Adhyaya 13

Verse 1

शेष उवाच । इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य सुमदस्य तपोनिधेः । जगदुः कामसेनास्तं रंभाद्यप्सरसो मुदा

Śeṣa said: Having heard these words of Sumada—the treasure-house of austerity—the Apsarases such as Rambhā, belonging to Kāma’s host, joyfully addressed him.

Verse 2

त्वत्तपोभिर्वयं कांत प्राप्ताः सर्ववरांगनाः । तासां यौवनसर्वस्वं भुंक्ष्व त्यज तपःफलम्

By your austerities, beloved, we—women of every excellence—have been obtained. Enjoy the full treasure of our youth, and abandon the fruit of your penance.

Verse 3

इयं घृताची सुभगा चंपकाभशरीरभृत् । कर्पूरगंधललितं भुनक्तु त्वन्मुखामृतम्

May this fortunate Ghṛtācī—whose body is lustrous like the campaka flower—partake of the nectar of your mouth, fragrant and delightful with the scent of camphor.

Verse 4

एतां महाभाग सुशोभिविभ्रमां । मनोहरांगीं घनपीनसत्कुचाम् । कांतोपभुंक्ष्वाशु निजोग्रपुण्यतः । प्राप्तां पुनस्त्वं त्यज दुःखजातम्

O fortunate one, quickly enjoy this beloved woman—charmingly graceful, lovely-limbed, with full and firm breasts—who has come to you by the force of your own intense merit; and once again, cast away the sorrow that has arisen.

Verse 5

मामप्यनर्घ्याभरणोपशोभितां । मंदारमालापरिशोभिवक्षसम् । नानारताख्यानविचारचंचुरां । दृढं यथा स्यात्परिरंभणं कुरु

Embrace me too—adorned with priceless ornaments, my chest beautified by a māndāra garland, my mind lively with thoughts of many love-stories—embrace me so that the embrace may be firm.

Verse 6

पिबामृतं मामकवक्त्रनिर्गतं । विमानमारुह्य वरं मया सह । सुमेरुशृंगं बहुपुण्यसेवितं । संप्राप्य भोगं कुरु सत्तपः फलम्

Drink this nectar that has come forth from my mouth. Then, mounting the excellent celestial chariot with me, reach the peak of Sumeru—revered through the service of many meritorious beings—and there enjoy; let your true austerity bear its fruit.

Verse 7

तिलोत्तमा यौवनरूपशोभिता । गृह्णातु ते मूर्धनि तापवारणम् । सुचामरौ संततधारयांकितौ । गंगाप्रवाहाविव सुंदरोत्तम

O most handsome one, may Tilottamā—adorned with the beauty of youth and form—place upon your head that which wards off heat. And may the fine yak-tail fans, marked by their ceaseless motion, cool you like the flowing currents of the Gaṅgā.

Verse 8

शृणुष्व भोः कामकथां मनोहरां । पिबामृतं देवगणादिवांछितम् । उद्यानमासाद्य च नंदनाभिधं । वरांगनाभिर्विहरं कुरु प्रभो

Listen, O sir, to this delightful tale of passion. Drink the nectar desired even by the hosts of gods. And having reached the garden called Nandana, sport there, O lord, in the company of beautiful women.

Verse 9

इत्युक्तमाकर्ण्य महामतिर्नृपो । विचारयामास कुतो ह्युपस्थिताः । मया सुसृष्टास्तपसा सुरांगनाः । प्रत्यूह एवात्र विधेयमेष किम्

Hearing these words, the wise king reflected: “From where indeed have these celestial maidens appeared? They have been well-created by my austerity—so what should be done here? Is this an obstacle, sent to disrupt my tapas?”

Verse 10

इति चिंतातुरो राजा स्वांते संचिंतयन्सुधीः । जगाद मतिमान्वीरः सुमदो देवताङ्गनाः

Thus the wise king, distressed with worry and pondering within his own heart, spoke. That intelligent hero, King Sumada, addressed the celestial maidens.

Verse 11

यूयं तु ममचित्तस्था जगन्मातृस्वरूपकाः । मया संचिंत्यते या हि सापि त्वद्रूपिणी मता

But you dwell within my mind, embodying the very form of the Mother of the universe. Indeed, whatever I contemplate—she too is regarded as having your very form.

Verse 12

इदं तुच्छं स्वर्गसुखं त्वयोक्तं सविकल्पकम् । मत्स्वामिनी मया भक्त्या सेविता दास्यते वरम्

This heavenly pleasure you speak of is paltry and uncertain. My Mistress, whom I have served with devotion, will grant me a boon.

