03.275
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
स हत्वा रावणं क्षुद्रं राक्षसेन्द्रं सुरद्विषम्। बभूव हृष्टः ससुहृद्रामः सौमित्रिणा सह ॥०३-२७५-१॥
Having slain the base Rāvaṇa, king of the rākṣasas and enemy of the gods, Rāma, together with his friends and Lakṣmaṇa, became glad. (03-275-1)
ततो हते दशग्रीवे देवाः सर्षिपुरोगमाः। आशीर्भिर्जययुक्ताभिरानर्चुस्तं महाभुजम् ॥०३-२७५-२॥
Then, after the ten-necked Rāvaṇa was slain, the gods, led by sages, honored the mighty-armed hero with blessings filled with victory. (03-275-2)
रामं कमलपत्राक्षं तुष्टुवुः सर्वदेवताः। गन्धर्वाः पुष्पवर्षैश्च वाग्भिश्च त्रिदशालयाः ॥०३-२७५-३॥
All the deities praised Rama, the lotus-petal-eyed one. The Gandharvas, and the dwellers of the world of gods, showered flowers and uttered words of praise. (03-275-3)
पूजयित्वा यथा रामं प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम्। तन्महोत्सवसङ्काशमासीदाकाशमच्युत ॥०३-२७५-४॥
After worshipping Rama as is proper, they returned the way they had come. The sky was like a grand festival, O Acyuta. (03-275-4)
ततो हत्वा दशग्रीवं लङ्कां रामो महायशाः। विभीषणाय प्रददौ प्रभुः परपुरञ्जयः ॥०३-२७५-५॥
Then, having slain the ten-necked Rāvaṇa, Rāma, the greatly renowned lord and conqueror of enemy cities, gave Laṅkā to Vibhīṣaṇa. (03-275-5)
ततः सीतां पुरस्कृत्य विभीषणपुरस्कृताम्। अविन्ध्यो नाम सुप्रज्ञो वृद्धामात्यो विनिर्ययौ ॥०३-२७५-६॥
Then, placing Sītā in front, who was accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, Avindhya, the very wise and aged minister, set out. (03-275-6)
उवाच च महात्मानं काकुत्स्थं दैन्यमास्थितम्। प्रतीच्छ देवीं सद्वृत्तां महात्मञ्जानकीमिति ॥०३-२७५-७॥
He said to the great-souled Kākutstha, who was in distress: "O great-souled one, accept the virtuous goddess Jānakī." (03-275-7)
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्मादवतीर्य रथोत्तमात्। बाष्पेणापिहितां सीतां ददर्शेक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः ॥०३-२७५-८॥
After hearing these words and descending from the excellent chariot, the descendant of Ikṣvāku saw Sita whose face was covered with tears. (03-275-8)
तां दृष्ट्वा चारुसर्वाङ्गीं यानस्थां शोककर्शिताम्। मलोपचितसर्वाङ्गीं जटिलां कृष्णवाससम् ॥०३-२७५-९॥
Having seen her, whose limbs were lovely, seated in a vehicle, emaciated by grief, whose entire body was covered with dirt, with matted hair, and clad in black garments. (03-275-9)
उवाच रामो वैदेहीं परामर्शविशङ्कितः। गच्छ वैदेहि मुक्ता त्वं यत्कार्यं तन्मया कृतम् ॥०३-२७५-१०॥
Rāma, uncertain about having consulted, said to Vaidehī: "Go, O Vaidehī, you are released; whatever needed to be done has been accomplished by me." (03-275-10)
मामासाद्य पतिं भद्रे न त्वं राक्षसवेश्मनि। जरां व्रजेथा इति मे निहतोऽसौ निशाचरः ॥०३-२७५-११॥
O fortunate lady, since you have obtained me as your husband, you will not grow old in the demon's house—thus, by me, that night-wandering demon has been slain. (03-275-11)
कथं ह्यस्मद्विधो जातु जानन्धर्मविनिश्चयम्। परहस्तगतां नारीं मुहूर्तमपि धारयेत् ॥०३-२७५-१२॥
