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Hearing those words of Dasaratha's composed of letters faltering with affection, Kusika's son, stirred up with anger, answered the monarch, saying, | तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य स्नेहपर्याकुलाक्षरम्। समन्युः कौशिकौ वाक्यं प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम् ॥ |
Having promised me first, you endeavour to renounce that proinise of yours. This surely is unworthy of a descendant of Raghu, and this can bring destruction upon the dynasty. | पूर्वमर्थं प्रतिश्रुत्य प्रतिज्ञां हातुमिच्छसि। राघवाणामयुक्तोऽयं कुलस्यास्य विपर्यय॥ |
If, O king, in acting thus, you have acted properly, I will then repair to the place whence I had come. O Kākutstha's descendant false in promise, do you attain happiness, being surrounded by your friends. | यदीदं ते क्षमं राजन् गमिष्यामि यथागतम्। मिथ्याप्रतिज्ञः काकुत्स्थ सुखी भव सुहृद्वृतः॥ |
And when the intelligent Viśvāmitra was exercised with wrath, the entire earth began to tremble, and the gods even were inspired with awe. | तस्य रोषपरीतस्य विश्वामित्रस्य धीमतः। चचाल वसुधा कृत्स्ना देवानां च भयं महत्॥ |
And knowing that the entire universe was in trepidation, that mighty saint, the sedate Vasiştha of excellent vows, said these words to the king. | त्रस्तरूपं तु विज्ञाय जगत् सर्वं महानृषिः। नृपतिं सुव्रतो धीरो वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ |
Born in the line of Ikşvāku, you are the very second self of virtue. And endowed with patience, and auspicious, and observing excellent vows, you ought not to renounce virtue. | इक्ष्वाकूणां कुले जातः साक्षाद् धर्म इवापरः। धृतिमान् सुव्रतः श्रीमान् न धर्म हातुमर्हसि॥ |
The descendant of Raghu is famed over the three worlds as righteous-souled. Do you maintain your habit of adhering to promise; for it does not behove you to act unrighteously. | त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातो धर्मात्मा इति राघवः। स्वधर्मं प्रतिपद्यस्व नाधर्मं वोढुमर्हसि।७।। |
If having promised, I will do so, you do not act up to your word, the merit you have achieved by digging tanks, shall come to naught, therefore do you renounce Rāma! | प्रतिश्रुत्य करिष्येति उक्तं वाक्यमकुर्वतः। इष्टापूर्तवधो भूयात् तस्माद् रामं विसर्जय॥ |
Accomplished or not accomplished in weapons, the Rākṣasas cannot bear him protected by Kusika's son, like ambrosia, by flaming fire. | कृतास्त्रमकृतास्त्रं वा नैनं शक्ष्यन्ति राक्षसाः। गुप्तं कुशिकपुत्रेण ज्वलनेनामृतं यथा॥ |
This one is Virtue incarnate : this one is the foremost of those possessing prowess. This one surpass all others in learning, and is the refuge of asceticism. | एष विग्रहवान् धर्म एष वीर्यवतां वरः। एष विद्याधिको लोके तपसश्च परायणम्॥ |
This one is congnizant of all that exist in the three worlds furnished with mobile and immobile things;. but others do not know him,-nor yet shall know him hereafter. | एषोऽस्त्रान् विविधान् वेत्ति त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे। नैनमन्यः पुमान् वेत्ति न च वेत्स्यन्ति केचन॥ |
And neither the gods, nor the saints, nor the immortals, nor the Rakşasas, nor the foremost of Gandharvas and Yaksas, nor the Kinnaras, nor the mighty Serpents can know him. | न देवा नर्षयः केचिन्नामरा न च राक्षसाः। गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवराः सकिन्नरमहोरगाः॥ |
And formerly while the descendant of Kusika was ruling his kingdom, Siva conferred upon him the highly famous sons of Kțśāśva in the shape of all w apons. | सर्वास्त्राणि कृशाश्वस्य पुत्राः परमधार्मिकाः। कौशिकाय पुरा दत्ता यदा राज्यं प्रशासति॥ |
