Valmiki Ramayanam

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Valmiki Ramayanam

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

 

 

Shri Valmiki who has created the unique story of Ramayana, which though contains the demons like Khar (rough) and Dashana (evil), is still smooth, lucid, faultless and without any evil element in it.

 

 

 

 

King Janak, after taking permission from the Brahmin prepared an axe of gold and dug up the field. while the field was being tilled, a young girl was unearthed. The king named her as "Bhuja" (Born of the earth) and embraced her by taking her in his arms. O Parvati! The girl was so innocent and beautiful that the king broght her to his palace and brought her up as his daughter. She was named "Janaki". And Narada called her "Seeta" who was pure and extraordinarily beautifully.

 

 

 

 

As the mother changed her mind, she spoke again," O Respected One! Please give up this from and appear before me in the dearest form of a child. I will be very happy. "Having heard this, even God started crying in the form of an infant. (Tulsidas says): One who sings the glory of this form attains Godhood and never returns to the well of the world.

 

 

 

 

While walking along he way, the sage pointed at Tadka (the Demones). On hearing human sound, Tadka rushed at them in anger. But Shri Ramchndra finished her just by piercing singal arrow in her body, and then knowing her to be helpless, sent her to the heaven.

 

 

 

 

Nobody could notice as to when the bow was lifted, the arrow was fixed and drawn forcibly. Everyone saw Ramchandra in a standing position ready to shoot an arrow. At the same moment, Shri Ramchandra broke the bow from the middle and its crackling noise filled he world with thunder.

 

 

 

 

Seeing the nervousness of Seeta, her clever friends persuaded her to garland Shri Rama. Seeta took the garland in both of her hands, but could not approach Rama due to shyness. At that time, both of her hands appeared like two lotus flowers with their branches ready to garland th moon (i.e. Rama). While her friends started singing for the occasion, Seeta gralanded around the neck of Shri Rama.

 

 

 

 

King Dasharath told Guru Vasishtha: "O King of sages! Kindly listen. Shri Ramchandraji has won the love and respect from all sorts of people. Servants, miisters, citizens and all our friends and foes or even those who are indifferent, each of them is dear to Ram like me. It is as if your blessing has taken the form of his body! O Lord ! All Brahmins alognwith their family members shower their love on Ram.

 

 

 

 

O beloved one! I earnestly request you to fulfill my two wishes by offering me two boons as promised earlier by you. The first one is the coronation of my son Bharat as the king of Ayodhya and the second one is the exile of Rama into forest upto 14 years in the guise of an ascetic without any attachment towards the kingdom, the family etc. The delicate utterances of Kaikeyi upset the king (Dasharath) like the Chakor bird whose yearning increases when moon-rays touch its body.

 

 

 

 

"Why are you so much upset over such a trifling matter? What prevented you from telling me earlier? On seeing you in the dejected mood, I approached the mother. After listening to everything, I was at ease. O Father! "Please do not be sentimental at such an auspicious occasion. Leave this depression and allow me delighfully to proceed for the forest." Rama spoke these words to his father and cheered.

 

 

 

 

O Lord! A woman without a man is like a body without the soul, a river without the water. I will get all happiness of the world just by accompanying you and looking at your face as brilliant as the full moon. Believe me, O Lord! If you are with me, I will never feel alone. The birds and the beats will become my family members, the forest creepers and barks of the trees my clothes and the hut made of leave will be an abode of heavely happiness for me.

 

 

 

 

O Lord! I wish to wash your lotus-feet first and then request you to board my boat. I require nothing else as the fare. Oh Ram! I swear by you and by Dasharath. Please believe me. Let Lakshaman kill me by shooting an arrow but unless I wash your lotus-feet, O kindest one & Lord of Tulsidas! I shall not take you across this river in my boat.

 

 

 

 

The lotus-eyed Shri Ramchandraji was very much pleased to see the beautiful, neat and sacred atmosphere of the Ashram. Sage Valmiki rushed rushed to receive Shri Ram on hearing about his arrival. Shri Ram saluted the sage by prostrating before him on the ground and touching his feet. Valmiki, the best of the Brahmins, blessed Ram. Valmiki was very much delighted to see Ram and led him to Ashram respectfully.

 

 

 

 

On the bank of river Sarayu, a pyre was prepared by piling up various fragrant substances like sandalwood, saffron, gugal, camphor. It looked like a path to the heaven.

 

 

 

 

The same Bharat has now transgressed the norms of religion after acquiring the seat of Ram. The evil-minded and the liar brother seems to have decided to rule the people, taking advantage of Shri Ram's exile and loneliness. With that evil design in his mind, he is approaching us, accompanied by his brother Shatrughna, along with the army.

 

 

 

 

Bharat was overwhelemed with the feelin og joy. He was accompanied by younger brother Shatrughna and friend Nishad. As soon as he was Ram, all of his worries, despair and depression disappeared. He exclaimed, "O, Lord! Please protect me! O Saviour! Please save me!" and prostrated himself in th efeet of Ram. Laxman recognised Bharat by his endearing speech, though he could not see him as he was looking at Ram. On one side there was overwhelming love for his Brother, while on the other side, there was helplessness due to tremendous attachment to Ram!

 

 

 

 

As every one was immersed in the ocean of love, suddenly Ram heard the news of arrival of the King of Mithila, viz. Janak. The great king RaghuKul Dynasty went ahead to receive janak along with his brothers, ministers and teachers. As soon as Janak saw the best of the mountains - Chitrakoot, he got down from his royal chariot after saluting the great mountain and started walking.

 

 

 

 

Ram was overpowered with the mixed sentments of love and hesitation. On one side there was immense dedication towards the character of Bharat, while on the other the presence of elders, ministers and the citizens. He wished to offer his footwear to Bharat, but was feeling shy to do so in front of his teacher. At last. he succumbed to the call of love for Bharart and offered his footwear to him. Bharat felt honoured by it and put them on his head.

 

 

 

 

 

Bharat listened to it very attentively, took the advice and blessings. Then he called upon the astrologers and fixed an auspicious day for putting the footwear (Charan Paaduka) of shri ram on the throne of Ayodhaya.