On
this historical and happy occasion of the inauguration of the grand Lord Sri
Rama Temple today, at Ayodhya, I wish to narrate an excellent portrayal of Lord
Sri Rama by Narada Maharishi, which is the basis of Valmiki Ramayana.
I came across this description from an English
translation in PROSE; of the original Valmiki Ramayana in Sanskrit VERSE. The
English translation I am narrating here is from the book titled Ramayana by Sri
Manmatha Nath Dutt, published in the year 1891:
THE NARRATION – A VIDEO
Maharishi
Valmiki asked the best of sages and foremost of those conversant with words,
ever engaged in austerities and Vaidika studies, and also Narada Maharishi,
“Who at present in this world is alike crowned with qualities, and endued with
prowess, knowing duty, and grateful, and truthful, and firm in vow, who is
qualified by virtue of his character, and who is ever studious of the welfare
of all creatures? Who is learned, hath studied society, and knoweth the art of
pleasing his subjects? And who alone is ever lovely to behold? Who hath subdued
his heart, and controlled his anger, is endowed with personal grace, and devoid
of malice; and whom, engaged in battle, do even the Gods, fear? Great is my
curiosity to hear of such a person. Though canst, O Maharshi, tell me of a man
of this description”.
Hearing
Valmiki’s words, Narada, cognizant of the three worlds, said with alacrity, “Do
thou listen! Rare as are the qualities mentioned by thee, I will, O sage,
having duly considered, describe unto thee a person endued with them. There is
one sprung from the line of Ikshwaku, known by the name of Rama. He is of
subdued soul and exceeding prowess; effulgent; endowed with patience; having
senses under control; intelligent; learned in morality; eloquent; crowned with
grace; the slayer of foes; broad-shouldered; possessor of mighty arms, a
conch-shaped neck, fleshy jaws, and a broad chest, a powerful bowman; the
repressor of foes; having plump shoulder-blades; of arms reaching down under
his knees; with a beautiful head; and a graceful forehead; and endowed with
excellent might; having symmetrical limbs; and of a cool hue; and possessed of
prowess; and having a well developed chest, with expansive eyes; crowned with
auspiciousness and favourable marks; knowing duty; firm in promises and engaged
in the good of his subjects; of accomplished renown; furnished with knowledge;
pure in body and spirit; modest towards superiors; versed in self-knowledge;
blest with prosperity; destroyer of
enemies, protector and supporter of all living beings, practising all the
duties of this class; and preserving those cleaving unto him; versed in the
profundity of Vedas and the Vedangas; accomplished in archery; gifted with a
good memory; ascertaining with rapidity the truth of things; the darling of
all; unreproved; unvanquished spirit; discerning; proficient in every branch of
learning; ever resorted to by the good even as the ocean is, by the rivers;
worthy of being honoured; having an equal regard for all; and capable of
filling the heart with ever-new sensations. Crowned with every grace; he
enhanceth the joys of his mother Kausalya; being like unto the sea in gravity and
unto the Himavat in patience. In prowess, he is like Maha Vishnu. In anger he
resembleth the fire raging at the dissolution of all; and in forgiveness, he is
like unto the Earth. In giving away, he is unto Kubera the Bestower of riches,
and in truth, he is like Dharma.”
And this prompted Valmiki Maharishi to write Ramayana.
