Aranya Kanda, Sarga 12

सप्रविश्याऽश्रमपदं लक्ष्मणो राघवानुजः। अगस्त्यशिष्यमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह।।3.12.1।।

sapraviśyā'śramapadaṃ lakṣmaṇo rāghavānujaḥ| agastyaśiṣyamāsādya vākyametaduvāca ha

Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama, entered the hermitage of Agastya and met one of his disciples and said to him these words :

राजा दशरथो नाम ज्येष्ठस्तस्य सुतो बली। रामः प्राप्तो मुनिं द्रष्टुं भार्यया सह सीतया।।3.12.2।।

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

The valiant eldest son of king Dasaratha has come along with his wife Sita to see the sage.

लक्ष्मणो नाम तस्याहं भ्राता त्ववरजो हितः। अनुकूलश्च भक्तश्च यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः।।3.12.3।।

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

I am his younger brother Lakshmana, his wellwisher and faithful devotee if you have at all heard about me.

ते वयं वनमत्युग्रं प्रविष्टाः पितृशासनात्। द्रष्टुमिच्छामहे सर्वे भगवन्तं निवेद्यताम्।।3.12.4।।

te vayaṃ vanamatyugraṃ praviṣṭāḥ pitṛśāsanāt| draṣṭumicchāmahe sarve bhagavantaṃ nivedyatām

By the command of our father, we have entered this dense forest and desire to see the divine sire. Please report.

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणस्य तपोधनः। तथेत्युक्त्वाऽग्निशरणं प्रविवेश निवेदितुम्।।3.12.5।।

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā lakṣmaṇasya tapodhanaḥ| tathetyuktvā'gniśaraṇaṃ praviveśa niveditum

The ascetic heard Lakshmana, and saying, 'let it be so', entered the firesanctuary to report.

स प्रविश्य मुनिश्रेष्ठं तपसा दुष्प्रधर्षणम्। कृताञ्जलिरुवाचेदं रामागमनमञ्जसा।।3.12.6।। यथोक्तं लक्ष्मणेनैव शिष्योऽगस्त्यस्य सम्मतः।

sa praviśya muniśreṣṭhaṃ tapasā duṣpradharṣaṇam| kṛtāñjaliruvācedaṃ rāmāgamanamañjasā yathoktaṃ lakṣmaṇenaiva śiṣyo'gastyasya sammataḥ|

Having promptly entered, Agastya's favourite disciple with folded hands reported as he was told by Lakshmana about Rama's arrival to the great sage who was armed with the inviolable powers of penance :

पुत्रौ दशरथस्येमौ रामो लक्ष्मण एव च।।3.12.7।। प्रविष्टावाश्रमपदं सीतया सह भार्यया।

putrau daśarathasyemau rāmo lakṣmaṇa eva ca praviṣṭāvāśramapadaṃ sītayā saha bhāryayā|

Rama and Lakshmana, the two sons of Dasaratha along with Sita, wife of Rama, have arrived at the hermitage.

द्रष्टुं भवन्तमायातौ शुश्रूषार्थमरिन्दमौ।।3.12.8।। यदत्रानन्तरं तत्त्वमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि।

draṣṭuṃ bhavantamāyātau śuśrūṣārthamarindamau yadatrānantaraṃ tattvamājñāpayitumarhasi|

Both the subduers of enemies have come here now to see and serve your Holiness. You may order what is to be done next.

ततश्शिष्यादुपश्रुत्य प्राप्तं रामं सलक्ष्मणम्।।3.12.9।। वैदेहीं च महाभागामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।

tataśśiṣyādupaśrutya prāptaṃ rāmaṃ salakṣmaṇam vaidehīṃ ca mahābhāgāmidaṃ vacanamabravīt|

Having heard from the disciple about the arrival of Rama, Lakshmana and great daughter of the king of Videha the sage said :

दिष्ट्या रामश्चिरस्याद्य द्रष्टुं मां समुपागतः।।3.12.10।। मनसा काङ्क्षितं ह्यस्य मयाप्यागमनं प्रति।

diṣṭyā rāmaścirasyādya draṣṭuṃ māṃ samupāgataḥ manasā kāṅkṣitaṃ hyasya mayāpyāgamanaṃ prati|

It is good fortune that Rama has come here after a long time to see me. I was longing for his arrival.

गम्यतां सत्कृतो रामस्सभार्यस्सहलक्ष्मणः।।3.12.11।। प्रवेश्यतां समीपं मे किं चासौ न प्रवेशितः।

gamyatāṃ satkṛto rāmassabhāryassahalakṣmaṇaḥ praveśyatāṃ samīpaṃ me kiṃ cāsau na praveśitaḥ|

Go quickly and with due hospitality conduct Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana into my presence. Why was he not ushered in so long?

एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना धर्मज्ञेन महात्मना।। 3.12.12।। अभिवाद्याब्रवीच्छिष्यस्तथेति नियताञ्जलिः।

evamuktastu muninā dharmajñena mahātmanā abhivādyābravīcchiṣyastatheti niyatāñjaliḥ|

'So be it ' said the disciple respectfully with folded palms in response to what the great sage, knower of dharma, commanded.

ततो निष्क्रम्य सम्भ्रान्तश्शिष्यो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।।3.12.13।। क्वासौ रामो मुनिं द्रष्टुमेतु प्रविशतु स्वयम्।

tato niṣkramya sambhrāntaśśiṣyo lakṣmaṇamabravīt kvāsau rāmo muniṃ draṣṭumetu praviśatu svayam|

Then the disciple in a state of excitement came out of the hermitage and said to Lakshmana, 'Where is Rama? Let him come himself to see the sage'.

ततो गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं शिष्येण सह लक्ष्मणः।। 3.12.14।। दर्शयामास काकुत्स्थं सीतां च जनकात्मजाम्।

tato gatvā''śramapadaṃ śiṣyeṇa saha lakṣmaṇaḥ darśayāmāsa kākutsthaṃ sītāṃ ca janakātmajām|

Then Lakshmana reached the entrance of the hermitage with the disciple and showed Rama of the Kakutstha race and Sita, daughter of Janaka .

तं शिष्यः प्रश्रितो वाक्यमगस्त्यवचनं ब्रुवन्।।3.12.15।। प्रावेशयद्यथान्यायं सत्कारार्हं सुसत्कृतम्।

taṃ śiṣyaḥ praśrito vākyamagastyavacanaṃ bruvan prāveśayadyathānyāyaṃ satkārārhaṃ susatkṛtam|

The disciple humbly reported Agastya's words and ushered him in with befitting hospitality.

प्रविवेश ततो रामस्सीतया सहलक्ष्मणः।।3.12.16।। प्रशान्तहरिणाकीर्णमाश्रमं ह्यवलोकयन्।

praviveśa tato rāmassītayā sahalakṣmaṇaḥ praśāntahariṇākīrṇamāśramaṃ hyavalokayan|

Then Rama, Sita and Lakshmana entered the hermitage, watching herds of quietly moving deer (undisturbed by their entry).

स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। दातुर्विधातुः स्थानेच वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।

sa tatra brahmaṇaḥ sthānamagneḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca viṣṇoḥ sthānaṃ mahendrasya sthānaṃ caiva vivasvataḥ| somasthānaṃ bhagasthānaṃ sthānaṃ kauberameva ca dāturvidhātuḥ sthāneca vāyoḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca| nāgarājasya ca sthānamanantasya mahātmanaḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva gāyatryā vasūnāṃ sthānameva ca| sthānaṃ ca pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ kārtikeyasya ca sthānaṃ dharmasthānaṃ ca paśyati|

Rama saw at the hermitage, the places (altars) of Brahma, Visnu, Agni (firegod), Indra, Sun, Moon, Bhaga, Kubera, Dhata (supreme spirit), Vidhata (creator Brahman), Vayu (Windgod), Ananta (great serpentking), Gayatri, Vasu Pasahasta, Varuna, Kartikeya and Dharma .

स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। धातुर्विधातुः स्थानं च वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।

sa tatra brahmaṇaḥ sthānamagneḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca viṣṇoḥ sthānaṃ mahendrasya sthānaṃ caiva vivasvataḥ| somasthānaṃ bhagasthānaṃ sthānaṃ kauberameva ca dhāturvidhātuḥ sthānaṃ ca vāyoḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca| nāgarājasya ca sthānamanantasya mahātmanaḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva gāyatryā vasūnāṃ sthānameva ca| sthānaṃ ca pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ kārtikeyasya ca sthānaṃ dharmasthānaṃ ca paśyati|

Rama saw at the hermitage, the places (altars) of Brahma, Visnu, Agni (firegod), Indra, Sun, Moon, Bhaga, Kubera, Dhata (supreme spirit), Vidhata (creator Brahman), Vayu (Windgod), Ananta (great serpentking), Gayatri, Vasu Pasahasta, Varuna, Kartikeya and Dharma .

स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। दातुर्विधातुः स्थानेच वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।

sa tatra brahmaṇaḥ sthānamagneḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca viṣṇoḥ sthānaṃ mahendrasya sthānaṃ caiva vivasvataḥ| somasthānaṃ bhagasthānaṃ sthānaṃ kauberameva ca dāturvidhātuḥ sthāneca vāyoḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca| nāgarājasya ca sthānamanantasya mahātmanaḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva gāyatryā vasūnāṃ sthānameva ca| sthānaṃ ca pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ kārtikeyasya ca sthānaṃ dharmasthānaṃ ca paśyati|

Rama saw at the hermitage, the places (altars) of Brahma, Visnu, Agni (firegod), Indra, Sun, Moon, Bhaga, Kubera, Dhata (supreme spirit), Vidhata (creator Brahman), Vayu (Windgod), Ananta (great serpentking), Gayatri, Vasu Pasahasta, Varuna, Kartikeya and Dharma .

स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। दातुर्विधातुः स्थानेच वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।

sa tatra brahmaṇaḥ sthānamagneḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca viṣṇoḥ sthānaṃ mahendrasya sthānaṃ caiva vivasvataḥ| somasthānaṃ bhagasthānaṃ sthānaṃ kauberameva ca dāturvidhātuḥ sthāneca vāyoḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca| nāgarājasya ca sthānamanantasya mahātmanaḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva gāyatryā vasūnāṃ sthānameva ca| sthānaṃ ca pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ kārtikeyasya ca sthānaṃ dharmasthānaṃ ca paśyati|

Rama saw at the hermitage, the places (altars) of Brahma, Visnu, Agni (firegod), Indra, Sun, Moon, Bhaga, Kubera, Dhata (supreme spirit), Vidhata (creator Brahman), Vayu (Windgod), Ananta (great serpentking), Gayatri, Vasu Pasahasta, Varuna, Kartikeya and Dharma .

ततश्शिष्यैः परिवृतो मुनिरप्यभिनिष्पतत्।।3.12.21।। तं ददर्शाग्रतो रामो मुनीनां दीप्ततेजसाम्।

tataśśiṣyaiḥ parivṛto munirapyabhiniṣpatat taṃ dadarśāgrato rāmo munīnāṃ dīptatejasām|

Thereafter surrounded by the disciples the sage came out. Rama saw him coming in front of the effulgent sages.

अब्रवीद्वचनं वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्। 3.12.22।। एष लक्ष्मण निष्क्रामत्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। औदार्येणावगच्छामि निधानं तपसामिमम्।। 3.12.23।।

abravīdvacanaṃ vīro lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam| 3.12.22|| eṣa lakṣmaṇa niṣkrāmatyagastyo bhagavānṛṣiḥ| audāryeṇāvagacchāmi nidhānaṃ tapasāmimam

The valiant Rama said to Lakshmana, the enhancer of prosperity, O Lakshmana, sage Agastya is coming out. By virtue of his noble appearance, I know this sage to be a great treasuretrove of penances.

अब्रवीद्वचनं वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्। 3.12.22।। एष लक्ष्मण निष्क्रामत्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। औदार्येणावगच्छामि निधानं तपसामिमम्।। 3.12.23।।

abravīdvacanaṃ vīro lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam| 3.12.22|| eṣa lakṣmaṇa niṣkrāmatyagastyo bhagavānṛṣiḥ| audāryeṇāvagacchāmi nidhānaṃ tapasāmimam

The valiant Rama said to Lakshmana, the enhancer of prosperity, O Lakshmana, sage Agastya is coming out. By virtue of his noble appearance, I know this sage to be a great treasuretrove of penances.

एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुरगस्त्यं सूर्यवर्चसम्। जग्राह परमप्रीतस्तस्य पादौ परन्तपः।।3.12.24।।

evamuktvā mahābāhuragastyaṃ sūryavarcasam| jagrāha paramaprītastasya pādau parantapaḥ

Having said so, the mightyarmed Rama, the scorcher of enemies, grasped the feet of Agastya who was shining like the Sun.

अभिवाद्य तु धर्मात्मा तस्थौ रामः कृताञ्जलिः। सीतया सह वैदेह्या तदा रामः सलक्ष्मणः।।3.12.25।।

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

Then righteous Rama with Sita, the princess of Videha, and Lakshmana offered respects with folded palmsstanding.

प्रतिजग्राह काकुत्स्थमर्चयित्वासनोदकैः। कुशलप्रश्नमुक्त्वा च आस्यतामिति चाब्रवीत्।। 3.12.26।।

pratijagrāha kākutsthamarcayitvāsanodakaiḥ| kuśalapraśnamuktvā ca āsyatāmiti cābravīt

Agastya received Rama by offering him seat and water, enquired about his wellbeing and said: Please be seated,

अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथीन् प्रतिपूज्य च। वानप्रस्थ्येन धर्मेण स तेषां भोजनं ददौ।। 3.12.27।।

agniṃ hutvā pradāyārghyamatithīn pratipūjya ca| vānaprasthyena dharmeṇa sa teṣāṃ bhojanaṃ dadau

After giving oblations to the fire, and providing respectful offerings, the sage worshipped the guests according to the tradition of hermits and served them food.

प्रथमं चोपविश्याथ धर्मज्ञो मुनिपुङ्गवः। उवाच राममासीनं प्राञ्जलिं धर्मकोविदम्।।3.12.28।।

prathamaṃ copaviśyātha dharmajño munipuṅgavaḥ| uvāca rāmamāsīnaṃ prāñjaliṃ dharmakovidam

And then the great sage Agastya, knower of dharma first took his seat and addressed Rama, an export in the knowledge of dharma, seated with folded palms.

अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथिं प्रतिपूजयेत्। अन्यथा खलु काकुत्स्थ तपस्वी समुदाचरन्।।3.12.29।। दुःसाक्षीव परे लोके स्वानि मांसानि भक्षयेत्।

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

O scion of the Kakutstha dynasty, only after offering oblations to the Firegod, a guest should be worshipped with water etc. Otherwise the host will have to eat his own flesh in the other world like a false witness.

राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य धर्मचारी महारथः।।3.12.30।। पूजनीयश्च मान्यश्च भवान् प्राप्तः प्रियातिथिः।

rājā sarvasya lokasya dharmacārī mahārathaḥ pūjanīyaśca mānyaśca bhavān prāptaḥ priyātithiḥ|

You are king of all the worlds, a follower of dharma, a great warrior worthy of worship and an esteemed self. O Rama you are such a dear guest come to me.

एवमुक्त्वा फलैर्मूलैः पुष्पैरन्यैश्च राघवम्।। 3.12.31।। पूजयित्वा यथाकामं पुनरेव ततोऽब्रवीत्।

evamuktvā phalairmūlaiḥ puṣpairanyaiśca rāghavam pūjayitvā yathākāmaṃ punareva tato'bravīt|

Having said this to Rama, (the sage) honoured him by offering fruits, roots, flowers and other things as desired. He then said to Rama once again:

इदं दिव्यं महच्चापं हेमरत्नविभूषितम्।।3.12.32।। वैष्णवं पुरुषव्याघ्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा। अमोघस्सूर्यसङ्काशो ब्रह्मदत्तश्शरोत्तमः।।3.12.33।।

idaṃ divyaṃ mahaccāpaṃ hemaratnavibhūṣitam vaiṣṇavaṃ puruṣavyāghra nirmitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā| amoghassūryasaṅkāśo brahmadattaśśarottamaḥ

O best among men this divine bow studded with gold and gems belongs to Visnu and designed by Visvakarma. This excellent, unfailing arrow, bright like the Sun, was given to me by Brahma.

इदं दिव्यं महच्चापं हेमरत्नविभूषितम्।।3.12.32।। वैष्णवं पुरुषव्याघ्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा। अमोघस्सूर्यसङ्काशो ब्रह्मदत्तश्शरोत्तमः।।3.12.33।।

idaṃ divyaṃ mahaccāpaṃ hemaratnavibhūṣitam vaiṣṇavaṃ puruṣavyāghra nirmitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā| amoghassūryasaṅkāśo brahmadattaśśarottamaḥ

O best among men this divine bow studded with gold and gems belongs to Visnu and designed by Visvakarma. This excellent, unfailing arrow, bright like the Sun, was given to me by Brahma.

दत्तौ मम महेन्द्रेण तूणी चाक्षयसायकौ। सम्पूर्णौ निशितैर्बाणैर्ज्वलद्भिरिव पावकैः।।3.12.34।। महारजतकोशोऽयमसिर्हेमविभूषितः।

dattau mama mahendreṇa tūṇī cākṣayasāyakau| sampūrṇau niśitairbāṇairjvaladbhiriva pāvakaiḥ mahārajatakośo'yamasirhemavibhūṣitaḥ|

These two quivers filled fully with sharp inexhaustible arrows, shining like flames of fire and this sword adorned with gold and this big silver sheath were given to me by Indra.

अनेन धनुषा राम हत्वा संख्ये महासुरान्।।3.12.35।। आजहार श्रियं दीप्तां पुरा विष्णुर्दिवौकसाम्।

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

In ancient times Visnu killed the demons in a battle with this bow and brought back the glittering prosperity for the gods.

तद्धनुस्तौ च तूणीरौ शरं खङ्गं च मानद।। 3.12.36।। जयाय प्रतिगृह्णीष्व वज्रं वज्रधरो यथा।

taddhanustau ca tūṇīrau śaraṃ khaṅgaṃ ca mānada jayāya pratigṛhṇīṣva vajraṃ vajradharo yathā|

O bestower of honour, receive this bow, the two quivers, the sword and the arrow for your victory just like Indra accepts the thunderbolt.

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः समस्तं तद्वरायुधम्। दत्वा रामाय भगवानगस्त्यः पुनरब्रवीत्।।3.12.37।।

evamuktvā mahātejāḥ samastaṃ tadvarāyudham| datvā rāmāya bhagavānagastyaḥ punarabravīt

The luminous lord Agastya, having said this, gave all the excellent weapons to Rama. And continued : इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे द्वादशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twelfth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.