through presents of various kinds of gems and other desired objects, happily wont as thoy had come." (Valmiki Rumayana, Yudhakanda, chapter 126, verses §5-36). Ram now rules Ids kingdom wisely and virtuously. In his time all become devoted to the path of virtue, all become happy, following the example of Rama they do not injure one another. All become attached to the duties of their own order, all happy in the performance of duty. Under Rama’s rule virtue was the great ond of all, none followed the path o! untruth, all were blessed with good attributes. For ten thousand years thuB did Rama rule. Such is the story of the Ramayana. Whoever reads or listens to it becomes purifiod of all sins and obtains every desired object. With him Rama who is the Supreme Lord Vishnu, the god of gods, Hari, Narayana himself becomes pleased. Thus onus the great epic of Valimiki.
In the whole range of Indian literature there is no story more touching, more ennob* ling, setting loftier ideals of duty, truth and love for all to follow than the Ramayana. To the Hindus Rama, Sita, Bh&raba, Lakshmana and Hanumana are all as living realties now as they wore in the past through either these two Ramayanas or through their vernacular counterparts in the various dialects of India. Jai Rama, Jai Jai Rama, Jai Rama Sita Rama (Victory to Rama, victory, victory to Rama, victory to Rama, victory to Sita and Rama) is a mantra which is not unoften heard re echoed iii the fastness of the Hamalyas chanted by loving devotees. Rama, Rama, is the Hindu’s form of ordinary Balutation, Jai Ramaji is tho way in which he bows to others. Sri Ramnama satya hai (Rama’s name is alone true) is the formula with which when dead his corpse is carried to the burning ghat. Let Iudia cherish this ideal, let the wise cherish Rama a? the supreme self and men of the world as the ideal king as the ideal ruler and they will all be happy.
Thus ends the Yuddha Kd.nda of the Adhy&tuia Rdinayapa compris- ing 16 chapters aud 1,115 verses.
Urn Tat Sat THE UTTARA KANDA.
CHAPTER I.
(Havana's birth.)
Victory to the pride of the Raghus race, the joy of Kausnlyd's besrfc, R&ma, the destroyer of the ten-faced Rdva^a, the son of Dasaratha, and the lotus eyed.
I. Prirvati said: ° What did Rdina, the enhancer of joy to Kausafyd and the hero of terrific strength, do after having killed in battle Rdvana and the other Rakshasaa?
2 — 4. *' Installed in AyodhyA, how long did Rdma, the ancieut supreme-self, acting in a human body through Mdyd, live along with Sitd? How did the best of Raghus leave off this human body at the conclusion of his poriod of life on earth?
5. u Do thou, O lord, tell me of this as I am listening to it with faith. My thirst increases with tasting the nectar of this story. Do thou, 0 lord, tell me of the deeds ofRdmchandra in detail.”
6. Sri Mahadeva said.-—After having killed the Rdkshasas, when Rdma had been established on his throne, all the Munis came to congra- tulate him.
7. They were Viswdmitra, Asita, Kauwa, Durvasa, Bhrigu, Angira, Kasyapa, Vdmdeva, Atri, together with the blameless seven rishis.
8—9. Aga9tya together with his disciples and munis came there. Having arrived at the entrance of the palace he said to the guard.
“ Tell Rdma, the munis having assembled have come and are stand- ing outside. They are Agastya and others having come to bless thee with benedictions.”
10. The mace bearer having forthwith gone to Rdraa and bowing humbly said to his master, “ O lord, for the purpose of seeing thee, Agastya together with the other Munis has come, and they are all waiting outside.”
II. To the guard of the palaoe, Kdma said, “ Let them enter with comfort.” Honored by Rdma, they entered the palace which was full of gems of diverse kinds.
13 — 14. Seeing the Munis arrived, Rdma forthwith rose from his seat, and with folded hands having worshipped them with water for wash- ing the feet Argyhya and the rest, and made presents of cows according to rites, bowed unto them, and gave them celestial seats according to rank.
