Valmiki Ramayana — Bala Kanda — Chapter 2

VR 1 2.1

नारदस्य तु तद् वाक्यं श्रुत्वा वाक्यविशारदः। पूजयामास धर्मात्मा सह शिष्यो महामुनिम्॥

nāradasya tu tad vākyaṃ śrutvā vākyaviśāradaḥ| pūjayāmāsa dharmātmā saha śiṣyo mahāmunim||

Hearing those words of Nārada, that one of virtuous soul, skilled in speech, together with his disciples, worshipped that great sage.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.2

यथावत् पूजितस्तेन देवर्षि रदस्तथा। आपृच्छयैवाभ्यनुज्ञातः स जगाम विहायसम्॥

yathāvat pūjitastena devarṣi radastathā| āpṛcchayaivābhyanujñātaḥ sa jagāma vihāyasam||

Having received due honours, that Devarși Nārada taking leave of him went to his ethereal regions.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.3

स मुहूर्तं गते तस्मिन् देवलोकं मुनिस्तदा। जगाम तमसातीरं जाह्नव्यास्त्वविदूरतः॥

sa muhūrtaṃ gate tasmin devalokaṃ munistadā| jagāma tamasātīraṃ jāhnavyāstvavidūrataḥ||

And when Nārada had left for the celestial regions, that holy person went to the banks of the Tamasā not very far from Jāhnavī.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.4

स तु तीरं समासाद्य तमसाया मुनिस्तदा। शिष्यमाह स्थितं पार्श्वे दृष्ट्वा तीर्थमकर्दमम्॥

sa tu tīraṃ samāsādya tamasāyā munistadā| śiṣyamāha sthitaṃ pārśve dṛṣṭvā tīrthamakardamam||

And having arrived at the banks of that river, the pious one, observing a holy spot devoid of mud, spoke to his disciple standing by.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.5

अकर्दममिदं तीर्थे भरद्वाज निशामय। रमणीयं प्रसन्नाम्बु सन्मनुष्यमनो यथा।५।।

akardamamidaṃ tīrthe bharadvāja niśāmaya| ramaṇīyaṃ prasannāmbu sanmanuṣyamano yathā|5||

Saying-O Bharadvāja, behold this holy spot devoid of mud. And it is beautiful, and contains pleasant waters, even like the minds of good men.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.6

न्यस्यतां कलशस्तात दीयतां वल्कलं मम। इदमेवावगाहिष्ये तमसातीर्थमुत्तमम्॥

nyasyatāṃ kalaśastāta dīyatāṃ valkalaṃ mama| idamevāvagāhiṣye tamasātīrthamuttamam||

O child, do you, put down your pitcher, and give me my bark. I will bathe even in this Tamasā, the best of holy spots.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.7

एवमुक्तो भरद्वाजो वाल्मीकेन महात्मना। प्रायच्छत मुनेस्तस्य वल्कलं नियतो गुरुः॥

evamukto bharadvājo vālmīkena mahātmanā| prāyacchata munestasya valkalaṃ niyato guruḥ||

Thus accosted by the high-souled Vālmīki, Bharadvāja ever intent upon serving his spiritual guide, presented the sage his bark.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.8

स शिष्याहस्तदादाय वल्कलं नियतेन्द्रियः। विचचार ह पश्यंस्तत् सर्वतो विपुलं वनम्।।।।।

sa śiṣyāhastadādāya valkalaṃ niyatendriyaḥ| vicacāra ha paśyaṃstat sarvato vipulaṃ vanam|||||

That one of subdued senses, having received his bark from his disciple, began to range around, surveying that extensive forest.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.9

तस्याभ्याशे तु मिथुनं चरन्तमनपायिनम्। ददर्श भगवांस्तत्र क्रौञ्चयोश्चारुनिःस्वनम्॥

tasyābhyāśe tu mithunaṃ carantamanapāyinam| dadarśa bhagavāṃstatra krauñcayoścāruniḥsvanam||

