Chapter 11 - Manifestation of Viṣṇu as Rāma (part 7)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

I. The well-honoured sages Agastya and others went to Rāghava, who was ruling the country (and said), “You are fortunate and are victorious because you have killed Indrajit.

2. Pulastya was the son of Brahmā. Viśravas was (the son of Pulastya). Kaikasī (was his wife). (His) first (wife) was Puṣpotkaṭā.^[1]. The lord of wealth (Kubera) was her son.

3. Rāvaṇa was born to Kaikasī (possessing) 20 arms and 10 faces. By means of (his) penance he got a boon from Brahmā and conquered celestials.

4. Kumbhakarṇa was always sleeping, Vibhīṣaṇa became deep-rooted in dharma. Their sister (was) Śūrpaṇakhā, Meghanāda (was born) from Rāvaṇa.

5. Having conquered Indra, he became Indrajit. He was stronger than Rāvaṇa. Desirous of welfare of the celestials, (he) was killed by you (and) Lakṣmaṇa”.

6- 7. Having told (thus) those sages Agastya and others had gone after being prostrated by (Rāma). Śatrughna directed by Rāma as per desires of celestials, became the killer of Lavaṇa at some place (known as) Mathurā. Being directed by Rāma, Bharata killed three crores of sons of Śailūṣa with sharp arrows.

8-9. (Having killed) Śailūṣa, the wicked Gandharva, a resident on the banks of (the river) Sindhu and having established his sons Takṣa and Puṣkara in those countries, Bharata went to Rāghava along with Lakṣmaṇa and remained worshipping him after having killed the wicked in the battle and protected the pious.

10. The two sons Kuśa and Lava, the excellent brothers were born in the hermitage of Vālmīki to Sītā abandoned on account of rumour among the people; and were known from the hearing of (their) good episode.

11. After having been anointed in the kingdom and being bent on contemplation with (the attitude of) “I am brahman”, (and then) the son of Sītā after having ruled for 11,000 years and after performing sacrifices went to heaven along with the citizens and (his) brother, and being attended to by the people and honoured by the celestials.

Agni said:

12. Vālmīki composed the Rāmāyaṇa in elaborate (form) after hearing from Nārada. One who hears this will go to heaven.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The name of the first wife ofViśravas is given as Devavarṇinī, daughter of Bharadvāja. See Rām, VII.ii.

Viśravas blessed Kaikasī, the daughter of Sumālin, when she had come to him desirous of progeny. But the progeny would be dreadful as she had come to him at twilight, said the sage. When she again entreated him, he blessed her that her next son would be like himself pursuing righteous life. See Rām. VII. ix.