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Chapter 26

Bala Kanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties

VERSE 1

मुनेर् वचनम् अक्लीबम् श्रुत्वा नरवरात्मजः
राघवः प्राञ्जलिः भूत्वा प्रत्युवाच दृढव्रतः

muner vacanam aklībam śrutvā naravarātmajaḥ
rāghavaḥ prāñjaliḥ bhūtvā pratyuvāca dṛḍhavrataḥ

SYNONYMS

dhṛḍha vrataḥ: one who has firm vows [Rama] | nara vara ātmajaḥ: among people, the best one, son of | a klībam = vithout, fear: unfaltering | muneḥ vacanam śrutvā: sage's, words, on hearing | prānjaliḥ bhūtva: adjoining palms, on becoming | prati uvāca: replied. |

TRANSLATION

On hearing the words of that unfaltering sage about demoness Tataka, Raghava, best man's son who is firm in his vows, reverently adjoining his palms replied the sage. [1-26-1]

VERSE 2

पितुर् वचन निर्देशात् पितुर् वचन गौरवात्
वचनम् कौशिकस्य इति कर्तव्यम् अविशङ्कया

pitur vacana nirdeśāt pitur vacana gauravāt
vacanam kauśikasya iti kartavyam aviśaṅkayā

SYNONYMS

pituḥ vacana nirdeśāt: [by my] father's, words, of order | pituḥ vacana gauravāt: [my] father's, words, honouring | kauśikasya vacanam iti: sage's son [Vishvamitra,] word, thus as [deeming this as my mentor's word] | a vi śankaya = vithout, further, doubt: definitely | kartavyam: [Tataka's elimination is to ] be implemented. |

TRANSLATION

"Upon my father's order, upon my honour to my father's word, and looking upon this as the word of sage Kushi's son, my mentor, this task is definitely to be implemented. [1-26-2]

PURPORT

The third consideration is 'teacher's words' itarairapi guru shaasane sati avishankayaa dharmyam api tad uktam avashyam kartavyam iti suucitam - dharmaakuutam hence, Rama cannot be heedless of the words of both his father and teacher.
VERSE 3

अनुशिष्टो अस्मि अयोध्यायाम् गुरु मध्ये महात्मना
पित्रा दशरथेन अहम् न अवज्ञेयम् च तद् वचः

anuśiṣṭo asmi ayodhyāyām guru madhye mahātmanā
pitrā daśarathena aham na avajñeyam ca tad vacaḥ

SYNONYMS

ayodhyāyām: in Ayodhya | guru madhye: teachers [elders,] among | mahātmanā pitrā daśarathena: by great soul, by father, Dasharatha | anuśiṣṭaḥ asmi: directed, I am | tat vacaḥ na avajñeyam ca: that, word, cannot, to be disregarded, too. |

TRANSLATION

"What my great souled father Dasharatha directed me to do among elders in Ayodhya, that word too cannot be disregarded. [1-26-3]

PURPORT

Dasharatha bade Rama to do whatever assigned by Vishvamitra. Here Vishvamitra is assigning something ambiguous. Hence the dilemma between two instructions of two elderly people, and thus scriptures and practise confuse the young.
VERSE 4

सो।अहम् पितुर्वचः श्रुत्वा शासनाद् ब्रह्म वादिनः
करिष्यामि न संदेहः ताटका वधम् उत्तमम्

so|aham piturvacaḥ śrutvā śāsanād brahma vādinaḥ
kariṣyāmi na saṃdehaḥ tāṭakā vadham uttamam

SYNONYMS

saḥ aham pituḥ vacaḥ śrutvā: such as I am, father's, words, having heard ? as a follower | brahma vādinaḥ: Brahma, scholar ? such as you are | śāśanāt: by your instruction | uttamam tāṭaka vadham kariṣyāmi: best [primary duty,] Tataka's, elimination, I wish to undertake | na sandehaḥ: without, doubt. |

TRANSLATION

"Such as I am, I will undertake the primary duty of eliminating Tataka, according as the follower of father's words, and according to the instruction of a Brahma scholar, such as your are, without a doubt. [1-26-4]

PURPORT

Here Rama is in the same predicament as Arjuna in Maha Bharata. Arjuna's dilemma is to kill his own relatives, where Rama's is to kill a female at this juncture. What Krishna preaches in entire Bhagavad Gita is told in nutshell by sage Vishvamitra, i.e., 'do your duty as a Kshatriya, the ruling class, and protect virtue and eradicate vice, whether it is in the form of females or relatives.' atha vishvaamitro guruH - tasya vacanam avicaareNa kartavyam - evam sati dasharathena api - kasushiko yad vadati tat kartavyam - iti anushiSTo raamaH ekasya guror vacanam anullanghaniiyam - guru dvaya anushiSTam vacaH katham parihartum shakyata iti - strii vadha niSedhe satya api taaDakaa vadham angiikR^itavaan - dharmaakuutam Verse Locator go brāhmaṇa hitārthāya deśasya ca hitāya ca | tava caiva aprameyasya vacanam kartum udyataḥ || 1-26-5 5. go braahmaNa hitaarthaaya = cows, and Brahmans, for welfare of; asya deshasya hitaaya cha = this, province's, for advantage, also; aprameyasya = one who has inestimable power [Vishvamitra]; tava vachanam kartum = your, word [bidding,] to effectuate; udyataH = I am ready. "I am ready to effectuate the bidding of an inestimable sage like you, for the welfare of cows and Brahmans, and for the advantage of this province." So said Rama to sage Vishvamitra. [1-26-5] Verse Locator evam uktvā dhanurmadhye badhvā muṣṭim arindamaḥ | jyā ghoṣam akarot tīvram diśaḥ śabdena nādayan || 1-26-6 6. arindam = enemy-destroyer, Rama; evam uktvaa = thus, on saying; dhanuH madhye muSTim badhvaa = at bow's, middle [on handgrip,] clenching, his fist; shabdena dishaH naadayan = by sound, directions, make them to blast; tiivram jyaa ghoSam akarot = thunderous, bowstring's, sound, made. Saying thus, Rama, the enemy-destroyer, clenched his left fist on the handgrip in the middle of the bow, and with the right he made a thunderous sound of the bowstring making all the directions to blast. [1-26-6] Verse Locator tena śabdena vitrastāḥ tāṭakā vana vāsinaḥ | tāṭakā ca susaṃkruddhā tena śabdena mohitā || 1-26-7 7. taTaka vana vaasinaH = Tataka, forest, inhabitants; tena shabdena vitrastaaH = by that, sound, startled; taaTakaa cha = Tataka is, even; tena shabdena mohitaa = by that, sound, stupefied; su sam kruddhaa = well, fully, angering ? intolerably infuriated. By that sound the inhabitants of Tataka forest are startled, and even Tataka is stupefied by that sound, and she is intolerably infuriated at it. [1-26-7] Verse Locator tam śabdam abhinidhyāya rākṣasī krodha mūrcitā | śrutvā ca abhyadravat kruddhā yatra śabdo vinissṛtaḥ || 1-26-8 8. rakshasii = demoness; tam shabdam shrutvaa = that, sound, on hearing; krodha muurchitaH = in anger, convulsed; abhi nidhyaaya = thinking awhile - giving attention to the pathway it emerged; yataH shabdaH viniHsrutaH = from where, sound, emerged; in that way; kruddhaa abhya dravat = rancorously, rushed [to there.] She who is convulsed in anger to hear that sound gave attention to the direction wherefrom it emerged and she rancorously rushed thereto. [1-26-8] Verse Locator tām dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ kruddhām vikṛtām vikṛta ānanām | pramāṇena ati vṛddhām ca lakṣmaṇam so.abhyabhāṣata || 1-26-9 9. saH = he; that Raaghava; vi kR^itaam = monstrous one; vikR^ita aananam = with distorted, faced; pramaaNena ati vR^iddham cha = by proportions, very, gigantic, also; kR^iddhaam = infuriated one; taam dR^iSTvaa = her, on seeing; lakshmaNam abhya bhaashata = to Lakshmana, Rama, spoke. Raghava on seeing that monstrous-looking demoness with a distorted face and who by proportions is very gigantic, furthermore infuriated, spoke to Lakshmana. [1-26-9] Verse Locator paśya lakṣmaṇa yakṣiṇyā bhairavam dāruṇam vapuḥ | bhidyeran darśanāt asyā bhīrūṇām hṛdayāni ca || 1-26-10 10. lakshmana = Lakshmana; pasya = see; yakshiNyaa bhairavam daaruNam vapuH = yakshii's, grisly, ghastly, physique; asyaa darshanaat = its [body's,] on seeing; bhiiruuNaam hR^idayaani bhidyeran = cowards', hearts, bursts. "Lakshmana, see that yakshii's grisly and ghastly physique, seeing which hearts of cowards are prone to burst. [1-26-10] Verse Locator etām paśya durādharṣām māyā bala samanvitām | vinivṛttām karomi adya hṛta karṇāgra nāsikām || 1-26-11 11. duraadharSaam = unstoppable one; maayaa bala samanvitaam = magical, powers, having; etaam = her; hR^ita karNa agra naasikaam = taking away [lopping off,] [her] ears, tip of the nose; vi nivR^ittaam = [made to] ready retreat; adya karomi = now, I will make; pasya = you may see. " She is unstoppable and has magical powers, is't, you may see now how I will make her to readily retreat by lopping off her ears and the tip of nose. [1-26-11] Verse Locator na hi enām utsahe hantum strī svabhāvena rakṣitām | vīryam ca asyā gatim ca eva hanyatām iti me matiḥ || 1-26-12 12. strii svabhaavena rakshitaam = female, by virtue of ? feminineness, [she is] protected; enaam hantum na utsahate hi = her, to eliminate, not, I attempt, really; asya viiryam gatim cha api = her, impudence, mobility, also, even; hanyataam iti me matiH = be terminated, thus is, my, intention. "As it is her feminineness is protecting her, and I too I do not really attempt to kill her, but I intend to terminate her impudence and mobility. [1-26-12] Verse Locator evam bruvāṇe rāme tu tāṭakā krodha mūrchitā | udyaṃya bāhūm garjantī rāmam eva abhyadhāvata || 1-26-13 13. raaame evam bruvaaNe = by Rama, this way, while saying; Tataka; krodha muurchitaa = in anger, convulsed; baahuu udyamya = arms, upraising - swinging arms; garjantii = roaringly; raamam eva abhya dhaavata = Rama, alone, towards, rushed to. While Rama is still speaking that way, convulsed in anger Tataka roaringly rushed towards Rama alone, swinging her arms. [1-26-13] Verse Locator viśvāmitrastu brahmarṣiḥ huṃkāreṇā abhibhartsya tām | svasti rāghavayoḥ astu jayam ca eva abhyabhāṣata || 1-26-14 14. brahmarSiH vishvamitraH tu = Brahma-sage, Vishvamitra, but; taam humkaareNa abhibhartsya = her, by sounding off, daunted; raaghavayoH = for Raghava-s; svasti astu jayam cha = let safeness, prevail, victory, also; abhyabhaaSata = said. But the Brahma-sage Vishvamitra daunted sounded her off and said to Rama and Lakshmana, "let you be safe, and be victorious." [1-26-14] Verse Locator ud dhunvānā rajo ghoram tāṭakā rāghavau ubhau | rajo meghena mahatā muhūrtam sā vyamohayat || 1-26-15 15. saa = she that Tataka; ghoram rajaH ud dhuunaanaa = dreadful, dust, up flinging; raaghavau ubhau = on Raghava-s, two of them; muhurtam = for a while; mahataa rajaH meghena = with massive, dust, cloud; vyamohayat = she baffled. Flinging up dreadful dust on those two Raghavaa-s, Tataka baffled them for a while with a massive cloud of dust. [1-26-15] Verse Locator tato māyām samāsthāya śilā varṣeṇa rāghavau | avākirat sumahatā tataḥ cukrodha