Aranya Kanda, Sarga 11

अग्रतः प्रययौ रामस्सीता मध्ये सुमध्यमा। पृष्ठतस्तु धनुष्पाणिर्लक्ष्मणोऽनुजगाम ह।।3.11.1।।

agrataḥ prayayau rāmassītā madhye sumadhyamā| pṛṣṭhatastu dhanuṣpāṇirlakṣmaṇo'nujagāma ha

Rama walked in front, Sita with a beautiful waist, in the middle and Lakshmana holding the bow, behind them৷৷

तौ पश्यमानौ विविधान् शैलप्रस्थान्वनानि च। नदीश्च विविधा रम्या जग्मतुस्सीतया सह।।3.11.2।।

tau paśyamānau vividhān śailaprasthānvanāni ca| nadīśca vividhā ramyā jagmatussītayā saha

Both Rama and Lakshmana walked on, accompanied by Sita, watching several beautiful mountain ranges, forests and rivers.

सारसांश्चक्रवाकांश्च नदीपुलिनचारिणः। सरांसि च सपद्मानि युक्तानि जलजैः खगैः।।3.11.3।।

sārasāṃścakravākāṃśca nadīpulinacāriṇaḥ| sarāṃsi ca sapadmāni yuktāni jalajaiḥ khagaiḥ

(Watching) the swans and ruddy geese on river banks and lakes full of lotuses, and birds on water and in the sky.

यूथबद्धांश्च पृषतान्मदोन्मत्तान् विषाणिनः। महिषांश्च वराहांश्च नागांश्च द्रुमवैरिणः।।3.11.4।।

yūthabaddhāṃśca pṛṣatānmadonmattān viṣāṇinaḥ| mahiṣāṃśca varāhāṃśca nāgāṃśca drumavairiṇaḥ

(Watching) herds of deer, intoxicated horned buffaloes, wild boars and elephants who are enemies of trees (elephants uproof trees).

ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं लम्बमाने दिवाकरे। ददृशुस्सहिता रम्यं तटाकं योजनायतम्।।3.11.5।। पद्मपुष्करसम्बाधं गजयूथैरलङ्कृतम्। सारसैर्हंसकादम्बैस्सङ्कुलं जलचारिभिः।।3.11.6।।

te gatvā dūramadhvānaṃ lambamāne divākare| dadṛśussahitā ramyaṃ taṭākaṃ yojanāyatam padmapuṣkarasambādhaṃ gajayūthairalaṅkṛtam| sārasairhaṃsakādambaissaṅkulaṃ jalacāribhiḥ

As the Sun was setting, they had covered a long distance, watching a yojanalong tank adorned with lotuses, and crowded with herds of elephants and flocks of cranes, swans and aquatic animals.

ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं लम्बमाने दिवाकरे। ददृशुस्सहिता रम्यं तटाकं योजनायतम्।।3.11.5।। पद्मपुष्करसम्बाधं गजयूथैरलङ्कृतम्। सारसैर्हंसकादम्बैस्सङ्कुलं जलचारिभिः।।3.11.6।।

te gatvā dūramadhvānaṃ lambamāne divākare| dadṛśussahitā ramyaṃ taṭākaṃ yojanāyatam padmapuṣkarasambādhaṃ gajayūthairalaṅkṛtam| sārasairhaṃsakādambaissaṅkulaṃ jalacāribhiḥ

As the Sun was setting, they had covered a long distance, watching a yojanalong tank adorned with lotuses, and crowded with herds of elephants and flocks of cranes, swans and aquatic animals.

प्रसन्नसलिले रम्ये तस्मिन्सरसि शुश्रुवे। गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषो न तु कश्चन दृश्यते।।3.11.7।।

prasannasalile ramye tasminsarasi śuśruve| gītavāditranirghoṣo na tu kaścana dṛśyate

In that lake of clear waters they heard the sounds of songs and musical instruments, while there were none around.

ततः कौतूहलाद्रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः। मुनिं धर्मभृतं नाम प्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे।।3.11.8।।

tataḥ kautūhalādrāmo lakṣmaṇaśca mahābalaḥ| muniṃ dharmabhṛtaṃ nāma praṣṭuṃ samupacakrame

Out of curiosity, mighty Rama, and Lakshmana started enquiring about the matter from sage Dharmabrata by name:

इदमत्यद्भुतं श्रुत्वा सर्वेषां नो महामुने। कौतूहलं महज्जातं किमिदं साधु कथ्यताम्।।3.11.9।। वक्तव्यं यदि चेदविप्र नातिगुह्यमपि प्रभो।

idamatyadbhutaṃ śrutvā sarveṣāṃ no mahāmune| kautūhalaṃ mahajjātaṃ kimidaṃ sādhu kathyatām vaktavyaṃ yadi cedavipra nātiguhyamapi prabho|

O great sage, this very wonderful sound, has whetted our great curiosity. If there is no top secret about this, do disclose it.

तेनैवमुक्तो धर्मात्मा राघवेण मुनिस्तदा।।3.11.10।। प्रभवं सरसः कृत्स्नमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे।

tenaivamukto dharmātmā rāghaveṇa munistadā prabhavaṃ sarasaḥ kṛtsnamākhyātumupacakrame|

Thus addressed by Rama, the righteous sage narrated the entire origin of the lake.

इदं पञ्चाप्सरो नाम तटाकं सार्वकालिकम्।।3.11.11।। निर्मितं तपसा राम मुनिना माण्डकर्णिना।

idaṃ pañcāpsaro nāma taṭākaṃ sārvakālikam nirmitaṃ tapasā rāma muninā māṇḍakarṇinā|

O Rama this lake called Panchapsara filled with water at all times has been created through penance by a sage called Mandakarni.

