The Descendents of the Surya Dynasty and Lord Ramacandra’s Pastimes.

 

Text 1

Suta Gosvami said: After the great sages were comfortably seated, Lord Kalki, the protector of religious principles, worshiped them and then spoke as follows.

Text 2

Lord Kalki said: You are as brilliant as the sun, inclined to reside in holy places of pilgrimage, and engaged in work for the welfare of the world. Who are you? You must have come here as a result of My good fortune.

Text3

We are certainly most fortunate because today your soothing glances are cast upon Me.

Texts 4-7

In response, the great sages, Vamadeva, Atn, Vasistha, Galava, Parasara, Narada, Asvatthama, Parasurama, Krpacharya, Tnta, Durvasa, Devala, Kanva, Vedapramiti, and Angira, as well as many others, along with King Maru and King Devapl of the Candra and Surya dynasties, all of whom were enriched by their severe penance, replied all together. The sages spoke to Lord Kalki just the demigods had previously spoken to Lord Hari on the shore of the Milk Ocean.

Text8

The sages said All glories to You, Lord of the universe! You reside withm the hearts of all living entities. О Supreme Soul, You are the creator, maintainer, and destroyer of the universe. Please be merciful to us.

Text 9

О husband of Padmavati, You are the eternal time factor and all activities within the universe are thus impelled by You alone. Even demigods like Brahma glorify Your lotus feet. Please be satisfied to us.

Text 10

After hearing these prayers, the Lord of the universe, Kalki, said. О sages, who are these two kings? They appear to be very powerful, as if they are enriched by the performance of severe penance.

Text 11

Why have they come here after offering prayers to the Ganges?

Lord Kalki then turned to the two kings and said: Why are you engaged in glorifying the River Ganges? Who are you? What are your names?

Text 12

After hearing the words of Lord Kalki, King Maru, who was the more qualified of the two, folded his Hands and very humbly narrated the history of his dynasty.

Text 13

King Maru said: You are the Supersoul, residing in everyone’s heart. You know the intentions of all living entities. О Lord, in accordance with Your order, I will describe everything You have inquired about.

Texts 14-18

О Lord, Brahma was born from Your navel, from Brahma, MaricI was born, from MaricI, Manu was born, from Manu, Satyavikrama was born, and from him, Iksavaku. From Iksavaku, Yuvanasva was born, from him, Mandhata was born, from Mandhata, Purukusat was born, from Purukusat, Anaranya was born, and from him, Trasadasyu was born. From Trasadasyu, Haryayasva was born, from Haryayasva, Tryaruna was born, from him, Trsanku was born. From Trsaiiku, Hariscandra was born, from Hariscandra, Harita was born, from Harita, Bharuka was born, and from him, Vrka was born. From Vrka, Asamanya was born, from Asamanya, Ans’umana was born, from Ansumana, Dillpa was born, and from him, Bhagiratha was born. Because Bhagiratha brought the Ganges to this world, she is also known as Bhagirathl. Because the Ganges originated from Your lotus feet, everyone glorifies, offers obeisance’s to, and worships her.

Texts 19-22

From King Bhagiratha, Nabha was born, from Nabha, Sindhudvlpa was born, from Sindhudvlpa, A yutayu was born, and from him, Rtuparna was born. From Rtuparna, Sudasa was born, from Sudasa, Saudasa was born, from Saudasa, Asmaka was born, and from him, Mulaka was born. From Mulaka, King Dasaratha was born, from Dasaratha, Edavida was born, from Edavida, Visvasaha was born, and from him, Khatvanga was born. From Khatvanga, Dlrghavahu was born, from Dlrghavahu, Raghu was born, from Raghu, Aja was born, and from Aja, Dasaratha was born. This Dasaratha was the father Lord Ramacandra, the incarnation of Lord Hari, the master of the universe.

Text 23

Lord Kalki became very pleased while hearing about the glorious dynasty of Lord Ramacandra. He then requested King Maru to narrate Lord Ramacandra’s glories.

Text 24

Kmg Maru said: My dear Lord, no one can properly describe the pastimes of the Lord of Janaki. What to speak of others, even Lord Ananta with one thousand mouths is unable to do so.

Text 25

Still, by Your order, I will describe to the best of my ability the transcendental characteristics and pastimes of Lord Ramacandra, the hearing of which nullifies all sinful reactions and destroys all miseries.

Texts 26-27

Long ago, at the request of the demigods, headed by Brahma, Lord Ramacandra, the husband of Slta, who brought an end to the dynasty of Ravana, appeared as the son of Maharaja Das’aratha of the Surya dynasty Lord Rama distinguished Himself in His youth by killing many demons, headed by Tadaka, in the sacrificial arena of the sage, Visvamitra. It is only by the mercy of the supremely powerful Lord Ramacandra that one does not return to this material world He is the master of the art of discharging weapons, and His transcendental form is most charming to behold He appeared in this world along with His brother, Laksmana The Lord, His brother, and Visvamitra went to the assembly of King Janaka.

