Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 11
Sourceशेष उवाच। एवमाज्ञाप्य भगवान्रामश्चामित्रकर्षणः । वीरानालोकयन्भूयो जगाद शुभया गिरा १। शत्रुघ्नस्य मम भ्रातुर्वाजिरक्षाकरस्य वै । को गंता पृष्ठतो रक्षंस्तन्निदेशप्रपालकः २। यः सर्ववीरान्प्रतिमुख्यमागतान्विनिर्जयेन्मर्मभिदस्त्रसंघैः । गृह्णात्वसौ मे करवीटकं तद्भूमौ यशः स्वं प्रथयन्सुविस्तरम् ३। इत्युक्तवति रामे तु पुष्कलो भरतात्मजः । जग्राह वीटकं तस्माद्रघुराजकरांबुजात् ४। स्वामिन्गच्छामि शत्रुघ्न पृष्ठरक्षाकरोऽन्वहम् । सन्नद्धः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्र चापबाणधरः प्रभो ५। सर्वमद्य क्षितितलं त्वत्प्रतापो विजेष्यते । एते निमित्तभूता वै रामचंद्र महामते ६। भवत्कृपातः सकलं ससुरासुरमानुषम् । उपस्थितं प्रयुद्धाय तन्निषेधे क्षमो ह्यहम् ७। सर्वं स्वामी ज्ञास्यति यन्ममविक्रम दर्शनात् । एष गंतास्मि शत्रुघ्न पृष्ठरक्षाप्रकारकः ८। एवं ब्रुवंतं भरतात्मजं स प्रस्तूय साध्वित्यनुमोदमानः । शशंस सर्वान्कपिवीरमुख्यान्प्रभंजनोद्भूतमुखान्हरिः प्रभुः ९। भो हनूमन्महावीर शृणु मद्वाक्यमादृतः । त्वत्प्रसादान्मया प्राप्तमिदं राज्यमकंटकम् १०। सीतया मम संयोगे यो भवाञ्जलधिं तरेः । चरितं तद्धरे वेद्मि सर्वं तव कपीश्वर ११। त्वं गच्छ मम सैन्यस्य पालकः सन्ममाज्ञया । शत्रुघ्नः सोदरो मह्यं पालनीयस्त्वहं यथा १२। यत्र यत्र मतिभ्रंशः शत्रुघ्नस्य प्रजायते । तत्र तत्र प्रबोद्धव्यो भ्राता मम महामते १३। इति श्रुत्वा महद्वाक्यं रामचंद्रस्य धीमतः । शिरसा तत्समाधाय प्रणाममकरोत्तदा १४। अथादिशन्महाराजो जांबवंतं कपीश्वरम् । रघुनाथस्य सेवायै कपिषूत्तमतेजसम् १५। अंगदो गवयो मैंदस्तथा दधिमुखः कपिः । सुग्रीवः प्लवगाधीशः शतवल्यक्षिकौ कपी १६। नीलो नलो मनोवेगोऽधिगंता वानरांगजः । इत्येवमादयो यूयं सज्जीभूता भवंतु भोः १७। सर्वैर्गजैः सदश्वैश्च तप्तहाटकभूषणैः । कवचैः सशिरस्त्राणैर्भूषितायां तु सत्वराः १८। शेष उवाच। सुमंत्रमाहूय सुमंत्रिणं तदा जगाद रामो बलवीर्यशोभनः । अमात्यमौले वद केऽत्र योज्या नरा हयं पालयितुं समर्थाः १९। तदुक्तमेवमाकर्ण्य जगाद परवीरहा । हयस्य रक्षणे योग्यान्बलिनोऽत्र नराधिपान् २०। रघुनाथ शृणुष्वैतान्नववीरान्सुसंहितान् । धनुर्धरान्महाविद्यान्सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकोविदान् २१। प्रतापाग्र्यं नीलरत्नं तथा लक्ष्मीनिधिं नृपम् । रिपुतापं चोग्रहयं तथा शस्त्रविदं नृपम् २२। राजन्योऽसौ नीलरत्नो महावीरो रथाग्रणीः । स एव लक्षं रक्षेत लक्षं युध्येत निर्भयः २३। अक्षौहिणीभिर्दशभिर्यातु वाहस्य रक्षणे । दंशितैस्स शिरस्त्राणैर्मम बाहुभिरुद्धतैः २४। प्रतापाग्र्यो यो ह्ययं च रिपुगर्वमशातयत् । सव्यापसव्यबाणानां मोक्ता सर्वास्त्रवित्तमः २५। एषोऽक्षौहिणिविंशत्या यातु यज्ञहयावने । सन्नद्धो रिपुनाशाय युवाको दंडदंडभृत् २६। तथा लक्ष्मीनिधिस्त्वेष यातु राजन्यसत्तमः । यस्तपोभिः शतधृतिं प्रसाद्यास्त्राणि चाभ्यसत् २७। ब्रह्मास्त्रं पाशुपत्यास्त्रं गारुडं नागसंज्ञितम् । मायूरं नाकुलं रौद्रं वैष्णवं मेघसंज्ञितम् २८। वज्रं पार्वतसंज्ञं च तथा वायव्यसंज्ञितम् । इत्यादिकानामस्त्राणां संप्रयोगविसर्गवित् २९। स एष निजसैन्यानामक्षौहिण्यैकया युतः । प्रयातु शूरमुकुटः सर्ववैरिप्रभंजनः ३०। रिपुतापोऽयमेवाद्य गच्छत्वग्र्यो धनुर्भृताम् । सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकुशलो रिपुवंशदवानलः ३१। गच्छतात्सेनया बह्व्या चतुरंगसमेतया । शत्रुघ्नाज्ञां शिरस्येते दधत्वद्य बलोत्कटाः ३२। उग्राश्वोऽपि महाराजा तथा शस्त्रविदेष च । सर्वे यांतु सुसंनद्धास्तव वाहस्य पालकाः ३३। इति भाषितमाकर्ण्य मंत्रिणः प्रजहर्ष च । आज्ञापयामास च तान्सुमंत्रकथितान्भटान् ३४। तेऽनुज्ञां रघुनाथस्य प्राप्य मोदं प्रपेदिरे । चिरकालं सांपरायं वांच्छंतो युद्धदुर्मदाः ३५। सन्नद्धाः कवचाद्यैश्च तथा शस्त्रास्त्रवर्तनैः । ययुः शत्रुघ्नसंवासं सीतापति प्रणोदिताः ३६। शेष उवाच। अथोक्त ऋषिणा रामो विधिना पूजयत्क्रमात् । आचार्यादीनृषीन्सर्वान्यथोक्तवरदक्षिणैः ३७। आचार्याय ददौ रामो हस्तिनं षष्टिहायनम् । हयमेकं मनोवेगं रत्नमालाविभूषितम् ३८। पौरटं रथमेकं च मणिरत्नविभूषितम् । चतुर्भिर्वाजिभिर्युक्तं सर्वोपस्करसंयुतम् ३९। मणिलक्षं तु प्रत्यक्षं मुक्ताफलतुलाशतम् । विद्रुमस्य तुलानां तु सहस्रं स्फुटतेजसाम् ४०। ग्राममेकं सुसंपन्नं नानाजनसमाकुलम् । विचित्रसस्यनिष्पन्नं विविधैर्मंदिरैर्वृतम् ४१। ब्रह्मणेऽपि तथैवादाद्धोत्रेऽप्यध्वर्यवे ददौ । ऋत्विग्भ्यो भूरिशो दत्त्वा प्रणनाम रघूत्तमः ४२। सर्वे ते विविधा वाग्भिराशीर्भिरभिपूजिताः । चिरंजीव महाराज रामचन्द्र रघूद्वह ४३। कन्यादानं भूमिदानं गजदानं तथैव च । अश्वदानं स्वर्णदानं तिलदानं समौक्तिकम् ४४। अन्नदानं पयोदानमभयं दानमुत्तमम् । रत्नदानानि सर्वाणि विप्रेभ्यश्चादिशन्महान् ४५। देहि देहि धनं देहि मानेति ब्रूहि कस्यचित् । ददात्वन्नं ददात्वन्नं सर्वभोगसमन्वितम् ४६। इत्थं प्रावर्तत मखो रघुनाथस्य धीमतः । सदक्षिणो द्विजवरैः पूर्णः सर्वशुभक्रियः ४७। अथ रामानुजो गत्वा मातरं प्रणनाम ह । आज्ञापयाश्वरक्षार्थमेष गच्छामि शोभने ४८। त्वत्कृपातो रिपुकुलं जित्वा शोभासमन्वितः । आयास्यामि महाराजैर्हयवर्यसमन्वितः ४९। मातोवाच । पुत्र गच्छ महावीर शिवाः पंथान एव ते । सर्वान्रिपुगणाञ्जित्वा पुनरागच्छ सन्मते ५०। पुष्कलं पालय निजभ्रातृजं धर्मवित्तमम् । महाबलिनमद्यापि बालकं लीलयायुतम् ५१। पुत्रागच्छसि चेद्युक्तः पुष्कलेन शुभान्वितः । तदा मम प्रमोदः स्यादन्यथा शोकभागहम् ५२। इति संभाष्यमाणां स्वां मातरं प्रत्युवाच सः । त्वदीयचरणद्वंद्वं स्मरन्प्राप्स्यामि शोभनम् ५३। पुष्कलं पालयित्वाहं निजांगमिव शोभने । स्वनामसदृशं कृत्वा पुनरेष्यामि मोदवान् ५४। इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ वीरो रामं स मखमंडपे । आसीनं मुनिवर्याग्र्यैर्यज्ञवेषधरं वरम् ५५। उवाच मतिमान्वीरः सर्वशोभासमन्वितः । रामाज्ञापय रक्षार्थं हयस्यानुज्ञया तव ५६। रघुनाथोऽपि तच्छ्रुत्वा भद्रमस्त्विति चाब्रवीत् । बालं स्त्रियं प्रमत्तं त्वं मा हन्याः शस्त्रवर्जितम् ५७। तदा लक्ष्मीनिधिर्भ्राता जानक्या जनकात्मजः । प्रहस्य किंचिन्नयने नर्तयन्राममब्रवीत् ५८। लक्ष्मीनिधिरुवाच। रामचंद्र महाबाहो सर्वधर्मपरायण । शत्रुघ्नं शिक्षय तथा यथा लोकोत्तरो भवेत् ५९। कुलोचितं कर्म कुर्वन्नग्रजाचरितं तथा । गच्छेत्स परमं धाम तेजोबलसमन्वितम् ६०। त्वया प्रोक्तं महाराज ब्राह्मणं नावमानयेत् । पित्रा तव हतो विप्रः पितृभक्तिपरायणः ६१। त्वयापि सुमहत्कर्म कृतं लोकविगर्हितम् । अवध्यां महिलां यस्त्वं हतवान्नियतं ततः ६२। अग्रजोऽस्य महाराज कृतवान्यं पराक्रमम् । सनकेन कृतः पूर्वं राक्षस्याः कर्णकर्तनम् ६३। एवं करिष्यति नृपः शत्रुघ्नः शिक्षया तव । यदि नायं तथा कुर्यात्कुलस्यासदृशं भवेत् ६४। इत्युक्तवंतं तं रामः प्रत्युवाच हसन्निव । मेघगंभीरया वाचा सर्ववाक्यविशारदः ६५। शृण्वंतु योगिनः शांताः समदुःखसुखाः पुनः । जानंत्यपारसंसारनिस्तारतरणादिकम् ६६। ये शूराः समहेष्वासाः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकोविदाः । ते च जानंति युद्धस्य वार्त्तां न तु भवादृशाः ६७। परोपतापिनो ये वै ये चोत्पथविसारिणः । ते हंतव्या नृपैः सर्वैः सर्वलोकहितैषिभिः ६८। इत्युक्तमाकर्ण्य सभासदस्ते सर्वे स्मितं चक्रुररिंदमस्य । कुंभोद्भवः पूजितमेनमश्वं विमोचयामास सुशोभितं हि ६९। इमं मंत्रं समुच्चार्य वसिष्ठः कलशोद्भवः । कराग्रेण स्पृशन्नश्वं मुमोच जयकांक्षया ७०। वाजिन्गच्छ यथालीलं सर्वत्र धरणीतले । यागार्थे मोचितो येन पुनरागच्छ सत्वरः ७१। अश्वस्तु मोचितः सर्वैर्भटैः शस्त्रास्त्रकोविदैः । परीतः प्रययौ प्राचीं दिशं वायुजवान्वितः ७२। प्रचचार बलं सर्वं कंपयद्धरणीतलम् । शेषोऽपि किंचिन्न तया फणया धृतवान्भुवम् ७३। दिशः प्रसेदुः परितः क्ष्मातलं शोभयान्वितम् । वायवस्तं तु शत्रुघ्नं पृष्ठतो मंदगामिनः ७४। शत्रुघ्नस्य प्रयाणायाभ्युद्य तस्य भुजोऽस्फुरत् । दक्षिणः शुभमाशंसी जयाय च बभूव ह ७५। पुष्कलः स्वगृहं रम्यं प्रविवेश समृद्धिमत् । वितर्दिभिर्वलक्षाभिः शोभितं रत्नवेदिकम् ७६। तत्रापश्यन्निजां भार्यां पतिव्रतपरायणाम् । किंचित्स्वदर्शनाद्धृष्टां भर्तृदर्शनलालसाम् ७७। मुखारविंदेन च नागवल्लीदलं सुकर्पूरयुतं च चर्वती । नासाफलं तोयभवं महाधनं बाह्वोर्मृणालीसदृशोः सुकंकणे ७८। कुचौ तु मालूरफलोपमौ वरौ नितंबबिंबं वरनीवि शोभितम् । पादौ तुलाकोटिधरौ सुकोमलौ दधत्यहो एक्षत सत्पतिं स्वकम् ७९। परिरभ्य प्रियां धीरो गद्गदस्वरभाषिणीम् । तदुरोजपरीरंभनिर्भरीकृतदेहकाम् ८०। उवाच भद्रे गच्छामि शत्रुघ्नपृष्ठरक्षकः । रामाज्ञया याज्ञमश्वं पालयन्रथसंयुतः ८१। त्वया मे मातरः पूज्याः पादसंवाहनादिमिः । तदुच्छिष्टं हि भुंजाना तत्कर्मकरणादरा ८२। सर्वाः पतिव्रता नार्यो लोपामुद्रादिकाः शुभाः । नावमान्यास्त्वया भीरु स्वतपोबलशोभिताः ८३। इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखंडे शेषवात्स्यायनसंवादे रामाश्वमेधे हयमोचन-पुष्कलभार्यासमागमोनाम एकादशोऽध्यायः ११ ।
śeṣa uvāca| evamājñāpya bhagavānrāmaścāmitrakarṣaṇaḥ | vīrānālokayanbhūyo jagāda śubhayā girā 1| śatrughnasya mama bhrāturvājirakṣākarasya vai | ko gaṃtā pṛṣṭhato rakṣaṃstannideśaprapālakaḥ 2| yaḥ sarvavīrānpratimukhyamāgatānvinirjayenmarmabhidastrasaṃghaiḥ | gṛhṇātvasau me karavīṭakaṃ tadbhūmau yaśaḥ svaṃ prathayansuvistaram 3| ityuktavati rāme tu puṣkalo bharatātmajaḥ | jagrāha vīṭakaṃ tasmādraghurājakarāṃbujāt 4| svāmingacchāmi śatrughna pṛṣṭharakṣākaro'nvaham | sannaddhaḥ sarvaśastrāstra cāpabāṇadharaḥ prabho 5| sarvamadya kṣititalaṃ tvatpratāpo vijeṣyate | ete nimittabhūtā vai rāmacaṃdra mahāmate 6| bhavatkṛpātaḥ sakalaṃ sasurāsuramānuṣam | upasthitaṃ prayuddhāya tanniṣedhe kṣamo hyaham 7| sarvaṃ svāmī jñāsyati yanmamavikrama darśanāt | eṣa gaṃtāsmi śatrughna pṛṣṭharakṣāprakārakaḥ 8| evaṃ bruvaṃtaṃ bharatātmajaṃ sa prastūya sādhvityanumodamānaḥ | śaśaṃsa sarvānkapivīramukhyānprabhaṃjanodbhūtamukhānhariḥ prabhuḥ 9| bho hanūmanmahāvīra śṛṇu madvākyamādṛtaḥ | tvatprasādānmayā prāptamidaṃ rājyamakaṃṭakam 