The Valmiki Ramayana

by Amish Tripathi

  A great sound of rejoicing arose and seemed to touch the sky. Women, children, the young and the aged shouted, ‘Rama is coming.’ They descended from their chariots, elephants and horses and took to the ground. Like the moon in the sky, the men saw the vimana. Delighted, they joined their hands in salutation in Raghava’s direction. They welcomed him in the proper way and worshipped Rama. Lakshmana’s elder brother was on a vimana that had been constructed by Brahma with his mental powers. With long and large eyes, he was radiant, like a second wielder of the vajra. His brother, Rama, was in the front of the vimana, like the sun atop Meru. Bharata lowered his head down and worshipped him.

  When the vimana touched down, Bharata, for whom truth was his valour, happily approached Rama and greeted him again. Kakutstha had seen him after a long time. Full of joy, he made Bharata rise, embraced him and placed him on his lap. The scorcher of enemies, Bharata, then happily approached Lakshmana and Vaidehi, greeted them and announced his name. Kaikeyee’s son also embraced Sugriva, Jambavat, Angada, Mainda, Dvivida, Nila and Rishabha. The apes, who could assume any form at will, assumed human forms. Cheerfully, they asked Bharata about his welfare. Bharata addressed Vibhishana in words of conciliation. ‘It is good fortune that this extremely difficult task has been accomplished with your help.’ Shatrughna greeted Rama and Lakshmana. Full of humility, he subsequently worshipped at Sita’s feet.

  Rama approached his miserable mother, who was afflicted by grief. He bowed and seized her feet, delighting his mother’s mind. He greeted Sumitra and the illustrious Kaikeyee. With all his mothers, he then approached the priest.437

  Joining their hands in salutation, all the residents told Rama, ‘O mighty-armed one! O extender of Kousalya’s delight! Welcome.’ When the citizens joined their hands in salutation, Bharata’s elder brother saw that it was like an array of blooming lotuses.

  Bharata, who knew about dharma, himself took Rama’s sandals and inserted the feet of the Indra among men into these. Joining his hands in salutation, Bharata told Rama, ‘I have protected this kingdom in trust and I am returning it to you. My birth has become successful today and my wishes have also been fulfilled. I have seen the king of Ayodhya return. I have taken care of your treasury, stores of grain, the city and the army. Because of your energy, everything is ten times what it used to be.’ The apes and the rakshasa Vibhishana witnessed Bharata’s devotion to his brother and heard him. They shed tears. Delighted, Raghava placed Bharata on his lap.

  With the soldiers, they used that vimana to go to Bharata’s hermitage. With the soldiers, Raghava reached Bharata’s hermitage. They got down from the vimana and stood on the ground, before it. Rama told the excellent vimana, ‘I give you permission to go to the god Vaishravana.’ Having obtained Rama’s permission, the excellent vimana headed in a northward direction and went to the residence of the lord of treasures.

  Like Shakra, the lord of the immortals, approaching Brihaspati, Raghava approached his own priest.438 He pressed his feet. The valiant one sat down with him, but on a separate auspicious seat.

  Chapter 6(116)

  Bharata, the extender of Kaikeyee’s delight, placed his hands in salutation above his head. He spoke to his elder brother Rama, for whom truth was his valour. ‘Honouring my mother’s words, you gave me the kingdom. I have given it back to you, just as you had given it to me. I cannot bear this burden alone, which has been imposed on me by a stronger bull. I am like one who is young and am not interested in bearing this heavy load. I think that this prosperous kingdom is similar to a dam being shattered by a great flood of water. It is difficult to bridge. This is like a donkey trying to follow the footsteps of a horse, or a crow that of a swan. O lord! O scorcher of enemies! I am not interested in following in your footsteps. A tree that has been planted inside one’s house may grow up and become large, extremely difficult to climb, with a large trunk and branches. Its flowers may dry up and it may not show any flowers. Nothing may indeed be obtained by the person who planted it. O mighty-armed one! I wish to make this analogy known to you.439 O Indra among men! I am devoted to you and am your servant. Instruct me. Let the universe, all around, see you consecrated today. Blazing in your energy, scorch like the midday sun. After sleeping, awake to the sounds of many trumpets blaring, the sounds of girdles and anklets and the sweet sounds of singing. As long as the wheel revolves440 and as long as the earth is here, may you be the lord of everything on this extensive earth.’

  Hearing Bharata’s words, Rama, the victor over enemy cities, accepted these words and sat down on an auspicious seat. Following Shatrughna’s words, accomplished tenders of the beard,441 who were pleasant in the use of their hands, swiftly surrounded Raghava. Bharata, the immensely strong Lakshmana, Sugriva, Indra among the apes, and Vibhishana, Indra of the rakshasas, bathed first. The matted hair was cleaned. He bathed and wore colourful garlands, with unguents smeared. Donning extremely expensive garments, he blazed in his prosperity. The valiant extender of the lineage of the Ikshvakus442 arranged for the personal care of Rama and the prosperous Lakshmana. All of Dasharatha’s wives arranged for Sita’s personal care. Those spirited ones also made themselves look beautiful. Kousalya, delighted and affectionate towards her son, also took care to make all the other wives of the Raghavas443 look beautiful.

  On Shatrughna’s words, the charioteer named Sumantra yoked a chariot that was beautiful in all its parts. The chariot was like the divine solar disc. On seeing it, the mighty-armed Rama, for whom truth was valour, mounted it. Placing the priest at the forefront, King Dasharatha’s advisers prepared everything properly in Ayodhya. They consulted about the conduct, so that the city might become prosperous. ‘Arrange everything for the consecration so that the great-souled one becomes worthy of victory. For Rama’s sake, you should perform everything in an auspicious manner.’ In this way, all the ministers requested the priest. Making up their minds to see Rama, they then quickly emerged from the city. Like the one with the thousand eyes on a chariot yoked to tawny horses, the unblemished Rama mounted the chariot and left for the supreme city. Bharata seized the reins and Shatrughna grasped the umbrella. Lakshmana fanned the whisk atop his head. Sugriva, lord of the apes, held a whisk that was made out of white hair. Vibhishana, Indra among the rakshasas, held another one that was like the moon. Large numbers of rishis, the gods and large numbers of Maruts praised Rama from the sky and the sweet sounds of these were heard. There was an elephant named Shatrunjaya and it was like a mountain. The immensely energetic Sugriva, lord of the apes, mounted this. The apes proceeded on nine thousand elephants. They assumed the forms of humans and adorned themselves in all the ornaments. There was the sound of conch shells being blown and drums were sounded.

  The tigers among men went to the city that was garlanded with mansions. They444 saw the atiratha Raghava arrive, radiant in form, on a chariot, with attendants in front. They honoured Kakutstha and were greeted back by Rama. As he was surrounded by his brothers, they followed the great-souled one. Surrounded by advisers, brahmanas and ordinary people, like the moon by nakshatras, Rama blazed in his prosperity. Minstrels proceeded in front, with svastikas445 in their hands. Trumpets were sounded rhythmically. They surrounded him and proceeded, chanting auspicious songs. Maidens and brahmanas proceeded in front, with gold-hued unhusked grain in their hands. There were also men holding sweetmeats. Rama told the ministers about his friendship with Sugriva, the powers of the son of the wind god and the deeds of the apes. On hearing this, the residents of the city of Ayodhya were astounded. Having told them this, Rama entered Ayodhya, full of happy and healthy people, surrounded by the apes. In every house, the residents of the city raised auspicious flags.

  He entered the beautiful palace, his father’s residence and the abode of the Ikshvakus. The great-souled one reached and entered his father’s residence. He greeted Kousalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyee. The prince, the descendant of the Raghu lineage, spoke to Bharata, supreme among those who followed dharma, in sweet words full of meaning. ‘This excel
lent residence has a large Ashokavana. It is full of pearls and lapis lazuli. Make Sugriva stay here.’ Hearing his words, Bharata, for whom truth was his valour, took Sugriva by the hands and entered that residence. They entered and urged by Shatrughna, oil lamps, couches and spreads were quickly brought. Raghava’s immensely energetic younger brother spoke to Sugriva, ‘O lord! Command the messengers about Rama’s consecration.’ Sugriva quickly gave four Indras among apes four pots that were decorated with all kinds of jewels. ‘O apes! In the morning, go to the four oceans and collect water and fill these pots. Act according to my command.’ The great-souled apes, who resembled elephants, were addressed in this way. As swift as Garuda, they quickly leapt up into the sky. Jambavat, Hanumat, the ape Vegadarshi and Rishabha filled and brought four pots of water. They brought a fifth pot, filled with water from one hundred rivers. Sushena,446 full of spirit, brought a pot, decorated with all kinds of jewels, filled with water from the eastern ocean. Rishabha swiftly brought water from the southern ocean. Gavaya brought water from the great western ocean and covered the water in the golden pot with red sandalwood powder and karpura.447 The one who was like the wind god in valour, the one who was like Garuda and the wind in valour448 quickly brought cool water from the northern ocean in a large pot that was decorated with jewels.

