“They drew patterns using colored rice flour, laid down four kalashas, and hoisted flags, decorating everything nicely. In the street many kinds of jubilant music played.” (Janaki Mangala, 183) cauṅkaiṁ puraiṁ cārū kalasa dhvaja sājahiṁ | bibidha prakāra gahāgaha bājana… Read More ›
history
Everything Stops
“In the gates of the city, the steps by the river, and the stores they made decorations for a welcome. Sprinkling so much fragrant water on the roads, they sang of the great auspiciousness.” (Janaki Mangala, 182) ghāṭa bāṭa pura… Read More ›
Misunderestimating
“After consulting with his demonic ministers, Kamsa instructed a witch named Putana, who knew the black art of killing small children by ghastly sinful methods, to kill all kinds of children in the cities, villages and pasturing grounds. Such witches… Read More ›
In Austerities Like a Sage
“He had the best of qualities among saintly kings. In austerities he was equal to the great sages. Born in a family of great rulers, he was equal in strength to Indra.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 31.3) rājarṣīṇāṃ guṇaśreṣṭhastapasā… Read More ›
The Best Among Saintly Kings
“He had the best of qualities among saintly kings. In austerities he was equal to the great sages. Born in a family of great rulers, he was equal in strength to Indra.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 31.3) rājarṣīṇāṃ guṇaśreṣṭhastapasā… Read More ›
To Whom God Appears
“There was a king named Dasharatha. He owned chariots, elephants and horses, and was of a pure nature, very famous, straightforward, and of great reputation.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 31.2) rājā daśaratho nāma ratha kunjara vājinām | puṇya śīlo… Read More ›
Within Hearing
“Having thus thought over the matter in many ways, that great monkey addressed these sweet words that were within the hearing of Sita.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 31.1) evam bahu vidhām cintām cintayitva mahākapiḥ | saṃśrave madhuram vākyam vaidehyā vyājahāra… Read More ›
Words to Please Everyone
“Thus after carefully considering in many ways the situation with the wife of the Lord of the earth, while situated in the branches of the tree that great soul decided to speak words that were sweet and true.” (Valmiki Ramayana,… Read More ›
Further Deliberation
“Deliberating on it further, if I am killed I do not see any monkey who can leap over the great ocean, which is one hundred yojanas long.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.33) vimṛśan ca na paśyāmi yo hate mayi… Read More ›
Cheated In All Ages
“Seeing this unusual form and language of mine, Janaki, who was previously frightened by the Rakshasas, will again be fearful.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.20) sā iyam ālokya me rūpam jānakī bhāṣitam tathā || rakṣobhiḥ trāsitā pūrvam bhūyaḥ trāsam… Read More ›