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Rama takes aim with Vishnu's longbow and asks Parashu Rama to choose the target to release the arrow, as arrow of that bow cannot go astray. Parashu Rama opts for elimination of his ascetic merit and heavenly realms thereby. Rama releases the bow annihilating that merit and after that, Parashu Rama retreats into oblivion. |
श्रुत्वा तज्जामदग्न्यस्य वाक्यं दाशरथिस्तदा |
गौरवाद्यंत्रितकथः पितू राममथाब्रवीत् || १-७६-१
1. tadaa = then; daasharathiH = Dasharatha's Rama; jaamadagnyasya = Rama of Jamadagni; tat vaakyam shrutvaa = on hearing that sentence; pituH gauravaat = owing respect to father; yantritakathaH = controlled saying [courtly-tongued]; atha raamam abraviit = then, said to Rama of Jamadagni.
On hearing that sentence of Rama of Jamadagni, then Rama of Dasharatha said this to him in a courtly owing to the presence of his father Dasharatha. [1-76-1]
कृतवानस्मि यत् कर्म श्रुतवानसि भार्गव |
अनुरुन्ध्यामहे ब्रह्मन् पितुरानृण्यमास्थितः || १-७६-२
2. bhaargava = oh Bhaargava; yat karma = whatsoever, endeavour; kR^itavaan asi = you have undertaken [strived for] ; shrutavaan asmi = I have heard of them; brahman = oh Brahman; pituH = father; aanR^iNyam = without [free from] indebtedness; aasthitaH = obtained [you have achieved]; anurundhyaamahe = we appreciate you.
Oh, Bhaargava Rama, whatsoever endeavour you have strived for freeing yourself from the indebtedness towards your father, I have heard of them, and oh, Brahman, we appreciate for your achieving that freeness from your paternal debt, but... [1-76-2]
वीर्यहीनमिवाशक्तं क्षत्रधर्मेण भार्गव |
अवजानासि मे तेजः पश्य मेऽद्य पराक्रमम् || १-७६-३
3. bhaargava = oh Bhaargava Rama; viiryahiinam iva = as though inferior [timorous] valour; kSatradharmeNa = by Kshatriya duty [Kshatriya-hood]; ashaktam = not capable [to handle the bow]; avajaanaasi = you deem lowly [demean me]; adya = now; me = my; tejaH = sprightliness; paraakramam = my conquering [spiritedness]; pashya = you see.
"Oh, Bhaargava Rama, demeaning me as though I am timorous, hence incapable to handle the bow, and hence I am an ignoble one for Kshatriya-hood, is meaningless... come on, now you may see my spiritedness and sprightliness..." So said Rama to Bhaargava. [1-76-3]
Up to here both these Rama-s are in close quarters with other few present there. After this dialogue, they have moved a little away from the throng and facing each other as true combatants. A swordsman or an archer needs an arm-length, or sword-length or bow-length, at the least, to swagger his weapon. This place is to be assumed as an isolated place and no one is seeing or listening. This scene has an analogy in Maha Bharata when Krishna teaches Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. There, it is said, that Krishna froze the time to teach all the eighteen chapters, and none among two sides of warring factions are aware of Krishna, his teachings, or of Arjuna, excepting Sanjaya, who is placed at a distant place and has seen all with his wisdom-eye. Here we have to borrow that wisdom-eye of Sanjaya and see at these two Rama-s and their actions. When their episode is over the mist cast around them, rather on our eyes, will be cleared, when Rama returns to his father. This is said in later verses. Further more, all the people available there are rendered unconscious at the arrival of Bhaargava Rama, and a few like Dasharatha, Vashishta, Rama's brothers are with senses. So, even if they hear and see this scene, those listeners or seers do no harm in revealing Rama's godhood to world, or in particular to Ravana.
इत्युक्त्वा राघवः क्रुद्धो भार्गवस्य वरायुधम् |
शरं च प्रतिजग्राह हस्ताल्लघुपराक्रमः || १-७६-४
4. laghuparaakramaH = nimbly conquering [nimble-handed vanquisher of opponents] others; raaghavaH = Raghava; kruddhaH = in high dudgeon; iti uktvaa = thus, speaking; bhaargavasya hastaat = from Bhaargava Rama's hand; varaayudham = estimable weapon [longbow of Vishnu]; sharam ca = arrow, also; pratijagraaha = taken [expropriated] towards himself.
