Uttara Kanda, Sarga 113

Meaning

This much is the account together with the Uttarakāṇḍa, recognised by even Brahmā, known as the Rāmāyaṇa and composed by the sage, Vālmīki. (1)

Meaning

Then, after all had gone to heaven, Śrī Rāma established in heaven as Viṣṇu as before, and by whom these three worlds, with the moving and the stationary bodies are pervaded. (2)

Meaning

Therefore, the gods, with the Gandharvas, the Siddhas and great sages listen to the epic Rāmāyaṇa in heaven always, with pleasure. (3)

Meaning

This legend, the Rāmāyaṇa, is the giver of longevity, the enhancer of fortune and the dispeller of sins and is equal to the Vedas and the wise should cause it to be heard in the funeral rites. (4)

Meaning

The sonless one obtains a son, the poor gets wealth by hearing it. He who reads even a quarter of this Rāmāyaṇa is freed from all sins. (5)

Meaning

The man, who commits sins everyday, is also freed from sins if he reads even one Śloka (verse) of the Rāmāyaṇa daily. (6)

Meaning

Cloth, cow and gold should be offered to one who recites Rāmāyaṇa; if the reciter is satisfied, all the gods would be pleased. (7)

Meaning

The man reading this life-giving legend enjoys pleasures with sons and grandsons and becomes honoured in the other world also. (8)

Meaning

Reciting the Rāmāyaṇa attentively in the morning, at midday, or afternoon, or evening, such a one suffers no pain. (9)

Meaning

The beautiful Ayodhyā remaining desolate for many many years after Śrī Rāma’s departure for Supreme Abode, will again be inhabited during the reign of the king, Ṛṣabha. (10)

Meaning

This life-giving legend, Rāmāyaṇa, with the Bhaviṣya (account of future events) and the Uttarakāṇḍa, was composed by the son of Pracetā (Vālmīki) and it was approved as true by Brahmā. (11)

Meaning

A man gets the awards of performing one thousand Aśwamedha and ten thousand Vājpeya sacrifices merely by hearing even one single canto of this Rāmāyaṇa. (12)

Meaning

He is supposed to have visited all the holy places like Prayāga etc., and all the rivers like Gaṅgā, the forests like Naimiṣāraṇya* and Kṣetras like Kurukṣetra, in the world, who has listened to Rāmāyaṇa. One who gives two thousand Palas of gold at Kurukṣetra during sun-eclipse and the other who hears Rāmāyaṇa, both are equal in inheriting virtues. He who listens the story of Rāma is freed from all sins and goes to the world of Viṣṇu. This is the first and the foremost epic, composed in the ages of remote past by the sage Vālmīki. He who listens to it everyday, attains the form of Viṣṇu, is blessed with wife, his progenies and wealth are multiplied and he prospers. (13—17)

Meaning

One should listen to it, taking it to be true, with tranquil mind. The Rāmāyaṇa is the unsurpassed form of Gāyatrī. (18)

Meaning

He who narrates or listens always the story of Śrī Rāma with reverence and devoutly, becomes sinless and attains a (very) long life. (19)

Meaning

He who wants to secure bliss, should contemplate on Śrī Rāma and should narrate the story before Brāhmaṇas, day by day. (20)

Meaning

He who reads this whole story of Śrī Rāma undoubtedly shall attain the world of Viṣṇu at the end of his life. (21)

Meaning

His father, grandfather and great grandfather and even the fathers of these attain the body of Viṣṇu. (22)

Meaning

The recitation, hearing of exploits of Śrī Rāma bestow four objects—Kāma—the gratification of desire, Artha—acquisition of wealth, Dharma—discharge of duty and Mokṣa—final emancipation. So one should listen Rāmāyaṇa carefully and diligently. (23)

Meaning

Listening even a syllable or quarter of verse of the Rāmāyaṇa with reverence, one attains the world of Brahmā and is regarded and honoured there by Brahmā. (24)

Meaning

Thus recite this historical narrative with full faith. May all be well with you and enhance power of Lord Viṣṇu (Śrī Rāma). (25)