Uttara Kanda, Sarga 16

स जित्वा धनदं राम भ्रातरं राक्षसाधिपः । महासेनप्रसूतिं तद्ययौ शरवणं महत् ।। 7.16.1 ।।

sa jitvā dhanadaṃ rāma bhrātaraṃ rākṣasādhipaḥ | mahāsenaprasūtiṃ tadyayau śaravaṇaṃ mahat || 7.16.1 ||

O Rama, having conquered his brother Kubera, the lord of Rakshasas then went to that great thicket of reeds, the birthplace of Kartikeya.

अथापश्यदृशग्रीवो रौक्मं शरवणं महत् । गभस्तिजालसंवीतं द्वितीयमिव भास्करम् ।। 7.16.2 ।।

athāpaśyadṛśagrīvo raukmaṃ śaravaṇaṃ mahat | gabhastijālasaṃvītaṃ dvitīyamiva bhāskaram || 7.16.2 ||

Then Daśagrīva (Ravana) saw that great golden thicket of reeds, which was enveloped in a network of rays, appearing like a second sun.

स पर्वतं समारुह्य कञ्चिद्रम्यवनान्तरम् । अपश्यत् पुष्पकं तत्र रामविष्टम्भितं तदा ।। 7.16.3 ।।

sa parvataṃ samāruhya kañcidramyavanāntaram | apaśyat puṣpakaṃ tatra rāmaviṣṭambhitaṃ tadā || 7.16.3 ||

Then, having ascended a certain mountain with beautiful forest interiors, he saw the Pushpaka aerial chariot stopped there by Rama.

विष्टब्धं पुष्पकं दृष्ट्वा ह्यगमं कामागं कृतम् । अचिन्तयद्राक्षसेन्द्रः सचिवैस्तैः समावृतः ।। 7.16.4 ।।

viṣṭabdhaṃ puṣpakaṃ dṛṣṭvā hyagamaṃ kāmāgaṃ kṛtam | acintayadrākṣasendraḥ sacivaistaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ || 7.16.4 ||

Seeing the Pushpaka chariot, which was supposed to move at will, now stopped and motionless, the lord of Rakshasas, surrounded by his ministers, began to ponder.

किन्निमित्तं चेच्छया मे नेदं गच्छति पुष्पकम् । पर्वतस्योपरिष्ठस्य कर्मेदं कस्यचिद्भवेत् ।। 7.16.5 ।।

kinnimittaṃ cecchayā me nedaṃ gacchati puṣpakam | parvatasyopariṣṭhasya karmedaṃ kasyacidbhavet || 7.16.5 ||

He wondered why this Pushpaka, which should move according to his will, was not moving, and speculated that this obstruction might be the work of someone on top of the mountain.

ततो ऽब्रवीत्तदा राम मारीचो बुद्धिकोविदः । नेदं निष्कारणं राजन्पुष्पकं यन्न गच्छति ।। 7.16.6 ।।

tato 'bravīttadā rāma mārīco buddhikovidaḥ | nedaṃ niṣkāraṇaṃ rājanpuṣpakaṃ yanna gacchati || 7.16.6 ||

Then, at that moment, the wise Maricha spoke, saying, "O King, this Pushpaka chariot does not stop moving without a cause."

अथवा पुष्पकमिदं धनदान्नान्यवाहनम् । अतो निष्पन्दमभवद्धनाध्यक्षविनाकृतम् ।। 7.16.7 ।।

athavā puṣpakamidaṃ dhanadānnānyavāhanam | ato niṣpandamabhavaddhanādhyakṣavinākṛtam || 7.16.7 ||

Alternatively, he suggested that this Pushpaka, being Kubera's vehicle and not meant for anyone else, has become motionless because it is now separated from its true owner, the lord of wealth.

इति वाक्यान्तरे तस्य करालः कृष्णपिङ्गलः । वामनो विकटो मुण्डी नन्दी प्रह्वभुजो बली ।। 7.16.8 ।।

iti vākyāntare tasya karālaḥ kṛṣṇapiṅgalaḥ | vāmano vikaṭo muṇḍī nandī prahvabhujo balī || 7.16.8 ||

Just as Maricha was speaking, a formidable, black and tawny, dwarfish, monstrous, bald-headed, powerful being named Nandi, with bowed arms, appeared.

