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Bāla Kāṇḍa, sarga 3: Vālmīki sees the whole narrative
Summary. Vālmīki sees the narrative through meditation and sets out its events, including those still to come
Sequence
- Seeking fuller knowledge of Rāma's life, Vālmīki sips water, composes himself, and sits on darbha grass with its tips facing east → through spiritual insight he examines the course of the story (1.3.1–2)
- the sarga then presents a catalogue of the poem's contents, rather than a new set of events happening in the present: Rāma's birth and character, the journey with Viśvāmitra, the bow, Sītā's marriage, and the encounter with Paraśurāma (1.3.3–5)
- the interrupted abhiṣeka, exile, Daśaratha's death, the citizens' grief, the Niṣāda chief, the charioteer's dismissal, and the journeys across the Gaṅgā to Bharadvāja and Citrakūṭa (1.3.6–8)
- Bharata's appeal, the rites for Daśaratha, the sandals' authority, Nandigrāma, and the forest encounters, including Anasūyā and her gift of salve. The catalogue continues through Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara, Mārīca, Sītā's abduction, Jaṭāyu, Kabandha, Śabarī, Pampā, and Hanumān (1.3.9–14)
- it names the alliance with Sugrīva, Vālin's death, Tārā's grief, the rainy-season stay, the mustering of the monkeys, and the search parties (1.3.15–17)
- it includes the signet-ring, the cavern, the searchers' resolve to fast to death, Saṃpāti, Hanumān's leap, his search through Laṅkā, Sītā and Trijaṭā, the recognition tokens, the fighting, capture, and burning of the city (1.3.18–23)
- it proceeds through Hanumān's return, Sītā's jewel, the Ocean and bridge, the Laṅkā campaign, Vibhīṣaṇa, and the deaths of Kumbhakarṇa, Indrajit, and Rāvaṇa (1.3.23–26)
- it reaches Sītā's recovery, the flight home, Bharata's reunion, Rāma's abhiṣeka, the armies' dismissal, and the later banishment of Sītā → Vālmīki also records what is still to come in the Uttarakāṇḍa. (1.3.27–29)
Verses 1.3.1–29
1.3.1
śrutvā vas tu samagraṃ tad dharmātmā dharmasaṃhitam
vyaktam anveṣate bhūyo yad vṛttaṃ tasya dhīmataḥ
Having heard that whole matter, conjoined with dharma, the righteous-souled one sought out yet more clearly what had befallen that wise one (Rāma).
Words: śrutvā — having heard; vastu — the matter, substance; samagraṃ — whole, entire; tad — that; dharmātmā — the righteous-souled; dharmasaṃhitam — conjoined with dharma; vyaktam — clearly, distinctly; anveṣate — seeks out, investigates; bhūyo — further, again; yad vṛttaṃ — what happened; tasya dhīmataḥ — of that wise one
1.3.2
upaspṛśyodakaṃ saṃyan muniḥ sthitvā kṛtāñjaliḥ
prācīnāgreṣu darbheṣu dharmeṇānveṣate gatim
Sipping water and self-restrained, the sage, standing with palms joined, seated on darbha-grass with its tips pointing east, sought out the course (of the tale) by the power of dharma (yogic insight).
