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Read Ramayana Baala Kaanda - Sarga 26
Baala Kaanda - Sarga 26
This Sarga is for children. Make sure you read it to them. This Sarga helps them develop admiration for Rāma, the mighty hero, because of the physical prowess he displays in killing Tāṭaka.
That admiration will continue into their adult lives, when their focus will shift from the mighty Rāma to the judicious, disciplined, thoughtful and resolute Rāma.
1.26.1
முநேர்வசநமக்லீபம் ஸ்ருத்வா நரவராத்மஜ: ।
ராகவ: ப்ராஞ்ஜலிர்பூத்வா ப்ரத்யுவாச த்ருடவ்ரத: ॥
munērvacanamaklībaṃ ṡrutvā naravarātmajaḥ ।
rāghavaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā pratyuvāca dṛḍhavrataḥ ॥
Hearing that resolute words of the Muni,
the prince of Raghu dynasty, who observed
his own moral compass, said to him:
1.26.2
பிதுர்வசநநிர்தேஸாத்பிதுர்வசநகௌரவாத் ।
வசநம் கௌஸிகஸ்யேதி கர்தவ்யமவிஸங்கயா ॥
piturvacananirdēṡātpiturvacanagauravāt ।
vacanaṃ kauṡikasyēti kartavyamaviṡaṅkayā ॥
I have full respect for my father's words.
And my father sent me with you, to follow your instructions.
Hence I shall do whatever you ask me to do.
People working in the corporate world or government positions know the importance of chain of command and the rules of deputation very well.
When someone is deputed to another department, he or she would have to serve two masters. The new temporary master and the old permanent master to whom he will return to.
A judicious person would always make sure, that whatever he was asked to do is legitimate from three perspectives:
1) The temporary master's perspective. 2) The permanent master's perspective and 3) Own ethical and moral perspective.
Rāma is discussing all the three perspectives here.
Rāmāyaṇa is about Dharma, Artha and Kāma. The discussion here in these Ṡlōkas, is about Dharma, legitimacy.
1.26.3
அநுஸிஷ்டோऽஸ்ம்யயோத்யாயாம் குருமத்யே மஹாத்மநா ।
பித்ரா தஸரதேநாஹம் நாவஜ்ஞேயம் ச தத்வச: ॥
anuṡiṣṭō'smyayōdhyāyāṃ gurumadhyē mahātmanā ।
pitrā daṡarathēnāhaṃ nāvajñēyaṃ ca tadvacaḥ ॥
In the midst of many great elders in Ayōdhyā,
my father Daṡaratha instructed me to follow your instructions.
How can I say “no!” to his command?
1.26.4
ஸோऽஹம் பிதுர்வச: ஸ்ருத்வா ஸாஸநாத்ப்ரஹ்மவாதிந: ।
கரிஷ்யாமி ந ஸந்தேஹஸ்தாடகாவதமுத்தமம் ॥
sō'haṃ piturvacaḥ ṡrutvā ṡāsanādbrahmavādinaḥ ।
kariṣyāmi na sandēhastāṭakāvadhamuttamam ॥
Hence, in accordance with the words of my father
and in accordance with the instructions from you,
the knower and speaker of great truths,
I shall, without a doubt, kill Tāṭaka,
which is the right thing to be done!
1.26.5
கோப்ராஹ்மணஹிதார்தாய தேஸஸ்யாஸ்ய ஸுகாய ச ।
தவ சைவாப்ரமேயஸ்ய வசநம் கர்த்துமுத்யத: ॥
gōbrāhmaṇahitārthāya dēṡasyāsya sukhāya ca ।
tava caivāpramēyasya vacanaṃ karttumudyataḥ ॥
For the sake of Brāhmaṇas and Cows,
and for the sake of the well-being of these lands
I am ready to obey your command
which is beyond normal considerations.
See the comment on Brāhmaṇas and Cows in the previous Sarga.
1.26.6
ஏவமுக்த்வா தநுர்மத்யே பத்வா முஷ்டிமரிந்தம: ।
ஜ்யாகோஷமகரோத்தீவ்ரம் திஸ: ஸப்தேந நாதயந் ॥
ēvamuktvā dhanurmadhyē badhvā muṣṭimarindamaḥ ।
jyāghōṣamakarōttīvraṃ diṡaḥ ṡabdēna nādayan ॥
Saying thus, that subjugator of enemies,
held the bow in the middle with his fist
and made twanging sounds by plucking the bow string
that reverberated in all ten directions.
The ten directions (east, north, west, south,
northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest, up and down)
is an expression equivalent to the expression
of 360o in the modern times.
I cannot help but visualize Rāma's hand with the glove (Ṡlōka 1.22.9), fiercely gripping the bow in slow motion and close up, as if the bow will be crushed with the strength of his fist.
1.26.7
தேந ஸப்தேந வித்ரஸ்தாஸ்தாடகாவநவாஸிந: ।
தாடகா ச ஸுஸங்க்ருத்தா தேந ஸப்தேந மோஹிதா ॥
tēna ṡabdēna vitrastāstāṭakāvanavāsinaḥ ।
tāṭakā ca susaṅkruddhā tēna ṡabdēna mōhitā ॥
All the animals living in that Tāṭaka forest were terrified.
Tāṭaka herself had to take note of the sound and became enraged.
1.26.8
தம் ஸப்தமபிநித்யாய ராக்ஷஸீ க்ரோதமூர்ச்சிதா ।
ஸ்ருத்வா சாப்யத்ரவத்வேகாத்யத: ஸப்தோ விநிஸ்ஸ்ருத: ॥
taṃ ṡabdamabhinidhyāya rākṣasī krōdhamūrcchitā ।
ṡrutvā cābhyadravadvēgādyataḥ ṡabdō vinissṛtaḥ ॥
She figured out quickly the direction
from which the sound emerged
and dashed in that direction, enraged.
