Markandeya narrates Rama's and Ravana's Lineage to Yudhishthira
Ramo'Pakhyana Chapter 2 (274)
The As It Rhymes translation of the Mahabharata version of the Ramayana as told by Markandeya https://crackpot.substack.com/t/rama
As It Rhymes
1.
Markandeya said,
‘O’ Bharata! Rama suffered misery in supreme form.
Cannibals took Rama’s wife Janaka by storm.
2.
The cannibal king Ravana snatched her (Sita) from an Ashram.
Ravana established himself in deceit and harm.
3.
Rama tracked down where Ravana hid.
Rama and his friend Sugriva burned Ravana’s crib.’
4.
Yudhishthira said,
‘Tell me everything about Rama’s age.
Rama’s birth lineage.
I wish to hear about Ravana’s valor and his sons’ heyday.
5.
I wish to hear the story and character of Rama’s deeds.
O’ Lord! Tell me about his enemies.’
6.
Markandeya said,
‘An Ikshva named Aja had a son named Dasharatha.
Dasharatha was devoted to lasting peace and knowledge.
7.
Dasharatha had four sons established in wealth and duty.
Their names were Rama, Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharata.
8.
Kausala gave birth to Rama.
Kaikeyi’s son was Bharata.
Sumitra’s two sons were Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
9.
A mountain king named Janaka had a daughter born of the earth named Sita.
The wheel of fate yoked Sita’s plow to that bull Rama.
10.
Thus Rama and Sita’s births and union are known.
Now I will narrate Ravana’s origin.
11.
The universal creator Prajapati is Ravana’s descendant.
The Lord of all beings in the world Brahma’s blessings made Ravana ascendant.
12-13.
Prajapati’s beloved son Pulastya’s son Vishrava delighted the creator.
Vishrava’s fame streaked like a meteor.
14.
Vishrava beget Vaishravana, known as Kubera.
15.
The creator conferred boons upon Vaishravana.
Vaishravana made bank.
16.
Vaishravana befriended with Ishana.
Vaishravana had a son named Nalakubera.
Vaishravana ruled the fabulous city of Lanka.
17.
The creator gave Kubera an all-terrain plane tank.
Vaishravana was the ruler of yakshas and king of kings - segundo de nada.
Kubera had two bad brothers named Ravana and Kumbakharna.
Notes
[1] Markandeya, ibid.
[2] Ashram is a temple.Â
Ravana slew the legendary archetype eagle Jatayu during his flight with Sita. Jatayu is the offspring of Varuna, God of the Ocean and Shyeni, the hawk.
This messy diagram shows where Jatayu may be referenced in context to the divine lineage. Jatayu is a relatively minor character but revered by many today.
[3] Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu. Vishnu, along with Brahma and Shiva, is one of three principal Hindu deities. Vishnu is the preserver.
[6] Ikshva is divine lord - often used to describe powerful kings.
[15] Kubera is the God of treasure.
[16] Ishana is a form of Shiva or Rudra.
[17] Yakshas are divine beings. They are often tricksters, and wealthy. Kubera is their king.
The ‘all terrain tank’ is a vimana named Pushpaka. Vimana’s are divine vehicles that are often described as capable of flight.
In connection to ancient flight - http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/flight.htm
The origin story of Kubera by way of introducing us to the principal antagonists of the Ramayana - Ravana and Kumbhakarna.
Translation Collage
