Bala Kandam
Sargam [Chapter]: 25
Thataka's Story
[Then the sage tells about the story of Thataka in detail and requests him to kill her in spite of her being a lady.]
Hearing the great words of the sage with inestimable power, the tiger among men replied with these powerful words. 25.1
"Oh great sage, I have heard that the female Yakshis are of less strength and also we hear that females are frail by nature. Then how can Thataka have the strength of thousand elephants." 25.2
Hearing the words of Rama, who has limitless power and great dynamism, sage Viswamithra cheered them up and said to him and to Lakshmana, the killer of foes, "She became very powerful and of great strength because of the boon that she got." 25.3-25.4
"Once upon a time, there was a great and valorous Yaksha called Sukethu. Since he was not blessed with children, he performed great penance along with good rituals." 25.5
"Lord Brahma became greatly pleased with him and he was blessed to have a gem of female child, who would become very famous as Thataka." 25.6
"Lord Brahma gave her as much strength as one thousand elephants; but did not bless him with a son anticipating that a male son would be dangerous." 25.7
"She was blessed with beauty, youth and strength as well as fame; she was given in marriage to Sinda, the son of Jamba." 25.8
"After some time that Yakshi gave birth to a indomitable son called Mareecha, who turned in to a Rakshasa because of a curse." 25.9
"When Sinda was destroyed by the curse of the great sage Agasthya, that Yakshi Thataka along with her son Mareecha wanted to retaliate against the sage." 25.10
"When she jumped with a roar on the great sage Agasthya, he, seeing the great danger to him, cursed Mareecha to become a Rakshasa." 25.11
"The greatly enraged sage Agasthya immediately cursed Thataka also to become one with a very ugly face and also have a distorted form. He also cursed her to become one who eats human beings." 25.12-25.13
"Due to the great frenzy caused by the curse, Thataka became benumbed with anger, started wandering in this place of sage Agasthya and started destroying it." 25.14
"Oh Rama, that Yakshi with a bad behaviour and atrociousness, should be destroyed by you for the good of Brahmins and cows." 25.15
"There is no one who can kill the cursed one except you. Oh Son of Raghu clan, no one else in these three worlds can fight with her except you." 25.16
"Oh great man, as regard to compassion in case of the killing of a woman is not a problem; since, as the son of a King, you are supposed to protect the interests of the people belonging to the four castes." 25.17
"The King, who protects, for protecting his citizens, should be ruthless and vilify deeds like this at times; humane at other times." 25.18
"To him, who carries the burden of his kingdom, Oh Rama, this is the dharma and so, son of Kakustha clan, you have to kill her in whom there is no goodness whatsoever is visible." 25.19
"We have heard that once Indra eliminated Mandhara, who was the the daughter of Virochana, when she wanted to destroy the earth." 25.20
"Oh Rama, once upon a time, even Vishnu destroyed the virtuous wife of Brahaspathi and also the mother of sage Shukra when they both wanted that world should not have a king." 25.21
"There are many other great princes, who killed women, who went against Dharma and so great among men, leaving out the compassion and as per my order kill her." 25.22
This is the end of Twenty Fifth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 26
Thataka's Killing
[The great fight and killing of Thataka is described. Indra, the King of devas, requests Viswamithra to teach all the divine arrows that he knows to Rama.]
Hearing the words of the sage without fear, Rama, that son of a great man, saluting the sage told firmly. 26.1
"According to the words of my father and respecting the words of my father, the words of sage Kaushika should be carried out without any doubt." 26.2
"I cannot disrespect the words of my father, told to me by my great father Dasaratha in the middle of great elders." 26.3
"So, I having heard the words of my father, as well as the order of a scholar sage, without any doubt, carry out the killing of Thataka which is a good act." 26.4
"For the benefit of cows and Brahmins, as well as for the benefit of my country, I am ready to carry out the words of the incomparable sage." 26.5
That destroyer of enemy after telling this, clenched his fist on the bow in its middle by his left hand, with his right hand made a sound of twang catching hold of the string of the bow, which echoed in all directions. 26.6
Thataka, who lives in the forest, was greatly disturbed by that sound; Thataka was attracted also by that sound and became greatly angry." 26.7
Hearing that sound of twang, the Rakshasi became stiff with anger and after thinking about it, rushed to the place from where that sound emerged. 26.8
Rama on seeing the monstrous lady, with an ugly form and who in proportion was greatly gigantic spoke as follows to Lakshmana. 26.9
"Oh Lakshmana, please see the body of the Yakshi, which is pitiable and greatly ugly; seeing which the hearts of cowards would start shivering." 26.10
"Please see her, who cannot be stopped and who is strong because of her power of enchantment; you can see her retreat as I am going to cut her ears and nose." 26.11
"She being a lady is protecting her; I am also not making efforts to kill her and my intention is only to impede her strides and mobility." 26.12
When Rama was talking like this, Thataka benumbed with anger, with raised hands and with a great roar rushed towards Rama. 26.13
Brahmarishi Viswamithra, by making a sound of "Hum", diverted her and wished Raghava and Lakshmana safety and victory. 26.14
She by flinging herself raised dreadful dust on Rama and Lakshmana for a while and confused them with a massive cloud of dust. 26.15
Then she took recourse to enchantment and rained stones on Rama and Lakshmana and inundated them; this made Rama very angry. 26.16
When the great rain of stones was going on, Rama rained arrows and stopped her progress; he also cut both of her hands. 26.17
Getting weak due to the cutting of her arms, when she roared greatly and was rushing towards them, Lakshmana got provoked and cut off her hanging ears and tip of the nose. 26.18
That Yakshi, who can take any form she desires, assumed various forms, vanished and also enchanted them by her illusion; she continued to rain stones at them and also alarmingly she moved about. 26.19
Seeing them, being caught in the rain of stones, that gentleman and illustrious son of Gadhi told the following to Rama and Lakshmana. 26.20
"Discontinue this compassion to her, Rama. She is a cruel being as she creates obstacles to fire sacrifices; she regains her original form by her power of illusion." 26.21
"The sun is about to set and she should be destroyed before that as Rakshasas become unassailable at dusk." 26.22
When these words were told to Rama, that Yakshi, who was invisible, covered Rama with the stone of rain.
