← 1.1 Nārada recounts Rāma’s life · Bāla Kāṇḍa · 1.3 Vālmīki sees the whole narrative →
Bāla Kāṇḍa, sarga 2: Grief becomes the first śloka
Summary. A bird’s death moves Vālmīki to utter the first śloka, Brahmā asks him to compose Rāma’s life in that form
Sequence
- Vālmīki and his disciples honor Nārada, who takes leave and rises into the sky (1.2.1–2)
- Vālmīki goes to the Tamasā near the Gaṅgā → he points out a clear, mud-free bathing place to his disciple Bharadvāja, comparing its water to a good person's mind, and asks for his bark garment (1.2.3–7)
- looking around the forest, he sees an inseparable pair of sweet-voiced krauñca birds → a hunter kills the male before his eyes → the bloodied bird writhes on the ground while his mate cries out (1.2.8–11)
- moved by compassion and anger at the cruelty, Vālmīki declares that the hunter will find no lasting rest for killing one of the loving pair. Vālmīki wonders at the words that have burst from his grief (1.2.12–16)
- he recognizes their balanced metrical feet and equal syllables, suitable for singing with a lute, and calls the utterance a śloka → Bharadvāja receives it with delight (1.2.17–18)
- Vālmīki bathes and returns to the hermitage, still pondering, while Bharadvāja follows with the filled water pot (1.2.19–21)
- Brahmā appears → Vālmīki rises in astonishment, joins his palms, and offers water for the feet, the guest-offering, a seat, and reverent greetings → after Brahmā sits, Vālmīki sits at his invitation (1.2.22–25)
- still absorbed in the birds' suffering, he repeats the verse. Brahmā confirms that it is a śloka and says that speech arose through his will (1.2.26–30)
- he instructs Vālmīki to compose Rāma's entire story as heard from Nārada → hidden as well as public events concerning Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Sītā, and the rākṣasas will become known to him, and his poem will contain no falsehood (1.2.31–34)
- Brahmā promises that the story will endure as long as mountains and rivers, and that Vālmīki will dwell in his worlds while it circulates (1.2.35–36)
- Brahmā vanishes → the amazed disciples repeat the verse, recognizing how grief has taken the form of a śloka → Vālmīki resolves to use that form for the whole poem and begins composing. (1.2.37–41)
Verses 1.2.1–41
1.2.1
nāradasya tu tad vākyaṃ śrutvā vākyaviśāradaḥ
pūjayām āsa dharmātmā sahaśiṣyo mahāmuniḥ
Having heard that speech of Nārada, the great sage, skilled in speech and righteous of soul, together with his disciples honoured him.
Words: nāradasya — of Nārada; tu — and; tad vākyaṃ — that speech; śrutvā — having heard; vākyaviśāradaḥ — skilled in speech; pūjayām āsa — honoured, worshipped; dharmātmā — righteous of soul; sahaśiṣyo — together with his disciples; mahāmuniḥ — the great sage
1.2.2
yathāvat pūjitas tena devarṣir nāradas tadā
āpṛṣṭvaivābhyanujñātaḥ sa jagāma vihāyasaṃ
Duly honoured by him, the divine seer Nārada then, having taken his leave and been granted permission, went off into the sky.
Words: yathāvat — duly, as is fitting; pūjitas — honoured; tena — by him; devarṣir — the divine seer; nāradas — Nārada; tadā — then; āpṛṣṭvaivābhyanujñātaḥ — having taken leave and been granted permission; sa — he; jagāma — went; vihāyasaṃ — into the sky, the air
1.2.3
sa muhūtaṃ gate tasmin devalokaṃ munis tadā
jagāma tamasātīraṃ jāhnavyās tv avidūrataḥ
A moment after Nārada had departed to the world of the gods, the sage then went to the bank of the Tamasā, not far from the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā).
Words: sa — he (Vālmīki); muhūtaṃ — for a short while; gate tasmin — when he (Nārada) had gone; devalokaṃ — to the world of the gods; munis — the sage; tadā — then; jagāma — went; tamasātīraṃ — to the bank of the Tamasā; jāhnavyās — of the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā); tv — but, and; avidūrataḥ — not far from
1.2.4
sa tu tīraṃ samāsādya tamasāyā mahāmuniḥ
śiṣyam āha sthitaṃ pārśve dṛṣṭvā tīrtham akardamam
Reaching the bank of the Tamasā, the great sage, seeing a bathing-spot free of mud, spoke to the disciple standing at his side:
Words: sa tu — and he; tīraṃ — the bank; samāsādya — having reached; tamasāyā — of the Tamasā; mahāmuniḥ — the great sage; śiṣyam — to the disciple; āha — said; sthitaṃ — standing; pārśve — at his side; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; tīrtham — the bathing-place, ford; akardamam — free of mud, unmuddied
1.2.5
akardamam idaṃ tīrthaṃ bharadvāja niśāmaya
ramaṇīyaṃ prasannāmbu sanmanuṣyamano yathā
“Behold, Bharadvāja, this bathing-place free of mud, lovely, its water clear as the mind of a good man.
Words: akardamam — free of mud; idaṃ — this; tīrthaṃ — bathing-place; bharadvāja — O Bharadvāja; niśāmaya — behold, observe; ramaṇīyaṃ — lovely, delightful; prasannāmbu — of clear water; sanmanuṣyamano yathā — like the mind of a good man
1.2.6
nyasyatāṃ kalaśas tāta dīyatāṃ valkalaṃ mama
idam evāvagāhiṣye tamasātīrtham uttamam
Set down the water-pot, my child, and give me my bark-garment; I shall bathe right here, in this excellent bathing-place of the Tamasā.”
Words: nyasyatāṃ — let it be set down; kalaśas — the water-pot, pitcher; tāta — my child, dear one; dīyatāṃ — let it be given; valkalaṃ — the bark-garment; mama — my, to me; idam — this very; evāvagāhiṣye — indeed I shall bathe in; tamasātīrtham — the bathing-place of the Tamasā; uttamam — excellent, best
1.2.7
evam ukto bharadvājo vālmīkena mahātmanā
prāyacchata munes tasya valkalaṃ niyato guroḥ
Addressed thus by the great-souled Vālmīki, Bharadvāja, attentive, handed the bark-garment to that sage, his teacher.
Words: evam ukto — addressed thus; bharadvājo — Bharadvāja; vālmīkena — by Vālmīki; mahātmanā — by the great-souled one; prāyacchata — handed over, gave; munes — to the sage; tasya — that; valkalaṃ — the bark-garment; niyato — attentive, self-controlled; guroḥ — of/to his teacher
1.2.8
sa śiṣyahastād ādāya valkalaṃ niyatendriyaḥ
vicacāra ha paśyaṃs tat sarvato vipulaṃ vanam
Taking the bark-garment from the disciple’s hand, his senses controlled, he wandered about, gazing on every side at that vast forest.
Words: sa — he; śiṣyahastād — from the disciple’s hand; ādāya — having taken; valkalaṃ — the bark-garment; niyatendriyaḥ — his senses controlled; vicacāra — wandered, roamed; ha — indeed; paśyaṃs — gazing; tat — that; sarvato — on every side; vipulaṃ — vast, wide; vanam — forest
1.2.9
tasyābhyāśe tu mithunaṃ carantam anapāyinam
dadarśa bhagavāṃs tatra krauñcayoś cāruniḥsvanam
And nearby the venerable one saw there a pair of krauñca birds, sweet-voiced, moving about inseparable from each other.
Words: tasyābhyāśe — in his vicinity, nearby; tu — and; mithunaṃ — a pair, couple; carantam — moving about; anapāyinam — inseparable, never parting; dadarśa — saw; bhagavāṃs — the venerable one; tatra — there; krauñcayoś — of the two krauñca (curlew) birds; cāruniḥsvanam — sweet-voiced
1.2.10
tasmāt tu mithunād ekaṃ pumāṃsaṃ pāpaniścayaḥ
jaghāna vairanilayo niṣādas tasya paśyataḥ
And from that pair, a Niṣāda hunter of cruel resolve, a very abode of malice, struck down the male, as the sage looked on.
