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Araṇya Kāṇḍa, sarga 10: Ten years among the hermitages

Summary. Māṇḍakarṇi’s lake music is explained, years of visits lead toward Agastya, Rāma recounts his digestion of Vātāpi

Sequence

  1. The travelers now walk with Rāma in front, Sītā in the middle, and Lakṣmaṇa behind carrying his bow (3.10.1)
  2. they pass mountains, rivers, lotus lakes, waterbirds, and herds of forest animals (3.10.2–4)
  3. toward sunset they reach a large lake and hear singing and instruments, although no performers are visible (3.10.5–7)
  4. the brothers ask Dharmabhṛt to explain. (3.10.8–10)
  1. Dharmabhṛt identifies the lake as Pañcāpsaras, created by Māṇḍakarṇi's austerities (3.10.11)
  2. he recounts how Māṇḍakarṇi spent ten thousand years in the water living on air → the Devas, fearing that he sought one of their positions, sent five apsarases to interrupt his austerities (3.10.12–14)
  3. Māṇḍakarṇi fell in love with them, and they became his wives → they live in a hidden dwelling within the lake, where his tapas has restored his youth → the sounds come from their music, play, and ornaments (3.10.15–18)
  4. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa marvel at the explanation. (3.10.19)
  1. The travelers reach another settlement of hermitages and receive hospitality (3.10.20–22)
  2. they visit the munis in turn, staying for different periods—several months in some places, a year or longer in others → ten years pass in these visits (3.10.23–25)
  3. they return to Sutīkṣṇa and remain with him for a time (3.10.26–27)
  4. one day Rāma asks where Agastya lives: he has often heard of the maharṣi and longs to visit, but does not know the location in the vast forest (3.10.28–32)
  5. Sutīkṣṇa says he had already wished to recommend the visit (3.10.33–35)
  6. he directs them four yojanas south to Agastya's brother's hermitage, where they should spend a night, and then another yojana south to Agastya (3.10.36–41)
  7. they take leave and set out that day. Along the road, Rāma recognizes signs of Agastya's brother's hermitage: fruit-laden trees, the scent of long-pepper, gathered firewood, cut darbha grass, sacrificial smoke, and munis making offerings (3.10.42–51)
  8. he tells Lakṣmaṇa how Agastya made this region safe (3.10.52–53)
  9. in his account, the mahāsura Ilvala used to disguise himself as a brāhmaṇa and invite brāhmaṇas to a funeral feast → his brother Vātāpi, also a mahāsura, would take a ram's form, be cooked, and be served to the guests (3.10.54–55)
  10. after the meal Ilvala would call him out, and Vātāpi would tear through their bodies, killing them → the brothers destroyed thousands in this way (3.10.56–58)
  11. at the Devas' request, Agastya accepted a śrāddha feast and digested Vātāpi (3.10.59)
  12. when Ilvala called his brother, Agastya explained that Vātāpi was dead and could not emerge (3.10.60–62)
  13. Ilvala rushed at him in anger, and Agastya burned him to death with a glance. (3.10.63–65)
  1. As Rāma finishes the account, evening falls → the brothers worship at twilight, enter Agastya's brother's hermitage, and spend the night after eating roots and fruit (3.10.66–68)
  2. the next morning Rāma takes leave to visit Agastya and follows the indicated road (3.10.69–74)
  3. seeing tame animals, healthy trees, smoke, and rows of bark garments, he recognizes that they are close (3.10.75–78)
  4. he describes Agastya's protection of the southern region and his command restraining the Vindhya mountain from growing across the sun's path (3.10.79–84)
  5. hoping for the maharṣi's blessing, Rāma speaks of staying near him for the remaining exile and of the Devas and tapasvins who frequent his hermitage (3.10.85–91)
  6. he sends Lakṣmaṇa ahead to announce their arrival. (3.10.92)

Verses 3.10.1–92

3.10.1

agrataḥ prayayau rāmaḥ sītā madhye sumadhyamā
pṛṣṭhatas tu dhanuṣpāṇir lakṣmaṇo 'nujagāma ha

Rāma went in front, fair-waisted Sītā in the middle, and behind, bow in hand, Lakṣmaṇa followed after.

Words: agrataḥ — in front; prayayau — went forth; rāmaḥ — Rāma; sītā — Sītā; madhye — in the middle; sumadhyamā — the fair-waisted one; pṛṣṭhatas — behind; tu — and; dhanuṣpāṇir — bow in hand; lakṣmaṇo — Lakṣmaṇa; 'nujagāma — followed after; ha — indeed

3.10.2

tau paśyamānau vividhāñ śailaprasthān vanāni ca
nadīś ca vividhā ramyā jagmatuḥ saha sītayā

The two, gazing at manifold mountain-slopes and forests, and various lovely rivers, went along together with Sītā.

Words: tau — the two; paśyamānau — gazing, looking; vividhāñ — manifold, various; śailaprasthān — mountain-slopes; vanāni — forests; ca — and; nadīś — rivers; ca — and; vividhā — various; ramyā — lovely; jagmatuḥ — the two went; saha sītayā — together with Sītā

3.10.3

sārasāṃś cakravākāṃś ca nadīpulinacāriṇaḥ
sarāṃsi ca sapadmāni yutāni jalajaiḥ khagaiḥ

They saw sāras cranes and cakravāka geese roaming the sandbanks of the rivers, and lakes full of lotuses, thronged with water-born birds.

Words: sārasāṃś — sāras cranes; cakravākāṃś — cakravāka (ruddy geese); ca — and; nadīpulinacāriṇaḥ — roaming the river-sandbanks; sarāṃsi — lakes; ca — and; sapadmāni — full of lotuses; yutāni — joined, filled; jalajaiḥ — with water-born (creatures); khagaiḥ — with birds

3.10.4

yūthabaddhāṃś ca pṛṣatān madonmattān viṣāṇinaḥ
mahiṣāṃś ca varāhāṃś ca gajāṃś ca drumavairiṇaḥ

And spotted deer herded in droves, and horned beasts mad with rut, and buffaloes and boars, and elephants that are foes of the trees.

Words: yūthabaddhāṃś — herded in droves; ca — and; pṛṣatān — spotted deer; madonmattān — mad with rut; viṣāṇinaḥ — horned ones; mahiṣāṃś — buffaloes; ca — and; varāhāṃś — boars; ca — and; gajāṃś — elephants; ca — and; drumavairiṇaḥ — foes of the trees

3.10.5

te gatvā dūram adhvānaṃ lambamāne divākare
dadṛśuḥ sahitā ramyaṃ taṭākaṃ yojanāyatam

Having gone a long way along the road, when the sun was sinking low, the three together beheld a lovely lake a yojana in extent.

Words: te — they; gatvā — having gone; dūram — far; adhvānaṃ — the road, way; lambamāne — when it was sinking; divākare — the sun (day-maker); dadṛśuḥ — they saw; sahitā — together; ramyaṃ — lovely; taṭākaṃ — a lake, pond; yojanāyatam — a yojana in extent

3.10.6

padmapuṣkarasaṃbādhaṃ gajayūthair alaṃkṛtam
sārasair haṃsakādambaiḥ saṃkulaṃ jalacāribhiḥ

It was crowded with lotuses and blue lotuses, adorned by herds of elephants, and thronged with sāras cranes, swans, and kādamba geese moving on the water.

Words: padmapuṣkarasaṃbādhaṃ — dense with lotuses and blue lotuses; gajayūthair — by herds of elephants; alaṃkṛtam — adorned; sārasair — with sāras cranes; haṃsakādambaiḥ — with swans and kādamba geese; saṃkulaṃ — thronged, crowded; jalacāribhiḥ — with water-ranging (birds)

3.10.7

prasannasalile ramyatasmin sarasi śuśruve
gītavāditranirghoṣo na tu kaś cana dṛśyate

On that lovely lake of clear water there was heard the sound of song and instruments, yet no one at all could be seen.

