Adhyaya 34

Verse 1

व्यास उवाच । एवं रामेण धर्मज्ञ जीर्णोद्धारः पुरा कृतः । द्विजानां च हितार्थाय श्रीमातुर्वचनेन च

Vyāsa said: “Thus, in ancient times, the dharma-knowing Rāma carried out the restoration of what had decayed—both for the welfare of the twice-born and in accordance with the command of Śrī Mātā.”

Verse 2

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । कीदृशं शासनं ब्रह्मन्रामेण लिखितं पुरा । कथयस्व प्रसादेन त्रेतायां सत्यमंदिरे

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Brahman sage, what kind of edict was formerly written by Rāma? Tell me graciously—the one issued in the Tretā age at Satyamandira.”

Verse 3

व्यास उवाच । धर्मारण्ये वरे दिव्ये बकुलार्के स्वधिष्ठिते । शून्यस्वामिनि विप्रेंद्र स्थिते नारायणे प्रभौ

Vyāsa said: In the supreme, divine Dharmāraṇya—where Bakulārka is established upon his own seat—O best of Brahmins, when the Lord Nārāyaṇa was present at Śūnyasvāmin…

Verse 4

रक्षणाधिपतौ देवे सर्वज्ञे गुणनायके । भवसागर मग्नानां तारिणी यत्र योगिनी

There abides the protecting Lord—the God who presides over guardianship, all-knowing and the leader of every virtue; and there the Yoginī called Tārīṇī delivers those who are sunk in the ocean of worldly becoming.

Verse 5

शासनं तत्र रामस्य राघवस्य च नामतः । शृणु ताम्राश्रयं तत्र लिखितं धर्मशास्त्रतः

Hear, by its very name, the edict of Rāma—Rāghava—there: a charter inscribed upon copper, composed in accordance with Dharmaśāstra.

Verse 6

महाश्चर्यकरं तच्च ह्यनेकयुगसंस्थितम् । सर्वो धातुः क्षयं याति सुवर्णं क्षयमेति च

And that is truly wondrous, enduring through many ages: every metal goes to decay—gold too comes to diminution.

Verse 7

प्रत्यक्षं दृश्यते पुत्र द्विजशासनमक्षयम् । अविनाशो हि ताम्रस्य कारणं तत्र विद्यते

It is seen directly, my son—the Brahmins’ charter is undecaying. For there exists, in that matter, a cause for copper’s imperishability.

Verse 8

वेदोक्तं सकलं यस्माद्विष्णुरेव हि कथ्यते । पुराणेषु च वेदेषु धर्मशास्त्रेषु भारत

For all that is taught by the Veda is indeed proclaimed to be Viṣṇu—O Bhārata—so too in the Purāṇas, in the Vedas, and in the Dharmaśāstras.

Verse 9

सर्वत्र गीयते विष्णुर्नाना भावसमाश्रयः । नानादेशेषु धर्मेषु नानाधर्मनिषेविभिः

Everywhere Viṣṇu is sung of, approached through many modes of feeling; in the various dharmas of diverse lands, by those who follow diverse religious observances.

Verse 10

नानाभेदैस्तु सर्वत्र विष्णुरेवेति चिंत्यते । अवतीर्णः स वै साक्षात्पुराणपुरुषो त्तमः

Though conceived with many distinctions, everywhere it is understood: “It is Viṣṇu alone.” He has truly descended in person—the supreme Person praised by the Purāṇas.

Verse 11

देववैरिविनाशाय धर्मसंरक्षणाय च । तेनेदं शासनं दत्तमविनाशात्मकं सुत

For the destruction of the enemies of the gods, and for the protection of Dharma, this edict was granted—imperishable in its very nature, my son.

Verse 12

यस्य प्रतापादृषद स्तारिता जलमध्यतः । वानरैर्वेष्टिता लंका हेलया राक्षसा हताः

By whose valor the rocks were made to float in the midst of the waters; Laṅkā was encircled by monkeys; and the Rākṣasas were slain with ease.

