PROLOGUE

One day, the great celestial sage, Narada Muni, came to Valmiki's asrama. Valmiki was conversing with his disciples, and upon seeing the arrival of his illustrious guest, he immediately stood up to show respect. After offering their obeisances and seating him very comfortably, the rishis washed Närada's feet and offered him suitable presentations.

There were the usual inquiries of one another's welfare, and then Välmiki said, "O best of those who know the truth, please tell me who, now present on the earth, is the foremost of all great personalities? Who is the most learned and the most powerful? Who possesses the most attractive bodily features? Who is noble-minded, truthful, grateful, and most clever? Who possesses flawless character and always looks after the welfare of all living beings? Who is never subject to the influence of anger or malice and yet instills fear in the hearts of even the demigods (devas)? Who has the strength to give protection to everyone within the three worlds? Unto who has the goddess of fortune, Laksmi, bestowed all her blessings? Who is the reservoir of all opulence in full?"

Närada Muni replied, "O rishi, there is a king named Lord Rāma, who has appeared in the dynasty of Iksvaku as the son of Mahārāja Dasaratha. He is the embodiment of all good qualities. He is the reservoir of all opulence and He is the master of unlimited potencies. Lord Rama's mighty arms extend to His knees, His throat is decorated with three lines like those on a conch shell, and His shoulders and chest are broad. His head is beautifully formed and His eyes are large. His complexion is tinged with green and is very lustrous. His stature is medium- tall and His limbs are symmetrical and well-formed. His intelligence is unfathomable, His continence is grave, and His speech is deep in tone and very eloquent."

"Lord Rama is fully conversant with the use of weapons, He possesses absolute knowledge of the Vedas, He is the ideal follower of religious principles, and He is the upholder of the varnáśrama social system[

In the Varnashramadharma system, there are four varnas i.e.Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. Brahman is the class of the priests and teachers. Kshatriya is the class of the kings, warriors and aristocrats. Vaishya is the class of traders, merchants and people engaged in other professions.] Lord Rama is simultaneously the destroyer of all foes and the only shelter for fully surrendered souls. He possesses unflinching determination, and He is a genius with unfailing memory. He is wise, compassionate, and grave like the ocean. Lord Räma is heroic in battle, loved by all creatures, and impartial toward both friends and enemies."

"In fortitude Lord Rama is like the Himalayas. In prowess He is like Lord Visnu[Vishnu is the supreme being who creates, protects, and transforms the universe]. His beauty surpasses that of the full His forbearance is like that of the earth, and His anger resembles the fire that blazes forth at the time of universal devastation. In truth, Lord Rama is the very support of the entire universe, and He is a plenary expansion of Lord Visnu, being equal to Him in all respects."

Nārada Muni briefly narrated the life history of Lord Ramacandra and then informed Välmiki that the very same Supreme Personality was now ruling over His subjects in a most exemplary manner.

Narada said, "During the reign of Lord Rama, no one within His kingdom suffers from disease or mental disturbance. Everyone is quite happy and prosperous, being without any fear of thieves, scarcity or hunger. All towns and villages are filled with abundant food grains, fruit, vegetables and milk products. Actually, the people experience the same degree of piety and happiness that was formerly exhibited during Satya-yuga [Satya Yuga is known as the age of truth, when humanity is governed by gods, and every manifestation or work is close to the purest ideal and humanity will allow intrinsic goodness to rule supreme. It is sometimes referred to as the "Golden Age"]. There are no natural disturbances, like floods, earthquakes or drought. All women are very chaste and they never have to suffer the pain of widowhood. Lord Ramacandra will rule the earth for 11,000 years before returning to His supreme abode in the spiritual sky, Vaikuntha."

After Narada's departure, to continue his travels, Välmiki went to the shore of the River Tamasă, along with his disciple, Bharadvaja. There, Valmiki sat down to meditate deeply upon Närada's words.

(to be continued...)