Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 35
Sourceभीष्म उवाच। उक्तं भगवता सर्वं पुराणाश्रयसंयुतं। तथा श्वेतेन ब्रह्मांडं गुरवे प्रतिपादितं१। श्रुत्वैतत्कौतुकं जातं यथा तेनास्थिलेहनं। कृतं क्षुधापनोदार्थे अन्नदानाद्विना द्विज२। तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि पृथिव्यां ये च पार्थिवाः। अन्नदानाद्दिवं प्राप्ताः क्रतवश्चान्नमूलकाः३। कथं तस्य मतिर्नष्टा श्वेतस्य च महात्मनः। न दत्तं तेनान्नदानमृषिभिर्वा न दर्शितम्४। अहो माहात्म्यमन्नस्य इह दत्तस्य यत्फलम्। परत्र भुज्यते पुंभिः स्वर्गश्चाक्षयतां व्रजेत्५। अन्नदानं परं विप्राः कीर्तयंति सदोत्थिताः। अन्नदानात्सुरेद्रेण त्रैलोक्यमिह भुज्यते६। शतक्रतुरिति प्रोक्तः सर्वैरेव द्विजोत्तमैः। तेनावस्थां तत्सदृशीं प्राप्तवांस्त्रिदशेश्वरः७। दानदेवगतः स्वर्गं त्वत्तः सर्वं श्रुतं मया। अपरं च पुरावृत्तं निवृत्तं यदि कर्हिचित्८। भूयोपि श्रोतुमिच्छामि तन्मे वद महामते। पुलस्त्य उवाच। एतदाख्यानकं पूर्वमगस्त्येन महात्मना९। रामाय कथितं राजंस्तत्ते वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्। भीष्म उवाच। कस्मिन्वंशे समुत्पन्नो रामोऽसौ नृपसत्तमः१०। यस्यागस्त्येन कथितश्चेतिहासः पुरातनः। पुलस्त्य उवाच। रघुवंशे समुत्पन्नो रामो नाम महाबलः११। देवकार्यं कृतं तेन लंकायां रावणो हतः। पृथिवीं राज्यसंस्थस्य ऋषयोऽभ्यागता गृहे१२। प्राप्तास्ते तु महात्मानो राघवस्य निवेशनम्। प्रतीहारस्ततो राममगस्त्यवचनाद्द्रुतम्१३। आवेदयामास ऋषीन्प्राप्तास्तांश्च त्वरान्वितः। दृष्ट्वा रामं द्वारपालः पूर्णचंद्रमिवोदितम्१४। कौसल्यासुत भद्रं ते सुप्रभाताद्य शर्वरी। द्रष्टुमभ्युदयं तेद्य सम्प्राप्तो रघुनंदन१५। अगस्त्यो मुनिभिः सार्धं द्वारि तिष्ठति ते नृप। श्रुत्वा प्राप्तान्मुनीन्रामस्तान्भास्करसमद्युतीन्१६। प्राह वाक्यं तदा द्वास्थं प्रवेशय त्वरान्वितः। किमर्थं तु त्वया द्वारि निरुद्धा मुनिसत्तमाः१७। रामवाक्यान्मुनींस्तांस्तु प्रावेशयद्यथासुखम्। दृष्ट्वा तु तान्मुनींन्प्राप्तान्प्रत्युवाच कृतांजलि१८। रामोऽभिवाद्य प्रणत आसनेषु न्यवेशयत्। ते तु कांचनचित्रेषु स्वास्तीर्णेषु सुखेषु च१९। कुशोत्तरेषु चासीनाः समंतान्मुनिपुंगवाः। पाद्यमाचमनीयं च ददौ चार्घ्यं पुरोहितः२०। रामेण कुशलं पृष्टा ऋषयः सर्व एव ते। महर्षयो वेदविद इदं वचनमब्रुवन्२१। कुशलं ते महाबाहो सर्वत्र रघुनंदन। त्वां तु दिष्ट्या कुशलिनं पश्यामो हतविद्विषम्२२। हृता सीतातिपापेन रावणेन दुरात्मना। पत्नी ते रघुशार्दूल तस्या एवौजसा हतः२३। असहायेन चैकेन त्वया राम रणे हतः। यादृशं ते कृतं कर्म तस्य कर्ता न विद्यते२४। इह संभाषितुं प्राप्ता दृष्ट्वा पूताः स्म सांप्रतम्। दर्शनात्तव राजेंद्र सर्वे जातास्तपस्विनः२५। रावणस्य वधात्तेद्य कृतमश्रुप्रमार्जनम्। दत्वा पुण्यामिमां वीर जगत्यभयदक्षिणाम्२६। दिष्ट्या वर्धसि काकुत्स्थ जयेनामितविक्रम। दृष्टस्संभाषितश्चासि यास्यामश्चाश्रमान्स्वकान्२७। अरण्यं ते प्रविष्टस्य मया चेंद्रशरासनम्। अर्पितं चाक्षयौ तूणौ कवचं च परंतप२८। भूयोप्यागमनं कार्यमाश्रमे मे रघूद्वह। एवमुक्त्वा तु ते सर्वे मुनयोंतर्हिताऽभवन्२९। गतेषु मुनिमुख्येषु रामो धर्मभृतां वरः। चिंतयामास तत्कार्यं किं स्यान्मे मुनिनोदितम्३०। भूयोप्यागमनं कार्यमाश्रमे रघुनंदन। अवश्यमेव गंतव्यं मयाऽगस्त्यस्य सन्निधौ३१। श्रोतव्यं देवगुह्यं तु कार्यमन्यच्च यद्वदेत्। एवं चिंतयतस्तस्य रामस्यामिततेजसः३२। करिष्ये नियतं धर्मं धर्मो हि परमा गतिः। सुतवर्षसहस्राणि दश राज्यमकारयत्३३। ददतो जुह्वतश्चैव जग्मुस्तान्येकवर्षवत्। प्रजाः पालयतस्तस्य राघवस्य महात्मनः३४। एतस्मिन्नेव दिवसे वृद्धो जानपदो द्विजः। मृतं पुत्रमुपादाय रामद्वारमुपागतः३५। उवाच विविधं वाक्यं स्नेहाक्षरसमन्वितम्। दुष्कृतं किंतु मे पुत्र पूर्वदेहांतरे कृतम्३६। त्वामेकपुत्रं यदहं पश्यामि निधनं गतम्। अप्राप्तयौवनं बालं पंचवर्षं गतायुषम्३७। अकाले कालमापन्नं दुःखाय मम पुत्रक। अकृत्वा पितृकार्याणि गतो वैवस्वतक्षयम्३८। रामस्य दुष्कृतं व्यक्तं येन ते मृत्युरागतः। बालवध्या ब्रह्मवध्या