November 25 - Sargas 1 and 2 of Yuddha Kanda.
What we are now fortunate to be reading every day is called Srimad Valmiki Ramayana. A rough translation would be "The book endowed with all auspicious effects, composed by Valmiki, being the narration of Sri Rama's journey."
Sri Rama's journey began when Mahavishnu promised the gods that he would incarnate as Sri Rama and destroy the menace to the three worlds called Ravana.
We have coursed through this journey, with a fine build-up of the circumstances, for Sri Rama to now go after Ravana. The key characters in this drama have been Dasharatha, Kaikeyi, Bharata, Lakshmana, Ravana, Hanuman, and Sita. Sita is the supreme heroine, who exemplifies Hindu womanhood. Sri Rama is the embodiment of righteousness. All other characters are like a beautiful garland around these two.
The stage is set for the onward march of Dharma.
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श्रुत्वा प्रीतसमायुक्तः उत्तरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् - "Sri Rama was most delighted by Hanuman's report, and replied thus."
"Oh Hanuman, none else other than Garuda, Vayu, or yourself could have crossed the ocean like this.
Your success in breaching Lanka's security, accomplishing the task, and returning alive would be impossible even for gods, demons, yakshas, gandharvas and rakshasas. You have succeeded well in Sugriva's entrusted mission."
यो हि भृत्यो नियुक्तः सन् भर्त्रा कर्मणी दुष्करे ।
कुर्यात् तदनुरागेण तमाहुः पुरुषोत्तमम् ॥
नियुक्तोयः परं कार्यं न कुर्यान्नृपतेः प्रियम् ।
भृत्यो युक्तः समर्थश्च तमाहुर्मध्यमं नरम् ॥
"If one is employed and ordered by his master to accomplish a difficult task, and one carries it out successfully, with love and efficiency, such a one is called supreme."
"If a soldier assigned to a task by his king carries it out to the king's satisfaction, but does not go over and beyond the brief to accomplish more, he is categorized as mediocre."
अहं च रघुवंशश्च लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः ।
वैदेह्या दर्शनेनाद्य धर्मतः परिरक्षिताः ॥
"I, the Raghu dynasty, the greatly powerful Lakshmana - have all been fulfilled and protected in our Dharma by your meeting Vaidehi Sita."
Sri Rama says now something significant, becoming of a true monarch. "On the other hand, Hanuman, it grieves me much that I am not able to honour and recognize you fittingly for your great favour to me."
एष सर्वस्वभूते परिष्वङ्गो हनूमतः - "This embrace, Hanuman, I give you, represents my all!"
इत्युक्त्वा प्रीतिहृष्टाङ्गो रामस्तं परिषस्वजे ।
हनूमन्तं कृतात्मानं कृतकार्यमुपागतम् ॥
"Having said this, Sri Rama, with joy coursing through his body, with great affection embraced Hanuman who had returned after most successfully completing his mission."
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Sri Rama raises now to Sugriva the intractable problem facing them of crossing the ocean. He agrees with Vaidehi Sita that this task, for the vanara army, of crossing the ocean seems impossible.
Sugriva responds that this gloomy outlook is not becoming of Sri Rama. Such defeatism is for losers. After all, they have found out where Sita is. That is big progress. In fact, Sugriva cautions Sri Rama that as a learned man, he should know that despondency is a sin. For the vanara army, crossing the ocean is but a small step, because then they will surely destroy the enemy.
The highly capable and heroic vanaras are so dedicated to the mission that they will even enter fire if necessary for its accomplishment.
सेतुरत्रयथाबद्ध्येद्यथा पश्याम तां पुरीम् ।
तस्य राक्षसराजस्य तथा त्वं कुरु राघव ॥
"Dear Sri Rama, focus on the twin tasks of building a bridge over the sea to cross over and of seeing that city of the king of rakshasas. If we see the city of Lanka on Trikuta, know for sure that Ravana will be killed."
नहि पश्याम्यहं कञ्चित् त्रिषु लोकेषु राघव ।
गृहीतधनुषो यस्ते तिष्ठेदभिमुखो रणे ॥
"Dear Raghava, I do not see anyone in the three worlds who is capable of standing and facing you in a battle once you hold your bow in readiness."
Sugriva tells Sri Rama that these vanaras are not to be underestimated, they have divine strength and can assume any form at will. They will rain boulders and trees and destroy any enemy,
किमुक्त्वा बहुधा चापि सर्वथा विजयी भवान् ।
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि मनो मे सम्प्रहृष्यति ॥
"Dear Sri Rama, what is the need to speak so much. You are always successful in every endeavour. I can see right now many auspicious omens for our success."
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
