Valmiki Ramayanam in english

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Entire translation as pdf

Dear Friends,

Now you can read the english translation of entire Valmiki Ramayana in two pdf files

https://www.hindupedia.com/en/File:Vamiki_Ramayanam_I.pdf

https://www.hindupedia.com/en/File:Valmiki_Ramayanam_II.pdf

God Rama bless you

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Seeing of good omens by Sita in Asoka Vana

Sage Valmiki

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(This is a scene from Sundara kanda of Valmiki(29^th chapter) . Sita feeling her hopless condition decides to commit suicide and at that time several good Omens are seen.Seeing them she becomes happy.

SEngalipuram recommends this to be read by people facing hopeless condition due to bad dreams, constant fear , poverty etc. He is of the opinion that the fear will go away and good period will start)

(Good omens occurs to Sita who was consoled by those omens and gained more confidence)

THadagatham thaamVyadhithaama nindhithaam vyapetha harshaam pari dheena maanasaam

Shubhaam nimithaani Shubhaani bhejire naram sriyaa jushtamivopa jeevanaa 29.1

Good omens approached her who is faultless; who does forever good, who was mentally perturbed and who because of lack of happiness was terribly depressed like the helpless people approaching a generous man. 29. 1

THsyaashubham vaamamarrala pakshma rajeevrutham, Krishna Visaala Shuklam

Praaspandha thaikam nayanam sukesayaa meenaahathampadmabhivaa bhithamram 29.2

That long haired lady’s very pretty left eye which is surrounded by curved eye brows , which is black , which is broad and which is bright white colour, surrounded by red colour started throbbing like the lotus flower shaken by a fish. 29.2

Bhjascha chaarvaanchitha peena vruthaa parardhya kalaagaru Chandanaarha

Anutha menaadhyushitha priyena chirena vaama samavepthaasu 29.3

Her pretty long round arms which merit the application of dark sandal paste and which were caressed by her darling, started throbbing fast for quite some time. 29.3

Gajendra hasthaprathimascha peenasthayorddhayo samhatha yosthujaathaa

Praspandhamaana punaroorasyaa Ramam purasthath Sthithmasa Chakshe 29.4

Not only that apart from these two, her left thigh which was round and fat like the elephants trunk throbbed giving initial signals to her of the coming back of Sri Rama. 29.4

Shubham punarhema samana varna meeshadhjodhwastha mivaa malaakshyaa,

Vaasa sthithaaya shikaragradhathaa kinchith paristhramsatha Charu gaathryaa 29.5

Also the gold coloured dress which was coated with dust, of that very pretty standing woman ,who had teeth which are like the buds of jasmine and who had very clear eyes , slightly loosened indicating good things are bound come. 29.5

Yethair nirmithaira paraischa soobru sambodhithaa praagapi sadhu Sidhai,

Vaathaatha paklaanthamiva pranashtam varshena bheejam prathi samjna harshaa. 29.6

Getting more confidence by these good omens and others , which were indicative of fulfillment of desires from very ancient times , that pretty lady became very happy similar to the wind and sun dried seed when it received rain. 29.6

Thasyaa punar bimba phaladharoshtamSwakshi brookesaantha maraala pakshma,

Vakthram bhabhaase sitha sukladhamshtram Rahormukhachandra yiva pramuktha 29.7

Her face with lips which were similar to the red guava fruit, her pretty eyes and eye brows , her long hair, her curved eyelids and her teeth which were white started shining again like the moon which got its freedom from the serpent Rahu. 29.7

Saa veetha sokaavyapaneetha thanthree saantha jwaraa harsha vivrudha sathwaa

Asobhathaaryaa vadanena shukle sheethamshunaa rathri rivodhithena 29.8

Face of that lady with her sorrow removed, with no thoughts in her mind, with her worries quenched and , with more strength due to more happiness glowed like the night lit by the cool moon. 29.8

Thus ends the twenty ninth chapter of Sundara Kanda which

is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written by Valmiki.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

How old was Rama and Sita at the time of their marriage?

How  old was  Rama and Sita  at the time of  their  marriage?

From translation of Valmiki  Ramayanam

By

P.R.Ramachander

1.In Bala kanda when Dasaratha asks  for Rama to fight   the Rakshass  , DAsaratha  tells  

                                  “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 

2.n Ayodhya  Kanda     when   Rama meets  Kausalya   to bid fare well she says  

                                  “Oh Rama after you have completed  seventeen years    after birth , I always longed  for my  sorrows to come to an end.”                                                                                                                                         20.45

These  two clearly  indicates  that  

a.Rama  got married at age of  16

b.Rama lived  one year  in Ayodhya    after his marriage

But when  in sundara  kanda  Hanuman meets  Sita and asks about her   she says 

“I enjoyed life for twelve years in the palace of Rama with all my wishes fulfilled and was enjoying all pleasures which are proper for human beings.”                                  33.18

Or

it could be translated as I lived  for twelve years before marriage and  afterwards I lived  very happily   with Rama.   

  So it is clear  Rama was 16   and Sita  12   at the time of marriage

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Parayana of Valmiki Ramayana for fulfilling various desires.