Words: prasannasalile — of clear water; ramyatasmin — lovely, on that; sarasi — on the lake; śuśruve — was heard; gītavāditranirghoṣo — the sound of song and instruments; na — not; tu — but; kaś cana — anyone at all; dṛśyate — is seen

3.10.8

tataḥ kautūhalād rāmo lakṣmaṇaś ca mahārathaḥ
muniṃ dharmabhṛtaṃ nāma praṣṭuṃ samupacakrame

Then Rāma, and Lakṣmaṇa the great chariot-warrior, out of curiosity set about questioning the sage named Dharmabhṛt.

Words: tataḥ — then; kautūhalād — out of curiosity; rāmo — Rāma; lakṣmaṇaś — Lakṣmaṇa; ca — and; mahārathaḥ — the great chariot-warrior; muniṃ — the sage; dharmabhṛtaṃ — Dharmabhṛt (upholder of dharma); nāma — by name; praṣṭuṃ — to question; samupacakrame — set about, began

3.10.9

idam atyadbhutaṃ śrutvā sarveṣāṃ no mahāmune
kautūhalaṃ mahaj jātaṃ kim idaṃ sādhu kathyatām

“Hearing this most marvellous thing, O great sage, great curiosity has arisen in us all; pray tell us plainly, what is this?”

Words: idam — this; atyadbhutaṃ — most marvellous; śrutvā — having heard; sarveṣāṃ — of all; no — us; mahāmune — O great sage; kautūhalaṃ — curiosity; mahaj — great; jātaṃ — has arisen; kim — what; idaṃ — this; sādhu — well, plainly; kathyatām — let it be told

3.10.10

tenaivam ukto dharmātmā rāghaveṇa munis tadā
prabhāvaṃ sarasaḥ kṛtsnam ākhyātum upacakrame

Thus addressed by Rāghava, the righteous sage then set about relating the whole power and origin of the lake.

Words: tenaivam — thus by him; ukto — addressed; dharmātmā — the righteous one; rāghaveṇa — by Rāghava; munis — the sage; tadā — then; prabhāvaṃ — the power, glory; sarasaḥ — of the lake; kṛtsnam — whole, entire; ākhyātum — to relate; upacakrame — set about, began

3.10.11

idaṃ pañcāpsaro nāma taṭākaṃ sārvakālikam
nirmitaṃ tapasā rāma muninā māṇḍakarṇinā

“This lake, called Pañcāpsaras, holds water in every season, Rāma; it was made by the austerity of the sage Māṇḍakarṇi.

Words: idaṃ — this; pañcāpsaro — Pañcāpsaras (five apsarases); nāma — by name; taṭākaṃ — lake, pond; sārvakālikam — of all seasons, perennial; nirmitaṃ — made, fashioned; tapasā — by austerity; rāma — O Rāma; muninā — by the sage; māṇḍakarṇinā — by Māṇḍakarṇi

3.10.12

sa hi tepe tapas tīvraṃ māṇḍakarṇir mahāmuniḥ
daśavarṣasahasrāṇi vāyubhakṣo jalāśraya

For that great sage Māṇḍakarṇi practised fierce austerity for ten thousand years, feeding on air and dwelling in the water.

Words: sa — he; hi — for, indeed; tepe — practised (austerity); tapas — austerity; tīvraṃ — fierce, intense; māṇḍakarṇir — Māṇḍakarṇi; mahāmuniḥ — the great sage; daśavarṣasahasrāṇi — ten thousand years; vāyubhakṣo — feeding on air; jalāśraya — abiding in water (voc.)

3.10.13

tataḥ pravyathitāḥ sarve devāḥ sāgnipurogamāḥ
abruvan vacanaṃ sarve paraspara samāgatāḥ
asmakaṃ kasya cit sthānam eṣa prārthayate muniḥ

Then all the gods, greatly alarmed, led by Agni, having gathered together, said to one another: “This sage is aspiring to the place of one or other of us.”

Words: tataḥ — then; pravyathitāḥ — greatly alarmed, agitated; sarve — all; devāḥ — the gods; sāgnipurogamāḥ — led by Agni; abruvan — said; vacanaṃ — words, speech; sarve — all; paraspara — one another; samāgatāḥ — gathered together; asmakaṃ — of us; kasya cit — of some one; sthānam — the place, station; eṣa — this; prārthayate — aspires to, seeks; muniḥ — the sage

3.10.14

tataḥ kartuṃ tapovighnaṃ sarvair devair niyojitāḥ
pradhānāpsarasaḥ pañcavidyuccalitavarcasaḥ

Then five chief apsarases, whose radiance flickered like lightning, were appointed by all the gods to make an obstacle to his austerity.

Words: tataḥ — then; kartuṃ — to make; tapovighnaṃ — an obstacle to the austerity; sarvair — by all; devair — by the gods; niyojitāḥ — were appointed, engaged; pradhānāpsarasaḥ — the chief apsarases; pañcavidyuccalitavarcasaḥ — five, whose radiance flickered like lightning

3.10.15

apsarobhis tatas tābhir munir dṛṣṭaparāvaraḥ
nīto madanavaśyatvaṃ surāṇāṃ kāryasiddhaye

Then by those apsarases the sage, who saw far and near, was brought under the sway of love, for the accomplishment of the gods' purpose.

Words: apsarobhis — by the apsarases; tatas — then; tābhir — by those; munir — the sage; dṛṣṭaparāvaraḥ — who saw the far and near; nīto — was brought, led; madanavaśyatvaṃ — to subjection to love; surāṇāṃ — of the gods; kāryasiddhaye — for the accomplishment of the task

3.10.16

tāś caivāpsarasaḥ pañcamuneḥ patnītvam āgatāḥ
taṭāke nirmitaṃ tāsām asminn antarhitaṃ gṛham

And those five apsarases became the wives of the sage; in this lake a hidden dwelling was made for them.

Words: tāś — those; caivāpsarasaḥ — and the apsarases; pañcamuneḥ — five, of the sage; patnītvam — wifehood, the state of wives; āgatāḥ — came to, attained; taṭāke — in the lake; nirmitaṃ — made, fashioned; tāsām — for them; asminn — in this; antarhitaṃ — hidden, concealed; gṛham — a dwelling, house

3.10.17

tatraivāpsarasaḥ pañcanivasantyo yathāsukham
ramayanti tapoyogān muniṃ yauvanam āsthitam

Right there the five apsarases, dwelling at their ease, delight the sage — who by his yoga of austerity has assumed youth.

Words: tatraivāpsarasaḥ — right there the apsarases; pañcanivasantyo — five, dwelling; yathāsukham — at their ease, comfortably; ramayanti — delight, please; tapoyogān — by the power of austerity; muniṃ — the sage; yauvanam — youth; āsthitam — having assumed, abiding in

3.10.18

tāsāṃ saṃkrīḍamānānām eṣa vāditraniḥsvanaḥ
śrūyate bhūṣaṇonmiśro gītaśabdo manoharaḥ

As they sport together, this sound of instruments, mingled with the chime of their ornaments, is heard, and the enchanting sound of their song.

Words: tāsāṃ — of them; saṃkrīḍamānānām — as they sport together; eṣa — this; vāditraniḥsvanaḥ — the sound of instruments; śrūyate — is heard; bhūṣaṇonmiśro — mingled with (the sound of) ornaments; gītaśabdo — the sound of song; manoharaḥ — enchanting, heart-stealing

3.10.19

āścaryam iti tasyaitad vacanaṃ bhāvitātmanaḥ
rāghavaḥ pratijagrāha saha bhrātrā mahāyaśāḥ

“A wonder!” — thus the greatly renowned Rāghava, together with his brother, received this speech of the sage of purified soul.

