Adhyaya 4

Verse 1

अगस्त्य उवाच । तस्माच्चंद्रहरिस्थानादाग्नेय्यां दिशि संस्थितः । देवो धर्महरिर्न्नाम कलिकल्मषनाशकः

Agastya said: To the southeast of that Candrahari shrine is situated a deity named Dharmahari, who destroys the impurities of the Kali age.

Verse 2

वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञः स्वकर्मपरिनिष्ठितः । पुरा समागतो धर्मस्तीर्थयात्राचिकीर्षया

In former times, Dharma—knower of the truths of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, and firmly established in his own ordained duty—came, wishing to undertake a pilgrimage to sacred fords (tīrthas).

Verse 3

आगत्य च चकारोच्चैर्यात्रां तत्रादरेण सः । दृष्ट्वा माहात्म्यमतुलमयोध्यायाः सविस्मयः

Having arrived there, he performed the pilgrimage with great reverence; and upon beholding the incomparable greatness of Ayodhyā, he was filled with wonder.

Verse 4

विधाय स्वभुजावूर्ध्वौ विप्रोऽवोचन्मुदान्वितः । अहो रम्यमिदं तीर्थमहो माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

Raising both his arms aloft, the brāhmaṇa spoke in joy: “Ah! How delightful is this sacred tīrtha; ah! how supreme is its greatness!”

Verse 5

अयोध्यासदृशी कापि दृश्यते नापरा पुरी । या न स्पृशति वसुधां विष्णुचक्रस्थिताऽनिशम्

No other city at all is seen to be like Ayodhyā—this city which does not touch the earth, ever poised upon Viṣṇu’s discus.

Verse 6

यस्यां स्थितो हरिः साक्षात्सेयं केनोपमीयते । अहो तीर्थानि सर्वाणि विष्णुलोकप्रदानि वै

In which Hari Himself abides directly—by what could this be compared? Ah! Indeed all these sacred tīrthas bestow the world of Viṣṇu.

Verse 7

अहो विष्णुरहो तीर्थमयोध्याऽहो महापुरी । अहो माहात्म्यमतुलं किं न श्लाघ्यमिहास्थितम्

Ah, Viṣṇu! Ah, the sacred tīrtha! Ah, Ayodhyā—the great city! Ah, its incomparable glory! What is there here that is not worthy of praise?

Verse 8

इत्युक्त्वा तत्र बहुशो ननर्त प्रमदाकुलः । धर्मो माहात्म्यमालोक्य अयोध्याया विशेषतः

Having spoken thus, Dharma—overwhelmed with joy—danced there again and again, beholding in particular the extraordinary greatness of Ayodhyā.

Verse 9

तं तथा नर्तमानं वै धर्मं दृष्ट्वा कृपान्वितः । आविर्बभूव भगवान्पीतवासा हरिः स्वयम् । तं प्रणम्य च धर्मोऽथ तुष्टाव हरिमादरात्

Seeing Dharma dancing in that manner, the Lord—moved by compassion—manifested there: Hari Himself, clad in yellow garments. Then Dharma bowed to Him and, with reverence, praised Hari.

Verse 10

धर्म उवाच । नमः क्षीराब्धिवासाय नमः पर्यंकशायिने । नमः शंकरसंस्पृष्टदिव्यपादाय विष्णवे

Dharma said: Salutations to the Lord who dwells upon the Ocean of Milk; salutations to Him who reclines upon the couch. Salutations to Viṣṇu whose divine feet were touched by Śaṅkara.

Verse 11

भक्त्यार्च्चितसुपादाय नमोऽजादिप्रियाय ते । शुभांगाय सुनेत्राय माधवाय नमो नमः

Salutations to You whose beautiful feet are worshipped with devotion; salutations to You who are dear to Brahmā and the other gods. Salutations again and again to Mādhava—of auspicious limbs and lovely eyes.

