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Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Unit 362 of 693Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 67Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 671 source entries

Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 67

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सप्तषष्टितमोऽध्यायः 5.67 शेष उवाच। अथ सौमित्रिरागत्य जानकीं नतवान्मुहुः । प्रेमगद्गदया शंसन्वाचं रामप्रणोदिताम् १। सीता समागतं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणं विनयान्वितम् । तन्मुखाद्रामसंदेशं श्रुत्वोवाच विलज्जिता २। सौमित्रे कथमागच्छे रामत्यक्ता महावने । तिष्ठामि रामं स्मरन्ती वाल्मीकेराश्रमे त्वहम् ३। तस्या मुखोदितं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा सौमित्रिरब्रवीत् । मातः पतिव्रते रामस्त्वामाकारयते मुहुः ४। पतिव्रता पतिकृतं दोषं नानयते हृदि । तस्मादागच्छ हि मया स्थित्वा स्यंदन उत्तमे ५। इत्यादि वचनं श्रुत्वा जानकी पतिदेवता । मनोरोषं परित्यज्य तस्थौ सौमित्रिणा रथे ६। तापसीः सकला नत्वा मुनींश्च निगमोज्ज्वलान् । रामं स्मरंती मनसा रथे स्थित्वागमत्पुरीम् ७। क्रमेण नगरीं प्राप्ता महार्हाभरणान्विता । सरयूं सरितं प्राप यत्र रामः स्वयं स्थितः ८। रथादुत्तीर्य ललिता लक्ष्मणेन समन्विता । रामस्य पादयोर्लग्ना पतिव्रतपरायणा ९। रामस्तामागतां दृष्ट्वा जानकीं प्रेमविह्वलाम् । साध्वि त्वया सहेदानीं कुर्वे यज्ञसमापनम् १०। वाल्मीकिं सा नमस्कृत्य तथान्यान्विप्रसत्तमान् । जगाम मातृपदयोः सन्नतिं कर्तुमुत्सुका ११। कौशल्या तामथायांतीं वीरसूं जानकीं प्रियाम् । आशीर्भिरभिसंयुज्य ययौ हर्षमनेकधा १२। कैकेयीपदयोर्नम्रां वीक्ष्य वैदेहपुत्रिकाम् । भर्त्रा सह चिरं जीव सपुत्रेत्याशिषं व्यधात् १३। सुमित्रा स्वपदेनम्रां वीक्ष्य वैदेहपुत्रिकाम् । आशिषं व्यदधात्तस्याः पुत्रपौत्रप्रदायिनीम् १४। सीता ताः सर्वतो नत्वा रामचंद्र प्रिया सती । परमं हर्षमापन्ना बभूव किल वाडव १५। समागतां वीक्ष्य पत्नीं रामचंद्रस्य कुंभजः । सुवर्णपत्नीं धिक्कृत्य तामधाद्धर्मचारिणीम् १६। रामस्तदा यज्ञमध्ये शुशुभे सीतया सह । तारयानुगतो यद्वच्छशीव शरदुत्प्रभः १७। प्रयोगमकरोत्तत्र काले प्राप्ते मनोरमे । वैदेह्या धर्मचारिण्या सर्वपापापनोदनम् १८। सीतया सहितं रामं प्रसक्तं यज्ञकर्मणि । निरीक्ष्य जहृषुस्तत्र कौतुकेन समन्विताः १९। वसिष्ठं प्राह सुमतिं रामस्तत्र क्रतौ वरे । किं कर्तव्यं मया स्वामिन्नतः परमवश्यकम् २०। रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा गुरुः प्राह महामतिः । ब्राह्मणानां प्रकर्तव्या पूजा संतोषकारिका २१। मरुत्तेन क्रतुः सृष्टः पूर्वं संभारसंभृतः । ब्राह्मणास्तत्र वित्ताद्यैस्तोषिता अभवंस्तदा २२। अत्यंतं वित्तसंभारं नेतुं विप्राशकन्नहि । प्राक्षिपन्हिमवद्देशे वित्तभारासहा द्विजाः २३। तस्मात्त्वमपि राजाग्र्य लक्ष्मीवान्नृपसत्तम । देहि दानादि विप्रेभ्यो यथा स्यात्प्रीतिरुत्तमा २४। एतच्छ्रुत्वा स राजाग्र्यः पूज्यं मत्वा घटोद्भवम् । प्रथमं पूजयामास ब्रह्मपुत्रं तपोधनम् २५। अनेकरत्नसंभारैः स्वर्णभारैरनेकधा । देशैर्जनैः परिवृतैरत्यंतप्रीतिदायकैः २६। अगस्त्यं पूजयामास सपत्नीकं मनोरमम् । तथैव रत्नैः स्वर्णैश्च देशैश्च विविधैरपि २७। व्यासं सत्यवतीपुत्रं तथैव समपूजयत् । च्यवनं भार्यया साकं सुरत्नैः समपूजयत् २८। अन्यानपि मुनीन्सर्वानृत्विजस्तपसां निधीन् । पूजयामास रत्नौघैः स्वर्णभारैरनेकधा २९। अदात्तदा क्रतौ रामो विप्रेभ्यो भूरिदक्षिणाम् । लक्षंलक्षं सुवर्णस्य प्रत्येकं त्वग्रजन्मने ३०। दीनांधकृपणेभ्यश्च ददौ दानमनेकधा । यथासंतोषविहितैर्वित्तै रत्नैर्मनोहरैः ३१। वासांसि च विचित्राणि भोजनानि मृदूनि च । तत्र प्रादाद्यथाशास्त्रं सर्वेषां प्रीतिदायकम् ३२। हृष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णं सर्वसत्त्वोपबृंहितम् । अत्यंतमभवद्धृष्टं पुरं पुंस्त्रीसमावृतम् ३३। दानं ददंतं सर्वेषां वीक्ष्य कुंभोद्भवो मुनिः । अत्यंतपरमप्रीतिं ययौ क्रतुवरे द्विजः ३४। तदाभिषेकस्नानार्थं पानीयममृतोपमम् । आनेतुं च चतुःषष्टि नृपान्सस्त्रीन्समाह्वयत् ३५। रामस्तु सीतया सार्द्धमानेतुमुदकं ययौ । घटेन स्वर्णवर्णेन सर्वालंकारशोभया ३६। सौमित्रिरप्यूर्मिलया मांडव्या भरतो नृपः । शत्रुघ्नः श्रुतकीर्त्या च कांतिमत्या च पुष्कलः ३७। सुबाहुः सत्यवत्या च सत्यवान्वीरभूषया । सुमदस्तत्र सत्कीर्त्या राज्ञ्या च विमलो नृपः ३८। राजावीरमणिस्तत्र श्रुतवत्या मनोज्ञया । लक्ष्मीनिधिः कोमलया रिपुतापोंगसेनया ३९। विभीषणो महामूर्त्या प्रतापाग्र्यः प्रतीतया । उग्राश्वः कामगमया नीलरत्नोधिरम्यया ४०। सुरथः सुमनोहार्या तथा मोहनया कपिः । इत्यादीन्नृपतीन्विप्रो वसिष्ठः प्राहिणोन्मुनिः ४१। वसिष्ठः सरयूं गत्वा शिवपुण्यजलाप्लुताम् । उदकं मंत्रयामास वेदमंत्रेण मंत्रवित् ४२। पयः पुनीह्यमुं वाहमुदकेन मनोहृता । यज्ञार्थं रामचंद्रस्य सर्वलोकैकरक्षितुः ४३। उदकं तन्मुनिस्पृष्टं सर्वे रामादयो नृपाः । आजह्रुर्मंडपतले विप्रवर्यैरुपस्तुते ४४। पयोभिर्निर्मलैः स्नाप्य वाजिनं क्षीरसन्निभम् । मंत्रेण मंत्रयामास राम हस्तेन कुंभजः ४५। पुनीहि मां महावाह अस्मिन्ब्रह्मसमाकुले । त्वन्मेधेनाखिला देवाः प्रीणंतु परितोषिताः ४६। इत्युक्त्वा स नृपो रामः सीतया सममस्पृशत् । तदा सर्वे द्विजाश्चित्रममन्यंत कुतूहलात् ४७। परस्परमवोचंस्ते यन्नामस्मरणान्नराः । महापापात्प्रमुच्यंते स रामः किं वदत्यहो ४८। इत्युक्तवति भूमीशे रामे कुंभोद्भवो मुनिः । करवालं चाभिमंत्र्य ददौ रामकरे मुनिः ४९। करवाले धृते स्पृष्टे रामेण स हयः क्रतौ । पशुत्वं तु विहायाशु दिव्यरूपमपद्यत ५०। विमानवरमारूढश्चाप्सरोभिः समंततः । चामरैर्वीज्यमानश्च वैजयंत्या विभूषितः ५१। तदा तं वाजितां त्यक्त्वा दिव्यरूपधरं वरम् । वीक्ष्य लोकाः क्रतौ सर्वे विस्मयं प्राप्नुवंस्तदा ५२। तदा रामः स्वयं जानञ्ज्ञापयन्सर्वतो नरान् । पप्रच्छ दिव्यरूपं तं सुरं परमधार्मिकः ५३। कस्त्वं दिव्यवपुः प्राप्तः कस्मात्त्वं वाजितां गतः । कथं सुरस्त्रीसहितः किं चिकीर्षसि तद्वद ५४। रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा देवः प्रोवाच भूमिपम् । हसन्मेघरवां वाणीमवदत्सुमनोहराम् ५५। तवाज्ञातं न सर्वत्र बाह्याभ्यंतरचारिणः । तथापि पृच्छते तुभ्यं कथयामि यथातथम् ५६। अहं पुराभवे राम द्विजः परमधार्मिकः । अचरं प्रतिकूलं वै