The Telling of Shri Rama's Story

Verse 1 (padma.6.244.1)

शंकर उवाच- अथ रामस्तु वैदेह्या राज्यभोगान्मनोरमान् । बुभुजे वर्षसाहस्रं पालयन्सर्वतोदिशः ।

śaṁkara uvāca atha rāmastu vaidehyā rājyabhogānmanoramān bubhuje varṣasāhasraṁ pālayansarvatodiśaḥ

Shankara said: Then Rama, together with Vaidehi, enjoyed delightful royal pleasures for a thousand years, ruling in every direction.

Verse 2 (padma.6.244.2)

अंतःपुरजनास्सर्वे राक्षसस्य गृहे स्थिताम् । गर्हयंति स्म वैदेहीं तथा जानपदा जनाः ।

aṁtaḥpurajanāssarve rākṣasasya gṛhe sthitām garhayaṁti sma vaidehīṁ tathā jānapadā janāḥ

All the people of the inner palace, and likewise the people of the countryside, began to censure Vaidehi for having dwelt in the house of the rakshasa.

Verse 3 (padma.6.244.3)

लोकापवादभीत्या च रामः शत्रुनिवारकः । दर्शयन्मानुषं धर्ममंतर्वत्नीं नृपात्मजाम् ।

lokāpavādabhītyā ca rāmaḥ śatrunivārakaḥ darśayanmānuṣaṁ dharmamaṁtarvatnīṁ nṛpātmajām

Rama, the queller of enemies, fearing the people's censure and showing forth human dharma, though the king's daughter was pregnant —

Verse 4 (padma.6.244.4)

वाल्मीकेराश्रमे पुण्ये गंगातीरे महावने । विससर्ज महातेजा गर्भिणीं मुनिसंसदि ।

vālmīkerāśrame puṇye gaṁgātīre mahāvane visasarja mahātejā garbhiṇīṁ munisaṁsadi

that greatly radiant one sent her away to Valmiki's sacred hermitage in the great forest on the bank of the Ganga, into the assembly of sages.

Verse 5 (padma.6.244.5)

सा भर्तुः परतंत्रा हि उवास मुनिवेश्मनि । अर्चिता मुनिपत्नीभिर्वाल्मीकमुनि रक्षिता ।

sā bhartuḥ parataṁtrā hi uvāsa muniveśmani arcitā munipatnībhirvālmīkamuni rakṣitā

She, ever subject to her husband's will, dwelt in the sage's abode, honored by the sages' wives, protected by the sage Valmiki.

Verse 6 (padma.6.244.6)

तत्रैवासूत यमलौ नाम्ना कुशलवौ सुतौ । तौ च तत्रैव मुनिना संस्कृतौ च ववर्धतुः ।

tatraivāsūta yamalau nāmnā kuśalavau sutau tau ca tatraiva muninā saṁskṛtau ca vavardhatuḥ

There she gave birth to twin sons named Kusha and Lava, and there, sanctified by the sage, they grew up.

Verse 7 (padma.6.244.7)

रामोऽपि भ्रातृभिस्सार्द्धं पालयामास मेदिनीम् । यमादिगुणसम्पन्नस्सर्वभोगविवर्जितः ।

rāmo'pi bhrātṛbhissārddhaṁ pālayāmāsa medinīm yamādiguṇasampannassarvabhogavivarjitaḥ

Rama too, together with his brothers, protected the earth, endowed with self-restraint and other virtues, forsaking all personal enjoyments,

Verse 8 (padma.6.244.8)

अर्चयन्सततं विष्णुमनादिनिधनं हरिम् । ब्रह्मचर्यपरो नित्यं शशास पृथिवीं नृपः ।

arcayansatataṁ viṣṇumanādinidhanaṁ harim brahmacaryaparo nityaṁ śaśāsa pṛthivīṁ nṛpaḥ

worshipping ceaselessly Vishnu, Hari, without beginning or end; devoted ever to continence, that king ruled the earth.

Verse 9 (padma.6.244.9)

शत्रुघ्नो लवणं हत्वा मथुरां देवनिर्मिताम् । पालयामास धर्मात्मा पुत्राभ्यां सह राघवः ।

śatrughno lavaṇaṁ hatvā mathurāṁ devanirmitām pālayāmāsa dharmātmā putrābhyāṁ saha rāghavaḥ

Shatrughna, having slain Lavana, ruled Mathura, the city built by the gods, righteously, together with his own two sons under Raghava's authority.

Verse 10 (padma.6.244.10)

गंधर्वान्भरतो हत्वा सिंधोरुभयपार्श्वतः । स्वात्मजौ स्थापयामास तस्मिन्देशे महाबलौ ।

gaṁdharvānbharato hatvā siṁdhorubhayapārśvataḥ svātmajau sthāpayāmāsa tasmindeśe mahābalau

Bharata, having slain the Gandharvas on both banks of the Sindhu, established his own two mighty sons in that land.

Verse 11 (padma.6.244.11)

पश्चिमे मद्रदेशे तु मद्रान्हत्वा च लक्ष्मणः । स्वसुतौ च महावीर्यौ अभिषिच्य महाबलः ।

paścime madradeśe tu madrānhatvā ca lakṣmaṇaḥ svasutau ca mahāvīryau abhiṣicya mahābalaḥ

In the western Madra country, that mighty Lakshmana, having slain the Madras, crowned his own two sons of great valor there.

Verse 12 (padma.6.244.12)

गत्वा पुनरयोध्यां तु रामपादावुपस्पृशत् । ब्राह्मणस्य मृतं बालं कालधर्ममुपागतम् ।

gatvā punarayodhyāṁ tu rāmapādāvupaspṛśat brāhmaṇasya mṛtaṁ bālaṁ kāladharmamupāgatam

Having gone and returned again to Ayodhya, he touched Rama's feet. Earlier, a Brahmin's child, who had met an untimely death —

Verse 13 (padma.6.244.13)

जीवयामास काकुत्स्थः शूद्रं हत्वा च तापसम् । ततस्तु गौतमीतीरे नैमिषे जनसंसदि ।

jīvayāmāsa kākutsthaḥ śūdraṁ hatvā ca tāpasam tatastu gautamītīre naimiṣe janasaṁsadi

Kakutstha restored to life, having slain a Shudra ascetic responsible for that untimely death. Then, on the bank of the Godavari, in Naimisha, amid an assembly of people —

Verse 14 (padma.6.244.14)

इयाज वाजिमेधं च राघवः परवीरहा । कांचनीं जानकीं कृत्वा तया सार्द्धं महाबलः ।

iyāja vājimedhaṁ ca rāghavaḥ paravīrahā kāṁcanīṁ jānakīṁ kṛtvā tayā sārddhaṁ mahābalaḥ

Raghava, the slayer of enemy heroes, performed the horse-sacrifice; having made a golden image of Sita, that mighty one, together with it,

Verse 15 (padma.6.244.15)

चकार यज्ञान्बहुशो राघवः परमार्थवित् । अयुतान्यश्वमेधानि वाजपेयानि च प्रभुः ।

cakāra yajñānbahuśo rāghavaḥ paramārthavit ayutānyaśvamedhāni vājapeyāni ca prabhuḥ

performed many sacrifices, that knower of the supreme truth. That Lord performed ten thousand Ashvamedhas and Vajapeyas,

Verse 16 (padma.6.244.16)

अग्निष्टोमं विश्वजितं गोमेधं च शतक्रतुम् । चकार विविधान्यज्ञान्परिपूर्णसदक्षिणान् ।

agniṣṭomaṁ viśvajitaṁ gomedhaṁ ca śatakratum cakāra vividhānyajñānparipūrṇasadakṣiṇān

Agnishtoma, Vishvajit, Gomedha, and a hundred other sacrifices — he performed various sacrifices, complete with abundant sacrificial fees.

Verse 17 (padma.6.244.17)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र वाल्मीकिः सुमहातपाः । सीतामानीय काकुत्स्थमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ।

etasminnaṁtare tatra vālmīkiḥ sumahātapāḥ sītāmānīya kākutsthamidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Meanwhile, Valmiki, of very great austerity, bringing Sita there, spoke this word to Kakutstha:

Verse 18 (padma.6.244.18)

वाल्मीकिरुवाच- अपापां मैथिलीं राम त्यक्तुं नार्हसि सुव्रत । इयं तु विरजा साध्वी भास्करस्य प्रभा यथा । अनन्या तव काकुत्स्थ कस्मात्त्यक्ता त्वयानघ ।

vālmīkiruvāca apāpāṁ maithilīṁ rāma tyaktuṁ nārhasi suvrata iyaṁ tu virajā sādhvī bhāskarasya prabhā yathā ananyā tava kākutstha kasmāttyaktā tvayānagha

Valmiki said: "O Rama, you ought not to forsake sinless Maithili, O one of good vows. This virtuous woman is stainless, like the radiance of the sun; devoted to none but you, O Kakutstha — why, O sinless one, has she been forsaken by you?"

Verse 19 (padma.6.244.19)

राम उवाच- अपापां मैथिलीं ब्रह्मन्जानामि वचनात्तव । रावणेन हृता साध्वी दण्डके विजने पुरा ।

rāma uvāca apāpāṁ maithilīṁ brahmanjānāmi vacanāttava rāvaṇena hṛtā sādhvī daṇḍake vijane purā

Rama said: "I know, O Brahmin, from your own word, that Maithili is sinless. Long ago that virtuous woman was abducted by Ravana in the lonely Dandaka forest.

Verse 20 (padma.6.244.20)

तं हत्वा समरे सीतां शुद्धामग्निमुखागताम् । पुनर्यातोस्म्ययोध्यायां सीतामादाय धर्मतः ।

taṁ hatvā samare sītāṁ śuddhāmagnimukhāgatām punaryātosmyayodhyāyāṁ sītāmādāya dharmataḥ

Having slain him in battle, I took Sita, purified through the fire's ordeal, and returned righteously to Ayodhya, taking her with me.

Verse 21 (padma.6.244.21)

लोकापवादः सुमहानभूत्पौरजनेषु च । त्यक्ता मया शुभाचारा तद्भयात्तव सन्निधौ ।

lokāpavādaḥ sumahānabhūtpaurajaneṣu ca tyaktā mayā śubhācārā tadbhayāttava sannidhau

But a very great censure arose among the citizens; out of fear of that, I forsook Sita, of good conduct though she was, sending her to your presence.

Verse 22 (padma.6.244.22)

तस्माल्लोकस्य संतुष्ट्यै सीता मम परायणा । पार्थिवानां महर्षीणां प्रत्ययं कर्तुमर्हति ।

tasmāllokasya saṁtuṣṭyai sītā mama parāyaṇā pārthivānāṁ maharṣīṇāṁ pratyayaṁ kartumarhati

Therefore, for the satisfaction of the people, let Sita, devoted to me, give proof of her purity before the kings and great sages."

Verse 23 (padma.6.244.23)

महेश्वर उवाच- एवमुक्ता तदा सीता मुनिपार्थिवसंसदि । चकारप्रत्ययं देवी लोकाश्चर्यकरं सती ।

maheśvara uvāca evamuktā tadā sītā munipārthivasaṁsadi cakārapratyayaṁ devī lokāścaryakaraṁ satī

Maheshvara said: Thus addressed, in that assembly of sages and kings, that virtuous goddess Sita gave a proof that astonished the world,

Verse 24 (padma.6.244.24)

दर्शयंस्तस्य लोकस्य रामस्यानन्यतां सती । अब्रवीत्प्रांजलिः सीता सर्वेषां जनसंसदि ।

darśayaṁstasya lokasya rāmasyānanyatāṁ satī abravītprāṁjaliḥ sītā sarveṣāṁ janasaṁsadi

showing that assembly her devotion to none but Rama; with joined palms, that virtuous Sita spoke before the entire gathering.

Verse 25 (padma.6.244.25)

सीतोवाच- यथाऽहं राघवादन्यं मनसापि न चिंतये । तथा मे धरणी देवी विवरन्दातुमर्हति ।

sītovāca yathā'haṁ rāghavādanyaṁ manasāpi na ciṁtaye tathā me dharaṇī devī vivarandātumarhati

Sita said: "As I have never, even in thought, conceived of any other than Raghava, so may the goddess Earth grant me an opening to enter her.

Verse 26 (padma.6.244.26)

यथैव सत्यमुक्तं मे वेद्मि रामात्परं न च । तथा स्वपुत्र्यां वैदेह्यां धरणी सहसा इयात् ।

yathaiva satyamuktaṁ me vedmi rāmātparaṁ na ca tathā svaputryāṁ vaidehyāṁ dharaṇī sahasā iyāt

As truly as I have spoken, and as I know none higher than Rama, so may the Earth come at once for her own daughter Vaidehi."

Verse 27 (padma.6.244.27)

महेश्वर उवाच- ततो रत्नमयं पीठं पृष्ठे धृत्वा खगेश्वरः । रसातलात्तदा वीरो विज्ञाय जननीं तदा ।

maheśvara uvāca tato ratnamayaṁ pīṭhaṁ pṛṣṭhe dhṛtvā khageśvaraḥ rasātalāttadā vīro vijñāya jananīṁ tadā

Maheshvara said: Then, bearing a jeweled throne upon its back, and recognizing its mother, from the netherworld —

Verse 28 (padma.6.244.28)

ततस्तु धरणीदेवी हस्ताभ्यां गृह्य मैथिलीम् । स्वागतेनाभिनंद्यैनामासने संन्यवेशयत् ।

tatastu dharaṇīdevī hastābhyāṁ gṛhya maithilīm svāgatenābhinaṁdyaināmāsane saṁnyaveśayat

the goddess Earth, taking Maithili with both hands, welcoming her, seated her upon that throne.

Verse 29 (padma.6.244.29)

सीतां समागतां दृष्ट्वा दिवि देवगणा भृशम् । पुष्पवृष्टिमविच्छिन्नां दिव्यां सीतामवाकिरन् ।

sītāṁ samāgatāṁ dṛṣṭvā divi devagaṇā bhṛśam puṣpavṛṣṭimavicchinnāṁ divyāṁ sītāmavākiran

Seeing Sita thus received, the hosts of gods in heaven, greatly rejoicing, showered down an unbroken rain of divine flowers upon her.

Verse 30 (padma.6.244.30)

सापि दिव्याप्सरोभिस्तु पूज्यमाना सनातनी । वैनतेयं समारुह्य तस्मान्मार्गाद्दिवं ययौ ।

sāpi divyāpsarobhistu pūjyamānā sanātanī vainateyaṁ samāruhya tasmānmārgāddivaṁ yayau

She, that eternal one, honored by the divine Apsaras, mounting upon Garuda, went to heaven by that same path.

Verse 31 (padma.6.244.31)

दासीगणैः पूर्वभागे संवृता जगदीश्वरी । संप्राप्य परमं धाम योगिगम्यं सनातनम् ।

dāsīgaṇaiḥ pūrvabhāge saṁvṛtā jagadīśvarī saṁprāpya paramaṁ dhāma yogigamyaṁ sanātanam

That Mistress of the world, surrounded in front by her attendant maidens, reached the eternal, supreme abode, attainable by yogis.

Verse 32 (padma.6.244.32)

रसातलप्रविष्टां तु तां दृष्ट्वा सर्वमानुषाः । साधुसाध्विति सीतेयमुच्चैः सर्वे प्रचुक्रुशुः ।

rasātalapraviṣṭāṁ tu tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sarvamānuṣāḥ sādhusādhviti sīteyamuccaiḥ sarve pracukruśuḥ

Seeing her thus departed, all the people cried out loudly, "Well done, well done, this is Sita!"

Verse 33 (padma.6.244.33)

रामः शोकसमाविष्टः संगृह्य तनयावुभौ । मुनिभिः पार्थिवेंद्रैश्च साकेतं प्रविवेश ह ।

rāmaḥ śokasamāviṣṭaḥ saṁgṛhya tanayāvubhau munibhiḥ pārthiveṁdraiśca sāketaṁ praviveśa ha

Rama, overcome with grief, taking both his sons, entered Saketa together with the sages and the kings.

Verse 34 (padma.6.244.34)

अथ कालेन महता मातरः संशितव्रताः । कालधर्मं समापन्ना भर्तुः स्वर्गं प्रपेदिरे ।

atha kālena mahatā mātaraḥ saṁśitavratāḥ kāladharmaṁ samāpannā bhartuḥ svargaṁ prapedire

Then, after a long time, his mothers, of strict vows, met their end and went to their husband's heaven.

Verse 35 (padma.6.244.35)

दशवर्षसहस्राणि दशवर्षशतानि च । चकार राज्यं धर्मेण राघवः संशितव्रतः ।

daśavarṣasahasrāṇi daśavarṣaśatāni ca cakāra rājyaṁ dharmeṇa rāghavaḥ saṁśitavrataḥ

Raghava, of strict vows, ruled the kingdom righteously for eleven thousand years.

Verse 36 (padma.6.244.36)

कस्यचित्त्वथकालस्य राघवस्य निवेशनम् । कालस्तापसरूपेण संप्राप्तो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।

kasyacittvathakālasya rāghavasya niveśanam kālastāpasarūpeṇa saṁprāpto vākyamabravīt

After some time, Kala, in the guise of an ascetic, arrived at Raghava's dwelling and spoke this word.

Verse 37 (padma.6.244.37)

काल उवाच- राम राम महाबाहो धात्रा संप्रेषितोऽस्म्यहम् । यद्ब्रवीमि रघुश्रेष्ठ तच्छृणुष्व महामते ।

kāla uvāca rāma rāma mahābāho dhātrā saṁpreṣito'smyaham yadbravīmi raghuśreṣṭha tacchṛṇuṣva mahāmate

Kala said: "O Rama, Rama, mighty-armed one, I have been sent by the Creator. Listen, O best of the Raghus, great-minded one, to what I say.

