The Dialogue of Rama and Agastya

Verse 1 (padma.1.36.1)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। ततो देवाः प्रयातास्ते विमानैर्बहुभिस्तदा। रामोप्यनुजगामाशु कुंभयोनेस्तपोवनम्।

pulastya uvāca tato devāḥ prayātāste vimānairbahubhistadā rāmopyanujagāmāśu kuṁbhayonestapovanam

Pulastya said: Then those gods departed from there in their many chariots. Rama too swiftly followed toward the penance-forest of the pot-born sage.

Verse 2 (padma.1.36.2)

उक्तं भगवता तेन भूयोप्यागमनं क्रियाः। पूर्वमेव सभायां च यो मां द्रष्टुं समागतः।

uktaṁ bhagavatā tena bhūyopyāgamanaṁ kriyāḥ pūrvameva sabhāyāṁ ca yo māṁ draṣṭuṁ samāgataḥ

That venerable one had said that he must come again — he who had earlier come to the assembly to see me.

Verse 3 (padma.1.36.3)

तदहं देवतादेशात्तत्कार्यार्थे महामुनिं। पश्यामि तं मुनिं गत्वा देवदानवपूजितम्।

tadahaṁ devatādeśāttatkāryārthe mahāmuniṁ paśyāmi taṁ muniṁ gatvā devadānavapūjitam

'Therefore, at the command of the gods, for that very purpose, I go to the great sage; going, I shall see that sage worshipped by gods and demons.'

Verse 4 (padma.1.36.4)

उपदेशं च मे तुष्टः स्वयं दास्यति सत्तमः। दुःखी येन पुनर्मर्त्ये न भवामि कदाचन।

upadeśaṁ ca me tuṣṭaḥ svayaṁ dāsyati sattamaḥ duḥkhī yena punarmartye na bhavāmi kadācana

'Pleased, he shall himself give me that instruction, by which I may never again be born, sorrowful, in the world of mortals.'

Verse 5 (padma.1.36.5)

पिता दशरथो मह्यं कौसल्या जननी तथा। सूर्यवंशे समुत्पन्नस्तथाप्येवं सुदुःखितः।

pitā daśaratho mahyaṁ kausalyā jananī tathā sūryavaṁśe samutpannastathāpyevaṁ suduḥkhitaḥ

'My father is Dasharatha, and my mother Kausalya; though born in the solar dynasty, I am thus greatly sorrowful.'

Verse 6 (padma.1.36.6)

राज्यकाले वने वासो भार्यया चानुजेन च। हरणं चापि भार्याया रावणेन कृतं मम।

rājyakāle vane vāso bhāryayā cānujena ca haraṇaṁ cāpi bhāryāyā rāvaṇena kṛtaṁ mama

'At the very time of my coronation, exile to the forest came to me, together with my wife and younger brother. My wife too was abducted by Ravana.'

Verse 7 (padma.1.36.7)

असहायेन तु मया तीर्त्वा सागरमुत्तमम्। रुद्ध्वा तु तां पुरीं सर्वां कृत्वा तस्य कुलक्षयम्।

asahāyena tu mayā tīrtvā sāgaramuttamam ruddhvā tu tāṁ purīṁ sarvāṁ kṛtvā tasya kulakṣayam

'Without any helper, I crossed the great ocean, and, having besieged that whole city, brought about the destruction of his lineage.'

Verse 8 (padma.1.36.8)

दृष्टा सीता मया त्यक्ता देवानां तु पुरस्तदा। शुद्धां तां मां तथोचुस्ते मया सीता तथा गृहम्।

dṛṣṭā sītā mayā tyaktā devānāṁ tu purastadā śuddhāṁ tāṁ māṁ tathocuste mayā sītā tathā gṛham

'Having found Sita, I rejected her before the gods; then they declared me pure, and that Sita and I—'

Verse 9 (padma.1.36.9)

समानीता प्रीतिमता लोकवाक्याद्विसर्जिता। वने वसति सा देवी पुरे चाहं वसामि वै।

samānītā prītimatā lokavākyādvisarjitā vane vasati sā devī pure cāhaṁ vasāmi vai

'—were joyfully brought home, and yet, because of public rumor, she was cast off again. That goddess dwells in the forest, while I dwell in the city.'

Verse 10 (padma.1.36.10)

जातोहमुत्तमे वंशे उत्तमोहं धनुष्मताम्। उत्तमं दुःखमापन्नो हृदयं नैव भिद्यते।

jātohamuttame vaṁśe uttamohaṁ dhanuṣmatām uttamaṁ duḥkhamāpanno hṛdayaṁ naiva bhidyate

'I was born in an excellent lineage, foremost among archers, yet I have attained the utmost sorrow; still my heart does not break.'

Verse 11 (padma.1.36.11)

वज्रसारस्य सारेण धात्राहं निर्मितो ध्रुवम्। इदानीं ब्राह्मणादेशाद्भ्रमामि धरणीतले।

vajrasārasya sāreṇa dhātrāhaṁ nirmito dhruvam idānīṁ brāhmaṇādeśādbhramāmi dharaṇītale

'The Creator has surely made me of the very essence of the essence of the thunderbolt. Now, at a brahmin's command, I wander upon the surface of the earth.'

Verse 12 (padma.1.36.12)

तपः स्थितस्तु शूद्रोसौ मया पापो निपातितः। देववाक्यात्तु मे भूयः प्राणो मे हृदि संस्थितः।

tapaḥ sthitastu śūdrosau mayā pāpo nipātitaḥ devavākyāttu me bhūyaḥ prāṇo me hṛdi saṁsthitaḥ

'That sinful shudra, established in austerity, I struck down. By the word of the gods, the life-breath residing in my heart—'

Verse 13 (padma.1.36.13)

पश्यामि तं मुनिं वंद्यं जगतोस्य हिते रतम्। दृष्टेन मे तथा दुःखं नाशमेष्यति सत्वरम्।

paśyāmi taṁ muniṁ vaṁdyaṁ jagatosya hite ratam dṛṣṭena me tathā duḥkhaṁ nāśameṣyati satvaram

'—I shall see that venerable sage, devoted to the welfare of this world. By seeing him, my sorrow shall swiftly be destroyed—'

Verse 14 (padma.1.36.14)

उदयेन सहस्रांशोर्हिमं यद्वद्विलीयते। तद्वन्मे दुःखसंप्राप्तिः सर्वथा नाशमेष्यति।

udayena sahasrāṁśorhimaṁ yadvadvilīyate tadvanme duḥkhasaṁprāptiḥ sarvathā nāśameṣyati

'—just as, at sunrise, snow melts away, so shall my sorrow, once attained, be utterly destroyed.'

Verse 15 (padma.1.36.15)

दृष्ट्वा च देवान्संप्राप्तानगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। अर्घ्यमादाय सुप्रीतः सर्वांस्तानभ्यपूजयत्।

dṛṣṭvā ca devānsaṁprāptānagastyo bhagavānṛṣiḥ arghyamādāya suprītaḥ sarvāṁstānabhyapūjayat

Seeing the gods arrived, the venerable seer Agastya, taking the guest-offering, joyfully worshipped all of them.

Verse 16 (padma.1.36.16)

ते तु गृह्य ततः पूजां संभाष्य च महामुनिं। जग्मुस्तेन तदा हृष्टा नाकपृष्ठं सहानुगाः।

te tu gṛhya tataḥ pūjāṁ saṁbhāṣya ca mahāmuniṁ jagmustena tadā hṛṣṭā nākapṛṣṭhaṁ sahānugāḥ

They, having received the worship and conversed with the great sage, then joyfully went, together with their followers, back to the vault of heaven.

