The Cause of Rama's Sin of Brahmin-Slaying

Verse 1 (skanda.3.47.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । राक्षसस्य वधात्सूत रावणस्य महामुने । ब्रह्महत्या कथमभूद्राघवस्य महात्मनः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ rākṣasasya vadhāt sūta rāvaṇasya mahāmune brahmahatyā katham abhūd rāghavasya mahātmanaḥ

The sages said: O Suta, O great sage, how did the slaying of the demon Ravana bring the sin of brahmin-slaying upon the great-souled Raghava?

Verse 2 (skanda.3.47.2)

ब्राह्मणस्य वधात्सूत ब्रह्महत्याभिजायते । न ब्राह्मणो दशग्रीवः कथं तद्वद नो मुने

brāhmaṇasya vadhāt sūta brahmahatyābhijāyate na brāhmaṇo daśagrīvaḥ kathaṁ tad vada no mune

O Suta, brahmin-slaying arises only from the killing of a brahmin. Dashagriva was not a brahmin — O sage, tell us how this could be.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.47.3)

ब्रह्महत्या भवेत्क्रूरा रामचंद्रस्य धीमतः । एतन्नः श्रद्दधानानां वद कारुण्यतोऽधुना

brahmahatyā bhavet krūrā rāmacandrasya dhīmataḥ etan naḥ śraddadhānānāṁ vada kāruṇyato'dhunā

How could the terrible sin of brahmin-slaying come upon the wise Ramachandra? We have faith in you — tell this to us now, out of compassion.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.47.4)

इति पृष्टस्ततः सूतो नैमिषारण्यवासिभिः । वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे तेषां प्रश्नस्योत्तरमुत्तमम्

iti pṛṣṭas tataḥ sūto naimiṣāraṇyavāsibhiḥ vaktuṁ pracakrame teṣāṁ praśnasyottaram uttamam

Thus questioned by the dwellers of Naimisharanya, Suta then began to give the excellent answer to their question.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.47.5)

श्रीसूत उवाच । ब्रह्मपुत्रो महातेजाः पुलस्त्योनाम वै द्विजाः । बभूव तस्य पुत्रोऽभूद्विश्रवा इति विश्रुतः

śrīsūta uvāca brahmaputro mahātejāḥ pulastyo nāma vai dvijāḥ babhūva tasya putro'bhūd viśravā iti viśrutaḥ

Shri Suta said: O brahmins, Brahma had a son of great splendor named Pulastya. He had a son who became renowned as Vishrava.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.47.6)

तस्य पुत्रः पुलस्त्य स्य विश्रवा मुनिपुंगवाः । चिरकालं तपस्तेपे देवैरपि सुदुष्करम्

tasya putraḥ pulastyasya viśravā munipuṅgavāḥ ciraṁ kālaṁ tapas tepe devair api suduṣkaram

O foremost of sages, Vishrava, that son of Pulastya, performed austerity for a long time, exceedingly hard to accomplish even for the gods.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.47.7)

तपः कुर्वति तस्मिंस्तु सुमाली नाम राक्षसः । पाताललोकाद्भूलोकं सर्वं वै विचचार ह

tapaḥ kurvati tasmiṁs tu sumālī nāma rākṣasaḥ pātālalokād bhūlokaṁ sarvaṁ vai vicacāra ha

While he was performing austerity, a demon named Sumali roamed everywhere, from the netherworld Patala up to the earthly realm.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.47.8)

हेमनिष्कांगदधरः कालमेघनिभच्छविः । समादाय सुतां कन्यां पद्महीनामिव श्रियम्

hemaniṣkāṅgadadharaḥ kālameghanibhacchaviḥ samādāya sutāṁ kanyāṁ padmahīnām iva śriyam

Wearing golden necklaces and armlets, dark-hued as a rain-cloud, bringing along his daughter, like Shri without her lotus,

Verse 9 (skanda.3.47.9)

विचरन्स महीपृष्ठे कदाचित्पुष्पकस्थितम् । दृष्ट्वा विश्रवसः पुत्रं कुबेरं वै धनेश्वरम्

vicaran sa mahīpṛṣṭhe kadācit puṣpakasthitam dṛṣṭvā viśravasaḥ putraṁ kuberaṁ vai dhaneśvaram

wandering over the surface of the earth, he once saw Vishrava's son, the lord of wealth, Kubera, seated in the Pushpaka chariot.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.47.10)

