वैदेही हरणं जटायु मरणं सुग्रीव संभाषणम् ।
वाली निग्रहणं समुद्र तरणं लंकापुरी दाहनं
पश्चात् रावण कुंभकर्ण हननं एतध्दि रामायणम्।।
vaidehī haraṇaṃ jaṭāyu maraṇaṃ sugrīva saṃbhāṣaṇam .
vālī nigrahaṇaṃ samudra taraṇaṃ laṃkāpurī dāhanaṃ
paścāt rāvaṇa kuṃbhakarṇa hananaṃ etadhdi rāmāyaṇam..
Detailed Explanation
This shloka compresses the essence of the Ramayana in four lines, highlighting the significant events and characters that define Lord Rama’s divine journey. Let’s dive a little deeper:
Aadau Rama Tapovanadi Gamanam (आदौ राम तपोवनादि गमनं):
Rama chooses to go into exile for fourteen years as per his father’s decree where he was accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. This event symbolises Rama’s adherence to dharma and his willingness to sacrifice personal comforts for the greater good.
अद्यापि तपसो यस्य वने वसति राघवः।
(Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda 2.36.19)
Translation: “Even today Raghava (Rama) resides in the forest practicing asceticism.
Hatva Mrigam Kaanchanam (हत्वा मृगं कांचनं):
During their exile in the forest, Rama confronts the demoness Shurpanakha (Ravan’s sister) and slays her companions Khara and Dushana (the famous golden antelope incident). This incident marks the beginning of Rama’s encounters with various demons and adversaries during his exile.
Vaidehi Haranam (वैदेही हरणं):
This refers to the abduction of Sita (Vaidehi = daughter of Videh) by the demon king Ravana. Sita is kidnapped from the forest by Ravana, leading to Rama’s quest to rescue her and defeat the demon king in the end.
Jatayu Maranam (जटायु मरणं):
Jatayu, the vulture king and a devotee of Lord Rama, valiantly tries to rescue Sita from Ravana’s clutches but is mortally wounded in the process. His noble sacrifice is deeply revered in the Ramayana.
Sugriva Sambhashanam Vali Nigrahanam (सुग्रीव संभाषणम् वाली निग्रहणं):
Rama meets Sugriva, the vanara king, and forms an alliance with him to help defeat Sugriva’s brother Vali and regain his kingdom, Kishkindha. This alliance plays a crucial role in Rama’s quest to rescue Sita and Ravana’s defeat.
Samudra Tarana (समुद्र तरणं):
To reach Lanka where Sita is held captive, Rama builds a bridge across the ocean with the help of his army of vanaras. This incredible feat demonstrates Rama’s divine prowess.
Lankapuri Dahanam (लंकापुरी दाहनं):
Rama’s army besieges Lanka, leading to the destruction of the city by Hanuman, Angad and the vanara sena. This event marks the beginning of the end for Ravana and his forces.
Paschat Ravana Kumbhakarna Hananam (पश्चात् रावण कुंभकर्ण हननं):
Finally, Rama confronts and defeats Ravana and his mighty brother Kumbhakarna, leading to the liberation of Sita and the restoration of dharma.
