Summary
Rama comes across lake from which divine music is heard. Surprised at the musical notes from beneath the waters of the lake he enquires with the sage who is following, and that sage narrates the episode of Sage Mandakarni. Then Rama proceeds on wondering at that lake, and he visits all the hermitages about there and thus elapsed are ten years. Again Rama returns to the hermitage of Sage Suteekshna, and after staying there for some time, takes leave of that sage and proceeds to see Sage Agastya. And on the way he visits the brother of Sage Agastya also. Rama, on the way narrates about the great deeds done by Sage Agastya in protecting humans from demons, and also depicts the propitious nature of Agastya’s hermitage.
Chapter [Sarga] 11 in Detail
agratah prayayau raamah siitaa madhye sushobhanaa |
pristhatah tu dhanuspaanih laksmanah anujagaama ha || 4-11-1
Rama traveled ahead while the glorious Seetha in middle, and wielding bow Lakshmana followed them on the rear. [4-11-1]
tau pashyamaanau vividhaan shaila prasthaan vanaani ca |
nadiih ca vividhaa ramyaa jagmatuh saha siitayaa || 4-11-2
They proceeded while seeing diverse mountain terraces, forests, and diversely enchanting rivers too, along with Seetha. [4-11-2]
saarasaan cakravaakaa.m ca nadii pulina caarinah |
saraa.msi ca sapadmaani yutaani jalajaih khagaih || 4-11-3
Beholding the rivers that have water-birds like saarasa, Chakrawaka that move on their sandbanks, and also the lakes that contain lotuses and water born birds, they moved on. [4-11-3]
yuutha baddhaam ca prisataan mada unmattaan visaaninah |
mahisaam ca varaahaam ca gajaam ca druma vairinah || 4-11-4
The moved on watching spotted deer banded in herds, the wild boars, large horned buffaloes maddened in virility, and the ruttish elephants rending trees like their enemies. [4-11-4]
te gatvaa duuram adhvaanam la.mbamaane divaakare |
dadrishuh sahitaa ra.myam tataakam yojana aayutam || 4-11-5
padma puskara sa.mbaadham gaja yuuthaih ala.mkritam |
saarasaih ha.msa kaadambaih sa.mkulam jala jaatibhih || 4-11-6
On going far on their way, and when the sun is dangling in the western sky, together they saw a charming lake of one yojana width fully overloaded with red and white lotuses, overspread with sporting elephants, and over-flurried with waterfowls like saarasa birds, Kadamba birds, swans and with others kinds too. [4-11-5, 6]
prasanna salile ramye tasmin sarasi shushruve |
giita vaaditra nirghoso na tu kashcana drishyate || 4-11-7
Out of the tranquil and enchanting waters of that lake audible are the melodies of singing and musical instruments, but none is visible. [4-11-7]
tatah kautuuhalaat raamo laksmanah ca mahaarathah |
munim dharmabhritam naama prastum samupacakrame || 4-11-8
Then Rama and also Lakshmana, the great charioteer, inquisitively started to ask the Sage named Dharmabhrita about it. [4-11-8]
idam atyadbhutam shrutvaa sarvesaam no mahaamune |
kautuuhalam mahat jaatam kim idam saadhu kathyataam || 4-11-9
"On hearing this greatly amazing music from lake, oh, great saint, intensive inquisitiveness is created in all of us, why this, please tell us clearly about it." Thus Rama asked. [4-11-9]
tena evam ukto dharmaatmaa raaghavena munih tadaa |
prabhaavam sarasah kshipram aakhyaatum upacakrame || 4-11-10
Thus said by that Raghava then that virtuous sage quickly started to tell about the efficacy of that lake. [4-11-10]
idam panca apsaro naama tataakam saarva kaalikam |
nirmitam tapasaa raama muninaa maandakarninaa || 4-11-11
"Oh, Rama, this is an all-time lake built by the ascetic power of the sage Mandakarni, known as Five Apsara Lake. [4-11-11]
sa hi tepe tapah tiivram maandakarnih mahaamunih |
dasha varsa sahasraani vaayu bhakso jalaashaye || 4-11-12
"He that great saint Mandakarni practiced rigorous ascesis for ten thousand years staying in the waters of the lake, and consuming air alone. [4-11-12]
tatah pravyathitaah sarve devaah sa agni purogamaah |
abruvan vacanam sarve paraspara samaagataah || 4-11-13
"Then all the gods are worried and met together with Fire-god at the helm of affairs, and they all conversed among themselves. [4-11-13]
asmakam kasyacit sthaanam esa praarthayate munih |
iti sa.mvigna manasah sarve tatra divaukasah || 4-11-14
"This sage is praying for someone's place among us," thus all of those heaven-dwellers are perturbed at heart. [4-11-14]
tatah kartum tapo vighnam sarva devaih niyojitaah |
pradhaana apsarasah pa.nca vidyut calita varcasah || 4-11-15
"Then all gods assigned five important Apsara-s, the celestial courtesans, whose shine is like the sprint of the lightning, to effectuate hindrance in that sage's ascesis. [4-11-15]
apsarobhih tatah taabhih munih drista paraavarah |
niito madana vashyatvam devaanaam kaarya siddhaye || 4-11-16
Then those five celestial beauties have led that sage astray who discerned [distinguished] the nature of this and the other world, or good and bad, or the nature of Absolute-Soul and Body- bound Soul, towards the passion restraint by, as though to achieve god's task.