Verse 12

नमोऽरविन्दपादाय पद्मनाभाय वै नमः । नमः क्षीराब्धिकल्लोलस्पृष्टगात्राय शार्ङ्गिणे

Salutations to Him whose feet are like lotuses; salutations indeed to Padmanābha. Salutations to Śārṅgin, whose body is touched by the waves of the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 13

ॐ नमो योगनिद्राय योगर्क्षैर्भावितात्मने । तार्क्ष्यासनाय देवाय गोविन्दाय नमोनमः

Oṃ—salutations to Yogānidrā; salutations to Him whose being is realized by the yogic seers. Salutations to the God whose seat is Tārkṣya (Garuḍa); salutations again and again to Govinda.

Verse 14

सुकेशाय सुनासाय सुललाटाय चक्रिणे । सुवस्त्राय सुवर्णाय श्रीधराय नमोनमः

Salutations again and again to Him of beautiful hair, noble nose, and radiant brow; to the bearer of the discus. Salutations to Him of splendid garments and golden brilliance—to Śrīdhara—again and again.

Verse 15

सुबाहवे नमस्तुभ्यं चारुजंघाय ते नमः । सुवासाय सुदिव्याय सुविद्याय गदाभृते

Salutations to You of mighty arms; salutations to You of beautiful legs. Salutations to You of excellent abode and radiant divinity; to You who are true wisdom; to the bearer of the mace.

Verse 16

केशवाय च शांताय वामनाय नमोनमः । धर्मप्रियाय देवाय नमस्ते पीतवाससे

Salutations again and again to Keśava, the peaceful One, and to Vāmana. Salutations to the God who loves Dharma—salutations to You, O wearer of yellow garments.

Verse 17

अगस्त्य उवाच । इति स्तुतो जगन्नाथो धर्मेण श्रीपतिर्मुदा । उवाच स हृषीकेशः प्रीतो धर्ममुदारधीः

Agastya said: Thus praised by Dharma, Jagannātha—the Lord of Śrī—was filled with joy. Then Hṛṣīkeśa, pleased, spoke to Dharma, whose understanding is noble.

Verse 18

श्रीभगवानुवाच । तुष्टोऽहं भवतो धर्म स्तोत्रेणानेन सुव्रत । वरं वरय धर्मज्ञ यस्ते स्यान्मनसः प्रियः

The Blessed Lord said: “O Dharma, I am pleased with you by this hymn of praise, O man of excellent vow. Choose a boon, O knower of righteousness—whatever is dear to your heart.”

Verse 19

स्तोत्रेणानेन यः स्तौति मानवो मामतन्द्रितः । सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति पूजितः श्रीयुतःसदा

Whoever, being human, praises Me with this very hymn, unwearied and attentive, attains all desired aims and remains ever honored and endowed with prosperity.

Verse 20

धर्म उवाच । यदि तुष्टोसि भगवन्देवदेव जगत्पते । त्वामहं स्थापयाम्यत्र निजनाम्ना जगद्गुरो

Dharma said: “If You are pleased, O Bhagavān—God of gods, Lord of the world—then here I shall establish You under my own name, O Teacher of the universe.”

Verse 21

अगस्त्य उवाच । एवमस्त्विति संप्रोच्याभवद्धर्महरिर्विभुः । स्मरणादेव मुच्येत नरो धर्महरेर्विभोः

Agastya said: “Saying, ‘So be it,’ the all-pervading Lord became known as Dharma-Hari. Merely by remembering that mighty Dharma-Hari, a person is liberated.”

Verse 22

सरयूसलिले स्नात्वा सुचिंताकुलमानसः । देवं धर्महरिं पश्येत्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

Having bathed in the waters of the Sarayū, with a mind filled with pure contemplation, one should behold the god Dharma-Hari; one is released from all sins.