14 — 17. Seated there well pleased and honored by Rdma, questioned about their welfare all the Munis told him of it. “ Is it all well with thee, O thou of great arms, O scion of the Raghu race!
" Well it is, that we see thee victorious over thy enemies in battle. The king of the Rakshasas Havana was nob difficult of subjugation by thee.
" Bow in hand, thou art capable of conquering the three worlds. Well it is that Rdvana and all the Rdkshasas have been killed by thee.
18 C( The death of R&vanu was ensy to encompass, but the death of Aleghn&du, the son of Havana, was impossible to bring about, and yet it has* been accomplished.
19. “ Kumbhaharana and the others, who were the embodiments of death> in battle, havealLbeeu killed by thee, with shafts, which are also the embodiments of death.
20. u Thou hast formerly given us the boon of fearlessness. Having killed the hosts of the Rakshasas in battle, thou art to-day living vic- torious.”
21. Hearing this speech of those Munis of controlled minds, Rdma struck with astouiahmeut said to them with folded hands.
22. “ Why are you* praising lire sou of RtWann, having passed over Rdvana, Kumbkakarana and the other Rakshasas, Urn conquerors of the three worlds.”
23. Hearing these words of Rama, of great soul, the Rishi Agastya of great splendour said to him as follows: — 24 “Hear, O Rdma, what took place in former days about Havana as well as the stroy of the birth, action and. gift of boons to him as I tell thee briefly..
25. “In former times in the Krita age Pulastya, the-son of Brahind of great intelligence, went to engage in austerities on the top of tbeMeru mountain.
26. “ There, my dear, he lived 7 in the hartnitage of the Rishi Trin- vindu and, always devoted to austerities, was engaged in study and penances, 27. “ In that charming dshrama the daughters of gods and gandhar- vas sang, laughed, and danced, and played upon musical instruments.
2&. “ All those blameless damsels threw obstacles in ihe way of the austerities of Pulastya. Then getting angry that rishi of great splendour uttered this great saying.
29. u * Whoever comes within my ken shall become pregnant/ All those women afraid of the Muni's curse did not go near that spot.
30. The daughter of Trinvindu, the royal sage, did nob hear that saying of Pulastya, and fearlessly went before the rislii to see him.
31. ‘‘ On going to him she became pale of hue and gave indications of pregnancy. Seeing her color thus changing she got afraid and wenb to her father.
32. ‘‘Seeing her in this condition, Trinvindu, the* royal sago, of immeasurable prowess, thinking all this bo have been done by the Muni, knew of it through the eye of knowledge.
33. ‘‘ He gave that girl unto the great Muni Pulastya. Having accepted her, the Muni said ‘ very well/ 34. “Seeing her devoted to his service, the Muni was pleased and said: ‘I shall give thee a son who shall bring honor to both families/ 35—36. “Then that lady begot, from Pulastya, a son known through- out the world as Vishrawa, the son of Pulastya — the Muni who was know- er of Brahmana. Seeing his good character and the like, Bharadwdja, the great Muni, gave him for wife his daughter with a joyful heart.
37. “ From Pulastya was bom in her a sou known through the world as equal to Pulastya, Vaishrdvana, the object of Brahmd’s love.
38. “ Pleased with his austerities, Brahma gave him a handsome boon which was covetted by him, viz., the lordship of wealth which kuew of no decay.
39. u Having obtained that boon be cnme to see his father by the pushpakucar which moved through the sky and had been given to him by Brahma.
40—41. 44 Having bowed to his father and laid at his feet the fruit of his austerities, he said. * BralunA having given to me this blameless boon, did not give me a place of residence. Do thou appoint for -me a place to live in where there is no injury to life.* 42 — 44. 44 Vish ram said * LankA, the beautiful city, has been built by Vislnvakarina for the residence of the RAkshasas.
44 * It has been relinquished by the Daityas who for fear of Vishnu have entered the nether regions. Tlmtxnty is unassailable by others and is in the midst of the ocean.
“ ‘ Do you go to live there. No one has up to this ’time lived there,* “ Thus directed by his ‘father Kuvera went to live in that town.
45—49. 44 There lie lived in that town for sometime by order of his father.
“ Then once upon a time a RAkshasa, named Sumali, earn© from the nether regions and wandered about on the earth eating the flesh of men.
“ Taking his daughter along with him, like one carrying the god of wealth lie saw Kuvera ridhig theTushpaka car.
41 For the purpose of doing good to the RAkshasas, SumAli of great intellect thought in his mind nnd said to Kaikasi, the girl, as follows: — 44 ‘ My child, the time-o'f thy marriage has come, thy youth is fast going away. Afraid of being repulsed, bride-grooms do net seek thee. Do tlrou take for thy husband the Muni born in the family of BrahmA, may good betide thee.
50. 44 4 Then thou shait get sons of great strength, full of splendour and equal to the lord of wealth himself.* 61. 44 4 Very well/ having said so and gone to the ashrama, she stood in front of the Muni with her head bent down, marking the earth as if she were writing upon it with her feet.
62. 44 The Muni asked her who art thon, art thou a maiden, O thou fair form. With folded hands, she said, O 4 Brahmana, thou ahouldsb know this through ihy meditation.* 53. “ Having then engaged in contemplation, the Muni came to know all and said, 44 1 have come to know what lliou wishest. Thou wishest t«> have sons from me.
54. 44 Thou hast, O thou of handsome form, however, come at a bad time. Therefore thon shaft get two sons who will be cruel Uakshasns.
54 56. 44 She said, Olion amongst Munis, shall I have sons like these even from thee. He replied thy youngest son will be of great intellect. He will be blessed with good fortune nnd a devotee of Vishnu, always bent upon worshipping RAinn.
44 Thus addressed she gave birth to the ten-faced (RAvana) in du.e time, 57--58. 44 He was RAvana of twenty nrms, ten necks and of a very cruel disposition.
44 At the birth of that RAkshasa the earth became agitated. All the signs of destruction appeared.
44 Then Kitmbhnkarnna, who was like a great mountain, was born, 59. 44 Then SurpanakhA. the sister of RAvana, was born. Then was born Vibln'shona of a calm nature and pleasing appearance.
60 — 61. “ He was fond of study, his meal was regulated and he was devoted to his daily duties.
« The evil-minded Kumbhakarana, however, eating Brahmanas of contended dispositions and hosts of rishis went about the earth acting very cruelly.
11 Havana also of great strength and giver of fear to the world grew up like disease in the body.
62 “ Thou RAma, who art abiding in all creatures, whose eye is knowledge, who is the witness of all, who lives in the heart of all, who is above all, eternal, always aWake, always pure, knowest all. Thou hast taken a human form through sport, abiding in thy glory thou art un- touched by the attributes of MAyA. For thy amusement directed by thee, I have told thee of the birth of the RAkshasas.
63. ° I know thee to be one infinite, with prowess beyond the reach cf thought, intelligence itself, imperishable, unborn, and the kuower of thy ownself. Although thy nature is concealed from all, yet I know thee. Following thy path ignorant though am 1, I live upon the earth by thy grace following to the path of action. 1 * As the Muni, who was bom from a jar (Agastya) was saying this to the sun of the Raghu race whose glory was pure, the lord of the Raghua laughing said. “ All this rests in me us 1 am. The world is no other but me. Know, that the singing of my glory is the means of washing off the impurities of the world,” CHAPTER II.
1. On hearing this speech of the auspicious RAma, the Muni greatly pleased said in that assembly in the hearing of all the Halils us follows: — 2. “ Now once upon a time the God Kuvera, riding on his pushpaka car, came to see his father.
3. “ Seeing him resplendent and possessed of great prowess, the RAkshasi woman Kaikasi went to her son RAvana and said: 4. “ *AIy son, see this Lord of wealth resplendent with his own glory. Do thon, my Lord, also strive to be like him.* 5 — 7. “ On hearing this RAvana made a vow and angrily said, * I shall be either equal to the Lord of wealth or even greater than him in a short time. See this mother and do thou give up all burning of heart; O thou of true resolves! * So saying the ten faced RAvana, together with his brothers, went to Gokarana to perforin dire austerities, and attain the fruit thereof.
