Valmiki Ramayana- Bala Kanda
By
Sage Valmiki
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Ramayanam (The
story of Rama) is possibly the first
epic written in Sanskrit and it is believed that it was written by sage
Valmiki. It consists of six major
sections called Kanda and has 24000
verses. Each Kanda is further divided in to Sargas(Chapters) ,The
different Kandas are Bala Kanda( the
book of the boyhood-77 Sargas), Ayodhya Kanda (The book of Ayodhya-119 Sargas),
Aaranya Kanda(The book of forest -75
Sargas) , Kishkinda Kana(The book of Kishkindha-67 Sargas), Sundara Kanda( The
book of beauty/Hanuman- 68 Sargas) and
Yudha Kanda (The book of war-128 sargas) . Being an epic which teaches about
Dharma(the proper way of life) , it has been
translated in to almost all Indian languages long , long back. Two of
the famous translations are by Kamban in
to Tamil (Called Kamba Ramayanam)
and by Sage Thulasidas in Hindi 9rama charitha Manas). Both these great poets have taken lot of liberty with the original text of the story and have
brought in changes to it. Ofcourse there
are large number of English translations , many of which are available in the
web. I had earlier translated Sundara
Kandam in to English and recently one of my friends , Sri Lakshmanan of Celextel
suggested me to translate the entire epic. I thought it is an order by God Rama and have
started it. I am sure that with his
blessings , I would be able to complete it.)
Book
I Bala Kanda (the book of Boyhood)
(This
book starts with the story
of why Valmiki decided to write
Ramayana and ends with the return to Ayodhya of Rama and his
brothers after their marriage to Ayodhya.)
Sarga (Chapter) 1:
Samkshepa Ramayanam)’
( Sage Valmiki approaches sage Narada and enquires about the ideal man in the
world, so that he can write about him. Sage Narada replies that is Sri Rama,
the son of Dasaratha and tells the Summary of the story of Ramayana)
The great sage Valmiki asked Sage Narada who always is
busy in meditation and mastering the Vedas and who is the greatest among people
who knows Vedas: - 1.1
(Sage Narada is the son of Brahma and a great devotee of
Vishnu. He is a constant traveler and travels through all the worlds. It is
believed that he creates tension so that good will result)
“Who exists at
present in this world who has all good qualities, who is valorous, who is the
one devoted to just action, who is grateful and who tells only truth in all
circumstances?”
1. 2
“Who is that man who has all the good characters, who
does only good to all animals, who is extremely knowledgeable, who is capable
of doing rightly all actions and who only shows love outside?”
1.3
“Who is that man
who attracts minds of others, who has won over his anger, who is sparkling, who does not have jealousy
and who in war even makes devas fear struck?”
1.4
“I am extremely anxious to know about such a person. Hey
, sage , only you are capable of telling me about a man with all these
qualities.”
1.5
Sage Narada who knows every thing that happens in all the
three worlds, after hearing all the words of Valmiki, with happiness addressed
Valmiki and started telling “Be pleased to hear.” 1.6
“Those characteristics that you have narrated are very
many and very rare. I would think over
and tell you about a man who has all these qualities.” 1.7
“There is a prince , who is born in the Ikshuvaku clan,
who is called “Rama:” , who is famous among people, who keeps his mind under
control, who is a great hero, who is shining, who is firm in his resolves and
who attracts others.” 1.8
“He is knowledgeable, just, good orator, gentleman,
killer of his enemies, having thick shoulders and long hands, who has conch
like neck and who has pretty cheeks.”
1.9
“He has a broad chest, is a great archer, has hidden
shoulder bones, suppresses his enemies, and has long hands, good head, handsome
forehead and pretty gait.” 1.10
“He has proportionate height and other organs, he has
equally divided organs, he is of black colour, he is famous, he has a thick
chest, broad eyes and pretty body and is
a symbol of good omen”
1.11
“He knows Dharma(just action), he has taken an oath to
speak truth, he is interested in the welfare of his people, he is famous, he
knows everything, he is pure, he is approachable to those who depend on him, he
takes care in saving people who are dependent on him, he is equal to the god
Brahma, he is wealthy , he is capable of protecting everyone and he can destroy
his enemies.”
1.12
“He protects all animals, he protects the various castes, he observes his own dharma(just action) and he
protects his own people.”
1.13
“He knows the essence of four Vedas and six Vedangas , he
has great knowledge of the science of archery,
he has great and minute knowledge
of all sciences, he has clear understanding of everything and he quickly understands
things.” 1.14
“He is dear to all the world, soft natured, capable and
is attained by good people similar to
the rivers like Sindhu (Indus) attaining
the sea.”
1.15
“He is fit to be worshipped, treats every one as equals,
always appears as lovable, increases the happiness of Kausalya and is one with
all good qualities.” 1.16
“He is immense in stature like the ocean, he is great in
his courage like the Himalaya Mountains, he is as valorous like Lord Vishnu,
and as pleasant to see as the full moon.” 1.17
“His anger is like the fire at the time of deluge, his
patience is like mother earth, his sacrifice is equal to that of Kubhera and in
his truthfulness he is like the God of death.” 1.18
(Yama the God of death is supposed to be the epitome of
Dharma)
“The king Dasaratha with a loving wish to do good to the
people wanted to make Rama who has all the above qualities, who is a great
hero, who has all sterling qualities, who wanted to do good to his people, who
is a dear and who is eldest son, as the future king.”
1.19-1.20
(During those times in India, it was a custom to
designate the crown prince as Yuva Raja-the young king)
“Hearing about the various preparations for his
coronation, Dasaratha’s wife Kaikeyi reminded him of the two boons he had given
her and requested that Rama should be sent to the forest and that Bharatha
should be crowned.” 1.21
(Dasaratha gave these two boons during a war in which
when the axle of his chariot broke, Kaikeyi who was with him maintained the
balance using her thumb)
“That king Dasaratha bound by justice to obey his
promise. ordered his son Rama to go and live in the forest.” 1.22
“Because of the order of his father and love towards Kaikeyi that valorous Rama went to the forest to protect the truth.”
1.23
“It seems that Lakshmana who is humility personified, who
increases the happiness of Sumithra, who is a dear brother, and who does good
to his brother, exhibiting affection towards his brother, accompanied his brother
who was going to the forest.”
1.24
“That Sita, who is the darling wife of Rama, who is a
reflection of his soul, who does happy deeds to him, who was born in the family
of Janaka, who was created by the illusion of Gods, who is the epitome of
perfection and who is the greatest among women, accompanied Rama like Rohini
accompanies the moon God.” 1.25-1.26
“That soul of Dharma (Just action) was accompanied by all
the citizens and his father Dasaratha for a long distance, reached the place of
Guha, the chief of hunters and a very dear friend, and send back the chariot
driver at a place called Sringipura.”
1.27
“Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana and Guha stayed
there.” 1.28
“Those three traveling from that forest to another and
crossing several rivers full of flowing waters, under the instruction of Sage
Bharadwaja reached a place called Chitra Koota, and constructed a pretty
temporary forest house (literally house made of leaves) and lived there
happily. “ 1.29-1.30
“When Rama reached Chitra Koota afflicted by sorrow of
parting with his darling son, Dasaratha went to heaven sorrowing for his
son.”
1.31
“After his death
though sages like Vasishta requested him
to become the king, that very strong Bharatha did not wish to be the
king.”
1.32
“Wishing for the blessings of Rama, he started to the
forest.” 1.33
“Bharatha who is the first among people who wanted to
follow Dharma humbly requested Rama,
with a broad vision and a true hero..“ 1.34
“ “You who know Dharma is truly our king.” .But Rama who
is merciful, who had a smiling face, who was famous and who was very strong,
did not wish for the kingdom as per the orders of his father.” 1.35
“But Rama who was
the elder brother of Bharatha gave his
foot wear as his representative to rule the kingdom , and sent back Bharatha
from there.” 1.36
“Bharatha whose desire was not fulfilled , started
serving the foot wear of Rama and
started ruling the kingdom from Nandigrama
and started waiting for Rama’s return.”
1.37
“As soon as Bharatha went back Rama who was truthful, who has control over
his senses and who was firm in his resolve , fearing the return of more people
from the town entered the Dandaka forest .” 1.38
“It seems that lotus eyed Rama after entering the forest and killing an
Asura called Viradha visited sages like
Sarabhanga, Suthheeeshna and Agasthya
.” 1.39
“As per the wishes of Agasthya he
happily received with happiness the bow, sword and two inexhaustible quivers belonging to
Indra.”
1.40
“All the great sages along with people of the forest approached Rama who was living in the forest
with a request for killing of Asuras and
Rakshasas.” 1.41
“He promised them that he would do according to their
wish.” 1.42
“Rama took an oath to kill Rakshasa in war to the great sages living in Dandakaranya
forest who were equal to the fire God.”
1.43
“Surpanakha , who can assume any form she likes and who
was living in a place called Janasthana in the forest was disfigured by Rama who was also living there.” 1.44
(But in the main book, it is mentioned that Lakshmana
disfigured her)
“Afterwards he killed Khara, Trishiras and Dhooshana
along with their followers who came to
attack him hearing the words of Surpanaka.” 1.45
“Rama who was living in that forest also killed fourteen
thousand Rakshasas who were living in Janasthana.” 1.46
“Hearing about the killing of his relatives , Ravana loosing his
senses due to extreme anger ,requested the Rakshasa called Mareecha to
help him.”
1.47
““Hey , Ravana, enmity with Rama who is extremely strong
is not good “ told Mareecha to Ravana.” 1.48
“Led by the God of death,
Ravana kicked off his advice
and went to the hermitage of Rama along with Mareecha.”
1.49
“After leading those two princes far away using the help
of Mareecha who was an adept in magic and after killing Jatayu the hawk ,
Ravana abducted Sita who was the wife of Rama.” 1.50
(In the main story the killing of Jatayu was after the
abduction)
“Seeing the death of the hawk Jatayu and from him hearing that Ravana has abducted
Sita , Rama became pained with sorrow and cried and became agitated.” 1.51
“Rama along with that sorrow cremated the hawk
Jatayu and when he was searching for Sita in the
forest saw a Rakshasa called Kabanda who
was having an ugly ferocious look.”
1.52-1.53
“Rama who was very strong killed that Rakshasa and also cremated him. That Rakshasa went to
heaven.” 1.54
Dharma . who was following its percepts and who had renounced the world.” 1.55
“That resplendent
one who killed his foes went and saw Sabari and she duly worshipped Rama
, the son of Dasaratha .”
1.56
“Then he was seen by the monkey Hanuman on the shores of
river Pampa . As per the advice of
Hanuman he signed a treaty with Sugreeva.” 1.57
“That very strong Rama related his story from the
beginning especially the part which
happened to Sita to Sugreeva.”
1.58
“That monkey Sugreeva after hearing everything , signed with
pleasure the treaty with fire as
witness.” 1.59
“Afterwards that sorrowful king of monkeys told with love towards Rama, about his enmity
with Bali and other news.”
1.60
“At that time Sugreeva specially told about the strength
of Bali and Rama promised that he would
kill Bali.” 1.61
“But Sugreeva had doubts about Rama’s prowess to kill
Bali.
1.62
“He showed him the mountain like skeleton of the Asura
Dundhbhi who was killed by Bali, so that he could gain more confidence in
Rama.”
1.63
“That very strong Rama who had long hands which reached
his thighs , examined the huge skeleton and using his thumb of the right foot
threw the skeleton for a distance of ten yojanas without any effort.” 1.64
“Not only that with a single arrow he split into two,
the seven Sala trees and also the nearby mountain and the underworld.”
1.65
“Convinced by these actions , the monkey chief who had a
happy frame of mind took him to the cave
called Kishkinda.”
1.66
“Then that monkey chief Sugreeva who had a colour similar
to gold roared and hearing that huge
sound the king of monkeys Bali came out.” 1.67
“After consoling Tara ( that Rama will not kill an
innocent one) when he fought with
Sugreeva, Raghava killed him with one single arrow.” 1.68
“After killing Bali as per the wishes of Sugreeva,
Raghava made Sugreeva the king of that kingdom.” 1.69
“That king of monkeys Sugreeva called all monkeys and send them to different directions to
locate Sita.” 1.70
“Hearing the words of the hawk Sampathi, Hanuman jumped
and crossed the great ocean which is one hundred yojanas broad.”
1.71
”After reaching the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana , he
saw Sita who was always thinking about
Rama in the Asoka forest.”
1.72
“ He gave the ring of Rama to Sita, told her all the news
including the treaty with Sugreeva ,
consoled her and destroyed the tower in Asoka forest.” 1.73
“After killing five commander in chiefs, seven sons of
ministers and the great hero Akshaya
Kumara , Hanuman was caught by them.” 1.74
“Because of , the
boon of Brahma , knowing that he was
free from the tie of the arrow
and tolerating those Rakshasas leading him , that valorous Hanuman and
after burning the entire city of Lanka except Sita, reached back to inform the
good news to Rama.” 1.75-1.76
“That Hanuman who was having immeasurable strength and
intelligence , after reaching Rama, went round him and told him the good news
that he has seen Sita.” 1. 77
“After that Rama along with Sugreeva reached the shores
of the great ocean and created a turmoil
in the ocean by his arrows which were equal to the power of Sun.” 1.78
“The lord of the ocean presented himself in his true form
before him and as per his words Sri Rama built a bridge to the ocean with the
help of Nala.” 1.79
(Nala was the son of the deva architect Viswa Karma)
“Reaching the city of Lanka by that bridge , Rama rescued
Sita after killing Ravana but felt very much ashamed.” 1.80
“He told Sita very hard words in front of the assembly of
men and Sita unable to tolerate the words jumped in to the fire.”
1.81
“At that time knowing from the God of fire that Sita is without any blemish, Rama after being
worshipped by all devas became very happy.” 1. 82
“By this great
action of Raghava all the three worlds including movable and immovable
beings, devas, sages and others became
very happy.” 1.83
“Wonder of wonders, Rama without any worry and filled with happiness , became very much contented after installing Vibhishana as the king of Rakshasas
and thus completing his duties.”
1.84
“After giving life to all monkeys by the boon of devas.
Rama surrounded by all his friends , started towards Ayodhya in the Pushpaka
Vimana..”
1.85
“After reaching the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja, Rama who was truly valorous
sent Hanuman to Bharatha.” 1.86
“Then along with Sugreeva, conversing about the stories
of the past Rama traveled in Pushpaka Vimana and reached Nandi Grama.”
1.87
“That very holy Rama , along with his brothers removed the Jata(matted hair)[1] ,
and along with Sita assumed the kingship.”
1.88
“The people of Ayodhya became filled with happiness and
satisfaction, and were looked after well
, became very just, were devoid of any diseases, were very healthy and were
devoid of any fear of scarcity.” 1.89
“Men never saw the death of their children and women were
always Sumangalis[2]
and Virtuous.” 1.90
“In the kingdom of Rama there was no fear from fire, no
beings died by drowning in water, there was no fear from wind, similarly no
fear from fever, there was no problems due to hunger and there was no fear of
thieves.” 1.91-1.92
“Towns and countries
were full of wealth and grains and all people lived happy daily like
those in Krutha[3]
Yuga.” 1.93
“This Rama with immense fame, having performed one
hundred horse sacrifices . having given in charity lot of gold, having given
ten thousand crores of cows and lot of wealth to Brahmins is going to attain the world of Brahma.” 1.94-1.95
“This Rama is going to establish one hundred times more
royal families. He is going to make the four fold castes to engage themselves
in the duties of their caste.”