स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्रं माण्डकर्णिर्महामुनिः।।3.11.12।। दशवर्षसहस्राणि वायुभक्षो जलाश्रयः।

sa hi tepe tapastīvraṃ māṇḍakarṇirmahāmuniḥ daśavarṣasahasrāṇi vāyubhakṣo jalāśrayaḥ|

Great sage Mandakarni standing in water and living on air performed rigorous penance for ten thousand years.

ततः प्रव्यथितास्सर्वे देवास्साग्निपुरोगमाः।।3.11.13।। अब्रुवन् वचनं सर्वे परस्परसमागताः।

tataḥ pravyathitāssarve devāssāgnipurogamāḥ abruvan vacanaṃ sarve parasparasamāgatāḥ|

Thereafter very much perturbed, all the gods led by Agni gathered together at one place and started deliberating among themselves.

अस्माकं कस्यचित् स्थानमेष प्रार्थयते मुनिः।।3.11.14।। इति संविग्नमनसस्सर्वे ते त्रिदिवौकसः।

asmākaṃ kasyacit sthānameṣa prārthayate muniḥ iti saṃvignamanasassarve te tridivaukasaḥ|

'The gods of heaven became agitated in their minds thinking the sage might usurp one of their places.

तत्र कर्तुं तपोविघ्नं देवैस्सर्वैर्नियोजिताः।।3.11.15।। प्रधानाप्सरसः पञ्च विद्युच्चलितवर्चसः।

tatra kartuṃ tapovighnaṃ devaissarvairniyojitāḥ pradhānāpsarasaḥ pañca vidyuccalitavarcasaḥ|

All the gods then engaged five of the important nymphs, glittering like lightning, to disturb the penance of the sage.

अप्सरोभिस्ततस्ताभिर्मुनिर्दृष्टपरावरः।।3.11.16।। नीतो मदनवश्यत्वं सुराणां कार्यसिद्धये।

apsarobhistatastābhirmunirdṛṣṭaparāvaraḥ nīto madanavaśyatvaṃ surāṇāṃ kāryasiddhaye|

The sage, a knower of the inner self and the world of plurality, was gripped by passion for the apsaras, who had come to achieve the target of the gods.

ताश्चैवाप्सरसः पञ्च मुनेः पत्नीत्वमागताः।।3.11.17।। तटाके निर्मितं तासामस्मिन्नन्तर्हितं गृहम्।

tāścaivāpsarasaḥ pañca muneḥ patnītvamāgatāḥ taṭāke nirmitaṃ tāsāmasminnantarhitaṃ gṛham|

The five apsaras, got the status of wives to the sage who built them an invisible home inside the lake.

तथैवाप्सरसः पञ्च निवसन्त्यो यथासुखम्।।3.11.18।। रमयन्ति तपोयोगान्मुनिं यौवनमास्थितम्।

tathaivāpsarasaḥ pañca nivasantyo yathāsukham ramayanti tapoyogānmuniṃ yauvanamāsthitam|

The apsaras lived happily with the sage who remained youthful by virtue of his penance.

तासां सङ्क्रीडमानानामेष वादित्रनिस्स्वनः।।3.11.19।। श्रूयते भूषणोन्मिश्रो गीतशब्दो मनोहरः।

tāsāṃ saṅkrīḍamānānāmeṣa vāditranissvanaḥ śrūyate bhūṣaṇonmiśro gītaśabdo manoharaḥ|

While the apsaras played their musical instruments, their melodious songs mingled with the sounds of ornaments are heard.

आश्चर्यमिति तस्यैतद्वचनं भावितात्मनः।।3.11.20।। राघवः प्रतिजग्राह सह भ्रात्रा महायशाः।

āścaryamiti tasyaitadvacanaṃ bhāvitātmanaḥ rāghavaḥ pratijagrāha saha bhrātrā mahāyaśāḥ|

Glorious Rama and his brother heard the wonderful words of the selfrealised sage and exclaimed, 'How strange '

एवं कथयमानस्य ददर्शाश्रममण्डलम्।।3.11.21।। कुशचीरपरिक्षिप्तं ब्राह्म्या लक्ष्म्या समावृतम्।

evaṃ kathayamānasya dadarśāśramamaṇḍalam kuśacīraparikṣiptaṃ brāhmyā lakṣmyā samāvṛtam|

When the sage Dharmabrata was telling the story, Rama saw a hermitage strewn all over with kusa grass and bark garments, and endowed with pure brahminic grace.

प्रविश्य सह वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणेन च राघवः।।3.11.22।। उवास मुनिभिस्सर्वैः पूज्यमानो महायशाः।

praviśya saha vaidehyā lakṣmaṇena ca rāghavaḥ uvāsa munibhissarvaiḥ pūjyamāno mahāyaśāḥ|

Illustrious Rama accompanied by Vaidehi and Lakshmana entered the hermitage and, honoured by all the sages, stayed there.

तदा तस्मिन्सकाकुत्थ्सः श्रीमत्याश्रममण्डले।।3.11.23।। उषित्वा तु सुखं तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः। जगाम चाश्रमांस्तेषां पर्यायेण तपस्विनाम्।।3.11.24।। येषामुषितवान् पूर्वं सकाशे स महास्त्रवित्।

tadā tasminsakākutthsaḥ śrīmatyāśramamaṇḍale uṣitvā tu sukhaṃ tatra pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ| jagāma cāśramāṃsteṣāṃ paryāyeṇa tapasvinām yeṣāmuṣitavān pūrvaṃ sakāśe sa mahāstravit|

Rama, the scion of the Kakutstha race, wielder of great weapons, stayed in that beautiful hermitage, accepting the hospitality of the sages extended with due honour, He visited in turn their penancegroves where he repeated his stay.

