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Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Unit 33 of 693Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 33Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 331 source entries

Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 33

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भीष्म उवाच। मार्कंडेयेन वै रामः कथमत्र प्रबोधितः। कथं समागमो भूतः कस्मिन्काले कदा मुने१। मार्कंडेयः कस्य सुतः कथं जातो महातपाः। नाम्नोऽस्य निगमं ब्रूहि यथाभूतं महामुने२। पुलस्त्य उवाच। अथ ते संप्रवक्ष्यामि मार्कंडेयोद्भवं पुनः। पुराकल्पे मुनिः पूर्वं मृकंडुर्नाम विश्रुतः३। भृगोः पुत्रो महाभागः सभार्यस्तप्तवांस्तपः। तस्य पुत्रस्तदा जातो वसतस्तु वनांतरे४। सपंचवार्षिको भूतो बाल एव गुणाधिकः। ज्ञानिना स तदा दृष्टो भ्रमन्बालस्तदांगणे५। स्थित्वा स सुचिरं कालं भाव्यर्थं प्रत्यबुध्यत। तस्य पित्रा स वै पृष्टः कियदायुः सुतस्य मे६। संख्यायाचक्ष्व वर्षाणि तस्याल्पान्यधिकानि वा। मृकंडुनैवमुक्तस्तु स ज्ञानी वाक्यमब्रवीत्७। षण्मासमायुः पुत्रस्य धात्रा सृष्टं मुनीश्वर। नैव शोकस्त्वया कार्यः सत्यमेतदुदाहृतम्८। स तच्छ्रुत्वा वचो भीष्म ज्ञानिना यदुदाहृतम्। अथोपनयनं चक्रे बालकस्य पिता तदा९। आह चैनं पितापुत्रमृषींस्त्वमभिवादय। एवमुक्तः स वै पित्रा प्रहृष्टश्चाभिवादने१०। न वर्णा वर्णतां वेत्ति सर्ववर्णाभिवादनः। पंचमासास्त्वतिक्रांता दिवसाः पंचविंशतिः११। मार्गेणाथ समायाता ऋषयस्तत्र सप्त वै। बालेन तेन ते दृष्टाः सर्वे चाप्यभिवादिताः१२। आयुष्मान्भव तैरुक्तः स बालो दंडमेखली। उक्त्वैवं ते पुनर्बालमपश्यन्क्षीणजीवितम्१३। दिनानि पंच तस्यायुर्ज्ञात्वा भीताश्च ते नृप। तं गृहीत्वा बालकं च गतास्ते ब्रह्मणोंतिकम्१४। प्रतिमुच्य च तं राजन्प्रणिपेतुः पितामहम्। अयमावेदितस्तैस्तु तेन ब्रह्माभिवादितः१५। चिरायुर्ब्रह्मणा बालः प्रोक्तः स ऋषिसन्निधौ। ततस्ते मुनयः प्रीताः श्रुत्वा वाक्यं पितामहात्१६। पितामह ऋषीन्दृष्ट्वा प्रोवाच विस्मयान्वितः। कार्येण येन चायातः कोयं बालो निवेद्यताम्१७। ततस्त ऋषयो राजन्सर्वं तस्मै न्यवेदयन्। पुत्रो मृकंडोः क्षीणायुः सायुषं कुरु बालकम्१८। अल्पायुषस्त्वस्य मुनिर्बध्वेमां चापि मेखलाम्। यज्ञोपवीतं दंडं च दत्वा चैनमबोधयत्१९। यं कंचित्पश्यसे बाल भ्रमंतं भूतले जनम्। तस्याभिवादः कर्तव्य एवमाह पिता वचः२०। अभिवादनशीलोयं क्षितौ दृष्टः परिभ्रमन्। तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन दैवयोगात्पितामह२१। चिरायुर्भव पुत्रेति प्रोक्तोसौ तत्र बालकः। कथं वचो भवेत्सत्यमस्माकं भवता सह२२। एवमुक्तस्तदा तैस्तु ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः। ऋतवाक्यादियं भूमिः संस्थिता सर्वतोभया२३। ब्रह्मोवाच। मत्समश्चायुषा बालो मार्कंडेयो भविष्यति। कल्पस्यादौ तथाचांते मतो मे मुनिसत्तमः२४। एवं ते मुनयो बालं ब्रह्मलोके पितामहात्। संसाध्य प्रेषयामासुर्भूयोप्येनं धरातलम्२५। तीर्थयात्रां गता विप्रा मार्कंडेयो निजं गृहम्। जगाम तेषु यातेषु पितरं स्वमथाब्रवीत्२६। ब्रह्मलोकमहं नीतो मुनिभिर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः। दीर्घायुश्च कृतश्चास्मि वरान्दत्वा विसर्जितः२७। एतदन्यच्च मे दत्तं गतं चिंताकरं तव। कल्पस्यादौ तथा चांते भविष्ये समनंतरे२८। लोककर्तुर्ब्रह्मणोहं प्रसादात्तस्य वै पितः। पुष्करं वै गमिष्यामि तपस्तप्तुं समुद्यतः२९। तत्राहं देवदेवेशमुपासिष्ये पितामहम्। सर्वकामावाप्तिकरं सर्वारातिनिबर्हणम्३०। सर्वसौख्यप्रदं देवमिन्द्रादीनां परायणम्। ब्रह्माणं तोषयिष्यामि सर्वलोकपितामहम्३१। मार्कंडेयवचः श्रुत्वा मृकंडुर्मुनिसत्तमः। जगाम परमं हर्षं क्षणमेकं समुच्छ्वसन्३२। धैर्यं सुमनसा स्थाय इदं वचनमब्रवीत्। अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम्३३। सर्वस्य जगतां स्रष्टा येन दृष्टः पितामहः। त्वया दायादवानस्मि पुत्रेण वंशधारिणा३४। त्वं गच्छ पश्य देवेशं पुष्करस्थं पितामहम्। दृष्टे तस्मिन्जगन्नाथे न जरामृत्युरेव च३५। नृणां भवति सौख्यानि तथैश्वर्यं तपोऽक्षयम्। त्रीणि शृङ्गाणि शुभ्राणि त्रीणि प्रस्रवणानि च३६। पुष्कराणि तथा त्रीणि नविद्मस्तत्र कारणम्। कनीयांसं मध्यमं च तृतीयं ज्येष्ठपुष्करम्३७। शृंगशब्दाभिधानानि शुभप्रस्रवणानि च। ब्रह्माविष्णुस्तथा रुद्रो नित्यं सन्निहितास्त्रयः३८। पुष्करेषु महाराजा नातः पुण्यतमं भुवि। विरजं विमलं तोयं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्३९। ब्रह्मलोकस्य पन्थानं धन्याः पश्यंति पुष्करं। यस्तु वर्षशतं साग्रमग्निहोत्रमुपासते४०। कार्तिकीं वा वसेदेकां पुष्करे सममेव च। कर्तुम्मया न शकितं कर्मणा नैव साधितम्४१। तदयत्नात्त्वया तात मृत्युस्सर्वहरो जितः। तत्र दृष्टस्स देवेशो ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः४२। नान्यो मर्त्यस्त्वया तुल्यो भविता जगतीतले। अहं वै तोषितो येन पञ्चवार्षिकजन्मना४३। वरेण त्वं मदीयेन उपमां चिरजीविनाम्। गमिष्यसि न सन्देहस्तथाशीर्वचनम्मम४४। एवं वदन्ति ते सर्वे व्रज लोकान्यथेप्सितान्। एवं लब्धप्रसादेन मृकण्डुतनयेन च४५। आश्रमःस्थापितस्तेन मार्कण्डाश्रम इत्युत। तत्र स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा वाजपेयफलं लभेत्४६। सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा चिरायुर्जायते नरः। पुलस्त्य उवाच। तथान्यं ते प्रवक्ष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्४७। यथा रामेण वै तीर्थं पुष्करं तु विनिर्मितम्। चित्रकूटात्पुरा रामो मैथिल्या लक्ष्मणेन च४८। अत्रेराश्रममासाद्य पप्रच्छ मुनिसत्तमम्। राम उवाच। कानि पुण्यानि तीर्थानि किं वा क्षेत्रं महामुने४९। यत्र गत्वा नरो योगिन्वियोगं सह बंधुभिः। नैव प्राप्नोति भगवन्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सुव्रत1.33.५०। अनेन वनवासेन राज्ञस्तु मरणेन च। भरतस्य वियोगेन परितप्ये ह्यहं त्रिभिः५१। तद्वाक्यं राघवेणोक्तं श्रुत्वा विप्रर्षभस्तदा। ध्यात्वा च सुचिरं कालमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्५२। अत्रिरुवाच। साधु पृष्टं त्वया वीर रघूणां वंशवर्धन। मम पित्रा कृतं तीर्थं पुष्करं नाम विश्रुतम्५३। पर्वतौ द्वौ च विख्यातौ मर्यादा यज्ञपर्वतौ। कुंडत्रयं तयोर्मध्ये ज्येष्ठमध्यकनिष्ठकम्५४। तेषु गत्वा दशरथं पिंडदानेन तर्पय। तीर्थानां प्रवरं तीर्थं क्षेत्राणामपि चोत्तमम्५५। अवियोगा च सुरसा वापी रघुकुलोद्वह। तथा सौभाग्यकूपोन्यः सुजलो रघुनंदन५६। तेषु पिंडप्रदानेन पितरो मोक्षमाप्नुयुः। आभूतसंप्लवं कालमेतदाह पितामहः५७। तत्र राघव गच्छस्व भूयोप्यागमनं क्रियाः। तथेति चोक्त्वा रामोपि गमनाय मनो दधे५८। ऋक्षवंतमभिक्रम्य नगरं वैदिशं तथा। चर्मण्वतीं समुत्तीर्य प्राप्तोसौ यज्ञपर्वतम्५९। तमतिक्रम्य वेगेन मध्यमे पुष्करे स्थितः। पितॄन्संतर्पयामास अद्भिर्देवांश्च सर्वशः६०। स्नानावसाने रामेण मार्कंडो मुनिपुंगवः। आगच्छन्शिष्यसंयुक्तो दृष्टस्तत्रैव धीमता६१। गत्वा वै संमुखं तस्य प्रणिपत्य च सादरम्। पृष्टोऽवियोगदः कूपः कतमस्यां