Rishi Durvasa in the Ramayana: The raging sage was the reason for Lakshman’s death

Kabyashree

Rishi Durvasa in the Ramayana: The raging sage was the reason for Lakshman’s death

He was born out of rage. No one, not even the Gods wanted to be prey to his anger. He lived for thousands of years and appears not only in both the epics but also in other popular cultures of early India. Even Sage Vishwamitra warns Ram and Lakshman about being on the bad side of Sage Durvasa. Let us find out the raging rishi’s role in the Ramayana.

Sage Vishwamitra accompanied by Ram and Lakshman. Image Source: Flickr

In Valmiki's Ramayana, Young Ram and Lakshman accompany Sage Vishwamitra to Siddhashram, the abode of the sage. They went to protect a yajna (sacrificial ritual) that the sage had to perform, but was always interrupted by the demons Maricha and Subahu. On their journey to Siddhashram, which was located in the Himalayas, Vishwamitra narrated several stories. One of them was related to Sage Durvasa. The story is as follows.

Ayodhya was once ruled by an able king called Ambareesh. He was a staunch devotee of Vishnu and pleased the god to such an extent that Vishnu gifted him the Sudarshan chakra (one of Vishnu’s weapons). One day, the King wanted to hold a yajna for which he invited many Sages and Brahmins. Among them was the famous Sage Durvasa.

The king greeted the great Sage by touching his feet and welcomed him to be a part of the sacrifice. Durvasa was tired after his journey and so wanted to purify himself first. He told the king that he shall take his bath and return after the sandhyavandana (evening prayer). He said, “Do not begin the yajna without me. Wait for me to return."

Ambareesh waited patiently until dusk. The chief priest kept on persisting him to start with the yajna, but Ambareesh waited for Durvasa to return. The priest later informed that once the auspicious time of holding the ceremony passes by, there will be no point in holding it. Durvasa can still come and join the sacrifice whenever he returns.

The king was reluctant at first but ultimately gave up on his wait for the great Sage. The Yajna, thus, began. Durvasa was furious when he saw that Ambareesh disobeyed him. He took off a strand of his hair and chanted some mantras before throwing it into the ground. From there emerged a giant demon, ready to pounce on the king. But, before he could react, the Sudarshan chakra cut his throat and finished him off. Now the chakra started heading towards Durvasa.

Durvasa then headed towards the kingdom of Ayodhya. He met the great king Ambareesh and asked for his forgiveness. The kind-hearted king, finally, forgave him and the Sudarshan chakra stopped following sage Durvasa.

"Such was the power of devotion," says Sage Vishwamitra to Ram and Lakshman. The two young princes at least learned from this story that getting on the bad side of Sage Durvasa can be problematic. It will always be better to keep the great Sage happy and satisfied.

Sage Durvasa appears in the Uttara Khand of the Ramayana. Dressed as a hermit, he meets Lakshman and requests him to meet Ram. Ram, at that very moment, was talking with Yama, the god of death while Lakshman was guarding the gates. Yama had a condition that the whole conversation should be confidential and anyone interrupting them should meet death.

Lakshman apologized to Durvasa asking him to wait while Ram finishes the talk. This enraged him. Durvasa commanded that if he is made to wait to meet the king, the whole kingdom of Ayodhya has to face his wrath.

This terrifies Lakshman. He falls into grave trouble. Disturbing the meet will cause his death while making the sage wait a little longer will make the whole kingdom suffer. He chose his death.

Lakshman enters the palace and informs Ram about the Sage. Yama leaves the scene. Ram, thus, meets the great Sage who desires to be fed. Ram fulfilled his request, and so, sage Durvasa leaves.

Once Durvasa left, Ram ponders about the whole situation. He understands the act of Lakshman but also has to keep his promise. He calls Sage Vasishta for help. The sage gave a better solution. Ram does not have to kill Lakshman but asks him to abandon him. Lakshman leaving his brother and the kingdom forever will mean the same as death.

Grief-stricken Lakshman left his brother and kingdom and headed towards the Sarayu river. He decides to give up on the world and drowns himself in the river.

Durvasa, thus, has a prominent role to play in the Ramayana. Without his entry into Ayodhya, Lakshman and Ram would have continued to rule for a longer period. He did not show his rage but his mere presence created a path leading towards the end of the epic.

Durvasa realised that he acted too soon. He had no other option now. The chakra does not spare anyone once it sets a target. He started running for his life. He ran to the Devlok (heaven) for help. Lord Brahma could not help him and directed him to Lord Shiva. Durvasa now ran towards Kailash Mountain. He requested Shiva's help but got answered in negative.

Shiva explained that stopping Vishnu's Sudarshan chakra will have effects not only on one world but on three worlds (earth, heaven, and hell). It would be better if Durvasa directly visits Lord Vishnu. Exhausted from outrunning the Sudarshan chakra, Durvasa had to cross many oceans and pass different challenges before reaching the ocean of milk where Lord Vishnu resided along with Goddess Lakshmi.

Durvasa begged Vishnu for his forgiveness. Vishnu politely explains that the Sudarshan chakra was not following the Sage on his command, and therefore, Durvasa should seek forgiveness from Ambareesh. It will only be Ambareesh who can stop the chakra from following him.