7—8. " Following their respective resolves those brothers performed dire austerities which scorched all the worlds by their prowess. Kumbha* kurana performed his austerities for ten thousand years.
9. “ Vibhlshana of virtuous soul and devoted to the path of right- eousness stood upon one leg for five thousand years.
10. “ The ten faced RAvana fasted for a thousand years of the celes- tials. At i lie conclusion of the thousand years he sacrificed his head unto the fire. Nine thousand years of his ascetism passed in this manner.
11. “ At the end of the tenth thousandth year as RAvana was going tfi cut off his l»+ft4,4fee knowerof dharma, the Lord of the worlds, Br&hmA appeared and said: *• My child, my child, ten-faced RAvana, I am pleased with thee.
12. " * I shall give thee the boon which thou deservest, do thou ask fcr it/ “ Hearing this the ten-faced RAvana with joyful heart said: 13. “ * O Lord, I pray for immortality, if thou art inclined to give me a boon, 9 ‘ ‘ Do thou give m9 immunity from death at bhe hands of garuda, serpents, yakshas, gods and asuras. As for men they are like straw.* 14 — 15. “‘Let it*be so,’ said Brahma, the Lord of the world, again to Rdvana. * O bull amongst the Rdkshasas, whatever heads thou hast sacrificed unto the fire, they shall become indestructible for thee, as be- fore, O thou great being.* 15. “ Having said so to Rdvana, the Lord of the world, who loves his devotees, said to Vibhishana as he was humbly standing before him.
17. “ ‘My child, Vibhialmna, thou hast followed the good path of virtue and hast engaged in austerities, do thou ask for boons which thou desirest.* 18. “ Bowing unto him, Vibhishana said with folded hands. * O God, let my mind be ever directed towards virtue alone, let it never cherish evil in any place.* 19. 41 Then Praj&pati well pleased said to Vibhishana, * My child, thou art treadiNg the path of virtue and shall ever bo doing so.
20. “‘Even though thou hast not asked for it, 1 shall give thee immortality.* “ Unto Kumbhakaraua he said, ‘ O thou of good resolves, do thou ask for a boon/ 21. “ Impelled by the voice of the gods in him, Kumbha karana said to the grand sire. ‘ 0 God, I shall sleep for six months and eat for one day/ 22. ‘‘Looking at the gods, * let it be so/ so said Brahma unto Kumbhakaraua. Then issuing forth from his mouth the goddess of speech went to heaven.
23. “ Kumbhakaraua of evil mind then greatly distressed thought.
“ What unwisbed-for-thing escaped my mouth, Oh, fate is unconquer- able.
24. “Finding hi3 grandson thus possessed of boons, Sum dli came fearlessly out of the nether regions along with Prahasta and others.
25. “Embracing the ten-faced Rdvana he said,* well it is, my child, thou host achieved my desired object.
26. “ ‘He, from whose fear we had gone to the nether regions having relinquished Lankd, even that Mahd Vishnu is now no object of fear to us.
27. “ * This Lankd was formerly occupied by us. Now thy brother Kuvera has taken possession of it. Thou shouldst now take it back from him.
28. “ ‘ Let it be by conciliation or force. For kings, who is a relation who a friend?* Thus addressed Rdvana said, ' thou shouldst not speak in this way.
29. “ * The Lord of wealth is our master/ Hearing this. Prahasta humbly said to Rdvana the ten-faced.
30. “ ‘0 Rdvana, do thou hear this heedfully, thou shouldst not say x>. Thou hast not studied the duties of kings nor the science of polity.
31 — 32. “ ' O Lord, hear what 1 say. For the brave there is no brotherhood.
“‘The gods and the powerful Rdkshasas are both sons of Kasyapa.