Words: āścaryam — a wonder; iti — thus; tasyaitad — this of his; vacanaṃ — speech, words; bhāvitātmanaḥ — of him of purified soul; rāghavaḥ — Rāghava; pratijagrāha — received, accepted; saha bhrātrā — together with his brother; mahāyaśāḥ — the greatly renowned

3.10.20

evaṃ kathayamānasya dadarśāśramamaṇḍalam
kuśacīraparikṣiptaṃ nānāvṛkṣasamāvṛtam

As he was speaking thus, Rāma beheld a cluster of hermitages, hedged about with kuśa grass and bark garments, and surrounded by various trees.

Words: evaṃ — thus; kathayamānasya — as he was speaking; dadarśāśramamaṇḍalam — he beheld the cluster of hermitages; kuśacīraparikṣiptaṃ — hedged with kuśa grass and bark; nānāvṛkṣasamāvṛtam — surrounded by various trees

3.10.21

praviśya saha vaidehyā lakṣmaṇena ca rāghavaḥ
tadā tasmin sa kākutsthaḥ śrīmaty āśramamaṇḍale

Rāghava, that scion of Kakutstha, entering together with Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa, then, in that glorious cluster of hermitages,

Words: praviśya — having entered; saha vaidehyā — together with Vaidehī; lakṣmaṇena — with Lakṣmaṇa; ca — and; rāghavaḥ — Rāghava; tadā — then; tasmin — in that; sa — he; kākutsthaḥ — the descendant of Kakutstha; śrīmaty — glorious; āśramamaṇḍale — in the cluster of hermitages

3.10.22

uṣitvā susukhaṃ tatra pūrjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ
jagāma cāśramāṃs teṣāṃ paryāyeṇa tapasvinām

having dwelt there most happily, honoured by the great seers, went in turn to the hermitages of those ascetics.

Words: uṣitvā — having dwelt; susukhaṃ — most happily; tatra — there; pūrjyamāno — being honoured; maharṣibhiḥ — by the great seers; jagāma — went; cāśramāṃs — and to the hermitages; teṣāṃ — of those; paryāyeṇa — in turn, in succession; tapasvinām — of the ascetics

3.10.23

yeṣām uṣitavān pūrvaṃ sakāśe sa mahāstravit
kva cit paridaśān māsān ekaṃ saṃvatsaraṃ kva cit

In whose presence that master of great weapons had dwelt before — in one place fully ten months, in another a whole year,

Words: yeṣām — of whom; uṣitavān — he had dwelt; pūrvaṃ — before, formerly; sakāśe — in the presence; sa — he; mahāstravit — the knower of great weapons; kva cit — in some place; paridaśān — fully ten; māsān — months; ekaṃ — one; saṃvatsaraṃ — a year; kva cit — in some place

3.10.24

kva cic ca caturo māsān pañcaṣaṭ cāparān kva cit
aparatrādhikān māsān adhyardham adhikaṃ kva cit

and somewhere four months, and elsewhere five or six others, in yet another place more months, and somewhere a year and a half or more —

Words: kva cic — in some place; ca — and; caturo — four; māsān — months; pañcaṣaṭ — five (or) six; cāparān — and others; kva cit — in some place; aparatrādhikān — more, in another place; māsān — months; adhyardham — a year and a half (one and a half); adhikaṃ — more; kva cit — in some place

3.10.25

trīn māsān aṣṭamāsāṃś ca rāghavo nyavasat sukham
tathā saṃvasatas tasya munīnām āśrameṣu vai
ramataś cānukulyena yayuḥ saṃvatsarā daśa

and three months and eight months — thus Rāghava dwelt in comfort; and as he abode agreeably in the hermitages of the sages, ten years passed.

Words: trīn — three; māsān — months; aṣṭamāsāṃś — eight months; ca — and; rāghavo — Rāghava; nyavasat — dwelt; sukham — happily; tathā — thus; saṃvasatas — as he was dwelling; tasya — his, of him; munīnām — of the sages; āśrameṣu — in the hermitages; vai — indeed; ramataś — as he took pleasure; cānukulyena — and agreeably; yayuḥ — passed, went by; saṃvatsarā — years; daśa — ten

3.10.26

parisṛtya ca dharmajño rāghavaḥ saha sītayā
sutīkṣṇasyāśramaṃ śrīmān punar evājagāma ha

And having wandered about, the glorious, dharma-knowing Rāghava, together with Sītā, came once again to the hermitage of Sutīkṣṇa.

Words: parisṛtya — having wandered about; ca — and; dharmajño — the knower of dharma; rāghavaḥ — Rāghava; saha sītayā — together with Sītā; sutīkṣṇasyāśramaṃ — to the hermitage of Sutīkṣṇa; śrīmān — the glorious one; punar — again; evājagāma — indeed came; ha — indeed

3.10.27

sa tam āśramam āgamya munibhiḥ pratipūjitaḥ
tatrāpi nyavasad rāmaḥ kaṃ cit kālam ariṃdamaḥ

Reaching that hermitage and honoured by the sages, Rāma, the tamer of foes, dwelt there too for some time.

Words: sa — he; tam — that; āśramam — hermitage; āgamya — having reached; munibhiḥ — by the sages; pratipūjitaḥ — honoured, welcomed; tatrāpi — there too; nyavasad — dwelt; rāmaḥ — Rāma; kaṃ cit — some; kālam — time; ariṃdamaḥ — the tamer of foes

3.10.28

athāśramastho vinayāt kadā cit taṃ mahāmunim
upāsīnaḥ sa kākutsthaḥ sutīkṣṇam idam abravīt

Then one day, abiding in the hermitage, that scion of Kakutstha, humbly attending upon the great sage Sutīkṣṇa, said this to him:

Words: athāśramastho — then, dwelling in the hermitage; vinayāt — out of humility; kadā cit — at some time, one day; taṃ — that; mahāmunim — great sage; upāsīnaḥ — attending upon, sitting near; sa — he; kākutsthaḥ — the descendant of Kakutstha; sutīkṣṇam — to Sutīkṣṇa; idam — this; abravīt — said

3.10.29

asminn araṇye bhagavann agastyo munisattamaḥ
vasatīti mayā nityaṃ kathāḥ kathayatāṃ śrutam

“In this forest, O venerable one, Agastya, the best of sages, dwells — so I have constantly heard from those who tell the tales.

Words: asminn — in this; araṇye — forest; bhagavann — O venerable one; agastyo — Agastya; munisattamaḥ — the best of sages; vasatīti — dwells, so; mayā — by me; nityaṃ — constantly; kathāḥ — tales; kathayatāṃ — of those telling; śrutam — heard

3.10.30

na tu jānāmi taṃ deśaṃ vanasyāsya mahattayā
kutrāśramapadaṃ puṇyaṃ maharṣes tasya dhīmataḥ

But because of the vastness of this forest I do not know the region — where the holy hermitage of that wise great seer may be.

Words: na — not; tu — but; jānāmi — I know; taṃ — that; deśaṃ — region, place; vanasyāsya — of this forest; mahattayā — by the vastness; kutrāśramapadaṃ — where the hermitage; puṇyaṃ — holy; maharṣes — of the great seer; tasya — that; dhīmataḥ — of the wise one

3.10.31

prasādāt tatra bhavataḥ sānujaḥ saha sītayā
agastyam abhigaccheyam abhivādayituṃ munim

By your grace I would go there, with my brother and with Sītā, to Agastya, to salute the sage.

