Introduction
The scheming of the composition of epic Ramayana is described here. Whole of the epic is rendered in its quintessence, as to how Sage Valmiki scheduled the narration of important milestones of the epic.
श्रुत्वा वस्तु समग्रम् तत् धर्म अर्ध सहितम् हितम् |
व्यक्तम् अन्वेषते भूयो यद्वृत्तम् तस्य धीमतः || १-३-१
vyak{}tam anveshhate bhuuyo yadvR^ittam tasya dhiimataH || 1-3-1
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.1
On hearing the essence of Ramayana from Sage Narada, which is abound with probity and prosperity, and a propitious one too, that virtue-souled Valmiki started searching for further known details in the legend of that dexterous Rama. [1-3-1].
उपस्पृस्य उदकम् संयक् मुनिः स्थित्वा कृताञ्जलिः |
प्राचीन अग्रेषु दर्भेषु धर्मेण अन्वेषते गतिम् || १-३-२
praachiina agreshhu darbheshhu dharmeNa anveshhate gatim || 1-3-2
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.2
Valmiki sitting on a sacred grass mat, whose apices are towards east, touched waters, and made his palms adjoined in reverence, and then by his yogic insight started to search comprehensively, for the narrative course of Ramayana. [1-3-2]
Comment: Touching/sipping waters aachamana, pariSechana , before undertaking any auspicious work, including daily meal, is customary, because water cleanses the internal system, both mind and body.
राम लक्ष्मण सीताभिः राज्ञा दशरथेन च |
स भार्येण स राष्ट्रेण यत् प्राप्तम् तत्र तत्त्वतः || १-३-३
हसितम् भाषितम् च एव गतिर्यायत् च चेष्टितम् |
तत् सर्वम् धर्म वीर्येण यथावत् संप्रपश्यति || १-३-४
sa bhaaryeNa sa raashhTreNa yat praaptam tatra tattvataH || 1-3-3
hasitam bhaashhitam cha eva gatiryaayat cha cheshhTitam |
tat sarvam dharma viiryeNa yathaavat saMprapashyati || 1-3-4
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.3,1.3.4
Of Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha, also of King Dasharatha and his wives, and what bechanced on Rama when he was in kingdom Ayodhya; Valmiki veritably discerned all that. Their smiles, their conversations, their deeds and the succession of events as well, all of them the sage saw wholly and clearly by the yogic power conferred by Brahma…||1-3-3-4.
स्त्री तृतीयेन च तथा यत् प्राप्तम् चरता वने |
सत्यसन्धेन रामेण तत्सर्वम् च अन्ववेक्षत || १-३-५
satyasandhena raameNa tatsarvam cha anvavekshata || 1-3-5
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.5
Then, that which bechanced on truth-abiding Rama, while he is trekking in forests, with a lady being the third partner, where Lakshmana is the lone male aide, Valmiki visualized all that. [1-3-5].
ततः पश्यति धर्मात्मा तत् सर्वम् योगमास्थितः |
पुरा यत् तत्र निर्वृत्तम् पाणाव आमलकम् यथा || १-३-६
puraa yat tatra ni.rvR^ittam paaNaava aamalakam yathaa || 1-3-6
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.6
Then that virtue-souled sage saw what all that has happened earlier, by his yogic exaltation, as though it is a citric fruit in his own palm.||1-3-6.
