sarga 16, bAlakAnDam
Individual verses with meanings
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Hari Om.
Let us begin the sixteenth sarga of the bAlakAnDam with offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru. Let us delve into the sixteenth sarga.
Interestingly the earlier part of this sarga is like a recap of the last sarga. While latter part talks about the climax of the putrEshTi yajnam being performed by king daSaratha. Onto it.
The omniscient lord nArAyaNa was won by prayer by the best of dEvas to deliver them from the problem. Although He knew the manner in which to go about the problem, He spoke to the dEvas softly and sweetly thus. “What are the strategies that you suggest for me to employ in order to slay the demon rAvaNa who is a thorn in the flesh for the Rshis?”. Asked thus by the lord vishNu, the dEvas in one voice replied that He (nArAyaNa) has to assume the form of a human and slay rAvaNa. They added “this rAvaNa had propitiated by penance, lord brahma, the creator and whose existence predates creation. Pleased by his intense penance, lord brahma granted him desired boons – that he should not be conquered by (have the fear of death from) any living being. However, he didn’t include human beings in the list due to his disdain for them! Armed with the boon from lord brahma, rAvaNa’s arrogance and misdeeds knew no bounds. He caused destruction of the three worlds, carried away women by force. O destroyer of Foes, his destruction can be caused by only man [and hence assume a human form].” Listening to the words of the dEvas and agreeing with their plan, vishNu, the embodiment of the Self, declared that He has chosen king daSaratha as His father! At the same time, the son-less king daSaratha was performing a yajna to beget sons. The dEvas and Rshis worshipped Lord vishNu upon learning about His resolve to incarnate as human and upon that the lord disappeared after bidding farewell to lord brahma.
There in the yajnaSala in ayOdhya, during the sacrifice, there emerged from the sacrificial fire a mighty being with unmatched splendour, prowess and strength. He wore a black and crimson red garment. His face shone red. His voice was vibrant like the sounds of a drum. He had whiskers of soft and shining tawny hair resembling the mane of a lion. He had fine hair on his head. He was endowed with auspicious signs and adorned with splendid divine ornaments. His height resembled a mountain peak. He walked with the strides of a ferocious tiger. Comparable to the Sun in radiance, he looked like the crest of a blazing fire. This divine being held with both hands a large vessel made of gold purified, in fire, covered with a silver lid and filled with pAyasam (a preparation of rice in milk and sugar). He held it like he was holding his beloved consort with both hands! It looked as though it was created by magic. The divine being looked at emperor daSaratha and addressing him, he said “O king I’m here having been sent by the prajApati, lord brahma”. The king daSaratha folded his hands and said “welcome O Lord, what can I do for You”? (The above image doesn’t reflect the detail of this description but is included for representational purpose)
The prAjapati replied “O king, you have received this divine pAyasam today which is prepared verily by the gods as a result of the yajna you have done. This pAyasam confers progeny, affluence and good health. Since you performed this yajna desirous of sons who will extend your lineage, please pass this pAyasam on to your worthy wives who shall bear you progeny”. daSaratha was delighted to hear this and respectfully received the golden vessels filled with pAyasam prepared and blessed by the dEvatas. He was thrilled at the wonderful sight of that wonderful being, prostrated in front of him and circum-ambulated Him before He disappeared from the scene. daSaratha’s joy and thrill at receiving this pAyasam of wonderful qualities was comparable to a pauper courting riches!
daSaratha’s inner apartments were filled with brightness of joy just as the clear sky brightens up by the light of the moon in the Sarat Rtu (autumn). He went to the inner chambers of queen Kausalya and told her to receive the son-bestowing pAyasam. He gave half of the nectarine pAyasam to queen kausalya, half of the remaining half (one quarter) to queen sumitra and half of the remaining (one eighth) to kaikEyi. He thought about the remaining one-eighth and again conferred a second serving of one-eighth on sumitra. Thus the divine pAyasam was separately distributed among the queens with a desire to beget progeny. ((1/2)+(1/4)+(1/8)+(1/8) = 1). The virtuous wives of the king felt both delighted and honored to receive the divine pAyasam and partook it with great devotion. Having partaken the pAyasam, the excellent consorts of the king shone with the splendor of Sun and fire and conceived in a short time. Seeing his queens pregnant the king was relieved and achieved great composure and looked like lord vishNu surrounded and worshipped by indra and other celestial sages.
Here we conclude the sixteenth sarga of the bAlakAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
Next: bAla kANDam, sarga 17
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 