तदा तस्मिन्सकाकुत्थ्सः श्रीमत्याश्रममण्डले।।3.11.23।। उषित्वा तु सुखं तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः। जगाम चाश्रमांस्तेषां पर्यायेण तपस्विनाम्।।3.11.24।। येषामुषितवान् पूर्वं सकाशे स महास्त्रवित्।

tadā tasminsakākutthsaḥ śrīmatyāśramamaṇḍale uṣitvā tu sukhaṃ tatra pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ| jagāma cāśramāṃsteṣāṃ paryāyeṇa tapasvinām yeṣāmuṣitavān pūrvaṃ sakāśe sa mahāstravit|

Rama, the scion of the Kakutstha race, wielder of great weapons, stayed in that beautiful hermitage, accepting the hospitality of the sages extended with due honour, He visited in turn their penancegroves where he repeated his stay.

क्वचित्परिदशान्मासानेकं संवत्सरं क्वचित्।।3.11.25।। क्वचिच्छ चतुरो मासान् पञ्च षट्चापरान्क्वचित्। अपरत्राधिकं मासादप्यर्धमधिकं क्वचित्।।3.11.26।। त्रीन्मासानष्टमासांश्च राघवो न्यवसत्सुखम्।

kvacitparidaśānmāsānekaṃ saṃvatsaraṃ kvacit kvaciccha caturo māsān pañca ṣaṭcāparānkvacit| aparatrādhikaṃ māsādapyardhamadhikaṃ kvacit trīnmāsānaṣṭamāsāṃśca rāghavo nyavasatsukham|

Rama lived happily here for about ten months, there one year, here four or five or six months and there over one or half a month or three or eight months in another.

क्वचित्परिदशान्मासानेकं संवत्सरं क्वचित्।।3.11.25।। क्वचिच्छ चतुरो मासान् पञ्च षट्चापरान्क्वचित्। अपरत्राधिकं मासादप्यर्धमधिकं क्वचित्।।3.11.26।। त्रीन्मासानष्टमासांश्च राघवो न्यवसत्सुखम्।

kvacitparidaśānmāsānekaṃ saṃvatsaraṃ kvacit kvaciccha caturo māsān pañca ṣaṭcāparānkvacit| aparatrādhikaṃ māsādapyardhamadhikaṃ kvacit trīnmāsānaṣṭamāsāṃśca rāghavo nyavasatsukham|

Rama lived happily here for about ten months, there one year, here four or five or six months and there over one or half a month or three or eight months in another.

तथा संवसतस्तस्य मुनीनामाश्रमेषु वै।।3.11.27।। रमतश्चानुकूल्येन ययुस्संवत्सरा दश।

tathā saṃvasatastasya munīnāmāśrameṣu vai ramataścānukūlyena yayussaṃvatsarā daśa|

Thus enjoying their stay in the hermitages, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent ten favourable years.

परिवृत्य च धर्मज्ञो राघवस्सह सीतया।।3.11.28।। सुतीक्ष्णस्याश्रमं श्रीमान्पुनरेवाजगाम ह।

parivṛtya ca dharmajño rāghavassaha sītayā sutīkṣṇasyāśramaṃ śrīmānpunarevājagāma ha|

Rama went round who was full of grace and full of knowledge on dharma went round with Sita and came back to Suthikshna's hermitage.

स तमाश्रममासाद्य मुनिभिः प्रतिपूजितः।।3.11.29।। तत्रापि न्यवसद्रामः कञ्चित्कालमरिन्दमः।

sa tamāśramamāsādya munibhiḥ pratipūjitaḥ tatrāpi nyavasadrāmaḥ kañcitkālamarindamaḥ|

On his arrival, Rama, the subduer of enemies, was honoured by the sages at the hermitage where he stayed for a short time.

तदाश्रमस्थो विनयात्कदाचित्तं महामुनिम्।।3.11.30।। उपासीनस्सकाकुत्स्थस्सुतीक्ष्णमिदमब्रवीत्।

tadāśramastho vinayātkadācittaṃ mahāmunim upāsīnassakākutsthassutīkṣṇamidamabravīt|

Once while sitting beside sage Sutikshna at the hermitage Rama humbly addressed him:

अस्मिन्नरण्ये भगवानगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः।।3.11.31।। वसतीति मया नित्यं कथाः कथयतां श्रुतम्।

asminnaraṇye bhagavānagastyo munisattamaḥ vasatīti mayā nityaṃ kathāḥ kathayatāṃ śrutam|

I have heard others saying that lord Agastya, the great sage, lives in this forest.

न तु जानामि तं देशं वनस्यास्य महत्तया।।3.11.32।। कुत्राश्रमपदं रम्यं महर्षेस्तस्य धीमतः।

na tu jānāmi taṃ deśaṃ vanasyāsya mahattayā kutrāśramapadaṃ ramyaṃ maharṣestasya dhīmataḥ|

I am unable to locate the sacred hermitage of that sagacious sage due to the vastness of this forest.

प्रसादात्तत्र भवतस्सानुजस्सह सीतया।।3.11.33।। अगस्त्यमभिगच्छेयमभिवादयितुं मुनिम्।

prasādāttatra bhavatassānujassaha sītayā agastyamabhigaccheyamabhivādayituṃ munim|

By your grace, I wish to go there with Sita and my brother Lakshmana to offer our respectful salutations.

मनोरथो महानेष हृदि मे परिवर्तते।।3.11.34।। यद्यहं तं मुनिवरं शुश्रूषेयमपि स्वयम्।

manoratho mahāneṣa hṛdi me parivartate yadyahaṃ taṃ munivaraṃ śuśrūṣeyamapi svayam|

There is a great desire in my heart to serve in person the best of sages, Agastya.