स्त्रीवध्या चैव राघवम्३९। प्रवेक्ष्यति न सन्देहः सभार्ये तु मृते मयि। शुश्राव राघवः सर्वं दुःखशोकसमन्वितम्४०। निवार्य तं द्विजं रामो वसिष्ठं वाक्यमब्रवीत्। किं मयाद्य च कर्तव्यं कार्यमेवं विधे स्थिते४१। प्राणानहं जुहोम्यग्नौ पर्वताद्वा पतेह्यहम्। कथं शुद्धिमहं यामि श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणभाषितम्४२। वसिष्ठस्याग्रतः स्थित्वा राज्ञो दीनस्य नारदः। प्रत्युवाच श्रुतं वाक्यमृषीणां सन्निधौ तदा४३। शृणु राम यथाकालं प्राप्तो वै बालसंक्षयः। पुरा कृतयुगे राम सर्वत्र ब्राह्मणोत्तरम्४४। अब्राह्मणो न वै कश्चित्तपस्तपति राघव। अमृत्यवस्तदा सर्वे जायंते चिरजीविनः४५। त्रेतायुगे पुनः प्राप्ते ब्रह्मक्षत्रमनुत्तमम्। अधर्मो द्वापरे तेषां वैश्यान्शूद्रांस्तथाविशत्४६। एवं निरंतरं जुष्टमुद्भूतमनृतं पुनः। अधर्मस्य त्रयः पादा एको धर्मस्य चागतः४७। ततः पूर्वे भृशं त्रस्ता वर्णा ब्राह्मणपूर्वकाः। भूयः पादस्तु धर्मस्य द्वितीयः समपद्यत४८। तस्मिन्द्वापरसंज्ञे तु तपो वैश्यं समाविशत्। युगत्रयस्य वैधर्म्यं धर्मस्य प्रतितिष्ठति४९। कलिसंज्ञे ततः प्राप्ते वर्तमाने युगेंतिमे। अधर्मश्चानृतं चैव ववृधाते नरर्षभ1.35.५०। भविता शूद्रयोन्यां तु तपश्चर्या कलौ युगे। स ते विषयपर्यंते राजन्नुग्रतरं तपः५१। शूद्रस्तपति दुर्बुद्धिस्तेन बालवधः कृतः। यस्याधर्ममकार्यं वा विषये पार्थिवस्य हि५२। पुरे वा राजशार्दूल कुरुते दुर्मतिर्नरः। क्षिप्रं स नरकं याति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्५३। चतुर्थं तस्य पापस्य भागमश्नाति पार्थिवः। सत्त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल गच्छस्व विषयं स्वकम्५४। दुष्कृतं यत्र पश्येथास्तत्र यत्नं समाचर। एवं ते धर्मवृद्धिश्च बलस्य वर्धनं तथा५५। भविष्यति नरश्रेष्ठ बालस्यास्य च जीवनम्। नारदेनैवमुक्तस्तु साश्चर्यो रघुनंदनः५६। प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे लक्ष्मणं चेदमब्रवीत्। गच्छ सौम्य द्विजश्रेष्ठं समाश्वासय लक्ष्मण५७। बालस्य च शरीरं त्वं तैलद्रोण्यां निधापय। गंधैश्च परमोदारैस्तैलैश्चैव सुगंधिभिः५८। यथा न शीर्यते बालस्तथा सौम्य विधीयताम्। यथा शरीरं गुप्तं स्याद्बालस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः५९। विपत्तिः परिभेदो वा न भवेत्तत्तथा कुरु। तथा संदिश्य सौमित्रं लक्ष्मणं शुभलक्षणम्६०। मनसा पुष्पकं दध्यावागच्छेति महायशाः। इंगितं तत्तु विज्ञाय कामगं हेमभूषितम्६१। आजगाम मुहूर्तात्तु समीपं राघवस्य हि। सोब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमहमस्मि नराधिप६२। अग्रे तव महाबाहो किंकरः समुपस्थितः। भाषितं सुचिरं श्रुत्वा पुष्पकस्य नराधिप६३। अभिवाद्य महर्षींस्तान्विमानं सोध्यरोहत। धनुर्गृहीत्वा तूणौ च खड्गं चापि महाप्रभम्६४। निक्षिप्य नगरे वीरौ सौमित्रि भरतावुभौ। प्रायात्प्रतीचीं त्वरितो विचिन्वन्सुसमाहितः६५। उत्तरामगमत्पश्चाद्दिशं हिमवदाश्रिताम्। पूर्वामपि दिशां गत्वा तथाऽपश्यन्नराधिपः६६। सर्वां शुद्धसमाचारामादर्शमिव निर्मलाम्। ततो दिशं समाक्रामद्दक्षिणां रघुनंदनः६७। शैलस्य उत्तरे पार्श्वे ददर्श सुमहत्सरः। तस्मिन्सरसि तप्यंतं तापसं सुमहत्तपः६८। ददर्श राघवो भीमं लंबमानमधोमुखं। तमुपागम्य काकुत्स्थस्तप्यमानं तु तापसम्६९। उवाच राघवो वाक्यं धन्यस्त्वममरप्रभ। कस्यां योनौ तपोवृद्धिर्वर्तते दृढनिश्चय७०। अहं दाशरथी रामः पृच्छामि त्वां कुतूहलात्। कोर्थो व्यवसितस्तुभ्यं स्वर्गलोकोथ वेतरः७१। किमर्थं तप्यसे वा त्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तापस। ब्राह्मणो वासि भद्रं ते क्षत्रियो वाथ दुर्जयः७२। वैश्यस्तृतीयवर्णो वा शूद्रो वा सत्यमुच्यताम्। तपः सत्यात्मकं नित्यं स्वर्गलोकपरिग्रहे७३। सात्विकं राजसं चैव तच्च सत्यात्मकं तपः। जगदुपकारहेतुर्हि सृष्टं तद्वै विरिंचिना७४। रौद्रं क्षत्रियतेजोजं तत्तु राजसमुच्यते। परस्योत्सादनार्थाय तच्चासुरमुदाहृतम्७५। अंगानि निह्नुते यो वा असृग्दिग्धानि भागशः। पंचाग्निंसाधयेद्वापि सिद्धिं वा मृत्युमेव वा७६। आसुरो ह्येष ते भावो न च मे त्वं द्विजो मतः। सत्यं ते वदतः