Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— कदाचित्कुरुपाञ्चालमगधेषु निरन्तरम्। अतिवृष्टिरभूद्घोरा सर्वप्राणिभयंकरी॥१॥
Brahmā said: Once a terrible, unceasing excess of rain fell throughout Kuru, Pañcāla, and Magadha, terrifying every living being.
Passage 2
न्युप्तानि दिव्यक्षेत्रेषु बीजानि हलिकैस्तदा। किञ्चित्प्ररूढानि धरणौ सीदन्ति स्म जलाप्लुतौ॥२॥
Seeds sown by the plowmen in excellent fields, though partly sprouted, sank in the flooded earth.
Passage 3
न दृश्यते स्म दिवसो दिननाथे तिरोहिते। घनेषु घर्घरारावभीषणे समन्ततः॥३॥
Daylight could not be seen, for the lord of day was hidden by dreadful clouds that thundered on every side.
Passage 4
वर्षत्सु वारिधाराभिरखण्डाभिर्दिवानिशम्। चकम्पिरे जनाः सर्वे शीतार्ताः शरणार्थिनः॥४॥
As unbroken streams of rain fell day and night, all the people trembled with cold and sought refuge.
Passage 5
जनाः खगा मृगा गावो वातवृष्टिप्रवेधिताः। निरन्तरासारपातेरुन्मेषं नैव दध्रिरे॥५॥
People, birds, deer, and cattle, battered by wind and rain, could not even open their eyes beneath the continuous downpour.
Passage 6
ऊचिरे केऽपि मनुजा हा हा रामो वनं गतः। योऽस्मान् रक्षेदितिभीतेरनुजः किं करिष्यति॥६॥
Some people cried, "Alas, Rāma, who would protect us from such terror, has gone to the forest. What will his younger brother do?"
Passage 7
हंहो रघुकुलज्येष्ठ एतावत्पृथिवीपतिः। इदानीं त्वन्यथाजाते को नु त्राता भवेदिह॥७॥
"Alas! The eldest of Raghu's line was lord of this whole earth. Now that matters have gone otherwise, who can be our protector here?"
Passage 8
दायादं ज्येष्ठमुत्सृज्य दध्रे दशरथोऽनुजे। राज्यं कुलक्रमायातमिति बुद्धिविपर्ययः॥८॥
"Setting aside the eldest heir, Daśaratha placed in the younger son the kingdom inherited through the family line. What a reversal of judgment!"
Passage 9
अनीतिरेषा सर्वाणि भूतान्युन्मूलयिष्यति। किं कुर्मः किं प्रतिब्रूमः कं यामः शरणं वयम्॥९॥
"This injustice will uproot every creature. What shall we do, what can we say, and to whom shall we go for refuge?"
Passage 10
मान्धाता सगरश्चैव पृथुरिक्ष्वाकुरेव च। भगीरथोऽथ नहुषो ययातिर्भगवान्मनुः॥१०॥
"Māndhātṛ, Sagara, Pṛthu, Ikṣvāku, Bhagīratha, Nahuṣa, Yayāti, and the blessed Manu—
Passage 11
तेषामिदं महद्राज्यं राज्ञां धर्मयशोभृताम्। दिलीपरघुमुख्यानां नष्टं दशरथेन किम्॥११॥
"has Daśaratha destroyed the great kingdom of those kings renowned for righteousness, headed by Dilīpa and Raghu?"
Passage 12
यद्गुणाढ्यं सुतं राममतिवर्त्य स्त्रियो गिरा। कनिष्ठायातदर्हाय भरताय न्यवेदयत्॥१२॥
"At a woman's word he passed over his virtuous son Rāma and assigned the kingdom to the younger Bharata, who did not deserve it.
Passage 13
तस्येदं कर्मणः प्राप्तं फलमुग्रं प्रजान्तकृत्। विशीर्णानीव लोकानां हृदयानि महीतले॥१३॥
"This fierce, people-destroying result has arisen from that act. The hearts of the people upon earth seem shattered.
Passage 14
गतो यदवधिप्रायो वनं रामो महायशाः। चौराद् रक्षेद् भयाद् रक्षेद् रक्षेद् यश्चेतिभीतितः॥१४॥
"Ever since glorious Rāma went to the forest, the one who would protect us from thieves, fear, and every terror has been absent.
Passage 15
परेभ्यः सततं रक्षेदायद्भ्यश्च निजाः प्रजाः। स एव राजाभ्यधिकं माननीयः सतामिह॥१५॥
"One who continually protects his people from enemies and dangers is alone worthy of the highest royal honor among the good.
