The Sending of the Envoys

Verse 1 (skanda.3.83.1)

श्रीराम उवाच । भगवन्यानि तीर्थानि सेवितानि त्वया विभो एतेषां परमं तीर्थं तन्ममाचक्ष्व मानद

śrīrāma uvāca bhagavan yāni tīrthāni sevitāni tvayā vibho eteṣāṁ paramaṁ tīrthaṁ tan mamācakṣva mānada

Shri Rama said: O Lord, O mighty one — of all the tirthas you have visited, tell me which is the very best among them, O giver of honor.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.83.2)

मया तु सीताहरणे निहता ब्रह्मराक्षसाः तत्पापस्य विशुदयर्थं वद तीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम्

mayā tu sītāharaṇe nihatā brahmarākṣasāḥ tatpāpasya viśuddhyarthaṁ vada tīrthottamottamam

In the course of Sītā's abduction, I slew many brahmin-born rākṣasas; for the purification of that sin, tell me the very best of all tirthas.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.83.3)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । गंगा च नर्मदा तापी यमुना च सरस्वती गंडकी गोमती पूर्णा एता नद्यः सुपावनाः

vasiṣṭha uvāca gaṅgā ca narmadā tāpī yamunā ca sarasvatī gaṇḍakī gomatī pūrṇā etā nadyaḥ supāvanāḥ

Vasishtha said: The Ganga, Narmada, Tapi, Yamuna, Saraswati, Gandaki, Gomati, and Purna — these are the most sacred of rivers.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.83.4)

एतासां नर्मदा श्रेष्ठा गंगा त्रिपथगामिनी दहते किल्बिषं सर्वं दर्शनादेव राघव

etāsāṁ narmadā śreṣṭhā gaṅgā tripathagāminī dahate kilbiṣaṁ sarvaṁ darśanād eva rāghava

Among these, the Narmada is foremost, as is the Ganga who flows through three worlds; O Rāghava, they burn away all sin by the mere sight of them.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.83.5)

दृष्ट्वा जन्मशतं पापं गत्वा जन्मशतत्रयम् स्नात्वा जन्मसहस्रं च हंति रेवा कलौ युगे

dṛṣṭvā janmaśataṁ pāpaṁ gatvā janmaśatatrayam snātvā janmasahasraṁ ca hanti revā kalau yuge

By merely beholding her, the sin of a hundred births is destroyed; by going to her, of three hundred births; and by bathing in her, of a thousand births — this the Revā (Narmada) accomplishes in the Kali Yuga.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.83.6)

नर्मदातीरमाश्रित्य शाकमूलफलैरपि एकस्मिन्भोजिते विप्रे कोटि भोजफलं लभेत

narmadātīram āśritya śākamūlaphalair api ekasmin bhojite vipre koṭibhojaphalaṁ labhet

Dwelling on the bank of the Narmada, even feeding a single brahmin with vegetables, roots, and fruits earns the merit of feeding a crore of brahmins.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.83.7)

गंगा गंगेति यो ब्रूयाद्योजनानां शतैरपि मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

gaṅgā gaṅgeti yo brūyād yojanānāṁ śatair api mucyate sarvapāpebhyo viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever, even from hundreds of yojanas away, utters "Ganga, Ganga," is freed from all sins and goes to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.83.8)

फाल्गुनांते कुहूं प्राप्य तथा प्रौष्ठपदेऽसिते पक्षे गंगामधि प्राप्य स्नानं च पितृतर्पणम्

phālgunānte kuhūṁ prāpya tathā prauṣṭhapade 'site pakṣe gaṅgām adhi prāpya snānaṁ ca pitṛtarpaṇam

At the end of Phālguna, on the new-moon day, and in the dark fortnight of Bhādrapada, whoever reaches the Ganga and performs bathing and ancestor-tarpaṇa there —

Verse 9 (skanda.3.83.9)

कुरुते पिंडदानानि सोऽक्षयं फलमश्नुते शुचौ मासे च संप्राप्ते स्नानं वाप्यां करोति यः

kurute piṇḍadānāni so 'kṣayaṁ phalam aśnute śucau māse ca saṁprāpte snānaṁ vāpyāṁ karoti yaḥ

— and offers the pinda, he obtains imperishable fruit. Whoever, when the month of Śuci (Āṣāḍha) arrives, bathes in a stepwell —

Verse 10 (skanda.3.83.10)

चतुरशीतिनरकान्न पश्यति नरो नृप तपत्याः स्मरणे राम महापातकिनामपि

caturaśītinarakān na paśyati naro nṛpa tapatyāḥ smaraṇe rāma mahāpātakinām api

— that man never beholds the eighty-four hells, O king. O Rama, by mere remembrance of the Tāpī river, even the gravest sinners are delivered.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.83.11)

उद्धरेत्सप्तगोत्राणि कुलमेकोत्तरं शतम् यमुनायां नरः स्नात्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

uddharet saptagotrāṇi kulam ekottaraṁ śatam yamunāyāṁ naraḥ snātvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

He redeems seven gotras and a hundred and one generations of his lineage; a man who bathes in the Yamuna is freed from all sins.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.83.12)

महापातकयुक्तोऽपि स गच्छेत्परमां गतिम् कार्त्तिक्यां कृत्तिकायोगे सरस्वत्यां निमज्जयेत्

mahāpātakayukto 'pi sa gacchet paramāṁ gatim kārttikyāṁ kṛttikāyoge sarasvatyāṁ nimajjayet

Even one burdened with the gravest sins attains the supreme destiny. On the full moon of Kārtika, under the conjunction of the Kṛttikā star, one should plunge into the Saraswati —

Verse 13 (skanda.3.83.13)

गच्छेत्स गरुडारूढः स्तूयमानः सुरोत्तमैः स्नात्वा यः कार्तिके मासि यत्र प्राची सरस्वती

gacchet sa garuḍārūḍhaḥ stūyamānaḥ surottamaiḥ snātvā yaḥ kārtike māsi yatra prācī sarasvatī

— he goes forth mounted on Garuda, praised by the greatest of gods. Whoever bathes in the month of Kārtika where the eastward-flowing Saraswati (Prāchī Sarasvatī) runs —

Verse 14 (skanda.3.83.14)

प्राचीं माधवमास्तूय स गच्छेत्परमां गतिम् गंडकीपुण्यतीर्थे हि स्नानं यः कुरुते नरः

prācīṁ mādhavam astūya sa gacchet paramāṁ gatim gaṇḍakīpuṇyatīrthe hi snānaṁ yaḥ kurute naraḥ

— and praises that eastward Sarasvati and Mādhava (Vishnu), attains the supreme destiny. Whatever man bathes at the sacred tirtha of the Gandaki river —

Verse 15 (skanda.3.83.15)

शालग्रामशिलामर्च्य न भूयः स्तनपो भवेत् गोमतीजलकल्लोलैर्मज्जयेत्कृष्णसन्निधौ

śālagrāmaśilām arcya na bhūyaḥ stanapo bhavet gomatījalakallolair majjayet kṛṣṇasannidhau

— and worships the shālagrāma stone is never again reborn as a suckling infant. One should bathe in the rippling waters of the Gomati, near Krishna's presence —

Verse 16 (skanda.3.83.16)

चतुर्भुजो नरो भूत्वा वैकुण्ठे मोदते चिरम् चर्मण्वतीं नमस्कृत्य अपः स्पृशति यो नरः

caturbhujo naro bhūtvā vaikuṇṭhe modate ciram carmaṇvatīṁ namaskṛtya apaḥ spṛśati yo naraḥ

— thereby becoming four-armed and dwelling long in bliss in Vaikuntha. Whatever man bows to the Charmanvati river and touches its water —

Verse 17 (skanda.3.83.17)

स तारयति पूर्वजान्दश पूर्वान्दशापरान् द्वयोश्च संगमं दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वा वा सागरध्वनिम्

sa tārayati pūrvajān daśa pūrvān daśāparān dvayoś ca saṁgamaṁ dṛṣṭvā śrutvā vā sāgaradhvanim

— he ferries across ten generations of ancestors before him and ten after him. Beholding the meeting of two rivers, or hearing the roar of the sea —

Verse 18 (skanda.3.83.18)

ब्रह्महत्यायुतो वापि पूतो गच्छेत्परां गतिम् माघमासे प्रयागे तु मज्जनं कुरुते नरः

brahmahatyāyuto vāpi pūto gacchet parāṁ gatim māghamāse prayāge tu majjanaṁ kurute naraḥ

— even one guilty of brahmin-slaying is purified and attains the supreme destiny. Whatever man immerses himself at Prayaga in the month of Māgha —

Verse 19 (skanda.3.83.19)

इह लोके सुखं भुक्त्वा अन्ते विष्णुपदं व्रजेत् प्रभासे ये नरा राम त्रिरात्रं ब्रह्मचारिणः

iha loke sukhaṁ bhuktvā ante viṣṇupadaṁ vrajet prabhāse ye narā rāma trirātraṁ brahmacāriṇaḥ

— he enjoys happiness in this world and, in the end, attains Vishnu's abode. O Rama, those men who observe celibacy for three nights at Prabhāsa —

Verse 20 (skanda.3.83.20)

यमलोकं न पश्येयुः कुंभीपाकादिकं तथा नैमिषारण्यवासी यो नरो देवत्वमाप्नुयात्

yamalokaṁ na paśyeyuḥ kuṁbhīpākādikaṁ tathā naimiṣāraṇyavāsī yo naro devatvam āpnuyāt

— never see the world of Yama, nor the hell of Kumbhīpāka. Whatever man dwells at Naimisharanya attains divinity —

Verse 21 (skanda.3.83.21)

देवानामालयं यस्मात्तदेव भुवि दुर्लभम् कुरुक्षेत्रे नरो राम ग्रहणे चन्द्रसूर्ययोः

devānām ālayaṁ yasmāt tad eva bhuvi durlabham kurukṣetre naro rāma grahaṇe candrasūryayoḥ

— for that place is itself the dwelling of the gods, a rarity on earth. O Rama, whatever man, at Kurukshetra, during an eclipse of the moon or the sun —

Verse 22 (skanda.3.83.22)

हेमदानाच्च राजेंद्र न भूयः स्तनपो भवेत् श्रीस्थले दर्शनं कृत्वा नरः पापात्प्रमुच्यते

hemadānāc ca rājendra na bhūyaḥ stanapo bhavet śrīsthale darśanaṁ kṛtvā naraḥ pāpāt pramucyate

— gives gold in gift, is never again reborn as a suckling infant, O lord of kings. Having beheld Śrīsthala, a man is freed from sin —

Verse 23 (skanda.3.83.23)

सर्वदुःखविनाशे च विष्णुलोके महीयते काश्यपीं स्पर्शयेद्यो गां मानवो भुवि राघव

sarvaduḥkhavināśe ca viṣṇuloke mahīyate kāśyapīṁ sparśayed yo gāṁ mānavo bhuvi rāghava

— all his sorrows destroyed, he is honored in Vishnu's world. O Rāghava, whatever man on this earth brings a cow to touch the Kāśyapī Ganga —

Verse 24 (skanda.3.83.24)

सर्वकामदुघावासमृषिलोकं स गच्छति उज्जयिन्यां तु वैशाखे शिप्रायां स्नानमाचरेत्

sarvakāmadughāvāsam ṛṣilokaṁ sa gacchati ujjayinyāṁ tu vaiśākhe śiprāyāṁ snānam ācaret

— he goes to the sage-world, which fulfills every desire. At Ujjain, in the month of Vaishakha, one should bathe in the Shiprā river —

Verse 25 (skanda.3.83.25)

मोचयेद्रौरवाद्घोरात्पूर्वजांश्च सहस्रशः सिंधुस्नानं नरो राम प्रकरोति दिनत्रयम्

mocayed rauravād ghorāt pūrvajāṁś ca sahasraśaḥ sindhusnānaṁ naro rāma prakaroti dinatrayam

— thereby freeing thousands of ancestors from the terrible hell of Raurava. O Rama, whatever man bathes in the Sindhu river for three days —

Verse 26 (skanda.3.83.26)

सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा कैलासे मोदते नरः कोटितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा कोटीश्वरं शिवम्

sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā kailāse modate naraḥ koṭitīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā koṭīśvaraṁ śivam

— his soul purified of all sin, rejoices in Kailasa. Bathing at Koṭitīrtha and beholding Koṭīśvara Shiva, a man —

Verse 27 (skanda.3.83.27)

ब्रह्महत्यादिभिः पापैर्लिप्यते न च स क्वचित् अज्ञानामपि जंतूनां महाऽमेध्ये तु गच्छताम्

brahmahatyādibhiḥ pāpair lipyate na ca sa kvacit ajñānām api jantūnāṁ mahāmedhye tu gacchatām

— is never stained by sins such as brahmin-slaying. Even for unknowing creatures who wander into a most foul place —

Verse 28 (skanda.3.83.28)

पादोद्भूतं पयः पीत्वा सर्वपापं प्रणश्यति वेदवत्यां नरो यस्तु स्नाति सूर्योदये शुभे

pādodbhūtaṁ payaḥ pītvā sarvapāpaṁ praṇaśyati vedavatyāṁ naro yas tu snāti sūryodaye śubhe

— all sin is destroyed merely by drinking the water sprung from his feet. Whatever man bathes in the Vedavatī river at the auspicious hour of sunrise —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.83.29)

सर्वरोगात्प्रमुच्येत परं सुखमवाप्नुयात् तीर्थानि राम सर्वत्र स्नानपानावगाहनैः

sarvarogāt pramucyeta paraṁ sukham avāpnuyāt tīrthāni rāma sarvatra snānapānāvagāhanaiḥ

— is freed from every illness and attains supreme happiness. O Rama, tirthas everywhere, through bathing, drinking, and immersion —

Verse 30 (skanda.3.83.30)

नाशयंति मनुष्याणां सर्वपापानि लीलया तीर्थानां परमं तीर्थं धर्मारण्यं प्रचक्षते

nāśayanti manuṣyāṇāṁ sarvapāpāni līlayā tīrthānāṁ paramaṁ tīrthaṁ dharmāraṇyaṁ pracakṣate

— destroy all the sins of men with ease. Yet, among all tirthas, they declare Dharmaranya to be the very best —

Verse 31 (skanda.3.83.31)

ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवाद्यैर्यदादौ संस्थापितं पुरा अरण्यानां च सर्वेषां तीर्थानां च विशेषतः

brahmaviṣṇuśivādyair yad ādau saṁsthāpitaṁ purā araṇyānāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ tīrthānāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

— which was first established, in the beginning, by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the other gods. Among all forests, and among all tirthas especially —

Verse 32 (skanda.3.83.32)

धर्मारण्यात्परं नास्ति भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम् स्वर्गे देवाः प्रशंसंति धर्मारण्यनिवासिनः

dharmāraṇyāt paraṁ nāsti bhuktimuktipradāyakam svarge devāḥ praśaṁsanti dharmāraṇyanivāsinaḥ

— there is nothing greater than Dharmaranya for bestowing both worldly enjoyment and liberation. In heaven, the gods praise those who dwell in Dharmaranya.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.83.33)

ते पुण्यास्ते पुण्यकृतो ये वसंति कलौ नराः धर्मारण्ये रामदेव सर्वकिल्बिषनाशने

te puṇyās te puṇyakṛto ye vasanti kalau narāḥ dharmāraṇye rāmadeva sarvakilbiṣanāśane

O Lord Rama, those men who, in the Kali Yuga, dwell in Dharmaranya — which destroys all sins — are the truly meritorious, the truly virtuous.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.83.34)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानि सर्वस्तेयकृतानि च परदारप्रसंगादि अभक्ष्यभक्षणादि वै

brahmahatyādipāpāni sarvasteyakṛtāni ca paradāraprasaṅgādi abhakṣyabhakṣaṇādi vai

Sins such as brahmin-slaying, all sins committed through theft, consorting with another's wife, and eating forbidden food —

Verse 35 (skanda.3.83.35)

अगम्यागमना यानि अस्पर्शस्पर्शनादि च भस्मीभवंति लोकानां धर्मारण्यावगाहनात्

agamyāgamanā yāni asparśasparśanādi ca bhasmībhavanti lokānāṁ dharmāraṇyāvagāhanāt

— such as approaching a forbidden woman, or touching what should not be touched — all such sins of men are burned to ash by immersion in Dharmaranya.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.83.36)

ब्रह्मघ्नश्च कृतघ्नश्च बालघ्नोऽनृतभाषणः स्त्रीगोघ्नश्चैव ग्रामघ्रो धर्मारण्ये विमुच्यते

brahmaghnaś ca kṛtaghnaś ca bālaghno 'nṛtabhāṣaṇaḥ strīgoghnaś caiva grāmaghno dharmāraṇye vimucyate

The slayer of a brahmin, the ungrateful, the killer of children, the speaker of falsehood, the killer of women or cows, and the destroyer of a village — all are freed at Dharmaranya.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.83.37)

नातः परं पावनं हि पापिनां प्राणिनां भुवि स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं वांछितार्थप्रदं शुभम्

nātaḥ paraṁ pāvanaṁ hi pāpināṁ prāṇināṁ bhuvi svargyaṁ yaśasyam āyuṣyaṁ vāñchitārthapradaṁ śubham

There is nothing more purifying for sinful beings on this earth; it grants heaven, fame, longevity, and desired ends, and it is auspicious.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.83.38)

कामिनां कामदं क्षेत्रं यतीनां मुक्तिदायकम् सिद्धानां सिद्धिदं प्रोक्तं धर्मारण्यं युगेयुगे

kāmināṁ kāmadaṁ kṣetraṁ yatīnāṁ muktidāyakam siddhānāṁ siddhidaṁ proktaṁ dharmāraṇyaṁ yugeyuge

It is declared, age after age, that Dharmaranya is a field that fulfills desire for the desirous, that grants liberation to ascetics, and that grants accomplishment to the accomplished.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.83.39)

ब्रह्मोवाच । वसिष्ठवचनं श्रुत्वा रामो धर्मभृतां वरः परं हर्षमनुप्राप्य हृदयानंदकारकम्

brahmovāca vasiṣṭhavacanaṁ śrutvā rāmo dharmabhṛtāṁ varaḥ paraṁ harṣam anuprāpya hṛdayānandakārakam

Brahma said: Hearing Vasishtha's words, Rama, foremost among upholders of dharma, felt supreme joy, gladdening to the heart.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.83.40)

प्रोत्फुल्लहृदयो रामो रोमाचिंततनूरुहः गमनाय मतिं चक्रे धर्मारण्ये शुभव्रतः

protphullahṛdayo rāmo romāñcitatanūruhaḥ gamanāya matiṁ cakre dharmāraṇye śubhavrataḥ

With his heart overjoyed and his body thrilling with delight, Rama, of noble vows, resolved to journey to Dharmaranya.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.83.41)

यस्मिन्कीटपतंगादिमानुषाः पशवस्तथा त्रिरात्रसेवनेनैव मुच्यन्ते सर्वपातकैः

yasmin kīṭapataṅgādimānuṣāḥ paśavas tathā trirātrasevanenaiva mucyante sarvapātakaiḥ

In this place, even worms and insects, men and animals alike, are freed from all sins merely by dwelling there for three nights —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.83.42)

कुशस्थली यथा काशी शूलपाणिश्च भैरवः यथा वै मुक्तिदो राम धर्मारण्यं तथोत्तमम्

kuśasthalī yathā kāśī śūlapāṇiś ca bhairavaḥ yathā vai muktido rāma dharmāraṇyaṁ tathottamam

Just as Kashi is Kushasthali, and trident-bearing Bhairava grants liberation, O Rama, so too is Dharmaranya equally supreme and equally a granter of liberation.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.83.43)

ततो रामो महेष्वासो मुदा परमया युतः प्रस्थितस्तीर्थयात्रायां सीतया भ्रातृभिः सह

tato rāmo maheṣvāso mudā paramayā yutaḥ prasthitas tīrthayātrāyāṁ sītayā bhrātṛbhiḥ saha

Then Rama, the great archer, filled with supreme joy, set out on his pilgrimage together with Sītā and his brothers.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.83.44)

अनुजग्मुस्तदा रामं हनुमांश्च कपीश्वरः कौशल्या च सुमित्रा च कैकेयी च मुदान्विता

anujagmus tadā rāmaṁ hanumāṁś ca kapīśvaraḥ kauśalyā ca sumitrā ca kaikeyī ca mudānvitā

Then Hanuman and the lord of monkeys followed Rama, along with joyful Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and Kaikeyī.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.83.45)

लक्ष्मणो लक्षणोपेतो भरतश्च महामतिः शत्रुघ्नः सैन्यसहितोप्ययोध्यावासिनस्तथा

lakṣmaṇo lakṣaṇopeto bharataś ca mahāmatiḥ śatrughnaḥ sainyasahito 'py ayodhyāvāsinas tathā

Lakshmana, marked with auspicious signs, wise Bharata, Shatrughna together with his army, and the other residents of Ayodhya too —

Verse 46 (skanda.3.83.46)

प्रकृतयो नरव्याघ्र धर्मारण्ये विनिर्ययुः अनुजग्मुस्तदा रामं मुदा परमया युताः

prakṛtayo naravyāghra dharmāraṇye viniryayuḥ anujagmus tadā rāmaṁ mudā paramayā yutāḥ

O tiger among men, all the subjects set out for Dharmaranya, filled with supreme joy, following after Rama.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.83.47)

तीर्थयात्राविधिं कर्तुं गृहात्प्रचलितो नृपः वसिष्ठं स्वकुलाचार्यमिदमाह महीपते

tīrthayātrāvidhiṁ kartuṁ gṛhāt pracalito nṛpaḥ vasiṣṭhaṁ svakulācāryam idam āha mahīpate

O king, setting out from his home to perform the pilgrimage rites, the king spoke thus to Vasishtha, his family preceptor —

Verse 48 (skanda.3.83.48)

श्रीराम उवाच । एतदाश्चर्यमतुलं किमादि द्वारकाभवत् कियत्कालसमुत्पन्ना वसिष्ठेदं वदस्व मे

śrīrāma uvāca etad āścaryam atulaṁ kim ādi dvārakābhavat kiyatkālasamutpannā vasiṣṭhedaṁ vadasva me

Shri Rama said: What is this matchless wonder? How did Dvaraka first come into being, and how long ago was it founded? O Vasishtha, tell me this.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.83.49)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । न जानामि महाराज कियत्कालादभूदिदम् लोमशो जांबवांश्चैव जानातीति च कारणम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca na jānāmi mahārāja kiyatkālād abhūd idam lomaśo jāmbavāṁś caiva jānātīti ca kāraṇam

Vasishtha said: O great king, I do not know how long ago this came to be; Lomasha and Jāmbavān alone know the reason for it.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.83.50)

शरीरे यत्कृतं पापं नानाजन्मांतरेष्वपि प्रायश्चितं हि सर्वेषामेतत्क्षेत्र परं स्मृतम्

śarīre yat kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ nānājanmāntareṣv api prāyaścittaṁ hi sarveṣām etat kṣetra paraṁ smṛtam

Whatever sin has been committed by the body across many different births, this field is remembered as the supreme atonement for all of them.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.83.51)

श्रुत्वेति वचनं तस्य रामं ज्ञानवतां वरः गन्तुं कृतमतिस्तीर्थं यात्राविधिमथाचरत्

śrutveti vacanaṁ tasya rāmaṁ jñānavatāṁ varaḥ gantuṁ kṛtamatis tīrthaṁ yātrāvidhim athācarat

Hearing his words, Rama, foremost among the wise, resolved to go to the tirtha, and began to observe the rites of pilgrimage.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.83.52)

वसिष्ठं चाग्रतः कृत्वा महामांडलिकैर्नृपैः पुनश्चरविधिं कृत्वा प्रस्थितश्चोत्तरां दिशम्

vasiṣṭhaṁ cāgrataḥ kṛtvā mahāmāṇḍalikair nṛpaiḥ punaścaravidhiṁ kṛtvā prasthitaś cottarāṁ diśam

Placing Vasishtha at the head of the procession, together with great tributary kings, and performing the punaścaraṇa rite, he set out toward the north.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.83.53)

वसिष्ठं चाग्रतः कृत्वा प्रतस्थे पश्चिमां दिशम् ग्रामाद्ग्राममतिक्रम्य देशाद्देशं वनाद्वनम्

vasiṣṭhaṁ cāgrataḥ kṛtvā pratasthe paścimāṁ diśam grāmād grāmam atikramya deśād deśaṁ vanād vanam

Then, again placing Vasishtha at the head, he set out toward the west, passing from village to village, from land to land, from forest to forest —

Verse 54 (skanda.3.83.54)

विमुच्य निर्ययौ रामः ससैन्यः सपरिच्छदः गजवाजिसहस्रौघै रथैर्यानैश्च कोटिभिः।

vimucya niryayau rāmaḥ sasainyaḥ saparicchadaḥ gajavājisahasraughai rathair yānaiś ca koṭibhiḥ

— Rama departed, leaving Ayodhya, together with his army and retinue, with thousands upon thousands of elephants and horses, and crores of chariots and conveyances.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.83.55)

शिबिकाभिश्चासंख्याभिः प्रययौ राघवस्तदा गजारूढः प्रपश्यंश्च देशान्विविधसौहृदान्

śibikābhiś cāsaṁkhyābhiḥ prayayau rāghavas tadā gajārūḍhaḥ prapaśyaṁś ca deśān vividhasauhṛdān

With countless palanquins besides, Rāghava then journeyed, mounted upon an elephant, beholding lands bound to him by manifold ties of friendship.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.83.56)

श्वेतातपत्रं विधृत्य चामरेण शुभेन च वीजितश्च जनौघेन रामस्तत्र समभ्यगात्

śvetātapatraṁ vidhṛtya cāmareṇa śubhena ca vījitaś ca janaughena rāmas tatra samabhyagāt

With a white parasol held over him, fanned with an auspicious chowrie, and surrounded by throngs of people, Rama arrived there.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.83.57)

वादित्राणां स्वनैघोरैर्नृत्यगीतपुरःसरैः स्तूयमानोपि सूतैश्च ययौ रामो मुदान्वितः

vāditrāṇāṁ svanair ghorair nṛtyagītapuraḥsaraiḥ stūyamāno 'pi sūtaiś ca yayau rāmo mudānvitaḥ

Amid the deep resounding of musical instruments, preceded by dance and song, praised by bards, Rama traveled on, filled with joy.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.83.58)

दशमेऽहनि संप्राप्तं धर्मारण्यमनुत्तमम् अदूरे हि ततो रामो दृष्ट्वा मांडलिकं पुरम्

daśame 'hani saṁprāptaṁ dharmāraṇyam anuttamam adūre hi tato rāmo dṛṣṭvā māṇḍalikaṁ puram

On the tenth day, they reached the incomparable Dharmaranya; then, seeing a provincial town not far from there, Rama —

Verse 59 (skanda.3.83.59)

तत्र स्थित्वा ससैन्यस्तु उवास निशि तां पुरीम् श्रुत्वा तु निर्जनं क्षेत्रमुद्वसं च भयानकम्

tatra sthitvā sasainyas tu uvāsa niśi tāṁ purīm śrutvā tu nirjanaṁ kṣetram udvasaṁ ca bhayānakam

— halted there with his army, and spent that night in the town. Hearing that the sacred field itself was deserted, desolate, and fearsome —

Verse 60 (skanda.3.83.60)

व्याघ्रसिंहाकुलं तत्र यक्षराक्षससेवितम् श्रुत्वा जनमुखाद्रामो धर्मारण्यमरण्यकम् तच्छ्रुत्वा रामदेवस्तु न चिंता क्रियतामिति

vyāghrasiṁhākulaṁ tatra yakṣarākṣasasevitam śrutvā janamukhād rāmo dharmāraṇyam araṇyakam tac chrutvā rāmadevas tu na cintā kriyatām iti

— infested with tigers and lions, and haunted by yakshas and rākṣasas, Rama heard this account of the wild Dharmaranya from the mouths of the townspeople. Hearing it, Lord Rama said, "Let there be no worry."

Verse 61 (skanda.3.83.61)

तत्रस्थान्वणिजः शूरान्दक्षान्स्वव्यवसायके समर्थान्हि महाकायान्महाबलपराक्रमान् समाहूय तदा काले वाक्यमेतदथाब्रवीत्

tatrasthān vaṇijaḥ śūrān dakṣān svavyavasāyake samarthān hi mahākāyān mahābalaparākramān samāhūya tadā kāle vākyam etad athābravīt

At that time, Rama summoned the local merchants — brave men, skilled in their trade, capable, of powerful build, and of great strength — and spoke these words to them —

Verse 62 (skanda.3.83.62)

शिबिकां सुसुवणां मे शीघ्रं वाहयताचिरम् यथा क्षणेन चैकेन धर्मरण्यं व्रजाम्यहम्

śibikāṁ susuvarṇāṁ me śīghraṁ vāhayatācciram yathā kṣaṇena caikena dharmāraṇyaṁ vrajāmy aham

"Carry my gold-adorned palanquin swiftly, without delay, so that in but a single moment I may reach Dharmaranya."

Verse 63 (skanda.3.83.63)

तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च सर्वपापात्प्रमुच्यते एवं ते वणिजः सर्वै रामेण प्रेरितास्तदा

tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca sarvapāpāt pramucyate evaṁ te vaṇijaḥ sarve rāmeṇa preritās tadā

"There, by mere bathing and drinking, one is freed from all sin." Thus urged by Rama, all those merchants —

Verse 64 (skanda.3.83.64)

तथेत्युक्त्वा च ते सर्वे ऊहुस्तच्छिबिकां तदा क्षेत्रमध्ये यदा रामः प्रविष्टः सहसैनिकः

tathety uktvā ca te sarve ūhus tac chibikāṁ tadā kṣetramadhye yadā rāmaḥ praviṣṭaḥ sahasainikaḥ

— agreeing, all of them carried that palanquin. As Rama, together with his soldiers, entered into the middle of that sacred field —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.83.65)

तद्यानस्य गतिर्मंदा संजाता किल भारत मंदशब्दानि वाद्यानि मातंगा मंदगामिनः

tadyānasya gatir mandā saṁjātā kila bhārata mandaśabdāni vādyāni mātaṅgā mandagāminaḥ

— his conveyance's motion, O descendant of Bharata, grew unaccountably slow; the instruments' sound grew faint, and the elephants slowed to a crawl —

Verse 66 (skanda.3.83.66)

हयाश्च तादृशा जाता रामो विस्मय मागतः गुरुं पप्रच्छ विनयाद्वशिष्ठं मुनिपुंगवम्

hayāś ca tādṛśā jātā rāmo vismayam āgataḥ guruṁ papraccha vinayād vaśiṣṭhaṁ munipuṅgavam

— and so too the horses. Astonished by this, Rama humbly inquired of his guru, the sage-lord Vasishtha —

Verse 67 (skanda.3.83.67)

किमेतन्मंदगतयश्चित्रं हृदि मुनीश्वर त्रिकालज्ञो मुनिः प्राह धर्मक्षेत्रमुपागतम्

kim etan mandagatayaś citraṁ hṛdi munīśvara trikālajño muniḥ prāha dharmakṣetram upāgatam

"O lord of sages, what is this — this slowness astonishes my heart." The sage, knower of the three times, replied: "We have now entered the field of dharma —"

Verse 68 (skanda.3.83.68)

तीर्थे पुरातने राम पादचारेण गम्यते एवं कृते ततः पश्चात्सैन्यसौख्यं भविष्यति

tīrthe purātane rāma pādacāreṇa gamyate evaṁ kṛte tataḥ paścāt sainyasaukhyaṁ bhaviṣyati

"— O Rama, at this ancient tirtha one must proceed on foot; only then, hereafter, will the army find ease."

Verse 69 (skanda.3.83.69)

पादचारी ततौ रामः सैन्येन सह संयुतः मधुवासनके ग्रामे प्राप्तः परमभावनः

pādacārī tato rāmaḥ sainyena saha saṁyutaḥ madhuvāsanake grāme prāptaḥ paramabhāvanaḥ

Then Rama, on foot, together with his army, filled with supreme devotion, reached the village of Madhuvāsanaka.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.83.70)

गुरुणा चोक्तमार्गेण मातॄणां पूजनं कृतम् नानोपहारैर्विविधैः प्रतिष्ठाविधिपूर्वकम्

guruṇā coktamārgeṇa mātṝṇāṁ pūjanaṁ kṛtam nānopahārair vividhaiḥ pratiṣṭhāvidhipūrvakam

According to the path shown by his guru, the Mothers (kuladevis) were worshipped with manifold offerings, according to the rite of consecration.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.83.71)

ततो रामो हरिक्षेत्रं सुवर्णादक्षिणे तटे निरीक्ष्य यज्ञयोग्याश्च भूमीर्वै बहुशस्तथा

tato rāmo harikṣetraṁ suvarṇād dakṣiṇe taṭe nirīkṣya yajñayogyāś ca bhūmīr vai bahuśas tathā

Then Rama surveyed Harikshetra on the southern bank of the Suvarṇā river, and also viewed many lands suitable for sacrifice.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.83.72)

कृतकृत्यं तदात्मानं मेने रामो रघूद्वहः धर्मस्थानं निरीक्ष्याथ सुवर्णाक्षोत्तरे तटे

kṛtakṛtyaṁ tadātmānaṁ mene rāmo raghūdvahaḥ dharmasthānaṁ nirīkṣyātha suvarṇākṣottare taṭe

Then Rama, foremost of the Raghus, felt his purpose fulfilled; having surveyed the site of Dharma on the northern bank of the Suvarṇākṣa —

Verse 73 (skanda.3.83.73)

सैन्यसंघं समुत्तीर्य्य बभ्राम क्षेत्रमध्यतः तत्र तीर्थेषु सर्वेषु देवतायतनेषु च

sainyasaṁghaṁ samuttīrya babhrāma kṣetramadhyataḥ tatra tīrtheṣu sarveṣu devatāyataneṣu ca

— having brought his army across, he wandered through the middle of the sacred field; there, at all the tirthas and temples —

Verse 74 (skanda.3.83.74)

यथोक्तानि च कर्माणि रामश्चक्रे विधानतः श्राद्धानि विधिवच्चक्रे श्रद्धया परया युतः

yathoktāni ca karmāṇi rāmaś cakre vidhānataḥ śrāddhāni vidhivac cakre śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ

— Rama performed all the prescribed rites according to their proper form, and performed the shraddha rites duly, with supreme faith.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.83.75)

स्थापयामास रामेशं तथा कामेश्वरं पुनः स्थानाद्वायुप्रदेशे तु सुवर्णो भयतस्तटे

sthāpayāmāsa rāmeśaṁ tathā kāmeśvaraṁ punaḥ sthānād vāyupradeśe tu suvarṇobhayatas taṭe

He established the linga of Rāmeśvara, and, again, established Kāmeśvara in the north-westerly region on both banks of the Suvarṇā.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.83.76)

कृत्वैवं कृतकृत्योऽभूद्रामो दशरथात्मजः कृत्वा सर्वविधिं चैव सभायां समुपाविशत्

kṛtvaivaṁ kṛtakṛtyo 'bhūd rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ kṛtvā sarvavidhiṁ caiva sabhāyāṁ samupāviśat

Having thus done all this, Rama, the son of Dasharatha, felt his purpose fulfilled; having completed every rite, he took his seat in the assembly.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.83.77)

तां निशां स नदीतीरे सुष्वाप रघुनंदनः ततोऽर्द्धरात्रे संजाते रामो राजीवलोचनः

tāṁ niśāṁ sa nadītīre suṣvāpa raghunandanaḥ tato 'rdharātre saṁjāte rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ

That night, Raghunandana slept on the riverbank; then, when midnight came, the lotus-eyed Rama —

Verse 78 (skanda.3.83.78)

जागृतस्तु तदा काल एकाकी धर्मवत्सलः अश्रौषीच्च क्षणे तस्मिन्रामो नारीविरोदनम्

jāgṛtas tu tadā kāla ekākī dharmavatsalaḥ aśrauṣīc ca kṣaṇe tasmin rāmo nārīvirodanam

— awake alone at that hour, that lover of dharma, in that very moment, heard the wailing of a woman.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.83.79)

निशायां करुणैर्वाक्यै रुदंतीं कुररीमिव चारैर्विलोकयामास रामस्तामतिसंभ्रमात्

niśāyāṁ karuṇair vākyai rudantīṁ kurarīm iva cārair vilokayāmāsa rāmas tām atisaṁbhramāt

In the night, weeping with piteous cries like a kurarī bird — greatly alarmed, Rama sent his spies to observe her.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.83.80)

दृष्ट्वातिविह्वलां नारीं क्रंदन्तीं करुणैः स्वरैः पृष्टा सा दुःखिता नारी रामदूतैस्तदानघ

dṛṣṭvātivihvalāṁ nārīṁ krandantīṁ karuṇaiḥ svaraiḥ pṛṣṭā sā duḥkhitā nārī rāmadūtais tadānagha

O sinless one, seeing that woman, deeply distressed and wailing with piteous cries, Rama's envoys questioned that grieving woman —

Verse 81 (skanda.3.83.81)

दूता ऊचुः । कासि त्वं सुभगे नारि देवी वा दानवी नु किम् केन वा त्रासितासि त्वं मुष्टं केन धनं तव

dūtā ūcuḥ kāsi tvaṁ subhage nāri devī vā dānavī nu kim kena vā trāsitāsi tvaṁ muṣṭaṁ kena dhanaṁ tava

The envoys said: "Who are you, fair lady — are you a goddess, or a demoness? Who has terrified you? Who has plundered your wealth?"

Verse 82 (skanda.3.83.82)

विकला दारुणाञ्छब्दानुद्गिरंती मुहुर्मुहुः कथयस्व यथातथ्यं रामो राजाभिपृच्छति।

vikalā dāruṇāñ chabdān udgirantī muhur muhuḥ kathayasva yathātathyaṁ rāmo rājābhipṛcchati

"Distraught, you keep uttering these dreadful cries again and again — tell us the truth of what has happened; King Rama himself is asking."

Verse 83 (skanda.3.83.83)

तयोक्तं स्वामिनं दूताः प्रेषयध्वं ममांतिकम् यथाहं मानसं दुःखं शांत्यै तस्मै निवेदये

tayoktaṁ svāminaṁ dūtāḥ preṣayadhvaṁ mamāntikam yathāhaṁ mānasaṁ duḥkhaṁ śāntyai tasmai nivedaye

She said: "O envoys, send your master to me, so that I may relate to him the sorrow of my heart, that it may be soothed."

Verse 84 (skanda.3.83.84)

तथेत्युक्त्वा ततो दूता राममागत्य चाब्रुवन् इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे पूर्वभागे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये दूतागमनं नामैकत्रिंशोऽध्यायः

tathety uktvā tato dūtā rāmam āgatya cābruvan iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe pūrvabhāge dharmāraṇyamāhātmye dūtāgamanaṁ nāmaikatriṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

"So be it," said the envoys, and they returned to Rama and reported this. Thus ends the thirty-first chapter, called "The Sending of the Envoys," 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.