वेदस्य रिपुतापन ५७। कदाचिद्धुतपापायास्तीरेऽहं गतवान्पुरा । अनेकवृक्षललिते सर्वत्रसुमनोरमे ५८। तत्र स्नात्वा पितॄंस्तृप्त्वा दानं दत्त्वा यथाविधि । ध्यानं तव महाबाहो कृतवान्वेदसंमितम् ५९। तदा जनाः समायाता बहवस्तत्र भूपते । तेषां प्रवंचनार्थाय दंभमेनमकारिषम् ६०। अनेकक्रतुसंभारैः पूर्णमजिरमुत्तमम् । वासोभिश्छादितं रम्यं चषालादियुतं महत् ६१। अग्निहोत्रोद्भवोधूमः सर्वतो नभसोंगणम् । चकार रम्यमतुलं चित्रकारिवपुर्धरः ६२। अनेकतिलकश्रीभिः शोभितांगो महत्तपाः । दर्भशोभः समित्पाणिर्दंभो मूर्तिधरः किमु ६३। दुर्वासास्तत्र स्वच्छंदं पर्यटञ्जगतीतलम् । प्राप तत्र महातेजा धूतपापसरित्तटे ६४। ददर्श मां दंभकरं मौनधारिणमग्रतः । अनर्घ्यकरमुन्मत्तमस्वागतवचः करम् ६५। दृष्ट्वातीव क्रुधाक्रांतः समुद्र इव पर्वणि । शशापासौ मुनिस्तीव्रो दंभिनं मां महामतिः ६६। दंभं करोषि चेत्तीरे सरितस्त्वं सुदुर्मते । तस्मात्प्राप्नुहि निर्वाच्यं पशुत्वं तापसाधम ६७। शापं प्रदत्तं संश्रुत्य दुःखितोऽहं तदाभवम् । अग्राहिषं पदे तस्य मुनेर्दुर्वाससः किल ६८। तदा मे कृतवान्राम द्विजोऽनुग्रहमुत्तमम् । वाजितां प्राप्नुहि मखे राजराजस्य तापस ६९। पश्चात्तद्धस्तसंपर्काद्याहि तत्परमं पदम् । दिव्यं वपुर्मनोहारि धृत्वा दंभविवर्जितम् ७०। तेन शापोपिसंदिष्टो ममानुग्रहतां गतः । यदहं तव हस्तस्य स्पर्शं प्राप्तो मनोरमम् ७१। यदेव राम देवादिदुर्लभं बहुजन्मभिः । तत्तेऽहं करजस्पर्शं प्राप्तवानिह दुर्लभम् ७२। आज्ञापय महाराज त्वत्प्रसादादहं महत् । गच्छामि शाश्वतं स्थानं तव दुःखादिवर्जितम् ७३। न यत्र शोको न जरा न मृत्युः कालविभ्रमः । तत्स्थानं देव गच्छामि त्वत्प्रसादान्नराधिप ७४। इत्युक्त्वा तं परिक्रम्य विमानवरमारुहत् । अनेकरत्नखचितं सर्वदेवाधिवंदितम् ७५। गतोऽसौ शाश्वतस्थानं रामपादप्रसादतः । पुनरावृत्तिरहितं शोकमोहविवर्जितम् ७६। तेन तत्कथितं श्रुत्वा रामं ज्ञात्वेतरे जनाः । विस्मयं प्रापिरे सर्वे परस्परमुदुन्मदाः ७७। शृणु द्विजमहाबुद्धे दंभेनापि स्मृतो हरिः । ददाति मोक्षं सुतरां किं पुनर्दंभवर्जनात् ७८। यथाकथंचिद्रामस्य कर्तव्यं स्मरणं परम् । येन प्राप्नोति परमं पदं देवादिदुर्लभम् ७९। तच्चित्रं वीक्ष्य मुनयः कृतार्थं मेनिरे निजम् । यद्रामचरणप्रेक्षा करस्पर्शपवित्रितम् ८०। गते तस्मिन्सुरे स्वर्गं हयरूपधरे पुरा । उवाच रामस्तपसां निधीन्वेदविदुत्तमान् ८१। किं कर्तव्यं मयाब्रह्मन्हयो नष्टो गतः सुखम् । होमः कथं पुरोभावी सर्वदैवततर्पकः ८२। यथा स्यात्सुरसंतृप्तिर्यथा मे मख उत्तमः । तथा कुर्वंतु मुनयो यथा मे स्याद्विधिश्रुतम् ८३। इति वाक्यं समाश्रुत्य जगाद मुनिसत्तमः । वसिष्ठः सर्वदेवानां चित्ताभिज्ञानकोविदः ८४। कर्पूरमाहर क्षिप्रं येन देवाः स्वयं पुरा । प्राप्य हव्यं ग्रहीष्यंति मद्वाक्यप्रेरिताधुना ८५। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य रामः क्षिप्रमुपाहरत् । कर्पूरं बहुदेवानां प्रीत्यर्थं बहुशोभनम् ८६। तदा मुनिः प्रहृष्टात्मा देवानाह्वयदद्भुतान् । ते सर्वे तत्क्षणात्प्राप्ताः स्वपरीवारसंवृताः ८७। इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखण्डे शेषवात्स्यायनसंवादे रामाश्वमेधे यज्ञप्रारंभोनाम सप्तषष्टितमोऽध्यायः ६७।

