Rama and Rudra's Restoration of Dharmaranya

Verse 1 (skanda.3.87.1)

नारद उवाच । भगवन्देवदेवेश सृष्टिसंहारकारक गुणातीतो गुणैर्युक्तो मुक्तीनां साधनं परम्

nārada uvāca bhagavan devadeveśa sṛṣṭisaṁhārakāraka guṇātīto guṇair yukto muktīnāṁ sādhanaṁ param

Narada said: O Lord, O God of gods, creator and destroyer of the universe — though beyond the guṇas, you are yet endowed with them, and are the supreme means to liberation.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.87.2)

संस्थाप्य वेदभवनं विधिवद्द्विज सत्तमान् किं चक्रे रघुनाथस्तु भूयोऽयोध्यां गतस्तदा

saṁsthāpya vedabhavanaṁ vidhivad dvijasattamān kiṁ cakre raghunāthas tu bhūyo 'yodhyāṁ gatas tadā

After duly establishing the excellent brahmins at the Vedabhavana, what did Raghunatha do once he had returned again to Ayodhya?

Verse 3 (skanda.3.87.3)

स्वस्थाने ब्राह्मणास्तत्र कानि कर्माणि चक्रिरे । ब्रह्मोवाच । इष्टापूर्तरताः शांताः प्रतिग्रहपराङ्मुखाः

svasthāne brāhmaṇās tatra kāni karmāṇi cakrire brahmovāca iṣṭāpūrtaratāḥ śāntāḥ pratigrahaparāṅmukhāḥ

What deeds did the brahmins perform, once returned to their own place? Brahma said: devoted to iṣṭa (sacrifice) and pūrta (public works), tranquil, and turning away from accepting gifts —

Verse 4 (skanda.3.87.4)

राज्यं चक्रुर्वनस्यास्य पुरोधा द्विजसत्तमः उवाच रामपुरतस्तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

rājyaṁ cakrur vanasyāsya purodhā dvijasattamaḥ uvāca rāmapuratas tīrthamāhātmyam uttamam

— they governed the affairs of this forest realm. The royal priest, that excellent twice-born, then spoke before Rama of the excellent glory of the tirthas —

Verse 5 (skanda.3.87.5)

प्रयागस्य च माहात्म्यं त्रिवेणीफलमुत्तमम् प्रयागतीर्थमहिमा शुक्लतीर्थस्य चैव हि

prayāgasya ca māhātmyaṁ triveṇīphalam uttamam prayāgatīrthamahimā śuklatīrthasya caiva hi

— the glory of Prayaga, the excellent fruit of the Triveni, the majesty of Prayaga-tirtha, and of Shukla-tirtha as well —

Verse 6 (skanda.3.87.6)

सिद्धक्षेत्रस्य काश्याश्च गंगाया महिमा तथा वसिष्ठः कथया मास तीर्थान्यन्यानि नारद

siddhakṣetrasya kāśyāś ca gaṅgāyā mahimā tathā vasiṣṭhaḥ kathayāmāsa tīrthāny anyāni nārada

— the majesty of Siddhakshetra and of Kashi, and of the Ganga too. O Narada, thus Vasishtha recounted many other tirthas.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.87.7)

धर्मारण्यसुवर्णाया हरिक्षेत्रस्य तस्य च स्नानदानादिकं सर्वं वाराणस्या यवाधिकम्

dharmāraṇyasuvarṇāyā harikṣetrasya tasya ca snānadānādikaṁ sarvaṁ vārāṇasyā yavādhikam

All acts of bathing and giving performed at Dharmaranya's Suvarnā river and at Harikshetra yield fruit even greater than at Varanasi —

Verse 8 (skanda.3.87.8)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा रामदेवः स चमत्कृतमानसः धर्मारण्ये पुनर्यात्रां कर्त्तुकामः समभ्यगात्

etac chrutvā rāmadevaḥ sa camatkṛtamānasaḥ dharmāraṇye punaryātrāṁ kartukāmaḥ samabhyagāt

Hearing this, Lord Rama's mind was struck with wonder, and, desiring to make a second pilgrimage to Dharmaranya, he set out there.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.87.9)

