Aranyaka's Journey to Vishnu's Abode

Verse 1 (padma.5.37.1)

शेष उवाच। ते पृष्टा मुनिवर्येण रामचारित्रमद्भुतम् । धन्यं सभाग्यं मन्वानाः प्रोचुरात्मानमादरात्

śeṣa uvāca te pṛṣṭā munivaryeṇa rāmacāritramadbhutam dhanyaṁ sabhāgyaṁ manvānāḥ procurātmānamādarāt

Shesha said: Asked by that excellent sage about Rama's wondrous deeds, they, considering themselves blessed and fortunate, respectfully spoke of themselves.

Verse 2 (padma.5.37.2)

जना ऊचुः। पवित्रिता वयं सर्वे दर्शनेन तवाधुना । यद्रामकथयास्मान्वै पावयस्यधुना जनान्

janā ūcuḥ pavitritā vayaṁ sarve darśanena tavādhunā yadrāmakathayāsmānvai pāvayasyadhunā janān

The people said: "We have all now been purified by your sight, in that you now purify us people through the tale of Rama.

Verse 3 (padma.5.37.3)

शृणुष्व वचनं तथ्यं भवान्ब्रह्मर्षिसत्तमः । त्वया पृष्टं यदस्मभ्यं सर्वं तत्कथयाम वै

śṛṇuṣva vacanaṁ tathyaṁ bhavānbrahmarṣisattamaḥ tvayā pṛṣṭaṁ yadasmabhyaṁ sarvaṁ tatkathayāma vai

Listen to our true word, O best of brahmarishis; whatever you have asked us, all of that we shall now tell.

Verse 4 (padma.5.37.4)

अगस्त्यवाक्याच्छ्रीरामो विप्रहत्यापनुत्तये । यागं करोति सुमहान्सर्वसंभारसंभृतम्

agastyavākyācchrīrāmo viprahatyāpanuttaye yāgaṁ karoti sumahānsarvasaṁbhārasaṁbhṛtam

By the word of Agastya, Shri Rama, for the removal of the sin of killing a Brahmin, is performing a very great sacrifice, replete with every provision.

Verse 5 (padma.5.37.5)

तं पालयानाः सर्वे वै त्वदाश्रममुपागताः । अश्वेन सहिता विप्र तज्जानीहि महामते

taṁ pālayānāḥ sarve vai tvadāśramamupāgatāḥ aśvena sahitā vipra tajjānīhi mahāmate

Guarding it, all of us, O Brahmin, have come to your hermitage, together with the horse; know this, O one of great wisdom."

Verse 6 (padma.5.37.6)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य मनोहारि रसायनम् । अत्यंतं हर्षमापेदे ब्राह्मणो रामभक्तिमान्

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya manohāri rasāyanam atyaṁtaṁ harṣamāpede brāhmaṇo rāmabhaktimān

Hearing this word, an elixir captivating the heart, that Brahmin, devoted to Rama, felt exceeding joy.

Verse 7 (padma.5.37.7)

अद्य मे फलितो वृक्षो मनोरथश्रियान्वितः । अद्य मे जननी धन्या जातं मां सुषुवे तु या

adya me phalito vṛkṣo manorathaśriyānvitaḥ adya me jananī dhanyā jātaṁ māṁ suṣuve tu yā

"Today my tree has borne fruit, endowed with the splendor of my heart's desire; today my mother is blessed, who bore me into being.

Verse 8 (padma.5.37.8)

अद्य राज्यं मया प्राप्तं कंटकेन विवर्जितम् । अद्य कोशाः सुसंपन्ना अद्य देवाः सुतोषिताः

adya rājyaṁ mayā prāptaṁ kaṁṭakena vivarjitam adya kośāḥ susaṁpannā adya devāḥ sutoṣitāḥ

today I have obtained a kingdom free of every thorn; today my treasuries are richly filled; today the gods are well satisfied;

Verse 9 (padma.5.37.9)

अग्निहोत्रफलं त्वद्य प्राप्तं मे हविषा हुतम् । यद्द्रक्ष्ये रामचंद्रस्य चरणांभोरुहोर्युगम्

agnihotraphalaṁ tvadya prāptaṁ me haviṣā hutam yaddrakṣye rāmacaṁdrasya caraṇāṁbhoruhoryugam

today the fruit of the fire-offering I have made with oblations has been obtained by me, in that I shall behold the pair of Ramachandra's lotus feet.

