Verse 1
तपः स्वाध्याय निरताम् तपस्वी वाग्विदाम् वरम् | नारदम् परिपप्रच्छ वाल्मीकिः मुनि पुंगवम् || १-१-१
Valmiki, devoted to austerity and self-study, asked Narada, the foremost among sages and the best among those skilled in speech.
Verse 2
कः नु अस्मिन् सांप्रतम् लोके गुणवान् कः च वीर्यवान् | धर्मज्ञः च कृतज्ञः च सत्य वाक्यो धृढ व्रतः || १-१-२
Who in this world at the present time is endowed with virtues and strength? Who knows righteousness, who is grateful, who speaks the truth, and who is firm in his vows?
Verse 3
चारित्रेण च को युक्तः सर्व भूतेषु को हितः | विद्वान् कः कः समर्थः च कः च एक प्रिय दर्शनः || १-१-३
Who is endowed with excellent character? Who works for the welfare of all beings? Who is learned, who is capable, and who is pleasing in appearance?
Verse 4
आत्मवान् को जित क्रोधो द्युतिमान् कः अनसूयकः | कस्य बिभ्यति देवाः च जात रोषस्य संयुगे || १-१-४
Who is self-controlled? Who has conquered anger? Who is radiant and free from jealousy? And when such a person becomes angry in battle, whom do even the gods fear?
Verse 5
एतत् इच्छामि अहम् श्रोतुम् परम् कौतूहलम् हि मे | महर्षे त्वम् समर्थोऽसि ज्ञातुम् एवम् विधम् नरम् || १-१-५
I wish to hear about such a person, for I have great curiosity. O great sage, you are capable of knowing such a man.
Verse 6
श्रुत्वा च एतत् त्रिलोकज्ञो वाल्मीकेः नारदो वचः | श्रूयताम् इति च आमंत्र्य प्रहृष्टो वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् || १-१-६
Hearing these words of Valmiki, Narada, the knower of the three worlds, gladly addressed him and said, “Listen.”
Verse 7
बहवो दुर्लभाः च एव ये त्वया कीर्तिता गुणाः | मुने वक्ष्ष्यामि अहम् बुद्ध्वा तैः उक्तः श्रूयताम् नरः || १-१-७
O sage, the qualities you have described are many and difficult to find. I shall tell you of a man who possesses them. Listen to me.
Verse 8
इक्ष्वाकु वंश प्रभवो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः | नियत आत्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान् धृतिमान् वशी || १-१-८
He is Rama, known among the people, born in the Ikshvaku dynasty. He is self-controlled, greatly powerful, radiant, steadfast, and master of himself.
Verse 9
बुद्धिमान् नीतिमान् वाङ्ग्मी श्रीमान् शत्रु निबर्हणः | विपुलांसो महाबाहुः कंबु ग्रीवो महाहनुः || १-१-९
He is intelligent, wise in conduct, eloquent, glorious, and destroyer of enemies. His shoulders are broad, his arms are mighty, his neck is shaped like a conch, and his cheeks are prominent.
Verse 10
महोरस्को महेष्वासो गूढ जत्रुः अरिन्दमः | आजानु बाहुः सुशिराः सुललाटः सुविक्रमः || १-१-१०
He is broad-chested, mighty with the bow, with well-covered collarbones and a subduer of enemies. His arms reach to his knees, his head is well formed, his forehead is broad, and his stride is majestic.
Verse 11
समः सम विभक्त अंगः स्निग्ध वर्णः प्रतापवान् | पीन वक्षा विशालाक्षो लक्ष्मीवान् शुभ लक्षणः || १-१-११
His body is proportionately formed, with evenly developed limbs. His complexion is smooth and radiant. He is powerful, broad-chested, wide-eyed, prosperous, and marked with auspicious signs.
Verse 12
धर्मज्ञः सत्य सन्धः च प्रजानाम् च हिते रतः | यशस्वी ज्ञान संपन्नः शुचिः वश्यः समाधिमान् || १-१-१२
He knows righteousness, is true to his word, and is devoted to the welfare of his subjects. He is renowned, endowed with knowledge, pure in conduct, self-controlled, and composed.
