Passage 1
कदाचिदिन्द्रयजनं कर्तुं नृपतिरुद्यतः। तथैव चान्वमोदन्त प्राप्ताः सर्वे द्विजातयः॥१॥
Once the king prepared to perform a sacrifice to Indra. All the assembled twice-born priests approved his intention.
Passage 2
रामस्तदेव यजनं कर्तुमुद्यतमीश्वरम्। उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठो निजमाहात्म्यवर्द्धनः॥२॥
As the king was about to perform that sacrifice, Rāma—the finest of speakers, who magnifies his own glory—addressed him. Rāma said
Passage 3
तात त्वया मखाः सर्वे कृताः सर्वेऽपि वैदिकाः। अश्वमेधादयो मेध्याः सत्रान्ता दीर्घसत्रकाः॥३॥
Father, you have performed every kind of Vedic sacrifice—from the purifying Aśvamedha through the great sacrificial sessions and long-lasting rites.
Passage 4
विधिना च सुसम्पन्नाः सुहुता बहुदक्षिणाः। बह्वृत्त्विजो बहुगुणा बहुगोद्विजभोजनाः॥४॥
They were properly and fully accomplished, with excellent oblations and abundant gifts, many officiating priests and virtues, and food for many cows and twice-born people.
Passage 5
बहूत्सृष्टा लब्धपशुका ब्रह्मणापि सुदुष्कराः। ते त्वया रचिता यज्ञाः पालिताश्च विशेषतः॥५॥
Those sacrifices—rich in distributions and supplied with sacrificial animals, exceedingly difficult even for Brahmā—were established and carefully maintained by you.
Passage 6
अधुना वैष्णवं कर्म कुरु प्रियसुखावहम्। येनानुष्ठीयमानेन परो धर्मो विवर्द्धते॥६॥
Now perform a Vaiṣṇava rite that brings happiness to those who are dear. By its observance the supreme dharma increases.
Passage 7
यस्य क्रियाखिला श्रौती कलां नार्हति षोडशीम्। कुरु गोविप्रवर्याणां वैष्णवानां विशेषतः॥७॥
All ritual action prescribed by revelation does not equal even one sixteenth part of it. Especially honor the finest cows, brāhmaṇas, and Vaiṣṇavas.
Passage 8
पूजां सुमहतीं राजन् वासोलङ्कारभोजनैः। इयं च सरयूतीरे दीप्यतां दिव्यदीपकैः॥८॥
O king, worship them magnificently with clothing, ornaments, and food, and let this bank of the Sarayū shine with divine lamps.
Passage 9
रत्नाद्रिश्च पुरस्यास्य पूजनीयोऽखिलेष्टदः। यत्र गावश्च गोपाश्च सततं सुखमासते॥९॥
Ratnādri, which grants every desire of this city, should also be worshiped. There the cows and cowherds continually dwell in happiness.
Passage 10
हरित्तृणमयः शैलो गुल्मवीरुल्लताकुलः। अर्चनीयोऽयमतुलैर्वासोभिर्भोजनैस्तथा॥१०॥
That mountain is covered with green grass and filled with shrubs, plants, and vines. It should be honored with incomparable garments and foods,
Passage 11
वलिभिर्दीपदानैश्च संविधाभिश्च भूरिशः। अर्चनीया द्विजा गावो गोपा गोप्यश्च वैष्णवाः। दीना आढ्या नरा नार्यो देवताः सकला इमाः॥११॥
with abundant offerings, gifts of lamps, and ceremonial arrangements. The twice-born, cows, cowherd men and women, and Vaiṣṇavas are to be worshiped; the poor and rich, men and women—all these are deities.
Passage 12
इत्युक्तो दशरथभूपतिः सुतेन सन्तुष्टोऽधिकतरधर्मविष्णुगीत्या। ओमुक्त्वा सुरपतियागसंविधास्ता विष्ण्वर्थं व्ययमुपचक्रमे विधातुम्॥१२॥
Thus addressed by his son, King Daśaratha was pleased by this teaching of the higher dharma and song of Viṣṇu. Relinquishing those arrangements for the sacrifice to the lord of the gods, he began to direct the expenditure toward Viṣṇu.
Passage 13
बह्वीभिः संविधाभिः स ब्राह्मणान् समपूजयत्। सुरभीर्वैष्णवांश्चैव गोपान् गोपीश्च गोकुले। महान्तमुत्सवं चक्रे वलिपूजादिनाद्भुतम्॥१३॥
With many arrangements he honored the brāhmaṇas, sacred cows, Vaiṣṇavas, cowherd men, and cowherd women of Gokula. Through offerings, worship, and other rites, he held a great and wondrous festival.