सिद्धिरनृते नास्ति जीवितम्७७। तस्य तद्भाषितं श्रुत्वा रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः। अवाक्शिरास्तथा भूतो वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह७८। स्वागतं ते नृपश्रेष्ठ चिराद्दृष्टोसि राघव। पुत्रभूतोस्मि ते चाहं पितृभूतोसि मेनघ७९। अथवा नैतदेवं हि सर्वेषां नृपतिः पिता। सत्वमर्च्योऽसि भो राजन्वयं ते विषये तपः८०। चरामस्तत्रभागोस्ति पूर्वं सृष्टः स्वयंभुवा। न धन्याः स्मो वयं राम धन्यस्त्वमसि पार्थिव८१। यस्य ते विषये ह्येवं सिद्धिमिच्छंति तापसाः। तपसा त्वं मदीयेन सिद्धिमाप्नुहि राघव८२। यदेतद्भवता प्रोक्तं योनौ कस्यां तु ते तपः। शूद्रयोनिप्रसूतोहं तप उग्रं समास्थितः८३। देवत्वं प्रार्थये राम स्वशरीरेण सुव्रत। न मिथ्याहं वदे भूप देवलोकजिगीषया८४। शूद्रं मां विद्धि काकुत्स्थ शंबूकं नाम नामतः। भाषतस्तस्य काकुत्स्थः खड्गं तु रुचिरप्रभं८५। निष्कृष्य कोशाद्विमलं शिरश्चिच्छेद राघवः। तस्मिन्शूद्रे हते देवाः सेन्द्राश्चाग्निपुरोगमाः८६। साधुसाध्विति काकुत्स्थं प्रशशंसुर्मुहुर्मुहुः। पुष्पवृष्टिश्च महती देवानां सुसुगंधिनी८७। आकाशाद्विप्रमुक्ता तु राघवं सर्वतोकिरत्। सुप्रीताश्चाब्रुवन्देवा रामं वाक्यविदांवरम्८८। सुरकार्यमिदं सौम्य कृतं ते रघुनंदन। गृहाण च वरं राम यमिच्छसि महाव्रत८९। त्वत्कृतेन हि शूद्रोऽयं सशरीरोऽभ्यगाद्दिवं। देवानां भाषितं श्रुत्वा राघवः सुसमाहितः९०। उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं सहस्राक्षं पुरंदरम्। यदि देवाः प्रसन्ना मे वरार्हो यदि वाप्यहम्९१। कर्मणा यदि मे प्रीता द्विजपुत्रः स जीवतु। वरमेतद्धि भवतां कांक्षितं परमं हि मे९२। ममापराधाद्बालोऽसौ ब्राह्मणस्यैकपुत्रकः। अप्राप्तकालः कालेन नीतो वैवस्वत क्षयम्९३। तं जीवयत भद्रं वो नानृती स्यामहं गुरोः। द्विजस्य संश्रुतो ह्यर्थो जीवयिष्यामि ते सुतम्९४। मदीयेनायुषा बालं पादेनार्द्धेन वा सुराः। जीवेदयं वरो मह्यं वरकोट्यधिको वृतः९५। राघवस्य तु तद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा विबुधसत्तमाः। प्रत्यूचुस्ते महात्मानं प्रीताः प्रीतिसमन्विताः९६। निर्वृतो भव काकुत्स्थ ब्राह्मणस्यैकपुत्रकः। जीवितं प्राप्तवान्भूयः समेतश्चापि बंधुभिः९७। यस्मिन्मुहूर्ते काकुत्स्थ शूद्रोयं विनिपातितः। तस्मिन्मुहूर्ते सहसा जीवेन समयुज्यत९८। स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि भद्रं ते साधयामः परंतपः। अगस्त्यस्याश्रमपदे द्रष्टारः स्म महामुनिम्९९। स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय देवानां रघुनंदनः। आरुरोह विमानं तं पुष्पकं हेमभूषितम्१००।
bhīṣma uvāca| uktaṃ bhagavatā sarvaṃ purāṇāśrayasaṃyutaṃ| tathā śvetena brahmāṃḍaṃ gurave pratipāditaṃ1| śrutvaitatkautukaṃ jātaṃ yathā tenāsthilehanaṃ| kṛtaṃ kṣudhāpanodārthe annadānādvinā dvija2| tadahaṃ śrotumicchāmi pṛthivyāṃ ye ca pārthivāḥ| annadānāddivaṃ prāptāḥ kratavaścānnamūlakāḥ3| kathaṃ tasya matirnaṣṭā śvetasya ca mahātmanaḥ| na dattaṃ tenānnadānamṛṣibhirvā na darśitam4| aho māhātmyamannasya iha dattasya yatphalam| paratra bhujyate puṃbhiḥ svargaścākṣayatāṃ vrajet5| annadānaṃ paraṃ viprāḥ kīrtayaṃti sadotthitāḥ| annadānātsuredreṇa trailokyamiha bhujyate6| śatakraturiti proktaḥ sarvaireva dvijottamaiḥ| tenāvasthāṃ tatsadṛśīṃ prāptavāṃstridaśeśvaraḥ7| dānadevagataḥ svargaṃ tvattaḥ sarvaṃ śrutaṃ mayā| aparaṃ ca purāvṛttaṃ nivṛttaṃ yadi karhicit8| bhūyopi śrotumicchāmi tanme vada mahāmate| pulastya uvāca| etadākhyānakaṃ pūrvamagastyena mahātmanā9| rāmāya kathitaṃ rājaṃstatte vakṣyāmi sāṃpratam| bhīṣma uvāca| kasminvaṃśe samutpanno rāmo'sau nṛpasattamaḥ10| yasyāgastyena kathitaścetihāsaḥ purātanaḥ| pulastya uvāca| raghuvaṃśe samutpanno rāmo nāma mahābalaḥ11| devakāryaṃ kṛtaṃ tena laṃkāyāṃ rāvaṇo hataḥ| pṛthivīṃ rājyasaṃsthasya ṛṣayo'bhyāgatā gṛhe12| prāptāste tu mahātmāno rāghavasya niveśanam| pratīhārastato