03.258
The story of Rāma.
Markandeya said.
O bull among the Bharatas, Rāma has encountered incomparable sorrow; Jānakī, his wife, has been carried off by a rākṣasa who was stronger than him. (03-258-1)
Rāvaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas, departing from the hermitage, swiftly flew through the sky using magic, and with force slew the vulture Jaṭāyu. (03-258-2)
Rāma, relying on Sugrīva's strength, brought her back—having built a bridge across the ocean and having burned Laṅkā with sharp arrows. (03-258-3)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
In which family was Rāma born, what is his valor, and what is his prowess? Of whom is Rāvaṇa the son, and what is the enmity between them? (03-258-4)
O revered one, you are worthy to properly tell me all this; I wish to hear the deeds of Rāma of untiring action. (03-258-5)
Markaṇḍeya said.
A king named Aja, a great descendant of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, was born. His son was Daśaratha, who was constantly devoted to self-study and was pure. (03-258-6)
To him were born four sons, skilled in dharma and artha: Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Śatrughna, and Bharata, all of great strength. (03-258-7)
Kausalyā is the mother of Rāma; Kaikeyī is the mother of Bharata; but Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna, the two tormentors of foes, are the sons of Sumitrā. (03-258-8)
King Janaka of Videha had a daughter named Sītā, O lord, whom the creator himself made the beloved consort of Rāma. (03-258-9)
This is the account of Rāma's birth and that of Sītā which has been proclaimed to you. I shall also explain to you the birth of Rāvaṇa, O lord of people. (03-258-10)
Rāvaṇa's grandfather is directly the divine Prajāpati, the self-born lord, creator of all worlds, and one of great austerity. (03-258-11)
Pulastya, so named, was his mind-born beloved son. His son, born of Gavi, was named Vaiśravaṇa, who became a lord. (03-258-12)
He, having abandoned his father, approached the grandfather. From anger at him, O king, the father created himself by himself. (03-258-13)
He, the twice-born named Viśravā, was born from half of himself indeed; then, with anger, for retaliation against Vaiśravaṇa. (03-258-14)
But the grandfather (Brahmā), pleased at heart, gave immortality, lordship over wealth, and guardianship of the world to Vaiśravaṇa. (03-258-15)
Īśāna gave him friendship, and a son, Nalakūbara; he also obtained the establishment of the capital city, Laṅkā, teeming with groups of rākṣasas. (03-258-16)