1.96
“After ruling this world for ten thousand years , he is
going to attain the world of Brahma.” 1.97
“Those who read this story of Rama which is holy, which
is capable of removing sins, which gives holy deeds and which is equivalent to
Vedas would get rid of all their sins.” 1.98
“Those who read this history of Rama which gives life,
would along with their sons, grandsons , relatives and friends would live in
heaven after their death.” 1. 99
“A Brahmin who reads this will attain mastery over words, Kshatriya will get land ,
Vysya would get more business and Shudra would get more fame.” 1.100
This is the end of the first chapter Of Balakanda
of the holy Ramayana composed by
Valmiki as the first epic.
Sarga(Chapter) .2 :Valmiki get divine guidance to write Ramayana
(Sage
Valmiki after taking leave of sage
Narada reaches the banks of the river Thamasa(Darkness) and sees the
male Krouncha of a pair of birds being killed by a hunter. The sorrow of the female
bird moves Valmiki and he shouts at the hunter and this anguish of his comes in a pretty verse form following all rules of grammar. He is not able to understand why
and at that Lord Brahma visits him and advises him to compose the story of Rama in the same meter and same form. Valmiki
composes the same.)
That master of the words , hearing the words of Sage
Narada, Worshipped sage Narada along
with his disciples 2.1
After being worshipped Narada who was a Deva rishi, took leave of him and
started towards heavens. 2.2
As soon as the sage
went to devaloka , he went to a
place not very far from Ganges, and situated in the banks of Thamasa
river. 2.3
Having reached the banks of Thamasa river , that great sage , seeing the placid
waters without sediment , spoke
as follows to his disciples. 2.4
Oh Bharadwaja, please see
these pleasing waters without any sediment(sin), which are like the mind of
a good man. 2.5
Dear one, Please keep the water pot there and give my dress made of bark and I will then enter
the sacred waters of this river. 2.6
Having been told
like this by the great soul Valmiki, Bharadwaja , obediently gave the dress of bark to him. 2.7
With all his senses under control, he took the Bark
dress from the hands of his student , saw the very big forest and
wandered in it . 2.8
In the vicinity of that spot he saw two very sweet voiced
Krouncha birds , who do not part from each other, moving about near that holy
spot.
2.9
A hunter full of cruelty
and with sinful intent ,
neglecting the sage’s presence killed
the male bird out of those pair.
2.10
When that bird fell
with a blood drenched body, his wife, the she bird started wailing pitiably and being parted from his pair who was always with her , who was with copper crested wings and
was intoxicated by love when he had
wings. 2.11
Seeing the pair being felled by the hunter that sage with
a Rightful mind was filled with great compassion. 2.12
Then that sage
seeing the female bird which was wailing , felt that the slaying of the bird at that time was the sinful
act and told the following words.
2.13
Oh hunter , since
You have killed a Krouncha from the pair , when they were infatuated
with love , for that reason you would be
denied a pleasant life for a long time
to come. 2.14
After uttering these words, he became thoughtful
and turned his vision inside his mind, he told “What are these
words uttered by me , having been
distressed by the sorrow of the bird?”
2.15
That great very
thoughtful and brainy sage thought , and the following words were told to his disciples by the great sage.
2.16
From me came out ,
due to the great sorrow which I had , the four lines with equal number of letters without any effort , with rhythm suitable to stringed
instruments , and let them be a verse
and not otherwise.
2.17
Hearing the words which were thus spoken by the sage, the
disciple , learnt it by heart, and his teacher (sage Valmiki) was greatly
pleased with him.
2.18
After taking bath
in the sacred waters following the
proper way, brooding greatly over the words told by him, the sage returned to
his hermitage.
2.19
Bharadwaja who was greatly learned in scriptures ,
followed him with humility , followed him with his water pot full of water from
the river.
2.20
Sage Valmiki , who knew Dharma well, entered his hermitage and meditating on the
incident started composing other such
stories.
2.21
That sage one who
was an expert in Dharma entered the hermitage with his disciples , sat
meditating and started composing other
stories
2.22
There came Brahma, the creator of the world
and the lord, who has four heads and a great luster , desirous of seeing
that great sage.
2.23
Valmiki seeing him got up , stood there , disciplined in speech and with folded hands.
2.24
He worshipped that God and offered him water for washing his feet, seat and water for drinking , saluted the one
who determines fate and enquired about his
welfare. 2.25
Then the God sat in the great worshipful took seat offered to him and signaled sage Valmiki to sit in
another seat. 2.26
He then occupied the seat shown by Brahma and when that grandfather of the all the
worlds has also been seated , meditated on the events that had
happened in his mind and was greatly absorbed.
2.27
The act done by the sinner with a mind set on enmity and killed
that sweet voiced Krouncha that he saw
without any reason.
2.28
After lamenting again and again , he lamented about the
Krouncha bird again and again,
recited the verse. 2.29
Then Lord Brahma with a smile addressed the great sage and said, “You have indeed composed a
verse.” 2.30
Oh Brahma Rishi, it is as per my will that this knowledge
came in to you, and oh great saint , please compose the story of Rama.
2.31
In the righteous natured virtuous world of the wise , Rama is great and so tell the history of Rama as narrated by Narada.
2.32
The known and unknown aspects of the story of the learned
Rama along with Lakshmana and that of
the Rakshasas as well as that of Vaidehi , though it may not have been known
earlier would be clear to your mind , and will be revealed to you.
2.33-2.34
In the epic , even a single word that you write would not
become a lie and so compose the sacred and interesting story of Rama
in the form of verses. 2.35
As long as the mountains and rivers exist in this world ,
the story of Ramayana would be talked
about by people. 2.36
As long as the story of Ramayana as written by you is
being told, you , till then you would reside in the earth, heaven and the
nether world.
2.37
Saying this that God Brahma vanished. And this made the
sage and his disciples astonished.
2.38
Then all his disciples exceedingly surprised
again and again chanted the verse and were delighted. 2.39
The verse with four lines, each line having the same
number of letters was repeatedly recited by the great sage and this won him great praise.
2.40
At that time a thought arose in Valmiki, who was capable
of putting thought in to action and he decided to compose Ramayana entirely in this meter .
2.41
The renowned and generous sage Started writing the glory of Rama containing
hundreds of verses, each having the same syllable using excellent and mind charming meaningful words .
2.42
The story of Rama and slaying of Ravana was
composed by words of conjunction and compound words ,
he composed meaningful sentences with lucid and meaningful phrases. And kindly
listen to it 2.43
This is the end of the second chapter Of Balakanda
of the holy Ramayana composed by
Valmiki as the first epic.
Sarga(Chapter) 3: The
outline of the story of Rama
that came to the mind of Valmiki
(Having decided to compose Ramayana, the entire story of
Rama as it happened came to the mind of
sage Valmiki as it happened. This
chapter again gives an outline of
Ramayana,)
Having heard in a concise manner the full story of Ramayana
,Valmiki who was righteous soul and is endowed by righteousness further
searched to know more distinctly the
story of Rama.
3.1
After touching the water Valmiki sat saluting on the Kusa Grass seat facing the eastern
direction and searched for the sequence of past events in dharmic story of Rama . 3.2
By the power of Dharma in him he visualized Rama ,
Lakshmana, Sita and Dasaratha along
with their consorts as well as countries as well as each of their
movements ,laughter, conversations and
activities, in exactly the same manner as it happened. 3.3-3.4
He also visualized
as a third person all that
happened to Rama , his wife Sita and Lakshmana
in the Dandaka forest. 3.5
Sitting on meditation , that soul of Dharma , Valmiki was
able to see to Rama like a gooseberry
fruit kept on the palm of his hand.
3.6
Having seen all those
principles, The great light of
Dharma Valmiki, started getting ready, to write the story Of Rama who was attractive every minute, which was full of
prosperity and pleasures , which described in detail the principle of
Dharma,Which was full of gems like an ocean and which was extremely pretty to
hear.
3.7-3.8
That god like sage composed the history of the clan of Raghu, as it was earlier
related to him by sage Narada. 3.9
He described the birth of Rama who was with very great
prowess, was benevolent to all, was dear to all people, and who had forbearance
, handsomeness , and truthfulness.
3.10
He told various interesting stories after the coming of
sage Viswamithra , about the breaking of the bow and about his marriage with Sita.
3.11
He described the argument between Rama and Parasurama ,
the good qualities of Dasaratha, about the crowning of Rama and the
wickedness of Kaikeyi.
3.12
He described about the stoppage of the crowning,
departure of Rama, the sorrow and wailing of the king, and his Departure to the other world.
3.13
He described about the grief of the people, the
abandoning them by Rama, The talk with Guha,
and the returning of the Charioteer.
3.14
He described about the crossing of Ganges, the meeting
with Bharadwaja and reaching Chitrakuta as per the
advice of the sage. 3.15
He described about the construction of a house, coming of
Bharatha and the performance of the funeral rites of his father by
Rama.
3.16
He described about the crowning of the slipper by
Bharatha and his entry in to Nandi Gramam, the going of Rama to Dandakaranyam
and his killing of Viradha.
3.17
He described his seeing of Sarabhanga and his
conversation with Sutheekshna, the friendship of Sita with Anasooya and her
application of scented unguents on her body.
3.18
He described about the meeting with sage Agasthya, the
meeting with Jatayu, the going to Panchavati and meeting with Soorpanakha.
3.19
He described the argument with Soorpanakha and her
disfigurement , killing of Khara , Trisiras and the rise of Ravana. 3.20
He described the killing of Mareecha , the kidnapping of
Sita, the wailing of Rama, and the
killing of Jatayu, the king of Vultures.
3.21
He described the meeting with Khabanda, seeing of river
Pampa, meeting with Sabari, and meeting
with Hanuman. 3.22
He described the going to Rishyamooka mountain, the meeting
with Sugreeva, the signing of the treaty, and the fight between Vali and
Sugreeva.
3.23
He described about the killing of Vali, the agreement
with Sugreeva wailing of Tara, and Ramathe living there during the rainy
season.
3.24
He described the anger of lion like Rama, the
consolidation of the monkey army , their
going to different directions, and the
getting report of different places in earth.
3.25
He described the giving of the ring to Hanuman, their
visit to the cave of Riksha, the fast unto
death by the monkeys and their interview with Sampathi. 3.26
He described about the climbing of the mountain, crossing
of the ocean, the obeying of words of the ocean and meeting with Mainaka mountain.
3.27
He described about the killing of Simhika, about the
seeing of the mountain of Lanka, entering in to Lanka at night, and thinking in
solitude by Hanuman.
3.28
He described about his seeing of Ravanas, his seeing of
Pushpaka Vimanam, his visiting the halls of drinking as well as
the visit to the apartments of women of Ravana.
3.29
He described his entry to Asokavana, seeing of Sita, the
presentation of the signet ring , and again seeing of Ravana. 3.30
He described the threatening of Sita by the Rakshasis , the seeing of Trijata , the
giving of brooch by Sita and breaking of the forest.
3.31
He described the fight
with Rakshasis, the killing of the servants of Ravana, the catching of
Hanuman and the setting fire of Lanka
by Hanuman with a great roar.
3.32
He described the crossing
back of the sea , the usurpation of Madhu Vana , consolation of Rama and
handing over the brooch to him.
3.33
He described about the meeting with god of ocean and
building of the bridge by Nala, the crossing of the ocean and siege of Lanka at
night.
3.34
He described about the relation with Vibheeshana, finalizing
of strategy for destruction of Ravana, killing of Khumbakarna and Megha nadha.
3.35
He described about destruction of Ravana, reunion with Sita in the enemy city,
crowning of Vibheeshana and seeing of the Pushpaka Vimana.
3.36
He described Rama’s return to Ayodhya, his re union with
Bharatha , the festivities for the crowning of Rama, the sending back of
various armies, Making his citizens happy and sending away of Sita.
3.37
That divine sage composed , the things yet to happen in
the world at that time in Uthara Kanda 3.38
Thus ends the third sarga of the Balakanda which occurs
in the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 4: The sage after composing the epic entrusts its singing to Lava
and Kusha.
(Kusa and Lava two
princes living in Valmiki’s hermitage
are entrusted with the singing of
Ramayana and they sing it in various places and are summoned by Lord Rama to
sing in his court and they both sing Ramayana in the court of Rama , before
Rama.)
The great divine sage Valmiki, possessing knowledge of
the soul, composed the story of Rama
who gained his kingdom using very varied
and appropriate words.
4.1
That sage recited
this in five hundred cantos using
twenty four thousand verses in six Kandas(sections) and also composed the Uthara Kanda.
4.2
The greatly intellectual and very able Valmiki , after composing the Uthara Kanda and also after indicating
the future event Thought of as to who should be employed to sing and propagate
it.
4.3
Thereafter Kusa and Lava, clad in ascetic robes appeared before the
honourable sage Valmiki and touched his feet . 4.4
Kusa and lava were famous princes and were the followers
of Dharma and they were brothers blessed
with a sweet voice and were living in the hermitage .
4.5
Seeing their intelligence blessed with Vedas, for purpose
of initiating Vedas both of them were initiated. 4.6
That genius of history
has composed the entire Ramayana which details ,, the great story of
Sita as well the slaying of the grand
son of Pulasthya rishi. 4.7
The twins who were aces in singing , were learned in melody and pitch . The two
brothers who had a sweet voice appeared to be Gandharwas in human form. Being
very handsome , sweet tone in regular speech, they appeared to be exact , purely extracted images of Lord Rama. They
resembled each other completely in the pretty form, recitation and in
singing as well the three measures of
time and possessed complete mastery of
the seven notes, formed and adopted from the musical instruments. They chanted
the epic which had amorous, compassionate , fearful as well as fearless and also violent and sad moods. 4.8-4.11
Those two princes who were disciplined and well versed disciples
who were solidly based on Dharma , learnt by rote that epic, completely and chanted it as per the
instruction of sage Valmiki before the assembly of sages , Brahmins and saints.
4.12-4.13
Both of them who
were great , dignified and endowed with good features chanted this great
epic standing at a particular place in front of honoured ascetics who were seated .
4.14
Hearing that all the sages , having experienced great
wonder were overcome with tears of joy in
their eyes and sais “Great, Great” to
Lava and Kusa.
4.15
All of those sages
who loved Dharma were pleased and praised those praiseworthy singers
Kusa and Lava. 4.16
“ How surprising !
The recital consisted of very sweet
verses and described what happened
long, long ago and described it as
if , they were present at that moment of
happening.”
4.17
“Both of them chanted in perfect unison the theme in a
very perfect manner , having entered the
Shadja and other notes in a perfect
manner.”
4.18
Praised this way by those great people, they stood further with sweetness and in great style.
4.19
One sage presented with a full sanctified water pot
another one who was pleased gave them who were very famous cloth made of bark
. 4.20
The work composed
by the great sage caused great wonderment and came to an end and
became a foundation stone for future poets.
4.21
They who were expert in all sorts of song styles were greatly admired and sang it well in streets as well as avenues and almost
everywhere and was once seen by Lord Sri Rama himself.
4.22-4.23
After that Rama ,
the destroyer of enemies invited those two well deserving brothers Lava and
Kusa to his palace and extended
deserving hospitality.
4.24
The Lord who was the tormentor of his enemies occupied the divine golden
throne and he was surrounded by his
brothers
And his ministers. 4.25
That one who was greatly disciplined saw both of them who were handsome and addressed Bharatha,
Lakshmana and Sathrugna and told.
4.26
“listen completely to this song from these who shine like
devas the epic which is composed by using
appropriate and great words” and
then he urged those two singers to commence.
4.27
Both of them melodiously sang in melodious and ample voice , after tuning
their musical instruments in a greatly distinct and musical way.