taah caiva apsarasah pa.nca muneh patniitvam aagataah |
tataake nirmitam taasaam tasmin antarhitam griham || 4-11-17
"Also thus, those five celestial Apsara-s attained wifehood of that sage, and for them he built a house in there, concealed inside that lake. [4-11-17]
tatra eva apsarasah pa.nca nivasantyo yathaa sukham |
ramayanti tapoyogaat munim yauvanam aasthitam || 4-11-18
"While those five celestial Apsara-s are living in there, they are gratifying that sage according to his delight as youthfulness came upon that sage owing to his power of asceticism. [4-11-18]
taasaam sa.mkriida maanaanaam esa vaaditra nihsvanah |
shruuyate bhuusana unmishrah giita shabdah manoharah || 4-11-19
"These musical sounds we hear are emerging out as played on their instruments, mingled with the tinkling of their ornaments, and mixed with their delightful singing of melodies." So said sage Dharmabhrita to Rama. [4-11-19]
aashcaryam iti tasya etad vacanam bhaavitaatmanah |
raaghavah pratijagraaha saha bhraatraa mahaa yashaah || 4-11-20
That highly renowned Raghava together with his brother acknowledged the sage Dharmabhrita's account, exclaiming it as "amazing is this..." [4-11-20]
evam kathayamaanah sa dadarsha aashrama mandalam |
kusha ciira pariksiptam braahmyaa lakshmyaa samaavritam || 4-11-21
pravishya saha vaidehyaa laksmanena ca raaghavah |
While saying thus Raghava has seen a cluster of hermitages nearby, encircled with sacred grass, jute cloths, and even encompassed with Vedic solemnness [marked by the observance of established form or ceremony], and he entered that hermitage along with Seetha and Lakshmana. [4-11-21, 22a]
tadaa tasmin sa kaakutsthah shriimati aashrama mandale || 4-11-22
usitvaa sa sukham tatra puurjyamaano maharsibhih |
jagaama ca aashramaan tesaam paryaayena tapasvinaam |4-11-23
yesaam usitavaan puurvam sakaashe sa mahaastravit |
Rama happily stayed in that august cluster of hermitages duly venerated by those great saints for sometime, and then that expert in great missiles Rama went to the hermitages of those sages with whom he stayed earlier, for another round. [4-11-22, 23, 24a]
kvacit paridashaan maasaan eka sa.mvatsaram kvacit || 4-11-24
kvacit ca caturo maasaan pa.nca sat ca paraan kvacit |
aparatra adhikaan maasaan adhyardham adhikam kvacit || 4-11-25
triin maasaan asta maasaan ca raaghavo nyavasat sukham |
Rama stayed there for nearly ten months at some place, elsewhere for one year, at somewhere else for four months, and for five, and six months at elsewhere, even at somewhere else for more than a month, and for more than one and half months elsewhere. [4-11-24, 25, 26a]
tatra sa.mvasatah tasya muniinaam aashramesu vai || 4-11-26
ramatah ca aanukuulyena yayuh sa.mvatsaraa dasha |
While Raghava stayed comfortably taking delight in those hermitages of sages, indeed ten years have smoothly elapsed. [4-11-26b, 27a]
parisritya ca dharmajnah raaghavah saha siitayaa || 4-11-27
sutiiksnasya aashramam shriimaan punar eva aajagaama ha |
Thus that virtue-knowing glorious Rama on going around those hermitages along with Seetha indeed went to the hermitage of Sage Suteekshna again. [4-11-27b, 28a]
sa tam aashramam aagamya munibhih paripuujitah || 4-11-28
tatra api nyavasat raamah ka.mcit kaalam arindamah |
On coming at that hermitage that enemy destroyer is adored by sages, and he resided there for some time. [4-11-28b, 29a]
atha aashramastho vinayaat kadaacit tam mahaamunim || 4-11-29
upaasiinah sa kaakutsthah sutiiksnam idam abraviit |
Then on one day while staying in that hermitage Rama submissively said this to that sage Suteekshna who is sitting nearby. [4-11-29b, 30a]
