The Lake of the Five Apsaras

Shloka 1 (aranya.11.1)

अग्रतः प्रययौ रामः सीता मध्ये सुशोभना । पृष्ठतस्तु धनुष्पाणिर्लक्ष्मणोऽनुजगाम ह ॥ 11.1 ॥

agrataḥ prayayau rāmaḥ sītā madhye suśobhanā | pṛṣṭhatastu dhanuṣpāṇirlakṣmaṇo'nujagāma ha || 11.1 ||

Rama walked ahead, the lovely Sita between them, while Lakshmana, bow in hand, followed close behind.

Shloka 2 (aranya.11.2)

तौ पश्यमानौ विविधान् शैलप्रस्थान् वनानि च । नदीश्च विविधा रम्या जग्मतुः सह सीतया ॥ 11.2 ॥

tau paśyamānau vividhān śailaprasthān vanāni ca | nadīśca vividhā ramyā jagmatuḥ saha sītayā || 11.2 ||

Beholding many mountain plateaus and forests, and various lovely rivers, the two brothers journeyed on with Sita.

Shloka 3 (aranya.11.3)

सारसांश्चक्रवाकांश्च नदीपुलिनचारिणः । सरांसि च सपद्मानि युतानि जलजैः खगैः ॥ 11.3 ॥

sārasāṃścakravākāṃśca nadīpulinacāriṇaḥ | sarāṃsi ca sapadmāni yutāni jalajaiḥ khagaiḥ || 11.3 ||

They saw cranes and ruddy geese wandering on the river sandbanks, and lakes full of lotuses, thronged with water-birds.

Shloka 4 (aranya.11.4)

यूथबद्धांश्च पृषतान् मदोन्मत्तान् विषाणिनः । महिषांश्च वराहांश्च गजांश्च द्रुमवैरिणः ॥ 11.4 ॥

yūthabaddhāṃśca pṛṣatān madonmattān viṣāṇinaḥ | mahiṣāṃśca varāhāṃśca gajāṃśca drumavairiṇaḥ || 11.4 ||

They saw herds of spotted deer, horned beasts maddened with rut, buffaloes, boars, and elephants that seemed the very enemies of trees.

Shloka 5 (aranya.11.5)

ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं लम्बमाने दिवाकरे । ददृशुः सहिता रम्यं तटाकं योजनायुतम् ॥ 11.5 ॥

te gatvā dūramadhvānaṃ lambamāne divākare | dadṛśuḥ sahitā ramyaṃ taṭākaṃ yojanāyutam || 11.5 ||

Having gone a long way, as the sun hung low in the sky, they together beheld a beautiful lake a full yojana wide —

Shloka 6 (aranya.11.6)

पद्मपुष्करसम्बाधं गजयूथैरलंकृतम् । सारसैर्हंसकादम्बैः संकुलं जलजातिभिः ॥ 11.6 ॥

padmapuṣkarasambādhaṃ gajayūthairalaṃkṛtam | sārasairhaṃsakādambaiḥ saṃkulaṃ jalajātibhiḥ || 11.6 ||

— thick with lotuses and lily-pads, graced by herds of elephants, and teeming with cranes, swans, kadamba geese, and other water-creatures.

Shloka 7 (aranya.11.7)

प्रसन्नसलिले रम्ये तस्मिन् सरसि शुश्रुवे । गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषो न तु कश्चन दृश्यते ॥ 11.7 ॥

prasannasalile ramye tasmin sarasi śuśruve | gītavāditranirghoṣo na tu kaścana dṛśyate || 11.7 ||

From that lovely lake of clear water there arose the sound of song and instrumental music, yet no one could be seen there.

Shloka 8 (aranya.11.8)

ततः कौतूहलाद् रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महारथः । मुनिं धर्मभृतं नाम प्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे ॥ 11.8 ॥

tataḥ kautūhalād rāmo lakṣmaṇaśca mahārathaḥ | muniṃ dharmabhṛtaṃ nāma praṣṭuṃ samupacakrame || 11.8 ||

Then, moved by curiosity, Rama and Lakshmana the great charioteer began to question the sage named Dharmabhrit about it.

Shloka 9 (aranya.11.9)

इदमत्यद्भुतं श्रुत्वा सर्वेषां नो महामुने । कौतूहलं महज्जातं किमिदं साधु कथ्यताम् ॥ 11.9 ॥

idamatyadbhutaṃ śrutvā sarveṣāṃ no mahāmune | kautūhalaṃ mahajjātaṃ kimidaṃ sādhu kathyatām || 11.9 ||

"Hearing this most wondrous sound, O great sage, a great curiosity has arisen in all of us. Pray tell us truly what this is."

Shloka 10 (aranya.11.10)

तेनैवमुक्तो धर्मात्मा राघवेण मुनिस्तदा । प्रभावं सरसः क्षिप्रमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे ॥ 11.10 ॥

tenaivamukto dharmātmā rāghaveṇa munistadā | prabhāvaṃ sarasaḥ kṣipramākhyātumupacakrame || 11.10 ||

Thus addressed by Raghava, the righteous sage then began at once to relate the power of that lake.

Shloka 11 (aranya.11.11)

इदं पञ्चाप्सरो नाम तटाकं सार्वकालिकम् । निर्मितं तपसा राम मुनिना माण्डकर्णिना ॥ 11.11 ॥

idaṃ pañcāpsaro nāma taṭākaṃ sārvakālikam | nirmitaṃ tapasā rāma muninā māṇḍakarṇinā || 11.11 ||

"O Rama, this eternal lake is known as Panchapsaras, and it was created by the ascetic power of the sage Mandakarni.

Shloka 12 (aranya.11.12)

स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्रं माण्डकर्णिर्महामुनिः । दशवर्षसहस्राणि वायुभक्षो जलाशये ॥ 11.12 ॥

sa hi tepe tapastīvraṃ māṇḍakarṇirmahāmuniḥ | daśavarṣasahasrāṇi vāyubhakṣo jalāśaye || 11.12 ||

That great sage Mandakarni performed intense austerity for ten thousand years, standing in these waters and living on air alone.

