Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Journey of Rama & the Story of Seeta: Made Easy
||श्री गुरुभ्यो नम: ||
समस्त लोक शंकरं निरस्त दैत्य कुन्जरं
दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभ वक्त्रमक्षरम_ |
कृपा करं क्षमा करं मुदाकरं यशस्करम_
मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरं ||
I bow down to the Shining Lord Ganesha , who brings happiness to all the worlds, who destroyed the demon Gajasura. one who has a huge belly, and a beautiful elephant face,who has no end, one who bestows mercy, forgiveness, happiness, prosperity and a well-disposed mind.
I have attempted putting down the verses from Valmiki Ramayana, along with inputs from other versions of the Ramayana, as well as my comments ( for dudes and dudettes from my generation of course, ços we need to know what's so cool about these characters we are going to talk about). May the Great God and Goddess help me through to understand the in-depth meaning behind the verses and to bring out the essence behind the "Journey of Rama" (Raamasya Ayanam) or "The Story of Seeta" (Ramaayaa: Ayanam)
After watching the tv serials on Ramayana, I decided its time i really checked out with the original text to know what's really "the thing" with the great epic. So folks, lets dig deep into the history of time and try and understand what is it all about.
I have taken the verses and the translation text from http://valmikiramayan.net/
Naaradam pari prapaccha vaalmiki: muni pungavam||
tapasvii= sagacious thinker; vaalmikiH = Sage [Poet] Valmiki; tapaH= in thoughtful-meditation; and; sva adhyaaya= in self, study [of scriptures]; niratam= always - who is eternally studious in scriptures; and; vaak= in speaking [in enunciation]; vidaam= among expert enunciators; varam= sublime one - with Narada; muni pungavam= with sage, paragon, with such a paragon sage Naarada; naaradam= with [such a sage] Naarada; pari papracCha = verily [inquisitively,] inquired about; [ellipt. sarva guNa samiSTi ruupam puruSam= all, merited endowments, composite, in form - about such a man.]
The epic begins with the Sage Poet Valmiki with curiosity, inquiring Sage Narada. Sage Narada is described as being one who is always engaged in tapas ( meditation to know the Eternal Truth), one who's always absorbed in the self-studying or swaadhyaaya. Swaadhyaya hence refers to the study of the Scriptures. Narada's an expert eloquist: he was the speaker among speakers and one of the greatest sages of all times
We all know Narada better as the guy from the television serials, wearing a veena, and saying "Narayana Narayana"in the unique tone, that is attributed only to Narada, and ofcourse not to forget, the solid extra-ordinarily straight tuft of hair that stands upright on his head. But folks, few of us know the actual Narada. Srimad Bhagavatam talks about the earlier birth of Narada, and how he attained the status of the Deva Rshi ( the Divine Sage). He was born as the son of a maid-servant, who used to work at the hermitage of a few Rishis, during the Rainy Season. From the very beginning. he was self controlled, silent, and detached. One day accidentally he got to eat the remnants of the Rishí's food, and this resulted in all his sins vanishing away. He began focussing more on all that he heard about Lord Vishnu, and completely dissolved in Lord Vishnu and was flater bestowed with the status of being the Divine Rshi( and how he does that is the remaining part of Narada's narration) This is what Narada tells about himself in SRimad Bhagavatam. So folks, he's known as one of the greatest Vishnu Bhaktas, and that I can assure,isn't an easy job. Bottomline: Appearences are most often deceptive, don't ever think that the actual Narada is merely a sage. He's done what a majority of us cannot: Attain God.
Ok, now with an intro to the Greatest of Sages, Narada, lets proceed on to see what was Valmiki
so curious about..
kaH: nu asmin saampratam loke gunavaan kah: cha veeryavaan|
Dharmajna: cha kritajna: cha satya vaakyo dridhah: vratah: ||
asmin loke= in this, world; saampratam= presently; guNavaan= principled person; kaH nu= who is, really; viiryavaan ca = potential one, also; kaH= who is; dharma j~naH ca= conscientious, also; kR^ita j~naH ca= what has been done, knower of it [a redeemer,] also; satya vaakyaH= truth, speaker of [habitually speaking the truth= truth-teller]; dR^iDha vrataH= determined in his deed.
