Durvasa's Arrival Before Shri Rama

Verse 1 (skanda.6.99.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ यदेतद्भवता प्रोक्तं तत्र रामेण निर्मितः॥ रामेश्वरस्तथा सीता तेन तत्र विनिर्मिता

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ yadetadbhavatā proktaṁ tatra rāmeṇa nirmitaḥ rāmeśvarastathā sītā tena tatra vinirmitā

The sages said: You have said that Rameshvara was established there by Rama, and that the image of Sita too was made there by him...

Verse 2 (skanda.6.99.2)

तथा च लक्ष्मणार्थाय निर्मितस्तेन संश्रयः॥ एतन्महद्विरुद्धं ते प्रतिभाति वचोऽखिलम्

tathā ca lakṣmaṇārthāya nirmitastena saṁśrayaḥ etanmahadviruddhaṁ te pratibhāti vaco'khilam

...and that he also built a shrine there for Lakshmana's sake — but all this that you have said appears to us greatly contradictory.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.99.3)

त्वया सूत पुरा प्रोक्तं रामो लक्ष्मणसंयुतः॥ सीतया सहितः प्राप्तः क्षेत्रेऽत्र प्रस्थितो वने

tvayā sūta purā proktaṁ rāmo lakṣmaṇasaṁyutaḥ sītayā sahitaḥ prāptaḥ kṣetre'tra prasthito vane

O Suta, you earlier told us that Rama, together with Lakshmana and Sita, had come to this field while journeying to the forest.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.99.4)

श्राद्धं कृत्वा गयाशीर्षे लक्ष्मणेन विरुद्ध्य च॥ पुनः संप्रस्थितोऽरण्यं क्रोधाविष्टश्च तं प्रति

śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā gayāśīrṣe lakṣmaṇena viruddhya ca punaḥ saṁprasthito'raṇyaṁ krodhāviṣṭaśca taṁ prati

And, after performing the shraddha rite at Gayashirsha, having quarreled with Lakshmana, he, filled with anger toward him, had again set out into the forest.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.99.5)

यत्त्वयोक्तं तदा तेन निर्मितोऽत्र महेश्वरः॥ एतच्च सर्वमाचक्ष्व संदेहं सूतनन्दन

yattvayoktaṁ tadā tena nirmito'tra maheśvaraḥ etacca sarvamācakṣva saṁdehaṁ sūtanandana

And you also said that it was at that very time that he established Maheshvara here — O son of Suta, please resolve this entire confusion of ours.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.99.6)

सूत उवाच॥ अत्र मे नास्ति संदेहो युष्माकं च पुनः स्थितः॥ ततो वक्ष्याम्यशेषेण श्रूयतां द्विजसत्तमाः॥ एतत्क्षेत्रं पुनश्चाद्यं न क्षयं याति कुत्रचित्

sūta uvāca atra me nāsti saṁdeho yuṣmākaṁ ca punaḥ sthitaḥ tato vakṣyāmyaśeṣeṇa śrūyatāṁ dvijasattamāḥ etatkṣetraṁ punaścādyaṁ na kṣayaṁ yāti kutracit

Suta said: For me there is no confusion in this matter, though it has once more arisen in your minds; so, O best of brahmins, I shall relate it all in full — hear me. This field remains ever the same from the beginning; it never undergoes any diminishment anywhere.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.99.7)

अन्यस्मिन्दिवसे प्राप्ते स तदा रघुनंदनः॥ यदा विरोधमापन्नः सार्धं सौमित्रिणा सह

anyasmindivase prāpte sa tadā raghunaṁdanaḥ yadā virodhamāpannaḥ sārdhaṁ saumitriṇā saha

This happened on another occasion — when Raghunandana came into conflict with Lakshmana.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.99.8)

एतत्पुनर्दिनं चान्यद्यत्र तेन प्रतिष्ठितः॥ रामेश्वरः स्वयं भक्त्या दुःखितेन महात्मना

etatpunardinaṁ cānyadyatra tena pratiṣṭhitaḥ rāmeśvaraḥ svayaṁ bhaktyā duḥkhitena mahātmanā

This is yet another, different occasion — when that great-souled Rama, grieving, himself devoutly established Rameshvara here.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.99.9)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ अन्यस्मिन्दिवसे तत्र कस्मिन्काले रघूत्तमः॥ संप्राप्तस्तस्य किं दुःखं संजातं तत्प्रकीर्तय

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ anyasmindivase tatra kasminkāle raghūttamaḥ saṁprāptastasya kiṁ duḥkhaṁ saṁjātaṁ tatprakīrtaya

