The Hermitage of Agastya

Shloka 1 (aranya.12.1)

स प्रविश्याश्रमपदं लक्ष्मणो राघवानुजः । अगस्त्यशिष्यमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ॥ 12.1 ॥

sa praviśyāśramapadaṃ lakṣmaṇo rāghavānujaḥ | agastyaśiṣyamāsādya vākyametaduvāca ha || 12.1 ||

Lakshmana, the younger brother of Raghava, entering the hermitage, approached a disciple of Agastya and spoke these words:

Shloka 2 (aranya.12.2)

राजा दशरथो नाम ज्येष्ठस्तस्य सुतो बली । रामः प्राप्तो मुनिं द्रष्टुं भार्यया सह सीतया ॥ 12.2 ॥

rājā daśaratho nāma jyeṣṭhastasya suto balī | rāmaḥ prāpto muniṃ draṣṭuṃ bhāryayā saha sītayā || 12.2 ||

"There was a king named Dasharatha; his eldest and mighty son, Rama, has come here with his wife Sita to see the sage.

Shloka 3 (aranya.12.3)

लक्ष्मणो नाम तस्याहं भ्राता त्ववरजो हितः । अनुकूलश्च भक्तश्च यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः ॥ 12.3 ॥

lakṣmaṇo nāma tasyāhaṃ bhrātā tvavarajo hitaḥ | anukūlaśca bhaktaśca yadi te śrotramāgataḥ || 12.3 ||

I am his younger brother, devoted and well-wishing, named Lakshmana, if that name has ever reached your ears.

Shloka 4 (aranya.12.4)

ते वयं वनमत्युग्रं प्रविष्टाः पितृशासनात् । द्रष्टुमिच्छामहे सर्वे भगवन्तं निवेद्यताम् ॥ 12.4 ॥

te vayaṃ vanamatyugraṃ praviṣṭāḥ pitṛśāsanāt | draṣṭumicchāmahe sarve bhagavantaṃ nivedyatām || 12.4 ||

We, at our father's command, have entered this fearsome forest, and we all wish to see the blessed sage — pray, inform him of this."

Shloka 5 (aranya.12.5)

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणस्य तपोधनः । तथेत्युक्त्वाग्निशरणं प्रविवेश निवेदितुम् ॥ 12.5 ॥

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā lakṣmaṇasya tapodhanaḥ | tathetyuktvāgniśaraṇaṃ praviveśa niveditum || 12.5 ||

Hearing these words of Lakshmana, that ascetic replied "So be it," and entered the sanctuary of the sacred fire to inform the sage.

Shloka 6 (aranya.12.6)

स प्रविश्य मुनिश्रेष्ठं तपसा दुष्प्रधर्षणम् । कृताञ्जलिरुवाचेदं रामागमनमञ्जसा ॥ 12.6 ॥

sa praviśya muniśreṣṭhaṃ tapasā duṣpradharṣaṇam | kṛtāñjaliruvācedaṃ rāmāgamanamañjasā || 12.6 ||

Entering, and with folded hands, he told that foremost of sages, unassailable by his austerity, plainly of Rama's arrival:

Shloka 7 (aranya.12.7)

यथोक्तं लक्ष्मणेनैव शिष्योऽगस्त्यस्य सम्मतः । पुत्रौ दशरथस्येमौ रामो लक्ष्मण एव च ॥ 12.7 ॥

yathoktaṃ lakṣmaṇenaiva śiṣyo'gastyasya sammataḥ | putrau daśarathasyemau rāmo lakṣmaṇa eva ca || 12.7 ||

— exactly as Lakshmana had said, Agastya's trusted disciple said: "Rama and Lakshmana, the two sons of King Dasharatha,

Shloka 8 (aranya.12.8)

प्रविष्टावाश्रमपदं सीतया सह भार्यया । द्रष्टुं भवन्तमायातौ शुश्रूषार्थमरिंदमौ ॥ 12.8 ॥

praviṣṭāvāśramapadaṃ sītayā saha bhāryayā | draṣṭuṃ bhavantamāyātau śuśrūṣārthamariṃdamau || 12.8 ||

— those two subduers of foes, have entered the hermitage together with Rama's wife Sita, having come to see and serve you.