Verse 17 (padma.1.36.17)

गतेषु तेषु काकुत्स्थः पुष्पकादवरुह्य च। अभिवादयितुं प्राप्तः सोगस्त्यमृषिमुत्तमम्।

gateṣu teṣu kākutsthaḥ puṣpakādavaruhya ca abhivādayituṁ prāptaḥ sogastyamṛṣimuttamam

When they had gone, Kakutstha, descending from the Pushpaka, came to salute that excellent seer Agastya.

Verse 18 (padma.1.36.18)

राजोवाच। सुतो दशरथस्याहं भवंतमभिवादितुम्। आगतो वै मुनिश्रेष्ठ सौम्येनेक्षस्व चक्षुषा।

rājovāca suto daśarathasyāhaṁ bhavaṁtamabhivāditum āgato vai muniśreṣṭha saumyenekṣasva cakṣuṣā

The king said: 'I am the son of Dasharatha, come to salute you, O foremost of sages. Look upon me with a gentle gaze.'

Verse 19 (padma.1.36.19)

निर्धूतपापस्त्वां दृष्ट्वा भवामीह न संशयः। एतावदुक्त्वा स मुनिमभिवाद्य पुनः पुनः।

nirdhūtapāpastvāṁ dṛṣṭvā bhavāmīha na saṁśayaḥ etāvaduktvā sa munimabhivādya punaḥ punaḥ

'By your sight, I shall here become free of sin, without doubt.' Having said this much, he saluted the sage again and again.

Verse 20 (padma.1.36.20)

कुशलं भृत्यवर्गस्य मृगाणां तनयस्य च। भगवद्दर्शनाकांक्षी शूद्रं हत्वा त्विहागतः।

kuśalaṁ bhṛtyavargasya mṛgāṇāṁ tanayasya ca bhagavaddarśanākāṁkṣī śūdraṁ hatvā tvihāgataḥ

'May welfare come to the servants, the deer, and that son — I have come here, out of desire for your venerable sight, having slain a shudra.'

Verse 21 (padma.1.36.21)

अगस्त्य उवाच। स्वागतं ते रघुश्रेष्ठ जगद्वंद्य सनातन। दर्शनात्तव काकुत्स्थ पूतोहं मुनिभिः सह।

agastya uvāca svāgataṁ te raghuśreṣṭha jagadvaṁdya sanātana darśanāttava kākutstha pūtohaṁ munibhiḥ saha

Agastya said: 'Welcome, O best of the Raghus, worshipped by the world, O eternal one. O Kakutstha, by your sight, I, together with the sages, have become purified.'

Verse 22 (padma.1.36.22)

त्वत्कृते रघुशार्दूल गृहाणार्घं महाद्युते। स्वागतं नरशार्दूल दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोसि शत्रुहन्।

tvatkṛte raghuśārdūla gṛhāṇārghaṁ mahādyute svāgataṁ naraśārdūla diṣṭyā prāptosi śatruhan

'O greatly radiant one, O tiger of the Raghus, accept this guest-offering for your sake alone. O tiger among men, welcome; fortunately, O slayer of foes, you have arrived.'

Verse 23 (padma.1.36.23)

त्वं हि नित्यं बहुमतो गुणैर्बहुभिरुत्तमैः। अतस्त्वं पूजनीयो वै मम नित्यं हृदिस्थितः।

tvaṁ hi nityaṁ bahumato guṇairbahubhiruttamaiḥ atastvaṁ pūjanīyo vai mama nityaṁ hṛdisthitaḥ

'You are always highly esteemed for your many excellent virtues. Therefore you are ever worthy of worship by me, dwelling in my heart.'

Verse 24 (padma.1.36.24)

सुरा हि कथयंति त्वां शूद्रघातिनमागतं। ब्राह्मणस्य च धर्मेण त्वया वै जीवितः सुतः।

surā hi kathayaṁti tvāṁ śūdraghātinamāgataṁ brāhmaṇasya ca dharmeṇa tvayā vai jīvitaḥ sutaḥ

'The gods have come, calling you the slayer of a shudra; and by you, righteously, the brahmin's son has been made to live again.'

Verse 25 (padma.1.36.25)

उष्यतां चेह भगवः सकाशे मम राघव। प्रभाते पुष्पकेणासि गंतायोध्यां महामते।

uṣyatāṁ ceha bhagavaḥ sakāśe mama rāghava prabhāte puṣpakeṇāsi gaṁtāyodhyāṁ mahāmate

'O venerable one, dwell here in my presence, O Raghava; in the morning, go by the Pushpaka to Ayodhya, O wise one.'

Verse 26 (padma.1.36.26)

इदं चाभरणं सौम्य सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा। दिव्यं दिव्येनवपुषा दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा।

idaṁ cābharaṇaṁ saumya sukṛtaṁ viśvakarmaṇā divyaṁ divyenavapuṣā dīpyamānaṁ svatejasā

'O gentle one, this ornament, beautifully fashioned by Vishvakarma, divine, blazing in divine form with its own splendor—'

Verse 27 (padma.1.36.27)

प्रतिगृह्णीष्व राजेन्द्र मत्प्रियं कुरु राघव। लब्धस्य हि पुनर्द्दाने सुमहत्फलमुच्यते।

pratigṛhṇīṣva rājendra matpriyaṁ kuru rāghava labdhasya hi punarddāne sumahatphalamucyate

'—O king of kings, accept it, O Raghava; do this to please me. Great fruit is declared in giving away again what one has received.'

Verse 28 (padma.1.36.28)

त्वं हि शक्तः परित्रातुं सेंद्रानपि सुरोत्तमान्। तस्मात्प्रदास्ये विधिवत्प्रतीच्छस्व नरर्षभ।

tvaṁ hi śaktaḥ paritrātuṁ seṁdrānapi surottamān tasmātpradāsye vidhivatpratīcchasva nararṣabha

'You are capable of protecting even the foremost gods, with Indra included. Therefore I shall give this to you according to rite, O best of men; accept it.'

Verse 29 (padma.1.36.29)

अथोवाच महाबाहुरिक्ष्वाकूणां महारथः। कृतांजलिर्मुनिश्रेष्ठं स्वं च धर्ममनुस्मरन्।

athovāca mahābāhurikṣvākūṇāṁ mahārathaḥ kṛtāṁjalirmuniśreṣṭhaṁ svaṁ ca dharmamanusmaran

Then the mighty-armed Rama, great warrior of the Ikshvaku line, with joined palms, remembering his own dharma, spoke this to the foremost of sages.

Verse 30 (padma.1.36.30)

प्रतिग्रहो वै भगवंस्तव मेऽत्र विगर्हितः। क्षत्रियेण कथं विप्र प्रतिग्राह्यं विजानता।

pratigraho vai bhagavaṁstava me'tra vigarhitaḥ kṣatriyeṇa kathaṁ vipra pratigrāhyaṁ vijānatā

'O venerable one, accepting this gift from you here is, for me, reprehensible. O brahmin, knowing this, how can a kshatriya accept it?'

