Greatness of Balamandana Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.20.1)

सूत उवाच । तत्र दाशरथी रामो वनवासाय दीक्षितः । भ्रममाणो धरापृष्ठे सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः

sūta uvāca tatra dāśarathī rāmo vanavāsāya dīkṣitaḥ bhramamāṇo dharāpṛṣṭhe sītālakṣmaṇasaṁyutaḥ

Suta said: There, Rama, son of Dasharatha, consecrated for exile in the forest, wandering upon the earth together with Sita and Lakshmana —

Verse 2 (skanda.6.20.2)

समाऽऽयातो द्विजश्रेष्ठा यत्र सा पितृकूपिका । तृषार्तश्च श्रमार्तश्च निषसाद धरातले

samā''yāto dvijaśreṣṭhā yatra sā pitṛkūpikā tṛṣārtaśca śramārtaśca niṣasāda dharātale

— O best of the twice-born, arrived at that place where Pitrikupika lay, and, worn out with thirst and fatigue, sat down upon the ground.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.20.3)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो भगवान्दिननायकः । अस्ताचलं जपापुष्पसन्निभो द्विजसत्तमाः

etasminnaṁtare prāpto bhagavāndinanāyakaḥ astācalaṁ japāpuṣpasannibho dvijasattamāḥ

O best of the twice-born, meanwhile the Lord of the day, red as a hibiscus flower, reached the mountain of his setting.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.20.4)

ततः प्लक्षनगाधस्तात्पर्णान्यास्तीर्य भूतले । सायंतनं विधिं कृत्वा सुष्वाप रघुनन्दनः

tataḥ plakṣanagādhastātparṇānyāstīrya bhūtale sāyaṁtanaṁ vidhiṁ kṛtvā suṣvāpa raghunandanaḥ

Then, spreading leaves upon the ground beneath a plaksha tree, and having performed the evening rite, that delight of the Raghu line lay down to sleep.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.20.5)

अथाऽवलोकयामास स्वप्ने दशरथं नृपम् । यद्वत्पूर्वं प्रियाऽऽलापसंसक्तं हृष्टमानसम्

athā'valokayāmāsa svapne daśarathaṁ nṛpam yadvatpūrvaṁ priyā''lāpasaṁsaktaṁ hṛṣṭamānasam

Then, in a dream, he beheld King Dasharatha — just as he had once been, absorbed in loving speech, glad at heart.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.20.6)

ततः प्रभाते विमले प्रोद्गते रविमण्डले । विप्रानाहूय तत्सर्वं कथयामास राघवः

tataḥ prabhāte vimale prodgate ravimaṇḍale viprānāhūya tatsarvaṁ kathayāmāsa rāghavaḥ

Then, when the clear dawn came and the orb of the sun had risen, Raghava summoned the brahmins and told them all of it.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.20.7)

अद्य स्वप्ने मया विप्राः प्रियालापपरः पिता । अतिहृष्टमना दृष्टः श्वेतमाल्यानुलेपनः

adya svapne mayā viprāḥ priyālāpaparaḥ pitā atihṛṣṭamanā dṛṣṭaḥ śvetamālyānulepanaḥ

"O brahmins, today in a dream I saw my father — speaking loving words, greatly glad at heart, adorned with white garlands and unguent."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.20.8)

तत्कीदृक्परिणामोऽस्य स्वप्नस्य द्विजसत्तमाः । भविष्यति प्रजल्पध्वं परं कौतूहलं यतः

tatkīdṛkpariṇāmo'sya svapnasya dvijasattamāḥ bhaviṣyati prajalpadhvaṁ paraṁ kautūhalaṁ yataḥ

"O best of the twice-born, tell me what the outcome of this dream shall be, for I am filled with the greatest curiosity about it."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.20.9)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । पितरः श्राद्धकामा ये वृद्धिं पश्यंति वा नृप । ते स्वप्ने दर्शनं यांति पुत्राणामिति नः श्रुतम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ pitaraḥ śrāddhakāmā ye vṛddhiṁ paśyaṁti vā nṛpa te svapne darśanaṁ yāṁti putrāṇāmiti naḥ śrutam

The brahmins said: O king, we have heard that ancestors who desire the ancestral rite, or for whom it is time for that offering, appear in the dreams of their sons.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.20.10)

तदस्यां कूपिकायां च स्वयमेव गया स्थिता । तेन त्वया पिता दृष्टः स्वप्ने श्राद्धस्य वांछकः

tadasyāṁ kūpikāyāṁ ca svayameva gayā sthitā tena tvayā pitā dṛṣṭaḥ svapne śrāddhasya vāṁchakaḥ

And in this very well, Gaya herself is present; that is why you have seen your father in your dream, longing for the ancestral rite.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.20.11)

तस्मात्कुरु रघुश्रेष्ठ श्राद्धमत्र यथोदितम् । नीवारैः शाक मूलैश्च तथाऽरण्योद्भवैस्तिलैः

tasmātkuru raghuśreṣṭha śrāddhamatra yathoditam nīvāraiḥ śāka mūlaiśca tathā'raṇyodbhavaistilaiḥ

