Valmiki gets divine guidance to compile the epic (contd.)

श्रुत्वा वस्तु समग्रं तद्धर्मात्मा धर्मसंहितम् | व्यक्तमन्वेषते भूयो यद् वृत्तं तस्य धीमतः || १-३-१

shrutvaa vastu samagram tat dharma ardha sahitam hitam | vyak{}tam anveshhate bhuuyo yadvR^ittam tasya dhiimataH || 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]

उपस्पृश्योदकं सम्यक् मुनिः स्थित्वा कृताञ्जलिः | प्राचीनाग्रेषु दर्भेषु धर्मेणान्वेषते गतिम् || १-३-२

upaspR^isya udakam saMyak muniH sthitvaa kR^itaa~njaliH | praachiina agreshhu darbheshhu dharmeNa anveshhate gatim || 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]

रामलक्ष्मणसीताभी राज्ञा दशरथेन च | सभार्येण सराष्ट्रेण यत्प्राप्तं तत्र तत्त्वतः || १-३-३ हसितं भाषितं चैव गतिर्या यच्च चेष्टितम् | तत्सर्वं धर्मवीर्येण यथावत्सम्प्रपश्यति || १-३-४

raama lakshmaNa siitaabhiH raaj~naa dasharathena cha | 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

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]

स्त्रीतृतीयेन च तथा यत्प्राप्तं चरता वने | सत्यसंधेन रामेण तत्सर्वं चान्ववेक्षितम् || १-३-५

tataH pashyati dharmaatmaa tat sarvam yogamaasthitaH | puraa yat tatra ni.rvR^ittam paaNaava aamalakam yathaa || 1-3-6

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 तत्सर्वं योगमास्थितः | पुरा यत्तत्र निर्वृत्तं पाणावामलकं यथा || १-३-६

tat sarvam taattvato dR^ishTvaa dharmeNa sa mahaamatiH 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

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]

तत्सर्वं तत्त्वतो दृष्ट्वा धर्मेण स महामतिः | अभिरामस्य रामस्य चरितं कर्तुमुद्यतः || १-३-७ कामार्थगुणसंयुक्तं धर्मार्थगुणविस्तरम् | समुद्रमिव रत्नाढ्यं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् || १-३-८

sa yathaa kathitam puurvam naaradena mahaatmanaa | raghu vaMshasya charitam chakaara bhagavaan muniH || 1-3-9

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]

स यथा कथितं पुर्वं नारदेन महात्मना | रघुवंशस्य चरितं चकार भगवान्मुनिः || १-३-९

naanaa chitra kathaaH cha anyaaH vishvaamitra sahaayena | jaanakyaaH cha vivaaham cha dhanuShaH cha vibhedanam ||1-3-11

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 वीर्यं सर्वानुकूलताम् | लोकस्य प्रियतां क्षान्तिं सौम्यतां सत्यशीलताम् || १-३-१०

raama raama vivaadam cha guNaan daasharatheH tathaa | tatha.abhishhekam raamasya kaikeyyaa dushhTa bhaavataam ||1-3-12

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]

नानाचित्रकथाश्चान्या विश्वामित्रसमागमे | जानक्याश्च विवाहं च धनुषश्च विभेदनम् ||१-३-११

vighaatam cha abhishhekasya raaghavasya vivaasanam | raaj~naH shokam vilaapam cha para lokasya cha aashrayam || 1-3-13

Narrated are very many other amusing stories, Rama's breaking the great bow; his associated with sage vishvamitra... [1-3-11]

रामरामविवादं च गुणान्दाशरथेस्तथा | तदाभिषेकं रामस्य कैकेय्या दुष्टभावताम् ||१-३-१२

prakR^itiinaam vishhaadam cha prakR^itiinaam visarjanam | nishhaada adhipa saMvaadam suutopaavartanam tathaa || 1-3-14

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]

विघातं चाभिषेकस्य रामस्य च विवासनम् | राज्ञः शोकविलापं च परलोकस्य चाश्रयम् || १-३-१३

ga~NgaayaaH cha api saMtaaram bharadvaajasya darshanam | bharadvaaja abhyanuj~naat chitrakuuTasya darshanam || 1-3-15

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]

प्रकृतीनां विषादं च प्रकृतीनां विसर्जनम् | निषादाधिपसंवादं सूतोपावर्तनं तथा || १-३-१४

vaastu karma nivesham cha bharata agamanam tathaa | prasaadanam cha raamasya pituH cha salila kriyaam || 1-3-16

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]

गङ्गायाश्चापि संतारं भरद्वाजस्य दर्शनम् | भरद्वाजाभ्यनुज्ञानाच्चित्रकूटस्य दर्शनम् || १-३-१५

paadukaa agrya abhishhekam cha nandi graama nivaasanam | daNDakaaraNya gamanam viraadhasya vadham tathaa || 1-3-17

Crossing over River Ganga; looking up Sage Bharadwaja; their look up at Chitrakuta on Sage Bharadwaja's advise... [1-3-15]

वास्तुकर्म निवेशं च भरतागमनं तथा | प्रसादनं च रामस्य पितुश्च सलिलक्रियाम् || १-३-१६

darshanam sharabha~Ngasya sutiikshNena samaagamam | anasuuyaa samaakhyaa cha a~Ngaraagsya cha arpaNam || 1-3-18

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]

पादुकाग्र्याभिषेकं च नन्द्रिग्रामनिवासनम् | दण्डकारण्यगमनं विराधस्य वधं तथा || १-३-१७

darshanam cha api agastyasya dhanuSho grahaNam tathaa | shuurpaNakhaaH cha saMvaadam viruupakaraNam tathaa || 1-3-19

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]

दर्शनं शरभङ्गस्य सुतीक्ष्णेन समागमम् | अनसूयासमाख्यां च अङ्गरागस्य चार्पणम् || १-३-१८

vadham kharaH trishirasaH utthaanam raavaNasya cha | maariichasya vadham cha eva vaidehyaa haraNam tathaa || 1-3-20

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]

दर्शनं चाप्यगस्त्यस्य धनुषो ग्रहणं तथा | शुर्पणख्याश्च संवादं विरुपकरणं तथा || १-३-१९

raaghavasya vilaapam cha gR^idhra raaja nibarhaNam | kabandha darshanam cha eva paMpaayaaH cha api darshanam ||1-3-21

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]

वधं खरत्रिशिरसोरुत्थानं रावणास्य च | मारीचस्य वधं चैव वैदेह्या हरणं तथा || १-३-२०

shabarii darshanam cha eva phala muula ashanam tathaa | pralaapam cha eva paMpaayam hanumad darshanam || 1-3-22

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 विलापं च गृध्रराजनिबर्हणम् | कबन्धदर्शनं चैव पम्पायाश्चापि दर्शनम् ||१-३-२१

R^ishhyamuukasya gamanam sugriiveNa samaagamam | pratyayotpaadanam sakhyam vaali sugriiva vigraham || 1-3-23

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]

शबरीदर्शनं चैव फलमूलाशनं तथा | प्रलापं चैव पम्पायां हनुमद्दर्शनं तथा || १-३-२२

vaali pramathanam cha eva sugiiva pratipaadanam | taaraa vilaapam samayam varshha raatra nivaasanam || 1-3-24

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 गमनं सुग्रीवेण समागमम् | प्रत्ययोत्पादनं सख्यं वालिसुग्रीवविग्रहम् || १-३-२३

kopam raaghava siMhasya balaanaam upasaMgraham | dishaH prasthaapanam cha eva pR^ithivyaaH cha nivedanam || 1-3-25

Also going to Mt. Rishyamuka, meeting Sugreeva and generating confidence in Sugreeva, befriending him and the duel of Vali and Sugreeva... [1-3-23]

वालिप्रमथनं चैव सुगीवप्रतिपादनम् | ताराविलापं समयं वर्षरात्रनिवासनम् || १-३-२४

a~Nguliiyaka daanam cha R^ikshsya bila darshanam | praayopaveshanam cha api saMpaateH cha api darshanam || 1-3-26

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]

कोपं राघवसिंहस्य बलानामुपसंग्रहम् | दिशः प्रस्थापनं चैव पृथिव्याश्च निवेदनं || १-३-२५

parvata aarohaNam cha api saagarsya api la~Nghanam | samudra vachanaat cha eva mainaakasya cha darshanam || 1-3-27

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]

अङ्गुलीयकदानं च ऋक्षस्य बिलदर्शनम् | प्रायोपवेशनं चापि सम्पातेश्चापि दर्शनम् || १-३-२६

raakshasii tarjanam cha eva Chaayaa graahasya darshanam | siMhikaayaaH cha nidhanam la~Nkaa malaya darshanam || 1-3-28

Rama's giving his ring to Hanuma as a token for Seetha's recognition... and the monkeys thus searching Riksha 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 captive. [1-3-26]