How could someone like me, who knows the true rule of dharma, ever sustain or accept even for a moment a woman who has passed into another man's hands? (03-275-12)
सुवृत्तामसुवृत्तां वाप्यहं त्वामद्य मैथिलि। नोत्सहे परिभोगाय श्वावलीढं हविर्यथा ॥०३-२७५-१३॥
O Maithili, whether you are well-formed or ill-formed, even today, I am not inclined to enjoy you—just as one would not partake of a sacrificial offering licked by a dog. (03-275-13)
ततः सा सहसा बाला तच्छ्रुत्वा दारुणं वचः। पपात देवी व्यथिता निकृत्ता कदली यथा ॥०३-२७५-१४॥
Then, the girl suddenly fell down, distressed, upon hearing that harsh speech, just like a plantain tree cut down. (03-275-14)
यो ह्यस्या हर्षसम्भूतो मुखरागस्तदाभवत्। क्षणेन स पुनर्भ्रष्टो निःश्वासादिव दर्पणे ॥०३-२७५-१५॥
The blush that appeared on her face from joy immediately vanished again in a moment, like a breath in a mirror. (03-275-15)
ततस्ते हरयः सर्वे तच्छ्रुत्वा रामभाषितम्। गतासुकल्पा निश्चेष्टा बभूवुः सहलक्ष्मणाः ॥०३-२७५-१६॥
Then, all the monkeys, together with Lakshmana, upon hearing Rama's words, became motionless as if lifeless. (03-275-16)
ततो देवो विशुद्धात्मा विमानेन चतुर्मुखः। पितामहो जगत्स्रष्टा दर्शयामास राघवम् ॥०३-२७५-१७॥
Then the god of pure essence, the four-faced grandsire and creator of the world, showed himself to Rāghava. (03-275-17)
शक्रश्चाग्निश्च वायुश्च यमो वरुण एव च। यक्षाधिपश्च भगवांस्तथा सप्तर्षयोऽमलाः ॥०३-२७५-१८॥
Śakra (Indra), Agni, Vāyu, Yama, Varuṇa, the lord of the Yakṣas (Kubera), the revered one, and likewise the pure seven sages (Saptarṣis) (03-275-18).
राजा दशरथश्चैव दिव्यभास्वरमूर्तिमान्। विमानेन महार्हेण हंसयुक्तेन भास्वता ॥०३-२७५-१९॥
King Daśaratha himself, in a brilliant, exceedingly precious chariot drawn by swans, having a divine shining form. (03-275-19)
ततोऽन्तरिक्षं तत्सर्वं देवगन्धर्वसङ्कुलम्। शुशुभे तारकाचित्रं शरदीव नभस्तलम् ॥०३-२७५-२०॥
Then the whole sky filled with gods and gandharvas shone magnificently, adorned with stars, like the autumn sky. (03-275-20)
तत उत्थाय वैदेहि तेषां मध्ये यशस्विनी। उवाच वाक्यं कल्याणी रामं पृथुलवक्षसम् ॥०३-२७५-२१॥
Then the illustrious Vaidehī, having risen in their midst, the auspicious one, spoke words to Rāma of the broad chest. (03-275-21)
राजपुत्र न ते कोपं करोमि विदिता हि मे। गतिः स्त्रीणां नराणां च शृणु चेदं वचो मम ॥०३-२७५-२२॥
Prince, I am not angry with you; indeed, I know the ways of women and men; listen now to this my speech. (03-275-22)
अन्तश्चरति भूतानां मातरिश्वा सदागतिः। स मे विमुञ्चतु प्राणान्यदि पापं चराम्यहम् ॥०३-२७५-२३॥
Mātariśvan (the wind), who always moves within beings, may he release my vital breaths if I commit sin. (03-275-23)
अग्निरापस्तथाकाशं पृथिवी वायुरेव च। विमुञ्चन्तु मम प्राणान्यदि पापं चराम्यहम् ॥०३-२७५-२४॥
If I am committing a sin, may the fire, waters, ether, earth, and wind indeed set my life-breaths free. (03-275-24)
ततोऽन्तरिक्षे वागासीत्सर्वा विश्रावयन्दिशः। पुण्या संहर्षणी तेषां वानराणां महात्मنام् ॥०३-२७५-२५॥
Then, in the sky, a voice arose, resounding in all directions, auspicious and causing delight to those great-souled vānaras. (03-275-25)
वायुरुवाच॥
Vāyu said.
भो भो राघव सत्यं वै वायुरस्मि सदागतिः। अपापा मैथिली राजन्सङ्गच्छ सह भार्यया ॥०३-२७५-२६॥
O Rāghava, O King, truly I am Vāyu, the ever-moving wind-god. Maithilī is sinless; proceed with your wife. (03-275-26)
अग्निरुवाच॥
Agni said.
अहमन्तःशरीरस्थो भूतानां रघुनन्दन। सुसूक्ष्ममपि काकुत्स्थ मैथिली नापराध्यति ॥०३-२७५-२७॥
O Raghunandana, I dwell within the bodies of beings. O Kakutstha, Maithilī does not commit even the slightest offense. (03-275-27)
वरुण उवाच॥
Varuṇa said.
रसा वै मत्प्रसूता हि भूतदेहेषु राघव। अहं वै त्वां प्रब्रवीमि मैथिली प्रतिगृह्यताम् ॥०३-२७५-२८॥
"The essence, indeed, which is born from me exists in the bodies of beings, O Rāghava. I truly declare to you: let Maithilī (Sītā) be accepted (back by you)." (03-275-28)
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
पुत्र नैतदिहाश्चर्यं त्वयि राजर्षिधर्मिणि। साधो सद्वृत्तमार्गस्थे शृणु चेदं वचो मम ॥०३-२७५-२९॥
Son, this is not a wonder in you, royal sage who abides in dharma. O virtuous one of good conduct on the path, listen to these words of mine. (03-275-29)
शत्रुरेष त्वया वीर देवगन्धर्वभोगिनाम्। यक्षाणां दानवानां च महर्षीणां च पातितः ॥०३-२७५-३०॥
O hero, this enemy, enjoyed by the gods and gandharvas, and belonging to the yakṣas, dānavas, and great sages, has been felled by you. (03-275-30)
अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां मत्प्रसादात्पुराभवत्। कस्माच्चित्कारणात्पापः कञ्चित्कालमुपेक्षितः ॥०३-२७५-३१॥
He became inviolable to all beings by my favor in former times. For some particular reason, the sinner was neglected for a certain period. (03-275-31)
वधार्थमात्मनस्तेन हृता सीता दुरात्मना। नलकूबरशापेन रक्षा चास्याः कृता मया ॥०३-२७५-३२॥
For the purpose of his own destruction, Sita was abducted by that evil-minded one. By the curse of Nalakubara, I myself provided her protection. (03-275-32)
यदि ह्यकामामासेवेत्स्त्रियमन्यामपि ध्रुवम्। शतधास्य फलेद्देह इत्युक्तः सोऽभवत्पुरा ॥०३-२७५-३३॥
It was once said that if a man, not loving, approaches even another woman, surely his body would break into a hundred pieces; such a fate befell him in ancient times. (03-275-33)
नात्र शङ्का त्वया कार्या प्रतीच्छेमां महाद्युते। कृतं त्वया महत्कार्यं देवानाममरप्रभ ॥०३-२७५-३४॥
You should have no doubt here; please accept this, O greatly radiant one. You have accomplished a great deed for the gods, O light of the immortals. (03-275-34)
दशरथ उवाच॥
Daśaratha said.
