Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— कुम्भकर्णादयस्तस्य भ्रातरः प्रियकारकाः। रक्षोबलं समादाय लङ्कां जग्मुः पराजिताः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Kumbhakarṇa and Rāvaṇa's other devoted brothers gathered the Rākṣasa forces and returned to Laṅkā defeated.
Passage 2
निधायान्तःपुरं तस्य भूयो मन्दोदरीमुखम्। अगमन् राक्षसवराः पुलस्त्यस्याश्रमं तदा॥२॥
After seeing to Rāvaṇa's inner household, headed by Mandodarī, those foremost Rākṣasas went to Pulastya's hermitage.
Passage 3
कुम्भकर्णः खरश्चैव विद्युज्जिह्वश्च दूषणः। त्रिशिराः सर्व एवैते राक्षसप्रवरा मुनेः॥३॥
Kumbhakarṇa, Khara, Vidyujjihva, Dūṣaṇa, Triśiras, and all the other leading Rākṣasas came before the sage.
Passage 4
वृत्तं निवेदयामासुर्माहिष्मत्यां बभूव यत्। क्रीडनं कार्तवीर्यस्य रेवायाश्च परागतिम्॥४॥
They related everything that had happened at Māhiṣmatī: Kārtavīrya's sport and the Revā's backward course.
Passage 5
शिविरस्याप्लवं चैव क्रोधं लङ्कापतेस्तथा। युद्धं च कार्तवीर्येण वितथोद्योगतां तथा॥५॥
They told of the flooding of the camp, the lord of Laṅkā's anger, his battle with Kārtavīrya, and the failure of his efforts.
Passage 6
बन्धनं च तथा तस्य दशवक्त्रस्य मायिनः। तेन मायापहारं च बलिना शतबाहुना॥६॥
They described how the mighty many-armed king dispelled the illusion of the ten-headed sorcerer and bound him.
Passage 7
बद्ध्वा च नयनं तस्य पुरीं माहिष्मतीं प्रति। ततः परं च स्वाज्ञानं शुभं वा यदि वाशुभम्॥७॥
They told how Rāvaṇa was led captive to Māhiṣmatī, then asked Pulastya for his own command, whether favorable or otherwise.
Passage 8
स्वस्य लङ्कागमं चैव माहिष्मत्याः पलाय्य हि। एतत्सर्वं मुनीन्द्राय ज्ञापयामासुरञ्जसा॥८॥
They frankly informed the lord of sages of all this, including how they themselves had fled Māhiṣmatī and returned to Laṅkā.
Passage 9
तच्छ्रुत्वा मुनिशार्दूलः कार्तवीर्यप्रभाववित्। शुशोच मनसा वीरः स्वानां प्रियचिकीर्षया॥९॥
Hearing this, the eminent sage, who knew Kārtavīrya's power, grieved inwardly and resolved to act for the welfare of his own kin.
Passage 10
विसृज्य कुम्भकर्णादीन् राक्षसप्रवरांस्तदा। जगाम तरसा योगी पुरीं माहिष्मतीं प्रति॥१०॥
Dismissing Kumbhakarṇa and the other foremost Rākṣasas, the yogin quickly departed for the city of Māhiṣmatī. Pulastya Is Welcomed at Māhiṣmatī
Passage 11
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य हैहयेन्द्रो जगत्पतिः। सपर्ययातिभूयिष्ठया जग्राह परमादरात्॥११॥
When the Haihaya lord and world-sovereign saw him arrive, he received Pulastya with the highest honor and abundant worship.
Passage 12
पूजितः कार्तवीर्येण नरेन्द्रेण महामुनिः। स्वस्थः शुभासनगतः शुशुभे ब्रह्मतेजसा॥१२॥
Worshiped by King Kārtavīrya, the great sage sat comfortably upon an auspicious seat and shone with spiritual radiance.
