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Baala Kaanda - Sarga 24
The previous Sarga ended with "Viṡwāmitra entertained Rāma and Lakshmaṇa by telling fascinating stories." indeed, this Sarga starts on fulfilling that promise.
You will read the stories of river Sarayu merging into the river Gaṅga, the story of the lands of Malada and Karūṡa, and the story of Tāṭaka in this Sarga.
If you have young children, please do make an effort to read these stories to them every week. It will have unbelievable impact on their imagination. It stimulates parts of their brains that are not touched by video games and cartoon shows.
Verbal stimulation evokes more imagination than visual stimulation, because verbal stimulation is suggestive whereas visual stimulation is limited by the concretized graphics. This is the reason why children often tell that 'the book is better than the movie', as in the case of, say, 'Harry Potter'.
1.24.1
தத: ப்ரபாதே விமலே க்ருத்வாஹ்நிகமரிந்தமௌ ।
விஸ்வாமித்ரம் புரஸ்க்ருத்ய நத்யாஸ்தீரமுபாகதௌ ॥
tataḥ prabhātē vimalē kṛtvāhnikamarindamau ।
viṡvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya nadyāstīramupāgatau ॥
Then, on that clear morning,
the subjugators of enemies (Rāma and Lakshmaṇa)
went to the banks of the river led by Viṡwāmitra
after completing the daily ablutions.
1.24.2
தே ச ஸர்வே மஹாத்மாநோ முநய: ஸம்ஸிதவ்ரதா: ।
உபஸ்தாப்ய ஸுபாம் நாவம் விஸ்வாமித்ரமதாப்ருவந் ॥
tē ca sarvē mahātmānō munayaḥ saṃṡitavratāḥ ।
upasthāpya ṡubhāṃ nāvaṃ viṡvāmitramathābruvan ॥
The Mahātma Munis, who followed rigorous discipline,
brought a fine boat for them, and said to Viṡwāmitra:
1.24.3
ஆரோஹது பவாந்நாவம் ராஜபுத்ரபுரஸ்க்ருத: ।
அரிஷ்டம் கச்ச பந்தாநம் மாபூத்காலவிபர்யய: ॥
ārōhatu bhavānnāvaṃ rājaputrapuraskṛtaḥ ।
ariṣṭaṃ gaccha panthānaṃ mābhūtkālaviparyayaḥ ॥
May you board the boat, with the princes ahead of you.
Have a safe journey and may you continue on schedule!
1.24.4
விஸ்வாமித்ரஸ்ததேத்யுக்தவா தாந்ருஷீநபிபூஜ்ய ச ।
ததார ஸஹிதஸ்தாப்யாம் ஸரிதம் ஸாகரங்கமாம் ॥
viṡvāmitrastathētyuktavā tānṛṣīnabhipūjya ca ।
tatāra sahitastābhyāṃ saritaṃ sāgaraṅgamām ॥
Viṡwāmitra said "Surely", and took leave
of them after paying due respects.
Then he crossed the river that would meet the ocean,
along with the duo.
1.24.5
தத: ஸுஸ்ராவ வை ஸப்தமதிஸம்ரம்பவர்த்திதம் ।
மத்யமாகம்ய தோயஸ்ய ஸஹ ராம: கநீயஸா ॥
tataḥ ṡuṡrāva vai ṡabdamatisaṃrambhavarddhitam ।
madhyamāgamya tōyasya saha rāmaḥ kanīyasā ॥
While they were crossing the river,
Rāma and Lakshmaṇa heard a deafening sound
fast approaching them.
1.24.6
அத ராம: ஸரிந்மத்யே பப்ரச்ச முநிபுங்கவம் ।
வாரிணோ பித்யமாநஸ்ய கிமயம் துமுலோ த்வநி: ॥
atha rāmaḥ sarinmadhyē papraccha munipuṅgavam ।
vāriṇō bhidyamānasya kimayaṃ tumulō dhvaniḥ ॥
Then, in the middle of the river,
Rāma asked the eminent Muni:
"What is this loud sound
that seems to rip apart the waters!"
1.24.7
ராகவஸ்ய வச: ஸ்ருத்வா கௌதூஹலஸமந்வித: ।
கதயாமாஸ தர்மாத்மா தஸ்ய ஸப்தஸ்ய நிஸ்சயம் ॥
rāghavasya vacaḥ ṡrutvā kautūhalasamanvitaḥ ।
kathayāmāsa dharmātmā tasya ṡabdasya niṡcayam ॥
Hearing those curious words of Rāma,
The Dharmātmā, Viṡwāmitra told him about the sound.
1.24.8
கைலாஸபர்வதே ராம மநஸா நிர்மிதம் ஸர: ।
ப்ரஹ்மணா நரஸார்தூல தேநேதம் மாநஸம் ஸர: ॥
kailāsaparvatē rāma manasā nirmitaṃ saraḥ ।
brahmaṇā naraṡārdūla tēnēdaṃ mānasaṃ saraḥ ॥
O Rāma! Tiger among Men!
In the mountain range of Kailāsa, Brahma created a lake.
It is known as Mānasa, because he created
it by the will of his mind.