saptaṣaṣṭitamo'dhyāyaḥ 5.67 śeṣa uvāca| atha saumitrirāgatya jānakīṃ natavānmuhuḥ | premagadgadayā śaṃsanvācaṃ rāmapraṇoditām 1| sītā samāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇaṃ vinayānvitam | tanmukhādrāmasaṃdeśaṃ śrutvovāca vilajjitā 2| saumitre kathamāgacche rāmatyaktā mahāvane | tiṣṭhāmi rāmaṃ smarantī vālmīkerāśrame tvaham 3| tasyā mukhoditaṃ vākyaṃ śrutvā saumitrirabravīt | mātaḥ pativrate rāmastvāmākārayate muhuḥ 4| pativratā patikṛtaṃ doṣaṃ nānayate hṛdi | tasmādāgaccha hi mayā sthitvā syaṃdana uttame 5| ityādi vacanaṃ śrutvā jānakī patidevatā | manoroṣaṃ parityajya tasthau saumitriṇā rathe 6| tāpasīḥ sakalā natvā munīṃśca nigamojjvalān | rāmaṃ smaraṃtī manasā rathe sthitvāgamatpurīm 7| krameṇa nagarīṃ prāptā mahārhābharaṇānvitā | sarayūṃ saritaṃ prāpa yatra rāmaḥ svayaṃ sthitaḥ 8| rathāduttīrya lalitā lakṣmaṇena samanvitā | rāmasya pādayorlagnā pativrataparāyaṇā 9| rāmastāmāgatāṃ dṛṣṭvā jānakīṃ premavihvalām | sādhvi tvayā sahedānīṃ kurve yajñasamāpanam 10| vālmīkiṃ sā namaskṛtya tathānyānviprasattamān | jagāma mātṛpadayoḥ sannatiṃ kartumutsukā 11| kauśalyā tāmathāyāṃtīṃ vīrasūṃ jānakīṃ priyām | āśīrbhirabhisaṃyujya yayau harṣamanekadhā 12| kaikeyīpadayornamrāṃ vīkṣya vaidehaputrikām | bhartrā saha ciraṃ jīva saputretyāśiṣaṃ vyadhāt 13| sumitrā svapadenamrāṃ vīkṣya vaidehaputrikām | āśiṣaṃ vyadadhāttasyāḥ putrapautrapradāyinīm 14| sītā tāḥ sarvato natvā rāmacaṃdra priyā satī | paramaṃ harṣamāpannā babhūva kila vāḍava 15| samāgatāṃ vīkṣya patnīṃ rāmacaṃdrasya kuṃbhajaḥ | suvarṇapatnīṃ dhikkṛtya tāmadhāddharmacāriṇīm 16| rāmastadā yajñamadhye śuśubhe sītayā saha | tārayānugato yadvacchaśīva śaradutprabhaḥ 17| prayogamakarottatra kāle prāpte manorame | vaidehyā dharmacāriṇyā sarvapāpāpanodanam 18| sītayā sahitaṃ rāmaṃ prasaktaṃ yajñakarmaṇi | nirīkṣya jahṛṣustatra kautukena samanvitāḥ 19| vasiṣṭhaṃ prāha sumatiṃ rāmastatra kratau vare | kiṃ kartavyaṃ mayā svāminnataḥ paramavaśyakam 20| rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā guruḥ prāha mahāmatiḥ | brāhmaṇānāṃ prakartavyā pūjā saṃtoṣakārikā 21| maruttena kratuḥ sṛṣṭaḥ pūrvaṃ saṃbhārasaṃbhṛtaḥ | brāhmaṇāstatra vittādyaistoṣitā abhavaṃstadā 22| atyaṃtaṃ vittasaṃbhāraṃ netuṃ viprāśakannahi | prākṣipanhimavaddeśe vittabhārāsahā dvijāḥ 23| tasmāttvamapi rājāgrya lakṣmīvānnṛpasattama | dehi dānādi viprebhyo yathā syātprītiruttamā 24| etacchrutvā sa rājāgryaḥ pūjyaṃ matvā ghaṭodbhavam | prathamaṃ pūjayāmāsa brahmaputraṃ tapodhanam 25| anekaratnasaṃbhāraiḥ svarṇabhārairanekadhā | deśairjanaiḥ parivṛtairatyaṃtaprītidāyakaiḥ 26| agastyaṃ pūjayāmāsa sapatnīkaṃ manoramam | tathaiva ratnaiḥ svarṇaiśca deśaiśca vividhairapi 27| vyāsaṃ satyavatīputraṃ tathaiva samapūjayat | cyavanaṃ bhāryayā sākaṃ suratnaiḥ samapūjayat 28| anyānapi munīnsarvānṛtvijastapasāṃ nidhīn | pūjayāmāsa ratnaughaiḥ svarṇabhārairanekadhā 