Monday, September 27, 2021

Purvakale mahabaho

  Rama and the other two on their way to Panchavati come into contact with Jatayu, the mighty eagle. When Rama questions about its identity, Jatayu narrates the creation of animal species along with humans, and informs Rama that he is a friend of King Dasharatha and would like to help Rama in exile.

Verse Locator

atha paṃcavaṭīm gaccann antarā raghunandanaḥ |
āsasāda mahākāyam gṛdhram bhīma parākramam || 3-14-1

1. atha = then; raghunandanaH pancavaTiim gacChann = Rahu's descendent, to Panchavati, while proceeding; antaraa = in midway; mahaa kaayam bhiima paraakramam = with mammoth, bodied, with marvellous, might; gR^idhram aasasaada = an eagle he reached, came across.

Then while proceeding to Panchavati that Rahu's descendent came across a mammoth eagle with marvellous might in midway. [3-14-1]

Verse Locator

tam dṛṣṭvā tau mahābhāgau vanastham rāma lakṣmaṇau |
menāte rākṣasam pakṣim bruvāṇau ko bhavān iti || 3-14-2

2. mahaabhaagau tau raama lakSmaNau = highly privileged, those two, Rama, Lakshmana; vanastham = in forest [vaTastham = on tree]; tam pakSim dR^iSTvaa = him, that bird, on seeing; kau bhavaan iti = who, you are, thus; bruvaaNau = saying; raakSasam menaate = demon, they presumed.

On seeing such an eagle in the forest those two highly privileged brothers Rama and Lakshmana questioned it asking, "Who you are?" presuming it to be a demon. [3-14-2]

Verse Locator

sa tau madhurayā vācā saumyayā prīṇayann iva |
uvāca vatsa mām viddhi vayasyam pitur ātmanaḥ || 3-14-3

3. saH = he, that eagle; tau madhurayaa saumyayaa vaacaa = to them, with sweet, soft, with words; uvaaca priiNayann iva = spoke, pleasing them, as though; vatsa = oh boy Rama; maam aatmanaH pituH vayasyam viddhi = me, of your, father's, friend , thus you know.

But that eagle with sweet ad soft words spoke to them as though to please them, "oh boy Rama know me as your father's friend." [3-14-3]

Verse Locator

sa tam pitṛ sakham matvā pūjayāmāsa rāghavaḥ |
sa tasya kulam avyagram atha papracchha nāma ca || 3-14-4

4. saH = he that; raaghavaH = Raghava; tam = that bird; pitR^i sakham matvaa puujayaamaasa = him, as father's, friend, accepting, revered; atha saH avyagram = then, he [Rama,] without haste; tasya kulam naama ca papracCha = its, lineage, name, also, asked for.

Accepting that bird as his father's friend Raghava revered it, and he that Rama then asked for that eagle's name and lineage. [3-14-4]

Verse Locator

rāmasya vacanam śrutvā kulam ātmānam eva ca |
ācacakṣe dvijaḥ tasmai sarvabhūta samudbhavam || 3-14-5

5. dvijaH = that bird; raamasya vacanam shrutvaa = Rama's, words, on hearing; sarva bhuuta sam udbhavam = reg. all, beings, overall, genesis; kulam aatmaanam eva ca = ancestry, himself, thus, also; aacacakSe tasmai = said, to them.

On hearing Rama's words that bird said about his ancestry and himself, and in doing so, that eagle also narrated the overall genesis of all beings. [3-14-5]

Verse Locator

pūrvakāle mahābāho ye prajāpatayo abhavan |
tān me nigadataḥ sarvān āditaḥ śṛṇu rāghava || 3-14-6

6. puurva kaale mahaabaahuH = once, upon a time, oh dextrous one; Raaghava; ye prajaa patayaH abhavan = those, people's, lords, were there; taan sarvaan = of them, all; me nigadataH = from me, while I narrate; aaditaH = from beginning; shR^iNu = you may listen.

"Once upon a time there were lords of people, oh dextrous Raghava, and you may listen all about them from the beginning, while I narrate [3-14-6]

Verse Locator

kardamaḥ prathamaḥ teṣām vikṛtaḥ tad anantaram |
śeṣaḥ ca saṃśrayaḥ caiva bahu putraḥ ca vīryavān || 3-14-7
sthāṇur marīcir atriḥ ca kratuḥ caiva mahābalaḥ |
pulastyaḥ ca a.ṃgirāḥ caiva pracetāḥ pulahaḥ tathā || 3-14-8
dakṣo vivasvān aparo ariṣṭanemiḥ ca rāghava |
kaśyapaḥ ca mahātejāḥ teṣām āsīt ca paścimaḥ || 3-14-9

7. teSaam = among them; kardamaH prathamaH = Kardama, the first one; vikR^iitaH tat anantaram = Vikrita, then, afterwards; sheSaH ca samshrayaH caiva = Sesha, also, Samshraya, also thus; bahu putraH ca viiryavaan = with many, children, also, vigorous one; sthaaNuH mariiciH atriH ca = Sthanu, Mariichi, Atri, also; kratuH caiva mahaabalaH = Kratu, also thus, great mighty one; pulastyaH ca angiraaH caiva pracetaaH pulahaH tathaa = Pulasthya, also, Angiira, also thus, Pracheta, Pulah, then; dakSaH vivasvaan aparaH ariSTanemiH ca = Daksha, Vivaswan, then, Arishtanemi; raaghava = oh Raghava; kashyapaH ca mahaatejaaH = Kashyapa, also, great resplendent; teSaam aasiit pashcimaH = of them, was there, the last one.

