“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
Vishnu’s Messenger Approaches Dasharatha
Summary
Vishnu agrees to incarnate as human and selects Dasharatha as his father. And when
Dasharatha is performing the Vedic ritual called putrakaamesti a deity [God] called praajaapatya
purusha arises from the sacrificial fire to give a golden vessel of divine dessert to Dasharatha for
distribution among his queens to beget [get] progeny [children]. The three queens on consuming
that dessert conceive their children.
Chapter [Sarga] 16 in Detail
tato naaraayano devo visunuh niyuktah sura sattamaih |
jaanan api suraan evam shlaksnam vacanam abraviit || 1-16-1
Later when the Omnipresent [present in all places at all times] Narayana is thus
nominated by best gods, and though he knows the outcome, he gently spoke these words to
gods in this way. [1-16-1]
upaayah ko vadhe tasya raakshsaadhipateh suraah |
yam aham tam samaasthaaya nihanyaam risi kantakam || 1-16-2
"What is the idea to eliminate that demon's chief Ravana, oh, gods, adopting which
strategy I will have to eliminate that thorn in the side of sages?" Thus Vishnu asked the gods. [116-2]
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
evam uktaah suraah sarve pratyuucuh visnum avyayam |
maanusam ruupam aasthaaya raavanam jahi sa.nyuge || 1-16-3
Asked thus all the gods said to that sempiternal [of never-ending duration] Vishnu, "On
assuming a human form, eliminate Ravana in a war." [1-16-3]
sa hi tepe tapah tiivram diirgha kaalam ari.ndama |
yena tusto.abhavat brahmaa loka krit loka puurvajah || 1-16-4
"Oh, destroyer of enemies, he that Ravana undertook a vehement [powerful] asceticism
[practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline] for a long
period, thereby the creator of worlds and the first born one Brahma, felt gladsome [pleased] of his
asceticism. [1-16-4]
santustah pradadau tasmai raaksasaaya varam prabhuh |
naanaavidhebhyo bhuutebhyo bhayam na anyatra maanusaat || 1-16-5
avajnaataah puraa tena varadaane hi maanavaah |
"Satisfied with his asceticism Brahma gave boon to that demon that he shall have no fear
for his life from many kinds of beings, excepting humans, because that demon indeed slighted
[neglected] humans earlier at the time of bestowing [to put to use] boon. [1-16-5, 6a]
evam pitaamahaat tasmaat varadaanena garvitah || 1-16-6
utsaadayati lokaan triin striyah ca api apakarsati |
tasmaat tasya vadho dristo maanusebhyah parantapa || 1-16-7
"Thus, on getting boon from the Forefather Brahma he has become arrogant and
torturing the three worlds, and he is even abducting women. As such, oh, enemy destroyer
Vishnu, his elimination is envisaged [said] through humans alone." So said gods to Vishnu. [1-166b, 7]
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
iti etat vacanam shrutvaa suraanaam visnuh aatmavaan |
pitaram rocayaamaasa tadaa dasharatham nripam || 1-16-8
On hearing that speech of gods said that way, he that kind-hearted Vishnu then chose
Dasharatha as his father in human world. [1-16-8]
sa ca api aputro nripatih tasmin kaale mahaadyutih |
ayajat putriyaam istim putrepsuh arisuudanah ||1-16-9
During that time the great resplendent [shining brilliantly] king and an enemy subduer [to
bring under control] Dasharatha is performing putrakaamesti ritual, desiring progeny as he is sonless. [1-16-9]
sa kritvaa nishcayam visnuh aaman.htrya ca pitaamaham |
antardhaanam gato devaih puujya maano maharshibhih || 1-16-10
On taking a decision Vishnu took leave of Forefather Brahma, and vanished while he is
still being extolled [to praise highly] by Gods and Sages. [1-16-10]
tato vai yajamaanasya paavakaat atula prabham |
praadurbhuutam mahadbhuutam mahaaviiryam mahaabalam || 1-16-11
Then, from Fire of Altar Dasharatha's ritual there emerged a greatly vigorous and
energetic Divine Being with an unparalleled resplendence [brilliance], called yajna purusha. [1-1611]
krisnam raktaambara dharam raktaaasyam dundubhi svanam |
snigdha haryaksa tanuja shmashru pravaram uurdhajam || 1-16-12
He is clad in black and red garments and his face is red and his voice resembled the
drumbeat. His moustache and hairdo are soft like that of a lion's mane [long and heavy hair
growing about the neck and head of some mammals (as horses and lions)]. [1-16-12]
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
shubha laksana sa.mpannam divya aabharana bhuusitam |
shaila shringa samutsedham dripta shaarduula vikramam || 1-16-13
And he is endowed with auspicious features and decorated with divine ornaments, in
height he is like a mountain peak, and in valiance [valor] he is like an imperious [commanding]
tiger. [1-16-13]
divaakara samaaakaaram diipta anala shikhopamam |
tapta jaambuunadamayiim raajataanta paricchadaam || 1-16-14
divya paayasa sa.mpuurnaam paatriim patniim iva priyaam |
pragrihya vipulaam dor.hbhyaam svayam maayaamayiim iva || 1-16-15
That great ritual being personally brought a big golden vessel carrying it with both of his
hands as if he would personally handle his own wife, which vessel is made from the molten gold
and covered with a silver lid, and which appeared to be crafted out of a divine illusion, since it is
dazzling like sun and glowing like the tongues of flame, and that vessel is full with the divine
dessert. [1-16-14, 15]
samaveksya abraviit vaakyam idam dasharatham nripam |
praajaapatyam naram viddhi maam iha abhyaagatam nripa || 1-16-16
That divine person on observing king Dasharatha said these words "oh, king, you may