Mānasa means mind. The lake referred to here is
popularly known as Mānasa Sarōvara (The lake from the mind).
1.24.9
தஸ்மாத்ஸுஸ்ராவ ஸரஸ: ஸாऽயோத்யாமுபகூஹதே ।
ஸர:ப்ரவ்ருத்தா ஸரயூ: புண்யா ப்ரஹ்மஸரஸ்ச்யுதா ॥
tasmātsusrāva sarasaḥ sā'yōdhyāmupagūhatē ।
saraḥpravṛttā sarayūḥ puṇyā brahmasaraṡcyutā ॥
From that lake flows the river that surrounds Ayōdhyā.
The river is known as Sarayu because
it emerged from the Sarah (lake).
It is considered sacred because
it emerged out of the lake created by Brahma.
Coincidentally, I am translating this Sarga, as I am watching an episode of NASA TV's Nova program, on how the climate system of the entire planet is inter-connected and how the monsoons of India and the warm temperatures in US, during the same months, are related to each other.
Viṡwāmitra here, is performing the role of NASA TV for the young and curious brothers, Rāma and Lakshmaṇa.
1.24.10
தஸ்யாயமதுல: ஸப்தோ ஜாஹ்நவீமபிவர்ததே ।
வாரிஸங்க்ஷோபஜோ ராம ப்ரணாமம் நியத: குரு ॥
tasyāyamatulaḥ ṡabdō jāhnavīmabhivartatē ।
vārisaṅkṣōbhajō rāma praṇāmaṃ niyataḥ kuru ॥
The loud sound that you hear is a
result of the waters of that river
rushing and merging with the waters of river Gaṅga.
Please pay obeisance with due reverence!
1.24.11
தாப்யாம் து தாவுபௌ க்ருத்வா ப்ரணாமமதிதார்மிகௌ ।
தீரம் தக்ஷிணமாஸாத்ய ஜக்மதுர்லகுவிக்ரமௌ ॥
tābhyāṃ tu tāvubhau kṛtvā praṇāmamatidhārmikau ।
tīraṃ dakṣiṇamāsādya jagmaturlaghuvikramau ॥
The duo of Dhārmikas paid
due obeisance to the duo of rivers.
And then they reached the southern side of the river
and moved onwards with long strides.
1.24.12
ஸ வநம் கோரஸங்காஸம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா ந்ருபவராத்மஜ: ।
அவிப்ரஹதமைக்ஷ்வாக: பப்ரச்ச முநிபுங்கவம் ॥
sa vanaṃ ghōrasaṅkāṡaṃ dṛṣṭvā nṛpavarātmajaḥ ।
aviprahatamaikṣvākaḥ papraccha munipuṅgavam ॥
Then they came across a virgin, creepy and dreadful forest
and the princes of Ikshwāku dynasty asked the eminent Muni:
1.24.13
அஹோ வநமிதம் துர்கம் ஜில்லிகாகணநாதிதம் ।
பைரவை: ஸ்வாபதை: பூர்ணம் ஸகுந்தைர்தாருணாருதை: ॥
ahō vanamidaṃ durgaṃ jhillikāgaṇanāditam ।
bhairavaiḥ ṡvāpadaiḥ pūrṇaṃ ṡakuntairdāruṇārutaiḥ ॥
O my! This forest is impenetrable!
It is full of strident sounds of crickets,
frightening sounds of Ṡakunta birds and
shrill howls of the Ṡwāpadas.
Ṡwāpadas are a type of wild animals,
which are also known as Ghatuka Mṛgas.
1.24.14
நாநாப்ரகாரை: ஸகுநைர்வாஸ்யத்பிர்பைரவை: ஸ்வநை: ।
ஸிம்ஹவ்யாக்ரவராஹைஸ்ச வாரணைஸ்சோபஸோபிதம் ॥
nānāprakāraiḥ ṡakunairvāṡyadbhirbhairavaiḥ svanaiḥ ।
siṃhavyāghravarāhaiṡca vāraṇaiṡcōpaṡōbhitam ॥
It resounds with the scary and creepy sounds of
different types of birds, lions,
tigers, boars and elephants.
1.24.15
தவாஸ்வகர்ணககுபைர்பில்வதிந்துகபாடலை: ।
ஸங்கீர்ணம் பதரீபிஸ்ச கிம் ந்வேதத்தாருணம் வநம் ॥
dhavāṡvakarṇakakubhairbilvatindukapāṭalai: ।
saṅkīrṇaṃ badarībhiṡca kiṃ nvētaddāruṇaṃ vanam ॥
It is full of Dhava, Aṡvakarṇa, Kakubha,
Bilva, Tinduka, Pātala, and Badari trees,
all entwined into an impenetrable mesh.
1.24.16
தமுவாச மஹாதேஜா விஸ்வாமித்ரோ மஹாமுநி:
ஸ்ரூயதாம் வத்ஸ காகுத்ஸ்த யஸ்யைதத்தாருணம் வநம் ॥
tamuvāca mahātējā viṡvāmitrō mahāmuniḥ
ṡrūyatāṃ vatsa kākutstha yasyaitaddāruṇaṃ vanam ॥
Then that radiant and great Muni told him:
"My dear prince of Kākutstha!
let me tell you about this dreadful forest!"