"Of them Kardama was there at first, and afterwards Sesha, and later Samshraya was there with many children and a vigorous one he was. Then Sthaanu, Mariichi, Atri, the great mighty one Kratu, Pulasthya, Angira, Pracheta and Pulah were there. And oh, Raghava, Daksha, Vivaswan were while the other name of Vivasvan is Arishtanemi, and lastly the great resplendent Kashyapa, was there as Prajapati. [3-14-9] [3-14-7]

Verse Locator

prajāpateḥ tu dakṣasya babhūvur iti viśrutam |
ṣaṣṭir duhitaro rāma yaśasvinyo mahāyaśaḥ || 3-14-10

10. mahaa yashaH raama = oh, highly, glorious, Rama; prajaapateH dakSasya = people's lord, for Daksha; SaSTiH duhitaraH = sixty, daughters; yashasvinyaH = highly renowned ones; babhuuvuH iti vi shrutam = were there, thus, we hear.

"Oh glorious Rama, there were sixty highly renowned daughters to Daksha, thus we hear. [3-14-10]

Verse Locator

kaśyapaḥ pratijagrāha tāsām aṣṭau sumadhyamāḥ |
aditim ca ditim caiva danūm api ca kālakām || 3-14-11
tāmrām krodha vaśām caiva manum ca apy analām api |

11, 12a. kashyapaH = Kashyapa; taasaam = from them; aditim ca ditim caiva = Aditi, also, Diti, like that; danuum = Danu; api ca = even, also; kaalakaam taamraam krodhavashaam caiva = Kaalakaa Taamra, Krodhavasha, also thus; manum ca api analaam api = Manu, also, even, Anala, also; aSTau su madhyamaaH prati jagraaha = eight, slender, waisted ones, has accepted.

"Of them Kashyapa accepted eight slender-waisted daughters of Daksha Prajapati, namely Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kaalakaa and Taamra, Krodhavasha, also thus Manu and even Anala also as wives. [3-14-11, 12a]

Verse Locator

tāḥ tu kanyāḥ tataḥ prītaḥ kaśyapaḥ punar abravīt || 3-14-12
putrāmḥ trailokya bhartṝn vai janayiṣyatha mat samān |

12b, 13a. tataH priitaH kashyapaH = then, gladdened, Kashyapa is; taaH kanyaaH punaH abraviit = to them, girls � young wives, in turn, said; trai lokya bhartR^In vai = three, worlds, sustainers of, indeed; mat samaan putraam janayiSyatha = sons, to me, similar, you deliver.

"Then Kashyapa is gladdened and said to those young wives, "You all shall deliver sons similar to me and who can sustain the three worlds." [3-14-12b, 13a]

Verse Locator

aditiḥ tan manā rāma ditiḥ ca danur eva ca || 3-14-13
kālakā ca mahābāho śeṣāḥ tu amanaso abhavan |

13b, 14a. aditiH tan manaa = Aditi, that, agreed; raama = Rama; mahaabaahuH = oh, dextrous one; ditiH ca danuH eva ca = Diti, also, Danu, even, also kaalakaa ca[ manaa] = Kaalakaa, also, [agreed]; sheSaaH tu a manasaH abhavan = others, but, not, heedful, they became;.

"Oh, dextrous Rama, Aditi, Diti, Kaalakaa and Danu have agreed for that, but others became unheedful of Kashyapa's words. [3-14-13b, 14a]

Verse Locator

adityām jajñire devāḥ trayaḥ triṃśat ariṃdama || 3-14-14
ādityā vasavo rudrā aśvinau ca paraṃtapa |

14b, 15a. arindama = oh enemy-destroyer; adityaam devaaH aadityaa vasavaH rudraa ashvinau ca = from Aditi, Aadityaa-s, Vasu-s, two Ashvini-s; trayaH trimshat devaaH jaj~nire = thirty three, gods, are born; parantapa = oh enemy-oppressor.

"Aditi gave birth to twelve Aditya-s, the Sun-gods, eight Vasu-s, the Terrestrials-gods, eleven Rudraa-s, the Fury-gods, and two Ashvinis, the medicine-gods, total thirty-three of them. [3-14-14b, 15a]

Verse Locator

ditiḥ tu ajanayat putrān daityām tāta yaśasvinaḥ || 3-14-15
teṣām iyam vasumatī purā āsīt sa vana arṇavā |

15b, 16a. taata = oh, boy; ditiH tu yashasvinaH daityaam putraan ajanayat = Diti, but, well-known ones, Daitya-s [so-called demons,] as sons, gave birth to; sa vana arNavaa = with, forests, oceans; iyam vasumatii teSaam puraa aasiit = this, earth, theirs, earlier, was there.