rāmamagastyavacanāddrutam13| āvedayāmāsa ṛṣīnprāptāstāṃśca tvarānvitaḥ| dṛṣṭvā rāmaṃ dvārapālaḥ pūrṇacaṃdramivoditam14| kausalyāsuta bhadraṃ te suprabhātādya śarvarī| draṣṭumabhyudayaṃ tedya samprāpto raghunaṃdana15| agastyo munibhiḥ sārdhaṃ dvāri tiṣṭhati te nṛpa| śrutvā prāptānmunīnrāmastānbhāskarasamadyutīn16| prāha vākyaṃ tadā dvāsthaṃ praveśaya tvarānvitaḥ| kimarthaṃ tu tvayā dvāri niruddhā munisattamāḥ17| rāmavākyānmunīṃstāṃstu prāveśayadyathāsukham| dṛṣṭvā tu tānmunīṃnprāptānpratyuvāca kṛtāṃjali18| rāmo'bhivādya praṇata āsaneṣu nyaveśayat| te tu kāṃcanacitreṣu svāstīrṇeṣu sukheṣu ca19| kuśottareṣu cāsīnāḥ samaṃtānmunipuṃgavāḥ| pādyamācamanīyaṃ ca dadau cārghyaṃ purohitaḥ20| rāmeṇa kuśalaṃ pṛṣṭā ṛṣayaḥ sarva eva te| maharṣayo vedavida idaṃ vacanamabruvan21| kuśalaṃ te mahābāho sarvatra raghunaṃdana| tvāṃ tu diṣṭyā kuśalinaṃ paśyāmo hatavidviṣam22| hṛtā sītātipāpena rāvaṇena durātmanā| patnī te raghuśārdūla tasyā evaujasā hataḥ23| asahāyena caikena tvayā rāma raṇe hataḥ| yādṛśaṃ te kṛtaṃ karma tasya kartā na vidyate24| iha saṃbhāṣituṃ prāptā dṛṣṭvā pūtāḥ sma sāṃpratam| darśanāttava rājeṃdra sarve jātāstapasvinaḥ25| rāvaṇasya vadhāttedya kṛtamaśrupramārjanam| datvā puṇyāmimāṃ vīra jagatyabhayadakṣiṇām26| diṣṭyā vardhasi kākutstha jayenāmitavikrama| dṛṣṭassaṃbhāṣitaścāsi yāsyāmaścāśramānsvakān27| araṇyaṃ te praviṣṭasya mayā ceṃdraśarāsanam| arpitaṃ cākṣayau tūṇau kavacaṃ ca paraṃtapa28| bhūyopyāgamanaṃ kāryamāśrame me raghūdvaha| evamuktvā tu te sarve munayoṃtarhitā'bhavan29| gateṣu munimukhyeṣu rāmo dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ| ciṃtayāmāsa tatkāryaṃ kiṃ syānme muninoditam30| bhūyopyāgamanaṃ kāryamāśrame raghunaṃdana| avaśyameva gaṃtavyaṃ mayā'gastyasya sannidhau31| śrotavyaṃ devaguhyaṃ tu kāryamanyacca yadvadet| evaṃ ciṃtayatastasya rāmasyāmitatejasaḥ32| kariṣye niyataṃ dharmaṃ dharmo hi paramā gatiḥ| sutavarṣasahasrāṇi daśa rājyamakārayat33| dadato juhvataścaiva jagmustānyekavarṣavat| prajāḥ pālayatastasya rāghavasya mahātmanaḥ34| etasminneva divase vṛddho jānapado dvijaḥ| mṛtaṃ putramupādāya rāmadvāramupāgataḥ35| uvāca vividhaṃ vākyaṃ snehākṣarasamanvitam| duṣkṛtaṃ kiṃtu me putra pūrvadehāṃtare kṛtam36| tvāmekaputraṃ yadahaṃ paśyāmi nidhanaṃ gatam| aprāptayauvanaṃ bālaṃ paṃcavarṣaṃ gatāyuṣam37| akāle kālamāpannaṃ duḥkhāya mama putraka| akṛtvā pitṛkāryāṇi gato vaivasvatakṣayam38| rāmasya duṣkṛtaṃ vyaktaṃ yena te mṛtyurāgataḥ| bālavadhyā brahmavadhyā strīvadhyā caiva rāghavam39| pravekṣyati na sandehaḥ sabhārye tu mṛte mayi| śuśrāva rāghavaḥ sarvaṃ duḥkhaśokasamanvitam40| nivārya taṃ dvijaṃ rāmo vasiṣṭhaṃ vākyamabravīt| kiṃ mayādya ca kartavyaṃ kāryamevaṃ vidhe sthite41| prāṇānahaṃ juhomyagnau parvatādvā patehyaham| kathaṃ śuddhimahaṃ yāmi śrutvā brāhmaṇabhāṣitam42| vasiṣṭhasyāgrataḥ sthitvā rājño dīnasya nāradaḥ| pratyuvāca śrutaṃ vākyamṛṣīṇāṃ sannidhau tadā43| śṛṇu rāma yathākālaṃ prāpto vai bālasaṃkṣayaḥ| purā kṛtayuge rāma sarvatra brāhmaṇottaram44| abrāhmaṇo na vai kaścittapastapati rāghava| amṛtyavastadā sarve jāyaṃte cirajīvinaḥ45| tretāyuge punaḥ prāpte brahmakṣatramanuttamam| adharmo dvāpare teṣāṃ vaiśyānśūdrāṃstathāviśat46| evaṃ niraṃtaraṃ juṣṭamudbhūtamanṛtaṃ punaḥ| adharmasya trayaḥ pādā eko dharmasya cāgataḥ47| tataḥ pūrve bhṛśaṃ trastā varṇā brāhmaṇapūrvakāḥ| bhūyaḥ pādastu dharmasya dvitīyaḥ samapadyata48| tasmindvāparasaṃjñe tu tapo vaiśyaṃ samāviśat| yugatrayasya vaidharmyaṃ dharmasya pratitiṣṭhati49| kalisaṃjñe tataḥ prāpte vartamāne yugeṃtime| adharmaścānṛtaṃ caiva vavṛdhāte nararṣabha1.35.50| bhavitā śūdrayonyāṃ tu tapaścaryā kalau yuge| sa te viṣayaparyaṃte rājannugrataraṃ tapaḥ51| śūdrastapati durbuddhistena bālavadhaḥ kṛtaḥ| yasyādharmamakāryaṃ vā viṣaye pārthivasya hi52| pure vā rājaśārdūla kurute durmatirnaraḥ| kṣipraṃ sa narakaṃ yāti yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam53| caturthaṃ tasya pāpasya bhāgamaśnāti pārthivaḥ| sattvaṃ puruṣaśārdūla gacchasva viṣayaṃ svakam54| duṣkṛtaṃ yatra paśyethāstatra yatnaṃ samācara| evaṃ te dharmavṛddhiśca balasya vardhanaṃ tathā55| bhaviṣyati naraśreṣṭha bālasyāsya ca jīvanam| nāradenaivamuktastu sāścaryo raghunaṃdanaḥ56| praharṣamatulaṃ lebhe lakṣmaṇaṃ cedamabravīt| gaccha saumya dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ samāśvāsaya lakṣmaṇa57| bālasya ca śarīraṃ tvaṃ tailadroṇyāṃ nidhāpaya| gaṃdhaiśca paramodāraistailaiścaiva sugaṃdhibhiḥ58| yathā na śīryate bālastathā saumya vidhīyatām| yathā śarīraṃ guptaṃ syādbālasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ59| vipattiḥ paribhedo vā na bhavettattathā kuru| tathā saṃdiśya saumitraṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ śubhalakṣaṇam60| manasā puṣpakaṃ dadhyāvāgaccheti mahāyaśāḥ| iṃgitaṃ tattu vijñāya kāmagaṃ hemabhūṣitam61| ājagāma muhūrtāttu samīpaṃ rāghavasya hi| sobravītprāñjalirvākyamahamasmi narādhipa62| agre tava mahābāho kiṃkaraḥ samupasthitaḥ| bhāṣitaṃ suciraṃ śrutvā puṣpakasya narādhipa63| abhivādya maharṣīṃstānvimānaṃ sodhyarohata| dhanurgṛhītvā tūṇau ca khaḍgaṃ cāpi mahāprabham64| nikṣipya nagare vīrau saumitri bharatāvubhau| prāyātpratīcīṃ tvarito vicinvansusamāhitaḥ65| uttarāmagamatpaścāddiśaṃ himavadāśritām| pūrvāmapi diśāṃ gatvā tathā'paśyannarādhipaḥ66| sarvāṃ śuddhasamācārāmādarśamiva nirmalām| tato diśaṃ samākrāmaddakṣiṇāṃ raghunaṃdanaḥ67| śailasya uttare pārśve dadarśa sumahatsaraḥ| tasminsarasi tapyaṃtaṃ tāpasaṃ sumahattapaḥ68| dadarśa rāghavo bhīmaṃ laṃbamānamadhomukhaṃ| tamupāgamya kākutsthastapyamānaṃ tu tāpasam69| uvāca rāghavo vākyaṃ dhanyastvamamaraprabha| kasyāṃ yonau tapovṛddhirvartate dṛḍhaniścaya70| ahaṃ dāśarathī rāmaḥ pṛcchāmi tvāṃ kutūhalāt| kortho vyavasitastubhyaṃ svargalokotha vetaraḥ71| kimarthaṃ tapyase vā tvaṃ śrotumicchāmi tāpasa| brāhmaṇo vāsi bhadraṃ te kṣatriyo vātha durjayaḥ72| vaiśyastṛtīyavarṇo vā śūdro vā satyamucyatām| tapaḥ satyātmakaṃ nityaṃ svargalokaparigrahe73| sātvikaṃ rājasaṃ caiva tacca satyātmakaṃ tapaḥ| jagadupakāraheturhi sṛṣṭaṃ tadvai viriṃcinā74| raudraṃ kṣatriyatejojaṃ tattu rājasamucyate| parasyotsādanārthāya taccāsuramudāhṛtam75| aṃgāni nihnute yo vā asṛgdigdhāni bhāgaśaḥ| paṃcāgniṃsādhayedvāpi siddhiṃ vā mṛtyumeva vā76| āsuro hyeṣa te bhāvo na ca me tvaṃ dvijo mataḥ| satyaṃ te vadataḥ siddhiranṛte nāsti jīvitam77| tasya tadbhāṣitaṃ śrutvā rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ| avākśirāstathā bhūto vākyametaduvāca ha78| svāgataṃ te nṛpaśreṣṭha cirāddṛṣṭosi rāghava| putrabhūtosmi te cāhaṃ pitṛbhūtosi menagha79| athavā naitadevaṃ hi sarveṣāṃ nṛpatiḥ pitā| satvamarcyo'si bho rājanvayaṃ te viṣaye tapaḥ80| carāmastatrabhāgosti pūrvaṃ sṛṣṭaḥ svayaṃbhuvā| na dhanyāḥ smo vayaṃ rāma dhanyastvamasi pārthiva81| yasya te viṣaye hyevaṃ siddhimicchaṃti tāpasāḥ| tapasā tvaṃ madīyena siddhimāpnuhi rāghava82| yadetadbhavatā proktaṃ yonau kasyāṃ tu te tapaḥ| śūdrayoniprasūtohaṃ tapa ugraṃ samāsthitaḥ83| devatvaṃ prārthaye rāma svaśarīreṇa suvrata| na mithyāhaṃ vade bhūpa devalokajigīṣayā84| śūdraṃ māṃ viddhi kākutstha śaṃbūkaṃ nāma