4.28
Those poems were greatly comfortable for hearing to the assembly of men to all their sense organs and their mind. 4.29
“These two sages who have all the attributes of a royal persons are Kusa and Lava who have done
great penance. Even for me , it appears
beneficial to listen to the
history told by these great ones. Please listen to it carefully.” 4.30
Thereafter encouraged by the words of Lord Rama , they
chanted according to rules so that Rama
as well as those assembled , who were desirous of a peaceful mind could hear it , fixing their mind on it.
4.31
Thus ends the fourth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 5:
Description of city of Ayodhya
(After giving a
brief description of Ikshuvaku clan, this chapter describes in detail the city of Ayodhya founded by Manu the son of Prajapathi)
In the olden times this earth which was completely bounded
belonged to the victorious Prajapathi and his descendents.
5.1
Among them one king called Sagara got the ocean dug ,
while he was marching to the battle surrounded by his sixty thousand sons. 5.2
In that clan of kings it was from
Ikshuvaku who was a very great king, this great epic called
Ramayana originated. 5.3
And so I will propagate to this world , the entire
Ramayanam , which incorporates the
Dharma(just action) , Artha (wealth) and moksha(salvation), which are the main
goals of human life , in a very complete manner.
5.4
On the banks of Sarayu was situated the kingdom of Kosala , which was wealthy and blessed with abundant food grains and was inhabited by contended citizens. 5.5
On the banks of Sarayu was situated the kingdom of Kosala , which was wealthy and blessed with abundant food grains and was inhabited by contended citizens. 5.5
Manu, the king of men, himself built there a town called Ayodhya which became
world famous. 5.6
Beautiful and pleasing , with well laid out avenues, that great city extended to 12 yojanas(96
miles) in length and three yojanas (24
miles ) broad.
5.7
The great
royal(principal) roads were well
laid out and shining and were sprinkled with water and strewn with flowers. 5.8
King Dasaratha
extended the prosperity of this great kingdom and lived in that country
like King Indra.
5.9
The city had arched entrances , ornamental panel doors ,
numerous well laid markets and had all kinds of weapons and all kinds of
artisans lived in that city. 5.10
The city had many
journalists and eulogists and was prosperous in its matchless splendour and also had stately edifices with
flags and was protected by many Sathagnis.
5.11
It had several female dancers and actors and furnished on
all sides with gardens, mango groves and
extensive forest of sal trees which were looking like a golden belt. 5.12
The city was enclosed in several fortifications and deep moats and well protected against
enemies and also abounded with
elephants, horses, camels and mules.
5.13
The city was visited by hosts of small kings to pay tributes to the king and
also by several merchants. 5.14
The city was complete and resembled Indra’s Amaravathi and was adorned by palaces and mansions which were decorated by gems.
5.15
The city was wonderful to see and resembled a board where
Ashta pada (game similar to chess) is
played , crowded with men and women, endowed with seven storey palaces rich in
gems.
5.16
The city was dense with houses on a leveled land with no more place for further constructions
, fully stocked with grains like rice and its water was as sweet as sugarcane
juice .
5.17
The city echoed
with sounds of trumpets , drums ,
Veenas and Panavas and it surpassed all cities
on earth . 5.18
Like the great spires constructed by Sidhas by great
penances , it had perfectly constructed
by palaces and was inhabited by noble person.
5.19
The city of Ayodhya inhabited by Dasaratha
had thousands of great warriors termed as Maharadhis(great
Charioteers) who were skilled archers with a quick hand, They would never shoot
at solitary persons , persons without any defense , those who are fleeing from a battle,. They
were sufficiently skilled so that they could shoot at a foe
or animal based on sound and had
great strength in arms.. They hunted
wild animals like lions , tigers and boars
with very sharp armaments.
5.20-5.22
The city hand large number of Brahmins who worshipped
sacrificial fire and were experts in
four Vedas and six Vedangas(Branches of
Vedas) . They offered charity in thousands , were devoted to truth and
exceedingly wise and were similar to
great sages.
5.23
Thus ends the fifth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki
Sarga(chapter):6.
The kings and people of Ayodhya.
(Description of
the kings of Ayodhya including Dasaratha
as well description of the town and its people is given in this
chapter.)
The king Dasaratha , a scholar in Vedas, Who has
collected all knowledge, The far sighted one, who has great splendour, the leading light to his
citizens, The great charioteer of the Ikshuvaku clan, Performer of fire
sacrifices, who is an expert in practice of Dharma, who is in control, who is
equal to a sage , the royal saint, who
is famous in the three worlds, who is
strong, destroyer of enemies, who had lot of friends, who has fully controlled
his sense organs, Who is wealthy, Who has other great possessions and who can be compared to
Indra and Khubera, lived in that city of Ayodhya and being powerful protected
all the world and could be compared to
Manu who ruled the world earlier. 6.1-6.4
That Dasaratha who was truthful and who strictly followed the three type of
dharmas (Dharma, Artha, and Kama) ruled
the very great city of Ayodhya Similar to Indra who ruled his city
amaravathi.
6.5
In this great city people were happy , followed Dharma ,
well learned, owned riches and possessions, spoke the truth and were without greed.
6.6
In that great city there were none who have not
accumulated wealth, nor one who has not achieved Dharma, Artha and Kama, nor
one who did not posses food grains, cattle and horses.
6.7
In that city one
who has lust, one who is a miser or one who is cruel or one who is not learned
or one who is an atheist could not be
seen anywhere.
6.8
All men and women were righteous in character and had
full self control and were prosperous , had good conduct and behaviour and lived like sages. 6.9
There were none without ornaments, without a coronet ,
without garlands , deficient in worldly enjoyments, , without getting their
limbs anointed and without applying
expensive aromatic oils on their
body.
6.10
There were none who did not eat well or who were without charitable nature or who were without wearing bracelets in their upper hands or who did not have ornaments on their
neck or who had not restrained their self. 6.11
In that city there were none who did not kindle a sacrificial fire nor
those who did not perform sacrifices nor thieves nor mean minded persons
nor people of improper descent or mixed caste.
6.12
The Brahmins in Ayodhya were interested in performing
their duties , had control over their senses , were by nature charitable , were
self controlled , did self study ,
accepted charity and their marital
relation was confined to their wives.
6.13
During that period there was not a single atheist , nor
one who told a lie nor one who was jealous or incompetent or illiterate and nor who has not learned
their Sastras.
6.14
In the city of Ayodhya there was no Brahmin , who was not
an expert in Vedangas , or one who did not perform penances or one who did not donate in thousands one who was in distressed or vexed in mind.
6.15
In Ayodhya there were no man and woman who did not have
wealth and beauty and it was not
possible to a person who did not have
devotion to king .
6.16
In that great city all the people in the four castes
worshipped guests as Gods and all of them were endowed with gratitude , who was
not munificent or heroic or not processing prowess and they lived
long surrounded by sons, grandsons and wives. They were righteous and dedicated
to truth. 6.17-6.18
The Kshatriyas were obedient to Brahmins and Vaisyas cooperated with Kshatriyas, and
Shudras assisted the other three castes
and each of them were occupied with their professions.
6.19
That city which was earlier governed by Manu , who was
foremost among men and a supreme person of wisdom was governed in the same way
by king Dasaratha.
6.20
Ayodhya was filled with warriors who were similar to
mountain caves filled with lions and they like the flame of fire were
accomplished in the use of weapons.
6.21
It had excellent horses similar to the Uchaisrava of Indra , in areas like Khambhoja, BHallika,
Vanyu and Sindhu. 6.22
It had also elephants
like the intoxicated elephants of Vindhya range, strong elephants born in Himalayas which were blessed with great strength and looked like mountains and there were also
mighty elephants belonging to the clan of Airavatha , Mahapadma, Anjana and
Vamana. 6.23-6.24
The city was full
of intoxicated elephants which were similar to mountains belonging to the race of Bhadra , Mandhra,
Mriga , the interbreeds of these three races
. 6.25
The Ayodhya city in which Dasaratha lived in that kingdom
, spread to a distance of 4 miles and was worthy of its name 6.26
The revered king Dasaratha who had great splendour , made
his enemies as his friends and ruled Ayodhya like the moon who ruled the
stars.
6.27
Ayodhya was
auspicious, had strong gates and
locks , adorned buildings and was
populated by thousands of men and was ruled by king Dasaratha equal in
prowess to Lord Indra.
6.28
Thus ends the sixth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga (Chapter) 7 : The
greatness of Ayodhya , its
king and ministers and teachers of the king
(A glowing but
detailed account of the town of Ayodhya
, including its administration
is given in this chapter)
That ministers of the descendents of Ikshuvaku had great virtues and were competent advisers and were
skilled in judging the motives of
people from their face and did all that they
could do to the good of the king.
7.1
King Dasaratha employed eight ministers who were free from problems in dealing with people and
who were devoted to the royal duties.
7.2
The eight ministers of king Dasaratha were Drishti,
Jayantha, Vijaya , Sidhatha , Artha Sadaka , Asoka, Manthra pala and Sumanthra.
7.3
King Dasaratha had two highly desired sages Vasishta and
Vamadeva as family priests. He had other able counselors also. 7.4
These family priests were well educated in all branches
of knowledge , felt ashamed to do unjust acts , were greatly proficient, were
with restrained senses , were rich , great souls who were expert in Sasthras , greatly valorous, fixed on their thoughts , Followed strictly
words given by them, possessed splendour of forgiveness and always spoke
with a smile.
7.5-7.6
Either in anger or for pecuniary gains they never uttered
unjust words or lies and in the midst of their enemies , they knew what was
done and what has to be done or that which needs to be done though spies.
7.7
Those ministers were competent in their dealings and in friendship they were trusted and even
in case of their own sons, they properly
judged and imposed punishments.
7.8
The ministers were expert in collection of revenue,
collecting people for army , and did not inflict punishment to those who are not their well wishers , if
they did not commit any offence. 7.9
They were greatly powerful , possessed steady
perseverance , followed policy of state perfectly and protected virtuous people living in the
country. 7.10
They did not cause problems to Kshatriyas and Brahmanas
by word, thought and deed and filled the
treasury. They inflicted punishment on a person only after proper examination
of the weakness and strength of the
case. 7.11
The ministers who were of good conduct administered the kingdom unanimously and
there was not a single liar in the city
or kingdom.
7.12
In the city even one wicked man who desired for another’s
wife did not exist and serenity
prevailed in the entire country.
7.13
All the ministers wore very good cloths , were well
adorned and of very good character and they were vigilant to keep up the welfare of the king’s welfare.
7.14
They got inspiration from senior citizens like mother and
father , were renowned in their prowess , they guided all affairs
using their intellect and they
were well known in countries outside theirs.
7.15
The ministers were affluent and were well aware of
real state of affairs in peace and war .They were experts in keeping
their plans secret and were experts in understanding the points before coming to
a decision. They were experts in
jurisprudence and always spoke in a pleasing voice.
7.16-7.17
The sin free Dasaratha
, surrounded by ministers with these virtues , ruled the earth. 7.18
Tiger among men, that Dasaratha guarded his people ,
pleased and protected the righteous ones by gathering effective intelligence through
spies deserted the unrighteous ones and was well known in all the three worlds and ruled well .
7.19-7.20
He had many friends
and all tributary kings were humble to him . He killed all his enemies
by his might and there was no enemy who
was equal or superior to him .He ruled the world , just like Indra ruled the
heavens. 7.21
Surrounded by those ministers who advised him for his
welfare with affection to him , who were
skilful and capable , the king shined like the rising Sun with his luminous rays.
7.22
Thus ends the seventh
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 8: Proposal
to hold Aswamedha Sacrifice
(Dasaratha feeling the need to have a son decides to do
Aswamedha sacrifice. He consults his Gurus and priests about it. All of them
second his wish and order him to make
necessary arrangements. Dasaratha having decided on the sacrifice instructs his
wives to lead a disciplined life.)
The Majestic
Dasaratha , the knower of righteousness
who was a great soul was extremely sad for not having any son , for perpetuating the
race in spite of performing hard
penances .
8.1
That
magnanimous king reflecting over this matter thought of performing a horse
sacrifice for getting sons and
decided on that course.
8.2
Pious and wise , that
king after making up his mind , called his ministers who had control over themselves
and firmly instructed them on the need of performing the horse sacrifice and
commanded , the best among his ministers to go and bring all his Gurus along
with the family priests.
8.3-8.4
After that
Sumanthra who could move swiftly brought
Suyagna, Vamadeva , jabali, Kasyapa as
well as his family priest sage Vasistha along
with great Brahmins who were
expert in Vedas.
8.5-8.6
Dasaratha , the
soul of Dharma , then worshipped all of them and uttered these meaningful words drenched in Dharma to them. 8.7
Due to the sorrow
filing my mind due to my not having
sons , I do not have happiness and I intend to perform the horse
sacrifice . 8.8
So I am desirous of performing it according to sastra.
Please discuss and tell me, how I would be able to fulfill my desire. 8.9
The Brahmins lead by sage
Vasishta agreed with the words spoken by the king and extolled it by saying “well,
well” 8.10
All of them were highly pleased and told Dasaratha, “Let the requisite articles be collected and
the horse be released.” 8.11
“Oh king, The
desire that arose in your mind for getting sons is right and you will
definitely obtain sons, as desired.”
8.12
Hearing the words spoken by the Brahmins, thereafter the king was very much pleased and with
excited eyes told the ministers.
8.13
“Let the articles required for the sacrifice be procured
as per the advice of the Guru and the horse be released under protection of
able men.”
8.14
“Let a sacrificial hall be constructed according to the
ritual code on the northern bank of river Sarayu .Let auspicious rites be
performed so that the sacrifice is
conducted without any
interruption.” 8.15
“If difficulties and interruptions do not happen in this great fire sacrifice ,
it would be definitely possible to get desired results by the kings.”
8.16
“The very learned Brahma Rakshasas would be trying their best to find flaw in
its conduct , and if they find it , they will destroy the sacrifice and kill
the performer.”
8.17
“For that reason let efforts be made to conduct it
without any flaw and let the sacrifice be completed according to rules as laid
out in the scriptures as you are all experts in doing so.,”
8.18
All the Ministers heard these words of king
Dasaratha worshipped him and replied,
“It would be done that way, Sir”. 8.19
Those Brahmins who were experts in Dharma congratulated Dasaratha, the best among the
kings for his perseverance , took leave of him and returned to the places from
where they came.
8.20
After bidding farewell to those great Brahmins , king
Dasaratha told his ministers , “Let the fire sacrifice be done as enjoined by
the scriptures and as directed by the officiating priests.” 8.21
That very eminent king who was greatly intelligent after
ordering his ministers who were sitting nearby
, send them away and entered in to his private apartments.
8.22
After that the king
went near his dearest wives and
told them, “I intend to observe a fire
sacrifice for getting sons and so all of
you may start observing a strictly disciplined religious life.”
8.23
After hearing his very charming words , his wives who had lotus like faces and were bright looking , shined like lotus flower coming out of the covering of the
ice.
8.24
Thus ends the
eighth sarga of the Balakanda which
occurs in the first epic composed by
sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter ) 9 : Sumanthra tells the story of
Rishya Sringa and the need to
bring him.
(Sumanthra tells that he heard sage Sanathkumara telling
a group of saints that, Dasaratha would get sons only if the Fire
sacrifice done by sage
Rishyasringa. Then he tells the story of
Rishyasringa and his father Vibhandaka.
He also told how Romapada the king of
Anga desa needed Rishyasringa’s presence in his country)
After hearing all that , the king’s charioteer (Sumanthra
the minister) addressed the king in private and told, “I heard the officiating
priests about what happened earlier.”