Verse 31 (padma.1.36.31)

ब्राह्मणेन तु यद्दत्तं तन्मे त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि। सपुत्रो गृहवानस्मि समर्थोस्मि महामुने।

brāhmaṇena tu yaddattaṁ tanme tvaṁ vaktumarhasi saputro gṛhavānasmi samarthosmi mahāmune

'You alone are worthy to tell me about what is given by a brahmin. I have a son, a household, and am capable, O great sage—'

Verse 32 (padma.1.36.32)

आपदा चन चाक्रांतः कथं ग्राह्यः प्रतिग्रहः। भार्या मे सुचिरं नष्टा न चान्या मम विद्यते।

āpadā cana cākrāṁtaḥ kathaṁ grāhyaḥ pratigrahaḥ bhāryā me suciraṁ naṣṭā na cānyā mama vidyate

'—nor am I beset by any calamity; then how could this gift be fit to accept? My wife has long been lost, and I have no other wife—'

Verse 33 (padma.1.36.33)

केवलं दोषभागी च भवामीह न संशयः। कष्टां चैव दशां प्राप्य क्षत्रियोपि प्रतिग्रही।

kevalaṁ doṣabhāgī ca bhavāmīha na saṁśayaḥ kaṣṭāṁ caiva daśāṁ prāpya kṣatriyopi pratigrahī

'—I shall become only a sharer of fault, without doubt. Even a kshatriya, having reached a state of hardship, if he accepts a gift—'

Verse 34 (padma.1.36.34)

कुर्वन्न दोषमाप्नोति मनुरेवात्र कारणम्। वृद्धौ च मातापितरौ साध्वी भार्या शिशुः सुतः।

kurvanna doṣamāpnoti manurevātra kāraṇam vṛddhau ca mātāpitarau sādhvī bhāryā śiśuḥ sutaḥ

'—incurs no fault; this is what Manu has said. Aged parents, a virtuous wife, an infant son—'

Verse 35 (padma.1.36.35)

अप्यकार्यशतं कृत्वा भर्तव्या मनुरब्रवीत्। नाहं प्रतीच्छे विप्रर्षे त्वया दत्तं प्रतिग्रहं।

apyakāryaśataṁ kṛtvā bhartavyā manurabravīt nāhaṁ pratīcche viprarṣe tvayā dattaṁ pratigrahaṁ

'—these should be supported even by doing a hundred forbidden acts, thus said Manu. O sage among brahmins, I do not accept this gift given by you.'

Verse 36 (padma.1.36.36)

न च मे भवता कोपः कार्यो वै सुरपूजित।

na ca me bhavatā kopaḥ kāryo vai surapūjita

'And you, O worshipped by the gods, should not become angry with me for this.'

Verse 37 (padma.1.36.37)

अगस्त्य उवाच। न च प्रतिग्रहे दोषो गृहीते पार्थिवैर्नृप। भवान्वै तारणे शक्तस्त्रैलोक्यस्यापि राघव।

agastya uvāca na ca pratigrahe doṣo gṛhīte pārthivairnṛpa bhavānvai tāraṇe śaktastrailokyasyāpi rāghava

Agastya said: 'O king, there is no fault in a gift accepted by kings. O Raghava, you are capable of delivering even the three worlds.'

Verse 38 (padma.1.36.38)

तारय ब्राह्मणं राम विशेषेण तपस्विनं। तस्मात्प्रदास्ये विधिवत्प्रतीच्छस्व नराघिप।

tāraya brāhmaṇaṁ rāma viśeṣeṇa tapasvinaṁ tasmātpradāsye vidhivatpratīcchasva narāghipa

'O Rama, deliver especially this ascetic brahmin. Therefore I shall give it according to rite, O king; accept it.'

Verse 39 (padma.1.36.39)

राम उवाच। क्षत्रियेण कथं विप्र प्रतिग्राह्यं विजानता। ब्राह्मणेन तु यद्दत्तं तन्मे त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि।

rāma uvāca kṣatriyeṇa kathaṁ vipra pratigrāhyaṁ vijānatā brāhmaṇena tu yaddattaṁ tanme tvaṁ vaktumarhasi

Rama said: 'O brahmin, knowing this, how is it fit to be accepted by a kshatriya? You alone are worthy to tell me about what is given by a brahmin.'

Verse 40 (padma.1.36.40)

अगस्त्य उवाच। आसीत्कृतयुगे राम ब्रह्मपूते पुरातने। अपार्थिवाः प्रजाः सर्वाः सुराणां च शतक्रतुः।

agastya uvāca āsītkṛtayuge rāma brahmapūte purātane apārthivāḥ prajāḥ sarvāḥ surāṇāṁ ca śatakratuḥ

Agastya said: O Rama, formerly, in the sacred, ancient Satya age, all the people were without a king, and among the gods there was Shatakratu.

Verse 41 (padma.1.36.41)

ताः प्रजा देवदेवेशं राजार्थं समुपागमन्। सुराणां विद्यते राजा देवदेवः शतक्रतुः।

tāḥ prajā devadeveśaṁ rājārthaṁ samupāgaman surāṇāṁ vidyate rājā devadevaḥ śatakratuḥ

Those people went to the lord of gods for the purpose of obtaining a king. 'For the gods, the god of gods, Shatakratu, is king—'

Verse 42 (padma.1.36.42)

श्रेयसेस्मासु लोकेश पार्थिवं कुरु सांप्रतं। यस्मिन्पूजां प्रयुंजानाः पुरुषा भुंजते महीम्।

śreyasesmāsu lokeśa pārthivaṁ kuru sāṁprataṁ yasminpūjāṁ prayuṁjānāḥ puruṣā bhuṁjate mahīm

'—O lord of the worlds, appoint a king for our welfare too, now, worshipping whom men may enjoy the earth.'

Verse 43 (padma.1.36.43)

ततो ब्रह्मा सुरश्रेष्ठो लोकपालान्सवासवान्। समाहूयाब्रवीत्सर्वांस्तेजोभागोऽत्र युज्यताम्।

tato brahmā suraśreṣṭho lokapālānsavāsavān samāhūyābravītsarvāṁstejobhāgo'tra yujyatām

Then Brahma, foremost of gods, having summoned the world-guardians together with Indra, said to them all: 'Give here a portion of your own splendor.'

Verse 44 (padma.1.36.44)

ततो ददुर्लोकपालाश्चतुर्भागं स्वतेजसा। अक्षयश्च ततो ब्रह्मा यतो जातोऽक्षयो नृपः।

tato dadurlokapālāścaturbhāgaṁ svatejasā akṣayaśca tato brahmā yato jāto'kṣayo nṛpaḥ

Then the world-guardians gave a fourth part of their own splendor. Then Brahma became inexhaustible, from which an inexhaustible king was born.

Verse 45 (padma.1.36.45)

तं ब्रह्मा लोकपालानामंशं पुंसामयोजयत्। ततो नृपस्तदा तासां प्रजानां क्षेमपंडितः।

taṁ brahmā lokapālānāmaṁśaṁ puṁsāmayojayat tato nṛpastadā tāsāṁ prajānāṁ kṣemapaṁḍitaḥ

Brahma joined that portion of the world-guardians into men. Then that king became skilled in the welfare of those people.

Verse 46 (padma.1.36.46)

तत्रैंद्रेण तु भागेन सर्वानाज्ञापयेन्नृपः। वारुणेन च भागेन सर्वान्पुष्णाति देहिनः।

tatraiṁdreṇa tu bhāgena sarvānājñāpayennṛpaḥ vāruṇena ca bhāgena sarvānpuṣṇāti dehinaḥ

There, through the Indra-portion, the king commands all; through the Varuna-portion, he nourishes all beings.

Verse 47 (padma.1.36.47)

कौबेरेण तथांशेन त्वर्थान्दिशति पार्थिवः। यश्च याम्यो नृपे भागस्तेन शास्ति च वै प्रजाः।

kaubereṇa tathāṁśena tvarthāndiśati pārthivaḥ yaśca yāmyo nṛpe bhāgastena śāsti ca vai prajāḥ

Through the Kubera-portion, the king bestows wealth; and through whatever Yama-portion is in the king, by that he rules over his subjects.

Verse 48 (padma.1.36.48)

तत्र चैंद्रेण भागेन नरेन्द्रोसि रघूत्तम। प्रतिगृह्णीष्वाभरणं तारणार्थे मम प्रभो।

tatra caiṁdreṇa bhāgena narendrosi raghūttama pratigṛhṇīṣvābharaṇaṁ tāraṇārthe mama prabho

O best of the Raghus, through that same Indra-portion, you are lord among men. O lord, for my deliverance, accept this ornament.

Verse 49 (padma.1.36.49)

ततो रामः प्रजग्राह मुनेर्हस्तान्महात्मनः। दिव्यमाभरणं चित्रं प्रदीप्तमिव भास्करं।

tato rāmaḥ prajagrāha munerhastānmahātmanaḥ divyamābharaṇaṁ citraṁ pradīptamiva bhāskaraṁ

Then Rama took from the hand of that great-souled sage the wondrous, divine ornament, blazing like the sun.

Verse 50 (padma.1.36.50)

प्रतिगृह्य ततोगस्त्याद्राघवः परवीरहा। निरीक्ष्य सुचिरं कालं विचार्य च पुनः पुनः।

pratigṛhya tatogastyādrāghavaḥ paravīrahā nirīkṣya suciraṁ kālaṁ vicārya ca punaḥ punaḥ

Raghava, destroyer of enemy heroes, having taken it from Agastya, looked at it for a long while and pondered again and again.

Verse 51 (padma.1.36.51)

मौक्तिकानि विचित्राणि धात्रीफलसमानि च। जांबूनदनिबद्धानि वज्रविद्रुमनीलकैः।

mauktikāni vicitrāṇi dhātrīphalasamāni ca jāṁbūnadanibaddhāni vajravidrumanīlakaiḥ

In it were set wondrous pearls, like amalaka fruits, bound with diamonds, coral, sapphires—

Verse 52 (padma.1.36.52)

पद्मरागैः सगोमेधैर्वैडूर्यैः पुष्परागकैः। सुनिबद्धं सुविभक्तं सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा।

padmarāgaiḥ sagomedhairvaiḍūryaiḥ puṣparāgakaiḥ sunibaddhaṁ suvibhaktaṁ sukṛtaṁ viśvakarmaṇā

—padmaraga, gomeda, cat's-eye, and topaz gems, set well and evenly, beautifully crafted by Vishvakarma.

Verse 53 (padma.1.36.53)

दृष्ट्वा प्रीतिसमायुक्तो भूयश्चेदं व्यचिंतयत्। नेदृशानि च रत्नानि मया दृष्टानि कानिचित्।

dṛṣṭvā prītisamāyukto bhūyaścedaṁ vyaciṁtayat nedṛśāni ca ratnāni mayā dṛṣṭāni kānicit

Seeing it, filled with delight, Raghava thought again: 'I have never before seen such gems—'

Verse 54 (padma.1.36.54)

उपशोभानि बद्धानि पृथ्वीमूल्यसमानि च। विभीषणस्य लंकायां न दृष्टानि मया पुरा।

upaśobhāni baddhāni pṛthvīmūlyasamāni ca vibhīṣaṇasya laṁkāyāṁ na dṛṣṭāni mayā purā

'—so adorned, so set, worth the value of the earth itself. Even in Vibhishana's Lanka I had not seen the like before.'

Verse 55 (padma.1.36.55)

इति संचित्य मनसा राघवस्तमृषिं पुनः। आगमं तस्य दिव्यस्य प्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे।

iti saṁcitya manasā rāghavastamṛṣiṁ punaḥ āgamaṁ tasya divyasya praṣṭuṁ samupacakrame

Having thus pondered in his mind, Raghava again began to ask that sage regarding the origin of that divine object.

Verse 56 (padma.1.36.56)

अत्यद्भुतमिदं ब्रह्मन्न प्राप्यं च महीक्षिताम्। कथं भगवता प्राप्तं कुतो वा केन निर्मितम्।

atyadbhutamidaṁ brahmanna prāpyaṁ ca mahīkṣitām kathaṁ bhagavatā prāptaṁ kuto vā kena nirmitam

'O brahmin, this is exceedingly wondrous, unattainable even for kings. How did you, venerable one, come to obtain it, and from where, and by whom was it made?'

Verse 57 (padma.1.36.57)

कुतूहलवशाच्चैव पृच्छामि त्वां महामते। करतलेस्थिते रत्ने करमध्यं प्रकाशते।

kutūhalavaśāccaiva pṛcchāmi tvāṁ mahāmate karatalesthite ratne karamadhyaṁ prakāśate

'O wise one, it is out of curiosity alone that I ask you this.' 'A gem resting on the palm, which illuminates the palm's center—'

Verse 58 (padma.1.36.58)

अधमं तद्विजानीयात्सर्वशास्त्रेषु गर्हितम्। दिशः प्रकाशयेद्यत्तन्मध्यमं मुनिसत्तम।

adhamaṁ tadvijānīyātsarvaśāstreṣu garhitam diśaḥ prakāśayedyattanmadhyamaṁ munisattama

'—that should be known as inferior, condemned in all the scriptures. That which illuminates the four directions is declared middling, O foremost of sages.'

Verse 59 (padma.1.36.59)

ऊर्ध्वगं त्रिशिखं यत्स्यादुत्तमं तदुदाहृतम्। एतान्युत्तमजातीनि ऋषिभिः कीर्तितानि तु।

ūrdhvagaṁ triśikhaṁ yatsyāduttamaṁ tadudāhṛtam etānyuttamajātīni ṛṣibhiḥ kīrtitāni tu

'That which rises upward, three-peaked, is declared excellent. These excellent classes have been proclaimed by the sages.'

Verse 60 (padma.1.36.60)

आश्चर्याणां बहूनां हि दिव्यानां भगवान्निधिः। एवं वदति काकुत्स्थे मुनिर्वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्।

āścaryāṇāṁ bahūnāṁ hi divyānāṁ bhagavānnidhiḥ evaṁ vadati kākutsthe munirvākyamathābravīt

'The venerable one is a treasury of many wondrous, divine things.' As Kakutstha spoke thus, the sage then spoke this word.

Verse 61 (padma.1.36.61)

अगस्त्य उवाच। शृणु राम पुरावृत्तं पुरा त्रेतायुगे महत्। द्वापरे समनुप्राप्ते वने यद्दृष्टवानहम्।

agastya uvāca śṛṇu rāma purāvṛttaṁ purā tretāyuge mahat dvāpare samanuprāpte vane yaddṛṣṭavānaham

Agastya said: Hear, O Rama, an ancient event that happened in the past, when, at the end of the Treta age as Dvapara approached, I saw it in the forest.

Verse 62 (padma.1.36.62)

आश्चर्यं सुमहाबाहो निबोध रघुनंदन। पुरा त्रेतायुगे ह्यासीदरण्यं बहुविस्तरम्।

āścaryaṁ sumahābāho nibodha raghunaṁdana purā tretāyuge hyāsīdaraṇyaṁ bahuvistaram

O mighty-armed one, O joy of the Raghus, hear a great wonder. Formerly, in the Treta age, there was a most extensive forest.

Verse 63 (padma.1.36.63)

समंताद्योजनशतं मृगव्याघ्रविवर्जितम्। तस्मिन्निष्पुरुषेऽरण्ये चिकीर्षुस्तप उत्तमम्।

samaṁtādyojanaśataṁ mṛgavyāghravivarjitam tasminniṣpuruṣe'raṇye cikīrṣustapa uttamam

For a hundred yojanas around, it was devoid of deer and tigers. Into that man-empty forest, wishing to perform excellent austerity—

Verse 64 (padma.1.36.64)

अहमाक्रमितुं सौम्य तदरण्यमुपागतः। तस्यारण्यस्य मध्यं तु युक्तं मूलफलैः सदा।

ahamākramituṁ saumya tadaraṇyamupāgataḥ tasyāraṇyasya madhyaṁ tu yuktaṁ mūlaphalaiḥ sadā

—O gentle one, I went into that forest. The middle of that forest was always rich with roots and fruits—

Verse 65 (padma.1.36.65)

शाकैर्बहुविधाकारैर्नानारूपैः सुकाननैः। तस्यारण्यस्य मध्ये तु पंचयोजनमायतम्।

śākairbahuvidhākārairnānārūpaiḥ sukānanaiḥ tasyāraṇyasya madhye tu paṁcayojanamāyatam

—with various kinds of greens, endowed with beautiful groves of many forms. In the middle of that forest, extending five yojanas—

Verse 66 (padma.1.36.66)

हंसकारंडवाकीर्णं चक्रवाकोपशोभितम्। तत्राश्चर्यं मया दृष्टं सरः परमशोभितम्।

haṁsakāraṁḍavākīrṇaṁ cakravākopaśobhitam tatrāścaryaṁ mayā dṛṣṭaṁ saraḥ paramaśobhitam

—filled with swans and karandava birds, adorned with chakravaka birds, there I saw a most beautiful, wondrous lake.

Verse 67 (padma.1.36.67)

विसारिकच्छपाकीर्णं बकपंक्तिगणैर्युतम्। समीपे तस्य सरसस्तपस्तप्तुं गतः पुरा।

visārikacchapākīrṇaṁ bakapaṁktigaṇairyutam samīpe tasya sarasastapastaptuṁ gataḥ purā

Filled with sprawling tortoises, thronged with rows of herons. Near that lake, having gone there in former time to perform austerity—

Verse 68 (padma.1.36.68)

देशं पुण्यमुपेत्यैवं सर्वहिंसाविवर्जितम्। तत्राहमवसं रात्रिं नैदाघीं पुरुषर्षभ।

deśaṁ puṇyamupetyaivaṁ sarvahiṁsāvivarjitam tatrāhamavasaṁ rātriṁ naidāghīṁ puruṣarṣabha

—I found that sacred spot, free of all violence. O foremost of men, there I passed a summer night.

Verse 69 (padma.1.36.69)

प्रभाते पुरुत्थाय सरस्तदुपचक्रमे। अथापश्यं शवमहमस्पृष्टजरसं क्वचित्।

prabhāte purutthāya sarastadupacakrame athāpaśyaṁ śavamahamaspṛṣṭajarasaṁ kvacit

Rising at dawn, I proceeded toward that lake. There I saw somewhere a corpse, not yet touched by decay—

Verse 70 (padma.1.36.70)

तिष्ठंतं परया लक्ष्म्या सरसो नातिदूरतः। तदर्थं चिंतयानोहं मुहूर्तमिव राघव।

tiṣṭhaṁtaṁ parayā lakṣmyā saraso nātidūrataḥ tadarthaṁ ciṁtayānohaṁ muhūrtamiva rāghava

—endowed with the utmost beauty, standing not far from the lake. Pondering over this, O Raghava, for a moment as it were—

Verse 71 (padma.1.36.71)

अस्य तीरे न वै प्राणी को वाप्येष सुरर्षभः। मुनिर्वा पार्थिवो वापि क्व मुनिः पार्थिवोपि वा।

asya tīre na vai prāṇī ko vāpyeṣa surarṣabhaḥ munirvā pārthivo vāpi kva muniḥ pārthivopi vā

'On this bank there is no living being — who is this, O foremost of gods (asking myself)? Is he a sage or a king? Where is that sage or king—'

Verse 72 (padma.1.36.72)

अथवा पार्थिवसुतस्तस्यैवं संभवः कृतः। अतीतेहनि रात्रौ वा प्रातर्वापि मृतो यदि।

athavā pārthivasutastasyaivaṁ saṁbhavaḥ kṛtaḥ atītehani rātrau vā prātarvāpi mṛto yadi

'—or a king's son, whose birth was thus? Whether on the past day, or in the night, or even in the morning, if he has died—'

Verse 73 (padma.1.36.73)

अवश्यं तु मया ज्ञेया सरसोस्य विनिष्क्रिया। यावदेवं स्थितश्चाहं चिंतयानो रघूत्तम।

avaśyaṁ tu mayā jñeyā sarasosya viniṣkriyā yāvadevaṁ sthitaścāhaṁ ciṁtayāno raghūttama

'—I must certainly learn the special cause of this at the lake.' Thus, O best of the Raghus, as I stood there pondering—

Verse 74 (padma.1.36.74)

अथापश्यं मूहूर्तात्तु दिव्यमद्भुतदर्शनम्। विमानं परमोदारं हंसयुक्तं मनोजवम्।

athāpaśyaṁ mūhūrtāttu divyamadbhutadarśanam vimānaṁ paramodāraṁ haṁsayuktaṁ manojavam

—then, within a moment, I saw a divine, wondrous-looking, most magnificent chariot, drawn by swans, swift as thought.

Verse 75 (padma.1.36.75)

पुरस्तत्र सहस्रं तु विमानेप्सरसां नृप। गंधर्वाश्चैव तत्संख्या रमयंति वरं नरम्।

purastatra sahasraṁ tu vimānepsarasāṁ nṛpa gaṁdharvāścaiva tatsaṁkhyā ramayaṁti varaṁ naram

O king, before it were thousands of Apsarases in the chariot; an equal number of Gandharvas too were entertaining that excellent man.

Verse 76 (padma.1.36.76)

गायंति दिव्यगेयानि वादयंति तथा परे। अथापश्यं नरं तस्माद्विमानादवरोहितम्।

gāyaṁti divyageyāni vādayaṁti tathā pare athāpaśyaṁ naraṁ tasmādvimānādavarohitam

They were singing divine songs, and others were playing instruments. Then I saw a man descending from that chariot—

Verse 77 (padma.1.36.77)

शवमांसं भक्षयन्तं च स्नात्वा रघुकुलोद्वह। ततो भुक्त्वा यथाकामं स मांसं बहुपीवरम्।

śavamāṁsaṁ bhakṣayantaṁ ca snātvā raghukulodvaha tato bhuktvā yathākāmaṁ sa māṁsaṁ bahupīvaram

—O elevator of the Raghu clan, having bathed, eating the flesh of the corpse. Then, having eaten that very rich flesh at will—

Verse 78 (padma.1.36.78)

अवतीर्य सरः शीघ्रमारुरोह दिवं पुनः। तमहं देवसंकाशं श्रिया परमयान्वितम्।

avatīrya saraḥ śīghramāruroha divaṁ punaḥ tamahaṁ devasaṁkāśaṁ śriyā paramayānvitam

—swiftly emerging from the lake, he ascended once more to heaven. To that god-like man, endowed with supreme splendor, I said—

Verse 79 (padma.1.36.79)

भो भो स्वर्गिन्महाभाग पृच्छामि त्वां कथं त्विदम्। जुगुप्सितस्तवाहारो गतिश्चेयं तवोत्तमा।

bho bho svarginmahābhāga pṛcchāmi tvāṁ kathaṁ tvidam jugupsitastavāhāro gatiśceyaṁ tavottamā

'O dweller in heaven, O greatly blessed one, I ask you: how is this so? Your food is repugnant, yet this destiny of yours is supremely excellent.'

Verse 80 (padma.1.36.80)

यदि गुह्यं न चैतत्ते कथय त्वद्य मे भवान्। कामतः श्रोतुमिच्छामि किमेतत्परमं वचः।

yadi guhyaṁ na caitatte kathaya tvadya me bhavān kāmataḥ śrotumicchāmi kimetatparamaṁ vacaḥ

'If this is not your secret, then tell it to me today. I wish, out of genuine desire, to hear what this supreme matter is.'

Verse 81 (padma.1.36.81)

को भवान्वद संदेहमाहारश्च विगर्हितः। त्वयेदं भुज्यते सौम्य किमर्थं क्व च वर्तसे।

ko bhavānvada saṁdehamāhāraśca vigarhitaḥ tvayedaṁ bhujyate saumya kimarthaṁ kva ca vartase

'Who are you, tell me, dispel my doubt — this repugnant food is eaten by you, O gentle one; for what purpose, and where do you dwell?'

Verse 82 (padma.1.36.82)

कस्यायमैश्वरोभावः शवत्वेन विनिर्मितः। आहारं च कथं निंद्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः।

kasyāyamaiśvarobhāvaḥ śavatvena vinirmitaḥ āhāraṁ ca kathaṁ niṁdyaṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

'Whose is this majestic being, fashioned in the form of a corpse? And how this reprehensible food too — I wish to hear all this truly.'

Verse 83 (padma.1.36.83)

श्रुत्वा च भाषितं तत्र मम राम सतां वर। प्रांजलिः प्रत्युवाचेदं स स्वर्गी रघुनंदन।

śrutvā ca bhāṣitaṁ tatra mama rāma satāṁ vara prāṁjaliḥ pratyuvācedaṁ sa svargī raghunaṁdana

O Rama, O foremost of the virtuous, hearing this speech of mine, that heaven-dweller, with joined palms, O joy of the Raghus, replied as follows.

Verse 84 (padma.1.36.84)

शृणुष्वाद्य यथावृत्तं ममेदं सुखदुःखजम्। कामो हि दुरितक्रम्यः शृणु यत्पृच्छसे द्विज।

śṛṇuṣvādya yathāvṛttaṁ mamedaṁ sukhaduḥkhajam kāmo hi duritakramyaḥ śṛṇu yatpṛcchase dvija

'Hear today my true account, born of both joy and sorrow. O brahmin, hear what you ask — this matter, arisen from desire, is most difficult to overcome—'

Verse 85 (padma.1.36.85)

पुरा वैदर्भको राजा पिता मे हि महायशाः। वासुदेव इति ख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु धार्मिकः।

purā vaidarbhako rājā pitā me hi mahāyaśāḥ vāsudeva iti khyātastriṣu lokeṣu dhārmikaḥ

'—formerly there was a king of Vidarbha, my exceedingly renowned father, known by the name Vasudeva, righteous in all three worlds.'

Verse 86 (padma.1.36.86)

तस्य पुत्रद्वयं ब्रह्मन्द्वाभ्यां स्त्रीभ्यामजायत। अहं श्वेत इति ख्यातो यवीयान्सुरथोऽभवत्।

tasya putradvayaṁ brahmandvābhyāṁ strībhyāmajāyata ahaṁ śveta iti khyāto yavīyānsuratho'bhavat

'O brahmin, two sons were born to him from two wives. I became known by the name Shweta; the younger became Suratha.'

Verse 87 (padma.1.36.87)

पितर्युपरते तस्मिन्पौरा मामभ्यषेचयन्। तत्राहंकारयन्राज्यं धर्मे चासं समाहितः।

pitaryuparate tasminpaurā māmabhyaṣecayan tatrāhaṁkārayanrājyaṁ dharme cāsaṁ samāhitaḥ

'When that father passed away, the citizens crowned me king. There I ruled the kingdom, and remained ever established in dharma.'

Verse 88 (padma.1.36.88)

एवं वर्षसहस्राणि बहूनि समुपाव्रजन्। मम राज्यं कारयतः परिपालयतः प्रजाः।

evaṁ varṣasahasrāṇi bahūni samupāvrajan mama rājyaṁ kārayataḥ paripālayataḥ prajāḥ

'Thus many thousands of years passed. As I ruled the kingdom and protected my subjects—'

Verse 89 (padma.1.36.89)

सोहं निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चिद्वैराग्येण द्विजोत्तम। मरणं हृदये कृत्वा तपोवनमुपागमम्।

sohaṁ nimitte kasmiṁścidvairāgyeṇa dvijottama maraṇaṁ hṛdaye kṛtvā tapovanamupāgamam

'—for some reason, O foremost of brahmins, out of dispassion, holding death in my heart, I came to a forest of austerity.'

Verse 90 (padma.1.36.90)

सोहं वनमिदं रम्यं भृशं पक्षिविवर्जितम्। प्रविष्टस्तप आस्थातुमस्यैव सरसोंतिके।

sohaṁ vanamidaṁ ramyaṁ bhṛśaṁ pakṣivivarjitam praviṣṭastapa āsthātumasyaiva sarasoṁtike

'I entered this exceedingly beautiful, bird-empty forest, near this very lake, to establish myself in austerity.'

Verse 91 (padma.1.36.91)

राज्येऽभिषिच्य सुरथं भ्रातरं तं नराधिपम्। इदं सरः समासाद्य तपस्तप्तं सुदारुणम्।

rājye'bhiṣicya surathaṁ bhrātaraṁ taṁ narādhipam idaṁ saraḥ samāsādya tapastaptaṁ sudāruṇam

'Having enthroned my brother, king Suratha, upon the kingdom, having found this lake, I performed a most dreadful austerity.'

Verse 92 (padma.1.36.92)

दशवर्षसहस्राणि तपस्तप्त्वा महावने। शुभं तु भवनं प्राप्तो ब्रह्मलोकमनामयम्।

daśavarṣasahasrāṇi tapastaptvā mahāvane śubhaṁ tu bhavanaṁ prāpto brahmalokamanāmayam

'Having performed austerity in the great forest for ten thousand years, I attained the auspicious, unafflicted Brahmaloka.'

Verse 93 (padma.1.36.93)

स्वर्गस्थमपि मां ब्रह्मन्क्षुत्पिपासे द्विजोत्तम। अबाधेतां भृशं चाहमभवं व्यथितेंद्रियः।

svargasthamapi māṁ brahmankṣutpipāse dvijottama abādhetāṁ bhṛśaṁ cāhamabhavaṁ vyathiteṁdriyaḥ

'O foremost of brahmins, O brahmin, though established in heaven, hunger and thirst began to torment me greatly, and I became distressed in my senses.'

Verse 94 (padma.1.36.94)

ततस्त्रिभुवनश्रेष्ठमवोचं वै पितामहम्। भगवन्स्वर्गलोकोऽयं क्षुत्पिपासा विवर्जितः।

tatastribhuvanaśreṣṭhamavocaṁ vai pitāmaham bhagavansvargaloko'yaṁ kṣutpipāsā vivarjitaḥ

'Then I said to the grandsire, foremost of the three worlds: O venerable one, this heavenly world is free of hunger and thirst—'

Verse 95 (padma.1.36.95)

कस्येयं कर्मणः पक्तिः क्षुत्पिपासे यतो हि मे। आहारः कश्च मे देव ब्रूहि त्वं श्रीपितामह।

kasyeyaṁ karmaṇaḥ paktiḥ kṣutpipāse yato hi me āhāraḥ kaśca me deva brūhi tvaṁ śrīpitāmaha

'—of what deed's ripening is this, that hunger and thirst befall me? O god, O venerable grandsire, tell me what my food should be.'

