Passage 1
श्रीराम उवाच— कबन्धे पतिते राहोः शिरः परमदुर्धरम्। निकृत्तमपि चक्रेण न पपात महीतले॥१॥
Śrī Rāma said: When Rāhu's trunk had fallen, his exceedingly formidable head, though severed by the discus, did not fall to the earth.
Passage 2
व्यात्ताननलसद्घोरदंष्ट्राकोटिभयानकम्। कल्पान्तपावकज्वालालुलद्रसनयाञ्चितम्॥२॥
Its mouth gaped, terrible with the points of its gleaming fangs, and a rolling tongue like the flame of the fire at the end of an age adorned it.
Passage 3
गाढगाढतमोनीलप्रभाव्याप्तद्भूतलम्। महाकरालभ्रुकुटीविटङ्कविकटाकृति॥३॥
Its dark-blue radiance, like the densest darkness, spread across the earth. Its form was hideous, marked by a vast and fearsome arch of knitted brows.
Passage 4
उद्रिक्तक्रोधताम्राक्षं स्फुटदत्युग्रमूर्धजम्। उद्यत्कटकटारावदंष्ट्रासंघर्षणोद्धुरम्॥४॥
Its eyes were copper-red with swelling anger and its fiercely bristling hair stood out. It was dreadful as its fangs ground together with a rising, clattering roar.
Passage 5
सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ सद्यो विधातुं ग्रासमेककः। इतस्ततो धावमानं महासंरम्भभीषणम्॥५॥
That single head rushed here and there, terrifying in its immense fury, intent on making the sun and moon its prey at once.
Passage 6
आच्छादयत्तयोर्भासमात्मनो नेत्रकत्विषा। हुंकारध्वनिदुष्प्रेक्ष्यमत्युग्रदर्शनम्॥६॥
The light of its eye covered their radiance. Its cry of “huṃ” made it hard to behold, and its appearance was exceedingly fierce.
Passage 7
नभस्येव स्थितं ग्रस्तुं पुष्पवन्तौ समुद्यतम्। आत्ताप्रतीकार्यवैरं चक्षुर्भ्यां विस्फुलिङ्गमुक्॥७॥
It remained in the sky, poised to swallow the two luminous orbs. Its enmity was irrepressible, and sparks streamed from its eyes.
Passage 8
तस्य प्रभावतो भीतौ सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ ग्रहौ। इतस्ततो धावमानौ न लेभाते क्वचिद्गतिम्॥८॥
Terrified by its power, the sun and moon ran here and there but found no path of escape anywhere.
Passage 9
हित्वा सोमपानशालां सूर्याचन्द्रौ परिद्रुतौ। विलोक्य तत्र सुरदेवा अहो उत्पात उत्थितः॥९॥
The sun and moon fled the hall where the nectar was drunk. Seeing them, the gods there cried, “Ah, a calamity has arisen!”
Passage 10
अनन्यशरणौ तौ तु सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ तदा। ध्रियमाणौ विपक्षेण शरणं जग्मतुर्हरिम्॥१०॥
With no other refuge, the sun and moon, seized by their enemy, then sought refuge in Hari.
Passage 11
उद्धृतौ शत्रुदंष्ट्राभिर्भृशं विद्युत्सुकान्तिभिः। पीड्यमानौ गलद्रक्तबिन्दूक्षितिकलेवरौ॥११॥
Lifted in the enemy's fangs, whose sharp brilliance flashed like lightning, they were tormented, their bodies wet with falling drops of blood.
Passage 12
शोचन्तावात्मनः कृत्यं विरोधोद्गमकारणम्। यत्पैशुन्यं कृतं तस्य देवतासुरसंसदि॥१२॥
They lamented the act of informing against him in the assembly of gods and Asuras, the deed that had caused this enmity to arise.
Passage 13
तावतीवाकुलीभूतहृदयौ दीनवादिनौ। तथापि चाविनिर्मुक्तौ वचनं त्विदमूचतुः॥१३॥
Their hearts exceedingly distressed, the two spoke piteously. Though not yet released, they uttered these words.