By displaying his skill of sending arrows aimed at sound, he created problems to her by his arrows. 26.23
She, who has the power of illusion, when stopped by the net of arrows, stridently rushed towards Rama and Lakshmana making lot of sounds. 26.24
Seeing her, rushing towards them to fall on them, Rama, using thunderbolt like arrows, stuck her on her chest and she fell completely dead. 26.25
Seeing her, who has a huge body, fall, the King of devas saw and said "Great, great" to the son of Kakustha clan and he was greatly honoured. 26.26
Then that great Indra, who has one thousand eyes, said that all devas were greatly happy and told sage Viswamithra. 26.27
"Oh sage Viswamithra, safety to you. Indra as well as all the gods are extremely happy with what has been done and so you please show more concern to Rama." 26.28
"Please offer the sons of Krusaswa Prajapathi, who are greatly valorous and possessors of great strength of penance, to Rama." [These are weapons referred by sage Vasishta.] 26.29
"He is fit to receive them as he is your steadfast follower and that prince has to attend to a great job for devas." 26.30
After saying this, all the devas worshipped Viswamithra and went away contentedly to their world; the sun set period set in. 26.31
The great sage became pleased and becoming happy at the killing of Thataka, kissed Rama on his forehead and then said the following. 26.32
"Oh Rama, who is auspicious to look at, we stay here for tonight and tomorrow we will proceed to my hermitage." 26.33
After listening to the words of sage Viswamithra, that son of Dasaratha comfortably and happily stayed in that forest of Thataka. 26.34
Freed from the curse that forest pleasantly shined like the Chaithra Ratham forest of Lord Khubera that same day itself. 26.35
Rama, after killing the daughter of Yaksha, praised by the group of devas and sages, stayed there along with the sage till Sun woke him up next day. 26.36
This is the end of Twenty Sixth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 27
Viswamithra's Teaching of Divine Weapons
[Viswamithra gives all the divine weapons that he has got as boons and also the ones which he had got from his ancestors to Lord Rama.]
Then the great sage Viswamithra, after staying that night in the forest, spoke the following sweet words to Rama on the next day. 27.1
"I am pleased with you, be safe oh famous prince. I am giving happily all the suitable arrows to you with great love." 27.2
"Devas, asuras, Gandharwas, serpents and men of earth have dominated unfriendly enemies in war by various divine arrows and I am going to give all of them to you. Please be safe." 27.3
"Oh Raghava, I am giving you the Punishing Wheel; Oh person with great strength, I am giving you the Wheel of Dharma. I will also give you the Wheel of Time [death?], Wheel of Lord Vishnu, Wheel of Indra and also his Vajrayudha [Diamond Weapon]. Oh best among men, I am also giving you the blessed Trident, the arrow called Brahma Crest, the Grass Blade Missile and the incomparable Brahma Astra." 27.4-27.5-27.6
"Oh Kakustha, oh tiger among men, oh son of the king, I am giving you two shining maces called Modaki [beater] and Shikari [hunter]." 27.7
"Oh Rama, I am giving you three nooses called Dharma Pasa [Noose of Dharma], Kala Pasa [Noose of Death], Varuna Pasa [Noose of Varuna] and a un-equalled Asthra called Varuna Asthra." 27.8
"Oh son of Raghu clan, I will also give you two bolts called Shushka [Thin One] and Aardhhra [Drencher]; I am also giving you One Asthra by Pinaka as well as the Narayana Asthra." 27.9
"Oh sinless Rama, I am also giving you two missiles belonging to Fire God called Shikaram [Tower] and Prathamam [First One] and also that of the Wind God called Vayava Asthra." 27.10
"Oh Kakustha, Oh Raghava, I will give you two weapons called Hayasira [Horses Head] and also another one called Krouncha [Poison Arrow]." 27.11
"I am also giving you several weapons for killing the Rakshasas viz., the horrible pounder called Kankala, rods called kapalam [skull] and Kinkini [bell]" 27.12
"Oh valorous one, Oh son of the king, I am giving you the great arrow of Vidhyadharas called Nandanam and also I am giving you a sword whose handle is studded by rubies." 27.13
Oh Rama, I am giving you the arrows which are liked by Gandarwas called Mohana [bewitcher], Prasvapana [inducer of sleep] and one called Prashamana [pacifier]". 27.14
Oh very famous one, Oh tiger among men, Oh son of a king, please take the following missiles from me viz., Varshanam [which causes rain], Santhapana [which causes sorrow], Vilaapana [which makes one cry out loudly], Mohana [bewitcher] which is the defenseless arrow of God of Love Manmatha, Maanava [man] which is pet missile of Gandharwas and Paisaha [Ghostly] which is the dear missile of devils and ghosts. 27.15-27.16
"Oh tiger among men, Oh darling son of the king, I will also be giving you several good hearted powerful missiles like Samvartha [whirl wind], Mausala [club], Sathya [truth] and Maya Maya [Complete illusion]. Oh mighty armed Rama, I will also give you a missile of the Sun God called Theja Prabha [which reduces the power of enemy], the arrow of the Moon God called Shirhira [autumn], the fatal arrow of Thwashta called Sudhamana, the dangerous missile of Bhaga called Sheethasu [which causes cold] and Manus arrow called Manava [Human Being]. 27.17-27.20
"Oh Rama, who is greatly valorous, these powerful arrows can take any shape they like and are highly providential. Oh prince, take them immediately from me." 27.21
Then that pure sage facing East gave him, likeable Rama, the matchless chants for these arrows. 27.22
These great collections were very difficult to get even for devas and such arrows were given to Rama by that sage. 27.23
When the great sage Viswamithra chanted those spells, all those arrows appeared there so that they are available to Rama. 27.24
Those great shining arrows then told Sri Rama, "We are now dedicated servants to you, Rama. Whatever you order, we would accomplish them all." 27.25
That powerful Rama with a great pleasure told them, after patting them with his palm, "Please come before me as and when I need you." And he bid them farewell. 27.26-27.27
Then that pleased Rama saluted the great sage Viswamithra and readied himself for further journey. 27.28
This is the end of Twenty Seventh of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 28
Viswamithra's Teaching of Power to Exterminate
[Sage Viswamithra further gives Rama also those weapons which belonged to his forefather. Having come out of Thataka forest, Rama enquires as to where they are and also about his duties regarding protection to the sage's Yagna.]
Rama, the descendent of Kakustha clan, having been purified, with a happy face, on their way, spoke to Viswamithra as follows: 28.1
"I have received the arrows from you, oh Sir. It would be difficult even by devas to attack us now. Along with these arrows, I also need to have the power to kill, Oh sir." 28.2
Hearing these words of the descendent of Kakustha clan, the great sage Viswamithra, imparted the knowledge of extermination to the pure and resolute Rama. 28.3
"Oh, Rama, please receive these shining armament sons of Krishaasva from me, namely Satyavanta, Satya Keerti, Dhristha, Rabhasa, Pratihaaratara, Paraan Mukha, Avaan Mukha, Lakshya, Alakshya, Dhridhanaabha, Sunaabha, Dasha Aksha, Shata Vaktra, Dasha Sheersha, Shatodara, Padmanaabha, Mahaanaabha, Dundunaabha, Svanaabha, Jyotisha, Shakuna, Nairaashya, Vimala, Yungandhara, Vinidra, Daitya, Pramadhana, Suchibaahu, Mahaabaahu, Nishkali, Virucha, Saarchirmaali, Dhritimaali, Vrittiman, Ruchira, Pitrya, Saumansa and also two of them Vidhoota, Makara; Karaveerakara, Dhana, Dhaanya, Kaamaroopa, Kaamaruchira, Moha, Aavarana, Jrimbhaka, Sarvanaabha and Varana. These are the guise changing wizards as you are the eligible one to handle these arrows, let safety be with you." 28.4-28.10
Rama of Kakustha clan became overjoyed in his heart and received the arrows saying, "Gladly sir". All of them had lustrous bodies, appealing in their form, harbingers of pleasant life. Some of them were like fire, some like smoke, some like the sun and the moon. Some with folded hands and some others holding their palms as if they are willing to receive, spoke in a melodious voice to Rama, "Oh Rama, Oh tiger among men, we are here to obey you. Please order us as to what we should do." 28.11-28.13
Rama, the son of Raghu clan, said, "While being stored in my memory till the time I need you, please help me when I need you." 28.14
Then saying that it would be done that way to the son of Kakustha clan and after going round Rama, they went away in a similar fashion as they had come. 28.15
After learning about those arrows that can be used to exterminate from sage Viswamithra, Rama asked him further, using sweet and soft words. 28.16
"What is the cloud like formation seen not very far off above the Mountain, over which a thicket of trees is shining, with animals spreading over it in a very scenic way along with numerous type of pretty birds flying and making pleasant sound." 28.17-28.18
"Oh great sage, by the pleasant surroundings of that place, I understand that we have come out of the extremely alarming forest of Thataka. Please tell me about the pleasant hermitage whch we are nearing." 28.19-28.20
"Oh great sage, Oh worshipful sir, where are those bad people who are killer of Brahmins? From which place would they come and whose Yagna [rituals] would they destroy? In which place should I provide protection to the Yagna? Which Rakshasas should I kill? I would like to hear about this." 28.21-28.22
This is the end of Twenty Eighth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 29
Viswamithra's Penance at Siddha Ashrama
[Sage Viswamithra then tells Rama the story of Mahabali who did a great sacrifice in this forest called Siddha Ashrama. Lord Vishnu, at the request of devas, takes an incarnation of dwarf Vamana and stifles the pride of Mahabali. The three worlds are given back to Indra. Siddha Ashrama is chosen by great sages to do penance and Viswamithra also does penance there. Then at the request of Rama, Viswamithra begins the penance to do the Yagna and Rama guards him along with Lakshmana.]
When the matchless Rama asked these questions, the highly resplendent Viswamithra answered. 29.1
"Oh greatly valorous Rama, the worshipful Lord Vishnu, saluted by devas, spent several years, hundreds of yugas, in penance and in practice of Yoga at this place." 29.2
"Oh Rama, this was the hermitage of the great soul Vamana and this was very well known as Siddha Ashrama and only great Siddhas did their penance here." 29.3
"At that time when Vishnu was doing his penance here, Mahabali, the son of Virochana, had completely conquered all devas which included Indra and Maruths. He ruled all the three worlds and was greatly renowned for his rule." 29.4-29.5
"That strong and great King of Asuras started doing a Yagna. Seeing that Bali was the conductor of Yagna, devas led by Fire God approached Lord Vishnu here." 29.6
"Oh Lord Vishnu, Bali, the son of Virochana, is conducting a great yagna and we request you to fulfill our request before the Yagna is completed." 29.7
"Wherever a person is hailing from, if they approach him with a request, wherever it is and whatever it may be, he fulfills all such requests." 29.8
"Oh Lord Vishnu, you may kindly do a well merited deed aimed at the welfare of the devas by assuming the form of a dwarf Vamana, by your great power of illusion, approach Bali and do an auspicious deed that would benefit all of us." 29.9
When these incidents were taking place, sage Kashyapa, who has the luster like fire God, along with Adithi resplendent in his great vitality, completed divine penance for a period of one thousand years and made Lord Vishnu, the killer of madhu, happy. When the penance ended Lord Vishnu, the giver of boons, was greatly pleased and told sage Kashyapa." 29.10-29.11
"Oh great sage, you are full of penance, you have earned the effects of penance, you are the form as well as soul of penance and I am able to see you with the well practised penance." 29.12
Sage Kashyapa said to Lord Vishnu this way, "I am able to see all the worlds in your body, Oh my lord. You are without beginning and end; it is impossible to define you and so I surrender to you." 29.13
Lord Vishnu, pleased with sage Kashyapa, who had a blemish less body, told him, "It is my opinion that you are fit to ask for a boon, please ask one." 29.14
Hearing those words, Kashyapa, the son of Mareecha, told "Oh god who blesses, Oh God who performs penances, I feel that you should give this boon to lady Adithi as well as to the devas; I am begging you to give them the boon." 29.15
"Oh spotless one, please become the son of me as well as Adhithi. Oh killer of asuras, you would become brother of Indra by doing this. And it is fit, that by doing this, you would completely remove the sorrows of all devas who are in trouble." 29.16-29.17
"As I did my austerities in this hermitage, it should be named as Siddha Ashrama and I request you to become my son here." 29.18
Then the great resplendent Lord Vishnu arose from Adithi and took the form of Dwarf Vamana and approached Bali, the son of Virochana. 20.19
Next, for the good of all the world, Vamana begged for three feet of Land and on receiving it, with three steps he strode over all the three worlds, gave the earth to Indra and he also gave back Bali his vitality and thus Lord Vishnu made the three worlds under the control of Indra. 29.20-29.21
"This hermitage which was once presided over by Vishnu is the destroyer of tiresomeness and I make use of this area greatly by my devotion to Lord Vamana." 29.22
"To this hermitage, Rakshasas, who are the creator of obstacles, would come and Oh tiger among men, you will have to kill them at that time." 29.23
"Oh Rama, now we will go to the matchless Siddha Ashrama and like the fact that this hermitage belongs to me, it also belongs to you." 29.24
After saying this, that great sage lead Rama and Lakshmana and entered that hermitage; Two of them shined like moon entering the Punarvasu [Punartham] star, after dispersal of the mist. 29.25
Then, seeing the sage all those, who lived in Siddha Ashrama, got up and respected sage Viswamithra. 29.26
They did worship that was filling to the great sage Viswamithra and also offered great hospitality to those princes Rama and Lakshmana. 29.27
Those sons of King, who were capable of killing their enemies, took rest for a while and saluting the tiger among sages, they told as follows. 29.28
"Today itself you can enter in to penance for conducting the Yagna and let this great Siddha Ashrama eradicate vice true to its name and as per your words." 29.29
When they told this, that resplendent great sage Viswamithra entered in to ritualistic penance according to rules and controlled all his senses. 29.30
The lads spent the night in well prepared vigilant guarding and in the morning got up and completed their morning rituals and undertook meditation in a pure state according to rules. Viswamithra, who has done the ritual of fire, spoke to them thus. 29.31-29.32
This is the end of Twenty Ninth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 30
Viswamithra's Penance and Rama's Protection
[The sages tells Rama that he has to give protection for six days and nights. On the sixth day two Asuras called Mareecha and Subahu come to create problems to the Yagna. Rama uses Manava arrow to throw out Mareecha and Agni arrow to kill Subahu. Viswamithra completes the Yagna and appreciates Rama.]
