Though the scholars in the country have tried to trace the genesis of the Ramayana from the Vedic and post-Vedic literature, with the fragments of the story of Rama found scattered in these texts, but the most important job in the composition of the story of Rama was done by the sage Valmiki, who happened to be the foremost of the Indian Sanskrit poets. He composed the work on the basis of the brief of Rama’s story provided to him by the sage Narada, as well as the figments of the story collected by him with the extensive travelling of the country which immensely added to its popularity with the masses. After the sage Valmiki, several subsequent poets brought out Ramayana texts in Sanskrit as well as in the regional languages. The work composed by Madhava Kandali in Assamese language happens to be one of the earliest works of medieval period, having been composed in the fourteenth CCflttll3’ Al). The Ramayana of K4ttivasa was composed in the fifteenth century, while the Ramacaritamanasa by Tulasidasa in the sixteenth century AD. The work of Madhava Kandali was composed on the basis of the Valmiki Ramayana, though some variations are noticed here and there. The present work is an English translation of the Madhava Kandali Ramayana in Assamese.
Shanti Lal Nagar served in a curatorial capacity in the Central Asian Antiquities Museum, New Delhi and Archaeological section of Indian Museum, Calcutta. He has to his credit the scientific documentation of over fifty thousand antiquities. He was awarded a fellowship in 1987 by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi for his monograph, The Temples of Himachal Pradesh. He has authored several works.
“Those who understand really that “I am myself” and also speak it out, they cannot be called the worldly people. Indeed they possess the form of Rama. There is no doubt about it. This is Upanisad. The one who knows about it, he achieves salvation. Thus spoke the sage Yajnavalkya.”
—Si Ramottaratapini Upanisad; Ramarahasyopanisad
HE story of Rama has been popular with the masses in the country from the time immemorial, the fragments of which have been traced by Nilakantha, the great Sanskrit scholar of his time from the Rgvedic texts.
The collection by him of Vedic hymns which are 157 in number points to the important events in the Ramayana, composed by the sage Valmiki at a considerably later stage of the Indian history. As to the Vedic origin of the Rñrnàya2a it may be pointed out that though the entire story of Rama could not be made out from the Vedic texts, duly supported by the conclusive evidence, but evidently the story of Rama was quite popular in fragments in the country, the germination of which could be available in the Vedic texts. In this connection, it may be pointed out that the correlation between the story of Rama and the Vedic literature cannot be completely ruled out be- cause according to the Valmiki Ramayana it was the great seer Narada who inspired the sage Valmiki to compose Ramayana on the basis of the brief of the story he conveyed to the sage. Now the sage Narada happened to be the son of Brahma, the custodian of the Vedas. It could, therefore, be inferred that Brahma, who was the reciter of the Vedas must have conveyed the brief of the story of Rama to Narada, in the full background of the Vedic hymns, which in turn was conveyed by Narada to Valmiki, who composed the Ramayana in the background of the brief of the story provided to him by Narada incorporating several fragments of the story in vogue in the contemporary society. But the number of such fragments was so large and widespread, that the sage Valmiki could take care of only a limited number of them and many fragments of the said story were still left out and some of them were patronised by the poets of the subsequent times, while composing their respective works. In this connection it may be kept in view that Nilakantha has tried to trace most of the characters and events of the Ramayana in the Rgveda.
1. The Seers
First of all we consider the case of the seers, who frequently not only appear in the Ramayana but also play important roles in the development of the story. The seers commonly available in the Ramayana and Rgveda are listed hereunder:
Seers – Brief Vedic references
1. Agastya – Rgveda, VII.33-10
2. Atri – Ibid., fifth Mandala
3. Bharadvaja – Ibid., VI.13.3
4. Bhargava – Aitareya Brahmana, VII.21, Kausitaki Brahmana, XIII.4
5. Gautama – Satapatha Brahmana, IV.1.5.1
6. Narada – Atharvaveda, V.19.9
7. Rsyasrnga – Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana, III.48.1
8. Vasistha – Rgveda, seventh Mandala
9. Visvamitra – Ibid., III.35.5
10. Vibhandaka Kasyapa – Vimsa Brahmana
11. Ahalya – Satapatha Brahmana, III.B.4.18
Besides the countries like Kaikeya and Kosala are also found mentioned in the Vedic and post-Vedic literature.
2. Royal personalities
Some of the kings of the Ramayana are found mentioned in the Vedic texts, though it would not be that easy to fully re cognize them as the personages of the epic:
Name – Vedic texts
1. Rama – Rgveda, 1.93.14
2. Dasaratha – Ibid., I.126,4
3. Iksvaku – Ibid.
4. Janaka – Taittiriya Brahmana, 3.10.9, of Krsna Yajurveda; Satapatha Brahmana, XI.3.1-2
5. Laksmana – Atharvaveda, IV.141.2
6. Raghu – Rgveda, V.45.9
7. Bharata – Ibid., III.9.22, 24,33
8. Sita – Ibid., IV. 57.6-7
9. Hanuman – Ibid., X.79.1
10. Satru – Ibid., I.33.13
3. The Demons
1. Kabandha – Rgveda, V.85.3
2. Ravana – Though his name as such is not to be found in the Vedic literature but several events connected with him have been brought out by Nilakantha in Mantra Ramayana.
