Introduction
Divine sage Narada arrives at the hermitage of Sage Valmiki in order to enlighten him and keep him informed of his duty to author the epic poem Ramayana. In the dialogue between these two sages, Valmiki elicits from Narada about most virtuous person on earth, namely Rama. In this opening chapter, while eulogizing Rama Narada gives an outline of Ramayana, truly highlighting those aspects that are the keynotes in this epic, like virtuosity, generosity, morality, chastity and the like. Valmiki Ramayana is said to have been composed basing on each of the twenty-four letters of Gayatri Hymn, and a thousand verses are arranged into one book under the caption of each letter. Though that classification, or dividing verses into thousand chapters is unavailable now, the twenty-four verses identified with the 24 letters of Gayatri hymn, called as Gayatri Ramayana, is available and it is given in the endnote of this page. In tune with the scheme of Gayatri, Ramayana starts the first verse with letter ta an auspicious letter.
The ascetic Valmiki inquired Naarada - 'who engaged deeply in austerity and study of Vedas, best among the eloquent and eminent among sages' (as follows:). [1-1-1]
"Who really is that person in this present world, who is virtuous and vigorous, a conscientious one, one who is mindful of good deeds done to him, and also a speaker of truth and who is determined in his deed... [1-1-2]
"Who is appropriate in disposition... who is interested in welfare of all beings... who is adept and also an able one... also uniquely pleasant to look at... [1-1-3]
"Who is that self-composed one, who controlled his ire, who is brilliant, non-jealous and whom do even the gods fear, when provoked to war... [1-1-4]
"All this I wish to listen from you, oh! Great Sage, you are competent to know this kind of man, and indeed my inquisitiveness is immense..." Thus Valmiki enquired with Narada. [1-1-5]
On listening all those words of Valmiki, Narada, the knower of all the three worlds, said "let it be heard..." and beckoning at Sage Valmiki to listen attentively, he spoke these words very gladly. [1-1-6]
"Oh! Sage Valmiki, the merits which you have extolled are many, and unattainable. I, after having known from Brahma of such a man with all these merits, will speak on...Let it be heard." Thus Narada started to say. [1-1-7]
"One emerged from Ikshvaku dynasty, known to people as Rama by name. He is with a controlled self, highly valorous, resplendent, steadfast and a controller of (vice and vile... or) his own senses. [1-1-8]
"He is a wise one, moralist, eloquent, glorious, and a destroyer of enemies. His arms are lengthy, with three lines in the neck [indicative of good fortune], and cheekbones high... [1-1-9]
"He is lion-chested, with concealed collarbones, knee-length are his arms, and his is a long bow, an enemy-subjugator, and his emperor's countenance is with a crowning-head and an ample forehead, and his gait is majestic like that of a lion... [1-1-10]
"He is built proportionately physically, with limbs poised symmetrically, sinew-chested, wide-eyed, complexioned charmingly... he is a prosperous one with all the auspicious features ... [1-1-11]
prajaanaam ca hite rataH "He is the knower of rectitude, bidden by the truth, also his concern is in the welfare of subjects, proficient in prudence, clean in his conduct, self-controlled and an attentive one... [1-1-12]
ripuniShuudanaH "He equals Lord Vishnu, the Lord of all creatures, Sustainer of the Universe, together with Sri Lakshmi (shriimaan = lakShmiivaan), Eliminator of enemies, Protector of the world of living creatures and complete Guardian of probity... [1-1-13]
svajanasya ca rakShitaa "He is the preserver of his own righteousness and also a champion for adherent's welfare in the same righteousness, and he is a scholar in the essence of Veda-s and their ancillaries, too. He is an expert in dhanurVeda, the Art of Archery... [1-1-14]
"He is the knower of the meaning and essence of all the scriptures, excellent at memory, a brilliant one, and dear to all the worlds, gentle, level-headed and clear-headed in discriminating and distinguishing... [1-1-15]
"Like an ocean that is reached by rivers, that reverential one too is always accessible and reachable by clean-minded ones, and he treats all equally, and ever a feast to eye... [1-1-16]
"He who betters the happiness of his mother Kausalya is an embodiment of all noble merits, and in profundity he is like an unfathomable ocean, and by fortitude he is unalterable like the kingly Himalayan mountain... [1-1-17]
"In valour Rama is comparable to Vishnu, and in his looks he is attractive like the moon, he equals the earth in his forgiveness, but he is matchable to world ending fire in his wrath... and in benevolence he is identical to Kubera, God of Wealth, and in his candour he is like Dharma itself, the Truth personified, with none to rival him... [1-1-18, 19a]
prakR^itiinaam hitaiH yuktam "Lord of the land King Dasaratha with an intent for doing good to the people, affectionately desired to endow with regent-hood to that Rama, the eldest and a dear son to Dasaratha and who possessed such merits with true valour, together with best of qualities, and concerned for welfare of the people....[1-1-29b, 20, 21a]
"Then seeing the arrangements for the anointment of Rama as crown-prince, Kaikeyi, the dear wife and a queen of Dasaratha, solicited boons that were once accorded to her by Dasharatha, for the banishment of Rama and anointment of Bharata as boons. [1-1-21b, 22]
"Bound by his true plighted word and by the noose of righteousness that king Dasharatha exiled his dear son Rama to forests. [1-1-23]
"That warrior Rama went to forest for pleasing Kaikeyi, and as directed by his father, and to follow his father's word of honour. [1-1-24]
sumitraanandavardhanaH "While that Rama was going on exile, Lakshmana, endowed with humbleness, and augmentor of his mother Sumitra's joy, and a loving and a dear brother to Rama, followed him out of affection, showing brotherly fraternity.[1-1-25, 26a]
"Even Seetha, daughter-in-law of Dasaratha, and Rama's beloved wife equalling to Rama's life, ever well disposed, born in the family of Janaka and one as though fashioned by a Divine marvel, endowed with all good characteristics and the best among women, followed Rama to forest, like Rohini following the Moon... [1-1-26b, 27, 28a]
"The citizens of Ayodhya and his father Dasaratha followed virtuous Rama for a distance when he started on his exile. Later Rama reached the tribal chief named Guha, who liked Rama, on the bank of River Ganga in a town called Sringaberapura. Together with Guha, Lakshmana and Seetha, he left off the charioteer. [1-1-28b, 29, 30a]
"That trio of Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana after going from forest to forest and crossing many a river with much waters, by the ordainment of Bharadwaja, arrived at Chitrakuta, and building a handsome cottage there, they lived happily and delightfully in the woods there, like gods and gandharvas... [1-1-30b, 31, 32a]
"On Rama going to Chitrakuta thus, King Dasharatha tormented by the grief for son, went to heavens weeping for son... [1-1-32b, 33a]
"On Dasharatha's dying, though Bharata had been appointed for kingship by Sage Vashishta and other Brahmanas, that highly mighty one did not desire kingdom. That warrior Bharata went to forest to propitiate the venerable Rama... [1-1-33b. 34]
mahaatmaanam "That Bharata, possessed of a worthy way of thinking [to get Rama installed as king], on going to Rama, begged his brother Rama, a great souled one and a truly courageous one. Bharata spoke words in this manner to Rama - "You alone, the knower of probity, be the king." ... ' [1-1-35, 36a]
mahaabalaH ca "Even though Rama was very benevolent, gracious also, highly famed and with great prowess, Rama did not desire kingdom due to father's injunction... [1-1-36b, 37a]