"Who really is that person in this present world, who is principled and also a potential one, a conscientious one, a redeemer, and also a truth-teller and self-determined in his deed... [1-1-2]
Thus Valmiki with, uncontrollable curiosity wonders if there's ever an human being who is ideal. The list of qualities that Valmiki expects the ideal person to have is huge:
chaaritrena cha ko yuktaH sarva bhUtesu ko hitah||
vidvaan kaH kaH samarthaH cha kaH cha eka priya darshanaH ||1-1-3
3. kaH chaaritreNa ca yuktaH= who is, conduct-wise, also, blent with [good conduct]; kaH sarva bhuuteSu hitaH= who is, in [respect of] all, beings, a benign one; kaH vidvaan= who is, an adept one; samarthaH ca= an ablest one, also; kaH ca eka priya darshanaH= who, also, uniquely, goodly, to look to.
"Who is he conduct-wise blent with good-conduct... who in respect of all beings is benign... who is adept and also the ablest one... also uniquely good to look to... [1-1-3]
aatmavaan ko jita krodho dyutimaan kaH anasuuyakaH
kasya bibhyati devaaH ca jaata roSasya sa.myuge ||1-1-4
aatmavaan= courageous; kaH= who is; jita krodhaH= one who controlled, his ire; dyutimaan= brilliant one; an+asuuyakaH= not, jealous; kaH= who is; jaata roSasya= caused, in whom anger - when he is provoked; kasya = whom; saMyuge= in war; devaaH ca= gods, even; bibhyati= are afraid.
"Who is that courageous one, who controlled his ire, who is brilliant, non-jealous and even whom do the gods fear, when provoked to war...
-5
etat icChaami aham shrotum param kautuuhalam hi me
maharSe tvam samartho.asi jnaatum evam vidham naram || 1-1-5
etat aham shrotum icChaami = all this, I, to listen [from you,] wish to; me kautuuhalam param hi= my, inquisitiveness; immense, indeed; mahaa RrSe= Oh! Great Sage - Narada; tvam= you; evam vidham naram= [about] this, kind of, man; jnnaatum= to know of [him]; samarthaH asi= competent [mastermind,] you are.
"All this I wish to listen from you, oh! Great Sage, as you are a mastermind to know this kind of man, and indeed my inquisitiveness is immense..." Thus Valmiki enquired with Narada. [1-1-5]
Phew! that was a really huge list to key in.. So Valmiki appears really curious to know and he professes to be happy if he knows if such a person ever exists. Being ideal is impossible, and yet there did exist someone who was righteous, brimming with confidence, courageous, brave, knowledgeable,
to top it all, he should be extremely good-looking too. So Valmiki is eager to listen to what Narada had to tell...
shrutvaa ca etat trilokajno vaalmiikeH naarado vacaH |
shruuyataam iti ca aama.ntrya prahR^iSTo vaakyam abraviit || 1-1-6
tri loka j~naH= three, worlds, preceptor of; naaradaH= Narada; vaalmiikeH= of Valmiki; etat vachaH shrutvaa= all those, words, on listening; shruuyataam= let it be heard; iti= thus; aamantrya cha= on beckoning [Valmiki,] also; pra hR^iSTaH= verily, gladly; vaakyam abraviit= sentence [words,] spoke.
On listening all those words of Valmiki, the preceptor of all the three worlds, Sage Narada, said "let it be heard..." and beckoning at Sage Valmiki to listen attentively, he spoke these words very gladly. [1-1-6]
And since we're talking about Rama's story, we're dead sure its Rama whom Valmiki and Narada are going to talk about, since the hero is always goody-goody :P ....
bahavo durlabhaaH ca eva ye tvayaa kiirtitaa guNaaH
mune vaxSyaami aham buddhvaa taiH uk{}taH shruuyataam naraH || 1-1-7
7. mune= oh, sage Valmiki; bahavaH= many [or, infinite merits]; dur labhaaH= not, attainable, [unattainable by conscious development or effort]; ca eva= also, that way [for ordinary humans]; ye guNaaH= which, merits; tvayaa kiirtitaaH = by you, extolled; taiH yuktaH= those [facets,] one who has [the possessor of those merits]; naraH= [of that] man; shruuyataam = I make it clear; aham buddhvaa= I, having known [from Brahma]; vakshyaami= I speak on.