"Oh, boy Rama, Diti gave birth to well-known Daitya-s, the so-called demons, and earlier this earth with forests and oceans belonged to them. [3-14-15b, 16a]

Verse Locator

danuḥ tu ajanayat putram aśvagrīvam ariṃdama || 3-14-16
narakam kālakam caiva kālakā api vyajāyata |

16b, 17a. arindama = oh, enemy- destroyer Rama; danuH ashvagriivam putram ajanayat = Danu, to Ashvagriiva or Hayagriiva, the son, gave birth to; narakam kaalakam caiva = Naraka, Kaalaka, also thus; kaalakaa api vyajaayata = Kaalakaa, even gave birth to.

"And oh, enemy-destroyer Rama, Danu gave birth to son Ashvagriiva or also called Hayagriiva, Horse-headed god, and Kaalakaa gave birth to Naraka and Kaalaka. [3-14-16b, 17a]

Verse Locator

krauncīm bhāsīm tathā śyenīm dhṛtarāṣṭrīm tathā śukīm || 3-14-17
tāmrā tu suṣuve kanyāḥ paṃca etā lokaviśrutāḥ |

17b, 18a. taamraa tu = Taamraa, but; kraunciim bhaasiim tathaa shyeniim dhR^itaraaSTriim tathaa shukiim = to Krounchi, Bhaasii, then, to Shyenii, Dhritaraashtrii, like that, to Shukii; etaa = these [above mentioned]; loka vishrutaaH panca kanyaaH suSuve = world, renowned, to five, girls, gave birth.

"But Taamraa gave birth to five world renowned girls namely, Krounchi, Bhaasii, Shyenii, Dhritaraashtrii, and Shukii. [3-14-17b, 18a]

Verse Locator

ulūkān janayat krauncī bhāsī bhāsān vyajāyata || 3-14-18
śyenī śyenām ca gṛdhrāma ca vyajāyata sutejasaḥ |
dhṛtarāṣṭrī tu haṃsām ca kalahaṃsām ca sarvaśaḥ || 3-14-19

18b, 19. krauncii uluukaan janayat = Kraunchii, given birth, to Uluukaa-s [owls]; bhaasii vyajaayata bhaasaan = Bhaasii, gave birth to, Bhaasaa-s [vultures]; shyenii vyajaayata su tejasaH shyenaam gR^idhraama ca = Shyenii, gave birth to, very sharp, eagles, falcons [or, raptors as the case may be]; tu = but [in contrast]; dhR^itaraaSTrii hamsaam ca sarvashaH kala hamsaam ca = Dhritaraashtrii, [gave birth to]; swans, also, all of the, kalahamsa-s [other graceful water-birds.]

"And from each of the five daughters of Taamraa in turn emanated are the other avian species, where Kraunchii gave birth to Uluuka-s, the owls, Bhasii-s gave birth to Bhaasaa-s, the vultures, and Shyenii gave birth to very sharp eagles and falcons, and then Dhritaraashtrii gave birth to swans and all other kinds of graceful water-birds. [3-14-18b, 19]

Verse Locator

cakravākām ca bhadram te vijajñe sā api bhāminī |
śukī natām vijajñe tu natāyā vinatā sutā || 3-14-20

20. saa bhaaminii cakravaakaam ca api vijaj~ne = she, that lady, Chakravaaka birds, also, even, gave birth to; bhadram te = safe, you be Rama; shukii vijaj~ne nataam tu = Shukii, gave birth, to Nata; nataayaaH sutaa vinataa = Nata's, daughter, is Vinata.

"Dhritaraashtrii gave birth even to Chakravaaka water-birds, and Shukii gave birth to a daughter Nata, and Nata's daughter is Vinata. [3-14-20]

Verse Locator

daśa krodhavaśā rāma vijajñe api ātmasaṃbhavāḥ |
mṛgīm ca mṛgamaṃdām ca harīm bhadramadām api || 3-14-21
māta.ṃgīm atha śārdūlīm śvetām ca surabhīm tathā |
sarva lakṣaṇa saṃpannām surasām kadrukām api || 3-14-22

21, 22. raama = Rama; krodhavashaa = by Krodhavasha; vijaj~ne api = given birth, even; mR^igiim = Mrigi; mR^igamandaam = Mrigamanda; hariim = Hari; bhadramadaam = Bhadramanda; maatangiim = maatangii; shaarduuliim = shadruulii; shvetaam = shweta; surabhiim = Surabhi; sarva lakSaNa sampannaam surasaam = all, giftedness, possessing, Surasa; kadrukaam api = Kadruva, even to; aatma sambhavaaH dasha = self-same, ten [daughters.]