Though it has not been possible to trace the names of the demons like Ravana, Meghanada and Kumbhakarana in the Vedic literature in the true sense of the term, but Nilakantha has tried to interpret some of the Vedic hymns which indirectly mention about them. A few such events are quoted here:
1. The hymn VI11.33—1 6 of the Rgveda has been interpreted by Nilakanthha to project the scene where Surpanakha is desirous of possessing Laksmana, and Rama tells her that Laksmana neither moved according
to the command of his brother nor her, and they were all under his command.
2. The hymn X.14.2 of the I5gveda has been interpreted to mean that the
gods offer prayer to Rama after the killing of the demon Khara.
3. The hymn X.80.7 of the Rgveda, has been interpreted to project the
prayer of the sages after the killing of Marica, the illusory deer by Rama.
4. The hymn X.34.12, of the Rgveda has been interpreted to mean that
Sita issues a warning to Ravana (who had approached her for forcibly
taking her away) that she would destroy the demon race.
5. The hymn X.34.12 of the Rgveda is interpreted to project the creation
of illusory Sita, by the god Agni known as shadow Sita, taking the real
Sita into his fold. The same hymn is believed to project the abduction of
Sita by Ravana.
6. The hymn X.55.5 of the Rgveda projects, according to Nilakai3tl a, the
scene in which Jatayu tries to create obstruction for Ravana while forcibly carrying Sita and killing of Jatayu at the hands of Ravana.
7. The hymn X.55.7 of the Rgveda is interpreted by Nilakantha to project
that the gods like Indra and others were ordained to be born on earth
in the form of animals for helping Rama.
8. The killing of the demon Kabandha by Rama has been visualised by
Nilakantha in hymn V.85.3 of the Rgveda. The demon Kabandha is clearly
mentioned there.
9. The friendship between Rama and Sugriva is believed to have been projected in the Vajasaneyisamhita (111.50) by Nilakantha.
Preface | ix | |
1- Adikanda | 1 | |
1. Prayer | 1 | |
2. Reciting of Ramayana by Narada to Valmiki | 2 | |
3. Details about the demons | 10 | |
4. Description of Solar dynasty | 12 | |
5. Dasaratha marries Kausalya | 14 | |
6. Marriage of Kaikeyi with Dasaratha | 15 | |
7. Dasaratha with Sumitra and other seven hundred queens | 18 | |
8. Saturn’s evil eye over Ayodhya and friendship of Dasaratha with Jatayu | 21 | |
9. Dasaratha received a boon from Saturn | 24 | |
10. Killing of the sage Sindhu, unintentionally with the arrow of Dasaratha; sage Andhaka pronounces a curse on Dasaratha | 26 | |
11. Dasaratha’s visit to heaven and killing of the demon | 29 | |
12. Dasaratha promises Kaikeyi to grant two boons | 31 | |
13. Dasaratha’s anxiety for not begetting a son and the advice of Vasistha | 33 | |
14. The story of Rsyasrnga | 34 | |
15. Dasaratha’s visit to the king Lomapada; arrival of Rsyasrnga and performance of the yajna of Dasaratha by the sage | 38 | |
16. Details of the birth of Narayana in four amass in the house of Dasaratha | 41 | |
17. Consumption of payasa by Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra and the birth of Rama, Laksmana and others | 48 | |
18. Birth of Laksmi in the house of Jnaka as Sita | 55 | |
19. The story of Guha Candala | 56 | |
20. Arrival of Visvamitra to get Rama and Laksmana for the killing of Marica and Subahu | 60 | |
21. Refusal of Dasaratha to part company of Rama and Laksmana; rage of Visvamitra and the sage ultimately returns accompanied with Rama and Laksmana | 62 | |
22. Killing of the demoness Tadaka | 65 | |
23. Killing of Marica and Subahu | 67 | |
24. Rama and Laksmana accompany Visvamitra to the svayamvara of Sita | 69 | |
25. The story of Kanyakubja | 76 | |
26. The story of the birth of forty-nine Pavanas | 77 | |
27. Redemption of Ahalya | 78 | |
28. Breaking of Siva’s bow by Rama | 85 | |
29. Battle between the kings and Rama, Laksmana | 90 | |
30. Satananda is sent to Ayodhya to bring Dasaratha | 96 | |
31. Marriage of four brothers including Rama and Laksmana | 96 | |
32. Meeting of Rama with Parasurama on the way and defeat of Parasurama | 102 | |
2 – Ayodhyakanda | 110 | |
1. Return of Rama and others to Ayodhya; Bharata and Satrughna proceed to their maternal uncle’s abode | 110 | |
2. The king Dasaratha approached by the people for declaring Rama as the crown prince | 112 | |
3. Arrangement for the crowning of Rama as the king | 112 | |
4. Manthara tenders ill-advice to Kaikeyi | 115 | |
5. Kaikeyi asks for two boons from Dasaratha at the advice of Manthara | 117 | |
6. Rama assures Dasaratha, knowing the cause of his agony | 123 | |
7. Kaikeyi narrates the story of the boons and advices Rama to go to the forest | 124 | |
8. News of the getting of boons by Kaikeyi conveyed to Kausalya | 125 | |
9. Anger of Laksmana; Rama consoles Kausalya | 127 | |
10. The news of going to forest carried by Rama to Sita | 132 | |
11. Request of Sita to accompany Rama | 134 | |
12. Laksmana too gets permission to go to the forest | 136 | |
13. Rama seeks permission to leave from Dasaratha; agony of Dasaratha | 138 | |
14. Rama’s wearing of bark clothes and his consoling others | 140 | |
15. Rama proceeds to the forest | 143 | |
16. Rama consoles the people | 145 | |
