Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 17
Sourceशेष उवाच। शत्रुघ्नश्च्यवनस्याथ दृष्ट्वाऽचिंत्यं तपोबलम् । प्रशशंस तपो ब्राह्मं सर्वलोकैकवंदितम् १। अहो पश्यत योगस्य सिद्धिं ब्राह्मणसत्तमे । यः क्षणादेव दुष्प्रापं तद्विमानमचीकरत् २। क्व भोगसिद्धिर्महती मुनीनाममलात्मनाम् । क्व तपोबलहीनानां भोगेच्छा मनुजात्मनाम् ३। इति स्वगतमाशंसञ्छत्रुघ्नश्च्यवनाश्रमे । क्षणं स्थित्वा जलं पीत्वा सुखसंभोगमाप्तवान् ४। हयस्तस्याः पयोष्ण्याख्या नद्याः पुण्यजलात्मनः । पयः पीत्वा ययौ मार्गे वायुवेगगतिर्महान् ५। योधास्तन्निर्गमं दृष्ट्वा पृष्ठतोऽनुययुस्तदा । हस्तिभिः पत्तिभिः केचिद्रथैः केचन वाजिभिः ६। शत्रुघ्नोऽमात्यवर्येण सुमत्याख्येन संयुतः । पृष्ठतोऽनुजगामाशु रथेन हयशोभिना ७। गच्छन्वाजीपुरं प्राप्तो विमलाख्यस्य भूपतेः । रत्नातटाख्यं च जनैर्हृष्टपुष्टैः समाकुलम् ८। स सेवकादुपश्रुत्य रघुनाथ हयोत्तमम् । पुरोंतिके हि संप्राप्तं सर्वयोधसमन्वितम् ९। तदा गजानां सप्तत्या चंद्रवर्णसमानया । अश्वानामयुतैः सार्धं रथानां कांचनत्विषाम् १०। सहस्रेण च संयुक्तः शत्रुघ्नं प्रति जग्मिवान् । शत्रुघ्नं स नमस्कृत्य सर्वान्प्राप्तान्महारथान् ११। वसुकोशं धनं सर्वं राज्यं तस्मै निवेद्य च । किं करोमीति राजा तं जगाद पुरतः स्थितः १२। राजापि तं स्वीयपदे प्रणम्रं । दोर्भ्यां दृढं संपरिषस्वजे महान् । जगाम साकं तनये स्वराज्यं । निक्षिप्य सर्वं बहुधन्विभिर्वृतः १३। रामचंद्राभिधां श्रुत्वा सर्वश्रुतिमनोहराम् । सर्वे प्रणम्य तं वाहं ददुर्वसुमहाधनम् १४। राजानं पूजयित्वा तु शत्रुघ्नः परया मुदा । सेनया सहितोऽगच्छद्वाजिनः पृष्ठतस्तदा १५। एवं स गच्छंस्तन्मार्गे पर्वताग्र्यं ददर्श ह । स्फाटिकैः कानकै रौप्यै राजितं प्रस्थराजिभिः १६। जलनिर्झरसंह्रादं नानाधातुकभूतलम् । गैरिकादिकसद्धातु लाक्षारंगविराजितम् १७। यत्र सिद्धांगनाः सिद्धैः संक्रीडंत्यकुतोभयाः । गंधर्वाप्सरसो नागा यत्र क्रीडंति लीलया १८। गंगातरंगसंस्पर्श शीतवायुनिषेवितम् । वीणारणद्धंसशुकक्वणसुंदरशोभितम् १९। पर्वतं वीक्ष्य शत्रुघ्न उवाच सुमतिं त्विदम् । तद्दर्शनसमुद्भूत विस्मयाविष्टमानसः २०। कोऽयं महागिरिवरो विस्मापयति मे मनः । महारजतसत्प्रस्थो मार्गे राजति मेऽद्भुतः २१। अत्र किं देवतावासो देवानां क्रीडनस्थलम् । यदेतन्मनसः क्षोभं करोति श्रीसमुच्चयैः २२। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य जगाद सुमतिस्तदा । वक्ष्यमाणगुणागार रामचंद्र पदाब्जधीः २३। नीलोऽयं पर्वतो राजन्पुरतो भाति भूमिप । मनोहरैर्महाशृङ्गैः स्फाटिकाग्रैः समंततः २४। एनं पश्यंति नो पापाः परदाररता नराः । विष्णोर्गुणगणान्ये वै न मन्यंते नराधमाः २५। श्रुतिस्मृतिसमुत्थं ये धर्मं सद्भिः सुसाधितम् । न मन्यंते स्वबुद्धिस्थ हेतुवादविचारणाः २६। नीलीविक्रयकर्तारो लाक्षाविक्रयकारकाः । यो ब्राह्मणो घृतादीनि विक्रीणाति सुरापकः २७। कन्यां रूपेण संपन्नां न दद्यात्कुलशीलिने । विक्रीणाति द्रव्यलोभात्पिता पापेन मोहितः २८। पत्नीं दूषयते यस्तु कुलशीलवतीं नरः । स्वयमेवात्ति मधुरं बंधुभ्यो न ददाति यः २९। भोजने ब्राह्मणार्थे च पाकभेदं करोति यः । कृसरं पायसं वापि नार्थिनं