Those sons of Krśāśva were the offspring of Prajāpati's daughters. And they were endowed with various forms, and were effulgent and dreadful. | तेऽपि पुत्राः कृशाश्वस्य प्रजापतिसुतासुताः। नैकरूपा महावीर्या दीप्तिमन्तो जयावहाः॥ |
And Dakşa's daughters of elegant waists, Jayā and Suprabhā, brought forth an hundred exceedingly effulgent weapons. | जया च सुप्रभा चैव दक्षकन्ये सुमध्यमे। ते सूतेऽस्त्राणि शस्त्राणि शतं परमभास्वरम्॥ |
And by virtue of her boon, Jayā obtained fifty sons of immeasurable strength and endued with the power of becoming invisible for the purpose of slaughtering the hosts of the Asuras. | पञ्चाशतं सुताँल्लेभे जया लब्धवरा वरान्। वधायासुरसैन्यानामप्रमेयानरूपिणः॥ |
Suprabhā also brought forth fifty sons named Sanhäras, incapable of being borne, and infallible and powerful. | सुप्रभाजनयच्चापि पुत्रान् पञ्चशतं पुनः। संहारान् नाम दुर्धर्षान् दुराक्रमान् बलीयसः॥ |
Kuśika's son is adequately conversant with all those weapons. And that one knowing duty is also capable of creating wonderful weapons. | तानि चास्त्राणि वेत्त्येष यथावत् कुशिकात्मजः। अपूर्वाणां च जनने शक्तो भूयश्च धर्मवित्॥ |
O descendant of Raghu, there is nothing present, past, or future which is not known by that foremost of ascetics of high soul, and cognizant of morality. | तेनास्य मुनिमुख्यस्य धर्मज्ञस्य महात्मनः। न किञ्चिदस्त्यविदितं भूतं भव्यं च राघव॥ |
Such is the prowess of that highly famous Viśvāmitra possessed of mighty energy. Therefore, O king, it behove you not to hesitate in the matter of Rāma's going. | एवंवीर्यो महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महायशाः। न रामगमने राजन् संशयं गन्तुमर्हसि ॥ |
The descendant of Kusika is himself capable of repressing the Rākşasas; and it is in order to your son's welfare that coming to you, he ask for him of you. | तेषां निग्रहणे शक्तः स्वयं च कुशिकात्मजः। तव पुत्रहितार्थाय त्वामुपेत्याभियाचते॥ |
At this speech of the ascetic, that foremost of Raghus, the king, well-pleased, became exceedingly delighted. And that famous one, relishing the journey of Rāma, began to reflect in his mind about consigning him to Kusika's son. | इति मुनिवचनात् प्रसन्नचित्तो रघुवृषभश्च मुमोद पार्थिवाग्र्यः। गमनमभिरुरोच राघवस्य प्रथितयशाः कुशिकात्मजाय बुद्ध्या॥ |
At this speech of the ascetic, that foremost of Raghus, the king, well-pleased, became exceedingly delighted. And that famous one, relishing the journey of Rāma, began to reflect in his mind about consigning him to Kusika's son. a | गमनमभिरुरोच राघवस्य प्रथितयशाः कुशिकात्मजाय बुद्ध्या॥ |
Upon Vasistha's representing this, king Dasaratha himself, with complacent countenance, summoned to him Rāma and Laksmana. | तथा वसिष्ठे ब्रुवति राजा दशरथः स्वयम्। प्रहृष्टवदनो राममाजुहाव सलक्ष्मणम्॥ |
And when the auspicious rites had been performed by both Rāma's father and mother, and when the priest Vasiştha had uttered mantras, king Dasaratha, smelling his son's crown, with a glad heart, made him over to the descendant of Kusika. | कृतस्वस्त्ययनं मात्रा पित्रा दशरथेन च। पुरोधसा वसिष्ठेन मङ्गलैरभिमन्त्रितम्॥ स पुत्रं मू[पाघ्राय राजा दशरथस्तदा॥ |
Then there blow a Breeze free from dust and of delicious feel, on witnessing the lotus-eyed Rāma at the hands of Viśvāmitra. And as the high-souled one was about to set out, blossoms began to shower down copiously, accompanied with the sounds of celestial kettle-drums and the loud blares of conch. | ततो वायुः सुखस्पर्शो नीरजस्को ववौ तदा। विश्वामित्रगतं रामं दृष्ट्वा राजीवलोचनम्॥ पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीद् देवदुन्दुभिनिःस्वनैः। शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः प्रयाते तु महात्मनि ॥ |
Viśvāmitra went first, and next the highly famous Rāma with the side-locks, holding the bow. And him followed Sumitrā's Sun | विश्वामित्रो ययावग्रे ततो रामो महायशाः। काकपक्षधरो धन्वी तं च सौमित्रिरन्वगात्॥ |