17. Rama meets the king Guha | 147 | |
18. Departure of Sumantra | 149 | |
19. Rama’s entry in the forest and visit to the hermitage of Bharadvaja | 150 | |
20. Death of King Dasaratha | 156 | |
21. The queens lament at the death of Dasaratha | 159 | |
22. Kausalya humiliates Kaikeyi; consultations for the safety of the kingdom | 160 | |
23. Deputing of a messenger to bring Bharata | 161 | |
24. Kaikeyi explains the entire situation; Bharata is filled with anger | 163 | |
25. Satrughna punishes Manthara | 166 | |
26. Conversation between Bharata and Kausalya | 167 | |
27. Arrival of Vasistha and others and arranging for the cremation of Dasaratha | 168 | |
28. Bharata’s effort to get back Rama | 170 | |
29. Bharata proceeds to get back Rama; becoming doubtful Guha tries to stop him | 173 | |
30. Guha meets Bharata; learning about the news of Rama, Bharata laments under the ingudi tree | 174 | |
31. Crossing of the Ganga by Bharata and others | 177 | |
32. Conversation between Bharadvaja and Bharata; entertainment of all by Bharadvaja | 179 | |
33. Rama’s abode in Citrakuta; hearing of the noise of the marching of Bharata’s army | 180 | |
34. Meeting between Bharata and Rama | 182 | |
35. Grief of Rama at the death of his father | 183 | |
36. Tarpana performed by Rama for the sake of his father | 184 | |
37. Rama meets his mothers and sages; conversation with them | 84 | |
38. Description of dharma by Rama; return of Bharata with Rama’s sandals | 186 | |
39. Consecration of Rama’s sandals over the lion-throne at Nandigrama | 188 | |
3 – Aranyakanda | 190 | |
1. Bharata’s stay at Nandigrama; Rama’s visit to the abode of sage Atri; discussion between Sita and sage’s wife | 190 | |
2. Rama entered Dandaka forest, welcomed by ascetics and killing of Viradha | 193 | |
3. Rama’s assurance to Sita; meeting with the sage Sarabhanga; conversation with the sage Sutiksna | 197 | |
4. The sage Dharmabhrtya narrates the story of Mandakini; Rama again meets the sage Sutiksna | 199 | |
5. The story of Vatapi and Ilvala and entry into the hermitage of Agastya | 199 | |
6. Rama’s meeting with Jatayu on way to Pancavati and severing of the nose and ears of Surpanakha | 201 | |
7. Battle with fourteen demons and their end | 206 | |
8. Killing of Khara and Dusana; Ravana’s visit to Marica | 207 | |
9. Ravana’s discussion with Marica | 217 | |
10. Marica’s speaking harsh words to Ravana, Marica’s taking to the form of Mayamrga, Ravana approaches Sita in the form of a hermit | 219 | |
11. Introduction by Ravana and pronouncing of harsh words on him by Sita | 225 | |
12. The pride of Ravana | 227 | |
13. Abduction of Sita by Ravana and fight with Jatayu | 228 | |
14. Deputing of warriors for the killing of Rama; talk between Ravana and Sita | 232 | |
15. Curse pronounced by Sita | 234 | |
16. Use of harsh words again by Sita; Indra’s visit Sita under advice from Brahma, offering her the payasa; Rama’s grief in the absence of Sita | 234 | |
17. Rama’s anger and Laksmana consoled him | 237 | |
18. Laksmana consoles Rama; search for Sita; meeting with Jatayu and his cremation | 238 | |
19. Rama and Laksmana meet Kabandha and advice of Kabandha | 240 | |
20. Rama and Laksmana reach the river Pampa | 241 | |
4 – Kiskindhakanda | 243 | |
1. Meeting between Rama and Sugriva | 243 | |
2. Rama’s grief at the sight of Sita’s ornaments | 245 | |
3. Battle between Bali and Dundubhi | 246 | |
4. Battle between Mayavanta and Bali | 248 | |
5. Battle between Bali and Sugriva | 251 | |
6. Killing of Bali by Rama | 256 | |
7. Bali denounces Rama | 259 | |
8. Tara laments at the death of Bali | 262 | |
9. The curse of Tara | 263 | |
10. Crowning of Sugriva | 267 | |
11. Rama gets annoyed with Sugriva | 268 | |
12. Collecting of the monkey army at the command of Sugriva | 272 | |
13. Arrival of Sugriva at Rama’s place with the monkey force | 273 | |
14. Angada kills a demon | 277 | |
15. Monkey army enters the abode of Svayamprabha | 278 | |
16. Monkey army reaches the seashore and meeting with sampati | 280 | |
17. Sampati’s grief at the death of his brother | 284 | |
18. Suparsava describes the sight of Sita | 285 | |
Index | 288 |
5 – Sundarakanda | 1 | |
1. Prayer | 1 | |
2. Angada’s consultations with other monkeys on the southern seashore | 1 | |
3. Story relating to the birth of Hanuman | 3 | |
4. Travel of Hanuman to Lanka and meeting with the demonesses Surasa and Asarika; Asarika captures Hanuman’s shadow | 4 | |
5. Hanuman views Lanka | 7 | |
6. Hanuman’s entry in Lanka and description of Lanka | 8 | |
7. Disappointment of Hanuman and the sighting of Sita | 12 | |
8. Ravana tries to change the mind of Sita and the demonesses terrorise Sita | 16 | |
9. Conversation between Sita and Hanuman | 21 | |
10. Destruction of Madhubana of Ravana by Hanuman | 26 | |
11. The demon army attacks Hanuman | 28 | |
12. Killing of Jambumali by Hanuman | 30 | |
13. Battle of Hanuman with Yupaksa and Virupaksa | 31 | |
14. Killing of Aksaya Kumara | 32 | |
15. Battle between Hanuman and Indrajit; Hanuman captured by Indrajit | 34 | |
16. Setting ablaze the tail of Hanuman and burning of Lanka | 38 | |
17. Rejoicing of monkeys on the return of Hanuman | 42 | |
18. The monkeys consume the sweet fruits; battle with Dadhimukha | 47 | |
19. Angada and others approach Rama; Hanuman conveys the news about Sita | 49 | |
20. The monkey army proceeds to Lanka with Rama | 51 | |
21. Beneficial advice of Vibhisana to Ravana | 53 | |
22. Ill-advice of Prahasta to Ravana | 55 | |
23. Having been kicked by Ravana, Vibhisana goes to Rama | 57 | |
6 – Lankakanda | 64 | |
1. Prayer | 64 | |
2. Ravana deputes Suka and Sarana in order to spy over the army of Sri Rama; their return and narration of the account of the army of Rama | 64 | |
3. Ravana displays the illusory head of Rama before Sita; Sarama consoles Sita | 69 | |
4. Malyavan’s advice to Ravana and selection of the army commanders of both the sides | 73 | |
5. Sri Rama and others have a look of Lanka; deputing of Angada as a messenger to Ravana | 76 | |
6. Start of the war; Laksmana bound by nagapasa by Indrajit in the battlefield | 79 | |
7. Rama and Laksmana freed from the fetters of nagapasa | 90 | |
8. The killing of Dhumraksa | 91 | |
9. Killing of Vajradamstra and Akampana | 94 | |
10. Killing of the four ministers of Prahasta | 96 | |
11. Killing of Prahasta, Prajangha, Suprataghna, and Bakasura | 98 | |
12. Ravana proceeds for the battle | 99 | |
13. Defeat of Ravana at the hands of Rama and Laksmana | 101 | |
14. Disturbing the sleep of Kumbhakarna and his march for the battlefield | 108 | |
15. Kumbhakarna’s battle and his return to Lanka carrying Sugriva | 111 | |
16. Fall of Kumbhakarna in battle with Rama and Laksmana | 117 | |
17. Killing of Atikaya and other demons | 121 | |
18. Encounter with Indrajit and Laksmana’s swoon | 127 | |
19. Hanuman brings the medicine and relieves the army of the swoon | 129 | |
20. Fresh attack of monkey army | 131 | |
21. Killing of Kumbha, Nikumbha, and Makaraksa | 133 | |
22. Indrajit’s third march to the battlefield and killing of the illusory Sita | 137 | |
23. Vibhisana consoles Rama and his proceeding to the place of Nikumbhila Yajnasala | 141 | |
24. Killing of Indrajit | 144 | |
25. Ravana’s anger who tries to kill Sita | 152 | |
26. Ravana proceeds towards the battlefield | 154 | |
27. Shooting of Sakti at Laksmana | 161 | |
28. Hanuman proceeds for getting medi cine | 166 | |
29. Apsara Gandhakali achieves salvation | 167 | |
30. Killing of Kalanemi and three crores of gandharvas; bringing of Gandhamadana; Laksmana regains life | 168 | |
31. Hanuman restores Gandhamadana | 172 | |
32. Battle between Rama and Ravana and the end of Ravana | 174 | |
33. Crowing of Vibhisana as the king; Sita reaches before Rama | 186 | |
34. Fire-ordeal of Sita | 188 | |
35. Sri Rama’s journey to Ayodhya | 194 | |
36. Sri Rama’s entry in Ayodhya; arrangements for coronation | 196 | |
37. Coronation of Rama | 203 | |
38. Return of Hanuman and others to their respective countries; Rule of Rama | 204 | |
7 – Uttarakanda | 208 | |
1. The welfare song | 208 | |
2. Sita’s exile | 208 | |
3. Valmiki takes Sita to his abode and birth of Lava and Kusa | 210 | |
4. Performing of the As vamedha sacrifice by Rama | 211 | |
5. Arrival of Lava and Kusa in Ayodhya | 214 | |
6. Lava and Kusa sing the poetry of the Ramayana in the court of Rama | 216 | |
7. Story of the birth of Hanuman | 224 | |
8. Introduction of Lava and Kusa | 227 | |
9. Hanuman and others deputed to bring back Sita | 229 | |
10. Sita brought in the court of Rama and declaration of Valmiki | 233 | |
11. Sita’s anger and entry into nether world | 235 | |
12. Rama gets annoyed with Earth and consoling of Brahma to Rama | 239 | |
13. Story of Sita as told by the divine voice from the patala | 241 | |
14. Bharata’s victory after defeating many kings | 243 | |
15. Kala meets Rama in disguise | 248 | |
16. Disowning of Laksmana | 249 | |
17. Rama’s grief at disowning of Laksmana | 255 | |
18. Crowing of Lava and Kusa; search for Laksmana | 256 | |
19. Cremation of Laksmana and performing of his last rites | 260 | |
20. Rama’s departure to heaven | 261 | |
Index | 268 |
Though the scholars in the country have tried to trace the genesis of the Ramayana from the Vedic and post-Vedic literature, with the fragments of the story of Rama found scattered in these texts, but the most important job in the composition of the story of Rama was done by the sage Valmiki, who happened to be the foremost of the Indian Sanskrit poets. He composed the work on the basis of the brief of Rama’s story provided to him by the sage Narada, as well as the figments of the story collected by him with the extensive travelling of the country which immensely added to its popularity with the masses. After the sage Valmiki, several subsequent poets brought out Ramayana texts in Sanskrit as well as in the regional languages. The work composed by Madhava Kandali in Assamese language happens to be one of the earliest works of medieval period, having been composed in the fourteenth CCflttll3’ Al). The Ramayana of K4ttivasa was composed in the fifteenth century, while the Ramacaritamanasa by Tulasidasa in the sixteenth century AD. The work of Madhava Kandali was composed on the basis of the Valmiki Ramayana, though some variations are noticed here and there. The present work is an English translation of the Madhava Kandali Ramayana in Assamese.