rāghavaḥ || 1-26-16 16. tataH maayaam samaasthaaya = then, witchery, taking hold of; su mahataa shilaa varsheNa = highly, torrential, with stone, rain; raaghavau = on Raghava-s; avaakirat = spread around - inundated; tataH raaghavaH chukrodha = then, Rama, became indignant. Then taking hold of witchery she inundated both the Raghava-s with highly torrential stone rain, by which Rama became indignant. [1-26-16] Verse Locator śilā varṣam mahat tasyāḥ śara varṣeṇa rāghavaḥ | prativāryo apadhāvantyāḥ karau ciccheda patribhiḥ || 1-26-17 17. raaghava = Rama; tasyaaH mahat shilaa varsham = her, effusive, stones, storming; shara varsheNa prati vaaryaH = by arrow, storms, forestalled; apa dhaavantyaaH = she who is towards, rushing; karau patribhiH chicheda = both arms, by arrows, mutilated. On forestalling her effusive stone storming with his arrow storm, Rama even mutilated both of her arms with arrows while she rushed towards them. [1-26-17] Verse Locator tataḥ cchinna bhujām śrāntām abhyāśe parigarjatīm | saumitriḥ akarot krodhāt hṛta karṇāgra nāsikām || 1-26-18 18. chinna bhujaam shraantaam = severed, arms, fatigued one; abhyaashe parigarjatiim = nearby, extremely roaring; tataH = then; saumitriH krodhaat = Soumitri, provoked; hR^ita karNa agra naasikaam = to loose ears, tip of nose; akarot = made [cut off.] With her arms severed and fatigued she started to roar extremely at the nearby, and then provoked Lakshmana made her to loose her ears and the tip of nose by cutting them off. [1-26-18] Verse Locator kāma rūpadharā sā tu kṛtvā rūpāṇi anekaśaḥ | antardhānam gatā yakṣī mohayanti sva māyayā || 1-26-19 aśma varṣam vimuṃcantī bhairavam vicacāra sā || 19, 20a. saa kaama ruupa dharaa tu = she, by wish, guise, changer, but; anekashaH ruupaaNi kR^itvaa = variously, her forms, on making - altering; antardhaanam gataa = into disappearance, on going; mohayantii sva mayayaa = baffling, with her, illusoriness; ashma varsham vimuchyantii = stone, storm, while discharging; bhairavam saa vichachaaraH = alarmingly, she, moved about. That guise changer vanished after variously altering her aspects, and then on baffling them with her illusoriness and discharging stone storms she moved about appallingly. [1-26-19, 20a] Verse Locator tataḥ tau aśma varṣeṇa kīryamāṇau samantataḥ || 1-26-20 dṛṣṭvā gādhi sutaḥ śrīīmān idam vacanam abravīt | 20b, 21a. samantataH asma varsheNa kiiryamaanau = all-over, by stones, storm, overspread by; tau = then, them Rama, Lakshmana; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; tataH = then; sriimaan gaadhi sutaH = illustrious one, Gadhi's son, [Vishvamitra]; idam vachanam abraviit = this, sentence, spoke. And on seeing both Rama and Lakshmana who are being overspread by storms of stones from all-over, then the illustrious sage Vishvamitra spoke this sentence. [1-26-20b, 21a] Verse Locator alam te ghṛṇayā rāma pāpā eṣā duṣṭa cāriṇī || 1-26-21 yajña vighna karī yakṣī purā vardheta māyayā | 21b, 22a. te ghR^iNayaa alam = with your, compassion, enough; Rama; paapaa = sinister; duSTa chaariNii = malevolent, behaviourally; yaj~na vighna karii = ritual, hindrance, one who causes; eSaa yakshii = this, yakshii; maayayaa = by illusory powers; puraa vardheta = in a short time, regains ? gets a grip on herself. "Enough is your compassion Rama, she is a sinister, behaviourally malevolent, a hinderer of rituals, and this yakshii gets a grip on herself in a short time by her illusory powers. [1-26-21b, 22a] Verse Locator vadhyatām tāvat eva eṣā purā saṃdhyā prava^^rtate || 1-26-22 rakṣāṃsi saṃdhyā kāle tu du^^rdharṣāṇi bhavanti hi | 22b, 23a. sandhyaa puraa pravartate = sunset, in short time, sets in; taavat eva = before that, alone; eSaa vadhyataam = she, be destroyed; sandhyaa kaale = at sunset, time; rakshaamsi dur dharshaaNi bhavanti vai = demons, unassailable, they become, indeed. "Sun is going to set in a short time, and only before that time she shall be destroyed, for demons at dusk and afterwards become unassailable, indeed." So said sage Viswamitra to Rama. [1-26-22b, 23a] Verse Locator iti uktaḥ sa tu tām yakṣīm aśma vṛṣṭyā abhivarṣaṇīm || 1-26-23 darśayan śabda vedhitvam tām rurodha sa sāyakaiḥ | 23b, 24a. iti uktaH saH = thus, spoken, he that Rama; taam yakshiim = her, that yakshii; shabda vedhitvam darshayan = sonic, archery, displaying [his capacity]; ashma vR^iSTyaa abhi varSaNiim = with stones, storms, storming; saH = he; taam rurodha saayakaiH = her, forestalled, with arrows. When Vishvamitra addressed him thus, Rama displaying his capacity in sonic archery forestalled that yakshii who has gone into invisibility and storming stone-storms, with his arrows. [1-26-23b, 24a] Verse Locator sā ruddhā bāṇa jālena māyā bala samanvitā || 1-26-24 abhi dudrāva kākutstham lakṣamaṇam ca vineṣudī || 24b, 25a. baaNa jaalena ruddhaa = by arrows, arrays, obstructed; maayaa bala samanvitaa = illusional, power, possessing with; saa = she; vi neSudii = stridently blaring; kaakutstham laxamaNam cha = to Rama, Lakshmana also; abhi duraava = towards, dashed. And when the arrays of arrows obstructed her who possesses illusional powers, she dashed towards Rama and Lakshmana blaring stridently. [1-26-24b, 25a] Verse Locator tām āpatantīm vegena vikrāntām aśanīm iva || 1-26-25 śareṇa urasi vivyādha sā papāta mamāra ca | 25b, 26a. vi kraantaam = one who is invading; ashaniim iva = thunderbolt, like; vegena = speedily; aa patantiim = she who is coming and falling ? swooping down; taam shareNa urasi vi yaadha = her, with arrow, on chest, struck; saa pa paata = she, readily, fell; ma maara cha = completely, dropped dead, too. And Rama struck an arrow in her chest who is invading and speedily swooping down like a thunderbolt, and thus she is readily felled down and totally dropped dead, too. [1-26-25b, 26a] Verse Locator tām hatām bhīma saṃkāśām dṛṣṭvā surapatiḥ tadā || 1-26-26 sādhu sādhviti kākutstham surāḥ ca api abhipūjayan | 26b, 27a. sura patiH suraaH cha = gods?, king, gods [Indra,] also; hataam bhiima sankaasham = annihilated, horrendous, in shape; taam dR^iSTvaa tadaa = her, on seeing, then; saadhu saadhu iti = admirable, admirable, thus [this act of felling her]; kaakuthsham abhipuujayan = at Rama, highly, esteemed. On seeing her who is horrendous in her shape is eliminated Indra and other gods have highly esteemed Rama saying, ?admirable, admirable is this act. [1-26-26b, 27a] Verse Locator uvāca parama prītaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ purandaraḥ || 1-26-27 surāḥ ca sarve saṃhṛṣṭā viśvāmitram atha abruvan | 27b, 28a. sahasra akshaH = thousand-eyed one ? Indra; puran daraH = enemy's citadel-destroyer - Indra; parama priitaH atha uvaacha = highly, satisfied, then, spoke; sarve suraaH samhR^iSTaa cha = all, gods, gladdened, also [spoke]; abruvan vishwamitram = spoke, to