143 - The Story of Roma 

Brahmå said:

1. Now, I shall narrate Råmåyana (Råma's story) which mitigates sins on being heard. Brahma, was born of the lotus from the navel of Vişhņu and Marichi was his son. 

2. Kaśhyapa was born of Marichi; Sun was born of Kaśhyapa; Manu was born of Sun and Ikşhvåku was Manu's son. The king Raghu was a scion of this family. 

3. Raghu's son was Aja whose son was the mighty Dasharatha. He had four valiant sons. 

4. Rama was born of Kausalya. Bharata was the son of Kaikeyi. The two brothers, Lakşhmana, and Shatrughna were born of Sumitra. 

5. Rama was devotedly attached to his father and mother. He learned the use of many miraculous weapons from Vishvämnitra. Then he killed the ogress Tadaka.

6. The powerful Rama killed Subāhu at the sacrificial altar of Viśhvāmitra. Visiting the holy sacrifice of Janaka, he married Sita. 

7. Lakşhmaņa married Urmila, Bharata married Måndavi and Shatrughna married Shrutakirti, both of whom were the daughters of Kušhadhvaja. 

8. Rama and his brothers returned to Ayodhya accompanied by their parents. Then Bharata and Shatrughna went to the former's uncle Yudhájit. 

9. While they were away, the king wanted to give his kingdom to Rama, the best of his sons. Kaikeyi wanted that for her son and also desired that Rama should go to stay in the forest for fourteen years. 

10. For the benefit of his father Rama forsook his kingdom like a blade of grass and went to Shrungaverapura accompanied by Lakşhmana and Sità. 

11. Abandoning the chariot he passed through Prayaga reaching the mountain Chitrakūta. Unable to bear the pangs of separation from Rama the king Dasharatha passed away. 

12. After the obsequies of his father, Bharata accompanied by the armed forces came to Rama and said—"Please come back to Ayodhyā to rule over kingdom, noble brother dear." 

13-14. But Rama did not like the idea. As a symbol for ruling kingdom he gave Bharata his sandals. Thus dismissed, Bharata protected Råma's kingdom stationing himself in Nandigrama and never entering Ayodhyå. Rama left Chitrakūta and went over to Atri's hermitage. 

15-16. After paying due respects to Sutikşhņa and Agastya he went to Dandaka forest. There the ogress named Shurpanakha came to devour them. Råma cut off her ears and nose. Inimically disposed she induced her brothers Khara, Trishiras and Düşhana who came over there. 

17. By means of his arrows Räma sent them to Yama's abode along with the fourteen thousand Rakshasa soldiers. 

18. Induced by the ogress, Rävaņa assumed the form of an anchorite in order to abduct Sită and came there preceded by Maricha in the guise of a deer. 

19. Requested by Sită, Ráma went out to beg the deer but killed Måricha who cried out "Alas! Sitá Alas Lakşhmaņa" while dying. 

20. When Sità asked him to go, Lakşhmaņa too went out and on seeing him Rāma said, "This is only a deceptive trick of the ogress! Surely Sità has been abducted." 

21. Getting a suitable opportunity Råvaņa abducted Sitä and went back to Lanka striking Jatayu on the way. 

22. He kept Sità in the Ashoka grove. (Here in the forest) Räma returned to the hut only to see it empty. 

23-25. Grief-stricken Rama sought Sitä here and there. He cremated Jatayu and as directed by him went southwards and made alliance with Sugriva. With a single arrow, with a hooked point he cut off seven huge trees and killed Båli. He made Sugriva the Lord of monkeys in Kishkindha while he himself remained in Rşhyamūka. 

26. Sugriva sent brawny monkeys huge like mountains in search of Sità to all quarters. 

27-28. Those who went to West, North and East came back. Those who went to South in search of Sīta roamed in forests, mountains, islands and on river banks but could not see her. Hence, they decided on self-immolation. 

29. On knowing the whereabouts of Sită from Sampáti's words, Hanuman the elephantine monkey, leapt across the abode of sharks (the ocean) one thousand two hundred kilometres wide. 

30-31. There he saw Sitä sitting in the Ashoka grove, rebuked by the ogresses, tormented by the demon king Råvaņa with the importunities "Be my wife" and engrossed in thoughts about Rama. He gave her the signet ring and consoled Sītā by telling her about the welfare of Rama. 

32. "I am the messenger of Rama, O noble daughter of Mithila, do not be grief-stricken. Give me a token that could be recognised by Rāma," 

33. On hearing that, Sitā gave her crest-jewel to Hanuman saying - "Please tell him everything in such a manner as to make Rama take me away quickly." 

34. "So shall I", said Hanuman and imniediately set about uprooting the various trees in the beautiful garden nearby. After killing Prince Akşha and other demons he voluntarily let them bind him. 

35. Bound by Indrajit's miraculous weapons he was led to Ravana on secing whom he said, "I am Hanumản The mes senger of Ráma. Surrender Sità to him." 

36. On hearing this, the infuriated demon set fire to his tail. The powerful monkey with his blazing tail burnt the city of Lanka. 

37. After burning the city and feasting himself and his friends on the delicious fruits of Madhuvana, the monkey camc back to Rama, saying "my Lord, Sità has been found." 

38. He then handed over the crest-jewel to Ráma. Accompanied by Lakşhmaņa, Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada and others, Ráma marched to Lanka. 

39. Vibhişhana, the younger brother of Råvaņa, sought refuge in Rama who readily crowned him as the king of Lanka in anticipation. 

40. Rāma got the bridge constructed through Nala and crossed the sea to the mountain Suvela from the summit of which he surveyed the city of Lanka. 

41-46. The leaders of the monkey host were Nila, Angada, Nala, Dhūmra, Dhūmråksha, Virendra, Jambavån, Mainda, Dvivida and many others. They attacked and demolished the various parts of the city of Lankā. Råma and Lakşhmaņa accompanied by the monkey leaders fought with the Rákşhasas of huge bodies dark like mountains of collyrium. The leaders among the demons were Vidyujjihva, Dhümråksha, Devántaka, Narantaka, Mahodara, Mahåpårshva, Atikaya, Mahăbala, Kumbha, Nikumbha, Matta, Makarākşha, Akampana, Prahasta, Vira, Unmatta and the powerful Kumbhakarna. Rama killed them all. Lakşhmaņa killed Indrajit, son of Råvana. After chopping off his hands Råma killed Rávaņa. 

47. After Sità had proved her chastity by passing through the blazing pyre she was accepted by Rämna and all of them returned to the city of Ayodhyå in the celestial chariot Puşhpaka 

48-49. Råma ruled over the kingdom protecting the subjects like his own children. He performed ten horse sacrifices, Piņdadana and other rites in Gayaśhīrşha and charitable gifts too. He crowned his sons Kuśha and Lava in the kingdom. 

50-51. Rama ruled the kingdom for eleven thousand years. Shatrughna killed the demon Lavaņa. Bharata presided over dramaturgy. Agastya and other sages were worshipped. They told Rama about the crigin and antecedents of the Rákşhasas. Finally, with all the people of Ayodhya Rama ascended Heaven.