The Origin of Mukhara-tirtha (Valmiki)

Verse 1 (skanda.6.124.1)

सूत उवाच । अथान्यदपि तत्रास्ति मुखारं तीर्थमुत्तमम् । यत्र ते मुनयः श्रेष्ठा विप्राश्चौरेण संगताः

sūta uvāca athānyadapi tatrāsti mukhāraṁ tīrthamuttamam yatra te munayaḥ śreṣṭhā viprāścaureṇa saṁgatāḥ

Suta said: Besides this, there is another excellent tirtha there named Mukhara, where the greatest of sages once encountered a thief.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.124.2)

यत्र सिद्धिं समापन्नः स चौरस्तत्प्रभावतः । वाल्मीकिरिति विख्यातो रामायणनिबंधकृत्

yatra siddhiṁ samāpannaḥ sa caurastatprabhāvataḥ vālmīkiriti vikhyāto rāmāyaṇanibaṁdhakṛt

By the power of that tirtha that thief attained perfection and, becoming renowned by the name Valmiki, became the composer of the Ramayana.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.124.3)

चमत्कारपुरे पूर्वं मांडव्यान्वय संभवः । लोहजंघो द्विजो ह्यासीत्पितृमातृपरायणः

camatkārapure pūrvaṁ māṁḍavyānvaya saṁbhavaḥ lohajaṁgho dvijo hyāsītpitṛmātṛparāyaṇaḥ

Formerly in Chamatkarapura there was a brahmin named Lohajangha, born in the lineage of Mandavya, devoted to serving his father and mother.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.124.4)

तस्यैका चाभवत्पत्नी प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी । पतिव्रता पतिप्राणा पतिप्रियहिते रता

tasyaikā cābhavatpatnī prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī pativratā patiprāṇā patipriyahite ratā

He had one wife, dearer to him than his own life, devoted to her husband, considering her husband's life her own, ever intent on his welfare and pleasure.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.124.5)

अथ तस्य स्थितस्यात्र ब्रह्मवृत्त्याभिवर्ततः । जगाम सुमहान्कालः पितृमातृरतस्य च

atha tasya sthitasyātra brahmavṛttyābhivartataḥ jagāma sumahānkālaḥ pitṛmātṛratasya ca

Thus, sustaining himself by the brahmin's livelihood and devoted to serving his parents, a very long time passed for that Lohajangha.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.124.6)

एकदा भगवाञ्छक्रो न ववर्ष धरातले । आनर्तविषये कृत्स्ने यावद्वादशवत्सराः

ekadā bhagavāñchakro na vavarṣa dharātale ānartaviṣaye kṛtsne yāvadvādaśavatsarāḥ

Once, the Lord Indra did not send rain upon the earth throughout the entire Anarta region for twelve full years.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.124.7)

ततः स कष्टमापन्नो लोहजंघो द्विजोत्तमाः । न प्राप्नोति क्वचिद्भिक्षां न च किंचित्प्रतिग्रहम्

tataḥ sa kaṣṭamāpanno lohajaṁgho dvijottamāḥ na prāpnoti kvacidbhikṣāṁ na ca kiṁcitpratigraham

Then that Lohajangha fell into great distress, O excellent brahmins; he obtained neither alms nor any gift anywhere.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.124.8)

ततस्तौ पितरौ द्वौ तु दृष्ट्वा क्षुत्परिपीडितौ । भार्यां च चिंतयामास दुःखेन महतान्वितः

tatastau pitarau dvau tu dṛṣṭvā kṣutparipīḍitau bhāryāṁ ca ciṁtayāmāsa duḥkhena mahatānvitaḥ

Then, seeing his two aged parents tormented by hunger, he was overcome by great distress, his thoughts also turning to his wife.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.124.9)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं स्याद्दर्शनं मम । एताभ्यामपि वृद्धाभ्यां पत्न्याश्चैव विशेषतः

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṁ syāddarśanaṁ mama etābhyāmapi vṛddhābhyāṁ patnyāścaiva viśeṣataḥ

"What shall I do, where shall I go, how shall I even face these aged parents and, especially, my wife?"

Verse 10 (skanda.6.124.10)

ततः स दुःखसंयुक्तः फलार्थं प्रययौ वने । न च किंचिदवाप्नोति सर्वे शुष्का महीरुहाः

tataḥ sa duḥkhasaṁyuktaḥ phalārthaṁ prayayau vane na ca kiṁcidavāpnoti sarve śuṣkā mahīruhāḥ

Then, in distress, he went into the forest in search of fruit, but obtained nothing at all, for all the trees had withered.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.124.11)

अथापश्यत्स वृद्धां स्त्रीं स्तोकसस्यसमन्विताम् । गच्छमानां तथा तेन श्रमेण महतान्विताम्

athāpaśyatsa vṛddhāṁ strīṁ stokasasyasamanvitām gacchamānāṁ tathā tena śrameṇa mahatānvitām

Then he saw an old woman, carrying a small quantity of grain, walking along with great difficulty and exertion.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.124.12)

ततस्तत्सस्यमादाय वस्त्राणि च स निर्दयः । जगाम स्वगृहं हृष्टः पितृभ्यां च न्यवेदयत्

tatastatsasyamādāya vastrāṇi ca sa nirdayaḥ jagāma svagṛhaṁ hṛṣṭaḥ pitṛbhyāṁ ca nyavedayat