Vishvamitra [this way.] The thousand eyed and the destroyer of enemy?s citadels Indra then spoke with high satisfaction, and even all of the gods are gladdened and said to Vishvamitra this way. [1-26-27b, 28a] Verse Locator mune kauśika bhadram te saha indrāḥ sarve marud gaṇāḥ || 1-26-28 toṣitāḥ karmaṇā anena sneham darśaya rāghave | 28b, 29a. mune kaushika = oh, sage, Vishwamitra; te bhadram = to you, safety will be; saha indraa = with Indra; sarve marudgaNaa = all, wind-god, groups of; anena karmaNaa toshitaaH = by this, act, pleased; raaghave sneham darshaya = to Raghava, concern, you show. "Oh, sage Vishvamitra, you are blessed, all the groups of wind-gods along with Indra are pleased, so you please show more concern for Raghava. [1-26-28b, 29a] Verse Locator prajāpateḥ kṛśāśvasya putrān satya parākramān || 1-26-29 tapo bala bhṛto brahman rāghavāya nivedaya | 29b, 30a. brahman = oh, Brahman; prajaapateH kR^ishaashvasya putraan = Prajaapati, of Krishaasva, children; satya paraakramaan = virtue, valiant ones; tapaH bala bhR^itaH = ascetically, strength, possessors [missiles]; raaghavaaya nivedaya = to Raghava, be offered. "The sons of Prajapati Krishasva who are valiant by their virtue and who possess ascetic strength, oh, Brahman, they may be offered to Raghava. [1-26-29,b, 30a] These are the sons like missiles of Krishaashava Prajaapati. About them, the divine weaponry and their birth, c.f. 21st sarga/chapter, verse 10 to 20. Verse Locator pātrabhūtaḥ ca te brahman tava anugamane rataḥ || 1-26-30 kartavyam sumahat karma surāṇām rāja sūnunā | 30b, 31a. brahman = oh, Brahman; tava anu gamane rataH = your, in tow, going ? following, steadfast ? Rama [follower of your assignments]; te paatra bhuutaH = to you, befitting one ? worthy receiver; raaja suununaa = by king?s, son; suraaNaam su mahat karma = for gods, very, great, deed; kartavyam = is to be done. "Rama is steadfast in following your assignments and thus he is the worthy receiver of those missiles, and this prince has to accomplish a very great deed of gods.? So said gods to Vishvamitra. [1-26-30b, 31a] Verse Locator evam uktvā surāḥ sarve jagmur hṛṣṭā vihāyasam || 1-26-31 viśvāmitram pūjayan tataḥ saṃdhyā prava^^rtate | 31b, 32a. evam uktvaa = thus, saying; suraaH sarve = gods, all; vishvamitram puujayan = Vishwamitra, on extolling; hR^iSTaa = contentedly; vihaayasam = to heavens; jagmuH = went away; tataH sandhyaa pravartate = then, sunset, come to pass. All the gods on saying thus and on extolling Vishvamitra they contentedly returned to heavens, and then the sunset has come to pass. [1-26-31b, 32a] Verse Locator tato munivaraḥ prītaḥ tāṭakā vadha toṣitaḥ || 1-26-32 mūrdhni rāmam upāghrāya idam vacanam abravīt | 32b, 33a. muni varaH = sage, the best; priitaH = satisfied; taaTakaa vadha toSita = in Tataka's, eradication, gladdened; raamam muurdhni upa aaghraaya = of Rama, forehead, nearby smelling [kissing]; tataH then; idam vachanam abraviit = this, sentence, said. That best sage is satisfied with Rama and gladdened for the eradication of Tataka kissed the forehead of and then said this sentence. [1-26-32b, 33a] Verse Locator iha adya rajanīm rāma vasāma śubha darśana || 1-26-33 śvaḥ prabhāte gamiṣyāmaḥ tad āśrama padam mama | 33b, 34a. subha darshana = oh, august one, to gaze at, Rama; adya rajaniim = today's, night; iha vasaama = here, we stay; shvaH prabhaate = tomorrow, morning; mama tat aashrama padam gamiSyaamaH = mine, that, to hermitage, we will proceed. "Here we stay for tonight, Rama, the august one for a gaze, and tomorrow morning we will go to that hermitage of mine.? So said Vishvamitra to Rama. [1-26-33b, 34a] Verse Locator viśvāmitraḥ vacaḥ śrutvā hṛṣṭo daśaradhātmajaḥ || 1-26-34 uvāsa rajanīm tatra tāṭakāyā vane sukham | 34b, 35a. vishwaamitra vachaH shrutva = words, on listening; dasharatha aatmaja = Dasharatha's, son is; hR^iSTaH = gladdened; tatra taaTakaayaa = vane there, in Tataka?s, forest; sukham rajaniim uvaasa = comfortably, that night, stayed. On listening sage Vishvamitra's words, Dasharatha's son Rama, comfortably stayed that night there in that forest of Tataka. [1-26-34] Verse Locator mukta śāpam vanam tat ca tasmin eva tat āhani | ramaṇīyam vibabhrāja yathā caitra ratham vanam || 1-26-35 35b, c. tasmin tat aahani eva = on that very, day, only; tat vanam cha = that, forest, too; mukta shaapam = released, from curse; yathaa chaitra ratham vanam = as with, [heavenly] Chaitra Ratha, garden; ramaNiiyam vi babhraaja = pleasantly, shone forth On that very day alone that forest of Tataka too is released from the curse, and it shone forth like the luxurious heavenly garden of Kubera, namely Chiatra Ratha. [1-26-35b, c] Verse Locator nihatya tām yakṣa sutām sa rāmaḥ praśasyamānaḥ sura siddha sanghaiḥ | uvāsa tasmin muninā saha eva prabhāta velām prati bodhyamānaḥ || 1-26-36 36. saH raamaH = he, that Rama; taam yaksha sutaam = her, yaksha?s, daughter; ni hatya = on completely, destroying; sura siddha sanghaiH = by celestials, liberated Souls, and their groups; prashasyamaanaH = being eulogised; muninaa saha = sage, along with; tasmin eva = there, only; prabhaata velaam = at dawning, time; prati bodhyamaanaH = being addressed being awakened by sunrise; uvaasa = stayed. Rama while being eulogised by the groups of celestials and liberated Souls for complete elimination of yaksha's daughter, namely Tataka, stayed there along with the sage only to be awakened by the next day?s sunrise. [1-26-36] . Test for Rama's discipline. The materialists view this episode as a function of Rama in eradicating natural calamities like dust storms, pellet storms in an uncultivable land, on the line of the episode of Ahalya. In this episode Rama's discipline is also tested. Whether he simply follows what is instructed or whether he uses his own discretion, is the topic here. Rama coupled both and eradicates Tataka, tough he doubts for a while whether to eliminate a female. strii vadha sahasaa na kartavyaH viruupakaaraNaadi strii daNDanam eva prathamataH kriyate – dharmaakuutam This is required for the endowment of deadly missiles to Rama in coming chapters. Hence Vishvamitra asks Rama to depend upon his own self-confidence to undertake this deed as at 1-24-30b, 31a. On satisfying with the eligibility of Rama to receive missiles with this episode, Vishvamitra accords those deadly weapons later. Verse Locator iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādikāvye bāla kāṇḍe ṣaḍviṃśaḥ sargaḥ Thus, this is the 26th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. Verse Locator for Book I : Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties : Chapter 26 Top of Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 © 2001, Desiraju Hanumanta Rao [Revised : May 04] World Wide view of rama and verse Page provided by GoFTP FREE
VERSE 5

