Book 1 Canto 1 Bala Kanda-Book of Boyhood

“Place the name RAMA as a jeweled lamp at the door of your lips and there will be light both inside and out..." Sri Tulsi Dass The seventeenth of July Dakshinayanam starts, the 6 months of the year when the sun starts its northward journey. This is a very important month spiritually.The first 7 days are normally given to reading the Ramayana. Vanamali Ashram is grateful to carry on this ancient tradition and offer this reading of Sri Rama Lila, Vanamali’s translation of this timeless legend. Sri Rama Lila Book 1- Bala Kanda- Book of Boyhood-- Canto 1 -Valmiki This is the story of the Lord’s descent on earth as Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, scion of the race of Raghu, pinnacle of human perfection. "Anyone who reads this wonderful book cannot help but be moved to tears. It will make him or her ecstatic. The beauty of this book is that it is  written by one who has great love and devotion for Sri Rama. It touches some subtle chords in the readers heart... The more we read it, the more devotion we develop". --Sri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj, Anandashram, Kanhanghad "With prose as verdant as the Indian forest, Vanamali lovingly renders the timeless epic, the Ramayana... Prepare to be transported!" -- Richard Schiffman, Author of Mother of All Vanamali is a contemporary Hindu contemplative, teacher, and author. She lives in a small ashram in Rishikesh, an ancient place of pilgrimage in the foothills of India's holy Himalayas. Vanamali Mataji is the author of The Lila Hindu World Heritage Library. Her books include: a translation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Nitya Yoga, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna Lila, Sri Rama Lila, Sri Shiva Lila, Sri Devi Lila, Sri Hanuman Lila, Lilas of the Sons of Shiva, Gurudeva and The Taste Divine. Sri Devi Lila is published in the U.S. as Shakti: Realm of The Divine Mother , Sri Hanuman Lila as Hanuman: The Devotion and Power of The Monkey God. Vanamali Mataji sings her original love poem... ANAATHAYAKKARUTE IVALE (Raga – Bhim Plas) O Shoure! Please don’t make me an orphan! O thou who art the sole support of the abandoned! Please don’t make me an orphan! Birth after birth have I wandered through the desert of life, Searching for Thee, I’m but an unknown flower, faded and worn, Unknowingly I have reached thy doorstep, How can I offer myself to thee? How can I be used in they puja? O Shoure! Help of the helpless! Please don’t abandon me! In the carnival of life I missed my way And fell into a nightmare that lasted for eons! O Lord of Lakshmi! Wilt thou not stretch thy hand and haul me to the shore? O Ocean of compassion! Wilt thou not come running to save me? O thou delight of my eyes! Thou alone art my mother, husband, friend and relation, No sons or grandsons do I have other than thee! Having given up all my blood relations, I have sought refuge at thy feet alone, Will thou not accept me O Beloved Vanamali, Wilt thou not come running to me, my darling Vanamali! Annatheyakkarute ivale, annatha rakshakane Shoure, anaatha rakshakane! Ee marubhumiyil ninne thedi Janma janmangalayi jaan alayunnu, Vadi kozhinjoru ajnatha pushpam jaan Nin sannidanathil vannu chernu, Ninte poojayil engine cherkkum, Nin thirumumbil jaan engine nilkkum Annatheyakkarute ivale… Jeevitha melayil vazhi thetti vannu jaan, Bheekara swapnathil, samvatsarangalai, Kai neeti enne karakayattan nee, Arukil varille karunanithe, Odi varille Lakshmi pathe, Annatheyakkarute ivale… Mata Pathi bandu enikku nee maatram, Putra poutratikal n