Then, ruthlessly, he seized that grain and her garments and, rejoicing, went to his own house and reported this to his parents.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.124.13)

स एवं लब्धलक्षोऽपि दस्युकर्मणि नित्यशः । कृत्वा चौर्यं पुपोषाथ निजमेव कुटुम्बकम्

sa evaṁ labdhalakṣo'pi dasyukarmaṇi nityaśaḥ kṛtvā cauryaṁ pupoṣātha nijameva kuṭumbakam

Thus, having found his target, he began daily to engage in the work of thievery, and by theft alone he sustained his own family.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.124.14)

सुभिक्षे चापि संप्राप्ते नान्यत्कर्म करोति सः । ब्राह्मीं वृत्तिं परित्यक्त्वा चौर्यकर्म समाचरत्

subhikṣe cāpi saṁprāpte nānyatkarma karoti saḥ brāhmīṁ vṛttiṁ parityaktvā cauryakarma samācarat

Even when good harvests returned, he did no other work; abandoning the brahmin's livelihood entirely, he continued to practice the deed of thievery.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.124.15)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगतः । तत्र सप्तर्षयः प्राप्ता मरीचिप्रमुखा द्विजाः

kasyacittvatha kālasya tīrthayātrāprasaṁgataḥ tatra saptarṣayaḥ prāptā marīcipramukhā dvijāḥ

After some time, in the course of a pilgrimage, the seven great sages headed by Marichi arrived there.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.124.16)

ततस्तान्विजने दृष्ट्वा द्रोहकोपसमन्वितः । यष्टिमुद्यम्य वेगेन तिष्ठध्वमिति चाब्रवीत्

tatastānvijane dṛṣṭvā drohakopasamanvitaḥ yaṣṭimudyamya vegena tiṣṭhadhvamiti cābravīt

Then, seeing them alone, filled with hostility and anger, raising his staff, he swiftly said, "Stop!"

Verse 17 (skanda.6.124.17)

त्रिशिखां भृकुटीं कृत्वा सत्वरं समुपाद्रवत् । भर्त्समानः स परुषैर्वाक्यैस्तांस्ताडयन्निव

triśikhāṁ bhṛkuṭīṁ kṛtvā satvaraṁ samupādravat bhartsamānaḥ sa paruṣairvākyaistāṁstāḍayanniva

With his brow furrowed into three sharp lines, he rushed swiftly toward them, threatening with harsh words as if about to strike them.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.124.18)

ततस्ते मुनयो दृष्ट्वा यमदूतोपमं च तम् । यज्ञोपवीतसंयुक्तं प्रोचुस्ते कृपयान्विताः

tataste munayo dṛṣṭvā yamadūtopamaṁ ca tam yajñopavītasaṁyuktaṁ procuste kṛpayānvitāḥ

Then those sages, seeing him like a messenger of Yama, yet noting that he wore the sacred thread, filled with compassion, said to him —

Verse 19 (skanda.6.124.19)

ऋषय ऊचुः । अहो त्वं ब्राह्मणोऽसीति तत्कस्मादतिगर्हितम् । करोषि कर्म चैतद्धि म्लेच्छकृत्यं तु बालिश

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ aho tvaṁ brāhmaṇo'sīti tatkasmādatigarhitam karoṣi karma caitaddhi mlecchakṛtyaṁ tu bāliśa

The sages said: "Ah, but you are a brahmin — why then, O foolish one, do you commit this most reprehensible deed, worthy of a barbarian?"

Verse 20 (skanda.6.124.20)

वयं च मुनयः शांतास्त्यक्ताऽशेषपरिग्रहाः । नास्माकमपि पार्श्वस्थं किंचिद्गृह्णाति यद्भवनान्

vayaṁ ca munayaḥ śāṁtāstyaktā'śeṣaparigrahāḥ nāsmākamapi pārśvasthaṁ kiṁcidgṛhṇāti yadbhavanān

"We are peaceful sages who have renounced all possessions entirely; we have nothing at all beside us that you could take."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.124.21)

लोहजंघ उवाच । एतानि शुभ्रचीराणि वल्कलान्यजिनानि च । उपानहसमेतानि शीघ्रं यच्छंतु मे द्विजाः

lohajaṁgha uvāca etāni śubhracīrāṇi valkalānyajināni ca upānahasametāni śīghraṁ yacchaṁtu me dvijāḥ

Lohajangha said: "O brahmins, quickly hand over to me these white cloths, bark-garments, deerskins, and sandals."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.124.22)

नो चेद्धत्वाप्रहारेण यष्ट्या वज्रोपमेन च । प्रापयिष्यस्यसंदिग्धं धर्मराजनिवेशनम्

no ceddhatvāprahāreṇa yaṣṭyā vajropamena ca prāpayiṣyasyasaṁdigdhaṁ dharmarājaniveśanam

"Otherwise, striking you with this club, hard as a thunderbolt, I shall send you without doubt to the abode of the King of Death."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.124.23)

ऋषय ऊचुः । सर्वं दास्यामहे तुभ्यं वयं तावन्मलिम्लुच । किंवदन्तीं वदास्माकं यां पृच्छामः कुतूहलात्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sarvaṁ dāsyāmahe tubhyaṁ vayaṁ tāvanmalimluca kiṁvadantīṁ vadāsmākaṁ yāṁ pṛcchāmaḥ kutūhalāt

The sages said: "O one of impure conduct, we shall give you everything; only answer this one question we ask you out of curiosity."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.124.24)

किमर्थं कुरुषे चौर्यं त्वं विप्रोऽसि सुनिर्घृणः । किं जितो व्यसनै रौद्रैः किं वा व्याधद्विजो भवान्

kimarthaṁ kuruṣe cauryaṁ tvaṁ vipro'si sunirghṛṇaḥ kiṁ jito vyasanai raudraiḥ kiṁ vā vyādhadvijo bhavān

"Why do you commit theft? You are a brahmin, yet so utterly without mercy — have you been overcome by terrible vices, or are you some hunter-turned-brahmin?"

Verse 25 (skanda.6.124.25)

लोहजंघ उवाच । व्यसनार्थं न मे कृत्यमेतच्चौर्यसमुद्भवम् । कुटुम्बार्थं विजानीथ धर्ममेतन्न संशयः

lohajaṁgha uvāca vyasanārthaṁ na me kṛtyametaccauryasamudbhavam kuṭumbārthaṁ vijānītha dharmametanna saṁśayaḥ

Lohajangha said: "This deed of thievery is not for any vice; know that I do it for my family — this is my very duty, without doubt."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.124.26)

पितरौ मम वार्द्धक्ये वर्तमानौ व्यवस्थितौ । तथा पतिव्रता पत्नी गृहधर्मविचक्षणा

pitarau mama vārddhakye vartamānau vyavasthitau tathā pativratā patnī gṛhadharmavicakṣaṇā

"My parents are in their old age, and I also have a devoted wife, most skilled in household duties."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.124.27)

उपार्ज्जयामि यत्किञ्चिदहमेतेन कर्मणा । तत्सर्वं तत्कृते नूनं सत्येनात्मानमालभे

upārjjayāmi yatkiñcidahametena karmaṇā tatsarvaṁ tatkṛte nūnaṁ satyenātmānamālabhe

"Whatever I acquire by this deed is surely all for their sake — I speak the truth, and I swear this by my very self."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.124.28)

तस्मान्मुंचथ प्राक्सर्वं विभवं किं वृथोक्तिभिः । कृताभिः स्फुरते हस्तो ममायं हन्तुमेव हि

tasmānmuṁcatha prāksarvaṁ vibhavaṁ kiṁ vṛthoktibhiḥ kṛtābhiḥ sphurate hasto mamāyaṁ hantumeva hi

"Therefore first give up all your possessions — what use are futile words? This hand of mine, thus poised, twitches only to strike."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.124.29)

ऋषय ऊचुः । यद्येवं चौर तद्गत्वा त्वं पृच्छस्व कुटुम्बकम् । ममपापांशभागी त्वं किं भविष्यसि किं न वा

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ yadyevaṁ caura tadgatvā tvaṁ pṛcchasva kuṭumbakam mamapāpāṁśabhāgī tvaṁ kiṁ bhaviṣyasi kiṁ na vā

The sages said: "O thief, if that is so, then go and ask your own family — will you become a sharer in my sin, or not?"

Verse 30 (skanda.6.124.30)

यदि ते संविभागेन पापस्यांशोऽपि गच्छति । तत्कुरुष्वाथवा पाप दुर्वहं ते भविष्यति

yadi te saṁvibhāgena pāpasyāṁśo'pi gacchati tatkuruṣvāthavā pāpa durvahaṁ te bhaviṣyati

"If by that sharing even a portion of your sin passes to them, then do this deed; otherwise, O sinner, this sin will become unbearable for you alone to bear."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.124.31)

सकलं रौरवे रौद्रे पतितस्य सुदुर्मते । वयं त्वा ब्राह्मणं मत्वा ब्रूम एतदसंशयम्

sakalaṁ raurave raudre patitasya sudurmate vayaṁ tvā brāhmaṇaṁ matvā brūma etadasaṁśayam

"O most foolish one, knowing you to be a brahmin, we say this without doubt — the entire fruit of this sin, once one has fallen into it, must be endured in the terrible hell of Raurava."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.124.32)

कृपाविष्टाः सहास्माभिः सञ्जातेऽपि सुदर्शने । मुनीनां यतचित्तानां दर्शनाद्धि शुभं भवेत्

kṛpāviṣṭāḥ sahāsmābhiḥ sañjāte'pi sudarśane munīnāṁ yatacittānāṁ darśanāddhi śubhaṁ bhavet

Filled with compassion, we have engaged in this fair conversation with you; for merely the sight of sages of controlled mind brings good fortune.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.124.33)

एकः पापानि कुरुते फलं भुंक्ते महाजनः । भोक्तारो विप्रमुच्यंते कर्ता दोषेण लिप्यते

ekaḥ pāpāni kurute phalaṁ bhuṁkte mahājanaḥ bhoktāro vipramucyaṁte kartā doṣeṇa lipyate

One alone commits the sin, but a great multitude of people enjoy its fruit — yet those who merely enjoy are freed, while only the doer becomes tainted by the fault.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.124.34)

सूत उवाच । स तेषां तद्वचः श्रुत्वा चौरः किंचिद्भयान्वितः । सत्यमेतन्न संदेहो यदेतैर्व्याहृतं वचः

sūta uvāca sa teṣāṁ tadvacaḥ śrutvā cauraḥ kiṁcidbhayānvitaḥ satyametanna saṁdeho yadetairvyāhṛtaṁ vacaḥ

Suta said: Hearing their words, the thief became somewhat fearful, thinking, "This is true, there is no doubt, what they have said."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.124.35)

तस्मात्पृच्छामि तद्गत्वा निजमेव कुटुम्बकम् । यदि स्यात्संविभागो मे पापांशस्य करोमि वै

tasmātpṛcchāmi tadgatvā nijameva kuṭumbakam yadi syātsaṁvibhāgo me pāpāṁśasya karomi vai

"Therefore I shall go and ask my own family this very thing; if they will share the portion of my sin with me, I shall do this deed."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.124.36)

एतत्कर्म न गृह्णंति यदि वा संत्यजाम्यहम् । महद्भयं समुत्पन्नं मम चेतसि सांप्रतम्

etatkarma na gṛhṇaṁti yadi vā saṁtyajāmyaham mahadbhayaṁ samutpannaṁ mama cetasi sāṁpratam

"But if they do not accept this deed, I shall abandon it; a great fear has arisen in my heart at this very moment."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.124.37)

यदि यूयं न चान्यत्र प्रयास्यथ मुनीश्वराः । पलायनपरा भूत्वा तद्गत्वा निजमंदिरम्

yadi yūyaṁ na cānyatra prayāsyatha munīśvarāḥ palāyanaparā bhūtvā tadgatvā nijamaṁdiram

"O lords of sages, if you will not go elsewhere, but abandon any thought of fleeing, then I shall go to my own house,"

Verse 38 (skanda.6.124.38)

पृच्छामि पोष्यवर्गं च युष्मद्वाक्यं विशेषतः । यदि तत्पातकांशं मे ग्रहीष्यति कुटुम्बकम् । तद्युष्माकं ग्रहीष्यामि यत्किंचित्पार्श्वसंस्थितम्

pṛcchāmi poṣyavargaṁ ca yuṣmadvākyaṁ viśeṣataḥ yadi tatpātakāṁśaṁ me grahīṣyati kuṭumbakam tadyuṣmākaṁ grahīṣyāmi yatkiṁcitpārśvasaṁsthitam

"and ask my dependent family especially this word of yours; if my family accepts the portion of my sin, then I shall take whatever you have."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.124.39)

अथवा प्रतिषेधं मे पापस्यास्य करिष्यति । तत्त्यजिष्याम्यसंदिग्धं सर्वान्वः सपरिच्छदान्

athavā pratiṣedhaṁ me pāpasyāsya kariṣyati tattyajiṣyāmyasaṁdigdhaṁ sarvānvaḥ saparicchadān

"But otherwise, if they forbid me from committing this sin, then I shall without doubt abandon this deed, and let you all go, together with your belongings."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.124.40)

ततस्ते शपथान्कृत्वा तस्य प्रत्ययकारणात् । तस्योपरि दयां कृत्वा मुमुचुस्तं गृहं प्रति

tataste śapathānkṛtvā tasya pratyayakāraṇāt tasyopari dayāṁ kṛtvā mumucustaṁ gṛhaṁ prati

Then, for his assurance, they took an oath, and, taking pity on him, released him to go to his home.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.124.41)

सोऽपि गत्वाऽथ पप्रच्छ प्रगत्वा पितरं निजम् । शृणु तात वचोऽस्माकं ततः प्रत्युत्तरं कुरु

so'pi gatvā'tha papraccha pragatvā pitaraṁ nijam śṛṇu tāta vaco'smākaṁ tataḥ pratyuttaraṁ kuru

He too went and, going first to his father, began to ask — "O father, listen to what I have to say, then give your answer."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.124.42)

यत्कृत्वाहमकृत्यानि चौर्यादीनि सहस्रशः । पुष्टिं करोमि ते नित्यस् तद्भागस्तेऽस्ति वा न वा

yatkṛtvāhamakṛtyāni cauryādīni sahasraśaḥ puṣṭiṁ karomi te nityas tadbhāgaste'sti vā na vā

"Committing thousands of misdeeds such as theft, by which I daily sustain you — is there any share of that in you, or not?"

Verse 43 (skanda.6.124.43)

पापस्य मम प्रब्रूहि पृच्छतोऽत्र यथातथम् । अत्र मे संशयो जातस्तस्माच्छीघ्रं प्रकीर्तय

pāpasya mama prabrūhi pṛcchato'tra yathātatham atra me saṁśayo jātastasmācchīghraṁ prakīrtaya

"Tell me truly about my sin, O father, since I ask; a doubt has arisen in my mind concerning this, so speak quickly."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.124.44)

पितोवाच । बाल्ये पुत्र मया नीतस्त्वं पुष्टिं व्याकुलात्मना । शुभाऽशुभानि कृत्यानि कृत्वा स्निग्धेन चेतसा

pitovāca bālye putra mayā nītastvaṁ puṣṭiṁ vyākulātmanā śubhā'śubhāni kṛtyāni kṛtvā snigdhena cetasā

The father said: "O son, in your childhood I raised you with an anxious heart, doing good and bad deeds alike, with a heart full of affection."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.124.45)

एतदर्थं पुनर्येन वार्धक्ये समुपस्थिते

etadarthaṁ punaryena vārdhakye samupasthite

"For this very purpose, so that when old age comes upon me again,"

Verse 46 (skanda.6.124.46)

गां पालयसि भूयोऽपि कृत्वा कर्म शुभाऽशुभम्

gāṁ pālayasi bhūyo'pi kṛtvā karma śubhā'śubham

"you would care for me, whether by doing good deeds or bad."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.124.47)

न तस्य विद्यते भागस्तव स्वल्पोऽपि पुत्रक । शुभस्य वाऽथ पापस्य सांप्रतं च तथा मम

na tasya vidyate bhāgastava svalpo'pi putraka śubhasya vā'tha pāpasya sāṁprataṁ ca tathā mama

"O son, in that there is no share of yours, however small — neither of merit nor of sin — and it is likewise now for me too."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.124.48)

आत्मनैव कृतं कर्म स्वयमेवोपभुज्यते । शुभं वा यदि वा पापं भोक्तारोन्यजनाः स्मृताः

ātmanaiva kṛtaṁ karma svayamevopabhujyate śubhaṁ vā yadi vā pāpaṁ bhoktāronyajanāḥ smṛtāḥ

The deed a person performs himself, its fruit he alone enjoys; but as for benefit or sin, those who merely partake of its produce are said to be different persons.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.124.49)

साधुत्वेनाथ चौर्येण कृष्या वा वाणिजेन वा । त्वमुपानयसे भोज्यं न मे चिन्ता प्रजायते

sādhutvenātha cauryeṇa kṛṣyā vā vāṇijena vā tvamupānayase bhojyaṁ na me cintā prajāyate

By honest means, by theft, by farming, or by trade — by whatever means you bring food, I have no concern about it.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.124.50)

तस्मान्नैतद्धृदि स्थाप्यं कर्मनिंद्यं करिष्यसि । यत्तस्यांशं प्रभोक्ता त्वं वयं सर्वे प्रभुंजकाः

tasmānnaitaddhṛdi sthāpyaṁ karmaniṁdyaṁ kariṣyasi yattasyāṁśaṁ prabhoktā tvaṁ vayaṁ sarve prabhuṁjakāḥ

Therefore do not fix this reprehensible deed in your heart — you alone shall enjoy the fruit of it; we are all merely enjoyers of what it produces.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.124.51)

सूत उवाच । स एतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा व्याकुलेनान्त्तरात्मना । पप्रच्छ मातरं गत्वा तमेवार्थं प्रयत्नतः

sūta uvāca sa etadvacanaṁ śrutvā vyākulenānttarātmanā papraccha mātaraṁ gatvā tamevārthaṁ prayatnataḥ

Suta said: Hearing this word, with his inner self troubled, he went and diligently asked his mother the very same question.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.124.52)

ततस्तयापि तच्चोक्तं यत्पित्रा तस्य जल्पितम् । असामान्यं शुभे पापे कृत्ये तस्य द्विजोत्तमाः

tatastayāpi taccoktaṁ yatpitrā tasya jalpitam asāmānyaṁ śubhe pāpe kṛtye tasya dvijottamāḥ

Then she too said the very same thing that his father had said — O excellent brahmins, that in his good or sinful deed they had no special share at all.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.124.53)

ततः पप्रच्छ तां भार्यां गत्वा दुःखसमन्वितः । साऽप्युवाच ततस्तादृक्पापं गुरुजनोद्भवम्

tataḥ papraccha tāṁ bhāryāṁ gatvā duḥkhasamanvitaḥ sā'pyuvāca tatastādṛkpāpaṁ gurujanodbhavam

Thereafter, filled with distress, he went and asked his wife; she too said the same — that such a sin, though born for the sake of elders, belongs to the doer alone.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.124.54)

ततः स शोकसंतप्तः पश्चात्तापेन संयुतः । गर्हयन्नेव चात्मानं ययौ ते यत्र तापसाः

tataḥ sa śokasaṁtaptaḥ paścāttāpena saṁyutaḥ garhayanneva cātmānaṁ yayau te yatra tāpasāḥ

Then, tormented by grief and filled with remorse, censuring himself, he went to where those ascetics were.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.124.55)

ततः प्रणम्य तान्सर्वान्कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः । गम्यतां गम्यतां विप्राः क्षम्यतां क्षम्यतां मम

tataḥ praṇamya tānsarvānkṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ gamyatāṁ gamyatāṁ viprāḥ kṣamyatāṁ kṣamyatāṁ mama

Then, bowing to all of them, standing with folded hands, he said, "O brahmins, go, go; forgive me, forgive me."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.124.56)

यन्मया मौर्ख्यमास्थाय युष्मन्निर्भर्त्सना कृता । सुपाप्मना विमूढेन तस्मात्कार्या क्षमाद्य मे

yanmayā maurkhyamāsthāya yuṣmannirbhartsanā kṛtā supāpmanā vimūḍhena tasmātkāryā kṣamādya me

"Whatever contemptuous words I spoke to you out of foolishness were due to my being most sinful and deluded; therefore forgive me today."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.124.57)

युष्मदीयं वचः कृत्स्नं मद्गुरुभ्यां प्रजल्पितम् । भार्यया च द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तेन मे दुःखमागतम्

yuṣmadīyaṁ vacaḥ kṛtsnaṁ madgurubhyāṁ prajalpitam bhāryayā ca dvijaśreṣṭhāstena me duḥkhamāgatam

"O excellent brahmins, your entire word has been echoed by my parents and my wife as well; from this, this suffering has come upon me."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.124.58)

तस्मात्कुर्वंतु मे सर्वे प्रसादं मुनिसत्तमाः । उपदेशप्रदानेन येन पापं क्षपाम्यहम्

tasmātkurvaṁtu me sarve prasādaṁ munisattamāḥ upadeśapradānena yena pāpaṁ kṣapāmyaham

"Therefore, O foremost of sages, be gracious to me all of you, by bestowing some teaching by which I may destroy my sins."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.124.59)

मया कर्म कृतं निंद्यं सदैव द्विजसत्तमाः । स्त्रियोऽपि च द्विजेंद्राश्च तापसाश्च विशेषतः

mayā karma kṛtaṁ niṁdyaṁ sadaiva dvijasattamāḥ striyo'pi ca dvijeṁdrāśca tāpasāśca viśeṣataḥ

"O excellent brahmins, I have always committed reprehensible deeds — especially against women, foremost brahmins, and ascetics."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.124.60)

ये ये दीनतरा लोका न समर्थाः प्रयोधितुम् । ते मया मुषिताः सर्वे न समर्थाः कदाचन

ye ye dīnatarā lokā na samarthāḥ prayodhitum te mayā muṣitāḥ sarve na samarthāḥ kadācana

"Whoever were the most helpless people, unable to defend themselves — all of them have been robbed by me, those who were never able to resist."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.124.61)

कुटुम्बार्थं विमूढेन साधुसंगविवर्जिना । यथैव पठता शास्त्रं तन्मेऽद्य पतितं हृदि

kuṭumbārthaṁ vimūḍhena sādhusaṁgavivarjinā yathaiva paṭhatā śāstraṁ tanme'dya patitaṁ hṛdi

"For the sake of my family, being deluded and devoid of association with the good, I acted thus, as though even while reading scripture — all this has today struck home in my heart."

Verse 62 (skanda.6.124.62)

यदि न स्याद्भवद्भिर्मे दर्शनं चाद्य सत्तमाः । तदन्यान्यपि पापानि कर्ताहं स्यां न संशयः

yadi na syādbhavadbhirme darśanaṁ cādya sattamāḥ tadanyānyapi pāpāni kartāhaṁ syāṁ na saṁśayaḥ

"O most excellent sages, had I not obtained this vision of you today, I would without doubt have gone on committing yet more sins."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.124.63)

तेषां मध्यगतश्चासीत्पुलहो नाम सन्मुनिः । हास्यशीलः स तं प्राह विप्लवार्थं द्विजोत्तमम्

teṣāṁ madhyagataścāsītpulaho nāma sanmuniḥ hāsyaśīlaḥ sa taṁ prāha viplavārthaṁ dvijottamam

Among them was a virtuous sage named Pulaha, of a jovial nature; he spoke to that brahmin for the sake of his deliverance.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.124.64)

अहं ते कीर्तयिष्यामि मन्त्रमेकं सुशोभनम् । यं ध्यायञ्जप्यमानस्त्वं सिद्धिं यास्यसि शाश्वतीम्

ahaṁ te kīrtayiṣyāmi mantramekaṁ suśobhanam yaṁ dhyāyañjapyamānastvaṁ siddhiṁ yāsyasi śāśvatīm

"I shall proclaim to you a most auspicious mantra, meditating upon and reciting which you shall attain everlasting perfection."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.124.65)

जाटघोटेतिमन्त्रोऽयं सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकः । तमेनं जप विप्र त्वं दिवारात्रमतंद्रितः

jāṭaghoṭetimantro'yaṁ sarvasiddhipradāyakaḥ tamenaṁ japa vipra tvaṁ divārātramataṁdritaḥ

"This mantra called 'jāṭaghoṭa' is the giver of every kind of perfection; O brahmin, recite it day and night without laziness."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.124.66)

ततो यास्यसि संसिद्धिं दुर्लभां त्रिदशैरपि

tato yāsyasi saṁsiddhiṁ durlabhāṁ tridaśairapi

"Thereby you shall attain that perfection which is rare even for the gods to obtain."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.124.67)

एवमुक्त्वाथ ते विप्रास्तीर्थयात्रां ततो ययुः । सोऽपि तत्रैव चौरस्तु स्थितो जपपरायणः

evamuktvātha te viprāstīrthayātrāṁ tato yayuḥ so'pi tatraiva caurastu sthito japaparāyaṇaḥ

Having said this, those brahmins continued on their pilgrimage; and that thief too remained in that very place, absorbed in the recitation.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.124.68)

अनन्यमनसा तेन प्रारब्धः स तदा जपः । यथाऽभवत्समाधिस्थो येनावस्थां परां गतः

ananyamanasā tena prārabdhaḥ sa tadā japaḥ yathā'bhavatsamādhistho yenāvasthāṁ parāṁ gataḥ

With a single-pointed mind he began that recitation, so much so that he entered a state of deep absorption, through which he attained the supreme state.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.124.69)

तस्यैवं स्मरमाणस्य तं मन्त्रं ब्राह्मणस्य च । निश्चलत्वं गतः कायः कार्ये च निश्चलः स्थितः

tasyaivaṁ smaramāṇasya taṁ mantraṁ brāhmaṇasya ca niścalatvaṁ gataḥ kāyaḥ kārye ca niścalaḥ sthitaḥ

Thus, from constantly recalling that mantra, that brahmin's body became motionless, and he sat unmoving, fixed in his very task.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.124.70)

ततः कालेन महता वल्मीकेन समावृतः । समंताद्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठा ध्यानस्थस्य महात्मनः

tataḥ kālena mahatā valmīkena samāvṛtaḥ samaṁtādbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭhā dhyānasthasya mahātmanaḥ

Then, after a long time had passed, O excellent brahmins, an anthill grew all around that great soul absorbed in meditation and completely covered him.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.124.71)

तौ मातापितरौ तस्य सा च भार्या मनस्विनी । याता मृत्युवशं सर्वे तमन्वेष्य प्रयत्नतः

tau mātāpitarau tasya sā ca bhāryā manasvinī yātā mṛtyuvaśaṁ sarve tamanveṣya prayatnataḥ

His parents and that resolute wife, though they searched diligently for him, could not find him, and all of them eventually met their death.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.124.72)

न विज्ञातश्च तत्रस्थः संन्यस्तः स महाव्रतः । संसारभावनिर्मुक्तस्तस्मान्मुनिसमागमात्

na vijñātaśca tatrasthaḥ saṁnyastaḥ sa mahāvrataḥ saṁsārabhāvanirmuktastasmānmunisamāgamāt

No one recognized that great ascetic of severe vows, remaining there in samadhi, freed from worldly attachment, by the power of his association with those sages.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.124.73)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तेन मार्गेण ते पुनः । तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन मुनयः समुपस्थिताः

kasyacittvatha kālasya tena mārgeṇa te punaḥ tīrthayātrāprasaṁgena munayaḥ samupasthitāḥ

After some time had passed, those very sages, in the course of a pilgrimage, arrived again by that same path.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.124.74)

प्रोचुश्चैतद्द्विजाः स्थानं यत्र चौरेण संगमः । आसीद्वस्तेन रौद्रेण ब्राह्मणच्छद्मधारिणा

procuścaitaddvijāḥ sthānaṁ yatra caureṇa saṁgamaḥ āsīdvastena raudreṇa brāhmaṇacchadmadhāriṇā

Then those brahmins said, "This is the very place where we met that terrible thief, who was in the disguise of a brahmin."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.124.75)

ततो वल्मीकमध्यस्थं शुश्रुवुर्निस्वनं च ते । जाटघोटेतिमंत्रस्य तस्यैव च महात्मनः

tato valmīkamadhyasthaṁ śuśruvurnisvanaṁ ca te jāṭaghoṭetimaṁtrasya tasyaiva ca mahātmanaḥ

Then they heard a sound coming from within that anthill — the sound of that same great soul reciting the 'jāṭaghoṭa' mantra.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.124.76)

अथ भूम्यां प्रहारास्ते सस्वनुः सर्वतोदिशम् । ते वल्मीकं ततो दृष्ट्वा तं चौरं तस्य मध्यगम्

atha bhūmyāṁ prahārāste sasvanuḥ sarvatodiśam te valmīkaṁ tato dṛṣṭvā taṁ cauraṁ tasya madhyagam

Then they struck the ground on every side, and the sound resounded; then, seeing that anthill, they recognized that thief seated within its midst,

Verse 77 (skanda.6.124.77)

जपमानं तु तं मन्त्रं पुलहेन निवेदितः । हास्यरूपेण यस्तस्य सिद्धिं च द्विजसत्तमाः

japamānaṁ tu taṁ mantraṁ pulahena niveditaḥ hāsyarūpeṇa yastasya siddhiṁ ca dvijasattamāḥ

reciting that mantra which had been given to him by Pulaha, half in jest; O excellent brahmins, his attainment of perfection —

Verse 78 (skanda.6.124.78)

यद्वा सत्यमिदं प्रोक्तमाचार्यैः शास्त्रदृष्टिभिः । स्तोकं सिद्धिकृते तस्य यस्मात्सिद्धिरुपस्थिता

yadvā satyamidaṁ proktamācāryaiḥ śāstradṛṣṭibhiḥ stokaṁ siddhikṛte tasya yasmātsiddhirupasthitā

must indeed be true, as those teachers versed in scripture have declared — even a slight thing can lead to perfection, for from it he attained perfection.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.124.79)

मन्त्रे तीर्थे द्विजे देवे दैवज्ञे भेषजे गुरौ । यादृशी भावना यस्य सिद्धिर्भवति तादृशी

mantre tīrthe dvije deve daivajñe bheṣaje gurau yādṛśī bhāvanā yasya siddhirbhavati tādṛśī

In a mantra, in a tirtha, in a brahmin, in a god, in an astrologer, in a medicine, in a guru — whatever faith a person has, such is the attainment he receives.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.124.80)

अथ तं वीक्ष्य संसिद्धं कुमन्त्रेणापि तस्करम् । ते विप्रा विस्मयाविष्टाः कृपाविष्टा विशेषतः

atha taṁ vīkṣya saṁsiddhaṁ kumantreṇāpi taskaram te viprā vismayāviṣṭāḥ kṛpāviṣṭā viśeṣataḥ

Then, seeing that thief attain perfection even through a lesser mantra, those brahmins were filled with astonishment, and especially with compassion.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.124.81)

समाध्यर्हैस्ततो द्रव्यैस्तैलैस्तद्भेषजैरपि

samādhyarhaistato dravyaistailaistadbheṣajairapi

Thereafter, with various substances, oils, and medicines suited for reviving one from samadhi,

Verse 82 (skanda.6.124.82)

ममर्दुस्तस्य तद्गात्रं समाधिस्थं चिरं द्विजाः । ततः स चेतनां लब्धा आलोक्य च मुहुर्मुहुः । प्रोवाच विस्मयाविष्टस्तान्मुनीन्प्रकृतानिति

mamardustasya tadgātraṁ samādhisthaṁ ciraṁ dvijāḥ tataḥ sa cetanāṁ labdhā ālokya ca muhurmuhuḥ provāca vismayāviṣṭastānmunīnprakṛtāniti

O brahmins, they massaged his body, long fixed in samadhi. Then, regaining consciousness, and looking again and again, filled with astonishment, he spoke to those sages whom he now recognized.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.124.83)

लोहजंघ उवाच । किमर्थं न गता यूयं मया मुक्ता द्विजोत्तमाः । नाहं किंचिद्ग्रहीष्यामि युष्मदीयं कथंचन । कुटुंबार्थं यतस्तस्माद्व्रजध्वं स्वेच्छयाऽधुना

lohajaṁgha uvāca kimarthaṁ na gatā yūyaṁ mayā muktā dvijottamāḥ nāhaṁ kiṁcidgrahīṣyāmi yuṣmadīyaṁ kathaṁcana kuṭuṁbārthaṁ yatastasmādvrajadhvaṁ svecchayā'dhunā

Lohajangha said: "O excellent brahmins, why did you not go when I released you? I shall now take nothing whatever of yours, in any manner. Since I did all this only for the sake of my family, now go from here as you wish."

Verse 84 (skanda.6.124.84)

मुनय ऊचुः । चिरकालाद्वयं प्राप्ताः पुनर्भ्रांत्वाऽत्र कानने । समाधिस्थेन न ज्ञातः कालोऽतीतस्त्वया बहु

munaya ūcuḥ cirakālādvayaṁ prāptāḥ punarbhrāṁtvā'tra kānane samādhisthena na jñātaḥ kālo'tītastvayā bahu

The sages said: "We have arrived here again after a very long time, once more wandering in this forest; being fixed in samadhi, you do not know how much time has passed for you."

Verse 85 (skanda.6.124.85)

तौ मातापितरौ वृद्धौ त्वया मुक्तौ क्षयं गतौ । त्वं च संसिद्धिमापन्नः परामस्मत्प्रसादतः

tau mātāpitarau vṛddhau tvayā muktau kṣayaṁ gatau tvaṁ ca saṁsiddhimāpannaḥ parāmasmatprasādataḥ

"Your aged parents, whom you left behind, have perished; and you, by our very grace, have attained the highest perfection."

Verse 86 (skanda.6.124.86)

वल्मीकांतः स्थितो यस्मात्संसिद्धिं परमां गतः । वल्मीकिर्नाम विख्यातस्तस्माल्लोके भविष्यसि

valmīkāṁtaḥ sthito yasmātsaṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gataḥ valmīkirnāma vikhyātastasmālloke bhaviṣyasi

"Since you attained supreme perfection while residing within an anthill (valmīka), you shall henceforth become renowned in the world by the name Valmiki."

Verse 87 (skanda.6.124.87)

अत्रस्थेन यतो मुष्टास्त्वया लोकाः पुरा द्विज । मुखाराख्यं ततस्तीर्थमेतत्ख्यातिं गमिष्यति

atrasthena yato muṣṭāstvayā lokāḥ purā dvija mukhārākhyaṁ tatastīrthametatkhyātiṁ gamiṣyati

"And, O brahmin, since, dwelling here in this very place, you formerly robbed people, this tirtha shall become famous by the name 'Mukhara'."

Verse 88 (skanda.6.124.88)

येऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति श्रावण्यां श्रद्धया द्विजाः । क्षालयिष्यंति ते पापं चौर्य कर्मसमुद्भवम्

ye'tra snānaṁ kariṣyaṁti śrāvaṇyāṁ śraddhayā dvijāḥ kṣālayiṣyaṁti te pāpaṁ caurya karmasamudbhavam

"Whatever brahmins bathe here with devotion in the month of Shravana shall wash away their sin arising from the deed of theft."

Verse 89 (skanda.6.124.89)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्त्वाथ ते विप्रास्तमामंत्र्य मुनिं ततः । प्रणतास्तेन संजग्मुर्वांछिताशां ततः परम्

sūta uvāca evamuktvātha te viprāstamāmaṁtrya muniṁ tataḥ praṇatāstena saṁjagmurvāṁchitāśāṁ tataḥ param

Suta said: Having said this, those brahmins, taking leave of that sage, bowing to him, went onward toward their desired destination.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.124.90)

तपःस्थः सोऽपि तत्रैव वाल्मीकिरिति यः स्मृतः

tapaḥsthaḥ so'pi tatraiva vālmīkiriti yaḥ smṛtaḥ

That ascetic, too, remained right there — the one who is remembered by the name Valmiki.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.124.91)

मुनीनां प्रवरः श्रेष्ठः संजातश्च ततः परम् । अद्यापि तिष्ठते मूर्तः स तत्रस्थो मुनीश्वरः

munīnāṁ pravaraḥ śreṣṭhaḥ saṁjātaśca tataḥ param adyāpi tiṣṭhate mūrtaḥ sa tatrastho munīśvaraḥ

He became the very foremost and best of sages; even today that lord of sages remains there, manifest in bodily form.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.124.92)

यस्तं प्रपूजयेद्भक्त्या स कविर्जायते भुवम् । अष्टम्यां च विशेषेण सम्यक्छ्रद्धासमन्वितः

yastaṁ prapūjayedbhaktyā sa kavirjāyate bhuvam aṣṭamyāṁ ca viśeṣeṇa samyakchraddhāsamanvitaḥ

Whoever worships him with devotion, especially on the eighth lunar day, endowed with proper faith, is born on this earth as a great poet.