srivalmikiramayanam - balakanda - sarga 50 to 52

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

(Commentary by Scholar,   Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 50

Introduction

Rama arrives at Mithila along with Lakshmana led on by Vishvamitra. On hearing that Vishvamitra has arrived at their city Mithila, King Janaka proceeds to him welcomingly. On seeing Rama and Lakshmana near at Vishvamitra, Janaka inquisitively asks Vishvamitra about these two princes. Vishvamitra announces them as the sons of Dasharatha and informs about the adventurous deeds the boys have undertaken.

tataH praak uttaraam gatvaa raamaH saumitriNaa saha |
vishvaamitram puras.hkR^itya yaj~na vaaTam upaagamat || 1-50-1

Rama then travelled along with Lakshmana towards northeast direction keeping Vishvamitra afore and neared the hall of Vedic ritual of Janaka in Mithila kingdom. [1-50-1]

The northeast is an auspicious direction, and even today it is held high for any ritual or in the architecture. This direction is presided over by iishaana The God.

raamaH tu muni shaarduulam uvaaca saha lakSmaNaH |
saadhvii yaj~na samR^iddhiH hi janakasya mahaatmanaH || 1-50-2

Rama who is with Lakshmana spoke to the tigerly saint Vishvamitra, " the Vedic-ritual of noble-souled Janaka is excellent, indeed with bountifully garnered paraphernalia of the ritual. [1-50-2]

bahuuni iha sahasraaNi naanaa desha nivaasinaam |
braahmaNaanaam mahaabhaaga veda adhyayana shaalinaam || 1-50-3
R^iSi vaaTaaH ca dR^ishyante shakaTii shata sa.nkulaaH |
desho vidhiiyataam brahman yatra vatsyaamahe vayam || 1-50-4

"Oh, highly fortunate sage, this place abounds with many thousands of Brahmans who are experts in Vedic practises and who seem to be the dwellers of numerous provinces, and also discernable are the cottages of sages rife with hundreds of carts full with their ceremonial chattels, as such oh, Brahman, a campsite may be decided for us too, as I discern every inch is inhabited." Thus Rama spoke to Vishvamitra. [1-50-3, 4]

raamasya vacanam shrutvaa vishvaamitro mahaamuniH |
nivesham akarot deshe vivikte salila aayute || 1-50-5

On hearing the words of Rama that great-saint Vishvamitra arranged a camp at an unfrequented place that has refreshing water. [1-50-5]

vishvaamitram anupraaptam shrutvaa nR^ipavaraH tadaa |
shataana.ndam puraskR^itya purohitam aninditam || 1-50-6
prati ujjagaama sahasaa vinayena samanvitaH |

On hearing that Vishvamitra has arrived in Mithila, then the best king Janaka instantly forged ahead towards Vishvamitra, keeping his unreprovable priest Shataananda afore of the team, in deference to Vishvamitra. [1-50-6, 7a]

R^itvijo api mahaatmaanaH tu arghyam aadaaya sa tvaram ||1-50-7
vishvaamitraaya dharmeNa dadau dharma puraskR^itam |

Even the Ritvik-s, the administrators of that Vedic-ritual, of the great souled king Janaka arrived with post-haste taking holy waters, and they have ritualistically offered that sanctified water to Vishvamitra. [1-50-7b, 8a]

pratigR^ihya tu taam puujaam janakasya mahaatmanaH || 1-50-8
papracCha kushalam raaj~no yaj~nasya ca niraamayam |

On receiving that veneration from the great souled Janaka, Vishvamitra asked after the well-being of the king Janaka, as well about the unhindered proceedings of that Vedic-ritual. [1-50-8b, 9a]

sa taam ca atha muniin pR^iSTvaa sa upaadhyaaya purodhasaH || 1-50-9
yathaa arham R^iSibhiH sarvaiH samaagacChat prahR^iSTavat |

Then Vishvamitra asked after the well-being of saints, mentors, clerics, as befitting to their order, and joined the company of all of the sages as a happy-souled sage. [1-50-9b, 10a]

atha raajaa muni shreSTham kR^ita a.njaliH abhaaSata || 1-50-10
aasane bhagavaan aastaam saha ebhiH muni sattamaiH |

The king Janaka adjoining his palms then spoke to that eminent-sage Vishvamitra, "oh, reverend sage, please be seated on this high seat, along with these eminent saints in their respective seats." Thus Janaka spoke to Vishvamitra [1-50-10b, 11a]

janakasya vacaH shrutvaa niSasaada mahaamuniH || 1-50-11
purodhaa R^itvijaH caiva raajaa ca saha ma.ntribhiH |

.

