Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— एकदा रामचन्द्रस्य पादुकाराज्यशासने। अनावृष्टिरभूद् घोरा सर्वप्राणिभयंकरी॥१॥
Brahmā said: Once, during the rule of Rāmacandra's sandals, a terrible drought arose that frightened every living being.
Passage 2
प्रत्यायनाय लोकानां स्वानुभावस्य भूयसः। शुभोरेवेच्छया शश्वल्लोकानुग्रहकारिणः॥२॥
It arose by the auspicious Lord's own will, which always bestows grace upon the world, so that the people might gain still greater assurance of his power.
Passage 3
तदा प्रचण्डमार्तण्डकरसन्तापिता मही। कृषीबलैः सुप्तबीजा प्रशुष्यततरां शनैः॥३॥
The earth, tormented by the fierce sun's rays, gradually became utterly dry, though the farmers had planted seed in her.
Passage 4
ग्रहैरपि प्रातिकूल्यं तस्मिन्कालेऽवलम्बितम्। रसेभ्यो दूरगः सूर्यस्तताप भुवनं करैः॥४॥
At that time the planets also assumed adverse positions. Far from the signs associated with moisture, the sun scorched the world with its rays.
Passage 5
भौमो रथाग्रणीर्भानोरभूद्वृष्ट्यवरोधकः। धान्यानां भवने मन्द उदवेजयत प्रजाः॥५॥
Mars, going before the sun's chariot, blocked the rain, while Saturn in the house of grain distressed the people.
Passage 6
रोहिणी द्वीपगा सिन्धोर्वारिदान् पर्यरुन्धत। इत्येवं भीतिरुत्पन्ना प्रजानामन्नलोपतः॥६॥
Rohiṇī, occupying the island of the ocean, restrained the rain clouds. Thus fear arose among the people because food had disappeared.
Passage 7
अनावृष्टिकरो योगः सुतरामुदवेजयत्। उप्तापि प्लुष्टबीजा भूमिर्नवान् सममीषयत्॥७॥
The conjunction producing drought distressed them exceedingly. Though already sown, the earth's seed was scorched, and she seemed to desire fresh seed.
Passage 8
तृणाभावकृते दुःखे पशवो भ्रान्तचेतसः। न क्वचिच्छरणं प्रापुः पीड्यमानाः क्षुधा मुहुः॥८॥
With no grass, the suffering animals became bewildered and, repeatedly tormented by hunger, found refuge nowhere.
Passage 9
तदा प्रजाश्च पौराश्च जना जानपदा भृशम्। भरतं भुवि राजानं विज्ञाय शरणं ययुः॥९॥
Then the subjects, townspeople, and country dwellers, regarding Bharata as king upon earth, urgently went to him for refuge. Bharata in His Ascetic Vow
Passage 10
भूशायिनं ब्रह्मचर्यव्रततत्परमानसम्। जटाधरं भस्मलेपं चीवराजिनवाससम्॥१०॥
He slept upon the ground, his mind wholly devoted to the vow of celibacy. He wore matted hair and ashes, a bark garment, and deerskin.
Passage 11
कुशास्तरणमास्तीर्य तिष्ठन्तं वल्कलावृतम्। श्रीरामपादुकासेवायातयाममनामयम्॥११॥
Clad in bark, he remained upon a bed of kuśa grass, tireless and undistracted in the service of Śrī Rāma's sandals.
Passage 12
नन्दिग्रामकृतावासं व्रजवासिजनैः सह। सुखिताद्यैर्गोपवर्यैः शिक्षन्तं प्रेम तादृशम्॥१२॥
Dwelling at Nandigrāma with the people of Vraja, he learned such love from the foremost cowherds headed by Sukhita.
Passage 13
श्रीरामविरहोद्भूतमहावेदनयाकुलम्। ध्यायन्तं तस्य पादाब्जे चित्तनिर्वृतिकरके॥१३॥
Overwhelmed by the immense pain born of separation from Śrī Rāma, he meditated upon Rāma's lotus feet, which bring repose to the mind.
Passage 14
प्रेमचर्यापरं दीनं व्रजदारगुरूत्तमम्। ध्यानमीलितनेत्राब्जं विलपन्तं कदाचन॥१४॥
Devoted to the discipline of love, humble and the supreme teacher of Vraja's women, he sometimes lamented with lotus eyes closed in meditation.
Passage 15
उपेत्य सकला लोका इदमुच्चैर्बभाषिरे। उपोपविष्टाः परितो रघुज्येष्ठं यथाक्रमम्॥१५॥
All the people approached, seated themselves in order around Raghu's foremost descendant, and spoke loudly. The People's Plea
Passage 16
अयि भो रघुशार्दूल श्रीमद्दशरथात्मज। रामानुज प्रजापाल त्वं नो राजासि सम्प्रति॥१६॥
"O tiger of Raghu's line, glorious son of Daśaratha, younger brother of Rāma and guardian of the people, you are now our king.
Passage 17
राजा दशरथस्तुभ्यं राज्यमेतददाद् भुवः। कैकेय्या वचसा बद्धस्तव मातुर्विशेषतः॥१७॥
"King Daśaratha, bound especially by the word of your mother Kaikeyī, gave you this kingdom of the earth.
Passage 18
इदमेव तु विज्ञाय श्रीमान् रामो वनं गतः। न्याय्यं वा यदि वान्याय्यं त्वयि राज्यं प्रतिष्ठितम्॥१८॥
"Knowing this, glorious Rāma went to the forest. Whether this was just or unjust, the kingdom has been placed in you.
Passage 19
प्रजापालनभारस्ते भुजयोरधुना स्थितः। कथं न पश्यसि प्राज्ञ दुःखितास्ता निजाः प्रजाः॥१९॥
"The burden of protecting the people now rests upon your arms. Wise prince, how can you fail to see that your own subjects are suffering?
Passage 20
दैवकं राजकं वापि राजा विज्ञेयमात्मना। तत्र प्रतिविधेयं च राजा जानाति संततम्॥२०॥
"A king must personally discern whether a calamity is divine or political, and the king must always know its remedy.
Passage 21
नन्विदानीमनावृष्ट्या प्रजाः सम्पीडितास्तव। पशूनां पक्षिणां चापि कालोऽयं समुपस्थितः॥२१॥
"Now your subjects are severely afflicted by drought, and a time of death has also come upon the animals and birds.
Passage 22
तत्र प्रतिविधातव्यं त्वया भरत सत्वरम्। अलौकिकेन ज्ञानेन सर्वं जानासि राघव॥२२॥
"Bharata, you must act quickly to remedy it. Descendant of Raghu, through your extraordinary knowledge you understand everything.
Passage 23
मान्धातृसगराद्यास्ते पूर्वजा पितरः पुरा। उपद्रवेभ्योऽनेकेभ्यः पर्यरक्षन्त मेदिनीम्॥२३॥
"Long ago your forefathers, headed by Māndhātṛ and Sagara, thoroughly protected the earth from many calamities.
Passage 24
स इदानीं भरो राजंस्त्वयि सर्वः प्रतिष्ठितः। कथं न लज्जसे वीक्ष्य प्रजाः स्वीयाः सुदुःखिताः॥२४॥
"King, that entire burden is now placed upon you. How are you not ashamed to see your own subjects in such misery?
Passage 25
कमन्यं शरणं याम त्वां विहाय महीपते। त्वं पाहि स्वानुभावेन चतुर्वर्गनिधे प्रजाः॥२५॥
"Lord of the earth, leaving you, what other refuge can we seek? Treasury of the four human aims, protect the people by your own power.
Passage 26
इति ते दुःखमाख्यातमनावृष्टिसमुद्भवम्। निवारय महाप्राज्ञ नियुक्तस्त्वं हि रक्षणे॥२६॥
"We have described the suffering produced by the drought. Supremely wise one, remove it, for you have indeed been appointed to protect us." Bharata Directs Them to the Sandals
Passage 27
श्रुत्वा विलपतां नॄणां वाक्यमेतत्स राघवः। उवाच विमृशंश्चित्ते करुणालोललोचनः॥२७॥
Hearing the lamenting people's words, Bharata reflected within and replied, his eyes moving with compassion.
Passage 28
अतिवृष्टावपीयं मे चिन्तासीद् भवतां कृते। तत्र प्रतिविधानं च प्रभुणैव विनिर्मितम्॥२८॥
"During the excessive rain I likewise worried for you, but the remedy then was provided by the Lord himself.
Passage 29
यो राजा स प्रजा रक्षेदापद्भ्य इति निश्चयः। नाहं राजास्मि वः प्राज्ञाः कृपणो दीनमानसः॥२९॥
"It is certain that whoever is king must protect the people from calamities. Wise elders, I am not your king; I am a wretched man of humble mind.
