The Establishment of Kusheshvara and Laveshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.6.104.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । राक्षसैस्तत्र लिंगानि यानि भक्त्या समन्वितैः । स्थापितानि च माहात्म्यं तेषां सूत प्रकीर्तय

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ rākṣasaistatra liṁgāni yāni bhaktyā samanvitaiḥ sthāpitāni ca māhātmyaṁ teṣāṁ sūta prakīrtaya

The sages said: "Tell us, Suta, the glory of those lingas that were established there by the rakshasas with devotion."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.104.2)

सूत उवाच । तेषां पूजाकृते रौद्रा राक्षसा बलवत्तराः । लंकापुर्याः समायांति सदैव शतशः पुरा

sūta uvāca teṣāṁ pūjākṛte raudrā rākṣasā balavattarāḥ laṁkāpuryāḥ samāyāṁti sadaiva śataśaḥ purā

Suta said: For the sake of worshipping them, in former times, fierce and powerful rakshasas would always come in hundreds from the city of Lanka.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.104.3)

आगच्छन्तो व्रजन्तस्ते मार्गे क्षेत्रे च तत्र च । भक्षयन्ति जनौघांश्च बालवृद्धाञ्जनानपि

āgacchanto vrajantaste mārge kṣetre ca tatra ca bhakṣayanti janaughāṁśca bālavṛddhāñjanānapi

Coming and going, on the road and in that field, they would devour multitudes of people, children and the aged among them.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.104.4)

ततस्ते मानवाः सर्वे प्रद्रवंतः समंततः । इतश्चेतश्च धावन्ति प्राणरक्षणतत्पराः

tataste mānavāḥ sarve pradravaṁtaḥ samaṁtataḥ itaścetaśca dhāvanti prāṇarakṣaṇatatparāḥ

Then all those people would flee on every side, running this way and that, intent on saving their lives.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.104.5)

तथान्ये बहवो गत्वा ह्ययोध्याख्यां महापुरीम् । रामपुत्रं नृपश्रेष्ठं कुशं प्रोचुः सुदुःखिताः

tathānye bahavo gatvā hyayodhyākhyāṁ mahāpurīm rāmaputraṁ nṛpaśreṣṭhaṁ kuśaṁ procuḥ suduḥkhitāḥ

And many others, having gone to the great city called Ayodhya, spoke, deeply distressed, to Kusha, Rama's son, foremost of kings —

Verse 6 (skanda.6.104.6)

तव पित्रा समं प्राप्ताः पूर्वं ये राक्षसा नृप । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे विभीषणपुरःसराः

tava pitrā samaṁ prāptāḥ pūrvaṁ ye rākṣasā nṛpa hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre vibhīṣaṇapuraḥsarāḥ

"O king, those rakshasas who formerly came together with your father, led by Vibhishana, to the field arisen from Hatakeshvara,

Verse 7 (skanda.6.104.7)

संस्थापितानि लिंगानि चतुर्वक्त्राणि तत्र वै । राक्षसेंद्रैः स्वमन्त्रैस्तैस्तस्य क्षेत्रस्य पश्चिमे

saṁsthāpitāni liṁgāni caturvaktrāṇi tatra vai rākṣaseṁdraiḥ svamantraistaistasya kṣetrasya paścime

those lords of rakshasas established four-faced lingas there by their own mantras, in the western part of that field.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.104.8)

तेनैव चानुषंगेण समागच्छंति नित्यशः । तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे प्रकुर्वंति तथा लोकस्य भक्षणम्

tenaiva cānuṣaṁgeṇa samāgacchaṁti nityaśaḥ tasminkṣetre prakurvaṁti tathā lokasya bhakṣaṇam

And on that very pretext they now come constantly, and in that field they carry out the devouring of the people.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.104.9)

यदि वा तानि लिंगानि कश्चित्संपूजयेन्नरः । सद्यो विनाशमायाति सोऽप्यनर्थो महानभूत्

yadi vā tāni liṁgāni kaścitsaṁpūjayennaraḥ sadyo vināśamāyāti so'pyanartho mahānabhūt

Or if any man should [unknowingly] worship those lingas, he too instantly meets his destruction — this too has become a great calamity.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.104.10)

तस्माद्यदि न रक्षा नः करिष्यसि महीपते । तच्छनैर्यास्यते लोकः सर्वोऽयं संक्षयं ध्रुवम्

tasmādyadi na rakṣā naḥ kariṣyasi mahīpate tacchanairyāsyate lokaḥ sarvo'yaṁ saṁkṣayaṁ dhruvam

Therefore, O lord of the earth, if you do not protect us, this whole people will gradually and surely go to ruin.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.104.11)

तच्च क्षेत्रं विशेषेण यत्रागच्छंति ते सदा । राक्षसाः क्रूरकर्माणो महामांसस्य लोलुपाः

tacca kṣetraṁ viśeṣeṇa yatrāgacchaṁti te sadā rākṣasāḥ krūrakarmāṇo mahāmāṁsasya lolupāḥ

And that field in particular is where they always come — those cruel-acting rakshasas, greedy for great quantities of flesh."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.104.12)

तच्छ्रुत्वा स नृपस्तूर्णं स्वामात्यानां न्यवेदयत् । राज्यभारं ततस्तत्र बलेन सहितो ययौ

tacchrutvā sa nṛpastūrṇaṁ svāmātyānāṁ nyavedayat rājyabhāraṁ tatastatra balena sahito yayau

Hearing this, the king swiftly informed his ministers, and, having entrusted the burden of the kingdom, then went there together with his army.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.104.13)

अथ प्राप्तं कुशं दृष्ट्वा हतशेषा द्विजोत्तमाः । प्रोचुस्तं भर्त्सयित्वा तु वचनैः परुषाक्षरैः

atha prāptaṁ kuśaṁ dṛṣṭvā hataśeṣā dvijottamāḥ procustaṁ bhartsayitvā tu vacanaiḥ paruṣākṣaraiḥ

Then, seeing Kusha arrive, the surviving best of the twice-born, rebuking him, spoke to him with harsh words:

Verse 14 (skanda.6.104.14)

किमेवं क्रियते राज्यं यथा त्वं क्षत्रियाधमः । करोषि यत्र विध्वंसं राक्षसैर्नीयते जनः

kimevaṁ kriyate rājyaṁ yathā tvaṁ kṣatriyādhamaḥ karoṣi yatra vidhvaṁsaṁ rākṣasairnīyate janaḥ

"Is this how a kingdom is to be governed, that you, lowest of kshatriyas, allow such ruin, in which the people are carried off by rakshasas?

