The Story of Rama's Life

Verse 1 (skanda.3.82.1)

व्यास उवाच । पुरा त्रेतायुगे प्राप्ते वैष्णवांशो रघूद्वहः सूर्यवंशे समुत्पन्नो रामो राजीवलोचनः

vyāsa uvāca purā tretāyuge prāpte vaiṣṇavāṁśo raghūdvahaḥ sūryavaṁśe samutpanno rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ

Vyasa said: Long ago, when the Treta Yuga arrived, the lotus-eyed Rama, foremost of the Raghu lineage and a portion of Vishnu himself, was born in the Solar dynasty.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.82.2)

स रामो लक्ष्मणश्चैव काकपक्षधरावुभौ तातस्य वचनात्तौ तु विश्वामित्रमनुव्रतौ

sa rāmo lakṣmaṇaś caiva kākapakṣadharāv ubhau tātasya vacanāt tau tu viśvāmitram anuvratau

Rama and Lakshmana, both still wearing their boyhood locks, followed the sage Vishvamitra at their father's word.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.82.3)

यज्ञसंरक्षणार्थाय राज्ञा दत्तौ कुमारकौ धनुःशरधरौ वीरौ पितुर्वचनपालकौ

yajñasaṁrakṣaṇārthāya rājñā dattau kumārakau dhanuḥśaradharau vīrau pitur vacanapālakau

For the protection of the sacrifice, the king gave up these two princes — bow-and-arrow-bearing heroes, obedient to their father's word.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.82.4)

पथि प्रव्रजतो यावत्ताडकानाम राक्षसी तावदागम्य पुरतस्तस्थौ वै विघ्नकारणात्

pathi pravrajato yāvat tāḍakā nāma rākṣasī tāvad āgamya purataḥ tasthau vai vighnakāraṇāt

As they journeyed along the road, the demoness named Tāḍakā came and stood before them, intent on obstructing their way.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.82.5)

ऋषेरनुज्ञया रामस्ताडकां समघातयत्। प्रादिशच्च धनुर्वेदविद्यां रामाय गाधिजः

ṛṣer anujñayā rāmas tāḍakāṁ samaghātayat prādiśac ca dhanurvedavidyāṁ rāmāya gādhijaḥ

By the sage's leave, Rama slew Tāḍakā, and the son of Gādhi (Vishvamitra) then imparted to Rama the knowledge of the science of archery.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.82.6)

तस्य पादतलस्पर्शाच्छिला वासवयोगतः अहल्या गौतमवधूः पुनर्जाता स्वरूपिणी

tasya pādatalasparśāc chilā vāsavayogataḥ ahalyā gautamavadhūḥ punarjātā svarūpiṇī

At the touch of his foot, the stone into which Ahalyā — Gautama's wife, who had erred with Indra — had been turned came back to life again in her own true form.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.82.7)

विश्वामित्रस्य यज्ञे तु संप्रवृत्ते रघूत्तमः मारीचं च सुबाहुं च जघान परमेषुभिः

viśvāmitrasya yajñe tu saṁpravṛtte raghūttamaḥ mārīcaṁ ca subāhuṁ ca jaghāna parameṣubhiḥ

When Vishvamitra's sacrifice was underway, that foremost of the Raghus slew Mārīca and Subāhu with his excellent arrows.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.82.8)

ईश्वरस्य धनुर्भग्नं जनकस्य गृहे स्थितम् रामः पंचदशे वर्षे षड्वर्षां चैव मैथिलीम्

īśvarasya dhanur bhagnaṁ janakasya gṛhe sthitam rāmaḥ pañcadaśe varṣe ṣaḍvarṣāṁ caiva maithilīm

Shiva's bow, kept in Janaka's palace, was broken; in his fifteenth year, Rama wedded Maithilī (Sītā), who was then six years old.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.82.9)

उपयेमे तदा राजन्रम्यां सीतामयोनिजाम् कृतकृत्यस्तदा जातः सीतां संप्राप्य राघवः

upayeme tadā rājan ramyāṁ sītām ayonijām kṛtakṛtyas tadā jātaḥ sītāṁ saṁprāpya rāghavaḥ

O king, then he wedded the lovely, not-womb-born Sītā; having attained her, Rāghava felt his life's purpose fulfilled.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.82.10)

अयोध्यामगमन्मार्गे जामदग्न्यमवेक्ष्य च संग्रामोऽभूत्तदा राजन्देवानामपि दुःसहः

ayodhyām agaman mārge jāmadagnyam avekṣya ca saṁgrāmo 'bhūt tadā rājan devānām api duḥsahaḥ

On the road to Ayodhya, they encountered Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni; a battle then took place, O king, unbearable even to the gods.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.82.11)

ततो रामं पराजित्य सीतया गृहमागतः ततो द्वादशवर्षाणि रेमे रामस्तया सह

tato rāmaṁ parājitya sītayā gṛham āgataḥ tato dvādaśavarṣāṇi reme rāmas tayā saha

Then, having overcome (Paraśurāma's pride), Rama returned home with Sītā; thereafter Rama spent twelve years in happy union with her.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.82.12)

एकविंशतिमे वर्षे यौवराज्यप्रदायकम् राजानमथ कैकेयी वरद्वयमयाच त

ekaviṁśatime varṣe yauvarājyapradāyakam rājānam atha kaikeyī varadvayam ayācata

In the twenty-first year, when the coronation as crown-prince was underway, Kaikeyī asked the king for the two boons owed her.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.82.13)

तयोरेकेन रामस्तु ससीतः सहलक्ष्मणः जटाधरः प्रव्रजतां वर्षाणीह चतुर्दश

tayor ekena rāmas tu sasītaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ jaṭādharaḥ pravrajatāṁ varṣāṇīha caturdaśa

By one of those boons — Rama, together with Sītā and Lakshmana, wearing matted locks, should go into exile in the forest for fourteen years —

Verse 14 (skanda.3.82.14)

भरतस्तु द्वितीयेन यौवराज्याधिपोस्तु मे मंथरावचनान्मूढा वरमेतमयाचत

bharatas tu dvitīyena yauvarājyādhipos tu me mantharāvacanān mūḍhā varam etam ayācata

— and by the second boon, Bharata should become the ruler of the crown-prince's realm instead of me. Deluded by Manthara's words, foolish Kaikeyī demanded these boons.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.82.15)

