Aranya Kanda: Chapter 11

अग्रतः प्रययौ रामः सीता मध्ये सुशोभना। पृष्ठतस्तु धनुष्पाणिर्लक्ष्मणोऽनुजगाम ह॥
Rāma went first; in the middle, Sītā; and bearing a bow in his hand, Laksmana went in their wake.

तौ पश्यमानौ विविधाशैलप्रस्थान बनानि च। नदीश्च विविधा रम्या जग्मतुः सह सीतया॥ सारसांश्चक्रवाकांश्च नदीपुलिनचारिणः। सरांसि च सपद्मानि युतानि जलजैः खगैः॥ यूथबन्धाश्च पृषतान् मदोन्मत्तान् विषाणिनः। महिषांश्च वराहांश्च गजांश्च द्रुमवैरिणः।४।।
And they went with Sītā, seeing many imountain-peaks, and forests, and delightful streams, and Cakravākas haunting river islets, and tanks with lotuses containing aquatic birds, and herds of deer, and horned buffalo's maddened with juices boars, and elephants, foes to trees.

ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं लम्बमाने दिवाकरे। ददृशुः सहिता रम्यं तटाकं योजनायुतम्॥ पद्मपुष्करसम्बाधं गजयूथैरलंकृतन्। सारसैहँसकादम्बैः संकुलं जलजातिभिः॥
Having proceeded a long way, when the sun was aslant, they together saw a delightful tank measuring a Yojana, filled with red and pale Swans lotuses, graced with herds of elephants, and abounding in aquatic cranes, and Kadambas.

प्रसन्नसलिले रम्ये तस्मिन् सरसि शुश्रुवे।। गीतवादिनिर्घोषो न तु कश्चन दृश्यते॥
And in that tank containing charming and pleasant waters, they heard sounds of song and instrumental music; but no one was seen there.

ततः कौतूहलाद् रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महारथः। मुनिं धर्मभृतं नाम प्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे ॥
There at, from curiosity, Rāma and Lakşmana, mighty car warrior, asked an ascetic named Dharmabhrt.

इदमत्यद्भुतं श्रुत्वा सर्वेषां नो महामुने। कौतूहलं महज्जातं किमिदं साधु कथ्यताम्॥
Hearing this mighty wonder, we have been worked up with intense curiosity. Do you tell us what this is.

तेनैवमुक्तो धर्मात्मा राघवेण मुनिस्तदा। प्रभावं सरसः क्षिप्रमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे॥
Thus accosted by Rāghava, the ascetic then at once began to expatiate over the potency of the pool.

इदं पञ्चाप्सरो नाम तटाकं सार्वकालिकम्। निर्मितं तपसा राम मुनिना माण्डकर्णिना॥
This tank goes by the name of Pancāpsara, and is always filled with water. It was made, O Rāma, by the ascetic Măndakarni, by virtue of his asceticism.

स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्र माण्डकर्णिमहामुनिः। दशवर्षसहस्राणि वायुभक्षो जलाशये॥
In yonder tank, the mighty ascetic, living on air, performed signal austerities for ten thousand years.

ततः प्रव्यथिताः सर्वे देवाः साग्निपुरोगमाः। अब्रटन् वचनं सर्वे परस्परसमागताः॥ अस्माकं कस्यचित् स्थानमेष प्रार्थयते मुनिः। इति संविग्नमनसः सर्वे तत्र दिवौकसः॥
Thereat, exceedingly agitated, all the deities with Agni at their head assembled together, said, This ascetic wishes to have the position of one of us.' Thus all the deities present there were filled with anxiety.

ततः कर्तुं तपोविघ्नं सर्वदेवैर्नियोजिताः। प्रधानाप्सरसः पञ्च विद्युच्चलितवर्चसः॥
Then with the view of disturbing his austerities, the deities ordered five principal Apsarās, possessed of the splendour of live lighting.

अप्सरोभिस्ततस्ताभिर्मुनिर्दृष्टपरावरः। नीतो मदनवश्यत्वं देवानां कार्यसिद्धये॥
And for compassing the end of the celestials, that ascetic conversant with the morality and otherwise as well of this life as that to come, was brought by those Apsaras (nymphs) under the sway of Madana.