दापयेत्कुधीः ३०। अतिथीनवमन्यंते सूर्यतापादितापितान् । अंतरिक्षभुजो ये च ये च विश्वासघातकाः ३१। न पश्यंति महाराज रघुनाथ पराङ्मुखाः । असौ पुण्यो गिरिवरः पुरुषोत्तम शोभितः ३२। पवित्रयति सर्वान्नो दर्शनेन मनोहरः । अत्र तिष्ठति देवानां मुकुटैरर्चितांघ्रिकः ३३। पुण्यवद्भिर्दर्शनार्हः पुण्यदः पुरुषोत्तमः । श्रुतयो नेतिनेतीति ब्रुवाणा न विदंति यम् ३४। यत्पादरज इंद्रादिदेवैर्मृग्यं सुदुर्ल्लभम् । वेदांतादिभिरन्यूनैर्वाक्यैर्विदंति यं बुधाः ३५। सोऽत्र श्रीमान्नीलशैले वसते पुरुषोत्तमः । आरुह्य तं नमस्कृत्य संपूज्य सुकृतादिना ३६। नैवेद्यं भक्षयित्वा वै भूप भूयाच्चतुर्भुजः । अत्राप्युदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ३७। तं शृणुष्व महाराज सर्वाश्चर्यसमन्वितम् । रत्नग्रीवस्य नृपतेर्यद्वृत्तं सकुटुंबिनः ३८। चतुर्भुजादिकं प्राप्तं देवदानवदुर्लभम् । आसीत्कांची महाराज पुरी लोकेषु विश्रुता ३९। महाजनपरीवारसमृद्धबलवाहना । यस्यां वसंति विप्राग्र्याः षट्कर्मनिरता भृशम् ४०। सर्वभूतहिते युक्ता रामभक्तिषु लालसाः । क्षत्रिया रणकर्तारः संग्रामेऽप्यपलायिनः ४१। परदार परद्रव्य परद्रोहपराङ्मुखाः । वैश्याः कुसीदकृष्यादिवाणिज्यशुभवृत्तयः ४२। कुर्वन्ति रघुनाथस्य पदाम्भोजे रतिं सदा । शूद्रा ब्राह्मणसेवाभिर्गतरात्रिदिनान्तराः ४३। कुर्वंति कथनं रामरामेति रसनाग्रतः । प्राकृताः केऽपि नो पापं कुर्वंति मनसात्र वै ४४। दानं दया दमः सत्यं तत्र तिष्ठंति नित्यशः । वदते न पराबाधं वाक्यं कोऽपि नरोऽनघः ४५। न पारक्ये धने लोभं कुर्वंति न हि पातकम् । एवं प्रजा महाराज रत्नग्रीवेण पाल्यते ४६। षष्ठांशं तत्र गृह्णाति नान्यं लोभविवर्जितः । एवं पालयमानस्य प्रजाधर्मेण भूपतेः ४७। गतानि बहुवर्षाणि सर्वभोगविलासिनः । विशालाक्षीं महाराज एकदा ह्यूचिवानिदम् ४८। पतिव्रतां धर्मपत्नीं पतिव्रतपरायणाम् । पुत्रा जाता विशालाक्षि प्रजारक्षा धुरंधराः ४९। परीवारो महान्मह्यं वर्तते विगतज्वरः । हस्तिनो मम शैलाभा वाजिनः पवनोपमाः ५०। रथाश्च सुहयैर्युक्ता वर्तंते मम नित्यशः । महाविष्णुप्रसादेन किंचिन्न्यूनं ममास्ति न ५१। एवं मनोरथस्त्वेकस्तिष्ठते मानसे मम । परं तीर्थं मया नाद्य कृतं परमशोभने ५२। गर्भवासविरामाय क्षमं गोविंदशोभितम् । वृद्धो जातोऽस्म्यहं तावद्वलीपलितदेहवान् ५३। करिष्यामि मनोहारि तीर्थसेवनमादृतः । यो नरो जन्मपर्यंतं स्वोदरस्य प्रपूरकः ५४। न करोति हरेः पूजां स नरो गोवृषः स्मृतः । तस्माद्गच्छामि भो भद्रे तीर्थयात्रां प्रति प्रिये ५५। सकुटुंबः सुते न्यस्य धुरं राज्यस्य निर्भृताम् । इति व्यवस्य संध्यायां हरिं ध्यायन्निशांतरे ५६। अद्राक्षीत्स्वप्नमप्येकं ब्राह्मणं तापसं वरम् । प्रातरुत्थाय राजासौ कृत्वा संध्यादिकाः क्रियाः ५७। सभां मंत्रिजनैः सार्द्धं सुखमासेदिवान्महान् । तावद्विप्रं ददर्शाथ तापसं कृशदेहिनम् ५८। जटावल्कलकौपीनधारिणं दंडपाणिनम् । अनेकतीर्थसेवाभिः कृतपुण्यकलेवरम् ५९। राजा तं वीक्ष्य शिरसा प्रणनाम महाभुजः । अर्घ्यपाद्यादिकं चक्रे प्रहृष्टात्मा महीपतिः ६०। सुखोपविष्टं विश्रांतं पप्रच्छ विदितं द्विजम् । स्वामिंस्त्वद्दर्शनान्मेऽद्य गतं देहस्य पातकम् ६१। महांतः कृपणान्पातुं