दिशि प्रभो६२। सुतो दशरथस्याहं रामो नाम जनैः स्मृतः। सौभाग्यवापीं तां द्रष्टुमहं प्राप्तोत्रिशासनात्६३। तत्स्थानं तौ च वै कूपौ भगवान्प्रब्रवीतु मे। एवमुक्तश्च रामेण मार्कंडः प्रत्युवाच ह६४। मार्कंडेय उवाच। साधु राघव भद्रं ते सुकृतं भवता कृतम्। तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन यत्प्राप्तोसीह सांप्रतम्६५। एह्यागच्छस्व पश्य स्ववापीं तामवियोगदाम्। अवियोगश्च सर्वैश्च कूप एवात्र जायते६६। आमुष्मिके चैहिके च जीवतोपि मृतस्य वा। एतद्वाक्यं मुनींद्रस्य श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः६७। सस्मार रामो राजानं तदा दशरथं नृप। भरतं सह शत्रुघ्न्रंभातॄनन्यांश्चनागरान्६८। एवंचिंतयतस्तस्य संध्याकालो व्यजायत। उपास्य पश्चिमां संध्यां मुनिभिःसह राघवः६९। सुष्वाप तां निशां तत्र भ्रातृभार्यासमन्वितः। विभावर्यवसाने तु स्वप्नांते रघुनंदनः७०। पित्रा मात्रा तथा चान्यैरयोध्यायां स्थितः किल। विवाहमंगले वृत्ते बहुभिर्बांधवैः सह७१। समासीनः सभार्योऽसावृषिभिः परिवारितः। लक्ष्मणेनाप्येवमेव दृष्टोऽसौ सीतया तथा७२। प्रभाते तु मुनीनां तत्सर्वमेव प्रकीर्तितम्। ऋषिभिश्च तथेत्युक्तः सत्यमेतद्रघूत्तम७३। मृतस्य दर्शने श्राद्धं कार्यमावश्यकं स्मृतम्। वृद्धिकामास्तु पितरस्तथा चैवान्नकांक्षिणः७४। ददंति दर्शनं स्वप्ने भक्तियुक्तस्य राघव। अवियोगस्तु ते भ्रात्रा पित्रा च भरतेन च७५। चतुर्दशानां वर्षाणां भविता राघव ध्रुवम्। कुरु श्राद्धं तथा वीर राज्ञो दशरथस्य च७६। अमी च ऋषयः सर्वे तव भक्ताः कृतक्षणाः। अहं च जमदग्निश्च भारद्वाजश्च लोमशः७७। देवरातः शमीकश्च षडेते वै द्विजोत्तमाः। श्राद्धे च ते महाबाहो संभारांस्त्वमुपाहर७८। मुख्यं चेंगुदिपिण्याकं बदरामलकैः सह। श्रीफलानि च पक्वानि मूलं चोच्चावचं बहु७९। मार्गेण चाथ मांसेन धान्येन विविधेन च। तृप्तिं प्रयच्छ विप्राणां श्राद्धदानेन सुव्रत८०। पुष्करारण्यमासाद्य नियतो नियताशनः। पितॄंस्तर्पयते यस्तु सोश्वमेधमवाप्नुयात्८१। स्नानार्थं तु वयं राम गच्छामो ज्येष्ठपुष्करम्। इत्युक्त्वा ते गताः सर्वे मुनयो राघवं नृप८२। लक्ष्मणं चाब्रवीद्रामो मेध्यमाहर मे मृगम्। शुद्धेक्षणं च शशकं कृष्णशाकं तथा मधु८३। जंबीराणि च मुख्यानि मूलानि विविधानि च। पक्वानि च कपित्थानि फलान्यन्यानि यानि च८४। तान्याहरस्व वै श्राद्धे क्षिप्रमेवास्तु लक्ष्मण। तथा तत्कृतवान्सर्वं रामादेशाच्च राघवः८५। बदरेङ्गुदिशाकानि मूलानि विविधानि च। तत्राहृत्य च रामेण कूटाकारः कृतो महान्८६। परिपक्वं च जानक्या सिद्धं रामे निवेदितम्। स्नात्वा रामो योगवाप्यां मुनींस्ताननुपालयन्८७। मध्याह्नाच्चलिते सूर्ये काले कुतपके तथा। आयाता ऋषयः सर्वे ये रामेणानुमंत्रिताः८८। तानागतान्मुनीन्दृष्ट्वा वैदेही जनकात्मजा। रामांतिकं परित्यज्य व्रीडिताऽन्यत्र संस्थिता८९। विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयना चिंतयाना च वेपती। ब्राह्मणा नेह जानंति श्राद्धकाले ह्युपस्थिताः९०। रामेण भोजिता विप्राः स्मृत्युक्तेन यथाविधि। वैदिक्यश्च कृतास्सर्वाः सत्क्रिया यास्समीरिताः९१। पुराणोक्तो विधिश्चैव वैश्वदेविकपूर्वकः। भुक्तवत्सु च विप्रेषु दत्वा पिंडान्यथाक्रमम्९२। प्रेषितेषु यथाशक्ति दत्वा तेषु च दक्षिणाम्। गतेषु विप्रमुख्येषु प्रियां रामोऽब्रवीदिदम्९३। किमर्थं सुभ्रु नष्टासि मुनीन्दृष्ट्वा त्विहागतान्। तत्सर्वं त्वमिदं तत्वं कारणं वद माचिरम्९४। भवितव्यं कारणेन तच्च गोप्यं न मे कुरु। शापितासि मम प्राणैर्लक्ष्मणस्य शुचिस्मिते९५। एवमुक्ता तदा भर्त्रा त्रपयाऽवाङ्मुखी स्थिता। विमुंचंती साऽश्रुपातं राघवं वाक्यमब्रवीत्९६। शृणु त्वं नाथ यद्दृष्टमाश्चर्यमिह यादृशम्। राम त्वयाऽचिंत्यमानो राजेंद्रस्त्विह चागतः९७। सर्वाभरणसंयुक्तौ द्वौ चान्यौ च तथाविधौ। द्विजानां देहसंयुक्तास्त्रयस्ते रघुनंदन९८। पितरस्तु मया दृष्टा ब्राह्मणांगेषु राघव। दृष्ट्वा त्रपान्विता चाहमपक्रांता तवांतिकात्९९। त्वया वै भोजिता विप्राः कृतं श्राद्धं यथाविधि। वल्कलाजिनसंवीता कथं राज्ञः पुरःसरा1.33.१००। भवामि रिपुवीरघ्न सत्यमेतदुदाहृतम्। कौशेयानि च वस्त्राणि कैकेय्यापहृतानि च१०१। ततः प्रभृति चैवाहं चीरिणी तु वनाश्रयम्। ज्ञात्वाहं न वदे किंचिन्मा ते दुःखं भवत्विति१०२। नाहं स्मरामि वै मातुर्न पितुश्च परंतप। कदा भविष्यतीहांतो वनवासस्य राघव१०३। एतदेवानिशं राम चिंतयंत्याः पुनः पुनः। व्रजंति दिवसा नाथ तव पद्भ्यां शपाम्यहम्१०४। स्वहस्तेन कथं राज्ञो दास्ये वै भोजनं त्विदम्। दासानामपि यो दासो नोपभुंजीतयत्क्वचित्१०५। एतादृशी कथं त्वस्मै संप्रदातुं समुत्सहे। याहं राज्ञा पुरा दृष्टा सर्वालङ्कारभूषिता१०६। बालव्यजनहस्ता च वीजयंती नराधिपम्। सा स्वेदमलदिग्धांगी कथं पश्यामि भूमिपम्१०७। व्यक्तं त्रिविष्टपं प्राप्तस्त्वया पुत्रेण तारितः। दृष्ट्वा मां दुःखितां बालां वने क्लिष्टामनागसम्१०८। शोकः स्यात्पार्थिवस्यास्य तेन नष्टास्मि राघव। भवान्प्राणसमो राम न ते गोप्यं ममत्विह१०९। सत्येन तेन चैवाथ स्पृशामि चरणौ तव। तच्छ्रुत्वा राघवः प्रीतः प्रियां तां प्रियवादिनीम्११०। अंकमानीय सुदृढं परिष्वज्य च सादरम्। भुक्तौ भोज्यं तदा वीरौ पश्चाद्भुक्ता च जानकी१११। एवं स्थितौ तदा सा च तां रात्रिं तत्र राघवौ। उदिते च सहस्रांशौ गमनाय मनो दधुः११२। प्रत्यङ्मुखं गतः क्रोशं ज्येष्ठं यावच्च पुष्करम्। पूर्वभागे पुष्करस्य यावत्तिष्ठति राघवः११३। शुश्राव च ततो वाचं देवदूतेन भाषितम्। भो भो राघव भद्रं ते तीर्थमेतत्सुदुर्लभम्११४। अस्मिन्स्थाने स्थितो वीर आत्मनः पुण्यतां कुरु। देवकार्यं त्वया कार्यं हंतव्या देवशत्रवः११५। ततो हृष्टमना वीरो ह्यब्रवील्लक्ष्मणं वचः। सौमित्रेऽनुगृहीतोहं देवदेवेन ब्रह्मणा११६। अत्राश्रमपदं कृत्वा मासमेकं च लक्ष्मण। व्रतं चरितुमिच्छामि कायशोधनमुत्तमम्११७। तथेति लक्ष्मणेनोक्ते व्रतं परिसमाप्यतु। पिंडदानादिभिर्दानैः श्राद्धैश्चैव पितामहान्११८। पुष्करे तु तदा रामोऽतर्पयद्विधिवत्तदा। कनका सुप्रभा चैव नंदा प्राची सरस्वती११९। पंचस्रोताः पुष्करेषु पितॄणां तुष्टिदायिनी। दैनंदिनीं पितॄणां तु पूजां तां पितृपूर्विकाम्१२०। रचयित्वा तदा रामो लक्ष्मणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्। एहि लक्ष्मण शीघ्रं त्वं पुष्कराज्जलमानय१२१। पादप्रक्षालनं कृत्वा शयनं कुरु संस्तरे। विभावर्यां निवृत्तायां यास्यामो दक्षिणां दिशम्१२२। लक्ष्मणस्त्वब्रवीद्वाक्यं सीतयानीय तां पयः। नाहं राम सर्वकाले दासभावं करोमि ते१२३। इयंपुष्टाचसुभृशंपीवरीचममाप्युत। किं त्वं करिष्यस्यनया भार्यया वद सांप्रतम्१२४। किं वा मृतस्य वै पृष्ठ इयं यास्यति ते प्रिया। रक्षसे त्वं सदा कालं सुपुष्टां चैव सर्वदा१२५। हृष्टा चैषा क्लेशयति सततं मां रघूत्तम। त्वं च क्लेशयसे राम परत्र जायते क्षतिः१२६। त्वत्कृते च सदा चाहं पिपासां क्षुधया सह। संसहामि न संदेहः परत्र च निशामय१२७। मृतानां पृष्ठतः कश्चिद्गतो नैव च दृश्यते। भार्य्या पुत्रो धनं चापि एवमाहुर्मनीषिणः१२८। मृतश्च ते पिता राम त्यक्त्वा राज्यमकंटकम्। विनिक्षिप्य वने त्वां च कैकेय्याः प्रियकाम्यया१२९। इहस्थिता सा कैकेयी धनं सर्वे च बांधवाः। महाराजो दशरथ एक एव गतो गतिम्१३०। मन्येहं न त्वया सार्धं सीता यास्यति वै ध्रुवम्। करिष्यसे किमनया वद राघव सांप्रतम्१३१। श्रुत्वा चाश्रुतपूर्वं हि वाक्यं लक्ष्मणभाषितम्। विमना राघवस्तस्थौ सीता चापि वरानना१३२। यदुक्तं लक्ष्मणेनाथ सीता सर्वं चकार ह। स्नात्वा भुक्त्वा ततो वीरौ पुष्करे पुष्करेक्षणौ१३३। नीत्वा विभावरीं तत्र गमनाय मनो दधुः। एह्युत्तिष्ठ च सौमित्रे व्रजामो दक्षिणां दिशम्१३४। सौमित्रिरब्रवीद्राम नाहं यास्ये कथंचन। व्रज त्वमनया सार्धं भार्यया कमलेक्षण१३५। नान्यद्वनं गमिष्यामि नैवायोध्यां च राघव। अस्मिन्वने वसिष्यामि वर्षाणीह चतुर्दश१३६। मया विना त्वयोध्यायां यदि त्वं न गमिष्यसि। अनेन वर्त्मना भूप आगंतव्यं त्वया विभो१३७। यदि जीवामि तत्कालं पुनर्यास्ये पितुः पुरम्। तपस्संभावयिष्यामि मया त्वं किं करिष्यसि१३८। व्रज सौम्य शिवः पंथामा च ते परिपंथिनः। पश्यामि त्वां पुनः प्राप्तं सभार्यं कमलेक्षणम्१३९। पितृपैतामहं राज्यमयोध्यायां नराधिप। शत्रुघ्नभरतौ चोभौ त्वदाज्ञाकरणे स्थितौ१४०। अहं ते प्रतिकूलस्तु वनवासे विशेषतः। अनारतं दिवा चाहं रात्रौ चैव परंतप१४१। कर्मकर्तुं न शक्रोमि व्रज सौम्य यथासुखम्। एवं ब्रुवाणं सौमित्रिमुवाच रघुनंदनः१४२। कथं पूर्वमयोध्याया निर्गतोसि मया सह। वने वत्स्याम्यहं राम नववर्षाणि पंच च१४३। न तु त्वया विरहितः स्वर्गेपि निवसे क्वचित्। या गतिस्ते नरव्याघ्र मम सापि भविष्यति१४४। प्रसादः क्रियतां मह्यं नय मामपि राघव। इदानीमर्धमार्गे त्वं कथं स्थास्यसि शत्रुहन्१४५। लक्ष्मणस्त्वब्रवीद्रामं नाहं गंता वने पुनः। लक्ष्मणं संस्थितं ज्ञात्वा रामो वचनमब्रवीत्१४६। मामनुव्रज सौमित्र एको यास्यामि काननम्। द्वितीया मे त्वियं सीता रामेणोक्तस्तु लक्ष्मणः१४७। गृहीत्वाऽथ समुत्तस्थौ रामवाक्यं स लक्ष्मणः। मर्यादापर्वतं प्राप्तौ क्षेत्रसीमां परंतपौ१४८। अजगंधं च देवेशं देवदेवं पिनाकिनम्। अष्टांगप्रणिपातेन नत्वा रामस्त्रिलोचनम्१४९। तुष्टाव प्रयतः स्थित्वा शंकरं पार्वतीप्रियम्। कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा रोमांचितशरीरकः1.33.१५०। सात्विकं भावमापन्नो विनिर्धूतरजस्तमाः। लोकानां कारणं देवं बुबुधे विबुधाधिपम्१५१। राम उवाच। कृत्स्नस्य योऽस्य जगतः स चराचरस्य कर्ता कृतस्य च पुनः सुखदुःखदश्च। संहारहेतुरपि यः पुनरंतकाले तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५२। योऽयं सकृद्विमलचारुविलोलतोयां गंगां महोर्मिविषमां गगनात्पतंतीम्। मूर्ध्ना दधेऽस्रजमिव प्रविलोलपुष्पां तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५३ । कैलासशैलशिखरं परिकम्प्यमानं कैलासशृंगसदृशेन दशाननेन। यत्पादपद्मविधृतं स्थिरतां दधार तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५४। येनासकृद्दनुसुताः समरे निरस्ता विद्याधरोरगगणाश्च वरैः समग्रैः। संयोजिता मुनिवराः फलमूलभक्षास्तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५५। दक्षाध्वरे च नयने च तथा भगस्य पूष्णस्तथा दशनपंक्तिमपातयच्च। तस्तंभयः कुलिशयुक्तमथेंद्रहस्तं तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५६। एनःकृतोपिविषयेष्वपिसक्तचित्ताज्ञानान्वयश्रुतगुणैरपिनैवयुक्ताः। यं संश्रिताः सुखभुजः पुरुषा भवंति तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५७। अत्रिप्रसूतिरविकोटिसमानतेजाः संत्रासनं विबुधदानवसत्तमानाम्। यः कालकूटमपिबत्प्रसभं सुदीप्तं तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५८। ब्रह्मेंद्ररुद्रमरुतां च सषण्मुखानां दद्याद्वरं सुबहुशो भगवान्महेशः। नन्दिं च मृत्युवदनात्पुनरुज्जहार तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१५९। आराधितः सुतपसा हिमवन्निकुंजे धूमव्रतेन मनसापि परैरगम्ये। संजीवनीमकथयद्भृगवे महात्मा तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१६०। नानाविधैर्गजबिडालसमानवक्त्रैर्दक्षाध्वरप्रमथनैर्बलिभिर्गणैंद्रैः । योभ्यर्चितोमरगणैश्च सलोकपालैस्तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१६१। शंखेंदुकुंदधवलं वृषभं प्रवीरमारुह्य यः क्षितिधरेंद्रसुतानुयातः। यात्यंबरं प्रलयमेघविभूषितं च तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१६२। शांतं मुनिं यमनियोगपरायणैस्तैर्भीमैर्महोग्रपुरुषैः प्रतिनीयमानम्। भक्त्यानतं स्तुतिपरं प्रसभं ररक्ष तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१६३। यः सव्यपाणि कमलाग्रनखेन देवस्तत्पंचमं प्रसभमेव पुरस्सुराणाम्। ब्राह्मं शिरस्तरुणपद्मनिभं चकर्त्त तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१६४। यस्य प्रणम्य चरणौ वरदस्य भक्त्या स्तुत्वा च वाग्भिरमलाभिरतंद्रितात्मा। दीप्तस्तमांसि नुदते स्वकरैर्विवस्वांस्तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि१६५। ये त्वां सुरोत्तमगुरुं पुरुषा विमूढा जानंति नास्य जगतः सचराचरस्य। ऐश्वर्यमाननिगमानुशयेन पश्चात्ते यातनामनुभवंत्यविशुद्धचित्ताः१६६। तस्यैवं स्तुवतोऽवोचच्छूलपाणिर्वृषध्वजः। उवाच वचनं हृष्टो राघवं तुष्टमानसः१६७। रुद्र उवाच। राम हृष्टोस्मि भद्रं ते जातस्त्वं निर्मले कुले। त्वं चापि जगतां वंद्यो देवो मानुषरूपधृत्१६८। त्वया नाथेन वै देवाः सुखिनः शाश्वतीः समा। सेविष्यंते चिरं कालं गते वर्षे चतुर्दशे१६९। अयोध्यामागतं त्वां ये द्रक्ष्यंति भुवि मानवाः। सुखं तेऽत्र भजिष्यंति स्वर्गे वासन्तथाक्षयम्१७०। देवकार्यं महत्कृत्वा आगच्छेथाः पुनः पुरीम्। राघवस्तु तथा देवं नत्वा शीघ्रं विनिर्गतः१७१। इंद्रमार्गां नदीं प्राप्य जटाजूटं नियम्य च। अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणं राम इदमर्पय मे धनुः१७२। रामवाक्यं तु तच्छ्रुत्वा सीतां वै लक्ष्मणोऽब्रवीत्। किमर्थं देवि रामेण त्यक्तोहं कारणं विना१७३। अपराधं न जानामि कुपितो यन्महाभुजः। रामेणाहं परित्यक्तः प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्याम्यसंशयम्१७४। नैव मे जीवितेनार्थो धिग्धिङ्मां कुलपांसनम्। आर्यस्य येन वै मन्युर्जनितः पापकारिणा१७५। कांस्तु लोकान्गमिष्यामि अपध्यातो महात्मना। उभौ हस्तौ मुखे कृत्वा साश्रुकंठोऽब्रवीदिदम्१७६। नापराध्यामि रामस्य कर्मणा मनसा गिरा। स्पृष्टौ ते चरणौ देवि मम नान्या गतिर्भवेत्१७७। ततः सीताऽब्रवीद्रामं त्यक्तः किमनुजस्त्वया। वैषम्यं त्यज्यतां बाले लक्ष्मणे लक्ष्मिवर्धने१७८। राघवस्त्वब्रवीत्सीतां नाहं त्यक्ष्यामि लक्ष्मणम्। न कदाचिदपि स्वप्ने लक्ष्मणस्य मतं प्रिये१७९। श्रुतपूर्वं च सुश्रोणि क्षेत्रस्यास्य विचेष्टितम्। अत्र क्षेत्रे जनास्सत्यं सर्वे हि स्वार्थतत्पराः१८०। परस्परं न पश्यंति स्वात्मनश्च हितं वचः। न शृण्वंति पितुः पुत्राः पुत्राणां पितरस्तथा१८१। न शिष्या हि गुरोर्वाक्यं शिष्यस्यापि तथा गुरुः। अर्थानुबंधिनीप्रीतिर्न कश्चित्कस्यचित्प्रियः१८२। इत्येवं कथयन्नेव प्राप्तो रेवां महानदीम्। चक्रेभिषेकं काकुत्स्थः सानुजः सह सीतया१८३। तर्पयित्वा च सलिलैः स्वान्पितॄन्दैवतान्यपि। उदीक्ष्य च मुहुः सूर्यं देवताश्च समाहितः१८४। कृताभिषेकस्तु रराज रामः सीता द्वितीयः सह लक्ष्मणेन। कृताभिषेकः सह शैलपुत्र्या गुहेन सार्धं भगवानिवेशः१८५।