Passage 16
स राम एव भुवने नास्त्यन्यः क्षत्रवंशभूः। तस्मिन् विप्रोषितेऽरण्यमनाथाः स्म न संशयः॥१६॥
"That one is Rāma. There is no other such descendant of a warrior dynasty in the world. With him away in the forest, we are undoubtedly without a protector.
Passage 17
क्व स कैकेयिकासूनुर्यस्मै राज्यमयाचत। अनाहत्येश्वरं रामं कैकेयी भर्तृसन्निधौ॥१७॥
"Where is that son of Kaikeyī for whom she sought the kingdom in her husband's presence without honoring the sovereign Rāma?
Passage 18
किं न रक्षति भूतानि भरतो राज्यसंस्थितः। सुलभः खलु भोगोऽस्य कठिनं लोकपावनम्॥१८॥
"Why does Bharata, established in the kingdom, not protect its creatures? Enjoyment is easy for him, but guarding the people is difficult." The People Appeal to Bharata
Passage 19
इति जल्पत्सु लोकेषु चित्रस्तेष्वतिवृष्टितः। प्रजाः पौराश्च ये वृद्धास्तेऽन्वयुर्भरतं प्रति॥१९॥
While people spoke this way, distraught by the extraordinary rain, the subjects, townspeople, and elders went to Bharata.
Passage 20
हाहाशब्दमुखाः सर्वे रक्ष रक्षेति भाषिणः। तेषां मध्यंगताः केचिद्वर्षीयांसो बभाषिरे॥२०॥
All cried "Alas!" and called, "Protect us, protect us!" Some of the eldest among them stepped forward and spoke.
Passage 21
त्वं नो राजा राजपुत्र देशानां रक्षकस्तथा। त्राता भवाद्य दुर्वृष्टेर्निजवीर्यं प्रदर्शय॥२१॥
"Prince, you are our king and the protector of the lands. Save us today from this ruinous rain and display your own power.
Passage 22
तानुवाच स धर्मात्मा भरतस्त्रपयान्वितः। नाहं राजास्मि वो वृद्धाः श्रीरामे वनवासिनि॥२२॥
Righteous Bharata, filled with humility, told them, "Elders, while Śrī Rāma dwells in the forest, I am not your king.
Passage 23
तस्येमे पादुके दिव्ये कुर्वाते राज्यशासनम्। एतयोरेव विज्ञाप्यं यदथातिर्भवतामसौ॥२३॥
"His divine sandals administer the kingdom. This suffering of yours must be reported to them alone.
Passage 24
हरिष्येते इमे शश्वद्भवतामार्तिमुद्गताम्। ये ममापि शरण्ये स्तस्तद्वियोगमहापदि॥२४॥
"These sandals will surely remove the distress that has arisen among you. They are also my refuge in the great calamity of separation from him."
Passage 25
एवमुक्तास्तु ते लोका वृद्धा वैभववेदिनः। रामोऽयमिति विज्ञाय तुष्टुवुः पादुकाद्वयम्॥२५॥
Thus addressed, the elders, who understood divine glory, recognized Rāma himself in the pair of sandals and praised them. Hymn to Rāma in the Sandals
Passage 26
जय धीर धर्मधारणधुरीण जय कामपूरणैकप्रवीण। जय धरणिभारभञ्जनचरित्र जय परमरुचिरगुणगणविचित्र॥२६॥
Victory to the steadfast champion who sustains dharma, uniquely skilled in fulfilling worthy desires! Victory to him whose deeds relieve earth's burden and whose supremely lovely virtues are wondrous!
Passage 27
जय निगमपथावनबद्धकक्ष जय दितिजनिखिलदेवतविपक्ष। जय विविधयज्ञवर्तनसुवृत्त जय नीतिपाल दुर्नयनिवृत्त॥२७॥
Victory to the guardian firmly committed to the Vedic path, the enemy of demons who oppose all the gods! Victory to the righteous sustainer of many sacrifices, the protector of justice who turns back misconduct!
Passage 28
जय साधुवादनादितदिगन्त जय विशदयशोराशिभिरनन्त। जय लोकवृत्तशोधनसुशील जय दुर्विभाव्यतरभव्यलील॥२८॥
Victory to him whose praise by saints resounds to the horizon and whose pure fame is boundless! Victory to the gracious purifier of worldly conduct, whose majestic pastimes are exceedingly difficult to comprehend!
Passage 29
जय परमपुरुषलक्षणललाम जय देवदनुजमनुजाभिराम। जय रमारमणिरमणीयरूप जय निखिललोकरमणानुरूप॥२९॥
Victory to the crest-jewel of the marks of the Supreme Person, delightful to gods, demons, and humans! Victory to Ramā's beloved of enchanting form, perfectly suited to delight every world!
