I received a circular from Samskrita Bharati that they are starting a "Read Valmiki Ramayana" movement for one year from today, Sri Ramanavami. I decided to enroll! And at that same time Prasada came from Melkote after the recent festivities. What a good omen! Here is a report of today's reading! हरिः ॐ तत् सत्
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कुरु रामकथां पुण्यां श्लोकबद्धां मनोरमाम्।
यावत् स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले ॥
तावद्रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति।
यावद्रामायणकथा त्वत्कृता प्रचरिष्यति ॥
तावदूर्ध्वमधश्च त्वं मल्लोकेषु निवत्स्यसि।
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्ब्रह्मा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥
Valmiki the sage is visited By Narada Maharshi. Valmiki asks if ever there was a perfect man on earth. Narada tells him about Rama as that ideal man and narrates his life. Valmiki is thrilled to hear the story.
Valmiki soon after is at the river for his bath when sees a hunter cruelly and senselessly kill a bird engaged in mating with its female companion.
The Rishi utters a curse on the hunter for his heinous act. His words tumble out in verse form! Shoka= Sadness is expressed as a poem=Shloka. This is the first Shloka or verse in Sanskrit.
The sage is bewildered by all these events when Brahma comes and assures him that Goddess Sarswati has given Valmiki the power of poetic expression for the express purpose of setting out Ramayana as an epic poem. Brahma says that as long as mountains and rivers exist, Valmiki's poem Ramayana will be popular. And the sage will dwell in Brahma Loka=highest heaven.
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श्रीरामजयम्