चिंतयामास विप्रेंद्राः सुमाली स तु राक्षसः । कुबेरसदृशः पुत्रो यद्यस्माकं भविष्यति

cintayāmāsa viprendrāḥ sumālī sa tu rākṣasaḥ kuberasadṛśaḥ putro yady asmākaṁ bhaviṣyati

O foremost of brahmins, that demon Sumali began to think: If we too should have a son equal to Kubera,

Verse 11 (skanda.3.47.11)

वयं वर्द्धामहे सर्वे राक्षसा ह्यकुतोभयाः । विचार्यैवं निजसुतामब्रवीद्राक्षसेश्वरः

vayaṁ vardhāmahe sarve rākṣasā hy akutobhayāḥ vicāryaivaṁ nijasutām abravīd rākṣaseśvaraḥ

then all we demons shall prosper, free from fear. Having thought thus, that lord of the demons said to his own daughter.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.47.12)

सुते प्रदानकालोऽद्य तव कैकसि शोभने । अद्य ते यौवनं प्राप्तं तद्देया त्वं वराय हि

sute pradānakālo'dya tava kaikasi śobhane adya te yauvanaṁ prāptaṁ tad deyā tvaṁ varāya hi

O daughter Kaikasi, O beautiful one, today is the time for you to be given in marriage. Today you have attained youth; you must be given to a bridegroom.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.47.13)

अप्रदानेन पुत्रीणां पितरो दुःखमाप्नुयुः । किं च सर्वगुणोत्कृष्टा लक्ष्मीरिव सुते शुभे

apradānena putrīṇāṁ pitaro duḥkham āpnuyuḥ kiṁ ca sarvaguṇotkṛṣṭā lakṣmīr iva sute śubhe

By not giving daughters in marriage, fathers incur sorrow. Moreover, O auspicious daughter, being supreme in every quality, like Lakshmi,

Verse 14 (skanda.3.47.14)

प्रत्याख्यानभयात्पुंभिर्न च त्वं प्रार्थ्यसे शुभे । कन्यापितृत्वं दुःखाय सर्वेषां मानकांक्षिणाम्

pratyākhyānabhayāt puṁbhir na ca tvaṁ prārthyase śubhe kanyāpitṛtvaṁ duḥkhāya sarveṣāṁ mānakāṅkṣiṇām

men, fearing rejection, do not seek your hand, O auspicious one. Being the father of a daughter is a source of sorrow for all who desire honor.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.47.15)

न जानेऽहं वरः को वा वरयेदिति कन्यके । सा त्वं पुलस्त्यतनयं मुनिं विश्रवसं द्विजम्

na jāne'haṁ varaḥ ko vā varayed iti kanyake sā tvaṁ pulastyatanayaṁ muniṁ viśravasaṁ dvijam

O daughter, I do not know what bridegroom might choose you. Therefore, you yourself, the sage, son of Pulastya, the brahmin named Vishrava,

Verse 16 (skanda.3.47.16)

पितामहकुलोद्भूतं वरयस्व स्वयंगता । कुबेरतुल्यास्तनया भवेयुस्ते न संशयः

pitāmahakulodbhūtaṁ varayasva svayaṅgatā kuberatulyās tanayā bhaveyus te na saṁśayaḥ

born of your own grandfather's lineage, go yourself and choose him. Your sons shall be equal to Kubera — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.47.17)

कैकसी तद्वचः श्रुत्वा सा कन्या पितृगौरवात् । अंगीचकार तद्वाक्यं तथास्त्विति शुचिस्मिता

kaikasī tad vacaḥ śrutvā sā kanyā pitṛgauravāt aṅgīcakāra tad vākyaṁ tathāstv iti śucismitā

Kaikasi, hearing that word, out of respect for her father, accepted that speech, saying 'so be it' — that maiden of pure smile.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.47.18)

पर्णशालां मुनिश्रेष्ठा गत्वा विश्रवसो मुनेः । अतिष्ठदंतिके तस्य लज्जमाना ह्यधोमुखी

parṇaśālāṁ muniśreṣṭhā gatvā viśravaso muneḥ atiṣṭhad antike tasya lajjamānā hy adhomukhī

O foremost of sages, going to the leaf-hut of the sage Vishrava, she stood near him, her face lowered in shyness.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.47.19)

