Rama's Return to the City

Verse 1 (skanda.3.85.1)

राम उवाच । जीर्णोद्धारं करिष्यामि श्रीमातुर्वचनादहम् आज्ञा प्रदीयतां मह्यं यथादानं ददामि वः

rāma uvāca jīrṇoddhāraṁ kariṣyāmi śrīmātur vacanād aham ājñā pradīyatāṁ mahyaṁ yathādānaṁ dadāmi vaḥ

Rama said: At Shrimata's word, I shall now restore and renew this place. Grant me your permission, that I may give you the offerings due to you.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.85.2)

पात्रे दानं प्रदातव्यं कृत्वा यज्ञवरं द्विजाः नापात्रे दीयते किंचिद्दत्तं न तु सुखावहम्

pātre dānaṁ pradātavyaṁ kṛtvā yajñavaraṁ dvijāḥ nāpātre dīyate kiṁcid dattaṁ na tu sukhāvaham

O brahmins, having made the sacrifice worthy, a gift should be given only to a worthy recipient; nothing given to an unworthy one brings happiness.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.85.3)

सुपात्रं नौरिव सदा तारयेदुभयोरपि लोहपिंडोपमं ज्ञेयं कुपात्रं भञ्जनात्मकम्

supātraṁ naur iva sadā tārayed ubhayor api lohapiṇḍopamaṁ jñeyaṁ kupātraṁ bhañjanātmakam

A worthy recipient, like a boat, always ferries both the giver and the gift across; an unworthy recipient should be known as like a lump of iron, sinking whatever it holds.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.85.4)

जातिमात्रेण विप्रत्वं जायते न हि भो द्विजाः क्रिया बलवती लोके क्रियाहीने कुतः फलम्

jātimātreṇa vipratvaṁ jāyate na hi bho dvijāḥ kriyā balavatī loke kriyāhīne kutaḥ phalam

O brahmins, brahminhood does not arise from birth alone; in this world, right action is what has power — where can fruit come from one devoid of action?

Verse 5 (skanda.3.85.5)

पूज्यास्तस्मात्पूज्यतमा ब्राह्मणाः सत्यवादिनः यज्ञकार्ये समुत्पन्ने कृपां कुर्वंतु सर्वदा

pūjyās tasmāt pūjyatamā brāhmaṇāḥ satyavādinaḥ yajñakārye samutpanne kṛpāṁ kurvantu sarvadā

Therefore the truthful brahmins are the most worthy of veneration; when this sacrificial task has arisen, may they show their favor always.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.85.6)

ब्रह्मोवाच । ततस्तु मिलिताः सर्वे विमृश्य च परस्परम् केचिदूचुस्तदा रामं वयं शिलोंछजीविकाः

brahmovāca tatas tu militāḥ sarve vimṛśya ca parasparam kecid ūcus tadā rāmaṁ vayaṁ śiloñchajīvikāḥ

Brahma said: Then, gathering together, they deliberated among themselves; some of them said to Rama: "We are those who live by gleaning fallen grain —"

Verse 7 (skanda.3.85.7)

संतोषं परमास्थाय स्थिता धर्मपरायणाः प्रतिग्रहप्रयोगेण न चास्माकं प्रयोजनम्

saṁtoṣaṁ paramāsthāya sthitā dharmaparāyaṇāḥ pratigrahaprayogeṇa na cāsmākaṁ prayojanam

"— content with the utmost contentment, devoted to dharma; we have no use for accepting gifts."

Verse 8 (skanda.3.85.8)

दशसूनासमश्चक्री दशचक्रिसमो ध्वजः दशध्वजसमा वेश्या दशवेश्यासमो नृपः

daśasūnāsamaś cakrī daśacakrisamo dhvajaḥ daśadhvajasamā veśyā daśaveśyāsamo nṛpaḥ

"A potter's wheel is as sinful as ten slaughterhouses, a public flag-post as ten potter's wheels, a courtesan as ten flag-posts, and a king as ten courtesans —"

Verse 9 (skanda.3.85.9)

राजप्रतिग्रहो घोरो राम सत्यं न संशयः तस्माद्वयं न चेच्छामः प्रतिग्रहं भया वहम्

rājapratigraho ghoro rāma satyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ tasmād vayaṁ na cecchāmaḥ pratigrahaṁ bhayāvaham

"— O Rama, accepting a gift from a king is truly dreadful, without doubt; therefore we have no desire for this gift, which brings fear in its wake."

Verse 10 (skanda.3.85.10)

एकाहिका द्विजाः केचित्केचित्स्वामृतवृत्तयः कुम्भीधान्या द्विजाः केचित्केचित्षट्कर्मतत्पराः

ekāhikā dvijāḥ kecit kecit svāmṛtavṛttayaḥ kumbhīdhānyā dvijāḥ kecit kecit ṣaṭkarmatatparāḥ

Some among us are brahmins who gather only for a single day, some live on whatever livelihood comes of itself, some store grain in jars, and some are devoted to the six prescribed duties.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.85.11)

त्रिमूर्तिस्थापिताः सर्वे पृथग्भावाः पृथग्गुणाः केचिदेवं वदंति स्म त्रिमूर्त्याज्ञां विना वयम्

trimūrtisthāpitāḥ sarve pṛthagbhāvāḥ pṛthagguṇāḥ kecid evaṁ vadanti sma trimūrtyājñāṁ vinā vayam

All of us, established by the Trimūrti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), though of differing natures and qualities, still — some among us said thus: "Without the Trimūrti's own command, we —"

Verse 12 (skanda.3.85.12)

प्रतिग्रहस्य स्वीकारं कथं कुर्याम ह द्विजाः न तांबूलं स्त्रीकृतं नो ह्यद्मो दानेन भषितम्

pratigrahasya svīkāraṁ kathaṁ kuryāma ha dvijāḥ na tāṁbūlaṁ strīkṛtaṁ no hy admo dānena bhaṣitam

"— O brahmins, how could we accept this gift? We accept neither betel offered by a woman, nor food that has been won through a threat couched as generosity."

Verse 13 (skanda.3.85.13)

विमृश्य स तदा रामो वसिष्ठेन महात्मना ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादीनां सस्मार गुरुणा सह स्मृतमात्रास्ततो देवास्तं देशं समुपागमन् सूर्यकोटिप्रतीकाशीवमानावलिसंवृताः

vimṛśya sa tadā rāmo vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā brahmaviṣṇuśivādīnāṁ sasmāra guruṇā saha smṛtamātrās tato devās taṁ deśaṁ samupāgaman sūryakoṭipratīkāśīvamānāvalisaṁvṛtāḥ

Then Rama, deliberating together with the great-souled guru Vasishtha, called to mind Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the other gods; the moment they were remembered, those gods arrived in that land, surrounded by ranks of chariots blazing like a crore of suns.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.85.14)

रामेण ते यथान्यायं पूजिताः परया मुदा

rāmeṇa te yathānyāyaṁ pūjitāḥ parayā mudā

Rama honored them, duly and with the utmost joy.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.85.15)

निवेदितं तु तत्सर्वं रामेणातिसुबुद्धिना

niveditaṁ tu tat sarvaṁ rāmeṇāti subuddhinā

Rama, of most excellent understanding, then related the entire matter to them, including the brahmins' refusal.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.85.16)

अधिदेव्या वचनतो जीर्णोद्धारं करोम्यहम् धर्मारण्ये हरिक्षेत्रे धर्मकूपसमीपतः

adhidevyā vacanato jīrṇoddhāraṁ karomy aham dharmāraṇye harikṣetre dharmakūpasamīpataḥ

"At the word of the presiding goddess, I now undertake the restoration of this place, in Dharmaranya, at Harikshetra, close by the Dharma-well —"

Verse 17 (skanda.3.85.17)

ततस्ते वाडवाः सर्वे त्रिमूर्त्तीः प्रणिपत्य च महता हर्षवृंदेन पूर्णाः प्राप्तमनोरथाः

tataste vāḍavāḥ sarve trimūrtīḥ praṇipatya ca mahatā harṣavṛndena pūrṇāḥ prāptamanorathāḥ

Then all those brahmins bowed to the Trimūrti and, their heart's desire now fulfilled, were filled with great and overflowing joy.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.85.18)

अर्घ्यपाद्यादिविधिना श्रद्धया तानपूजयन् क्षणं विश्रम्य ते देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादयः ऊचू रामं महाशक्तिं विनयात्कृतसंपुटम्

arghyapādyādividhinā śraddhayā tān apūjayan kṣaṇaṁ viśramya te devā brahmaviṣṇuśivādayaḥ ūcū rāmaṁ mahāśaktiṁ vinayāt kṛtasaṁpuṭam

They worshipped the gods, with faith, according to the rite of arghya and pādya. Resting a moment, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the other gods, humbly with joined palms, then spoke to Rama, of mighty power —

Verse 19 (skanda.3.85.19)

देवा ऊचुः । देवद्रुहस्त्वया राम ये हता रावणादयः तेन तुष्टा वयं सर्वे भानुवंशविभूषण

devā ūcuḥ devadruhas tvayā rāma ye hatā rāvaṇādayaḥ tena tuṣṭā vayaṁ sarve bhānuvaṁśavibhūṣaṇa

The gods said: O Rama, ornament of the Solar dynasty, you have slain Ravana and the others, those enemies of the gods; by this, all of us are well pleased.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.85.20)

उद्धरस्व महास्थानं महतीं कीर्तिमाप्नुहि

uddharasva mahāsthānaṁ mahatīṁ kīrtim āpnuhi

"Restore this great place, and thereby attain great fame."

Verse 21 (skanda.3.85.21)

लब्ध्वा स तेषामाज्ञां तु प्रीतो दशरथात्मजः जीर्णोद्धारेऽनंतगुणं फलमिच्छन्निलापतिः देवानां संनिधौ तेषां कार्यारंभमथाकरोत्

labdhvā sa teṣām ājñāṁ tu prīto daśarathātmajaḥ jīrṇoddhāre 'nantaguṇaṁ phalam icchan nilāpatiḥ devānāṁ saṁnidhau teṣāṁ kāryārambham athākarot

Having received their sanction, the son of Dasharatha, pleased, desiring boundless merit from the restoration, began the work in the very presence of those gods.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.85.22)

स्थंडिलं पूर्वतः कृत्वा महागिरि समं शुभम्

sthaṇḍilaṁ pūrvataḥ kṛtvā mahāgirisamaṁ śubham

First he built a lofty, auspicious raised platform, towering like a great mountain.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.85.23)

तस्योपरि बहिःशाला गृहशाला ह्यनेकशः ब्रह्मशालाश्च बहुशो निर्ममे शोभनाकृतीः

tasyopari bahiḥśālā gṛhaśālā hy anekaśaḥ brahmaśālāś ca bahuśo nirmame śobhanākṛtīḥ

Upon it he built numerous outer halls, dwelling halls, and many beautifully shaped Brahma-halls as well.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.85.24)

निधानैश्च समायुक्ता गृहोपकरणै र्वृताः सुवर्णकोटिसंपूर्णा रसवस्त्रादिपूरिताः

nidhānaiś ca samāyuktā gṛhopakaraṇair vṛtāḥ suvarṇakoṭisaṁpūrṇā rasavastrādipūritāḥ

These were filled with treasuries and household provisions, brimming with crores of gold, and stocked full with essences, cloths, and the like.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.85.25)

धनधान्यसमृद्धाश्च सर्वधातुयुतास्तथा एतत्सर्वं कारयित्वा ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तदा ददौ

dhanadhānyasamṛddhāś ca sarvadhātuyutās tathā etat sarvaṁ kārayitvā brāhmaṇebhyas tadā dadau

They were rich in wealth and grain, and furnished with every kind of metal. Having caused all this to be built, he gave it all to the brahmins.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.85.26)

एकैकशो दशदश ददौ धेनूः पयस्विनीः चत्वारिंशच्छतं प्रादाद्ग्रामाणां चतुराधिकम्

ekaikaśo daśadaśa dadau dhenūḥ payasvinīḥ catvāriṁśacchataṁ prādād grāmāṇāṁ caturādhikam

To each he gave ten milking cows, and he further granted four thousand four hundred and four villages.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.85.27)

त्रैविद्यद्विजविप्रेभ्यो रामो दशरथात्मजः काजेशेन त्रयेणैव स्थापिता द्विजसत्तमाः

trai vidyadvijaviprebhyo rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ kājeśena trayeṇaiva sthāpitā dvijasattamāḥ

Rama, the son of Dasharatha, gave all this to the brahmins learned in the threefold Vedic lore, those excellent twice-born who had originally been established by Kājeśa's own trinity.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.85.28)

तस्मात्त्रयीविद्य इति ख्यातिर्लोके बभूव ह एवंविधं द्विजेभ्यः स दत्त्वा दानं महाद्भुतम्

tasmāt trayīvidya iti khyātir loke babhūva ha evaṁvidhaṁ dvijebhyaḥ sa dattvā dānaṁ mahādbhutam

That is why they became renowned in the world as "Trayīvidya" ("the threefold-learned"). Having given the brahmins so wondrous a gift —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.85.29)

आत्मानं चापि मेने स कृतकृत्यं नरेश्वरः ब्रह्मणा स्थापिताः पूर्वं विष्णुना शंकरेण ये ते पूजिता राघवेण जीर्णोद्धारे कृते सति

ātmānaṁ cāpi mene sa kṛtakṛtyaṁ nareśvaraḥ brahmaṇā sthāpitāḥ pūrvaṁ viṣṇunā śaṁkareṇa ye te pūjitā rāghaveṇa jīrṇoddhāre kṛte sati

— the king felt his purpose fulfilled. Those who had first been established by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankara — once the restoration was complete, they were honored anew by Rāghava.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.85.30)

षट्त्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि गोभुजा ये वणिग्वराः

ṣaṭtriṁśac ca sahasrāṇi gobhujā ye vaṇigvarāḥ

The thirty-six thousand excellent merchants known as "Gobhuja" —

Verse 31 (skanda.3.85.31)

शुश्रूषार्थं प्रदत्ता वै देवैर्हरिहरादिभिः। संतुष्टेन तु शर्वेण तेभ्यो दत्तं तु चेत नम्।

śuśrūṣārthaṁ pradattā vai devair hariharādibhiḥ saṁtuṣṭena tu śarveṇa tebhyo dattaṁ tu cetanam

— had been assigned by Hari, Hara, and the other gods to the service (of the brahmins); pleased with them, Shiva then gave them an emblem —

Verse 32 (skanda.3.85.32)

श्वेताश्वचामरौ दत्तौ खङ्गं दत्तं सुनिर्मलम् तदा प्रबोधितास्ते च द्विजशुश्रूषणाय वै

śvetāśvacāmarau dattau khaḍgaṁ dattaṁ sunirmalam tadā prabodhitās te ca dvijaśuśrūṣaṇāya vai

— giving them a white horse, a chowrie, and a spotless sword; and thus urged them on to devote themselves to the service of the brahmins —

Verse 33 (skanda.3.85.33)

विवाहादौ सदा भाव्यं चामरै मंगलं वरम् खङ्गं शुभं तदा धार्य्यं मम चिह्नं करे स्थितम्

vivāhādau sadā bhāvyaṁ cāmarai maṅgalaṁ varam khaḍgaṁ śubhaṁ tadā dhāryaṁ mama cihnaṁ kare sthitam

"At weddings and other auspicious occasions, let the chowrie always be waved for blessing; let the auspicious sword also be borne in hand — this is my own emblem."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.85.34)

गुरुपूजा सदा कार्या कुलदेव्याः पुनःपुनः वृद्ध्यागमेषु प्राप्तेषु वृद्धि दायकदक्षिणा

gurupūjā sadā kāryā kuladevyāḥ punaḥ punaḥ vṛddhyāgameṣu prāpteṣu vṛddhidāyakadakṣiṇā

"The guru and the family goddess should always be worshipped, again and again; on occasions of prosperity, a fee should be given that fosters prosperity."

Verse 35 (skanda.3.85.35)

एकादश्यां शनेर्वारे दानं देयं द्विजन्मने प्रदेयं बालवृद्धेभ्यो मम रामस्य शासनात्

ekādaśyāṁ śaner vāre dānaṁ deyaṁ dvijanmane pradeyaṁ bālavṛddhebhyo mama rāmasya śāsanāt

"On the eleventh lunar day, on a Saturday, a gift should be given to a brahmin; it should be given also to children and the aged, by my — Rama's — own decree."

Verse 36 (skanda.3.85.36)

मंडलेषु च ये शुद्धा वणिग्वृत्तिरताः पराः सपादलक्षास्ते दत्ता रामशासनपालकाः

maṇḍaleṣu ca ye śuddhā vaṇigvṛttiratāḥ parāḥ sapādalakṣās te dattā rāmaśāsanapālakāḥ

Those who, in the various regions, were pure and devoted solely to the merchant's trade — a hundred and twenty-five thousand of them were assigned as keepers of Rama's decree.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.85.37)

मांडलीकास्तु ते ज्ञेया राजानो मंडलेश्वराः द्विज शुश्रूषणे दत्ता रामेण वणिजां वराः

māṇḍalīkās tu te jñeyā rājāno maṇḍaleśvarāḥ dvijaśuśrūṣaṇe dattā rāmeṇa vaṇijāṁ varāḥ

These should be known as "Māṇḍalīka" kings, lords of their regions; Rama assigned these excellent merchants to the service of the brahmins.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.85.38)

चामरद्वितयं रामो दत्तवान्खड्गमेव च कुलस्य स्वामिनं सूर्यं प्रतिष्ठाविधिपूर्वकम्

cāmaradvitayaṁ rāmo dattavān khaḍgam eva ca kulasya svāminaṁ sūryaṁ pratiṣṭhāvidhipūrvakam

Rama gave them a pair of chowries and a sword; and, according to the rite of consecration, established the Sun as lord of their lineage —

Verse 39 (skanda.3.85.39)

ब्रह्माणं स्थापयामास चतुर्वेदसमन्वितम् श्रीमातरं महाशक्तिं शून्यस्वामिहरिं तथा

brahmāṇaṁ sthāpayāmāsa caturvedasamanvitam śrīmātaraṁ mahāśaktiṁ śūnyasvāmihariṁ tathā

— and established Brahma, together with the four Vedas, the great shakti Shrimata, and Śūnyasvāmi Hari as well.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.85.40)

विघ्नापध्वंसनार्थाय दक्षिणद्वारसंस्थितम् गणं संस्थापयामास तथान्याश्चैव देवताः

vighnāpadhvaṁsanārthāya dakṣiṇadvārasaṁsthitam gaṇaṁ saṁsthāpayāmāsa tathānyāś caiva devatāḥ

For the destruction of obstacles, he established Gaṇapati at the southern gate, and other deities besides.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.85.41)

कारितास्तेन वीरेण प्रासादाः सप्तभूमिकाः यत्किं चित्कुरुते कार्यं शुभं मांगल्यरूपकम्

kāritās tena vīreṇa prāsādāḥ saptabhūmikāḥ yat kiṁcit kurute kāryaṁ śubhaṁ māṅgalyarūpakam

That hero also caused seven-storied palaces to be built. Whenever anyone undertakes any auspicious, festive occasion —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.85.42)

पुत्रे जाते जातके वान्नाशने मुंडनेऽपि वा लक्षहोमे कोटिहोमे तथा यज्ञक्रियासु च

putre jāte jātake vānnaśane muṇḍane 'pi vā lakṣahome koṭihome tathā yajñakriyāsu ca

— at the birth of a son, at the birth-ceremony, at the first feeding, at the tonsure, at a hundred-thousand-fold or crore-fold fire offering, or in sacrificial rites —

Verse 43 (skanda.3.85.43)

वास्तुपूजाग्रहशांत्योः प्राप्ते चैव महोत्सवे यत्किंचित्कुरुते दानं द्रव्यं वा धान्यमुत्तमम्

vāstupūjāgrahaśāntyoḥ prāpte caiva mahotsave yat kiṁcit kurute dānaṁ dravyaṁ vā dhānyam uttamam

— at a house-blessing, at a planetary-peace rite, or on any great festival, whatever wealth or excellent grain is given in charity —

Verse 44 (skanda.3.85.44)

वस्त्रं वा धेनवो नाथ हेम रूप्यं तथैव च विप्राणामथ शूद्राणां दीनानाथांधकेषु च

vastraṁ vā dhenavo nātha hema rūpyaṁ tathaiva ca viprāṇām atha śūdrāṇāṁ dīnānāthāndhakeṣu ca

— cloth, cows, gold, or silver, O Lord — whether given to brahmins, to shudras, or to the poor, the orphaned, and the blind —

Verse 45 (skanda.3.85.45)

प्रथमं बकुलार्कस्य श्रीमातुश्चैव मानवः भागं दद्याच्च निर्विघ्नकार्यसिद्ध्यै निरन्तरम्

prathamaṁ bakulārkasya śrīmātuś caiva mānavaḥ bhāgaṁ dadyāc ca nirvighnakāryasiddhyai nirantaram

— before all that, a man should always set aside a share for Bakulārka (the Sun) and Shrimata, always, so that his undertaking may succeed without obstacle.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.85.46)

वचनं मे समुल्लंघ्य कुरुते योऽन्यथा नरः तस्य तत्कर्मणो विघ्नं भविष्यति न संशयः

vacanaṁ me samullaṅghya kurute yo 'nyathā naraḥ tasya tat karmaṇo vighnaṁ bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

"Whatever man transgresses my word and acts otherwise — obstacles will surely befall his undertaking; of this there is no doubt."

Verse 47 (skanda.3.85.47)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो रामः प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना देवानामथ वापीश्च प्राकारांस्तु सुशोभनान्

evam uktvā tato rāmaḥ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā devānām atha vāpīś ca prākārāṁs tu suśobhanān

Having said this, Rama, his inner soul rejoicing, then also built, for the gods, stepwells and beautiful ramparts —

Verse 48 (skanda.3.85.48)

दुर्गोपकरणैर्युक्तान्प्रतोलीश्च सुविस्तृताः निर्ममे चैव कुंडानि सरांसि सरसीस्तथा

durgopakaraṇair yuktān pratolīś ca suvistṛtāḥ nirmame caiva kuṇḍāni sarāṁsi sarasīs tathā

— fitted with fortification works, and broad avenues; and he also built water-tanks, ponds, and lakes.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.85.49)

धर्मवापीश्च कूपांश्च तथान्यान्देवनिर्मितान् एतत्सर्वं च विस्तार्य धर्मारण्ये मनोरमे

dharmavāpīś ca kūpāṁś ca tathānyān devanirmitān etat sarvaṁ ca vistārya dharmāraṇye manorame

Dharma-wells, ordinary wells, and other god-made structures too — all of these he had extended throughout the delightful Dharmaranya —

Verse 50 (skanda.3.85.50)

ददौ त्रैविद्यमुख्येभ्यः श्रद्धया परया पुनः ताम्रपट्टस्थितं रामशासनं लोपयेत्तु यः

dadau trai vidyamukhyebhyaḥ śraddhayā parayā punaḥ tāmrapaṭṭasthitaṁ rāmaśāsanaṁ lopayet tu yaḥ

— and gave them, with supreme faith, to the foremost of the Trayīvidya brahmins. Whoever shall violate this decree of Rama, inscribed on the copper plate —

Verse 51 (skanda.3.85.51)

पूर्वजास्तस्य नरके पतंत्यग्रे न संततिः वायुपुत्रं समाहूय ततो रामोऽब्रवीद्वचः

pūrvajās tasya narake patanty agre na saṁtatiḥ vāyuputraṁ samāhūya tato rāmo 'bravīd vacaḥ

— his ancestors shall fall into hell, and no offspring shall come after him. Then Rama summoned the son of the Wind (Hanuman) and spoke these words —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.85.52)

वायुपुत्र महावीर तव पूजा भविष्यति अस्य क्षेत्रस्य रक्षायै त्वमत्र स्थितिमाचर

vāyuputra mahāvīra tava pūjā bhaviṣyati asya kṣetrasya rakṣāyai tvam atra sthitim ācara

"O son of the Wind, O great hero, you shall be worshipped here forever. For the protection of this sacred field, take up your abode here."

Verse 53 (skanda.3.85.53)

आंजनेयस्तु तद्वाक्यं प्रणम्य शिरसादधौ जीर्णोद्धारं तदा कृत्वा कृतकृत्यो बभूव ह

āñjaneyas tu tad vākyaṁ praṇamya śirasādadhau jīrṇoddhāraṁ tadā kṛtvā kṛtakṛtyo babhūva ha

Añjaneya bowed and accepted his word, holding it as a command upon his head. Having thus completed the restoration, Rama felt his purpose fulfilled.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.85.54)

श्रीमातरं तदाभ्यर्च्य प्रसन्नेनांतरात्मना श्रीमातरं नमस्कृत्य तीर्थान्यन्यानि राघवः

śrīmātaraṁ tadābhyarcya prasannenāntarātmanā śrīmātaraṁ namaskṛtya tīrthāny anyāni rāghavaḥ

With a joyful inner soul, he then worshipped Shrimata; having bowed to Shrimata, Rāghava then proceeded to the other tirthas —

Verse 55 (skanda.3.85.55)

तेऽपि देवाः स्वकं स्थानं ययुर्बह्मपुरोगमाः

te 'pi devāḥ svakaṁ sthānaṁ yayur brahmapurogamāḥ

— proceeded. Those gods too, with Brahma at their head, returned each to his own abode.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.85.56)

दत्त्वाशिषं तु रामाय वांछितं ते भविष्यति रम्यं कृतं त्वया राम विप्राणां स्थापनादिकम्

dattvāśiṣaṁ tu rāmāya vāñchitaṁ te bhaviṣyati ramyaṁ kṛtaṁ tvayā rāma viprāṇāṁ sthāpanādikam

Giving their blessing to Rama, they said: "Your desire shall be fulfilled. O Rama, the delightful work you have done in re-establishing the brahmins and all else —"

Verse 57 (skanda.3.85.57)

अस्माकमपि वात्सल्यं कृतं पुण्यवता त्वया इति स्तुवंतस्ते देवाः स्वानि स्थानानि भेजिरे इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे पूर्वार्धे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये श्रीरामचन्द्रस्य पुरप्रत्यागमनवर्णनं नाम त्रयस्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः

asmākam api vātsalyaṁ kṛtaṁ puṇyavatā tvayā iti stuvantaste devāḥ svāni sthānāni bhejire iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe pūrvārdhe dharmāraṇyamāhātmye śrīrāmacandrasya purapratyāgamanavarṇanaṁ nāma trayastriṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

"— by that, O virtuous one, you have shown affection even toward us." Praising him thus, those gods departed, each to his own abode. Thus ends the thirty-third chapter, called "Shri Ramachandra's Return to the City," within the Glory of Dharmaranya, in the earlier half of the third Brahma Khanda, in the Skanda Mahapurana's Samhita of eighty-one thousand verses.