Verse 13

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखंडे शेषवात्स्यायनसंवादे रामाश्वमेधे । शत्रुघ्नाहिच्छत्रापुरीप्रवेशोनाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः

Thus, in the revered Padma Purāṇa, within the Pātāla-khaṇḍa—during the dialogue between Śeṣa and Vātsyāyana, in the account of Rāma’s Aśvamedha—ends the thirteenth chapter, entitled “Śatrughna’s Entry into the City of Ahicchatrā.”

Verse 14

किं नंदनं किं तु गिरिः कनकेन सुमण्डितः । किं सुधा स्वल्पपुण्येन प्राप्या दानवदुःखदा

What is Nandana-garden, and what is a mountain adorned with gold? What is ambrosia (sudhā) that can be obtained by only a little merit—when it ends up bringing suffering to the Dānavas?

Verse 15

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य कामस्तु विविधैः शरैः । प्राहरन्नरदेवस्य कर्तुं किंचिन्न वै प्रभुः

Hearing these words, Kāma struck the godlike king with many kinds of arrows; yet he was truly powerless to make him do anything at all.

Verse 16

कटाक्षैर्नूपुरारावैः परिरंभैर्विलोकनैः । न तस्य चित्तं विभ्रांतं कर्तुं शक्ता वरांगनाः

With sidelong glances, the jingling of anklets, embraces, and alluring looks, the beautiful women still could not disturb his mind.

Verse 17

गत्वा यथागतं शक्रं जगदुर्धीरधीर्नृपः । तच्छ्रुत्वा मघवा भीतः सेवामारभतात्मनः

Having dismissed Śakra (Indra) to depart as he had come, the king—steadfast and resolute—spoke thus. Hearing it, Maghavā (Indra), frightened, began to render service of his own accord.

Verse 18

अथ निश्चितमालोक्य पादपद्मे स्वकेंऽबिका । जितेंद्रियं महाराजं प्रत्यक्षाभूत्सुतोषिता

Then, seeing that the great king—self-controlled—stood firmly resolved at her lotus-feet, Ambikā, well-pleased, manifested herself directly.

Verse 19

पंचास्यपृष्ठललिता पाशांकुशधरावरा । धनुर्बाणधरा माता जगत्पावनपावनी

The Mother—graceful upon the five-faced (Śiva), excellent and auspicious—holds the noose and the goad; she bears bow and arrows, and she is the purifier of the world, ever purifying.

Verse 20

तां वीक्ष्य मातरं धीमान्सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभाम् । धनुर्बाणसृणीपाशान्दधानां हर्षमाप्तवान्

Seeing his Mother—radiant with the splendor of ten million suns—and bearing a bow, arrows, an axe, and a noose, the wise one was filled with joy.

Verse 21

शिरसा बहुशो नत्वा मातरं भक्तिभाविताम् । हसंतीं निजदेहेषु स्पृशंतीं पाणिना मुहुः

Bowing again and again with their heads to their Mother, filled with devotion, they repeatedly touched their own bodies with their hands as she smiled.

Verse 22

तुष्टाव भक्त्युत्कलितचित्तवृत्तिर्महामतिः । गद्गदस्वरसंयुक्तः कंटकांगोपशोभितः

The great-souled sage offered praise, his mind uplifted by devotion; his voice choked with emotion, and his body adorned with bristling hairs born of ecstasy.

Verse 23

जय देवि महादेवि भक्तवृंदैकसेविते । ब्रह्मरुद्रादिदेवेंद्र सेवितांघ्रियुगेऽनघे

Victory to You, O Devī, O Great Goddess, served solely by hosts of devotees. O sinless One, the pair of Your feet is worshipped by Brahmā, Rudra, Indra the lord of the gods, and others.

Verse 24

मातस्तव कलाविद्धमेतद्भाति चराचरम् । त्वदृते नास्ति सर्वं तन्मातर्भद्रे नमोस्तु ते

O Mother, this entire universe, moving and unmoving, shines as it is pervaded by Your power. Apart from You, nothing exists at all. O auspicious Mother, salutations to You.

Verse 25

मही त्वयाऽधारशक्त्या स्थापिता चलतीह न । सपर्वतवनोद्यान दिग्गजैरुपशोभिता

The Earth, established by You through Your sustaining power, does not tremble here. Adorned with mountains, forests, and gardens, she is further beautified by the elephants of the directions.