तस्मिन्नवसरे विप्राः पुलस्त्यतनयः सुधीः । अग्निहोत्रमुपास्ते स्म ज्वलत्पावकसन्निभः

tasminn avasare viprāḥ pulastyatanayaḥ sudhīḥ agnihotram upāste sma jvalatpāvakasannibhaḥ

O brahmins, at that time Pulastya's wise son, radiant as blazing fire, was engaged in the agnihotra worship.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.47.20)

संध्याकालमतिक्रूरमविचिंत्य तु कैकसी । अभ्येत्य तं मुनिं सुभ्रूः पितुर्वचनगौरवात्

sandhyākālam atikrūram avicintya tu kaikasī abhyetya taṁ munim subhrūḥ pitur vacanagauravāt

Without considering that the exceedingly inauspicious evening twilight had come, Kaikasi, of lovely brows, out of respect for her father's word, approaching that sage,

Verse 21 (skanda.3.47.21)

तस्थावधोमुखी भूमिं लिखत्यंगुष्ठकोटिना । विश्रवास्तां विलोक्याथ कैकसीं तनुमध्यमाम् । उवाच सस्मितो विप्राः पूर्णचंद्रनिभाननाम्

tasthāv adhomukhī bhūmiṁ likhaty aṅguṣṭhakoṭinā viśravās tāṁ vilokyātha kaikasīṁ tanumadhyamām uvāca sasmito viprāḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanām

she stood with lowered face, scratching the ground with the tip of her toe. O brahmins, Vishrava, beholding that slender-waisted Kaikasi, whose face was like the full moon, said, smiling, this.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.47.22)

विश्रवा उवाच । शोभने कस्य पुत्री त्वं कुतो वा त्वमिहागता

viśravā uvāca śobhane kasya putrī tvaṁ kuto vā tvam ihāgatā

Vishrava said: O beautiful one, whose daughter are you, and from where have you come here?

Verse 23 (skanda.3.47.23)

कार्यं किं वा त्वमुद्दिश्य वर्तसेऽत्र शुचिस्मिते । यथार्थतो वदस्वाद्य मम सर्वमनिंदिते

kāryaṁ kiṁ vā tvam uddiśya vartase'tra śucismite yathārthato vadasvādya mama sarvam anindite

O pure-smiling one, for what purpose do you stand here? O faultless one, tell me everything today, exactly as it is.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.47.24)

इतीरिता कैकसी सा कन्या बद्धांजलिर्द्विजाः । उवाच तं मुनिं प्रह्वा विनयेन समन्विता

itīritā kaikasī sā kanyā baddhāñjalir dvijāḥ uvāca taṁ muniṁ prahvā vinayena samanvitā

O brahmins, thus asked, that maiden Kaikasi, with joined palms, bowed and filled with humility, spoke to that sage.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.47.25)

तपः प्रभावेन मुने मदभिप्रायमद्य तु । वेत्तुमर्हसि सम्यक्त्वं पुलस्त्यकुलदीपन

tapaḥ prabhāveṇa mune madabhiprāyam adya tu vettum arhasi samyak tvaṁ pulastyakuladīpana

O sage, O lamp of Pulastya's lineage, by the power of your austerity, you are able today to fully know my intention.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.47.26)

अहं तु कैकसी नाम सुमालिदुहिता मुने । मत्तातस्याज्ञया ब्रह्मंस्तवांतिकमुपागता

ahaṁ tu kaikasī nāma sumālidudhitā mune mattātasyājñayā brahman tavāntikam upāgatā

O sage, I am named Kaikasi, daughter of Sumali. O brahmin, by my father's command, I have come to you.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.47.27)

शेष त्वं ज्ञानदृष्ट्याद्य ज्ञातुमर्हस्यसंशयः । क्षणं ध्यात्वा मुनिः प्राह विश्रवाः स तु कैकसीम्

śeṣaṁ tvaṁ jñānadṛṣṭyādya jñātum arhasy asaṁśayaḥ kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā muniḥ prāha viśravāḥ sa tu kaikasīm

The rest you are able to know today with your knowledge-vision, without doubt. Having meditated for a moment, that sage Vishrava said to Kaikasi.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.47.28)

मया ते विदितं सुभ्रूर्मनोगतमभीप्सितम् । पुत्राभिलाषिणी सा त्वं मामगाः सांप्रतम् शुभे

mayā te viditaṁ subhrūr manogatam abhīpsitam putrābhilāṣiṇī sā tvaṁ mām agāḥ sāmprataṁ śubhe