Passage 13
स तस्य पुरतो भक्त्या बद्धाञ्जलिपुटो नृपः। विनयावनतस्कन्ध उवाचेदमुदारधीः॥१३॥
Standing before him with joined palms, shoulders bowed in devotion and humility, the noble-minded king spoke. Kārtavīrya Praises the Sage
Passage 14
अहो भाग्यं गृहिणां देहिनां नो धर्माधर्मक्लेशसन्तापभाजाम्। येषां शिरः पुनते युष्मदङ्घ्रिद्वयावनिज्याप्रभवास्तीर्थधाराः॥१४॥
“How fortunate are householders like us, embodied beings afflicted by the pains and torments of merit and demerit, when streams of sacred water arising from the washing of your two feet purify our heads!
Passage 15
तपोमया ज्ञानमया विशुद्धास्तेजोमयाः सत्यमयास्त्रयीमयाः। मेधामयाः पुण्यमया विशुद्धसत्त्वप्रकाशैकमयाश्च यूयम्॥१५॥
“You sages are composed of austerity and knowledge, utterly pure, made of radiance, truth, and the threefold Veda; you embody wisdom and merit and consist solely of the light of pure sattva.
Passage 16
आत्मानमध्यायथ सत्त्वबुद्ध्या विवृद्धविज्ञानदृशानुभूत्या। अजस्रमानन्दमवाप्य पूर्णं तृप्ताश्च यूयं विगताशेषकामाः॥१६॥
“With lucid understanding and the vision born of fully developed realization, you contemplate the Self. Attaining its unceasing and complete bliss, you are fulfilled and free of every desire.
Passage 17
तथापि यद्गृहमेधीयधर्मानुष्ठातृणां चक्षुषोर्गोचरत्वम्। प्रयाथ तत्तावदहो अमीषां भाग्यातिरेकेण दुरापदर्शनाः॥१७॥
“Yet you, whose sight is so difficult to obtain, become visible to householders who perform their duties. Ah, that can only be due to their extraordinary good fortune.
Passage 18
अहं गमिष्यामि भवत्प्रसंगाद् ब्रह्मन् भवे सद्यशोभाजनत्वम्। संचारचक्रभ्रमणं तथोच्चैरद्यैव साफल्यमुपागतं मे॥१८॥
“Brahmin, through association with you I shall at once attain blessedness in this life. Today even the ceaseless turning of my wheel of travel has reached its highest fulfillment.
Passage 19
दृशानया ज्ञानविज्ञानमय्या माङ्गल्यया मानुगृहाण विद्वन्। यथाखिलं स्थूलसूक्ष्मात्मकं वो विभाति हस्तामलकोपमानम्॥१९॥
“Learned one, favor me with your auspicious glance, filled with knowledge and realization. The entire world, gross and subtle, appears to you as plainly as an āmalaka fruit held in the hand.
Passage 20
शुभप्रदेनैहिकामुष्मिकार्थद्वयेष्वपि हस्तेन निजेन नित्यम्। मन्त्राम्भसां पृषतैः पावनेन स्पृश ब्रह्मन् शासनीयस्य कं मे॥२०॥
“Brahmin, with your own purifying hand, ever auspicious in both worldly and otherworldly affairs, touch the head of this disciple of yours with drops of mantra-consecrated water.
Passage 21
कृतार्थितोऽहं भवताद्य दर्शनप्रदानकल्याणगणाकरेण। ममौकमायातवता वताद्य प्रत्यूहरोगाद्यपसर्गराशेः॥२१॥
“Today I have been fulfilled by you, a treasury of blessings, granting me your sight and coming to my home. Alas, the whole mass of obstacles, illnesses, and misfortunes has now departed.
Passage 22
युञ्जान आत्यन्तिकमात्मयोगं यद्वान्तरायैरुपहन्यते जनः। तदापि वः पादरजोऽभिषेकात्कल्याणमासादयतेऽस्तविघ्नः॥२२॥
“Even when a person pursuing the ultimate yoga of the Self is beset by obstacles, bathing in the dust of your feet brings blessedness and removes every impediment.