Verse 96 (padma.1.36.96)

ततः पितामहः सम्यक्चिरं ध्यात्वा महामुने। मामुवाच ततो वाक्यं नास्ति भोज्यं स्वदेहजम्।

tataḥ pitāmahaḥ samyakciraṁ dhyātvā mahāmune māmuvāca tato vākyaṁ nāsti bhojyaṁ svadehajam

'O great sage, then the grandsire, having meditated well for a long time, spoke this word to me: there is no food for you except that which arises from your own body—'

Verse 97 (padma.1.36.97)

ॠते ते स्वानि मांसानि भक्षय त्वं तु हि नित्यशः। स्वशरीरं त्वया पुष्टं कुर्वता तप उत्तमम्।

ṝte te svāni māṁsāni bhakṣaya tvaṁ tu hi nityaśaḥ svaśarīraṁ tvayā puṣṭaṁ kurvatā tapa uttamam

'—you must eternally eat your own flesh. Performing excellent austerity, you yourself nourished your own body.'

Verse 98 (padma.1.36.98)

नादत्तं जायते तात श्वेत पश्य महीतले। आग्रहाद्भिक्षमाणाय भिक्षापि प्राणिने पुरा।

nādattaṁ jāyate tāta śveta paśya mahītale āgrahādbhikṣamāṇāya bhikṣāpi prāṇine purā

'O child, O Shweta, what is not given is never again obtained upon the earth, behold. To some creature once insistently begging for alms—'

Verse 99 (padma.1.36.99)

न हि दत्ता गृहे भ्रांत्या मोहादतिथये तदा। तेन स्वर्गगतस्यापि क्षुत्पिपासे तवाधुना।

na hi dattā gṛhe bhrāṁtyā mohādatithaye tadā tena svargagatasyāpi kṣutpipāse tavādhunā

'—alms were not, out of confusion or delusion, given at that time to a guest at home. Because of that alone, even having attained heaven, hunger and thirst now come to you.'

Verse 100 (padma.1.36.100)

स त्वं प्रपुष्टमाहारैः स्वशरीरमनुत्तमम्। भक्षयस्व च राजेंद्र सा ते तृप्तिर्भविष्यति।

sa tvaṁ prapuṣṭamāhāraiḥ svaśarīramanuttamam bhakṣayasva ca rājeṁdra sā te tṛptirbhaviṣyati

'Eat your own incomparable body, nourished by food, O king of kings, and that alone shall be your satisfaction.'

Verse 101 (padma.1.36.101)

एवमुक्तस्ततो देवं ब्रह्माणमहमुक्तवान्। भक्षिते च स्वके देहे पुनरन्यन्न मे विभो।

evamuktastato devaṁ brahmāṇamahamuktavān bhakṣite ca svake dehe punaranyanna me vibho

'Thus addressed, I then said to the god Brahma: having eaten my own body, O lord, there is nothing else left for me—'

Verse 102 (padma.1.36.102)

क्षुधानिवारणं नैव देहस्यास्य विनौदनं। खादामि ह्यक्षयं देव प्रियं मे न हि जायते।

kṣudhānivāraṇaṁ naiva dehasyāsya vinaudanaṁ khādāmi hyakṣayaṁ deva priyaṁ me na hi jāyate

'—hunger would not even be dispelled, nor would there be any relief of the body. O god, I would go on eating an inexhaustible body, yet no satisfaction would ever come to me.'

Verse 103 (padma.1.36.103)

ततोब्रवीत्पुनर्ब्रह्मा तव देहोऽक्षयः कृतः। दिनेदिने ते पुष्टात्मा शवः श्वेत भविष्यति।

tatobravītpunarbrahmā tava deho'kṣayaḥ kṛtaḥ dinedine te puṣṭātmā śavaḥ śveta bhaviṣyati

'Then Brahma said again: your body has been made inexhaustible. O Shweta, this corpse, nourished day by day, shall continue to become your body.'

Verse 104 (padma.1.36.104)

यावद्वर्षशतं पूर्णं स्वमांसं खाद भो नृप। यदागच्छति चागस्त्यः श्वेतारण्यं महातपाः।

yāvadvarṣaśataṁ pūrṇaṁ svamāṁsaṁ khāda bho nṛpa yadāgacchati cāgastyaḥ śvetāraṇyaṁ mahātapāḥ

'O king, until a full hundred years, eat your own flesh. When the great ascetic Agastya comes to this Shweta forest—'

Verse 105 (padma.1.36.105)

भगवानतिदुर्धर्षस्तदा कृच्छ्राद्विमोक्ष्यसे। स हि तारयितुं शक्तः सेंद्रानपि सुरासुरान्।

bhagavānatidurdharṣastadā kṛcchrādvimokṣyase sa hi tārayituṁ śaktaḥ seṁdrānapi surāsurān

'—that most formidable venerable one, then you shall be freed from this hardship. He is capable of delivering even the gods and demons, with Indra included—'

Verse 106 (padma.1.36.106)

आहारं कुत्सितं चेमं राजर्षे किं पुनस्तव। सुरकार्यं महत्तेन सुकृतं तु महात्मना।

āhāraṁ kutsitaṁ cemaṁ rājarṣe kiṁ punastava surakāryaṁ mahattena sukṛtaṁ tu mahātmanā

'—O royal sage, from this repugnant food — what then of you! By that great soul, a great work of the gods has been accomplished—'

Verse 107 (padma.1.36.107)

उदधिं निर्जलं कृत्वा दानवाश्च निपातिताः। विंध्यश्चादित्यविद्वेषाद्वर्धमानो निवारितः।

udadhiṁ nirjalaṁ kṛtvā dānavāśca nipātitāḥ viṁdhyaścādityavidveṣādvardhamāno nivāritaḥ

'—having made the ocean waterless, the demons were struck down; and the growing Vindhya mountain, out of hostility toward the sun, was checked.'

Verse 108 (padma.1.36.108)

लंबमाना मही चैषा गुरुत्वेनाधिवासिता। दक्षिणा दिग्दिवं याता त्रैलाक्यं विषमस्थितम्।

laṁbamānā mahī caiṣā gurutvenādhivāsitā dakṣiṇā digdivaṁ yātā trailākyaṁ viṣamasthitam

'This hanging earth had tilted to one side by its own weight; the southern direction had risen toward heaven, and the three worlds had become uneven—'

Verse 109 (padma.1.36.109)

मया गत्वा सुरैः सार्द्धं प्रेषितो दक्षिणां दिशम्। समां कुरु महाभाग गुरुत्वेन जगत्समम्।

mayā gatvā suraiḥ sārddhaṁ preṣito dakṣiṇāṁ diśam samāṁ kuru mahābhāga gurutvena jagatsamam

'—it was he who, having gone with the gods to the southern direction, having sent me: O greatly blessed one, equalize the world with your own weight, thus he was told.'

Verse 110 (padma.1.36.110)

एवं च तेन मुनिना स्थित्वा सर्वा धरा समा। कृता राजेंद्र मुनिना एवमद्यापि दृश्यते।

evaṁ ca tena muninā sthitvā sarvā dharā samā kṛtā rājeṁdra muninā evamadyāpi dṛśyate

'Thus, by that sage, standing there, the entire earth was made even, O king of kings, by that sage — it appears the same even today.'

Verse 111 (padma.1.36.111)

सोहं भगवत श्रुत्वा देवदेवस्य भाषितम्। भुंजे च कुत्सिताहारं स्वशरीरमनुत्तमम्।

sohaṁ bhagavata śrutvā devadevasya bhāṣitam bhuṁje ca kutsitāhāraṁ svaśarīramanuttamam

'O venerable one, having heard this word of the god of gods, I have continued eating this repugnant food of my own incomparable body.'

Verse 112 (padma.1.36.112)

पूर्णं वर्षशतं चाद्य भोजनं कुत्सितं च मे। क्षयं नाभ्येति तद्विप्र तृप्तिश्चापि ममोत्तमा।

pūrṇaṁ varṣaśataṁ cādya bhojanaṁ kutsitaṁ ca me kṣayaṁ nābhyeti tadvipra tṛptiścāpi mamottamā

'Today a full hundred years have passed, O brahmin, and my repugnant food does not diminish, and my satisfaction too is excellent.'

