Nityaraamasmaranam - Aranya Kaanda- Volume 2

Winter begins in Panchavati

Nityaraamasmaranam - 222

Pleasant Hemantha, pre-winter, followed autumn at Panchavati. One day, Shri Rama set out to the Godavari for a bath and Mata Sita and Lakshmana followed with the vessels.

“Rama, your favourite winter is here. The fire is comforting, while the dew is harsh. People are doing the Agraayana rituals to please the ancestors.”

“Cows give milk aplenty, making farmers happy, while kings are planning their next conquests. As the Sun moves South, the North looks dull like a forehead without a Tilaka.”

“The Himalayas are decked with snow true to their name. Day and noon are comfortable for walks, while shades and waters are chilly. Forests have lost their green sheen and we cannot just lie under the open skies, the long nights will be foggy and chilly and the three Yaamas will pass quickly.”

“The Moon is overcome by the Sun and is thus unable to keep people happy with His cool rays; the mist hides Chandra even on a full moon, as Devi Sita would seem dull by the sun’s heat.”

“The cool western breeze will be cool will be more chilly now. Covered with dew, crops of barley and wheat are beaming forth, together with the coos of water-birds, as the Sun rises. Yet, Surya looks like the moon as the mist wraps him.”

“Though the Sun rose long ago, spreading his beams around, he is besieged by the mist and looking like the moon.”

“The pastures are moistened by dew, but the fields of forest are enlivened by the radiance of tender sun’s warmth.

“Elephants stay away from the chilly lakes even if they are thirsty and water-birds too flee like cowards from battle. The river is spread with dewdrops and mist and we can sense the birds only by their callings.”

“As the snow falls, owing to the soft Sun, only Lotus stalks are left in the lakes. Their petals look aged and withered and are listless to look at.”


“The Himalayas are decked with snow true to their name. Day and noon are comfortable for walks, while shades and waters are chilly. Forests have lost their green sheen and we cannot just lie under the open skies, the long nights will be foggy and chilly and the three Yaamas will pass quickly.”

The Story in Pictures