Ramayana

PREFACE

Our first national epic, the RAMAYANA, has an all-time universal appeal and relevance. In its intrinsic value it transcends all the boundaries—subtle and physical. It has percolated our national life at various levels, in one form or the other. The reading of the book provides a great religious, literary and philosophical experience through which one would like to pass again and again. Our ancient-most cultural spirit, national genius and ambitions are embodied and enshrined in it with all their strength and limitations which make it our magnum opus and the cause celebre. The Ramayana has been a perennial source of inspiration to poets, painters, philosophers, performing artists, religious heads and laymen.

There are so many facets, like that of a jewel of the first water, which contribute to its popularity and global appeal, but perhaps the most important single factor is its galaxy of characters— Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Lakshmana… whenever we are assailed by doubts, surrounded by grim realities, attacked by frustrations, confronted with national or moral crisis, these characters carry the torch to lead us to dharma and duty. It is both very simple and very complex. As no one dips one’s head twice in the same river, so none reads the same Ramayana again and again, or no two readers read the same book. As one reads and re-reads, the subtler shades of meaning are revealed, bearing deeper relevance to our day-to-day struggles and strivings.

As there is no end to Rama, so is the story about him endless, it is innumerable. The first poet Valmiki sang the first Ramayana in Sanskrit about 3,500 years or so back. Since then it has been retold and sung, time and again, in prose and verse, down these centuries in various Indian and foreign languages. The story of Rama provides wings to every reader or listener’s imagination, on which he or she can fly to an altogether different realms, and there he or she can create his own Ramayana.

Here is an attempt, wherein the Ramayana, mainly of Valmiki, is retold, however, defectively but even then worthy of attention because it deals with Rama’s way.

—B.R. Kishore

BOOK ONE

BALA KAND

CHAPTER - 1

RAMA INCARNATES

It was the Treta Yuga. There was a mighty kingdom of Kosla on the banks of the holy Saryu. The famed and fabled Ayodhya, the invincible city, far more fair than Heaven, was the royal capital of Kosla. In ancient times Manu, the ruler of men, had built this magnificent city. King Dasaratha of the renowned Solar dynasty and descendant of illustrious lkshvaku reigned there in all splendour. He was powerful like Indra and rich like Kubera. There was none either equal or superior to him in all the three worlds. Amidst opulence and great fame, he ruled righteously. Besides the faithful and great sage Vasistha, the king had many other wise counsellors. The people of Kosla were happy, prosperous and of excellent character. Kosla was bestowed with matchless warriors, lot of food, riches and cows with their horns covered with silver and gold bands. But Dasaratha, far advanced in age, had no son to inherit the vast kingdom, and it made the king exceedingly sad and melancholic.

One day, Dasaratha visited his preceptor Vasistha, and told him all his sorrows. Vasistha comforting and consoling told him that very soon he will father four sons after his own heart, and they will be of great fame throughout the three worlds. So saying, he called the sage Sringi and bade him to start a sacrifice for the birth of sons. The sacrificial fire was lighted by the side of the river Saryu. Spell-binding Mantras were chanted and purified liquid butter with wooden ladels was offered to the sacrificial fire.

Then, ultimately, the Fire-god appeared with a steaming golden bowl of payasa in his hands and gave it to the king. Before disappearing the Fire-god told the king what was to be done. So great was the king’s rapture that he could hardly contain his joy. He went to the inner rooms of the palace where his three queens dwelt. He divided the rice cooked in mild and sweetened with sugar (payasa) into two and gave the first half to his first wife Kausalya. Then he further divided the second half into two equal portions, and gave each portion to his other two wives—Kaikeyi and Sumitra. In due course, all the three queens became expectant mothers. From that very day of conception, the whole earth was filled with great happiness and prosperity.

On the auspicious ninth day of bright fortnight of the month Chaitra, when it was bright lunar fortnight and the nature was at its best, Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu, was born as a human child. On hearing the happy news of Ram’s birth, the king’s joy was unlimited and the whole capital city was drowned in untold joy and rejoicing. People began to dance in the streets, squares and in market-places. The bells in all the temples were tolled. In heaven too, there was a great festivity among gods. King Dasaratha summoned his Guru Vasistha, and then offered gold, jewels, elephants, chariots, horses, cows and all kinds of costly dresses to the Brahmins, Bards, minstrels and choristers sang in ecstasy the praises of Rama. Men, women and children from every walk of life came in throngs to pay their respect to the new born and made offerings. There was such a profusion of musk, sandal and saffron in the streets that it all became muddy with them. Later, the same day Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata and Sumitra to twins—Lakshmana and Shatrughna. All the four babes were exceedingly bright like the stars -in the firmament. Rama of deep blue lotus hue, was a source of great delight to all. With passage of time all the four brothers grew into big boys.

Rama of lotus-scented breath grew to be the great favourite of all. He would run about with his brothers to divert himself in various sports in his father’s courtyard. Their innocent sports gave delight to the beholders in a great measure. When they attained youth they were invested with the sacred thread. Under the guidance and tutelage of wise Vasistha they mastered various branches of knowledge including Vedas, archery, hunting, riding etc. As a result of this training in various disciplines, befitting princes, they all grew into obedient, brave, lovable and virtuous young men.