ताश्चैवाप्सरसः पञ्च मुनेः पत्नीत्वमागताः। तटाके निर्मितं तासां तस्मिन्नन्तर्हितं गृहम् ॥
And those five nymphs (ultimately) became the wives of the ascetic; and their hidden residence was reared in the pool.

तत्रैवाप्सरसः पञ्च निवसन्त्यो यथासुखम्। रमयन्ति तपोयोगान्मुनिं यौवनमास्थितम्॥
And there the five nymphs living happily, pleased the anchorite, established in youth through asceticism and yoga.

तासां संक्रीडमानानामेष वादिनि:स्वनः। श्रूयते भूषणोन्मिश्रो गीतशब्दो मनोहरः॥
As your sport, we hear the sounds of their musical instruments, and the sweet voice of their song mixed with the tinkling of their instruments.

आश्चर्यमिति तस्यैतद् वचनं भावितात्मनः। राघवः प्रतिजग्राह सह भ्रात्रा महायशाः॥
(Hearing this), the illustrious Rāghava along with his brother declared the story narrated by that one of a pure heart to be wonderful.

एवं कथयमानः स ददर्शाश्रममण्डलम्। कुशचीरपरिक्षिप्तं ब्राह्मया लक्ष्म्या समावृतम्॥
Thus conversing, Rāma saw the collection of asylums, strewn with Kusa and bark, and be-girt with energy derived from Brahmā lore.

प्रविश्य सह वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणेन च राघवः। तदा तस्मिन् स काकुत्स्थः श्रीमत्याश्रममण्डले॥ । उषित्वा स सुखं तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः।
Entering (the place) along with Vaidehi and Lakşmaņa, the highly famous Rāghava dwelt there respected by all the ascetics.

जगाम चाश्रमांस्तेषां पर्यायेण तपस्विनाम्॥ येषामुषितवान् पूर्वं सकाशे स महास्त्रवित्।
Having happily dwelt in those collections of graceful asylums, honoured of the Maharsis, Kākutstha by turns went to the hermitages of those ascetics with whom that one well versed in arms had dwelt before.

क्वचित् परिदशान् मासानेकसंवत्सरं क्वचित्॥ क्वचित चतुरो मासान् पञ्च षट् च परान् क्वचित। अपरत्राधिकान् मासानध्यर्धमधिकं क्वचित्॥ त्रीन्मासानष्टमासांश्च राघवो न्यवसत् सुखम्।
And Rāghava happily passed his days somewhere for ten months, somewhere for one year, somewhere for four months somewhere for five or six months, somewhere for many months, somewhere for a month and a half, somewhere for more, somewhere for three months, and somewhere for eight.

तत्र संवसतस्तस्य मुनीनामाश्रमेषु वै॥ रमतश्चानुकूल्येन ययुः संवत्सरा दश।
And as Rāma lived in the asylums of the ascetics and amused himself through their good graces, ten years were passed away (in this way).

परिसृत्य च धर्मज्ञो राघवः सह सीतया॥ सुतीक्ष्णस्याश्रमपदं पुनरेवाजगाम ह।
Having gone round the asylums of all the ascetics, Rāghava cognizant of righteousness returned to the hermitage of Sutīkşna.

स तमाश्रममागम्य मुनिभिः परिपूजितः॥ तत्रापि न्यवसद् रामः किंचित् कालमरिन्दमः।
Coming to this asylum, respected by the ascetics, that subduer of enemies, Rāma, stayed there for a time.

अथाश्रमस्थो विनयात् कदाचित् तं महामुनिम्॥ उपासीनः स काकुत्स्थः सुतीक्ष्णमिदमब्रवीत्।
Once upon a time, as Kākutstha dwelling in that asylum was seated, he humbly observed to that great ascetic.

अस्मिन्नरण्ये भगवन्नगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः॥ वसतीति मया नित्यं कथाः कथयतां श्रुतम्। न तु जानामि तं देशं वनस्यास्य महत्तया॥
I have always heard from men speaking on the subject that that foremost of ascetics, the reverend Agastya, lives in this forest. On account of the vastness of this forest, I do not know that place.

कुत्राश्रमपदं रम्यं महर्षेस्तस्य धीमतः। प्रसदार्थं भगवतः सानुजः सह सीतया॥ अगस्त्यमधिगच्छेयमभिवादयितुं मुनिम्। मनोरथो महानेष हृदि संपरिवर्तते ॥
Where is the hermitage of that intelligent Maharsi? For propitiating that revered one, I, accompanied by my brother and Sītā, will go to Agastya for paying our respects to the ascetic.