Therefore, O best of the Raghus, perform the ancestral rite here as prescribed, with wild rice, greens, roots, and wild-growing sesame.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.20.12)

अथैवामन्त्रयामास तान्विप्रान्रघुसत्तमः । श्राद्धेषु श्रद्धया युक्तः प्रसादः क्रियतामिति

athaivāmantrayāmāsa tānviprānraghusattamaḥ śrāddheṣu śraddhayā yuktaḥ prasādaḥ kriyatāmiti

Then that best of the Raghu line, filled with faith, invited those brahmins to the ancestral rite, saying, "Be so kind as to accept."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.20.13)

बाढमित्येव ते चोक्त्वा स्नानार्थं द्विजसत्तमाः । गताः सर्वे सुसंहृष्टा स्वकीयानाश्रमान्प्रति

bāḍhamityeva te coktvā snānārthaṁ dvijasattamāḥ gatāḥ sarve susaṁhṛṣṭā svakīyānāśramānprati

Saying only "Certainly," those excellent brahmins, greatly delighted, went off toward their own hermitages to bathe.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.20.14)

अथ तेषु प्रयातेषु ब्राह्मणेषु रघूत्तमः । प्रोवाच लक्ष्मणं पार्श्वे विनयावनतं स्थितम्

atha teṣu prayāteṣu brāhmaṇeṣu raghūttamaḥ provāca lakṣmaṇaṁ pārśve vinayāvanataṁ sthitam

Then, once those brahmins had departed, that best of the Raghus spoke to Lakshmana, who stood humbly beside him.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.20.15)

शाकमूलफलान्याशु श्राद्धार्थं समुपानय । सौमित्रानय वैदेही स्वयं पचति भामिनी

śākamūlaphalānyāśu śrāddhārthaṁ samupānaya saumitrānaya vaidehī svayaṁ pacati bhāminī

"O son of Sumitra, quickly bring greens, roots, and fruit for the ancestral rite; Vaidehi herself, that gracious lady, will cook them."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.20.16)

तच्छ्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणस्तूर्णं जगामाऽरण्यमेव हि । श्राद्धार्थमानिनायाऽऽशु फलानि विविधानि च

tacchrutvā lakṣmaṇastūrṇaṁ jagāmā'raṇyameva hi śrāddhārthamānināyā''śu phalāni vividhāni ca

Hearing this, Lakshmana went at once into the forest, and quickly brought back fruits of many kinds for the ancestral rite.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.20.17)

धात्रीफलानि चाऽऽम्राणि चिर्भटानीं गुदानि च । करीराणि कपित्थानि तथैवाऽन्यानि भूरिशः

dhātrīphalāni cā''mrāṇi cirbhaṭānīṁ gudāni ca karīrāṇi kapitthāni tathaivā'nyāni bhūriśaḥ

Amla fruits, mangoes, cucumbers, guduchi fruits, karira berries, kapittha fruits, and many other kinds besides —

Verse 18 (skanda.6.20.18)

ततश्च पाचयामास तदर्थे जनकोद्भवा । रामादेशात्स्वयं साध्वी विनयेन समन्विता

tataśca pācayāmāsa tadarthe janakodbhavā rāmādeśātsvayaṁ sādhvī vinayena samanvitā

— all of these, then, the virtuous daughter of Janaka, at Rama's bidding, humbly cooked herself for the rite.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.20.19)

ततश्च कुतपे प्राप्ते काले ते द्विजसत्तमाः । कृताह्निकाः समायाता रामभक्तिसमन्विताः

tataśca kutape prāpte kāle te dvijasattamāḥ kṛtāhnikāḥ samāyātā rāmabhaktisamanvitāḥ

Then, when the auspicious kutapa hour arrived, those excellent brahmins, having performed their daily rites, came there, filled with devotion to Rama.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.20.20)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे सीता प्लक्षवृक्षांतरे स्थिता । आत्मानं गोपयामास यथा वेत्ति न राघवः

etasminnaṁtare sītā plakṣavṛkṣāṁtare sthitā ātmānaṁ gopayāmāsa yathā vetti na rāghavaḥ

Meanwhile Sita, going behind the plaksha tree, concealed herself, in such a way that Raghava might not know of it.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.20.21)

स तां सीतेति सीतेति व्याहृत्याथ मुहुर्मुहुः । स्त्रीधर्मिणीति मत्वा तु लक्ष्मणं चेदमब्रवीत्

sa tāṁ sīteti sīteti vyāhṛtyātha muhurmuhuḥ strīdharmiṇīti matvā tu lakṣmaṇaṁ cedamabravīt

Then he called out "Sita, Sita" again and again, and, supposing she was observing a woman's monthly rite, said this to Lakshmana.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.20.22)