Words: prasādāt — by the grace; tatra — there; bhavataḥ — of your honour; sānujaḥ — with (my) younger brother; saha sītayā — together with Sītā; agastyam — to Agastya; abhigaccheyam — I would go; abhivādayituṃ — to salute; munim — the sage

3.10.32

manoratho mahān eṣa hṛdi saṃparivartate
yad ahaṃ taṃ munivaraṃ śuśrūṣeyam api svayam

This great wish keeps turning in my heart: that I might myself wait in service upon that best of sages.”

Words: manoratho — the wish, heart's desire; mahān — great; eṣa — this; hṛdi — in the heart; saṃparivartate — keeps turning, revolves; yad — that; ahaṃ — I; taṃ — that; munivaraṃ — best of sages; śuśrūṣeyam — I would serve, wait upon; api — even, also; svayam — myself

3.10.33

iti rāmasya sa muniḥ śrutvā dharmātmano vacaḥ
sutīkṣṇaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ prīto daśarathātmajam

Hearing this speech of the righteous Rāma, the sage Sutīkṣṇa, pleased, replied thus to the son of Daśaratha:

Words: iti — thus; rāmasya — of Rāma; sa — that; muniḥ — the sage; śrutvā — having heard; dharmātmano — of the righteous one; vacaḥ — speech, words; sutīkṣṇaḥ — Sutīkṣṇa; pratyuvācedaṃ — replied this; prīto — pleased; daśarathātmajam — the son of Daśaratha

3.10.34

aham apy etad eva tvāṃ vaktukāmaḥ salakṣmaṇam
agastyam abhigaccheti sītayā saha rāghava

“I too, Rāghava, was wishing to say this very thing to you and Lakṣmaṇa: ‘Go to Agastya, together with Sītā.’

Words: aham — I; apy — too, also; etad — this; eva — very; tvāṃ — to you; vaktukāmaḥ — wishing to say; salakṣmaṇam — with Lakṣmaṇa; agastyam — to Agastya; abhigaccheti — 'go' — thus; sītayā saha — together with Sītā; rāghava — O Rāghava

3.10.35

diṣṭyā tv idānīm arthe 'smin svayam eva bravīṣi mām
aham ākhyāsi te vatsa yatrāgastyo mahāmuniḥ

By good fortune you now speak to me of this matter of your own accord; I will tell you, dear child, where the great sage Agastya is.

Words: diṣṭyā — by good fortune; tv — but, and; idānīm — now; arthe — in the matter; 'smin — this; svayam — of your own accord, yourself; eva — very; bravīṣi — you speak; mām — to me; aham — I; ākhyāsi — will tell; te — to you; vatsa — dear child; yatrāgastyo — where Agastya; mahāmuniḥ — the great sage

3.10.36

yojanāny āśramāt tāta yāhi catvāri vai tataḥ
dakṣiṇena mahāñ śrīmān agastyabhrātur āśramaḥ

Go, my child, four yojanas from this hermitage; then to the south lies the great and glorious hermitage of Agastya's brother.

Words: yojanāny — yojanas; āśramāt — from the hermitage; tāta — my child, dear one; yāhi — go; catvāri — four; vai — indeed; tataḥ — then, from there; dakṣiṇena — to the south; mahāñ — great; śrīmān — glorious; agastyabhrātur — of Agastya's brother; āśramaḥ — the hermitage

3.10.37

sthalaprāye vanoddeśe pippalīvanaśobhite
bahupuṣpaphale ramye nānāśakuninādite

on a mostly level tract of the forest, graced with groves of long-pepper, lovely with abundant flowers and fruit, and loud with the cries of many birds.

Words: sthalaprāye — on a mostly level (spot); vanoddeśe — in a tract of the forest; pippalīvanaśobhite — graced with long-pepper groves; bahupuṣpaphale — with abundant flowers and fruit; ramye — lovely; nānāśakuninādite — resounding with various birds

3.10.38

padminyo vividhās tatra prasannasalilāḥ śivāḥ
haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāś cakravākopaśobhitāḥ

There are various lotus-ponds of clear, wholesome water, strewn with swans and kāraṇḍava ducks, and graced with cakravāka geese.

Words: padminyo — lotus-ponds; vividhās — various; tatra — there; prasannasalilāḥ — of clear water; śivāḥ — wholesome, auspicious; haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāś — strewn with swans and kāraṇḍava ducks; cakravākopaśobhitāḥ — graced with cakravāka geese

3.10.39

tatraikāṃ rajanīm uṣya prabhāte rāma gamyatām
dakṣiṇāṃ diśam āsthāya vanakhaṇḍasya pārśvataḥ

Having passed a single night there, in the morning, Rāma, you should proceed, holding to the southern direction, along the side of the woodland tract.

Words: tatraikāṃ — there one; rajanīm — night; uṣya — having passed, dwelt; prabhāte — at dawn; rāma — O Rāma; gamyatām — let it be gone, proceed; dakṣiṇāṃ — southern; diśam — direction; āsthāya — having taken to, keeping to; vanakhaṇḍasya — of the woodland tract; pārśvataḥ — along the side

3.10.40

tatrāgastyāśramapadaṃ gatvā yojanam antaram
ramaṇīye vanoddeśe bahupādapa saṃvṛte
raṃsyate tatra vaidehī lakṣmaṇaś ca tvayā saha

Going on a yojana further, you will reach the hermitage of Agastya; in that delightful forest tract, thick with many trees, Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa will take pleasure there, together with you.

Words: tatrāgastyāśramapadaṃ — there the hermitage of Agastya; gatvā — having gone; yojanam — a yojana; antaram — further, the interval; ramaṇīye — delightful; vanoddeśe — in a forest tract; bahupādapa — with many trees; saṃvṛte — thick, covered; raṃsyate — will take pleasure; tatra — there; vaidehī — Vaidehī (Sītā); lakṣmaṇaś — Lakṣmaṇa; ca — and; tvayā saha — together with you

3.10.41

sa hi ramyo vanoddeśo bahupādapasaṃkulaḥ
yadi buddhiḥ kṛtā draṣṭum agastyaṃ taṃ mahāmunim
adyaiva gamane buddhiṃ rocayasva mahāyaśaḥ

For that forest tract is lovely, crowded with many trees; if your mind is made up to see that great sage Agastya, then, O illustrious one, resolve to set out this very day.

Words: sa — that; hi — for, indeed; ramyo — lovely; vanoddeśo — forest tract; bahupādapasaṃkulaḥ — crowded with many trees; yadi — if; buddhiḥ — the mind, intention; kṛtā — made, formed; draṣṭum — to see; agastyaṃ — Agastya; taṃ — that; mahāmunim — great sage; adyaiva — this very day; gamane — for going, setting out; buddhiṃ — the mind, resolve; rocayasva — make up, resolve; mahāyaśaḥ — O illustrious one

3.10.42

iti rāmo muneḥ śrutvā saha bhrātrābhivādya ca
pratasthe 'gastyam uddiśya sānujaḥ saha sītayā

Having heard this from the sage, Rāma, together with his brother, took his leave and, with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, set out making for Agastya.