जानकीलक्ष्मणसखं रामं प्राव्राजयन्नृपः त्रिरात्रमुदकाहारश्चतुर्थेह्नि फलाशनः

jānakīlakṣmaṇasakhaṁ rāmaṁ prāvrājayan nṛpaḥ trirātram udakāhāraś caturthe 'hni phalāśanaḥ

The king sent Rama, accompanied by Jānakī and Lakshmana, into exile; for three nights he lived on water alone, and on the fourth day ate fruit.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.82.16)

पञ्चमे चित्रकूटे तु रामो वासमकल्पयत् तदा दशरथः स्वर्गं गतो राम इति ब्रुवन्

pañcame citrakūṭe tu rāmo vāsam akalpayat tadā daśarathaḥ svargaṁ gato rāma iti bruvan

On the fifth day, Rama settled his dwelling at Chitrakuta; at that same time, Dasharatha, crying "Rama, Rama," departed to heaven.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.82.17)

ब्रह्मशापं तु सफलं कृत्वा स्वर्गं जगाम किम् ततो भरत शत्रुघ्नौ चित्रकूटे समागतौ

brahmaśāpaṁ tu saphalaṁ kṛtvā svargaṁ jagāma kim tato bharataśatrughnau citrakūṭe samāgatau

Thus, having brought to fulfillment the curse of a brahmin, he went to heaven. Then Bharata and Shatrughna came to Chitrakuta to meet Rama.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.82.18)

स्वर्गतं पितरं राजन्रामाय विनिवेद्य च सांत्वनं भरतस्यास्य कृत्वा निवर्तनं प्रति

svargataṁ pitaraṁ rājan rāmāya vinivedya ca sāṁtvanaṁ bharatasyāsya kṛtvā nivartanaṁ prati

O king, they informed Rama of their father's passing to heaven; Rama consoled Bharata and bade him return.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.82.19)

ततो भरत शत्रुघ्नौ नंदिग्रामं समागतौ पादुकापूजनरतौ तत्र राज्यधरावुभौ

tato bharataśatrughnau naṁdigrāmaṁ samāgatau pādukāpūjanaratau tatra rājyadharāv ubhau

Then Bharata and Shatrughna returned to Nandigrama, and there, devoted to the worship of Rama's sandals, the two of them together bore the burden of the kingdom.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.82.20)

अत्रिं दृष्ट्वा महात्मानं दण्डकारण्यमागमत रक्षोगणवधारम्भे विराधे विनिपातिते

atriṁ dṛṣṭvā mahātmānaṁ daṇḍakāraṇyam āgamat rakṣogaṇavadhārambhe virādhe vinipātite

Having beheld the great sage Atri, Rama came to Dandakaranya; beginning his slaying of the demon-hordes, he struck down Virādha.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.82.21)

अर्द्धत्रयोदशे वर्षे पंचवट्यामुवास ह ततो विरूपयामास शूर्पणखां निशाचरीम् वने विचरतरतस्य जानकीसहितस्य च

ardhatrayodaśe varṣe pañcavaṭyām uvāsa ha tato virūpayāmāsa śūrpaṇakhāṁ niśācarīm vane vicaratas tasya jānakīsahitasya ca

When twelve and a half years had passed, he settled at Panchavati. While he was wandering in the forest with Jānakī, he disfigured the she-demon Shurpanakha.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.82.22)

आगतो राक्षसो घोरः सीतापहरणाय सः ततो माघासिताष्टम्यां मुहूर्ते वृन्दसंज्ञके

āgato rākṣaso ghoraḥ sītāpaharaṇāya saḥ tato māghāsitāṣṭamyāṁ muhūrte vṛndasaṁjñake

Then that terrible demon (Ravana) came to abduct Sītā; on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Māgha, at the muhūrta called Vṛnda —

Verse 23 (skanda.3.82.23)

राघवाभ्यां विना सीतां जहार दश कन्धरः मारीचस्याश्रमं गत्वा मृगरूपेण तेन च

rāghavābhyāṁ vinā sītāṁ jahāra daśakandharaḥ mārīcasyāśramaṁ gatvā mṛgarūpeṇa tena ca

— the ten-headed Ravana abducted Sītā in the absence of both Rāghavas. Before this, Mārīca had gone to the hermitage in the guise of a deer —

Verse 24 (skanda.3.82.24)

नीत्वा दूरं राघवं च लक्ष्मणेन समन्वितम् ततो रामो जघानाशु मारीचं मृगरू पिणम्

nītvā dūraṁ rāghavaṁ ca lakṣmaṇena samanvitam tato rāmo jaghānāśu mārīcaṁ mṛgarūpiṇam

— that deer-formed Mārīca lured Rāghava far away, separating him from Lakshmana; then Rama swiftly slew the deer-formed Mārīca.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.82.25)

पुनः प्राप्याश्रमं रामो विना सीतां ददर्श ह तत्रैव ह्रियमाणा सा चक्रंद कुररी यथा

punaḥ prāpyāśramaṁ rāmo vinā sītāṁ dadarśa ha tatraiva hriyamāṇā sā cakranda kurarī yathā

Returning to the hermitage, Rama found Sītā gone; even then, as she was being carried away, she wailed like a kurarī bird.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.82.26)

रामरामेति मां रक्ष रक्ष मां रक्षसा हृताम्। यथा श्येनः क्षुधायु्क्तः क्रन्दंतीं वर्तिकां नयेत्

rāmarāmeti māṁ rakṣa rakṣa māṁ rakṣasā hṛtām yathā śyenaḥ kṣudhāyuktaḥ krandantīṁ vartikāṁ nayet

"Rama! Rama! Save me, save me — a demon is carrying me off!" — just as a hungry hawk carries off a crying quail —

Verse 27 (skanda.3.82.27)

तथा कामवशं प्राप्तो राक्षसो जनकात्मजाम् नयत्येष जनकजां तच्छ्रुत्वा पक्षिराट् तदा

tathā kāmavaśaṁ prāpto rākṣaso janakātmajām nayaty eṣa janakajāṁ tac chrutvā pakṣirāṭ tadā

— so too, overcome by desire, that demon was carrying off Janaka's daughter. Hearing her lament, the king of birds, Jatāyu —

Verse 28 (skanda.3.82.28)

युयुधे राक्षसेंद्रेण रावणेन हतोऽपतत् माघासितनवम्यां तु वसंतीं रावणालये

yuyudhe rākṣasendreṇa rāvaṇena hato 'patat māghāsitanavamyāṁ tu vasantīṁ rāvaṇālaye

— fought with the demon-king Ravana and, wounded, fell. On the ninth day of the dark fortnight of Māgha, as Sītā dwelt in Ravana's palace —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.82.29)

