03.275
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
sa hatvā rāvaṇaṃ kṣudraṃ rākṣasendraṃ suradviṣam। babhūva hṛṣṭaḥ sa-suhṛd-rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha ॥03-275-1॥
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)
tato hate daśagrīve devāḥ sarṣipurōgamāḥ। āśīrbhirjayayuktābhirānarcustaṃ mahābhujam ॥03-275-2॥
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)
rāmaṁ kamalapatrākṣaṁ tuṣṭuvuḥ sarvadevatāḥ। gandharvāḥ puṣpavarṣaiś ca vāgbhiś ca tridaśālayāḥ॥03-275-3॥
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)
pūjayitvā yathā rāmaṃ pratijagmur yathāgatam। tan-mahotsava-saṅkāśam āsīd ākāśam acyuta ॥03-275-4॥
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)
tato hatvā daśagrīvaṃ laṅkāṃ rāmo mahā-yaśāḥ। vibhīṣaṇāya pradadau prabhuḥ para-puraṃ-jayaḥ॥03-275-5॥
Then, having slain the ten-necked Rāvaṇa, Rāma, the greatly renowned lord and conqueror of enemy cities, gave Laṅkā to Vibhīṣaṇa. (03-275-5)
tataḥ sītāṁ puraskṛtya vibhīṣaṇapuraskṛtām। avindhyo nāma suprājño vṛddhāmātyo viniryayau ॥03-275-6॥
Then, placing Sītā in front, who was accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, Avindhya, the very wise and aged minister, set out. (03-275-6)
uvāca ca mahātmānaṃ kākutsthaṃ dainyam-āsthitam। pratīccha devīṃ sad-vṛttāṃ mahātman-janakī-m iti ॥03-275-7॥
He said to the great-souled Kākutstha, who was in distress: "O great-souled one, accept the virtuous goddess Jānakī." (03-275-7)
etac chrutvā vacas tasmād avatīrya rathottamāt। bāṣpeṇāpihitāṃ sītāṃ dadarśa ikṣvāku-nandanaḥ ॥03-275-8॥
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)
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā cārusarvāṅgīṃ yānasthāṃ śokakarśitām। malopacitasarvāṅgīṃ jaṭilāṃ kṛṣṇavāsasam ॥03-275-9॥
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)
uvāca rāmo vaidehīṃ parāmarśaviśaṅkitaḥ। gaccha vaidehi muktā tvaṃ yat kāryaṃ tan mayā kṛtam॥03-275-10॥
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)
mām āsādya patiṃ bhadre na tvaṃ rākṣasaveśmani. jarāṃ vrajethā iti me nihato'sau niśācaraḥ ॥03-275-11॥
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)
kathaṁ hy asmad-vidho jātu jānan dharma-viniścayam। para-hasta-gatāṁ nārīṁ muhūrtam api dhārayet॥03-275-12॥
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)
suvṛttām asuvṛttāṃ vā api aham tvām adya maithili। na utsahe paribhogāya śvāvalīḍham havir yathā ॥03-275-13॥
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)
tataḥ sā sahasā bālā tacchrutvā dāruṇaṃ vacaḥ। papāta devī vyathitā nikṛttā kadalī yathā ॥03-275-14॥
Then, the girl suddenly fell down, distressed, upon hearing that harsh speech, just like a plantain tree cut down. (03-275-14)
yo hy asyā harṣasambhūto mukharāgas tadābhavat। kṣaṇena sa punar bhraṣṭo niḥśvāsādiva darpaṇe ॥03-275-15॥
The blush that appeared on her face from joy immediately vanished again in a moment, like a breath in a mirror. (03-275-15)
tatas te harayaḥ sarve tac chrutvā rāma-bhāṣitam। gatāsukalpā niśceṣṭā babhūvuḥ saha-lakṣmaṇāḥ॥03-275-16॥
Then, all the monkeys, together with Lakshmana, upon hearing Rama's words, became motionless as if lifeless. (03-275-16)
tato devo viśuddhātmā vimānena caturmukhaḥ। pitāmaho jagatsraṣṭā darśayāmāsa rāghavam॥03-275-17॥
Then the god of pure essence, the four-faced grandsire and creator of the world, showed himself to Rāghava. (03-275-17)
śakraś cāgniś ca vāyuś ca yamo varuṇa eva ca। yakṣādhipaś ca bhagavāṃs tathā saptarṣayo 'malāḥ ॥03-275-18॥
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).
rājā daśarathaś caiva divya-bhāsvara-mūrtimān। vimānena mahārheṇa haṃsa-yuktena bhāsvatā ॥03-275-19॥
King Daśaratha himself, in a brilliant, exceedingly precious chariot drawn by swans, having a divine shining form. (03-275-19)
tato'ntarikṣaṃ tatsarvaṃ deva-gandharva-saṅkulam। śuśubhe tārakā-citraṃ śarad-iva nabhas-talam॥03-275-20॥
Then the whole sky filled with gods and gandharvas shone magnificently, adorned with stars, like the autumn sky. (03-275-20)
tat utthāya vaidehī teṣāṃ madhye yaśasvinī। uvāca vākyaṃ kalyāṇī rāmaṃ pṛthulavakṣasam ॥03-275-21॥
Then the illustrious Vaidehī, having risen in their midst, the auspicious one, spoke words to Rāma of the broad chest. (03-275-21)
rājaputra na te kopaṃ karomi viditā hi me। gatiḥ strīṇāṃ narāṇāṃ ca śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama॥03-275-22॥
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)
antaś carati bhūtānāṃ mātariśvā sadāgatiḥ। sa me vimuñcatu prāṇān yadi pāpaṃ carāmi aham ॥03-275-23॥
Mātariśvan (the wind), who always moves within beings, may he release my vital breaths if I commit sin. (03-275-23)
agnir āpas tathā kāśaṃ pṛthivī vāyur eva ca. vimuñcantu mama prāṇān yadi pāpaṃ carāmy aham ॥03-275-24॥
If I am committing a sin, may the fire, waters, ether, earth, and wind indeed set my life-breaths free. (03-275-24)
tato'ntarikṣe vāg āsīt sarvā viśrāvayan diśaḥ. puṇyā saṁharṣaṇī teṣāṁ vānarāṇāṁ mahātmanām ॥03-275-25॥
Then, in the sky, a voice arose, resounding in all directions, auspicious and causing delight to those great-souled vānaras. (03-275-25)
vāyuruvāca॥
Vāyu said.
bho bho rāghava satyaṁ vai vāyur asmi sadāgatiḥ. apāpā maithilī rājan saṅgaccha saha bhāryayā ॥03-275-26॥
O Rāghava, O King, truly I am Vāyu, the ever-moving wind-god. Maithilī is sinless; proceed with your wife. (03-275-26)
agniruvāca॥
Agni said.
aham antaḥśarīrastho bhūtānāṃ raghunandana। susūkṣmam api kākutstha maithilī nāparādhyati ॥03-275-27॥
O Raghunandana, I dwell within the bodies of beings. O Kakutstha, Maithilī does not commit even the slightest offense. (03-275-27)
varuṇa uvāca॥
Varuṇa said.
rasā vai matprasūtā hi bhūtadeheṣu rāghava। ahaṃ vai tvāṃ prabravīmi maithilī pratigṛhyatām॥03-275-28॥
"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)
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
putra naitadihāścaryaṃ tvayi rājarṣidharmiṇi। sādho sadvṛttamārgasthe śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama॥03-275-29॥
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)
śatrureṣa tvayā vīra devagandharvabhoginām। yakṣāṇāṃ dānavānāṃ ca maharṣīṇāṃ ca pātitaḥ ॥03-275-30॥
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)
avadhyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ matprasādātpurābhavat। kasmāccitkāraṇātpāpaḥ kañcitkālamupekṣitaḥ ॥03-275-31॥
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)
vadhārtham ātmanas tena hṛtā sītā durātmanā। nalakūbara-śāpena rakṣā cāsyāḥ kṛtā mayā ॥03-275-32॥
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)
yadi hy akāmaṃ āseveta striyam anyām api dhruvam। śatadhā asya phalet deha iti uktaḥ saḥ abhavat purā ॥03-275-33॥
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)
nātra śaṅkā tvayā kāryā pratīcchēmāṃ mahādyute । kṛtaṃ tvayā mahatkāryaṃ devānām amaraprabha ॥03-275-34॥
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)
daśaratha uvāca॥
Daśaratha said.
prīto'smi vatsa bhadraṃ te pitā daśaratho'smi te। anujānāmi rājyaṃ ca praśādhi puruṣottama ॥03-275-35॥
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)
rāma uvāca॥
Rama said.