Words: iti — thus; rāmo — Rāma; muneḥ — from the sage; śrutvā — having heard; saha bhrātrābhivādya — and having saluted, with his brother; ca — and; pratasthe — set out; 'gastyam — Agastya; uddiśya — making for, aiming at; sānujaḥ — with his younger brother; saha sītayā — together with Sītā

3.10.43

paśyan vanāni citrāṇi parvapāṃś cābhrasaṃnibhān
sarāṃsi saritaś caiva pathi mārgavaśānugāḥ

Gazing at the varied forests and the mountains like clouds, and at the lakes and rivers lying along the road as the path led,

Words: paśyan — gazing at; vanāni — forests; citrāṇi — varied, wonderful; parvapāṃś — mountains; cābhrasaṃnibhān — and like clouds; sarāṃsi — lakes; saritaś — rivers; caiva — and; pathi — on the way; mārgavaśānugāḥ — following the course of the road

3.10.44

sutīkṣṇenopadiṣṭena gatvā tena pathā sukham
idaṃ paramasaṃhṛṣṭo vākyaṃ lakṣmaṇam abravīt

Having gone pleasantly by that road pointed out by Sutīkṣṇa, greatly delighted, he spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa:

Words: sutīkṣṇenopadiṣṭena — pointed out by Sutīkṣṇa; gatvā — having gone; tena — by that; pathā — road, way; sukham — pleasantly; idaṃ — this; paramasaṃhṛṣṭo — greatly delighted; vākyaṃ — words, speech; lakṣmaṇam — to Lakṣmaṇa; abravīt — said

3.10.45

etad evāśramapadaṃ nūnaṃ tasya mahātmanaḥ
agastyasya muner bhrātur dṛśyate puṇyakarmaṇaḥ

“Surely this that is seen is the very hermitage of that great-souled brother of the sage Agastya, of holy deeds.

Words: etad — this; evāśramapadaṃ — the very hermitage; nūnaṃ — surely; tasya — of that; mahātmanaḥ — of the great-souled; agastyasya — of Agastya; muner — of the sage; bhrātur — of the brother; dṛśyate — is seen; puṇyakarmaṇaḥ — of holy deeds

3.10.46

yathā hīme vanasyāsya jñātāḥ pathi sahasraśaḥ
saṃnatāḥ phalabhareṇa puṣpabhāreṇa ca drumāḥ

For the trees of this forest are known by the thousand along the path, bent down with the weight of their fruit and the burden of their blossoms.

Words: yathā — inasmuch as, since; hīme — for these; vanasyāsya — of this forest; jñātāḥ — known, recognized; pathi — on the path; sahasraśaḥ — by the thousand; saṃnatāḥ — bent down; phalabhareṇa — with the weight of fruit; puṣpabhāreṇa — with the burden of blossoms; ca — and; drumāḥ — the trees

3.10.47

pippalīnāṃ ca pakvānāṃ vanād asmād upāgataḥ
gandho 'yaṃ pavanotkṣiptaḥ sahasā kaṭukodayaḥ

And this pungent-smelling scent of ripe long-peppers, wafted up by the wind, has suddenly come from this forest.

Words: pippalīnāṃ — of the long-peppers; ca — and; pakvānāṃ — of the ripe; vanād — from the forest; asmād — from this; upāgataḥ — come, arrived; gandho — the scent; 'yaṃ — this; pavanotkṣiptaḥ — tossed up by the wind; sahasā — suddenly; kaṭukodayaḥ — of pungent onset

3.10.48

tatra tatra ca dṛśyante saṃkṣiptāḥ kāṣṭhasaṃcayāḥ
lūnāś ca pathi dṛśyante darbhā vaidūryavarcasaḥ

Here and there are seen gathered heaps of firewood, and cut darbha grass, gleaming like beryl, is seen along the path.

Words: tatra tatra — here and there; ca — and; dṛśyante — are seen; saṃkṣiptāḥ — gathered, heaped up; kāṣṭhasaṃcayāḥ — heaps of firewood; lūnāś — cut; ca — and; pathi — on the path; dṛśyante — are seen; darbhā — darbha grass; vaidūryavarcasaḥ — gleaming like beryl

3.10.49

etac ca vanamadhyasthaṃ kṛṣṇābhraśikharopamam
pāvakasyāśramasthasya dhūmāgraṃ saṃpradṛśyate

And this, standing in the midst of the forest, like the crest of a dark cloud, is seen — the top of the smoke of the sacred fire that abides in the hermitage.

Words: etac — this; ca — and; vanamadhyasthaṃ — standing in the midst of the forest; kṛṣṇābhraśikharopamam — like the crest of a dark cloud; pāvakasyāśramasthasya — of the fire abiding in the hermitage; dhūmāgraṃ — the top of the smoke; saṃpradṛśyate — is seen, appears

3.10.50

vivikteṣu ca tīrtheṣu kṛtasnānā dvijātayaḥ
puṣpopahāraṃ kurvanti kusumaiḥ svayam ārjitaiḥ

And at the secluded bathing-places the twice-born, having bathed, make offerings of flowers with blossoms gathered by their own hands.

Words: vivikteṣu — in the secluded; ca — and; tīrtheṣu — at the bathing-places; kṛtasnānā — having bathed; dvijātayaḥ — the twice-born; puṣpopahāraṃ — an offering of flowers; kurvanti — make; kusumaiḥ — with blossoms; svayam — by themselves, of their own; ārjitaiḥ — gathered, acquired

3.10.51

tat sutīkṣṇasya vacanaṃ yathā saumya mayā śrutam
agastyasyāśramo bhrātur nūnam eṣa bhaviṣyati

According as I heard the words of Sutīkṣṇa, gentle brother, this must surely be the hermitage of Agastya's brother.

Words: tat — that; sutīkṣṇasya — of Sutīkṣṇa; vacanaṃ — words, speech; yathā — according as; saumya — O gentle one; mayā — by me; śrutam — heard; agastyasyāśramo — the hermitage of Agastya; bhrātur — of the brother; nūnam — surely; eṣa — this; bhaviṣyati — will be

3.10.52

nigṛhya tarasā mṛtyuṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā
yasya bhrātrā kṛteyaṃ dik śaraṇyā puṇyakarmaṇā

— by whose brother, of holy deeds, forcibly restraining death, out of desire for the good of the worlds, this quarter was made a refuge.

Words: nigṛhya — having restrained, checked; tarasā — forcibly, by strength; mṛtyuṃ — death; lokānāṃ — of the worlds; hitakāmyayā — out of desire for (their) welfare; yasya — of whom; bhrātrā — by the brother; kṛteyaṃ — was made, this; dik — the quarter, direction; śaraṇyā — a refuge, safe; puṇyakarmaṇā — of holy deeds

3.10.53

ihaikadā kila krūro vātāpir api celvalaḥ
bhrātarau sahitāv āstāṃ brāhmaṇaghnau mahāsurau

Here once, they say, the cruel Vātāpi and Ilvala too, two brothers, great asuras and slayers of brahmins, dwelt together.

Words: ihaikadā — here once; kila — they say, indeed; krūro — cruel; vātāpir — Vātāpi; api — also, too; celvalaḥ — and Ilvala; bhrātarau — the two brothers; sahitāv — together; āstāṃ — dwelt, were; brāhmaṇaghnau — slayers of brahmins; mahāsurau — two great asuras

3.10.54

dhārayan brāhmaṇaṃ rūpam ilvalaḥ saṃskṛtaṃ vadan
āmantrayati viprān sa śrāddham uddiśya nirghṛṇaḥ

Assuming the form of a brahmin and speaking refined Sanskrit, the pitiless Ilvala would invite brahmins on the pretext of a śrāddha rite.

Words: dhārayan — assuming, bearing; brāhmaṇaṃ — brahmin; rūpam — form; ilvalaḥ — Ilvala; saṃskṛtaṃ — refined Sanskrit; vadan — speaking; āmantrayati — invites; viprān — the brahmins; sa — he; śrāddham — a śrāddha (funeral rite); uddiśya — on the pretext of, aiming at; nirghṛṇaḥ — the pitiless one

3.10.55

bhrātaraṃ saṃskṛtaṃ bhrātā tatas taṃ meṣarūpiṇam
tān dvijān bhojayām āsa śrāddhadṛṣṭena karmaṇā

Then the brother, having cooked his brother, who had taken the form of a ram, fed those brahmins with it by the rite prescribed for a śrāddha.