9.1
“The sage Sanathkumara , who is divine narrated the story of your future generation
to others.” 9.2
“Sage Kasyapa had a famous son called Vibhandaka and it has been
foretold that he would have a son who would be called Rishya Sringa.” 9.3
“He grew up in the forest
and always followed his father in the forest , and that king among
Brahmins did not know anything except the forest.”
9.4
“Oh eminent king, that sage Rishyasringa practiced two fold celibacy as prescribed
by the Brahmins .” 9.5
“He spent all his life in attending to his father who was
very famous and attending to the fire
god. 9.6
“During that times there was a famous king called
Romapada who was very famous
and ruled over the country of Anga.”
9.7
“Due to his ruling the country against the
prescribed tenets , there was terrible famine and pestilence in his
country, making all the living beings greatly suffer.”
9.8
“When that great drought prevailed, the grief stricken
king summoned all the Brahmins who were old and had
heard many things and told them “
9.9
“All of you are
experts in Dharma and well versed in the
ways of the world and so please instruct me as to as to the religious atonement
to be carried out now.”
9.10
“Those Brahmins who were expert in Vedas told the king,
“By employing any means please bring the
son of sage Vibhandaka to our country.”
9.11
“After bringing Rishyasringa here and honouring him with due
reverence, according to rules offer your
daughter Santha to him.” 9.12
“When the king heard their words, he became very
thoughtful “What means can be employed to bring him , who has won over his
senses here?”
9.13
“Thereafter in consultation with his very efficient
ministers , he decided to send a group of ministers and priests for performing that mission.”
9.14
“Having heard the
words of the king, greatly worried and with bent heads , distressed and
frightened they said “we will not go.”
9.15
“And again after thinking over the useful means to bring him to the court,
they said to the king, “We will bring the sage in such a way that no blame
would come to us.”
9.16
“By using courtesans
that son of the sage was
brought to the court of the king of Anga, King Indra will then pour rain
and Santha the daughter of the king was offered to him.”
9.17
“And that son in law Rishya Sringa will bless you(Dasaratha ) to have sons .
This is what the sage Sanatkumara told the other sages.
9.18
Hearing that king Dasaratha told in return to Sumanthra, “Please tell me in
detain the means by which Rishya Sringa
was brought . 9.19
Thus ends the ninth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(chapter) 10 : How Rishya Sringa was brought to Anga desa
(According to the advise of the ministers efficient
courtesans were sent to the forest to bring Rishya Sringa. When they brought him to Anga desa , it was
blessed with rain and king Romapada gave his daughter Santha in marriage to him.)
Thus further egged by the king Sumanthra said these words
in return, “Please hear the method by which Rishya Sringa was brought to the
court by the ministers.”
10.1
“Those priests along with the ministers told the king as
follows, “WE have thought over a plan which
will never fail.” 10.2
“Rishya Sringa is one who has moved in the forest and
takes great delight in studying Vedas.He
is not acquainted with ladies and the pleasures that can be got from them.”
10.3
“By overpowering
his mind by the sensual pleasures
, we will persuade him to come to this town. Please decide it quickly.”
10.4
“Let pretty courtesans well dressed and ornamented be
sent there. They will tempt him by various means and bring him here.”
10.5
‘Hearing all that they said , the king replied to the
priests, “Let it be done that way” and the priests and ministers acted
accordingly.”
10.6
“Hearing this the chief courtesans entered the great
forest and staying not very far from the hermitage , they made efforts to see
Rishya Sringa who always resided in the forest along with control over his
senses. 10.7
“Being always satisfied with himself Rishya Sringa never
stirred out of his father’s
hermitage. Always doing penance from his
birth he had neither seen a woman nor man. And all other creatures born in
towns and cities. “
10.8-10.9
“One day by chance that son of Vibhandaka came to that
place and there he saw those beautiful women.” 10.10
“Beautifully attired those women approached the son of
the sage singing in a sweet voice and sia to him.” 10.11
“Oh Brahmin , who are you, How are you subsisting here?
We are eager to know as to why you are
wandering in this dreadful forest. If you do not have objection, please
tell.” 10.12
“Having never seen persons like them, those women
appeared very desirable looking to him. Due to affection he felt like telling
about his father to them.” 10.13
“My father is Vibhandaka and I am his own son. I am famously
known in this world as Rishya Sringa.” 10.14
“Oh holy looking ones, my hermitage is nearby .I would
take you and worship you according to
the scriptures. 10.15
“Hearing the words of Rishya Sringa, they all desired to see the hermitage
and all of them accompanied him. 10.16
“That son of a sage worshipped them, offered them water
to wash and drink and roots and fruits to eat.”
10.17
“They accepted the offerings with great enthusiasm, and
returned to quickly return from there due to their fear of the sage. “
10.18
“Oh Brahmin you have to accept return hospitality from us
of very sweet fruits. May prosperity be on you. Please accept them speedily
from us.”
10.19
“Thereafter all of them embraced him with great joy and
gave him various items of food as well
as many sweet dishes.
10.20
“He who had great luster as a Brahmin, thought about them
similar to fruits as he has never tasted the food of the permanent dwellers of
the forest.”
10.21
“They made known to him their interest in
austerities and offerings to God and took leave of him, feari8ng that
his father would curse them. “
10.22
“After the courtesans departed that Brahmin who was the grandson of Kashyapa, became very restless and with sorrow started moving around”
10.23
“Next day the sage who had great powers
of penance , came to the spot where he had seen the well adorned
courtesan , to please his mind. “
10.24
“Those courtesans seeing
the Brahmin approaching them , they became very happy , approached near him and
said.” 10.25
“Oh peaceful one, please come to our hermitage , a
special and very hospitable treatment
would be extended to you there. They said.”
10.26
“Hearing their words, which was pleasing to the mind , he
made a decision to go with them and then
those women took him away.”
10.27
“When the illustrious was being brought to Anga desa , Parjanya , the god of rains was
pleased and poured a heavy rain in that
country.”
10.28
“When the Brahmin who brought rains came, King Romapada
himself came to welcome him, bowed down his
head and then prostrated before
him, “
10.29
“The king concentrated his mind and gave offerings which
rightly belonged to him, and sought a favour that the sage’s father should not
get upset with him.”
10.30
“The king entered his private apartments with the sage ,
in accordance with the rules , gave his
daughter to him in marriage, So that
satisfaction prevailed.”
10.31
“That Rishya Sringa
, who was respected in that place lived there with his desires fulfilled.” 10.32
Thus ends the tenth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter )11: How sage Rishya Sringa is brought to Ayodhya
(Sumanthra further tells how Sanatkumara has foretold
that king Dasaratha would be blessed with four sons after he takes Rishya Sringa to his city and get the fire sacrifice
performed by him. The king Dasaratha goes to Anga desa and with the consent of
the king Romapada succeeds in taking Rishya Sringa to Ayodhya
where he is hospitably received.)
Oh Indra among kings, this is what has been told which is beneficial to you .Please
hear further what the great among devas
Sanatkumara told.
11.1
“In the clan of Ikshuvaku would be born a virtuous king
called Dasaratha , who would be true to his promise. 11.2
“He will develop friendship with the king of Anga to whom a great
daughter named Santha would be born.” 11.3
“The son of Anga Raja would be called Romapada .To him the famous king Dasaratha would approach and tell .” 11.4
“ Oh soul of Dharma, I am without children and want to conduct a sacrifice. Be king
enough to send the husband of Shantha to conduct it so that I would get children in my clan. “
11.5
“Hearing that, that king after deep though will offer to
send the husband of Santha who can bless others to have sons.”11.6
“King Dasaratha relieved of his worries would be greatly
delighted , would take the Brahmin and perform the sacrifice.”11.7
“The king Dasaratha interested in performing the fire
sacrifice, with folded hand adopt the great Brahmin to conduct the sacrifice, in order to obtain
children and then become eligible to reach heaven and would get his desires fulfilled by that great Brahmin.
11.8-11.9
“Four sons of immense valour would be born to him ,
bringing glory to the dynasty in all
the three worlds.” 11.10
“ This was narrated by the God SAnathkumara
who is very capable and belonged to the clan of devas in the early
period of Kruthayuga.”
11.11
“Oh king who is the lion among men , so accompanied by
retinue of army and vehicles , please go personally , honour sage Rishya
Sringa and bring him here. “ 11.12
Having heard the words of Sumanthra, after taking consent
of sage Vasishta , accompanied by his
queens and ministers he departed to that place of that Brahmin. 11.13
Crossing forest and rivers , slowly and slowly he reached the place where the great sage resided. 11.14
Reaching the city he saw the son of the sage and best among Brahmins , glowing like fire, seated next to king
Romapada .
11.15
That king , greatly delighted in his heart due to his friendship with Dasaratha,
extended great hospitality to him according to rules and traditions.
11.16
King Romapada explained his friendship as well as intimate connection with king Dasaratha to
great son of the sage and he in
return honored king Dasaratha.
11.17
That great king greatly pleased by the hospitality , having
stayed there for seven or eight days
spoke to king Romapada as
follows.
11.18
“Oh king , kindly permit your daughter Santha along with
her husband to my city as I have planned
to do an important religious rite. “ 11.19
Having heard those words , the king agreed to the
proposal and requested the sage to go to
that place accompanied by his
wife.
11.20
After the sage agreed and said , “So be it” and
after being permitted by king Romapada
, along with his wife he departed
to Ayodhya.
11.21
Both the valorous
Dasaratha and Romapada , saluted each other and embraced with their
hearts touching each other and
became extremely happy.
11.22
After taking leave of his friend, the son of Raghu(Here Dasaratha) departed and
swiftly travelling messengers were dispatched to inform citizens of
Ayodhya.
11.23
They were instructed to decorate the city in a grand
manner , sprinkle and clean with water , make it sweet smelling by scented
smoke and later decorate the city with
flags.
11.24
Hearing about the arrival of the king , the citizens were
greatly pleased, and took all actions as per the instruction of their
king.
11.25
Then the king keeping foremost of the Brahmins in front of him entered the well decorated city , amidst the
sound of conches and drums.
11.26
Then all the citizens were delighted to see the Brahmin being honoured by their king who was like Indra.
11.27
After entering his private apartments the sage was worshipped as per Sastras and became greatly happy that he could bring the sage there.
11.28
The ladies of the king were greatly happy to see the
broad eyed Santha coming there
accompanying her husband. 11.29
Honoured and worshipped by the royal ladies , especially
the king , She (Santha) stayed there comfortably along with her husband.
11.30
Thus ends the eleventh
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 12: Planning of the Aswamedha sacrifice in
consultation with sages
(In Consultation
with sage Rishya Sringa and several other sages, a decision was taken to
perform the Aswamedha sacrifice and
arrangements are started to perform this
great sacrifice.)
After spending a long charming time like this , the
pretty spring season arrived and the
desire to perform the fire sacrifice arose in the mind of the king.
12.1
Then after bowing his head to the god like Brahmin and after pleasing him, “let us conduct the
fire sacrifice so that children are born so that the continuity of the family
can be assured. “ and then he chose him as his official priest. 12.2
The well honoured Brahmin assented and requested the king to collect the required materials and also release the horse.
12.3
Thereafter the king spoke the following words top the
best of his ministers Sumanthra, “Oh
Sumanthra, please summon immediately
Suyajna, Vamadeva, Jabali, Kashyapa and family priest Sage Vasishta along with foremost among the Brahmins who
are well versed in Vedas to act as
official priests .”
12.4-12.5
Thereupon the fast moving Sumanthra went with great speed
and gathered and brought all those
Brahmins who have completely
mastered the Vedas.
12.6
Then the soul of Dharma
the king Dasaratha worshipped all of them with Dharma and wealth and said the following gracious words to
them.
12.7
“ I am suffering due to intense sorrow due to the need
for sons and due to that there is no happiness for me. It is my intention to
perform the horse sacrifice for
realization of my wish.” 12.8
“For that reason I am desirous of performing the fire
sacrifice according to Vedic specifications and I shall obtain fulfillment of
my desire by the grace of sage Rishya
Sringa.” 12.9
The Brahmins lead by sage Vasishta , hearing the words of
the king , praised him and blessed that the Fire sacrifice would be well
done.
12.10
Then the priests lead by sage Rishya Sringa said, “Let
the materials needed be procured and let the horse be released.”
12.11
“ It is good that the righteous thought of begetting sons
has entered your mind. Surely you would get four sons of immense prowess.,” 12.12
Hearing the words of the Brahmin, the king was mightily
pleased and he spoke these auspicious words to his
ministers.
12.13
“As per the orders of our Teachers(Gurus) , all material
needed may please be procured and a horse may be released under the protection
of able warriors and let a priest accompany them. “
12.14
“The hall for conducting the fire sacrifice may be
erected according to the well laid
procedures of the Kalpa , on the northern side of river Sarayu and let auspicious rites be performed
there uninterrupted .”
12.15
“IN this best of
sacrifices omissions and difficulties should not happen and all kings should be
able to fulfill their desires by it. “
12.16
“In this sacrifice conducted by learned men, the Brahma Rakshasas
would be looking to find faults and if
they find they would destroy the doer as well as the sacrifice
immediately.” 12.17
“Because of that it should be done in the manner as
specified by the scriptures and
arrangements are to be made to complete it properly as you are
experts in this matter.”
12.18
Then all the ministers
said that they would do accordingly
and as ordered the fire sacrifice
would be performed. 12.19
Then the Brahmins praised the great king who was a master
in Dharmas , and after being permitted went back to their places.
12.20
Then after the Brahmins have departed the great and
glorious king sent away his ministers and entered the palace. 12.21
Thus ends the twelfth sarga
of the Balakanda which occurs in the
first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 13: Arrangements for the Aswamedha
sacrifice as per orders of Vasishta
(In consultation
with Vasishta all arrangements for conducting the Aswamedha sacrifice , including invite
of several kings and guests.)
After one year spring came again and the valiant king
Dasaratha , for begetting a son, entered the sacrificial pavilion to perform the Horse Sacrifice.
13.1
After saluting and worshipping the great Brahmin Vasishta , according to the
prescribed procedure for begetting
children said with humility.
13.2
“Oh foremost among sages, Oh Brahmins , May this
sacrifice be performed according to
rules prescribed, so that no obstruction
to it will ever arise.”
13.3
“You are affectionate towards me and also a friend. Be my
spiritual guide and you alone should take over the burden of
performing this sacrifice.” 13.4
In answer to what was told by the king, that great among
Brahmins told , “All things would be done as you had planned.”
13.5
Then Sage Vasishta summoned venerable Brahmins experienced in fire sacrifice related activities, venerable
and most righteous people well versed in architecture , skilled workers ,
makers of bricks, carpenters, diggers,
men adept in calculation, artisans, dancers and actors, men having a clean
background , people well versed in scriptures, well informed and knowledgeable
people and told them, “The commencement of the fire sacrifice is very near and
all of you as per the orders of the king , quickly bring thousands of bricks
and also engage yourselves in all
the subsidiary activities. 13.6-13.9
“Let many homes
for the Brahmins be erected and let them be provided with all comforts and food
in them.” 13.10
“And also for citizens of other towns engaged in many works, houses may
be erected along with food as well as entertainment “ 13.11
“And in the same way extremely good food be provided for
the commoners attending the function , as per rules and they all be treated
well and not shabbily or carelessly.”
