Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 65
Sourceशेष उवाच। क्षणान्मूर्च्छां जहौ वीरः शत्रुघ्नः समरांगणे । अन्येऽपि वीराबलिनो मूर्च्छां प्राप्ताः सुजीविताः १। शत्रुघ्नो वाजिनां श्रेष्ठं ददर्श पुरतः स्थितम् । आत्मानं च शिरस्त्राणरहितं सैन्यजीवितम् २। वीक्ष्य चित्रमिदं स्वांते चकारच जगाद ह । सुमतिं मंत्रिणां श्रेष्ठं मूर्च्छाविरहितं तदा ३। कृपां कृत्वा हयं प्रादाद्बालो यज्ञस्य पूर्तये । गच्छाम रामं तरसा हयागमनकांक्षिणम् ४। इत्युक्त्वा स रथे स्थित्वा हयमादाय वेगतः । ययौ तदाश्रमाद्दूरं भेरीशंखविवर्जितः ५। तत्पृष्ठतो महासैन्यं चतुरंगसमन्वितम् । चचाल कुर्वन्संभग्नं स्वभारेण फणीश्वरम् ६। जवेन जाह्नवीं तीर्त्वा कल्लोलजलशालिनीम् । जगाम विषये स्वीये स्वकीयजनशोभिते ७। पुष्कलेन युतो राजा सुरथेन समन्वितः । रथे मणिमये तिष्ठन्महत्कोदंडधारकः ८। हयं तं पुरतः कृत्वा रत्नमालाविभूषितम् । श्वेतातपत्रं तस्यैव मूर्ध्नि चामरभूषितम् ९। अनेकरथसाहस्रैः परितो बलिभिर्नृपैः । उद्यत्कोदंडललितैर्वीरनादविभूषितैः १०। क्रमेण नगरीं प्राप सूर्यवंशविभूषिताम् । अनेकैः केतुभिः श्रेष्ठैर्भूषितां दुर्गराजिताम् ११। रामः श्रुत्वा हयं प्राप्तं शत्रुघ्नेन सहामुना । पुष्कलेन च वीरेण ययौ हर्षमनेकधा १२। कटकं निर्दिदेशासौ चतुरंगं महाबलम् । लक्ष्मणं प्रेषयामास भ्रातरं बलिनां वरम् १३। लक्ष्मणः सैन्यसहितो गत्वा भ्रातरमागतम् । परिरेभे मुदाक्रांतः क्षतशोभितगात्रकम् १४। सर्वत्र कुशलं पृष्टो वार्तां चात्र चकार सः । परमं हर्षमापन्नः शत्रुघ्नः संगतो मुदा १५। सौमित्रिः स्वरथे स्थित्वा भ्रात्रा सह महामनाः । सैन्येन महता वीरो ययौ स्वनगरीं प्रति १६। सरयूः पुण्यसलिला पवित्रित जगत्त्रया । रामपादरजः पूता शरच्चंद्रसमप्रभा १७। हंसकारंडवाकीर्णा चक्रवाकोपशोभिता । विचित्रतरवर्णैश्च पक्षिभिर्नादिता भृशम् १८। मंडपास्तत्र बहुशो रामचंद्रेणकारिताः । ब्राह्मणानां वेदविदां पृथक्पाठनिनादकाः १९। क्षत्रियास्तत्र बहवो धनुःपाणि सुशोभिताः । ज्याटंकारेण बहुना नादयंतो महीतलम् २०। भुंजते ब्राह्मणा यत्र विचित्रान्नैर्मनोहरैः । परस्परं प्रपश्यंतो वार्तां चक्रुर्मनोहराम् २१। पायसान्नानि शुभ्राणि चंद्रकांतिसमानि च । क्षीराज्यबहुयुक्तानि शर्करामिश्रितानि च २२। अपूपास्तत्र बहुलाश्चंद्रबिंबसमाः श्रिया । कर्पूरादिसुगंधेन वासिताः सुमनोहराः २३। फेनिकाघटकाः स्निग्धाः शतच्छिद्रा विरंध्रकाः । शष्कुल्यो मंडकामृष्टा मधुरान्नसमन्विताः २४। भक्तं कुमुदसंकाशं मुद्गदालिविमिश्रितम् । सुगंधेन समायुक्तमत्यंतं प्रीतिदायकम् २५। ओदनो दधिना युक्तो भीमसेनसमन्वितः । स्वादुपाककरैः सृष्टः पात्रे मुक्तः प्रवेषकैः २६। तत्र केचिद्द्विजाः पात्रे निक्षिप्तं वीक्ष्य पायसम् । परस्परं ते प्रत्यूचुः किमिदं दृश्यतेऽद्भुतम् २७। किं चंद्रबिंबं नभसः पतितं तमसो भयात् । अमृतं तु भवत्यत्र मृत्युनाशकमद्भुतम् २८। तच्छ्रुत्वा रोषताम्राक्षः प्रोवाचान्यो द्विजोत्तमः । नभवत्येव चंद्रस्य बिंबं त्वमृतविप्लुतम् २९। एकमिंदोर्वपुस्त्वेतद्दृश्यते सदृशं कथम् । ब्राह्मणानां