Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— कदाचिद् यवनानीकैर्नेपालगिरिदेशगैः। अन्यैश्च दुर्जनैर्युक्त्वा कोसलाः पर्युपद्रुताः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Once Yavana armies from the mountain regions of Nepal, joined by other wicked forces, overran Kosala.
Passage 2
गजवाजिरथौघेन पत्तीनां प्रकरेण च। आक्रान्ता धरणी सर्वा परचक्रेण भूयसा॥२॥
The entire land was occupied by the vast foreign army, with masses of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry.
Passage 3
फलोन्मुखीं भुवं दृष्ट्वा मास्याश्वयुजसंज्ञके। अत्ति क्षेत्राणि धान्यानां परचक्रं बलोद्धतम्॥३॥
Seeing the earth's crops approaching fruition in the month called Āśvayuja, the arrogant enemy army consumed the grain fields.
Passage 4
तत्प्रतीकारकार्याय रघूणां महती चमूः। आदिष्टा भरतेनोच्चैः सन्नद्धाभिमुखेऽभवत्॥४॥
To counter them, Bharata ordered Raghu's great army to arm itself and advance against the invaders.
Passage 5
संरब्धास्ते महारोषा वीर्यवन्तो रणं महत्। आरेभिरे महीहेतोरन्योन्यं विजिगीषवः॥५॥
Enraged, powerful, and filled with immense wrath, the opposing sides began a great battle for the earth, each seeking to conquer the other.
Passage 6
यवनानीकमध्यस्थो महाकोल इति श्रुतः। विक्रमी बलवान् वीरो रुद्रदत्तवरोर्जितः॥६॥
Amid the Yavana host stood the warrior called Mahākola, valiant and mighty, strengthened by a boon granted by Rudra.
Passage 7
युयुधे रघुभिः सार्धं राक्षसौघसमावृतः। आवृत्य तस्थिवान् धीरः सर्वानुत्तरकोसलान्॥७॥
Surrounded by hosts of rākṣasas, he fought the Raghus and steadfastly held all of North Kosala under siege.
Passage 8
तेन प्रयुध्यमानानां रघूणां सुमहद्बलम्। दधाव सर्वतो भूरि ढक्काघोषपुरःसरम्॥८॥
The immense force of the Raghus rushed against him from every side, preceded by the tremendous roar of war drums.
Passage 9
ये निर्जिता दशरथेन पुरा विपक्षास्- तस्मिन् प्रमीतवति किञ्चन लब्धरन्ध्राः। तज्ज्यायसोऽथ सुतयोर्गतयोर्वनान्तं तद्विप्रयोगहृतयोर्हि कनीयसोश्च॥९॥
Enemies formerly defeated by Daśaratha found an opening after his death: his two elder sons had gone deep into the forest, while the younger two were heartbroken by separation from them.
Passage 10
लब्धावकाशमुपजापपरास्तदानीं ते शात्रवा यवनराजबलेन युक्त्वा। आतेनिरे विपदमुत्तरकोसलानां सन्मन्त्रिभी रघुवरैरपि योध्यमानाः॥१०॥
Finding their opportunity and devoted to intrigue, those enemies joined the Yavana king's force and spread calamity through North Kosala, though Raghu's heroes and good counselors fought them.
Passage 11
मासैकमुग्रमभवत्स्वपरप्रभूत- चक्रप्रचारपरिमर्दितधान्यराशि। सत्क्षेत्रपालकृषिकृत्प्रतिकूलभूतं युद्धं सुवेशसमभूतां च रघूद्भटानाम्॥११॥
For one fierce month the great movements of both armies crushed heaps of grain. The war became ruinous to good fields, their guardians, and farmers, while Raghu's warriors remained engaged.
Passage 12
अत्याकुलाः कृषिवलाः फलवृद्धिनाशाद् दुष्टारिचक्रहयवारणचारखिन्नाः। हाहेति विक्लवगिरो हृतवर्षभोज्या वृद्धं मुनिं समुपजग्मुररुन्धतीशम्॥१२॥
Distraught farmers, their growing crops destroyed and their land trampled by the wicked enemy's horses and elephants, lost the year's food. Crying "Alas!" in broken voices, they approached the elder sage, Arundhatī's lord.
