srivalmikiramayanam - balakanda - sarga 56 to 59

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar,   Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 56

Introduction

Vashishta nullifies Vishvamitra's missiles just by his Brahma's baton. All missiles are defused when Vashishta consumed tghem. Vishvamitra launches the highest missile, namely Brahma-missile, which too is consumed by Vashishta, whereby the body of Vashishta becomes a Brahma missile and starts to emit radiation. Then, upon the prayer of gods and saints, Vashishta withdraws the effect of that missile. Vishvamitra on seeing this concludes that mere missiles are of no use and thus he embarks on a sublime ascesis for Brahma-hood

evam ukto vasiSThena vishvaamitro mahaabalaH |
aagneyam as.htram utkSipya tiSTha tiSTha iti ca abraviit || 1-56-1

"When Vashishta spoke in this way, the great-mighty Vishvamitra brandishing Fiery-missile challenged Vashishta saying, 'withstand this, withstand this..." Thus, sage Shataananda continued his narration of Vishvamitra's legend. [1-56-1]

brahmadaNDam samudyamya kaala daNDam iva aparam |
vasiSTho bhagavaan krodhaat idam vacanam abraviit || 1-56-2

.

"That reverential sage Vashishta then upraising his Brahma-baton, which is like the other baton of the Terminator, spoke this sentence furiously. [1-56-2]

kshatra bandho sthito asmi eSa yad balam tad vidarshaya |
naashayaami adya te darpam shas.htrasya tava gaadhija || 1-56-3

" 'I am staying here only, you meritless Kshatriya, you may clearly display whatever prowess you have, oh, Gaadhi's son Vishvamitra, I will now ruin whatever vanity you or your missiles have. [1-56-3]

kva ca te kSatriya balam kva ca brahma balam mahat |
pashya brahma balam divyam mama kshatriya paa.nsana || 1-56-4

" 'Where stands the force of belligerence when compared to the supreme force of sagacity, you abased Kshatriya, watch out for my strength of seraphic sagacity." So said Vashishta to Vishvamitra. [1-56-4]

tasya as.htram gaadhi putrasya ghoram aagneyam uttamam |
brahma daNDena tat shaa.ntam agneH vega iva a.mbhasaa || 1-56-5

.

"With his baton of Brahma Vashishta silenced that matchless and deadly Fiery-missile of Gaadhi's son, namely Vishvamitra, as a deluge of water silencing a rage of fire. [1-56-5]

vaaruNam caiva raudram ca aindram paashupatam tathaa |
aiSiikam ca api cikSepa ruSito gaadhi na.ndanaH || 1-56-6

Vishvamitra, the son of Gaadhi then rancorously fusilladed the missiles regulated by gods like Varuna, Rudra, Indra, Paashupata, and even a missile which is projectile through grass blade called Ishiika. [1-56-6]

The accounts of these missiles are narrated in chapters 27, 28 of this canto Bala, where Vishvamitra accords these very missiles to Rama. Hence, their details are not reiterated here but just catalogued.

maanavam mohanam caiva gaa.ndharvam svaapanam tathaa |
jR^i.mbhaNam madaanam caiva sa.ntaapana vilaapane || 1-56-7

"Vishvamitra also launched missiles named Humane, Rager, Stupefier, Hypnotiser, Yawner, Intoxicator, also thus Humidifier, Weep-inducer. [1-56-7]

shoSaNam daaraNam caiva vajram as.htram sudurjayam |
brahma paasham kaala paasham vaaruNam paasham eva ca || 1-56-8

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"He also launched the missiles called Drainer and Ripper, and the highly unconquerable Thunderbolt, even the lassos of Brahma, Time and Rain-gods. [1-56-8]

pinaakam as.htram ca dayitam shuSka aar.hdre ashanii tathaa |
daNDa as.htram atha paishaacam krauncam astram tathaiva ca || 1-56-9

"Also missiles called Shiva, Monster, Punisher, Wrester and like that the Baffler, Bolter, Drier, Drencher are launched. [1-56-9]

dharma cakram kaala cakram viSNu cakram tathaiva ca |
vaayavyam mathanam caiva as.htram haya shiraH tathaa || 1-56-10

"And he launched discs called the Discs of Virtue, Time and Vishnu and he also launched other missiles like the Blower, Stirrer and like that the missile with Horse-head. [1-56-10]

shakti dvayam ca cikSepa ka.nkaalam musalam tathaa |
vaidyaadharam mahaaas.htram ca kaalaastram atha daaruNam || 1-56-11

.