Passage 14
हा हरे करुणासिन्धो एतावत्सुरमण्डले। आवामेवामुना नाथे त्वयि पीड्यावहौ कुतः॥१४॥
“Alas, Hari, ocean of compassion! In this whole company of gods, why are we alone tormented by him when you, our Lord, are here? The Sun and Moon Appeal to Hari
Passage 15
अच्युताच्युत गोविन्द विनिकृत्तमपि त्वया। चक्रेण शितधारेण न पतत्यस्य मस्तकम्॥१५॥
“Acyuta, Acyuta, Govinda! Even after being completely severed by your sharp-edged discus, his head does not fall.
Passage 16
जातः क एष उत्पात आवयोरेव दुःखकृत्। हितं हि सर्वदेवानामावां विज्ञाय माधव॥१६॥
“What is this calamity that has arisen to bring suffering to us alone, Mādhava, when we acted for the welfare of all the gods?
Passage 17
तुभ्यं सूचितवन्तौ यदसुरेष्वपि दुष्क्रियः। सोमं पिबति चण्डाल इति तन्नो महद्भयम्॥१७॥
“We informed you that this wicked outcaste among the Asuras was drinking the nectar. That very act has now become our great danger.
Passage 18
अजनिष्ट रमाकान्त यत्पीडयति वैरभृत्। मोचयास्मात्सुदुर्धर्षादावां लुप्तप्रभावकौ॥१८॥
“Consort of Ramā, this enemy has arisen and torments us. Free us, our power overwhelmed, from this exceedingly unassailable foe.
Passage 19
किमेतच्च हरे जातं न यत्पतति मस्तकम्। निकृत्तमपि चक्रेण तव तीव्रनिपातिना॥१९॥
“What has happened, Hari, that his head does not fall even after being severed by the forceful descent of your discus?”
Passage 20
इत्युक्तो भगवान् विष्णुः सूर्येण च निशाकृता। उवाच राहुं शमयन् शान्तेन वचसा क्षणम्॥२०॥
Thus addressed by the sun and the maker of night, Lord Viṣṇu sought to calm Rāhu and spoke to him for a moment in a peaceful voice. Hari Commands Rāhu to Release Them
Passage 21
क्रूरत्वं मुञ्च मुञ्चालं त्रिजगद्वन्दिताविमौ। ग्रहेन्द्रौ दीप्तमहसौ सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ किल॥२१॥
“Abandon your cruelty and release these two at once. The sun and moon are lords of the celestial lights, radiant and honored by the three worlds.
Passage 22
नो चेत् पुनरपि त्वाहं चक्रेण जवपातिना। शतधा चूर्णयिष्यामि क्षेप्स्यामि च दिशो दश॥२२॥
“Otherwise I shall again strike you with the swiftly descending discus, crush you into a hundred pieces, and scatter them through the ten directions.
Passage 23
अथो निपत चाकाशाद्भूवलं क्रूरदर्शन। यथा खलु कबन्धस्ते तथाशान्तिमुपेहि भोः॥२३॥
“Then fall from the sky to the earth, fierce-looking one. Become still, just as your headless trunk has done.”
Passage 24
इति सम्भीषितो राहुर्हरिणा चक्रधारिणा। क्षणं तत्याज दंष्ट्रातः सूर्यासोमौ ग्रहाधिपौ॥२४॥
Thus threatened by Hari, bearer of the discus, Rāhu released the sun and moon, the two lords of the celestial lights, from his fangs for a moment.
Passage 25
उवाच च हरिं क्रुद्धो भूष्णुस्त्रिभुवने महान्। अमृताशनसम्प्राप्तजरामरणनिर्जयः॥२५॥
Angry, and destined to become great in the three worlds, he addressed Hari. By consuming nectar he had attained victory over old age and death.
Passage 26
न ते वाक्यमतीवर्त्यं मया त्रिभुवनेश्वर। मुक्ताविमौ यतो विष्णो सूर्याचन्द्रौ मम द्विषौ॥२६॥
“Lord of the three worlds, I must not transgress your command. Therefore, Viṣṇu, I have released the sun and moon, though they are my enemies.
Passage 27
एतौ मे पिबतः सोमं कृत्वा सौम्यतमं वपुः। पैशुन्यं यदकुर्वातां तेन मे शत्रुतां गतौ॥२७॥
“While I assumed a most pleasing form and drank the nectar, these two informed against me; by that act they became my enemies.