इति रामस्य स मुनिश्श्रुत्वा धर्मात्मनो वचः।।3.11.35।। सुतीक्ष्णः प्रत्युवाचेदं प्रीतो दशरथात्मजम्।

iti rāmasya sa muniśśrutvā dharmātmano vacaḥ sutīkṣṇaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ prīto daśarathātmajam|

Hearing the words of Rama, the righteous son of Dasaratha, sage Sutikshna was pleased to reply:

अहमप्येतदेव त्वां वक्तुकामस्सलक्ष्मणम्।।3.11.36।। अगस्त्यमभिगच्छेति सीतया सह राघव।

ahamapyetadeva tvāṃ vaktukāmassalakṣmaṇam agastyamabhigaccheti sītayā saha rāghava|

I also wished you, O Raghava, to visit Agastya along with Sita and Lakshmana.

दिष्ट्या त्विदानीमर्थेऽस्मिन् स्वयमेव ब्रवीषि माम्।।3.11.37।। अहमाख्यामि ते वत्स यत्रागस्त्यो महामुनिः।

diṣṭyā tvidānīmarthe'smin svayameva bravīṣi mām ahamākhyāmi te vatsa yatrāgastyo mahāmuniḥ|

Luckily you have asked me on your own. I will tell you where the great sage Agastya lives.

योजनान्याश्रमात्तात याहि चत्वारि वै ततः।।3.11.38।। दक्षिणेन महान् श्रीमानगस्त्यभ्रातुराश्रमः।

yojanānyāśramāttāta yāhi catvāri vai tataḥ dakṣiṇena mahān śrīmānagastyabhrāturāśramaḥ|

Dear Rama, walk from here a distance of four yojanas. There in the southerly direction stands the great, beautiful hermitage of Agastya's brother.

स्थलप्राये वनोद्देशे पिप्पलीवनशोभिते।।3.11.39।। बहुपुष्पफले रम्ये नानाशकुनिनादिते।

sthalaprāye vanoddeśe pippalīvanaśobhite bahupuṣpaphale ramye nānāśakuninādite|

This plain land in the beautiful forest tract is adorned with fig trees,filled with flowers, fruits, and delightful sounds of different birds.

पद्मिन्यो विविधास्तत्र प्रसन्नसलिलाश्शिवाः।।3.11.40।। हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णाश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः। तत्रैकां रजनीं व्युष्य प्रभाते राम गम्यताम्।।3.11.41।।

padminyo vividhāstatra prasannasalilāśśivāḥ haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāścakravākopaśobhitāḥ| tatraikāṃ rajanīṃ vyuṣya prabhāte rāma gamyatām

O Rama, there are lotusponds filled with clear, sacred waters, with different kinds of swans, ducks and ruddy geese. Spend one night there and proceed early in the morning.

पद्मिन्यो विविधास्तत्र प्रसन्नसलिलाश्शिवाः।।3.11.40।। हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णाश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः। तत्रैकां रजनीं व्युष्य प्रभाते राम गम्यताम्।।3.11.41।।

padminyo vividhāstatra prasannasalilāśśivāḥ haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāścakravākopaśobhitāḥ| tatraikāṃ rajanīṃ vyuṣya prabhāte rāma gamyatām

O Rama, there are lotusponds filled with clear, sacred waters, with different kinds of swans, ducks and ruddy geese. Spend one night there and proceed early in the morning.

दक्षिणां दिशमास्थाय वनषण्डस्य पार्श्वतः। तत्रागस्त्याश्रमपदं गत्वा योजनमन्तरा।।3.11.42।।

dakṣiṇāṃ diśamāsthāya vanaṣaṇḍasya pārśvataḥ| tatrāgastyāśramapadaṃ gatvā yojanamantarā

If you go in the southern direction for a yojana you will find Agasthya's hermitage by the side of a cluster of trees.

रमणीये वनोद्धेशे बहुपादपसंवृते। रंस्यते तत्र वैदेही लक्ष्मणश्च सह त्वया।।3.11.43।। स हि रम्यो वनोद्देशो बहुपादपसङ्कुलः।

ramaṇīye vanoddheśe bahupādapasaṃvṛte| raṃsyate tatra vaidehī lakṣmaṇaśca saha tvayā sa hi ramyo vanoddeśo bahupādapasaṅkulaḥ|

Vaidehi will feel happy in your company in that delightful forest region full of many trees.So too will Lakshmana.

यदि बुद्धिः कृता द्रष्टुमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम्।।3.11.44।। अद्यैव गमने बुद्धिं रोचयस्व महायशः।

yadi buddhiḥ kṛtā draṣṭumagastyaṃ taṃ mahāmunim adyaiva gamane buddhiṃ rocayasva mahāyaśaḥ|

O glorious one, if you have made up your mind to visit that great sage Agastya, think of starting today itself.

इति रामो मुनेश्श्रुत्वा सह भ्रात्राभिवाद्य च।।3.11.45।। प्रतस्थेऽमुद्दिश्य सानुजस्सीतया सह।

iti rāmo muneśśrutvā saha bhrātrābhivādya ca pratasthe'muddiśya sānujassītayā saha|

Rama heard the words of the sage, offered him reverential salutations and set out along with his brother and Sita.

पश्यन्वनानि रम्याणि पर्वतांश्चाभ्रसन्निभान्।।3.11.46।। सरांसि सरितश्चैव पथि मार्गवशानुगाः। सुतीक्ष्णेनोपदिष्टेन गत्वा तेन पथा सुखम्।।3.11.47।। इदं परमसंहृष्टो वाक्यं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।

paśyanvanāni ramyāṇi parvatāṃścābhrasannibhān sarāṃsi saritaścaiva pathi mārgavaśānugāḥ| sutīkṣṇenopadiṣṭena gatvā tena pathā sukham idaṃ paramasaṃhṛṣṭo vākyaṃ lakṣmaṇamabravīt|

Enjoying the sight of delightful forests, cloudlike mountains, lakes and rivers on the way, and following the directions given by Sutikshna, Rama was happy. He said to Lakshmana:

पश्यन्वनानि रम्याणि पर्वतांश्चाभ्रसन्निभान्।।3.11.46।। सरांसि सरितश्चैव पथि मार्गवशानुगाः। सुतीक्ष्णेनोपदिष्टेन गत्वा तेन पथा सुखम्।।3.11.47।। इदं परमसंहृष्टो वाक्यं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।

paśyanvanāni ramyāṇi parvatāṃścābhrasannibhān sarāṃsi saritaścaiva pathi mārgavaśānugāḥ| sutīkṣṇenopadiṣṭena gatvā tena pathā sukham idaṃ paramasaṃhṛṣṭo vākyaṃ lakṣmaṇamabravīt|

Enjoying the sight of delightful forests, cloudlike mountains, lakes and rivers on the way, and following the directions given by Sutikshna, Rama was happy. He said to Lakshmana:

एतदेवाश्रमपदं नूनं तस्य महात्मनः।।3.11.48।। अगस्त्यस्य मुनेर्भ्रातुर्दृश्यते पुण्यकर्मणः।

etadevāśramapadaṃ nūnaṃ tasya mahātmanaḥ agastyasya munerbhrāturdṛśyate puṇyakarmaṇaḥ|

Surely this is the hermitage of great Agastya's brother, a man of holy deeds.

यथा हि मे वनस्यास्य ज्ञाताः पथि सहस्रशः।।3.11.49।। सन्नताः फलभारेण पुष्पभारेण च द्रुमाः।

yathā hi me vanasyāsya jñātāḥ pathi sahasraśaḥ sannatāḥ phalabhāreṇa puṣpabhāreṇa ca drumāḥ|

This is the glade we were told about with thousands of trees drooping down with abundant fruits and flowers.

पिप्पलीनां च पक्वानां वनादस्मादुपागतः।।3.11.50।। गन्धोऽयं पवनोक्षिप्तस्सहसा कटुकोदयः।

pippalīnāṃ ca pakvānāṃ vanādasmādupāgataḥ gandho'yaṃ pavanokṣiptassahasā kaṭukodayaḥ|

Feel this sudden astringent smell of ripe figs wafted by the breeze from the forest.

तत्र तत्र च दृश्यन्ते सङ्क्षिप्ताः काष्ठसञ्चयाः।।3.11.51।। लूनाश्च पथि दृश्यन्ते दर्भा वैडूर्यवर्चसः।

tatra tatra ca dṛśyante saṅkṣiptāḥ kāṣṭhasañcayāḥ lūnāśca pathi dṛśyante darbhā vaiḍūryavarcasaḥ|

Heaps of firewood are seen here and there on the path. There are blades of grass (used for sacrificial ceremonies) shining like vaidurya (gems).

एतच्च वनमध्यस्थं कृष्णाभ्रशिखरोपमम्।।3.11.52।। पावकस्याश्रमस्थस्य धूमाग्रं सम्प्रदृश्यते।

etacca vanamadhyasthaṃ kṛṣṇābhraśikharopamam pāvakasyāśramasthasya dhūmāgraṃ sampradṛśyate|

In the middle of the forest can be seen like the tip of the dark clouds columns of smoke coming out of the top of hermitages.

विविक्तेषु च तीर्थेषु कृतस्नाना द्विजातयः।।3.11.53।। पुष्पोपहारं कुर्वन्ति कुसुमैस्स्वयमर्जितै।

vivikteṣu ca tīrtheṣu kṛtasnānā dvijātayaḥ puṣpopahāraṃ kurvanti kusumaissvayamarjitai|

Priests are coming out of the solitary sacred spots after their bath and making offerings of flowers they had themselves plucked.

तत्सुतीक्ष्णस्य वचनं यथा सौम्य मया श्रुतम्।।3.11.54।। अगस्त्यस्याश्रमो भ्रातुर्नूनमेष भविष्यति।

tatsutīkṣṇasya vacanaṃ yathā saumya mayā śrutam agastyasyāśramo bhrāturnūnameṣa bhaviṣyati|

O handsome one, surely this is the hermitage of Agastya's brother about which I heard from Sutikshna.

निगृह्य तपसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया।।3.11.55।। यस्य भ्रात्रा कृतेयं दिक्छरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा।

nigṛhya tapasā mṛtyuṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā yasya bhrātrā kṛteyaṃ dikcharaṇyā puṇyakarmaṇā|

It was by whose holy brother, desiring the welfare of all people, that death was subdued through penance and this southern region was rendered worthy of refuge.

धारयन् ब्राह्मणं रूपमिल्वलस्संस्कृतं वदन्।।3.11.56।। आमन्त्रयति विप्रान्स्मश्राद्धमुद्दिश्य निर्घृणः।

dhārayan brāhmaṇaṃ rūpamilvalassaṃskṛtaṃ vadan āmantrayati viprānsmaśrāddhamuddiśya nirghṛṇaḥ|

Assuming the form of a brahmin and using Sanskrit language, Ilvala would invite brahmins for offering shraddha to the dead

भ्रातरं संस्कृतं कृत्वा ततस्तं मेषरूपिणम्।।3.11.57।। तान् द्विजान्भोजयामास श्राद्धदृष्टेन कर्मणा।

bhrātaraṃ saṃskṛtaṃ kṛtvā tatastaṃ meṣarūpiṇam tān dvijānbhojayāmāsa śrāddhadṛṣṭena karmaṇā|

Ilvala would keep his brother sanctified, so that he is fit for offering, Then he would feed the brahmins with mutton according to the rituals.

भ्रातरं संस्कृतं कृत्वा ततस्तं मेषरूपिणम्।।3.11.57।। तान् द्विजान्भोजयामास श्राद्धदृष्टेन कर्मणा।

bhrātaraṃ saṃskṛtaṃ kṛtvā tatastaṃ meṣarūpiṇam tān dvijānbhojayāmāsa śrāddhadṛṣṭena karmaṇā|

Ilvala would keep his brother sanctified, so that he is fit for offering, Then he would feed the brahmins with mutton according to the rituals.

