Chapter 5 - Manifestation of Viṣṇu as Rāma

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Agni said:

1. I shall describe (unto you) the (story of) Rāmāyaṇa, as it (was) once described by Nārada to Vālmiki (and which) if read in that manner yields enjoyment and release (from mundane existence).

Nārada said:

2. Brahmā (was born) from the lotus in the navel of Viṣṇu. (Sage) Marīci (was) the son of Brahmā. (Sage) Kaśayapa (was) then (born) from Marīci. The Sun (god) (and) Vaivasvata Manu (were born successively in the line).

3. Then from him (Vaivasvata Manu), Ikṣvāku (was born). Kakutstha (was born) in his line. Raghu (was the son) of Kakutstha. Aja (was born) to him. Then Daśaratha (was born).

4-7. Hari (Viṣṇu) manifested himself in the four (forms) for the sake of the annihilation of Rāvaṇa and others. Rāma was born from Daśaratha to Kauśalyā, Bharata to Kaikeyī and Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna to Sumitrā simultaneously from partaking of the sweet gruel obtained from (the performance) of the sacrifice of the father. The king being requested by (the sage) Viśvāmitra for the annihilation of those who impede (the performance) of the sacrifices sent Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa along with the sage. Rāma who had gone (with the sage) (and) was taught in the use of the weapons (astra^[1] and śastra^[1]) (became) the killer of (the demoness) Tāṭakā^[2].

8. (Rāma) made (demon) Mārīca^[3] stupefied by the missile (known as) Mānava and led him far away. The valiant killed also (the demon) Subāhu, the destroyer of sacrifices along with his army.

9. Residing at the (place) Siddhāśrama^[4] along with (the sages) Viśvāmitra and others, (Rāma) went along with his brother to see the sacrifice (test for prowess) of Maithila (King Janaka).

10-12. At the instance of (the sage) Śatānanda^[5] and on account of the glory of Viśvāmitra, that sage being shown due respects by the king at the sacrifice and Rāma being informed, sportively pulled the bow and broke it. (King) Janaka gave Sītā, the girl not born of the womb, and associated with a prize bid, to Rāma. And when the parents had come, Rāma also married that Jānakī (Sītā). In the same way Lakṣmaṇa (also married) Urmilā.

13-14. Then Śatrughna and Bharata married Śrutakīrti and Māṇḍavī, the two daughters of the brother of Janaka. Rāma after conquering Jāmadagni (Paraśurāma, son of Jamadagni) went to Ayodhyā with (sage) Vasiṣṭha and others and Bharata with Śatrughna went towards (the country of) Yudhājit (uncle of Bharata).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The word astra denotes a weapon discharged along with the repetition of the mystic syllables, whereas ‘śastra’ is any ordinary missile.

[2]:

Tāṭakā was a female fiend, daughter of Suketu. She was the wife of Sunda and mother of Mārīca. She had been changed into a fiend by the sage Agastya when she had disturbed his austerities.

Although Rāma was at first reluctant to raise his bow against a woman, she was later killed by him, at the instance of Viśvāmitra, when she disturbed the sacrificial performances of Viśvāmitra. See Rām. I.xxv-xxvi.

[3]:

Mārīca was a demon, son of Sunda and Tāṭakā. He was the uncle of' Rāvaṇa. Rām. I.xxiv. 26-27

[4]:

Siddhāśrama was the place where Viṣṇu manifested as the Dwarf to subdue the demon Bali, and also where the aspirants realized their ambitions. See Rām. I. xxix.

[5]:

Śatānanda was the son of sage Gautama and Ahalyā and was the family priest of Janaka. See Rām. I.li.l.