Verse 113 (padma.1.36.113)

तं मुनिं कृच्छ्रसन्तप्तश्चिंतयामि दिवानिशम्। कदा वै दर्शनं मह्यं स मुनिर्दास्यते वने।

taṁ muniṁ kṛcchrasantaptaściṁtayāmi divāniśam kadā vai darśanaṁ mahyaṁ sa munirdāsyate vane

'Tormented by hardship, I think day and night of that sage — when shall that sage grant me his sight in the forest?'

Verse 114 (padma.1.36.114)

एवं मे चिंतयानस्य गतं वर्षशतन्त्विह। सोगस्त्यो हि गतिर्ब्रह्मन्मुनिर्मे भविता ध्रुवं।

evaṁ me ciṁtayānasya gataṁ varṣaśatantviha sogastyo hi gatirbrahmanmunirme bhavitā dhruvaṁ

'Thus pondering, a hundred years have passed here for me. O brahmin, that very sage Agastya shall surely be my refuge—'

Verse 115 (padma.1.36.115)

न गतिर्भविता मह्यं कुंभयोनिमृते द्विजम्। श्रुत्वेत्थं भाषितं राम दृष्ट्वाहारं च कुत्सितम्।

na gatirbhavitā mahyaṁ kuṁbhayonimṛte dvijam śrutvetthaṁ bhāṣitaṁ rāma dṛṣṭvāhāraṁ ca kutsitam

'—apart from that pot-born brahmin, there will be no other refuge for me.' O Rama, hearing this speech, and seeing that repugnant food—

Verse 116 (padma.1.36.116)

कृपया परया युक्तस्तं नृपं स्वर्गगामिनम्। करोम्यहं सुधाभोज्यं नाशयामि च कुत्सितम्।

kṛpayā parayā yuktastaṁ nṛpaṁ svargagāminam karomyahaṁ sudhābhojyaṁ nāśayāmi ca kutsitam

—filled with supreme compassion, I said to that heaven-bound king: 'I shall turn this food of yours into an ambrosial feast, and destroy this repugnant thing.'

Verse 117 (padma.1.36.117)

चिन्तयन्नित्यवोचं तमगस्त्यः किं करिष्यति। अहमेतत्कुत्सितं ते नाशयामि महामते।

cintayannityavocaṁ tamagastyaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati ahametatkutsitaṁ te nāśayāmi mahāmate

Thinking thus, I said to him: 'What more shall Agastya do? I shall destroy this repugnant thing of yours—'

Verse 118 (padma.1.36.118)

ईप्सितं प्रार्थयस्वास्मान्मनः प्रीतिकरं परम्। स स्वर्गी मां ततः प्राह कथं ब्रह्मवचोन्यथा।

īpsitaṁ prārthayasvāsmānmanaḥ prītikaraṁ param sa svargī māṁ tataḥ prāha kathaṁ brahmavaconyathā

'—ask us for your desired, most pleasing wish for the mind.' That heaven-dweller then said to me: 'How, O sage, can Brahma's word—'

Verse 119 (padma.1.36.119)

कर्तुं मुने मया शक्यं न चान्यस्तारयिष्यति। ॠते वै कुंभयोनिं तं मैत्रावरुणसंभवम्।

kartuṁ mune mayā śakyaṁ na cānyastārayiṣyati ṝte vai kuṁbhayoniṁ taṁ maitrāvaruṇasaṁbhavam

'—be made otherwise by me? No other can deliver me, except that pot-born son of Mitra-Varuna.'

Verse 120 (padma.1.36.120)

अपृष्टोपि मया ब्रह्मन्नेवमूचे पितामहः। एवं ब्रुवाणं तं श्वेतमुक्तवानहमस्मि सः।

apṛṣṭopi mayā brahmannevamūce pitāmahaḥ evaṁ bruvāṇaṁ taṁ śvetamuktavānahamasmi saḥ

'O brahmin, even unasked by me, the grandsire had said just this.' To that Shweta, thus speaking, I said this—

Verse 121 (padma.1.36.121)

आगतस्तव भाग्येन दृष्टोहं नात्र संशयः। ततः स्वर्गी स मां ज्ञात्वा दंडवत्पतितो भुवि।

āgatastava bhāgyena dṛṣṭohaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ tataḥ svargī sa māṁ jñātvā daṁḍavatpatito bhuvi

—'By your good fortune, I have come here; you have been seen by me, without doubt.' Then that heaven-dweller, recognizing me, fell prostrate upon the ground—

Verse 122 (padma.1.36.122)

तमुत्थाप्य ततो रामाब्रवं किं ते करोम्यहम्। राजोवाच। आहारात्कुत्सिताद्ब्रह्मंस्तारयस्वाद्य दुष्कृतात्।

tamutthāpya tato rāmābravaṁ kiṁ te karomyaham rājovāca āhārātkutsitādbrahmaṁstārayasvādya duṣkṛtāt

—raising him up, I said: 'O king, what shall I do for you?' The king said: 'O brahmin, deliver me today from this repugnant, evil food—'

Verse 123 (padma.1.36.123)

येन लोकोऽक्षयः स्वर्गो भविता त्वत्कृतेन मे। ततः प्रतिग्रहो दत्तो जगद्वंद्य नृपेण हि।

yena loko'kṣayaḥ svargo bhavitā tvatkṛtena me tataḥ pratigraho datto jagadvaṁdya nṛpeṇa hi

'—so that, through what you have done, I may obtain this imperishable heavenly world.' Then that king, worshipped by the world, gave a gift to be accepted.

Verse 124 (padma.1.36.124)

भवान्मामनुगृह्णातु प्रतीच्छस्व प्रतिग्रहम्।

bhavānmāmanugṛhṇātu pratīcchasva pratigraham

'May you show me grace; accept this gift.'

Verse 125 (padma.1.36.125)

कृता मतिस्तारणाय न लोभाद्रघुनंदन। गृहीते भूषणे राम मम हस्तगते तदा।

kṛtā matistāraṇāya na lobhādraghunaṁdana gṛhīte bhūṣaṇe rāma mama hastagate tadā

O joy of the Raghus, my intention was only to deliver him, not out of greed. O Rama, when that ornament was placed by him into my hand—

Verse 126 (padma.1.36.126)

मानुषः पौर्विको देहस्तदा नष्टोस्य भूपते। प्रणष्टे तु शरीरे च राजर्षिः परया मुदा।

mānuṣaḥ paurviko dehastadā naṣṭosya bhūpate praṇaṣṭe tu śarīre ca rājarṣiḥ parayā mudā

—at that very moment his former human body was destroyed, O king. When the body had been destroyed, that royal sage, with supreme joy—

Verse 127 (padma.1.36.127)

मयोक्तोसौ विमानेन जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः। तेन मे शक्रतुल्येन दत्तमाभरणं शुभं।

mayoktosau vimānena jagāma tridivaṁ punaḥ tena me śakratulyena dattamābharaṇaṁ śubhaṁ

—sent by me, went again by celestial chariot to heaven. He gave me, equal to Indra himself, this auspicious ornament.

Verse 128 (padma.1.36.128)

तस्मिन्निमित्ते काकुत्स्थ दत्तमद्भुतकर्मणा। श्वेतो वैदर्भको राजा तदाभूद्गतकल्मषः।

tasminnimitte kākutstha dattamadbhutakarmaṇā śveto vaidarbhako rājā tadābhūdgatakalmaṣaḥ

O Kakutstha, on that very occasion, given by that man of wondrous deeds — Shweta, king of Vidarbha, then became freed of all sin.