वत्स लक्ष्मण शुश्रूषां विप्राणां श्राद्धसंभवाम् । पादप्रक्षालनाद्यां त्वं यथावत्कर्तुमर्हसि

vatsa lakṣmaṇa śuśrūṣāṁ viprāṇāṁ śrāddhasaṁbhavām pādaprakṣālanādyāṁ tvaṁ yathāvatkartumarhasi

"O child Lakshmana, you should properly perform the service due to the brahmins on this occasion of the ancestral rite — washing their feet and the rest."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.20.23)

बाढमित्येव संप्रोक्तो लक्ष्मणः शुभलक्षणः । चक्रे सर्वं तथा कर्म यथा नारी विचक्षणा

bāḍhamityeva saṁprokto lakṣmaṇaḥ śubhalakṣaṇaḥ cakre sarvaṁ tathā karma yathā nārī vicakṣaṇā

Saying "Certainly," that Lakshmana of auspicious signs performed all that service, just as a skilled woman would.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.20.24)

ततो निर्वर्तिते श्राद्धे ब्राह्मणेषु गतेष्वथ । जनकस्य सुता साध्वी तत्क्षणात्समुपस्थिता

tato nirvartite śrāddhe brāhmaṇeṣu gateṣvatha janakasya sutā sādhvī tatkṣaṇātsamupasthitā

Then, when the ancestral rite was concluded and the brahmins had departed, the virtuous daughter of Janaka appeared there at that very moment.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.20.25)

तां दृष्ट्वा राघवः सीतां कोपसंरक्तलोचनः । प्रोवाच परुषैर्वाक्यैर्भर्त्समानो मुहुर्मुहुः

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ sītāṁ kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ provāca paruṣairvākyairbhartsamāno muhurmuhuḥ

Seeing her, Raghava, his eyes reddened with anger, spoke harsh words, rebuking her again and again.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.20.26)

आयातेषु द्विजातेषु श्राद्धकाल उपस्थिते । क्व गता वद पापे त्वं मां परित्यज्य दूरतः

āyāteṣu dvijāteṣu śrāddhakāla upasthite kva gatā vada pāpe tvaṁ māṁ parityajya dūrataḥ

"When the twice-born had come and the time for the ancestral rite was at hand, where, O sinful one, had you gone, leaving me alone? Tell me!"

Verse 27 (skanda.6.20.27)

नैतद्युक्तं कुलस्त्रीणां विशेषादत्र कानने । विहर्तुं दूरतः शून्ये तस्मात्त्याज्याऽसि मैथिलि

naitadyuktaṁ kulastrīṇāṁ viśeṣādatra kānane vihartuṁ dūrataḥ śūnye tasmāttyājyā'si maithili

"It is not proper for women of good family, especially here in this forest, to wander off into some distant, deserted place. Therefore, O princess of Mithila, you are to be cast off."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.20.28)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भीता सा जनकोद्भवा । उवाच वेपमानांगी प्रस्खलंत्या गिरा ततः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bhītā sā janakodbhavā uvāca vepamānāṁgī praskhalaṁtyā girā tataḥ

Hearing his words, that daughter of Janaka, frightened, her body trembling, spoke then in a faltering voice.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.20.29)

न मामर्हसि कार्येऽस्मिन्गर्हितुं रघुसत्तम । यस्मादहमतिक्रान्ता स्थानादस्माच्छ्रणुष्व तत्

na māmarhasi kārye'smingarhituṁ raghusattama yasmādahamatikrāntā sthānādasmācchraṇuṣva tat

"O best of the Raghu line, you ought not to blame me in this matter. Hear the reason why I left this place."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.20.30)

पिता तव मया दृष्टः साक्षाद्दशरथः स्वयम् । ब्राह्मणस्य शरीरस्थो द्वितीयश्च पितामहः

pitā tava mayā dṛṣṭaḥ sākṣāddaśarathaḥ svayam brāhmaṇasya śarīrastho dvitīyaśca pitāmahaḥ

"I myself beheld, present in person, your father Dasharatha, dwelling within the body of one brahmin, and, in a second, your grandfather."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.20.31)

पितुः पितामहोऽन्यस्य तृतीयस्य रघूत्तम । त्रयाणां च तथान्येषां त्रयोऽन्ये नृपसंनिभाः

pituḥ pitāmaho'nyasya tṛtīyasya raghūttama trayāṇāṁ ca tathānyeṣāṁ trayo'nye nṛpasaṁnibhāḥ

"O best of the Raghus, in a third I saw your father's grandfather. And besides these three, there were three other men resembling kings as well."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.20.32)

ब्राह्मणानां मया दृष्टाः शरीरस्थाः सुहर्षिताः । मातामहानहं मन्ये तानपि त्रीनहं स्फुटम्

brāhmaṇānāṁ mayā dṛṣṭāḥ śarīrasthāḥ suharṣitāḥ mātāmahānahaṁ manye tānapi trīnahaṁ sphuṭam