1.24.17
ஏதௌ ஜநபதௌ ஸ்பீதௌ பூர்வமாஸ்தாம் நரோத்தம ।
மலதாஸ்ச கரூஸாஸ்ச தேவநிர்மாணநிர்மிதௌ ॥
ētau janapadau sphītau pūrvamāstāṃ narōttama ।
maladāṡca karūṡāṡca dēvanirmāṇanirmitau ॥
O best among men!
Once upon a time, there used to be two big
residential lands (villages) called Malada and Karūṡa
that were built by celestial architects.
A place of past glory is described here in the next few Ṡlōkas.
Stories like this evoke the imagination of children. It gives them a sense, and a way to relate to the glories of bygone times. A story like this conveys more than a complicated explanation or theory does.
Hope you are reading Rāmāyaṇa to your children every week!
1.24.18
புரா வ்ருத்ரவதே ராம மலேந ஸமபிப்லுதம் ।
க்ஷுதா சைவ ஸஹஸ்ராக்ஷம் ப்ரஹ்மஹத்யா ஸமாவிஸத் ॥
purā vṛtravadhē rāma malēna samabhiplutam ।
kṣudhā caiva sahasrākṣaṃ brahmahatyā samāviṡat ॥
O Rāma! When the thousand eyed (Indra) killed Vṛtra,
he was inflicted with the Pāpa for
killing a Brāhmaṇa. Because of that,
his body became full of contaminant toxins and
he suffered from excessive and insatiable hunger.
It is very common to see many stories in the Purānas mentioning Indra getting into some sort of trouble all the time.
These are symbolic of the troubles that every administrator gets dragged into or slips into. As an administrator, one would be required to take timely action, knowing fully well that there will be fallouts that needs to be taken care of later. If the administrator has people on his side, they would certainly come to his aid, to rectify the fallouts.
In this story, Indra was inflicted with something like nuclear radiation. It was removed by the Munis and stored in Malada and Karūṡa, which were later compensated for.
1.24.19
தமிந்த்ரம் ஸ்நாபயந் தேவா ருஷயஸ்ச தபோதநா: ।
கலஸை: ஸ்நாபயாமாஸுர்மலம் சாஸ்ய ப்ரமோசயந் ॥
tamindraṃ snāpayan dēvā ṛṣayaṡca tapōdhanāḥ ।
kalaṡaiḥ snāpayāmāsurmalaṃ cāsya pramōcayan ॥
Then Dēvas and Ṛshis, enriched with Tapa,
gave him a purifying bath with water from the Kalaṡas,
ridding him of afflictions and toxins.
1.24.20
இஹ பூம்யாம் மலம் தத்த்வா தத்த்வா காரூஸமேவ ச ।
ஸரீரஜம் மஹேந்த்ரஸ்ய ததோ ஹர்ஷம் ப்ரபேதிரே ॥
iha bhūmyāṃ malaṃ dattvā dattvā kārūṡamēva ca ।
ṡarīrajaṃ mahēndrasya tatō harṣaṃ prapēdirē ॥
After the toxins and hunger
were removed from the body of Mahēndra
and deposited in this land,
they felt happy and relieved.
1.24.21
நிர்மலோ நிஷ்கரூஸஸ்ச ஸுசிரிந்த்ரோ யதாऽபவத் ।
ததௌ தேஸஸ்ய ஸுப்ரீதோ வரம் ப்ரபுரநுத்தமம் ॥
nirmalō niṣkarūṡaṡca ṡucirindrō yadā'bhavat ।
dadau dēṡasya suprītō varaṃ prabhuranuttamam ॥
Relieved of the hunger and toxins, and becoming clean,
the pleased lord granted an unparalleled boon for this land.
1.24.22
இமௌ ஜநபதௌ ஸ்பீதௌ க்யாதிம் லோகே கமிஷ்யத: ।
மலதாஸ்ச கரூஸாஸ்ச மமாங்கமலதாரிணௌ ॥
imau janapadau sphītau khyātiṃ lōkē gamiṣyataḥ ।
maladāṡca karūṡāṡca mamāṅgamaladhāriṇau ॥
"Having taken my toxins and hunger,
these lands will be known as Malada and Karūṡa.
They will become rich, prosperous and popular."
Mala (part of Malada) means toxins.
Karūṡa means hunger.
It takes a child's imagination to enjoy this Ṡlōka, and a child psychologist's insights to understand its significance.
1.24.23
ஸாது ஸாத்விதி தம் தேவா: பாகஸாஸநமப்ருவந் ।
தேஸஸ்ய பூஜாம் தாம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா க்ருதாம் ஸக்ரேண தீமதா ॥
sādhu sādhviti taṃ dēvāḥ pākaṡāsanamabruvan ।
dēṡasya pūjāṃ tāṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛtāṃ ṡakrēṇa dhīmatā ॥
All the Dēvas commended the
grand gesture of the discerning Ṡakra.
Ṡakra is another name for Indra.