"Thereafter, repeatedly turning Bharata back, the elder brother, Rama, gave his wooden shoes to Bharata and entrusting them to represent him for the sake of kingdom. [1-1-37b, 38a]
"That Bharata, thus with a desire unfulfilled, ruled the kingdom from Nandigrama, touching Rama's sandals representing feet of Rama, with an expectation of Rama's arrival... [1-1-38b, 39a]
"On the departure of Bharata, that splendid Rama, truth-bound, and self-controlled, anticipated the repeated visits of citizens and other people. To be undisturbed, Rama then entered Dandaka forests... [1-1-39b, 40]
"That lotus-eyed Rama, on his entering the vast Dandaka forest, killed the demon Viraadha, and indeed beheld Sage Sharabhanga and also Sage Suteekhsna, Sage Agastya and likewise Sage Agastya's brother... [1-1-41, 42a]
"On Sage Agastya's word, Rama, with great delight, received from Agastya, Indra's bow along with the sword and two quivers with ever replenishing arrows... [1-1-42b, 43a]
"During Rama's stay in the forest, all the sages together with other forest dwellers, approached him for the elimination of ogres and demons... [1-1-43b, 44a]
pratij~naataH ca "He [Rama] agreed to that supplication of those sages dwelling in the forest of demons. A promise was also made by Rama to the sages who equalled the fire and who were living in that Dandaka forest about killing of the demons in combat... [1-1-44b, 45]
"While Rama was living there in the Dandaka forest, a guise-changing demoness named Shuurpa-nakha, who was a resident of Janasthana, a portion of Dandaka forest, was disfigured by him... [1-1-46]
udyuktaan sarvaraakShasaan "Then in a battle, Rama killed all demons who became zealously active incited by Suurphanakha's words, including the demons Khara, Trishira, Duushana together with all of their foot-followers... [1-1-47, 48a]
"During Rama's stay in that forest, fourteen thousand demon inhabitants of Janasthana became slain... [1-1-48b, 49a]
"Then, on hearing the slaughter of his kinsmen, Ravana convulsed in anger and sought to get the help of a demon named Maareecha... [1-1-49b, 50a]
"But Maareecha restrained Ravana telling him many times, 'Oh, Ravana! Rivarly with that formidable Rama is not appropriate of you...' [1-1-50b, 51a]
tat vaakyam "Then disregarding Maareecha's words and impelled by his own fate, Ravana advanced to the place of Rama's hermitage along with Maareecha... [1-1-51b, 52a]
"After taking away of Rama and Lakshmana to a distance by the trickster Maareecha, Ravana stole Rama's wife after killing Jatayu... [1-1-52b, 53a]
"Raghava on seeing the smitten Jatayu and also on hearing about Seetha's abduction, wailed with disturbed senses, seething with anguish ... [1-1-53b, 54a]
kabandham naama raakShasam "Rama then cremated that vulture Jataayu with that state of anguish, and while searching for Seetha in forest, he indeed saw a demon named Kabandha, deformed in his looks and with a terrible appearance... [1-1-54b, 55]
saH ca kathayaamaasa iti "That Rama with great arms after slaying Kabandha, cremated him and Kabandha obtanined heaven. Before going to heaven, he spoke thus to Rama: 'Oh Raghava! You proceed to Sabari, a lady with righteous conduct, an expert in probity and a devotee.'... [1-1-56, 57a]
"That great resplendent Rama, the son of Dasaratha, an anhillator of enemies, approached Sabari and was thoroughly honoured by her... [1-1-57b, 58a]
"Rama was united indeed with the Vanara Hanuma on the banks of Lake Pampa, and upon the word of Hanuma, Rama met with Sugreeva... [1-1-58b, 59b]
"The highly powerful Rama detailed from the beginning all that happened, and in particular the abduction of Seetha, to Sugriva and to Hanuma also... [1-1-59b, 60a]
sakhyam chakaara "The Vanara Sugreeva after listening to all that talk of Rama made friendship with Rama delightedly with sacred fire as witness... [1-1-60b, 61a]
