Valmiki Narada Conversation
Balakanda - Sarga 1
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Balakanda - Sarga 1
Valmiki, a wise sage, asked Narada, another sage known for his knowledge:
"Who in this world is truly virtuous, brave, dutiful, grateful, truthful, and firm in his vows? Who is kind to all beings, learned, capable, and handsome? Who controls his anger and doesn't envy others? Who scares even the gods when angered in battle?"
Narada, knowing past, present, and future, was happy to answer. He said:
"Such a rare man exists. His name is Rama, born in King Ikshvaku's family. He is steady, mighty, bright, and controls his senses. He's wise, skilled in speech, and destroys his enemies. He has broad shoulders, strong arms, and a neck like a conch shell."
Narada continued describing Rama:
"He has a broad chest, is a great archer, and has hidden collarbones. His arms reach his knees. His head is noble, his forehead beautiful. He is well-proportioned, with a smooth complexion and a strong chest. His eyes are large and he has auspicious marks on his body.
Rama knows his duty, keeps his word, and cares for his people. He's famous, wise, pure, obedient to elders, and always thinking of how to protect those who seek his help. He's like the god Brahma in creating good things, like Vishnu in strength, and pleasing to look at like the moon. When angry, he's like the fire at the end of time, but in patience, he's like the earth. In giving, he's like the god of wealth, and in honesty, he's like the embodiment of justice."
"King Dasharatha wanted to make Rama, his eldest and most beloved son, the crown prince. But Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi, asked for two favors: to exile Rama and make her son Bharata the king.
Bound by his promise, Dasharatha sadly sent Rama to the forest. Rama went willingly, keeping his father's word. His brother Lakshmana, devoted to Rama, followed him to the forest.
Rama's wife Sita, daughter of King Janaka, also went with him. She was as dear to Rama as his own life, always doing what was best for him. Sita was the most beautiful and virtuous of women, following Rama like the star Rohini follows the moon."
The citizens and King Dasharatha followed Rama for a long distance. At the Ganges river, in a place called Shringaverapura, Rama met Guha, the king of a local tribe. There, he sent back his charioteer, Sumantra.
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana then crossed many forests and rivers. Following the advice of the sage Bharadvaja, they reached Chitrakuta mountain. There, they built a pleasant leaf hut and lived happily, looking as beautiful as gods.
When Rama left for Chitrakuta, King Dasharatha, overcome with sorrow, died while mourning his son. After Dasharatha's death, the priests, led by Vasishtha, asked Bharata to become king. But the mighty Bharata refused.
Instead, Bharata went to the forest to persuade Rama to return. He worshipped Rama and said, "You alone should be king, as you know what's right." But Rama, though kind and capable, refused to return because of his father's command.
Rama gave Bharata his sandals as a symbol of authority and repeatedly asked him to go back to the capital. Bharata, disappointed but respectful, returned to rule the kingdom from Nandigrama, eagerly waiting for Rama's return.
After Bharata left, Rama, steadfast in his vows, entered the Dandaka forest to avoid more visits from the citizens. In the great forest, he killed a demon named Viradha. He then met several sages: Sharabhanga, Sutikshna, Agastya, and Agastya's brother.
Following Agastya's advice, Rama received a divine bow, a sword, and two quivers with endless arrows, all given by the god Indra. While Rama lived in the forest, many sages came to him, asking for protection from demons.
Rama promised to kill the demons. During his stay, a demoness named Surpanakha, who could change her form at will, came to Rama's place. Lakshmana wounded her, disfiguring her appearance.
Angered by Surpanakha's words, the demon king Ravana sought help from another demon named Maricha. Despite Maricha's warnings, Ravana, driven by fate, went with him to Rama's hermitage.
Using Maricha's magical powers, Ravana lured Rama and Lakshmana away. He then kidnapped Sita, Rama's wife, killing the vulture Jatayu who tried to stop him.
When Rama found the dying Jatayu and learned that Sita had been taken, he was overwhelmed with grief. His senses dulled by distress, Rama performed the last rites for Jatayu.
While searching for Sita in the forest, Rama encountered a terrifying demon named Kabandha. Rama killed him and performed his funeral rites. Before departing for heaven, Kabandha's spirit advised Rama to meet Shabari, a devoted female ascetic.
Rama visited Shabari, who welcomed him with great respect. Then, on the banks of Lake Pampa, Rama met Hanuman, a powerful monkey. On Hanuman's advice, Rama formed an alliance with Sugriva, the exiled monkey king.
Rama told Sugriva everything that had happened, especially about Sita's abduction. Sugriva, in turn, shared his own story of conflict with his brother Vali. Rama promised to help Sugriva reclaim his kingdom by killing Vali.
To prove his strength to Sugriva, Rama kicked a massive skeleton for a great distance and shot an arrow through seven palm trees, a mountain, and into the netherworld. Convinced of Rama's power, Sugriva took him to Kishkindha, his city.
In Kishkindha, Sugriva challenged Vali to a fight. Rama, fulfilling his promise, killed Vali with a single arrow. He then made Sugriva the king of the monkeys.
Sugriva gathered all the monkeys and sent them in different directions to search for Sita. Following the advice of Sampati, a vulture, the mighty Hanuman leaped across the ocean, which was a hundred leagues wide.
Hanuman reached Lanka, the city ruled by Ravana. There, in the Ashoka garden, he found Sita deep in thought about Rama. Hanuman gave her Rama's ring as a token of recognition, told her everything that had happened, and consoled her.
Before leaving, Hanuman destroyed the gate of the garden. He killed five army generals, seven sons of ministers, and defeated Ravana's brave son, Akshaya Kumar. Then, Hanuman allowed himself to be captured.
Using a special weapon given by the god Brahma, Hanuman freed himself. He then burned the city of Lanka, except for where Sita was staying. After this, he returned to deliver the good news to Rama.
Hanuman reached Rama, circled him respectfully, and truthfully reported that he had seen Sita. Rama, along with Sugriva, then went to the ocean shore. There, Rama agitated the ocean with arrows that blazed like the sun.
This story of Rama is sacred and destroys sins. It's as valuable as the Vedas (ancient scriptures). Whoever reads it will be freed from all sins. Those who read or recite this life-giving story of Ramayana will be honored in heaven after death, along with their sons, grandsons, and relations.
By reading this:
A Brahmin becomes proficient in all branches of learning
A Kshatriya gains lordship over land
A Vaishya gets the fruits of his business
A Shudra attains greatness
This concludes the first chapter (sarga) of Balakanda, the first book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.