तत् सर्वम् तात्त्वतो दृश्ट्वा धर्मेण स महामतिः
अभिरामस्य रामस्य तत् सर्वम् कर्तुम् उद्यतः || १-३-७
कामार्थ गुण संयुक्तम् धर्मार्थ गुण विस्तरम् |
समुद्रम् इव रत्नाढ्यम् सर्व श्रुति मनोहरम् || १-३-८
abhiraamasya raamasya tat sarvam kartum udyataH || 1-3-7
kaamaartha guNa saMyuk{}tam dharmaartha guNa vistaram |
samudram iva ratnaaDhyam sarva shruti manoharam || 1-3-8
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.7,1.3.8
Discerning all of Ramayana in its actuality by his yogic prowess that highly intellectual Valmiki pioneered to author all of the legend of Rama, for Rama is a delighter of all in all worlds, and whose legend is abounding with the real functional qualities of earthly pleasures and prosperities, and which clearly elaborates the meaning of probity and its operative qualities, and thus this legend is like an ocean replete with such gems called thoughts, and an ear-pleasing legend, as well. [1-3-7, 8]
Comment: The pleasures and gains of the humans are puruSaartha -s, in its axiological meaning. Hindus have four such puruSaartha -s [namely human values,] dharma probity artha prosperity, kaama pleasures, and finally moksha , blessedness. Of these four only the first three, dharma, artha, kaama are usually referred, and they are called tri-varga . The final one moksha is not often quoted. Dhrama is the driving force. chodanaa lakshaNaartho dharmaH – Jaimini. Hence dharma is the prescribed conduct, either by scriptures or by the society, and it does not entail any merit or demerit, but just an obligatory conduct or duty or, say ‘categorical imperative’ of Kant. And the other two, artha, kaama , are the means of dharma, and all leading to moksha. These two great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are structured on these puruSaartha -s alone. Thus though Ramayana is abounding with the accounts of richness and glory of all kinds of wealth, which is secondary to human values, its main import is the virtuosity of human living. The ocean, though abounding with other less valuable items like conch shells, mother-of-pearl shells etc., its gems beneath all these peripherals are of high value. Thus this is an ear pleasing by its musical melody and heart pleasing by its meaningful wording. Further, it is pleasant for its import is in accordance with all the scriptures..
स यथा कथितम् पूर्वम् नारदेन महात्मना |
रघु वंशस्य चरितम् चकार भगवान् मुनिः || १-३-९
raghu vaMshasya charitam chakaara bhagavaan muniH || 1-3-9
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.9
That godly saint Valmiki composed the legend of Rama, the legatee of Raghu, exactly as the divine-soul Narada narrated it earlier. [1-3-9].
जन्म रामस्य सुमहद् वीर्यम् सर्वानुकूलताम् |
लोकस्य प्रियताम् क्षान्तिम् सौंयताम् सत्य शीलताम् || १-३-१०
lokasya priyataam kshaantim sauMyataam satya shiilataam || 1-3-10
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.10
The birth of Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu, his very great valour, his gracefulness to all, his universal cordiality, perseverance, courteousness, and his truthful conduct, Valmiki described them all. [1-3-10] .
नाना चित्र कथाः च अन्याः विश्वामित्र सहायेन |
जानक्याः च विवाहम् च धनुषः च विभेदनम् ||१-३-११
jaanakyaaH cha vivaaham cha dhanuShaH cha vibhedanam ||1-3-11
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.11
Narrated are very many other amusing stories, Rama’s breaking the great bow; his marriage with Janaki after with the help of Sage Vishvamitra… [1-3-11].
राम राम विवादम् च गुणान् दाशरथेः तथा |
तथऽभिषेकम् रामस्य कैकेय्या दुष्ट भावताम् ||१-३-१२
tatha.abhishhekam raamasya kaikeyyaa dushhTa bhaavataam ||1-3-12
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.12
Dispute of Rama and Parashurama; the merits of Rama, the son of Dasharatha; and the preparations for anointing of Rama as crown prince; Queen Kaikeyi’s vicious intentions… [1-3-12]
Comment: Rama is shrii raama one who delights in shrii , where shrii is Goddess Lakshmi. Where as Parashurama delights in his axe parashu axe; and Balarama, the brother of Krishna delights in his own bala might..
विघातम् च अभिषेकस्य राघवस्य विवासनम् |
राज्ञः शोकम् विलापम् च पर लोकस्य च आश्रयम् || १-३-१३
raaj~naH shokam vilaapam cha para lokasya cha aashrayam || 1-3-13
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.13
Disruption in royal unction of Raghava; his exile to forests; King Dasharatha’s grief and bewailing, and thus his departing to other worlds… [1-3-13].
प्रकृतीनाम् विषादम् च प्रकृतीनाम् विसर्जनम् |
निषाद अधिप संवादम् सूतोपावर्तनम् तथा || १-३-१४
nishhaada adhipa saMvaadam suutopaavartanam tathaa || 1-3-14
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.14
The grief of the subjects; Rama leaving them off; his conversing with tribal chief Guha; returning the charioteer Sumantra to kingdom from forests, leaving the trio at the banks of river Ganga… all these elements are well- described. [1-3-14].
गङ्गायाः च अपि संतारम् भरद्वाजस्य दर्शनम् |
भरद्वाज अभ्यनुज्ञात् चित्रकूटस्य दर्शनम् || १-३-१५
bharadvaaja abhyanuj~naat chitrakuuTasya darshanam || 1-3-15
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.15
Crossing over River Ganga; looking up Sage Bharadwaja; their look up at Chitrakuta on Sage Bharadwaja’s advise… [1-3-15].