Passage 30
जय दलितदुरितदारिद्रदाव जय मञ्जुमहिममहनीयभाव। जय कोटिरत्नवर्षणपयोद जय निहितनिखिलनरनयनमोद॥३०॥
Victory to the crusher of the wildfire of sin and poverty, whose lovely glory is sublime! Victory to the cloud that rains millions of jewels, in whom every human eye finds joy!
Passage 31
जय विप्रधेनुपालनसुवीर जय महिमगरिममधुरिमगभीर। जय समरधनुर्धरणैकधीर जय द्रुमेघमण्डलसमीर॥३१॥
Victory to the noble hero who protects brāhmaṇas and cows, profound in glory, greatness, and sweetness! Victory to the peerless steadfast bowman in battle, a wind against the mass of hostile clouds!
Passage 32
जय पूतनासुपानप्रचण्ड जय कुटिलविकटरिपुहृदयखण्ड। जय शमितविकृतवात्यानुभाव जय शापविटपिकृतमुक्तभाव॥३२॥
Victory to the mighty drinker of Pūtanā's life, who breaks the hearts of crooked, fearsome foes! Victory to the subduer of the terrible whirlwind, who liberated those held in the trees by a curse!
Passage 33
जय खगमृगाहिखण्डनसखेल जय दावदहननाशनसहेल। जय चण्डवृष्टिशमनातपत्र जय दुःखदलनधृतव्रजपत्र॥३३॥
Victory to the effortless destroyer of hostile birds, beasts, and serpents, and the easy extinguisher of the forest fire! Victory to the shelter that calmed the violent rain, upholding Vraja and crushing distress!
Passage 34
जय सुखितगोपसुखदानदक्ष माङ्गल्यकातिवात्सल्यरक्ष। जय गोपदारमोहनमनोज जय लोलललितलोचनसरोज॥३४॥
Victory to him skilled in giving joy to the cowherd Sukhita, the deeply loving protector of Māṅgalyakā! Victory to the beautiful enchanter of the cowherd women, whose playfully moving lotus eyes are lovely!
Passage 35
जय राम रासमण्डलसुवेश जय दण्डकस्यमुनिमोहनेश। जय कलितललितलीलाविशेष सहजामुखेन्दुरसनिमेष॥३५॥
Victory to Rāma, beautifully adorned in the circle dance, the Lord who enchants the sages of Daṇḍaka! Victory to his exquisite special pastimes, whose gaze rests on Sahajā's moonlike face!
Passage 36
जय कोसलेन्द्रतनयप्रकाण्ड जय गाधिसूनुमखरक्षकाण्ड। जय ताडकादिबधसावधान जय सुजनगीतपुण्यावदान॥३६॥
Victory to the mighty son of Kosala's king, the champion who guarded the sacrifice of Gādhi's son! Victory to the vigilant slayer of Tāṭakā and others, whose holy deeds are sung by the good!
Passage 37
जय कलितभर्गकोदण्डभङ्ग जय जनितजनकतनयानुषङ्ग। जय जामदग्न्यजयकेलिकार जय पूर्णगुणकपुरुषावतार॥३७॥
Victory to the breaker of Śiva's bow, who thereby gained union with Janaka's daughter! Victory to the sportive conqueror of Paraśurāma, the human descent filled with perfect virtues!
Passage 38
जय गुणसमूहसर्वातिरेक जय तातरचितराज्याभिषेक। जय सत्यवचनहितमुक्तभोग जय गुरुवितीर्णनिजविप्रयोग॥३८॥
Victory to him who surpasses every host of virtues and whose father arranged his consecration! Victory to him who abandoned pleasure for the good of truth and accepted his own separation as directed by his elders!
Passage 39
जय धर्मसेतुरक्षणसमर्थ जय सर्वलोकपूरितपुमर्थ। जय जातभक्तदुःखावसाय जय नित्यसकलसज्जनसहाय॥३९॥
Victory to the able protector of the bridge of dharma, who fulfills the aims of all worlds! Victory to the end of his devotees' suffering, the eternal helper of every good person!
Passage 40
जय देवहंसकुलकमलहंस रघुवंशसरोवरराजहंस। नरपाल कृपालय पाल्येति दीनो भवन्तमिह शरणमेति॥४०॥
Victory to the swan among the lotus-like divine lineage, the royal swan on the lake of Raghu's dynasty! O protector of people, abode of compassion, this humble one comes to you for refuge, crying, "Protect me!"
Passage 41
जय राम राम भुवनाभिराम जय राम राम खलकुलविराम। जय राम राम रसनाललाम जय राम राम रमणीयधाम॥४१॥
Victory to Rāma, Rāma, delight of the worlds! Victory to Rāma, Rāma, end of the wicked! Victory to Rāma, Rāma, ornament of the tongue! Victory to Rāma, Rāma, abode of beauty!