1.24.24
ஏதௌ ஜநபதௌ ஸ்பீதௌ தீர்ககாலமரிந்தம ।
மலதாஸ்ச கரூஸாஸ்ச முதிதௌ தநதாந்யத: ॥
ētau janapadau sphītau dīrghakālamarindama ।
maladāṡca karūṡāṡca muditau dhanadhānyataḥ ॥
O subjugator of foes! For a long time the
vast lands of Malada and Karūṡa
were prosperous and happy
with granaries and treasuries full.
1.24.25-26
கஸ்யசித்த்வத காலஸ்ய யக்ஷீ வை காமரூபிணீ ।
பலம் நாகஸஹஸ்ரஸ்ய தாரயந்தீ ததா ஹ்யபூத் ॥
தாடகா நாம பத்ரம் தே பார்யா ஸுந்தஸ்ய தீமத: ।
மாரீசோ ராக்ஷஸ: புத்ரோ யஸ்யா: ஸக்ரபராக்ரம: ॥
kasyacittvatha kālasya yakṣī vai kāmarūpiṇī ।
balaṃ nāgasahasrasya dhārayantī tadā hyabhūt ॥
tāṭakā nāma bhadraṃ tē bhāryā sundasya dhīmataḥ ।
mārīcō rākṣasaḥ putrō yasyāḥ ṡakraparākramaḥ ॥
After a while there happened to be a Yakshiṇi
by name Tāṭaka, who could change her form at will,
possessing strength equivalent to a thousand elephants.
She was the wife of the clever Sunda
and she had a son by name Māreeca
who was comparable to Ṡakra in prowess.
1.24.27
வ்ருத்தபாஹுர்மஹாவீர்யோ விபுலாஸ்யதநுர்மஹாந் ।
ராக்ஷஸோ பைரவாகாரோ நித்யம் த்ராஸயதே ப்ரஜா: ॥
vṛttabāhurmahāvīryō vipulāsyatanurmahān ।
rākṣasō bhairavākārō nityaṃ trāsayatē prajāḥ ॥
He (Māreeca) had round arms, a big face and large body.
He was mighty strong. His appearance was fearsome.
He was scaring and frightening people.
1.24.28
இமௌ ஜநபதௌ நித்யம் விநாஸயதி ராகவ ।
மலதாம்ஸ்ச கரூஸாம்ஸ்ச தாடகா துஷ்டசாரிணீ ॥
imau janapadau nityaṃ vināṡayati rāghava ।
maladāṃṡca karūṡāṃṡca tāṭakā duṣṭacāriṇī ॥
O prince of Raghu Dynasty!
Tāṭaka, the menace, used to destroy
these two lands of Malada and Karūṡa.
1.24.29
ஸேயம் பந்தாநமாவார்ய வஸத்யத்யர்த்தயோஜநே ।
அத ஏவ ச கந்தவ்யம் தாடகாயா வநம் யத: ॥
sēyaṃ panthānamāvārya vasatyadhyarddhayōjanē ।
ata ēva ca gantavyaṃ tāṭakāyā vanaṃ yataḥ ॥
She is blocking the way one and half Yōjanas from here.
Hence people cannot enter this forest.
1.24.30
ஸ்வபாஹுபலமாஸ்ரித்ய ஜஹீமாம் துஷ்டசாரிணீம் ।
மந்நியோகாதிமம் தேஸம் குரு நிஷ்கண்டகம் புந: ॥
svabāhubalamāṡritya jahīmāṃ duṣṭacāriṇīm ।
manniyōgādimaṃ dēṡaṃ kuru niṣkaṇṭakaṃ punaḥ ॥
I call upon you to kill this menacing Tāṭaka
using all your strength, and free this land from troubles.
1.24.31
ந ஹி கஸ்சிதிமம் தேஸம் ஸக்நோத்யாகந்துமீத்ருஸம் ।
யக்ஷிண்யா கோரயா ராம உத்ஸாதிதமஸஹ்யயா ॥
na hi kaṡcidimaṃ dēṡaṃ ṡaknōtyāgantumīdṛṡam ।
yakṣiṇyā ghōrayā rāma utsāditamasahyayā ॥
O Rāma! Because of this dreaded Yakshiṇi,
no one is able to go to this obliterated land.
1.24.32
ஏதத்தே ஸர்வமாக்யாதம் யதைதத்தாருணம் வநம் ।
யக்ஷ்யா சோத்ஸாதிதம் ஸர்வமத்யாபி ந நிவர்ததே ॥
ētattē sarvamākhyātaṃ yathaitaddāruṇaṃ vanam ।
yakṣyā cōtsāditaṃ sarvamadyāpi na nivartatē ॥
Now you have heard the complete background
of how the Yakshiṇi has destroyed this place
and made it dreadfull, with no signs of leaving it alone.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
ஸ்ரீமத்பாலகாண்டே சதுர்விம்ஸ: ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ṡrīmadbālakāṇḍē caturviṃṡaḥ sargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the twenty fourth Sarga
in Bāla Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
We completed reading 809 Ṡlōkas out of ~24,000 Ṡlōkas of Vālmeeki Rāmāyaṇa.
Baala Kaanda - Sarga 24
The previous Sarga ended with "Viṡwāmitra entertained Rāma and Lakshmaṇa by telling fascinating stories." indeed, this Sarga starts on fulfilling that promise.
You will read the stories of river Sarayu merging into the river Gaṅga, the story of the lands of Malada and Karūṡa, and the story of Tāṭaka in this Sarga.
If you have young children, please do make an effort to read these stories to them every week. It will have unbelievable impact on their imagination. It stimulates parts of their brains that are not touched by video games and cartoon shows.
Verbal stimulation evokes more imagination than visual stimulation, because verbal stimulation is suggestive whereas visual stimulation is limited by the concretized graphics. This is the reason why children often tell that 'the book is better than the movie', as in the case of, say, 'Harry Potter'.
1.24.1
தத: ப்ரபாதே விமலே க்ருத்வாஹ்நிகமரிந்தமௌ ।
விஸ்வாமித்ரம் புரஸ்க்ருத்ய நத்யாஸ்தீரமுபாகதௌ ॥
tataḥ prabhātē vimalē kṛtvāhnikamarindamau ।
viṡvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya nadyāstīramupāgatau ॥
Then, on that clear morning,
the subjugators of enemies (Rāma and Lakshmaṇa)
went to the banks of the river led by Viṡwāmitra
after completing the daily ablutions.
1.24.2
தே ச ஸர்வே மஹாத்மாநோ முநய: ஸம்ஸிதவ்ரதா: ।
உபஸ்தாப்ய ஸுபாம் நாவம் விஸ்வாமித்ரமதாப்ருவந் ॥
tē ca sarvē mahātmānō munayaḥ saṃṡitavratāḥ ।
upasthāpya ṡubhāṃ nāvaṃ viṡvāmitramathābruvan ॥
The Mahātma Munis, who followed rigorous discipline,
brought a fine boat for them, and said to Viṡwāmitra:
1.24.3
ஆரோஹது பவாந்நாவம் ராஜபுத்ரபுரஸ்க்ருத: ।
அரிஷ்டம் கச்ச பந்தாநம் மாபூத்காலவிபர்யய: ॥
ārōhatu bhavānnāvaṃ rājaputrapuraskṛtaḥ ।
ariṣṭaṃ gaccha panthānaṃ mābhūtkālaviparyayaḥ ॥
May you board the boat, with the princes ahead of you.
Have a safe journey and may you continue on schedule!
1.24.4
விஸ்வாமித்ரஸ்ததேத்யுக்தவா தாந்ருஷீநபிபூஜ்ய ச ।
ததார ஸஹிதஸ்தாப்யாம் ஸரிதம் ஸாகரங்கமாம் ॥
viṡvāmitrastathētyuktavā tānṛṣīnabhipūjya ca ।
tatāra sahitastābhyāṃ saritaṃ sāgaraṅgamām ॥
Viṡwāmitra said "Surely", and took leave
of them after paying due respects.
Then he crossed the river that would meet the ocean,
along with the duo.
1.24.5
தத: ஸுஸ்ராவ வை ஸப்தமதிஸம்ரம்பவர்த்திதம் ।
மத்யமாகம்ய தோயஸ்ய ஸஹ ராம: கநீயஸா ॥
tataḥ ṡuṡrāva vai ṡabdamatisaṃrambhavarddhitam ।
madhyamāgamya tōyasya saha rāmaḥ kanīyasā ॥
While they were crossing the river,
Rāma and Lakshmaṇa heard a deafening sound
fast approaching them.
1.24.6
அத ராம: ஸரிந்மத்யே பப்ரச்ச முநிபுங்கவம் ।
வாரிணோ பித்யமாநஸ்ய கிமயம் துமுலோ த்வநி: ॥
atha rāmaḥ sarinmadhyē papraccha munipuṅgavam ।
vāriṇō bhidyamānasya kimayaṃ tumulō dhvaniḥ ॥
Then, in the middle of the river,
Rāma asked the eminent Muni:
"What is this loud sound
that seems to rip apart the waters!"
1.24.7
ராகவஸ்ய வச: ஸ்ருத்வா கௌதூஹலஸமந்வித: ।
கதயாமாஸ தர்மாத்மா தஸ்ய ஸப்தஸ்ய நிஸ்சயம் ॥
rāghavasya vacaḥ ṡrutvā kautūhalasamanvitaḥ ।
kathayāmāsa dharmātmā tasya ṡabdasya niṡcayam ॥
Hearing those curious words of Rāma,
The Dharmātmā, Viṡwāmitra told him about the sound.
1.24.8
கைலாஸபர்வதே ராம மநஸா நிர்மிதம் ஸர: ।
ப்ரஹ்மணா நரஸார்தூல தேநேதம் மாநஸம் ஸர: ॥
kailāsaparvatē rāma manasā nirmitaṃ saraḥ ।
brahmaṇā naraṡārdūla tēnēdaṃ mānasaṃ saraḥ ॥
O Rāma! Tiger among Men!
In the mountain range of Kailāsa, Brahma created a lake.
It is known as Mānasa, because he created
it by the will of his mind.