"Oh, Rama, Krodhavasha gave birth to ten of her self-same daughters namely Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramanda, Maatangii, Sharduulii, Shweta, Surabhii, and like that to Surasa, who is embodied with all giftedness, and even to Kadruva. [3-14-21, 22]

Verse Locator

apatyam tu mṛgāḥ sarve mṛgyā naravarottama |
ṛkṣāḥ ca mṛgamaṃdāyāḥ sṛmarāḥ camarāḥ tathā || 3-14-23

23. nara vara uttama = oh, best of the best men Rama; sarve mR^igaaH = all of the, deer; mR^igyaaH apatyam = Mrigi's, progeny; mR^igamandaayaaH apatyam = Mrigamanda's, children are; R^ikSaaH sR^imaraaH camaraaH = bears, Srimara-s, a kind of antelopes, yak like oxen; tathaa = like that.

"Children Mrigi are all of the the deer, oh best of the best-men, Rama, and Mrigamnda's progeny is Riksha-s, Bears, a kind of antelope, and like that the Himalayan yak like species.[3-14-23]

Verse Locator

tataḥ tu irāvatīm nāma jajñe bhadramadā sutām |
tasyāḥ tu airāvataḥ putro lokanātho mahāgajaḥ || 3-14-24

24. tataH = then; bhadramadaa jaj~ne = Bhadramanda, gave birth to; iraavatiim naama sutaam = to Iravati, named, daughter; tasyaaH putraH airaavataH = her, son is, Airavata; mahaa gajaH = great, elephant; loka naathaH = world, protector.

"Then Bhadramanda gave birth to the girl named Iravati and her son is elephant the great, Airaavata, the protector of world. [3-14-24]

Verse Locator

haryāḥ ca harayo apatyam vānarāḥ ca tapasvinaḥ |
golā.ṃgūlāḥ ca śārdūlī vyāghrām ca ajanayat sutān || 3-14-25

25. harayoH = lions; tarasvinaH = mighty [tapasvinaH = sagely, gentle]; vaanaraaH = monkeys; haryaaH apatyam = [lady] Hari's, offspring; shaarduulii ajanayat sutaan = [lady] Sharduulii, gave birth, to sons; golaanguulaaH vyaaghraam = baboons, tigers;

"And Hari's offspring are lions and sagely/mighty monkeys, while Sharduulii gave birth to baboons and tigers. [3-14-25]

Verse Locator

māta.ṃgyāḥ tu atha mātaṃgāapatyam manuja ṛṣabha |
diśāgajam tu śveta kākutstha śvetā vyajanayat sutam || 3-14-26

26. manujarSabha = oh, the best man Rama; atha = then; maatangyaaH aapatyam maatangaH = Maatangi's, children, are elephants; kaakutstha = oh, Rama; shveta vyajanayat sutaan dishaa gajaam = Shweta, gave birth, to sons, at quarters, elephants; = .

"Then Maatangi's childrenm are elephants, oh, best one among men, Rama, and Shweta gave birth to eight elephants that are at eight quarters of world, sustaining the world on their head. [3-14-26]

Verse Locator

tato duhitarau rāma surabhir dve vi ajāyata |
rohiṇīm nāma bhadram te gandharvīm ca yaśasvinīm || 3-14-27

27. tataH = then; surabhiH = Surabhi; rohiNiim naama yashasviniim = Rohini, named, illustrious one; gandharviim ca = Gandharvii, also; vi ajaayata dve duhitarau = gave birth, to two, daughters; bhadram te= safe, you be; yashasviniim = noted one.

"Then, oh Rama, Surabhi gave birth to two daughters, one is named as illustrious Rohini, safe you be, and the other is Gandharvi. [3-14-27]

Verse Locator

rohiṇi ajanayad gāvo gandharvī vājinaḥ sutān |
surasā ajanayan nāgān rāma kadrūḥ ca pannagān || 3-124-28

28. rohiNi ajanayat gaavaH = Rohini, gave birth, to cows; gandharvii [ajanayat ] sutaan vaajinaH = Gandharvii, [gave birth] to sons, the horses; surasaa ajanayan naagaan = Surasa, gave birth, many headed serpents; raama = oh, Rama; kadruuH ca pannagaan = Kadru, also, to [ordinary] serpents.

"Rohini gave birth to cows and other livestock, while Surasa gave birth to Naagaa-s, viz., many headed serpents, while Kadru gave birth to ordinary serpents. [3-124-28]

Verse Locator

manur manuṣyān janayat kaśyapasya mahātmanaḥ |
brāhmaṇān kṣatriyān vaiśyān śūdrām ca manuja^^rṣabha || 3-14-29

29. manujarSabha = man, the best among, Rama; manuH = [lady] Manu; kashyapasya mahaatmanaH = [wife] of Sage Kashyapa, the great-soul; braahmaNaan kSatriyaan vaishyaan shuudraam ca = Brahmans, Kshatriya-s, Vaishyaa-s, Shuudraa-s, also; manuSyaan janayat = procreated, humans.

"Oh, the best among men Rama, the wife of great-soul Kashyapa, lady Manu procreated humans, Brahman--s, Kshatriya-s, Vyasya-s, and Shudra-s. [3-14-29]

Verse Locator

mukhato brāhmaṇā jātā urasaḥ kṣatriyāḥ tathā |
ūrubhyām jajñire vaiśyāḥ padbhyām śūdrā iti śrutiḥ || 3-14-30

30. mukhataH braahmaNaa jaataa = from face, Brahman-s, came; urasaH kSatriyaaH tathaa = from chest, Kshatriya-s, likewise; uurubhyaam jaj~nire vaishyaaH = from two thighs, came out, Vyasya-s; padbhyaam shuudraa = from two feet, shuudraa-s; iti shrutiH = thus, we hear from scriptures [Veda-s.]

"The Brahman-s emerged from face, the Kshatriya-s from chest, the Vyasya-s from two thighs, and the Shudra-s from two feet, thus we hear from the scriptures viz., Veda, i.e., Rig Veda Purusha Shuukta. [3-14-30]

Verse Locator

sarvān puṇya phalān vṛkṣān analā api vyajāyata |
vinatā ca śukī pautrī kadrūḥ ca surasā svasā || 3-14-31

31. analaa api = [lady] Anala, even; vyajaayata = gave birth to; puNya phalaan sarvaan vR^ikSaan = merited ones, fruit-bearing, all, trees; vinataa ca shukii pautrii [dauhitri] = Vinata, also, Shuki's, grand daughter [daughter's daughter]; kadruuH ca surasaa svasaa = Kadru, also, Surasa's, sister; I will narrate.

"All the merited fruit-bearing trees are given birth by Anala, and now I will narrate about Vinata, the daughter's daughter of Shukii, and about Kadru, the sister of Surasa. [3-14-31]

Verse Locator

kadrūr nāga sahasram tu vijajñe dharaṇīdharan |
dvau putrau vinatāyāḥ tu garuḍo aruṇa eva ca || 3-14-32

32. kadruuH = [lady] Kadru; sahasram [sahasra aasyam] = thousand faced; dharaNii dharan = earth, bearer -- one who can bear the earth; naaga [naagam] vijaj~ne = to serpent, gave birth; vinataayaaH tu = of Vinata, but; garuDaH aruNa eva ca = Garuda and AruNa, also, like that; dvau putrau = two, sons [took birth.]

"Kadru gave birth to a thousand-headed serpent who is the bearer of this earth, and Vinata gave birth to two sons namely Garuda and Aruna. [3-14-32]

Garuda is the eagle-vehicle of Lord Vishnu, while Aruna, also called Anuuru, for he is a thigh-less being, is the charioteer of Sun's seven-horse chariot. The seven horses of Sun's chariot are the seven colours in vibgyor as in a rainbow. Aruna and Garuda are of avian origination and attributed to be the speediest propellers, and Jatayu and Sampati belong to that lineage.

Verse Locator

tasmāt jāto aham aruṇāt saṃpātiḥ ca mama agrajaḥ |
jaṭāyur iti mām viddhi śyenī putram ariṃdama || 3-14-33

33. arindama = oh enemy destroyer Rama; aham = I am; tasmaat [asmaat] aruNaat = from that lineage / from him, from Aruna/Anuura; jaataH = took birth; sampaatiH mama agrajaH = Sampaati, is my, elder brother; shyenii putram = Shyeni's, son; maam = me; jaTaayuH iti viddhi = Jatayu, thus as, know me.

"Oh enemy-destroyer Rama, I took birth from that Aruna, the charioteer of Sun, and my elder brother Sampati too, hence know me as Jatayu, the son of Shyenii. [3-14-33]

Verse Locator

so aham vāsa sahāyaḥ te bhaviṣyāmi yadi icchhasi |
idam durgam hi kāntāram mṛga rākṣasa sevitam
sītām ca tāta rakṣiṣye tvayi yāte salakṣmaṇe || 3-14-34

34. saH aham = such as I am; icChasi yadi = you wish, if; te vaasa sahaayaH bhaviSyaami = your, at residence, as helpmate, I can be; durgam idam kaantaaram = impassable, this one, forest is; mR^iga raakshasa sevitam hi = by predators, demons, beloved to, isn't it; taata = oh boy; sa lakSmaNe tvayi yaate = with Lakshmana, on your, going out; siitaam rakSiSye = Seetha, I wish to protect.

"Such as I am, I can be your helpmate at your residence if only you wish me to... oh, boy, this impassable forest is a beloved one to predators and demons, isn't it... as such I can take care of Seetha if you and Lakshmana go out..." Thus Jatayu said to Rama. [3-14-34]

Verse Locator

jaṭāyuṣam tu pratipūjya rāghavo
mudā pariṣvajya ca sannato abhavat |
pitur hi śuśrāva sakhitvam ātmavān
jaṭāyuṣā saṃkathitam punaḥ punaḥ || 3-14-35

35. raaghavaH = Raghava; jaTaayuSam pratipuujya = at Jatayu, in turn, revering; mudaa pariSvajya ca = gladly, on hugging; sannataH abhavat = bowed down, he [Rama] became; aatmavaan = kind-natured one [Rama]; jaTaayuSaa punaH punaH sam kathitam = by Jatayu, again, again well, narrated; pituH sakhitvam shushraava hi = father's, friendship, heard of [he is regardful,] indeed.