O lovely-browed one, I have understood your heart's desire. Desiring a son, O auspicious one, you have now come to me.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.47.29)

सायंकालेऽधुना क्रूरे यस्मान्मां त्वमुपागता । पुत्राभिलाषिणी भूत्वा तस्मात्त्वां प्रब्रवीम्यहम्

sāyaṅkāle'dhunā krūre yasmān māṁ tvam upāgatā putrābhilāṣiṇī bhūtvā tasmāt tvāṁ prabravīmy aham

But since you have come to me at this inauspicious evening twilight, desiring a son, therefore I tell you this.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.47.30)

शृणुष्वावहिता रामे कैकसी त्वमनिंदिते । दारुणान्दारुणाकारान्दारुणाभिजनप्रियान्

śṛṇuṣvāvahitā rāme kaikasī tvam aninditе dāruṇān dāruṇākārān dāruṇābhijanapriyān

O Kaikasi, O faultless one, listen attentively — you shall bear terrible sons, terrible in form, delighting in terrible deeds,

Verse 31 (skanda.3.47.31)

जनयिष्यसि पुत्रांस्त्वं राक्षसान्क्रूरकर्मणः । श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं सा तु कैकसी प्रणिपत्य तम्

janayiṣyasi putrāṁs tvaṁ rākṣasān krūrakarmaṇaḥ śrutvā tad vacanaṁ sā tu kaikasī praṇipatya tam

cruel-deeded demon sons. Hearing that word, that Kaikasi, prostrating before him,

Verse 32 (skanda.3.47.32)

पुलस्त्यतनयं प्राह कृतांजलिपुटा द्विजाः । भगवदीदृशाः पुत्रास्त्वत्तः प्राप्तुं न युज्यते

pulastyatanayaṁ prāha kṛtāñjaliputā dvijāḥ bhagavad īdṛśāḥ putrās tvattaḥ prāptuṁ na yujyate

O brahmins, with joined palms, said to Pulastya's son: O Lord, it is not fitting for me to obtain such sons from you.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.47.33)

इत्युक्तः स मुनिः प्राह कैकसीं तां सुमध्यमाम् । मद्वंशानुगुणः पुत्रः पश्चिमस्ते भविष्यति

ityuktaḥ sa muniḥ prāha kaikasīṁ tāṁ sumadhyamām madvaṁśānuguṇaḥ putraḥ paścimas te bhaviṣyati

Thus addressed, that sage said to that fine-waisted Kaikasi: your last-born son shall be worthy of my lineage,

Verse 34 (skanda.3.47.34)

धार्मिकः शास्त्रविच्छांतो न तु राक्षसचेष्टितः । इत्युक्ता कैकसी विप्राः काले कतिपये गते

dhārmikaḥ śāstravic chānto na tu rākṣasaceṣṭitaḥ ityuktā kaikasī viprāḥ kāle katipaye gate

righteous, learned in the scriptures, tranquil, and free of demonic conduct. O brahmins, thus told, Kaikasi, after some time had passed,

Verse 35 (skanda.3.47.35)

सुषुवे तनयं क्रूरं रक्षोरूपं भयंकरम् । द्विपंचशीर्षं कुमतिं विंशद्बाहुं भयानकम्

suṣuve tanayaṁ krūraṁ rakṣorūpaṁ bhayaṅkaram dvipañcaśīrṣaṁ kumatiṁ viṁśadbāhuṁ bhayānakam

gave birth to a cruel, demon-formed, fearsome son, ten-headed, evil-minded, twenty-armed, and terrifying.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.47.36)

ताम्रोष्ठं कृष्णवदनं रक्तश्मश्रु शिरोरुहम् । महादंष्ट्रं महाकायं लोकत्रासकरं सदा

tāmroṣṭhaṁ kṛṣṇavadanaṁ raktaśmaśruśiroruham mahādaṁṣṭraṁ mahākāyaṁ lokatrāsakaraṁ sadā

copper-lipped, black-faced, red-bearded and red-haired, with huge tusks, massive-bodied, ever terrifying to the worlds.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.47.37)

दशग्रीवाभिधः सोऽभूत्तथा रावण नामवान् । रावणानंतरं जातः कुम्भकर्णाभिधः सुतः

daśagrīvābhidhaḥ so'bhūt tathā rāvaṇanāmavān rāvaṇānantaraṁ jātaḥ kumbhakarṇābhidhaḥ sutaḥ

