स प्रविश्याश्रमपदं लक्ष्मणो राघवानुजः। अगस्त्यशिष्यमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह॥
Having entered the asylum, Räghava's younger brother, Lakşmana, coming to a disciple of Agastya, spoke to him.
राजा दशरथो नाम ज्येष्ठस्तस्य सुतो बली। रामः प्राप्तो मुनिं द्रष्टुं भार्यया सह सीतया ॥ लक्ष्मणो नाम तस्याहं भ्राता त्ववरजो हितः। अनुकूलश्च भक्तश्च यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः॥
There was a king, named Dasaratha. His eldest son, the strong Rāma, has come (to this asylum) along with his wife, Sītā, for seeing the ascetic. Named Lakşmaņa, I am his younger brother, obedient and devoted to him. you may have heard of it.
ते वयं वनमत्युग्रं प्रविष्टाः पिदृशासनात्। द्रष्टुमिच्छामहे सर्वे भगवन्तं निवेद्यताम्॥
Having entered this horrid forest, in consonance with the mandate of our sire, we desire to see the reverend one. Tell this to him.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणस्य तपोधनः। तथेत्युक्त्वाऽग्निशरणं प्रविवेश निवेदितुम्॥
Hearing Laksmana's words, that ascetic, saying, “So be it," entered the chamber of the sacrificial fire, for the purpose of communicating (the news to Agastya).
स प्रविश्य मुनिश्रेष्ठं तमसा दुषप्रधर्षणम्। कृताञ्जलिरुवाचेदं रामागमनमञ्जसा॥ यथोक्तं लक्ष्मणेनैव शिष्योऽगस्त्यस्य सम्मतः।
Entering in, Agastya's beloved disciple, with joined hands communicated to that foremost of ascetics, incapable of being repressed*, exactly what Laksmana had told him, *Some texts:-Effulgent.
पुत्रौ दशरथस्येमौ रामो लक्ष्मण एव च॥ प्रविष्टावाश्रमपदं सीतया सह भार्यया। द्रष्टुं भवन्तमायातौ शुश्रूषार्थमरिंदमौ॥ यदत्रानन्तरं तत् त्वमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि।
For seeing the reverend one, and serving him as well, those subduers of their foes, Dasaratha's sons, Rama and Laksmana, accompanied by Sītā, have entered this asylum. It now behoves you to command what is to be done next.
ततः शिष्यादुपश्रुत्य प्राप्तं रामं सलक्ष्मणम्॥ वैदेहीं च महाभागामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।
Hearing from his disciple that Rāma had come along with Lakşmaņa and the highly virtuous Vaidehi, Agastya said,
दिष्ट्या रामश्चिरस्याद्य द्रष्टुं मां समुपागतः॥ मनसा काङ्कितं ह्यस्य मयाप्यागमनं प्रति। गम्यतां सत्कृतो रामः सभार्यः सहलक्ष्मणः॥
By luck it is that after a long time, Rāma has come to see me. I had mentally wished for his arrival. Go you; and let Rāma, having been respectfully received, come before me. Why have you not brought himself?
प्रवेस्यतां समीपं मे किमसौ न प्रवेशितः। एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना धर्मज्ञेन महात्मना॥ अभिवाद्याब्रवीच्छिष्यस्तथेति नियताञ्जलिः।
Thus addressed by the high-souled and righteous ascetic, the disciple saluting him, with joined hands, said, So be it.
तदा निष्क्रम्य सम्भ्रान्तः शिष्यो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्॥ कोऽसौ रामो मुनिं द्रष्टुमेतु प्रविशतु स्वयम्।
Then issuing out, the disciple said to Laks mana, Where is Rama? Let him come and enter in.
ततो गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं शिष्येण सह लक्ष्मणः ॥ दर्शयामासकाकुत्स्थं सीतां च जनकात्मजाम् ।
Threat, going to the asylum in company with the disciple (of Agastya), Laksmana showed to him Kākutstha and the daughter of Janaka, Sītā.
तं शिष्यः प्रश्रितं वाक्यमगस्त्यवचनं ब्रुवन्॥ प्रावेशयद् यथान्यायं सत्काराहँ सुसत्कृतम्।
Then joyfully communicating to Rāma the words of the reverend one, the disciple (of Agastya) duly took in that one worthy of being honoured.