On hearing the words of Janaka that great-sage Vishvamitra took his seat, and king Janaka also took seat along with his royal priest Shataananda, and the administrators of that Vedic-ritual, namely Ritvik-s, and along with his ministers. [1-50-11b, 12a]

aasaneSu yathaa nyaayam upaviSTaan samantataH || 1-50-12
dR^iSTvaa sa nR^ipatiH tatra vishvaamitram atha abraviit |

On beholding all of them seated all about in their respective seats as demanded by procedure king Janaka then spoke to Vishvamitra. [1-50-12b, 13a]

adya yaj~na samR^iddhiH me saphalaa daivataiH kR^itaa || 1-50-13
adya yaj~na phalam praaptam bhagavad darshanaat mayaa |

"Today my Vedic ritual is enriched with your advent, whereby I deem that gods have fructified the ritual. Let the ritual be like that. I deem that I have obtained the fruit of the ritual just on seeing godlike you here today. [1-50-13b, 14a]

dhanyo asmi anugR^ihiito asmi yasya me muni pu.ngava || 1-50-14
yaj~na upasadanam brahman praapto asi munibhiH saha |

"Oh, Brahman, at which Vedic-ritual hall you have arrived along with so many sages that happens to be mine, whereby, oh, eminent saint, I feel that I am honoured and hallowed. [1-50-14b, 15a]

dvaadasha aham tu brahmarSe diikshaam aahuH maniiSiNaH || 1-50-15
tato bhaaga arthino devaan draSTum ar.hhasi kaushika |

"Oh, Brahma-sage, the scholarly Ritvik-s conducting my Vedic-ritual are saying that only twelve more days are remaining to complete the observation of ritual-pledge, and then oh, Kaushika, it will be apt of you to see the gods who arrive at the conclusion of this Vedic-ritual expecting their due in the ritual." So said king Janaka to Vishvamitra. [1-50-15b, 16a]

iti uktvaa muni shaarduulam prahR^iSTa vadanaH tadaa || 1-50-16
punaH tam paripapracCha praa.njaliH prayato nR^ipaH |

.

On speaking to that tigerly sage Vishvamitra in this way, the king again asked the sage pointedly and inquisitively with adjoined palms and with a gladdened face. [1-50-16b, 17a]

imau kumaarau bhadram te deva tulya paraakramau || 1-50-17
gaja tulya gatii viirau shaarduula vR^iSabha upamau |
padma patra vishaala akSau khaDga tuuNii dhanur dharau |
ashvinau iva ruupeNa samupasthita yauvanau || 1-50-18
yadR^icChayaa eva gaam praaptau deva lokaat iva amarau |
katham padbhyaam iha praaptau kim artham kasya vaa mune || 1-50-19

"These two youngsters, oh, sage, let safety betide you, striding like audacious elephants and arrogant lions, bearing a similitude to adventurous tigers and adamantine bulls, and wielding quivers, swords, and bows, are valorous with their valour matching that of Vishnu, and with their eyes broad like lotus-petals and with youthfulness in the offing they look like the exceptionally beautiful twin-gods, Ashwin-brothers, by their physique. How these two have footslogged and chanced here as though immortals have chanced on earth from the abode of gods at their pleasure? What for they have come here, and whose scions are they? [1-50-17b, 18, 19]

These foots are the same as king Sumati's dialogue at 1-48-2, 3, 4 including anvaya , parsing.

vara aayudha dharau viirau kasya putrau mahaamune |
bhuuSayantau imam desham candra suuryau iva a.mbaram || 1-50-20
parasparasya sadR^ishau pramaaNa ingita ceSTitaiH |
kaaka pakSa dharau viirau shrotum icChaami tattvataH || 1-50-21