Raghava, the nimble-handed vanquisher of his opponents, speaking thus in high dudgeon expropriated that estimable weapon, namely the longbow of Vishnu, from the hand of Bhaargava Rama, along with the long-arrow that is already fitted on it... [1-76-4]
and, along the same lines Rama also said to have extricated the essential nature of Bhaargava...' The above said 'distancing' of these two Rama-s has another purpose. Rama has certain innate nature of making his observers enchanted by his very personality. Even Ravana looks at him adoringly in the war scene. This apart, his hand has certain ability to extricate the innate nature of others, should he lay his hand on them. We rarely see him touching or patting others, except for Seetha, Lakshmana, Hanuma, and say a squirrel etc. So, it is believed that, Rama has now expropriated the essential nature of Vishnu from Bhaargava Rama, while snatching the bow from his hands. For this Padma Puraana says:iti uktvaa devii vaiShNavyaa shaktyaa tad gataayaa saha | jagraaha vaiShNavam caapam vinayena ca liilayaa || 'oh, Devi Parvati, saying so Rama took away the Vishnu's anima from Bhaargava Rama, along with bow of Vishnu, sportily and obediently, too...' Thus, Rama of Dasharatha bade goodbye to his earlier incarnation, Parashu Rama, as two swords cannot be in one sheath.
आरोप्य स धनू रामः शरं सज्यं चकार ह |
जामदग्न्यं ततो रामं रामः क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीदिदम् || १-७६-५
5. saH raamaH = he, that Rama; dhanuH aaropya = on lifting up longbow; sharam sajyam = arranged arrow on bowstring; cakaara ha = did it [took aim,] indeed; tataH raamaH kruddhaH = then, Rama, irefully; jaamadagnyam raamam = to Jamadagni's, Rama; idam abraviit = said this.
On lifting up the bow that is already fitted with an arrow on bowstring, then Rama started to take aim with it, but being indecisive about the target, then Rama of Dasharatha irefully said this to Rama of Jamagadni. [1-76-5]
ब्राह्मणोऽसीति पूज्यो मे विश्वामित्रकृतेन च |
तस्माच्छक्तो न ते राम मोक्तुं प्राणहरं शरम् || १-७६-६
6. raama = oh Rama of Bhaargava; braahmaNaH asi = you are a Brahmana; iti = by this reason [even if, you are killable]; vishvaamitrakR^itena ca = owing to [your relationship] Vishvamitra, also; me puujyaH = to me, venerable; tasmaat = thereby; te praaNaharam sharam = your, life removing [exterminating,] arrow; moktum = to release; na shaktaH = not, capable [disinclined to.]
Oh Rama of Bhaargava, even if you are a Brahman you are eliminable, but because of your relationship with Vishvamitra, and because you are a venerable one for me, I am disinclined to release this arrow that exterminates your life... [1-76-6]
Bhaargava-s are Brahman-s and a Brahman cannot be killed braahmaNo na hantavyaH then how Rama is prepared to eliminate a Brahman, subjecting himself to the sin called 'Brahman killing...' brahmahatyaa paataka... There is no sin in eliminating a Brahman who is weaponed and warring. tathaa ca bhaarate raajadharme kR^iShNam prati bhiiShmaH - pitruun pitaamahaan pitryam guruun sambandhibaandhavaan | mithyaapravR^ittaan yaH sa~Nkhye nihanyaa dharma eva saH || Maha Bharata, shannti parva. 'It is no sin to eliminated fathers, grandfathers, teachers, and the like [even if they are Brahman-s,] for they are under an illusion, called war...' So said Bhiishma to Krishna and thereby Panadava-s have eliminated Drona, Kripa, Ashvatthaama and suchlike weaponed Brahman-s in war, but not in peace. There are many more such sayings of Bhiishma. Here Parashu Rama said that he will give a duel to Rama, hence he is no more a Brahman when he raises a weapon. And he is a blood relation of Vishvamitra, and that corner of mercy is not allowing Rama to release the arrow on Parashu Rama.