Words: tasmāt tu — and from that; mithunād — pair; ekaṃ — one; pumāṃsaṃ — the male; pāpaniścayaḥ — of cruel resolve; jaghāna — struck down, slew; vairanilayo — an abode of enmity; niṣādas — the Niṣāda (a forest hunter); tasya paśyataḥ — as he (the sage) looked on
1.2.11
taṃ śoṇitaparītāṅgaṃ veṣṭamānaṃ mahītale
bhāryā tu nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā rurāva karuṇāṃ giram
Seeing him slain, his body drenched in blood and writhing on the ground, his mate cried out a piteous wail.
Words: taṃ — him; śoṇitaparītāṅgaṃ — his limbs drenched in blood; veṣṭamānaṃ — writhing, rolling; mahītale — on the ground; bhāryā — the wife, mate; tu — but; nihataṃ — slain; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; rurāva — cried out, wailed; karuṇāṃ — piteous; giram — a cry, sound
1.2.12
tathā tu taṃ dvijaṃ dṛṣṭvā niṣādena nipātitam
ṛṣer dharmātmanas tasya kāruṇyaṃ samapadyata
Seeing the bird thus struck down by the Niṣāda, compassion arose in that righteous sage.
Words: tathā tu — and thus; taṃ dvijaṃ — that bird (lit. twice-born); dṛṣṭvā — having seen; niṣādena — by the Niṣāda; nipātitam — struck down, felled; ṛṣer — of the seer; dharmātmanas — the righteous-souled; tasya — that; kāruṇyaṃ — compassion, pity; samapadyata — arose, came to be
1.2.13
tataḥ karuṇaveditvād adharmo 'yam iti dvijaḥ
niśāmya rudatīṃ krauñcīm idaṃ vacanam abravīt
Then, out of his sensitivity to pity, thinking “This is unrighteous,” the brahmin, hearing the wailing female krauñca, spoke these words:
Words: tataḥ — then; karuṇaveditvād — out of his sensitivity to pity; adharmo 'yam — ‘this is unrighteous’; iti — thus (thinking); dvijaḥ — the brahmin; niśāmya — having heard, perceived; rudatīṃ — wailing, weeping; krauñcīm — the female krauñca; idaṃ vacanam — these words; abravīt — spoke
1.2.14
mā niṣāda pratiṣṭhāṃ tvam agamaḥ śāśvatīṃ samāḥ
yat krauñcamithunād ekam avadhīḥ kāmamohitam
“Niṣāda, may you never find rest through the endless years — because you slew one of a pair of krauñcas, blinded by lust.”
Words: mā — do not / never; niṣāda — O Niṣāda; pratiṣṭhāṃ — rest, standing, resting-place; tvam — you; agamaḥ — may (you) attain; śāśvatīḥ — everlasting, endless; samāḥ — years; yat — because, in that; krauñcamithunād — from the pair of krauñcas; ekam — one; avadhīḥ — you slew; kāmamohitam — bewildered by desire/mating
1.2.15
tasyaivaṃ bruvataś cintā babhūva hṛdi vīkṣataḥ
śokārtenāsya śakuneḥ kim idaṃ vyāhṛtaṃ mayā
As he spoke thus and reflected, a thought arose in his heart: “Stricken with grief for this bird, what is this that I have uttered?”
Words: tasyaivaṃ bruvataś — as he was speaking thus; cintā — a thought, reflection; babhūva — arose, came to be; hṛdi — in the heart; vīkṣataḥ — of him considering; śokārtenāsya — by him stricken with grief for it; śakuneḥ — for the bird; kim idaṃ — what is this; vyāhṛtaṃ — uttered, spoken; mayā — by me
1.2.16
cintayan sa mahāprājñaś cakāra matimān matim
śiṣyaṃ caivābravīd vākyam idaṃ sa munipuṃgavaḥ
Pondering, that man of great wisdom, intelligent, made up his mind; and that bull among sages spoke these words to his disciple:
Words: cintayan — pondering; sa — he; mahāprājñaś — the greatly wise; cakāra — made, formed; matimān — the intelligent one; matim — a resolve, thought; śiṣyaṃ — to the disciple; caivābravīd — and spoke; vākyam idaṃ — these words; sa — he; munipuṃgavaḥ — the bull among sages
1.2.17
pādabaddho 'kṣarasamas tantrīlayasamanvitaḥ
śokārtasya pravṛtto me śloko bhavatu nānyathā
“Set in metrical feet, with equal syllables, fit to be sung to the rhythm of the lute — let what poured forth from me in grief be a śloka, and nothing else.”