"Oh! Sage Valmiki, the merits which you have extolled are many, and unattainable even for great emperors, let alone ordinary humans, and also infinite are they... but, about such a man with such merits I will speak on... for I, having known from Brahma of such a man, will make clear about that man..." Thus Narada started to say. [1-1-7]
Yeah, so Narada quite agrees to our point of view. How can a human being possess such a huge list of all good qualities? So now starts the legend of Rama...
ikSvaaku va.msha prabhavo raamo naama janaiH shrutaH
niyata aatmaa mahaaviiryo dyutimaan dhR^itimaan vashii || 1-1-8
8.ikshvaaku vamshaH prabhavaH= Ikshwaku, dynasty, as his birthplace [emerged from Ikshvaku dynasty]; raamaH naama= Rama, named; janaiH shrutaH = by people, heard [by that name]; niyata aatmaa= controlled, souled [conscientious]; mahaa viiryaH= highly valorous one; dyutimaan= resplendent one; dhR^ithimaan= steadfast; vashii= controller [of vice and vile [or,] senses.]
"One emerged from Ikshvaku dynasty and known to people as Rama by his name, and he is conscientious, highly valorous, resplendent, steadfast and a controller of vice and vile... and his own senses, as well... [1-1-8]
So, Rama was born into the dynasty of King Ikshavaku. You can find references to Rama's ancestors in Kalidasa's Raghuvamsha Charitram. Sage Narada gives further descriptions about Rama. The following verses describe the physical qualities an emperor should possess, according to the Saamudrika Shaastra, which apply to Rama, to T.
buddhimaan niitimaan vaa~Ngmii shriimaan shatru nibarhaNaH |
vipulaa.mso mahaabaahuH ka.mbu griivo mahaahanuH || 1-1-9
9. budhimaan= an adept one; niitimaan= moralist; vaagmii= learned one; shriimaan= propitious one; shatru nibharhaNaH= enemy, destroyer; vipula amsaH= broad shouldered; mahaa baahuH= great, [lengthy] arms; kambu griivaH= neck like a conch-shell; mahaa hanuH= high cheek bones.
"He is an adept one, moralist, learned, propitious, and a destroyer of enemies. His arms are lengthy, and his neck is like a conch-shell, and cheekbones high... [1-1-9]
mahorasko maheSvaaso guuDha jatruH arindamaH |
aajaanu baahuH sushiraaH sulalaaTaH suvikramaH || 1-1-10
10. mahaa uraskaH= broad [lion-like,] chested; mahaa eSvaasaH= [one who handles] long, bow; guuDha jatruH= concealed, collarbones [thick shouldered]; arim damaH= enemy, subjugator; aa jaanu baahuH= up to, knees, his arms [lengthy armed]; su shiraaH= high [crowning] head; su lalaaTaH= with ample, forehead; su vi kramaH = good, verily, pacer [lion-like-pacer.]
"He is lion-chested, thick-shouldered, knee-length are his arms, and his is longbow, an enemy-subjugator, and his emperor's countenance is with a crowning-head with an ample forehead, and his pacing is lion-like... [1-1-10]
There's this interesting note i read in valmikiramayan.net which says: when the physical qualities of Rama is being described, there's suddenly this reference to his being capable of handling a weapon. That weapon is used by Rama to destroy psychological enemies as well, like desire, greed, etc. I will skip a few verses to highlight some more important verses:
rakSitaa svasya dharmasya sva janasya ca rakSitaa
veda vedaa~Nga tattvaj~no dhanur vede ca niSThitaH ||1-1-14
14. svasya dharmasya rakshitaa = of his own, righteousness [self-righteous, champion; sva janasya ca rakshitaa= his own, people's [adherents', welfare,] also, he is a champion of; veda veda aN^ga= in Veda-s, Veda's, ancillaries; tatvaj~naH= scholar in essence of [Veda-s]; dhanur vede ca= in the science of archery, also; niSTitaH= an expert.
"He is the champion of his own self-righteousness and also champions for adherent's welfare in the same righteousness, and he is a scholar in the essence of Veda-s and their ancillaries, too. He is an expert in dhanur Veda, the Art of Archery... [1-1-14]
The list of virtues that's attributed to Rama is really huge. But i wanted to draw your attention to something: Dhanur Veda. Its the art of archery, and forms a part of the Atharvana Veda. We, as Indians should be proud that we knew the science of missiles long before the world even knew about the Nuclear Power. There were two kinds of weapons that we had: Shastra ( mere weapons, whose handling required physical training) and Astra( which required the skill as well the Power of Mantras to navigate these weapons.) Don't ever think Mantras are a mere sequence of syllables. The vibrations that they can trigger is beyond one's imagination. The Power of Mantras is as good a concept as the existence of God.. but actually speaking, its pure science. Our forefathers knew all about particles and the vibrations of these particles and how to manipulate the frequencies of these vibrations to do, well, almost everything.So Rama was high-tech as well: he knew how to handle missiles.
I would like to give the list of Gunas thats attributed to Lord Rama:
The attributes of the hero of Ramayana, as required by Valmiki, are 16 sixteen in number.
1 - gunavan- Principled One- one who lives by his principles
2 - viryavaan - One who's brave
3 - dharmajña:- One who knows and follows Dharma
4 - krtajña: - One who knows what is to be done and what not ( that is, one who knows what's
5 - satya vaakya : - one who repeatedly speaks the Truth
6 - dhrda vrata: - one who's committed to his deed
7 - charitra vaan- one who has good character
8 - sarva bhUteshu hita: - one who is good to all living beings
9 - vidvaan - one who is expert ( knowledgeable)
10 - samartha: - one who is ablest
11 - priyadarshana: - one who appears pleasent to the eyes
12 -aatmavaan -courageous
13 - jita krodha:- one who has won over Anger
14 - dyutimaan - brilliant
15 - anasuuyaka:- not jealous
16 - bibhyatidevaa: - whom the even the Gods fear when he's provoked in war
These sixteen attributes are attributed to the sixteen phases of the Full Moon, and Valmiki is about to picture Rama to be as pleasant as a full-moon.
Thus Narada began a huge narration, giving a short biography of Rama's life. Narada could have directly said "He was Vishnu's avatar and hence he is what he is", but Narada communicates that in a subtle manner, equating Rama to Vishnu. An othre reason being, if Narada had given away Rama's credentials during the course of this dialogue, Valmiki would never have felt the need to write such a huge epic.
This narration of Rama's legend is called Bala Ramayana. So as ever again, Narada initiates the whole process: He induces the curiosity of Valmiki and in turn, tells him Rama's story in short....
This is how the story begins.....
After watching the tv serials on Ramayana, I decided its time i really checked out with the original text to know what's really "the thing" with the great epic. So folks, lets dig deep into the history of time and try and understand what is it all about.
I have taken the verses and the translation text from http://valmikiramayan.net/
Om Tat Sat Iti Brahmaarpanamastu||
Book 1: Baala Kaandam
tapa: swaadhyaaya nirataam tapasvee vaagvidaam varam|Naaradam pari prapaccha vaalmiki: muni pungavam||
tapasvii= sagacious thinker; vaalmikiH = Sage [Poet] Valmiki; tapaH= in thoughtful-meditation; and; sva adhyaaya= in self, study [of scriptures]; niratam= always - who is eternally studious in scriptures; and; vaak= in speaking [in enunciation]; vidaam= among expert enunciators; varam= sublime one - with Narada; muni pungavam= with sage, paragon, with such a paragon sage Naarada; naaradam= with [such a sage] Naarada; pari papracCha = verily [inquisitively,] inquired about; [ellipt. sarva guNa samiSTi ruupam puruSam= all, merited endowments, composite, in form - about such a man.]