1.26.9
தாம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா ராகவ: க்ருத்தாம் விக்ருதாம் விக்ருதாநநாம் ।
ப்ரமாணேநாதிவ்ருத்தாம் ச லக்ஷ்மணம் ஸோऽப்யபாஷத ॥
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ kruddhāṃ vikṛtāṃ vikṛtānanām ।
pramāṇēnātivṛddhāṃ ca lakṣmaṇaṃ sō'bhyabhāṣata ॥
Seeing that enraged and crooked face
On the huge and horrid body,
Rāma said to Lakshmaṇa:
1.26.10
பஸ்ய லக்ஷ்மண யக்ஷிண்யா பைரவம் தாருணம் வபு: ।
பித்யேரந் தர்ஸநாதஸ்யா பீரூணாம் ஹ்ருதயாநி ச ॥
paṡya lakṣmaṇa yakṣiṇyā bhairavaṃ dāruṇaṃ vapuḥ ।
bhidyēran darṡanādasyā bhīrūṇāṃ hṛdayāni ca ॥
Look at the dreadful and horrid body of this Yakshiṇi!
Her very appearance can pound
the hearts of the weak-minded into pieces!
1.26.11
ஏநாம் பஸ்ய துராதர்ஷாம் மாயாபலஸமந்விதாம் ।
விநிவ்ருத்தாம் கரோம்யத்ய ஹ்ருதகர்ணாக்ரநாஸிகாம் ॥
ēnāṃ paṡya durādharṣāṃ māyābalasamanvitām ।
vinivṛttāṃ karōmyadya hṛtakarṇāgranāsikām ॥
I will cut off her ears and nose and make this female,
who is invincible with her magical powers, flee.
1.26.12
ந ஹ்யேநாமுத்ஸஹே ஹந்தும் ஸ்த்ரீஸ்வபாவேந ரக்ஷிதாம் ।
வீர்யம் சாஸ்யா கதிம் சாபி ஹநிஷ்யாமீதி மே மதி: ॥
na hyēnāmutsahē hantuṃ strīsvabhāvēna rakṣitām ।
vīryaṃ cāsyā gatiṃ cāpi haniṣyāmīti mē matiḥ ॥
I do not feel like killing her
because she is, after all, a woman.
But I will deplete her energy and speed.
1.26.13
ஏவம் ப்ருவாணே ராமே து தாடகா க்ரோதமூர்ச்சிதா ।
உத்யம்ய பாஹூ கர்ஜந்தீ ராமமேவாப்யதாவத ॥
ēvaṃ bruvāṇē rāmē tu tāṭakā krōdhamūrcchitā ।
udyamya bāhū garjantī rāmamēvābhyadhāvata ॥
As Rāma was saying those words,
the enraged Tāṭaka dashed on him
with her hands lifted in the air.
1.26.14
விஸ்வாமித்ரஸ்து ப்ரஹ்மர்ஷிர்ஹுங்காரேணாபிபர்த்ஸ்ய தாம் ।
ஸ்வஸ்தி ராகவயோரஸ்து ஜயம் சைவாப்யபாஷத ॥
viṡvāmitrastu brahmarṣirhuṅkārēṇābhibhartsya tām ।
svasti rāghavayōrastu jayaṃ caivābhyabhāṣata ॥
The Brahmarshi Viṡwāmitra,
intimidating her with a snort,
hailed "victory and safety"
to the princes of Raghu dynasty.
1.26.15
உத்தூந்வாநா ரஜோ கோரம் தாடகா ராகவாவுபௌ ।
ரஜோமோஹேந மஹதா முஹூர்தம் ஸா வ்யமோஹயத் ॥
uddhūnvānā rajō ghōraṃ tāṭakā rāghavāvubhau ।
rajōmōhēna mahatā muhūrtaṃ sā vyamōhayat ॥
She then raised a storm of dust that
covered the duo and confused them for a moment.
Raising dust to cover and confuse the enemy seems to be an eternal trick. In any case, it can be seen being used in Bollywood as well as Hollywood movies.
1.26.16
ததோ மாயாம் ஸமாஸ்தாய ஸிலாவர்ஷேண ராகவௌ ।
அவாகிரத்ஸுமஹதா ததஸ்சுக்ரோத ராகவ: ॥
tatō māyāṃ samāsthāya ṡilāvarṣēṇa rāghavau ।
avākiratsumahatā tataṡcukrōdha rāghavaḥ ॥
With her magical powers, she bombarded them
with a hurl of stones and rocks,
irritating the prince of Raghu dynasty.
1.26.17
ஸிலாவர்ஷம் மஹத்தஸ்யா: ஸரவர்ஷேண ராகவ: ।
ப்ரதிஹத்யோபதாவந்த்யா: கரௌ சிச்சேத பத்ரிபி: ॥
ṡilāvarṣaṃ mahattasyāḥ ṡaravarṣēṇa rāghavaḥ ।
pratihatyōpadhāvantyāḥ karau cicchēda patribhiḥ ॥
He countered that rain of stones and rocks
with a deluge of arrows and then cut her hands off.
1.26.18
ததஸ்சிந்நபுஜாம் ஸ்ராந்தாமப்யாஸே பரிகர்ஜதீம் ।
ஸௌமித்ரிரகரோத் க்ரோதாத்த்ருதகர்ணாக்ரநாஸிகாம் ॥
tataṡchinnabhujāṃ ṡrāntāmabhyāṡē parigarjatīm ।
saumitrirakarōt krōdhāddhṛtakarṇāgranāsikām ॥
The son of Sumitrā cut her nose and ears
as she was lying nearby shouting and yelling
in exhaustion, with her hands cut off.