"Oh, great-saint, whose sons are these two valiant youngsters who are brandishing best weapons? They are embellishing this province as the Sun and Moon doeth the sky. Each to each they are clonal by postural-language, by facial-language and by body language. They appear valorous but boyish in their appearance, as their curls are still jet-black like crow-wings. Thus, whether they are immature by age though mature by their valour or so, I wish to listen about them in actuality. [1-50-20, 21]

Import of verses is the same as at 1-48-5, 6, with a little difference in anvaya , parsing.

tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa janakasya mahaatmanaH |
nyavedayat ameya aatmaa putrau dasharathasya tau || 1-50-22

On hearing the words of great-souled Janaka, Vishvamitra whose anima is immeasurable, has announced that those two as the sons of king Dasharatha. [1-50-22]

siddha aashrama nivaasam ca raakSasaanaam vadham tathaa |
tatra aagamanam avyagram vishaalaayaaH ca darshanam || 1-50-23
ahalyaa darshanam caiva gautamena samaagamam |
mahaadhanuSi jij~naasaam kartum aagamanam tathaa || 1-50-24
etat sarvam mahaatejaa janakaaya mahaatmane |
nivedya viraraama atha vishvaamitro mahaamuniH || 1-50-25

The highly resplendent great-saint Vishvamitra has informed the high souled Janaka about the coming of Rama and Lakshmana to the Hermitage of Accomplishment, their stopping over there and elimination of demons at that place, their indefatigable travel along with him, beholding City of Vishaala, seeing Ahalya, her reuniting with Sage Gautama, likewise their coming hitherward to gain a grasp of great bow of Shiva. On informing all these incidents to Janaka as well as to Shataananda, who incidentally is the son of Ahalya, sage Vishvamitra paused. [1-50-23, 24, 25]

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe pa.ncaashaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 50th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 51

Introduction

Enquiring about his father Gautama's reuniting with his mother Ahalya, Sage Shataananda relates the legend of Vishvamitra. Shataananda greets Rama for his adherence to the rectitude of Vishvamitra, which

Vishvamitra gained through a series of self-important exploits, when he was a great king at one time. Shataananda finds worth in informing the biography of Vishvamitra to Rama, because too much of overbearing of kings, as has been done by Vishvamitra, will be unbecoming for kings

tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa vishvaamitrasya dhiimataH |
hR^iSTa romaa mahaatejaaH shataaanando mahaatapaaH || 1-51-1
gautamasya suto jyeSThaH tapasaa dyotita prabhaH |
raama sa.ndarshanaat eva param vismayam aagataH || 1-51-2

On hearing that sentence of that intellectual sage Vishvamitra, the highly refulgent and the great ascetic Shataananda is overjoyed, and Sage Shataananda, the eldest son of Sage Gautama, and whose radiance is brightened by his own ascesis is highly amazed just on seeing Rama. [1-51-1, 2]

etau niSaNNau sa.mprekSya sukha aasiinau nR^ipaatmajau |
shataaana.ndo munishreSTham vishvaamitram atha abraviit || 1-51-3

On raptly observing those two princes who are sitting comfortably with their heads bending down submissively, then Shataananda spoke to the eminent sage Vishvamitra. [1-51-3]

api te muni shaarduula mama maataa yashasvinii |
darshitaa raaja putraaya tapo diirgham upaagataa || 1-51-4

"Oh, tigerly saint Vishvamitra, you have revealed my glorious mother Ahalya who meted out a marathon ascesis to the princes - Really! [1-51-4]

api raame mahaatejo mama maataa yashasvinii |
vanyaiH upaaharat puujaam puujaa arhe sarva dehinaam || 1-51-5

"And the highly resplendent and celebrated mother of mine worshipped Rama, who is worthy of worship by every corporeal being, with forest produce, is it so! [1-51-5]

api raamaaya kathitam yathaa vR^ittam puraatanam |
mama maatuH mahaatejo daivena duranuSThitam || 1-51-6

"Oh, great-resplendent Vishvamitra, you have narrated to Rama about the maltreatment of my mother by the Providence as has happened anciently, isn't it![1-51-6]

api kaushika bhadram te guruNaa mama sa.ngataa |
maataa mama munishreSTha raama sa.ndarshanaat itaH || 1-51-7

.