‘“They are both fighting with each other having given up all friendly feelings, ‘‘ 1 The enmity of the gods, 0 King, is not of to-day, but from ancient times/ 25 33. "On hearing this speech of the evil-minded Prahasta, the ten- faced Rdvana saying: * very well/ with eyes red with anger went bo the Trikuta hill.
34. “ Having sent Prahasta as his messenger and turned oub Kuvera, he took forcible possession of Lankd and with his Rdkshasa connseliors lived there happily.
35. “ By the command of his father, the Lord of wealth having relinquished Lankd went to the Kaildsa mountain and there propitiated Shiva with his austerities.
36. " Having obtained his friendship and protected by him, he had the city of Alaka built by Vishwakarma.
37. “ Protected by Shiva he held there the office of the upholder of one of the quarters.
38. “ Installed on the throne with the aid of his brothers and Rak- shasa ministers, Rdvana, ruled the Asuras giving trouble to all the world. This Rdkshasa of great powers of illusion gave his sister ol dreadful appearance to Kalklianja, who was also named Vidyutjhiva.
39 — 40. " Then Vishwakarma (architect) of the Rdkshasas and the son of Oiti gave unto Rdvana his daughter Mandodari who was tin- paralolled for beauty in the world. He also gave him with an affectionate hoait a lance that never missed its aim, 41. “ The grand daughter of Vairochana, known as Vritra Jwala, who was given bo him, was caused to be married to ICumbhakaraua by Ravana.
42—43. t( The daughter of Sailu3ha of great soul and the king of the Gandhnrvas who wa9 known for her virtue, he caused bo be married to Vibliishana. She was known as Sarnama, endowed with all auspicious marks and blessed with good fortune. Then Mandodari gave birth to a son named Meghndda.
44. *' Because as soon as he was born he uttered a sound like that of a thundering cloud, people ab once called him Meghndda.
45, " Then Knmbhakarana said, * ray Lord, sle*p is troubling me.* Then Ravaua had a large and long extending cavern built for him. There Knmbhakarana overpowered with sleep slept soundly.
45 — 47. " As he was sleeping there, Ravana, who was the giver of sorrow to the world, killed Brahmanas, the chief riehls, the gods, the danavas, the kinnaras and the great serpents as well as destroyed the prosperity of the gods.
48. " Kuvera having heard of the excesses of Rdvana sent a messen- ger forbidding him from doing evil.
49. “ Then getting angry the ten-faced Ravana went to the place of Kuvera and having conquered him took away his great pushpaka car.
50. "Then having conquered Yama and Varuna in battle, he went to heaven in order to conquer Indra, the king of the gods.
51. '* Then there took place a great battle between Indra and the gods and Rdvana and coming up Indra bound Rdvana.
52 — 53. "Hearing this, Meghndda of great prowess forthwith went out and fighting a great battle and having conquered all the chief gods that powerful warrior seized and bound Indra and having released his father brougLt Indra to his town.
54. ‘‘ Brahmi had Indra released from the custody of Meghan&da and having given him various boons vrent home.
55* '* R&vana the victorious having gradually conquered all the worlds, weighed the Kaihta mouutain with his arms which were like clubs.
56. “There Nandeswara angrily cursed the king of the Rdkshasaa saying ‘ Do thou meet with distruction from monkeys and men.’
57. ‘‘Though cursed, yet nob minding the ourae he went to the town of Haihaya. There he was bound by Raihaya and released by Pulastya.
58. “Then mustering strength and desirous of killing the chief of monkeys, Havana went to fight Bdli who put him under one of his armpits.
59. “ Having wheeled him round all the oceans, the monkey sent him away, and with him Rdvana made friends.
60. “Thus highly pleased Rdva^a brought all the worlds under his sway and himself enjoyed them.
61. “Of such prowess the ten faced Rdvana, who was the giver of sorrow to the world, was together with Ludrajlt conquered by thee, O king of kings.
62. “Meghndda was killed by Lakshmana of greab soul; Kumbha- karana, who was like unto a mountain, was killed by thee.
