Valmiki finished narrating the origin of Rama's birth as a human, and then explained who is qualified to learn this teaching and how the story was transmitted. In order to guide people from the suffering of reincarnation, Brahma ordered Valmiki to complete the Ramayana.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Section 6: The History of Rama
53
Vasishtaramsamvadam, mokshopayakatham, shubham. Jnataswabhavo rajendra, vadami shrutyam budha. || 53 ||
"O, great and wise king, I will tell you about the sacred dialogue between Rama and Vasishta, which explains the means to liberation. As one who knows the true nature of things, I speak to you. O, wise one, please listen."
54
Rajovacha. "How is Rama? Is he bound, or is he free?" Tell me this with certainty, O wise one. || 54 ||
The king said.
"Among those who know the truths that should be known, you are among the highest. Who is Rama, and what kind of person is he? To whom is he bound, or is he truly liberated? Please tell me this with certain knowledge."
55
Valmiki said: Due to the curse, and wearing royal attire, Hari. He has been brought here, possessing knowledge but still ignorant. This is your servant. || 55 ||
Valmeeki said.
"Hari, triggered by a curse, took on the form of a prince, and willingly bore the ignorance that she brought upon herself, becoming your master with only limited knowledge."
56
Rajovacha. Chidananda-swaroupe hi rame, chaityanya-vigrahe. Shapasyam karanam bruhi, kah shaptah cheti me vada || 56 ||
The king said.
"Rama has consciousness and bliss as his true nature, and he is the one who embodies consciousness itself. Why did a curse affect Rama? Please tell me who cast the curse and what the reason was."
57
Valmiki said: Sanatkumara, free from desires, resided in the realm of Brahman. Vaikuntha was reached by Vishnu, the lord who rules over all three worlds. || 57 ||
Valmeeki said.
"Snatakumar, who had no desires, lived in the palace of Brahma. At that time, Vishnu, the lord of the three worlds, came from Vaikuntha."
58
"The one who is worshipped by Brahmins, and resides in Satyaloka. Without Kumar, upon seeing him, the Lord Ishvara said: "58."
The principal deity was welcomed by the inhabitants of Brahma and Satyayoga. However, Kumara did not welcome him. Therefore, the god looked at him and said:
59
Sunak Kumar, you are stunned and free from desire, yet filled with pride. Therefore, become eager for love, O one born of arrows. || 59 ||
"O Sanatkumara, you boast of being without desire and behave arrogantly. Therefore, be born as Sharajangama and suffer from desires."
60
Even if Vishnu is cursed, he still possesses omniscience. However, for a certain period of time, you will become ignorant. || 60 ||
Sanatkumara also cursed Vishnu and said, "..."
"You are one who knows everything, but for a while, you will relinquish that all-knowingness and become ignorant."
61
Having seen Bhrugu's heavy burden, he said with anger that made him faint. Vishnu, even your wife will experience separation. || 61 ||
Also, Saint Brih saw his wife being killed by Vishnu and, losing control of himself in anger, said the following.
"Vishnu, you too will be separated from your wife."
62
By a group, Vishnu was cursed for the cleansing that you have done. Therefore, you will experience separation from women and fulfill my words. || 62 ||
Vishnu was cursed by Vrinda because he took on the form of her husband and deceived her.
"You deceived me. Therefore, through my words, you will experience separation from your wife."
63
The wife, who is Devadatta's beloved, Seeing Vishnu in the form of Narasimha, became speechless.
Furthermore, Devadatta's pregnant wife saw Vishnu taking the form of a lion-man on the bank of the Payashni River and died out of fear.
64
Then, the king Nṛhari, afflicted with sorrow due to separation from his wife, said: Even you will experience a separation from your wife. || 64 ||
The husband, who was suffering from the loss of his wife, cursed Hari, who had become a human lion.
"You too, will be separated from your wife."
65
Bhrugu was cursed by his mother and son, and Vishnu cursed him with a group. Due to this curse, he attained the status of a human being. || 65 ||
In this way, Vishnu received curses from Bhṛgu, Sānātakumāra, Devadatta, and Vrinda, which is why he took on a human form and was born on Earth.
66
Everything mentioned above is the cause of all curses and misfortunes. Now, I will tell you everything; listen carefully with awareness. || 66 ||
Now, I have told you all the reasons for which the curse occurred. From now on, I will tell you about everything else. Please concentrate and listen carefully.
Chapter 2: Reasons for Writing the Ramayana
Section 1: Those Who Are Qualified to Read This Book
1
In heaven and on earth, inside and outside, I am omnipresent. To that all-pervading Self, to whom everything belongs, my salutations. || 1 ||
In heaven, on earth, and in the void, both outside and inside, I worship my Lord, who shines with radiant glory as his very nature.
