Resumed reading of Valmiki Ramayana after gap of nearly two years; Last sarga (chapter) of Bala Kanda

Last updated on 7th Jan. 2022 with contents of my FB post of 23rd Sept. 2021

After a long gap of nearly two years, today I have resumed my reading of Valmiki Ramayana. My last reading was sometime in late October 2019 and I had put up a post on the part I read: Fascinating encounter between Lord Parashurama and Lord Rama in Valmiki Ramayana - Part 2 of 2, https://ravisiyer.blogspot.com/2019/10/fascinating-encounter-between.html , posted on 22nd Oct. 2019.

Then came COVID pandemic!

I am very happy that even though the COVID pandemic is still not over, I have re-started the Valmiki Ramayana reading. I intend to do it at a slow pace, as one activity among other activities.

Today I read the last sarga (chapter?) of Bala Kanda: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=77 , http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/baala/sarga77/bala_77_frame.htm .

It depicts very well how Rama after defeating Parashurama, which encounter has shaken Rama's father Dasharatha, is respectful towards his father, strengthening his father's role as commander of the army, and respectfully suggesting to Dasharatha to order his army to proceed towards Ayodhya.

King Dasharatha's relief at Parasurama threat having been defeated is captured in these translated words of a verse: "On hearing the words 'Parasurama has departed' from Rama, king Dasaratha embraced him and kissed his forehead. The king, immensely happy, felt he and his son were reborn."

The rest of this sarga deals with the royals and their retinue being received by the citizens of Ayodhya, the royals settling into the palaces, the new brides of the four princes (four sons of Dasharatha) being welcomed by the queens (wives of Dasharatha), and how the princes and their wives settle down in their married lives. It also has Dasharatha instructing Bharata to go to his maternal uncle Kekaya as the latter had requested Dasharatha to send him. Bharata along with Shatrughna go to Kekaya.

Rama's exemplary adherence to his duties as a prince towards the citizens as well as towards his parents is mentioned. His affection for his wife Sita and how they care for each other is mentioned.

I found it quite interesting to note that the Bala Kanda (childhood volume) ends at a point when Rama is already married and living with his wife Sita in Ayodhya. Prior to reading the text, I had somehow presumed that the Bala Kanda would have finished before Rama's marriage to Sita. The reading has corrected my wrong presumption on this.

------------

[From my FB post: https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/3220175128199042 of 23rd Sept. 2021]

Some verses praising Rama's character as a ruling class/warrior class person from Ayodhya Kanda Sarga 1

शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः।

यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः।।2.1.25।।

English translation from https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=1 . It also has a Sanskrit to English word by word translation.

He was versed in scriptures. He was grateful (to those who did him some good) and skilled in differentiating the comparative merits of men. Fair in his judgement he dispensed justice in accordance with law by reprimanding (the delinquent) and favouring (the honest).

सत्सङ्ग्रहप्रग्रहणे स्थानविन्निग्रहस्य च।

आयकर्मण्युपायज्ञ स्सन्दृष्टव्ययकर्मवित्।।2.1.26।।

He was skilled in receiving and encouraging the righteous and in punishing (the wicked). He knew whom to punish. He knew the right means of raising revenue and also expending money in the prescribed manner.

श्रैष्ठ्यं शास्त्रसमूहेषु प्राप्तो व्यामिश्रकेषु च।

अर्थधमौ च सङ्गृह्य सुखतन्त्रो न चालसः।।2.1.27।।

He obtained proficiency in scriptures and interconnected (mutually contradictory) branches of learning. Only after having grasped the (philosophy of) artha (statecraft) and dharma (righteousness), he sought pleasure. He was never indolent.

वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञाताऽऽर्थविभागवित्।

आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तो वारणवाजिनाम्।।2.1.28।।

He had understanding of art and craft useful for entertainment. He knew proper ways of dispensing wealth. He was experienced in riding elephants and horses and in humbling them.

धनुर्वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः।

अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः।।2.1.29।।

He was the best among those skilled in archery in this world. He was reckoned as a great wielder of warchariots and one who strikes at the enemies by advancing towards them. He was an expert in commanding troops. (Atiratha is an excellent warrior who can manage his chariot, horses and the charioteer.)

अप्रधृष्यश्च सङ्ग्रामे क्रुध्दैरपि सुरासुरैः।

अनसूयो जितक्रोधो न दृप्तो न च मत्सरी।

न चावमन्ता भूतानां न च कालवशानुगः।।।2.1.30।।

He was incapable of being repressed even by the enraged devatas or rakshasas in the battle. He was free from envy and had subdued his anger and pride. He was never malicious and he never slighted any living being nor did he bow to the pressure of time.

-----------