Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 37
Sourceपुलस्त्य उवाच। तदद्भुततमं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा च रघुनंदनः। गौरवाद्विस्मयाच्चापि भूयः प्रष्टुं प्रचक्रमे१। राम उवाच। भगवंस्तद्वनं घोरं यत्रासौ तप्तवांस्तपः। श्वेतो वैदर्भको राजा तदद्भुतमभूत्कथं२। विषमं तद्वनं राजा शून्यं मृगविवर्जितं। प्रविष्टस्तप आस्थातुं कथं वद महामुने३। समंताद्योजनशतं निर्मनुष्यमभूत्कथं। भवान्कथं प्रविष्टस्तद्येन कार्येण तद्वद४। अगस्त्य उवाच। पुरा कृतयुगे राजा मनुर्दंडधरः प्रभुः। तस्य पुत्रोथ नाम्नासीदिक्ष्वाकुरमितद्युतिः५। तं पुत्रं पूर्वजं राज्ये निक्षिप्य भुविसंमतम्। पृथिव्यां राजवंशानां भव राजेत्युवाच ह६। तथेति च प्रतिज्ञातं पितुः पुत्रेण राघव। ततःपरमसंहृष्टः पुनस्तं प्रत्यभाषत७। प्रीतोस्मि परमोदार कर्मणा ते न संशयः। दंडेन च प्रजा रक्ष न च दंडमकारणम्८। अपराधिषु यो दंडः पात्यते मानवैरिह। स दंडो विधिवन्मुक्तः स्वर्गं नयति पार्थिवम्९। तस्माद्दण्डे महाबाहो यत्नवान्भव पुत्रक। धर्मस्ते परमो लोके कृत एवं भविष्यति१०। इति तं बहुसंदिश्य मनुः पुत्रं समाधिना। जगाम त्रिदिवं हृष्टो ब्रह्मलोकमनुत्तमम्११। जनयिष्ये कथं पुत्रानिति चिंतापरोऽभवत्। कर्मभिर्बहुभिस्तैस्तैस्ससुतैस्संयुतोऽभवत्१२। तोषयामास पुत्रैस्स पितॄन्देवसुतोपमैः। सर्वेषामुत्तमस्तेषां कनीयान्रघुनंदन१३। शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च गुरुश्च जनपूजया। नाम तस्याथ दंडेति पिता चक्रे स बुद्धिमान्१४। भविष्यद्दण्डपतनं शरीरे तस्य वीक्ष्य च। संपश्यमानस्तं दोषं घोरं पुत्रस्य राघव१५। स विंध्यनीलयोर्मध्ये राज्यमस्य ददौ प्रभुः। स दंडस्तत्र राजाभूद्रम्ये पर्वतमूर्द्धनि१६। पुरं चाप्रतिमं तेन निवेशाय तथा कृतम्। नाम तस्य पुरस्याथ मधुमत्तमिति स्वयम्१७। तथादेशेन संपन्नः शूरो वासमथाकरोत्। एवं राजा स तद्राज्यं चकार सपुरोहितः१८। प्रहृष्ट सुप्रजाकीर्णं देवराजो यथा दिवि। ततः स दंडः काकुत्स्थ बहुवर्षगणायुतम्१९। अकारयत्तु धर्मात्मा राज्यं निहतकंटकं। अथ काले तु कस्मिंश्चिद्राजा भार्गवमाश्रमम्२०। रमणीयमुपाक्रामच्चैत्रमासे मनोरमे। तत्र भार्गवकन्यां तु रूपेणाप्रतिमां भुवि२१। विचरंतीं वनोद्देशे दंडोऽपश्यदनुत्तमाम्। उत्तुंगपीवरीं श्यामां चंद्राभवदनां शुभाम्२२। सुनासां चारुसर्वांगीं पीनोन्नतपयोधराम्। मध्ये क्षामां च विस्तीर्णां दृष्ट्वा तां कुरुते मुदम्२३। एकवस्त्रां वने चैकां प्रथमे यौवने स्थिताम्। स तां दृष्ट्वात्वधर्मेण अनंगशरपीडितः२४। अभिगम्य सुविश्रांतां कन्यां वचनमब्रवीत्। कुतस्त्वमसि सुश्रोणि कस्य चासि सुशोभने२५। पीडतोहमनंगेन पृच्छामि त्वां सुशोभने। त्वया मेऽपहृतं चित्तं दर्शनादेव सुंदरि२६। इदं ते वदनं रम्यं मुनीनां चित्तहारकम्। यद्यहं न लभे भोक्तुं मृतं मामवधारय२७। त्वया हृता मम प्राणा मां जीवय सुलोचने। दासोस्मि ते वरारोहे भक्तं मां भज शोभने२८। तस्यैवं तु ब्रुवाणस्य मदोन्मत्तस्य कामिनः। भार्गवी प्रत्युवाचेदं वचः सविनयं नृपम्२९। भार्गवस्य सुतां विद्धि शुक्रस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः। अरजां नाम राजेंद्र ज्येष्ठामाश्रमवासिनः३०। शुक्रः पिता मे राजेंद्र त्वं च शिष्यो महात्मनः। धर्मतो भगिनी चाहं भवामि नृपनंदन३१। एवंविधं वचो वक्तुं न त्वमर्हसि पार्थिव। अन्येभ्योपि सुदुष्टेभ्यो रक्ष्या चाहं सदा त्वया३२। क्रोधनो मे पिता रौद्रो भस्मत्वं त्वां समानयेत्। अथवा राजधर्मेणासंबंधं कुरुषे बलात्३३। पितरं याचयस्व त्वं धर्मदृष्टेन कर्मणा। वरयस्व नृपश्रेष्ठ पितरं मे महाद्युतिम्३४। अन्यथा विपुलं दुःखं तव घोरं भवेद्ध्रुवम्। क्रुद्धो हि मे पिता सर्वं त्रैलोक्यमभिनिर्दहेत्३५। ततोऽशुभं महाघोरं श्रुत्वा दंडः सुदारुणम्। प्रत्युवाच मदोन्मत्तः शिरसाभिनतः पुनः३६। प्रसादं कुरु सुश्रोणि कामोन्मत्तस्य कामिनि। त्वया रुद्धा मम प्राणा विशीर्यंति शुभानने३७। त्वां प्राप्य वैरं मेऽत्रास्तु वधो वापि महत्तरः। भक्तं भजस्व मां भीरु त्वयि भक्तिर्हि मे परा३८। एवमुक्त्वा तु तां कन्यां बलात्संगृह्य बाहुना। अन्येन राज्ञा हस्तेन विवस्त्रा सा तथा कृता३९। अंगमंगे समाश्लेष्य मुखे चैव मुखं कृतम्। विस्फुरंतीं यथाकामं मैथुनायोपचक्रमे४०। तमनर्थं महाघोरं दंडः कृत्वा सुदारुणम्। नगरं स्वं जगामाशु मदोन्मत्त इव द्विपः४१। भार्गवी रुदती दीना आश्रमस्याविदूरतः। प्रत्यपालयदुद्विग्ना पितरं देवसम्मितम्४२। स मुहूर्तादुपस्पृश्य देवर्षिरमितद्युतिः। स्वमाश्रमं शिष्यवृतं क्षुधार्तः सन्यवर्तत४३। सोपश्यदरजां दीनां रजसा समभिप्लुताम्। चंद्रस्य घनसंयुक्तां ज्योत्स्नामिव पराजिताम्४४। तस्य रोषः समभवत्क्षुधार्तस्य महात्मनः। निर्दहन्निव लोकांस्त्रींस्तान्शिष्यान्समुवाच ह४५। पश्यध्वं विपरीतस्य दंडस्यादीर्घदर्शिनः। विपत्तिं घोरसंकाशां दीप्तामग्निशिखामिव४६। यन्नाशं दुर्गतिं प्राप्तस्सानुगश्च न संशयः। यस्तु दीप्तहुताशस्य अर्चिः संस्पृष्टवानिह४७। यस्मात्स कृतवान्पापमीदृशं घोरसंमितम्। तस्मात्प्राप्स्यति दुर्मेधाः पांसुवर्षमनुत्तमम्४८। कुराजा देशसंयुक्तः सभृत्यबलवाहनः। पापकर्मसमाचारो वधं प्राप्स्यति दुर्मतिः४९। समंताद्योजनशतं विषयं चास्य दुर्मतेः। धुनोतु पांसुवर्षेण महता पाकशासनः1.37.५०। सर्वसत्वानि यानीह जंगमस्थावराणि वै। सर्वेषां पांसुवर्षेण क्षयः क्षिप्रं भविष्यति५१। दंडस्य विषयो यावत्तावत्सवनमाश्रमम्। पांसुवर्षमिवाकस्मात्सप्तरात्रं भविष्यति५२। इत्युक्त्वा क्रोधसंतप्तस्तमाश्रमनिवासिनम्। जनं जनपदस्यांते स्थीयतामित्युवाच ह५३। उक्तमात्रे उशनसा आश्रमावसथो जनः। क्षिप्रं तु विषयात्तस्मात्स्थानं चक्रे च बाह्यतः५४। तं तथोक्त्वा मुनिजनमरजामिदमब्रवीत्। आश्रमे त्वं सुदुर्मेधे वस चेह समाहिता५५। इदं योजनपर्यंतमाश्रमं रुचिरप्रभम्। अरजे विरजास्तिष्ठ कालमत्र समाश्शतम्५६। श्रुत्वा नियोगं विप्रर्षेररजा भार्गवी तदा। तथेति पितरं प्राह भार्गवं भृशदुःखिता५७। इत्युक्त्वा भार्गवो वासं तस्मादन्यमुपाक्रमत्। सप्ताहे भस्मसाद्भूतं यथोक्तं ब्रह्मवादिना५८। तस्माद्दंडस्य विषयो विंध्यशैलस्य मानुष। शप्तो ह्युशनसा राम तदाभूद्धर्षणे कृते५९। ततःप्रभृति काकुत्स्थ दंडकारण्यमुच्यते। एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां पृच्छसि राघव६०। संध्यामुपासितुं वीर समयो ह्यतिवर्तते। एते महर्षयो राम पूर्णकुंभाः समंततः६१। कृतोदका नरव्याघ्र पूजयंति दिवाकरम्। सर्वैरॄषिभिरभ्यस्तैः स्तोत्रैर्ब्रह्मादिभिः कृतैः६२। रविरस्तंगतो राम गत्वोदकमुपस्पृश। ॠषेर्वचनमादाय रामः संध्यामुपासितुम्६३। उपचक्राम तत्पुण्यं ससरोरघुनंदनः। अथ तस्मिन्वनोद्देशे रम्ये पादपशोभिते६४। नदपुण्ये गिरिवरे कोकिलाशतमंडिते। नानापक्षिरवोद्याने नानामृगसमाकुले६५। सिंहव्याघ्रसमाकीर्णे नानाद्विजसमावृते। गृध्रोलूकौ प्रवसितौ बहून्वर्षगणानपि६६। अथोलूकस्य भवनं गृध्रः पापविनिश्चयः। ममेदमिति कृत्वाऽसौ कलहं तेन चाकरोत्६७। राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य