Mānasa means mind. The lake referred to here is
popularly known as Mānasa Sarōvara (The lake from the mind).
1.24.9
தஸ்மாத்ஸுஸ்ராவ ஸரஸ: ஸாऽயோத்யாமுபகூஹதே ।
ஸர:ப்ரவ்ருத்தா ஸரயூ: புண்யா ப்ரஹ்மஸரஸ்ச்யுதா ॥
tasmātsusrāva sarasaḥ sā'yōdhyāmupagūhatē ।
saraḥpravṛttā sarayūḥ puṇyā brahmasaraṡcyutā ॥
From that lake flows the river that surrounds Ayōdhyā.
The river is known as Sarayu because
it emerged from the Sarah (lake).
It is considered sacred because
it emerged out of the lake created by Brahma.
Coincidentally, I am translating this Sarga, as I am watching an episode of NASA TV's Nova program, on how the climate system of the entire planet is inter-connected and how the monsoons of India and the warm temperatures in US, during the same months, are related to each other.
Viṡwāmitra here, is performing the role of NASA TV for the young and curious brothers, Rāma and Lakshmaṇa.
1.24.10
தஸ்யாயமதுல: ஸப்தோ ஜாஹ்நவீமபிவர்ததே ।
வாரிஸங்க்ஷோபஜோ ராம ப்ரணாமம் நியத: குரு ॥
tasyāyamatulaḥ ṡabdō jāhnavīmabhivartatē ।
vārisaṅkṣōbhajō rāma praṇāmaṃ niyataḥ kuru ॥
The loud sound that you hear is a
result of the waters of that river
rushing and merging with the waters of river Gaṅga.
Please pay obeisance with due reverence!
1.24.11
தாப்யாம் து தாவுபௌ க்ருத்வா ப்ரணாமமதிதார்மிகௌ ।
தீரம் தக்ஷிணமாஸாத்ய ஜக்மதுர்லகுவிக்ரமௌ ॥
tābhyāṃ tu tāvubhau kṛtvā praṇāmamatidhārmikau ।
tīraṃ dakṣiṇamāsādya jagmaturlaghuvikramau ॥
The duo of Dhārmikas paid
due obeisance to the duo of rivers.
And then they reached the southern side of the river
and moved onwards with long strides.
1.24.12
ஸ வநம் கோரஸங்காஸம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா ந்ருபவராத்மஜ: ।
அவிப்ரஹதமைக்ஷ்வாக: பப்ரச்ச முநிபுங்கவம் ॥
sa vanaṃ ghōrasaṅkāṡaṃ dṛṣṭvā nṛpavarātmajaḥ ।
aviprahatamaikṣvākaḥ papraccha munipuṅgavam ॥
Then they came across a virgin, creepy and dreadful forest
and the princes of Ikshwāku dynasty asked the eminent Muni:
1.24.13
அஹோ வநமிதம் துர்கம் ஜில்லிகாகணநாதிதம் ।
பைரவை: ஸ்வாபதை: பூர்ணம் ஸகுந்தைர்தாருணாருதை: ॥
ahō vanamidaṃ durgaṃ jhillikāgaṇanāditam ।
bhairavaiḥ ṡvāpadaiḥ pūrṇaṃ ṡakuntairdāruṇārutaiḥ ॥
O my! This forest is impenetrable!
It is full of strident sounds of crickets,
frightening sounds of Ṡakunta birds and
shrill howls of the Ṡwāpadas.
Ṡwāpadas are a type of wild animals,
which are also known as Ghatuka Mṛgas.
1.24.14
நாநாப்ரகாரை: ஸகுநைர்வாஸ்யத்பிர்பைரவை: ஸ்வநை: ।
ஸிம்ஹவ்யாக்ரவராஹைஸ்ச வாரணைஸ்சோபஸோபிதம் ॥
nānāprakāraiḥ ṡakunairvāṡyadbhirbhairavaiḥ svanaiḥ ।
siṃhavyāghravarāhaiṡca vāraṇaiṡcōpaṡōbhitam ॥
It resounds with the scary and creepy sounds of
different types of birds, lions,
tigers, boars and elephants.
1.24.15
தவாஸ்வகர்ணககுபைர்பில்வதிந்துகபாடலை: ।
ஸங்கீர்ணம் பதரீபிஸ்ச கிம் ந்வேதத்தாருணம் வநம் ॥
dhavāṡvakarṇakakubhairbilvatindukapāṭalai: ।
saṅkīrṇaṃ badarībhiṡca kiṃ nvētaddāruṇaṃ vanam ॥
It is full of Dhava, Aṡvakarṇa, Kakubha,
Bilva, Tinduka, Pātala, and Badari trees,
all entwined into an impenetrable mesh.
1.24.16
தமுவாச மஹாதேஜா விஸ்வாமித்ரோ மஹாமுநி:
ஸ்ரூயதாம் வத்ஸ காகுத்ஸ்த யஸ்யைதத்தாருணம் வநம் ॥
tamuvāca mahātējā viṡvāmitrō mahāmuniḥ
ṡrūyatāṃ vatsa kākutstha yasyaitaddāruṇaṃ vanam ॥
Then that radiant and great Muni told him:
"My dear prince of Kākutstha!
let me tell you about this dreadful forest!"