Then those princes, who were killer of their enemies, who behaved suitably and talked well according to time and place, spoke the following words to sage Viswamithra. 30.1
"Oh Lord, we will like to know as to when the night farers [Rakshasas] will come and which time we have to safeguard the ritual so that we could take care of it." 30.2
Hearing the words of the sons of Kakustha dynasty, who were making haste to combat with, Asuras and all the sages there appreciated the sons of the king. 30.3
"Oh Rama and Lakshmana, you have to guard this ritual from now on for six days and nights; sage Viswamithra, who has entered in to penance, would be observing the ritual of not speaking till then." 30.4
Those two famous princes, after hearing those words, started guarding the forest of penance without sleeping for six nights and days. 30.5
Those valiant ones, who were great archers and killers of their enemy, with great alertness, moved around the sacrificial fire and protested the great sage Viswamithra. 30.6
Time passed and the sixth day arrived; Rama told Lakshmana, "Be alert and be well prepared." 30.7
When Rama was saying this for quickening to fight, the fire in the fire place suddenly flared up brightening the chief Kartha [doer] of the Yagna and other sages surrounding him. 30.8
The altar of the fire, around which sacred grass Durba, drinking vessels, oblation spoons, sacred wooden sticks and heaps of flowers were there, attended by sage Viswamithra and other sages conducting the Yagna [Rithwik], suddenly flared up highly. 30.9
When the Manthras of the Yagna were being chanted as per the ritual, a fearsome high noise was heard high up in the sky suddenly. 30.10
Clouds are suddenly seen in an angry cloud burst. Like wise, in the surrounding sky, two Rakshasa who were experts in illusion and magic appeared there. 30.11
The monstrous Rakshasas, Mareecha and Subahu, along with their assistants started to pour down blood and pieces of animals. 30.12
Seeing the fire alter swamped by blood and pieces of meat, Rama, with great courage, ran there and saw those Rakshasa there. 30.13
The lotus eyed Rama, seeing that those dangerous people were about to fall on the fire alter in haste, addressing Lakshmana told the following. 30.14
"Oh Lakshmana, I am reluctant to kill these ill-behaved Rakshasas, who are the eaters of raw flesh. They are going to be puffed out like a strong wind removing thick clouds by the Manava arrows, without any doubt whatsoever. 30.15
Saying this, he set up the Manava arrow, with its great shine and generosity, with great speed and great anger, towards Mareecha's chest. 30.16-30.17
Hit by that great arrow called Manava, Mareecha was hurled a full two hundred miles in the billowing sea in the tidal waters. 30.18
On seeing Mareecha being hurled away by the cold arrow without consciousness and thrown out to a place where he is harmless, Rama told Lakshmana. 30.19
"Lakshmana, see the effect of cold arrow called Manava, which was made by Manu, which took him away in an unconscious state but did not kill him." 30.20
"But I wish to kill these Rakshasas, as they are ruthless, badly behaved, abide in evil, destroyers of Yagna and blood drinkers." 30.21
After saying this to Lakshmana, to show his swiftness and dexterity, collecting the very powerful arrow of fire god, sent it towards the chest of Subahu, who fell dead, flat on earth. 30.22
That famous and extremely generous Rama, in order to bring comfort to the sages, sent the arrow of wind god so that the remains of Rakshasas do not fall there. 30.23
That son of Raghu clan, killed the Rakshasas, who were hindering the rituals; All those sages honoured him like Indra was honoured after his victory. 30.24
After the end of the Yagna, the great sage Viswamithra, seeing all directions without any calamities, told like this to the son of Kakustha clan. 30.25
I am indebted to you, oh greatly valorous one, for protecting Siddha Ashrama as per the wishes of your Guru and made your great fame as a true hero. After appreciating Rama like this, the dusk approached and they all went to do the rituals of the dusk. 30.26
This is the end of Thirtieth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 31
Journey to Mithila
[The sages tell Rama that they are going to Mithila to participate in a great Yagna being conducted by Janaka. They also tell him about the great bow of Lord Shiva which King Janaka is having. During the halt of night, on seeing a glowing forest, Rama asks sage Viswamithra about it.]
Then the brave Rama and Lakshmana, who made a great achievement, with a happy heart, resided there for the night. 31.1
When the night turned in to morning, they performed the morning rituals and both of them together approached sage Viswamithra and other sages. 31.2
Those two, who talk very sweetly, saluted the sage Viswamithra, who was shining like fire, and spoke these courteous words. 31.3
"Oh tiger among sages, we, who are your attendants, have come in front of you. Oh great sage, order us as to what is to be done." 31.4
All the sages, after hearing these words, keeping Viswamithra as their leader spoke as follows: 31.5
"Oh great men, Janaka, the King, who is the great follower of Dharma, is going to conduct a Yagna and we are going there." 31.6
"Tiger among men, if you also accompany us, you would be able to see there a wonderful gem of a bow." 31.7
"Oh great man, in earlier times, it was given by devas at a Yagna and it has matchless power in a horrible war and it is divinely lustrous. 31.8
"No Gandharwa, no deva, no asura and no Rakshasa can lift and tie the string to it; what to say of men?" 31.9
"Though many kings were inquisitive about the bow, none of them were able to tie the bow string." 31.10
"Oh tiger among men, you can see that bow belonging to the King of Mithila and oh son of Kakustha clan, you can also see the wonderful Yagna which he is going to conduct." 31.11
"Oh tiger among men, Oh one with a strong middle, once a King of Mithila, after conducting a Yagna, requested for a supreme bow from all the devas." [Devaratha, the grandfather of Janaka was that king.] 31.12
"Oh Raghava, that bow is being regularly worshipped in the King's palace, especially during festival of bows with various types of sandal pastes, with various types of scented smokes as well as with smoke of aloe." 31.13
Saying all these, those great sages started for their journey; those groups of sages and sons of Kakustha clan bid farewell to the gods of the forest. 31.14
"Greetings and wishes of safety to you. We are going from Siddha Ashrama to the northern bank of River Ganges and travel towards the Himalaya Mountains." 31.15
Saying like this, the tiger among sages Viswamithra, who had riches of penance, started their journey towards the northern side. 31.16
Travelling along with the great sage, his very close followers, who were the knower of Brahman, travelled in one hundred carts 31.17
All the animals and birds, as well as all those who lived in Siddha Ashrama, closely followed the great saint Viswamithra, who was rich in penance; but the sage made the animals and birds to go back. 31.18
After travelling a long distance with effort, when they saw the sun is about to set, those group of sages struck camp on the banks of River Sona. 31.19
Those sages with unlimited luster, took bath after the sun set, offered oblations in the fire and all of them sat before sage Viswamithra who had matchless luster. 31.20
Rama as well as Lakshmana worshipped the sage and also sat in front facing the great Viswamithra. 31.21
Then Rama, with great luster, inquisitively asked Viswamithra, with a wealth of penance, who was the tiger among sages. 31.22
"Oh Lord, what is this place which shines with thick forest? I would like to hear about it in brief from you." 31.23
Motivated by the words of Rama, that sage, who does great penance, started telling about that place in the middle of other sages. 31.24
This is the end of Thirty First Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 32
Kushnabha's Story
[Sage Viswamithra tells the story of great King Kushanabha and his Hundred Daughters. When the Wind God proposes to them, they reject saying that they would marry only one whom their father approves. Wind god curses them to be disfigured.]