रामो राजीवलोचनः। तं प्रपद्यावहै शीघ्रं कस्यैतद्भवनं भवेत्६८। गृध्रोलूकौ प्रपद्येतां जातकोपावमर्षिणौ। रामं प्रपद्यतौ शीघ्रं कलिव्याकुलचेतसौ६९। तौ परस्परविद्वेषौ स्पृशतश्चरणौ तथा। अथ दृष्ट्वा राघवेंद्रं गृध्रो वचनमब्रवीत्७०। सुराणामसुराणां च त्वं प्रधानो मतो मम। बृहस्पतेश्च शुक्राच्च त्वं विशिष्टो महामतिः७१। परावरज्ञो भूतानां मर्त्ये शक्र इवापरः। दुर्निरीक्षो यथा सूर्यो हिमवानिव गौरवे७२। सागरश्चासि गांभीर्ये लोकपालो यमो ह्यसि। क्षांत्या धरण्या तुल्योसि शीघ्रत्वे ह्यनिलोपमः७३। गुरुस्त्वं सर्वसंपन्नो विष्णुरूपोसि राघव। अमर्षी दुर्जयो जेता सर्वास्त्रविधिपारगः७४। शृणु त्वं मम देवेश विज्ञाप्यं नरपुंगव। ममालयं पूर्वकृतं बाहुवीर्येण वै प्रभो७५। उलूको हरते राजंस्त्वत्समीपे विशेषतः। ईदृशोयं दुराचारस्त्वदाज्ञा लंघको नृप७६। प्राणांतिकेन दंडेन राम शासितुमर्हसि। एवमुक्ते तु गृध्रेण उलूको वाक्यमब्रवीत्७७। शृणु देव मम ज्ञाप्यमेकचित्तो नराधिप। सोमाच्छक्राच्च सूर्याच्च धनदाच्च यमात्तथा७८। जायते वै नृपो राम किंचिद्भवति मानुषः। त्वं तु सर्वमयो देवो नारायणपरायणः७९। प्रोच्यते सोमता राजन्सम्यक्कार्ये विचारिते। सम्यग्रक्षसि तापेभ्यस्तमोघ्नो हि यतो भवान्८०। दोषे दंडात्प्रजानां त्वं यतः पापभयापहः। दाता प्रहर्ता गोप्ता च तेनेंद्र इव नो भवान्८१। अधृष्यः सर्वभूतेषु तेजसा चानलो मतः। अभीक्ष्णं तपसे पापांस्तेन त्वं राम भास्करः८२। साक्षाद्वित्तेशतुल्यस्त्वमथवा धनदाधिकः। चित्तायत्ता तु पत्नीश्रीर्नित्यं ते राजसत्तम८३। धनदस्य तु कोशेन धनदस्तेन वैभवान्। समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु स्थावरेषु चरेषु च८४। शत्रौ मित्रे च ते दृष्टिः समंताद्याति राघव। धर्मेण शासनं नित्यं व्यवहारविधिक्रमैः८५। यस्य रुष्यसि वै राम मृत्युस्तस्याभिधीयते। गीयसे तेन वै राजन्यम इत्यभिविश्रुतः८६। यश्चासौ मानुषो भावो भवतो नृपसत्तम। आनृशंस्यपरो राजा सर्वेषु कृपयान्वितः८७। दुर्बलस्य त्वनाथस्य राजा भवति वै बलम्। अचक्षुषो भवेच्चक्षुरमतेषु मतिर्भवेत्८८। अस्माकमपि नाथस्त्वं श्रूयतां मम धार्मिक। भवता तत्र मंतव्यं यथैते किल पक्षिणः८९। योस्मन्नाथः स पक्षींद्रो भवतो विनियोज्यकः। अस्वाम्यं देव नास्माकं सन्निधौ भवतः प्रभो९०। भवतैव कृतं पूर्वं भूतग्रामं चतुर्विधम्। ममालयप्रविष्टस्तु गृध्रो मां बाधते नृप९१। भवान्देवमनुष्येषु शास्ता वै नरपुंगव। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वै रामः सचिवानाह्वयत्स्वयम्९२। विष्टिर्जयंतो विजयः सिद्धार्थो राष्ट्रवर्धनः। अशोको धर्मपालश्च सुमंत्रश्च महाबलः९३। एते रामस्य सचिवा राज्ञो दशरथस्य च। नीतियुक्ता महात्मानः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदाः९४। सुशांताश्च कुलीनाश्च नये मंत्रे च कोविदाः। तानाहूय स धर्मात्मा पुष्पकादवरुह्य च९५। गृध्रोलूकौ विवदंतौ पृच्छति स्म रघूत्तमः। कति वर्षाणि भो गृध्र तवेदं निलयं कृतं९६। एतन्मे कौतुकं ब्रूहि यदि जानासि तत्त्वतः। एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो गृध्रो बभाषे राघवं स्थितं९७। इयं वसुमती राम मानुषैर्बहुबाहुभिः। उच्छ्रितैराचिता सर्वा तदाप्रभृति मद्गृहं९८। उलूकस्त्वब्रवीद्रामं पादपैरुपशोभिता। यदैव पृथिवी राजंस्तदाप्रभृति मे गृहं९९। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु रामो वै सभासद उवाचह। न सा सभा यत्र न संति वृद्धा वृद्धा न ते ये न वदंति धर्मं1.37.१००। नासौ धर्मो यत्र न चास्ति सत्यं न तत्सत्यं यच्छलमभ्युपैति। ये तु सभ्याः सभां गत्वा तूष्णीं ध्यायंत आसते१०१। यथाप्राप्तं न ब्रुवते सर्वे तेऽनृतवादिनः। न वक्ति च श्रुतं यश्च कामात्क्रोधात्तथा भयात्१०२। सहस्रं वारुणाः पाशाः प्रतिमुंचंति तं नरं। तेषां संवत्सरे पूर्णे पाश एकः प्रमुच्यते१०३। तस्मात्सत्यं तु वक्तव्यं जानता सत्यमंजसा। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु सचिवा राममेवाब्रुवंस्तदा१०४। उलूकः शोभते राजन्न तु गृध्रो महामते। त्वं प्रमाणं महाराज राजा हि परमा गतिः१०५। राजमूलाः प्रजाः सर्वा राजा धर्मः सनातनः। शास्ता राजा नृणां येषां न ते गच्छंति दुर्गतिम्१०६। वैवस्वतेन मुक्ताश्च भवंति पुरुषोत्तमाः। सचिवानां वचः श्रुत्वा रामो वचनमब्रवीत्१०७। श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि पुराणं यदुदाहृतं। द्यौः सचंद्रार्कनक्षत्रा सपर्वतमहीद्रुमम्१०८। सलिलार्णवसंमग्नं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरं। एकमेव तदा ह्यासीत्सर्वमेकमिवांबरं१०९। पुनर्भूः सह लक्ष्म्या च विष्णोर्जठरमाविशत्। तां निगृह्य महातेजाः प्रविश्य सलिलार्णवं११०। सुष्वाप हि कृतात्मा स बहुवर्षशतान्यपि। विष्णौ सुप्ते ततो ब्रह्मा विवेश जठरं ततः१११। बहुस्रोतं च तं ज्ञात्वा महायोगी समाविशत्। नाभ्यां विष्णोः समुद्भूतं पद्मं हेमविभूषितं११२। स तु निर्गम्य वै ब्रह्मा योगी भूत्वा महाप्रभुः। सिसृक्षुः पृथिवीं वायुं पर्वतांश्च महीरुहान्११३। तदंतराः प्रजाः सर्वा मानुषांश्च सरीसृपान्। जरायुजाण्डजान्सर्वान्ससर्ज स महातपाः११४। तस्य गात्रसमुत्पन्नः कैटभो मधुना सह। दानवौ तौ महावीर्यौ घोरौ लब्धवरौ तदा११५। दृष्ट्वा प्रजापतिं तत्र क्रोधाविष्टावुभौ नृप। वेगेन महता भोक्तुं स्वयंभुवमधावतां११६। दृष्ट्वा सत्वानि सर्वाणि निस्सरन्ति पृथक्पृथक्। ब्रह्मणा संस्तुतो विष्णुर्हत्वा तौ मधुकैटभौ११७। पृथिवीं वर्धयामास स्थित्यर्थं मेदसा तयोः। मेदोगंधा तु धरणी मेदिनीत्यभिधां गता११८। तस्माद्गृध्रस्त्वसत्यो वै पापकर्मापरालयम्। स्वीयं करोति पापात्मा दण्डनीयो न संशयः११९। ततोऽशरीरिणीवाणी अंतरिक्षात्प्रभाषते। मा वधी राम गृध्रं त्वं पूर्वंदग्धं तपोबलात्१२०। पुरा गौतम दग्धोऽयं प्रजानाथो जनेश्वर। ब्रह्मदत्तस्तु नामैष शूरः सत्यव्रतः शुचिः१२१। गृहमागत्य विप्रर्षेर्भोजनं प्रत्ययाचत। साग्रं वर्षशतं चैव भुक्तवान्नृपसत्तम१२२। ब्रह्मदत्तस्य वै तस्य पाद्यमर्घ्यं स्वयं ततः। आत्मनैवाकरोत्सम्यग्भोजनार्थं महाद्युते१२३। समाविश्य गृहं तस्य आहारे तु महात्मनः। नारीं पूर्णस्तनीं दृष्ट्वा हस्तेनाथ परामृशत्१२४। अथ क्रुद्धेन मुनिना शापो दत्तः सुदारुणः। गृध्रत्वं गच्छ वै मूढ राजा मुनिमथाब्रवीत्१२५। कृपां कुरु महाभाग शापोद्धारो भविष्यति। दयालुस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा पुनराह नराधिप१२६। उत्पत्स्यते रघुकुले रामो नाम महायशाः। इक्ष्वाकूणां महाभागो राजा राजीवलोचनः१२७। तेन दृष्टो विपापस्त्वं भविता नरपुंगव। दृष्टो रामेण तच्छ्रुत्वा बभूव पृथिवीपतिः१२८। गृध्रत्वं त्यज्य वै शीघ्रं दिव्यगंधानुलेपनः। पुरुषो दिव्यरूपोऽसौ बभाषे तं नराधिपं१२९। साधु राघव धर्मज्ञ त्वत्प्रसादादहं विभो। विमुक्तो नरकाद्घोरादपापस्तु त्वया कृतः१३०। विसर्जितं मया गार्ध्यं नररूपी महीपतिः। उलूकं प्राह धर्मज्ञ स्वगृहं विश कौशिक१३१। अहं संध्यामुपासित्वा गमिष्ये यत्र वै