The Glory of Mulasthana: The Tale of Valmiki

Verse 1 (skanda.7.278.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि शूलस्थानमिति श्रुतम्। देविकायास्तटे रम्ये भास्करं वारितस्करम्

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi śūlasthānamiti śrutam| devikāyāstaṭe ramye bhāskaraṁ vāritaskaram

Ishvara said: Then, O great Goddess, one should go to the place known as Shulasthana, on the lovely bank of the Devika, where the Sun-god who restrained a thief resides.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.278.2)

यत्रातपत्तपो घोरं वाल्मीकिर्मुनिपुंगवः। वाल्मीकिनामा विप्रर्षिर्यत्र सिद्धो महामुनिः

yatrātapattapo ghoraṁ vālmīkirmunipuṁgavaḥ| vālmīkināmā viprarṣiryatra siddho mahāmuniḥ

Where Valmiki, foremost of sages, performed terrible austerity, and where the great sage, the brahmin-seer named Valmiki, attained perfection —

Verse 3 (skanda.7.278.3)

यत्र सप्तर्षयो मुष्टास्तेनैव मुनिना प्रिये। तस्यैव पश्चिमे भागे मरीचिप्रमुखा द्विजाः

yatra saptarṣayo muṣṭāstenaiva muninā priye| tasyaiva paścime bhāge marīcipramukhā dvijāḥ

where the Seven Sages were once robbed by that very sage, O beloved; and to the west of that very spot dwell the brahmins headed by Marichi.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.278.4)

देव्युवाच। कथं तु सिद्धो वाल्मीकिः कथं चौर्येऽकरोन्मनः। कथं सप्तर्षयो मुष्टा एतन्मे वद शंकर

devyuvāca| kathaṁ tu siddho vālmīkiḥ kathaṁ caurye'karonmanaḥ| kathaṁ saptarṣayo muṣṭā etanme vada śaṁkara

The Goddess said: How did Valmiki attain perfection? How did he set his mind on thievery? How were the Seven Sages robbed? Tell me this, O Shankara.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.278.5)

ईश्वर उवाच। आसीत्पूर्वं द्विजो देवि नाम्ना ख्यातः शमीमुखः। गार्हस्थ्ये वर्तमानस्य तस्य पुत्रो व्यजायत। वैशाख इति नाम्नाऽसौ रौद्रकर्मा व्यजायत

īśvara uvāca| āsītpūrvaṁ dvijo devi nāmnā khyātaḥ śamīmukhaḥ| gārhasthye vartamānasya tasya putro vyajāyata| vaiśākha iti nāmnā'sau raudrakarmā vyajāyata

Ishvara said: Formerly, O Goddess, there was a brahmin known by the name Shamimukha. While he lived as a householder, a son was born to him, who came to be known by the name Vaishakha, and who grew fierce in his deeds.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.278.6)

मुक्त्वैकां गुरुशुश्रूषां नान्यत्किंचिदसौ द्विजः। अकरोच्छोभनं कर्म दिवाप्रभृति नित्यशः

muktvaikāṁ guruśuśrūṣāṁ nānyatkiṁcidasau dvijaḥ| akarocchobhanaṁ karma divāprabhṛti nityaśaḥ

Apart from serving his teacher, that brahmin performed no other good deed at all; from daybreak onward, he remained this way always.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.278.7)

अथ कालेन महता पितरौ तस्य तौ प्रिये। वार्द्धक्यभावमापन्नौ भर्तव्यौ तस्य विह्वलौ

atha kālena mahatā pitarau tasya tau priye| vārddhakyabhāvamāpannau bhartavyau tasya vihvalau

Then, after a great length of time, O beloved, his parents came into old age, helpless and needing to be supported by him.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.278.8)

स नित्यं पदवीं गत्वा मुष्ट्वा लोकान्स्वशक्तितः। द्रव्यमादाय पितरौ भार्यां चापि पुपोष च

sa nityaṁ padavīṁ gatvā muṣṭvā lokānsvaśaktitaḥ| dravyamādāya pitarau bhāryāṁ cāpi pupoṣa ca

He constantly went out to the roadway and, robbing travelers according to his strength, took their wealth and thus supported both his parents and his wife.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.278.9)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तेन मार्गेण गच्छतः। सप्तर्षींश्च तदापश्यत्तीर्थयात्रापरायणान्

kasyacittvatha kālasya tena mārgeṇa gacchataḥ| saptarṣīṁśca tadāpaśyattīrthayātrāparāyaṇān

Then, at a certain time, as he was going along that road, he saw the Seven Sages, intent upon a pilgrimage to sacred fords.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.278.10)

तान्दृष्ट्वा यष्टिमुद्यम्य भर्त्सयन्प रुषाक्षरैः। वाक्यैरुवाच तान्सर्वांस्तिष्ठध्वमिति भूरिशः

tāndṛṣṭvā yaṣṭimudyamya bhartsayanpa ruṣākṣaraiḥ| vākyairuvāca tānsarvāṁstiṣṭhadhvamiti bhūriśaḥ

Seeing them, he raised his staff and, threatening them with harsh words, said to all of them again and again, 'Stop!'