सीतया सह धर्मज्ञो गुरुसैन्यपुरःसरः लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा भरतेन सहायवान्

sītayā saha dharmajño gurusainyapuraḥsaraḥ lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā bharatena sahāyavān

The righteous Rama, together with Sītā, his guru and his army leading the way, together with his brother Lakshmana, aided by Bharata —

Verse 10 (skanda.3.87.10)

शत्रुघ्नेन परिवृतो गतो मोहेरके पुरे तत्र गत्वा वसिष्ठं तु पृच्छतेऽसौ महामनाः

śatrughnena parivṛto gato moherake pure tatra gatvā vasiṣṭhaṁ tu pṛcchate 'sau mahāmanāḥ

— and surrounded by Shatrughna, went to the city of Moheraka. Having arrived there, that great-souled Rama asked Vasishtha —

Verse 11 (skanda.3.87.11)

राम उवाच । धर्मारण्ये महाक्षेत्रे किं कर्त्तव्यं द्विजोत्तम दानं वा नियमो वाथ स्नानं वा तप उत्तमम्

rāma uvāca dharmāraṇye mahākṣetre kiṁ kartavyaṁ dvijottama dānaṁ vā niyamo vātha snānaṁ vā tapa uttamam

Rama said: O best of the twice-born, what should be done in this great field of Dharmaranya — giving, observance of vows, bathing, or supreme austerity?

Verse 12 (skanda.3.87.12)

ध्यानं वाथ क्रतुं वाथ होमं वा जपमुत्तमम् दानं वा नियमं वाथ स्नानं वा तप उत्तमम्।

dhyānaṁ vātha kratuṁ vātha homaṁ vā japam uttamam dānaṁ vā niyamaṁ vātha snānaṁ vā tapa uttamam

Or meditation, ritual sacrifice, fire-offering, or supreme recitation — giving, observance, bathing, or supreme austerity —

Verse 13 (skanda.3.87.13)

येन वै क्रियमाणेन तीर्थेऽस्मिन्द्विजसत्तम ब्रह्महत्यादिपापेभ्यो मुच्यते तद्ब्रवीहि मे

yena vai kriyamāṇena tīrthe 'smin dvijasattama brahmahatyādipāpebhyo mucyate tad bravīhi me

— O foremost of the twice-born, tell me: by performing which act at this tirtha is a man freed from sins such as brahmin-slaying?

Verse 14 (skanda.3.87.14)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । यज्ञं कुरु महाभाग धर्मारण्ये त्वमुत्तमम् दिनेदिने कोटिगुणं यावद्वर्षशतं भवेत्

vasiṣṭha uvāca yajñaṁ kuru mahābhāga dharmāraṇye tvam uttamam dinedine koṭiguṇaṁ yāvad varṣaśataṁ bhavet

Vasishtha said: O illustrious one, perform an excellent sacrifice here at Dharmaranya, one that multiplies its fruit a crore-fold with each passing day, lasting a full hundred years.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.87.15)

तच्छ्रुत्वा चैव गुरुतो यज्ञारंभं चकार सः तस्मिन्नवसरे सीता रामं व्यज्ञापयन्मुदा

tac chrutvā caiva gurutaḥ yajñārambhaṁ cakāra saḥ tasminn avasare sītā rāmaṁ vyajñāpayan mudā

Having heard this from his guru, Rama began the sacrifice. On that occasion, Sītā, with joy, made a request to Rama —

Verse 16 (skanda.3.87.16)

स्वामिन्पूर्वं त्वया विप्रा वृता ये वेदपारगाः ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशेन निर्मिता ये पुरा द्विजाः

svāmin pūrvaṁ tvayā viprā vṛtā ye vedapāragāḥ brahmaviṣṇumaheśena nirmitā ye purā dvijāḥ

"My lord, the brahmins learned fully in the Vedas whom you have already chosen — those twice-born who, long ago, were fashioned by Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha —"

Verse 17 (skanda.3.87.17)

कृते त्रेतायुगे चैव धर्मारण्यनिवासिनः विप्रांस्तान्वै वृणुष्व त्वं तैरेव साधकोऽध्वरः

kṛte tretāyuge caiva dharmāraṇyanivāsinaḥ viprāṁs tān vai vṛṇuṣva tvaṁ tair eva sādhako 'dhvaraḥ

"— who have dwelt in Dharmaranya since the Kṛta Yuga and through the Treta Yuga, choose those very brahmins; through them alone shall this sacrifice succeed."