"Oh, the best sage Kaushika, you be safe, my mother is reunited with my father on beholding and giving hospitality to Rama - Really! [1-51-7]

api me guruNaa raamaH puujitaH kushikaatmaja |
iha aagato mahaatejaaH puujaam praapya mahaatmanaH || 1-51-8

"Oh, Kaushika, my father came to my mother's place from Himalayas! Has the great resplendent father of mine worshipped Rama because the redemption of my mother is per the kindness of Rama! Has this great-souled Rama reverenced that great resplendent father of mine by according a redemption, ahalyaa daana, the endowment of Ahalya to her husband. [1-51-8]

api shaa.ntena manasaa guruH me kushikaatmaja |
iha aagatena raameNa puujitena abhivaaditaH || 1-51-9

.

"Oh, Kaushika, on his arrival at my mother's place whether this reverential Rama reverenced my father with a pacified heart without becoming contumelious!" Thus sage Shataananda exclaimed at the marvel occurred through Rama. [1-51-9]

tat shrutvaa vacanam tasya vishvaamitro mahaamuniH |
prati uvaaca shataana.ndam vaakyaj~no vaakya kovidam || 1-51-10

.

On hearing that sentence of his, that great-saint and sentence-precisian Sage Vishvamitra, replied the sentence-precisionist Sage Shataananda. [1-51-10]

na atikraantam munishreSTha yat kartavyam kR^itam mayaa |
sa.ngataa muninaa patnii bhaar.hgaveNa iva reNukaa || 1-51-11

"I have done whatever good is to be done and nothing is left undone, and the wife of the sage, namely Ahalya, is reunited with her husband sage Gautama, as with Renuka who was reunited with sage Jamagani, the descendent of Bhrigu." So said Vishvamitra. [1-51-11]

Renuka is the mother of Parashu Rama, another human incarnation of Vishnu as a Brahmin to struggle with the erring Kshatriya kings of an earlier era. Renuka's husband is Sage Jamadagni, the descendent of Bhrigu or also called as Bhaargava and on certain occasion, Jamadagi, orders his son Parashu Rama to behead her, i.e., Renuka, Parashu Rama's own mother and Parashu Rama unhesitatingly carries out his father's orders. Thus, Parashu Rama is called Bhaargava Rama, with an axe as his unsurpassed weapon. This Parashu Rama confronts Rama of Ramayana after Seetha's marriage.

tat shrutvaa vacanam tasya vishvaamitrasya dhiimataH |
shataana.ndo mahaatejaa raamam vacanam abraviit || 1-51-12

On hearing those words of that highly intellectual Vishvamitra, high refulgent sage Shataananda spoke these words to Rama. [1-51-12]

svaagatam te narashreSTha diSTyaa praapto asi raaghava |
vishvaamitram puraskR^itya maharSim aparaajitam || 1-51-13

"Hail to thee! Oh, best one among men Rama, your arrival is a godsend, not only to Mithila but to entire humanity, and oh, Raghava, as an undefeatable great-sage Vishvamitra spearheads you, so shall your mission be undefeatable, thus hail to thee! [1-51-13]

This statement of Sage Shataananda shall remind us the utterances of Vishvamitra in Dasharatha's court at 1-19-14: aham vedmi mahaatmaanam raamam... 'I know this great soul Rama, the virtue valiant, even Vashishta and also these saints who are here...' So also, Shataananda being the son of Ahalya and Gautama perceived who this Rama is. Further, when such and such a sage spearheads Rama, Rama ought to know something about the background of his steersman, namely Vishvamitra, basing on which Rama can learn his own lessons. As such, next few chapters are catered to the legend of Vishvamitra through Shataananda.

acintya karmaa tapasaa brahmarSiH amita prabhaH |
vishvaamitro mahaatejaa - vedmya - vetsi enam paramaam gatim || 1-51-14

"This highly resplendent Vishvamitra's exploits are unimaginable. He attained the highest order of Brahma-sage by his ascesis, thus illimitable is his ascetic resplendence, and you have to know him as an ultimate course, not only to you alone, but also to one and all. [1-51-14]