प्रविवेश ततो राम: सीतया सह लक्ष्मणः॥ प्रशान्तहरिणाकीर्णमाश्रमं ावलोकयन्। स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च॥
And seeing the asylum teeming with mild deer, Rama entered in with Laksmana and Sita. And there Rāma beheld the place of Brahmä, and that of Agni,
विष्णो: स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च॥ धातुर्विधातुः स्थानं च वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः॥ स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च नागराजस्य गरुडस्थानमेव च॥ कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।
That of Vişnu, and that of the great Indra, the place of Vivasvat, and that of Soma, and that of Bhaga, and that of Dhātā and Vidhătā, and that of Vayu, and that of the high-souled Varuna having the noose in his hand, and that of Gāyatri and that of the Vasus, and that of the monarch of the Nāgas, and that of Garuda, and that of Kārtikeya, and that of Dharma.
ततः शिष्यैः परिवृतौ मुनिरष्यभिनिषपतत्॥ तं ददर्शाग्रतो रामो मुनीनां दीप्ततेजसम्। अब्रवीद् वचनं वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्॥
And it came to pass that, surrounded by his disciples, the ascetic came (before Rāma). And Rāma saw that one of flaming energy at the head of the ascetics, and the hero said to Lakşınana, enhancer of auspiciousness.
बहिर्लक्ष्मण निष्क्रामत्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। औदार्येणावगच्छामि निधानं तपसामिमम्॥
O Laksmana, the revered saint, Agastya, is coming out. I recognize that mass of asceticism by a certain kind of majesty (that characterises him).
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुरगस्त्यं सूर्यवर्चसम्। जग्राहापततस्तस्य पादौ च रघुनन्दनः॥
Having said this touching Agastya of the splendour of the sun, that son of Raghu took hold of his feet.
अभिवाद्य तु धर्मात्मा तस्थौ रामः कृताञ्जलिः। सीतया सह वैदेहा तदा रामः सलक्ष्मणः॥
Then, having paid him homage, Rama with joined hands stood there in company with Videha's daughter, Sītā, and Lakşmaņa.
प्रतिगृह्य च काकुत्स्थमर्चयित्वाऽऽसनोदकैः। कुशलप्रश्नमुक्त्वा च आसयतामिति सोऽब्रवीत्॥
Thereat, embracing Rāma and honouring him with water and a seat, and asking him questions anent his welfare, the saint said, Welcome!
अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथीन् प्रतिपूज्य च। वानप्रस्थेन धर्मेण स तेषां भोजनं ददौ ॥ प्रथमं चोपविश्याथ धर्मज्ञो मुनिपुङ्गवः। उवाच राममासीनं प्राञ्जलिं धर्मकोविदम्॥ अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथिं प्रतिपूजयेत्। अन्यथा खलु काकुत्स्थ तपस्वी समुदाचरन्। दुःसाक्षीव परे लोके स्वानि मांसानि भक्षयेत् ॥
Offering oblations to the fire, and presenting Arghya to the guests, and paying them homage, that ascetic entertained them with food in accordance with the Vānaprastha mode of life; and then first sitting down, that foremost of ascetics, the pious Agastya, addressed Rāma cognizant of righteousness, staying with joined hands, O Kākutstha, if an ascetic acts otherwise (in respect of a guest), he in the next world feeds on his own flesh, like a false witness.
राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य धर्मचारी महारथः। पूजनीयश्च मान्यश्च भवान् प्राप्तः प्रियातिथिः॥
The sovereign of all the worlds, righteous, a mighty car warrior, worthy of being honoured and worshipped, you have become our beloved guest.
एवमुक्त्वा फलैर्मूलैः पुष्पैश्चान्यैश्च राघवम्। पूजयित्वा यथाकामं ततोऽगस्त्यस्तमब्रवीत्॥
Having said this, Agastya, according to his desire, worshipping Rāghava with fruits, roots and flowers, said to him,
इदं दिव्यं महच्चापं हेमवज्रविभूषितम्। वैष्णवं पुरुषव्याघ्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा॥ अमोघः सूर्यसंकाशो ब्रह्मदत्तः शरोत्तमः। दत्तौ मम महेन्द्रेण तूणी चाक्षय्यसायकौ॥ सम्पूर्णौ निशितैर्बाणैवलद्भिरिव पावकैः। महाराजतकोशोऽयमसिहेमविभूषितः॥
O foremost of men, this mighty, celestial bow belonging to Vişnu, and constructed by Visvakarma, and this best of arrows (named) Brahmadatta, infallible and resembling the sun and this inexhaustible couple of quivers filled with sharpened shafts, like to flaming fire, were granted to me by the mighly Indra. And here is this mighty golden scabbard, and this sword decked in gold.