"A pair of powers are launched, namely Power of Vishnu and the Power of Rudra, like that the Impeller, Crowbar, and a great missile called Staggerer, and then he launched the lethal missile of the Time. [1-56-11]

trishuulam as.htram ghoram ca kaapaalam atha ka.nkaNam |
etaani astraaNi cikSepa sar.hvaaNi raghu na.ndana || 1-56-12
vasiSThe japataam shreSThe tad adbhutam iva abhavat |

"Oh, Rama, the descendent of Raghu, Vishvamitra on triggering off all these missiles then he launched the deadly Trident, Skull and Torque missiles on Vashishta, and whole thing has became a spectacular display of Vishvamitra's arsenal. [1-56-12, 13a]

taani sar.hvaaNi daNDena grasate brahmaNaH sutaH || 1-56-13
teSu shaa.nteSu brahmaas.htram kSiptavaan gaadhi na.ndanaH |

"Brahma's son Vashishta defused all of those missiles just with his baton and when all of them are thus silenced, Gaadhi's son Vishvamitra touched off Brahma's missile. [1-56-13b, 14a]

tat as.htram udyatam dR^iSTvaa devaaH sa agni purogamaaH || 1-56-14
deva R^iSayaH ca sa.mbhraa.ntaa ga.ndharvaaH sa mahaa uragaaH |
trailokyam aasiit sa.ntrastam brahmaas.htre samudiirite || 1-56-15

.

"When Vishvamitra brandished and set up Brahma missile for launching, seeing it all the gods keeping the Fire-god at their vanguard, godly sages, reptiles along with gandharva-s are perplexed, and the triad of worlds itself is perturbed. [1-56-14b, 15]

tat api as.htram mahaaghoram braahmam braahmeNa tejasaa |
vasiSTho grasate sarvam brahma daNDena raaghava || 1-56-16

"Even that deleteriously destructive Brahma's missile is completely consumed with the seraphic resplendence of Brahma-baton of Sage Vashishta. [1-56-16]

brahma as.htram grasamaanasya vasiSThasya mahaatmanaH |
trailokya mohanam raudram ruupam aasiit sudaaruNam || 1-56-17

"The appearance of that great-souled Vashishta became appallingly perplexing when he is finishing off that Brahma missile as if to surely petrify the Tri-world. [1-56-17]

roma kuupeSu sarveSu vasiSThasya mahaatmanaH |
mariicya iva niSpetuH agneH dhuuma aakula arciSaH || 1-56-18

"From all of the pits of hair of that great-souled Vashishta ramified are the raditional beams and those radiated shafts are rolling up with the fumes of radiation, so to speak. [1-56-18]

praajvalat brahma daNDaH ca vasiSThasya kara udyataH |
vidhuuma iva kaala agniH yama daNDa iva aparaH || 1-56-19

"The baton of Brahma gripped in his hand and upraised by Vashishta is highly glowing as if it is the fumeless inferno of Time, and as if it is the earthly baton of Yama, the Terminator. [1-56-19]

tato astuvan muni gaNaa vasiSTham japataam varam |
amogham te balam brahman tejo dhaaraya tejasaa || 1-56-20
nigR^ihiitaH tvayaa brahman vishvaamitro mahaatapaaH |
prasiida japataam shreSTha lokaaH santu gata vyathaaH || 1-56-21

"The assemblages of saints then extolled the best meditator Vashishta saying, 'oh, Brahman, infallible is your prowess, but bear this combustion of missile by your own combustive power. Though Vishvamitra is a supreme ascetic he is forestalled by you and your seraphic power, but this power of yours is equally anguishing all the worlds. Hence, let the worlds survive shooing away their anguish caused by your prowess. Oh, Brahman, be gracious, for you are the best among the best meditators...' So said saints to Vashishta. [1-56-20, 21]

evam ukto mahaatejaaH shamam cakre mahaatapaaH |
vishvaamitro api nikR^ito viniHshvasya idam abraviit || 1-56-22

"When that great-resplendent Vashishta is spoken thus by saints and gods he composed himself, and then that estranged Vishvamitra spoke this to himself with heavy suspiration. [1-56-22]

dhik balam kSatriya balam brahma tejo balam balam |
ekena brahma daNDena sarva as.htraaNi hataani me || 1-56-23

" 'Fie upon the might of Kshatriya, mightier is the might of Brahman's resplendence, only with one baton of Brahma all of my missiles are defused. [1-56-23]

tat etat samavekSya aham prasanna indriya maanasaH |
tapo mahat samaasthaasye yat vai brahmatva kaaraNam || 1-56-24

" 'Therefore on analysing this matter, I with my heart and senses quietened will embark on a sublime ascesis which really will be the causative factor for according Brahma-Sage-hood.' So thought Vishvamitra..." Thus Sage Shataananda continued his narration of Vishvamitra's legend. [1-56-24]

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brahmatva - brahaman-hood

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Firstly the difference between a Brahmin and a Brahman may be differentiated, where a Brahmin is just by his birth in that caste and if he practises numerous ordeals he will attain Brahman-hood. Not all Brahmins are Brahmans and a real Brahman will not look back for his birth details.