Verse 26

सूर्यस्तपति खे तीक्ष्णैरंशुभिः प्रतपन्महीम् । त्वच्छक्त्या वसुधासंस्थं रसं गृह्णन्विमुंचति

The Sun blazes in the sky with sharp rays, scorching the earth; by Your power he draws up the earth’s moisture and then releases it again.

Verse 27

अंतर्बहिः स्थितो वह्निर्लोकानां प्रकरोतु शम् । त्वत्प्रतापान्महादेवि सुरासुरनमस्कृते

May the fire that abides both within and without bring peace to the worlds, O Mahādevī—revered by gods and demons—by the power of Your divine majesty.

Verse 28

त्वं विद्या त्वं महामाया विष्णोर्लोकैकपालिनः । स्वशक्त्या सृजसीदं त्वं पालयस्यपि मोहिनि

You are Knowledge; You are the Great Māyā of Viṣṇu, the sole protector of the worlds. By Your own power You create this universe, and You also sustain it, O Enchantress.

Verse 29

त्वत्तः सर्वे सुराः प्राप्य सिद्धिं सुखमयंति वै । मां पालय कृपानाथे वंदिते भक्तवल्लभे

From You, all the gods attain success and indeed become filled with happiness. O compassionate Lord, O One who is worshipped, O beloved of devotees—protect me.

Verse 30

रक्ष मां सेवकं मातस्त्वदीयचरणारणम् । कुरु मे वांछितां सिद्धिं महापुरुषपूर्वजे

Protect me, O Mother, your servant who has taken refuge at your feet. Grant me the fulfillment I desire, O ancestress of the Mahāpuruṣa.

Verse 31

सुमतिरुवाच । एवं तुष्टा जगन्माता वृणीष्व वरमुत्तमम् । उवाच भक्तं सुमदं तपसा कृशदेहिनम्

Sumati said: “Thus pleased, the Mother of the universe spoke to her devotee Sumada—whose body had grown lean through austerities—‘Choose the highest boon.’”

Verse 32

इत्येतद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य प्रहृष्टः सुमदो नृपः । वव्रे निजं हृतं राज्यं हतदुर्जनकंटकम्

Hearing these words, King Sumada rejoiced. He asked for his own kingdom that had been taken from him—now freed from the thorn of wicked men.

Verse 33

महेशीचरणद्वंद्वे भक्तिमव्यभिचारिणीम् । प्रांते मुक्तिं तु संसारवारिधेस्तारिणीं पुनः

May I gain unwavering devotion to the pair of feet of the Great Goddess; and at life’s end, may I again attain liberation—the saving passage across the ocean of saṃsāra.

Verse 34

कामाक्षोवाच । राज्यं प्राप्नुहि सुमद सर्वत्रहतकंटकम् । महिलारत्नसंजुष्टपादपद्मद्वयो भव

Kāmākṣa said: “O Sumada, attain the kingdom—one in which all thorns (enemies and obstacles) are destroyed everywhere. Become one whose lotus-like feet are attended by jewel-like women.”

Verse 35

ततवैरिपराभूतिर्माभूयात्सुमदाभिध । यदा तु रावणं हत्वा रघुनाथो महायशाः

O one called Sumadā, may there be no further humiliation at the hands of your enemies; for when the glorious Lord of the Raghu line, having slain Rāvaṇa…

Verse 36

करिष्यत्यश्वमेधं हि सर्वसंभारशोभितम् । तस्य भ्राता महावीरः शत्रुघ्नः परवीरहा

He will indeed perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice, splendid with every requisite preparation. His brother, the great hero Śatrughna, slayer of enemy-champions, will be there.

Verse 37

पालयन्हयमायास्यत्यत्र वीरादिभिर्वृतः । तस्मै सर्वं समर्प्य त्वं राज्यमृद्धं धनादिकम्

While protecting the horse, he will come here, surrounded by heroes and the rest. You should hand over everything to him—your prosperous kingdom, wealth, and the like.

Verse 38

पालयिष्यसि योधैः स्वैर्धनुर्धारिभिरुद्भटैः । ततः पृथिव्यां सर्वत्र भ्रमिष्यसि महामते

You will rule, protected by your own heroic bow-bearing warriors. Thereafter, O great-minded one, you will wander everywhere across the earth.

Verse 39

ततो रामं नमस्कृत्य ब्रह्मेंद्रेशादिसेवितम् । मुक्तिं प्राप्स्यसि दुष्प्रापां योगिभिर्यमसाधनैः

Then, having bowed to Rāma—revered and served by Brahmā, Indra, and other divine lords—you will attain liberation (mokṣa), difficult to obtain even for yogins engaged in arduous disciplines and restraints.