Shloka 13 (aranya.11.13)

ततः प्रव्यथिताः सर्वे देवाः साग्निपुरोगमाः । अब्रुवन् वचनं सर्वे परस्परसमागताः ॥ 11.13 ॥

tataḥ pravyathitāḥ sarve devāḥ sāgnipurogamāḥ | abruvan vacanaṃ sarve parasparasamāgatāḥ || 11.13 ||

Then all the gods, with Agni at their head, grew alarmed, and gathering together they spoke to one another:

Shloka 14 (aranya.11.14)

अस्माकं कस्यचित् स्थानमेष प्रार्थयते मुनिः । इति संविग्नमनसः सर्वे तत्र दिवौकसः ॥ 11.14 ॥

asmākaṃ kasyacit sthānameṣa prārthayate muniḥ | iti saṃvignamanasaḥ sarve tatra divaukasaḥ || 11.14 ||

"This sage is surely seeking to claim the position of one of us." Thus troubled at heart, all those dwellers of heaven spoke.

Shloka 15 (aranya.11.15)

ततः कर्तुं तपोविघ्नं सर्वदेवैर्नियोजिताः । प्रधानाप्सरसः पञ्च विद्युच्चलितवर्चसः ॥ 11.15 ॥

tataḥ kartuṃ tapovighnaṃ sarvadevairniyojitāḥ | pradhānāpsarasaḥ pañca vidyuccalitavarcasaḥ || 11.15 ||

Then, to break his austerity, all the gods appointed five foremost apsaras, whose radiance flickered like lightning.

Shloka 16 (aranya.11.16)

अप्सरोभिस्ततस्ताभिर्मुनिर्दृष्टपरावरः । नीतो मदनवश्यत्वं देवानां कार्यसिद्धये ॥ 11.16 ॥

apsarobhistatastābhirmunirdṛṣṭaparāvaraḥ | nīto madanavaśyatvaṃ devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye || 11.16 ||

By those apsaras, that sage who had realized the highest and the lowest truths was brought under the sway of desire, so that the gods' purpose might be fulfilled.

Shloka 17 (aranya.11.17)

ताश्चैवाप्सरसः पञ्च मुनेः पत्नीत्वमागताः । तटाके निर्मितं तासां तस्मिन्नन्तर्हितं गृहम् ॥ 11.17 ॥

tāścaivāpsarasaḥ pañca muneḥ patnītvamāgatāḥ | taṭāke nirmitaṃ tāsāṃ tasminnantarhitaṃ gṛham || 11.17 ||

Those same five apsaras then became the sage's wives, and within that lake he built for them a hidden dwelling.

Shloka 18 (aranya.11.18)

तत्रैवाप्सरसः पञ्च निवसन्त्यो यथासुखम् । रमयन्ति तपोयोगान्मुनिं यौवनमास्थितम् ॥ 11.18 ॥

tatraivāpsarasaḥ pañca nivasantyo yathāsukham | ramayanti tapoyogānmuniṃ yauvanamāsthitam || 11.18 ||

Dwelling there at their ease, those five apsaras delight the sage, who by the power of his austerity has regained youth.

Shloka 19 (aranya.11.19)

तासां संक्रीडमानानामेष वादित्रनिःस्वनः । श्रूयते भूषणोन्मिश्रो गीतशब्दो मनोहरः ॥ 11.19 ॥

tāsāṃ saṃkrīḍamānānāmeṣa vāditraniḥsvanaḥ | śrūyate bhūṣaṇonmiśro gītaśabdo manoharaḥ || 11.19 ||

This is the sound of instruments heard while they sport there, mingled with the tinkling of ornaments and the charming strains of their singing."

Shloka 20 (aranya.11.20)

आश्चर्यमिति तस्यैतद् वचनं भावितात्मनः । राघवः प्रतिजग्राह सह भ्रात्रा महायशाः ॥ 11.20 ॥

āścaryamiti tasyaitad vacanaṃ bhāvitātmanaḥ | rāghavaḥ pratijagrāha saha bhrātrā mahāyaśāḥ || 11.20 ||

"How wondrous!" — with these words, the illustrious Raghava, together with his brother, received this account from that purified sage.

Shloka 21 (aranya.11.21)

एवं कथयमानः स ददर्शाश्रममण्डलम् । कुशचीरपरिक्षिप्तं ब्राह्म्या लक्ष्म्या समावृतम् ॥ 11.21 ॥

evaṃ kathayamānaḥ sa dadarśāśramamaṇḍalam | kuśacīraparikṣiptaṃ brāhmyā lakṣmyā samāvṛtam || 11.21 ||

As he was speaking thus, he saw a cluster of hermitages, ringed about with kusha grass and bark-garments, wrapped in a Brahmanic splendour.

Shloka 22 (aranya.11.22)

प्रविश्य सह वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणेन च राघवः । तदा तस्मिन् स काकुत्स्थः श्रीमत्याश्रममण्डले ॥ 11.22 ॥

praviśya saha vaidehyā lakṣmaṇena ca rāghavaḥ | tadā tasmin sa kākutsthaḥ śrīmatyāśramamaṇḍale || 11.22 ||

Entering there with Vaidehi and Lakshmana, that scion of Kakutstha then dwelt within that resplendent circle of hermitages.

Shloka 23 (aranya.11.23)

उषित्वा स सुखं तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः । जगाम चाश्रमांस्तेषां पर्यायेण तपस्विनाम् ॥ 11.23 ॥

uṣitvā sa sukhaṃ tatra pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ | jagāma cāśramāṃsteṣāṃ paryāyeṇa tapasvinām || 11.23 ||

Having stayed there happily, honoured by the great sages, he went in turn to the hermitages of those ascetics.