Throughout this chapter Vashishta is called by Valmiki as japataam varaH, japataam shreSTaH and the like, only to remind us that Vashishta is an eminent meditator of Vedic hymns, all of which culminate into Gayatri hymn. Thus, Vashishta's only weapon is Gayatri hymn with which he subjugated all the arsenal of Vishvamitra. The fight between Vishvamitra and Vashishta is not just a fight between a sage and king, but between vidya - avidya; aatma vidya - anaatma vidya 'enlightenment and un-enlightenment...' An enlightened one does not spring up at any trivial inconvenience but becomes a horrid being, if that antagonistic assail becomes intolerable for living beings. This is the real essence and nature of a true Brahman, whose arsenal is just a wooden baton and heartfelt Gayatri hymn.

For this Bhagavad Gita says at Ch. 18, verse 42: þamo dama× tapa× þaucamkÿ˜nti× ˜rjavam eva ca | jñ˜nam vijñ˜nam ˜stikyam br˜hmam karma svabh˜vajam ||

'A Brahman's virtues, / Prince Born of his nature, are serenity / Self-mastery, religion, purity / Patience, uprightness, learning, and to know / The truth of things which be...' Sir Edwin Arnold.

Thus, Vashishta had never resorted to meaningless curses, menacing arsenal, mutinous retaliation but just swallowed the wrath of a wrathful king. This is brahmaNatva

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

Thus, this is the 56th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 57

Introduction

The legend of Trishanku is narrated to Rama, which forms a part of Vishvamitra's legend. When Brahma blesses Vishvamitra to be a kingly-saint, rather than a Brahman-saint, Vishvamitra continues his ascesis in southerly parts of country. In the meantime, one king named Trishanku desired to go to heaven with mortal body and approaches Vashishta who rejects that very suggestion. Then that king approaches the sons of the same Vashishta with the same idea

tataH sa.ntapta hR^idayaH smaran nigraham aatmanaH |
viniHshvasya viniHshvasya kR^ita vairo mahaatmanaa || 1-57-1
sa dakSiNaam disham gatvaa mahiSyaa saha raaghava |
tataapa paramam ghoram vishvaamitro mahaatapaaH || 1-57-2
phala muula ashano daantaiH cacaara mahat tapaH |

"Oh, Raghava, on making that great-souled Vashishta an enemy, whenever Vishvamitra reminisced over his subdual by Vashishta, he is seethed at heart and heaved sighs repeatedly. Then on going to southern quarter with his prime queen, that great-ascetic Vishvamitra self-collectedly conducted a highly astounding ascesis subsisting only on fruits and tubers." Thus Sage Shataananda continued his narration of Vishvamitra's legend. [1-57-1, 2, 3a]

atha asya jaj~nire putraaH satya dharma paraayaNaaH || 1-57-3
haviSpando madhuSyando dR^iDhanetro mahaarathaH |

"Then Vishvamitra begot sons named Havispanda, Madhuspnada, Dhridhanetra and Mahaaratha, who conduct themselves in candour and chivalry. [1-57-3]

puurNe varSa sahasre tu brahmaa loka pitaamahaH || 1-57-4
abraviit madhuram vaakyam vishvaamitram tapo dhanam |
jitaa raajarSi lokaaH te tapasaa kushika aatmaja || 1-57-5

"At the close of one thousand years of ascesis Brahma, the Grandparent of all worlds, revealed Himself to Vishvamitra and spoke these words mellowly to ascetically wealthy Vishvamitra, 'oh, son of Kushika, Vishvamitra, you have won the worlds of kingly-sages by your ascesis. [1-57-4b, 5]

anena tapasaa tvaam hi raaja R^iSir iti vidmahe |
evam uktvaa mahaatejaa jagaama saha daivataiH || 1-57-6
triviSTapam brahma lokam lokaanaam parama iishvaraH |

" 'We indeed acquiesce you as a kingly-sage by your ascesis.' saying so that great resplendent Brahma, the Supreme Ruler of the Worlds, went away to his Abode of Brahma, while the gods in Brahma's convoy went to Indra's Heaven. [1-57-6, 7a]

vishvaamitro api tat shrutvaa hriyaa ki.ncit avaa~NmukhaH || 1-57-7
duHkhena mahataa aaviSTaH sa manyuH idam abraviit |

"On hearing that Vishvamitra is down-faced with disgrace, and while high anguish prevailed over him, he rancorously soliloquised this. [1-57-7b, 8a]

tapaH ca sumahat taptam raaja R^iSir iti maam viduH || 1-57-8
devaaH sa R^iSi gaNaaH sarve na asti manye tapaH phalam |

.