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

(These are the book called Srimad Ramayanam and all round Success published by Lifco publishers Madras.Please note that Parayana can be either the original text of Ramayana in Sanskrit or verse by verse translation in any language .You can get the translation verse by verse sarga by sarga in to English in my blog http://englishvalmikiramayanam.blogspot.in/

There is also a particular method for doing Parayana of Ramayana, For Smarthas it is given in http://englishvalmikiramayanam.blogspot.in/2016/02/ramayana-parayana-smartha-sampradhaya.html and for Vaishnavas (visishtadvaithins ) it is given in http://englishvalmikiramayanam.blogspot.in/2016/02/ramayana-parayana-krama.html

Before doing Parayana for a particular purpose the above appropriate method should be followed .)

For the fulfillment of Virtuous acts read Ayodhya Kandam Sarga 21 to 25

For prosperity in ones profession Ayodhya Kanda Sarga 32

For marriage for the unmarried Bala Kanda Sarga 73

For attainment of salvation Aranya Kandam Sarga 65-68

For alleviation of diseases Yudha Kanda Sarga 59

For Preventing evel influences of Ghosts Sundara Kanda Sarga 3

For recovery from mental disorders Sundara Kanda Sarga 13

For improvement of financial condition Sundara Kanda Sarga 15

For prevention of sorrow Yudha Kanda Sarga 116

For overcoming unexpected danger Yudha Kanda Sarga 18-19

For re uniting of separated relatives Sundara Kanda Sarga 36

For eradicating bad dreams Sundara Kanda Sarga 27

For getting rid of sins due to illicit sexual union Sundara Kanda 7-11

For comforts in Next birth Yudha Kanda Sarga 131

For begetting children Bala Kanda Sarga 15-16

For safe delivery Bala Kanda Sarga 18

For escaping danger of imprisonment Yudha Kanda Sarga 117

For Children developing good character Ayodhya Kanda Sarga 1-2

For Success of Cherished desires Bala Kanda Sarga 75-76

Ramayana Parayana Krama –Visishtadvaithins

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

( Reading of Valmiki Ramayana is supposed to grant you all prosperity and in the end salvation. It is proper to read it after chanting an initial prayer , do the Parayana and after it complete it by another series of prayers. Here is the system for Parayana by Vishishtadvaithins. They are followers of saint Ramanuja and the Azhvars and are Vaishnavites by nature .It is believed that Valmiki Ramayana was taught to saint Ramanuja by Periya Thirumalai Nambi (also known as Sri Saila pootna) . Because of this the initial prayer starts with a prayer to this great saint.Here also there is an initial prayer ,reading of Ramayana and then again prayer.)

I.Prayers before the Parayana

1.Start the Parayana with a prayer to Sri Saila poorna (Periya Thirumalai Nambi):-

1.Pithamahasyaapi pithamahaya prachetha saadesa phala pradhaya ,

Sri Bhashyakarothama desikaya , Sri Saila poornaaya namo Namasthe

1.I salute Thirumalai nambi , who is the grand father of Lord Brahma*

Who gave great commentary to Valmiki Ramayana ,

Who is a great teacher and very great commentator

*.Lord of Thirupathi called him his father and so he is grand father to Lord Brahma.

(Thirumalai Nambi also called as Saila Purnar was the maternal uncle of Saint Ramanuja and was the one who taught Ramayana to Ramanuja.)

2.Other prayers

1.Koojantham Rama Ramethi maduram madsuraksharam,
Aaroohya kavitha shakhaam vande Valmiki kokilam. 3

Salutations to The nightingale Valmiki,
Who sits on the poem like branch,
And who goes on singing sweetly,
“Rama”, “Rama” and “Rama”.

2.Valmiki muni simhasya kavitha vana charina,
Srunvan Rama kadha naadam ko na yathi paraam gathim. 4

Who in this world will not attain salvation,
Who happen to hear the story of Rama,
Composed by the lion among poets Valmiki,
Who always lived in the forest.

3,Ya pibhan Rama charithamrutha sagaram,
Aruthastham munim vande, prachethasa makalmasham. 5

I salute that resplendent sage ,
Who never got satisfied,
But forever drank the story of Rama,
Which is like the sea of nectar.

4.Goshpadi krutha vaareesham masaki krutha rakshasam,
Ramayana maha mala rathnam Vande anilathmajam,

I pray to him who is born to the God of wind.
Who made the king of lakes look like the hoof of a cow,
Who made the great Rakshasas look like simple mosquitoes,
And who is born to the God of wind.
And is the greatest jewel in the garland of the story of Rama,

5.Anjananandanam veeram , Janaki Soka nasanam,

Kapeesamaksha hanthaaram , Vandhe Lanka Bhayanagaram

I salute the terror to Lanka , who is valorous son of Anjana ,

Who destroyed the sorrow of Sita, who is the God of monkeys who killed Akshaya Kumara.

6.Mano javam , marutha thulya vegam,
Jithendriyam buddhi matham varishtam,
Vatha atmajam vanara yudha mukhyam,
Sree rama dootham sirasa namami.

I bow my head and salute the emissary of Rama,
Who has won over his mind,
Who has similar speed as wind,
Who has mastery over his organs,
Who is the greatest among the knowledgeable,
Who is the son of God of wind,
And who is the chief in the army of monkeys

7. Ullangasya sindho salilam salilam cha sokha vahnim janakathmajaya,
AAdhaya thenaiva dhadhaha Lankam namami tham pranjalir Anjaneyam

I salute that son of Anjana with folded hands,
Who crosses the great ocean playfully,
Who took away the fire like sorrow of Sita,
And with that burnt the city of Lanka.

8, Anjaneya madhi patalananam,
Kanchanadri kamaneeya vigraham,
Parijatha tharu moola vasinam,
Bhavayami bhava mana nandanam.