गो ब्राह्मण हितार्थाय देशस्य च हिताय च
तव चैव अप्रमेयस्य वचनम् कर्तुम् उद्यतः

go brāhmaṇa hitārthāya deśasya ca hitāya ca
tava caiva aprameyasya vacanam kartum udyataḥ

SYNONYMS

go brāhmaṇa hitārthāya: cows, and Brahmans, for welfare of | asya deśasya hitāya ca: this, province's, for advantage, also | aprameyasya: one who has inestimable power [Vishvamitra] | tava vacanam kartum: your, word [bidding,] to effectuate | udyataḥ: I am ready. |

TRANSLATION

"I am ready to effectuate the bidding of an inestimable sage like you, for the welfare of cows and Brahmans, and for the advantage of this province." So said Rama to sage Vishvamitra. [1-26-5]

VERSE 6

एवम् उक्त्वा धनुर्मध्ये बध्वा मुष्टिम् अरिन्दमः
ज्या घोषम् अकरोत् तीव्रम् दिशः शब्देन नादयन्

evam uktvā dhanurmadhye badhvā muṣṭim arindamaḥ
jyā ghoṣam akarot tīvram diśaḥ śabdena nādayan

SYNONYMS

arindam: enemy-destroyer, Rama | evam uktvā: thus, on saying | dhanuḥ madhye muṣṭim badhvā: at bow's, middle [on handgrip,] clenching, his fist | śabdena diśaḥ nādayan: by sound, directions, make them to blast | tīvram jyā ghoṣam akarot: thunderous, bowstring's, sound, made. |

TRANSLATION

Saying thus, Rama, the enemy-destroyer, clenched his left fist on the handgrip in the middle of the bow, and with the right he made a thunderous sound of the bowstring making all the directions to blast. [1-26-6]

VERSE 7

तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ताः ताटका वन वासिनः
ताटका च सुसंक्रुद्धा तेन शब्देन मोहिता

tena śabdena vitrastāḥ tāṭakā vana vāsinaḥ
tāṭakā ca susaṃkruddhā tena śabdena mohitā

SYNONYMS

taṭaka vana vāsinaḥ: Tataka, forest, inhabitants | tena śabdena vitrastāḥ: by that, sound, startled | tāṭakā ca: Tataka is, even | tena śabdena mohitā: by that, sound, stupefied | su sam kruddhā: well, fully, angering ? intolerably infuriated. |

TRANSLATION

By that sound the inhabitants of Tataka forest are startled, and even Tataka is stupefied by that sound, and she is intolerably infuriated at it. [1-26-7]

VERSE 8

तम् शब्दम् अभिनिध्याय राक्षसी क्रोध मूर्चिता
श्रुत्वा च अभ्यद्रवत् क्रुद्धा यत्र शब्दो विनिस्सृतः

tam śabdam abhinidhyāya rākṣasī krodha mūrcitā
śrutvā ca abhyadravat kruddhā yatra śabdo vinissṛtaḥ

SYNONYMS

rakśasī: demoness | tam śabdam śrutvā: that, sound, on hearing | krodha mūrcitaḥ: in anger, convulsed | abhi nidhyāya = thinking avhile: giving attention to the pathway it emerged | yataḥ śabdaḥ viniḥsrutaḥ: from where, sound, emerged | kruddhā abhya dravat: rancorously, rushed [to there.] |

TRANSLATION

She who is convulsed in anger to hear that sound gave attention to the direction wherefrom it emerged and she rancorously rushed thereto. [1-26-8]

VERSE 9

ताम् दृष्ट्वा राघवः क्रुद्धाम् विकृताम् विकृत आननाम्
प्रमाणेन अति वृद्धाम् च लक्ष्मणम् सो।अभ्यभाषत

tām dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ kruddhām vikṛtām vikṛta ānanām
pramāṇena ati vṛddhām ca lakṣmaṇam so|abhyabhāṣata

SYNONYMS

saḥ: he | vi kṛtām: monstrous one | vikṛta ānanam: with distorted, faced | pramāṇena ati vṛddham ca: by proportions, very, gigantic, also | kṛddhām: infuriated one | tām dṛṣṭvā: her, on seeing | lakśmaṇam abhya bhāśata: to Lakshmana, Rama, spoke. |

TRANSLATION

Raghava on seeing that monstrous-looking demoness with a distorted face and who by proportions is very gigantic, furthermore infuriated, spoke to Lakshmana. [1-26-9]

VERSE 10

पश्य लक्ष्मण यक्षिण्या भैरवम् दारुणम् वपुः
भिद्येरन् दर्शनात् अस्या भीरूणाम् हृदयानि च

paśya lakṣmaṇa yakṣiṇyā bhairavam dāruṇam vapuḥ
bhidyeran darśanāt asyā bhīrūṇām hṛdayāni ca

SYNONYMS

lakśmana: Lakshmana | pasya: see | yakśiṇyā bhairavam dāruṇam vapuḥ: yakshii's, grisly, ghastly, physique | asyā darśanāt: its [body's,] on seeing | bhīrūṇām hṛdayāni bhidyeran: cowards', hearts, bursts. |

TRANSLATION

"Lakshmana, see that yakshii's grisly and ghastly physique, seeing which hearts of cowards are prone to burst. [1-26-10]

VERSE 11

एताम् पश्य दुराधर्षाम् माया बल समन्विताम्
विनिवृत्ताम् करोमि अद्य हृत कर्णाग्र नासिकाम्

etām paśya durādharṣām māyā bala samanvitām
vinivṛttām karomi adya hṛta karṇāgra nāsikām

SYNONYMS

durādharṣām: unstoppable one | māyā bala samanvitām: magical, powers, having | etām: her | hṛta karṇa agra nāsikām: taking away [lopping off,] [her] ears, tip of the nose | vi nivṛttām: [made to] ready retreat | adya karomi: now, I will make | pasya: you may see. |