इमां वा त्वद्गतिं राम तपोबलसमार्जितान् |
लोकानप्रतिमान्वापि हनिष्यामि यदिच्छसि || १-७६-७
7. raama = oh Bhaargava Rama; imaam = this; tvat gatim vaa = either, your, motility [at the speed of mind, cf., verse 15]; tapobalasamaarjitaan = earned by power of ascesis; apratimaan lokaan = unparalleled, worlds [realms of heavens]; vaa api = or, even; haniSyaami = I wish to eliminate; yat icChasi = whichever, you wish.
Oh Bhaargava Rama, either this motility of yours at the speed of your mind, or even those unparalleled realms of heavens which you have earned by the power of your ascesis, I will eliminate whichever you wish... [1-76-7]
न ह्ययं वैष्णवो दिव्यः शरः परपुरंजयः |
मोघः पतति वीर्येण बलदर्पविनाशनः || १-७६-८
8. parapuramjayaH = conqueror of others' citadels; viiryeNa = [by its] mettle; baladarpavinaashanaH = vanquisher of vigour, vainglory; divyaH = one took birth in divine worlds - arrow; ayam vaiSNavaH sharaH = this, Vishnu's, divine, arrow; moghaH = wastefully; na patati hi = not, falls through, isn't it.
"This Vishnu's divine arrow is the conqueror of opponents' citadels, and a vanquisher of their vigour and vainglory, and it will not fall through wastefully... isn't it!" So said archer Rama to axeman Rama. [1-76-8]
The debate on the superiority of Vishnu or Shiva may have its own mythological import, but as far as Ramayana is considered, the eulogy for Vishnu's longbow is intended to suggest the all-powerful capacity of Vishnu in eliminating demons and to lead the epic to its own goal. Dharmaakuutam has to say this: prakR^ite - adhikam menire vishNum - iti raamaayaNavacanam tu agre kartavyasakalaraakShasavadhahetubhuutavaiShNavadhanuShaH praashastapratipaadanaparam j~neyam | Hence the mythological quarrels have no place in Ramayana.
वरायुधधरं रामं द्रष्टुं सर्षिगणाः सुराः |
पितामहं पुरस्कृत्य समेतास्तत्र सर्वशः || १-७६-९
गंधर्वाप्सरसश्चैव सिद्धचारणकिन्नराः |
यक्षराक्षसनागाश्च तद्द्रष्टुं महदद्भुतम् || १-७६-१०
9. varaayudhadharam = wielder of extraordinary weapon [longbow of Vishnu] ; raamam = at Rama; draSTum = to see; saRSigaNaaH = with sages' assemblages; suraaH = gods; pitaamaham puraskR^itya = Grandparent, keeping afore; sarvashaH = all of the; gandharvaapsarasaH ca eva = gandharva-s, apsara-s, also thus; siddhacaaraNakinnaraaH = siddha-s, caaranaa-s, kinnaraa-s; yakSaraakshasanaagaaH = yaksha-s = sprites and reptilian beings; ca = also; tat mahat adbhutam = that, extremely, amazing [event]; draSTum = to see; tatra = to there; sametaaH = came together - they forgathered.
Gods together with the assemblages of sages have come keeping the Grandparent Brahma at their fore, likewise the gandharva-s, apsara-s, siddha-s, caarana-s, kinnaraa-s, yaksha-s, sprites and reptilian beings have also come to see Rama who is now wielding the extraordinary longbow of Vishnu, and extremely amazing event that is going to ensue. [1-76-9, 10]
The 'amazing event' is not the handing over or taking over of longbow, but it is the transference of the essential nature of Bhaargava Rama to Dasharatha Rama. Nrisimha Puraana has this: tataH parashuraamasya dehaat nirgatasya vaiShNavam | pashyataam sarvadevaanaam tejo raamam upaavishat ||
जडीकृते तदा लोके रामे वरधनुर्धरे |
निर्वीर्यो जामदग्न्योऽसौ रमो राममुदैक्षत || १-७६-११
11. tadaa = then; raame = Rama; vara[shara]dhanurdhare = while becoming a wielder [when ready to take aim with it] of best [inscrutable] longbow [with arrow] ; loke jaDiikR^ite = world, while being rendered as insentient; asau jaamadagnyaH ramaH = he that, Jamadagni's, Rama; nirviiryaH = less of vigour; raamam = at Rama; udaikSata = stared up.
