While Sulthi was on the peak of the Himalayas, he heard a story from Indra's messenger who was flying in the sky. The king, named Aristhnemi, did not desire heavenly happiness that would end when his merits were exhausted, but rather sought a path to liberation from the cycle of rebirth. This question prompted the sage Valmiki to begin teaching.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Section 4: The Story of Sulci

19

The name is Saruchirnama, which means "the best of the monkey stories." It describes a scene where monkeys are gathered on top of a mountain.

There was a woman named Sulthi, who was among the most excellent of the Apsaras. She sat on a Himalayan peak surrounded by peacocks.

20

Those who are afflicted by lust and desire, may they find happiness here. Created from the nectar of heaven, it is a great flood that destroys all sins. || 20 ||

There, Kinnara beings consumed by love and desire were playing with their companions. Also, the flow of a great river from heaven was nourishing that place, serving as something to wash away accumulated sins.

21

The celestial nymph, going to Indra's messenger in the sky, saw him. She spoke to that fortunate one, who was a celestial nymph.

She saw Indra's messenger moving through the air. And Surthi, among the blessed Apsaras and the most excellent of them, spoke to him in this way.

22

Suruchiru said. O great angel, where have you come from? Please tell me everything; where are you going now? || 22 ||

Sulchi said.

"O messenger of the gods, blessed one. Where do you come from? And where are you going now? Please tell me everything."

Section 5: The Story of Alishtanemi

23

The angel said. As you have asked, O virtuous one, I will tell you the story exactly as it is. King Arishtanemi gave his kingdom to his son. || 23 ||

The messengers of the gods said.

"Beautiful maiden, you have asked a good question. I will tell you the truth. King Xian Arishtanemi bequeathed his kingdom to his son,..."

24

Veetaraagaḥ sa dharmatma niryayau tapase vanam. Tapashcharaty asau raaja parvate gandhamadane || 24 ||

Having detached from attachment and become a righteous person, I went into the forest to perform ascetic practices. Now, that king is performing ascetic practices on Mount Gandamardana.

25

Having completed the task, I am now going there. I went to the side and told him about the whole situation. || 25 ||

After fulfilling my duties there, I have now returned. From here, I will go to Shakura and report on what happened.

26

The Apsara said. Tell me, what happened there? I am asking out of curiosity, you should not cause any trouble. || 26 ||

Apsaras said.

"Lord, what happened there? Please tell me about it. I would like to inquire respectfully. Please don't leave me in a state of anxiety."

27

The angel said. Listen, noble one, as I will tell you what happened in detail. In that forest, there was a difficult ascetic practice. || 27 ||

The messengers of the gods said.

"Good daughter, listen to me. I will tell you in detail about what happened. It was when that king was undergoing unbearable hardships in the forest."

28–31

Thus, I, the king of gods, ordered you with a benevolent command. Go there as an envoy and bring back this flying vehicle. || 28 ||

It is adorned with various musical instruments and accompanied by celestial nymphs. It is also embellished with Gandharvas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and others. || 29 ||

With drums, flutes, and other instruments, it travels to the auspicious mountain of Gandhamadana. Going among diverse trees, it reaches that excellent mountain. || 30 ||

Having placed King Arishtanemi on the flying vehicle as an envoy, Bring him to my city, Amravati, for heavenly enjoyment. || 31 ||

"At that time, the King of the Gods commanded me to do this."

"Messenger, please accept this heavenly vehicle and go there immediately."

It is a vehicle adorned with various instruments, carrying Apsaras and accompanied by Gandharvas, Siddhas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, etc.

Go to that beautiful Gandamardana mountain, which is covered with various trees and equipped with drums and flutes.

"Therefore, place King Arishtanemi in this chariot and take him to the city of Amravati, the abode of the immortals, so that he may experience heavenly pleasures."

32

The messenger said. Having received these instructions, he boarded the vehicle of Indra. He entered that conveyance which was equipped with all necessary provisions. || 32 ||

The messenger continued.

"Following Shakura's orders, I took that Heavenly Vehicle equipped with all its gear and headed towards the mountain."

33

Having arrived at the mountain, I went to the hermitage. I presented all my wishes and commands to Indra in a pleasing manner. || 33 ||

Upon arriving at that mountain, I went to the king's hermitage and conveyed all of Indra's commands to Arishtanemi.

34–35

Hearing these words, the king, filled with doubt, said: "O messenger, I wish to ask you. You should tell me." (34)

"What are the qualities and defects there in heaven? Tell me about it from your own experience. Knowing the situation there, I will then act as I please." (35)

When I heard my words, the king thought for a while and then said to me, "Good daughter."