Verse 40

तावत्कालमिहस्थास्ये यावद्रामहयागमः । पश्चात्त्वां तु समुद्धृत्य गंतास्मि परमं पदम्

I shall remain here only so long as Rāma’s Aśvamedha endures. Thereafter I will raise you up and lead you to the supreme abode.

Verse 41

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवी सुरासुरनमस्कृता । सुमदोऽप्यहिच्छत्रायां शत्रून्हत्वा नृपोऽभवत्

Having spoken thus, the Goddess—revered by both devas and asuras—vanished from sight. And Sumada too, after slaying his foes at Ahicchatrā, became king.

Verse 42

एष राजा समर्थोऽपि बलवाहनसंयुतः । न ग्रहीष्यति ते वाहं महामायासुशिक्षितः

This king—though capable and furnished with strength and conveyances—will not seize your mount, for he has been well trained in the ways of the Great Illusion, Mahāmāyā.

Verse 43

श्रुत्वा प्राप्तं पुरी पार्श्वे हयमेधहयोत्तमम् । त्वां च सर्वैर्महाराजैः सेवितांघ्रिं महामतिम्

Hearing that the foremost horse of the Aśvamedha had arrived near the city, and that you, O great-minded one, are he whose feet are revered by all the great kings, they approached.

Verse 44

सर्वं दास्यति सर्वज्ञ राजा सुमदनामधृक् । अधुनातन्महाराज रामचंद्र प्रतापतः

O all-knowing one, the king named Sumada will now bestow everything, O great king, by the mighty prowess of Rāmacandra.

Verse 45

शेष उवाच । इति वृत्तं समाकर्ण्य सुमदस्य महायशाः । साधुसाध्विति चोवाच जहर्ष मतिमान्बली

Śeṣa said: Having heard this account, the greatly renowned one of Sumada exclaimed, “Excellent, excellent!” and the wise, powerful one rejoiced.

Verse 46

अहिच्छत्रापतिः सर्वैः स्वगणैः परिवारितः । सभायां सुखमास्ते यो बहुराजन्यसेवितः

The lord of Ahicchatra—surrounded by all his own attendants—sits at ease in the assembly, served by many nobles and royal men.

Verse 47

ब्राह्मणा वेदविदुषो वैश्या धनसमृद्धयः । राजानं पर्युपासंते सुमदंशो भयान्वितम्

The Brāhmaṇas, learned in the Vedas, and the Vaiśyas, enriched with wealth, attend upon the king—who is under the sway of intoxication and filled with fear.

Verse 48

वेदविद्याविनोदेन न्यायिनो ब्राह्मणा वराः । आशीर्वदंति तं भूपं सर्वलोकैकरक्षकम्

Delighting in Vedic learning and righteous conduct, the noble, just brāhmaṇas bestowed their blessings upon that king—the sole protector of all the worlds.

Verse 49

एतस्मिन्समये कश्चिदागत्य नृपतिं जगौ । स्वामिन्न जाने कस्यास्ति हयः पत्रधरोंऽतिके

At that time, someone came and spoke to the king: “My lord, I do not know whose horse it is, but it is nearby, bearing a written message.”

Verse 50

तच्छ्रुत्वा सेवकं श्रेष्ठं प्रेषयामास सत्वरः । जानीहि कस्य राज्ञोऽयमश्वो मम पुरांतिके

Hearing this, he swiftly dispatched his finest attendant: “Find out to which king this horse belongs, now near my city.”

Verse 51

गत्वाथ सेवकस्तत्र ज्ञात्वा वृत्तांतमादितः । निवेदयामास नृपं महाराजन्यसेवितम्

Then the attendant went there; having learned the whole account from the beginning, he reported it to the king, who was attended by great royal nobles.

Verse 52

स श्रुत्वा रघुनाथस्य हयं नित्यमनुस्मरन् । आज्ञापयामास जनं सर्वं राजाविशारदः

Having heard this, the king—skilled in governance—constantly remembering Raghunātha’s horse, issued commands to all the people.

Verse 53

लोका मदीयाः सर्वे ये धनधान्यसमाकुलाः । तोरणादीनि गेहेषु मंगलानि सृजंत्विह

“Let all who are mine, abounding in wealth and grain, here create auspicious signs in their homes—festal gateways (toraṇas) and the like.”