Words: bhrātaraṃ — the brother; saṃskṛtaṃ — cooked, prepared; bhrātā — the brother; tatas — then; taṃ — him; meṣarūpiṇam — in the form of a ram; tān — those; dvijān — the brahmins (twice-born); bhojayām āsa — fed; śrāddhadṛṣṭena — by (the rite) prescribed for a śrāddha; karmaṇā — by the rite, act

3.10.56

tato bhuktavatāṃ teṣāṃ viprāṇām ilvalo 'bravīt
vātāpe niṣkramasveti svareṇa mahatā vadan

Then, when those brahmins had eaten, Ilvala called out in a loud voice, saying: “Vātāpi, come forth!”

Words: tato — then; bhuktavatāṃ — of those who had eaten; teṣāṃ — of those; viprāṇām — of the brahmins; ilvalo — Ilvala; 'bravīt — said; vātāpe — O Vātāpi; niṣkramasveti — 'come forth' — thus; svareṇa — with a voice; mahatā — great, loud; vadan — saying

3.10.57

tato bhrātur vacaḥ śrutvā vātāpir meṣavan nadan
bhittvā bhitvā śarīrāṇi brāhmaṇānāṃ viniṣpatat

Then, hearing his brother's words, Vātāpi, bleating like a ram, would burst forth, tearing apart the bodies of the brahmins.

Words: tato — then; bhrātur — of the brother; vacaḥ — words; śrutvā — having heard; vātāpir — Vātāpi; meṣavan — like a ram; nadan — bleating, crying; bhittvā bhitvā — tearing apart again and again; śarīrāṇi — the bodies; brāhmaṇānāṃ — of the brahmins; viniṣpatat — would burst forth

3.10.58

brāhmaṇānāṃ sahasrāṇi tair evaṃ kāmarūpibhiḥ
vināśitāni saṃhatya nityaśaḥ piśitāśanaiḥ

Thousands of brahmins were thus destroyed by those two, who could take any form at will, joining together — those constant flesh-eaters.

Words: brāhmaṇānāṃ — of brahmins; sahasrāṇi — thousands; tair — by those; evaṃ — thus; kāmarūpibhiḥ — by those taking any form at will; vināśitāni — were destroyed; saṃhatya — joining together, in concert; nityaśaḥ — constantly; piśitāśanaiḥ — by the flesh-eaters

3.10.59

agastyena tadā devaiḥ prārthitena maharṣiṇā
anubhūya kila śrāddhe bhakṣitaḥ sa mahāsuraḥ

Then by the great seer Agastya, entreated by the gods, that great asura was, they say, consumed and digested at the śrāddha.

Words: agastyena — by Agastya; tadā — then; devaiḥ — by the gods; prārthitena — entreated, besought; maharṣiṇā — by the great seer; anubhūya — having consumed and digested; kila — they say; śrāddhe — at the śrāddha; bhakṣitaḥ — eaten, consumed; sa — that; mahāsuraḥ — great asura

3.10.60

tataḥ saṃpannam ity uktvā dattvā hastāvasecanam
bhrātaraṃ niṣkramasveti ilvalaḥ so 'bhyabhāṣata

Then, saying “It is finished,” and giving water for rinsing the hands, that Ilvala called to his brother, “Come forth!”

Words: tataḥ — then; saṃpannam — it is done, finished; ity — thus; uktvā — having said; dattvā — having given; hastāvasecanam — water for rinsing the hands; bhrātaraṃ — to the brother; niṣkramasveti — 'come forth' — thus; ilvalaḥ — Ilvala; so — he; 'bhyabhāṣata — said, addressed

3.10.61

taṃ tathā bhāṣamāṇaṃ tu bhrātaraṃ vipraghātinam
abravīt prahasan dhīmān agastyo munisattamaḥ

But to that brother, the brahmin-slayer, speaking thus, the wise Agastya, best of sages, said with a smile:

Words: taṃ — him; tathā — thus; bhāṣamāṇaṃ — speaking; tu — but; bhrātaraṃ — the brother; vipraghātinam — the brahmin-slayer; abravīt — said; prahasan — laughing, smiling; dhīmān — the wise one; agastyo — Agastya; munisattamaḥ — the best of sages

3.10.62

kuto niṣkramituṃ śaktir mayā jīrṇasya rakṣasaḥ
bhrātus te meṣa rūpasya gatasya yamasādanam

“Whence should there be power to come forth for the rakṣasa I have digested — your ram-shaped brother, gone to the abode of Yama?”

Words: kuto — whence; niṣkramituṃ — to come forth; śaktir — power, ability; mayā — by me; jīrṇasya — of the digested; rakṣasaḥ — of the rakṣasa; bhrātus — of the brother; te — your; meṣa — of ram; rūpasya — of the form; gatasya — gone; yamasādanam — to the abode of Yama

3.10.63

atha tasya vacaḥ śrutvā bhrātur nidhanasaṃśritam
pradharṣayitum ārebhe muniṃ krodhān niśācaraḥ

Then, hearing his words that told of his brother's death, the night-ranger, out of wrath, set about to assault the sage.

Words: atha — then; tasya — his; vacaḥ — words; śrutvā — having heard; bhrātur — of the brother; nidhanasaṃśritam — referring to (his) death; pradharṣayitum — to assault, attack; ārebhe — began, set about; muniṃ — the sage; krodhān — out of wrath; niśācaraḥ — the night-ranger

3.10.64

so 'bhyadravad dvijendraṃ taṃ muninā dīptatejasā
cakṣuṣānalakalpena nirdagdho nidhanaṃ gataḥ

He rushed at that lord of the twice-born, but, burnt up by the sage of blazing splendour with a glance like fire, he met his death.

Words: so — he; 'bhyadravad — rushed at; dvijendraṃ — the lord of the twice-born; taṃ — that; muninā — by the sage; dīptatejasā — of blazing splendour; cakṣuṣānalakalpena — with a glance like fire; nirdagdho — burnt up; nidhanaṃ — death, destruction; gataḥ — went to, met

3.10.65

tasyāyam āśramo bhrātus taṭākavanaśobhitaḥ
viprānukampayā yena karmedaṃ duṣkaraṃ kṛtam

This is the hermitage of that brother of his, graced with lakes and woods — the one by whom, out of compassion for the brahmins, this hard deed was done.

Words: tasyāyam — this his; āśramo — hermitage; bhrātus — of the brother; taṭākavanaśobhitaḥ — graced with lakes and woods; viprānukampayā — out of compassion for the brahmins; yena — by whom; karmedaṃ — this deed; duṣkaraṃ — hard to do, difficult; kṛtam — was done

3.10.66

evaṃ kathayamānasya tasya saumitriṇā saha
rāmasyāstaṃ gataḥ sūryaḥ saṃdhyākālo 'bhyavartata

As Rāma was speaking thus together with Saumitri, the sun went to its setting, and the twilight hour came on.

Words: evaṃ — thus; kathayamānasya — as he was speaking; tasya — his, of him; saumitriṇā saha — together with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa); rāmasyāstaṃ — of Rāma... to setting; gataḥ — went; sūryaḥ — the sun; saṃdhyākālo — the twilight hour; 'bhyavartata — came on, approached

3.10.67

upāsya paścimāṃ saṃdhyāṃ saha bhrātrā yathāvidhi
praviveśāśramapadaṃ tam ṛṣiṃ cābhyavādayan

Having with his brother worshipped the evening twilight according to rule, he entered the hermitage and saluted that seer.

Words: upāsya — having worshipped, attended; paścimāṃ — the western, evening; saṃdhyāṃ — twilight; saha bhrātrā — together with his brother; yathāvidhi — according to rule; praviveśāśramapadaṃ — entered the hermitage; tam — that; ṛṣiṃ — seer; cābhyavādayan — and saluted

3.10.68

samyak pratigṛhītas tu muninā tena rāghavaḥ
nyavasat tāṃ niśām ekāṃ prāśya mūlaphalāni ca

Received well by that sage, Rāghava spent that one night, having eaten roots and fruits.

Words: samyak — well, duly; pratigṛhītas — received, welcomed; tu — and; muninā — by the sage; tena — by that; rāghavaḥ — Rāghava; nyavasat — dwelt, spent; tāṃ — that; niśām — night; ekāṃ — one; prāśya — having eaten; mūlaphalāni — roots and fruits; ca — and

3.10.69

tasyāṃ rātryāṃ vyatītāyāṃ vimale sūryamaṇḍale
bhrātaraṃ tam agastyasya āmantrayata rāghavaḥ

When that night had passed and the orb of the sun was bright, Rāghava took leave of that brother of Agastya.

Words: tasyāṃ — that; rātryāṃ — night; vyatītāyāṃ — having passed; vimale — clear, bright; sūryamaṇḍale — the orb of the sun; bhrātaraṃ — the brother; tam — that; agastyasya — of Agastya; āmantrayata — took leave of; rāghavaḥ — Rāghava

3.10.70

abhivādaye tvā bhagavan sukham adhyuṣito niśām
āmantraye tvāṃ gacchāmi guruṃ te draṣṭum agrajam

“I salute you, venerable one; I have passed the night in comfort. I take my leave of you; I go to see your elder brother, my venerable master.”

Words: abhivādaye — I salute; tvā — you; bhagavan — O venerable one; sukham — comfortably; adhyuṣito — having dwelt, spent; niśām — the night; āmantraye — I take leave of; tvāṃ — you; gacchāmi — I go; guruṃ — the venerable one, elder; te — your; draṣṭum — to see; agrajam — the elder-born (brother)

3.10.71

gamyatām iti tenokto jagāma raghunandanaḥ
yathoddiṣṭena mārgeṇa vanaṃ tac cāvalokayan

Told by him, “Go,” the delight of the Raghus set off by the road as directed, gazing upon that forest.

Words: gamyatām — 'go' (let it be gone); iti — thus; tenokto — addressed by him; jagāma — went; raghunandanaḥ — the delight of the Raghus; yathoddiṣṭena — as directed; mārgeṇa — by the road; vanaṃ — the forest; tac — that; cāvalokayan — and gazing upon

3.10.72

nīvārān panasāṃs tālāṃs timiśān vañjulān dhavān
ciribilvān madhūkāṃś ca bilvān api ca tindukān

wild rice, jackfruit and palm trees, timiśa, vañjula and dhava trees, ciribilva and madhūka trees, and bilva trees too, and tinduka trees —

Words: nīvārān — wild rice; panasāṃs — jackfruit trees; tālāṃs — palm trees; timiśān — timiśa trees; vañjulān — vañjula trees; dhavān — dhava trees; ciribilvān — ciribilva trees; madhūkāṃś — madhūka trees; ca — and; bilvān — bilva trees; api — also; ca — and; tindukān — tinduka trees

3.10.73

puṣpitān puṣpitāgrābhir latābhir anuveṣṭitān
dadarśa rāmaḥ śataśas tatra kāntārapādapān

Rāma saw there in their hundreds the forest trees in blossom, entwined with flowering-tipped creepers.

Words: puṣpitān — in blossom, flowering; puṣpitāgrābhir — with flower-tipped; latābhir — with creepers; anuveṣṭitān — entwined, wound about; dadarśa — saw; rāmaḥ — Rāma; śataśas — by the hundred; tatra — there; kāntārapādapān — forest trees

3.10.74

hastihastair vimṛditān vānarair upaśobhitān
mattaiḥ śakunisaṃghaiś ca śataśaḥ pratināditān

trees crushed by the trunks of elephants, graced with monkeys, and made to resound on every side by hundreds of flocks of exultant birds.

Words: hastihastair — by the trunks of elephants; vimṛditān — crushed, trampled; vānarair — by monkeys; upaśobhitān — graced, adorned; mattaiḥ — by exultant, intoxicated; śakunisaṃghaiś — by flocks of birds; ca — and; śataśaḥ — by the hundred; pratināditān — made to resound

3.10.75

tato 'bravīt samīpasthaṃ rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ
pṛṣṭhato 'nugataṃ vīraṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam

Then lotus-eyed Rāma spoke to the hero Lakṣmaṇa, the increaser of fortune, who stood near, following behind him:

Words: tato — then; 'bravīt — said; samīpasthaṃ — standing near; rāmo — Rāma; rājīvalocanaḥ — the lotus-eyed; pṛṣṭhato — behind; 'nugataṃ — following; vīraṃ — the hero; lakṣmaṇaṃ — Lakṣmaṇa; lakṣmivardhanam — the increaser of fortune

3.10.76

snigdhapatrā yathā vṛkṣā yathā kṣāntā mṛgadvijāḥ
āśramo nātidūrastho maharṣer bhāvitātmanaḥ

Since the trees have glossy leaves, and the beasts and birds are tame, the hermitage of the great seer of purified soul is not far off.

Words: snigdhapatrā — glossy-leaved; yathā — inasmuch as, since; vṛkṣā — the trees; yathā — and since; kṣāntā — tame, gentle; mṛgadvijāḥ — beasts and birds; āśramo — the hermitage; nātidūrastho — not situated far off; maharṣer — of the great seer; bhāvitātmanaḥ — of purified soul

3.10.77

agastya iti vikhyāto loke svenaiva karmaṇā
āśramo dṛśyate tasya pariśrānta śramāpahaḥ

Renowned in the world by his own deed as ‘Agastya’ — his hermitage is seen, taking away the fatigue of the weary.

Words: agastya — Agastya; iti — thus; vikhyāto — renowned; loke — in the world; svenaiva — by his own very; karmaṇā — by his deed; āśramo — the hermitage; dṛśyate — is seen; tasya — his; pariśrānta — of the weary; śramāpahaḥ — removing fatigue

3.10.78

prājyadhūmākulavanaś cīramālāpariṣkṛtaḥ
praśāntamṛgayūthaś ca nānāśakunināditaḥ

Its woods are thick with abundant smoke, it is adorned with rows of bark garments, its herds of deer are at peace, and it resounds with many birds.

Words: prājyadhūmākulavanaś — its woods dense with abundant smoke; cīramālāpariṣkṛtaḥ — adorned with rows of bark garments; praśāntamṛgayūthaś — with peaceful herds of deer; ca — and; nānāśakunināditaḥ — resounding with various birds

3.10.79

nigṛhya tarasā mṛtyuṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā
dakṣiṇā dik kṛtā yena śaraṇyā puṇyakarmaṇā

By whom, of holy deeds, forcibly restraining death out of desire for the good of the worlds, the southern quarter was made a refuge —

Words: nigṛhya — having restrained; tarasā — forcibly; mṛtyuṃ — death; lokānāṃ — of the worlds; hitakāmyayā — out of desire for (their) good; dakṣiṇā — southern; dik — the quarter; kṛtā — made; yena — by whom; śaraṇyā — a refuge, safe; puṇyakarmaṇā — of holy deeds

3.10.80

tasyedam āśramapadaṃ prabhāvād yasya rākṣasaiḥ
dig iyaṃ dakṣiṇā trāsād dṛśyate nopabhujyate

This is the hermitage of him by whose power this southern quarter, out of dread, is (only) looked upon by the rākṣasas and not enjoyed.

Words: tasyedam — this his; āśramapadaṃ — hermitage; prabhāvād — by the power; yasya — of whom; rākṣasaiḥ — by the rākṣasas; dig — the quarter; iyaṃ — this; dakṣiṇā — southern; trāsād — out of dread; dṛśyate — is (merely) looked at; nopabhujyate — is not enjoyed

3.10.81

yadā prabhṛti cākrāntā dig iyaṃ puṇyakarmaṇā
tadā prabhṛti nirvairāḥ praśāntā rajanīcarāḥ

From the time this quarter was taken possession of by the man of holy deeds, from that time the night-rangers have been free of enmity and at peace.

Words: yadā — when; prabhṛti — from the time of, since; cākrāntā — and was taken possession of; dig — the quarter; iyaṃ — this; puṇyakarmaṇā — by the man of holy deeds; tadā — then; prabhṛti — from that time, since; nirvairāḥ — free of enmity; praśāntā — at peace, calmed; rajanīcarāḥ — the night-rangers

3.10.82

nāmnā ceyaṃ bhagavato dakṣiṇā dik pradakṣiṇā
prathitā triṣu lokeṣu durdharṣā krūrakarmabhiḥ

And by the name of the venerable one this southern quarter is renowned in the three worlds as ‘auspicious,’ unassailable by the doers of cruel deeds.

Words: nāmnā — by the name; ceyaṃ — and this; bhagavato — of the venerable one; dakṣiṇā — southern; dik — quarter; pradakṣiṇā — auspicious (turned rightward); prathitā — renowned, famed; triṣu — in the three; lokeṣu — in the worlds; durdharṣā — unassailable; krūrakarmabhiḥ — by the doers of cruel deeds

3.10.83

mārgaṃ niroddhuṃ satataṃ bhāskarasyācalottamaḥ
saṃdeśaṃ pālayaṃs tasya vindhyaśaulo na vardhate

Keeping his command, the Vindhya, best of mountains, does not grow, so as forever to block the path of the sun.

Words: mārgaṃ — the path; niroddhuṃ — to block, obstruct; satataṃ — constantly, forever; bhāskarasyācalottamaḥ — of the sun... the best of mountains; saṃdeśaṃ — the command; pālayaṃs — keeping, observing; tasya — his; vindhyaśaulo — the Vindhya mountain; na — not; vardhate — grows, increases

3.10.84

ayaṃ dīrghāyuṣas tasya loke viśrutakarmaṇaḥ
agastyasyāśramaḥ śrīmān vinītamṛgasevitaḥ

This is the glorious hermitage of that long-lived Agastya, whose deeds are famed in the world, frequented by tame deer.

Words: ayaṃ — this; dīrghāyuṣas — of the long-lived; tasya — of that; loke — in the world; viśrutakarmaṇaḥ — of famed deeds; agastyasyāśramaḥ — the hermitage of Agastya; śrīmān — glorious; vinītamṛgasevitaḥ — frequented by tame deer

3.10.85

eṣa lokārcitaḥ sādhur hite nityaṃ rataḥ satām
asmān adhigatān eṣa śreyasā yojayiṣyati

This holy man, honoured by the world, ever devoted to the welfare of the good, will unite us who have come to him with blessing.

Words: eṣa — this; lokārcitaḥ — honoured by the world; sādhur — the holy man; hite — in the welfare; nityaṃ — ever, constantly; rataḥ — devoted, delighting; satām — of the good; asmān — us; adhigatān — who have come, arrived; eṣa — this one; śreyasā — with blessing, good fortune; yojayiṣyati — will join, unite

3.10.86

ārādhayiṣyāmy atrāham agastyaṃ taṃ mahāmunim
śeṣaṃ ca vanavāsasya saumya vatsyāmy ahaṃ prabho

Here I shall propitiate that great sage Agastya, and the remainder of our forest-dwelling, gentle brother, I shall pass here, my dear one.

Words: ārādhayiṣyāmy — I shall propitiate, worship; atrāham — here I; agastyaṃ — Agastya; taṃ — that; mahāmunim — great sage; śeṣaṃ — the remainder; ca — and; vanavāsasya — of the forest-dwelling; saumya — O gentle one; vatsyāmy — I shall dwell, spend; ahaṃ — I; prabho — O dear one, master

3.10.87

atra devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāś ca paramarṣayaḥ
agastyaṃ niyatāhāraṃ satataṃ paryupāsate

Here the gods together with the gandharvas, and the siddhas and the supreme seers, constantly wait upon Agastya of restrained diet.

Words: atra — here; devāḥ — the gods; sagandharvāḥ — with the gandharvas; siddhāś — the siddhas; ca — and; paramarṣayaḥ — the supreme seers; agastyaṃ — Agastya; niyatāhāraṃ — of restrained diet; satataṃ — constantly; paryupāsate — wait upon, attend

3.10.88

nātra jīven mṛṣāvādī krūro vā yadi vā śaṭhaḥ
nṛśaṃsaḥ kāma vṛtto vā munir eṣa tathāvidhaḥ

Here no liar could live, nor a cruel man, nor a rogue, nor a savage, nor one given to lust — such is this sage.

Words: nātra — not here; jīven — could live; mṛṣāvādī — a liar; krūro — cruel; vā — or; yadi vā — or even; śaṭhaḥ — a rogue, cheat; nṛśaṃsaḥ — a savage, cruel one; kāma — lust; vṛtto — given to, behaving; vā — or; munir — the sage; eṣa — this; tathāvidhaḥ — of such a kind

3.10.89

atra devāś ca yakṣāś ca nāgāś ca patagaiḥ saha
vasanti niyatāhāro dharmam ārādhayiṣṇavaḥ

Here gods and yakṣas and nāgas together with the birds dwell, of restrained diet, eager to serve dharma.

Words: atra — here; devāś — gods; ca — and; yakṣāś — yakṣas; ca — and; nāgāś — nāgas (serpents); ca — and; patagaiḥ saha — together with the birds; vasanti — dwell; niyatāhāro — of restrained diet; dharmam — dharma; ārādhayiṣṇavaḥ — eager to serve, propitiate

3.10.90

atra siddhā mahātmāno vimānaiḥ sūryasaṃnibhaiḥ
tyaktvā dehān navair dehaiḥ svaryātāḥ paramarṣayaḥ

Here great-souled siddhas and supreme seers, casting off their bodies, have gone to heaven in new bodies, in celestial cars bright as the sun.

Words: atra — here; siddhā — siddhas; mahātmāno — great-souled; vimānaiḥ — in celestial cars; sūryasaṃnibhaiḥ — bright as the sun; tyaktvā — having cast off; dehān — the bodies; navair — with new; dehaiḥ — with bodies; svaryātāḥ — gone to heaven; paramarṣayaḥ — supreme seers

3.10.91

yakṣatvam amaratvaṃ ca rājyāni vividhāni ca
atra devāḥ prayacchanti bhūtair ārādhitāḥ śubhaiḥ

The state of a yakṣa, immortality, and kingdoms of many kinds — here the gods bestow, when worshipped by auspicious beings.

Words: yakṣatvam — the state of a yakṣa; amaratvaṃ — immortality; ca — and; rājyāni — kingdoms; vividhāni — various, of many kinds; ca — and; atra — here; devāḥ — the gods; prayacchanti — bestow, grant; bhūtair — by beings; ārādhitāḥ — worshipped, propitiated; śubhaiḥ — by auspicious, good

3.10.92

āgatāḥ smāśramapadaṃ saumitre praviśāgrataḥ
nivedayeha māṃ prāptam ṛṣaye saha sītayā

We have reached the hermitage, Saumitri; go in ahead, and here announce me, arrived with Sītā, to the seer.

Words: āgatāḥ — arrived, come; smāśramapadaṃ — we (are) ... to the hermitage; saumitre — O Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa); praviśāgrataḥ — enter in front; nivedayeha — announce here; māṃ — me; prāptam — arrived; ṛṣaye — to the seer; saha sītayā — together with Sītā

← 3.9 Rāma’s promise to the ṛṣis · Araṇya Kāṇḍa · 3.11 Agastya’s gifts of weapons →

Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.

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