"Messenger, I have a question for you. Please answer me."

What are the advantages and disadvantages of heaven? Please tell me about it in front of me. After knowing what kind of place it is, I will do as I please.

36–39

The messenger said: In heaven, the greatest happiness is obtained by enjoying the fruits of virtue. By superior virtue, one attains the best heaven. || 36 ||

A middle level of virtue leads to a middle level of heaven; otherwise, it does not. With inferior virtue, one obtains a heaven that is like that. || 37 ||

Tolerance for excellence and competition are among the virtues. Contentment with those who are less fortunate ensures the continuation of virtue. || 38 ||

When virtue diminishes, mortals enter this mortal world. Thus, the qualities and defects in heaven have been described. || 39 ||

The messenger said.

"In heaven, one enjoys the highest happiness according to the merits accumulated. Through excellent merit, one reaches the most superior realm of heaven."

Depending on the degree of merit, one can attain a middle realm in heaven, and with lesser merit, one will be reborn into a lower heavenly realm appropriate to that level.

Being unable to endure the excellent circumstances of others, competing with those who are equal, and being satisfied with those who are inferior – these states will continue until one's merit is exhausted.

When one's merit is exhausted, people enter this mortal world. O King, such advantages and disadvantages exist even in the celestial realms."

40–42

Having heard these words, the benevolent king replied. The king said: "I do not desire such a reward from divine messengers to go to heaven." (40)

Therefore, with great effort and penance, I will purify my body. Just as an old skin is shed by a snake, I will cast off this impure form." (41)

Having received you in the celestial vehicle, just as you came, Let us go to the presence of Indra. Greetings to you." (42)

When I heard those words, my dear daughter, the king said.

"O messenger of the gods, I do not desire a heaven that brings about such results."

From now on, I will perform extremely strict ascetic practices, and just as a snake sheds its old skin, I will discard this impure body.

"O messenger of the gods, please accept this celestial chariot and return to Indra, just as you came. I offer my respects to you."

43–47

The angel said: Having spoken thus, I went to the presence of Lord Indra to convey the message. I proceeded with great astonishment as instructed. || 43 ||

Then, King Mahendra spoke to me in a gentle and pleasing tone. Indra said: "Messenger, go back there and bring that king to the hermitage." || 44 ||

"To Valmiki, who has realized the truth of his own nature and is detached from worldly desires. You should convey my message to the sage Valmiki." || 45 ||

"O sage, you are humble before this king, who is free from attachment. He does not desire heaven; he seeks enlightenment from a great sage." || 46 ||

"By his teachings, he will gradually overcome the suffering of samsara and attain liberation." Having said this, I was sent by the celestial king to that place. || 47 ||

The messenger continued.

"When I was told that, as a good daughter, I went to Shakr and reported what had happened. Then he was greatly surprised."

After that, the great Indra said to me in a gentle and sweet voice:

"Messenger, go back there again and bring that king to the hermitage."

Tell Varmiki, who knows the truth, my message: to awaken those who have detached from attachment.

O great sage, please impart teachings for enlightenment to this king who refrains from attachment and does not desire the heavens.

"In that way, this person will be troubled by the suffering of the world, but gradually attain enlightenment."

Thus, the King of the Gods sent me to him.

48–49

Maya gatya punas tatra raja Valmiki janmane. Nivedita Mahendrasya rajnya mokshyasya sadhanam || 48 ||

Tato Valmikajanmasau rajanam sampracchata. Anamayati preetya kushal prashna vartaya || 49 ||

I went there again, and I told the saint Varmiki, who was born from the anthill, about the means of liberation that the great Indra showed to the king.

Then, the saint born from that anthill approached the king and spoke to him intimately, asking if he was well and living a healthy life.

50–51

The king said: Having understood the true nature of dharma, I know what is to be known and what is to be taught. I have achieved my purpose by seeing you; that itself is beneficial for me. || 50 ||

"O Lord, I wish to ask you a question without any obstacles; please tell me. How can I liberate myself from the suffering of worldly attachments? Please explain." || 51 ||

The king said.

"O venerable one, you have understood the essence of the law and known what should be known; among those who know, you are the most supreme. By having been seen by you, I have fulfilled my purpose. That is my peace."

Venerable one, I have a question for you. Please do not hesitate to answer. I am troubled by the suffering that arises from the cycle of rebirth. Please tell me how to be liberated from it.

52

Valmiki said: "Listen, O king, I will narrate the Ramayana in its entirety. By hearing it attentively, you will attain liberation."

Valmeeki said.

"O King, listen to me. I will tell you the complete Ramayana. If you hear it and understand it with a sincere heart, you will attain enlightenment while still alive."