  For the sake of Rama’s consecration, with the advisers, Shatrughna reported this to the supreme priest and his well-wishers. With the brahmanas, the aged Vasishtha proceeded. With Sita, he asked Rama to sit down on a seat encrusted with gems. Vasishtha, Vamadeva, Jabali, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Suyajna, Goutama and Vijaya sprinkled the tiger among men with water, just as the Vasus did to Vasava, the one with the thousand eyes. The officiating priests who were brahmanas did this first. They were then followed by maidens, ministers, warriors and merchants, who cheerfully consecrated him too, with the juices of all the herbs, while the gods were stationed in the sky. The four guardians of the world were there, with all the gods. Shatrughna held a white and auspicious umbrella. Sugriva, lord of the apes, held a whisk made out of white hair, while Vibhishana, Indra among the rakshasas, held another one that was like the moon. Urged by Vasava, Vayu gave Raghava a golden garland that blazed in form and was made out of one hundred lotuses. Urged by Shakra, he also gave the Indra among men a necklace made out of pearls. It was encrusted with all the jewels and was decorated with gems and jewels. At the well-deserved consecration of the intelligent Rama, divine gandharvas sang and large numbers of apsaras danced. The earth was full of succulent grain. The trees were full of fruits and fragrant flowers. This is what happened at the festivities for Raghava. The bull among men first gave brahmanas one hundred bulls and followed it up with one hundred thousand horses and also cows with calves. Raghava also gave brahmanas thirty crores of gold,449 many kinds of ornaments and extremely expensive garments. The bull among men gave Sugriva a divine garland. It was golden, studded with gems and resembled the rays of the sun. He gave the patient Angada, Vali’s son, a bracelet that was colourful with lapis lazuli and gems and was decorated with diamonds and jewels. Rama gave Sita an excellent necklace made out of pearls. It was decorated with the best of jewels and was like the beams of the moon. While Vaidehi looked on, he gave Vayu’s son a radiant and divine garment and auspicious ornaments. While all the apes and her husband repeatedly looked on, Janaka’s daughter took off her necklace.450 Since he451 knew about signs, he looked at Janaka’s daughter and spoke to her. ‘O immensely fortunate one! O beautiful one! Give this necklace to whoever you are satisfied with. He has always possessed manliness, valour, intelligence and other qualities. Give it to Vayu’s son.’ The dark-eyed one gave the necklace to Vayu’s son. Wearing that necklace, Hanumat, bull among apes, was radiant. It was as white and pure as the moon and he looked like a mountain with white clouds. Glancing towards Mainda, Dvivida and Nila, the scorcher of enemies, the lord of the earth, gave them all the objects of desire. He honoured all the aged apes and all the other bulls among the apes, as they deserved, and gave them garments and ornaments. All of them were worshipped, as they deserved, with all the desired ornaments. Delighted, all of them returned to wherever they had come from.