"As ascetic of a great order called Kusa was the brain child of Lord Brahma. He was one who never broke the rules of Dharma and he worshipped all the good people." 32.1
"That noble great man begot four sons, who were equal to him in knowledge and great strength, by marrying the very eligible princess of Vidharbha whose names were Kusamba, Kusanabha, Asurthejasa and Vasu." 32.2
"Kusa, the upholder of Dharma and truth, spoke to those sons, who had great luster, greatly enthusiastic, upholders of the Dharma of royals, "Please rule over with great abundance of Dharma." 32.3-32.4
"Hearing those words of Kusa, those four great people of the world, initiated the building of four cities." 32.5
"The greatly lustrous Kushambha built the great town of Kaushambi and Kusha who was the soul of Dharma built a town called Mahodhaya." 32.6
"Oh Rama, the intelligent Asurtha Thejasa built a city called Dharmaranyam and King Vasu built a town called Girivraja." 32.7
"This land of Vasu, where we are staying, is called Vasumathi and shines in between four Mountains." 32.8
"This good river called Maagadhi enters and exists from Magadha Kingdom and is shining like a garland in between five Mountains." 32.9
"Oh Rama, this River Maagadhi, which was developed by King Vasu, flows towards the east and is flowing through good fields rich in plant wealth." 32.10
"Oh Rama, Kushanabha, who was a royal sage, had one hundred daughters of matchless beauty through Grithachi, a soul of Dharma." 32.11
"They were all in their youth, pretty, well decorated and went to a garden and moved about like hundred streaked lightning in rainy season, singing, dancing and playing instruments and they were all well decorated with divine ornaments." 32.12-32.13
"All of them, who were pretty and matchless in this world, reached the garden and looked like stars in the sky." 32.14
"Seeing all of them blessed with all good qualities, prettiness and youth, the wind God, who is the soul of all, spoke to them like this." 32.15
"I love you all and so please become my wives, leaving out the inhibitions of human beings and acquire divinity and long life." 32.16
"The youth is temporary and goes away quickly especially in humans. Become immortal ladies with never fading youth." 32.17
"Hearing those words of wind god, who never gets tired of his job, those one hundred maids replied in a jeering way." 32.18
"Oh great God, you keep moving round within all beings. All of us know your power and the reason why you are honoured." 32.19
"Oh Great Deva, all of us are the daughters of King Kushanabha and we are capable of moving you out from your position and not doing so to protect the honour of our penance." 32.20
"Oh person of a bad brain, disregarding our father who is the votary of truth, using our opinion we would never select a groom of our own." 32.21
"Our father is our Lord and he is also our divine god. And unless gives us one, no one can become our husband." 32.22
"Hearing these words from them, the wind god became angry and he entered in to the limbs of all of them and disfigured them all." 32.23
"Those maids disfigured, entered their father's home, greatly embarrassed and greatly fluttered with tear drenched eye." 32.24
"Seeing his dear and pretty daughters, the King became sad, flustered and told them like this:" 32.25
"Oh daughters, who did like this? Who insulted Dharma? Who disfigured you like this? Please say. Why are you not gesticulating or saying anything? The King became silent after asking like this." 32.26
This is the end of Thirty Second of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 33
Kushanabha's Daughters Marriage
[When the daughters inform this to King Kushanabha, he searches for a suitable groom for them and gives them in marriage to King Brahma Dutta, who was the son of a sage and an apsaras. As soon as he touches their hands, they get rid of their curse.]
"After hearing the words of great Kushanabha, those girls touched his feet with their head and told." 33.1
"Oh King, the wind god, who is everywhere, wanted to dishonour us by improper approach and disregarding Dharma." 33.2
"We are dependent on our father and it would be proper, Oh wind God, if you approach our father to know whether he is willing to give us to you" 33.3
"Due to his being tied by sinful words, that wind god did not bother about our words and harmed us." 33.4
"That greatly resplendent King, who was a great follower of Dharma, on hearing their words replied like this to those matchless one hundred daughters." 33.5
"Oh daughters, having patience and self control, you have done your actions in great glory and due to your unity, the prestige of my clan has also been kept up." 33.6
"Patience is a great ornament for ladies and also for men, and it is extremely difficult to forgive and is very rare even among devas, asuras and human beings, and oh daughters, the patience that all of you have is to be greatly appreciated." 33.7
"Oh Daughters, patience is great charity; it is the truth and great Yagna. It is fame, it is Dharma and the entire universe is resting because of patience." 33.8
"Oh son of Kakustha clan, after leaving his daughters, that King, valorous in all three worlds and who is also an expert in thought, did consultations with his important ministers and discussed about his duty over time and distance." 33.9-33.10
"During that time, there was a great resplendent sage called Chuli, who was strict in Brahmacharya, followed good rituals and had achieved greatness in doing penance on Brahma." 33.11
"When this sage was doing penance, a Gandharwa maid whose name was Somadha and who was the daughter of Urmila served him." 33.12
"She bowed down to him and served him with righteousness and after some time that sage, who was follower of Dharma, was greatly satisfied with her service." 33.13
"Oh son of the Raghu clan, that sage, after passage of sometime told her, "I am happy with your service, what shall I do to please you?" 33.14
"Seeing that the sage was pleases that very happy Gandharwa lady, who was an expert in language told that sage " 33.15
"Oh great sage, who has supreme knowledge of Brahman, with your penance you have become equal to Lord Brahma, I may be blessed with a son who is the follower of Dharma." 33.16
"Since I am not married to any one, I am not a wife to any one and I have taken shelter under you, it is suitable that you give me a son." 33.17
"That Brahmin sage became pleased with her and that Chuli gave her a son, who became very famous, with the name of Brahma Dutta." 33.18
"He became a King to the city named Kampilya. He was similar to Indra, the King of heaven, and ruled it with superb grandeur." 33.19
"Oh son of Kakustha clan, that King Kushnabha, who was the follower of Dharma, endowed with great intelligence, made up his mind to give all his hundred daughters in marriage to King Brahma Dutta." 33.20
"Then that great King invited King Brahma Dutta and gave all his hundred daughters in marriage to him with great joy in his inner mind." 33.21
"Oh son of Raghu clan, as per the tradition, the King Brahma Dutta, who was like the King of Devas, took the palm of each of those girls in his hand in order." 33.22
"As soon he touched their hands, their desperation and hunch backed form vanished and each of those hundred maidens became like Goddess Lakshmi and all of them shined brightly." 33.23
"Seeing them getting released from the curse of Wind God, that King Kushanabha became extremely joyful and again and again was filled with joy when he looked at his daughters." 33.24
"After completing the marriage ceremony of his daughters to King Brahma Dutta, King Kushanabha bid farewell to all of them including the priests of King Brahma Dutta." 33.25
"Gandharwa lady Somadha became happy with the matchless job done by his son in getting those pretty wives. She caressed her son Brahma Dutta and her daughter in laws again and again; she praised the King Kushanabha greatly." 33.26
This is the end of Thirty Third Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 34
King Gadhi's Story
[King Kushanabha then does a Puthrakameshti and gets a son called Gadhi and a daughter called Sathyavathi. Sage Viswamithra is the son of Gadhi and his sister became a river called Kaushiki. They reach the banks of river Kaushiki, where Viswamithra normally does penance.]