Shloka 24 (aranya.11.24)

येषामुषितवान् पूर्वं सकाशे स महास्त्रवित् । क्वचित् परिदशान् मासानेकसंवत्सरं क्वचित् ॥ 11.24 ॥

yeṣāmuṣitavān pūrvaṃ sakāśe sa mahāstravit | kvacit paridaśān māsānekasaṃvatsaraṃ kvacit || 11.24 ||

That great master of divine weapons had lived among them before — staying at one place for nearly ten months, at another for a full year —

Shloka 25 (aranya.11.25)

क्वचिच्च चतुरो मासान् पञ्च षट् च परान् क्वचित् । अपरत्राधिकान् मासानध्यर्धमधिकं क्वचित् ॥ 11.25 ॥

kvacicca caturo māsān pañca ṣaṭ ca parān kvacit | aparatrādhikān māsānadhyardhamadhikaṃ kvacit || 11.25 ||

— elsewhere for four months, or for five or six, at yet another place for more than a month, and at still another for a month and a half.

Shloka 26 (aranya.11.26)

त्रीन् मासानष्टमासांश्च राघवो न्यवसत् सुखम् । तत्र संवसतस्तस्य मुनीनामाश्रमेषु वै ॥ 11.26 ॥

trīn māsānaṣṭamāsāṃśca rāghavo nyavasat sukham | tatra saṃvasatastasya munīnāmāśrameṣu vai || 11.26 ||

For three months or eight months Raghava dwelt happily; there, dwelling on in the hermitages of those sages —

Shloka 27 (aranya.11.27)

रमतश्चानुकूल्येन ययुः संवत्सरा दश । परिसृत्य च धर्मज्ञो राघवः सह सीतया ॥ 11.27 ॥

ramataścānukūlyena yayuḥ saṃvatsarā daśa | parisṛtya ca dharmajño rāghavaḥ saha sītayā || 11.27 ||

— living on agreeably, ten years passed by. And having thus gone round, the righteous Raghava, together with Sita, —

Shloka 28 (aranya.11.28)

सुतीक्ष्णस्याश्रमपदं पुनरेवाजगाम ह । स तमाश्रममागम्य मुनिभिः परिपूजितः ॥ 11.28 ॥

sutīkṣṇasyāśramapadaṃ punarevājagāma ha | sa tamāśramamāgamya munibhiḥ paripūjitaḥ || 11.28 ||

— came once again to the hermitage of Sutikshna. Arriving at that hermitage, he was honoured greatly by the sages.

Shloka 29 (aranya.11.29)

तत्रापि न्यवसद् रामः किंचित् कालमरिंदमः । अथाश्रमस्थो विनयात् कदाचित् तं महामुनिम् ॥ 11.29 ॥

tatrāpi nyavasad rāmaḥ kiṃcit kālamariṃdamaḥ | athāśramastho vinayāt kadācit taṃ mahāmunim || 11.29 ||

There too Rama, the subduer of foes, dwelt for some time. Then, while staying at the hermitage, sitting humbly one day beside that great sage, —

Shloka 30 (aranya.11.30)

उपासीनः स काकुत्स्थः सुतीक्ष्णमिदमब्रवीत् । अस्मिन्नरण्ये भगवन्नगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः ॥ 11.30 ॥

upāsīnaḥ sa kākutsthaḥ sutīkṣṇamidamabravīt | asminnaraṇye bhagavannagastyo munisattamaḥ || 11.30 ||

— Kakutstha spoke thus to Sutikshna: "Blessed one, I have always heard, in the tales told by others, that the most excellent sage Agastya dwells in this forest —

Shloka 31 (aranya.11.31)

वसतीति मया नित्यं कथाः कथयतां श्रुतम् । न तु जानामि तं देशं वनस्यास्य महत्तया ॥ 11.31 ॥

vasatīti mayā nityaṃ kathāḥ kathayatāṃ śrutam | na tu jānāmi taṃ deśaṃ vanasyāsya mahattayā || 11.31 ||

— but because of the vastness of this forest, I do not know that place. Where is the lovely hermitage of that wise great sage?

Shloka 32 (aranya.11.32)

कुत्राश्रमपदं रम्यं महर्षेस्तस्य धीमतः । प्रसादार्थं भगवतः सानुजः सह सीतया ॥ 11.32 ॥

kutrāśramapadaṃ ramyaṃ maharṣestasya dhīmataḥ | prasādārthaṃ bhagavataḥ sānujaḥ saha sītayā || 11.32 ||

I wish, with my brother and with Sita, to seek the grace of that blessed one —

Shloka 33 (aranya.11.33)

अगस्त्यमधिगच्छेयमभिवादयितुं मुनिम् । मनोरथो महानेष हृदि सम्परिवर्तते ॥ 11.33 ॥

agastyamadhigaccheyamabhivādayituṃ munim | manoratho mahāneṣa hṛdi samparivartate || 11.33 ||

— to go to Agastya and pay homage to that sage; this great desire ever turns in my heart —

Shloka 34 (aranya.11.34)

यदहं तं मुनिवरं शुश्रूषेयमपि स्वयम् । इति रामस्य स मुनिः श्रुत्वा धर्मात्मनो वचः ॥ 11.34 ॥

yadahaṃ taṃ munivaraṃ śuśrūṣeyamapi svayam | iti rāmasya sa muniḥ śrutvā dharmātmano vacaḥ || 11.34 ||

— that I myself might serve that foremost of sages." Having heard these words of the righteous Rama, that sage —

Shloka 35 (aranya.11.35)

सुतीक्ष्णः प्रत्युवाचेदं प्रीतो दशरथात्मजम् । अहमप्येतदेव त्वां वक्तुकामः सलक्ष्मणम् ॥ 11.35 ॥

sutīkṣṇaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ prīto daśarathātmajam | ahamapyetadeva tvāṃ vaktukāmaḥ salakṣmaṇam || 11.35 ||

— Sutikshna, delighted, replied to the son of Dasharatha: "I too wished to say this very thing to you and to Lakshmana —

Shloka 36 (aranya.11.36)

अगस्त्यमभिगच्छेति सीतया सह राघव । दिष्ट्या त्विदानीमर्थेऽस्मिन् स्वयमेव ब्रवीषि माम् ॥ 11.36 ॥

agastyamabhigaccheti sītayā saha rāghava | diṣṭyā tvidānīmarthe'smin svayameva bravīṣi mām || 11.36 ||

— that you should go to Agastya, together with Sita, O Raghava. By good fortune, you yourself now speak to me of this very matter.