Passage 23
अथो यदृच्छाकरुणात्मनां वः पृच्छामि किं चागमनप्रयोजनम्। न वै परानन्दनशीलभाजां हिमांशुपाथोदसतां निजोऽर्थः॥२३॥
“Now I ask the purpose of your coming, though your very nature is spontaneous compassion. Those who, like the moon and a rain cloud, delight in benefiting others have no selfish aim.
Passage 24
इत्युदीर्य स्थिते मौने राजराजेश्वरे मुनिः। उवाच करुणार्द्राक्षः परोपकृतिबान्धवः॥२४॥
When the lord of kings had spoken and fallen silent, the sage, his eyes moist with compassion and ever a friend to those who help others, replied. Pulastya Praises Kārtavīrya
Passage 25
पुलस्त्य उवाच— अहो निसर्गान्मधुरोऽसि राजन् कः स्विन्न लोकेषु दिदृक्षति त्वाम्। महानुभावं महनीयकीर्तिं महामहो ध्वस्तजगत्तमिस्रम्॥२५॥
Pulastya said: “King, you are gracious by nature. Who in all the worlds would not wish to see you—magnanimous, renowned, and possessed of a great splendor that dispels the world's darkness?
Passage 26
कालात्मकं यत्प्रवदन्ति विष्णोः सुदर्शनं नाम महस्वि चक्रम्। अशेषदैत्यौघचमूविनाशं तदेव साक्षात्त्वमसीह जाग्रत्॥२६॥
“The radiant discus of Viṣṇu called Sudarśana, which is said to embody Time and destroy the armies of every host of Daityas—you are that very power manifest and awake in this world.
Passage 27
सहस्रमारा व्यतिभान्ति राजन् दोष्णां सहस्रेण तवोग्रवीर्यम्। श्रीकार्तवीर्यार्जुन भूरिबाहो त्वं रक्षणायासि भवेऽवतीर्णः॥२७॥
“King, even a thousand Māras pale before the fierce strength of your thousand arms. Glorious many-armed Kārtavīrya Arjuna, you have descended into this world for its protection.
Passage 28
न त्वां विजानन्ति भवे मनुष्या ये सन्ततं चर्मदृशोऽल्पमेधसः। येऽध्यात्मनिष्ठा विषयाद्विशुद्धास्ते त्वां प्रविज्ञाय नमन्ति नित्यम्॥२८॥
“People of little understanding, whose sight never penetrates beyond the skin, do not recognize you in this world. Those established in the inner Self and purified from sense objects truly know you and bow to you always.
Passage 29
प्रादुर्भवस्यात्मविचिन्तनक्षणे नृणामभद्रक्षयकारिदर्शनः। विनाशयस्यग्रमधर्ममग्रतस्ततश्च पुष्णासि सुधर्ममात्मना॥२९॥
“You become manifest when people contemplate the Self, and your sight destroys their inauspiciousness. First you eradicate rampant adharma; then by your own power you nourish true dharma.
Passage 30
धन्यं कुलं हैहयभूमिपानां माहिष्मती धन्यतमा पुरीयम्। जगन्ति धन्यास्तव दर्शनामृतप्रमोदभाजो मनुजा इहस्थाः॥३०॥
“Blessed is the lineage of the Haihaya kings, and most blessed is this city of Māhiṣmatī. Blessed are the worlds, and the people dwelling here who delight in the nectar of seeing you.
Passage 31
त्वयात्मना हैहयवंशदीपेनाशेषदिग्दीपवती महीयम्। प्रकाशिता नित्यमधर्मकष्टशोकोपसर्गादितमोनिरस्य॥३१॥
“You are the lamp of the Haihaya line, illuminating the whole earth in every direction and continually dispelling the darkness of adharma, suffering, grief, calamity, and the rest.
Passage 32
यद्दर्शनं तेऽखिलजन्मभाजां सुमङ्गलं भीतितमोऽपहन्तृ। तत्काम एवाहमिहोपयातः कस्य प्रियो नासि महामहौजः॥३२॥
“The sight of you brings the highest auspiciousness to all embodied beings and dispels the darkness of fear. Desiring that sight alone, I have come here. Great and radiant king, to whom are you not dear?
Passage 33
अथापि मेऽत्रागमनप्रयोजनं तवाभिधास्ये नृपवंशभूषण। निशम्य तत्प्रार्थितकल्पपादपो भवानवश्यं प्रविधातुमर्हति॥३३॥
“Nevertheless, ornament of the royal line, I shall tell you my purpose in coming. Hear it, and like a wish-fulfilling tree for one who petitions you, please be sure to grant it.”
Passage 34
राजोवाच— भगवन् भवतो वाक्यात्किमन्यत् प्रतिपादये। शिरोऽपि तव पादाब्जे निवेदितमिदं मया॥३४॥
The king said: “Revered lord, what further assurance need I give after hearing your words? I have offered even this head of mine at your lotus feet.” Pulastya Requests Rāvaṇa's Release
Passage 35
पुलस्त्य उवाच— शिरस्ते भ्राजतां राजन्नेकच्छत्रधरं भुवि। भुङ्क्ष्वायुरमितं शश्वदमितायुतवत्सरान्॥३५॥
Pulastya said: “King, may your head shine as the bearer of the sole royal parasol over the earth. May you enjoy an immeasurable life for countless tens of thousands of years.
Passage 36
किन्त्वसावविनीतात्मा पौत्रो मे दशकन्धरः। जीवन् प्रदीयतां मह्यं भवतोदारपाणिना॥३६॥
“But this undisciplined ten-headed Rāvaṇa is my grandson. Let your generous hand return him to me alive.
Passage 37
असौ स्वात्मापराधेन प्राप्तः कष्टमिमां दशाम्। भवता शिक्षितो राजन् पुनर्नैकं करिष्यति॥३७॥
“Through his own offence he has reached this miserable condition. Instructed by you, King, he will not act this way again.” Rāvaṇa Is Freed
Passage 38
इत्युक्तो राजराजेन्द्रो मुनिना सौम्यचक्षुषा। शालीननयनो भृत्यैर्दशाननममोचयत्॥३८॥
Thus addressed by the gentle-eyed sage, the supreme king modestly lowered his gaze and had his servants release the ten-headed Rāvaṇa.
Passage 39
भूयस्तदागःशान्त्यर्थं मुनीन्द्रं समपूजयत्। रावणं चास्य पौत्रत्वात्प्रविज्ञायाभ्यमानयत्॥३९॥
To make amends for the offence, he again worshiped the lord of sages; and, recognizing Rāvaṇa as Pulastya's grandson, he treated him with honor.
Passage 40
संस्ताप्य पटभूषाद्यैराभूष्य च दशाननम्। श्रीमान्निवेदयामास मुनये स्वस्तिभाषिणे॥४०॥
The illustrious king clothed and adorned the ten-headed Rāvaṇa with garments, ornaments, and other gifts, then presented him to the sage, who pronounced blessings.
Passage 41
इत्थं गतः स्वस्थ सुदुर्नयेन कष्टं दशास्यः स्खलिताभिमानः। मुनेः पुलस्त्यस्य गिरा नृपेण सभाजयित्वा सहसा विमुक्तः॥४१॥
Thus the ten-headed king, brought to misery by his own wicked conduct and with his pride shaken, was promptly freed at Sage Pulastya's word after the king had honored him. इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे दक्षिणखण्डे रावणमोचनं नाम सप्ताधिकशततमोऽध्यायः॥ १०७ ॥ Thus ends Chapter 107, “The Release of Rāvaṇa,” in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the venerable Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi. --- Source Note - Source witness: Bhuśuṇḍi Rāmāyaṇa, Volume 2, Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa. - This chapter was collated directly from source leaves 401–404 (printed pages 374–377; physical PDF pages 402–405). - All 41 numbered passages are presented in order. Chapter 106 ends and Chapter 107 begins on physical PDF page 402; Chapter 107 ends and Chapter 108 begins on physical PDF page 405. - The printed reading स्वस्थ in passage 41 is retained; in context it conveys the sense of स्वस्य, “his own.” - The English is a fresh, direct translation prepared for this edition.