Passage 14
सरयूदीपराजीभिः परिवार्य व्यरोचयत्। द्रुमान्नीराजयामास प्रमोदवनवासिनः॥१४॥
He made the Sarayū shine by surrounding it with rows of lamps, and waved auspicious lights before the trees that dwell in Pramoda Forest.
Passage 15
अलङ्कारैश्च वासोभिर्मण्डितान् फलपादपान्। पटहैर्दुन्दुभीभिश्च भेरीभिश्च मृदङ्गकैः॥१५॥
The fruit trees were adorned with ornaments and garments. Kettledrums, great drums, bhērīs, and mṛdaṅgas
Passage 16
अनादयन् दिशः सर्वास्तस्मिन् विष्णुमहोत्सवे। स्वयं चाभूषितो राजा परमोत्सवनिर्वृतः॥१६॥
resounded through every direction during that great festival of Viṣṇu. The king himself dressed splendidly and delighted in the supreme celebration.
Passage 17
माङ्गल्या चैव कौशल्या गोपगोपीजनैर्वृता। आत्मानं भूषयाञ्चक्रे सुखिता वैष्णवे मखे॥१७॥
Māṅgalyā and Kauśalyā, surrounded by cowherd men and women, adorned themselves and rejoiced in the Vaiṣṇava sacrifice.
Passage 18
रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्चैव भरतश्चैव शत्रुहा। मातृभिर्भूषिता भूरि द्विजेभ्योऽदुर्महाधनम्॥१८॥
Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Bharata, and the destroyer of enemies were adorned by their mothers and gave immense wealth to the twice-born.
Passage 19
एवं समापयाञ्चक्रे महता सम्भ्रमेण सः। राजा दशरथो यागं वैष्णवं धर्ममुत्तमम्॥१९॥
In this way King Daśaratha completed the Vaiṣṇava sacrifice, the highest dharma, with magnificent celebration.
Passage 20
श्रुत्वा यागस्य विहतिं शक्रो रोषसमावृतः। गोपोपजनपीडार्थं मूढभावान्मनो दधौ॥२०॥
Hearing that his sacrifice had been discontinued, Indra was overcome with rage. Deluded, he resolved to torment the cowherd settlement.
Passage 21
परब्रह्मस्वरूपं तं रामं कारणमानुषम्। अवतीर्णमविज्ञाय पीडयामास गोकुलम्॥२१॥
He did not recognize that Rāma, the very form of the Supreme Brahman, had descended as the causal human form, and so he afflicted Gokula.
Passage 22
साकेतं च वनं चैव गोकुलं च निकेतनम्। समाच्छाद्य स्थिता मेघाः शक्रेण प्रेषितास्तदा॥२२॥
Clouds sent by Indra spread out and covered Sāketa, the forest, Gokula, and all its dwellings.
Passage 23
कालजीमूतसङ्घाताः साडम्बरमुपस्थितम्। आकालिकं च विज्ञायाज्ञासीद्राजा हरे रुषम्॥२३॥
Masses of doomsday clouds arrived with thunderous commotion. Recognizing the storm as unseasonable, the king understood that it was the deity’s anger.
Passage 24
ततस्तेऽकालजलदा मुशलासारवर्षिणः। रुरुधुर्गोकुलं सर्वं चण्डवातप्रचोदिताः॥२४॥
Then those unseasonable clouds, driven by fierce winds and pouring torrents like falling pestles, hemmed in the whole of Gokula.
Passage 25
प्रचण्डवातप्रकरानुपातिता महाघनाऽऽसारभराः सविद्युताः। वर्षोपलैः पीडितसर्वगोधना बभूवुरुद्वेगकरा महीपतेः॥२५॥
Driven onward by masses of violent wind, the immense clouds were heavy with rain and filled with lightning. Their hailstones tormented all the cattle, and the storm became a source of anguish for the king.
Passage 26
एवं यावत्त्रिदिनमपतद् गोकुले भूरिवृष्टि- र्विद्युत्पातैः खरजवमरुत्सन्ततं वर्षपातैः। अत्यार्तं तद्व्रजपुरमभूत् कं व्रजामः शरण्यम् क्रुद्धे चेन्द्रे दशरथनृपोऽप्यास पीडासचिन्तः॥२६॥
Thus for three days tremendous rain fell upon Gokula, with lightning strikes, furiously rushing winds, and ceaseless downpours. Vraja’s settlement was in agony: “To whom can we go for refuge?” With Indra enraged, even King Daśaratha was distressed and anxious.
