Sarga 3: Valmiki's Vision
Ramayana Sankshepa
Through yogic vision Valmiki previews the entire epic in miniature, sarga by sarga, from Rama's birth to the events of Uttara Kanda.
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श्रुत्वा वस्तु समग्रं तद्धर्मात्मा धर्मसंहितम् । व्यक्तमन्वेषते भूयो यद्वृत्तं तस्य धीमत: ।।1.3.1।।
Meaning
Having heard the whole story from wise Narada, righteous Valmiki wished to know still more, distinctly, about Rama's history.
उपस्पृश्योदकं सम्यग्मुनिस्स्थित्वा कृताञ्जलि: । प्राचीनाग्रेषु दर्भेषु धर्मेणान्वेषते गतिम् ।।1.3.2।।
Meaning
Sipping water in the prescribed way and sitting on kusha grass facing east with folded palms, he sought by the power of his austerity to trace the whole course of events.
रामलक्ष्मणसीताभी राज्ञा दशरथेन च । सभार्येण सराष्ट्रेण यत्प्राप्तं तत्र तत्त्वत: ।।1.3.3।। हसितं भाषितं चैव गतिर्या यच्च चेष्टितम् । तत्सर्वं धर्मवीर्येण यथावत्सम्प्रपश्यति ।।1.3.4।।
Meaning
By the power of his penance he visualized clearly Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, King Dasaratha, his queens, and his kingdom — all that had truly befallen them — and even their laughter, their conversation, and every deed, exactly as it had happened.
स्त्रीतृतीयेन च तदा यत्प्राप्तं चरता वने । सत्यसन्धेन रामेण तत्सर्वं चान्ववेक्षितम् ।।1.3.5।।
Meaning
He likewise saw all that truthful Rama experienced while wandering in the forest with Sita as his sole companion apart from Lakshmana.
तत: पश्यति धर्मात्मा तत्सर्वं योगमास्थित: । पुरा यत्तत्र निर्वृत्तं पाणावामलकं यथा ।।1.3.6।।
Meaning
Through the power of yoga, the righteous sage then saw the entire past clearly, as though it were an amalaka fruit resting in his open palm.
तत्सर्वं तत्त्वतो दृष्ट्वा धर्मेण स महाद्युति: । अभिरामस्य रामस्य चरितं कर्तुमुद्यत: ।।1.3.7।। कामार्थगुणसंयुक्तं धर्मार्थगुणविस्तरम् । समुद्रमिव रत्नाढ्यं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् ।।1.3.8।।
Meaning
Having thus truly seen it all, the resplendent sage set out to compose the story of delightful Rama — blending worldly prosperity and pleasure with the fullest sense of righteousness, an ocean rich with gems, captivating to every ear.
स यथा कथितं पूर्वं नारदेन महर्षिणा । रघुवंशस्य चरितं चकार भगवानृषिः ।।1.3.9।।
Meaning
The divine sage composed the history of Rama, born in the line of Raghu, exactly in the form great Narada had related it earlier.
जन्म रामस्य सुमहद्वीर्यं सर्वानुकूलताम् । लोकस्य प्रियतां क्षान्तिं सौम्यतां सत्यशीलताम् ।।1.3.10।।
Meaning
He told of Rama's birth, his great prowess, his goodwill to all, his being beloved by the world, his patience, his gentle grace, and his devotion to truth.
नानाचित्रकथाश्चान्या विश्वामित्रसमागमे । जानक्याश्च विवाहं च धनुषश्च विभेदनम् ।।1.3.11।।
Meaning
He told of many wondrous episodes from Rama's time with Vishwamitra, of the wedding with Janaki, and of the breaking of the great bow.
रामरामविवादं च गुणान्दाशरथेस्तथा । तथाऽभिषेकं रामस्य कैकेय्या दुष्टभावताम् ।।1.3.12।।
Meaning
He told of the confrontation between Rama and Parashurama, Rama's noble qualities, the preparations for his coronation, and Kaikeyi's malicious turn of heart.