" 'Even though I have practised a very high ascesis, the gods together with the observances of hermits are recognising me just as a 'kingly-sage.' Thereby I deem that there is no fruition to my ascesis.' Thus Vishvamitra thought. [8b, 9a]

evam nishcitya manasaa bhuuya eva mahaatapaaH || 1-57-9
tapaH cacaara kaakutstha paramam parama aatmavaan |

"Oh, Rama of Kakutstha, deciding in this way in his heart of hearts that self-willed Vishvamitra again undertook a supreme ascesis as he is a great-ascetic. [1-57-9]

etasmin eva kaale tu satya vaadii jita indriyaH || 1-57-10
trisha.nkuH iti vikhyaata ikSvaaku kula vardhanaH |

"In this meantime there is a veracious king named Trishanku, an enhancer of Ikshvaku dynasty, and one renowned for his self-conquest. [1-57-10b, 11a]

tasya buddhiH samutpannaa yajeyam iti raaghava || 1-57-11
gacCheyam sva shariireNa devaanaam paramaam gatim |
vasiSTham sa samaahuuya kathayaamaasa cintitam || 1-57-12

"Oh, Raghava, an idea sprang up in the mind of Trishanku to perform a ritual by which he will go to heaven with his own body. Then he sincerely invited Vashishta and told him what his thinking is. [1-57-11b, 12]

ashakyam iti ca api ukto vasiSThena mahaatmanaa |
pratyaakhyaato vasiSThena sa yayau dakSiNaam disham || 1-57-13
tataH tat karma siddhi artham putraan tasya gato nR^ipaH |

"But the great-souled Vashishta said it as impossible. Thus repudiated Trishanku went to southerly direction in search of orchestrators for the purpose of realising that task, such a phantasmal ritual that enables him to go to heaven with his body, and that king hjas gone to the sons of Vashishta. [1-57-13, 14a]

vaasiSThaa diirgha tapasaH tapo yatra hi tepire || 1-57-14
trisha.nkuH sumahaatejaaH shatam parama bhaasvaram |
vasiSTha putraan dadR^ishe tapyamaanaan yashasvinaH || 1-57-15

"Trishanku has indeed gone to the place where the sons of Vashishta are protractedly expiating, and there he visited the hundred noble-souled sons of Vashishta, who are supremely self-luminescent and superbly self-refulgent by their ascesis. [1-57-14b, 15]

so abhigamya mahaatmaanaH sarvaan eva guroH sutaan |
abhivaadya aanupuurvyeNa hriyaa ki.mcit avaa~NmukhaH || 1-57-16
abraviit sa mahaatmanaH sarvaan eva kR^itaa.njaliH |

"On reaching nigh of those noble-souled sons of the indoctrinator, namely Vashishta, Trishanku reverenced all of them sequentially according to their age, but with a little down- faced owing to abashment, and spoke to all of those great-souled ones making palm-fold in supplication. [1-57-16]

sharaNam vaH prapadye aham sharaNyaan sharaNaagataH || 1-57-17
pratyaakhyaato asmi bhadram vo vasiSThena mahaatmanaa |

" 'I have come as a shelter-seeker seeking the shelter of yours as you are the shelterers of the needy, you all be safe, as the great-souled Vashishta has repudiated me. [1-57-17b, 18a]

yaSTu kaamo mahaayaj~nam tat anuj~naatum arthatha || 1-57-18
guru putraan aham sarvaan namas kR^itya prasaadaye |

" 'I am longing to perform an unusual ritual and it will be apt of you to give assent to it. Reverencing all of the sons of my mentor Vashishta I am proposing this to you. [1-57-18b, 19]

shirasaa praNato yaace braahmaNaan tapasi sthitaan || 1-57-19
te maam bhavantaH siddhi artham yaajaya.ntu samaahitaaH |
sa shariiro yathaa aham vai deva lokam avaapnuyaam || 1-57-20

" 'With reverence I truckle before you all Brahmans who are abiding in ascesis. Such as you are I beg you to assiduously get a ritual performed through me, as to how I can get to heaven with my body. [1-57-19b, 20]

pratyaakhyaato vasiSThena gatim anyaam tapo dhanaaH |
guru putraan R^ite sarvaan na aham pashyaami kaa.mcana || 1-57-21

.

" 'Oh, ascetically wealthy Brahmans, as I am repudiated by Vashishta, I do not perceive another recourse excepting you, who are all the sons of mentor Vashishta. [1-57-21]

ikSvaakuuNaam hi sarveSaam purodhaaH paramaa gatiH |
tasmaat ana.ntaram sarve bhavanto daivatam mama || 1-57-22

" 'The Priest is the ultimate recourse for all of the kings in Ikshvaku dynasty, isn't it. Therefore, next to Vashishta you are all the next-best gods to me.' Thus Trishanku entreated the hundred sons of Sage Vashishta." Sage Shataananda thus continued narration. [1-57-22]

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

Thus, this is the 57th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 58

Introduction

Trishanku seeks shelter of Vishvamitra when the sons of Vashishta rebuffed him, and even cursed him to become a profaner. Narrating his sad tale and his idealistic idea of going to heaven with mortal body, Trishanku earnestly appeals to Vishvamitra.

tataH trisha.nkoH vacanam shrutvaa krodha samanvitam |
R^iSi putra shatam raama raajaanam idam abraviit || 1-58-1