know me as the being sent by Prajapati." [1-16-16]
tatah param tadaa raajaa prati uvaaca krita a.njalih |
bhagavan svaagatam te.astu kimaham karavaani te || 1-16-17
There after, king Dasharatha greeted that divine being with palms adjoining and said in
reply, "oh, god, welcome to you, and what shall I do for you?" [1-16-17]
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
atho punah idam vaakyam praajaapatyo naro.abraviit |
raajan arcayataa devaan adya praaptam idam tvayaa || 1-16-18
Then again, that divine being sent by Prajapati said these words, "oh, king, now you have
obtained this dessert in golden vessel as you have propitiated [to gain or regain the favor or
goodwill of] Gods. [1-16-18]
idam tu nripa shaarduula paayasam deva nirmitam |
prajaa karam grihaana tvam dhanyam aarogya vardhanam || 1-16-19
"Oh, tigerly king, take this dessert prepared by divinities, this is a blessed dessert that
enriches progeny and health. [1-16-19]
bhaaryaanaam anuruupaanaam ashniita iti prayaccha vai |
taasu tvam lapsyase putraan yadartham yajase nripa || 1-16-20
"Oh, king, let this be consumed" saying so he further said, "for which purpose you have
performed this ritual that childbearing will be fructified [to bear fruit] in your wives by bearing sons,
hence give this among your eligible [entitled] wives." So said the divine being to Dasharatha. [116-20]
tathaa iti nripatih priitah shirasaa prati grihya taam |
paatriim deva anna sa.mpuurnaam deva dattaam hiranmayiim || 1-16-21
Agreeing to that the king wholeheartedly took that God-given golden vessel full with
divine food. [1-16-21]
abhivaadya ca tat bhuutam adbhutam priya darshanam |
mudaa paramayaa yuktah cakaara abhipradaksinam || 1-16-22
With high ecstasy [joy] Dasharatha revered [worshipped] that Ritual Being, the Prajapati
Purusha or yajna purusha , an astonishing and delightful being in his appearance, and performed
circumambulations to go around in circles] around him. [1-16-22]
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
tato dasharathah praapya paayasam deva nir.hmitam |
babhuuva parama priitah praapya vittam iva adhanah || 1-16-23
On obtaining that dessert prepared by gods then Dasharatha is highly gladdened like a
pauper [a very poor person] obtaining unforeseen wealth. [1-16-23]
tatah tat adbhuta prakhyam bhuutam parama bhaasvaram |
samvartayitvaa tat karma tatra eva antaradhiiyata || 1-16-24
On completing his work of giving the golden vessel with dessert then that divine being
who is astonishing by his form and highly glowing by his physique, disappeared then and there
itself. [1-16-24]
harsa rashmibhih uddyotam tasya antahpuram aababhau |
shaaradasya abhiraamasya ca.ndrasya iva nabhah a.mshubhih || 1-16-25
Lit up with beams of happiness Dasharatha's palace chambers shone forth like the
autumnal sky brightened with moonbeams. [1-16-25]
sah antahpuram pravishya eva kausalyaam idam abraviit |
paayasam pratigrihniisva putriyam tu idam aatmanah || 1-16-26
Then Dasharatha on entering palace chambers spoke this to queen Kausalya, "Receive
this dessert to beget [get] your son." [1-16-26]
kausalyaayai narapatih paayasa ardham dadau tadaa |
ardhaat ardham dadau ca api sumitraayai naraadhipah || 1-16-27
kaikeyyai ca avashista ardham dadau putraartha kaaranaat |
pradadau ca avashista ardham paayasasya amrita upamam || 1-16-28
anucintya sumitraayai punah eva mahiipatih |
evam taasaam dadau raajaa bhaaryaanaam paayasam prithak || 1-16-29
The king then gave half of the dessert to queen Kausalya, and he gave half of the half,
i.e., one fourth to queen Sumitra. And to Kaikeyi he gave half of the remaining half, i.e., one eight
of the dessert, with a desire to beget [get] sons. Then thinking for a while gave the remaining, i.e.,
one-eighth portion again to queen Sumitra. Thus, the king distributed the dessert to his wives
differently. [1-16-27, 28, 29]
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
taah cha evam paayasam praapya narendrasya uttamaah striyah |
sammaanam menire sarvaah praharsa udita cetasah || 1-16-30
On getting the dessert all of those best ladies of the king, whose hearts are exuberant
[plentiful] with happiness, deemed [treated] it as a reward. [1-16-30]
tatastu taah praashya tad uttama striyo
mahiipateh uttama paayasam prithak |
hutaashana aaditya samaana tejasah
achirena garbhaan pratipedire tadaa || 1-16-31
Then on consuming dessert those best ladies of the king whose resplendence [brilliance]
then vied [matched] with that Fire and Sun became pregnant after some time. [1-16-31]
tatastu raajaa prativiixya taah striyah
praruudha garbhaah prati labdha maanasah |
babhuuva hristah tridive yathaa harih
surendra siddha risi ganaabhipujitah || 1-16-32
Then on seeing his queens with confirmed pregnancies Dasharatha regained his lost
heart for sons, and he is gladdened like Vishnu, who will always be gladsome when worshipped
by gods, namely Indra and others, as well as by the assemblages of great souls, sages. [1-16-32]
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 16
iti shrii vaalmiiki raamaayane aadikaavye baalakaande shodashah sargah ||
Thus, this is the 16th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of
India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
References
Desiraju Hanumanta Rao. (1998). Balakanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties.
Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.
Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.
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