Verse 15 (skanda.6.104.15)

नूनं जातो न रामेण भवान्रावणसंभवः । येनोपेक्षसि सर्वान्नो राक्षसैः परिपीडितान्

nūnaṁ jāto na rāmeṇa bhavānrāvaṇasaṁbhavaḥ yenopekṣasi sarvānno rākṣasaiḥ paripīḍitān

Surely you were not born of Rama, but must be sprung from Ravana, since you neglect all of us who are so tormented by rakshasas.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.104.16)

सत्यमेतत्पुरा प्रोक्तं नीतिशास्त्रविचक्षणैः । यस्य वर्णस्य यो राजा स वर्णः सुखमेधते

satyametatpurā proktaṁ nītiśāstravicakṣaṇaiḥ yasya varṇasya yo rājā sa varṇaḥ sukhamedhate

This truth was declared long ago by those skilled in statecraft: as is the king, so is the well-being of his subjects.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.104.17)

तस्मात्त्वं राक्षसोद्भूतो राक्षसैर्द्विजसत्तमान् । उपेक्षसे ततः सर्वान्भक्ष्यमाणांस्तथापरान्

tasmāttvaṁ rākṣasodbhūto rākṣasairdvijasattamān upekṣase tataḥ sarvānbhakṣyamāṇāṁstathāparān

Therefore, being yourself sprung from rakshasas, you neglect the best of the twice-born as they are devoured by rakshasas, and all the others too.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.104.18)

आर्तानां यत्र लोकानां दोषैः पार्थिवसंभवैः । पतंत्यश्रूणि भूपृष्ठे तत्र राजा स दोषभाक्

ārtānāṁ yatra lokānāṁ doṣaiḥ pārthivasaṁbhavaiḥ pataṁtyaśrūṇi bhūpṛṣṭhe tatra rājā sa doṣabhāk

Wherever the tears of afflicted people, born of faults arising from the king, fall upon the earth — there the king himself is the one at fault."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.104.19)

कुश उवाच । प्रसादः क्रियतां विप्रा न मया ज्ञातमीदृशम् । राक्षसेभ्यः समुत्पन्नो ब्राह्मणानां पराभवः

kuśa uvāca prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ viprā na mayā jñātamīdṛśam rākṣasebhyaḥ samutpanno brāhmaṇānāṁ parābhavaḥ

Kusha said: "Be gracious, brahmins; I did not know of this — this affliction of the brahmins arising from the rakshasas.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.104.20)

अद्यप्रभृति यः कश्चिद्विनाशं नीयते क्वचित् । ब्राह्मणो वाऽथवाऽन्योऽपि तद्भवेन्मम पातकम्

adyaprabhṛti yaḥ kaścidvināśaṁ nīyate kvacit brāhmaṇo vā'thavā'nyo'pi tadbhavenmama pātakam

From this day forward, whoever, brahmin or anyone else, is brought to ruin anywhere, that shall become my own sin."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.104.21)

एवमुक्त्वा ततस्तूर्णं प्रेषयामास राघवः । विभीषणाय संक्रुद्धो दूतं भयविवर्जितम्

evamuktvā tatastūrṇaṁ preṣayāmāsa rāghavaḥ vibhīṣaṇāya saṁkruddho dūtaṁ bhayavivarjitam

Having said this, Raghava, enraged, swiftly sent a fearless messenger to Vibhishana.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.104.22)

गच्छ दूत द्रुतं गत्वा त्वया वाच्यो विभीषणः । रामोचितस्त्वया स्नेहो मया सह कृतो महान्

gaccha dūta drutaṁ gatvā tvayā vācyo vibhīṣaṇaḥ rāmocitastvayā sneho mayā saha kṛto mahān

"Go, messenger, go quickly, and say to Vibhishana: 'A great friendship befitting Rama was formed by me with you.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.104.23)

यद्राक्षसगणैः सार्धं मम भूमिं समंततः । त्वं क्लेशयसि दुर्बुद्धे मां विश्वास्य सुभाषितैः

yadrākṣasagaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ mama bhūmiṁ samaṁtataḥ tvaṁ kleśayasi durbuddhe māṁ viśvāsya subhāṣitaiḥ

that you, together with your bands of rakshasas, afflict my land everywhere, O foolish one, having won my trust with fair words —

Verse 24 (skanda.6.104.24)

मम पित्रा कृतेयं ते प्रतिष्ठा राक्षसाधम । तेन नो हन्मि ते भ्राता यथा तातेन शातितः

mama pitrā kṛteyaṁ te pratiṣṭhā rākṣasādhama tena no hanmi te bhrātā yathā tātena śātitaḥ

This standing of yours was granted by my own father, lowest of rakshasas; by that same right I shall slay you, brother, just as my father slew your brother.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.104.25)

विषवृक्षोऽपि यो वृद्धिं स्वयमेव प्रणीयते । कथं संछिद्यते सोऽत्र स्वयमेव मनीषिभिः

viṣavṛkṣo'pi yo vṛddhiṁ svayameva praṇīyate kathaṁ saṁchidyate so'tra svayameva manīṣibhiḥ

Even a poison-tree, though it grows of its own accord, why should the wise not cut it down themselves, right there?

Verse 26 (skanda.6.104.26)

तस्मादद्य दिनादूर्ध्वं यदि कश्चिन्निशाचरः । समुद्रस्योत्तरं पारं कथंचिदागमिष्यति

tasmādadya dinādūrdhvaṁ yadi kaścinniśācaraḥ samudrasyottaraṁ pāraṁ kathaṁcidāgamiṣyati

Therefore, from this day forward, if any night-wanderer should somehow come to this northern shore of the ocean,

Verse 27 (skanda.6.104.27)

तदहं सत्वरं प्राप्य लंकां तव पुरीमिमाम् । ससैन्यो ध्वंसयिष्यामि तथा सर्वान्निशाचरान्

tadahaṁ satvaraṁ prāpya laṁkāṁ tava purīmimām sasainyo dhvaṁsayiṣyāmi tathā sarvānniśācarān

then I shall swiftly reach Lanka, this city of yours, and with my army destroy all the night-wanderers.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.104.28)

त्वां च बद्ध्वा दृढैः पाशैर्निगडैश्च सुसंयतम् । कारासंस्थं करिष्यामि सद्य एव न संशयः

tvāṁ ca baddhvā dṛḍhaiḥ pāśairnigaḍaiśca susaṁyatam kārāsaṁsthaṁ kariṣyāmi sadya eva na saṁśayaḥ

And, binding you fast with strong ropes and chains, I shall put you into prison at once — of this there is no doubt.'"

Verse 29 (skanda.6.104.29)

एवमुक्तस्ततो दूतो गत्वा सेतुं द्रुतं ततः । दृष्ट्वा रामेश्वरं देवं यावदग्रे व्यवस्थितः

evamuktastato dūto gatvā setuṁ drutaṁ tataḥ dṛṣṭvā rāmeśvaraṁ devaṁ yāvadagre vyavasthitaḥ

Thus instructed, the messenger, having gone swiftly to the bridge, seeing the god Rameshvara, stood there before it,

Verse 30 (skanda.6.104.30)

तावत्पृष्टो जनैः कैश्चित्कस्त्वं वत्स इहागतः । केन कार्येण नो ब्रूहि नात्र गच्छंति मानवाः

tāvatpṛṣṭo janaiḥ kaiścitkastvaṁ vatsa ihāgataḥ kena kāryeṇa no brūhi nātra gacchaṁti mānavāḥ

when he was questioned by some people: "Who are you, child, who have come here? For what purpose — tell us, for people do not go beyond this point."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.104.31)

दूत उवाच । अहं कुशेन भूपेन विभीषणगृहं प्रति । प्रेषितः कार्यमुद्दिश्य तत्र यास्याम्यहं कथम्

dūta uvāca ahaṁ kuśena bhūpena vibhīṣaṇagṛhaṁ prati preṣitaḥ kāryamuddiśya tatra yāsyāmyahaṁ katham

The messenger said: "I have been sent by King Kusha toward Vibhishana's house, for some purpose — so how am I to get there?"