वास्तु कर्म निवेशम् च भरत अगमनम् तथा |
प्रसादनम् च रामस्य पितुः च सलिल क्रियाम् || १-३-१६
prasaadanam cha raamasya pituH cha salila kriyaam || 1-3-16
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.16
Construction of a hermitage and dwelling therein; Bharata’s arrival at that place for the graciousness of Rama to take back the kingdom; Rama’s denial of it; Rama’s offering water oblations to his father on hearing the demise of his father… [1-3-16].
पादुका अग्र्य अभिषेकम् च नन्दि ग्राम निवासनम् |
दण्डकारण्य गमनम् विराधस्य वधम् तथा || १-३-१७
daNDakaaraNya gamanam viraadhasya vadham tathaa || 1-3-17
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.17
Enthroning shoe-sandals of Rama by Bharata; Bharata’s living in a village Nandigrama; Rama’s going to Dandaka forests; killing the demon named Viradha… [1-3-17].
दर्शनम् शरभङ्गस्य सुतीक्ष्णेन समागमम् |
अनसूया समाख्या च अङ्गराग्स्य च अर्पणम् || १-३-१८
anasuuyaa samaakhyaa cha a~Ngaraagsya cha arpaNam || 1-3-18
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.18
Rama’s visit to Sage Sarabhanga and Suteekshna; their visiting hermitic lady Anasuuya, and her smooth speaking with Seetha and also her giving a body cream to Seetha…[by applying which cream Seetha will not wither away in the rough weather of woods. These details are incorporated with great care.] [1-3-18].
दर्शनम् च अपि अगस्त्यस्य धनुषो ग्रहणम् तथा |
शूर्पणखाः च संवादम् विरूपकरणम् तथा || १-३-१९
shuurpaNakhaaH cha saMvaadam viruupakaraNam tathaa || 1-3-19
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.19
Also even Rama’s seeing the Sage Agastya, and likewise taking a great bow from that sage… also the palaver of Surpanakha, the demoness, and defacing her, likewise… [1-3-19].
वधम् खरः त्रिशिरसः उत्थानम् रावणस्य च |
मारीचस्य वधम् च एव वैदेह्या हरणम् तथा || १-३-२०
maariichasya vadham cha eva vaidehyaa haraNam tathaa || 1-3-20
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.20
The elimination of demons like Khara, Trishirasa and the upsurge of Ravana thereby, elimination of demon Mareecha, and Ravana’s abduction of Vaidehi, likewise… [1-3-20].
राघवस्य विलापम् च गृध्र राज निबर्हणम् |
कबन्ध दर्शनम् च एव पंपायाः च अपि दर्शनम् ||१-३-२१
kabandha darshanam cha eva paMpaayaaH cha api darshanam ||1-3-21
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.21
Raghava’s anguish at the loss of Seetha; Ravana’s slaying the mighty eagle Jatayu; Rama’s seeing Kabandha, and also Lake Pampa…[1-3-21].
शबरी दर्शनम् च एव फल मूल अशनम् तथा |
प्रलापम् च एव पंपायम् हनुमद् दर्शनम् || १-३-२२
pralaapam cha eva paMpaayam hanumad darshanam || 1-3-22
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.22
Rama’s seeing Shabari, a hermetic lady and eating fruits and tubers given by her in utmost adoration; Rama’s bemoaning for Seetha; his sighting Hanuma at Lake Pampa… [1-3-22].
ऋष्यमूकस्य गमनम् सुग्रीवेण समागमम् |
प्रत्ययोत्पादनम् सख्यम् वालि सुग्रीव विग्रहम् || १-३-२३
pratyayotpaadanam sakhyam vaali sugriiva vigraham || 1-3-23
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.23
Also going to Mt. Rishyamuka, meeting Sugreeva and generating confidence in Sugreeva, befriending him and the duel of Vali and Sugreeva… [1-3-23].
वालि प्रमथनम् च एव सुगीव प्रतिपादनम् |
तारा विलापम् समयम् वर्ष रात्र निवासनम् || १-३-२४
taaraa vilaapam samayam varshha raatra nivaasanam || 1-3-24
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.24
Also thus Vali’s elimination and establishing Sugreeva on throne of monkey kingdom, grieving of Tara, the wife of Vali and empress of that kingdom, and as consented Rama’s stopover during the days of rain… [1-3-24]
Comment: This raatri usually means night. But it includes day also. When saying triraatra, dasha raatra, in conducting rituals it includes daytime also. On the whole it is total rainy season that is admirably narrated in Kishkindha Kanda. .