यदहं तं मुनिवरं सुश्रूषेयमपि स्वयम्। इति रामस्य स मुनिः श्रुत्वा धर्मात्मनो वचः॥ सुतीक्ष्णः प्रत्युवाचेदं प्रीतो दशरथात्मजम्।
This great desire is burning in my heart, that I should myself minister to that best of anchorets. Hearing these words of the righteous-souled Rama, Sutiksna, well pleased, answered Dasaratha's son.

अहमप्येतदेव त्वां वक्तुकामः सलक्ष्मणम्॥ अगस्त्यमभिगच्छेति सीतया सह राघव। दिष्टया त्विदानीमर्थेऽस्मिन् स्वयमेव ब्रवीषि माम्।।३६ ।
I also am desirous of telling you this along with Lakşmaņa. Repair to Agastya in company with Sītā, O Rāghava. By luck you have yourself said this to me as to your purpose.

अयमाख्यामि ते राम यत्रागस्त्यो महामुनिः। योजनान्याश्रमात् तात याहि चत्वारि वै ततः। दक्षिणेन महाञ्छ्रीमानगस्त्यभ्रातुराश्रमः॥ स्थलीप्रायवनोद्देशे पिप्पलीवनशोभिते। बहुपुष्पफले रम्ये नानाविहगनादिते॥ पद्मिन्यो विविधास्तत्र प्रसन्नसलिलाशयाः। हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णाश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः॥
I will, O Rāma, tell you where that mighty ascetic, Agastya, is. My child, go four miles from the hermitage in a southerly direction; and you will come to the hermitage of the brother of the auspicious Agastya situated on a land covered with trees, graced with Pippali woods, abounding in fruits and flowers, charming, and resonant with the notes of various birds. There are many tanks containing delightful waters, swarming with swans and Kārandavas, and beauteous with Cakravākas.

तत्रैकां रजनी व्युष्य प्रभाते राम गम्यताम्। दक्षिणां दिशमास्थाय वनखण्डस्य पार्श्वतः॥ तत्रागस्त्याश्रमपदं गत्वा योजनमन्तरम्। रमणीये वनोद्देशे बहुपादपशोभिते॥
Passing a night there, do you, O Rāma, in the morning, taking a southerly course, go by the skirts of the forest tract. Passing a Yojana, you । shall come upon Agastya's asylum, located at a charming woodland graced with many a tree.

रंस्यते तत्र वैदेही लक्ष्मणश्च त्वया सह। स हि रम्यो वनोद्देशो बहुपादपसंयुतः॥
There Videha's daughter and Lakşınana shall experience delight in your company.

यदि बुद्धिः कृता द्रष्टुमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम्। अद्यैव गमने बुद्धिं रोचयस्व महामते।॥
O magnanimous one, if you intend to see the mighty ascetic, Agastya, in that charming woodland, containing a great many trees, then do you make up your mind to set out this very day.

इति रामो मुनेः श्रुत्वा सह भ्रात्राऽभिवाद्य च। प्रतस्थेऽगस्त्यमुद्दिश्य सानुगः सह सीतया॥
Hearing these words of the anchorite, Rāma, saluting him, along with his brother, set off for Agastya's (place) with his younger brother and Sītā.

पश्यन् वनानि चित्राणि पर्वतांश्चाभ्रसंनिभान्। सरांसि सरितश्चैव पथि मार्गवशानुगान्॥ . सुतीक्ष्णेनोपदिष्टेन गत्वा तेन पथा सुखम्। इदं परमसंहष्टो वाक्यं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्॥
And, pleasantly proceeding by the way dire ted by Sutiksna, seeing picturesque woods, hills resembling clouds, watery expanses and streams flowing by their path; Rāma filled with delight said these words to Lakşmana,

एतदेवाश्रमपदं नूनं तस्य महात्मनः। अगस्त्यस्य मुनेतुर्दृश्यते पुण्यकर्मणः॥
'Surely we see the asylumn of that high-souled one, the ascetic, Agastya's brother of pious acts.

यथा हीमे वनस्यास्य ज्ञाताः पथि सहस्रशः। संनताः फलभारेण पुष्पभारेण च द्रुमाः॥
These trees standing by thousands on the way bending beneath the weight of fruits and flowers, bear the signs that had been mentioned to me as belonging to this wood.

पिप्पलीनां च पक्वानां वनादम्मादुपागतः। गन्धोऽयं पवनोत्क्षिप्तः सहसा कटुकोदयः॥
And coming from the wood this scent is wafted by the wind the pungent odour of ripe Pippalis.

तत्र तत्र च दृस्यन्ते संक्षिप्ता: काष्ठसंचयाः। लूनाश्च परिदृश्यन्ते दर्भा वैडूर्यवर्चसः॥
And here and there are found heaps of firewood, and torn Darbha are seen, of the lustre of lapses.

एतञ्च वनमध्यस्थं कृष्णाभ्रशिखरोपमम्। पावकस्याश्रमस्थस्य धूमाग्रं संप्रदृश्यते॥
And the top of the column of smoke belonging to the fire lit in the asylum in this wood, appears like the peak of a dark mountain.

विविक्तेषु च तीर्थेषु कृतस्नाना द्विजातयः। पुष्योपहारं कुर्वन्ति कुसुमैः स्वयमर्जितैः॥
And twice-born ones, having performed their ablutions in sacred and retired bathing places, are offering flowers gathered by themselves.

ततः सुतीक्ष्णवचनं यथा सौम्य मया श्रुतम्। अगस्त्याश्रमो भ्रातुनमेष भविष्यति॥
O placid one, from what I had heard from Sutiksna, this would appear to be the asylum of Agastya's brother.

निगृह्य तरसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया। यस्य भ्रात्रा कृतेयं दिक्शरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा॥
The righteous Agastya it is who, wishing for the welfare of the worlds, destroying by virtue of his austerities a Daitya resembling Death, has rendered this quarter habitable.

इहैकदा किल कुरो वातापिरपि चेल्वलः। भ्रातरौ सहितावास्तां ब्राह्मणघ्नौ महासुरौ॥
Once on a time here dwelt together two mighty Asuras, brothers, given to slaughtering Brāhmanas, the wily Vātāpi and Ilvala.

धारयन् ब्राह्मणं रूपमिल्वलः संस्कृतं वदन्। आमन्त्रयति विप्रान् स भाद्धमुद्दिश्य निघृणः॥ भ्रातरं संस्कृतं कृत्वा ततस्तं मेषरूपिणम्। तान् द्विजान् भोजयामास श्राद्धदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥
Wearing the form of a Brāhmana, and speaking Sanskrit, the cruel one used to invite Vipras to a Śrāddha. And, cooking his brother wearing the shape of a sheep, he used to feed the twice-born ones according to the rites prescribed for Śrāddhas.

ततो भुक्तवतां तेषां विप्राणामिल्वलोऽब्रवीत्। वातापे निष्क्रमस्वेति स्वरेण महता वदन्॥
Then when the Vipras had fed, Ilvala said'uttering a loud sound, O Vātāpi; come out.'

ततो भ्रातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा वातापिर्मेषवन्नदन्। भित्त्वा भित्त्वा शरीराणि ब्राह्मणानां विनिष्पतत्। ५९
Hearing his brother's words, Vātāpi, bleating like a sheep, came out, riving their bodies.

ब्राह्मणानां सहस्राणि तैरेवं कामरूपिभिः। विनाशितानि संहत्य नित्यशः पिशिताशनैः॥
In this way, thousands of Brāhmaṇas gathered together, were destroyed by flesh eating ones wearing shapes at will.

अगस्त्येन तदा देवैः प्रार्थितेन महर्षिणा। अनुभूय किल श्राद्धे भक्षितः स महासुरः॥
(And it came to pass that once upon a time) the Maharși Agastya, having been invited to a Sraddha, fed on the mighty Asura.

ततः सम्पन्नमित्युक्त्वा दत्त्वा हस्तेऽवनेजनम्। भ्रातरं निष्क्रमस्वेति इल्वलः समभाषत ॥
Thereupon uttering Finished' and offering water to wash hands with, Ilvala said to his brother, 'Come out'!

स तदा भाषमाणं तु भ्रातरं विप्रघातिनम्। अब्रवीत् प्रहसन् धीमानगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः॥
And, as that brother of Vātãpi, given to slaughtering Vipras was speaking thus, that foremost of ascetics, the intelligent Agastya, said with a laugh,

कुतो निष्क्रमितुं शक्तिर्मया जीर्णस्य रक्षसः। भ्रातुस्तु मेषरूपस्य गतस्य यमसादनम्॥
'Where is the power of coming out, of the Rākṣasa, your brother wearing the shape of a sheep, who has gone to Yama's abode?'

अथ तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भ्रातुर्निधनसंश्रितम्। प्रधर्षयितुमारेभे मुनि क्रोधान्निशाचरः॥
Hearing his words, from wrath the ranger of the night prepared to assail the ascetic, and he rushed against that foremost of the twice-born ones.

सोऽभ्यद्रवद् द्विजेन्द्रं तं मुनिना दीप्ततेजसा। चक्षुषाऽनलकल्पेन निर्दग्धो निधनं गतः॥
And, being consumed by that ascetic of flaming energy with his eyes resembling fire, the Rākşasa met his end.

तस्यायमाश्रमो भ्रातुस्तटाकवनशोभितः। विप्रानुकम्पया येन कर्मेदं दुष्करं कृतम्॥
This asylum graced with pools and groves belongs to the brother of him who has performed this arduous feat from compassion for the Vipras'.

एवं कथयमानस्य तस्य सौमित्रिणा सह। रामस्यास्तं गतः सूर्यः संध्याकालोऽभ्यवर्तत॥
As Rāma was thus conversing with Sumitra's son, the sun set and evening approached.

उपास्य पश्चिमां संध्यां सह भ्रात्रा यथाविधि। प्रविवेशाश्रमपदं तमृषिं चाभ्यवादयत्॥
Then, duly performing his afternoon adorations along with his brother, Rāma entered the hermitage, and saluted the ascetic.

सम्यकप्रतिगृहीतस्तु मुनिना तेन राघवः। न्यवसत् तां निशामेकां प्रास्य मूलफलानि च॥
Well received by the ascetic, Rāghava spent there a night, eating fruits and roots.

तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामुदिते रविमण्डले। भ्रातरं तमगस्त्यस्य आमन्त्रयत राघवः। ७१ ।।
When the night had passed away, and solar disc arose, Rāghava greeted Agastya's brother.

अभिवादये त्वां भगवन् सुखमस्म्युषितो निशाम्। आमन्त्रये त्वां गच्छामि गुरुं ते द्रष्टुमग्रजम् ॥
O reverend Sir, I salute you. I have pleasantly passed the night. I greet you; I shall go to behold my preceptor, your elder brother.

गम्यतामिति तेनोक्तो जगाम रघुनन्दनः। यथोद्दिष्टेन मार्गेण वनं तच्चावलोकयन्॥
Thereat on the ascetic's saying, 'Go you,' the descendant of Raghu went away by the prescribed route.

नीवारान् पनसान् सालान् वञ्जुलांस्तिनिशांस्तथा। चिरिबिल्वान् मधूकांश्च बिल्वानथ च तिन्दुकान्॥ पुष्पितान् पुष्पिताग्राभिलताभिरुपशोभितान्। ददर्श रामः शतशस्तत्र कान्तारपादपान्॥ हस्तिहस्तैर्विमृदितान् वानरैरूपसोभितान्। मत्तैः शकुनिसबैश्च शतशः प्रतिनादितान्॥
And Rāma viewed the forest, and Nivāra, and Panasa, and Sal, Vanjula and Tinisa, and Ciribilva, and Madhuka. And Bilva, and Tinduka, all in full flower, and graced with blossoming creepers, and trees in the wood by hundreds, roughly handled by elephants with their trunks, and graced by monkeys, and resounding with the voices of an hundred maddened warblers.

ततोऽब्रवीत् समीपस्थं रामो राजीवलोचनः। पृष्ठतोऽनुगतं वीरं लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्॥
Then the lotus-eyed Rāma said to that enhancer of auspiciousness, the heroic Laks maņa, who was by him, and was following him at his back,

स्निग्धपत्रा यथा वृक्षा यथा क्षान्ता मृगद्विजाः। आश्रमो नातिदूरस्थो महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः॥
The leaves of these trees are glossy, and the beasts and birds are mild, even as (we had been told). This asylum of the pure-hearted Maharsi must not be far.

अगस्त्य इति विख्यातो लोके स्वेनैव कर्मणा। आश्रमो दृश्यते तस्य परिश्रान्तश्रमापहः॥ प्राज्यधूमाकुलवनश्चीरमालापरिष्कृतः। प्रशान्तमृगयूथश्च नानाशकुनिनादितः॥
This asylum capable of removing the fatigue of the weary, belonging to him that is known among men as Agastya by his own acts, is seen, with the (neighbouring woods) filled with smoke, and itself decorated with bark and wreaths, containing herds of mild deer, and ringing with the notes of various birds.

निगृह्य तरसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया। दक्षिणा दिक् कृता येन शरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा ॥ तस्येदमाश्रमपदं प्रभावाद् यस्य राक्षसैः। दिगियं दक्षिणा त्रासाद् दृश्यते नोपभुज्यते॥
This is the asylum of that pious one, who destroying (the Asura resembling) Death, has, desirous of the welfare of mankind, rendered the Southern quarter habitable, and through whose potency the Rākşasas from fear barely cast their eyes in this direction, but do not approach.

यदाप्रभृति चाक्रान्ता दिगियं पुण्यकर्मणा। तदाप्रभृति निर्वैराः प्रशान्ता रजनीचराः॥
Ever since that one of pious ways possessed himself of this quarter, the rangers of the night have foregone their hostility, and assumed a peaceful attitude.

नाम्ना चेयं भगवतो दक्षिणा दिक्प्रदक्षिणा। प्रथिता त्रिषु लोकेषु दुर्धर्षा क्रुरकर्मभिः॥
This Southern quarter rendered safe (by Agastya), and incapable of being harassed by those ones of tortuous ways, is created over the three worlds in connection with the name of the reverend ascetic.

मार्ग निरोद्धं सततं भास्करस्याचलोत्तमः। संदेसं पालयंस्तस्य विन्ध्यशैलो नि वर्धते ॥ अयं दीर्घायुषस्तस्य लोके विश्रुतकर्मणः। अगस्त्यस्याश्रमः श्रीमान् विनीतमृगसेवितः॥
This graceful asylum ranged by mild beasts belongs to that long-lived one of renowned achievements, Agastya, in obedience to whose command, the Vindhya mountain-foremost of its kind, which had always obstructed the way of the Sun, does not increase.

एष लोकार्चितः साधुर्हिते नित्यं रतः सताम्। अस्मानधिगतानेष श्रेयसा योजयिष्यति॥
This pious one honoured of men, ever engaged in the welfare of the righteous, shall do good to us, who have come to him.

आराधयिष्याम्यत्राहमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम्। शेषं च वनवासस्य सौम्य वत्स्याम्यहं प्रभो।।८८।
I shall adore the mighty ascetic, Agastya, and, O mild one, O master, here pass away the remainder of the term of my banishment.

अत्र देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। अगस्त्यं नियताहाराः सततं पर्युपासते ॥
Here celestials with the Gandharvas, and Siddhas and eminent saints, observing restrictions in respect of food, aye adore Agastya.

नात्र जीवेन्मृषावादी क्रुरो वा यदि वा शठः। नृशंसः पापवृत्तो वा मुनिरेष तथाविधः॥
And the ascetic is such that a liar cannot live here, nor a cunning or a crafty person, nor a wicked wight, nor one that is given to unrighteousness.

अत्र देवाश्च यक्षाश्च नागाश्च पतगैः सह। वसन्ति नियताहारा धर्ममाराधयिष्णवः॥
And adoring righteousness, celestials, and Yaksas, and Nagas, and birds, live here restricting their fare.

अत्र सिद्धा महात्मानो विमानैः सूर्यसंनिभैः। त्यक्त्वा देहान् नवैर्देहै: स्वर्याताः परमर्षयः॥
And high-souled Siddhas and eminent saints, renouncing their bodies, repair to the celestial regions in cars resembling the sun.

यक्षत्वममरत्वं च राज्यानि विविधानि च। अत्र देवाः प्रयच्छन्ति भूतैराराधिताः शुभैः॥
And adored by auspicious individuals, the deities here confer on them the states of Yakşas and celestials, and divers kingdoms.

आगताः स्माश्रमपदं सौमित्रे प्रविशाग्रतः। निवेदयेह मां. प्राप्तमृषये सह सीतया॥
Sumitra's son, entering the asylum before us, do you announce to the saints that I along with Sītā, have arrived here.