02. BALA KANDA (CHILDHOOD PHASE)

 Why Did Valmiki Write the Ramayana?

• Ratnakar’s Banditry

Valmiki Rishi was born as Ratnakar. He was a violent dacoit. He would loot travelers passing through the forest, kill them, and bring food and wealth for his family.

• Encounter with Narada Muni

One day, Narada Muni was passing through the forest. Ratnakar caught him and said, “Give me your belongings, or I will kill you!”
Narada said, “Why do you commit these sins?”
Ratnakar: “To feed my family.”
Narada: “Will your family share the fruits of your sins? Have they told you to ‘kill and loot’?”
Hearing this question, doubt arose in Ratnakar’s mind. He asked his family: “I commit sins for you, will you share the burden of my sins?”
Everyone replied, “No! You alone are responsible for the consequences of your sins!”

• Repentance and Penance

Ratnakar became angry. He released Narada and thought: “I have sinned for so many years, how will I attain salvation now?”
Narada said, “Chant: ‘Mara’ (Mara = reverse of Rama). Keep chanting this name continuously.”
Ratnakar sat in one spot in the forest and began chanting “Mara-Mara”. Eventually, it became “Rama-Rama”.

• The Story of His Austerity

Ratnakar sat in one place for so long that ants (Valmiki) began crawling over his body. His penance pleased the gods. Finally, Lord Brahma gave him the name “Valmiki” (one born from an anthill) and said, “You have now become a great sage. The world will receive an epic because of you.”

• Valmiki’s Divine Vision

Once, while Valmiki was meditating, he witnessed the killing of a pair of Krauncha birds. A verse of sorrow (Shokakavya) spontaneously emerged from his mouth. Lord Brahma said, “This very verse will take the form of the Ramayana.”

• The Beginning of the Writing

Valmiki performed penance to write the Ramayana and composed the 24,000-verse epic.
This writing began even before Rama’s birth.
After Rama-Sita’s marriage, Valmiki completed the Ramayana.

• Time of Ramayana:

The events occurred in Treta Yuga.
“Adikavyam Ramayanam”: The Ramayana is considered the world’s first epic poem.

The Story of King Dasharatha (Narrative Form)

Dasharatha, the Suryavanshi king of Ayodhya, was not just a mighty warrior but also an ideal husband, father, and ruler. Here is the story of the key events in his life:

• The Secret Behind His Name

Once, during a deva-danava war, Dasharatha drove ten chariots simultaneously to assist Indra. Witnessing this feat, Indra bestowed upon him the title “Dasharatha” (one who fights on ten chariots). His valor spread Ayodhya’s glory everywhere.

• The Anguish of Childlessness

Dasharatha had three queens—Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra—but remained grief-stricken due to lack of progeny. On the advice of Rishyashringa, he performed the Putrakameshti Yajna. From the sacrificial fire emerged divine payasam (sweet pudding):

• • Kaushalya (half portion) → Rama (Vishnu’s avatar).
  • Kaikeyi (less than half) → Bharata.
  • Sumitra (remaining) → Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

• The Curse of Shravan Kumar

In his youth, Dasharatha accidentally killed Shravan Kumar, the only son of a blind sage, while hunting. Before dying, Shravan cursed: “Just as you made my parents suffer the separation from their son, you too shall die grieving for your son!” This curse haunted Dasharatha.

• His Love for Rama

Dasharatha adored Rama. He decided to crown him as the heir. But when Kaikeyi demanded Rama’s 14-year exile, his heart shattered.

• A Sorrowful End

After Rama left for exile, Dasharatha lamented day and night: “I killed Shravan, and now my son is gone!” He eventually died of grief. Before dying, he told Bharata: “Bring Rama back. Do not give him the news of my death…”

Shri Rama in Valmiki Ramayana – The Story of a Divine Avatar

One morning, an extraordinary dawn broke in Ayodhya’s royal palace. On Chaitra Shukla Navami, under the Punarvasu constellation, the palace buzzed with excitement. From Queen Kaushalya’s delivery room, the sound of innocent laughter could be heard.

Suddenly, a brilliant light spread across the sky. Celestial drums resounded. Flowers rained down. The streets of Ayodhya were naturally adorned with blossoms. The waters of the Sarayu River turned sweet like nectar. Seeing these signs, sages realized: “Today, the protector of Dharma has incarnated!”

When King Dasharatha held the newborn, tears of joy streamed from his eyes. The child bore divine marks: Conch and discus on his soles. Shrivatsa mark on his chest. Radiant glow on his face.

The royal physicians folded their hands and said, “This is no ordinary child.” Queen Kaushalya’s face shone with maternal bliss, moving Kaikeyi and Sumitra to tears.

• Valmiki described this moment:

“Sarvlakshan-sampannah shubhaih lakshanaih yutah”
(“He was endowed with all auspicious signs.”)

That day, every home in Ayodhya lit lamps. Women danced in joy. Brahmins chanted Vedic hymns. Drums echoed across the kingdom.
This was not just the birth of a prince—it was the first step in reestablishing Dharma!

• Valmiki wrote:

“Ramo vigrahavan dharmah”
(“Rama is the embodiment of Dharma.”)

At that sacred moment, everyone realized—this child was not just a prince but the savior of the world!

The Divine Birth of Mother Sita (As per Valmiki Ramayana)

King Janaka of Mithila was preparing for a Dharma Yajna one day. He decided to plow the land himself. In the Sita Kshetra of Vidarbha, Janaka stood holding the plow. As he plowed slowly, the plow suddenly struck something hard.

“What is this?” Janaka stopped and saw the plow had hit a golden casket. From the earth emerged a miraculous sight—a beautiful baby girl! Her body glowed like gold. She was the very essence of Earth’s beauty.