1.26.19
காமரூபதரா ஸத்ய: க்ருத்வா ரூபாண்யநேகஸ: ।
அந்தர்த்தாநம் கதா யக்ஷீ மோஹயந்தீவ மாயயா ॥
அஸ்மவர்ஷம் விமுஞ்சந்தீ பைரவம் விசசார ஹ ।
kāmarūpadharā sadyaḥ kṛtvā rūpāṇyanēkaṡaḥ ।
antarddhānaṃ gatā yakṣī mōhayantīva māyayā ॥
aṡmavarṣaṃ vimuñcantī bhairavaṃ vicacāra ha ।
With her magical powers, she assumed many forms
appearing at many places at the same time and
bombarding them with stones and rocks from all directions.
1.26.20
ததஸ்தாவஸ்மவர்ஷேண கீர்யமாணௌ ஸமந்தத: ।
த்ருஷ்ட்வா காதிஸுத: ஸ்ரீமாநிதம் வசநமப்ரவீத் ॥
tatastāvaṡmavarṣēṇa kīryamāṇau samantataḥ ।
dṛṣṭvā gādhisutaḥ ṡrīmānidaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥
Seeing the duo engulfed in that shower of rocks and stones,
the resplendent son of Gādhi (Viṡwāmitra) said:
1.26.21
அலம் தே க்ருணயா வீர பாபைஷா துஷ்டசாரிணீ ।
யஜ்ஞவிக்நகரீ யக்ஷீ புரா வர்த்ததி மாயயா ॥
alaṃ tē ghṛṇayā vīra pāpaiṣā duṣṭacāriṇī ।
yajñavighnakarī yakṣī purā varddhati māyayā ॥
You are being considerate to this Yakshi.
She is wretched, evil and can spoil Yajñas if left alone.
She has the magical powers
to regain her strength again and again.
1.26.22
வத்யதாம் தாவதேவைஷா புரா ஸந்த்யா ப்ரவர்ததே ।
ரக்ஷாம்ஸி ஸந்த்யாகாலேஷு துர்த்தர்ஷாணி பவந்தி வை ॥
vadhyatāṃ tāvadēvaiṣā purā sandhyā pravartatē ।
rakṣāṃsi sandhyākālēṣu durddharṣāṇi bhavanti vai ॥
Kill her before it is time for the sun to set.
Rākshasas become even more invincible
at the time of sunset.
1.26.23
இத்யுக்தஸ்து ததா யக்ஷீமஸ்மவ்ருஷ்ட்யாபிவர்ஷதீம் ।
தர்ஸயந் ஸப்தவேதித்வம் தாம் ருரோத ஸ ஸாயகை: ॥
ityuktastu tadā yakṣīmaṡmavṛṣṭyābhivarṣatīm ।
darṡayan ṡabdavēdhitvaṃ tāṃ rurōdha sa sāyakaiḥ ॥
Thus advised, he stopped the Yakshi’s shower of stones
with arrows, showing his skill in aiming by the ear.
1.26.24
ஸா ருத்தா ஸரஜாலேந மாயாபலஸமந்விதா ।
அபிதுத்ராவ காகுத்ஸ்தம் லக்ஷ்மணம் ச விநேதுஷீ ॥
sā ruddhā ṡarajālēna māyābalasamanvitā ।
abhidudrāva kākutsthaṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ ca vinēduṣī ॥
Her shower of rocks and stones
restrained thus by the shower of arrows,
she dashed towards Rāma and Lakshmaṇa
with a roar, using her magical powers.
1.26.25
தாமாபதந்தீம் வேகேந விக்ராந்தாமஸநீமிவ ।
ஸரேணோரஸி விவ்யாத ஸா பபாத மமார ச ॥
tāmāpatantīṃ vēgēna vikrāntāmaṡanīmiva ।
ṡarēṇōrasi vivyādha sā papāta mamāra ca ॥
As she approached them with lightning speed
and fell on them with all her power,
Rāma shot an arrow into her chest.
She then fell and died.
1.26.26
தாம் ஹதாம் பீமஸங்காஸாம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா ஸுரபதிஸ்ததா ।
ஸாது ஸாத்விதி காகுத்ஸ்தம் ஸுராஸ்ச ஸமபூஜயந் ॥
tāṃ hatāṃ bhīmasaṅkāṡāṃ dṛṣṭvā surapatistadā ।
sādhu sādhviti kākutsthaṃ surāṡca samapūjayan ॥
Seeing that horrible being fallen,
All the Dēvas and their lord Indra
applauded the prince of Kākutstha dynasty saying
“Well done, Well done!”
and paid due approbations.
1.26.27
உவாச பரமப்ரீத: ஸஹஸ்ராக்ஷ: புரந்தர: ।
ஸுராஸ்ச ஸர்வே ஸம்ஹ்ருஷ்டா விஸ்வாமித்ரமதாப்ருவந் ॥
uvāca paramaprītaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ purandaraḥ ।
surāṡca sarvē saṃhṛṣṭā viṡvāmitramathābruvan ॥
All the Dēvas and their lord, the thousand eyed Indra
felt extremely happy and said in a jubilant voice to Viṡwāmitra:
1.26.28
முநே கௌஸிக பத்ரம் தே ஸேந்த்ராஸ்ஸர்வே மருத்கணா: ।
தோஷிதா: கர்மணாநேந ஸ்நேஹம் தர்ஸய ராகவே ॥
munē kauṡika bhadraṃ tē sēndrāssarvē marudgaṇā: ।
tōṣitāḥ karmaṇānēna snēhaṃ darṡaya rāghavē ॥
All the Dēvas along with Indra are very happy.