bhīṣma uvāca| mārkaṃḍeyena vai rāmaḥ kathamatra prabodhitaḥ| kathaṃ samāgamo bhūtaḥ kasminkāle kadā mune1| mārkaṃḍeyaḥ kasya sutaḥ kathaṃ jāto mahātapāḥ| nāmno'sya nigamaṃ brūhi yathābhūtaṃ mahāmune2| pulastya uvāca| atha te saṃpravakṣyāmi mārkaṃḍeyodbhavaṃ punaḥ| purākalpe muniḥ pūrvaṃ mṛkaṃḍurnāma viśrutaḥ3| bhṛgoḥ putro mahābhāgaḥ sabhāryastaptavāṃstapaḥ| tasya putrastadā jāto vasatastu vanāṃtare4| sapaṃcavārṣiko bhūto bāla eva guṇādhikaḥ| jñāninā sa tadā dṛṣṭo bhramanbālastadāṃgaṇe5| sthitvā sa suciraṃ kālaṃ bhāvyarthaṃ pratyabudhyata| tasya pitrā sa vai pṛṣṭaḥ kiyadāyuḥ sutasya me6| saṃkhyāyācakṣva varṣāṇi tasyālpānyadhikāni vā| mṛkaṃḍunaivamuktastu sa jñānī vākyamabravīt7| ṣaṇmāsamāyuḥ putrasya dhātrā sṛṣṭaṃ munīśvara| naiva śokastvayā kāryaḥ satyametadudāhṛtam8| sa tacchrutvā vaco bhīṣma jñāninā yadudāhṛtam| athopanayanaṃ cakre bālakasya pitā tadā9| āha cainaṃ pitāputramṛṣīṃstvamabhivādaya| evamuktaḥ sa vai pitrā prahṛṣṭaścābhivādane10| na varṇā varṇatāṃ vetti sarvavarṇābhivādanaḥ| paṃcamāsāstvatikrāṃtā divasāḥ paṃcaviṃśatiḥ11| mārgeṇātha samāyātā ṛṣayastatra sapta vai| bālena tena te dṛṣṭāḥ sarve cāpyabhivāditāḥ12| āyuṣmānbhava tairuktaḥ sa bālo daṃḍamekhalī| uktvaivaṃ te punarbālamapaśyankṣīṇajīvitam13| dināni paṃca tasyāyurjñātvā bhītāśca te nṛpa| taṃ gṛhītvā bālakaṃ ca gatāste brahmaṇoṃtikam14| pratimucya ca taṃ rājanpraṇipetuḥ pitāmaham| ayamāveditastaistu tena brahmābhivāditaḥ15| cirāyurbrahmaṇā bālaḥ proktaḥ sa ṛṣisannidhau| tataste munayaḥ prītāḥ śrutvā vākyaṃ pitāmahāt16| pitāmaha ṛṣīndṛṣṭvā provāca vismayānvitaḥ| kāryeṇa yena cāyātaḥ koyaṃ bālo nivedyatām17| tatasta ṛṣayo rājansarvaṃ tasmai nyavedayan| putro mṛkaṃḍoḥ kṣīṇāyuḥ sāyuṣaṃ kuru bālakam18| alpāyuṣastvasya munirbadhvemāṃ cāpi mekhalām| yajñopavītaṃ daṃḍaṃ ca datvā cainamabodhayat19| yaṃ kaṃcitpaśyase bāla bhramaṃtaṃ bhūtale janam| tasyābhivādaḥ kartavya evamāha pitā vacaḥ20| abhivādanaśīloyaṃ kṣitau dṛṣṭaḥ paribhraman| tīrthayātrāprasaṃgena daivayogātpitāmaha21| cirāyurbhava putreti proktosau tatra bālakaḥ| kathaṃ vaco bhavetsatyamasmākaṃ bhavatā saha22| evamuktastadā taistu brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ| ṛtavākyādiyaṃ bhūmiḥ saṃsthitā sarvatobhayā23| brahmovāca| matsamaścāyuṣā bālo mārkaṃḍeyo bhaviṣyati| kalpasyādau tathācāṃte mato me munisattamaḥ24| evaṃ te munayo bālaṃ brahmaloke pitāmahāt| saṃsādhya preṣayāmāsurbhūyopyenaṃ dharātalam25| tīrthayātrāṃ gatā viprā mārkaṃḍeyo nijaṃ gṛham| jagāma teṣu yāteṣu pitaraṃ svamathābravīt26| brahmalokamahaṃ nīto munibhirbrahmavādibhiḥ| dīrghāyuśca kṛtaścāsmi varāndatvā visarjitaḥ27| etadanyacca me dattaṃ gataṃ ciṃtākaraṃ tava| kalpasyādau tathā cāṃte bhaviṣye samanaṃtare28| lokakarturbrahmaṇohaṃ prasādāttasya vai pitaḥ| puṣkaraṃ vai gamiṣyāmi tapastaptuṃ samudyataḥ29| tatrāhaṃ devadeveśamupāsiṣye pitāmaham| sarvakāmāvāptikaraṃ sarvārātinibarhaṇam30| sarvasaukhyapradaṃ devamindrādīnāṃ parāyaṇam| brahmāṇaṃ toṣayiṣyāmi sarvalokapitāmaham31| mārkaṃḍeyavacaḥ śrutvā mṛkaṃḍurmunisattamaḥ| jagāma paramaṃ harṣaṃ kṣaṇamekaṃ samucchvasan32| dhairyaṃ sumanasā sthāya idaṃ vacanamabravīt| adya me saphalaṃ janma jīvitaṃ ca sujīvitam33| sarvasya jagatāṃ sraṣṭā yena dṛṣṭaḥ pitāmahaḥ| tvayā dāyādavānasmi putreṇa vaṃśadhāriṇā34| tvaṃ gaccha paśya deveśaṃ puṣkarasthaṃ pitāmaham| dṛṣṭe tasminjagannāthe na jarāmṛtyureva ca35| nṛṇāṃ bhavati saukhyāni tathaiśvaryaṃ tapo'kṣayam| trīṇi śṛṅgāṇi śubhrāṇi trīṇi prasravaṇāni ca36| puṣkarāṇi tathā trīṇi navidmastatra kāraṇam| kanīyāṃsaṃ madhyamaṃ ca tṛtīyaṃ jyeṣṭhapuṣkaram37| śṛṃgaśabdābhidhānāni śubhaprasravaṇāni ca| brahmāviṣṇustathā rudro nityaṃ sannihitāstrayaḥ38| puṣkareṣu mahārājā nātaḥ puṇyatamaṃ bhuvi| virajaṃ vimalaṃ toyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam39| brahmalokasya panthānaṃ dhanyāḥ paśyaṃti puṣkaraṃ| yastu varṣaśataṃ sāgramagnihotramupāsate40| kārtikīṃ vā vasedekāṃ puṣkare samameva ca| kartummayā na śakitaṃ karmaṇā naiva sādhitam41| tadayatnāttvayā tāta mṛtyussarvaharo jitaḥ| tatra dṛṣṭassa deveśo brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ42| nānyo martyastvayā tulyo bhavitā jagatītale| ahaṃ vai toṣito yena pañcavārṣikajanmanā43| vareṇa tvaṃ madīyena upamāṃ cirajīvinām| gamiṣyasi na sandehastathāśīrvacanammama44| evaṃ vadanti te sarve vraja lokānyathepsitān| evaṃ labdhaprasādena mṛkaṇḍutanayena ca45| āśramaḥsthāpitastena mārkaṇḍāśrama ityuta| tatra snātvā śucirbhūtvā vājapeyaphalaṃ labhet46| sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā cirāyurjāyate naraḥ| pulastya uvāca| tathānyaṃ te pravakṣyāmi itihāsaṃ purātanam47| yathā rāmeṇa vai tīrthaṃ puṣkaraṃ tu vinirmitam| citrakūṭātpurā rāmo maithilyā lakṣmaṇena ca48| atrerāśramamāsādya papraccha munisattamam| rāma uvāca| kāni puṇyāni tīrthāni kiṃ vā kṣetraṃ mahāmune49| yatra gatvā naro yoginviyogaṃ saha baṃdhubhiḥ| naiva prāpnoti bhagavantanmamācakṣva suvrata1.33.50| anena vanavāsena rājñastu maraṇena ca| bharatasya viyogena paritapye hyahaṃ tribhiḥ51| tadvākyaṃ rāghaveṇoktaṃ śrutvā viprarṣabhastadā| dhyātvā ca suciraṃ kālamidaṃ vacanamabravīt52| atriruvāca| sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ tvayā vīra raghūṇāṃ vaṃśavardhana| mama pitrā kṛtaṃ tīrthaṃ puṣkaraṃ nāma viśrutam53| parvatau dvau ca vikhyātau maryādā yajñaparvatau| kuṃḍatrayaṃ tayormadhye jyeṣṭhamadhyakaniṣṭhakam54| teṣu gatvā daśarathaṃ piṃḍadānena tarpaya| tīrthānāṃ pravaraṃ tīrthaṃ kṣetrāṇāmapi cottamam55| aviyogā ca surasā vāpī raghukulodvaha| tathā saubhāgyakūponyaḥ sujalo raghunaṃdana56| teṣu piṃḍapradānena pitaro mokṣamāpnuyuḥ| ābhūtasaṃplavaṃ kālametadāha pitāmahaḥ57| tatra rāghava gacchasva bhūyopyāgamanaṃ kriyāḥ| tatheti coktvā rāmopi gamanāya mano dadhe58| ṛkṣavaṃtamabhikramya nagaraṃ vaidiśaṃ tathā| carmaṇvatīṃ samuttīrya prāptosau yajñaparvatam59| tamatikramya vegena madhyame puṣkare sthitaḥ| pitṝnsaṃtarpayāmāsa adbhirdevāṃśca sarvaśaḥ60| snānāvasāne rāmeṇa mārkaṃḍo munipuṃgavaḥ| āgacchanśiṣyasaṃyukto dṛṣṭastatraiva dhīmatā61| gatvā vai saṃmukhaṃ tasya praṇipatya ca sādaram| pṛṣṭo'viyogadaḥ kūpaḥ katamasyāṃ diśi prabho62| suto daśarathasyāhaṃ rāmo nāma janaiḥ smṛtaḥ| saubhāgyavāpīṃ tāṃ draṣṭumahaṃ prāptotriśāsanāt63| tatsthānaṃ tau ca vai kūpau bhagavānprabravītu me| evamuktaśca rāmeṇa mārkaṃḍaḥ pratyuvāca ha64| mārkaṃḍeya uvāca| sādhu rāghava bhadraṃ te sukṛtaṃ bhavatā kṛtam| tīrthayātrāprasaṃgena yatprāptosīha sāṃpratam65| ehyāgacchasva paśya svavāpīṃ tāmaviyogadām| aviyogaśca sarvaiśca kūpa evātra jāyate66| āmuṣmike caihike ca jīvatopi mṛtasya vā| etadvākyaṃ munīṃdrasya śrutvā lakṣmaṇapūrvajaḥ67| sasmāra rāmo rājānaṃ tadā daśarathaṃ nṛpa| bharataṃ saha śatrughnraṃbhātṝnanyāṃścanāgarān68| evaṃciṃtayatastasya saṃdhyākālo vyajāyata| upāsya paścimāṃ saṃdhyāṃ munibhiḥsaha rāghavaḥ69| suṣvāpa tāṃ niśāṃ tatra bhrātṛbhāryāsamanvitaḥ| vibhāvaryavasāne tu svapnāṃte raghunaṃdanaḥ70| pitrā mātrā tathā cānyairayodhyāyāṃ sthitaḥ kila| vivāhamaṃgale vṛtte bahubhirbāṃdhavaiḥ saha71| samāsīnaḥ sabhāryo'sāvṛṣibhiḥ parivāritaḥ| lakṣmaṇenāpyevameva dṛṣṭo'sau sītayā tathā72| prabhāte tu munīnāṃ tatsarvameva prakīrtitam| ṛṣibhiśca tathetyuktaḥ satyametadraghūttama73| mṛtasya darśane śrāddhaṃ kāryamāvaśyakaṃ smṛtam| vṛddhikāmāstu pitarastathā caivānnakāṃkṣiṇaḥ74| dadaṃti darśanaṃ svapne bhaktiyuktasya rāghava| aviyogastu te bhrātrā pitrā ca bharatena ca75| caturdaśānāṃ varṣāṇāṃ bhavitā rāghava dhruvam| kuru śrāddhaṃ tathā vīra rājño daśarathasya ca76| amī ca ṛṣayaḥ sarve tava bhaktāḥ kṛtakṣaṇāḥ| ahaṃ ca jamadagniśca bhāradvājaśca lomaśaḥ77| devarātaḥ śamīkaśca ṣaḍete vai dvijottamāḥ| śrāddhe ca te mahābāho saṃbhārāṃstvamupāhara78| mukhyaṃ ceṃgudipiṇyākaṃ badarāmalakaiḥ saha| śrīphalāni ca pakvāni mūlaṃ coccāvacaṃ bahu79| mārgeṇa cātha māṃsena dhānyena vividhena ca| tṛptiṃ prayaccha viprāṇāṃ śrāddhadānena suvrata80| puṣkarāraṇyamāsādya niyato niyatāśanaḥ| pitṝṃstarpayate yastu sośvamedhamavāpnuyāt81| snānārthaṃ tu vayaṃ rāma gacchāmo jyeṣṭhapuṣkaram| ityuktvā te gatāḥ sarve munayo rāghavaṃ nṛpa82| lakṣmaṇaṃ cābravīdrāmo medhyamāhara me mṛgam| śuddhekṣaṇaṃ ca śaśakaṃ kṛṣṇaśākaṃ tathā madhu83| jaṃbīrāṇi ca mukhyāni mūlāni vividhāni ca| pakvāni ca kapitthāni phalānyanyāni yāni ca84| tānyāharasva vai śrāddhe kṣipramevāstu lakṣmaṇa| tathā tatkṛtavānsarvaṃ rāmādeśācca rāghavaḥ85| badareṅgudiśākāni mūlāni vividhāni ca| tatrāhṛtya ca rāmeṇa kūṭākāraḥ kṛto mahān86| paripakvaṃ ca jānakyā siddhaṃ rāme niveditam| snātvā rāmo yogavāpyāṃ munīṃstānanupālayan87| madhyāhnāccalite sūrye kāle kutapake tathā| āyātā ṛṣayaḥ sarve ye rāmeṇānumaṃtritāḥ88| tānāgatānmunīndṛṣṭvā vaidehī janakātmajā| rāmāṃtikaṃ parityajya vrīḍitā'nyatra saṃsthitā89| vismayotphullanayanā ciṃtayānā ca vepatī| brāhmaṇā neha jānaṃti śrāddhakāle hyupasthitāḥ90| rāmeṇa bhojitā viprāḥ smṛtyuktena yathāvidhi| vaidikyaśca kṛtāssarvāḥ satkriyā yāssamīritāḥ91| purāṇokto vidhiścaiva vaiśvadevikapūrvakaḥ| bhuktavatsu ca vipreṣu datvā piṃḍānyathākramam92| preṣiteṣu yathāśakti datvā teṣu ca dakṣiṇām| gateṣu vipramukhyeṣu priyāṃ rāmo'bravīdidam93| kimarthaṃ subhru naṣṭāsi munīndṛṣṭvā tvihāgatān| tatsarvaṃ tvamidaṃ tatvaṃ kāraṇaṃ vada māciram94| bhavitavyaṃ kāraṇena tacca gopyaṃ na me kuru| śāpitāsi mama prāṇairlakṣmaṇasya śucismite95| evamuktā tadā bhartrā trapayā'vāṅmukhī sthitā| vimuṃcaṃtī sā'śrupātaṃ rāghavaṃ vākyamabravīt96| śṛṇu tvaṃ nātha yaddṛṣṭamāścaryamiha yādṛśam| rāma tvayā'ciṃtyamāno rājeṃdrastviha cāgataḥ97| sarvābharaṇasaṃyuktau dvau cānyau ca tathāvidhau| dvijānāṃ dehasaṃyuktāstrayaste raghunaṃdana98| pitarastu mayā dṛṣṭā brāhmaṇāṃgeṣu rāghava| dṛṣṭvā trapānvitā cāhamapakrāṃtā tavāṃtikāt99| tvayā vai bhojitā viprāḥ kṛtaṃ śrāddhaṃ yathāvidhi| valkalājinasaṃvītā