Verse 13

मुनिपुत्रं मृतं रामो यमलोकादुपानयत् । दुंदुभिर्निहतो येन कबंधोऽभिहतस्तथा

Rāma brought back the dead son of a sage even from Yama’s realm. By him Duṃdubhi was slain, and likewise Kabandha was struck down.

Verse 14

निहता ताडका चैव सप्तताला विभेदिताः । खरश्च दूषणश्चैव त्रिशिराश्च महासुरः

Tāḍakā too was slain, and the seven tāla-palms were pierced through. Khara and Dūṣaṇa were destroyed, and Triśiras, the great asura, as well.

Verse 15

चतुर्दशसहस्राणि जवेन निहता रणे । तेनेदं शासनं दत्तमक्षयं न कथं भवेत्

Fourteen thousand were swiftly slain in battle. Since this ordinance was granted by such a one, how could it not be imperishable?

Verse 16

स्ववंशवर्णनं तत्र लिखित्वा स्वयमेव तु । देशकालादिकं सर्वं लिलेख विधिपूर्वकम्

There he himself wrote down an account of his own lineage; and he duly recorded every detail—place, time, and the rest—according to proper procedure.

Verse 17

स्वमुद्राचिह्नितं तत्र त्रैविद्येभ्यस्तथा ददौ । चतुश्चत्वारिंशवर्षो रामो दशरथात्मजः

There he then bestowed it—marked with his own seal—upon the learned masters of the three Vedas. Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, was forty-four years of age.

Verse 18

तस्मिन्काले महाश्चर्यं संदत्तं किल भारत । तत्र स्वर्णोपमं चापि रौप्योपमम थापि च

At that time, O Bhārata, it is indeed said that a great marvel was bestowed. There appeared wonders like unto gold, and others also like unto silver.

Verse 19

उवाह सलिलं तीर्थे देवर्षिपितृतृप्तिदम् । स्ववंशनायकस्याग्रे सूर्येण कृतमेव तत्

At the tīrtha, water welled forth, bringing satisfaction to the devas, the ṛṣis, and the ancestors. This was indeed accomplished by Sūrya in the presence of the leader of his own lineage.

Verse 20

तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं रामो विष्णुं प्रपूज्य च । रामलेखविचित्रैस्तु लिखितं धर्मशासनम्

Seeing that great marvel, Rāma worshipped Viṣṇu; and the ordinance of dharma was inscribed in wondrous forms, in Rāma’s own writing.

Verse 21

यद्दृष्ट्वाथ द्विजाः सर्वे संसारभयबंधनम् । कुर्वते नैव यस्माच्च तस्मान्निखिलरक्षकम्

Upon seeing it, all the twice-born no longer fashion the bondage born of fear of saṃsāra. Therefore it is a protector of all.

Verse 22

ये पापिष्ठा दुराचारा मित्रद्रोहरताश्च ये । तेषां प्रबोधनार्थाय प्रसिद्धिमकरोत्पुरा

As for those most sinful, of wicked conduct, and delighting in betraying friends—so that they might be awakened, he formerly made this widely known.

Verse 23

रामलेखविचित्रैस्तु विचित्रे ताम्रपट्टके । वाक्यानीमानि श्रूयंते शासने किल नारद

O Nārada, upon a wondrous copper-plate charter, adorned with decorative lines and markings, these very proclamations are traditionally heard as the royal grant.

Verse 24

आस्फोटयंति पितरः कथयंति पितामहाः । भूमिदोऽस्मत्कुले जातः सोऽस्मान्संतारयिष्यति

The Pitṛs clap in joy, and the forefathers proclaim: “A giver of land has been born in our lineage—he will deliver us and carry us across.”

Verse 25

बहुभिर्बहुधा भुक्ता राजभिः पृथिवी त्वियम् । यस्ययस्य यदा भूमिस्तस्यतस्य तदा फलम्

This earth has been enjoyed in many ways by many kings; whoever holds the land at a given time—his, at that time, is the fruit that arises from its use and stewardship.

