ESSENCE OF VALMIKI KISHKINDHA RAMAYANA Translated and interpreted byV.D.N.Rao, former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organization, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, now at Chennai 1 Other Scripts by the same Author: Essence of Puranas:-Maha Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana; Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Devi Bhagavata;Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Nilamata Purana; Shri Kamakshi Vilasa Dwadasha Divya Sahasranaama: a) Devi Chaturvidha Sahasra naama: Lakshmi, Lalitha, Saraswati, Gayatri; b) Chaturvidha Shiva Sahasra naama-Linga-Shiva-Brahma Puranas and Maha Bhagavata; c) Trividha Vishnu and Yugala Radha-Krishna Sahasra naama-Padma-Skanda- Maha Bharata and Narada Purana. Stotra Kavacha- A Shield of Prayers -Purana Saaraamsha; Select Stories from Puranas Essence of Dharma Sindhu - Dharma Bindu - Shiva Sahasra Lingarchana-Essence of Paraashara Smriti- Essence of Pradhana Tirtha Mahima Essence of Upanishads : Brihadaranyaka , Katha, Tittiriya, Isha, Svetashwara of Yajur Veda- Chhandogya and Kena of Saama Veda-Atreya and Kausheetaki of Rig Veda-Mundaka, Mandukya and Prashna of Atharva Veda ; Also ‘Upanishad Saaraamsa’ -Essence of Maha Narayanopanishad; Essence of Maitri Upanishad Essence of Virat Parva of Maha Bharata- Essence of Bharat Yatra Smriti Essence of Brahma Sutras Essence of Sankhya Parijnaana- Essence of Knowledge of Numbers for students Essence of Narada Charitra; Essence Neeti Chandrika-Essence of Hindu Festivals and Austerities Essence of Manu Smriti- Quintessence of Manu Smriti- Essence of Paramartha Saara; Essence of Pratyaksha Bhaskra; Essence of Pratyaksha Chandra Essence of Vidya-Vigjnaana-Vaak Devi; Essence of Bhagya -Bhogya-Yogyata Lakshmi Essence of Soundarya Lahari- Essence of Popular Stotras- Essence of Pancha Maha Bhutas Essence of Taittireeya Aranyaka- Quintessence of Soundarya Lahari- Essence of Gayatri Essence of Ganesha Mahima - Essence of Shiva Raatri Mahima Essence of Chaturupanishads- Essence of Ashtaadasha Upanishads - Essence of Bhagavad Gita Essence of Valmiki Baala Ramayana- *Essence of Valmiki Ayodhya Ramayana- * Essence of Aranya Ramayana-*Essence of Valmiki Kishkindha Ramayana Note: All the above Scriptures already released on www. Kamakoti. Org/news as also on Google by the respective references. The one with * is under process. 2 Preface Every human being in ‘Brahma Srishti’ is selfish in gradations, being subject to desire- the resultant anger if unfulfilled, jealousy of others, avarice, and hatred. The sense of objectivity, patience, capacity of sufference, and bravery to fight are often honoured in breach than on observance. Passage of ‘kaala maana’ from the days of Harischandra to Shri Rama to Krishna to the even the present Kali Yuga tends to gradually distort the human psyche in phases from bad to worse. Almighty being the ‘Antaratma’ is but a mute spectator. As Rama then, yet being subject to human impulses, had the ability to fight them against the representation of ‘Adharma’ and ‘Anyaaya’, as the bench mark of the then human. In similar conditions, other species in the next gradation were ‘Vanaras’ about whom is Kishkindha Ramayana all about, so ably picturised by the then contemporary Maharshi Valmiki still resurrected by the ‘Taala Grandhaas’. Vaanaras then were the alter ego of the species of Naraas. They had the representation of similar psyche as Manavas, of ‘chanchala buddhi’. Yet the best of their gradation too generated Mahatmas, Buddhiman, Parakramis, and Dharma Sheelas. Vaali had sought to inherit the qualities of Indra having attained Brahmas boon of invincibility. Sugriva of Surya’s qualities was an exceeding brain power and mastery in planning and ability to motivate others. Veera Anjaneya was unique in modesty, yet of brain- brawn- bravery besides dedication and devototion. Even as a youth, Angada had the grahana-dhaarana shakti, desha kaala jnaana, and the sense of gratitude. Being a female Vaanara, Tara Devi had the extraordinaly capability to convince others, be it Vaali her husband preventing him not to venture a repeated challenge of Sugriva suspecting Shri Rama’s friendship with Sugriva, or as Lakshmana who arrived at Kishkindha in fury as Rama Karya of Sitanveshana was delayed despite the rainy season was long over. Jambavan the Riksha Raja who since the times of ‘Vaamanavataara’ was such a symbol of bravery and dedication with the background of having made thousand ‘parikramas’ to the sky protruding magnitude of Vamana Deva! Like wise were the Vaanara Veeras like Shatabali, Sushena, Ahni Putra Neela, Suhotra, Gaja, Gavaksha, Mainda, Gandhamaadana and so on , each of them were the symbols of Virtue, Valour and above all