Verse 10 (padma.5.37.10)

यो नित्यं ध्यायते स्वांते अयोध्यायाः पतिः प्रभुः । स मे दृग्गोचरो नूनं भविष्यति मनोहरः

yo nityaṁ dhyāyate svāṁte ayodhyāyāḥ patiḥ prabhuḥ sa me dṛggocaro nūnaṁ bhaviṣyati manoharaḥ

He whom I ever meditate upon in my heart, the lord and master of Ayodhya — he, delightful, shall surely come within the range of my eyes.

Verse 11 (padma.5.37.11)

हनूमान्मां समालिंग्य प्रक्ष्यते कुशलं मम । भक्तिं मे महतीं दृष्ट्वा तोषं प्राप्स्यति सत्तमः

hanūmānmāṁ samāliṁgya prakṣyate kuśalaṁ mama bhaktiṁ me mahatīṁ dṛṣṭvā toṣaṁ prāpsyati sattamaḥ

Hanuman will embrace me and ask after my welfare; seeing my great devotion, that excellent one will feel satisfaction."

Verse 12 (padma.5.37.12)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य हनूमान्कपिसत्तमः । जग्राह पादयुगलं मुनेरारण्यकस्य हि

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya hanūmānkapisattamaḥ jagrāha pādayugalaṁ munerāraṇyakasya hi

Hearing these words, Hanuman, best of monkeys, took hold of the pair of feet of the sage Aranyaka.

Verse 13 (padma.5.37.13)

स्वामिन्हनूमान्विप्रर्षे सेवकोऽहं पुरःस्थितः । जानीहि रामदासस्य रेणुकल्पं मुनीश्वर

svāminhanūmānviprarṣe sevako'haṁ puraḥsthitaḥ jānīhi rāmadāsasya reṇukalpaṁ munīśvara

"My lord, O sage among Brahmins, I am Hanuman, your servant, standing before you; know me, O lord of sages, as one comparable to the dust of Rama's servant."

Verse 14 (padma.5.37.14)

इत्युक्तवति तस्मिन्वै मुनिः परमहर्षितः । आलिलिंग हनूमंतं रामभक्त्या सुशोभितम्

ityuktavati tasminvai muniḥ paramaharṣitaḥ āliliṁga hanūmaṁtaṁ rāmabhaktyā suśobhitam

When he had spoken thus, the sage, filled with supreme joy, embraced Hanuman, resplendent with devotion to Rama.

Verse 15 (padma.5.37.15)

उभौ प्रेमविनिर्भिन्नावुभावपि सुधाप्लुतौ । स्थगितौ चित्रलिखिताविव तत्र बभूवतुः

ubhau premavinirbhinnāvubhāvapi sudhāplutau sthagitau citralikhitāviva tatra babhūvatuḥ

Both of them, overcome with love, both bathed in nectar, stood there motionless, as if painted in a picture.

Verse 16 (padma.5.37.16)

उपविष्टौ कथास्तत्र चक्रतुः सुमनोहराः । रघुनाथपदांभोजप्रीतिनिर्भरमानसौ

upaviṣṭau kathāstatra cakratuḥ sumanoharāḥ raghunāthapadāṁbhojaprītinirbharamānasau

Seated, they there held most delightful conversation, their minds overflowing with love for Raghunatha's lotus feet.

Verse 17 (padma.5.37.17)

हनूमांस्तमुवाचेदं वचो विविधशोभनम् । आरण्यकं मुनिवरं रामांघ्रिध्याननिर्भृतम्

hanūmāṁstamuvācedaṁ vaco vividhaśobhanam āraṇyakaṁ munivaraṁ rāmāṁghridhyānanirbhṛtam

Hanuman spoke this manifold, excellent word to that excellent sage Aranyaka, absorbed in meditation on Rama's feet.