Words: pādabaddho — bound in (metrical) feet; 'kṣarasamas — with equal syllables; tantrīlayasamanvitaḥ — furnished with the rhythm of the lute; śokārtasya — of one stricken with grief; pravṛtto — that poured forth, arose; me — from me; śloko — a śloka (verse); bhavatu — let it be; nānyathā — and not otherwise
1.2.18
śiṣyas tu tasya bruvato muner vākyam anuttamam
pratijagrāha saṃhṛṣṭas tasya tuṣṭo 'bhavad guruḥ
The disciple received with delight that peerless utterance of the sage as he spoke; and the teacher was pleased with him.
Words: śiṣyas tu — and the disciple; tasya — his; bruvato — as he was speaking; muner — of the sage; vākyam — the utterance; anuttamam — peerless, unsurpassed; pratijagrāha — received, took up; saṃhṛṣṭas — delighted; tasya — with him; tuṣṭo — pleased; 'bhavad — became; guruḥ — the teacher
1.2.19
so 'bhiṣekaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā tīrthe tasmin yathāvidhi
tam eva cintayann artham upāvartata vai muniḥ
Then, having performed his ablution at that bathing-place according to rule, the sage turned back, still pondering that very matter.
Words: so 'bhiṣekaṃ — he the ablution; tataḥ — then; kṛtvā — having performed; tīrthe tasmin — at that bathing-place; yathāvidhi — according to rule; tam eva — that very; cintayann — pondering; artham — matter, thing; upāvartata — turned back, returned; vai — indeed; muniḥ — the sage
1.2.20
bharadvājas tataḥ śiṣyo vinītaḥ śrutavān guroḥ
kalaśaṃ pūrṇam ādāya pṛṣṭhato 'nujagāma ha
Then Bharadvāja, his disciple, humble and learned, taking up the full water-pot, followed his teacher behind him.
Words: bharadvājas — Bharadvāja; tataḥ — then; śiṣyo — the disciple; vinītaḥ — humble, well-trained; śrutavān — learned, versed in sacred lore; guroḥ — of the teacher; kalaśaṃ — the water-pot; pūrṇam — full; ādāya — having taken up; pṛṣṭhato — behind; 'nujagāma — followed; ha — indeed
1.2.21
sa praviśyāśramapadaṃ śiṣyeṇa saha dharmavit
upaviṣṭaḥ kathāś cānyāś cakāra dhyānam āsthitaḥ
That knower of dharma, entering the hermitage with his disciple, sat down and, though engaged in other talk, remained absorbed in thought.
Words: sa — he; praviśyāśramapadaṃ — having entered the hermitage; śiṣyeṇa saha — together with his disciple; dharmavit — the knower of dharma; upaviṣṭaḥ — seated; kathāś cānyāś — and other talk; cakāra — made, carried on; dhyānam — meditation, thought; āsthitaḥ — abiding in, settled in
1.2.22
ājagāma tato brahmā lokakartā svayaṃprabhuḥ
caturmukho mahātejā draṣṭuṃ taṃ munipuṃgavam
Then Brahmā, maker of the worlds, the self-existent lord, four-faced and of great splendour, came to see that bull among sages.
Words: ājagāma — came; tato — then; brahmā — Brahmā; lokakartā — the maker of the worlds; svayaṃprabhuḥ — the self-existent lord; caturmukho — four-faced; mahātejā — of great splendour; draṣṭuṃ — to see; taṃ — that; munipuṃgavam — bull among sages
1.2.23
vālmīkir atha taṃ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya vāg yataḥ
prāñjaliḥ prayato bhūtvā tasthau paramavismitaḥ
Then Vālmīki, seeing him, at once rose up, his speech stilled; joining his palms and composing himself, he stood in utter amazement.