"Then out of affection, the incident was related with regard to Sugreeva's enemity with Vali in its entirety by the Vanara King with grief to Rama ... [1-1-61b, 62a]
"Then a solemn promise was made by Rama with regards to killing of Vali. In that regard Vanara Sugreeva also described Vali's strength... [1-1-62b, 63a]
"But Sugreeva remained ever doubtful with respect to Raghava, about Raghava's prowess. Sugreeva showed Dundubhi's big and great mountain-like dead body to gain confidence in Raghava... [1-1-63b, 64]
Great armed and very powerful Rama after seeing the bones of Dundubhi smiled and by the big toe of his foot threw it wholly for ten yojana-s length. [1-1-65]
"Then again Rama ripped through seven massive Sala trees with only one great arrow, which not only went through the trees but also rent through a mountain, and to the nethermost subterranean of earth, in order to create faith in the mind of Sugreeva... [1-1-66]
priitamanaaH "Thereafter great monkey Sugreeva with a gladdened heart by that act of Rama, proceeded to cave-like Kishkindha then along with Rama and with confidence in Rama's strength... [1-1-67]
"Then that best monkey Sugreeva, with a golden hue, made a roaring sound. By that loud sound, the king of monkeys, Vali, emerged out... [1-1-68]
"Then after Tara [wife of Vali] permitting, Vali met with Sugreeva in a combat. And Rama killed this Vali with a single arrow there... [1-1-69]
sugriivavachanaat "Then Raghava after killing Vali in a combat as per Sugreeva's plea, installed Sugreeva alone as the king of Vanaras.. [1-1-70]
"That best among monkeys, Sugreeva, after summoning all Vanaras, dispatched them in different directions to behold the daughter of Janaka... [1-1-71]
saMpaateH gR^idhrasya vachanaat "After that, the strong Hanuma, upon the word of the vulture Sampati who was elder brother of Jatayu, flew across the salty ocean one hundred yojanas in breadth... [1-1-72]
"On reaching the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, Hanuma saw Seetha situated in Ashoka gardens there and meditating on Rama alone... [1-1-73]
"After delivering to Seetha the mark of identification in the form of a ring from Rama and also communicating Rama's disposition and consoling Vaidehi, Hanuma destroyed the welcome-arch of Ashoka gardens... [1-1-74]
"After killing five army chiefs and seven minister's sons and crushing the valiant Aksha, Hanuma got into state of captivity... [1-1-75]
"Knowing himself to be free from the captivity of the weapon according to Brahma's boon, the valiant great monkey Hanuma enduring those demons with self-will who tied his tail with ropes with the intention of burning it, there after burning the city of Lanka while leaving from fire the Seetha of Mithila, got back again to convey the pleasant news to Rama ... [1-1-76, 77]
"Approaching the great Rama and peforming circumambulation around Rama, Hanuma having an inestimable intelligence, submitted in essence thus: 'Seen Seetha...' [1-1-78]
"There-after, Rama along with Sugreeva and other monkeys went to the shore of Great Ocean, and put the Ocean-god to turmoil with his arrows comparable to the Sun... [1-1-79]
"The Ocean-god revealed himself and upon his word, Nala built the bridge across the ocean... [1-1-80]
"Rama, having gone to the city of Lanka by that bridge, killing Ravana in a battle, experienced great shame on getting Seetha back... [1-1-81]
"There-after, Rama spoke harshly to Seetha in the assembly of the people. Being devoted to her husband, that Seetha, intolerant of the harsh words of Rama, entered into burning fire... [1-1-82]
"Then, upon the word of Fire-god, having known Seetha to be sinless, Rama became extremely glad. Worshipped by all gods he became resplendent. By that accomplishment of the great Raghava the three worlds together with mobile and immobile beings, and with groups of gods and sages became exultant... [1-1-83, 84]