मार्गमाणौ तदा तौ तु भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ

mārgamāṇau tadā tau tu bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau

— the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, arrived there searching for her.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.82.30)

जटायुषं तु दृष्ट्वैव ज्ञात्वा राक्षससंहृताम् सीतां ज्ञात्वा ततः पक्षी संस्कृतस्तेन भक्तितः

jaṭāyuṣaṁ tu dṛṣṭvaiva jñātvā rākṣasasaṁhṛtām sītāṁ jñātvā tataḥ pakṣī saṁskṛtas tena bhaktitaḥ

Seeing Jatāyu, and learning from him that Sītā had been abducted by the demon, Rama then performed that bird's last rites with devotion.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.82.31)

अग्रतः प्रययौ रामो लक्ष्मणस्तत्पदानुगः पंपाभ्याशमनुप्राप्य शबरीमनुगृह्य च

agrataḥ prayayau rāmo lakṣmaṇas tatpadānugaḥ pampābhyāśam anuprāpya śabarīm anugṛhya ca

Rama went ahead, with Lakshmana following in his footsteps. Reaching the vicinity of Lake Pampa, they showed grace to Shabarī —

Verse 32 (skanda.3.82.32)

तज्जलं समुपस्पृश्य हनुमद्दर्शनं कृतम् ततो रामो हनुमता सह सख्यं चकार ह

tajjalaṁ samupaspṛśya hanumaddarśanaṁ kṛtam tato rāmo hanumatā saha sakhyaṁ cakāra ha

— and, having touched that water, encountered Hanuman; thereafter Rama formed a bond of friendship with Hanuman.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.82.33)

ततः सुग्रीवमभ्येत्य अहनद्वालिवानरम् प्रेषिता रामदेवेन हनुमत्प्रमुखाः प्रियाम्

tataḥ sugrīvam abhyetya ahanad vālivānaram preṣitā rāmadevena hanumatpramukhāḥ priyām

Then, meeting Sugrīva, Rama slew the monkey-king Vāli. Lord Rama then sent Hanuman and other monkeys forth in search of his beloved.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.82.34)

अंगुलीयकमादाय वायुसूनुस्तदागतः संपातिर्दशमे मासि आचख्यौ वानराय ताम्

aṅgulīyakam ādāya vāyusūnus tadāgataḥ saṁpātir daśame māsi ācakhyau vānarāya tām

The son of the Wind (Hanuman) went forth carrying Rama's ring; in the tenth month, Sampāti informed the monkeys of her whereabouts.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.82.35)

ततस्तद्वचनादब्धिं पुप्लुवे शतयोजनम् हनुमान्निशि तस्यां तु लंकायां परितोऽचिनोत्

tatas tadvacanād abdhiṁ pupluve śatayojanam hanumān niśi tasyāṁ tu laṅkāyāṁ parito 'cinot

Spurred by his words, Hanuman leaped across the hundred-yojana ocean; that very night he searched all through Lanka.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.82.36)

तद्रात्रिशेषे सीताया दर्शनं तु हनूमतः द्वादश्यां शिंशपावृक्षे हनुमान्पर्यवस्थितः

tadrātriśeṣe sītāyā darśanaṁ tu hanūmataḥ dvādaśyāṁ śiṁśapāvṛkṣe hanumān paryavasthitaḥ

At the end of that night, Hanuman beheld Sītā; on the twelfth day, Hanuman remained perched upon the shinshapa tree.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.82.37)

तस्यां निशायां जानक्या विश्वासायाह संकथाम् अक्षादिभिस्त्रयोदश्यां ततो युद्धमवर्त्तत

tasyāṁ niśāyāṁ jānakyā viśvāsāyāha saṁkathām akṣādibhis trayodaśyāṁ tato yuddham avartata

That night, Hanuman spoke with Jānakī to gain her trust; on the thirteenth day, battle broke out with Akṣakumāra and others.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.82.38)

ब्रह्मास्त्रेण त्रयोदश्यां बद्धः शक्रजिता कपिः दारुणानि च रूक्षाणि वाक्यानि राक्षसाधिपम्

brahmāstreṇa trayodaśyāṁ baddhaḥ śakrajitā kapiḥ dāruṇāni ca rūkṣāṇi vākyāni rākṣasādhipam

On the thirteenth day, Śakrajit (Indrajit) bound the monkey with the Brahmāstra; he then spoke harsh, stinging words to the lord of demons —

Verse 39 (skanda.3.82.39)

अब्रवीद्वायुसूनुस्तं बद्धो ब्रह्मास्त्रसंयुतः वह्निना पुच्छयुक्तेन लंकाया दहनं कृतम्

abravīd vāyusūnus taṁ baddho brahmāstrasaṁyutaḥ vahninā pucchayuktena laṅkāyā dahanaṁ kṛtam

— thus bound, the son of the Wind spoke bluntly to Ravana; then, with fire tied to his tail, Hanuman set Lanka ablaze.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.82.40)

पूर्णिमायां महेंद्राद्रौ पुनरागमनं कपेः मार्गशीर्षप्रतिपदः पंचभिः पथि वासरैः

pūrṇimāyāṁ mahendrādrau punarāgamanaṁ kapeḥ mārgaśīrṣapratipadaḥ pañcabhiḥ pathi vāsaraiḥ

On the full-moon day, the monkey returned to Mount Mahendra; from the first day of Mārgaśīrṣa, over five days of travel —

Verse 41 (skanda.3.82.41)

पुनरागत्य वर्षेह्नि ध्वस्तं मधुवनं किल सप्तम्यां प्रत्यभिज्ञानदानं सर्वनिवेदनम्

punarāgatya varṣe 'hni dhvastaṁ madhuvanaṁ kila saptamyāṁ pratyabhijñānadānaṁ sarvanivedanam

— on returning, they laid waste to Madhuvana; on the seventh day, delivering Sītā's token of recognition, Hanuman reported everything to Rama.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.82.42)

मणिप्रदानं सीतायाः सर्वं रामाय शंसयत् अष्टम्युत्तरफाल्गुन्यां मुहूर्ते विजयाभिधे

maṇipradānaṁ sītāyāḥ sarvaṁ rāmāya śaṁsayat aṣṭamy uttaraphālgunyāṁ muhūrte vijayābhidhe

The jewel given by Sītā, and everything else, was reported to Rama. On the eighth day, under the Uttara-Phalguni star, at the muhūrta called Vijaya —

Verse 43 (skanda.3.82.43)

मध्यं प्राप्ते सहस्रांशौ प्रस्थानं राघवस्य च रामः कृत्वा प्रतिज्ञां हि प्रयातुं दक्षिणां दिशम्।

madhyaṁ prāpte sahasrāṁśau prasthānaṁ rāghavasya ca rāmaḥ kṛtvā pratijñāṁ hi prayātuṁ dakṣiṇāṁ diśam

— when the thousand-rayed sun reached the meridian, Rāghava set out; Rama, having made his vow, proceeded toward the south —

Verse 44 (skanda.3.82.44)

तीर्त्वाहं सागरमपि हनिष्ये राक्षसेश्वरम् दक्षिणाशां प्रयातस्य सुग्रीवोऽथाभव त्सखा

tīrtvāhaṁ sāgaram api haniṣye rākṣaseśvaram dakṣiṇāśāṁ prayātasya sugrīvo 'thābhavat sakhā

— "Even crossing the ocean, I shall slay the lord of demons." As he journeyed toward the south, Sugrīva became his companion.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.82.45)

वासरैः सप्तभिः सिंधोस्तीरे सैन्यनिवेशनम् पौषशुक्लप्रतिपदस्तृतीयां यावदंबुधौ उपस्थानं ससैन्यस्य राघवस्य बभूव ह

vāsaraiḥ saptabhiḥ sindhos tīre sainyaniveśanam pauṣaśuklapratipadas tṛtīyāṁ yāvad ambudhau upasthānaṁ sasainyasya rāghavasya babhūva ha

In seven days, the army encamped upon the shore of the ocean; from the first to the third day of the bright fortnight of Pauṣa, Rāghava, together with his army, remained stationed by the sea.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.82.46)

विभीषणश्चतुर्थ्यां तु रामेण सह संगतः समुद्रतरणार्थाय पंचम्यां मंत्र उद्यतेः

vibhīṣaṇaś caturthyāṁ tu rāmeṇa saha saṁgataḥ samudrataraṇārthāya pañcamyāṁ mantra udyateḥ

On the fourth day, Vibhīṣaṇa joined Rama; on the fifth day, counsel was taken on the means of crossing the ocean.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.82.47)

प्रायोपवेशनं चक्रे रामो दिनचतुष्टयम् समुद्राद्वरलाभश्च सहोपायप्रदर्शनः

prāyopaveśanaṁ cakre rāmo dinacatuṣṭayam samudrād varalābhaś ca sahopāyapradarśanaḥ

Rama undertook a fast unto death for four days; then he received a boon from the Ocean, along with the revealed means of building the bridge.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.82.48)

सेतोर्दशम्यामारंभस्त्रयोदश्यां समापनम् चतुर्दश्यां सुवेलाद्रौ रामः सेनां न्यवे शयत्

setor daśamyām ārambhas trayodaśyāṁ samāpanam caturdaśyāṁ suvelādrau rāmaḥ senāṁ nyaveśayat

On the tenth day, construction of the bridge began, and on the thirteenth day it was completed; on the fourteenth day, Rama encamped his army on Mount Suvela.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.82.49)

पूर्णिमास्या द्वितीयायां त्रिदिनैः सैन्यतारणम् तीर्त्वा तोयनिधिं रामः शूरवानरसैन्यवान्

pūrṇimāsyā dvitīyāyāṁ tridinaiḥ sainyatāraṇam tīrtvā toyanidhiṁ rāmaḥ śūravānarasainyavān

From the full-moon day to the second day, over three days, the army crossed the sea; having crossed the ocean with his host of valiant monkey-warriors —

Verse 50 (skanda.3.82.50)

रुरोध च पुरीं लंकां सीतार्थं शुभलक्षणः तृतीयादिदशम्यंतं निवेशश्च दिनाष्टकः

rurodha ca purīṁ laṅkāṁ sītārthaṁ śubhalakṣaṇaḥ tṛtīyādidaśamyantaṁ niveśaś ca dināṣṭakaḥ

— Rama, marked with auspicious signs, laid siege to the city of Lanka for Sītā's sake; from the third day to the tenth, over eight days, the army remained encamped.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.82.51)

शुकसारणयोस्तत्र प्राप्तिरेकादशीदिने पौषासिते च द्वादश्यां सैन्यसंख्यानमेव च

śukasāraṇayos tatra prāptir ekādaśīdine pauṣāsite ca dvādaśyāṁ sainyasaṁkhyānam eva ca

On the eleventh day, Śuka and Sāraṇa were captured there; on the twelfth day of the dark fortnight of Pauṣa, the army was counted.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.82.52)

शार्दूलेन कपींद्राणां सारासारोपवर्णनम् त्रयोदश्याद्यमांते च लंकायां दिवसैस्त्रिभिः

śārdūlena kapīndrāṇāṁ sārāsāropavarṇanam trayodaśyādyamānte ca laṅkāyāṁ divasais tribhiḥ

The spy Śārdūla described the strength and weakness of the monkey-hosts; from the thirteenth day to the new-moon day, over three days, in Lanka —

Verse 53 (skanda.3.82.53)

रावणः सैन्यसं ख्यानं रणोत्साहं तदाऽकरोत् प्रययावंगदो दौत्ये माघशुक्लाद्यवासरे

rāvaṇaḥ sainyasaṁkhyānaṁ raṇotsāhaṁ tadā akarot prayayāv aṅgado dautye māghaśuklādyavāsare

— Ravana counted his army and roused their enthusiasm for war; on the first day of the bright fortnight of Māgha, Aṅgada went forth as envoy.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.82.54)

सीतायाश्च तदा भर्तुर्मायामूर्धादिदर्शनम् माघशुक्लद्वितीया यां दिनैः सप्तभिरष्टमीम्

sītāyāś ca tadā bhartur māyāmūrdhādidarśanam māghaśukladvitīyāyāṁ dinaiḥ saptabhir aṣṭamīm

Then Sītā was shown, by illusion, the severed head of her husband and other such tricks; from the second day of the bright fortnight of Māgha, over seven days, to the eighth —

Verse 55 (skanda.3.82.55)

रक्षसां वानराणां च युद्धमासीच्च संकुलम् माघशुक्लनवम्यां तु रात्राविंद्रजिता रणे

rakṣasāṁ vānarāṇāṁ ca yuddham āsīc ca saṁkulam māghaśuklanavamyāṁ tu rātrāv indrajitā raṇe

— a chaotic battle raged between the demons and the monkeys; on the night of the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Māgha, in battle, Indrajit —

Verse 56 (skanda.3.82.56)

रामलक्ष्मणयोर्ना गपाशबंधः कृतः किल आकुलेषु कपीशेषु हताशेषु च सर्वशः

rāmalakṣmaṇayor nāgapāśabandhaḥ kṛtaḥ kila ākuleṣu kapīśeṣu hatāśeṣu ca sarvaśaḥ

— bound both Rama and Lakshmana with the serpent-noose weapon. The monkey-lords fell into confusion, everywhere despairing.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.82.57)

वायूपदेशाद्गरुडं सस्मार राघवस्तदा नागपाशविमोक्षार्थं दशम्यां गरु डोऽभ्यगात्

vāyūpadeśād garuḍaṁ sasmāra rāghavas tadā nāgapāśavimokṣārthaṁ daśamyāṁ garuḍo 'bhyagāt

At the Wind's counsel, Rāghava then called Garuda to mind; on the tenth day, Garuda arrived to free them from the serpent-noose.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.82.58)

अवहारो माघशुक्लैस्यैकादश्यां दिनद्वयम् द्वादश्यामांजनेयेन धूम्राक्षस्य वधः कृतः

avahāro māghaśuklasyaikādaśyāṁ dinadvayam dvādaśyām āñjaneyena dhūmrākṣasya vadhaḥ kṛtaḥ

On the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Māgha, there was a two-day truce; on the twelfth day, the son of Añjanā (Hanuman) slew Dhūmrākṣa.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.82.59)

त्रयोदश्यां तु तेनैव निहतोऽकंपनो रणे मायासीतां दर्शयित्वा रामाय दशकंधरः

trayodaśyāṁ tu tenaiva nihato 'kampano raṇe māyāsītāṁ darśayitvā rāmāya daśakandharaḥ

On the thirteenth day, that same Hanuman slew Akampana in battle; the ten-headed Ravana displayed an illusory Sītā's head to Rama —

Verse 60 (skanda.3.82.60)

त्रासयामास च तदा सर्वान्सैन्यगतानपि माघशुक्लचतुर्द्दश्यां यावत्कृष्णादिवासरम्

trāsayāmāsa ca tadā sarvān sainyagatān api māghaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ yāvat kṛṣṇādivāsaram

— and thereby terrified the entire army. From the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Māgha to the first day of the dark fortnight —

Verse 61 (skanda.3.82.61)

त्रिदिनेन प्रहस्तस्य नीलेन विहितो वधः माघकृष्णद्वितीयायाश्चतुर्थ्यंतं त्रिभिर्दिनैः

tridinena prahastasya nīlena vihito vadhaḥ māghakṛṣṇadvitīyāyāś caturthyantaṁ tribhir dinaiḥ

— within three days, Nīla brought about the death of Prahasta. From the second day of the dark fortnight of Māgha to the fourth, over three days —

Verse 62 (skanda.3.82.62)

रामेण तुमुले युद्धे रावणो द्रावितो रणात् पञ्चम्या अष्टमी यावद्रावणेन प्रबोधितः

rāmeṇa tumule yuddhe rāvaṇo drāvito raṇāt pañcamyā aṣṭamī yāvad rāvaṇena prabodhitaḥ

— in a fierce battle, Rama drove Ravana from the field. From the fifth day to the eighth, roused by Ravana —

Verse 63 (skanda.3.82.63)

कुंभकर्णस्तदा चक्रेऽभ्यवहारं चतुर्दिनम् कुम्भकर्णोकरोद्युद्धं नवम्यादिचतुर्दिनैः

kuṁbhakarṇas tadā cakre 'bhyavahāraṁ caturdinam kuṁbhakarṇo 'karod yuddhaṁ navamyādicaturdinaiḥ

— Kumbhakarna was fed for four days to rouse him from sleep; from the ninth day, over four days, Kumbhakarna waged battle.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.82.64)

रामेण निहतो युद्धे बहुवानरभक्षकः अमावास्यादिने शोकाऽभ्यवहारो बभूव ह

rāmeṇa nihato yuddhe bahuvānarabhakṣakaḥ amāvāsyādine śokābhyavahāro babhūva ha

That devourer of many monkeys was slain in battle by Rama; on the new-moon day, sunk in grief, Ravana again held a feast of rousing.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.82.65)

फाल्गुनप्रतिपदादौ चतुर्थ्यंतैश्चतुर्दिनैः नरांतकप्रभृतयो निहताः पञ्च राक्षसाः

phālgunapratipadādau caturthyantaiś caturdinaiḥ narāntakaprabhṛtayo nihatāḥ pañca rākṣasāḥ

From the first day of the month of Phālguna to the fourth, over four days, five demons — Narāntaka and others — were slain.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.82.66)

पंचम्याः सप्तमीं यावदतिकायवधस्त्र्यहात् अष्टम्या द्वादशीं यावन्निहतो दिनपंचकात्

pañcamyāḥ saptamīṁ yāvad atikāyavadhas tryahāt aṣṭamyā dvādaśīṁ yāvan nihato dinapañcakāt

From the fifth day to the seventh, over three days, Atikāya was slain; from the eighth day to the twelfth, over five days —

Verse 67 (skanda.3.82.67)

निकुम्भकुम्भौ द्वावेतौ मकराक्षश्चतुर्दिनैः फाल्गुनासितद्वितीयाया दिने वै शक्रजिज्जितः

nikuṁbhakuṁbhau dvāv etau makarākṣaś caturdinaiḥ phālgunāsitadvitīyāyā dine vai śakrajij jitaḥ

— Nikumbha and Kumbha, both of them, and, over four days, Makarākṣa were slain; on the second day of the dark fortnight of Phālguna, Śakrajit (Indrajit) was defeated.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.82.68)

तृतीयादौ सप्तम्यंतदिनपञ्चकमेव च ओषध्यानयवैयग्र्यादवहारो बभूव ह

tṛtīyādau saptamyantadinapañcakam eva ca oṣadhyānayavaiyagryād avahāro babhūva ha

From the third day to the seventh, over five days, there was a lull in battle, owing to the effort of fetching the healing herbs.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.82.69)

अष्टम्यां रावणो मायामैथिलीं हतवान्कुधीः। शोकावेगात्तदा रामश्चक्रे सैन्यावधारणम्

aṣṭamyāṁ rāvaṇo māyāmaithilīṁ hatavān kudhīḥ śokāvegāt tadā rāmaś cakre sainyāvadhāraṇam

On the eighth day, the wicked-minded Ravana feigned the slaying of an illusory Sītā; overcome by grief, Rama then held his army steady.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.82.70)

ततस्त्रयोदशीं यावद्दिनैः पंचभिरिंद्रजित् लक्ष्मणेन हतो युद्धे विख्यातबलपौरुषः

tatas trayodaśīṁ yāvad dinaiḥ pañcabhir indrajit lakṣmaṇena hato yuddhe vikhyātabalapauruṣaḥ

Then, up to the thirteenth day, over five days, Indrajit — renowned for his strength and prowess — was slain in battle by Lakshmana.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.82.71)

चतुर्द्दश्यां दशग्रीवो दीक्षामापावहारतः अमावास्यादिने प्रागाद्युद्धाय दशकंधरः

caturddaśyāṁ daśagrīvo dīkṣām āpāvahārataḥ amāvāsyādine prāgād yuddhāya daśakandharaḥ

On the fourteenth day, the ten-necked one took up a ritual observance, and then released himself from it; on the new-moon day, the ten-headed one set out for battle.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.82.72)

चैत्रशुक्लप्रतिपदः पंचमीदिनपंचके रावणो युध्यमानो ऽभूत्प्रचुरो रक्षसां वधः

caitraśuklapratipadaḥ pañcamīdinapañcake rāvaṇo yudhyamāno 'bhūt pracuro rakṣasāṁ vadhaḥ

From the first day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra to the fifth, over five days, Ravana himself fought, and many demons were slain.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.82.73)

चैत्रशुक्लाष्टमीं यावत्स्यंदनाश्वादिसूदनम् चैत्रशुक्लनवम्यां तु सौमित्रेः शक्तिभेदने कोपाविष्टेन रामेण द्रावितो दशकंधरः विभीषणोपदेशेन हनुमद्युद्धमेव च

caitraśuklāṣṭamīṁ yāvat syandanāśvādisūdanam caitraśuklanavamyāṁ tu saumitreḥ śaktibhedane kopāviṣṭena rāmeṇa drāvito daśakandharaḥ vibhīṣaṇopadeśena hanumadyuddham eva ca

Up to the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, chariots and horses continued to be destroyed; on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, when Lakshmana was struck down by the Shakti-weapon, Rama, filled with rage, drove the ten-necked one from the field; and, on Vibhīṣaṇa's counsel, Hanuman too went into battle —

Verse 74 (skanda.3.82.74)

द्रोणाद्रेरोषधीं नेतुं लक्ष्मणार्थमुपागतः विशल्यां तु समादाय लक्ष्मणं तामपाययत्

droṇādrer oṣadhīṁ netuṁ lakṣmaṇārtham upāgataḥ viśalyāṁ tu samādāya lakṣmaṇaṁ tām apāyayat

— he went to fetch the healing herb from Mount Droṇa for Lakshmana's sake; bringing back the herb Vishalyā, he gave it to Lakshmana to drink.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.82.75)

दशम्यामवहारोऽभूद्रात्रौ युद्धं तु रक्षसाम् एकादश्यां तु रामाय रथो मातलिसारथिः

daśamyām avahāro 'bhūd rātrau yuddhaṁ tu rakṣasām ekādaśyāṁ tu rāmāya ratho mātalisārathiḥ

On the tenth day there was a lull, but the demons continued their assault by night; on the eleventh day, a chariot with Mātali as charioteer came to Rama.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.82.76)

प्राप्तो युद्धाय द्वादश्यां यावत्कृष्णां चतुर्दशीम् अष्टादशदिने रामो रावणं द्वैरथेऽवधीत्

prāpto yuddhāya dvādaśyāṁ yāvat kṛṣṇāṁ caturdaśīm aṣṭādaśadine rāmo rāvaṇaṁ dvairathe 'vadhīt

The battle continued from the twelfth day to the fourteenth of the dark fortnight; on the eighteenth day, Rama slew Ravana in single combat.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.82.77)

संस्कारा रावणादीनाममावा स्यादिनेऽभवन् संग्रामे तुमुले जाते रामो जयमवाप्तवान्

saṁskārā rāvaṇādīnām amāvāsyādine 'bhavan saṁgrāme tumule jāte rāmo jayam avāptavān

On the new-moon day, the last rites of Ravana and the others were performed; in that tumultuous war, Rama obtained victory.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.82.78)

माघशुक्लद्वितीयादिचैत्रकृष्णचतुर्द्दशीम् सप्ताशीतिदिनान्येवं मध्ये पंवदशा हकम् युद्धावहारः संग्रामो द्वासप्ततिदिनान्यभूत् वैशाखादि तिथौ राम उवास रणभूमिषु अभिषिक्तो द्वितीयायां लंकाराज्ये विभी षणः

māghaśukladvitīyādicaitrakṛṣṇacaturdaśīm saptāśītidināny evaṁ madhye pañcadaśāhakam yuddhāvahāraḥ saṁgrāmo dvāsaptatidināny abhūt vaiśākhādi tithau rāma uvāsa raṇabhūmiṣu abhiṣikto dvitīyāyāṁ laṅkārājye vibhīṣaṇaḥ

Thus, from the second day of the bright fortnight of Māgha to the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra, eighty-seven days passed in all — of these, fifteen days were a lull in fighting, and seventy-two days were spent in battle. From the first day of Vaishakha, Rama remained on the battlefield; on the second day, Vibhīṣaṇa was consecrated to the kingship of Lanka.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.82.79)

सीताशुद्धिस्तृतीयायां देवेभ्यो वरलंभनम् दशरथस्यागमनं तत्र चैवानुमोदनम्

sītāśuddhis tṛtīyāyāṁ devebhyo varalaṁbhanam daśarathasyāgamanaṁ tatra caivānumodanam

On the third day, Sītā's purification took place, and boons were obtained from the gods; there too Dasharatha appeared and gave his blessing.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.82.80)

हत्वा त्वरेण लंकेशं लक्ष्मणस्याग्रजो विभुः। गृहीत्वा जानकीं पुण्यां दुःखितां राक्षसेन तु

hatvā tvareṇa laṅkeśaṁ lakṣmaṇasyāgrajo vibhuḥ gṛhītvā jānakīṁ puṇyāṁ duḥkhitāṁ rākṣasena tu

Having swiftly slain the lord of Lanka, Lakshmana's elder brother, the mighty Rama, took hold of the sacred Jānakī, who had suffered so much at the demon's hands —

Verse 81 (skanda.3.82.81)

आदाय परया प्रीत्या जानकीं स न्यवर्तत वैशाखस्य चतुर्थ्यां तु रामः पुष्पकमा श्रितः

ādāya parayā prītyā jānakīṁ sa nyavartata vaiśākhasya caturthyāṁ tu rāmaḥ puṣpakam āśritaḥ

— and, taking Jānakī with supreme love, he set out to return. On the fourth day of Vaishakha, Rama boarded the Pushpaka chariot —

Verse 82 (skanda.3.82.82)

विहायसा निवृत्तस्तु भूयोऽयोध्यां पुरीं प्रति पूर्णे चतुर्दशे वर्षे पंचम्यां माधवस्य च

vihāyasā nivṛttas tu bhūyo 'yodhyāṁ purīṁ prati pūrṇe caturdaśe varṣe pañcamyāṁ mādhavasya ca

— and flew through the sky, returning once more toward the city of Ayodhya. With the fourteen years now complete, on the fifth day of the month of Vaishakha (Mādhava) —

Verse 83 (skanda.3.82.83)

भारद्वाजाश्रमे रामः सगणः समु पाविशत् नंदिग्रामे तु षष्ठ्यां स पुष्पकेण समागतः

bhāradvājāśrame rāmaḥ sagaṇaḥ samupāviśat naṁdigrāme tu ṣaṣṭhyāṁ sa puṣpakena samāgataḥ

— Rama, together with his company, alighted at the hermitage of Bharadvāja; on the sixth day, he arrived at Nandigrama by the Pushpaka chariot.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.82.84)

सप्तम्यामभिषिक्तोऽसौ भूयोऽयोध्यायां रघूद्वहः दशाहाधिकमासांश्च चतुर्दश हि मैथिली

saptamyām abhiṣikto 'sau bhūyo 'yodhyāyāṁ raghūdvahaḥ daśāhādhikamāsāṁś ca caturdaśa hi maithilī

On the seventh day, that lord of the Raghus was once more anointed in Ayodhya. Maithilī (Sītā) had spent, in all, fourteen months and ten days —

Verse 85 (skanda.3.82.85)

उवास रामरहिता रावणस्य निवेशने द्वाचत्वारिंशके वर्षे रामो राज्यमकारयत्

uvāsa rāmarahitā rāvaṇasya niveśane dvācatvāriṁśake varṣe rāmo rājyam akārayat

— apart from Rama, dwelling in Ravana's palace. In his forty-second year, Rama began to rule the kingdom.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.82.86)

सीतायास्तु त्रयस्त्रिंशद्वर्षाणि तु तदा भवन् स चतुर्दशवर्षांते प्रविष्टः स्वां पुरीं प्रभुः

sītāyās tu trayastriṁśad varṣāṇi tu tadā bhavan sa caturdaśavarṣānte praviṣṭaḥ svāṁ purīṁ prabhuḥ

At that time, Sītā was thirty-three years old; at the end of fourteen years, Lord Rama entered his own city.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.82.87)

अयोध्यां नाम मुदितो रामो रावणदर्पहा भ्रातृभिः सहितस्तत्र रामो राज्यमकार यत्

ayodhyāṁ nāma mudito rāmo rāvaṇadarpahā bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitas tatra rāmo rājyam akārayat

Rama, the crusher of Ravana's pride, joyfully returned to the city named Ayodhya; there, together with his brothers, Rama ruled the kingdom.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.82.88)

दशवर्षसहस्राणि दशवर्षशतानि च रामो राज्यं पालयित्वा जगाम त्रिदिवालयम्

daśavarṣasahasrāṇi daśavarṣaśatāni ca rāmo rājyaṁ pālayitvā jagāma tridivālayam

Having ruled the kingdom for ten thousand and one thousand years, Rama departed to the abode of heaven.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.82.89)

रामराज्ये तदा लोका हर्षनिर्भरमा नसाः बभूवुर्धनधान्याढ्याः पुत्रपौत्रयुता नराः

rāmarājye tadā lokā harṣanirbharamānasāḥ babhūvur dhanadhānyāḍhyāḥ putrapautrayutā narāḥ

In Rama's kingdom, the minds of all the people were then filled with joy; men were rich in wealth and grain, blessed with sons and grandsons.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.82.90)

कामवर्षी च पर्जन्यः सस्यानि गुणवंति च गावस्तु घटदोहिन्यः पादपाश्च सदा फलाः

kāmavarṣī ca parjanyaḥ sasyāni guṇavanti ca gāvas tu ghaṭadohinyaḥ pādapāś ca sadā phalāḥ

The clouds rained exactly as desired, the crops were of excellent quality, the cows yielded milk by the potful, and the trees were always laden with fruit.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.82.91)

नाधयो व्याधयश्चैव रामराज्ये नराधिप नार्यः पतिव्रताश्चासन्पितृभक्तिपरा नराः

nādhayo vyādhayaś caiva rāmarājye narādhipa nāryaḥ pativratāś cāsan pitṛbhaktiparā narāḥ

O lord of men, in Rama's kingdom there was neither mental affliction nor physical illness; women were devoted to their husbands, and men were devoted to their fathers.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.82.92)

द्विजा वेदपरा नित्यं क्षत्रिया द्विज सेविनः कुर्वते वैश्यवर्णाश्च भक्तिं द्विजगवां सदा

dvijā vedaparā nityaṁ kṣatriyā dvijasevinaḥ kurvate vaiśyavarṇāś ca bhaktiṁ dvijagavāṁ sadā

The brahmins were ever devoted to the Vedas, the kshatriyas served the brahmins, and the vaishyas were ever devoted to brahmins and cows.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.82.93)

न योनिसंकरश्चासीत्तत्र नाचारसंकरः न वंध्या दुर्भगा नारी काकवंध्या मृत प्रजा

na yonisaṁkaraś cāsīt tatra nācārasaṁkaraḥ na vandhyā durbhagā nārī kākavandhyā mṛtaprajā

There was neither mixing of castes nor corruption of conduct; no woman was barren, unfortunate, blessed with only one child, or the mother of a stillborn child.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.82.94)

विधवा नैव काप्यासीत्सभर्तृका न लप्यते नावज्ञां कुर्वते केपि मातापित्रोर्गुरोस्तथा

vidhavā naiva kāpy āsīt sabhartṛkā na lapyate nāvajñāṁ kurvate ke 'pi mātāpitror guros tathā

There was no widow — yet no one spoke of "the woman with a living husband" (for none died young); no one showed disrespect to mother, father, or teacher.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.82.95)

न च वाक्यं हि वृद्धानामुल्लं घयति पुण्यकृत् न भूमिहरणं तत्र परनारीपराङ्मुखाः

na ca vākyaṁ hi vṛddhānām ullaṅghayati puṇyakṛt na bhūmiharaṇaṁ tatra paranārīparāṅmukhāḥ

The virtuous never transgressed the word of their elders; there was no seizing of another's land, and people turned their faces away from other men's wives.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.82.96)

नापवादपरो लोको न दरिद्रो न रोगभाक् न स्तेयो द्यूतकारी च मैरेयी पापिनो नहि

nāpavādaparo loko na daridro na rogabhāk na steyo dyūtakārī ca maireyī pāpino nahi

People were not given to slander; none was poor, none diseased; there was no thief, no gambler, and no sinful drinker of intoxicants.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.82.97)

न हेमहारी ब्रह्मघ्नो न चैव गुरुतल्पगः न स्त्रीघ्नो न च बालघ्नो न चैवानृतभाषणः

na hemahārī brahmaghno na caiva gurutalpagaḥ na strīghno na ca bālaghno na caivānṛtabhāṣaṇaḥ

There was no thief of gold, no slayer of a brahmin, no violator of the guru's bed; there was no killer of women, no killer of children, and no one who spoke falsehood.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.82.98)

न वृत्तिलोपकश्चासीत्कूट साक्षी न चैव हि न शठो न कृतघ्नश्च मलिनो नैव दृश्यते

na vṛttilopakaś cāsīt kūṭasākṣī na caiva hi na śaṭho na kṛtaghnaś ca malino naiva dṛśyate

No one deprived another of his livelihood, and there was no bearer of false witness; none appeared deceitful, ungrateful, or of impure conduct.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.82.99)

सदा सर्वत्र पूज्यंते ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः नावैष्णवोऽव्रती राजन्राम राज्येऽतिविश्रुते

sadā sarvatra pūjyante brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ nāvaiṣṇavo 'vratī rājan rāmarājye 'tiviśrute

Brahmins learned in the Vedas were everywhere always honored; O king, in that most renowned kingdom of Rama, there was no one indifferent to Vishnu, and none without vows.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.82.100)

राज्यं प्रकुर्वतस्तस्य पुरोधा वदतां वरः वसिष्ठो मुनिभिः सार्द्धं कृत्वा तीर्थान्यनेकशः

rājyaṁ prakurvatas tasya purodhā vadatāṁ varaḥ vasiṣṭho munibhiḥ sārdhaṁ kṛtvā tīrthāny anekaśaḥ

As Rama ruled the kingdom, his royal priest Vasishtha, foremost among speakers, having made pilgrimage to many sacred sites with other sages —

Verse 101 (skanda.3.82.101)

आजगाम ब्रह्मपुत्रो महाभागस्तपोनिधिः रामस्तं पूजयामास मुनिभिः सहितं गुरुम्

ājagāma brahmaputro mahābhāgas taponidhiḥ rāmas taṁ pūjayāmāsa munibhiḥ sahitaṁ gurum

— that illustrious son of Brahma, a treasury of austerity, returned there; Rama honored his guru, accompanied by the sages.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.82.102)

अभ्युत्थानार्घपाद्यैश्च मधुपर्कादिपूजया प्रपच्छ कुशलं रामं वसिष्ठो मुनिपुंगवः

abhyutthānārghapādyaiś ca madhuparkādipūjayā prapraccha kuśalaṁ rāmaṁ vasiṣṭho munipuṅgavaḥ

Rising and honoring him with the offerings of arghya, pādya, and madhuparka, the sage-lord Vasishtha inquired after Rama's welfare.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.82.103)

राज्ये चाश्वे गजे कोशे देशे सद्भ्रातृभृत्ययोः कुशलं वर्त्तते राम इति पृष्टे मुनेस्तदा

rājye cāśve gaje kośe deśe sadbhrātṛbhṛtyayoḥ kuśalaṁ vartate rāma iti pṛṣṭe munes tadā

"O Rama, are things well with the kingdom, the horses, the elephants, the treasury, the country, your good brothers, and your servants?" — when the sage thus asked —

Verse 104 (skanda.3.82.104)

राम उवाच । सर्वत्र कुशलं मेऽद्य प्रसादाद्भवतः सदा पप्रच्छ कुशलं रामो वसिष्ठं मुनिपुंगवम्

rāma uvāca sarvatra kuśalaṁ me 'dya prasādād bhavataḥ sadā papraccha kuśalaṁ rāmo vasiṣṭhaṁ munipuṅgavam

Rama said: "By your grace, all is always well with me today." Then Rama too inquired after the welfare of the sage-lord Vasishtha.

Verse 105 (skanda.3.82.105)

सर्वतः कुशली त्वं हि भार्यापुत्रसमन्वितः स सर्वं कथयामास यथा तीर्थान्यशेषतः

sarvataḥ kuśalī tvaṁ hi bhāryāputrasamanvitaḥ sa sarvaṁ kathayāmāsa yathā tīrthāny aśeṣataḥ

"Are you well in every way, together with your wife and son?" Then Vasishtha related to him the whole account of his pilgrimage to every tirtha —

Verse 106 (skanda.3.82.106)

सेवितानि धरापृष्ठे क्षेत्राण्यायतनानि च रामाय कथयामास सर्वत्र कुशलं तदा

sevitāni dharāpṛṣṭhe kṣetrāṇy āyatanāni ca rāmāya kathayāmāsa sarvatra kuśalaṁ tadā

— telling Rama of all the sacred fields and temples he had visited upon the earth, and declaring that all was well everywhere.

Verse 107 (skanda.3.82.107)

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो रामो राजीवलोचनः पप्रच्छ तीर्थमाहात्म्यं यत्तीर्थेषूत्तमोत्तमम् इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे पूर्वभागे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये रामचरित्रवर्णनं नाम त्रिंशोऽध्यायः

tataḥ sa vismayāviṣṭo rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ papraccha tīrthamāhātmyaṁ yat tīrtheṣūttamottamam iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe pūrvabhāge dharmāraṇyamāhātmye rāmacaritravarṇanaṁ nāma triṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

Then, filled with wonder, the lotus-eyed Rama asked about the glory of that tirtha which is the very best among all sacred places. Thus ends the thirtieth chapter, called "The Story of Rama's Life," within the Glory of Dharmaranya, in the earlier portion of the third Brahma Khanda, in the Skanda Mahapurana's Samhita of eighty-one thousand verses.