63. “ Thou art the god Ndrdyana himself, the first cause of all the worlds, who pervadest all. All this world mobile and immobile is thy manifestation.
64. ‘‘Brained, the grand sire of the world, was born from the lotus in thy navel. The fire, together with speech, sprang from thy mouth, O best of Raghus.
65. “ The hosts of the upholders of the Avorlda were produced from thy arms, and the sun and the moon from thy eyes.
66. “The quarters and the sub-quarters were produced from thy ears. From thy nose was produced the vital air known as Prdna as well as the As wins, the houored of all the gods.
“From thy thighs, knees and tho hips were produced the Bhu and the other worlds.
67. “ From the aide 9 of the lord were poduced the oceans, from his breast were produced Indra and Varuna. From, his vital seed were produced the Balkhilyas.
68. “ From his genital organ was produced Yama, from his anus was produced death, from his anger Rudra, the three eyed, from his bones were produced mountains, and from his hair the mass of clouds.
69. “From his hair were produced herbs and trees, from his nails asses and the like. Thou art the Purusha, of universal form associated with thy energy known as M&y&.
70. 4 ‘ Thou appearest under diverse forms on account of the uneven- ness of attributes. Taking refuge under thee the gods drink nectar in sacrifice.
71. “Thou hast created this mobile and immobile universe. Upheld by thee all mobile and immobile creatures live.
72. “0 Rdghava, all things are joined unto thee even in the course of ordinary life, just as butter pervades all the milk and abides in it, even so dost thou pervade the world.
73. " The sun and bhe like shine by thy light, thou dost not shine by their light. He who has knowledge for his eye, sees thee freo from all attachments.
74. “ He who has ignorance for his eye, does not see thee, like a blind man not seeing the sun. Yogis seek thee, the Lord in their owu bodies.
75 — 70.,f Day and night meditating upon the head (essence) of all the Vedas (the U pan ishads) which sublate the world, those yogins are devoted to thy feet, who seeking thee find thee as Intelligence, absolute and nob obherwise.
“ Whatever I have said, O lord, in thy presence, do thou who art omniscient forgive it. O God of gods, I aui fit to receive thy grace.
77. u I worship that Lord of the Raghus, who is beyond the quarters, space and time, who is one without a second, who is intelligence itself, who is unborn, who is without motion and the rest, who is omniscient, who is the lord, whose attributes are limitless, who is beyond MAyA and whs is no other than the worshipper's own self.”
CHAPTER III.
(3\rtk of Bdli and Sugriva.> 1. Sri RAma said: “I wish to hear in truth about the birth of BA1£ and Sugriva. I have heard that Surya and India incarnated as the monkeys Bali and Sugriva.
2. Agastya said: On the resplendent top of the Meru mountain, which is made of gold, is the assembly hall of BrahrnA which extends to a hundred yojanas.
3. There BrahmA was once engaged in austerities when from his eyes, as he was in a state of contemplation, fell tears of joy in great profusion, 4. Taking themr in hrs hands and holding them for sometime think- ing of something, BrahmA dropped them on the ground. As soon as that water fell on the earth there sprang from rb a great monkey.
6. BrahmA said to him, u My child, do thou live for sometime near me in this place whicli is blessed with every good thing.” Thenceforth, it will be well with thee.
6. Thus directed by BrahmA, the best of monkeys lived there for some time. In this manner after many years when once upon a time that monkey who was the lord of bears was wandering over the hill for the purpose of eating fruits, roots and the like, he saw a lake full of celestial water and built with stones studded with gems.
7. He went there to drink water, when seeing the reflection of a monkey and thinking him to be another monkey he fell into the water.
8 — 9. There without seeing any monkey he forthwith came out of the water and found himself transformed into a woman, O RAma, and became struck with astonishment.
10 — 11, Then the king of the gods, who had gone to worship BrahmA, the lord of the gods, saw as he was going at noon a woman of attractive shape. Pierced with the arrows of the god of love he let fall his precious vital seed. Without reaching her that seed fell into the regions of her bair and then on the ground.