If the text 'you already know him...' is adopted there will be nothing left to Shataananda to say more. Hence, the meaning is said on taking vedmya 'you should know some more...' would be better. Because Vishvamitra is a parama hita sandhaayaka 'a do-gooder for universal peace' as indicated by his name itself, vishva 'of universe...' mitra 'friend, 'friend of universe...'

na asti dhanyataro raama tvatto anyo bhuvi kashcana |
goptaa kushika putraH te yena taptam mahat tapaH || 1-51-15

"None other than you is fortunate enough on earth, oh, Rama, as you are in the custodial care of Vishvamitra, the scion of Kushika, who has practised supreme ascesis. [1-51-15]

shruuyataam ca abhidhaasyaami kaushikasya mahaatmanaH |
yathaa balam yathaa tattvam tat me nigadataH shR^iNu || 1-51-16

"What is the prowess of the great-souled Vishvamitra, and what the quintessence of his legend may be heard from me while I narrate it. [1-51-16]

raajaa abhuut eSa dharmaatmaa diirgha kaalam arindamaH |
dharmaj~naH kR^ita vidyaH ca prajaanaam ca hite rataH || 1-51-17

"This probity-souled Vishvamitra, being a proficient in rectitude, a perfectionist in kingcraft, a proponent of people's welfare, more so a persecutor of enemies, was there as a king for a long time. [1-51-17]

prajaapati sutaH tu aasiit kusho naama mahiipatiH |
kushasya putro balavaan kushanaabhaH sudhaarmikaH || 1-51-18

"There was a king named Kusha, a brainchild of Prjaapati, and Kusha's son was the powerful and verily righteous Kushanaabha. [1-51-18]

kushanaabha sutaH tu aasiit gaadhiH iti eva vishrutaH |
gaadheH putro mahaatejaa vishvaamitro mahaamuniH || 1-51-19

"One who is highly renowned by the name Gaadhi was the son of Kushanaabha, and Gaadhi's son is this great-saint of great resplendence, Vishvamitra. [1-51-19]

vishvamitro mahaatejaaH paalayaamaasa mediniim |
bahu varSa sahasraaNi raajaa raajyam akaarayat || 1-51-20

"Vishvamitra ruled the earth, and this great-resplendent king ruled the kingdom for many thousands of years. [1-51-20]

kadaacit tu mahaatejaa yojayitvaa varuuthiniim |
akSauhiNii parivR^itaH paricakraama mediniim || 1-51-21

"At one time the great-resplendent king Vishvamitra went round the earth marshalling a unit of akshauhini army. [1-51-21]

The army unit called akshauhini consists of 21,870 elephants, as many chariots, 65,610 cavalry, and 1,09,350 foot soldiers.

nagaraaNi ca raaSTraani saritaH ca tathaa giriin |
aashramaan kramasho raajaa vicaran aajagaama ha || 1-51-22
vasiSThasya aashrama padam naanaa puSpa lataa drumam |
naanaa mR^iga gaNa aakiirNam siddha caaraNa sevitam || 1-51-23
deva daanava gandharvaiH kinnaraiH upashobhitam |
prashaa.nta hariNa aakiirNam dvija sa.ngha niSevitam || 1-51-24
brahma R^iSi gaNa sa.nkiirNam deva R^iSi gaNa sevitam |
tapaH caraNa sa.nsiddhaiH agni kalpaiH mahaatmabhiH || 1-51-25
satatam sa.nkulam shriimat brahma kalpaiH mahaatmabhiH |
ab bhakSaiH vaayu bhakSaiH ca shiirNa parNa ashanaiH tathaa || 1-51-26
phalamuulaashanairdaantairjitadoSairjitendriyaiH - yadvaa -
phala muula ashanaiH daantaiH jita doSaiH jita indriyaiH |
R^iSibhiH vaalakhilyaiH ca japa homa paraayaNaiH || 1-51-27
anyaiH vaikhaanasaiH caiva sama.ntaat upashobhitam |