कोपम् राघव सिंहस्य बलानाम् उपसंग्रहम् |
दिशः प्रस्थापनम् च एव पृथिव्याः च निवेदनम् || १-३-२५
dishaH prasthaapanam cha eva pR^ithivyaaH cha nivedanam || 1-3-25
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.25
The wrath of Raghava, the lion, at the delay caused by Sugreeva, and Sugreeva’s foregathering of all troops, and sending them to all quarters, and Sugreeva’s description of earth’s topography to monkey-troops… [1-3-25].
अङ्गुलीयक दानम् च ऋक्ष्स्य बिल दर्शनम् |
प्रायोपवेशनम् च अपि संपातेः च अपि दर्शनम् || १-३-२६
praayopaveshanam cha api saMpaateH cha api darshanam || 1-3-26
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.26
Rama’s giving his ring to Hanuma as a token for Seetha’s recognition… and the monkeys thus searching see Riskha cave, bear-cave, and their fasting unto death for their quest remained unsuccessful, and their seeing Sampaati, another mighty eagle and the brother of slain Jatayu, who guides the monkeys to the destination where Seetha is held capitive. [1-3-26].
पर्वत आरोहणम् च अपि सागर्स्य अपि लङ्घनम् |
समुद्र वचनात् च एव मैनाकस्य च दर्शनम् || १-३-२७
samudra vachanaat cha eva mainaakasya cha darshanam || 1-3-27
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.27
Hanuma’s climbing Mt. Mahendra to leap over the ocean, and on the advice of the Ocean, Mt. Mainaka’s coming up from under waters to give rest to Hanuma, and Hanuma’s seeing that mountain are depicted. [1-3-27].
राक्षसी तर्जनम् च एव छाया ग्राहस्य दर्शनम् |
सिंहिकायाः च निधनम् लङ्का मलय दर्शनम् || १-३-२८
siMhikaayaaH cha nidhanam la~Nkaa malaya darshanam || 1-3-28
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.28
Hanuma’s killing the demoness Surasa, and his seeing of Simhika, a rapacious creature of gigantic origin, which captures its prey by the shadow, and Hanuma’s killing that Simhika, and his seeing the mountain of Lanka, called Mt. Trikuta, on which the state of Lanka is built, Valmiki described them all. [1-3-28].
रात्रौ लंका प्रवेशम् च एकस्य अपि विचिंतनम् |
आपान भूमि गमनम् अवरोधस्य दर्शनम् || १-३-२९
aapaana bhuumi gamanam avarodhasya darshanam || 1-3-29
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.29
In night Hanuma’s entry into Lanka, for being lonely his thinking over the course to search for Seetha, and his going to the liquor consumption place, and also his seeing the palace chambers of Ravana… [1-3-29].
दर्शनम् रावणस्य अपि पुष्पकस्य च दर्शनम् |
अशोक वनिकायानम् सीतायाः च अपि दर्शनम् || १-३-३०
ashoka vanikaayaanam siitaayaaH cha api darshanam || 1-3-30
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.30
Hanuma’s seeing Ravana, and also his seeing Pushpaka, the divine aircraft, and in Ashoka gardens, his seeing Seetha also… [1-3-30].
अभिज्ञन प्रदानम् च सीतायाः च अपि भाषणम् |
राक्षसी तर्जनम् च एव त्रिजटा स्वप्न दर्शनम् || १-३-३१
raakshasii tarjanam cha eva trijaTaa svapna darshanam || 1-3-31
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.31
Presenting his credential, the ring of Rama, to Seetha and his talk with Seeta, and also his witnessing the demonesses scaring Seetha to oblige Ravana, and his witnessing demoness Trijata narrating her bad dream, are all narrated in the epic.] [1-3-31].
मणि प्रदानम् सीतायाः वृक्ष भंगम् तथ एव च |
राक्षसी विद्रवम् चैव किंकराणाम् निबर्हणम् |१-३-३२
raakshasii vidravam chaiva kiMkaraaNaam nibarhaNam |1-3-32
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.32
Seetha’s giving her bejeweled hairslide to be shown to Rama, Hanuma’s uprooting of the trees of that beautiful Ashoka gardens, thereby the demonesses fleeing in scare, his killing the guards of that garden… [1-3-32].
