The Meeting with Hanuman

Verse 1 (skanda.3.88.1)

नारद उवाच । अतः परं किमभवत्तन्मे कथय सुव्रत पूर्वं च तदशेषेण शंस मे वदताम्बर

nārada uvāca ataḥ paraṁ kim abhavat tan me kathaya suvrata pūrvaṁ ca tad aśeṣeṇa śaṁsa me vadatām bara

Narada said: What happened after that? Tell me, O one of noble vows. Relate all of it to me in full, O best of speakers.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.88.2)

स्थिरीभूतं च तत्स्थानं कियत्कालं वदस्व मे केन वै रक्ष्यमाणं च कस्याज्ञा वर्तते प्रभो

sthirībhūtaṁ ca tat sthānaṁ kiyatkālaṁ vadasva me kena vai rakṣyamāṇaṁ ca kasyājñā vartate prabho

For how long did that place remain stable? Tell me — by whom was it protected, and whose command governed it, O Lord?

Verse 3 (skanda.3.88.3)

ब्रह्मोवाच । त्रेतातो द्वापरांतं च यावत्कलिसमागमः तावत्संरक्षणे चैको हनूमान्पवनात्मजः

brahmovāca tretāto dvāparāntaṁ ca yāvat kalisamāgamaḥ tāvat saṁrakṣaṇe caiko hanūmān pavanātmajaḥ

Brahma said: From the Treta Yuga through the end of the Dvapara, until the coming of the Kali Yuga, the son of the Wind, Hanuman, alone stood guard over it.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.88.4)

समर्थो नान्यथा कोपि विना हनुमता सुत लंका विध्वंसिता येन राक्षसाः प्रबला हताः

samartho nānyathā ko 'pi vinā hanumatā suta laṅkā vidhvaṁsitā yena rākṣasāḥ prabalā hatāḥ

No one else, my son, was capable of this task except Hanuman — he who destroyed Lanka and slew the mighty rakshasas.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.88.5)

स एव रक्षते तत्र रामादेशेन पुत्रक द्विजस्याज्ञा प्रवर्तेत श्रीमातायास्तथैव च

sa eva rakṣate tatra rāmādeśena putraka dvijasyājñā pravartetā śrīmātāyās tathaiva ca

He alone guards that place, my child, by Rama's own command; and the authority of the brahmins, and of Shrimata too, prevails there.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.88.6)

दिनेदिने प्रहर्षोभूज्जनानां तत्र वासिनाः पठंति स्म द्विजास्तत्र ऋग्युजुःसामलक्षणान्

dinedine praharṣo 'bhūj janānāṁ tatra vāsinām paṭhanti sma dvijās tatra ṛgyujuḥsāmalakṣaṇān

Day after day, the people dwelling there rejoiced; the brahmins there recited the hymns of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.88.7)

अथर्वणमपि तत्र पठंति स्म दिवानिशम् वेदनिर्घोषजः शब्दस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे

atharvaṇam api tatra paṭhanti sma divāniśam vedanirghoṣajaḥ śabdas trailokye sacarācare

They recited the Atharva Veda too, day and night; the resounding of Vedic chanting reached throughout the three worlds, with all their moving and unmoving beings.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.88.8)

उत्सवास्तत्र जायंते ग्रामेग्रामे पुरेपुरे नाना यज्ञाः प्रवर्तंते नानाधर्मसमाश्रिताः

utsavās tatra jāyante grāme grāme pure pure nānā yajñāḥ pravartante nānādharmasamāśritāḥ

Festivals arose there in village after village, town after town; manifold sacrifices were performed, rooted in manifold observances.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.88.9)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । कदापि तस्य स्थानस्य भंगो जातोथ वा न वा दैत्यैर्जितं कदा स्थानमथवा दुष्टराक्षसैः

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kadāpi tasya sthānasya bhaṅgo jāto 'tha vā na vā daityair jitaṁ kadā sthānam athavā duṣṭarākṣasaiḥ

Yudhishthira said: Was that place ever broken, or not? Was it ever conquered by demons, or by wicked rakshasas?

Verse 10 (skanda.3.88.10)

व्यास उवाच । साधु पृष्टं त्वया राजन्धर्मज्ञस्त्वं सदा शुचिः आदौ कलियुगे प्राप्ते यद्दत्तं तच्छृणुष्व भोः

vyāsa uvāca sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā rājan dharmajñas tvaṁ sadā śuciḥ ādau kaliyuge prāpte yad dattaṁ tac chṛṇuṣva bhoḥ

Vyasa said: Well have you asked, O king; you are always pure and knowing of dharma. Hear now what happened at the very onset of the Kali Yuga.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.88.11)

लोकानां च हितार्थाय कामाय च सुखाय च यज्ञं च कथयिष्यामि तत्सर्वं शृणु भूपते

lokānāṁ ca hitārthāya kāmāya ca sukhāya ca yajñaṁ ca kathayiṣyāmi tat sarvaṁ śṛṇu bhūpate

For the welfare, desire, and happiness of the people, I shall relate all of this; hear it, O king.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.88.12)

इदानीं च कलौ प्राप्त आमो नामा वभूव ह कान्यकुब्जाधिपः श्रीमान्धर्मज्ञो नीतितत्परः

idānīṁ ca kalau prāpta āmo nāmā babhūva ha kānyakubjādhipaḥ śrīmān dharmajño nītitatparaḥ

Now, when the Kali Yuga had arrived, there was a king named Āmo, the illustrious lord of Kanyakubja, knowing of dharma and devoted to good policy.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.88.13)

शांतो दांतः सुशीलश्च सत्यधर्मपरायणः द्वापरांते नृपश्रेष्ठ अनागमे() कलौ युगे

śānto dāntaḥ suśīlaś ca satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ dvāparānte nṛpaśreṣṭha anāgame kalau yuge

Peaceful, self-controlled, of good character, devoted to true dharma — at the end of Dvapara, O best of kings, before the Kali Yuga had fully arrived —

Verse 14 (skanda.3.88.14)

भयात्कलिविशेषेण अधर्मस्य भयादिभिः सर्वे देवाः क्षितिं त्यक्त्वा नैमिषारण्यमाश्रिताः

bhayāt kaliviśeṣeṇa adharmasya bhayādibhiḥ sarve devāḥ kṣitiṁ tyaktvā naimiṣāraṇyam āśritāḥ

— out of fear specifically of Kali, and of the terrors of adharma, all the gods had abandoned the earth and taken refuge in Naimisharanya.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.88.15)

रामोपि सेतुबंधं हि ससहायो गतो नृप

rāmo 'pi setubandhaṁ hi sasahāyo gato nṛpa

Rama too, O king, together with his companions, departed for Setubandha (Rameshwaram).

Verse 16 (skanda.3.88.16)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । कीदृशं हि कलौ प्राप्ते भयं लोके सुदुस्तरम् यस्मिन्सुरैः परित्यक्ता रत्नगर्भा वसुन्धरा

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kīdṛśaṁ hi kalau prāpte bhayaṁ loke suduṣtaram yasmin suraiḥ parityaktā ratnagarbhā vasundharā

Yudhishthira said: What sort of terror, unbearable to the world, arose when the Kali Yuga came, such that even the gods abandoned this jewel-bearing earth?

Verse 17 (skanda.3.88.17)

व्यास उवाच । शृणुष्व कलिधर्मास्त्वं भविष्यंति यथा नृप असत्यवादिनो लोकाः साधुनिन्दापरायणाः

vyāsa uvāca śṛṇuṣva kalidharmās tvaṁ bhaviṣyanti yathā nṛpa asatyavādino lokāḥ sādhunindāparāyaṇāḥ

Vyasa said: Hear, O king, what the customs of the Kali age shall be — people speaking falsehood, devoted to slandering the virtuous.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.88.18)

दस्युकर्मरताः सर्वे पितृभक्तिविवर्जिताः स्वगोत्रदाराभिरता लौल्यध्यानपरायणाः

dasyukarmaratāḥ sarve pitṛbhaktivivarjitāḥ svagotradārābhiratā laulyadhyānaparāyaṇāḥ

All shall be given to banditry, devoid of devotion to their fathers, taking wives from their own gotra, absorbed in fickle and greedy thoughts.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.88.19)

ब्रह्मविद्वेषिणः सर्वे परस्परविरोधिनः शरणागतहंतारो भविष्यंति कलौ युगे

brahmavidveṣiṇaḥ sarve parasparavirodhinaḥ śaraṇāgatahantāro bhaviṣyanti kalau yuge

All hostile to brahmins, at odds with one another, slayers of those who seek refuge — such shall people become in the Kali Yuga.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.88.20)

वैश्याचाररता विप्रा वेदभ्रष्टाश्च मानिनः भविष्यंति कलौ प्राप्ते संध्यालोपकरा द्विजाः

vaiśyācārataratā viprā vedabhraṣṭāś ca māninaḥ bhaviṣyanti kalau prāpte saṁdhyālopakarā dvijāḥ

Brahmins devoted to the conduct of vaishyas, fallen from the Vedas yet proud — when Kali comes, such twice-born shall arise, neglecting their twilight prayers.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.88.21)

शांतौ शूरा भये दीनाः श्राद्धतर्पणवर्जिताः असुराचारनिरता विष्णुभक्तिविवर्जिताः

śāntau śūrā bhaye dīnāḥ śrāddhatarpaṇavarjitāḥ asurācāraniratā viṣṇubhaktivivarjitāḥ

Bold in peace but cowardly in danger, neglecting the shraddha and tarpana rites, devoted to demonic conduct, devoid of devotion to Vishnu —

Verse 22 (skanda.3.88.22)

परवित्ताभिलाषाश्च उत्कोच ग्रहणे रताः अस्नातभोजिनो विप्राः क्षत्रिया रणवर्जिताः

paravittābhilāṣāś ca utkocagrahaṇe ratāḥ asnātabhojino viprāḥ kṣatriyā raṇavarjitāḥ

— coveting others' wealth, devoted to taking bribes; brahmins eating without bathing, kshatriyas shunning battle —

Verse 23 (skanda.3.88.23)

भविष्यंति कलौ प्राप्ते मलिना दुष्टवृत्तयः मद्यपानरताः सर्वेप्यया ज्यानां हि याजकाः

bhaviṣyanti kalau prāpte malinā duṣṭavṛttayaḥ madyapānaratāḥ sarve 'py ayajyānāṁ hi yājakāḥ

— they shall become impure, of wicked conduct, when Kali comes; all given to drinking wine, and priests performing sacrifices for the unworthy.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.88.24)

भर्तृद्वेषकरा रामाः पितृद्वेषकराः सुताः भ्रातृद्वेषकराः क्षुद्रा भविष्यंति कलौ युगे

bhartṛdveṣakarā rāmāḥ pitṛdveṣakarāḥ sutāḥ bhrātṛdveṣakarāḥ kṣudrā bhaviṣyanti kalau yuge

Wives hostile to their husbands, sons hostile to their fathers, petty brothers hostile to brothers — such shall arise in the Kali Yuga.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.88.25)

गव्यविक्रयिणस्ते वै ब्राह्मणा वित्ततत्पराः गावो दुग्धं न दुह्यंते संप्राप्ते हि कलौ युगे

gavyavikrayiṇas te vai brāhmaṇā vittatatparāḥ gāvo dugdhaṁ na duhyante saṁprāpte hi kalau yuge

Brahmins, greedy for wealth, shall become sellers of cow's milk-products; once the Kali Yuga arrives, cows shall not yield their milk.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.88.26)

फलंते नैव वृक्षाश्च कदाचिदपि भारत कन्याविक्रय कर्त्तारो गोजाविक्रयकारकाः

phalante naiva vṛkṣāś ca kadācid api bhārata kanyāvikrayakartāro gojāvikrayakārakāḥ

Trees, O descendant of Bharata, shall scarcely ever bear fruit; people shall become sellers of daughters, sellers of cows and goats.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.88.27)

विषविक्रयकर्त्तारो रसविक्रयकारकाः वेदविक्रयकर्त्तारो भविष्यंति कलौ युगे

viṣavikrayakartāro rasavikrayakārakāḥ vedavikrayakartāro bhaviṣyanti kalau yuge

Sellers of poison, sellers of essences, and even sellers of Vedic knowledge itself — such shall arise in the Kali Yuga.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.88.28)