"After the marriage ceremony and departure of Brahma Dutta, King Kushnabha, who does not have any sons, performed a Puthra Kameshti Yagna." 34.1
"While the ritual was being conducted, the generous Kush, who was the son of Lord Brahma, spoke to King Kushanabha." 34.2
"Oh son, you will get a virtuous son who would be just like you, he will be called as Gadhi and he will get fame in all the three worlds." 34.3
"Oh Rama, after saying this, Kusha vanished in the sky. A son named Gadhi would be born to Kushanabha, who was highly intellectual and follower of Dharma." 34.4
"After some time, the great Kushanabha got a virtuous son, who was known as Gadhi." 34.5
"Oh son of the clan of Kakustha, my father Gadhi was a great follower of Dharma and since I was born in the clan of Kusa, I was called as Koushika." 34.6
"Oh Raghava, I also had an elder sister named Sathyavathi and she was given in marriage to a sage called Richika." 34.7
"Desiring to do service to the world, my sister Kaushiki emerged as a pious river and depended on the Himalaya Mountains." 34.8
"Accompanying her husband, she went to heaven with her body and being a generous lady she coursed as the famous river known as Kaushiki." 34.9
"Oh son of Raghu clan, hence I am living in the foothills of the Himalaya Mountains happily performing my rituals and near me flows my dear sister Kaushiki who loves me." 34.10
"Sathyavathi was a pious one completely established in Dharma, virtuousness, really great and one of the chief rivers known as Kaushiki." 34.11
"Oh Rama, being bound by a vow, I left her and after reaching Siddhasrama, I have completed my vow and have come back because of you." 34.12
"Oh Rama, this is the story of my birth, in a famous family, in the place where we are camping now and narrated by me in response to your question." 34.13
"Oh son of Kakustha clan, after relating this story by me the time is now past mid night; please sleep safely now and let no further hindrance happen on our way." 34.14
"Oh son of Raghu clan, now all trees are still; birds and animals are asleep; to our eyes, the sky is decorated by stars and starlets which are spread densely." 34.15
"The sky is slowly getting spread with stars and it is shining with the stars and planets which is making it bright." 34.16
"Also the cool moon is rising in the sky to end the darkness of the world and light of the moon is gladdening the hearts of all the animals and people." 34.17
"All those beings, which move about at night including Yakshas and Rakshasas, as well as the angry man eaters, are milling about everywhere." 34.18
Saying this, that great sage, who was lustrous, paused and all the sages appreciated that sage by saying "well said, well said." 34.19
They further said, "The Kings of Kushika dynasty have been protectors of Dharma always and those great men are equal to Lord Brahma." 34.20
"Oh greatly famous Viswamithra, you are exemplary and equal to Lord Brahma; your dynasty is greatly exemplified by the River Kaushiki." 34.21
The famous son of Kushika dynasty was greatly pleased and then the great sage entered in to sleep like the sun going down on the western Mountains. 34.22
Rama and Lakshmana also were greatly astonished by the story, praised the tiger like sage and started serving him. 34.23
This is the end of Thirty Fourth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 35
Ganga's Story
[Rama along with the sages reach the banks of River Ganges and they stay there for a night. When Rama asks about the River Ganges, Viswamithra starts telling him about the river. He tells them that she was the first daughter of Himalayas and as per the request of devas, she becomes a river and is taken to deva loka. Her sister Uma does penance and marries Lord Shiva.]
After spending the night in the banks of river Sona [Kaushiki], when the night was about to come to an end Viswamithra spoke. 35.1
"Oh Rama, the night is giving way to the morning, the early dawn is going to break out. Wake up, please wake up. Safety to you. Get ready to depart." 35.2
Hearing those words, after waking up and performing the morning rituals, interested in making his departure, told the following. 35.3
"This clean and not so deep waters of Sona has lot of sand dunes and so oh Brahman, we can easily cross it by walk." 35.4
When Rama told like this, Sage Viswamithra told Rama, "I propose to take the same route as these great sages are taking." 35.5
After speaking like this, the great sage Viswamithra started travelling through different forests and their environs. 35.6
After going with difficulty for a distance during the next half a day, they stayed near the River Ganges, which was the greatest river and which was worshipped by sages. 35.7
Seeing those blessed waters, served by swans and water fowls, all the saints and Rama as well as Lakshmana became extremely joyous. 35.8
They take their residence on the banks of River after taking bath and satisfying the pithru [mane] gods by offering oblations, after kindling the ritual fire and performing oblations; they dined on the food offered to gods during oblation. They take rest after surrounding sage Viswamithra on the banks of Ganges River with a happy mind. 35.9-35.10
After sitting comfortably there, as per the justified order, Rama and Lakshmana, who were with a satisfied mind, spoke to sage Viswamithra. 35.11
"Oh God like sage, we would love to hear about River Ganga which goes in three ways and how this river is reaching out to their husband [ocean]." 35.12
Motivated by the words of Rama, the great sage Viswamithra started telling about how the river Ganges was born and its further progress. 35.13
"Oh Rama, the King among Mountains Himalayas, which is a great treasure of minerals, has two daughters, who are matchless beauties of this world." 35.14
"The daughter of that great Mountain Meru called Mena, who is mind catching and has a slender waist, is the darling wife of the Himalaya Mountain." 35.15
"River Ganges is the first daughter of Mena and Himalayas; Oh Rama, they also have a daughter called Uma." 35.16
"Later, all the important devas, interested in the welfare of the people, requested that King of the Mountains to allow the elder daughter Ganga to become a three branched river." 35.17
"Thinking according to Dharma, that Himalayas allowed his daughter Ganga, who is the purifier of the world to flow according to her wish, for the sake of betterment of the three worlds." 35.18
"Welcoming her for the purpose of the three worlds and for doing welfare of the three worlds, they took Ganga with them with a satisfied mind." 35.19
"Oh son of Raghu clan, then there was one more maiden who was the second daughter of that great Mountain, who adopted very strict penance, performed supreme penance and became rich with penance." 35.20
"Coupled with that great penance, that daughter with a matchless form was given by the greatest of Mountains to Lord Rudra, who is saluted by the entire world." 35.21
"Like this, both the daughters of the land of the Mountain became fit to be venerated by the world, one was Ganga, the most prominent among rivers and the other Goddess Uma." 35.22
"Oh Rama, whose walk is most attractive, this is the story of how that river in three steps went to heaven, about which I have related to you till now." 35.23
"That sinless river, which is pretty and is the daughter of the King of Mountains, went to the heavens this way." 35.24
This is the end of Thirty Fifth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 36
Karthikeya's Birth Story
[Shiva and Uma lead a married life but no children are born to them. Worried that all the three worlds would be destroyed if a son to both of them is born, at the request of devas, the earth receives the seed of Shiva, who flowers in to a God within fire. That God is Karthikeya. Uma curses devas as well as earth. Shiva and Uma do further penance.]
The sage completed the narration of the story of the daughters of Mountain. Sri Rama and Lakshmana, who were brave, praised it and they further spoke to the sage. 36.1
"Oh Brahmana, the story that is told by you is in consonance with Dharma and we request you to tell in detail the story of the eldest daughter of the King of the Mountains, as you are aware of it." 36.2
"Why did the purifier of the world take three forms? Why did Ganga became famous as the three part river? What deeds did make her as the most famous river of the world?" 36.3
When the son of Kakustha clan asked that way to sage Viswamithra, who was rich with penance, he decided to offer the story in detail to the great sages. 36.4
"Oh Rama, that blue necked one, who was a great sage, after seeing the Goddess Uma, began making love to her." 36.5
"That great god with a blue neck spent another hundred years with Uma and, Oh Rama, still that God of great penance did not get a son." 36.6
"Then Lord Brahma before leading a delegation of devas thought about which type of being would be born to Uma so that they in turn would be prepared for the required action." 36.7
"All the devas saluted Lord Shiva and said to him, Oh God of Gods, Oh greatest God, who is there for doing good to the world, since the devas have prayed to you, there is need to bestow your grace on them and fulfill their request." 36.8-36.9
"Oh greatest God, the world cannot bear to carry your powerful lustrous offspring. As per the rules of Veda please do join with the Goddess and for fulfilling the desires of the world, you please retain that seed which you are going to bring out within yourselves so that the world is protected and not completely destroyed." 36.10-36.11
"Hearing the words of devas, that greatest god of the world, said "So be it" and then further spoke." 36.12
"I would keep my seed within myself and so also Uma would keep her seed herself so that the three worlds derive great pleasure." 36.13
"But that matchless seed of mine, which has already been stirred, needs to be borne by some body. Oh good devas, please tell me as to who will bear it?" 36.14
"In reply to the God, who had the flag with bull, devas said that the seed which has been stirred out would be borne by the earth itself." 36.15
"Thus said, the lord of Gods, the greatly powerful one discharged his seed on the earth with its Mountains and forests so that it spreads all over." 36.16
Those devas again told the fire god, "you along with the wind god enter this greatly potential seed, so that world is not completely destroyed." 36.17
"When the fire god entered the seed, from it a white Mountain as well as a divine forest of reeds emerged shining like the Sun and fire; Karthikeya also emerged out of fire." 36.18
"After this happened, devas with the sages were extremely pleased and worshipped Shiva and Uma in a grand manner." 36.19
"Oh Rama, then that daughter of the Mountain with great anger and reddened eyes cursed the people of the three worlds." 36.20
"I, who had desire for a son, have been prevented from getting intimate with my husband and so I curse all of you to become incapable of producing children through your wives." 36.21
"And from now on all your wives would not be eligible to produce any progeny and after cursing them like this, she also cursed the earth" 36.22
"Oh earth, you will have many varied appearances and you would be wife of many people; but due to my great anger, you will never get love from your sons; Oh evil minded one, this happens to you because you prevented me from the love of son." 36.23-36.24
"Seeing all devas thus affected, the Lord of Gods, went to the western side which was ruled by the rain God." 36.25
"On one of those peaks of the Himalaya Mountains, that great God along with Uma settled for penance." 36.26
"Oh Rama, this is the story of the daughter of the Mountain in detail and you along with Lakshmana, please hear about the power of Ganga." 36.27
This is the end of Thirty Sixth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 37
Karthikeya's Birth
[Devas who needed a commander to their army approached Brahma and he asked them to make the seed of Shiva which was with fire God to be placed in the wombs of Ganga. Since she was not able to tolerate his heat, he was slid down on the rivers and for suckling him the Krithika maidens are appointed. He develops six faces to drink milk from six maidens. He grows up in a day and is anointed as their commander by devas.]
"Seeing the great God entering penance, Indra, keeping the fire god in front of him went to Lord Brahma, with a request for a commander of his army." 37.1
"Then those devas along with Indra, led by the fire God, saluted lord Brahma and started telling Lord Brahma." 37.2
"Oh God, this is the commander who was given to us by the God long back. But Lord Shiva along with Uma have entered into deep penance." 37.3
"Since we are interested in actions to be taken for welfare of the world, you are our only ultimate recourse." 37.4
"After hearing the words of devas, that grandfather of all the worlds, consoled the people of three worlds using sweet words and told the following." 37.5
"The words of the daughter of the Mountain that you would not have children with your wives is true and cannot be questioned." 37.6
"The fire god can make his son, who is the killer of enemies, born with the help of Ganga of the sky and he could become the commander in chief of devas." 37.7
"The elder daughter of the King of the Mountains will welcome his son and without any doubt her action would please Uma in many ways." 37.8
"Oh son of the Raghu clan, hearing those words, devas became happy and saluted Lord Brahma and worshipped him." 37.9
"Oh Rama, then they went to Kailasa, which was full of minerals and they deputed the fire God, so that he can get the son." 37.10
"Oh greatly resplendent fire God, this is the requirement of devas and so you make the shining seed to be born in the elder daughter of the king of the Mountains called Ganga." 37.11
After assuring devas, that fire God approached Ganga and said to her, "please bear the seed of Lord Shiva as this is liked by devas." 37.12
"Ganga on hearing these words took a divinely resplendent form and seeing her greatness the fire God entered in to her." 37.13
"Oh son of Raghu clan, then he drenched that Goddess fully with the seed of Lord Shiva and the river and all its tributaries were drenched with that seed." 37.14
Then the Ganga spoke the following to devas, who were led by the fire God, "Oh God, I am incapable of tolerating you within me and the power of the seed given by the fire God is burning me." 37.15
"Then the fire God along with devas told Ganga, "please leave that pregnancy of yours by the side of this snow Mountain." 37.16
"Oh Charming prince, hearing the words of fire God, Ganga ejected out the greatly shining seed from it and its tributaries." 37.17
"When that was ejected from her, it shined like molten gold, and when it reached the earth it shined like the gold of matchless shine." 37.18
"In that process of combustion of the seed of Shiva in the fire, copper and iron were also generated; the residues became tin and lead; thus that seed when it reached the earth lead to the evolution of many elements." 37.19-37.20
"As soon as the seed was laid on Himalayas, a forest of reeds generated on the Mountain and it became golden in colour." 37.21
"Oh Rama, from that time it became famous with the name of "Jatha Roopa" and it shined like gold and the fire God. The plants, trees and climbers all became golden in colour." 37.22
"Then a boy was born from that seed, Indra as well as Maruth Ganas arranged the Kruthika maidens to suckle and nourish that boy." 37.23
"At the proper time, when they gave milk to the boy, Kruthika maidens decided among themselves that he would be their son." 37.24
"Then all devas started calling him as Karthikeya and said that he would become well known in all the three worlds without any doubt." 37.25
"Hearing the words of devas, they gave a bath to the greatly radiant boy, who shined like fire who slid out of the womb of Ganga." 37.26
"Then devas called him Skanda as he slid out of the womb. Oh son of the Kakustha clan, that Karthikeya who was a greatly valorous shined like fire." 37.27
"Then from the breasts of the Krithika Stars milk was produced and since they were six in number, he developed six faces to drink milk from all of them together." 37.28
"Just by drinking milk for one day, he became a very pretty lad and by his own innate strength he won over the Rakshasa army." 37.29
"All devas, lead by the fire God, came together and anointed him, who had great luster, as the commander in chief of devas." 37.30
"Oh Rama, now I have told you in great detail the story of Ganga and also told you about the birth of the divine and honoured lad." 37.31
"Oh Rama, the devotees among human beings of earth, of this Karthikeya, would live long, have sons and grandsons and in the end would go to the world of Skanda."