Verse 38 (padma.6.244.38)

द्वन्द्वमेव हि कार्यं स्यादावयोः परिभाषितम् । तदंतरे प्रविष्टोयस्स वद्ध्यो हि भविष्यति ।

dvandvameva hi kāryaṁ syādāvayoḥ paribhāṣitam tadaṁtare praviṣṭoyassa vaddhyo hi bhaviṣyati

Let this conversation between us two be private; whoever enters in between us shall be liable to death."

Verse 39 (padma.6.244.39)

महेश्वर उवाच- तथेति च प्रतिश्रुत्य रामो राजीवलोचनः । द्वास्थं कृत्वा तु सौमित्रिं कालो वाक्यमभाषत । वैवस्वतोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं रामं दशरथात्मजम् ।

maheśvara uvāca tatheti ca pratiśrutya rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ dvāsthaṁ kṛtvā tu saumitriṁ kālo vākyamabhāṣata vaivasvato'bravīdvākyaṁ rāmaṁ daśarathātmajam

Maheshvara said: Agreeing with "So be it," the lotus-eyed Rama stationed Saumitri as door-keeper, and Kala spoke his word. Vaivasvata spoke this word to Rama, son of Dasharatha.

Verse 40 (padma.6.244.40)

काल उवाच- शृणु राम यथावृत्तं समागमनकारणात् । दशवर्षसहस्राणि दशवर्षशतानि च ।

kāla uvāca śṛṇu rāma yathāvṛttaṁ samāgamanakāraṇāt daśavarṣasahasrāṇi daśavarṣaśatāni ca

Kala said: "Listen, O Rama, to the reason for my coming, as it truly is. For eleven thousand years —

Verse 41 (padma.6.244.41)

वसामि मानुषे लोके हत्वा राक्षसपुंगवौ । एवमुक्तः सुरगणैरवतीर्णोसि भूतले ।

vasāmi mānuṣe loke hatvā rākṣasapuṁgavau evamuktaḥ suragaṇairavatīrṇosi bhūtale

'I shall dwell in the human world, having slain the foremost of the rakshasas' — thus addressed by the gods, you descended upon the earth.

Verse 42 (padma.6.244.42)

तदयं समयः प्राप्तः स्वर्लोकं गमितुं त्वया । सनाथा हि सुरास्सर्वे भवंत्वद्य त्वयानघ ।

tadayaṁ samayaḥ prāptaḥ svarlokaṁ gamituṁ tvayā sanāthā hi surāssarve bhavaṁtvadya tvayānagha

That time has now arrived for you to go to the heavenly world. O sinless one, let all the gods today become, through you, possessed of their lord once more."

Verse 43 (padma.6.244.43)

महेश्वर उवाच- एवमस्त्विति काकुत्स्थो रामः प्राह महामुनिम् । एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र दुर्वासास्तु महातपाः ।

maheśvara uvāca evamastviti kākutstho rāmaḥ prāha mahāmunim etasminnaṁtare tatra durvāsāstu mahātapāḥ

Maheshvara said: "So be it," said Rama Kakutstha to that great sage. Meanwhile, there, Durvasa, of very great austerity —

Verse 44 (padma.6.244.44)

राजद्वारमुपागम्य लक्ष्मणं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । दुर्वासा उवाच- मां निवेदय काकुत्स्थं शीघ्रं गत्वा नृपात्मज ।

rājadvāramupāgamya lakṣmaṇaṁ vākyamabravīt durvāsā uvāca māṁ nivedaya kākutsthaṁ śīghraṁ gatvā nṛpātmaja

arriving at the palace gate, spoke this word to Lakshmana. Durvasa said: "Go quickly, O prince, and announce me to Kakutstha."

Verse 45 (padma.6.244.45)

महेश्वर उवाच- तमब्रवील्लक्ष्मणस्तु असांनिध्यमिति द्विज । ततः क्रोधसमाविष्टः प्राह तं मुनिसत्तमः ।

maheśvara uvāca tamabravīllakṣmaṇastu asāṁnidhyamiti dvija tataḥ krodhasamāviṣṭaḥ prāha taṁ munisattamaḥ

Maheshvara said: Lakshmana said to him, "O Brahmin, he is presently unavailable." Then that foremost of sages, overcome with anger, said to him —

Verse 46 (padma.6.244.46)

दुर्वासा उवाच- शापं दास्यामि काकुत्स्थं रामं न यदि दर्शये । महेश्वर उवाच- तस्माच्छापभयाद्विप्रं राघवाय न्यवेदयत् । तत्रैवांतर्दधे कालः सर्वभूतभयावहः ।

durvāsā uvāca śāpaṁ dāsyāmi kākutsthaṁ rāmaṁ na yadi darśaye maheśvara uvāca tasmācchāpabhayādvipraṁ rāghavāya nyavedayat tatraivāṁtardadhe kālaḥ sarvabhūtabhayāvahaḥ

Durvasa said: "I shall curse Kakutstha Rama if I am not shown to him at once!" Maheshvara said: Out of fear of that curse, he announced the Brahmin to Raghava. Kala, who strikes fear into all beings, vanished then and there.

Verse 47 (padma.6.244.47)

पूजयामास तं प्राप्तमृषिं दुर्वाससं नृपः । अग्रजस्य प्रतिज्ञा तं विज्ञाय रघुसत्तमः ।

pūjayāmāsa taṁ prāptamṛṣiṁ durvāsasaṁ nṛpaḥ agrajasya pratijñā taṁ vijñāya raghusattamaḥ

The king honored the sage Durvasa who had arrived. Knowing his elder brother's vow, that best of the Raghus, Lakshmana —

Verse 48 (padma.6.244.48)

तत्याज मानुषं रूपं लक्ष्मणः सरयूजले । विसृज्य मानुषं रूपं प्रविवेश स्वकां तनुम् ।

tatyāja mānuṣaṁ rūpaṁ lakṣmaṇaḥ sarayūjale visṛjya mānuṣaṁ rūpaṁ praviveśa svakāṁ tanum

relinquished his human form in the waters of the Sarayu. Casting off his human form, he entered his own divine body —

Verse 49 (padma.6.244.49)

फणासहस्रसंयुक्तः कोटींदुसमवर्चसः । दिव्यमाल्यांबरधरो दिव्यगंधानुलेपनः ।

phaṇāsahasrasaṁyuktaḥ koṭīṁdusamavarcasaḥ divyamālyāṁbaradharo divyagaṁdhānulepanaḥ

possessed of a thousand hoods, of splendor equal to a myriad moons, wearing divine garlands and garments, anointed with divine fragrances —

Verse 50 (padma.6.244.50)

नागकन्यासहस्रैस्तु संवृतः समलंकृतः । विमानं दिव्यमारुह्य प्रययौ वैष्णवं पदम् । लक्ष्मणस्य गतिं सर्वां विदित्वा रघुसत्तमः । स्वयमप्यथ काकुत्स्थः स्वर्गं गंतुमभीप्सितः ।

nāgakanyāsahasraistu saṁvṛtaḥ samalaṁkṛtaḥ vimānaṁ divyamāruhya prayayau vaiṣṇavaṁ padam lakṣmaṇasya gatiṁ sarvāṁ viditvā raghusattamaḥ svayamapyatha kākutsthaḥ svargaṁ gaṁtumabhīpsitaḥ

surrounded and adorned by thousands of Naga maidens, he mounted a divine celestial car and went to the abode of Vishnu. Knowing the entire course of Lakshmana's departure, that best of the Raghus, Rama himself, then desired to go to heaven.

Verse 51 (padma.6.244.51)

अभिषिच्याथ काकुत्स्थः स्वात्मजौ च कुशीलवौ । विभज्य रथनागाश्वं सधनं प्रददौ तयोः ।

abhiṣicyātha kākutsthaḥ svātmajau ca kuśīlavau vibhajya rathanāgāśvaṁ sadhanaṁ pradadau tayoḥ

Then Kakutstha crowned his own two sons, Kusha and Lava, and, dividing his chariots, elephants, horses, and treasure, gave them to those two.

Verse 52 (padma.6.244.52)

कुशवत्यां कुशं तं च शरवत्यां लवं तथा । स्थापयामास धर्मेण राज्ये स्वे रघुसत्तमः ।

kuśavatyāṁ kuśaṁ taṁ ca śaravatyāṁ lavaṁ tathā sthāpayāmāsa dharmeṇa rājye sve raghusattamaḥ

That best of the Raghus righteously established Kusha in Kushavati and Lava likewise in Sharavati, each in his own kingdom.

Verse 53 (padma.6.244.53)

अभिप्रायं तु विज्ञाय रामस्य विदितात्मनः । आजग्मुर्वानराः सर्वे राक्षसाः सुमहाबलाः ।

abhiprāyaṁ tu vijñāya rāmasya viditātmanaḥ ājagmurvānarāḥ sarve rākṣasāḥ sumahābalāḥ

Learning the intention of the omniscient Rama, all the mighty monkeys and rakshasas arrived at Ayodhya.

Verse 54 (padma.6.244.54)

विभीषणोऽथ सुग्रीवो जाम्बवान्मारुतात्मजः । नीलो नलः सुषेणश्च निषादाधिपतिर्गुहः ।

vibhīṣaṇo'tha sugrīvo jāmbavānmārutātmajaḥ nīlo nalaḥ suṣeṇaśca niṣādādhipatirguhaḥ

Vibhishana, Sugriva, Jambavan, the son of the Wind, Nila, Nala, Sushena, and Guha, lord of the Nishadas —

Verse 55 (padma.6.244.55)

अभिषिच्य सुतौ वीरौ शत्रुघ्नश्च महामनाः । सर्व एते समाजग्मुरयोध्यां रामपालिताम् ।

abhiṣicya sutau vīrau śatrughnaśca mahāmanāḥ sarva ete samājagmurayodhyāṁ rāmapālitām

and the great-minded Shatrughna, having crowned his own two heroic sons — all of these assembled at Ayodhya, ruled by Rama.

Verse 56 (padma.6.244.56)

ते प्रणम्य महात्मानमूचुः प्रांजलयस्तथा । वानरप्रभृतय ऊचुः - स्वर्लोकं गंतुमुद्युक्तं ज्ञात्वा त्वां रघुसत्तम ।

te praṇamya mahātmānamūcuḥ prāṁjalayastathā vānaraprabhṛtaya ūcuḥ svarlokaṁ gaṁtumudyuktaṁ jñātvā tvāṁ raghusattama

Bowing to that great soul, they spoke with joined palms. The monkeys and others said: "Knowing you resolved to go to the heavenly world, O best of the Raghus,

Verse 57 (padma.6.244.57)

आगताः स्म वयं सर्वे तवानुगमनं प्रति । न शक्ताः स्म क्षणं राम जीवितुं त्वां विना प्रभो । तस्मात्त्वया विशालाक्ष गच्छामस्त्रिदशालयम् ।

āgatāḥ sma vayaṁ sarve tavānugamanaṁ prati na śaktāḥ sma kṣaṇaṁ rāma jīvituṁ tvāṁ vinā prabho tasmāttvayā viśālākṣa gacchāmastridaśālayam

we have all come to follow you. We are not able, O Rama, O Lord, to live even a moment without you. Therefore, O wide-eyed one, we shall go with you to the abode of the gods."

Verse 58 (padma.6.244.58)

महेश्वर उवाच- तैरेवमुक्तः काकुत्स्थो बाढमित्यब्रवीत्ततः । अथोवाच महातेजा राक्षसेंद्रं विभीषणम् ।

maheśvara uvāca tairevamuktaḥ kākutstho bāḍhamityabravīttataḥ athovāca mahātejā rākṣaseṁdraṁ vibhīṣaṇam

Maheshvara said: Thus addressed by them, Kakutstha said, "So be it." Then that greatly radiant one spoke to Vibhishana, lord of the rakshasas.

Verse 59 (padma.6.244.59)

राम उवाच- राज्यं प्रशास धर्मेण मा प्रतिज्ञां वृथा कृथाः । यावच्चंद्रश्च सूर्यश्च यावत्तिष्ठति मेदिनी । तावद्रमस्व सुप्रीतो काले मम पदं व्रज ।

rāma uvāca rājyaṁ praśāsa dharmeṇa mā pratijñāṁ vṛthā kṛthāḥ yāvaccaṁdraśca sūryaśca yāvattiṣṭhati medinī tāvadramasva suprīto kāle mama padaṁ vraja

Rama said: "Rule your kingdom righteously; do not render my promise in vain. As long as the sun and moon endure, as long as the earth stands, so long remain, joyful and content; in time, come to my abode."

Verse 60 (padma.6.244.60)

महेश्वर उवाच-। इत्युक्त्वाथ स काकुत्स्थः स्वाड्गं विष्णुं सनातनम् । श्रीरंगशायिनं सौम्यमिक्ष्वाकुकुलदैवतम् ।

maheśvara uvāca ityuktvātha sa kākutsthaḥ svāḍgaṁ viṣṇuṁ sanātanam śrīraṁgaśāyinaṁ saumyamikṣvākukuladaivatam

Maheshvara said: Having said this, that Kakutstha gave his own personal deity, the eternal Vishnu, gentle, reclining at Shrirangam, the tutelary god of the Ikshvaku line —

Verse 61 (padma.6.244.61)

संप्रीत्या प्रददौ तस्मै रामो राजीवलोचनः । हनुमंतमथोवाच राघवः शत्रुसूदनः ।

saṁprītyā pradadau tasmai rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ hanumaṁtamathovāca rāghavaḥ śatrusūdanaḥ

lovingly to him. Then Raghava, the destroyer of enemies, spoke to Hanuman.

Verse 62 (padma.6.244.62)

राम उवाच- मत्कथाः प्रचरिष्यंति यावल्लोके हरीश्वर । तावत्त्वमास मेदिन्यां काले मां व्रज सुव्रत ।

rāma uvāca matkathāḥ pracariṣyaṁti yāvalloke harīśvara tāvattvamāsa medinyāṁ kāle māṁ vraja suvrata

Rama said: "As long as My story shall circulate in the world, O lord of monkeys, so long remain upon the earth; O one of good vows, in time come to Me."

Verse 63 (padma.6.244.63)

महेश्वर उवाच- तमेवमुक्त्वा काकुत्स्थो जांबवंतमथाब्रवीत् । राम उवाच- द्वापरे समनुप्राप्ते यदूनामन्वये पुनः ।

maheśvara uvāca tamevamuktvā kākutstho jāṁbavaṁtamathābravīt rāma uvāca dvāpare samanuprāpte yadūnāmanvaye punaḥ

Maheshvara said: Having said this to him, Kakutstha then spoke to Jambavan. Rama said: "When the Dvapara age arrives, again, in the lineage of the Yadus —

Verse 64 (padma.6.244.64)

भूभारस्य विनाशाय समुत्पत्स्याम्यहं भुवि । करिष्ये तत्र संग्रामं स्वयं भल्लूकसत्तम ।

bhūbhārasya vināśāya samutpatsyāmyahaṁ bhuvi kariṣye tatra saṁgrāmaṁ svayaṁ bhallūkasattama

I shall be born upon the earth for the destruction of its burden. There I myself shall wage a battle, O best of bears —

Verse 65 (padma.6.244.65)

महेश्वर उवाच- तमेवमुक्त्वा काकुत्स्थः सर्वांस्तानृक्षवानरान् । उवाच वाचा गच्छध्वमिति रामो महाबलः ।

maheśvara uvāca tamevamuktvā kākutsthaḥ sarvāṁstānṛkṣavānarān uvāca vācā gacchadhvamiti rāmo mahābalaḥ

Maheshvara said: Having said this to him, Kakutstha, mighty Rama, said to all those bears and monkeys, "Go."

Verse 66 (padma.6.244.66)

मंत्रिणो नैगमाश्चैव भरतः कैकयीसुतः । राघवस्यानुगमने निश्चितास्ते समाययुः ।

maṁtriṇo naigamāścaiva bharataḥ kaikayīsutaḥ rāghavasyānugamane niścitāste samāyayuḥ

The ministers, the citizens, and Bharata, son of Kaikeyi, all resolved upon following Raghava, and came together.

Verse 67 (padma.6.244.67)

ततः शुक्लांबरधरो ब्रह्मचारी ययौ परम् । कुशान्गृहीत्वा पाणिभ्यां संसक्तः प्रययौ परम् ।

tataḥ śuklāṁbaradharo brahmacārī yayau param kuśāngṛhītvā pāṇibhyāṁ saṁsaktaḥ prayayau param

Then, clad in white garments, as a Brahmachari, he proceeded forth to the supreme goal; taking kusha grass in both his hands, he went forth to that supreme place.

Verse 68 (padma.6.244.68)

रामस्य दक्षिणे पार्श्वे पद्महस्ता रमा गता । तथैव धरणीदेवी दक्षिणेतरगा तथा ।

rāmasya dakṣiṇe pārśve padmahastā ramā gatā tathaiva dharaṇīdevī dakṣiṇetaragā tathā

On Rama's right side went lotus-handed Rama/Shri; and likewise the goddess Earth went on the other side.

Verse 69 (padma.6.244.69)

वेदाः सांगाः पुराणानि सेतिहासानि सर्वतः । ॐकारोऽथ वषट्कारः सावित्री लोकपावनी ।

vedāḥ sāṁgāḥ purāṇāni setihāsāni sarvataḥ oṁkāro'tha vaṣaṭkāraḥ sāvitrī lokapāvanī

The Vedas with their limbs, the Puranas together with the Itihasas, from every side — Om, and Vashatkara, and Savitri, the purifier of the worlds,

Verse 70 (padma.6.244.70)

अस्त्रशस्त्राणि च तदा धनुराद्यानि पार्वति । अनुजग्मुस्तथा रामं सर्वे पुरुषविग्रहाः ।

astraśastrāṇi ca tadā dhanurādyāni pārvati anujagmustathā rāmaṁ sarve puruṣavigrahāḥ

and his weapons and arms, his bow and the rest, O Parvati — all these, taking human form, followed Rama likewise.

Verse 71 (padma.6.244.71)

भरतश्चैव शत्रुघ्नः सर्वे पुरनिवासिनः । सपुत्रदाराः काकुत्स्थमनुजग्मुः सहानुगाः ।

bharataścaiva śatrughnaḥ sarve puranivāsinaḥ saputradārāḥ kākutsthamanujagmuḥ sahānugāḥ

Bharata, Shatrughna, and all the inhabitants of the city, together with their sons, wives, and attendants, followed Kakutstha.

Verse 72 (padma.6.244.72)

मंत्रिणो भृत्यवर्गाश्च किंकरा नैगमास्तथा । वानराश्चैव ऋक्षाश्च सुग्रीवसहितास्तदा ।

maṁtriṇo bhṛtyavargāśca kiṁkarā naigamāstathā vānarāścaiva ṛkṣāśca sugrīvasahitāstadā

The ministers, servants, attendants, and citizens likewise; and the monkeys and bears, together with Sugriva, then —

Verse 73 (padma.6.244.73)

सपुत्रदाराः काकुत्स्थमन्वगच्छन्महामतिम् । पशवः पक्षिणश्चैव सर्वे स्थावरजंगमाः ।

saputradārāḥ kākutsthamanvagacchanmahāmatim paśavaḥ pakṣiṇaścaiva sarve sthāvarajaṁgamāḥ

with their sons and wives, followed that great-minded Kakutstha. The beasts and birds, and all moving and unmoving things —

Verse 74 (padma.6.244.74)

अनुजग्मुर्महात्मानं समीपस्था नरोत्तमाः । ये च पश्यंति काकुत्स्थं स्वपथांतर्गतं प्रभुम् ।

anujagmurmahātmānaṁ samīpasthā narottamāḥ ye ca paśyaṁti kākutsthaṁ svapathāṁtargataṁ prabhum

the best of men nearby also followed that great soul. And whoever beheld the Lord Kakutstha upon his path —

Verse 75 (padma.6.244.75)

ते तथानुगता रामं निवर्त्तंते न केचन । अथ त्रियोजनं गत्वा नदीं पश्चान्मुखीं स्थिताम् ।

te tathānugatā rāmaṁ nivarttaṁte na kecana atha triyojanaṁ gatvā nadīṁ paścānmukhīṁ sthitām

all of them too followed Rama; none turned back. Then, having gone three yojanas, to that river flowing westward —

Verse 76 (padma.6.244.76)

सरयूं पुण्यसलिलां प्रविवेश सहानुगः । ततः पितामहो ब्रह्मा सर्वदेवगणावृतः ।

sarayūṁ puṇyasalilāṁ praviveśa sahānugaḥ tataḥ pitāmaho brahmā sarvadevagaṇāvṛtaḥ

the sacred-watered Sarayu, he entered together with his followers. Then the grandsire Brahma, surrounded by all the hosts of gods,

Verse 77 (padma.6.244.77)

तुष्टाव रघुशार्दूलमृषिभिः सार्द्धमक्षरैः । अब्रवीत्तत्र काकुत्स्थं प्रविष्टं सरयूजले ।

tuṣṭāva raghuśārdūlamṛṣibhiḥ sārddhamakṣaraiḥ abravīttatra kākutsthaṁ praviṣṭaṁ sarayūjale

praised that tiger among the Raghus, together with the imperishable sages. He spoke there to Kakutstha, who had entered the waters of the Sarayu.

Verse 78 (padma.6.244.78)

ब्रह्मोवाच- आगच्छ विष्णो भद्रं ते दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि मानद । भ्रातृभिस्सहदेवाभैः प्रविशस्व निजां तनुम् ।

brahmovāca āgaccha viṣṇo bhadraṁ te diṣṭyā prāpto'si mānada bhrātṛbhissahadevābhaiḥ praviśasva nijāṁ tanum

Brahma said: "Come, O Vishnu, blessings be upon you! By good fortune have you arrived, O giver of honor. Together with your god-like brothers, enter your own true form —

Verse 79 (padma.6.244.79)

वैष्णवीं तां महातेजां देवाकारां सनातनीम् । त्वं हि लोकगतिर्देव न त्वां केचित्तु जानते ।

vaiṣṇavīṁ tāṁ mahātejāṁ devākārāṁ sanātanīm tvaṁ hi lokagatirdeva na tvāṁ kecittu jānate

that eternal, greatly radiant Vaishnava form, of divine shape. For you, O God, are the refuge of the worlds; none truly know you.

Verse 80 (padma.6.244.80)

त्वामचिंत्यं महात्मानमक्षरं सर्वसंग्रहम् । यमिच्छसि महातेजस्तां तनुं प्रविशस्व भोः ।

tvāmaciṁtyaṁ mahātmānamakṣaraṁ sarvasaṁgraham yamicchasi mahātejastāṁ tanuṁ praviśasva bhoḥ

You are inconceivable, the great soul, the imperishable, the sum of all. O greatly radiant one, enter whatever form you desire."

Verse 81 (padma.6.244.81)

महेश्वर उवाच- तस्मिन्सूर्यकराकीर्णे पुष्पवृष्टिनिपातिते । उत्सृज्य मानुषं रूपं स्वां तनुं प्रविवेश ह ।

maheśvara uvāca tasminsūryakarākīrṇe puṣpavṛṣṭinipātite utsṛjya mānuṣaṁ rūpaṁ svāṁ tanuṁ praviveśa ha

Maheshvara said: There, amid rays of sunlight and a falling shower of flowers, casting off his human form, he entered his own true form.

Verse 82 (padma.6.244.82)

अंशाभ्यां शंखचक्राभ्यां शत्रुघ्नभरतावुभौ । तदा तेन महात्मानौ दिव्यतेजस्समन्वितौ ।

aṁśābhyāṁ śaṁkhacakrābhyāṁ śatrughnabharatāvubhau tadā tena mahātmānau divyatejassamanvitau

By his own two partial portions, the conch and the discus, Shatrughna and Bharata both then, by him, became great souls, endowed with divine splendor —

Verse 83 (padma.6.244.83)

शंखचक्रगदाशार्ङ्गपद्महस्तश्चतुर्भुजः । दिव्याभरणसम्पन्नो दिव्यगंधानुलेपनः ।

śaṁkhacakragadāśārṅgapadmahastaścaturbhujaḥ divyābharaṇasampanno divyagaṁdhānulepanaḥ

Rama himself now appeared as Vishnu: bearing in his hands the conch, discus, mace, the bow Sharnga, and the lotus, four-armed, adorned with divine ornaments, anointed with divine fragrance,

Verse 84 (padma.6.244.84)

दिव्यपीतांबरधरः पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणः । युवा कुमारः सौम्यांगः कोमलावयवोज्ज्वलः ।

divyapītāṁbaradharaḥ padmapatranibhekṣaṇaḥ yuvā kumāraḥ saumyāṁgaḥ komalāvayavojjvalaḥ

clad in divine yellow garments, with eyes like lotus leaves, youthful yet ever a boy, gentle of form, radiant with soft limbs,

Verse 85 (padma.6.244.85)

सुस्निग्धनीलकुटिलकुंतलः शुभलक्षणः । नवदूर्वांकुरः श्यामः पूर्णचंद्र निभाननः ।

susnigdhanīlakuṭilakuṁtalaḥ śubhalakṣaṇaḥ navadūrvāṁkuraḥ śyāmaḥ pūrṇacaṁdra nibhānanaḥ

with lustrous, dark, curling locks, of auspicious marks, dark as a fresh durva-shoot, his face like the full moon —

Verse 86 (padma.6.244.86)

देवीभ्यां सहितः श्रीमान्विमानमधिरुह्य च । तस्मिन्सिंहासने दिव्ये मूले कल्पतरोः प्रभुः ।

devībhyāṁ sahitaḥ śrīmānvimānamadhiruhya ca tasminsiṁhāsane divye mūle kalpataroḥ prabhuḥ

that glorious Lord, together with the two Goddesses, mounting a celestial car, upon that divine throne at the foot of the wish-fulfilling tree —

Verse 87 (padma.6.244.87)

निषसाद महातेजाः सर्वदेवैरभिष्टुतः । राघवानुगता ये च ऋक्षवानरमानुषाः ।

niṣasāda mahātejāḥ sarvadevairabhiṣṭutaḥ rāghavānugatā ye ca ṛkṣavānaramānuṣāḥ

that greatly radiant one took his seat, praised by all the gods. And those bears, monkeys, and men who had followed Raghava —

Verse 88 (padma.6.244.88)

स्पृष्ट्वैव सरयूतोयं सुखेन त्यक्तजीविताः । रामप्रसादात्ते सर्वे दिव्यरूपधराः शुभाः ।

spṛṣṭvaiva sarayūtoyaṁ sukhena tyaktajīvitāḥ rāmaprasādātte sarve divyarūpadharāḥ śubhāḥ

having merely touched the waters of the Sarayu, gladly gave up their lives; by Rama's grace, all of them, taking on radiant divine forms,

Verse 89 (padma.6.244.89)

दिव्यमाल्यांबरधरा दिव्यमंगलवर्चसः । आरुरोह विमानं तदसंख्यास्तत्र देहिनः ।

divyamālyāṁbaradharā divyamaṁgalavarcasaḥ āruroha vimānaṁ tadasaṁkhyāstatra dehinaḥ

wearing divine garlands and garments, of divine and auspicious splendor, ascended that celestial car — countless embodied beings there.

Verse 90 (padma.6.244.90)

सर्वैः परिवृतः श्रीमान्रामो राजीवलोचनः । पूजितः सुरसिद्धौघैर्मुनिभिस्तु महात्मभिः ।

sarvaiḥ parivṛtaḥ śrīmānrāmo rājīvalocanaḥ pūjitaḥ surasiddhaughairmunibhistu mahātmabhiḥ

Surrounded by all of them, that glorious, lotus-eyed Rama, honored by the hosts of gods and Siddhas, and by the great-souled sages,

Verse 91 (padma.6.244.91)

आययौ शाश्वतं दिव्यमक्षरं स्वपदं विभुः । यः पठेद्रामचरितं श्लोकं श्लोकार्धमेव वा ।

āyayau śāśvataṁ divyamakṣaraṁ svapadaṁ vibhuḥ yaḥ paṭhedrāmacaritaṁ ślokaṁ ślokārdhameva vā

that all-pervading Lord arrived at his own eternal, divine, imperishable abode. Whoever recites this story of Rama, a verse, or even half a verse,

Verse 92 (padma.6.244.92)

शृणुयाद्वा तथा भक्त्या स्मरेद्वा शुभदर्शने । कोटिजन्मार्जितात्पापाज्ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतः कृतात् ।

śṛṇuyādvā tathā bhaktyā smaredvā śubhadarśane koṭijanmārjitātpāpājjñānato'jñānataḥ kṛtāt

or hears it, or, O one of auspicious sight, remembers it with devotion — from sin accumulated over a hundred million births, committed knowingly or unknowingly,

Verse 93 (padma.6.244.93)

विमुक्तो वैष्णवं लोकं पुत्रदारसबांधवैः । समाप्नुयाद्योगगम्यमनायासेन वै नरः ।

vimukto vaiṣṇavaṁ lokaṁ putradārasabāṁdhavaiḥ samāpnuyādyogagamyamanāyāsena vai naraḥ

is freed, and, together with his sons, wife, and kinsmen, that man attains, without effort, the world of Vishnu, attainable otherwise only through yoga.

Verse 94 (padma.6.244.94)

एतत्ते कथितं देवि रामस्य चरितं महत् । धन्योऽस्म्यहं त्वया देवि रामचंद्रस्य कीर्त्तनात् । किमन्यच्छ्रोतुकामासि तद्ब्रवीमि वरानने ।

etatte kathitaṁ devi rāmasya caritaṁ mahat dhanyo'smyahaṁ tvayā devi rāmacaṁdrasya kīrttanāt kimanyacchrotukāmāsi tadbravīmi varānane

O Goddess, this great story of Rama has been told to you. O Goddess, I am blessed by this recitation of Ramachandra through you. What else do you wish to hear? Tell me, O beautiful-faced one, and I shall speak of it too.