abhivādaye tvāṁ rājendra yadi tvaṁ janako mama। gamiṣyāmi purīṁ ramyām ayodhyāṁ śāsanāt tava ॥03-275-36॥
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)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
tam uvāca pitā bhūyaḥ prahṛṣṭo manujādhipa। gaccha ayodhyām praśādhi tvaṃ rāma raktānta-locana॥03-275-37॥
The joyful king, his father, again said to him: "Go to Ayodhyā and rule, O red-eyed Rāma." (03-275-37)
tato devān namaskṛtya suhṛdbhir abhinanditaḥ। mahendra iva paulomyā bhāryayā sa sameyivān ॥03-275-38॥
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)
tato varaṃ dadau tasmai avindhyāya parantapaḥ। trijaṭāṃ cārthamānābhyāṃ yojayāmāsa rākṣasīm ॥03-275-39॥
Then the destroyer of enemies granted a boon to Avindhya, and joined the rākṣasī Trijaṭā with the honored women. (03-275-39)
tam uvāca tato brahmā devaiḥ śakramukhaiḥ vṛtaḥ। kausalyā-mātariṣṭāṁs te varān adya dadāni kān ॥03-275-40॥
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)
vavre rāmaḥ sthitiṁ dharme śatrubhiś cāparājayam। rākṣasair nihatānāṁ ca vānarāṇāṁ samudbhavam॥03-275-41॥
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)
tatas te brahmaṇā prokte tatheti vacane tadā। samuttasthur mahārāja vānarā labdhacetasah ॥03-275-42॥
Then, O great king, when Brahma had spoken, at his words, the monkeys, having regained consciousness, arose together. (03-275-42)
sītā cāpi mahābhāgā varaṃ hanumate dadau। rāmakīrtyā samaṃ putra jīvitaṃ te bhaviṣyati॥03-275-43॥
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)
divyās tvām upabhogāś ca mat-prasāda-kṛtāḥ sadā। upasthāsyanti hanuman n iti sma hari-locana ॥03-275-44॥
Hari-eyed (Rāma) indeed said: "Divine enjoyments, produced by my grace, will always attend you, Hanuman." (03-275-44)
tataste prekṣamāṇānāṃ teṣāmakliṣṭakarmaṇām। antardhānaṃ yayurdevāḥ sarve śakrapurogamāḥ ॥03-275-45॥
Then, as they were observing those of unwearied action, all the gods led by Śakra (Indra) disappeared. (03-275-45)
dṛṣṭvā tu rāmaṃ jānakyā sametaṃ śakrasārathiḥ। uvāca paramaprītaḥ suhṛnmadhya idaṃ vacaḥ ॥03-275-46॥
Seeing Rāma together with Jānakī, the charioteer of Indra, greatly delighted, spoke these words among friends. (03-275-46)
devagandharvayakṣāṇāṃ mānuṣāsurabhoginām। apanītaṃ tvayā duḥkham idaṃ satyaparākrama ॥03-275-47॥
O truly valiant one, you have removed this suffering from the gods, gandharvas, yakṣas, men, asuras, and all enjoyers. (03-275-47)
sadevāsuragandharvā yakṣarākṣasapannagāḥ। kathayiṣyanti lokāstvāṃ yāvadbhūmirdhariṣyati॥03-275-48॥
As long as the earth endures, the worlds—gods, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and serpents—will tell of you. (03-275-48)
ityevam-uktvā anujñāpya rāmaṁ śastrabhṛtāṁ varam। sampūjya apākramat tena rathena ādityavarcasā ॥03-275-49॥
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)
tataḥ sītāṃ puraskṛtya rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha। sugrīvapramukhaiścaiva sahitaḥ sarvavānaraiḥ॥03-275-50॥
Then, having Sītā in front, Rama, along with Lakṣmaṇa, accompanied by Sugrīva and the leading chiefs, together with all the monkeys. (03-275-50)
vidhāya rakṣāṁ laṅkāyāṁ vibhīṣaṇapuraskṛtaḥ। santatāra punasten setunā makarālayam ॥03-275-51॥
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)
puṣpakeṇa vimānena khecareṇa virājatā। kāmagena yathā mukhyairamātyaiḥ saṁvṛto vaśī॥03-275-52॥
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)
tatastīre samudrasya yatra śiśye sa pārthivaḥ। tatraivovāsa dharmātmā sahitaḥ sarva-vānaraiḥ॥03-275-53॥
Then, on the ocean's bank where the king had lain, the righteous one stayed there with all the monkeys. (03-275-53)
athainān rāghavaḥ kāle samānīyābhipūjya ca। visarjayāmāsa tadā ratnaiḥ santoṣya sarvaśaḥ ॥03-275-54॥