"Moving sequentially about the provinces, cities, rivers likewise mountains, king Vishvamitra arrived at the threshold of a hermitage which is with numerous flowered trees and climbers, overspread with very many herds of animals, adored by the celestials like siddha-s and caarana-s, frequented and embellished with gods, demons, gandharva-s, and kinnara-s, spread out with equable deer, adored by flights of birds, compacted with the assemblages of Brahma-sages, and also with the assemblages of godly-sages who are fully accomplished in their ascesis, where the personal resplendence of each of the great-souled sage is similar to each of the Ritual-fire available in each of the Ritual Fire Altar before which he is sitting, and which hermitage is bustling with the activity of great-souled sages who are comparable to Brahma, among whom some subsist on water alone, and some on air alone, likewise some more on dry leaves, while some on fruits, tubers, and with such of those sages and also with particular sages like Vaalakhilyaa-s, also with others like Vaikhaanasa-s, who are all self-controlled, who have overcame their peccabilites, who have overpowered their senses that hermitage is occupied, and while everyone of the inmates is engaged in meditations and oblations into Ritual-fire, and with such sages and their activity whole of the perimeter of that hermitage is brightened and rendered splendent, and king Vishvamitra arrived at such a magnificent hermitage of Sage Vashishta. [1-51-22, 23, 24, 2125, 26, 27, 28a]

vasiSThasya aashrama padam brahma lokam iva aparam |
dadarsha jayataam shreSTha vishvaamitro mahaabalaH || 1-51-28

"And this best one among vanquishers and the great-stalwart Vishvamitra has then seen the hermitage of Vashishta which is like the worldly Universe of Brahma." Thus Sage Shataananda continued his narration. [1-51-28]

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe eka pa.ncaashaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 51st chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 52

Introduction

Vashishta offers hospitality to Vishvamitra and his armies. Even though the King Vishvamitra is disinclined to pressurise a hermit with such a burdensome affair of hospitality to hosts, Vashishta entreats the king to accept. Vishvamitra had to oblige the same. Vashishta summons his do-all Divine Sacred Cow, Shabala, also known as Kaamadhenu, requests her to generate heaps of tasteful foodstuffs for a royal banquet as well as for military rations.

tam dR^iSTvaa parama priito vishvaamitro mahaabalaH |
praNato vinayaat viiro vasiSTham japataam varam || 1-52-1

.

On seeing at that best sage among best meditators Sage Vashishta, the great-mighty and valorous Vishvamitra is highly rejoiced and obediently made an obeisance to the sage. [1-52-1]

svaagatam tava ca iti ukto vasiSThena mahaatmanaa |
aasanam ca asya bhagavaan vasiSTho vyaadidesha ha || 1-52-2

.

The great-souled Vashishta spoke, "you are welcome," and that godly sage has indeed shown a high seat to Vishvamitra. [1-52-2]

upaviSTaaya ca tadaa vishvaamitraaya dhiimate |
yathaa nyaayam muni varaH phala muulam upaaharat || 1-52-3

The eminent saint Vashishta then customarily offered fruits and tuber to the courageous Vishvamitra who by now has assumed a seat. [1-52-3]

pratigR^ihya tu taam puujaam vasiSThaat raaja sattamaH |
tapo agni hotra shiSyeSu kushalam paryapR^icChata || 1-52-4
vishvaamitro mahaatejaa vanaspati gaNe tathaa |
sarvatra kushalam ca aaha vasiSTho raaja sattamam || 1-52-5

On receiving that deference from Vashishta, then that unsurpassed king Vishvamitra asked after the well-being of the ascesis, Fire-rituals and disciples and their progress in that hermitage, and that great-resplendent Vishvamitra has also asked after the well being of flora and fauna of the hermitage, and Vashishta reported to the matchless king about the all round well-being of every activity. [1-52-4, 5]

sukha upaviSTam raajaanam vishvaamitram mahaatapaaH |
papracCha japataam shreSTho vasiSTho brahmaNaH sutaH || 1-52-6

.

Vashishta the supreme one among meditators, a great-ascetic, and the brainchild of Brahma has then asked Vishvamitra who is sitting at ease. [1-52-6]

kaccit te kushalam raajan kaccit dharmeNa ra.njayan |
prajaaH paalayase raajan raaja vR^ittena dhaarmika || 1-52-7

.