The sages said: On what occasion was it that the best of the Raghus came there on that other day, and what sorrow befell him then? Tell us this.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.99.10)

सूत उवाच॥ कृत्वा सीतापरित्यागं रामो राजीवलोचनः॥ लोकापवादसंत्रस्तस्ततो राज्यं चकार सः

sūta uvāca kṛtvā sītāparityāgaṁ rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ lokāpavādasaṁtrastastato rājyaṁ cakāra saḥ

Suta said: The lotus-eyed Rama, terrified by public censure, renounced Sita, and thereafter ruled his kingdom.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.99.11)

कृत्वा स्वर्णमयीं सीतां पत्नीं यज्ञप्रसिद्धये॥ न स चक्रे महाभागो भार्यामन्यां कथंचन

kṛtvā svarṇamayīṁ sītāṁ patnīṁ yajñaprasiddhaye na sa cakre mahābhāgo bhāryāmanyāṁ kathaṁcana

For the sake of performing his sacrifices, he had a golden image of Sita made, but that illustrious man never in any way took another wife.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.99.12)

दशवर्षसहस्राणि दशवर्षशतानि च॥ ब्रह्मचर्येण चक्रे स राज्यं निहतकंटकम्

daśavarṣasahasrāṇi daśavarṣaśatāni ca brahmacaryeṇa cakre sa rājyaṁ nihatakaṁṭakam

For ten thousand years and a thousand years more, living in celibacy, he ruled his kingdom, free of thorny foes.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.99.13)

ततो वर्षसहस्रांते प्राप्ते चैकादशे द्विजाः॥ देवदूतः समायातो रामस्य सदनं प्रति

tato varṣasahasrāṁte prāpte caikādaśe dvijāḥ devadūtaḥ samāyāto rāmasya sadanaṁ prati

O brahmins, then, at the end of the eleventh thousand-year period, a messenger of the gods came to Rama's palace.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.99.14)

तेनोक्तं देवराजेन प्रेषितोऽहं तवांतिकम्॥ तस्मात्कुरु समालोकं विजने त्वं मया सह

tenoktaṁ devarājena preṣito'haṁ tavāṁtikam tasmātkuru samālokaṁ vijane tvaṁ mayā saha

He said: "I have been sent to you by the king of the gods; therefore have a private consultation with me, alone."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.99.15)

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन दूतेन रघुनंदनः॥ परं रहः समासाद्य मन्त्रं चक्रे ततः परम्

evamuktastadā tena dūtena raghunaṁdanaḥ paraṁ rahaḥ samāsādya mantraṁ cakre tataḥ param

Being thus addressed by that messenger, Raghunandana thereupon withdrew to a place of utmost privacy and held counsel with him.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.99.16)

तस्यैवमुपविष्टस्य मंत्रस्थाने महात्मनः॥ बहुत्वादिष्टलोकस्य न रहस्यं प्रजायते

tasyaivamupaviṣṭasya maṁtrasthāne mahātmanaḥ bahutvādiṣṭalokasya na rahasyaṁ prajāyate

Even as that great soul thus sat in the place of counsel, because of the great crowd of people assembled there, the secrecy of the consultation could not be maintained.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.99.17)

ततः कोपपरीतात्मा दूतः प्रोवाच सादरम्॥ विहस्य जनसंसर्गं दृष्ट्वैकांतेऽपि संस्थिते

tataḥ kopaparītātmā dūtaḥ provāca sādaram vihasya janasaṁsargaṁ dṛṣṭvaikāṁte'pi saṁsthite

Then that messenger, filled with anger, seeing the crowd of people even in what was meant to be a private place, spoke, half-mocking yet still respectful.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.99.18)

यथा दंष्ट्राच्युतः सर्पो नागो वा मदवर्जितः॥ आज्ञाहीनस्तथा राजा मानवैः परिभूयते

yathā daṁṣṭrācyutaḥ sarpo nāgo vā madavarjitaḥ ājñāhīnastathā rājā mānavaiḥ paribhūyate

"Just as a snake with its fangs pulled out, or an elephant without its rutting-strength, is held in contempt, so too is a king without the power of command scorned by men."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.99.19)

सेयं तव रघुश्रेष्ठ नाज्ञास्ति प्रतिवेद्म्यहम्॥ शक्रालापमपि त्वं च नैकांते श्रोतुमर्हसि

seyaṁ tava raghuśreṣṭha nājñāsti prativedmyaham śakrālāpamapi tvaṁ ca naikāṁte śrotumarhasi