kathaṃ rājñaḥ puraḥsarā1.33.100| bhavāmi ripuvīraghna satyametadudāhṛtam| kauśeyāni ca vastrāṇi kaikeyyāpahṛtāni ca101| tataḥ prabhṛti caivāhaṃ cīriṇī tu vanāśrayam| jñātvāhaṃ na vade kiṃcinmā te duḥkhaṃ bhavatviti102| nāhaṃ smarāmi vai māturna pituśca paraṃtapa| kadā bhaviṣyatīhāṃto vanavāsasya rāghava103| etadevāniśaṃ rāma ciṃtayaṃtyāḥ punaḥ punaḥ| vrajaṃti divasā nātha tava padbhyāṃ śapāmyaham104| svahastena kathaṃ rājño dāsye vai bhojanaṃ tvidam| dāsānāmapi yo dāso nopabhuṃjītayatkvacit105| etādṛśī kathaṃ tvasmai saṃpradātuṃ samutsahe| yāhaṃ rājñā purā dṛṣṭā sarvālaṅkārabhūṣitā106| bālavyajanahastā ca vījayaṃtī narādhipam| sā svedamaladigdhāṃgī kathaṃ paśyāmi bhūmipam107| vyaktaṃ triviṣṭapaṃ prāptastvayā putreṇa tāritaḥ| dṛṣṭvā māṃ duḥkhitāṃ bālāṃ vane kliṣṭāmanāgasam108| śokaḥ syātpārthivasyāsya tena naṣṭāsmi rāghava| bhavānprāṇasamo rāma na te gopyaṃ mamatviha109| satyena tena caivātha spṛśāmi caraṇau tava| tacchrutvā rāghavaḥ prītaḥ priyāṃ tāṃ priyavādinīm110| aṃkamānīya sudṛḍhaṃ pariṣvajya ca sādaram| bhuktau bhojyaṃ tadā vīrau paścādbhuktā ca jānakī111| evaṃ sthitau tadā sā ca tāṃ rātriṃ tatra rāghavau| udite ca sahasrāṃśau gamanāya mano dadhuḥ112| pratyaṅmukhaṃ gataḥ krośaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ yāvacca puṣkaram| pūrvabhāge puṣkarasya yāvattiṣṭhati rāghavaḥ113| śuśrāva ca tato vācaṃ devadūtena bhāṣitam| bho bho rāghava bhadraṃ te tīrthametatsudurlabham114| asminsthāne sthito vīra ātmanaḥ puṇyatāṃ kuru| devakāryaṃ tvayā kāryaṃ haṃtavyā devaśatravaḥ115| tato hṛṣṭamanā vīro hyabravīllakṣmaṇaṃ vacaḥ| saumitre'nugṛhītohaṃ devadevena brahmaṇā116| atrāśramapadaṃ kṛtvā māsamekaṃ ca lakṣmaṇa| vrataṃ caritumicchāmi kāyaśodhanamuttamam117| tatheti lakṣmaṇenokte vrataṃ parisamāpyatu| piṃḍadānādibhirdānaiḥ śrāddhaiścaiva pitāmahān118| puṣkare tu tadā rāmo'tarpayadvidhivattadā| kanakā suprabhā caiva naṃdā prācī sarasvatī119| paṃcasrotāḥ puṣkareṣu pitṝṇāṃ tuṣṭidāyinī| dainaṃdinīṃ pitṝṇāṃ tu pūjāṃ tāṃ pitṛpūrvikām120| racayitvā tadā rāmo lakṣmaṇaṃ vākyamabravīt| ehi lakṣmaṇa śīghraṃ tvaṃ puṣkarājjalamānaya121| pādaprakṣālanaṃ kṛtvā śayanaṃ kuru saṃstare| vibhāvaryāṃ nivṛttāyāṃ yāsyāmo dakṣiṇāṃ diśam122| lakṣmaṇastvabravīdvākyaṃ sītayānīya tāṃ payaḥ| nāhaṃ rāma sarvakāle dāsabhāvaṃ karomi te123| iyaṃpuṣṭācasubhṛśaṃpīvarīcamamāpyuta| kiṃ tvaṃ kariṣyasyanayā bhāryayā vada sāṃpratam124| kiṃ vā mṛtasya vai pṛṣṭha iyaṃ yāsyati te priyā| rakṣase tvaṃ sadā kālaṃ supuṣṭāṃ caiva sarvadā125| hṛṣṭā caiṣā kleśayati satataṃ māṃ raghūttama| tvaṃ ca kleśayase rāma paratra jāyate kṣatiḥ126| tvatkṛte ca sadā cāhaṃ pipāsāṃ kṣudhayā saha| saṃsahāmi na saṃdehaḥ paratra ca niśāmaya127| mṛtānāṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kaścidgato naiva ca dṛśyate| bhāryyā putro dhanaṃ cāpi evamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ128| mṛtaśca te pitā rāma tyaktvā rājyamakaṃṭakam| vinikṣipya vane tvāṃ ca kaikeyyāḥ priyakāmyayā129| ihasthitā sā kaikeyī dhanaṃ sarve ca bāṃdhavāḥ| mahārājo daśaratha eka eva gato gatim130| manyehaṃ na tvayā sārdhaṃ sītā yāsyati vai dhruvam| kariṣyase kimanayā vada rāghava sāṃpratam131| śrutvā cāśrutapūrvaṃ hi vākyaṃ lakṣmaṇabhāṣitam| vimanā rāghavastasthau sītā cāpi varānanā132| yaduktaṃ lakṣmaṇenātha sītā sarvaṃ cakāra ha| snātvā bhuktvā tato vīrau puṣkare puṣkarekṣaṇau133| nītvā vibhāvarīṃ tatra gamanāya mano dadhuḥ| ehyuttiṣṭha ca saumitre vrajāmo dakṣiṇāṃ diśam134| saumitrirabravīdrāma nāhaṃ yāsye kathaṃcana| vraja tvamanayā sārdhaṃ bhāryayā kamalekṣaṇa135| nānyadvanaṃ gamiṣyāmi naivāyodhyāṃ ca rāghava| asminvane vasiṣyāmi varṣāṇīha caturdaśa136| mayā vinā tvayodhyāyāṃ yadi tvaṃ na gamiṣyasi| anena vartmanā bhūpa āgaṃtavyaṃ tvayā vibho137| yadi jīvāmi tatkālaṃ punaryāsye pituḥ puram| tapassaṃbhāvayiṣyāmi mayā tvaṃ kiṃ kariṣyasi138| vraja saumya śivaḥ paṃthāmā ca te paripaṃthinaḥ| paśyāmi tvāṃ punaḥ prāptaṃ sabhāryaṃ kamalekṣaṇam139| pitṛpaitāmahaṃ rājyamayodhyāyāṃ narādhipa| śatrughnabharatau cobhau tvadājñākaraṇe sthitau140| ahaṃ te pratikūlastu vanavāse viśeṣataḥ| anārataṃ divā cāhaṃ rātrau caiva paraṃtapa141| karmakartuṃ na śakromi vraja saumya yathāsukham| evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ saumitrimuvāca raghunaṃdanaḥ142| kathaṃ pūrvamayodhyāyā nirgatosi mayā saha| vane vatsyāmyahaṃ rāma navavarṣāṇi paṃca ca143| na tu tvayā virahitaḥ svargepi nivase kvacit| yā gatiste naravyāghra mama sāpi bhaviṣyati144| prasādaḥ kriyatāṃ mahyaṃ naya māmapi rāghava| idānīmardhamārge tvaṃ kathaṃ sthāsyasi śatruhan145| lakṣmaṇastvabravīdrāmaṃ nāhaṃ gaṃtā vane punaḥ| lakṣmaṇaṃ saṃsthitaṃ jñātvā rāmo vacanamabravīt146| māmanuvraja saumitra eko yāsyāmi kānanam| dvitīyā me tviyaṃ sītā rāmeṇoktastu lakṣmaṇaḥ147| gṛhītvā'tha samuttasthau rāmavākyaṃ sa lakṣmaṇaḥ| maryādāparvataṃ prāptau kṣetrasīmāṃ paraṃtapau148| ajagaṃdhaṃ ca deveśaṃ devadevaṃ pinākinam| aṣṭāṃgapraṇipātena natvā rāmastrilocanam149| tuṣṭāva prayataḥ sthitvā śaṃkaraṃ pārvatīpriyam| kṛtāṃjalipuṭo bhūtvā romāṃcitaśarīrakaḥ1.33.150| sātvikaṃ bhāvamāpanno vinirdhūtarajastamāḥ| lokānāṃ kāraṇaṃ devaṃ bubudhe vibudhādhipam151| rāma uvāca| kṛtsnasya yo'sya jagataḥ sa carācarasya kartā kṛtasya ca punaḥ sukhaduḥkhadaśca| saṃhāraheturapi yaḥ punaraṃtakāle taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi152| yo'yaṃ sakṛdvimalacāruvilolatoyāṃ gaṃgāṃ mahormiviṣamāṃ gaganātpataṃtīm| mūrdhnā dadhe'srajamiva pravilolapuṣpāṃ taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi153 | kailāsaśailaśikharaṃ parikampyamānaṃ kailāsaśṛṃgasadṛśena daśānanena| yatpādapadmavidhṛtaṃ sthiratāṃ dadhāra taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi154| yenāsakṛddanusutāḥ samare nirastā vidyādharoragagaṇāśca varaiḥ samagraiḥ| saṃyojitā munivarāḥ phalamūlabhakṣāstaṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi155| dakṣādhvare ca nayane ca tathā bhagasya pūṣṇastathā daśanapaṃktimapātayacca| tastaṃbhayaḥ kuliśayuktamatheṃdrahastaṃ taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi156| enaḥkṛtopiviṣayeṣvapisaktacittājñānānvayaśrutaguṇairapinaivayuktāḥ| yaṃ saṃśritāḥ sukhabhujaḥ puruṣā bhavaṃti taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi157| atriprasūtiravikoṭisamānatejāḥ saṃtrāsanaṃ vibudhadānavasattamānām| yaḥ kālakūṭamapibatprasabhaṃ sudīptaṃ taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi158| brahmeṃdrarudramarutāṃ ca saṣaṇmukhānāṃ dadyādvaraṃ subahuśo bhagavānmaheśaḥ| nandiṃ ca mṛtyuvadanātpunarujjahāra taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi159| ārādhitaḥ sutapasā himavannikuṃje dhūmavratena manasāpi parairagamye| saṃjīvanīmakathayadbhṛgave mahātmā taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi160| nānāvidhairgajabiḍālasamānavaktrairdakṣādhvarapramathanairbalibhirgaṇaiṃdraiḥ | yobhyarcitomaragaṇaiśca salokapālaistaṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi161| śaṃkheṃdukuṃdadhavalaṃ vṛṣabhaṃ pravīramāruhya yaḥ kṣitidhareṃdrasutānuyātaḥ| yātyaṃbaraṃ pralayameghavibhūṣitaṃ ca taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi162| śāṃtaṃ muniṃ yamaniyogaparāyaṇaistairbhīmairmahograpuruṣaiḥ pratinīyamānam| bhaktyānataṃ stutiparaṃ prasabhaṃ rarakṣa taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi163| yaḥ savyapāṇi kamalāgranakhena devastatpaṃcamaṃ prasabhameva purassurāṇām| brāhmaṃ śirastaruṇapadmanibhaṃ cakartta taṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi164| yasya praṇamya caraṇau varadasya bhaktyā stutvā ca vāgbhiramalābhirataṃdritātmā| dīptastamāṃsi nudate svakarairvivasvāṃstaṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi165| ye tvāṃ surottamaguruṃ puruṣā vimūḍhā jānaṃti nāsya jagataḥ sacarācarasya| aiśvaryamānanigamānuśayena paścātte yātanāmanubhavaṃtyaviśuddhacittāḥ166| tasyaivaṃ stuvato'vocacchūlapāṇirvṛṣadhvajaḥ| uvāca vacanaṃ hṛṣṭo rāghavaṃ tuṣṭamānasaḥ167| rudra uvāca| rāma hṛṣṭosmi bhadraṃ te jātastvaṃ nirmale kule| tvaṃ cāpi jagatāṃ vaṃdyo devo mānuṣarūpadhṛt168| tvayā nāthena vai devāḥ sukhinaḥ śāśvatīḥ samā| seviṣyaṃte ciraṃ kālaṃ gate varṣe caturdaśe169| ayodhyāmāgataṃ tvāṃ ye drakṣyaṃti bhuvi mānavāḥ| sukhaṃ te'tra bhajiṣyaṃti svarge vāsantathākṣayam170| devakāryaṃ mahatkṛtvā āgacchethāḥ punaḥ purīm| rāghavastu tathā devaṃ natvā śīghraṃ vinirgataḥ171| iṃdramārgāṃ nadīṃ prāpya jaṭājūṭaṃ niyamya ca| abravīllakṣmaṇaṃ rāma idamarpaya me dhanuḥ172| rāmavākyaṃ tu tacchrutvā sītāṃ vai lakṣmaṇo'bravīt| kimarthaṃ devi rāmeṇa tyaktohaṃ kāraṇaṃ vinā173| aparādhaṃ na jānāmi kupito yanmahābhujaḥ| rāmeṇāhaṃ parityaktaḥ prāṇāṃstyakṣyāmyasaṃśayam174| naiva me jīvitenārtho dhigdhiṅmāṃ kulapāṃsanam| āryasya yena vai manyurjanitaḥ pāpakāriṇā175| kāṃstu lokāngamiṣyāmi apadhyāto mahātmanā| ubhau hastau mukhe kṛtvā sāśrukaṃṭho'bravīdidam176| nāparādhyāmi rāmasya karmaṇā manasā girā| spṛṣṭau te caraṇau devi mama nānyā gatirbhavet177| tataḥ sītā'bravīdrāmaṃ tyaktaḥ kimanujastvayā| vaiṣamyaṃ tyajyatāṃ bāle lakṣmaṇe lakṣmivardhane178| rāghavastvabravītsītāṃ nāhaṃ tyakṣyāmi lakṣmaṇam| na kadācidapi svapne lakṣmaṇasya mataṃ priye179| śrutapūrvaṃ ca suśroṇi kṣetrasyāsya viceṣṭitam| atra kṣetre janāssatyaṃ sarve hi svārthatatparāḥ180| parasparaṃ na paśyaṃti svātmanaśca hitaṃ vacaḥ| na śṛṇvaṃti pituḥ putrāḥ putrāṇāṃ pitarastathā181| na śiṣyā hi gurorvākyaṃ śiṣyasyāpi tathā guruḥ| arthānubaṃdhinīprītirna kaścitkasyacitpriyaḥ182| ityevaṃ kathayanneva prāpto revāṃ mahānadīm| cakrebhiṣekaṃ kākutsthaḥ sānujaḥ saha sītayā183| tarpayitvā ca salilaiḥ svānpitṝndaivatānyapi| udīkṣya ca muhuḥ sūryaṃ devatāśca samāhitaḥ184| kṛtābhiṣekastu rarāja rāmaḥ sītā dvitīyaḥ saha lakṣmaṇena| kṛtābhiṣekaḥ saha śailaputryā guhena sārdhaṃ bhagavāniveśaḥ185|