13.12
“People from other castes also should be treated
honourably , and they should not be insulted to lust or anger.” 13.13
“Those people who are busy with ritual related activities and the sculptors, should
be properly honoured and taken care of and all of them should be made contended
by giving of money. Without leaving out any activity, everything should be
managed well and in that manner you
whose heart is full of love and
affection should take care of everything. Then all of them approached Vasishta
and told him like this, “Everything will be well arranged and nothing would be
left out and we will attend to it as instructed, No activity would be such that
people would tease us about it.” 13.14-13.17
Then Vasishta summoned Sumanthra and told him, “Invite
all righteous kings to this function.” 13.18
“Bring in thousands Brahmins, Kshatriyas, merchants and
Sudras in thousands from all countries
with due honour and convene them here.”
13.19
“ I am informing you to go and personally invite Janaka , the king of Mithila , who is
courageous person of true valour , proficient in all scriptures , expert in
Vedas and an ancient ally of king Dasaratha with due honours .” 13.20-13.21
“Afterwards you please go and bring the lion among ,kings the king of Kasi who
is affectionate and talks sweetly.” 13.22
“Then you please bring the very old king of Kekaya who is a great observer of Dharma and who is
the father in law of king Dasaratha ,
along with his sons.” 13.23
“ Then you should bring
Romapada, the prosperous king of Anga
and a very close friend of
Dasaratha with due honours. “
13.24
“Please also invite kings from countries on the east
side, Kings of Sindhu and sanvera countries , kings of Saurashtra and kings of
South with due honours.”
13.25
“Please also invite the kings of other countries who are
friendly with us along with retinues,
relatives and friends.” 13.26
Hearing these words of Vasishta, the truly valorous
Sumanthra speedily dispatched virtuous
and auspicious men to bring the
kings.
13.27
Honouring the words of the sage Sumanthra himself set
out to personally Invite king Janaka and
other kings. 13.28
All the workers involved in the fire sacrifice , having
completed the task assigned to them informed
about it to the very great sage Vasishta.
13.29
Then the well please
great Brahmin sage Vasishta told
addressing all of them , “No gift should be
given casually or with insult or with contempt .If done it results in
the destruction of the donor.”
13.30
Kings of several countries travelling day and night arrived in the city of Ayodhya carrying with
various kind of gifts. Then the
well pleased Vasishta addressed
Dasaratha and told, “oh lion among men, as per your invitation many noble kings of various places
have arrived and I have honoured them
according to their merit.” 13.31-13.33
“ Oh king arrangements for the fire sacrifice has
been completed by well balanced expert
persons. So now you can leave to the hall of Fire sacrifice to perform the Yagna.”
13.34
“Oh king please visit the hall of fire sacrifice where
all your desires of the mind have been
given shape , and is constructed in such a way , that it deserves to be
seen.”
13.35
According to the words of Vasishta Rishya Sringa and king
of the world entered the sacrificial
hall on an auspicious day , when there was an auspicious star.”
13.36
Then the great sage Vasishta and other great Brahmins
entered the sacrificial hall in accordance with
Sasthra and in accordance with tradition
and then sage Rishya Sringa began the sacrificial rites.
13.37
Thus ends the thirteenth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga (Chapter)14: How the Aswamedha sacrifice is conducted by Dasaratha
(Here all minute particulars of the Aswamedha sacrifice
is given. After conducting it Dasaratha
requests Rishya Sringa to help him by
rituals to get sons and he agrees.)
After completion of one year , when the sacrificial horse
has reached back to the sacrificial hall constructed on the northern side of Sarayu river, the ceremonies
of the sacrifice commenced.
14.1 The
Aswamedha sacrifice of that great king
Dasaratha was conducted by the great
sage Rishya Sringa, who was the best among the Brahmins.
14.2
The chief priest who were expert in Vedas carried out the
rituals fully according to the tradition and according to law laid down in the
scriptures .
14.3
The Brahmins having done
Pravargya according to the Shastras
did Upasada as well as other ceremonies as per rules. 14.4
Then the overjoyed
great ascetics after morning ablations started worshipping the celestial beings
and performed rituals as per rules.
14.5
The sacrificial offering to Indra was offered in the fire
daily according to the tradition and
faultless Soma plant was pressed for taking out the juice and later ablations
for the mid day was performed as per sequence.
14.6
In the same manner those eminent Brahmins , in conformity
with shastras and after seeing by the
great king , did the third pressing of soma in the evening.
14.7
In that sacrifice omissions did not take place , there
were no defects or mistakes and everything addressed to god , which appeared as
safe was performed.
14.8
During those days nowhere was there a hungry or tired
man. No ignorant Brahmin was seen anywhere and all Brahmins seen were followed
by hundreds of disciples. 14.9
Brahmins, servants and ascetics as well as monks were
found taking food.
14.10
Aged people , sick persons, women and children were also
seen to be happily eating.
14.11
In the sacrificial ground food and various kind of clothes were continuously being
handed over to those in charge of
distributing these.
14.12
The heaps of food which were kept ready for distribution
and which looked like mountains were
seen everywhere , daily .
14.13
The great man
arranged for entertainment of men and women who have arrived there from various countries. 14.14
Dasaratha continuously heard the greetings of greatly satisfied Brahmins after they
have tasted the well cooked tasty
Food.
14.15
Well decorated men were seen serving food to the Brahmins
and people wearing ornaments and gems
assisted them.
14.16
In between the ceremonies the learned Brahmins engaged
themselves in discussion of scriptures and some very eloquent and intelligent
Brahmins were aiming at victory.
14.17
In that year daily and daily some very intelligent
Brahmins , persuaded by Vasishta performed
all the duties of fire sacrifice as per tradition.
14.18
In that sacrificial there was no one who was not learned
in the
six Vedangas , there were none who were not faithful to the vows that
they have taken, there were none who were not learned, and there were no body
among the king’s assistants who were not good in debate based on Vedas.
14.19
In that sacrifice when the time came to erect the pillars
six pillars made of Bilwa wood , equal number of pillars made of Khadire
wood as well as six pillars of Parni
wood , one made of sleshamathaka , two made of Devadaru, were erected in such a
way that there is a distance of two outstretched hands is maintained.
14.20-14.21
All the posts were got made by people with knowledge of Sasthra
and experts in yajna , and all the
posts were decorated with gold
for elegance. 14.22
The twenty one pillars each measuring twenty one Aartni
distance(Distance between elbow to little
finger) was well decorated with
twenty one cloths, each cloth decorating one pillar. 14.23
All pillars, each having eight sides were well carved and decorated by sculptors ,
had finely chiseled surfaces and were
erected as per tradition.
14.24
Decorated with cloths , sandal paste and flowers , all
pillars were strong , possessing extreme
brightness and shined like the seven sages star
in the sky.
14.25
There as per Sasthras , the sacrificial fire place was
constructed by placing of bricks by
accomplished Brahmins using the art of measurement by rope.
14.26
The sacrificial alter
constructed by the very intelligent Brahmins for
Dasaratha, who was a lion among kings
was like a eagle with golden wings , with three ranges
with each range having six fire places. 14.27
As prompted by tradition animals, serpents and birds were
kept ready , each intended for a
different deity. 14.28
When the time came to sacrifice the animals , according to the tradition, the
chief priest tied up the horse first and aquatic animal next.
14.29
Then those three hundred animals and the sacred horse
from the best stable of Dasaratha were
bound to the sacrificial posts.
14.30
After Kausalya
served the horse from its four directions
and after worshipping it, with glee by three strokes of the
scimitar its head was severed. 14.31
Then with a stable mind and with great devotion to her
duty Kausalya spent one night near the horse. 14.32
Women known as Hota, advaryu , udgatha, Mahishi(Chief
queen) , Parivruthya(overlooked wife) , Parvruthi, Vaavathaa, Aparaam (lady
attender) and Palakali(the other woman) touched with ther hand the sacrificial
horse. 14.33
The official priest blessed with restrained senses and
also very knowledgeable, having removed the marrow of the horse, cooked it
according to scriptures.
14.34
At the proper time Dasaratha , as laid out in the scriptures , got rid of
all his sins , by inhaling the scent of the burnt marrow .
14.35
All those sixteen officiating priests who were Brahmins
offered those limbs as per rule to the
fire. 14.36
Unlike other fire
sacrifices where oblations are offered using branches of Palasa tree , in this
case cane creeper was chosen to offer one oblation.
14.37
According to Kalpa Suthra, Aswamedha sacrifice is
completed in three days and on the first day Chathushta homa is carried out.
14.38
Ukthya is performed on the second day and on the third day athirathram is performed. As
per Sastra many other sacrifices were performed along with this.
14.39
Jyothish homa and Ayur yaga were performed along
with Athirathram , and Abhijit, Viswajit and asoryaga were
also performed in the prescribed manner.
14.40
With a view to promote his clan, King Dasaratha gave away
eastern region to Hothra, western side to adhivaryu, Southern side to Brahmana
and northern side to Udagatha as prescribed
and fixed long ago by Lord
Brahma in case of a mighty horse sacrifice. 14.41-14.42
King Dasaratha , the leader of men and one who increased
the fame of his clan, after concluding the sacrifice, according to law, offered entire earth as gift to the
priests.
14.43
But the priests told King Dasaratha who has been purged
of all sins, that he alone deserves to
be the protector of the earth.
14.44
“Oh ruler of earth, we are incapable of ruling the
earth and have nothing to do with ruling
it and we are indeed dedicated to the
study of Vedas. So you may kindly offer some other gift instead of this.”
14.45
“Oh great man, give us gold or gems or cows whichever is
readily available , as we do not have any use with the earth.”
14.46
The great man king Dasaratha, having been addressed by
those scholars of Vedas like this , gave
them ten hundred thousand cows, hundred crores of gold coins and four times that much of silver
coins. 14.47-14.48
Thereafter those priests collectively offered all that
they got to the great Rishya Sringa and the sage Vasishta. 14.49
Then those great Brahmins who were highly pleased distributed the wealth given to them
equally and they said to the king. 14.50
After that , with great earnestness Dasaratha offered one
crore of gold coins to those Brahmins who have come to see the fire sacrifice.
14.51
And then when one Brahmin asked for alms , king Dasaratha
gave him , his excellent bracelet. 14.52
Then that mighty king Dasaratha who was affectionate
towards Brahmins , who were highly pleased with him, bowed before them with eyes full of joy.
14.53
Thereafter the charitable , very valorous king Dasaratha prostrated
before them and the Brahmins uttered the
words of blessing to him.
14.54
They told that the sacrifice destroys sins, takes the
performer to heaven and no other king
except Dasaratha can perform it.”and the king was greatly pleased for having
performed that great sacrifice.
14.55
Thereafter the king Dasaratha addressed sage Rishya
Sringa and told him, “Oh strict follower
of vows, how can I ensure the continuity
of my clan?”
14.56
The best of Brahmins , Rishya Sringa Said, “Let it
happen”, and he further said, “Oh king , your
race would continue with the birth of
Four sons.”
14.57
Thus ends the fourteenth sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in
the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
Sarga (chapter)15: Starting of Puthreshti and story of Ravana
( Sage Rishya Sringa starts the Putra ishti according to
Atharva Veda . The devas who have assembled there complain about the problems being created by
Ravana due to his boon. Lord Brahma assures that he can be killed by a man and
devas request Lord Vishnu to be born as
four sons of Dasaratha)
That great intellectual (Rishya Sringa) , who was a great
expert in Vedas , then thought for a while and after
he got the results of his search, he told the king :-
15.1
For the sake of getting sons for you , I will perform according to the traditions, the Puthreshti
sacrifice as detained in the Atharva
seersha part of the Vedas, which is capable of
fulfilling your desire to have a son. 15.2
That Rishya Sringa with great luster commenced the fire
sacrifice aimed at begetting the sons , chanted the Manthras and poured
oblations in the fire according to rules , so that the king would
beget sons.
15.3
All the devas, Sidhas , Gandharwas and great sages assemble there to get their share from the sacrifice. 15.4
Having assembled there as per the custom, those devas
told as follows to Lord Brahma, the creator of the world. 15.5
“Oh God, a Rakshasa called Ravana , having obtained great
powers through your blessings , is
creating problems to us and we are not capable of punishing him.” 15.6
“Oh God in olden times pleased with his penance you had granted him a boon and honouring the boon we are enduring his cruelty towards us.”
15.7
“That evil minded one is inflicting pain on the people of
the three worlds . He hates the guardians of earth and is greatly desirous of assaulting Indra
who is our king.”
15.8
“That one who is difficult to oppose , because of your
boons becoming proud he is
attacking sages, Yakshas,
Gandhrawas, Devas and Brahmins .”
15.9
“The sun does not burn him, the wind which blows becomes still once he
sees Ravana.”
15.10
“Due to his terrible looks he creates great fear in us. OH lord you have to find
out some means to kill him.” 15.11
Having greatly reflected on the words spoken by the devas
Lord Brahma said, “The means of destruction of
that bad soul is already known.”
15.12
“When he wanted the he should not be killed by devas, Asuras,
Gandharwas and Yakshas, I said “so be it”” 15.13
“That Rakshasa due to his very poor opinion of man, did
not include them in his wish. For that reason he is fit to be killed by a man and no one else.”
15.14
Hearing those dear words
uttered by Brahma , the devas
and sages felt very happy.
15.15
At this time Lord Vishnu , carrying conch , wheel and
mace and dressed in yellow silk arrived
there with great luster. 15.16
Having met Lord Brahma
, Lord Vishnu stayed there with a composed mind. The devas prostrated before him and told him as follows.
15.17
“Oh Lord Vishnu, desirous
of doing good to the world , we
are making this request. The king of Ayodhya , oh lord, is a righteous ,
generous , equal to sages in luster. His wives are like Hri(modesty), Sree (auspiciousness ) and Kirthi(fame) who
are the daughters of Daksha. You please divide yourself in to four forms and be
born as their sons.” 15.18-15.19
“Oh Lord Vishnu
being born in the form of a man
, you can slay in a war Ravana , who is greatly arrogant, destroyer of the
people and one who cannot be killed by gods. “ 15.20
“That cruel Rakshasa Ravana , by his great strength is
troubling Devas, Sidhas, Gandharwas and great sages.” 15.21
“That terrible one is reported to have tortured sages,
Gandarwas and apsaraas in Nandanavana.” 15.22
“We , the siddhas, gandarwas, yakshas along with sages
have come here requesting for the death of Ravana and for that reason we have taken refuge in
you.”
15.23
“Oh Lord Vishnu , who troubles his enemies, you are the
supreme refuge all of us. Please resolve
your mind to be born in the world of humans
and destroy the enemies of devas.”
15.24
Lord Vishnu, the foremost among the Gods whom all the
world and the king of devas
salutes, who was properly
addressed in this manner, by all the devas led by Lord Brahma in the path of righteousness told.
15.25-15.26
“Leave out all your fear. My blessings for the welfare of
you all. For the good of devas and sages I will kill the cruel and dreadful
Ravana along with all his sons and
grandsons and also along with his ministers, friends and allies in a great war
and then live and rule this world for
ten thousand years .” 15.27-15.28
Lord Vishnu , the highest soul, after talking like this
to the devas and giving them boons, thought about which part of the world, he
should be born as a man.”
15.29
After that, the god with eyes like lotus petals divided
himself in to four ways and chose to be
born to king Dasaratha whom he liked.
15.30
Then the devas along with Rudras , sages, Gandharwas ,
group of apasras , praised the holy form of the god who was the killer of Madhu.
15.31
“You please uproot
that dreadful Ravana who has fearful luster, who is insolent, who hates
the king of devas ,a source of trouble to the ascetics and one
who causes agony to the three worlds by his insolence.” 15.32
“After killing the mighty Ravana having great manliness ,
who is causing distress to this world along with his forces and
relation and after removing all problems for the celestial region ruled by
Indra, and freeing it from all faults and sins , you may please
return.