ततः पार्श्वमुपागम्य भवस्यानुचरो ऽब्रवीत् । नन्दीश्वरो वचश्चेदं राक्षसेन्द्रमशङ्कितः ।। 7.16.9 ।।

tataḥ pārśvamupāgamya bhavasyānucaro 'bravīt | nandīśvaro vacaścedaṃ rākṣasendramaśaṅkitaḥ || 7.16.9 ||

Then, Nandi, the fearless attendant of Shiva, approached the lord of Rakshasas and spoke these words.

निवर्तस्व दशग्रीव शैले क्रीडति शङ्करः । सुपर्णनागयक्षाणां देवगन्धर्वरक्षसाम् ।। 7.16.10 ।।

nivartasva daśagrīva śaile krīḍati śaṅkaraḥ | suparṇanāgayakṣāṇāṃ devagandharvarakṣasām || 7.16.10 ||

"Turn back, O Dashagriva, for Shankara is sporting on this mountain, which is inaccessible to Suparnas, Nagas, Yakshas, Devas, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas."

सर्वेषामेव भूतानामगम्यः पर्वतः कृतः । इति नन्दिवचः श्रुत्वा क्रोधात्कम्पितकुण्डलः ।। 7.16.11 ।।

sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāmagamyaḥ parvataḥ kṛtaḥ | iti nandivacaḥ śrutvā krodhātkampitakuṇḍalaḥ || 7.16.11 ||

"This mountain has been made inaccessible to all beings," Nandi declared, and having heard these words, Ravana's earrings trembled with anger.

रोषात्तु ताम्रनयनः पुष्पकादवरुह्य सः । को ऽयं शङ्कर इत्युक्त्वा शैलमूलमुपागतः ।। 7.16.12 ।।

roṣāttu tāmranayanaḥ puṣpakādavaruhya saḥ | ko 'yaṃ śaṅkara ityuktvā śailamūlamupāgataḥ || 7.16.12 ||

With eyes reddened by rage, he descended from the Pushpaka chariot, exclaiming, "Who is this Shankara?" and approached the base of the mountain.

सो ऽपश्यन्नन्दिनं तत्र देवस्यादूरतः स्थितम् । दीप्तं शूलमवष्टभ्य द्वितीयमिव शङ्करम् ।। 7.16.13 ।।

so 'paśyannandinaṃ tatra devasyādūrataḥ sthitam | dīptaṃ śūlamavaṣṭabhya dvitīyamiva śaṅkaram || 7.16.13 ||

There, not far from Shiva, he saw Nandi standing, firmly holding a shining trident, appearing like a second Shankara himself.

तं दृष्ट्वा वानरमुखमवज्ञाय स राक्षसः । प्रहासं मुमुचे तत्र सतोय इव तोयदः ।। 7.16.14 ।।

taṃ dṛṣṭvā vānaramukhamavajñāya sa rākṣasaḥ | prahāsaṃ mumuce tatra satoya iva toyadaḥ || 7.16.14 ||

That demon, having seen his monkey-face and disdained him, burst into a loud laugh there, like a cloud thundering with water.

तं क्रुद्धो भगवान्नन्दी शङ्करस्यापरा तनुः । अब्रवीत्तत्र तद्रक्षो दशाननमुपस्थितम् ।। 7.16.15 ।।

taṃ kruddho bhagavānnandī śaṅkarasyāparā tanuḥ | abravīttatra tadrakṣo daśānanamupasthitam || 7.16.15 ||

Enraged, the divine Nandi, who was another form of Shiva, spoke there to that demon Ravana who was present.

यस्माद्वानररूपं मामवज्ञाय दशानन । अशनीपातसङ्काशमपहासं प्रमुक्तवान् ।। 7.16.16 ।।

yasmādvānararūpaṃ māmavajñāya daśānana | aśanīpātasaṅkāśamapahāsaṃ pramuktavān || 7.16.16 ||

Because, O ten-headed one, you have disdained me, who am in the form of a monkey, and uttered a loud laugh resembling the fall of a thunderbolt.