Passage 42
रटतामभीक्ष्णमिति रामनाम तव सर्वकामपरिपूर्तिधाम। न भवे भवन्ति विपदो निकाममिति संविभाव्य शरणं प्रयाम॥४२॥
For those who constantly repeat your name, "Rāma," it is the abode that fulfills every desire, and calamities do not arise in worldly existence. Knowing this, we come for refuge.
Passage 43
कमनीयतागुणनिकेतनस्य परिभूतकोटिझषकेतनस्य। घनतापतप्तजनताघनस्य तव राम नाम शरणं जनस्य॥४३॥
The name Rāma—of him who is the abode of beauty and virtue, who surpasses millions of Love-gods, and who is a rain cloud for people scorched by intense heat—is the people's refuge.
Passage 44
रजनीशकोटिमुखसौभगाय भजनीयचारुपदाम्बुजाय। अवते जगन्ति खलदुर्लभाय भवते नमोऽस्तु रघुवल्लभाय॥४४॥
Obeisance to you, beloved of Raghu's line, whose face has the beauty of millions of moons, whose lovely lotus feet are worthy of worship, who protects the worlds, and whom the wicked cannot attain.
Passage 45
कलयन्ति ये न तव रामनाम दलयन्ति ते कथमघौघदाम। इति ते वयं निखिलशर्मधाम मनसाभिराम चरणं भजाम॥४५॥
How can those who do not cherish your name, Rāma, break the bonds of accumulated sin? Therefore we worship your mind-delighting feet, the abode of all well-being.
Passage 46
इति संस्तुवतां तेषां भरतस्य पुरः सताम्। वर्षीयसां प्रजासौख्यकामानां विदुषां नृणाम्॥४६॥
Thus those virtuous, learned elders, desiring the people's welfare, praised the Lord in Bharata's presence. The Deluge Ends
Passage 47
ब्रह्मोवाच— आकाशादभवद् वाणी न भेतव्यमिति द्रुतम्। ततस्तेषामभूच्चित्तं सर्वतः स्तिमितात्मनाम्॥४७॥
Brahmā said: A voice quickly came from the sky: "Do not be afraid." Then the hearts of those who had been stunned on every side became composed.
Passage 48
अतिवृष्टिरभूच्छान्ता वातवेगो न्यवर्तत। जलाप्लुतान्यपि परं बीजानि प्रारुहन् भुवि॥४८॥
The excessive rain ceased and the force of the wind subsided. Even the thoroughly waterlogged seeds began to sprout in the earth.
Passage 49
धान्यौषधिसमृद्धानि क्षेत्राणि धरणीतले। फलितान्यभवन् सद्यः पूर्वतोऽतिविलक्षणम्॥४९॥
The fields on earth, abundant with grain and medicinal plants, immediately bore fruit with an excellence far beyond what they had before.
Passage 50
आकरेषु च रत्नानि पर्यदृश्यन्त भूरिशः। गिरयो धातुसम्भारैर्व्यराजन्त समन्ततः॥५०॥
Jewels appeared abundantly in the mines, and mountains shone everywhere with stores of minerals.
Passage 51
अफलाः फलवत्यश्च फलिन्यो मेदिनीतले। महौषध्यो व्यशोभन्त पादुकाराज्यशासनात्॥५१॥
On the earth, even fruitless plants became fruitful and heavily laden, while great medicinal herbs flourished through the rule of the sandals.
Passage 52
श्रीरामपादुकायुग्मप्रभावाद्धरणीतले। उद्वेगदा मनुष्याणामतिवृष्टिरशाम्यत॥५२॥
Through the power of Śrī Rāma's pair of sandals, the excessive rain that had tormented humanity ceased upon the earth.
Passage 53
य एतत्पठते मर्त्यः श्रीरामस्तोत्रमुत्तमम्। अतिवृष्टिप्रशमनं वृद्धविप्रौघभाषितम्॥५३॥
Any mortal who recites this excellent hymn to Śrī Rāma, spoken by the assembly of elder brāhmaṇas and capable of calming excessive rain—
Passage 54
तस्यार्थसिद्धिः सततमदूरेण करस्थिता। यं यमभ्यर्थयेत्कामं तं तमेवालमाप्नुयात्॥५४॥
for that person, success in every aim is always close at hand. Whatever desire he seeks, that very desire he fully obtains.
Passage 55
रामस्य पादुकायुग्मं भरताद्यैरुपासितम्। चिन्तितं तत्क्षणादेव भक्तानां दुरितापहम्॥५५॥
The moment Rāma's pair of sandals, worshiped by Bharata and others, is remembered, it removes the sins and suffering of devotees.