Passage 30
सेवेऽहं प्रभुणा दत्तं पादुकायुग्ममुत्तमम्। ते एव राज्यं कुरुतः प्रभौ तस्मिन् वनं गते॥३०॥
"I serve the excellent pair of sandals given by the Lord. While that Lord has gone to the forest, they alone rule the kingdom.
Passage 31
अपि स्तुते प्रभोरेते पादुके राज्यशासिके। दुःखं वः प्रतिकर्तव्यमाभ्यामेव न संशयः॥३१॥
"Praise these sandals of the Lord that govern the kingdom. They alone must counter your suffering; there is no doubt.
Passage 32
एते हि सर्वदुःखौघनिवारणविचक्षणे। समर्थे प्रभुपादाब्जपादुके सर्वदेवते॥३२॥
"These sandals of the Lord's lotus feet are skilled in removing every flood of suffering, fully powerful and embodying all the gods.
Passage 33
कष्टं वः परिहर्तव्यं पादुकाभ्यां रमापतेः। ययोः स्वं महीराज्यमधुना सम्प्रतिष्ठितम्॥३३॥
"Your hardship must be removed by the sandals of Ramā's Lord, in whom his own great kingdom is now established."
Passage 34
इत्यादिष्टाः प्रजाः पौरा भरतेन महात्मना। मुनीन् विप्रान् पुरस्कृत्य तुष्टुवू रामपादुके॥३४॥
Thus instructed by noble Bharata, the subjects and townspeople placed sages and brāhmaṇas before them and praised Rāma's sandals. The Sages' Hymn to the Sandals
Passage 35
प्रजाहितकृते सर्वे मुनयः शुद्धबुद्धयः। चतुर्वेदविदो विप्रा आनर्चुः पादुके गिरा॥३५॥
For the people's welfare, all the pure-minded sages and brāhmaṇas who knew the four Vedas worshiped the sandals with words.
Passage 36
लोकेऽवतीर्णः पुरुषः पुराणः सतां पतिर्यज्ञपतिर्महात्मा। स एव रामो विदितश्चरित्रैरलौकिकैर्यज्ञरक्षादिकैश्च॥३६॥
"The ancient Supreme Person, great Lord of the good and Lord of sacrifice, descended into the world. He is known as Rāma through extraordinary deeds such as protecting the sacrifice.
Passage 37
इमे युवां तस्य विभोः प्रतीते श्रीपादुके श्रीविभवादियुक्ते। अनन्यगत्या शरणं गतानां महापदं हरतं सर्ववन्द्ये॥३७॥
"You two are recognized as that all-powerful Lord's auspicious sandals, endowed with majesty and splendor. Universally revered, remove the great calamity of those who have no other refuge and have come to you.
Passage 38
यत्कर्मतन्त्रं प्रतिशाखं श्रुतीनां सुविस्तृतं भूरिफलोन्मुखं स्यात्। तद्वां समाराधनसाहचर्यं विनोषरे न्युप्तबीजायितं स्यात्॥३८॥
"The elaborate system of rites taught in every branch of the Vedas promises abundant fruit, yet without the accompaniment of your worship it is like seed sown in saline soil.
Passage 39
यज्ज्ञानमज्ञानभिदे विशुद्धं सत्त्वोद्भवं योगकलानिमित्तम्। प्रवर्तते चित्तशुद्धिं विना नो सा चित्तशुद्धिर्युवयोः संस्मृतौ स्यात्॥३९॥
"Pure knowledge born of clarity, which destroys ignorance and gives rise to yogic skill, does not proceed without purification of mind; that mental purity arises through remembrance of you.
Passage 40
याः सिद्धयोऽष्टौ दश पञ्चसंख्या महोत्तमा मध्यमा न्यूनभावाः। तासां युवामेकपदे प्रसिद्धे उपास्येथे विबुधैरन्यथा किम्॥४०॥
"The accomplishments numbered eight, ten, and five—supreme, intermediate, and lesser—are all renowned in your single station. Why else would the wise worship you?
Passage 41
भवे भवेद्यद्भविकं जनानामिहामुत्र प्रभवं भूरिभेदम्। तद्वां समाराधनकर्मजन्यं विज्ञायते सर्वदेवत्यरूपे॥४१॥
"Whatever manifold prosperity people experience in this life or the next is known to arise from the act of worshiping you, who embody every deity.
