Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 10
Sourceशेष उवाच। इत्थं संशृण्वतो धर्मान्वसंतः समुपस्थितः । यत्र यज्ञ क्रियादीनां प्रारंभः सुमहात्मनाम् १। दृष्ट्वा तं समयं धीमान्वसिष्ठः कलशोद्भवः । रामचंद्रं महाराजं प्रत्युवाच यथोचितम् २। वसिष्ठ उवाच। रामचंद्र महाबाहो समयः पर्यभूत्तव । हयो यत्र प्रमुच्येत यज्ञार्थं परिपूजितः ३। सामग्री क्रियतां तत्र आहूयंतां द्विजोत्तमाः । करोतु पूजां भगवान्ब्राह्मणानां यथोचिताम् ४। दीनांधकृपणानां च दानं स्वांते समुत्थितम् । ददातु विधिवत्तेषां प्रतिपूज्याधिमान्य च ५। भवान्कनकसत्पत्न्या दीक्षितोऽत्र व्रतं चर । भूमिशायी ब्रह्मचारी वसुभोगविवर्जितः ६। मृगशृंगधरः कट्यां मेखलाजिनदंडभृत् । करोतु यज्ञसंभारं सर्वद्रव्यसमन्वितम् ७। इति श्रुत्वा महद्वाक्यं वसिष्ठस्य यथार्थकम् । उवाच लक्ष्मणं धीमान्नानार्थपरिबृंहितम् ८। श्रीराम उवाच। शृणु लक्ष्मण मद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा तत्कुरु सत्वरम् । हयमानय यत्नेन वाजिमेधक्रियोचितम् ९। शेष उवाच। श्रुत्वा वाक्यं रघुपतेः शत्रुजिल्लक्ष्मणस्तदा । सेनापतिमुवाचेदं वचो विविधवर्णनम् १०। लक्ष्मण उवाच। वीराकर्णय मे वचः सुमधुरं श्रुत्वा त्वरातः पुनः । कार्यं तत्क्षितिपालमौलिमुकुटैर्घृष्टांघ्रि रामाज्ञया । सेनां कालबलप्रभंजनबलप्रोद्यत्समर्थांगिनीं । सज्जां सद्रथहस्तिपत्तिसुहयारोहैर्विधे ह्यन्विताम् ११। सज्जीयतां वायुजवास्तुरंगास्तरंगमाला ललितांघ्रिपाताः । सदश्वचारैर्बहुशस्त्रधारिभिः संरोहिता वैरिबलप्रहारिभिः १२। संलक्ष्यतां हस्तिनः पर्वताभा आधोरणैः प्रासकुंताग्रहस्तैः । शूरैः सास्त्रैर्भूरिदानोपहाराः क्षीबाणस्ते सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपूर्णाः १३। विततबहुसमृद्धिभ्राजमाना रथा मे पवनजवनवेगैर्वाजिभिर्युज्यमानाः । विविधरिपुविनाशस्मारकैरायुधास्त्रैर्भृतवलभिविभागानीयतां सूतवृंदैः १४। पत्तयः शतशो मह्यमायांत्वस्त्राग्न्यपाणयः । हयमेधार्हवाहस्य रक्षणे विततोद्यमाः १५। इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य लक्ष्मणस्य महात्मनः । सेनानी कालजिन्नामा कारयामास सज्जताम् १६। दशध्रुवकमंडितो लघुसुरोमशोभान्वितो विविक्तगलशुक्तिभृद्विततकंठको शेमणिः मुखे विशदकांतिधृत्त्वसितकांतिभृत्कर्णयोर्व्यराजत तदाह यो धृतकराग्ररश्मिच्छटः १७। कलासंशोभितमुखः स्फुरद्रत्नविशोभितः । मुक्ताफलानां मालाभिः शोभितो निर्ययौ हयः १८। श्वेतातपत्ररचितः सितचामरशोभितः । बहुशोभापरीतांगो निर्ययौ हयराट्ततः १९। अग्रतो मध्यतश्चैके पृष्ठतः सैनिकास्तथा । देवा हरिं यथापूर्वं सेवंते सेवनोचितम् २०। अथ सैन्यं समाहूय सर्वमाज्ञापयत्तदा । हस्त्यश्वरथपादातवृन्दैः सुबहुसंकुलम् २१। ततस्ततः समेतानां सैन्यानां श्रूयते ध्वनिः । ततो दुंदुभिनादोऽभूत्तस्मिन्पुरवरे तदा २२। तन्निनादेन शूराणां प्रियेण महता तदा । कंपंति गिरिशृंगाणि प्रासादा विचलंति च २३। हेषारवो महानासीद्वाजिनां मुह्यतां नृप । रथांगघातसंघुष्टा धरा संचलतीव सा २४। चलितैर्गजयूथैश्च पृथ्वी रुद्धा समंततः । रजस्तु प्रचलत्तत्र जनांतर्द्धानमादधात् २५। निर्जगाम महासैन्यं छत्रैः संछाद्य भास्करम् । सेनान्याकालजिन्नाम्ना प्रेरितं जनसंकुलम् २६। गर्जंतस्तलवीराग्र्याः कुर्वंतो रणसंभ्रमम् । रघुनाथस्य यागाय सज्जास्ते