I bow before the darling son of the god of wind,
Who is the son of Anjana,
Who is great among killers of Rakshasas,
Who is like a golden mountain,
Who is handsome to look at,
And who lives near the roots of Parijatha tree.

9.Yatra yatra Raghu nada keerthanam,
Thathra thathra krudha masthakanjalim,
Bhashpa vari pari poorna lochanam,
Maruthim namatha Rakshasanthakam.

I pray and salute the son of wind god,
Who brought to end the rakshasas,
Who is always present with eye full of tears,
With head bowed in veneration,
Wherever the praise of Lord Rama is sung

10.Veda vedhye pare pumsi jathe dasaradhathmaje,
Veda prachethasa daseeth sakshath Ramayanathmana.

When the God who is known by Vedas,
Was born as the son of Dasaratha,
Veda was born again from Sage Valmiki as Ramayana.

11.Thadhupagatha Samasa sandhi yogam sama madhuropanathardha vakhya badham,

Raghu vara charitham muni praneetham dasa sirasascha vadham nisamayadhwam

The words , their alliteration ,their conjunction ,

With equally sweet and appropriate meanings ,

And very inimitable story of killing of Ravana ,

Occur in the history of Rama composed by the sage.

12.Sri Raghavam Dasrathathmaja maprameyam,

Sita pathim Raghukulaanvaya rathna deepam,

Aajanubahu maravinda Dalayathaksham,

Ramam nisachara vinasakaram namami.

12.I salute Rama who exterminated asuras who move at night ,

Who is Raghava , who is son of Dasaratha , who is unlimited,

Who is the Lord of Sita, who is gem lamp of the clan of Raghus,

Who has hands touching his thigh and has eyes like lotus petals.

13.Vaidehi sahitham surudrumathale haime maha mandape,
Madhye pushpaka masane mani maye veerasane susthitham,
Aagre vaachayathi prabhanjana suthe thathwam muneebhya param,
Vyakhyaantham Barathathibhi parivrutham Raamam bhaje syamalam.

I salute that black coloured Rama,
Who sits along with daughter of Videha,
And in the company of Baratha and others,
Inside the golden shed beneath the holy tree of Karpaga,
On the seat of flowers bedecked with jewels,
Built in its centre,
Explaining the essence of knowledge,

II.Prayers after reading Ramayana

(Parayana samaptha Krama )

1,Yevamethath puraa vruthamaakhyaanam Bhadramasthu va:,

Pravyaaharatha visthrabdham balam vishnou pravardhathaam .

Let the story which was related like this ensure safety,

And let the sounds of it

2.Labhastheshaam jayastheshaam kuthastheshaam paraabhava ,

Yeshaam indheevara shyamo hrudaye suprathishtitha.

How can profit and victory brought from somewhere cause defeat ,

To those who are keeping in their mind the God who is of the colour of blue lotus.

3.Kale varshathu parjanya,
Prauthwee sasya shalini,
Deso yam kshobha rahitha,
SAjjana santhu nirbhaya.

Let the monsoon be timely and plentiful,
Let earth be covered with vegetation,
Let the country live without problems,
And let good people never have fear.

4,Kaveri vardathaam kale , kale varshathu vaasava,

Sri Ranga Nadho jayathu Sri Ranga srischa vardathaam.

4.The Cauvery river increases with time if Lord Indra sends rain in time ,

Let there be victory to Ranganadha and let the wealth of Sri Ranga increase

5.Swasthi prajabhya paripalayantham,
Nyayena margena maheem maheesa,
Gobrahmanebhyo shubhamasthu nithyam,
Loka samastha Sukhino bhavantu.

Let good things occur to the king of the country,
Who looks after his people well, in the path of justice,
Let Cows* and Brahmins** have a pleasant life daily,
Let all people of the world have a very pleasant life.
*wealth was measured by cows in those times
** People in search of God

6.Kosalendraya , mahaneeya gunabhdhaye,

Chakravarthi thanujaaya sarva bhoumaya Mangalam.

Let good happen to , Rama ,

Who is the king of Kosala,

And the ocean of good qualities.

Let good happen to Rama,

Who is son of emperor Dasaratha,

And who is a very great king.

7.Vedavedantha vedhyaya , Megha Shyamala moorthaye,

Pumsaam mohana roopaya , punyaslokaya Mangalam.

Let good happen to Rama,

Who is venerated by Vedas and Vedanta,

Who is of the black colour of the rich cloud,

Who is one of the prettiest among men,

And who has a fame which is pure.

8,Viswamithrantharangaya , mithila nagari pathe,

Bhagyaanaam paripakaya , bhavya roopaya Mangalam.

Let good happen to Rama,

Who is a confidant of Viswamithra,

Who is the matured luck of ,

The king of Mithila and ,

Is the form of pure humility.

9.Pithru bhakthaya sathatham brathrubhi saha seethaya,

Nandithakhila lokaya , Ramabhadraya Mangalam.

Let good happen to Ramabhadra,

Who is a devotee of his father,

Who shines with Sita and his brothers,

And who makes the entire world happy.

10.Thyaktha saketha vasaya , chithra koota viharine,

Sevyaya sarva yaminaam , dheerodhayaya Mangalam.

Let good happen to Lord Rama,

Who is courageous and kind,

Who left the city of Ayodhya,

And lived in the forest of Chithrakoota,

And who served all great sages.

11.Soumithrina cha janakya chapa banasi dharine,

Samsevyaya sada bhakthya , swamine mama Mangalam.

Let good happen to my Lord Rama,

Who was with Lakshmana and Sita,

Who was armed with sword and bow,

And who is always served by devotees.

12,Danda karanya vasaya , khara dhooshana sathrave,

Grudhra rajaya Bhakthaya , mukthi dayasthu Mangalam.

Let good happen to the giver of salvation,

Who lived in the forest of Danda karanya,

Who was the enemy of Asuras, Khara and Dhooshana,

And who was greatly devoted to Jatayu , the king of birds.

13.Sadaram Sabari datha phala moola abhilashine,

Soulabhya paripoornaa, sathvodrikthaya Mangalam,

Let good happen to him who has lot of good qualities,

Who liked the fruits and roots offered by Shabhari.

And can be fully realized , extremely easily.

14.Hanumath sama vethaya , harresabheeshta dhayine,

Bali pramadhanayasthu , Maha dheeraya Mangalam.

Let good happen to the God who is very brave,

Who can be easily be attained by Hanuman,

Who used to fulfill desires of King Sugreeva,

And who wounded and killed the great Bali.

15.Srimathe Raghu veeraya , sethullangitha sindhave,

Jitha rakshasa Rajaya , Rana dheeraya Mangalam.

Let good happen to the God who is brave in battle,

Who is the valorous hero of the clan of Raghu,

Who built the bridge over the sea,

And who won over the king of Rakshasas.

16.Vibheeshana kruthe preethya , lankabheeshta pradhayine,

Sarva loka saranyaya , Sri Raghavaya Mangalam.

Let good happen to Lord Raghava,

Who presented with happiness Lanka,

To Vibheeshana due to his love,

And who has the entire world as devotees.

17.Asadhya nagarem divyamabhishikthaya Seethaya,

Rajadhi rajaya Rama Bhadraya Mangalam.

Let good happen to Lord Raghava,

Who was crowned along with Sia,

When he returned back to the city of Ayodhya,

And who is the king of all kings.

18.Brahmadhi deva sevyaya , brahmanyaya mahathmane,

Janaki prana nadhaya , Ragu nadhaya Mangalam.

Let good happen to the Lord of the Raghu clan,

Who is served by Lord Brahma and other devas,

Who protected Vedas and Brahmins,

And who was the king of the soul of Janaki.

19,Sri soumya jamathru mune krupaya smanu peyushe,

Mahathe mama nadhaya , Raghu nadhya Mangalam.

Let good happen to the Lord of the Raghu clan,

Who was got to us by the grace of the saint Jamathru,

Who is my Lord who is on of the greatest.

20.Mangala sasana paraiir madacharya purogamai,

SArvescha poorvairacharyai , sathkruthayasthu Mangalam.

Let good happen to the Lord who only did good,

The salutary song about him is greatest by my teacher,

Grater than all that is written by previous great teachers.

Ramayana Parayana-Smartha Sampradhaya

( The reading of Valmiki Ramyana should start with prayers at the commencement and prayer after the Parayana is over. Smarthas are Brahmins who are the followers of Advaitha propounded by Adhi Sankara and worship five deities viz Shiva, Vishnu , SAkkthi , Subramanya and Surya. )

Translations by

P.R.Ramachander

1.Slokas to be At commencement of Parayana

a.Shuklam Baradaram Vishnum, Sasi Varnam Chatur Bhujam,
Prasanna Vadanan Dyayet, Sarva Vignoba Sandaye 1

Dressed in white you are,
Oh, all pervading one,
And glowing with the colour of moon.
With four arms, you are, the all knowing one
I meditate on your ever-smiling face,
And pray, “ Remove all obstacles on my way”.

b.Vageesaadhya sumanasa sarvarthaanaam upakrame ,

Yam nathwaa krutha kruthyaa syutham Namami Gajanam .

Oh Lord who is the God of speech , who has a clear mind ,

After praying whom at the very beginning ,

With gratefulness , I would salute him who has an elephant face .

2.After this we meditate on Adhi Sankara and Gurus in his system.

3.And hen we have to continue our prayers to Saraswathi, Valmiki, Hanuman , Ramayana and then Rama

a.Sri Saraswathi Prarthana

Dhorbhir yuktha Chathurbhi sphatika mani mayeem , akshamaalaam dhadhaanaa,
Hasthenaikena [admam sithamapi cha sukam pusthakam chaparena,
Bhasaa kundhendhu sankha sphatika mani nibhaa bhasamaanaa samaanaa,
Saa may vaghdevatheyam nivasathu vadane sarvadhaa suprasanna.

Let that goddess of words, Who has four hands,

Who holds the garland of crystal beads in one hand,

Who holds parrot, white lotus and book in other hands,

And who is as lustrous as kunda flowers, moon, conch and crystal beads,

Live always in my face and bless me.

b.Valmiki Sthuthi

C.Hanuman

1.Goshpadi krutha vaareesham masaki krutha rakshasam,
Ramayana maha mala rathnam Vande anilathmajam,

I pray to him who is born to the God of wind.
Who made the king of lakes look like the hoof of a cow,
Who made the great Rakshasas look like simple mosquitoes,
And who is born to the God of wind.
And is the greatest jewel in the garland of the story of Rama,

2.Anjananandanam veeram , Janaki Soka nasanam,

Kapeesamaksha hanthaaram , Vandhe Lanka Bhayanagaram

I salute the terror to Lanka , who is valorous son of Anjana ,

Who destroyed the sorrow of Sita, who is the God of monkeys who killed Akshaya Kumara.