नारी गर्भं समाधत्ते हायनैकादशेन हि एकादश्युपवासस्य विरताः सर्वतो जनाः

nārī garbhaṁ samādhatte hāyanaikādaśena hi ekādaśyupavāsasya viratāḥ sarvato janāḥ

A woman shall conceive at the age of merely eleven; people everywhere shall cease to observe the Ekadashi fast.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.88.29)

न तीर्थसेवनरता भविष्यंति च वाडवाः बह्वाहारा भविष्यंति बहुनिद्रासमाकुलाः

na tīrthasevanaratā bhaviṣyanti ca vāḍavāḥ bahvāhārā bhaviṣyanti bahunidrāsamākulāḥ

Brahmins shall no longer be devoted to visiting sacred places; they shall eat excessively and be overcome with excessive sleep.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.88.30)

जिह्मवृत्तिपराः सर्वे वेदनिंदापरायणाः यतिनिंदापराश्चैव च्छद्मकाराः परस्परम्

jihmavṛttiparāḥ sarve vedanindāparāyaṇāḥ yatinindāparāś caiva chadmakārāḥ parasparam

All shall be devoted to crooked ways, given to reviling the Vedas, given to reviling ascetics, and deceiving one another.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.88.31)

स्पर्शदोषभयं नैव भविष्यति कलौ युगे क्षत्रिया राज्यहीनाश्च म्लेच्छो राजा भविष्यति

sparśadoṣabhayaṁ naiva bhaviṣyati kalau yuge kṣatriyā rājyahīnāś ca mleccho rājā bhaviṣyati

There shall be no fear of the fault of touch in the Kali Yuga; kshatriyas shall be deprived of kingship, and a mleccha (barbarian) shall become king.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.88.32)

विश्वासघातिनः सर्वे गुरुद्रोहरतास्तथा मित्रद्रोहरता राजञ्छिश्नोदरपरायणाः

viśvāsaghātinaḥ sarve gurudroharatās tathā mitradroharatā rājañ chiśnodaraparāyaṇāḥ

All shall be betrayers of trust, devoted to betraying their gurus; O king, they shall be devoted to betraying friends, given over to lust and gluttony.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.88.33)

एकवर्णा भविष्यंति वर्णाश्चत्वार एव च कलौ प्राप्ते महाराज नान्यथा वचनं मम

ekavarṇā bhaviṣyanti varṇāś catvāra eva ca kalau prāpte mahārāja nānyathā vacanaṁ mama

The four varnas shall become as one single varna, O great king, when Kali comes — my word shall not be otherwise.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.88.34)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा गुरोरेव कान्यकुब्जाधिपो बली राज्यं प्रकुरुते तत्र आमो नाम्ना हि भूतले

etac chrutvā guror eva kānyakubjādhipo balī rājyaṁ prakurute tatra āmo nāmnā hi bhūtale

Having heard this from his own guru, the mighty lord of Kanyakubja, named Āmo, ruled the kingdom there on earth.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.88.35)

सार्वभौमत्वमापन्नः प्रजापालनतत्परः प्रजानां कलिना तत्र पापे बुद्धिरजायत

sārvabhaumatvam āpannaḥ prajāpālanatatparaḥ prajānāṁ kalinā tatra pāpe buddhir ajāyata

Having attained the status of universal sovereign, devoted to the protection of his subjects — yet, through the influence of Kali, a sinful disposition arose among his people there.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.88.36)

वैष्णवं धर्ममुत्सज्य वौद्धधर्ममुपागताः प्रजास्तमनुवर्तिन्यः क्षपणैः प्रतिबोधिताः

vaiṣṇavaṁ dharmam utsajya bauddhadharmam upāgatāḥ prajās tam anuvartinyaḥ kṣapaṇaiḥ pratibodhitāḥ

Abandoning the Vaishnava dharma, they turned to the Buddhist faith; the subjects, following after him, were instructed by Jain mendicants.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.88.37)

तस्य राज्ञो महादेवी मामानाम्न्यतिविश्रुता गर्भं दधार सा राज्ञो सर्वलक्षणसंयुता

tasya rājño mahādevī māmānāmny ativiśrutā garbhaṁ dadhāra sā rājño sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā

That king's chief queen, renowned by the name Māmā, endowed with every auspicious mark, conceived a child by the king.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.88.38)

संपूर्णे दशमे मासि जाता तस्याः सुरूपिणी दुहिता समये राज्ञ्याः पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना

saṁpūrṇe daśame māsi jātā tasyāḥ surūpiṇī duhitā samaye rājñyāḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanā

When the tenth month was complete, a beautiful daughter was born to that queen at the proper time, her face like the full moon.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.88.39)

रत्नगंगेति नाम्ना सा मणिमाणिक्यभूषिता एकदा दैवयोगेन देशांतरादुपागतः

ratnagaṅgeti nāmnā sā maṇimāṇikyabhūṣitā ekadā daivayogena deśāntarād upāgataḥ

She was named Ratnagangā, adorned with gems and jewels. One day, by fate's design, there arrived from a foreign land —

Verse 40 (skanda.3.88.40)

नाम्ना चैवेंद्रसूरिर्वै देशेस्मिन्कान्यकुब्जके षोडशाब्दा च सा कन्या नोपनीता नृपात्मजा

nāmnā caivendrasūrir vai deśe 'smin kānyakubjake ṣoḍaśābdā ca sā kanyā nopanītā nṛpātmajā

— a man named Indrasūri, into this land of Kanyakubja. The princess was then sixteen years old, and had not yet undergone any formal religious initiation.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.88.41)

दास्यांतरेण मिलिता इन्द्रसूरिश्च जीविकः शाबरीं मंत्रविद्यां च कथयामास भारत

dāsyāntareṇa militā indrasūriś ca jīvikaḥ śābarīṁ mantravidyāṁ ca kathayāmāsa bhārata

Indrasūri, who lived by his wits, met her through the mediation of a maidservant; he taught her the Śābarī mantra-lore, O descendant of Bharata.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.88.42)

एकचित्ताभवत्सा तु शूलिकर्मविमोहिता ततः सा मोहमापन्ना तत्तद्वाक्यपरायणा

ekacittābhavat sā tu śūlikarmavimohitā tataḥ sā moham āpannā tattadvākyaparāyaṇā

Her mind became fixed on him, bewitched by his sorcery; thereafter she fell into confusion, devoted entirely to his every word.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.88.43)

क्षपणैर्बोधिता वत्स जैनधर्मपरायणा ब्रह्मावर्ताधिपतये कुंभीपालाय धीमते

kṣapaṇair bodhitā vatsa jainadharmaparāyaṇā brahmāvartādhipataye kuṁbhīpālāya dhīmate

Instructed by Jain mendicants, my child, she became devoted to the Jain faith. To the wise lord of Brahmavarta, named Kumbhīpāla —

Verse 44 (skanda.3.88.44)

रत्नगंगां महादेवीं ददौ तामिति विक्रमी। मोहेरेकं ददौ तस्मै विवाहे दैवमोहितः

ratnagaṅgāṁ mahādevīṁ dadau tām iti vikramī moherekaṁ dadau tasmai vivāhe daivamohitaḥ

— that valorous king gave Ratnagangā as his chief queen; deluded by fate, he gave Moheraka to him as her wedding dowry.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.88.45)

धर्मारण्यं समागत्य राजधानी कृता तदा देवांश्च स्थापयामास जैनधर्मप्रणीतकान्

dharmāraṇyaṁ samāgatya rājadhānī kṛtā tadā devāṁś ca sthāpayāmāsa jainadharmapraṇītakān

Coming to Dharmaranya, he made it his capital; he established there the deities set forth by the Jain faith.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.88.46)

सर्वे वर्णास्तथाभूता जैन धर्मसमाश्रिताः ब्राह्मणा नैव पूज्यंते न च शांतिकपौष्टिकम्

sarve varṇās tathābhūtā jainadharmasamāśritāḥ brāhmaṇā naiva pūjyante na ca śāntikapauṣṭikam

All the varnas became devoted to the Jain faith; brahmins were no longer honored, nor were the rites for peace and prosperity performed.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.88.47)

न ददाति कदा दानमेवं कालः प्रवर्तते लब्धशासनका विप्रा लुप्तस्वाम्या अहर्निशम्

na dadāti kadā dānam evaṁ kālaḥ pravartate labdhaśāsanakā viprā luptasvāmyā ahar niśam

No gift was ever given; such was the age that had come to pass. The brahmins who held the charter found their authority lost, day and night.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.88.48)

समाकुलितचित्तास्ते नृपमामं समाययुः कान्यकुब्जस्थितं शूरं पाखण्डैः परिवेष्टितम्

samākulitacittās te nṛpam āmaṁ samāyayuḥ kānyakubjasthitaṁ śūraṁ pākhaṇḍaiḥ pariveṣṭitam

With troubled minds, they went to King Āmo, the mighty ruler dwelling in Kanyakubja, surrounded by heretics.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.88.49)

कान्यकुब्जपुरं प्राप्य कतिभिर्वासरैर्नृप गंगोपकण्ठे न्यवसञ्छ्रांतास्ते मोढवाडवाः

kānyakubjapuraṁ prāpya katibhir vāsarair nṛpa gaṅgopakaṇṭhe nyavasañ chrāntās te moḍhavāḍavāḥ

O king, reaching the city of Kanyakubja after several days' journey, those weary Modh brahmins rested on the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.88.50)

चारैश्च कथितास्ते च नृपस्याग्रे समागताः प्रातराकारिता विप्रा आगता नृपसंसदि

cāraiś ca kathitās te ca nṛpasyāgre samāgatāḥ prātar ākāritā viprā āgatā nṛpasaṁsadi

Spies reported their arrival to the king; in the morning, the brahmins, having been summoned, came into the royal assembly.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.88.51)

प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादादीन्न चक्रे सादरं नृपः तिष्ठतो ब्राह्मणान्सर्वान्पर्यपृच्छदसौ ततः

pratyutthānābhivādādīn na cakre sādaraṁ nṛpaḥ tiṣṭhato brāhmaṇān sarvān paryapṛcchad asau tataḥ

The king did not respectfully rise or greet them; while all the brahmins stood there, he then questioned them —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.88.52)

किमर्थमागता विप्राः किंस्वित्कार्यं ब्रुवंतु तत्

kimartham āgatā viprāḥ kiṁ svit kāryaṁ bruvantu tat

"Why have you brahmins come? What is your business? Speak it."

