Balakanda - Doha 181 to 190

Doha - 181

"Emaciated with starvation and rendered weak, the gods will automatically surrender to me. Then I will see whether I should kill them or let them go after subjecting them perfectly to my will." (181)

Then Ravana sent for Meghanada and admonished him inciting him to greater strength and hostility."The gods who are staunch in battle, powerful and pround of their fighting skill, you should conquer in battle and bring them in chains." The son got up and bowed to the commands of his father. In this way Ravana ordered all and himself sallied forth, club in hand. Even as the ten-headed Ravana marched, the earth shook and at his thundering call the spouses of gods miscarried. Hearing of Ravana's angry approach the gods themselves sought the caves of Mount Sumeru. When the ten-faced Ravana invaded the beautiful realms of the guardians of the ten quarters, he found them all desolate. Again and again he roared loudly like a lion and, challenging the gods to battle, scoffed at them. Mad with lust of blood he traversed the whole world in search of a combatant; but nowhere could he find anyone. The sun-god, the moon-god, moon-god, the wind-god, the god of water, the gods of wealth and fire, the gods of time and death and all other gods entrusted with the governance of the world. Kinnaras Siddhas, men gods and Nagas, all were wilfully harassed by him. All embodied beings in the creation of Brahma, whether men or women, submitted to Ravana's will. All did his bidding out of fear and always bowed suppliantly at his feet. (1-7)

By his mighty arm he subdued the whole universe and left no one independent. The king of kings, Ravana, ruled according to his own will. He won by the might of his arms and wedded daughters of gods, Yaksas, Gandharvas, juman beings, kinnaras and Nagas and many other beautiful and excellent dames. (182A-B)

whatever Ravana told Indrajit to do was done by him sooner as it were than the former uttered the command. Now hear what they did who had been ordered by him even earlier. The whole demon crew, sinful at heart and of terrible aspect, were the torment of heaven. Roaming at night, they did outrages of various kinds and assumed diverse forms through their delusive power to eradicate religion. Wherever they found a cow or a Brahmana they set fire to that city, town or village. Virtuous acts were nowhere to be seen. No one paid any respect to the gods, the Brahmanas and the spiritual preceptor. There was no devotion to Sri Hari, no sacrifical performances, no austerities and no spiritual wisdom. No one would ever dream of listening to be Vedas or the Puranas. (1-4)

If ever any talk of Japa (muttering of sacred formulas), Yoga (subjegation of mind), dispassion, penance or of oblations to gods in a sacrifice entered Ravana's ears he would at once be on his feet and run to stop them. He would allow nothing of these and would destrory everything he laid his hands upon. There was such corruption in the world that no talk op piety could be heard anywhere. Whoever recited the Vedas or the Puranas was intimidated in manifold ways and sent into exile.

The terrible outrages the demons did beggar desciption. There is no limit to the evil-doings of those who hold violence most dear to their heart. (183)

The number of villains, thieves and gamblers and of those who coveted others'weath and wives swelled to a great exctent. People honoured not their parents and gods and exacted service from pious souls. Those who act in this way, Bhavani, know all such creatures as demons. Perceliving the supreme disrespect for religion Earth was extemely alarmed and perturbed. "The weight of mountains, rivers and oceans." she said to herself, "is not so oppressive to me as of him who is malevolent to others." She saw all goodness perverted; yet for fear of Ravana she could not utter a word. After great deliberation she took the form of a cow and went to the spot where all gods and sages were in hiding. With tears in her eyes she told them her sufferings; but none of them could be of any help to her. (1-4)

Ch

The gods, sages and Gandharvas (celestial songsters), all repaired to Brahma's abode; with them was poor Earth in the form of a cow grievously stricken with fear and grief Brahma came to know everything; and realizing in his heart of heart his inability to help he said, " The immortal Lord whose servant you are will be my help as well as yours."

"Have patience, Earth," Brahma, "and fix your mind on the feet of Sri Hari. The Lord knows the distress of His sevants and will put put an end to your terrible suffering." (184)

All the gods sat in counsel: "Where can we find the Lord, so that we may appeal to Him?" Someone suggested that they should go to Vaikuntha. Another said,"The Lord has His abode in the ocean of milk." The Lord always manfests Himself in reponse to the devotion and love one cherishes in one's heart. Girija, I too happened to be in that assembly and took occasion to put in a word:"For aught I know Sri Hari is present everywhere alike and is revealed only by love. Tell Me any place, time or quarter of the heaven where the Lord is not. Having taken the form of all creation, both animate and inanimate, He is yet destiture of everything and passionless; He is revealed by love even as fire is manifested by friction." My words found favour with all and Brahma applauded me saying,"Well said, well said!"

(1-4)

Brahma was glad at heart to hear My words the hair on his body bristled and tears flowed from his eyes. Recovering himself, the stable-mainded Brahma joined his palmas and prayed:--- (185)