nāmataḥ| bhāṣatastasya kākutsthaḥ khaḍgaṃ tu ruciraprabhaṃ85| niṣkṛṣya kośādvimalaṃ śiraściccheda rāghavaḥ| tasminśūdre hate devāḥ sendrāścāgnipurogamāḥ86| sādhusādhviti kākutsthaṃ praśaśaṃsurmuhurmuhuḥ| puṣpavṛṣṭiśca mahatī devānāṃ susugaṃdhinī87| ākāśādvipramuktā tu rāghavaṃ sarvatokirat| suprītāścābruvandevā rāmaṃ vākyavidāṃvaram88| surakāryamidaṃ saumya kṛtaṃ te raghunaṃdana| gṛhāṇa ca varaṃ rāma yamicchasi mahāvrata89| tvatkṛtena hi śūdro'yaṃ saśarīro'bhyagāddivaṃ| devānāṃ bhāṣitaṃ śrutvā rāghavaḥ susamāhitaḥ90| uvāca prāñjalirvākyaṃ sahasrākṣaṃ puraṃdaram| yadi devāḥ prasannā me varārho yadi vāpyaham91| karmaṇā yadi me prītā dvijaputraḥ sa jīvatu| varametaddhi bhavatāṃ kāṃkṣitaṃ paramaṃ hi me92| mamāparādhādbālo'sau brāhmaṇasyaikaputrakaḥ| aprāptakālaḥ kālena nīto vaivasvata kṣayam93| taṃ jīvayata bhadraṃ vo nānṛtī syāmahaṃ guroḥ| dvijasya saṃśruto hyartho jīvayiṣyāmi te sutam94| madīyenāyuṣā bālaṃ pādenārddhena vā surāḥ| jīvedayaṃ varo mahyaṃ varakoṭyadhiko vṛtaḥ95| rāghavasya tu tadvākyaṃ śrutvā vibudhasattamāḥ| pratyūcuste mahātmānaṃ prītāḥ prītisamanvitāḥ96| nirvṛto bhava kākutstha brāhmaṇasyaikaputrakaḥ| jīvitaṃ prāptavānbhūyaḥ sametaścāpi baṃdhubhiḥ97| yasminmuhūrte kākutstha śūdroyaṃ vinipātitaḥ| tasminmuhūrte sahasā jīvena samayujyata98| svasti prāpnuhi bhadraṃ te sādhayāmaḥ paraṃtapaḥ| agastyasyāśramapade draṣṭāraḥ sma mahāmunim99| sa tatheti pratijñāya devānāṃ raghunaṃdanaḥ| āruroha vimānaṃ taṃ puṣpakaṃ hemabhūṣitam100|
English translation
Bhīṣma said :
1. The revered one has told (me) everything based on the Purāṇa ; and also (has narrated to me) how (king) Śveta presented Brahmāṇḍa to his preceptor.
2. Hearing this curiosity has arisen (in me) as to how, O brāhmaṇa , he licked (his own) bones in the absence of (i.e. as a result of his non-gifting of) food.
3. I desire to hear that; I also desire to hear about other kings on the earth who reached heaven due to (i.e. as a result of) giving food; for sacrifices are based on food.
4. How is it that the great-souled Śveta lost his good sense with the result that he neither gave food to the sages nor showed it to them.
5. Ah, just see the greatness of food. The fruit of the food that is given here is enjoyed by men in heaven; and (due to it) one would have unending (residence in) heaven.
6. The prominent brāhmaṇas have declared the gift of food as great. Due to the gift of food the lord of gods enjoys the three worlds.
7. All best brāhmaṇas call him Śatakratu . Due to that (i.e. the gift of food) the lord of the gods has attained that position.
8-9a. He went to heaven because of having given food. All (this) I have heard from you. If something else has formerly taken place I desire to hear that too again; so, O highly intelligent one, now tell me about it.
Pulastya said :
9b-10a. O king, formerly this old episode was narrated to Rāma by the great-souled Agastya . I shall now tell it to you.
Bhīṣma said :
10b-11a. In which family was Rāama, the best king, to whom Agastya narrated the old episode, born?
Pulastya said :
11b-12a. The very mighty (hero) named Rāma was born in the family of Raghu . He did the mission of gods: he killed Rāvaṇa in Laṅkā .
12b-13a. (Once) sages came to the house of him who had settled (himself) as (the king) of the kingdom of the world. The great-souled (sages) arrived at Rāghava ’s residence.
13b-14a. The doorkeeper, at the bidding of Agastya, immediately informed Rāma that the sages had come (to see him).