Words: vālmīkir — Vālmīki; atha — then; taṃ — him; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; sahasotthāya — suddenly rising up; vāg yataḥ — his speech restrained; prāñjaliḥ — with palms joined; prayato — reverent, composed; bhūtvā — having become; tasthau — stood; paramavismitaḥ — greatly amazed
1.2.24
pūjayām āsa taṃ devaṃ pādyārghyāsanavandanaiḥ
praṇamya vidhivac cainaṃ pṛṣṭvānāmayam avyayam
He honoured that god with water for the feet, the guest-offering, a seat, and salutation; and bowing to him duly, he asked after the imperishable one’s well-being.
Words: pūjayām āsa — honoured, worshipped; taṃ devaṃ — that god; pādyārghyāsanavandanaiḥ — with foot-water, guest-offering, seat and salutation; praṇamya — having bowed; vidhivac — according to rule; cainaṃ — and to him; pṛṣṭvānāmayam — having asked after his well-being; avyayam — the imperishable one
1.2.25
athopaviśya bhagavān āsane paramārcite
vālmīkaye maharṣaye saṃdideśāsanaṃ tataḥ
Then the venerable one, having seated himself on a highly honoured seat, thereupon directed the great sage Vālmīki to a seat.
Words: athopaviśya — then having sat down; bhagavān — the venerable one; āsane — on a seat; paramārcite — highly honoured; vālmīkaye — to Vālmīki; maharṣaye — to the great sage; saṃdideśāsanaṃ — directed (him) to a seat; tataḥ — then
1.2.26
upaviṣṭe tadā tasmin sākṣāl lokapitāmahe
tad gatenaiva manasā vālmīkir dhyānam āsthitaḥ
When the Grandsire of the worlds himself had thus been seated, Vālmīki, his mind wholly fixed on that (event), sank into thought.
Words: upaviṣṭe tadā tasmin — when he had then been seated; sākṣāl — in person, before his eyes; lokapitāmahe — the Grandsire of the worlds (Brahmā); tad gatenaiva — fixed on that very (thing); manasā — with his mind; vālmīkir — Vālmīki; dhyānam — meditation, thought; āsthitaḥ — settled into, abiding in
1.2.27
pāpātmanā kṛtaṃ kaṣṭaṃ vairagrahaṇabuddhinā
yas tādṛśaṃ cāruravaṃ krauñcaṃ hanyād akāraṇāt
“A cruel deed was done by that evil-souled one, his mind set on malice, who would kill without cause such a sweet-voiced krauñca —
Words: pāpātmanā — by the evil-souled one; kṛtaṃ — was done; kaṣṭaṃ — a cruel, grievous (deed); vairagrahaṇabuddhinā — his mind bent on seizing enmity; yas — who; tādṛśaṃ — such a; cāruravaṃ — sweet-voiced; krauñcaṃ — krauñca bird; hanyād — would kill; akāraṇāt — without cause
1.2.28
śocann eva muhuḥ krauñcīm upaślokam imaṃ punaḥ
jagāv antargatamanā bhūtvā śokaparāyaṇaḥ
Grieving again and again for the female krauñca, he chanted this very verse once more, his mind turned inward, wholly given over to sorrow.
Words: śocann eva — grieving indeed; muhuḥ — again and again; krauñcīm — for the female krauñca; upaślokam imaṃ — this verse; punaḥ — again; jagāv — chanted, sang; antargatamanā — his mind turned inward; bhūtvā — having become; śokaparāyaṇaḥ — wholly given over to grief
1.2.29
tam uvāca tato brahmā prahasan munipuṃgavam
śloka eva tvayā baddho nātra kāryā vicāraṇā
Then Brahmā, smiling, said to that bull among sages: “It is indeed a śloka that you have composed; no doubt need be entertained about this.
