Bala Kanda · Sarga 27 of 77 · 28 verses
The Gift of the Divine Weapons
In the morning Vishvamitra, smiling, tells Rama he is so pleased that he will give him every divine weapon, with which he will conquer any enemy, god, asura, gandharva or serpent. He names them: the great discuses of Danda, Dharma, Kala, Vishnu and Indra; the thunderbolt; Shiva’s trident; the Brahmashiras, the Aishika and the supreme Brahma weapon; the maces Modaki and Shikhari; the nooses of Dharma, Kala and Varuna; the dry and wet thunderbolts; the Painaka and Narayana weapons; the weapons of Agni and Vayu; the Hayashiras and Krauncha; two spears; the Kankala, Musala, Kapala and Kinkini; the Nandana sword of the vidyadharas; and many more that bewilder, put to sleep, pacify, bring rain, dry up, burn, make weep, intoxicate, or draw away an enemy’s splendour.
Facing east and purified, the sage imparts the mantras. As he recites, the weapons themselves appear before Rama in bodily form, joyful, palms joined: “We are your servants; whatever you wish, we will do.” Rama touches them with his hand and tells them: “Be present in my mind when I need you.” Then he bows to the sage and prepares to go on.
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अथ तां रजनीमुष्य विश्वामित्रो महायशाः । प्रहस्य राघवं वाक्यमुवाच मधुरस्वरम् ॥ १ ॥
Having spent that night, the greatly renowned Vishvamitra smiled and spoke to Raghava in a sweet voice:
वह रात बिताकर महायशस्वी विश्वामित्र मुस्कराए और मधुर स्वर में राघव से बोले:
Commentary on the whole sarga
The Gift of the Divine Weapons 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra smiles and speaks sweetly. Yesterday’s battle has proved the student. Today the teacher rewards him. The gods asked for this in the last sarga; the sage was always going to give it.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
परितुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते राजपुत्र महायशः । प्रीत्या परमया युक्तो ददाम्यस्त्राणि सर्वशः ॥ २ ॥
“I am well pleased; blessings on you, glorious prince. With the greatest affection I give you all the weapons,
“यशस्वी राजकुमार, मैं बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ; तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। परम स्नेह से मैं तुम्हें सब अस्त्र देता हूँ,
CommentaryNot scripture “With the greatest affection” (parama-pritya ). The weapons are given out of love, not only duty. In the Indian tradition, real knowledge passes only where there is trust and affection between teacher and student.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
देवासुरगणान् वापि सगन्धर्वोरगान् भुवि । यैरमित्रान् प्रसह्याजौ वशीकृत्य जयिष्यसि ॥ ३ ॥
तानि दिव्यानि भद्रं ते ददाम्यस्त्राणि सर्वशः । दण्डचक्रं महद् दिव्यं तव दास्यामि राघव ॥ ४ ॥
“by which you will overpower your enemies in battle, whether hosts of gods and asuras or gandharvas and serpents on earth, subdue them and conquer. Those divine weapons, all of them, I give you. I will give you the great divine discus of Danda, Raghava,
“जिनसे तुम युद्ध में अपने शत्रुओं को, चाहे वे देवताओं और असुरों के समूह हों या पृथ्वी के गंधर्व और नाग, पराजित करोगे, उन्हें वश में करोगे और जीतोगे। वे सब दिव्य अस्त्र मैं तुम्हें देता हूँ। राघव, मैं तुम्हें दंड का महान दिव्य चक्र दूँगा,
CommentaryNot scripture With these weapons Rama can overcome gods, asuras, gandharvas and serpents. The list begins with the discus of Danda, “punishment” or “justice”. Note the order: justice first. Every weapon here is meant to serve dharma.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
धर्मचक्रं ततो वीर कालचक्रं तथैव च । विष्णुचक्रं तथात्युग्रमैन्द्रं चक्रं तथैव च ॥ ५ ॥
“then the discus of Dharma, hero, and the discus of Kala, the fierce discus of Vishnu and the discus of Indra,
“फिर, वीर, धर्मचक्र और कालचक्र, विष्णु का उग्र चक्र और इंद्र का चक्र,
CommentaryNot scripture Discuses of Dharma, Kala (Time), Vishnu and Indra. The names are powers as well as objects: righteousness, time, preservation, sovereignty. Rama receives the instruments of cosmic order.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
वज्रमस्त्रं नरश्रेष्ठ शैवं शूलवरं तथा । अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरश्चैव ऐषीकमपि राघव ॥ ६ ॥
“the thunderbolt weapon, best of men, Shiva’s excellent trident, the weapon Brahmashiras and the Aishika, Raghava.