Words: upaspṛśyodakaṃ — having sipped water; saṃyan — restraining himself; muniḥ — the sage; sthitvā — having stood; kṛtāñjaliḥ — with palms joined; prācīnāgreṣu — with tips pointing east; darbheṣu — on the darbha (sacred kuśa) grass; dharmeṇānveṣate — seeks by (the power of) dharma; gatim — the course, way (of the story)
1.3.3
janma rāmasya sumahad vīryaṃ sarvānukūlatām
lokasya priyatāṃ kṣāntiṃ saumyatāṃ satyaśīlatām
The birth of Rāma; his mighty valour; his favour toward all; his dearness to the world; his patience, gentleness, and truthfulness of character;
Words: janma — the birth; rāmasya — of Rāma; sumahad — very great; vīryaṃ — valour, might; sarvānukūlatām — favour toward all, agreeableness; lokasya — of/to the world; priyatāṃ — dearness, belovedness; kṣāntiṃ — patience, forbearance; saumyatāṃ — gentleness, mildness; satyaśīlatām — truthfulness of character
1.3.4
nānācitrāḥ kathāś cānyā viśvāmitrasahāyane
jānakyāś ca vivāhaṃ ca dhanuṣaś ca vibhedanam
and various other wondrous tales told during the accompanying of Viśvāmitra; the marriage of Jānakī (Sītā); the breaking of the bow;
Words: nānācitrāḥ — various and wondrous; kathāś cānyā — and other tales; viśvāmitrasahāyane — in the accompanying of Viśvāmitra; jānakyāś ca — and of Jānakī (Sītā); vivāhaṃ — the marriage; ca — and; dhanuṣaś ca — and of the bow; vibhedanam — the breaking, splitting
1.3.5
rāmarāmavivādaṃ ca guṇān dāśarathes tathā
tathābhiṣekaṃ rāmasya kaikeyyā duṣṭabhāvatām
the dispute between Rāma (Dāśarathi) and Rāma (Paraśurāma); the virtues of the son of Daśaratha; likewise the (planned) consecration of Rāma, and the wicked disposition of Kaikeyī;
Words: rāmarāmavivādaṃ — the dispute between the two Rāmas; ca — and; guṇān — the virtues; dāśarathes — of the son of Daśaratha; tathā — likewise; tathābhiṣekaṃ — and likewise the consecration; rāmasya — of Rāma; kaikeyyā — of Kaikeyī; duṣṭabhāvatām — the wicked disposition
1.3.6
vyāghātaṃ cābhiṣekasya rāmasya ca vivāsanam
rājñaḥ śokaṃ vilāpaṃ ca paralokasya cāśrayam
the thwarting of the consecration, and the banishment of Rāma; the king’s grief and lament, and his passing to the next world;
Words: vyāghātaṃ — the obstruction, thwarting; cābhiṣekasya — and of the consecration; rāmasya ca — and of Rāma; vivāsanam — the banishment, exile; rājñaḥ — of the king; śokaṃ — the grief; vilāpaṃ ca — and the lament; paralokasya — of/to the other world; cāśrayam — and the resorting, passing
1.3.7
prakṛtīnāṃ viṣādaṃ ca prakṛtīnāṃ visarjanam
niṣādādhipasaṃvādaṃ sūtopāvartanaṃ tathā
the dejection of the subjects, and the dismissal of the subjects; the conversation with the lord of the Niṣādas, and likewise the sending-back of the charioteer;
Words: prakṛtīnāṃ — of the subjects, the people; viṣādaṃ ca — and the dejection, despair; prakṛtīnāṃ — of the subjects; visarjanam — the dismissal, sending-away; niṣādādhipasaṃvādaṃ — the conversation with the Niṣāda chief; sūtopāvartanaṃ — the turning-back of the charioteer; tathā — likewise
1.3.8
gaṅgāyāś cābhisaṃtāraṃ bharadvājasya darśanam
bharadvājābhyanujñānāc citrakūṭasya darśanam
the crossing of the Gaṅgā; the visit to Bharadvāja; and, by Bharadvāja’s leave, the sighting of Citrakūṭa;
Words: gaṅgāyāś — of the Gaṅgā; cābhisaṃtāraṃ — and the crossing over; bharadvājasya — of Bharadvāja; darśanam — the seeing, visit; bharadvājābhyanujñānāc — by the leave of Bharadvāja; citrakūṭasya — of Citrakūṭa; darśanam — the sighting
1.3.9
vāstukarmaniveśaṃ ca bharatāgamanaṃ tathā
