Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 64

Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama

Vishvamitra Curses Rambha

Summary

Vishvamitra curses Rambha, the celestial wench, knowing that she arrived at the behest of Indra to cause hindrance to his asceticism. But later feels ashamed to loose his tongue and then he is determined to undertake another round of asceticism to conquer is own senses.

Chapter [Sarga] 64 – in Detail

sura kaaryam idam rambhe kartavyam sumahat tvayaa |

lobhanam kaushikasya iha kaama moha samanvitam || 1-64-1

Oh, Rambha, now you have to undertake this very great task of Gods in enchanting Vishvamitra with a craving caused by lust, for lusting after you.' Thus Indra ordered Rambha... Thus Sage Shataananda continued the legend of Vishvamitra to Rama. [1-64-1]

tathaa uktaa sa apsaraa raama sahasraaksena dhiimataa |

vriiditaa praa.njalih vaakyam pratyuvaaca sura iishvaram || 1-64-2

Oh, Rama, when that celestial wench is spoken thus by the Thousand-eyed Indra, she diffidently [shyly] said to that chief of Gods while adjoining her palms suppliantly [humbly]. [1-64- 2]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 64 ayam sura pate ghoro vishvaamitro mahaamunih |

krodham utsracyate ghoram mayi deva na samshayah || 1-64-3

tato hi me bhayam deva prasaadam kartum ar.hhasi |

Oh, chief of Gods, Indra, that great saint Vishvamitra is a dangerous one and undoubtedly he releases his deadly anger on me. Oh, God, thereby I am fearful of him. Hence, oh, God, it will be apt of you to accord forbearance [patience]. So said Rambha to Indra. [1-64-3, 4a]

evam uktah tayaa raama sa bhayam bhiitayaa tadaa || 1-64-4

taam uvaaca sahasraakso vepamaanaam kritaa.njalim |

Oh, Rama, the Thousand-eyed Indra replied Rambha when she spoke to him in that way while shuddering in fear and making palm fold in supplication. [1-64-4b, 5a]

maa bhaisii ra.mbhe bhadram te kurusva mama shaasanam || 1-64-5

kokilo hridaya graahii maadhave rucira drume |

aham ka.ndarpa sahitah sthaasyaami tava paarshvatah || 1-64-6

'You need not be fearful, Rambha, carry out my command, safe betides you, I on becoming a heart-stealing black-songbird will be at your side along with Love-God in the pleasing trees of springtime. [1-64-5b, 6]

tvam hi ruupam bahu gunam kritvaa parama bhaasvaram |

tam risim kaushikam ra.mbhe bhedayasva tapasvinam || 1-64-7

'Indeed on your assuming a highly sparkling semblance [actual or apparent resemblance], and multi-multiplexing your savoir faire [literally, knowing how to do], with bon viveurs [food] and bon vivants [a person having cultivated, refined, and sociable tastes], you disengage that ascetical sage Kaushika from his asceticism.' So said Indra to Rambha. [1-64-7]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 64 saa shrutvaa vacanam tasya kritvaa ruupam anuttamam |

lobhayaamaasa lalitaa vishvaamitram shuci smitaa || 1-64-8

On hearing the sentence of Indra she adopted an unexcelled physique, and on becoming a pulchritudinous [physical having a pleasing appearance] damsel she started to entice Vishvamitra with giggly [to laugh with repeated short catches of the breath] grins [smile]. [1-64-8]

kokilasya tu shushraava valgu vyaaharatah svanam |

samprahristena manasaa sa enaam anvaiksata || 1-64-9

Vishvamitra has heard melodious trilling tune of songbird, and while his heart is highly gladdening about the ambience, he incidentally saw and stared at Rambha. [1-64-9]

atha tasya ca shabdena giitena apratimena ca |

dar.hshanena ca rambhaayaa munih sa.ndeham aagatah || 1-64-10

By the exceptional trilling tune of that songbird and by the unexceptional tableau of Rambha the sage is on his qui vive [lookout]. [1-64-10]

sahasraaksasya tat karma vijnaaya munipungavah |

ra.mbhaam krodha samaavistah shashaapa kushika aatmajah || 1-64-11

On knowing that as an escapade of the Thousand-eyed Indra, Vishvamitra is enwrapped in wrath and he cursed Rambha. [1-64-11]

yat maam lobhayase ra.mbhe kaama krodha jaya esinam |

dasha varsa sahasraani shailii sthaasyasi dur.hbhage || 1-64-12

Whereof you tried to entice me who am wishing to win over the wanton [lust] and wroth [angry], you unlucky female Rambha, thereof you will become a rocklike statued wastrel [a piece of property]. [1-64-12]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 64 braahmanah sumahaatejaah tapo bala samanvitah |

uddharisyati rambhe tvaam mat krodha kalusii kritaam || 1-64-13

A highly resplendent Brahman who is ascetically powerful redeems you, oh, Rambha, who are now blemished by my anger.' Vishvamitra cursed Rambha in this way. [1-64-13]

evam uktvaa mahaatejaa vishvaamitro mahaamunih |

ashaknuvan dhaarayitum kopam santaapam aagatah || 1-64-14

Thus the great-resplendent Vishvamitra became compunctious [distressed] when that great-saint could not contain his anger in uttering an angry curse. [1-64-14]

tasya shaapena mahataa rambhaa shailii tadaa abhavat | vacah shrutvaa ca kandarpo maharseh sa ca nirgatah || 1-64-15 Then Rambha has become a rocklike statue by that great curse of Vishvamitra, and having heard the words of that great-saint Love-God and Indra also took flight. [1-64-15] kopena sa mahaatejaah tapo apaharane krite | indriyair ajitai raama na lebhe shaantim aatmanah || 1-64-16 Owing to his angering that great-resplendent Vishvamitra is now divested of his ascetical merit, and he has no peace of mind owing to ungovernable senses. [1-64-16] babhuuva asya manah ci.ntaa tapo apaharane krite | na eva krodham gamisyaami na ca vakshye katha.mcana || 1-64-17 His conscience became sentimental owing to the divesture of his ascetical merit, and he soliloquized [talk to oneself], 'I shall not succumb to wrath in anyway, nor I put my presentiment [sense or mind] into words.' [1-64-17] athavaa na ucchaasisyaami sa.mvatsra shataani api | aham hi shosayisyaami aatmaanam vijitendriyah || 1-64-18 'Otherwise, I do not even respire for a hundred years for the respiratory gestures will also exhibit moods, and I indeed emaciate myself until I become a real conqueror of my own senses. [1-64-18] taavat yaavat hi me praaptam braahmanyam tapasaa aarjitam | anucchvasan abhu.njaah tistheyam shaashvatii samaah || 1-64-19 na hi me tapyamaanasya kshayam yaasyanti muurtayah | Till such time as I acquire Brahman-hood with the merit of my own asceticism I will be breathless and foodless, even if it is going to take endless years, and while I am in asceticism my bodily organs indeed will not undergo any deterioration.' So said Vishvamitra to himself. [1-64-19]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Bala Kanda – Chapter 64 evam vearsa shasrasya diikshaam sa munipu.ngavah | cakaara pratimaam loke pratijnaam raghun.ndana || 1-64-20 Thus that eminent sage abided by the commitment to the vow for a thousand years, oh, Rama, the legatee of Ragu, which is a nonpareil [having no equal] vow in the world. Thus Shataananda continued. [1-64-20]

iti vaalmiiki raamaayane aadi kaavye baala kaande catuh sastitamah sargah

Thus, this is the 64th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate

References

Desiraju Hanumanta Rao. (1998). Balakanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties.

Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.

Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.

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