May all bode well for you!
May Rāma be showered with your affection!
1.26.29
ப்ரஜாபதேர்ப்ருஸாஸ்வஸ்ய புத்ராந் ஸத்யபராக்ரமாந்।
தபோபலப்ருதோ ப்ரஹ்மந் ராகவாய நிவேதய ॥
prajāpatērbhṛṡāṡvasya putrān satyaparākramān।
tapōbalabhṛtō brahman rāghavāya nivēdaya ॥
O Brahman, may you pass on the
the truly mighty Astras that are created to Bhṛṡāṡva,
and that were reinforced by the energy of Tapa
to the prince of Raghu dynasty!
1.26.30
பாத்ரபூதஸ்ச தே ப்ரஹ்மந் தவாநுகமநே த்ருத: ।
கர்தவ்யம் ச மஹத்கார்யம் ஸுராணாம் ராஜஸூநுநா ॥
pātrabhūtaṡca tē brahman tavānugamanē dhṛtaḥ ।
kartavyaṃ ca mahatkāryaṃ surāṇāṃ rājasūnunā ॥
He, who has been loyally following you
is well qualified to receive the Astras.
This prince is set to carry on a great task for the Dēvas.
1.26.31
ஏவமுக்த்வா ஸுரா: ஸர்வே ஜக்முர்ஹ்ருஷ்டா யதாகதம் ।
விஸ்வாமித்ரம் புரஸ்க்ருத்ய தத: ஸந்த்யா ப்ரவர்ததே ॥
ēvamuktvā surāḥ sarvē jagmurhṛṣṭā yathāgatam ।
viṡvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya tataḥ sandhyā pravartatē ॥
Speaking thus, the Dēvas departed to
their respective places after paying
due respects to Viṡwāmitra,
as the sun was setting.
1.26.32
ததோ முநிவர: ப்ரீதஸ்தாடகாவததோஷித: ।
மூர்த்நி ராமமுபாக்ராய இதம் வசநமப்ரவீத் ॥
tatō munivaraḥ prītastāṭakāvadhatōṣitaḥ ।
mūrdhni rāmamupāghrāya idaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥
Then, the eminent and pleased Muni,
feeling happy about the elimination of Tāṭaka,
said to Rāma, smelling his head:
"Smelling the head" is an expression that indicates an elderly person leaning over a younger person as a gesture of affection. It is similar to 'kissing the forehead' in modern times.
1.26.33
இஹாத்ய ரஜநீம் ராம வஸாம ஸுபதர்ஸந ।
ஸ்வ:ப்ரபாதே கமிஷ்யாமஸ்ததாஸ்ரமபதம் மம ॥
ihādya rajanīṃ rāma vasāma ṡubhadarṡana ।
ṡvaḥprabhātē gamiṣyāmastadāṡramapadaṃ mama ॥
My dear Rāma! We shall stay here for the night
and will start to my Āṡrama tomorrow morning.
1.26.34
விஸ்வாமித்ரவச: ஸ்ருத்வா ஹ்ருஷ்டோ தஸரதாத்மஜ: ।
உவாஸ ரஜநீம் தத்ர தாடகாயா வநே ஸுகம் ॥
viṡvāmitravacaḥ ṡrutvā hṛṣṭō daṡarathātmajaḥ ।
uvāsa rajanīṃ tatra tāṭakāyā vanē sukham ॥
Hearing those words of Viṡwāmitra,
the son of Daṡaratha felt very happy.
He spent the night in that Tāṭaka Vana in comfort.
This is Rāma’s first major accomplishment. A Yakshiṇi who troubled an entire area was eliminated. What a feeling! Vālmeeki says Rāma spent the night in ‘comfort’. It must certainly have been much more than that.
1.26.35
முக்தஸாபம் வநம் தச்ச தஸ்மிந்நேவ ததாऽஹநி ।
ரமணீயம் விபப்ராஜ யதா சைத்ரரதம் வநம் ॥
muktaṡāpaṃ vanaṃ tacca tasminnēva tadā'hani ।
ramaṇīyaṃ vibabhrāja yathā caitrarathaṃ vanam ॥
The Vana also, relieved from the curse,
shone forth luxuriously like the Chaitraratha Vana,
right on that very day.
Chaitraratha is the luxurious heavenly garden of Kubēra.
This expression is used in a song by
Vēṭūri Sundara Rāma Mūrty, penned for a Telugu movie.
1.26.36
நிஹத்ய தாம் யக்ஷஸுதாம் ஸ ராம:
ப்ரஸஸ்யமாந: ஸுரஸித்தஸங்கை: ।
உவாஸ தஸ்மிந் முநிநா ஸஹைவ
ப்ரபாதவேலாம் ப்ரதிபோத்யமாந: ॥
nihatya tāṃ yakṣasutāṃ sa rāmaḥ
praṡasyamānaḥ surasiddhasaṅghaiḥ ।
uvāsa tasmin muninā sahaiva
prabhātavēlāṃ pratibōdhyamānaḥ ॥
Having killed that daughter of Yaksha,
and having been lauded by all the Dēvas,
that Rāma, along with the Muni
stayed in the Vana for the night,
till woken up by the Muni in the morning.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
ஸ்ரீமத்பாலகாண்டே ஷட்விம்ஸ: ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ṡrīmadbālakāṇḍē ṣaḍviṃṡaḥ sargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the twenty sixth Sarga
in Bāla Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
We completed reading 866 Ṡlōkas out of ~24,000 Ṡlōkas of Vālmeeki Rāmāyaṇa.