3. Ullangasya sindho salilam salilam cha sokha vahnim janakathmajaya,
AAdhaya thenaiva dhadhaha Lankam namami tham pranjalir Anjaneyam

I salute that son of Anjana with folded hands,
Who crosses the great ocean playfully,
Who took away the fire like sorrow of Sita,
And with that burnt the city of Lanka.

4, Anjaneya madhi patalananam,
Kanchanadri kamaneeya vigraham,
Parijatha tharu moola vasinam,
Bhavayami bhava mana nandanam.

I bow before the darling son of the god of wind,
Who is the son of Anjana,
Who is great among killers of Rakshasas,
Who is like a golden mountain,
Who is handsome to look at,
And who lives near the roots of Parijatha tree.

5.Yatra yatra Raghu nada keerthanam,
Thathra thathra krudha masthakanjalim,
Bhashpa vari pari poorna lochanam,
Maruthim namatha Rakshasanthakam.

I pray and salute the son of wind god,
Who brought to end the rakshasas,
Who is always present with eye full of tears,
With head bowed in veneration,
Wherever the praise of Lord Rama is sung

6.Mano javam , maruda thulya vegam,
Jithendriyam buddhi matham varishtam,
Vatha atmajam vanara yudha mukhyam,
Sree rama dootham sirasa namami.

I bow my head and salute the emissary of Rama,
Who has won over his mind,
Who has similar speed as wind,
Who has mastery over his organs,
Who is the greatest among the knowledgeable,
Who is the son of God of wind,
And who is the chief in the army of monkeys

d.Ramayanam

1.Ya Karnanjali samputai raha raha samyag pibathyadharath,

Valmikir vadanaravinda galitham Ramayanakhyam Madhu,

Janma vyadhi jara vipathi maranair athyantha sopadravam,

SAmsaram sa vihaya gachathi pumanvishno padham saswatham.

Keeping with folded hands in salute they drink with respect ,

The honey of Ramayana which came out of the lotus like face of Valmiki,

By doing which the illness of birth , the danger of old age and very trouble causing death ,

And troubles due to samsara would vanish and we would reach permenantly reach the world of Vishnu.

3,Valmiki giri sambhootha Rama Sagara gamini,
Puinathu bhuvanam punyaa Ramayana maha nadhi.

Let the whole world become holy,
By this river called “The story of Rama”,
Which starts from the mountain of Valmiki,
And joins the ocean of Rama.

2.Thadhupagatha Samasa sandhi yogam sama madhuropanathardha vakhya badham,

Raghu vara charitham muni praneetham dasa sirasascha vadham nisamayadhwam

2. The words , their alliteration ,their conjunction ,

With equally sweet and appropriate meanings ,

And very inimitable story of killing of Ravana ,

Occur in the history of Rama composed by the sage ,

3.Valmiki giri sambhootha Rama Sagara gamini,
Puinathu bhuvanam punyaa Ramayana maha nadhi.

Let the whole world become holy,
By this river called “The story of Rama”,
Which starts from the mountain of Valmiki,
And joins the ocean of Rama.

4.Sloka sara jalakeernam sarga kallola samkulam,

Kaanda graaha mahaa meenam vandhe Ramayanarnavam.

The sea filled with the water of slokas and chapters like the collection of waves,

The books are like the great fishes and I salute the sea of Ramayana

5.Veda vedhye pare pumsi jathe dasaradhathmaje,
Veda prachethasa daseeth sakshath Ramayanathmana.

When the God who is known by Vedas,
Was born as the son of Dasaratha,
Veda was born again from Sage Valmiki as Ramayana.

e.Lord Rama

1.Vaidehi sahitham surudrumathale haime maha mandape,
Madhye pushpaka masane mani maye veerasane susthitham,
Aagre vaachayathi prabhanjana suthe thathwam muneebhya param,
Vyakhyaantham Barathathibhi parivrutham Raamam bhaje syamalam.

I salute that black coloured Rama,
Who sits along with daughter of Videha,
And in the company of Baratha and others,
Inside the golden shed beneath the holy tree of Karpaga,
On the seat of flowers bedecked with jewels,
Built in its centre,
Explaining the essence of knowledge,
To the assembled sages,
And to the son of Anjana.

2,Vame Bhoomi suthaa , purascha hanuman paschad Sumithra sutha,

Sathrugno Bharathascha parswa dalayor vayvaadhi koneshu cha,

Sugreevascha Vibheeshanascha yuva rat thara sutho, jambhavan,

Madhye Neela saroja komala ruchim Ramam Bhaje shyamalam.

I salute the bluish black colour Rama who sits in the middle with softness of lotus flower,

with Sita on his left side ,Hanuman on his front , Lakshmana behind him , Shatugna and Bharatha,

On his sides and surrounded on all four sides by Vayu and other dik Palakas,

And Sugreeva , Vibheeshana , the prince Angadha and Jambhavan ,

3.Namosthu Ramaya Salakshanaya , devyai cha thasyai Janakathmajayai ,

Namosthu Rudrendramanilebhyo , namosthu chandraka maruth ganebhya.

.Salutations to Rama with perfect qualities whose consort is the daughter of Janaka.

Salutations to him who is respected by Lord Shiva and Indra and who is saluted by moon, sun and the wind.