" 'I hope that you are fine! And oh, righteous king, hope that you are ruling people righteously with kingly righteousness to their contentment. [1-52-7]

The kingly righteousness is one component among the four primary concerns of the kingcraft as said at: ny˜yena ˜rjanam arthasya varthanam p˜lanam tath˜ | sat p˜tre pratipatti× ca r˜ja v®ttam catur vidham || 'monies are to be earned righteously, they are to be enriched righteously, and safeguarded righteously, and they are to be endowed to righteous deeds or persons, for welfare of the state, righteously...'

kaccit te subhR^itaa bhR^ityaaH kaccit tiSThanti shaasane |
kaccit te vijitaaH sarve ripavo ripu suudana || 1-52-8

" 'I hope your servants are looked after well, hope all of them are abiding by the rulership, oh, vanquisher of adversaries, I hope that you have surely vanquished all of your adversaries. [1-52-8]

kaccit bale ca koshe ca mitreSu ca para.ntapa |
kushalam te nara vyaaghra putra pautre tathaa anagha || 1-52-9

" 'For you are an impeccable one and an emery-inflamer, oh, tigerly-man, I hope that your forces, exchequer and confederates are fine, and all is well with your sons and grandsons." Thus Vashishta asked the well-being of Vishvamitra. [1-52-9]

sarvatra kushalam raajaa vasiSTham pratyudaaharat |
vishvaamitro mahaatejaa vasiSTham vinaya anvitam || 1-52-10

"The great-resplendent king Vishvamitra respectfully replied Sage Vashishta saying, 'everything is fine.' [1-52-10]

kR^itvaa tau suciram kaalam dharmiSThau taaH kathaaH tadaa |
mudaa paramayaa yuktau priiyetaam tau parasparam || 1-52-11

"Both of those celebrities of conscientious then exchanged pleasantries for a long time with their rejoice heightening and gladdening one another. [1-52-11]

tato vasiSTho bhagavaan kathaa ante raghuna.ndana |
vishvaamitram idam vaakyam uvaaca prahasan iva || 1-52-12

.

"Then at the end of discussions, oh, Rama the legatee of Raghu, that godly Sage Vashishta smilingly spoke this sentence to Vishvamitra. [1-52-12]

aatithyam kartum icChaami balasya asya mahaabala |
tava ca eva aprameyasya yathaa arham sa.mpratiicCha me || 1-52-13

" 'I wish to offer guestship befitting to your status, oh, great-forceful king Vishvamitra, to a matchless one like you and to this military force of yours, kindly accept it from me. [1-52-13]

sat.hkriyaam tu bhavaan etaam pratiicChatu mayaa kR^itaam |
raajan tvam atithi shreSThaH puujaniiyaH prayatnataH || 1-52-14

.

" 'You may kindly accept all these hospitalities offered by me, oh king, for you are an important guest you ought to be reverenced effortfully.' So said Vashishta to Vishvamitra. [1-52-14]

'It is quiet meaningless on the part of this sage, subsisting on wild fruits and tubers, to offer a royal banquet or rations to military and feed to horses and elephants' - is the thinking of King Vishvamitra. For that, the sage is saying that a king is to be reverenced 'effortfully...' But, Vishvamitra is reluctantly evading the so-called hospitality for 'royals' and 'armies' from a poor hermit.

evam ukto vasiSThena vishvaamitro mahaamatiH |
kR^itam iti abraviit raajaa puujaa vaakyena me tvayaa || 1-52-15

.

"When sage Vashishta said in this way, that highly-intellectual king Vishvamitra said to him, 'hospitality is deemed to have been offered to me with your reverential words, it is enough and nothing more is necessary.' [1-52-15]

phala muulena bhagavan vidyate yat tava aashrame |
paadyena aacamaniiyena bhagavad dar.hshanena ca || 1-52-16
sarvathaa ca mahaapraaj~na puujaa arheNa supuujitaH |
namaste astu gamiSyaami maitreNa iikSasva cakSuSaa || 1-52-17

" 'I am entertained with whatever item that obtains in your hermitage, say fruits, tubers and water for feet-wash and to wet mouth. Why those petty items, I regaled just by seeing you, a godly sage like. Oh, highly noetic sage, by yourself you are a sage worthy to be reverenced by one and all, such as you are you alone have reverenced me. Now I wish to take leave, please accept my obeisance to you, and please look upon us with a friendlily regard. [1-52-16, 17]