प्रीतोऽस्मि वत्स भद्रं ते पिता दशरथोऽस्मि ते। अनुजानामि राज्यं च प्रशाधि पुरुषोत्तम ॥०३-२७५-३५॥
I am pleased, my child. May welfare be yours; I am your father, Daśaratha. I permit you to rule the kingdom, O best of men. (03-275-35)
राम उवाच॥
Rama said.
अभिवादये त्वां राजेन्द्र यदि त्वं जनको मम। गमिष्यामि पुरीं रम्यामयोध्यां शासनात्तव ॥०३-२७५-३६॥
I bow to you, O lord of kings. If you are my father, then by your command I shall go to the beautiful city of Ayodhya. (03-275-36)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
तमुवाच पिता भूयः प्रहृष्टो मनुजाधिप। गच्छायोध्यां प्रशाधि त्वं राम रक्तान्तलोचन ॥०३-२७५-३७॥
The joyful king, his father, again said to him: "Go to Ayodhyā and rule, O red-eyed Rāma." (03-275-37)
ततो देवान्नमस्कृत्य सुहृद्भिरभिनन्दितः। महेन्द्र इव पौलोम्या भार्यया स समेयिवान् ॥०३-२७५-३८॥
Then, having offered obeisance to the gods and welcomed by his friends, he approached his wife like Mahendra (Indra) is approached by Paulomī. (03-275-38)
ततो वरं ददौ तस्मै अविन्ध्याय परन्तपः। त्रिजटां चार्थमानाभ्यां योजयामास राक्षसीम् ॥०३-२७५-३९॥
Then the destroyer of enemies granted a boon to Avindhya, and joined the rākṣasī Trijaṭā with the honored women. (03-275-39)
तमुवाच ततो ब्रह्मा देवैः शक्रमुखैर्वृतः। कौसल्यामातरिष्टांस्ते वरानद्य ददानि कान् ॥०३-२७५-४०॥
Then Brahma, surrounded by the gods with Indra at their head, said to him: "Which boons of Kausalya's son shall I give to you today?" (03-275-40)
वव्रे रामः स्थितिं धर्मे शत्रुभिश्चापराजयम्। राक्षसैर्निहतानां च वानराणां समुद्भवम् ॥०३-२७५-४१॥
Rāma chose to remain in righteousness, to be undefeated by his enemies, and for the rebirth of the vānaras who were slain by the rākṣasas. (03-275-41)
ततस्ते ब्रह्मणा प्रोक्ते तथेति वचने तदा। समुत्तस्थुर्महाराज वानरा लब्धचेतसः ॥०३-२७५-४२॥
Then, O great king, when Brahma had spoken, at his words, the monkeys, having regained consciousness, arose together. (03-275-42)
सीता चापि महाभागा वरं हनुमते ददौ। रामकीर्त्या समं पुत्र जीवितं ते भविष्यति ॥०३-२७५-४३॥
Sita, the highly fortunate, also gave a boon to Hanuman: 'By Rama’s fame, a son’s life equal to yours shall be.' (03-275-43)
दिव्यास्त्वामुपभोगाश्च मत्प्रसादकृताः सदा। उपस्थास्यन्ति हनुमन्निति स्म हरिलोचन ॥०३-२७५-४४॥
Hari-eyed (Rāma) indeed said: "Divine enjoyments, produced by my grace, will always attend you, Hanuman." (03-275-44)
ततस्ते प्रेक्षमाणानां तेषामक्लिष्टकर्मणाम्। अन्तर्धानं ययुर्देवाः सर्वे शक्रपुरोगमाः ॥०३-२७५-४५॥
Then, as they were observing those of unwearied action, all the gods led by Śakra (Indra) disappeared. (03-275-45)
दृष्ट्वा तु रामं जानक्या समेतं शक्रसारथिः। उवाच परमप्रीतः सुहृन्मध्य इदं वचः ॥०३-२७५-४६॥
Seeing Rāma together with Jānakī, the charioteer of Indra, greatly delighted, spoke these words among friends. (03-275-46)
देवगन्धर्वयक्षाणां मानुषासुरभोगिनाम्। अपनीतं त्वया दुःखमिदं सत्यपराक्रम ॥०३-२७५-४७॥
O truly valiant one, you have removed this suffering from the gods, gandharvas, yakṣas, men, asuras, and all enjoyers. (03-275-47)
सदेवासुरगन्धर्वा यक्षराक्षसपन्नगाः। कथयिष्यन्ति लोकास्त्वां यावद्भूमिर्धरिष्यति ॥०३-२७५-४८॥
As long as the earth endures, the worlds—gods, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and serpents—will tell of you. (03-275-48)
इत्येवमुक्त्वानुज्ञाप्य रामं शस्त्रभृतां वरम्। सम्पूज्यापाक्रमत्तेन रथेनादित्यवर्चसा ॥०३-२७५-४९॥
Having thus spoken and taken leave of Rāma, the foremost of warriors, and having honoured him, he departed in that chariot shining with the radiance of the sun. (03-275-49)
ततः सीतां पुरस्कृत्य रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। सुग्रीवप्रमुखैश्चैव सहितः सर्ववानरैः ॥०३-२७५-५०॥
Then, having Sītā in front, Rama, along with Lakṣmaṇa, accompanied by Sugrīva and the leading chiefs, together with all the monkeys. (03-275-50)
विधाय रक्षां लङ्कायां विभीषणपुरस्कृतः। सन्ततार पुनस्तेन सेतुना मकरालयम् ॥०३-२७५-५१॥
After arranging for the protection of Laṅkā, and with Vibhīṣaṇa at the forefront, he once again crossed the ocean (the abode of crocodiles) by means of that bridge. (03-275-51)
पुष्पकेण विमानेन खेचरेण विराजता। कामगेन यथा मुख्यैरमात्यैः संवृतो वशी ॥०३-२७५-५२॥
Master Vaśī, resplendent and riding in the Puṣpaka—the sky-roaming aerial vehicle, moving at will—was surrounded by his chief ministers, just as (one is) attended by the foremost ministers. (03-275-52)
ततस्तीरे समुद्रस्य यत्र शिश्ये स पार्थिवः। तत्रैवोवास धर्मात्मा सहितः सर्ववानरैः ॥०३-२७५-५३॥
Then, on the ocean's bank where the king had lain, the righteous one stayed there with all the monkeys. (03-275-53)
अथैनान्राघवः काले समानीयाभिपूज्य च। विसर्जयामास तदा रत्नैः सन्तोष्य सर्वशः ॥०३-२७५-५४॥
Then Rāghava gathered them at the proper time, honored them, and sent them away, having fully satisfied them with jewels. (03-275-54)
गतेषु वानरेन्द्रेषु गोपुच्छर्क्षेषु तेषु च। सुग्रीवसहितो रामः किष्किन्धां पुनरागमत् ॥०३-२७५-५५॥
When the monkey chiefs, those with cow-like tails, had departed, Rāma, together with Sugrīva, returned again to Kiṣkindhā. (03-275-55)
विभीषणेनानुगतः सुग्रीवसहितस्तदा। पुष्पकेण विमानेन वैदेह्या दर्शयन्वनम् ॥०३-२७५-५६॥
Then, accompanied by Sugrīva and followed by Vibhīṣaṇa, he showed the forest to Vaidehī while traveling in the Puṣpaka aerial chariot. (03-275-56)
किष्किन्धां तु समासाद्य रामः प्रहरतां वरः। अङ्गदं कृतकर्माणं यौवराज्येऽभ्यषेचयत् ॥०३-२७५-५७॥
After reaching Kiṣkindhā, Rāma, the best among warriors, anointed Aṅgada, who had accomplished his task, to the office of crown-prince. (03-275-57)
ततस्तैरेव सहितो रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। यथागतेन मार्गेण प्रययौ स्वपुरं प्रति ॥०३-२७५-५८॥