सहस्रस्य पात्रे पात्रे पृथक्पृथक् ३०। ततो जानीहि कुमुदं कर्पूरं वा भविष्यति । मा जानीहि मृगांकस्य बिंबं शुभ्रश्रियान्वितम् ३१। तावदन्यो रुषाक्रांतो धुन्वन्स्वं मस्तकं तथा । न जानंति द्विजा मूढाः स्वादुज्ञाना विचक्षणाः ३२। इदं तु क्षौद्रकंदस्यरसेन परिपाचितम् । जानीहि शतपत्रस्य पुष्पाणि मधुराणि च ३३। एवं परस्परं विप्राः कंदमूलफलाशिनः । तर्कयंति मुने प्रीता रसज्ञानेऽतिलोलुपाः ३४। तावदन्यो द्विजः प्राह क्षत्त्रियाणां वरं जनुः । भोक्ष्यंते तादृशं त्वन्नं महत्पुण्यैरुपस्कृतम् ३५। तदा तं प्राब्रवीद्विप्रो दत्तस्य फलमीदृशम् । ये ददत्यग्रजन्मभ्यः प्राप्नुवंति त ईप्सितम् ३६। यैरर्चितो नैव हरिर्नैवेद्यैर्विविधैर्मुहुः । तेषामेतादृशं भोज्यं न भवेदक्षिगोचरम् ३७। यैर्नरैरग्रजन्मानो भोजिता विविधै रसैः । भुंजते ते स्वादुरसं पापिनां चक्षुरुज्झितम् ३८। एवंविधैरसैर्मिष्टैर्भोजिता द्विजसत्तमाः । मंडपे विपठंतस्ते शब्दब्रह्मविचक्षणाः ३९। नृत्यंत्येके हसन्त्येके नदन्त्येके प्रहर्षिताः । उत्सवो बहुरुद्भाति तत्र शत्रुघ्न आगमत् ४०। रामः शत्रुघ्नमायांतं पुष्कलेन समन्वितम् । निरीक्ष्यमुदमुद्भूतां रक्षितुं नाशकत्तदा ४१। यावदुत्तिष्ठते रामो भ्रातरं हयपालकम् । तावद्रामपदेलग्नः शत्रुघ्नो भ्रातृवत्सलः ४२। पादयोः पतितं वीक्ष्य भ्रातरं विनयान्वितम् । परिरेभे दृढं प्रीतः क्षतसंशोभितांगकम् ४३। अश्रूणि बहुधा मुंचन्हर्षाच्छिरसि राघवः । अत्यंतं परमां प्राप मुदं वचनदूरगाम् ४४। पुष्कलं स्वीयपदयोर्नम्रं विनयविह्वलः । सुदृढं भुजयोर्मध्ये विनीयापीडयद्भृशम् ४५। हनूमंतं तथा वीरं सुग्रीवं चांगदं तथा । लक्ष्मीनिधिं जनकजं प्रतापाग्र्यं रिपुंजयम् ४६। सुबाहुं सुमदं वीरं विमलं नीलरत्नकम् । सत्यवंतं वीरमणिं सुरथं रामसेवकम् ४७। अन्यानपि महाभागान्रघुनाथः स्वयं तदा । परिरेभे दृढं स्निग्धान्पादयोः प्रणतान्नृपान् ४८। सुमतिः श्रीरघुपतिं भक्तानुग्रहकारकम् । परिरभ्य दृढं प्रीतः संमुखे तिष्ठदुन्नतः ४९। तदा रामो निजामात्यं वीक्ष्य सान्निध्यमागतम् । उवाच परमप्रीत्या मंत्रिणं वदतां वरः ५०। सुमते मंत्रिणां श्रेष्ठ शंश मे वाग्मिनां वर । क एते भूमिपाः सर्वे कथमत्र समागताः ५१। कुत्रकुत्र हयः प्राप्तः केनकेन नियंत्रितः । कथं वै मोचितो भ्रात्रा महाबलसुशालिना ५२। शेष उवाच। इत्युक्तो मंत्रिणां श्रेष्ठः सुमतिः प्राह राघवम् । प्रहसन्मेघगंभीर नादेन च सुबुद्धिमान् ५३। सुमतिरुवाच। सर्वज्ञस्य पुरस्तेऽद्य मया कथमुदीर्यते । पृच्छसि त्वं लोकरीत्या सर्वं जानासि सर्वदृक् ५४। तथापि तव निर्देशं शिरस्याधाय सर्वदा । ब्रवीमि तच्छृणुष्वाद्य सर्वराजशिरोमणे ५५। त्वत्प्रसादादहो स्वामिन्सर्वत्र जगतीतले । परिबभ्राम ते वाहो भालपत्रसुशोभितः ५६। न कश्चित्तं निजग्राह स्वनामबलदर्पितः । स्वं स्वं राज्यं समर्प्याथ प्रणेमुस्ते पदांबुजम् ५७। को वा रावण दैत्येंद्र निहंतुर्वाजिसत्तमम् । गृह्णाति विजयाकांक्षी जरामरणवर्जितः ५८। अहिच्छत्रां गतस्तावत्तव वाजी मनोरमः । तद्राजा सुमदः श्रुत्वा हयं प्राप्तं तव प्रभो ५९। सपुत्रः प्रबलः सर्वसैन्येन