Bala Kanda, Sarga 65

अथ हैमवतीं राम दिशं त्यक्त्वा महामुनि:। पूर्वां दिशमनुप्राप्य तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम्।।1.65.1।।

atha haimavatīṃ rāma diśaṃ tyaktvā mahāmuni:| pūrvāṃ diśamanuprāpya tapastepe sudāruṇam

"O Rama thereafter the great ascetic (Viswamitra), abandoning the north of the Himavat mountain reached the eastern quarter and performed rigorous austerities.

मौनं वर्षसहस्रस्य कृत्वा व्रतमनुत्तमम्। चकाराप्रतिमं राम तप: परमदुष्करम्।।1.65.2।।

maunaṃ varṣasahasrasya kṛtvā vratamanuttamam| cakārāpratimaṃ rāma tapa: paramaduṣkaram

Having observed a unique vow of silence for a thousand years, O Rama he practised unprecedented and extremely difficult austerities.

पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे तु काष्ठभूतं महामुनिम्। विघ्नैर्बहुभिराधूतं क्रोधो नान्तर आविशत्।।1.65.3।। स कृत्वा निश्चयं राम तप आतिष्टदव्ययम्।

pūrṇe varṣasahasre tu kāṣṭhabhūtaṃ mahāmunim| vighnairbahubhirādhūtaṃ krodho nāntara āviśat sa kṛtvā niścayaṃ rāma tapa ātiṣṭadavyayam|

After completion of a thousand years the great ascetic became a piece of wood. In spite of many impediments, he was unshaken, anger did not enter into his mind. O Rama with firm determination he practised austerities.

तस्य वर्षसहस्रस्य व्रते पूर्णे महाव्रत:।।1.65.4।। भोक्तुमारब्धवानन्नं तस्मिन् काले रघूत्तम। इन्द्रो द्विजातिर्भूत्वा तं सिद्धमन्नमयाचत।।1.65.5।।

tasya varṣasahasrasya vrate pūrṇe mahāvrata: bhoktumārabdhavānannaṃ tasmin kāle raghūttama| indro dvijātirbhūtvā taṃ siddhamannamayācata

O Best of Raghus dynasty (Rama) when the thousandyearold vow was over (Viswamitra) the great practitioner of vows began to partake cooked rice. At this moment Indra assumed the guise of a brahmin and asked him for the rice (he was going to eat).

तस्य वर्षसहस्रस्य व्रते पूर्णे महाव्रत:।।1.65.4।। भोक्तुमारब्धवानन्नं तस्मिन् काले रघूत्तम। इन्द्रो द्विजातिर्भूत्वा तं सिद्धमन्नमयाचत।।1.65.5।।

tasya varṣasahasrasya vrate pūrṇe mahāvrata: bhoktumārabdhavānannaṃ tasmin kāle raghūttama| indro dvijātirbhūtvā taṃ siddhamannamayācata

O Best of Raghus dynasty (Rama) when the thousandyearold vow was over (Viswamitra) the great practitioner of vows began to partake cooked rice. At this moment Indra assumed the guise of a brahmin and asked him for the rice (he was going to eat).

तस्मै दत्वा तदा सिद्धं सर्वं विप्राय निश्चित:। निश्शेषितेऽन्ने भगवानभुक्तैव महातपा:।।1.65.6।। न किञ्चिदवदद्विप्रं मौनव्रतमुपस्थित:। अथ वर्षसहस्रं वै नोच्छ्वसन्मुनिपुङ्गव:।।1.65.7।।

tasmai datvā tadā siddhaṃ sarvaṃ viprāya niścita:| niśśeṣite'nne bhagavānabhuktaiva mahātapā: na kiñcidavadadvipraṃ maunavratamupasthita:| atha varṣasahasraṃ vai nocchvasanmunipuṅgava:

This mighty, adorable ascetic having adopted a vow of silence decided to give all the cooked rice to the Brahmin. The brahmin finished all the rice. Viswamitra went without food but did not utter a single word to the brahmin. Thereafter the distinguished ascetic practised austerities for another period of thousand years, his breath suspended.