Shanti Lal Nagar served in a curatorial capacity in the Central Asian Antiquities Museum, New Delhi and Archaeological section of Indian Museum, Calcutta. He has to his credit the scientific documentation of over fifty thousand antiquities. He was awarded a fellowship in 1987 by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi for his monograph, The Temples of Himachal Pradesh. He has authored several works.
“Those who understand really that “I am myself” and also speak it out, they cannot be called the worldly people. Indeed they possess the form of Rama. There is no doubt about it. This is Upanisad. The one who knows about it, he achieves salvation. Thus spoke the sage Yajnavalkya.”
—Si Ramottaratapini Upanisad; Ramarahasyopanisad
HE story of Rama has been popular with the masses in the country from the time immemorial, the fragments of which have been traced by Nilakantha, the great Sanskrit scholar of his time from the Rgvedic texts.
The collection by him of Vedic hymns which are 157 in number points to the important events in the Ramayana, composed by the sage Valmiki at a considerably later stage of the Indian history. As to the Vedic origin of the Rñrnàya2a it may be pointed out that though the entire story of Rama could not be made out from the Vedic texts, duly supported by the conclusive evidence, but evidently the story of Rama was quite popular in fragments in the country, the germination of which could be available in the Vedic texts. In this connection, it may be pointed out that the correlation between the story of Rama and the Vedic literature cannot be completely ruled out be- cause according to the Valmiki Ramayana it was the great seer Narada who inspired the sage Valmiki to compose Ramayana on the basis of the brief of the story he conveyed to the sage. Now the sage Narada happened to be the son of Brahma, the custodian of the Vedas. It could, therefore, be inferred that Brahma, who was the reciter of the Vedas must have conveyed the brief of the story of Rama to Narada, in the full background of the Vedic hymns, which in turn was conveyed by Narada to Valmiki, who composed the Ramayana in the background of the brief of the story provided to him by Narada incorporating several fragments of the story in vogue in the contemporary society. But the number of such fragments was so large and widespread, that the sage Valmiki could take care of only a limited number of them and many fragments of the said story were still left out and some of them were patronised by the poets of the subsequent times, while composing their respective works. In this connection it may be kept in view that Nilakantha has tried to trace most of the characters and events of the Ramayana in the Rgveda.
1. The Seers
First of all we consider the case of the seers, who frequently not only appear in the Ramayana but also play important roles in the development of the story. The seers commonly available in the Ramayana and Rgveda are listed hereunder:
Seers – Brief Vedic references
1. Agastya – Rgveda, VII.33-10
2. Atri – Ibid., fifth Mandala
3. Bharadvaja – Ibid., VI.13.3
4. Bhargava – Aitareya Brahmana, VII.21, Kausitaki Brahmana, XIII.4
5. Gautama – Satapatha Brahmana, IV.1.5.1
6. Narada – Atharvaveda, V.19.9
7. Rsyasrnga – Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana, III.48.1
8. Vasistha – Rgveda, seventh Mandala
9. Visvamitra – Ibid., III.35.5
10. Vibhandaka Kasyapa – Vimsa Brahmana
11. Ahalya – Satapatha Brahmana, III.B.4.18
Besides the countries like Kaikeya and Kosala are also found mentioned in the Vedic and post-Vedic literature.
2. Royal personalities
Some of the kings of the Ramayana are found mentioned in the Vedic texts, though it would not be that easy to fully re cognize them as the personages of the epic:
Name – Vedic texts
1. Rama – Rgveda, 1.93.14
2. Dasaratha – Ibid., I.126,4
3. Iksvaku – Ibid.
4. Janaka – Taittiriya Brahmana, 3.10.9, of Krsna Yajurveda; Satapatha Brahmana, XI.3.1-2
5. Laksmana – Atharvaveda, IV.141.2
6. Raghu – Rgveda, V.45.9
7. Bharata – Ibid., III.9.22, 24,33
8. Sita – Ibid., IV. 57.6-7
9. Hanuman – Ibid., X.79.1
10. Satru – Ibid., I.33.13
3. The Demons
1. Kabandha – Rgveda, V.85.3
2. Ravana – Though his name as such is not to be found in the Vedic literature but several events connected with him have been brought out by Nilakantha in Mantra Ramayana.