Then, when Rama is ready to take aim with the arrow on that inscrutable longbow, and when the worlds are being rendered as insentient, then that Rama of Jamadagni is rendered vigourless and he stared up at Rama of Dasharatha. [1-76-11]
Vividly: When the aura of Vishnu available in Bhaargava Rama has entered Dasharatha Rama through that inscrutable longbow of Vishnu, Dasharatha Rama's aura dazzled like that of Vishnu, and that dazzlement of Vishnu's aura threw the world in a daze, and then that aura-less, thus vigourless Bhaargava Rama has nothing to do except to stare at Vishnu-like Rama, with upraised eyes.
तेजोभिर्हतवीर्यत्वाज्जामदग्न्यो जडीकृतः |
रामं कमलपत्राक्षं मन्दं मन्दमुवाच ह || १-७६-१२
12. tejobhiH = by radiance [of Rama]; abhihataviiryatvaat = with such completely marred vitality; jaDiikR^itaH jaamadagnyaH = made as callous, Jamadagni's Rama; kamalapatraakSam = to lotus-petal eyed one; raamam = to Rama; mandam mandam = slowly, softly; uvaaca ha = spoke, indeed.
Rama of Jamadagni is calloused as his vitality is subdued by the radiance of that lotus-petal eyed Rama of Dasharatha, and he spoke to Rama of Dasharatha, slowly and softly. [1-76-12]
काश्यपाय मया दत्ता यदा पूर्वं वसुंधरा |
विषये मे न वस्तव्यमिति मां काश्यपोऽब्रवीत् || १-७६-१३
13. puurvam = once; vasundharaa = entire earth; yadaa = when; mayaa = by me; kaashyapaaya = for Kashyapa; dattaa = was donated; me viSaye = in my, domain; na vastavyam = not, inhabitable; iti kaashyapaH maam abraviit = thus, Kashyapa, told to me.
Once, when I donated entire earth to Sage Kashyapa, Kashyapa told me 'uninhabitable is my domain, viz., this earth for you...' thus... [1-76-13]
A donor cannot enjoy a gift anymore, once donated to the donee. And if the donor still clings around that donation, it does not come under the true definition of 'donation.' Hence, Parashu Rama is asked to depart from this world. Hence he has gone to the ethereal mountain called Mt. Mahendra.
सोऽहं गुरुवचः कुर्वन् पृथिव्यां न वसे निशाम् |
तदा प्रभृति काकुत्स्थ कृता मे काश्यपस्य ह || १-७६-१४
14. saH aham = such as I was; guruvacaH kurvan = to do [observance] my mentor's order; tadaa prabhR^iti = then, onwards; pR^ithivyaam = on earth; nishaam = during nights; na vase = I do not stay [spend]; kaakutstha = oh Kakutstha Rama; [pratij~naa = promise]; kR^itaa me = made over by me; kaashyapasya ha = for Kashyapa, indeed.
Such as I was, in my observance of my mentor Kashyapa's order I do not spend nights on this earth from then afterwards, oh, Kakutstha Rama, as I made over this earth for Kashyapa, indeed... [1-76-14]
तमिमां मद्गतिं वीर हन्तुं नार्हसि राघव |
मनोजवं गमिष्यामि महेन्द्रं पर्वतोत्तमम् || १-७६-१५
15. viira = oh valiant one; raaghava = oh Raghava; tam [tat] = thereby; imam = this; mat gatim = my, motility; hantum na arhasi = not apt of you to impair; manojavam = with speed of cerebration ; parvatottamam mahendram = to excellent mountain Mahendra; gamiSyaami = I will depart.
Thereby oh, valiant one, it will be inapt of you to impair this motility of mine, oh, Raghava, I will depart with the speed of cerebration to Mt. Mahendra, a par excellent mountain... [1-76-15]
लोकास्त्वप्रतिमा राम निर्जितास्तपसा मया |
जहि तान् शरमुख्येन मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः || १-७६-१६
16. raama = oh Rama; mayaa apratimaaH lokaaH = by me, matchless, realms [of heaven]; tapasaa nirjitaaH = triumphed over by ascesis; taan sharamukhyena jahi = them, you hash up with important [irreversible one] arrow ; kaalasya paryayaH maa bhuut = let no time's lag be there.
But I triumphed over matchless realms of heavens with my ascesis, oh, Rama, you may hash them up with that irreversible arrow... let there be no time-lag... [1-76-16]
अक्षय्यं मधुहन्तारं जानामि त्वां सुरेश्वरम् |
धनुषोऽस्य परामर्शात् स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु परंतप || १-७६-१७
17. asya = that particular one; dhanuSaH = bow; paraamarshaat = touch of handling [thereby, your touch of nature]; tvaam = you; akSayyam = not mutable; sureshvaram = gods of gods; madhuhantaaram = as exterminator of the demon, Madhu; jaanaami = I realize; parantapa = oh enemy-inflamer; svasti te astu = blessedness betides to you.
I have realized your touch of nature as that of the Immutable Supreme Being, God of Gods, the Exterminator of the demon Madhu, namely Vishnu, by the touch of your handling that bow... oh, enemy-inflamer, blessedness alone betides you... [1-76-17]
एते सुरगणाः सर्वे निरीक्षन्ते समागताः |
त्वामप्रतिमकर्माणमप्रतिद्वन्द्वमाहवे || १-७६-१८
18. samaagataaH = collectively came; ete sarve suragaNaaH = these, all, assemblages of gods; apratimakarmaaNam = one having unequalled achievements; apratidvandvam aahave = no counter dueller, in conflicts; tvaam = you; niriikSante = they are beholding.
All of these gods who have come collectively are beholding you and your next move, for you are an unequalled one in your achievements and to whom there is no counter-dueller in conflicts... [1-76-18]
Parashu Rama is hastening up Dasharatha Rama to finish business quickly, otherwise the nature of Rama and his incarnation will publicized, not by these two Rama-s, but the game watching gods. If these spectators stay for a long time in sky, some airborne demon will let the cat out of the bag.
न चेयं तव काकुत्स्थ व्रीडा भवितुमर्हति |
त्वया त्रैलोक्यनाथेन यदहं विमुखीकृतः || १-७६-१९
19. kaakutstha = oh Kakutstha; trailokyanaathena = lord of triad of worlds'; tvayaa = by you [such as you are]; tava = by you; aham = I am; yat = by which [reason]; vimukhiikR^itaH = made as down face; iyam = this [act of disgrace]; vriiDaa = disgrace; bhavitum = to become; na ca arhati = not, also, apropos.
Oh, Kakutstha Rama, you are the lord of the triad of worlds, such as you are, you faced me down, and it is malapropos to say that this is a disgrace to me... [1-76-19]
शरमप्रतिमं राम मोक्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत |
शरमोक्षे गमिष्यामि महेन्द्रं पर्वतोत्तमम् || १-७६-२०
20. suvrata = oh one with ethical,commitments - committed to clear out demons; raama = oh Rama; apratimam sharam moktum arhasi = apt of you to unloose unsurpassed arrow; sharamokSe = when unloosened arrow; parvatottamam mahendram gamiSyaami = I will go to ethereal mountain Mahendra.
"It will be apt of you to unloose that unsurpassed arrow, oh, Rama, as you have ethical commitment to wipe out demons as I wiped out menacing kings, and should you unloosen that arrow now I wish to depart to the ethereal mountain Mt. Mahendra, a point of no return for me..." So said Parashu Rama to Dasharatha Rama. [1-76-20]
तथा ब्रुवति रामे तु जामदग्न्ये प्रतापवान् |
रामो दाशरथिः श्रीमान् चिक्षेप शरमुत्तमम् || १-७६-२१
21. jaamadagnye raame tu = by Rama of Jamadagni, on his part; tathaa bruvati = that way, while speaking; prataapavaan = venturesome one; shriimaan daasharathiH raamaH = blessed one, Dasharatha's, Rama; uttamam sharam cikSepa = shot off nonpareil arrow.
While Rama of Jamadagni is speaking that way, that venturesome and blessed Rama of Dasharatha shot off that nonpareil arrow from that longbow of Vishnu. [1-76-21]
स हतान् दृश्य रामेण स्वान् लोकांस्तपसार्जितान् |
जामदग्न्यो जगामाशु महेन्द्रं पर्वतोत्तमम् || १-७६-२२
22. saH jaamadagnyaH = he, of Jamadagni; tapasaa aarjitaan = acquired by ascesis; svaan lokaan = all, realms of heavens; raameNa hataan = shot-blasted by Rama; dR^ishya = having seen; aashu parvatottamam mahendram jagaama = in a trice, went away [vanished] to heavenly mountain Mahendra.