Raghava revered Jatayu in his turn by gladly hugging and stood by him with his head bent, and that kind-natured Rama is indeed regardful of the friendship of his father with Jatayu that is repeatedly said by Jatayu. [3-14-35]

Verse Locator

sa tatra sītām paridāya maithilīm
saha eva tena atibalena pakṣiṇā |
jagāma tām paṃcavaṭīm salakṣmaṇo
ripūn didhakṣan śalabhān iva analaḥ || 3-14-36

36. saH maithiliim siitaam paridaaya = he that Rama, Maithili's, Seetha, on taking; sa lakSmaNaH = with Lakshmana; ati balena tena pakSiNaa saha eva = very, mighty one, with that, bird, along with, thus; analaH shalabhaan iva = as fire, for grasshoppers, like; ripuun didhakSan = enemies, to incinerate; taam pancavaTiim = to that, Panchavati; jagaama = proceeded.

He that Rama took the princess from Mithila Seetha, and proceeded to Panchavati along with that very mighty bird and Lakshmana, as though to incinerate enemies, like fire that burns down grasshoppers. [3-14-36]

Saturday, September 25, 2021

The lone warrior.

 

After purva kale mahabaho post and the grahapravesh in the forest of post dated 23. Please read this

Rama eliminates fourteen thousand demons led by Duushana. Firstly, the forerunning demons are killed, next Duushana is routed, and then twelve other captains who on knowing Duushana's downfall dashed towards Rama. Left behind are only two, Khara and Trishira, the chiefs of that demonic force in Janasthaana.

On seeing the shattering of his own forces, Duushana bid five thousand mighty-armed nightwalkers of monstrous impetus, and who knew no retreat in war, to attack Rama. And they with spears, scimitars, swords, and with the rains of boulders, trees and arrows rained incessantly and inordinately upon Rama from all over. Raghava, the virtue-souled, in his turn has neutralised that ghastly and life-taking storm of boulders and trees with his fierce arrows.

Like a bull receiving rain with closed eyes Rama assimilated that storming and then evoked an inordinate infuriation for eliminating all of the demons. Exasperation prevailing on him who appeared to be highly blazing with the blaze of his own virtue, he then diffused Duushana and his army with arrows from all over. And on becoming enraged Duushana, the railer of his rivals and the commander of that army, then virtually forestalled Raghava's onslaught with his arrows that are simulative of thunderbolts. That valiant one in warring Rama is then infuriated and with his crescent-barbed arrow shivered the sturdy bow of Duushana, shredding four of his horses with four more arrows.

On destructing the horses with excruciating arrows, he even fragmented the head of the charioteer with a crescent-barbed arrow, and even impaled the chest of demon Duushana with some more arrows.

One crescent dart he aimed which shred / Clean from his neck the driver's head; / Three more with deadly skill addressed / Stood quivering in the giant's breast. - Griffith.

With his bow fractured and chariot shredded, and with horses and charioteer killed, he that Duushana grabbed a mace which outranks a peak of mountain and a hair-thriller at its sight, and which girt with golden girths once gritted the armies of gods, the head of which is studded with incisive iron spikes and saturated with the fat of foes, a coequal of a diamond and a thunderbolt in its hardiness and flashiness, and a ransacker of the archways of fortresses of his adversaries. On firmly gripping that mace which in war is akin to an infernal serpent, and the touch of which tantamount to snakebite, rushed that nightwalker Duushana with infernal exerts rushed towards Rama.

While Duushana came falling on, he that Raghava sheared off his shoulders that have wrist-ornaments on his arms with two arrows. When Duushana's arms are thus sheared in the van of war, his gigantic mace slipped and spun in his own front, like the flagstaff with flag raised in honour of Indra, and collapsed . With both of his arms strewn around Duushana fell down onto earth like a haughty and gigantic elephant when both of its tusks are broken down.

On seeing Duushana eliminated and fallen to ground, all the beings have applauded Rama saying, 'good, good...'

In the meantime infuriated are the three leading commanders of that army, namely Mahakapaala, Sthulaaksha and great mighty Pramaathii, and they collectively ran towards Rama, bound by the rein of death. Mahakapaala raising a broad trident, Sthulaaksha handling a scimitar, Pramaathi handling an axe rushed towards Rama. As one would receive guests meeting his basic needs, Raghava too took on these untimely guests of war, rather the insurgents, meeting their basic needs which now are no more than highly sharpened acute edged arrows, when he saw them coming and falling upon him, inopportunely.

Rama, the legatee of Raghu, chopped off the head of Mahakapaala, with incalculable spates of arrows he eliminated Pramaathi, and filled the bulging eyes of Sthulaaksha with arrows by which Sthulaaksha is killed and fell down onto ground like a burly tree with its broad branches. Then still infuriated Rama forthwith eliminated the five thousand hench-demons of Duushana with five thousand arrows, and thus he led them to the residence of Time-god, namely the hell.

The words viTapi 'a tree with branches and twigs...' and druma 'a tree' in general. Though they are similar to give the general meaning of a tree, they are juxtaposed taking the viTapi as the adjective of the word druma. This is not exactly synonymic usage, but a shade of difference is available in both words. Readers may please refer to the excellent book of Dr. Satya Vrat, The Ramayana - A Linguistic Study.

On hearing about the killing of Duushana and also thus of the followers of Duushana, Khara irately ordered his army captains, under whose captaincy mighty forces are there.

"Duushana is killed in war along with his followers, hence all you demons, take formidable army, take weapons of diverse designs, combat and kill that evil-human Rama..." Thus Khara ordered the remaining demons.

Saying so Khara himself rushed towards Rama in rage, and Shyenagaami, Prithugriiva, Yajnashatru, Vihangama Durjaya, Karaviiraaksha, Parusha, Kaalakaarmuka, Hemamaali, Mahaamaali, Sarpaasya, and Rudhiraaksha are the twelve fiendishly atrocious troop leaders of demonic forces, and they too rushed towards Rama launching their atrocious arrows.

He who is resplendent that Rama then annihilated the remaining demons of that army with his arrows that are embellished with gold and diamonds, and that are blazing like ritual-fires. With those arrows that have golden tailpieces and sharp barbs, and that are dazzling like fuming ritual fires Rama felled the demons, as Thunderbolts of Indra will be felling gigantic trees. With a hundred rudder like arrows Rama hit down a hundred demons, and with a thousand more, thousand more demons are hit in the forefront of that war.

Ripped are their shields and armorial-ornaments, ruined and rickety are their bows, and they the nightwalkers fell flat on ground, bodies wholly smudged with blood. With those demons that have fallen down in war, whose hair is tousled and who are drenched in blood, entire earth looked like a vast altar of fire overspread with holy grass. That forest which became sludgy with the flesh and blood of killed demons and very disgusting, in a moment it became identical with hell.

Thus that Rama, a lone one, that too a foot-soldier, has eliminated fourteen thousand demons of frightening exploits. Of his entire army great-charioteer Khara and Trishira are the remaining nightwalkers, and Rama, the enemy destroyer, naturally on the other side.

The last compound in the second foot indicates that Rama is also remaining as one among the army of Khara, which is found irksome to some scholars. They said that the older mms contain the expression hata sheSau nishaaacaraa instead of raamaH ca ripu suudanaH taking the finishing line from the opening words of next verse. Otherwise, it can be said 'on the side of Khara only two demons, namely Khara and Trishira are remaining, and on the other side Rama is remaining...' as given here. But it is said to be inappropriate, because Rama cannot be grouped with the killable side. Further, there are some more petty demons besides Khara and Trishira, to carry a word to Ravana, as said in the coming chapters.

Lakshmana's elder brother Rama eliminated all of the remaining demons in the forefront of war who are highly valorous, ghastly and unbearable.

Then on surveying that great demonic force which is eliminated by Rama in that staggering war, Khara then marched on to reach Rama in a huge chariot, as with Indra who will march upraising his Thunderbolt.

Friday, September 24, 2021

Truth. Ref

 Tattvam ramam anantham brahman.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Word: tattvam

  tattvam—truth    Bg 18.1SB 2.2.30SB 2.7.5SB 2.8.2SB 4.7.27SB 4.22.38Adi 1.3Adi 2.5Madhya 17.186Madhya 25.57
  tattvam—the truth    SB 2.10.49-50SB 3.32.31SB 4.6.7SB 6.1.38SB 7.7.15Madhya 6.84Madhya 11.104Madhya 20.97
  tattvam—the Absolute Truth    SB 1.2.11SB 2.4.21Adi 2.11Adi 2.63Madhya 20.158Madhya 24.74Madhya 24.81
  tattvam—principle.    SB 3.1.34SB 3.26.27SB 3.26.29
  tattvam—the symptoms    SB 2.5.2
  tattvam—specific truth    SB 2.6.43-45
  tattvam—sum total    SB 3.5.27
  tattvam—material truth    SB 3.5.29
  tattvam—principle, truth    SB 3.28.28
  tattvam—absolute position    SB 4.7.30
  tattvam—its original condition.    SB 5.11.8
  tattvam—ultimate truth    SB 10.5.30
  tattvam—the ultimate goal    Madhya 25.132

Compound Sanskrit Words Containing: tattvam

  loka-tattvam—the mystery of creation    SB 3.8.17
  mahat-tattvam—the sum total of cosmic intelligence    SB 3.26.19
  mahat-tattvam—the total material energy    Madhya 20.274
  paramātma-tattvam—the principle of primeval cause    SB 2.7.47
  paramātma-tattvam—which ascertain the truth about Paramātmā    SB 8.7.29
  tattvam abravīt—explained the Absolute Truth.    SB 8.24.54
  tattvam ataḥ—truth like this    SB 3.8.3
  ātma-sa-tattvam—the actual constitutional position of the soul    SB 5.13.24
  ātma-tattvam—knowledge of self, the ultimate truth    SB 2.1.2
  ātma-tattvam—Absolute Truth    SB 3.15.47
  ātma-tattvam—self-realization    SB 4.7.14
  ātma-tattvam—the truth of the self    SB 5.5.5
  ātma-tattvam—spiritual truth    SB 5.11.15
  ātma-tattvam—the science of self-realization    SB 8.24.56

Parashu pasmai tape.