"I saw them present in the bodies of brahmins, greatly rejoicing; I take it that those three, quite clearly, were my own maternal ancestors."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.20.33)

ततो ऽहं लज्जया नष्टा दृष्ट्वा श्वशुरसंगमान् । येन भुक्तानि भोज्यानि पुरा मृष्टान्यनेकशः

tato 'haṁ lajjayā naṣṭā dṛṣṭvā śvaśurasaṁgamān yena bhuktāni bhojyāni purā mṛṣṭānyanekaśaḥ

"Seeing those men of my husband's line, I vanished away out of shame — for he who had once eaten many fine, delicious dishes —"

Verse 34 (skanda.6.20.34)

तथा खाद्यानि लेह्यानि चोष्याणि च विशेषतः । पिता तव कथं सोऽद्य कषायाणि कटूनि च । भक्षयिष्यति दत्तानि स्वहस्तेन मया विभो

tathā khādyāni lehyāni coṣyāṇi ca viśeṣataḥ pitā tava kathaṁ so'dya kaṣāyāṇi kaṭūni ca bhakṣayiṣyati dattāni svahastena mayā vibho

"— and especially foods to chew, to lick, and to suck — how, O lord, could your father today eat astringent and bitter things given by my own hand?"

Verse 35 (skanda.6.20.35)

एतस्मात्कारणान्नष्टा त्वत्समीपादहं विभो । श्राद्धकालेऽपि संप्राप्ते सत्येनात्मानमालभे

etasmātkāraṇānnaṣṭā tvatsamīpādahaṁ vibho śrāddhakāle'pi saṁprāpte satyenātmānamālabhe

"For this very reason, O lord, I withdrew from your presence even as the time of the ancestral rite had come — I swear this by the truth."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.20.36)

तच्छ्रुत्वा संप्रहृष्टात्मा रामो राजीवलोचनः । साधुसाध्विति तां प्राह परिष्वज्य मुहुर्मुहुः

tacchrutvā saṁprahṛṣṭātmā rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ sādhusādhviti tāṁ prāha pariṣvajya muhurmuhuḥ

Hearing this, lotus-eyed Rama was greatly delighted, and, embracing her again and again, exclaimed "Well done, well done."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.20.37)

ततो भुक्त्वा स्वयं रामो लक्ष्मणेन समन्वितः । सायाह्ने समनुप्राप्ते संध्याकार्यं विधाय च

tato bhuktvā svayaṁ rāmo lakṣmaṇena samanvitaḥ sāyāhne samanuprāpte saṁdhyākāryaṁ vidhāya ca

Then, having eaten himself, and, together with Lakshmana, when evening came, having performed the evening rite —

Verse 38 (skanda.6.20.38)

प्रोवाच लक्ष्मणं वत्स पर्णान्यास्तीर्य भूतले । शय्यां कुरु समानीय पादशौचाय सज्जलम्

provāca lakṣmaṇaṁ vatsa parṇānyāstīrya bhūtale śayyāṁ kuru samānīya pādaśaucāya sajjalam

— Rama said to Lakshmana: "O child, spread leaves upon the ground and prepare the bed, and bring water for washing the feet."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.20.39)

ततः कोपपरीतात्मा सौमित्रिः प्राह राघवम् । नाहं शय्यां करिष्यामि पादप्रक्षालनं न च

tataḥ kopaparītātmā saumitriḥ prāha rāghavam nāhaṁ śayyāṁ kariṣyāmi pādaprakṣālanaṁ na ca

Then Saumitri, his mind seized with anger, said to Raghava: "I will not make the bed, nor will I wash your feet."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.20.40)

तथाऽन्यदपि यत्किंचित्कर्म स्वल्पमपि प्रभो । त्वां वा त्यक्त्वा गमिष्यामि कुत्रचित्पीडितो भृशम्

tathā'nyadapi yatkiṁcitkarma svalpamapi prabho tvāṁ vā tyaktvā gamiṣyāmi kutracitpīḍito bhṛśam

"O lord, nor shall I do any other task, however small. Sorely afflicted, I shall leave you and go off somewhere else."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.20.41)

प्रेष्यत्वेन रघुश्रेष्ठ सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम् । सीतायाः किं समादेश्यं न किंचित्संप्रयच्छसि । अपि स्वल्पतरं राम मया त्वं किं करिष्यसि

preṣyatvena raghuśreṣṭha satyametanmayoditam sītāyāḥ kiṁ samādeśyaṁ na kiṁcitsaṁprayacchasi api svalpataraṁ rāma mayā tvaṁ kiṁ kariṣyasi

"O best of the Raghus, as your servant I speak the plain truth. You tell me nothing at all of what is to be commanded of Sita. O Rama, will you not even entrust me with so small a task as this?"