Verse 26

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गे वसति भूमिदः । आच्छेत्ता चानुमंता च तान्येव नरकं व्रजेत्

For sixty thousand years the donor of land dwells in heaven; but the one who seizes it, and the one who consents to that seizure, go to hell for that same span.

Verse 27

संदंशैस्तुद्यमानस्तु मुद्गरैर्विनिहत्य च । पाशैः सुबध्यमानस्तु रोरवीति महास्वरम्

Tormented with pincers, struck down with mallets, and tightly bound with nooses, he wails in the Rorava hell with a tremendous cry.

Verse 28

ताड्यमानः शिरे दंडैः समालिंग्य विभावसुम् । क्षुरिकया छिद्यमानो रोरवीति महास्वनम्

Beaten on the head with staffs, forced to embrace blazing fire, and cut with a razor-knife, he wails loudly in Rorava.

Verse 29

यमदूतैर्महाघोरैर्ब्रह्मवृत्तिविलोपकः । एवंविधैर्महादुष्टैः पीड्यंते ते महागणैः

The destroyer of a Brāhmaṇa’s livelihood is tormented by the terribly fearsome messengers of Yama—by great hosts of such exceedingly wicked tormentors.

Verse 30

ततस्तिर्यक्त्वमाप्नोति योनिं वा राक्षसीं शुनीम् । व्यालीं शृगालीं पैशाचीं महाभूतभयंकरीम्

Thereafter he falls into animal existence—or into births such as a demoness, a bitch, a serpent-woman, a she-jackal, or a piśācī—terrifying like a great ghoul.

Verse 31

भूमेरंगुलहर्ता हि स कथं पापमाचरेत् । भूमेरंगुलदाता च स कथं पुण्यमाचरेत्

He who steals even a finger’s breadth of land—how could he not commit sin? And he who donates even a finger’s breadth of land—how could he not practice merit?

Verse 32

अश्वमेधसहस्राणां राजसूयशतस्य च । कन्याशतप्रदानस्य फलं प्राप्नोति भूमिदः

The giver of land attains the fruit equal to a thousand Aśvamedha sacrifices, a hundred Rājasūya sacrifices, and the gifting of a hundred maidens in marriage.

Verse 33

आयुर्यशः सुखं प्रज्ञा धर्मो धान्यं धनं जयः । संतानं वर्द्धते नित्यं भूमिदः सुखमश्मुते

For the giver of land, longevity, good fame, happiness, wisdom, dharma, grain, wealth, and victory increase; and progeny ever prospers. Truly, the donor of land attains well-being.

Verse 34

भूमेरंगुलमेकं तु ये हरंति खला नराः । वंध्याटवीष्वतोयासु शुष्ककोटरवासिनः । कृष्णसर्पाः प्रजायंते दत्तदायापहारकाः

Those wicked men who steal even a single finger’s breadth of land are born again as black serpents—dwelling in barren forests, in waterless wastes, and in dry hollow trees—because they seize what has been granted as a rightful allotment.

Verse 35

तडागानां सहस्रेण अश्वमेधशतेन वा । गवां कोटिप्रदानेन भूमिहर्त्ता विशुध्यति

A stealer of land becomes purified only by merits equal to a thousand reservoirs, or a hundred Aśvamedha sacrifices, or by gifting a crore of cows.

Verse 36

यानीह दत्तानि पुनर्धनानि दानानि धर्मार्थयशस्कराणि । औदार्यतो विप्रनिवेदितानि को नाम साधुः पुनराददीत

Who, being truly virtuous, would ever take back again those gifts and riches that have been given here—donations that bring dharma, prosperity, and good fame—offered generously and dedicated to the brāhmaṇas?

Verse 37

चलदलदललीलाचंचले जीवलोके तृणलवलघुसारे सर्वसंसारसौख्ये । अपहरति दुराशः शासनं ब्राह्मणानां नरकगहनगर्त्तावर्तपातोत्सुको यः

In this living world—flickering like the play of trembling lotus-petals—where all the pleasures of saṃsāra are as trivial as a blade of grass, that man of evil craving who seizes the brāhmaṇas’ written grant rushes eagerly toward the whirlpool-fall into the deep pit of hell.

