Rama Avatharam (incarnation as Rama)
नीतस्सुग्रीवमैत्रीं तदनु हनुमता दुन्दुभे: कायमुच्चै:
क्षिप्त्वाङ्गुष्ठेन भूयो लुलुविथ युगपत् पत्रिणा सप्त सालान् ।
हत्वा सुग्रीवघातोद्यतमतुलबलं बालिनं व्याजवृत्त्या
वर्षावेलामनैषीर्विरहतरलितस्त्वं मतङ्गाश्रमान्ते ॥१॥
niitassugriivamaitriiM tadanu hanumataa dundubheH kaayamuchchaiH
kshiptvaanguShThena bhuuyO luluvitha yugapatpatriNaasapta saalaan |
hatvaa sugriiva ghaatOdyata-matulabalaM vaalinaM vyaajavR^ittyaa
varShaavelaamanaiShiirviraha taralitastvaM matangaashramaante || 1 ||
Bhattathiri illustrates Lord Rama’s journey following his encounter with Sri Hanuman in the thirty-fifth Dhashakam of Narayaneeyam.
According to Bhattathiri, Hanumān, the steadfast devotee, mediated the friendship between Lord Rama and Sugrīva at first.
Lord Rama used his divine power to throw Dundubhi’s (a demon’s) heavy body a great distance with just his toe. And then, in a move that no mortal could ever imagine, he shot through seven enormous trees at once with a single arrow. After that, Lord Rāma used a cunning move to defeat the powerful Vāli who had wrongfully attacked Sugrīva. Then, during the rainy season, Lord Rama lived near the hermitage of Sage MataAnga in search of Sitadeva.
The purpose of relationships must be noble. Lord Rama’s political alliance was a moral declaration that truth and truth go hand in hand. It was more than just a political statement. We must form alliances based on dharma rather than expediency. Despite his imperfections, Sugrīva represents humility and sincerity, in contrast to Vali, who was powerful but unprincipled.
सुग्रीवेणानुजोक्त्या सभयमभियता व्यूहितां वाहिनीं ता-
मृक्षाणां वीक्ष्य दिक्षु द्रुतमथ दयितामार्गणायावनम्राम् ।
सन्देशं चाङ्गुलीयं पवनसुतकरे प्रादिशो मोदशाली
मार्गे मार्गे ममार्गे कपिभिरपि तदा त्वत्प्रिया सप्रयासै: ॥२॥
sugriiveNaanujOktyaa sabhayamabhiyataa vyuuhitaaM vaahiniiM taamR^
ikshaaNaaM viikshya dikshu drutamatha dayitaamaargaNaayaavanamraam |
sandesha~nchaanguliiyaM pavanasutakare praadishO mOdashaalii
maarge maarge mamaarge kapibhirapi tadaa tvatpriyaa saprayaasaiH || 2 ||
At SugrIva’s younger brother Angada’s wise counsel, Rama obediently watched the massive army of monkeys march off in order. The Vanaras quickly set out in all directions in search of Ma Sītā. With joy and assurance, Rāma gave Hanumān, the son of Lord Vayu, His personal ring along with a special message. And with great effort, the Vanaras began searching everywhere for their beloved Sita Devi.
The Vānaras (bears and monkeys) are more than just fictional characters; they represent the erratic nature of the human mind and senses, which are constantly jumping, running, and reacting. When disciplined (vyūhitām), as in the pursuit of Sītā (symbol of the lost inner peace or Srī), they become a great instrument of divine work. Our inner monkeys—mind, senses, and impulses—will help us find the divine within us once we have trained them with intention and goal-orientedness.