He became known as Dashagriva, and also by the name Ravana. After Ravana, a son named Kumbhakarna was born.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.47.38)

ततः शूर्पणखा नाम्ना क्रूरा जज्ञे च राक्षसी । ततो बभूव कैकस्या विभीषण इति श्रुतः

tataḥ śūrpaṇakhā nāmnā krūrā jajñe ca rākṣasī tato babhūva kaikasyā vibhīṣaṇa iti śrutaḥ

Then a cruel demoness named Shurpanakha was born. Then Kaikasi bore a son known as Vibhishana.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.47.39)

पश्चिमस्तनयो धीमान्धार्मिको वेदशास्त्रवित् । एते विश्रवसः पुत्रा दशग्रीवादयो द्विजाः

paścimas tanayo dhīmān dhārmiko vedaśāstravit ete viśravasaḥ putrā daśagrīvādayo dvijāḥ

That last-born son was wise, righteous, and learned in the Vedas and scriptures. O brahmins, these — Dashagriva and the others — were the sons of Vishrava.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.47.40)

अतो दशग्रीववधात्कुम्भकर्णवधादपि । ब्रह्महत्या समभवद्रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः

ato daśagrīvavadhāt kumbhakarṇavadhād api brahmahatyā samabhavad rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ

Therefore, from the slaying of Dashagriva, and also from the slaying of Kumbhakarna, brahmin-slaying came upon Rama, who acts without effort,

Verse 41 (skanda.3.47.41)

अतस्तच्छांतये रामो लिंगं रामेश्वराभिधम् । स्थापयामास विधिना वैदिकेन द्विजोत्तमाः

atas tacchāntaye rāmo liṅgaṁ rāmeśvarābhidham sthāpayāmāsa vidhinā vaidikena dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, and therefore, for its atonement, Rama established the linga named Rameshvara according to Vedic rite.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.47.42)

एवं रावणघातेन ब्रह्महत्यासमुद्भवः । समभूद्रामचंद्रस्य लोककांतस्य धीमतः

evaṁ rāvaṇaghātena brahmahatyāsamudbhavaḥ samabhūd rāmacandrasya lokakāntasya dhīmataḥ

Thus, by the slaying of Ravana, brahmin-slaying arose for Ramachandra, the wise one beloved of the worlds.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.47.43)

तत्सहैतुकमाख्यातं भवतां ब्रह्मघातजम् । पापं यच्छांतये रामो लिंगं प्रातिष्ठिपत्स्वयम्

tat sahaitukam ākhyātaṁ bhavatāṁ brahmaghātajam pāpaṁ yac chāntaye rāmo liṅgaṁ prātiṣṭhipat svayam

This, together with its cause, has been told to you — the sin arising from brahmin-slaying, for whose atonement Rama himself established the linga.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.47.44)

एवं लिंगं प्रतिष्ठाप्य रामचन्द्रोऽतिधार्मिकः । मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं ससीता वरजो द्विजाः

evaṁ liṅgaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya rāmacandro'tidhārmikaḥ mene kṛtārtham ātmānaṁ sasītaḥ svānujo dvijāḥ

O brahmins, thus, having established the linga, the exceedingly righteous Ramachandra, together with Sita and his brother, considered himself fulfilled.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.47.45)

ब्रह्महत्या गता यत्र रामचंद्रस्य भूपतेः । तत्र तीर्थमभूत्किंचिद्ब्रह्महत्याविमोचनम्

brahmahatyā gatā yatra rāmacandrasya bhūpateḥ tatra tīrtham abhūt kiñcid brahmahatyāvimocanam

There, where King Ramachandra's brahmin-slaying departed, a certain tirtha came to be, which grants release from brahmin-slaying.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.47.46)

तत्र स्नानं महापुण्यं ब्रह्महत्याविनाशनम् । दृश्यते रावणोऽद्यापि छायारूपेण तत्र वै

tatra snānaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ brahmahatyāvināśanam dṛśyate rāvaṇo'dyāpi chāyārūpeṇa tatra vai

Bathing there is most sacred, destroying brahmin-slaying. Ravana too is seen there even today, in the form of a shadow.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.47.47)

तदग्रे नागलोकस्य बिलमस्ति महत्तरम् । दशग्रीववधोत्पन्नां ब्रह्महत्यां बलीयसीम्

tad agre nāgalokasya bilam asti mahattaram daśagrīvavadhotpannāṁ brahmahatyāṁ balīyasīm