  Full of great joy, the extremely generous Raghava ruled. Rama knew about dharma and was devoted to dharma. He told Lakshmana, ‘O one who knows about dharma! Remain here with me. This earth has been powerfully ruled by former kings and the burden has been borne by our forefathers. You are like me. Be the heir apparent and bear this burden with me.’ Though he repeatedly entreated Soumitri with all his soul, Soumitri did not accept this assignment. At this, the great-souled one instated Bharata as the heir apparent. Raghava, with dharma in his soul, obtained that excellent kingdom. With his well-wishers, brothers and relatives, he performed many kinds of rites and sacrifices. The bull among kings performed poundarika, ashvamedha, vajapeya and many other sacrifices. Raghava ruled the kingdom for ten thousand years. He sacrificed excellent horses at one hundred ashvamedha sacrifices and gave away copious quantities of dakshina. The powerful one possessed arms that stretched all the way down to his thighs. He had broad shoulders. With Lakshmana as his follower, Rama ruled the earth. As long as Rama ruled the kingdom, no widows lamented. There was no fear from predatory beasts. There was no fear on account of disease. There were no bandits in the world. No one suffered from lack of riches. The aged did not have to perform funeral rites for the young.452 Everyone was cheerful. Everyone was devoted to dharma. They looked towards Rama and did not cause violence towards each other. As long as Rama ruled the kingdom, people were without disease and devoid of sorrow. They lived for one thousand years and had one thousand sons. The trees extended their trunks and always had flowers. They always had fruit. The rain showered down at the right time. The breeze had a pleasant touch. People were satisfied with their own tasks and performed their own duties. As long as Rama ruled, there was no falsehood in the subjects and they were devoted to dharma. All of them possessed the qualities and all of them were devoted to dharma. Rama ruled the kingdom for ten thousand years.

  This ends Yuddha Kanda.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Uttara Kanda

  Sarga (1): 27 shlokas

  Sarga (2): 29 shlokas

  Sarga (3): 31 shlokas

  Sarga (4): 31 shlokas

  Sarga (5): 41 shlokas

  Sarga (6): 55 shlokas

  Sarga (7): 50 shlokas

  Sarga (8): 25 shlokas

  Sarga (9): 37 shlokas

  Sarga (10): 42 shlokas

  Sarga (11): 41 shlokas

  Sarga (12): 29 shlokas

  Sarga (13): 39 shlokas

  Sarga (14): 25 shlokas

  Sarga (15): 31 shlokas

  Sarga (16): 31 shlokas

  Sarga (17): 31 shlokas

  Sarga (18): 33 shlokas

  Sarga (19): 26 shlokas

  Sarga (20): 25 shlokas

  Sarga (21): 29 shlokas

  Sarga (22): 43 shlokas

  Sarga (23): 46 shlokas

  Sarga (24): 35 shlokas

  Sarga (25): 50 shlokas

  Sarga (26): 47 shlokas

  Sarga (27): 42 shlokas

  Sarga (28): 46 shlokas

  Sarga (29): 40 shlokas

  Sarga (30): 42 shlokas

  Sarga (31): 40 shlokas

  Sarga (32): 72 shlokas

  Sarga (33): 23 shlokas

  Sarga (34): 44 shlokas

  Sarga (35): 65 shlokas

  Sarga (36): 46 shlokas

  Sarga (37): 14 shlokas

  Sarga (38): 17 shlokas

  Sarga (39): 24 shlokas

  Sarga (40): 18 shlokas

  Sarga (41): 27 shlokas

  Sarga (42): 23 shlokas

  Sarga (43): 19 shlokas

  Sarga (44): 22 shlokas

  Sarga (45): 28 shlokas

  Sarga (46): 18 shlokas

  Sarga (47): 18 shlokas

  Sarga (48): 20 shlokas

  Sarga (49): 18 shlokas

  Sarga (50): 20 shlokas

/>   Sarga (51): 16 shlokas

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  Sarga (53): 23 shlokas

  Sarga (54): 21 shlokas

  Sarga (55): 20 shlokas

  Sarga (56): 17 shlokas

  Sarga (57): 35 shlokas

  Sarga (58): 14 shlokas

  Sarga (59): 23 shlokas

  Sarga (60): 19 shlokas

  Sarga (61): 38 shlokas

  Sarga (62): 14 shlokas

  Sarga (63): 17 shlokas

  Sarga (64): 15 shlokas

  Sarga (65): 26 shlokas

  Sarga (66): 17 shlokas

  Sarga (67): 18 shlokas

  Sarga (68): 17 shlokas

  Sarga (69): 27 shlokas

  Sarga (70): 19 shlokas

  Sarga (71): 17 shlokas

  Sarga (72): 21 shlokas

  Sarga (73): 19 shlokas

  Sarga (74): 19 shlokas

  Sarga (75): 18 shlokas

  Sarga (76): 22 shlokas