29| adāttadā kratau rāmo viprebhyo bhūridakṣiṇām | lakṣaṃlakṣaṃ suvarṇasya pratyekaṃ tvagrajanmane 30| dīnāṃdhakṛpaṇebhyaśca dadau dānamanekadhā | yathāsaṃtoṣavihitairvittai ratnairmanoharaiḥ 31| vāsāṃsi ca vicitrāṇi bhojanāni mṛdūni ca | tatra prādādyathāśāstraṃ sarveṣāṃ prītidāyakam 32| hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanākīrṇaṃ sarvasattvopabṛṃhitam | atyaṃtamabhavaddhṛṣṭaṃ puraṃ puṃstrīsamāvṛtam 33| dānaṃ dadaṃtaṃ sarveṣāṃ vīkṣya kuṃbhodbhavo muniḥ | atyaṃtaparamaprītiṃ yayau kratuvare dvijaḥ 34| tadābhiṣekasnānārthaṃ pānīyamamṛtopamam | ānetuṃ ca catuḥṣaṣṭi nṛpānsastrīnsamāhvayat 35| rāmastu sītayā sārddhamānetumudakaṃ yayau | ghaṭena svarṇavarṇena sarvālaṃkāraśobhayā 36| saumitrirapyūrmilayā māṃḍavyā bharato nṛpaḥ | śatrughnaḥ śrutakīrtyā ca kāṃtimatyā ca puṣkalaḥ 37| subāhuḥ satyavatyā ca satyavānvīrabhūṣayā | sumadastatra satkīrtyā rājñyā ca vimalo nṛpaḥ 38| rājāvīramaṇistatra śrutavatyā manojñayā | lakṣmīnidhiḥ komalayā riputāpoṃgasenayā 39| vibhīṣaṇo mahāmūrtyā pratāpāgryaḥ pratītayā | ugrāśvaḥ kāmagamayā nīlaratnodhiramyayā 40| surathaḥ sumanohāryā tathā mohanayā kapiḥ | ityādīnnṛpatīnvipro vasiṣṭhaḥ prāhiṇonmuniḥ 41| vasiṣṭhaḥ sarayūṃ gatvā śivapuṇyajalāplutām | udakaṃ maṃtrayāmāsa vedamaṃtreṇa maṃtravit 42| payaḥ punīhyamuṃ vāhamudakena manohṛtā | yajñārthaṃ rāmacaṃdrasya sarvalokaikarakṣituḥ 43| udakaṃ tanmunispṛṣṭaṃ sarve rāmādayo nṛpāḥ | ājahrurmaṃḍapatale vipravaryairupastute 44| payobhirnirmalaiḥ snāpya vājinaṃ kṣīrasannibham | maṃtreṇa maṃtrayāmāsa rāma hastena kuṃbhajaḥ 45| punīhi māṃ mahāvāha asminbrahmasamākule | tvanmedhenākhilā devāḥ prīṇaṃtu paritoṣitāḥ 46| ityuktvā sa nṛpo rāmaḥ sītayā samamaspṛśat | tadā sarve dvijāścitramamanyaṃta kutūhalāt 47| parasparamavocaṃste yannāmasmaraṇānnarāḥ | mahāpāpātpramucyaṃte sa rāmaḥ kiṃ vadatyaho 48| ityuktavati bhūmīśe rāme kuṃbhodbhavo muniḥ | karavālaṃ cābhimaṃtrya dadau rāmakare muniḥ 49| karavāle dhṛte spṛṣṭe rāmeṇa sa hayaḥ kratau | paśutvaṃ tu vihāyāśu divyarūpamapadyata 50| vimānavaramārūḍhaścāpsarobhiḥ samaṃtataḥ | cāmarairvījyamānaśca vaijayaṃtyā vibhūṣitaḥ 51| tadā taṃ vājitāṃ tyaktvā divyarūpadharaṃ varam | vīkṣya lokāḥ kratau sarve vismayaṃ prāpnuvaṃstadā 52| tadā rāmaḥ svayaṃ jānañjñāpayansarvato narān | papraccha divyarūpaṃ taṃ suraṃ paramadhārmikaḥ 53| kastvaṃ divyavapuḥ prāptaḥ kasmāttvaṃ vājitāṃ gataḥ | kathaṃ surastrīsahitaḥ kiṃ cikīrṣasi tadvada 54| rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā devaḥ provāca bhūmipam | hasanmegharavāṃ vāṇīmavadatsumanoharām 55| tavājñātaṃ na sarvatra bāhyābhyaṃtaracāriṇaḥ | tathāpi pṛcchate tubhyaṃ kathayāmi yathātatham 56| ahaṃ purābhave rāma dvijaḥ paramadhārmikaḥ | acaraṃ pratikūlaṃ vai vedasya riputāpana 57| kadāciddhutapāpāyāstīre'haṃ gatavānpurā | anekavṛkṣalalite sarvatrasumanorame 58| tatra snātvā pitṝṃstṛptvā