14b-16a. Seeing Rama , like the full moon that had risen (he said:) “O son of Kausalyā , well-being to you. The night (has ended and) an auspicious dawn has broken. O king, O descendant of Raghu, to see your prosperity Agastya has today come with sages. He is waiting at the door.”
16b-17. Hearing that the sages, resembling the sun in lustre, had arrived, Rāma said (these) words to the doorkeeper: “Quickly bring them in. Why have you detained the best sages at the door?”
18. At these words of Rāma the doorkeeper gladly ushered them in. Seeing the sages who had arrived, Rāma, with his hands joined in obeisance, spoke (words of greeting to them).
19-20. Rama, having humbly saluted them made them sit on (i.e. offered them) seats. The best sages sat all around on golden, variegated, well-spread, comfortable seats, covered with Kuśa -grass. The family-priest offered them water for washing their feet, for rinsing their mouths and a respectful offering.
21. Rāma enquired after the health and welfare of all the sages. The great sages, well-versed in the Vedas said these words:
22. “O you Raghu’s descendant of mighty arms, welfare to you everywhere. Luckily we are seeing you happy with your enemies killed.
23. O best of Raghus , the extremely vicious Rāvaṇa, the villain, kidnapped Sītā , your wife. He was killed by her vigour only.
24. O Rāma, you all alone killed him in a battle. No other person is (seen) who would do the deed that you did
25. We had come here to talk to you; and now, on seeing you, we all the ascetics, are purified, O lord of kings.
26. You have today wiped the tears (of the world) by killing Rāvaṇa (i.e.) by giving this auspicious gift of fearlessness to the world, O hero.
27. O Rāghava, we are glad due to this victory of yours, O you of unlimited valour. Now that we have seen and talked to you, we shall go to our respective hermitages.
28. O you tormentor of the enemies, I had given Indra ’s bow and two inexhaustible quivers and an armour to you when you had (formerly) entered the forest.
29. O you descendant of Raghu, (please) visit my hermitage again.” Saying so all the sages disappeared.
30. When the chief sages had left, Rāma, the best among the supporters of righteousness, thought about the work (the sages wanted to assign to him. He said to himself:)
31. “What could be the mission (for which) the sage said to me: ‘O you descendant of Raghu, please come to my hermitage-again?’ I must certainly go to Agastya.
32a. I must hear (what the) secret (intention) of the gods is, and the mission that he would tell (me to do).”
32b-33. Rāma, of unlimited lustre, thought like this: “I shall surely perform my duty; for duty is the highest recourse.” He ruled for ten thousand years.
34. That great-souled Rāma, who gave gifts, performed sacrifices and protected his people, passed (this period just) like a year.
35. On this very day an old brāhmaṇa villager bringing with him his dead son, came to the door of (the residence of) Rāma.
36-37. He uttered many sentences with words full of affection: “O son, what wicked deed had I done in my previous existence, that I am seeing you, my only son, a child, who has not even attained youth and has just lived for five years, dead?
38. O son, you have died prematurely (only) to cause me grief. Without doing the obsequial rites you have gone to Yama ’s residence.
39-40. (Indeed) Rama’s wicked deed is evident that death has come to you. When I die with my wife the sin of killing a child, a brāhmaṇa, and a woman will accrue to Rāma; there is no doubt about it.” Rāghava listened to all that accompanied by (i.e. causing) grief.
41. Rāma said (these) words to Vasiṣṭha who was sending the brāhmaṇa back: “When this is the state (of things) what should I do today?
42. I shall sacrifice my life or fall from a mountain. How shall I get purity (i.e. feel innocent) after I have heard the brāhmaṇa’s words?”
43. Nārada who was there in Vasiṣṭha’s proximity, told the dejected Rāma the words he had heard in the vicinity of (i.e. from) the sages:
44-45. “O Rāma, listen (how) at the right time the child’s death has taken place. O Rāma, formerly in Kṛtayuga , everywhere there was the superiority of brāhmaṇas. No non-brāhmaṇa, O Rāghava, even practised penance. All (men) then were immortal and long-lived.
46. Again in Tretāyuga brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas became superior. In Dvāparayuga their sin entered vaiśyas and śūdras .
47. Thus falsehood that was continuously resorted to, again came up (i.e. became effective). Three feet (i.e. three quarters) of unrighteousness and (only) one foot (i.e. quarter) of righteousness appeared there.
48. Then there were many casteless persons led by brāhmaṇas. Then again the second foot (i.e. quarter) of righteousness came (up).
49. In that ( yuga ) called Dvāpara , penance entered (i.e. went to) vaiśyas. The unrighteousness of the three yugas stood [...?]
50. O best man, then when the last yuga called Kali came, (both) unrighteousness and falsehood increased.
51-52a. In (this) Kaliyuga practice of penance will be (found) in the persons born as śūdras. O king, a śūdra , the tormentor of his enemies, and of a wicked mind, is practising a very severe penance at the border of your country. He killed the child.
52b-53. O best of kings, a king, in whose kingdom or (capital-)city, a wicked person does an unrighteous thing unfit to be done, instantly goes to hell (and stays there) till deluge.
54-55a. The king takes the fourth portion of his sin. So, O best among men, you go to that (part of) your country where you will see a wicked deed (being committed). Make an effort (to stop it).
53b-56a. O best of men, by (doing) this your religious merit and might will increase, and also (the span of) this child’s life.”
56b-57a. Thus addressed by Nārada, the descendant of Raghu, who was astonished, obtained incomparable joy, and said these (words) to Lakṣmaṇa :
57b-59a. “O dear Lakṣmaṇa, go to the best brāhmaṇa and console him. Get the boy’s body placed in a trough containing oil. O dear one, using abundant perfumes and fragrant oils do that by which (the body of) the boy does not decay.
59b-60a. Do that by which the body of the boy, who has not done any deed of distress, would be preserved, and by which there would be no mishap or decomposition.”
60b-6la. Having thus ordered Sumitrā ’s son Lakṣmaṇa of good marks he, of great fame, mentally thought of the Puṣpaka aeroplane and ordered it, “Come (here)”.