In the vicinity of the forest, that worshipful one espied a pair of Krauñcas, emitting melodious notes, and ranging around never parting from one another.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.10

तस्मात् तु मिथुनादेकं पुमांसं पापनिश्चयः। जघान वैरनिलयो निषादस्तस्य पश्यतः॥

tasmāt tu mithunādekaṃ pumāṃsaṃ pāpaniścayaḥ| jaghāna vairanilayo niṣādastasya paśyataḥ||

At this juncture, a wicked-minded fowler, singling out the male, without any cause of hostility, slew him in the very presence of the holy man.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.11

तं शोणितपरीताङ्ग चेष्टमानं महीतले। भार्या तु निहतं दृष्ट्वा रुराव करुणां गिरम्॥

taṃ śoṇitaparītāṅga ceṣṭamānaṃ mahītale| bhāryā tu nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā rurāva karuṇāṃ giram||

Observing him struggling on the earth, bathed in blood, his female companion began to bewail in piteous accents.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.12

वियुक्ता पतिना तेन द्विजेन सहचारिणा। ताम्रशीर्षेण मत्तेन पत्रिणा सहितेन वै॥

viyuktā patinā tena dvijena sahacāriṇā| tāmraśīrṣeṇa mattena patriṇā sahitena vai||

At the prospect of her separation from her copper-crested oviparous husband, engaged in sport with extended plumage.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.13

तथाविधं द्विजं दृष्ट्वा निषादेन निपातितम्। ऋषेर्धर्मात्मनस्तस्य कारुण्यं समपद्यत॥

tathāvidhaṃ dvijaṃ dṛṣṭvā niṣādena nipātitam| ṛṣerdharmātmanastasya kāruṇyaṃ samapadyata||

Finding the bird in that condition thus brought down by the fowler, the pity of that pious and righteous-souled Rși was excited exceedingly.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.14

ततः करुणवेदित्वादधर्मोऽयमिति द्विजः। निशाम्य रुदती क्रौञ्चीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥

tataḥ karuṇaveditvādadharmo'yamiti dvijaḥ| niśāmya rudatī krauñcīmidaṃ vacanamabravīt||

Then considering it to be an unrighteous deed, with a heart moved with pity, that twice-born one, beholding the weeping Krauñci, spoke these words.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.15

मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमः शाश्वतीः समाः। यत् क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधीः काममोहितम्॥

mā niṣāda pratiṣṭhāṃ tvamagamaḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ| yat krauñcamithunādekamavadhīḥ kāmamohitam||

O fowler, since you have slain one of a pair of Krauñcas, you shall never attain prosperity (respect)!

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.16

तस्येत्थं ब्रुवतश्चिन्ता बभूव हृदि वीक्षतः। शोकार्तेनास्य शकुनेः किमिदं व्याहृतं मया॥

tasyetthaṃ bruvataścintā babhūva hṛdi vīkṣataḥ| śokārtenāsya śakuneḥ kimidaṃ vyāhṛtaṃ mayā||

Having uttered this, he got worried within himself, What is this that I have said, afflicted with grief for the bird?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.17

चिन्तयन् स महाप्राज्ञश्चकार मतिमान्मतिम्। शिष्यं चैवाब्रवीद् वाक्यमिदं स मुनिपुङ्गवः॥

cintayan sa mahāprājñaścakāra matimānmatim| śiṣyaṃ caivābravīd vākyamidaṃ sa munipuṅgavaḥ||

Resolving thus in his mind, that highly-wise one and best of sages addressed his disciple, saying.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.18

पादबद्धोऽक्षरसमस्तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितः। शोकार्तस्य प्रवृत्तो मे श्लोको भवतु नान्यथा॥

pādabaddho'kṣarasamastantrīlayasamanvitaḥ| śokārtasya pravṛtto me śloko bhavatu nānyathā||

This speech that I have uttered is of equal bound with metre and accents; it has rhythm and is capable of being chanted according to measure to stringed accompaniment. Let it therefore go forth as a sloka!