Verse 38

ये पास्यंति महीभुजः क्षितिमिमां यास्यंति भुक्त्वाखिलां नो याता न तु याति यास्यति न वा केनापि सार्द्धं धरा । यत्किंचिद्भुवि तद्विनाशि सकलं कीर्तिः परं स्थायिनी त्वेवं वै वसुधापि यैरुपकृता लोप्या न सत्कीर्तयः

Kings may guard this earth and, having enjoyed it wholly, depart; yet the earth goes with no one—neither with him who has gone, nor with him who goes, nor with him who will go. Whatever is upon the earth is perishable; only virtuous fame is supremely enduring. Therefore the good renown of those who have benefitted the earth can never be erased.

Verse 39

एकैव भगिनी लोके सर्वेषामेव भूभुजाम् । न भोज्या न करग्राह्या विप्रदत्ता वसुंधरा

The earth is the one common sister of all kings in the world—Vasundharā. Land bestowed upon brāhmaṇas is neither to be enjoyed as one’s own nor to be burdened with tax.

Verse 40

दत्त्वा भूमिं भाविनः पार्थिवेशान्भूयोभूयो याचते रामचन्द्रः । सामान्योऽयं धर्मसेतुर्नृपाणां स्वे स्वे काले पालनीयो भवद्भिः

Having granted land, Rāmacandra again and again entreats the future lords of the earth: “This is a common bridge of dharma for kings; in your own times, each of you must uphold it.”

Verse 41

अस्मिन्वंशे क्षितौ कोपि राजा यदि भविष्यति । तस्याहं करलग्नोस्मि मद्दत्तं यदि पाल्यते

If in this lineage any king should arise upon the earth, I am bound to his hand—provided that what I have granted is duly protected.

Verse 42

लिखित्वा शासनं रामश्चातुर्वेद्यद्विजोत्तमान् । संपूज्य प्रददौ धीमान्वसिष्ठस्य च सन्निधौ

Having written the charter of grant, the wise Rāma—after duly honoring the best of brāhmaṇas, learned in the four Vedas—formally bestowed it in the presence of Vasiṣṭha.

Verse 43

ते वाडवा गृहीत्वा तं पट्टं रामाज्ञया शुभम् । ताम्रं हैमाक्षरयुतं धर्म्यं धर्मविभूषणम्

Obeying Rāma’s auspicious command, those Vāḍavas took up that sacred plaque—of copper, inscribed with golden letters—righteous in itself and an ornament to dharma.

Verse 44

पूजार्थं भक्तिकामार्थास्तद्रक्षणमकुर्वत । चंदनेन च दिव्येन पुष्पेण च सुगन्धिना

For the sake of worship—and out of devotion and the desire to serve—they undertook its protection, offering divine sandal-paste and fragrant flowers.

Verse 45

तथा सुवर्णपुष्पेण रूप्यपुष्पेण वा पुनः । अहन्यहनि पूजां ते कुर्वते वाडवाः शुभाम्

Likewise, using flowers of gold—or again, flowers of silver—those Vāḍavas performed auspicious worship day after day.

Verse 46

तदग्रे दीपकं चैव घृतेन विमलेन हि । सप्तवर्तियुतं राजन्नर्घ्यं प्रकुर्वते द्विजाः

Before it they also set a lamp with pure ghee, O King—fitted with seven wicks; and the twice-born perform the offering of arghya in due form.

Verse 47

नैवेद्यं कुर्वते नित्यं भक्तिपूर्वं द्विजोत्तमाः । रामरामेति रामेति मन्त्रमप्युच्चरंति हि

The foremost among the twice-born daily present food-offerings (naivedya) with devotion; and indeed they also utter the mantra, “Rāma, Rāma,” again and again.