Parayana Samapana Krama

(Method of ending the reading Ramayana)

1.Swasthi prajabhya paripalayantham,
Nyayena margena maheem maheesa,
Gobrahmanebhyo shubhamasthu nithyam,
Loka samastha Sukhino bhavantu.

Let good things occur to the king of the country,
Who looks after his people well, in the path of justice,
Let Cows* and Brahmins** have a pleasant life daily,
Let all people of the world have a very pleasant life.
*wealth was measured by cows in those times
** People in search of God

2.Kale varshathu parjanya,
Prauthwee sasya shalini,
Deso yam kshobha rahitha,
SAjjana santhu nirbhaya.

Let the monsoon be timely and plentiful,
Let earth be covered with vegetation,
Let the country live without problems,
And let good people never have fear.

3.Aputhra puthrina santhu,
Puthrina santhu pouthrina,
Adhana sadhana,
Santhu jeevanthu sarada satham.

Let sonless people have son,
Let people with son have grand sons,
And let people who are poor or rich,
Live and see one hundred autumns.

4.Charitham Raghu Nadhasya satha koti pravishtharam,

Ekaikamaksharam proktham Maha pathaka nasanam

4.The story of Raghu clan is spread over hundred crores.

And canting of one of its letters would destroy the bad effects of greatly evil acts.

5.Srunvan Ramayanam Bhakthyaa ya padam padameva vaa,

Sa yaathi brahmana sthanam Brahmana poojyathe sadaa.

By hearing Ramayana with devotion or its one verse or one line ,

Would take you to the place of Brahma and Brahma would worship you always.

6.Ramaya Ramabhadraya Ramachandraya Vedhase,

Raghunadhaya Nadhaya Sithaya pathaye nama.

My salutations to Lord Rama,

To Ramabadhra, to Ramachandra,

To the lord of Vedas,

To the chief of Raghu clan,

To the lord of the world,

And to the Lord of Sita.

7.Yan mangalam sahasraksho sarva deva namaskruthe ,

Vruthra naso sambhavath thathe Bhavathu mangalam.

That auspiciousness which was saluted by Lord Indra and all devas,

And which lead to destruction of Vruthra ,Let that bring us auspiciousness.

8.Yan mangalam suparnasya vinathaa kalpayath puraa,

Amrutham prarthamanasya , thathe Bhavathu Mangalam.

That auspiciousness was prayed to by Lord Garuda,

To bring nectar too his motherVinatha , let that bring auspiciousness./

9.Amruthothpadane daithyaan gnatho vajra dharasya yath,

Adhithir mangalam praadathathe bhavathu Mangalam.

9.That which was removed by Indra when Asuras were churning for nectar ,

To bring auspiciousness to Adhithi , Let that bring us auspiciousness.

10Threenvikramaan prakramatho VIshno ramitha thejasa,

Yadaa aaseen mangalam Rama THathe bhavathu mangalam.

10 When Lord Vishnu with great power as Trivikrama wend around ,

Then auspiciousness happened and let that bring auspiciousness.

11.Rithava sagara Dweepaa Veda LOkaa disascha they,

Mangalaani maha baho disanthu thava sarvadhaa.

Let that great one who brings auspiciousness to seasons , ocean,

Islands, Veda, the worlds by showing the way, bring auspiciousness to you always.

12.Kayena vacha Manasendyair va ,

Budhyathmana va prakruthe swabhavath ,

Karomi yadhyath parasmai,

Narayanayethi samarpayami.

I offer all that I do,
To Lord Narayana,
Whatever I do with my body,
Whatever I do with my mind,
Whatever I do with my brain,
Whatever I do with my soul,
And whatever I do with nature’s help

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Introduction to my translation

Valmiki Ramayanam – An introduction to my Translation

P.R.Ramachander

“Ramayana” means the story of Rama and according to Hindu beliefs it was the first epic written in Sanskrit by a great sage called Valmiki , who was a contemporary of Rama.

Valmiki was a hunter who was transformed in to a sage by sage Narada. The restless Valmiki wanted to write an epic and sage Narada requests him to write about Rama. He agrees and Lord Brahma blesses him saying that he would be by his intuition able to see every incident that took place in the life of Rama. He was confused as to which metere he should adopt for writing this great book. One day he sees a hunter killing the male bird of a bird couple and the female bird cries for its mate .Valmiki is moved and tells a poem

Maa Nishada Pratistham Tvam agamah sāsvati Samaa

Yat Krauncha mithunaad ekam Avadhi Kaamamohitam

Oh hunter, you killed one of the pair of Krouncha birds in love,

And so for years to come you would never be alive.

In the Anushtup metere.. And this poem (curse) born out of intense sorrow becomes the model for the entire epic of Ramayana. Naturally the first chapter of Ramayana , is the story of Rama in a nutshell as told by Narada called Samkshepa Ramayanam . The entire story of Rama is divided in to six books (kanda) and each Kanda is further divided in to Sargas.