dānaṃ dattvā yathāvidhi | dhyānaṃ tava mahābāho kṛtavānvedasaṃmitam 59| tadā janāḥ samāyātā bahavastatra bhūpate | teṣāṃ pravaṃcanārthāya daṃbhamenamakāriṣam 60| anekakratusaṃbhāraiḥ pūrṇamajiramuttamam | vāsobhiśchāditaṃ ramyaṃ caṣālādiyutaṃ mahat 61| agnihotrodbhavodhūmaḥ sarvato nabhasoṃgaṇam | cakāra ramyamatulaṃ citrakārivapurdharaḥ 62| anekatilakaśrībhiḥ śobhitāṃgo mahattapāḥ | darbhaśobhaḥ samitpāṇirdaṃbho mūrtidharaḥ kimu 63| durvāsāstatra svacchaṃdaṃ paryaṭañjagatītalam | prāpa tatra mahātejā dhūtapāpasarittaṭe 64| dadarśa māṃ daṃbhakaraṃ maunadhāriṇamagrataḥ | anarghyakaramunmattamasvāgatavacaḥ karam 65| dṛṣṭvātīva krudhākrāṃtaḥ samudra iva parvaṇi | śaśāpāsau munistīvro daṃbhinaṃ māṃ mahāmatiḥ 66| daṃbhaṃ karoṣi cettīre saritastvaṃ sudurmate | tasmātprāpnuhi nirvācyaṃ paśutvaṃ tāpasādhama 67| śāpaṃ pradattaṃ saṃśrutya duḥkhito'haṃ tadābhavam | agrāhiṣaṃ pade tasya munerdurvāsasaḥ kila 68| tadā me kṛtavānrāma dvijo'nugrahamuttamam | vājitāṃ prāpnuhi makhe rājarājasya tāpasa 69| paścāttaddhastasaṃparkādyāhi tatparamaṃ padam | divyaṃ vapurmanohāri dhṛtvā daṃbhavivarjitam 70| tena śāpopisaṃdiṣṭo mamānugrahatāṃ gataḥ | yadahaṃ tava hastasya sparśaṃ prāpto manoramam 71| yadeva rāma devādidurlabhaṃ bahujanmabhiḥ | tatte'haṃ karajasparśaṃ prāptavāniha durlabham 72| ājñāpaya mahārāja tvatprasādādahaṃ mahat | gacchāmi śāśvataṃ sthānaṃ tava duḥkhādivarjitam 73| na yatra śoko na jarā na mṛtyuḥ kālavibhramaḥ | tatsthānaṃ deva gacchāmi tvatprasādānnarādhipa 74| ityuktvā taṃ parikramya vimānavaramāruhat | anekaratnakhacitaṃ sarvadevādhivaṃditam 75| gato'sau śāśvatasthānaṃ rāmapādaprasādataḥ | punarāvṛttirahitaṃ śokamohavivarjitam 76| tena tatkathitaṃ śrutvā rāmaṃ jñātvetare janāḥ | vismayaṃ prāpire sarve parasparamudunmadāḥ 77| śṛṇu dvijamahābuddhe daṃbhenāpi smṛto hariḥ | dadāti mokṣaṃ sutarāṃ kiṃ punardaṃbhavarjanāt 78| yathākathaṃcidrāmasya kartavyaṃ smaraṇaṃ param | yena prāpnoti paramaṃ padaṃ devādidurlabham 79| taccitraṃ vīkṣya munayaḥ kṛtārthaṃ menire nijam | yadrāmacaraṇaprekṣā karasparśapavitritam 80| gate tasminsure svargaṃ hayarūpadhare purā | uvāca rāmastapasāṃ nidhīnvedaviduttamān 81| kiṃ kartavyaṃ mayābrahmanhayo naṣṭo gataḥ sukham | homaḥ kathaṃ purobhāvī sarvadaivatatarpakaḥ 82| yathā syātsurasaṃtṛptiryathā me makha uttamaḥ | tathā kurvaṃtu munayo yathā me syādvidhiśrutam 83| iti vākyaṃ samāśrutya jagāda munisattamaḥ | vasiṣṭhaḥ sarvadevānāṃ cittābhijñānakovidaḥ 84| karpūramāhara kṣipraṃ yena devāḥ svayaṃ purā | prāpya havyaṃ grahīṣyaṃti madvākyapreritādhunā 85| iti vākyaṃ samākarṇya rāmaḥ kṣipramupāharat | karpūraṃ bahudevānāṃ prītyarthaṃ bahuśobhanam 86| tadā muniḥ prahṛṣṭātmā devānāhvayadadbhutān | te sarve tatkṣaṇātprāptāḥ svaparīvārasaṃvṛtāḥ 87| iti śrīpadmapurāṇe pātālakhaṇḍe śeṣavātsyāyanasaṃvāde rāmāśvamedhe yajñaprāraṃbhonāma saptaṣaṣṭitamo'dhyāyaḥ 67|