Verse 32 (skanda.6.104.32)

जना ऊचुः । नातः परं नरः कश्चिद्गन्तुं शक्तः कथंचन । भग्नः सेतुर्यतो मध्ये रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा

janā ūcuḥ nātaḥ paraṁ naraḥ kaścidgantuṁ śaktaḥ kathaṁcana bhagnaḥ seturyato madhye rāmeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā

The people said: "No man can go any further than this, in any way, since the bridge was broken in the middle by Rama of unwearied deeds.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.104.33)

तस्मादत्रैव ते कार्यं सिद्धिं दूत प्रयास्यति । विभीषणकृतं सर्वं दर्शनात्तस्य रक्षसः

tasmādatraiva te kāryaṁ siddhiṁ dūta prayāsyati vibhīṣaṇakṛtaṁ sarvaṁ darśanāttasya rakṣasaḥ

Therefore your errand will be fulfilled right here, messenger — everything is accomplished by Vibhishana, merely upon this lord of rakshasas' sight of it.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.104.34)

सर्वदा राक्षसेन्द्रोऽसौ शुभं रामेश्वरत्रयम् । त्रिकालं पूजयत्येव नियमं समुपाश्रितः

sarvadā rākṣasendro'sau śubhaṁ rāmeśvaratrayam trikālaṁ pūjayatyeva niyamaṁ samupāśritaḥ

That lord of rakshasas, holding to his vow, always worships the auspicious triad of Rameshvara three times a day.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.104.35)

लंकाद्वारे स्थितो यो वै सेतुखण्डे महेश्वरः । प्रभाते कुरुते तस्य स्वयं पूजां विभीषणः

laṁkādvāre sthito yo vai setukhaṇḍe maheśvaraḥ prabhāte kurute tasya svayaṁ pūjāṁ vibhīṣaṇaḥ

The Maheshvara who stands at the gateway of Lanka, on that segment of the bridge — his worship at dawn is performed by Vibhishana himself.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.104.36)

जलमध्यगतं यच्च सेतुखंडं द्वितीयकम् । तत्र रामेश्वरो यश्च मध्याह्ने तं प्रपूजयेत्

jalamadhyagataṁ yacca setukhaṁḍaṁ dvitīyakam tatra rāmeśvaro yaśca madhyāhne taṁ prapūjayet

And the second segment of the bridge, which lies in the middle of the water, where Rameshvara stands — that one he worships at midday.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.104.37)

एनं देव निशीथे च सर्वदागत्य भक्तितः । संपूजयेन्न सन्देहः सत्यमेतत्प्रकीर्तितम्

enaṁ deva niśīthe ca sarvadāgatya bhaktitaḥ saṁpūjayenna sandehaḥ satyametatprakīrtitam

And this god here, always, at midnight, he comes with devotion and worships — there is no doubt of it; this is the declared truth."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.104.38)

तस्मात्तिष्ठ त्वमव्यग्रः स्थानेऽत्रैव समाहितः । यावदागमनं तस्य राक्षसस्य महात्मनः

tasmāttiṣṭha tvamavyagraḥ sthāne'traiva samāhitaḥ yāvadāgamanaṁ tasya rākṣasasya mahātmanaḥ

Therefore stay here undisturbed, with a composed mind, in this very place, until that great-souled rakshasa arrives.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.104.39)

तेनैव सहितः पश्चात्स्वेच्छया तस्य मन्दिरम् । प्रयास्यसि गृहं वापि स्वकीयं तद्विसर्जितः

tenaiva sahitaḥ paścātsvecchayā tasya mandiram prayāsyasi gṛhaṁ vāpi svakīyaṁ tadvisarjitaḥ

Then, together with him, you may afterward go, as you wish, to his temple — or, dismissed by him, to your own home."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.104.40)

अथ तेषां तदाकर्ण्य स दूतो हर्षसंयुतः । बाढमित्येव चोक्त्वाथ तत्र चैव व्यवस्थितः

atha teṣāṁ tadākarṇya sa dūto harṣasaṁyutaḥ bāḍhamityeva coktvātha tatra caiva vyavasthitaḥ

Hearing this from them, that messenger, filled with joy, said, "So be it," and remained right there.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.104.41)

अथ प्राप्ते निशार्धे स राक्षसैः परिवारितः । विभीषणः समायातस्तस्मिन्नायतने शुभे

atha prāpte niśārdhe sa rākṣasaiḥ parivāritaḥ vibhīṣaṇaḥ samāyātastasminnāyatane śubhe

Then, when midnight came, surrounded by rakshasas, Vibhishana arrived at that auspicious shrine.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.104.42)

विमानवरमारूढः स्तूयमानः समन्ततः । राक्षसैर्बंदिरूपैस्तैर्गीयमानस्तथा परैः

vimānavaramārūḍhaḥ stūyamānaḥ samantataḥ rākṣasairbaṁdirūpaistairgīyamānastathā paraiḥ

Mounted on his excellent chariot, praised on every side, sung by those bard-like rakshasas and by others as well —

Verse 43 (skanda.6.104.43)

उत्तीर्य च विमानाग्र्यात्कृत्वाऽथ त्रिः प्रदक्षिणाम् । रामेश्वरं प्रणम्योच्चैः स्तोत्रमेतच्चकार सः

uttīrya ca vimānāgryātkṛtvā'tha triḥ pradakṣiṇām rāmeśvaraṁ praṇamyoccaiḥ stotrametaccakāra saḥ

Descending from the top of the chariot, and having circled it three times, he bowed loudly to Rameshvara and offered this hymn:

Verse 44 (skanda.6.104.44)

नमस्ते देवदेवेश भक्तानामभयप्रद । सर्वतः पाणिपादं ते सर्वतोक्षिशिरोमुखम्

namaste devadeveśa bhaktānāmabhayaprada sarvataḥ pāṇipādaṁ te sarvatokṣiśiromukham

"Salutation to you, lord of the gods of gods, granter of fearlessness to your devotees; your hands and feet are everywhere, your eyes, heads, and faces are everywhere.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.104.45)

त्वं यज्ञस्त्वं वषट्कारस्त्वं चंद्रस्त्वं प्रभाकरः । त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं चतुर्वक्त्रः शक्रस्त्वं परमेश्वरः

tvaṁ yajñastvaṁ vaṣaṭkārastvaṁ caṁdrastvaṁ prabhākaraḥ tvaṁ viṣṇustvaṁ caturvaktraḥ śakrastvaṁ parameśvaraḥ

You are the sacrifice, you are the vashatkara, you are the moon, you are the sun; you are Vishnu, you are the four-faced one, you are Indra, you are the Supreme Lord.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.104.46)

यथा तिलगतं तैलं गूढं तिष्ठति सर्वदा । तथा त्वं सर्वलोकेषु गूढस्तिष्ठसि शंकर

yathā tilagataṁ tailaṁ gūḍhaṁ tiṣṭhati sarvadā tathā tvaṁ sarvalokeṣu gūḍhastiṣṭhasi śaṁkara

Just as oil held within a sesame seed remains ever hidden there, so, O Shankara, you remain hidden within all the worlds.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.104.47)

यथा काष्ठगतो वह्निः संस्थितोऽपि न लक्ष्यते । मूढैः सर्वत्रसंस्थोऽपि तथा त्वं नैव लक्ष्यसे

yathā kāṣṭhagato vahniḥ saṁsthito'pi na lakṣyate mūḍhaiḥ sarvatrasaṁstho'pi tathā tvaṁ naiva lakṣyase

Just as fire dwelling in wood, though present, is not seen, so too, though present everywhere, you are not perceived by the deluded.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.104.48)

यथा दधिगतं सर्पिर्निगूढत्वेन संस्थितम् । चराचरेषु भूतेषु तथा त्वं देव संस्थितः

yathā dadhigataṁ sarpirnigūḍhatvena saṁsthitam carācareṣu bhūteṣu tathā tvaṁ deva saṁsthitaḥ

Just as ghee, contained within curds, remains hidden there, so, O god, you remain hidden within all beings, moving and unmoving.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.104.49)

