May 29 - Ayodhya Kanda begins! Sargas 1 and 2.
I am hugely excited to begin reading the Ayodhya Kanda. The poetry is exquisite and Valmiki is himself quite excited to narrate the build up to the choice of Sri Rama for being made Yuvaraja. In fact even a beginner like me starts to understand why some scholars say that Valmiki actually began the Ramayana only with Ayodhya Kanda.
Sage Valmiki begins by making an important point. Both Bharata and Shatrughna go to be with their uncle in Kekaya where they are looked after very much like in Ayodhya. They are also very respectful and affectionate to their uncle and the people there. But they constantly remember their father, Ayodhya and the love they got from their aged father. Dasharatha also thinks a lot about them and misses Bharata and Shatrughna very much.
***
सर्व ेएव तु तस्येष्टाश्चत्वाराः पुरुषर्षभाः ।
स्वशरीराद्विनिवृत्ताश्चत्वार इव बाहवः ॥
तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरः पितुः ।
स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः। ॥
स हि देवैरुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थभिः ।
अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुः सनातनः ॥
All the four princes, lions among men, were very dear to king Dasharatha. It was as if they were his four arms emanating from his body together, all equally dear.
And yet, even among them four, the most luminous Sri Rama was dearest to his father. It was just as Brahma is loved by all creation foremost. Sri Rama was superior in all qualities.
After all, (let's remind ourselves), wasn't he the supreme lord Vishnu himself, born on earth as a human being at the entreaty of gods, to vanquish the arrogant Ravana?
***
The rest of the first sarga and the second sarga amplifies why Sri Rama was the favourite of not only Dasharatha but EVERYONE around. The poetry, and flow of thought of Valmiki, as he lists the qualities and accomplishments of Sri Rama, are most inspiring. We begin to see why Sri Rama is considered the icon of Sanatana Dharma, the ideal man. In fact Bhagavan Krishna also says that among wielders of arms ( rulers) he is Rama.
I am at a loss to choose the verses. Together sargas 1 and 2 have 105 shlokas. Which ones to list?
I will try and make do with my prose summary.
Sri Rama was the worthiest son one could have on earth, Kausalya was so blessed. He was incomparable in good looks, valour, and qualities matching Dasharatha's. He was always calm, spoke softly, even if provoked by harsh words. He would never forget even the slightest help or favour from anyone, and didn’t hold a grudge even if someone did a hundred wrongs to him.
He was hailed as a role model by wise old men, men of knowledge, those of good character, as well as by warriors.
Highly intelligent, and humble to speak first to anyone without formality, and never conceited.
Not one to entertain idle gossip and cheap talk. Most respectful to the learned, and most loving to the people. He considered it as his ideal to uphold the Kshatriya values of leadership and believed they alone conferred merit in the other world.
Valmiki mentions more than once that Sri Rama was learned in all the scriptures and knew all art forms including music, dance and sculpture. Apart from his unassailable prowess with weapons.
He was sagacious to consider any situation for its eventuality, and was eloquent and persuasive in speech. He knew the four purusharthas well - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. He knew how to enrich the state treasury without burdensome taxes. He knew how to spend too, for people's welfare. He knew how to maintain law and order and whom to punish. He protected Ayodhya extremely well and no rival dared fight a battle against him as he was a proactive ruler.
Sri Rama was very healthy, very handsome, very valorous, very courteous, and understood men and matters perfectly. No wonder then that he was the soul of every citizen and was loved by all. Valmiki compares Sri Rama to the life-giving and much loved rainfall.
***
एतैस्तु बहुभिः युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैः सुतम् ।
दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परन्तपः ॥
अथ राज्ञो बभूवैवं वृद्धस्य चिरजीविनः ।
प्रीतिरेषा कथं रामो राजा स्यान्मयि जीवति ॥
Thus, considering all these unassailable and incomparable qualities of merit of Sri Rama, the mighty king Dasharatha began thinking of the future. He had ruled well for a very long time his kingdom. The question was how to see that Sri Rama was installed as the king during his lifetime itself.
***
Dasharatha lost no time in sending invitations to kings, chiefs, ministers and advisors to discuss this matter.
One important point made by Valmiki is that in taking this decision and consulting kings and chiefs, Dasharatha did not reach out the Janaka or the Kekaya king. The commentators say that this was to keep the decision-making simple as both of them could be imputed a vested interest.
***
Dasharatha received everyone in his court in full regal splendour and spoke with great deliberation and authority. Valmiki says his words had import like thunder.
***
अनुजातो हि मां सर्वैर्गुणैर्ज्येष्ठो ममात्मजः ।
पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरन्जयः ॥
तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम् ।
यौवराज्येन योक्तास्मि प्रीतः परुषपङ्गवम् ॥
"Oh my dear lords, chiefs, advisors and citizens, I have had a long innings and am getting on in age. My son takes after me in all respects. My eldest son Sri Rama is like Indra himself and is accepted as the supreme one by all kings in this region.
"Just now, Sri Rama is like the moon in his ascendent glory. He is endowed with all the best qualities of righteousness. I am therefore most pleased to anoint as the prince and my successor Sri Rama, the best among men."
***
Dasharatha's announcement was received with tumultuous enthusiasm.
***
रामो लोकाभिरामोऽयं शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमैः ।
प्रजापालनतत्वज्ञो न रागोपहतेन्द्रियः ॥
शान्तैः सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसञ्जननैर्नृणाम् ।
गुणैर्विरोचते रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवाम्शुभिः ॥
स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तररुण्यश्च सायं प्रातः समाहिताः ।
सर्वान् देवान्नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे मनस्विनः ॥
तेषां तद्याचितं देव त्वत्प्रसादात् समृध्यताम् ।
राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वश्त्रुनिबर्हणम् ॥
The entire court full of chiefs, ministers, wise counsel and citizens spoke with one voice. In short their reply was:
" Sri Rama is the most beloved of all, and in particular for his bravery, valour and rightful conquests. He is fully knowledgeable about rulership and is not tainted by sense temptations.
"By his qualities of calmness, love for all citizens, and qualities that endear him to all kings, he distinguishes himself like the sun with his incandescent rays.
"Women, the elderly, youth of both genders pray to the gods every morning and evening for Sri Rama's well-being with all their heart.
Whatever is in their minds, oh venerable king Dasharatha, has now been mooted by you. Let it bear fruit, and please anoint as Yuvaraja Sri Rama, who is beautiful like the blue lotus and at the same time capable of vanquishing all enemies of Ayodhya."
***
Remember these few shlokas don't do full justice to the 105 shlokas in these two sargas.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