1.24.17
ஏதௌ ஜநபதௌ ஸ்பீதௌ பூர்வமாஸ்தாம் நரோத்தம ।
மலதாஸ்ச கரூஸாஸ்ச தேவநிர்மாணநிர்மிதௌ ॥
ētau janapadau sphītau pūrvamāstāṃ narōttama ।
maladāṡca karūṡāṡca dēvanirmāṇanirmitau ॥
O best among men!
Once upon a time, there used to be two big
residential lands (villages) called Malada and Karūṡa
that were built by celestial architects.
A place of past glory is described here in the next few Ṡlōkas.
Stories like this evoke the imagination of children. It gives them a sense, and a way to relate to the glories of bygone times. A story like this conveys more than a complicated explanation or theory does.
Hope you are reading Rāmāyaṇa to your children every week!
1.24.18
புரா வ்ருத்ரவதே ராம மலேந ஸமபிப்லுதம் ।
க்ஷுதா சைவ ஸஹஸ்ராக்ஷம் ப்ரஹ்மஹத்யா ஸமாவிஸத் ॥
purā vṛtravadhē rāma malēna samabhiplutam ।
kṣudhā caiva sahasrākṣaṃ brahmahatyā samāviṡat ॥
O Rāma! When the thousand eyed (Indra) killed Vṛtra,
he was inflicted with the Pāpa for
killing a Brāhmaṇa. Because of that,
his body became full of contaminant toxins and
he suffered from excessive and insatiable hunger.
It is very common to see many stories in the Purānas mentioning Indra getting into some sort of trouble all the time.
These are symbolic of the troubles that every administrator gets dragged into or slips into. As an administrator, one would be required to take timely action, knowing fully well that there will be fallouts that needs to be taken care of later. If the administrator has people on his side, they would certainly come to his aid, to rectify the fallouts.
In this story, Indra was inflicted with something like nuclear radiation. It was removed by the Munis and stored in Malada and Karūṡa, which were later compensated for.
1.24.19
தமிந்த்ரம் ஸ்நாபயந் தேவா ருஷயஸ்ச தபோதநா: ।
கலஸை: ஸ்நாபயாமாஸுர்மலம் சாஸ்ய ப்ரமோசயந் ॥
tamindraṃ snāpayan dēvā ṛṣayaṡca tapōdhanāḥ ।
kalaṡaiḥ snāpayāmāsurmalaṃ cāsya pramōcayan ॥
Then Dēvas and Ṛshis, enriched with Tapa,
gave him a purifying bath with water from the Kalaṡas,
ridding him of afflictions and toxins.
1.24.20
இஹ பூம்யாம் மலம் தத்த்வா தத்த்வா காரூஸமேவ ச ।
ஸரீரஜம் மஹேந்த்ரஸ்ய ததோ ஹர்ஷம் ப்ரபேதிரே ॥
iha bhūmyāṃ malaṃ dattvā dattvā kārūṡamēva ca ।
ṡarīrajaṃ mahēndrasya tatō harṣaṃ prapēdirē ॥
After the toxins and hunger
were removed from the body of Mahēndra
and deposited in this land,
they felt happy and relieved.
1.24.21
நிர்மலோ நிஷ்கரூஸஸ்ச ஸுசிரிந்த்ரோ யதாऽபவத் ।
ததௌ தேஸஸ்ய ஸுப்ரீதோ வரம் ப்ரபுரநுத்தமம் ॥
nirmalō niṣkarūṡaṡca ṡucirindrō yadā'bhavat ।
dadau dēṡasya suprītō varaṃ prabhuranuttamam ॥
Relieved of the hunger and toxins, and becoming clean,
the pleased lord granted an unparalleled boon for this land.
1.24.22
இமௌ ஜநபதௌ ஸ்பீதௌ க்யாதிம் லோகே கமிஷ்யத: ।
மலதாஸ்ச கரூஸாஸ்ச மமாங்கமலதாரிணௌ ॥
imau janapadau sphītau khyātiṃ lōkē gamiṣyataḥ ।
maladāṡca karūṡāṡca mamāṅgamaladhāriṇau ॥
"Having taken my toxins and hunger,
these lands will be known as Malada and Karūṡa.
They will become rich, prosperous and popular."
Mala (part of Malada) means toxins.
Karūṡa means hunger.
It takes a child's imagination to enjoy this Ṡlōka, and a child psychologist's insights to understand its significance.
1.24.23
ஸாது ஸாத்விதி தம் தேவா: பாகஸாஸநமப்ருவந் ।
தேஸஸ்ய பூஜாம் தாம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா க்ருதாம் ஸக்ரேண தீமதா ॥
sādhu sādhviti taṃ dēvāḥ pākaṡāsanamabruvan ।
dēṡasya pūjāṃ tāṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛtāṃ ṡakrēṇa dhīmatā ॥
All the Dēvas commended the
grand gesture of the discerning Ṡakra.
Ṡakra is another name for Indra.
