Baal Kaanda
9 - Salutations to the sage Valmiki, the Vedas, Brahma, Siva, Parvati and other gods and goddesses
Chaupais
Description
Again, I bow to goddess Sarasvati and the celestial river Ganga, both of whom are holy and perform agreeable roles. The one (Ganga) wipes away sin through immersion and draught; the other (Sarasvati) dispels ignorance through the recital and hearing of her glory. I adore the great Lord Siva and His consort Goddess Bhavani (Parvati), my preceptors and parents, friends of the forlorn and ever given to charity, servants, masters and friends of Sita's Lord, and true benefactors of Tulasidasa in everyway. Seeing the prevalence of the Kali age Hara and Girija (Siva and Parvati) evolved a string of spells in the tongue of savages, incoherent syllables which yield no interpretation and require no repetition, but whose efficacy is patent, revealing Siva glory. That Lord of Uma (Parvati), favourable as He is to me, shall make this story of mine a source of blessings and joy. Thus invoking Lord Siva and His Consort, Siva (Parvati), and obtaining Their favour, I relate the exploits of Sri Rama with a heart full of ardour. By Siva grace my composition will shed its lustre even as a night shines in conjunction with the moon and the stars. Those who will fondly and intelligently recite or hear this story with attention will develop devotion to the feet of Sri Rama and, purged of the impurities of Kali, will obtain choice blessings.(1-6)