यांति तद्गेहमादरात् । तस्मात्कथय भो विप्र वृद्धस्य मम संप्रति ६२। को देवो गर्भनाशाय किं तीर्थं च क्षमं भवेत् । यूयं सर्वगताः श्रेष्ठाः समाधिध्यानतत्पराः ६३। सर्वतीर्थावगाहेन कृतपुण्यात्मनोऽमलाः । यथावच्छृण्वते मह्यं श्रद्दधानाय विस्तरात् ६४। कथयस्व प्रसादेन सर्वतीर्थविचक्षण । ब्राह्मण उवाच। शृणु राजेंद्र वक्ष्यामि यत्पृष्टं तीर्थसेवनम् ६५। कस्य देवस्य कृपया गर्भनिर्वारणं भवेत् । सेव्यः श्रीरामचंद्रोऽसौ संसारज्वरनाशकः ६६। पूज्यः स एव भगवान्पुरुषोत्तमसंज्ञकः । नाना पुर्यो मया दृष्टाः सर्वपापक्षयंकराः ६७। अयोध्या सरयूस्तापी तथा द्वारं हरेः परम् । अवंती विमला कांची रेवा सागरगामिनी ६८। गोकर्णं हाटकाख्यं च हत्याकोटिविनाशनम् । मल्लिकाख्यो महाशैलो मोक्षदः पश्यतां नृणाम् ६९। यत्रांगेषु नृणां तोयं श्यामं वा निर्मलं भवेत् । पातकस्यापहारीदं मया दृष्टं तु तीर्थकम् ७०। मया द्वारवती दृष्टा सुरासुर निषेविता । गोमती यत्र वहति साक्षाद्ब्रह्मजला शुभा ७१। यत्र स्वापो लयः प्रोक्तो मृतिर्मोक्ष इति श्रुतिः । यस्यां संवसतां नॄणां न कलि प्रभवेत्क्वचित् ७२। चक्रांका यत्र पाषाणा मानवा अपि चक्रिणः । पशवः कीटपक्ष्याद्याः सर्वे चक्रशरीरिणः ७३। त्रिविक्रमो वसेद्यस्यां सर्वलोकैकपालकः । सा पुरी तु महापुण्यैर्मया दृग्गोचरीकृता ७४। कुरुक्षेत्रं मया दृष्टं सर्वहत्यापनोदनम् । स्यमंतपंचकं यत्र महापातकनाशनम् ७५। वाराणसी मया दृष्टा विश्वनाथकृतालया । यत्रोपदिशते मंत्रं तारकं ब्रह्मसंज्ञितम् ७६। यस्यां मृताः कीटपतंगभृंगाः पश्वादयो वा सुरयोनयो वा । स्वकर्मसंभोगसुखं विहाय गच्छंति कैलासमतीतदुःखाः ७७। मणिकर्णिर्यत्र तीर्थं यस्यामुत्तरवाहिनी । करोति संसृतेर्बंधच्छेदं पापकृतामपि ७८। कपर्दिनः कुंडलिनः सर्पभूषाधरावराः । गजचर्मपरीधाना वसंति गतदुःखकाः ७९। कालभैरवनामात्र करोति यमशासनम् । न करोति नृणां वार्तां यमो दंडधरः प्रभुः ८०। एतादृशी मया दृष्टा काशी विश्वेश्वरांकिता । अनेकान्यपि तीर्थानि मया दृष्टानि भूमिप ८१। परमेकं महच्चित्रं यद्दृष्टं नीलपर्वते । पुरुषोत्तमसान्निध्ये तन्न क्वाप्यक्षिगोचरम् ८२।
śeṣa uvāca| śatrughnaścyavanasyātha dṛṣṭvā'ciṃtyaṃ tapobalam | praśaśaṃsa tapo brāhmaṃ sarvalokaikavaṃditam 1| aho paśyata yogasya siddhiṃ brāhmaṇasattame | yaḥ kṣaṇādeva duṣprāpaṃ tadvimānamacīkarat 2| kva bhogasiddhirmahatī munīnāmamalātmanām | kva tapobalahīnānāṃ bhogecchā manujātmanām 3| iti svagatamāśaṃsañchatrughnaścyavanāśrame | kṣaṇaṃ sthitvā jalaṃ pītvā sukhasaṃbhogamāptavān 4| hayastasyāḥ payoṣṇyākhyā nadyāḥ puṇyajalātmanaḥ | payaḥ pītvā yayau mārge vāyuvegagatirmahān 5| yodhāstannirgamaṃ dṛṣṭvā pṛṣṭhato'nuyayustadā | hastibhiḥ pattibhiḥ kecidrathaiḥ kecana vājibhiḥ 6| śatrughno'mātyavaryeṇa sumatyākhyena saṃyutaḥ | pṛṣṭhato'nujagāmāśu rathena hayaśobhinā 7| gacchanvājīpuraṃ prāpto vimalākhyasya bhūpateḥ | ratnātaṭākhyaṃ ca janairhṛṣṭapuṣṭaiḥ samākulam 8| sa sevakādupaśrutya raghunātha hayottamam | puroṃtike hi saṃprāptaṃ sarvayodhasamanvitam 9| tadā gajānāṃ saptatyā