10| sītayā mama saṃyoge yo bhavāñjaladhiṃ tareḥ | caritaṃ taddhare vedmi sarvaṃ tava kapīśvara 11| tvaṃ gaccha mama sainyasya pālakaḥ sanmamājñayā | śatrughnaḥ sodaro mahyaṃ pālanīyastvahaṃ yathā 12| yatra yatra matibhraṃśaḥ śatrughnasya prajāyate | tatra tatra praboddhavyo bhrātā mama mahāmate 13| iti śrutvā mahadvākyaṃ rāmacaṃdrasya dhīmataḥ | śirasā tatsamādhāya praṇāmamakarottadā 14| athādiśanmahārājo jāṃbavaṃtaṃ kapīśvaram | raghunāthasya sevāyai kapiṣūttamatejasam 15| aṃgado gavayo maiṃdastathā dadhimukhaḥ kapiḥ | sugrīvaḥ plavagādhīśaḥ śatavalyakṣikau kapī 16| nīlo nalo manovego'dhigaṃtā vānarāṃgajaḥ | ityevamādayo yūyaṃ sajjībhūtā bhavaṃtu bhoḥ 17| sarvairgajaiḥ sadaśvaiśca taptahāṭakabhūṣaṇaiḥ | kavacaiḥ saśirastrāṇairbhūṣitāyāṃ tu satvarāḥ 18| śeṣa uvāca| sumaṃtramāhūya sumaṃtriṇaṃ tadā jagāda rāmo balavīryaśobhanaḥ | amātyamaule vada ke'tra yojyā narā hayaṃ pālayituṃ samarthāḥ 19| taduktamevamākarṇya jagāda paravīrahā | hayasya rakṣaṇe yogyānbalino'tra narādhipān 20| raghunātha śṛṇuṣvaitānnavavīrānsusaṃhitān | dhanurdharānmahāvidyānsarvaśastrāstrakovidān 21| pratāpāgryaṃ nīlaratnaṃ tathā lakṣmīnidhiṃ nṛpam | riputāpaṃ cograhayaṃ tathā śastravidaṃ nṛpam 22| rājanyo'sau nīlaratno mahāvīro rathāgraṇīḥ | sa eva lakṣaṃ rakṣeta lakṣaṃ yudhyeta nirbhayaḥ 23| akṣauhiṇībhirdaśabhiryātu vāhasya rakṣaṇe | daṃśitaissa śirastrāṇairmama bāhubhiruddhataiḥ 24| pratāpāgryo yo hyayaṃ ca ripugarvamaśātayat | savyāpasavyabāṇānāṃ moktā sarvāstravittamaḥ 25| eṣo'kṣauhiṇiviṃśatyā yātu yajñahayāvane | sannaddho ripunāśāya yuvāko daṃḍadaṃḍabhṛt 26| tathā lakṣmīnidhistveṣa yātu rājanyasattamaḥ | yastapobhiḥ śatadhṛtiṃ prasādyāstrāṇi cābhyasat 27| brahmāstraṃ pāśupatyāstraṃ gāruḍaṃ nāgasaṃjñitam | māyūraṃ nākulaṃ raudraṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ meghasaṃjñitam 28| vajraṃ pārvatasaṃjñaṃ ca tathā vāyavyasaṃjñitam | ityādikānāmastrāṇāṃ saṃprayogavisargavit 29| sa eṣa nijasainyānāmakṣauhiṇyaikayā yutaḥ | prayātu śūramukuṭaḥ sarvavairiprabhaṃjanaḥ 30| riputāpo'yamevādya gacchatvagryo dhanurbhṛtām | sarvaśastrāstrakuśalo ripuvaṃśadavānalaḥ 31| gacchatātsenayā bahvyā caturaṃgasametayā | śatrughnājñāṃ śirasyete dadhatvadya balotkaṭāḥ 32| ugrāśvo'pi mahārājā tathā śastravideṣa ca | sarve yāṃtu susaṃnaddhāstava vāhasya pālakāḥ 33| iti bhāṣitamākarṇya maṃtriṇaḥ prajaharṣa ca | ājñāpayāmāsa ca tānsumaṃtrakathitānbhaṭān 34| te'nujñāṃ raghunāthasya prāpya modaṃ prapedire | cirakālaṃ sāṃparāyaṃ vāṃcchaṃto yuddhadurmadāḥ 35| sannaddhāḥ kavacādyaiśca tathā śastrāstravartanaiḥ | yayuḥ śatrughnasaṃvāsaṃ sītāpati praṇoditāḥ 36| śeṣa uvāca| athokta ṛṣiṇā rāmo vidhinā pūjayatkramāt | ācāryādīnṛṣīnsarvānyathoktavaradakṣiṇaiḥ 37| ācāryāya dadau rāmo hastinaṃ ṣaṣṭihāyanam | hayamekaṃ manovegaṃ ratnamālāvibhūṣitam 38| pauraṭaṃ rathamekaṃ ca maṇiratnavibhūṣitam | caturbhirvājibhiryuktaṃ sarvopaskarasaṃyutam 39| maṇilakṣaṃ tu pratyakṣaṃ muktāphalatulāśatam | vidrumasya tulānāṃ tu sahasraṃ sphuṭatejasām 40| grāmamekaṃ susaṃpannaṃ nānājanasamākulam | vicitrasasyaniṣpannaṃ vividhairmaṃdirairvṛtam 41| brahmaṇe'pi tathaivādāddhotre'pyadhvaryave dadau | ṛtvigbhyo bhūriśo dattvā praṇanāma raghūttamaḥ 42| sarve te vividhā vāgbhirāśīrbhirabhipūjitāḥ | ciraṃjīva mahārāja rāmacandra raghūdvaha 43| kanyādānaṃ bhūmidānaṃ gajadānaṃ tathaiva ca | aśvadānaṃ svarṇadānaṃ tiladānaṃ samauktikam 44| annadānaṃ payodānamabhayaṃ dānamuttamam | ratnadānāni sarvāṇi viprebhyaścādiśanmahān 45| dehi dehi dhanaṃ dehi māneti brūhi kasyacit | dadātvannaṃ dadātvannaṃ sarvabhogasamanvitam 46| itthaṃ prāvartata makho raghunāthasya dhīmataḥ | sadakṣiṇo dvijavaraiḥ pūrṇaḥ sarvaśubhakriyaḥ 47| atha rāmānujo gatvā mātaraṃ praṇanāma ha | ājñāpayāśvarakṣārthameṣa gacchāmi śobhane 48| tvatkṛpāto ripukulaṃ jitvā śobhāsamanvitaḥ | āyāsyāmi mahārājairhayavaryasamanvitaḥ 49| mātovāca | putra gaccha mahāvīra śivāḥ paṃthāna eva te | sarvānripugaṇāñjitvā punarāgaccha sanmate 50| puṣkalaṃ pālaya nijabhrātṛjaṃ dharmavittamam | mahābalinamadyāpi bālakaṃ līlayāyutam 51| putrāgacchasi cedyuktaḥ puṣkalena śubhānvitaḥ | tadā mama pramodaḥ syādanyathā śokabhāgaham 52| iti saṃbhāṣyamāṇāṃ svāṃ mātaraṃ pratyuvāca saḥ | tvadīyacaraṇadvaṃdvaṃ smaranprāpsyāmi śobhanam 53| puṣkalaṃ pālayitvāhaṃ nijāṃgamiva śobhane | svanāmasadṛśaṃ kṛtvā punareṣyāmi modavān 54| ityuktvā prayayau vīro rāmaṃ sa makhamaṃḍape | āsīnaṃ munivaryāgryairyajñaveṣadharaṃ varam 55| uvāca matimānvīraḥ sarvaśobhāsamanvitaḥ | rāmājñāpaya rakṣārthaṃ hayasyānujñayā tava 56| raghunātho'pi tacchrutvā bhadramastviti cābravīt | bālaṃ striyaṃ pramattaṃ tvaṃ mā hanyāḥ śastravarjitam 57| tadā lakṣmīnidhirbhrātā jānakyā janakātmajaḥ | prahasya kiṃcinnayane nartayanrāmamabravīt 58| lakṣmīnidhiruvāca| rāmacaṃdra mahābāho sarvadharmaparāyaṇa | śatrughnaṃ śikṣaya tathā yathā lokottaro bhavet 59| kulocitaṃ karma kurvannagrajācaritaṃ tathā | gacchetsa paramaṃ dhāma tejobalasamanvitam 60| tvayā proktaṃ mahārāja brāhmaṇaṃ nāvamānayet | pitrā tava hato vipraḥ pitṛbhaktiparāyaṇaḥ 61| tvayāpi sumahatkarma kṛtaṃ lokavigarhitam | avadhyāṃ mahilāṃ yastvaṃ hatavānniyataṃ tataḥ 62| agrajo'sya mahārāja kṛtavānyaṃ parākramam | sanakena kṛtaḥ pūrvaṃ rākṣasyāḥ karṇakartanam 63| evaṃ kariṣyati nṛpaḥ śatrughnaḥ śikṣayā tava | yadi nāyaṃ tathā kuryātkulasyāsadṛśaṃ bhavet 64| ityuktavaṃtaṃ taṃ rāmaḥ pratyuvāca hasanniva | meghagaṃbhīrayā vācā sarvavākyaviśāradaḥ 65| śṛṇvaṃtu yoginaḥ śāṃtāḥ samaduḥkhasukhāḥ punaḥ | jānaṃtyapārasaṃsāranistārataraṇādikam 66| ye śūrāḥ samaheṣvāsāḥ sarvaśastrāstrakovidāḥ | te ca jānaṃti yuddhasya vārttāṃ na tu bhavādṛśāḥ 67| paropatāpino ye vai ye cotpathavisāriṇaḥ | te haṃtavyā nṛpaiḥ sarvaiḥ sarvalokahitaiṣibhiḥ 68| ityuktamākarṇya sabhāsadaste sarve smitaṃ cakrurariṃdamasya | kuṃbhodbhavaḥ pūjitamenamaśvaṃ vimocayāmāsa suśobhitaṃ hi 69| imaṃ maṃtraṃ samuccārya vasiṣṭhaḥ kalaśodbhavaḥ | karāgreṇa spṛśannaśvaṃ mumoca jayakāṃkṣayā 70| vājingaccha yathālīlaṃ sarvatra dharaṇītale | yāgārthe mocito yena punarāgaccha satvaraḥ 71| aśvastu mocitaḥ sarvairbhaṭaiḥ śastrāstrakovidaiḥ | parītaḥ prayayau prācīṃ diśaṃ vāyujavānvitaḥ 72| pracacāra balaṃ sarvaṃ kaṃpayaddharaṇītalam | śeṣo'pi kiṃcinna tayā phaṇayā dhṛtavānbhuvam 73| diśaḥ praseduḥ paritaḥ kṣmātalaṃ śobhayānvitam | vāyavastaṃ tu śatrughnaṃ pṛṣṭhato maṃdagāminaḥ 74| śatrughnasya prayāṇāyābhyudya tasya bhujo'sphurat | dakṣiṇaḥ śubhamāśaṃsī jayāya ca babhūva ha 75| puṣkalaḥ svagṛhaṃ ramyaṃ praviveśa samṛddhimat | vitardibhirvalakṣābhiḥ śobhitaṃ ratnavedikam 76| tatrāpaśyannijāṃ bhāryāṃ pativrataparāyaṇām | kiṃcitsvadarśanāddhṛṣṭāṃ bhartṛdarśanalālasām 77| mukhāraviṃdena ca nāgavallīdalaṃ sukarpūrayutaṃ ca carvatī | nāsāphalaṃ toyabhavaṃ mahādhanaṃ bāhvormṛṇālīsadṛśoḥ sukaṃkaṇe 78| kucau tu mālūraphalopamau varau nitaṃbabiṃbaṃ varanīvi śobhitam | pādau tulākoṭidharau sukomalau dadhatyaho ekṣata satpatiṃ svakam 79| parirabhya priyāṃ dhīro gadgadasvarabhāṣiṇīm | tadurojaparīraṃbhanirbharīkṛtadehakām 80| uvāca bhadre gacchāmi śatrughnapṛṣṭharakṣakaḥ | rāmājñayā yājñamaśvaṃ pālayanrathasaṃyutaḥ 81| tvayā me mātaraḥ pūjyāḥ pādasaṃvāhanādimiḥ | taducchiṣṭaṃ hi bhuṃjānā tatkarmakaraṇādarā 82| sarvāḥ pativratā nāryo lopāmudrādikāḥ śubhāḥ | nāvamānyāstvayā bhīru svatapobalaśobhitāḥ 83| iti śrīpadmapurāṇe pātālakhaṃḍe śeṣavātsyāyanasaṃvāde rāmāśvamedhe hayamocana-puṣkalabhāryāsamāgamonāma ekādaśo'dhyāyaḥ 11 |
English translation
Śeṣa said :
1-3. Having thus ordered ( Śatrughna ), the glorious Rāma , the tormentor of his enemies, looked at the heroes and spoke to them with (i.e. using) good words: “Protecting from the rear my brother Śatrughna, protecting the horse, and obeying his orders, who would vanquish, with his multitudes of missiles, all the heroes that would come (to fight) the chief one (i.e. Śatrughna), let him spreading his very great fame on the earth take up the sword of (i.e. offered by) me.”
4-9. When Rāma spoke like this, Puṣkala , the son of Bharata , took that sword from the lotus-like hand of the king of the Raghu -family. “O lord, O master, being ready, holding all weapons and missiles and a bow and arrows, I shall go, guarding everyday, Śatrughna’s rear. Today the entire earth will be conquered due to your valour. O very intelligent Rāmacandra , these (soldiers) are (just) a means. By your grace I am capable of warding off the entire (army of) gods, demons and human beings, (if it) approaches (us) to fight (with us). The lord will know everything on seeing my valour. To protect Śatrugḥna from the rear, here I go.” Praising Bharata’s son, who was speaking like this, and approving of (his words), the lord Viṣṇu (i.e. Rāma) praised all the chief heroes among the monkeys, led by (Hanūmat) born from the Wind.