“O Mother Earth, you have blessed me with this priceless gift!” Janaka exclaimed as he lifted the child. At that moment, celestial drums sounded. Flowers showered from the sky. Everyone knew—this was no ordinary girl.

Janaka named her “Sita” (born from the plow’s furrow). Seeing her divine radiance, he resolved to raise her as his own. Sita grew up gracefully. Astrologers who read her palm were amazed—”Great fortune is written in her destiny!”

When Sita effortlessly lifted Shiva’s bow, it became clear—she was no ordinary maiden but Goddess Lakshmi herself!

• Valmiki Ramayana beautifully describes this:

“Bhumeh samutthita kanya Sita namna babhuva ha”
(“The girl who arose from Earth was named Sita.”)

• Who Was King Janaka?

The famous king of Mithila, originally named Siradhvaja. Belonged to the Videha dynasty and was also called Vaishvanara. Not just a king but a sage, yogi, and righteous ruler. A Jnana Yogi who engaged in philosophical debates with sages like Yajnavalkya.

His teaching: “Perform your duty without desire for rewards.”

When Did Mother Sita Appear After Shri Rama’s Birth?

• Valmiki Ramayana Reference

  • Rama’s birth: Chaitra Shukla Navami (Ram Navami).
  • Sita’s appearance: Years later (exact timeline unclear).

• Estimated Timeline

  • Rama’s childhood in Ayodhya: ~12-15 years.
  • Protection of Vishwamitra’s yajna: A few months.
  • Rama’s age at Swayamvar: ~25 years.
  • Sita’s age: 16-18 years (estimated).
  • Thus, Sita appeared 10-12 years after Rama’s birth.

• Puranic References

  • Padma Purana: Sita existed before Rama’s birth but was discovered later.
  • Uttara Ramayana: Sita appeared shortly after Rama’s birth.

• Logical Conclusion

  • Rama was born first.
  • Janaka later found Sita in the field.
  • She was raised and came of age by the Swayamvar.
  • Approximate gap: 10-15 years.
  • Uncertainty in Timeline
  • Valmiki Ramayana does not specify exact dates.
  • Estimates are based on Rama and Sita’s ages.

“Ramāt arvāchīnāh Sita”
(“Sita appeared after Rama.”)

• Conclusion: Sita manifested 10-15 years after Rama’s birth but was discovered and raised by Janaka from infancy.

Sita Swayamvar: The Unforgettable Event

In Mithila’s royal court, King Janaka sat lost in thought on his golden throne. Mother Sita stood before him, her radiance illuminating the entire hall. Smiling softly, Janaka said, “Dear Sita, finding a worthy match for a divine maiden like you is no easy task!”

Just then, his gaze fell upon the Shiva Dhanush kept in the prayer room. This bow could not be lifted by any mortal—even gods struggled with it. Janaka declared: “Whoever lifts and strings this bow shall wed Sita!”

News of the Swayamvar spread far and wide. One day, a bizarre sight appeared on Mithila’s roads—Ravana, the demon king, arrived in a golden palanquin, surrounded by demons wearing garlands of skulls. Arrogantly, he boasted: “O King, I will easily lift this bow! Sita shall be mine!”

The court trembled in fear, but Janaka calmly said, “You may try.”

As Ravana touched the bow, an astonishing thing happened—it did not budge! His crown fell, and his ten heads bowed in shame. The court erupted in laughter.

At that moment, Sage Vishwamitra entered with Rama and Lakshmana. Sita’s eyes met Rama’s, and she instantly knew: “He is my destined husband!”

Rama humbly approached the bow. To everyone’s amazement—it lifted effortlessly! As he strung it, a thunderous “Twang!” echoed—the bow snapped in two!

Ravana’s face darkened. Sita walked toward Rama with the wedding garland. When she placed it around his neck, celestial drums resounded.

Enraged, Ravana roared: “I will never forget this insult!” and stormed away like a dark cloud. This humiliation later led to Sita’s abduction.

Janaka, with tears of joy, said: “Today, my daughter has found her true match!”

Thus began a new chapter in Rama and Sita’s lives—a divine union that would ultimately defeat Ravana and restore Dharma.

Parashurama-Rama Meeting: A Divine Encounter

On the golden roads of Mithila, an eerie silence prevailed. After Rama and Sita’s wedding, Rama and Lakshmana were returning to Ayodhya in Janaka’s chariot. Suddenly, the sky rumbled. A radiant sage appeared—Parashurama!

His matted locks flowed, an axe gleamed in his hand, and his eyes burned with fury. Terrified, Janaka asked, “Who is this?”

Parashurama thundered: “Who is the wretch who broke Shiva’s bow? I will destroy him!”

Rama stepped forward calmly. Seeing the Shrivatsa mark on Rama’s chest, Parashurama softened. “Who are you?” he demanded. “I am Dasharatha’s son, Rama,” came the humble reply.

Parashurama challenged: “If you are truly mighty, string this bow of Vishnu!”

Rama smiled, took the bow, and strung it with one hand! Parashurama’s face lit up in joy.

“Now I understand!” he exclaimed. “You are Lord Vishnu himself! I (Parashurama) am your previous avatar. My life’s purpose is fulfilled—I have met my Lord!”

Blessing Rama, he said: “May you annihilate all demons!” and vanished.

Peace returned. Rama whispered: “This moment is divine.”

• Essence of the Story:

This was not just a meeting of two warriors—it was the convergence of two eras. Parashurama’s wrath symbolized justice, while Rama embodied serenity. This moment remains a golden chapter in the Ramayana.

Source: This content was created with AI assistance and edited by Jignesh Gandhi.