प्रययुर्मुदा २७। मृगमदमयमंगेष्वंगरागं दधानाः कुसुमविमलमालाशोभितस्वोत्तमांगाः । मुकुटकटकभूषाभूषितांगाः समस्ताः प्रययुरवनिनाथप्रेरितास्तेऽपि सर्वे २८। इत्येवं ते महाराजं ययुः सेनाचरा वराः । धनुर्धराः पाशधराः खड्गधाराः स्फुटक्रमाः २९। एवं शनैःशनैः प्राप्तो मंडपं यागचिह्नितम् । हयः खुरक्षततलां भूमिं कुर्वन्नभः प्लवन् ३०। रामो दृष्ट्वा हरिं प्राप्तं बहुसंतुष्टमानसः । वसिष्ठं प्रेरयामास क्रियाकर्तव्यतां प्रति ३१। वसिष्ठो राममाहूय स्वर्णपत्नीसमन्वितम् । प्रयोगं कारयामास ब्रह्महत्यापनोदनम् ३२। ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतधरो मृगशृंगपरिग्रहः । तत्कर्म कारयामास रामः परपुरंजयः ३३। प्रारेभे यागकर्मार्थं कुंडं मण्डपसंमितम् । तत्राचार्योभवद्धीमान्वेदशास्त्रविचारवित् ३४। वसिष्ठो रघुनाथस्य कुलपूर्वगुरुर्मुनिः । ब्रह्मंस्तत्राचरद्ब्रह्मकर्मागस्त्यस्तपोनिधिः ३५। वाल्मीकिर्मुनिरध्वर्युर्मुनिः कण्वस्तु द्वारपः । अष्टौ द्वाराणि तत्रासन्सतोरण शुभानि वै ३६। द्वारि द्वारि द्वयं विप्र ब्राह्मणस्याधिमंत्रवित् । पूर्वद्वारि मुनिश्रेष्ठौ देवलासित संज्ञितौ ३७। दक्षिणद्वारि भूमानौ कश्यपात्री तपोनिधी । पश्चिमद्वारि ऋषभौ जातूकर्ण्योऽथ जाजलिः ३८। उत्तरद्वारि तु मुनी द्वौ द्वितैकत तापसौ । एवं द्वारविधिं कृत्वा वसिष्ठः कलशोद्भवः ३९। हयवर्यस्य सत्पूजां कर्तुमारभत द्विज । सुवासिन्यः स्त्रियस्तत्र वासोलंकारभूषिताः ४०। हरिद्राक्षतगंधाद्यैः पूजयामासुरर्चितम् । नीराजनं ततः कृत्वा धूपयित्वागुरूक्षणैः ४१। वर्धापनं ततो वेश्याश्चक्रुस्ता वाडवाज्ञया । एवं संपूज्य विमले भाले चंदनचर्चिते ४२। कुंकुमादिकगंधाढ्ये सर्वशोभासमन्विते । बबंध भास्वरं पत्रं तप्तहाटकनिर्मितम् ४३। तत्रालिखद्दाशरथेः प्रतापबलमूर्जितम् । सूर्यवंशध्वजो धन्वी धनुर्दीक्षा गुरुर्गुरुः ४४। यं देवाः सासुराः सर्वे नमंति मणिमौलिभिः । तस्यात्मजो वीरबलदर्पहारी रघूद्वहः ४५। रामचंद्रो महाभागः सर्वशूरशिरोमणिः । तन्माता कोसलनृपपत्नीगर्भसमुद्भवा ४६। तस्याः कुक्षिभवं रत्नं रामः शत्रुक्षयंकरः । करोति हयमेधं वै ब्राह्मणेन सुशिक्षितः ४७। रावणाभिधविप्रेंद्र वधपापापनुत्तये । मोचितस्तेन वाहानां मुख्योऽसौ वाजिनां वरः ४८। महाबलपरीवार परिखाभिः सुरक्षितः । तद्रक्षकोऽस्ति तद्भ्राता शत्रुघ्नो लवणांतकः ४९। हस्त्यश्वरथपादात सेनासंघसमन्वितः । यस्य राज्ञ इति श्रेष्ठो मानः स्यात्स्वबलोन्मदात् ५०। वयं धनुर्धराः शूराः श्रेष्ठा वयमिहोत्कटाः । ते गृह्णंतु बलाद्वाहं रत्नमालाविभूषितम् ५१। मनोवेगं कामजवं सर्वगत्यधिभास्वरम् । ततो मोचयिता भ्राता शत्रुघ्नो लीलया हयम् ५२। शरासनविनिर्मुक्त वत्सदंतैः शिखाशितैः ५३। इत्येवमादि विलिलेख महामुनींद्रः । श्रीरामचंद्र भुजवीर्यलसत्प्रतापम् । शोभानिधानमतिचंचलवायुवेगं । पातालभूतलविशेषगतिं मुमोच ५४। शत्रुघ्नमादिदेशाथ रामः शस्त्रभृतां वरः । याहि वाहस्य रक्षार्थं पृष्ठतः स्वैरगामिनः ५५। शत्रुघ्न गच्छ वाहस्य मार्गं भद्रं भवेत्तव । भवेतां शत्रुविजयौ रिपुकर्षण ते भुजौ ५६। ये योद्धारः प्रतिरणगतास्ते त्वया वारणीया-। वाहं रक्ष स्वकगुणगणैः संयुतः सन्महोर्व्याम् । सुप्तान्भ्रष्टान्विगतवसनान्भीतभीतांस्तु नम्रां-। स्तान्मा हन्याः सुकृतकृतिनो येन शंसंति कर्म ५७। विरथा भयसंत्रस्ता ये वदंति वयं तव । ते त्वया न हि हंतव्याः शत्रुघ्न सुकृतैषिणा ५८। यो हन्याद्विमदं मत्तं सुप्तं मग्नं भयातुरम् । तावकोऽहं ब्रुवाणं च स व्रजत्यधमां गतिम् ५९। परस्वे चित्तवृत्तिं त्वं मा कृथाः पारदारिके । नीचे रतिं न कुर्वीथाः सर्वसद्गुणपूरितः ६०। वृद्धानां प्रेरणं पूर्वं मा कुर्वीथा रणं जय । पूज्यपूजातिक्रमं त्वं मा विधेहि दयान्वितः ६१। गां विप्रं च नमस्कुर्या वैष्णवं धर्मसंयुतम् । अभिवाद्य यतो गच्छेस्तत्र सिद्धिमवाप्नुयाः ६२। विष्णुः सर्वेश्वरः साक्षी सर्वव्यापकदेहभृत् । ये तदीया महाबाहो तद्रूपा विचरंति हि ६३। ये स्मरंति महाविष्णुं सर्वभूतहृदि स्थितम् । ते मंतव्या महाविष्णु समरूपा रघूद्वह ६४। यस्य स्वीयो न पारक्यो यस्य मित्रसमो रिपुः । ते वैष्णवाः क्षणादेव पापिनं पावयंति हि ६५। येषां प्रियं भागवतं येषां वै ब्राह्मणाः प्रियाः । वैकुंठात्प्रेषितास्तेऽत्र लोकपावनहेतवे ६६। येषां वक्त्रे हरेर्नाम हृदि विष्णुः सनातनः । उदरे विष्णुनैवेद्यः स श्वपाकोऽपि वैष्णवः ६७। येषां वेदाः प्रियतमा न च संसारजं सुखम् । स्वधर्मनिरता ये च तान्नमस्कुर्विहान्वितान् ६८। शिवे विष्णौ न वा भेदो न च ब्रह्ममहेशयोः । तेषां पादरजः पूतं वहाम्यघविनाशनम् ६९। गौरी गंगा महालक्ष्मीर्यस्य नास्ति पृथक्तया । ते मंतव्या नराः सर्वे स्वर्गलोकादिहागताः ७०। शरणागतरक्षी च मानदानपरायणः । यथाशक्ति हरेः प्रीत्यै स ज्ञेयो वैष्णवोत्तमः ७१। यस्य नाम महापापराशिं दहति सत्वरम् । तदीय चरणद्वंद्वे भक्तिर्यस्य स वैष्णवः ७२। इंद्रियाणि वशे येषां मनोऽपि हरिचिंतकम् । तान्नमस्कृत्य पूयात्सह्या जन्ममरणांतिकात् ७३। परस्त्रियं त्वं करवालवत्त्यजन्भवेर्यशोभूषणभूतिभूमिः । एवं ममादेशमथाचरंश्च लभेः परं धाम सुयोगमीड्यम् ७४। इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखंडे शेषवात्स्यायनसंवादे रामाश्वमेधे शत्रुघ्नशिक्षाकथनंनाम दशमोऽध्यायः १० ।
śeṣa uvāca| itthaṃ saṃśṛṇvato dharmānvasaṃtaḥ samupasthitaḥ | yatra yajña kriyādīnāṃ prāraṃbhaḥ sumahātmanām 1| dṛṣṭvā taṃ samayaṃ dhīmānvasiṣṭhaḥ kalaśodbhavaḥ | rāmacaṃdraṃ mahārājaṃ pratyuvāca yathocitam 2| vasiṣṭha uvāca| rāmacaṃdra mahābāho samayaḥ paryabhūttava | hayo yatra pramucyeta yajñārthaṃ paripūjitaḥ 3| sāmagrī kriyatāṃ tatra āhūyaṃtāṃ dvijottamāḥ | karotu pūjāṃ bhagavānbrāhmaṇānāṃ yathocitām 4| dīnāṃdhakṛpaṇānāṃ ca dānaṃ svāṃte samutthitam | dadātu vidhivatteṣāṃ pratipūjyādhimānya ca 5| bhavānkanakasatpatnyā dīkṣito'tra vrataṃ cara | bhūmiśāyī brahmacārī vasubhogavivarjitaḥ 6| mṛgaśṛṃgadharaḥ kaṭyāṃ mekhalājinadaṃḍabhṛt | karotu yajñasaṃbhāraṃ sarvadravyasamanvitam 7| iti śrutvā mahadvākyaṃ vasiṣṭhasya yathārthakam | uvāca lakṣmaṇaṃ dhīmānnānārthaparibṛṃhitam 8| śrīrāma uvāca| śṛṇu lakṣmaṇa madvākyaṃ śrutvā tatkuru satvaram | hayamānaya yatnena vājimedhakriyocitam 9| śeṣa uvāca| śrutvā vākyaṃ raghupateḥ śatrujillakṣmaṇastadā | senāpatimuvācedaṃ vaco vividhavarṇanam 10| lakṣmaṇa uvāca| vīrākarṇaya me vacaḥ sumadhuraṃ śrutvā tvarātaḥ punaḥ | kāryaṃ tatkṣitipālamaulimukuṭairghṛṣṭāṃghri rāmājñayā | senāṃ kālabalaprabhaṃjanabalaprodyatsamarthāṃginīṃ | sajjāṃ sadrathahastipattisuhayārohairvidhe hyanvitām 11| sajjīyatāṃ vāyujavāsturaṃgāstaraṃgamālā lalitāṃghripātāḥ | sadaśvacārairbahuśastradhāribhiḥ saṃrohitā vairibalaprahāribhiḥ 12| saṃlakṣyatāṃ hastinaḥ parvatābhā ādhoraṇaiḥ prāsakuṃtāgrahastaiḥ | śūraiḥ sāstrairbhūridānopahārāḥ kṣībāṇaste sarvaśastrāstrapūrṇāḥ 13| vitatabahusamṛddhibhrājamānā rathā me pavanajavanavegairvājibhiryujyamānāḥ | vividharipuvināśasmārakairāyudhāstrairbhṛtavalabhivibhāgānīyatāṃ sūtavṛṃdaiḥ 14| pattayaḥ śataśo mahyamāyāṃtvastrāgnyapāṇayaḥ | hayamedhārhavāhasya rakṣaṇe vitatodyamāḥ 15| ityākarṇya vacastasya lakṣmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ | senānī kālajinnāmā kārayāmāsa sajjatām 16| daśadhruvakamaṃḍito laghusuromaśobhānvito viviktagalaśuktibhṛdvitatakaṃṭhako śemaṇiḥ mukhe viśadakāṃtidhṛttvasitakāṃtibhṛtkarṇayorvyarājata tadāha yo dhṛtakarāgraraśmicchaṭaḥ 17| kalāsaṃśobhitamukhaḥ sphuradratnaviśobhitaḥ | muktāphalānāṃ mālābhiḥ śobhito niryayau hayaḥ 18| śvetātapatraracitaḥ sitacāmaraśobhitaḥ | bahuśobhāparītāṃgo niryayau hayarāṭtataḥ 19| agrato madhyataścaike pṛṣṭhataḥ sainikāstathā | devā hariṃ yathāpūrvaṃ sevaṃte sevanocitam 20| atha sainyaṃ samāhūya sarvamājñāpayattadā | hastyaśvarathapādātavṛndaiḥ subahusaṃkulam 21| tatastataḥ sametānāṃ sainyānāṃ śrūyate dhvaniḥ | tato duṃdubhinādo'bhūttasminpuravare tadā 22| tanninādena śūrāṇāṃ priyeṇa mahatā tadā | kaṃpaṃti giriśṛṃgāṇi prāsādā vicalaṃti ca 23| heṣāravo mahānāsīdvājināṃ muhyatāṃ nṛpa | rathāṃgaghātasaṃghuṣṭā dharā saṃcalatīva sā 24| calitairgajayūthaiśca pṛthvī ruddhā samaṃtataḥ | rajastu pracalattatra janāṃtarddhānamādadhāt 25| nirjagāma mahāsainyaṃ chatraiḥ saṃchādya bhāskaram | senānyākālajinnāmnā preritaṃ janasaṃkulam 26| garjaṃtastalavīrāgryāḥ kurvaṃto raṇasaṃbhramam | raghunāthasya yāgāya sajjāste prayayurmudā 27| mṛgamadamayamaṃgeṣvaṃgarāgaṃ dadhānāḥ kusumavimalamālāśobhitasvottamāṃgāḥ | mukuṭakaṭakabhūṣābhūṣitāṃgāḥ samastāḥ prayayuravanināthapreritāste'pi sarve 28| ityevaṃ te mahārājaṃ yayuḥ senācarā varāḥ | dhanurdharāḥ pāśadharāḥ khaḍgadhārāḥ sphuṭakramāḥ 29| evaṃ śanaiḥśanaiḥ prāpto maṃḍapaṃ yāgacihnitam | hayaḥ khurakṣatatalāṃ bhūmiṃ kurvannabhaḥ plavan 30| rāmo dṛṣṭvā hariṃ prāptaṃ bahusaṃtuṣṭamānasaḥ | vasiṣṭhaṃ prerayāmāsa kriyākartavyatāṃ prati 31| vasiṣṭho rāmamāhūya svarṇapatnīsamanvitam | prayogaṃ kārayāmāsa brahmahatyāpanodanam 32| brahmacaryavratadharo mṛgaśṛṃgaparigrahaḥ | tatkarma kārayāmāsa rāmaḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ 33| prārebhe yāgakarmārthaṃ kuṃḍaṃ maṇḍapasaṃmitam | tatrācāryobhavaddhīmānvedaśāstravicāravit 34| vasiṣṭho raghunāthasya kulapūrvagururmuniḥ | brahmaṃstatrācaradbrahmakarmāgastyastaponidhiḥ 35| vālmīkirmuniradhvaryurmuniḥ kaṇvastu dvārapaḥ | aṣṭau dvārāṇi tatrāsansatoraṇa śubhāni vai 36| dvāri dvāri dvayaṃ vipra