ततो भुक्तवतां तेषां विप्राणामिल्वलोऽब्रवीत्।।3.11.59।। वातापे निष्क्रमन्वेति स्वरेण महता वदन्।

tato bhuktavatāṃ teṣāṃ viprāṇāmilvalo'bravīt vātāpe niṣkramanveti svareṇa mahatā vadan|

Then when the brahmins finished eating, Ilvala would call aloud, 'O Vatapi come out'.

ततो भ्रातुर्वचश्श्रुत्वा वातापिर्मेषवन्नदन्।।3.11.60।। भित्त्वा भित्त्वा शरीराणि ब्राह्मणानां विनिष्पतत्।

tato bhrāturvacaśśrutvā vātāpirmeṣavannadan bhittvā bhittvā śarīrāṇi brāhmaṇānāṃ viniṣpatat|

Then hearing his brother's voice, Vatapi would bleat like a sheep and jump out, tearing open the bodies of those brahmins.

ब्राह्माणानां सहस्राणि तैरेवं कामरूपिभिः।।3.11.61।। विनाशितानि संहत्य नित्यशः पिशिताशनैः।

brāhmāṇānāṃ sahasrāṇi tairevaṃ kāmarūpibhiḥ vināśitāni saṃhatya nityaśaḥ piśitāśanaiḥ|

In this manner, thousands of brahmins used to be killed daily by those carnivorous demons who assumed any form at their free will.

अगस्त्येन तदा देवैः प्रार्थितेन महर्षिणा।।3.11.62।। अनुभूय किल श्राद्धे भक्षितस्समहासुरः।

agastyena tadā devaiḥ prārthitena maharṣiṇā anubhūya kila śrāddhe bhakṣitassamahāsuraḥ|

Urged by the gods, Agastya came for the shradda . The mighty demon played the same routine trick and Vatapi, for sure, was eaten by the great sage.

ततस्सम्पन्नमित्युक्त्वा दत्त्वा हस्तोदकं ततः।।3.11.63।। भ्रातरं निष्क्रमस्वेति चेल्वलस्सोऽभ्यभाषत।

tatassampannamityuktvā dattvā hastodakaṃ tataḥ bhrātaraṃ niṣkramasveti celvalasso'bhyabhāṣata|

Saying, the ritual is complete Ilvala offered water in the palm of Agastya and called his brother to come out.

स तं तथा भाषमाणं भ्रातरं विप्रघातिनम्।।3.11.64।। अब्रवीत्प्रहसन्धीमानगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः।

sa taṃ tathā bhāṣamāṇaṃ bhrātaraṃ vipraghātinam abravītprahasandhīmānagastyo munisattamaḥ|

Wise Agastya, the best among the ascetics, laughing aloud, said to Ilvala, the destroyer of brahmins:

कुतो निष्क्रमितुं शक्तिर्मया जीर्णस्य रक्षसः।।3.11.65।। भ्रातुस्ते मेषरूपस्य गतस्य यमसादनम्।

kuto niṣkramituṃ śaktirmayā jīrṇasya rakṣasaḥ bhrātuste meṣarūpasya gatasya yamasādanam|

I have digested the demon Vatapi your brother, who assumed the form of a sheep. He has reached the abode of Yama, Lord of death. Where does he have the power to come out?

अथ तस्य वचश्श्रुत्वा भ्रातुर्निधनसंश्रयम्।।3.11.66।। प्रधर्षयितुमारेभे मुनिं क्रोधान्निशाचरः।

atha tasya vacaśśrutvā bhrāturnidhanasaṃśrayam pradharṣayitumārebhe muniṃ krodhānniśācaraḥ|

On hearing the news of the death of his brother, the demon Ilvala, out of anger, started attacking the sage.

सोऽभिद्रवन्मुनिश्रेष्ठं मुनिना दीप्ततेजसा।।3.11.67।। चक्षुषानलकल्पेन निर्दग्धो निधनं गतः।

so'bhidravanmuniśreṣṭhaṃ muninā dīptatejasā cakṣuṣānalakalpena nirdagdho nidhanaṃ gataḥ|

Ilvala who pounced upon Agastya, the best among the sages whose lustre lay consumed by the fire of his eyes which were in flames.

तस्यायमाश्रमो भ्रातुस्तटाकवनशोभितः।।3.11.68।। विप्रानुकम्पया येन कर्मेदं दुष्करं कृतम्।

tasyāyamāśramo bhrātustaṭākavanaśobhitaḥ viprānukampayā yena karmedaṃ duṣkaraṃ kṛtam|

This hermitage surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests belongs to his brother (Sudarsana). Out of sympathy for Agastya, he has accomplished this difficult task.

एवं कथयमानस्य तस्य सौमित्रिणा सह। रामस्यास्तं गतस्सूर्यस्सन्ध्याकालोऽभ्यवर्ततः।।3.11.69।।

evaṃ kathayamānasya tasya saumitriṇā saha| rāmasyāstaṃ gatassūryassandhyākālo'bhyavartataḥ

While Rama was thus narrating to Lakshmana (the story of Agastya), the Sun set and evening closed in.

उपास्य पश्चिमां सन्ध्यां सह भ्रात्रा यथाविधि। प्रविवेशाऽश्रमपदं तमृषिं सोऽभ्यवादयत्।।3.11.70।।

upāsya paścimāṃ sandhyāṃ saha bhrātrā yathāvidhi| praviveśā'śramapadaṃ tamṛṣiṃ so'bhyavādayat

Rama with his brother Lakshmana duly offered oblations at twilight, entered the hermitage and greeted the sage (Sudarsana) with folded palms.

सम्यक् प्रतिगृहीतश्च मुनिना तेन राघवः। न्यवसत्तां निशामेकां प्राश्य मूलफलानि च।।3.11.71।।

samyak pratigṛhītaśca muninā tena rāghavaḥ| nyavasattāṃ niśāmekāṃ prāśya mūlaphalāni ca

Warmly received by the sage, Rama shared the roots and fruits and slept the night there.