Passage 13
ज्ञानैकधाम भगवान् सुकृती वसिष्ठो विज्ञाय पौरजनजानपदौघदुःखम्। आदाय तान् कृतशुचः स पुरोहिताग्र्य आसेदिवान् भरतमात्तवनस्थवृत्तिम्॥१३॥
Blessed Vasiṣṭha, sole abode of knowledge and foremost priest, understood the suffering of the townspeople and country folk. After purifying them, he brought them to Bharata, who had adopted the forest way of life. Vasiṣṭha Brings the People to Bharata
Passage 14
तमायान्तं समालोक्य जनौघेन समावृतम्। मुनिं ज्ञाननिधिं दूराद् रघुवर्यः स्मिताननः॥१४॥
From afar, noble Bharata saw the sage, treasury of knowledge, approaching surrounded by a multitude of people, and his face brightened with a smile.
Passage 15
उदतिष्ठत्सपाद्यार्घः स निवेद्यासनं मुनेः। अभ्यर्चितं सुखासीनमिदमाह विशांपतिः॥१५॥
He rose with water for the sage's feet and an offering, presented him a seat, worshiped him, and, when he was comfortably seated, addressed him.
Passage 16
अरिणा पराक्रान्तान् विज्ञायोत्तरकोसलान्। प्रयाता राघवी सेना कच्चिन्न विजयोन्मुखी॥१६॥
"Knowing that North Kosala was overrun by the enemy, Raghu's army departed. Is it not now approaching victory?
Passage 17
भूशये वन्यवृत्तिस्थे मयि चार्ये वनं गते। सन्तीहोपद्रवाः शक्यप्रतीकार्यास्तु ते त्वया॥१७॥
"While I lie upon the ground in a forest-dweller's discipline and our Lord has gone to the forest, disturbances may arise here, but you are able to remedy them.
Passage 18
भवान् पुरोहितोऽस्माकं प्राजापत्यस्तपोनिधिः। अतो निश्चिन्तहृदयास्तिष्ठामो दैवता वयम्॥१८॥
"You, son of Prajāpati and treasury of austerity, are our priest. Therefore we remain free of anxiety, regarding you as our divine protector.
Passage 19
ईतयो भीतयश्चौरा आधयो व्याधयस्तथा। भवत्तपःप्रशमिता बाधन्ते नो कदापि नः॥१९॥
"Calamities, fears, thieves, mental afflictions, and diseases, pacified by your austerity, never trouble us."
Passage 20
इत्येवं वदतस्तस्य भरतस्य महात्मनः। विधाय दृक्पथे दीनाः प्रजा मुनिरभाषत॥२०॥
As noble Bharata spoke thus, the sage placed the distressed subjects before his eyes and replied.
Passage 21
अपीमान् पश्यसि प्राज्ञ प्रजालोकान् सुपीडितान्। स्वचक्रपरचक्राभ्यां नित्यमुद्विग्नमानसान्॥२१॥
"Wise Bharata, do you not see these severely afflicted people, their minds continually distressed by both their own army and the foreign host?
Passage 22
प्रबलो यवनाधीशो विपक्षैरितरैर्युतः। मासाद् रुजति ते देशान् सर्वानुत्तरकोसलान्॥२२॥
"The powerful Yavana lord, joined by other enemies, has ravaged all your lands of North Kosala for a month.
Passage 23
क्षेत्राणि नष्टप्रायाणि कृषकाणां समन्ततः। विलुप्ताराशयश्चैव धान्यानां वर्षभोजनाः॥२३॥
"The farmers' fields are nearly destroyed everywhere, and heaps of grain that would feed them for the year have been plundered.
Passage 24
अत्याकुलाः प्रजा एतास्त्वामेव शरणार्थिनीः। उपयाताः प्रभो रक्ष स्ववीर्येण समावृतः॥२४॥
"These utterly distraught subjects have come to you alone for refuge. Lord, surround them with your own strength and protect them.
Passage 25
राजा नित्यं प्रजा रक्षेद् द्विजो रक्षेत्तपोबलम्। वैश्यो धनं सदा रक्षेच्छूद्रो रक्षति सेवनम्॥२५॥
"A king must always protect his subjects; a twice-born sage must preserve the power of austerity; a merchant must guard wealth; and a servant must preserve his service." Bharata Again Refuses Kingship
Passage 26
उवाच भरतस्तं तु परिभाव्य समन्ततः। प्रेषितैव पुरा ब्रह्मन् रघूणां महती चमूः॥२६॥
Considering the matter from every side, Bharata answered, "Brahman, Raghu's great army was already sent.