Shloka 37 (aranya.11.37)

अयमाख्यामि ते राम यत्रागस्त्यो महामुनिः । योजनान्याश्रमात् तात याहि चत्वारि वै ततः । दक्षिणेन महान् श्रीमानगस्त्यभ्रातुराश्रमः ॥ 11.37 ॥

ayamākhyāmi te rāma yatrāgastyo mahāmuniḥ | yojanānyāśramāt tāta yāhi catvāri vai tataḥ | dakṣiṇena mahān śrīmānagastyabhrāturāśramaḥ || 11.37 ||

I will now tell you, Rama, where the great sage Agastya dwells. From this hermitage, dear one, go four yojanas; there, to the south, lies the great and splendid hermitage of Agastya's brother.

Shloka 38 (aranya.11.38)

स्थलीप्रायवनोद्देशे पिप्पलीवनशोभिते । बहुपुष्पफले रम्ये नानाविहगनादिते ॥ 11.38 ॥

sthalīprāyavanoddeśe pippalīvanaśobhite | bahupuṣpaphale ramye nānāvihaganādite || 11.38 ||

It stands in a region of upland forest, adorned with groves of long pepper, lovely with abundant flowers and fruit, and resounding with the calls of many birds.

Shloka 39 (aranya.11.39)

पद्मिन्यो विविधास्तत्र प्रसन्नसलिलाशयाः । हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णाश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः ॥ 11.39 ॥

padminyo vividhāstatra prasannasalilāśayāḥ | haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāścakravākopaśobhitāḥ || 11.39 ||

There are various lotus-ponds there, holding clear water, thronged with swans and karandava ducks, and graced by ruddy geese.

Shloka 40 (aranya.11.40)

तत्रैकां रजनीं व्युष्य प्रभाते राम गम्यताम् । दक्षिणां दिशमास्थाय वनखण्डस्य पार्श्वतः ॥ 11.40 ॥

tatraikāṃ rajanīṃ vyuṣya prabhāte rāma gamyatām | dakṣiṇāṃ diśamāsthāya vanakhaṇḍasya pārśvataḥ || 11.40 ||

Having spent one night there, O Rama, set out at dawn, taking the southward direction along the edge of that stretch of forest.

Shloka 41 (aranya.11.41)

तत्रागस्त्याश्रमपदं गत्वा योजनमन्तरम् । रमणीये वनोद्देशे बहुपादपशोभिते ॥ 11.41 ॥

tatrāgastyāśramapadaṃ gatvā yojanamantaram | ramaṇīye vanoddeśe bahupādapaśobhite || 11.41 ||

Going a further yojana, you will reach Agastya's hermitage, in a delightful woodland region graced with many trees —

Shloka 42 (aranya.11.42)

रंस्यते तत्र वैदेही लक्ष्मणश्च त्वया सह । स हि रम्यो वनोद्देशो बहुपादपसंयुतः ॥ 11.42 ॥

raṃsyate tatra vaidehī lakṣmaṇaśca tvayā saha | sa hi ramyo vanoddeśo bahupādapasaṃyutaḥ || 11.42 ||

— there Vaidehi and Lakshmana will delight with you, for that woodland region, full of many trees, is truly enchanting.

Shloka 43 (aranya.11.43)

यदि बुद्धिः कृता द्रष्टुमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम् । अद्यैव गमने बुद्धिं रोचयस्व महामते ॥ 11.43 ॥

yadi buddhiḥ kṛtā draṣṭumagastyaṃ taṃ mahāmunim | adyaiva gamane buddhiṃ rocayasva mahāmate || 11.43 ||

If you have resolved to see that great sage Agastya, then, O wise one, resolve to set out this very day."

Shloka 44 (aranya.11.44)

इति रामो मुनेः श्रुत्वा सह भ्रात्राभिवाद्य च । प्रतस्थेऽगस्त्यमुद्दिश्य सानुगः सह सीतया ॥ 11.44 ॥

iti rāmo muneḥ śrutvā saha bhrātrābhivādya ca | pratasthe'gastyamuddiśya sānugaḥ saha sītayā || 11.44 ||

Hearing this from the sage, Rama, together with his brother, paid him homage, and set out towards Agastya with his follower and with Sita.

Shloka 45 (aranya.11.45)

पश्यन् वनानि चित्राणि पर्वतांश्चाभ्रसंनिभान् । सरांसि सरितश्चैव पथि मार्गवशानुगान् ॥ 11.45 ॥

paśyan vanāni citrāṇi parvatāṃścābhrasaṃnibhān | sarāṃsi saritaścaiva pathi mārgavaśānugān || 11.45 ||

Beholding varied forests, mountains resembling clouds, and lakes and rivers running alongside the path —

Shloka 46 (aranya.11.46)

सुतीक्ष्णेनोपदिष्टेन गत्वा तेन पथा सुखम् । इदं परमसंहृष्टो वाक्यं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् ॥ 11.46 ॥

sutīkṣṇenopadiṣṭena gatvā tena pathā sukham | idaṃ paramasaṃhṛṣṭo vākyaṃ lakṣmaṇamabravīt || 11.46 ||

— and travelling happily by the road that Sutikshna had shown, he, greatly delighted, spoke this to Lakshmana:

Shloka 47 (aranya.11.47)

एतदेवाश्रमपदं नूनं तस्य महात्मनः । अगस्त्यस्य मुनेर्भ्रातुर्दृश्यते पुण्यकर्मणः ॥ 11.47 ॥

etadevāśramapadaṃ nūnaṃ tasya mahātmanaḥ | agastyasya munerbhrāturdṛśyate puṇyakarmaṇaḥ || 11.47 ||

"This must indeed be the hermitage of that great-souled one, the brother of the sage Agastya of holy deeds, which we now see.

Shloka 48 (aranya.11.48)

यथा हीमे वनस्यास्य ज्ञाताः पथि सहस्रशः । संनताः फलभारेण पुष्पभारेण च द्रुमाः ॥ 11.48 ॥

yathā hīme vanasyāsya jñātāḥ pathi sahasraśaḥ | saṃnatāḥ phalabhāreṇa puṣpabhāreṇa ca drumāḥ || 11.48 ||

For here on the path, thousands of trees of this forest, known by their kind, bend low under the weight of fruit and flowers.