This is the end of Thirty Seventh Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 38
King Sagara's Story
[King Sagara of Ayodhya has two wives Kesini and Sumathi. After penance Kesini gets one son called Asamanja and Sumathi gets sixty thousand sons called Sagaras. Asamanja was mischievous and is banished from the country. King Sagara decided to do Aswamedha Yaga.]
After relating that story to Rama, the son of Khusika again spoke these words to the son of Kakustha. 38.1
"In earlier times, there was a great valorous King called Sagara in Ayodhya. He was a soul of Dharma and desired to have children." 38.2
"Oh Rama, Kesini the princess of Vidarbha, who was a follower of truth and Dharma, was his eldest wife." 38.3
"Sumathi, whose prettiness no one excelled in earth, daughter of King Arishtanemi, was his second wife." 38.4
"The King accompanied by these two wives reached Brugu Prasravana of Himalayas and started doing great penance." 38.5
"When hundred years were over, pleased with his penance, sage Bhrugu, who had taken up truth as a penance, gave him a boon." 38.6
"Oh King without any blemishes, you would get great progeny and oh best among men, you would also acquire great fame." 38.7
"One of your wife would beget one son to perpetuate your race and the other wife would give birth to sixty thousand sons." 38.8
"These words of the sage made those two queens happy and they said to the sage after saluting him in a pleasing voice." 38.9
"Oh Brahman, which of us will get one son and which of us many sons; we would like to know. Let your words become the truth." 38.10
"Sage Bhrugu, who was a great follower of Dharma, after hearing their words told, "In this matter, you please use your free will." 38.11
"Would you like one son, who perpetuates the race, or many sons, who are greatly valorous, famous and have great enthusiasm?" 38.12
"Oh Rama, Oh son of Raghu clan, having heard the words of that great sage, Kesini, in front of the King, chose to have one son who will perpetuate their clan." 38.13
"Then the sister of Garuda named as Sumathi accepted sixty thousand sons having great valour, fame and enthusiasm. 38.14
"After going round the sage, bowing their head to him and saluting him with folded hands, they went back to their city, Oh Rama." 38.15
"After passage of time, Kesini, the wife of Sagara, gave birth to a famous son called as Asamanja." 38.16
"Oh tiger among men, then Sumathi gave birth to a gourd like egg, which when broken gave birth to sixty thousand sons." 38.17
"The maids placed them in pots filled with ghee [clarified butter] and made them grow. They attained youth after a long time." 38.19
"Oh best man, Oh son of Raghu clan, Asamanja the son of Sagara, every day got hold of other children, dipped them in the river Sarayu, threw them in the waters of the river and rejoiced while they were crying." 38.20
"When this evil one started tormenting his citizens and delighted in causing them hurt, this son was banished from that town." 38.21
"Asamanja had a valiant son called Amsuman; he was courteous in speaking and was beloved of all the world." 38.22
"After great passage of time, the thought of conducting a Yagna came in the mind of Sagara and he decided for doing it." 38.23
"Oh Rama, then King Sagara, who was expert in Vedas, consulted high priests regarding the rituals of the Yagna and commenced performing that Yagna." 38.24
This is the end of Thirty Eighth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.
Sargam [Chapter]: 39
Horse Search and Digging of Earth
[The horse is left and Amsuman, the son of Asamanja goes behind it. Indra steals the horse and hides it. The sixty thousand sagaras are asked to dig the earth and search for the horse. The earth and devas complain about it to Lord Brahma.]
Having heard Viswamithra, the pleased Rama told like this to the sage, who was like a burning fire. 39.1
"Oh Brahmin, I am desirous of listening to this story in detail of how my ancestor arranged for the sacrifice, please tell." 39.2
Sage Viswamithra, with a smile, addressed Rama and said, "Oh Rama, be pleased to hear the story of the magnanimous King in detail." 39.3
"The father in law of Lord Shiva who was the Mountain called Himalayas and the impossible Mountain Vindhya looked at each other." 39.4
"Oh best among men, the yagna took place in the area between these great Mountains and Oh tiger among men, that area between these Mountains is extremely suitable for conducting this type of sacrifice." 39.5
"Oh child, son of Kakustha dynasty, as per the wishes of King Sagara, his son Anshuman who was a great charioteer and having a strong bow followed the sacrificial horse so that he can protect it." 39.6
"Then on a full moon day, Indra, assuming the form of a Rakshasa, stole the sacrificial horse of King Sagara, when he was performing the Yagna as the Yajamana [Kartha]." 39.7
"Oh son of Kakustha clan, when the sacrificial horse of the great King Sagara was stolen, all the priests conducting the sacrifice told the King who was the doer of the sacrifice." 39.8
"Oh Sagara, who is a Kakustha, on this auspicious day the sacrificial horse has been taken away forcibly and so quickly kill the thief and bring back the horse." 39.9
"This hole like flaw in the sacrifice will be inauspicious for all of us and so Oh king, do all that is necessary to conduct this Yagna without any flaw." 39.10
"Hearing the words of the officiating priests in the hall of Yagna, he spoke to his sixty thousand sons as follows." 39.11
"Oh best among men, Oh sons, I do not see any possibility of this done by Rakshasas as this great Yagna is being presided by eminent priests and is protected by Manthras." 39.12
"Oh sons, all of you please go safely and search for the horse all over the world surrounded by the sea." 39.13
"Oh Sons, you may go mile after mile throughout the earth in search of the thief of the horse. Excavate the earth till the horse is found. This is my order." 39.14
"Having entered in to the penance of performing this Yagna, I along with my grandson and the group of priests would stay here till the horse is found. May you be safe." 39.15
"When spoken thus by their father, with happy hearts, those strong princes went all over the great earth, to fulfill the orders of their father." 39.16
"Oh tiger among men, each of them broke one yojana [2 miles] of the entire length of the earth by their nails as tough as diamonds." 39.17
"Oh Rama, that earth broken systematically by lances similar to thunderbolts and ploughs, which were dreadful, gave out dreadful sounds." 39.18
"Oh Rama, when they were digging the earth, the sound of serpents, asuras, Rakshasas and other beings were heard from there." 39.19
"Oh son of the Raghu clan, by excavating the sixty thousand Yojanas [120000 miles], eventually they reached the matchless Rasathala." 39.20
"Oh tiger among men, those sons of the King digging this way roamed all around Jambu Dweepa along with its Mountains." 39.21
"Afterwards Devas, asuras, Gandharwas and serpents, with extremely disturbed mind went and met Lord Brahma." 39.22
"They, who were highly agitated, with sad faces propitiated the magnanimous Lord Brahma and spoke thus." 39.23
"Oh God, the entire earth is being dug by the sons of Sagara and many great people living in the world below are being killed." 39.24
"Those sons of Sagara are pointing out to various people and saying "This one is the thief" and are killing them." 39.25
This is the end of Thirty Ninth Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.