Passage 27
तैरन्योन्यं रणे वृत्ते किं नु म्लेच्छा निपातिताः। यन्मया यतनीयं स्यात्तन्मे त्वं ब्रूह्यतः परम्॥२७॥
"As battle continues between them, have the foreign aggressors not been struck down? Tell me what further effort I should make.
Passage 28
नैव सेनामृते राज्ञामुपायः परनिर्जये। तस्मिन् सुविहिते चापि यदशक्यं ततश्च किम्॥२८॥
"Kings have no means other than an army for defeating an enemy. When that has been properly deployed, what remains if even it cannot succeed?"
Passage 29
अथोवाच मुनिश्रेष्ठो भरतं मन्त्रवित्तमः। सत्यं जेष्यन्ति रघवो रिपून् धर्मपरायणाः॥२९॥
The foremost sage, master of counsel, told Bharata, "It is true that the righteous Raghus will defeat their enemies.
Passage 30
यावदस्य बलं हन्युर्महाकोलस्य संयुगे। रुद्रदत्तबलस्तावदयं समनुभावकृत्॥३०॥
"But until they destroy Mahākola's force in battle, the strength granted him by Rudra continues to magnify his power.
Passage 31
हते त्वस्य बले घोरे रघुभिर्युद्धदुर्मदः। परिक्षीणबलः सोऽयं स्वयमेवोपशाम्यति॥३१॥
"Once the Raghus destroy his terrible force, this battle-mad enemy, his strength exhausted, will subside by himself.
Passage 32
किं तु तावत्प्रकृतयो वर्षभोग्यानि सर्वशः। नष्टानि वीक्ष्य धान्यानि स्वे स्वे मनसि बिभ्यति॥३२॥
"Meanwhile the subjects see the grain meant to sustain the entire year destroyed and are frightened within their hearts.
Passage 33
कार्तिकाश्वयुजोर्मासोः सर्वं वर्षं प्रतिष्ठितम्। तदेवोपप्लुते धान्यराशौ संवत्सरो वृथा॥३३॥
"The whole year depends upon the months of Kārttika and Āśvayuja. When their heaps of grain are ruined, the year is lost.
Passage 34
स एष धान्यराशीनां प्रलयः समुपस्थितः। स्वचक्रपरचक्राभ्यां तेन चिन्ताकुलाः प्रजाः॥३४॥
"This destruction of the grain stores has now arrived. Thus the people are overwhelmed by worry because of both armies.
Passage 35
तत्प्रतीकारमालोच्य कुरु राजन् प्रयत्नतः। विज्ञाय प्रकृतीः सर्वा ईतिभीतिसमाकुलाः॥३५॥
"King, understand that all the subjects are overcome by fear of calamity, and carefully devise a remedy."
Passage 36
ऊचे तं भरतः श्रीमान् राजन्निति निजं मुनेः। सम्बोधनमुपाकर्ण्य विदूनहृदयोऽभवत्॥३६॥
Hearing the sage address him as "king," glorious Bharata became pained at heart and replied.
Passage 37
भगवन् सम्यगाख्याहि नाहं राजास्मि निश्चितम्। राजा श्रीराम एवास्य जगतोऽहं तु तद्गतिः॥३७॥
"Blessed sage, speak correctly. I am certainly not king. Śrī Rāma alone is king of this world, and I am wholly directed toward him.
Passage 38
एतत्तत्पादुकायुग्मं भवतैवाभियाचितम्। वहामि शिरसा तस्य समाराधनतत्परः॥३८॥
"You yourself requested this pair of his sandals. I bear it upon my head and am entirely devoted to its worship.