And equipped with quivers, and with bows in hand, gracing the ten cardinal points and resembling three-hooded serpents, they followed the high-souled Viśvāmitra, like the two stalwart Asvins following the Grand-sire. | कलापिनौ धनुष्पाणी शोभयानौ दिशो दश। विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं त्रिशीर्षाविव पन्नगौ॥ अनुजग्मतुरक्षुद्रौ पितामहमिवाश्विनौ। अनुयातौ श्रिया दीप्तौ शोभयन्तावनिन्दितौ॥ |
Those effulgent ones of faultless limbs went in the wake of the ascetic, illumining him with their grace. And like to those sons of him Skandha and Višākha following the incomprehensible deity, Sthāņu, those youthful brothers of comely persons and faultless limbs Rāma and Lakşmana, highly effulgent, carrying bows in hand, adorned with ornaments, and equipped with scimitars, with their fingers encased in Guana skin, flamingly followed Kusika's son, beautifying him with their splendour. | तदा कुशिकपुत्रं तु धनुष्पाणी स्वलंकृतौ। बद्धगोधाङ्गलित्राणौ खङ्गवन्तौ महाद्युती॥ कुमारौ चारुवपुषौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। अनुयातौ श्रिया दीप्तौ शोभयेतामनिन्दितौ॥ स्थाणुं देवमिवाचिन्त्यं कुमाराविव पावकी। |
And having proceeded over half a Yojana, and arriving at the right bank of the Sarayū, Viśvāmitra addressed these sweet words to Rāma, O Rāma! do you, O child, take of this water: let no delay occur. | अध्यर्धयोजनं गत्वा सरय्वा दक्षिणे तटे॥ रामेति मधुरां वाणीं विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत। गृहाण वत्स सलिलं माभूत् कालस्य पर्ययः॥ |
Do you receive the mantras Bala and Atibala, and you will not feel fatigue or fever or undergo any change of look, and whether asleep or heedless, the Rākşasas will not be able to surprise you. And, O Rāma, the might of your arms will be unequalled in this world,-nay, in all the three worlds. | मन्त्रग्रामं गृहाण त्वं बलामतिबलां तथा। न श्रमो न ज्वरो वा ते न रूपस्य विपर्ययः॥ न च सुप्तं प्रमत्तं वां धर्षयिष्यन्ति नैऋताः। न बाह्वोः सदृशो वीर्ये पृथिव्यामस्ति कश्चन ॥ |
Do you, O Rāghava, recite Bala and Atibala, O child! And, O sinless one, when you have secured these two kinds of knowledge, none in this world will equal you in good fortune, or in talent or in philoscphic wisdom, or in subtle apprehension, or in the capacity of answering a controversialist; for Bala and Atibala are the nurses of all knowledge. | त्रिषु लोकेषु वा राम न भवेद् सदृशस्तव। बलामतिबलां चैव पठतस्तात राघव॥ न सौभाग्ये न दाक्षिण्ये न ज्ञाने बुद्धिनिश्चये। नोत्तरे प्रतिवक्तव्ये समो लोके तवानघ॥ एतद्विद्याद्वये लब्धे न भवेत् सदृशस्तव। बला चातिबला चैव सर्वज्ञानस्य मातरौ ॥ |
And, O Rāma, O foremost of men, if you recite Bala and Atibala on the way, neither hunger nor thirst will exercise you, O descendant of Raghu! And if you recite these, you will attain fame on earth. Those sciences fraught with energy are the daughters of the Grandsire. | क्षुत्पिपासे न ते राम भविष्येते नरोत्तम। बलामतिबलां चैव पठतस्तात राघव॥ विद्याद्वयमधीयाने यशश्चाथ भवेद् भुवि। पितामहसुते ह्येते विद्ये तेजः समन्विते॥ |
I intend to confer them upon you, O Kākutstha; and, O lord of earth, they are worthy to be conferred upon you; and they are possessed of various virtues. You need not entertain any doubt about it. And if you bear them in consonance with the precepts, they will prove of manifold good to you. | प्रदातुं तव काकुत्स्थ सदृशस्त्वं हि पाथिव। कामं बहुगुणाः सर्वे त्वय्येते नात्र संशयः॥ तपसा सम्भृते चैते बहुरूपे भविष्यतः। |
Thereat Rāma with a cheerful countenance sipning water with a purified body received those sciences from the Maharși of subdued soul. | ततो रामो जलं स्पृष्ट्वा प्रहृष्टवदनः शुचिः॥ प्रतिजग्राह ते विद्ये महर्षे वितात्मनः। |
And furnished with the sciences, Rāma of dreadful prowess appeared resplendent, even like the adorable autumnal Sun invested with a thousand rays. | विद्यासमुदितो रामः शुशुभे भीमविक्रमः॥ सहस्ररश्मिभगवाञ्शरदीव दिवाकरः। |
Then Rāma having rendered to Kuśika's son all the duties pertaining to a spiritual guide, the three happily spent that night on the banks of the Sarayu. | गुरुकार्याणि सर्वाणि नियुज्य कुशिकात्मजे॥ ऊषुस्तां रजनीं तत्र सरय्वां ससुखं त्रयः। |
And although those excellent of Dasaratha lay down on an unbeseeming bed of grass, yet in consequence of the sweet converse of Kusika's son, the night seemed to pass pleasantly away. sons | दशरथनृपसूनुसत्तमाभ्यां तृणशयनेऽनुचिते तदोषिताभ्याम्। कुशिकसुतवचोऽनुलालिताभ्यां सुखमिव सा विबभौ विभावरी च॥ |
And when the night had passed away, the mighty ascetic spoke to Kākutstha, lying down on a bed of leaves, O Rāma, surely has Kausalyā given birth to an excellent son! The first Sandhyā* should now be performed. Do you, O tiger among men, arise! You should perform the purificatory rites and contemplate the gods. *Brāhmaṇas have to perform their daily devotions thrice,-in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. | प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः। अभ्यभाषत काकुत्स्थौ शयानौ पर्णसंस्तरे॥ कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पूर्वां संध्या प्रवर्तने। उत्तिष्ठ नरशार्दूल कर्तव्यं दैवमाह्निकम्॥ |
Hearing those proper words of the ascetic, those foremost of men, endowed with heroism, bathed, and, sipping water, began to recite the Gayatri. (The solar hymn of the Veda). | तम्यर्षेः परमोदारं वचः श्रुत्वा नरोत्तमौ। स्नात्वा कृतोदकौ वीरौ जेपतुः परमं जपम्॥ |
And having performed these daily duties, those exceedingly powerful ones, greeting Viśvāmitra having asceticism for wealth, stood before him, with the object of starting on their journey. | कृताहिको महावीर्यो विश्वामित्रं तपोधनम्। अभिवाद्यातिसंहष्टौ गमनायाभितस्थतुः॥ |
And as those ones endowed with exceeding prowess were proceeding, at the shining confluence of the Sarayū and the Gangā they bcheld a noble river flowing in three branches. | तौ प्रयान्तौ महावीरों दिव्यां त्रिपथगां नदीम्। ददृशाते ततस्तत्र सरय्वाः संगमे शुभे ॥ |
There lay a holy hermitage, belonging to ascetics of subdued souls, where they had been carrying on their high austerities for thousands of years. | तत्राश्रमपदं पुण्यमृषीणां भावितात्मनाम्। बहुवर्षसहस्राणि तप्यतां परमं तपः॥ |
Beholding that sacred asylum those descendants of Raghu, exceedingly delighted, spoke to the high-souled Viśvāmitra, these words. | तं दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतौ राघवौ पुण्यमाश्रमम्। ऊचतुस्तं महात्मानं विश्वामित्रमिदं वचः॥ |
Whose is this sacred hemmilage? And what man lives here? O worshipfui one, we are desirous of hcasing this. Surciy, great is our curiosity. | कस्यायमाश्रमः पुण्यः को न्वस्मिन् वसते पुमान्। भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छावः परं कौतूहलं हि लो॥ |
At those words of theirs, that foremost of ascetics, smiling, said, Hear, O Rama, as to whom the asylum has belonged in time past. | तयोस्तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य मुनिपुङ्गवः। अब्रवीच्छ्रयतां राम यस्यायं पूर्वं आश्रमः॥ |
Kandarpa, called Käma by the wise, was once incarnate (on earth.) And it came to pass that as that lord of the deities, Sthāņu, having performed here his austerities in accordance with the prescribed restrictions, was wending his way in company with the Maruts, that fool-hardy wight dared disturb the equanimity of his mind. | कन्दो मूर्तिमानासीत् काम इत्युच्यते बुधैः। तपस्यन्तमिह स्थाणुं नियमेन समाहितम्॥ कृतोद्वाहं तु देवेशं गच्छन्तं समरुद्गणम्। धर्षयामास दुर्मेधा हुंकृतश्च महात्मना ॥ |