मुनिः। अथोदकमुपस्पृश्य संध्यामन्वास्य पश्चिमां१३२। आश्रमं प्राविशद्रामः कुंभयोनेर्महात्मनः। तस्यागस्त्यो बहुगुणं फलमूलं च सादरं१३३। रसवंति च शाकानि भोजनार्थमुपाहरत्। सभुक्तवान्नरव्याघ्रस्तदन्नममृतोपमम्१३४। प्रीतश्च परितुष्टश्च तां रात्रिं समुपावसत्। प्रभाते काल्यमुत्थाय कृत्वाह्निकमरिंदम१३५। ॠषिं समभिचक्राम गमनाय रघूत्तमः। अभिवाद्याब्रवीद्रामो महर्षिं कुंभसंभवम्१३६। आपृच्छे साधये ब्रह्मन्ननुज्ञातुं त्वमर्हसि। धन्योस्म्यनुगृहीतोस्मि दर्शनेन महामुने१३७। दिष्ट्या चाहं भविष्यामि पावनात्मा महात्मनः। एवं ब्रुवति काकुत्स्थे वाक्यमद्भुतदर्शनं१३८। उवाच परमप्रीतो बाष्पनेत्रस्तपोधनः। अत्यद्भुतमिदं वाक्यं तव राम शुभाक्षरं१३९। पावनं सर्वभूतानां त्वयोक्तं रघुनंदन। मुहूर्तमपि राम त्वां मैत्रेणेक्षंति ये नराः१४०। पावितास्सर्वसूक्तैस्ते कथ्यंते त्रिदिवौकसः। ये च त्वां घोरचक्षुर्भिरीक्षंते प्राणिनो भुवि१४१। ते हता ब्रह्मदंडेन सद्यो नरकगामिनः। ईदृशस्त्वं रघुश्रेष्ठ पावनः सर्वदेहिनां१४२। कथयंतश्च लोकास्त्वां सिद्धिमेष्यंति राघव। गच्छस्वानातुरोऽविघ्नं पंथानमकुतोभयः१४३। प्रशाधि राज्यं धर्मेण गतिस्तु जगतां भवान्। एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना प्राञ्जलि प्रग्रहो नृपः१४४। अभिवादयितुं चक्रे सोऽगस्त्यमृषिसत्तमम्। अभिवाद्य मुनिश्रेष्ठंस्तांश्च सर्वांस्तपोधिकान्१४५। अथारोहत्तदाव्यग्रः पुष्पकं हेमभूषितम्। तं प्रयांतं मुनिगणा आशीर्वादैस्समंततः१४६। अपूपुजन्नरेंद्रं तं सहस्राक्षमिवामराः। ततोऽर्धदिवसे प्राप्ते रामः सर्वार्थकोविदः१४७। अयोध्यां प्राप्य काकुत्स्थः पद्भ्यां कक्षामवातरत्। ततो विसृज्य रुचिरं पुष्पकं कामवाहितं१४८। कक्षांतराद्विनिष्क्रम्य द्वास्थान्राजाऽब्रवीदिदं। लक्ष्मणं भरतं चैव गच्छध्वं लघुविक्रमाः१४९। ममागमनमाख्याय समानयत मा चिरम्। श्रुत्वाथ भाषितं द्वास्था रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः1.37.१५०। गत्वा कुमारावाहूय राघवाय न्यवदेयन्। द्वास्थैः कुमारावानीतौ राघवस्य निदेशतः१५१। दृष्ट्वा तु राघवः प्राप्तौ प्रियौ भरतलक्ष्मणौ। समालिंग्य तु रामस्तौ वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह१५२। कृतं मया यथातथ्यं द्विजकार्यमनुत्तमं। धर्महेतुमतो भूयः कर्तुमिच्छामि राघवौ१५३। भवद्भ्यामात्मभूताभ्यां राजसूयं क्रतूत्तमं। सहितो यष्टुमिच्छामि यत्र धर्मश्च शाश्वतः१५४। पुष्करस्थेन वै पूर्वं ब्रह्मणा लोककारिणा। शतत्रयेण यज्ञानामिष्टं षष्ट्याधिकेन च१५५। इष्ट्वा हि राजसूयेन सोमो धर्मेण धर्मवित्। प्राप्तः सर्वेषु लोकेषु कीर्तिस्थानमनुत्तमम्१५६। इष्ट्वा हि राजसूयेन मित्रः शत्रुनिबर्हणः। मुहूर्तेन सुशुद्धेन वरुणत्वमुपागतः१५७। तस्माद्भवंतौ संचिंत्य कार्येस्मिन्वदतं हि तत्। भरत उवाच। त्वं धर्मः परमः साधो त्वयि सर्वा वसुंधरा१५८। प्रतिष्ठिता महाबाहो यशश्चामितविक्रम। महीपालाश्च सर्वे त्वां प्रजापतिमिवामराः१५९। निरीक्षंते महात्मानो लोकनाथ तथा वयं। प्रजाश्च पितृवद्राजन्पश्यंति त्वां महामते१६०। पृथिव्यां गतिभूतोसि प्राणिनामिह राघव। सत्वमेवंविधं यज्ञं नाहर्त्तासि परंतप१६१। पृथिव्यां सर्वभूतानां विनाशो दृश्यते यतः। श्रूयते राजशार्दूल सोमस्य मनुजेश्वर१६२। ज्योतिषां सुमहद्युद्धं संग्रामे तारकामये। तारा बृहस्पतेर्भार्या हृता सोमेनकामतः१६३। तत्र युद्धं महद्वृत्तं देवदानवनाशनम्। वरुणस्य क्रतौ घोरे संग्रामे मत्स्यकच्छपाः१६४। निवृत्ते राजशार्दूल सर्वे नष्टा जलेचराः। हरिश्चंद्रस्य यज्ञांते राजसूयस्य राघव१६५। आडीबकंमहद्युद्धं सर्वलोकविनाशनम्। पृथिव्यां यानि सत्वानि तिर्यग्योनिगतानि वै१६६। दिव्यानां पार्थिवानां च राजसूये क्षयः श्रुतः। स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल बुद्ध्या संचिंत्य पार्थिव१६७। प्राणिनां च हितं सौम्यं पूर्णधर्मं समाचर। भरतस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राघवः प्राह सादरम्१६८। प्रीतोस्मि तव धर्मज्ञ वाक्येनानेन शत्रुहन्। निवर्तिता राजसूयान्मतिर्मे धर्मवत्सल१६९। पूर्णं धर्मं करिष्यामि कान्यकुब्जे च वामनम्। स्थापयिष्याम्यहं वीर सा मे ख्यातिर्दिवं गता१७०। भविष्यति न संदेहो यथा गंगा भगीरथात्१७१।
pulastya uvāca| tadadbhutatamaṃ vākyaṃ śrutvā ca raghunaṃdanaḥ| gauravādvismayāccāpi bhūyaḥ praṣṭuṃ pracakrame1| rāma uvāca| bhagavaṃstadvanaṃ ghoraṃ yatrāsau taptavāṃstapaḥ| śveto vaidarbhako rājā tadadbhutamabhūtkathaṃ2| viṣamaṃ tadvanaṃ rājā śūnyaṃ mṛgavivarjitaṃ| praviṣṭastapa āsthātuṃ kathaṃ vada mahāmune3| samaṃtādyojanaśataṃ nirmanuṣyamabhūtkathaṃ| bhavānkathaṃ praviṣṭastadyena kāryeṇa tadvada4| agastya uvāca| purā kṛtayuge rājā manurdaṃḍadharaḥ prabhuḥ| tasya putrotha nāmnāsīdikṣvākuramitadyutiḥ5| taṃ putraṃ pūrvajaṃ rājye nikṣipya bhuvisaṃmatam| pṛthivyāṃ rājavaṃśānāṃ bhava rājetyuvāca ha6| tatheti ca pratijñātaṃ pituḥ putreṇa rāghava| tataḥparamasaṃhṛṣṭaḥ punastaṃ pratyabhāṣata7| prītosmi paramodāra karmaṇā te na saṃśayaḥ| daṃḍena ca prajā rakṣa na ca daṃḍamakāraṇam8| aparādhiṣu yo daṃḍaḥ pātyate mānavairiha| sa daṃḍo vidhivanmuktaḥ svargaṃ nayati pārthivam9| tasmāddaṇḍe mahābāho yatnavānbhava putraka| dharmaste paramo loke kṛta evaṃ bhaviṣyati10| iti taṃ bahusaṃdiśya manuḥ putraṃ samādhinā| jagāma tridivaṃ hṛṣṭo brahmalokamanuttamam11| janayiṣye kathaṃ putrāniti ciṃtāparo'bhavat| karmabhirbahubhistaistaissasutaissaṃyuto'bhavat12| toṣayāmāsa putraissa pitṝndevasutopamaiḥ| sarveṣāmuttamasteṣāṃ kanīyānraghunaṃdana13| śūraśca kṛtavidyaśca guruśca janapūjayā| nāma tasyātha daṃḍeti pitā cakre sa buddhimān14| bhaviṣyaddaṇḍapatanaṃ śarīre tasya vīkṣya ca| saṃpaśyamānastaṃ doṣaṃ ghoraṃ putrasya rāghava15| sa viṃdhyanīlayormadhye rājyamasya dadau prabhuḥ| sa daṃḍastatra rājābhūdramye parvatamūrddhani16| puraṃ cāpratimaṃ tena niveśāya tathā kṛtam| nāma tasya purasyātha madhumattamiti svayam17| tathādeśena saṃpannaḥ śūro vāsamathākarot| evaṃ rājā sa tadrājyaṃ cakāra sapurohitaḥ18| prahṛṣṭa suprajākīrṇaṃ devarājo yathā divi| tataḥ sa daṃḍaḥ kākutstha bahuvarṣagaṇāyutam19| akārayattu dharmātmā rājyaṃ nihatakaṃṭakaṃ| atha kāle tu kasmiṃścidrājā bhārgavamāśramam20| ramaṇīyamupākrāmaccaitramāse manorame| tatra bhārgavakanyāṃ tu rūpeṇāpratimāṃ bhuvi21| vicaraṃtīṃ vanoddeśe daṃḍo'paśyadanuttamām| uttuṃgapīvarīṃ śyāmāṃ caṃdrābhavadanāṃ śubhām22| sunāsāṃ cārusarvāṃgīṃ pīnonnatapayodharām| madhye kṣāmāṃ ca vistīrṇāṃ dṛṣṭvā tāṃ kurute mudam23| ekavastrāṃ vane caikāṃ prathame yauvane sthitām| sa tāṃ dṛṣṭvātvadharmeṇa