prasādanaṃ ca rāmasya pituś ca salilakriyām
the building and setting-up of a dwelling, and likewise the coming of Bharata; the conciliating of Rāma, and the water-rite for his father;
Words: vāstukarmaniveśaṃ — the construction and settling of a dwelling; ca — and; bharatāgamanaṃ — the coming of Bharata; tathā — likewise; prasādanaṃ ca — and the conciliating, propitiation; rāmasya — of Rāma; pituś ca — and of his father; salilakriyām — the water-rite (funerary offering)
1.3.10
pādukāgryābhiṣekaṃ ca nandigrāma nivāsanam
daṇḍakāraṇyagamanaṃ sutīkṣṇena samāgamam
the consecration of the sandals as sovereign, and the dwelling at Nandigrāma; the going to the Daṇḍaka forest, and the meeting with Sutīkṣṇa;
Words: pādukāgryābhiṣekaṃ — the consecration of the sandals as chief; ca — and; nandigrāmanivāsanam — the dwelling at Nandigrāma; daṇḍakāraṇyagamanaṃ — the going to the Daṇḍaka forest; sutīkṣṇena — with Sutīkṣṇa; samāgamam — the meeting
1.3.11
anasūyāsamasyāṃ ca aṅgarāgasya cārpaṇam
śūrpaṇakhyāś ca saṃvādaṃ virūpakaraṇaṃ tathā
the meeting with Anasūyā, and her bestowing of the cosmetic salve; the conversation with Śūrpaṇakhā, and likewise her disfigurement;
Words: anasūyāsamasyāṃ — the meeting with Anasūyā; ca — and; aṅgarāgasya — of the body-salve, cosmetic ointment; cārpaṇam — and the bestowing; śūrpaṇakhyāś ca — and of Śūrpaṇakhā; saṃvādaṃ — the conversation; virūpakaraṇaṃ — the disfiguring; tathā — likewise
1.3.12
vadhaṃ kharatriśirasor utthānaṃ rāvaṇasya ca
mārīcasya vadhaṃ caiva vaidehyā haraṇaṃ tathā
the slaying of Khara and Triśiras, and the rousing of Rāvaṇa; the slaying of Mārīca, and likewise the carrying-off of Vaidehī (Sītā);
Words: vadhaṃ — the slaying; kharatriśirasor — of Khara and Triśiras; utthānaṃ — the rising-up, rousing; rāvaṇasya ca — and of Rāvaṇa; mārīcasya — of Mārīca; vadhaṃ caiva — and the slaying; vaidehyā — of Vaidehī (Sītā); haraṇaṃ — the carrying-off, abduction; tathā — likewise
1.3.13
rāghavasya vilāpaṃ ca gṛdhrarājanibarhaṇam
kabandhadarśanaṃ caiva pampāyāś cāpi darśanam
the lament of Rāghava; the slaying of the vulture-king (Jaṭāyus); the sight of Kabandha, and also the sight of Lake Pampā;
Words: rāghavasya — of Rāghava; vilāpaṃ ca — and the lament; gṛdhrarājanibarhaṇam — the slaying of the vulture-king; kabandhadarśanaṃ — the sight of Kabandha; caiva — and; pampāyāś cāpi — and also of Pampā; darśanam — the sight
1.3.14
śarbaryā darśanaṃ caiva hanūmaddarśanaṃ tathā
vilāpaṃ caiva pampāyāṃ rāghavasya mahātmanaḥ
the meeting with Śabarī, and likewise the meeting with Hanumān; and the lament of the great-souled Rāghava at Pampā;
Words: śabaryā — of Śabarī; darśanaṃ caiva — and the meeting; hanūmaddarśanaṃ — the meeting with Hanumān; tathā — likewise; vilāpaṃ caiva — and the lament; pampāyāṃ — at Pampā; rāghavasya — of Rāghava; mahātmanaḥ — the great-souled
1.3.15
ṛṣyamūkasya gamanaṃ sugrīveṇa samāgamam
pratyayotpādanaṃ sakhyaṃ vālisugrīvavigraham
the going to Mount Ṛṣyamūka; the meeting with Sugrīva; the inspiring of confidence; the alliance; the combat of Vālin and Sugrīva;
Words: ṛṣyamūkasya — of (Mount) Ṛṣyamūka; gamanaṃ — the going; sugrīveṇa — with Sugrīva; samāgamam — the meeting; pratyayotpādanaṃ — the generating of confidence; sakhyaṃ — the friendship, alliance; vālisugrīvavigraham — the combat of Vālin and Sugrīva
1.3.16
vālipramathanaṃ caiva sugrīvapratipādanam
tārāvilāpasamayaṃ varṣarātrinivāsanam
the destruction of Vālin, and the establishing of Sugrīva; the occasion of Tārā’s lament; the dwelling through the rainy nights;
