Ramayana of Valmiki

by Hari Prasad Shastri | 1952 | 527,382 words | ISBN-10: 9333119590 | ISBN-13: 9789333119597

This page is entitled “chapter 37d” and represents of the Uttara-kanda of the Ramayana (English translation by Hari Prasad Shastri). The Ramayana narrates the legend of Rama and Sita and her abduction by Ravana, the king of Lanka. It contains 24,000 verses divided into seven sections [viz., Uttara-kanda].

“As the vicious-souled Ravana was reflecting thus, the great Ascetic Sanatkumara said to him:—

“‘O Long-armed Warrior, what your mind has conceived will be accomplished in a great encounter! Rejoice and wait awhile!’

“Hearing these words, the long-armed Ravana addressed the Sage and said:—

“‘O Foremost of the Rishis, do you tell me in detail what are His distinguishing characteristics?’

“Having listened to the Lord of the Rakshasas, the ascetic replied:—

“‘Listen and I will tell you all:—O Foremost of the Rakshasas, in the universe of animate and inanimate beings, that great God is all-pervading, subtle, eternal and omnipresent. He is present in the Celestial Region, on earth and in the region under the earth, on the mountains, in the forests and all stationary objects, rivers and cities; He is “Aum”, He is Truth, He is Savitri and the earth; He is the supporter of the earth and the Serpent Ananta; He is day and night, morning and evening, death, the moon, time, the wind, Brahma, Rudra, Indra and Varuna. He causes the worlds to appear and shine forth; He creates them, destroys them, rules over them and sports therein. He is eternal, the Lord of Men, He is Vishnu, the Ancient Purusha and die only Destroyer. What more is there to say, O Dashanana? He pervades the Three Worlds, the moving and unmoving. Wearing yellow raiment like unto the filaments of a lotus, Narayana resembles the lightning flashes. Bearing the Shrivatsa Mark on His breast, that cloud-coloured Lord, like unto the moon, is pleasing to look upon. Lakshmi resides in His body in the form of warfare, as lightning in the clouds. Neither Devas, Asuras nor Nagas are able to look on Him but the one, with whom He is pleased, alone beholds Him. O My Son, neither by the fruits of sacrifice, penance, self-control, gifts nor rituals nor by any other means can one behold that Supreme God. Those alone see Him who have surrendered their whole life and being to Him and who, by virtue of discriminative knowledge, have burnt up all their sins. If you desirest to behold Him, hear me and I will tell you all.

“‘At the close of the Golden Age and the beginning of the Silver Age, the Lord Narayana will assume human form for the sake of men and the Gods. A son, named Rama, will be born to Dasaratha of the Ikshvaku Race, who will rule on earth. Rama will be highly effulgent, powerful and as forbearing as the earth nor shall his enemies in combat be able to look on him, as one is unable to gaze upon the sun.

“‘His consort, the gracious Lakshmi shall be renowned under the name of Sita and be born as the daughter of Janaka, King of Mithila; she will issue from the earth. In beauty, she will be unequalled in the world, endowed with auspicious marks she will ever follow Rama like a shadow, as the moon is accompanied by its beams; of virtuous conduct, she will be chaste and patient. Sita and Rama will always appear together as the sun and its rays. O Ravana, I have now related to you all that concerns Narayana, the great, eternal and incomprehensible Brahman.’

“O Raghava, on hearing these words, the mighty Lord of the Rakshasas began to devise means whereby he might enter into combat with you. Meditating again and again on the words of Sanatkumara, he began to wander here and there.”

Listening to this narrative, Rama, his eyes wide with wonder, was greatly astonished and, being delighted, he again addressed Agastya, the foremost of the wise, saying:—

“Do you recount the ancient traditions further, O Lord.”

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