Shloka 9 (aranya.12.9)

यदत्रानन्तरं तत् त्वमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि । ततः शिष्यादुपश्रुत्य प्राप्तं रामं सलक्ष्मणम् ॥ 12.9 ॥

yadatrānantaraṃ tat tvamājñāpayitumarhasi | tataḥ śiṣyādupaśrutya prāptaṃ rāmaṃ salakṣmaṇam || 12.9 ||

Be pleased to command what should now be done." Then, having heard from the disciple that Rama had arrived with Lakshmana —

Shloka 10 (aranya.12.10)

वैदेहीं च महाभागामिदं वचनमब्रवीत् । दिष्ट्या रामश्चिरस्याद्य द्रष्टुं मां समुपागतः ॥ 12.10 ॥

vaidehīṃ ca mahābhāgāmidaṃ vacanamabravīt | diṣṭyā rāmaścirasyādya draṣṭuṃ māṃ samupāgataḥ || 12.10 ||

— and with the most fortunate Vaidehi, the sage spoke these words: "By good fortune, after so long, Rama has today come to see me.

Shloka 11 (aranya.12.11)

मनसा कांक्षितं ह्यस्य मयाप्यागमनं प्रति । गम्यतां सत्कृतो रामः सभार्यः सहलक्ष्मणः ॥ 12.11 ॥

manasā kāṃkṣitaṃ hyasya mayāpyāgamanaṃ prati | gamyatāṃ satkṛto rāmaḥ sabhāryaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ || 12.11 ||

I too had longed in my heart for his coming. Go, and receive Rama with due honour, together with his wife and with Lakshmana;

Shloka 12 (aranya.12.12)

प्रवेश्यतां समीपं मे किमसौ न प्रवेशितः । एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना धर्मज्ञेन महात्मना ॥ 12.12 ॥

praveśyatāṃ samīpaṃ me kimasau na praveśitaḥ | evamuktastu muninā dharmajñena mahātmanā || 12.12 ||

— bring them into my presence. Why has he not yet been brought in?" Thus addressed by the righteous and great-souled sage,

Shloka 13 (aranya.12.13)

अभिवाद्याब्रवीच्छिष्यस्तथेति नियताञ्जलिः । तदा निष्क्रम्य सम्भ्रान्तः शिष्यो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् ॥ 12.13 ॥

abhivādyābravīcchiṣyastatheti niyatāñjaliḥ | tadā niṣkramya sambhrāntaḥ śiṣyo lakṣmaṇamabravīt || 12.13 ||

— the disciple, with hands respectfully folded, bowed and said, "So be it." Then, coming out in some flurry, the disciple said to Lakshmana:

Shloka 14 (aranya.12.14)

कोऽसौ रामो मुनिं द्रष्टुमेतु प्रविशतु स्वयम् । ततो गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं शिष्येण सह लक्ष्मणः ॥ 12.14 ॥

ko'sau rāmo muniṃ draṣṭumetu praviśatu svayam | tato gatvā''śramapadaṃ śiṣyeṇa saha lakṣmaṇaḥ || 12.14 ||

"Where is this Rama? Let him come himself to see the sage, and enter." Then, going to the hermitage together with the disciple, Lakshmana —

Shloka 15 (aranya.12.15)

दर्शयामास काकुत्स्थं सीतां च जनकात्मजाम् । तं शिष्यः प्रश्रितं वाक्यमगस्त्यवचनं ब्रुवन् ॥ 12.15 ॥

darśayāmāsa kākutsthaṃ sītāṃ ca janakātmajām | taṃ śiṣyaḥ praśritaṃ vākyamagastyavacanaṃ bruvan || 12.15 ||

