Summary
Sumantra, the minister continues his narration to his king Dasharatha, about Rishyashringa's arrival at Anga kingdom of King Romapaada and his marriage with Princess Santa, the daughter of Romapaada.
Chapter [Sarga] 10 in Detail
Sumantra thus motivated by King Dasharatha, said these words to king "Oh! King, how and with which idea Sage Rishyasringa is brought by the ministers of Romapaada, all that will be spoken... that may please be listened from me along with ministers... [1-10-1]
"The ministers along with clergyman have spoken this way to King Romapaada, ‘this is a non-harmful plan well thought over by us... [1-10-2]
"Rishyasringa is a forest-dweller absorbed in asceticism [practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline] and self-study of Vedic scriptures, and he is not aware of women, or of worldly-matters or of even worldly-pleasures...[1-10-3]
"With much desired sense-pleasing objects that will be disquieting [to take away the peace or tranquility of] the minds of men, we wish bring him to the city... Let it be decided quickly... [1-10-4]
"Beautiful and well decorated courtesans [prostitutes with a courtly, wealthy, or upper-class clientele] will go there to bring him hither [to this place] by tempting with many a feint [trick], and let the courtesans be given ample [plentiful] gifts... [1-10-5]
"Hearing that the King replied the priest, "Let it be so..." and then the priests and ministers have carried out the plan that way... [1-10-6]
"On hearing that order of the king those best courtesans have entered that great forest, and they camped not very far from that hermitage, making all the trials for showing themselves off to a glance of that sage. [1-10-7]
"Always satisfied is sage Rishyasringa to be in hermitage, thus he never stirred out of that hermitage, and thus he has not seen any female, or a male, or even any others objects of pleasure, either of city or of countryside from the time of birth onwards... [1-10-8b, 9]
"Then at one time Rishyasringa casually arrived at that place, and has seen those comely [beautiful] females. [1-10-10]
"They the lustful [exited by sexual desire] women are amazingly attired and singing melodious tunes; all of them neared the sage's son and spoke these words... [1-10-11]
"Who you are? Why you move lonely in these deep and desolate [deserted] forests, why you conduct yourself like this? Oh! Brahman, we are interested to know... please tell us..." [1-10-12]
"Those women are in most desirable form and hitherto [up to this or that time] he has not seen such forms in that forest, hence a kind of friendship spouted [to gush forth], with which he is inclined to tell them details about his father... [1-10-13]
"My father is Sage Vibhaandaka and I am his true descent son. I am known as Rishyasringa, by my name and by an event on my birth, and thus renowned on earth..."
"Our hermitage is here only, oh, august [marked by majestic dignity or grandeur] ones, I wish to perform scripturally [according to a sacred writing] worship to you all verily [in truth] there...” thus said the sage to the courtesans. [1-10-15]
"On hearing the words of sage's son, all those courtesans are verily inclined to see the threshold of that hermitage, and then all the women went to hermitage. [1-10-16]
"On going there, then the Sage's son performed worship saying "Here is our hand-wash, here is our feet-wash, here are our tuber fruits, and here are the juicy fruits of ours... " [1-10-17]
"All of them have received that kind of worship much enthusiastically, but dread at the arrival of the sage Vibhaandaka, they quickly made-up their mind to make away from there. [1-10-18]
“‘Take these important fruits of ours, oh, Brahman, you be safe, oh, holy one... eat them before long....' Said courtesans to Rishyasringa.] [1-10-19]
"Then all of the courtesans have embraced him and all of them with a kind of mirthfulness [gladness or gaiety] in the offing [the near or foreseeable future], presented sweet-balls and other varieties of best sweetmeats to him. [1-10-20]
"Having relished the sweets, that resplendent [shining brilliantly] sage supposed them to be fruits only, for he did not taste sweets earlier, as he is always forest-bound. [1-10-21]
"Taking leave of the Sage Rishyasringa on pretence [false show] that they also have to perform devotional duties, they the courtesans departed from there on the pretext of their daily worship, while they actually feared for the arrival of Rishyashringa’s father who may hurl curses on his arrival...] [1-10-22]
"After the departure of all them the courtesans, that Brahman Rishyasringa, the grandson of Sage Kashyapa, is disturbed at heart and even behaved sadly... [1-10-23]
"Then on the next day Rishyasringa, son of Vibhaandaka and the prosperous sage with ascetic power has arrived at that place where he saw well-decorated and delightful courtesans recollecting in mind repetitively about them alone. [1-10-24, 25a]
" Then on seeing the arrival of that Brahman, the courtesans felt happy at heart, and all of those courtesans on surrounding him said, "oh, gentle one, welcome to the threshold of our hermitage... [1-10-25b, 26]
"There are excellent tuber fruits and fruits and there will be a very distinctive hospitality... definitely indeed...” So said the courtesans. [1-10-27]
"On hearing the heart-pleasing words of all those courtesans, Rishyasringa made up his mind to go over there, and then those women took him away [to their place in Anga Kingdom.] [1-10-28]
"While that great soul and Brahman Rishyasringa while being brought into Anga Kingdom, then the Rain-god quickly showered rain in Anga kingdom to the delight of the world. [1-10-29]
"Towards that Brahman Rishyasringa who is coming along with rains into his own kingdom Anga Kingdom, the king Romapaada has gone towards that sage and bowed his head down, and paid respects touching the ground, and offered water customarily with dedication and the king besought beneficence of the best one, Rishyasringa to save from the fury of his father Sage Vibhaandaka, even after knowing the king's pursuit in bringing Rishyasringa to this country... [1-10-30, 31]
"On entering the palace princess Shanta is given to Rishyasringa in customary marriage, and then that King Romapaada obtained rejoice with a peaceful mind. [1-10-32]
"Thus that great fulgent [radiant] Rishyasringa lived in Anga kingdom along with his wife Shanta, and with all his desires fulfilled and also well worshipped" [Thus Sumantra said the legend of Rishyasringa to King Dasharatha.] [1-10-33]
Thus, this is the 10th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