caṃdravarṇasamānayā | aśvānāmayutaiḥ sārdhaṃ rathānāṃ kāṃcanatviṣām 10| sahasreṇa ca saṃyuktaḥ śatrughnaṃ prati jagmivān | śatrughnaṃ sa namaskṛtya sarvānprāptānmahārathān 11| vasukośaṃ dhanaṃ sarvaṃ rājyaṃ tasmai nivedya ca | kiṃ karomīti rājā taṃ jagāda purataḥ sthitaḥ 12| rājāpi taṃ svīyapade praṇamraṃ | dorbhyāṃ dṛḍhaṃ saṃpariṣasvaje mahān | jagāma sākaṃ tanaye svarājyaṃ | nikṣipya sarvaṃ bahudhanvibhirvṛtaḥ 13| rāmacaṃdrābhidhāṃ śrutvā sarvaśrutimanoharām | sarve praṇamya taṃ vāhaṃ dadurvasumahādhanam 14| rājānaṃ pūjayitvā tu śatrughnaḥ parayā mudā | senayā sahito'gacchadvājinaḥ pṛṣṭhatastadā 15| evaṃ sa gacchaṃstanmārge parvatāgryaṃ dadarśa ha | sphāṭikaiḥ kānakai raupyai rājitaṃ prastharājibhiḥ 16| jalanirjharasaṃhrādaṃ nānādhātukabhūtalam | gairikādikasaddhātu lākṣāraṃgavirājitam 17| yatra siddhāṃganāḥ siddhaiḥ saṃkrīḍaṃtyakutobhayāḥ | gaṃdharvāpsaraso nāgā yatra krīḍaṃti līlayā 18| gaṃgātaraṃgasaṃsparśa śītavāyuniṣevitam | vīṇāraṇaddhaṃsaśukakvaṇasuṃdaraśobhitam 19| parvataṃ vīkṣya śatrughna uvāca sumatiṃ tvidam | taddarśanasamudbhūta vismayāviṣṭamānasaḥ 20| ko'yaṃ mahāgirivaro vismāpayati me manaḥ | mahārajatasatprastho mārge rājati me'dbhutaḥ 21| atra kiṃ devatāvāso devānāṃ krīḍanasthalam | yadetanmanasaḥ kṣobhaṃ karoti śrīsamuccayaiḥ 22| iti vākyaṃ samākarṇya jagāda sumatistadā | vakṣyamāṇaguṇāgāra rāmacaṃdra padābjadhīḥ 23| nīlo'yaṃ parvato rājanpurato bhāti bhūmipa | manoharairmahāśṛṅgaiḥ sphāṭikāgraiḥ samaṃtataḥ 24| enaṃ paśyaṃti no pāpāḥ paradāraratā narāḥ | viṣṇorguṇagaṇānye vai na manyaṃte narādhamāḥ 25| śrutismṛtisamutthaṃ ye dharmaṃ sadbhiḥ susādhitam | na manyaṃte svabuddhistha hetuvādavicāraṇāḥ 26| nīlīvikrayakartāro lākṣāvikrayakārakāḥ | yo brāhmaṇo ghṛtādīni vikrīṇāti surāpakaḥ 27| kanyāṃ rūpeṇa saṃpannāṃ na dadyātkulaśīline | vikrīṇāti dravyalobhātpitā pāpena mohitaḥ 28| patnīṃ dūṣayate yastu kulaśīlavatīṃ naraḥ | svayamevātti madhuraṃ baṃdhubhyo na dadāti yaḥ 29| bhojane brāhmaṇārthe ca pākabhedaṃ karoti yaḥ | kṛsaraṃ pāyasaṃ vāpi nārthinaṃ dāpayetkudhīḥ 30| atithīnavamanyaṃte sūryatāpāditāpitān | aṃtarikṣabhujo ye ca ye ca viśvāsaghātakāḥ 31| na paśyaṃti mahārāja raghunātha parāṅmukhāḥ | asau puṇyo girivaraḥ puruṣottama śobhitaḥ 32| pavitrayati sarvānno darśanena manoharaḥ | atra tiṣṭhati devānāṃ mukuṭairarcitāṃghrikaḥ 33| puṇyavadbhirdarśanārhaḥ puṇyadaḥ puruṣottamaḥ | śrutayo netinetīti bruvāṇā na vidaṃti yam 34| yatpādaraja iṃdrādidevairmṛgyaṃ sudurllabham | vedāṃtādibhiranyūnairvākyairvidaṃti yaṃ budhāḥ 35| so'tra śrīmānnīlaśaile vasate puruṣottamaḥ | āruhya taṃ namaskṛtya saṃpūjya sukṛtādinā 36| naivedyaṃ bhakṣayitvā vai bhūpa bhūyāccaturbhujaḥ | atrāpyudāharaṃtīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam 37| taṃ śṛṇuṣva mahārāja sarvāścaryasamanvitam | ratnagrīvasya nṛpateryadvṛttaṃ sakuṭuṃbinaḥ 38| caturbhujādikaṃ prāptaṃ devadānavadurlabham | āsītkāṃcī mahārāja purī lokeṣu viśrutā 39| mahājanaparīvārasamṛddhabalavāhanā | yasyāṃ vasaṃti viprāgryāḥ ṣaṭkarmaniratā bhṛśam 40| sarvabhūtahite yuktā rāmabhaktiṣu lālasāḥ | kṣatriyā raṇakartāraḥ saṃgrāme'pyapalāyinaḥ 41| paradāra paradravya paradrohaparāṅmukhāḥ | vaiśyāḥ kusīdakṛṣyādivāṇijyaśubhavṛttayaḥ 42| kurvanti raghunāthasya padāmbhoje ratiṃ sadā | śūdrā brāhmaṇasevābhirgatarātridināntarāḥ 43| kurvaṃti kathanaṃ rāmarāmeti rasanāgrataḥ | prākṛtāḥ ke'pi no pāpaṃ kurvaṃti manasātra vai 44| dānaṃ dayā damaḥ satyaṃ tatra tiṣṭhaṃti nityaśaḥ | vadate na parābādhaṃ vākyaṃ ko'pi naro'naghaḥ 45| na pārakye dhane lobhaṃ kurvaṃti na hi pātakam | evaṃ prajā mahārāja ratnagrīveṇa pālyate 46| ṣaṣṭhāṃśaṃ tatra gṛhṇāti nānyaṃ lobhavivarjitaḥ | evaṃ pālayamānasya prajādharmeṇa bhūpateḥ 47| gatāni bahuvarṣāṇi sarvabhogavilāsinaḥ | viśālākṣīṃ mahārāja ekadā hyūcivānidam 48| pativratāṃ dharmapatnīṃ pativrataparāyaṇām | putrā jātā viśālākṣi prajārakṣā dhuraṃdharāḥ 49| parīvāro mahānmahyaṃ vartate vigatajvaraḥ | hastino mama śailābhā vājinaḥ pavanopamāḥ 50| rathāśca suhayairyuktā vartaṃte mama nityaśaḥ | mahāviṣṇuprasādena kiṃcinnyūnaṃ mamāsti na 51| evaṃ manorathastvekastiṣṭhate mānase mama | paraṃ tīrthaṃ mayā nādya kṛtaṃ paramaśobhane 52| garbhavāsavirāmāya kṣamaṃ goviṃdaśobhitam | vṛddho jāto'smyahaṃ tāvadvalīpalitadehavān 53| kariṣyāmi manohāri tīrthasevanamādṛtaḥ | yo naro janmaparyaṃtaṃ svodarasya prapūrakaḥ 54| na karoti hareḥ pūjāṃ sa naro govṛṣaḥ smṛtaḥ | tasmādgacchāmi bho bhadre tīrthayātrāṃ prati priye 55| sakuṭuṃbaḥ sute nyasya dhuraṃ rājyasya nirbhṛtām | iti vyavasya saṃdhyāyāṃ hariṃ dhyāyanniśāṃtare 56| adrākṣītsvapnamapyekaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ tāpasaṃ varam | prātarutthāya rājāsau kṛtvā saṃdhyādikāḥ kriyāḥ 57| sabhāṃ maṃtrijanaiḥ sārddhaṃ sukhamāsedivānmahān | tāvadvipraṃ dadarśātha tāpasaṃ kṛśadehinam 58| jaṭāvalkalakaupīnadhāriṇaṃ daṃḍapāṇinam | anekatīrthasevābhiḥ kṛtapuṇyakalevaram 59| rājā taṃ vīkṣya śirasā praṇanāma mahābhujaḥ | arghyapādyādikaṃ cakre prahṛṣṭātmā mahīpatiḥ 60| sukhopaviṣṭaṃ viśrāṃtaṃ papraccha viditaṃ dvijam | svāmiṃstvaddarśanānme'dya gataṃ dehasya pātakam 61| mahāṃtaḥ kṛpaṇānpātuṃ yāṃti tadgehamādarāt | tasmātkathaya bho vipra vṛddhasya mama saṃprati 62| ko devo garbhanāśāya kiṃ tīrthaṃ ca kṣamaṃ bhavet | yūyaṃ sarvagatāḥ śreṣṭhāḥ samādhidhyānatatparāḥ 63| sarvatīrthāvagāhena kṛtapuṇyātmano'malāḥ | yathāvacchṛṇvate mahyaṃ śraddadhānāya vistarāt 64| kathayasva prasādena sarvatīrthavicakṣaṇa | brāhmaṇa uvāca| śṛṇu rājeṃdra