Though it has not been possible to trace the names of the demons like Ravana, Meghanada and Kumbhakarana in the Vedic literature in the true sense of the term, but Nilakantha has tried to interpret some of the Vedic hymns which indirectly mention about them. A few such events are quoted here:
1. The hymn VI11.33—1 6 of the Rgveda has been interpreted by Nilakanthha to project the scene where Surpanakha is desirous of possessing Laksmana, and Rama tells her that Laksmana neither moved according
to the command of his brother nor her, and they were all under his command.
2. The hymn X.14.2 of the I5gveda has been interpreted to mean that the
gods offer prayer to Rama after the killing of the demon Khara.
3. The hymn X.80.7 of the Rgveda, has been interpreted to project the
prayer of the sages after the killing of Marica, the illusory deer by Rama.
4. The hymn X.34.12, of the Rgveda has been interpreted to mean that
Sita issues a warning to Ravana (who had approached her for forcibly
taking her away) that she would destroy the demon race.
5. The hymn X.34.12 of the Rgveda is interpreted to project the creation
of illusory Sita, by the god Agni known as shadow Sita, taking the real
Sita into his fold. The same hymn is believed to project the abduction of
Sita by Ravana.
6. The hymn X.55.5 of the Rgveda projects, according to Nilakai3tl a, the
scene in which Jatayu tries to create obstruction for Ravana while forcibly carrying Sita and killing of Jatayu at the hands of Ravana.
7. The hymn X.55.7 of the Rgveda is interpreted by Nilakantha to project
that the gods like Indra and others were ordained to be born on earth
in the form of animals for helping Rama.
8. The killing of the demon Kabandha by Rama has been visualised by
Nilakantha in hymn V.85.3 of the Rgveda. The demon Kabandha is clearly
mentioned there.
9. The friendship between Rama and Sugriva is believed to have been projected in the Vajasaneyisamhita (111.50) by Nilakantha.
Preface | ix | |
1- Adikanda | 1 | |
1. Prayer | 1 | |
2. Reciting of Ramayana by Narada to Valmiki | 2 | |
3. Details about the demons | 10 | |
4. Description of Solar dynasty | 12 | |
5. Dasaratha marries Kausalya | 14 | |
6. Marriage of Kaikeyi with Dasaratha | 15 | |
7. Dasaratha with Sumitra and other seven hundred queens | 18 | |
8. Saturn’s evil eye over Ayodhya and friendship of Dasaratha with Jatayu | 21 | |
9. Dasaratha received a boon from Saturn | 24 | |
10. Killing of the sage Sindhu, unintentionally with the arrow of Dasaratha; sage Andhaka pronounces a curse on Dasaratha | 26 | |
11. Dasaratha’s visit to heaven and killing of the demon | 29 | |
12. Dasaratha promises Kaikeyi to grant two boons | 31 | |
13. Dasaratha’s anxiety for not begetting a son and the advice of Vasistha | 33 | |
14. The story of Rsyasrnga | 34 | |
15. Dasaratha’s visit to the king Lomapada; arrival of Rsyasrnga and performance of the yajna of Dasaratha by the sage | 38 | |
16. Details of the birth of Narayana in four amass in the house of Dasaratha | 41 | |
17. Consumption of payasa by Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra and the birth of Rama, Laksmana and others | 48 | |
18. Birth of Laksmi in the house of Jnaka as Sita | 55 | |
19. The story of Guha Candala | 56 | |
20. Arrival of Visvamitra to get Rama and Laksmana for the killing of Marica and Subahu | 60 | |
21. Refusal of Dasaratha to part company of Rama and Laksmana; rage of Visvamitra and the sage ultimately returns accompanied with Rama and Laksmana | 62 | |
22. Killing of the demoness Tadaka | 65 | |
23. Killing of Marica and Subahu | 67 | |
24. Rama and Laksmana accompany Visvamitra to the svayamvara of Sita | 69 | |
25. The story of Kanyakubja | 76 | |
26. The story of the birth of forty-nine Pavanas | 77 | |
27. Redemption of Ahalya | 78 | |
28. Breaking of Siva’s bow by Rama | 85 | |
29. Battle between the kings and Rama, Laksmana | 90 | |
30. Satananda is sent to Ayodhya to bring Dasaratha | 96 | |
31. Marriage of four brothers including Rama and Laksmana | 96 | |
32. Meeting of Rama with Parasurama on the way and defeat of Parasurama | 102 | |
2 – Ayodhyakanda | 110 | |
1. Return of Rama and others to Ayodhya; Bharata and Satrughna proceed to their maternal uncle’s abode | 110 | |
2. The king Dasaratha approached by the people for declaring Rama as the crown prince | 112 | |
3. Arrangement for the crowning of Rama as the king | 112 | |
4. Manthara tenders ill-advice to Kaikeyi | 115 | |
5. Kaikeyi asks for two boons from Dasaratha at the advice of Manthara | 117 | |
6. Rama assures Dasaratha, knowing the cause of his agony | 123 | |
7. Kaikeyi narrates the story of the boons and advices Rama to go to the forest | 124 | |
8. News of the getting of boons by Kaikeyi conveyed to Kausalya | 125 | |
9. Anger of Laksmana; Rama consoles Kausalya | 127 | |