Words: tam — him; uvāca — said; tato — then; brahmā — Brahmā; prahasan — smiling, laughing gently; munipuṃgavam — the bull among sages; śloka eva — a śloka indeed; tvayā — by you; baddho — composed, bound; nātra — not here / not in this; kāryā — to be done, entertained; vicāraṇā — doubt, deliberation
1.2.30
macchandād eva te brahman pravṛtteyaṃ sarasvatī
rāmasya caritaṃ kṛtsnaṃ kuru tvam ṛṣisattama
By my will alone, O brahmin, has this (goddess of) speech flowed forth in you; compose the entire story of Rāma, O best of seers.
Words: macchandād eva — by my will alone; te — in you; brahman — O brahmin; pravṛtteyaṃ — this has flowed forth; sarasvatī — Sarasvatī (speech, eloquence); rāmasya — of Rāma; caritaṃ — the deeds, story; kṛtsnaṃ — entire, whole; kuru — make, compose; tvam — you; ṛṣisattama — O best of seers
1.2.31
dharmātmano guṇavato loke rāmasya dhīmataḥ
vṛttaṃ kathaya dhīrasya yathā te nāradāc chrutam
Tell the story of Rāma — righteous, virtuous, wise, and steadfast in the world — just as you heard it from Nārada.
Words: dharmātmano — of the righteous-souled; guṇavato — virtuous; loke — in the world; rāmasya — of Rāma; dhīmataḥ — wise; vṛttaṃ — the story, doings; kathaya — tell, relate; dhīrasya — of the steadfast one; yathā — just as; te — by you; nāradāc chrutam — heard from Nārada
1.2.32
rahasyaṃ ca prakāśaṃ ca yad vṛttaṃ tasya dhīmataḥ
rāmasya saha saumitre rākṣasānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ
Whatever befell that wise Rāma, secret or open — together with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), and all that concerns the rākṣasas —
Words: rahasyaṃ ca — and (what is) secret; prakāśaṃ ca — and (what is) open; yad vṛttaṃ — whatever happened; tasya dhīmataḥ — of that wise one; rāmasya — of Rāma; saha saumitre — together with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa); rākṣasānāṃ ca — and of the rākṣasas; sarvaśaḥ — in every way, wholly
1.2.33
vaidehyāś caiva yad vṛttaṃ prakāśaṃ yadi vā rahaḥ
tac cāpy aviditaṃ sarvaṃ viditaṃ te bhaviṣyati
and whatever happened to Vaidehī (Sītā), whether open or hidden — all of that too, though unknown, shall become known to you.
Words: vaidehyāś caiva — and of Vaidehī (Sītā); yad vṛttaṃ — whatever happened; prakāśaṃ — open, manifest; yadi vā — or if; rahaḥ — hidden, secret; tac cāpy — and that too; aviditaṃ — unknown; sarvaṃ — all; viditaṃ — known; te — to you; bhaviṣyati — will become
1.2.34
na te vāg anṛtā kāvye kā cid atra bhaviṣyati
kuru rāma kathāṃ puṇyāṃ ślokabaddhāṃ manoramām
No word of yours in this poem will anywhere prove untrue; compose the holy, delightful story of Rāma, bound in ślokas.
Words: na — not; te — your; vāg — word, speech; anṛtā — untrue, false; kāvye — in the poem; kā cid — any; atra — here, in this; bhaviṣyati — will be; kuru — make, compose; rāma kathāṃ — the story of Rāma; puṇyāṃ — holy, meritorious; ślokabaddhāṃ — bound in ślokas; manoramām — delightful, charming
1.2.35
yāvat sthāsyanti girayaḥ saritaś ca mahītale
tāvad rāmāyaṇakathā lokeṣu pracariṣyati
As long as the mountains and rivers shall endure upon the earth, so long will the tale of the Rāmāyaṇa circulate among the worlds.
Words: yāvat — as long as; sthāsyanti — will stand, endure; girayaḥ — the mountains; saritaś ca — and the rivers; mahītale — on the earth; tāvad — so long; rāmāyaṇakathā — the tale of the Rāmāyaṇa; lokeṣu — among the worlds, peoples; pracariṣyati — will circulate, spread
1.2.36
yāvad rāmasya ca kathā tvatkṛtā pracariṣyati
tāvad ūrdhvam adhaś ca tvaṃ mallokeṣu nivatsyasi
And as long as the story of Rāma composed by you shall spread, so long will you dwell, above and below, in my worlds.
