Bala-Kāṇḍa of Ramayana

1. Valmiki Ramayana
Bala-Kāṇḍa: Preparing for the renowned mission

2. Ramayana - the epitome of Indian cultural values has
attracted people of all walks of life - common man, king,
intellectuals, poets - all over the globe.
Sri Rama dedicated his life to Dharma. We can observe that
all those who were related to Rama sacrificed their lives for
Sri Rama. The aim of Dharma is harmony and happiness for
all. This is achieved through sacrifice and Sri Rama is its
synonym.

3. The story tells about the victory of an individual who is firm in
Dharma who fought the exploitation by people rooted in
selfishness, arrogance, and unethical sensual indulgence with the
weapons of sacrifice, self-control, competence, and compassion.
The Ramayana explains the effective discharge of different
responsibilities of Sri Rama as a king, brother, son, father, husband,
disciple and teacher.
Ramayana contains 24000 verses. It has 6 chapters or Kandas
namely Bala, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkinda, Sundara, and Yuddha.

4. Bala Kanda begins with a
meeting between sage
Narada and sage Valmiki.
Valmiki wanted to know a
contemporary person with
great qualities. Sage
Narada suggests the name
of Sri Rama and briefly
narrates his story.

5. One day while Valmiki was
contemplating the greatness of Sri
Rama, he became a witness to the killing
of a male bird by a hunter. Instant anger
borne out of compassion for the dead
bird surged in the form of poetry in
perfect meter from Valmiki’s lips.
Lord Brahma appeared and directed
Valmiki to write about Sri Rama. With
the blessings of Brahma and his power
of penance, Valmiki could imagine all the
events in Sri Rama’s life.
He composes the Ramayana and teaches
them to Lava and Kusa who narrates this
poem in the court of Sri Rama.

6. Ayodhya was the capital city which was ruled by
Dasaratha who belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty.
Dasaratha gave due importance to Dharma, Artha,
and Kama and thus everyone under his rule was
happy.
He had three wives namely Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and
Sumithra. Unfortunately, he did not have any children.
In the meantime, Devas approach Brahma about the
cruelties of Ravana and his power due to the boon of
Brahma. Lord Vishnu agrees to annihilate Ravana by
being born as the sons of Dasaratha. All Devas were
to be born as Vanaras to help in Sri Rama’s mission.
In the initiative of sage Rishyasringa, Dasaratha
conducts Putrakameshti Yaga. A celestial being
appears and presents a divine porridge to be
shared among his wives. Dasaratha gives
half to Kausalya, quarter to Kaikeyi, and quarter to
Sumithra.

7. Four sons were born to Dasaratha. Sri
Rama was born to Kausalya, Bharatha to
Kaikeyi, Sumithra gave birth to twins
Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Dasaratha
as well as all were especially attracted to
Sri Rama, the eldest.
One day sage Viswamithra arrives in the
Court of Dasaratha. He wanted Dasaratha
to send along with him Sri Rama and
Lakshmana to suppress the demons who
were obstructing the rituals being
conducted by the Rishis. Dasaratha
hesitated to cite the reason that Sri Rama
was below 16 years. Sage Viswamithra be
comes furious. At last, Dasaratha agrees
at the behest of sage Vasishta who
convinced the King.

8. Sri Rama and Lakshmana accompany Viswamithra and suppress the demon
Thataka. Sage Viswamithra was delighted and he presents divine weapons
and teach mantras to use them. Later they enter Sidhashrama where the
sages were performing sacrifices. Rama and Lakshmana stood guard. On the
6th day Subhahu and Mareecha, the demons try to create obstacles.
Sri Rama kills Subhahu and routes away Mareecha into the ocean.
Viswamithra directs Sri Rama to Mithila, the Kingdom ruled by Janaka to
participate in Yajna. During this journey, Viswamithra tells the story of
Ganga, churning of ocean to Sri Rama. They reach the hermitage of
Gautama. Sri Rama liberates Ahalya who was cursed by Gautama. They
received hospitality and blessings.
From Satananda, the head priest of Janaka, Sri Rama understands the
greatness of Viswamithra, how there was a conflict emerged between him
and Vasishta, and the evolution into Brahma Rishi.

9. Sri Rama was welcomed by Janaka. Janaka
informs about the greatness of Siva’s Bow.
Anyone who lifts and breaks it will be given his
daughter Sita in marriage. Janaka also narrates
the emergence of Sita while plowing the
sacrificial field.
Sri Rama with the advice of sage Viswamithra
lifts the Bow, breaks it into two halves. King
Dasaratha was informed and invited to
Mithila.
In a grand ceremony Sri Rama marries
Sitadevi, Lakshmana marries Urmila, Bharata
marries Mandavi and Satrughna marries
Srutakirthi. Sita and Urmila were direct sisters
whereas the others were daughters of
another king of Mithila.

10. After the marriage, while all of them were returning to Ayodhya, sage Parasurama intercepts
their way. Parasurama challenges Sri Rama to string the Vishnu-Bow held by his father
Jamadagni.
Sri Rama accepted the challenge and strings the bow with an intent look in the eyes of
Parasurama. Parasurama could recognize Sri Rama’s greatness. He returns to his mountain
hermitage for penance.
Dasaratha along with all others reached Ayodhya. They were received with pomp and
splendor by the people of Ayodhya. Bharatha and Satrughna were sent to their maternal place
along with uncle Yudajith.
This ends Bala Kanda

11. Thoughts to Ponder
• Could you have fought off demons/asuras when you were only 16 ?
• Does the stay with Vishwamitra sound like an internship for Rama and
Lakshmana?
(Similar to how you guys do internships, before entering into a fulltime
job... Was Rama and Lakshmana also "interns" with Vishwamitra,
learning all the skills before going to the forest and killing asuras?

12. Namah Shivaya