The epic begins with the Sage Poet Valmiki with curiosity, inquiring Sage Narada. Sage Narada is described as being one who is always engaged in tapas ( meditation to know the Eternal Truth), one who's always absorbed in the self-studying or swaadhyaaya. Swaadhyaya hence refers to the study of the Scriptures. Narada's an expert eloquist: he was the speaker among speakers and one of the greatest sages of all times
We all know Narada better as the guy from the television serials, wearing a veena, and saying "Narayana Narayana"in the unique tone, that is attributed only to Narada, and ofcourse not to forget, the solid extra-ordinarily straight tuft of hair that stands upright on his head. But folks, few of us know the actual Narada. Srimad Bhagavatam talks about the earlier birth of Narada, and how he attained the status of the Deva Rshi ( the Divine Sage). He was born as the son of a maid-servant, who used to work at the hermitage of a few Rishis, during the Rainy Season. From the very beginning. he was self controlled, silent, and detached. One day accidentally he got to eat the remnants of the Rishí's food, and this resulted in all his sins vanishing away. He began focussing more on all that he heard about Lord Vishnu, and completely dissolved in Lord Vishnu and was flater bestowed with the status of being the Divine Rshi( and how he does that is the remaining part of Narada's narration) This is what Narada tells about himself in SRimad Bhagavatam. So folks, he's known as one of the greatest Vishnu Bhaktas, and that I can assure,isn't an easy job. Bottomline: Appearences are most often deceptive, don't ever think that the actual Narada is merely a sage. He's done what a majority of us cannot: Attain God.
Ok, now with an intro to the Greatest of Sages, Narada, lets proceed on to see what was Valmiki
so curious about..
kaH: nu asmin saampratam loke gunavaan kah: cha veeryavaan|
Dharmajna: cha kritajna: cha satya vaakyo dridhah: vratah: ||
asmin loke= in this, world; saampratam= presently; guNavaan= principled person; kaH nu= who is, really; viiryavaan ca = potential one, also; kaH= who is; dharma j~naH ca= conscientious, also; kR^ita j~naH ca= what has been done, knower of it [a redeemer,] also; satya vaakyaH= truth, speaker of [habitually speaking the truth= truth-teller]; dR^iDha vrataH= determined in his deed.
"Who really is that person in this present world, who is principled and also a potential one, a conscientious one, a redeemer, and also a truth-teller and self-determined in his deed... [1-1-2]
Thus Valmiki with, uncontrollable curiosity wonders if there's ever an human being who is ideal. The list of qualities that Valmiki expects the ideal person to have is huge:
chaaritrena cha ko yuktaH sarva bhUtesu ko hitah||
vidvaan kaH kaH samarthaH cha kaH cha eka priya darshanaH ||1-1-3
3. kaH chaaritreNa ca yuktaH= who is, conduct-wise, also, blent with [good conduct]; kaH sarva bhuuteSu hitaH= who is, in [respect of] all, beings, a benign one; kaH vidvaan= who is, an adept one; samarthaH ca= an ablest one, also; kaH ca eka priya darshanaH= who, also, uniquely, goodly, to look to.
"Who is he conduct-wise blent with good-conduct... who in respect of all beings is benign... who is adept and also the ablest one... also uniquely good to look to... [1-1-3]
aatmavaan ko jita krodho dyutimaan kaH anasuuyakaH
kasya bibhyati devaaH ca jaata roSasya sa.myuge ||1-1-4
aatmavaan= courageous; kaH= who is; jita krodhaH= one who controlled, his ire; dyutimaan= brilliant one; an+asuuyakaH= not, jealous; kaH= who is; jaata roSasya= caused, in whom anger - when he is provoked; kasya = whom; saMyuge= in war; devaaH ca= gods, even; bibhyati= are afraid.
"Who is that courageous one, who controlled his ire, who is brilliant, non-jealous and even whom do the gods fear, when provoked to war...
-5
etat icChaami aham shrotum param kautuuhalam hi me
maharSe tvam samartho.asi jnaatum evam vidham naram || 1-1-5
etat aham shrotum icChaami = all this, I, to listen [from you,] wish to; me kautuuhalam param hi= my, inquisitiveness; immense, indeed; mahaa RrSe= Oh! Great Sage - Narada; tvam= you; evam vidham naram= [about] this, kind of, man; jnnaatum= to know of [him]; samarthaH asi= competent [mastermind,] you are.