Passage 27
एवं प्रजानां सङ्क्लेशं ज्ञात्वा रामोऽखिलप्रभुः। मेघावरोधकं नाम निजच्छत्रमथाग्रहीत्॥२७॥
Knowing the people’s suffering, Rāma, Lord of all, took up his own umbrella named Meghāvarodhaka, “Cloud-Blocker.”
Passage 28
छत्रं ततं विंशतियोजनात्मकं सुरक्षकं तोयमुचां समूहतः। दृढं न चाभज्यत विद्युदादि- महाश्मसम्पातजवैः सुरेरितैः॥२८॥
The umbrella expanded to twenty yojanas and gave perfect shelter from the masses of rain clouds. Firmly made, it did not break beneath the god-driven onslaught of lightning and enormous hailstones.
Passage 29
एवं यावत्पक्षसमाप्तिरासीत् तावत्तस्थौ छत्रमासाद्य लोकान्। पक्षस्यान्ते व्यर्थरोषोऽधमोऽभू- दिन्द्रो ज्ञात्वा देवदेवस्य शक्तिम्॥२९॥
Until a full fortnight had elapsed, Rāma stood with the umbrella sheltering the people. At the fortnight’s end, Indra’s wrath proved futile and he was humbled, for he had recognized the power of the God of gods.
Passage 30
ततः स वारिदव्यूहं वारयामास वासवः। रामचन्द्रानुभावेन संहत्याखिलवैभवैः॥३०॥
Then Vāsava withdrew the array of clouds. Through Rāmacandra’s power, all of Indra’s forces had been checked.
Passage 31
अथाभ्ययाद्राघवेन्द्रं शरण्यं स्वर्गस्येशो भूरिजातापराधः। सस्वर्धेनुः सामरः सेभराजो रामक्रोधे स्वाशुभं शङ्कमानः॥३१॥
Then the lord of heaven, burdened by his many offenses, approached Rāghava, the giver of refuge. He came with the celestial cow, the gods, and the king of elephants, fearing misfortune from Rāma’s anger.
Passage 32
स प्रमोदवने गत्वा रामं कमललोचनम्। अग्रहीत् पादयोस्तूष्णीं शरणार्थी शरण्ययोः॥३२॥
He entered Pramoda Forest and silently clasped the feet of lotus-eyed Rāma, seeking refuge at the feet that grant refuge.
Passage 33
रामो ज्ञात्वा मघवासौ विशक्ति- र्मामभ्येत्य स्वाच्च माधावयिष्यन्। उत्तिष्ठेन्द्रेत्येवमाज्ञां चकार प्रोत्थायासौ भूरि तुष्टाव रामम्॥३३॥
Rāma understood that Maghavan had become powerless and had approached him wishing to cleanse himself of his own offense. He commanded, “Rise, Indra.” Standing up, Indra praised Rāma profusely.
Passage 34
देव क्षमस्व मम पातकमेतदेव ज्ञातो भवान् न परमो यदिहावतीर्णः। रामः स्वयं स भगवानखिलांशमूल- भूतः पुराणपुरुषः पुरुषोत्तमस्त्वम्॥३४॥
O Lord, forgive this sin of mine. I did not know that you, the Supreme, had descended here. You are Rāma, the Lord himself, the source from whom every divine portion arises, the primordial Person and Supreme Person.
Passage 35
तस्मै नमोऽस्तु भवते पुरुषोत्तमाय विद्यापि यं स्पृशति नैव महामुनीनाम्। स त्वं क्षमस्व भुवनेश ममापराध- मज्ञस्य तावकमहिम्नि महाल्पबुद्धेः॥३५॥
Obeisance to you, the Supreme Person, whom even the knowledge of the great sages cannot touch. O Lord of the worlds, forgive my offense, for I am ignorant of your greatness and possess very little understanding.
Passage 36
भक्तिं निजां वितर नाथ यथाविशुद्ध- स्त्वत्पादमूलमधुना शरणं व्रजामि॥३६॥
Lord, bestow your own devotion upon me, so that, purified, I may now take refuge at the base of your feet.
Passage 37
नमस्ते ब्रह्मरूपाय पुरुषाय महात्मने। त्वामाश्रितानामशुचस्त्वया संरक्षितात्मनाम्॥३७॥
Obeisance to you, the great Person whose form is Brahman. Those who take refuge in you, their very selves protected by you, are free from grief.
Passage 38
जानाति यस्ते महिमानमीश गुरुप्रसादेन विशुद्धचित्तः। तस्मै त्वमादर्शयसि स्वरूपं सच्चिन्मुखं स्वानुभवैकगम्यम्॥३८॥
O Lord, the person whose mind has been purified by the guru’s grace comes to know your greatness. To that person you reveal your own form, whose face is being and consciousness and which is reached only through direct inner experience.