ग्रहणम् वायु सूनोश्च लंका दाह अभिगर्जनम् |
प्रति प्लवनम् एव अथ मधूनाम् हरणम् तथा || १-३-३३
prati plavanam eva atha madhuunaam haraNam tathaa || 1-3-33
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.33
The capture of Hanuma, the son of Air-god, by the magical missile of Indrajit, son of Ravana, and also Hanuma’s burning down Lanka, and his blaring at the demons, also his return flight from Lanka… and on his way back Hanuma’s seeing a honey garden, and the appropriation of honey… [1-3-33].
राघव आस्वासनम् चैव मणि निर्यातनम् तथा |
संगमम् च समुद्रेण नल सेतोः च बन्धनम् || १-३-३४
saMgamam cha samudreNa nala setoH cha bandhanam || 1-3-34
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.34
Hanuma’s action in presenting the jewel sent by Seetha solaces Raghava, and thus the meeting of Rama with the Ocean, and Nala’s building the bridge on ocean… [1-3-34].
प्रतारम् च समुद्रस्य रात्रौ लंका अवरोधनम् |
विभीषणेन संसर्गम् वधोपाय निवेदनम् || १-३-३५
vibhiishhaNena saMsargam vadhopaaya nivedanam || 1-3-35
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.35
Crossing over the ocean by the boulder bridge built by Nala, and seizure of Lanka in night, and Vibheeshana, the younger brother of Ravana, whom Ravana banished, comes to meet Rama, and his telling the scheme to kill Ravana to Rama… [1-3-35].
कुम्भकर्णस्य निधनम् मेघनाद निबर्हणम् |
रावणस्य विनाशम् च सीतावाप्तिम् अरेः पुरे || १-३-३६
raavaNasya vinaasham cha siitaavaaptim areH pure || 1-3-36
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.36
Destruction of Kumbhakarna, another brother of Ravana, and the elimination of Meghanatha, the valiant fighter and son of Ravana, and the annihilation of Ravana, and also retrieval of Seetha in enemy’s city, [which is a kind of disgrace to Rama and a successive event follows thereon,] all these are narrated in the epic. [1-3-36].
विभीषण अभिषेकम् च पुष्पकस्य च दर्शनम् |
अयोध्यायाः च गमनम् भरद्वाज समागमम् || १-३-३७
ayodhyaayaaH cha gamanam bharadvaaja samaagamam || 1-3-37
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.37
Crowning of Vibheeshana as the king of Lanka, after the demise of Ravana, and also Rama’s seeing Pushpaka, the divine aircraft, and returning to Ayodhya in that aircraft… and Rama’s meeting Sage Bharadvaja on his way back… [1-3-37].
प्रेषणम् वायु पुत्रस्य भरतेन समागमम् |
राम अभिषेक अभ्युदयम् सर्व सैन्य विसर्जनम् |
स्व राष्ट्र रंजनम् च एव वैदेह्याः च विसर्जनम् || १-३-३८
raama abhishheka abhyudayam sarva sainya visarjanam |
sva raashhTra raMjanam cha eva vaidehyaaH cha visarjanam || 1-3-38
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.38
Sending Hanuma to meet Bharata, for he avowed to self-immolate if Rama were not to come in time; the coronation festival of Rama; disbandment of all military troops of monkeys; Rama’s ruling his kingdom to the delight of his subjects, and the desolation of Vaidehi too… are described by Valmiki. [1-3-38].
अनागतम् च यत् किंचिद् रामस्य वसुधा तले |
तत् चकार उत्तरे काव्ये वाल्मीकिः भगवान् ऋषिः || १-३-३९
tat chakaara uttare kaavye vaalmiikiH bhagavaan R^ishhiH || 1-3-39
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.3.39
The godly sage Valmiki composed the futuristic legend of Rama while on the surface of earth, and whatever that is there, that is composed in all its minuteness, in the coming chapters of this epic. [1-3-39]
Comment: In this verse, some take the word uttare as Uttara Ramayana, the events occurring after his crowning, Seetha’s departure to forest, birth of Lava and Kusha, the sons of Rama and a battle between father and sons etc., are ascribed to Valmiki. But to some commentators, as per the format of this chapter, which surveys what Valmiki has scheduled to write, it is unacceptable since the word uttare occurs for only one occasion, hence cannot mean next canto. Thus, they say, Uttara.
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