"All this I wish to listen from you, oh! Great Sage, as you are a mastermind to know this kind of man, and indeed my inquisitiveness is immense..." Thus Valmiki enquired with Narada. [1-1-5]
Phew! that was a really huge list to key in.. So Valmiki appears really curious to know and he professes to be happy if he knows if such a person ever exists. Being ideal is impossible, and yet there did exist someone who was righteous, brimming with confidence, courageous, brave, knowledgeable,
to top it all, he should be extremely good-looking too. So Valmiki is eager to listen to what Narada had to tell...
shrutvaa ca etat trilokajno vaalmiikeH naarado vacaH |
shruuyataam iti ca aama.ntrya prahR^iSTo vaakyam abraviit || 1-1-6
tri loka j~naH= three, worlds, preceptor of; naaradaH= Narada; vaalmiikeH= of Valmiki; etat vachaH shrutvaa= all those, words, on listening; shruuyataam= let it be heard; iti= thus; aamantrya cha= on beckoning [Valmiki,] also; pra hR^iSTaH= verily, gladly; vaakyam abraviit= sentence [words,] spoke.
On listening all those words of Valmiki, the preceptor of all the three worlds, Sage Narada, said "let it be heard..." and beckoning at Sage Valmiki to listen attentively, he spoke these words very gladly. [1-1-6]
And since we're talking about Rama's story, we're dead sure its Rama whom Valmiki and Narada are going to talk about, since the hero is always goody-goody :P ....
bahavo durlabhaaH ca eva ye tvayaa kiirtitaa guNaaH
mune vaxSyaami aham buddhvaa taiH uk{}taH shruuyataam naraH || 1-1-7
7. mune= oh, sage Valmiki; bahavaH= many [or, infinite merits]; dur labhaaH= not, attainable, [unattainable by conscious development or effort]; ca eva= also, that way [for ordinary humans]; ye guNaaH= which, merits; tvayaa kiirtitaaH = by you, extolled; taiH yuktaH= those [facets,] one who has [the possessor of those merits]; naraH= [of that] man; shruuyataam = I make it clear; aham buddhvaa= I, having known [from Brahma]; vakshyaami= I speak on.
"Oh! Sage Valmiki, the merits which you have extolled are many, and unattainable even for great emperors, let alone ordinary humans, and also infinite are they... but, about such a man with such merits I will speak on... for I, having known from Brahma of such a man, will make clear about that man..." Thus Narada started to say. [1-1-7]
Yeah, so Narada quite agrees to our point of view. How can a human being possess such a huge list of all good qualities? So now starts the legend of Rama...
ikSvaaku va.msha prabhavo raamo naama janaiH shrutaH
niyata aatmaa mahaaviiryo dyutimaan dhR^itimaan vashii || 1-1-8
8.ikshvaaku vamshaH prabhavaH= Ikshwaku, dynasty, as his birthplace [emerged from Ikshvaku dynasty]; raamaH naama= Rama, named; janaiH shrutaH = by people, heard [by that name]; niyata aatmaa= controlled, souled [conscientious]; mahaa viiryaH= highly valorous one; dyutimaan= resplendent one; dhR^ithimaan= steadfast; vashii= controller [of vice and vile [or,] senses.]
"One emerged from Ikshvaku dynasty and known to people as Rama by his name, and he is conscientious, highly valorous, resplendent, steadfast and a controller of vice and vile... and his own senses, as well... [1-1-8]
So, Rama was born into the dynasty of King Ikshavaku. You can find references to Rama's ancestors in Kalidasa's Raghuvamsha Charitram. Sage Narada gives further descriptions about Rama. The following verses describe the physical qualities an emperor should possess, according to the Saamudrika Shaastra, which apply to Rama, to T.
buddhimaan niitimaan vaa~Ngmii shriimaan shatru nibarhaNaH |
vipulaa.mso mahaabaahuH ka.mbu griivo mahaahanuH || 1-1-9
9. budhimaan= an adept one; niitimaan= moralist; vaagmii= learned one; shriimaan= propitious one; shatru nibharhaNaH= enemy, destroyer; vipula amsaH= broad shouldered; mahaa baahuH= great, [lengthy] arms; kambu griivaH= neck like a conch-shell; mahaa hanuH= high cheek bones.