12. Thence was produced BAH of prowess equal to that of Indra. Having given him a golden necklet, the king of the gods went to heaven.
IS. The God Surya had also come there and, seeing that woman, was overpowered with love, and discharged his seed unto her neck: 14. His seed immediately became a monkey of enormous size. Having given him Haimmana for companion, Surya went to heaven.
Note. — This account of the birth of Bali and 8ugriva nowhere finds a place in the Valmiki Ila.ru ay ana, not even in the Uttamkanda which is there a later addition. Agastya first deacribo* the birth and adventures of Ravuna. and then of Haimmana, and then departs with his followers. The account given by the Adhyatma is apparently some puranic legend and like other legend is more of an allegory than history. All that it means is that Bali and Sugriva were possessed of the strong th and glory of Iudra and the sun.
15. Taking her two sons that woman slept somewhere. In the morning she found herself to be a male monkey as before.
16. Taking fruits, mots and the like as well as the two sons, the monkey, who was the wise king of the bears, went and humbly stood before the four-faced Brnhmd.
17. There having consoled the chief of the monkeys much, Brahmd called a messenger of the gods who was like unto the gods and said to him: — 18—19. " Do thou, O messenger, taking the chief of the monkeys with thee, go to Kisbkindhd, the celestial city built by Vishwakarma full of every auspicious things and unassailable by the gods. There do thou instal this brave warrior as king.
20. “ All the monkeys who are unconquerable and live in the seven continents shall be subject to the king of the bears.
21 — 23. “ When the eternal Nardyana shall incarnate as Rama for the purpose of lightening the burden of the earth and destruction of the asuras, then let nil the monkeys go to his aid."
Thus ordered by Brahmd that wise messenger of the gods did as he was directed and installed him as the king of the monkeys.
That messenger of the gods having then returned to Brahmd told him of what he had done.
24 — 26. Thenceforth Kishkindhd became the capital of the kings of the monkeys. Thou art the lord of all, now at the solicitation of Brahmd thou hast, under a human form assumed through sport, removed the load of the earth.
For Him who abides in all beings, who is ever free, who is of the nature of intelligence itself, whose form is bliss undecaying, what is this mainfestation of strength?
27. Yet the good sing of thy deeds who hast taken a human form through sport. Those deeds are purifiers of the world and givers of happiness.
28. Whoever amongst men recites this story of the birth of Bdli and Sugrlva is from all sins freed through thy grace, 29. I shall, moreover, tell thee another story, O Rdma, by thy favour as to why the evil-minded Rdvana abducted Sitd.
30. In days of yore in the Satyuga age the ten-faced Rdvana having humbly bowed unto the Lord Sanat Kumdra, son of Prajapati, as be was sitting alone, said: — 31. “ Who is amongst the gods the greatest in strength, who is it 14 depending upon whom the gods conquer their foes in battle, 32. ** Who is it whom the Brahmanas worship daily, whom yogis meditate upon? Do thou, O knower of answers to all questions, reply to this question of mine/’ 33. Knowing what was in his heart that seer through the eye of yoga said to the ten-laced Havana, “ Listen, my child, as 1 tell thee.
34. “ Be who is the upholder of all the worlds, who is without birth and the like, who is ever worshipped by the gods and the asuras is the undecaying Bari Ndrdyana.
35 — 36. “ Prom the lotus in his navel was- born Brahmd, the Lord of the creation, the creator of all his mobile and immobile creation. Seeking his protection the gods conquer their foes in battle, yogis con- template upon him through concentration of thought/* 37 — 40. Hearing this speech of the great Hishi, the temfaced Rdvana said, “ To what condition do daityas, danavas and Rdkshaaas killed by Vishnu attain after death, O best of Alunis.** Unto Rdvana the king of the Rdkshasas, the bast of the Munis said, “ killed by the gods attaining to heaveu which is of the highest condi- tion they return to the earth after the period of their enjoyment, due to their good karma having become exhausted.