"O best of the Raghus, I tell you plainly, you have no such authority here; you do not even seem able to hear Indra's message in private."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.99.20)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कोपसंरक्तलोचनः॥ त्रिशाखां भृकुटीं कृत्वा ततः स प्राह लक्ष्मणम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ triśākhāṁ bhṛkuṭīṁ kṛtvā tataḥ sa prāha lakṣmaṇam

Hearing his words, Rama, his eyes red with anger, his brow knit into a triple furrow, then spoke to Lakshmana.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.99.21)

ममात्र संनिविष्टस्य सहानेन प्रजल्पतः॥ यदि कश्चिन्नरो मोहादागमिष्यति लक्ष्मण॥ स्वहस्तेन न संदेहः सूदयिष्यामि तं द्रुतम्

mamātra saṁniviṣṭasya sahānena prajalpataḥ yadi kaścinnaro mohādāgamiṣyati lakṣmaṇa svahastena na saṁdehaḥ sūdayiṣyāmi taṁ drutam

"Lakshmana, while I sit here in council with him, if any man, out of confusion, should come near me, I shall without doubt slay him at once with my own hand."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.99.22)

न हन्मि यदि तं प्राप्तमत्र मे दृष्टिगोचरम्॥ तन्मा भून्मे गतिः श्रेष्ठा धर्मिणां या प्रपद्यते

na hanmi yadi taṁ prāptamatra me dṛṣṭigocaram tanmā bhūnme gatiḥ śreṣṭhā dharmiṇāṁ yā prapadyate

"If I do not slay him, once he comes within my sight here, then may I never attain that supreme destiny which the righteous attain."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.99.23)

एवं ज्ञात्वा प्रयत्नेन त्वया भाव्यमसंशयम्॥ राजद्वारि यथा कश्चिन्न मया वध्यतेऽधुना

evaṁ jñātvā prayatnena tvayā bhāvyamasaṁśayam rājadvāri yathā kaścinna mayā vadhyate'dhunā

"Knowing this, you must without doubt take care that no one comes to the door of the council, whom I would now have to slay."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.99.24)

तमोमित्येव संप्रोच्य लक्ष्मणः शुभलक्षणः॥ राजद्वारं समासाद्य चकार विजनं ततः

tamomityeva saṁprocya lakṣmaṇaḥ śubhalakṣaṇaḥ rājadvāraṁ samāsādya cakāra vijanaṁ tataḥ

Saying "So be it," Lakshmana, of auspicious marks, went to the door of the council and cleared it of all people.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.99.25)

देवदूतोऽपि रामेण समं चक्रे ततः परम्॥ मंत्रं शक्रसमादिष्टं तथान्यैः स्वर्गवासिभिः

devadūto'pi rāmeṇa samaṁ cakre tataḥ param maṁtraṁ śakrasamādiṣṭaṁ tathānyaiḥ svargavāsibhiḥ

Then the messenger of the gods, together with Rama, carried out that consultation as commanded by Indra and the other heaven-dwellers.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.99.26)

देवदूत उवाच॥ त्वं रावणविनाशार्थमवतीर्णो धरातले॥ स च व्यापादितो दुष्टः पापस्त्रैलोक्यकंटकः

devadūta uvāca tvaṁ rāvaṇavināśārthamavatīrṇo dharātale sa ca vyāpādito duṣṭaḥ pāpastrailokyakaṁṭakaḥ

The messenger of the gods said: "You descended upon this earth solely for the destruction of Ravana, and that wicked, sinful thorn in the side of the three worlds has now been slain."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.99.27)

कृतं सर्वं महाभाग देव कृत्यं त्वयाऽधुना॥ तस्मात्संतु सनाथास्ते देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः

kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ mahābhāga deva kṛtyaṁ tvayā'dhunā tasmātsaṁtu sanāthāste devāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ

"O illustrious one, you have now accomplished the entire task of the gods; therefore let Indra and all the gods now again have their protector."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.99.28)

यदि ते रोचते चित्ते नोपरोधेन सांप्रतम्॥ प्रसादं कुरु देवानां तस्मादागच्छ सत्वरम्॥ स्वर्गलोकं परित्यज्य मर्त्यलोकं सुनिंदितम्

yadi te rocate citte noparodhena sāṁpratam prasādaṁ kuru devānāṁ tasmādāgaccha satvaram svargalokaṁ parityajya martyalokaṁ suniṁditam

"If it pleases your mind, and without further delay, show your favor to the gods; therefore, abandoning this censurable world of mortals, come quickly to the heavenly world."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.99.29)

सूत उवाच॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो दुर्वासा मुनिसत्तमः॥ प्रोवाचाथ क्षुधाविष्टः क्वासौ क्वासौ रघूत्तमः

sūta uvāca etasminnaṁtare prāpto durvāsā munisattamaḥ provācātha kṣudhāviṣṭaḥ kvāsau kvāsau raghūttamaḥ

Suta said: Meanwhile the great sage Durvasa arrived there, and, gripped by hunger, cried out: "Where is that best of the Raghus? Where is he?"

Verse 30 (skanda.6.99.30)

लक्ष्मण उवाच॥ व्यग्रः स पार्थिवश्रेष्ठो देवकार्येण केनचित्॥ तस्मादत्रैव विप्रेंद्र मुहूर्तं परिपालय

lakṣmaṇa uvāca vyagraḥ sa pārthivaśreṣṭho devakāryeṇa kenacit tasmādatraiva vipreṁdra muhūrtaṁ paripālaya

Lakshmana said: "O foremost of brahmins, that best of kings is occupied with some business of the gods; therefore wait here for just a moment."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.99.31)

यावत्सांत्वयते रामो दूतं शक्रसमुद्भवम्॥ ममोपरि दयां कृत्वा विनयावनतस्य हि

yāvatsāṁtvayate rāmo dūtaṁ śakrasamudbhavam mamopari dayāṁ kṛtvā vinayāvanatasya hi

"— just until Rama finishes satisfying the messenger sent by Indra; please, out of compassion for me who stands here in humility, wait a while."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.99.32)

दुर्वासा उवाच॥ यदि यास्यति नो दृष्टिं मम द्राक्स रघूत्तमः॥ शापं दत्त्वा कुलं सर्वं तद्धक्ष्यामि न संशयः

durvāsā uvāca yadi yāsyati no dṛṣṭiṁ mama drāksa raghūttamaḥ śāpaṁ dattvā kulaṁ sarvaṁ taddhakṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ

Durvasa said: "If that best of the Raghus does not come at once into my sight, I shall, without doubt, curse and burn his entire lineage to ash."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.99.33)

ममापि दर्शनादन्यन्न किंचिद्विद्यते गुरु॥ कृत्यं लक्ष्मण यावत्त्वमन्यन्मूढ़ प्रकत्थसे

mamāpi darśanādanyanna kiṁcidvidyate guru kṛtyaṁ lakṣmaṇa yāvattvamanyanmūr̤ha prakatthase

"For me there is nothing more important than being received at once, Lakshmana; why, you fool, do you go on prattling about anything else?"

Verse 34 (skanda.6.99.34)

तच्छ्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणश्चित्ते चिंतयामास दुःखितः॥ वरं मे मृत्युरेकस्य मा भूयात्कुलसंक्षयः

tacchrutvā lakṣmaṇaścitte ciṁtayāmāsa duḥkhitaḥ varaṁ me mṛtyurekasya mā bhūyātkulasaṁkṣayaḥ

Hearing this, Lakshmana, distressed, thought within himself: "Better that I alone should die, than that the whole lineage be destroyed."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.99.35)

एवं स निश्चयं कृत्वा ततो राममुपाद्रवत्॥ उवाच दंडवद्भूमौ प्रणिपत्य कृतांजलिः

evaṁ sa niścayaṁ kṛtvā tato rāmamupādravat uvāca daṁḍavadbhūmau praṇipatya kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Having resolved thus, he rushed to Rama, prostrated himself flat upon the ground in salutation, and, with joined palms, spoke.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.99.36)

दुर्वासा मुनिशार्दूलो देव ते द्वारि तिष्ठति॥ दर्शनार्थी क्षुधाविष्टः किं करोमि प्रशाधि माम्

durvāsā muniśārdūlo deva te dvāri tiṣṭhati darśanārthī kṣudhāviṣṭaḥ kiṁ karomi praśādhi mām

"O lord, the tiger among sages, Durvasa, stands at your door, eager for your audience and tormented by hunger; tell me what to do — command me."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.99.37)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ततो दूतमुवाच तम्॥ गत्वेमं ब्रूहि देवेशं मम वाक्यादसंशयम्॥ अहं संवत्सरस्यांत आगमिष्यामि तेंऽतिके

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tato dūtamuvāca tam gatvemaṁ brūhi deveśaṁ mama vākyādasaṁśayam ahaṁ saṁvatsarasyāṁta āgamiṣyāmi teṁ'tike

Hearing his words, Rama then said to that messenger: "Go and tell the lord of the gods, without doubt, in these very words of mine: 'I shall come to you at the year's end.'"