Beyond that is a very great burrow leading to the world of the nagas. That most powerful brahmin-slaying, born of Dashagriva's death,

Verse 48 (skanda.3.47.48)

तद्बिलं प्रापयामास जानकीरमणो द्विजाः । तस्योपरि बिलस्याथ कृत्वा मण्डपमुत्तमम्

tad bilaṁ prāpayāmāsa jānakīramaṇo dvijāḥ tasyopari bilasyātha kṛtvā maṇḍapam uttamam

O brahmins, the beloved of Janaki drove into that burrow. Then, having built an excellent pavilion over that burrow,

Verse 49 (skanda.3.47.49)

भैरवं स्थापयामास रक्षार्थं तत्र राघवः । भैरवाज्ञापरित्रस्ता ब्रह्महत्या भयंकरी

bhairavaṁ sthāpayāmāsa rakṣārthaṁ tatra rāghavaḥ bhairavājñāparitrastā brahmahatyā bhayaṅkarī

Raghava established Bhairava there for its protection. That fearsome brahmin-slaying, terrified by Bhairava's command,

Verse 50 (skanda.3.47.50)

नाशक्नोत्तद्बिलादूर्ध्वं निर्गंतुं द्विजसत्तमाः । तस्मिन्नेव बिले तस्थौ ब्रह्महत्या निरुद्यमा

nāśaknot tad bilād ūrdhvaṁ nirgantuṁ dvijasattamāḥ tasminn eva bile tasthau brahmahatyā nirudyamā

O best of brahmins, was unable to emerge upward from that burrow. In that very burrow, brahmin-slaying remained, rendered powerless.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.47.51)

रामनाथमहालिंगं दक्षिणे गिरिजा मुदा । वर्तते परमानंदशिवस्यार्धशरीरिणी

rāmanāthamahāliṅgaṁ dakṣiṇe girijā mudā vartate paramānandaśivasyārdhaśarīriṇī

To the south of the great Ramanatha linga, joyfully, Girija dwells, forming half the body of the supremely blissful Shiva.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.47.52)

आदित्यसोमौ वर्तेते पार्श्वयोस्तत्र शूलिनः । देवस्य पुरतो वह्नी रामनाथस्य वर्तते

ādityasomau vartete pārśvayos tatra śūlinaḥ devasya purato vahnī rāmanāthasya vartate

The Sun and the Moon stand on either side of that trident-bearing god. Before the god Ramanatha, Fire stands.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.47.53)

आस्ते शतक्रतुः प्राच्यामाग्नेयां च तथाऽनलः । आस्ते यमो दक्षिणस्यां रामनाथस्य सेवकः

āste śatakratuḥ prācyām āgneyāṁ ca tathānalaḥ āste yamo dakṣiṇasyāṁ rāmanāthasya sevakaḥ

Indra abides in the east, and Fire in the southeast. In the south abides Yama, servant of Ramanatha.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.47.54)

नैर्ऋते निर्ऋतिर्विप्रा वर्तते शंकरस्य तु । वारुण्यां वरुणो भक्त्या सेवते राघवेश्वरम्

nairṛte nirṛtir viprā vartate śaṅkarasya tu vāruṇyāṁ varuṇo bhaktyā sevate rāghaveśvaram

O brahmins, in the southwest abides Nirriti, of Shankara. In the direction of Varuna, Varuna devotedly serves Raghaveshvara.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.47.55)

वायव्ये तु दिशो भागे वायुरास्ते शिवस्य तु । उत्तरस्यां च धनदो रामनाथस्य वर्तते

vāyavye tu diśo bhāge vāyur āste śivasya tu uttarasyāṁ ca dhanado rāmanāthasya vartate

In the northwest quarter abides Vayu, belonging to Shiva. In the north abides Dhanada (Kubera), belonging to Ramanatha.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.47.56)

ईशान्येऽस्य च दिग्भागे महेशो वर्तते द्विजाः । विनायक कुमारौ च महादेवसुतावुभौ

īśānye'sya ca digbhāge maheśo vartate dvijāḥ vināyakakumārau ca mahādevasutāv ubhau

O brahmins, in its northeast quarter abides Mahesha himself. Mahadeva's two sons, Vinayaka and Kumara,

Verse 57 (skanda.3.47.57)