Then Rāma, accompanied by Saumitri and those others, went along the way by which he had come, towards his own city. (03-275-58)
अयोध्यां स समासाद्य पुरीं राष्ट्रपतिस्ततः। भरताय हनूमन्तं दूतं प्रस्थापयत्तदा ॥०३-२७५-५९॥
Having reached Ayodhyā, the lord of the kingdom then dispatched Hanumān as a messenger to Bharata. (03-275-59)
लक्षयित्वेङ्गितं सर्वं प्रियं तस्मै निवेद्य च। वायुपुत्रे पुनः प्राप्ते नन्दिग्राममुपागमत् ॥०३-२७५-६०॥
After observing all the gestures and making known all that was dear to him, when Hanuman returned, he proceeded to Nandigrama. (03-275-60)
स तत्र मलदिग्धाङ्गं भरतं चीरवाससम्। अग्रतः पादुके कृत्वा ददर्शासीनमासने ॥०३-२७५-६१॥
There he saw Bharata, whose limbs were covered with dirt and who wore bark garments, seated on a seat with the sandals placed in front. (03-275-61)
समेत्य भरतेनाथ शत्रुघ्नेन च वीर्यवान्। राघवः सहसौमित्रिर्मुमुदे भरतर्षभ ॥०३-२७५-६२॥
O bull among the Bharatas, having met with Bharata and Śatrughna, the mighty Rāghava (Rāma) along with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) rejoiced. (03-275-62)
तथा भरतशत्रुघ्नौ समेतौ गुरुणा तदा। वैदेह्या दर्शनेनोभौ प्रहर्षं समवापतुः ॥०३-२७५-६३॥
Thus, Bharata and Śatrughna, together with their teacher at that time, both experienced great joy upon seeing Vaidehī (Sītā). (03-275-63)
तस्मै तद्भरतो राज्यमागतायाभिसत्कृतम्। न्यासं निर्यातयामास युक्तः परमया मुदा ॥०३-२७५-६४॥
To him, Bharata handed back the kingdom, with due honor, handing over the entrusted rule, being devoted and with supreme joy. (03-275-64)
ततस्तं वैष्णवे शूरं नक्षत्रेऽभिमतेऽहनि। वसिष्ठो वामदेवश्च सहितावभ्यषिञ्चताम् ॥०३-२७५-६५॥
Then, on the chosen auspicious day under the heroic Vaiṣṇava constellation, Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva together anointed him. (03-275-65)
सोऽभिषिक्तः कपिश्रेष्ठं सुग्रीवं ससुहृज्जनम्। विभीषणं च पौलस्त्यमन्वजानाद्गृहान्प्रति ॥०३-२७५-६६॥
He, having been anointed, sent off Sugrīva, the foremost of monkeys, along with his friends, and Vibhīṣaṇa, the son of Pulastya, back to their homes. (03-275-66)
अभ्यर्च्य विविधै रत्नैः प्रीतियुक्तौ मुदा युतौ। समाधायेतिकर्तव्यं दुःखेन विससर्ज ह ॥०३-२७५-६७॥
He worshipped with various gems, showing affection and joy, arranged what needed to be done, and with grief, he dismissed (them). (03-275-67)
पुष्पकं च विमानं तत्पूजयित्वा स राघवः। प्रादाद्वैश्रवणायैव प्रीत्या स रघुनन्दनः ॥०३-२७५-६८॥
Having worshipped the Puṣpaka aerial chariot, Rāghava, with affection, gave it to Vaiśravaṇa. (03-275-68)
ततो देवर्षिसहितः सरितं गोमतीमनु। दशाश्वमेधानाजह्रे जारूथ्यान्स निरर्गलान् ॥०३-२७५-६९॥
Then, together with the divine sage, he performed ten unrestrained aśvamedha sacrifices along the Gomati river, with the Jārūthyas. (03-275-69)