 

In Ancient India they used different techniques to find the truth. Chandogya Upanishad has the earliest reference to one test called a Hot Axe Test. This test was given to people charged with thefts in Ancient India. It followed the same principles that are used in the modern Lie Detectors.

An axe would be made red hot and the accused person would be asked to hold it in his hand. If the hand was not burnt, he would be acquitted. It shows that he was innocent. If his hand was burnt he would be convicted and severe punishments would follow the convictions. During the days of Guptas there were severe punishments for thefts and robberies. Because of severe punishments and great prosperity there was no theft and people slept without locking their doors, says the Chinese traveller Fa Hien (337-422 AD).


Adi Shankara, the great philosopher, also alluded to this hot axe test in his Viveka Chudamani (sloka 332).The reference in the Chandogya Upanishad appears thus:
VI-xvi-1: ‘Dear boy, (The officers of the king) bring a man, holding him by the hand (while saying) “He has taken something, he has committed a theft, heat the axe for him”. If he is doer of that, then he makes himself false. And being addicted to falsehood, he covers himself with falsehood and grasps the heated axe; he is burnt, and then he is punished.

VI-xvi-2: ‘If, however, he is not the doer of that, then he makes himself true. And being attached to truth, he covers himself with truth and grasps the heated axe; he is not burnt and then he is released.
VI-xvi-3: ‘And as in this case he (the man attached to truth) is not burnt, (similarly a man of knowledge is not born again). Thus has all this world That for its self. That is the true. That is the Atman. That thou art, O Svetaketu.’ From his words Svetaketu understood That – yea, he understood.

Snake Pot Test

Kulasekhara Alwar is one of the twelve Vaishnavite saints of Tamil country. He ruled Chera country (modern Kerala) around 800 AD. He was a great devotee of Vishnu and devoted much of his time in listening to Ramayana, Maha Bharata and Bhagavatha. Some of his court officials did not like this. They wanted to create a rift between the priests and the king. So they falsely accused the priests of stealing the temple jewels. The king did not believe this story and knew the motive of the accusers. In those days if someone tells a lie he would be asked to put his hand in a pot full of hungry cobras. If one has done anything wrong they would definitely avoid instant death by the snake bites. The king proposed that he would put his hand in the pot of snakes and if he has come out unscathed then the story of theft is false. He did this and came out unharmed. He did it on behalf of the priests
Story of Mandana Mishra

Adi Shankara was victorious in his debates and defeated Gurus of various sects in Hinduism and Buddhism. He had to meet a giant in Mimamsa philosophy. When they wanted to discuss Advaita philosophy they wanted a judge to say who has won the discussion. In those days people were so honest that once they are defeated they would accept the defeat and embrace the philosophy of the opponent who won the debate. There was none to judge their debate except Mandanamisra’s wife Sarawani. Since both of them were intellectual giants they accepted Mandan’s wife as judge. She was equally a great scholar. But she was very much embarrassed and told them that she being the wife of one of the debaters wouldn’t be a proper person to be the judge in this contest. So she proposed a very good idea. She asked both Mandana and Shankara to wear flower garlands and told them the wearer of the garland that withers first was the loser.


The argument went for weeks and at last Mandana’s garland withered first. Then Shankara had to debate with his wife. When she was also defeated by Shankara both husband and wife became disciples of Adi Shankara. Mandana became Sureshwaracharya in his later life.
Sita’s Agni Pareeksha (Fire Test)
When Rama’s wife Sita Devi was suspected by a washer man of the city Ayodhya Rama asked Sita to undergo Fire Test to prove her purity and integrity. She jumped in to a fire pit and came unscathed. Even today the Fire Walking ceremony is done in several South Indian villages. It is an ancient custom to prove one’s innocence and integrity.

Tamil Lie Detector

Ancient Tamils followed a different test 2000 years ago. One of the Sangam Tamil Books Kalitokai describes this strange test. If a liar stands under a tree the tree would wither away. If he is not a liar the tree would be ever green. Palai Padiya Perum Katunko (Palai Kali 33) sang about this test. A woman who suffers from separation lamented that her condition was like a tree that was made to wither by a liar.

Science behind Lie Detectors

There is a scientific explanation for all the above tests. It is the same principle that the modern Lie Detecting instruments follow. A Polygraph, popularly known as Lie Detector, records graphically certain body activities such as respiration, blood pressure, pulse rate and changes in the electrical resistance in the skin. Marked changes in these activities when a person answers a question may indicate that the person is lying. Facial expressions and linguistic changes are also taken into account.

If we look at the case of Tamil tree or Mandana’s garland we can see why they wither away. The temperature changes in the body make them wither away. Whoever is agitated and doesn’t see the reason or truth feels hot. More over the fear makes one to produce more adrenaline. Animals like dogs and snakes can easily sense it. They have powerful smell organs. If one is not agitated and focussed, calm and quiet that person wouldn’t be harmed even by an agitated animal. When a person has full concentration on a certain thing (truth or God) neither extreme heat nor cold would affect that person. Yoga practitioners knew this very well. So we can see science behind the above anecdotes.