यथाप्रदेशं वर्तेते रामनाथालयेऽधुना । वीरभद्रादयः सर्वे महेश्वरगणेश्वराः

yathāpradeśaṁ vartete rāmanāthālaye'dhunā vīrabhadrādayaḥ sarve maheśvaragaṇeśvarāḥ

now abide, each in his proper place, in the temple of Ramanatha. Virabhadra and all the other lords of Maheshvara's hosts,

Verse 58 (skanda.3.47.58)

यथाप्रदेशं वर्तंते रामनाथालये सदा । मुनयः पन्नगाः सिद्धा गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणाः

yathāpradeśaṁ vartante rāmanāthālaye sadā munayaḥ pannagāḥ siddhā gandharvāpsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ

ever abide, each in his proper place, in the temple of Ramanatha. Sages, serpents, siddhas, gandharvas, and hosts of apsaras,

Verse 59 (skanda.3.47.59)

संतुष्यमाणहृदया यथेष्टं शिवसन्निधौ । वर्तंते रामनाथस्य सेवार्थं भक्तिपूर्वकम्

santuṣyamāṇahṛdayā yatheṣṭaṁ śivasannidhau vartante rāmanāthasya sevārthaṁ bhaktipūrvakam

with contented hearts, dwelling as they please in Shiva's presence, remain devoutly for the service of Ramanatha.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.47.60)

रामनाथस्य पूजार्थं श्रोत्रियान्ब्राह्मणान्बहून् । रामेश्वरे रघुपतिः स्थापयामास पूजकान्

rāmanāthasya pūjārthaṁ śrotriyān brāhmaṇān bahūn rāmeśvare raghupatiḥ sthāpayāmāsa pūjakān

For the worship of Ramanatha, the lord of the Raghus established many Vedic brahmins as priests at Rameshvara.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.47.61)

रामप्रतिष्ठितान्विप्रान्हव्यकव्यादिनार्चयेत् । तुष्टास्ते तोषिताः सर्वा पितृभिः सहदेवताः

rāmapratiṣṭhitān viprān havyakavyādinārcayet tuṣṭās te toṣitāḥ sarvā pitṛbhiḥ sahadevatāḥ

Those brahmins established by Rama should be worshipped with offerings to gods and ancestors. Being satisfied, they, together with the ancestors, satisfy all the gods as well.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.47.62)

तेभ्यो बहुधनान्ग्रामान्प्रददौ जानकीपतिः । रामनाथमहादेव नैवेद्यार्थमपि द्विजाः

tebhyo bahudhanān grāmān pradadau jānakīpatiḥ rāmanāthamahādeva naivedyārtham api dvijāḥ

The Lord of Janaki gave them many wealthy villages. O brahmins, for the offerings to Ramanatha Mahadeva too,

Verse 63 (skanda.3.47.63)

बहून्ग्रामान्बहुधनं प्रददौ लक्ष्मणाग्रजः । हारकेयूरकटकनिष्काद्याभरणानि च

bahūn grāmān bahudhanaṁ pradadau lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ hārakeyūrakaṭakaniṣkādyābharaṇāni ca

the elder brother of Lakshmana gave many villages and much wealth. Necklaces, armlets, bracelets, necklaces of coin, and other ornaments too,

Verse 64 (skanda.3.47.64)

अनेकपट्ट वस्त्राणि क्षौमाणि विविधानि च । रामनाथाय देवाय ददौ दशरथात्मजः

anekapaṭṭavastrāṇi kṣaumāṇi vividhāni ca rāmanāthāya devāya dadau daśarathātmajaḥ

many silk garments, and various fine linen garments too, the son of Dasharatha offered to the god Ramanatha.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.47.65)

गंगा च यमुना पुण्या सरयूश्च सरस्वती । सेतौ रामेश्वरं देवं भजंते स्वाघशांतये

gaṅgā ca yamunā puṇyā sarayūś ca sarasvatī setau rāmeśvaraṁ devaṁ bhajante svāghaśāntaye

The Ganga, the sacred Yamuna, the Sarayu, and the Sarasvati worship the god Rameshvara at the Setu, for the allaying of their own sins.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.47.66)

एतदध्यायपठनाच्छ्रवणादपि मानवः । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः सायुज्यं लभते हरेः

etad adhyāyapaṭhanāc chravaṇād api mānavaḥ vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ sāyujyaṁ labhate hareḥ

By reading or even by hearing this chapter, a man, freed from all sins, attains union with Hari.