English translation

Śeṣa said :

1-5. Then Lakṣmaṇa , having come (there) repeatedly saluted her, and with (his voice) faltering through love, he told her the words uttered by Rāma . Having seen Lakṣmaṇa full of modesty to have come (there) and having heard Rāma’s message through his mouth, Sītā being abashed, said: “O Lakṣmaṇa, how (i.e. why) have you come? I forsaken by Rāma in the great forest and remembering Rāma, am staying in Vālmīki ’s hermitage.” Having heard the words that came out from her mouth Lakṣmaṇa said: “O mother, O you chaste lady, Rāma is inviting you again and again. A chaste wife does not bring to her mind the fault committed by her husband; therefore, seated in an excellent charriot, come with me.”

6-10. Hearing these words Jānakī who looked upon her husband as god, gave up the anger in her heart and sat in the chariot with Lakṣmaṇa. Having saluted all the female ascetics and the sages bright with (the knowledge of) the Vedas , and mentally remembering Rāma, she sat in the chariot and went to the city (of Ayodhyā ). She having costly ornaments, reached the city in due course. She reached the river Sarayū where Rāma was waiting. Having got down from the chariot with Lakṣmaṇa, the charming one, devoted to her husband, stuck to (i.e. fell at) the feet of Rāma. Rāma, having seen that Jānakī, beside herself due to love, (said): “O good lady, I shall complete the sacrifice with you.”

11-16. Having saluted Vālmīki and other best brāhmaṇas , she, eager to salute the feet of his mothers, went (to them). Having showered blessings on that dear Jānakī, the mother of the heroes, Kauśalyā became glad in many ways. Kaikeyī , seeing the daughter of the Videha -king bowing at her feet, gave her the blessing: “With your husband and sons live long”. Sumitrā , seeing the daughter of the Videha-king bowing at her feet, gave her blessing giving sons and grandsons. O brāhmaṇa , the chaste Sītā, dear to Rāmacandra , having fully saluted them indeed obtained great joy. Seeing the religiously wedded wife of Rāmacandra come there, the Pitcher-born (i.e. Agasti ), disregarding the golden (image of Rāma’s) wife, placed (in its place) (his) chaste wife.

17-19. In the sacrifice Rāma at that time shone with Sītā, like the Moon having rising lustre in the autumn along with the star ( Rohiṇī ). With his chaste wife Vaidehī , he performed the sacrifice removing all sins when the lovely time had come. (People) seeing Rāma engaged with Sītā in the sacrifice, were, being full of eagerness, very much delighted.

20-34. At that time of the best sacrifice Rāma said to the intelligent Vasiṣṭha : “O lord, what needful things should be done hereafter?” Hearing Rāma’s words the very intelligent preceptor said: “Worship of brāhmaṇas, giving delight to them, should be done. Formerly (king) Marutta [1] made the sacrifice ready with preparations. Then brāhmaṇas were gratified with (gifts of) money etc. The brāhmaṇas were unable to carry large loads of the gifts. The brāhmaṇas unable to carry the loads of gifts threw them in the region of Himavat . Therefore, O foremost king having wealth, O best king, you too give gifts etc. to brāhmaṇas, so that there will be excellent (i.e. great) satisfaction.” Hearing this the foremost king, looking upon Agasti as venerable, first worshipped Brahmā ’s son, the treasure of penance. He worshipped delightful Agastya with his wife by means of many loads of gems and various loads of gold surrounded by (i.e. together with) countries and people giving great delight. In the same way he honoured Satyavatī ’s son Vyāsa with gems, gold coins, and various countries. He worshipped Cyavana with his wife with good gems. He also honoured all other sages, priests, the treasures of penance, in many ways with heaps of gems and loads of gold. At that time, in the sacrifice Rāma gave large presents to brāhmaṇas. He gave a lakh of gold coins to each brāhmaṇa. He gave various gifts to the helpless, blind and poor with lovely gems given according to their satisfaction. There he gave, as laid down in the sacred texts, variegated garments, soft food, giving joy to all. The city crowded with well-fed and delighted people, grown (more populous) with all beings, surrounded (i.e. crowded) by women became very much delighted. The brāhmaṇa, the pitcher-born sage (i.e. Agasti), seeing him (i.e. Rāma) giving gifts to all, was very much delighted.

35-41. Then he called sixty-four kings with their wives, to bring nectar-like water to bathe (the horse). Rāma with Sītā, adorned with all (kinds of) ornaments went to bring water in a pitcher of a golden colour. Saumitra (i.e. Lakṣmaṇa) also (went) with Urmilā , king Bharata with Māṇḍavī , Śatrughna with Śrutakīrti , and Puṣkala with Kāntimatī . Subāhu (went) with Satyavatī, Satyavat with Vīrabhūṣā, Sumada with Satkīrti, and king Vimala with his queen. King Vīramaṇi went with lovely Śrutavatī, Lakṣmīnidhi with Komalā , Riputāpa with Aṅgasenā, Bibhīṣaṇa with Mahāmūrti, and Pratāpāgrya with Pratītā. Ugrāśva (went) with Kāmagamā, Nīlaratna with Adhiramyā. Suratha (went) with Sumanohārī and the monkey with Mohanā . The sage Vasiṣṭha sent these (and other) kings.

42-44. Vasiṣṭha who knew the sacred hymns, having gone to Sarayū flooded with holy and auspicious water, consecrated the water: “O water, purify this horse with this charming water for the sacrifice of Rāmacandra, the protector of the entire world.” All kings like Rāma brought that water touched by the sage to the pavilion praised by best brāhmaṇas.