अनेन धनुषा राम हत्वा संख्ये महासुरान्। आजहार श्रियं दीप्तां पुरा विष्णुर्दिवौकसाम् ॥ तद्धनुस्तौ च तूणी च शरं खङ्गं च मानद। जयाय प्रतिगृह्णष्व वज्रं वज्रधरो यथा॥
Having, O Rama, slain the mighty Asuras with this bow, Vişņu in days of yorc in battle secured the effulgent Fortune of the celestials. O bestower of honour, do you for securing victory, take this bow, these quivers, this arrow, and this scimitar, like the holder of the thunderbolt, taking the same.
एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः समस्तं तद्वरायुधम्। दत्त्वा रामाय भगवानगस्त्यः पुनरब्रवीत् ॥
Having said this, that highly energetic one, the reverend Agastya, consigning to Rāma all those weapon, again said. SCCTION 13
राम प्रीतोऽस्मि भद्रं ते परितुष्टोऽस्मि लक्ष्मण। अभिवादयितुं यन्मां प्राप्तौ स्थः सह सीतया॥ अध्वश्रमेण वां खेदो बाधते प्रचुरश्रमः। व्यक्तमुत्कण्ठते वापि मैथिली जनकात्मजा ॥
'O Rāma, I am pleased with you; good betide you! And, O Laksmana, I am gratified by you. You are in trouble in consequence of the great fatigue that you have undergone on the way. And Janaka's daughter, the noble Maithili, is evidently cager (for rest).
एषा च सुकुमारी च खेदैश्च न विमानिता। प्राज्यदोषं वनं प्राप्ता भर्तृस्नेहप्रचोदिता॥
Of tender years and unkn wn to hardship, she has come to the forest rife with troubles, being urged by the love she bears to her lord.
यथैषा रमते राम इह सीता तथा कुरु। दुष्करं कृतवत्येषा वने त्वामभिगच्छती॥
Do you, O Rāma, conduct yourself so, that Sītā may find a pleasant time of it. By fcllowing you to the forest, it is a hard task that she is performing.
एषा हि प्रकृतिः स्त्रीणामा सृष्टे रघुनन्दन । समस्थमनुरज्यन्ते विषमस्थं त्य नन्ति च ॥
O son of Raghu, this has been the nature of the fair sex from the commencement of creation, that they gladden him that is well off, and forsake a person in adversity.
शतहदानां लोलत्वं शस्त्राणां तीक्ष्णतां तथा। गरुडानिलयोः शैघ्यमनुगच्छन्ति योषितः॥
And women imitate the instability of lightning, the sharpness of weapons, and the celerity of Garuda and the wind.
इयं तु भवतो भार्या दोषैरेतैर्विवर्जिता। श्लाघ्या च व्यपदेश्या च यथा देवेष्वरुन्धती॥
But this wife of yours is absolutely free from all these defects; she is worthy of being extolled and the foremost of those devoted to their lord, like Arundhati among the gods.
अलंकृतोऽयं देशश्च यत्र सौमित्रिणा सह। वैदेह्या चानया राम वत्स्यसि त्वमरिंदम॥
This region, O Rāma, will be adorned, since, O subduer of enemies, you along with Vaidehī and Sumitra's son, will dwell here.
एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना राघवः संयताञ्जलिः। उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यमृषि दीप्तमिवानलम्॥
Thus addressed by the ascetic, Rāghava, joining his hands, humbly observed to that saint resembling flaming fire,
धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यस्य मे मुनिपुंगवः। गुणैः सभ्रातृभार्यस्य गुरुर्नः परितुष्यति॥
Blessed and beholden am I, since the foremost of ascetics is gratified with my merits as well as with those of my brother and wife.
किं तु व्यादिश मे देशं सोदकं बहुकाननम्। यत्राश्रमपदं कृत्वा वसेयं निरतः सुखम्॥
Do you now direct me to a country well watered, and abounding in woods, where rearing an asylum, 1 may dwell delightfully and pleasantly.
ततोऽब्रवीन्मुनिश्रेष्ठः श्रुत्वा रामस्य भाषितम्। ध्यात्वा मुहुर्तं धर्मात्मा ततोवाच वचः शुभम्॥
Hearing Rāma's words, that best of ascetics, reflecting for a while, spoke these excellent words.
इतो द्वियोजने तात बहुमूलफलोदकः। देशो बहुमृगः श्रीमान् पञ्चवट्यभिविश्रुतः॥
Two Yojanas hence, my child, is a region abounding in fruits and roots, containing countless deer, and beautiful-known by the name of Pancavați.
तत्र गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं कृत्वा सौमित्रिणा सह। रमस्व त्वं पितुर्वाक्यं यथोक्तमनुपालयन्॥
Repairing thither, do you, rearing an asylum, pass your time pleasantly in company with Sumitrā's son, duly doing the mandate of your sire.
विदितो ह्येष वृत्तान्तो मम सर्वस्तवानघ। तपसश्च प्रभावेण स्नेहाद् दशरथस्य च।१५।।
O sinless one, all this news relating to yourself, has from affection been known to me through the potency of my asceticism, as also that relating to Dasaratha.
हृदयस्थं च ते च्छन्दो विज्ञातं तपसा मया। इह वासं प्रतिज्ञाय मया सह तपोवने ॥
Although you have promised to dwell with me in this ascetic grove, yet by virtue of my asceticism I know the desire that is in your heart.
अतश्च त्वामहं ब्रूमि गच्छ पञ्चवटीमिति। स हि रम्यो वनोद्देशो मैथिली तत्र रंस्यते॥
I therefore tell you, repair to Pancavati. That is a charining woodland, and there Mithila's daughter shall dwell with delight.
स देशः श्लाघनीयश्च नातिदूरे च राघव । गोदावर्याः समीपे च मैथिली तत्र रंस्यते॥
And that tract is worthy of all praise, and, O Rāghava, it is not distant from here. It is in the vicinity of the Godāvarī. Mithilā's daughter shall live there agreeably.
प्राज्यमूलफलैश्चैव नानाद्विजगणैर्युतः। विविक्तश्च महाबाहो पुण्यो रम्यस्तथैव च॥
And that spot abounds in fruits and roots, is frequented by various fowls, is retired, O mighty-armed one, and is sacred and beautiful.
भवानपि सदाचारः शक्तश्च परिरक्षणे। अपि चात्र वसन् राम तापसान् पालयिष्यसि॥
And you of pure ways, and competent to protect the ascetics, shall, O Rāma protect them.
एतदालक्ष्यते वीर मधूकानां महावनम्। उत्तरेणास्य गन्तव्यं न्यग्रोधमपि गच्छता॥ ततः स्थलमुपारुह्य पर्वतस्याविदूरतः। ख्यातः पञ्चवटीत्येव नित्यपुष्पितकाननः॥
O hero, yonder is the mighty wood of Madhūkas. Directing your course to the asylum of Nyagrodha trees, go by the north of this Madhūka wood. Then arriving at a spot hard by a hill, (you will) come upon the celebrated Pañcavați, crowned with blossoming woods.
अगस्त्येनैवमुक्तस्तु रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। सत्कृत्यामन्त्रयामास तमृषि सत्यवादिनम्॥
Thus accosted by Agastya, Rāma along with Sumitra's son, honouring the truth-speaking saint, greeted him.
तौ तु तेनाभ्यनुज्ञातौ कृतपादाभिवन्दनौ। तमाश्रमं पञ्चवटी जग्मतुः सह सीतया॥
Then, having saluted his feet, they, taking the saint's permission, set out along with Sītā for the hermitage of Pañcavați.
गृहीतचापौ तु नराधिपात्मजौ विषक्ततूणी समरेष्वकातरौ। यथोपदिष्टेन पथा महर्षिणा प्रजग्मतुः पञ्चवटीं समाहितौ॥
And, taking their bows and quivers those sons of the king, of undiminished martial virtue, with intent minds bent their course to Pañcavați by the way laid down by the Maharși.