Kāṇḍa 1

1.1.1 The ascetic Vālmīki questioned Nārada — the foremost among those devoted to austerity and sacred study, the best of the eloquent, the bull among sages.

1.1.2 "Who in this world today is truly virtuous, and also mighty? Who knows righteousness, and is grateful, truthful in speech, and steadfast in his vows?

1.1.3 Who is endowed with noble character, and who is a benefactor to all creatures? Who is learned, who is capable, and who is ever pleasant to behold?

1.1.4 Who is self-possessed, who has conquered anger? Who is radiant and free from envy? Whom do even the gods fear when his wrath is aroused in battle?

1.1.5 I wish to hear of such a one — my curiosity is boundless. O great seer, you are capable of knowing such a man."

1.1.6 Having heard these words of Vālmīki, Nārada — who has knowledge of the three worlds — addressed him saying "Hear me!" and, delighted, spoke thus:

1.1.7 "The virtues you have enumerated are many and rare, O sage. Having considered them fully, I shall speak of a man who possesses them all — hear of him.

1.1.8 Born of the lineage of Ikṣvāku, known among men by the name Rāma — he is disciplined in mind, of great valor, radiant, resolute, and master of his senses.

1.1.9 Intelligent, principled, eloquent, possessed of splendor, a crusher of enemies — broad-shouldered, long-armed, with a neck like a conch-shell and a strong jaw.

1.1.10 Broad-chested, a great archer, with well-concealed collar-bones, a tamer of foes — with arms reaching to his knees, a handsome head, a fine forehead, and noble gait.

1.1.11 Proportionate, with perfectly balanced limbs, of lustrous complexion, full of majesty — with a full chest, wide eyes, bearing the mark of fortune, adorned with auspicious signs.

1.1.12 Knowing righteousness, true to his pledges, devoted to the welfare of his subjects — illustrious, endowed with wisdom, pure, gracious, and possessed of deep concentration.

1.1.13 A protector of the world of living beings, a guardian of righteousness — one who knows the true essence of the Vedas and their ancillary sciences, and is accomplished in the science of archery.

1.1.14 Knowing the true meaning of all treatises, possessed of a retentive memory and swift intelligence — beloved by all the world, virtuous, of undepressed spirit, and discerning.

1.1.15 Always sought out by the virtuous as the ocean is by rivers — noble, ever impartial toward all, and ever pleasant to look upon.

1.1.16 He, who increases the joy of Kausalyā, is endowed with all virtues — like the ocean in depth, like the Himālaya in steadfastness.

1.1.17 Equal to Viṣṇu in valor, pleasing to behold as the moon — like the fire of universal dissolution in wrath, and like the earth in forbearance.

1.1.18 Equal to Kubera in generosity, a second Dharma himself in truthfulness — him, Rāma, so endowed with virtues, of true valor,

1.1.19 his eldest son, endowed with the highest virtues, his beloved — king Daśaratha, the lord of the earth, wished out of affection to invest with the office of crown prince.

1.1.20 But seeing the preparations for his consecration, his wife Kaikeyī — the queen to whom a boon had previously been granted — asked him for this boon: the banishment of Rāma and the consecration of Bharata.

1.1.21 Bound by the snare of righteousness to his word of truth, king Daśaratha sent his beloved son Rāma into exile.

1.1.22 The hero went to the forest, honoring his pledge, acting upon his father's command and to please Kaikeyī.

1.1.23 His beloved brother Lakṣmaṇa, who increases the joy of Sumitrā, endowed with humility, followed him out of love as he departed.

1.1.24 Sītā too — endowed with all auspicious marks, the foremost of women, the most excellent of daughters-in-law — followed Rāma as Rohiṇī follows the moon.

1.1.25 Followed for a distance by the citizens and by his father Daśaratha, he dismissed his charioteer at Śṛṅgaverapura on the bank of the Gaṅgā.

1.1.26 Passing through forest after forest, crossing many swift rivers, and reaching Citrakūṭa by the direction of Bharadvāja,

1.1.27 having built a pleasant dwelling there, the three delighted in the forest and dwelt there happily, resembling gods and Gandharvas.

1.1.28 When Rāma had gone to Citrakūṭa, king Daśaratha, tormented by grief for his son and lamenting him, departed to heaven.

1.1.29 Upon his death, Bharata — of great might — though pressed to accept the kingdom by the twice-born led by Vasiṣṭha, did not desire it. The hero went to the forest to propitiate the feet of Rāma.

1.1.30 Rāma, the elder of Bharata, then turned him back, placing his sandals as a pledge for the kingdom.

1.1.31 Bharata, his wish unfulfilled, touching the feet of Rāma's sandals, administered the kingdom from Nandigrāma, longing for Rāma's return.

1.1.32 But Rāma, observing the arrival of townsfolk and others to that place, single-mindedly entered the Daṇḍaka forest.

1.1.33 Slaying the demon Virādha, he visited Śarabhaṅga, then Sutīkṣṇa, then Agastya, and Agastya's brother as well.

1.1.34 At Agastya's word, and greatly pleased, he received the Aindra bow, a sword, and two quivers of inexhaustible arrows.

1.1.35 While Rāma was dwelling in the forest among the forest-dwellers, all the sages came to him seeking the destruction of the Asuras and Rākṣasas.

1.1.36 While he was dwelling there, Śūrpaṇakhā — a Rākṣasī who dwelt in Janasthāna and could assume any form at will — was disfigured by him.

1.1.37 Then, at the instigation of Śūrpaṇakhā, all the Rākṣasas rose up — Khara, Triśiras, and the Rākṣasa Dūṣaṇa,

1.1.38 Rāma slew them all in battle, along with their followers — fourteen thousand Rākṣasas were destroyed.

1.1.39 Then Rāvaṇa, hearing of the slaughter of his kinsmen and overcome with fury, sought as his ally the Rākṣasa named Mārīca.

1.1.40 Mārīca repeatedly warned Rāvaṇa: "Conflict with one so mighty is not fitting for you, O Rāvaṇa."

1.1.41 But Rāvaṇa, driven onward by fate, disregarded that counsel and went together with Mārīca to Rāma's hermitage.

1.1.42 That sorcerer, having lured both princes far away, abducted the wife of Rāma, slaying the vulture Jaṭāyus.

1.1.43 Finding the vulture slain and hearing that the Maithilī had been carried off, Rāghava was consumed by grief and lamented, his senses overwhelmed.

1.1.44 Then, consumed by that very grief, having cremated the vulture Jaṭāyus, he came upon a Rākṣasa while searching for Sītā in the forest.

1.1.45 Named Kabandha, grotesquely misshapen in form and dreadful to behold — him the long-armed hero slew and burned, and he ascended to heaven.

1.1.46 Kabandha told him of Śabarī, a female ascetic who walks the path of righteousness, skilled in dharma: "Go to her, O Rāghava." The greatly radiant slayer of enemies then went to Śabarī.

1.1.47 Duly honored by Śabarī, Rāma the son of Daśaratha met on the shore of Pampā with Hanūmān, the monkey.

1.1.48 Through Hanūmān's words he came to meet Sugrīva, and the mighty Rāma told Sugrīva everything that had befallen him.

1.1.49 Then the king of monkeys, out of affection and sorrow, told Rāma all about the origin of his enmity; and the monkey also recounted there the strength of Vālin.

1.1.50 Although Rāma pledged the slaying of Vālin, Sugrīva was always doubtful about Rāghava's valor.

1.1.51 To inspire confidence, Rāghava kicked the great carcass of Dundubhi with his toe and hurled it a full ten leagues.

1.1.52 He then pierced seven śāla trees with a single great arrow, penetrating through the mountain down to the netherworld, thereby inspiring conviction.

1.1.53 Then, his mind gladdened and his trust secured, the great ape together with Rāma went to the cave of Kiṣkindhā.

1.1.54 Then Sugrīva, the foremost of monkeys, golden-tawny in hue, roared; and at that great roar, the lord of monkeys, Vālin, came forth.

1.1.55 Then, at Sugrīva's word, slaying Vālin in battle, Rāghava reinstated Sugrīva in that kingdom.

1.1.56 That bull among monkeys, having assembled all the monkeys, dispatched them in all directions, seeking to find the daughter of Janaka.

1.1.57 Then, by the words of the vulture Saṃpāti, the mighty Hanūmān leapt across the salt ocean, a hundred leagues in breadth.

1.1.58 Arriving at Laṅkā, the city ruled by Rāvaṇa, he saw Sītā there, lost in thought, situated in the Aśoka grove.

1.1.59 Having presented the token of recognition, reported all tidings, and consoled the Vaidehī, he demolished the gateway.

1.1.60 Slaying five commanders of the army and seven sons of ministers, and crushing the valiant Akṣa, he was taken captive.

1.1.61 Knowing that the weapon had rendered him senseless by virtue of Brahmā's boon, the hero allowed the Rākṣasas to bind him as they pleased.

1.1.62 Having then burned the city of Laṅkā — excepting Sītā the Maithilī — the great ape returned to bring the welcome news to Rāma.

1.1.63 Approaching the great-souled Rāma and circumambulating him, that one of immeasurable spirit declared truthfully: "Sītā has been seen."

1.1.64 Then, going with Sugrīva to the shore of the great ocean, he agitated the sea with arrows blazing like the sun.

1.1.65 The ocean, lord of rivers, revealed itself to him; and at the ocean's word he had Nala construct a causeway.

1.1.66 Crossing by that causeway to the city of Laṅkā and slaying Rāvaṇa in battle, he consecrated Vibhīṣaṇa as lord of the Rākṣasas in Laṅkā.

1.1.67 By that great deed, the three worlds — with all moving and unmoving things, with all groups of gods and sages — were satisfied with the great-souled Rāghava.

1.1.68 Thus honored by all the gods who were supremely pleased, Rāma, his purpose fulfilled and freed from affliction, rejoiced greatly.

1.1.69 Having received boons from the gods and raised up the monkeys, he mounted that Puṣpaka vessel and then went to Nandigrāma.

1.1.70 At Nandigrāma, having laid aside his matted locks, the sinless Rāma together with his brothers, reunited with Sītā, recovered his kingdom.

1.1.71 The world was filled with joy and delight, contented and well-nourished, deeply righteous — free from ailment and disease, free from the fear of famine.

1.1.72 No men anywhere will witness the death of their sons; women will ever be un-widowed and devoted to their husbands.

1.1.73 There will be no fear from wind, no creatures will drown in the waters, no fear from fire — even as it was in the Kṛta age.

1.1.74 Having offered hundreds of horse sacrifices and many other rites with abundant gold, and having given ten million cows to the learned in proper observance,

1.1.75 Rāghava will establish dynasties of kings a hundredfold, and will set all four orders of society in this world each to its own proper duty.

1.1.76 Having served as king for ten thousand and ten hundred years, Rāma will depart to the world of Brahmā.

1.1.77 Whoever recites this story of Rāma — which is pure, destroys sin, meritorious, and equal to the Vedas — is released from all sins.

1.1.78 A man who reads this narrative — the Rāmāyaṇa, which promotes long life — together with his sons and grandsons and his household, is glorified in heaven after death.

1.1.79 A Brāhmaṇa who reads it attains mastery of speech; a Kṣatriya attains lordship of the earth; a Vaiśya attains the fruits of his commerce; and even a Śūdra attains greatness.

1.2.1 Having heard that speech of Nārada, the great sage, righteous-souled and skilled in speech, honored him together with his disciples.

1.2.2 Duly honored by him, the divine seer Nārada, taking leave and receiving permission, departed through the sky.

1.2.3 A little while after he had departed to the world of the gods, the sage went to the bank of the Tamasā, not far from the Jāhnavī.

1.2.4 The great sage, reaching the bank of the Tamasā and seeing the ford free of mud, spoke to his disciple who stood at his side:

1.2.5 "Behold, Bharadvāja, this ford free of mud — lovely, its waters clear, like the mind of a good man.

1.2.6 Set down the water-pot, dear boy, and hand me my bark-garment — I shall bathe here at this excellent ford of the Tamasā."

1.2.7 Thus addressed by the great-souled Vālmīki, Bharadvāja offered the bark-garment to that sage, attentively, as to a teacher.

1.2.8 Taking the bark-garment from the disciple's hand, with his senses restrained, he wandered about gazing in all directions at the vast forest.

1.2.9 Then near that spot the blessed one saw a pair of Krauñca birds moving together inseparably, calling with sweet voices.

1.2.10 Of that pair, a Niṣāda — one resolved on evil, a repository of hatred — struck down the male before the sage's very eyes.

1.2.11 The female, seeing her mate slain, writhing on the ground with his limbs drenched in blood, cried out in a piteous voice.

1.2.12 Seeing that bird, a twice-born creature, brought down by the Niṣāda, compassion arose in that righteous-souled sage.

1.2.13 Then, from that arising compassion, perceiving this to be unrighteous, hearing the female Krauñca weeping, the twice-born sage spoke these words:

1.2.14 "You shall find no rest, O Niṣāda, for all eternity — for you have slain one of this pair of Krauñca birds while it was in the grip of passion."

1.2.15 Even as he spoke thus and reflected, the thought arose in his heart as he looked on: "Moved by grief for this bird, what have I uttered?"

1.2.16 Contemplating this, that greatly wise and intelligent one formed a thought, and that bull among sages spoke these words to his disciple:

1.2.17 "This utterance of mine, born of grief, which is composed in metrical feet with equal syllables and suited to the rhythm of the lute — let it be a śloka, and nothing else."

1.2.18 His disciple received with great joy that incomparable utterance of the speaking sage; and the teacher was pleased with him.

1.2.19 The sage then performed his ablution at that ford according to rule, and returned, his mind still pondering that very meaning.

1.2.20 Then the disciple Bharadvāja — humble, learned, and obedient to the teacher — took up the full water-pot and followed behind him.

1.2.21 He who knows righteousness, entering the hermitage with his disciple, sat down and fell into meditation, while also engaging in various other conversations.

1.2.22 Then Brahmā himself came — the creator of worlds, the self-existent lord, four-faced, of great splendor — to see that bull among sages.

1.2.23 Vālmīki, seeing him, immediately rose, restrained his speech, stood with hands joined, composed and attentive, in utter astonishment.

1.2.24 He honored that god with water for the feet, an offering of welcome, a seat, and reverential salutation; and prostrating before him according to ritual, he asked after the imperishable one's well-being.

1.2.25 The blessed one then sat on the most worshipful seat and assigned a seat to the great seer Vālmīki.

1.2.26 When he who is truly the grandsire of all worlds had taken his seat, Vālmīki fell into meditation, his mind still absorbed in that same thought.

1.2.27 "What a vile deed was done by that evil-souled one, his mind set on enmity — who without cause killed such a sweet-voiced Krauñca bird!"

1.2.28 Grieving still for the female Krauñca, his mind turned inward and wholly absorbed in sorrow, he sang that verse again and again.

1.2.29 Then Brahmā smiled and said to that bull among sages: "What you have composed is a śloka — there is no doubt about this."

1.2.30 "By my will, O Brāhmaṇa, this speech has flowed forth in you. Compose the entire story of Rāma, O best of seers.

1.2.31 Tell the deeds of the righteous-souled, virtuous, wise, and steadfast Rāma as you heard them from Nārada.

1.2.32 What the wise Rāma did — both in private and in public — together with Saumitri and with all the Rākṣasas in every respect,

1.2.33 And what befell the Vaidehī, openly or in secret — all of that which is not yet known shall become known to you.

1.2.34 No word of yours in this poem shall be untrue. Compose the holy story of Rāma, beautiful and bound in śloka meter."

1.2.35 "As long as the mountains stand and the rivers flow upon the earth, so long will the story of the Rāmāyaṇa circulate throughout the worlds.

1.2.36 As long as the story of Rāma, composed by you, shall circulate, so long shall you dwell in the upper and lower worlds."

1.2.37 Having said this, the blessed Brahmā vanished then and there. The sage Vālmīki, together with his disciples, was filled with wonder.

1.2.38 Then all of his disciples sang that śloka again and again with delight, and spoke, greatly astonished:

1.2.39 "This grief that was uttered by the great seer in four feet of equal syllables has become a śloka by being sung."

1.2.40 Then this thought arose in Vālmīki, whose spirit was cultivated and purified: "With such verses as these shall I compose the entire Rāmāyaṇa poem."

1.2.41 With hundreds of ślokas of equal syllables, adorned with noble subject-matter and pleasing words — the famous sage of noble intellect composed a glorious poem to the glory of the glorious Rāma.

1.3.1 Having heard all of that — the wholesome account filled with righteousness — the righteous-souled one seeks to see clearly, once more, what befell that wise man.

1.3.2 The sage, having touched water with restraint, stood with hands joined in salutation, on a cushion of kuśa grass with tips pointing eastward, and by dharma seeks the way.

1.3.3 The great birth of Rāma, his valor, his conformity to all, his belovedness to the world, his patience, his gentleness, his character of truthfulness —

1.3.4 The many and varied other stories in the journey with Viśvāmitra, the marriage of Jānakī, and the breaking of the bow —

1.3.5 The quarrel between Rāma and Rāma, the virtues of Daśaratha's son, the intended consecration of Rāma, and the wicked intent of Kaikeyī —

1.3.6 The obstruction of the consecration, Rāma's exile, the king's grief and lamentation, and his resort to the other world —

1.3.7 The sorrow of the people, the dismissal of the people, the dialogue with the lord of the Niṣādas, and the turning back of the charioteer —

1.3.8 The crossing of the Gaṅgā, the visit to Bharadvāja, and by Bharadvāja's leave the sight of Citrakūṭa —

1.3.9 The building and setting up of the dwelling, the arrival of Bharata, the propitiation of Rāma, and the water-rites for the father —

1.3.10 The consecration of the sandals as regent, the sojourn at Nandigrāma, the going into the Daṇḍaka forest, and the meeting with Sutīkṣṇa —

1.3.11 The encounter with Anasūyā and the gift of the ointment, the conversation with Śūrpaṇakhā and her disfigurement —

1.3.12 The slaying of Khara and Triśiras, the rising up of Rāvaṇa, the slaying of Mārīca, and the abduction of the Vaidehī —

1.3.13 Rāghava's lamentation, the slaying of the vulture-king, the encounter with Kabandha, and the sight of the Pampā lake —

1.3.14 The visit to Śabarī, the meeting with Hanūmān, and the lamentation of the great-souled Rāghava at Pampā —

1.3.15 The going to Ṛśyamūka, the meeting with Sugrīva, the establishment of trust, the alliance, and the conflict between Vālī and Sugrīva —

1.3.16 The destruction of Vālin, the installation of Sugrīva, the pacification of Tārā's lamentation, and the sojourn of the rainy season nights —

1.3.17 The wrath of Rāma the lion-hero, the mustering of the troops, the dispatching in all directions, and the description of the earth —

1.3.18 The giving of the signet ring, the sight of the cave of the bears, the sitting in fast unto death, and the appearance of Saṃpāti —

1.3.19 The climbing of the mountain, the leaping of the ocean, the nocturnal entry into Laṅkā, and deliberating alone —

1.3.20 The going to the drinking-ground, the sight of the inner apartments, the going to the Aśoka grove, and the sight of Sītā —

1.3.21 The presentation of the token of recognition, the conversation with Sītā, the terrifying of the Rākṣasī women, and the dream-vision of Trijaṭā —

1.3.22 Sītā's gift of the jewel, the breaking of the trees, the flight of the Rākṣasī women, and the slaying of the kiṃkara troops —

1.3.23 The capture of the son of the Wind-god, his roaring proclamation of Laṅkā's burning, his return voyage, and the plundering of the honey-grove —

1.3.24 The consolation of Rāghava, the handing over of the jewel, the meeting with the ocean, and the building of Nala's causeway —

1.3.25 The crossing of the ocean, the siege of Laṅkā by night, the alliance with Vibhīṣaṇa, and the disclosure of the means of slaying —

1.3.26 The death of Kumbhakarṇa, the slaying of Meghanāda, the destruction of Rāvaṇa, and the recovery of Sītā in the enemy's city —

1.3.27 The consecration of Vibhīṣaṇa, the sight of the Puṣpaka aerial chariot, the journey to Ayodhyā, and the meeting with Bharata —

1.3.28 The auspicious consecration of Rāma, the dismissal of all the armies, the delighting of his own kingdom, and the sending away of the Vaidehī —

1.3.29 And whatever things of Rāma's yet to come upon this earth — all this the blessed seer Vālmīki composed in the later portion of the poem.

1.4.1 The venerable sage Vālmīki, self-possessed, composed the entire life-story of Rāma who had attained his kingdom — a narrative adorned with wondrous words.

1.4.2 Having composed that work — complete with what was yet to come and with the Uttara-kāṇḍa — the greatly wise master then pondered: who indeed could perform this?

1.4.3 While the great seer of purified soul was thus reflecting, two wandering bards clad in the garb of ascetics — Kuśa and Lava — then clasped his feet.

1.4.4 He saw that those two — Kuśa and Lava — were royal princes endowed with righteousness, illustrious brothers blessed with melodious voices, dwelling in his hermitage.

1.4.5 Seeing them to be gifted with keen intellect and thoroughly grounded in the Vedas, the master caused them to learn this poem as a supplement and amplification of the Vedas.

1.4.6 The one steadfast in his vow composed the entire poem — the Rāmāyaṇa — the great story of Sītā, known also as the slaying of Paulastya (Rāvaṇa).

1.4.7 Sweet whether recited or sung, composed in the three metres, bound in the seven classes of musical notes, and harmonised with the rhythm of the lute —

1.4.8 — this poem, infused with the rasas of the comic, the erotic, the pathetic, the furious, the heroic, the terrible, and the repulsive and the rest, the two of them sang.

1.4.9 Those two brothers, skilled in the science of the Gandharva art of music, expert in the modulations and the proper placements of notes, endowed with melodious voices, resembled Gandharvas in their form.

1.4.10 Endowed with the marks of auspicious beauty, speaking with sweet voices, they seemed like two images drawn forth from a single original — as if lifted from the very body of Rāma himself.

1.4.11 Those two blameless princes, having made the entire poem wholly subject to speech — reciting the righteous and excellent narrative in full — sang it.

1.4.12 In assemblies of sages, twice-born ones, and holy men, those two great souls — supremely fortunate, adorned with every auspicious mark, knowers of truth — composed of mind, sang it in accordance with the teaching they had received.

1.4.13 On one occasion, standing near an assembly of purified-souled sages who had gathered and were seated together, those two sang this poem.

1.4.14 Hearing it, all the sages — their eyes brimming with tears — said to those two, 'Well done! Well done!' and were filled with the utmost wonder.

1.4.15 All those sages, joyful at heart and devoted to righteousness, praised Kuśa and Lava, those two who were indeed worthy of praise, as they sang.

1.4.16 "Ah, what sweetness in the singing — and especially in the verses! Even these events long past are displayed as if directly before our eyes."

1.4.17 Those two, having entered fully and well into the feeling of the narrative, sang it together — melodiously, with deep emotion, rich with the wealth of their voices.

1.4.18 Thus praised by the great seers praiseworthy for their austerities, those two sang with even greater passion and with surpassing sweetness.

1.4.19 One sage, delighted, gave them a water-pot; another of great fame, greatly pleased, gave them bark garments.

1.4.20 "This narrative, proclaimed by the sage, is a wonder — the supreme foundation for all poets — and it is brought to completion in due order."

1.4.21 On one occasion, the elder brother of Bharata — Rāma — saw those two singers, who were praised everywhere, in the streets and on the royal highway.

1.4.22 Rāma, the subduer of enemies, then brought those two brothers — Kuśa and Lava together — to his own palace and honoured them, who were worthy of honour.

1.4.23 That lord, the scorcher of foes, was seated on a divine golden throne, with his ministers and brothers seated around him.

1.4.24 Seeing those two endowed with beauty, carrying lutes, Rāma then spoke to Lakṣmaṇa, Śatrughna, and Bharata:

1.4.25 "Let this narrative be heard — sung properly by these two who shine with divine radiance, a narrative of wondrous meaning and verse, with sweet voices."

1.4.26 "These two ascetics — endowed with royal marks, Kuśa and Lava — are mighty in austerities. They recite a narrative of great power and glory that brings prosperity even to me. Listen to it."

1.4.27 Then those two, urged on by Rāma's word, sang with the perfection of the proper method and manner; and Rāma himself, seated in the assembly, gradually became absorbed in mind, eager to hear more.

1.5.1 This entire earth was formerly theirs alone — those victorious kings, beginning with Prajāpati himself.

1.5.2 Among them was Sagara by name — he by whom the ocean was excavated, whose sixty thousand sons encircled him as he journeyed.

1.5.3 In the lineage of those kings of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, great souls, a great narrative was born — known as the Rāmāyaṇa.

1.5.4 This I shall narrate in full, entirely from the beginning — replete with righteousness, love, and worldly purpose — and it is to be heard without envy.

1.5.5 There is a great and prosperous country called Kosala, joyful and abundant, settled on the bank of the Sarayū river, rich in wealth and grain.

1.5.6 There stood a city famous throughout the world, called Ayodhyā — a city that Manu himself, the lord of men, had personally founded.

1.5.7 That great and splendid city extended twelve yojanas in length and three in breadth, with its great avenues well laid out.

1.5.8 It was adorned with a great royal road, well planned, strewn always with scattered flowers and sprinkled with water.

1.5.9 King Daśaratha, who expanded a great realm, caused that city to be inhabited, even as the lord of the gods dwells in heaven.

1.5.10 It had gates and triumphal arches, its market streets were well arranged within, it was stocked with every kind of war-engine and weapon, and it was filled with artisans of every craft.

1.5.11 It was thronged with bards and panegyrists, splendid, of incomparable brilliance, furnished with lofty watchtowers and flags, and crowded with hundreds of śataghnī engines of war.

1.5.12 The great city everywhere was filled with troops of female dancers and theatrical companies; it was provided with pleasure gardens and mango groves, and encircled by a girdle of śāla trees.

1.5.13 It had a deep and formidable moat making it a fortress difficult for others to assail; and it was filled with horses and elephants, and with cows, camels, and donkeys as well.

1.5.14 It was surrounded by assemblies of subordinate kings engaged in rendering tribute, and it was adorned with merchants dwelling there from many different lands.

1.5.15 Adorned with palaces fashioned of jewels that rose like mountains, filled with pinnacled mansions — it resembled Indra's Amarāvatī.

1.5.16 Variegated and laid out in the form of a chessboard, filled with crowds of noble women, strewn with gems of every kind, and beautified with mansioned houses —

1.5.17 — densely packed with dwellings without gap, built on level ground, filled with śāli rice, and with water sweet as the juice of sugar-cane.

1.5.18 Resounding exceedingly — and beyond all measure — with kettledrums, mṛdaṅgas, lutes, and paṇava drums, that peerless city on earth —

1.5.19 — like the aerial palace of the Siddhas attained in heaven through austerities, its inner quarters of dwellings perfectly arranged, filled with the best of men.

1.5.20 Those who would not miss shooting — clearly, at moving targets, one after another, and at distant ones perceivable only by sound — light of hand and expert:

1.5.21 — slayers with sharp weapons of roaring, frenzied lions, tigers, and boars in the forest, and also by sheer strength of arm —

1.5.22 — with thousands of such great warriors, King Daśaratha at that time caused that city to be garrisoned and inhabited.

1.5.23 That city was surrounded by the foremost of the twice-born — maintainers of the sacred fire, men of virtuous excellence, masters of the six auxiliary sciences of the Veda, givers of thousands in gifts, devoted to truth, great souls equal to great seers, and by seers who were pure ascetics alone.

1.6.1 In that city of Ayodhyā dwelt one who was a knower of the Vedas, all-encompassing in counsel, far-sighted, of great splendour, beloved of the city-folk and the country-people —

1.6.2 — the foremost chariot-warrior among the Ikṣvākus, a performer of sacrifices, devoted to righteousness, self-controlled, equal to a great sage, a royal seer renowned in all three worlds.

1.6.3 Mighty, his enemies slain, rich in allies, his senses mastered, in his accumulations of wealth and other treasures comparable to Śakra and Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera).

1.6.4 Just as the great and resplendent Manu was the protector of all beings, so King Daśaratha, dwelling there, protected the entire world.

1.6.5 By him — true to his pledged word, practising the three ends of life — that city was protected, as Amarāvatī is by the foremost of Indras.

1.6.6 In that best of cities, under that righteous-souled king, the men were cheerful, deeply learned, content with their own respective possessions, free from greed, and speakers of truth.

1.6.7 There was no householder in that best of cities who had small savings — none who lacked fulfilment of his aims, and none without cattle, horses, wealth, and grain.

1.6.8 In Ayodhyā could nowhere be found a man who was lustful, or a miser, or cruel; nor one who was unlearned, nor one who denied the existence of the gods.

1.6.9 All men and women were righteous in conduct, well restrained, joyful, pure in character and deportment — like spotless great seers.

1.6.10 None was to be found without ear-ornaments, none without a diadem, none without a garland, none of scanty enjoyments; none was without clean garments, none without anointed limbs, none without fragrant scents.

1.6.11 None was seen who ate without washing, none who was not a giver, none without upper-arm bands and golden neck-ornaments, none without hand-ornaments, none who lacked self-possession.

1.6.12 In Ayodhyā there was no brāhmaṇa who had not established the sacred fires, none who had not performed sacrifice, none who had not given thousands in gifts — and none who had allowed inter-caste confusion.

1.6.13 The brāhmaṇas were always engaged in their proper duties, their senses mastered, devoted to giving and to study, and restrained in receiving gifts.

1.6.14 At that time there was found none who denied the gods, none who spoke falsehood, none who was not widely learned, none who was envious, none who was incapable, none who was unlearned.

1.6.15 None who was wretched or of distracted mind, or afflicted with suffering; in Ayodhyā no man nor woman was to be seen who lacked prosperity or who was of ill form, nor any who lacked devotion to the kṣatriya sovereign.

1.6.16 In the four varṇas foremost among them, all the men were worshippers of gods and guests, long-lived, devoted to righteousness and truth.

1.6.17 The kṣatriyas were guided by the brāhmaṇas; the vaiśyas were devoted in their vows to the kṣatriyas; and the śūdras, engaged in their own prescribed duty, were in service to the three varṇas.

1.6.18 That city was well protected by that lord of the Ikṣvāku line, even as it had been in former times by the wise Manu, the lord of men.

1.6.19 It was full of warriors equal to fire — skilled, intolerant of insult, their martial education fully mastered, like lions in their mountain caves —

1.6.20 — filled with the finest horses born in the Kāmboja country and among the Bāhlīkas, those trained in the forests and those born beside rivers, resembling Hari's own horses —

1.6.21 — filled with maddened elephants born of the Vindhya mountains and from the Himavat ranges — mighty elephants drunk with ichor, of surpassing strength, resembling mountains —

1.6.22 — that city was filled with elephants descended from Añjana and from Vāmana as well: of the bhadramandra, bhadramṛga, and mṛgamandra kinds.

1.6.23 Ever full of these ever-rutting elephants, mountain-like in form, that city — true to its name — shone forth for yet another two yojanas beyond.

1.6.24 That city of Ayodhyā — true to its name, with firm gates and bolts, adorned with variegated mansions, auspicious, thronged with thousands of men — was ruled by that lord of the earth equal to Śakra.

1.7.1 That heroic king had eight ministers, men of renown, pure of conduct and devoted, ever constant in their royal duties.

1.7.2 Dhṛṣṭi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddhārtha, Arthasādhaka, Aśoka, Mantrapāla — and Sumantra was the eighth.

1.7.3 He had two highly esteemed officiating priests, both foremost among sages — Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva — and other counsellors as well.

1.7.4 They were prosperous, great-souled, learned in the śāstras, firm in valour, of established fame, ever attentive and obedient to command.

1.7.5 Endowed with splendour, forbearance, and fame, they spoke always with a smile preceding their words; neither from anger nor from desire of gain would they utter a falsehood.

1.7.6 Nothing was unknown to them, whether among their own people or among foreigners — whether an act being done, already done, or merely intended — not even through the work of spies.

1.7.7 Skilled in affairs of state, tested in matters of friendship, they would apply punishment proportionate to the occasion — even upon their own sons if need be.

1.7.8 Diligent in the accumulation of the treasury and in the maintenance of the army, they would not injure even an enemy who was guilty of no actual offence.

1.7.9 Valiant and of steady vigour, disciplined in the science of kingship, they were ever the protectors of the virtuous inhabitants throughout the realm.

1.7.10 Without harming the brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya classes, inflicting sharp punishment only after carefully assessing a man's strength and weakness, they filled the royal treasury.

1.7.11 Among all those who were pure, united in mind, and fully wise, there was not a single man given to falsehood anywhere in the city or in the realm.

1.7.12 There was none wicked there, no man addicted to another's wife; that realm and that finest of cities were utterly at peace.

1.7.13 Well-robed and well-attired, all of them were of fine character, ever watchful with the eye of wise counsel for the welfare of the lord of men.

1.7.14 Won over to their preceptor by his virtues, celebrated for their own valour, known even in foreign lands for their all-round firmness of judgment.

1.7.15 Endowed with such ministers, men possessed of every excellence, the sinless king Daśaratha governed the earth.

1.7.16 Surveying his subjects through his spies and delighting them with righteous rule, he could find no enemy equal to him, let alone superior.

1.7.17 Surrounded by those counsellors — versed in deliberation, dedicated, devoted, skilled, and capable — that sovereign blazed with glory, like the risen sun encircled by its effulgent rays.

1.8.1 Yet for him — of such great power, knowing righteousness, great-souled — who yearned ardently for a son, there was no son to continue the lineage.

