Day 1 - completed Sagas 1 & 2 - Balakanda
Today is Day 2.Completed Sargas 3 & 4 - Balakanda
Sage Valmiki, as directed by Brahma, undertakes to visualise the entire Ramayana through penance and compose the epic poem.
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ततः पश्यति धर्मात्मा तत् सर्वं योगमास्थितः।
पुरा यत्तत्र निर्वृत्तं पाणावामलकं यथा ॥
तत्सर्वं तत्त्वतो दृष्ट्वा धर्मेण स महामतिः।
अभिरामस्य रामस्य चरितं कर्तुमुद्यतः ॥
Thus visualised the noble soul situated in yoga the entire story, whatever had transpired in the past, as clearly as a gooseberry in his palm.
After seeing the entire exact story, by his spiritual power, the great luminous Valmiki began to compose the story of the most delightful Sri Rama.
***
Once competed, Sage Valmiki wonders whom he should teach this epic poem to recite. Lo and behold, his students Kusha and Lava come and bow down to him.
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तौ तु गान्धर्वतत्त्वज्ञौ मूर्छनास्थानकोवादौ।
भ्रातरौ स्वरसंपन्नावश्विनाविव रूपिणौ ॥
The brothers had the knowledge of celestial musical arts, knew raagas and shruti positions. The brothers had very sweet voices and were as beautiful as the Ashwini twins.
***
They mastered the recitation as taught by sage Valmiki and then went around singing the epic poem. They sang so captivatingly that everyone who heard them, various sages and others, showered them with various gifts. The list is an enchanting one - items such as a kamandalu, loincloth, hair care products, chanting beads.... and of course lots of blessings.
Kusha and Lava's fame reaches Rama's ears. And soon they are invited to perform in his royal court:
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ततस्तु तौ रामवचःप्रचोदिता-
वगायतां मार्गविधानसंपदा ।
स चापि रामः परिष्द्गतः शनै-
र्बुभूषयासक्तमना बभूव ह॥
As instructed by Sri Rama, Kusha and Lava sang in the rich classical musical idiom Valmiki Ramayana, the epic poem. Sri Rama came to the court and started listening to the Ramayana intently.
***
What beautiful imagery, what a beautiful story indeed. How blessed am I to be reading this.
Here is a musical & visual gift - created and sung by Sumana y'day for Sri Ramanavami 😊