1.Bala Kanda ( Book of Youth) [77 chapters]
2. Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) [119 chapters]
3. Aranya Kanda (Book of Forest ) [75 chapters]
4. Kishkindha Kanda (The Empire of Holy Monkeys) [67 chapters]
5. Sundara Kanda ( Book of Beauty ) [68 chapters]
6. Yuddha Kanda ( Book of War ) [128 chapter)

The chapters in these books have many slokas(verses) all written in Anushtup meter. The chapters are of differing length and so too are the books. There are 24,000 slokas in the Ramayana. The shortest book with about 2000 slokas is the Bala Kanda and the biggest book is Yudha Kanda with nearly 6000 slokas . Sage Valmiki is an expert in use of Simile and metaphor and almost throughout the narrative , these are used .Valmiki also tells every incident in great detail as he loves to describe. The description of the four seasons in the forest, the great description that Sugreeva gives his monkeys about the path that they have to follow in search of Sita, the descriptions of the fauna and flora throughout the path of Rama are examples of these. Sage Valmiki prefers to concentrate on the story that he is telling about and rarely relates us stories within stories. The exceptions to this is the story of Ganges and birth of Lord Subramanya in the Bala Kanda, stories of the lineage of certain sages like Viswamithra , Rama himself , Ravana etc. It is interesting also note that for valour , Valmiki most of the times quotes Indra or the Trivikrama or Narasimha as the model. He never mentions the great wars which sage Parasurama another incarnation of Vishnu fought. The poet rarely tells in any part of the book about Rama being an incarnation of Vishnu or Lakshmana as an incarnation of Adhisesha etc or refer to for one chapter except in the BalaKanda and another chapter in the Yudha Kanda. Both these chapters do not properly merge with the narrative and are contradicted immediately . Valmiki prefers to cut off reference to a character which he thinks as not important. For example , not a single word in the entire epic is spoken by the wives of Lakshmana, Bharatha or Sathurugna and Sumithra, the mother of Lakshmana rarely speaks. Not much is spoken by Kaikeyi after Dasaratha dies and so on. He also uses different styles of expression for the characters of his narrative. For example even Rama and Lakshmana do not talk in the same style. The Talk of Sita is always sharp and impetuous and so on. Valmiki is supposed to have composed this epic in the Treta Yuga ie 869113 years ago . It is clearly mentioned in the Ramayana that the sage taught it to Lava and Kusha, who were the sons of Rama who were living with him and these two lads sing it in the assembly hall in front of Rama. But modern scholars think that Valmiki Ramayana was written only in the 3^rd or 4^th century BC. In the book itself the author claims that it is the first epic ever written.

He has also written in Yudha Kanda

“Whichever person of this world reads or listens to this first book which is endowed with Dharma

Would be blessed with fame and longevity and it would fetch victory to the kings and this first book was written by sage Valmiki. 128.107-128.108

Any person hearing about the crowning of Rama , if he needs son he will get son , if he needs wealth he will get wealth , the king would win over earth and would become a master over his enemies.

128.109

Like Kausalya having Rama, Sumithra having Lakshmana , Kaikeyi having Bharata , women would become mothers to long living sons and they would be always happy and live with sons and grandsons.

128.110-128.111

Any one hearing Ramayana would get very long life and one who reads about victory of Rama will never fail in any of his actions. 128.112

He who hears this epic which was composed long ago by sage Valmiki with attention and with control over anger would be able to cross over all difficulties with ease. 128.113

He who hears this epic which was composed long ago by sage Valmiki would meet all his relatives after a long journey and would become happy with their relatives. 128.114

By the grace of Raghava , all the boons that they pray for would be realized and all gods would be pleased with those who listened to it. 128.115

To those living in their home , all obstacles would be removed , a king would win over earth and a man who lives outside his home would become comfortable. 128.116

“Menstruating women hearing this would get matchless and excellent sons and one who worships it and reads it gets relieved of all sins and would live long. 128.117

The Kshatriyas with bent head should salute and listen to it and the Brahmins should read it every day regularly and there is no doubt that the listener and reader of the entire Ramayana will get immeasurable wealth and birth of a son. 128.118-128.119

Rama is indeed Lord Vishnu who is eternal . Rama , the chief of Raghu clan is the primeval God , the very strong Hari , the lord Narayana and Lakshmana is Adhisesha . Rama would always love you on reading this. 128.120

Please narrate this great story which occurred long- long ago without any fear . You would be safe. Let the power of Lord Vishnu increase. 128.121

By analyzing and listening to this epic all Devas would become happy with you and by listening to Ramayana , your manes would get pleased. 128.122

To those persons who write this collection on Rama written by great sages with devotion , residence in heaven is assured. 128.123

By listening to this auspicious work of literary merit one gets increase in family prosperity , increase in wealth, grains , superior women , great happiness and acquisition of wealth in this earth.

128.124

This great work should be listened to by good people seeking wisdom ,long life , heath , fame , love from brothers , intelligence , welfare and splendour. 128.125

This great story has been in summary form repeated in almost all the eighteen Puranas as well as in Mahabharatha as well as Bhagwatha,. Only in Brahmanda Purana it is written in extenso and that version written by sage Vyasa is called the Adhyathma Ramayana or the spiritual Ramayana. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhyatma_Ramayana. I had the good fortune of translating it from Malayalam to English

http://rajathathas.blogspot.in/

Sage Vyasa from the beginning assumes that Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and there are large number of prayers addressed to God Rama by various characters in the book as against no prayer addressed to Rama in Valmiki Ramayana. In this version Rama who knew Sita would be abducted asks to her to live in fire for that year and the Sita whom Ravana abducted was a mere image . Possibly at this very time another book called Adbutha Ramayana (Wonderful Ramayana ) also came out .People believe that it was written by Valmiki himself . It is much smaller and has only 27 chapters. It is supposed to be narrated by Valmiki to sage Bharadwaja. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adbhuta_Ramayana)

Another version of Ramayana called Ananda Ramayana is also credited to be written by sage Valmiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananda_Ramayana

Unlike the usual names of books it has a different names to the books of the narrative. Here also Rama is considered as God and there are several prayers addressed to him.