anaṃgaśarapīḍitaḥ24| abhigamya suviśrāṃtāṃ kanyāṃ vacanamabravīt| kutastvamasi suśroṇi kasya cāsi suśobhane25| pīḍatohamanaṃgena pṛcchāmi tvāṃ suśobhane| tvayā me'pahṛtaṃ cittaṃ darśanādeva suṃdari26| idaṃ te vadanaṃ ramyaṃ munīnāṃ cittahārakam| yadyahaṃ na labhe bhoktuṃ mṛtaṃ māmavadhāraya27| tvayā hṛtā mama prāṇā māṃ jīvaya sulocane| dāsosmi te varārohe bhaktaṃ māṃ bhaja śobhane28| tasyaivaṃ tu bruvāṇasya madonmattasya kāminaḥ| bhārgavī pratyuvācedaṃ vacaḥ savinayaṃ nṛpam29| bhārgavasya sutāṃ viddhi śukrasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ| arajāṃ nāma rājeṃdra jyeṣṭhāmāśramavāsinaḥ30| śukraḥ pitā me rājeṃdra tvaṃ ca śiṣyo mahātmanaḥ| dharmato bhaginī cāhaṃ bhavāmi nṛpanaṃdana31| evaṃvidhaṃ vaco vaktuṃ na tvamarhasi pārthiva| anyebhyopi suduṣṭebhyo rakṣyā cāhaṃ sadā tvayā32| krodhano me pitā raudro bhasmatvaṃ tvāṃ samānayet| athavā rājadharmeṇāsaṃbaṃdhaṃ kuruṣe balāt33| pitaraṃ yācayasva tvaṃ dharmadṛṣṭena karmaṇā| varayasva nṛpaśreṣṭha pitaraṃ me mahādyutim34| anyathā vipulaṃ duḥkhaṃ tava ghoraṃ bhaveddhruvam| kruddho hi me pitā sarvaṃ trailokyamabhinirdahet35| tato'śubhaṃ mahāghoraṃ śrutvā daṃḍaḥ sudāruṇam| pratyuvāca madonmattaḥ śirasābhinataḥ punaḥ36| prasādaṃ kuru suśroṇi kāmonmattasya kāmini| tvayā ruddhā mama prāṇā viśīryaṃti śubhānane37| tvāṃ prāpya vairaṃ me'trāstu vadho vāpi mahattaraḥ| bhaktaṃ bhajasva māṃ bhīru tvayi bhaktirhi me parā38| evamuktvā tu tāṃ kanyāṃ balātsaṃgṛhya bāhunā| anyena rājñā hastena vivastrā sā tathā kṛtā39| aṃgamaṃge samāśleṣya mukhe caiva mukhaṃ kṛtam| visphuraṃtīṃ yathākāmaṃ maithunāyopacakrame40| tamanarthaṃ mahāghoraṃ daṃḍaḥ kṛtvā sudāruṇam| nagaraṃ svaṃ jagāmāśu madonmatta iva dvipaḥ41| bhārgavī rudatī dīnā āśramasyāvidūrataḥ| pratyapālayadudvignā pitaraṃ devasammitam42| sa muhūrtādupaspṛśya devarṣiramitadyutiḥ| svamāśramaṃ śiṣyavṛtaṃ kṣudhārtaḥ sanyavartata43| sopaśyadarajāṃ dīnāṃ rajasā samabhiplutām| caṃdrasya ghanasaṃyuktāṃ jyotsnāmiva parājitām44| tasya roṣaḥ samabhavatkṣudhārtasya mahātmanaḥ| nirdahanniva lokāṃstrīṃstānśiṣyānsamuvāca ha45| paśyadhvaṃ viparītasya daṃḍasyādīrghadarśinaḥ| vipattiṃ ghorasaṃkāśāṃ dīptāmagniśikhāmiva46| yannāśaṃ durgatiṃ prāptassānugaśca na saṃśayaḥ| yastu dīptahutāśasya arciḥ saṃspṛṣṭavāniha47| yasmātsa kṛtavānpāpamīdṛśaṃ ghorasaṃmitam| tasmātprāpsyati durmedhāḥ pāṃsuvarṣamanuttamam48| kurājā deśasaṃyuktaḥ sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ| pāpakarmasamācāro vadhaṃ prāpsyati durmatiḥ49| samaṃtādyojanaśataṃ viṣayaṃ cāsya durmateḥ| dhunotu pāṃsuvarṣeṇa mahatā pākaśāsanaḥ1.37.50| sarvasatvāni yānīha jaṃgamasthāvarāṇi vai| sarveṣāṃ pāṃsuvarṣeṇa kṣayaḥ kṣipraṃ bhaviṣyati51| daṃḍasya viṣayo yāvattāvatsavanamāśramam| pāṃsuvarṣamivākasmātsaptarātraṃ bhaviṣyati52| ityuktvā krodhasaṃtaptastamāśramanivāsinam| janaṃ janapadasyāṃte sthīyatāmityuvāca ha53| uktamātre uśanasā āśramāvasatho janaḥ| kṣipraṃ tu viṣayāttasmātsthānaṃ cakre ca bāhyataḥ54| taṃ tathoktvā munijanamarajāmidamabravīt| āśrame tvaṃ sudurmedhe vasa ceha samāhitā55| idaṃ yojanaparyaṃtamāśramaṃ ruciraprabham| araje virajāstiṣṭha kālamatra samāśśatam56| śrutvā niyogaṃ viprarṣerarajā bhārgavī tadā| tatheti pitaraṃ prāha bhārgavaṃ bhṛśaduḥkhitā57| ityuktvā bhārgavo vāsaṃ tasmādanyamupākramat| saptāhe bhasmasādbhūtaṃ yathoktaṃ brahmavādinā58| tasmāddaṃḍasya viṣayo viṃdhyaśailasya mānuṣa| śapto hyuśanasā rāma tadābhūddharṣaṇe kṛte59| tataḥprabhṛti kākutstha daṃḍakāraṇyamucyate| etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ yanmāṃ pṛcchasi rāghava60| saṃdhyāmupāsituṃ vīra samayo hyativartate| ete maharṣayo rāma pūrṇakuṃbhāḥ samaṃtataḥ61| kṛtodakā naravyāghra pūjayaṃti divākaram| sarvairṝṣibhirabhyastaiḥ stotrairbrahmādibhiḥ kṛtaiḥ62| ravirastaṃgato rāma gatvodakamupaspṛśa| ṝṣervacanamādāya rāmaḥ saṃdhyāmupāsitum63| upacakrāma tatpuṇyaṃ sasaroraghunaṃdanaḥ| atha tasminvanoddeśe ramye pādapaśobhite64| nadapuṇye girivare kokilāśatamaṃḍite| nānāpakṣiravodyāne nānāmṛgasamākule65| siṃhavyāghrasamākīrṇe nānādvijasamāvṛte| gṛdhrolūkau pravasitau bahūnvarṣagaṇānapi66| atholūkasya bhavanaṃ gṛdhraḥ pāpaviniścayaḥ| mamedamiti kṛtvā'sau kalahaṃ tena cākarot67| rājā sarvasya lokasya rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ| taṃ prapadyāvahai śīghraṃ kasyaitadbhavanaṃ bhavet68| gṛdhrolūkau prapadyetāṃ jātakopāvamarṣiṇau| rāmaṃ prapadyatau śīghraṃ kalivyākulacetasau69| tau parasparavidveṣau spṛśataścaraṇau tathā| atha dṛṣṭvā rāghaveṃdraṃ gṛdhro vacanamabravīt70| surāṇāmasurāṇāṃ ca tvaṃ pradhāno mato mama| bṛhaspateśca śukrācca tvaṃ viśiṣṭo mahāmatiḥ71| parāvarajño bhūtānāṃ martye śakra ivāparaḥ| durnirīkṣo yathā sūryo himavāniva gaurave72| sāgaraścāsi gāṃbhīrye lokapālo yamo hyasi| kṣāṃtyā dharaṇyā tulyosi śīghratve hyanilopamaḥ73| gurustvaṃ sarvasaṃpanno viṣṇurūposi rāghava| amarṣī durjayo jetā sarvāstravidhipāragaḥ74| śṛṇu tvaṃ mama deveśa vijñāpyaṃ narapuṃgava| mamālayaṃ pūrvakṛtaṃ bāhuvīryeṇa vai prabho75| ulūko harate rājaṃstvatsamīpe viśeṣataḥ| īdṛśoyaṃ durācārastvadājñā laṃghako nṛpa76| prāṇāṃtikena daṃḍena rāma śāsitumarhasi| evamukte tu gṛdhreṇa ulūko vākyamabravīt77| śṛṇu deva mama jñāpyamekacitto narādhipa| somācchakrācca sūryācca dhanadācca yamāttathā78| jāyate vai nṛpo rāma kiṃcidbhavati mānuṣaḥ| tvaṃ tu sarvamayo devo nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ79| procyate somatā rājansamyakkārye vicārite| samyagrakṣasi tāpebhyastamoghno hi yato bhavān80| doṣe daṃḍātprajānāṃ tvaṃ yataḥ pāpabhayāpahaḥ| dātā prahartā goptā ca teneṃdra iva no bhavān81| adhṛṣyaḥ sarvabhūteṣu tejasā cānalo mataḥ| abhīkṣṇaṃ tapase pāpāṃstena tvaṃ rāma bhāskaraḥ82| sākṣādvitteśatulyastvamathavā dhanadādhikaḥ| cittāyattā tu patnīśrīrnityaṃ te rājasattama83| dhanadasya tu kośena dhanadastena vaibhavān| samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu sthāvareṣu careṣu ca84| śatrau mitre ca te dṛṣṭiḥ samaṃtādyāti rāghava| dharmeṇa śāsanaṃ nityaṃ vyavahāravidhikramaiḥ85| yasya ruṣyasi vai rāma mṛtyustasyābhidhīyate| gīyase tena vai rājanyama ityabhiviśrutaḥ86| yaścāsau mānuṣo bhāvo bhavato nṛpasattama| ānṛśaṃsyaparo rājā sarveṣu kṛpayānvitaḥ87| durbalasya tvanāthasya rājā bhavati vai balam| acakṣuṣo bhaveccakṣuramateṣu matirbhavet88| asmākamapi nāthastvaṃ śrūyatāṃ mama dhārmika| bhavatā tatra maṃtavyaṃ yathaite kila pakṣiṇaḥ89| yosmannāthaḥ sa pakṣīṃdro bhavato viniyojyakaḥ| asvāmyaṃ deva nāsmākaṃ sannidhau bhavataḥ prabho90| bhavataiva kṛtaṃ pūrvaṃ bhūtagrāmaṃ caturvidham| mamālayapraviṣṭastu gṛdhro māṃ bādhate nṛpa91| bhavāndevamanuṣyeṣu śāstā vai narapuṃgava| etacchrutvā tu vai rāmaḥ sacivānāhvayatsvayam92| viṣṭirjayaṃto vijayaḥ siddhārtho rāṣṭravardhanaḥ| aśoko dharmapālaśca sumaṃtraśca mahābalaḥ93| ete rāmasya sacivā rājño daśarathasya ca| nītiyuktā mahātmānaḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradāḥ94| suśāṃtāśca kulīnāśca naye maṃtre ca kovidāḥ| tānāhūya sa dharmātmā puṣpakādavaruhya ca95| gṛdhrolūkau vivadaṃtau pṛcchati sma raghūttamaḥ| kati varṣāṇi bho gṛdhra tavedaṃ nilayaṃ kṛtaṃ96| etanme kautukaṃ brūhi yadi jānāsi tattvataḥ| etacchrutvā vaco gṛdhro babhāṣe rāghavaṃ sthitaṃ97| iyaṃ vasumatī rāma mānuṣairbahubāhubhiḥ| ucchritairācitā sarvā tadāprabhṛti madgṛhaṃ98| ulūkastvabravīdrāmaṃ pādapairupaśobhitā| yadaiva pṛthivī rājaṃstadāprabhṛti me gṛhaṃ99| etacchrutvā tu rāmo vai sabhāsada uvācaha| na sā sabhā yatra na saṃti vṛddhā vṛddhā na te ye na vadaṃti dharmaṃ1.37.100| nāsau dharmo yatra na cāsti satyaṃ na tatsatyaṃ yacchalamabhyupaiti| ye tu sabhyāḥ sabhāṃ gatvā tūṣṇīṃ dhyāyaṃta āsate101| yathāprāptaṃ na bruvate sarve te'nṛtavādinaḥ| na vakti ca śrutaṃ yaśca kāmātkrodhāttathā bhayāt102| sahasraṃ vāruṇāḥ pāśāḥ pratimuṃcaṃti taṃ naraṃ| teṣāṃ saṃvatsare pūrṇe pāśa ekaḥ pramucyate103| tasmātsatyaṃ tu vaktavyaṃ jānatā satyamaṃjasā| etacchrutvā tu sacivā rāmamevābruvaṃstadā104| ulūkaḥ śobhate rājanna tu gṛdhro mahāmate| tvaṃ pramāṇaṃ mahārāja rājā hi paramā gatiḥ105| rājamūlāḥ prajāḥ sarvā rājā dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ| śāstā rājā nṛṇāṃ yeṣāṃ na te gacchaṃti durgatim106| vaivasvatena muktāśca bhavaṃti puruṣottamāḥ| sacivānāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā rāmo vacanamabravīt107| śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi purāṇaṃ yadudāhṛtaṃ| dyauḥ sacaṃdrārkanakṣatrā saparvatamahīdrumam108| salilārṇavasaṃmagnaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaraṃ| ekameva tadā hyāsītsarvamekamivāṃbaraṃ109| punarbhūḥ saha lakṣmyā ca viṣṇorjaṭharamāviśat| tāṃ nigṛhya mahātejāḥ praviśya salilārṇavaṃ110| suṣvāpa hi kṛtātmā sa bahuvarṣaśatānyapi| viṣṇau supte tato brahmā viveśa jaṭharaṃ tataḥ111| bahusrotaṃ ca taṃ jñātvā mahāyogī samāviśat| nābhyāṃ viṣṇoḥ samudbhūtaṃ padmaṃ hemavibhūṣitaṃ112| sa tu nirgamya vai brahmā yogī bhūtvā mahāprabhuḥ| sisṛkṣuḥ pṛthivīṃ vāyuṃ parvatāṃśca mahīruhān113| tadaṃtarāḥ prajāḥ sarvā mānuṣāṃśca sarīsṛpān| jarāyujāṇḍajānsarvānsasarja sa mahātapāḥ114| tasya gātrasamutpannaḥ kaiṭabho madhunā saha| dānavau tau mahāvīryau ghorau labdhavarau tadā115| dṛṣṭvā prajāpatiṃ tatra krodhāviṣṭāvubhau nṛpa| vegena mahatā bhoktuṃ svayaṃbhuvamadhāvatāṃ116| dṛṣṭvā satvāni sarvāṇi nissaranti pṛthakpṛthak| brahmaṇā saṃstuto viṣṇurhatvā tau madhukaiṭabhau117| pṛthivīṃ vardhayāmāsa sthityarthaṃ medasā tayoḥ| medogaṃdhā tu dharaṇī medinītyabhidhāṃ gatā118| tasmādgṛdhrastvasatyo vai pāpakarmāparālayam| svīyaṃ karoti pāpātmā daṇḍanīyo na saṃśayaḥ119| tato'śarīriṇīvāṇī aṃtarikṣātprabhāṣate| mā vadhī rāma gṛdhraṃ tvaṃ pūrvaṃdagdhaṃ tapobalāt120| purā gautama dagdho'yaṃ prajānātho janeśvara| brahmadattastu nāmaiṣa śūraḥ satyavrataḥ śuciḥ121| gṛhamāgatya viprarṣerbhojanaṃ pratyayācata| sāgraṃ varṣaśataṃ caiva bhuktavānnṛpasattama122| brahmadattasya vai tasya pādyamarghyaṃ svayaṃ tataḥ| ātmanaivākarotsamyagbhojanārthaṃ mahādyute123| samāviśya gṛhaṃ tasya āhāre tu mahātmanaḥ| nārīṃ pūrṇastanīṃ dṛṣṭvā hastenātha parāmṛśat124| atha kruddhena muninā śāpo dattaḥ sudāruṇaḥ| gṛdhratvaṃ gaccha vai mūḍha rājā munimathābravīt125| kṛpāṃ kuru mahābhāga śāpoddhāro bhaviṣyati| dayālustadvacaḥ śrutvā punarāha narādhipa126| utpatsyate raghukule rāmo nāma mahāyaśāḥ| ikṣvākūṇāṃ mahābhāgo rājā rājīvalocanaḥ127| tena dṛṣṭo vipāpastvaṃ bhavitā narapuṃgava| dṛṣṭo rāmeṇa tacchrutvā babhūva pṛthivīpatiḥ128| gṛdhratvaṃ tyajya vai śīghraṃ divyagaṃdhānulepanaḥ| puruṣo divyarūpo'sau babhāṣe taṃ narādhipaṃ129| sādhu rāghava dharmajña tvatprasādādahaṃ vibho| vimukto narakādghorādapāpastu tvayā kṛtaḥ130| visarjitaṃ mayā gārdhyaṃ nararūpī mahīpatiḥ| ulūkaṃ prāha dharmajña svagṛhaṃ viśa kauśika131| ahaṃ saṃdhyāmupāsitvā gamiṣye yatra vai muniḥ| athodakamupaspṛśya saṃdhyāmanvāsya paścimāṃ132| āśramaṃ prāviśadrāmaḥ kuṃbhayonermahātmanaḥ| tasyāgastyo bahuguṇaṃ phalamūlaṃ ca sādaraṃ133| rasavaṃti ca śākāni bhojanārthamupāharat| sabhuktavānnaravyāghrastadannamamṛtopamam134| prītaśca parituṣṭaśca tāṃ rātriṃ samupāvasat| prabhāte kālyamutthāya kṛtvāhnikamariṃdama135| ṝṣiṃ samabhicakrāma gamanāya raghūttamaḥ| abhivādyābravīdrāmo maharṣiṃ kuṃbhasaṃbhavam136| āpṛcche sādhaye brahmannanujñātuṃ tvamarhasi| dhanyosmyanugṛhītosmi darśanena mahāmune137| diṣṭyā cāhaṃ bhaviṣyāmi pāvanātmā mahātmanaḥ| evaṃ bruvati kākutsthe vākyamadbhutadarśanaṃ138| uvāca paramaprīto bāṣpanetrastapodhanaḥ| atyadbhutamidaṃ vākyaṃ tava rāma śubhākṣaraṃ139| pāvanaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ tvayoktaṃ raghunaṃdana| muhūrtamapi rāma tvāṃ maitreṇekṣaṃti ye narāḥ140| pāvitāssarvasūktaiste kathyaṃte tridivaukasaḥ| ye ca tvāṃ ghoracakṣurbhirīkṣaṃte prāṇino bhuvi141| te hatā brahmadaṃḍena sadyo narakagāminaḥ| īdṛśastvaṃ raghuśreṣṭha pāvanaḥ sarvadehināṃ142| kathayaṃtaśca lokāstvāṃ siddhimeṣyaṃti rāghava| gacchasvānāturo'vighnaṃ paṃthānamakutobhayaḥ143| praśādhi rājyaṃ dharmeṇa gatistu jagatāṃ bhavān| evamuktastu muninā prāñjali pragraho nṛpaḥ144| abhivādayituṃ cakre so'gastyamṛṣisattamam| abhivādya muniśreṣṭhaṃstāṃśca sarvāṃstapodhikān145| athārohattadāvyagraḥ puṣpakaṃ hemabhūṣitam| taṃ prayāṃtaṃ munigaṇā āśīrvādaissamaṃtataḥ146| apūpujannareṃdraṃ taṃ sahasrākṣamivāmarāḥ| tato'rdhadivase prāpte rāmaḥ sarvārthakovidaḥ147| ayodhyāṃ prāpya kākutsthaḥ padbhyāṃ kakṣāmavātarat| tato visṛjya ruciraṃ puṣpakaṃ kāmavāhitaṃ148| kakṣāṃtarādviniṣkramya dvāsthānrājā'bravīdidaṃ| lakṣmaṇaṃ bharataṃ caiva gacchadhvaṃ laghuvikramāḥ149| mamāgamanamākhyāya samānayata mā ciram| śrutvātha bhāṣitaṃ dvāsthā rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ1.37.150| gatvā kumārāvāhūya rāghavāya nyavadeyan| dvāsthaiḥ kumārāvānītau rāghavasya nideśataḥ151| dṛṣṭvā tu rāghavaḥ prāptau priyau bharatalakṣmaṇau| samāliṃgya tu rāmastau vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha152| kṛtaṃ mayā yathātathyaṃ dvijakāryamanuttamaṃ| dharmahetumato bhūyaḥ kartumicchāmi rāghavau153| bhavadbhyāmātmabhūtābhyāṃ rājasūyaṃ kratūttamaṃ| sahito yaṣṭumicchāmi yatra dharmaśca śāśvataḥ154| puṣkarasthena vai pūrvaṃ brahmaṇā lokakāriṇā| śatatrayeṇa yajñānāmiṣṭaṃ ṣaṣṭyādhikena ca155| iṣṭvā hi rājasūyena somo dharmeṇa dharmavit| prāptaḥ sarveṣu lokeṣu kīrtisthānamanuttamam156| iṣṭvā hi rājasūyena mitraḥ śatrunibarhaṇaḥ| muhūrtena suśuddhena varuṇatvamupāgataḥ157| tasmādbhavaṃtau saṃciṃtya kāryesminvadataṃ hi tat| bharata uvāca| tvaṃ dharmaḥ paramaḥ sādho tvayi sarvā vasuṃdharā158| pratiṣṭhitā mahābāho yaśaścāmitavikrama| mahīpālāśca sarve tvāṃ prajāpatimivāmarāḥ159| nirīkṣaṃte mahātmāno lokanātha tathā vayaṃ| prajāśca pitṛvadrājanpaśyaṃti tvāṃ mahāmate160| pṛthivyāṃ gatibhūtosi prāṇināmiha rāghava| satvamevaṃvidhaṃ yajñaṃ nāharttāsi paraṃtapa161| pṛthivyāṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ vināśo dṛśyate yataḥ| śrūyate rājaśārdūla somasya manujeśvara162| jyotiṣāṃ sumahadyuddhaṃ saṃgrāme tārakāmaye| tārā bṛhaspaterbhāryā hṛtā somenakāmataḥ163| tatra yuddhaṃ mahadvṛttaṃ devadānavanāśanam| varuṇasya kratau ghore saṃgrāme matsyakacchapāḥ164| nivṛtte rājaśārdūla sarve naṣṭā jalecarāḥ| hariścaṃdrasya yajñāṃte rājasūyasya rāghava165| āḍībakaṃmahadyuddhaṃ sarvalokavināśanam| pṛthivyāṃ yāni satvāni tiryagyonigatāni vai166| divyānāṃ pārthivānāṃ ca rājasūye kṣayaḥ śrutaḥ| sa tvaṃ puruṣaśārdūla buddhyā saṃciṃtya pārthiva167| prāṇināṃ ca hitaṃ saumyaṃ pūrṇadharmaṃ samācara| bharatasya vacaḥ śrutvā rāghavaḥ prāha sādaram168| prītosmi tava dharmajña vākyenānena śatruhan| nivartitā rājasūyānmatirme dharmavatsala169| pūrṇaṃ dharmaṃ kariṣyāmi kānyakubje ca vāmanam| sthāpayiṣyāmyahaṃ vīra sā me khyātirdivaṃ gatā170| bhaviṣyati na saṃdeho yathā gaṃgā bhagīrathāt171|
English translation
Pulastya said :
1. The descendant of Raghu , having heard those most wonderful words, asked Agastya again, prompted by the importance of the ornament and through amazement.
Rāma said :
2. (Tell me) O revered sir, (about) the fearful forest where the Vidarbha -king Śveta practised penance. Tell me how the wonderful thing took place there.
3. Tell me how, (when) the fearful forest was desolate and void of beasts the king entered it to practise penance, O great sage.
4. Tell me how it was manless for a hundred yojanas around and how and on what business you entered it.
Agastya said :
5. Formerly in Kṛtayuga there lived Manu , the king who wielded the rod (as a symbol of judicial authority and punishment). His son was Ikṣvāku by name, whose lustre was unlimited.
6. (Manu) installed him, the elder son, on the throne on (i.e. of) the earth with the consent (of all) and said to him: “Be the king of royal families on the earth.”
7. O Rāghava , the son promised to the father to do so. Then being highly pleased, he again said to him:
8. “I am pleased with your very generous deeds. There is no doubt about it. Protect the subjects with the rod. The rod (should not be used) without (proper) reason.
9. That rod (i.e. punishment), which is inflicted upon the culprits by men here (i.e. in this world), being duly freed (from any blemish) takes the king to heaven.
10. Therefore, O (my) son, O you of mighty arms, be scrupulous (about using) the rod. If you do so, then you will have great religious merit in this world.”
11. Thus having very much advised his son with perfect concentration and being happy, Manu went to the world of Brahmā .
12. He (i.e. Ikṣvāku) became anxious (with the thought): ‘How shall I generate sons?’ As a result of various deeds he became united with (i.e. he had) many sons.
13. He gratified his dead ancestors with (i.e. by giving birth to) (his) sons resembling sons of gods. Best among them was the youngest.
14-18a. He was brave, had mastered the lores and was important as he was honoured by people. Foreseeing that (for committing a grave sin) the rod in future will fall on his person (i.e. on him), the intelligent father named him Daṇḍa .
15b-16. Seeing that terrible blemish of the son, O Rāghava, the lord gave him kingdom between Vindhya and Nīla (mountains). That Daṇḍa became the king there on the beautiful top of the mountain.
17. Similarly he fashioned a matchless city for his residence; and he himself named the city Madhumatta.
18-19a. Thus endowed with (i.e. possessing) that region the brave (Daṇḍa) lived there. Thus the king with (the help of) his priests governed that kingdom, full of subjects that were very much pleased, as the king of gods (i.e. Indra ) ruled in heaven.
19b-20a. O descendant of Kakutstha , the righteous-minded Daṇḍa governed the kingdom, free from any source of vexation for many groups of myriads of years.
20b-21a. Some time during the charming month of Caitra , the king approached the beautiful hermitage of Śukra .