brāhmaṇasyādhimaṃtravit | pūrvadvāri muniśreṣṭhau devalāsita saṃjñitau 37| dakṣiṇadvāri bhūmānau kaśyapātrī taponidhī | paścimadvāri ṛṣabhau jātūkarṇyo'tha jājaliḥ 38| uttaradvāri tu munī dvau dvitaikata tāpasau | evaṃ dvāravidhiṃ kṛtvā vasiṣṭhaḥ kalaśodbhavaḥ 39| hayavaryasya satpūjāṃ kartumārabhata dvija | suvāsinyaḥ striyastatra vāsolaṃkārabhūṣitāḥ 40| haridrākṣatagaṃdhādyaiḥ pūjayāmāsurarcitam | nīrājanaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā dhūpayitvāgurūkṣaṇaiḥ 41| vardhāpanaṃ tato veśyāścakrustā vāḍavājñayā | evaṃ saṃpūjya vimale bhāle caṃdanacarcite 42| kuṃkumādikagaṃdhāḍhye sarvaśobhāsamanvite | babaṃdha bhāsvaraṃ patraṃ taptahāṭakanirmitam 43| tatrālikhaddāśaratheḥ pratāpabalamūrjitam | sūryavaṃśadhvajo dhanvī dhanurdīkṣā gururguruḥ 44| yaṃ devāḥ sāsurāḥ sarve namaṃti maṇimaulibhiḥ | tasyātmajo vīrabaladarpahārī raghūdvahaḥ 45| rāmacaṃdro mahābhāgaḥ sarvaśūraśiromaṇiḥ | tanmātā kosalanṛpapatnīgarbhasamudbhavā 46| tasyāḥ kukṣibhavaṃ ratnaṃ rāmaḥ śatrukṣayaṃkaraḥ | karoti hayamedhaṃ vai brāhmaṇena suśikṣitaḥ 47| rāvaṇābhidhavipreṃdra vadhapāpāpanuttaye | mocitastena vāhānāṃ mukhyo'sau vājināṃ varaḥ 48| mahābalaparīvāra parikhābhiḥ surakṣitaḥ | tadrakṣako'sti tadbhrātā śatrughno lavaṇāṃtakaḥ 49| hastyaśvarathapādāta senāsaṃghasamanvitaḥ | yasya rājña iti śreṣṭho mānaḥ syātsvabalonmadāt 50| vayaṃ dhanurdharāḥ śūrāḥ śreṣṭhā vayamihotkaṭāḥ | te gṛhṇaṃtu balādvāhaṃ ratnamālāvibhūṣitam 51| manovegaṃ kāmajavaṃ sarvagatyadhibhāsvaram | tato mocayitā bhrātā śatrughno līlayā hayam 52| śarāsanavinirmukta vatsadaṃtaiḥ śikhāśitaiḥ 53| ityevamādi vililekha mahāmunīṃdraḥ | śrīrāmacaṃdra bhujavīryalasatpratāpam | śobhānidhānamaticaṃcalavāyuvegaṃ | pātālabhūtalaviśeṣagatiṃ mumoca 54| śatrughnamādideśātha rāmaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ | yāhi vāhasya rakṣārthaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ svairagāminaḥ 55| śatrughna gaccha vāhasya mārgaṃ bhadraṃ bhavettava | bhavetāṃ śatruvijayau ripukarṣaṇa te bhujau 56| ye yoddhāraḥ pratiraṇagatāste tvayā vāraṇīyā-| vāhaṃ rakṣa svakaguṇagaṇaiḥ saṃyutaḥ sanmahorvyām | suptānbhraṣṭānvigatavasanānbhītabhītāṃstu namrāṃ-| stānmā hanyāḥ sukṛtakṛtino yena śaṃsaṃti karma 57| virathā bhayasaṃtrastā ye vadaṃti vayaṃ tava | te tvayā na hi haṃtavyāḥ śatrughna sukṛtaiṣiṇā 58| yo hanyādvimadaṃ mattaṃ suptaṃ magnaṃ bhayāturam | tāvako'haṃ bruvāṇaṃ ca sa vrajatyadhamāṃ gatim 59| parasve cittavṛttiṃ tvaṃ mā kṛthāḥ pāradārike | nīce ratiṃ na kurvīthāḥ sarvasadguṇapūritaḥ 60| vṛddhānāṃ preraṇaṃ pūrvaṃ mā kurvīthā raṇaṃ jaya | pūjyapūjātikramaṃ tvaṃ mā vidhehi dayānvitaḥ 61| gāṃ vipraṃ ca namaskuryā vaiṣṇavaṃ dharmasaṃyutam | abhivādya yato gacchestatra siddhimavāpnuyāḥ 62| viṣṇuḥ sarveśvaraḥ sākṣī sarvavyāpakadehabhṛt | ye tadīyā mahābāho tadrūpā vicaraṃti