"On hearing the sentence of Trishanku, oh, Rama, the hundred sons of sage Vashishta infuriately said this to that king." Thus, sage Shataananda continued his narration to Rama and others. [1-58-1]

pratyaakhyaato asi durbuddhe guruNaa satya vaadinaa |
tam katham samatikramya shaakhaa antaram upeyivaan || 1-58-2

" 'You slow-witted king, your veracious mentor has denounced you. But transgressing him how do you approach another branch of the same tree of wisdom, when that very tree rejected you?' So the sons of Vashishta have started to denounce Trishanku. [1-58-2]

ikSvaakuuNaam hi sarveSaam purodhaaH paramaa gatiH |
na ca atikramitum shakyam vacanam satya vaadinaH || 1-58-3

" 'The Royal Priest is the ultimate course for all of Ikshvaku-s, isn't it. It is impossible to transgress the word of advise of such a veracious Priest. [1-58-3]

ashakyam iti sa uvaaca vasiSTho bhagavaan R^iSiH |
tam vayam vai samaahartum kratum shaktaaH katha.mcana || 1-58-4

" 'Vashishta is the most reverential sage and such a sage has already said it is impossible to conduct such a Vedic-ritual. Then, in which way we are capable to conduct such a Vedic-ritual? [1-58-4]

baalishaH tvam nara shreSTha gamyataam sva puram punaH |
yaajane bhagavaan shaktaH trailokyasya api paarthiva || 1-58-5
avamaanam katham kartum tasya shakshaayaamahe vayam |

" 'Oh king of subjects, better get back to your own city again for you are childish. That godlike Vashishta alone is capable to orchestrate any ritual by any king in all the three worlds. Oh, king, how then we are capable to cause a disrepute to his reputation.' Thus, the sons of Vashishta refuted Trishanku. [1-58-5, 6a]

teSaam tad vacanam shrutvaa krodha paryaakula akSaram || 1-58-6
sa raajaa punaH eva etaan idam vacanam abraviit |

"On hearing that sentence of theirs which is highly faltering with words of fury that king further spoke this sentence to all of them." So Shataananda continued. [1-58-6b, 7a]

pratyaakhyaato bhagavataa guru putraiH tathaiva hi || 1-58-7
anyaam gatim gamiSyaami svasti vo astu tapo dhanaaH |

" 'I am indeed rejected by the godlike Vashishta, likewise even by you, the sons of the same mentor, as such oh, ascetically wealthy scholars, in this state obloquy I will resort to another recourse, let safety betide you.' So Trishanku bade farewell to the sons of Vashishta, but... [1-58-7b, 8a]

R^iSi putraaH tu tat shrutvaa vaakyam ghora abhisa.mhitam || 1-58-8
shepuH parama sa.mkruddhaaH caNDaalatvam gamiSyasi |

"But the sons of the sage Vashishta, on hearing that sentence of the king, that is inclusive of and leading to a calamitous situation, have become very highly infuriated and cursed saying, 'you shall get into a state of basely profaner.' That is the curse issued by the sons of Vashishta to Trishanku. [1-58-8b, 9a]

This expression caNDaal has its own impact. The nomenclature of caNDaal is not the present day 'untouchable' 'outcaste' or a 'pariah' etc., because he is also a member and an important functionary in Hindu system of castes. In Aranya Kanda Seetha admonishes Ravana with the same wording at 3-56-18. The analogy she uses there is to differentiate between functionaries like the Vedic-scholar and the caste-bound Profaner [meaning: one who is not initiated into religious rites or any esoteric knowledge... but socially designated as a Cremator] and between the Altar of Fire and Fire of Pyre, and between the Vedic Ritual and Funeral Rites, both involving Vedic-hymns. A Vedic scholar, or a true Brahmin may perhaps conduct a yaj~na but he is no authority to conduct antya kriya 'funerals' till its end. At best, a priest's function is until the lighting of the pyre, and even perhaps until kapaala moksha 'breakage of cranium...' and from then on it is the function of this caNDaal to take care of the corpse consigned to fire and for its complete cremation, since leaving half burnt corpse to vultures and wolves is sinning as well as for unsanitary situations. Thus, if a Vedic scholar conducts jaata aadi kriyaaH 'rites from birth onwards...' as an initiator, then a caNDaal conducts antya, uttara kriyaaH 'rites of death afterwards...' as a terminator. This verbiage is to demark the relative values of functionaries, according to the maxim 'a donkey is to bear and a dog is to bark...' and if their functions are reversed, reversed are our results.

iti uktvaa te mahaatmaano vivishuH svam svam aashramam || 1-58-9
atha raatryaam vyatiitaayaam raajaa caNDaalataam gataH |

"On saying thus those great-souled sons of Vashishta withdrew to one's own hermitage and when that night elapsed into day then the king lapsed into a state of basely profaner. [1-58-9b, 10a]

niila vastra dharo niilaH paruSo dhvasta muurdhajaH || 1-58-10
citya maalya anulepaH ca aayasa aabharaNo abhavat |