Words: yāvad — as long as; rāmasya ca kathā — and the story of Rāma; tvatkṛtā — made by you; pracariṣyati — will spread, circulate; tāvad — so long; ūrdhvam — above; adhaś ca — and below; tvaṃ — you; mallokeṣu — in my worlds; nivatsyasi — will dwell, abide
1.2.37
ity uktvā bhagavān brahmā tatraivāntaradhīyata
tataḥ saśiṣyo vālmīkir munir vismayam āyayau
Having spoken thus, the venerable Brahmā vanished right there; and then the sage Vālmīki, with his disciples, was filled with wonder.
Words: ity uktvā — having spoken thus; bhagavān brahmā — the venerable Brahmā; tatraivāntaradhīyata — vanished right there; tataḥ — then; saśiṣyo — together with his disciples; vālmīkir — Vālmīki; munir — the sage; vismayam — wonder, amazement; āyayau — came to, attained
1.2.38
tasya śiṣyās tataḥ sarve jaguḥ ślokam imaṃ punaḥ
muhur muhuḥ prīyamāṇāḥ prāhuś ca bhṛśavismitāḥ
Then all his disciples chanted this śloka again; delighting in it again and again, greatly amazed, they said:
Words: tasya — his; śiṣyās — the disciples; tataḥ — then; sarve — all; jaguḥ — chanted, sang; ślokam imaṃ — this śloka; punaḥ — again; muhur muhuḥ — again and again; prīyamāṇāḥ — delighting, being pleased; prāhuś ca — and said; bhṛśavismitāḥ — greatly amazed
1.2.39
samākṣaraiś caturbhir yaḥ pādair gīto maharṣiṇā
so 'nuvyāharaṇād bhūyaḥ śokaḥ ślokatvam āgataḥ
That which was sung by the great sage in four feet of equal syllables — that grief, through its repeated utterance, attained the state of a śloka.
Words: samākṣaraiś — with equal syllables; caturbhir — with four; yaḥ — which; pādair — by (metrical) feet; gīto — sung; maharṣiṇā — by the great sage; so 'nuvyāharaṇād — that, from its utterance; bhūyaḥ — again, further; śokaḥ — the grief; ślokatvam — the state of being a śloka; āgataḥ — attained, came to
1.2.40
tasya buddhir iyaṃ jātā vālmīker bhāvitātmanaḥ
kṛtsnaṃ rāmāyaṇaṃ kāvyam īdṛśaiḥ karavāṇy aham
This thought arose in Vālmīki, whose soul was purified: “Let me compose the whole Rāmāyaṇa poem in verses such as this.”
Words: tasya — his; buddhir iyaṃ — this thought; jātā — arose, was born; vālmīker — of Vālmīki; bhāvitātmanaḥ — of purified soul; kṛtsnaṃ — whole, entire; rāmāyaṇaṃ kāvyam — the Rāmāyaṇa poem; īdṛśaiḥ — in such (verses); karavāṇy aham — let me make
1.2.41
udāravṛttārthapadair manoramais tadāsya rāmasya cakāra kīrtimān
samākṣaraiḥ ślokaśatair yaśasvino yaśaskaraṃ kāvyam udāradhīr muniḥ
Then that renowned, noble-minded sage composed, with delightful words of lofty conduct and meaning, in hundreds of ślokas of equal syllables, a glory-bestowing poem of the illustrious Rāma.
Words: udāravṛttārthapadair — with words of lofty conduct and meaning; manoramais — delightful; tadāsya — then his / of this; rāmasya — of Rāma; cakāra — made, composed; kīrtimān — the renowned one; samākṣaraiḥ — of equal syllables; ślokaśatair — with hundreds of ślokas; yaśasvino — of the illustrious one; yaśaskaraṃ — glory-bestowing; kāvyam — poem; udāradhīr — the noble-minded one; muniḥ — the sage
← 1.1 Nārada recounts Rāma’s life · Bāla Kāṇḍa · 1.3 Vālmīki sees the whole narrative →
Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.
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