English translation

Bhīṣma said ;

1. O sage, how was Rāma enlightened here by Mārkaṇ-ḍeya? How did they meet? When did they meet?

2. Whose son was Mārkaṇḍeya ? How was the one of great penance born? O great sage, tell me the exact explanation of his name.

Pulastya said ;

3. I shall tell you about the birth of Mārkaṇḍeya. In the old Kalpa there was a well-known sage by name Mṛkaṇḍu .

4. The illustrious (sage), the son of Bhṛgu , practised penance with his wife. When he was living in a forest, a son was born to him.

5. That boy, superior in virtues, became five years old. At that time a sage saw the boy roaming about in the courtyard.

6. Remaining there for a pretty long time, he knew the future (events in the life of the boy). He was asked by the boy’s father: “What is the span of the life of my son?

7. Calculate and tell me (the number of) years (of the span of his life—whether they are) few or many.” Thus addressed by Mṛkaṇḍu, the wise sage spoke:

8. “‘O best sage, the Creator has determined (the span of) your son’s life to be six months. Do not grieve. I have told you the truth.”

9. The father, having heard what the sage had said, then performed the thread-ceremony of the boy.

10. And the father said (to the son): “O son, salute the sages.” Thus told by the father, he took delight in saluting people.

11. He did not care for the (high) caste or the absence of it (in the case of persons whom he saluted since) he saluted (persons belonging to) all castes. (In this way) five years and twenty-five days rolled by.

12. There were going seven sages along the path. The boy saw them, and he saluted them all.

13. The boy having a staff and wearing a muñjā- girdle was addressed by them: “Live long”. Having spoken thus, they observed (that) the boy (would) be short-lived.

14. O king, knowing that his life would be just five days (more), they were frightened. Taking the boy, they went near Brahmā .

15. And, O king, leaving (i.e. placing) him there, they saluted the grandsire. They gave Brahmā information about (i.e. told Brahmā the account of) the boy. Then he saluted Brahmā.

16. In the presence of the sages, Brahmā said to the boy: “Live long”. Then all the sages, having heard those words from the grandsire, were pleased.

17. The grandsire, seeing the sages, was amazed and said (to them): “Tell me for what purpose this boy has come to me and also tell me who is.”

18. Then, O king, the sages told him everything. “This is the son of Mṛkaṇḍu. His life is short. Make him long-lived.

19. The sage (Mṛkaṇḍu) tied a ( muñjā -) girdle (round) his (waist), gave him whose life was short a sacred thread and a staff (i.e. the sage Mṛkaṇḍu performed his thread-ceremony) and advised him:

20. ‘O boy, salute every person whom you see going about on the earth’. The father said these words to him.

21. O grandsire, we, who were going on a pilgrimage, saw, by chance, this boy disposed to saluting (everyone he saw).

22. We said to him: O son, live long. How will our words along with (words uttered by) you come true?”

23. Thus addressed by them, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds (said): “This land stands fearless due to true words (being spoken on it)”.

Brahmā said :

24. This boy, Mārkaṇḍeya, will have the (span of) life as I (shall have). (This) best sage is commended by me (to be present) at the beginning as well as at the end of a Kalpa .

25-26. Thus the sages having got the boy made safe by the grandsire, sent him to the earth, and proceeded with their pilgrimage. Mārkaṇḍeya went home. When they had left, he said to his father:

27. “Sages, teachers of the Vedas , had taken me to Brahmā’s world. Having made me a long-lived person (i.e. granting me a long life) and having given me boons, they sent me (home).

