Saptha Rishi Ramayanam

By Saptha Rishis
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Here is the story of Ramayana summarized in seven stanzas, composed by the great Saptha Rishis. The Devanagari original can be found at: prramamurthy1931.blogspot.com/2011/08/. The Tamil translation of these verses are at: iamhanuman.blogspot.com/2008/06/blog-post_6385.html]

1. Kasyapa (Bala Kandam)

Jatha Sri Raguu Nayako dasarathaan, munyaseama thatakaamHathwa,
Raksitha kaushika krathuvaraa, kruthvapyaa ahalyam shubaam,
Bunkthwaa rudhra sarasanam janakajaam panim graheethwa thatho,
Jithwaaordha dwani bhargawam punaragath sita sametha purim.

The lord of Raghu clan was born to Dasaratha, killed Thataka in the hermitage of the sage,
Protected the great sage Kaushika, later performed good to Ahalya,
Ate (destroyed) the bow of Shiva, Married the daughter of Janaka and later,
Won over Parasurama with terrible voice and came back to the city along with Sita.

2. Athri (Ayodhya Kandam)

Daasyaa mandharaaya daya rahithayaa Kaikeyi,
Sri Rama prathamaabhisheka samaye mathha apya yacha davarou,
Bharthaaram Bharatha prasathu Dharaneem Ramo Vanam gachathaa-
dithyakarnyaa sachotharam nahi dadhou dukhena moorcha gatha.

Due to the servant Mandhara, mother Kaikeyi mercilessly,
During the first crowning of Rama, demanded the two boons,
That Bharatha should rule over Bharatha and Rama should go to forest,
For twelve years and not being able to concede, due to sorrow his father fainted.

3. Bharadwaaja (Aaranya Kandam)

Sri Rama pithru sasanad vanam aagath soumithri sithanvitho,
Gangaam praapya jataam nibhadhya saghuha sachithrakoote vasan,
Kruthwaa thathra pithru kriyaam sabharatho dathawa abhayam dandake,
Prapyaa agasthya muneeswaram thaduditham druthwaa dhanushchakshyam.

Sri Rama came to the forest as per the order of his father along with Lakshmana and Sita,
Reached Ganga, tied matted hair,lived in good Chithakoota due to help of Guha,
Did after- death ceremonies to father along with Bharatha, gave protection to Dandaka forest,
Reached the hermitage of Agasthya and wore the ever lasting bow.

4. Viswamithra (Kishkinda Kandam)

Gathwaa pancha vati agasthya vachanaa druthwaa abhayam mouneenaam,
Chithwaa Soorpana khasya karna yugalam samasthaan muneen,
Hathwaa tham cha Kharam suvarna harinam bhithwaa thadhaa Valinam,
Thara rathna mavairi rajya makaroth sarva cha Sugrevasaath.

As per the words of Agasthya he reached Panchavati, gave protection to sages,
Cut the nose and two ears of Soorpanaka, for the sake of all the sages,
Killed Khara, then killed the golden deer and then shot an arrow in to Bali,
And gave all the country to Sugreeva to be ruled as per advice of the gem like Thara.

5. Gowthama (Sundara Kandam)

Dhootho Dasarathe salila mudhahim theerthwaa Hanumaan Mahaan,
Drushtwaa Asokavane stithaam Janakajaam dathwaa anguler mudhrikaam,
Akshadheena asuraan nihathya mahathim lankam cha Dagdhwa puna,
Sri Ramam cha samethya deva Janani drushtaa maythyabraveeth.

The great Hanuman who was the emissary of Rama crossed the water filled sea,
Saw Sita devi in Asoka vana, gave her the signet ring of Rama,
Killed asuras like Akshaya kumara, burnt the great city of Lanka,
And told Sri Rama about his seeing the mother.

6. Jamadani (Yudha Kandam)

Ramo badha payo nidhi kapi varai veerair naladayair vrutho,
Lankaam prapya sa kumbha karna thanujam hathwaa rane ravanam,
Thsyaam nyayasya Vibheeshanam punarasou Sithapathi pushpakaa-
Rooda san puramagatha sa bharatha simhasanastho Bhabou.

Rama tied the ocean with the help of monkey warriors like Nala,
Reached Lanka, killed Kumbhakarna the brother and Ravana in the war,
Gave the country to Vibheeshana and the consort of Sita rode,
The pushpaka Vimana and met with Bharatha and climbed the throne.

7. Vasishta (Uthara Kanda)

Sri Ramo Haya medha mukhya maswa kruth samyak praja palayan,
Kruthwaa rajya madhaanujascha suchiram bhooriswa dharmanvithou,
Puthrou brathru samanvithou Kusa lavou Samshatpya boo mandale,
So ayodhyaa pura vasibischa sarayusnatha prapedhe divam.

Sri Rama conducted the Aswamedha sacrifice, looking after his people well,
Made his kingdom along with his brothers as safe and full of Dharma,
He established the entire earth to his brothers and sons Kusa and Lava,
And before the the entire people of ayodhya embraced death by entering the Sarayu river.

8. Sarva Rishaya

Sri Ramasya Kadha sudhadshi madhuraan slokaninuthamaan,
Ye srunwanthi padanthi cha prathi dinam theagougha Vidwamsina,
Srimantho bahu puthra sahithaa bukthweha bhogaaschiram,
Boganthe thu sadarchitham sura ganair Vishnor labanthe padam.

All sages
This is the nectar like sweet story of Rama composed by great stanza of poems,
If one hears or reads it daily they would become greatly learned,
Wealthy and with several sons enjoy the life in this world,
And after the enjoyment would get to the place of Lord Vishnu and the devas.