hi 63| ye smaraṃti mahāviṣṇuṃ sarvabhūtahṛdi sthitam | te maṃtavyā mahāviṣṇu samarūpā raghūdvaha 64| yasya svīyo na pārakyo yasya mitrasamo ripuḥ | te vaiṣṇavāḥ kṣaṇādeva pāpinaṃ pāvayaṃti hi 65| yeṣāṃ priyaṃ bhāgavataṃ yeṣāṃ vai brāhmaṇāḥ priyāḥ | vaikuṃṭhātpreṣitāste'tra lokapāvanahetave 66| yeṣāṃ vaktre harernāma hṛdi viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ | udare viṣṇunaivedyaḥ sa śvapāko'pi vaiṣṇavaḥ 67| yeṣāṃ vedāḥ priyatamā na ca saṃsārajaṃ sukham | svadharmaniratā ye ca tānnamaskurvihānvitān 68| śive viṣṇau na vā bhedo na ca brahmamaheśayoḥ | teṣāṃ pādarajaḥ pūtaṃ vahāmyaghavināśanam 69| gaurī gaṃgā mahālakṣmīryasya nāsti pṛthaktayā | te maṃtavyā narāḥ sarve svargalokādihāgatāḥ 70| śaraṇāgatarakṣī ca mānadānaparāyaṇaḥ | yathāśakti hareḥ prītyai sa jñeyo vaiṣṇavottamaḥ 71| yasya nāma mahāpāparāśiṃ dahati satvaram | tadīya caraṇadvaṃdve bhaktiryasya sa vaiṣṇavaḥ 72| iṃdriyāṇi vaśe yeṣāṃ mano'pi hariciṃtakam | tānnamaskṛtya pūyātsahyā janmamaraṇāṃtikāt 73| parastriyaṃ tvaṃ karavālavattyajanbhaveryaśobhūṣaṇabhūtibhūmiḥ | evaṃ mamādeśamathācaraṃśca labheḥ paraṃ dhāma suyogamīḍyam 74| iti śrīpadmapurāṇe pātālakhaṃḍe śeṣavātsyāyanasaṃvāde rāmāśvamedhe śatrughnaśikṣākathanaṃnāma daśamo'dhyāyaḥ 10 |
English translation
Śeṣa said :
1-2. While Rāma was thus listening to religious duties (from sages) the spring season in which beginning of very great rites is made, set in. Seeing that season (had set in), the intelligent Vasiṣṭha , born from the pitcher, said to the great king Rāma, what was proper.
Vasiṣṭha said :
3-8. O Rāmacandra of mighty arms, for you the time when the horse fully honoured is let loose for the sacrifice, has come. Make preparations for it. Invite the best brāhmaṇas . May the lord worship the brāhmaṇas properly. May he give gifts that have come up to his mind (i.e. desired by him) to the helpless, blind and the miserable according to the proper rite after having worshipped and honoured them. Initiated along with the golden (image of your) wife, sleeping on the ground, being restrained, and avoiding excellent enjoyments, keeping the deer’s horn on the waist, wearing a girdle, deer-hide, and a staff, you should make preparations for the (horse-sacrifice) with (all) the (required) things.
Hearing these significant and apt words of Vasiṣṭha, the intelligent (Rāma) spoke to Lakṣmaṇa words rich with various meanings.
Śrī Rāma said :
9. O Lakṣmaṇa, listen to my words (instructions); and having listened to them, quickly carry them out. Carefully bring a horse proper for the rite of the horse-sacrifice.
Śeṣa said :
10. Having heard the words of the lord of Raghus , Lakṣmaṇa, the conqueror of (his) enemies, said these words, describing (the horse) variously, to the commander-in-chief of the army.
Lakṣmaṇa said :
11-15. O hero, listen to these very sweet words of (i.e. uttered by) me; and having heard them, quickly carry them out according to the order of Rāma whose feet are rubbed by the crowns decorating the heads of the kings. Keep ready the army whose divisions are active due to the strength of the strong wind (generated) by the destroyer (of the universe), and having good chariots, elephants, foot-soldiers and good horsemen. Keep ready horses whose speed is like that of the wind, and whose plantings of their feet (i.e. steps) are charming like the rows of ripples, and which are mounted upon by good horsemen, holding many weapons and striking the enemy’s army. Observe the elephants resembling mountains, which are (mounted upon) by the brave riders having darts and lances in their hands and having missiles, which exude profuse rut, which are intoxicated and are full of (i.e. have on them) all weapons and missiles. Let the groups of the charioteers take my chariots shining with extensive, large wealth, being yoked with horses having the speed of the wind, reminding (one) of the destruction of various foes, and with their topmost parts full with weapons and missiles. Let hundreds of foot-soldiers, having best weapons in their hands, exerting themselves in protecting the horse fit for the horse sacrifice, come to me.
16-30. Having heard these words of that magnanimous Lakṣmaṇa, the commander-in-chief Kālajit by name, made the (horse) ready. The horse adorned with ten stars, endowed with the charm of fine down, having faultless pearls round his neck, so also a gem round the extensive neck, having spotless beauty on the face, and blackish brightness on the ears, and with the mass of his reins held (by the commander-in-chief) with his hand, shone (there). The horse, with his face shining with (strips resembling) the digits (of the moon), adorned with bright gems, and beautified with necklaces of pearls, went out. At that time the lordly horse decorated with a white umbrella, adorned with a white chowrie, with his body surrounded (i.e. covered) by great loveliness, went out. Soldiers in front, in the midst, and in the rear, served him, as formerly gods waited upon Viṣṇu who deserved to be honoured. Then having called the entire army, very much crowded with hosts of elephants, horses, chariots and foot-soldiers, he issued orders to it. Then the noise produced by the army that had collected (there), was heard. Then in that excellent city there was (heard) the sound of the kettle-drums. Due to the great agreeable and sharp sound of the heroes the peaks of mountains trembled and palaces shook. O king, there was a big sound of the perplexed horses. The earth as it were, moved, when it sounded by the impact of the wheels of chariots. The earth was, all around, blocked up with the herds of elephants that were moving (along it). Dust moved there, and it screened the people (there). The great army full of men, being impelled by the commander-in-chief named Kālajit, moved out, covering the sun with its umbrellas. The best foot-soldiers, causing the battle-flurry, and ready for Rāma’s (horse-)sacrifice, joyfully set out. All those (soldiers) having fragrant unguent of musk applied to their bodies, with their heads adorned with pure garlands of flowers, with their bodies adorned with the decorations of crowns and bracelets, and impelled by the king, set out. In this way, the excellent soldiers, holding bows, holding nooses and holding swords, and of loud steps, went to the great king. Thus the horse, marked for the sacrifice, scratching the ground with his hoofs, jumping in the sky (i.e. in the air), slowly reached the (sacrificial) hall.
31-42a. With his mind highly pleased on seeing the horse that had come (there), Rāma moved Vasiṣṭha to perform the (necessary) rite. Vasiṣṭha called Rāma along with (the image of) his wife made of gold, and made him perform the rite that would remove (the sin of) killing a brāhmaṇa . Rāma, the conqueror of his enemies’ cities, practising the vow of celibacy, and holding a deer-horn got done that rite (through the brāhmaṇas). For the performance of the sacrifice he commenced (constructing) a basis furnished with a hall. The intelligent sage Vasiṣṭha, the old preceptor of Rama ’s family, who was conversant with the Vedic concepts, became the preceptor there (i.e. at that sacrifice). Agastya , the treasure of penance, acting as the Brahmā -priest, performed the duties of that priest. The sage Vālmīki was the Adhvaryu -priest, and (the sage) Kaṇva (acted as) the doorkeeper. There were eight gates (to the hall) which were auspicious with ornamental arches. O brāhmaṇa, at each gate two brāhmaṇas, knowing the sacred hymns (were placed). At the eastern gate (were posted) the two best sages named Devala and Asita . At the southern gate (stood) the two great treasures of penance, viz. Kaśyapa and Atri . At the western gate (were) the two best (sages) Jātūkarṇya and Jābāli . At the northern gate (remained) the two ascetics—the two sages— Dvita and Ekata . O brāhmaṇa, having thus made the arrangement at the gates, Vasiṣṭha, born from a pitcher, started worshipping the best horse. Women whose husbands were alive, who were adorned with (beautiful) garments and ornaments, started worshipping the best horse with turmeric, sacred rice grains, sandal etc., O brāhmaṇa. Then after having worshipped him, they waved lights before him and offered incense of agaru . Then by the order of the brāhmaṇa (viz. Vasiṣṭha), the courtezans offered him wishes for prosperity.