त्वद्वार्ताकर्णनोद्यद्गरुदुरुजवसम्पातिसम्पातिवाक्य-
प्रोत्तीर्णार्णोधिरन्तर्नगरि जनकजां वीक्ष्य दत्वाङ्गुलीयम् ।
प्रक्षुद्योद्यानमक्षक्षपणचणरण: सोढबन्धो दशास्यं
दृष्ट्वा प्लुष्ट्वा च लङ्कां झटिति स हनुमान् मौलिरत्नं ददौ ते ॥३॥
tvadvaartaa karNanOdyadgarudurujavasampaati sampaativaakyaprOttiirNaarNOdhirantarnagari
janakajaaM viikshya datvaanguliiyam |
prakshudyOdyaanamakshakshapaNachaNaraNaH sODhabandhO dashaasyaM
dR^iShTvaa pluShTvaa cha lankaaM jhaTiti sa hanumaanmauliratnaM dadau te || 3 ||
You were motivated by Hanumān, O Lord Kesava.Following the wise Sampati’s advice, Hanuman flew across the ocean at a speed that was even faster than Garuda’s. After finding Ma Sita inside Lanka, he comforted her and gave her the ring. He destroyed the royal garden after killing Aksha Kumara. Captured, he stood boldly before Ravana. Following his burning of Lanka, he returned like lightning, and As a sign of his achievement, he gave you Sita Devi’s mauli-ratnam, or hair-jewel.
This sloka provides us with a wealth of information. We are informed that, should we feel stuck? May the same power that Hanumān possessed be bestowed upon us by bhakti. Uncertain of the path one should follow in life: Be open-minded; our Sampati (mentor, moment, error) will show up. What about the times we have to make a courageous decision when confronted with a challenging one? Indeed, if justice, truth, or love are the ultimate goals, light your Lanka and go there. Be the bearer of hope to someone else by carrying their ring. Fake pride, doubts, and inner fears are your Ravanas. Face them head-on and endure the fire.
त्वं सुग्रीवाङ्गदादिप्रबलकपिचमूचक्रविक्रान्तभूमी-
चक्रोऽभिक्रम्य पारेजलधि निशिचरेन्द्रानुजाश्रीयमाण: ।
तत्प्रोक्तां शत्रुवार्तां रहसि निशमयन् प्रार्थनापार्थ्यरोष-
प्रास्ताग्नेयास्त्रतेजस्त्रसदुदधिगिरा लब्धवान् मध्यमार्गम् ॥४॥
tvaM sugriivaangadaadi prabala kapichamuu chakra vikraantabhuumiichakrO(
a)bhikramya paarejaladhi nishicharendraanujaa shriiyamaaNaH |
tatprOktaaM shatruvaartaaM rahasi nishamayan praarthanaapaarthya rOShapraastaagneyaastra
tejastrasadudadhigiraa labdhavaan madhyamaargam ||4 ||
O Lord! You became enraged and summoned the fiery Agneyāstra when the ocean refused to grant even your respectful request. The ocean god himself spoke in fear and offered You a potential crossing route. Together with Sugrīva, Aṅgada, and a sizable Vanara army, you pushed across the land and arrived at the coast. Respected by the friendship of Vibhīṣaṇa (Ravana’s noble brother) he shared with you the secrets regarding the enemy there. This sloka counsels us to remain composed, modest, perceptive, and patient until your patience becomes complicity, just like Lord Rama. Then do with fire—not to burn with rage, but to dispel the fog of stubborn silence.
कीशैराशान्तरोपाहृतगिरिनिकरै: सेतुमाधाप्य यातो
यातून्यामर्द्य दंष्ट्रानखशिखरिशिलासालशस्त्रै: स्वसैन्यै: ।
व्याकुर्वन् सानुजस्त्वं समरभुवि परं विक्रमं शक्रजेत्रा
वेगान्नागास्त्रबद्ध: पतगपतिगरुन्मारुतैर्मोचितोऽभू: ॥५॥
kiishairaashaantarOpaahR^ita giri nikaraissetumaadhaapya yaatO
yaatuunyaamardya damShTraanakhashikharishilaa saalashastraiH svasainyaiH |
vyaakurvan saanujastvaM samarabhuvi paraM vikramaM shakrajetraa
vegaannaagaastrabaddhaH patagapatigarunmaarutairmOchitO(a)bhuuH || 5 ||
O Lord! With the assistance of the Vanaras, who moved massive mountains to far-off locations, you built a bridge across the ocean. With weapons as rough as their teeth and nails and as powerful as rocks, trees, and iron arms, you proceeded to destroy the formidable group of rakshasas. In the field, you displayed unparalleled bravery alongside your brother Lakshmana. Garuda (the serpent’s eternal enemy) helped you get free after you were bound by the NagAstra of Indrajit (Son of Ravana).