तस्मान्मद्रूपसम्पन्ना मद्वीर्यसमतेजसः । उत्पत्स्यन्ति वधार्थं हि कुलस्य तव वानराः ।। 7.16.17 ।।

tasmānmadrūpasampannā madvīryasamatejasaḥ | utpatsyanti vadhārthaṃ hi kulasya tava vānarāḥ || 7.16.17 ||

Therefore, monkeys endowed with my form and possessing might and splendor equal to mine will indeed be born for the destruction of your lineage.

नखदंष्ट्रायुधाः क्रूरा मनःसम्पातरंहसः । युद्धोन्मत्ता बलोद्रिक्ताः शैला इव विसर्पिणः ।। 7.16.18 ।।

nakhadaṃṣṭrāyudhāḥ krūrā manaḥsampātaraṃhasaḥ | yuddhonmattā balodriktāḥ śailā iva visarpiṇaḥ || 7.16.18 ||

They will be fierce, with nails and fangs as their weapons, swift as thought, intoxicated with battle, overflowing with strength, and moving like mountains.

ते तव प्रबलं दर्पमुत्सेधं च पृथग्विधम् । व्यपनेष्यन्ति सम्भूय सहामात्यसुतस्य च ।। 7.16.19 ।।

te tava prabalaṃ darpamutsedhaṃ ca pṛthagvidham | vyapaneṣyanti sambhūya sahāmātyasutasya ca || 7.16.19 ||

They will unitedly destroy your mighty and diverse arrogance and haughtiness, along with your ministers and sons.

किं त्विदानीं मया शक्यं हन्तुं त्वां हे निशाचर । न हन्तव्यो हतस्त्वं हि पूर्वमेव स्वकर्मभिः ।। 7.16.20 ।।

kiṃ tvidānīṃ mayā śakyaṃ hantuṃ tvāṃ he niśācara | na hantavyo hatastvaṃ hi pūrvameva svakarmabhiḥ || 7.16.20 ||

O night-wanderer, what is possible for me to do to kill you now, for you are not to be killed, as you have already been destroyed by your own actions.

इत्युदीरितवाक्ये तु देवे तस्मिन्महात्मनि । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खाच्च्युता ।। 7.16.21 ।।

ityudīritavākye tu deve tasminmahātmani | devadundubhayo neduḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiśca khāccyutā || 7.16.21 ||

When those words were spoken by that great-souled god, divine drums sounded, and a shower of flowers fell from the sky.

अचिन्तयित्वा स तदा नन्दिवाक्यं महाबलः । पर्वतं तु समासाद्य वाक्यमाह दशाननः ।। 7.16.22 ।।

acintayitvā sa tadā nandivākyaṃ mahābalaḥ | parvataṃ tu samāsādya vākyamāha daśānanaḥ || 7.16.22 ||

Disregarding Nandi's words, the mighty Dashanana then approached the mountain and spoke.

पुष्पकस्य गतिश्छिन्ना यत्कृते मम गच्छतः । तमिमं शैलमुन्मूलं करोमि तव गोपते ।। 7.16.23 ।।

puṣpakasya gatiśchinnā yatkṛte mama gacchataḥ | tamimaṃ śailamunmūlaṃ karomi tava gopate || 7.16.23 ||

O lord of cattle, I will uproot this mountain, because of which the movement of my Pushpaka chariot has been obstructed while I was going.

केन प्रभावेण भवो नित्यं क्रीडति राजवत् । विज्ञातव्यं न जानीते भयस्थानमुपस्थितम् ।। 7.16.24 ।।

kena prabhāveṇa bhavo nityaṃ krīḍati rājavat | vijñātavyaṃ na jānīte bhayasthānamupasthitam || 7.16.24 ||

By what power does Shiva constantly play like a king, not recognizing the imminent danger that should be known?

एवमुक्त्वा ततो राम भुजान्विक्षिप्य पर्वते । तोलयामास तं शीघ्रं स शैलं समकम्पत ।। 7.16.25 ।।

evamuktvā tato rāma bhujānvikṣipya parvate | tolayāmāsa taṃ śīghraṃ sa śailaṃ samakampata || 7.16.25 ||

Having thus spoken, O Rama, (Ravana) spread his arms on the mountain and quickly began to lift it, causing that mountain to tremble.