तस्मै दत्वा तदा सिद्धं सर्वं विप्राय निश्चित:। निश्शेषितेऽन्ने भगवानभुक्तैव महातपा:।।1.65.6।। न किञ्चिदवदद्विप्रं मौनव्रतमुपस्थित:। अथ वर्षसहस्रं वै नोच्छ्वसन्मुनिपुङ्गव:।।1.65.7।।

tasmai datvā tadā siddhaṃ sarvaṃ viprāya niścita:| niśśeṣite'nne bhagavānabhuktaiva mahātapā: na kiñcidavadadvipraṃ maunavratamupasthita:| atha varṣasahasraṃ vai nocchvasanmunipuṅgava:

This mighty, adorable ascetic having adopted a vow of silence decided to give all the cooked rice to the Brahmin. The brahmin finished all the rice. Viswamitra went without food but did not utter a single word to the brahmin. Thereafter the distinguished ascetic practised austerities for another period of thousand years, his breath suspended.

तस्यानुच्छ्वसमानस्य मूर्ध्नि धूमो व्यजायत। त्रैलोक्यं येन सम्भ्रान्तमादीपितमिवाभवत्।।1.65.8।।

tasyānucchvasamānasya mūrdhni dhūmo vyajāyata| trailokyaṃ yena sambhrāntamādīpitamivābhavat

While his breath, was suspended, smoke emanated from his head which frightened the three worlds. It appeared as though they were on fire.

ततो देवास्सगन्धर्वा: पन्नगोरगराक्षसा:। मोहितास्तेजसा तस्य तपसा मन्दरश्मय:।।1.65.9।। कश्मलोपहता स्सर्वे पितामहमथाब्रुवन्।

tato devāssagandharvā: pannagoragarākṣasā:| mohitāstejasā tasya tapasā mandaraśmaya: kaśmalopahatā ssarve pitāmahamathābruvan|

Thereupon devatas along with gandharvas, pannagas, uragas, and rakshasas, stood bewildered by his ascetic energy. Their own glory was dimmed in his lustre". Afflicted with anguish, they spoke to the Grandsire (Brahma):

बहुभि: कारणैर्देव विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:।।1.65.10।। लोभित: क्रोधितश्चैव तपसा चाभिवर्धते।

bahubhi: kāraṇairdeva viśvāmitro mahāmuni: lobhita: krodhitaścaiva tapasā cābhivardhate|

"O Lord the great sage Viswamitra was lured and angered in various ways. But his austerities continued to grow:

न ह्यस्य वृजिनं किञ्चिद्दृश्यते सूक्ष्ममप्यथ।।1.65.11।। न दीयते यदि त्वस्य मनसा यदभीप्सितम्। विनाशयति त्रैलोक्यं तपसा सचराचरम्।।1.65.12।।

na hyasya vṛjinaṃ kiñciddṛśyate sūkṣmamapyatha na dīyate yadi tvasya manasā yadabhīpsitam| vināśayati trailokyaṃ tapasā sacarācaram

His penance was flawless. If his wishes were not granted, he will surely destroy by his austerities the three worlds with all movables and immovables.

न ह्यस्य वृजिनं किञ्चिद्दृश्यते सूक्ष्ममप्यथ।।1.65.11।। न दीयते यदि त्वस्य मनसा यदभीप्सितम्। विनाशयति त्रैलोक्यं तपसा सचराचरम्।।1.65.12।।

na hyasya vṛjinaṃ kiñciddṛśyate sūkṣmamapyatha na dīyate yadi tvasya manasā yadabhīpsitam| vināśayati trailokyaṃ tapasā sacarācaram

His penance was flawless. If his wishes were not granted, he will surely destroy by his austerities the three worlds with all movables and immovables.