बलिना वृतः । सर्वं समर्पयामास राज्यं निहतकंटकम् ६०। यो राजा जगतां नेत्रीं मातरं जगदंबिकाम् । प्रसाद्य चिरमायुष्यं लेभे राज्यमकंटकम् ६१। स एष त्वां प्रणमति सुमदः प्रभुसेवितम् । तं गृहाण कृपादृष्ट्या चिराद्दर्शनकांक्षकम् ६२। ततः सुबाहुभूपस्य नगरे बलपूरिते । दमनस्तस्य वै पुत्रः प्रजग्राह हयोत्तमम् ६३। तेन साकं महद्युद्धं बभूव दमनेन च । पुष्कलो जयमापेदे संमूर्छ्य सुभुजात्मजम् ६४। ततः सुबाहुः संक्रुद्धो रणे पवनजं बलात् । युयुधे तव पादाब्जसेवकं बलिनां वरम् ६५। तस्य पादाहतो ज्ञानं प्राप्य शापतिरस्कृतम् । तुभ्यं समर्प्य सकलं वाजिनः पालकोऽभवत् ६६। एष त्वां सुभुजो राजा प्रणमत्युन्नतांगकः । कृपादृष्ट्याभिषिंच त्वं सुबाहुं नयकोविदम् ६७। ततो मुक्तो हयो रेवाह्रदे स निममज्ज ह । तत्र प्राप्तं मोहनास्त्रं शत्रुघ्नेन बलीयसा ६८। ततो देवपुरे प्रागाच्छिववासविभूषिते । तत्रत्यं तु विजानासि यतस्त्वं तत्र चागतः ६९। विद्युन्माली हतो दैत्यः सत्यवान्संगतस्ततः । सुरथेन समं युद्धं जानासि त्वं महामते ७०। ततः कुंडलकान्मुक्तो हयो बभ्राम सर्वतः । न कश्चित्तं निजग्राह स्ववीर्यबलदर्पितः ७१। वाल्मीकेराश्रमे रम्ये हयः प्राप्तो मनोरमः । तत्र यत्कुतुकं जातं तच्छृणुष्व नरोत्तम ७२। तत्रार्भस्तव सारूप्यं बिभ्रत्षोडशवार्षिकः । जग्राह वीक्ष्य पत्रांकं वाजिनं बलवत्तमः ७३। तत्र कालजिता युद्धं महज्जातं नरोत्तम । निहतस्तेन वीरेण शितधारेण हेतिना ७४। अनेके निहताः संख्ये पुष्कलाद्या महाबलाः । मूर्च्छितं चापि शत्रुघ्नं चक्रे वीरशिरोमणिः ७५। तदा राजा महद्दुःखं विचार्य हृदिसंयुगे । कोपेन मूर्च्छितं चक्रे वीरो हि बलिनां वरः ७६। स यावन्मूर्च्छितो राज्ञा तावदन्यः समागतः । तेनैतेन च संजीव्य नाशितं कटकं तव ७७। सर्वेषां मूर्च्छितानां तु शस्त्राण्याभरणानि च । गृहीत्वा वानरौ बद्धौ जग्मतुः स्वाश्रमं प्रति ७८। कृपां कृत्वा पुनस्तेन दत्तोऽश्वो यज्ञियो महान् । जीवनं प्रापितं सर्वं कटकं नष्टजीवितम् ७९। वयं गृहीत्वा तं वाहं प्राप्तास्तव समीपतः । एतदेव मया ज्ञातं तदुक्तं ते पुरोवचः ८०। इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखण्डे शेषवात्स्यायनसंवादे रामाश्वमेधे। सुमतिनिवेदनंनाम पंचषष्टितमोऽध्यायः ६५।
śeṣa uvāca| kṣaṇānmūrcchāṃ jahau vīraḥ śatrughnaḥ samarāṃgaṇe | anye'pi vīrābalino mūrcchāṃ prāptāḥ sujīvitāḥ 1| śatrughno vājināṃ śreṣṭhaṃ dadarśa purataḥ sthitam | ātmānaṃ ca śirastrāṇarahitaṃ sainyajīvitam 2| vīkṣya citramidaṃ svāṃte cakāraca jagāda ha | sumatiṃ maṃtriṇāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ mūrcchāvirahitaṃ tadā 3| kṛpāṃ kṛtvā hayaṃ prādādbālo yajñasya pūrtaye | gacchāma rāmaṃ tarasā hayāgamanakāṃkṣiṇam 4| ityuktvā sa rathe sthitvā hayamādāya vegataḥ | yayau tadāśramāddūraṃ bherīśaṃkhavivarjitaḥ 5| tatpṛṣṭhato mahāsainyaṃ caturaṃgasamanvitam | cacāla kurvansaṃbhagnaṃ svabhāreṇa phaṇīśvaram 6| javena jāhnavīṃ tīrtvā kallolajalaśālinīm | jagāma viṣaye svīye svakīyajanaśobhite 7| puṣkalena yuto rājā surathena samanvitaḥ | rathe maṇimaye tiṣṭhanmahatkodaṃḍadhārakaḥ 8| hayaṃ taṃ purataḥ kṛtvā ratnamālāvibhūṣitam | śvetātapatraṃ tasyaiva mūrdhni cāmarabhūṣitam 9| anekarathasāhasraiḥ parito balibhirnṛpaiḥ | udyatkodaṃḍalalitairvīranādavibhūṣitaiḥ 10| krameṇa nagarīṃ prāpa sūryavaṃśavibhūṣitām | anekaiḥ ketubhiḥ śreṣṭhairbhūṣitāṃ durgarājitām 11| rāmaḥ śrutvā hayaṃ prāptaṃ śatrughnena sahāmunā | puṣkalena ca vīreṇa yayau harṣamanekadhā 12| kaṭakaṃ nirdideśāsau caturaṃgaṃ mahābalam | lakṣmaṇaṃ preṣayāmāsa bhrātaraṃ balināṃ varam 13| lakṣmaṇaḥ sainyasahito gatvā bhrātaramāgatam | parirebhe mudākrāṃtaḥ kṣataśobhitagātrakam 14| sarvatra kuśalaṃ pṛṣṭo vārtāṃ cātra cakāra saḥ | paramaṃ harṣamāpannaḥ śatrughnaḥ saṃgato mudā 15| saumitriḥ svarathe sthitvā bhrātrā saha mahāmanāḥ | sainyena mahatā vīro yayau svanagarīṃ prati 16| sarayūḥ puṇyasalilā pavitrita jagattrayā | rāmapādarajaḥ pūtā śaraccaṃdrasamaprabhā 17| haṃsakāraṃḍavākīrṇā cakravākopaśobhitā | vicitrataravarṇaiśca pakṣibhirnāditā bhṛśam 18| maṃḍapāstatra bahuśo rāmacaṃdreṇakāritāḥ | brāhmaṇānāṃ vedavidāṃ pṛthakpāṭhaninādakāḥ 19| kṣatriyāstatra bahavo dhanuḥpāṇi suśobhitāḥ | jyāṭaṃkāreṇa bahunā nādayaṃto mahītalam 20| bhuṃjate brāhmaṇā yatra vicitrānnairmanoharaiḥ | parasparaṃ prapaśyaṃto vārtāṃ cakrurmanoharām 21| pāyasānnāni śubhrāṇi caṃdrakāṃtisamāni ca | kṣīrājyabahuyuktāni śarkarāmiśritāni ca 22| apūpāstatra bahulāścaṃdrabiṃbasamāḥ śriyā | karpūrādisugaṃdhena vāsitāḥ sumanoharāḥ 23| phenikāghaṭakāḥ snigdhāḥ śatacchidrā viraṃdhrakāḥ | śaṣkulyo maṃḍakāmṛṣṭā madhurānnasamanvitāḥ 24| bhaktaṃ kumudasaṃkāśaṃ mudgadālivimiśritam | sugaṃdhena samāyuktamatyaṃtaṃ prītidāyakam 25| odano dadhinā yukto bhīmasenasamanvitaḥ | svādupākakaraiḥ sṛṣṭaḥ pātre muktaḥ praveṣakaiḥ 26| tatra keciddvijāḥ pātre nikṣiptaṃ vīkṣya pāyasam | parasparaṃ te pratyūcuḥ kimidaṃ dṛśyate'dbhutam 27| kiṃ caṃdrabiṃbaṃ nabhasaḥ patitaṃ tamaso bhayāt | amṛtaṃ tu bhavatyatra mṛtyunāśakamadbhutam 28| tacchrutvā roṣatāmrākṣaḥ provācānyo dvijottamaḥ | nabhavatyeva caṃdrasya biṃbaṃ tvamṛtaviplutam 29| ekamiṃdorvapustvetaddṛśyate sadṛśaṃ katham | brāhmaṇānāṃ sahasrasya pātre pātre pṛthakpṛthak 30| tato jānīhi kumudaṃ karpūraṃ vā bhaviṣyati | mā jānīhi mṛgāṃkasya biṃbaṃ śubhraśriyānvitam 31| tāvadanyo ruṣākrāṃto dhunvansvaṃ mastakaṃ tathā | na jānaṃti dvijā mūḍhāḥ svādujñānā vicakṣaṇāḥ 32| idaṃ tu kṣaudrakaṃdasyarasena paripācitam | jānīhi śatapatrasya puṣpāṇi madhurāṇi ca 33| evaṃ parasparaṃ viprāḥ kaṃdamūlaphalāśinaḥ | tarkayaṃti mune prītā rasajñāne'tilolupāḥ 34| tāvadanyo dvijaḥ prāha kṣattriyāṇāṃ varaṃ januḥ | bhokṣyaṃte tādṛśaṃ tvannaṃ mahatpuṇyairupaskṛtam 35| tadā taṃ prābravīdvipro dattasya phalamīdṛśam | ye dadatyagrajanmabhyaḥ prāpnuvaṃti ta īpsitam 36| yairarcito naiva harirnaivedyairvividhairmuhuḥ | teṣāmetādṛśaṃ bhojyaṃ na bhavedakṣigocaram 37| yairnarairagrajanmāno bhojitā vividhai rasaiḥ | bhuṃjate te svādurasaṃ pāpināṃ cakṣurujjhitam 38| evaṃvidhairasairmiṣṭairbhojitā dvijasattamāḥ | maṃḍape vipaṭhaṃtaste śabdabrahmavicakṣaṇāḥ 39| nṛtyaṃtyeke hasantyeke nadantyeke praharṣitāḥ | utsavo bahurudbhāti tatra śatrughna āgamat 40| rāmaḥ śatrughnamāyāṃtaṃ puṣkalena samanvitam | nirīkṣyamudamudbhūtāṃ rakṣituṃ nāśakattadā 41| yāvaduttiṣṭhate rāmo bhrātaraṃ hayapālakam | tāvadrāmapadelagnaḥ śatrughno bhrātṛvatsalaḥ 42| pādayoḥ patitaṃ vīkṣya bhrātaraṃ vinayānvitam | parirebhe dṛḍhaṃ prītaḥ kṣatasaṃśobhitāṃgakam 43| aśrūṇi bahudhā muṃcanharṣācchirasi rāghavaḥ | atyaṃtaṃ paramāṃ prāpa mudaṃ vacanadūragām 44| puṣkalaṃ svīyapadayornamraṃ vinayavihvalaḥ | sudṛḍhaṃ bhujayormadhye vinīyāpīḍayadbhṛśam 45| hanūmaṃtaṃ tathā vīraṃ sugrīvaṃ cāṃgadaṃ tathā | lakṣmīnidhiṃ janakajaṃ pratāpāgryaṃ ripuṃjayam 46| subāhuṃ sumadaṃ vīraṃ vimalaṃ nīlaratnakam | satyavaṃtaṃ vīramaṇiṃ surathaṃ rāmasevakam 47| anyānapi mahābhāgānraghunāthaḥ svayaṃ tadā | parirebhe dṛḍhaṃ snigdhānpādayoḥ praṇatānnṛpān 48| sumatiḥ śrīraghupatiṃ bhaktānugrahakārakam | parirabhya dṛḍhaṃ prītaḥ saṃmukhe tiṣṭhadunnataḥ 49| tadā rāmo nijāmātyaṃ vīkṣya sānnidhyamāgatam | uvāca paramaprītyā maṃtriṇaṃ vadatāṃ varaḥ 50| sumate maṃtriṇāṃ śreṣṭha śaṃśa me vāgmināṃ vara | ka ete bhūmipāḥ sarve kathamatra samāgatāḥ 51| kutrakutra hayaḥ prāptaḥ kenakena niyaṃtritaḥ | kathaṃ vai mocito bhrātrā mahābalasuśālinā 52| śeṣa uvāca| ityukto maṃtriṇāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ sumatiḥ prāha rāghavam | prahasanmeghagaṃbhīra nādena ca subuddhimān 53| sumatiruvāca| sarvajñasya puraste'dya mayā kathamudīryate | pṛcchasi tvaṃ lokarītyā sarvaṃ jānāsi sarvadṛk 54| tathāpi tava nirdeśaṃ śirasyādhāya sarvadā | bravīmi tacchṛṇuṣvādya sarvarājaśiromaṇe 55| tvatprasādādaho svāminsarvatra jagatītale | paribabhrāma te vāho bhālapatrasuśobhitaḥ 56| na kaścittaṃ nijagrāha svanāmabaladarpitaḥ | svaṃ svaṃ rājyaṃ samarpyātha praṇemuste padāṃbujam 57| ko vā rāvaṇa daityeṃdra nihaṃturvājisattamam | gṛhṇāti vijayākāṃkṣī jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ 58| ahicchatrāṃ gatastāvattava vājī manoramaḥ | tadrājā sumadaḥ śrutvā hayaṃ prāptaṃ tava prabho 59| saputraḥ prabalaḥ sarvasainyena balinā vṛtaḥ | sarvaṃ samarpayāmāsa rājyaṃ nihatakaṃṭakam 60| yo rājā jagatāṃ netrīṃ mātaraṃ jagadaṃbikām | prasādya ciramāyuṣyaṃ lebhe rājyamakaṃṭakam 61| sa eṣa tvāṃ praṇamati sumadaḥ prabhusevitam | taṃ gṛhāṇa kṛpādṛṣṭyā cirāddarśanakāṃkṣakam 62| tataḥ subāhubhūpasya nagare balapūrite | damanastasya vai putraḥ prajagrāha hayottamam 63| tena sākaṃ mahadyuddhaṃ babhūva damanena ca | puṣkalo jayamāpede saṃmūrchya subhujātmajam 64| tataḥ subāhuḥ saṃkruddho raṇe pavanajaṃ balāt | yuyudhe tava pādābjasevakaṃ balināṃ varam 65| tasya pādāhato jñānaṃ prāpya śāpatiraskṛtam | tubhyaṃ samarpya sakalaṃ vājinaḥ pālako'bhavat 66| eṣa tvāṃ subhujo rājā praṇamatyunnatāṃgakaḥ | kṛpādṛṣṭyābhiṣiṃca tvaṃ subāhuṃ nayakovidam 67| tato mukto hayo revāhrade sa nimamajja ha | tatra prāptaṃ mohanāstraṃ śatrughnena balīyasā 68| tato devapure prāgācchivavāsavibhūṣite | tatratyaṃ tu vijānāsi yatastvaṃ tatra cāgataḥ 69| vidyunmālī hato daityaḥ satyavānsaṃgatastataḥ | surathena samaṃ yuddhaṃ jānāsi tvaṃ mahāmate 70| tataḥ kuṃḍalakānmukto hayo babhrāma sarvataḥ | na kaścittaṃ nijagrāha svavīryabaladarpitaḥ 71| vālmīkerāśrame ramye hayaḥ prāpto manoramaḥ | tatra yatkutukaṃ jātaṃ tacchṛṇuṣva narottama 72| tatrārbhastava sārūpyaṃ bibhratṣoḍaśavārṣikaḥ | jagrāha vīkṣya patrāṃkaṃ vājinaṃ balavattamaḥ 73| tatra kālajitā yuddhaṃ mahajjātaṃ narottama | nihatastena vīreṇa śitadhāreṇa hetinā 74| aneke nihatāḥ saṃkhye puṣkalādyā mahābalāḥ | mūrcchitaṃ cāpi śatrughnaṃ cakre vīraśiromaṇiḥ 75| tadā rājā mahadduḥkhaṃ vicārya hṛdisaṃyuge | kopena mūrcchitaṃ cakre vīro hi balināṃ varaḥ 76| sa yāvanmūrcchito rājñā tāvadanyaḥ samāgataḥ | tenaitena ca saṃjīvya nāśitaṃ kaṭakaṃ tava 77| sarveṣāṃ mūrcchitānāṃ tu śastrāṇyābharaṇāni ca | gṛhītvā vānarau baddhau jagmatuḥ svāśramaṃ prati 78| kṛpāṃ kṛtvā punastena datto'śvo yajñiyo mahān | jīvanaṃ prāpitaṃ sarvaṃ kaṭakaṃ naṣṭajīvitam 79| vayaṃ gṛhītvā taṃ vāhaṃ prāptāstava samīpataḥ | etadeva mayā jñātaṃ taduktaṃ te purovacaḥ 80| iti śrīpadmapurāṇe pātālakhaṇḍe śeṣavātsyāyanasaṃvāde rāmāśvamedhe| sumatinivedanaṃnāma paṃcaṣaṣṭitamo'dhyāyaḥ 65|
English translation
Śeṣa said :
1-4. In a moment Śatrughna , the hero, gave up his swoon onthe battlefield. Other mighty warriors also, who had fainted, revived. Śatrughna saw the best among the horses, standing before him, and saw (i.e. found) himself to be without the helmet and the army revived. Seeing this he wondered in his mind and spoke to Sumati , the best among ministers, who had then revived: “Having shown pity, the boy has returned the horse for the completion of the sacrifice. We (shall) quickly go to Rāma desiring (i.e. waiting for) the horse’s arrival.”