1.8.2 As he pondered thus, the thought arose in the mind of that great soul: 'Why do I not perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice to obtain a son?'

1.8.3 Having resolved with certainty that the sacrifice must be performed, that wise, righteous-souled king, together with all his well-disciplined ministers —

1.8.4 — then spoke to Sumantra, best of ministers: 'Quickly bring to me all those venerable preceptors together with the chief priest.'

1.8.5 Having heard this, the charioteer Sumantra addressed the king privately: 'There is an account, formerly heard by me, related by the officiating priests —'

1.8.6 '— the blessed Sanatkumāra once narrated a tale in the presence of sages, O king, concerning the coming of sons to you.'

1.8.7 'Kaśyapa has a son known as Vibhāṇḍaka; his son in turn shall be renowned as Ṛśyaśṛṅga.'

1.8.8 'Always raised in the forest, that sage ever roams the woods; that foremost of brāhmaṇas knows nothing else, being perpetually devoted to attendance upon his father.'

1.8.9 'The twofold nature of that great soul's celibate life shall be proclaimed throughout the worlds, O king, and ever spoken of by brāhmaṇas.'

1.8.10 'As he lives thus — tending the sacred fire and serving his illustrious father — time passes on.'

1.8.11 'At this very time, the mighty Lomapāda, a king of great prowess, shall be celebrated in the Aṅga realm.'

1.8.12 'On account of a transgression by that king, a terrible, exceedingly dreadful drought shall come — bringing fear to all living beings.'

1.8.13 'When the drought has come to pass, the king, filled with distress, will summon brāhmaṇas of learning and seniority and will speak.'

1.8.14 '"You are versed in sacred law and knowers of the ways of the world — prescribe for me the observance by which an expiation may come about."'

1.8.15 'Those brāhmaṇas, masters of the Veda, will tell the king: "O king, bring here by every means the son of Vibhāṇḍaka."'

1.8.16 '"And having brought Ṛśyaśṛṅga, duly honoured, O lord of the earth, give him your daughter Śāntā according to prescribed rite, with a collected mind."'

1.8.17 'On hearing their words, the king will fall into anxious deliberation: "By what means is it possible to bring here that one of great might?"'

1.8.18 'Then that self-composed king, having resolved after deliberation with his ministers, will despatch his chief priest and his councillors with due honours.'

1.8.19 'But they, on hearing the king's command, will be distressed, their faces downcast, and — afraid of the sage — will plead with the king that they cannot go.'

1.8.20 'Yet after reflection they will propose means fit for the task: "We shall bring the brāhmaṇa here — and no blame shall fall upon us."'

1.8.21 'Thus, by the lord of the Aṅgas himself, through the agency of courtesans, the sage's son was brought — and the god rained; and Śāntā was given to him.'

1.8.22 'And Ṛśyaśṛṅga as your son-in-law shall procure sons for you — this much has been declared by Sanatkumāra's account, as related by me.'

1.8.23 Then Daśaratha, overjoyed, replied to Sumantra: 'Tell me now in full detail how Ṛśyaśṛṅga was brought here.'

1.9.1 Sumantra, prompted by the king, then spoke these words: 'Hear from me, together with your ministers, how Ṛśyaśṛṅga was brought.'

1.9.2 'The chief priest, together with the councillors, spoke thus to Lomapāda: "A stratagem free of risk has been devised by us."'

1.9.3 '"Ṛśyaśṛṅga is a forest-dweller, devoted to austerity and Vedic recitation; he is ignorant of women, of sense pleasures, and of enjoyment."'

1.9.4 '"By means of the objects of the senses that are pleasing and that overthrow the minds of men, we shall quickly bring him to the city — let it be decided upon."'

1.9.5 '"Let courtesans, beautiful and well-adorned, go there; by enticing him through various means, they shall bring him here, treated with honour."'

1.9.6 'Hearing this, the king consented and replied to the chief priest; and the chief priest and the ministers did accordingly at that time.'

1.9.7 'The leading courtesans, having heard this, entered the great forest; not far from that hermitage they made every effort to obtain a sight of the awesome sage's son who always dwelt in the āśrama.'

1.9.8 'He, ever contented in the service of his father, did not stray far from the hermitage.'

1.9.9 'From birth that ascetic had never previously seen a woman, a man, or any other creature belonging to city or country.'

1.9.10 'Then one day Vibhāṇḍaka's son came to that spot by chance, and there he saw those lovely women.'

1.9.11 'Those women, wondrously attired, singing in sweet voices, approached the sage's son and all spoke to him.'

1.9.12 '"Who are you, O brāhmaṇa, and how do you fare? We wish to know. Tell us why you wander alone in this desolate, fearsome forest."'

1.9.13 'Those women of beautiful form, never seen before by him in the forest, stirred his heart, and the inclination arose in him to tell of his own father.'

1.9.14 '"My father is Vibhāṇḍaka; I am his own-begotten son. The name by which I am known upon the earth, and my calling as well, is Ṛśyaśṛṅga."'

1.9.15 '"Our hermitage is close at hand — O you of auspicious appearance, I shall offer all of you honour there according to the prescribed rite."'

1.9.16 'On hearing the sage's son's words, all of them were disposed to see that hermitage, and all went there with him.'

1.9.17 'And when they had arrived, the sage's son performed the rite of hospitality: "Here is the arghya water, here the water for the feet, here are the roots and fruits of our āśrama."'

1.9.18 'Having received that hospitality, all of them — eager and also afraid of the sage — quickly resolved to depart.'

1.9.19 '"Take these choice fruits of ours too, O brāhmaṇa — good fortune to you; eat them, and do not delay."'

1.9.20 'Then all of them, filled with delight, embraced him and gave him sweetmeats and various beautiful confections to eat.'

1.9.21 'The radiant youth tasted them and took them for fruits — things never tasted before by one who had always lived in the forest.'

1.9.22 'Then, having taken leave of the brāhmaṇa and pleading their vows of observance, those women departed from that place, afraid of his father.'

1.9.23 'When all of them had gone, the brāhmaṇa son of Kaśyapa was ill at ease in his heart and tossed about in anguish.'

1.9.24 'On the very next day that man of great power went back to the place where he had seen those charming, well-adorned leading courtesans.'

1.9.25 'And seeing the brāhmaṇa approaching, all of them, their minds delighted, drew near and spoke these words to him.'

1.9.26 '"Come, gentle one, to our hermitage" — so they said to him — "there too this auspicious hospitality shall be offered, and more besides."'

1.9.27 'On hearing the heart-captivating words of all of them, he resolved to go; and the women then led him away.'

1.9.28 'And as that great-souled brāhmaṇa was being brought there, the god suddenly rained down, gladdening the world at that moment.'

1.9.29 'The lord of men went forth to meet the brāhmaṇa who had arrived with the very rains into his own realm; bowing humbly, the king touched the earth with his head before the sage.'

1.9.30 'He duly offered him the arghya with a composed and collected mind, and begged grace of that foremost of brāhmaṇas, that no anger should enter the brāhmaṇa's heart.'

1.9.31 'Having led him into the inner apartments, and given him his daughter Śāntā according to prescribed rite, the king — his mind serene — was filled with joy.'

1.9.32 'Thus Ṛśyaśṛṅga of great radiance dwelt there, honoured with every desired thing, together with his wife Śāntā.'

1.10.1 And hear again, O lord of kings, my beneficial words — just as that foremost of gods spoke thus in the story.

1.10.2 Born in the lineage of the Ikṣvākus there shall be a most righteous king named Daśaratha — glorious and true to his word.

1.10.3 That king will have a friendship with the king of Aṅga, and this king will have a greatly fortunate daughter named Śāntā.

1.10.4 The son of the king of Aṅga is known as Lomapāda; the greatly renowned King Daśaratha shall go to him.

1.10.5 'I am without a son, O righteous one; let Śāntā's husband, directed by you, perform the sacrificial rite for me, for the continuation of my lineage.'

1.10.6 Having heard the king's words and reflected on them in his mind, that self-possessed one will give Śāntā a husband who will bring sons.

1.10.7 And having received that brāhmaṇa, the king, freed from his anguish, will perform that sacrifice with a heart full of joy.

1.10.8 And King Daśaratha, desirous of performing the sacrifice and knowledgeable in dharma, will choose with joined palms that best of twice-born, Ṛśyaśṛṅga.

1.10.9 For the purpose of the sacrifice, for offspring, and for heaven, that lord of men, that master of his people, will obtain his desired wish through that foremost of twice-born.

1.10.10 And he shall have four sons of immeasurable valour, establishers of the family line, renowned throughout all the worlds.

1.10.11 Thus did that foremost of gods, the blessed Sanatkumāra, the lord, narrate this story of old in the age of the gods.

1.10.12 O tiger among men, O great king — go yourself with your army and retinue and bring him here, well-honoured.

1.10.13 Having taken Vasiṣṭha's leave and heeding the sūta's words, he set out with his inner-palace household and ministers to where that brāhmaṇa dwelt.

1.10.14 Crossing forests and rivers one by one, he gradually arrived at the region where that foremost sage resided.

1.10.15 Approaching that best of twice-born who was near Lomapāda, he first beheld the son of the ṛṣi blazing like a fire.

1.10.16 Then the king honoured him duly and with especial distinction, out of friendship toward that king, with a heart overflowing with joy.

1.10.17 And Lomapāda explained to the wise son of the ṛṣi the bond of friendship and kinship between them; Ṛśyaśṛṅga then honoured Daśaratha in return.

1.10.18 Thus well-honoured by him, that bull among men, the king, having dwelt there seven or eight days, said this to the king:

1.10.19 'O king, O lord of the people, let Śāntā, your daughter, go with her husband to my city — for a great task is at hand.'

1.10.20 Consenting with the word 'so be it' to the departure of that wise man, the king said to the brāhmaṇa: 'Go, with your wife.'

1.10.21 The son of the ṛṣi, agreeing, said 'so be it' to the king; then, given leave by the king, he departed with his wife.

1.10.22 The two of them — Daśaratha and the valiant Lomapāda — clasped hands with each other and embraced chest to chest out of affection, and were glad.

1.10.23 Then, taking leave of his friend and setting out, the joy of the Raghus sent swift messengers ahead to the citizens: 'Let the entire city be quickly and handsomely adorned.'

1.10.24 Then those joyful citizens, hearing that the king had come, did everything the king had sent word to do.

1.10.25 Then the king entered the handsomely adorned city to the sound of conches and kettledrums, placing the bull among twice-born at the head of the procession.

1.10.26 Then all the townspeople were overjoyed, seeing that brāhmaṇa being ushered in with honour by the king who acts like Indra.

1.10.27 Having led him into the inner apartments and honoured him according to the scriptures, he considered himself fulfilled by the mere arrival of that sage.

1.10.28 All the women of the inner apartments, seeing Śāntā arrive thus with her husband — she of wide eyes — were filled with delight and joy.

1.10.29 Honoured by them and especially by the king, she lived there happily for some time together with the brāhmaṇa.

1.11.1 Then, after a long time had passed and a certain delightful spring had arrived, the king's mind turned toward performing a sacrifice.

1.11.2 Then, reverently bowing his head to that brāhmaṇa who was like a god in appearance, he chose him for the sacrifice — for the sake of progeny and the continuation of his lineage.

1.11.3 And he, well-honoured, said to the king: 'So be it.' 'Let your requisite materials be gathered and let the horse be released.'

1.11.4 Then the king spoke to Sumantra, the best of ministers: 'Sumantra, quickly summon the ritual officiants, the knowers of the Veda.'

1.11.5 Then Sumantra, of swift movement, went quickly and assembled all those brāhmaṇas who had mastered the Veda.

1.11.6 Suyajña, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kāśyapa, the family priest Vasiṣṭha, and whatever other best among twice-born there were —

1.11.7 Having honoured them, the righteous-souled King Daśaratha then spoke these gentle words full of dharma and purpose:

1.11.8 'For me, yearning as I am, there is no happiness without a son. For that reason it is my intention to sacrifice with the horse sacrifice.'

1.11.9 'I wish to perform the rite as prescribed by scripture. Through the power of the ṛṣi's son I shall attain my desires.'

1.11.10 Then all the brāhmaṇas, with Vasiṣṭha at their head, applauded that speech which had fallen from the king's mouth with the words: 'Excellent!'

1.11.11 With Ṛśyaśṛṅga at their head, they spoke to the king: 'Let your requisite materials be gathered and let the horse be released.'

1.11.12 'You will certainly obtain four sons of immeasurable valour, since this righteous resolve has arisen in you for the sake of sons.'

1.11.13 Then the king was delighted hearing what the twice-born had said, and the king, with joy, spoke these auspicious words to his ministers:

1.11.14 'By the word of the preceptors, let my requisite materials be quickly assembled, and let the horse, guarded by capable men with its chaplain, be released.'

1.11.15 'Let the sacrificial ground be prepared on the northern bank of the Sarayū, and let the auspicious rites be performed according to proper procedure and rule.'

1.11.16 'This sacrifice can be performed by any king, but there must be no grievous fault in this best of rites —'

1.11.17 'For learned brahma-rākṣasas seek out any flaw here; the performer of a sacrifice that is deficient in proper procedure is instantly destroyed.'

1.11.18 'Therefore let the arrangements be made such that this rite of mine is completed according to proper procedure; let those who are capable attend to the execution.'

1.11.19 Then all the ministers applauded that speech of the lord of kings with the word 'so be it,' and carried out what had been commanded.

1.11.20 Then those twice-born praised the dharma-knowing bull among kings; having been given leave, they all returned the way they had come.

1.11.21 After the twice-born had departed, the lord of men, of great splendour, dismissed those ministers and then entered his own palace.

1.12.1 When spring arrived again, a full year had passed. Having saluted Vasiṣṭha and duly honoured him —

1.12.2 — he spoke these humble words to the best of twice-born for the purpose of obtaining offspring: 'Let the sacrifice be performed for me, O brāhmaṇa, as has been prescribed, O foremost of sages.'

1.12.3 'Let it be arranged that no obstacle arises in the limbs of the sacrifice. You are my affectionate friend, and the greatest and most eminent preceptor.'

1.12.4 'The burden of this sacrifice, now set in motion, must be borne by you.' And the best of twice-born said to the king: 'So be it.'

1.12.5 'I shall do all of this that you have resolved upon.' Then he spoke to the senior brāhmaṇas who were established in sacrificial duties:

1.12.6 — to those well-established in architecture and construction, the senior and most pious ones; to the overseers of works, craftsmen, carpenters, and diggers —

1.12.7 — to astrologers and artisans, similarly to actors and dancers, to pure men who were learned in the scriptures and widely read —

1.12.8 'By the king's command, let all of you attend to the sacrificial work. Let bricks by the many thousands be quickly brought.'

1.12.9 'And let the reception halls for the kings, furnished with many amenities, be built; let auspicious lodging-houses for brāhmaṇas be constructed by the hundreds.'

1.12.10 'Provided with abundant food and drink and well-established — and for the townspeople as well, let many spacious halls be made.'

1.12.11 'Dwellings with abundant food, provided with all desired amenities — and let there be much splendour for the country folk as well.'

1.12.12 'Food is to be given according to proper rule, with honour — not carelessly — so that all classes of people are duly honoured and receive their proper respect.'

1.12.13 'And no disrespect is to be shown even under the sway of desire or anger toward those men who are diligently engaged in the sacrificial duties, nor toward the craftsmen.'

1.12.14 'They especially are to be honoured in due order, so that everything is well-arranged and nothing at all is neglected.'

1.12.15 'Act thus, all of you, with an affectionate and loving mind.' Then all of them assembled and said this to Vasiṣṭha:

1.12.16 'We shall do everything as instructed; nothing at all shall be neglected.' Then Vasiṣṭha, having called Sumantra, spoke these words:

1.12.17 'Invite the kings on the earth who are righteous, and brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras by the thousands.'

1.12.18 'Assemble and honour men from all lands. Bring the valiant lord of Mithilā, Janaka, true in his valour —'

1.12.19 '— who is versed in all the scriptures and likewise versed in the Vedas. Bring that greatly fortunate one, yourself, with due honour; knowing him to be an old kinsman, I speak of him first to you.'

1.12.20 'Similarly, the lord of Kāśi — affectionate, ever speaking pleasantly, of good conduct and god-like in appearance — bring him yourself.'

1.12.21 'Also, the aged and most righteous king of the Kekayas, father-in-law of this lion among kings — bring him here with his son.'

1.12.22 'The greatly fortunate lord of Aṅga, Lomapāda — who is to be honoured greatly and is the friend of this lion among kings — bring that illustrious one.'

1.12.23 'Bring all of them — the kings of the east, of Sindhu and Sauvīra, the kings of Saurāṣṭra, and all the lords of men in the south.'

1.12.24 'And whatever other affectionate kings there are on the surface of the earth — bring them as quickly as possible, with their retinues and kinsmen.'

1.12.25 Having heard those words of Vasiṣṭha, Sumantra at once dispatched capable men there to bring the kings.

1.12.26 For the righteous-souled Sumantra himself, acting swiftly by the sage's command, went to assemble the lords of the earth.

1.12.27 And all the overseers of the works reported to the wise Vasiṣṭha everything that had been prepared for the sacrifice.

1.12.28 Then the best of twice-born, pleased, spoke again to all of them: 'Nothing is to be given to anyone with disrespect or carelessly, for what is given with disrespect destroys the giver — there is no doubt in this.'

1.12.29 Then within a few days and nights, the lords of the earth arrived, bringing many jewels and treasures for King Daśaratha.

1.12.30 Then Vasiṣṭha, greatly pleased, said this to the king: 'O tiger among men, the kings have arrived at your command.'

1.12.31 'By me also all the best of kings have been honoured as they deserve. And the sacrificial ground, O king, has been made ready by men of concentrated minds.'

1.12.32 'And let your majesty proceed to the sacrificial enclosure nearby, which is provided on all sides with all desired offerings brought.'

1.12.33 In accordance with the words of both Vasiṣṭha and Ṛśyaśṛṅga, on an auspicious day and under an auspicious asterism, the lord of the earth set forth.

1.12.34 Then all those best of twice-born, with Vasiṣṭha at their head, placing Ṛśyaśṛṅga in the lead, thereupon commenced the work of the sacrifice.

1.13.1 Then, when a full year had passed and the horse had returned, the king's sacrifice commenced on the northern bank of the Sarayū.

1.13.2 With Ṛśyaśṛṅga placed at their head, the foremost of the twice-born performed the rites of the great Aśvamedha sacrifice for this most noble king.

1.13.3 The officiating priests, masters of the Veda, performed the rites according to injunction, proceeding in proper order and in strict accordance with the śāstras.

1.13.4 The twice-born performed the pravargya rite according to the śāstra, and likewise the upasad ceremony; they carried out every additional rite in conformity with rule and scripture.

1.13.5 Then, paying due honour and filled with joy, all those foremost of sages duly performed the rites beginning with the morning pressing of Soma.

1.13.6 There was nothing left unoblated, nor was any lapse at all observed; everything was done as befitting Brahman itself, carried out with full auspiciousness.

1.13.7 On those days none was seen to be weary or hungry; no brāhmaṇa there was unlearned, and none had fewer than a hundred attendants.

1.13.8 Brāhmaṇas ate freely, the protected and dependent also ate; ascetics ate, and wandering mendicants ate as well.

1.13.9 The aged and the infirm, women and children likewise — though eating without interruption, no satiation was perceived among them.

1.13.10 'Give, give food! Give garments of every kind!' — thus urged, the attendants did so again and again, many times over.

1.13.11 And many heaps of cooked food, resembling mountains, were seen there each day, prepared properly and in abundance.

1.13.12 The foremost of the twice-born praised the food — duly prepared and delicious — saying 'Ah, we are satisfied! Blessings upon you!' — and Rāghava heard this.

1.13.13 Well-adorned men served the brāhmaṇas, while others, wearing polished jewelled earrings, waited upon them with reverence.

1.13.14 In the intervals between rites, eloquent and steadfast brāhmaṇas propounded many reasoned arguments, each desiring to surpass the others.

1.13.15 Day by day there, upon the sacrificial ground, skilled twice-born men performed all the rites as enjoined by the śāstras.

1.13.16 No member of that king's sacrificial assembly was ignorant of the six Vedic auxiliaries, nor one lacking vows, nor unlearned in sacred lore, nor a brāhmaṇa unskilled in disputation.

1.13.17 When the erection of the sacrificial posts arrived, six posts of bilva wood and as many of khadira were set up, together with those of bilva combined, and others made of paṇin wood.

1.13.18 One post was ordained to be of śleṣmātaka wood and one of devadāru; two posts were appointed there whose circumference was as a man's outstretched arms.

1.13.19 All these were fashioned by those versed in scripture and skilled in sacrifice; for the glory of that sacrifice they were adorned with gold.

1.13.20 All were duly set in place by craftsmen, well made and firm, each with eight facets, all polished and comely in appearance.

1.13.21 Draped with garments and adorned with flowers and fragrant substances, they shone resplendently like the seven brilliant ṛṣis in heaven.

1.13.22 Bricks were also made in proper measure and proportion; there the sacrificial fire altar was built by brāhmaṇas skilled in the science of the cord.

1.13.23 That fire altar of the lion among kings, built by skilled twice-born men, was in the form of Garuḍa with golden wings, triple in extent and eighteen-layered.

1.13.24 The sacrificial animals were assigned there to their respective deities — serpents and birds as well, all as enjoined by scripture; and at the śāmitra post stood the horse and also the aquatic creatures.

1.13.25 All of this was assigned by the officiating priests in accordance with scripture; three hundred sacrificial animals were bound to the posts at that time, along with the chief jewel of horses belonging to king Daśaratha.

1.13.26 Kausalyā, having reverently attended upon that horse from all sides, slew it with three knives with supreme joy.

1.13.27 Then Kausalyā passed one night beside that winged creature, her mind composed and steadfast, out of her desire to fulfil dharma.

1.13.28 The hotṛ, the adhvaryu, and the udgātṛ then ceremonially united the horse with the mahiṣī, the parivṛktī, and the vāvātā in turn.

1.13.29 An officiating priest of the highest excellence, with his senses fully controlled, drew out the caul-fat of the winged creature and cooked it according to scriptural rite.

1.13.30 The lord of men then inhaled the fragrant smoke of that caul-fat at the proper time and in the proper manner, thereby expelling the sin from his own self.

1.13.31 All the limbs of the horse — every one — the brāhmaṇas cast into the fire in due order; all sixteen of the officiating priests together did so according to rule.

1.13.32 In other sacrifices the oblation is offered on branches of the plakṣa tree, but in the Aśvamedha alone the portion offered in the vaitasa manner is prescribed.

1.13.33 The Aśvamedha is reckoned to last three days according to the Kalpasūtra of the brāhmaṇas; the first day of it is appointed as the Catuṣṭoma day.

1.13.34 The second is reckoned as the Ukthya, and the following night as the Atirātra; many additional rites were performed there as ordained by the śāstra.

1.13.35 The Jyotiṣṭoma and Āyuṣī and the two Atirātra rites were also performed, as were the Abhijit, the Viśvajit, and the great rite Āptoryāma.

1.13.36 The king, increaser of his lineage, gave the eastern quarter to the hotṛ as his sacrificial fee, the western quarter to the adhvaryu, and the southern quarter to the brahman priest.

1.13.37 And the northern quarter was given to the udgātṛ — this is the southern (dakṣiṇā) prescribed of old by Svayambhū (the Self-born, Brahmā) for the great Aśvamedha sacrifice.

1.13.38 Having completed the sacrifice with due ceremony, that bull among men, the king who had magnified the rite, then gave the earth itself to the officiating priests.

1.13.39 All the officiating priests then addressed the king, now freed of sin: 'You alone are worthy to protect the entire earth.'

1.13.40 'We have no use for land; we are not capable of governing it. We are always devoted to the study of the Veda, O lord of the earth — let Your Majesty give us some other ransom in its place.'

1.13.41 The king then gave them ten hundred thousand cows, ten crores' worth of gold, and silver four times that amount.

1.13.42 Then all the officiating priests together presented that wealth to the sage Ṛśyaśṛṅga and to the wise Vasiṣṭha.

1.13.43 Then those foremost of twice-born men, having made a lawful distribution of it, all spoke in reply with minds exceedingly well pleased and filled with delight.

1.13.44 Then the king, with a gladdened heart, having accomplished that unsurpassed sacrifice — which dispels sin, leads to the heavenly path, and is difficult of attainment even for the foremost of kings —

1.13.45 — then said to Ṛśyaśṛṅga, king Daśaratha spoke thus: 'O one of excellent vows, it is fitting that you accomplish the perpetuation of my lineage.'

1.13.46 'So be it,' that foremost of twice-born men replied to the king: 'O king, four sons will be born to you, bearers of your lineage.'

1.14.1 That wise one then meditated for a moment on something excellent; having collected himself, the knower of the Vedas then addressed the king.

1.14.2 'I shall perform for you the putrīyā iṣṭi — the sacrifice for the sake of sons — accomplished with the mantras proclaimed in the Atharvaśiras, in accordance with the prescribed procedure.'

1.14.3 Then he commenced that putrīyā iṣṭi for the sake of sons; the brilliant sage poured oblations into the fire by the ritual action prescribed in the mantras.

1.14.4 Then the gods, together with the gandharvas, the siddhas, and the great ṛṣis assembled in due order for the reception of their shares.

1.14.5 Those deities, having duly assembled in that sacrificial hall, addressed a great speech to Brahmā, the maker of worlds.

1.14.6 'O blessed one, through your favour a rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa oppresses us all with his might; we are unable to restrain him.'

1.14.7 'A boon was granted to him by you in times past, O blessed one, out of your pleasure; and out of constant respect for that, we endure everything from him.'

1.14.8 'That evil-minded one harasses the three worlds, hates the exalted, and desires to overpower Śakra, the king of the thirty gods.'

1.14.9 'He transgresses against ṛṣis, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, and brāhmaṇas alike — that irresistible one, deluded by the power of the boon.'

1.14.10 'The sun does not blaze upon him; the wind does not blow at his side; even the ocean, garlanded with tossing waves, does not tremble upon beholding him.'

1.14.11 'Therefore, great is our fear of that rākṣasa of terrible aspect; O blessed one, it is fitting that you devise the means for his destruction.'

1.14.12 Thus addressed by all the gods, he reflected and then spoke: 'Indeed, the means of slaying that evil-souled one has already been ordained.'

1.14.13 'By him the words were spoken: ‘I am not to be slain by gandharvas, yakṣas, gods, dānavas, or rākṣasas’ — and I assented to that request.'

1.14.14 'That rākṣasa did not mention human beings, out of contempt; therefore he is to be slain by a human being — there is no other death for him.'

1.14.15 Having heard this welcome speech pronounced by Brahmā, all the gods and great ṛṣis were then greatly rejoiced.

1.14.16 At that very moment Viṣṇu of great splendour arrived; meeting with Brahmā there, he stood in composed readiness.

1.14.17 All the gods, honouring him and bowing low, addressed him: 'O Viṣṇu, we shall appoint you for the welfare of the worlds.'

1.14.18 'O mighty Viṣṇu, become the son of king Daśaratha, lord of Ayodhyā — he who is learned in dharma, bountiful, and equal in glory to the great ṛṣis. Divide yourself fourfold and take birth in his three wives, who are comparable to Modesty, Prosperity, and Fame.'

1.14.19 'There, having assumed human form, O Viṣṇu, slay in battle Rāvaṇa — that thorn in the side of the worlds, grown mighty and invincible by the gods.'

1.14.20 'For that rākṣasa, the foolish Rāvaṇa, oppresses the gods together with the gandharvas, the siddhas, and the foremost of ṛṣis through the arrogance of his might.'

1.14.21 'Therefore, deliver us from that haughty Rāvaṇa, blazing with splendour, swollen with pride, hostile to the lord of the thirty gods, ever-shrieking, truly a thorn to the ascetics — that fearsome one.'

1.15.1 Then Nārāyaṇa Viṣṇu, having been appointed by the foremost of gods, knowing it all already, spoke these gentle words to the gods.

1.15.2 'What means shall I employ for the slaying of that lord of rākṣasas, O gods, adopting which I might kill that thorn-in-the-side-of-the-ṛṣis?'

1.15.3 Thus addressed, all the gods replied to the imperishable Viṣṇu: 'Assuming a human body, slay Rāvaṇa in battle.'

1.15.4 'For he practised fierce austerities for a long time, O subduer of enemies, by which Brahmā — maker of worlds, worshipped by the worlds — was pleased.'

1.15.5 'Being well pleased, the lord bestowed a boon upon that rākṣasa: freedom from fear from all manner of beings, excepting only human beings.'

1.15.6 'Human beings were despised by him of old on account of that boon; therefore his death at the hands of men has been foreseen, O scorcher of foes.'

1.15.7 Having heard these words of the gods, the self-possessed Viṣṇu then chose Daśaratha as the father into whom he would take birth.

1.15.8 And that king of great splendour, who was himself without a son at that time, was performing the putrīyā iṣṭi, longing for sons, he the slayer of enemies.

1.15.9 Then from the sacrificial fire of the sacrificer there emerged a great being of incomparable radiance, of mighty power and great strength.

1.15.10 Dark of complexion, clad in red garments, red-faced, with a voice like a kettledrum, with smooth tawny eyes, a body like a lion, and the finest beard and hair —

1.15.11 — possessed of auspicious marks, adorned with divine ornaments, of stature equal to a mountain peak, with the gait of a proud tiger —

1.15.12 — of appearance like the sun, comparable to a blazing flame, bearing a vessel of refined jāmbūnada gold with a silver lid —

1.15.13 — holding in both vast arms that bowl filled with divine pāyasa (rice-milk), like a beloved wife, or as if it were made of illusion itself —

1.15.14 — he gazed upon king Daśaratha and spoke these words: 'Know me, O king, as a man sent by Prajāpati, who has come hither.'

1.15.15 Thereupon the king replied with joined palms: 'O blessed one, be welcome. What may I do for you?'

1.15.16 Then that man sent by Prajāpati spoke again: 'O king, this has been obtained by you today through your worship of the gods.'

1.15.17 'This pāyasa has been made by the gods, O tiger among men — it is the source of progeny; take it, it is auspicious and enhances health.'

1.15.18 'Give it to your worthy wives to eat; from them you shall obtain the sons for whose sake you are sacrificing, O king.'

1.15.19 Saying 'So be it,' the king, filled with joy, received upon his head that golden vessel filled with divine food, given by the gods.

1.15.20 He paid obeisance to that wondrous, fair-featured being, and filled with supreme joy, circumambulated him with reverence.

1.15.21 Then Daśaratha, having obtained the god-made pāyasa, was supremely delighted — like a penniless man who has received wealth.

1.15.22 Then that wondrous and supremely resplendent being, having concluded that act, vanished on the spot.

1.15.23 His inner palace shone ablaze with rays of joy, as the sky shines with the beams of the delightful autumnal moon.

1.15.24 Entering the inner apartments, he said to Kausalyā: 'Receive this pāyasa, which shall give you a son.'

1.15.25 The lord of men gave half the pāyasa to Kausalyā; of the remaining half he gave half to Sumitrā; the remaining quarter he gave to Kaikeyī, for the purpose of obtaining sons.

1.15.26 And the remaining portion of that pāyasa, comparable to nectar, the lord of the earth gave again to Sumitrā after reflection.

1.15.27 In this manner the king distributed the pāyasa separately to each of his wives.

1.15.28 Those most excellent wives of the lord of men, having received this pāyasa, all considered themselves honoured, their hearts uplifted with exceeding joy.

1.16.1 When Viṣṇu had entered into sonship with that great-souled king, Svayambhū — the Self-born Lord — spoke these words to all the gods:

1.16.2 "For the sake of Viṣṇu — the hero who is true to his vows and who desires the welfare of us all — create mighty helpers who can take any form at will.

1.16.3 Create warriors skilled in illusion, swift as the wind, versed in statecraft, endowed with keen intelligence, and equal to Viṣṇu in valour.

1.16.4 Create them invincible, skilled in every stratagem, possessed of divine physiques, proficient in the use of all weapons, and as it were nourished on immortal nectar.

1.16.5 Upon the foremost of the Apsarases, upon the bodies of Gandharvī women, upon the daughters of Yakṣas and Nāgas, upon female Ṛṣkas and Vidyādharīs,

1.16.6 upon the bodies of Kiṃnarī women and upon female monkeys — beget sons in the form of monkeys, equal in valour to one another."

1.16.7 Thus instructed by the Lord, they accepted his command and accordingly begot sons in the form of monkeys.

1.16.8 The great-souled sages, the Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Nāgas, and Cāraṇas likewise begot heroic sons who roamed the forests.

1.16.9 Those created in their thousands, intent on slaying the ten-necked Rāvaṇa, were heroes of immeasurable strength, brave, vigorous, and able to assume any form at will.

1.16.10 Resembling elephants and mountains, handsome and mighty, they were born quickly as bears, monkeys, and gopucchas.

1.16.11 Whatever form, appearance, and valour belonged to each particular deity — with that entirety was each one's offspring separately born.

1.16.12 Some of approved valour were born of the golāṅgūlī females; others were born of female bears and monkey-women, and yet others of Kiṃnarī women.

1.16.13 All of them wielded rocks as weapons; all hurled trees; all were armed with claws and fangs; and all were skilled in every kind of missile.

1.16.14 They could dislodge the greatest mountains, shatter firmly rooted trees, and with their speed churn the ocean, lord of rivers.

1.16.15 They could split the earth with their feet, leap across the great ocean, soar through the vault of heaven, and seize the very clouds.