चालनात्पर्वतस्यैव गणा देवस्य कम्पिताः । चचाल पार्वती चापि तदा ऽ ऽश्लिष्टा महेश्वरम् ।। 7.16.26 ।।

cālanātparvatasyaiva gaṇā devasya kampitāḥ | cacāla pārvatī cāpi tadā ' 'śliṣṭā maheśvaram || 7.16.26 ||

Due to the shaking of the mountain, Shiva's attendants trembled, and Parvati, who was embracing Maheshvara, also trembled then.

ततो राम महादवो देवानां प्रवरो हरः । पादाङ्गुष्ठेन तं शैलं पीडयामास लीलया ।। 7.16.27 ।।

tato rāma mahādavo devānāṃ pravaro haraḥ | pādāṅguṣṭhena taṃ śailaṃ pīḍayāmāsa līlayā || 7.16.27 ||

Then, O Rama, the great god Hara, the foremost among the gods, playfully pressed down that mountain with his big toe.

पीडितास्तु ततस्तस्य शैलस्याधोगता भुजाः । विस्मिताश्चाभवंस्तत्र सचिवास्तस्य रक्षसः ।। 7.16.28 ।।

pīḍitāstu tatastasya śailasyādhogatā bhujāḥ | vismitāścābhavaṃstatra sacivāstasya rakṣasaḥ || 7.16.28 ||

Indeed, his arms were then crushed beneath the mountain, and the demon's ministers there became astonished.

रक्षसा तेन रोषाच्च भुजानां पीडनात्तदा । मुक्तो विरावः सहसा त्रैलोक्यं येन कम्पितम् ।। 7.16.29 ।।

rakṣasā tena roṣācca bhujānāṃ pīḍanāttadā | mukto virāvaḥ sahasā trailokyaṃ yena kampitam || 7.16.29 ||

Then, from the anger and the crushing of his arms, that demon suddenly let out a roar by which the three worlds were shaken.

मेनिरे वज्रनिष्पेषं तस्यामात्या युगक्षये । तदा वर्त्मस्थचलिता देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः ।। 7.16.30 ।।

menire vajraniṣpeṣaṃ tasyāmātyā yugakṣaye | tadā vartmasthacalitā devā indrapurogamāḥ || 7.16.30 ||

His ministers considered the sound to be a thunderbolt's strike signaling the end of an age, while the gods, led by Indra, were disturbed from their celestial paths.

समुद्राश्चापि सङ्क्षुब्धाश्चलिताश्चापि पर्वताः । यक्षा विद्याधराः सिद्धाः किमेतदिति चाब्रुवन् ।। 7.16.31 ।।

samudrāścāpi saṅkṣubdhāścalitāścāpi parvatāḥ | yakṣā vidyādharāḥ siddhāḥ kimetaditi cābruvan || 7.16.31 ||

The oceans became greatly agitated, the mountains were shaken, and Yakshas, Vidyadharas, and Siddhas all exclaimed, "What is this?"

अथ ते मन्त्रिणस्तस्य विक्रोशन्तमथाब्रुवन् । तोषयस्व महादेवं नीलकण्ठमुमापतिम् ।। 7.16.32 ।।

atha te mantriṇastasya vikrośantamathābruvan | toṣayasva mahādevaṃ nīlakaṇṭhamumāpatim || 7.16.32 ||

Then his ministers said to him, who was crying out, "Please propitiate Mahadeva, the blue-throated one, the husband of Uma."

तमृते शरणं नान्यं पश्यामो ऽत्र दशानन । स्तुतिभिः प्रणतो भूत्वा तमेव शरणं व्रज ।। 7.16.33 ।।

tamṛte śaraṇaṃ nānyaṃ paśyāmo 'tra daśānana | stutibhiḥ praṇato bhūtvā tameva śaraṇaṃ vraja || 7.16.33 ||

"O ten-headed one, we see no other refuge here except him; therefore, having bowed down with praises, seek refuge in him alone."

कृपालुः शङ्करस्तुष्टः प्रसादं ते विधास्यति । एवमुक्तस्तदामात्यैस्तुष्टाव वृषभध्वजम् ।। 7.16.34 ।।

kṛpāluḥ śaṅkarastuṣṭaḥ prasādaṃ te vidhāsyati | evamuktastadāmātyaistuṣṭāva vṛṣabhadhvajam || 7.16.34 ||

The compassionate Lord Shankara, being pleased, will bestow his grace upon you; thus advised by his ministers, Ravana then praised Lord Shiva.