5-11. Saying so, he, having got into the chariot and without (the sounds of) kettle-drums and conches, quickly went to Rāma far away from the hermitage. After him moved the great army full of four divisions and making the lord of serpents broken down due to (i.e. under) its load. Having quickly crossed Gaṅgā , full of water having waves, he went to his own country adorned with his own men. The king was accompanied by Puṣkala and Suratha ; he, holding a bow, was seated in a jewelled chariot; he had put the horse in front; the horse was adorned with jewelled necklaces; and on his head only shone the white umbrella. Surrounded by thousands of chariots and mighty kings who were adorned with heroic cries, he in due course reached the city, adorned by the solar dynasty, decorated with many excellent flags, and shining with citadels.
12-18. Rāma, having heard that the army along with this Śatrughna and with the brave Puṣkala had reached the city, was delighted in many ways. Showing Lakṣmaṇa the great army with four constituents, he sent him, his brother, best among the mighty (to receive it). Lakṣmaṇa having along with the army gone to his army, and being beside himself due to joy, embraced him whose body was adorned with wounds. Being asked about the safety everywhere, he told him the news. Śatrughna became very joyful and met with happiness. The brave and noble-minded son of Sumitrā , being seated along with his brother (Śatrughna) in his own chariot, went along with the great army to the city. Sarayū had sacred water, had purified the three worlds, was purified by the dust of Rama ’s feet, was bright like the autumnal moon, was crowded with swans and ducks, was adorned with the ruddy geese, and was very much resounding with birds, having very strange colours.
19-33. Rāmacandra had abundantly got constructed there pavilions resounding with the separate recitals of brāhmaṇas knowing the Vedas . There were many kṣatriyas with their hands well-adorned with bows, and filling the earth with the noise of the various twangs of their bow-strings. There brāhmaṇas enjoyed (i.e. ate) charming and various kinds of food. Praising one another, they talked about (i.e. discussed) interesting news (topics). There were foods like rice boiled with milk, which were white and resembled the moon. They were full of (i.e. mixed) with profuse milk and ghee and were mixed with sugar. There were many small round cakes resembling the orb of the moon in beauty. They were very lovely and were made fragrant with perfumes of camphor etc. There were soft components of macaroni having hundred holes or no holes. With sweet food there were baked thin cakes that were dressed. There was boiled rice which resembled lotuses, which was mixed with kidney-bean-seeds, which was having a perfume, and which gave delight. The boiled rice was (mixed) with curd, and accompanied by (i.e. mixed with) camphor. It was prepared by cooks cooking tasty food, and served by waiters. There, certain brāhmaṇas on seeing the rice boiled with milk put (i.e. served) in their dishes, said to one another: “What is this wonder that is seen (here)? Is it the orb of the moon fallen from the sky through the fear of darkness? Here there is the wonderful nectar which puts an end to death.” Hearing that, another excellent brāhmaṇa , with his eyes red through anger, said. “The orb of the moon is not at all wet with nectar. The form of the moon is one (only). Then how can it be seen to be similar in every individual dish of a thousand of brāhmaṇas? Therefore, know that it may be a lotus or camphor. Do not regard it to be the moon’s orb endowed with white lustre.” Just then another (brāhmaṇa) overcome with anger, shaking his head (said): “These foolish brāhmaṇas, not proficient in the knowledge of tastes, do not know: This is cooked with the bulb of campaka . They are sweet lotuses.”
34-40a. O sages, brāhmaṇas who (generally) ate bulbs and roots, were pleased and were very eager to know the tastes and thus conjectured among themselves. Just then another brāhmaṇa said: “The existence of the kṣatriyas is excellent. They will enjoy food like that served on account of their great religious merit.” To him a brāhmaṇa said at that time: “Such is the fruit of charity. Those who give to brāhmaṇas, obtain what is desired. Such food will never be seen by them who have never repeatedly worshipped Viṣṇu with various offerings of eatables. Those men who feed brāhmaṇas with (foods of) various tastes, enjoy (food of) sweet taste abandoned by (i.e. kept away from) the sight of the sinners. Those best brāhmaṇas, proficient in the Vedas, thus fed with (foods of) desired tastes, recited (the Vedic texts) in the pavilion. Being delighted, some danced, some laughed and some cried. A great festivity took place there.
