“ Manishada Prathishtam thvam agamaha shaashwatheehe samaha
Yathkrounchamithunaadekam Avadheehe Kamamohitham
Sage Narada visited Valmiki’s ashram. Valmiki was too happy to receive him. He prayed that he may recite the katha of Sri Rama. Narada beautifully delivered a short and sweet Ramayana. Valmiki was highly engrossed in it. He walked along the banks of the Tamasa river. It was a pleasnt eveninfg. The surroundings were picturesque. The natural beauty captivated his heart. He was appreciating nature’s beauty. There was a beautiful tree. On the branch of that tree was a krouncha bird couple. The male and female birds were playing joyfully with each other. At that moment a hunter struck the male bird and it fell dead on the spot. The female bird shocked by the sudden death of its mate cried miserably. This incident marred Valmiki’s heart. He was immersed in heavy sorrow. That shoka ( sorrow) came out as a sloka. This was the first sloka that Valmiki composed. He at once cursed the hunter. As you hunted the male bird when it was engaged in merriful play you shall not live long. This was his first sloka. On the surface, it looks as if his very first sloka is in the form of a curse. But this sloka has another meaning behind it. It is a mangalashasanam of Lord Rama. Maa also means Lakshmi. Manishada means Srinivasa. Krouncha means rakshasa. “ Hey Srinivasa. As you destroyed the male rakshasa ( Ravana) who was lustful you shall live long.”
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