2
Valmiki said: "He who has the determination to be bound and released, Nor is he completely ignorant, nor is he perfectly knowledgeable, Such a person is qualified to study this scripture." 2.
Valmeeki said.
"I am bound, and I want to become a liberated being. A person who holds this conviction, without being completely ignorant, nor having complete knowledge, is qualified to learn these teachings."
3
First, contemplate on the means to attain liberation; then, contemplate on the ways to achieve it. The wise person who contemplates in this way will not be reborn again. || 3 ||
Those who first carefully consider the means shown in stories, and then contemplate the means of liberation described here, will never be reborn.
4
In this Ramayana, I will explain the stories of Rama with great power. First, let me tell you about the past, how I destroyed the demon. (4)
To those who will overcome their enemies, I have compiled this Ramayana, a powerful means through the story of Rama.
5
I am a disciple, humbly addressing Bharadvaja, the wise one. With focused devotion, I offer him like a treasure trove of meaning. || 5 ||
And, he bestowed it upon Baradvaja, a wise and obedient disciple who concentrated his mind. Just as the sea gives jewels to those who seek treasure within it.
6
tata ete kathopaya bhardvajaena dhimanta. kasminchinn merugahane brahmano'agra udahritaḥ || 6 ||
Therefore, this story was narrated by the wise Bharadvaja to Brahma in a deep forest on Maila Mountain.
7
Then, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe and father of all living beings, was pleased. "Please accept this boon," he said to the gentleman. || 7 ||
Then, the revered Brahma, the ancestor of the world, was pleased with him and said with a great heart:
"My son, receive the greatest blessing."
8
Bhāradvāja said: O Lord, the embodiment of all beings and phenomena, this is my desire today. Please explain how this can relieve people from suffering. || 8 ||
Baradvaja said.
"O Lord of the past and future, please teach me a way for people to be liberated from suffering. That is the grace I desire now."
Section 2: The Command of Brahma
9
Śrī Brahma said: Please earnestly pray to the teacher, Vālmīki. Because this Rāmāyaṇa, which has begun, is criticized by him.
Brahma said.
"Hurry and tell Master Varmiki that he should do his best to complete the Ramayana, which he has begun writing, without any flaws."
10
In that state, a person will cross the ocean of delusion completely. Like a bridge across the ocean, possessing qualities on both sides. || 10 ||
If one hears that, people will overcome all delusions and move forward. Just as Rama, who possesses immeasurable virtues, built a bridge across the sea, allowing people to cross over to the other side of the ocean.
11
Śrī Vālmiki said. Having said this, he went to the ashram of Bharadvāja. He approached him equally, and Bharadvāja welcomed him.
Valmeeki said.
When I say this, the supreme being Brahma, who is the creator of all things, came to my hermitage accompanied by Baradvaja.
12
The deity, having been duly worshipped by me with offerings like Arghya and Madhuparka. He spoke to me, being devoted to the welfare of all beings. || 12 ||
I immediately welcomed God, offering water for purification and washing feet, etc., with utmost reverence. The great god, who grants blessings to all things, told me the following:
13
From your auspicious nature and words, O excellent sage. Having abandoned it without agitation, you have been criticized for having attained it. || 13 ||
"O noble saint, do not abandon this flawless scripture that speaks of the true nature of Rama simply because you are tired; complete it."
14
This chariot is ours, which will deliver us from the sorrows of this world. Soon, a grandson will quickly cross the ocean. || 14 ||
Through this book, people will be able to overcome this difficult cycle of reincarnation, just as one crosses the sea by boat, and do so quickly.
15
I have come to this world for that very purpose. Do good deeds for the benefit of people, and I have told you that is what scriptures say. || 15 ||
The unborn Brahma said:
"I have come here precisely to convey this message. For the sake of all people, complete this teaching."
16
From that blessed place, I arrived in a moment. I rose like a wave from the high tide. || 16 ||
Saying that, the god instantly disappeared from my sacred hermitage. Just like a wave rising high on the water's surface and then disappearing immediately.
17
In that journey, I was filled with wonder. Then, there, I asked Bharadvaja about health and wisdom. || 17 ||
When God left, I was struck with surprise. I calmed my heart and asked Bharadvaja, who was there.
18
Kimetat-brahmanam proktam bharadvaja vadaashu me. Ityuktena punah proktaṁ bharadvajena tena me. || 18 ||
"What did Brahma say? Baradvaja, please tell me immediately."
When I asked him this, he answered me again.
19
Bharadvaja said: As the Lord has spoken, create the Ramayana. For the welfare of all beings, it is a boat to cross the ocean of suffering. || 19 ||
Baradvaja said.
"The revered God said, 'Complete the Ramayana, which will serve as a means for all people to cross the ocean of reincarnation.'"