"Enthroning Vibheeshana as the chieftain of demons in Lanka, and with a done deed, Rama then rejoiced highly indeed free from distress... [1-1-85]
"After obtaining a boon from the gods, Rama raised up monkeys from death. He then travelled to Ayodhya by Pushpaka aircraft surrounded by good hearted ones... [1-1-86]
"Rama, with true valour, on going to sage Bharadwaja's hermitage, sent Hanuma to the presence of Bharata... [1-1-87]
tat puShpakam samaaruhya "Then, having boarded Pushpaka aircraft again after leaving the hermitage of Bharadwaja, and narrating past history to Sugreeva and others about the events in the days of his exile in forests, while flying overhead of the very same places, Rama went to Nandigrama... [1-1-88]
"That sinless Rama rejoining with all of his brothers in the village Nandigrama removed his matted hair. Thus he, on regaining Seetha and on discarding hermit's role again became a householder, and he regained his kingdom also... [1-1-89]
"When Rama is ruling the world will be highly rejoiced and happy, satisfied and abundant, also very righteous, wholesome, disease-free, and free from fear of famine..." Thus Narada is foreseeing the future and telling Valmiki. [1-1-90]
"While Rama is on the throne men will not see the deaths of their children anywhere in their lifetime, and the ladies will remain husband-devouted and unwidowed during their lifetime... [1-1-91]
"In the kingdom of Rama, there will be no fear for his subjects from wildfires, gale-storms or from diseases, and there will be no fear from hunger or thieves, nor the cattle will be drowned in floodwaters as well... [1-1-92, 93a]
"Cities and states as well will be replete with wealth and grains likewise. All his subjects will be highly glad always, like in Krita yuga... [1-1-93b, 94a]
"Like-wise the highly illustrious Rama having performed hundreds of horse rituals and having donated plentiful gold and crores of cows and wealth that cannot be counted to Brahmanas and to scholars according to custom... [1-1-94b, 95a]
"In this world Raghava will establish kingly dynasties in hundredfold and he will be maintaining the four-caste system positing each in his own duty, may it be caste-bound or provincial-kingdom-bound duty, in order to achieve a perfect social harmony... [1-1-96]
"Having served the kingdom for ten thousand years and another one thousand years, i.e. for a total of eleven thousand years, Rama will go to the abode of Brahma... [1-1-97]
"This Ramayana is holy, sin-eradicating, merit-endowing, and conformable with the teachings of Vedas. Whoever reads this Legend of Rama, will be verily liberated of all sins... [1-1-98]
"This Ramayana is long-life giving. A narrative by reading which a human will be blessed with sons and grandsons, and after enjoying worldly comforts with attendants, will be adored in heaven after demise... [1-1-99]
"By reading this Ramayana, that person if a Brahmana obtains excellency in speech, if a Kshatriya obtains land-lordship, if Vaisya attains profit in trade and even if a Sudra attains excellence." Thus Sage Narada gave a gist of Ramayana to Sage-poet Valmiki. [1-1-100] In the first chapter of Bala Kanda the gist of Ramayana is imbibed and it is called saMkShepa raamaayaNa, or also called baala raamaayaNa . The youngsters are asked to recite these stanzas daily for longevity and a perfect personality like that of Rama. The summarised stanzas reflected here are from the main epic. The canto-wise summarisation is as below: 1. Bala Kanda [Book I] verses I-1-8 to 18 2. Ayodhyaa Kaanda [Book II ] verses I-1-18 to 28 3. Aranya Kaanda [Book III] verses I-1-29 to 57 4. Kishkindhaa Kaanda [Book IV] I-1-58 to 71 5. Sundara Kaanda [Book V] I-1-72 to 78 6. Yuddha Kaanda [Book VI] I-1-79 to 90 7. Uttara Ramayana [Book VII] I-1-91 to 97 8. Phala Shruti [Results of Recitation] I-1-98 to 100 Valmiki composed Ramayana according to the letters of Gayatri Hymn and they are identified with the following verses in all cantos:
Commentary