Dandakaranya

Dandakaranya. Dense, terribly dense forest. Even the sun’s rays weren’t able to reach the ground. The water that fell over the western mountain had not been named ‘Godavari’ by anyone. The small stream had grown into a big river. The humans in the North were terrified of Dandakaranya, not only in their dreams, but even while awake. There was no sign of sky when one looked up, neither could one spot the horizon while looking ahead, so thick and dense was this forest! Wind was so powerful, that it would bend huge trees greater than demons. Demons greater than trees used to grind their teeth with anger. Owls hooted (during the day). Terrible wild beasts cried hoarse. Storms raged incessantly. Animals getting caught in the teeth of predators, cried their terrible shrieks loudly. 

Ramayan

One story from this Ancient Age, a tough, but equally soft story. One great poet gave it words. And through that story, first rays of human civilization cut through the dark thicket of Dandakaranya, and fell on the surface of the river. It was as if Valmiki’s pot was being filled with talent by Saraswati herself. One everlasting epic came out of this talent. Historic poem: poetic history. Ramayan.

To comply with father’s wishes, the future king and queen of Ayodhya accepted exile, and walked straight into Dandakaranya without even proper footwear. Shriram had left his own kingdom and reached the forest in his exile. Dry leaves started getting crushed under three pairs of feet. Lakshmana’s feet brought brotherhood. Sita’s feet brought love. Shrirama’s feet brought civilization. These six feet brought humanity to Dandakaranya. Panchavati was founded in Dandakaranya. All creepers-climbers were amazed to see these three. The birds of Panchavati made celebratory noise. Shriram built his small cottage.

The Dark Forest became a sacred ashram. Forest creepers were shaped into floral gardens. The Vastu-Pooja (house-warming) was celebrated with Sita’s soft chants and the clink of her bangles. This was the first ever touch of civilization to Dandakaranya. Forest creatures started getting accustomed to Sitagumpha (reference to a cave where Sita has learnt to have spent some time).

Maharashtra's Birth

Each and every place in Dandakaranya boasted of this self-awareness. Some place because Ram stayed there. Some place because Ram roamed around. Somewhere because he took some rest there, while some other place because he fought there. These romantic memories of Ram were preserved by Dandakaranya in its heart. From this story was written the first birch leaf of history. This slowly increasing self-esteem in Dandakaranya, gave an impetus for the cottages of Rishis to become larger Ashrams. Ashrams then became towns. The nuclei attracted more people. Towns turned into cities. Cities became capitals. Dandakaranya became Maharashtra. Maharashtra took shape and form with King, subjects, capital and throne. It came into its youth. It became sinewy, muscular. Maharashtra had ended its forest exile.[ref]