Shloka 49 (aranya.11.49)

पिप्पलीनां च पक्वानां वनादस्मादुपागतः । गन्धोऽयं पवनोत्क्षिप्तः सहसा कटुकोदयः ॥ 11.49 ॥

pippalīnāṃ ca pakvānāṃ vanādasmādupāgataḥ | gandho'yaṃ pavanotkṣiptaḥ sahasā kaṭukodayaḥ || 11.49 ||

And this pungent fragrance, borne suddenly on the wind from this forest, comes from ripened long-pepper fruits.

Shloka 50 (aranya.11.50)

तत्र तत्र च दृश्यन्ते संक्षिप्ताः काष्ठसंचयाः । लूनाश्च परिदृश्यन्ते दर्भा वैदूर्यवर्चसः ॥ 11.50 ॥

tatra tatra ca dṛśyante saṃkṣiptāḥ kāṣṭhasaṃcayāḥ | lūnāśca paridṛśyante darbhā vaidūryavarcasaḥ || 11.50 ||

Here and there are seen heaps of gathered firewood, and cut kusha grass, gleaming like beryl, is visible all about.

Shloka 51 (aranya.11.51)

एतच्च वनमध्यस्थं कृष्णाभ्रशिखरोपमम् । पावकस्याश्रमस्थस्य धूमाग्रं सम्प्रदृश्यते ॥ 11.51 ॥

etacca vanamadhyasthaṃ kṛṣṇābhraśikharopamam | pāvakasyāśramasthasya dhūmāgraṃ sampradṛśyate || 11.51 ||

And here, in the midst of the forest, the crest of smoke from the sacred fire of the hermitage is seen, resembling the peak of a dark cloud.

Shloka 52 (aranya.11.52)

विविक्तेषु च तीर्थेषु कृतस्नाना द्विजातयः । पुष्पोपहारं कुर्वन्ति कुसुमैः स्वयमर्जितैः ॥ 11.52 ॥

vivikteṣu ca tīrtheṣu kṛtasnānā dvijātayaḥ | puṣpopahāraṃ kurvanti kusumaiḥ svayamarjitaiḥ || 11.52 ||

And at the secluded sacred fords, the twice-born, having bathed, are making flower-offerings with blossoms gathered by their own hands."

Shloka 53 (aranya.11.53)

ततः सुतीक्ष्णवचनं यथा सौम्य मया श्रुतम् । अगस्त्यस्याश्रमो भ्रातुर्नूनमेष भविष्यति ॥ 11.53 ॥

tataḥ sutīkṣṇavacanaṃ yathā saumya mayā śrutam | agastyasyāśramo bhrāturnūnameṣa bhaviṣyati || 11.53 ||

"So, gentle Lakshmana, as I heard from the words of Sutikshna, this must surely be the hermitage of Agastya's brother —

Shloka 54 (aranya.11.54)

निगृह्य तरसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया । यस्य भ्रात्रा कृतेयं दिक्शरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा ॥ 11.54 ॥

nigṛhya tarasā mṛtyuṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā | yasya bhrātrā kṛteyaṃ dikśaraṇyā puṇyakarmaṇā || 11.54 ||

of him whose brother, of holy deeds, wishing the welfare of the worlds, forcibly restrained Death and made this region a safe refuge.

Shloka 55 (aranya.11.55)

इहैकदा किल क्रूरो वातापिरपि चेल्वलः । भ्रातरौ सहितावास्तां ब्राह्मणघ्नौ महासुरौ ॥ 11.55 ॥

ihaikadā kila krūro vātāpirapi celvalaḥ | bhrātarau sahitāvāstāṃ brāhmaṇaghnau mahāsurau || 11.55 ||

Here once, they say, there dwelt together two great and cruel demon brothers, Vatapi and Ilvala, both slayers of Brahmins.

Shloka 56 (aranya.11.56)

धारयन् ब्राह्मणं रूपमिल्वलः संस्कृतं वदन् । आमन्त्रयति विप्रान् स श्राद्धमुद्दिश्य निर्घृणः ॥ 11.56 ॥

dhārayan brāhmaṇaṃ rūpamilvalaḥ saṃskṛtaṃ vadan | āmantrayati viprān sa śrāddhamuddiśya nirghṛṇaḥ || 11.56 ||

Ilvala, assuming the form of a Brahmin and speaking in refined Sanskrit, that pitiless one, would invite Brahmins under the pretext of a shraddha rite.

Shloka 57 (aranya.11.57)

भ्रातरं संस्कृतं कृत्वा ततस्तं मेषरूपिणम् । तान् द्विजान् भोजयामास श्राद्धदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥ 11.57 ॥

bhrātaraṃ saṃskṛtaṃ kṛtvā tatastaṃ meṣarūpiṇam | tān dvijān bhojayāmāsa śrāddhadṛṣṭena karmaṇā || 11.57 ||

Then, having turned his brother, in the form of a ram, into cooked food, he would feed those Brahmins according to the rites prescribed for the shraddha.

Shloka 58 (aranya.11.58)

ततो भुक्तवतां तेषां विप्राणामिल्वलोऽब्रवीत् । वातापे निष्क्रमस्वेति स्वरेण महता वदन् ॥ 11.58 ॥

tato bhuktavatāṃ teṣāṃ viprāṇāmilvalo'bravīt | vātāpe niṣkramasveti svareṇa mahatā vadan || 11.58 ||

Then, once those Brahmins had eaten, Ilvala would call out in a loud voice, "Vatapi, come forth!"

Shloka 59 (aranya.11.59)

ततो भ्रातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा वातापिर्मेषवन्नदन् । भित्त्वा भित्त्वा शरीराणि ब्राह्मणानां विनिष्पतत् ॥ 11.59 ॥

tato bhrāturvacaḥ śrutvā vātāpirmeṣavannadan | bhittvā bhittvā śarīrāṇi brāhmaṇānāṃ viniṣpatat || 11.59 ||

Then, hearing his brother's words, Vatapi, bleating like a ram, would burst forth, tearing through the bodies of the Brahmins.