The reverential salutation namas te astu is discussed in the endnote.

evam bruvantam raajaanam vasiSThaH punaH eva hi |
nyama.ntrayata dharmaatmaa punaH punaH udaara dhiiH || 1-52-18

Even if the king was speaking in this way obliquely to him, that virtue-souled and magnanimous sage Vashishta entreated the king repeatedly. [1-52-18]

baaDham iti eva gaadheyo vasiSTham pratyuvaaca ha |
yathaa priyam bhagavataH tathaa astu muni sattama || 1-52-19

.

"Gaadhi's son Vishvamitra then replied the eminent saint Vashishta, "Agreed! As it pleases the godly sage. So be it!' [1-52-19]

evam uktaH tathaa tena vasiSTho japataam varaH |
aajuhaava tataH priitaH kalmaaSiim dhuuta kalmaSaH || 1-52-20

"When Vishvamitra said that way then Vashishta, the best one among meditators, and one whose blemishes are laved is gladdened, and started calling his speckled cow, namely Shabala, yclept Kaamadhenu. [1-52-20]

ehi ehi shabale kSipram shR^iNu ca api vaco mama |
sabalasya asya raajarSeH kartum vyavasito asmi aham |
bhojanena mahaa arheNa satkaaram sa.mvidhat.hsva me || 1-52-21

" 'Come on, oh, Shabala! Come quickly and listen to my words. I prepared to accord hospitality with a highly delectable royal banquet to this kingly sage together with all his forces. You arrange it for me. [1-52-21]

yasya yasya yathaa kaamam SaD raseSu abhipuujitam |
tat sarvam kaama dhuk divye abhivarSa kR^ite mama || 1-52-22

"Oh, Kaamadhenu, the Divine Cow, the Milker of All-Desires, for my sake you shower whatsoever foodstuff is savoured by whosoever according to one's own piquancy from each of the six savour, that too plentifully. [1-52-22]

The six tastes that shall comprise an Indian meal are: 1] caustic, 2] acidic, 3] sweetish, 4] salty, 5] un-sweetish [bitter,] and 6] alkaline.

rasena annena paanena lehya coSyeNa sa.myutam |
annaanaam nicayam sarvam sR^ijasva shabale tvara || 1-52-23

.

" 'Oh, Shabala, you create heaps of savourily foodstuffs comprised of masticable items like crunchy foods, drinkable items like soft-drinks, tasteable items like honey-like viscous dishes, squeezable items like pulpy fruits, and be quick.' " So said Sage Vashishta to that Sacred Cow, Kaamadhenu, and Vishvamitra continued his narration. [1-52-23]

.

namaste... namaskaar... I greet you...

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The reverential greeting namaste is from the root nam 'bend down a little...' before upper echelons and the word namas is usually translated a 'salutation by bending a little...' and namas kaara is the act of doing so. This word namaH= na aham is 'not me...' te astu but 'you, it shall be...' rather, 'I have lost my 'I-ness' before you as I am humbling myself to your high knowledge or, high seat, or elder age...' and let your 'your-ness' prevail over me, for I am somewhat an inferior being before you...' is the latent meaning.

This is either vocalised or coupled with the gesture of adjoining palms, and that mudra 'gesture...' is called an~jali or as a Latinian friend of ours has provided its Latin counterpart as:

The infinitive is iungere manus ante pectus 'to join hands in front of your chest...' or merely iungere manus 'to join hands...' We can say iungimus manus ante pectus 'we join or fold our hands in front of us...' iungo manus ante pectus 'I fold my hands...' iungite manus ante pectus 'fold your hands in front of you...' This last sentence is the - you, plural - is in command form. Again, you may leave out ante pectus for succinctness.

And if the word iun with a half 'n' nasal is matched with Sanskrit a~n in an~jali and the word ngo is matched with Sanskrit ~nja as the English 'g' is most often used for Sanskrit 'ja' by Max Muller et al., the two an~jali of Sanskrit and iungo Latin have same pronunciation and portent in prayer or traditional salutation.

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe dvi pa.ncaashaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 52nd chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection