Vālmīki (Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि)
Introduction
King Dasharatha commences the putrakaameshti yagna aiming to beget progeny, under the aegis of Sage Rishyasringa. The celestial beings gather to receive the oblations offered in the Horse Ritual conducted by King Dasharatha. They are perturbed at the atrocities of Ravana, and request Brahma to think for a way to eliminate Ravana. Vishnu arrives there and pacifies Brahma and other celestials with an assurance that he will incarnate as human to eliminate Ravana.
मेधावी तु ततो ध्यात्वा स किङ्चित् इदम् उत्तरम् |
लब्ध सङ्ज्ञः ततः तम् तु वेदज्ञो नृपम् अब्रवीत् || १-१५-१
labdha sa~Nj~naH tataH tam tu vedaj~no nR^ipam abraviit || 1-15-1
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.1
That intellectual sage and one proficient in Veda-s Rishyasringa contemplated for a while, and gaining indications as to which ritual is to be performed, then said the king. [1-15-1] .
इष्टिम् तेऽहम् करिष्यामि पुत्रीयाम् पुत्र कारणात् |
अथर्व सिरसि प्रोक्तैः मन्त्रैः सिद्धाम् विधानतः || १-१५-२
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.2
“I will procedurally conduct the ritual contained in the preamble of adharva-veda with procedural hymns, called putra kaameSTi i.e., the ritual that bestows sons, for your benefit.” [1-15-2].
ततः प्राक्रमत् इदम् इष्टिम् ताम् पुत्रीयाम् पुत्र कारणात् |
जुहाव अग्नौ च तेजस्वी मन्त्र दृष्टेन कर्मणा || १-१५-३
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.3
Then that resplendent Sage Rishyasringa commenced that putrakaameSTi ritual, offering oblations into sacred fire with ritual acts meticulously contained in hymns. [1-15-3].
ततो देवाः स गन्धर्वाः सिद्धाः च परम ऋषयः |
भाग प्रतिग्रहार्थम् वै समवेता यथाविधि || १-१५-४
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.4
Then the deities along with celestial beings, siddha-s, i.e., the souls that obtained salvation, and also other esteemed sages who by now are the residents of Heavens have duteously assembled in the firmament to receive their part of the oblations. [1-15-4]
These celestial beings having attained salvation and living in their heavenly abodes do not re-enter these mortal worlds. They assemble in their cosmic zone, up above the Fire Altar of the Vedic ritual whenever a yajna is conducted on earth, to receive oblations.
ताः समेत्य यथा न्यायम् तस्मिन् सदसि देवताः |
अब्रुवन् लोक कर्तारम् ब्रह्माणम् वचनम् ततः || १-१५-५
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.5
Those deities who procedurally assembled there in that congregation then spoke to Brahma, the creator of worlds. [1-15-5].
भगवन् त्वत् प्रसादेन रावणो नाम राक्षसः |
सर्वान् नो बाधते वीर्यात् शासितुम् तम् न शक्नुमः || १-१५-६
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.6
“Oh! God, the demon named Ravana is torturing all of us with his intrepidity, as you have blessed him, and we are unable to control him. [1-15-6].
त्वया तस्मै वरो दत्तः प्रीतेन भगवन् तदा |
मानयन्तः च तम् नित्यम् सर्वम् तस्य क्षमामहे || १-१५-७
maanayantaH ca tam nityam sarvam tasya kShamaamahe || 1-15-7
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.7
“You have given boon to him appreciating his ascesis and oh, god, with high regard to that boon of yours we are tolerating all the cruel acts of Ravana from then onwards [1-15-7]
Hindu mythology has no devils, but has only raakshasa -s, who can hardly be called demons, either. Not all the raakshasa-s are evil-doers. Some of the raakshasa-s are the fallen angels who take birth as mortals. They have their Vedic education, and they perform Vedic rituals and penance etc., thereby they get the patronage of any one of the gods among the Hindu Trinity, viz., Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. On attaining the cherished boons, they suddenly revolt against their own patron deities and commence the atrocities only to conquer the Heavens, knowing well that they cannot be attained with a mortal body. In order to snub the upsurge of such violence or the unnatural ascension to Heaven, the deity who gave the boons seeks the help of any of the other two of the Trinity. Then one from the Trinity will take birth as mortal, as an incarnation of god on earth. Usually Vishnu incarnates himself to eradicate the evils created by the intrepid raakshasa-s.
Here the celestials bring in a preamble for Vishnu’s incarnation as Rama and thus the topic of Ravana occurs in this chapter of Ramayana. Ravana need not be taken as an evil spirit, devil, hobgoblin or a monstrous being. He is said to be a Brahman well versed in all Vedas, musicologist, and a great king of Lanka, with unlimited riches, and very many of his clansmen with their vast dominions, and what not. Though Brahma and Shiva bless Ravana with boons, Ravana flouts all the norms in conquering Heavens in which course he did not hesitate to torture anyone who becomes his personal hurdle or hindrance. Hence it is inevitable for the Trinity to curb Ravana’s atrocities, and Vishnu will now be requested by all the deities to incarnate himself on earth. As such, the expression of the word “DEMON” may not always be taken as an ugly and monstrous looking devil or Satan, as per the usual religious conceptualisation of evil.
In Hinduism evil is not a separate entity from humans, but available in the same personification and resides along with virtue, like the two sides of a coin. These raakshasa-s are also mortals, extraordinary beings with extraordinary powers like god incarnates. But, with wickedness in their will, monstrosity in mind and a conqueror’s ambition in their heart, they are rendered themselves as demons.
उद्वेजयति लोकान् त्रीन् उच्छ्रितान् द्वेष्टि दुर्मतिः |
शक्रम् त्रिदश राजानम् प्रधर्षयितुम् इच्छति || १-१५-८
shakram tridasha raajaanam pradharShayitum icChati || 1-15-8
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.8
“That malevolent Ravana is tormenting all the three worlds, hating the functionary deities of cosmos, and always desires to assail Indra, the king of all the functionary deities of universe. [1-15-8]
There are eight functionary gods for cosmos in Hindu mythology that keep the cycle of natural law going. Each one is assigned with each of the eight sides of the universe along with a natural function. They are: 1] Indra, Heaven : East, 2] agni Fire-god : southeast, 3] yama Death-god : South, 4] naiR^iti Demon-god : southwest, 5] varuNa Rain-god : west, 6] vaayu Air-god : Northwest, 7] kubera god of wealth management : North, 8] iieshaana god of bliss : Northeast. The governance of all these deities is Indra’s function, since he is the presiding deity of Heaven.
ऋषीन् यक्षान् स गन्धर्वान् असुरान् ब्राह्मणान् तथा |
अतिक्रामति दुर्धर्षो वर दानेन मोहितः || १-१५-९
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.9
“That invincible one is further self-conceited by the boons you have accorded, and he is overbearingly torturing the sages, celestial beings like yaksha-s, gandharva-s, asura-s, and like that even the Brahmans. [1-15-9]
The sura and a-sura nomenclature is the one that is commonly found in Vedic literature. sura is a celestial being and asura is its antonym, usually referred as a demon. Here it is not so because there are many asura-s who made their abode in heaven, like Rahu, Ketu, and others who attain salvation in this mortal life. Even Ravana came from Heaven, and returns there only at the end of the war with Rama. Thus a-sura-s are not earthly demons but celestial beings of a kind like other demi-gods, namely yaksha, gandharva, kinnara, kimpurusha etc.
नैनम् सूर्यः प्रतपति पार्श्वे वाति न मारुतः |
चलोर्मिमाली तम् दृष्ट्वा समुद्रोऽपि न कंपते || १-१५-१०
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.10
“The Sun-god will not verily parch Ravana, the Air-god will not puff at his sides, and on seeing Ravana, the lord of the undulating waves, namly the ocean will not pulsate either. [1-15-10]
And ocean hides those undulating waves from Ravana for the waves are his wives whom Ravana may abduct as in the case of Seetha.
तन् महन्नो भयम् तस्मात् राक्षसात् घोर दर्शनात् |
वधार्थम् तस्य भगवन् उपायम् कर्तुम् अर्हसि || १-१५-११
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.11
“Thereby, there is a great panic for all of us from that demon with an awesome look, hence oh, god, it will be apt of you to give a thought for his elimination. [1-15-11].
एवम् उक्तः सुरैः सर्वैः चिन्तयित्वा ततोऽब्रवीत् |
हन्ता अयम् विदितः तस्य वधोपायो दुरात्मनः || १-१५-१२
hantaa ayam viditaH tasya vadhopaayo duraatmanaH || 1-15-12
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.12
When all the deities spoke to Brahma thus, he thought for a while and then said “Aha! The idea to kill that evil-minded Ravana is discerned. [1-15-12].
तेन गन्धर्व यक्षाणाम् देवतानाम् च रक्षसाम् |
अवध्योऽस्मि इति वागुक्ता तथेति उक्तम् च तन् मया || १-१५-१३
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.13
“Ravana said while seeking boon that, ‘I shall not be killed by gandharva-s, yaksha-s, or by gods, or by other demons…’ and I also said ‘so be it…” [1-15-13].
न अकीर्तयत् अवज्ञानात् तत् रक्षो मानुषाम् तदा |
तस्मात् स मानुषात् वध्यो मृत्युः न अन्योऽस्य विद्यते || १-१५-१४
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.14
“That demon did not express about humans then with his disrespect to them, and evidently his death does not occur otherwise.” So said Brahma to gods. [1-15-14].
एतत् श्रुत्वा प्रियम् वाक्यम् ब्रह्मणा समुदाहृतम् |
देवा महर्षयः सर्वे प्रहृष्टाः ते अभवन् तदा ||१-१५-१५
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.15
On hearing Brahmathe explaining himself , then all those gods and great sages became adequately happy. [1-15-15].
एतस्मिन् अनन्तरे विष्णुः उपयातो महाद्युतिः |
श्ङ्ख चक्र गदा पाणिः पीत वासा जगत्पतिः || १-११५-१६
वैनतेयम् समारूह्य भास्कर तोयदम् यथा |
तप्त हाटक केयूरो वन्द्यमानः सुरोत्तमैः || १-१५-१७
sh~Nkha cakra gadaa paaNiH piita vaasaa jagatpatiH || 1-115-16
vainateyam samaaruuhya bhaaskara toyadam yathaa |
tapta haaTaka keyuuro vandyamaanaH surottamaiH || 1-15-17
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.16,1.15.17
In the meanwhile the great resplendent Vishnu, the Lord of the Universe, arrived there mounted on his Eagle-vehicle Garuda, handling conch-shell, disc, and mace in his three of four hands, clad in yellow-ochre robes, wearing golden bracelets, and while best gods eulogised him, and his arrival there is like the arrival of sun mounted on black cloud to accord the gratuitous gift called the rain. [1-15-16, 17]
Vishnu is a four handed deity. He handles a Divine Lotus suggesting that he is the creator sR^iSTi karta. An ever-cycling disc called sudarshana chakra is handled symbolising his ever-lasting dynamism. He is the maintainer of that continuous dynamism of already created Universe sthithi karta. A mace called kaumodakii for bludgeoning enemies as he is the eradicator of evil samhaara karta, and a conch-shell called paanchajanya which produces the sound of Om, listening to which salvation, mukti, is achieved by the true devotee. The sound of the same conch shell gives out an unbearable sound in respect of enemies. He is entered here without a lotus in hand. That means there is no need for a creation afresh. The other items he is handling are enough to deal with Ravana. If the Lotus is not handled that hand is taken as a blessing hand, abhaya hasta. And now he is giving that a + bhaya no fear, an assurance, to all gods.
The expression that Vishnu has come on his eagle-vehicle has a cross-reference to the previous chapter’s garuDa yajna vedi , Eagle-shaped Altar of Fire that is laid by priests of Dasharatha. It will be laid so with assumption that Garuda, also called suparNa, the Divine Eagle will fly in to transport oblations. The Vedic ritual is also called su parNa, the golden winged, or great winged vehicle to conduct oblations. And the eagle-vehicle of Vishnu is the quickest carrier of oblations to the deities specified in Vedic hymn. Here this Garuda has already carried the oblations offered by King Dasharatha to the chanting of Vedic hymns by Sage Rishyasringa to Vishnu. So Vishnu is now coming mounted on the same meritorious carrier, namely Garuda. Secondly the simile of Sun’s coming mounted on a black cloud has some thing to do with yajna. A silver cloud is no value in giving rains. The rain has got an inseparable combination with Vedic ritual. Since the ritual of Dasharatha is going to fructify the rainfall is due on earth. Hence, the sun on collecting all the merits called the rituals of Dasharatha, in the form waters is coming riding on a black cloud to shower rains. Hence Vishnu and Sun both are ready now shower their graces. Vishnu will shower grace by eradicating the evil called Ravana, and the sun by showering the gratuitous and cooling rains.
ब्रह्मणा च समागंय तत्र तस्थौ समाहितः |
तम् अब्रुवन् सुराः सर्वे समभिष्टूय संनताः || १-१५-१८
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.18
Vishnu having met Brahma stood there contemplating, and then all of the gods on bowing down and offering prayers addressed Vishnu. [1-15-18].
त्वाम् नियोक्ष्यामहे विष्णो लोकानाम् हित कांयया |
राज्ञो दशरथस्य त्वम् अयोध्य अधिपतेः विभोः || १-१५-१९
धर्मज्ञस्य वदान्यस्य महर्षि सम तेजसः |
अस्य भार्यासु तिसृषु ह्री श्री कीर्ति उपमासु च || १-१५-२०
विष्णो पुत्रत्वम् आगच्छ कृत्वा आत्मानम् चतुर्विधम् |
raaj~no dasharathasya tvam ayodhya adhipateH vibhoH || 1-15-19
dharmaj~nasya vadaanyasya maharShi sama tejasaH |
asya bhaaryaasu tisR^iShu hrii shrii kiirti upamaasu ca || 1-15-20
viShNo putratvam aagacCha kR^itvaa aatmaanam caturvidham |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.19,1.15.20,1.15.21a
“Oh! Vishnu, desiring prosperity in all the worlds we nominate you to become the son of the ruler and lord of Ayodhya, namely Dasharatha, who is a virtuous one, renowned one and one whose resplendence equals that of the sages, and oh, Vishnu, through the wives of such a king Dasharatha, who are in similitude with the hrii, the virtue, shrii, the affluence, and kiirti, the glory, you have a fourfold transformation and take birth as their son. [1-15-19, 20, 21a]
These three hrii, shrii, kiirti are the daughters of Daksha Prajapati in their earlier births. The hrii is hR^illekha , virtuous disposition – which Queen Kausalya has, and who begot Rama. The shrii is shriikaara , the affluence of everything, which Queen Sumitra has, by which alone she magnificently and unhesitatingly advises her son Lakshmana to go along with Rama to woods. And the third, kiirti, the glory, and the glory of Kaika is well known. The position of this epic minus Kaika can be imagined, thereby her glory, may it be negative, that may be imagined.
तत्र त्वम् मानुषो भूत्वा प्रवृद्धम् लोक कण्टकम् || १-१५-२१
अवध्यम् दैवतैः विष्णो समरे जहि रावणम् |
avadhyam daivataiH viShNo samare jahi raavaNam |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.21b,1.15.22a
“Oh! Vishnu, on your taking birth as human through the wives of Dasharatha you eliminate Ravana in war, who has become exacerbating and thorny to all worlds, and who is otherwise not eliminable for gods. [1-15-21b, 22a].
स हि देवान् स गन्धर्वान् सिद्धान् च ऋषि सत्तमान् || १-१५-२२
राक्षसो रावणो मूर्खो वीर्य उद्रेकेण बाधते |
raakShaso raavaNo muurkho viirya udrekeNa baadhate |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.22b,1.15.23a
“He that preposterous demon Ravana with his invigorated doggedness is torturing gods along with eminent saints, gandharva-s, and siddha-s. [1-15-22b, 23a].
ऋषयः च ततः तेन गन्धर्वा अप्सरसः तथा || १-१५-२३
क्रीडयन्तो नन्दन वने रैउद्रेण विनिपातिताः |
kriiDayanto nandana vane raiudreNa vinipaatitaaH |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.23b,1.15.24a
“He that furious one with his insolence is knocking down sages from their celestial abodes, and like that he is knocking down the gandharva-s and apsara celestials too from the heavenly gardens Nandana, where they will be taking delight. [1-15-23b, 24a].
वधार्थम् वयम् आयाताः तस्य वै मुनिभिः सह || १-१५-२४
सिद्ध गन्धर्व यक्षाः च ततः त्वाम् श्ररणम् गताः |
siddha gandharva yaxaaH ca tataH tvaam shraraNam gataaH |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.24b,1.15.25a
“We the celestial beings like siddha-s, gandharva-s, yaksha-s along with sages have actually come for his elimination, and thereby we seek shelter in you. [1-15-24b, 25a].
त्वम् गतिः परमा देव सर्वेषाम् नः परंतपः || १-१५-२५
वधाय देव शतॄणाम् नृणाम् लोके मनः कुरु |
vadhaaya deva shatR^INaam nR^iNaam loke manaH kuru |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.25b,1.15.26a
“Oh, enemy tormentor, oh, Vishnu, you are the ultimate recourse for all us in eliminating enemies of divinity, hence you make up your mind to take birth in human world.” The gods appealed to Vishnu that way. [1-15-25b, 26a].
एवम् स्तुतस्तु देवेशो विष्णुः त्रिदशः पुंगवः || १-१५-२६
पितामह पुरोगान् तान् सर्व लोक नमस्कृतः
अब्रवीत् त्रिदशान् सर्वान् समेतान् धर्म संहितान् || १-१५-२७
pitaamaha purogaan taan sarva loka namaskR^itaH
abraviit tridashaan sarvaan sametaan dharma saMhitaan || 1-15-27
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.26b,1.15.27
When the god of gods Vishnu, the supreme one among deities, one who is revered by all worlds is eulogised this way, then he spoke to all of those celestials that abide in the righteousness and that are in the assemblage, keeping the Forefather Brahma at their helm. [1-15-26a, 27].
भयम् त्यजत भद्रम् वो हितार्थम् युधि रावणम् |
स पुत्र पौत्रम् स अमात्यम् स मित्र ज्ञाति बान्धवम् || १-१५-२८
हत्वा क्रूरम् दुराधर्षम् देव ऋषीणाम् भयावहम् |
दश वर्ष सहस्राणि दश वर्ष शतानि च || १-१५-२९
वत्स्यामि मानुषे लोके पालयन् पृध्वीम् इमाम् |
sa putra pautram sa amaatyam sa mitra j~naati baandhavam || 1-15-28
hatvaa kruuram duraadharSham deva R^iShINaam bhayaavaham |
dasha varSha sahasraaNi dasha varSha shataani ca || 1-15-29
vatsyaami maanuShe loke paalayan pR^idhvIm imaam |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.28,1.15.29,1.15.30a
“Get rid off the fear, let safety be upon you, on eliminating that cruel and evil-minded Ravana who became dreadful to deities and sages, along with his sons, grandsons, friends, cousins and relatives, ministers and forces too in war for your welfare, I will then reside in human world ruling this earth for eleven thousand years.” Thus Vishnu assured the gods. [1-15-28, 29, 30a].
एवम् दत्वा वरम् देवो देवानाम् विष्णुः आत्मवान् || १-१५-३०
मानुषे चिन्तयामास जन्मभूमिम् अथ आत्मनः |
maanuShe chintayaamaasa janmabhUmim atha aatmanaH |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.30b,1.15.31a
On giving boon to all gods in that way the kind-hearted god Vishnu started to think about the instituting base for his birth in human world. [1-15-30b, 31a].
ततः पद्म पलाशाक्षः कृत्वा आत्मानम् चतुर्विधम् || १-१५-३१
पितरम् रोचयामास तदा दशरथम् नृपम् |
pitaram rocayaamaasa tadaa dasharatham nR^ipam |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.31b,1.15.32a
And then that lotus-petal-eyed one agreeing to manifest himself in fourfold way is predisposed towards Dasharatha to be his father. [1-15-31b, 32a]
There is a great lot of discussion whether Vishnu made himself fourfold as Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata an Shatrughna, or he himself incarnated along with his main ingredients like conch shell, disc, mace as those three brothers. This verse says that he ‘made himself, or agreed to make himself as fourfold.’ Even then, there are discussions that Rama is a ‘full incarnation’ puurNa avataara as the Supreme is indivisible – on one account. And his brothers cannot be reckoned as his incarnation as they become parts of the whole but not the ‘whole’ itself he did not divide himself on the other account. And the tradition believes that Vishnu did not divide himself but incarnated in one piece, where his brothers are his paraphernalia. There is no unanimity on this, as yet.
तदा देव ऋषि गन्धर्वाः स रुद्राः स अप्सरो गणाः |
स्तुतिभिः दिव्य रूपाभिः तुष्टुवुः मधुसूदनम् || १-१५-३२
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.32b,1.15.32c
Then all the groups of gods, sages, gandharva-s, with rudraa-s, and apsarasa-s, extolled Vishnu with prayers of divine exposition. [1-15-32b, c]
Vishnu in early times killed a ghastly demon called Madhu and his brother Kaitabha, hence He is also called Madhusuudana. This is one the thousand names of Vishnu.
तम् उद्धतम् रावणम् उग्र तेजसम्
प्रवृद्ध दर्पम् त्रिदशेश्वर वर द्विषम् |
विरावणम् साधु तपस्वि कण्टकम्
तपस्विनाम् उद्धर तम् भयाअवहम् || १-१५-३३
pravR^iddha darpam tridasheshvara vara dviSham |
viraavaNam saadhu tapasvi kaNTakam
tapasvinaam uddhara tam bhayaaavaham || 1-15-33
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.33
“Oh! Vishnu, he that fiery one who is renowned for evil acts and who is the hater of Indra, that Ravana is uprising furiously with his heightened arrogance, and he has become a thorn in the side of hermits hence he is a fright to sages, afor he torturesd insubordinates to the the extent of loud wailing; hence we pray you to eliminate that Ravana.” [1-15-33].
तमेव हत्वा स बलम् स बान्धवम्
विरावणम् रावणम् उग्र पौरुषम् |
स्वर् लोकम् आगच्छ गत ज्वरः चिरम्
सुरेन्द्र गुप्तम् गत दोष कल्मषम् || १-१५-३४
viraavaNam raavaNam ugra pauruSham |
svar lokam aagacCha gata jvaraH ciram
surendra guptam gata doSha kalmaSham || 1-15-34
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.15.34
Or
34. sa balam sa baandhavam = with all his forces, with all his kinsmen; vi raavaNam [kR^itvaa] = without, pandemonium [on making worlds]; ugra pauruSam = furiously, vainglorious; tam raavaNam eva hatvaa = him, Ravana, thus, having eliminated; chiram = for a long time to come; gata jwara = rid of, febrility; sura indra guptam = for gods, lord – by Indra, made inaccessible, safeguarded; gata doSa kalmaSam = [and one which is] rid of, flaws and blemishes; swar lokam aagacCha = [your] heavenly, abode [Vaikuntha,] return to.
“On eliminating that furiously vainglorious Ravana with all his forces and with all his kinsmen neutralise the pandemonium created by him in all the worlds, and for a long time to come you get rid of your febrility, and you please return to your heavenly abode, namely your blameless and faultless Vaikuntha. [1-15-34].
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