Sri Valmiki

-12. Then the munis descended onto the assembly spot on the ground in their aeroplanes. First in the line was Narada with his great Veena. Then Vyasa of the blue-cloud colour. In the middle were maharshis Bhrigu, Angirasa, Pulastya, Chyavana, Uddalaka, Usira, and Saraloma. In their hurry to enter the hall, they stuck against each other, causing the displacement of their dear skins, and oscillations of "Kamandalus". Because of the radiance, they looked like stars in the sky. Their faces were effulgent like sun in the firmament. It looked as though a second sun-region and moon-sphere have landed on the earth. The place near Vyasa appeared like a cloud in that starry region. The seat of Narada was like a moon-region in the starry space. Pulastya was like Indra among the gods and Angirasa was like sun-god among gods.

-14. As this procession of maharshis descended onto the assembly hall, the already gathered munis got up and greeted them respectgfully. The two groups, the residents of the sky, and the residents on the earth, mutually illumined their bodies. The effulgence illumined the entire space.

-19. The munis of the sky held bamboo staffs and lotuses in their hands. Their bound hair was tied with sacred grass. Their matted hairs were brownish in colour. They wore "rudraksha" garlands in addition to flower garlands. They wrapped themselves with cloth made of bark. Pearl chains were enveloping their waists. Sages Vasista and Viswamitra greeted these great sages appropriately. In return, the Siddhas greeted sages Vasista and Viswamitra.

-27. King Dasaratha also greeted the visiting Siddhas with appropriate courtesies and sweet enquiries. All of them then took their appropriate seats. The Siddhas honoured Rāma, who stood before them respectfully, with sweet words of praise and a shower of flowers. Rāma, the brilliant prince, took his seat after being ordered by Vasista and Viswamitra. There were in the assembly many leaders of munis like Vamadeva, Narada, Viswamitra, Vyasa, Marichi, Durvasa, Angirasa, Kratu, Pulaha, Saraloma, Vatsayana, Bharadwaja, Valmiki, Uddalaka, Richika, Saryati, Chavana, along with the ministers and vedic scholars.

-27. King Dasaratha also greeted the visiting Siddhas with appropriate courtesies and sweet enquiries. All of them then took their appropriate seats. The Siddhas honoured Rāma, who stood before them respectfully, with sweet words of praise and a shower of flowers. Rāma, the brilliant prince, took his seat after being ordered by Vasista and Viswamitra. There were in the assembly many leaders of munis like Vamadeva, Narada, Viswamitra, Vyasa, Marichi, Durvasa, Angirasa, Kratu, Pulaha, Saraloma, Vatsayana, Bharadwaja, Valmiki, Uddalaka, Richika, Saryati, Chavana, along with the ministers and vedic scholars.

-32. Then Narada, Vasista and Viswamitra and others spoke thus to Rāma. "Young Rāma spoke noble, auspicious words of great significance and detachment. These are worthy of deliberation. They are very pleasing, clearly articulated, enlightening and delightful. One in a thousand can speak such words of wisdom.

-35. Dear Boy, In whom else can such a "Bana" creeper of great intelligence bear fruit. In whomsoever the lamp of knowledge shines bright as in Rāma, he alone is a man. Many are mere flesh-machines. They are stupids. They are attracted by gross material things. They are not conscious.

-38. These animals never enquire into the truth of things, being completely bewitched by them. They are struck again and again by birth, death, old age, and such sorrows. Occasionally, one finds someone like Rāma, who is of inquiring nature and who is guided by great ideals. Very rare are those, who realise the truth of things. They are as rare as the fine, tasty fruit yielding mango trees.

-46. Sri Rāma has developed at such a young age, an integrated, intelligent outlook with his ability to look into the nature of things. One can see many trees grown tall and beautiful, full with flowers, foliage and fruits. But one cannot see sandalwood trees at many places. One cannot see "lavanga" creepers everywhere. We have heard a great exposition from Rāma. It was like the cool moonlight and boquets of flowers from a great tree. O great maharshis, it is difficult to squeeze essence out of this meaningless samsara. Those who try to get the best out of this are blessed. They are men of great quality. In this world of phenomena, there is none like Rāma, a noble self of great discrimination and intelligence. This is our considered opinion. If we cannot help Rāma achieve his goal, we, who call ourselves munis, are of no use, our intelligence is useless and wasted.