10-13. (He said): “O great hero Hanūmat, carefully listen to my words. Due to your favour I obtained this kingdom free from trouble. To bring about my union with Sītā , you crossed the ocean. O monkey, O lord of monkeys, I know all your adventures. Being, by my command, the guardian of my army, (please) go. You should protect Śatrughna, my brother, as (you protected) me. O you very intelligent one, you have to enlighten my brother Śatrughna whenever he has confusion of mind.”
14-18. Hearing the great (i.e. important) words of the intelligent Rāmacandra, he accepted them with (i.e. by bowing) his head, and saluted him. Then the great king(i.e. Rāma) instructed Jāmbavanta, the lord of the monkeys, and the most lustrous among them, to serve Raghunātha (i.e. Śatrughna). (He said:) “(All of) you like Aṅgada , Gavaya , Mainda , so also the monkey Dadhimukha , Sugrīva —the king of the monkeys, the two monkeys viz. Śatavali and Akṣika, (so also) Nīla , Nala , having the mind’s speed and a master born from the body of a monkey, should be ready. All of you, being adorned with elephants, good horses, with armours as ornaments made of gold, with helmets, should go quickly.”
Śeṣa said :
19. Then having called the good minister Sumantra , Rāma, shining with strength and power said to him: “O chief of the ministers, say, which men, capable of protecting the horse should be employed now?”
20-33. Hearing the words spoken by him (i.e. Rāma), he, the killer of the enemy’s heroes said: “O Raghunātha, listen to (the names of) the nine powerful kings, who have assembled here, who are archers, who are very learned, who are proficient in (the use of) all weapons and missiles, and who (therefore,) are capable of protecting the horse. (They are:) Pratāpāgrya, Nīlaratna, so also king Lakṣmīnidhi, Riputāpa, Ugrahaya, and king Śastravid also. This Nīlaratna is a distinguished person; Mahāvīra , Rathāgraṇī (are also there). He, the fearless one, would alone protect a lakh (of soldiers) and would fight with a lakh of soldiers. Let him go with (an army consisting of) ten akṣauhiṇīs furnished with armours, and with my arms raised (to bless him). This Pratāpāgrya is one who destroyed the pride of his enemy. Best among those who know (the employment of) all missiles, he discharges the arrows with (both) the right and the left hands. Let this Daṇḍabhṛt, who is young and who is ready to destroy the enemy, and who holds a bow, go with (the army consisting of) twenty akṣauhiṇīs for the protection of the horse. In the same way, let this best king Lakṣmīnidhi who, having propitiated Indra studied (the employment of) missiles, go (with Śatrughna). He knows the employment and discharge of the missiles like Brahmāstra , Pāśupatyāstra, Garuḍa , and the one called Nāga , (so also) Mayūra , Nakula , Raudra , Vaiṣṇava , the one called Megha , Vajra , the one named Parvata , so also the one called Vāyavya . Let him, the crown (i.e. the best) of the brave, a hurricane to all the enemies, go with (soldiers numbering) one lakh from the army. Today let also this Riputāpa go, who is the foremost among archers, skilled in (the use of) all weapons and missiles, and a wild fire to the bamboos in the form of the enemies. Let him go with the army consisting of four di visi ons. Let these mighty kings hold on their heads (i.e. obey) the order of Śatrughna. This great king Ugrāśva also knows (the use of) weapons. Let all of them, quite ready, go as the protectors of your horse.”
34-36. Having heard these words of the minister, he was delighted and ordered those soldiers mentioned by Sumantra. They, desiring to wage war for a long time, and maddened after it, were glad on receiving Raghunātha’s (i.e. Rāma’s) order. Ready with armours etc., and with the movements of the weapons and missiles, they, impelled by Sītā’s husband, went in the company of Śatrughna.
Śeṣa said :
37-46. Then, as told by the sage ( Vasiṣṭha ), Rāma honoured all the preceptors and sages (by giving them) presents as told (by Vasiṣṭha). To the preceptor Rāma gave an elephant sixty years old, a horse having the mind’s speed and adorned with golden necklaces, a golden chariot which was adorned with gems and jewels, to which four horses were yoked, and which was furnished with all necessary equipment. (He also gave him) a lakh of gems, and pearls measuring a hundred tulās (each of which is equal to 100 palas ), a thousand tulās of bright lustre of corals, a very rich village crowded with many kinds of people, producing various kinds of crops, having many temples. In the same way he gave (presents) to the Brahmā -priest and to the Adhvaryu -priest. The best of the Raghus , having given profuse gifts to the priests, saluted them. Being honoured, they (said) with various words and blessings: “O Rāmacandra, the descendant of Raghu, O great king, live long.” The great one (i.e. Rāma) gave the gifts of maidens, of land, of elephants, so also of horses, of gold, of sesamum with pearls, of food, water, and the excel lent gift of fearlessness, so also all the gifts of gems, to brāhmaṇas . Give, (again and again) give wealth; do not say ‘No’ to anyone. One should give food, one should give food endowed with all pleasures.