42b-54. After having worshipped him like this, he tied a note, bright and fashioned of gold purified with fire, on his spotless forehead to which sandal was applied, which was very fragrant with saffron etc., and which was all beautiful. There (i.e. in the note) he wrote the bright valour and power of Daśaratha ’s son (Rāma): “The magnanimous Rāma, the crest-jewel of all heroes, the remover of the pride of the heroes of their power, and the descendant of Raghu , is the son of him who was the banner of the solar family, who was a great archer and a teacher initiating (pupils) in archery, and whom all gods along with demons saluted with (i.e. by bowing down) their heads having gems (on them). Rāma’s mother is the one born from the womb of the wife of the king of Kośala . Rāma, his (i.e. Daśaratha’s) son, who was the gem born from her womb, who is fearful to his enemies, who is well instructed by the brāhm aṇa (Vasiṣṭha), is performing a horse-sacrifice to remove the sin due to his having killed the best brāhmaṇa named Rāvaṇa . (For that sacrifice) he has let loose this excellent horse, best among horses and well-protected by the moats (in the form) of great army surrounding him. The protector of the horse is Rāma’s brother, Śatrughna , who had killed (the demon named) Lavaṇa , and who is accompanied by the multitude of the army (consisting of) elephants, horses, chariots and foot-soldiers. Those kings who, through the pride of their strength, have the jealous anger (as): ‘We are great archers, we are brave, we are mighty’, should capture with force the horse adorned with jewelled necklaces, having the speed of the mind, going at will, (capable of) moving everywhere, and very bright. From them Rāma’s brother Śatrughna will easily free him with points of arrows (i.e. pointed arrows) whetted on grindstones and discharged from his bow.” The greatest sage wrote such and other things (in the note) and then let loose the horse with his glory shining due to the power of the arms of Rāma, the treasure of beauty, being extremely swift and having the speed of the wind, and having a special property of moving in the nether world and on the earth.
55-74. Rāma, the best among the wielders of weapons ordered Śatrughna: “Go after the horse moving freely for protecting him. O Śatrughna go along the path of the horse. May good fortune attend upon you. O you who torment your enemies, may your arms conquer the enemies. O brave one, those warriors who fight with you, should be warded off by you. On this great earth, you, united with your hosts of virtues, protect the horse. You should not kill those who are asleep, who have fled, who have lost their garments, who are very much frightened, who are polite, who have done good deeds, by doing which (i.e. when you do like this) they will approve of (your) deed. O Śatrugḥna, you who desire (to have) religious merit, should not kill those who are without (i.e. who have lost their) chariots, who are afflicted with fear, and who say (to you): ‘We belong to you.’ He who would kill him who is humble, who is mad, who is asleep, who is frustrated, who is affected by fear, and who says: ‘I belong to you’, goes to a mean position. You who are full of all virtues, should not long for others’ wealth, or for other man’s wife; do not show interest in a mean person. O you conqueror in a battle, do not first strike the old (i.e. do not strike the old before they strike you). Being endowed with compassion, do not violate (the rule of) worshipping the venerable. Salute a cow and a brāhmaṇa, and a devotee of Viṣṇu possessing righteousness. Wherever you go after saluting (these), you will obtain success. Viṣṇu is the lord of all, is the witness (observing everything), and possesses a body that occupies everything. O you of mighty arms, O you descendant of Raghu, they who belong to him (i.e. Viṣṇu), who move in his form, who remember Viṣṇu remaining in the hearts of all, should be regarded as having a form similar to that of Viṣṇu. Those devotees of Viṣṇu for whom there is none that belongs to them, none that is a stranger, and for whom the enemy is like a friend, purify a sinner in a moment. They, to whom the Bhāgavata ( Purāṇa ) is dear, to whom the brāhmaṇas are dear, are sent here (i.e. to this world) from Vaikuṇṭha for purifying the world. Even that cāṇḍāla in whose mouth there is Viṣṇu’s name, in whose heart there is the ancient Viṣṇu, and in whose belly there is the offering of eatables presented to Viṣṇu, is dear to Viṣṇu. Salute them that are here, to whom the Vedas are dear and not the happiness due to the worldly existence, and who are devoted to their own way of life. There is no difference between Śiva and Viṣṇu; so also between Śiva (or Viṣṇu) and Brahmā. I carry (on my body) the dust particles of their feet, which are pure and which destroy sins. Those men, for whom Pārvatī , Gaṅgā , Mahālakṣmī , do not exist separately, should, all of them, be looked upon as having come here (i.e. to this world) from heaven. He who, in order to please Viṣṇu, protects him who has sought his refuge, and gives respect and makes presents according to his capacity, should be known as the best devotee of V iṣṇu . He who is devoted to the pair of feet of him (the utterance of) whose name quickly burns the heaps of great sins, is the devotee of Viṣṇu. By saluting those whose senses are controlled, whose mind also thinks of Viṣṇu (only), a man should purify (himself) from birth to death. Abandoning another man’s wife like a sword, be the ground of the ornament of victory and welfare. Thus following my command, you will obtain the highest position and a praiseworthy good contact (with the highest Lord).”
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 43621, revision 335835 (2022-04-15T11:37:53Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365321.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.