On seeing all of his realms of heavens are shot-blasted by Rama of Dasharatha, Rama of Jamadagni vanished in a trice to Mt. Mahendra, the heavenly mountain. [1-76-22]
Rather, ready to depart... as he is given some more role-play in next verses.
ततो वितिमिराः सर्वा दिशा चोपदिशस्तथा |
सुराः सर्षिगणाः रामं प्रशशंसुरुदायुधम् || १-७६-२३
23. tataH = then; sarvaaH dishaaH = all, directions; tathaa = likewise; upadishaH ca = intermediary directions; vitimiraaH = without [dissipated] darkness; saRSigaNaaH suraaH = with assemblages of sages and gods; udaayudham = one with upraised weapon; raamam prashashamsuH = extolled Rama.
Then dissipated is the darkness in all the divisions and likewise in all the subdivisions of compass, and the gods with the assemblages of sages extolled Rama, in whose hands the longbow is upraised. [1-76-23]
Please refer the endnote about this longbow and how it is passed on to Janaka's dynasty.
रामं दाशरथिं रामो जामदग्न्यः प्रशस्य च |
ततः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य जगामात्मगतिं प्रभुः || १-७६-२४
24. prabhuH = efficient one, [dab hand at axe]; jaamadagnyaH raamaH = Rama of Jamadagni; daasharathim raamam prashasya = on acclaiming Dasharatha's Rama; tataH pradakSiNiikR^itya = then, on making circumambulations ; aatmagatim jagaama = went away on his own way.
Then that dab hand at axe, Rama of Jamadagni, on acclaiming, and even on making circumambulations to Rama of Dasharatha, went on his own way into oblivion. [1-76-24]
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Longbows of Shiva and Vishnu
The bestowal of Shiva's bow to the dynasty of Janaka is said variously at various places. In the hermitage Vishvamitra it is said that the bow is given in Vedic-ritual taddhi puurvam narashreSTha dattam sadasi daivataiH | 1-31-8 In the previous chapter it is said that the bow is given in the hand of Devaraata devaraatasya raajaRSeH dadau haste sasaayakam | 1-75-20 And earlier it is said to be given in Dasksha's ritual dakSayaj~navadhe puurvam dhanuH aayamya viiryavaan | 1-66-9 Seetha says about this to ascetic Lady Anasuya that Rain-god gave this to Janaka's dynasty mahaayaj~ne tadaa tasya varuNena mahaatmanaa | dattam dhanurvaram priityaa tuuNii caakSayyasaayakau | Ayodhya II-118. These statements, though not self-contradictory, and though they create a little confusion, they all are correct. When Daksha's Vedic-ritual is devastated, Shiva wanted to throw back the useless bow, that was worsted by Vishnu's bow, on the face of gods. But gods fearing for the ire of Shiva requested Shiva to give that bow to Devaraata, on their behalf. Shiva gave it to Devaraata as a trust, through Rain-god Varuna, but Shiva did no bequeath it. Later Janaka on appeasing gods in Vedic-ritual asked them to leave the bow once for all in Janaka Dynasty. Gods have agreed to it. And Rama broke it.
Now Dasharatha Rama gives back the other bow of Vishnu brought by Parashu Rama to the same Rain-god Varuna, who is present there at both Rama-s, in the thin air, when the environ is enshrouded by certain darkness, and when Rama is last seen with that upraised longbow at 1-76-23, and just before darkness is dissipated, Rama gives that bow to Rain-god, according to the first verse in next chapter.
Well known is Krishna's showing his Cosmic Form vishvaruupa to Arjuna, while teaching Bhagavad Gita in Maha Bharata. But that Bharata records Rama's display of His Cosmic form to Parashu Rama, only at this juncture. In Ch. 89 of anushaashanika parva of Maha Bharata it is said in detail as: pashya maam svena ruupeNa cakShuH te vitaraamyaham | tato raamashariire vai raama pashyati bhaargavaH |aadityaan pavamaanaan rudraan saadhyaan ca samarudgaNaana | pitaro hutaashanaH caiva nakShatraaNi grahaaH tathaa | and a long account follows on this. But this has not been amplified or explained in other texts, due to unknown reasons. However, it is not part of Valmiki Ramayana.
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इति वाल्मीकिरामायणे आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे षट्सप्ततितमः सर्गः
© June, 2003, Desiraju Hanumanta Rao [Revised : January 05]