“नरश्रेष्ठ, वज्र अस्त्र, शिव का उत्तम त्रिशूल, ब्रह्मशिरस अस्त्र और ऐषीक अस्त्र, राघव।
CommentaryNot scripture The thunderbolt (vajra ), Shiva’s trident, the Brahmashiras, and the Aishika. Weapons of every great god now belong to one young prince. The brahmashiras is among the most fearsome weapons in the epics.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
ददामि ते महाबाहो ब्राह्ममस्त्रमनुत्तमम् । गदे द्वे चैव काकुत्स्थ मोदकीशिखरी शुभे ॥ ७ ॥
प्रदीप्ते नरशार्दूल प्रयच्छामि नृपात्मज । धर्मपाशमहं राम कालपाशं तथैव च ॥ ८ ॥
“I give you, mighty-armed one, the supreme weapon of Brahma, and two fine blazing maces, Modaki and Shikhari, tiger among men, prince. The noose of Dharma, Rama, and likewise the noose of Kala,
“महाबाहु, मैं तुम्हें ब्रह्मा का परम अस्त्र देता हूँ, और दो सुंदर दमकती गदाएँ, मोदकी और शिखरी, नरसिंह राजकुमार। राम, धर्मपाश, और इसी तरह कालपाश,
CommentaryNot scripture Brahma’s supreme weapon, two maces, and nooses of Dharma and Kala. A noose (pasha ) binds without killing: a weapon of capture, not destruction. Rama’s arsenal includes restraint.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
वारुणं पाशमस्त्रं च ददान्यहमनुत्तमम् । अशनी द्वे प्रयच्छामि शुष्कार्द्रे रघुनन्दन ॥ ९ ॥
“and the supreme noose-weapon of Varuna I give you; two thunderbolts, the dry and the wet, I give you, delight of the Raghus.
“और वरुण का परम पाश अस्त्र मैं तुम्हें देता हूँ; रघुनंदन, दो वज्र, सूखा और गीला, मैं तुम्हें देता हूँ।
CommentaryNot scripture Varuna’s noose, and two thunderbolts, “dry and wet”. The list has a rhythm almost like a litany. Reciters often chant this sarga as a protective text.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
ददामि चास्त्रं पैनाकमस्त्रं नारायणं तथा । आग्नेयमस्त्रं दयितं शिखरं नाम नामतः ॥ १० ॥
“I give you the Painaka weapon and the Narayana weapon, and Agni’s beloved weapon named Shikhara,
“मैं तुम्हें पैनाक अस्त्र और नारायण अस्त्र देता हूँ, और अग्नि का प्रिय शिखर नाम का अस्त्र,
CommentaryNot scripture The Painaka (linked with Shiva’s bow Pinaka), the Narayana weapon, and Agni’s weapon Shikhara. Each god’s own power is entrusted to Rama.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
वायव्यं प्रथमं नाम ददामि तव चानघ । अस्त्रं हयशिरो नाम क्रौञ्चमस्त्रं तथैव च ॥ ११ ॥
“and Vayu’s weapon named Prathama, sinless one; the weapon named Hayashiras and the Krauncha weapon too.