This shloka’s message is as powerful as ever: your life is your Lanka, and you have been building your own setu (bridge) every single day. Seas of difficulties may arise, you may fight your inner demons, and you may even be shackled by uncontrollable circumstances. Do not give up. The setbacks even affected the Divine, like Lord Rama. Therefore, assistance will always be available when you follow the path of dharma with courage and faith, even if it takes the form of something unexpected like Garuda . You will discover that grace will release you from your bonds when the time is right if you have faith and trust.
सौमित्रिस्त्वत्र शक्तिप्रहृतिगलदसुर्वातजानीतशैल-
घ्राणात् प्राणानुपेतो व्यकृणुत कुसृतिश्लाघिनं मेघनादम् ।
मायाक्षोभेषु वैभीषणवचनहृतस्तम्भन: कुम्भकर्णं
सम्प्राप्तं कम्पितोर्वीतलमखिलचमूभक्षिणं व्यक्षिणोस्त्वम् ॥६॥
saumitristvatra shaktiprahR^itigaladasurvaatajaaniita shailaghraaNaat
praaNaanupetO vyakR^iNuta kusR^itishlaaghinaM meghanaadam |
maayaakshObheShu vaibhiiShaNa vachanahR^itastambhanaH kumbhakarNaM
sampraaptaM kampitOrviitalamakhilachamuubhakshiNaM vyakshiNOstvam || 6 ||
Lakshmana lost consciousness after suffering severe injuries from Indrajit’s Shakti weapon during the historic battle. But the life-giving scent of the Sanjeevani herb, which Hanumān brought, gave him new life, and he killed the haughty and malevolent Indrajit. Kumbhakarna appeared as a juggernaut, shaking the earth and devouring the Vanara army. At Vibhishana’s command, Lord Rama killed him while he was in a state of great confusion and magical illusion.
In our lives, we too will encounter brute barriers like Kumbhakarṇa and false-looking enemies like Indrajit, who will harm us, shake our foundations, and try to consume our souls. However, we can stand, fight back, and overcome what we never thought we could with the help of the breath of divine grace, our conscience’s assistance (Vibhīṣaṇa), and our own inner fire (the Lord’s strength).
गृह्णन् जम्भारिसंप्रेषितरथकवचौ रावणेनाभियुद्ध्यन्
ब्रह्मास्त्रेणास्य भिन्दन् गलततिमबलामग्निशुद्धां प्रगृह्णन् ।
देवश्रेणीवरोज्जीवितसमरमृतैरक्षतै: ऋक्षसङ्घै-
र्लङ्काभर्त्रा च साकं निजनगरमगा: सप्रिय: पुष्पकेण ॥७॥
gR^ihNan jambhaari sampreShitarathakavachau raavaNenaabhiyudhyan |
brahmaastreNaasya bhindan galatatimabalaamagnishuddhaaM pragR^ihNan |
devashreNiivarOjjiivita samaramR^itairakshatairR^ikshasanghairlaNkaabhartraa
cha saakaM nijanagaramagaaH sapriyaH puShpakeNa || 7 ||
O Lord! After receiving the divine chariot and armor that Lord Indra had sent you, you engaged Ravana in battle with great strength. You then pierced him with the Brahmastra, depriving him of his great strength.
After that, you welcomed Sita Devi, who had been purified by fire. The gods brought the dead Vanaras back to life, and along with the other soldiers who were not hurt and the new ruler Vibhīṣaṇa, You returned to your kingdom (Ayodhyā) in the Pushpaka Vimana, an aerial vehicle, with your loved ones.
प्रीतो दिव्याभिषेकैरयुतसमधिकान् वत्सरान् पर्यरंसी-
र्मैथिल्यां पापवाचा शिव! शिव! किल तां गर्भिणीमभ्यहासी: ।
शत्रुघ्नेनार्दयित्वा लवणनिशिचरं प्रार्दय: शूद्रपाशं
तावद्वाल्मीकिगेहे कृतवसतिरुपासूत सीता सुतौ ते ॥८॥
priitO divyaabhiShekairayutasamadhikaan vatsaraan paryaramsiirmaithilyaaM
paapavaachaa shiva shiva kila taaM garbhiNiimabhyahaasiiH |
shatrudhnenaardayitvaa lavaNanishicharaM praardayaH shuudrapaashaM
taavadvaalmiikigehe kR^itavasatirupaasuuta siitaa sutau te || 8 ||
O Lord! Following your victorious return home and magnificent coronation, you joyfully ruled alongside Sita for many years.