10. The news of going to forest carried by Rama to Sita | 132 | |
11. Request of Sita to accompany Rama | 134 | |
12. Laksmana too gets permission to go to the forest | 136 | |
13. Rama seeks permission to leave from Dasaratha; agony of Dasaratha | 138 | |
14. Rama’s wearing of bark clothes and his consoling others | 140 | |
15. Rama proceeds to the forest | 143 | |
16. Rama consoles the people | 145 | |
17. Rama meets the king Guha | 147 | |
18. Departure of Sumantra | 149 | |
19. Rama’s entry in the forest and visit to the hermitage of Bharadvaja | 150 | |
20. Death of King Dasaratha | 156 | |
21. The queens lament at the death of Dasaratha | 159 | |
22. Kausalya humiliates Kaikeyi; consultations for the safety of the kingdom | 160 | |
23. Deputing of a messenger to bring Bharata | 161 | |
24. Kaikeyi explains the entire situation; Bharata is filled with anger | 163 | |
25. Satrughna punishes Manthara | 166 | |
26. Conversation between Bharata and Kausalya | 167 | |
27. Arrival of Vasistha and others and arranging for the cremation of Dasaratha | 168 | |
28. Bharata’s effort to get back Rama | 170 | |
29. Bharata proceeds to get back Rama; becoming doubtful Guha tries to stop him | 173 | |
30. Guha meets Bharata; learning about the news of Rama, Bharata laments under the ingudi tree | 174 | |
31. Crossing of the Ganga by Bharata and others | 177 | |
32. Conversation between Bharadvaja and Bharata; entertainment of all by Bharadvaja | 179 | |
33. Rama’s abode in Citrakuta; hearing of the noise of the marching of Bharata’s army | 180 | |
34. Meeting between Bharata and Rama | 182 | |
35. Grief of Rama at the death of his father | 183 | |
36. Tarpana performed by Rama for the sake of his father | 184 | |
37. Rama meets his mothers and sages; conversation with them | 84 | |
38. Description of dharma by Rama; return of Bharata with Rama’s sandals | 186 | |
39. Consecration of Rama’s sandals over the lion-throne at Nandigrama | 188 | |
3 – Aranyakanda | 190 | |
1. Bharata’s stay at Nandigrama; Rama’s visit to the abode of sage Atri; discussion between Sita and sage’s wife | 190 | |
2. Rama entered Dandaka forest, welcomed by ascetics and killing of Viradha | 193 | |
3. Rama’s assurance to Sita; meeting with the sage Sarabhanga; conversation with the sage Sutiksna | 197 | |
4. The sage Dharmabhrtya narrates the story of Mandakini; Rama again meets the sage Sutiksna | 199 | |
5. The story of Vatapi and Ilvala and entry into the hermitage of Agastya | 199 | |
6. Rama’s meeting with Jatayu on way to Pancavati and severing of the nose and ears of Surpanakha | 201 | |
7. Battle with fourteen demons and their end | 206 | |
8. Killing of Khara and Dusana; Ravana’s visit to Marica | 207 | |
9. Ravana’s discussion with Marica | 217 | |
10. Marica’s speaking harsh words to Ravana, Marica’s taking to the form of Mayamrga, Ravana approaches Sita in the form of a hermit | 219 | |
11. Introduction by Ravana and pronouncing of harsh words on him by Sita | 225 | |
12. The pride of Ravana | 227 | |
13. Abduction of Sita by Ravana and fight with Jatayu | 228 | |
14. Deputing of warriors for the killing of Rama; talk between Ravana and Sita | 232 | |
15. Curse pronounced by Sita | 234 | |
16. Use of harsh words again by Sita; Indra’s visit Sita under advice from Brahma, offering her the payasa; Rama’s grief in the absence of Sita | 234 | |
17. Rama’s anger and Laksmana consoled him | 237 | |
18. Laksmana consoles Rama; search for Sita; meeting with Jatayu and his cremation | 238 | |
19. Rama and Laksmana meet Kabandha and advice of Kabandha | 240 | |
20. Rama and Laksmana reach the river Pampa | 241 | |
4 – Kiskindhakanda | 243 | |
1. Meeting between Rama and Sugriva | 243 | |
2. Rama’s grief at the sight of Sita’s ornaments | 245 | |
3. Battle between Bali and Dundubhi | 246 | |
4. Battle between Mayavanta and Bali | 248 | |
5. Battle between Bali and Sugriva | 251 | |
6. Killing of Bali by Rama | 256 | |
7. Bali denounces Rama | 259 | |
8. Tara laments at the death of Bali | 262 | |
9. The curse of Tara | 263 | |
10. Crowning of Sugriva | 267 | |
11. Rama gets annoyed with Sugriva | 268 | |
12. Collecting of the monkey army at the command of Sugriva | 272 | |
13. Arrival of Sugriva at Rama’s place with the monkey force | 273 | |
14. Angada kills a demon | 277 | |
15. Monkey army enters the abode of Svayamprabha | 278 | |
16. Monkey army reaches the seashore and meeting with sampati | 280 | |
17. Sampati’s grief at the death of his brother | 284 | |
18. Suparsava describes the sight of Sita | 285 | |
Index | 288 |
5 – Sundarakanda | 1 | |
1. Prayer | 1 | |
2. Angada’s consultations with other monkeys on the southern seashore | 1 | |
3. Story relating to the birth of Hanuman | 3 | |