40b-52. Then Śatrughna came there. Rāma, seeing Śatrughna coming along with Puṣkala, could not contain the joy rising (in his heart). Then Rāma got up (to greet his) brother stuck to (i.e. fallen at) his feet. Seeing his brother fallen at his feet, Rāma firmly embraced him who was full of politeness, and whose body was adorned with wounds. Shedding tears in various ways (i.e. profusely) on his head, Rāghava got great delight which is far away from (i.e. which cannot be expressed in) words. He, overcome with (Puṣkala’s) modesty, took polite Puṣkala who had bent at his feet, between his arms, and embraced him much (i.e. closely). Raghunātha himself closely embraced others also like Hanūmat, the hero Sugrīva , so also Aṅgada , Lakṣmīnidhi, the son of Janaka , Pratāpāgrya, conquering his enemies, Subāhu , Sumada , the hero Vimala , the gem(-like) Nīla , Satyavat, Vīramaṇi , and Suratha, the servant of Rāma—who were affectionate and had bowed at his feet. Sumati, the lofty one, being pleased and standing in front of Rāma, closely embraced Śrī Raghupati favouring his devotees. Then Rāma, the best among the eloquent, seeing his minister come near him, spoke with great delight to him: “O Sumati, O best among speakers, O best among ministers, tell me who are these kings. How (i.e. for what reason) have all of them come here? Where (i.e. to which places) did the horse go? By whom was he arrested? How was he released by my brother having great might?”
Śeṣa said :
53. Thus addressed that very intelligent Sumati, the best among ministers, laughed and spoke in a voice grave like the (sound of the thundering) clouds.
Sumati said :
54-59a. How should I speak before you, the omniscient one? You are asking in the manner of the world. You who are everything, know all. Yet, O crest-jewel (i.e. the best) of all kings, always holding your order on my head (i.e. obeying your order), I shall speak; today (i.e. now) listen to it. O lord, by your grace, your horse, adorned with a note on his forehead, wandered on the surface of the earth. No one, proud (through the pride) of his name and power, seized him. (On the contrary) having given their kingdom (to you), they saluted your lotus-like feet. Who, desiring victory (and) free from old age and death, seized (i.e. would seize) the best horse of the killer of Rāvaṇa , the lord of demons? Your lovely horse had just gone to Ahicchatra (city).
59b-62. The king of that city, Sumada, heard that your horse had come; and the very powerful one, with his sons, and surrounded by his entire mighty army, offered his entire kingdom in which the elements causing nuisance were destroyed, O lord, That king Sumada who having propitiated the mother, the leader of the worlds, Jagadambikā , obtained a long life and a kingdom free from bad elements, salutes you, served by lords. Accept, with a favourable eye, him who desires to see you for a long time.
63-71. Then in king Subāhu’s city, full of army, his son Damana seized the best horse. With that Damana a great battle took place. Having caused (Damana,) the son of Subāhu, to faint, Puṣkala obtained victory. Then Subāhu, getting angry, fought, in the battle with (Hanūmat,) the son of Wind, the servant of your lotus-like feet, and best among the mighty. Being struck by his foot, he obtained the knowledge covered due to the curse. Having dedicated everything to you, he has become the protector of the horse. This king Subāhu, of a lofty body, salutes you. Sprinkle with a favourable glance king Subāhu, proficient in political wisdom. Then the horse that was let loose, plunged into the puddle in Revā . There the mighty Śatrughna obtained the deluding missile. Then the horse went to Śivapura , adorned with the residence of Śiva . You know what happened there, as you yourself had come there. The demon Vidyunmālin was killed; Satyavat then joined (us); O you highly intelligent one, you know about our battle with Suratha. Then the horse, released from Kuṇḍalaka, roamed everywhere. Nobody proud of his might, seized him.
72-80. Then the horse reached Vālmīki ’s hermitage. O best among men, listen to what curious thing took place there. Then a strongest boy, sixteen years old and having resemblance with you, seeing the horse marked with a note, seized him. Then O best of men, a great battle with Kālajit took place. He was struck by the hero with a sharp missile. Many very mighty ones like Puṣkala were killed in the battle. The crest-jewel of the heroes made even Śatrughna unconscious. Then the brave king, the best among the mighty, feeling great pain in his heart, angrily made him unconscious. When he was made unconscious by the king, another (warrior) came (there). He and this one, having revived, destroyed your army. Having seized the weapons and ornaments of all that were unconscious, and taking (with) them the two monkeys that were bound, the two (i.e. Kuśa and Lava ) went to their own hermitage. Having favoured (us) he gave (back) the great sacrificial horse. The entire army that was dead was brought back to life. Having taken the horse, we have come to your vicinity. I have told you these words (since) I knew this only.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 43957, revision 334640 (2022-04-07T01:42:05Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365376.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.