1.24.24
ஏதௌ ஜநபதௌ ஸ்பீதௌ தீர்ககாலமரிந்தம ।
மலதாஸ்ச கரூஸாஸ்ச முதிதௌ தநதாந்யத: ॥
ētau janapadau sphītau dīrghakālamarindama ।
maladāṡca karūṡāṡca muditau dhanadhānyataḥ ॥
O subjugator of foes! For a long time the
vast lands of Malada and Karūṡa
were prosperous and happy
with granaries and treasuries full.
1.24.25-26
கஸ்யசித்த்வத காலஸ்ய யக்ஷீ வை காமரூபிணீ ।
பலம் நாகஸஹஸ்ரஸ்ய தாரயந்தீ ததா ஹ்யபூத் ॥
தாடகா நாம பத்ரம் தே பார்யா ஸுந்தஸ்ய தீமத: ।
மாரீசோ ராக்ஷஸ: புத்ரோ யஸ்யா: ஸக்ரபராக்ரம: ॥
kasyacittvatha kālasya yakṣī vai kāmarūpiṇī ।
balaṃ nāgasahasrasya dhārayantī tadā hyabhūt ॥
tāṭakā nāma bhadraṃ tē bhāryā sundasya dhīmataḥ ।
mārīcō rākṣasaḥ putrō yasyāḥ ṡakraparākramaḥ ॥
After a while there happened to be a Yakshiṇi
by name Tāṭaka, who could change her form at will,
possessing strength equivalent to a thousand elephants.
She was the wife of the clever Sunda
and she had a son by name Māreeca
who was comparable to Ṡakra in prowess.
1.24.27
வ்ருத்தபாஹுர்மஹாவீர்யோ விபுலாஸ்யதநுர்மஹாந் ।
ராக்ஷஸோ பைரவாகாரோ நித்யம் த்ராஸயதே ப்ரஜா: ॥
vṛttabāhurmahāvīryō vipulāsyatanurmahān ।
rākṣasō bhairavākārō nityaṃ trāsayatē prajāḥ ॥
He (Māreeca) had round arms, a big face and large body.
He was mighty strong. His appearance was fearsome.
He was scaring and frightening people.
1.24.28
இமௌ ஜநபதௌ நித்யம் விநாஸயதி ராகவ ।
மலதாம்ஸ்ச கரூஸாம்ஸ்ச தாடகா துஷ்டசாரிணீ ॥
imau janapadau nityaṃ vināṡayati rāghava ।
maladāṃṡca karūṡāṃṡca tāṭakā duṣṭacāriṇī ॥
O prince of Raghu Dynasty!
Tāṭaka, the menace, used to destroy
these two lands of Malada and Karūṡa.
1.24.29
ஸேயம் பந்தாநமாவார்ய வஸத்யத்யர்த்தயோஜநே ।
அத ஏவ ச கந்தவ்யம் தாடகாயா வநம் யத: ॥
sēyaṃ panthānamāvārya vasatyadhyarddhayōjanē ।
ata ēva ca gantavyaṃ tāṭakāyā vanaṃ yataḥ ॥
She is blocking the way one and half Yōjanas from here.
Hence people cannot enter this forest.
1.24.30
ஸ்வபாஹுபலமாஸ்ரித்ய ஜஹீமாம் துஷ்டசாரிணீம் ।
மந்நியோகாதிமம் தேஸம் குரு நிஷ்கண்டகம் புந: ॥
svabāhubalamāṡritya jahīmāṃ duṣṭacāriṇīm ।
manniyōgādimaṃ dēṡaṃ kuru niṣkaṇṭakaṃ punaḥ ॥
I call upon you to kill this menacing Tāṭaka
using all your strength, and free this land from troubles.
1.24.31
ந ஹி கஸ்சிதிமம் தேஸம் ஸக்நோத்யாகந்துமீத்ருஸம் ।
யக்ஷிண்யா கோரயா ராம உத்ஸாதிதமஸஹ்யயா ॥
na hi kaṡcidimaṃ dēṡaṃ ṡaknōtyāgantumīdṛṡam ।
yakṣiṇyā ghōrayā rāma utsāditamasahyayā ॥
O Rāma! Because of this dreaded Yakshiṇi,
no one is able to go to this obliterated land.
1.24.32
ஏதத்தே ஸர்வமாக்யாதம் யதைதத்தாருணம் வநம் ।
யக்ஷ்யா சோத்ஸாதிதம் ஸர்வமத்யாபி ந நிவர்ததே ॥
ētattē sarvamākhyātaṃ yathaitaddāruṇaṃ vanam ।
yakṣyā cōtsāditaṃ sarvamadyāpi na nivartatē ॥
Now you have heard the complete background
of how the Yakshiṇi has destroyed this place
and made it dreadfull, with no signs of leaving it alone.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
ஸ்ரீமத்பாலகாண்டே சதுர்விம்ஸ: ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ṡrīmadbālakāṇḍē caturviṃṡaḥ sargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the twenty fourth Sarga
in Bāla Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
We completed reading 809 Ṡlōkas out of ~24,000 Ṡlōkas of Vālmeeki Rāmāyaṇa.