Verse 48

अशने शयने पाने गमने चोपवेशने । सुखे वाप्यथवा दुःखे राममन्त्रं समुच्चरेत्

Whether eating, sleeping, drinking, walking, or sitting—whether in joy or in sorrow—one should continually utter the sacred Rāma-mantra.

Verse 49

न तस्य दुःखदौर्भाग्यं नाधिव्याधिभयं भवेत् । आयुः श्रियं बलं तस्य वर्द्धयंति दिने दिने

For such a person there will be neither sorrow nor misfortune, nor fear of distress and disease; his lifespan, prosperity, and strength increase day by day.

Verse 50

रामेति नाम्ना मुच्येत पापाद्वै दारुणादपि । नरकं नहि गच्छेत गतिं प्राप्नोति शाश्वतीम्

By the very name “Rāma” one is released even from dreadful sin; one does not go to hell, but attains the eternal destination.

Verse 51

व्यास उवाच । इति कृत्वा ततो रामः कृतकृत्यममन्यत । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य तदा प्रणम्य च द्विजान्बहून्

Vyāsa said: Having done thus, Rāma then considered himself fulfilled; he circumambulated in reverence (pradakṣiṇā) and bowed to many twice-born sages.

Verse 52

दत्त्वा दानं भूरितरं गवाश्वमहिषीरथम् । ततः सर्वान्निजांस्तांश्च वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

Having given abundant gifts—cows, horses, buffaloes, and chariots—he then addressed all those of his own people with these words.

Verse 53

अत्रैव स्थीयतां सर्वैर्यावच्चंद्रदिवाकरौ । यावन्मेरुर्महीपृष्ठे सागराः सप्त एव च

Remain all of you right here—so long as the Moon and the Sun endure; so long as Meru stands upon the earth’s surface, and so long as the seven oceans exist.

Verse 54

तावदत्रैव स्थातव्यं भवद्भिर्हि न संशयः । यदा हि शासनं विप्रा न मन्यंते नृपा भुवि

Therefore you must stay here indeed—of this there is no doubt—especially when kings upon the earth do not honor the righteous ordinance, O brāhmaṇas.

Verse 55

अथवा वणिजः शूरा मदमायाविमोहिताः । मदाज्ञां न प्रकुर्वंति मन्यंते वा न ते जनाः

Or else, bold traders—deluded by intoxication and deceit—may fail to carry out my command, or those people may not acknowledge it at all.

Verse 56

तदा वै वायुपुत्रस्य स्मरणं क्रियतां द्विजाः । स्मृतमात्रो हनूमान्वै समागत्य करिष्यति

Then, O twice-born ones, perform the remembrance of the Son of Vāyu. The moment Hanumān is remembered, he will surely come and accomplish what is needed.

Verse 57

सहसा भस्म तान्सत्यं वचनान्मे न संशयः । य इदं शासनं रम्यं पालयिष्यति भूपतिः

In an instant he will reduce them to ashes—this is true; of my word there is no doubt. But the king who will uphold this fair ordinance…

Verse 58

वायुपुत्रः सदा तस्य सौख्यमृद्धिं प्रदास्यति । ददाति पुत्रान्पौत्रांश्च साध्वीं पत्नीं यशो जयम्

Vāyu’s son will ever grant him happiness and prosperity. He bestows sons and grandsons, a virtuous wife, fame, and victory.

Verse 59

इत्येवं कथयित्वा च हनुमंतं प्रबोध्य च । निवर्तितो रामदेवः ससैन्यः सपरिच्छदः

Having spoken thus, and having instructed and roused Hanumān, Lord Rāma returned—together with his army and all his retinue.

Verse 60

वादित्राणां स्वनैर्विष्वक्सूच्यमानशुभागमः । श्वेतातपत्रयुक्तोऽसौ चामरैर्वी जितो नरैः । अयोध्यां नगरीं प्राप्य चिरं राज्यं चकार ह

By the resounding of instruments, his auspicious arrival was proclaimed in every direction. Adorned with a white parasol and fanned with chowries by attendants, he reached the city of Ayodhyā and ruled for a long time.