Text 28

In that assembly, Rama andLaksmana satbehind thegreat sage, Visvamitra, just as Candra sits behind Brahma in his assembly. When King Janaka saw the greatly effulgent Ramacandra, the original Personality of Godhead, t h e Supreme Absolute Truth, h e was convinced that H e was the suitable husband forhisdaughter. Although theking had arranged for certain conditions tobemetbytheperson who would accepthis daughter’s Hand in marriage, he regretted this and so approached Lord Ramacandra.

Text 29

After being worshiped b y King Janaka, a n d receiving t h e sidelong glance of Slta, Rama, thesonof Dasaratha, effortlessly picked up the bow of Lord Shiva and broke it in half. A tremendous sound filled the four directions. All the assembled kings and sages were astonished to see Rama’s extraordinary prowess.

Text 30

Thereafter, the pious King Janaka greeted Rama and His three brothers, according to th e prescribed procedure, and then Handed over his four nicely dressed and decorated daughters to them Thereafter, when Lord Ramacandra was returning to Ayodhya after His marriage, He met Parasurama, who was filled with great rage.

Text 31

Finally, when Ramacandra returned to His palace at Ayodhya, King Dasaratha consulted His ministers and decided to install Him as heir apparent to the throne. However, one of Das’aratha’s queens, Kaikeyi, having been influenced by a wicked maidservant, approached the king and forbade him to install Rama as the future king.

Text 32

As a result, Ramacandra, along with His wife, Slta, and brother, Laksmana, went to the forest in exile by the order of His father. The morose citizens followed them as far as they were permitted. After walking some distance, Lord Ramacandra arrived at the kingdom of Guhaka. There, the Lord gave up His royal dress and put on clothing made of tree bark and kept His hair matted.

Text 33

In the forest, Lord Rama, along with His wife and brother, lived like a sage. Everyone who chanced to meet Him in the forest worshiped Him with great devotion. Eventually, the Lord built a cottage at Pancavati and continued to reside there. This was where Bharata came to try and persuade Lord Rama to return to Ayodhya. Lord Rama refused and continued to live in the forest for a period of fourteen years, despite knowing that His father had passed away in His absence.

Text 34

One day, as Sita, Rama, and Laksmana were sitting peacefully, Surpanakha, the sister of ten-headed Ravana, who was dressed very beautifully and thus appeared very charming with her smiling face, came there under the influence of lusty desires. Lord Rama made a gesture to Laksmana, who then took His sharp sword and disfigured the Raksasi by cutting off her nose.

Text35

Thereafter, Lord Ramacandra killed Surpanakha’s brothers, Khara and Dusana, who commanded an army of fourteen thousand Raksasa soldiers, for the pleasure of Ravana. Finally, in order to please His wife, Sita, Rama killed the Raksasa, Maiica, who had assumed the form of a golden deer.

Text 36

Finding Slta alone in her cottage, the king of the Raksasas, Ravana, kidnapped her by means of deception. When Lord Rama returned home and could not find His beloved Slta, He lamented, crying out, “O Sita! ” and fell unconscious.

Text 37

Lord Ramacandra searched for Slta everywhere, even in the hermitages of great sages and mountain caves, and throughout the forests. Finally, the Lord found the king of birds, Jatayu, as he was about to give up his life, and learned from him how Sira had been kidnapped by Ravana. The Lord performed the last rites for Jatayu, who was just like His father.

Text 38

Lord Ramacandra, the master of releasing arrows, became terribly afflicted by feelings of separation from Slta. In that condition, He went with Laksmana to Rsabha Hill, where He met Hanumana, the son of Pavana, who was a friend of Sugrlva and very expert at fighting.

Text 39

Thereafter, at the request of Sugrlva and Hariuman, Lord Rama killed Vali with an arrow known as sapta-patala-bheda and thus cemented His friendship with Sugrlva. By His mercy, Sugrlva became the king of the monkeys.

Text 40

Then, as indicated by Jatayu, Hariuman, the son of Pavana, while searching for Sita, crossed the ocean and went to Lanka, where he found Her in a grove of asoka trees. Hariuman conversed with Sita, and after gaining Her confidence, he returned to Lord Rama.

Text 41

By employing his immense prowess, Hariuman killed many Raksasas and set fire to the city of Lanka. Lord Ramacandra, after becoming enraged at the ocean, built a bridge across the water by floating stones and in this way reached Lanka, along with His monkey soldiers. There after they began t o destroy the gardens, fortresses, walls, and gates o f that great city.

Text 42

Themselves in armor and equipped themselves with all kinds of celestial weapons and began to destroy innumerable Raksasas, so that They appeared like the tongue o f a poisonous serpent.