Shloka 60 (aranya.11.60)

ब्राह्मणानां सहस्राणि तैरेवं कामरूपिभिः । विनाशितानि संहत्य नित्यशः पिशिताशनैः ॥ 11.60 ॥

brāhmaṇānāṃ sahasrāṇi tairevaṃ kāmarūpibhiḥ | vināśitāni saṃhatya nityaśaḥ piśitāśanaiḥ || 11.60 ||

Thus, together, those flesh-eating shape-shifters continually destroyed thousands of Brahmins.

Shloka 61 (aranya.11.61)

अगस्त्येन तदा देवैः प्रार्थितेन महर्षिणा । अनुभूय किल श्राद्धे भक्षितः स महासुरः ॥ 11.61 ॥

agastyena tadā devaiḥ prārthitena maharṣiṇā | anubhūya kila śrāddhe bhakṣitaḥ sa mahāsuraḥ || 11.61 ||

Then Agastya, the great sage entreated by the gods, having, they say, partaken of that shraddha meal, devoured that great demon.

Shloka 62 (aranya.11.62)

ततः सम्पन्नमित्युक्त्वा दत्त्वा हस्तेऽवनेजनम् । भ्रातरं निष्क्रमस्वेति चेल्वलः समभाषत ॥ 11.62 ॥

tataḥ sampannamityuktvā dattvā haste'vanejanam | bhrātaraṃ niṣkramasveti celvalaḥ samabhāṣata || 11.62 ||

Then, saying "the rite is complete," and giving water for washing the hands, Ilvala spoke, calling to his brother, "Come forth!"

Shloka 63 (aranya.11.63)

स तदा भाषमाणं तु भ्रातरं विप्रघातिनम् । अब्रवीत् प्रहसन् धीमानगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः ॥ 11.63 ॥

sa tadā bhāṣamāṇaṃ tu bhrātaraṃ vipraghātinam | abravīt prahasan dhīmānagastyo munisattamaḥ || 11.63 ||

To him, thus calling out to his Brahmin-slaying brother, the wise and foremost sage Agastya spoke, laughing.

Shloka 64 (aranya.11.64)

कुतो निष्क्रमितुं शक्तिर्मया जीर्णस्य रक्षसः । भ्रातुस्तु मेषरूपस्य गतस्य यमसादनम् ॥ 11.64 ॥

kuto niṣkramituṃ śaktirmayā jīrṇasya rakṣasaḥ | bhrātustu meṣarūpasya gatasya yamasādanam || 11.64 ||

"How could there be power to come forth for that demon, your brother in the form of a ram, digested by me, who has gone to the abode of Yama?"

Shloka 65 (aranya.11.65)

अथ तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भ्रातुर्निधनसंश्रितम् । प्रधर्षयितुमारेभे मुनिं क्रोधान्निशाचरः ॥ 11.65 ॥

atha tasya vacaḥ śrutvā bhrāturnidhanasaṃśritam | pradharṣayitumārebhe muniṃ krodhānniśācaraḥ || 11.65 ||

Then, hearing those words announcing his brother's death, the night-roaming demon, in fury, began to attack the sage.

Shloka 66 (aranya.11.66)

सोऽभ्यद्रवद् द्विजेन्द्रं तं मुनिना दीप्ततेजसा । चक्षुषानलकल्पेन निर्दग्धो निधनं गतः ॥ 11.66 ॥

so'bhyadravad dvijendraṃ taṃ muninā dīptatejasā | cakṣuṣānalakalpena nirdagdho nidhanaṃ gataḥ || 11.66 ||

He rushed at that foremost of Brahmins; but by the sage, blazing with radiance, he was burnt to death by a fire-like glance of his eyes, and met his end.

Shloka 67 (aranya.11.67)

तस्यायमाश्रमो भ्रातुस्तटाकवनशोभितः । विप्रानुकम्पया येन कर्मेदं दुष्करं कृतम् ॥ 11.67 ॥

tasyāyamāśramo bhrātustaṭākavanaśobhitaḥ | viprānukampayā yena karmedaṃ duṣkaraṃ kṛtam || 11.67 ||

This, then, is the hermitage of his brother, adorned with lake and forest — of him who, out of compassion for the Brahmins, accomplished this most difficult deed."

Shloka 68 (aranya.11.68)

एवं कथयमानस्य तस्य सौमित्रिणा सह । रामस्यास्तं गतः सूर्यः संध्याकालोऽभ्यवर्तत ॥ 11.68 ॥

evaṃ kathayamānasya tasya saumitriṇā saha | rāmasyāstaṃ gataḥ sūryaḥ saṃdhyākālo'bhyavartata || 11.68 ||

While Rama was thus speaking with Saumitri, the sun set, and the time of evening worship drew near.

Shloka 69 (aranya.11.69)

उपास्य पश्चिमां संध्यां सह भ्रात्रा यथाविधि । प्रविवेशाश्रमपदं तमृषिं चाभ्यवादयत् ॥ 11.69 ॥

upāsya paścimāṃ saṃdhyāṃ saha bhrātrā yathāvidhi | praviveśāśramapadaṃ tamṛṣiṃ cābhyavādayat || 11.69 ||

Having duly performed the evening rites with his brother, he entered the hermitage and paid homage to that sage.

Shloka 70 (aranya.11.70)

सम्यक्प्रतिगृहीतस्तु मुनिना तेन राघवः । न्यवसत् तां निशामेकां प्राश्य मूलफलानि च ॥ 11.70 ॥

samyakpratigṛhītastu muninā tena rāghavaḥ | nyavasat tāṃ niśāmekāṃ prāśya mūlaphalāni ca || 11.70 ||

Well received by that sage, Raghava spent that one night there, partaking of roots and fruits.

Shloka 71 (aranya.11.71)

तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामुदिते रविमण्डले । भ्रातरं तमगस्त्यस्य आमन्त्रयत राघवः ॥ 11.71 ॥

tasyāṃ rātryāṃ vyatītāyāmudite ravimaṇḍale | bhrātaraṃ tamagastyasya āmantrayata rāghavaḥ || 11.71 ||

When that night had passed and the sun's orb had risen, Raghava took leave of that brother of Agastya, saying:

Shloka 72 (aranya.11.72)

अभिवादये त्वां भगवन् सुखमस्म्युषितो निशाम् । आमन्त्रये त्वां गच्छामि गुरुं ते द्रष्टुमग्रजम् ॥ 11.72 ॥

abhivādaye tvāṃ bhagavan sukhamasmyuṣito niśām | āmantraye tvāṃ gacchāmi guruṃ te draṣṭumagrajam || 11.72 ||

"I salute you, blessed one; I have passed the night in comfort. I take leave of you — I go now to see your elder brother, my teacher."

Shloka 73 (aranya.11.73)

गम्यतामिति तेनोक्तो जगाम रघुनन्दनः । यथोद्दिष्टेन मार्गेण वनं तच्चावलोकयन् ॥ 11.73 ॥

gamyatāmiti tenokto jagāma raghunandanaḥ | yathoddiṣṭena mārgeṇa vanaṃ taccāvalokayan || 11.73 ||

Told by him, "You may go," the delight of the Raghus set out by the path that had been shown, observing that forest as he went.

Shloka 74 (aranya.11.74)

नीवारान् पनसान् सालान् वञ्जुलांस्तिनिशांस्तथा । चिरिबिल्वान् मधूकांश्च बिल्वानथ च तिन्दुकान् ॥ 11.74 ॥

nīvārān panasān sālān vañjulāṃstiniśāṃstathā | ciribilvān madhūkāṃśca bilvānatha ca tindukān || 11.74 ||

He passed wild rice, jackfruit trees, sal trees, vanjula and tinisha trees, chiribilva, mahua, bilva, and tinduka trees.

Shloka 75 (aranya.11.75)

पुष्पितान् पुष्पिताग्राभिर्लताभिरुपशोभितान् । ददर्श रामः शतशस्तत्र कान्तारपादपान् ॥ 11.75 ॥

puṣpitān puṣpitāgrābhirlatābhirupaśobhitān | dadarśa rāmaḥ śataśastatra kāntārapādapān || 11.75 ||

Rama saw there hundreds of forest trees, flowering, adorned with creepers whose tips too were flowering —

Shloka 76 (aranya.11.76)

हस्तिहस्तैर्विमृदितान् वानरैरुपशोभितान् । मत्तैः शकुनिसङ्घैश्च शतशः प्रतिनादितान् ॥ 11.76 ॥

hastihastairvimṛditān vānarairupaśobhitān | mattaiḥ śakunisaṅghaiśca śataśaḥ pratināditān || 11.76 ||

— crushed by elephant trunks, graced by monkeys, and echoing on every side with flocks of intoxicated birds.

Shloka 77 (aranya.11.77)

ततोऽब्रवीत् समीपस्थं रामो राजीवलोचनः । पृष्ठतोऽनुगतं वीरं लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम् ॥ 11.77 ॥

tato'bravīt samīpasthaṃ rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ | pṛṣṭhato'nugataṃ vīraṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam || 11.77 ||

Then lotus-eyed Rama spoke to the heroic Lakshmana, who was walking close behind him, ever increasing his glory:

Shloka 78 (aranya.11.78)

स्निग्धपत्रा यथा वृक्षा यथा क्षान्ता मृगद्विजाः । आश्रमो नातिदूरस्थो महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः ॥ 11.78 ॥

snigdhapatrā yathā vṛkṣā yathā kṣāntā mṛgadvijāḥ | āśramo nātidūrastho maharṣerbhāvitātmanaḥ || 11.78 ||

"Since the trees have such glossy leaves, and the beasts and birds are so tame, the hermitage of that self-realized great sage cannot be far from here.

Shloka 79 (aranya.11.79)

अगस्त्य इति विख्यातो लोके स्वेनैव कर्मणा । आश्रमो दृश्यते तस्य परिश्रान्तश्रमापहः ॥ 11.79 ॥

agastya iti vikhyāto loke svenaiva karmaṇā | āśramo dṛśyate tasya pariśrāntaśramāpahaḥ || 11.79 ||

This must be the hermitage — one that removes the weariness of the exhausted — of him who by his own deeds is renowned in the world as Agastya.

Shloka 80 (aranya.11.80)

प्राज्यधूमाकुलवनश्चीरमालापरिष्कृतः । प्रशान्तमृगयूथश्च नानाशकुनिनादितः ॥ 11.80 ॥

prājyadhūmākulavanaścīramālāpariṣkṛtaḥ | praśāntamṛgayūthaśca nānāśakunināditaḥ || 11.80 ||

Its forest is thick with abundant smoke, adorned with garlands of bark-cloth, its herds of deer are utterly tame, and it resounds with the calls of many birds.

Shloka 81 (aranya.11.81)

निगृह्य तरसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया । दक्षिणा दिक् कृता येन शरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा ॥ 11.81 ॥

nigṛhya tarasā mṛtyuṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā | dakṣiṇā dik kṛtā yena śaraṇyā puṇyakarmaṇā || 11.81 ||

This is the hermitage of him who, by his power, forcibly restrained Death, and who, wishing the welfare of the worlds, by his holy deeds made the southern region a safe refuge.

Shloka 82 (aranya.11.82)

तस्येदमाश्रमपदं प्रभावाद् यस्य राक्षसैः । दिगियं दक्षिणा त्रासाद् दृश्यते नोपभुज्यते ॥ 11.82 ॥

tasyedamāśramapadaṃ prabhāvād yasya rākṣasaiḥ | digiyaṃ dakṣiṇā trāsād dṛśyate nopabhujyate || 11.82 ||

This is his hermitage, by whose power the rakshasas view this southern region with such dread that they cannot venture to inhabit it.

Shloka 83 (aranya.11.83)

यदाप्रभृति चाक्रान्ता दिगियं पुण्यकर्मणा । तदाप्रभृति निर्वैराः प्रशान्ता रजनीचराः ॥ 11.83 ॥

yadāprabhṛti cākrāntā digiyaṃ puṇyakarmaṇā | tadāprabhṛti nirvairāḥ praśāntā rajanīcarāḥ || 11.83 ||

From the time this region was claimed by that sage of holy deeds, from that time the night-wanderers have remained peaceful, free of enmity.

Shloka 84 (aranya.11.84)

नाम्ना चेयं भगवतो दक्षिणा दिक्प्रदक्षिणा । प्रथिता त्रिषु लोकेषु दुर्धर्षा क्रूरकर्मभिः ॥ 11.84 ॥

nāmnā ceyaṃ bhagavato dakṣiṇā dikpradakṣiṇā | prathitā triṣu lokeṣu durdharṣā krūrakarmabhiḥ || 11.84 ||

In the name of that blessed one, this southern region has become truly worthy of circumambulation, renowned in the three worlds as unassailable even by those of cruel deeds.

Shloka 85 (aranya.11.85)

मार्गं निरोद्धुं सततं भास्करस्याचलोत्तमः । संदेशं पालयंस्तस्य विन्ध्यशैलो न वर्धते ॥ 11.85 ॥

mārgaṃ niroddhuṃ satataṃ bhāskarasyācalottamaḥ | saṃdeśaṃ pālayaṃstasya vindhyaśailo na vardhate || 11.85 ||

Ever seeking to block the sun's path, the great mountain Vindhya, obeying his command, no longer grows.

Shloka 86 (aranya.11.86)

अयं दीर्घायुषस्तस्य लोके विश्रुतकर्मणः । अगस्त्यस्याश्रमः श्रीमान् विनीतमृगसेवितः ॥ 11.86 ॥

ayaṃ dīrghāyuṣastasya loke viśrutakarmaṇaḥ | agastyasyāśramaḥ śrīmān vinītamṛgasevitaḥ || 11.86 ||

This, then, is the splendid hermitage — frequented by gentle deer — of that Agastya of long life, whose deeds are renowned throughout the world.

Shloka 87 (aranya.11.87)

एष लोकार्चितः साधुर्हिते नित्यं रतः सताम् । अस्मानधिगतानेष श्रेयसा योजयिष्यति ॥ 11.87 ॥

eṣa lokārcitaḥ sādhurhite nityaṃ rataḥ satām | asmānadhigatāneṣa śreyasā yojayiṣyati || 11.87 ||

This virtuous one, honoured by the world, ever devoted to the welfare of the good, will surely bless us with prosperity when we approach him.

Shloka 88 (aranya.11.88)

आराधयिष्याम्यत्राहमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम् । शेषं च वनवासस्य सौम्य वत्स्याम्यहं प्रभो ॥ 11.88 ॥

ārādhayiṣyāmyatrāhamagastyaṃ taṃ mahāmunim | śeṣaṃ ca vanavāsasya saumya vatsyāmyahaṃ prabho || 11.88 ||

Here I shall worship that great sage Agastya, and here, O gentle one, I shall dwell for the remainder of my forest exile.

Shloka 89 (aranya.11.89)

अत्र देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः । अगस्त्यं नियताहाराः सततं पर्युपासते ॥ 11.89 ॥

atra devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ | agastyaṃ niyatāhārāḥ satataṃ paryupāsate || 11.89 ||

Here the gods with the gandharvas, the siddhas, and the supreme sages, observing strict discipline in food, constantly attend upon Agastya.

Shloka 90 (aranya.11.90)

नात्र जीवेन्मृषावादी क्रूरो वा यदि वा शठः । नृशंसः पापवृत्तो वा मुनिरेष तथाविधः ॥ 11.90 ॥

nātra jīvenmṛṣāvādī krūro vā yadi vā śaṭhaḥ | nṛśaṃsaḥ pāpavṛtto vā munireṣa tathāvidhaḥ || 11.90 ||

Here no liar, no cruel man, no deceiver, no man of violence, and none of sinful conduct can live — such indeed is this sage.

Shloka 91 (aranya.11.91)

अत्र देवाश्च यक्षाश्च नागाश्च पतगैः सह । वसन्ति नियताहारा धर्ममाराधयिष्णवः ॥ 11.91 ॥

atra devāśca yakṣāśca nāgāśca patagaiḥ saha | vasanti niyatāhārā dharmamārādhayiṣṇavaḥ || 11.91 ||

Here gods, yakshas, and nagas dwell together with birds, observing disciplined diet, ever devoted to the worship of righteousness.

Shloka 92 (aranya.11.92)

अत्र सिद्धा महात्मानो विमानैः सूर्यसंनिभैः । त्यक्त्वा देहान् नवैर्देहैः स्वर्याताः परमर्षयः ॥ 11.92 ॥

atra siddhā mahātmāno vimānaiḥ sūryasaṃnibhaiḥ | tyaktvā dehān navairdehaiḥ svaryātāḥ paramarṣayaḥ || 11.92 ||

Here great-souled siddhas and supreme sages, having relinquished their bodies, have ascended to heaven with new bodies, in aerial cars resplendent as the sun.

Shloka 93 (aranya.11.93)

यक्षत्वममरत्वं च राज्यानि विविधानि च । अत्र देवाः प्रयच्छन्ति भूतैराराधिताः शुभैः ॥ 11.93 ॥

yakṣatvamamaratvaṃ ca rājyāni vividhāni ca | atra devāḥ prayacchanti bhūtairārādhitāḥ śubhaiḥ || 11.93 ||

Here, worshipped by pure beings, the gods bestow the state of yakshahood, immortality, and various kingdoms.

Shloka 94 (aranya.11.94)

आगताः स्माश्रमपदं सौमित्रे प्रविशाग्रतः । निवेदयेह मां प्राप्तमृषये सह सीतया ॥ 11.94 ॥

āgatāḥ smāśramapadaṃ saumitre praviśāgrataḥ | nivedayeha māṃ prāptamṛṣaye saha sītayā || 11.94 ||

We have arrived at the hermitage, Saumitri; go in first, and announce to the sage that I have come here together with Sita."