Passage 39
आभ्यामेव पुरा किञ्चित्प्रजानां दुःखमुत्थितम्। निवारितं तथैवाद्य कृपया वारयिष्यतः॥३९॥
"These two previously removed a suffering that arose among the people. In the same way, by their grace they will ward off this one today." Vasiṣṭha's Vision of the Sandals
Passage 40
इत्याश्रुत्य मुनिस्तस्य वाक्यं वाक्यविदुत्तमः। सस्मार सम्यग्ज्ञानेन पादुकायुगलं हृदा॥४०॥
Hearing Bharata's words, the sage, foremost knower of speech, remembered the pair of sandals in his heart through perfect knowledge.
Passage 41
कोटिसूर्यस्फुरद्धाम कोटिचन्द्रसुशीतलम्। कोटिकल्पानलोद्दीप्तं सर्वतः करुणामयम्॥४१॥
It shone like millions of suns, was cooling as millions of moons, blazed like millions of cosmic fires, and overflowed with compassion on every side.
Passage 42
तदक्षरमयं ब्रह्म सच्चिदानन्दमात्रकम्। अनाद्यनन्तमेवैकं परमे धाम्नि संस्थितम्॥४२॥
It was imperishable Brahman, nothing but being, consciousness, and bliss, beginningless, endless, one, and established in the supreme abode.
Passage 43
समाविष्टसम्मीलितबाह्यवृत्तेस्तस्यान्तरे पादुकयोर्युगं तत्। समाविरासीत्कृतभूरिसौख्यं परात्मरूपेण चिदेकरूपम्॥४३॥
As his outward activity closed in complete absorption, the pair of sandals appeared within him, producing immense bliss as the Supreme Self, whose sole nature is consciousness.
Passage 44
अनुभूय परानन्दं मुनिः स उदतिष्ठत। पादुकाविषयध्यानसमाधेः सुप्रसन्नहृत्॥४४॥
Experiencing supreme bliss, the sage arose from meditation absorbed in the sandals, his heart utterly serene.
Passage 45
ततोऽर्वाक् प्रतिबुद्धात्मा प्राजापत्यो मुनीश्वरः। अस्तोषीत्परबुद्ध्या तत्पादुकायुगलं प्रभोः॥४५॥
Returning to outward awareness, the lordly sage, son of Prajāpati, praised that pair of the Lord's sandals with supreme understanding. Vasiṣṭha's Hymn
Passage 46
यतः शब्दब्रह्म प्रभवति पराख्यं परनभः सततं विश्वोत्पत्तिस्थितिविलयमूलं सुविमलम्। तदुच्चैरानन्दार्णवमलमनन्ताक्षरमयं प्रभोः पादद्वन्द्वं भवभयहरं चेतसि दधे॥४६॥
"I hold in my mind the Lord's pair of feet, which removes the fear of worldly existence. From it arises the supreme sound-Brahman, the pure transcendent space that is always the root of the universe's creation, preservation, and dissolution, an immeasurable ocean of bliss, endless and imperishable.
Passage 47
गिरां वृत्तिः साक्षात्प्रभवति न यद्वेदितुमतो भृशं गौणीभूय प्रचुरगुणसन्दोहकृपया। प्रवृत्ता चेतोऽपि प्रभवति न यद्गोचरयितुं मनामारूपं तत्तव चरणयुग्मं हृदि दधे॥४७॥
"The activity of speech cannot directly know it and becomes merely secondary, relying upon a gracious abundance of attributed qualities. Even the active mind cannot make it its object. I hold that inexpressible pair of your feet in my heart.
Passage 48
अमन्दानन्दानां यदनुपमसाम्राज्यभवनं महैश्वर्यस्यैकं पदमखिलसौभाग्यसदनम्। प्रतिष्ठा सिद्धीनां सकलजनकल्याणजननं जगद्बीजं वन्द्यं प्रभुचरणयुग्मं हृदि दधे॥४८॥
"I hold in my heart the venerable pair of the Lord's feet: the incomparable royal abode of boundless joys, sole station of immense sovereignty, dwelling of all good fortune, foundation of attainments, source of universal welfare, and seed of the world.
Passage 49
निखिलनिगमस्थानं मन्त्रर्द्धिमन्दिरमद्भुतं भवभयहरं सच्चिद्रूपं मुदां परमं पदम्। यदखिलकलाकल्पं कल्याणकोटिविधायकं तिमिरहरणं श्रीनाथस्य स्मरामि पदद्वयम्॥४९॥
"I remember the Lord of Śrī's pair of feet: abode of every Veda, wondrous temple of mantra's power, remover of worldly fear, form of being and consciousness, supreme station of joy, source of every art and millions of blessings, and destroyer of darkness.