28-29. (They gave me) this and other things. The cause of your anxiety has (now) gone. I shall be present continuously at the beginning and also at the end of a Kalpa, as a result of the favour of Brahmā, the creator of the worlds and the father (of all). Being eager I shall (now) go to Puṣkara to practise penance.

30-31. There I shall wait upon the grandsire, the lord of gods. I shall please Brahmā, who fulfils all desires, who destroys all enemies, who gives all pleasures, who is the highest object of Indra and others and who is the grandsire of all the worlds.”

32-33a. Having heard the words of Mārkaṇḍeya, the best sage Mṛkaṇḍu was extremely pleased. Being relaxed in a moment, and mustering courage with a good (i.e. strong) mind, be said these words:

33b-34a. “Today my existence is fruitful and my life has proved to be well-lived, since I have seen the grandsire, the creator of all worlds.

34b. With you as my son, upholding (i.e. continuing my) family, I am having an heir.

35. Go and see the lord of gods, the grandsire, living at Puṣkara. When that lord of the worlds is seen (by a man) neither old age nor death (comes to him).

36. Men obtain pleasures, and also prosperity and inexhaustible penance. There are three white peaks and three streams.

37. Similarly there are three (holy places called) Puṣkara. We do not know the reason (for this number three): There is Kanīyāṃsa (Puṣkara), (there is) Madhyama (Puṣkara) and there is Jyeṣṭha (Puṣkara).

38-39. There are also the three white streams called Śṛṅga . The three viz. Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Rudra are always present in the vicinity of the (three) Puṣkaras . O great king, there is no other place more auspicious than these. The water there is free from dust, is pure, and is well-known in the three worlds.

40-41a. The blessed (alone) see Puṣkara, the path to Brahmā’s world. (The fruit that) one, who maintains the sacred fires for full one hundred years, obtains, is equal (to the fruit that one would get) by giving at Puṣkara on (just) one full moon day of Kārtika .

41b-42. O boy, you have, without effort, accomplished that which I could not do, or what I could not accomplish by means of deeds (i.e. rites), viz. you have conquered death that takes away everyone. There you saw that Brahmā, the lord of gods and the grandsire of all the worlds.

43. There is no other mortal on the earth. who can be compared to you, who, being just five years old, have pleased me.

44. As a result of my boon you will obtain the resemblance of a long-lived one (i.e. you will live a very long life); there is no doubt about it; for such is my blessing.

45-47a. All they (i.e. all people will) say to you: ‘Go to the worlds liked by you.’” A hermitage was (then) set up by Mṛkaṇḍu’s son, who had thus obtained (his father’s) favour. It is (called) Mārkaṇḍeya’s Hermitage. One would get the fruit of Vājapeya (-sacrifice) by bathing there and by (thus) purifying (oneself). A man (who bathes there) becomes purified from all his sins and lives a long life.

Pulastya said :

47b-49a. Similarly I shall narrate to you another old historical account as to how Rāma brought about the sacred place, viz. Puṣkara. Rāma, having come from Citrakūṭa with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa , to Atri ’s hermitage, asked the best sage.

Rāma said :

49b-50. O revered saint of a good vow, tell me which are the auspicious sacred places or which is the sacred place, going where, a man is not separated from his relatives?

51. I am being tormented by the three, viz. this residence in the forest, the death of King ( Daśaratha ) and the separation from Bharata .

52. The best brāhmaṇa (i.e. Atri), having heard the words uttered by Rāma, and having thought for a very long time, said these words:

Atri said :

53. O you here, the perpetuator of the Raghu -family, you have asked well. My father has fashioned the well-known sacred place, viz. Puṣkara.

54. (He has also fashioned) the two well-known mountains Maryādā and Yajña . Between them there are three wells (called) Jyeṣṭha, Madhyama and Kaniṣṭhaka.

55. Go to them and gratify Daśaratha by offering him a piṇḍa . It is the best among the holy places and the best place of pilgrimage.

56. O you, perpetuator of the Raghu-family, there is a well, con taining good water, called Aviyogā. O you descendant of Raghu, there is also another well containing good water called Saubhāgya - kūpa .

57. If piṇḍas are offered into these (wells), the manes obtain salvation till the time of the destruction of beings. This (is what) the grandsire said.

58. O Raghava , go there; and come back again.

Saying ‘All right’ Rāma too decided to go (there).

59. Having approached Ṛkṣavān and Vidiśā city, and having crossed (the river) Carmaṇvatī , he reached Yajñaparvata.

60. Having crossed it speedily, he arrived at the Madhyama Puṣkara. He fully gratified the manes and gods with (libation of) water.

61. After Rāma had finished his bath, he, the intelligent one, saw the best sage, viz. Mārkaṇḍa , arriving (there) with his disciples.

62. Having gone facing (i.e. to) him, and having respectfully saluted him he asked him: “O lord, in which direction is the well called Aviyogadā (i.e. that brings about union)?

63. I am Daśaratha’s son, known by people by the name Rāma. By Atri’s instruction I have come here to see that Saubhāgya- vāpī .

64. May the revered one tell me about the place and the two wells.” Thus addressed by Rāma, Mārkaṇḍa replied:

Mārkaṇḍeya said :

65. Well, O Rāghava , well-being to you; you have done a meritorious deed, since, now, while on a pilgrimage to sacred places, you have come here.

66-67a. Come, come along, see that Aviyogadā vāpī (i.e. the well bringing about union). Here union with all (one’s kinsmen)—residing in the other or this world and living or dead—takes place.

67b-68. O king, at that time, Rama , the elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa, having heard these words of the best sage, remembered king Daśaratha, Bharata with Śatrughna , and other citizens also.

69-70a. When he was thinking like this, the evening-time came on. Rama, having offered the evening prayer with the sages, slept there that night with his brother and wife.

70b-71a. At the end of the night and after his sleep was over Rāma verily remained in Ayodhyā with his father, mother and others.

71b-72. When his auspicious marriage took place, he was seated there along with his wife and many relatives and was surrounded by sages. Lakṣmaṇa also saw him exactly like that i.e. along with Sītā.

73. In the morning he told all that to the sages. The sages also said: “O best among the Raghus , it is true.

74. Śrāddha is said to be essential on having the sight of the dead. The manes have a longing for prosperity and they desire food.

75-76. O Raghava, they appear before a devout person in (his) dream. O Raghava, surely for fourteen years you will not have separation from your brother, father and Bharata. O hero, perform a Śrāddha (in honour) of King Daśaratha.

77-78. All these sages, your devotees, are impatiently waiting for the exact moment (i.e. for the invitation). Six best brāhmaṇas are present at the Śrāddha : I myself (i.e. Mārkaṇḍeya), Jamadagni , Bhāradvāja , Lomaśa , Devarāta and Śamīka . O mighty one, fetch the requisites.

79. The chief (things are): Iṅgudi , an oil-cake with badaras and āmalakas ; ripe coconuts, roots of various kinds.

80. O you of a good vow, satisfy the brāhmaṇas with musk, and flesh and various kinds of grains, and by offering a śrāddha .

81. He, who, being restrained and having come to the Puṣkara-forest, and having controlled his diet, satisfies his manes (with a śrāddha ), would get the fruit of a horse-sacrifice.

82. O Rāma, we are (now) going to Jyeṣṭha Puṣkara to have a bath (there).” O king, speaking thus to Rāma all the sages went (to Jyeṣṭha Puṣkara).

83-84. Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa: “Bring me a deer fit for a sacrifice. Also bring a hare with bright eyes, black vegetable, jambīras , and various important roots, as well as ripe kapitthas and whichever other fruits (you can get) at (i.e. for) the Śrāddha .

85. This should be (done) quickly, O Lakṣmaṇa.” Lakṣmaṇa did all that according to the instruction of Rāma.

86. Having brought badaras , iṅgudis , vegetables and various roots, Rāma made a great heap of them.

87. Having cooked and made ready (the food), Jānakī reported to Rāma. Rāma bathed in the Yoga -vāpī and looked after the sages.

88. All the sages that were invited by Rāma arrived when the sun moved on from the mid-day and when it was eighth muhūrta [1] of the day.

89-90a. Janaka ’s daughter, Vaidehī ) (i.e. Śītā ), having seen the sages that arrived there, being abashed, left Rāma’s vicinity and with her eyes blooming with amazement, and reflecting and trembling, she remained somewhere else.

90b. The brāhmaṇas, who had come there at the time of the śrāddha , did not know this.

91. Rāma fed the brāhmaṇas according to the proper procedure (and) as prescribed in the Smṛtis ; he performed all the auspicious rites that were prescribed (in the Vedas).

92-93. He also performed the rite as prescribed in the Purāṇas after (having performed) the sacrifice in honour of the Viśvedevas . When the priests had eaten (the food), and when they were dismissed after the piṇḍas had been offered in due order and after gifts had been given to them according to (Rāma’s) capacity, and when the chief brāhmaṇas had left, Rāma said these words to his beloved.

94-95. “O you of charming eyebrows, why, did you disappear (i.e. go away) when you saw that the sages had come here? Tell me all the true reason for this. Do not delay. There must be some reason for this. Do not hide it from me. O you of bright smile, I swear you by my life and that of Lakṣmaṇa also.”

96. Thus addressed by her husband at that time, Sītā remained with her face hung down through shame. Shedding tears, she said (these) words to Rāma:

97-98. “O lord, listen to what kind of miracle I saw here. O Rāma, the lord of kings (i.e. Daśaratha) being thought of by you, came here with all ornaments (on his person). Two more persons also, (adorned) like that (came there). O you descendant of Raghu, they were united with the bodies of the brāhmaṇas.

99. On the bodies of the brāhmaṇas I saw the manes. Seeing them and (overcome) with bashfulness, I went away from your vicinity.

100-101a. You fed the brāhmaṇas, you performed the Śrāddha according to the proper procedure. O you killer of the heroes of the enemy, how should I, clad in bark-garments and deer-hide, move before the king? I have told you the truth.

101b-102. Kaikeyī had taken away all the silken garments. Since then I, clad in tattered garments, and knowing that I have to resort to (i.e. live in) a forest, I do not (i.e. did not) say anything, so that you should not be unhappy.

103-104. I am neither thinking of (my) mother or (of my) father, O conqueror. O lord, O Rāma, I swear by your feet that I pass my days repeatedly and incessantly thinking as to when this residence in the forest will come to an end.

105-107. How should I, with my own hand give (i.e. serve) the king (with) food which even a servant of servants would not enjoy? How would I, who was formerly seen by the king adorned with all ornaments, and who had fanned him with a fly flapper in my hand, (now) like this (i.e. reduced to such a condition) dare give (him i.e. serve him with food)? How should I, with my body smeared with perspiration and dirt, see the king (now)?

108-109a. It is clear that he, emancipated by you, his son, has reached heaven. Seeing me, an innocent unhappy young lady, being distressed in the forest, the king would have been pained; so I concealed myself.

109b-110a. O Rāma you are like my (own) life; so nothing is to be concealed from you. This being the truth I touch your feet (i.e. I swear by your feet that this is the truth)”.

110b-111. Hearing those (words of Sītā), Rāma was pleased. He put that sweet-speaking beloved (of his) on his lap and embraced her closely and respectfully. The two heroes (i.e. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa) then took food and after (they had eaten) Sitā took food.

