Summary
Sage Vishvamitra asks King Dasharatha to send Rama to protect the Vedic ritual that is being conducted by him, from the demons that are constantly disrupting [to break apart] it. The sage asserts [to state or declare positively] King Dasharatha that he and the other sages in Dasharatha's court know the capabilities of Rama and though Rama is in his adolescence, he can easily kill the demons. But Dasharatha is upset at this request.
Chapter [Sarga] 19 in Detail
On listening the grand and detailed sentences of that King the lion Dasharatha, the great resplendent [brilliant] Sage Vishvamitra is thrilled with happiness and spoke this way. [1-19-1]
"Oh, tigerly king, to you befitting are these words and to none else, as you are born in a great dynasty and tutored by Vashishta. [1-19-2]
"What concerns I have in my heart I am going to say, and you take decision thereof, oh, tigerly-king, and become truthful to your promises. [1-19-3]
"These days I am abiding [to conform to] by a sacrificial vow to attain a spiritual goal but, oh, best one among men, two guise [costume or disguise] changing demons as causing obstacles to that ritual. [1-19-4]
"At the near end of almost completed ritual of mine two valiant and well-trained demons, namely Maareecha and Subaahu, are drenching the Altar of Fire with streams of meat and blood, from the sky. [1-19-5, 6a]
"When the ritual vow is thus ravaged [destroyed], I as the one who exerted [to put forth] me for the ritual, had to depart from that place, unenthusiastically. [1-19-6, 7a]
"And to me there is no will to let loose my anger, oh, king, as no curse shall be issued under vows [one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition], and like that the activity during rituals shall be inoffensive, isn't it. [1-19-7b, 8a]
"As such, oh, tigerly king, it will be apt of you spare the services of that brave one whose valor itself is his truthfulness, that youngling whose hair locks are all the more jet black like crow wings on either side of his head, spare that eldest son of yours, namely Rama. [1-19-8b, 9a]
"Indeed, he is capable to eradicate [destroy] those demons that are thwarting [frustrating] the ritual by his own divine resplendence [brilliance], and protected by me as well. [1-19-9b, 10a]
"I will also accord many kinds of benefits to him by which he acquires [gets] renown in all the three worlds, no doubt about it. [1-19-10b, 11a]
"Those two demons will be rendered incapable to stand fast on affronting [to face in defiance] Rama in anywise and none other than Raghava has the fortitude [strength] to eliminate those two. [1-19-11b, 12a]
"Those two sinners that are berserk [one whose actions are recklessly defiant] by their vigor have gone into the subjection [to bring under control] of death's noose, oh tigerly king, cannot counterbalance [a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force] the great-souled Rama. [1-19-12b, 13a]
"It will be unapt [inappropriate] of you to show your paternal fondness, oh, King, upon my oath, be assured that those two demons are eradicated [destroyed]. [1-19-13b, 14a]
"I am sensible of that sublime-soul [supreme soul] Rama, whose valor is his truthfulness, and even this great resplendent [brilliant] Vashishta and these saints that are here are aware. [1-19-14b, 15a]
"If you wish to gain in value of probity [adherence to the highest principles and ideals], a long-lasting and paramount [supreme] renown on earth it will be apt [likely] of you to handover Rama to me. [1-19-15b, 16a]
"Oh, Dasharatha, you may send Rama if only your ministers and all the other elite [the best of a class] headed by Vashishta are going to give assent [consent]. [1-19-16b, 17a]
"It will be apt of you to send your choicest son, the lotus-eyed Rama, just for ten days of the ritual without temporizing [yield to current or dominant opinion]. [1-19-17b, 18a]
"I wish you to take decision as to how the ritual's time is not lapsed, and let safety betide [happen to] you, let not your heart be rendered to grieve." Thus Vishvamitra said to Dasharatha. [1-19-18b, 19a]
On saying those words that comprise fairness and meaningfulness that virtue-souled great saint with great resplendence [brilliance] paused. [1-19-19b, 20a]
On hearing the propitious [auspicious] words of sage Vishvamitra that best king Dasharatha shuddered and swooned as he is muffled up with profound adversity, and after that on regaining consciousness he sunk down in fear. [1-19-20b, 21]
This way on hearing that word of the saint Vishvamitra which is explicitly slitting his mind and heart that illustrious and noble-souled king Dasharatha then became highly annoyed at heart, and flustered [upset] extremely in his throne. [1-19-22]
Thus, this is the 19th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