— pointed out to him Kakutstha and Sita, the daughter of Janaka. That disciple, repeating Agastya's own courteous words,

Shloka 16 (aranya.12.16)

प्रावेशयद् यथान्यायं सत्कारार्हं सुसत्कृतम् । प्रविवेश ततो रामः सीतया सह लक्ष्मणः ॥ 12.16 ॥

prāveśayad yathānyāyaṃ satkārārhaṃ susatkṛtam | praviveśa tato rāmaḥ sītayā saha lakṣmaṇaḥ || 12.16 ||

— duly and respectfully ushered in Rama, who was worthy of every honour. Then Rama, together with Sita and Lakshmana, entered,

Shloka 17 (aranya.12.17)

प्रशान्तहरिणाकीर्णमाश्रमं ह्यवलोकयन् । स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च ॥ 12.17 ॥

praśāntahariṇākīrṇamāśramaṃ hyavalokayan | sa tatra brahmaṇaḥ sthānamagneḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca || 12.17 ||

beholding the hermitage thronged with tame deer. There he saw the shrine of Brahma, and likewise the shrine of Agni,

Shloka 18 (aranya.12.18)

विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः । सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च ॥ 12.18 ॥

viṣṇoḥ sthānaṃ mahendrasya sthānaṃ caiva vivasvataḥ | somasthānaṃ bhagasthānaṃ sthānaṃ kauberameva ca || 12.18 ||

the shrine of Vishnu, and of great Indra, and likewise of Vivasvat the Sun; the shrine of Soma, the shrine of Bhaga, and also the shrine of Kubera;

Shloka 19 (aranya.12.19)

धातुर्विधातुः स्थानं च वायोः स्थानं तथैव च । स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः ॥ 12.19 ॥

dhāturvidhātuḥ sthānaṃ ca vāyoḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca | sthānaṃ ca pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ || 12.19 ||

the shrine of Dhatri and Vidhatri, and likewise the shrine of Vayu, and the shrine of the great-souled Varuna, who bears the noose in hand;

Shloka 20 (aranya.12.20)

स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च । स्थानं च नागराजस्य गरुडस्थानमेव च ॥ 12.20 ॥

sthānaṃ tathaiva gāyatryā vasūnāṃ sthānameva ca | sthānaṃ ca nāgarājasya garuḍasthānameva ca || 12.20 ||

likewise the shrine of Gayatri, and the shrine of the Vasus; the shrine of the king of serpents, and the shrine of Garuda;

Shloka 21 (aranya.12.21)

कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति । ततः शिष्यैः परिवृतो मुनिरप्यभिनिष्पतत् ॥ 12.21 ॥

kārtikeyasya ca sthānaṃ dharmasthānaṃ ca paśyati | tataḥ śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto munirapyabhiniṣpatat || 12.21 ||

and the shrine of Kartikeya, and the shrine of Dharma — all these he beheld. Then the sage himself, surrounded by his disciples, came forth swiftly.

Shloka 22 (aranya.12.22)

तं ददर्शाग्रतो रामो मुनीनां दीप्ततेजसाम् । अब्रवीद् वचनं वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम् ॥ 12.22 ॥

taṃ dadarśāgrato rāmo munīnāṃ dīptatejasām | abravīd vacanaṃ vīro lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam || 12.22 ||

Rama saw him coming, foremost among sages of blazing splendour, and the hero spoke this word to Lakshmana, the enhancer of glory:

Shloka 23 (aranya.12.23)

बहिर्लक्ष्मण निष्क्रामत्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः । औदार्येणावगच्छामि निधानं तपसामिमम् ॥ 12.23 ॥

bahirlakṣmaṇa niṣkrāmatyagastyo bhagavānṛṣiḥ | audāryeṇāvagacchāmi nidhānaṃ tapasāmimam || 12.23 ||

"Lakshmana, here comes the blessed sage Agastya himself; by his very magnanimity I perceive him as a treasury of austerities."