1.16.16 They could seize rut-maddened elephants roaming the forest, and bring birds plummeting down from the sky with their roar.

1.16.17 Of such monkeys of every form, hundreds upon hundreds of thousands were born — great-souled troop-leaders — and the foremost among those troops in turn begot further valiant monkeys.

1.16.18 Some by the thousands took up positions on the slopes of Mount Ṛkṣavān; others spread across many different mountains and forests.

1.16.19 All those monkey-lords attended upon the two brothers: Sugrīva, son of the Sun, and Vālin, son of Indra.

1.16.20 By those mighty monkey-troop leaders — resembling clusters of storm-clouds and mountain peaks, formidable in body and form — the earth was covered over, for the sake of aiding Rāma.

1.17.1 When that horse-sacrifice of the great-souled king was concluded, the gods received their respective portions and departed the way they had come.

1.17.2 The king, his vows of consecration fulfilled, accompanied by his group of queens, together with his ministers, army, and retinue, re-entered his city.

1.17.3 Honoured fittingly by that king, the lords of the earth departed joyfully to their own realms, after bowing to the foremost of sages.

1.17.4 Once the lords of the earth had gone, the illustrious King Daśaratha re-entered his city with the foremost of Brāhmaṇas leading the way.

1.17.5 Ṛśyaśṛṅga, greatly honoured, departed together with Śāntā, followed by the wise king and his entire retinue.

1.17.6 Kausalyā gave birth to Rāma, endowed with divine marks, bearing half of Viṣṇu's essence, supremely blessed, the joy of the Ikṣvāku lineage.

1.17.7 Kausalyā shone with that son of boundless radiance as Aditi of the gods shines with Indra the Thunderbolt-bearer.

1.17.8 To Kaikeyī was born one named Bharata, true in valour — a direct fourth part of Viṣṇu, praised for all his virtues.

1.17.9 Then Sumitrā bore two sons, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna — heroes skilled in all weapons, jointly possessing a half portion of Viṣṇu.

1.17.10 Four great-souled sons were born to the king, each separately, virtuous and fitting, brilliant as stars in the month of Proṣṭhapada.

1.17.11 Eleven days having passed, he performed the naming rite accordingly: the eldest — the great-souled Rāma; and Bharata, son of Kaikeyī;

1.17.12 Saumitri as Lakṣmaṇa, and the other as Śatrughna — so Vasiṣṭha, deeply pleased, assigned these names. He also performed all the birth-rites and ceremonies for them from the beginning.

1.17.13 Among them, the eldest, Rāma, was like a banner — a source of delight to his father — esteemed even more by all beings as Svayambhū himself is esteemed.

1.17.14 All were learned in the Vedas, all were heroes, all were devoted to the welfare of the world, all were endowed with wisdom, all were filled with virtues.

1.17.15 Among them, Lakṣmaṇa, the increaser of fortune, the greatly radiant Rāma of true valour — Lakṣmaṇa was deeply devoted to him from childhood onward.

1.17.16 He was ever doing everything agreeable to his eldest brother Rāma, the delight of the world — even as though he were another of Rāma's own bodies.

1.17.17 Lakṣmaṇa, endowed with auspiciousness, was like an external life-breath to that best of men. Without him, Rāma could not sleep; nor would he eat pure food brought before him without Lakṣmaṇa present.

1.17.18 Whenever the Rāghava mounted his horse and went hunting, Lakṣmaṇa would follow behind him, bow in hand, protecting him.

1.17.19 Śatrughna too — the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa — was always dearer to Bharata than life itself, and was equally beloved by Bharata.

1.17.20 Daśaratha with his four greatly blessed and beloved sons was supremely joyful, as Pitāmaha is joyful with the gods.

1.17.21 When they became endowed with knowledge, filled with virtues, modest, illustrious, all-knowing, and far-sighted —

1.17.22 — then the righteous-souled King Daśaratha, together with his preceptors and kinsmen, began to think about their marriages.

1.17.23 While that great-souled king was deliberating in the midst of his counsellors, the greatly radiant great sage Viśvāmitra arrived.

1.17.24 Desiring audience with the king, he spoke to the gatekeepers: "Announce quickly that the son of Gādhi, Kauśika, has arrived."

1.17.25 Hearing those words of his, all of them, their minds agitated, ran quickly to the royal palace, urged on by that command.

1.17.26 Going to the royal palace, they then announced to King Ikṣvāku — to Daśaratha — that the sage Viśvāmitra had arrived.

1.17.27 Hearing those words of theirs, the king, composing himself, went out with his chaplain to meet him, rejoicing as Vāsava goes to meet Brahmā.

1.17.28 Seeing the ascetic blazing with lustre and firm in his vows, the king with a delighted countenance then presented the arghya offering.

1.17.29 He received the arghya from the king according to the rite prescribed by scripture, and then enquired of the lord of men about his well-being and about the eternal dharma.

1.17.30 Meeting Vasiṣṭha, that foremost of sages duly enquired about his welfare, and then addressed in proper order those greatly blessed sages present.

1.17.31 All of them, with gladdened hearts, entered that king's dwelling; honoured therein, they took their seats according to rank.

1.17.32 Then the king, his mind rejoicing, spoke to the great sage Viśvāmitra — supremely generous, joyful, honouring him:

1.17.33 "As is the attainment of ambrosia, as is rain upon a waterless land, as is the birth of a son to one who is childless and has a befitting wife, as is the recovery of what was lost, as is joy at a great occasion of rising — even so do I regard your arrival. Welcome, O great sage.

1.17.34 What supreme wish shall I fulfil for you? What does your joy require? You are a worthy vessel for me, O Brāhmaṇa; by good fortune have you come, O righteous one. Today my birth is fruitful and my life truly well-lived.

1.17.35 You who once shone by the title of royal sage, and whose lustre was illumined by austerity, have now attained the status of a brahmarṣi — you are worthy of my homage in many ways.

1.17.36 This, O Brāhmaṇa, is wondrous and supremely purifying for me; in beholding you, O Lord, I have entered upon auspicious ground.

1.17.37 Tell me what you desire and what business has brought you here. I wish to be graced by accomplishing that which is for your sake and advancement.

1.17.38 And you should not depart without deliberating on the matter, O Kauśika; I will carry out everything completely, for you are my very deity.

1.17.39 Hearing those words — pleasing to the heart and the ear, spoken with humility by a man of self-mastery — that foremost of sages, whose virtues and fame were widely celebrated and who was distinguished by his qualities, attained supreme delight.

1.18.1 Having heard the wondrous and far-ranging words of that lion among kings, the greatly radiant Viśvāmitra, his body-hairs erect with joy, spoke:

1.18.2 "This is fitting for you, O tiger among kings, and for none else on earth — born of a great lineage and guided by the preceptorship of Vasiṣṭha.

1.18.3 The matter that lies in my heart — fulfil the resolve of that business, O tiger among kings; be one whose promise is true.

1.18.4 I am undertaking a vow for the sake of its accomplishment, O bull among men; but two rākṣasas who can change form at will are obstructors of it.

1.18.5 Even when my vow has been long observed and is near completion, these two rākṣasas — Mārīca and Subāhu, powerful and well-trained — defile that altar with torrents of flesh and blood.

1.18.6 When that firm vow is thus violated and overthrown, I — exhausted in effort and disheartened — withdraw from that place.

1.18.7 And it does not accord with my intention to release a curse in anger, O king; for such is the nature of that observance — no curse may be uttered there.

1.18.8 You ought to give me, O tiger among kings, your own son — Rāma of true valour, the hero who still wears the side-locks of boyhood, your eldest.

1.18.9 For he, protected by me and by his own divine radiance, is capable of destroying those rākṣasas who are the perpetrators of that desecration.

1.18.10 And I will bestow upon him manifold blessings, of no doubt, by which he will win renown across all three worlds.

1.18.11 Those two will not be able to stand in any way once they encounter Rāma; nor is there any man other than that Rāghava who would dare to slay them.

1.18.12 Those two wicked ones, intoxicated with their own power, are already in the grip of the noose of time; O tiger among kings, they are no match whatsoever for the great-souled Rāma.

1.18.13 You ought not to act out of paternal affection for your son, O king. I give you my solemn promise: know those two rākṣasas as already slain.

1.18.14 I know the great-souled Rāma of true valour, and so does the greatly radiant Vasiṣṭha, and all these others who are established in austerity.

1.18.15 If you desire the attainment of dharma and supreme and lasting fame in this world, O lord of kings, you ought to give Rāma to me.

1.18.16 If your ministers, headed by Vasiṣṭha, all give their assent, O Kākutstha, then send Rāma forth.

1.18.17 You ought to give willingly and without attachment your own son — lotus-eyed Rāma — for ten nights, the duration of the sacrifice.

1.18.18 The time of the sacrifice will not pass beyond its due limit, O Rāghava; act accordingly — may it go well with you — and do not give your mind over to grief.

1.18.19 Having thus spoken these words in accord with dharma and its purpose, the greatly radiant great sage Viśvāmitra, righteous in soul, fell silent.

1.18.20 Having thus heard those words of the sage — which rent his heart and mind — the lord of men was seized with great fear; his mind distressed, he trembled upon his seat.

1.19.1 Hearing that speech of Viśvāmitra, O tiger among kings, he was as though unconscious for a moment; then, regaining his senses, he spoke thus:

1.19.2 My lotus-eyed Rāma is not yet sixteen years old; I do not see him fit for battle against the rākṣasas.

1.19.3 A full akṣauhiṇī army of which I am the master and lord — covered by this force I shall go and fight those night-roaming demons myself.

1.19.4 These valiant and mighty retainers of mine are skilled in arms and capable of fighting the hosts of rākṣasas. You ought not to take Rāma.

1.19.5 I myself, bow in hand, shall be the protector in the forefront of battle; as long as I hold life within me, I shall fight those night-roamers.

1.19.6 That observance of the vow shall be unimpeded and well protected; I shall go there myself. You ought not to take Rāma.

1.19.7 He is still a boy, his learning incomplete; he does not know strength from weakness, he is not furnished with the power of weapons, and he is not skilled in warfare. Nor is he a match for the rākṣasas — for they fight with treachery, that is certain.

1.19.8 Separated from Rāma I could not endure to live even for a moment, O tiger among sages. You ought not to take Rāma.

1.19.9 Or if, O brāhmaṇa, O steadfast in vows, you desire to take the Rāghava, then take him together with me, equipped with a four-divisioned army.

1.19.10 Sixty thousand years have passed since my birth, O Kauśika, and he was obtained by me through great hardship and pain. You ought not to take Rāma.

1.19.11 My delight in all four of my sons is supreme, and Rāma — the eldest, foremost in righteousness — is especially dear. You ought not to take Rāma.

1.19.12 What is the prowess of those rākṣasas? Whose sons are they, and who are they? What is their stature? Who guards them, O foremost among sages?

1.19.13 And how are those rākṣasas, those treacherous fighters, to be countered — by Rāma, or by my forces, O brāhmaṇa, or by me?

1.19.14 Tell me everything, O blessed one — how I am to stand against those evil-natured ones in battle, for the rākṣasas are inflated with their own might.

1.19.15 Hearing his words, Viśvāmitra replied: There is a rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa, born of the lineage of Paulastya —

1.19.16 — he is endowed with a boon granted by Brahmā, and he greatly oppresses all three worlds; of immense strength and immense valour, he is surrounded by many rākṣasas.

1.19.17 It is heard that the great-valoured Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, is the very brother of Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), the son of the sage Viśravas.

1.19.18 When the great-powerful one does not himself create obstruction to the sacrifice, he sends forth two rākṣasas of exceedingly great strength — Mārīca and Subāhu — who will cause the disruption of the sacrifice.

1.19.19 Thus addressed by that sage, the king then spoke to the sage: I am truly not capable of standing in battle against that wicked-souled one.

1.19.20 Therefore show grace to my boy, O knower of dharma — gods, dānavas, gandharvas, yakṣas, birds, and serpents —

1.19.21 — are not able to withstand Rāvaṇa; how much less then could mortals in battle? For that rākṣasa in combat seizes away the very valour of the valiant.

1.19.22 Against him I am not capable of fighting — neither with his forces, O foremost of sages, nor with my own forces together with my sons at my side.

1.19.23 How could I in any way give you my boy — a child, godlike in appearance, but inexperienced in battles, O brāhmaṇa, my little son?

1.19.24 Moreover, those two sons of Sunda and Upasunda who are like Death itself in battle and who are the disruptors of your sacrifice — I will surely not give you my boy for them.

1.19.25 Mārīca and Subāhu are both mighty and well-trained; against either one of the two, I might fight along with my band of allies.

1.20.1 Hearing his speech, which was confused with affection at every syllable, Kauśika, filled with anger, replied to the king of the earth:

1.20.2 Having first promised the thing, you now wish to abandon your pledge. This reversal is unworthy of and ill-befitting this lineage of the Rāghus.

1.20.3 If this be fitting for you, O king, I shall depart as I came. O Kākutstha, false to your promise — be happy with your kinsmen!

1.20.4 As the wise Viśvāmitra was overcome by wrath, the entire earth trembled, and fear entered into the gods.

1.20.5 Perceiving that all the world had assumed the form of fear, the great sage, steadfast in vows, the wise Vasiṣṭha, spoke these words to the king:

1.20.6 Born in the lineage of the Ikṣvākus, like dharma himself made manifest, endowed with steadfastness, virtuous in vows, resplendent — you ought not to abandon dharma.

1.20.7 The Rāghava is renowned in the three worlds as one whose soul is dharma. Follow your own dharma; you ought not to bear adharma.

1.20.8 For one who has pledged 'I will do this' and then fails to do it, O Rāghava, the fruits of his ritual offerings and charitable works are destroyed. Therefore release Rāma.

1.20.9 Whether trained in arms or not yet trained, the rākṣasas will not be able to overpower him — guarded as he will be by the son of Kuśika, as ambrosia is guarded by fire.

1.20.10 He (Viśvāmitra) is dharma embodied in bodily form; he is the best among the mighty; he is supreme in intellect in this world and the ultimate resort of tapas.

1.20.11 He knows diverse weapons in all the three worlds, movable and immovable; no other man knows him fully, nor shall any ever know him.

1.20.12 Neither the gods, nor any sages, nor the asuras, nor the rākṣasas, nor the foremost gandharvas and yakṣas, nor kiṃnaras, nor great serpents —

1.20.13 — the all-righteous sons of Kṛśāśva gave all their weapons in former times to Kauśika (Viśvāmitra) when he was ruling as king.

1.20.14 Those sons of Kṛśāśva too, being the grandsons of Prajāpati's daughters, are of many forms, of great valour, radiant, and bringers of victory.

1.20.15 Jayā and Suprabhā, the two slender-waisted daughters of Dakṣa — they gave birth to one hundred supremely radiant weapons and missiles.

1.20.16 Jayā in former times obtained fifty excellent sons, immeasurable and able to assume any form at will, for the slaying of the armies of the asuras.

1.20.17 And Suprabhā in turn gave birth to fifty sons named the Saṃhāras — irresistible, impossible to assail, and most powerful.

1.20.18 And the son of Kuśika knows all those weapons rightly and fully; moreover he is capable of creating weapons never known before, being also learned in dharma.

1.20.19 Such is the valour and great energy of the great ascetic Viśvāmitra. O king, you ought not to entertain doubt about Rāma's going.

1.21.1 While Vasiṣṭha spoke thus, king Daśaratha, with joyful countenance, summoned his son Rāma together with Lakṣmaṇa.

1.21.2 Having had the auspicious rite of blessing performed — by his mother, by his father Daśaratha, and by the family priest Vasiṣṭha who consecrated him with benedictions —

1.21.3 — king Daśaratha smelled his beloved son's head and, with his inner soul well pleased, entrusted him to the son of Kuśika.

1.21.4 Then a wind, pleasant to the touch and free of dust, blew upon seeing the lotus-eyed Rāma depart with Viśvāmitra.

1.21.5 As the great-souled one set forth, there was a great shower of flowers, the sound of the divine kettledrum, and the reverberation of conch shells and drums.

1.21.6 Viśvāmitra went ahead; behind him followed the greatly renowned Rāma, bearing the kākapakṣa locks of youth, bow in hand; and Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) followed him in turn.

1.21.7 Adorned with quivers, bows in hand, illuminating all ten directions, the two noble princes followed the great-souled Viśvāmitra like two three-headed serpents, like the two Aśvins attending Brahmā.

1.21.8 With finger-guards and leather wristbands fastened, bearing swords, blazing with great splendour, the two princes were like the twin sons of Agni attending the unthinkable, immovable divine post.

1.21.9 Having gone one and a half yojanas to the southern bank of the Sarayū, Viśvāmitra addressed Rāma in a sweet voice: 'Rāma —'

1.21.10 'Receive water, dear child, lest the moment pass. Receive the group of mantras — receive both Balā and Atibalā.'

1.21.11 'Neither fatigue, nor fever, nor any change in your form shall afflict you; and the rākṣasas shall not be able to strike you down when asleep or when off-guard.'

1.21.12 'There is none equal to you in the valour of your arms on this earth, O Rāma, nor in the three worlds could any equal be found.'

1.21.13 'In beauty, in grace, in knowledge, in the resolve of intellect, and in apt reply, no equal to you is to be found in this world, O sinless one.'

1.21.14 'When you have acquired these two sciences, there will be none equal to you; for Balā and Atibalā are the mothers of all knowledge.'

1.21.15 'Hunger and thirst shall not afflict you, O best of men; O Rāghava, as you recite on the path Balā and Atibalā — studying these two sciences — matchless renown on earth shall also be yours.'

1.21.16 'These two sciences, born of the granddaughters of Brahmā and endowed with brilliance, are fit to be bestowed upon you alone, O Kākutstha — for you are righteous and a worthy recipient.'

1.21.17 'Indeed, all these many virtues are in you — of that there is no doubt; and sustained by tapas, these sciences will manifest in many forms for you.'

1.21.18 Then Rāma, with joyful countenance, having touched water and become ritually pure, received those two sciences from the great sage of purified soul; gladdened by the sciences, Rāma of boundless valour shone resplendent.

1.21.19 Having entrusted all the duties of the teacher to the son of Kuśika, the three of them spent that night there on the banks of the Sarayū in great comfort.

1.22.1 When the night had brightened into dawn, the great sage Viśvāmitra addressed Kākutstha (Rāma), who lay sleeping on a bed of leaves.

1.22.2 "Kausalyā is blessed with a noble son — O Rāma, the eastern twilight is beginning; arise, O tiger among men, and perform the daily divine rites."

1.22.3 Having heard those most gracious words of the sage, the two sons of the king — those heroes — bathed, performed their water-offerings, and recited the supreme prayer.

1.22.4 Having completed the morning rites, those two of great valour saluted Viśvāmitra, the treasure of austerity, and, greatly delighted, presented themselves ready to depart.

1.22.5 As those two of great valour set out, they beheld there the divine river that flows in three paths (the Gaṅgā), at her auspicious confluence with the Sarayū.

1.22.6 There was a holy hermitage of sages of fierce splendour who had been performing the highest austerity for many thousands of years.

1.22.7 Seeing that holy hermitage, the two Rāghavas were filled with the deepest joy, and they spoke these words to the great-souled Viśvāmitra.

1.22.8 "Whose is this holy hermitage, O Blessed One, and what man dwells here? We wish to hear — great is our curiosity."

1.22.9 Hearing their words, the foremost of sages smiled and spoke: "Listen, O Rāma, to whose this hermitage formerly belonged."

1.22.10 "Kandarpa — he who is called Kāma (Love) by the wise — once existed here in embodied form."

1.22.11 "The foolish one (Kāma) dared to assail Sthāṇu (Śiva), who was here performing austerity, collected in discipline, even as the lord of the gods was departing with his wedding train together with the host of Maruts; and that great-souled one (Śiva) uttered a wrathful exclamation."

1.22.12 "Burned by that terrible eye (of Śiva), O joy of the Raghu line, all the limbs fell from the body of that foolish one."

1.22.13 "His body destroyed, utterly burned by that great-souled one, Kāma was made bodiless there by the lord of the gods in his wrath."

1.22.14 "From that time onward, O Rāghava, he became renowned as Anaṅga ('the bodiless'); and that prosperous region where he abandoned his body is called the Aṅga country."

1.22.15 "This is his holy hermitage; these sages here were formerly his disciples, devoted to righteousness, O hero — no sin exists in them."

1.22.16 "Let us stay here tonight, O Rāma of auspicious appearance, between these two holy rivers; tomorrow we shall cross over."

1.22.17 As they were thus conversing there, the sages, perceiving them with the long sight of their austerity, came forward filled with the highest joy and delight.

1.22.18 Offering the arghya (water for the guest's hands), pādya (water for the feet), and hospitality to the son of Kuśika (Viśvāmitra), they then performed the rites of hosting for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.

1.22.19 Receiving that honourable welcome, they passed the time delightfully with stories and dwelt there in great happiness at the site of Kāma's hermitage.

1.23.1 Then, at the clear dawn, the two tamers of foes, having performed the morning rites, came to the bank of the river placing Viśvāmitra at their head.

1.23.2 All those great-souled sages of sharpened vows then drew up an auspicious boat and spoke to Viśvāmitra.

1.23.3 "Pray board the boat, preceded by the princes; go your way without mishap — let there be no reversal of time (delay)."

1.23.4 Viśvāmitra said "So be it," honoured those sages, and crossed together with those two the river that flows to the ocean.

1.23.5 Then in the middle of the river Rāma asked the foremost of sages: "What is this tumultuous sound of the water being cleft?"

1.23.6 Hearing the words of Rāghava filled with curiosity, the righteous-souled one explained the origin of that sound.

1.23.7 "On Mount Kailāsa, O Rāma, Brahmā fashioned a lake by the power of his mind, O tiger among men; therefore this is called the Mānasa lake."

1.23.8 "From that lake it flowed forth; it embraces Ayodhyā. The holy Sarayū, born from the lake, issued from Brahmā's lake."

1.23.9 "This incomparable sound approaches the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā), born of the churning of the waters, O Rāma — bow in reverence without fail."

1.23.10 Both of them, those two of surpassing righteousness, made their bow to the two rivers and, reaching the southern bank, proceeded with swift strides.

1.23.11 Seeing the forest of terrible aspect, the son of the best of kings, the Ikṣvāku prince (Rāma), unperturbed, asked the foremost of sages.

1.23.12 "Ah, this forest is impenetrable, resounding with swarms of crickets, filled with fierce beasts of prey and birds with dreadful cries."

1.23.13 "It is thronged with various kinds of birds shrieking with frightful sounds, and graced with lions, tigers, wild boars, and elephants as well."

1.23.14 "It is crowded with dhava, aśvakarṇa, kakubha, bilva, tinduka, and pāṭala trees, and with jujube shrubs — what then is this fearful forest?"

1.23.15 The great sage Viśvāmitra of great splendour said to him: "Hear, my child, O Kākutstha, to whom this fearful forest belongs."

1.23.16 "These two prosperous territories, O best of men — Maladā and Karūṣa — existed here formerly, fashioned by divine ordinance."

1.23.17 "Long ago, O Rāma, when the thousand-eyed Indra slew Vṛtra, he was overwhelmed with impurity and afflicted by hunger, and brahminicide entered him."

1.23.18 "The gods and the sages, rich in austerity, bathed that Indra — they bathed him with their water-pots and released his impurity from him."

1.23.19 "Having deposited the impurity and also the bile from Mahendra's body here upon this earth, they then attained joy."

1.23.20 "When Indra became pure, free of bile, and clean, the lord, greatly pleased, gave the region an unsurpassed boon."

1.23.21 "'These two territories that bear the impurity and bile of my body — Maladā and Karūṣa — shall attain fame in the world.'"

1.23.22 "'Well done, well done!' — thus spoke the gods to Pākaśāsana (Indra), seeing that honour bestowed upon the region by wise Śakra."

1.23.23 "These two territories, Maladā and Karūṣa, O tamer of foes, flourished for a long time, rejoicing in wealth and grain."

1.23.24 "Then, at a certain time, there was a yakṣī who could assume any form at will, bearing the strength of a thousand elephants."

1.23.25 "Her name was Tāṭakā — blessings to you — the wife of the wise Sunda; her son was Mārīca, a rākṣasa of the valour of Śakra."

1.23.26 "She, Tāṭakā of wicked conduct, perpetually destroys these two territories, O Rāghava — Maladā and Karūṣa."

1.23.27 "She dwells there blocking the road, at a distance of more than a half-yojana; it is for that very reason that we must go to the forest of Tāṭakā."

1.23.28 "Relying on the strength of your own arms, slay this wicked creature, and at my command make this region free of thorns once more."

1.23.29 "For no one is able to enter this region as it is, O Rāma, laid waste by that dreadful and irresistible yakṣiṇī."

1.23.30 "All of this has been told to you — how this forest became terrible, and how everything laid waste by the yakṣī has not recovered even to this day."

1.24.1 Then, having heard the excellent words of that sage of immeasurable greatness, the tiger among men spoke an auspicious reply.

1.24.2 "When yakṣas are said to be of little power, O foremost of sages, how does this weak woman bear the strength of a thousand elephants?"

1.24.3 Viśvāmitra spoke: "Hear by what means, though weak, she bears that superior strength — the valour wrought by the granting of a boon."

1.24.4 "Formerly there was a great yakṣa named Suketu, valiant and of good conduct, who was childless; and he performed great austerity."

1.24.5 "The Pitāmaha (Brahmā) was greatly pleased with that lord of yakṣas and gave him a jewel of a daughter, O Rāma, named Tāṭakā."

1.24.6 "The Pitāmaha also gave her the strength of a thousand elephants; but Brahmā of great renown did not grant a son to that yakṣa."

1.24.7 "That illustrious daughter, as she grew, resplendent with beauty and youth, was given as wife to Sunda, the son of Jambha."

1.24.8 "Then, in the course of time, the yakṣī gave birth to a son named Mārīca, who was irresistible and who became a rākṣasa by a curse."

1.24.9 "But when Sunda was slain, O Rāma, Tāṭakā, together with her son, sought to assault the most excellent of sages, Agastya."

1.24.10 "Agastya, in extreme fury, pronounced a curse on Mārīca saying 'Become a rākṣasa!'; and he also cursed Tāṭakā."

1.24.11 "'O great yakṣī who devours men, ugly and disfigured of face — abandoning this form, let a dreadful form be yours!'"

1.24.12 "She — this very Tāṭakā — enraged by the curse, senseless with fury, lays waste this region, once made auspicious by Agastya's dwelling in it."

1.24.13 "Slay her, O Rāghava — this wicked, most dreadful yakṣī of evil prowess — for the welfare of cattle and brahmins."

1.24.14 "For no man is able to slay her who is bound by the curse, in the three worlds, except you, O joy of the Raghu line."

1.24.15 "You must feel no scruple on account of the slaying of a woman, O best of men — a king's son must do what is needed for the welfare of the four social orders."

1.24.16 "This is the eternal duty of those charged with the burden of kingship. Slay the unrighteous one, O Kākutstha — for righteousness does not exist in her."

1.24.17 "For it is told that in former times, O prince, Śakra slew Mantharā, the daughter of Virocana, when she sought to destroy the earth."

1.24.18 "And formerly, O Rāma, Viṣṇu slew the wife of Bhṛgu, Kāvya's mother, firm in her vows, when she sought to make a world without Indra."

1.24.19 "By these and many other great-souled royal heroes, women devoted to unrighteousness have been slain by the best of men."

1.25.1 Having heard the sage's spirited, undaunted command, the son of the best of men, Rāghava, stood with palms joined and replied—he who was firm in his vow.

1.25.2 "By the direction of my father's words, out of reverence for my father's command, the word of Kauśika (Viśvāmitra) must be carried out without any hesitation."

1.25.3 "I have been instructed in Ayodhyā, in the assembly of elders, by my noble-souled father Daśaratha himself—and his word is not to be disregarded."

1.25.4 "Therefore I, having heard my father's word and acting under the command of you who speak the truth of Brahman, will slay Tāṭakā—of this there is no doubt."

1.25.5 "For the welfare of cows and brāhmaṇas, for the happiness of this region, and to fulfill the command of you who are immeasurable—I am ready to act."

1.25.6 Having spoken thus, the subduer of foes gripped his bow in the middle and made the bowstring resound with a fierce twang that filled all the quarters with its sound.

1.25.7 By that sound the forest-dwellers were terrified and Tāṭakā herself was greatly enraged—bewildered by that sound.

1.25.8 Concentrating on that sound, the rākṣasī, overcome with fury, rushed with great speed toward the direction from which the sound had issued.

1.25.9 Seeing her—enraged, misshapen, disfigured of face, and of enormous stature—Rāghava spoke to Lakṣmaṇa:

1.25.10 "Look, Lakṣmaṇa, at the terrible and fearsome form of this yakṣī—the hearts of the faint-hearted would shatter at the mere sight of her."

1.25.11 "See how formidable she is, endowed with the power of illusion. Today I will render her harmless by severing her ears and the tip of her nose."

1.25.12 "I cannot bring myself to kill her—for she is protected by the nature of womanhood. My intention is only to cripple her valor and her movement."

1.25.13 While Rāma was speaking thus, Tāṭakā, frenzied with rage, raised her arms and roaring rushed straight at Rāma.

1.25.14 As she charged with terrifying speed, like a thunderbolt, he pierced her in the chest with an arrow. She fell and died.

1.25.15 Seeing her slain—she who had the appearance of one inspiring dread—the lord of the gods then cried "Bravo! Bravo!" and the gods honored Kākutstha (Rāma).

1.25.16 Purandara (Indra), the thousand-eyed, spoke with the utmost delight, and all the gods, rejoicing greatly, then addressed Viśvāmitra.

1.25.17 "O sage Kauśika, good fortune to you! All the troops of Maruts together with Indra are satisfied by this deed. Show your affection for Rāghava."

1.25.18 "Reveal to Rāghava, O brahmin, the sons of Prajāpati Kṛśāśva—those of true valor, endowed with the might of austerity."

1.25.19 "This son of a king, who is engaged in accompanying you, O brahmin, is worthy of them; and there is a great deed for the gods that the prince must accomplish."

1.25.20 Having spoken thus, all the gods, delighted, departed as they had come, after honoring Viśvāmitra; then twilight set in.

1.25.21 Then the best of sages, filled with joy and satisfied by the slaying of Tāṭakā, sniffed Rāma's crown in affection and spoke these words:

1.25.22 "Let us spend this night here, O Rāma of auspicious appearance; at dawn tomorrow we shall go to that hermitage of mine."

1.26.1 Having passed that night, the greatly renowned Viśvāmitra smiled and spoke sweet-syllabled words to Rāghava.

1.26.2 "I am satisfied in my master, O greatly renowned prince of good fortune. Filled with the highest affection, I grant you all the weapons entirely."

1.26.3 "By these weapons you will, by force, bring enemies under control in battle and conquer the hosts of gods and asuras, together with gandharvas and serpents."

1.26.4 "I grant you all those divine weapons—good fortune to you. The great and divine Daṇḍacakra I shall give to you, Rāghava."

1.26.5 "Then, O hero, the Dharmacakra and likewise the Kālacakra; the Viṣṇucakra, which is extremely fierce, and likewise the Indracakra."

1.26.6 "The Vajra weapon, O best of men, and likewise Śiva's excellent Śūla; the Brahmaśiras weapon, and also the Aiṣīka, O Rāghava—I give to you, O mighty-armed one, the incomparable Brāhma weapon."

1.26.7 "Two maces also, O Kākutstha—Modakī and Śikharī, both blazing—I bestow upon you, O tiger among men, son of a king."

1.26.8 "The Dharmapāśa, O Rāma, and likewise the Kālapāśa, and also the incomparable Vāruṇa noose-weapon—these I give you."

1.26.9 "Two thunderbolts I bestow upon you, O delight of the Raghu clan—one dry and one wet."

1.26.10 "I give also the Pāinaka weapon, and likewise the Nārāyaṇa weapon; the dear Āgneya weapon named Śikhara by name."

1.26.11 "I give you the Vāyavya weapon named Prathama, O Rāghava; the weapon named Hayaśiras, and likewise the Krauñca weapon."

1.26.12 "Two Śaktis also, O Kākutstha, I give to you, O sinless one; the Kaṅkāla, the dreadful Musala, the Kāpāla, and the Kaṅkaṇa."

1.26.13 "Those weapons which the asuras wield—all of these I give you entirely; and the great Vaidyādhara weapon, named Nandana by name."

1.26.14 "A jewel-sword I give you, O mighty-armed son of the best of kings; and the dear Gāndharva weapon, named Mānava by name."

1.26.15 "Prasvāpana and Praśamana I give, and also the Saura weapon, O Rāghava; Darpaṇa and Śoṣaṇa, and Saṃtāpana and Vilāpana."

1.26.16 "And Madana, which is irresistible and dear to Kandarpa (Kāma); the dear Paiśāca weapon, named Mohana by name—receive these, O tiger among men, O greatly renowned prince."

1.26.17 "Tāmasa, O tiger among men, and Saumana of great might; the irresistible Saṃvarta and Mausala, O son of a king."

1.26.18 "The Satya weapon, O mighty-armed one, and likewise the supreme Māyādhara; the dreadful weapon named Tejaḥprabha, which diminishes the radiance of enemies."

1.26.19 "The Soma weapon named Śiśira; the Tvāṣṭra weapon Sudāmana; and the terrible weapon of Bhaga, Śīteṣu; then the Mānava."

1.26.20 "These, O mighty-armed son of a king, that assume any form at will, of great power, supremely excellent—receive them quickly."