Lakshmana was specially attached to Rama. He was virtually Rama’s second self. He always accompanied Rama, and served him devotedly. He would not eat anything if it was not partaken of by his eldest brother Rama. As Lakshmana was drawn to Rama, so was Shatrughna to Bharata.

CHAPTER - 2

THE INITIATION

One day, as King Dasaratha sat on his throne contemplating the marriage of his sons, the arrival of great ascetic Vishwamitra was announced. Dasaratha received the sage by prostrating himself reverently before him. The sage himself had been a king, who later on became a great ascetic through extreme austerities. He was spiritually so powerful that once he started creating, a rival universe, but was prevented from doing so by the supplicant goods.

Once he visited Vasistha’s ashram with all his entourage and army. Vasistha received him cordially and gave all the hospitality due to him. When Vishwamitra came to know the fact that the divine cow Sabla was the source of all the rich hospitality, he became greedy and insisted that the divine cow be given to him. But Vasistha could not do so, and then there ensued a fierce battle between the two. With the help of the divine cow Vasistha raised the mighty army and defeated Vishwamitra. Humiliated, King Vishwamitra retired to Himalayas and performed great austerities in order to gain power with which to take revenge upon Vasistha. Having attained the boon of several divine weapons, Vishwamitra once again attacked Vasistha, but again suffered disgrace and defeat at the hands of great sage Vasistha. The disillusioned, Vishwamitra undertook more rigorous tapas for years together and attained the state of Brahma Rishi.

The sweet welcome words of Dasaratha gladdened the heart of Vishwamitra beyond measure, and his countenance glowed with satisfaction. Explaining the cause of his visit, he said Recently I have begun a yagna, but it is being defiled by Maricha and Subahu, the wicked Rakshashas. They throw blood, flesh and bones on the altar. These demons possess immeasurable evil powers to destroy. I must protect my sacrifice against these demons.

Yes, it is my duty to provide protection to your yagna. Please tell me when and I shall be with my army there, said the king.

No, there is no need to trouble yourself. Send puissant Rama with me. He will kill them all easily.

Rama, my child. cried the king.

I could have cursed these demons to ashes, but I would not use my hard-earned merit for such a purpose while engaged in a sacrifice, said the ascetic.

This unwelcome request made the king speechless for some time, but soon he collected himself and said: In my old age I have begotten four sons, Rama is just a lad. How can he protect you from demons so terrible and wicked? I am ready with my huge army to march. Ask anything of me and I am ready. I would give even my life for mere asking, But not Rama, more dear to me than my life.

It all became tense, and an uneasy and awful silence prevailed in the atmosphere. The august assembly of ministers, courtiers and officials watched vacantly in silence. The king was almost struck dumb. Persistent refusal of Dasaratha displeased Vishwamitra and he was about to leave the court in rage saying, So this is your final word. I shall retrace my steps to the place of sacrifice. If you cannot give Rama, I need none else. Then Vasistha dispelling the doubts of Dasaratha said, He is a great sage. It is for the good of Rama that he wants him. Vishwamitra knows the past, present and future. Do not hesitate for a moment to send Rama with him.

Dasaratha then sent for Rama and Lakshmana and entrusting them to Vishwamitra’s care said, My two sons are my very life and now you are their only father. The king held his two sons to his bosom, smelled their heads before sending them off. The queen-mothers and sage Vasistha gave them their blessings and then, finally, they marched with the ascetic to the forest armed with quivers, bows and swords.

Led by the sage, the two lads came out of the city and then reached the river Saryu. There Vishwamitra initiated both the brothers into two powerful and secret mantras which had the magic power of protecting them against hunger, fatigue and danger. Having received the initiation, they looked resplendent like the noon sun. That night they slept on the banks of the Saryu on the beds of grass and leaves. The next morning they walked along the river downstream and reached the confluence of the Saryu and the Ganga. There they crossed the river at dawn in a raft and then entered the dense and dreadful Dandaka forest. Rama eager to know about the forest asked, which forest is this?

Then Vishwamitra said,. Once it was a prosperous place and here were two flourishing cities till Tadaka and her son Maricha destroyed the cities and turned the place into present dreadful wilderness. She still dwells in this forest with her son Maricha. She possesses the strength of a thousand elephants and can assume different forms at will. This Yakshi Tadaka is a terror and none dare to enter the forest. We have to pass through this forest and it is you, who is capable of destroying Tadaka.

THE STORY OF TADAKA

Hearing this, Rama asked: Yakshas possess little strength. How this woman came to possess the strength of a thousand elephants?

Vishwamitra replied, "Her strength is because of a boon granted to her father by Brahama. She is Suketu’s daughter, married to Sunda and mother of Maricha. Sunda incurring sage Agastya’s curse died. Provoked by this, Tadaka and Maricha attacked the sage, roaring revenge upon him. Then the sage cursed them into demons. Before it they were beautiful and full of physical prowess. Since then they have become ugly and forbidding. So, she is now a terrible monster breathing