Verse 18 (padma.5.37.18)

स्वामिन्नयं दशरथकुलहीरांकुरो महान् । रामभ्राता महाशूरः शत्रुघ्नः प्रणमत्यसौ

svāminnayaṁ daśarathakulahīrāṁkuro mahān rāmabhrātā mahāśūraḥ śatrughnaḥ praṇamatyasau

"My lord, this great sprout of the diamond of Dasharatha's lineage, Rama's brother, the great hero Shatrughna, bows to you.

Verse 19 (padma.5.37.19)

लवणो येन निहतः सर्वलोकभयंकरः । कृताश्च सुखिनः सर्वे मुनयः सुतपोधनाः

lavaṇo yena nihataḥ sarvalokabhayaṁkaraḥ kṛtāśca sukhinaḥ sarve munayaḥ sutapodhanāḥ

By him Lavana, the terror of all worlds, was slain, and all the sages, rich in austerity, were made happy.

Verse 20 (padma.5.37.20)

एष पुष्कलनामा त्वां नमत्युद्भटसेवितः । येनाधुना महावीरा जिताः समरमंडले

eṣa puṣkalanāmā tvāṁ namatyudbhaṭasevitaḥ yenādhunā mahāvīrā jitāḥ samaramaṁḍale

This one, named Pushkala, attended by mighty ones, bows to you — by whom great heroes have just now been conquered on the field of battle.

Verse 21 (padma.5.37.21)

जानीह्येनं बहुगुणं रामामात्यं महाबलम् । प्राणप्रियं रघुपतेः सर्वज्ञं धर्मकोविदम्

jānīhyenaṁ bahuguṇaṁ rāmāmātyaṁ mahābalam prāṇapriyaṁ raghupateḥ sarvajñaṁ dharmakovidam

Know this one, endowed with many virtues, Rama's minister, mighty, dear as life to the Lord of the Raghus, all-knowing, skilled in dharma.

Verse 22 (padma.5.37.22)

सुबाहुरयमत्युग्रो वैरिवंशदवानलः । रामपादाब्जरोलंबो नमति त्वां महायशाः

subāhurayamatyugro vairivaṁśadavānalaḥ rāmapādābjarolaṁbo namati tvāṁ mahāyaśāḥ

This Subahu, most fierce, a forest-fire to the lineage of his enemies, a bee at Rama's lotus feet, of great renown, bows to you.

Verse 23 (padma.5.37.23)

सुमदोऽप्येष पार्वत्या दत्तरामांघ्रिसेवया । प्राप्तोऽधुनासौ संसारवार्धिनिस्तरणं महत्

sumado'pyeṣa pārvatyā dattarāmāṁghrisevayā prāpto'dhunāsau saṁsāravārdhinistaraṇaṁ mahat

This Sumada too, through the service at Rama's feet granted by Parvati, has now attained the great crossing of the ocean of samsara.

Verse 24 (padma.5.37.24)

सत्यवानयमश्वं यः प्राप्तमाश्रुत्य सेवकात् । राज्यं निवेदयामास स त्वां प्रणमति क्षितौ

satyavānayamaśvaṁ yaḥ prāptamāśrutya sevakāt rājyaṁ nivedayāmāsa sa tvāṁ praṇamati kṣitau

This Satyavan, hearing from a servant of the horse's arrival, offered up his kingdom — he bows to you upon the earth."

Verse 25 (padma.5.37.25)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य समालिंग्य समादरात् । चकारारण्यक ऋषिः स्वागतं फलकादिना

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya samāliṁgya samādarāt cakārāraṇyaka ṛṣiḥ svāgataṁ phalakādinā

Hearing these words, embracing each with respect, the sage Aranyaka welcomed them with fruits, roots, and the like.

Verse 26 (padma.5.37.26)

ते हृष्टास्तत्र वसतिं चक्रुर्मुनिवराश्रमे । प्रातर्नित्यक्रियां कृत्वा रेवायां ते महोद्यमाः

te hṛṣṭāstatra vasatiṁ cakrurmunivarāśrame prātarnityakriyāṁ kṛtvā revāyāṁ te mahodyamāḥ

Joyful, they made their dwelling there in the excellent sage's hermitage; in the morning, performing their daily rites at the Reva, those men of great enterprise —

Verse 27 (padma.5.37.27)

नरयानमथारोप्य सेवकैः सहितं मुनिम् । शत्रुघ्नः प्रापयामासायोध्यां रामकृतालयाम्

narayānamathāropya sevakaiḥ sahitaṁ munim śatrughnaḥ prāpayāmāsāyodhyāṁ rāmakṛtālayām

having placed the sage, together with his attendants, upon a man-borne palanquin, Shatrughna brought him to Ayodhya, the abode made by Rama.

Verse 28 (padma.5.37.28)

स दूरान्नगरीं दृष्ट्वा सूर्यवंशनृपोषिताम् । पदातिरभवद्वेगाद्रघुनाथदिदृक्षया

sa dūrānnagarīṁ dṛṣṭvā sūryavaṁśanṛpoṣitām padātirabhavadvegādraghunāthadidṛkṣayā

Seeing from afar that city, inhabited by kings of the Solar dynasty, he swiftly became a foot-traveler, out of longing to see Raghunatha.

Verse 29 (padma.5.37.29)

संप्राप्य नगरीं रम्यामयोध्यां जनशोभिताम् । मनोरथसहस्रेण संरूढो रामदर्शने

saṁprāpya nagarīṁ ramyāmayodhyāṁ janaśobhitām manorathasahasreṇa saṁrūḍho rāmadarśane

Reaching the lovely city of Ayodhya, resplendent with its people, he was mounted, as it were, on a thousand desires, for the sight of Rama.

Verse 30 (padma.5.37.30)

ददर्श तत्र सरयूतीरे मंडपशोभिते । रामं दूर्वादलश्यामं कंजकांतिविलोचनम्

dadarśa tatra sarayūtīre maṁḍapaśobhite rāmaṁ dūrvādalaśyāmaṁ kaṁjakāṁtivilocanam

There, on the banks of the Sarayu, resplendent with a pavilion, he beheld Rama, dark as durva-grass, his eyes lovely as the lotus,

Verse 31 (padma.5.37.31)

मृगशृंगं कटौ रम्यं धारयंतं श्रियान्वितम् । ऋषिवृंदैर्व्यासमुख्यैर्वृतं शूरैः सुसेवितम्

mṛgaśṛṁgaṁ kaṭau ramyaṁ dhārayaṁtaṁ śriyānvitam ṛṣivṛṁdairvyāsamukhyairvṛtaṁ śūraiḥ susevitam

bearing a lovely deer-horn at his waist, endowed with splendor, surrounded by throngs of sages led by Vyasa, well attended by heroes,

Verse 32 (padma.5.37.32)

भरतेन सुमित्रायास्तनूजेन परीवृतम् । ददतं दीनसंधेभ्यो दानानि प्रार्थितानि तम्

bharatena sumitrāyāstanūjena parīvṛtam dadataṁ dīnasaṁdhebhyo dānāni prārthitāni tam

surrounded by Bharata and by Sumitra's son, granting requested gifts to the humble and to petitioners.

Verse 33 (padma.5.37.33)

विलोक्यारण्यकाख्योऽसौ कृतार्थ इत्यमन्यत । मल्लोचने पद्मदलसमाने रामलोकके

vilokyāraṇyakākhyo'sau kṛtārtha ityamanyata mallocane padmadalasamāne rāmaloke

seeing him, that one named Aranyaka considered himself fulfilled — "my eyes, at the sight of Rama's lotus-petal-like form —

Verse 34 (padma.5.37.34)

अद्य मे सर्वशास्त्रस्य ज्ञातृत्वं बहुसार्थकम् । येन श्रीराममाज्ञाय प्राप्तोऽयोध्यापुरीमिमाम्

adya me sarvaśāstrasya jñātṛtvaṁ bahusārthakam yena śrīrāmamājñāya prāpto'yodhyāpurīmimām

today my knowledge of all the scriptures has become of great purpose, in that, having recognized Shri Rama, I have reached this city of Ayodhya."

Verse 35 (padma.5.37.35)

इत्येवमादिवचनानि बहूनि हृष्टो रामांघ्रिदर्शनसुहर्षित गात्रशोभी । प्रायाद्रमेश्वरसमीपमगम्यमन्यै- र्योगेश्वरैरपि विचारपरैः सुदूरम्

ityevamādivacanāni bahūni hṛṣṭo rāmāṁghridarśanasuharṣita gātraśobhī prāyādrameśvarasamīpamagamyamanyaiḥ yogeśvarairapi vicāraparaiḥ sudūram

Saying these and many other such words, joyful, his very limbs radiant with the joy of seeing Rama's feet, he went to the presence of the Lord of Lakshmi — a presence unattainable, even from far off, by other lords of yoga absorbed in contemplation.

Verse 36 (padma.5.37.36)

धन्योऽहमद्य रामस्य चरणावक्षिगोचरौ । करिष्यामि वचो रम्यं वदन्राममवेक्षयन्

dhanyo'hamadya rāmasya caraṇāvakṣigocarau kariṣyāmi vaco ramyaṁ vadanrāmamavekṣayan

"Blessed am I today, that Rama's two feet have come within the range of my eyes" — saying this delightful word, gazing upon Rama —

Verse 37 (padma.5.37.37)

रामोऽपि वाडवश्रेष्ठं ज्वलंतं स्वेन तेजसा । तपोमूर्तिधरं वीक्ष्य प्रत्युत्थानमथाकरोत्

rāmo'pi vāḍavaśreṣṭhaṁ jvalaṁtaṁ svena tejasā tapomūrtidharaṁ vīkṣya pratyutthānamathākarot

Rama too, beholding that excellent Brahmin, blazing with his own splendor, bearing the very form of austerity, then rose up to greet him.

Verse 38 (padma.5.37.38)

रामचंद्रस्तस्य पादौ सुचिरं नतवान्महान् । ब्रह्मण्यदेवपावित्र्यं कृतमद्यतनोर्मम

rāmacaṁdrastasya pādau suciraṁ natavānmahān brahmaṇyadevapāvitryaṁ kṛtamadyatanormama

Ramachandra, that great one, bowed for a long while at his feet: "O god who honors Brahmins, my body has today been made pure by you."

Verse 39 (padma.5.37.39)

इति वाक्यं वदंस्तस्य पादयोः पतितः प्रभुः । सुरासुरनमन्मौलिमणिनीराजितांघ्रिकः

iti vākyaṁ vadaṁstasya pādayoḥ patitaḥ prabhuḥ surāsuranamanmaulimaṇinīrājitāṁghrikaḥ

Saying this word, the Lord, whose feet are illumined by the crest-jewels of bowing gods and demons, fell at his feet.

Verse 40 (padma.5.37.40)

प्रणतं तं नृपश्रेष्ठं वाडवेंद्रो महातपाः । गृहीत्वा भुजयोर्मध्यमालिलिंग प्रियं प्रभुम्

praṇataṁ taṁ nṛpaśreṣṭhaṁ vāḍaveṁdro mahātapāḥ gṛhītvā bhujayormadhyamāliṁga priyaṁ prabhum

The lord of Brahmins, of great austerity, taking hold of that best of kings who had thus bowed, embraced his beloved lord between his two arms.

Verse 41 (padma.5.37.41)

कौसल्यातनयस्तं वा उच्चैर्मणिमयासने । संस्थाप्य च पदोर्युग्मं जलेनाक्षालयत्प्रभुः

kausalyātanayastaṁ vā uccairmaṇimayāsane saṁsthāpya ca padoryugmaṁ jalenākṣālayatprabhuḥ

The son of Kausalya, the Lord, seating him upon a high, jewel-studded seat, then washed his pair of feet with water.

Verse 42 (padma.5.37.42)

पादावनेजनोदं तु मस्तकेऽधाद्धरिः स्वयम् । पवित्रितोऽद्य सगणः सकुटुंब इति ब्रुवन्

pādāvanejanodaṁ tu mastake'dhāddhariḥ svayam pavitrito'dya sagaṇaḥ sakuṭuṁba iti bruvan

Hari himself placed the water used to wash his feet upon his own head, saying: "Today, with my retinue and family, I am purified."

Verse 43 (padma.5.37.43)

चंदनेन विलिप्याथ गां च प्रादात्पयस्विनीम् । उवाच च वचो रम्यं देवदेवेंद्र सेवितः

caṁdanena vilipyātha gāṁ ca prādātpayasvinīm uvāca ca vaco ramyaṁ devadeveṁdra sevitaḥ

Then, anointing him with sandal-paste, he gave him a milk-yielding cow, and, served by the Lord of the gods of gods, spoke a delightful word.

Verse 44 (padma.5.37.44)

स्वामिन्मखो मया वाजिमेधसंज्ञः क्रियेत ह । सोयं त्वच्चरणा यातादद्यपूर्णो भविष्यति

svāminmakho mayā vājimedhasaṁjñaḥ kriyeta ha soyaṁ tvaccaraṇā yātādadyapūrṇo bhaviṣyati

"My lord, the sacrifice, named the horse-sacrifice, being performed by me — that very sacrifice, from your feet's arrival, shall today be complete.

Verse 45 (padma.5.37.45)

अद्य मे ब्रह्महत्योत्थ पापहानिं करिष्यति । अश्वमेधः क्रतुर्युष्मच्चरणेन पवित्रितः

adya me brahmahatyottha pāpahāniṁ kariṣyati aśvamedhaḥ kraturyuṣmaccaraṇena pavitritaḥ

Today the horse-sacrifice, purified by your feet, shall bring about the destruction of the sin arising from the killing of a Brahmin for me."

Verse 46 (padma.5.37.46)

इति वाक्यं ब्रुवाणं तं राजराजेंद्रसेवितम् । आरण्यक उवाचेदं हसन्माध्व्या गिरा मुनिः

iti vākyaṁ bruvāṇaṁ taṁ rājarājeṁdrasevitam āraṇyaka uvācedaṁ hasanmādhvyā girā muniḥ

To him who spoke thus, served by the king of kings, the sage Aranyaka, smiling, said this in a sweet voice:

Verse 47 (padma.5.37.47)

स्वामिंस्तव तु युक्तं हि वचो ब्रह्मण्यभूमिप । त्वन्मूर्तयो महाराज ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः

svāmiṁstava tu yuktaṁ hi vaco brahmaṇyabhūmipa tvanmūrtayo mahārāja brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ

"My lord, O king who honors Brahmins, your word is indeed fitting; O great king, Brahmins learned in the Vedas are your very forms.

Verse 48 (padma.5.37.48)

त्वं यदा ब्रह्मपूजादि शुभं कर्म करिष्यसि । ततोऽखिला नृपा विप्रं पूजयिष्यंति भूमिप

tvaṁ yadā brahmapūjādi śubhaṁ karma kariṣyasi tato'khilā nṛpā vipraṁ pūjayiṣyaṁti bhūmipa

When you perform the auspicious act of worshipping Brahmins and the like, then, O lord of the earth, all kings will worship Brahmins.

Verse 49 (padma.5.37.49)

त्वयोक्तं यन्महाराज विप्रहत्यापनुत्तये । यागं करोमि विमलं तत्तु हास्यकरं वचः

tvayoktaṁ yanmahārāja viprahatyāpanuttaye yāgaṁ karomi vimalaṁ tattu hāsyakaraṁ vacaḥ

But what you have said, great king — that you perform this pure sacrifice for the removal of the sin of killing a Brahmin — that is indeed a laughable statement.

Verse 50 (padma.5.37.50)

त्वन्नामस्मरणान्मूढः सर्वशास्त्रविवर्जितः । सर्वपापाब्धिमुत्तीर्य स गच्छेत्परमं पदम्

tvannāmasmaraṇānmūḍhaḥ sarvaśāstravivarjitaḥ sarvapāpābdhimuttīrya sa gacchetparamaṁ padam

By the mere remembrance of your name, even a fool, devoid of all scriptural knowledge, crosses the entire ocean of sin and goes to the supreme abode.

Verse 51 (padma.5.37.51)

सर्ववेदेतिहासानां सारार्थोऽयमिति स्फुटम् । यद्रामनामस्मरणं क्रियते पापतारकम्

sarvavedetihāsānāṁ sārārtho'yamiti sphuṭam yadrāmanāmasmaraṇaṁ kriyate pāpatārakam

This is clearly the very essence-meaning of all the Vedas and Itihasas — that the remembrance of the name of Rama, which ferries one across sin, is performed.

Verse 52 (padma.5.37.52)

तावद्गर्जंति पापानि ब्रह्महत्यासमानि च । न यावत्प्रोच्यते नाम रामचंद्र तव स्फुटम्

tāvadgarjaṁti pāpāni brahmahatyāsamāni ca na yāvatprocyate nāma rāmacaṁdra tava sphuṭam

Sins, even those equal to killing a Brahmin, roar unchecked only so long as your name, Ramachandra, is not clearly uttered.

Verse 53 (padma.5.37.53)

त्वन्नामगर्जनं श्रुत्वा महापातककुंजराः । पलायंते महाराज कुत्रचित्स्थानलिप्सया

tvannāmagarjanaṁ śrutvā mahāpātakakuṁjarāḥ palāyaṁte mahārāja kutracitsthānalipsayā

Hearing the roar of your name, the elephants of great sin, O great king, flee, seeking refuge in some other place.

Verse 54 (padma.5.37.54)

तस्मात्तव कथं हत्या महापुण्यददर्शन । राम त्वत्सुकथां श्रुत्वा पूतः सद्यो भविष्यति

tasmāttava kathaṁ hatyā mahāpuṇyadadarśana rāma tvatsukathāṁ śrutvā pūtaḥ sadyo bhaviṣyati

Therefore how could there be any killing-sin upon you, O one whose sight bestows great merit? O Rama, one who but hears your excellent tale shall at once become pure.

Verse 55 (padma.5.37.55)

मया पूर्वं कृतयुगे गंगायास्तीरवासिनाम् । ऋषीणां मुखतो वाक्यं श्रुतमेतत्पुराविदाम्

mayā pūrvaṁ kṛtayuge gaṁgāyāstīravāsinām ṛṣīṇāṁ mukhato vākyaṁ śrutametatpurāvidām

By me, formerly, in the Krita Yuga, this word was heard from the mouths of the sages dwelling on the banks of the Ganga, knowers of ancient lore —

Verse 56 (padma.5.37.56)

तावत्पापभियः पुंसां कातराणां सुपापिनाम् । यावन्न वदते वाचा रामनाममनोहरम्

tāvatpāpabhiyaḥ puṁsāṁ kātarāṇāṁ supāpinām yāvanna vadate vācā rāmanāmamanoharam

that fear of sin remains for cowardly, greatly sinful men, only for so long as their speech does not utter the delightful name of Rama.

Verse 57 (padma.5.37.57)

तस्माद्धन्योऽहमधुना मम संसृतिनाशनम् । सांप्रतं सुलभं रामचंद्र त्वद्दर्शनादभूत्

tasmāddhanyo'hamadhunā mama saṁsṛtināśanam sāṁprataṁ sulabhaṁ rāmacaṁdra tvaddarśanādabhūt

Therefore, blessed am I now — the destruction of my cycle of rebirth has now become easily attained, O Ramachandra, through the sight of you."

Verse 58 (padma.5.37.58)

इत्युक्तवंतं स मुनिं पूजयामास तत्र वै । सर्वे मुनिजनाः साधु साधु वाक्यमिति ब्रुवन्

ityuktavaṁtaṁ sa muniṁ pūjayāmāsa tatra vai sarve munijanāḥ sādhu sādhu vākyamiti bruvan

To that sage who had spoken thus, he then did homage there; and all the sages present said "well spoken, well spoken."

Verse 59 (padma.5.37.59)

शेष उवाच। अत्याश्चर्यमभूत्तत्र तन्मे निगदतः शृणु । वात्स्यायनमुनिश्रेष्ठ रामभक्तिपरायण

śeṣa uvāca atyāścaryamabhūttatra tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu vātsyāyanamuniśreṣṭha rāmabhaktiparāyaṇa

Shesha said: A most wondrous thing happened there — listen to it as I tell it, O Vatsyayana, best of sages, devoted to Rama's worship.

Verse 60 (padma.5.37.60)

रामं दृष्ट्वा महाराजं यादृशं ध्यानगोचरम् । अत्यंतं हर्षमापन्नो जगाद स मुनीश्वरान्

rāmaṁ dṛṣṭvā mahārājaṁ yādṛśaṁ dhyānagocaram atyaṁtaṁ harṣamāpanno jagāda sa munīśvarān

Seeing King Rama, exactly as he was within the range of his meditation, filled with exceeding joy, that lord of sages spoke to the assembled sages.

Verse 61 (padma.5.37.61)

मुनीश्वराः संशृणुत मद्वाक्यं सुमनोहरम् । मादृशः को न भूलोके भविष्यति सुभाग्यवान्

munīśvarāḥ saṁśṛṇuta madvākyaṁ sumanoharam mādṛśaḥ ko na bhūloke bhaviṣyati subhāgyavān

"O lords of sages, listen well to my most delightful word: who on this earth shall become as fortunate as I?

Verse 62 (padma.5.37.62)

नास्ति मत्सदृशः कोपि न जातो न भविष्यति । यद्रामभद्रो मां नत्वा स्वागतं परिपृष्टवान्

nāsti matsadṛśaḥ kopi na jāto na bhaviṣyati yadrāmabhadro māṁ natvā svāgataṁ paripṛṣṭavān

There is no one equal to me, none has been born, none shall be born — since Ramabhadra himself, bowing to me, asked after my welcome.

Verse 63 (padma.5.37.63)

यत्पादपंकजरजः श्रुतिमृग्यं सदैव हि । सोऽद्य मत्पादयोः पाथः पीत्वा पूतममन्यत

yatpādapaṁkajarajaḥ śrutimṛgyaṁ sadaiva hi so'dya matpādayoḥ pāthaḥ pītvā pūtamamanyata

He whose lotus-foot dust is ever sought by the Vedas — he today, drinking the water from my feet, considered himself purified."

Verse 64 (padma.5.37.64)

एवं प्रवदतस्तस्य ब्रह्मस्फोटोऽभवत्तदा । निर्गतं तद्भवं तेजो विवेश रघुनायके

evaṁ pravadatastasya brahmasphoṭo'bhavattadā nirgataṁ tadbhavaṁ tejo viveśa raghunāyake

As he spoke thus, the bursting of Brahman occurred to him then; the splendor arising from that entered into the Lord of the Raghus.

Verse 65 (padma.5.37.65)

पश्यतां सर्वलोकानां सरयूतीरमंडपे । सायुज्यमुक्तिं संप्राप दुर्ल्लभां योगिभिर्जनैः

paśyatāṁ sarvalokānāṁ sarayūtīramaṁḍape sāyujyamuktiṁ saṁprāpa durllabhāṁ yogibhirjanaiḥ

Before the eyes of all the assembled people, in the pavilion on the banks of the Sarayu, he attained the liberation of Sayujya, rare even for accomplished yogis.

Verse 66 (padma.5.37.66)

दिवि तूर्यनिनादोऽभूद्वीणानादोऽभवत्तदा । पुष्पवृष्टिः पपाताग्रे पश्यतां चित्रमद्भुतम्

divi tūryaninādo'bhūdvīṇānādo'bhavattadā puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ papātāgre paśyatāṁ citramadbhutam

In the sky, the sound of trumpets arose, and the sound of veenas too; a rain of flowers fell before them, a wondrous, astonishing sight for all who watched.

Verse 67 (padma.5.37.67)

मुनयोऽप्येतदीक्षित्वा प्रशंसंतो मुनीश्वरम् । कृतार्थोयं मुनिश्रेष्ठो यद्रामवपुषीक्षितः

munayo'pyetadīkṣitvā praśaṁsaṁto munīśvaram kṛtārthoyaṁ muniśreṣṭho yadrāmavapuṣīkṣitaḥ

The sages too, seeing this, praised that lord of sages, saying: "Fulfilled indeed is this excellent sage, in that he was beheld within Rama's very form."