Nārada's Tale

Beat 1

In a forest hermitage, the sage Vālmīki, absorbed in austerity and study, puts a question to Nārada, the most eloquent of sages.

Vālmīki: Who in this world now is virtuous and brave, knows dharma, is grateful, true in speech and firm in his vows? Of whom do even the gods stand in fear when his anger is roused in battle?

Vālmīki. The poet of the Rāmāyaṇa. In this first chapter he does not yet know the story he will compose.

From the scripture · Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.1–1.5 · ramayana/1.1.2

Beat 2

Nārada, who knows the three worlds, is delighted. "Listen," he says, and names the man.

Nārada: Born in the line of Ikṣvāku, he is known among people as Rāma: self-restrained, of great valour, radiant and steadfast. Deep as the ocean, firm as the Himālaya, in forbearance like the earth.

Nārada. The wandering divine sage who carries news between the worlds.

From the scripture · Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.6–1.18 · ramayana/1.1.8

Beat 3

King Daśaratha wished to make his eldest son Rāma crown prince. But Queen Kaikeyī claimed a boon granted long before: Rāma's exile and Bharata's consecration. Bound by his word, the king sent his beloved son away. Rāma went to the forest to keep his father's promise; Lakṣmaṇa followed him out of love, and Sītā followed him as Rohiṇī follows the moon.

From the scripture · Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.20–1.28

Beat 4

Grieving for his son, Daśaratha died. Bharata would not take the throne. He went to the forest and begged Rāma to return, but Rāma kept his father's command and gave Bharata his sandals to keep the kingdom in trust.

Bharata: You alone are the king, knower of dharma.

The sandals. Bharata ruled from Nandigrāma in Rāma's name, waiting for his return.

From the scripture · Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.32–1.39

Beat 5

In the Daṇḍaka forest Rāvaṇa, with Mārīca's help, lured the two princes away, killed the vulture Jaṭāyu and carried off Sītā. Searching for her, Rāma met Hanumān on the bank of the Pampā, and through him Sugrīva, king of the monkeys. With fire as their witness, they swore friendship.

From the scripture · Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.49–1.61

Beat 6

Hanumān leapt across the ocean, a hundred yojanas wide, found Sītā in the Aśoka grove in Laṅkā and gave her Rāma's token. Then he returned with the news: "Sītā has been seen." At the ocean's word, Nala built a bridge. Rāma crossed to Laṅkā, slew Rāvaṇa in battle and won Sītā back.

A hundred yojanas. The width of the ocean Hanumān leapt, as the text gives it.

From the scripture · Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.72–1.81

Beat 7

Rāma returned in the Puṣpaka chariot, went on to Nandigrāma and, together with his brothers, took up the kingdom again. Under his rule, Nārada says, people lived joyful, righteous and free from sickness and famine.

Nārada: Whoever recites the deeds of Rāma, which are pure and equal to the Vedas, is freed from all sins.

The whole story in brief. Nārada has just told, in about a hundred verses, everything that the seven books of the Rāmāyaṇa will tell at length.

From the scripture · Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.86–1.98 · ramayana/1.1.98