Then Rāghava gathered them at the proper time, honored them, and sent them away, having fully satisfied them with jewels. (03-275-54)
gateṣu vānarendreṣu gopuccharkṣeṣu teṣu ca. sugrīvasahito rāmaḥ kiṣkindhāṃ punarāgamat॥03-275-55॥
When the monkey chiefs, those with cow-like tails, had departed, Rāma, together with Sugrīva, returned again to Kiṣkindhā. (03-275-55)
vibhīṣaṇenānugataḥ sugrīva-sahitas-tadā। puṣpakeṇa vimānena vaidehyā darśayan vanam ॥03-275-56॥
Then, accompanied by Sugrīva and followed by Vibhīṣaṇa, he showed the forest to Vaidehī while traveling in the Puṣpaka aerial chariot. (03-275-56)
kiṣkindhāṃ tu samāsādya rāmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ। aṅgadaṃ kṛtakarmāṇaṃ yauvarājye'bhyaṣecayat ॥03-275-57॥
After reaching Kiṣkindhā, Rāma, the best among warriors, anointed Aṅgada, who had accomplished his task, to the office of crown-prince. (03-275-57)
tatastaireva sahito rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha। yathāgatena mārgeṇa prayayau svapuraṃ prati॥03-275-58॥
Then Rāma, accompanied by Saumitri and those others, went along the way by which he had come, towards his own city. (03-275-58)
ayodhyāṃ sa samāsādya purīṃ rāṣṭrapatistataḥ। bharatāya hanūmantaṃ dūtaṃ prasthāpayattadā ॥03-275-59॥
Having reached Ayodhyā, the lord of the kingdom then dispatched Hanumān as a messenger to Bharata. (03-275-59)
lakṣayitva eṅgitaṃ sarvaṃ priyaṃ tasmai nivedya ca। vāyuputre punaḥ prāpte nandigrāmam upāgamat ॥03-275-60॥
After observing all the gestures and making known all that was dear to him, when Hanuman returned, he proceeded to Nandigrama. (03-275-60)
sa tatra maladigdhāṅgaṃ bharataṃ cīravāsasam। agrataḥ pāduke kṛtvā dadarśāsīnam āsane ॥03-275-61॥
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)
sametya bharatenātha śatrughnena ca vīryavān। rāghavaḥ saha saumitrirmumude bharatarṣabha ॥03-275-62॥
O bull among the Bharatas, having met with Bharata and Śatrughna, the mighty Rāghava (Rāma) along with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) rejoiced. (03-275-62)
tathā bharataśatrughnau sametau guruṇā tadā। vaidehyā darśanenobhau praharṣaṃ samavāpatuḥ॥03-275-63॥
Thus, Bharata and Śatrughna, together with their teacher at that time, both experienced great joy upon seeing Vaidehī (Sītā). (03-275-63)
tasmai tadbharato rājyam āgatāyābhisatkṛtam। nyāsaṃ niryātayāmāsa yuktaḥ paramayā mudā॥03-275-64॥
To him, Bharata handed back the kingdom, with due honor, handing over the entrusted rule, being devoted and with supreme joy. (03-275-64)
tatas taṃ vaiṣṇave śūraṃ nakṣatre'bhimate'hani। vasiṣṭho vāmadevaś ca sahitāv abhyaṣiñcatām ॥03-275-65॥
Then, on the chosen auspicious day under the heroic Vaiṣṇava constellation, Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva together anointed him. (03-275-65)
so'bhiṣiktaḥ kapiśreṣṭhaṃ sugrīvaṃ sasuhṛjjanam। vibhīṣaṇaṃ ca paulastyam anvajānādgṛhānprati ॥03-275-66॥
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)
abhyarcya vividhai ratnaiḥ prītiyuktau mudā yutau. samādhāya itikartavyaṃ duḥkhena visasarja ha ॥03-275-67॥
He worshipped with various gems, showing affection and joy, arranged what needed to be done, and with grief, he dismissed (them). (03-275-67)
puṣpakaṃ ca vimānaṃ tat pūjayitvā sa rāghavaḥ। prādād vaiśravaṇāyaiva prītyā sa raghunandanaḥ॥03-275-68॥
Having worshipped the Puṣpaka aerial chariot, Rāghava, with affection, gave it to Vaiśravaṇa. (03-275-68)
tato devarṣisahitaḥ saritaṃ gomatīmanu। daśāśvamedhān ajahre jārūthyān sa nirargalān ॥03-275-69॥
Then, together with the divine sage, he performed ten unrestrained aśvamedha sacrifices along the Gomati river, with the Jārūthyas. (03-275-69)