Baala Kaanda - Sarga 26
This Sarga is for children. Make sure you read it to them. This Sarga helps them develop admiration for Rāma, the mighty hero, because of the physical prowess he displays in killing Tāṭaka.
That admiration will continue into their adult lives, when their focus will shift from the mighty Rāma to the judicious, disciplined, thoughtful and resolute Rāma.
1.26.1
முநேர்வசநமக்லீபம் ஸ்ருத்வா நரவராத்மஜ: ।
ராகவ: ப்ராஞ்ஜலிர்பூத்வா ப்ரத்யுவாச த்ருடவ்ரத: ॥
munērvacanamaklībaṃ ṡrutvā naravarātmajaḥ ।
rāghavaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā pratyuvāca dṛḍhavrataḥ ॥
Hearing that resolute words of the Muni,
the prince of Raghu dynasty, who observed
his own moral compass, said to him:
1.26.2
பிதுர்வசநநிர்தேஸாத்பிதுர்வசநகௌரவாத் ।
வசநம் கௌஸிகஸ்யேதி கர்தவ்யமவிஸங்கயா ॥
piturvacananirdēṡātpiturvacanagauravāt ।
vacanaṃ kauṡikasyēti kartavyamaviṡaṅkayā ॥
I have full respect for my father's words.
And my father sent me with you, to follow your instructions.
Hence I shall do whatever you ask me to do.
People working in the corporate world or government positions know the importance of chain of command and the rules of deputation very well.
When someone is deputed to another department, he or she would have to serve two masters. The new temporary master and the old permanent master to whom he will return to.
A judicious person would always make sure, that whatever he was asked to do is legitimate from three perspectives:
1) The temporary master's perspective. 2) The permanent master's perspective and 3) Own ethical and moral perspective.
Rāma is discussing all the three perspectives here.
Rāmāyaṇa is about Dharma, Artha and Kāma. The discussion here in these Ṡlōkas, is about Dharma, legitimacy.
1.26.3
அநுஸிஷ்டோऽஸ்ம்யயோத்யாயாம் குருமத்யே மஹாத்மநா ।
பித்ரா தஸரதேநாஹம் நாவஜ்ஞேயம் ச தத்வச: ॥
anuṡiṣṭō'smyayōdhyāyāṃ gurumadhyē mahātmanā ।
pitrā daṡarathēnāhaṃ nāvajñēyaṃ ca tadvacaḥ ॥
In the midst of many great elders in Ayōdhyā,
my father Daṡaratha instructed me to follow your instructions.
How can I say “no!” to his command?
1.26.4
ஸோऽஹம் பிதுர்வச: ஸ்ருத்வா ஸாஸநாத்ப்ரஹ்மவாதிந: ।
கரிஷ்யாமி ந ஸந்தேஹஸ்தாடகாவதமுத்தமம் ॥
sō'haṃ piturvacaḥ ṡrutvā ṡāsanādbrahmavādinaḥ ।
kariṣyāmi na sandēhastāṭakāvadhamuttamam ॥
Hence, in accordance with the words of my father
and in accordance with the instructions from you,
the knower and speaker of great truths,
I shall, without a doubt, kill Tāṭaka,
which is the right thing to be done!
1.26.5
கோப்ராஹ்மணஹிதார்தாய தேஸஸ்யாஸ்ய ஸுகாய ச ।
தவ சைவாப்ரமேயஸ்ய வசநம் கர்த்துமுத்யத: ॥
gōbrāhmaṇahitārthāya dēṡasyāsya sukhāya ca ।
tava caivāpramēyasya vacanaṃ karttumudyataḥ ॥
For the sake of Brāhmaṇas and Cows,
and for the sake of the well-being of these lands
I am ready to obey your command
which is beyond normal considerations.
See the comment on Brāhmaṇas and Cows in the previous Sarga.
1.26.6
ஏவமுக்த்வா தநுர்மத்யே பத்வா முஷ்டிமரிந்தம: ।
ஜ்யாகோஷமகரோத்தீவ்ரம் திஸ: ஸப்தேந நாதயந் ॥
ēvamuktvā dhanurmadhyē badhvā muṣṭimarindamaḥ ।
jyāghōṣamakarōttīvraṃ diṡaḥ ṡabdēna nādayan ॥
Saying thus, that subjugator of enemies,
held the bow in the middle with his fist
and made twanging sounds by plucking the bow string
that reverberated in all ten directions.
The ten directions (east, north, west, south,
northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest, up and down)
is an expression equivalent to the expression
of 360o in the modern times.
I cannot help but visualize Rāma's hand with the glove (Ṡlōka 1.22.9), fiercely gripping the bow in slow motion and close up, as if the bow will be crushed with the strength of his fist.
1.26.7
தேந ஸப்தேந வித்ரஸ்தாஸ்தாடகாவநவாஸிந: ।
தாடகா ச ஸுஸங்க்ருத்தா தேந ஸப்தேந மோஹிதா ॥
tēna ṡabdēna vitrastāstāṭakāvanavāsinaḥ ।
tāṭakā ca susaṅkruddhā tēna ṡabdēna mōhitā ॥
All the animals living in that Tāṭaka forest were terrified.
Tāṭaka herself had to take note of the sound and became enraged.
1.26.8
தம் ஸப்தமபிநித்யாய ராக்ஷஸீ க்ரோதமூர்ச்சிதா ।
ஸ்ருத்வா சாப்யத்ரவத்வேகாத்யத: ஸப்தோ விநிஸ்ஸ்ருத: ॥
taṃ ṡabdamabhinidhyāya rākṣasī krōdhamūrcchitā ।
ṡrutvā cābhyadravadvēgādyataḥ ṡabdō vinissṛtaḥ ॥
She figured out quickly the direction
from which the sound emerged
and dashed in that direction, enraged.
1.26.9
தாம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா ராகவ: க்ருத்தாம் விக்ருதாம் விக்ருதாநநாம் ।
ப்ரமாணேநாதிவ்ருத்தாம் ச லக்ஷ்மணம் ஸோऽப்யபாஷத ॥
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ kruddhāṃ vikṛtāṃ vikṛtānanām ।
pramāṇēnātivṛddhāṃ ca lakṣmaṇaṃ sō'bhyabhāṣata ॥
Seeing that enraged and crooked face
On the huge and horrid body,
Rāma said to Lakshmaṇa:
1.26.10
பஸ்ய லக்ஷ்மண யக்ஷிண்யா பைரவம் தாருணம் வபு: ।
பித்யேரந் தர்ஸநாதஸ்யா பீரூணாம் ஹ்ருதயாநி ச ॥
paṡya lakṣmaṇa yakṣiṇyā bhairavaṃ dāruṇaṃ vapuḥ ।
bhidyēran darṡanādasyā bhīrūṇāṃ hṛdayāni ca ॥
Look at the dreadful and horrid body of this Yakshiṇi!
Her very appearance can pound
the hearts of the weak-minded into pieces!
1.26.11
ஏநாம் பஸ்ய துராதர்ஷாம் மாயாபலஸமந்விதாம் ।
விநிவ்ருத்தாம் கரோம்யத்ய ஹ்ருதகர்ணாக்ரநாஸிகாம் ॥
ēnāṃ paṡya durādharṣāṃ māyābalasamanvitām ।
vinivṛttāṃ karōmyadya hṛtakarṇāgranāsikām ॥
I will cut off her ears and nose and make this female,
who is invincible with her magical powers, flee.
1.26.12
ந ஹ்யேநாமுத்ஸஹே ஹந்தும் ஸ்த்ரீஸ்வபாவேந ரக்ஷிதாம் ।
வீர்யம் சாஸ்யா கதிம் சாபி ஹநிஷ்யாமீதி மே மதி: ॥
na hyēnāmutsahē hantuṃ strīsvabhāvēna rakṣitām ।
vīryaṃ cāsyā gatiṃ cāpi haniṣyāmīti mē matiḥ ॥
I do not feel like killing her
because she is, after all, a woman.
But I will deplete her energy and speed.
1.26.13
ஏவம் ப்ருவாணே ராமே து தாடகா க்ரோதமூர்ச்சிதா ।
உத்யம்ய பாஹூ கர்ஜந்தீ ராமமேவாப்யதாவத ॥
ēvaṃ bruvāṇē rāmē tu tāṭakā krōdhamūrcchitā ।
udyamya bāhū garjantī rāmamēvābhyadhāvata ॥
As Rāma was saying those words,
the enraged Tāṭaka dashed on him
with her hands lifted in the air.
1.26.14
விஸ்வாமித்ரஸ்து ப்ரஹ்மர்ஷிர்ஹுங்காரேணாபிபர்த்ஸ்ய தாம் ।
ஸ்வஸ்தி ராகவயோரஸ்து ஜயம் சைவாப்யபாஷத ॥
viṡvāmitrastu brahmarṣirhuṅkārēṇābhibhartsya tām ।
svasti rāghavayōrastu jayaṃ caivābhyabhāṣata ॥
The Brahmarshi Viṡwāmitra,
intimidating her with a snort,
hailed "victory and safety"
to the princes of Raghu dynasty.
1.26.15
உத்தூந்வாநா ரஜோ கோரம் தாடகா ராகவாவுபௌ ।
ரஜோமோஹேந மஹதா முஹூர்தம் ஸா வ்யமோஹயத் ॥
uddhūnvānā rajō ghōraṃ tāṭakā rāghavāvubhau ।
rajōmōhēna mahatā muhūrtaṃ sā vyamōhayat ॥
She then raised a storm of dust that
covered the duo and confused them for a moment.
Raising dust to cover and confuse the enemy seems to be an eternal trick. In any case, it can be seen being used in Bollywood as well as Hollywood movies.
1.26.16
ததோ மாயாம் ஸமாஸ்தாய ஸிலாவர்ஷேண ராகவௌ ।
அவாகிரத்ஸுமஹதா ததஸ்சுக்ரோத ராகவ: ॥
tatō māyāṃ samāsthāya ṡilāvarṣēṇa rāghavau ।
avākiratsumahatā tataṡcukrōdha rāghavaḥ ॥
With her magical powers, she bombarded them
with a hurl of stones and rocks,
irritating the prince of Raghu dynasty.
1.26.17
ஸிலாவர்ஷம் மஹத்தஸ்யா: ஸரவர்ஷேண ராகவ: ।
ப்ரதிஹத்யோபதாவந்த்யா: கரௌ சிச்சேத பத்ரிபி: ॥
ṡilāvarṣaṃ mahattasyāḥ ṡaravarṣēṇa rāghavaḥ ।
pratihatyōpadhāvantyāḥ karau cicchēda patribhiḥ ॥
He countered that rain of stones and rocks
with a deluge of arrows and then cut her hands off.
1.26.18
ததஸ்சிந்நபுஜாம் ஸ்ராந்தாமப்யாஸே பரிகர்ஜதீம் ।
ஸௌமித்ரிரகரோத் க்ரோதாத்த்ருதகர்ணாக்ரநாஸிகாம் ॥
tataṡchinnabhujāṃ ṡrāntāmabhyāṡē parigarjatīm ।
saumitrirakarōt krōdhāddhṛtakarṇāgranāsikām ॥
The son of Sumitrā cut her nose and ears
as she was lying nearby shouting and yelling
in exhaustion, with her hands cut off.
1.26.19
காமரூபதரா ஸத்ய: க்ருத்வா ரூபாண்யநேகஸ: ।
அந்தர்த்தாநம் கதா யக்ஷீ மோஹயந்தீவ மாயயா ॥
அஸ்மவர்ஷம் விமுஞ்சந்தீ பைரவம் விசசார ஹ ।
kāmarūpadharā sadyaḥ kṛtvā rūpāṇyanēkaṡaḥ ।
antarddhānaṃ gatā yakṣī mōhayantīva māyayā ॥
aṡmavarṣaṃ vimuñcantī bhairavaṃ vicacāra ha ।
With her magical powers, she assumed many forms
appearing at many places at the same time and
bombarding them with stones and rocks from all directions.
1.26.20
ததஸ்தாவஸ்மவர்ஷேண கீர்யமாணௌ ஸமந்தத: ।
த்ருஷ்ட்வா காதிஸுத: ஸ்ரீமாநிதம் வசநமப்ரவீத் ॥
tatastāvaṡmavarṣēṇa kīryamāṇau samantataḥ ।
dṛṣṭvā gādhisutaḥ ṡrīmānidaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥
Seeing the duo engulfed in that shower of rocks and stones,
the resplendent son of Gādhi (Viṡwāmitra) said:
1.26.21
அலம் தே க்ருணயா வீர பாபைஷா துஷ்டசாரிணீ ।
யஜ்ஞவிக்நகரீ யக்ஷீ புரா வர்த்ததி மாயயா ॥
alaṃ tē ghṛṇayā vīra pāpaiṣā duṣṭacāriṇī ।
yajñavighnakarī yakṣī purā varddhati māyayā ॥
You are being considerate to this Yakshi.
She is wretched, evil and can spoil Yajñas if left alone.
She has the magical powers
to regain her strength again and again.
1.26.22
வத்யதாம் தாவதேவைஷா புரா ஸந்த்யா ப்ரவர்ததே ।
ரக்ஷாம்ஸி ஸந்த்யாகாலேஷு துர்த்தர்ஷாணி பவந்தி வை ॥
vadhyatāṃ tāvadēvaiṣā purā sandhyā pravartatē ।
rakṣāṃsi sandhyākālēṣu durddharṣāṇi bhavanti vai ॥
Kill her before it is time for the sun to set.
Rākshasas become even more invincible
at the time of sunset.
1.26.23
இத்யுக்தஸ்து ததா யக்ஷீமஸ்மவ்ருஷ்ட்யாபிவர்ஷதீம் ।
தர்ஸயந் ஸப்தவேதித்வம் தாம் ருரோத ஸ ஸாயகை: ॥
ityuktastu tadā yakṣīmaṡmavṛṣṭyābhivarṣatīm ।
darṡayan ṡabdavēdhitvaṃ tāṃ rurōdha sa sāyakaiḥ ॥
Thus advised, he stopped the Yakshi’s shower of stones
with arrows, showing his skill in aiming by the ear.
1.26.24
ஸா ருத்தா ஸரஜாலேந மாயாபலஸமந்விதா ।
அபிதுத்ராவ காகுத்ஸ்தம் லக்ஷ்மணம் ச விநேதுஷீ ॥
sā ruddhā ṡarajālēna māyābalasamanvitā ।
abhidudrāva kākutsthaṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ ca vinēduṣī ॥
Her shower of rocks and stones
restrained thus by the shower of arrows,
she dashed towards Rāma and Lakshmaṇa
with a roar, using her magical powers.
1.26.25
தாமாபதந்தீம் வேகேந விக்ராந்தாமஸநீமிவ ।
ஸரேணோரஸி விவ்யாத ஸா பபாத மமார ச ॥
tāmāpatantīṃ vēgēna vikrāntāmaṡanīmiva ।
ṡarēṇōrasi vivyādha sā papāta mamāra ca ॥
As she approached them with lightning speed
and fell on them with all her power,
Rāma shot an arrow into her chest.
She then fell and died.
1.26.26
தாம் ஹதாம் பீமஸங்காஸாம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா ஸுரபதிஸ்ததா ।
ஸாது ஸாத்விதி காகுத்ஸ்தம் ஸுராஸ்ச ஸமபூஜயந் ॥
tāṃ hatāṃ bhīmasaṅkāṡāṃ dṛṣṭvā surapatistadā ।
sādhu sādhviti kākutsthaṃ surāṡca samapūjayan ॥
Seeing that horrible being fallen,
All the Dēvas and their lord Indra
applauded the prince of Kākutstha dynasty saying
“Well done, Well done!”
and paid due approbations.
1.26.27
உவாச பரமப்ரீத: ஸஹஸ்ராக்ஷ: புரந்தர: ।
ஸுராஸ்ச ஸர்வே ஸம்ஹ்ருஷ்டா விஸ்வாமித்ரமதாப்ருவந் ॥
uvāca paramaprītaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ purandaraḥ ।
surāṡca sarvē saṃhṛṣṭā viṡvāmitramathābruvan ॥
All the Dēvas and their lord, the thousand eyed Indra
felt extremely happy and said in a jubilant voice to Viṡwāmitra:
1.26.28
முநே கௌஸிக பத்ரம் தே ஸேந்த்ராஸ்ஸர்வே மருத்கணா: ।
தோஷிதா: கர்மணாநேந ஸ்நேஹம் தர்ஸய ராகவே ॥
munē kauṡika bhadraṃ tē sēndrāssarvē marudgaṇā: ।
tōṣitāḥ karmaṇānēna snēhaṃ darṡaya rāghavē ॥
All the Dēvas along with Indra are very happy.