Text 43

Nala, Angada, Sugrlva, Hariuman, Jamvavan, and other very powerful monkey soldiers of Lord Rama also killed many of the ten-headed Ravana’s followers, using big trees and mountain peaks as weapons. They were mad with rage at Ravana, the sworn enemy ofthe demigods, because he had kidnapped Sita.

Text 44

The unlimitedly powerful Laksmana killed Ravana’s son, Indrajit, who drank the blood of others and was surrounded by his wicked followers. He also sent Prahasta, Nikumba, Makaraksa, Vikata, and others to the abode of Yamaraja by means of His sharp sword.

Text45

Thereafter, the invincible and arrogant Ravana, who was surrounded by millions of warriors seated upon elephants, chariots, and horses, as well as infantry soldiers, approached Lord Rama, the worshipable leader of the army of monkeys. The incomparably powerful Lord Rama was equipped with celestial weapons as Ravana attacked Him.

Text 46

Lord Ramacandra of the Raghu dynasty released His arrows at Ravana, the king of the Raksasas, who was protected by the benedictions of Brahma, who appeared like a great mountain on the battlefield, and who was the avowed enemy of all godly persons, and his brother, Kumbhakarna.

Text 47

Soon, the entire sky became covered with the arrows released by Lord Rama and Ravana, so that it appeared to be full of dark clouds. As the arrows and other weapons clashed, they created terrible sounds and sparks, so that the sky appeared to be lit with flashes of lightning. The sounds of drums were heard on that great battlefield, which took on a very grim appearance.

Text 48

Finally, ten-headed Ravana, who creates fear even in the mind of the king of the demigods, was killed by a powerful arrow of Lord Ramacandra, compounded by the curse of angry Sita. Hariuman joyfully reunited Sita, who was pure like fire, with Lord Ramacandra, before they all returned home.

Text 49

By the request of Indra, the king of the demigods, Lord Ramacandra entrusted the responsibility for ruling the kingdom of Lanka to V ibhisana.

Text 50

Thereafter, Lord Ramacandra, surrounded by the best of monkeys and accompanied by Laksmana and Slta, returned to Ayodhya after mounting the celestial Puspaka chariot that was given to Him by Kuvera. While passing over the forests in which He had earlier resided during His exile, the Lord remembered how He had lived like a sage, and had become a good friend of Guhaka.

Text 51

After His return to Ayodhya, the Lord was worshiped by the great sages. He pacified His brother, Bharata, who had been greatly pained due to separation from Him. By the order of His mothers, Lord Rama sat on His father’s throne and commenced ruling the kingdom. His coronation ceremony was performed by great sages, headed by Vasistha Muni. While seated upon the throne as the King of Ayodhya, Lord Rama appeared like the king of the demigods and master of all living entities.

Text 52

Simply by the Lords’ presence, the kingdom of Ayodhya flourished in all respects. The brdhmanas cheerfully engaged in performing their austerities and all the subjects scrupulously observed religious principles. Because the clouds showered sufficient rain at the proper time, the earth appeared green and full of prosperity. Indeed, the people of the entire world became peaceful and pious.

Text 53

By exhibiting His transcendental qualities, Lord Ramacandra, the reservoir of pleasure, fulfilled the desires of everyone, and especially pleased the heart of Sita. In this way, the Lord ruled Ayodhya for eleven thousand years. He satisfied the demigods by performing many gorgeous sacrifices, including three horse sacrifices.

Text 54

Then, for some reason, Lord Rama exiled Sita to the forest, so that He appeared to act mercilessly. At that time, the magnanimous sage, Valmiki, gave Sita shelter in his ashrama.

Texts 55-56

In due course o f time, Sita gave birth to two glorious sons, named Lava and Kusa, at the hermitage of the sage, Valmiki. After growing up, they sang the narration of Lord Ramacandra’s pastimes composed bv Valmiki. When Valmiki brought Sita and Her two sons to see Lord Rama, the Lord said to Her: You must again enter fire to prove Your purity. Upon hearing these words, mother Sita entered within the earth and went to Rasatala.

Text 57

Thereafter, Lord Ramacandra, His family priest, Vasistha, and His brothers, followers, and indeed all the inhabitants of Ayodhya, including the animals, happily bathed in the River Sarayu, and then ascended to Vaikuntha on celestial chariots.

Text 58

By faithfully hearing these nectarean narrations of Lord Ramacandra’s pastimes, one gets relief from allmaterial pangs, isawarded good children, wealth, and followers, and ultimately attains the spiritual world. While hearing this narration, one’s mind floats in an ocean of transcendental bliss as the ocean of material existence dries up, so that by the mercv of the Lord of Lakshmi, one attains liberation.

Thus ends the translation of the seventeenth chapter of ShriKalki Purana.

 

CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH

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