Verse 11 (skanda.7.278.11)

अथ ते मुनयः शांताः समलोष्टाश्मकांचनाः। समाः शत्रौ च मित्रे च रोषरागविवर्जिताः

atha te munayaḥ śāṁtāḥ samaloṣṭāśmakāṁcanāḥ| samāḥ śatrau ca mitre ca roṣarāgavivarjitāḥ

Then those tranquil sages, who regarded clod, stone and gold alike, who were equal toward foe and friend, free from anger and attachment,

Verse 12 (skanda.7.278.12)

अस्माकं दर्शनं चास्य संभाष्यमृषिभिः सह। संजातं निष्फलं मा स्यादित्युवाचांगिरा वचः

asmākaṁ darśanaṁ cāsya saṁbhāṣyamṛṣibhiḥ saha| saṁjātaṁ niṣphalaṁ mā syādityuvācāṁgirā vacaḥ

thought: 'Let not this meeting with him, and this conversation with him, go to waste' — thus spoke Angiras.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.278.13)

अंगिरा उवाच। भोभोस्तस्कर मे वाक्यं शृणुष्वावहितः क्षणात्। आत्मनस्तु हितार्थाय सत्यं चैव वदाम्यहम्। तव कः पोष्यवर्गोऽस्ति तच्च सर्वं वदस्व मे

aṁgirā uvāca| bhobhostaskara me vākyaṁ śṛṇuṣvāvahitaḥ kṣaṇāt| ātmanastu hitārthāya satyaṁ caiva vadāmyaham| tava kaḥ poṣyavargo'sti tacca sarvaṁ vadasva me

Angiras said: O thief, listen attentively to my words for a moment; for your own good I speak the truth. Who are the dependents you support? Tell me all of that.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.278.14)

तस्कर उवाच। स्यातां मे पितरौ वृद्धौ भार्यैकाऽपत्यवर्ज्जिता। एका दासी ह्यहं षष्ठो नान्यदस्त्यधिकं मुने

taskara uvāca| syātāṁ me pitarau vṛddhau bhāryaikā'patyavarjjitā| ekā dāsī hyahaṁ ṣaṣṭho nānyadastyadhikaṁ mune

The thief said: I have my two aged parents, one childless wife, one maidservant — and myself as the sixth; there is nothing more than that, O sage.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.278.15)

अंगिरा उवाच। गत्वा पृच्छस्व तान्सर्वान्पुष्टान्पापार्जितैर्धनैः। अहं करोमि पापानि सर्वे यूयं तु भक्षकाः

aṁgirā uvāca| gatvā pṛcchasva tānsarvānpuṣṭānpāpārjitairdhanaiḥ| ahaṁ karomi pāpāni sarve yūyaṁ tu bhakṣakāḥ

Angiras said: Go and ask all of them, who are nourished by wealth earned through sin: 'I commit the sin, but all of you are the ones who enjoy [its fruit] —

Verse 16 (skanda.7.278.16)

तत्पापं भविता कस्य कथयंत्विति मे लघु। तथैव गत्वा पप्रच्छ पितरौ तावथोचतुः

tatpāpaṁ bhavitā kasya kathayaṁtviti me laghu| tathaiva gatvā papraccha pitarau tāvathocatuḥ

'— whose will that sin become? Tell me this quickly.' He went accordingly and asked, and his parents then answered.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.278.17)

मातापितरावूचतुः। एकः पापानि कुरुते फलं भुंक्ते महा जनः। भोक्तारो विप्रमुच्यंते कर्ता दोषेण लिप्यते

mātāpitarāvūcatuḥ| ekaḥ pāpāni kurute phalaṁ bhuṁkte mahā janaḥ| bhoktāro vipramucyaṁte kartā doṣeṇa lipyate

His mother and father said: One person commits the sin, while many enjoy its fruit; those who merely enjoy are absolved, but the doer alone is stained by the fault.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.278.18)

यः करोत्यशुभं कर्म कुटुंबार्थं तु मंदधीः। आत्मा न वल्लभस्तस्य नूनं पुंसः सुपापिनः

yaḥ karotyaśubhaṁ karma kuṭuṁbārthaṁ tu maṁdadhīḥ| ātmā na vallabhastasya nūnaṁ puṁsaḥ supāpinaḥ

He who, being dull of mind, commits evil deeds for the sake of his family — surely that most sinful man does not truly love his own self.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.278.19)

ईश्वर उवाच। तयोः स वचनं श्रुत्वा पुनर्भीतमनास्तदा। तयोस्तु संनतिं कृत्वा पितरौ पुनरब्रवीत्

īśvara uvāca| tayoḥ sa vacanaṁ śrutvā punarbhītamanāstadā| tayostu saṁnatiṁ kṛtvā pitarau punarabravīt

Ishvara said: Hearing their words, his mind grew fearful once more; bowing before the two of them, he spoke again to his parents.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.278.20)

युवाभ्यां हितमेवाहं यत्करोम्यशुभं क्वचित्। तस्यांशं भुज्यते किंचिद्युवाभ्यां वा न वोच्यताम्

yuvābhyāṁ hitamevāhaṁ yatkaromyaśubhaṁ kvacit| tasyāṁśaṁ bhujyate kiṁcidyuvābhyāṁ vā na vocyatām

'Whatever evil I do at times, I do it only for your good — tell me, will any portion of it be shared by you two, or not?'