Verse 23

अत्र दानं तथा होमं जपो ब्राह्मणभोजनम् । सर्वमक्षयतां याति विष्णुलोके निवासकृत्

Here, charity, fire-offerings (homa), japa, and feeding of brāhmaṇas—all of it becomes imperishable in its fruit and leads one to residence in Viṣṇu’s world.

Verse 24

अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि यत्किंचिद्दुष्कृतं भवेत् । प्रायश्चित्तं विधातव्यं तन्नाशाय प्रयत्नतः

Whether through ignorance or knowingly, if any wrongdoing has occurred, one should duly perform prāyaścitta (expiation), striving earnestly for its complete destruction.

Verse 25

प्रायश्चित्तेन विधिना पापं तस्य प्रणश्यति । तस्मादत्र प्रकर्त्तव्यं प्रायश्चित्तं विधानतः

By prāyaścitta performed according to proper rule, that person’s sin is destroyed. Therefore, here one should carry out prāyaścitta in the prescribed manner.

Verse 26

अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि राजादेर्निग्रहात्तथा । नित्यकर्मनिवृत्तिः स्याद्यस्य पुंसोऽवशात्मनः । तेनाप्यत्र विधातव्यं प्रायश्चित्तं प्रयत्नतः

Whether through ignorance or knowingly—and likewise due to restraint imposed by a king and the like—if a helpless person suffers a lapse in the daily obligatory rites (nitya-karma), then even that person, here, should perform prāyaścitta with earnest effort.

Verse 27

अत्र साक्षात्स्वयं देवो विष्णुर्वसति सादरः । तस्माद्वर्णयितुं शक्यो महिमा न हि मानवैः

Here, Viṣṇu Himself—the very God—dwells directly and graciously. Therefore, His greatness in this place cannot truly be described by human beings.

Verse 28

आषाढे शुक्ल पक्षस्य एकादश्यां द्विजोत्तम । तस्य सांवत्सरी यात्रा कर्तव्या तु विधानतः

O best of the twice-born, on the Ekādaśī of the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha, one should duly perform that annual pilgrimage, following the prescribed rites.

Verse 29

स्वर्गद्वारे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा धर्महरिं विभुम् । सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा विष्णुलोके वसेत्सदा

Having bathed at Svargadvāra and beheld the glorious Lord Hari—embodiment of Dharma—a person is purified of all sins and dwells forever in Viṣṇu’s world.

Verse 30

तस्माद्दक्षिणदिग्भागे स्वर्णस्य खनिरुत्तमा । यत्र चक्रे स्वर्णवृष्टिं कुबेरो रघुजाद्भयात्

To the south of that place lies an excellent mine of gold—where Kubera, out of fear of Raghu’s son, caused a shower of gold to fall.

Verse 31

व्यास उवाच । भगवन्ब्रूहि तत्त्वज्ञ स्वर्णवृष्टिरभूत्कथम् । कुबेरस्य कथं भीतिरुत्पन्ना रघुभूपतेः

Vyāsa said: O revered one, knower of truth—tell me, how did the shower of gold occur? And how did fear arise in Kubera because of the king of Raghu’s line?

Verse 32

एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व विस्तरान्मम सुव्रत । श्रुत्वा कथारहस्यानि न तृप्यति मनो मम

Explain all of this to me in detail, O virtuous one; for even after hearing these secret depths of the story, my mind is not satisfied.

Verse 33

अगस्त्य उवाच । शृणु विप्र प्रवक्ष्यामि स्वर्णस्योत्पत्तिमुत्तमाम् । यस्य श्रवणतो नृणां जायते विस्मयो महान्

Agastya said: Listen, O Brāhmaṇa; I shall explain the excellent origin of gold—by hearing which a great wonder arises in people.

Verse 34

आसीत्पुरा रघुपतिरिक्ष्वाकुकुलवर्द्धनः । रघुर्निजभुजोदारवीर्यशासितभूतलः

In ancient times there was Raghu, lord of the Raghu line, increaser of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, who ruled the earth by the noble strength of his own arms.

Verse 35

प्रतापतापितारातिवर्गव्याख्यातसद्यशाः । प्रजाः पालयता सम्यक्तेननीतिमता सता

His noble fame was proclaimed by the very host of enemies scorched by his prowess; and that righteous king, wise in policy, properly protected his subjects.

Verse 36

यशःपूरेण समलिप्ता दिशो दश सितत्विषा । स चक्रे प्रौढविभवसाधनां विजयक्रमात्

The ten directions were as though anointed with the white radiance of the flood of his fame; and, step by step through victories, he accomplished the means to a great and mature prosperity.

Verse 37

नानादेशान्समाक्रम्य चतुरंगबलान्वितः । भूतानि वशमानीय वसु जग्राह दण्डतः

Marching through many lands, supported by a fourfold army, he brought opponents under control and seized wealth by the force of punishment—lawful royal coercion.

Verse 38

उत्कृष्टान्नृपतीन्वीरो दंडयित्वा बलाधिकान् । रत्नानि विविधान्याशु जग्राहातिबलस्तदा

Then that mighty hero chastised even eminent kings who were superior in strength, and swiftly seized many kinds of precious jewels.

Verse 39

स विजित्य दिशः सर्वा गृहीत्वा रत्नसंचयम् । अयोध्यामागतो राजा राजधानीं च तां शुभाम्

Having conquered all quarters and amassed a treasury of jewels, the king returned to Ayodhyā—his auspicious royal capital.

Verse 40

तत्रागत्य च काकुत्स्थो यज्ञायोत्सुकमानसः । चकार निर्मलां बुद्धिं निजवंशोचितक्रियाम

Arriving there, the Kakutstha prince—his mind eager for yajña—purified his resolve and made ready the rites befitting his noble lineage.

Verse 41

वसिष्ठं मुनिमाज्ञाय वामदेवं च कश्यपम्

He summoned the sage Vasiṣṭha, as well as Vāmadeva and Kaśyapa.

Verse 42

अन्यानपि मुनिश्रेष्ठान्नानातीर्थसमाश्रितान् । समानयद्विनीतेन द्विजवर्येण भूपतिः

The king also had other foremost sages—dwelling at various tīrthas—brought in, through a well-disciplined and excellent brāhmaṇa.

Verse 43

दृष्ट्वा स्थितान्स तान्सर्वान्प्रदीप्तानिव पावकान् । तानागतान्विदित्वाथ रघुः परपुरंजयः । निश्चक्राम यथान्यायं स्वयमेव महायशाः

Seeing all those sages standing—like fires ablaze—and knowing they had arrived, Raghu, conqueror of enemy cities, the greatly renowned one, himself came forth in accordance with proper decorum.

Verse 44

ततो विनीतवत्सर्वान्काकुत्स्थो द्विजसत्तमान् । उवाच धर्मयुक्तं च वचनं यज्ञसिद्धये

Then the Kakutstha prince, humble toward all those foremost brāhmaṇas, spoke words in accord with dharma, so that the sacrifice might be brought to completion.

Verse 45

रविरुवाच । मुनयः सर्व एवैते यूयं शृणुत मद्वचः । यज्ञं विधातुमिच्छामि तत्राज्ञां दातुमर्हथ

Ravi said: “O sages, all of you, hear my words. I wish to arrange a sacrifice (yajña); you should grant your sanction for it.”

Verse 46

सांप्रतं मामको यज्ञो युक्तः स्यान्मुनिसत्तमाः । एतद्विचार्य्य तत्त्वेन ब्रूत यूयं मुनीश्वराः

“At present, O best of sages, what sacrifice would be fitting for me? Consider it truly and tell me, O lords among the munis.”