May all bode well for you!
May Rāma be showered with your affection!
1.26.29
ப்ரஜாபதேர்ப்ருஸாஸ்வஸ்ய புத்ராந் ஸத்யபராக்ரமாந்।
தபோபலப்ருதோ ப்ரஹ்மந் ராகவாய நிவேதய ॥
prajāpatērbhṛṡāṡvasya putrān satyaparākramān।
tapōbalabhṛtō brahman rāghavāya nivēdaya ॥
O Brahman, may you pass on the
the truly mighty Astras that are created to Bhṛṡāṡva,
and that were reinforced by the energy of Tapa
to the prince of Raghu dynasty!
1.26.30
பாத்ரபூதஸ்ச தே ப்ரஹ்மந் தவாநுகமநே த்ருத: ।
கர்தவ்யம் ச மஹத்கார்யம் ஸுராணாம் ராஜஸூநுநா ॥
pātrabhūtaṡca tē brahman tavānugamanē dhṛtaḥ ।
kartavyaṃ ca mahatkāryaṃ surāṇāṃ rājasūnunā ॥
He, who has been loyally following you
is well qualified to receive the Astras.
This prince is set to carry on a great task for the Dēvas.
1.26.31
ஏவமுக்த்வா ஸுரா: ஸர்வே ஜக்முர்ஹ்ருஷ்டா யதாகதம் ।
விஸ்வாமித்ரம் புரஸ்க்ருத்ய தத: ஸந்த்யா ப்ரவர்ததே ॥
ēvamuktvā surāḥ sarvē jagmurhṛṣṭā yathāgatam ।
viṡvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya tataḥ sandhyā pravartatē ॥
Speaking thus, the Dēvas departed to
their respective places after paying
due respects to Viṡwāmitra,
as the sun was setting.
1.26.32
ததோ முநிவர: ப்ரீதஸ்தாடகாவததோஷித: ।
மூர்த்நி ராமமுபாக்ராய இதம் வசநமப்ரவீத் ॥
tatō munivaraḥ prītastāṭakāvadhatōṣitaḥ ।
mūrdhni rāmamupāghrāya idaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥
Then, the eminent and pleased Muni,
feeling happy about the elimination of Tāṭaka,
said to Rāma, smelling his head:
"Smelling the head" is an expression that indicates an elderly person leaning over a younger person as a gesture of affection. It is similar to 'kissing the forehead' in modern times.
1.26.33
இஹாத்ய ரஜநீம் ராம வஸாம ஸுபதர்ஸந ।
ஸ்வ:ப்ரபாதே கமிஷ்யாமஸ்ததாஸ்ரமபதம் மம ॥
ihādya rajanīṃ rāma vasāma ṡubhadarṡana ।
ṡvaḥprabhātē gamiṣyāmastadāṡramapadaṃ mama ॥
My dear Rāma! We shall stay here for the night
and will start to my Āṡrama tomorrow morning.
1.26.34
விஸ்வாமித்ரவச: ஸ்ருத்வா ஹ்ருஷ்டோ தஸரதாத்மஜ: ।
உவாஸ ரஜநீம் தத்ர தாடகாயா வநே ஸுகம் ॥
viṡvāmitravacaḥ ṡrutvā hṛṣṭō daṡarathātmajaḥ ।
uvāsa rajanīṃ tatra tāṭakāyā vanē sukham ॥
Hearing those words of Viṡwāmitra,
the son of Daṡaratha felt very happy.
He spent the night in that Tāṭaka Vana in comfort.
This is Rāma’s first major accomplishment. A Yakshiṇi who troubled an entire area was eliminated. What a feeling! Vālmeeki says Rāma spent the night in ‘comfort’. It must certainly have been much more than that.
1.26.35
முக்தஸாபம் வநம் தச்ச தஸ்மிந்நேவ ததாऽஹநி ।
ரமணீயம் விபப்ராஜ யதா சைத்ரரதம் வநம் ॥
muktaṡāpaṃ vanaṃ tacca tasminnēva tadā'hani ।
ramaṇīyaṃ vibabhrāja yathā caitrarathaṃ vanam ॥
The Vana also, relieved from the curse,
shone forth luxuriously like the Chaitraratha Vana,
right on that very day.
Chaitraratha is the luxurious heavenly garden of Kubēra.
This expression is used in a song by
Vēṭūri Sundara Rāma Mūrty, penned for a Telugu movie.
1.26.36
நிஹத்ய தாம் யக்ஷஸுதாம் ஸ ராம:
ப்ரஸஸ்யமாந: ஸுரஸித்தஸங்கை: ।
உவாஸ தஸ்மிந் முநிநா ஸஹைவ
ப்ரபாதவேலாம் ப்ரதிபோத்யமாந: ॥
nihatya tāṃ yakṣasutāṃ sa rāmaḥ
praṡasyamānaḥ surasiddhasaṅghaiḥ ।
uvāsa tasmin muninā sahaiva
prabhātavēlāṃ pratibōdhyamānaḥ ॥
Having killed that daughter of Yaksha,
and having been lauded by all the Dēvas,
that Rāma, along with the Muni
stayed in the Vana for the night,
till woken up by the Muni in the morning.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
ஸ்ரீமத்பாலகாண்டே ஷட்விம்ஸ: ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ṡrīmadbālakāṇḍē ṣaḍviṃṡaḥ sargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the twenty sixth Sarga
in Bāla Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
We completed reading 866 Ṡlōkas out of ~24,000 Ṡlōkas of Vālmeeki Rāmāyaṇa.