Passage 28
लब्धं तु यत्सोमपानं कण्ठावधि ततो हरे। जरामरणनिर्मुक्तो न पतामि महीतले॥२८॥
“Yet the nectar I drank reached as far as my throat. Therefore, Hari, freed from old age and death, I do not fall to the earth.
Passage 29
इमौ तु ग्रस्तुमिच्छामि पिशुनौ मे निरागसः। आत्मभासाखिलं विश्वं द्योतयिष्यामि कृष्णया॥२९॥
“I wish to swallow these informers who injured me though I was innocent. With my dark radiance I shall illuminate the entire universe.
Passage 30
इदानीं ते भयेनैव मुक्तौ दंष्ट्राघसम्पुटात्। पुनः क्षणाद्ग्रसिष्यामि स्वादु पीतामृतौ ग्रहौ॥३०॥
“Only from fear of you have I now released from the enclosure of my terrible fangs these two celestial lights who drank the sweet nectar. In a moment I shall swallow them again.”
Passage 31
इत्युक्तस्तेन भगवान् सुघोरवचसा तदा। विमृश्य भगवान् भूय उवाच जगतां हितम्॥३१॥
Addressed by him in these exceedingly dreadful words, the Lord reflected and then spoke again for the welfare of the worlds.
Passage 32
सिंहिकासुत सुक्रूर भवान् पीतामृतोऽधुना। अजरामरतां प्राप्य यथेच्छं किमु भाषसे॥३२॥
“Cruel son of Siṃhikā, now that you have drunk nectar and attained freedom from age and death, why do you speak however you please?
Passage 33
नैतदेवं त्वया कर्तुं शक्यते क्रूरमानस। एतौ हि जगतां वन्द्यौ जगदुद्भासतत्क्षमौ॥३३॥
“Cruel-minded one, you cannot act in this way. These two are honored by the worlds and are able to make the universe shine.
Passage 34
ग्रस्तयोरेतयो राहो जगदेतद्विनङ्क्ष्यति। मुञ्च मुञ्चासुरं भावं सम्प्रत्यमरतां गतः॥३४॥
“Rāhu, if these two are swallowed, this universe will perish. Abandon, abandon your demonic disposition now that you have attained immortality.
Passage 35
अवश्यभाविनोऽर्थस्य प्रतीकारो न विद्यते। मा ग्रसीः पुनरेतौ त्वं जगद्वन्द्यतमौ ग्रहौ॥३५॥
“There is no remedy for what must inevitably occur. Do not swallow again these two celestial lights most honored by the world.”
Passage 36
इत्थं स हरिणा प्रोक्तो भूय ऊचे वचस्त्विदम्। त्वयाऽऽज्ञप्तः करिष्यामि यदाह भगवन् भवान्॥२६॥
Thus addressed by Hari, he spoke again: “Lord, commanded by you, I shall do what you have said.” The edition repeats printed marker 26 here for editorial passage 36. Rāhu Asks for a Place Among the Planets
Passage 37
प्रतिष्ठां त्वहमिच्छामि खेचराणां पदं स्पृशन्। अतो यदभियाचेऽहं तद्विधेहि हरेऽञ्जसा॥२७॥
“I desire an established station, attaining a rank among those who move in the sky. Therefore, Hari, directly grant what I ask.” The edition repeats printed marker 27 here for editorial passage 37.
Passage 38
त्वया निबद्धमर्थं तु नोल्लङ्घितुमहं क्षमे। एवं कृते महावैरं त्यक्तप्रायमिदं भवेत्॥३८॥
“I am not able to transgress the arrangement fixed by you. If this is done, this great enmity will be for the most part abandoned.
Passage 39
अहं हि भोक्तुमिच्छामि तारकाः सप्तविंशतिम्। तत्रैकराशिगावेतौ ग्रसिष्यामि न संशयः॥३९॥
“I wish to enjoy the twenty-seven lunar mansions. When these two enter the same zodiacal sign there, I shall swallow them without doubt.
Passage 40
पर्वप्रतिपदोः सन्धौ सूर्यं वापि निशाकरम्। ग्रसिष्यामि गदापाणे वैरमेतदनुस्मरन्॥४०॥
“At the juncture of the lunar observance and its first day, I shall swallow either the sun or the maker of night, remembering this enmity, bearer of the mace.
