February 17 - Shlokas 92-125 of Sarga 128 of Yuddha Kanda.
We have come to the conclusion of the Srimad Valmiki Ramayana as narrated by the young prince-ascetics Kusha and Lava in Sri Rama's court. They describe the glory of Sri Rama's rule over all the lands and the well-being of all the peoples. They also state the phalashruti or the benedictive value of studying Srimad Ramayana of Valmiki and how it uplifts us.
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राज्यं दशसहस्राणि प्राप्य वर्षाणि राघवः ।
शताश्वमेधानाजह्रे सदश्वान् भूरिदक्षिणान् ॥
"Sri Rama ruled for ten thousand years the limitless kingdom of Ayodhya. He performed a hundred Ashvamedha yajnas well with the best of horses and offering the most generous dakshinas and gifts to all."
Every Ashvamedha yajna would bring together the whole populace into creative activities of all kinds in a worshipful manner. It was definitely not a mere meaningless ritual but, as the Bhagavadgita states categorically, a way of celebrating the best of life by offering back to Existence all that we have garnered and achieved through the grace of Existence itself. It was at the same time a big economic and spiritual activity for everyone's holistic growth.
Sri Rama set an example of convivial living with grace and generosity. All the members of his extended royal family were happy and prosperous and well-occupied.
There was no tribulation and distress for widows, no pestilence and disease, no threat of incursions from venomous serpents and wild animals into houses. Theft, highway robbery, and such crimes were non-existent. The young did not die prematurely causing the terrible anguish to their elders of bereavement and performance of the young ones' last rites.
सर्वं मुदितमेवासीत् सर्वो धर्मपरोऽभवत् ।
राममेवानुपश्यन्तो नाभ्यहिंसन् परस्परम् ॥
'Every aspect of life was happy, all people were dedicated to righteousness. Everyone held up Sri Rama as the paragon of goodness and followed his example, with easy access to him whenever appropriate. They did not commit violence and harm to one another."
रामो रामो राम इति प्रजानामभवन् कथाः ।
रामभूतं जगदभूद् रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥
नित्यमूला नित्यफलास्तरवस्तत्र पुष्पिताः ।
कामवर्षी च पर्जन्यः सुखस्पर्शश्च मारुतः ॥
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रियाः वैश्याः शूद्रा लोभविवर्जिताः ।
स्वकर्मसु प्रवर्तन्ते तुष्टाः स्वैरेव कर्मभिः ॥
"During Sri Rama's rule, everyone had only "Rama" on their lips. The world was full of Sri Rama. All vegetation was resplendent, bore ample fruits and flowers all the time. There was timely rain and the wind blew soothingly."
"The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras were without greed and exploitation. They were happily engaged in their respective activities with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude for what life gave them and what opportunities they secured."
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धर्म्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं राज्ञां च विजयावहम् ।
आदिकाव्यमिदं चार्षं पुरा वाल्मीकिना कृतम् ॥
"This wonderful epic is the first and foremost poem of our civilization, composed in ancient times by the sage Valmiki. It promotes the establishment of Dharma in our land, and nurtures well-being, living with a good reputation, and longevity in everyone. The rulers will secure victory by righteous means."
राघवेण यथा माता सुमित्रा लक्ष्मणेन च ।
भरतेन च कैकेयी जीवपुत्रास्तथा स्त्रियः ॥
"Like Kausalya was blessed to be the mother of Sri Rama, Sumitra of Lakshmana, and Kaikeyi of Bharata, women will bear good children."
शृण्वन्ति य इदं काव्यं पुरा वाल्मीकिना कृतम् ।
ते प्रार्थितान् वरान् सर्वान् प्राप्नुवन्तीह राघवात् ॥
"By the boundless grace of Lord Sri Rama, those who read and listen to this Srimad Ramayana composed by Sage Valmiki will secure boons that they pray for and realize all their aspirations."
"This Ramayana is the sacred epic whose recitation pleases Sri Rama, who is indeed the beginningless Mahavishnu himself, the original Ishwara, the mighty-armed Hari, Narayana. He came to earth as Sri Rama, and Adi Shesha came as Lakshmana. May all grace and benediction be with you all always!"
Thus ended the spellbinding, breathtaking, astounding, visionary, narration in song of the world's greatest epic poem Srimad Valmiki Ramayana by the divine twins Kusha and Lava in Sri Rama's court.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
PS: Uttarakanda reading commences tomorrow.