Passage 42
ये पांशवो युवयोः सन्निपृक्ताः सुगन्धयो महिमोदर्कवन्तः। कुर्वंस्तेषां सञ्चयनं विरिञ्चिर्ब्रह्माण्डकोटीर्विदधाति शक्तः॥४२॥
"The fragrant dust particles adhering to you culminate in immeasurable glory. Gathering them, Brahmā becomes capable of fashioning millions of universes.
Passage 43
हरिः सहस्रेण शिरोभिरात्मनो वहन्नमून् भक्तिविभिन्नचेताः। लब्ध्वा महान्तं भगमात्तचक्रः संरक्षितुं भुवनानीश आसीत्॥४३॥
"Hari, bearing those particles upon his thousand heads with a mind transformed by devotion, gained immense divine power, took up the discus, and became Lord capable of protecting the worlds.
Passage 44
हरः प्रेम्णा पुलकौघाञ्चिताङ्गो मुदा समादाय कृतादरोऽभूत्। भवन् श्मशानालयगो विरक्तो विमर्द्याङ्गे भसितोद्धूलनाय॥४४॥
"Hara, his body covered with masses of horripilation from love, joyfully and reverently took that dust, ground it, and spread it as ash upon his body while living detached in the cremation ground.
Passage 45
घोरात्मा सनकाद्या मुनीन्द्राः सुदुर्लभं युवयोस्तं परागम्। भक्तिश्रद्धावित्तचित्ताः कदाचिल्लब्ध्वा तृणं मन्यते सर्वमन्यत्॥४५॥
"Great sages headed by Sanaka, austere in spirit and rich in devotion and faith, sometimes obtain your exceedingly rare pollen and thereafter regard everything else as straw.
Passage 46
दुःखाद्भयाद्व्याधिपीडादिजातात्प्रजाः स्वीया रक्षतं शश्वदेव। दुर्दैवजाता हरतं चापदो नः सदानुकूले भवतं निजानाम्॥४६॥
"Always protect your people from suffering, fear, disease, pain, and every such affliction. Remove our calamities born of ill fortune and remain ever favorable to those who are yours.
Passage 47
सुखस्य काष्ठा भविकस्य काष्ठा धर्मस्य काष्ठा ज्ञानवैराग्ययोश्च। कैवल्यसौख्यस्य परा च काष्ठा प्रतिष्ठिता युवयोरेव नित्यम्॥४७॥
"The highest limit of happiness and prosperity, of dharma, of knowledge and detachment, and the supreme limit of the bliss of liberation are eternally established in you alone.
Passage 48
दारिद्र्यदुःखं तनुरोगदुःखं यच्चित्तदुःखं भवरोगदुःखम्। शश्वत्समस्तं हरतं युवां नो दुःखं प्रभूतं प्रभुपादसक्ते॥४८॥
"Attached to the Lord's feet, you two always remove all our abundant suffering: the pain of poverty, bodily disease, mental anguish, and the disease of worldly existence.
Passage 49
यत्तत्परं ब्रह्म शिवादिमृग्यं स्थानं गुणातीतमुदस्तकालम्। तस्मिन् महाधाम्नि कृतप्रतिष्ठे युवां रोचयेथे निगमैः स्तूयमाने॥४९॥
"You shine established in that supreme abode—Brahman sought by Śiva and others, beyond the qualities and free from time—which the Vedas praise.
Passage 50
यन्मूर्ध्नि विद्योति सहस्रपत्रं पद्मं प्रपञ्चातिगमस्ति गुह्यम्। तत्रेन्दुबिम्बस्थितहंसपीठे युवां सदा योगिभिर्ध्येयरूपे॥५०॥
"At its summit shines the secret thousand-petaled lotus beyond the manifest world. There, upon the swan-seat within the lunar orb, you are eternally the form contemplated by yogis.
Passage 51
या कुण्डली शक्तिरमोघवीर्या तत्त्वव्रजप्रसवित्री पराख्या। सा प्राप्य तस्मिन् युवयोः पदं तत्सुधाभिरासिञ्चति योगिदेहम्॥५१॥
"The coiled power called Parā, whose potency never fails and who gives birth to the host of principles, reaches your station there and bathes the yogi's body with nectar.
Passage 52
लब्ध्वा परं वीर्यमसौ त्रिशक्तिः सम्पर्कतो वां बहुसौख्यं भजन्ती। गुणान् प्रसूयाखिलबीजभूतान् जगत्त्रयं सा क्रमशः प्रसूते॥५२॥
"Receiving supreme power through contact with you, that threefold energy enjoys abundant bliss, brings forth the qualities that are the seeds of everything, and gradually produces the three worlds.