Thereupon, O descendant of Raghu, uttering a roar, the high-souled Rudra eyed him steadfastly. And thereat all the limbs of that perverse-hearted one became blasted. | अवध्यातश्च रुद्रेण चक्षुणा रघुनन्दन। व्यशीर्यन्त शरीरात् स्वात् सर्वगात्राणि दुर्मतेः॥ |
And on his body being consumed by that high-souled one, Kāma was deprived of his person in consequence of the ire of that foremost among the deities. | तत्र गात्रं हतं तस्य निर्दग्धस्य महात्मनः। अशरीरः कृतः कामः क्रोधाद् देवेश्वरेण ह॥ |
O Rāghava, from that time forth, he has become known as Ananga. And the place where he was deprived of his body is the lovely land of Anga. | अनङ्ग इति विख्यातस्तदाप्रभृति राघव। स चाङ्गविषयः श्रीमान् यत्राङ्ग स मुमोच ह॥ |
This sacred hermitage belongs to Śiva; and these ascetics engaged in pious acts, O hero, have been from father to son his disciples. And no sin touch them. | तस्यायमाश्रमः पुण्यस्तस्येमे मुनयः पुरा। शिष्या धर्मपरा वीर तेषां पापं न विद्यते॥ |
Here, O Rāma, in the midst of the sacred streams, will we spend the night, O you of gracious presence, crossing over on the morrow. | इहाद्य रजनीं राम वसेम शुभदर्शन। पुण्ययोः सरितोर्मध्ये श्वस्तरिष्यामहे वयम्॥ |
Let us then, having purified ourselves, enter the holy hermitage! It is highly desirable for us to sojourn here, here will we happily spend the night, having bathed, and recited the mantras, and offered oblations to the sacrificial fire, O best of men. | अभिगच्छामहे सर्वे शुचयः पुण्यमाश्रमम्। इह वासः परोऽस्माकं सुखं वत्स्यामहे निशाम्॥ स्नाताश्च कृतजप्याश्च हुतहव्या नरोत्तम । |
As they were conversing thus, the ascetics were highly delighted on discovering them by means of their far-reaching spiritual vision, and they rejoiced greatly. | तेषां संवदतां तत्र तपोदीर्पण चक्षुषा ॥ विज्ञाय परमप्रीता मुनयो हर्षमागमन्। |
Then giving Kusika's son water to wash his feet and Arghya, and extending to him also the rites of hospitality, they next entertained Rāma and Laksmana. | अर्घ्यं पाद्यं तथाऽऽतिथ्यं निवेद्य कुशिकात्मजे॥ रामलक्ष्मणयोः पश्चादकुर्वनतिथिक्रियाम्। |
Having experienced their hospitality, they (the guests) delighted them with their talk. And then the saints with collected minds recited their evening prayers. | सत्कारं समनुप्राप्य कथाभिरभिरञ्जयन्॥ यथार्हमजपन् संध्यामृषयस्ते समाहिताः। |
And having been shown their destined place of rest along with ascetics of excellent vows, they happily passed that night in that hermitage affording every comfort. | तत्र वासिभिरानीता मुनिभिः सुव्रतैः सह॥ न्यवसत्स सुखं तत्र कामाश्रमपदे तथा। |
And that foremost of ascetics, the righteoussouled son of Kuśika, by means of his excellent converse, charmed the prepossessing sons of the monarch. | कथाभिरभिरामाभिरभिरामौ नृपात्मजौ। रमयामास धर्मात्मा कौशिको मुनिपुङ्गवः॥ |
Then next morning which happened to be fine, those repressors of their foes, with Viśvāmitra at their head, came to the banks of the river.* Ganga. The legend is that when the saint Agastya had sucked up the ocean, the Ganges replenished it. | ततः प्रभाते विमले कृताह्निकमरिन्दमौ। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य नद्यास्तीरमुपागतौ॥ |
And those high-souled ascetics observing vows, having brought an elegant bark, addressed Viśvāmitra, saying. | ते च सर्वे महात्मानो मुनयः संशितव्रताः। उपस्थाप्य शुभां नावं विश्वामित्रमथाब्रुवन्॥ |
Do you ascend the bark, with the princes at your head! May your journey be auspicious: let no delay occur | आरोहतु भवान् नावं राजपुत्रपुरस्कृतः। अरिष्टं गच्छ पन्थानं मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः॥ |
