Samkshepa Ramayana
[Ramayana in brief]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

(This is the first chapter of Ramayana. In this chapter Valmiki who is in search of a suitable hero, whose exploits he wants to write as an epic, asks Sage Narada for suggestions. Narada suggests that Valmiki should write about Rama and also tells him in brief the story of Rama. It is believed by reading this chapter, one can get the same blessing as one who reads Ramayana in full.)

1. The great sage Valmiki asked Sage Narada who always is busy in meditation and mastering the Vedas and who is the greatest among people who knows Vedas: -
(Sage Narada is the son of Brahma and a great devotee of Vishnu. He is a constant traveler and travels through all the worlds. It is believed that he creates tension so that good will result)

2. “Who exists at present in this world who has all good qualities, who is valorous, who is the one devoted to just action, who is grateful and who tells only truth in all circumstances?”

3. “Who is that man who has all the good characters, who does only good to all animals, who is extremely knowledgeable, who is capable of doing rightly all actions and who only shows love outside?”

4. “Who is that man who attracts minds of others, who has won over his anger, who is sparkling, who does not have jealousy and who in war even makes devas fear struck?”

5. “I am extremely anxious to know about such a person. Hey , sage , only you are capable of telling me about a man with all these qualities.”

6. Sage Narada who knows every thing that happens in all the three worlds, after hearing all the words of Valmiki, with happiness addressed Valmiki and started telling “Be pleased to hear.”

7. “Those characteristics that you have narrated are very many and very rare. I would think over and tell you about a man who has all these qualities.”

8. “There is a prince , who is born in the Ikshuvaku clan, who is called “Rama:” , who is famous among people, who keeps his mind under control, who is a great hero, who is shining, who is firm in his resolves and who attracts others.”

9. “He is knowledgeable, just, good orator, gentleman, killer of his enemies, having thick shoulders and long hands, who has conch like neck and who has pretty cheeks.”

10. “He has a broad chest, is a great archer, has hidden shoulder bones, suppresses his enemies, and has long hands, good head, handsome forehead and pretty gait.”

11. “He has proportionate height and other organs, he has equally divided organs, he is of black colour, he is famous, he has a thick chest, broad eyes and pretty body and is a symbol of good omen”

12. “He knows Dharma(just action), he has taken an oath to speak truth, he is interested in the welfare of his people, he is famous, he knows everything, he is pure, he is approachable to those who depend on him, he takes care in saving people who are dependent on him, he is equal to the god Brahma, he is wealthy , he is capable of protecting everyone and he can destroy his enemies.”

13. “He protects all animals, he protects the various castes, he observes his own dharma(just action) and he protects his own people.”

14. “He knows the essence of four Vedas and six Vedangas , he has great knowledge of the science of archery, he has great and minute knowledge of all sciences, he has clear understanding of everything and he quickly understands things.”

15. “He is dear to all the world, soft natured, capable and is attained by good people similar to the rivers like Sindhu attaining the sea.”
(The river Indus)

16. “He is fit to be worshipped, treats every one as equals, always appears as lovable, increases the happiness of Kausalya and is one with all good qualities.”

17. “He is immense in stature like the ocean, he is great in his courage like the Himalaya Mountains, he is as valorous like Lord Vishnu, and as pleasant to see as the full moon.”

18. “His anger is like the fire at the time of deluge, his patience is like mother earth, his sacrifice is equal to that of Kubhera and in his truthfulness he is like the God of death.”
(Yama the God of death is supposed to be the epitome of Dharma)

19-20. “The king Dasaratha with a loving wish to do good to the people wanted to make Rama who has all the above qualities, who is a great hero, who has all sterling qualities, who wanted to do good to his people, who is a dear and who is eldest son, as the future king.”
(During those times in India, it was a custom to designate the crown prince as Yuva Raja-the young king)

21. “Hearing about the various preparations for his coronation, Dasaratha’s wife Kaikeyi reminded him of the two boons he had given her and requested that Rama should be sent to the forest and that Bharatha should be crowned.”
(Dasaratha gave these two boons during a war in which when the axle of his chariot broke, Kaikeyi who was with him maintained the balance using her thumb)

22. “That king Dasaratha bound by justice to obey his promise. ordered his son Rama to go and live in the forest.”