Verse 13
प्रजापति समः श्रीमान् धता रिपु निषूदनः | रक्षिता जीवलोकस्य धर्मस्य परि रक्षिता || १-१-१३
He is like Prajapati, glorious and the sustainer of the world. He destroys enemies and protects the world of living beings. He is a protector of righteousness.
Verse 14
रक्षिता स्वस्य धर्मस्य स्व जनस्य च रक्षिता | वेद वेदाङ्ग तत्त्वज्ञो धनुर् वेदे च निष्ठितः || १-१-१४
He protects his own righteousness and protects his own people. He knows the essence of the Vedas and their auxiliary disciplines, and he is accomplished in the science of archery.
Verse 15
सर्व शास्त्र अर्थ तत्त्वज्ञो स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान् | सर्वलोक प्रियः साधुः अदीनाअत्मा विचक्षणः || १-१-१५
He knows the essence and meaning of all the scriptures. He possesses a strong memory and great intelligence. He is beloved by all people, gentle, undismayed, and discerning.
Verse 16
सर्वदा अभिगतः सद्भिः समुद्र इव सिन्धुभिः | अर्यः सर्वसमः च एव सदैव प्रिय दर्शनः || १-१-१६
As rivers always approach the ocean, so the good always approach him. He is noble, treats all equally, and is always pleasing to behold.
Verse 17
स च सर्व गुणोपेतः कौसल्य आनंद वर्धनः | समुद्र इव गाम्भीर्ये धैर्येण हिमवान् इव || १-१-१७
He is endowed with every virtue and increases the joy of Kausalya. In depth he is like the ocean, and in steadfastness he is like the Himalaya.
Verse 18
विष्णुना सदृशो वीर्ये सोमवत् प्रिय दर्शनः | काल अग्नि सदृशः क्रोधे क्षमया पृथ्वी समः || १-१-१८
In strength he is comparable to Vishnu. In appearance he is pleasing like the moon. In anger he is like the fire at the end of time, and in forgiveness he is like the earth.
Verse 19
धनदेन समः त्यागे सत्ये धर्म इव अपरः | तम् एवम् गुण संपन्नम् रामम् सत्य पराक्रमम् || १-१-१९
In generosity he is equal to Kubera, and in truthfulness he is like Dharma himself. Such is Rama, endowed with these qualities and possessing true valor.
Verse 20
ज्येष्टम् श्रेष्ट गुणैः युक्तम् प्रियम् दशरथः सुतम् | प्रकृतीनाम् हितैः युक्तम् प्रकृति प्रिय कांयया || १-१-२०
Dasharatha regarded Rama, his eldest son, endowed with the highest qualities and dear to him, as devoted to the welfare of the people and beloved by the subjects.
Verse 21
यौव राज्येन संयोक्तुम् ऐच्छत् प्रीत्या महीपतिः | तस्य अभिषेक संभारान् दृष्ट्वा भार्या अथ कैकयी || १-१-२१
The king desired, with affection, to install Rama as heir to the kingdom. When his wife Kaikeyi saw the preparations for Rama’s consecration,
Verse 22
पूर्वम् दत्त वरा देवी वरम् एनम् अयाचत | विवासनम् च रामस्य भरतस्य अभिषेचनम् || १-१-२२
the queen, who had previously been granted two boons, asked for those boons: the exile of Rama and the consecration of Bharata as king.
Verse 23
स सत्य वचनात् राजा धर्म पाशेन संयतः | विवासयामास सुतम् रामम् दशरथः प्रियम् || १-१-२३
Bound by his word and bound by righteousness, King Dasharatha exiled his beloved son Rama to the forest.
Verse 24
स जगाम वनम् वीरः प्रतिज्ञाम् अनुपालयन् | पितुर् वचन निर्देशात् कैकेय्याः प्रिय कारणात् || १-१-२४
That heroic Rama went to the forest, fulfilling the promise, obeying his father’s command, and acting for the sake of fulfilling Kaikeyi’s request.