Thereupon saying, So be it! and having paid homage to those ascetics, Viśvāmitra set about crossing that river, which had replenished the ocean. | विश्वामित्रस्तथेत्युक्त्वा तानृषीन् प्रतिपूज्य च। ततार सहितस्ताभ्यां सरितं सागरङ्गमाम्॥ |
It came to pass that while thus engaged, they heard a sound augmented by the dashing of the waves. And having come to the middle of the stream, the highly energetic Rāma with his younger brother, became curious to ascertain the cause of that sound. | तत्र शुश्राव वै शब्दं तोयसंरम्भवर्धितम्। मध्यमागम्य तोयस्य तस्य शब्दस्य निश्चयम्॥ ज्ञातुकामो महातेजाः सह रामः कनीयसा। |
And reaching the middle of the river, Rāma asked that best of ascetics, What is this loud uproar that seem to come riving the waters? | अथ रामः सरिन्मध्यो पप्रच्छ मुनिपुङ्गवम्॥ वारिणो भिद्यमानस्य किमयं तुमुलो ध्वनिः। |
Hearing Rāghava's words dictated by curiosity, that righteous-souled one spoke, unfolding the true cause of that noise. | राघवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कौतूहलसमन्वितम्॥ कथयामास धर्मात्मा तस्य शब्दस्य निश्चयम्। |
O Rāma, there is in the Kailāsa mountain an exceedingly beautiful pool, created mentally by Brahma, O foremost of men, and hence this watery expanse go by the name of Mānasa Pool. | कैलासपर्वते राम मनसा निर्मितं परम्॥ ब्रह्मणा नरशार्दूल तेनेदं मानसं सरः। |
And the stream that issues from that liquid lapse, flows through Ayodhyā: the sacred Sarayü issues from that pool of Brahma. | तस्मात् सुस्राव सरसः सोयोध्यामुपगूहते॥ सरःप्रवृत्ता सरयू: पुण्या ब्रह्मसरश्च्युता। |
And as the Sarayū meets the Jāhnavī, this tremendous uproar is heard, being produced by the clashing of the waters. Do you, O Rāma, bow down to them with a concentrated mind. | तस्यायमतुलः शब्दो जाह्नवीमभिवर्तते॥ वारिसंक्षीभजो राम प्रणामं नियतः कुरु। |
Thereupon, both of those exceedingly righteous ones, bowed down to those streams; and betaking themselves to the right bank, began to proceed with fleet vigour. | ताभ्यां तु तावुभौ कृत्वा प्रणाममतिधार्मिकौ॥ तीरं दक्षिणमासाद्य जग्मतुर्लघुविक्रमौ। |
And beholding a dreadful and trackless. forest, that son of the foremost of men, Ikşvāku's descendant, asked that best of ascetics. | स वनं घोरसंकाशं दृष्ट्वा नरवरात्मजः॥ अविप्रहतमैक्ष्वाकः पप्रच्छ मुनिपुङ्गवम्। |
Ah! deep is this forest abounding in crickets; and filled with terrible ferocious beasts, and various birds possessed of shocking voices and creaming frightfully; and graced by lion, and tigers, and boars, and elephants; and crowded with Dhavas* (Grislea Tomentosa). and Asvas and Karnas (Cassia fistula) and Kakubhas and Vilvas (Aegle marmalos) and Tindukas; (Diospyros glutinosa) and Patalas (Bignonia suave-olens) and Badaris (Fujube). Whence is this dreadful forest? | अहो वनमिदं दुर्ग झिल्लिकागणसंयुतम्॥ भैरवैः श्वापदैः कीर्णं शकुन्तैर्दारुणारवैः। नानाप्रकारैः शकुनैर्वाश्यद्भिभैरवस्वनैः॥ सिंहव्याघ्रवराहैश्च वारणैश्चापि शोभितम्। धवाश्वकर्णककुभैर्बिल्वतिन्दुकपाटलैः॥ संकीर्णं बदरीभिश्च किं न्विदं दारुणं वनम्। |
Him answered thus the mighty ascetic Viśvāmitra endowed with high energy, Do you listen, O Kākutstha, as to whom belong this dreadful forest! | तमुवाच महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः॥ श्रूयतां वत्स काकुत्स्थ यस्यैतद् दारुणं वनम्। |
Here were formerly, O foremost of men, two flourishing provinces, named Malada, and Karāsa, built by celestial architects. | एतौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ पूर्वमास्तां नरोत्तम॥ मलदाश्च करूषाश्च देवनिर्माणनिर्मितौ। |
In days of yore, O Räma, on the occasion of the destruction of Vſtra, the thousand-eyed one came to have hunger, to be besmeared with excreta, and to slay a Brahmana. | पुरा वृत्रवधे राम मलेन समभिप्लुतम्॥ क्षुधा चैव सहस्राक्षं ब्रह्महत्या समाविशत्। |