"He is an adept one, moralist, learned, propitious, and a destroyer of enemies. His arms are lengthy, and his neck is like a conch-shell, and cheekbones high... [1-1-9]
mahorasko maheSvaaso guuDha jatruH arindamaH |
aajaanu baahuH sushiraaH sulalaaTaH suvikramaH || 1-1-10
10. mahaa uraskaH= broad [lion-like,] chested; mahaa eSvaasaH= [one who handles] long, bow; guuDha jatruH= concealed, collarbones [thick shouldered]; arim damaH= enemy, subjugator; aa jaanu baahuH= up to, knees, his arms [lengthy armed]; su shiraaH= high [crowning] head; su lalaaTaH= with ample, forehead; su vi kramaH = good, verily, pacer [lion-like-pacer.]
"He is lion-chested, thick-shouldered, knee-length are his arms, and his is longbow, an enemy-subjugator, and his emperor's countenance is with a crowning-head with an ample forehead, and his pacing is lion-like... [1-1-10]
There's this interesting note i read in valmikiramayan.net which says: when the physical qualities of Rama is being described, there's suddenly this reference to his being capable of handling a weapon. That weapon is used by Rama to destroy psychological enemies as well, like desire, greed, etc. I will skip a few verses to highlight some more important verses:
rakSitaa svasya dharmasya sva janasya ca rakSitaa
veda vedaa~Nga tattvaj~no dhanur vede ca niSThitaH ||1-1-14
14. svasya dharmasya rakshitaa = of his own, righteousness [self-righteous, champion; sva janasya ca rakshitaa= his own, people's [adherents', welfare,] also, he is a champion of; veda veda aN^ga= in Veda-s, Veda's, ancillaries; tatvaj~naH= scholar in essence of [Veda-s]; dhanur vede ca= in the science of archery, also; niSTitaH= an expert.
"He is the champion of his own self-righteousness and also champions for adherent's welfare in the same righteousness, and he is a scholar in the essence of Veda-s and their ancillaries, too. He is an expert in dhanur Veda, the Art of Archery... [1-1-14]
The list of virtues that's attributed to Rama is really huge. But i wanted to draw your attention to something: Dhanur Veda. Its the art of archery, and forms a part of the Atharvana Veda. We, as Indians should be proud that we knew the science of missiles long before the world even knew about the Nuclear Power. There were two kinds of weapons that we had: Shastra ( mere weapons, whose handling required physical training) and Astra( which required the skill as well the Power of Mantras to navigate these weapons.) Don't ever think Mantras are a mere sequence of syllables. The vibrations that they can trigger is beyond one's imagination. The Power of Mantras is as good a concept as the existence of God.. but actually speaking, its pure science. Our forefathers knew all about particles and the vibrations of these particles and how to manipulate the frequencies of these vibrations to do, well, almost everything.So Rama was high-tech as well: he knew how to handle missiles.
I would like to give the list of Gunas thats attributed to Lord Rama:
The attributes of the hero of Ramayana, as required by Valmiki, are 16 sixteen in number.
1 - gunavan- Principled One- one who lives by his principles
2 - viryavaan - One who's brave
3 - dharmajña:- One who knows and follows Dharma
4 - krtajña: - One who knows what is to be done and what not ( that is, one who knows what's
5 - satya vaakya : - one who repeatedly speaks the Truth
6 - dhrda vrata: - one who's committed to his deed
7 - charitra vaan- one who has good character
8 - sarva bhUteshu hita: - one who is good to all living beings
9 - vidvaan - one who is expert ( knowledgeable)
10 - samartha: - one who is ablest
11 - priyadarshana: - one who appears pleasent to the eyes
12 -aatmavaan -courageous
13 - jita krodha:- one who has won over Anger
14 - dyutimaan - brilliant
15 - anasuuyaka:- not jealous
16 - bibhyatidevaa: - whom the even the Gods fear when he's provoked in war
These sixteen attributes are attributed to the sixteen phases of the Full Moon, and Valmiki is about to picture Rama to be as pleasant as a full-moon.
Thus Narada began a huge narration, giving a short biography of Rama's life. Narada could have directly said "He was Vishnu's avatar and hence he is what he is", but Narada communicates that in a subtle manner, equating Rama to Vishnu. An othre reason being, if Narada had given away Rama's credentials during the course of this dialogue, Valmiki would never have felt the need to write such a huge epic.
This narration of Rama's legend is called Bala Ramayana. So as ever again, Narada initiates the whole process: He induces the curiosity of Valmiki and in turn, tells him Rama's story in short....
This is how the story begins.....
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