Passage 53
संहृत्य चाशेषमिदं क्रमेण विश्वं स्वरूपं पुनराप्नुवाना। सा वां पदं तत्प्रतिलभ्य नित्यं स्वस्था शेते तत्र समाप्तसर्गा॥५३॥
"Gradually withdrawing this entire universe and regaining her own nature, she again attains your eternal station and rests there in herself when creation has ended.
Passage 54
इत्थं समस्तं जगदेतदुच्चैर्निरन्तरं सृजथो रक्षथश्च। युवां सदा संहरथश्च शक्त्या विशिष्य वाचाभिरवाच्यरूपया॥५४॥
"Thus through a distinctive power whose nature words cannot express, you unceasingly create, protect, and withdraw this entire universe.
Passage 55
युवां सदा विजयेथे स्वधाम्ना शुभाय लोकस्य चराचरस्य। भक्तानुकूले निखिलासुरौघप्रणाशनाय प्रतिकूलरूपे॥५५॥
"You ever triumph in your own splendor for the welfare of the moving and unmoving world, favorable to devotees yet hostile to the destruction-bound hosts of demons.
Passage 56
युवां सदा यत्र कृतप्रतिष्ठे तदक्षरं धाम विमुक्तगम्यम्। कालातिगं वेदविदो वदन्ति परेण धाम्ना युवयोः सुप्रकाशम्॥५६॥
"The imperishable realm where you are eternally established is attained by the liberated and transcends time. Knowers of the Veda say it shines brilliantly with your supreme radiance.
Passage 57
भक्तौघकल्पलतिके सुखकामधेनू कल्याणचिन्तितफलागमदिव्यरत्ने। अज्ञानगाढतिमिरक्षयकोटिभानू प्रत्याश्रिते विपुलसन्मुनिभिर्नमस्ये॥५७॥
"O wish-fulfilling vines for hosts of devotees, cows of plenty for happiness, divine jewels granting every auspicious contemplated fruit, millions of suns destroying the dense darkness of ignorance—you are the refuge worshiped by multitudes of noble sages."
Passage 58
इति स्तुतिपरायणे मुनिगणे सुवाक्पुष्पकैः समर्चनपरेऽनिशं रघुवरस्य ते पादुके। प्रसादसुमुखाकृती अभवतां सुसम्पत्प्रदे समस्तवरदोत्तमे जगदतुर्गिरा व्योमगे॥५८॥
As the assembly of sages thus devoted itself to ceaselessly worshiping Raghu's foremost Lord's sandals with flowers of eloquent speech, those supreme granters of every blessing and good fortune became gracious; a world-transcending voice arose in the sky. Assurance and Return
Passage 59
अलं शोकेन वः प्राज्ञाः प्रभूतं वः सुखं भुवि। भविष्यति कृतार्थाः स्थ मदाराधनकर्मणा॥५९॥
"Wise people, enough of your grief. Abundant happiness will be yours upon earth; through the act of worshiping me, you have fulfilled your purpose."
Passage 60
इति श्रुत्वा गिरं विप्रा मुनयश्च प्रजाजनाः। जयेति वचनं प्रोच्य बभूवुः सुखिताशयाः॥६०॥
Hearing this voice, the brāhmaṇas, sages, and people cried, "Victory!" and their hearts became joyful.
Passage 61
प्रमोदवनसम्भूतैः सुपुष्पस्तबकोत्करैः। पूजां प्रचक्रिरे सर्वे रामपादुकयोश्चिरम्॥६१॥
With excellent clusters of flowers grown in Pramoda forest, they all worshiped Rāma's sandals for a long time.
Passage 62
ततस्ते पादुकायुग्ममानम्य श्रेयसां निधिम्। सर्वे भरतमामन्त्र्य कृतार्थाः स्वगृहान् ययुः॥६२॥
Then they bowed to the pair of sandals, treasury of all welfare, took leave of Bharata, and returned to their homes with their purpose fulfilled.
Passage 63
भरतोऽपि व्रजजनैः प्रेमवद्भिर्निरन्तरम्। व्रजलीलाः प्रभोर्गायन्नारराधास्य पादुके॥६३॥
Bharata too continually worshiped the Lord's sandals, singing his Vraja pastimes together with the loving people of Vraja.