ततः प्रभाते विमले कृताह्निकमरिन्दमौ | विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य नद्यास्तीरमुपागतौ || १-२४-१
tataH prabhaate vimale kR^ita aahnikam arindamau | vishvaamitram puraskR^itya nadyaaH tiiram upaagatau || 1-24-1
Then, in the fresh of the morning those enemy destroyers, Rama and Lakshmana, arrived at the riverbank of Ganga keeping sage Vishvamitra ahead of them, which sage has just completed his ritualistic chores of dawn. [1-24-1]
ते च सर्वे महात्मानो मुनयः संश्रितव्रताः | उपस्थाप्य शुभां नावं विश्वामित्रमथाब्रुवन् || १-२४-२
te ca sarve mahaatmaano munayaH saMshrita vrataaH | upasthaapya shubhaam naavam vishvaamitram atha abruvan || 1-24-2
All those sages of Kaama's hermitage that are the great souls and scrupulous ones in their vows, have positioned an auspicious ferryboat within the reach in the river, and then they said to sage Vishvamitra. [1-24-2]
आरोहतु भवान्नावं राजपुत्रपुरस्कृतः | अरिष्टं गच्छ पन्थानं मा भूत्कालविपर्ययः || १-२४-३
aarohatu bhavaan naavam raajaputra puraskR^itaH | ariShTam gacCha panthaanam maa bhuut kaala viparyayaH || 1-24-3
"You may board the boat keeping the princes ahead of you, and we wish you to proceed on a prosperous route without the shift of time." So said the sages. [1-24-3]
विश्वामित्रस्तथेत्युक्त्वा तानृषीन्प्रतिपूज्य च | ततार सहितस्ताभ्यां सरितं सागरंगमाम् || १-२४-४
vishvaamitraH tathaa iti uktvaa taan R^iShiin pratipuujya ca | tataara sahitaH taabhyaam saritam saagaram gamaam || 1-24-4
Sage Vishvamitra on saying 'it must be so,' to those sages and revering them in his turn, cruised the river that itself is cruising towards ocean, along with both the princes. [1-24-4]
तत्र शुश्राव वै शब्दं तोयसंरम्भवर्धितम् | मध्यमागम्य तोयस्य तस्य शब्दस्य निश्चयम् || १-२४-५ ज्ञातुकामो महातेजा सह रामः कनीयसा |
tatra shushraava vai shabdam toya saMrambha vardhitam | madhyam aagaMya toyasya tasya shabdasya nishcayam || 1-24-5 j~naatu kaamo mahaatejaa saha raamaH kaniiyasaa |
On coming to the midstream of water there Rama heard an unusual and increasing noise of gushy waters along with his younger brother, and that brilliant one Rama desired to know its significance. [1-24-5, 6a]
अथ रामः सरिन्मध्ये पप्रच्छ मुनिपुङ्गवम् || १-२४-६ वारिणो भिद्यमानस्य किमयं तुमुलो ध्वनिः |
atha raamaH sarin madhye papracCha muni pu~Ngavam || 1-24-6 vaariNo bhidyamaanasya kim ayam tumulo dhvaniH |
Rama then asked the eminent sage Vishvamitra in the midst of the river, "what is this turbulent sound sire, as though slashing water?" [1-24-6b, 7a]
राघवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कौतूहलसमन्वितम् || १-२४-७ कथयामास धर्मात्मा तस्य शब्दस्य निश्चयम् |
raaghavasya vacaH shrutvaa kautuuhala samanvitam || 1-24-7 kathayaamaasa dharmaatmaa tasya shabdasya nishcayam |
On hearing the inquisitive words of Raghava that virtue-souled sage Vishvamitra started to tell the significance of that sound. [1-24-7b, 8a]
कैलासपर्वते राम मनसा निर्मितं परम् || १-२४-८ ब्रह्मणा नरशार्दूल तेनेदं मानसं सरः |
kailaasa parvate raama manasaa nirmitam param || 1-24-8 brahmaNaa narashaarduula tena idam maanasam saraH |
"On Mt. Kailash Brahma created a great lake at his will, oh, tigerly-man Rama, hence that is called Maanasa Lake. [1-24-8b, 9a]
तस्मात् सुस्राव सरसः सायोध्यामुपगूहते || १-२४-९ सरः प्रवृत्ता सरयूः पुण्या ब्रह्मसरश्च्युता | तस्यायमतुलः शब्दो जाह्नवीमभिवर्तते || १-२४-१० वारिसंक्षोभजो राम प्रणामं नियतः कुरु |
tasmaat susraava sarasaH saa ayodhyaam upaguuhate || 1-24-9 saraH pravR^ittaa sarayuuH puNyaa brahma saraH cyutaa | tasya ayam atulaH shabdo jaahnaviim abhivartate || 1-24-10 vaari saMkShobhajo raama praNaamam niyataH kuru |
"That river which spontaneously flows out of that Maanasa Lake surrounds Ayodhya city is this one, the River Sarayu. Because this has originated from a lake, saraH, this is known as Sarayu. And because it flows from Brahma's Lake it is a merited river. This is the remarkable noise of such a Sarayu River in its coursing towards River Ganga, generated by the collision of their waters, and Rama, offer regards to these rivers, respectfully." So said Vishvamitra to the princes. [1-24-9b, 10, 11a]
ताभ्यां तु तावुभौ कृत्वा प्रणाममतिधार्मिकौ || १-२४-११ तीरं दक्षिणमासाद्य जग्मतुर्लघुविक्रमौ |
sa vanam ghora saMkaasham dR^iShTvaa naravaraatmajaH || 1-24-12 aviprahatam aikShvaakaH papracCha muni puMgavam |
Offering their salutations to River Sarayu and Ganga those two most virtuous and agile footed princes proceeded further on reaching the southern riverbank. [1-24-11b, 12a]
स वनं घोरसंकाशं दृष्ट्वा नरवरात्मजः || १-२४-१२ अविप्रहतमैक्ष्वाकः पप्रच्छ मुनिपुंगवम् |
aho vanam idam durgam jhillikaa gaNa saMyutam || 1-24-13 bhairavaiH shvaapadaiH kiirNam shakunaiH daaruNa aaravaiH |
On seeing a horrendous and uninhibited forest, Rama, the son of the best king Dasharatha asked the eminent sage Vishvamitra. [1-24-12b, 13a]
अहो वनमिदं दुर्गं झिल्लिकागणसंयुतम् || १-२४-१३ भैरवैः श्वापदैः कीर्णं शकुनैर्दारुणारवैः |
naanaa prakaaraiH shakunaiH vaashyadbhiH bhairava svanaiH || 1-24-14 siMha vyaaghra varaahaiH ca vaaraNaiH ca api shobhitam |
"Oh, impenetrable is this forest fraught with swarms of crickets, brutish predators, and vultures, which are all horribly strident. [1-24-13b, 14a]
नानाप्रकारैः शकुनैर्वाश्यद्भिर्भैरवस्वनैः || १-२४-१४ सिंहव्याघ्रवराहैश्च वारणैश्चापि शोभितम् |
dhava ashvakarNa kakubhaiH bilva tinduka paaTalaiH || 1-24-15 saMkiirNam badariibhiH ca kim nu etat daaruNam vanam |
"Various vultures are screeching with fierce sonority, and tigers, wild boars, and elephants render this forest atypical. [1-24-14b, 15a]
धवाश्वकर्णककुभैर्बिल्वतिन्दुकपाटलैः || १-२४-१५ संकीर्णं बदरीभिश्च किंन्वेतद्दारुणं वनम् |
tam uvaaca mahaatejaa vishvaamitro mahaamuniH || 1-24-16 shruuyataam vatsa kaakutstha yasya etat daaruNam vanam |
"Indeed, what is this wretched forest that is dense with Dhava, Ashvakarna, Arjuna, Bilva, Tinduka, Patala, and Badari trees." Thus Rama asked Vishvamitra. [1-24-15b, 16a]
तमुवाच महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः || १-२४-१६ श्रूयतां वत्स काकुत्स्थ यस्यैतद्दारुणं वनम् |
etau janapadau sphiitau puurvam aastaam narauttama || 1-24-17 maladaaH ca karuuShaaH ca deva nirmaaNa nirmitau |
The resplendent and the great saint Vishvamitra then said to Rama, "I will tell you, oh, my boy Rama, whose is this wretched forest. [1-24-16b, 17a]
एतौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ पूर्वमास्तां नरौत्तम || १-२४-१७ मलदाश्च करूषाश्च देवनिर्माणनिर्मितौ |
puraa vR^itra vadhe raama malena samabhiplutam || 1-24-18 kShudhaa caiva sahasraakSham brahma hatyaa sam aavishat |
"Once these were vast provinces, oh, best one among men, designed by gods and known as Malada and Karuusha. [1-24-17b, 18a]
पुरा वृत्रवधे राम मलेन समभिप्लुतम् || १-२४-१८ क्षुधा चैव सहस्राक्षं ब्रह्महत्या समाविशत् |
tam indram malinam devaa R^iShayaH ca tapodhanaaH || 1-24-19 kalashaiH snaapayaamaasuH malam ca asya pramocayan |
"Once upon a time, oh, Rama, mortal impurities of filth and hunger completely stained Indra when he eliminated demon Vritra, as he committed the sin of killing of a Brahman, where the demon Vritra was incidentally a Brahman. [1-24-18b, 19a]
तमिन्द्रं मलिनं देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः || १-२४-१९ कलशैः स्नापयामासुर्मलं चास्य प्रमोचयन् |
iha bhuuMyaam malam dattvaa devaaH kaaruSham eva ca || 1-24-20 shariirajam mahendrasya tato harSham prapedire |
"The gods and ascetically rich sages then started to bathe feculent Indra with their handy vessels for the riddance of his defilement. [1-24-19b, 20a]
इह भूम्यां मलं दत्त्वा देवाः कारूषमेव च || १-२४-२० शरीरजं महेन्द्रस्य ततो हर्षं प्रपेदिरे |
nirmalo niShkaruuShaH ca shuddha indro yathaa abhavat || 1-24-21 tato deshasya supriito varam praadaad anuttamam |
"On giving filth and hunger emerged out of the body of Mahendra here on the earth then the gods were gladdened. [1-24-20b, 21a]
निर्मलो निष्करूषश्च शुचिरिन्द्रो यथाभवत् || १-२४-२१ ततो देशस्य सुप्रीतो वरं प्रादादनुत्तमम् |
imau janapadau sphiitau khyaatim loke gamiShyataH || 1-24-22 maladaaH ca karuuShaaH ca mama aMga mala dhaariNau |
"As and when Indra was without desecration and hunger as well, and thus purified, then gladdened about this place he gave it an unexcelled boon. [1-24-21b, 22a]
इमौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ ख्यातिं लोके गमिष्यतः || १-२४-२२ मलदाश्च करूषाश्च ममांगमलधारिणौ |
saadhu saadhu iti tam devaaH paakashaasanam abruvan || 1-24-23 deshasya puujaam taam dR^iShTvaa kR^itaam shakreNa dhiimataa |
"These provinces that bear the impurity of my body shall become resourceful and they shall attain renown in world as Malada and Karusha." Thus Indra gave boon to this place. [1-24-22b, 23a]
साधु साध्विति तं देवाः पाकशासनमब्रुवन् || १-२४-२३ देशस्य पूजां तां दृष्ट्वा कृतां शक्रेण धीमता |
etau janapadau sphiitau diirgha kaalam arindama || 1-24-24 maladaaH ca karuuShaaH ca muditaa dhana dhaanyataH |
"On observing the honour accorded by wise Indra to these places gods praised the controller of demon Paaka, namely Indra saying, 'splendid, splendid it is.' [1-24-23b, 24a]
एतौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ दीर्घकालमरिन्दम || १-२४-२४ मलदाश्च करूषाश्च मुदितौ धनधान्यतः |
kasya cit atha kaalasya yakShii kaama ruupiNii || 1-24-25 balam naaga sahasrasya dhaarayantii tadaa hi aabhuut | taaTakaa naama bhadram te bhaaryaa sundasya dhiimataH || 1-24-26 maariico raakShasaH putro yasyaaH shakra paraakramaH |
"For a long time these habitations Malada and Karuusha were affluent, oh, enemy subjugator Rama, and people were happy with wealth and provisions. [1-24-24b, 25a]
वृत्तबाहुर्महाशीर्षो विपुलास्यतनुर्महान् || १-२४-२७ राक्षसो भैरवाकारो नित्यं त्रासयते प्रजाः |
saa iyam panthaanam aavR^itya vasati adhyardha yojane || 1-24-29 ata eva ca gantavyam taaTakaayaa vanam yataH |
"That demon Mareecha is round shouldered, huge headed, cavernous mouthed, and gigantic bodied one, and he is always terrifying the people. [1-24-27b, 28a]
इमौ जनपदौ नित्यं विनाशयति राघव || १-२४-२८ मलदांश्च करूषांश्च ताटका दुष्टचारिणी |
sva baahu balam aashritya jahi imaam duShTa caariNiim || 1-24-30 mat niyogaat imam desham kuru niShkaNTakam punaH |
"And Raghava, that malevolent Tataka is always destroying the inhabitations at Malada and Karusha. [1-24-28b, 29a]
सेयं पन्थानमावृत्य वसत्यध्यर्धयोजने || १-२४-२९ अतैव च गन्तव्यं ताटकाया वनं यतः |
na hi kashcit imam desham shakto hi aagantum iidR^isham || 1-24-31 yakShiNyaa ghorayaa raama utsaaditam asahyayaa |
"She lives about one and half yojana distance from here, and by which reason this became the forest of Tataka, owing to her gruesome activities, for that reason only a headway is to be made, to eradicate her and her activities. [1-24-29b, 30a]
स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य जहीमां दुष्टचारिणीम् || १-२४-३० मन्नियोगादिमं देशं कुरु निष्कण्टकं पुनः |
etat te sarvam aakhyaatam yathaa etat daaruNam vanam | yakShyaa ca utsaaditam sarvam adya api na nivartate || 1-24-32
"Depending upon the strength of your own self-confidence you have to eradicate this evildoer, and assigned by me you have to make this province free from thorniness. [1-24-30b, 31a]
न हि कश्चिदिमं देशं शक्तो ह्यागन्तुमीदृशम् || १-२४-३१ यक्षिण्या घोरया राम उत्सादितमसह्यया |
"Indeed, none is able to enter this sort of province, Rama, destroyed by the hazardous and invincible unearthly being who turned into a demoness, namely Tataka, hence you have to make the provinces habitable. [1-24-31b, 32a]
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यथैतद्दारुणं वनम् | यक्ष्या चोत्सादितं सर्वमद्यापि न निवर्तते || १-२४-३२
"As to how that ghoulish Tataka destroyed this entire forest, rendering it as a devastated place, without refraining from it even today, all that is narrated." So said Vishvamitra to Rama. [1-24-32]