Verse 21 (skanda.7.278.21)

पितरावूचतुः। पूर्वे वयसि पुत्र त्वमावाभ्यां पाल्य एव हि। उत्तरे तु वयं पाल्याः सम्यक्पुत्र त्वया पुनः

pitarāvūcatuḥ| pūrve vayasi putra tvamāvābhyāṁ pālya eva hi| uttare tu vayaṁ pālyāḥ samyakputra tvayā punaḥ

The parents said: In your earlier years, son, you were indeed to be reared by us; but in our later years, son, we in turn are rightly to be cared for by you.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.278.22)

इतरेतरधर्मोऽयं निर्दिष्टः पद्मयोनिना। आवाभ्यां यत्कृतं कर्म युष्मदर्थं शुभाशुभम्। भोक्ष्यामो वयमेवेह तत्सर्वं नात्र संशयः

itaretaradharmo'yaṁ nirdiṣṭaḥ padmayoninā| āvābhyāṁ yatkṛtaṁ karma yuṣmadarthaṁ śubhāśubham| bhokṣyāmo vayameveha tatsarvaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

This mutual duty was ordained by the Lotus-born Brahma. Whatever good or evil deed we two have done for your sake, we ourselves shall bear the fruit of all of it — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.278.23)

अथ त्वमपि यद्वत्स प्रकरोषि शुभाशुभम्। भोक्ष्यसे सकलं तद्वत्स्वयं नान्यः परत्र च

atha tvamapi yadvatsa prakaroṣi śubhāśubham| bhokṣyase sakalaṁ tadvatsvayaṁ nānyaḥ paratra ca

But now, dear child, whatever good or evil you yourself do, you alone shall bear the whole of it in the world beyond — no one else.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.278.24)

अवश्यं स्वयमश्नाति कृतं कर्म शुभाशुभम्। तस्मान्नरेण कर्तव्यं शुभं कर्म विपश्चिता

avaśyaṁ svayamaśnāti kṛtaṁ karma śubhāśubham| tasmānnareṇa kartavyaṁ śubhaṁ karma vipaścitā

Inevitably one must experience for oneself the fruit of the deeds one has done, whether good or evil; therefore a wise man should always perform good deeds.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.278.25)

चौर्यं वाथ कृषिं वाथ कुसीदं वाथ पुत्रक। वाणिज्यमथवा प्रेष्यं कृत्वाऽस्माकं च भोजनम्। अहर्निशं त्वया देयं न दोषोऽस्मासु पुत्रक

cauryaṁ vātha kṛṣiṁ vātha kusīdaṁ vātha putraka| vāṇijyamathavā preṣyaṁ kṛtvā'smākaṁ ca bhojanam| aharniśaṁ tvayā deyaṁ na doṣo'smāsu putraka

Whether by theft, or by farming, or by money-lending, my son, or by trade, or by service — having earned it, keep giving us our food day and night; no blame shall attach to us for that, my son.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.278.26)

ताभ्यां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ततो भार्यामभाषत । तदेव वाक्यं साऽवोचद्यत्प्रोक्तं गुरुभिः पुरा। ततो वैराग्यमापन्नो वैशाखो मुनिसत्तमः

tābhyāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tato bhāryāmabhāṣata | tadeva vākyaṁ sā'vocadyatproktaṁ gurubhiḥ purā| tato vairāgyamāpanno vaiśākho munisattamaḥ

Having heard those words from them, he then asked his wife; she too said the very same thing that his parents had earlier said. Then Vaishakha, [who was to become] the foremost of sages, fell into dispassion.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.278.27)

गर्हयन्नेवमात्मानं भूयोभूयः सुदुःखितः। धिङ्मां दुष्कृतकर्माणं पापकर्मरतं सदा

garhayannevamātmānaṁ bhūyobhūyaḥ suduḥkhitaḥ| dhiṅmāṁ duṣkṛtakarmāṇaṁ pāpakarmarataṁ sadā

Reproaching himself again and again, he grew deeply grieved: 'Shame on me, a doer of evil deeds, ever devoted to sinful acts!'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.278.28)

विवेकेन परित्यक्तं सत्संगेन विवर्जितम्। यः करोति नरः पापं न सेवयति पंडितान्। न चात्मा वल्लभस्तस्य एतन्मे वर्तते हृदि

vivekena parityaktaṁ satsaṁgena vivarjitam| yaḥ karoti naraḥ pāpaṁ na sevayati paṁḍitān| na cātmā vallabhastasya etanme vartate hṛdi

'A man who commits sin, abandoned by discernment and devoid of the company of the good, who does not attend upon the wise — he does not truly love his own self. This now rests in my heart.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.278.29)

एवं विकल्पहृदयो गत्वा स ऋषिसन्निधौ। उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा गम्यतामिति सादरम्

evaṁ vikalpahṛdayo gatvā sa ṛṣisannidhau| uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā gamyatāmiti sādaram

With his heart thus torn by doubt, he went into the presence of the sages and spoke in a gentle voice, respectfully saying, 'Now please proceed on your way.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.278.30)

वृसी प्रगृह्यतामेषा तथैव च कमण्डलुः। वल्कलानि च चीराणि मृगचर्माण्यशेषतः

vṛsī pragṛhyatāmeṣā tathaiva ca kamaṇḍaluḥ| valkalāni ca cīrāṇi mṛgacarmāṇyaśeṣataḥ

'Take back this grass seat, and likewise this water-pot; take also the bark-garments, the rags, and all the deerskins.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.278.31)

क्षम्यतामपराधो मे दीनस्य कृपणस्य च। सत्संगेन वियुक्तस्य मूर्खस्य मुनिसत्तमाः

kṣamyatāmaparādho me dīnasya kṛpaṇasya ca| satsaṁgena viyuktasya mūrkhasya munisattamāḥ

'Forgive the offense, O foremost of sages, of this wretched, pitiable fool who has been deprived of the company of the good.'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.278.32)

अद्यप्रभृति निवृत्तः कर्मणोऽस्याहमेव च। रौद्रस्य सुनृशंसस्य साधुभिर्गर्हितस्य च। तस्मात्कथयतास्माकं निवृत्तिं चास्य कर्मणः

adyaprabhṛti nivṛttaḥ karmaṇo'syāhameva ca| raudrasya sunṛśaṁsasya sādhubhirgarhitasya ca| tasmātkathayatāsmākaṁ nivṛttiṁ cāsya karmaṇaḥ

'From this day on, I myself shall cease from this dreadful and utterly cruel deed, condemned by the virtuous. Therefore, tell me the means of ceasing from this deed —

Verse 33 (skanda.7.278.33)

येन युष्मत्प्रसादेन पापान्मोक्षमहं व्रजे। उपवासोऽथ मन्त्रो वा नियमो वाथ संयमः

yena yuṣmatprasādena pāpānmokṣamahaṁ vraje| upavāso'tha mantro vā niyamo vātha saṁyamaḥ

'— by which, through your grace, I might attain release from sin, whether it be fasting, or a mantra, or a vow, or self-restraint.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.278.34)

ऋषय ऊचुः। साधु पृष्टं त्वया वत्स तत्त्वमेकमनाः शृणु। संगृह्य कीर्तयिष्यामस्त्वयाऽऽख्येयं न कस्यचित्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā vatsa tattvamekamanāḥ śṛṇu| saṁgṛhya kīrtayiṣyāmastvayā''khyeyaṁ na kasyacit

The sages said: Well asked, child; now listen with a focused mind to the truth. We shall together declare it to you — but it must not be told by you to anyone else.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.278.35)

तेन जप्तेन पापत्मन्मोक्षं प्राप्स्यसि निश्चितम्। झाटघोटस्त्वया कीर्त्त्यो मन्त्रोऽयं चतुरक्षरः

tena japtena pāpatmanmokṣaṁ prāpsyasi niścitam| jhāṭaghoṭastvayā kīrttyo mantro'yaṁ caturakṣaraḥ

By reciting it, O sinful one, you will surely attain release. This four-syllabled mantra — 'jhāṭaghoṭa' — is to be recited by you.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.278.36)

सर्वपापहरो नृणां स्वर्गमोक्षफलप्रदः। स तदैवं हि तैः प्रोक्तो वैशाखो मुनिपुंगवैः। तस्थौ जाप्यपरो नित्यं गतास्ते मुनिपुंगवाः

sarvapāpaharo nṛṇāṁ svargamokṣaphalapradaḥ| sa tadaivaṁ hi taiḥ prokto vaiśākho munipuṁgavaiḥ| tasthau jāpyaparo nityaṁ gatāste munipuṁgavāḥ

'This mantra removes all sin from men and bestows the fruit of heaven and liberation.' Thus instructed by those foremost sages, Vaishakha remained constantly devoted to its recitation, and those sages departed.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.278.37)

तस्यैवं जपतो देवि देविकायास्तटे शुभे। अनिशं गुरु भक्तस्य समाधिः समपद्यत

tasyaivaṁ japato devi devikāyāstaṭe śubhe| aniśaṁ guru bhaktasya samādhiḥ samapadyata

As he recited thus, O Goddess, on the auspicious bank of the Devika, unceasingly devoted to his teachers, absorption (samadhi) came upon him.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.278.38)

क्षुत्पिपासा तदा नष्टा शुद्धिमायात्कलेवरम्

kṣutpipāsā tadā naṣṭā śuddhimāyātkalevaram

Then his hunger and thirst vanished, and his body attained purity.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.278.39)

मंत्रे तीर्थे द्विजे देवे दैवज्ञे भेषजे गुरौ। यादृशी भाव ना यस्य सिद्धिर्भवति तादृशी

maṁtre tīrthe dvije deve daivajñe bheṣaje gurau| yādṛśī bhāva nā yasya siddhirbhavati tādṛśī

In a mantra, a sacred ford, a brahmin, a deity, an astrologer, a medicine, or a teacher — whatever a person's faith is, such is the accomplishment that comes to him.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.278.40)

निर्मलोऽयं स्वभावेन परमात्मा यथा हितः। उपाधिसंगमासाद्य विकारं स्फटिको यथा

nirmalo'yaṁ svabhāvena paramātmā yathā hitaḥ| upādhisaṁgamāsādya vikāraṁ sphaṭiko yathā

This self, by nature, is pure and beneficial like the Supreme Self; yet upon acquiring a limiting adjunct it takes on a modification, just as crystal [takes the colour of whatever lies near it].

Verse 41 (skanda.7.278.41)

यथा च भ्रमरी वंध्या लब्ध्वा जीवमणुं क्वचित्। स्वस्थाने स्थाप्य तं ध्यायेद्भ्रमरी ध्यानसंयुता

yathā ca bhramarī vaṁdhyā labdhvā jīvamaṇuṁ kvacit| svasthāne sthāpya taṁ dhyāyedbhramarī dhyānasaṁyutā

And just as a solitary wasp, having somewhere obtained a small living creature, places it in her own abode and, wholly absorbed in meditation, meditates upon it,

Verse 42 (skanda.7.278.42)

स तु तद्ध्यानसंवृद्धो जीवो भवति तादृशः। अन्ययोन्युद्भवो वापि तथा निदर्शनं सताम्

sa tu taddhyānasaṁvṛddho jīvo bhavati tādṛśaḥ| anyayonyudbhavo vāpi tathā nidarśanaṁ satām

— that creature, nourished by her meditation, itself becomes of that same nature, even though born of another species; this is an illustration given by the wise.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.278.43)

आदिष्टो गुरुणा यश्च विकल्पं यदि गच्छति। नासौ सिद्धिमवाप्नोति मंदभाग्यो यथा निधिम्

ādiṣṭo guruṇā yaśca vikalpaṁ yadi gacchati| nāsau siddhimavāpnoti maṁdabhāgyo yathā nidhim

But one who, having been instructed by a teacher, falls instead into doubt, does not attain success — like an unfortunate man who fails to gain a treasure.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.278.44)

एवं वर्षसहस्राणि समतीतानि भूरिशः। तस्य जाप्यपरस्यैव अमृतत्वं गतस्य च

evaṁ varṣasahasrāṇi samatītāni bhūriśaḥ| tasya jāpyaparasyaiva amṛtatvaṁ gatasya ca

Thus many thousands of years passed by for him who remained wholly devoted to recitation and had attained immortality.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.278.45)

ततः कालक्रमेणैव वल्मीकेन स वेष्टितः। येनासौ सर्वतो व्याप्तो न च तं स बुबोध वै

tataḥ kālakrameṇaiva valmīkena sa veṣṭitaḥ| yenāsau sarvato vyāpto na ca taṁ sa bubodha vai

Then, in the course of time, he became so entirely enveloped by an anthill (valmika) that he himself was not even aware of it.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.278.46)

कस्यचित्त्वथकालस्य मुनयस्ते समागताः। तं प्रदेशं तु संप्रेक्ष्य सहाय्यमितरेतरम्। ऊचुः परस्परं सर्वे दत्त्वा चैव करैः करम्

kasyacittvathakālasya munayaste samāgatāḥ| taṁ pradeśaṁ tu saṁprekṣya sahāyyamitaretaram| ūcuḥ parasparaṁ sarve dattvā caiva karaiḥ karam

After some time, those sages came again to that place; seeing that spot, all of them, joining hand to hand, spoke to one another,

Verse 47 (skanda.7.278.47)

ऋषय ऊचुः। अत्रासौ तस्करः प्राप्तो वैशाखो दारुणाकृतिः। येन सर्वे वयं मुष्टा अस्मि न्स्थाने समागताः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| atrāsau taskaraḥ prāpto vaiśākho dāruṇākṛtiḥ| yena sarve vayaṁ muṣṭā asmi nsthāne samāgatāḥ

The sages said: 'It was here that we encountered that terrible-looking thief Vaishakha, by whom all of us were robbed when we gathered at this place.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.278.48)

एवं संजल्पमानास्ते शुश्रुवुः शब्दमुत्तमम्। वल्मीकमध्यतो व्यक्तं ततस्ते कौतुकान्विताः

evaṁ saṁjalpamānāste śuśruvuḥ śabdamuttamam| valmīkamadhyato vyaktaṁ tataste kautukānvitāḥ

As they were talking thus, they heard a distinct, sublime sound coming from within the anthill; then they were filled with curiosity.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.278.49)

अखनंस्तत्र वल्मीकं कुशीभिः पर्वतोपमम्

akhanaṁstatra valmīkaṁ kuśībhiḥ parvatopamam

They dug up that mountain-like anthill there with their kusha-baskets.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.278.50)

अथ ते ददृशुस्तत्र विशाखं मुनिसत्तमाः। जपंतमसकृन्मत्रं तमेव चतुरक्षरम्

atha te dadṛśustatra viśākhaṁ munisattamāḥ| japaṁtamasakṛnmatraṁ tameva caturakṣaram

Then those foremost sages saw Vaishakha there, ceaselessly reciting that same four-syllabled mantra.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.278.51)

तं समाधिगतं ज्ञात्वा भेषजैर्योगसंमतैः। ममर्दुः सर्वतो विप्रास्तत्र सुप्ततनौ भृशम्

taṁ samādhigataṁ jñātvā bheṣajairyogasaṁmataiḥ| mamarduḥ sarvato viprāstatra suptatanau bhṛśam

Knowing him to be in a state of deep absorption, the brahmins, using remedies approved for such yogic states, thoroughly rubbed his body all over, as it lay as if asleep.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.278.52)

ततोऽब्रवीदृष्रीन्सर्वान्स्वमर्थं गृह्यतां द्विजाः। युष्मदीयं गृहीतं यत्पा पेनाकृतबुद्धिना

tato'bravīdṛṣrīnsarvānsvamarthaṁ gṛhyatāṁ dvijāḥ| yuṣmadīyaṁ gṛhītaṁ yatpā penākṛtabuddhinā

Then he said to all the sages, 'O brahmins, take back what is yours; whatever was taken by me when my mind was corrupted by sin, all of it is yours.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.278.53)

गम्यतां तीर्थयात्रायां सर्वे मुक्ता मया द्विजाः। वाच्यौ मे पितरौ गत्वा तथा भार्या द्विजोत्तमाः

gamyatāṁ tīrthayātrāyāṁ sarve muktā mayā dvijāḥ| vācyau me pitarau gatvā tathā bhāryā dvijottamāḥ

'Proceed now on your pilgrimage, all of you; you are released by me. Please go and tell this also to my parents and to my wife, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.278.54)

सर्व संगपरित्यक्तो विशाखः समपद्यत। दर्शनं कांक्षते नैव भवद्भिस्तु यथा पुरा

sarva saṁgaparityakto viśākhaḥ samapadyata| darśanaṁ kāṁkṣate naiva bhavadbhistu yathā purā

Thus Vaishakha, having renounced all attachment, was transformed; he no longer wished, as before, for people to see him.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.278.55)

ऋषय ऊचुः। बहुवर्षाण्यतीतानि तवात्र वसतो मुने। सर्वे ते निधनं प्राप्ता ये चान्ये ते कुटुंबिनः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| bahuvarṣāṇyatītāni tavātra vasato mune| sarve te nidhanaṁ prāptā ye cānye te kuṭuṁbinaḥ

The sages said: Many years have passed, O sage, while you dwelt here; all your family members and other kinsfolk have met their death.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.278.56)

वयं चिरात्समायाताः स्थानेऽस्मिन्मुनिसत्तमाः। स त्वं सिद्धिमनुप्राप्तो मंत्रादस्मादसंशयम्

vayaṁ cirātsamāyātāḥ sthāne'sminmunisattamāḥ| sa tvaṁ siddhimanuprāpto maṁtrādasmādasaṁśayam

We foremost sages have come to this place after a long time. You have, without doubt, attained perfection through this mantra.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.278.57)

यस्मात्त्वं मंत्रमेकाग्रो ध्यायन्वल्मीकमाश्रितः। तस्माद्वाल्मीकिनामा त्वं भविष्यसि महीतले

yasmāttvaṁ maṁtramekāgro dhyāyanvalmīkamāśritaḥ| tasmādvālmīkināmā tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi mahītale

Since you, single-mindedly meditating on this mantra, came to be sheltered within an anthill (valmika), therefore you shall be known on this earth by the name Valmiki.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.278.58)

स्वच्छंदा भारती देवी जिह्वाग्रे ते भविष्यति। कृत्वा रामायणं काव्यं ततो मोक्षं गमिष्यसि

svacchaṁdā bhāratī devī jihvāgre te bhaviṣyati| kṛtvā rāmāyaṇaṁ kāvyaṁ tato mokṣaṁ gamiṣyasi

The goddess Sarasvati shall dwell freely at the tip of your tongue; having composed the poem Ramayana, you shall thereafter attain liberation.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.278.59)