4. Travel of Hanuman to Lanka and meeting with the demonesses Surasa and Asarika; Asarika captures Hanuman’s shadow | 4 | |
5. Hanuman views Lanka | 7 | |
6. Hanuman’s entry in Lanka and description of Lanka | 8 | |
7. Disappointment of Hanuman and the sighting of Sita | 12 | |
8. Ravana tries to change the mind of Sita and the demonesses terrorise Sita | 16 | |
9. Conversation between Sita and Hanuman | 21 | |
10. Destruction of Madhubana of Ravana by Hanuman | 26 | |
11. The demon army attacks Hanuman | 28 | |
12. Killing of Jambumali by Hanuman | 30 | |
13. Battle of Hanuman with Yupaksa and Virupaksa | 31 | |
14. Killing of Aksaya Kumara | 32 | |
15. Battle between Hanuman and Indrajit; Hanuman captured by Indrajit | 34 | |
16. Setting ablaze the tail of Hanuman and burning of Lanka | 38 | |
17. Rejoicing of monkeys on the return of Hanuman | 42 | |
18. The monkeys consume the sweet fruits; battle with Dadhimukha | 47 | |
19. Angada and others approach Rama; Hanuman conveys the news about Sita | 49 | |
20. The monkey army proceeds to Lanka with Rama | 51 | |
21. Beneficial advice of Vibhisana to Ravana | 53 | |
22. Ill-advice of Prahasta to Ravana | 55 | |
23. Having been kicked by Ravana, Vibhisana goes to Rama | 57 | |
6 – Lankakanda | 64 | |
1. Prayer | 64 | |
2. Ravana deputes Suka and Sarana in order to spy over the army of Sri Rama; their return and narration of the account of the army of Rama | 64 | |
3. Ravana displays the illusory head of Rama before Sita; Sarama consoles Sita | 69 | |
4. Malyavan’s advice to Ravana and selection of the army commanders of both the sides | 73 | |
5. Sri Rama and others have a look of Lanka; deputing of Angada as a messenger to Ravana | 76 | |
6. Start of the war; Laksmana bound by nagapasa by Indrajit in the battlefield | 79 | |
7. Rama and Laksmana freed from the fetters of nagapasa | 90 | |
8. The killing of Dhumraksa | 91 | |
9. Killing of Vajradamstra and Akampana | 94 | |
10. Killing of the four ministers of Prahasta | 96 | |
11. Killing of Prahasta, Prajangha, Suprataghna, and Bakasura | 98 | |
12. Ravana proceeds for the battle | 99 | |
13. Defeat of Ravana at the hands of Rama and Laksmana | 101 | |
14. Disturbing the sleep of Kumbhakarna and his march for the battlefield | 108 | |
15. Kumbhakarna’s battle and his return to Lanka carrying Sugriva | 111 | |
16. Fall of Kumbhakarna in battle with Rama and Laksmana | 117 | |
17. Killing of Atikaya and other demons | 121 | |
18. Encounter with Indrajit and Laksmana’s swoon | 127 | |
19. Hanuman brings the medicine and relieves the army of the swoon | 129 | |
20. Fresh attack of monkey army | 131 | |
21. Killing of Kumbha, Nikumbha, and Makaraksa | 133 | |
22. Indrajit’s third march to the battlefield and killing of the illusory Sita | 137 | |
23. Vibhisana consoles Rama and his proceeding to the place of Nikumbhila Yajnasala | 141 | |
24. Killing of Indrajit | 144 | |
25. Ravana’s anger who tries to kill Sita | 152 | |
26. Ravana proceeds towards the battlefield | 154 | |
27. Shooting of Sakti at Laksmana | 161 | |
28. Hanuman proceeds for getting medi cine | 166 | |
29. Apsara Gandhakali achieves salvation | 167 | |
30. Killing of Kalanemi and three crores of gandharvas; bringing of Gandhamadana; Laksmana regains life | 168 | |
31. Hanuman restores Gandhamadana | 172 | |
32. Battle between Rama and Ravana and the end of Ravana | 174 | |
33. Crowing of Vibhisana as the king; Sita reaches before Rama | 186 | |
34. Fire-ordeal of Sita | 188 | |
35. Sri Rama’s journey to Ayodhya | 194 | |
36. Sri Rama’s entry in Ayodhya; arrangements for coronation | 196 | |
37. Coronation of Rama | 203 | |
38. Return of Hanuman and others to their respective countries; Rule of Rama | 204 | |
7 – Uttarakanda | 208 | |
1. The welfare song | 208 | |
2. Sita’s exile | 208 | |
3. Valmiki takes Sita to his abode and birth of Lava and Kusa | 210 | |
4. Performing of the As vamedha sacrifice by Rama | 211 | |
5. Arrival of Lava and Kusa in Ayodhya | 214 | |
6. Lava and Kusa sing the poetry of the Ramayana in the court of Rama | 216 | |
7. Story of the birth of Hanuman | 224 | |
8. Introduction of Lava and Kusa | 227 | |
9. Hanuman and others deputed to bring back Sita | 229 | |
10. Sita brought in the court of Rama and declaration of Valmiki | 233 | |
11. Sita’s anger and entry into nether world | 235 | |
12. Rama gets annoyed with Earth and consoling of Brahma to Rama | 239 | |
13. Story of Sita as told by the divine voice from the patala | 241 | |
14. Bharata’s victory after defeating many kings | 243 | |
15. Kala meets Rama in disguise | 248 | |
16. Disowning of Laksmana | 249 | |
17. Rama’s grief at disowning of Laksmana | 255 | |
18. Crowing of Lava and Kusa; search for Laksmana | 256 | |
19. Cremation of Laksmana and performing of his last rites | 260 | |
20. Rama’s departure to heaven | 261 | |
Index | 268 |