"He is now wearing blackish cloths which on yestereve were ochry silks, he is now a blackamoor who on yestereve was a gilt-royalty, his head-hair is shaggy which earlier was silkily soft, and his royal garlands which were richly fragrant are now funeral wreaths, and he is besmeared with crematory ashes which were regal emollients, and his royal jewellery is now rendered into iron adornments. [1-58-10b, 11a]

tam dR^iSTvaa ma.ntriNaH sarve tyajya caNDaala ruupiNam || 1-58-11
praadravan sahitaa raama pauraa ye asya anugaaminaH |

"On seeing him in the mien of a profaner, oh, Rama, all of his ministers and the subjects and his own retinue have deserted him and took to flight in masses. [1-58-11b, 12a]

eko hi raajaa kaakutstha jagaama parama aatmavaan || 1-58-12
dahyamaano divaa raatram vishvaamitram tapo dhanam |

"Though that resolutely self-assured king seethed for one night and day for this mishap, then went to the ascetically prosperous Vishvamitra. [1-58-12b, 13]

vishvaamitraH tu tam dR^iSTvaa raajaanam viphalii kR^itam ||1-58-13
caNDaala ruupiNam raama muniH kaaruNyam aagataH |

But on seeing at that mien of the king which is rendered to that of a precluded profaner from kingship and for officiating rituals etc., oh, Rama, sage Vishvamitra because sympathetic.

The preclusion of the king by way of his transfiguring into a profaner is not only from his kingship, by which he is debarred from officiating Vedic rituals etc., but also from his aihika aamuSmika bhogaaH 'earthly and heavenly enjoyments...' because a king is a godsend being.

kaaruNyaat sa mahaatejaa vaakyam parama dhaarmikaH || 1-58-14
idam jagaada bhadram te raajaanam ghora darshanam |

"The great-resplendent sage and highly generous Vishvamitra firstly said to that king who is in a terrible aspect 'let safety betide you,' and then spoke on this sentence to him. [1-58-14]

kim aagamana kaaryam te raajaputra mahaabala || 1-58-15
ayodhyaa adhipate viira shaapaat caNDaalataam gataH |

" 'What is the purpose of your visit, oh, great-mighty prince Trishanku, oh, brave lord of Ayodhya, you are accurst to the state of profaner.' [1-58-15, 16a]

atha tat vaakyam aakarNya raajaa caNDaalataam gataH || 1-58-16
abraviit praa.njaliH vaakyam vaakyaj~no vaakya kovidam |

"Then that king who is accurst to a state of profaner on listening that sentence, as a diligent sentence maker spoke this sentence with his palms adjoined to the sententious sage Vishvamitra. [1-58-16b, 17a]

pratyaakhyaato asmi guruNaa guru putraiH tathaa eva ca || 1-58-17
anavaapya eva tam kaamam mayaa praapto viparyayaH |

" 'I am spurned off by my mentor Vashishta and also like that by his sons. My aspiration remained unachievable, besides, this discrepancy has bechanced upon me. [1-58-17b, 18a]

sa shariiro divam yaayaami iti me saumya darshana || 1-58-18
mayaa ca iSTam kratu shatam tat ca na avaapyate phalam |

" 'Oh, gentle Vishvamitra, my aspiration is nothing but to go to heaven with my body. I have performed hundred rituals but I have not achieved the fruit.' Thus Trishanku started tell his sad tale.

anR^itam na ukta puurvam me na ca vakSye kadaacana || 1-58-19
kR^icChreSu api gataH saumya kSatra dharmeNa te shape |

" 'And now if you doubt me to be a liar, I am no liar either. I spoke no lie heretofore, and even if I were to land into any predicament I do not speak lies anytime hereinafter. Oh, gentle sage, this I pledge you upon my virtue of Kshatriya-hood. [1-58-19, 20a]

A liar is hell-bound but not the other way as said yaj~no anR^ite na rakshati... 'a Vedic ritual would not save liars...'

yaj~naiH bahu vidhaiH iSTam prajaa dharmeNa paalitaaH || 1-58-20
guravaH ca mahaatmaanaH shiila vR^ittena toSitaaH |

" 'I have propitiated gods with many kinds of Vedic-rituals. I have reigned over people conscientiously. And with my conduct and comport the high-souled savants are also pleased. [1-58-20b, 21a]

dharme prayatamaanasya yaj~nam ca aahartum icChataH || 1-58-21
paritoSam na gacChanti guravo munipu.mgava |

" 'While I am a pursuant in probity I expect to avail myself of the fruition of this kind of Vedic-ritual. Oh, eminent sage Vishvamitra, but my mentors are not deriving complete contentment by my pursuit. Hence, they shove me off. [1-58-21b, 22a]

daivam eva param manye pauruSam tu nirarthakam || 1-58-22
daivena aakramyate sarvam daivam hi paramaa gatiH |