सामभिर्विविधैः स्तोत्रैः प्रणम्य स दशाननः । संवत्सरसहस्रं तु रुदतो रक्षसो गतम् ।। 7.16.35 ।।

sāmabhirvividhaiḥ stotraiḥ praṇamya sa daśānanaḥ | saṃvatsarasahasraṃ tu rudato rakṣaso gatam || 7.16.35 ||

Having bowed down with various hymns and praises, the ten-headed Ravana spent a thousand years crying and performing penance.

ततः प्रीतो महादेवः शैलाग्रे विष्ठितः प्रभुः । मुक्त्वा चास्य भुजान्राम प्राह वाक्यं दशाननम् ।। 7.16.36 ।।

tataḥ prīto mahādevaḥ śailāgre viṣṭhitaḥ prabhuḥ | muktvā cāsya bhujānrāma prāha vākyaṃ daśānanam || 7.16.36 ||

Then, O Rama, the pleased Lord Mahadeva, situated on the mountain peak, released Ravana's arms and spoke to the ten-headed one.

प्रीतो ऽस्मि तव वीर्यस्य शौण्डार्याच्च दशानन । शैलाक्रान्तेन यो मुक्तस्त्वया रावः सुदारुणः ।। 7.16.37 ।।

prīto 'smi tava vīryasya śauṇḍāryācca daśānana | śailākrāntena yo muktastvayā rāvaḥ sudāruṇaḥ || 7.16.37 ||

O ten-headed one, I am pleased with your valor and prowess, demonstrated by the very terrible cry you released while being crushed by the mountain.

यस्माल्लोकत्रयं चैतद्रावितं भयमागतम् । तस्मात्त्वं रावणो नाम नाम्ना राजन्भविष्यसि ।। 7.16.38 ।।

yasmāllokatrayaṃ caitadrāvitaṃ bhayamāgatam | tasmāttvaṃ rāvaṇo nāma nāmnā rājanbhaviṣyasi || 7.16.38 ||

Because the three worlds were made to cry out and fear came upon them due to your roar, therefore, O king, you shall henceforth be known by the name Ravana.

देवता मानुषा यक्षा ये चान्ये जगतीतले । एवं त्वामभिधास्यन्ति रावणं लोकरावणम् ।। 7.16.39 ।।

devatā mānuṣā yakṣā ye cānye jagatītale | evaṃ tvāmabhidhāsyanti rāvaṇaṃ lokarāvaṇam || 7.16.39 ||

Gods, humans, yakshas, and all others on earth will thus call you Ravana, the one who makes the worlds cry.

गच्छ पौलस्त्य विस्रब्धं पथा येन त्वमिच्छसि । मया चैवाभ्यनुज्ञातो राक्षसाधिप गम्यताम् ।। 7.16.40 ।।

gaccha paulastya visrabdhaṃ pathā yena tvamicchasi | mayā caivābhyanujñāto rākṣasādhipa gamyatām || 7.16.40 ||

O son of Pulastya, O king of rakshasas, go confidently by the path you desire, for you are indeed permitted by me to depart.

एवमुक्तस्तु लङ्केशः शम्भुना स्वयमब्रवीत् । प्रीतो यदि महादेव वरं मे देहि याचतः ।। 7.16.41 ।।

evamuktastu laṅkeśaḥ śambhunā svayamabravīt | prīto yadi mahādeva varaṃ me dehi yācataḥ || 7.16.41 ||

Thus spoken to by Shambhu, the lord of Lanka himself replied, "If you are pleased, O Mahadeva, then grant me a boon as I ask."

अवध्यत्वं मया प्राप्तं देवगन्धर्वदानवैः । राक्षसैर्गुह्यकैर्नागैर्ये चान्ये बलवत्तराः ।। 7.16.42 ।।

avadhyatvaṃ mayā prāptaṃ devagandharvadānavaiḥ | rākṣasairguhyakairnāgairye cānye balavattarāḥ || 7.16.42 ||

I have already obtained the boon of invincibility against gods, gandharvas, danavas, rakshasas, guhyakas, nagas, and any other more powerful beings.

