Sarga 1: Narada's Summary
Narada Samvada
Seed Ramayana — Narada narrates entire epic to Valmiki in 100 shlokas
Jump to a shloka · 89 in this sarga
तपस्स्वाध्यायनिरतं तपस्वी वाग्विदां वरम् । नारदं परिपप्रच्छ वाल्मीकिर्मुनिपुङ्गवम् ।।1.1.1।।
Meaning
Valmiki -- foremost of sages, endlessly devoted to austerity and Vedic study -- put a question to the eloquent, all-knowing Narada: who, in the world today, possesses every virtue at once?
कोन्वस्मिन्साम्प्रतं लोके गुणवान्कश्च वीर्यवान् । धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवाक्यो दृढव्रत:।।1.1.2।।
Meaning
He wants to know: who is virtuous and strong together, who knows his duty, is grateful for kindness shown him, speaks only truth, and holds firm to his vows once made?
चारित्रेण च को युक्तस्सर्वभूतेषु को हित: । विद्वान्क: कस्समर्थश्च कश्चैकप्रियदर्शन: ।।1.1.3।।
Meaning
Who is of good character, devoted to every creature's welfare, learned, capable of what others cannot do, and a pleasure simply to look upon?
आत्मवान्को जितक्रोधो द्युतिमान्कोऽनसूयक: । कस्य बिभ्यति देवाश्च जातरोषस्य संयुगे ।।1.1.4।।
Meaning
Who has mastered himself and his anger, is radiant and free of envy, and whose battle-wrath even the gods dread and flee before?
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे । महर्षे त्वं समर्थोऽसि ज्ञातुमेवंविधं नरम् ।।1.1.5।।
Meaning
"This is what I long to hear," Valmiki said. "My curiosity is great, and you alone, great sage, are able to name such a man."
श्रुत्वा चैततित्रलोकज्ञो वाल्मीकेर्नारदो वच: । श्रूयतामिति चामन्त्त्र्य प्रहृष्टो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।।1.1.6।।
Meaning
Narada -- to whom past, present, and future all lie open -- heard him gladly, bid him listen closely, and began to speak.
बहवो दुर्लभाश्चैव ये त्वया कीर्तिता गुणा: । मुने वक्ष्याम्यहं बुद्ध्वा तैर्युक्तश्श्रूयतान्नर: ।।1.1.7।।
Meaning
"Such virtues, gathered all in one man, are rare indeed," Narada said, "yet I know of one. Listen, and I will tell you."
इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवो रामो नाम जनैश्श्रुत: । नियतात्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान्धृतिमान् वशी ।।1.1.8।।
Meaning
Born into the line of Ikshvaku, he is known to the world as Rama: self-possessed, immensely valorous, radiant, steadfast in resolve, and complete master of his own senses.
बुद्धिमान्नीतिमान्वाग्मी श्रीमान् शत्रुनिबर्हण: । विपुलांसो महाबाहु: कम्बुग्रीवो महाहनु: ।।1.1.9।।
Meaning
Wise, versed in the science of governance, eloquent, glorious, a destroyer of his foes -- broad-shouldered, long-armed, marked at the throat with the three auspicious lines of a conch shell, and strong of jaw.
महोरस्को महेष्वासो गूढजत्रुररिन्दमः । आजानुबाहुस्सुशिरास्सुललाटस्सुविक्रमः ।।1.1.10।।
Meaning
Deep-chested and built to draw a mighty bow, a subduer of every enemy, his arms reaching to his knees, his head noble, his brow wide, his bearing that of a lion.