Ch

Glory, all glory to You, O Lord of immortals. O delight of the devotees, O protector of the suppliant, O benefactor of cows and the Brahmanas, O slayer of demons, O beloved consort of Laksmi (daughter of the ocean), glory to You. O guardian of gods and the earth, mysterious are Thy ways: their secret is known to none. Let Him who benevolent by nature and compassionate to the humble show His grace. Glory, all glory to the immortal Lord Mukunda (the bestower of salvation and love), who resides in all hearts, is supreme bliss personified, who is omnipresent, unknowable, and supersensuous, whose act are holy and who is beyond the veil of Maya (illusion). Glory to Him who is Truth, Consciousness and Bliss combined, who is most lovingly meditated upon day and night and whose praises are sung by multitudes of sages who are full of dispassion and entirely free from infatuation. Let the Slayer of the sinful Agha bestow His care on us -- He who brought forth the threefold creation (viz., that which is dominated by Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, viz., gods, men and demons) without anyone else to assist Him; we know neither devotion nor worship. He who disperses the fear of transmigration, delights the mind of sages and puts and end to hosts of calamities, we gods betake ourselves to him in thought, word and deed, giving up our wonted cleverness. The Lord, who is known neither to Sarada (the goddess of learning), nor to the Vedas, nor again to Sesa (the serpent-god), nor to any of the sages, who as the Vedas proclaim loves the lowly, let Him moved to pity. The sages, Siddhas (a class celestials naturally endowed with supernatural powers) and all gods, grievously stricken with fear, bow at the lotus feet of the Lord who serves as Mount Mandara for churning the ocean of worldly existence, who is charming in everyway, who is an abode of virtues and an embodiment of bliss. (1-4)

Knowing that the gods and Earth were terror-sticken and hearing their loving entreaties, a deep voice came from heaven, which removed all their doubt and anxiety :

(186)

`Fear not, O sages, Siddhas and Indra (the chief of gods); for your sake I will assume the form of a human being. In the glorius solar race I shall be born as a human being along with My part manifestations. The sage Kasyapa and his wife Aditi did sever penance; to them I have already vouchsafed a boon. They have appeared in the city of Ayodhya as rulers of men in the form of Dasaratha and Kausalya. In their house I shall take birth in the form of four brothers, the ornament of Raghu's line. I shall justify all that was uttered by Narada and shall decend with My Supreme Energy. In this was I shall relieve the earth of all its burden; be fearless, O gods." As the divine voice from heaven reached the god's ears they returned forthwith with their heart soothed. Then Brahama admonished Earth, who was rid of all fear and felt reassured in her heart. (1-5)

Then Brahma proceeded to his realm after thus instructing the gods:"Assuming the form of monkeys you go to the earth and adore the feet of Sri Hari."

(187)

All the gods went to theird several abodes along with Earth; they all felt relieved in their heart. And the gods were delighted to receive the orders that Brahma gave, and lost no time in carrying them out. They took the form of monkeys on earth; their and nails for their weapons. Resolute of mind, they awaited the advent of Sri Hari, swarming on mountains and in woods wherever they liked and dividing themselves into gallant troops of their own. I have related to you all this interesting account; now hear that which was interrupted before. In the city of Ayodhya there ruled a king who was a jewel of Raghu's race; he was called Dasaratha a name which is familiar in the Vedas. He was a champion of virtu, a repository of good qualities and a man wisdom; he was a sincere devotee of God Visnu (the wielder of the Sarnga bow) and his mind was also set on Him. (1-4)

Kausalya and other beloved consorts were all of holy life; humble and devoted to their lord, they had a strong attachment to the lotus feet of Sri Hari. (188)

One day the king was sad at heart that he had no son. He hastened to his preceptor's residence and falling at his feet, made many entreaties. He told the Guru all his joys and sorrows; the sage Vasistha comforted him in many ways and said, "Take heart and wait; you will have four sons, who will be known throughout the three worlds and will rid the devotees of their fears. " Then Vasistha summoned the sage. Sringi and had nouble sacrifice performed by him for the birth of a son to the king. When the sage devoutly offered oblations into the sacred fire, the fire-god appeared with an offering offering of rice boiled with milk in his hand. Said the fire-god, "Whatever Vasistha has contemplated for you that object is fully accomplished. Take this oblation, O king and divide it in such proporitions as you think fit." (1-4)

The fire-god then disappeared after telling the whole assembly of what was to be done. The king was transported with ecstasy and could not contain himself for joy. (189)

The king at once sent for his beloved consorts. When Kausalya and the other queens arrived there, he gave one half of the offering to Kausalya and divided the other into two halves, one of which he gave to Kaikeyi. The remnat was again divided into two parts, which he placed in the hands of Kausalya and Kaikeyi and after thus obtaining their approval handed bothe the shares to Sumitra. In this way all the queens became pregnant. They were all glad of heart and felt very happy. From the time Sri Hari found His way into the womb joy and properity reigned in all the worlds. In the palace shone the queens, who were all mines of beauty, virtue and glory. Some time was thus happily spent, till the arrived for the Lord to be revealed. (1-4)

The position of the sun and the moon, the zodiacal sign into which the sun had entered the position of the seven other planets, the day of the week as well as the day of the lunar month, all these truned out to be propitious. And full of delight was all creation, animate and inanimate; for the birth of Sri Rama is the source of joy. (190)

It was the ninth day of the bright half of the sacred month of Gaitra; the moon had entered the asterism named Abhijit, which is so dear to Sri Hari. The sun was at its meridian; the day was neither cold nor hot. It was a holy time which gave rest to the whole world A cool, soft and fragrant breeze was blowing. The woods were full of exhilarated and the saints were bubbling with enthusiasm. The woods were full of blossoms, the mountains were resplendent with gems and every river flowed a stream of nectar. When Brahma perceived that the time of Sri Rama's birth had approached, all the gods came out with their aerial cars duly equipped. The bright heaven was crowded with their hosts and troops of Gandharvas chanted praises and rained down flowers placing them in their beautiful plams. The sky resounded with the beat of kettledrums. Nagas, sages and gods offered praises and tendered their services in manfold ways. (1-4)