112. She and the two descendants of Raghu (i.e. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa) remained there like that. When the sun rose, they decided to go.

113-114a. When Rāma walked towards the west for two Krośas upto the Jyeṣṭha Puṣkara, and when he stood in the eastern region of Puṣkara, he heard the words uttered by a divine envoy:

114b-115. “O Rāghava, well-being to you; this is a holy place access to which is difficult. O hero, remaining here, bring religious merit to yourself. You have to carry out the mission of gods. You have to kill the enemies of gods.”

116. Then the hero, with his mind pleased, said (these) words to Lakṣmaṇa: “O son of Sumitrā , I have been favoured by Brahmā, the lord of gods.

117. O Lakṣmaṇa, putting up a hermitage here, I desire to observe an excellent vow, purifying my body for a month.”

118-119a. When Lakṣmaṇa said, “All right”, Rāma completed the vow, and gratified, according to the proper rites, the grandsires by means of offering piṇḍas, giving gifts and performing śrāddhas there i.e. at Puṣkara.

119b-12la. At the (three) Puṣkaras there is the river pleasing the manes and having the five streams viz. Kanakā , Suprabhā , Nandā , Prācī and Sarasvatī . Rāma having daily worshipped first his father and then other manes said (these) words to Lakṣmaṇa:

12lb-122. “Come on, O Lakṣmaṇa, quickly bring water from Puṣkara. Having washed (my) feet sleep on the bed. When the night will come to an end (i.e. in the morning) we shall proceed towards the southern ditection.

123. But Lakṣmaṇa said (these) words: “Let Sītā bring the water. I shall not always act as your servant, O Rāma.

124. She is (more) strong and stout (than) even I (am). Tell me now, what You will do with a wife like this.

125. Will this one, dear to you, follow you when you die? You have always been protecting this very stout (lady).

126. O best of the Raghus, she, being delighted, torments me (i.e. she takes delight in tormenting me); O Rāma, you too trouble me. In the sequel there is a loss.

127. For you I am always putting up with thirst and hunger. There is no doubt about it. Listen further:

128. The wise say that nobody—the wife, the son—goes after a dead person. Nor even wealth goes (after a dead person).

129. With a desire to do what was dear to Kaikeyī, your father put you, O Rāma, into the forest and (then he) died leaving the kingdom free from any source of vexation.

130. That Kaikeyī, (this) wealth and all (his) relatives remained here (i.e. on the earth only). The great king all alone went his way.

131. I think Sītā will certainly not accompany you. Tell me now, O Rāghava, what will you do with her?”

132. Having heard (these) words of Lakṣmaṇa, which he had never heard before, Rāghava remained dejected; so also Sītā of a charming face.

133-134. Sītā did whatever was told by Lakṣmaṇa. The two lotus-eyed heroes, having bathed at Puṣkara and having eaten (food there) and having passed the night there, decided to leave that place. (Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa): “O son of Sumitrā, come on, get up. We shall proceed to southern direction.”

135. Lakṣmaṇa said: “O Rāma, I shall in no case go (with you). O you lotus-eyed one, go with this your wife.

136. O Rāghava, I shall not go to any other forest, nor shall I go to Ayodhyā. For fourteen years I shall stay in this forest (only).

137. If you will not go (i.e. if you do not want to go) to Ayodhyā without me, then O king, O lord, (please) come this way.

138. If till that time I shall survive then I shall go to (our) father’s city (with you). I shall practise penance (here). What will you (i.e. what have you to) do with me?

139. O dear one, go; a happy journey to you. Let there be no obstructions in your journey. I shall see you, the lotus-eyed one, when you will again come with your wife.

140. O king, in Ayodhyā there is the kingdom that has come down from our grand-father and father. Śatrughna and Bharata obey your orders.

141-142. I am against you, especially as far as the residence in the forest is concerned. O you tormentor of enemies, I am unable to work incessantly day and night. O dear one, go as you please.” Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa, who was speaking thus:

143-144. “How (is it that) you formerly went out of (i.e. left) Ayodhyā with me? (Why did you say) ‘Rāma, I shall stay in the forest with you for fourteen years but not even in heaven without you; O best among men, I shall meet the same fate as you.

145. O Rāghava, (please) do me afavour; take me too (with you).’ Then, O you killer of enemies, how are you remaining (i.e. leaving me) halfway?”

146. However, Lakṣmaṇa said to Rāma: “I shall not go to the forest again”. Seeing Lakṣmaṇa stationary (i.e. not making a move), Rāma said (these) words:

147-148. “O Lakṣmaṇa, follow me, or I shall (all) alone go to forest. This Sītā will be second to me (i.e. will accompany me).” Thus addressed by Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa accepted (i.e. agreed to) Rāma’s words, and got up. The two tormentors of enemies (i.e. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa) reached the boundary of the sacred place, the Maryādā mountain.

149-151. Rāma, having gained the virtuous feeling [2] and having cast off the feelings of great activity and ignorance, joining the palms of his hand, and with his body horripilated, having made a resp ectful obeisance by the prostration of the eight limbs of his body to Ajagandha , the trident-holder, the god with three eyes, the god of gods, and remaining restrained, glorified S aṅkara, dear to Pārvatī . He regarded the god, the lord of gods, as the cause of the worlds.

Rāma said :

152. “I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara , who affords protection, who has fashioned this entire mobile and immobile world and who is the doer of (all) deeds and who gives pleasure and pain, and who, at the time of the end (of the world), is also the cause of the destruction of the world.

153. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and who held on his head, like a garland of unsteady flowers, Gaṅgā with her water at once pure, charming and rolling, and having fearful waves, falling from the sky.

154. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and sustained by whose lotus-like foot the peak of the Kailāsa -mountain, when tossed by Rāvaṇa resembling the peak of the Kailāsa-mountain, became steady.

155. I seek the refuge of Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and who on many occasions destroyed the sons of Danu and who united with (i.e. granted) boons to the groups of Vidyādharas and serpents and the best sages eating (i.e. subsisting on) fruits and roots.

156. I seek the refuge of Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and who in Dakṣa ’s sacrifice destroyed Bhaga ’s [3] eyes and knocked out Pūṣan ’s [4] rows of teeth, and who paralysed Indra’s hand holding the thunderbolt.

157. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and by resorting to whom men who have committed sins, whose minds are attached to sensual pleasures, and who are not endowed with qualities of learning, following understanding, become enjoyers of happiness.

158. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and whose lustre resembles that of a crore of moons and suns, who is held in awe, by the best demons and gods and who drank the exceedingly burning Kālakūṭa .

159. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and who, the revered great lord, many times would grant (i.e. has granted) a boon to Brahmā, Indra, Rudra, Maruts and Skanda and who also took out Nandi from the jaws of death.

160. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, who was propitiated (by Pārvatī) by means of the Dhūmavrata involving a severe penance in Himālaya ’s bower, which was even mentally inaccessible; and who, the great-souled one, told Bhṛgu (the lore of) bringing back (a being) to life.

161. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who was worshipped by various mighty lords of his attendants having faces like those of elephants and cats and destroying Dakṣa’s sacrifice and (who was) also (worshipped) by the groups of gods along with the regents of quarters.

162. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, who, having mounted upon a strong bull white like a conch-shell, a Kunda flower and the moon, and (who) being followed by the daughter of the lord of mountains, moves in the sky decorated with the clouds at the dissolution of the world.

163. I seek the refuge of Śaṅkara, who affords protection, who vehemently protected the tranquil sage, humble with devotion, intent on praising (Śaṅkara), that was being taken back by those terrible and very fearful men bent upon the application of restraints.

164. I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and who, the god, forcibly cut off the fifth head of Brahmā resembling a fresh lotus in the presence of gods with the nail-tip of his lotus-like right hand.

165 I seek the refuge of that Śaṅkara, who affords protection, and having saluted the feet of whom, the granter of boons, with devotion, and having praised whom with chaste words, the careful, blazing sun, removes the darkness with his rays.

166. (O god) those stupid men of impure minds, who, due to their close attachment to grandeur, pride and trade, do not recognise you to be the lord of the best gods and of this mobile and immobile world, (later) experience tortures of hell.

167. To Rama, who was praising ( Śiva ) with these words, Vṛṣadhvaja the trident-holder, being glad and with his mind pleased said (these) words:

Rudra said :

168. I am pleased; well-being to you; you are born in a pure family. You are god, who has taken up a human form and are adorable to the world.

169-171. With you as their lord, gods will enjoy happiness for a long time. Those men on the earth who will see you having returned to Ayodhyā after fourteen years have elapsed, will be happy here (i.e. in this world) and will also have an unending residence in heaven. Come back to the city (of Ayodhyā) after having done a great mission for the gods.

Rāma also, saying ‘All right’, quickly left.

172. Having reached the Indramārgā river and having tied the long tresses of hair twisted on the top of his head he said to Lakṣmaṇa: “Give this bow to me.”

173. Hearing those words of Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa said to Sītā: “O revered lady, why has Rāma abandoned me without any reason?

174. I do not know the fault for which the great-armed one has forsaken me. Rāma has abandoned me. I shall certainly give up my life.

175. There is no use of this life to me? Fie upon me who am a disgrace to the family, and who, a sinner have thus angered my elder brother.

176. When the great-souled one has had a bad opinion about me which worlds shall I go to?” Putting both his hands on his face, he, with his throat (choked) with tears, said this (i.e. these words):

I 77. “I (shall) not harm Rāma by means of deed, thought or speech. O revered lady, I have touched your feet. I have no other course.”

178. Then Sītā said to Rāma: “Why have you forsaken your younger brother? Give up harshness to young Lakṣmaṇa, bestower of prosperity”.

179. Then Rāma said to Sītā: “I shall not forsake Lakṣmaṇa; O dear one, I have not given up thinking about Lakṣmaṇa even in a dream.

180. I have formerly heard about the working of this holy place. In this place all people are really intent upon self-interest.

181. They do not care for one another, nor do they listen to words beneficial to themselves. Sons do not (care to) listen to the words of their father, nor do fathers (care to) listen to the words of their sons.

182. Also disciples do not (care to) listen to the words of their preceptor nor preceptor to those of disciples. Love always depends upon money. No one is dear to anyone (else).”

183. While talking like this only, he reached the great river Revā . (Then) the descendant of Kakutstha [5] (i.e. Rāma) with his younger brother and Sītā bathed (there).

184. Having gratified his manes and deities with water, and having repeatedly looked up, at the Sun and (other) deities, he remained in abstract meditation.

185. Rāma who had bathed (there) shone with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa like lord Śiva with Pārvatī and Skanda.

[1]: [1] : Kutapaka Kāla —eighth muhūrta of the day.

[2]: [2] : Sāttvika bhāva etc. see chapter 2 above.

[3]: [3] : Bhaga —according to a later legend his eyes were destroyed by Rudra.

[4]: [4] : Pūṣan —In the Brāhmaṇas , he is represented as having lost his teeth and feeling on a kind of gruel (See e.g. Kauśītaki Brāhmaṇa —VI.13), whence he is called Karambhād.

[5]: [5] : Kākutstha —descendant of Kakutstha. Kakutstha is an epithet of Purañjaya, a king of the solar race. See Raghuvaṃśa 6.71.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 33875, revision 334502 (2022-04-04T20:35:18Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364155.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.