asmin aranye bhagavan agastyo munisattamah || 4-11-30
vasati iti mayaa nityam kathaah kathayataam shrutam |
"I have always heard through the narratives narrated by other sages that the godly and eminent sage Agastya is residing in this forest. [4-11-30b, 31a]
na tu jaanaami tam desham vanasya asya mahattayaa || 4-11-31
kutra aashrama padam punyam maharseh tasya dhiimatah |
"But due to the vastness of this forest I have not known that place, where is the pious hermitage of that astute sage? [4-11-31b, 32a]
prasaada artham bhagavatah saanujah saha siitayaa || 4-11-32
agastyam abhigaccheyam abhivaadayitum munim |
"I wish to approach that sage seeking that godly sage's graciousness, along with my brother and Seetha to venerate him. [4-11-32b, 33a]
manoratho mahaan esa hridi parivartate || 4-11-33
yadi aham tam munivaram shushruuseyam api svayam |
"Can I personally propitiate that supreme sage – is my high ambition, and it is recurrent in my heart." So said Rama to Suteekshna. [4-11-33b, 34a]
iti raamasya sa munih shrutvaa dharmaatmano vacah || 4-11-34
sutiiksnah pratyuvaaca idam priito dasharathaatmajam |
Sage Suteekshna on hearing that particular request of that virtue-minded Rama is gladdened and said this to him. [4-11-34b, 35a]
aham api etad eva tvaam vaktu kaamah sa laksmanam || 4-1-35
agastyam abhigaccha iti siitayaa saha raaghava |
"Oh, Raghava, even I wished to say this to you, that you may approach Agastya along with Lakshmana and Seetha. [4-1-35b, 36a]
distyaa tu idaaniim arthe asmin svayam eva braviisi maam || 4-11-36
ayam aakhyaami te raama yatra agastyo mahaamunih |
"But providentially you alone raised this topic with me, Rama; I will tell you where that great sage Agastya is. [4-11-36b, 37a]
yojanaani aashramaat taata yaahi catvaari vai tatah |
daksinena mahaan shriimaan agastya bhraatur aashramah || 4-11-37
"On your going four yojana-s from this hermitage, oh, dear Rama, there is the great and glorious hermitage of Agastya's brother on the southern side. [4-11-37b, c]
sthalii praaya vanoddeshe pippalii vana shobhite |
bahu puspa phale ramye naanaa vihaga naadite || 4-11-38
"That hermitage is there on a plateau in a spectacular place of that forest which is adorned with many flowers and fruits, thickets of long pepper, and reechoed with the callings of various birds. [4-11-38]
padminyo vividhaah tatra prasanna salila aashayaah |
ha.msa kaarandava aakiirnaah cakravaaka upashobhitaah || 4-11-39
tatra ekaam rajaniim vyusya prabhaate raama gamyataam |
"There are diverse lakes that are receptacles for tranquil waters, that are teeming with swans and partridges, beautified with ruddy geese, and Rama staying there for a night you may proceed in the next morning. [4-11-39, 40a]
daksinaam disham aasthaaya vana sandasya paarshvatah || 4-11-40
tatra agastya aashrama padam gatvaa yojanam antaram |
"On going one yojana beyond, taking the southward course on the side of the forest clump you will find Agastya's hermitage. [4-11-40b, 41a]
ramaniiye vanoddeshe bahu paadapa shobhite || 4-11-41
ra.msyate tatra vaidehii laksmanah ca tvayaa saha |
sa hi ramyo vanouddesho bahu paadapa sa.myutah || 4-11-42
"Seetha and Lakshmana will enjoy those woodlands adorned with diverse pleasant trees, as the woodlands abounding with diverse trees will naturally be delightful, isn't it. [4-11-41b, 42]
yadi buddhih kritaa drastum agastyam tam mahaamunim |
adya eva gamane buddhim rocayasva mahaamate || 4-11-43
"If your mind is made up to see that great sage Agastya, oh, great ingenious Rama, resolve your thinking in going only today." So said Sage Suteekshna to Rama. [4-11-43]
iti raamo muneh shrutvaa saha bhraatraa abhivaadya ca |
pratasthe agastyam uddishya saanugah saha siitayaa || 4-11-44
On listening that which is said by the sage, Rama revered that sage along with his brother, and then he journeyed with Seetha and his follower Lakshmana aiming to reach Agastya. [4-11-44]
pashyan vanaani citraani parvataa.m ca abhra sa.mnibhaan |
saraa.msi saritah caiva pathi maarga vasha anugataan || 4-11-45
sutiiksnena upadistena gatvaa tena pathaa sukham |
idam parama samhristo vaakyam laksmanam abraviit || 4-11-46
While viewing beautiful forests, cloud-like mountains, lakes, and rivers that are flowing following the pathways, Rama happily journeyed on the pathway indicated by sage Suteekshna, and then he gladly spoke this sentence to Lakshmana. [4-11-45, 46]
etad eva aashrama padam nuunam tasya mahaatmanah |
agastyasya muner bhraatur drishyate punya karmanah || 4-11-47
"Definitely this alone appears to be the hermitage of Sage Agastya's brother, one with great soul and pious deeds. [4-11-47]
yathaa hi ime vanasya asya jnaataah pathi sahasrashah |
samnataah phala bharena puspa bhaarena ca drumaah || 4-11-48
"As how thousands of trees are bowing under the weight of flowers and fruit on the pathway, thereby I perceive it to be the hermitage of Agastya's bother. [4-11-48]
pippaliinaam ca pakvaanaam vanaad asmaad upaagatah |
gandho ayam pavana utksiptah sahasaa katukodayah || 4-11-49
"Upraised by the wind the sour-smell of Pippali fruits is suddenly coming closer from the forest. [4-11-49]
tatra tatra ca drishyante sa.mksiptaah kaastha sa.mcayaah |
luunaah ca paridrishyante darbhaa vaiduurya varcasah || 4-11-50
"Here and there visible are the well heaped heaps of firewood, and all over appearing is the sacred grass snipped at its top and gemlike in its tinge. [4-11-50]
etat ca vana madhyastham krisna abhra shikhara upamam |
paavakasya aashramasthasya dhuumaagram sa.mpradrishyate || 4-11-51
"From inside the hermitage in the midst of this forest the vertex of smoke from ritual fire is clearly visible as high as the vertex of a black rainy cloud. [4-11-51]
viviktesu ca tiirthesu krita snaanaa dvijaatayah |
puspa upahaaram kurvanti kusumaih svayam aarjitaih || 4-11-52
"On performing bathing in sacred streams the Brahmans are making flower offerings to gods, called Puspa Bali, with the flowers that are personally collected by them. [4-11-52]
tatah sutiiksnasya vacanam yathaa saumya mayaa shrutam |
agastyasya aashramo bhraatur nuunam esa bhavisyati || 4-11-53
"Thus by the words of Sage Suteekshna as I have heard, oh, gentle Lakshmana, this hermitage shall definitely be that of Sage Agastya's brother. [4-11-53]
nigrihya tarasaa mrityum lokaanaam hita kaamyayaa |
yasya bhraatraa kritaa iyam dik sharanyaa punya karmanaa || 4-11-54
"Whose brother is Sage Agastya with meritorious deeds, who wishing well-being of the world controlled death by his efficacy, and who made this southern region a livable region, this must be the hermitage of such a sage, such Agastya’s brother. [4-11-54]
iha ekadaa kila kruuro vaataapih api ca ilvalah |
bhraatarau sahitau aastaam braahmanaghnau mahaa asurau || 4-11-55
"Once upon a time verily cruel demon brothers Vaataapi and Ilvala were here together, and they the dreadful demons, they say, used to be Brahman-killers. [4-11-55]
dhaarayan braahmanam ruupam ilvalah sa.mskritam vadan |
aama.ntrayati vipraan sa shraaddham uddishya nirghrinah || 4-11-56
"Disguising in Brahman’s semblance [resemble] and speaking sophisticatedly that Ilvala used to invite Brahmans for the purpose of obsequial [a funeral or burial rite] ceremonies, where Brahman are fed after usual ceremony to appeases their manes [the venerated or appeased spirit of a dead person]. [4-11-56]
bhraataram sa.mskritam kritvaa tatah tam mesa ruupinam |
taan dvijaan bhojayaamaasa shraaddha dristena karmanaa || 4-11-57
Then Ilvala used to make his brother Vaataapi into a ram [a male sheep], perfect that ram's [a male sheep] meat into deliciously cooked food, and used to feed Brahmans according to obsequial rites and deeds. [4-11-57]
tato bhuktavataam tesaam vipraanaam ilvalo abraviit |
vaataape niskramasva iti svarena mahataa vadan || 4-11-58
"When those Brahmans are surfeited [to feed, supply] with that ram's meat, then Ilvala used to shout loudly, "oh, Vaataapi, you may come out." [4-11-58]
tato bhraatur vacah shrutvaa vaataapih mesavat nadan |
bhittvaa bhitvaa shariiraani braahmanaanaam vinispatat || 4-11-59
"Then on listening his brother's words Vaataapi used to lunge out bleating like a ram, tearing and rending the bodies of those Brahmans. [4-11-59]
braahmanaanaam sahasraani taih evam kaama ruupibhih |
vinaashitaani sa.mhatya nityashah pishita ashanaih || 4-11-60
"This way they the guise changing demons always ruined thousands of Brahmans together, greedy for raw-flesh as they are. [4-11-60]
agastyena tadaa devaih praarthitena maharsinaa |
anubhuuya kila shraaddhe bhaksitah sa mahaa asurah || 4-11-61
"Then by Sage Agastya, whom gods have prayed to end this demonic menace, and whom demon Ilvala invited to feast during obsequial rites, he that Agastya having relished the fiendish demon in the form of ram, they say, had finished him off. [4-11-61]
tatah sa.mpannam iti uktvaa dattvaa haste avanejanam |
bhraataram niskramasva iti ca ilvalah samabhaasata || 4-11-62
"Then Ilvala while giving lateral hand wash into the palms of Agastya entered in the routine conversation of obsequies asking, "Is this rite fulfilled..." and he furthered it in calling his brother to come out. [4-11-62]
sa tadaa bhaasamaanam tu bhraataram vipra ghaatinam |
abraviit prahasan dhiimaan agastyo muni sattamah || 4-11-63
Then that wise and eminent sage Agastya spoke mockingly to Ilvala who is conversing that way to his brother to come out. [4-11-63]
kuto niskramitum shaktir mayaa jiirnasya raksasah |
bhraatuh te mesa ruupasya gatasya yama saadanam || 4-11-64
"Where is the energy for that ram shaped demon brother of yours to come out as I digested and sent him to the hellish residence of Terminator. [4-11-64]
atha tasya vacah shrutvaa bhraatur nidhana sa.mshritam |
pradharsayitum aarebhe munim krodhaat nishaa carah || 4-11-65
"Then on hearing the words of sage Agastya affirming brother's demise, that night-walking demon furiously commenced to assault the sage. [4-11-65]
so abhyadravat dvije.ndram tam muninaa diipta tejasaa |
caksusaa anala kalpena nirdagdho nidhanam gatah || 4-11-66
"When that demon rushed towards that best Brahman to kill, he that sage glowing with his own refulgence burnt him down just by his flame-like eyes and doomed him to death. [4-11-66]
tasya ayam aashramo bhraatuh tataaka vana shobhitah |
vipra anukampayaa yena karma idam duskaram kritam || 4-11-67
"This hermitage embellishing with lake and woods belongs to the brother of Sage Agastya who has done this impossible deed just by his compassion towards Brahmans." So said Rama to Lakshmana and Seetha about Agastya. [4-11-67]
evam kathayamaanasya tasya saumitrinaa saha |
raamasya astam gatah suuryah sa.mdhyaa kaalo abhyavartata || 4-11-68
While Rama narrated that way to Lakshmana sun went into dusk and the vesperal [evening] time came close of him. [4-11-68]
upaasya pashcimaam sa.mdhyaam saha bhraatraa yathaa vidhi |
pravivesha aashrama padam tam risim ca abhyavaadayat || 4-11-69
Worshipping sunset along with brother as per custom, Rama entered that hermitage and greeted that sage. [4-11-69]
samyak pratigrihiitah tu muninaa tena raaghavah |
nyavasat taam nishaam ekaam praashya muula phalaani ca || 4-11-70
Raghava spent one night there when that sage received him well and when they dined on tubers and fruits. [4-11-70]
tasyaam raatryaam vyatiitaayaam udite ravi mandale |
bhraataram tam agastyasya aama.ntrayata raaghavah || 4-11-71
Raghava spent that night there and when sun rose in solar orbit he took leave of the brother of Sage Agastya saying the following. [4-11-71]
abhivaadaye tvaam bhagavan sukham sma usyato nishaam |
aama.ntraye tvaam gacchaami gurum te drastum agrajam || 4-11-72
"Oh, godly sage, we stayed in the night comfortably, I now make an obeisance and bid farewell to you, as I wish to proceed to see your mentor and elder brother Agastya. [4-11-72]
gamyataam iti tena ukto jagaama raghu nandanah |
yathaa uddistena maargena vanam tat ca avalokayan || 4-11-73
When the brother of Agastya said, "you may go," Rama the legatee of Raghu journeyed on the pathways as directed by Suteekshna, and on observing those woodlands. [4-11-73]
niivaaraan panasaan saalaan vanjulaan tinishaan tathaa |
ciri bilvaan madhuukaan ca bilvaan atha ca tindukaan || 4-11-74
On observing the wild grass that grows on its own giving wild grain, Jack-fruit trees, sala trees, Ashoka trees, lemons trees, saplings of bilva trees and also madhuka and bilva trees he journeyed. [4-11-74]
puspitaan puspita agraabhir lataabhir upashobhitaan |
dadarsha raamah shatashah tatra kaantaara paadapaan || 4-11-75
hasti hastaih vimriditaan vaanaraih upashobhitaan |
mattaih shakuni samghaih ca shatashah prati naaditaan || 4-11-76
Rama has seen hundreds of flowered forest trees that are battered by the trunks of elephants, that are adorned with monkeys, reverberated by hundreds of lusty bird folks, and that are enriched by the flowered climbers whorled around them. [4-11-75, 76]
tato abraviit samiipastham raamo raajiiva locanah |
pristhato anugatam viiram laksmanam laksmivardhanam || 4-11-77
Then the lotus-eyed Rama said this to his follower Lakshmana who is a valiant and glory-enriching one and who is near at hand. [4-11-77]
snigdha patraa yathaa vriksaa yathaa ksaantaa mriga dvijaah |
aashramo na atiduurastho maharser bhaavita aatmanah || 4-11-78
"As to how the trees are appearing with velvety leaves, and as to how the animals and birds appear unwearied, thus gauging by this it appears that the hermitage of that contemplative soul Agastya is situated not very far from here. [4-11-78]
agastya iti vikhyaato loke svena eva karmanaa |
aashramo drishyate tasya parishraanta shrama apahah || 4-11-79
"He who by his own deed is renowned in the world as Agastya, the stopper of mountain, it appears to be his hermitage that alleviates the weary of wearied ones. [4-11-79]
praajya dhuuma aakula vanah ciira maalaa pariskritah |
prashaanta mriga yuuthah ca naanaa shakuni naaditah || 4-11-80
"The forest nearby this hermitage is overrun by huge smoke from altars of fire, overstuffed with the garlands of jute cloth, overcrowded with the herds of peaceful deer, and also overloaded with sonority of the birds. [4-11-80]
nigrihya tarasaa mrityum lokaanaam hita kaamyayaa |
daksinaa dik kritaa yena sharanyaa punya karmanaa || 4-11-81
"He who impeding [to interfere with] death by his yogic might and wishing well-being for worlds made this southern extent a livable province by his pious deeds, his hermitage is this. [4-11-81]
tasya idam aashrama padam prabhaavaad yasya raaksasaih |
dik iyam daksinaa traasaad drishyate na upabhujyate || 4-11-82
"Under whose influence the demons behold this southern quarter appallingly, and they do not even venture to live here, such a sage Agastya's hermitage is this. [4-11-82]
yadaa prabhriti ca aakraantaa dig iyam punya karmanaa |
tadaa prabhriti nir vairaah prashaantaa rajanii caraah || 4-11-83
"And from when that pious deeded Agastya took possession of this quarter, from then on the night walkers are calmed down and remained without feud. [4-11-83]
naamnaa ca iyam bhagavato daksinaa dik pradaksinaa |
prathitaa trisu lokesu durdharsaa kruura karmabhih || 4-11-84
"This very worthy southern quarter is known in the name of that godly saint Agastya and this remained un-attackable to the demons with cruel deeds. [4-11-84]
maargam niroddhum satatam bhaaskarasya acala uttamah |
sa.mdesham paalayan tasya vi.ndhya shailo na vardhate || 4-11-85
ayam diirgha aayusah tasya loke vishruta karmanah |
agastyasya aashramah shriimaan viniita mriga sevitah || 4-11-86
"Complying which sage's directive Mt. Vindhya ceased to heighten in order not to obstruct the path of the sun, such sage's hermitage is this who is renowned in the world by his deeds and whose longevity is inestimable, hence this glorious hermitage is adored by well-behaved animals and humans as well. [4-11-85, 86]
esa loka arcitah saadhuh hite nityam ratah sataam |
asmaan adhigataan esa shreyasaa yojayisyati || 4-11-87
"He that gentle sage who is always interested in the respect of sagacious ones is thus an esteemed one in the world, and for us when we approach him he accords beneficence. [4-11-87]
aaraadhayisyaami atra aham agastyam tam mahaamunim |
shesam ca vana vaasasya saumya vatsyaami aham prabho || 4-11-88
"Oh, adept Lakshmana, I wish to worship that great saint Agastya therein that hermitage, and oh, gentle one, I think of living the remainder of forest living here only. [4-11-88]
atra devaah sagandharvaah siddhaah ca parama risayah |
agastyam niyata aahaaraah satatam paryupaasate || 4-11-89
"There gods with Gandharva-s, Siddha-s, exalted sages will be worshipping Agastya who is self-regulating self-disciplinary. [4-11-89]
na atra jiivet mrisaavaadii kruuro vaa yadi vaa shathah |
nrisha.msah paapa vritto vaa munih esa tathaa vidhah || 4-11-90
"There no liar can live, nor a savage, nor even a deceiver, nor a man-torturer, nor one with sinful behavior, for that sage is of that nature. [4-11-90]
atra devaah ca yaksaah ca naagaah ca patagaih saha |
vasanti niyata aahaaraa dharmam aaraadhayisnavah || 4-11-91
"There the gods, celestials, reptiles, birds live together wishing to worship the Absolute with self-discipline. [4-11-91]
atra siddhaa mahaatmaano vimaanaih suurya sannibhaih |
tyaktvaa dehaan navair dehaih svar yaataah parama risayah || 4-11-92
"There the blest and great souls of accomplished ascesis rode to heavens by aircrafts similar to sun in resplendence, on relinquishing their mortal bodies here and on obtaining new bodies. [4-11-92]
yaksatvam amaratvam ca raajyaani vividhaani ca |
atra devaah prayacchanti bhuutaih aaraadhitaah shubhaih || 4-11-93
"There gods will endow the state of celestials or immortals, or many realms of divine living to those auspicious beings that worship them. [4-11-93]
aagataah sma aashrama padam saumitre pravisha agratah |
nivedaya iha maam praaptam risaye saha siitayaa || 4-11-94
"We arrived at the threshold of the hermitage, oh, Saumitri, you enter firstly and submit to Sage Agastya about my arrival at this place along with Seetha. [4-11-94]
iti vaalmiiki raamaayane aadi kaavye aranya kaande ekaadashah sargah
Thus, this is the 11th chapter in Aranya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate