Namaste, I Am Rāma, and This Is Rāmāyaṇa

P R O L O G U E
vii
M
aharshi Valmiki asks Narada Muni, the immortal mind-son of Lord Brahma, the
Creator:
“O Devarshi (Divine Sage),
who in this world of ours is the most virtuous,
who is powerful and feared even by demigods to engage in battle,
who is grateful, truthful, and keeps his word,
who adheres to Dharma, has good character traits, and is kind towards all beings,
who is learned and competent, has control over his anger, and is pleasant in appearance?
I desire to chronicle the life of such a great one.”
SAMPLE
ONLY
Narada Muni replies:
“I am pleased with your request. It is indeed difficult to find all these qualities in one person. There
is, however, one such man, for I have known him myself. Today I shall reveal him to you.”
Narada’s answer in about one hundred verses is known as Moola Ramayana.
Maharshi Valmiki, after Narada Muni has left for the heavens, goes into seclusion. When he is
done, he has for us our very first epic — THE RAMAYANA!
Valmiki teaches his poetic composition to his two disciples, Kusha and Lava. On the King’s
invitation, the two boys in ochre robes sing this divine legend in the august royal court of Ayodhya:
sarvā pūrvam iyam yeṣām āsīt kṛtsnā vasundharā …
I
t is Treta Yuga — the yuga (era) that follows Krita (also known as
Satya) Yuga, and which shall be followed by Dvaapara and Kali Yugas
in that order. The Rakshasas have caused dreadful havoc in the world we
know of. Their evil king Ravana is eager to wage combat against any and
everyone who puts up resistance and is unafraid to snatch anything his
evil heart desires. With a boon of invincibility conferred by Lord Brahma,
he boldly goes after Gods, demigods, and other beings. The heavenly
Gods, afraid of Ravana’s devastating power, seek Lord Vishnu’s help. Thus
starts our tale.