TRANSLATION

" She is unstoppable and has magical powers, is't, you may see now how I will make her to readily retreat by lopping off her ears and the tip of nose. [1-26-11]

VERSE 12

न हि एनाम् उत्सहे हन्तुम् स्त्री स्वभावेन रक्षिताम्
वीर्यम् च अस्या गतिम् च एव हन्यताम् इति मे मतिः

na hi enām utsahe hantum strī svabhāvena rakṣitām
vīryam ca asyā gatim ca eva hanyatām iti me matiḥ

SYNONYMS

strī svabhāvena rakśitām: female, by virtue of ? feminineness, [she is] protected | enām hantum na utsahate hi: her, to eliminate, not, I attempt, really | asya vīryam gatim ca api: her, impudence, mobility, also, even | hanyatām iti me matiḥ: be terminated, thus is, my, intention. |

TRANSLATION

"As it is her feminineness is protecting her, and I too I do not really attempt to kill her, but I intend to terminate her impudence and mobility. [1-26-12]

VERSE 13

एवम् ब्रुवाणे रामे तु ताटका क्रोध मूर्छिता
उद्यंय बाहूम् गर्जन्ती रामम् एव अभ्यधावत

evam bruvāṇe rāme tu tāṭakā krodha mūrchitā
udyaṃya bāhūm garjantī rāmam eva abhyadhāvata

SYNONYMS

rāame evam bruvāṇe: by Rama, this way, while saying | krodha mūrcitā: in anger, convulsed | bāhū udyamya = arms, upraising: swinging arms | garjantī: roaringly | rāmam eva abhya dhāvata: Rama, alone, towards, rushed to. |

TRANSLATION

While Rama is still speaking that way, convulsed in anger Tataka roaringly rushed towards Rama alone, swinging her arms. [1-26-13]

VERSE 14

विश्वामित्रस्तु ब्रह्मर्षिः हुंकारेणा अभिभर्त्स्य ताम्
स्वस्ति राघवयोः अस्तु जयम् च एव अभ्यभाषत

viśvāmitrastu brahmarṣiḥ huṃkāreṇā abhibhartsya tām
svasti rāghavayoḥ astu jayam ca eva abhyabhāṣata

SYNONYMS

brahmarṣiḥ viśvamitraḥ tu: Brahma-sage, Vishvamitra, but | tām humkāreṇa abhibhartsya: her, by sounding off, daunted | rāghavayoḥ: for Raghava-s | svasti astu jayam ca: let safeness, prevail, victory, also | abhyabhāṣata: said. |

TRANSLATION

But the Brahma-sage Vishvamitra daunted sounded her off and said to Rama and Lakshmana, "let you be safe, and be victorious." [1-26-14]

VERSE 15

उद् धुन्वाना रजो घोरम् ताटका राघवौ उभौ
रजो मेघेन महता मुहूर्तम् सा व्यमोहयत्

ud dhunvānā rajo ghoram tāṭakā rāghavau ubhau
rajo meghena mahatā muhūrtam sā vyamohayat

SYNONYMS

sā: she that Tataka | ghoram rajaḥ ud dhūnānā: dreadful, dust, up flinging | rāghavau ubhau: on Raghava-s, two of them | muhurtam: for a while | mahatā rajaḥ meghena: with massive, dust, cloud | vyamohayat: she baffled. |

TRANSLATION

Flinging up dreadful dust on those two Raghavaa-s, Tataka baffled them for a while with a massive cloud of dust. [1-26-15]

VERSE 16

ततो मायाम् समास्थाय शिला वर्षेण राघवौ
अवाकिरत् सुमहता ततः चुक्रोध राघवः

tato māyām samāsthāya śilā varṣeṇa rāghavau
avākirat sumahatā tataḥ cukrodha rāghavaḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ māyām samāsthāya: then, witchery, taking hold of | su mahatā śilā varśeṇa: highly, torrential, with stone, rain | rāghavau: on Raghava-s | avākirat = spread around: inundated | tataḥ rāghavaḥ cukrodha: then, Rama, became indignant. |

TRANSLATION

Then taking hold of witchery she inundated both the Raghava-s with highly torrential stone rain, by which Rama became indignant. [1-26-16]

VERSE 17

शिला वर्षम् महत् तस्याः शर वर्षेण राघवः
प्रतिवार्यो अपधावन्त्याः करौ चिच्छेद पत्रिभिः

śilā varṣam mahat tasyāḥ śara varṣeṇa rāghavaḥ
prativāryo apadhāvantyāḥ karau ciccheda patribhiḥ

SYNONYMS

rāghava: Rama | tasyāḥ mahat śilā varśam: her, effusive, stones, storming | śara varśeṇa prati vāryaḥ: by arrow, storms, forestalled | apa dhāvantyāḥ: she who is towards, rushing | karau patribhiḥ ciceda: both arms, by arrows, mutilated. |

TRANSLATION

On forestalling her effusive stone storming with his arrow storm, Rama even mutilated both of her arms with arrows while she rushed towards them. [1-26-17]

VERSE 18

ततः च्छिन्न भुजाम् श्रान्ताम् अभ्याशे परिगर्जतीम्
सौमित्रिः अकरोत् क्रोधात् हृत कर्णाग्र नासिकाम्

tataḥ cchinna bhujām śrāntām abhyāśe parigarjatīm
saumitriḥ akarot krodhāt hṛta karṇāgra nāsikām

SYNONYMS

cinna bhujām śrāntām: severed, arms, fatigued one | abhyāśe parigarjatīm: nearby, extremely roaring | tataḥ: then | saumitriḥ krodhāt: Soumitri, provoked | hṛta karṇa agra nāsikām: to loose ears, tip of nose | akarot: made [cut off.] |

TRANSLATION

With her arms severed and fatigued she started to roar extremely at the nearby, and then provoked Lakshmana made her to loose her ears and the tip of nose by cutting them off. [1-26-18]

VERSE 19

काम रूपधरा सा तु कृत्वा रूपाणि अनेकशः
अन्तर्धानम् गता यक्षी मोहयन्ति स्व मायया

kāma rūpadharā sā tu kṛtvā rūpāṇi anekaśaḥ
antardhānam gatā yakṣī mohayanti sva māyayā

SYNONYMS

, 20a| sā kāma rūpa dharā tu: she, by wish, guise, changer, but | anekaśaḥ rūpāṇi kṛtvā = variously, her forms, on making: altering | antardhānam gatā: into disappearance, on going | mohayantī sva mayayā: baffling, with her, illusoriness | aśma varśam vimucyantī: stone, storm, while discharging | bhairavam sā vicacāraḥ: alarmingly, she, moved about. |