Verse 54

कन्याः सहस्रशो रम्याः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः । गजोपरिसमारूढा यांतु शत्रुघ्नसंमुखम्

“Let thousands of lovely maidens, adorned with every ornament and mounted upon elephants, proceed to stand before Śatrughna.”

Verse 55

इत्यादिसर्वमाज्ञाप्य ययौ राजा स्वयं ततः । पुत्रपौत्रमहिष्यादिपरिवारसमावृतः

Having thus issued all the necessary commands, the king then set out in person, surrounded by his retinue—his sons, grandsons, queens, and others.

Verse 56

शत्रुघ्नः सुमहामात्यैः सुभटैः पुष्कलादिभिः । संयुतो भूपतिं वीरं ददर्श सुमदाभिधम्

Śatrughna, accompanied by great ministers and valiant warriors such as Puṣkala and others, beheld the heroic king named Sumadā.

Verse 57

हस्तिभिः सादिसंयुक्तैः पत्तिभिः परतापनैः । वाजिभिर्भूषितैर्वीरैः संयुतं वीरशोभितम्

It was furnished with elephants equipped with their riders, with foot-soldiers who scorched the enemy, and with horses—adorned with heroic warriors—altogether splendid with valorous men.

Verse 58

अथागत्य महाराजः शत्रुघ्नं नतवान्मुदा । धन्योऽस्मि कृतकृत्योऽस्मि सत्कृतं च कृतं वपुः

Then, having come there, the great king joyfully bowed to Śatrughna and said: “Blessed am I; my purpose is fulfilled. This body of mine has been honored indeed.”

Verse 59

इदं राज्यं गृहाणाशु महाराजोपशोभितम् । महामाणिक्यमुक्तादि महाधनसुपूरितम्

Accept this kingdom at once—befitting and adorned for a great king—abundantly filled with immense wealth, with great rubies, pearls, and the like.

Verse 60

स्वामिंश्चिरं प्रतीक्षेऽहं हयस्यागमनं प्रति । कामाक्षाकथितं पूर्वं जातं संप्रति तत्तथा

O master, I have long awaited Hayā’s coming. What Kāmakṣā spoke before has now come to pass exactly so.

Verse 61

विलोकय पुरं मह्यं कृतार्थान्कुरु मानवान् । पावयास्मत्कुलं सर्वं रामानुज महीपते

Behold my city, O king, and make these people fulfilled. Purify our entire lineage, O younger brother of Rāma, O lord of the earth.

Verse 62

इत्युक्त्वारोहयामास कुंजरं चंद्रसुप्रभम् । पुष्कलं च महावीरं तथा स्वयमथारुहत्

Having said this, he mounted the elephant named Candrasuprabha; he also had Puṣkala, the great hero, mount it—then he himself mounted as well.

Verse 63

भेरीपणवतूर्याणां वीणादीनां स्वनस्तदा । व्याप्नोति स्म महाराज सुमदेन प्रणोदितः

Then, O great king, the resonant sound of drums, paṇavas, trumpets, vīṇās, and other instruments spread everywhere, set in motion by Sumada.

Verse 64

कन्याः समागत्य महानरेंद्रं । शत्रुघ्नमिंद्रादिकसेवितांघ्रिम् । करिस्थिता मौक्तिकवृंदसंघै । र्वर्धापयामासुरिनप्रयुक्ताः

Then the maidens approached the great king Śatrughna, whose feet are revered even by Indra and the other gods; and—mounted upon elephants—caused him to be honored and celebrated with heaps of clusters of pearls, impelled by the lord Ina.

Verse 65

शनैःशनैः समागत्य पुरीमध्ये जनैर्मुदा । वर्धापितो गृहं प्राप तोरणादिकभूषितम्

Gradually he came into the midst of the city; and the people, rejoicing, escorted him with honor. Then he reached his home, adorned with toranas and other ceremonial decorations.

Verse 66

हयरत्नेन संयुक्तस्तथा वीरैः सुशोभितः । राज्ञा पुरस्कृतो राजा शत्रुघ्नः प्राप मंदिरम्

Thus adorned with the precious horse-gem and splendidly attended by heroes, King Śatrughna—honored beforehand by the king—reached the palace.

Verse 67

अर्घादिभिः पूजयित्वा रघुनाथानुजं तदा । सर्वं समर्पयामास रामचंद्राय धीमते

Then, having worshiped Raghunātha’s younger brother with offerings such as arghya, he offered everything in complete dedication to the wise Rāmacandra.