Verse 18 (skanda.3.87.18)

तच्छ्रुत्वा रामदेवेन आहूता ब्राह्मणास्तदा स्थापिताश्च यथापूर्वमस्मिन्मोहे रके पुरे

tac chrutvā rāmadevena āhūtā brāhmaṇās tadā sthāpitāś ca yathāpūrvam asmin moherake pure

Hearing this, Lord Rama summoned those brahmins, who had been established, just as before, in this city of Moheraka.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.87.19)

तैस्त्वष्टादशसंख्याकैस्त्रैविद्यैर्मेहिवाडवैः यज्ञं चकार विधिवत्तैरेवायतबुद्धिभिः

tais tv aṣṭādaśasaṁkhyākais trai vidyair mehivāḍavaiḥ yajñaṁ cakāra vidhivat tair evāyatabuddhibhiḥ

With those eighteen brahmins of Moheraka, learned in the threefold Vedic lore, Rama duly performed the sacrifice, through those men of expansive wisdom —

Verse 20 (skanda.3.87.20)

कुशिकः कौशिको वत्स उपमन्युश्च काश्यपः। कृष्णात्रेयो भरद्वाजो धारिणः शौनको वरः।

kuśikaḥ kauśiko vatsa upamanyuś ca kāśyapaḥ kṛṣṇātreyo bharadvājo dhāriṇaḥ śaunako varaḥ

— Kuśika, Kauśika, Vatsa, Upamanyu, Kāśyapa, Kṛṣṇātreya, Bharadvāja, Dhāriṇa, and the excellent Śaunaka —

Verse 21 (skanda.3.87.21)

मांडव्यो भार्गवः पैंग्यो वात्स्यो लौगाक्ष एव च। गांगायनोथ गांगेयः शुनकः शौनकस्तथा।

māṇḍavyo bhārgavaḥ paiṅgyo vātsyo laugākṣa eva ca gāṅgāyano 'tha gāṅgeyaḥ śunakaḥ śaunakas tathā

— Māṇḍavya, Bhārgava, Paiṅgya, Vātsya, Laugākṣa, Gāṅgāyana, Gāṅgeya, Śunaka, and Śaunaka — thus the eighteen brahmins.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.87.22)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एभिर्विप्रैः क्रतुं रामः समाप्य विधिवन्नृपः। चकारावभृथं रामो विप्रान्संपूज्य भक्तितः।

brahmovāca ebhir viprai kratuṁ rāmaḥ samāpya vidhivan nṛpaḥ cakārāvabhṛthaṁ rāmo viprān saṁpūjya bhaktitaḥ

Brahma said: With these brahmins, King Rama duly brought the sacrifice to completion; Rama performed the concluding ritual bath and honored the brahmins with devotion.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.87.23)

यज्ञांते सीतया रामो विज्ञप्तः सुविनीतया। अस्याध्वरस्य संपत्ती दक्षिणां देहि सुव्रत।

yajñānte sītayā rāmo vijñaptaḥ suvinītayā asyādhvarasya saṁpattau dakṣiṇāṁ dehi suvrata

At the conclusion of the sacrifice, the humble Sītā made a request to Rama: "O one of noble vows, upon the completion of this sacrifice, give the sacrificial fee —"

Verse 24 (skanda.3.87.24)

मन्नाम्ना च पुरं तत्र स्थाप्यतां शीघ्रमेव च सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा तथा चक्रे नृपोत्तमः

mannāmnā ca puraṁ tatra sthāpyatāṁ śīghram eva ca sītāyā vacanaṁ śrutvā tathā cakre nṛpottamaḥ

"— and swiftly found a city there in my name." Hearing Sītā's words, that best of kings did just so.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.87.25)

तेषां च ब्राह्मणानां च स्थानमेकं सुनिर्भयम् दत्तं रामेण सीतायाः संतोषाय महीभृता

teṣāṁ ca brāhmaṇānāṁ ca sthānam ekaṁ sunirbhayam dattaṁ rāmeṇa sītāyāḥ saṁtoṣāya mahībhṛtā

A single, secure abode was set aside for those brahmins as well; the king Rama did this for Sītā's contentment.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.87.26)

सीतापुरमिति ख्यातं नाम चक्रे तदा किल तस्याधिदेव्यौ वर्त्तेते शांता चैव सुमंगला

sītāpuram iti khyātaṁ nāma cakre tadā kila tasyādhidevyau vartete śāntā caiva sumaṅgalā

It was named Sītāpura; its two presiding goddesses are Śāntā and Sumaṅgalā.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.87.27)

मोहेरकस्य पुरतो ग्रामद्वादशकं पुरः ददौ विप्राय विदुषे समुत्थाय प्रहर्षितः

moherakasya purato grāmadvādaśakaṁ puraḥ dadau viprāya viduṣe samutthāya praharṣitaḥ

Right before Moheraka, rising up with great joy, he gave twelve villages to a learned brahmin.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.87.28)

तीर्थांतरं जगामाशु काश्यपीसरितस्तटे वाडवाः केऽपि नीतास्ते रामेण सह धर्मवित्

tīrthāntaraṁ jagāmāśu kāśyapīsaritas taṭe vāḍavāḥ ke 'pi nītās te rāmeṇa saha dharmavit

Then that righteous Rama swiftly journeyed to another tirtha, on the bank of the Kāśyapī river; certain brahmins were brought along with him.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.87.29)

धर्मालये गतः सद्यो यत्र माला कमंडलुः पुरा धर्मेण सुमहत्कृतं यत्र तपो मुने

dharmālaye gataḥ sadyo yatra mālā kamaṇḍaluḥ purā dharmeṇa sumahat kṛtaṁ yatra tapo mune

He went at once to Dharmalaya, where, O sage, the god Dharma had once, bearing a rosary and water-pot, performed an exceedingly great austerity.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.87.30)

तदारभ्य सुविख्यातं धर्मालयमिति श्रुतम् ददौ दाशरथिस्तत्र महादानानि षोडश ।

tadārabhya suvikhyātaṁ dharmālayam iti śrutam dadau dāśarathis tatra mahādānāni ṣoḍaśa

From that time on, this place became renowned by the name Dharmalaya; there, the son of Dasharatha gave sixteen great gifts.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.87.31)

पंचाशत्तदा ग्रामाः सीतापुरसमन्विताः सत्यमंदिरपर्यंता रघुना थेन वै तदा

pañcāśat tadā grāmāḥ sītāpurasamanvitāḥ satyamandiraparyantā raghunāthena vai tadā

Then Raghunatha Rama also gave fifty villages, extending from Sītāpura all the way to Satyamandira.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.87.32)

सीताया वचनात्तत्र गुरुवाक्येन चैव हि आत्मनो वंशवृद्ध्यर्थं द्विजेभ्योऽदाद्रघूत्तमः

sītāyā vacanāt tatra guruvākyena caiva hi ātmano vaṁśavṛddhyarthaṁ dvijebhyo 'dād raghūttamaḥ

At Sītā's word, and likewise at his guru's word, for the increase of his own lineage, that foremost of the Raghus gave gifts there to the brahmins —

Verse 33 (skanda.3.87.33)

अष्टादशसहस्राणां द्विजानामभवत्कुलम् वात्स्यायन उपमन्युर्जातूकर्ण्योऽथ पिंगलः

aṣṭādaśasahasrāṇāṁ dvijānām abhavat kulam vātsyāyana upamanyur jātūkarṇyo 'tha piṅgalaḥ

— and a lineage of eighteen thousand twice-born brahmins was established there — Vātsyāyana, Upamanyu, Jātūkarṇya, Piṅgala —

Verse 34 (skanda.3.87.34)

भारद्वाजस्तथा वत्सः कौशिकः कुश एव च शांडिल्यः कश्यपश्चैव गौतमश्छांधनस्तथा

bhāradvājas tathā vatsaḥ kauśikaḥ kuśa eva ca śāṇḍilyaḥ kaśyapaś caiva gautamaś chāndhanas tathā

— Bhāradvāja, Vatsa, Kauśika, Kuśa, Śāṇḍilya, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Chāndhana —

Verse 35 (skanda.3.87.35)

कृष्णात्रेयस्तथा वत्सो वसिष्ठो धारणस्तथा भांडिलश्चैव विज्ञेयो यौवनाश्वस्ततः परम्

kṛṣṇātreyas tathā vatso vasiṣṭho dhāraṇas tathā bhāṇḍilaś caiva vijñeyo yauvanāśvas tataḥ param

— Kṛṣṇātreya, Vatsa, Vasiṣṭha, Dhāraṇa, Bhāṇḍila, and Yauvanāśva —

Verse 36 (skanda.3.87.36)

कृष्णायनोपमन्यू च गार्ग्यमुद्गलमौखकाः पुशिः पराशरश्चैव कौंडिन्यश्च ततः परम्

kṛṣṇāyanopamanyū ca gārgyamudgalamaukhakāḥ puśiḥ parāśaraś caiva kauṇḍinyaś ca tataḥ param

— Kṛṣṇāyana, Upamanyu, Gārgya, Mudgala, Maukhaka, Puśi, Parāśara, and Kauṇḍinya — into these gotras that lineage was divided.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.87.37)

पंचपंचाशद्ग्रामाणां नामान्येवं यथाक्रमम् सीतापुरं श्रीक्षेत्रं च मुशली मुद्गली तथा

pañcapañcāśadgrāmāṇāṁ nāmāny evaṁ yathākramam sītāpuraṁ śrīkṣetraṁ ca muśalī mudgalī tathā

Now the names of those fifty-five villages are given in order — Sītāpura, Śrīkṣetra, Muśalī, Mudgalī —

Verse 38 (skanda.3.87.38)

ज्येष्ठला श्रेयस्थानं च दंताली वटपत्रका राज्ञः पुरं कृष्णवाटं देहं लोहं चनस्थनम्

jyeṣṭhalā śreyasthānaṁ ca daṁtālī vaṭapatrakā rājñaḥ puraṁ kṛṣṇavāṭaṁ dehaṁ lohaṁ canasthanam

— Jyeṣṭhalā, Śreyasthāna, Daṁtālī, Vaṭapatrakā, Rājñaḥpura, Kṛṣṇavāṭa, Deha, Loha, Canasthana —

Verse 39 (skanda.3.87.39)

कोहेचं चंदनक्षेत्रं थलं च हस्तिनापुरम् कर्पटं कंनजह्नवी वनोडफनफावली

kohecaṁ candanakṣetraṁ thalaṁ ca hastināpuram karpaṭaṁ kaṁnajahnavī vanoḍaphanaphāvalī

— Kohecha, Candanakṣetra, Thala, Hastināpura, Karpaṭa, Kaṁnajahnavī, Vanoḍa, Phanaphāvalī —

Verse 40 (skanda.3.87.40)

मोहोधं शमोहोरली गोविंदणं थलत्यजम् चारणसिद्धं सोद्गीत्राभाज्यजं वटमालिका

mohodhaṁ śamohoralī govindaṇaṁ thalatyajam cāraṇasiddhaṁ sodgītrābhājyajaṁ vaṭamālikā

— Mohodha, Śamohoralī, Govindaṇa, Thalatyaja, Cāraṇasiddha, Sodgītrābhājyaja, Vaṭamālikā —

Verse 41 (skanda.3.87.41)

गोधरं मारणजं चैव मात्रमध्यं च मातरम् बलवती गंधवती ईआम्ली च राज्यजम्

godharaṁ māraṇajaṁ caiva mātramadhyaṁ ca mātaram balavatī gandhavatī īāmlī ca rājyajam

— Godhara, Māraṇaja, Mātramadhya, Mātara, Balavatī, Gandhavatī, Īāmlī, Rājyaja —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.87.42)

रूपावली बहुधनं छत्रीटं वंशंजं तथा जायासंरणं गोतिकी च चित्रलेखं तथैव च

rūpāvalī bahudhanaṁ chatrīṭaṁ vaṁśaṁjaṁ tathā jāyāsaṁraṇaṁ gotikī ca citralekhaṁ tathaiva ca

— Rūpāvalī, Bahudhana, Chatrīṭa, Vaṁśaṁja, Jāyāsaṁraṇa, Gotikī, Citralekha —

Verse 43 (skanda.3.87.43)

दुग्धावली हंसावली च वैहोलं चैल्लजं तथा नालावली आसावली सुहाली कामतः परम्

dugdhāvalī haṁsāvalī ca vaiholaṁ caillajaṁ tathā nālāvalī āsāvalī suhālī kāmataḥ param

— Dugdhāvalī, Haṁsāvalī, Vaihola, Caillaja, Nālāvalī, Āsāvalī, and Suhālī — thus the villages, in whatever order desired.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.87.44)

रामेण पंचपंचाशद्ग्रामाणि वसनाय च स्वयं निर्माय दत्तानि द्विजेभ्यस्तेभ्य एव च

rāmeṇa pañcapañcāśadgrāmāṇi vasanāya ca svayaṁ nirmāya dattāni dvijebhyas tebhya eva ca

Rama himself founded these fifty-five villages and gave them, for dwelling, to those very brahmins.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.87.45)

तेषां शुश्रूषणार्थाय वैश्यान्रामो न्यवे दयत् षट्त्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि शूद्रास्तेभ्यश्चतुर्गुणान्

teṣāṁ śuśrūṣaṇārthāya vaiśyān rāmo nyavedayat ṣaṭtriṁśac ca sahasrāṇi śūdrās tebhyaś caturguṇān

For their service, Rama assigned vaishyas — thirty-six thousand of them — and shudras four times that number.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.87.46)

तेभ्यो दत्तानि दानानि गवाश्ववसनानि च हिरण्यं रजतं ताम्रं श्रद्धया परया मुदा

tebhyo dattāni dānāni gavāśvavasanāni ca hiraṇyaṁ rajataṁ tāmraṁ śraddhayā parayā mudā

To them too, with the utmost faith and delight, gifts of cows, horses, garments, gold, silver, and copper were given.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.87.47)

नारद उवाच । अष्टादशसहस्रास्ते ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः कथं ते व्यभजन्ग्रामान्द्रामो()त्पन्नं तथा वसु वस्त्राद्यं भूषणाद्यं च तन्मे कथय सुव्र तम्।

nārada uvāca aṣṭādaśasahasrās te brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ kathaṁ te vyabhajan grāmān rāmotpannaṁ tathā vasu vastrādyaṁ bhūṣaṇādyaṁ ca tan me kathaya suvrata

Narada said: O one of noble vows, tell me how those eighteen thousand brahmins, learned fully in the Vedas, divided among themselves the villages, the wealth given by Rama, and the garments and ornaments.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.87.48)

ब्रह्मोवाच । यज्ञांते दक्षिणा यावत्सर्त्विग्भिः स्वीकृता सुत महादानादिकं सर्वं तेभ्य एव समर्पितम्

brahmovāca yajñānte dakṣiṇā yāvat sartvigbhiḥ svīkṛtā suta mahādānādikaṁ sarvaṁ tebhya eva samarpitam

Brahma said: My son, whatever sacrificial fee was accepted by the officiating priests at the end of the sacrifice — all that great gift and more was given over to them alone.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.87.49)

ग्रामाः साधारणा दत्ता महास्थानानि वै तदा ये वसंति च यत्रैव तानि तेषां भवंत्विति

grāmāḥ sādhāraṇā dattā mahāsthānāni vai tadā ye vasanti ca yatraiva tāni teṣāṁ bhavantv iti

The villages and great sites were then given in common to all, with the understanding that wherever each one settled, that place would become his own.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.87.50)

वशिष्ठवचनात्तत्र ग्रामास्ते विप्रसात्कृताः रघूद्वहेन धीरेण नोद्व संति यथा द्विजाः

vaśiṣṭhavacanāt tatra grāmās te viprasātkṛtāḥ raghūdvahena dhīreṇa nodvasanti yathā dvijāḥ

At Vasishtha's word, those villages were placed entirely under brahmin ownership, so that, thanks to the steadfast Raghu-descendant, the brahmins might never again be displaced.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.87.51)

धान्यं तेषां प्रदत्तं हि विप्राणां चामितं वसु कृतांजलिस्ततो रामो ब्राह्मणानिदमब्रवीत्

dhānyaṁ teṣāṁ pradattaṁ hi viprāṇāṁ cāmitaṁ vasu kṛtāñjalis tato rāmo brāhmaṇān idam abravīt

Immeasurable wealth and grain were also given to them. Then Rama, with joined palms, spoke thus to the brahmins —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.87.52)

यथा कृतयुगे विप्रास्त्रेतायां च यथा पुरा तथा चाद्यैव वर्त्तव्यं मम राज्ये न संशयः

yathā kṛtayuge viprās tretāyāṁ ca yathā purā tathā cādyaiva vartavyaṁ mama rājye na saṁśayaḥ

"O brahmins, just as you dwelt in the Kṛta Yuga and, previously, in the Treta Yuga, so too must you live even now, in my kingdom — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 53 (skanda.3.87.53)

यत्किंचिद्धनधान्यं वा यानं वा वसनानि वा मणयः कांचनादींश्च हेमादींश्च तथा वसु

yat kiṁcid dhanadhānyaṁ vā yānaṁ vā vasanāni vā maṇayaḥ kāñcanādīṁś ca hemādīṁś ca tathā vasu

"Whatever wealth or grain, conveyance or garment, jewel, gold, or other such wealth you desire —"

Verse 54 (skanda.3.87.54)

ताम्राद्यं रजतादींश्च प्रार्थयध्वं ममाधुना अधुना वा भविष्ये वाभ्यर्थनीयं यथोचितम्

tāmrādyaṁ rajatādīṁś ca prārthayadhvaṁ mamādhunā adhunā vā bhaviṣye vābhyarthanīyaṁ yathocitam

"— copper, silver, and the rest — ask of me now; whether now or in time to come, request whatever is proper."

Verse 55 (skanda.3.87.55)

प्रेषणीयं वाचिकं मे सर्वदा द्विजसत्तमाः यंयं कामं प्रार्थयध्वं तं तं दास्याम्यहं विभो

preṣaṇīyaṁ vācikaṁ me sarvadā dvijasattamāḥ yaṁyaṁ kāmaṁ prārthayadhvaṁ taṁ taṁ dāsyāmy ahaṁ vibho

"O foremost of the twice-born, always send word to me; whatever desire you express, that I shall grant."

Verse 56 (skanda.3.87.56)

ततो रामः सेवकादीनादरात्प्रत्यभाषत विप्राज्ञा नोल्लंघनीया सेव नीया प्रयत्नतः

tato rāmaḥ sevakādīnād arāt pratyabhāṣata viprājñā nollaṅghanīyā sevanīyā prayatnataḥ

Then Rama respectfully addressed his servants and the rest: "The brahmins' word must never be transgressed; they must be served diligently —"

Verse 57 (skanda.3.87.57)

यंयं कामं प्रार्थयंते कारयध्वं ततस्ततः एवं नत्वा च विप्राणां सेवनं कुरुते तु यः

yaṁyaṁ kāmaṁ prārthayante kārayadhvaṁ tatas tataḥ evaṁ natvā ca viprāṇāṁ sevanaṁ kurute tu yaḥ

"— whatever desire they express, fulfill it at once." Whoever thus bows and performs service for the brahmins —

Verse 58 (skanda.3.87.58)

स शूद्रः स्वर्गमाप्नोति धनवान्पुत्रवान्भवेत् अन्यथा निर्धनत्वं हि लभते नात्र संशयः

sa śūdraḥ svargam āpnoti dhanavān putravān bhavet anyathā nirdhanatvaṁ hi labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

— even a shudra attains heaven and becomes wealthy and blessed with sons; otherwise he certainly falls into poverty, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.87.59)

यवनो म्लेच्छजातीयो दैत्यो वा राक्षसोपि वा। योत्र विघ्नं करोत्येव भस्मीभवति तत्क्षणात्

yavano mlecchajātīyo daityo vā rākṣaso 'pi vā yo 'tra vighnaṁ karoty eva bhasmībhavati tatkṣaṇāt

Whether he be a yavana, a mleccha, a daitya, or even a rakshasa — whoever causes obstruction here is reduced to ash in that very instant.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.87.60)

ब्रह्मोवाच । ततः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य द्विजान्रामोऽतिहर्षितः प्रस्थानाभिमुखो विप्रैराशीर्भिरभिनंदितः

brahmovāca tataḥ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya dvijān rāmo 'tiharṣitaḥ prasthānābhimukho viprair āśīrbhir abhinanditaḥ

Brahma said: Then, circumambulating the brahmins, Rama, filled with great joy, turned to depart; the brahmins welcomed him with their blessings.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.87.61)

आसीमांतमनुव्रज्य स्नेहव्याकुललोचनाः द्विजाः सर्वे विनिर्वृत्ता धर्मारण्ये विमोहिताः

āsīmāntam anuvrajya snehavyākulalocanāḥ dvijāḥ sarve vinirvṛttā dharmāraṇye vimohitāḥ

Having accompanied him to the very border, their eyes brimming with affection, all the brahmins, deeply moved, turned back to Dharmaranya.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.87.62)

एवं कृत्वा ततो रामः प्रतस्थे स्वां पुरीं प्रति काश्यपाश्चैव गर्गाश्च कृतकृत्या दृढव्रताः

evaṁ kṛtvā tato rāmaḥ pratasthe svāṁ purīṁ prati kāśyapāś caiva gargāś ca kṛtakṛtyā dṛḍhavratāḥ

Having thus finished, Rama then set out toward his own city; the Kāśyapas and Gargas, their purpose fulfilled, remained firm in their vows.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.87.63)

गुर्वासनसमाविष्टाः सभार्या ससुहृत्सुताः राजधानीं तदा प्राप रामोऽयोध्यां गुणान्विताम्

gurvāsanasamāviṣṭāḥ sabhāryā sasuhṛtsutāḥ rājadhānīṁ tadā prāpa rāmo 'yodhyāṁ guṇānvitām

Together with his guru, his wife, his friends, and his sons, Rama then reached his virtue-adorned capital, Ayodhya.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.87.64)

दृष्ट्वा प्रमुदिताः सर्वे लोकाः श्रीरघुनन्दनम् ततो रामः स धर्मात्मा प्रजापालनतत्परः

dṛṣṭvā pramuditāḥ sarve lokāḥ śrīraghunandanam tato rāmaḥ sa dharmātmā prajāpālanatatparaḥ

Seeing Shri Raghunandana, all the people rejoiced; then Rama, righteous of soul, devoted himself to the protection of his subjects —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.87.65)

सीतया सह धर्मात्मा राज्यं कुर्वंस्तदा सुधीः जानक्या गर्भमाधत्त रविवंशोद्भवाय च इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे पूर्वभागे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये श्रीरामरुद्रकृतधर्मारण्यतीर्थक्षेत्रजीर्णोद्धारवर्णनं नाम पञ्चत्रिंशोऽध्यायः

sītayā saha dharmātmā rājyaṁ kurvaṁs tadā sudhīḥ jānakyā garbham ādhatta ravivaṁśodbhavāya ca iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe pūrvabhāge dharmāraṇyamāhātmye śrīrāmarudrakṛtadharmāraṇyatīrthakṣetrajīrṇoddhāravarṇanaṁ nāma pañcatriṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

— ruling the kingdom together with Sītā, that wise and righteous Rama caused Jānakī to conceive, for the continuation of the Solar dynasty. Thus ends the thirty-fifth chapter, called "Rama and Rudra's Restoration of the Dharmaranya Tirtha-field," 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.