यथा जलं धरापृष्ठात्खनन्नाप्नोति मानवः । तथा त्वां पूजयन्नित्यं मोक्षमाप्नोत्यसंशयम्

yathā jalaṁ dharāpṛṣṭhātkhanannāpnoti mānavaḥ tathā tvāṁ pūjayannityaṁ mokṣamāpnotyasaṁśayam

Just as a man digging into the surface of the earth obtains water, so, by worshipping you constantly, one obtains liberation without doubt.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.104.50)

तावच्च दुर्लभः स्वर्गस्तावच्छूराश्च शत्रवः । यावदेव न सन्तोषं त्वं करोषि शरीरिणाम्

tāvacca durlabhaḥ svargastāvacchūrāśca śatravaḥ yāvadeva na santoṣaṁ tvaṁ karoṣi śarīriṇām

So long as you do not grant contentment to embodied beings, so long will heaven remain hard to attain, and enemies remain formidable.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.104.51)

तावल्लक्ष्मीश्चला नॄणां तावद्रोगाः पृथग्विधाः । न यावद्देवदेव त्वं सन्तोषं संप्रयास्यसि

tāvallakṣmīścalā nṝṇāṁ tāvadrogāḥ pṛthagvidhāḥ na yāvaddevadeva tvaṁ santoṣaṁ saṁprayāsyasi

So long shall men's fortune remain fickle, and diseases of many kinds persist, O god of gods, until you become content.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.104.52)

तावत्पुत्रोद्भवं दुःखं तथा प्रियसमुद्भवम् । यावत्त्वं देव नायासि सन्तोषं देहिनामिह

tāvatputrodbhavaṁ duḥkhaṁ tathā priyasamudbhavam yāvattvaṁ deva nāyāsi santoṣaṁ dehināmiha

So long shall there be the suffering that comes from having children, and the suffering that comes from loved ones, O god, until you grant contentment to embodied beings here.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.104.53)

एवं स्तुत्वा ततो लिंगं स्नापयित्वा यथाविधि । गन्धानुलेपनैर्दिव्यैर्मर्दयामास वै ततः

evaṁ stutvā tato liṁgaṁ snāpayitvā yathāvidhi gandhānulepanairdivyairmardayāmāsa vai tataḥ

Having praised him thus, he then bathed the linga according to rule, and anointed it with divine, fragrant unguents.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.104.54)

पारिजातकपुष्पैश्च तथा सन्तानसम्भवैः । कल्पपादपसंभूतैस्तथा मन्दारजैरपि

pārijātakapuṣpaiśca tathā santānasambhavaiḥ kalpapādapasaṁbhūtaistathā mandārajairapi

With Parijata blossoms, and those born from the Santana tree, sprung from the wish-fulfilling tree, and with Mandara flowers as well,

Verse 55 (skanda.6.104.55)

पूजां चक्रे सुविस्तीर्णां श्रद्धया परया युतः । दिव्यैराभरणैर्भूष्य दिव्यवस्त्रैस्ततः परम्

pūjāṁ cakre suvistīrṇāṁ śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ divyairābharaṇairbhūṣya divyavastraistataḥ param

He performed an extensive worship, filled with the highest devotion, and further adorned it with divine ornaments and divine garments.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.104.56)

स च गीतं स्वयं चक्रे तालमादाय पाणिना । मूर्छातालकृतं रम्यं सप्तस्वरविराजितम्

sa ca gītaṁ svayaṁ cakre tālamādāya pāṇinā mūrchātālakṛtaṁ ramyaṁ saptasvaravirājitam

And he himself sang a song, keeping time with his own hand, delightful, composed with modulated rhythm, resplendent with the seven musical notes,

Verse 57 (skanda.6.104.57)

तानयुक्त्या समोपेतं ग्रामै रागैः स्वलंकृतम् । एवं कृत्वा स शुश्रूषां तस्य देवस्य भक्तितः

tānayuktyā samopetaṁ grāmai rāgaiḥ svalaṁkṛtam evaṁ kṛtvā sa śuśrūṣāṁ tasya devasya bhaktitaḥ

fitted with proper tonal combinations, adorned with various melodic modes. Having thus performed devoted service to that god —

Verse 58 (skanda.6.104.58)

यावत्संप्रस्थितो भूयो लंकां प्रति विभीषणः । तावद्दूतोऽग्रतः स्थित्वा कुशवाक्यमुवाच ह

yāvatsaṁprasthito bhūyo laṁkāṁ prati vibhīṣaṇaḥ tāvaddūto'grataḥ sthitvā kuśavākyamuvāca ha

just as Vibhishana was setting out again toward Lanka, the messenger, standing before him, delivered Kusha's message.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.104.59)

विशेषतस्तु तेनोक्तं यत्तस्य पुरतः पुरा । अतिकोपाभिभूतेन प्ररक्तनयनेन च

viśeṣatastu tenoktaṁ yattasya purataḥ purā atikopābhibhūtena praraktanayanena ca

In particular, he told him what Kusha had said before him earlier, overcome with intense anger, his eyes red with rage.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.104.60)

तच्छ्रुत्वाथ प्रणम्योच्चैर्दूतं प्राह विभीषणः । कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा विनयावनतः स्थितः

tacchrutvātha praṇamyoccairdūtaṁ prāha vibhīṣaṇaḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

Hearing that, bowing loudly, Vibhishana spoke to the messenger, standing with folded hands, bowed low in humility:

Verse 61 (skanda.6.104.61)

यद्येवं विहितं राज्ये रामपुत्रस्य राक्षसैः । तन्नूनं तन्मया सर्वं विहितं दूतसत्तम

yadyevaṁ vihitaṁ rājye rāmaputrasya rākṣasaiḥ tannūnaṁ tanmayā sarvaṁ vihitaṁ dūtasattama

"If this is what has been done in Rama's son's kingdom by rakshasas, then surely all of it was done by me, best of messengers.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.104.62)

तस्मान्महाप्रसादो मे कृतस्तेन महात्मना । कुशेन प्रेषितो यस्त्वं मम मूर्खस्य संनिधौ

tasmānmahāprasādo me kṛtastena mahātmanā kuśena preṣito yastvaṁ mama mūrkhasya saṁnidhau

Therefore great grace has been shown me by that great soul, in that you have been sent by Kusha into the presence of me, a fool."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.104.63)

एवमुक्त्वा स तान्सर्वाञ्छोधयामास राक्षसान् । ये गत्वा भूतले मर्त्यान्ध्वंसयंति सदैव हि

evamuktvā sa tānsarvāñchodhayāmāsa rākṣasān ye gatvā bhūtale martyāndhvaṁsayaṁti sadaiva hi

Having said this, he investigated all those rakshasas who go down to the earth and constantly destroy mortals.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.104.64)

ततस्तत्रैव चानीय तस्य दूतस्य संनिधौ । प्रत्येकं तानुवाचेदं कोपादश्रूणि चोत्सृजन्

tatastatraiva cānīya tasya dūtasya saṁnidhau pratyekaṁ tānuvācedaṁ kopādaśrūṇi cotsṛjan

Then, having brought them there before the messenger, he spoke to each of them, shedding tears in his anger:

Verse 65 (skanda.6.104.65)

यैः कृतो जनविध्वंसो राक्षसैः सुदुरात्मभिः । राज्ये कुशस्य संप्राप्तैः प्रभोर्मम महात्मनः

yaiḥ kṛto janavidhvaṁso rākṣasaiḥ sudurātmabhiḥ rājye kuśasya saṁprāptaiḥ prabhormama mahātmanaḥ

"You evil-souled rakshasas, by whom this destruction of people was wrought, in the kingdom of Kusha, that great soul who is my lord —

Verse 66 (skanda.6.104.66)

ते सर्वे व्यंतरा रौद्राः प्रभवंतु सुदुःखिताः । लंकाद्वारगता नित्यं क्षुत्पिपासानिपीडिताः

te sarve vyaṁtarā raudrāḥ prabhavaṁtu suduḥkhitāḥ laṁkādvāragatā nityaṁ kṣutpipāsānipīḍitāḥ

may all of you become fierce, utterly wretched vetalas, dwelling forever at the gate of Lanka, tormented by hunger and thirst,

Verse 67 (skanda.6.104.67)

सर्वभोगपरित्यक्ताः शीतातपसहिष्णवः । श्लेष्ममूत्रकृताहारा निन्द्याः सर्वजनस्य च

sarvabhogaparityaktāḥ śītātapasahiṣṇavaḥ śleṣmamūtrakṛtāhārā nindyāḥ sarvajanasya ca

deprived of every pleasure, enduring cold and heat, eating phlegm and urine as your food, scorned by all people."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.104.68)

एवं दत्त्वाथ तेषां स शापं राक्षससत्तमः । ततः प्राह च तं दूतं पुनरेव कृतांजलिः

evaṁ dattvātha teṣāṁ sa śāpaṁ rākṣasasattamaḥ tataḥ prāha ca taṁ dūtaṁ punareva kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Having thus pronounced this curse upon them, that best of rakshasas then spoke again to the messenger, with hands folded once more:

Verse 69 (skanda.6.104.69)

अद्यप्रभृति नो कश्चिद्राक्षसः संप्रयास्यति । तस्माद्वाच्यो रघुश्रेष्ठो मद्वाक्यात्स कुशस्त्वया । क्षम्यतामपराधो मे यदज्ञानादयंकृतः

adyaprabhṛti no kaścidrākṣasaḥ saṁprayāsyati tasmādvācyo raghuśreṣṭho madvākyātsa kuśastvayā kṣamyatāmaparādho me yadajñānādayaṁkṛtaḥ

"From today on, no rakshasa shall go there any longer; so, on my word, tell Kusha, best of the Raghus, that my fault, committed unwittingly, should be forgiven —

Verse 70 (skanda.6.104.70)

राक्षसैर्दुष्टजातीयैर्महामांसस्यलोलुपैः । कृतश्च निग्रहस्तेषां प्रत्यक्षं तव दूत यः

rākṣasairduṣṭajātīyairmahāmāṁsasyalolupaiḥ kṛtaśca nigrahasteṣāṁ pratyakṣaṁ tava dūta yaḥ

this was the doing of evil-natured rakshasas, greedy for great quantities of flesh, whose punishment has now been carried out before your very eyes, messenger.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.104.71)

यदन्यदपि कृत्यं स्याद्दैवं वा मानुषं च वा । मम भृत्यस्य तत्सर्वं कथनीयमशंकितम्

yadanyadapi kṛtyaṁ syāddaivaṁ vā mānuṣaṁ ca vā mama bhṛtyasya tatsarvaṁ kathanīyamaśaṁkitam

And whatever else needs to be done, whether of divine or human origin, all of it should be told, without hesitation, to me, [Kusha's] servant."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.104.72)

दूत उवाच । यानि तत्र च लिंगानि राक्षसैर्निर्मितानि च । तानि गत्वा स्वयं शीघ्रं त्वमुत्पाटय राक्षस

dūta uvāca yāni tatra ca liṁgāni rākṣasairnirmitāni ca tāni gatvā svayaṁ śīghraṁ tvamutpāṭaya rākṣasa

The messenger said: "As for those lingas that were established there by the rakshasas — go yourself, quickly, O rakshasa, and uproot them.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.104.73)

एतदेव परं कृत्यं सर्वलोकसुखावहम् । स्थापितानि च यान्येव मंत्रै राक्षससंभवैः

etadeva paraṁ kṛtyaṁ sarvalokasukhāvaham sthāpitāni ca yānyeva maṁtrai rākṣasasaṁbhavaiḥ

This alone is the highest deed, bringing happiness to all people — those lingas that were established with rakshasa-born mantras,

Verse 74 (skanda.6.104.74)

संपूजितानि रक्षोभिश्चतुर्वक्त्राणि राक्षस । अजानन्मानवः कश्चिद्यदि पूजां समाचरेत्

saṁpūjitāni rakṣobhiścaturvaktrāṇi rākṣasa ajānanmānavaḥ kaścidyadi pūjāṁ samācaret

worshipped by the rakshasas, four-faced, O rakshasa — if some man, not knowing, should offer worship to them,

Verse 75 (skanda.6.104.75)

तत्क्षणान्नाशमायाति एतद्दृष्टं मया स्वयम् । एतस्मात्कारणाद्वच्मि त्वामहं राक्षसाधिप । तैः स्थितैर्भूतले लिंगैः स्थिताः सर्वे निशाचराः

tatkṣaṇānnāśamāyāti etaddṛṣṭaṁ mayā svayam etasmātkāraṇādvacmi tvāmahaṁ rākṣasādhipa taiḥ sthitairbhūtale liṁgaiḥ sthitāḥ sarve niśācarāḥ

he meets destruction that very instant — I have seen this myself. For this reason I tell you, lord of rakshasas — as long as those lingas remain upon the earth, all the night-wanderers remain bound there too."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.104.76)

विभीषण उवाच । मया पूर्वं प्रतिज्ञातं रामस्य पुरतः किल । रामेश्वरमतिक्रम्य न गतव्यं धरातले

vibhīṣaṇa uvāca mayā pūrvaṁ pratijñātaṁ rāmasya purataḥ kila rāmeśvaramatikramya na gatavyaṁ dharātale

Vibhishana said: "I vowed long ago, before Rama, that I would never go upon the earth beyond Rameshvara.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.104.77)

अन्यच्च कारणं दूत प्रोक्तमत्र मनीषिभिः । दुःस्थितं सुस्थितं वापि शिवलिंगं न चालयेत्

anyacca kāraṇaṁ dūta proktamatra manīṣibhiḥ duḥsthitaṁ susthitaṁ vāpi śivaliṁgaṁ na cālayet

And there is another reason too, messenger, declared here by the wise: a Shiva-linga, whether ill-set or well-set, should never be disturbed.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.104.78)

तत्कथं तत्र गत्वाऽथ लिंगभेदं करोम्यहम् । स्वयं माहेश्वरो भूत्वा प्रतिज्ञाय च वै स्वयम्

tatkathaṁ tatra gatvā'tha liṁgabhedaṁ karomyaham svayaṁ māheśvaro bhūtvā pratijñāya ca vai svayam

So how could I go there and break the lingas, when I myself, being a devotee of Maheshvara, have myself made this very vow?

Verse 79 (skanda.6.104.79)

तस्मात्प्रसादनीयस्ते मद्वाक्यात्स नराधिपः । यद्युक्तं मया प्रोक्तं तत्त्वं कुरु विनिग्रहम्

tasmātprasādanīyaste madvākyātsa narādhipaḥ yadyuktaṁ mayā proktaṁ tattvaṁ kuru vinigraham

Therefore let that king be appeased on my word; whatever I have rightly said, carry out that restraint yourself."

Verse 80 (skanda.6.104.80)

एवमुक्त्वाथ तं दूतं रत्नैः सागरसंभवैः । प्रभूतैर्भूषयित्वाऽथ विससर्ज नृपं प्रति

evamuktvātha taṁ dūtaṁ ratnaiḥ sāgarasaṁbhavaiḥ prabhūtairbhūṣayitvā'tha visasarja nṛpaṁ prati

Having said this, he then honored the messenger with abundant jewels born of the ocean, and sent him back to the king.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.104.81)

अथ ते राक्षसास्तेन शप्ताः प्रोचुः सुदुःखिताः । कुरु शापस्य मोक्षं नः सर्वेषां राक्षसेश्वर

atha te rākṣasāstena śaptāḥ procuḥ suduḥkhitāḥ kuru śāpasya mokṣaṁ naḥ sarveṣāṁ rākṣaseśvara

Then those rakshasas, cursed by him, said, deeply distressed: "Grant us release from this curse, all of us, O lord of rakshasas."

Verse 82 (skanda.6.104.82)

विभीषण उवाच । नाहं करोमि भूयोऽपि युष्माकं राक्षसाधमाः । अनुग्रहं प्रशप्तानां वंचकानां विशेषतः

vibhīṣaṇa uvāca nāhaṁ karomi bhūyo'pi yuṣmākaṁ rākṣasādhamāḥ anugrahaṁ praśaptānāṁ vaṁcakānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

Vibhishana said: "I shall never again show favor to you, lowest of rakshasas — especially to deceivers who have been rightfully cursed.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.104.83)

तस्मात्सोऽपि रघुश्रेष्ठः प्रसादं वः करिष्यति । मम वाक्यादसंदिग्धं कालः कश्चित्प्रतीक्ष्यताम्

tasmātso'pi raghuśreṣṭhaḥ prasādaṁ vaḥ kariṣyati mama vākyādasaṁdigdhaṁ kālaḥ kaścitpratīkṣyatām

Therefore that best of the Raghus himself shall show you grace; wait for a while, on my word, without doubt."

Verse 84 (skanda.6.104.84)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ रक्षेन्द्रः प्रेषयामास सत्वरम् । दूतं कुशमहीपस्य मानुषं देवपूजकम्

evamuktvā'tha rakṣendraḥ preṣayāmāsa satvaram dūtaṁ kuśamahīpasya mānuṣaṁ devapūjakam

Having said this, that lord of rakshasas swiftly sent a human messenger, a worshipper of the gods, to King Kusha —

Verse 85 (skanda.6.104.85)

गत्वा ब्रूहि कुशं भूपं सत्वरं वचनान्मम । एतेषां मत्प्रशप्तानां राक्षसानां दुरात्मनाम् । अनुग्रहं कुरु विभो दीनानां भोजनाय वै

gatvā brūhi kuśaṁ bhūpaṁ satvaraṁ vacanānmama eteṣāṁ matpraśaptānāṁ rākṣasānāṁ durātmanām anugrahaṁ kuru vibho dīnānāṁ bhojanāya vai

"Go and tell King Kusha promptly, in my own words: 'Show grace, my lord, to these evil-souled rakshasas whom I have cursed, for the sake of feeding these wretched ones.'"

Verse 86 (skanda.6.104.86)

एवमुक्तस्ततस्तेन इतो दूतेन संयुतः । कुशस्तेन विनिर्यातः सत्वरं द्विजसत्तमाः

evamuktastatastena ito dūtena saṁyutaḥ kuśastena viniryātaḥ satvaraṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Thus instructed, accompanied by that messenger, Kusha, O best of the twice-born, set out swiftly from there.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.104.87)

ततो गत्वा द्रुतं दूतः कुशं प्रोवाच सादरम् । प्रणिपत्य यथान्यायं विनयावनतः स्थितः

tato gatvā drutaṁ dūtaḥ kuśaṁ provāca sādaram praṇipatya yathānyāyaṁ vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

Then, having gone quickly, the messenger addressed Kusha respectfully, having bowed as was proper, standing humbly.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.104.88)

विभीषणो मया दृष्टो देवे रामेश्वरे विभो । पूजार्थं तत्र चायातो राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्वृतः

vibhīṣaṇo mayā dṛṣṭo deve rāmeśvare vibho pūjārthaṁ tatra cāyāto rākṣasairbahubhirvṛtaḥ

"I saw Vibhishana, my lord, at the god Rameshvara, having come there for worship, surrounded by many rakshasas.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.104.89)

प्रोक्तो मया भवद्वाक्यमशेषं रघुनन्दन । श्रुतं तेनापि तत्सर्वं विनयावनतेन च

prokto mayā bhavadvākyamaśeṣaṁ raghunandana śrutaṁ tenāpi tatsarvaṁ vinayāvanatena ca

I related your entire message to him, O Raghunandana, and he too heard all of it, bowed low in humility.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.104.90)

अजानतः प्रभो तस्य राक्षसैः सुदुरात्मभिः । प्रजैवं पीडिता भूमौ महामांसस्य लोलुपैः

ajānataḥ prabho tasya rākṣasaiḥ sudurātmabhiḥ prajaivaṁ pīḍitā bhūmau mahāmāṁsasya lolupaiḥ

'My lord, unbeknownst to me, the people on the earth were afflicted in this way by evil-souled rakshasas greedy for great quantities of flesh —

Verse 91 (skanda.6.104.91)

तच्छ्रुत्वा मन्मुखात्तेन सर्वेषां निग्रहः कृतः । यैः कृतं कदनं भूमौ तव पार्थिवसत्तम । कृतास्ते व्यन्तराः सर्वे पापाहारविहारिणः

tacchrutvā manmukhāttena sarveṣāṁ nigrahaḥ kṛtaḥ yaiḥ kṛtaṁ kadanaṁ bhūmau tava pārthivasattama kṛtāste vyantarāḥ sarve pāpāhāravihāriṇaḥ

hearing this, I myself pronounced restraint upon them all — those who wrought this havoc on your earth, best of kings — I made all of them become vetalas, living on sinful food.'

Verse 92 (skanda.6.104.92)

भविष्यथ तथा यूयं क्षुत्पिपासानिपीडिताः । तैः सर्वैः प्रार्थितः सोऽपि भूयोभूयः प्रणम्य तम्

bhaviṣyatha tathā yūyaṁ kṣutpipāsānipīḍitāḥ taiḥ sarvaiḥ prārthitaḥ so'pi bhūyobhūyaḥ praṇamya tam

'You shall become tormented by hunger and thirst' — so he had said; and all of them, entreating him, bowed to him again and again —

Verse 93 (skanda.6.104.93)

शप्ताः सर्वे वयं तावत्प्रसादं कुरु तद्विभो । ते तेनाथ ततः प्रोक्ता नाहं वो राक्षसाधमाः

śaptāḥ sarve vayaṁ tāvatprasādaṁ kuru tadvibho te tenātha tataḥ proktā nāhaṁ vo rākṣasādhamāḥ

'We have all been cursed — now, my lord, show us grace.' Then he said to them: 'I shall not show grace to you, lowest of rakshasas.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.104.94)

अनुग्रहं करिष्यामि न दास्यामि च भोजनम् । कुशादेशान्मया सर्वे यूयं पापसमन्विताः

anugrahaṁ kariṣyāmi na dāsyāmi ca bhojanam kuśādeśānmayā sarve yūyaṁ pāpasamanvitāḥ

I shall not show favor, nor shall I give you food; by Kusha's command, all of you, laden with sin as you are,

Verse 95 (skanda.6.104.95)

निगृहीताः स युष्माकं प्रसादं प्रकरिष्यति । तदर्थं प्रेषितो दूतस्त्वत्सकाशं महीपते

nigṛhītāḥ sa yuṣmākaṁ prasādaṁ prakariṣyati tadarthaṁ preṣito dūtastvatsakāśaṁ mahīpate

have been restrained; he alone will grant you grace. For that purpose a messenger has been sent to you, O lord of the earth.'

Verse 96 (skanda.6.104.96)

रक्षसा तेन यद्युक्तमखिलं तत्त्वमाचर । किं वा ते बहुनोक्तेन नास्ति भक्तस्तथाविधः । भक्तिशक्तिसमोपेतो यथा ते स विभीषणः

rakṣasā tena yadyuktamakhilaṁ tattvamācara kiṁ vā te bahunoktena nāsti bhaktastathāvidhaḥ bhaktiśaktisamopeto yathā te sa vibhīṣaṇaḥ

'Whatever this rakshasa has rightly asked, do all of it; what more need be said? There is no devotee to compare with your Vibhishana, so endowed with the power of devotion.'

Verse 97 (skanda.6.104.97)

अद्यप्रभृति नो भूमौ विचरिष्यंति राक्षसाः । तस्य वाक्यादसंदेहं त्वं राजन्सुखभाग्भव

adyaprabhṛti no bhūmau vicariṣyaṁti rākṣasāḥ tasya vākyādasaṁdehaṁ tvaṁ rājansukhabhāgbhava

From today onward the rakshasas shall no longer roam upon the earth; by his word, without doubt, may you, O king, be happy.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.104.98)

लिंगानां च कृते राजन्विज्ञप्तं तेन रक्षसा । न मया चात्र राजेंद्र आगन्तव्यं कथंचन । रामदेवस्य वाक्येन जंबुद्वीपे न मे गतिः

liṁgānāṁ ca kṛte rājanvijñaptaṁ tena rakṣasā na mayā cātra rājeṁdra āgantavyaṁ kathaṁcana rāmadevasya vākyena jaṁbudvīpe na me gatiḥ

And regarding the lingas, O king, this rakshasa petitioned as follows: 'I myself, O lord of kings, shall never go there; by the word of Lord Rama, I have no leave to enter Jambudvipa.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.104.99)

अत्र स्थितस्य यत्कृत्यं दैवं वा मानुषं च वा । तवादेशं करिष्यामि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुष्करम्

atra sthitasya yatkṛtyaṁ daivaṁ vā mānuṣaṁ ca vā tavādeśaṁ kariṣyāmi yadyapi syātsuduṣkaram

Yet whatever needs to be done from here, whether divine or human, I shall carry out your command, however difficult it may prove.'

Verse 100 (skanda.6.104.100)

तस्मात्तेन महाराज रामेश्वरप्रपूजकः । मनुष्यः प्रेषितो दूतो यस्तं पश्य महीपते

tasmāttena mahārāja rāmeśvaraprapūjakaḥ manuṣyaḥ preṣito dūto yastaṁ paśya mahīpate

Therefore, great king, this human messenger, a worshipper of Rameshvara, has been sent by him — behold him, lord of the earth."

Verse 101 (skanda.6.104.101)

अथ तस्य समादेशाड्ढौकनीयैः पृथग्विधैः । सहितः स समायातो दूतो रक्षेंद्रनोदितः

atha tasya samādeśāḍḍhaukanīyaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ sahitaḥ sa samāyāto dūto rakṣeṁdranoditaḥ

Then, at his command, that messenger, sent by the rakshasa lord, arrived together with various presents.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.104.102)

धात्रीफलप्रमाणानां तेन प्रस्थास्त्रयोदश । मौक्तिकानां समानीताः कृते तस्य महीपतेः

dhātrīphalapramāṇānāṁ tena prasthāstrayodaśa mauktikānāṁ samānītāḥ kṛte tasya mahīpateḥ

Thirteen measures of pearls, each the size of an amalaka fruit, were brought by him for that lord of the earth.

Verse 103 (skanda.6.104.103)

वैडूर्याणां मरकतानां मणीनां च द्विजोत्तमाः । जात्यानां षोडश द्रोणाः समानीताः सुनिर्मलाः

vaiḍūryāṇāṁ marakatānāṁ maṇīnāṁ ca dvijottamāḥ jātyānāṁ ṣoḍaśa droṇāḥ samānītāḥ sunirmalāḥ

Of beryl, emeralds, and other gems, O best of the twice-born, sixteen measures of the finest quality, quite pure, were brought.

Verse 104 (skanda.6.104.104)

अग्निशौचानि वस्त्राणि तथा देवमयानि च । असंख्यातानि वै हेम जात्यं संख्याविवर्जितम्

agniśaucāni vastrāṇi tathā devamayāni ca asaṁkhyātāni vai hema jātyaṁ saṁkhyāvivarjitam

Fire-purified garments, and garments made of divine substance too, and countless amounts of the finest gold, beyond all reckoning —

Verse 105 (skanda.6.104.105)

तत्सर्वं दर्शयित्वाथ कुशाय सुमहात्मने । कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं पश्चात्प्रणाममकरोद्द्विजाः

tatsarvaṁ darśayitvātha kuśāya sumahātmane kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ paścātpraṇāmamakaroddvijāḥ

Having shown all of that to that great soul, Kusha, he then circled him and made obeisance, O brahmins.

Verse 106 (skanda.6.104.106)

एष पार्थिवशार्दूल राक्षसेन्द्रो विभीषणः । प्रणामं कुरुते भक्त्या मन्मुखेनेदमब्रवीत्

eṣa pārthivaśārdūla rākṣasendro vibhīṣaṇaḥ praṇāmaṁ kurute bhaktyā manmukhenedamabravīt

"This Vibhishana, lord of rakshasas, O tiger among kings, offers his homage with devotion, and through my mouth has said this:

Verse 107 (skanda.6.104.107)

प्रसादात्ते पितुः क्षेमं मम राज्ये महीपते । एष तिष्ठाम्यहं नित्यं पूजयंस्ते पितुर्हरम्

prasādātte pituḥ kṣemaṁ mama rājye mahīpate eṣa tiṣṭhāmyahaṁ nityaṁ pūjayaṁste piturharam

'By your father's grace, all is well in my kingdom, O lord of the earth; I remain here always, worshipping your father's Hara.

Verse 108 (skanda.6.104.108)

मम राजन्नविज्ञातैर्यदि तैः सुदुरात्मभिः । महीतले कृतं किंचिद्विरुद्धं क्षम्यतां मम

mama rājannavijñātairyadi taiḥ sudurātmabhiḥ mahītale kṛtaṁ kiṁcidviruddhaṁ kṣamyatāṁ mama

If, O king, without my knowledge, something wrongful was done upon the earth by those evil-souled ones, may it be forgiven by me.

Verse 109 (skanda.6.104.109)

एते ये राक्षसाः शप्तास्तवार्थाय मया प्रभो । एतेषां प्रेतरूपाणां त्वमाहारं प्रकीर्तय

ete ye rākṣasāḥ śaptāstavārthāya mayā prabho eteṣāṁ pretarūpāṇāṁ tvamāhāraṁ prakīrtaya

These rakshasas whom I have cursed for your sake, my lord — tell me, what shall be the food of these now in the form of pretas?'"

Verse 110 (skanda.6.104.110)

कुश उवाच । ममादेशात्समागत्य तेऽत्र लिंगानि कृत्स्नशः । पूरयंतु प्रयत्नेन पांसुभिः सर्वतोदिशम्

kuśa uvāca mamādeśātsamāgatya te'tra liṁgāni kṛtsnaśaḥ pūrayaṁtu prayatnena pāṁsubhiḥ sarvatodiśam

Kusha said: "By my command, let them come here and, with effort, fill these lingas on every side with dust.

Verse 111 (skanda.6.104.111)

ततस्तु भोजनं तेषां यद्भविष्यति भूतले । तद्वक्ष्यामि स्थिरो भूत्वा शृणु देवप्रपूजक

tatastu bhojanaṁ teṣāṁ yadbhaviṣyati bhūtale tadvakṣyāmi sthiro bhūtvā śṛṇu devaprapūjaka

Then I shall tell you what their food shall be upon the earth — be steady, worshipper of the god, and listen.

Verse 112 (skanda.6.104.112)

तुलागते सदादित्ये तैरागत्य धरातले । विहर्तव्यं प्रयत्नेन यावद्वृश्चिकदर्शनम्

tulāgate sadāditye tairāgatya dharātale vihartavyaṁ prayatnena yāvadvṛścikadarśanam

When the sun stands in Tula, let them come and roam the earth with effort, until the sun's appearance in Vrishchika.

Verse 113 (skanda.6.104.113)

तत्र यैर्न कृतं श्राद्धं प्रेतपक्षे नराधमैः । कन्यास्थे वा रवौ यावन्न तुलांतगतिर्भवेत्

tatra yairna kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ pretapakṣe narādhamaiḥ kanyāsthe vā ravau yāvanna tulāṁtagatirbhavet

There, whatever food is offered by the basest of men — those who did not perform the shraddha during the ancestral fortnight, or while the sun stood in Kanya, up to the end of Tula —

Verse 114 (skanda.6.104.114)

ज्वररूपैस्तदंगस्थैर्भक्ष्यमन्नं पृथग्विधम् । ममादेशादसंदिग्धं मासमेकं निशाचरैः

jvararūpaistadaṁgasthairbhakṣyamannaṁ pṛthagvidham mamādeśādasaṁdigdhaṁ māsamekaṁ niśācaraiḥ

that food of theirs, in its various forms, dwelling in their bodies as fever, may be devoured for one month, without fail, by the night-wanderers, by my command.

Verse 115 (skanda.6.104.115)

विधिहीनं च यैर्दत्तं भुक्तं च विधिवर्जितम् । श्राद्धं वा मानुषैः सेव्या ज्वररूपैश्च ते सदा

vidhihīnaṁ ca yairdattaṁ bhuktaṁ ca vidhivarjitam śrāddhaṁ vā mānuṣaiḥ sevyā jvararūpaiśca te sadā

And whatever was given without the proper rite, and whatever was consumed in violation of rule — the shraddha of such men shall always be enjoyed by them in the form of fevers.

Verse 116 (skanda.6.104.116)

एवं वाच्यास्त्वया सर्वे प्रेतास्ते मद्वचोऽखिलम् । तस्मादागत्य कुर्वंतु कार्तिके मासि मद्वचः

evaṁ vācyāstvayā sarve pretāste madvaco'khilam tasmādāgatya kurvaṁtu kārtike māsi madvacaḥ

Thus you shall tell all these pretas this entire message of mine; so let them come here and carry out my word in the month of Kartika.

Verse 117 (skanda.6.104.117)

तथा दूत त्वया वाच्यो मम वाक्याद्विभीषणः । प्रमादाद्यन्मया प्रोक्तं परुषं वचनं तव

tathā dūta tvayā vācyo mama vākyādvibhīṣaṇaḥ pramādādyanmayā proktaṁ paruṣaṁ vacanaṁ tava

And also, messenger, tell Vibhishana on my behalf that whatever harsh words I spoke about him out of carelessness,

Verse 118 (skanda.6.104.118)

जानाम्यहं महाभाग न तेऽस्ति विकृतिः क्वचित् । परिक्लिष्टं जनं दृष्ट्वा मयैतद्व्याहृतं वचः

jānāmyahaṁ mahābhāga na te'sti vikṛtiḥ kvacit parikliṣṭaṁ janaṁ dṛṣṭvā mayaitadvyāhṛtaṁ vacaḥ

I know, great one, that there is no wickedness in you at all; it was only upon seeing my afflicted people that I spoke these words.

Verse 119 (skanda.6.104.119)

राक्षसेन्द्रे स्थिते भूमौ त्वयि जानाम्यहं सदा । तिष्ठते जनको मह्यं रामः शस्त्रभृतां वरः

rākṣasendre sthite bhūmau tvayi jānāmyahaṁ sadā tiṣṭhate janako mahyaṁ rāmaḥ śastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ

With you, lord of rakshasas, established upon the earth, I always know that Rama, my father, best of weapon-bearers, is himself present still."

Verse 120 (skanda.6.104.120)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो दूतं पूजयामास राघवः । वस्त्रैर्बहुविधै रत्नैर्नद्युत्थैश्च पृथग्विधैः

evamuktvā tato dūtaṁ pūjayāmāsa rāghavaḥ vastrairbahuvidhai ratnairnadyutthaiśca pṛthagvidhaiḥ

Having said this, Raghava then honored the messenger with garments of many kinds and with various jewels sprung from rivers.

Verse 121 (skanda.6.104.121)

विभीषणकृते पश्चात्प्रेषयामास राघवः । ढौकनीयान्यनेकानि यानि संति च तत्र वै

vibhīṣaṇakṛte paścātpreṣayāmāsa rāghavaḥ ḍhaukanīyānyanekāni yāni saṁti ca tatra vai

Then, for Vibhishana's sake, Raghava sent many gifts, every sort that there were.

Verse 122 (skanda.6.104.122)

सूत उवाच । एवं स सुखसंयुक्तान्कृत्वा सर्वान्द्विजोत्तमान् । एतत्सर्वं ददौ पश्चात्तेभ्यो मुक्तादिकं नृपः

sūta uvāca evaṁ sa sukhasaṁyuktānkṛtvā sarvāndvijottamān etatsarvaṁ dadau paścāttebhyo muktādikaṁ nṛpaḥ

Suta said: Thus, having made all those best of the twice-born content, the king afterward gave to them all this — pearls and other things.

Verse 123 (skanda.6.104.123)

ढौकनीयं तथाऽऽयातं तल्लंकायाः पृथग्विधम् । शासनानि तथान्यानि गजाश्वसहितानि च

ḍhaukanīyaṁ tathā''yātaṁ tallaṁkāyāḥ pṛthagvidham śāsanāni tathānyāni gajāśvasahitāni ca

And the various gifts that had come from Lanka, as well as other grants, together with elephants and horses,

Verse 124 (skanda.6.104.124)

पत्तनानि विचित्राणि ग्रामाणि नगराणि च । यच्चान्यद्वांछितं येन तद्दत्तं तेन तस्य वै

pattanāni vicitrāṇi grāmāṇi nagarāṇi ca yaccānyadvāṁchitaṁ yena taddattaṁ tena tasya vai

wondrous towns, villages, and cities — whatever else anyone desired, that was given to him.

Verse 125 (skanda.6.104.125)

ततः कुशेश्वरं देवं विधाय च लवेश्वरम् । स्वां तनुं च महाभागौ भ्रातरौ तौ रघूत्तमौ

tataḥ kuśeśvaraṁ devaṁ vidhāya ca laveśvaram svāṁ tanuṁ ca mahābhāgau bhrātarau tau raghūttamau

Then, having established the deity Kusheshvara, and Laveshvara too, along with their own forms, those two great-souled best of the Raghus, brothers,

Verse 126 (skanda.6.104.126)

निवेद्य ब्राह्मणेन्द्राणां कृत्वा वृत्तिं यथोचिताम् । अयोध्यां नगरीं तूर्णं कृतकृत्यौ विनिर्गतौ

nivedya brāhmaṇendrāṇāṁ kṛtvā vṛttiṁ yathocitām ayodhyāṁ nagarīṁ tūrṇaṁ kṛtakṛtyau vinirgatau

having entrusted them to the foremost brahmins, and having arranged a suitable provision, set out swiftly, their task accomplished, toward the city of Ayodhya.