1.26.21 Then, standing and facing east, in a state of purity and self-restraint, Viśvāmitra, deeply pleased, bestowed upon Rāma the incomparable collection of mantras.

1.26.22 And while the wise sage Viśvāmitra recited the mantras, all those supremely worthy weapons presented themselves before Rāghava.

1.26.23 And all of them, delighted, stood before Rāma with hands joined and spoke: "We are here, O supremely noble Rāghava—your servants."

1.26.24 Kākutstha, having received them and touched them with his hand, urged them on, saying: "Dwell in my mind."

1.26.25 Then Rāma, with a joyful heart and of great splendor, having reverently saluted the great sage Viśvāmitra, prepared to proceed on the journey.

1.27.1 Having received the weapons, Kākutstha, with a joyful face and in a state of purity, as he walked along spoke to Viśvāmitra:

1.27.2 "I have received the weapons, O blessed one, and am now unassailable even by the gods. But I desire also the withdrawal formulae for the weapons, O bull among sages."

1.27.3 As Kākutstha spoke thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra—steadfast, of excellent vows, and pure—then imparted the withdrawals.

1.27.4 Satyavat, Satyakīrti, Dhṛṣṭa, and Rabhasa; Pratihāratara by name, Parāṅmukha, and Avāṅmukha—

1.27.5 Lakṣākṣa and Viṣama; Dṛḍhanābha and Sunābhaka; Daśākṣa and Śatavaktra; Daśaśīrṣa and Śatodara—

1.27.6 Padmanābha and Mahānābha; Dundunābha and Sunābhaka; Jyotiṣa and Kṛśana; and the two—Nairāśya and Vimala—

1.27.7 Yaugandhara and Haridra, and likewise Daityapramathana; Pitrya and Saumanasa; and the two—Vidhūtamakara—

1.27.8 And Karavīrakara; Dhana and Dhānya, O Rāghava; Kāmarūpa and Kāmaruci; Moha and Āvaraṇa—

1.27.9 Jṛmbhaka and Sarvanābha; and Santāna and Varaṇa—these sons of Kṛśāśva, O Rāma, resplendent and capable of assuming any form at will—

1.27.10 "Receive these from me—good fortune to you. You are worthy of them, O Rāghava. They are of divine and radiant form, embodied, and bestowers of bliss."

1.27.11 Standing before Rāma with hands joined, they spoke with sweet voices: "We are here, O tiger among men. Command us—what shall we do for you?"

1.27.12 The delight of the Raghu clan told them, "Go as you wish. Dwell in my mind, and at times of need you shall render me assistance."

1.27.13 Then those weapons, taking leave of Rāma and circumambulating him, saying to Kākutstha "So be it," departed as they had come.

1.27.14 And Rāghava, knowing them to have departed, as he walked along then spoke sweet and gentle words to the great sage Viśvāmitra:

1.27.15 "What is that grove of trees, resembling a cloud, shining not far from the mountain? I am exceedingly curious about it."

1.27.16 "It is beautiful, filled with deer, exceedingly lovely, adorned with various kinds of birds of sweet song."

1.27.17 "We have now emerged, O best of sages, from the hair-raising wilderness. By this I infer the pleasant nature of this region."

1.27.18 "Tell me everything, O blessed one—whose hermitage is this, where those sinful brahmin-slayers of wicked conduct came?"

1.28.1 Then, as that one of immeasurable greatness inquired about the forest, Viśvāmitra of mighty splendour began to explain it.

1.28.2 "This, O Rāma, is the former hermitage of the great-souled Vāmana; it is known as Siddhāśrama, for here the great ascetic attained perfection."

1.28.3 "At that very time, king Bali, son of Virocana, having conquered the hosts of gods together with Indra and the Marut-bands, exercised sovereignty over the three worlds, renowned throughout them."

1.28.4 "While Bali was performing his sacrifice, the gods, with Agni at their head, assembled and themselves addressed Viṣṇu here at this hermitage."

1.28.5 "'O Viṣṇu, Bali son of Virocana is performing a supreme sacrifice; before that rite is concluded, let your own purpose be accomplished.'"

1.28.6 "'Whatever supplicants approach him from every quarter and ask for anything, wherever it may be, he grants all of it to them duly and in full.'"

1.28.7 "'Therefore, O Viṣṇu, for the benefit of the gods, resorting to your power of illusion, take on the form of a dwarf and accomplish the highest good.'"

1.28.8 "'By your grace this place shall become known as Siddhāśrama; when the deed is accomplished, O lord of the gods, O Blessed One, arise from here.'"

1.28.9 "Then Viṣṇu of mighty splendour was born of Aditi, and assuming the form of a dwarf he approached the son of Virocana."

1.28.10 "Having begged three paces of ground, and having received them with due respect, the soul of the worlds, devoted to the welfare of all beings, then strode across the worlds."

1.28.11 "He then gave the three worlds back to Mahendra, restraining Bali by his power; that one of mighty splendour brought the triple world once again under Śakra's sway."

1.28.12 "This hermitage, destroyer of toil, was formerly occupied by him; and I too, with devotion, have been dwelling here as a guest of that very Vāmana."

1.28.13 "It is to this hermitage that the obstacle-creating Rākṣasas come; here, O tiger among men, those evil-doers are to be slain by you."

1.28.14 "Today, O Rāma, let us go to the peerless Siddhāśrama; that hermitage-ground, dear child, belongs to you just as it does to me."

1.28.15 Seeing him arrive, all the sages dwelling in Siddhāśrama leapt up at once and in haste paid homage to Viśvāmitra.

1.28.16 They rendered due honour to the wise Viśvāmitra, and likewise performed the proper rites of hospitality for the two princes.

1.28.17 Then, having rested for a moment, the two princes — tamers of foes, the delight of the Raghu line — stood with joined palms and spoke to the tiger among sages.

1.28.18 "Enter upon your consecration this very day — may it be well with you, O bull among sages; may this Siddhāśrama be brought to fulfilment, may your word prove true."

1.28.19 Thus addressed, the mighty Viśvāmitra, great sage of brilliant splendour, then entered upon the rite of consecration, self-disciplined and with his senses fully restrained.

1.28.20 The two princes also passed that night with minds well-composed; and rising at the hour of dawn, they paid reverence to Viśvāmitra.

1.29.1 Then those two princes — tamers of foes, knowing the right place and the right time, skilled in fitting speech — spoke these words to Kauśika at the proper place and time.

1.29.2 "O Blessed One, O Brahman, we wish to know at what time those two night-roaming Rākṣasas are to be guarded against, so that we may not let that moment pass."

1.29.3 As the two scions of Kākutstha spoke thus, eager for battle, all those sages were pleased and praised the royal princes.

1.29.4 "Guard the hermitage, O Rāghavas both of you, for six nights from this day forward; this sage has entered upon the consecration and will observe a vow of silence."

1.29.5 Hearing those words, the two renowned princes, sleepless, stood guard over the ascetic grove for the full six days and nights.

1.29.6 The two heroes, ever watchful, supreme archers, maintained their vigil; tamers of foes, they guarded the foremost of sages, Viśvāmitra.

1.29.7 When that period had passed and the sixth day arrived, Rāma spoke to Saumitri: "Be vigilant, be fully composed."

1.29.8 While Rāma thus spoke, eager for combat, the sacrificial altar then blazed forth, together with the officiating priests and the ācāryas.

1.29.9 The sacrifice proceeded duly with the proper recitation of mantras; and in the sky a great and dreadful sound arose.

1.29.10 Like a storm-cloud that bursts forth in the rainy season covering the sky, those two Rākṣasas, conjuring their illusions, rushed forward.

1.29.11 Mārīca and Subāhu, and their retinue as well, arrived with terrifying aspect and showered down floods of blood.

1.29.12 Seeing those two rushing forward suddenly, the lotus-eyed Rāma glanced toward Lakṣmaṇa and spoke these words.

1.29.13 "See, Lakṣmaṇa, these ill-natured flesh-eating Rākṣasas — I shall scatter them with the Mānava weapon like clouds dispersed by the wind."

1.29.14 Rāghava, exceedingly wrathful, hurled at Mārīca the Mānava weapon — most noble and supremely brilliant.

1.29.15 Struck by that supreme Mānava weapon, Mārīca was hurled a full hundred yojanas away and cast into the ocean's surge.

1.29.16 Seeing Mārīca rendered senseless and spinning, tormented by the force of the numbing arrow, driven far away, Rāma spoke to Lakṣmaṇa.

1.29.17 "See, Lakṣmaṇa, how the Mānava numbing arrow, charged with righteousness, only stuns him and carries him away — it does not separate him from his life."

1.29.18 "These others, however — the merciless evil-doers, those Rākṣasas steeped in wickedness, destroyers of sacrifices, feeders on blood — these I shall slay."

1.29.19 The delight of the Raghu line took up the mighty Āgneya weapon and hurled it at Subāhu; struck, Subāhu fell to the ground.

1.29.20 Taking up the Vāyavya weapon, the illustrious and most noble Rāghava slew the rest, bringing joy to the sages.

1.29.21 Having slain all those Rākṣasas who had disrupted the sacrifice, the delight of the Raghu line was honoured by the seers there, just as Indra was honoured of old after his victories.

1.29.22 Then, when the sacrifice was complete, the great sage Viśvāmitra, beholding the quarters free of all affliction, spoke these words to the scion of Kākutstha.

1.29.23 "I am fulfilled, O mighty-armed one; the command of your teacher has been carried out by you. Siddhāśrama is now truly made perfect, O Rāma of great renown."

1.30.1 Then Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, having accomplished their purpose, passed that night there — the two heroes joyful, with hearts filled with delight.

1.30.2 At the dawning of the night into morning, having performed their morning rites, the two together approached Viśvāmitra and the other sages.

1.30.3 Having saluted the foremost of sages — blazing like fire — the two who were sweet of speech spoke words that were sweet and noble.

1.30.4 "We two, O tiger among sages, stand before you as your servants; command us as you will — what order shall we carry out?"

1.30.5 When they had spoken thus, all the great sages, placing Viśvāmitra at their head, spoke these words to Rāma.

1.30.6 "O foremost of men, Janaka of Mithilā will perform a sacrifice most righteous; we are going there."

1.30.7 "You too, O tiger among men, shall go with us; and there you should see a wondrous jewel of a bow."

1.30.8 "That bow, O best of men, was formerly given in assembly by the gods — of immeasurable strength, fearsome, supremely brilliant in sacrifice."

1.30.9 "Neither gods, nor Gandharvas, nor Asuras, nor Rākṣasas, nor men of any kind are able to string it."

1.30.10 "Mighty kings and princes who wished to test the prowess of that bow were unable to string it."

1.30.11 "That bow, O tiger among men, belonging to the great-souled lord of Mithilā, you shall see there, O scion of Kākutstha, along with the sacrifice wondrous to behold."

1.30.12 "That bow with its fine nock, O tiger among men, was solicited as the fruit of the sacrifice from the lord of Mithilā by all the gods."

1.30.13 Having spoken thus, the foremost of sages then set out for the journey, together with the assembly of seers and the scion of Kākutstha, having taken leave of the forest deities.

1.30.14 "Fare you well; I depart, my purpose fulfilled, from Siddhāśrama; I go to the Himālaya, the mountain mass of rock, on the northern bank of the Jāhnavī."

1.30.15 Having then circumambulated the peerless Siddhāśrama in the auspicious clockwise direction, he began to set out toward the northern quarter.

1.30.16 As that foremost of sages proceeded, some hundred carts belonging to the company of Brahman-reciters followed him in the procession.

1.30.17 The herds of deer and flocks of birds dwelling in Siddhāśrama also followed the great-souled Viśvāmitra, the great sage.

1.30.18 Travelling a great distance of road, when the sun was sinking low, the companies of sages made camp, composed and at peace, on the bank of the Śoṇā.

1.30.19 When the day-maker had set, those ones of boundless energy bathed, offered oblations into the fire, and then sat down with Viśvāmitra at their head.

1.30.20 Rāma too, together with Saumitri, having honoured those sages, then sat down in front of the wise Viśvāmitra.

1.30.21 Then Rāma of mighty splendour, filled with curiosity, questioned Viśvāmitra, the great sage, that tiger among sages.

1.30.22 "O Blessed One, what region is this, adorned with flourishing forests? I wish to hear about it — may all be well with you; please describe it truly and in full."

1.30.23 Prompted by Rāma's words, the one of excellent vows and great austerity, in the midst of the sages, narrated the complete account of that region.

1.31.1 There was a great sage born of Brahmā, named Kuśa, a man of immense austerity. In Vaidarbhī he begot four sons alike in their qualities: Kuśāmba, Kuśanābha, Ādhūrtarajasa, and Vasu.

1.31.2 Radiant and supremely energetic, eager to fulfill the duties of kṣatriyas, Kuśa addressed those sons of his who were righteous and truthful: 'Rule over your subjects, O sons; thus you shall attain the fullness of dharma.'

1.31.3 Hearing the words of Kuśa, those four foremost of kings, esteemed throughout the world, thereupon each established his own city.

1.31.4 The greatly resplendent Kuśāmba built the city of Kauśāmbī; the righteous Kuśanābha established the great city of Mahodaya.

1.31.5 O Rāma, Ādhūrtarajasa, that lord of the earth, built the excellent city of Dharmāraṇya; and King Vasu built Girivrajam.

1.31.6 This, O Rāma, is the land of that great-souled Vasu; and these five chief mountains shine forth on all sides.

1.31.7 The lovely river Śumāgadhī, renowned among the Māgadhas, flows through; amidst those five great mountains she gleams like a garland.

1.31.8 This, O Rāma, is the Māgadhī river, traversed of old by that great-souled Vasu—a region of fair fields, garlanded with crops.

1.31.9 The royal sage Kuśanābha, righteous of soul, begot in Ghṛtācī a hundred peerless daughters, O joy of the Raghu line.

1.31.10 Those daughters, in the bloom of youth, beautiful and well adorned, came to the pleasure garden, like a hundred lightning flashes of the rainy season.

1.31.11 Singing, dancing, and playing instruments, O Rāghava, adorned with the finest ornaments, they gave themselves over to supreme delight.

1.31.12 Those women, graceful in every limb and matchless in beauty upon earth, coming into the garden, shone like stars amid the clouds.

1.31.13 Seeing them endowed with every virtue and graced with beauty and youth, Vāyu, the all-pervading wind god, spoke these words.

1.31.14 'I desire you all; you shall become my wives. Abandon your human condition and you shall attain long life.'

1.31.15 Hearing those words of Vāyu, the tireless one, the hundred maidens laughed them off and then replied.

1.31.16 'You move within all beings, O best among gods; we all know your power. Why then do you treat us with contempt?'

1.31.17 'We are all daughters of Kuśanābha, O best of gods, and we are capable of casting you down from your station; but we protect our austerity.'

1.31.18 'Let that evil time never come, O foolish one. Do not disregard our father, who is truthful. By the path of dharma we ourselves seek a husband.'

1.31.19 'Our father is our lord and our highest deity; he to whom our father gives us shall be our husband.'

1.31.20 Hearing their words, Vāyu was filled with extreme fury; the mighty lord entered into every limb of their bodies and broke them.

1.31.21 Broken by Vāyu, the maidens entered the palace of their father. Seeing them broken, the king was alarmed and spoke thus.

1.31.22 'Tell me, O daughters, what has happened. Who has disregarded dharma? Who has made you all hunchbacked? You are writhing in pain—speak to me.'

1.32.1 Hearing those words of the wise Kuśanābha, the hundred maidens touched his feet with their heads and spoke.

1.32.2 'O king, Vāyu, the all-pervading, wished to violate us; taking to an unworthy path, he did not regard dharma.'

1.32.3 'We have a father, blessings to you; we do not stand by our own will. You choose a husband for us; let him to whom you give us take us.'

1.32.4 'Because he would not accept our words, that one bound to sin—saying thus to him, we were all severely struck down by Vāyu.'

1.32.5 Hearing their words, that most righteous and greatly resplendent king replied to his hundred peerless daughters.

1.32.6 'O daughters, forbearance is proper for those who are forbearing; you have done a very great thing. You acted in unity and have upheld the honor of my lineage.'

1.32.7 'Forbearance is the ornament both of women and of men; and difficult indeed is the forbearance you have shown—especially toward the gods.'

1.32.8 'Such is the forbearance you all share equally. Forbearance is giving, forbearance is sacrifice, forbearance is truth itself, O daughters.'

1.32.9 'Forbearance is glory, forbearance is dharma; the entire world rests upon forbearance.' Having dismissed the maidens, O scion of Kākutstha, that king of godlike valor—

1.32.10 —versed in counsel, deliberated with his ministers about the giving away of his daughters in marriage, discussing the proper bestowal befitting time and place.

1.32.11 At that very time a great sage named Cūlī, who had preserved his vital seed upward and was of pure conduct, was performing Brahmic austerity.

1.32.12 A Gandharva woman named Somadā, daughter of Ūrmilā—blessings to you—attended upon that sage while he was performing austerity.

1.32.13 She, being devoted to his service, bowed before him and dwelt there in righteousness, season after season; the teacher became pleased with her.

1.32.14 And in due time he spoke to her, O joy of the Raghu line: 'I am fully satisfied; blessings to you—what may I do that is pleasing to you?'

1.32.15 Knowing the sage to be fully satisfied, the Gandharva woman, sweet-voiced and skilled in speech, replied most joyfully to that master of words.

1.32.16 'You are exalted with Brahmic splendor; you have become Brahman itself through great austerity. I desire a righteous son endowed with Brahmic austerity.'

1.32.17 'I have no husband, blessings to you, and I am no man's wife; since I have approached you through a Brahmic path, you ought to give me a son.'

1.32.18 The brahmin seer, pleased with her, gave her a peerless son—known as Brahmadatta, a mind-born son of Cūli.

1.32.19 That king Brahmadatta then dwelt in the city of Kāmpilya with the highest splendor, as the king of the gods dwells in heaven.

1.32.20 Then that highly righteous king Kuśanābha resolved, O scion of Kākutstha, to give his hundred daughters to Brahmadatta.

1.32.21 Having summoned him, the greatly resplendent king gave his hundred daughters to Brahmadatta with heartfelt joy.

1.32.22 Then in due order, O joy of the Raghu line, Brahmadatta, lord of the earth, took their hands one by one, as the lord of the gods would.

1.32.23 The very instant their hands were touched, all the hundred maidens became free of their hunchbacks, free of affliction, and endowed with supreme beauty.

1.32.24 Seeing them released from the curse of Vāyu, the king Kuśanābha became supremely delighted and felt joy again and again.

1.32.25 The king, once the marriage rites were complete, sent Brahmadatta, lord of the earth, away with his wives and together with his assembly of teachers.

1.32.26 And Somadā, the Gandharva woman, greatly rejoiced at her son's worthy deed and welcomed those daughters-in-law duly according to custom.

1.33.1 After that wedding was done and Brahmadatta had departed, O Rāghava, Kuśanābha, who was without a son, arranged the pautrī sacrifice in order to obtain a son.

1.33.2 While the sacrifice was in progress, Kuśa, the son of Brahmā, greatly pleased, spoke to Kuśanābha, lord of the earth.

1.33.3 'A son worthy of you, O son, shall be born to you, most righteous; through him you shall attain Gādhi, and through him eternal fame in the world.'

1.33.4 Having spoken thus to Kuśanābha, lord of the earth, O Rāma, Kuśa rose into the sky and departed to the eternal Brahmaloka.

1.33.5 Then, in the course of time, to the wise Kuśanābha was born a supremely righteous son named Gādhi.

1.33.6 'That Gādhi, O scion of Kākutstha, supremely righteous, is my father; I am born of the lineage of Kuśa—I am Kauśika, O joy of the Raghu line.'

1.33.7 'My elder sister too, O Rāghava, of excellent vows, named Satyavatī, was given in marriage to Ṛcīka.'

1.33.8 'Following her husband, she ascended to heaven in her bodily form; the most noble Kauśikī then flowed forth as a great river.'

1.33.9 'Divine, of holy waters, lovely, resting upon the Himavat, my sister flows forth for the benefit and welfare of the world.'

1.33.10 'Therefore I dwell contentedly and happily on the slopes of Himavat, bound by affection for my sister Kauśikī, O joy of the Raghu line.'

1.33.11 'That Satyavatī is holy, established in truth and dharma, devoted to her husband, greatly fortunate—Kauśikī, the best of rivers.'

1.33.12 'For I, O Rāma, have left her by vow and come hither; reaching Siddhāśrama, I have attained fulfillment through your splendor.'

1.33.13 'This, O Rāma, is the account of my birth, the fame of my own lineage, and of this region, which you asked me about, O mighty-armed one.'

1.33.14 'The midnight has passed while I have been telling these tales, O scion of Kākutstha. Go now to sleep; blessings to you—let there be no obstacle to us on this journey.'

1.33.15 'All the trees stand motionless; beasts and birds have settled to rest; the quarters are covered by the darkness of night, O joy of the Raghu line.'

1.33.16 'The twilight glow is slowly fading; the sky is like a face covered with eyes; it glitters with the dense mass of asterisms and stars and luminaries.'

1.33.17 'The cool-rayed moon, the hare-marked one, is rising, dispelling darkness from the world, gladdening the minds of living beings everywhere with his light, O lord.'

1.33.18 'All creatures of the night wander here and there; companies of Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, terrible and flesh-eating, roam abroad.'

1.33.19 Having spoken thus, that greatly resplendent great sage fell silent; all the sages honored him with cries of 'Well done! Well done!'

1.33.20 Rāma too, along with Saumitri, somewhat overcome with wonder, praised that tiger among sages and then gave himself to sleep.

1.34.1 Having passed the remainder of the night on the bank of the Śoṇā along with the great seers, when the night had turned into a fair dawn, Viśvāmitra spoke.

1.34.2 "The night has brightened beautifully, Rāma; the morning twilight is beginning. Rise, rise — good fortune to you — make ready for the journey."

1.34.3 Hearing his words and performing the morning rites, Rāma resolved to set out and then spoke these words.

1.34.4 "Here is the Śoṇā, its waters pure, its ford shallow, adorned with sandbanks. By which path, O brahmin, shall we cross it?"

1.34.5 Thus addressed by Rāma, Viśvāmitra replied: "This is the path I have pointed out — the very one by which the great seers travel."

1.34.6 Travelling a great distance, when midday had passed, they beheld the Jāhnavī, best of rivers, frequented by sages.

1.34.7 Seeing her sacred waters thronged with swans and cranes, all the sages together with Rāghava were filled with joy, and they took up their lodging on her bank.

1.34.8 Then, having bathed according to rule, having satisfied the ancestral spirits and the gods, having offered oblations into the sacred fires and partaken of the sacrificial food as though it were nectar,

1.34.9 They entered a pure spot on the bank of the Jāhnavī with gladdened hearts, surrounding the great-souled Viśvāmitra on all sides.

1.34.10 With a delighted mind, Rāma then addressed Viśvāmitra: "Revered one, I wish to hear about Gaṅgā, who flows through three paths — how did she, traversing the three worlds, reach the lord of rivers and streams?"

1.34.11 Prompted by Rāma's words, the great sage Viśvāmitra began to recount the origin and the growth of Gaṅgā.

1.34.12 "There is a king of mountains named Himavān, a great treasury of minerals. He had two daughters, Rāma, of unrivalled beauty in the world.

1.34.13 She who was born of Meru, of slender waist, charming in name and form — Menā — was the mother of both; the beloved wife of Himavat.

1.34.14 Upon her was born Gaṅgā, the elder daughter of Himavat; and a second daughter of his, named Umā, came to be, O Rāghava.

1.34.15 Then all the gods, wishing to accomplish the purpose of the deities, petitioned the lord of mountains for the elder daughter — Gaṅgā who flows through three paths.

1.34.16 Himavān, by the law of righteousness and for the good of the three worlds, gave away his daughter Gaṅgā — purifier of all worlds, free to course wherever she wills.

1.34.17 Receiving her for the benefit of the three worlds, those who promote the welfare of the three worlds departed, taking Gaṅgā with them, their inner selves fulfilled.

1.34.18 The other daughter of the mountain king, O joy of the Raghus, having undertaken a fierce vow, performed austerities, she whose wealth was asceticism.

1.34.19 On account of her fierce austerities, the best of mountains gave his daughter Umā — honoured by all the worlds — to Rudra, who was without equal.

1.34.20 These, then, are the two daughters of the mountain king, both revered by the worlds: Gaṅgā, best of rivers, and the goddess Umā, O Rāghava.

1.34.21 This righteous account has been told to you — how the river Tripathagā first ascended to the sky, O dear one, you who are the best among those who move."

1.35.1 When the sage had finished speaking, both heroes Rāghava and Lakṣmaṇa, expressing their appreciation of the narrative, addressed the foremost of sages.

1.35.2 "What you have told, O brahmin, is supremely righteous. Now it is fitting for you to speak of the elder daughter of the mountain king —

1.35.3 — in full detail, for you know how to expand a tale: her birth among gods and men, and by what cause she, the purifier of worlds, purifies the three paths."

1.35.4 "How is Gaṅgā, the renowned Tripathagā, best of rivers — endowed with what deeds does she flow through the three worlds, O knower of righteousness?"

1.35.5 As the descendant of Kākutstha spoke thus, Viśvāmitra, whose wealth is austerity, narrated the entire tale in full in the midst of the sages.

1.35.6 "Long ago, Rāma, Śitikaṇṭha — the blue-throated one — of great austerity, having married, and gazing upon the goddess with desire, approached her for conjugal union.

1.35.7 A divine hundred years passed for the god Śitikaṇṭha, yet still no son was born to him by her, O scorcher of foes, Rāma.

1.35.8 Then the gods became deeply anxious, led by the Pitāmaha: 'Whatever being is born here — who will be able to bear it?'

1.35.9 All the gods approached and, bowing low, spoke thus: 'O god of gods, O Mahādeva, you who are devoted to the welfare of this world — in response to the prostration of the gods, be gracious.'

1.35.10 'The worlds will not be able to bear your seed, O best of gods. United with your brahmic austerity, practise asceticism together with the goddess.'

1.35.11 'For the welfare of the three worlds, restrain your vital seed within your own energy. Protect all these worlds; it is not fitting that you render the worlds void.'

1.35.12 Having heard the words of the gods, the great lord of all worlds said 'So be it' to all of them, and then spoke again thus:

1.35.13 'I shall restrain my seed within my own energy, together with Umā. Let the thirty gods and the earth attain peace.'

1.35.14 'But as for this unsurpassed seed of mine that has already been displaced — who shall bear it? Let the best of gods tell me.'

1.35.15 Thus addressed, the gods replied to the one whose banner bears the bull: 'This seed that has been displaced — the Earth shall bear it.'

1.35.16 Thus addressed, the lord of the gods released it upon the surface of the earth, by whose energy the earth with its mountains and forests was pervaded.

1.35.17 Then the gods again spoke to Hutāśana, the fire: 'Enter into it, O great blazing one — that which belongs to Rudra — accompanied by Vāyu.'

1.35.18 That which was pervaded again by fire became the White Mountain, and a divine thicket of reeds blazing like fire and sun — in that place was born the great-resplendent Kārttikeya, sprung from Agni.

1.35.19 Then the gods together with the hosts of sages, their minds exceedingly well pleased, worshipped both Umā and Śiva with great devotion.

1.35.20 Then the daughter of the mountain, Rāma, with eyes reddened in anger, wrathfully cursed all the thirty gods:

1.35.21 'Because I was prevented, when united with my husband for the desire of a son — henceforth none of you shall be fit to beget offspring upon your own wives; from this day your wives shall be without children.'

1.35.22 Having spoken thus and cursed all the gods, she cursed the Earth as well: 'You on the ground, taking manifold forms, shall have many consorts —'

1.35.23 '— and you, utterly foolish one, defiled by my wrath, who did not desire my son, shall never attain the joy that comes from a son of one's own.'

1.35.24 Seeing all the gods abashed, the lord of gods then prepared to depart to the quarter guarded by Varuṇa.

1.35.25 Going there, Maheśvara took up austerities on the northern flank of that mountain, on a peak where Himavat has his origin, together with the goddess.

1.35.26 This, Rāma, is the full account of the daughter of the mountain that has been set forth for you. Now hear from me, together with Lakṣmaṇa, the origin of Gaṅgā."

1.36.1 Long ago, while the god was engaged in austerity, the gods together with the hosts of sages, desiring a commander of the divine army, approached the Pitāmaha.

1.36.2 Then all the gods, led by Indra and preceded by Agni, having bowed down before the venerable Pitāmaha, spoke these auspicious words:

1.36.3 'He who was given to us as commander of the army by the Blessed One long ago — he is engaged in the highest austerity together with Umā.'

1.36.4 'Whatever must therefore be done next for the welfare of the worlds — arrange it, O knower of sacred ordinance, for you are our highest refuge.'

1.36.5 Having heard the words of the gods, the grandfather of all worlds, soothing the thirty gods with gentle words, spoke thus:

1.36.6 'What has been declared by the daughter of the mountain — that you shall have no progeny from your wives — that utterance of hers, unimpeded, is true; there is no doubt.'

1.36.7 'This Gaṅgā who traverses the sky — in her, Hutāśana shall beget a son who will be the subduer of enemies and commander of the army of the gods.'

1.36.8 'The elder daughter of the lord of mountains shall honour that son; and this will be greatly approved of by Umā — there is no doubt.'

1.36.9 Hearing his words, their purpose accomplished, O joy of the Raghus, all the gods bowed down and worshipped the Pitāmaha.

1.36.10 Going then, Rāma, to Mount Kailāsa adorned with minerals, all the gods commissioned Agni for the purpose of obtaining a son.

1.36.11 'Accomplish this divine purpose, O Hutāśana; O great blazing one, discharge your seed into Gaṅgā, daughter of the mountain.'

1.36.12 Having assented to the gods, Pāvaka approached Gaṅgā: 'Bear this embryo, O goddess — this is the wish of the gods.'

1.36.13 Hearing these words, she assumed a divine form; and seeing her greatness, he shed his seed all around.

1.36.14 Then Pāvaka anointed the goddess on all sides, filling all the streams of Gaṅgā, O joy of the Raghus.

1.36.15 Then Gaṅgā spoke to him, the priest of all the gods: 'I am unable to bear your uplifted energy, O god; burned by that fire, my senses are sorely distressed.'

1.36.16 Then the fire, the oblation-receiver of all gods, said to Gaṅgā: 'Let this embryo be deposited here at the foot of the Himālayas.'

1.36.17 Hearing the words of Agni, Gaṅgā — of great splendour — thereupon discharged that exceedingly brilliant embryo from her streams, O sinless one.

1.36.18 That which issued forth from her — gleaming like heated Jāmbūnada gold — when it reached the earth became pure, auspicious golden ore.

1.36.19 From its very sharpness of heat, copper and black iron were born; and its dross there became tin and lead.

1.36.20 That substance, reaching the earth, multiplied into various ores.

1.36.21 The moment the embryo was deposited, the entire forest clinging to the mountains, suffused with those energies, became golden.

1.36.22 From that time onward, O Rāghava, O tiger among men, gold has been known as jātarūpa — blazing equal to Hutāśana.

1.36.23 Then, when the boy was born, Indra together with the hosts of Maruts appointed the Kṛttikā stars to nourish him with milk.

1.36.24 They, making a solemn compact, gave milk immediately upon his birth, resolved: 'This boy is the son of all of us.'

1.36.25 Then all the gods declared: 'He shall be called Kārttikeya; he shall be the son renowned throughout the three worlds — there is no doubt.'

1.36.26 Hearing those words of theirs, they bathed with supreme splendour the one who had been born from the outflow of the womb, blazing like a fire.

1.36.27 The gods called him Skanda — 'the one who flowed forth' — born from the outflow of the womb: Kārttikeya of great fortune, comparable to the fire of the Kākutsthas.

1.36.28 Then the unsurpassed milk of the Kṛttikās welled forth, and he, becoming six-faced to match the six of them, drank the milk from their breasts.

1.36.29 Having drunk the milk in a single day, that tender-bodied all-pervading one then conquered by his own valour the hosts of Daitya armies.

1.36.30 Then the hosts of gods, gathering together led by Agni, consecrated him of spotless radiance as lord of the divine army.

1.36.31 "This, Rāma, is the full account of Gaṅgā that has been set forth by me — and likewise the birth of the Prince, which is meritorious and sacred."

1.37.1 Having narrated that tale to Rāma in honeyed syllables, Kauśika then spoke again to the descendant of Kākutstha with these further words.

1.37.2 There was formerly a heroic king, lord of Ayodhyā, a ruler of men named Sagara, righteous in soul, longing for offspring, yet he was without children.

1.37.3 O Rāma, the elder wife of Sagara was the daughter of the king of Vidarbha, named Keśinī, most devoted to dharma and truthful in speech.

1.37.4 The second wife of Sagara was the daughter of Ariṣṭanemi, matchless in beauty on earth, known by the name Sumatī.

1.37.5 Together with both those wives the king then performed ascetic practice, resorting to the Himavān mountain, at the peak called Bhṛguprasravaṇa.

1.37.6 Then, when a full hundred years had passed, the sage Bhṛgu, best among those steadfast in truth, gratified by the austerity, bestowed a boon upon Sagara.

1.37.7 O sinless one, you shall obtain an exceedingly great progeny, and you shall win incomparable fame in the world, O bull among men.

1.37.8 One wife, dear son, shall bear a single son to continue your lineage; the other shall bring forth sixty thousand sons.

1.37.9 As that tiger among men was speaking, the two royal wives, greatly pleased, propitiated him and then spoke with palms folded in reverence.

1.37.10 O Brāhmaṇa, whose wife shall bear the single son, and which one shall give birth to many? We wish to hear this, O Brāhmaṇa -- may your words be true.

1.37.11 Hearing those words of the two, Bhṛgu, most righteous, spoke the highest pronouncement: Let the choice here be freely made by each of you.

1.37.12 Shall there be one perpetuator of the lineage, or many of great strength, famed and of mighty enterprise? Which of you desires which boon?

1.37.13 O delight of the Raghus, O Rāma, having heard the sage's words, Keśinī, in the king's presence, chose the single son who would continue the lineage.

1.37.14 Then Sumatī, sister of Suparṇa, chose the sixty thousand sons, mighty in enterprise and famed.

1.37.15 O delight of the Raghus, circumambulating the sage and bowing the head in reverence, the king departed to his own city together with his wives.

1.37.16 Then, when that time had come, the elder wife gave birth to a son -- Keśinī bore the son of Sagara who became known as Asamañja.

1.37.17 But Sumatī, O tiger among men, gave birth to a gourd-womb; and from the bursting of that gourd emerged sixty thousand sons.

1.37.18 Nursemaids nurtured them in pots filled with clarified butter; after a great span of time they all attained youth.

1.37.19 Then, after a long time had passed, the sixty thousand sons of Sagara were endowed with beauty and the vigour of youth.

1.37.20 And that eldest, O best of men, O delight of the Raghus, the son born of Sagara's own body -- he would seize children, hurl them laughing into the waters of the Sarayū, and watch them as they sank.

1.37.21 Engaged in the harm of the townspeople, he was banished from the city by his own father.

1.37.22 Asamañja's son was named Aṃśumān, a man of valour, esteemed by all the world, pleasing in speech to all.

1.37.23 Then, after a great span of time, there arose in the mind of Sagara, O best of men, the firm resolve: I shall perform the great sacrifice.

1.37.24 Having made that resolve, the king, together with his company of preceptors, learned in the Vedas in the matter of the sacrifice, began to prepare to perform the rite.

1.38.1 O delight of the Raghus, hearing Viśvāmitra's words at the tale's end, Rāma, exceedingly delighted, spoke to the sage who blazed like a fire.

1.38.2 I wish to hear this tale in full detail -- may it be well with you, O Brāhmaṇa. How did my ancestor perform that sacrifice?

1.38.3 Viśvāmitra, smiling, then said to Kākutstha: O Rāma, let the full account of that great-souled Sagara be heard.

1.38.4 The Himavān, the supreme among mountains, father-in-law of Śaṃkara, and the Vindhya mountain face each other in mutual regard.

1.38.5 Between those two the sacrifice was commenced, O best of men. For that region, O tiger among men, is celebrated for the performance of sacrificial rites.

1.38.6 O Kākutstha, dear son, Aṃśumān, firm of bow and great chariot-warrior, guarded the sacrificial horse, abiding by Sagara's command.

1.38.7 During that sacrifice's sacred juncture, Vāsava -- taking on a rākṣasa form -- stole away the sacrificial horse from the one performing the rite.

1.38.8 O Kākutstha, when that horse of the great-souled one was being carried away, all the companies of preceptors then addressed the sacrificer.

1.38.9 The sacrificial horse is being swiftly taken away at this sacred juncture -- O Kākutstha, slay the thief and bring the horse back.

1.38.10 This breach in the sacrifice is inauspicious for all of us; therefore, O king, let it be remedied such that the rite may proceed without defect.

1.38.11 Hearing the preceptors' words in that assembly, the king then spoke these words to his sixty thousand sons.

1.38.12 O sons, O bulls among men, I see no passage for rākṣasas here, for this great rite is guarded by the greatly blessed ones who are purified by mantras.

1.38.13 Therefore go and search, O dear sons -- may it be well with you. Traverse the entire earth garlanded by the ocean.

1.38.14 O sons, each of you traverse one yojana in extent.

1.38.15 Dig up the earth as far as you see the horse, searching for the very one who stole the horse, by my command.

1.38.16 For I, having taken the sacrificial initiation, along with my grandson and the company of preceptors, shall remain here -- may it be well with you -- until the horse is found.

1.38.17 O Rāma, having heard these words, the mighty princes went forth with joyful hearts upon the surface of the earth, governed by their father's command.

1.38.18 O tiger among men, each one dug through the surface of the earth to a depth and breadth of one yojana with arms whose touch was like the thunderbolt.

1.38.19 O delight of the Raghus, as the earth was being cleft by spears like unto lightning-bolts and by most terrible ploughshares, it cried out.

1.38.20 O Rāghava, there arose an uproar from creatures difficult to overpower -- from nāgas, asuras, and rākṣasas being slain.

1.38.21 O delight of the Raghus, those heroes cleaved through the earth for sixty thousand yojanas until they reached the netherworld, Rasātala.

1.38.22 O tiger among kings, thus digging, the royal princes traversed Jambūdvīpa in all its mountain-thronged extent on every side.

1.38.23 Then all the gods together with the gandharvas, the asuras, and the nāgas, their minds deeply troubled, came to the Pitāmaha.

1.38.24 Having propitiated the great-souled one, with downcast faces and greatly terrified, they then spoke these words to the Pitāmaha.

1.38.25 O Blessed One, the entire earth is being dug up by the sons of Sagara, and many great-souled beings that move in water are being slain.

1.38.26 Declaring 'This one has ruined our sacrifice -- this one has stolen the horse' -- the sons of Sagara are slaying all creatures.

1.39.1 Having heard the words of the gods, the blessed Pitāmaha replied to those greatly terrified ones who were bewildered by the power of Fate.

1.39.2 This entire earth belongs to Vāsudeva the wise, who, having assumed the form of Kapila, bears her unceasingly.

1.39.3 The breaking asunder of the earth and likewise the destruction of the short-lived sons of Sagara -- both are indeed already seen to be the eternal decree.

1.39.4 Hearing the Pitāmaha's words, the thirty-three gods, the subduers of foes, were exceedingly gladdened and returned the way they had come.

1.39.5 As the earth was being cloven, there arose among the great-souled sons of Sagara a sound like the crash of a thunderbolt.

1.39.6 Then, having cleft through the entire earth and performed the circumambulation, all the sons of Sagara together spoke these words to their father.

1.39.7 The entire earth has been traversed, and beings of power have been slain -- gods, dānavas, rākṣasas, piśācas, serpents, and kiṃnaras.

1.39.8 Yet we see neither that horse nor the one who stole it. What shall we do? May it be well with you -- let your wisdom be deliberated upon in this matter.

1.39.9 O delight of the Raghus, hearing those words of his sons, Sagara, the best of kings, spoke with anger.

1.39.10 Dig further -- may it be well with you -- cleaving through the floor of the earth; having found the thief of the horse, return having accomplished your purpose.

1.39.11 Abiding by the command of their father, the great-souled Sagara, the sixty thousand sons rushed down into Rasātala.

1.39.12 As the digging continued there, they then beheld Virūpākṣa, the directional elephant, mountain-like, bearing up the surface of the earth.

1.39.13 O delight of the Raghus, that great elephant Virūpākṣa bore upon his head the entire earth with all its mountains and forests.

1.39.14 O Kākutstha, whenever at a sacred juncture that great elephant, wearied, shakes his head for the sake of rest, an earthquake then occurs.

1.39.15 O Rāma, circumambulating him and honouring that great elephant, guardian of the direction, they went onward cleaving through Rasātala.

1.39.16 Then, having cleft through the eastern direction, they again cleft through the southern; in the southern direction too they beheld a great elephant.

1.39.17 They gazed with the utmost wonder at Mahāpadma, the great-souled one, like unto a very great mountain, bearing the earth upon his head.

1.39.18 Then, having made the circumambulation, the sixty thousand sons of the great-souled Sagara cleft through the western direction.

1.39.19 In the western direction too those mighty ones beheld a great directional elephant named Saumanasa, like unto a great immovable mountain.

1.39.20 Circumambulating him and also enquiring after his well-being, they then, continuing to dig, advanced towards the direction of Somavatī.

1.39.21 In the northern direction, O best of the Raghus, they beheld Bhadra -- white as snow, bearing this earth with an auspicious form.

1.39.22 Then touching him and circumambulating him, all sixty thousand sons cleaved through the floor of the earth.

1.39.23 Then, going to the renowned north-eastern direction, all the sons of Sagara, in fury dug through the earth.

1.39.24 There they beheld Kapila, the eternal Vāsudeva, and the horse of that divine one wandering not far away.

1.39.25 Knowing him to be the destroyer of their sacrifice, with eyes distraught with rage, they rushed upon him in fury, crying out: Stand, stand!

1.39.26 You it is who has stolen our sacrificial horse, O dull-witted one! Know that we, the sons of Sagara, have arrived to reckon with you.

1.39.27 O delight of the Raghus, hearing those words of theirs, Kapila, seized by great wrath, then uttered the syllable hum.

1.39.28 Then by that immeasurable great-souled Kapila, O Kākutstha, all the sons of Sagara were reduced to heaps of ash.

1.40.1 Knowing that his sons had been gone a long time, O delight of the Raghu line, king Sagara addressed his grandson, who blazed with his own brilliance.

1.40.2 "You are both a hero and a man of learning, equal in splendour to your forebears. Search out the fate of your fathers and find the one by whom the sacrificial horse was stolen."

1.40.3 "There are mighty and powerful creatures dwelling underground. To counter them, take up your sword and bow."

1.40.4 "Pay homage to those worthy of homage, but also slay the obstructors. Return with your purpose accomplished, having brought my sacrifice to completion."

1.40.5 Thus properly addressed by the great-souled Sagara, Aṃśumān took up his bow and sword and set forth with swift strides.

1.40.6 Urged on by the king, O best of men, he entered the underground passage that had been dug by those great-souled fathers.

1.40.7 The greatly radiant one beheld the elephant of the quarter, worshipped by Daityas, Dānavas, Rākṣasas, Piśācas, birds, and serpents.

1.40.8 He circumambulated it reverently, inquired of its well-being, and then asked after his fathers and the one who had stolen the horse.

1.40.9 The elephant of the quarter, hearing his words, replied to Aṃśumān with gladness: "You will soon return together with the horse, having fulfilled the purpose of Asamañja."

1.40.10 Hearing those words, he proceeded in due order, according to proper custom, to question all the elephants of the quarters.

1.40.11 Honoured by all those guardians of the quarters, skilled in speech and expert in discourse, he was assured: "You will depart with the horse."

1.40.12 Hearing their words, swift-striding Aṃśumān went to the place where his paternal uncles, the sons of Sagara, had been reduced to heaps of ash.

1.40.13 Overcome with grief, the son of Asamañja cried out in utter anguish, deeply distressed at their destruction.

1.40.14 That tiger among men, filled with grief and sorrow, also saw the sacrificial horse wandering not far away.

1.40.15 That tiger among men, the greatly radiant one, wishing to perform the water-oblation for them, sought water but found no body of water nearby.

1.40.16 Casting his gaze carefully in all directions, O Rāma, he then saw Suparṇa — Garuḍa, the lord of birds, the maternal uncle of his forefathers — matchless and without blemish.

1.40.17 The mighty Vainateya, Garuḍa, spoke these words to him: "Do not grieve, O tiger among men. This slaying was sanctioned by the world."

1.40.18 "These mighty ones were burned by the immeasurable Kapila. You should not, O wise one, offer them ordinary water — that mundane rite is not appropriate for them."

1.40.19 "Gaṅgā, the elder daughter of Himavat, O bull among men — she who purifies all worlds — can sanctify these who have been reduced to heaps of ash."

1.40.20 "When this ash is moistened by Gaṅgā, the beloved of all worlds, she will carry those sixty thousand sons to the heavenly realm."

1.40.21 "Go now, O greatly fortunate bull among men, take the horse, and complete your grandfather's sacrifice — that is what you must do, O hero."

1.40.22 Hearing Suparṇa's words, the exceedingly valiant and greatly glorious Aṃśumān swiftly took the horse and returned.

1.40.23 Then, reaching the king who was consecrated for the sacrifice, O delight of the Raghu line, he reported in full what had happened and likewise Suparṇa's words.

1.40.24 Hearing those dreadful tidings from Aṃśumān, the king completed the sacrifice in full accordance with ritual injunction and prescribed rule.

1.40.25 The glorious king of the earth, having completed his desired sacrifice, returned to his own city, yet the king could not arrive at any resolution concerning the bringing of Gaṅgā.

1.40.26 Without reaching a resolution, the great king, after a long passage of time — thirty thousand years of ruling — ascended to heaven.

1.41.1 When Sagara had gone the way of time, O Rāma, the subjects acclaimed the greatly righteous Aṃśumān as king.

1.41.2 That great king Aṃśumān reigned magnificently, O delight of the Raghu line, and his great son was known as Dilīpa.

1.41.3 Entrusting the kingdom to Dilīpa, O delight of the Raghu line, he performed extremely severe austerities on a beautiful peak of Himavat.

1.41.4 For thirty-two thousand years that greatly glorious king, dwelling in the austerity-grove and rich in the wealth of penance, won heaven.

1.41.5 But Dilīpa of great splendour, upon hearing of his great-grandfathers' destruction, could arrive at no resolution, his mind afflicted with grief.

1.41.6 "How is Gaṅgā to descend? How are the water-rites for them to be performed? How can I liberate these ancestors?" — thus was he wholly absorbed in anxiety.

1.41.7 While he was constantly pondering thus — he who had known the self through righteousness — a son was born to him named Bhagīratha, supremely virtuous.

1.41.8 Dilīpa of great splendour, having performed many sacrifices and worshipped the gods, ruled his kingdom for thirty thousand years.

1.41.9 Without reaching a resolution concerning the rescue of those ancestors, the king, O tiger among men, succumbed to illness and met the law of time.

1.41.10 That bull among men, the king, having anointed his son Bhagīratha on the throne, went to Indra's realm by virtue of his own accumulated merit.

1.41.11 Bhagīratha, the royal sage, righteous and of great splendour, O delight of the Raghu line, was childless; though he longed for offspring, he had none.

1.41.12 He undertook prolonged austerities at Gokarṇa, O delight of the Raghu line — arms raised, surrounded by five fires, eating only once a month, his senses fully subdued.

1.41.13 As he continued in that fierce austerity for thousands of years, the blessed Brahmā, the lord and master of all creatures, was greatly pleased.

1.41.14 Then the Grandfather, approaching together with the hosts of gods, spoke thus to the great-souled Bhagīratha who was practising his austerities.

1.41.15 "O greatly fortunate Bhagīratha, lord of the people, I am pleased with you and with your intensely performed austerities. Choose a boon, O man of excellent vows."

1.41.16 The greatly splendid and greatly fortunate Bhagīratha, standing with palms joined in reverence, spoke thus to him, the grandfather of all worlds.

1.41.17 "If you, O blessed one, are pleased with me, and if my austerities have borne fruit, then may all the sons of Sagara receive water-oblations from my hand."

1.41.18 "May the ashes of these great-souled ones be moistened by the waters of Gaṅgā, and may all of my great-grandfathers thereby attain the highest heaven."

1.41.19 "And may offspring be granted, O god, so that our lineage does not perish — let the line of the Ikṣvākus not decline, O god. Let this be the paramount boon for me."

1.41.20 To the king who had thus spoken, the grandfather of all worlds replied with a gentle, sweet speech, sweet in every syllable.

1.41.21 "This is a great desire of the heart, O Bhagīratha, great chariot-warrior. Let it be so. May it be auspicious for you, O increaser of the Ikṣvāku line."

1.41.22 "This Gaṅgā, daughter of Himavat, born of the snows, the eldest daughter of Himavat — in order to bear her descent, O king, Hara must be engaged for that purpose."

1.41.23 "The earth will not be able to bear Gaṅgā's fall, O king. To bear her, O hero, I see no one other than the wielder of the trident, Śūlin — Śiva."

1.41.24 Having spoken thus to the king, and having addressed Gaṅgā as well, the creator of worlds, the god, departed to the three heavens together with all the hosts of Maruts.

1.42.1 When that god of gods had departed, O Rāma, Bhagīratha stood on the tip of his big toe pressing the earth, and in that posture he worshipped for a full year.

1.42.2 Then, when the year was complete, Umāpati, Paśupati, the lord saluted by all worlds, spoke these words to the king.

1.42.3 "I am pleased with you, O best of men, and I will do what is dear to you. I will bear upon my head the daughter of the mountain-king."

1.42.4 Then the eldest daughter of the snowy mountain, saluted by all the worlds, assumed a form of immense size and unbearable velocity, and fell from the sky, O Rāma — fell indeed upon the auspicious head of the auspicious Śiva.

1.42.5 She found no way out, bewildered within the tangle of matted locks, and the goddess wandered there for many years.

1.42.6 Bhagīratha had greatly pleased Hara by this act, O delight of the Raghu line, and so Hara released Gaṅgā in the direction of Bindu Lake.

1.42.7 From Śaṃkara's head, descending from the sky to the earth, the water spread out there, preceded by a tremendous roar.

1.42.8 Then gods, sages, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and hosts of Siddhas all gazed upon her as she passed from the sky down to the earth.

1.42.9 The divinities were stationed there in aerial chariots shaped like cities, on horses and on magnificent elephants, and some hovered aloft, darting to and fro.

1.42.10 That most wonderful and supreme descent of Gaṅgā — the assembled hosts of gods of immeasurable might gathered to behold it.

1.42.11 With the hosts of gods rushing through it and the lustre of their ornaments blazing, the sky — drained of its clouds — shone as if lit by a hundred suns.

1.42.12 With Śiṃśumāra sea-creatures, hosts of serpents, and flashing fish darting about like scattered bolts of lightning, the sky blazed brilliantly at that moment.

1.42.13 With white surging sprays of water scattered in a thousand streams, the sky was covered as if with autumn clouds, or as if carpeted by flocks of swans in flight.

1.42.14 Somewhere she rushed very swiftly; somewhere she wound in curves; somewhere she stretched out long; somewhere she dipped low; somewhere she was tossed up high; somewhere she moved very slowly.

1.42.15 Somewhere water struck water and bounced back; repeatedly going upward and then falling again to the earth.

1.42.16 That water, having fallen from Śaṃkara's head, and then having fallen to the surface of the earth, then shone brilliantly — pure, its impurities gone.

1.42.17 There the hosts of sages and Gandharvas dwelling on the surface of the earth touched that water which had fallen from the body of Bhava — Śiva — knowing it to be holy.

1.42.18 Those who had fallen from the sky to the surface of the earth through a curse — bathing in those waters, they became free of all impurity.

1.42.19 Their sins washed away and purified by those brilliantly shining waters, they re-entered the sky and regained their own celestial realms.

1.42.20 The world rejoiced, rejoiced in those shining waters; whoever bathed in Gaṅgā became free from fatigue and weariness.

1.42.21 And the royal sage Bhagīratha, of great splendour, mounted his divine chariot and drove forward, while Gaṅgā followed behind him.

1.42.22 All the gods together with their hosts of sages, Daityas, Dānavas, Rākṣasas, the foremost of Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Kiṃnaras, and the great serpents —

1.42.23 — and all the Apsarasas, O Rāma, following in the wake of Bhagīratha's chariot, joyfully followed Gaṅgā, as did all the creatures that live in water.

1.42.24 Wherever king Bhagīratha went, thither went the glorious Gaṅgā, the best of rivers, the destroyer of all sins.

1.43.1 That king, accompanied by Gaṅgā, went to the ocean and descended to the floor of the earth where those sons had been reduced to ashes.

1.43.2 When the ashes had been bathed in Gaṅgā's waters, O Rāma, Brahmā, lord of all the worlds, spoke these words to the king.

1.43.3 "O tiger among men, the sixty thousand sons of the great-souled Sagara have been ferried across and have gone to heaven like gods."

1.43.4 "For as long as the waters of the ocean remain in this world, O king, the sons of Sagara shall dwell in heaven like gods."

1.43.5 "And this Gaṅgā shall be your eldest daughter; by the name you have bestowed she shall be renowned throughout the world."

1.43.6 "The divine Gaṅgā is called Tripathagā — she who moves by three paths — and Bhāgīrathī; because she sustains the three paths, she is thus remembered as Tripathagā."

1.43.7 "Perform the water-offering here for all your forebears, O lord of men; fulfill your vow, O king."

1.43.8 "Your forefather of surpassing glory, the foremost among the righteous, did not attain this cherished wish."

1.43.9 "Likewise Aṃśumat, O dear one, of matchless splendor in the world, who sought to bring Gaṅgā, was unable to fulfill his vow."

1.43.10 "The royal sage endowed with virtues, of splendor equal to a great ṛṣi, of austerity equal to mine, and steadfast in the dharma of the kṣatriya —"

1.43.11 "— Dilīpa, O greatly fortunate one, your father of surpassing brilliance, who desired to bring Gaṅgā, also could not achieve it, O sinless one."

1.43.12 "That vow has been fulfilled by you, O bull among men; you have attained the highest fame in the world, held in supreme esteem."

1.43.13 "And by this descent of Gaṅgā that you have accomplished, O subduer of foes, you have attained a great abode of dharma."

1.43.14 "Bathe yourself in these auspicious waters, O best of men, O tiger among men; become purified and reap the fruit of merit."

1.43.15 "Perform the water-rite for all your forebears. May you fare well; I shall depart to my own realm — let the king also go."

1.43.16 Having spoken thus, the lord of the gods, the grandsire of all worlds, of great glory, departed to the divine realm by the way he had come.

1.43.17 The royal sage Bhagīratha too, of great glory, having performed the highest water-rites for the Sāgaras in proper order and due form, the king — his rites completed and purified — entered his own city.

1.43.18 His purpose fulfilled, O best of men, he ruled his kingdom; and the people rejoiced on receiving that king, O Rāghava, — free from grief, their purposes fulfilled, rid of affliction.

1.43.19 This account of Gaṅgā in full has been told to you by me, O Rāma. May you prosper; may all be well with you. The hour of twilight is passing.

1.43.20 Meritorious, fame-bestowing, life-prolonging, heavenly, and conducive to offspring — such is this tale of the descent of Gaṅgā that I have narrated.

1.44.1 Having heard the words of Viśvāmitra, Rāghava together with Lakṣmaṇa was filled with the greatest wonder and spoke to Viśvāmitra.

1.44.2 "This is utterly wondrous, O brahman — this supreme account narrated by you: the auspicious descent of Gaṅgā and the filling of the ocean."

1.44.3 That entire night passed for him — together with Saumitri — as he pondered the auspicious tale of Viśvāmitra.

1.44.4 Then at the clear dawn, Rāghava, the subduer of foes, having performed his morning rites, spoke these words to the great sage Viśvāmitra.

1.44.5 "The blessed night has passed; what was most worthy of hearing has been heard. That night passed as if it were but a moment, O great ascetic, for me as I pondered your entire tale from beginning to end."

1.44.6 "Let us cross the foremost of rivers, the holy Tripathagā stream; this boat, comfortably spread out, belonging to the ṛṣis of meritorious deeds, has come here quickly knowing that the reverend one has arrived."

1.44.7 Having heard those words of the great-souled Rāghava, the sage together with the assembly of ṛṣis caused them all — with Rāghava — to be ferried across.

1.44.8 Having reached the northern bank and duly honored the company of ṛṣis, they encamped on the bank of the Gaṅgā and beheld the city of Viśālā.

1.44.9 Then the chief of sages quickly proceeded with Rāghava to the charming city of Viśālā, divine, resembling heaven.

1.44.10 Then Rāma of great wisdom, with joined palms, asked the great sage Viśvāmitra about that excellent city of Viśālā.

1.44.11 "What is this royal lineage in Viśālā, O great sage? I wish to hear; may all be well with you — I have the greatest curiosity."

1.44.12 Having heard those words of Rāma, the bull among sages began to recount the ancient [history] of Viśālā.

1.44.13 "Hear, O Rāma, this auspicious tale as I tell it of Śakra. What transpired in this region — hear it in truth, O Rāghava."

1.44.14 "In the Kṛta age of old, O Rāma, the sons of Diti were of great strength, and the sons of Aditi were of great fortune, possessed of valor, and supremely righteous."

1.44.15 "Then a thought arose among those great-souled ones, O best of men: 'How may we become immortal, free from aging and free from disease?'"

1.44.16 "As those wise ones deliberated, O Rāma, a thought arose among them: 'By churning the ocean of milk, we shall obtain the nectar therein.'"

1.44.17 "Having resolved to churn, using Vāsuki as the churning rope and Mount Mandara as the churning staff, those of boundless might churned."

1.44.18 "Then one named Dhanvantari arose, and also the radiant Apsarases — from that churning of the waters, from that nectar, O best of men, those excellent women arose; hence they came to be called Apsarases."

1.44.19 "There were sixty crores of those radiant Apsarases, O Kākutstha, and their attendants were beyond counting."

1.44.20 "None of the gods or dānavas accepted them; and because none accepted them, they are remembered as 'common to all' (sādhāraṇāḥ)."

1.44.21 "Then the daughter of Varuṇa, Vāruṇī of great fortune, O delight of the Raghu line, arose seeking someone to accept her."

1.44.22 "The sons of Diti, O Rāma, did not accept that daughter of Varuṇa; but the sons of Aditi, O hero, accepted that blameless one."

1.44.23 "Thus the sons of Diti became asuras, and the sons of Aditi became suras; the suras were joyful and delighted at the acceptance of Vāruṇī."

1.44.24 "Uccaiḥśravā the chief of horses, the jewel-gem Kaustubha, and likewise the supreme amṛta arose, O best of men."

1.44.25 "Then, O Rāma, on account of this there was a great destruction of clans; the sons of Aditi thereafter slew the sons of Diti."

1.44.26 "The heroic sons of Aditi slaughtered the sons of Diti in that terrible great battle between the Daiteyas and the Ādityas, which was exceedingly fierce."

1.44.27 "Having slain the sons of Diti and obtained the kingdom, Purandara joyfully ruled the worlds together with the assemblies of ṛṣis and Cāraṇas."

1.45.1 When those sons had been slain, Diti, overcome with the deepest grief, spoke these words to her husband, Mārīca Kāśyapa, O Rāma.

1.45.2 "My sons have been slain, O reverend one, by your great and mighty sons. I desire a son who will slay Śakra — a son won by long austerity."

1.45.3 "I shall perform austerities; you must grant me an embryo; grant your permission for one such as this — a slayer of Śakra."

1.45.4 Having heard her words, the greatly resplendent Mārīca Kāśyapa then replied to Diti, who was overcome with the deepest grief.

1.45.5 "So be it — may all be well with you, O one rich in austerity. Be pure; you shall bring forth a son who will be Śakra's slayer in battle."

1.45.6 "But if you remain pure throughout the full thousand years, you shall beget from me a son who will be the destroyer of the three worlds."

1.45.7 Having spoken thus, the greatly resplendent one stroked her with his hand; and having thus touched her and said "fare well," he departed for austerities.

1.45.8 When he had departed, O best of men, Diti was overwhelmed with joy; reaching the grove of Kuśaplava, she performed the most severe austerities.

1.45.9 While she was performing those austerities, O best of men, the thousand-eyed one attended upon her with the greatest excellence of virtuous service.

1.45.10 The thousand-eyed one presented her with fire, kuśa grass, firewood, water, fruits, and roots, and likewise whatever else was desired.

1.45.11 With massages of her limbs and the removal of her fatigue, Śakra attended upon Diti at all times.

1.45.12 Then, when ten years remained of the thousand, O delight of the Raghu line, Diti, filled with the utmost joy, spoke to the thousand-eyed one.

1.45.13 "Ten years remain as I perform austerities, O best of the mighty; then, may it be well with you, you shall see a brother."

1.45.14 "Him, O son, I shall set to the task of conquest for your sake; you shall enjoy, O son, the conquest of the three worlds together, free from affliction."

1.45.15 Having spoken thus to Śakra, when midday had come, the goddess Diti was overcome by sleep, having placed her feet where her head should be.

1.45.16 Seeing her impure — her hair on the feet's side, her feet placed where the head should be — Śakra laughed and was delighted.

1.45.17 Purandara entered an opening of her body, O Rāma, and the supremely self-controlled one split the embryo into seven parts.

1.45.18 As the embryo was thus being pierced by the hundred-jointed thunderbolt, it wept with a clear voice, O Rāma; thereupon Diti awoke.

1.45.19 "Do not weep, do not weep" — thus Śakra addressed the embryo; yet the greatly resplendent Vāsava continued to split it even as it wept.

1.45.20 "It must not be slain, it must not be slain" — thus Diti cried out; thereupon Śakra emerged out of respect for his mother's words.

1.45.21 With joined palms and thunderbolt in hand, Śakra addressed Diti: "O goddess, you slept in an impure posture — your hair on the side of the feet, your feet placed where the head should be."

1.45.22 "Seizing that opportunity, I split into seven parts the one who would have been Śakra's slayer in battle, O goddess; you must forgive me for this."

1.46.1 When her womb had been split into seven parts, Diti, deeply grieved, spoke words of supplication to the thousand-eyed Indra, that invincible one.

1.46.2 Through my own transgression this embryo has been destroyed and split into seven; there is no fault in you in this matter, O lord of the gods, O slayer of Bala.

1.46.3 Yet I desire that something favorable be done for me in the ruin of my womb: let these seven become the guardians of seven regions as the Maruts.

1.46.4 Let these seven, bearers of the wind, roam heaven as my sons — known as the Mārutas, of divine form, my own children.

1.46.5 Let one roam the world of Brahmā, and another the world of Indra; let a third, of great renown, be known in heaven as Vāyu.

1.46.6 And may four, O foremost of gods, roam the four directions by your command — may all be well with you; my sons, become divine beings, shall be renowned as the Mārutas by the very name you have bestowed.

1.46.7 Having heard her words, the thousand-eyed Indra, the destroyer of citadels, the slayer of Bala, spoke these words to Diti with joined palms.

1.46.8 All that you have said shall come to pass — there is no doubt. May it be well with you; your sons, having become divine beings, shall roam as you wish.

1.46.9 Having thus come to this resolution, O Rāma, the mother and son, their purpose accomplished, departed from that ascetic forest to the three heavens — so we have heard.

1.46.10 This is the very region, O descendant of Kākutstha, once inhabited by Mahendra, where he thus attended upon Diti who had achieved the fruit of her austerity.

1.46.11 Of Ikṣvāku, O tiger among men, there was born a most righteous son, born of Alambuṣā, renowned by the name Viśālā.

1.46.12 By him was the city named Viśālā established here in this very place.

1.46.13 The son of Viśālā, O Rāma, was Hemacandra, of great might; Sucandra, next after Hemacandra, was renowned by that name.

1.46.14 The son of Sucandra, O Rāma, was known as Dhūmrāśva; and from Dhūmrāśva there arose a son called Sṛñjaya.

1.46.15 The glorious and valiant son of Sṛñjaya was Sahadeva; and Kuśāśva, most devoted to righteousness, was the son of Sahadeva.

1.46.16 Of Kuśāśva was born Somadatta, of great splendor and valor; and the son of Somadatta, O descendant of Kākutstha, is renowned as such.

1.46.17 His son, of great splendor, resembling an immortal, named Sumati, the unconquerable, now inhabits this city.

1.46.18 By the grace of Ikṣvāku, all the kings of Viśālā are long-lived, great-souled, heroic, and deeply righteous.

1.46.19 Here today, O Rāma, let us pass the night in comfort; at tomorrow's dawn, O best of men, you should visit King Janaka.

1.46.20 The greatly splendid Sumati, foremost among excellent men, of great renown, having heard of Viśvāmitra's arrival, went forth to meet him.

1.46.21 Having offered the highest honor together with his teachers and kinsmen, with joined palms, inquiring after his welfare, he then spoke to Viśvāmitra.

1.46.22 I am blessed, I am honored, O sage, that you have arrived in my domain and that I have your audience — there is none more blessed than I.

1.47.1 Having inquired after each other's welfare at that mutual meeting, Sumati, at the conclusion of their conversation, addressed the great sage.

1.47.2 May all be well with you — these two princes, whose valor equals that of the gods, who move like elephant and lion, who are compared to a tiger and a bull,

1.47.3 With wide eyes like lotus petals, bearing sword, quiver, and bow, like the twin Aśvins in form, their youth just come to fullness —

1.47.4 Who have come to earth as if by chance, like immortals descended from the world of gods — how have they come here on foot, O sage, for what purpose, and whose sons are they?

1.47.5 They adorn this region as the sun and moon adorn the sky, similar to each other in measure, bearing, and conduct.

1.47.6 For what purpose have these two foremost of men arrived by so difficult a road, bearing the finest of weapons, these two heroes? I desire to hear the truth of it.

1.47.7 Having heard his words, Viśvāmitra reported to him what had happened: their stay at Siddhāśrama, and the slaying of the Rākṣasas.

1.47.8 Hearing Viśvāmitra's account, the king was filled with the greatest joy; those two most excellent guests who had arrived — the sons of Daśaratha, those two of great strength worthy of honor — he honored according to due rite.

1.47.9 Then the two Rāghavas, having received the highest hospitality from Sumati and having spent one night there, departed for Mithilā.

1.47.10 Seeing the beautiful city of King Janaka, all the sages praised it, exclaiming "Excellent! Excellent!" and honored Mithilā.

1.47.11 In the grove of Mithilā, Rāghava, seeing an ancient hermitage, deserted yet lovely, asked the foremost of sages about it.

1.47.12 What is this that has the appearance of a splendid hermitage yet is abandoned by sages? I wish to hear, O blessed one, whose former āśrama this was.

1.47.13 Having heard the words spoken by Rāghava, the great sage Viśvāmitra, eloquent in speech and of great splendor, replied.

1.47.14 Come, I shall tell you — listen to the truth, O Rāghava: this hermitage site was cursed in wrath by that great-souled one to whom it belonged.

1.47.15 O best of men, this was formerly the hermitage of the great-souled Gautama, divine in its appearance, worshipped even by the gods.

1.47.16 Here he dwelt performing austerities together with Ahalyā in former times, for many accumulations of years, O prince, that one of great renown.

1.47.17 Discerning an opportunity when Gautama was absent, the thousand-eyed Indra, lord of Śacī, disguised in the sage's form, spoke these words to Ahalyā.

1.47.18 Those who desire do not wait for the proper season, O composed one — I desire union with you, O slender-waisted one.

1.47.19 Recognizing the thousand-eyed Indra in the sage's disguise, O delight of the Raghu line, the foolish-minded Ahalyā resolved to do it out of curiosity about the king of the gods.

1.47.20 Then, her inner self satisfied and her purpose fulfilled, she spoke to that foremost of gods: "Your purpose is accomplished, O foremost of gods — depart quickly from here, O lord; protect both yourself and me always, O lord of the gods, O giver of honor."

1.47.21 Smiling, Indra spoke these words to Ahalyā: "O fair-hipped one, I am fully satisfied; I shall depart as I came."

1.47.22 Having thus lain with her, he departed from the cottage, O Rāma, hurrying in agitation and fearing Gautama.

1.47.23 He then saw the great sage Gautama entering — that foremost of sages who was irresistible to gods and demons alike, endowed with the strength of austerity, wet from the waters of a sacred ford, blazing like a fire, holding sacrificial faggots and kuśa grass.

1.47.24 Seeing him, the lord of the gods was terrified and his face fell.

1.47.25 Then the sage, seeing the thousand-eyed Indra disguised as a sage — himself of upright conduct seeing this one of evil conduct — spoke in anger.

1.47.26 "Having assumed my form, O evil-minded one, you have done what ought not to be done — therefore you shall become bereft of your testicles."

1.47.27 The very instant that the great-souled Gautama spoke thus in anger, the two testicles of the thousand-eyed Indra fell to the ground.

1.47.28 Having thus cursed Indra, he also cursed his wife: "Here you shall dwell for many thousands of years."

1.47.29 "Living on air, without food, mortifying yourself, lying in ashes, invisible to all beings, you shall dwell in this hermitage."

1.47.30 "When Rāma, the invincible son of Daśaratha, comes to this dreadful forest, then you shall be purified."

1.47.31 "Offering hospitality to him, O sinful woman, freed from greed and delusion, joyful in my presence, you shall resume your own form."

1.47.32 Having spoken thus to her who had behaved wickedly, the greatly splendid Gautama, that great ascetic, abandoned this hermitage and performed austerities on a beautiful peak of the Himālayas, frequented by Siddhas and Cāraṇas.

1.48.1 Then Indra, now bereft of his testicles, with a frightened face, spoke to the gods led by Agni, together with the hosts of sages and Cāraṇas.

1.48.2 "By creating an obstacle to the austerities of the great-souled Gautama, by provoking his anger, I have accomplished this deed for the benefit of the gods."

1.48.3 "By him in his fury I have been rendered without testicles, and she has been repudiated; by my great curse she has been set free from it — her accumulated austerity I have taken from her."

1.48.4 "Therefore, O best of gods, all of you together with the hosts of sages and Cāraṇas, who perform deeds helpful to the gods — you all ought to restore me to wholeness."

1.48.5 Hearing the words of Śatakratu, the gods led by Agni, together with all the hosts of Maruts, approached the deity of the ancestors and said:

1.48.6 "This ram here has its testicles, while Indra has been rendered without his — take the ram's testicles and quickly give them to Indra."

1.48.7 "The ram, rendered without its testicles, shall bestow the highest satisfaction upon you; and those humans who will offer it to you for your delight shall also be benefited."

1.48.8 Hearing the words of Agni, the ancestors assembled, and having extracted the ram's testicles, presented them to the thousand-eyed Indra.

1.48.9 From that time onward, O descendant of Kākutstha, the ancestors when assembled partake of rams without their testicles — and they ordained that those animals' testicles be the fruit offered to them.

1.48.10 And Indra, from that time onward, O Rāghava, has had the testicles of a ram — by the power of the great-souled Gautama's austerity.

1.48.11 Therefore now come, O one of great splendor, to the hermitage of that one of holy deeds — liberate this illustrious Ahalyā, who is like a goddess in form.

1.48.12 Hearing the words of Viśvāmitra, Rāghava together with Lakṣmaṇa, placing Viśvāmitra at their head, entered the hermitage.

1.48.13 And he beheld the illustrious Ahalyā, her radiance blazing with austerity, impossible to gaze upon even for gods and demons assembled together.

1.48.14 She was like one fashioned with care by the Creator as a divine illusion, her body enveloped in smoke yet shining like the full moon.

1.48.15 She was veiled in frost and clouds, like the splendor of the full moon, difficult to approach in the midst of waters, blazing like the brilliance of the sun.

1.48.16 For by Gautama's words she had become impossible to behold by the three worlds, until Rāma's sight should fall upon her.

1.48.17 Then the two Rāghavas clasped her feet; remembering Gautama's words, she received them.

1.48.18 Composed in mind, she performed the rites of water for the feet, the water of honor, and the guest-offering; the descendant of Kākutstha received them according to the prescribed rites.

1.48.19 There was a great shower of flowers accompanied by the sound of divine drums, and there was a great gathering of Gandharvas and Apsarases.

1.48.20 Crying "Excellent! Excellent!", the gods honored Ahalyā, whose body had been purified by the power of austerity, who was now devoted to Gautama's will.

1.48.21 And the greatly splendid Gautama, that great ascetic, happy with Ahalyā, duly honored Rāma and resumed his austerities.

1.48.22 And Rāma, having duly received the highest honor from the great sage Gautama, then departed for Mithilā.

1.49.1 Then Rāma, together with Saumitri [Lakṣmaṇa], having gone toward the northeast and placing Viśvāmitra at their head, came to the sacrificial enclosure.

1.49.2 Rāma, together with Lakṣmaṇa, said to that tiger among sages: 'Indeed the sacrificial prosperity of the great-souled Janaka is remarkable.'

1.49.3 'Here there are many thousands of brāhmaṇas, O greatly fortunate one, dwelling from various regions, distinguished by their study of the Vedas.'

1.49.4 'And the hermitages of seers are visible, thronged with hundreds of carts. O brāhmaṇa, kindly designate a place where we may lodge.'

1.49.5 Hearing Rāma's words, the great sage Viśvāmitra arranged their lodging in a secluded spot well supplied with water.

1.49.6 When the king heard of Viśvāmitra, that foremost among sages, he then came forward, placing at his head Śatānanda, his blameless royal chaplain.

1.49.7 The great-souled officiating priests too, swiftly taking the arghya [honorific offering of water], presented it to Viśvāmitra with due rite, accompanied by Vedic mantras.

1.49.8 Having received that honor from the great-souled Janaka, [Viśvāmitra] enquired after the king's welfare and the unimpeded progress of the sacrifice.

1.49.9 He, having inquired after the welfare of those sages together with the preceptors and priests, then met with all of them according to proper custom, filled with delight.

1.49.10 Then the king, with joined palms, addressed that foremost sage: 'Let the Blessed One be seated, along with these eminent sages.'

1.49.11 Hearing Janaka's words, the great sage sat down, as did the chaplain, the officiating priests, and the king together with his ministers.

1.49.12 Seeing them seated all around in their proper places, the king there then spoke to Viśvāmitra.

1.49.13 'Today the prosperity of my sacrifice has been made fruitful by the gods; today I have attained the fruit of the sacrifice by virtue of your blessed presence.'

1.49.14 'I am blessed, I am favored, O bull among sages, in that you, O brāhmaṇa, have come to my sacrifice together with the sages.'

1.49.15 'The wise declare that twelve days remain, O brahmarṣi; thereafter, O Kauśika, you shall behold the gods who come to receive their share [of the offerings].'

1.49.16 Having spoken thus to that tiger among sages, the king, with joyful countenance and joined palms, reverently questioned him again.

1.49.17 'Be it well with you — these two princes, whose valor equals the gods', heroes who move with the gait of elephant and lion, comparable to a tiger and a bull —'

1.49.18 '— with eyes wide as lotus petals, bearing sword, quiver, and bow, like the two Aśvins in beauty, arrived at the fullness of youth —'

1.49.19 '— having reached the earth as if by chance, like immortals from the world of gods — how have they arrived here on foot, O sage, and for what purpose, and whose [sons] are they?'

1.49.20 'Bearing excellent weapons, valiant heroes — whose sons are they, O great sage? They adorn this region as the moon and sun adorn the sky.'

1.49.21 'Resembling each other in stature, bearing, and conduct, these two heroes wearing their hair in the kakapakṣa style — I desire to learn the truth about them.'

1.49.22 Hearing those words of the great-souled Janaka, the two great-souled ones announced themselves as the sons of Daśaratha.

1.49.23 [Viśvāmitra narrated] their dwelling at Siddhāśrama, the slaying of the rākṣasas, their unhindered journey hither, and the sight of Viśālā.

1.49.24 And the beholding of Ahalyā, the meeting with Gautama, and their arrival here in order to see the great bow.

1.49.25 Having reported all this to the great-souled Janaka, the great sage Viśvāmitra of mighty splendor then fell silent.

1.50.1 Hearing those words of the wise Viśvāmitra, Śatānanda of great splendor and mighty austerities had the hair on his body stand erect with joy.

1.50.2 The eldest son of Gautama, whose luster blazed forth through his austerities, was overcome with the highest wonder at the very sight of Rāma.

1.50.3 Gazing at those two princes seated at ease, Śatānanda then spoke to Viśvāmitra, that foremost among sages.

1.50.4 'O tiger among sages, was my illustrious mother, who had practised long austerities, shown to the prince?'

1.50.5 'O you of great splendor, did my illustrious mother offer worship to Rāma with forest [gifts], to him who is worthy of worship by all embodied beings?'

1.50.6 'O you of great splendor, was the ancient event relating to my mother, that which the god [Indra] caused to be carried out wrongfully, narrated to Rāma?'

1.50.7 'O Kauśika, may it be well with you — was my mother reunited with my guru [Gautama] here, after the sight of Rāma, O foremost among sages?'

1.50.8 'O son of Kuśika, was Rāma of great splendor honored by my guru, having come here and received worship from that great soul?'

1.50.9 'O son of Kuśika, was my guru, with tranquil mind, reverently saluted by Rāma who had come here with pure devotion?'

1.50.10 Hearing his words, the great sage Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, replied to Śatānanda, who was himself versed in eloquent speech.

1.50.11 'O foremost among sages, nothing beyond what was proper has been transgressed by me; the wife [Ahalyā] has been reunited with the sage [Gautama], even as Reṇukā [was reunited] with Bhārgava [Jamadagni].'

1.50.12 Hearing those words of the wise Viśvāmitra, the great-splendored Śatānanda addressed Rāma with these words.

1.50.13 'Welcome to you, O foremost among men; by good fortune have you arrived, O Rāghava, placing at your head the unconquered great sage Viśvāmitra.'

1.50.14 'Viśvāmitra of mighty splendor, a brahmarṣi of inconceivable deeds and boundless radiance through his austerities — know him to be the highest refuge.'

1.50.15 'There is none more blessed on earth than you, O Rāma; the son of Kuśika is your guardian, he who has practised great austerity.'

1.50.16 'And do listen — I shall recount the history of the great-souled Kauśika as best I can; hear it from me as I narrate it in full.'

1.50.17 'This one [Viśvāmitra] was a king for a long time, a subduer of enemies, righteous in soul, knowing dharma, accomplished in learning, and devoted to the welfare of his subjects.'

1.50.18 'There was a lord of the earth, son of Prajāpati, named Kuśa; Kuśa's son was the powerful and highly righteous Kuśanābha.'

1.50.19 'Kuśanābha's son was celebrated by the name Gādhi; Gādhi's son is the mighty and splendorous great sage Viśvāmitra.'

1.50.20 'The mighty Viśvāmitra governed the earth; as king he ruled the kingdom for many thousands of years.'

1.50.21 'At a certain time the mighty one, having marshaled his army, surrounded by an akṣauhiṇī [a full military division], roamed the earth.'

1.50.22 'Wandering through cities, kingdoms, rivers, mountains, and hermitages in succession, the king came [at last] —'

1.50.23 '— to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, adorned with trees bearing various flowers and fruits, filled with many herds of deer, frequented by Siddhas and Cāraṇas.'

1.50.24 'Beautified by gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, and Kiṃnaras; filled with tranquil deer; frequented by throngs of twice-born ones.'

1.50.25 'Crowded with hosts of brahmarṣis, served by bands of divine sages, and by great souls perfected through the practice of austerities, who were like fires [in their splendor].'

1.50.26 'Ever thronged with resplendent great souls equal to Brahmā — those who subsist on water, those who subsist on air, and those who eat only fallen leaves.'

1.50.27 '[And by seers] who subsist on fruit and roots, who are self-restrained, who have conquered anger, who have conquered the senses, and by the Vālakhilya sages devoted to japa and homa.'

1.50.28 'Vasiṣṭha's hermitage, like another realm of Brahmā — this the mighty Viśvāmitra, foremost among the victorious, beheld.'

1.51.1 Beholding it, the mighty Viśvāmitra was exceedingly pleased; the hero, bowing with humility, [approached] Vasiṣṭha, the best among those who recite [the Vedas].

1.51.2 Addressed with 'welcome' by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha, the blessed Vasiṣṭha also indicated a seat for him.

1.51.3 And when the wise Viśvāmitra had taken his seat, that foremost sage offered him fruits and roots in accordance with proper custom.

1.51.4 Having accepted that honor from Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among kings [Viśvāmitra] enquired after the welfare of [his] pupils in austerities, the agnihotra, and [the sacred fires].

1.51.5 The greatly splendorous Viśvāmitra likewise [enquired] about the trees of the forest; and Vasiṣṭha declared to that foremost among kings that all was well in every respect.

1.51.6 Vasiṣṭha, son of Brahmā, the foremost among those who recite [the Vedas] and of mighty austerities, then questioned the king Viśvāmitra, who was seated comfortably.

1.51.7 'Is all well with you, O king? Do you, O righteous king, cherish and protect your subjects with righteousness and with the conduct befitting a king?'

1.51.8 'Are your servants well provided for? Do they abide by your commands? Have all your enemies been subdued, O slayer of foes?'

1.51.9 'Is all well with your army, treasury, and allies, O scorcher of enemies? Is all well with your sons and grandsons, O tiger among men, O blameless one?'

1.51.10 The king Viśvāmitra of great splendor, filled with humility, declared to Vasiṣṭha that all was well in every respect.

1.51.11 Both of them, most righteous in conduct, having exchanged those auspicious pleasantries for a long time, filled with the highest joy, delighted in each other's company.

1.51.12 Then at the end of their conversation, O delight of the Raghu line, the blessed Vasiṣṭha spoke this word to Viśvāmitra with a smile.

1.51.13 'I wish to offer hospitality, O mighty one, to this army of yours and to you yourself, who are beyond measure; please accept what is fitting from me.'

1.51.14 'Let Your Honor accept this honor prepared by me; O king, you are the most excellent of guests and are worthy of being honored with care.'

1.51.15 Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, the great-minded Viśvāmitra, king, said: 'It has been done — you have honored me with words of respect.'

1.51.16 'With whatever fruit and roots there are in your hermitage, O blessed one, and with water for the feet and for sipping, and with the sight of your blessed self —'

1.51.17 '— in every way, O greatly wise one, honored by one worthy of honor, I shall depart. Let my obeisance be unto you; look upon me with a friendly eye.'

1.51.18 As the king spoke thus, Vasiṣṭha, righteous in soul and noble in mind, pressed his invitation upon him again and again.

1.51.19 The son of Gādhi [Viśvāmitra] replied to Vasiṣṭha simply: 'So be it — let it be as the Blessed One desires, O foremost among sages.'

1.51.20 Thus addressed, the great-splendored Vasiṣṭha, best among those who recite [the Vedas], free from all impurity, then joyfully summoned Kalmāṣī [Śabalā, the speckled cow].

1.51.21 'Come, come quickly, O Śabalā, and hear my words too; I am resolved to honor this royal sage together with his army — prepare for me a most worthy feast.'

1.51.22 'Whatever and whichever [food], as desired, honored in the six flavors — all of that, O divine wish-granting cow, rain down for me [now].'

1.51.23 'Create for me, O Śabalā, the complete store of foods combined with savory dishes, drink, lickables, and suckables — make haste!'

1.52.1 Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, O slayer of enemies, Śabalā the wish-fulfilling cow granted the desires of each and every one exactly as they wished.

1.52.2 Sugar canes and honeys, as well as parched grain, choice maireyā liquors and fine wines, costly drinks, and eatables of every variety—all these she produced.

1.52.3 Mountain-like heaps of steaming cooked rice, fine prepared foods and soups, and streams of curds as well.

1.52.4 Vessels filled to the brim with sweet-tasting confections of various kinds, and thousands of molasses-based sweets as well.

1.52.5 Everything was abundantly satisfied; O Rāma, Viśvāmitra's entire army was gratified by Vasiṣṭha, crowded with men joyful and well-fed.

1.52.6 Viśvāmitra too, the royal sage, became glad and well-pleased at that time, as did the king of the foremost city together with his brāhmaṇas and chief priest.

1.52.7 Honored together with his ministers and counselors and his attendants, filled with the greatest joy, he spoke these words to Vasiṣṭha.

1.52.8 "I have been honored by you, O brāhmaṇa, who are worthy of honor; I have been well-received. O master of speech, hear the words I am about to speak.

1.52.9 "Let Śabalā be given to me in exchange for a hundred thousand cows; for, O venerable one, this is a jewel, and a king carries off jewels. Therefore give Śabalā to me, O twice-born—by right she is mine."

1.52.10 Thus addressed by Viśvāmitra, the venerable Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of sages and righteous-souled, replied to the king of the earth.

1.52.11 "I will not give Śabalā for a hundred thousand cows, nor for hundreds of crores of cows, O king, nor for masses of silver.

1.52.12 "She ought never to be abandoned from my side, O crusher of foes; Śabalā is eternally mine, as glory is to one possessed of a noble self.

1.52.13 "On her depend the oblations to the gods and to the ancestors, as well as my daily sustenance; on her depend the agnihotra fire-sacrifice, the bali offering, and the homa ritual as well.

1.52.14 "The invocations svāhā and vaṣaṭ, as well as the various branches of sacred knowledge—all these depend on her here, O royal sage; there is no doubt of this.

1.52.15 "All of this is truly my own; she always brings me contentment. For many reasons, O king, I will not give Śabalā to you."

1.52.16 Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra then spoke words exceedingly more agitated, he who was so skilled in speech.

1.52.17 "I give you fourteen thousand elephants adorned with golden girths and neck-ornaments, decorated with golden goads.

1.52.18 "I give you eight hundred golden chariots yoked with four white horses each, adorned with little bells.

1.52.19 "I give you eleven thousand horses, born in good lands, of noble breed, and of great vigor, O steadfast one.

1.52.20 "I give you a full crore of cows distinguished by various colors and all in their prime; let Śabalā be given to me."

1.52.21 Thus addressed by the wise Viśvāmitra, the venerable Vasiṣṭha declared: "I will not give Śabalā under any circumstances whatsoever, O king."

1.52.22 "She alone is my jewel; she alone is my wealth; she alone is my all; she alone is my very life.

1.52.23 "The new-moon sacrifice and the full-moon sacrifice, and the great sacrifices yielding abundant sacrificial fees—all these rest on her alone, O king, as do my various ritual observances.

1.52.24 "All my rites are rooted in her, O king—there is no doubt. Why speak at length? I will not give away the wish-granting cow."

1.53.1 When the sage Vasiṣṭha would not surrender the wish-fulfilling cow, O Rāma, Viśvāmitra then dragged Śabalā away by force.

1.53.2 But as Śabalā was being taken away, O Rāma, by that great-souled king, she was distressed; weeping and wasted by grief, she reflected.

1.53.3 "Why have I been abandoned by Vasiṣṭha, that most great-souled one? Why am I, wretched and deeply afflicted, being carried off by the king's servants?

1.53.4 "What wrong have I done to that great sage of cultivated soul, that the righteous one abandons me who am guiltless, devoted, and dear to him?"

1.53.5 Having reflected thus and sighing again and again, she then swiftly went back to Vasiṣṭha, who was of supreme power.

1.53.6 Shaking off those hundreds of servants, O slayer of enemies, she went with the speed of the wind to the feet of the great-souled one.

1.53.7 Standing before Vasiṣṭha, that Śabalā, weeping and crying out, spoke these words with a voice resounding like a thunder-drum of clouds.

1.53.8 "O venerable one, O son of Brahmā, why have I been abandoned by you? Why are the king's servants taking me away from your side?"

1.53.9 Addressed thus, the brahmarṣi spoke these words to her whose heart was burning with grief, as one would speak to a sorrowful sister.

1.53.10 "I am not abandoning you, O Śabalā; nor have you done any wrong to me. This king of great might is taking you from me by force.

1.53.11 "My strength is simply not equal to his; the king today is particularly powerful—he is mighty, a kṣatriya, and lord of the earth.

1.53.12 "This full akṣauhiṇī division of his, teeming with horses and chariots and thronged with elephants and banners—by reason of this he is the stronger."

1.53.13 Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, she who was skilled in speech replied humbly to the brahmarṣi of boundless splendor.

1.53.14 "The strength of a kṣatriya is not reckoned as strength; a brāhmaṇa is the stronger. O brāhmaṇa, brahmic power is divine and mightier than kṣatra-power.

1.53.15 "Your power is immeasurable; none is stronger than you. The mighty Viśvāmitra is no match for the splendor that is yours and difficult to approach.

1.53.16 "O great-splendored one, employ me, filled as I am with your brahmic power; I shall destroy all the arrogance and strength of that wicked-souled one."

1.53.17 Thus addressed by her, O Rāma, Vasiṣṭha of great renown then said to her: "Create a force that shall break the power of the enemy."

1.53.18 From her hum-bellowing, hundreds of Pahlavas were released, O king, and they destroyed Viśvāmitra's entire army even as he watched.

1.53.19 The king, exceedingly enraged, his eyes wide with fury, destroyed those Pahlavas with weapons of various kinds.

1.53.20 Seeing the hundreds of Pahlavas being crushed by Viśvāmitra, she again created fearsome Śakas mixed with Yavanas.

1.53.21 The earth was covered by those Śakas mixed with Yavanas, mighty and powerful, resembling the golden filaments of a lotus.

1.53.22 Bearing long swords and battle-axes, clad in garments of golden hue, they burned down that entire army like blazing fires.

1.53.23 Thereupon the great-splendored Viśvāmitra discharged his weapons.

1.54.1 Then, seeing them thrown into confusion and bewildered by Viśvāmitra's weapons, Vasiṣṭha urged the wish-fulfilling cow: "Create with your yogic power."

1.54.2 From her hum-bellow were born Kāmbojas bright as the sun; from her udder were then born Pahlavas bearing weapons in their hands.

1.54.3 From her womb-region Yavanas, from her dung-region Śakas; from her pores barbarian Mlecchas, Harītas, and Kirātas together.

1.54.4 By them Viśvāmitra's army was slaughtered that very instant—infantry, elephants, horses, and chariots—O delight of the Raghu line.

1.54.5 Seeing the army destroyed by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha, a hundred of Viśvāmitra's sons bearing weapons of every kind

1.54.6 rushed furiously against Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of those who recite sacred texts; with a mere huṃkāra the great sage reduced them all to ashes.

1.54.7 Those sons of Viśvāmitra, along with their horses, chariots, and infantry, were reduced to ashes in a moment by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha.

1.54.8 Seeing his sons and his army destroyed, the greatly renowned Viśvāmitra became filled with shame and was plunged into despondency.

1.54.9 Like a river that has lost its current, like a serpent with broken fangs, like the sun at the moment of an eclipse—he instantly lost his radiance.

1.54.10 With his sons and army slain, wretched like a bird with clipped wings, his arrogance destroyed, his energy extinguished, he fell into dejection.

1.54.11 He appointed one son to the kingdom with the charge "rule it," to govern the earth according to kṣatriya duty, and then he departed to the forest.

1.54.12 Going to the slopes of the Himavat, frequented by Kiṃnaras and serpents, he of great austerities performed tapas in order to propitiate Mahādeva.

1.54.13 After some time had passed, the lord of the gods, he whose banner bears a bull, the granter of boons, appeared before the great sage Viśvāmitra.

1.54.14 "For what purpose do you practice austerities, O king? Speak what you wish to say. I am a granter of boons; declare whatever boon you desire."

1.54.15 Thus addressed by the god, Viśvāmitra of great austerities bowed down to Mahādeva and spoke these words.

1.54.16 "If you are pleased with me, O Mahādeva, O sinless one, let the Dhanurveda be given to me in its entirety—with all its subsidiary texts, upāṅgas, upaniṣads, and its secret doctrine."

1.54.17 "And let all the weapons that are among the gods, the Dānavas, the great sages, the Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and Rākṣasas—let all of these manifest themselves to me, O sinless one."

1.54.18 "By your grace let my desire be fulfilled, O god of gods." Having spoken the words "so be it," the lord of the gods departed to heaven.

1.54.19 Having obtained the weapons, the royal sage Viśvāmitra of great might became filled with arrogance and swelled with immense pride.

1.54.20 Growing in his might like the ocean at the full moon, he then considered the foremost of sages, Vasiṣṭha, as already slain.

1.54.21 Then the king went to the hermitage and discharged his weapons, by which that entire grove of austerities was burned down by the power of those weapons.

1.54.22 Seeing that weapon of the wise Viśvāmitra blazing forth, hundreds of sages fled in terror in all directions.

1.54.23 And the disciples of Vasiṣṭha, as well as the deer and birds, fled in fear by the thousands in many directions.

1.54.24 The hermitage of the great-souled Vasiṣṭha became deserted; for a moment it was silent, resembling a barren wasteland.

1.54.25 Vasiṣṭha called out repeatedly: "Fear not! I shall destroy Gādheya today as the sun dispels the mist."

1.54.26 Having spoken thus, the great-splendored Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among those who recite sacred texts, then addressed Viśvāmitra in these angry words.

1.54.27 "Because you have destroyed this hermitage nurtured for so long, you are a man of wicked conduct; because of this, O fool, you shall be no more."

1.54.28 Having spoken thus, supremely enraged, he swiftly raised his staff—like the smokeless fire of universal dissolution, like another rod of Yama.

1.55.1 Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, the mighty Viśvāmitra raised his fire-weapon and cried out, "Stand! Stand!"

1.55.2 The venerable Vasiṣṭha, in his anger, spoke these words:

1.55.3 "O wretch of a kṣatriya, here I stand — show whatever strength you possess! I shall destroy your pride in weapons, O son of Gādhi."

1.55.4 "Where is your kṣatriya strength, and where is the great power of brahman? Behold my divine power of brahman, O disgrace to the kṣatriyas!"

1.55.5 That dreadful, supreme fire-weapon of the son of Gādhi was quenched by the brahma-staff, as the force of fire is quenched by water.

1.55.6 In fury, the son of Gādhi then hurled the vāruṇa weapon, the raudra weapon, the āindra weapon, the pāśupata weapon, and also the aiṣīka weapon.

1.55.7 He also discharged the mānava weapon, the mohana (bewildering) weapon, the gāndharvā weapon, the svāpana (stupefying) weapon, the jṛmbhaṇa (yawning) weapon, another mohana weapon, the saṃtāpana (tormenting) weapon, and the vilāpana (lamenting) weapon.

1.55.8 He hurled the śoṣaṇa (desiccating) weapon, the dāraṇa (rending) weapon, the vajra weapon most difficult to withstand, the brahma-noose, the kāla-noose, and the varuṇa-noose.

1.55.9 He hurled the beloved pinākāstra, the two thunderbolts — the dry and the wet — the daṇḍa weapon, the paiśāca weapon, and likewise the krauñca weapon.

1.55.10 He discharged the dharma-disc, the kāla-disc, and likewise the Viṣṇu-disc; the vāyavya (wind) weapon, the mathana (churning) weapon, and the hayaśiras (horse-head) weapon.

1.55.11 He also hurled a pair of śakti missiles, the kaṅkāla (skeleton) weapon, the musala (mace) weapon, the great vaidyādhara weapon, and the terrible kāla weapon.

1.55.12 He hurled the dreadful triśūla (trident) weapon, the kāpāla weapon, and the kaṅkaṇa weapon — all these weapons did he discharge, O joy of the Raghu line.

1.55.13 Against Vasiṣṭha, foremost among those who recite mantras, it was as though a marvel had occurred: the son of Brahman swallowed all those weapons with his staff.

1.55.14 When all those were quelled, the son of Gādhi released the brahmāstra. Seeing that weapon raised, the gods led by Agni,

1.55.15 the divine seers in agitation, and the gandharvas together with the great serpents — all three worlds were seized with terror when the brahmāstra was discharged.

1.55.16 That also — that most dreadful brahma weapon — Vasiṣṭha swallowed entirely with his brahma-staff by the power of brahman, O Rāghava.

1.55.17 As the great-souled Vasiṣṭha swallowed the brahmāstra, his form became exceedingly dreadful — bewildering to all three worlds and ferocious.

1.55.18 From all the pores of the great-souled Vasiṣṭha's body there burst forth flames like rays of fire, dense with smoke.

1.55.19 The brahma-staff raised in Vasiṣṭha's hand blazed like the smokeless fire of universal dissolution, or like a second staff of Yama.

1.55.20 Then the assemblies of sages praised Vasiṣṭha, foremost among the reciters: "Your power is unfailing, O brahman — sustain your splendour with your splendour."

1.55.21 "The great ascetic Viśvāmitra has been subdued by you, O brahman. Be gracious, O foremost among chanters, and let the worlds be freed of their anguish."

1.55.22 Thus addressed, the great-splendoured and great-ascetic Vasiṣṭha became calm. And Viśvāmitra, humiliated, breathed a deep sigh and spoke these words:

1.55.23 "Shame upon kṣatriya strength — the power of brahman's splendour is the true strength! All my weapons have been struck down by a single brahma-staff."

1.55.24 "Having thus reflected, with senses and mind at peace, I shall undertake great austerity — that which indeed brings about the state of brahmanhood."

1.56.1 Then, with a burning heart, remembering his own defeat, sighing again and again, and bearing enmity toward the great-souled one,

1.56.2 Viśvāmitra, that great ascetic, went to the southern quarter along with his chief wife, O Rāghava, and performed the most intense and dreadful austerity; subsisting on fruits and roots, self-restrained, he practised supreme tapas.

1.56.3 Then there were born to him sons devoted to truth and righteousness: Haviṣpanda, Madhuṣpanda, Dṛḍhanetra, and Mahāratha.

1.56.4 When a full thousand years had elapsed, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, spoke sweetly to Viśvāmitra, the treasury of austerity:

1.56.5 "The worlds of the royal seers have been won by you through your austerity, O son of Kuśika. By this austerity we recognise you as a royal seer (rājarṣi)."

1.56.6 Having spoken thus, that great-splendoured supreme lord of the worlds departed with the gods to the triple heaven, the world of Brahmā.

1.56.7 Viśvāmitra, hearing this, hung his head slightly in shame, overcome by great sorrow, and spoke with indignation:

1.56.8 "I have undergone very great austerity, yet the gods with all the assemblies of sages know me only as a royal seer. I think the fruit of my austerity is nothing."

1.56.9 Having thus resolved in his mind, the great ascetic, of supreme self-mastery, once more performed supreme austerity, O scion of Kākutstha.

1.56.10 At this very time, a truth-speaking, sense-conquering descendant of the Ikṣvāku lineage, known by the name Triśaṅku,

1.56.11 had a resolve arise in his mind, O Rāghava: "I shall perform a sacrifice and reach the highest abode of the gods in my own body."

1.56.12 He summoned Vasiṣṭha and told him his thought; but the great-souled Vasiṣṭha told him it was impossible.

1.56.13 Refused by Vasiṣṭha, he went to the southern quarter, to the place where the sons of Vasiṣṭha were performing their long austerities.

1.56.14 The greatly splendoured Triśaṅku beheld the hundred glorious sons of Vasiṣṭha, resplendent in the highest degree, engaged in their austerities.

1.56.15 Approaching them, those great-souled sons of his teacher, he saluted them in proper order and, hanging his head somewhat in shame, the greatly splendoured one addressed them all with joined palms.

1.56.16 "I take refuge in you, O worthy refuge, as one who has come for shelter. Good fortune to you — I have been refused by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha."

1.56.17 "Wishing to perform a great sacrifice, I seek your permission for that. Bowing to all of you, sons of my teacher, I entreat your grace."

1.56.18 "Bowing with my head, I beseech the brāhmaṇas established in austerity: let your honours, with concentration, officiate my sacrifice for its fulfillment, so that I may attain the world of the gods in my own body."

1.56.19 "Refused by Vasiṣṭha, O treasuries of austerity, I see no other recourse whatsoever except all of you, the sons of my teacher."

1.56.20 "The family priest is the highest resort for all the Ikṣvākus; therefore, next after him, all of you are my divinities."

1.57.1 Then, having heard Triśaṅku's speech filled with anger, the hundred sons of the sage, O Rāma, spoke thus to the king:

1.57.2 "You have been refused, O foolish one, by the teacher who speaks only truth — how can you, having bypassed him, have come to a different branch?"

1.57.3 "The family priest is the highest resort for all the Ikṣvākus; it is not possible to transgress the word of the truth-speaker."

1.57.4 "The venerable sage Vasiṣṭha has declared it impossible — how then are we capable of performing that sacrifice for you?"

1.57.5 "You are foolish, O best of men — return to your own city. The venerable one is capable of officiating for even the three worlds, O king."

1.57.6 Hearing their speech, agitated by anger, the king spoke again to them these words:

1.57.7 "I have been refused by my teacher and likewise by the sons of my teacher; I shall seek another recourse. Good fortune be with you, O treasuries of austerity."

1.57.8 But the sons of the sage, hearing that speech laden with dreadful intent, cursed him in supreme wrath: "You shall become a caṇḍāla!" Having spoken thus, those great-souled ones entered their own hermitage.

1.57.9 Then, when the night had passed, the king had become a caṇḍāla: wearing dark garments, dark in complexion, rough, with hair dishevelled, wearing garlands and unguents from funeral pyres, and adorned with iron ornaments.

1.57.10 Seeing him transformed into the form of a caṇḍāla, all his ministers and the townspeople who were his followers fled together, O Rāma.

1.57.11 Alone, that king of supreme self-possession, O scion of Kākutstha, burning day and night in anguish, went to Viśvāmitra, the treasury of austerity.

1.57.12 Viśvāmitra, seeing that king reduced to failure, in the form of a caṇḍāla, O Rāma, was moved to compassion.

1.57.13 Out of compassion, that greatly splendoured and supremely righteous one spoke these words, wishing him well, to the king of dreadful appearance:

1.57.14 "What is the purpose of your coming, O prince, O mighty one, O hero, lord of Ayodhyā — you who have been reduced to caṇḍāla-hood by a curse?"

1.57.15 Then, hearing those words, the king who had attained caṇḍāla-hood, skilled in speech, spoke with joined palms to the one expert in speech:

1.57.16 "I have been refused by my teacher and likewise by the sons of my teacher; without having attained that desire of mine, I have met with this calamity."

1.57.17 "It was my gentle-visaged wish to ascend to heaven in my own body; I have striven with a hundred sacrifices, yet that fruit is not obtained."

1.57.18 "I have never spoken untruth in the past, nor shall I ever speak it — even gone into hardships, O gentle one, I swear to you by the dharma of the kṣatriya."

1.57.19 "I have made offerings with many and various sacrifices; my subjects have been protected by righteousness; the great-souled teachers have been gratified by conduct and good character."

1.57.20 "Though I strive in righteousness and wish to perform sacrifice, the teachers are not pleased — O foremost of sages."

1.57.21 "I hold fate alone to be supreme; human effort is futile. Everything is overridden by fate, for fate is the highest resort."

1.57.22 "For me, thus deeply afflicted and seeking your grace, O one of good fortune, whose actions have been undone by fate — you should show your favour."

1.57.23 "I shall seek no other recourse; there is no other refuge for me. You should turn back fate by the power of human effort."

1.58.1 Having heard the king's words, the son of Kuśika, moved by compassion, spoke sweetly to the one who stood before him in the very form of a caṇḍāla.

1.58.2 "Welcome, dear child of the Ikṣvāku line — I know you to be one of true righteousness. I shall be your refuge; fear not, O bull among kings."

1.58.3 "I shall invite all the great seers of meritorious deeds who can assist in the sacrifice; then, O king, you shall perform the rite in peace."

1.58.4 "This form that rests upon you, wrought by your guru's curse — in this very form, with this very body, you shall go to heaven."

1.58.5 "I deem heaven to be already in the palm of your hand, O lord of men — for you have come to Kauśika, who is worthy of refuge, and taken shelter with him."

1.58.6 Having spoken thus, the greatly resplendent one gave instructions to his sons, who were supremely righteous and exceedingly wise, for the gathering of all that was needed for the sacrifice.

1.58.7 Summoning all his disciples together, he spoke these words to them.

1.58.8 "Bring hither, dear ones, all the foremost seers, by my command — along with their disciples, friends, and officiating priests who are versed in the sacred texts."

1.58.9 "Whatever any one of them may say when urged by the force of my words — all of it, whatever is spoken disparagingly, is to be reported to me in full."

1.58.10 Hearing those words of his, the disciples set out in all directions by his command; and from every region came the knowers of Brahman.

1.58.11 Those disciples, having assembled, all reported to the sage, who blazed with splendour, the words of all the Brahman-speakers.

1.58.12 Having heard the message, all the twice-born come — they arrived from every region, all excepting Mahodaya.

1.58.13 "Hear, O bull among sages, all that which the entire hundred of the Vasiṣṭhas said — every word they spoke, their eyes agitated with anger."

1.58.14 "The officiating priest of this man is a kṣatriya — and more particularly, he is a caṇḍāla. How then can the divine seers be partakers of the oblations at that assembly?"

1.58.15 "Or how shall the great-souled brāhmaṇas, having eaten the food of a caṇḍāla under the superintendence of Viśvāmitra, attain heaven?"

1.58.16 These harsh words were spoken, their eyes red with passion, by all the Vasiṣṭhas together with Mahodaya, O tiger among sages.

1.58.17 Having heard those words of all of them, the bull among sages, his eyes flushed red with wrath, spoke in great anger.

1.58.18 "These evil-souled ones who revile me, blameless as I am and engaged in fierce austerity — they shall be reduced to ashes, of this there is no doubt."

1.58.19 "This very day, led away by the noose of Kāla to the realm of Vaivasvata, may they all drink of the bitter cup through seven hundred births in every form of existence."

1.58.20 "Subsisting always on dog's flesh, pitiless ones known by the name Muṣṭika, disfigured and misshapen — may they wander through these worlds."

1.58.21 "And Mahodaya, that evil-minded one, has reviled me though I am beyond reproach; fallen from esteem in all the worlds, he shall attain the state of a Niṣāda."

1.58.22 "Devoted to the taking of life, having abandoned all compassion, he shall, by my wrath, dwell in misfortune for a very long time."

1.58.23 Having spoken this much, Viśvāmitra, the great ascetic, of mighty splendour, that great sage, fell silent in the midst of the seers.

1.59.1 Having struck down the Vasiṣṭhas together with Mahodaya by the force of his austerity, the greatly resplendent Viśvāmitra then addressed the assembly of seers.

1.59.2 "This descendant of the Ikṣvāku line, celebrated as Triśaṅku, is most righteous and most generous; he has come to me as his refuge, desiring to win the world of the gods in this very body."

1.59.3 "In such a manner that this man may ascend to the divine world in his own body — let the sacrifice be conducted by you together with me."

1.59.4 Having heard the words of Viśvāmitra, all the great seers, gathered together, those who knew the dharma, spoke what was in accord with dharma.

1.59.5 "This descendant of Kuśika is a sage of supreme wrathfulness; what he has said is right — this must be done, without doubt."

1.59.6 "For the venerable one, resembling fire, will give a curse when provoked. Therefore let the sacrifice be conducted, so that the descendant of the Ikṣvāku line may ascend to heaven in his own body by the might of Viśvāmitra."

1.59.7 "Therefore let the sacrifice proceed; let all take up their respective offices."

1.59.8 Having spoken thus, the great seers took up all the rites, and the greatly resplendent Viśvāmitra himself became the chief officiant at the sacrifice.

1.59.9 And the officiating priests, one after another, all versed in sacred formulas, performed all the rites with mantras, according to prescription and proper procedure.

1.59.10 Then, after a great stretch of time, Viśvāmitra of great austerity invoked all the gods to come there for their shares of the oblation.

1.59.11 But though thus invoked, none of the gods came to receive their portions. Then the great sage Viśvāmitra was seized by anger.

1.59.12 Raising the sacrificial ladle in wrath, he spoke thus to Triśaṅku: "Behold the power of the austerity earned by myself, O lord of men."

1.59.13 "Now I shall bear you to heaven in your own body by my own might. Go to the sky in your own body, O ruler of men — that which is hard to attain in one's own body."

1.59.14 "Whatever fruit of austerity earned by myself there is — by the might of that fruit, O king, ascend to heaven in this very body."

1.59.15 When the sage had so spoken, the lord of men ascended to heaven in his own body, O Kākutstha, while the assembled sages looked on.

1.59.16 Seeing Triśaṅku arrived at the divine world, Pākaśāsana — Indra — along with all the hosts of gods, spoke these words.

1.59.17 "Triśaṅku, go back — you have no right to abode in heaven. You fool, struck down by your guru's curse, fall headlong to the earth."

1.59.18 Thus addressed by Mahendra, Triśaṅku fell back down, crying out "Save me! Save me!" to Viśvāmitra, that treasury of austerity.

1.59.19 Hearing the cry of that falling man, Kauśika gathered fierce wrath and called out, "Stop! Stop!"

1.59.20 That resplendent one, like a second Prajāpati, in the midst of the seers, began creating a new set of seven sages established along the southern path.

1.59.21 Inflamed by anger, the greatly renowned one created a new garland of stars, taking the southern direction as his orientation, in the midst of the seers.

1.59.22 Having created the stellar lineage, darkened by wrath, he declared: "I shall create another Indra — or let the world exist without one." And in his anger he began to create the very gods as well.

1.59.23 Then the bulls among gods, the hosts of seers, all exceedingly agitated, spoke words of supplication to the great-souled Viśvāmitra.

1.59.24 "This king, O greatly fortunate one, O treasury of austerity, struck down by his guru's curse, is indeed not fit to go to heaven in his own body."

1.59.25 Having heard those words of the gods, Kauśika, the bull among sages, spoke very great words to all the deities.

1.59.26 "I have given my pledge that this lord of the earth, Triśaṅku, would ascend in his own body — I am not able to make that pledge false. May it be well with you all."

1.59.27 "Let there be a realm for this Triśaṅku in his own body, and let it be eternal; and let all my stars remain fixed and firm."

1.59.28 "For as long as the worlds shall endure, let all these creations of mine stand firm throughout. O gods, all of you ought to sanction this."

1.59.29 Thus addressed, all the gods replied to the bull among sages.

1.59.30 "So be it. May it be well with you. Let all these many creations stand firm in the sky, beyond the path of Vaiśvānara — the fire."

1.59.31 "O foremost of sages, let the stars stand, and among those luminaries blazing with light, let Triśaṅku too stand — head downward — resembling an immortal."

1.59.32 Then Viśvāmitra, righteous in soul, praised by all the gods and by the seers, the greatly resplendent one, said to the deities: "So be it."

1.59.33 Then all the great-souled gods and the sages, those treasuries of austerity, departed just as they had come, at the conclusion of the sacrifice, O best of men.

1.60.1 Then the great-souled Viśvāmitra, watching those seers depart, spoke to all those forest-dwelling sages, O tiger among men.

1.60.2 "A great obstruction has arisen, stationed in the southern direction; let us set out for another direction — there we shall practise austerity."

1.60.3 "In the vast western region, in the sacred tīrthas of Puṣkara, we shall comfortably practise great austerity — for that is the supreme grove of penance."

1.60.4 Having spoken thus, the greatly resplendent great sage betook himself to Puṣkara and performed fierce, unapproachable austerity, subsisting on roots and fruits.

1.60.5 At this very time the king who ruled Ayodhyā, known as Ambarīṣa, set about performing a sacrifice.

1.60.6 But from that sacrificer Indra stole the sacrificial animal. When the animal had disappeared, the brāhmaṇa priest spoke these words to the king.

1.60.7 "O king, the sacrificial animal has been stolen and lost today through your lack of vigilance. Sins strike a king who does not protect what is entrusted to him, O lord of men."

1.60.8 "This requires a great expiation. O bull among men, bring either a man or an animal quickly, before the rite proceeds further."

1.60.9 Hearing the preceptor's words, that king, a bull among men, of great wisdom, sought after the sacrificial victim, offering thousands of cows in exchange.

1.60.10 The lord of the earth, searching, visited region after region, settlements, cities, forests, and sacred hermitages.

1.60.11 He then found, O dear one, O delight of the Raghu line, Ṛcīka seated on the hill Bhṛgutuṅga together with his sons and wife.

1.60.12 The royal seer of immeasurable splendour, having reverentially saluted and propitiated that brahmarṣi blazing with austerity, and having enquired after his welfare in every respect, spoke these words to Ṛcīka.

1.60.13 "If you would sell a son for a hundred thousand cows for the purpose of the sacrificial animal, O greatly fortunate one, O descendant of Bhṛgu, I shall have fulfilled my purpose."

1.60.14 "All regions have been traversed and I have not obtained the required sacrificial animal. You should give one son from among yours here, for the price stated."

1.60.15 Thus addressed, the greatly resplendent Ṛcīka spoke: "I would never sell the eldest under any circumstances, O best of men."

1.60.16 Hearing the words of Ṛcīka, the mother of those great-souled sons, the ascetic woman, spoke to Ambarīṣa, that tiger among men.

1.60.17 "Know also that the youngest, Śunaka, is dear to me, O king."

1.60.18 "For generally, O best of men, the eldest sons are dear to fathers, and the youngest to mothers; therefore I protect the youngest."

1.60.19 When the sage had spoken thus and the sage's wife likewise, the middle son, Śunaḥśepa himself, O Rāma, spoke these words.

1.60.20 "My father says the eldest is not to be sold; my mother says the youngest. I consider the middle son sold — O king, take me away."

1.60.21 The lord of men, taking Śunaḥśepa for a hundred thousand cows, departed in great joy, O delight of the Raghu line.

1.60.22 The royal seer Ambarīṣa, the greatly resplendent one of great renown, having placed Śunaḥśepa on the chariot, departed swiftly.

1.61.1 Having taken Śunaḥśepa, O best of men, that greatly renowned king rested at Puṣkara at midday, O joy of the Raghu line.

1.61.2 While he was resting, the greatly renowned Śunaḥśepa came to the foremost of holy places, Puṣkara, and beheld Viśvāmitra.

1.61.3 With a dejected face, wretched with thirst and exhaustion, he fell upon the sage's lap, O Rāma, and spoke these words.

1.61.4 I have no mother, no father — where then are kinsmen or relatives? O gentle one, O bull among sages, you ought to protect me through righteousness.

1.61.5 For you are the protector of all, O best of sages; you are the sustainer of all. The king would have his purpose fulfilled, and I would live long and imperishably.

1.61.6 I would attain the heavenly world, having practised the highest austerity. Be my protector, for I am without a protector — with a gracious heart, O soul of righteousness, you ought to rescue me from sin as a father rescues a son.

1.61.7 Having heard those words of his, the great ascetic Viśvāmitra consoled him in many ways and then spoke these words to his sons.

1.61.8 The time has now come for that purpose for which fathers who seek the good beget sons — for the benefit of the next world.

1.61.9 This young son of a sage seeks shelter from me; do something dear for him at the mere cost of your own life, my sons.

1.61.10 All of you are doers of good deeds, all of you are devoted to righteousness — become the sacrificial animal of the king and grant satisfaction to the fire.

1.61.11 Then Śunaḥśepa would have a protector, the sacrifice would proceed without hindrance, the gods would be satisfied, and my word too would be fulfilled.

1.61.12 Hearing the sage's words, O best of men, his sons — Madhuṣyanda and the others — spoke these words with arrogance and disdain.

1.61.13 How, O lord, do you abandon your own sons to rescue another's son? We regard this as improper, like eating dog-flesh at a meal.

1.61.14 Hearing those words of his sons, the bull among sages, with eyes reddened by anger, began to speak.

1.61.15 This speech was uttered shamelessly, censured even by the law of righteousness — cruel and hair-raising, it transgresses my command.

1.61.16 All of you shall wander the earth for a full thousand years in your clans as eaters of dog-flesh, like the Vasiṣṭhas.

1.61.17 Having thus afflicted his sons with the curse, that best of sages then spoke to the distressed Śunaḥśepa, granting him a wholesome protection.

1.61.18 Bound with sacred cords, adorned with red garlands and unguents, approach the sacrificial post of Viṣṇu and invoke the fire with these hymns.

1.61.19 Chant these two divine hymns, O son of a sage, at this sacrifice of Ambarīṣa — thereby you shall attain fulfilment.

1.61.20 Śunaḥśepa, having received those two hymns with concentrated mind, quickly spoke to Ambarīṣa, that lion among kings.

1.61.21 O lion among kings, O great-spirited one, let us go quickly to the assembly hall; resume the rite, O lord of kings, and bring forward the consecration.

1.61.22 Hearing those words of the sage's son, the king, filled with eager joy, went swiftly and without delay to the sacrificial enclosure.

1.61.23 With the assent of the officiants, the king dressed Śunaḥśepa with sacred marks and a red garment and bound him to the sacrificial post.

1.61.24 Bound to the post, that son of a sage duly propitiated the two gods — Indra and the younger brother of Indra — with the foremost hymns.

1.61.25 Then Sahasrākṣa (Indra), pleased and satisfied by the esoteric hymns of praise, granted long life to Śunaḥśepa, O Rāghava.

1.61.26 And that king, O best of men, O Rāma, obtained the manifold fruit of the sacrifice, born of the grace of Sahasrākṣa.

1.61.27 And Viśvāmitra, the righteous-souled one of great austerity, practised severe penance once more at Puṣkara for a full thousand years, O best of men.

1.62.1 When the thousand years were complete, all the gods came to the great sage who had bathed upon completion of his vow, wishing to bestow the fruit of his austerity.

1.62.2 Brahmā of great splendour spoke pleasant words: 'You are a ṛṣi — good fortune to you — by the meritorious deeds you yourself have earned.'

1.62.3 Having thus spoken to him, the lord of gods departed once more to the three heavens; Viśvāmitra of great splendour then practised great austerity again.

1.62.4 Then after a great length of time, Menakā, the foremost among the apsarases, O best of men, came to Puṣkara to bathe.

1.62.5 The son of Kuśika of great splendour beheld Menakā there — unrivalled in beauty, like lightning amid a rain-cloud.

1.62.6 Seeing her, the sage, fallen under the power of Kandarpa (Kāma), spoke to her: 'Welcome to you, O apsaras; dwell here in my hermitage and bless me — good fortune to you — who am utterly bewildered by Madana.'

1.62.7 Thus addressed, that lady of noble hips made her abode there — for a great obstacle to austerity had come upon Viśvāmitra.

1.62.8 While she was dwelling there, O Rāghava, O gentle one, ten years (five and five) passed happily in Viśvāmitra's hermitage.

1.62.9 Then, when that time had passed, the great sage Viśvāmitra became as if filled with shame, overcome with anxiety and grief.

1.62.10 The thought arose in the sage's mind, indignant, O joy of the Raghu line: 'All this is the work of the gods — this great plundering of my austerity.'

1.62.11 Under the guise of days and nights, ten years have passed; overwhelmed by the delusion of desire, this obstacle has befallen me.

1.62.12 Heaving a deep sigh, that best of sages, afflicted with remorse.

1.62.13 Seeing the apsaras Menakā standing frightened and trembling with joined palms, the son of Kuśika dismissed her with gentle words and, O Rāma, Viśvāmitra departed to the northern mountain.

1.62.14 Having resolved upon unswerving resolve and desiring to conquer himself, that greatly renowned sage went to the bank of the river Kauśikī and practised most severe austerity.

1.62.15 As he practised that terrible austerity for a thousand years on the northern mountain, O Rāma, fear arose among the gods.

1.62.16 All the gods, assembled together along with the host of sages, took counsel: 'Let this son of Kuśika rightly obtain the title of maharṣi.'

1.62.17 Hearing the words of the gods, the Pitāmaha of all worlds spoke sweet words to Viśvāmitra, that treasury of austerity.

1.62.18 O Maharṣi, welcome, my child — I am pleased by your severe austerity; I grant you greatness and the foremost rank among the sages, O Kauśika.

1.62.19 Hearing those words of Brahmā, Viśvāmitra the treasury of austerity, bowing with joined palms, replied to the Pitāmaha.

1.62.20 If the Blessed One says that I have earned by my own meritorious deeds the incomparable title of brahmarṣi, then I am one who has conquered the senses.

1.62.21 Then Brahmā said to him: 'You have not yet conquered the senses; strive on, O tiger among sages,' — and having said so, departed to the three heavens.

1.62.22 When the gods had departed, the great sage Viśvāmitra continued his austerity with arms raised, without support, subsisting on air alone.

1.62.23 Abiding in righteousness, he subjected himself to the five fires (pañcatapa) in summer; in the rains he sheltered under the open sky; in winter he stood in water — day and night, that treasury of austerity.

1.62.24 Thus he pursued terrible austerity for a thousand years.

1.62.25 While that great sage Viśvāmitra was burning in austerity, great alarm arose among the gods and Vāsava (Indra).

1.62.26 Śakra (Indra), together with all the hosts of Maruts, spoke to the apsaras Rambhā words that were beneficial to himself and harmful to Kauśika.

1.63.1 O Rambhā, this great service to the gods must be performed by you — the alluring of Kauśika here, accompanied by the delusion of desire.

1.63.2 Thus addressed, O Rāma, that apsaras, by the wise Sahasrākṣa, stood ashamed with joined palms and replied to the lord of gods.

1.63.3 O lord of gods, this terrible great sage Viśvāmitra will surely release terrible wrath upon me, O god — there is no doubt. That is why I am afraid, O god; you ought to show your grace to me.

1.63.4 Sahasrākṣa spoke to her as she trembled with joined palms: 'Fear not, O Rambhā — good fortune to you; carry out my command.'

1.63.5 A cuckoo, captivating the heart, will be perched in a lovely tree in the spring season — I myself, together with Kandarpa (Kāma), will stand at your side.

1.63.6 You must assume a form of manifold excellence and supreme radiance, O Rambhā, and break the resolve of that ascetic sage Kauśika.

1.63.7 She, having heard his words, assumed an incomparable form and, graceful and bright-smiled, began to allure Viśvāmitra.

1.63.8 He heard the sweet sound of the cuckoo singing, and with a gladdened mind he then looked upon her.

1.63.9 Then, from that sound, the incomparable song, and the sight of Rambhā, the sage became filled with suspicion.

1.63.10 Recognising that deed as the work of Sahasrākṣa, the son of Kuśika, that bull among sages, possessed by rage, cursed Rambhā.

1.63.11 Because you, O Rambhā, seek to allure me who strive to conquer desire and anger, you shall stand as a stone for ten thousand years, O wretched one.

1.63.12 A brāhmaṇa of great splendour, endowed with the power of austerity, shall release you, O Rambhā, who have been polluted by my wrath.

1.63.13 Having spoken thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra of great splendour, unable to restrain his anger, was overcome with anguish.

1.63.14 By his great curse, Rambhā became a stone at that moment; and Kandarpa, having heard the words of the great sage, also departed.

1.63.15 That one of great splendour, his austerity having been carried off by unmastered senses, O Rāma, found no peace within himself on account of his anger.

1.64.1 Then, O Rāma, having abandoned the Himālayan direction, the great sage reached the eastern quarter and performed exceedingly fierce austerities.

1.64.2 Having undertaken the supreme vow of silence for a thousand years, O Rāma, he performed incomparable and supremely difficult austerities.

1.64.3 When the thousand years were complete, though the great sage had become like a piece of wood and was shaken by many obstacles, anger did not enter within him.

1.64.4 Then the gods together with the Gandharvas, the Pannagas, the Asuras, and the Rākṣasas, bewildered by his brilliant energy, their radiance dimmed by his austerities, afflicted with distress, all spoke to Pitāmaha.

1.64.5 "O god, the great sage Viśvāmitra, having been tempted and provoked to anger by many means, continues to grow in austerities.

1.64.6 Not even the slightest fault is seen in him. And if what he desires in his heart is not granted, he will destroy all three worlds with their moving and unmoving beings through his austerities; all the directions are thrown into confusion and nothing shines forth.

1.64.7 All the oceans are agitated, the mountains are crumbling apart, the earth trembles, and the wind blows in extreme turmoil.

1.64.8 O god, so long as the great sage, blazing like fire and of great splendour, does not turn his mind toward destruction, the blessed one must be appeased.

1.64.9 Just as the fire of dissolution formerly burns all three worlds entirely — if he desires sovereignty over the gods, let what he wishes be granted to him."

1.64.10 Then all the hosts of gods, led by Pitāmaha, spoke sweet words to the high-souled Viśvāmitra.

1.64.11 "O Brahmarṣi, be welcomed! We are thoroughly pleased by your austerities. By your fierce tapas you have attained Brahmanhood, O Kauśika.

1.64.12 And long life to you, O Brahman, I along with the Marut hosts grant — may you attain well-being, blessings upon you; go, O gentle one, as you please."

1.64.13 Having heard the words of Pitāmaha and all the celestials, the great sage bowed in obeisance and joyfully spoke.

1.64.14 "If Brahmanhood has been attained by me, and likewise long life — then may the Oṃkāra, the Vaṣaṭkāra, and the Vedas acknowledge me.

1.64.15 May Vasiṣṭha, the son of Brahmā, foremost among those who know the Vedas of the Kṣatriyas as well as the Vedas of the Brāhmaṇas, say this to me — O gods, if this supreme wish has been fulfilled, then let the foremost among gods depart."

1.64.16 Then Vasiṣṭha, best among those who recite sacred texts, appeased by the gods, entered into friendship with him and spoke, saying "So be it."

1.64.17 "There is no doubt: the state of Brahmarṣi — all of it shall be yours." Having spoken thus, all the divinities departed as they had come.

1.64.18 And Viśvāmitra, righteous in soul, having obtained the supreme Brahmanhood, paid homage to the Brahmarṣi Vasiṣṭha, best among those who recite sacred texts.

1.64.19 His desire fulfilled, he roamed the whole earth, abiding in austerity. Thus indeed was Brahmanhood attained by this high-souled one, O Rāma.

1.64.20 This is the foremost of sages, O Rāma; this one is austerity in embodied form; this is the supreme eternal dharma; this is the ultimate resort of heroic power.

1.64.21 Having heard the words of Śatānanda in the presence of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, Janaka, with palms folded, spoke to the son of Kuśika.

1.64.22 "I am blessed, I am favoured, O foremost of sages — for you, O righteous one of Kākutstha's line, have arrived together to attend my sacrifice.

1.64.23 I have been purified by you, O Brahman, by your very sight, O great sage; manifold virtues have been obtained by me through beholding you.

1.64.24 And your great austerity narrated in full, O Brahman of mighty splendour, has been heard by me and by the high-souled Rāma.

1.64.25 And having reached this assembly along with the assembly members, your many virtues have been heard.

1.64.26 Immeasurable is your austerity, immeasurable your strength, and your virtues too are immeasurable and ever-constant, O son of Kuśika.

1.64.27 I have no satiety, O lord, with these wondrous tales; but the time for ritual acts is at hand, O foremost of sages — the solar disc hangs low.

1.64.28 Tomorrow at dawn, O one of great splendour, please deign to see me again. You are welcome, O foremost among ascetics; now please grant me leave."

1.64.29 Having spoken thus to the foremost of sages, the Vaideha, lord of Mithilā, together with his preceptors and kinsmen, quickly performed the circumambulation.

1.64.30 And Viśvāmitra, righteous in soul, along with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, honoured by the great sages, returned to his own encampment.

1.65.1 Then, at the pure dawn, after completing his morning rites, the lord of men summoned the high-souled Viśvāmitra along with Rāghava.

1.65.2 Having worshipped him, the righteous-souled king, with rites prescribed by the scriptures, then spoke these words to both the high-souled Rāghavas.

1.65.3 "O blessed one, be welcome. What shall I do for you, O sinless one? You must command me; I am indeed one who is to be commanded by you."

1.65.4 Thus addressed by the high-souled Janaka, that righteous-souled sage, eloquent in speech, replied to the hero with these words.

1.65.5 "These two sons of Daśaratha, Kṣatriyas famed throughout the world, are desirous of seeing the supreme bow that stands in your keeping.

1.65.6 Show it to them — good fortune to you! Once the wishes of these two princes are fulfilled by sight of this bow, they shall depart as they desire."

1.65.7 Thus addressed, Janaka replied to the great sage: "Hear the purpose for which this bow stands here.

1.65.8 There was a renowned king called Devarāta, the sixth descendant of Nimi — this bow, O blessed one, was a trust deposited by that high-souled one into his keeping.

1.65.9 Formerly, at the destruction of Dakṣa's sacrifice, the mighty Rudra, having strung this bow, sportively and in anger spoke thus to the thirty gods.

1.65.10 "Since the gods, though desiring their shares, did not apportion a share to me, I shall cut off your most excellent and precious limbs with this bow."

1.65.11 Then all the gods, O foremost of sages, being downcast, propitiated the Lord of Gods; and Bhava became pleased with them.

1.65.12 Filled with satisfaction, he gave it to all those high-souled ones.

1.65.13 This very jewel of a bow belonging to the great-souled God of gods was then deposited as a trust in the keeping of our ancestors, O lord.

1.65.14 Then, as I was ploughing the field, one was born who rose from the furrow — obtained by me while purifying the field, she became known by the name Sītā.

1.65.15 She who arose from the surface of the earth grew up as my daughter; this girl not born of a womb was established by me as one whose bride-price is valour.

1.65.16 And as she grew, this daughter of mine who rose from the earth — kings came, O foremost of sages, to sue for her hand.

1.65.17 To all those rulers of the earth who sought my daughter's hand, I answered: O blessed one, I do not give my daughter — her bride-price is valour.

1.65.18 Then all the kings, O foremost of sages, assembled and came to Mithilā at that time, wishing to test their valour.

1.65.19 For them who wished to prove their valour, the bow was brought out; but they were unable even to lift or to take hold of that bow.

1.65.20 Knowing the valour of those valiant ones to be insufficient, O great sage, the kings were rejected — hear that, O wealth of austerity.

1.65.21 Then, O foremost of sages, in extreme anger and with their valour in doubt, all the kings besieged Mithilā.

1.65.22 Perceiving themselves to have been spurned, O foremost of sages, those kings, seized by great rage, afflicted the city of Mithilā.

1.65.23 Then, when a full year had passed, all resources were utterly exhausted, O most revered of sages, and I was deeply distressed.

1.65.24 Then I propitiated all the hosts of gods through austerity, and the gods, most graciously pleased, gave me a fourfold army.

1.65.25 Then the kings, broken and slain, fled in all directions — those evildoers devoid of valour, their boasted valour now in doubt, along with their ministers.

1.65.26 That supremely radiant bow, O tiger among sages, I shall show also to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, O one of excellent vows.

1.65.27 If Rāma should string this bow, O sage, I would give my daughter Sītā, not born of a womb, to the son of Daśaratha."

1.66.1 Having heard the words of Janaka, the great sage Viśvāmitra said to the king: "Show the bow to Rāma."

1.66.2 Then King Janaka commanded his ministers: "Let the divine bow, adorned with garlands of fragrant flowers, be brought."

1.66.3 Commanded by Janaka, the ministers entered the city; placing that bow at their head, they emerged by the king's command.

1.66.4 Five hundred men, tall and strong of great spirit, with great difficulty drew along that chest mounted on eight wheels.

1.66.5 Taking that great chest in which the bow lay, divine in its appearance, the royal ministers addressed Janaka.

1.66.6 "This supreme bow, O king, honoured by all kings — O lord of Mithilā, O best of kings, it may now be displayed if you so desire."

1.66.7 The king, having heard their words, with palms folded, spoke to the high-souled Viśvāmitra and to those two — Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.

1.66.8 "This supreme bow, O Brahman, has been worshipped by the Janakas and by kings of great valour; even then it could not be strung.

1.66.9 Not all the hosts of gods, nor Asuras, nor Rākṣasas, nor the foremost Gandharvas and Yakṣas, nor Kiṃnaras and great serpents —

1.66.10 — what then is the recourse of human beings in stringing, drawing, fastening the bowstring to, bending, or even merely lifting this bow?

1.66.11 This best of bows has been brought, O foremost of sages; O most blessed one, show it to these two princes."

1.66.12 And Viśvāmitra, righteous in soul, having heard what Janaka said, spoke to the Rāghava: "Child Rāma, behold the bow."

1.66.13 At the great sage's word, Rāma went to where the bow stood, and having opened that chest and looked at the bow, he then spoke.

1.66.14 "O Brahman, I shall touch this supreme bow with my hand, and I shall make effort in lifting and stringing it as well."

1.66.15 "Certainly!" — thus the king and the sage both replied to him. At the sage's word, he took hold of the bow in the middle, as if in play.

1.66.16 Before the gaze of many thousands of men, the delight of the Raghu clan, righteous in soul, strung that bow as if in sport.

1.66.17 And having strung the bowstring, the valiant one drew it to the full; then the foremost of men, of great glory, broke the bow in the middle.

1.66.18 Its sound was tremendous, like the roar of a thunderclap; and there was a very great trembling of the earth, as if a mountain were splitting asunder.

1.66.19 And all the people fell to the ground, bewildered by that sound — all except the foremost sage, the king, and those two Rāghavas.

1.66.20 When the people had recovered, the king, his fear gone, with palms folded and skilled in speech, spoke these words to the foremost of sages.

1.66.21 "O blessed one, the valour of Rāma, son of Daśaratha, has been seen by me; this is utterly wondrous and inconceivable, unimagined by me.

1.66.22 My daughter Sītā will bring glory to the lineage of the Janakas, having obtained as husband Rāma, son of Daśaratha.

1.66.23 And my pledge stands true — valour is the bride-price, O Kauśika; Sītā, held by me dearer than life itself, must be given to Rāma.

1.66.24 With your permission, O Brahman, let my ministers go quickly — O Kauśika, blessings upon you — to Ayodhyā swiftly by chariots.

1.66.25 Let them bring the king here to my city with respectful words, and let them recount everything about the gift of one whose bride-price was valour.

1.66.26 Let them also tell the king of the two Kākutsthas under the sage's protection, and let those swift messengers bring the delighted king here.

1.66.27 Kauśika said "So be it"; and the king, righteous in soul, addressing his ministers, dispatched them to Ayodhyā as commanded.

1.67.1 Those messengers, dispatched by Janaka, with their mounts wearied, having rested three nights on the road, entered the city of Ayodhyā.

1.67.2 Those messengers, at the king's command, having been admitted into the royal palace, beheld the aged king Daśaratha, resplendent as a god.

1.67.3 All the messengers, with palms joined together, free from fear, composed, addressed the king in words of sweet syllables.

1.67.4 "King Janaka of Mithilā, accompanied by the agnihotra rite, inquires after your health and well-being, along with your preceptors and priests—"

1.67.5 "—again and again with sweet and affectionate words, O great king, Janaka asks after you and all your retinue."

1.67.6 "Having inquired calmly after your welfare, Vaideha, the lord of Mithilā, with Kauśika's approval, spoke these words to you:"

1.67.7 "'My daughter's bride-price of valor was proclaimed long ago, and many kings, made angry and found lacking in valor, were turned away in disappointment.'

1.67.8 "'That daughter of mine, O king, has now been won by your sons—those heroes who came here led by Viśvāmitra, as if by fortune's own design.'

1.67.9 "'And that divine bow, O king, was broken in the midst of the great assembly by the noble Rāma, O great king, before the gathered multitude.'

1.67.10 "'Sītā, whose bride-price is valor, should be given by me to this great-souled one; I wish to fulfill my vow—you should grant your permission for this.'

1.67.11 "'Come quickly, O great king, together with your preceptors, with your priests at the fore—may it be well with you—you should see the two Rāghavas.'

1.67.12 "'You should fulfill my joy, O king of kings; and you yourself will also gain the joy of both your sons.'"

1.67.13 Thus the lord of Videha spoke his sweet words, acting with Viśvāmitra's sanction and in accordance with Śatānanda's counsel.

1.67.14 Having heard those words of the messengers, the king was supremely delighted; he addressed Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, his ministers, and others.

1.67.15 "He who delights Kausalyā, protected by the son of Kuśika, dwells in Videha together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa."

1.67.16 "The Kākutstha whose valor has been witnessed—the great-souled Janaka now wishes to bestow his daughter upon that Rāghava."

1.67.17 "If this action of the great-souled Janaka pleases you, let us proceed to the city quickly—let there be no lapse of time."

1.67.18 The ministers said "So be it" together with all the great sages; and the king, greatly pleased, told his ministers: "We depart tomorrow."

1.67.19 The ministers of the lord of men, most excellently honored, passed that night in joy, all endowed with every virtue.

1.68.1 Then, when the night had passed, king Daśaratha, delighted, together with his preceptors and kinsmen, spoke thus to Sumantra:

1.68.2 "Today let all the treasurers, taking abundant wealth and adorned with various jewels, proceed well-arranged at the fore."

1.68.3 "Let the fourfold army also march out quickly in full, and let the finest carriages and teams be readied simultaneously with my command."

1.68.4 "Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kāśyapa, the long-lived sage Mārkaṇḍeya, and Kātyāyana likewise—"

1.68.5 "—let these twice-born ones proceed at the fore; yoke my chariot, so that no time may be lost, for the messengers press me to hasten."

1.68.6 At the command of the lord of men, that fourfold army followed behind as the king proceeded together with the sages.

1.68.7 Having traveled four days on the road and arrived in Videha, the glorious king Janaka, upon hearing of his coming, made arrangements to honor him.

1.68.8 Then king Janaka, approaching the aged king Daśaratha, was filled with joy and felt supreme delight; and that best of men, filled with gladness, spoke to that best of men.

1.68.9 "Welcome to you, O great king! By good fortune you have arrived, O Rāghava; you shall gain the joy of both your sons, won by their valor."

1.68.10 "By good fortune the greatly resplendent venerable sage Vasiṣṭha has arrived, together with all the foremost twice-born, like Śatakratu with the gods."

1.68.11 "By good fortune my obstacles are overcome; by good fortune my lineage is honored, through alliance with the Rāghavas—those great-souled ones supreme in valor."

1.68.12 "Tomorrow at dawn, O lord of lords of men, you should perform the marriage approved by the sages, at the conclusion of the sacrifice, O best of men."

1.68.13 Having heard those words of his, the lord of men, the foremost among those skilled in speech, spoke in return to that lord of the earth in the midst of the sages.

1.68.14 "The acceptance of a gift lies in the giver's power—so I have heard from of old; whatever you, O knower of dharma, shall say, that we will do."

1.68.15 Having heard that speech—so righteous, so glorious—from one who speaks only truth, the lord of Videha was filled with supreme wonder.

1.68.16 Then all the bands of sages, gathered together with one another, filled with great joy, passed that night in happiness.

1.68.17 The king too, having beheld his two Rāghava sons, was overjoyed; he passed the night in supreme delight, honored magnificently by Janaka.

1.68.18 The greatly resplendent Janaka too, a true knower of dharma and ritual, having performed the rites both for the sacrifice and for his daughters, passed the night.

1.69.1 Then at dawn Janaka, having performed his duties along with the great sages, skilled in speech, addressed his priest Śatānanda.

1.69.2 "My younger brother, greatly resplendent and supremely righteous, known as Kuśadhvaja, dwells in a beautiful city—"

1.69.3 "—extending to the shores enclosed by water, drinking from the river Ikṣumatī, the city of Sāṃkāśyā, lovely as a sacred site, like the Puṣpaka aerial car."

1.69.4 "I wish to see him; he is the guardian of my sacrifice in my view; that greatly resplendent one shall also share in this joy together with me."

1.69.5 At the lord of men's command, they went forth with swift horses to bring that tiger among men, as if to summon Viṣṇu at Indra's bidding.

1.69.6 By the command of the lord of men, Kuśadhvaja came.

1.69.7 He beheld the great-souled Janaka, devoted to dharma; having paid his respects to Śatānanda and to the righteous king as well,

1.69.8 he ascended the supreme and radiant seat befitting a king. Both brothers, of unbounded splendor, then sat together.

1.69.9 The two heroes sent forth their foremost minister Sudāmana: "Go quickly, O lord of ministers; bring here the Ikṣvāku, of boundless splendor, who is difficult to assail—bring him with his sons and his ministers."

1.69.10 Going to the encampment, he found the increaser of Raghu's lineage; bowing his head in salutation, he spoke these words:

1.69.11 "O hero, lord of Ayodhyā, the Vaideha, lord of Mithilā, is resolved to see you together with your preceptors and priests."

1.69.12 Having heard the words of the foremost minister, the king, together with the groups of sages and his kinsmen, went to where Janaka was.

1.69.13 That king, accompanied by his ministers, with his preceptors and kinsmen, the foremost among those skilled in speech, spoke these words to the Vaideha:

1.69.14 "You know, O great king, that the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha, the divinity of the Ikṣvāku lineage, is the spokesman in all matters."

1.69.15 "This righteous-souled Vasiṣṭha, with Viśvāmitra's sanction and together with all the great sages, will speak on my behalf in proper order."

1.69.16 When Daśaratha fell silent, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha, skilled in speech, addressed the Vaideha together with his priest.

1.69.17 "Brahmā, whose origin is unmanifest, is eternal, ever-present, and imperishable; from him was born Marīci; from Marīci, Kaśyapa is the son."

1.69.18 "From Kaśyapa was born Vivasvān; Manu is known as Vaivasvata; Manu was the primeval Prajāpati; and Ikṣvāku is Manu's son."

1.69.19 "Know that Ikṣvāku was the first king in Ayodhyā; from Ikṣvāku the glorious Vikukṣi was born."

1.69.20 "From Vikukṣi, the greatly resplendent and mighty Bāṇa was born as son; from Bāṇa, the greatly resplendent and mighty Anaraṇya."

1.69.21 "From Anaraṇya Pṛthu was born; Triśaṅku is Pṛthu's son; from Triśaṅku was born the greatly renowned Dhundhumāra."

1.69.22 "From Dhundhumāra, the greatly resplendent great warrior Yuvanāśva; Yuvanāśva's son, the glorious Māndhātā, lord of the earth."

1.69.23 "From Māndhātā the glorious son Susaṃdhi was born; and Susaṃdhi had two sons: Dhruvasaṃdhi and Prasenajit."

1.69.24 "From the renowned Dhruvasaṃdhi was born one named Bharata; from Bharata the greatly resplendent one named Asita was born."

1.69.25 "Born together with that poison itself, he became Sagara; from Sagara came Asamañjas; from Asamañjas then Aṃśumān."

1.69.26 "Dilīpa is Aṃśumān's son; from Dilīpa, Bhagīratha; from Bhagīratha, Kākutstha; and from Kākutstha, Raghu likewise."

1.69.27 "Raghu's son, the fierce and grown mighty man-eater, became Kalmāṣapāda; from him was born Śaṅkhaṇa."

1.69.28 "Sudarśana is from Śaṅkhaṇa; Agnivarṇa from Sudarśana; Śīghraga from Agnivarṇa; and Maru is the son of Śīghraga."

1.69.29 "From Maru came Praśuśruka; from Praśuśruka, Ambarīṣa; Ambarīṣa's son was Nahuṣa, lord of the earth."

1.69.30 "From Nahuṣa, Yayāti; from Yayāti, Nābhāga; from Nābhāga, Aja was born; from Aja, Daśaratha came to be; and from that Daśaratha were born the two brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa."

1.69.31 "Of kings pure in their primordial lineage, supremely righteous, born in the Ikṣvāku line, heroes, speakers of truth—"

1.69.32 "—for the sake of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa I ask for your daughters, O king; O best of men, for these two who are their equals in worth, you should give those who are their equals in worth."

1.70.1 To him who had spoken thus, Janaka replied with joined palms: 'May it be well with you — you deserve to hear our lineage recited in full.'

1.70.2 For at the time of giving in marriage, O foremost of sages, one born of a noble line must declare that lineage without remainder. Hear it, O great sage.

1.70.3 There was a king named Nimi, renowned through all three worlds by his own deeds, supremely righteous in soul, the foremost among all beings of steadfast character.

1.70.4 His son was named Mithi; Mithi's son was Janaka — the first of that name. From that Janaka was born Udāvasu.

1.70.5 From Udāvasu was born Nandivardhana, righteous in soul; and Nandivardhana's son was named Suketu.

1.70.6 From Suketu too was born Devarāta, righteous in soul and of great might. From that royal sage Devarāta was known Bṛhadratha.

1.70.7 Bṛhadratha's son was the hero Mahāvīra, of great valor and blazing energy. From Mahāvīra was born Sudhṛti, steady of resolve and true in valor.

1.70.8 From Sudhṛti too was born Dhṛṣṭaketu, righteous in soul and of excellent virtue. From that royal sage Dhṛṣṭaketu became known Haryaśva.

1.70.9 Haryaśva's son was Maru; Maru's son was Pratīndhaka; and the son of Pratīndhaka, righteous in soul, was King Kīrtiratha.

1.70.10 The son of Kīrtiratha too is remembered as Devamīḍha; from Devamīḍha came Vibudha, and from Vibudha came Mahīdhraka.

1.70.11 Mahīdhraka's son was King Kīrtirāta, of great might. From that royal sage Kīrtirāta was born Mahāromā.

1.70.12 From Mahāromā, righteous in soul, was born Svarṇaromā; and from that royal sage Svarṇaromā was born Hrasvaromā.

1.70.13 To him, that great-souled knower of righteousness, two sons were born: I am the elder, and the younger, my heroic brother, is Kuśadhvaja.

1.70.14 My father, lord of men, anointed me, the elder, to the kingdom; entrusting the burden to me with Kuśadhvaja in my care, he went to the forest.

1.70.15 When my aged father departed to heaven, I carried the yoke of duty righteously, watching over my brother Kuśadhvaja — radiant as a god — with affection.

1.70.16 Then after some time, the mighty King Sudhanvā came from the city of Sāṃkāśya and laid siege to Mithilā.

1.70.17 And he sent word to me: 'Give me the incomparable bow of Śiva, and the lotus-eyed maiden Sītā — let them be given to me.'

1.70.18 Because I did not give them, O brahmarṣi, battle ensued between us, and King Sudhanvā, pressing forward, was slain by me in combat.

1.70.19 Having slain that lord of men, Sudhanvā, O foremost of sages, I installed my heroic brother Kuśadhvaja at Sāṃkāśya.

1.70.20 This one is my younger brother and I am the elder, O great sage. With the greatest joy I give you two daughters-in-law, O foremost of sages.

1.70.21 Sītā to Rāma — may it be well with you — and Ūrmilā to Lakṣmaṇa; my daughter Sītā, whose bride-price is valor and who is like the daughter of the gods.

1.70.22 And Ūrmilā as the second — I say this three times, without doubt. With the greatest delight I give these two daughters-in-law to you, O joy of the Raghu line.

1.70.23 O king, have the gift of cows performed for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and the ancestral rites as well — may it be auspicious for you — and then conduct the wedding.

1.70.24 For today is the Maghā asterism, O mighty-armed one, and on the third day hence, O lord, is Uttara Phalgunī, O king — on that day perform the wedding. For the sake of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa let the auspicious gift-giving be performed.

1.71.1 To Vaideha who had thus spoken, the great sage Viśvāmitra, together with Vasiṣṭha, addressed these brave words to the king.

1.71.2 The lineages of the Ikṣvākus and the Videhas are beyond reckoning and beyond measure, O bull among men — there is no one equal to them.

1.71.3 The union is well-matched in righteousness, well-matched in the wealth of beauty — O king, Sītā and Ūrmilā with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.

1.71.4 And there is something more to be said, O foremost of men — hear my words.

1.71.5 This younger brother of yours, O knower of righteousness, is King Kuśadhvaja. His two daughters, O king, whose beauty on earth is unrivalled — we seek them, O foremost of men, as wives.

1.71.6 For the young prince Bharata and the wise Śatrughna, O king, we seek those two daughters for those great-souled ones.

1.71.7 These sons of Daśaratha are all endowed with beauty and youth, comparable to the guardians of the world, equal to the gods in valor.

1.71.8 By this alliance with both, O lord of kings, let the Ikṣvāku line be unshakably bound to you of meritorious deeds.

1.71.9 Having heard the words of Viśvāmitra and concurring with the view of Vasiṣṭha, Janaka spoke with joined palms to those two foremost of sages.

1.71.10 'The alliance of lineages you yourselves have ordained is well-matched — so let it be; may it be auspicious for you. Let these two daughters of Kuśadhvaja become wives; let Śatrughna and Bharata, together, receive them both.'

1.71.11 On one and the same day, O great sage, let the four mighty princes grasp the hands of the four princesses.

1.71.12 On the following day, O brahman, under the Phalgunī asterisms, the wise commend the wedding rite — there where Bhaga the Prajāpati presides.

1.71.13 Having spoken these gentle words, King Janaka rose and, with joined palms, addressed both those foremost of sages.

1.71.14 'The highest dharma has been conferred upon me; I am ever your pupil. Let the foremost of sages be seated on these principal seats.'

1.71.15 'As this city is Daśaratha's, so too is mine. There is no doubt about your lordship over it — you are fit to act here as befits you.'

1.71.16 While Vaideha Janaka spoke thus, King Daśaratha, joy of the Raghu line, joyfully replied to that lord of the earth.

1.71.17 'You two brothers, lords of Mithilā, are of immeasurable virtues. Sages and assemblies of kings alike are honored by you.'

1.71.18 'May you prosper; may it be well with you. I shall go to my own dwelling, having performed all the śrāddha rites.' So he also said.

1.71.19 Having taken leave of that lord of men, the illustrious King Daśaratha then departed quickly, placing those two lords of sages at the fore.

1.71.20 Having gone to his quarters, the king performed the śrāddha according to rule, and rising early at dawn he performed the noble gift of cows.

1.71.21 The king, lord of men, gave hundreds of thousands of cows to the brāhmaṇas, each lot dedicated individually to each of his sons, in accordance with dharma.

1.71.22 Four hundred thousand cows with gilded horns, in fine condition, each with her calf, with bronze-fitted milking vessels — so gave that bull among men.

1.71.23 And much other wealth besides, the Raghu-joy gave to the twice-born. Dedicated as the gift-of-cows for his sons, he who cherished his sons gave lavishly.

1.71.24 And that king, surrounded by his sons for whom the gift-of-cows had been performed, shone at that moment like the gentle Prajāpati surrounded by the guardians of the world.

1.72.1 On that very day on which the king performed the noble gift of cows, the hero Yudhājit arrived.

1.72.2 The son of the Kekaya king, the actual maternal uncle of Bharata — having seen and enquired after the welfare of the king, he spoke thus.

1.72.3 'The lord king of Kekaya sends his loving regards and asks after your welfare. Those for whose well-being you are concerned — may they be free of illness now.'

1.72.4 'O lord of kings, O lord of the earth, desiring to see my nephew, O joy of the Raghu line, I came to Ayodhyā for that purpose.'

1.72.5 'Having heard, however, that your sons had set out for Mithilā for the wedding — together with you, O lord of the earth — I came hastening here, eager to see my sister's son.'

1.72.6 Then King Daśaratha, having received that welcome guest, honored him who was worthy of honor with the highest marks of respect.

1.72.7 Then, having spent that night together with his great-souled sons, he went to the sacrificial enclosure, placing the seers at the fore.

1.72.8 At the auspicious hour of Vijaya, Rāma, adorned with all ornaments and invested with the sacred marriage threads, accompanied by his brothers and placing Vasiṣṭha and other great seers at the fore —

1.72.9 — the venerable Vasiṣṭha came forward and spoke thus to Vaideha:

1.72.10 'King Daśaratha, O king, with his sons invested with the auspicious marriage threads, O foremost of the best of men, awaits the giver of the brides.'

1.72.11 'For all purposes are accomplished through the giver and the receiver together. Fulfil your own dharma by performing the supreme wedding rite.'

1.72.12 Thus addressed by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha, the supremely generous one, blazing with great splendor, knower of the highest dharma, replied with these words:

1.72.13 'What doorkeeper stands blocking me? Whose command am I waiting upon? What deliberation is there in one's own home? This kingdom is yours even as it is mine.'

1.72.14 'My daughters, O foremost of sages, have come to the foot of the altar, adorned with all the wedding ornaments, radiant as the flames of fire.'

1.72.15 'I am ready and wait for you, standing established at this altar. Let the king proceed without obstruction — why indeed is there delay?'

1.72.16 Hearing those words spoken by Janaka, Daśaratha then led in all his sons and also the company of seers.

1.72.17 King Janaka spoke to him who increases the joy of Kausalyā: 'This Sītā, my daughter, shall be your partner in dharma. Receive her — may it be auspicious for you — grasp her hand with your hand.'

1.72.18 'Lakṣmaṇa, come — may it be auspicious for you. Receive Ūrmilā, whom I have raised up for you; grasp her hand. Let not the auspicious moment pass.'

1.72.19 Having spoken thus, Janaka also addressed Bharata: 'Take the hand of Māṇḍavī with your hand, O joy of the Raghu line.'

1.72.20 And the righteous lord Janakeśvara also said to Śatrughna: 'O mighty-armed one, grasp the hand of Śrutakīrti with your hand.'

1.72.21 'You are all disciplined and all of excellent vows. Let the Kākutsthas be together with their wives — let not the auspicious moment pass.'

1.72.22 Hearing the words of Janaka, the four of them touched the four pairs of hands, standing in accordance with the direction of Vasiṣṭha.

1.72.23 Circumambulating the fire, the altar, and the king himself, and also the great-souled seers, the foremost of the Raghus, accompanied by their wives, performed the wedding in accordance with the prescribed rites, exactly as had been ordained.

1.72.24 A great shower of flowers fell from the sky, brilliant and auspicious, accompanied by the resounding of divine kettledrums and the sounds of song and instrumental music.

1.72.25 Hosts of apsarases danced and gandharvas sang melodiously at the wedding of the foremost of the Raghus — it was as though a wonder had come to pass.

1.72.26 While all this was taking place, with the uproar of instruments resounding, those ones of great might circumambulated the fire three times, carrying their wives.

1.72.27 Then those joys of the Raghu line, together with their wives, went to the bridal chamber; and the king too followed, beholding all, with the company of seers and kinsmen.

1.73.1 Then, when the night had passed, the great sage Viśvāmitra took leave of both kings and departed toward the northern mountain.

1.73.2 After Viśvāmitra had departed, king Daśaratha quickly took leave of the Videha king, the lord of Mithilā, and returned to his own city.

1.73.3 Then the king of the Videhas, the lord of Mithilā, bestowed lavish bridal gifts — many hundreds of thousands of cows.

1.73.4 Foremost blankets and tens of millions of silk garments; elephants, horses, chariots, and foot-soldiers of divine appearance, richly adorned.

1.73.5 The father of the brides gave unsurpassed female and male attendants, as well as silver, gold, pearls, and coral.

1.73.6 With supreme delight the king gave these peerless bridal gifts; having bestowed abundant wealth, he duly took leave of the king.

1.73.7 The lord of Mithilā re-entered his own abode, Mithilā; and the king, the lord of Ayodhyā, departed together with his noble sons.

1.73.8 Placing all the sages at the fore, he set out with his army and retinue; and as that tiger among men, Rāghava, marched with the host of sages—

1.73.9 — dreadful birds uttered cries here and there, and all the earthly beasts moved in a clockwise direction around him.

1.73.10 Seeing these omens, the tiger among kings questioned Vasiṣṭha: "The birds are ominous and terrible, the beasts too go clockwise — what is this? My heart trembles and my mind is troubled."

1.73.11 Having heard these words of king Daśaratha, the great sage spoke in a sweet voice: "Hear what fruit these omens portend."

1.73.12 "A terrible, celestial danger has been declared by the birds; these beasts are propitious and allay it — let this anxiety be abandoned."

1.73.13 While they were conversing there, a fierce wind arose, shaking the entire earth and toppling the stately trees.

1.73.14 The sun was shrouded in darkness, the directions could not be discerned, everything was covered with ash, and the whole army seemed bewildered.

1.73.15 Vasiṣṭha, the other sages, and the king with his sons retained their senses, while all else present seemed to lose consciousness.

1.73.16 In that terrible darkness, with the army as though smothered in ash, they beheld a figure of fearsome aspect wearing a crown of matted locks—

1.73.17 — as unconquerable as mount Kailāsa, as unbearable as the fire at the end of time, blazing with such splendour that common folk could scarce behold him.

1.73.18 With an axe slung upon his shoulder, a bow resembling a mass of lightning in his hands, and bearing the foremost arrow — like Hara who destroyed the three cities.

1.73.19 Beholding him of terrifying aspect, blazing as if he were fire, the brāhmaṇas headed by Vasiṣṭha — all the sages devoted to prayer and oblation — gathered and began to murmur to one another.

1.73.20 "Can it be that this one, still wrathful over his father's slaying, intends to annihilate the kṣatriyas? Having once massacred the kṣatriyas, his rage and fever were spent — surely he does not now intend their destruction again?"

1.73.21 Having spoken thus, the sages took the ceremonial offering and, approaching that fearsome son of Bhṛgu's line, addressed him in gentle words: "Rāma, Rāma!"

1.73.22 Accepting that homage offered by the sages, the mighty Rāma, son of Jamadagni, then addressed Rāma, son of Daśaratha.

1.74.1 "O heroic Rāma, son of Daśaratha, your wondrous valour has come to my ears; the breaking of the bow also I have heard in full detail."

1.74.2 "That breaking of the bow by you is wondrous and inconceivable; having heard of it, I have come, bringing yet another auspicious bow."

1.74.3 "This great bow of Jamadagni's race, of terrifying aspect — string it with an arrow, and reveal your own strength."

1.74.4 "When I have seen your strength in stringing this bow, I shall offer you single combat — this is the true test of your valour."

1.74.5 Hearing those words of his, king Daśaratha, his face downcast and wretched, spoke with folded hands.

1.74.6 "You, of great renown among brāhmaṇas, have calmed the wrath born of the kṣatriya quarrel — you ought to grant safety to my young sons."

1.74.7 "Born in the lineage of the Bhārgavas, distinguished for their vows of sacred study, you made a promise to the thousand-eyed Indra and laid down your weapons."

1.74.8 "You, being devoted to dharma, gave the earth to Kaśyapa and retired to the forest — you whose dwelling was established by Mahendra."

1.74.9 "You have come, O great sage, for my total ruin; for if but one Rāma is slain, we cannot all of us survive."

1.74.10 While Daśaratha was speaking thus, the mighty son of Jamadagni disregarded those words entirely and spoke only to Rāma.

1.74.11 "These two are the foremost of bows — divine, renowned throughout the worlds, firm, powerful, supreme, and well crafted by Viśvakarman."

1.74.12 "One was bestowed by the gods upon the three-eyed Tryambaka, eager for battle — that Tripura-slaying bow which you, best of men, O Kākutstha, have broken."

1.74.13 "This second bow, O Kākutstha, unconquerable, was given to Viṣṇu by the greatest of gods — it is of equal substance to the bow of Rudra."

1.74.14 "At that time all the gods questioned the Grandfather Brahmā, wishing to assess the comparative strength of Śitikaṇṭha and Viṣṇu."

1.74.15 "Understanding the intention of the gods, the Grandfather, best among those who hold to truth, caused a conflict to arise between the two."

1.74.16 "In that conflict a great battle occurred, causing the hair to stand on end, as Śitikaṇṭha and Viṣṇu each strove to vanquish the other."

1.74.17 "Then the bow of Śiva, of terrible might, was made to yawn open; and by Viṣṇu's humkāra Mahādeva, the three-eyed one, was paralysed."

1.74.18 "Then the gods, assembling together with the hosts of sages and the Cāraṇas, besought them; thereupon those two best of gods desisted and came to peace."

1.74.19 "Seeing that Śaiva bow made to yawn by the might of Viṣṇu, the gods and the hosts of sages then deemed Viṣṇu to be the greater."

1.74.20 "But Rudra, greatly angered, of immense glory, placed that bow together with its arrow into the hands of the royal sage Devarāta among the Videhas."

1.74.21 "And this Vaiṣṇava bow, O Rāma, conqueror of enemy cities — Viṣṇu gave it as a most honoured trust to Ṛcīka of the Bhārgava line."

1.74.22 "And Ṛcīka, of great splendour, gave that divine bow to the great-souled Jamadagni, my father, as a gift of inestimable service."

1.74.23 "While my father had laid aside his weapons and was endowed with the strength of asceticism, Arjuna, acting from a base mind, brought about his death."

1.74.24 "Hearing of my father's wholly undeserved and terrible slaying, in wrath I exterminated the kṣatriyas time and again, generation after generation."

1.74.25 "Having conquered the entire earth, O Rāma, at the conclusion of the sacrifice I then gave it as the sacrificial fee to the great-souled Kaśyapa, as the fruit of that pious act."

1.74.26 "Having given the earth, I took up abode on mount Mahendra, endowed with the power of asceticism; then I heard of the breaking of the bow, and I came here swiftly."

1.74.27 "Therefore take this great Vaiṣṇava bow, O Rāma, which descended from father to grandfather — honouring the dharma of the kṣatriya, take this foremost of bows."

1.74.28 "Fit to this foremost bow the arrow that conquers enemy cities; if you are able, O Kākutstha, I shall then give you single combat."

1.75.1 Hearing those words of the son of Jamadagni, Daśaratha's son Rāma, his speech restrained out of deference to his father, then spoke.

1.75.2 "I have heard of the deeds you have performed, O Bhārgava; I acknowledge them, O brahman — I stand here honouring my debt to my father."

1.75.3 "You treat me as though I were devoid of valour and incapable, O Bhārgava, by the code of the kṣatriya — witness my splendour today; behold my prowess!"

1.75.4 Having spoken thus, the swift and mighty Rāghava in anger took from the hand of the Bhārgava both his supreme weapon and the arrow,

1.75.5 and Rāma strung the bow and fitted the arrow to the string; then Rāma, enraged, spoke these words to Jāmadagnya Rāma.

1.75.6 "Because you are a brāhmaṇa you are venerable to me, and because of what Viśvāmitra has done for me — therefore, O Rāma, I am unable to release this life-taking arrow at you."

1.75.7 "I shall destroy either this your freedom of movement, O Rāma, or those incomparable worlds accumulated by the power of your asceticism — whichever you wish."

1.75.8 "For this divine Vaiṣṇava arrow, conqueror of enemy cities, does not fall in vain by virtue of its might — it is the destroyer of the arrogance of strength."

1.75.9 To behold Rāma bearing the supreme weapon, the hosts of sages and the gods, with Brahmā the Grandfather at their head, assembled there in multitudes.

1.75.10 Gandharvas, Apsarases, Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Kiṃnaras, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and Nāgas — all came to witness that great wonder.

1.75.11 When the world had become stupefied, as Rāma held the bow of boons, that Jāmadagnya Rāma, now drained of valour, looked upon Rāma.

1.75.12 Stupefied, his power of valour struck down by Rāma's splendour, the son of Jamadagni slowly and softly spoke to Rāma of lotus-petal eyes.

1.75.13 "When I previously gave the earth to Kaśyapa, Kaśyapa told me: 'You must not dwell within my domain.'"

1.75.14 "Honouring the word of my guru, this is the vow I made to Kaśyapa, O Kākutstha: 'I shall not spend even a single night upon the earth.'"

1.75.15 "Therefore, O hero Rāghava, you should not destroy this my freedom of movement; swift as thought I shall depart to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains."

1.75.16 "But those incomparable worlds I have conquered through asceticism, O Rāma — destroy those with the foremost arrow; let there be no delay of time."

1.75.17 "I know you to be the eternal slayer of Madhu, the lord of the gods — by your very touch of this bow it is proven; may good befall you, O scorcher of foes."

1.75.18 "All these hosts of gods have assembled and behold you, whose deeds are without equal and who has no rival in battle."

1.75.19 "Nor should this be a source of shame for me, O Kākutstha, that I have been turned back by you — you who are the lord of the three worlds."

1.75.20 "You should release this peerless arrow, O Rāma of noble vow; once the arrow is released I shall depart to mount Mahendra, the greatest of mountains."

1.75.21 While Jāmadagnya Rāma was speaking thus, the glorious and mighty Rāma, son of Daśaratha, released that supreme arrow.

1.75.22 Then all the directions and intermediate quarters became free of darkness; the gods and hosts of sages praised Rāma as he held his weapon aloft.

1.75.23 And Rāma the son of Jamadagni, having praised Rāma the son of Daśaratha, then circumambulated him clockwise and departed, that lord, to his own abode.

1.76.1 When that Rāma had departed, the tranquil-souled Rāma Dāśarathi handed the bow together with its arrow into the hand of immeasurable Varuṇa.

1.76.2 Then Rāma, the joy of the Raghu line, having saluted Vasiṣṭha and the other sages at their head, saw his father overcome with emotion and spoke to him.

1.76.3 "Rāma the son of Jamadagni has departed. Let the four-limbed army now march, facing Ayodhyā — that army which has been protected with you as its lord."

1.76.4 Hearing Rāma's words, King Daśaratha embraced his son with both arms and inhaled the fragrance of the head of that scion of Raghu.

1.76.5 Hearing that that Rāma had gone, the king, thrilled and overjoyed, set the army in motion and quickly departed thence for the city.

1.76.6 The city was beautiful with its rows of banners and pennants, resounding with the proclamation of musical instruments, its royal roads sprinkled with water and strewn with heaped flowers —

1.76.7 — adorned with throngs of people, filled with citizens whose faces were bright with joy at the king's entry and with chanters of auspicious words: into this city the king entered.

1.76.8 Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and the slender-waisted Kaikeyī, together with the other royal ladies, were engaged in welcoming the daughters-in-law.

1.76.9 Then the queens received the supremely blessed Sītā, the illustrious Ūrmilā, and both daughters of Kuśadhvaja.

1.76.10 Adorned with auspicious utterances and robed in silk garments, all those women swiftly worshipped at the shrines of the gods.

1.76.11 After saluting those who deserved salutation and receiving the salutations of others, all the princes' wives rejoiced, each delighted and in private together with her husband.

1.76.12 Having taken wives, having mastered weapons, possessed of wealth and friends, those bulls among men passed their days serving their father obediently.

1.76.13 Among them, Rāma, whose glory surpassed all in the world and whose valour was true, stood foremost in virtues, even as the Self-born Brahmā stands among all beings.

1.76.14 And Rāma, that high-minded one, sported with Sītā through many seasons; his thoughts fixed entirely upon her, he was ever surrendered in her heart.

1.76.15 Sītā was dear to Rāma as "the wife given by my father," and beyond that, his love grew ever greater on account of her virtues and the excellence of her beauty.

1.76.16 And her husband moved doubly within her heart; even what arose within was made known, for heart speaks to heart.

1.76.17 And all the more conspicuously did Maithilī, the daughter of Janaka — Sītā, who equalled the goddesses in beauty, a very embodiment of Śrī herself — distinguish herself in his eyes.

1.76.18 United with her, that enchanting daughter of the greatest of kings, exceedingly lovely and desired beyond measure, Rāma the all-pervading shone surpassingly — even as Viṣṇu, lord of immortals, shines in the company of Śrī.