21b-23. There he saw Śukra’s daughter of matchless beauty on the earth, who was wandering in the forest. Seeing her tall and stout, being in (the prime of) youth, with moon-like face, beautiful, of a fine nose, charming in all limbs, with stout and raised breasts, slim in the waist and big (in size), he was pleased.
24. Seeing her who had put on (only) one garment, who was (all) alone, and who was in her first (i.e. prime) youth, he naturally became tormented by love.
25-26. Approaching the well-reposed unmarried girl he said (these) words to her: “O you lady of beautiful buttocks (i.e. O you beautiful lady), wherefrom do you come? Whose daughter are you, O beautiful lady? I am tormented by love, therefore I am asking (you), O you beautiful lady. O charming lady, merely on seeing you, my heart is snatched by you.
27. Know me to be dead I do not get to enjoy this your beautiful face which attracts the hearts of sages.
28. My life is taken away by you; O beautiful lady, revive me. O you charming lady, I am your servant. Accept me who am your devotee.”
29. When the king, intoxicated by the passion of love, was thus talking, the daughter of Śukra politely spoke to him:
30. “Know me to be the daughter of Bhārgava , i.e. Śukra of pious deeds. (I am) Arajā by name and the eldest daughter of (Śukra) living in the hermitage.
31. O best king, my father is Śukra, and you are the disciple of that great-souled one. So, O king’s son, I am your spiritual sister.
32. O king, please do not utter such words. You should (in fact) protect me from other very wicked men.
33-34. My father is irascible and (when) angered will reduce you to ashes. Or (if) in view of the customary laws laid down for a king you (desire) to have union with me per force, ask my father through a prescribed course of conduct. O best king, request my father of a great lustre.
35. Otherwise you will certainly meet with a great terrible grief. When my father is angry he would burn (even) the three worlds.”
36. Hearing these inauspicious and very fearful and terrible words from (i.e. of) her, Daṇḍa, who was intoxicated by passion, said again with his head hung down:
37-38. “O you beautiful lady, favour me who am mad with lust. O you beautiful lady, you have arrested my life; it will (now) perish. Let there be hostility or let me be even killed very (mercilessly) after I obtain you. O you timid one, resort to me—your devotee. I have great attachment for you.”
39-40. Speaking thus, the king forcibly seized the girl with one hand, and snatched off her garments with the other (hand). He pressed her body with his body and put his mouth into hers (i.e. kissed her) and started copulating freely with her who was trembling (with fear).
41. Having wrought that very dreadful and fearful mischief, Daṇḍa quickly went to his city like an intoxicated elephant.
42. That daughter of Bhārgava (i.e. Arajā), helpless, dejected and weeping, waited, (there) not far away from the hermitage, for her father, honoured by gods.
43. That royal sage of great lustre, oppressed with hunger, and surrounded by his disciples, returned, after having bathed, to his hermitage.
44. He saw the helpless Arajā with an overflow of menstrual discharge (i.e. bleeding profusely) resembling the subjugated moonlight in union with the clouds.
45. The great-souled one, being oppressed with hunger, was very much angry. Burning the three worlds as it were (with his anger) he said to his disciples:
46-47. “See the terrible calamity, resembling the blazing flame of fire, of (i.e. brought about by) the perverse and shortsighted Daṇḍa, due to which (calamity), he along with his followers, will meet with a disaster. There is no doubt about it. He has here touched the flame of a blazing fire.
48. Since the wicked-minded one committed such a terrible sin, therefore he will get the worst shower of dust.
49. The wicked king, who has done a sinful deed, will, along with his country (-men) and servants, and army and vehicles, meet with destruction.
50. May Indra agitate with great shower of dust (i.e. dust-storm) the wicked king’s region, upto a range of hundred yojanas on all sides.
51. All mobile and immobile beings that are here (i.e. in his country) will soon perish due to the shower of dust (i.e. the dust-storm).
52. For seven nights there will be an unexpected shower (i.e. storm) of dust in (the area over which) Daṇḍa’s kingdom—including forests and hermitages—extends.”
53. Bhārgava, who was inflamed with anger, saying these words to the inmates of the hermitage, told them to stay at the end of (i.e. outside) the country.
54. When Uśanas said (this much), the people living in the hermitage quickly made their abode outside that region.
55-56. Having spoken these words to the sages, he spoke these words to Arajā: “O you of very wicked mind, being well-composed live in here. This hermitage, shining charmingly, extends supto a hundred yojanas. O Arajā, remain here without menstrual discharge for a period of one hundred years.”
57. Hearing the order of the brāhmaṇa -sage, Bhārgavi, being extremely grieved said to Bhārgava, her father: “All right.”
58. Saying so Bhārgava shifted his residence to somewhere else. Within a week the region was reduced to ashes as was said by (the sage), the expounder of the Vedas .
59-60. O kind Rama , therefore, Daṇḍa’s region of the Vindhya mountain was cursed by Uśanas (i.e. Bhārgava) when that offence was committed (by Daṇḍa). Since then (that region) is called Daṇḍakāraṇya , O descendant of Kakutstha. O Rāghava, I have told you all this that you ask (i.e. have asked) me.
61-62. O hero, the time for offering the evening prayer is passing away. O best among men, O Rāma , these great sages, with their pitchers full (of water), are, after offering libations of water, worshipping the Sun, everywhere; all the sages (have offered prayers) with the eulogies composed by Brahmā etc. and learnt by heart by them.
63a. O Rāma, the Sun has set. Go and sip water.
63b-64a. Obeying the words of the sage, Rāma, the descendant of Raghu, proceeded to that auspicious lake to offer his evening prayer.
64b-66. A vulture and an owl had been living for years together, in the charming forest-region, adorned with trees rendered auspicious by a river, having, a big mountain, adorned with hundreds of cuckoos, having parks (resounding with) the cries of various birds, full of many beasts, crowded with lions and tigers, and full of many brāhmaṇas .
67. The vulture of a wicked resolution, fought with the owl claiming the owl’s residence to be his (vulture’s) own.
68. (They decided:) Lotus-eyed Rāma is the king of all the world. We shall quickly approach him and (seek his verdict as) to whom this residence belongs.
69-70. The angry and intolerant vulture and owl approached (Rāma). Having quickly approached Rāma, the two, with their minds agitated with dissension, and hating each other, touched Rāma’s feet. Seeing the best of the descendants of Raghu the vulture said (these) words:
71. “In may opinion you are the best among gods and demons. You, who are highly intelligent, are superior to Bṛhas - pati and Śukra (in intelligence).
72. You know the higher and lower among the beings and are like another Indra in the mortal world. Like the Sun you are difficult to look at. In dignity you are like Himālaya .
73. In gravity you are the ocean. You are Yama , the regent of the quarter. In forgiveness you are like the earth, in quickness you resemble the wind.
74. You are the lord, endowed witheverything; O Rāghava, you are of the nature of Viṣṇu . You are intolerant, difficult to conquer, victorious and are the master of the science of the use of all missiles.
75-77a. O best among men, O lord of gods, (please) listen to my request. O lord, I have, with the might of my arms, formerly constructed my residence. The owl snatches it off. O king, (it is too much when he does so)especially in your presence. O king, he disobeys your order. Rāma, inflict capital punishment on him.”
77b. When the vulture said like this, the owl said (these) words:
78-79. “O lord, O king, (please) listen with concentration to my request. O Rāma, the king is born (with portions) from the Moon ( Soma ), Śakra , the Sun, Kubera and also Yama. There is little in him that is human; and you are said to be full of all gods and are devoted to Nārāyaṇa .
80. O king, your being Soma (i.e. your having the portion of Soma in you) consists in that after a proper thought is given to what should be done you protect the beings from miseries; for you dispel darkness (i.e. ignorance).
81. In the event of an offence, you, due to the rod (i.e. punishment) remove the fear of the subjects from the wicked and since you are a donor, a striker and a protector, therefore you are Indra.
82. You are unassailable among all beings. You are said to be fire on account of your lustre. O Rāma, you are Bhāskara (i.e. the Sun) as you repeatedly torment the wicked.
83. You are evidently comparable to the lord of wealth (i.e. Kubera) or (rather) you are superior to Kubera. O you best of kings, your wife Śrī (i.e. Lakṣmī ) always rests in your mind.
84-85. On account of your having Kubera’s treasure, you are Kubera; you are equal to (i.e. look equally upon) the immobile and the mobile beings; and O Rāghava, you look (equally) on your enemy as well as your friend. You always rule according to the law, by following (i.e. by paying regard to) usage and methods.
86. Death, O Rāma, is said (to come) to him, with whom you are angry; therefore, O king, your praise is sung and you are known as Yama.
87. O best king, your manly disposition is solely devoted to compassion. You are full of pity for all.
88. The king is the strength of the weak and the helpless. He is the sight of those who have no eyes; he is the intellect of those who have no thoughts.
89. You are even our lord; (please) listen, O you righteous one. You should think as do the birds.
90. You should appoint him, who is our protector, as the lord of birds. O lord, when you are nearby, let us not be without a lord.
91. Formerly you yourself have created the aggregate of living beings off our kinds. O king, this vulture, who has entered (i.e. taken unlawful possession of) my residence, troubles me.
92a. O best of men, you rule among gods and human beings.”
92b-93. Having heard this Rāma called his ministers— Viṣṭi , Jayanta , Vijaya , Siddhārtha , Rāṣṭravardhana , Aśoka , Dharmapāla , Sumantra and Mahābala .
94-95a. These were the ministers of Rāma and also King Daśaratha . They were wise, magnanimous, and were well-versed in all sciences; and also they were very calm, were of a high descent, and were proficient in politics and (in giving) counsel.
95b-97a. Having called them and having got down from Puṣpaka , the best of the Raghus asked the vulture and the owl who were quarreling: “O vulture, tell me in truth for how many years you have made (i.e. have been living in) that residence? I am curious to know it.”