Verse 42 (skanda.6.20.42)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विकृतं चापि राघवः । तूष्णीं बभूव मेधावी हास्यं कृत्वा मनाक्ततः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā vikṛtaṁ cāpi rāghavaḥ tūṣṇīṁ babhūva medhāvī hāsyaṁ kṛtvā manāktataḥ

Hearing these strange words of his, wise Raghava, smiling a little, simply fell silent.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.20.43)

ततः स्वयं समुत्थाय कृत्वा स्वा स्तरकं शुभम् । सीतया क्षालितांघ्रिस्तु सुष्वाप तदनंतरम्

tataḥ svayaṁ samutthāya kṛtvā svā starakaṁ śubham sītayā kṣālitāṁghristu suṣvāpa tadanaṁtaram

Then, rising himself, making his own auspicious bed, and having his feet washed by Sita, he thereafter lay down to sleep.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.20.44)

लक्ष्मणोऽपि विदूरस्थः कोपसंरक्तलोचनः । वृक्षमूलं समाश्रित्य सुप्तश्चित्ते व्यचिंतयत्

lakṣmaṇo'pi vidūrasthaḥ kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ vṛkṣamūlaṁ samāśritya suptaścitte vyaciṁtayat

Lakshmana too, going off to a distance, his eyes red with anger, took shelter at the foot of a tree and, lying down, pondered in his mind.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.20.45)

हत्वैनं राघवं सुप्तं सीतां पत्नीं विधाय च । किं गच्छामि निजं स्थानं विदेशं वाऽपिदूरतः

hatvainaṁ rāghavaṁ suptaṁ sītāṁ patnīṁ vidhāya ca kiṁ gacchāmi nijaṁ sthānaṁ videśaṁ vā'pidūrataḥ

"Having killed this sleeping Raghava, and having taken Sita as my own wife, should I go to my own homeland, or far off to some foreign land?"

Verse 46 (skanda.6.20.46)

एवं चिंतयतस्तस्य बहुधा लक्ष्मणस्य सा । व्यतिक्रांता निशा विप्राः कृच्छ्रेण महता ततः

evaṁ ciṁtayatastasya bahudhā lakṣmaṇasya sā vyatikrāṁtā niśā viprāḥ kṛcchreṇa mahatā tataḥ

O brahmins, thus, thinking in many ways, that night passed for Lakshmana with the greatest difficulty.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.20.47)

न तस्य निश्चयो जज्ञे तस्मिन्कृत्ये कथंचन । कोपात्प्रणष्टनिद्रस्य सोष्णं निःश्वसतो मुहुः

na tasya niścayo jajñe tasminkṛtye kathaṁcana kopātpraṇaṣṭanidrasya soṣṇaṁ niḥśvasato muhuḥ

His sleep destroyed by anger, sighing hot breaths again and again, he could come to no decision at all about that deed.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.20.48)

ततः प्रभाते विमले कृतपूर्वाह्णिकक्रियः । रामः सीतां समादाय प्रस्थितो दक्षिणां दिशम्

tataḥ prabhāte vimale kṛtapūrvāhṇikakriyaḥ rāmaḥ sītāṁ samādāya prasthito dakṣiṇāṁ diśam

Then, when clear dawn came, having performed his morning rites, Rama, taking Sita with him, set out toward the southern direction.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.20.49)

लक्ष्मणोऽपि धनुः सज्यं कृत्वा संधाय सायकम् । अनुव्रजति पृष्ठस्थस्तस्य च्छिद्रं विलोकयन्

lakṣmaṇo'pi dhanuḥ sajyaṁ kṛtvā saṁdhāya sāyakam anuvrajati pṛṣṭhasthastasya cchidraṁ vilokayan

Lakshmana too, stringing his bow and fitting an arrow to it, followed close behind him, watching for some opening.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.20.50)

ततो गोकर्णमासाद्य प्रणम्य च महेश्वरम् । प्रतस्थे राघवो यावत्सौमित्रिस्तावदागतः

tato gokarṇamāsādya praṇamya ca maheśvaram pratasthe rāghavo yāvatsaumitristāvadāgataḥ

Then, having reached Gokarna and bowed to Maheshvara, just as Raghava was about to move on, Saumitri came up to him.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.20.51)

बाष्पपर्याकुलाक्षश्च व्रीडयाऽधोमुखः स्थितः । प्रणम्य शिरसा रामं ततः प्राह सुदुः खितः

bāṣpaparyākulākṣaśca vrīḍayā'dhomukhaḥ sthitaḥ praṇamya śirasā rāmaṁ tataḥ prāha suduḥ khitaḥ

His eyes brimming with tears, his head bowed in shame, he stood there; bowing his head to Rama, then, in great sorrow, he spoke.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.20.52)

कुरु मे निग्रहं नाथ स्वामिद्रोहसमुद्भवम् । अतिपापस्य दुष्टस्य कृतघ्नस्य रघूत्तम

kuru me nigrahaṁ nātha svāmidrohasamudbhavam atipāpasya duṣṭasya kṛtaghnasya raghūttama

"O lord, punish me, guilty of treachery against my own master — a great sinner, wicked and ungrateful, O best of the Raghus."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.20.53)

उत्तराणि विरुद्धानि तव दत्तानि भूरिशः । मया विनाऽपराधेन वधोपायश्च चिंतितः

uttarāṇi viruddhāni tava dattāni bhūriśaḥ mayā vinā'parādhena vadhopāyaśca ciṁtitaḥ

"I have given you many improper replies, and, though you were without fault, I even contemplated a means to kill you."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.20.54)

ततश्च तं परिष्वज्य रामोऽपि निजबांधवम् । बाष्पक्लिन्नमुखः प्राह क्षांतं वत्स मया तव

tataśca taṁ pariṣvajya rāmo'pi nijabāṁdhavam bāṣpaklinnamukhaḥ prāha kṣāṁtaṁ vatsa mayā tava

Then Rama too, embracing his own kinsman, his face wet with tears, said: "O child, I have forgiven you."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.20.55)

न ते त्वन्यः प्रियः कश्चिन्मां मुक्त्वा वेद्म्यहं स्फुटम् । तस्मादागच्छ गच्छामो मार्गं वेलाधिका भवेत्

na te tvanyaḥ priyaḥ kaścinmāṁ muktvā vedmyahaṁ sphuṭam tasmādāgaccha gacchāmo mārgaṁ velādhikā bhavet

"I know clearly that, apart from me, you have no one else so dear to you. So come, let us go — the hour grows late upon the road."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.20.56)

लक्ष्मण उवाच । यदि मे निग्रहं नाथ न करिष्यसि सांप्रतम् । प्राणत्यागं करिष्यामि वह्नावात्मविशुद्धये

lakṣmaṇa uvāca yadi me nigrahaṁ nātha na kariṣyasi sāṁpratam prāṇatyāgaṁ kariṣyāmi vahnāvātmaviśuddhaye

Lakshmana said: "O lord, if you do not punish me now, I shall give up my life in fire, for the purification of my own soul."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.20.57)

रामलक्ष्मणयोरेवं वदतोस्तत्र कानने । आजगाम मुनिश्रेष्ठो मार्कंड इति यः स्मृतः

rāmalakṣmaṇayorevaṁ vadatostatra kānane ājagāma muniśreṣṭho mārkaṁḍa iti yaḥ smṛtaḥ

While Rama and Lakshmana were thus conversing there in that forest, there arrived the great sage known as Markanda (Markandeya).

Verse 58 (skanda.6.20.58)

ततः प्रणम्य तं रामः सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः । प्रोवाच स्वागतं तेस्तु कुतः प्राप्तोऽसि सन्मुने

tataḥ praṇamya taṁ rāmaḥ sītālakṣmaṇasaṁyutaḥ provāca svāgataṁ testu kutaḥ prāpto'si sanmune

Then Rama, together with Sita and Lakshmana, bowed to him and said: "Welcome to you. O virtuous sage, from where have you come?"

Verse 59 (skanda.6.20.59)

मार्कंडेय उवाच । प्रभासादहमायातः सांप्रतं रघुनंदन । स्वमाश्रमं गमिष्यामि क्षेत्रेऽत्रैव व्यवस्थितम्

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca prabhāsādahamāyātaḥ sāṁprataṁ raghunaṁdana svamāśramaṁ gamiṣyāmi kṣetre'traiva vyavasthitam

Markandeya said: "O delight of the Raghus, I have just now come from Prabhasa, and I shall now go to my own hermitage, situated right here in this field."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.20.60)

मया राघव तत्राऽस्ति स्थापितः प्रपितामहः । तस्याऽद्य दिवसे यात्रा बहुश्रेयःप्रदा स्मृता

mayā rāghava tatrā'sti sthāpitaḥ prapitāmahaḥ tasyā'dya divase yātrā bahuśreyaḥpradā smṛtā

"O Raghava, there I have installed the great-grandsire (the sun). His festival day today is remembered as bestowing much good fortune."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.20.61)

तस्मात्त्वमपि तत्रैव तूर्णमेव मया सह । ममाश्रमपदे स्थित्वा पश्य देवं पितामहम्

tasmāttvamapi tatraiva tūrṇameva mayā saha mamāśramapade sthitvā paśya devaṁ pitāmaham

"Therefore you too, come quickly there with me; staying at my hermitage, behold that god, the grandsire."

Verse 62 (skanda.6.20.62)

येन स्याः सर्वशत्रूणामगम्यस्त्वं रघूद्वह । ज्येष्ठपञ्चदशीयोगे ज्येष्ठपुत्रः समाहितः

yena syāḥ sarvaśatrūṇāmagamyastvaṁ raghūdvaha jyeṣṭhapañcadaśīyoge jyeṣṭhaputraḥ samāhitaḥ

"So that, O foremost of the Raghu line, you may become unassailable by all your enemies — be attentive on the full-moon day of Jyeshtha, when it coincides with the Jyeshtha constellation."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.20.63)

यस्तत्र कुरुते स्नानं तस्य मृत्युभयं कुतः । साऽद्य पंचदशी राम ज्येष्ठमाससमुद्भवा । ज्येष्ठानक्षत्रसंयुक्ता तस्मात्स्नातुं त्वमर्हसि

yastatra kurute snānaṁ tasya mṛtyubhayaṁ kutaḥ sā'dya paṁcadaśī rāma jyeṣṭhamāsasamudbhavā jyeṣṭhānakṣatrasaṁyuktā tasmātsnātuṁ tvamarhasi

"Whoever bathes there — how could the fear of death remain for him? O Rama, today is that very full-moon day of the month of Jyeshtha, joined with the Jyeshtha constellation; therefore you should bathe."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.20.64)

ततः संप्रस्थितं रामं दृष्ट्वा प्रोवाच लक्ष्मणः । कुरु मे निग्रहं तावद्गच्छ तीर्थं ततः प्रभो

tataḥ saṁprasthitaṁ rāmaṁ dṛṣṭvā provāca lakṣmaṇaḥ kuru me nigrahaṁ tāvadgaccha tīrthaṁ tataḥ prabho

Then, seeing Rama setting out, Lakshmana said: "O lord, first punish me, and only then go on to the tirtha."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.20.65)

राम उवाच । स्थितेऽस्मिन्मुनिशार्दूले समीपे वत्स लक्ष्मण । अनर्हा निष्कृतिः कर्तुं तस्मादेनं प्रयाचय

rāma uvāca sthite'sminmuniśārdūle samīpe vatsa lakṣmaṇa anarhā niṣkṛtiḥ kartuṁ tasmādenaṁ prayācaya

Rama said: "O child Lakshmana, with this tiger among sages present here beside us, it is not fitting for me to grant absolution; therefore entreat him instead."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.20.66)

लक्ष्मण उवाच । स्वामिद्रोहे कृते ब्रह्मन्प्रायश्चित्तं यदीक्ष्यते । तन्मे देहि स्फुटं येन कायशुद्धिः प्रजायते

lakṣmaṇa uvāca svāmidrohe kṛte brahmanprāyaścittaṁ yadīkṣyate tanme dehi sphuṭaṁ yena kāyaśuddhiḥ prajāyate

Lakshmana said: "O brahmin, whatever penance is deemed proper for the sin of treachery against one's master, tell it to me clearly, so that purification of my body may come about."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.20.67)

मार्कंडेय उवाच । ममाऽऽश्रमसमीपेऽस्ति सुतीर्थं बालमंडनम् । स्वामिद्रोहरताः स्नाता मुच्यंते तत्र पातकैः

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca mamā''śramasamīpe'sti sutīrthaṁ bālamaṁḍanam svāmidroharatāḥ snātā mucyaṁte tatra pātakaiḥ

Markandeya said: "Near my hermitage there is an excellent tirtha called Balamandana. Even those given to treachery against their masters are freed from their sins by bathing there."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.20.68)

तत्र शक्रो विपाप्माभूद्धत्वा गर्भं दितेः पुरा । विश्वस्ताया विशेषेण मातुः काकुत्स्थसत्तम । तस्मात्तत्र द्रुतं गत्वा स्नानं कुरु महामते

tatra śakro vipāpmābhūddhatvā garbhaṁ diteḥ purā viśvastāyā viśeṣeṇa mātuḥ kākutsthasattama tasmāttatra drutaṁ gatvā snānaṁ kuru mahāmate

"O best of the Kakutsthas, long ago Indra himself, having destroyed the womb of Diti — a treachery, above all, against a trusting mother-figure — became free of sin there by bathing. Therefore, O wise one, go there quickly and bathe."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.20.69)

ततः प्रमुच्यसे पापात्स्वामिद्रोहसमुद्भवात् । अपरं नास्ति ते दोषो मनसा पातकं कृतम्

tataḥ pramucyase pāpātsvāmidrohasamudbhavāt aparaṁ nāsti te doṣo manasā pātakaṁ kṛtam

"By this you shall be freed from the sin arising from treachery against your master. Beyond this you have no fault — you have committed sin only in the mind."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.20.70)

मनस्तापेन शुध्येत मतमेतन्मनीषिणाम् । त्वया तु मनसा द्रोहः कृतो रामकृते यतः

manastāpena śudhyeta matametanmanīṣiṇām tvayā tu manasā drohaḥ kṛto rāmakṛte yataḥ

"It is the opinion of the wise that a sin of the mind is purified by mental anguish alone. And you too committed your treachery against Rama only in the mind."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.20.71)

ईदृक्षान्मनसस्तापात्तस्माच्छुद्धोऽसि लक्ष्मण । अपरं शृणु मे वाक्यं नास्ति दोषस्तवा नघ

īdṛkṣānmanasastāpāttasmācchuddho'si lakṣmaṇa aparaṁ śṛṇu me vākyaṁ nāsti doṣastavā nagha

"By just such mental anguish, O Lakshmana, you have already become pure. Hear one more word from me, O sinless one — you have no fault at all."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.20.72)

ईदृक्क्षेत्रप्रभावोऽयं सौभ्रात्रेण विवर्जितः । पंचक्रोशात्मके क्षेत्रे ये वसन्त्यत्र लक्ष्मण

īdṛkkṣetraprabhāvo'yaṁ saubhrātreṇa vivarjitaḥ paṁcakrośātmake kṣetre ye vasantyatra lakṣmaṇa

"This is simply the effect of this particular field, which is devoid of brotherly affection. O Lakshmana, whoever dwells within this field measuring five krosha —"

Verse 73 (skanda.6.20.73)

अपि स्वल्पं न सौभ्रात्रं तेषां संजायते क्वचित्

api svalpaṁ na saubhrātraṁ teṣāṁ saṁjāyate kvacit

"— in them not even the slightest brotherly affection ever arises."

Verse 74 (skanda.6.20.74)

तावत्स्नेहपरो मर्त्यस्तावद्वदति कोमलम् । चमत्कारोद्भवं क्षेत्रं यावन्न स्पृशतेंऽघ्रिभिः

tāvatsnehaparo martyastāvadvadati komalam camatkārodbhavaṁ kṣetraṁ yāvanna spṛśateṁ'ghribhiḥ

"A mortal remains full of affection, speaks gently, only so long as his feet have not touched that field born of Chamatkara."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.20.75)

येऽन्येपि निवसंत्यत्र पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः । तेऽपि सौहार्द्दनिर्मुक्ताः सस्पर्द्धा इतरेतरम्

ye'nyepi nivasaṁtyatra paśavaḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ te'pi sauhārddanirmuktāḥ sasparddhā itaretaram

"The beasts, birds, and deer that dwell here too are devoid of affection and stand in rivalry with one another."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.20.76)

कस्यचित्केनचित्सार्धं सौहार्दं नैव विद्यते । तस्मान्नैवास्ति ते दोष ईदृक्क्षे त्रस्य संस्थितिः

kasyacitkenacitsārdhaṁ sauhārdaṁ naiva vidyate tasmānnaivāsti te doṣa īdṛkkṣe trasya saṁsthitiḥ

"No one at all retains affection for another. Therefore no fault is yours — this is simply the nature of this field."

Verse 77 (skanda.6.20.77)

तथापि यदि ते काचिच्छंका चित्ते व्यवस्थिता । तत्स्नानं कुरु गत्वा तु तस्मिंस्तीर्थे सुशोभने

tathāpi yadi te kācicchaṁkā citte vyavasthitā tatsnānaṁ kuru gatvā tu tasmiṁstīrthe suśobhane

"Yet still, if any doubt remains lodged in your mind, then go and bathe in that most beautiful tirtha."

Verse 78 (skanda.6.20.78)

यत्र शक्रो विपाप्माऽभूद्द्रोहं कृत्वा सुदारुणम् । विश्वस्ताया दितेः पूर्वं गर्भपातसमुद्रवम्

yatra śakro vipāpmā'bhūddrohaṁ kṛtvā sudāruṇam viśvastāyā diteḥ pūrvaṁ garbhapātasamudravam

"Where Indra too, long ago, having committed the most terrible act of treachery — causing the miscarriage of the trusting Diti — became free of sin."

Verse 79 (skanda.6.20.79)

एवमुक्तस्तु सौमित्रिर्गत्वा तत्र द्विजोत्तमाः । तीर्थे स्नानाच्च संपन्नो विशुद्धः शक्रसेविते । रामोऽपि तत्र गत्वाशु मार्कंडेयवराश्रमे

evamuktastu saumitrirgatvā tatra dvijottamāḥ tīrthe snānācca saṁpanno viśuddhaḥ śakrasevite rāmo'pi tatra gatvāśu mārkaṁḍeyavarāśrame

O best of the twice-born, thus addressed, Saumitri went there, and, by bathing in that tirtha frequented by Indra, became entirely purified. Rama too, going quickly there to Markandeya's excellent hermitage —

Verse 80 (skanda.6.20.80)

स्नानं कृत्वा यथान्यायं ददर्शाऽथ पितामहम् । जगामाऽथ दिशं याम्यां सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः

snānaṁ kṛtvā yathānyāyaṁ dadarśā'tha pitāmaham jagāmā'tha diśaṁ yāmyāṁ sītālakṣmaṇasaṁyutaḥ

— bathed there properly, beheld the grandsire, and then set out toward the southern direction, together with Sita and Lakshmana.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.20.81)

तत्प्रभावाज्जघानाऽथ खरादीन्राक्षसोत्तमान् । तथा वै रावणं रौद्रं मेघनादसमन्वितम्

tatprabhāvājjaghānā'tha kharādīnrākṣasottamān tathā vai rāvaṇaṁ raudraṁ meghanādasamanvitam

By that very power, he later slew Khara and the other foremost demons, and likewise the terrible Ravana together with his son Meghanada.