47-49. Thus the sacrifice, accompanied by presents, full of the brāhmaṇas and with all auspicious rites, of the intelligent Rāma, proceeded. Then the younger brother of Rāma (viz. Śatrughna) went to his mother, saluted her (and said to her): “O auspicious one, give me leave; I am going just for the protection of the horse. With your grace, I, having conquered the group of the enemies, shall come (back) endowed with charm and accompanied by great kings and the best horse (let loose lor the sacrifice).”
The mother said :
50-54. O (my) son, O great hero, go; may your journey be happy. O you of a good mind, having conquered all the hosts of your enemies come (back). Take care of Puṣkala, the best among those who know the course of conduct, the mighty son of your brother, (and) still a child, with (i.e. indulging in) sport. O son, if you come (back), with Puṣkala, and endowed with good fortune, I shall be glad. Otherwise I shall be unhappy.
He said to his mot her who was speaking like this: “Remembering the pair of your feet, I shall have good fortune. O auspicious one, having taken care of Puṣkala like my own body, and doing (things) befitting my name, I shall come back happily.’'
55-58. Speaking thus, the hero went to see the great Rāma dressed for the sacrifice and seated with the best sages in the sacrificial hall. The intelligent hero endowed with all grace, said: “O Rāma, give me leave to protect the horse.” Raghunātha (i.e. Rāma) too hearing those words, said: “God bless you. Do not kill a child, a woman, a mad person or one without a weapon.” Then Janaka ’s son and Sītā’s brother Lakṣmīnidhi, having smiled and having slightly moved his eyes said to Rāma:
Lakṣmīnidhi said :
59-64. O mighty-armed Rāmacandra, devoted to all righteous ways, instruct Śatrughna in such a way that he would be extraordinary. Doing a deed which is befitting his family, and doing what his elder brother had done, he would go to the highest place endowed with lustre and power. O great king, you said: ‘One should not belittle a brāhmaṇa ;’ (but) your father had killed a brāhmaṇa, greatly devoted to his father. You also performed a deed very much abhorred in the world, (since) you had certainly killed a woman who should not have been killed. (And) O great king, the great valourous deed, viz. cutting off the ears of the demoness ( Śūrpaṇakhā ), which was done by his elder brother ( Lakṣmaṇa ) was not done by any one else. By your instruction Śatrughna will do the same thing. If, O lord, he would do like that, it would be unbecoming to the family.
65-71. To him, who was speaking like this, Rāma skilled in all kinds of speech, smiled, and spoke with a voice deep like that of a cloud: “May the tranquil meditating saints hear, who look equally upon pleasure and pain and who know such things as how to cross fully this (ocean of) mundane existence which is difficult to cross. Those who are brave, who are great archers, who are skilled in (the use of) all weapons and missiles (alone) know the calling of war, and not (people) like you. Those who torment others and those who go astray, should be killed by kings who desire the good of all the people.” Hearing these words spoken by the subduer of enemies (i.e. by Rāma) all those members of the assembly smiled. (Then Vasiṣṭha) born from the pitcher, let loose the horse that was worshipped and well adorned. Uttering this hymn, and touching the horse with the tip of his hand, Vasiṣṭha, born from a pitcher, let loose the horse, with a desire for victory: “O horse, move sportively over the entire earth. Since you are let loose for the (horse-) sacrifice, come back quickly.”
72-75. The horse, that was let loose, and that was surrounded by all warriors skilled in (the use of) all weapons and missiles, went with the speed of wind towards the eastern direction. The entire army shaking the earth moved on. Even Śeṣa held the earth with his hood slightly bent. The quarters were all around bright. The earth was full of beauty. Breezes blew gently from behind Śatrughna. The right arm of Śatrughna who was ready for the march, throbbed indicating (something) auspicious and leading to victory.
76-83. Puṣkala (the son of Bharata) entered his charming house which was rich with white balconies, and which had a jewelled quadrangular open shed in the middle of its courtyard. There he saw his wife who was greatly devoted to her husband, who was delighted when he was partially seen and who was eager to see her husband. She was chewing piper-betal (mixed) with camphor with her mouth resembling a lotus. Her very beautiful nose was like a sharp blade (of a sword). There were fine bracelets (worn) on her arms resembling lotus-stalks. Her excellent breasts were like the kapittha fruits. Her round hips were charming due to the knot of the wearing garment. Her very delicate feet had (worn) anklets. She saw her good husband. Having embraced his dear wife, speaking in a faltering tone, and with her body filled with the embrace (pressing) her breasts, he said: “O auspicious lady, by Rāma’s order I having a chariot and looking after the sacrificial horse, am going guarding the rear of Śatrughna. You should serve my mothers by gently rubbing their feet etc., eating (the food) left over by them and showing great regard for doing (things told) by them. All the auspicious ladies, devoted to their husbands, like Lopāmudrā , should not be insulted by you, O timid one. They are adorned by the strength of their own penance.”
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 43622, revision 335877 (2022-04-16T01:03:34Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365322.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.