15.33
Thus ends the fifteenth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 16 : Conduct of Puthrakameshti , receiving of Payasam.
(Lord Vishnu agrees to the proposal. From the fire a divine being emerges and
gives a pot of Payasam and requests
Dasaratha to distribute it among his wives. Kausalya gets , half,
Kaikeyi gets another portion and Sumathra gets two shares. After some time all
the queens become pregnant.)
Having been thus requested by the best of the Devas ,
Lord Narayana , though he was aware of everything, spoke in a soft voice
addressing them.
16.1
“What strategies should be adopted by us so that I am able
to kill Ravana and protect the sages?” 16.2
When the devas were addressed in this way by the imperishable lord Vishnu they replied,
“You should adopt a human form and then kill Ravana in a war?”
16.3
“Oh destroyer of enemies, That Ravana did very severe
penance for a very long time , the creator of the world who was born before the
world, was extremely pleased with it.”
16.4
“That Lord mightily pleased by Ravana gave him a boon,
that he will not have fear of death from several beings other than man, as he
had ignored man, while seeking the boon.”
16.5
“Having obtained the boon from Lord Brahma , Ravana became filled with
pride, destroyed the three worlds , carried away women by violence and for
those reasons , Oh great God , he needs to be killed.” 16.6-16.7
Having heard all these words of the devas, Lord Vishnu
with great knowledge , chose to be born to king Dasaratha. 16.8
At this time , king Dasaratha , the destroyer of enemies who had great luster ,
who has no sons was performing Purthakameshti for being blessed with sons.
16.9
Having taken the decision Lord Vishnu, who was being
worshipped by the devas, took leave of
Lord Brahma and disappeared .
16.10
At that time while king Dasaratha was performing the fire
sacrifice, from the fire emerged a red faced great being, with unmatched power,
with great strength and valour, clad in
a blackish red garment , having a voice like a drum, with soft beard , tawny hair
and lion like mane , endowed with all auspicious signs, adorned with divine
ornaments , resembling in height a peak of a mountain, walking like an arrogant tiger , with a luster of a sun, who was looking like
the crest of a raging fire, with both hands holding , a pure large golden vessel containing Payasam(kheer) and covered with a
silver lid .His hands resembled the hands of the wife of Dasaratha and appeared to be created of illusion.
16.11-16.15
Having seen king Dasaratha that being told, “Oh king , please know me as the person sent by Lord of all beings, Lord Brahma.”
16.16
After that, the king replied with folded hands, “Oh Lord , welcome to you,
how can I be of service to you?”
16.17
At that time the person send by the lord of all beings replies in return, “Ok
king , having worshipped the devas , you have got this blessed
offering .”
16.18
“Oh best among the kings, please receive this Payasam
from me , which has been prepared to bestow progenies to you as well as bless
you with affluence and health.”
16.19
“Oh king who has performed this sacrifice for getting
children, please give this to your wives who match with you and request them to consume it. “
16.20
With bowed head the king
went round that person and received the golden vessel sent by the
devas , in which was the food prepared
by the devas. 16.21
After saluting that wonderful looking being who was very
nice to behold, that king with great joy
he went round that being again and again.
16.22
After that Dasaratha having obtained that Payasam
prepared by the devas , was as pleased like a poor person , who obtained great
wealth.
16.23
Then that shining being with a wonderful luster , having
finished the task assigned to him disappeared from there. 16.24
The private apartment of the king , got brightened with
rays of happiness and it shined like a sky of autumn with a shining full moon.
16.25
The king after entering his private apartment addressed
Kausalya and told, Please receive this Payasam which is capable of giving you
sons.”
16.26
Then the king gave half the Payasam which was like
nectar to his wife Kausalya and
then half the remaining part to his wife Sumathra , for getting him sons
, and gave half of the remaining part to his wife Kaikeyi. On further thinking
he gave whatever was left out to Sumathra ,. This way that king distributed the
entire Payasam among his wives.
16.27-16.29
Those very best wives of the king , were extremely
delighted to receive the Payasam and
felt greatly honoured. 16.30
Then those excellent consorts of the king , who were glowing like the fire and sun,
consumed the divinely blessed Payasam
separately and after a short gap of time became pregnant.
16.31
Then the king having seen his pregnant wives , developed a mind of gratefulness and became
delighted like Lord Vishnu , who was worshipped by Indra, Sidhas and sages. 16.32
Thus ends the sixteenth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga (Chapter) 17: Creation of Monkeys to assist Rama
(As per the instruction of lord Brahma each , deva,
Gandharwas as well as great sages
created Monkeys to assist Lord Rama in his task.)
When Lord Vishnu decided to be born as the son to the
great king , Lord Brahma who had made himself spoke these words to the
devas:-
17.1
“You may create a group of strong assistants who can assume
any form they wish to assist Lord Vishnu who keeps up his promise is valorous and wants to help others. “
17.2
“You may create
using the body of chief
Apasaras and Gandharwa women , yourself
in the form of supernatural, brave and intelligent monkeys, who are an
experts in illusion, who are equal to wind God in speed, who are knowledgeable
of administration, who are as valorous
as lord Vishnu, who would complete the job entrusted them, who had
knowledge of various tricks of warfare , who can resist all sort of weapons and resembling the devas who subsist
on amrita .
17.3-17.5
Earlier I have created Jambhavan , who is a great bear,
from my face when I was yawning.
17.6
All of them having been instructed in this manner by God
Brahma agreed to the proposal and gave birth to sons with the monkey
form.
17.7
The great sages, Sidhas, Vidhyadharas ,Yakshas and
Charanas caused heroic monkey sons who
were forest dwellers born to them.
17.8
Indra created Vali with a mighty
and great body and made him the
chief of monkeys and he lived in
Mahendra mountain, and Sun God the producer of created Sugreeva.
17.9
Lord Guru the very
intelligent Tara, whom no monkey can surpass among the monkey chiefs. 17.10
Khubera created a glorious monkey called Gandhamadhana
and Viswakarma begot a monkey called Nala. 17.11
Neela was the son of fire god and equaled fire in his luster and due to his great power
surpassed all other monkeys. 17.12
Endowed with
wealth of beauty , Aswini devas created Maindha and Dvividha , who were
well known for their handsome form. 17.13
Varuna created a monkey warrior called Sushena and Parjanya created the very strong Sarabha
.
17.14
The wind God Vayu created
dignified and graceful Hanuman , who had great prowess , wisdom and
courage, who had a body as hard as a Diamond and could travel as fast as Garuda. 17.15
Several thousands of courageous of immeasurable strength
, who were capable of assuming any form
and who were desirous of helping in killing of Ravana were created.
17.16
Having the bodies similar to Meru and Mandhara
mountain, great monkey , bear and cow tail monkeys came quickly in to
being. 17.17
All those sons who
could never be defeated took the form
and prowess of the gods who created
them. 17.18
Some persons oh highly honoured valour were born to
monkeys with tails and some were born to female bears and female Kinnaras.
17.19
Devas, sages, Gandarwas , Garudas, Yakshas renowned
serpents , kimpurushas, Sidhas , Vidhyadharas , many well pleased beings, uragas
who were there and apasras,
Vidhyadharis, Nagas and Gandharwas created
large number of gigantic monkeys
who were wandering in the forest.
17.20-17.22
They were of great strength and could assume any form
they liked and could get whatever they
desire to be done, were like
lions and tigers in arrogance and strength.
17.23
All of them could strike with rocks and all of them could
fight with trees as weapons, and they
used nail and teeth as weapons though they were capable of using any weapon.
17.24
They all could move mountains, uproot huge deep rooted trees and with great speed cause disturbance
to the ocean, which is the lord of all rivers.
17.25
With their feet they could cause holes on the earth and with one leap , they
could cross the mighty ocean and they could even enter the sky and seize a cloud.
17.26
They could even capture the wild elephants living in the
forest and with their roaring sounds , they could make a flying down fall
down.
17.27
One crore of monkeys which can assume any form they wish
, eminent monkeys who could command forces were created.
17.28
Those monkey commanders
created many heroic monkeys who
could become chief of monkey clans who later on became great clan leaders.
17.29
Some monkeys and thousands of bears occupied top of the
mountains and plateaus and yet others
lived in various types of forests and mountains. 17.30
The leaders of monkey forces Nala, Neela , Hanuman and
others dwelt near the two brothers
Sugreeva the son of Sun God and Vali the son of Indra. 17.31
They who were having the strength of Garuda and all of
them well versed in war fare tormented lions, tigers and serpents who were
moving around due to their pride.
17.32
Vali the mighty armed leader who had great strength
protected all of them as well as the bears and cow tailed monkeys.
17.33
They who were valiant and could assume any form they
liked, with various characteristic of the body formed tribes and lived in
mountains, forests and oceans.
17.34
Resembling masses of clouds and mountain peaks and
endowed with great strength , they with their fearful forms and
countenances with their monkey forces
covered the earth in order to assist
Rama. 17.35
Thus ends the seventeenth sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in
the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
Sarga (Chapter) 18:Birth of sons to Dasaratha, their
education and coming of sage Viswamithra.
( Dasaratha bids farewell to all the guests including
Rishya Sringa. Rama was born to Kausalya, Bharatha to Kaikeyi, and Lakshmana
and Sathrugna to Sumithra. They are
well educated in all Vedas as well as
warfare. One day when Dasaratha was talking about the marriage of his sons,
Sage Viswamithra comes to Ayodhya. The king promises that he would fulfill any
requirement of sage Viswamithra.)
When the great king Dasaratha completed his horse
sacrifice, the devas received their share and returned to their places.
18.1
After completing the rules of penance of the yaga along
with his queens, king Dasaratha , king Dasaratha returned to Ayodhya along with
his servants, army and chariots .
18.2
The other very pleased
kings , honoured fittingly by king Dasaratha , after saluting the great
sage Vasishta returned to their own countries.
18.3
After those blessed kings left to their own places , the
armies of the kings, the dignified army
of Dasaratha shined. 18.4
When the kings have departed the great Dasaratha , preceded by the greatest among
Brahmins entered his city. 18.5
After that Rishya Sringa who was duely honoured , along with Santha his wife
accompanied the great king Romapada to his country.
18.6
After sending back all his guests , the king with a
balanced mind started thinking about
begetting sons and living happily.
18.7
Six seasons were over after the fire sacrifice, and in the twelfth month which was Chithra,
on the Navami day( The ninth phase of rising moon) , on the star belonging to Adhithi Devatha (Punarvasu) when five of the
nine planets were in exalted position, In the Karkitaka lagna , When planet
Guru was with moon, Kausalya gave birth to the lord of universe, who was
blessed with all good signs and who was a part of Lord Vishnu and he was
received by all the world and was there to perpetuate the Ikshuvaku clan. 18.8-18.10
With a son of immeasurable luster Kausalya glowed with luster like Adithi, who had earlier become mother to
Lord Indra who wielded the Vajrayudha.
18.11
Really valorous Bharatha was born to Kaikeyi , who was
one fourth part of all virtues of Lord
Vishnu. 18.12
Sumithra gave birth to Lakshmana and Shatrugna , who were skilled in use of all weapons
and having some facets of Lord Vishnu.
18.13
The treasure of
graciousness Bharatha in the
meena Lagna and in Pushya (poosa)
Nakshatra and on the
following day Lakshmana And Shatrugna
were born in Karkaraka Lagna in Aslesha(AAyilyam) star.
18.14
Endowed with all good qualities , worthy and bright resembling
the Poorva Bhadra (Poororathi)
and Uthara Bhadra (uthrattathi ) stars , four sons were born to the
great king .
18.15
At that time Gandharwas sang melodiously , groups, of Apsaras danced in
great joy, sound of Celestial drums were
heard from the sky and there was rain of flowers from the sky.IN Ayodhya there was a great tumult among men and festivities took place . 18.16-18.17
The highways which was crowded by men was thronged by actors and dancers . Vocalists and musicians singing on
instruments raised great and loud
music.
18.18
The king distributed
gifts to the bards , eulogists
and genealogists and gave Brahmins charities
in thousands. 18.19
After eleven days were completed , Vasishta who was
greatly liked , the eldest illustrious son was given the name Rama, the son of
Kaikeyi was given the name Bharatha , one son of Sumathra was called Lakshmana
and the other son was called Shatrugna
.
18.20-18.21
Brahmins and other citizens were offered meals
and Brahmins were given heaps
of unlimited and abundant jewels and other rituals normally done at birth were
performed.
18.22
Among them the eldest Rama was like a torch to his father
and gave him extreme pleasure , like the highly revered Brahma giving pleasure
to all beings.
18.23
All the sons of Dasaratha were greatly heroic and gained
great expertise in Vedas and all of them were
interested in the welfare of the people
and had great knowledge along with
great virtues.
18.24
Among all of them, Rama was greatly lustrous , truly
valorous , pure, looked like moon and
was liked by all the world. 18.25
It was acknowledged that he was expert riding an
elephant and the back of the horse, and
driving a chariot and was also a great
archer and was always devoted to his parents and served them.
18.26
Lakshmana was prosperous , from his attached to his elder
brother Rama, remained always friendly
and was greatly liked by all people .
18.27
He was auspicious and did service to his brother to him
he offered even his body and he was like the soul of Rama moving in
another body. 18.28
Rama the greatest among men did not get sleep without
Lakshmana by his side and if presented
with good food, will not eat it , unless Lakshmana was by his side.
18.29
Whenever Rama went for hunting in the forest on a horse
back, Lakshmana followed behind him holding his bow and arrow.
18.30
Similarly to
Shatrugna, the younger brother of Lakshmana became more dearer than life to
Bharatha and also liked him more than his soul. 18.31
Dasaratha was greatly pleased by his four sons like
Brahma was pleased by the devas
18.32
They who were enriched with knowledge having all good
qualities were modest and knew everything , were farsighted and Dasaratha the
king of the world rejoiced for having
these glorious sons and looked like Lord Brahma. 18.33-18.34
They who were like tigers among men, were engaged in
studies of Vedas , did service to their parents and were greatly proficient in archery. 18.35
The soul of Dharma ,
Dasaratha was discussing about their marriage along with his
priests and relatives. 18.36
One day when the illustrious , and noble king was
discussing about this with his counselors , the mighty sage Viswamithra arrived
there.
18.37
He desirous of seeing the king told the gate keepers, “
Go and inform the king about the arrival
of Viswamithra , son of Gadhi born in the Koushika clan.”
18.38
Having heard those words all of them became excited ,
hastened to the king’s apartment out of
fear. 18.39
They having reached the royal palace informed the king
Dasaratha belonging to the Ikshuvaku race about the arrival of sage
Viswamithra.
18.40
Having heard those words king Dasaratha was greatly
pleased, along with his ministers went
to receive that Indra like Brahmin.
18.41
Then seeing the shining lustrous sage Viswamithra who had completely completed his penances , with a cheerful
frame of mind , made offerings to the sage with respect.
18.42
Having received the offerings which was as per the scriptures, the sage
enquired about the welfare of the kingdom
and his own prosperity.
18.43
Viswamithra who was a great follower of Dharma then
enquired about the king’s treasury and the welfare of his subjects, relatives and friends.
18.44
Then he asked, “Are the tributary kings submissive to
you? Whether all enemies have been conquered?
And whether the rites needed for propitiating the gods and human beings
are properly performed?
18.45
That great sage Viswamithra according to the
protocol approached sage Vasishta and
other distinguished sages and enquired about their welfare.
18.46
All of them with a joyful heart entered the king’s palace and were duly
honoured by the king , each according to his
merit.