97b-98. Hearing this, the vulture spoke to Rama, who remained there: “O Rama, my house has stood since the time this earth was filled with lofty men having many arms.”
99. The owl said to Rama: “This residence belongs to me O king, since the time the earth was adorned with trees.”
100-101 a. Hearing this, Rāma spoke to the members of the assembly: “That is no assembly where old men are not present; they are not old, who do not tell about moral virtue; that is not moral virtue which has no (element of) truth; that is not truth which approaches deceit.
101b-102a. All those members of the assembly who, after having gone to (i.e. attended) the assembly, sit silent, brooding (on something else) and do not speak out what is proper for the occasion, are liars.
102b-103. A thousand nooses of Varuṇa bind that man who does not say wise things through passion, through anger through fear. One noose out of those (nooses) gets untied after one year is over.
104a. Therefore, one who knows the truth should speak it properly.”
104b. Hearing this the ministers then said to Rama:
105. “O you highly intelligent one, the owl seems to be the proper (owner of the residence), and not the vulture. O great king, you are the authority, for the king is the greatest resort.
106-107a. All the subjects have the king as their foundation. He is the eternal virtue. Those men whom the king rules, do not suffer. Such best men are spared by Yama.”
107b. Hearing the words of his ministers, Rāma said:
108-109. “(Please) listen to the old account which has been narrated (often) and which I shall (now) tell you. At that time (i.e. in the beginning) all these three worlds with the heaven, the moon, the sun, the stars, the mountains, the earth, the trees, the ocean, the mobile and the immobile, were one as though it were one sky.
110-111. The reborn (?) entered, with Lakṣmī, the belly of Viṣṇu. Having arrested her the great-lustred and self-possessed one, having entered the ocean, slept there for many hundred years. When Viṣṇu had (thus) slept, Brahmā entered his belly.
112. Knowing him to be multi-streamed, the great one possessed of superhuman powers entered him. From the navel of Viṣṇu arose a lotus decorated with gold.
113-114. Then the great lord Brahmā possessed of superhuman power having come out of (Viṣṇu’s belly), desiring to create the earth, the wind, mountains and trees, the one of great penance created (all these) and all beings in between them, (and also) human beings, creeping animals, viviparous animals, and egg-born animals.
115-116. From his body sprang up Kaiṭabha with Madhu . The two very powerful and fearful demons, who had obtained boons, seeing the creator, got angry, and O king, they ran to the self-born one to eat him.
117-118. Seeing them all the beings got out separately (i.e. one by one). Being eulogised by Brahmā, Viṣṇu killed Madhu and Kaiṭabha, and for the stability of the earth, augmented it with their marrow ( meda ). The earth, having the odour of (their) marrow, came to be called Medinī since then.
119. Therefore the vulture is a liar; the sinner is claiming other’s residence as his own. The wicked one must be punished. There is no doubt about it.”
120. Then an unembodied voice spoke from the sky: “O Rāma, do not kill the vulture who was burnt by the power of penance.
121-122. O lord of men, this lord of beings was formerly burnt by Gautama . His name is Brahmadatta . He, a brave one, of a true vow and pure, having gone to the house of the brāhmaṇa-sage, begged him for food. O best king, he enjoyed it for a full hundred years.
123-124. O you of great lustre, having offered Brahmadatta water for washing his feet and respectful offering he himself made (arrangements) for his meal. Having entered the house of the great-souled one for food, he, seeing a lady withfull (i.e. plump) breasts, touched them with his hand.
125. Then the angry sage gave a very cruel curse: O you fool, be a vulture.
126-128a. Then the king said to the sage: “O glorious one, favour me (so that) there will be freedom from curse (i.e. I shall be free from your curse).” O king, the kind (sage) having heard his words, again said (to him): “In Raghu’s family, Rāma of great fame and having eyes like lotuses will be born as the (most) illustrious among the Ikṣvākus . Seen by him, you will be free from sins, O best among men.”
128b-129. Hearing that Rāma saw him and he became a king. Then quickly giving up his vulture-form, and besmeared with divine sandal, he, a man of divine form, said to that king:
130-131. “O Rāghava, well-versed in piety, well (done). Due to your favour I have been freed from a terrible hell. You have made me free from sins. I have given up the vulture-form.” Then the king in a human form said to the owl: “O you owl, conversant with piety, enter your own house.
132-134. After having offered evening prayers I shall go to the place where that sage (Agastya) is.” Then having sipped water, and offered the evening prayers, Rāma entered the hermitage of the pitcher-born, great-souled (sage). Agastya respectfully brought for his meal excellent fruits and roots and tasty vegetables. That best among men (i.e. Rāma) ate that food resembling nectar.
135-136. Pleased and fully satisfied he lived (there) that night. Getting up at day-break, and having performed the daily rites, the best of the Raghus went to the sage (to get his leave) to go, O you subduer of enemies. Having saluted the great sage born from a pitcher, Rāma said to him:
137-138a. “O brāhmaṇa, I take my leave of you. I am leaving. (Please) allow me (to go). O great sage, by seeing you I am blessed; I am favoured (by you). Luckily due to you I shall have my soul purified.”
138b-139a. When Rāma was speaking thus the sage, the treasure of penance, being very much pleased and with tears in his eyes, said to him of a wonderful appearance:
139b-140a. “O Rāma these auspicious words uttered by you are extremely wonderful. What you said, O descendant of Raghu, will purify all beings.
140b-142. O Rāma, those who look at you even for a short while with friendly eyes are purified by eulogies: so say the gods; and those beings on the earth, who look at you with fearful eyes are instantly killed by Brahma ’s rod (of chastisement) and go to hell. O best of Raghus, you are like this. You are the purifier of all human beings.
143-145a. O Rāghava, those who describe you (i.e. your merits) will attain perfect success. Go safely, without any fear from anywhere, along the path free from any danger. Govern your kingdom righteously. You are the refuge of (all) the worlds.” Thus addressed by the sage, the king (i.e. Rāma), with the palms of his hands joined in obeisance, saluted Agastya, the best sage.
145b-146a. Having saluted the best sage and (others) superior in penance, he, unbewildered, got into the Puṣpaka, decorated with gold.
146b-148a. The groups of sages on all sides honoured him, who was leaving, with blessings as gods honour Indra. When it was half a day (after having left Agastya’s hermitage i.e. after travelling for half a day), Rāma who knew everything, reached Ayodhyā and went to his private chamber on foot.
148b-149a. Then having dismissed the charming, Puṣpaka, taken (anywhere) at will, the king, the descendant of Kakutstha, having come out of the private chamber, said these words to the door-keepers:
149b-150a. “Go quickly to Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata . Tell them about my arrival, and bring them (here); do not delay.”
150b-151. The door-keepers, having heard (these) words of Rāma, of unimpaired deeds, went to the two youths, and having invited them, reported to Rāghava. The door-keepers had brought the two youths as per Rāma’s order.
152. Rama, seeing beloved Bharata and Lakṣmaṇa, who had come (there) embraced them and said these words to them:
153. “I have properly carried out the excellent mission of the brāhmaṇa. O descendants of Raghu, hereafter I wish to do (something) which is the cause of (i.e. which would lead to) religious merit.
154. With you who are my (very) souls I desire to perform the excellent Rājasūya sacrifice in (i.e. by) which eternal merit (is obtained).
155-156. Formerly, Brahmā, the creator, living at Puṣkara , performed three hundred and sixty sacrifices. Soma, the knower of piety, having performed the Rājasūya sacrifices, obtained an excellent famous position in all the worlds.
157. Mitra , the destroyer of enemies, having performed the Rājasūya at a very auspicious time, became Varuṇa.
158a. Terefore, you two, having given a thought to this act, tell me (your opinion) about it.”
Bharata said :
158b-160. O Righteous one, you are the highest Dharma . All the earth is supported by you, O you of mighty arms. O you of unlimited valour, (your) fame is great. All the kings look up to you as the great-souled gods look up to the Creator. O lord of the world, similarly we also (look up to you). O you highly intelligent one, O king, the subjects also look upon you as their father.
161-162a. O Rāghava, here, on this earth, you have become the shelter of beings. You who are like this (i.e. as described), O tormentor of enemies, (should) not perform such a sacrifice; since due to it the destruction of all the beings on the earth appears (imminent).
l62b-164a. O best of kings, O lord of men, it is heard that in the Tārakāmaya war a great battle took place between Soma and the Stars. Soma bad taken away, through lust, Tārā , the wife of Bṛhaspati .Then a great battle took place, which destroyed gods and demons.
164b-166a. O best king, when the sacrifice performed by Varuṇa was over, all the aquatic animals like the fish and the tortoises perished. O Rāghava, at the end of the Rājasūya sacrifice performed by Hariścandra , a great and terrible battle, Āḍībaka [1] , took place which destroyed the entire world.
166b-167a. All the beings that were in the earth turned into animals walking horizontally. It is heard that (even) divine kings perished in the Rājasūya sacrifice.
167b-168a. O you best among men, O king, such as you are, having carefully thought about the well-being of beings, (please) practise auspicious and complete piety.
168b-169. Having heard Bharata’s words, Rāma respectfully said; “O you knower of Dharma, O you killer of enemies, I am pleased with these words (uttered) by you. O you who are devoted to righteousness, I have taken away my mind (i.e. have refrained) from (performing) the Rājasūya sacrifice.
170-171. I shall practise complete virtue and will install the (image of) Vāmana at Kānyakubja . O great hero, that fame of mine (i.e. my fame due to that will) have gone to heaven, as Gaṅgā (bacame famous) due to Bhagīratha . There is no doubt about it.
[1]: [1] : Āḍībaka—According to Monier-Williams a combat fought by the birds Āḍi and Baea (into which Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra had been transformed respectively).
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 35299, revision 334505 (2022-04-04T20:39:43Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364160.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.