मानुषान्न गणे देव स्वल्पास्ते मम सम्मताः । दीर्घमायुश्च मे प्राप्तं ब्रह्मणस्त्रिपुरान्तक ।। 7.16.43 ।।

mānuṣānna gaṇe deva svalpāste mama sammatāḥ | dīrghamāyuśca me prāptaṃ brahmaṇastripurāntaka || 7.16.43 ||

O god, I do not count humans, as they are considered insignificant by me; and O destroyer of Tripura, I have already obtained a long life from Brahma.

वाञ्छितं चायुषः शेषं शस्त्रं त्वं च प्रयच्छ मे । एवमुक्तस्ततस्तेन रावणेन स शङ्करः ।। 7.16.44 ।।

vāñchitaṃ cāyuṣaḥ śeṣaṃ śastraṃ tvaṃ ca prayaccha me | evamuktastatastena rāvaṇena sa śaṅkaraḥ || 7.16.44 ||

Ravana thus requested Lord Shankara to grant him his desired remaining lifespan and a weapon.

ददौ खड्गं महादीप्तं चन्द्रहासमिति श्रुतम् । आयुषश्चावशेषं च स्थित्वा भूतपतिस्तदा ।। 7.16.45 ।।

dadau khaḍgaṃ mahādīptaṃ candrahāsamiti śrutam | āyuṣaścāvaśeṣaṃ ca sthitvā bhūtapatistadā || 7.16.45 ||

Then, Lord Shiva, the lord of beings, granted him the greatly radiant sword known as Chandrahāsa, and also the remainder of his life.

दत्त्वोवाच ततः शम्भुर्नावज्ञेयमिदं त्वया । अवज्ञातं यदि हि ते मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ।। 7.16.46 ।।

dattvovāca tataḥ śambhurnāvajñeyamidaṃ tvayā | avajñātaṃ yadi hi te māmevaiṣyatyasaṃśayaḥ || 7.16.46 ||

Having given it, Shambhu then said, "This (sword) is not to be disrespected by you; if it is indeed disregarded by you, it will undoubtedly return to me."

एवं महेश्वरेणैव कृतनामा स रावणः । अभिवाद्य महादेवमारुरोहाथ पुष्पकम् ।। 7.16.47 ।।

evaṃ maheśvareṇaiva kṛtanāmā sa rāvaṇaḥ | abhivādya mahādevamārurohātha puṣpakam || 7.16.47 ||

Thus, Ravana, whose name was indeed established by Maheśvara, then saluted Mahadeva and ascended the Pushpaka chariot.

ततो महीतले राम पर्यक्रामत रावणः । क्षत्ऺित्रयान्सुमहावीर्यान्बाधमान इतस्ततः ।। 7.16.48 ।।

tato mahītale rāma paryakrāmata rāvaṇaḥ | kṣatऺ्itrayānsumahāvīryānbādhamāna itastataḥ || 7.16.48 ||

Then, O Rama, Ravana roamed about on the earth's surface, harassing very mighty Kshatriyas here and there.

केचित्तेजस्विनः शूराः क्षत्ऺित्रया युद्धदुर्मदाः । तच्छासनमकुर्वन्तो विनेशुः सपरिच्छदाः ।। 7.16.49 ।।

kecittejasvinaḥ śūrāḥ kṣatऺ्itrayā yuddhadurmadāḥ | tacchāsanamakurvanto vineśuḥ saparicchadāḥ || 7.16.49 ||

Some powerful and brave Kshatriyas, unyielding in battle, who disobeyed his command, perished along with their retinue.

अपरे दुर्जयं रक्षो जानन्तः प्राज्ञसम्मताः । जिताः स्म इत्यभाषन्त राक्षसं बलदर्पितम् ।। 7.16.50 ।।

apare durjayaṃ rakṣo jānantaḥ prājñasammatāḥ | jitāḥ sma ityabhāṣanta rākṣasaṃ baladarpitam || 7.16.50 ||

Others, knowing the Rakshasa to be unconquerable and being considered wise, declared to the strength-proud Rakshasa, "We are conquered.". इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे षोडशः सर्गः ।। 16 ।। Thus ends the sixteenth sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.