Words: vālipramathanaṃ — the crushing of Vālin; caiva — and; sugrīvapratipādanam — the installing of Sugrīva; tārāvilāpasamayaṃ — the occasion of Tārā’s lament; varṣarātrinivāsanam — the dwelling during the rainy nights
1.3.17
kopaṃ rāghavasiṃhasya balānām upasaṃgraham
diśaḥ prasthāpanaṃ caiva pṛthivyāś ca nivedanam
the anger of the lion-like Rāghava; the mustering of the troops; the despatching (of the monkeys) to the quarters, and the description of the earth;
Words: kopaṃ — the anger; rāghavasiṃhasya — of the lion among the Rāghavas; balānām — of the forces, troops; upasaṃgraham — the mustering, gathering; diśaḥ — to the quarters, directions; prasthāpanaṃ caiva — and the despatching; pṛthivyāś ca — and of the earth; nivedanam — the describing, reporting
1.3.18
aṅgulīyakadānaṃ ca ṛkṣasya biladarśanam
prāyopaveśanaṃ caiva saṃpāteś cāpi darśanam
the giving of the signet-ring, and the sight of the cave of the bear (Svayamprabhā’s cavern); the sitting down to fast unto death, and also the meeting with Saṃpāti;
Words: aṅgulīyakadānaṃ — the giving of the signet-ring; ca — and; ṛkṣasya — of the bear (or: of the cave); biladarśanam — the sight of the cavern; prāyopaveśanaṃ caiva — and the sitting to fast unto death; saṃpāteś cāpi — and also of Saṃpāti; darśanam — the meeting
1.3.19
parvatārohaṇaṃ caiva sāgarasya ca laṅghanam
rātrau laṅkāpraveśaṃ ca ekasyāpi vicintanam
the ascent of the mountain, and the leaping across the ocean; the entry into Laṅkā by night, and the pondering (of Hanumān) all alone;
Words: parvatārohaṇaṃ — the ascent of the mountain; caiva — and; sāgarasya ca — and of the ocean; laṅghanam — the leaping-over, crossing; rātrau — by night; laṅkāpraveśaṃ ca — and the entry into Laṅkā; ekasyāpi — of (him) even alone; vicintanam — the pondering, reflection
1.3.20
āpānabhūmigamanam avarodhasya darśanam
aśokavanikāyānaṃ sītāyāś cāpi darśanam
the going to the drinking-hall; the sight of the harem; the going to the aśoka grove, and also the sight of Sītā;
Words: āpānabhūmigamanam — the going to the drinking-hall; avarodhasya — of the harem, women’s quarters; darśanam — the sight; aśokavanikāyānaṃ — the going to the aśoka grove; sītāyāś cāpi — and also of Sītā; darśanam — the sight
1.3.21
abhijñānapradānaṃ ca sītāyāś cāpi bhāṣaṇam
rākṣasītarjanaṃ caiva trijaṭāsvapnadarśanam
the giving of the token of recognition, and also Sītā’s speech; the threatening by the rākṣasa-women, and Trijaṭā’s dream-vision;
Words: abhijñānapradānaṃ — the giving of the token of recognition; ca — and; sītāyāś cāpi — and also of Sītā; bhāṣaṇam — the speaking, speech; rākṣasītarjanaṃ — the threatening by the demonesses; caiva — and; trijaṭāsvapnadarśanam — the dream-vision of Trijaṭā
1.3.22
maṇipradānaṃ sītāyā vṛkṣabhaṅgaṃ tathaiva ca
rākṣasīvidravaṃ caiva kiṃkarāṇāṃ nibarhaṇam
the giving of the jewel by Sītā; likewise the breaking of the trees; the fleeing of the rākṣasīs, and the slaying of the servant-demons;
Words: maṇipradānaṃ — the giving of the jewel; sītāyā — by Sītā; vṛkṣabhaṅgaṃ — the breaking of the trees; tathaiva ca — and likewise; rākṣasīvidravaṃ — the fleeing of the demonesses; caiva — and; kiṃkarāṇāṃ — of the servant-demons; nibarhaṇam — the slaying, destruction
1.3.23
grahaṇaṃ vāyusūnoś ca laṅkādāhābhigarjanam
pratiplavanam evātha madhūnāṃ haraṇaṃ tathā
the capture of the Wind-god’s son (Hanumān); the burning of Laṅkā and his roaring defiance; then the leaping back, and likewise the plundering of the honey (in the honey-grove);