TRANSLATION

That guise changer vanished after variously altering her aspects, and then on baffling them with her illusoriness and discharging stone storms she moved about appallingly. [1-26-19, 20a]

VERSE 20

ततः तौ अश्म वर्षेण कीर्यमाणौ समन्ततः

tataḥ tau aśma varṣeṇa kīryamāṇau samantataḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 21a| samantataḥ asma varśeṇa kīryamānau: all-over, by stones, storm, overspread by | tau: then, them Rama, Lakshmana | dṛṣṭvā: on seeing | tataḥ: then | srīmān gādhi sutaḥ: illustrious one, Gadhi's son, [Vishvamitra] | idam vacanam abravīt: this, sentence, spoke. |

TRANSLATION

And on seeing both Rama and Lakshmana who are being overspread by storms of stones from all-over, then the illustrious sage Vishvamitra spoke this sentence. [1-26-20b, 21a]

VERSE 21

अलम् ते घृणया राम पापा एषा दुष्ट चारिणी

alam te ghṛṇayā rāma pāpā eṣā duṣṭa cāriṇī

SYNONYMS

b, 22a| te ghṛṇayā alam: with your, compassion, enough | pāpā: sinister | duṣṭa cāriṇī: malevolent, behaviourally | yajña vighna karī: ritual, hindrance, one who causes | eṣā yakśī: this, yakshii | māyayā: by illusory powers | purā vardheta: in a short time, regains ? gets a grip on herself. |

TRANSLATION

"Enough is your compassion Rama, she is a sinister, behaviourally malevolent, a hinderer of rituals, and this yakshii gets a grip on herself in a short time by her illusory powers. [1-26-21b, 22a]

VERSE 22

वध्यताम् तावत् एव एषा पुरा संध्या प्रव^^र्तते

vadhyatām tāvat eva eṣā purā saṃdhyā prava^^rtate

SYNONYMS

b, 23a| sandhyā purā pravartate: sunset, in short time, sets in | tāvat eva: before that, alone | eṣā vadhyatām: she, be destroyed | sandhyā kāle: at sunset, time | rakśāmsi dur dharśāṇi bhavanti vai: demons, unassailable, they become, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"Sun is going to set in a short time, and only before that time she shall be destroyed, for demons at dusk and afterwards become unassailable, indeed." So said sage Viswamitra to Rama. [1-26-22b, 23a]

VERSE 23

इति उक्तः स तु ताम् यक्षीम् अश्म वृष्ट्या अभिवर्षणीम्

iti uktaḥ sa tu tām yakṣīm aśma vṛṣṭyā abhivarṣaṇīm

SYNONYMS

b, 24a| iti uktaḥ saḥ: thus, spoken, he that Rama | tām yakśīm: her, that yakshii | śabda vedhitvam darśayan: sonic, archery, displaying [his capacity] | aśma vṛṣṭyā abhi varṣaṇīm: with stones, storms, storming | saḥ: he | tām rurodha sāyakaiḥ: her, forestalled, with arrows. |

TRANSLATION

When Vishvamitra addressed him thus, Rama displaying his capacity in sonic archery forestalled that yakshii who has gone into invisibility and storming stone-storms, with his arrows. [1-26-23b, 24a]

VERSE 24

सा रुद्धा बाण जालेन माया बल समन्विता

sā ruddhā bāṇa jālena māyā bala samanvitā

SYNONYMS

b, 25a| bāṇa jālena ruddhā: by arrows, arrays, obstructed | māyā bala samanvitā: illusional, power, possessing with | sā: she | vi neṣudī: stridently blaring | kākutstham lakṣamaṇam ca: to Rama, Lakshmana also | abhi durāva: towards, dashed. |

TRANSLATION

And when the arrays of arrows obstructed her who possesses illusional powers, she dashed towards Rama and Lakshmana blaring stridently. [1-26-24b, 25a]

VERSE 25

ताम् आपतन्तीम् वेगेन विक्रान्ताम् अशनीम् इव

tām āpatantīm vegena vikrāntām aśanīm iva

SYNONYMS

b, 26a| vi krāntām: one who is invading | aśanīm iva: thunderbolt, like | vegena: speedily | ā patantīm: she who is coming and falling ? swooping down | tām śareṇa urasi vi yādha: her, with arrow, on chest, struck | sā pa pāta: she, readily, fell | ma māra ca: completely, dropped dead, too. |

TRANSLATION

And Rama struck an arrow in her chest who is invading and speedily swooping down like a thunderbolt, and thus she is readily felled down and totally dropped dead, too. [1-26-25b, 26a]

VERSE 26

ताम् हताम् भीम संकाशाम् दृष्ट्वा सुरपतिः तदा

tām hatām bhīma saṃkāśām dṛṣṭvā surapatiḥ tadā

SYNONYMS

b, 27a| sura patiḥ surāḥ ca: gods?, king, gods [Indra,] also | hatām bhīma sankāśam: annihilated, horrendous, in shape | tām dṛṣṭvā tadā: her, on seeing, then | sādhu sādhu iti: admirable, admirable, thus [this act of felling her] | kākuthśam abhipūjayan: at Rama, highly, esteemed. |

TRANSLATION

On seeing her who is horrendous in her shape is eliminated Indra and other gods have highly esteemed Rama saying, ?admirable, admirable is this act. [1-26-26b, 27a]

VERSE 27

उवाच परम प्रीतः सहस्राक्षः पुरन्दरः

uvāca parama prītaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ purandaraḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 28a| sahasra akśaḥ: thousand-eyed one ? Indra | puran daraḥ = enemy's citadel: destroyer - Indra | parama prītaḥ atha uvāca: highly, satisfied, then, spoke | sarve surāḥ samhṛṣṭā ca: all, gods, gladdened, also [spoke] | abruvan viśvamitram: spoke, to Vishvamitra [this way.] |

TRANSLATION

The thousand eyed and the destroyer of enemy?s citadels Indra then spoke with high satisfaction, and even all of the gods are gladdened and said to Vishvamitra this way. [1-26-27b, 28a]

VERSE 28

मुने कौशिक भद्रम् ते सह इन्द्राः सर्वे मरुद् गणाः

mune kauśika bhadram te saha indrāḥ sarve marud gaṇāḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 29a| mune kauśika: oh, sage, Vishwamitra | te bhadram: to you, safety will be | saha indrā: with Indra | sarve marudgaṇā: all, wind-god, groups of | anena karmaṇā tośitāḥ: by this, act, pleased | rāghave sneham darśaya: to Raghava, concern, you show. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, sage Vishvamitra, you are blessed, all the groups of wind-gods along with Indra are pleased, so you please show more concern for Raghava. [1-26-28b, 29a]