61b-63a. Knowing the internal thought (of Rāma) that aeroplane, decorated with gold and moving according to (the occupant’s) desire came near Rāma in a short time. He (i.e. the presidi ng deity of the aeroplane) joined the palms of his hands as a mark of humility and said: “O king, (here) I am. This servant, O you of mighty arms, stands before you.”
63b-64a. Having heard, for a long time, the words (of the presiding deity) of the plane, the king saluted those great sages, and got into it.
64b-65. He, the well-composed one, leaving the two heroes Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata in the city, and taking his bow and two quivers as well as his very powerful sword, looking for (the culprit) quickly went towards the west.
66-67. Then he went to the north which was resorted to by the Himālaya (mountain). Then the king went in all parts of the eastern direction (where people followed) good practices and which was spotless like a mirror. Then the descendant of Raghu traversed the south.
68-69a. On the northern side of a mountain he saw a very big lake. In it Rāghava saw a terrible sage hanging upside down, practising very great (i.e. severe) penance.
69b-70a. Rāghava, the descendant of Kakutstha [1] , approached the ascetic practising penance, and said (these) words:“O you having lustre like a god, you are lucky.
70b-71. O you of a firm resolve, in which caste does this penance prosper (i.e. to which caste do you, performing this severe penance, belong)? I am Rama, Daśaratha ’s son, (who am) asking you through curiosity. Which object do you have in mind: heaven or some other world?
72-73a. O ascetic, I desire to hear (i.e. to know) why you are practising penance. Are you a brāhmaṇa? Well-being to you. Or are you an invincible kṣatriya ? Or are you a vaiśya i.e. belonging to the third caste? Or are you a śūdra? Tell (me) the truth.
73b-74. Penance is full of truth (and) is always (useful) in obtaining heaven. Penance is Sāttvika and Rājasa and it (i.e. Sāttvika) is of the nature of truth. It is the cause of (i.e. leads to) helping the world, and is created by Viriñci.
75. The Raudra (i.e. terrible) penance springs from kṣatriya’s lustre, and is called Rājasa. That which is (used) for the destruction of others is called Āsura .
76. He who conceals one by one the parts of his body smeared with blood, or he who practises penance to conquer the five fires [2] or (tries to) accomplish perfection or conquer death (belongs to the Āsura category).
77. This your disposition is Āsura; and I do not think you are a brāhmaṇa. If you speak the truth you will accomplish perfection; if yon tell a lie you will not live.”
78. Having heard those words of Rāma, who ha[?] never done any harmful deed, the ascetic remained hung upside down like that (i.e. before) and said:
79. “O best king, welcome to you. O Rāghava, you are seen after a long time. O innocent one, I am your son, and you are my father.
80-82. Or this is not so; for the king is the father of all (his subjects). O king, such as you are, you deserve to be honoured. We are practising penance in your country. In it (you have) a share which is formerly produced (i.e. fixed) by the self-born. O Rāma, we are not lucky. You are lucky, O king, in whose country the ascetics desire perfection like this. O Rāghava, obtain prosperity with (i.e. as the the fruit of) my penance.
83-84. As to what you said (as to the question that you asked, viz.) ‘in which caste (are you born and) are practising your penance’ (I would say:) I am born in a śūdra family; and have resorted to a severe penance. O Rāma, of a good vow, I desire to have godhood with my body (i.e. I want to be a god, without casting off this body). O king, I am not telling a lie with a desire to conquer (i.e. go to) the world of gods.
85-86a. O descendant of Kakutstha, know me to be a śūdra, Śambūka , by name.” When he was thus talking, Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, took out from the sheath, a spotless sword, and cut off his head.
86b-88a. When the Śūdra was killed, gods with Indra, led by Agni , repeatedly praised Rāma (saying), ‘Well (done, well done)’; and a very fragrant shower of flowers discharged by the gods from the sky, scattered all around Rāghava.
88b. The gods, very much pleased, said these words to Rama, the best among those who knew (the meaning of) sentence.
89-90a. “O you descendant of Raghu, O you good one, you have done this mission of the gods. O Rāma of a great vow, take (i.e. choose) whichever boon you like. By your deed this śūdra has physically gone to heaven.”
90b-9la. Hearing (these) words of the gods, Rāghava who was well-composed, and who had joined his palms in obeisance, said these words to Indra, the thousand-eyed (god):
91b-92. “If gods are pleased with me, if I deserve a (grant of) boon, if they are happy with my deed, then let this brāhmaṇa-boy come to life (again). This is the best boon desired by me from you.
93-94. Due to my fault this boy, the son of a brāhmaṇa, has met with an untimely death. He has been taken by Death to Yama’s abode. Revive him, well-being to you, I should not prove to be a liar to my preceptor. I have given a promise to the brāhmaṇa: I shall bring back your son to life.
95. O gods, let this boy live by having the full span of my life, or half a portion or a quarter portion of (the span of) my life”.
96. Hearing those words of Rāghava, the best gods who were pleased and were full of affection, said to the great-souled one:
97-98. “O descendant of Kakutstha, give up your anxiety; the only son of the brāhmaṇa has regained his life and is united with his relatives. O descendant of Kakutstha, the boy suddenly became united with (i.e. regained his) life, (just) at the moment when this śūdra was destroyed by you.
99-100. Obtain welfare; well-being to you; O you tormentor of your enemies, we (now) go (back). We shall see the great sage (viz. Agastya) in Agastya’s hermitage”. Having promised the gods with the words ‘All right’, the descendant of Raghu got into the Puṣpaka aeroplane decorated with gold.
[1]: [1] : Kakutstha—See note on 1.33.183.
[2]: [2] : Pañcāgni-sādhana—A form of self-mortification in which the ascetic sits with four fires burning in the four quarters around him with the sun, the fifth fire, overhead.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 34204, revision 334503 (2022-04-04T20:37:31Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364158.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.