Verse 47

मुनय ऊचुः । राजन्विश्वजिदाख्यातो यज्ञानां यज्ञ उत्तमः । सांप्रतं कुरु तं यत्नान्मा विलंबं वृथा कृथाः

The sages said: “O King, the sacrifice known as Viśvajit is the finest among sacrifices. Perform it now with earnest effort—do not delay without cause.”

Verse 48

अगस्त्य उवाच । नृपश्चक्रे ततो यज्ञं विश्वदिग्जयसंज्ञितम् । नानासंभारमधुरं कृतसर्वस्वदक्षिणम्

Agastya said: Then the king performed a sacrifice called “Universal Conquest of the Directions,” furnished with many pleasing requisites, and accompanied by such vast dakṣiṇā to the priests that it was as though he gave away all he possessed.

Verse 49

नानाविधेन दानेन मुनिसंतोषहर्षकृत् । सर्वस्वमेव प्रददौ द्विजेभ्यो बहुमानतः

By gifts of many kinds, gladdening and satisfying the sages, he reverently bestowed his entire wealth upon the twice-born.

Verse 50

तेषु विश्वेषु यातेषु पूजितेषु गृहान्स्वकान् । बन्धुष्वपि च तुष्टेषु मुनिषु प्रणतेषु च

When all those honored guests had departed to their own homes, and when his kinsmen were satisfied and the sages too had bowed in approval,

Verse 51

तेन यज्ञेन विधिवद्विहितेन नरेश्वरः । शुशुभे शोभनाचारः स्वर्गे देवेंद्रवत्क्षणात्

By that sacrifice, duly performed according to sacred rule, the lord of men—noble in conduct—shone in heaven like Indra, in an instant.

Verse 52

तत्रांतरे समभ्यायान्मुनिर्यमवतां वरः । विश्वामित्रमुनेरंतेवासी कौत्स इति स्मृतः

Meanwhile, there arrived an excellent sage among the self-controlled—Kautsa by name—known as a disciple residing with the sage Viśvāmitra.

Verse 53

दक्षिणार्थं गुरोर्द्धीमान्पावितुं तं नरेश्वरम् । चतुर्दशसुवर्णानां कोटीराहर सत्वरम्

To secure the guru’s fee (dakṣiṇā), that wise one—wishing to sanctify the king—quickly brought fourteen crores of gold coins.

Verse 54

मद्दक्षिणेति गुरुणा निर्बन्धाद्याचितो रुषा । आगतः स मुनिः कौत्सस्ततो याचितुमादरात् । रघुं भूपालतिलकं दत्तसर्वस्वदक्षिणम्

Pressed insistently by his guru—“My dakṣiṇā, my due!”—Kautsa came, though inwardly troubled; then, with reverent earnestness, he approached to request it from Raghu, the ornament of kings, who had already bestowed all he owned as sacrificial dakṣiṇā.

Verse 55

तमागतमभिप्रेत्य रघुरादरतस्तदा । उत्थाय पूजयामास विधिवत्स परंतपः । सपर्य्यासीत्तस्य सर्वा मृत्पात्रविहितक्रिया

Perceiving his arrival, Raghu rose with reverence and duly honored him according to rite; that subduer of foes performed every service for him, even the simple observances carried out with earthen vessels.

Verse 56

पूजासंभारमालोक्य तादृशं तं मुनीश्वरः । विस्मितोऽभून्निरानन्दो दक्षिणाऽशां परित्यजन् । उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञानविशारदः

Beholding such meager materials for worship, the lordly sage was astonished and grew joyless, letting go of hope for any dakṣiṇā; skilled in discerning the import of speech, he then spoke gentle, sweet words.

Verse 57

कौत्स उवाच । राजन्नभ्युदयस्तेऽस्तु गच्छाम्यन्यत्र सांप्रतम्

Kautsa said: “O King, may prosperity be yours; for now, I shall go elsewhere.”

