderness of the forest.Lord Ram infused divinity in every place he went to. The mountain of Chitrakut was one such place, and to this day it remains a beautiful pilgrimage spot.