I do not know when the translation of this very great epic was started. In almost all the Indian languages there is a translation available. One reason possibly is that people already assumed that Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and he lived the life of an ideal man(Maryadha Purushothama.). Here is a partial list of all those great translations. Most of the translations did not agree with Valmiki , that Rama was a human being. They also could not tolerate a Rakshasa carrying away Sita, physically touching her , as she was a goddess.

Tamil Nadu - The Tamil Kambaramayanam, a popular version, written by poet Kamban in the 12th century.

Karnataka - The Kannada versions of the Ramayana – the Kumudendu Ramayana(a Jain version), written in 13th century and the Kumara-Valmiki Torave Ramayana, written in the 16th century. There is another version titled Ramachandra Charita Purana written by Nagachandra during the 13th century. Two prose works by Nanadalike Lakshminarayana ('Muddanna') entitled Adbhuta Ramayana (1895) and Ramaswamedham (1898).^[14]

Assam - Saptakanda Ramayana, The Assamese Katha Ramayana or Kotha Ramayana in 14th century by Madhava Kandali.

Bengal - The Bengali Krittivasi Ramayan written by Krittibas Ojha in 15th century.

Orissa - The Oriya Dandi Ramayana or Jagamohan Ramayana was adapted by Balaram Das in the 16th century.

Maharashtra - The Marathi Bhavartha Ramayana written by Eknath in the 16th century. There is also reference of a Ramayana being translated into old Marathi during the 12th or 13th century.

Goa - Ramayanu written by Krishnadasa Shama in 15th century in Kardalipura, Goa in Konkani, manuscripts found in Portugal.^[11]^[12]

Awadh - The Ramcharitmanas written by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century is the Ramayana version popular in North India.

Kerala - The Malayalam language Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilipattu written by Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan in the 16th century and "Mappila Ramayanam." among the Muslims. There is also a Kannassa Ramayanam which is much earlier to these.

Gujarat - The Tulsi-Krta Ramayana is a Gujarati adaptation of Tulsidas' Ramcharitamanas in 17th century, by the poet Premanand Swami.

Urdu version called the Pothi Ramayana was written in 17th century.

Jammu and Kashmir - The Kashmiri Ramavatara Charita was written in 19th century.

Andhra Pradesh - The Sri Ranganatha Ramayanamu was adapted by Buddha Reddy and is the Telugu version of the Ramayana. The Molla Ramayanamu was adapted by poetess Molla.

Nepal - The Nepali language Bhanubhakta Ramayana written by Bhanubhakta Acharya in the 19th century. The Nepal Bhasa Siddhi Ramayana was written by Siddhidas Mahaju in the 20th century.

I was requested to do this translation by Sri Lakshmanan , who is running a commercial firm called Celextel specializing in supplying Hindu religious items and , also maintains a great web site of the spiritual library of Hindu religious works. I was little reluctant because of my age (at that time 73) but he assured me that God would take care of it . I who believe that all my works are done by God , using me as an instrument started with the job about a year back. I found that already several translations of this great book was available in the web. I decided to read them and do my own translations based on my understanding of those great translations. Here are the translations that I used:-

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/

www.ramayanabook.com/.../SPONSOR_PACKAGE_RAMAYANA1.pdf

http://archive.org/details/ShrimadValmikiRamayan-SanskritTextWithHindiTranslation-DpSharma10

http://valmiki.iitk.ac.in/index.php?id=translation

http://ancientvoice.wikidot.com/src-vrm:ram1-1

Since the people of India were charmed by the story of Rama , there are very large number of prayers where Ramayana is given in a nutshell. The most famous is the Eka Sloka Ramayana

Aadho Rama thapo vananu gamanam, Hathwa mrugam kanchanam,

Vaidehi haranam, jatayu maranam, Sugreeva sambhashanam,

Bali nigrahanam, samudhra tharanam, Lanka pureem dahanam,

Paschad Ravana Kumbha karna madanam, Ethat ithi Ramayanam

Once Rama went to forest,

He chased the deer,

Sitha was kidnapped,

Jatayu was killed, There were talks with Sugreeva,

Bali was killed,

The sea was crossed,

Lanka was burnt,

And later Ravana and Kumbha karna,

Were also killed.

This in short is the story of Ramayanam.

The next well known prayer containing the Ramayana is the very famous Nama Ramayana.

http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/ra4.htm.

Apart from there are very many other great prayers giving Ramayana in a nutshell. Some of them are

1.Ragothamashtakam http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/ra2.htm

2.Sri Rama Mangala Sasanam http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/ra14.htm

3.Rama Narayana Sthuthi (Malayalam) http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/ra19.htm

4.Raghu Veera Gadhyam http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/ra31.htm

5.Pasurappadi Ramayanam (Tamil) http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/pm5.htm

6.Sri Ramodantham http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/pm3.htm

7,Spatharishi Ramayanam http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Saptha_rishi_Ramayanam

8.Gayathri Ramayanam http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/pm32.htm

My deep sense of gratitude to all those great people who have done this labour of love . I acknowledge all of them.I might have used some words and also some whole sentances from these great works. My translation totally depends only on their translations.

My God, you dictated me to do it and you did it and I have been an instrument in your hand. How can I ever repay this great blessing from you. You all can now read my translation in to English of Valmiki Ramayana in my blog

http://englishvalmikiramayanam.blogspot.in/2014/01/index-to-contents.html