“ They are born and die and are born again according to their former good and bad deeds. Those who are killed by Vishnu attain to the regions of Bari.** 41. Hearing this from the mouth of the Rishi, Rdvana was pleased at heart and said: u 1 shall light with Bari.*’ Thus he became im- mersed in thought.
42 — 43. Knowing what was passing in his heart the great Muai said: “ My child, what thou wishesfc shall come to pass* there is no doubt in this.
“ Do thou wait for some time and be happy, 0 ten-faced Havana.” So saying, 0 thou of great arms, the Muni said to him again: 44 — 45. “ I shall tell thee of the form of Him who has no form and who is the lord of Mdyd.
“ In the mobiles and the immobiles, in the rivers and streams, He is Om (the pervader of all speech). Truth, Satya and Gdyatri, as represent- ing all thought, and the earth as typifying all the worlds.
“ He is the supporter of all the worlds, the taker of the form of Sesa.
46 — 48. u All the gods, all the oceans, time, the sun and the moon, the rising of the sun causing day and night, yama (god of death) and the wind, fire, India, death, clouds, Vasavas, Brahmd, rudras and the rest as well as all the gods and the danavas are all He.
“ He flashes and skims through the lightning, he protects all, he absorbs all, even He is the maker of all. He, the undecaying self of all, acts playfully. He is the eternal Vishnu.
49 — 50. “ He it is who has pervaded this all mobile and immobile creation. Of a dark hue like a black cloud, wearing a yellow robe like the lightning, having on his left side the never failing gooddess of pro- sperity of the colour of pure gold, always clinging to him, he abides looking at her aud embracing her.
61. “ He cannot be seen by anyone, not even by the gods, danavas and serpents. He unto whom he extends his grace, is alone capable of seeing him, P2. “The Lord cannot be seen by sacrifices, Austerities, gifts, study and the like, or through any other means.
53. “The Lord Vishnu can be seen by those only who are devoted to him, who have consecrated their lives to him, whose minds are directed towards him alone, whose sins have all been washed off, and whose visions have been puritied through Vedanta.
54—55. “Or if thou wishest to see that God, then listen to me. He shall incarnate in the Treta age in the body of a king of the family of the Ikshwakus for the good of the gods and inen.
“Becoming born as RAma, the son of Dasamtha of great strength, he shall go to the.Dandakn forest together with brother and wife who is the mother of the world and in his own energy.
57. “ Thus have I, 0 RAvana, told thee all in dobail. Do thou worship RAma with Sri with devotion/’ 58. Hearing this the Lord of the Asuras thinking for a time and revolving in his mind desirous of cherishing enmity towards thee became highly pleased.
59. Desirous of battle he went about throughout the world. For this purpose, O great king the highly sagacious RAvana abducted the goddess JAnaki, desirous of meeting death from thee.
60. Whoever hears or reads this story or recites it in the presence of those who wish to listen to it, attains to long life, health, undecaying happiness and wealth which knows of no decay.
Note. — Lrke the birth of Htili and Sugriva this dialogue between Havana and 8anat Kumar also finds no place in the Valmiki and is a puranic legend. It it, however, popularly believed in.
CHAPTER IV.
1. Once upon a time ns the Rishi Narada had, in the course of his rambles throughout the world, come from Brahma Loka, RAvana bowed unto him and said: 2. “Do yon, Sir, tell me where are warriors of great strength? “I wish to fight powerfnl warriors, you know the three worlds/' 3. After thinking for a time, the Muni said: “The residents of the Swetdwipa (white island) are of great strength and powerful bodies, do thou go there, O thou of great wisdom.
4. M Those who are devoted to the worship of Vishnu and those who have been killed by him are all born there. They are unconquerable by gods and asuras/' 5. Hearing this, RAvana speedily went with his ministers in the pushpaka car to fight those people aud arrived near the white island.
6. There with its power destroyed (by the glory of the residents of the island; the pushpaka car did nob move. Leaving it RAvana went with his ministers.