" 'I deem destiny is the only ultimate, and manly efforts are meaningless, for destiny surmounts everything. Destiny is the ultimate course, isn't it? [1-58-22b, 23a]

tasya me parama aartasya prasaadam abhikaa.nkSataH |
kartum arhasi bhadram te daiva upahata karmaNaH || 1-58-23

" 'A highly anguished endeavourer, marred by destiny, a sincere requester, such as I am, it will be apt of you to accord, you be safe, your favour upon me. [1-58-23b, c]

na anyaam gatim gamiSyaami na anyaH sharaNam asti me |
daivam puruSa kaareNa nivar.htayitum ar.hhasi || 1-58-24

 'In no alternate course I wish to course through and no alternative shelter is there for me. Hence, it will be apt of you, a god in man's mien, to countervail my destiny.' Thus Trishanku prayed for the grace of Vishvamitra..." So said Sage Shataananda to Rama and others continuing the legend of Vishvamitra. [1-58-24]

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

Thus, this is the 58th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 59

Introduction

Vishvamitra undertakes Trishanku's Vedic ritual and sends disciples to invite all Vedic-scholars. Many sages have come except for Vashishta and his sons. Further, the sons of Vashishta have ridiculed this ritual of Vishvamitra and Trishanku. Vishvamitra gets irritated and hurls curses at the sons of Vashishta.

ukta vaakyam tu raajaanam kR^ipayaa kushika aatmajaH |
abraviit madhuram vaakyam saakSaat caNDaalataam gatam || 1-59-1

"Vishvamitra, the son of Kushi, piteously spoke this mellowly sentence to king Trishanku who spoke thus, and who in reality attained a state of profaner." Thus Sage Shataananda continued his narration. [1-59-1]

ikSvaako svaagatam vatsa jaanaami tvaam sudhaarmikam |
sharaNam te bhaviSyaami maa bhaiSiiH nR^ipa pu.ngava || 1-59-2

" 'Oh, Trishanku, the legatee of Ikshvaku-s, you are welcome. I am aware that you are a highly righteous king. Oh, the best king, you need not be dismayed, for I accord you haven. [1-59-2]

aham aama.ntraye sarvaan mahar.hSiin puNya karmaNaH |
yaj~na saahya karaan raajan tato yakSyasi nirvR^itaH || 1-59-3

" 'I will invite all the sages with pious activities who will render assistance in the ritual, oh, king, then you can perform the ritual self-composedly. [1-59-3]

guru shaapa kR^itam ruupam yat idam tvayi var.htate |
anena saha ruupeNa sa shariiro gamiSyasi || 1-59-4

" 'You can go to heaven with this body of yours, as well as with the form which is deformed by the curse of mentor Vashishta through his sons. [1-59-4]

hasta praaptam aham manye svargam tava nareshvara |
yaH tvam kaushikam aagamya sharaNyam sharaNaagataH || 1-59-5

" 'I deem that heaven is handy to you, oh, king of subjects, as you have approached the all-sheltering Vishvamitra and sought shelter.' Thus Vishvamitra solaced Trishanku. [1-59-5]

evam uktvaa mahaatejaaH putraan parama dhaarmikaan |
vyaadidesha mahaapraaj~naan yaj~na sa.mbhaara kaaraNaat || 1-59-6

"On saying thus to Trishanku that great-resplendent Vishvamitra ordered his highly righteous and astutely brilliant sons to organise the arrangements for the ritual. [1-59-6]

sarvaan shiSyaan samaahuuya vaakyam etat uvaaca ha |
sarvaan R^iSi varaan vashiSThaan aanayadhvam mama aaj~nayaa || 1-59-7
sa shiSyaan suhR^idaH caiva sa R^itvijaH subahu shrutaan |

.

"Vishvamitra calling forth all of his disciples said this sentence, 'invite all the eminent sages who are well-read in many Veda-s, along with their disciples and friends, and their ritwiks, the conductors of rituals, and even the sons of Vashishta, at my order. [1-59-7, 8a]

yat anyo vacanam bruuyaat mat vaakya bala coditaH || 1-59-8
tat sarvam akhilena uktam mama aakhyeyam anaadR^itam |

" 'If someone speaks inconsiderately incited by the forcefulness of my word, whoever speaks it, whichever word it may be, all that is to be reported to me, whatever it is.' Thus Vishvamitra ordered his disciples. [1-59-8]

tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa disho jagmuH tat aaj~nayaa || 1-59-9
aajagmuH atha deshebhyaH sarvebhyo brahma vaadinaH |

"On listening that word of Vishvamitra his disciples went to all directions inviting all by his order, and then the Vedic scholars started to arrive from all provinces. [1-59-9 b, 10a]

te ca shiSyaaH samaagamya munim jvalita tejasam || 1-59-10
uucuH ca vacanam sarve sarveSaam brahma vaadinaam |

.

