May 1 - Sargas 21 and 22 of Balakanda.
Today's reading covers two important story elements. Sage Vasishtha explains to Dasharatha the immense stature and knowedge of divine weapons that sage Vishwamitra is endowed with, and how he is totally invincible. Also that Rama under his protection cannot be harmed in the slightest. In fact Vishwamitra could have dealt with those rakshasas in a jiffy himself but he has come to confer a great blessing on Rama.
The other element is how Vishwamitra, right away, after Rama and Lakshmana are sent by Dasharatha with him, gives a special pair of mystical mantras/weapons to Rama. These make him immediately the most accomplished warrior in the world.
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त्रस्तरूपं तु विज्ञाय जगत्सर्वं महानृषिः।
नृपतिं सुव्रतो धीरो वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥
Seeing the appalling state of the world around as a result of the the anger provoked in Vishwamitra by the king's refusal, the great Sage Vasishtha, exemplary in conduct and forbearance, advised the king thus:
संश्रुत्येवं करिष्यामीत्यकुर्वाणस्य राघव ।
इष्टापूर्तवधो भूयात्तस्माद्रामं विसर्जय ॥
After hearing about the task on hand from Sage Vishwamitra, if you renege on your promise, oh Raghava=Dasharatha, all the good merits you have gathered thus far by your yajnas, noble deeds and benevolent projects for your kingdom will be destroyed. Therefore please stick to your word and despatch Rama with the sage.
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एष विग्रहवान् धर्म एष वीर्यवतां वरः।
एष बुध्याधिको लोके तपसश्च परायणम् ॥
एषोऽस्त्रान् विविधान् वेत्ति त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे।
नैनमन्यः पुमान् वेत्ति न च वेत्यन्ति केचन ॥
Know king, that this sage Vishvamitra is the embodiment of Dharma, he is the best among brave warriors. He is the wiset person in the world, and par excellence in Tapas.
He knows a number of powerful weapons, more than anyone else in the three worlds of sentients and insentients. No one knows him as well as I do and no one else shall in future know him completely.
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(Remember Vasishtha is the son of Brahma, and is one of the sapta rishis, and great grand-father of Veda Vyasa! So Vishnu chose his gurus when incarnated as Rama, in sages Vasishtha and Vishwamitra, very wisely! )
Vasishtha explains how a hundred divine weapons were created as grand progeny of Daksha for the destruction of rakshasas and all these were vouchsafed to sage Vishwamitra because of his Tapas. Therefore Sage Vishwamitra will not only protect Rama but also train him for the future.
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तेषां निग्रहणे शक्तः स्वयं च कुशिकात्मजः।
तव पुत्रहितार्थाय त्वामुपेत्यभियाचते ॥
Know fully well, therefore, o king, that those rakshasas can be dealt with easily by sage Vishwamitra. He has come ostensibly to seek your favour only for for the long-term welfare of Sri Rama.
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Once king Dasharatha hears all this, he is relieved and even glad that Rama is undertaking the mission Under the tutelage and protection of such a unique sage. He calls his sons Rama and Lakshmana and lovingly blesses them and decrees that they accompany the sage and dutifully carry out his plan.
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कृतस्वस्त्ययनं मात्रा पित्रा दशरथेन च ।
पुरोधसा वसिष्ठेन मङ्गलैरभिमन्त्रितम् ॥
Rama and Lakshmana received blessings from their mothers, father and king Dasharatha, and benedictive incantations from sage Vasishtha before their departure.
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The heavens showered flowers and auspicious instruments were sounded. A cool breeze augured well for the journey.
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अनुजग्मतुरक्षुद्रौ पितामहमिवाश्विनौ ।
तदा कुशिकपुत्रं तु धनुष्पाणी स्वलङ्कृतौ ॥
Then Rama and Lakshmana followed behind sage Vishwamitra, carrying their bows, arrows, swords and so on, well dressed as royal princes, a picture of great robust valour, as if the Ashwini Devata twins were following Lord Brahma.
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अध्यर्धयोजनं गत्वा सरव्या दक्षिणे तटे ।
रामेति मधुरं वाणीं विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत ॥
गृहाण वत्स सलिलं मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः ।
मन्त्रग्रामं गृहाण त्वं बलामतिबलां तथा ॥
न श्रमो न ज्वरो वा ते न रूपस्य विपर्ययः ।
न च सुप्तं प्रमत्तं वा धर्षयिष्यन्ति नैर्ऋताः ॥
After travelling a half Yojana to the southern bank of Sarayu, Vishwamitra addressed in an endearing voice, "Oh Rama! Please take the water from the river for oblation, let this auspicious hour not be allowed to pass.
I shall teach you two sacred mantras - Bala and Atibala. Once You learn these mantras, no illness or fatigue can come to you. Nor ageing. Even demons cannot attack you whether you are asleep or in a preoccupied mood of distraction.
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Vishwamitra goes on to say that these powerful incantations are unique as they will make Rama the supreme warrior on earth, even the three worlds. None will match him in good fortune or generosity, or knowledge or intellectual prowess. Nobody will be able to match his capabilities in conversation or repartee. These mantras are the mothers of all human accomplishments. In fact even hunger and thirst won't bother you, o Rama, once you receive these two mantras. They are the daughters of Lord Brahma.
And the reason why I am giving you these mantras?
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प्रदातुं तव काकुत्स्थ सदृशस्तवं हि धार्मिक ।
कामं बहुगुणाः सर्वे त्वय्येते नात्र संशयः ॥
My desire to give you these two mantras, o Rama, is because you have so many great qualities, you're full of Dharma, and there is no one else like you.
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Sri Rama washed himself in the river, and reverently received the two mantras from the sage. He was extremely glad.
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सहस्ररश्मिर्भगवान् शरदीव दिवाकरः ।
गरुकार्याणि सर्वाणि नियुज्य कुशिकात्मजे ॥
Thereafter, after serving the Guru in the prescribed manner, Rama rested - looking brilliant like the thousand rayed sun in winter.
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The three rested on the river bank for the night. Sage Vishwamitra told the brothers many interesting stories, and the night passed as if in an instant.
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