पर्वतारोहणं चापि सागरस्यापि लङ्घनम् | समुद्रवचनाच्चैव मैनाकस्य च दर्शनम् || १-३-२७

raatrau laMkaa pravesham cha ekasya api vichiMtanam | aapaana bhuumi gamanam avarodhasya darshanam || 1-3-29

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]

राक्षसीतर्जनं चैव छायाग्राहस्य दर्शनम् | सिंहिकायाश्च निधनं लङ्कामलयदर्शनम् || १-३-२८

darshanam raavaNasya api pushhpakasya cha darshanam | ashoka vanikaayaanam siitaayaaH cha api darshanam || 1-3-30

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 लङ्काप्रवेशं च एकस्याथ विचिन्तनम् | आपानभूमिगमनमवरोधस्य दर्शनम् || १-३-२९

abhij~nana pradaanam cha siitaayaaH cha api bhaaShaNam | raakshasii tarjanam cha eva trijaTaa svapna darshanam || 1-3-31

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]

दर्शनं रावणस्यापि पुष्पकस्य च दर्शनम् | अशोकवनिकायानं सीतायाश्चापि दर्शनम् || १-३-३०

maNi pradaanam siitaayaaH vR^iksha bhaMgam tatha eva cha | raakshasii vidravam chaiva kiMkaraaNaam nibarhaNam |1-3-32

Hanuma's seeing Ravana, and also his seeing Pushpaka, the divine aircraft, and wandering in Ashoka gardens, his seeing Seetha also... [1-3-30]

अभिज्ञानप्रदानं च सीतायाश्चापि भाषणम् | राक्षसीतर्जनं चैव त्रिजटास्वप्नदर्शनम् || १-३-३१

grahaNam vaayu suunoshcha laMkaa daaha abhigarjanam | prati plavanam eva atha madhuunaam haraNam tathaa || 1-3-33

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]

मणिप्रदानं सीताया वृक्षभङ्गं तथैव च | राक्षसीविद्रवं चैव किंकराणां निबर्हणम् |१-३-३२

raaghava aasvaasanam chaiva maNi niryaatanam tathaa | saMgamam cha samudreNa nala setoH cha bandhanam || 1-3-34

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]

ग्रहणं वायुसूनोश्च लङ्कादाहाभिगर्जनम् | प्रतिप्लवनमेवाथ मधूनां हरणं तथा || १-३-३३

prataaram cha samudrasya raatrau laMkaa avarodhanam | vibhiishhaNena saMsargam vadhopaaya nivedanam || 1-3-35

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]

राघवाश्वासनं चैव मणिनिर्यातनं तथा | सङ्गमं च समुद्रेण नलसेतोश्च बन्धनम् || १-३-३४

vibhiishhaNa abhishhekam cha pushhpakasya cha darshanam | ayodhyaayaaH cha gamanam bharadvaaja samaagamam || 1-3-37

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]

प्रतारं च समुद्रस्य रात्रौ लङ्कावरोधनम् | विभीषणेन संसर्गं वधोपायनिवेदनम् || १-३-३५

preShaNam vaayu putrasya bharatena samaagamam | raama abhishheka abhyudayam sarva sainya visarjanam | sva raashhTra raMjanam cha eva vaidehyaaH cha visarjanam || 1-3-38

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 निधनं मेघनादनिबर्हणम्| रावणस्य विनाशं च सीतावाप्तिमरेः पुरे || १-३-३६

anaagatam cha yat kiMchid raamasya vasudhaa tale | tat chakaara uttare kaavye vaalmiikiH bhagavaan R^ishhiH || 1-3-39

raavaNasya vinasham ca= Ravana's, annihilation, also; siitaa avaaptim areH pure= Seetha, restitution of, in enemy's, city. 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.

वीभीषणाभिषेकं च पुष्पकस्य च दर्शनम् | अयोध्यायाश्च गमनं भरद्वाजसमागमम् || १-३-३७

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]

प्रेषणं वायुपुत्रस्य भरतेन समागमम् | रामाभिषेकाभ्युदयं सर्वसैन्यविसर्जनम् | स्वराष्ट्ररञ्जनं चैव वैदेह्याश्च विसर्जनम् || १-३-३८

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]

अनागतं च यत्किञ्चिद्रामास्य वसुधातले | तच्चकारोत्तरे काव्ये वाल्मीकिर्भगवानृषिः || १-३-३९

The godly sage Valmiki composed the futuristic legend of Rama while Rama is 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]