“और वायु का प्रथम नाम का अस्त्र, निष्पाप; हयशिरस नाम का अस्त्र और क्रौंच अस्त्र भी।
CommentaryNot scripture Vayu’s weapon Prathama, the Hayashiras (“horse-head”, a form of Vishnu) and the Krauncha. The weapons of wind and of the gods’ ancient forms.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
शक्तिद्वयं च काकुत्स्थ ददामि तव राघव । कङ्कालं मुसलं घोरं कापालमथ किङ्किणीम् ॥ १२ ॥
वधार्थं रक्षसां यानि ददाम्येतानि सर्वशः । वैद्याधरं महास्त्रं च नन्दनं नाम नामतः ॥ १३ ॥
“Two spears, Kakutstha, I give you, Raghava; the dreadful Kankala and Musala, the Kapala and the Kinkini: all these, meant for the killing of rakshasas, I give you. And the great weapon of the vidyadharas named Nandana,
“काकुत्स्थ, दो शक्तियाँ मैं तुम्हें देता हूँ, राघव; भयानक कंकाल और मूसल, कापाल और किंकिणी: राक्षसों के वध के लिए बने ये सब मैं तुम्हें देता हूँ। और विद्याधरों का नंदन नाम का महान अस्त्र,
CommentaryNot scripture Spears and fearsome weapons “meant for the killing of rakshasas”. The purpose is clear. Rama is being armed for the war he does not yet know is coming.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
असिरत्नं महाबाहो ददामि नृवरात्मज । गान्धर्वमस्त्रं दयितं मोहनं नाम नामतः ॥ १४ ॥
“the jewel of swords, mighty-armed one, I give you, son of the best of men; the beloved weapon of the gandharvas named Mohana (bewildering),
“महाबाहु, नरश्रेष्ठ के पुत्र, तलवारों में रत्न मैं तुम्हें देता हूँ; गंधर्वों का प्रिय मोहन (भ्रमित करने वाला) नाम का अस्त्र,
CommentaryNot scripture The jewel of swords, Nandana, and the gandharvas’ Mohana, which bewilders. Some weapons do not wound at all; they confuse or overwhelm the mind.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
प्रस्वापनं प्रशमनं दद्मि सौम्यं च राघव । वर्षणं शोषणं चैव संतापनविलापने ॥ १५ ॥
“Prasvapana (putting to sleep), Prashamana (pacifying) and the gentle Saumya I give you, Raghava; Varshana (raining), Shoshana (drying), Santapana (scorching) and Vilapana (making weep),
“प्रस्वापन (सुला देने वाला), प्रशमन (शांत करने वाला) और कोमल सौम्य मैं तुम्हें देता हूँ, राघव; वर्षण (वर्षा करने वाला), शोषण (सुखाने वाला), संतापन (तपाने वाला) और विलापन (रुलाने वाला),
CommentaryNot scripture Weapons that put to sleep, that calm, that are gentle (saumya ), that bring rain, that dry, that scorch, that make one weep. A strange and beautiful list: the ancient poets imagined weapons of every feeling and element.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
मादनं चैव दुर्धर्षं कन्दर्पदयितं तथा । गान्धर्वमस्त्रं दयितं मानवं नाम नामतः ॥ १६ ॥
“the invincible Madana (intoxicating), beloved of Kandarpa, the beloved weapon of the gandharvas named Manava,
“कंदर्प का प्रिय अजेय मादन (मदमस्त करने वाला), गंधर्वों का प्रिय मानव नाम का अस्त्र,
CommentaryNot scripture Madana, beloved of Kandarpa (Kama), which intoxicates. Even the god of love has a weapon here. The list includes the forces that move hearts as well as bodies.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
पैशाचमस्त्रं दयितं मोहनं नाम नामतः । प्रतीच्छ नरशार्दूल राजपुत्र महायशः ॥ १७ ॥
“and the beloved weapon of the pishachas named Mohana. Accept them, tiger among men, glorious prince:
“और पिशाचों का प्रिय मोहन नाम का अस्त्र। नरसिंह, यशस्वी राजकुमार, इन्हें ग्रहण करो:
CommentaryNot scripture The pishachas’ Mohana. Vishvamitra gives Rama the weapons of every kind of being, high and low. Nothing is withheld.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
तामसं नरशार्दूल सौमनं च महाबलम् । संवर्तं चैव दुर्धर्षं मौसलं च नृपात्मज ॥ १८ ॥
“Tamasa, tiger among men, and the mighty Saumana, the invincible Samvarta and the Mausala, prince,
“तामस, नरसिंह, और बलवान सौमन, अजेय संवर्त और मौसल, राजकुमार,
CommentaryNot scripture Tamasa (darkness), Saumana, Samvarta (the weapon of cosmic dissolution) and Mausala. The list reaches to the end of the world itself.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
सत्यमस्त्रं महाबाहो तथा मायामयं परम् । सौरं तेजःप्रभं नाम परतेजोऽपकर्षणम् ॥ १९ ॥
“the Satya weapon, mighty-armed one, and the supreme Mayamaya; the Saura weapon named Tejahprabha, which draws away the splendour of others,
“सत्य अस्त्र, महाबाहु, और परम मायामय; सूर्य का तेजःप्रभ नाम का अस्त्र, जो दूसरों का तेज खींच लेता है,
CommentaryNot scripture The Satya weapon, “truth”. Fittingly, Rama, whose valour is truth (satya-parakrama ), receives the weapon of truth. And the solar weapon that steals others’ radiance.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
सोमास्त्रं शिशिरं नाम त्वाष्ट्रमस्त्रं सुदारुणम् । दारुणं च भगस्यापि शीतेषुमथ मानवम् ॥ २० ॥
“Soma’s weapon named Shishira, Tvashtri’s very dreadful weapon, the dreadful weapon of Bhaga, and the Shiteshu and the Manava.
“सोम का शिशिर नाम का अस्त्र, त्वष्टा का अत्यंत भयानक अस्त्र, भग का भयानक अस्त्र, और शीतेषु तथा मानव।
CommentaryNot scripture Soma’s cooling weapon Shishira, and the weapons of Tvashtri and Bhaga. Moon, craftsman, fortune: all give their power.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
एतान् राम महाबाहो कामरूपान् महाबलान् । गृहाण परमोदारान् क्षिप्रमेव नृपात्मज ॥ २१ ॥
“These, Rama, mighty-armed one, able to take any form, very powerful and most noble, take quickly, prince.”
“राम, महाबाहु, इच्छा से रूप लेने वाले, अत्यंत शक्तिशाली और परम उत्तम इन अस्त्रों को, राजकुमार, जल्दी ग्रहण करो।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Take them quickly.” The weapons can take any form. The long list ends; the giving begins.
Scene 1 of 2 · At sunrise Vishvamitra, facing east, begins to give Rama the divine weapons of all the gods.
स्थितस्तु प्राङ्मुखो भूत्वा शुचिर्मुनिवरस्तदा । ददौ रामाय सुप्रीतो मन्त्रग्राममनुत्तमम् ॥ २२ ॥
Then the best of sages, purified, stood facing east and, well pleased, gave Rama the supreme group of mantras.
तब मुनिश्रेष्ठ ने पवित्र होकर, पूर्व की ओर मुख करके खड़े होकर, प्रसन्नता से राम को मंत्रों का परम समूह दिया।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra purifies himself and faces east, the direction of sunrise and of sacred beginnings. Then he gives “the supreme group of mantras”. The weapons are invoked by mantras; to give the mantra is to give the weapon.
Scene 2 of 2 · The weapons appear as shining beings with joined palms, and Rama bids them dwell in his mind.
सर्वसंग्रहणं येषां दैवतैरपि दुर्लभम् । तान्यस्त्राणि तदा विप्रो राघवाय न्यवेदयत् ॥ २३ ॥
The brahmana then imparted to Raghava those weapons, the complete mastery of which is hard to obtain even for the gods.