Passage 50
यस्मिन् नित्यं प्रसन्ने न किमपि जगति स्यादलभ्यं जनानां यन्माया मोहयन्ती जगदखिलमदः सर्वतश्चावृणोति। यज्ज्ञानं जीवजातेर्जननमरणयोर्मोक्षणं तत्क्षणेन ध्येयं तत्पादयुग्मं मनसि जनकजावल्लभस्याश्रयामि॥५०॥
"When it is ever gracious, nothing in the world is unobtainable. Its deluding Māyā envelops this whole universe; knowledge of it instantly releases living beings from birth and death. In my mind I take refuge in that contemplative pair of feet of Janaka's daughter's beloved.
Passage 51
तत्तत्त्वविस्मृतकरी बहुलप्रमादाधिविपद एव परं प्रशस्याः। यासु प्रयाति हृदयं प्रभुपादयुग्मं ध्यानेन यद्वदधुना मम विस्मृतस्य॥५१॥
"Even calamities born from the heedlessness that makes one forget that reality become supremely praiseworthy when the heart turns through meditation to the Lord's pair of feet, as my forgetful heart has done now.
Passage 52
ध्येयं ब्रह्मशिवादिभिः सुरवरैः स्वाभीष्टसम्प्राप्तये मेयं श्रौतवचःप्रमाणनिबहैः संवित्सहायेन यत्। कल्याणैकनिकेतनं जलधिजाशब्दादिभिर्मृग्यं परं तत्त्वं त्वत्पदपादुकायुगमहं श्रीराम वन्दे कदा॥५२॥
"O Śrī Rāma, I worship the pair of sandals of your feet: contemplated by Brahmā, Śiva, and the foremost gods for attaining their desires; known through bodies of Vedic testimony aided by consciousness; sole abode of welfare; and supreme reality sought by Lakṣmī, sacred sound, and the rest.
Passage 53
कर्माणि यत्र निखिलानि समर्प्य सन्तो नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिमतुलां कतिचिल्लभन्ते। तत्कर्मबन्धननिकृन्तनसाधुशीलं त्वत्पादुकायुगलमीश चिरं निषेवे॥५३॥
"Lord, some saints offer all actions there and attain incomparable perfection beyond action. I long serve your pair of sandals, whose gracious nature severs the bonds of karma.
Passage 54
इत्येवं ये स्तुवन्तीश पादुकायुगलं तव। तेषामशेषदुःखानि निवारयतरां प्रभो॥५४॥
"Lord, completely remove every suffering of those who praise your pair of sandals in this way." The Sandals Answer
Passage 55
इत्यस्य तोष्टुवानस्य मुनेर्दिव्यार्थदर्शिनः। समगान्नाभसी वाणी श्रुत्योः श्रीपादुकोद्भवा॥५५॥
As the sage who perceived divine meaning praised them, a heavenly voice born from the glorious sandals reached his ears.
Passage 56
अलं तापेन ते प्राज्ञ मा तप्यस्त्वं प्रजाकृते। पूर्वमेव मया तावद्दुःखं प्रतिकृतं नृणाम्॥५६॥
"Wise sage, enough of your anguish. Do not grieve for the people; I have already countered their suffering.
Passage 57
यं यमिच्छसि योगीन्द्र तं तं काममवाप्नुहि। प्रसादान्मम भूतानां न विपद्भाविनी भवे॥५७॥
"Lord of yogis, obtain each desire that you wish. Through my grace, no future calamity will befall living beings."
Passage 58
एवं समाहितमना मुनिर्व्योम्ना गिरा तदा। गन्धपुष्पादिभिर्भूयः सम्पूज्य प्रभुपादुके॥५८॥
His mind composed by the heavenly voice, the sage again worshiped the Lord's sandals with fragrances, flowers, and other offerings.
Passage 59
पुरोधाय प्रजाः सर्वा आमन्त्र्य भरतं तदा। कृतार्थः प्रत्ययोपेतः प्रहृष्टः सन्न्यवर्तत॥५९॥
Placing all the subjects before him, he then took leave of Bharata. His purpose fulfilled and confidence restored, he joyfully returned.