VERSE 29

प्रजापतेः कृशाश्वस्य पुत्रान् सत्य पराक्रमान्

prajāpateḥ kṛśāśvasya putrān satya parākramān

SYNONYMS

b, 30a| brahman: oh, Brahman | prajāpateḥ kṛśāśvasya putrān: Prajaapati, of Krishaasva, children | satya parākramān: virtue, valiant ones | tapaḥ bala bhṛtaḥ: ascetically, strength, possessors [missiles] | rāghavāya nivedaya: to Raghava, be offered. |

TRANSLATION

"The sons of Prajapati Krishasva who are valiant by their virtue and who possess ascetic strength, oh, Brahman, they may be offered to Raghava. [1-26-29,b, 30a]

PURPORT

These are the sons like missiles of Krishaashava Prajaapati. About them, the divine weaponry and their birth, c.f. 21st sarga/chapter, verse 10 to 20.
VERSE 30

पात्रभूतः च ते ब्रह्मन् तव अनुगमने रतः

pātrabhūtaḥ ca te brahman tava anugamane rataḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 31a| brahman: oh, Brahman | tava anu gamane rataḥ: your, in tow, going ? following, steadfast ? Rama [follower of your assignments] | te pātra bhūtaḥ: to you, befitting one ? worthy receiver | rāja sūnunā: by king?s, son | surāṇām su mahat karma: for gods, very, great, deed | kartavyam: is to be done. |

TRANSLATION

"Rama is steadfast in following your assignments and thus he is the worthy receiver of those missiles, and this prince has to accomplish a very great deed of gods.? So said gods to Vishvamitra. [1-26-30b, 31a]

VERSE 31

एवम् उक्त्वा सुराः सर्वे जग्मुर् हृष्टा विहायसम्

evam uktvā surāḥ sarve jagmur hṛṣṭā vihāyasam

SYNONYMS

b, 32a| evam uktvā: thus, saying | surāḥ sarve: gods, all | viśvamitram pūjayan: Vishwamitra, on extolling | hṛṣṭā: contentedly | vihāyasam: to heavens | jagmuḥ: went away | tataḥ sandhyā pravartate: then, sunset, come to pass. |

TRANSLATION

All the gods on saying thus and on extolling Vishvamitra they contentedly returned to heavens, and then the sunset has come to pass. [1-26-31b, 32a]

VERSE 32

ततो मुनिवरः प्रीतः ताटका वध तोषितः

tato munivaraḥ prītaḥ tāṭakā vadha toṣitaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 33a| muni varaḥ: sage, the best | prītaḥ: satisfied | tāṭakā vadha toṣita: in Tataka's, eradication, gladdened | rāmam mūrdhni upa āghrāya: of Rama, forehead, nearby smelling [kissing] | idam vacanam abravīt: this, sentence, said. |

TRANSLATION

That best sage is satisfied with Rama and gladdened for the eradication of Tataka kissed the forehead of and then said this sentence. [1-26-32b, 33a]

VERSE 33

इह अद्य रजनीम् राम वसाम शुभ दर्शन

iha adya rajanīm rāma vasāma śubha darśana

SYNONYMS

b, 34a| subha darśana: oh, august one, to gaze at, Rama | adya rajanīm: today's, night | iha vasāma: here, we stay | śvaḥ prabhāte: tomorrow, morning | mama tat āśrama padam gamiṣyāmaḥ: mine, that, to hermitage, we will proceed. |

TRANSLATION

"Here we stay for tonight, Rama, the august one for a gaze, and tomorrow morning we will go to that hermitage of mine.? So said Vishvamitra to Rama. [1-26-33b, 34a]

VERSE 34

विश्वामित्रः वचः श्रुत्वा हृष्टो दशरधात्मजः

viśvāmitraḥ vacaḥ śrutvā hṛṣṭo daśaradhātmajaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 35a| viśvāmitra vacaḥ śrutva: words, on listening | daśaratha ātmaja: Dasharatha's, son is | hṛṣṭaḥ: gladdened | tatra tāṭakāyā: vane there, in Tataka?s, forest | sukham rajanīm uvāsa: comfortably, that night, stayed. |

TRANSLATION

On listening sage Vishvamitra's words, Dasharatha's son Rama, comfortably stayed that night there in that forest of Tataka. [1-26-34]

VERSE 35

मुक्त शापम् वनम् तत् च तस्मिन् एव तत् आहनि
रमणीयम् विबभ्राज यथा चैत्र रथम् वनम्

mukta śāpam vanam tat ca tasmin eva tat āhani
ramaṇīyam vibabhrāja yathā caitra ratham vanam

SYNONYMS

b, c| tasmin tat āhani eva: on that very, day, only | tat vanam ca: that, forest, too | mukta śāpam: released, from curse | yathā caitra ratham vanam: as with, [heavenly] Chaitra Ratha, garden | ramaṇīyam vi babhrāja: pleasantly, shone forth |

TRANSLATION

On that very day alone that forest of Tataka too is released from the curse, and it shone forth like the luxurious heavenly garden of Kubera, namely Chiatra Ratha. [1-26-35b, c]

VERSE 36

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदिकाव्ये बाल काण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādikāvye bāla kāṇḍe ṣaḍviṃśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

saḥ rāmaḥ: he, that Rama | tām yakśa sutām: her, yaksha?s, daughter | ni hatya: on completely, destroying | sura siddha sanghaiḥ: by celestials, liberated Souls, and their groups | praśasyamānaḥ: being eulogised | muninā saha: sage, along with | tasmin eva: there, only | prabhāta velām: at dawning, time | prati bodhyamānaḥ: being addressed being awakened by sunrise | uvāsa: stayed. |

TRANSLATION

Rama while being eulogised by the groups of celestials and liberated Souls for complete elimination of yaksha's daughter, namely Tataka, stayed there along with the sage only to be awakened by the next day?s sunrise. [1-26-36]

PURPORT

The materialists view this episode as a function of Rama in eradicating natural calamities like dust storms, pellet storms in an uncultivable land, on the line of the episode of Ahalya. In this episode Rama's discipline is also tested. Whether he simply follows what is instructed or whether he uses his own discretion, is the topic here. Rama coupled both and eradicates Tataka, tough he doubts for a while whether to eliminate a female. strii vadha sahasaa na kartavyaH viruupakaaraNaadi strii daNDanam eva prathamataH kriyate – dharmaakuutam This is required for the endowment of deadly missiles to Rama in coming chapters. Hence Vishvamitra asks Rama to depend upon his own self-confidence to undertake this deed as at 1-24-30b, 31a. On satisfying with the eligibility of Rama to receive missiles with this episode, Vishvamitra accords those deadly weapons later.