Shloka 24 (aranya.12.24)

एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुरगस्त्यं सूर्यवर्चसम् । जग्राहापततस्तस्य पादौ च रघुनन्दनः ॥ 12.24 ॥

evamuktvā mahābāhuragastyaṃ sūryavarcasam | jagrāhāpatatastasya pādau ca raghunandanaḥ || 12.24 ||

Having spoken thus, the mighty-armed delight of the Raghus caught hold of the feet of Agastya, radiant as the sun, as he approached.

Shloka 25 (aranya.12.25)

अभिवाद्य तु धर्मात्मा तस्थौ रामः कृताञ्जलिः । सीतया सह वैदेह्या तदा रामः सलक्ष्मणः ॥ 12.25 ॥

abhivādya tu dharmātmā tasthau rāmaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ | sītayā saha vaidehyā tadā rāmaḥ salakṣmaṇaḥ || 12.25 ||

Having thus paid homage, the righteous Rama stood with folded hands; then Rama, together with Lakshmana and with Vaidehi Sita, —

Shloka 26 (aranya.12.26)

प्रतिगृह्य च काकुत्स्थमर्चयित्वाऽऽसनोदकैः । कुशलप्रश्नमुक्त्वा च आस्यतामिति सोऽब्रवीत् ॥ 12.26 ॥

pratigṛhya ca kākutsthamarcayitvā''sanodakaiḥ | kuśalapraśnamuktvā ca āsyatāmiti so'bravīt || 12.26 ||

— was received by the sage, honoured with a seat and water, and after asking after his welfare, the sage said, "Be seated."

Shloka 27 (aranya.12.27)

अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथीन् प्रतिपूज्य च । वानप्रस्थेन धर्मेण स तेषां भोजनं ददौ ॥ 12.27 ॥

agniṃ hutvā pradāyārghyamatithīn pratipūjya ca | vānaprasthena dharmeṇa sa teṣāṃ bhojanaṃ dadau || 12.27 ||

Having offered oblations into the fire, given the guest-offering, and duly honoured his guests, he gave them food according to the observance of the forest-dwelling ascetics.

Shloka 28 (aranya.12.28)

प्रथमं चोपविश्याथ धर्मज्ञो मुनिपुंगवः । उवाच राममासीनं प्राञ्जलिं धर्मकोविदम् ॥ 12.28 ॥

prathamaṃ copaviśyātha dharmajño munipuṃgavaḥ | uvāca rāmamāsīnaṃ prāñjaliṃ dharmakovidam || 12.28 ||

Then that righteous foremost of sages, having first seated himself, spoke to Rama, versed in righteousness, who sat there with folded hands:

Shloka 29 (aranya.12.29)

अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथिं प्रतिपूजयेत् । अन्यथा खलु काकुत्स्थ तपस्वी समुदाचरन् । दुःसाक्षीव परे लोके स्वानि मांसानि भक्षयेत् ॥ 12.29 ॥

agniṃ hutvā pradāyārghyamatithiṃ pratipūjayet | anyathā khalu kākutstha tapasvī samudācaran | duḥsākṣīva pare loke svāni māṃsāni bhakṣayet || 12.29 ||

"An ascetic should offer oblations to fire, give the guest-offering, and duly honour his guest; for otherwise, O Kakutstha, one who behaves contrarily must, like a false witness, feed on his own flesh in the world beyond.

Shloka 30 (aranya.12.30)

राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य धर्मचारी महारथः । पूजनीयश्च मान्यश्च भवान् प्राप्तः प्रियातिथिः ॥ 12.30 ॥

rājā sarvasya lokasya dharmacārī mahārathaḥ | pūjanīyaśca mānyaśca bhavān prāptaḥ priyātithiḥ || 12.30 ||

You are the king of all the world, a great warrior who walks the path of righteousness, worthy of worship and honour, and you have come to me as a dear guest."