Verse 25
तम् व्रजंतम् प्रियो भ्राता लक्ष्मणः अनुजगाम ह | स्नेहात् विनय संपन्नः सुमित्र आनंद वर्धनः || १-१-२५
Lakshmana, his dear brother, followed Rama as he departed. Endowed with humility and affection, he followed his brother out of love, bringing joy to his mother Sumitra.
Verse 26
रामस्य दयिता भार्या नित्यं प्राणसमा हिता | जनकस्य कुले जाता देवमायेव निर्मिता | सर्वलक्षण संपन्ना नारीणाम् उत्तमा वधूः || १-१-२६, २७
Sita, the beloved wife of Rama, was always dear to him as his own life. Born in the family of Janaka, she appeared as though created by divine power. Endowed with every auspicious quality, she was the foremost among women.
Verse 28
सीताप्यनुगता रामं शशिनं रोहिणी यथा | पौरैरनुगतो दूरं पित्रा दशरथेन च || १-१-२८
Sita too followed Rama, just as Rohini follows the Moon. The citizens followed him for a long distance, and his father Dasharatha also followed him.
Verse 29
शृङ्गिबेरपुरे सूतं गङ्गाकूले व्यसर्जयत् | गुहमासाद्य धर्मात्मा निषादाधिपतिं प्रियम् || १-१-२९
At Sringaverapura, on the bank of the Ganga, Rama sent back the charioteer. He approached Guha, the beloved king of the Nishadas.
Verse 30
गुहेन सहितो रामो लक्ष्मणेन च सीतया | ते वनेन वनं गत्वा नदीस्तीर्त्वा बहूदकाः || १-१-३०
Rama, together with Guha, Lakshmana, and Sita, proceeded onward. They travelled from forest to forest and crossed rivers filled with abundant waters.
Verse 31
चित्रकूटमनुप्राप्य भरद्वाजस्य शासनात् | रम्यमावसथं कृत्वा रममाणा वने त्रयः | देवगन्धर्वसङ्काशास्तत्र ते न्यवसन् सुखम् || १-१-३१
Having reached Chitrakuta according to the direction of Bharadwaja, the three made a beautiful dwelling there. Resembling the gods and Gandharvas, they lived happily in the forest.
Verse 32
चित्रकूटं गते रामे पुत्रशोकातुरस्तथा | राजा दशरथः स्वर्गं जगाम विलपन् सुतम् || १-१-३२
When Rama had gone to Chitrakuta, King Dasharatha, overcome with grief for his son, departed to heaven while lamenting for him.
Verse 33
मृते तु तस्मिन् भरतो वसिष्ठप्रमुखैर्द्विजैः | नियुज्यमानो राज्याय नैच्छद्राज्यं महाबलः || १-१-३३
After Dasharatha had died, the mighty Bharata was urged by the Brahmins led by Vasistha to take the kingdom, but he did not desire the kingdom.
Verse 34
स जगाम वनं वीरो रामपादप्रसादकः || १-१-३४
The heroic Bharata went to the forest to seek the grace of Rama’s feet.
Verse 35
गत्वा तु सुमहात्मानं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम् | अयाचद्भ्रातरं राममार्यभावपुरस्कृतः | त्वमेव राजा धर्मज्ञ इति रामं वचोऽब्रवीत् || १-१-३५
Having reached the great-souled and truly valorous Rama, Bharata, with reverence, entreated his brother Rama. He said to Rama, “You alone are the king, O knower of righteousness.”
Verse 36
रामोऽपि परमोदारः सुमुखः सुमहायशाः | न चैच्छत्पितुरादेशाद्राज्यं रामो महाबलः || १-१-३६
Rama, though exceedingly generous, gracious, greatly renowned, and mighty, did not desire the kingdom because of his father’s command.
Verse 37
पादुके चास्य राज्याय न्यासं दत्त्वा पुनः पुनः | निवर्तयामास ततो भरतं भरताग्रजः || १-१-३७
The elder brother of Bharata gave his sandals to him as a trust for the kingdom and repeatedly persuaded Bharata to return.
Verse 38
स काममनवाप्यैव रामपादावुपस्पृशन् | नन्दिग्रामेऽकरोद्राज्यं रामागमनकाङ्क्षया || १-१-३८
Having failed to obtain his desire, Bharata touched Rama’s feet and, longing for Rama’s return, ruled the kingdom from Nandigrama.
Verse 39
गते तु भरते श्रीमान् सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रियः | रामस्तु पुनरालक्ष्य नागरस्य जनस्य च || १-१-३९
After Bharata had departed, the glorious Rama, firm in truth and master of his senses, perceived that the citizens might again come to him.
Verse 40
तत्रागमनमेकाग्रो दण्डकान्प्रविवेश ह || १-१-४०
With his mind firmly resolved, he entered the Dandaka forest.
Verse 41
प्रविश्य तु महारण्यं रामो राजीवलोचनः | विराधं राक्षसं हत्वा शरभङ्गं ददर्श ह | सुतीक्ष्णं चाप्यगस्त्यं च अगस्त्यभ्रातरं तथा || १-१-४१, ४२
Having entered the great forest, lotus-eyed Rama killed the Rakshasa Viradha and saw the sages Sarabhanga, Sutikshna, Agastya, and the brother of Agastya.
Verse 42
अगस्त्यवचनाच्चैव जग्राहैन्द्रं शरासनम् | खड्गं च परमप्रीतस्तूणी चाक्षयसायकौ || १-१-४२
At the instruction of Agastya, Rama received the bow of Indra. With great delight he also received a sword and two quivers containing inexhaustible arrows.
Verse 43
वसतस्तस्य रामस्य वने वनचरैः सह | ऋषयोऽभ्यागमन् सर्वे वधायासुररक्षसाम् || १-१-४३
While Rama was dwelling in the forest with the forest-dwellers, all the sages approached him for the destruction of the Asuras and Rakshasas.
Verse 44
स तेषां प्रतिशुश्राव राक्षसानां तथा वने | प्रतिज्ञातश्च रामेण वधः संयति रक्षसाम् || १-१-४४
Rama listened to their request concerning the Rakshasas in the forest and promised to destroy the Rakshasas in battle.
Verse 45
ऋषीणामग्निकल्पानां दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम् || १-१-४५
He made this promise to the sages dwelling in Dandakaranya, whose radiance was like that of fire.
Verse 46
तेन तत्रैव वसता जनस्थाननिवासिनी | विरूपिता शूर्पणखा राक्षसी कामरूपिणी || १-१-४६
While Rama was dwelling there, the Rakshasi Shurpanakha, a resident of Janasthana and capable of assuming different forms at will, was disfigured.
Verse 47
ततः शूर्पणखावाक्यादुद्युक्तान् सर्वराक्षसान् | खरं त्रिशिरसं चैव दूषणं चैव राक्षसम् | निजघान वने रामस्तेषां चैव पदानुगान् || १-१-४७
Then, provoked by the words of Shurpanakha, Rama killed in the forest all the Rakshasas who came prepared for battle, including Khara, Trishiras, and Dushana, together with their followers.
Verse 48
वने तस्मिन्निवसता जनस्थाननिवासिनाम् | रक्षसां निहतान्यासन् सहस्राणि चतुर्दश || १-१-४८
While living in that forest, Rama killed fourteen thousand Rakshasas who were inhabitants of Janasthana.
Verse 49
ततो ज्ञातिवधं श्रुत्वा रावणः क्रोधमूर्छितः | सहायं वरयामास मारीचं नाम राक्षसम् || १-१-४९
Hearing of the destruction of his kinsmen, Ravana became overwhelmed with anger and sought the assistance of a Rakshasa named Maricha.
Verse 50
वार्यमाणः सुबहुशो मारीचेन स रावणः | न विरोधो बलवता क्षमो रावण तेन ते || १-१-५०
Maricha repeatedly tried to dissuade Ravana, saying:
“O Ravana, hostility with that mighty one is not appropriate for you.”