Sage Narda
Narda, born to Brahma, the Creator of the universe, through his mental powers and not by conjugation, Narada is also associated with Vishnu, the Preserver. He is often depicted as travelling to various realms, singing and chanting the name and stories of his beloved Vishnu. Known for his inability to stay in a place for too long, he conveys vital information to the gods and other beings and is key to the transmission of narratives.
In the Ramayana, Narada has a significant conversation with the sage, Vyasa, at the beginning of the Bhagavata Purana and emphasizes the importance of devotion. It is after this that the sage composes the Puranas, a key part of sacred Hindu literature.
The ever-wandering celestial sage, Narada, renowned for his storytelling skills and knowledge of the three worlds, visited the great ascetic, Valmiki, at his hermitage on the banks of the River Tamasa.
The sage was pleased to see him. He had been struggling with a question for some time, and thought that if there was anyone who would know the answer, it would be Narada.
So, he asked, "Who in this world is endowed with all exceptional qualities? Who knows dharma, the path of righteousness, and is truthful? Who is firm and has a good character? Who is so fierce that when he is angered in battle, even the gods fear him? And who, even being so, has conquered his anger? Who is wise and a benefactor of all beings? Who is both supremely capable and beautiful?"
Valmiki was not asking about historical figures or celestial beings. The object of his inquiry was a person who walked the earth as he spoke - "now, in this world".
In praise of Rama
Pleased with the question, Narada replied, "The qualities you list are rare, but I know of such a man. He is Rama, born to the Ikshvaku lineage." He began recounting Rama's qualities and they were even more spectacular than the ones Valmiki had asked for. Rama, the son of Kaushalya and Dasharatha, equalled the ocean in depth, the Himalayas in firmness, Vishnu in valour, the moon in beauty, the fire of death itself in anger, the earth in forbearance, and Kubera, the god of wealth, in charity. He was like Dharma personified in matters of truth. He was intelligent, just, eloquent, glorious, and a destroyer of enemies. He was beautiful, and had a pleasing complexion, large eyes, a beautiful forehead, broad chest, deep collarbones, and long arms that went down to his knees. He knew the essence of the Vedas and subsidiary disciplines. He was the protector of all beings and dharma.
Narada tells the story
The sage told Valmiki of King Dasharatha and his wish to install his eidest son, Rama, as the crown prince. He told him of Rama's 14-year exile in the forest and his great battle with Ravana, the Rakshasa king.
He narrated the details of Rama's return, still speaking of past events. Finally, Narada described how Rama's perfect reign would be, talking of the past, present, and then the future.
After ruling for 11,000 years, Narada said, Rama would go to Brahma's realm. He ended his account by saying, "This is a sacred account that will cleanse sins, bring good luck, and greatness." So, saying, the celestial sage finished reciting Rama's story.
Valmiki and his disciples paid their respects, and Narada left soon after, making his way back to heaven.
By the river
Sometime later, Valmiki decided to visit the banks of the River Tamasa with his disciple, Bharadwaja.
A tributary of the mighty and sacred River Jahnavee (Ganga), Tamasa flowed close to the hermitage.
On reaching its banks, Valmiki found himself drawn to the beauty of its waters, which were crystal clear with not even a trace of mud.
He turned towards his disciple, Bharadwaja, and said, "O son! This tirtha (pilgrimage), beautiful and clear, is like the mind of a righteous person, one who is devoid of any impurities, has goodness in his heart, and follows the prescribed principles."
He instructed his disciple to bring him a pot of water and his garment made of bark. Bharadwaja, always attentive and willing, handed him the garment and pot.
A cruel act -
As Valmiki walked towards the water, he glanced at the dense forest and noticed a pair of curlews. Devoted to each other, they seemed oblivious to the sage. As they made love, they were so engrossed in each other that they did not notice the Nishada (hunter) nearby.
As the great sage looked at the birds, the Nishada struck the male with an arrow. It fell to the ground, trembling and soaked in its blood. Seeing her dying mate, the female cried out in pathetic tones. Valmiki saw the struggling bird. desperate for life, and heard the cries of separation of the female.
The first shloka
Shocked at this cruel interruption of love.
Valmiki, overwhelmed with grief, reacted with deep compassion and pain.
He spoke:
maa nishaada pratishtha
tvam/ agamah shashvatech samah//
yat-kraunca-mithunad-ekam/avadhih kama-mohitam //
("O Nishada! This couple of curlews was in the throes of passion, and you killed one of them. Therefore, you will possess ill repute for an eternal number of years.")
Astonished that he had spoken these words aloud, Valmiki wondered, "What are these words that I have uttered while overcome with sorrow?"
Grief, in verse-
Valmiki turned to Bharadwaja and said, "While overcome by pain, I spoke these words. This rhythmic statement, with quarters of equal syllables that I uttered, while afflicted with shoka (grief).
must be shloka."
In that moment, poetry emerged from the experience of the pain of another.
Later, as they walked back, Valmiki could not get the shloka out of his mind and wondered about its significance.
At the hermitage, Valmiki's disciples repeated the newly minted verse, and grief, crystallized in the verse, completed its journey to poetry through their participation and repetition.