of Commitment and dedication to Shri Rama the Yuga Purusha! The Action Place of this Script was the concentration of Vaanara Veeras around Kishkindha, between Anjanaadri Parvata and Rishyamooka Parvata [ near Hampi] being an unforgettable chapter of ‘Rama- Aayana’. That was the place where Hanuman met Rama Lahshmanas as behested by Sugriva to make sure that they were not the spies of his brother Vaali, lifted them by his shoulders up to Rishyamooka and checked their antecedents. Fortified by the blessings of HH Vijayendra Saraswati of Kanchi, I have been able to script the Essence of Valmiki Ramayana in four parts so far of Baala-Ayodhya-Aranya- and now the Kishkindha. Indeed, the ability and inspiration is His own as I happen to be the squirrel for the construction of Setu Bandhana with earnestness. Indeed, it is the trust that He has been reposing in us which inspires and encourages. VDN Rao and family Chennai 3 CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 8 Restrospctive: Essences of Baala- Ayodhya-Aranya Valmiki Ramayana Sarga One: On reaching Pampa Sarovara Rama was excited at its natural grandeur 14 especially Sita’s absence, Lakashmana solaces- as they approached Rishyamooka, Vanaras and Sugriva. [Vishleshana on Pampa Sarovara recalled from Sarga 71 of Valmiki Ramayana’s Aranya Khanda] Sarga Two: As Sugriva and follower vaanaraas were still wondering, Hanuman felt 19 convinced and confident and directed Shri Rama Lakshmanas to appoach their head Sugriva the fugitive King of Vaanaras. Sarga Three: Hanuman reached Rama Lakshmanas in a Tapasvi form, complemented Rama 21 Lakshmanaas by their appearance as Hanuman was pleased; [1.Vishleshanas on Anjaneya on his origin and illustrative stutis- a ready repeat reference vide Essence of Valmiki Bala Ramayana 2. Vedaangas Sarga Four:Lakshmana briefed Hanuman about their purpose of ‘Sitaanveshana’ and seeking 25 Sugriva’s close friendship and active assistanace- Hanuman’s assurance for unswerving and dutiful cooperation Sarga Five: Firm establishment of Agni Saakshi Friendship of Shri Rama and Sugriva 26 and Shri Rama vows to kill Vaali to pave the way to Sugriva for unopposed Kingship of Vaanara Rajya Sarga Six: As Sugriva showed golden ornaments secured by his followers as Devi Sita threw 28 away down from Ravana’s donkey’s chariot vimana, Rama readily recognised, cried away and got intensed up with anguish Sarga Seven: As Shri Rama expressed his anguish and anger too, Sugriva seeks to assuage 30 Rama’s inner feelings and assures ‘karya siddhi’ finally; reciprocatively Rama assures Sugriva to regain his kingdom and wife too! [ 1. Brief Vishleshana on Tri Gunas 2. ‘Arishad Vargas’ vide Bhagavad Gita and Kathopanishad:] Sarga Eight: Shri Rama assures help in killing Vaali and enquires of Sugriva about the details 33 of their mutual enmity Sarga Nine: Sugriva then provides an account of the root causes of his antagonism 35 with his elder brother Sarga Ten: As Sugriva recounted as to how Vaali displayed his vengeance against him 36 Sarga Eleven: Sugriva describes Vaali’s invincibility, his extermination of Daitya Dundhubhi, 38 throwing off his dead body off to Matanaga Muni, curse of barring entry of Rishyamooka- Rama’s test of throwing off Dundubhi’s skeleton- [Vishleshana on Namuci-Mahendra duel] Sarga Twelve: Shri Rama’s feat of destroying Seven Taala Trees in a row- Sugriva’s 42 challenge to Vaali but gets beaten as Sugriva runs to Rishyamooka- Sugriva vilaapa- Rama explains the problem of Vaali Sugriva identity. [Vishleshana on the identity of Ashvini Kumars from Surya Purana] Sarga Thirteen: Much unlike Sugriva got thrashed by Vaali last time, the party of 45 Rama-Sugriva party proceeded again, enjoyed Prakriti Soundarya back to Kishkindha and secures blessings from Sapta Janaashrama Muni. [Vishleshana on Tri Agnis: a) Varaha b) Brahmanda Puranas. Sarga Fourteen: Fully backed by Shri Rama’s confident assurances of victory, Sugriva 48 challenged Vaali for a repeat encounter of ‘dwandva yuddha’ amid thunderous shoutings 4 Sarga Fifteen: Enraged by the repetitive challenges echoing the ‘Rani Vaasa’, Vaali got 49 ready for the battle but Tara Devi entreated Vaali for a truce of mutual peace, friendship with Rama and ‘yuva rajatva’ to Sugriva Sarga Sixteen: Ignoring away Devi Tara’s earnest appeals for amity with Sugrivas-Ramas, 51 haughty Vaali resorts to battle with Sugriva, gets grievously hurt by Rama baana and succumbs to earth Sarga Seventeen: Falling before death, Vaali heavily criticizes Rama for his stealthiness, 52 undeserved glory, falsity, and sheer selfishness colliding with Sugriva only to recover Devi Sita, which he too could have with bravery! [Vishleshana on Bhagavan Hayagriva and Madhu Kaitabhas vide Devi Bhagavata