45-50. The pitcher-born sage (i.e. Agasti) having bathed the horse, white like milk, consecrated him with a hymn through the hands of Rāma: “O great horse, purify me in this crowd of the brāhmaṇas. May all the delighted gods be pleased by your sacrifice.” Saying so, king Rāma with Sītā touched him. Then all the kings through curiosity looked upon it as a wonder. They said to one another: “What does that Rāma by remembering whom men are freed from great sins, say?” When king Rāma spoke like this, the pitcher-born sage (i.e. Agasti), consecrated a sword and gave it into Rāma’s hand. When Rāma held and touched the sword, the horse gave up the beast’s form and assumed a divine form at the sacrifice.

51-53. Surrounded by celestial nymphs, fanned by chowries, and decorated with a necklace, he got into an excellent divine car. Then all the people seeing him to have given up the horse’s form and to have assumed an excellent divine form, were wonder-struck at that sacrifice. Then that very righteous Rāma, knowing it himself, and making the people all around to know it, asked him of a divine form:

54. “Who are you who have obtained a divine form; for what reason are you turned into a horse? How are you accompanied by a divine woman? What do you desire to do? Tell it (to us).” Having heard the words of Rāma, the god said to the king (i.e. Rāma):

55-56. He laughed, and spoke very charming words with a voice resembling that of clouds: “To you who move without and within, there is nothing anywhere that is not known. Yet, I shall tell you who ask me, everything properly.

57-67. O Rāma, O tormentor of enemies, in the former existence I, an exteremely righteous brāhmaṇa, behaved in a manner opposed to the Vedas. Formerly, sometime I went to the bank of Hutapāpā which was charming with trees and lovely everywhere. O you of mighty arms, having bathed there and gratified the dead ancestors, having duly given gifts, I took to meditation upon you (in a manner) acceptable to the Vedas. O King, at that time many kings had come there. To deceive them, I practised this religious hypocrisy. An excellent enclosed place was fixed with the preparations for many sacrifices. That charming and big place was covered with garments and had wooden rings on the tops of sacrificial posts. The smoke rising from the sacrificial fire and having a wonderful form, made the wide firmament charming and matchless. I whose body was beautified with many beautiful marks, whose penance was great, who was adorned with darbhas , who had the sacred fuel in his hands, was indeed religious hypocrisy in an embodied form. (At that time) Durvāsas , of a great lustre, roaming at will over the world, came there on the bank of the river Dhūtapāpā . Before him he saw me practising religious hypocrisy, observing silence, not offering him materials of worship, arrogant, and not uttering words of welcome. Seeing (me), the very intelligent sage, overpowered with anger like the ocean on a parvan -day, cursed me, a religious hypocrite: ‘O you of a wicked mind, O you mean ascetic, since you are practising religious hypocrisy on the bank of the river, obtain beast-hood (i.e. be born as a beast) which is fully censurable’.

68-74. Having heard that curse given (by him), I became extremely distressed at that time; and I indeed seized the feet of that sage Durvāsas. Then, O Rāma, the brāhmaṇa showed me an excellent favour. (He said:) ‘O ascetic, be a horse at the sacrifice of the king of kings. Then, due to contact with his (i.e. Rāma’s) hand, go, after taking up a divine, charming form, free from religious hypocrisy, to that highest position.’ Even that curse given by him became favourable to me, since I obtained the lovely touch of your hand. O Rāma, I have obtained the touch of your hand, difficult to be obtained, which was difficult to be had by gods etc. even after many births. O great king, give me an order. Through your favour I shall reach that great, eternal place of you, which is free from misery etc. O king, O lord of men, through your favour I shall go to that place where there is no grief, no old age, no death, no confusion about time.”

75-83. Saying so to him and turning round, he got into that excellent divine, car decked with jewels, and very much honoured by all gods. By the grace of Rāma’s feet he went to an eternal place, free from re-birth, and bereft of grief and delusion. Having heard what he had told, the other people knew Rāma (properly), and mad with joy they were amazed. O brāhmaṇa, O you very intelligent one, even if Viṣṇu is remembered with religious hypocrisy it gives salvation. Then what (will happen) by avoiding religious hypocrisy! Somehow or other Rāma should be much remembered, by which a man obtains the highest position, difficult to be obtained (even) by gods etc. The sages having seen that wonder regarded themselves blessed. When the god who formerly had a horse’s form, went to heaven, Rāma said to the treasures of penance and the best among those who know the Vedas: “O brāhmaṇa(s), what should I do? The horse is lost; he has obtained happiness. How will the sacrifice, gratifying all deities, will (now) proceed? May the sages do that by which the gods would be gratified, my sacrifice will be excellent, and I would have what is told by the sacred rules.”

84-87. Hearing these words, the best sage Vasiṣṭha, skilled in knowing the hearts of all sages, said: “Quickly bring camphor, due to which gods having first received oblation, will now accept it, after being impelled by my words.” Hearing these words Rāma quickly brought very shining camphor for pleasing the gods very much. Then the sage, with his heart very much delighted, invoked the wonderful gods. All of them surrounded by their attendants, came that moment only.

[1]: [1] : Marutta—A king of the solar race, who is said to have performed a sacrifice in which the gods took part as waiters.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 15793, revision 334631 (2022-04-07T01:05:48Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365378.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.