Verse 53 (skanda.3.88.53)

विप्रा ऊचुः । धर्मारण्यादिहायातास्त्वत्समीपं नराधिप राजंस्तव सुतायास्तु भर्ता कुमारपालकः

viprā ūcuḥ dharmāraṇyād ihāyātās tvat samīpaṁ narādhipa rājaṁs tava sutāyās tu bhartā kumārapālakaḥ

The brahmins said: O lord of men, we have come here from Dharmaranya into your presence. O king, your daughter's husband, named Kumārapāla —

Verse 54 (skanda.3.88.54)

तेन प्रलुप्तं विप्राणां शासनं महदद्भुतम् वर्तता जैनधर्मेण प्रेरितेनेंद्रसूरिणा

tena praluptaṁ viprāṇāṁ śāsanaṁ mahad adbhutam vartatā jainadharmeṇa preritenendrasūriṇā

— has abolished the brahmins' great and wondrous charter; he now follows the Jain faith, having been influenced by Indrasūri.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.88.55)

राजोवाच । केन वै स्थापिता यूयमस्मिन्मोहेरके पुरे एतद्धि वाडवाः सर्वं ब्रूत वृत्तं यथातथम्

rājovāca kena vai sthāpitā yūyam asmin moherake pure etad dhi vāḍavāḥ sarvaṁ brūta vṛttaṁ yathātatham

The king said: By whom were you established in this city of Moheraka? Tell me, O brahmins, this entire matter, exactly as it happened.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.88.56)

विप्रा ऊचुः । काजेशैः स्थापिताः पूर्वं धर्मराजेन धीमता कृता चात्र शुभे स्थाने रामेण च ततः पुरी

viprā ūcuḥ kājeśaiḥ sthāpitāḥ pūrvaṁ dharmarājena dhīmatā kṛtā cātra śubhe sthāne rāmeṇa ca tataḥ purī

The brahmins said: We were first established by Kājeśa (Shiva) and the wise Dharmarāja; and thereafter Rama founded a city here in this auspicious place.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.88.57)

शासनं रामचंद्रस्य दृष्ट्वाऽन्यैश्चैव राजभिः पालितं धर्मतो ह्यत्र शासनं नृपसत्तम

śāsanaṁ rāmacandrasya dṛṣṭvānyaiś caiva rājabhiḥ pālitaṁ dharmato hy atra śāsanaṁ nṛpasattama

Seeing Rāmachandra's charter, other kings too have upheld it duly here, O best of kings —

Verse 58 (skanda.3.88.58)

इदानीं तव जामाता विप्रान्पालयते न हि तच्छ्रुत्वा विप्रवाक्यं तु राजा विप्रानथाब्रवीत्

idānīṁ tava jāmātā viprān pālayate na hi tac chrutvā vipravākyaṁ tu rājā viprān athābravīt

— but now your own son-in-law does not protect the brahmins. Hearing this speech of the brahmins, the king then spoke to them —

Verse 59 (skanda.3.88.59)

यांतु शीघ्रं हि भो विप्राः कथयंतु ममाज्ञया राज्ञे कुमारपालाय देहि त्वं ब्राह्मणालयम्

yāntu śīghraṁ hi bho viprāḥ kathayantu mamājñayā rājñe kumārapālāya dehi tvaṁ brāhmaṇālayam

"Go swiftly, O brahmins, and declare by my command to King Kumārapāla: give the brahmins back their dwelling."

Verse 60 (skanda.3.88.60)

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततो विप्राः परं हर्षमुपागताः जग्मुस्ततोऽतिमुदिता वाक्यं तत्र निवेदितम्

śrutvā vākyaṁ tato viprāḥ paraṁ harṣam upāgatāḥ jagmus tato 'timuditā vākyaṁ tatra niveditam

Hearing these words, the brahmins were filled with great joy; they departed most gladly and delivered the message there.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.88.61)

श्वशुरस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजा वचनमब्रवीत्

śvaśurasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājā vacanam abravīt

Hearing his father-in-law's words, the king (Kumārapāla) spoke this reply.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.88.62)

कुमारपाल उवाच । रामस्य शासनं विप्राः पालयिष्याम्यहं नहि त्यजामि ब्राह्मणान्यज्ञे पशुहिंसापरायणान्

kumārapāla uvāca rāmasya śāsanaṁ viprāḥ pālayiṣyāmy ahaṁ nahi tyajāmi brāhmaṇān yajñe paśuhiṁsāparāyaṇān

Kumārapāla said: O brahmins, I shall not uphold Rama's charter. I renounce brahmins devoted to killing animals in sacrifice.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.88.63)

तस्माद्धि हिंसकानां तु न मे भक्तिर्भवेद्द्विजाः

tasmād dhi hiṁsakānāṁ tu na me bhaktir bhaved dvijāḥ

Therefore, O twice-born, I have no devotion toward those given to violence.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.88.64)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । कथं पाखंडधर्मेण लुप्तशासनको भवान् पालयस्व नृपश्रेष्ठ मा स्म पापे मनः कृथाः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ kathaṁ pākhaṇḍadharmeṇa luptaśāsanako bhavān pālayasva nṛpaśreṣṭha mā sma pāpe manaḥ kṛthāḥ

The brahmins said: How can you, through this heretical faith, be one who abolishes the charter? Uphold it, O best of kings; do not set your mind upon sin.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.88.65)

राजोवाच । अहिंसा परमो धर्मो अहिंसा च परं तपः अहिंसा परमं ज्ञानमहिंसा परमं फलम्

rājovāca ahiṁsā paramo dharmo ahiṁsā ca paraṁ tapaḥ ahiṁsā paramaṁ jñānam ahiṁsā paramaṁ phalam

The king said: Non-violence is the supreme dharma, non-violence the supreme austerity; non-violence is supreme knowledge, non-violence the supreme fruit.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.88.66)

तृणेषु चैव वृक्षेषु पतंगेषु नरेषु च कीटेषु मत्कुणाद्येषु अजाश्वेषु गजेषु च

tṛṇeṣu caiva vṛkṣeṣu pataṅgeṣu nareṣu ca kīṭeṣu matkuṇādyeṣu ajāśveṣu gajeṣu ca

In grasses and in trees, in insects and in men, in worms, bedbugs, and the like, in goats, horses, and elephants —

Verse 67 (skanda.3.88.67)

लूतासु चैव सर्पेषु महिष्यादिषु वै तथा जंतवः सदृशा विप्राः सूक्ष्मेषु च महत्सु च

lūtāsu caiva sarpeṣu mahiṣyādiṣu vai tathā jantavaḥ sadṛśā viprāḥ sūkṣmeṣu ca mahatsu ca

— in spiders and serpents, in buffaloes and the rest — O brahmins, living beings are the same, whether tiny or great.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.88.68)

कथं यूयं प्रवर्तध्वे विप्रा हिंसापरायणाः तच्छ्रुत्वा वज्रतुल्यं हि वचनं च द्विजोत्तमाः प्रत्यूचुर्वाडवाः सर्वे क्रोधरक्तेक्षणा दृशा

kathaṁ yūyaṁ pravartadhve viprā hiṁsāparāyaṇāḥ tac chrutvā vajratulyaṁ hi vacanaṁ ca dvijottamāḥ pratyūcur vāḍavāḥ sarve krodharaktekṣaṇā dṛśā

"How, then, O brahmins, do you engage in violence?" Hearing this speech, like a thunderbolt, the excellent twice-born, all the brahmins, replied, their eyes red with anger —

Verse 69 (skanda.3.88.69)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । अहिंसा परमो धर्मः सत्यमेतत्त्वयोदितम् परं तथापि धर्मोऽस्ति शृणुष्वैकाग्रमानसः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ ahiṁsā paramo dharmaḥ satyam etat tvayoditam paraṁ tathāpi dharmo 'sti śṛṇuṣvaikāgramānasaḥ

The brahmins said: Non-violence is the supreme dharma — what you have said is true. Yet there is a further point of dharma; listen with a focused mind.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.88.70)

या वेदविहिता हिंसा सा न हिंसेति निर्णयः शस्त्रेणाहन्यते यच्च पीडा जंतुषु जायते

yā vedavihitā hiṁsā sā na hiṁseti nirṇayaḥ śastreṇāhanyate yac ca pīḍā jantuṣu jāyate

The determination is: violence enjoined by the Veda is not truly violence. That which is inflicted by weapons and causes suffering to living beings —

Verse 71 (skanda.3.88.71)

स एवाधर्म एवास्ति लोके धर्मविदां वर वेदमंत्रैविहन्यंते विना शस्त्रेण जंतवः

sa evādharma evāsti loke dharmavidāṁ vara vedamantrair vihanyante vinā śastreṇa jantavaḥ

— that alone is true adharma, O best knower of dharma, in this world. Creatures slain by Vedic mantras, without weapons —

Verse 72 (skanda.3.88.72)

जंतुपीडाकरा नैव सा हिंसा सुखदायिनी परोपकारः पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनम्

jantupīḍākarā naiva sā hiṁsā sukhadāyinī paropakāraḥ puṇyāya pāpāya parapīḍanam

— that causes no torment to the creature, but is rather a source of blessing. Helping others leads to merit; harming others leads to sin.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.88.73)

वेदोदितां विधायापि हिंसां पापैर्न लिप्यते विप्राणां वचनं श्रुत्वा पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत्

vedoditāṁ vidhāyāpi hiṁsāṁ pāpair na lipyate viprāṇāṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā punar vacanam abravīt

Even performing violence enjoined by the Veda does not taint one with sin. Hearing the brahmins' words, he spoke again.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.88.74)

राजोवाच । ब्रह्मादीनां परं क्षेत्रं धर्मारण्यमनुत्तमम् ब्रह्मविष्णु महेशाद्या नेदानीमत्र संति ते

rājovāca brahmādīnāṁ paraṁ kṣetraṁ dharmāraṇyam anuttamam brahmaviṣṇumaheśādyā nedānīm atra santi te

The king said: Dharmaranya is said to be the supreme field of Brahma and the other gods; but Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha and the rest are not present there now.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.88.75)

न धर्मो विद्यते वात्र उक्तो रामः स मानुषः क्व वापि लंबपुछोऽसौ यो मुक्तो रक्षणाय वः

na dharmo vidyate vātra ukto rāmaḥ sa mānuṣaḥ kva vāpi laṁbapucho 'sau yo mukto rakṣaṇāya vaḥ

Nor does dharma exist there anymore; this Rama you speak of was merely human. And where is that long-tailed one (Hanuman), said to be freed to protect you?

Verse 76 (skanda.3.88.76)

शासनं चेन्न दृष्टं वो नैव तत्पालयाम्यहम् द्विजाः कोपसमाविष्टा ददुः प्रत्युत्तरं तदा

śāsanaṁ cen na dṛṣṭaṁ vo naiva tat pālayāmy aham dvijāḥ kopasamāviṣṭā daduḥ pratyuttaraṁ tadā

If your charter's authority is not made visible, I shall not uphold it at all. Then the brahmins, overcome with anger, gave this reply.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.88.77)

द्विजा ऊचुः । रे मूढ त्वं कथं वेत्थ भाषसे मदलोलुपः स दैत्यानां विनाशाय धर्मसंरक्षणाय च

dvijā ūcuḥ re mūḍha tvaṁ kathaṁ vettha bhāṣase madalolupaḥ sa daityānāṁ vināśāya dharmasaṁrakṣaṇāya ca

The brahmins said: O fool, how do you know anything? You speak out of drunken arrogance. He (Rama) came for the destruction of demons and for the protection of dharma —

Verse 78 (skanda.3.88.78)

रामश्चतुर्भुजः साक्षान्मानुषत्वं गतो भुवि अगतीनां च गतिदः स वै धर्मपरायणः दयालुश्च कृपालुश्च जंतूनां परिपालकः

rāmaś caturbhujaḥ sākṣān mānuṣatvaṁ gato bhuvi agatīnāṁ ca gatidaḥ sa vai dharmaparāyaṇaḥ dayāluś ca kṛpāluś ca jantūnāṁ paripālakaḥ

— Rama, the four-armed one himself, took human form upon this earth; he is the giver of refuge to the refugeless, devoted to dharma, compassionate and merciful, the protector of all living beings.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.88.79)

राजोवाच । कुतोऽद्य वर्त्तते रामः कुतो वै वायुनंदनः भ्रष्टाभ्रमिव ते सर्वे क्व रामो हनुमानिति

rājovāca kuto 'dya vartate rāmaḥ kuto vai vāyunandanaḥ bhraṣṭābhram iva te sarve kva rāmo hanumān iti

The king said: Where, then, is Rama today? Where indeed is the son of the Wind? Your words are all as insubstantial as scattered clouds — "where is Rama, where is Hanuman"?

Verse 80 (skanda.3.88.80)

परंतु रामो हनुमान्यदि वर्त्तेत सर्वतः इदानीं विप्रसाहाय्य आगमिष्यति मे मतिः

parantu rāmo hanumān yadi varteta sarvataḥ idānīṁ viprasāhāyya āgamiṣyati me matiḥ

But if Rama and Hanuman truly exist everywhere, then, I think, they should now come to the brahmins' aid.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.88.81)

दर्शयध्वं हनूमंतं रामं वा लक्ष्मणं तथा यद्यस्ति प्रत्ययः कश्चित्स नो विप्राः प्रदर्श्यताम्

darśayadhvaṁ hanūmantaṁ rāmaṁ vā lakṣmaṇaṁ tathā yady asti pratyayaḥ kaścit sa no viprāḥ pradarśyatām

"Show me Hanuman, or Rama, or Lakshmana. If there is any proof at all, let it be shown to us, O brahmins."

Verse 82 (skanda.3.88.82)

विप्रा ऊचुः । उक्तं तै रामदेवेन दूतं कृत्वांजनीसुतम् चतुश्चत्वारिंशदधिकं दत्तं ग्रामशतं नृप

viprā ūcuḥ uktaṁ tair rāmadevena dūtaṁ kṛtvāñjanīsutam catuścatvāriṁśadadhikaṁ dattaṁ grāmaśataṁ nṛpa

The brahmins said: This was declared to us by Lord Rama himself, having made Añjanā's son (Hanuman) his messenger. O king, one hundred and forty-four villages were granted —

Verse 83 (skanda.3.88.83)

पुनरागत्य स्थानेऽस्मिन्दत्ता ग्रामास्त्रयोदश काश्यप्यां चैव गंगायां महादानानि षोडश

punar āgatya sthāne 'smin dattā grāmās trayodaśa kāśyapyāṁ caiva gaṅgāyāṁ mahādānāni ṣoḍaśa

— and, coming back again to this place, thirteen more villages were given; and at the Kāśyapī and at the Ganga, sixteen great gifts —

Verse 84 (skanda.3.88.84)

दत्तानि विप्रमुख्येभ्यो दत्ता ग्रामाः सुशोभनाः पुनः संकल्पिता वीर षट्पंचाशकसंख्यया

dattāni vipramukhyebhyo dattā grāmāḥ suśobhanāḥ punaḥ saṁkalpitā vīra ṣaṭpañcāśakasaṁkhyayā

— were given to the foremost of the brahmins; beautiful villages were given, and, O hero, fifty-six more were pledged again.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.88.85)

षट्त्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि गोभुजा जज्ञिरे वराः सपादलक्षा वणिजो दत्ता मांडलिकाभिधाः

ṣaṭtriṁśac ca sahasrāṇi gobhujā jajñire varāḥ sapādalakṣā vaṇijo dattā māṇḍalikābhidhāḥ

Thirty-six thousand excellent Gobhuja merchants arose, and one hundred and twenty-five thousand merchants, called Māṇḍalika, were assigned.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.88.86)

तेनोक्तं वाडवाः सर्वे दर्शयध्वं हि मारुतिम् यस्याभिज्ञानमात्रेण स्थितिं पूर्वां ददाम्यहम्

tenoktaṁ vāḍavāḥ sarve darśayadhvaṁ hi mārutim yasyābhijñānamātreṇa sthitiṁ pūrvāṁ dadāmy aham

He (the king) said: "O all you brahmins, show me Marut's son (Hanuman); by mere recognition of him alone, I shall restore your former standing."

Verse 87 (skanda.3.88.87)

विप्रवाक्यं करिष्यामि प्रत्ययो दर्श्यते यदि ततः सर्वे भविष्यंति वेदधर्मपरायणाः

vipravākyaṁ kariṣyāmi pratyayo darśyate yadi tataḥ sarve bhaviṣyanti vedadharmaparāyaṇāḥ

"I shall abide by the brahmins' word if proof is shown; then all shall become devoted to the Vedic dharma."

Verse 88 (skanda.3.88.88)

अन्यथा जैनधर्मेण वर्त्तयध्वं हि सर्वशः नृपवाक्यं तु ते श्रुत्वा स्वेस्वे स्थाने समागताः

anyathā jainadharmeṇa vartayadhvaṁ hi sarvaśaḥ nṛpavākyaṁ tu te śrutvā sveve sthāne samāgatāḥ

"Otherwise, live wholly by the Jain faith." Hearing the king's words, they returned each to his own dwelling.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.88.89)

वाडवः खिन्नमनसः क्रोधेनांधीकृता भुवि निश्वासान्मुंचमानास्ते हाहेति प्रवदंति च

vāḍavaḥ khinnamanasaḥ krodhenāndhīkṛtā bhuvi niśvāsān muñcamānās te hāheti pravadanti ca

The brahmins, dejected in mind, blinded with anger there on the earth, heaved deep sighs and cried aloud in lament —

Verse 90 (skanda.3.88.90)

दंतान्प्राघर्षयन्सर्वान्न्यपीडंश्च करैः करान् परस्परं भाषमाणाः कथं कुर्मो वयं त्वितः

dantān prāgharṣayan sarvān nyapīḍaṁś ca karaiḥ karān parasparaṁ bhāṣamāṇāḥ kathaṁ kurmo vayaṁ tv itaḥ

All of them gnashed their teeth and wrung their hands together, saying to one another: "What shall we do now?"

Verse 91 (skanda.3.88.91)

मिलित्वा वाडवाः सर्वे चक्रुस्ते मंत्रमुत्तमम् रामवाक्यं हृदि ध्यात्वा ध्यात्वा चैवांजनीसुतम्

militvā vāḍavāḥ sarve cakruste mantram uttamam rāmavākyaṁ hṛdi dhyātvā dhyātvā caivāñjanīsutam

All the brahmins gathered together and took excellent counsel, meditating in their hearts upon Rama's word, and upon Añjanā's son.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.88.92)

द्विजमेलापकं चक्रुर्बाला वृद्धतमा अपि तेषां वृद्धतमो विप्रो वाक्यमूचे शुभं तदा

dvijamelāpakaṁ cakrur bālā vṛddhatamā api teṣāṁ vṛddhatamo vipro vākyam ūce śubhaṁ tadā

They convened an assembly of brahmins, young and eldest alike; then the eldest among them spoke this auspicious word —

Verse 93 (skanda.3.88.93)

चतुःषष्टिश्च गोत्राणामस्माकं ये द्विसप्ततिः स्वस्वगोत्रस्यावटंका एकग्रामाभिभाषिणः

catuḥṣaṣṭiś ca gotrāṇām asmākaṁ ye dvisaptatiḥ svasvagotrasyāvaṭaṅkā ekagrāmābhibhāṣiṇaḥ

"Of our sixty-four gotras — which have grown to seventy-two — let one avaṭaṅka (clan-branch) of each gotra, from one and the same village —"

Verse 94 (skanda.3.88.94)

प्रयातु स्वस्ववर्गस्य एको ह्येको द्विजः सुधीः रामेश्वरं सेतु बंधं हनूमांस्तत्र विद्यते

prayātu svasvavargasya eko hy eko dvijaḥ sudhīḥ rāmeśvaraṁ setubandhaṁ hanūmāṁs tatra vidyate

"— send forth one wise brahmin from each group; let him go to Rāmeśvara at Setubandha, where Hanuman is present."

Verse 95 (skanda.3.88.95)

सर्वे प्रयांतु तत्रैव रामपार्श्वे निरामयाः निराहारा जितक्रोधा मायया वर्जिताः पुनः

sarve prayāntu tatraiva rāmapārśve nirāmayāḥ nirāhārā jitakrodhā māyayā varjitāḥ punaḥ

"— let all go there, into Rama's presence, free of illness, fasting, having conquered anger, and free of deceit."

Verse 96 (skanda.3.88.96)

एकाग्रमानसाः सर्वे स्तुत्वा ध्यात्वा जपंतु तम् ततो दाशरथी रामो दयां कृत्वा द्विजन्मसु

ekāgramānasāḥ sarve stutvā dhyātvā japantu tam tato dāśarathī rāmo dayāṁ kṛtvā dvijanmasu

"— with focused minds, let all of them praise, meditate on, and chant his name; then Rama, the son of Dasharatha, showing mercy to the twice-born —"

Verse 97 (skanda.3.88.97)

शासनं च प्रदास्यति अचलं च युगेयुगे महता तपसा तुष्टः प्रदास्यति समीहितम्

śāsanaṁ ca pradāsyati acalaṁ ca yugeyuge mahatā tapasā tuṣṭaḥ pradāsyati samīhitam

"— will grant a charter, unshakable through every age; pleased by their great austerity, he will grant what they desire."

Verse 98 (skanda.3.88.98)

यस्य वर्गस्य यो विप्रो न प्रयास्यति तत्र वै स च वर्गात्परित्याज्यः स्थानधर्मान्न संशयः

yasya vargasya yo vipro na prayāsyati tatra vai sa ca vargāt parityājyaḥ sthānadharmān na saṁśayaḥ

"Whichever group's brahmin does not go there, he shall be cast out from his own group, according to the customs of this place — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 99 (skanda.3.88.99)

वणिग्वृत्ते न संबंधे न विवाहे कदाचन ग्रामवृत्ते न संबंधः सर्वस्थाने बहिष्कृताः

vaṇigvṛtte na saṁbandhe na vivāhe kadācana grāmavṛtte na saṁbandhaḥ sarvasthāne bahiṣkṛtāḥ

"No connection with him in commerce, none in marriage ever; no bond with him in village-affairs; he shall be excluded from everywhere."

Verse 100 (skanda.3.88.100)

सभावाक्यं च तच्छ्रुत्वा तन्मध्ये वाडवः शुचिः वाग्मी दक्षः सुशब्दश्च त्रिरवैः श्रावयन्द्विजान्

sabhāvākyaṁ ca tac chrutvā tanmadhye vāḍavaḥ śuciḥ vāgmī dakṣaḥ suśabdaś ca trir avaiḥ śrāvayan dvijān

Hearing this proposal from the assembly, one pure-hearted brahmin among them — eloquent, skilled, well-spoken — proclaimed it thrice, loudly, to the brahmins —

Verse 101 (skanda.3.88.101)

प्रतिवाक्यं दत्ततालं तिष्ठन्नेतद्वचोऽब्रवीत् असत्यवादिनां यच्च पातकं परिनिंदके परदाराभिगमने परद्रोहरते नरे

prativākyaṁ dattatālaṁ tiṣṭhann etad vaco 'bravīt asatyavādināṁ yac ca pātakaṁ parinindake paradārābhigamane paradroharate nare

— and, standing there, clapping his hands, gave his response: "Whatever sin belongs to speakers of falsehood, to slanderers, to a man who approaches another's wife or delights in harming others —"

Verse 102 (skanda.3.88.102)

मद्यपेषु च यत्पापं यत्पापं हेमहारिषु तत्पापं च भवेत्तस्य गमने यः पराङ्मुखः अथ किं बहुनोक्तेन यांतु सत्यं द्विजोत्तमाः

madyapeṣu ca yat pāpaṁ yat pāpaṁ hemahāriṣu tat pāpaṁ ca bhavet tasya gamane yaḥ parāṅmukhaḥ atha kiṁ bahunoktena yāntu satyaṁ dvijottamāḥ

"— whatever sin belongs to drunkards, whatever sin belongs to thieves of gold — that same sin shall fall upon whoever turns his face away from going. What need to say more? Let the excellent brahmins truly go."

Verse 103 (skanda.3.88.103)

तच्छ्रुत्वा दारुणं वाक्यं गमनाय मनो दधे गच्छतस्तान्द्विजाञ्छ्रुत्वा राजा कुमारपालकः

tac chrutvā dāruṇaṁ vākyaṁ gamanāya mano dadhe gacchatas tān dvijāñ chrutvā rājā kumārapālakaḥ

Hearing this severe pronouncement, they resolved in their hearts to go. King Kumārapāla, hearing that the brahmins were departing —

Verse 104 (skanda.3.88.104)

समाहूय कृषेः कर्म भिक्षाटनमथापि वा नानागोत्रेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रापयिष्ये न संशयः

samāhūya kṛṣeḥ karma bhikṣāṭanam athāpi vā nānāgotrebhyo brāhmaṇebhyaḥ prāpayiṣye na saṁśayaḥ

— summoned them, saying: "I shall assuredly assign farm-labor or begging as the livelihood of these brahmins of various gotras."

Verse 105 (skanda.3.88.105)

तच्छ्रुत्वा व्यथिताः सर्वे किं भविष्यत्यतः परम् तथा त्रीणि सहस्राणि प्रबंधं चक्रिरे तदा

tac chrutvā vyathitāḥ sarve kiṁ bhaviṣyaty ataḥ param tathā trīṇi sahasrāṇi prabandhaṁ cakrire tadā

Hearing this, all were distressed — "what shall become of us hereafter?" — and then three thousand of them made a resolution among themselves —

Verse 106 (skanda.3.88.106)

गमिष्यामो वयं सर्वे रामं प्रति न संशयः हस्ताक्षरप्रदानं वै अन्योन्यं तु कृतं द्विजैः

gamiṣyāmo vayaṁ sarve rāmaṁ prati na saṁśayaḥ hastākṣarapradānaṁ vai anyonyaṁ tu kṛtaṁ dvijaiḥ

"We shall all go to Rama without fail." The brahmins gave their signatures to one another in confirmation.

Verse 107 (skanda.3.88.107)

कृतांजलिपुटा विप्रा वाक्यमेतदथाब्रुवन् नश्यतेऽत्र त्रयी विद्या त्रयीमूर्तिः प्रकुप्यति

kṛtāñjaliputā viprā vākyam etad athābruvan naśyate 'tra trayī vidyā trayīmūrtiḥ prakupyati

With joined palms, the brahmins spoke these words: "The threefold learning is perishing here; the threefold deity himself grows angry —"

Verse 108 (skanda.3.88.108)

तस्मात्तत्रैव गंतव्यमष्टादशसहस्रकैः ततः स वणिजः सर्वान्समाहूय च गोभुजान्

tasmāt tatraiva gantavyam aṣṭādaśasahasrakaiḥ tataḥ sa vaṇijaḥ sarvān samāhūya ca gobhujān

"— therefore all eighteen thousand of us must go there." Then he (the king) summoned all the merchants, the Gobhujas —

Verse 109 (skanda.3.88.109)

वाक्यमूचे नृपश्रेष्ठो वारयध्वं द्विजानिति

vākyam ūce nṛpaśreṣṭho vārayadhvaṁ dvijān iti

— and that best of kings spoke this word: "Prevent the brahmins from going."

Verse 110 (skanda.3.88.110)

व्यास उवाच । न जैनधर्मे ये लिप्ता गोभुजा वणिगुत्तमाः वृत्तिभंगभयात्तत्र मौनमेव समाचरन्

vyāsa uvāca na jainadharme ye liptā gobhujā vaṇigottamāḥ vṛttibhaṅgabhayāt tatra maunam eva samācaran

Vyasa said: Those excellent Gobhuja merchants who were not attached to the Jain faith kept silent there, fearing the ruin of their own livelihood.

Verse 111 (skanda.3.88.111)

वारयाम कथं विप्रान्वह्निरूपान्दहंति ते शापाग्निना नरपते द्विजा मृत्युपरायणाः

vārayāma kathaṁ viprān vahnirūpān dahanti te śāpāgninā narapate dvijā mṛtyuparāyaṇāḥ

"How could we hold back the brahmins, who are like fire itself? O lord of men, these twice-born, resolved even unto death, burn all with the fire of their curse."

Verse 112 (skanda.3.88.112)

अडालयेषु ये जाताः शूद्रा आहूय तान्नृपः निवार्यंतामिति प्राह वाडवा गमनोद्यताः

aḍālayeṣu ye jātāḥ śūdrā āhūya tān nṛpaḥ nivāryantām iti prāha vāḍavā gamanodyatāḥ

The king summoned the shudras born at the Aḍālaja settlements and told them: "Prevent the brahmins who are preparing to leave."

Verse 113 (skanda.3.88.113)

तेषां मध्ये कतिपया जैनधर्मसमाश्रिताः गता वाडवपुंजेषु राजादेशान्निवारणे

teṣāṁ madhye katipayā jainadharmasamāśritāḥ gatā vāḍavapuñjeṣu rājādeśān nivāraṇe

A few among them, devoted to the Jain faith, went among the crowds of brahmins to obstruct them at the king's order.

Verse 114 (skanda.3.88.114)

केचिच्छ्रूद्रा ऊचुः । क्व रामो लक्ष्मणोपेतः क्व च वायुसुतो बली वर्तमानेन कालेन वक्तव्यं द्विजसत्तमाः

kecicchūdrā ūcuḥ kva rāmo lakṣmaṇopetaḥ kva ca vāyusuto balī vartamānena kālena vaktavyaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Some of the shudras said: "Where is Rama, together with Lakshmana? Where is the mighty son of the Wind? Speak, O foremost of the twice-born, in terms of the present age."

Verse 115 (skanda.3.88.115)

व्याघ्रसिंहाकुले दुर्गे वने वनगजाश्रिते परित्यज्य प्रियान्प्राणान्पुत्रान्दारान्निकेतनान्

vyāghrasiṁhākule durge vane vanagajāśrite parityajya priyān prāṇān putrān dārān niketanān

"Into a wild, impassable forest infested with tigers and lions and roaming wild elephants, abandoning your beloved lives, sons, wives, and homes —"

Verse 116 (skanda.3.88.116)

किमर्थं गम्यते विप्रा राज्ये वै दुष्टशासने तच्छ्रुत्वा वाडवाः केचिद्वाक्येन मनसाऽस्मरन्

kimarthaṁ gamyate viprā rājye vai duṣṭaśāsane tac chrutvā vāḍavāḥ kecid vākyena manasāsmaran

"— why, O brahmins, do you go, when the kingdom itself has a wicked ruler?" Hearing this, some of the brahmins were moved in mind by these words —

Verse 117 (skanda.3.88.117)

पंचदशसहस्रास्ते वाडवा नृपसत्तमात् भयाल्लोभाच्च दानाच्च तत्सर्वं भवतामिति

pañcadaśasahasrās te vāḍavā nṛpasattamāt bhayāl lobhāc ca dānāc ca tat sarvaṁ bhavatām iti

— and fifteen thousand of those brahmins, out of fear, greed, and the gifts offered by that best of kings, said: "All of that shall be yours."

Verse 118 (skanda.3.88.118)

वृत्तोपकल्पनेनैव करिष्यामः कदाचन कृषि कर्म करिष्यामो भिक्षाटनमथापि वा

vṛttopakalpanenaiva kariṣyāmaḥ kadācana kṛṣikarma kariṣyāmo bhikṣāṭanam athāpi vā

"We shall, at times, manage with whatever livelihood is provided; we shall take up farming, or even begging."

Verse 119 (skanda.3.88.119)

ततश्च ते पंचदशसहस्रा द्विजसत्तमाः दारुणं वाक्यमूचुस्तान्यांतु चान्ये यथोचितम्

tataś ca te pañcadaśasahasrā dvijasattamāḥ dāruṇaṁ vākyam ūcus tān yāntu cānye yathocitam

Then those fifteen thousand excellent twice-born spoke this harsh word to the others: "Let the rest go as they see fit."

Verse 120 (skanda.3.88.120)

शासनं भवतामस्तु रामदत्तं न संशयः त्रयीविद्यास्तु विख्याताः सर्वे वाडवपुंगवाः

śāsanaṁ bhavatām astu rāmadattaṁ na saṁśayaḥ trayīvidyās tu vikhyātāḥ sarve vāḍavapuṁgavāḥ

"Let Rama's given charter be yours, without doubt." Thus all those excellent brahmins became renowned by the name Trayīvidya —

Verse 121 (skanda.3.88.121)

सहस्राणि च त्रीण्येव त्रैविद्या अभवन्ध्रुवम्।

sahasrāṇi ca trīṇy eva trai vidyā abhavan dhruvam

— and truly, three thousand of them became known as the Trai-vidya.

Verse 122 (skanda.3.88.122)

राजोवाच । चतुर्धांशेन राज्यं च किंचिद्दत्ता वसुन्धरा तस्माच्चतुर्विधेत्येवं ज्ञातिबन्धमतः परम्

rājovāca caturdhāṁśena rājyaṁ ca kiṁcid dattā vasundharā tasmāc caturvidhety evaṁ jñātibandham ataḥ param

The king said: "A quarter share of the kingdom and some land has been given (to those who stayed); therefore, henceforth, let their community bond be called 'Chaturvidya' (fourfold)."

Verse 123 (skanda.3.88.123)

च्यवनो दास्यते कन्यां यूयं कन्यामवाप्नुत न वृत्तिर्न च संबंधो भवतां स्यात्कदापि वा

cyavano dāsyate kanyāṁ yūyaṁ kanyām avāpnuta na vṛttir na ca saṁbandho bhavatāṁ syāt kadāpi vā

"A family of the Chyavana line shall give you a daughter, and you shall receive a daughter in marriage — but there shall never be any livelihood-sharing or other bond between you and those who left."

Verse 124 (skanda.3.88.124)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा त्रयीविद्याश्च वाडवाः स्वेस्वे स्थाने गताः सर्वे संकेतादनिवृत्त्य च

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā trayīvidyāś ca vāḍavāḥ sveve sthāne gatāḥ sarve saṁketād anivṛttya ca

Hearing his words, the Trayividya brahmins all returned each to his own place, without turning back from their resolve.

Verse 125 (skanda.3.88.125)

पंचदश सहस्राणि ततस्तु द्विजपुंगवाः यथागतं गताः सर्वे चातुर्विद्या द्विजोत्तमाः

pañcadaśa sahasrāṇi tatas tu dvijapuṁgavāḥ yathāgataṁ gatāḥ sarve cāturvidyā dvijottamāḥ

Then those fifteen thousand excellent twice-born, the Chaturvidya brahmins, all returned the way they had come.

Verse 126 (skanda.3.88.126)

तद्दिने अतिवाह्याथ चिंताविष्टेन चेतसा वार्यमाणाः स्वपुत्रैस्ते दारैश्च विनयान्वितैः

taddine ativāhyātha cintāviṣṭena cetasā vāryamāṇāḥ svaputrais te dāraiś ca vinayānvitaiḥ

Passing that day with anxious minds, they (the Trayividya) were entreated by their own sons and humble wives —

Verse 127 (skanda.3.88.127)

एकाग्रमानसा सर्वे न निद्रामुपलेभिरे ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते चोत्थाय मायां त्यक्ता हि लौकिकीम्

ekāgramānasā sarve na nidrām upalebhire brāhme muhūrte cotthāya māyāṁ tyaktā hi laukikīm

— with focused minds, none of them found sleep; rising at the Brahma-muhurta (before dawn), they abandoned all worldly attachment.

Verse 128 (skanda.3.88.128)

परित्यज्य प्रियान्पुत्रान्दारान्सनिलयानपि ग्रामोपांतेषु मिलिताः सर्वे वाडवपुंगवाः

parityajya priyān putrān dārān sanilayān api grāmopānteṣu militāḥ sarve vāḍavapuṁgavāḥ

Leaving behind their beloved sons, wives, and even their homes, all those excellent brahmins gathered at the edge of the village.

Verse 129 (skanda.3.88.129)

सहस्राणि तदा त्रीणि कृतनित्याह्निकक्रियाः विप्रेभ्यो दक्षिणां दत्त्वा संपूज्य कुलमातरम्

sahasrāṇi tadā trīṇi kṛtanityāhnikakriyāḥ viprebhyo dakṣiṇāṁ dattvā saṁpūjya kulamātaram

Those three thousand, having performed their daily rites, gave sacrificial fees to the brahmins and worshipped the family mother-goddess —

Verse 130 (skanda.3.88.130)

विप्रसंघविनाशाय दक्षिणद्वारसंस्थितः सिंदूरपुष्पमालाभिः पूजितो गणनायकः।

vipraghavināśāya dakṣiṇadvārasaṁsthitaḥ siṁdūrapuṣpamālābhiḥ pūjito gaṇanāyakaḥ

— they worshipped Ganapati, who stands at the southern gate to guard the brahmin community against destruction, with vermilion and garlands of flowers.

Verse 131 (skanda.3.88.131)

पूजितो बकुलस्वामी सूर्य- सर्वार्थसाधकः। आदराच्च महाशक्तिः श्रीमाता पूजिता तथा।

pūjito bakulasvāmī sūryaḥ sarvārthasādhakaḥ ādarāc ca mahāśaktiḥ śrīmātā pūjitā tathā

Bakulasvāmī, the Sun, accomplisher of all ends, was worshipped; and, with reverence, the great shakti Shrimata was also worshipped.

Verse 132 (skanda.3.88.132)

शांतां चैव नमस्कृत्य ज्ञानजां गोत्रमातरम्। गमनेनोद्यमानास्ते परं हर्षमुपाययुः।

śāntāṁ caiva namaskṛtya jñānajāṁ gotramātaram gamanenodyamānās te paraṁ harṣam upāyayuḥ

Bowing to Śāntā and to Jñānajā, the gotra-mother, and preparing to depart, they were filled with supreme joy.

Verse 133 (skanda.3.88.133)

चातुर्विद्या द्विजाश्चैव पुनरामंत्र्य तान्प्रति। पप्रच्छुश्च मुहुः सर्वं समागमनकारणम् ।

cāturvidyā dvijāś caiva punar āmantrya tān prati papracchuś ca muhuḥ sarvaṁ samāgamanakāraṇam

The Chaturvidya brahmins too, calling them back again, repeatedly asked them the entire reason for their coming.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.88.134)

विप्रा ऊचुः । न गंतव्यं भवद्भिर्वै गत्वा वाऽऽयांतु सत्वराः ।

viprā ūcuḥ na gantavyaṁ bhavadbhir vai gatvā vāyāntu satvarāḥ

The brahmins (the Trayividya) said: "You need not go; or if you do go, come back swiftly —"

Verse 135 (skanda.3.88.135)

यथा रामप्रदत्तं हि उपकल्पयसेऽचिरात् श्रुत्वा पुनरथोचुस्ते चातुर्विद्या द्विजोत्तमाः

yathā rāmapradattaṁ hi upakalpayase 'cirāt śrutvā punar athocus te cāturvidyā dvijottamāḥ

"— so that whatever Rama has granted may be secured swiftly." Hearing this, the excellent Chaturvidya twice-born spoke again —

Verse 136 (skanda.3.88.136)

न स्थानेन द्विजैर्वापि न च वृत्त्यां कथंचन वयं नैवागमिष्यामः कथनीयं न वै पुनः

na sthānena dvijair vāpi na ca vṛttyāṁ kathaṁcana vayaṁ naivāgamiṣyāmaḥ kathanīyaṁ na vai punaḥ

"Neither for the sake of the place, nor for the brahmins, nor for any livelihood whatsoever, shall we come; there is nothing more to say."

Verse 137 (skanda.3.88.137)

रघूद्वहेन दत्ता वै वृत्तिर्वो द्विजसत्तमाः तां वृत्तिं प्रति यास्यामो जपहोमार्चनादिभिः

raghūdvahena dattā vai vṛttir vo dvijasattamāḥ tāṁ vṛttiṁ prati yāsyāmo japahomārcanādibhiḥ

"For the livelihood granted to you, O excellent twice-born, by the Raghu-descendant, we shall support it through our own recitations, fire-offerings, and worship."

Verse 138 (skanda.3.88.138)

ते पंचदशसाहस्राः पुनस्तानूचुरादरात् अस्माभिरत्र स्थातव्यमग्निसेवार्थतत्परैः

te pañcadaśasāhasrāḥ punas tān ūcur ādarāt asmābhir atra sthātavyam agniseivārtha tatparaiḥ

Those fifteen thousand again said to them respectfully: "We must remain here, devoted to the service of the sacred fire —"

Verse 139 (skanda.3.88.139)

युष्माभिस्तत्र गंतव्यं सर्वेषां कार्यसिद्धये अन्योन्यं सर्वसाहाया वृत्तिं याम न संशयः

yuṣmābhis tatra gantavyaṁ sarveṣāṁ kāryasiddhaye anyonyaṁ sarvasāhāyā vṛttiṁ yāma na saṁśayaḥ

"— you must go there, for the success of us all; helping one another mutually in every way, we shall obtain our livelihood, without doubt."

Verse 140 (skanda.3.88.140)

त्यक्तस्वकीयवचना वृत्तिहीना भविष्यथ ततस्तन्मध्यतः कश्चिच्चातुर्विद्य उवाच ह।

tyaktasvakīyavacanā vṛttihīnā bhaviṣyatha tatas tanmadhyataḥ kaścic cāturvidya uvāca ha

"Otherwise, having broken your own word, you shall become devoid of livelihood." Then, from among them, a certain Chaturvidya brahmin spoke —

Verse 141 (skanda.3.88.141)

चातुर्विद्य उवाच। पूर्वं हि वृत्तिमस्माकं रामो वै दत्तवान्द्विजाः। चातुर्विद्या महासत्त्वाः स्वधर्मप्रतिपालकाः ।

cāturvidya uvāca pūrvaṁ hi vṛttim asmākaṁ rāmo vai dattavān dvijāḥ cāturvidyā mahāsattvāḥ svadharmapratipālakāḥ

The Chaturvidya said: "Long ago, O brahmins, Rama himself gave us our livelihood; we, the Chaturvidya, are men of great character, upholders of our own dharma."

Verse 142 (skanda.3.88.142)

याजनाध्ययनायुक्ताः काजेशेन विनिर्मिताः । दानं दत्त्वा तु रामेण उक्तं हि भवतां पुनः ।

yājanādhyayanāyuktāḥ kājeśena vinirmitāḥ dānaṁ dattvā tu rāmeṇa uktaṁ hi bhavatāṁ punaḥ

"Devoted to officiating at sacrifices and to study, we were fashioned by Kājeśa; and, having given the gift, Rama himself declared to you all —"

Verse 143 (skanda.3.88.143)

स्थानं त्यक्त्वा न गंतव्यमित्थं हि नियमः कृतः । आपत्काले तु स्मर्तव्यो वायुपुत्रो महाबलः ।

sthānaṁ tyaktvā na gantavyam ittham hi niyamaḥ kṛtaḥ āpatkāle tu smartavyo vāyuputro mahābalaḥ

"— 'you must never leave this place' — such was the rule laid down; but in times of calamity, the mighty son of the Wind should be remembered."

Verse 144 (skanda.3.88.144)

इति रामेण पूर्वं हि स्वे स्थाने स्थापितास्तदा । राम वाक्यमन्यथा तत्कृत्वा गच्छेत्कथं पुनः ।

iti rāmeṇa pūrvaṁ hi sve sthāne sthāpitās tadā rāma vākyam anyathā tat kṛtvā gacchet kathaṁ punaḥ

"Thus we were established by Rama, long ago, in our own place. How, then, could we go, thereby transgressing Rama's own word?"

Verse 145 (skanda.3.88.145)

तस्माद्युष्मान्वयं ब्रूमो गच्छत कार्यसिद्धये । भवतां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं वयं होमार्चनादिभिः ।

tasmād yuṣmān vayaṁ brūmo gacchata kāryasiddhaye bhavatāṁ kāryasiddhyarthaṁ vayaṁ homārcanādibhiḥ

"Therefore we say to you: go, for the sake of your task's success; and for the success of your task, we shall help with fire-offerings, worship, and the like."

Verse 146 (skanda.3.88.146)

झटिति कार्यसिद्धिः स्यात्सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः । इति वाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा ते द्विजा गमनं प्रति ।

jhaṭiti kāryasiddhiḥ syāt satyaṁ satyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ iti vākyaṁ tataḥ śrutvā te dvijā gamanaṁ prati

"Your task shall be swiftly accomplished — this is true, truly true, without doubt." Hearing these words, those brahmins then, toward their departure —

Verse 147 (skanda.3.88.147)

प्रस्थानं च विधायादौ गमनाय मनो दधुः । त्रिसाहस्रास्तदा तस्मात्प्रस्थिता द्विजसत्तमाः ।

prasthānaṁ ca vidhāyādau gamanāya mano dadhuḥ trisāhasrās tadā tasmāt prasthitā dvijasattamāḥ

— first performed the rites of departure and set their minds on going. Then those three thousand excellent twice-born set out.

Verse 148 (skanda.3.88.148)

देशाद्देशांतरं गत्वा वनाच्चैव वनांतरम् । तीर्थेतीर्थे कृतश्राद्धाः सुसंत सत्यव्रतपरायणाः । ते गता दूरमध्वानं हनुमद्दर्शनार्थिनः।

deśād deśāntaraṁ gatvā vanāc caiva vanāntaram tīrthe tīrthe kṛtaśrāddhāḥ susaṁta satyavrataparāyaṇāḥ te gatā dūram adhvānaṁ hanumaddarśanārthinaḥ

Passing from land to land, from forest to forest, performing shraddha at every tirtha, those good souls, devoted to truthful vows, journeyed a long way, desiring to see Hanuman.

Verse 149 (skanda.3.88.149)

संध्यामुपासते नित्यं त्रिकालं चैकमानसाः। एवं तु गच्छतां तेषां शकुना अभवच्छुभाः ।

saṁdhyām upāsate nityaṁ trikālaṁ caikamānasāḥ evaṁ tu gacchatāṁ teṣāṁ śakunā abhavac chubhāḥ

With focused minds, they performed the twilight rites thrice daily; and as they journeyed thus, auspicious omens appeared to them.

Verse 150 (skanda.3.88.150)

एवं तु गच्छतां तेषां पाथेयं त्रुटितं तदा । श्रांता ग्लानिं गताः सर्वे पदं परममास्थिताः ।

evaṁ tu gacchatāṁ teṣāṁ pātheyaṁ truṭitaṁ tadā śrāntā glāniṁ gatāḥ sarve padaṁ paramam āsthitāḥ

As they journeyed on in this way, their provisions ran out; exhausted, all of them grew weak, yet they held to the highest resolve.

Verse 151 (skanda.3.88.151)

क्रमित्वा कियती भूमिं पदं गंतुं न तु क्षमाः । मनसा निश्चयं कृत्वा दृढीकृत्य स्वमानसम् ।

kramitvā kiyatī bhūmiṁ padaṁ gantuṁ na tu kṣamāḥ manasā niścayaṁ kṛtvā dṛḍhīkṛtya svamānasam

Having covered some distance of ground, they were no longer able to take another step; yet, resolving firmly in their minds, steeling their hearts —

Verse 152 (skanda.3.88.152)

हनुमंतमदृष्ट्वैव न यास्यामो वयं गृहान् । त्रैविद्यास्तु गतास्तत्र यत्र रामेश्वरो हरिः ।

hanumantam adṛṣṭvaiva na yāsyāmo vayaṁ gṛhān trai vidyās tu gatās tatra yatra rāmeśvaro hariḥ

— "Without seeing Hanuman, we shall not return home." Thus the Trayividya went there, to where Hari abides as Rāmeśvara.

Verse 153 (skanda.3.88.153)

दृढव्रताः सत्यपराः कन्दमूलफलाशनाः । ध्यायंतो रामरामेति हनूमंतेति वै पुनः ।

dṛḍhavratāḥ satyaparāḥ kandamūlaphalāśanāḥ dhyāyanto rāmarāmeti hanūmanteti vai punaḥ

Firm in their vows, devoted to truth, eating only roots and fruits, meditating again and again on "Rama, Rama" and on Hanuman —

Verse 154 (skanda.3.88.154)

गृहीत्वा नियमं तेऽपि त्यक्त्वा चान्नं तथोदकम् । तृषार्ताश्च क्षुधार्ताश्च ययुर्व्रतपरायणाः ।

gṛhītvā niyamaṁ te 'pi tyaktvā cānnaṁ tathodakam tṛṣārtāś ca kṣudhārtāś ca yayur vrataparāyaṇāḥ

— having taken up this vow, they abandoned food and water too; tormented by thirst and hunger, they journeyed on, devoted to their vow.

Verse 155 (skanda.3.88.155)

एवं तु क्लिश्यमानानां द्विजानां भक्तिभाजनः । उद्विग्नमानसो रामो हनूमंतमथाब्रवीत् ।

evaṁ tu kliśyamānānāṁ dvijānāṁ bhaktibhājanaḥ udvignamānaso rāmo hanūmantam athābravīt

As those devoted brahmins suffered thus, Rama, his mind troubled, spoke to Hanuman —

Verse 156 (skanda.3.88.156)

शीघ्रं गच्छ द्विजार्थे त्वं पवनात्मज धर्मवित् । क्लिश्यंते वाडवाः सर्वे धर्मारण्यनिवासिनः ।

śīghraṁ gaccha dvijārthe tvaṁ pavanātmaja dharmavit kliśyante vāḍavāḥ sarve dharmāraṇyanivāsinaḥ

"Go swiftly, O son of the Wind, knower of dharma, for the brahmins' sake; all those brahmins who dwelt in Dharmaranya are suffering."

Verse 157 (skanda.3.88.157)

दह्यते मानसं मेऽद्य नान्यथा शान्तिरस्ति मे । विप्राणां दुःखकर्त्ता च शास्तव्यो नात्र संशयः ।

dahyate mānasaṁ me 'dya nānyathā śāntir asti me viprāṇāṁ duḥkhakartā ca śāstavyo nātra saṁśayaḥ

"My mind burns today; there is no peace for me otherwise. Whoever has caused the brahmins' suffering must certainly be punished — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 158 (skanda.3.88.158)

येन वै दुःखिता विप्रास्तेनाहं दुःखितः कपे । रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा नमस्कृत्य च राघवम्। कृपया परयाविष्टः प्रादुरासीद्धरीश्वरः।

yena vai duḥkhitā viprās tenāhaṁ duḥkhitaḥ kape rāmasya vacanaṁ śrutvā namaskṛtya ca rāghavam kṛpayā parayāviṣṭaḥ prādurāsīd dharīśvaraḥ

"Whoever has made the brahmins suffer, O monkey, has made me suffer too." Hearing Rama's words, and bowing to Rāghava, filled with the deepest compassion, Hari's lord (Hanuman) appeared there.

Verse 159 (skanda.3.88.159)

वृद्धब्राह्मणरूपेण परीक्षार्थं द्विजन्मनाम्। उवाच परया भक्त्या ब्राह्मणाञ्छ्रमदुर्बलान्।

vṛddhabrāhmaṇarūpeṇa parīkṣārthaṁ dvijanmanām uvāca parayā bhaktyā brāhmaṇāñ chramadurbalān

In the form of an aged brahmin, to test the twice-born, he spoke with the utmost devotion to the brahmins, weakened by their exertion —

Verse 160 (skanda.3.88.160)

कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा करान्मुक्त्वा कमंडलुम् । सर्वान्प्रत्यभिवाद्याथ वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ।

kṛtāñjaliputo bhūtvā karān muktvā kamaṇḍalum sarvān pratyabhivādyātha vacanaṁ cedam abravīt

With joined palms, setting the water-pot down from his hands, he greeted them all in turn and spoke these words —

Verse 161 (skanda.3.88.161)

कुतः स्थानादिह प्राप्ता गंतुकामाश्च वै कुतः । किमर्थं वै भवद्भिश्च गम्यते दारुणं वनम् ।

kutaḥ sthānād iha prāptā gantukāmāś ca vai kutaḥ kimarthaṁ vai bhavadbhiś ca gamyate dāruṇaṁ vanam

"From what place have you come here, and to where do you wish to go? For what reason do you journey into this dreadful forest?"

Verse 162 (skanda.3.88.162)

विप्रा ऊचुः । धर्मारण्यात्समायाता निजदुःखं निवेदितुम् । रामस्य दर्शनार्थं हि गंतुकामा वयं द्विजाः ।

viprā ūcuḥ dharmāraṇyāt samāyātā nijaduḥkhaṁ niveditum rāmasya darśanārthaṁ hi gantukāmā vayaṁ dvijāḥ

The brahmins said: "We have come from Dharmaranya to relate our own sorrow; we, the brahmins, wish to go for the sake of seeing Rama."

Verse 163 (skanda.3.88.163)

सेतुबंधं महातीर्थं सर्वकामप्रदायकम्। नियमस्थाः क्षीणदेहा रामं द्रष्टुं समुत्सुकाः ।

setubandhaṁ mahātīrthaṁ sarvakāmapradāyakam niyamasthāḥ kṣīṇadehā rāmaṁ draṣṭuṁ samutsukāḥ

"To Setubandha, the great tirtha that grants every desire — bound by our vow, our bodies wasted, we are eager to see Rama —"

Verse 164 (skanda.3.88.164)

यत्र रामेश्वरो देवः साक्षाद्वायुसुतः कपिः । तच्छ्रुत्वा स द्विजः प्राह क्व रामः क्व च वायुजः । क्व सेतुबंधरामेशो दूराद्दूरतरो द्विजाः ।

yatra rāmeśvaro devaḥ sākṣād vāyusutaḥ kapiḥ tac chrutvā sa dvijaḥ prāha kva rāmaḥ kva ca vāyujaḥ kva setubandharāmeśo dūrād dūrataro dvijāḥ

"— where the god Rāmeśvara dwells, and where the son of the Wind himself is present." Hearing this, that brahmin (the disguised Hanuman) said: "Where is Rama, and where the son of the Wind? Where is Setubandha-Rāmeśa? It is far, far away, O brahmins —"

Verse 165 (skanda.3.88.165)

व्याघ्रसिंहाकुलं चोग्रं वनं घोरतरं महत्। गत्वा यस्मान्न वर्तंते तदुग्रमनुजीविनः । निवर्तध्वं महाभागा यदि कार्यं हि मद्वचः ।

vyāghrasiṁhākulaṁ cograṁ vanaṁ ghorataraṁ mahat gatvā yasmān na vartante tad ugram anujīvinaḥ nivartadhvaṁ mahābhāgā yadi kāryaṁ hi madvacaḥ

"— a great, most terrible forest, infested with tigers and lions, so fierce that those who go there never return. Turn back, O illustrious ones, if my word means anything to you."

Verse 166 (skanda.3.88.166)

अथवा गम्यतां विप्राश्चिरं जीव सुखी भव । वृद्धस्य वाक्यं तच्छ्रुत्वा वाडवाश्चैकमानसाः ।

athavā gamyatāṁ viprāś ciraṁ jīva sukhī bhava vṛddhasya vākyaṁ tac chrutvā vāḍavāś caikamānasāḥ

"Or else, go on, O brahmins — long life, and be happy." Hearing the old man's words, the brahmins, with one mind, said —

Verse 167 (skanda.3.88.167)

विप्र गच्छामहे सर्वे रामपार्श्वमसंशयः । म्रियेत यदि मार्गेऽस्मिन्रामलोक मवाप्नुय्रात् ।

vipra gacchāmahe sarve rāmapārśvam asaṁśayaḥ mriyeta yadi mārge 'smin rāmalokam avāpnuyāt

— "O brahmin, we shall all go, without fail, into Rama's presence. Even if one of us dies on this path, he shall attain Rama's own world."

Verse 168 (skanda.3.88.168)

जीवन्वृत्तिमवाप्नोति रामदेव न संशयः । अन्यथा शरणं नास्ति अस्माकं राघवं विना ।

jīvan vṛttim avāpnoti rāmadeva na saṁśayaḥ anyathā śaraṇaṁ nāsti asmākaṁ rāghavaṁ vinā

"If alive, he obtains his livelihood from Lord Rama, without doubt; otherwise, we have no refuge except Rāghava."

Verse 169 (skanda.3.88.169)

इत्युक्त्वा निर्गताः सर्वे रामदर्शनतत्पराः । दिनांतमतिवाह्याथ प्रभाते विमले पुनः ।

ity uktvā nirgatāḥ sarve rāmadarśanatatparāḥ dināntam ativāhyātha prabhāte vimale punaḥ

Having said this, all of them set out again, devoted to seeing Rama; passing that day to its end, then again, in the clear light of dawn —

Verse 170 (skanda.3.88.170)

हनुमान्ब्रह्मरूपी स वृद्धः पूर्वगुणान्वितः । कमंडलुधरो धीमानभिवादनत त्परः ।

hanumān brahmarūpī sa vṛddhaḥ pūrvaguṇānvitaḥ kamaṇḍaludharo dhīmān abhivādanatatparaḥ

— Hanuman, in the form of a brahmin, that same aged figure with all his former qualities, water-pot in hand, wise, devoted to greeting them —

Verse 171 (skanda.3.88.171)

कुत्रस्थानादिह प्राप्ताः सर्वे यूयं हि वाडवाः । कुत्रास्ति वा महालाभो विवाहोत्सव एव वा ।

kutrasthānād iha prāptāḥ sarve yūyaṁ hi vāḍavāḥ kutrāsti vā mahālābho vivāhotsava eva vā

— and asked: "From what place have all you brahmins come here? Where is there some great gain, or a wedding celebration?"

Verse 172 (skanda.3.88.172)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा वाडवा विस्मयं गताः । प्रणामपूर्वां विज्ञप्तिं कथयामासुरादृताः ।

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā vāḍavā vismayaṁ gatāḥ praṇāmapūrvāṁ vijñaptiṁ kathayāmāsur ādṛtāḥ

Hearing his words, the brahmins were astonished; bowing first, they respectfully related their petition —

Verse 173 (skanda.3.88.173)

अस्माकं तु पुरा वृत्तं महदाश्चर्यकारकम् । भूमिदेव शृणुष्व त्वं दयालुर्दृश्यसे यतः ।

asmākaṁ tu purā vṛttaṁ mahad āścaryakārakam bhūmideva śṛṇuṣva tvaṁ dayālur dṛśyase yataḥ

"O god upon earth, listen — for you appear compassionate — to the great, wondrous events that once befell us."

Verse 174 (skanda.3.88.174)

आदौ सृष्टिसमारंभे स्थापिता केशवेन च । शिवेन ब्रह्मणा चैव त्रिमूर्तिस्थापिता वयम् ।

ādau sṛṣṭisamārambhe sthāpitā keśavena ca śivena brahmaṇā caiva trimūrtisthāpitā vayam

"In the very beginning of creation, we were established by Keshava, by Shiva, and by Brahma — established by the Trimūrti itself."

Verse 175 (skanda.3.88.175)

श्री रामेण ततः पश्चाज्जीर्णोद्धारेण स्थापिताः । ग्रामाणां वेतनं दत्तं हरिराजेन चादरात्।

śrīrāmeṇa tataḥ paścāj jīrṇoddhāreṇa sthāpitāḥ grāmāṇāṁ vetanaṁ dattaṁ hariraajena cādarāt

"Then afterward, Shri Rama established us again through his restoration; and Hariraja (Rama) gave us the wage of villages with reverence."

Verse 176 (skanda.3.88.176)

चतुश्चत्वारिंशदधिकचतुःशतमितात्मनाम् । ग्रामास्त्रयोदशार्चार्थं सीतापुरसमन्विताः।

catuścatvāriṁśadadhikacatuḥśatamitātmanām grāmās trayodaśārcārthaṁ sītāpurasamanvitāḥ

"Four hundred and forty-four villages — thirteen villages for worship, along with Sitapura —"

Verse 177 (skanda.3.88.177)

षट्त्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि वणिजो द्विजपालने । गोभूजसंज्ञास्ते शूद्रास्तेभ्यः सपादलक्षकाः ।

ṣaṭtriṁśac ca sahasrāṇi vaṇijo dvijapālane gobhūjasaṁjñās te śūdrās tebhyaḥ sapādalakṣakāḥ

"— thirty-six thousand merchants were assigned to the maintenance of the brahmins; those shudras called Gobhuja, and a hundred and twenty-five thousand more —"

Verse 178 (skanda.3.88.178)

ते च जातास्त्रिधा तात गोभूजाडालजा स्तथा । मांडलीयास्तथा चैते त्रिविधाश्च मनोरमाः ।

te ca jātās tridhā tāta gobhūjāḍālajās tathā māṇḍalīyās tathā caite trividhāś ca manoramāḥ

"— O child, they arose in three groups: the Gobhuja, and the Adalaja, and likewise the Mandaliya — thus three delightful branches."

Verse 179 (skanda.3.88.179)

वृत्त्यर्थं तेन दत्ता वै ह्यनर्घ्या रत्नकोटयः । तदा ते मोढ १८०००, गोभूजा १८०००, मांडलीया १२५०००, अडालजाः १८०००।

vṛttyarthaṁ tena dattā vai hy anarghyā ratnakoṭayaḥ tadā te moḍha 18000, gobhūjā 18000, māṇḍalīyā 125000, aḍālajāḥ 18000

"For the sake of livelihood, priceless treasures beyond value were given by him. At that time, the Modh numbered 18,000; the Gobhuja, 18,000; the Mandaliya, 125,000; and the Adalaja, 18,000."

Verse 180 (skanda.3.88.180)

अधुना वाडवश्रेष्ठ आमोनाम महीपतिः । शासनं रामचंद्रस्य न मानयति दुर्मतिः ।

adhunā vāḍavaśreṣṭha āmo nāma mahīpatiḥ śāsanaṁ rāmacandrasya na mānayati durmatiḥ

"But now, O best of brahmins, the wicked-minded King Amo does not honor Ramachandra's charter —"

Verse 181 (skanda.3.88.181)

जामाता तस्य दुष्टो वै नाम्ना कुमारपालकः । पाषंडैर्वेंष्टितो नित्यं कलिधर्मेण संमतः ।

jāmātā tasya duṣṭo vai nāmnā kumārapālakaḥ pāṣaṇḍair veṣṭito nityaṁ kalidharmeṇa saṁmataḥ

"— his wicked son-in-law, named Kumarapala, is ever surrounded by heretics, and given over to the ways of the Kali age —"

Verse 182 (skanda.3.88.182)

इन्द्रसूत्रेण जैनेन प्रेरितो बौद्धधर्मिणा । शासनं तेन लुप्तं हि रामदत्तं न संशयः ।

indrasūtreṇa jainena prerito bauddhadharmiṇā śāsanaṁ tena luptaṁ hi rāmadattaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

"— urged on by the Jain Indrasūri, a follower of the Buddhist faith, he has abolished Rama's own charter, without doubt."

Verse 183 (skanda.3.88.183)

वाणिजस्तादृशाः केऽपि तन्मनस्का बभूविरे । निषेधयंति रामं ते हनुमंतं महामतिम् ।

vāṇijas tādṛśāḥ ke 'pi tanmanaskā babhūvire niṣedhayanti rāmaṁ te hanumantaṁ mahāmatim

"Certain merchants likewise, of like mind, have arisen, and they deny even Rama and the great-minded Hanuman."

Verse 184 (skanda.3.88.184)

प्रत्ययं तु विना विप्रा न दास्यामीति निश्चितम् । तं ज्ञात्वा तु इमे विप्रा रामं शरणमाययुः ।

pratyayaṁ tu vinā viprā na dāsyāmīti niścitam taṁ jñātvā tu ime viprā rāmaṁ śaraṇam āyayuḥ

"'Without proof, O brahmins, I shall not restore it' — this was his firm decision. Knowing this, we brahmins have come here for refuge to Rama —"

Verse 185 (skanda.3.88.185)

हनुमंतं महावीरं रामशासनपालकम् । तस्माद्गच्छामहे सर्वे रामं प्रति महामते ।

hanumantaṁ mahāvīraṁ rāmaśāsanapālakam tasmād gacchāmahe sarve rāmaṁ prati mahāmate

"— to the great hero Hanuman, guardian of Rama's charter; therefore, O wise one, we are all going toward Rama."

Verse 186 (skanda.3.88.186)

आंजनेयो यदास्माकं न दास्यति समीहितम् । अनाहारव्रतेनैव प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यामहे वयम् ।

āñjaneyo yadāsmākaṁ na dāsyati samīhitam anāhāravratenaiva prāṇāṁs tyakṣyāmahe vayam

"If Añjaneya (Hanuman) will not grant our desire, then, through the vow of fasting itself, we shall give up our lives."

Verse 187 (skanda.3.88.187)

अस्माभिस्ते विशेषेण कथितं परिपृच्छते । स्नेहभावं विचिंत्याशु निजवृत्तिं प्रकाशय ।

asmābhis te viśeṣeṇa kathitaṁ paripṛcchate snehabhāvaṁ vicintyāśu nijavṛttiṁ prakāśaya

"We have told you this in full detail, since you asked; seeing your affection for us, please quickly reveal your own true self."

Verse 188 (skanda.3.88.188)

हनुमानुवाच । प्राप्ते कलियुगे विप्राः क्व देवदर्शनं भवेत् । निवर्त्तध्वं हि विप्रेन्द्रा यदीच्छथ सुखं महत् ।

hanumān uvāca prāpte kaliyuge viprāḥ kva devadarśanaṁ bhavet nivartadhvaṁ hi viprendrā yadīcchatha sukhaṁ mahat

Hanuman said: "O brahmins, in the Kali Yuga, where could there be any sight of the gods? Turn back, O foremost of brahmins, if you desire great happiness."

Verse 189 (skanda.3.88.189)

व्याघ्रसिंहाकुले शून्ये वने वनगजाश्रिते । बहुदावसमाविष्टे प्रवेष्टुं नैव शक्यते ।

vyāghrasiṁhākule śūnye vane vanagajāśrite bahudāvasamāviṣṭe praveṣṭuṁ naiva śakyate

"Into this desolate forest, infested with tigers and lions and wild elephants, filled with many wildfires, one simply cannot enter."

Verse 190 (skanda.3.88.190)

विप्रा ऊचुः । अतीते दिवसे विप्र एकं कथितवानिदम् । अद्यैव त्वं समागम्य एवमेव प्रभाषसे ।

viprā ūcuḥ atīte divase vipra ekaṁ kathitavān idam adyaiva tvaṁ samāgamya evam eva prabhāṣase

The brahmins said: "O brahmin, yesterday one of you said this very thing, and today too you, having come again, speak just the same."

Verse 191 (skanda.3.88.191)

कस्त्वं वाडवरूपेण रामो वाप्यथ वायुजः । सत्यं कथय नः स्वास्मिन्दयां कृत्वा महाद्विज ।

kas tvaṁ vāḍavarūpeṇa rāmo vāpy atha vāyujaḥ satyaṁ kathaya naḥ svāsmin dayāṁ kṛtvā mahādvija

"Who are you, in this form of a brahmin — are you Rama, or the son of the Wind? Tell us the truth, O great brahmin, showing mercy toward us."

Verse 192 (skanda.3.88.192)

हनुमान्कथयामास गोपितं यद्द्विजाग्रतः । हनुमानित्यहं विप्रा बुध्यध्वं निश्चिता हि माम् ।

hanumān kathayāmāsa gopitaṁ yad dvijāgrataḥ hanumān ity ahaṁ viprā budhyadhvaṁ niścitā hi mām

Hanuman then revealed what had been hidden before the brahmins: "I am Hanuman, O brahmins — know me now with certainty."

Verse 193 (skanda.3.88.193)

स्वरूपं प्रकटीकृत्य लांगूलं दर्शयन्महत् ।

svarūpaṁ prakaṭīkṛtya lāṅgūlaṁ darśayan mahat

Revealing his true form, he showed them his great tail.

Verse 194 (skanda.3.88.194)

हनुमानुवाच । अयमंभोनिधिः साक्षात्सेतुबंधो मनोरमः । अयं रामेश्वरो देवो गर्भवासविनाशकृत् ।

hanumān uvāca ayam ambhonidhiḥ sākṣāt setubandho manoramaḥ ayaṁ rāmeśvaro devo garbhavāsavināśakṛt

Hanuman said: "This is the very ocean itself, and this the lovely Setubandha; this is the god Rāmeśvara, who destroys the cycle of rebirth."

Verse 195 (skanda.3.88.195)

इयं तु नगरी श्रेष्ठा लंकानामेति विश्रुता । यत्र सीता मया प्राप्ता रामशोकापहारिणी ।

iyaṁ tu nagarī śreṣṭhā laṅkā nāmeti viśrutā yatra sītā mayā prāptā rāmaśokāpahāriṇī

"And this excellent city is renowned by the name Lanka, where I found Sita, the remover of Rama's grief."

Verse 196 (skanda.3.88.196)

तर्जन्यग्रे द्विजश्रेष्ठा अगम्या मां विना परैः । सा सुवर्णमयी भाति यस्यां राज्ये विभीषणः ।

tarjanyagre dvijaśreṣṭhā agamyā māṁ vinā paraiḥ sā suvarṇamayī bhāti yasyāṁ rājye vibhīṣaṇaḥ

"O best of brahmins, at the tip of my finger — inaccessible to any other but me — that golden city shines, in whose kingdom Vibhishana —"

Verse 197 (skanda.3.88.197)

स्थापितो रामदेवेन सेयं लंका महापुरी । नियमस्थैः साधुवृंदैस्तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगतः ।

sthāpito rāmadevena seyaṁ laṅkā mahāpurī niyamasthaiḥ sādhuvṛndais tīrthayātrāprasaṅgataḥ

"— was established by Lord Rama; this is that great city of Lanka. By groups of devout pilgrims, observant of their vows, in the course of their tirtha-pilgrimage —"

Verse 198 (skanda.3.88.198)

आनीय गंगासलिलं रामेशमभिषिच्य च । क्षिप्ता एते महाभारा दृश्यंते सागरांतरे ।

ānīya gaṅgāsalilaṁ rāmeśam abhiṣicya ca kṣiptā ete mahābhārā dṛśyante sāgarāntare

"— having brought the water of the Ganga and bathed Rāmeśa with it, they cast these great burdens (of water-vessels) into the sea, as can still be seen."

Verse 199 (skanda.3.88.199)

निष्पापास्तेन संजाताः साधवस्ते दृढव्रताः । नूनं पुण्योदये वृद्धिः पापे हानिश्च जायते ।

niṣpāpās tena saṁjātāḥ sādhavas te dṛḍhavratāḥ nūnaṁ puṇyodaye vṛddhiḥ pāpe hāniś ca jāyate

"By this, those firm-vowed devotees became sinless. Truly, when merit rises, there is increase; when sin arises, there is loss."

Verse 200 (skanda.3.88.200)

स्थानभ्रष्टाः कृताः पूर्वं चातुर्विद्या द्विजातयः । जीर्णोद्धारेण रामेण स्थापिताः पुनरेव हि । पूर्वजन्मनि भो विप्राः हरिपूजा कृता मया ।

sthānabhraṣṭāḥ kṛtāḥ pūrvaṁ cāturvidyā dvijātayaḥ jīrṇoddhāreṇa rāmeṇa sthāpitāḥ punar eva hi pūrvajanmani bho viprāḥ haripūjā kṛtā mayā

"In the past, the Chaturvidya twice-born were once cast out from their place; they were established again through Rama's own restoration. O brahmins, in a former birth, I too performed worship of Hari —"

Verse 201 (skanda.3.88.201)

सांप्रतं निश्चला भक्तिर्भवत्सेवा हि दृश्यते । तेन पुण्यप्रभावेण तुष्टो दास्यामि वो वरम् ।

sāṁprataṁ niścalā bhaktir bhavatsevā hi dṛśyate tena puṇyaprabhāveṇa tuṣṭo dāsyāmi vo varam

"— and now your own unwavering devotion, your service, is plainly seen. By the power of that merit, pleased, I shall grant you a boon."

Verse 202 (skanda.3.88.202)

धन्योहं कृतकृत्योहं सुभाग्योहं धरातले । अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम् । यदहं ब्राह्मणानां च प्राप्तवांश्चरणांतिकम् ।

dhanyo 'haṁ kṛtakṛtyo 'haṁ subhāgyo 'haṁ dharātale adya me saphalaṁ janma jīvitaṁ ca sujīvitam yad ahaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ ca prāptavāṁś caraṇāntikam

"I am blessed, my purpose is fulfilled, I am most fortunate upon this earth; today my birth has borne fruit, and my life has become a truly good life — for I have attained the very presence of the brahmins' feet."

Verse 203 (skanda.3.88.203)

व्यास उवाच । दृष्ट्वैव हनुमन्तं ते पुलकांकितविग्रहाः । सगद्गदं यथोचुस्ते वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदाः । इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये हनुमत्समागमो नाम षट्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः

vyāsa uvāca dṛṣṭvaiva hanumantaṁ te pulakāṅkitavigrahāḥ sagadgadaṁ yathocus te vākyaṁ vākyaviśāradāḥ iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe dharmāraṇyamāhātmye hanumatsamāgamo nāma ṣaṭtriṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

Vyasa said: The very moment they beheld Hanuman, their bodies thrilled with joy; those masters of speech spoke words choked with emotion. Thus ends the thirty-sixth chapter, called "The Meeting with Hanuman," within the Glory of Dharmaranya, in the third Brahma Khanda, in the Skanda Mahapurana's Samhita of eighty-one thousand verses.