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.19

शिष्यस्तु तस्य ब्रुवतो मुनेर्वाक्यमनुत्तमम्। प्रतिजग्राह संतुष्टस्तस्य तुष्टोऽभवन्मुनि ॥

śiṣyastu tasya bruvato munervākyamanuttamam| pratijagrāha saṃtuṣṭastasya tuṣṭo'bhavanmuni ||

When the sage had spoken thus, his disciple, well pleased, assented to his excellent speech; and thereat that pious person was gratified.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.20

सोऽभिषेकं ततः कृत्वा तीर्थे तस्मिन् यथाविधि। तमेव चिन्तयत्रर्थमुपावर्तत वै मुनिः॥

so'bhiṣekaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā tīrthe tasmin yathāvidhi| tameva cintayatrarthamupāvartata vai muniḥ||

Then having duly performed his ablutions at that holy spot, the reverend sage retraced his steps, pondering over the incidents touching the sloka.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.21

भरद्वाजस्ततः शिष्यो विनीतः श्रुतवान् गुरोः। कलशं पूर्णमादाय पृष्ठतोऽनुजगाम ह॥

bharadvājastataḥ śiṣyo vinītaḥ śrutavān guroḥ| kalaśaṃ pūrṇamādāya pṛṣṭhato'nujagāma ha||

His disciple also, accomplished in learning, and of meek demeanour, followed Vālmīki, carrying on his back a pitcher filled with water.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.22

स प्रविश्याश्रमपदं शिष्येण सह धर्मवित्। उपविष्टः कथाश्चान्याश्चकार ध्यानमास्थितः॥

sa praviśyāśramapadaṃ śiṣyeṇa saha dharmavit| upaviṣṭaḥ kathāścānyāścakāra dhyānamāsthitaḥ||

Having entered the hermitage along with his disciple, conversant with righteousness engaged in diverse kinds of talk, revolved in his mind the circumstances connected with the verses.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.23

आजगाम ततो ब्रह्मा लोककर्ता स्वयं प्रभुः। चतुर्मुखो महातेजा द्रष्टुं तं मुनिपुङ्गवम् ॥

ājagāma tato brahmā lokakartā svayaṃ prabhuḥ| caturmukho mahātejā draṣṭuṃ taṃ munipuṅgavam ||

It came to pass that desirous of seeing the best of sages, there arrived, that lord and creator of all, the effulgent Brahmā, furnished with four countenances.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.24

वाल्मीरिरथ तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय वाग्यतः। प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतो भूत्वा तस्थौ परमविस्मितः॥

vālmīriratha taṃ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya vāgyataḥ| prāñjaliḥ prayato bhūtvā tasthau paramavismitaḥ||

Beholding him Vālmīki rose up suddenly and, wondering greatly, humbly and silently stood before him with clasped hands.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.25

पूजयामास तं देवं पाद्याासनवन्दनैः। प्रणम्य विधिवच्चैनं पृष्ट्वा चैव निरामयम् ॥

pūjayāmāsa taṃ devaṃ pādyāāsanavandanaiḥ| praṇamya vidhivaccainaṃ pṛṣṭvā caiva nirāmayam ||

And duly bending low in reverence, Vālmīki offered that deity water to wash his feet, and other things for reception.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.26

अथोपविश्य भगवानासने परमार्चिते। वाल्मीकये च ऋषये संदिदेशासनं ततः॥

athopaviśya bhagavānāsane paramārcite| vālmīkaye ca ṛṣaye saṃdideśāsanaṃ tataḥ||

Having sat-down on a highly-honoured seat, that worshipful one enquired after the welfare of that sage Vālmīki knowing no deterioration, and then asked him to be seated.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.27

ब्रह्मणा समनुज्ञातः सोऽप्युपाविशदासने। उपविष्टे तदा तस्मिन् साक्षाल्लोकपितामहे ॥ तद्गतेनैव मनसा वाल्मीकिानमास्थितः। पापात्मना कृतं कप्टं वैरग्रहणबुद्धिना॥ यत् तादृशं चारुरवं क्रौञ्चं हन्यादकारणात्। शोचन्नेव पुनः क्रौञ्चीमुपश्लोकमिमं जगौ।

brahmaṇā samanujñātaḥ so'pyupāviśadāsane| upaviṣṭe tadā tasmin sākṣāllokapitāmahe || tadgatenaiva manasā vālmīkiānamāsthitaḥ| pāpātmanā kṛtaṃ kapṭaṃ vairagrahaṇabuddhinā|| yat tādṛśaṃ cāruravaṃ krauñcaṃ hanyādakāraṇāt| śocanneva punaḥ krauñcīmupaślokamimaṃ jagau|

Having been seated in the presence of the Grand-sire of all, Vālmīki, his mind running upon the self-same subject, became plunged in thought. What a sin has been committed by the wicked-minded one, incited by hostile feeling, that he without cause slew that sweetly-singing Kraunca! And thereupon, again lamenting that female Krauñca, he, in grief of heart, mentally recited those verses.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.28

पुनरन्तर्गतमना भूत्वा शोकपरायणः। तमुवाच ततो ब्रह्मा प्रहसन् मुनिपुङ्गवम्॥ श्लोक एवास्त्वयं बद्धो नात्र कार्या विचारणा। मच्छन्दादेव ते ब्रह्मन् प्रवृत्तेयं सरस्वती॥

punarantargatamanā bhūtvā śokaparāyaṇaḥ| tamuvāca tato brahmā prahasan munipuṅgavam|| śloka evāstvayaṃ baddho nātra kāryā vicāraṇā| macchandādeva te brahman pravṛtteyaṃ sarasvatī||

Then smiling, Brahmā spoke to the excellent sage,-Those verses of your which you have composed a sloka shall attain celebrity: no doubt need be entertained on this head, It is because I had intended so, that those verses had come out of your lips.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.29

रामस्य चरितं कृत्स्नं कुरु त्वमृषिसत्तम। धर्मात्मनो भगवतो लोके रामस्य धीमतः॥ वृत्तं कथय धीरस्य यथा ते नारदाच्छुतम्।

rāmasya caritaṃ kṛtsnaṃ kuru tvamṛṣisattama| dharmātmano bhagavato loke rāmasya dhīmataḥ|| vṛttaṃ kathaya dhīrasya yathā te nāradācchutam|

Do you now, O best of saints, compose the entire history of Rāma. Do you relate to the world the history of the righteous-souled and intelligent Rāma crowned with qualities. And do you, as you have heard it from Närada.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.30

रहस्यं च प्रकाशं च यद् वृत्तं तस्य धीमतः॥ रामस्य सहसौमित्रे राक्षसानां च सर्वशः। वैदेह्याश्चैव यत् वृत्तं प्रकाशं यदि वा रहः॥ तच्चाप्यविदितं सर्व विदितं ते भविष्यति।

rahasyaṃ ca prakāśaṃ ca yad vṛttaṃ tasya dhīmataḥ|| rāmasya sahasaumitre rākṣasānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ| vaidehyāścaiva yat vṛttaṃ prakāśaṃ yadi vā rahaḥ|| taccāpyaviditaṃ sarva viditaṃ te bhaviṣyati|

Relate all what is known, and all what is unknown to the world, O wise one, concerning Rāma, and Laksmana, and Videha's daughter, and all the Rākşasas. And even what is not known to Nārada, shall be unfolded to you.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.31

न ते वागनृता काव्ये काचिदत्र भविष्यति॥ कुरु रामकथां पुण्यां श्लोकबद्धां मनोरमाम्।

na te vāganṛtā kāvye kācidatra bhaviṣyati|| kuru rāmakathāṃ puṇyāṃ ślokabaddhāṃ manoramām|

No words of yours in this poem shall contain an untruth sacred. Therefore, now compose into verses. This delightful story of Rama.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.32

यावत् स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले॥ तावद् रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति।

yāvat sthāsyanti girayaḥ saritaśca mahītale|| tāvad rāmāyaṇakathā lokeṣu pracariṣyati|

As long as the mountains and the seas exist on earth, the history of Rāmāyaṇa will remain prevalent among men.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.33

यावद् रामस्य च कथा त्वत्कृता प्रचरियति ॥ तावदूर्ध्वमधश्च त्वन मल्लोकेषु निवत्स्यसि।

yāvad rāmasya ca kathā tvatkṛtā pracariyati || tāvadūrdhvamadhaśca tvana mallokeṣu nivatsyasi|

As long as this story of Rāmāyaṇa shall retain its currency, you shall reside both in this world and in mine.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.34

इत्युक्त्वा भगवान् ब्रह्मा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत। ततः सशिष्यो भगवान् मुनिर्विस्मयमाययौ ॥

ityuktvā bhagavān brahmā tatraivāntaradhīyata| tataḥ saśiṣyo bhagavān munirvismayamāyayau ||

Having said this, the Lord Brahmä disappeared there. And thereat the sage and his disciples marvelled greatly.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.35

तस्य शिष्यास्ततः सर्वे जगुः श्लोकमिमं पुनः। मुहुर्मुहुः प्रीयमाणाः प्राहुश्च भृशविस्मिताः॥

tasya śiṣyāstataḥ sarve jaguḥ ślokamimaṃ punaḥ| muhurmuhuḥ prīyamāṇāḥ prāhuśca bhṛśavismitāḥ||

His disciples sang those verses again and again; and, momentarily experiencing pleasure, recited it with exceeding wonder.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.36

समाक्षरैश्चतुर्भिर्यः पादैर्गीतो महर्षिणा। सोऽनुव्याहरणाद् भूयः शोकः श्लोकत्वमागतः॥

samākṣaraiścaturbhiryaḥ pādairgīto maharṣiṇā| so'nuvyāharaṇād bhūyaḥ śokaḥ ślokatvamāgataḥ||

Those verses, composed of equal accents, and furnished with four parts, have been sung by the great saint, have, in virtue of frequent repetition, been associated with a world of pathos and have attained the eminence of a sloka.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.37

तस्य बुद्धिरियं जाता महर्षे वितात्मनः। कृत्स्नं रामायणं काव्यमीदृशैः करवाण्यहम्॥

tasya buddhiriyaṃ jātā maharṣe vitātmanaḥ| kṛtsnaṃ rāmāyaṇaṃ kāvyamīdṛśaiḥ karavāṇyaham||

Now it is the intention of that illustrious and self-centred sage to compose the entire Rāmāyaṇa in this metre.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.38

स्तदास्य रामस्य चकार कीर्तिमान्। समाक्षरैः श्लोकशतैर्यशस्विनो यशस्करं काव्यमुदारदर्शनः।॥

stadāsya rāmasya cakāra kīrtimān| samākṣaraiḥ ślokaśatairyaśasvino yaśaskaraṃ kāvyamudāradarśanaḥ|||

The great ascetic Vālmīki of gracious appearance and unparalleled renown composed a poetry consisting of hundreds of verses in melodious measure, couching the significance of the history of Rāma.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 1 2.39

तदुपगतसमाससंधियोगं सममधुरोपनतार्थवाक्यबद्धम्। रघुवरचरितं मुनिप्रणीतं दशशिरसश्च वधं निशामयध्वम्॥

tadupagatasamāsasaṃdhiyogaṃ samamadhuropanatārthavākyabaddham| raghuvaracaritaṃ munipraṇītaṃ daśaśirasaśca vadhaṃ niśāmayadhvam||

Listen to the annals of the foremost of Raghu's race, and the destruction of the Tenheaded one composed by the ascetic, with Samāsas, Sandhis, Prakrtis, and Pratayas; and lucid with sweet and equally-accented words.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)