Chapter 96 — Arja and the Dust Storm

Danda ruled his kingdom for many years. Then, in the lovely spring month called Chaitra, he entered the hermitage of the Bhargava sage Ushanasa.

In a clearing of the forest he saw a young woman walking alone. Her name was Arja. She was Ushanasa's daughter, and she lived in the hermitage. She was beautiful beyond comparison. Before Danda acted, she spoke.

Danda approached her, overcome by desire, and asked who she was.

“Know me as Arja,” she answered. “I am the elder daughter of the Bhargava. My father is your teacher, and you are his pupil. If you have a purpose that can be pursued by the right path, seek my father and ask him. Otherwise you will bring a terrible consequence upon yourself. In anger, he could burn even the three worlds.”

Her warning did not move Danda from what he intended. He spoke urgently and without restraint. Then he seized Arja and forced sexual intercourse upon her.

Afterward he returned quickly to Madhumanta. Arja remained near the hermitage, weeping and afraid, waiting for her father to return.

Ushanasa came back with his students, hungry from his journey. He found his daughter in distress, stained with dust and grief. Anger rose in him. He told his disciples to look upon the ruin that Danda, who had lost command of himself, had brought upon his own life.

“The end has come to that evil-minded king,” he said. “Because he has done this deed, he will receive its fruit. Within seven nights Danda, with his servants, army, and vehicles, will die. Indra will send a great rain of dust over his whole country, a hundred leagues in every direction. Everything living there—moving and still—will be destroyed.”

The sage commanded the people of the hermitage to leave the territory and make their dwelling beyond its boundary. They obeyed. Then he turned to Arja.

“Remain here,” he told her. “This lake extends for a league. Live beside it without fear, and wait. Whatever beings stay near you through the night will not be harmed by the rain of dust.”

Ushanasa left for another dwelling. Seven nights later, his words came true. Danda's kingdom between the Vindhya and Shaivala mountains was reduced to ash beneath the storm of dust. The prosperous country became a desolate wilderness.

“From that time,” Agastya told Rama, “it has been called Dandaka forest.” Ascetics later made their homes there, and the place came to include Janasthana, the forest region where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana would one day live in exile.

The tale had reached its end. Evening had come. Agastya turned toward the rites of sunset, and Rama went with the gathered rishis to the sacred lake. He touched the water and performed the evening observance, then returned to the hermitage.

Agastya had prepared fruit, roots, herbs, and greens for his guest. Rama ate the simple meal, remained there through the night, and rose at dawn for his morning observances. He bowed before Agastya and asked permission to return to Ayodhya.

Agastya blessed him. Rama climbed into Pushpaka, received the good wishes of the sages, and returned to his city by midday. He dismissed the celestial vehicle and sent for Bharata and Lakshmana, so that they might know he had come home.