व्याकुलाश्च दिशस्सर्वा न च किञ्चित्प्रकाशते। सागरा: क्षुभितास्सर्वे विशीर्यन्ते च पर्वता:।।1.65.13।।

vyākulāśca diśassarvā na ca kiñcitprakāśate| sāgarā: kṣubhitāssarve viśīryante ca parvatā:

There is bewilderment everywhere. It is dark all over. The oceans are disturbed. The mountains have cracked.

प्रकम्पते च पृथिवी वायुर्वाति भृशाकुल:। बृह्मन्न प्रतिजानीमोनास्तिको जायते जन:।।1.65.14।।

prakampate ca pṛthivī vāyurvāti bhṛśākula:| bṛhmanna pratijānīmonāstiko jāyate jana:

O Brahma the earth trembles. The wind blows fiercely. The people have ceased to believe in God. We do not know the way out.

सम्मूढमिव त्रैलोक्यं सम्प्रक्षुभितमानसम्। भास्करो निष्प्रभश्चैव महर्षेस्तस्य तेजसा।।1.65.15।।

sammūḍhamiva trailokyaṃ samprakṣubhitamānasam| bhāskaro niṣprabhaścaiva maharṣestasya tejasā

The people of all the three worlds are agitated and confused in mind. The Sun, too, looks pale before the brilliance of the Maharshi.

बुद्धिं न कुरुते यावन्नाशे देव महामुनि:। तावत्प्रसाद्यो भगवा नग्निरूपोमहाद्युति:।।1.65.16।।

buddhiṃ na kurute yāvannāśe deva mahāmuni:| tāvatprasādyo bhagavā nagnirūpomahādyuti:

O Lord before this mighty, venerable ascetic, effulgent like fire decides to destroy the three worlds, he should be appeased.

कालाग्निना यथापूर्वं त्रैलोक्यं दह्यतेऽखिलम्। देवराज्यं चिकीर्षेत दीयतामस्य यन्मतम्।।1.65.17।।

kālāgninā yathāpūrvaṃ trailokyaṃ dahyate'khilam| devarājyaṃ cikīrṣeta dīyatāmasya yanmatam

All the three worlds are burning as though with the fire Pralaya (dissolution). His desire may be granted even if he wants to rule the kingdom of the gods.

ततस्सुरगणास्सर्वे पितामहपुरोगमा:। विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं मधुरं वाक्यमब्रुवन्।।1.65.18।।

tatassuragaṇāssarve pitāmahapurogamā:| viśvāmitraṃ mahātmānaṃ madhuraṃ vākyamabruvan

Thereafter, with Brahma in the forefront, the gods spoke to Viswamitra in pleasing words:

ब्रह्मर्षे स्वागतं तेऽस्तु तपसा स्म सुतोषिता:। ब्राह्मण्यं तपसोग्रेण प्राप्तवानसि कौशिक ।।1.65.19।।

brahmarṣe svāgataṃ te'stu tapasā sma sutoṣitā:| brāhmaṇyaṃ tapasogreṇa prāptavānasi kauśika

"Welcome, O Brahmarshi. We are immensely pleased with your austerities. O Kausika you have attained brahminhood by means of your intense penance.

दीर्घमायुश्च ते ब्रह्मन् ददामि समरुद्गण:। स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि भद्रं ते गच्छ सौम्य यथासुखम्।।1.65.20।।

dīrghamāyuśca te brahman dadāmi samarudgaṇa:| svasti prāpnuhi bhadraṃ te gaccha saumya yathāsukham

O Brahmana I along with the maruts grant you long life. May you prosper O Gentle one now you may go happily".

पितामहवचश्शृत्वा सर्वेषां च दिवौकसाम्। कृत्वा प्रणामं मुदितो व्याजहार महामुनि:।।1.65.21।।

pitāmahavacaśśṛtvā sarveṣāṃ ca divaukasām| kṛtvā praṇāmaṃ mudito vyājahāra mahāmuni:

Mighty ascetic Viswamitra was delighted to hear the words of the Grandsire and the gods. Bowing to all of them he thus spoke:

ब्राह्मण्यं यदि मे प्राप्तं दीर्घमायुस्तथैव च। ओङ्कारश्च वषट्कारो वेदाश्च वरयन्तु माम्।।1.65.22।।

brāhmaṇyaṃ yadi me prāptaṃ dīrghamāyustathaiva ca| oṅkāraśca vaṣaṭkāro vedāśca varayantu mām

"If brahminhood and long life have been acquired by me by your grace, Omkara, Vashatkara and the Vedas shall accept me as Brahmarshi. (I shall acquire the right to interpret the Vedas and to perform sacrifices.)

क्षत्रवेदविदां श्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मवेदविदामपि। ब्रह्मपुत्रो वसिष्ठो मामेवं वदतु देवता:।।1.65.23।। यद्ययं परम: काम: कृतो यान्तु सुरर्षभा:।

kṣatravedavidāṃ śreṣṭho brahmavedavidāmapi| brahmaputro vasiṣṭho māmevaṃ vadatu devatā: yadyayaṃ parama: kāma: kṛto yāntu surarṣabhā:|

"O gods let the son of Brahma and eminent Vasishta who is knowledgeable in the vedas worthy of brahmins and archery worthy of kshatriyas address me as 'Brahmarshi'. If this supreme desire is granted, O Best of devatas all of you can go".

तत: प्रसादितो देवैर्वसिष्ठो जपतां वर:।।1.65.24।। सख्यं चकार ब्रह्मर्षिरेवमस्त्विति चाब्रवीत्।

tata: prasādito devairvasiṣṭho japatāṃ vara: sakhyaṃ cakāra brahmarṣirevamastviti cābravīt|

Thereupon, pleased by the gods, Vasishta, the best among ascetics, lovingly said to Viswamitra "You are a Brahmarshi, let it be so".

ब्रह्मर्षिस्त्वं न सन्देहस्सर्वं सम्पत्स्यते तव।।1.65.25।। इत्युक्त्वा देवताश्चापि सर्वा जग्मुर्यथागतम्।

brahmarṣistvaṃ na sandehassarvaṃ sampatsyate tava ityuktvā devatāścāpi sarvā jagmuryathāgatam|

"You are a Brahmarshi, no doubt. You will achieve ascetic perfection", said the gods and returned to their respective places from where they had come.

विश्वामित्रोऽपि धर्मात्मा लब्ध्वा ब्राह्मण्यमुत्तमम्।।1.65.26।। पूजयामास ब्रह्मर्षिं वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम्।

viśvāmitro'pi dharmātmā labdhvā brāhmaṇyamuttamam pūjayāmāsa brahmarṣiṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ japatāṃ varam|

Virtuous Viswamitra also, having attained excellent brahminhood, worshipped Brahmrshi Vasishta who was the best of those who recite hymns".

कृतकामो महीं सर्वां चचार तपसि स्थित:।।1.65.27।। एवं त्वनेन ब्राह्मण्यं प्राप्तं राम महात्मना।

kṛtakāmo mahīṃ sarvāṃ cacāra tapasi sthita: evaṃ tvanena brāhmaṇyaṃ prāptaṃ rāma mahātmanā|

This illustrious sage having fulfilled his desire, wandered over the earth fixed in asceticism. O Rama thus he acquired brahminhood.

एष राम मुनिश्रेष्ठ एष विग्रहवांस्तप:।।1.65.28।। एष धर्मपरो नित्यं वीर्यस्यैष परायणम्।

eṣa rāma muniśreṣṭha eṣa vigrahavāṃstapa: eṣa dharmaparo nityaṃ vīryasyaiṣa parāyaṇam|

O Rama he is the foremost of ascetics, an embodiment of asceticism, always intent on virtue. He is the ultimate repository of ascetic energy".

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा विरराम द्विजोत्तम:।।1.65.29।। शतानन्दवच: श्रुत्वा रामलक्ष्मणसन्निधौ। जनक: प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमुवाच कुशिकात्मजम्।।1.65.30।।

evamuktvā mahātejā virarāma dvijottama: śatānandavaca: śrutvā rāmalakṣmaṇasannidhau| janaka: prāñjalirvākyamuvāca kuśikātmajam

Having thus spoken, the most brilliant and best among brahmins (Satananda) became silent. In the presence of Rama and Lakshmana, Janaka listened to the words of Satananda. And with folded palms said to the son of Kushika (Viswamitra):

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा विरराम द्विजोत्तम:।।1.65.29।। शतानन्दवच: श्रुत्वा रामलक्ष्मणसन्निधौ। जनक: प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमुवाच कुशिकात्मजम्।।1.65.30।।

evamuktvā mahātejā virarāma dvijottama: śatānandavaca: śrutvā rāmalakṣmaṇasannidhau| janaka: prāñjalirvākyamuvāca kuśikātmajam

Having thus spoken, the most brilliant and best among brahmins (Satananda) became silent. In the presence of Rama and Lakshmana, Janaka listened to the words of Satananda. And with folded palms said to the son of Kushika (Viswamitra):

धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यस्य मे मुनिपुङ्गव। यज्ञं काकुत्स्थसहित: प्राप्तवानसि धार्मिक।।1.65.31।।

dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi yasya me munipuṅgava| yajñaṃ kākutsthasahita: prāptavānasi dhārmika

"O Righteous one O Preeminent among ascetics you have come to my sacrifice accompanied by the descendants of Kakustha (Rama and Lakshmana). I am blessed by your presence and am highly favoured.

पावितोऽहं त्वया ब्रह्मन् दर्शनेन महामुने। गुणा बहुविधा: प्राप्तास्तव सन्दर्शनान्मया।।1.65.32।।

pāvito'haṃ tvayā brahman darśanena mahāmune| guṇā bahuvidhā: prāptāstava sandarśanānmayā

O Excellent ascetic O Brahmana I am sanctified with your presence. I have derived immense benefits from your visit.

विस्तरेण च ते ब्रह्मन् कीर्त्यमानं महत्तप:। श्रुतं मया महातेजो रामेण च महात्मना।।1.65.33।।

vistareṇa ca te brahman kīrtyamānaṃ mahattapa:| śrutaṃ mayā mahātejo rāmeṇa ca mahātmanā

O powerful Brahmarshi distinguished Rama and I have heard your great austerities which were related in detail (by Satananda).

सदस्यै: प्राप्य च सद: श्रुतास्ते बहवो गुणा:। अप्रमेयं तपस्तुभ्यमप्रमेयं च ते बलम्।।1.65.34।। अप्रमेया गुणाश्चैव नित्यं ते कुशिकात्मज ।

sadasyai: prāpya ca sada: śrutāste bahavo guṇā:| aprameyaṃ tapastubhyamaprameyaṃ ca te balam aprameyā guṇāścaiva nityaṃ te kuśikātmaja |

Many of your virtues have been heard by the members of the assembly present at the sacrifice. Your austerities are immeasurable, your power is immense. O Son of Kushika (Viswamitra), your virtues cannot be measured.

तृप्तिराश्चर्यभूतानां कथानां नास्ति मे विभो।।1.65.35।। कर्मकालो मुनिश्रेष्ठ लम्बते रविमण्डलम्।

tṛptirāścaryabhūtānāṃ kathānāṃ nāsti me vibho karmakālo muniśreṣṭha lambate ravimaṇḍalam|

O Lord I am never tired of listening to your marvellous deeds. O Excellent among ascetics the Sun has set and it is time for evening prayers.

श्व: प्रभाते महातेजो द्रष्टुमर्हसि मां पुन:।।1.65.36।। स्वागतं तपतां श्रेष्ठ मामनुज्ञातुमर्हसि।

śva: prabhāte mahātejo draṣṭumarhasi māṃ puna: svāgataṃ tapatāṃ śreṣṭha māmanujñātumarhasi|

O Sage of great austerities come to me tomorrow at dawn. O Excellent ascetic welcome And allow me to leave".