Words: grahaṇaṃ — the capture, seizing; vāyusūnoś ca — and of the Wind-god’s son (Hanumān); laṅkādāhābhigarjanam — the burning of Laṅkā and the roaring; pratiplavanam — the leaping back across; evātha — then indeed; madhūnāṃ — of the honey / honey-stores; haraṇaṃ — the taking, plundering; tathā — likewise
1.3.24
rāghavāśvāsanaṃ caiva maṇiniryātanaṃ tathā
saṃgamaṃ ca samudrasya nalasetoś ca bandhanam
the reassuring of Rāghava, and likewise the handing-over of the jewel; the meeting with the Ocean, and the building of Nala’s bridge;
Words: rāghavāśvāsanaṃ — the reassuring of Rāghava; caiva — and; maṇiniryātanaṃ — the handing-over of the jewel; tathā — likewise; saṃgamaṃ ca — and the meeting; samudrasya — with the Ocean; nalasetoś ca — and of Nala’s bridge; bandhanam — the binding, building
1.3.25
pratāraṃ ca samudrasya rātrau laṅkāvarodhanam
vibhīṣaṇena saṃsargaṃ vadhopāyanivedanam
the crossing of the ocean; the besieging of Laṅkā by night; the alliance with Vibhīṣaṇa; the disclosure of the means of slaying (Rāvaṇa);
Words: pratāraṃ ca — and the crossing over; samudrasya — of the ocean; rātrau — by night; laṅkāvarodhanam — the besieging of Laṅkā; vibhīṣaṇena — with Vibhīṣaṇa; saṃsargaṃ — the alliance, union; vadhopāyanivedanam — the disclosure of the means of killing
1.3.26
kumbhakarṇasya nidhanaṃ meghanādanibarhaṇam
rāvaṇasya vināśaṃ ca sītāvāptim areḥ pure
the death of Kumbhakarṇa; the slaying of Meghanāda (Indrajit); the destruction of Rāvaṇa; and the recovery of Sītā in the enemy’s city;
Words: kumbhakarṇasya — of Kumbhakarṇa; nidhanaṃ — the death, destruction; meghanādanibarhaṇam — the slaying of Meghanāda; rāvaṇasya — of Rāvaṇa; vināśaṃ ca — and the destruction; sītāvāptim — the recovery of Sītā; areḥ — of the enemy; pure — in the city
1.3.27
bibhīṣaṇābhiṣekaṃ ca puṣpakasya ca darśanam
ayodhyāyāś ca gamanaṃ bharatena samāgamam
the consecration of Vibhīṣaṇa, and the sight of the Puṣpaka chariot; the journey to Ayodhyā, and the reunion with Bharata;
Words: bibhīṣaṇābhiṣekaṃ — the consecration of Vibhīṣaṇa; ca — and; puṣpakasya ca — and of the Puṣpaka (aerial car); darśanam — the sight; ayodhyāyāś ca — and to Ayodhyā; gamanaṃ — the going, journey; bharatena — with Bharata; samāgamam — the reunion, meeting
1.3.28
rāmābhiṣekābhyudayaṃ sarvasainyavisarjanam
svarāṣṭrarañjanaṃ caiva vaidehyāś ca visarjanam
the festal consecration of Rāma; the disbanding of all the armies; the delighting of his own realm; and (later) the banishment of Vaidehī (Sītā);
Words: rāmābhiṣekābhyudayaṃ — the festive consecration of Rāma; sarvasainyavisarjanam — the dismissal of all the armies; svarāṣṭrarañjanaṃ — the delighting of his own realm; caiva — and; vaidehyāś ca — and of Vaidehī (Sītā); visarjanam — the banishment, sending-away
1.3.29
anāgataṃ ca yat kiṃ cid rāmasya vasudhātale
tac cakārottare kāvye vālmīkir bhagavān ṛṣiḥ
And whatever was yet to come for Rāma upon the earth, all that the venerable seer Vālmīki set forth in the later book (the Uttarakāṇḍa).
Words: anāgataṃ ca — and what was yet to come; yat kiṃ cid — whatever; rāmasya — of/for Rāma; vasudhātale — upon the earth; tac cakārottare — that he set forth in the later; kāvye — in the poem, book; vālmīkir — Vālmīki; bhagavān — the venerable; ṛṣiḥ — the seer
← 1.2 Grief becomes the first śloka · Bāla Kāṇḍa · 1.4 Kuśa & Lava perform the poem →
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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