अथाब्रवीन्मुनि रामः कथं ते भ्रातरो भने। कीदृशं तु तदा ब्रह्मस्तपस्तेपुर्महाबलाः॥
Then Rāma spoke to the ascetic, O Brahmana, how did those exceedingly mighty brothers carry on austerities in that forest; and what kind of penances was theirs?
अगस्त्यस्त्वब्रवीत्तत्र रामं सुप्रीतमानसम्। तांस्तान्धर्मविधींस्तत्र भ्रातरस्ते समाविशन्॥
Thereat there Agastya said to Rāma of a complacent mind, “The brothers severally observed the morality proper to each.”
कुम्भकर्णस्ततो यत्तो नित्यं धर्मपथे स्थितः। तताप ग्रीष्मकाले तु पञ्चागनीन्परितः स्थितः॥ मेधाम्बुसिक्तो वर्षासु वीरासनमसेवत। नित्यं च शिशिरे काले जलमध्यप्रतिश्रयः॥
And Kumbhakarņa, putting forth his best energies, constantly abode in the path of righteousness, and remaining in the midst of five fires in summer, he practised austerities, and in the rainy season, soaked in water (poured down) by clouds, he sat in the heroic attitude.* And in winter he always remained in the water. *Hindu Yogis practise various attitudes, which are favourable to the regulation of respiration.
एवं वर्षसहस्राणि दश तस्यापचक्रमुः। धर्मे प्रयतमानस्य सत्पथे निष्ठितस्य च॥
Thus passed away ten thousand of that one putting forth exertions in behalf of religion, and established in the path of honesty.
विभीषणस्तु धर्मात्मा नित्यं धर्मपरः शुचिः। पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि पादेनैकेन तस्थिवान्॥
The virtuous Vibhīşaņa, ever intent on virtue and pure of spirit, remained standing on one leg for five thousand years.
समाप्ते नियमे तस्य ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः। पपात पुष्पवर्षं च तुष्टवुश्चापि देवताः।७।।
When he had completed (his term of restriction), swarms of apsaras danced, and blossoms showered, and the deities hymned (him).
पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि सूर्यं चैवान्ववर्तत। तस्थौ चोर्ध्वशिरोबाहुः स्वाध्याये धृतमानसः॥
And for five thousand years, he adored the Sun, and with his mind concentrated in the study of the Veda, remained with his head and hands raised up.
एवं विभीषणस्यापि स्वर्गस्थस्येव नन्दने। दशवर्षसहस्राणि गतानि नियतात्मनः॥
In this wise Vibhīşaņa like a deity in Nandana passed away ten thousand years, observing restrictions.
दशर्वषसहस्रं तु निराहारो दशाननः। पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे तु शिरश्चाग्नौ जुहाव सः॥
The ten-necked passed ten thousand years without fare. On a thousand years being complete, he offered his own head as a sacrifice to Fire.
एवं वर्षसहस्राणि नव तस्यातिचक्रमुः। शिरांसि नव चाप्यस्य प्रविष्टानि हुताशनम्॥
In this way, he passed away nine thousand years, and nine of his heads entered into Fire.
अथ वर्षसहस्त्रे तु दशमे दशमं शिरः। छेत्तुकामे दशग्रीवे प्राप्तस्तत्र पितामहः॥
And as in the tenth year he intended to strike off his tenth head, the Great-father (Brahmā) presented himself at that place.
पितामहस्तु सुप्रीतः सार्धं देवैरुपस्थितः। तव तावद्दशग्रीव प्रीतोऽस्मीत्यभ्यभाषत॥
Well-pleased, the Pitamaha Brahmā came there along with the celestials. 'O Ten-necked one,' said (the Great-father), 'I am well-pleased with you.
शीघ्रं वरय धर्मज्ञ वरो यस्तेऽभिकाङ्कितः। कं ते कामं करोम्यद्य न वृथा ते परिश्रमः॥
Do you, O cognisant of righteousness, at once ask for the boon that you wish to have. What wish of your shall I realise? Your toil must not go for nothing.
अथाब्रवीद्दशग्रीवः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना। प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं हर्षगद्गदया गिरा॥
Thereat, the Ten-necked one, bowing down his head to the deity, said with a delighted heart, his words faltering with ecstasy.
भगवन्प्राणिनां नित्यं नान्यत्र मरणाद्भयम्। नास्ति मृत्युसमः शत्रुरमरत्वमहं वृणे॥
O reverend one, creatures have no other fear than (that of) death; and enemy there is none that is like to death. Therefore immortality is even what I crave for.
एवमुक्तस्तदा ब्रह्मा दशग्रीवमुवाच ह। नास्ति सर्वामरत्वं ते वरमन्यं वृणीष्व मे॥
Thus accosted, Brahma spoke to the Tennecked one, 'You can not be immortal. Do you therefore ask of me some other boon.'
एवमुक्ते तदा राम ब्रह्मणा लोककर्तृणा। दशग्रीव उवाचेदं कृताञ्जलिरथाग्रतः॥
Thus addressed by the creator, Brahma, the Ten-necked one, O Rāma, standing before him with joined hands, said.
सुपर्णनागयक्षाणां दैत्यदानवरक्षसाम्। अवध्योऽहं प्रजाध्यक्ष देवतानां च शाश्वत ॥ नहि चिन्ता ममान्येषु प्राणिष्वमरपूजित। तृणभूता हि ते मन्ये प्राणिनो मानुषादयः॥
O lord of creatures, I would, O external one, he incapable of being slain by birds and serpents, Yaksas, Daityas, Danavas and Raksasas, and the deities; for, O you that are worshipped by the immortals, anxiety I have none from any other beings. Indeed, I deem as straw creatures such as men etc.
एवमुक्तस्तु धर्मात्मा दशग्रीवेण रक्षसा। उवाच वचनं देवः सह देवैः पितामहः॥
Thus accosted by the Rākşasa the Ten-necked one-that righteous-souled one, the great-father, along with the celestials, said.
भविष्यत्येवमेतत्ते वचो राक्षसपुङ्गव । एवमुक्त्वा तु तं गम दशग्रीवं पितामहः॥
O foremost of Rākşasas, what you say shall come to pass. Having O Rāma, said this to the Ten-necked one, the Great-father (again spoke), Hear!
शृणु चापि वरो भूयः प्रीतस्येह शुभो मम। हुतानि यानि शीर्षाणि पूर्वमग्नौ त्वयानघ॥ पुनस्तानि भविष्यन्ति तथैव तव राक्षस। वितरामीह ते सौम्य वरं चान्यं दुरासदम्॥ छन्दतस्तव रूपं च मनसा यद्यथेप्सितम्।
I, having been gratified, will confer on you a fresh boon. O Raksasa, O sinless one, those heads of your which have been offered as sacrifices and which have sunk, into the fire, shall again be your. And, a placid one, I shall also confer on you another boon difficult of being obtained, The form that you shall wish to wear, shall instantly be yours.
एवं पितामहोक्तं च दशग्रीवस्य रक्षसः॥ अग्नौ हुतानि शीर्षाणि पुनस्तान्युत्थितानि वै।
As soon as the Ten-necked Rākṣasa had spoken, thus, the heads that had been offered as sacrifices into the fire, rose up again.
एवमुक्त्वा तु तं राम दशग्रीवं पितामहः॥ विभीषणमथोवाच वाक्यं लोकपितामहः।
Having said this to the Ten-necked one, the. great sire of all creatures addressed Vibhīşana, saying.
विभीषण त्वया वत्स धर्मसंहितबुद्धिना॥ पतितुष्टोऽस्मि धर्मात्मन्वरं वरय सुव्रत।
O Vibhisana, gratified have I been by you, whose intelligence is established in righteousness. Therefore, my child, O righteoussouled one, O you of excellent vows, ask for the boon that you would have.
विभीषणस्तु धर्मात्मा वचनं प्राह साञ्जलिः॥ वृतः सर्वगुणैर्नित्यं चन्द्रमा रश्मिभिर्यथा। भगवन्कृतकृत्योऽहं यन्मे लोकगुरुः स्वयम्॥ प्रीतेन यदि दातव्यो वरो मे शृणु सुव्रत ।
Thereat the virtuous Vibhīşaņa spoke with joined hands, 'O reverend one, since the spiritual preceptor of all creatures himself (is pleased) with me, I (deem myself) as furnished with every perfection, even as the Moon is envisioned with rays. If you will bestow on me a boon with pleasure, then, O you of excellent vows, hear of the boon that I would have.
परमापद्गतस्यापि धर्मे मम मतिर्भवेत्॥ अशिक्षितं च ब्रह्मास्त्रं भगवन्प्रतिभातु मे।
May my mind remained fast fixed on righteousness, even when I shall happen to fall into high peril; and may I attain Brahma knowledge without any instructions!
या या मे जायते बुद्धिर्येषु येष्वाश्रमेषु च॥ सा सा भवतु धर्मिष्ठा तं तं धर्म च पालये। एष मे परमोदार वरः परमको मतः॥ नहि धर्माभिरक्तानां लोके किंचन दुर्लभम्। पुनः प्रजापतिः प्रीतो विभीषणमुवाच ह॥
And inay every sense of mine sprung during the observance of particular modes of life, be in unison with righteousness, so that I may practice the form of religion (in harmony with any particular mode of life !) O exceedingly noble one, this best of boons, is even what is sought for by me, for nothing in this world is incapable of being attained by those attached to righteousness.' Then the lord of creatures, being again delighted, spoke to Vibhīşaņa.
धर्मिष्ठ त्वं यथा वत्स तथा चैतद्भविष्यति। यस्माद्राक्षसयोनौ ते जातस्यामित्रनाशन॥ नाधर्मे जायते बुद्धिरमरत्वं ददामि ते। इत्युक्त्वा कुम्भकर्णाय वरं दातुमवस्थितम्॥
As you are virtuous, so all this shall come to pass on your behalf. And inasmuch as in spite of your having been born in the Rākṣasa race, your thoughts, ( destroyer of enemies, do not originate in sin, I confer on the immortality. Having said this, he intended to grant boons to Kumbhakarna.
प्रजापतिं सुराः सर्वे वाक्यं प्राञ्जलयोऽब्रुवन्। न तावत्कुम्भकर्णाय प्रदातव्यो वरस्त्वया॥ जानीषे हि यथा लोकांस्त्रासयत्येष दुर्मतिः।
Thereat the celestials in a body represented to the lord of creatures with joined hands. 'On Kumbhakarņa you should confer no boons, since you know in what manner does this wickedminded one frighten people.
नन्दनेऽप्सरसः सप्त महेन्द्रानुचरा दश॥ अनेन भक्षिता ब्रह्मऋषयो मानुषास्तथा।
And, O Brāhmaṇa, even Apsarās in Nandana, ten attendants of Mahendra, as well as sages and human beings, have been devoured by this one.
अलब्धवरपूर्णेन यत्कृतं राक्षसेन तु॥ यद्येष वरलब्धः स्याद्भक्षयेद्भुवनत्रयम्।
Considering what this Rākşasa did when he had not obtained any boon whatever, if he obtain one now, he shall eat up the three worlds.
वरव्याजेन मोहोऽस्मै दीयताममितप्रभ॥ लोकानां स्वस्ति चैवं स्याद्भवेदस्य च संमतिः।
Do you then, o lord having immeasurable prowess, pretending to give him a boon, give stupefaction (instead). Thereby the welfare of the people would be secured, and the honour of this one too shall be maintained.
एवमुक्तः सुरैर्ब्रह्माचिन्तयत्पद्मसंभवः॥ चिन्तिता चोपतस्थेऽस्य पार्श्व देवी सरस्वती।
Thus addressed by the celestials, Brahmā, the Lotus-sprung one, pondered. The goddess, Sarasvatī, who was by his side was also agitated by anxiety.
प्राञ्जलिः सा तु पार्श्वस्था प्राह वाक्यं सरस्वती॥ इयमस्म्यागता देव किं कार्य करवाण्यहम्।
And remaining by him, Sarasvatī with joined hands observed, 'O god, I have come here. What work shall I accomplish?'
प्रजापतिस्तुं तां प्राप्तां प्राह वाक्यं सरस्वतीम्॥ वाणि त्वं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य भव वाग्देवतेप्सिता।
And the lord of creatures, on having her, spoke to Sarasvatī,' O Vāņi!' be you the goddess of speech of this foremost of Rākşasas, favourable to the deities. 1. Lit. word, a designation of Saraswati. 2. i.e. preside over Kumbhakarna's speech while asking for the boon, and let him, through your power, ask for such a gift as may turn our profitable to the gods.
तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रविष्टा सा प्रजापतिरथाब्रवीत्॥ कुम्भकर्ण महाबाहो वरं वरय यो मतः।
Having said, 'So be it,' she entered (within Kumbhakarna's throat); and Prajapati said,' O Kumbhakarma, O mighty-armed one, do you ask for the boon that you would have.
कुम्भकर्णस्तु तद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा वचनमब्रवीत्॥ स्वप्तुं वर्षाण्यनेकानि देवदेव ममेप्सितम्। एवमस्त्विति तं चोक्त्वा प्रायाद्ब्रह्मा सुरैः समम् ।।४५ । देवी सरस्वती चैव राक्षसं तं जहौ पुनः। ब्रह्मणा सह देवेषु गतेषु च नभःस्थलम्॥ विमुक्तोऽसौ सरस्वत्या स्वां संज्ञां च ततो गतः। कुम्भकर्णस्तु दुष्टात्मा चिन्तयामास दुःखितः॥
Hearing those words, Kumbhakarņa said,' O god of gods, my wish is that I may sleep for a good many years.' Thereupon, saying,' So be it, “Brahmä along with the celestials went away; and the goddess, Sarasvati, also again left the Rākşasa. And on Brahmă accompanied by the deities going to the celestial regions, he was renounced by Sarasvatī, and then he regained his consciousness. And then the wicked-minded Kumbhakarņa sorrowfully thought.
ईदृशं किमिदं वाक्यं ममाद्य वदनाच्च्युतम्। अहं व्यामोहितो देवैरिति मन्ये तदागतैः॥
What is this speech that has to-day come out from my lips? Meseems I had then been stupefied by the deities that had come.
एवं लब्धवराः सर्वे भ्रातरो दीप्ततेजसः। श्लेष्मातकवनं गत्वा तत्र ते न्यवसन्सुखम्॥
Having thus obtained the boons, the brothers endowed with flaming energy, going to the Śleşmātaka wood, began to dwell there peacefully.