23. “Because of the order of his father and love towards Kaikeyi that valorous Rama went to the forest to protect the truth.”

24. “It seems that Lakshmana who is humility personified, who increases the happiness of Sumithra, who is a dear brother, and who does good to his brother, exhibiting affection towards his brother, accompanied his brother who was going to the forest.”

25-26. “That Sita, who is the darling wife of Rama, who is a reflection of his soul, who does happy deeds to him, who was born in the family of Janaka, who was created by the illusion of Gods, who is the epitome of perfection and who is the greatest among women, accompanied Rama like Rohini accompanies the moon God.”

27. “That soul of Dharma (Just action) was accompanied by all the citizens and his father Dasaratha for a long distance, reached the place of Guha, the chief of hunters and a very dear friend, and send back the chariot driver at a place called Sringipura.”

28. “Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana and Guha stayed there.”

29-30. “Those three traveling from that forest to another and crossing several rivers full of flowing waters, under the instruction of Sage Bharadwaja reached a place called Chitra Koota, and constructed a pretty temporary forest house (literally house made of leaves) and lived there happily.“

31. “When Rama reached Chitra Koota afflicted by sorrow of parting with his darling son, Dasaratha went to heaven sorrowing for his son.”

32. “After his death though sages like Vasishta requested him to become the king, that very strong Bharatha did not wish to be the king.”

33. “Wishing for the blessings of Rama, he started to the forest.”

34. “Bharatha who is the first among people who wanted to follow Dharma humbly requested Rama, with a broad vision and a true hero..“

35. “You who know Dharma is truly our king.” .But Rama who is merciful, who had a smiling face, who was famous and who was very strong, did not wish for the kingdom as per the orders of his father.”

36. “But Rama who was the elder brother of Bharatha gave his foot wear as his representative to rule the kingdom , and sent back Bharatha from there.”

37. “Bharatha whose desire was not fulfilled , started serving the foot wear of Rama and started ruling the kingdom from Nandigrama and started waiting for Rama’s return.”

38. “As soon as Bharatha went back Rama who was truthful, who has control over his senses and who was firm in his resolve , fearing the return of more people from the town entered the Dandaka forest .”

39. “It seems that lotus eyed Rama after entering the forest and killing an Asura called Viradha visited sages like Sarabhanga, Suthheeeshna and Agasthya .”

40. “As per the wishes of Agasthya he happily received with happiness the bow, sword and two inexhaustible quivers belonging to Indra.” 40

41. “All the great sages along with people of the forest approached Rama who was living in the forest with a request for killing of Asuras and rakshasas.”

42. “He promised them that he would do according to their wish.”

43. “Rama took an oath to kill rakshasa in war to the great sages living in Dandakaranya forest who were equal to the fire God.”

44. “Surpanakha , who can assume any form she likes and who was living in a place called Janasthana in the forest was disfigured by Rama who was also living there.”
(But in the main book, it is mentioned that Lakshmana disfigured her)

45. “Afterwards he killed Khara, Trishiras and Dhooshana along with their followers who came to attack him hearing the words of Surpanaka.”

46. “Rama who was living in that forest also killed fourteen thousand Rakshasas who were living in Janasthana.”

47. “Hearing about the killing of his relatives , Ravana loosing his senses due to extreme anger ,requested the rakshasa called Mareecha to help him.”

48. “Hey , Ravana, enmity with Rama who is extremely strong is not good “ told Mareecha to Ravana.”

49. “Led by the God of death, Ravana kicked off his advice and went to the hermitage of Rama along with Mareecha.”

50. “After leading those two princes far away using the help of Mareecha who was an adept in magic and after killing Jatayu the hawk , Ravana abducted Sita who was the wife of Rama.”
(In the main story the killing of Jatayu was after the abduction)