"All of the disciples have returned to the fulgently resplendent sage Vishvamitra, and reported the words spoken by all the Vedic scholars. [1-59-10b, 11a]

shrutvaa te vacanam sarve samaayaanti dvijaatayaH || 1-59-11
sarva desheSu ca agacChan varjayitvaa mahaaudayam |

" 'On listening your word all the Brahmans from all provinces have started to come and some have already come, leaving alone Mahodaya, the son of Vashishta.' Thus, the disciples have started to inform Vishvamitra. [1-59-11b, 12a]

vaasiSTham tat shatam sarvam krodha paryaakula akSaram || 1-59-12
yathaa aaha vacanam sarvam shR^iNu tvam muni pu.ngava |

" 'What all said by those hundred sons of Vashishta is explosively worded in their fury, oh, eminent sage, and what all they have said that you may please listen. [1-59-12b, 13a]

kSatriyo yaajako yasya caNDaalasya visheSataH || 1-59-13
katham sadasi bhoktaaro haviH tasya sura R^iSayaH |

" 'A Kshatriya is the officiator, and a profaner is the performer. How then the gods or sages can partake of the remnants of oblations in that ritual-assembly, especially that of a profaner?' Thus, the sons of Vashishta exclaimed. [1-59-13b, 14a]

One who is uninitiated into any esoteric knowledge is venturing to perform a Vedic ritual and a king, who can perform a ritual, but who cannot officiate ritual or teach Veda-s like a Brahman, is officiating it. Thus both of these, officiator and performer have no Vedic sanctity.

braahmaNaa vaa mahaatmaano bhuktvaa caNDaala bhojanam || 1-59-14
katham svargam gamiSyanti vishvaamitreNa paalitaaH |

" 'Though the Brahmans or the high-souled sages are now embarrassed by Vishvamitra, how can they go to heaven even after their demise, partaking of the food of a profaner? [1-59-14b, 15a]

etat vacanam naiSThuryam uucuH sa.mrakta locanaaH || 1-59-15
vaasiSThaa muni shaarduula sarve saha mahodayaaH |

" 'Oh, tigerly sage Vishvamitra, all the sons of Vashishta including Mahodaya spoke these derisive sentences with their eyes reddening in anger.' Thus, the disciples reported to Vishvamitra. [1-59-15b, 16a]

teSaam tat vacanam shrutvaa sarveSaam muni pu.ngavaH || 1-59-16
krodha sa.mrakta nayanaH sa roSam idam abraviit |

"The eminent sage Vishvamitra having heard those words of the sons of Vashishta from all of his disciples, said this rancorously with bloodshot eyes. [1-59-16b, 17a]

yat duuSayanti aduSTam maam tapa ugram sa.maasthitam || 1-59-17
bhasmii bhuutaa duraatmaano bhaviSyanti na sa.mshayaH |

" 'He who reproves me, who am abiding in rigorous ascesis, and who am an unreprovable one by my ascetic merit, that irreverent person will be reduced to ashes, and there is no doubt about it. [1-59-17b, 18a]

adya te kaala paashena niitaa vaivastava kSayam || 1-59-18
sapta jaati shataani eva mR^itapaaH santu sarvashaH |

" 'Now they will be dragged by the lasso of Time to the House of Yama, the Terminator, and from now to seven hundred births to come they take birth as devourers of corpses, come what may. [1-59-18b, 19a]

shva maa.msa niyata aahaaraa muSTikaa naama nirghR^iNaaH || 1-59-19
vikR^itaaH ca viruupaaH ca lokaan anucarantu imaan |

" 'Those who reprove me will be wandering about these mortal worlds on taking birth as disfigured and deformed beings in the ruthless sect of Mustika-s that always feed on dog's flesh. [1-59-19b, 20a]

Verse Locator

mahodayaH ca dur.hbuddhiH maam aduuSyam hi aduuSayat || 1-59-20
duuSitaH sarva lokeSu niSaadatvam gamiSyati |

" 'That wrong-headed Mahodaya also reproached me, who am irreproachable on my part, hence he gets into tribal-hood and becomes a reproachable tribal for the entire world. [1-59-20b, 21a]

praaNa atipaata nirato niranukroshataam gataH || 1-59-21
diirgha kaalam mama krodhaat dur.hgatim var.htayiSyati |

" 'By my fury he obtains an utter barbarity and he will be occupied with a murderous bent, and he cycles through a worst possible living for a long time. [1-59-21b, 22a]

etaavat uktvaa vacanam vishvaamitro mahaatapaaH |
viraraama mahaatejaa R^iSi madhye mahaamuniH || 1-59-22

"On saying this much sentence of curse among the sages who have already arrived, that great-resplendent, greatly ascetic, great sage Vishvamitra paused. [1-59-22]

The poet in the last line remembers the sages who have already arrived, only to say that, 'had they not come at the beck and call of Vishvamitra, they too are liable for the above curses, maybe some more curses too, from Vishvamitra. So, knowing this Vedic-ritual of ineligible Trishanku and unqualified Vishvamitra is an improper egotistical extravaganza of Vishvamitra, those who have already come, have come at the cost of their Brahman-hood.'

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe eko na SaSTitamaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 59th 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