Shloka 31 (aranya.12.31)

एवमुक्त्वा फलैर्मूलैः पुष्पैश्चान्यैश्च राघवम् । पूजयित्वा यथाकामं ततोऽगस्त्यस्तमब्रवीत् ॥ 12.31 ॥

evamuktvā phalairmūlaiḥ puṣpaiścānyaiśca rāghavam | pūjayitvā yathākāmaṃ tato'gastyastamabravīt || 12.31 ||

Having said this, and having honoured Raghava to his heart's content with fruits, roots, flowers, and other offerings, Agastya then said to him:

Shloka 32 (aranya.12.32)

इदं दिव्यं महच्चापं हेमवज्रविभूषितम् । वैष्णवं पुरुषव्याघ्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥ 12.32 ॥

idaṃ divyaṃ mahaccāpaṃ hemavajravibhūṣitam | vaiṣṇavaṃ puruṣavyāghra nirmitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā || 12.32 ||

"O tiger among men, this divine and mighty bow, adorned with gold and diamonds, belonging to Vishnu, was fashioned by Vishvakarma.

Shloka 33 (aranya.12.33)

अमोघः सूर्यसंकाशो ब्रह्मदत्तः शरोत्तमः । दत्तौ मम महेन्द्रेण तूणी चाक्षय्यसायकौ ॥ 12.33 ॥

amoghaḥ sūryasaṃkāśo brahmadattaḥ śarottamaḥ | dattau mama mahendreṇa tūṇī cākṣayyasāyakau || 12.33 ||

This unfailing and excellent arrow, radiant as the sun, was given by Brahma; and these two ever-full quivers of inexhaustible shafts were given to me by mighty Indra,

Shloka 34 (aranya.12.34)

सम्पूर्णौ निशितैर्बाणैर्ज्वलद्भिरिव पावकैः । महाराजतकोशोऽयमसिर्हेमविभूषितः ॥ 12.34 ॥

sampūrṇau niśitairbāṇairjvaladbhiriva pāvakaiḥ | mahārājatakośo'yamasirhemavibhūṣitaḥ || 12.34 ||

filled with sharp arrows blazing like fire; and here is a sword adorned with gold, in a great sheath of shining silver.

Shloka 35 (aranya.12.35)

अनेन धनुषा राम हत्वा संख्ये महासुरान् । आजहार श्रियं दीप्तां पुरा विष्णुर्दिवौकसाम् ॥ 12.35 ॥

anena dhanuṣā rāma hatvā saṃkhye mahāsurān | ājahāra śriyaṃ dīptāṃ purā viṣṇurdivaukasām || 12.35 ||

With this very bow, O Rama, Vishnu once slew great demons in battle and restored the radiant glory of the gods.

Shloka 36 (aranya.12.36)

तद्धनुस्तौ च तूणी च शरं खड्गं च मानद । जयाय प्रतिगृह्णीष्व वज्रं वज्रधरो यथा ॥ 12.36 ॥

taddhanustau ca tūṇī ca śaraṃ khaḍgaṃ ca mānada | jayāya pratigṛhṇīṣva vajraṃ vajradharo yathā || 12.36 ||

That bow, those two quivers, the arrow, and the sword, O bestower of honour — accept them for victory, as Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, accepts his thunderbolt."

Shloka 37 (aranya.12.37)

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः समस्तं तद्वरायुधम् । दत्त्वा रामाय भगवानगस्त्यः पुनरब्रवीत् ॥ 12.37 ॥

evamuktvā mahātejāḥ samastaṃ tadvarāyudham | dattvā rāmāya bhagavānagastyaḥ punarabravīt || 12.37 ||

Having spoken thus, the greatly resplendent and blessed Agastya, after giving Rama all those excellent weapons, spoke again.