Passage 39
इत्थं संस्तूय देवेन्द्रे सुरभिर्जातसम्भ्रमा। अस्तौषीज्जातमहिमा राममीशं परात्परम्॥३९॥
When the king of the gods had praised him in this way, Surabhi, filled with reverent awe and aware of Rāma’s greatness, praised the Lord beyond the highest. Surabhi said
Passage 40
वत तव महिमानं गोचरीकर्तुमीशा न खलु विधिशिवाद्याः कोऽयमिन्द्रो वराकः। कृतमिममपराधं मार्ष्टुमभ्यागताहं तव चरणसरोजे राम निर्मञ्छनं स्याम्॥४०॥
Ah! Not even Brahmā, Śiva, and the other gods are capable of making your greatness an object of knowledge—what, then, of this wretched Indra? I have come to wipe away the offense that has been committed. Rāma, may I become an offering waved before your lotus feet.
Passage 41
तव पदमनवद्यं भाति गोलोकतोऽर्द्धं सुविमलमतिमृत्यु ब्रह्मरूपं पुराणम्। जनकनृपतिपुत्र्या सन्ततं सेव्यमानः शुभगुणनिलयस्त्वं भ्राजसे यत्र नित्यम्॥४१॥
Your faultless realm shines as the transcendent half beyond Goloka—perfectly pure, beyond death, the ancient form of Brahman. There, perpetually served by King Janaka’s daughter, you, the abode of auspicious qualities, shine eternally.
Passage 42
दशरथनृपसूनो श्रीपते श्यामवर्ण प्रणयरसपयोधे राम हे राघवेन्द्र। सपदि चरणयोस्ते पातितात्मानमेनां कृपय कृपय शश्वन्मां निजैकान्तदासीम्॥४२॥
O son of King Daśaratha, Lord of Śrī, dark-hued ocean of loving rasa—O Rāma, Lord of the Raghus—this self has fallen at your feet. Show me grace, show me grace, and make me forever your exclusively devoted servant.
Passage 43
श्रवणयुगनिपेयं तावकं राम नाम क्षितितलमवतीर्यानन्तचारित्रजुष्टम्। सततमनुगृहाण स्वाङ्घ्रिसेवाभिलाषं निजपदमतिमायं देहि मे राजसूनो॥४३॥
Your name “Rāma” is nectar to be drunk by both ears; descending to earth, you are adorned with endless deeds. Continually bless my longing to serve your feet, O prince, and grant me your own realm beyond māyā.
Passage 44
नमस्ते ब्रह्मरूपाय नित्यानन्दमयाय च। स्वानामभयदानार्थमवतीर्णाय राघव॥४४॥
Obeisance to you, whose form is Brahman and who consist of eternal bliss; O Rāghava, you descended to grant fearlessness to your own people.
Passage 45
इति स्तुत्वा परं देवं स्नेहस्नुतपयोधरा। तूष्णीं बभूव सा धेनुस्तवकं कर्तुमक्षमा॥४५॥
Having thus praised the Supreme Lord, the cow’s udder flowed with affection. Unable to continue the hymn, she fell silent.
Passage 46
इन्द्रस्तस्याः स्तनोद्भूतैः पीयूषैः शीतलामलैः। स्नापयित्वा प्रभुं रामं प्रणम्य च मुहुर्मुहुः॥४६॥
With the cool, stainless nectar flowing from her udder, Indra bathed Lord Rāma and bowed before him again and again.
Passage 47
निरुद्धवाष्पनयनः प्रणयोद्रेककातरः। कृतभक्तिरनुज्ञातः सधेनुः स्वपदं ययौ॥४७॥
His eyes holding back tears and his heart overcome by a surge of love, Indra became devoted. Receiving permission to depart, he returned with the cow to his own realm. --- Thus ends the twenty-second chapter, “The Breaking of Indra’s Pride,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa. Textual notes The chapter begins on the printed leaf where Chapter 21 closes and ends on the leaf where Chapter 23 begins. Verses 11 and 13 are printed as three-line stanzas; verse 36 as a two-line long-meter stanza. The edition’s unusual ओमुक्त्वा (12), रामो…विशक्तिः…माधावयिष्यन् construction (33), सच्चिन्मुखम् (38), and गोलोकतोऽर्द्धम् (41) are retained rather than silently emended. Verse 40 uses the ritual term निर्मञ्छनम्, an offering or warding rite waved before the beloved. The edition also records variant readings for verses 22, 28, 33, 40, 41, and 44.