vakṣyāmi yatpṛṣṭaṃ tīrthasevanam 65| kasya devasya kṛpayā garbhanirvāraṇaṃ bhavet | sevyaḥ śrīrāmacaṃdro'sau saṃsārajvaranāśakaḥ 66| pūjyaḥ sa eva bhagavānpuruṣottamasaṃjñakaḥ | nānā puryo mayā dṛṣṭāḥ sarvapāpakṣayaṃkarāḥ 67| ayodhyā sarayūstāpī tathā dvāraṃ hareḥ param | avaṃtī vimalā kāṃcī revā sāgaragāminī 68| gokarṇaṃ hāṭakākhyaṃ ca hatyākoṭivināśanam | mallikākhyo mahāśailo mokṣadaḥ paśyatāṃ nṛṇām 69| yatrāṃgeṣu nṛṇāṃ toyaṃ śyāmaṃ vā nirmalaṃ bhavet | pātakasyāpahārīdaṃ mayā dṛṣṭaṃ tu tīrthakam 70| mayā dvāravatī dṛṣṭā surāsura niṣevitā | gomatī yatra vahati sākṣādbrahmajalā śubhā 71| yatra svāpo layaḥ prokto mṛtirmokṣa iti śrutiḥ | yasyāṃ saṃvasatāṃ nṝṇāṃ na kali prabhavetkvacit 72| cakrāṃkā yatra pāṣāṇā mānavā api cakriṇaḥ | paśavaḥ kīṭapakṣyādyāḥ sarve cakraśarīriṇaḥ 73| trivikramo vasedyasyāṃ sarvalokaikapālakaḥ | sā purī tu mahāpuṇyairmayā dṛggocarīkṛtā 74| kurukṣetraṃ mayā dṛṣṭaṃ sarvahatyāpanodanam | syamaṃtapaṃcakaṃ yatra mahāpātakanāśanam 75| vārāṇasī mayā dṛṣṭā viśvanāthakṛtālayā | yatropadiśate maṃtraṃ tārakaṃ brahmasaṃjñitam 76| yasyāṃ mṛtāḥ kīṭapataṃgabhṛṃgāḥ paśvādayo vā surayonayo vā | svakarmasaṃbhogasukhaṃ vihāya gacchaṃti kailāsamatītaduḥkhāḥ 77| maṇikarṇiryatra tīrthaṃ yasyāmuttaravāhinī | karoti saṃsṛterbaṃdhacchedaṃ pāpakṛtāmapi 78| kapardinaḥ kuṃḍalinaḥ sarpabhūṣādharāvarāḥ | gajacarmaparīdhānā vasaṃti gataduḥkhakāḥ 79| kālabhairavanāmātra karoti yamaśāsanam | na karoti nṛṇāṃ vārtāṃ yamo daṃḍadharaḥ prabhuḥ 80| etādṛśī mayā dṛṣṭā kāśī viśveśvarāṃkitā | anekānyapi tīrthāni mayā dṛṣṭāni bhūmipa 81| paramekaṃ mahaccitraṃ yaddṛṣṭaṃ nīlaparvate | puruṣottamasānnidhye tanna kvāpyakṣigocaram 82|
English translation
Śeṣa said :
1-3. Having seen the power of the penance of Cyavana , which was inconceivable, Śatrughna praised the brāhmaṇic penance which alone was adored in the world. (He said to himself:) ‘Oh! see the perfection of abstract meditation in the best brāhmaṇa who just in a moment fashioned the aeroplane difficult to have. What a great disparity is there between the complete attainment of pleasure on the part of the sages of pure hearts and the desire for enjoyment on the part of human beings without the power of penance!’
4-7. Saying thus to himself, Śatrughna stayed in Cyavana’s hermitage for a while, drank water and enjoyed comfort. The great horse, having the speed of wind, having drunk the water of (the river) Payoṣṇī having auspicious water, went along the way. Seeing the horse's exit, the soldiers went after him; some with elephants, some with foot-soldiers, some with chariots and some with horses. Accompanied by the best minister Sumati , Śatrughna followed him in a chariot drawn by a horse.