18.47
Then the very generous Dasaratha who was greatly pleased
with the arrival of sage
Viswamithra and after worshipping him
spoke .
18.48
“Oh great sage , your coming is like a man with a parched
land getting nectar and a birth of son
through his wife to one without children , recovery of lost wealth and a very great achievement to me. “Welcome
to you.” 18.49-18.50
“Oh Viswamithra, the model of righteousness, what are all things that I
should I do, to satisfy you ? Because I
consider your arrival as very lucky to me. I consider today that my birth and
life have become fruitful and I have
accomplished all objectives of my life.”
18.51-18.52
“Formerly you were called a royal sage and with your
great austerities you have obtained the status of a Brahmin sage and in several
ways you are worthy of my worship. “ 18.53
“Oh sage , your arrival has caused me wonderment and it has conferred great purity to me and
by your coming I have attained the
effect of undertaking a pilgrimage.”
18.54
“I desire that you tell me the purpose of your visit and
I am be blessed to achieve the objects of your desire.” 18.55
“You need not have any hesitation to tell me what you
desire and since t=you are my God, I shall fulfill the same to you.”
18.56
“Oh Brahmin, I have obtained great merit today. By your
coming here I have realized my Dharma.” 18.57
Having heard what Dasaratha spoke in a very humble manner which was comfortable to the
mind and which was very pleasant to the ears , the great and divine sage ,
experienced great delight.
18.58
Thus ends the eighteenth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga (Chapter) 19 : Viswamithra requests Dasaratha to
send Rama to protect his sacrifice.
(Sage Viswamithra says that he is troubled by Asuras
who stop his Yagna. Since he cannot get
angry nor curse them, he requests for assistance of Rama.)
Hearing the astonishing detail from the lion among kings
, Sage Viswamithra with hairs standing erect on his body Said:-
19.1
“Oh tiger among kings,
since you having been born in a
illustrious lineage and also having been taught by sage Vasishta, these words
that you spoke suits you and it cannot
be otherwise.”
19.2
“Oh tiger among kings, I will tell you about the purpose
, which is conceived in mind and please kindly take a decision
which are suitable to your words
. “
19.3
“Great man, for the successful completion of the yaga ,
which I propose to conduct , I shall be abiding by great discipline and two Rakshasas who can assume the shape
they want to create impediments for its conduct.” 19.4
“Mostly when I am about to complete the fire sacrifice ,
two well trained Rakshasas called
Mareecha and Subahu would rain blood and flesh on the fire altar.”
19.5
“When thus my solemn vow and resolve has been interrupted, I got greatly discouraged and
left from that place. “
19.6
“Oh king, my mind does not permit me to vent my wrath and
the rules of sacrifice forbids me from cursing them. “19.7
“Oh king, it would be proper to you to entrust the
protection of the Yagna to the valiant
Rama with great prowess and who has side
locks of hair.”
19.8
“Rama would be protected by me as well as his divine
power and would be capable of destroying those Rakshasas who cause those impediments.”
19.9
“I would give him several types of blessings for his well
being and I am sure , he will also attain great fame in all the three
worlds.”
19.10
“Mareecha and Subahu would not be able to withstand Rama
in anyway and there is no one except
Raghava who would be capable of
destroying them. “
19.11
“Those two wicked people who are proud of their strength have already
been tied by the God of death, and Oh king, they are no match to
Rama.”
19.12
“It is not proper
for you to show any hesitation due to your parental affection , for I
can assure you that those two Rakshasas will perish.”
19.13
“I know Rama is
great and truly valorous and this
is known to sage Vasishta and other
sages who are here.”
19.14
“Oh king , if you are looking forward to earn Dharma and
also yearning for great fame in this world, It is only proper for you to give
Rama to me ,”
19.15
“King belonging to
the clan of Kakustha, if all your advisors, sage Vasishta being foremost among
them agree to this, then only you can relieve Rama.”
19.16
“You may relieve the lotus eyed and detached Rama for a period of ten nights
to protect this great sacrifice.”
19.17
“Oh descendent of Raghu, act in such a manner that my
fire sacrifice does not get delayed in
any manner and do not indulge in grief in your mind, Prosperity to you.”
19.18
That sage Viswamithra
who is of great luster and a soul of Dharma having spoken these words
which are essentially dharmic, then became silent.”
19.19
That great king after listening to the
auspicious words of Viswamithra, fell in to intense grief out of fear and
became despondent.
19.20
The heart of the great king after having listened to the great sage in this manner ,
became greatly broken and he was mentally agitated and felt as if he was shaken from his
throne. 19.21
Thus ends the nineteenth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 20 : Dasaratha expresses his reluctance
(Dasaratha feels
that Rama is too young to oppose these great Rakshasas. He requests the sage to take him along with the
army. The sage gets very angry)
Having heard the words of Viswamithra that great king ,
for a little time lost his senses, quickly regained and spoke as follows:-
20.1
“My lotus eyed Rama is less than sixteen years of age and
I do not think that he has ability to fight with Rakshasas.” 20.2
“An Akshouhini of army
is under my command and control. I would go along with them and will fight with those night rangers(Rakshasas).” 20.3
“My army servants are warriors and are mighty and
powerful and skilled in use of weapons and are fit to fight with Rakshasas in a
battle and Rama does not fit to do battle with them.”
20.4
“I myself with a bow in hand would engage myself in a
battle with Rakshasas and protect the fire sacrifice till I have life in me.”
20.5
“I shall personally come there and protect you for doing
the penances and see that the sacrifice goes ahead without any obstacles as Rama is not fit to lead that job.”
20.6
“Rama is a child , is not learned in warfare , does not
know the strength and weaknesses of the army , has not acquired strong weapons,
and is not proficient in warfare with Rakshasa who use deceit .” 20.7
“I do not like to live even a moment separated from Rama and Oh tiger among sages, Rama is not fit to take
lead in the battle .”
20.8
“Oh Brahmin with excellent penance, If you are intending
to take Rama with you, please also take me and my army with you.”
20.9
“Oh Kausika, sixty
thousand years have passed since I was born and I obtained Rama with great
deal of efforts and so it is not proper for you to take him. “
20.10
“Among my four sons, I have greatest affection to Rama
and being the eldest with more responsibility according to Dharma , does not
merit to be taken.”
20.11
“Oh great sage, how powerful are those Rakshasas? Whose
sons are they? Who are they? What is their size? And are giving them
protection? “ 20.12
“Oh Brahmin, how can Rama
or me or my retaliate against those treacherous and deceitful Rakshasas?” 20.13
“Oh God like person, how can Rama or me stay and fight against those wicked natured Rakshasas
who are proud of their strength?” Having heard the words of the king the sage Viswamithra spoke:- 20.14-2015
“Oh noble one born in the Poulasthya clan, there is a Rakshasa
named Ravana , who is of great strength and valour. He has been granted many
boons by Lord Brahma. Accompanied by several other Rakshasas, he is troubling
the world .” 20.16
“It is heard that he is
brother of Lord Khubera and son of a great sage called Visrwas and he is
the king of all Rakshasas with great valour.”
20.17
“Though possessed of great strength, he himself never
created any impediments to the fire sacrifice but he is prompting two Rakshasa
Subahu and Mareecha to create obstacles.”
20.18-20.19
When the sage spoke in this manner , addressing the sage, King Dasaratha told, “I am myself not capable to
fight with that evil minded one.”
20.20
“Oh great follower
of Dharma, Please extend your favour to my
unfortunate little son and also myself
.You are my Guru as well as God.”
20.21
“Even devas, asuras, yakshas, birds and great serpents
are not capable of enduring Ravana in a
battle. What to say of men?”
20.22
“That Rakshasa pulls out the power of the warriors who fight with them, Oh great
sage, either with my forces or with my sons, I would not be able be able to
fight with him or his forces. “
20.23
“Oh Brahmin, though my resembles the devas , he is not
experienced in war fare and I would not
be part with my dear child and send him
with you.” 20.24
“Further those
destroyers of Yagna ,named Subahu
and Marrecha who are the sons of sundha and Upasundha resembles
Yama, the God of death and so I
will not send my son with you.”
20.25
“Mareecha and Subahu are great warriors and are well instructed in warfare but I along with my friends can combat one of
them only.”
20.26
That king of Brahmins That Kaushika hearing these
prattling of the king flew into very great ire and resembled a sage in the form
of a raging fire ball kindled with clarified butter and other offerings .
20.27
Thus ends the twentieth
sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 21: Viswamithra’s anger and Vasishta’s Advice
(Viswamithra gets very angry with Dasaratha and then sage
Vasishta tells abot how great and strong Viswamithra is and how he will take
care of the children.)
Hearing the extremely tottering words of Dasaratha due to his great love to his son, that sage Kaushika replied in great anger. 21.1
“Having promised to me earlier , now you are repudiating
the promise and is not at all proper to a
king born in the clan of Raghu”
21.2
“If this is what you want to do, I would return as I have
come and oh king of Kakustha clan with
your false promises you can live happily with person who are related to
you”
21.3
When that sage Viswamithra was caught in anger, the entire earth trembled
and fear entered in to the mind of the
Devas.
21.4
Then the courageous Vasishta who has observed great penance , afraid at seeing the
appearance of the world said the
following words to the king.
21.5
“Born in the clan of Ikshuvaku ,you are the real defender
of Dharma, a staunch person, one who does great penance and also a gentleman and it does not suit
you to forsake Dharma.”
21.6
“Oh Dasaratha, being
renowned in all the three worlds as upholder of Dharma , you adhere to
dharma and it is not proper for you to
do an unrighteous act.”
21.7
“Ok king of the Raghu clan, as promised this deed should
be carried out , as Veda says that we should act
as promised and so permit Rama.”
21.8
“Whether Rama is trained or not trained in using of weapons, AS long as Sage Kaushika
protects him like the fire protecting the Nectar , Rakshasas cannot do any harm to him.” 21.9
“He is the personification of Dharma and a blessed hero and there is no one to match his
intelligence and he is considered as
greatest among the sages.” 21.10
“He is an expert in various types of weapons and in the
world of moving and unmoving things , there is no one who knows as much as him.”
21.11
“None of the devas , sages , those without death, Rakshasas,
The clan members of Yakshas and Gandarwas , Kinnaras as well as great
serpents can equal him.”
21.12
“The great upholder of dharma, the son of Krusasva , knows all weapons, when he was ruling over a country. “ 21.13
“He being the son of the daughter of Krusasva Prajapathi,
got all weapons from him, and they are all of various types, dazzling and assurer of victories. “ 21.14
“Jaya and Suprabha , the daughters of Daksha Prajapathi
gave birth a hundred shining weapons and
arrows.” 21.15
“On getting Jaya as wife Krusasva Prajapathi got
fife hundred very
best valorous and formless sons so that he can completely destroy the army of asuras .” 21.16
“Suprabha also gave birth to another five hundred sons
and they were the valorous, mighty and
unconquerable eliminators.”
21.17
“And this son of Kushika , knows well about all
those weapons and being a strict follower of Dharma , he
again was capable of creating
unassailable new weapons.”
21.18
“And so there is nothing even little which is unknown
of what has happened and what is going to happen to this great sage who
is a great soul of Dharma .”
21.19
“Oh king , because of this , it is not proper that
you should have no doubt whatsoever about Rama accompanying this
very great sage.”
21.20
“And this great son of Kusika himself can kill those Rakshasas, and he is asking for your sons , only
with aim of bestowing further good
to him.”
21.21
Having become composed and happy hearing the words of the
sage ,and that great king of the Raghu dynasty ,wholeheartedly agreed for the departure of Rama along with the great son of Khusika . 21.22
Thus ends the twenty first sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in
the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 22.
Viswamithra teaches Bala and athibala to Rama and Lakshmana
(Rama and Lakshmana accompany sage Viuswamithra. He
teaches them two great manthras called Bala and Athibala which
will keep off hunger, thirst, sleep and tiresomeness from them.)
Having Listened to the words of the words of Vasishta ,
king Dasaratha with a very satisfied face sent word to Rama and Lakshmana. 22.1
After being blessed by
their mother and father and after
being blessed by chanting of Vedic
Manthras by their Guru Vasishta, King
Dasaratha hugged the sons and smelled their head and
with a well pleased heart entrusted them to the son of Khusika..
22.2-22.3
The wing gave a pleasant touch and the clouds poured
water seeing the lotus eyed ones
accompanying sage Viswamithra.
22.4
The drums of devas
made sound and there was a rain of flowers and those great ones left to the sound of
conches and drums.
22.5
Viswamithra went in the front and was followed by the
greatly famous Rama wearing black hair
locks, and Lakshmana went last.
22.6
With quivers and bow in hand and making all the ten
directions shine , with Viswamithra they
resembled three serpents and also looked like Lord Brahma being
followed by asvini Kumaras.
22.7
Those youngsters
decorated well , carried the bow, had covered their fingers with leather
caps , were carrying a shining sword and
they were having pretty bodies and those brothers Rama and Lakshmana who were following shined like fire and Lord Shiva and appeared like
the sons of the sage.
22.8-22.9
After walking to a distance of one and half yojanas , by the southern bank of river Sarayu , Sage Viswamithra in a sweet
voice called “Hey Rama”. 22.10
“Hold the water , Oh boy and then learn and master the
two Manthras called Bala and Athibala ,
without any further lapse of time.
22.11
“From the time of
receiving it there would not be tiredness , no fever, no problem to the looks, no sleep
and no attack by Rakshasas.”
22.12
“As of now no one can equal the strength of your arms in
this earth and once you learn it there will not be any one equal to you in the
three worlds.” 22.13
“So my dear Rama , if you
learn Bala and Athibala , no one would be able to equal you in fortune
and looks, and no one will be
there of your strength and knowledge and
mental caliber and in replying and
rebutting. “ 22.14-22.15
“On receiving
getting the knowledge of this two
there will not be any one like you for Bala And Athibala are the mother of all
knowledge.”
22.16
Oh Great among men, there would not be problems due to thirst and
hunger, If you recite Bala and Athibala. “
22.17
“Oh Son of Raghu clan , please take these Manthras which
have been hidden from the world, for these two if practiced on earth would give
you limitless fame as they are the two sparkling daughters of Lord Brahma and I
am giving them to you as you resemble
the Kakustha.
22.18
Viswamithra said, “Though
without any doubt , you are blessed with very many good qualities in
abundance , nurtured by penance these would give results in several
forms.”
22.19
Then Rama touched the water and with face blessed with joy learnt those
knowledge from the sage , who had a contemplative soul.
22.20
Blessed by that knowledge Rama , the greatly valorous one
, who resembled the Sun God with thousand rays, performed all duties due to the teacher to the son of Kushika , and those three stayed
that night with happiness on the banks
of Sarayu.
22.21-22.22
Those note worthy sons of Dasaratha slept on the
unsuitable bed of grass that night , but it became pleasant with the
simple words that poured forth from the son of Khusika.
22.23
Thus ends the twenty second sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in
the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 23: Hermitage of Lord Shiva
(They reach the confluence of Sarayu and Ganges rivers
and they come across a holy
hermitage. On query from Rama
Viswamithra tells him that it is the Hermitage of Lord Shiva)
When the sun rose , at the dawn , that great sage
Viswamithra told the descendents of
Kakushta sleeping on the bed. 23.1
“Oh Rama, the
darling son of Kausalya , the early dawn
has come out , Oh Lion among men, and perform your morning rituals. “
23.2
Those kings who were great men hearing the pleasing words
of the saint , bathed, offered water ablations
and chanted the divine prayer. 23.3
Those greatly valorous ones after performing the morning
rituals with great joy went to sage Viswamithra
saluted him and got ready for further journey.
23.4
Then those two heroic ones travelled further an reached the auspicious confluence of
Sarayu river with river Ganges, which goes in three ways .
23.5
There they saw the hermitage of contemplative ascetics , who were doing
penance there for thousands of
years. 23.6
Becoming extremely happy
to see those blessed hermitages Rama told the great soul Viswamithra
:- 23.7
“Whose blessed hermitage is this? Which great celebrated
sage lived here? We both are curious and inquisitive to know.”
23.8
Hearing those words the great sage smiled and said, “Oh
Rama I will tell you who lived in
this hermitage.” 23.9
“When the god of love had a body , he was called by the
name of “Kama(passion” by wise people. He
with a naughty intention , once
braved with Shiva , the god of gods
Lord Shiva , who was doing deep penance according to rules here and Lord
Shiva roared at the god of love disapprovingly at this spot.” 23.10-23.11
“Oh son of Raghu clan, The angry Shiva saw him with his third eye destroyed the evil minded love god
and all his limbs fell down from his body.”
23.12
“That great soul Lord Shiva, completely burnt down all
his body and Kama became one without
body by the great anger of the god of gods.”
23.13
“And Oh Rama ,
thereafter he became very famous as
“Ananga(bodyless)” , and the place where he
gave up his body(anga) is known as
Anga desa.”
23.14
“Oh Rama , his hermitage is blessed and from olden times
the sages who were his disciples did penance here and sin can never occur in
this place.”
23.15
“Oh Rama who is auspicious to look at, let us spend the
night here, which is in between two holy rivers and then we will cross the river.”
23.16
“Oh best among men, we will take bath, chant our
prayers and do the oblations in fire and enter this divine hermitage
completely purified, so that we can live here comfortably.”
23.17
Those sages with
their distant sight perceived their discussion and they became
extremely happy , and on their approaching , gave them water to wash their feet and
water to drink and then offered great hospitality to sage Viswamithra.
23.18-23.19
Then later they accorded hospitality to Rama and Lakshmana
and Sage Viswamithra applauded them for
their great hospitality.
23.20
Those saints with a balanced mind did rituals and meditation of the dusk and were followed by Rama and others. Then those sages who observed good
penance took those guests in to their
hermitage, and there in the hermitage of
Shiva and the guests stayed there
comfortably.
23.21
That eminent observer of Dharma , sage Viswamithra
entertained those very attractive sons
of the king with delightful stories.
23.22
Thus ends the twenty third sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in
the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 24:
Confluence of Saryu and Ganges and
Thataka’s forest
(Rama and Lakshmana travel by boat and reaches the coflence of Sarayu and
Ganges and a great sound is heard. Viswamithra explains the origin of Sarayu.
After crossing that , they reach uninhabited horrible forest Of Thataka. The
sage also tells them about Thataka and about cruel she is.)
Those destroyers
of their enemy Rama and Lakshmana did their
fresh morning ablations and sage Viswamithra completed his morning
rituals arrived at the river bank,
keeping the sage in front of them.
24.1
All those great
souls who were doing combined penance,
positioned the auspicious boat nearby the shore
told like this.
24.2
“Please get in to the boat along with the princes and go on your prosperous way , without any time lag.” 24.3
Viswamithra said “So be it”, to those sages and showed
his reverence to them in return, and along with the princes crossed the river which was going to join in the
sea.
24.4
Then in the middle of the journey , the very intelligent Rama
along with his brother heard a roaring
sound similar to the sound of water gushing
out and was curious to know its significance. 24.5
Rama in the middle of their journey asked the great sage, “What is that great noise resembling the gushing of water ?”
24.6
Hearing the query of Rama with great inquisitiveness that
soul of Dharma started telling about the
significance of that sound.
24.7
“Oh Rama who is tiger among men, on the top of the
mount Kailasa once Lord Brahma created by his mind a lake and that was called Manasa saras.”
24.8
“From that lake flowered our river sarayu , which surrounds the town of
Ayodhya. Since it originates from a lake(SAras), it was called as Sarayu. Since
it flows from the lake of Brahma it is
considered as a sacred river. This
gushing noise is the sound of River Sarayu joining the river ganges and Oh Rama offer your
salutations to these rivers.” 24.9-24.10
After saluting those two rivers those virtuous and agile princes reached the southern shore. 24.11
That son of the great
king , belonging to the Ikshuvaku dynasty , seeing the horrible and uninhabited
forest enquired to that great sage. 24.12
“Alas, this forest which is difficult to cross is full of crickets and other insects and it is full of brutish predators, vultures and is filled with horrendous sounds.” 24.13
“Alas, this forest which is difficult to cross is full of crickets and other insects and it is full of brutish predators, vultures and is filled with horrendous sounds.” 24.13
“Different types of vultures are screeching with fierce sounds and it is
shining with lions, tigers and elephants.”
24.14
“ What is this wretched
forest with trees such as Dhavaa(mimosa family) Aswakarna(Arjuna tree)
Kakubha( another type of arjuna tree)
Bilva , tin duka (thamalaa ) , paatalia (bigonia tree) and Badarri (zizhyphus tree) . 24.15
That great sage with great luster replied, “ Oh son of
Kakustha dynasty , please hear about this wretched forest.” 24.16
“, Oh great man, This area was once there
populated by ordinary people , which was constructed by devas and called
Maladha and karooshaa. “
24.17
“Oh Rama due to
killing of Vruthra who was a Brahmin
Indra was stained my human excreta and filth.” 24.18
“Great sages and those who were rich in penance started
bathing Indra by taking water in a
pot for removing all that filth.” 24.19
“When all that filth
from the body of Indra was put in
this earth, The devas became glad.” 24.20
“After getting rid of his filth and hunger , Indra
became happy with this landfill and gave a matchless
boon to this place.”
24.21
“This place of residence of ordinary people would become famous in the world
because it got all the dirt from
my body will be known as Maladha and Karrosha.”
24.22
The Devas said “Great , great” about Indra , the
controller of Paaka , on seeing the honour accorded by Indra to those Places.
24.23
“Oh controller of
enemies , Rama , that lord of the common people Maladha and Karrosha
for a long time affluent and
people were happy with plenty of grains and wealth.”
24.24
“Then this area was occupied a Yakshi called Thataka ,
who could assume any form she likes, who had the strength of one thousand
elephants , who was clever one, who was the wife of great Sunanda and whose son was Mareecha. “
24.25-24.26
“The Rakshasa Mareecha had round shoulders, huge head,
broad mouth , gigantic body and mammoth shape and troubled all people .”
24.27
“And Rama that Thataka who is of bad character daily
destroys Maladha and Karoosha and the
people living there.”
24.28
“She who blocks this way , lives about three miles from here and because
of that it is called “Thataka’s forest and because of this some action needs to
be taken.”
24.29
“Depending only on your strength , you have to kill this
evil doer and free this province from
its great misery. “ 24.30
“Nobody has the strength to enter in to this forest which you are seeing,
destroyed by the yakshi who is invincible
and please make it habitable.”
24.31
“I have told you the entire story of how the Yakshi
Thataka destroyed this forest and how
she is making it inhabitable even
today” 24.32
Thus ends the twenty fourth sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Hearing the great
words of the sage with inestimable power
, the tiger among men replied
with these powerful words.”
Sarga(Chapter) 25.
The story of Thatka and her
atrocities.
(Then the sage tells about the story of Thataka in detail
and requests him to kill her in spite of her being a lady.)
25.1
“Oh great sage, I have heard that the female Yakshis are
of less strength and also we hear that
females are frail by nature. Then how can Thataka have the strength of thousand
elephants. “ 25.2
Hearing the words of Rama who has limitless power and great dynamism, sage Viswamithra cheered
them up to him and to Lakshmana , the
killer of foes, “She became very powerful and of great strength because of the boon that she got .”
25.3-25.4
“Once upon a time there was a great and valorous Yaksha called
Sukethu .Since he was not blessed with children , he performed great
penance along with good rituals.”
25.5
“Lord Brahma became greatly pleased by him and he blessed to have a gem of female child
, who would become very famous as Thataka.”
25.6
“Lord Brahma gave her as much strength as one thousand
elephants but did not bless him with a son , anticipating that a male son would
be dangerous.” 25.7
“She blessed with beauty, youth and strength as well as fame was given in marriage Sukethu , the son of Jamba .” 25.8
“After some time that Yakshi gave birth to a indomitable son called Mareecha, who because of a curse turned in to a Rakshasa.”
25.9
“When Sinda was destroyed by the curse of the great sage Agasthya, that yakshi
Thataka along with her son Mareecha
wanted to retaliate against the
sage.”
25.10
“When she jumped
with a roar on the great sage Agasthya with a roar , he seeing the great danger
to him, He cursed Mareecha to become a Rakshasa.” 25.11
“The greatly
enraged sage Agasthya immediately
even cursed Thataka , to become one with
a very ugly face and also have a
distorted form. He also cursed her to
become one who eats human beings.”
25.12-25.13
“Due to the great
frenzy caused by the curse , Thataka became benumbed with anger
started wandering in this place of sage Agasthya and
started destroying it.”
25.14
“Oh Rama, that
Yakshi with a bad behaviour and atrociousness , should be destroyed by you
for the good of Brahmins and cows.”
25.15
“There is no one who can kill the cursed one except you Oh
Son of Raghu clan, as no one else in these
three worlds except you can fight with her.”
25.16
“Oh great man, as regards compassion in case of the
killing of a woman is not a problem,
since as the son of a king
you are supposed to protect the
interests of the people belonging
to the four castes.”
25.17
“The king who protects , for protecting his citizens should be at time
ruthless and other time humane and
vilifying deeds like this. “
25.18
“To him , who carries the burden of his kingdom , Oh Rama
, this is the dharma and so , son of Kakustha clan , you have to kill her in whom there is no goodness
whatsoever is visible.”
25.19
“We have heard that once Indra eliminator Mandhara who
was the the daughter of Virochans when
she wanted to destroy the earth.” 25.20
“Oh Rama , once upon a time , even Vishnu destroyed the virtuous wife of Brahaspathi and also the mother of sage Shukra when they both wanted that world should not have a king.” 25.21
“Oh Rama , once upon a time , even Vishnu destroyed the virtuous wife of Brahaspathi and also the mother of sage Shukra when they both wanted that world should not have a king.” 25.21
“There are many
other great princes , who killed women
who went against Dharma and so great among men, leaving out the compassion and
as per my order kill her.”
25.22
Thus ends the twenty fifth sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in
the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
Sarga(Chapter) 26. Killing of Thataka
(The great fight and killing of Thataka is described.
Indra, the king of devas requests Viswamithra to teach all the divine arrows that he knows to Rama
Hearing the words of the sage without fear, Rama that
son of a great man, saluting the sage
told firmly .
26.1
“According to the words of my father and respecting the words of my father, The
words of sage Kaushika should be carried out without any doubt.”
26.2
“I cannot disrespect the words of my father told to me by
my great father Dasaratha in the middle of great elders.” 26.3
“So I having heard the words of my father as well as the
order of a scholar sage , without any
doubt , carry out the killing of Thataka which is a good act.” 26.4
“For the benefit of cows and Brahmins as well as the
benefit of my country, I am ready to carry out the words of the
incomparable sage.” 26.5
That destroyer of enemy after telling this clenched his fist the bow in its middle by his left hand , with his right hand made a
sound of twang catching hold of the string of the bow, which echoed in all
directions.
26.6
Thataka who lives in the forest was greatly disturbed by
that sound and by that sound Thataka was attracted also and became greatly angry.”
26.7
Hearing that
sound of twang , the Rakshasi became stiff with anger and after thinking about it , rushed to the
place from where that sound emerged.
26.8
Rama on seeing monstrous lady , with
a ugly form and who in proportion was
greatly gigantic spoke as follows to
Lakshmana.
26.9
“Oh Lakshmana please see the body of the Yakshi which is
very pitiable and greatly ugly, seeing which the hearts of cowards would start
shivering.” 26.10
“Please see her who cannot be stopped and who is strong
because of her power of enchantment and you can see her retreat as I am going to
cut her ears and nose.”
26.11
“As her being a lady
is protecting her, I also am not making efforts to kill her and my
intention is only to impede her strides
and mobility. “
26.12
When Rama was talking like this , Thataka benumbed with
anger , with raised hands and with a
great roar rushed towards Rama.
26.13
The Brahmarishi Viswamithra by making a sound of “Hum”, diverted her and
wished Raghava and Lakshmana safety and victory .
26.14
She by flinging herself raised dreadful dust on Rama and
Lakshmana for a while and confused them with a massive cloud of dust.
26.15
Then she took recourse to enchantment and rained stones
on Rama and Lakshmana and inundated them
and this made Rama very angry.
26.16
When the great rain of stones was going on Rama rained
arrows and stopped her progress and also
cut both her Hands.
26.17
Getting weak
because of the cutting of her arms , and
when she roared greatly and was rushing towards them, Lakshmana got very
provoked and cut off her hanging ears and tip of the nose.
26.18
That Yakshi who can take any form she desires assumed
various forms, vanished and also
enchanted them by her illusion, continued to rain stones at them and also alarmingly
she moved about.
26.19
Seeing them being caught in the rain of stones , that
gentleman and illustrious son of
Gadhi told the following to Rama and Lakshmana. 26.20
“Discontinue this compassion to her , Rama , she is a
very cruel being for this Yakshi who
creates stoppage of fire sacrifices , by
her powers of illusion regains her original form.”
26.21
“The sun is about to set and she should be destroyed
before that , for Rakshasas become
unassailable at dusk.” 26.22
When these words were told to Rama , that Yakshi who has
become invisible was covering Rama with the stone of rain ,
And displaying his skills for sending arrows aimed at
sound , he created problems for her by
his arrows. 26.23
She who has the power of illusion when stopped by the net
of arrows, she stridently rushed towards Rama and Lakshmana making lot of sounds.
26.24
Seeing her was rushing towards them to fall on them ,
Rama using thunderbolt like arrows stuck her on her chest and she fell
completely dead.
26.25
Seeing her who has a huge body fall , the king of devas saw and
said “Great , great” to the son of Kakustha clan and he was greatly honoured.
26.26
Then that great Indra who has one thousand eyes said that all devas were greatly happy and told
sage Viswamithra.26.27
“Oh sage Viswamithra , safety to you, Indra as well as
all the wind gods are extremely happy
with what has been done and so you please show more concern to Rama.”
26.28
“Please offer the sons of Krusaswa Prajapathi , who are greatly valorous and possessors of great strength of penance
to Rama.”(these are weapon referred by sage
Vasishta)
26.29
“He is very fit to receive them as he is your steadfast
follower and that prince has to attend to a great job for the devas.”
26.30
After saying this all the devas worshipped Viswamithra
and went away contentedly to their
world and the sun set period set
in.
26.31
The great sage became pleased and becoming
happy at the killing of Thataka , kissed Rama on his forehead and
then said the following .
26.32
“Oh Rama who is auspicious to look at , we stay here for tonight and tomorrow we
will proceed to my hermitage .” 26.33
After listening the words of sage Viswamithra , that son
of Dasaratha and comfortably and happily
stayed in that forest of Thataka. 26.34
Freed from the curse that forest , that same day itself
pleasantly shined like the Chaithra ratham
forest of Lord Khubera.
26.35
Rama after killing the daughter of Yaksha , praised by
the group of devas and sages , stayed there along with the sage till Sun woke
him up next day.
26.36
Thus ends the twenty sixth sarga of the Balakanda which occurs in
the first epic composed by sage
Valmiki.