विशाख उवाच। गृह्यतां द्विजशार्दूलाः प्रसन्ना गुरुदक्षिणाम्। येनाहमनृणो भूत्वा करोमि सुमहत्तपः

viśākha uvāca| gṛhyatāṁ dvijaśārdūlāḥ prasannā gurudakṣiṇām| yenāhamanṛṇo bhūtvā karomi sumahattapaḥ

Vaishakha said: O tigers among brahmins, graciously accept a teacher's fee from me, so that, becoming free of debt, I may perform the greatest austerity.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.278.60)

ऋषय ऊचुः। एषा नो दक्षिणा विप्र यस्त्वं सिद्धिमुपागतः। सर्वकामसमृद्धात्मा कृतकृत्या वयं मुने

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| eṣā no dakṣiṇā vipra yastvaṁ siddhimupāgataḥ| sarvakāmasamṛddhātmā kṛtakṛtyā vayaṁ mune

The sages said: This alone is our fee, O brahmin — that you have attained perfection. Our minds are fulfilled in every desire, and our purpose is accomplished, O sage.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.278.61)

वरं वरय भूयस्त्वं यस्ते मनसि वर्तते

varaṁ varaya bhūyastvaṁ yaste manasi vartate

Choose once more a boon, whatever is in your mind.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.278.62)

वाल्मीकिरुवाच। भवंतो यदि तुष्टा मे यदि देयो वरो मम। कथ्यतां तर्हि मे शीघ्रं को देवो ह्यत्र संस्थितः। देविकायास्तटे रम्ये सर्वकामफलप्रदः

vālmīkiruvāca| bhavaṁto yadi tuṣṭā me yadi deyo varo mama| kathyatāṁ tarhi me śīghraṁ ko devo hyatra saṁsthitaḥ| devikāyāstaṭe ramye sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ

Valmiki said: If you are pleased with me, and if a boon is to be given to me, then tell me quickly — which deity, granting the fruit of every desire, resides here on this lovely bank of the Devika?

Verse 63 (skanda.7.278.63)

ऋषय ऊचुः। शृणुष्वैकमना विप्र यो देवश्चात्र संस्थितः। पश्य निंबमिमं विप्र बहुशाखाप्रविस्तरम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| śṛṇuṣvaikamanā vipra yo devaścātra saṁsthitaḥ| paśya niṁbamimaṁ vipra bahuśākhāpravistaram

The sages said: Listen with a focused mind, O brahmin, to which deity is established here. Behold this neem tree, O brahmin, spread wide with many branches.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.278.64)

अस्य मूले स्थितः सूर्य्यः कल्पादौ ब्रह्मणोंऽशजः। तमाराधय यत्तेसावस्य स्थानस्य देवता

asya mūle sthitaḥ sūryyaḥ kalpādau brahmaṇoṁ'śajaḥ| tamārādhaya yattesāvasya sthānasya devatā

At its root stands the Sun-god, born as a portion of Brahma at the beginning of the kalpa; worship him, for he is the presiding deity of this place.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.278.65)

सूर्यक्षेत्रं समाख्यातमिदं गव्यूतिमात्रकम्। अत्र स्थाने स्थिता येपि तेषां स्वर्गो ध्रुवं भवेत्

sūryakṣetraṁ samākhyātamidaṁ gavyūtimātrakam| atra sthāne sthitā yepi teṣāṁ svargo dhruvaṁ bhavet

This field, extending one gavyuti, is known as Suryakshetra, the field of the Sun. For whoever dwells even in this place, heaven is certain.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.278.66)

अद्यप्रभृति विप्रेन्द्र मूलस्थानमिति श्रुतम्। स्थानं सूर्यस्य विप्रेन्द्र कार्या चात्र त्वया स्थितिः

adyaprabhṛti viprendra mūlasthānamiti śrutam| sthānaṁ sūryasya viprendra kāryā cātra tvayā sthitiḥ

From this day forward, O foremost of brahmins, this place of the Sun shall be known by the name Mulasthana; and here you should take up your abode.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.278.67)

अद्यप्रभृति विप्रेंद्र तीर्थमेतन्महीतले। गमिष्यति परां ख्यातिं देविकातटमाश्रितम्

adyaprabhṛti vipreṁdra tīrthametanmahītale| gamiṣyati parāṁ khyātiṁ devikātaṭamāśritam

From this day forward, O foremost of brahmins, this tirtha, resting on the bank of the Devika, shall attain the highest renown on this earth.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.278.68)

वयं मुष्टा यतो विप्र मूलस्थाने पुरा स्थिताः। मूलस्थानेति वै नाम लोके ख्यातिं गमिष्यति

vayaṁ muṣṭā yato vipra mūlasthāne purā sthitāḥ| mūlasthāneti vai nāma loke khyātiṁ gamiṣyati

Since we, O brahmin, were robbed here while formerly standing at this root-place, the very name Mulasthana shall become renowned in the world.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.278.69)

अत्र ये मानवा भक्त्या स्नानं सूर्यस्य संगमे। उत्तरे तु करिष्यंति ते यास्यंति त्रिविष्टपम्

atra ye mānavā bhaktyā snānaṁ sūryasya saṁgame| uttare tu kariṣyaṁti te yāsyaṁti triviṣṭapam

Those people who, with devotion, bathe here at the Sun's confluence during Uttarayana shall attain heaven.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.278.70)

तर्पणं तिलमिश्रेण जलेन द्विजसत्तमाः। गयाश्राद्धसमा तुष्टिः पितॄणां च भविष्यति

tarpaṇaṁ tilamiśreṇa jalena dvijasattamāḥ| gayāśrāddhasamā tuṣṭiḥ pitṝṇāṁ ca bhaviṣyati

O best of brahmins, by offering tarpana with water mixed with sesame, the ancestors will gain satisfaction equal to that from the shraddha at Gaya.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.278.71)

अत्र ये मानवा भक्त्या श्राद्धं दास्यंति सत्तमाः। शाकमूलफलैर्वापि सम्यक्छ्रद्धासमन्विताः

atra ye mānavā bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ dāsyaṁti sattamāḥ| śākamūlaphalairvāpi samyakchraddhāsamanvitāḥ

O excellent ones, those people who, with devotion, offer shraddha here — even with mere vegetables, roots and fruits, but endowed with true faith —

Verse 72 (skanda.7.278.72)

तेषां यास्यंति पितरो मोक्षं नैवात्र संशयः

teṣāṁ yāsyaṁti pitaro mokṣaṁ naivātra saṁśayaḥ

— their ancestors shall attain liberation; there is no doubt of this.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.278.73)

अपि कीटपतंगा ये पक्षिणः पशवो मृगाः। तृषार्ता जलसंस्पर्शाद्यास्यंति परमां गतिम्

api kīṭapataṁgā ye pakṣiṇaḥ paśavo mṛgāḥ| tṛṣārtā jalasaṁsparśādyāsyaṁti paramāṁ gatim

Even insects and moths, birds, cattle and wild animals, tormented by thirst, shall attain the supreme state merely by the touch of this water.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.278.74)

वयमेव सदात्रस्थाः श्रावणे मासि सत्तम। पौर्णमास्यां भविष्यामस्तव स्नेहादसंशयम्

vayameva sadātrasthāḥ śrāvaṇe māsi sattama| paurṇamāsyāṁ bhaviṣyāmastava snehādasaṁśayam

We ourselves shall ever abide here, O excellent one; on the full-moon day of the month of Shravana, out of our affection for you, we shall certainly be present here.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.278.75)

तस्मिन्नहनि यस्तोयैः पितॄन्संतर्पयिष्यति। तस्याष्टादशकुष्ठानि क्षयं यास्यंति तत्क्षणात्

tasminnahani yastoyaiḥ pitṝnsaṁtarpayiṣyati| tasyāṣṭādaśakuṣṭhāni kṣayaṁ yāsyaṁti tatkṣaṇāt

Whoever, on that day, satisfies the ancestors with water-offerings — his eighteen kinds of skin disease shall be destroyed that very instant.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.278.76)

कपालोदुम्बराख्येंद्रमण्डलाख्यविचर्चिकाः। ऋष्यचर्मैककिटिभसिध्मालसविपादिकाः

kapālodumbarākhyeṁdramaṇḍalākhyavicarcikāḥ| ṛṣyacarmaikakiṭibhasidhmālasavipādikāḥ

[Namely the disorders called] kapala, udumbara, indramandala, vicharchika, rishyacharma, ekakitibha, sidhma, alasa, and vipadika —

Verse 77 (skanda.7.278.77)

दद्रुसिता रुचिस्फोटं पुण्डरीकं सकाकणम्। पामा चर्मदलं चेति कुष्ठान्यष्टादशैव तु

dadrusitā rucisphoṭaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sakākaṇam| pāmā carmadalaṁ ceti kuṣṭhānyaṣṭādaśaiva tu

dadru, sita, ruchisphota, pundarika, kakana, pama, and charmadala — these are the eighteen kinds of skin disease.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.278.78)

गमिष्यंति न संदेह इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधुश्च ते। ऋषिः सिषेवे च रविं चक्रे रामायणं ततः

gamiṣyaṁti na saṁdeha ityuktvāṁtardadhuśca te| ṛṣiḥ siṣeve ca raviṁ cakre rāmāyaṇaṁ tataḥ

'They shall depart, there is no doubt' — saying this, they vanished from sight. Then the sage worshipped the Sun, and thereafter composed the Ramayana.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.278.79)

तस्मात्पश्येच्च तं देवं सर्वयज्ञफलप्रदम्। शृणुयाच्च कथां चैनां सर्वपातकनाशिनीम्

tasmātpaśyecca taṁ devaṁ sarvayajñaphalapradam| śṛṇuyācca kathāṁ caināṁ sarvapātakanāśinīm

Therefore one should behold that deity who bestows the fruit of every sacrifice, and should also listen to this narrative, which destroys all sins.