8-14. The horse that was moving on, reached the city called Ratnātaṭa belonging to a king called Vimala and crowded with happy and rich people. Having heard from his servant that the excellent horse of Rāma along with all soldiers had reached the vicinity of the city, he, along with seventy elephants having the moon’s colour, myriads of horses, and a thousand chariots bright like gold, went forth to (greet) Śatrughna. Having saluted Śatrughna, and all great warriors that had come there, and having offered him riches, treasure and wealth and his entire kingdom to him, he stood before him and said: “What (should) I do?” The great king too with his arms closely embraced him who had bowed down to his feet and having entrusted his kingdom to his son and surrounded by many archers, went with him. Having heard Rāma’s name, pleasing to the ears, all of them saluted the horse and offered him riches and great wealth.
15-20. With great joy Śatrughna honoured the king; and then, along with his army went after the horse. When he was thus going, he saw on his way an excellent mountain, which was adorned with crystal, golden and silver tablelands, which resounded with water-streams, the land of which had various minerals, which was adorned with good minerals like red chalk and colour of lac, where siddha -damsels having no fear from anywhere sported with siddhas , where gandharvas , celestial nymphs and nāgas were sporting with pleasure. Seeing the mountain served by cool breezes (that had been) in contact with the ripples of Gaṅgā , and charmingly graced with the sound of lutes, swans and parrots, Śatrughna, with his mind full of amazement on having seen it, said this (i.e. these words) to Sumati:
21-22. “What is this best among the great mountains? It astonishes my mind. This wonderful (mountain) having excellent tablelands of abundant silver, shines on my way. What deities dwell here? Is it the sporting ground of gods that excites my mind with the heaps of riches?”
23-37a. Hearing these words, Sumati who had set his heart on the lotus-like feet of Rāma, the abode of virtues which will be mentioned, then said: “O king, this is the mountain (called) Nīla , which shines in front (of us) with great beautiful peaks and crystal tops on all sides. Those mean men, those sinful men, engaged in adultery, who do not realise the hosts of virtues of Viṣṇu , do not see this mountain. So also those men who having controversies and doubt in their minds, do not care for the way of conduct well settled by the good arising from the śrutis and the smṛtis , those who sell indigo, and those who sell lac do not see this (mountain). A brāhmaṇa who drinks spirituous liquor and sells ghee etc., so also he who would not give (in marriage) his daughter endowed with beauty to a man of good character and belonging to good family (do not see this mountain). (Similarly) a man who censures his wife coming from a good family and having a good character, who himself eats sweet (dishes, but) does not give them to his kinsmen (does not see this mountain). (In the same way) a man who discriminates in (i.e. while serving) food meant for brāhmaṇas , and the wicked one who does not offer mixture of rice and peas or rice boiled in milk to a suppliant (do not see this mountain). Those who torment guests (already) tormented by the sun’s heat etc. (do not see this mountain). O great king, those who enjoy in the atmosphere and who are traitors, so also those who are averse to Raghunātha do not see (this mountain). This beautiful, auspicious, best mountain, adorned by Puruṣottama purifies all of us by its sight. Here lives Puruṣottama whose feet are honoured by the crowns of gods, who deserves to be seen by the auspicious ones, who grants religious merit, whom the śrutis saying ‘Not this, not this’ (i.e. this is not Brahman , that is not Brahman...) do not know, the dust of whose feet is sought after by gods like Indra and is extremely difficult to be secured, whom the wise know by means of the perfect statements of the Upaniṣads —that Puruṣottama along with Śrī lives on this Nīla-mountain. O king, having climbed it, having worshipped it with merit etc., and having eaten the offering of eatables presented to it, one becomes four-handed.
37b-48a. In this regard also they mention this ancient account. O great king, listen to it which is full of all wonder: What happened to king Ratnagrīva along with his family? (How) he obtained four hands etc. difficult to be got (even) by gods and demons? O great king, there was a city named Kāñcī , well known in the worlds. It was rich with great people and their attendants, and (had in it) army and horses (or elephants). In it lived best brāhmaṇas who were very much engaged in the six duties, [1] who were devoted to the welfare of all beings, and who hankered after devotion to Rāma. The kṣatriyas were fighters, and never fled away in a battle. They were averse to others’ wives and to plotting maliciously against others. The vaiśyas conducted themselves well with lending money, agriculture and trade. They always took delight in (i.e. were greatly devoted to) the feet of Raghunātha. The śūdras passed their nights and days in serving brāhmaṇas etc. With the tips of their tongues they always uttered (the word) ‘Rāma, Rāma’. No common man committed a sin (even) mentally. Charity, pity, restraint and truth always prevailed there. No sinless person even uttered words harming others. People did not show greed for the wealth of others, nor did they commit any sin. In this way, O great king, the subjects were looked after by Ratnagrīva. The king, free from greed, accepted only one sixth part [2] (of the income of each person), and nothing else (i.e. more). In this way, the king who righteously protected his subjects and enjoyed all pleasures, passed many years.
48b-58a. Once he said this (i.e. these words) to Viśālākṣī , his chaste and religiously wedded wife: “O Viśālākṣī, sons able to protect the subjects have been born (to us). I have many attendants free from distress. My elephants resemble mountains, and my horses are (swift) like the wind. I always have chariots yoked with great horses. Due to the grace of great Viṣṇu I have nothing wanting, but (still) there is one desire in my mind. O you extremely beautiful one, I have not as yet visited a great holy place capable of putting a stop to a stay in the womb (i.e. to birth) and adorned by Viṣṇu. I have become old with my body having wrinkles and grey hair. With reverence I shall resort to a charming holy place. That man who only fills his belly (i.e. eats to live) during his life and does not worship Viṣṇu, is said to be a bull. Therefore, O auspicious dear one, with my family I shall go on a pilgrimage after having entrusted the entire responsibility of the kingdom to my son.” Having resolved like this in the evening he, meditating upon Viṣṇu at night, saw a dream (and saw in it) a brāhmaṇa—an excellent ascetic. The great king, having got up in the morning and having offered the morning prayers etc., happily satin the assembly with his ministers.
58b-65a. Just then he saw a brāhmaṇa ascetic of an emaciated body, wearing matted hair, bark-garments and a small piece of cloth worn over the privities and holding a staff in his hands, and with his body rendered auspicious due to visits to many holy places. The king of mighty arms, on seeing him, saluted him with (i.e. by bowing) his head. The king, with his mind pleased, offered him a respectful oblation and water for washing his feet. He asked (i.e. said to) the celebrated brāhmaṇa who had rested and was seated comfortably: “O lord, my bodily sin has today gone (away) due to having seen you. Great men go to the houses of the helpless ones through regard for them, to protect them. Therefore, O brāhmaṇa, now tell me, an old man, as to which god would bring about the end of (living in) the womb (i.e. the end of birth and death), and which holy place would be capable of (doing so). (People like) you move everywhere, are the greatest, are devoted' to concentration and meditation and have become spotless and meritorious due to having plunged (i.e. bathed) in all the sacred places. O you, who well know (about) all the holy places, favour me and tell me in detail, who am listening and having faith.”
The brāhmaṇa said :
65b-82. O best king, I shall tell you what you asked me about visits to holy places. By the favour of which deity would womb i.e. birth be kept off? That Śrī Rāmacandra who destroys the mundane existence, should be resorted to. He, the lord alone, called Puruṣottama, should be worshipped. I have seen many (holy) cities destroying all sins. Ayodhyā , Sarayū , Tāpī , so also the excellent Haridvāra , Avanti , Vimalā , Kāñcī and Revā going (i.e. flowing) into the ocean; so also Gokarṇa , (the holy place) called Hāṭaka , destroying crores of murders; so also the great mountain called Mallika , giver of salvation to those men who see it and where on the bodies the water would become dark or pure. I have seen this holy place which removes sin. I have seen Dvāravatī , which is resorted to by gods and demons, where flows the auspicious Gomatī , having Brahmanic water, where sleep is called absorption of the mind and death is said to be final liberation, and living where Kali would never be powerful. Where (i.e. there) the stones are marked with discs, and men also hold discs; beasts, insects, birds etc.—all have discs on their bodies; where the three-strided one (i.e. Viṣṇu), the only guardian of the worlds, would live (i.e. lives). Due to my great religious merit I saw that city. I saw Vārāṇasī which is made his abode by Viśvanātha and where they teach the hymn that emancipates (a person) and is called Brahman, having died where insects, moths, bees, beafts and others, and (even) gods, abandoning the pleasure due to the contact with their (i.e. as a result of their) deeds and overcoming grief go to Kailāsa . (Then there) is the holy place called Maṇikarṇi, in which the river flowing to the north cuts off the bondage of the mundane existence even of the sinners. All (of them) having matted hair, ear-rings, and adorned with serpents and excellent ones wearing the hide of an elephant live with their grief perished. There (the god) called Kālabhairava controls Yama . Lord Yama holding the (chastising) rod, does not talk about human beings. Kāśī , marked by (the presence of) Viśveśvara , was seen by me. O king, I also saw many holy places; but that great wonder which I saw on the mountain called Nīla, in the presence of Viṣṇu, was seen at no other place.
[1]: [1] : Ṣaṭkarma—The six duties enjoined on a brāhmaṇa: 1. Reading (especially the Vedas), 2. Instructing, 3. Sacrifice. 4. Conducting a sacrifice, 5. Giving, 6. Receiving (gifts).
[2]: [2] : Ṣaṣṭhāṃśa—Cf. Manusmṛti, 7.131ff.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 33249, revision 335883 (2022-04-16T01:15:10Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365328.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.