When Indra had been thus besmeared, the deities, and the saints having asceticism for wealth, washed him here, and cleansed his person from the dirt. | तमिन्द्रं मलिनं देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः॥ कलशैः स्नापयामासुर्मलं चास्य प्रमोचयन्। |
And the deities, having renounced here the filth that had clung to the person of the mighty Indra, as well as his hunger, attained exceeding delight. | इह भूम्यां मलं दत्त्वा देवाः कारूषमेव च॥ शरीरजं महेन्द्रस्य ततो हर्ष प्रपेदिरे। |
And thereat Indra becoming purified, attained his former brightness, and looked like to gold. And mightily pleased with this region, he conferred on it an excellent boon, saying, Since these two places have held excreta from my body, the going by the names of Maladā and Kārūsa, shall attain exceeding prosperity and fame among men. | निर्मलो निष्करूषश्च शुद्ध इन्द्रो यथाभवत्॥ ततो देशस्य सुप्रीतो वरं प्रादादनुत्तमम्। इमौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ ख्याति लोके गमिष्यतः॥ मलदाश्च करूषाश्च ममाङ्गमलधारिणौ। |
And beholding the land thus honoured by the intelligent Sacra, the deities said to the subduer of Paka,-Well Well! | साधुसाध्विति तं देवाः पाकशासनमब्रुवन्॥ देशस्य पूजां तां दृष्ट्वा कृतां शक्रेण धीमता। |
O repressor of foes, these two places, Maladā and Karuṣā, enjoyed prosperity for a long time and were blessed with corn and wealth. | एतौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ दीर्घकालमरिंदम ॥ मलदाश्च करूषाश्च मुदिता धनधान्यतः। |
Then after a space of time, was born a Yakşīņi capable of assuming forms at will, and endowed with the strength of a thousand elephants. | कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य यक्षिणी कारूपिणी॥ बलं नागसहस्रस्य धारयन्ती तदा ह्यभूत्। |
Her name, good betide you! was Tātakā, and she was the spouse of the intelligent Sundashe whose son is the Rākşasa, Mārīca, possessed of the prowess of Sacra; having round arms, with a huge head, a capacious mouth and a cyclopean body. | ताटका नाम भद्रं ते भार्यां सुन्दस्य धीमतः॥ मारीचो राक्षसः पुत्रो यस्याः शक्रपराक्रमः। वृत्तबाहुर्महाशीर्षो विपुलास्यतनुर्महान्॥ |
And that Rākṣasa of dreadful form daily frightens people. And, O descendant of Raghu, Tātakā of wicked deeds, daily commits havoc upon these countries, Maladã and Karuşă. | राक्षसो भैरवाकारो नित्यं त्रासयते प्रजाः। इमौ जनपदौ नित्यं विनाशयति राघव ॥ मलदांश्च करूषांश्च ताटका दुष्टचारिणी। |
And now at the distance of over half a Yojana, she stays, obstructing the way. And since this forest belong to Tāțakā, you should repair there; and, resorting to the might of your own arms, slay this one of wicked deeds. | सेयं पन्थानमावृत्य वसत्यत्यर्धयोजने॥ अत एव च गन्तव्यं ताटकाया वनं यतः। स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य जहीमां दुष्टचारिणीम्॥ |
And, by my direction, do you again rid this region of its thorn; for no one dare to approach such a place, infested, | मन्नियोगादिमं देशं कुरु निष्कण्टकं पुनः। नहि कश्चिदिमं देशं शक्तो ह्यागन्तुमीदृशम्॥ |
O Rāma, by the dreadful and unbearable Yakşiņi. And now I have related to you all about this fearful forest. And to this day none is capable of letting that Yakşiņi from committing ravages right an left. | यक्षिण्या घोरया राम उत्सादितमसह्यया। एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यथैतद् दारुणं वनम्। यक्ष्या चोत्सादितं सर्वमद्यापि न निवर्तते॥ |
Hearing this excellent speech of that ascetic of immeasurable energy, that foremost of men answered him in these happy words, | अथ तस्याप्रमेयस्य मुनेर्वचनमुत्तमम्। श्रुत्वा पुरुषशार्दूलः प्रत्युवाच शुभां गिरम्॥ |
O best of ascetics, I have heard that the Yakşa race is endowed with but small prowess. How can then that one of the weaker sex possess the strength of a thousand elephants? | अल्पवीर्यां यदा यक्षी श्रूयते मुनिपुङ्गव। कथं नागसहस्रस्य धारयत्यबला बलम्॥ |
Hearing this speech that was uttered by Rāghava of immeasurable energy, Viśvāmitra, delighting with his amiable words that subduer of foes, Rāma, and Laksmana, said, Do you listen as to the means whereby attaining terrible strength, that one belonging to the weaker sex has come to possess strength and prowess by virtue of a boon. | इत्युक्तं वचनं श्रुत्वा राघवस्यामितौजसः। हर्षयन् श्लक्ष्णया वाचा सलक्ष्मणमरिंदमम्॥ विश्वामित्रोऽब्रवीद् वाक्यं शृणु येन बलोत्कटा। वरदानकृतं वीर्यं धारयत्यबला बलम्॥ |
In former times there was a mighty and exceedingly powerful Yaksa, named Suketu. And he had no issue. And he was of pure practices, and used to perform rigid austerities. | पूर्वमासीन्महायक्षः सुकेतुर्नाम दीर्यवान्। अनपत्यः शुभाचारः स च तेपे महत्तपः॥ |
And, O Rāma, the Grand-sire endowed her with that lord of Yakşas, conferred upon him a gem of a daughter, by name Tāțakā. | पितामहस्तु सुप्रीतस्तस्य यक्षपतेस्तदा। कन्यारत्नं ददौ राम ताटकां नाम नामतः॥ |
And the Grand-sire endowed her with the strength of a thousand elephants; yet that illustrious one did not bestow a son on that Yaksa. | ददौ नागसहस्रस्य बलं चास्याः पितामहः। न त्वेव पुत्रं यक्षाय ददौ चासौ महायशा॥ |
When she had grown, and attained youth and beauty, he gave that famous damsel to Jambha's son, Sunda, for wife. | तां तु बाला विवर्धन्ती रूपयौवनशालिनीम्। जम्भपुत्राय सुन्दाय ददौ भार्यां यशस्विनीम्॥ |
After a length of time, that Yakṣī gave birth to a son, named Mārīca, possessed of irrepressible energy, him who became a Rākṣasa in consequence of a curse. | कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य यक्षी पुत्रं व्यजायत। मारीचं नाम दुर्धर्षं यः शापाद् राक्षसोऽभवत्॥ |
O Rāma, when Sunda had been destroyed, Tat akā along with her son, set her heart upon afflicting that excellent saint Agastya. | सुन्दे तु निहते राम अगस्त्यमृषिसत्तमम्। ताटका सहपुत्रेण प्रधर्षयितुमिच्छति॥ |
And enraged with Agastya, she rushed at him with a roar, intending to devour him. And on seeing her thus rushing, that worshipful saint, Agastya, said to Mārīca, Do you become a Raksasa! . | भक्षार्थं जातसंरम्भा गर्जन्ती साभ्यधावत्। आपतन्ती तु तां दृष्ट्वा अगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः॥ राक्षसत्वं भजस्वेति मारीचं व्याजहार सः। |
And, in exceeding wrath, he also cursed Tataka. And, O mighty Yaksi, since in frightful guise with a frightful face you have desired to eat up a human being, do you immediately leave this (your original) shape, and become of a terrible form! | अगस्त्यः परमामर्षस्ताटकामपि शप्तवान्॥ पुरुषादी महायक्षी विकृता विकृतानना। इदं रूपं विहायाशु दारुणं रूपमस्तु ते॥ |
Thus cursed by Agastya, Tățakā, overwhelmed with rage, lays waste this fair region, where Agastya carry on his austerities. | सैषा शापकृतामर्षां ताटका क्रोधमूर्च्छिता। देशमुत्सादयत्येनमगस्त्याचरितं शुभम्॥ |
Do you, O descendant of Raghu, for the welfare of Brāhmaṇas and kine, slay this exceedingly terrible Yakṣī of wicked ways and vile prowess! | एनां राघव दुर्वृत्तां यक्षी परमदारुणाम्। गोब्राह्मणहितार्थाय जहि दुष्टपराक्रमाम्॥ |
Nor, O son of Raghu, does any one in the three worlds, save, you, dare to slay this Yaksi joined with a curse. | नह्येनां शापसंसृष्टां कश्चिदुत्सहते पुमान्। निहन्तुं त्रिषु लोकेषु त्वामृते रघुनन्दन ॥ |
Nor should you, O best of men, shrink from slaying a woman; for even this should be accomplished by a prince in the interests of the four orders. | नहि ते स्त्रीवधकृते घृणा कार्या नरोत्तम। चातुर्वर्ण्यहितार्थं हि कर्तव्यं राजसूनुना॥ |