Unfortunately, though! You had to abandon the pregnant Sitar Devi due to nefarious rumors in the community. Meanwhile, you killed a śūdra ascetic who was abusing spiritual practices and sent Shatrughna to defeat the demon Lavaṇa. Sage Vālmīki took Sītā Devi to his hermitage during this period, where she gave birth to Your two sons, Kuśa and Lava.
This verse serves as a poignant reminder that even gods experience loss, slander, and moral dilemmas in their lives. It teaches that virtue is not always cloaked in luxury and that duty typically necessitates sacrifice. Sometimes we have to make painful decisions in life, truth is called into question, and love is sacrificed, but these moments are also part of a larger story that is often blossoming in the quiet places of the lonely and the rejected. Your legacy tomorrow might be shaped by the things that bring you down today.
वाल्मीकेस्त्वत्सुतोद्गापितमधुरकृतेराज्ञया यज्ञवाटे
सीतां त्वय्याप्तुकामे क्षितिमविशदसौ त्वं च कालार्थितोऽभू: ।
हेतो: सौमित्रिघाती स्वयमथ सरयूमग्ननिश्शेषभृत्यै:
साकं नाकं प्रयातो निजपदमगमो देव वैकुण्ठमाद्यम् ॥९॥
vaalmiikestvatsutOdgaapita madhurakR^iteraaj~nayaayaj~navaaTe
siitaaM tvayyaaptukaame kshitimavishadasau tvaM cha kaalaarthitO(a)bhuuH |
hetOH saumitrighaatii svayamatha sarayuumagnanishsheShabhR^ityaiH
saakaM naakaM prayaatO nijapadamagamO deva vaikuNThamaadyam || 9 ||
O Lord! Sage Valmik wrote a beautiful poem about Your divine story in response to your request, and your sons Ku Sa and Lava sang it melodiously. Following the news of your sons and Ma Sita, you kindly agreed to return Sita Devi during a yajna (sacrifice). Nevertheless, she vanished into the earth. As time (fate) required, you then took a difficult action, even separating from your devoted brother Laksmana, before you and your followers entered the Sarayu River.
You therefore left the world behind and entered Vaikunta, the highest source, Your eternal heavenly kingdom. This shloka serves as a reminder that while all great stories must come to an end, they never truly die. After completing his earthly mission through unwavering dharma and silent sacrifice, Rama returns to Vaikunta. This verse, in conclusion, speaks of transcendence, completion, and the everlasting return to the self, the source, and the divine.
सोऽयं मर्त्यावतारस्तव खलु नियतं मर्त्यशिक्षार्थमेवं
विश्लेषार्तिर्निरागस्त्यजनमपि भवेत् कामधर्मातिसक्त्या ।
नो चेत् स्वात्मानुभूते: क्व नु तव मनसो विक्रिया चक्रपाणे
स त्वं सत्त्वैकमूर्ते पवनपुरपते व्याधुनु व्याधितापान् ॥१०॥
sO(a)yaM martyaavataarastava khalu niyataM martyashikshaarthamevaM
vishleShaartirniraagastyajanamapi bhavet kaamadharmaati saktyaa |
nO chet svaatmaanubhuuteH kvanu tava manasO vikriyaa chakrapaaNe
sa tvaM satvaikamuurte pavanapurapate vyaadhunu vyaadhitaapaan ||10 ||
This verse, as Bhattathiri tells us, lovingly reminds us that the divine does not suffer. To teach us how to walk through fire and remain pure, the Lord acts as though He does. We learn from Lord Rama’s life that suffering can have purpose, sacrifice can be revered, and love can be aloof. In essence, this shloka teaches us that God’s purpose is to cause us to evolve rather than to evolve himself. The Bhattathiri prayer is also ours: O Lord of Guruvayoor, You who do not waver in the world’s storms, Calm the storm within me.