Verse 38 (skanda.6.99.38)

एवमुक्त्वा विसृज्याथ तं दूतं प्राह लक्ष्मणम्॥ प्रवेशय द्रुतं वत्स तं त्वं दुर्वाससं मुनिम्

evamuktvā visṛjyātha taṁ dūtaṁ prāha lakṣmaṇam praveśaya drutaṁ vatsa taṁ tvaṁ durvāsasaṁ munim

Having said this, and having dismissed that messenger, he then said to Lakshmana: "My child, quickly bring the sage Durvasa in."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.99.39)

ततश्चार्घ्यं च पाद्यं च गृहीत्वा सम्मुखो ययौ॥ रामदेवः प्रहृष्टात्मा सचिवैः परिवारितः

tataścārghyaṁ ca pādyaṁ ca gṛhītvā sammukho yayau rāmadevaḥ prahṛṣṭātmā sacivaiḥ parivāritaḥ

Then, taking arghya and padya offerings, his heart full of joy, and surrounded by his ministers, Rama himself went out to receive him.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.99.40)

दत्त्वार्घ्यं विधिवत्तस्य प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः॥ प्रोवाच रामदेवोऽथ हर्षगद्गदया गिरा

dattvārghyaṁ vidhivattasya praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ provāca rāmadevo'tha harṣagadgadayā girā

Having duly offered him arghya and bowed to him again and again, Rama then spoke in a voice choked with joy.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.99.41)

स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ भूयः सुस्वागतं च ते॥ एतद्राज्यममी पुत्रा विभवश्च तव प्रभो

svāgataṁ te muniśreṣṭha bhūyaḥ susvāgataṁ ca te etadrājyamamī putrā vibhavaśca tava prabho

"Welcome, O foremost of sages, welcome again and again. O lord, this kingdom, these sons, and this entire wealth are yours."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.99.42)

कृत्वा मम प्रसादं च गृहाण मुनिसत्तम॥ धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यत्त्वं मे गृहमागतः॥ पूज्यो लोकत्रयस्यापि निःशेषतपसांनिधिः

kṛtvā mama prasādaṁ ca gṛhāṇa munisattama dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi yattvaṁ me gṛhamāgataḥ pūjyo lokatrayasyāpi niḥśeṣatapasāṁnidhiḥ

"Show me your favor, O best of sages, and accept them. I am blessed, I am graced, that you, worthy of veneration even by the three worlds and a treasury of every austerity, have come to my house."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.99.43)

मुनिरुवाच॥ चातुर्मास्यव्रतं कृत्वा निराहारो रघूत्तम॥ अद्य ते भवनं प्राप्य आहारार्थं बुभुक्षितः

muniruvāca cāturmāsyavrataṁ kṛtvā nirāhāro raghūttama adya te bhavanaṁ prāpya āhārārthaṁ bubhukṣitaḥ

The sage said: "O best of the Raghus, having kept the four-month vow, fasting without food, I have today come to your palace hungry, craving food."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.99.44)

तस्मात्त्वं यच्छ मे शीघ्रं भोजनं रघुनंदन॥ नान्येन कारणं किंचित्संन्यस्तस्य धनादिना

tasmāttvaṁ yaccha me śīghraṁ bhojanaṁ raghunaṁdana nānyena kāraṇaṁ kiṁcitsaṁnyastasya dhanādinā

"Therefore, O Raghunandana, quickly give me food; for one who has renounced the world, wealth and the like serve no purpose whatsoever."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.99.45)

ततस्तं भोजयामास श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा॥ स्वयमेवाग्रतः स्थित्वा मृष्टान्नैर्विविधैः शुभैः

tatastaṁ bhojayāmāsa śraddhāpūtena cetasā svayamevāgrataḥ sthitvā mṛṣṭānnairvividhaiḥ śubhaiḥ

Then, with a heart made pure by devotion, Rama himself stood before him and fed him with various kinds of delicious, auspicious food.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.99.46)

लेह्यैश्चोष्यैस्तथा चर्व्यैः खाद्यैरेव पृथग्विधैः॥ यावदिच्छा मुनेस्तस्य तथान्नैर्विविधैरपि

lehyaiścoṣyaistathā carvyaiḥ khādyaireva pṛthagvidhaiḥ yāvadicchā munestasya tathānnairvividhairapi

With foods to be licked, sucked, chewed, and eaten, of every kind, and with as many varied dishes as the sage desired, he satisfied him fully.