Passage 41
अहं खलु ग्रहो भूत्वा वत्स्यामि गगने चरन्। काले काले ग्रसिष्यामि सूर्याचन्द्रौ ग्रहाविमौ॥४१॥
“Becoming a planet, I shall dwell moving through the sky. From time to time I shall swallow these two celestial lights, the sun and moon.
Passage 42
जगन्निर्माणकार्यस्थः सुखदुःखफलप्रदः। अहं ग्रहत्वमास्थाय भूष्णुरस्मि यदृच्छया॥४२॥
“Taking up planetary status, I shall have a place in the ordering of the world, bestowing the fruits of happiness and sorrow in due course.
Passage 43
नृणामुत्पद्यमानानामहं कालः प्रमापकः। सप्तानामष्टमो विष्णो ग्रहाणां भूष्णुरस्म्यहम्॥४३॥
“For human beings as they are born, I shall measure time. Viṣṇu, I shall become the eighth of the seven planets.
Passage 44
हव्यं ददतु भागं च यज्ञेषु सकला जनाः। तदाहं शान्तिमेष्यामि त्वयोक्तो मधुसूदन॥४४॥
“Let all people give me an oblation and a share in sacrifices. Then, Madhusūdana, at your word I shall become peaceful.” Hari Establishes the Cosmic Settlement
Passage 45
हरिस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ज्ञात्वा चास्य दुराग्रहम्। सूर्यासोमावुवाचेदं प्रतिकर्तुं समुत्सुकः॥४५॥
Hearing his words and recognizing his stubborn resolve, Hari, intent on making a settlement, said this to the sun and moon.
Passage 46
अयि भानो अये चन्द्र श्रूयतां मे परं वचः। साम्प्रतं दुर्निवारोऽयममरोऽभूद्यतोऽमृतात्॥४६॥
“O Sun, O Moon, hear my decisive word. Because of the nectar, he has now become immortal and difficult to restrain.
Passage 47
ग्रहो भूत्वैष नियतं भोक्तुमिच्छति तारकाः। युवां ग्रसिष्यते तत्र ह्येकराशिसमागतौ॥४७॥
“Becoming a planet, he wishes to enjoy the lunar mansions in their fixed course. When you two meet in one zodiacal sign there, he will swallow you.
Passage 48
नृणामुत्पद्यमानानामेष कालप्रमापकः। भविष्यति ग्रहाणां वः सप्तानामष्टमोऽभवत्॥४८॥
“For human beings as they are born, he will be a measure of time. He has become the eighth among your seven planets.
Passage 49
एवं निबन्धमापन्ने दुष्टेऽस्मिन् किल दुर्ग्रहे। युवयोरपि निर्मुक्तिः काले दुःखं कदाचन॥४९॥
“Once this compact is made with this wicked and troublesome planet, you too will be released, though at certain times there will be distress.
Passage 50
हरेरिति वचः श्रुत्वा सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ तदा। ओमित्युक्तमुरीकृत्य निर्मुक्तौ तेन विद्विषा॥५०॥
Hearing this word of Hari, the sun and moon assented, saying “Om.” They were then released by that enemy.
Passage 51
एवं देवहितं कृत्वा भगवान् गरुडध्वजः। पश्यतामेव सर्वेषां स्वं धाम परमं ययौ॥५१॥
Having thus secured the welfare of the gods, the Lord whose banner bears Garuḍa departed for his own supreme abode while everyone watched.
Passage 52
शैलेन्द्रानयनेऽतिखिन्नवपुषो भग्नाश्च तत्पाततो भोगीन्द्रश्वसनोद्गतेन गरलेनातीव संतापिताः। अल्पायासमवापिताश्च मथनेनागाधपाथोनिधे- रत्यर्थं प्रतिकूलवर्तिनि हरौ प्रापुः फलं नासुराः॥५२॥
The Asuras' bodies had been exhausted in bringing the lord of mountains; they had been crushed by its fall and grievously tormented by the poison produced from the breath of the serpent king. Though they had obtained the nectar with comparatively little further effort by churning the unfathomable ocean, they gained no fruit because they remained utterly opposed to Hari.