तस्यां रात्य्रां व्यतीतायां विमले सूर्यमण्डले। भ्रातरं तमगस्त्यस्य ह्यामन्त्रयत राघवः।।3.11.72।।

tasyāṃ rātyrāṃ vyatītāyāṃ vimale sūryamaṇḍale| bhrātaraṃ tamagastyasya hyāmantrayata rāghavaḥ

When the night passed and the Sun became bright, Rama took leave of the brother of Agastya.

अभिवादये त्वां भगवन् सुखमध्युषितो निशाम्। आमन्त्रये त्वां गच्छामि गुरुं ते द्रष्टुमग्रजम्।।3.11.73।।

abhivādaye tvāṃ bhagavan sukhamadhyuṣito niśām| āmantraye tvāṃ gacchāmi guruṃ te draṣṭumagrajam

O Lord, the night has been wellspent. Now we humbly seek leave of you to see your respectable elder brother.

गम्यतामिति तेनोक्तो जगाम रघुनन्दनः। यथोद्दिष्टेन मार्गेण वनं तच्चावलोकयन्।।3.11.74।।

gamyatāmiti tenokto jagāma raghunandanaḥ| yathoddiṣṭena mārgeṇa vanaṃ taccāvalokayan

With his permission, Rama, the delight of the Raghu race, proceeded along the path indicated, watching (the beauty of) the forest.

नीवारान्पनसांस्तालांस्तिमिशान्वञ्चुलान्धवान्। चिरिबिल्वान्मधूकांश्च बिल्वानपि च तिन्दुकान्।।3.11.75।।

nīvārānpanasāṃstālāṃstimiśānvañculāndhavān| ciribilvānmadhūkāṃśca bilvānapi ca tindukān

They passed by wild rice fields, jackfruit trees, palmyra and various other trees like Ashoka, trees with white flowers, old trees that existed for a long time, mahva trees, bilva trees and tindukas.

पुष्पितान्पुष्पिताग्राभिर्लताभिरनुवेष्टितान्। ददर्श रामश्शतशस्तत्र कान्तारपादपान्।।3.11.76।। हस्तिहस्तैर्विमृदितान्वानरैरुपशोभितान्। मत्तैश्शकुनिसङ्घैश्च शतशश्च प्रणादितान्।।3.11.77।।

puṣpitānpuṣpitāgrābhirlatābhiranuveṣṭitān| dadarśa rāmaśśataśastatra kāntārapādapān hastihastairvimṛditānvānarairupaśobhitān| mattaiśśakunisaṅghaiśca śataśaśca praṇāditān

Rama saw hundreds of trees crushed by the trunks of elephants and by monkeys. He saw some trees echoing with notes of hundreds of intoxicated birds. He saw tree tops coiled with creepers in full bloom.

पुष्पितान्पुष्पिताग्राभिर्लताभिरनुवेष्टितान्। ददर्श रामश्शतशस्तत्र कान्तारपादपान्।।3.11.76।। हस्तिहस्तैर्विमृदितान्वानरैरुपशोभितान्। मत्तैश्शकुनिसङ्घैश्च शतशश्च प्रणादितान्।।3.11.77।।

puṣpitānpuṣpitāgrābhirlatābhiranuveṣṭitān| dadarśa rāmaśśataśastatra kāntārapādapān hastihastairvimṛditānvānarairupaśobhitān| mattaiśśakunisaṅghaiśca śataśaśca praṇāditān

Rama saw hundreds of trees crushed by the trunks of elephants and by monkeys. He saw some trees echoing with notes of hundreds of intoxicated birds. He saw tree tops coiled with creepers in full bloom.

ततोऽब्रवीत्समीपस्थं रामो राजीवलोचनः। पृष्ठतोऽनुगतं वीरं लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्।।3.11.78।।

tato'bravītsamīpasthaṃ rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ| pṛṣṭhato'nugataṃ vīraṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam

Then the lotuseyed Rama said to the chivalrous, graceful Lakshmana who stood behind him:

स्निग्धपत्रा यथा वृक्षा यथा क्षान्ता मृगद्विजाः। आश्रमो नातिदूरस्थो महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः।।3.11.79।।

snigdhapatrā yathā vṛkṣā yathā kṣāntā mṛgadvijāḥ| āśramo nātidūrastho maharṣerbhāvitātmanaḥ

The leaves of the trees here are glossy, the animals and birds are peaceful. It appears the hermitage of the selfrealized great sage Agastya is not very far from here.

अगस्त्य इति विख्यातो लोके स्वेनैव कर्मणा। आश्रमो दृश्यते तस्य परिश्रान्तश्रमापहः।।3.11.80।।

agastya iti vikhyāto loke svenaiva karmaṇā| āśramo dṛśyate tasya pariśrāntaśramāpahaḥ

Here is the hermitage of Agastya, wellknown in the world for his deeds a place of rest for those tired with hard work.

प्राज्यधूमाकुलवनश्चीरमालापरिष्कृतः। प्रशान्तमृगयूथश्च नानाशकुनिनादितः।।3.11.81।।

prājyadhūmākulavanaścīramālāpariṣkṛtaḥ| praśāntamṛgayūthaśca nānāśakunināditaḥ

This forest is enveloped with the smoke rising from the sacrificial altar. There are rows of bark robes hanging. Herds of quiet animals lying and different kind of birds chirping around.

तस्येदमाश्रमपदं प्रभावाद्यस्य राक्षसैः। दिगियं दक्षिणा त्रासाद्दृश्यते नोपभुज्यते।।3.11.82।।

tasyedamāśramapadaṃ prabhāvādyasya rākṣasaiḥ| digiyaṃ dakṣiṇā trāsāddṛśyate nopabhujyate

This is his hermitage. On account of his (Agastya's) impact the demons look south but cannot eat the hermits out of fear (for the sage).

यदा प्रभृति चाक्रान्ता दिगियं पुण्यकर्मणा। तदा प्रभृति निर्वैराः प्रशान्ता रजनीचराः।।3.11.83।।

yadā prabhṛti cākrāntā digiyaṃ puṇyakarmaṇā| tadā prabhṛti nirvairāḥ praśāntā rajanīcarāḥ

Since the time Agastya of sacred deeds occupied this direction the demons are quiet, leaving all enmity.

नाम्ना चेयं भगवतो दक्षिणा दिक्प्रदक्षिणा। प्रथिता त्रिषु लोकेषु दुर्धर्षा क्रूरकर्मभिः।।3.11.84।।

nāmnā ceyaṃ bhagavato dakṣiṇā dikpradakṣiṇā| prathitā triṣu lokeṣu durdharṣā krūrakarmabhiḥ

The southern side favourable to the people was famous by the name Agastya in the three worlds and stood unassailable to the demons.

मार्गं निरोद्धुं निरतो भास्करस्याचलोत्तमः। निदेशं पालयन्यस्य विन्ध्यशैला न वर्धते।।3.11.85।। अयं दीर्घायुषस्तस्य लोके विश्रुतकर्मणः। अगस्त्यस्याश्रम श्रीमान्विनीतजनसेवितः।।3.11.86।।

mārgaṃ niroddhuṃ nirato bhāskarasyācalottamaḥ| nideśaṃ pālayanyasya vindhyaśailā na vardhate ayaṃ dīrghāyuṣastasya loke viśrutakarmaṇaḥ| agastyasyāśrama śrīmānvinītajanasevitaḥ

This is the hermitage of the longlived Agastya who is renowned for his deeds and is served by humble people. The great mountain Vindhya that was growing incessantly and obstructing the path of the Sun stopped growing any more in obedience to Agastya's words.

मार्गं निरोद्धुं निरतो भास्करस्याचलोत्तमः। निदेशं पालयन्यस्य विन्ध्यशैला न वर्धते।।3.11.85।। अयं दीर्घायुषस्तस्य लोके विश्रुतकर्मणः। अगस्त्यस्याश्रम श्रीमान्विनीतजनसेवितः।।3.11.86।।

mārgaṃ niroddhuṃ nirato bhāskarasyācalottamaḥ| nideśaṃ pālayanyasya vindhyaśailā na vardhate ayaṃ dīrghāyuṣastasya loke viśrutakarmaṇaḥ| agastyasyāśrama śrīmānvinītajanasevitaḥ

This is the hermitage of the longlived Agastya who is renowned for his deeds and is served by humble people. The great mountain Vindhya that was growing incessantly and obstructing the path of the Sun stopped growing any more in obedience to Agastya's words.

एष लोकार्चितस्साधुर्हिते नित्यरतस्सताम्। अस्मानभिगतानेष श्रेयसा योजयिष्यति।।3.11.87।।

eṣa lokārcitassādhurhite nityaratassatām| asmānabhigatāneṣa śreyasā yojayiṣyati

We are going to join this sage honoured by the people of the world and ever engaged in the welfare of the virtuous. This augurs well for us.

आराधयिष्याम्यत्राहमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम्। शेषं च वनवासस्य सौम्य वत्स्याम्यहं प्रभो।।3.11.88।।

ārādhayiṣyāmyatrāhamagastyaṃ taṃ mahāmunim| śeṣaṃ ca vanavāsasya saumya vatsyāmyahaṃ prabho

O noble, handsome Lakshmana, I will spend the rest of the exile in this forest in the worship of the great sage Agastya.

अत्र देवास्सगन्धर्वास्सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। अगस्त्यं नियताहारं सततं पर्युपासते।।3.11.89।।

atra devāssagandharvāssiddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ| agastyaṃ niyatāhāraṃ satataṃ paryupāsate

The gods along with gandharvas, siddhas and great sages always serve Agastya, observing discipine in their food habits.

नात्र जीवेन्मृषावादी क्रूरो वा यदि वा शठः। नृशंसः कामवृत्तो वा मुनिरेष तथाविधः।।3.11.90।।

nātra jīvenmṛṣāvādī krūro vā yadi vā śaṭhaḥ| nṛśaṃsaḥ kāmavṛtto vā munireṣa tathāvidhaḥ

This sage is such type that he (his spiritual power) will not allow a liar or a cruel man or a deceitful or lustful or wicked person to thrive here.

अत्र देवाश्च यक्षाश्च नागाश्च पतगैस्सह। वसन्ति नियताहारा धर्ममाराधयिष्णवः।।3.11.91।।

atra devāśca yakṣāśca nāgāśca patagaissaha| vasanti niyatāhārā dharmamārādhayiṣṇavaḥ

Here gods, yakshas, nagas and birds live, following the righteous path and observing discipline in food habits.

अत्र सिद्धा महात्मानो विमानैजस्सूर्यसन्निभैः। त्यक्तदेहा नवैर्देहैः स्वर्याताः परमर्षयः।।3.11.92।।

atra siddhā mahātmāno vimānaijassūryasannibhaiḥ| tyaktadehā navairdehaiḥ svaryātāḥ paramarṣayaḥ

Here great souls like sages and siddhas gave up the ghost and with renewed bodies left for heaven on aerochariot resembling the Sun (in brightness).

यक्षत्वममरत्वं च राज्यानि विविधानि च। अत्र देवाः प्रयच्छन्ति भूतैराराधिताश्शुभैः।।3.11.93।।

yakṣatvamamaratvaṃ ca rājyāni vividhāni ca| atra devāḥ prayacchanti bhūtairārādhitāśśubhaiḥ

Worshipped by benevolent beings, the gods here bestow on them the status of demigods or of the immortals or several kinds of kingdoms.