फिर ब्राह्मण ने राघव को वे अस्त्र प्रदान किए, जिन पर पूरा अधिकार देवताओं के लिए भी कठिन है।
CommentaryNot scripture Complete mastery of these weapons is hard even for the gods. A human prince receives what heaven itself struggles to hold.
Scene 2 of 2 · The weapons appear as shining beings with joined palms, and Rama bids them dwell in his mind.
जपतस्तु मुनेस्तस्य विश्वामित्रस्य धीमतः । उपतस्थुर्महार्हाणि सर्वाण्यस्त्राणि राघवम् ॥ २४ ॥
As the wise sage Vishvamitra recited, all those most precious weapons came and stood before Raghava,
जब बुद्धिमान मुनि विश्वामित्र जप कर रहे थे, तब वे सब अत्यंत मूल्यवान अस्त्र आकर राघव के सामने खड़े हो गए,
CommentaryNot scripture As the sage recites, the weapons themselves appear and stand before Rama. They are living beings. This is one of the most wonderful images in the Bala Kanda.
Scene 2 of 2 · The weapons appear as shining beings with joined palms, and Rama bids them dwell in his mind.
ऊचुश्च मुदिता रामं सर्वे प्राञ्जलयस्तदा । इमे च परमोदार किंकरास्तव राघव ॥ २५ ॥
यद्यदिच्छसि भद्रं ते तत्सर्वं करवाम वै । ततो रामः प्रसन्नात्मा तैरित्युक्तो महाबलैः ॥ २६ ॥
and all of them, joyful, with joined palms, said to Rama: “Most noble Raghava, these are your servants. Whatever you wish, blessings on you, we will do all of it.” Then Rama, his mind serene, so addressed by those mighty ones,
और सबने प्रसन्न होकर हाथ जोड़कर राम से कहा: “परम उत्तम राघव, ये आपके सेवक हैं। आप जो भी चाहें, आपका कल्याण हो, हम वह सब करेंगे।” तब उन महाबलियों के ऐसा कहने पर शांत मन वाले राम ने
CommentaryNot scripture The weapons join their palms: “These are your servants. Whatever you wish, we will do.” The divine powers of the universe bow to a boy. Rama’s mind is “serene” (prasanna ). Great power does not make him proud.
Scene 2 of 2 · The weapons appear as shining beings with joined palms, and Rama bids them dwell in his mind.
प्रतिगृह्य च काकुत्स्थः समालभ्य च पाणिना । मनसा मे भविष्यध्वमिति तान्यभ्यचोदयत् ॥ २७ ॥
received them, and Kakutstha touched them with his hand and directed them: “Be present in my mind.”
उन्हें स्वीकार किया, और काकुत्स्थ ने हाथ से उनका स्पर्श करके उन्हें आदेश दिया: “मेरे मन में उपस्थित रहो।”
CommentaryNot scripture Rama touches them and says: “Be present in my mind.” He does not carry them; he keeps them within. The weapons will come when he calls them in thought. Power held inwardly, ready but not displayed.
Scene 2 of 2 · The weapons appear as shining beings with joined palms, and Rama bids them dwell in his mind.
ततः प्रीतमना रामो विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम् । अभिवाद्य महातेजा गमनायोपचक्रमे ॥ २८ ॥
Then, glad at heart, the radiant Rama saluted the great sage Vishvamitra and made ready to go.
तब प्रसन्न मन वाले तेजस्वी राम ने महामुनि विश्वामित्र को प्रणाम किया और चलने को तैयार हो गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Rama salutes his teacher and prepares to go. The gift is received with gratitude, then the journey continues. Students of every tradition can recognise this moment: you receive, you bow, you walk on.
Scene 2 of 2 · The weapons appear as shining beings with joined palms, and Rama bids them dwell in his mind.