Verse 58

गुर्वर्थाहरणायैव दत्तसर्वस्वदक्षिणम् । त्वां न याचे धनाभावादतोऽन्यत्र व्रजाम्यहम्

“I have already given away all my wealth as the sacrificial dakṣiṇā, solely to fulfill my teacher’s purpose. Now, lacking riches, I do not beg from you; therefore I shall go elsewhere.”

Verse 59

अगस्त्य उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तेन मुनिना रघुः परपुरंजयः । क्षणं ध्यात्वाऽब्रवीदेनं विनयाद्विहितांजलिः

Agastya said: “Thus addressed by that sage, Raghu—the conqueror of enemy cities—pondered for a moment and then replied with humility, his hands joined in reverence.”

Verse 60

रघुरुवाच । भगवंस्तिष्ठ मे हर्म्ये दिनमेकं मुनिव्रत । यावद्यतिष्ये भगवन्भवदर्थार्थमुच्चकैः

Raghu said: “O Blessed one, O sage of firm vows, stay in my palace for one day. Until then, O venerable sir, I shall strive earnestly to secure what is needed for your purpose.”

Verse 61

अगस्त्य उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा परमोदारवचो मुनिमुदारधीः । प्रतस्थे च रघुस्तत्र कुबेरविजिगीषया

Agastya said: “Having spoken such supremely generous words to the sage, the noble-minded Raghu set out from there, intent on conquering Kubera (and obtaining wealth).”

Verse 62

तमायांतं कुबेरोऽथ विज्ञाप्य वचनोदितैः । प्रसन्नमनसं चक्रे वृष्टिं स्वर्णस्य चाक्षयाम्

Then Kubera, learning through reported words that he was approaching, became pleased at heart and caused an inexhaustible rain of gold to fall.

Verse 63

स्वर्णवृष्टिरभूद्यत्र सा स्वर्णखनिरुत्तमा । स मुनिं दर्शयामास खनिं तेन निवेदिताम्

Where that rain of gold occurred, it became an excellent mine of gold. He then showed the sage that mine and presented it to him.

Verse 64

तस्मै समर्पयामास तां रघुः खनिमुत्तमाम् । मुनीन्द्रोऽपि गृहीत्वाशु ततो गुर्वर्थमादरात्

Thus Raghu presented to him that excellent gold mine. The lord among sages accepted it at once and then, with reverence, employed it to fulfill his teacher’s purpose.

Verse 65

राज्ञे निवेदयामास सर्वमन्यद्गुणाधिकः । वरानथ ददौ तुष्टः कौत्सो मतिमतां वरः

Being superior in virtues, he reported everything to the king. Then Kautsa—the best among the wise—being pleased, granted boons.

Verse 66

कौत्स उवाच । राजंल्लभस्व सत्पुत्रं निजवंशगुणान्वितम् । इयं स्वर्णखनिस्तूर्णं मनोभीष्टफलप्रदा

Kautsa said: “O King, may you obtain a noble son endowed with the virtues of your own lineage. And may this gold mine swiftly grant the fruits your heart desires.”

Verse 67

भूयादत्र परं तीर्थं सर्वपापहरं सदा । अत्र स्नानेन दानेन नृणां लक्ष्मीः प्रजायते

“May there be here a supreme tīrtha, ever removing all sins. By bathing and giving charity here, prosperity—Lakṣmī—arises for people.”

Verse 68

वैशाखे शुक्लद्वादश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी स्मृता । नानाभीष्टफलप्राप्तिर्भूयान्मद्वचसा नृणाम्

“On the bright twelfth day of Vaiśākha, this pilgrimage is remembered as the annual sacred journey. By my word, people obtain many desired fruits and blessings through it.”

Verse 69

अगस्त्य उवाच । इति दत्त्वा वरान्राज्ञे कौत्सः संतुष्टमानसः । प्रतस्थे निजकार्यार्थे गुरोराश्रममुत्सुकः

Agastya said: Thus, having bestowed boons upon the king, Kautsa—his heart content—set forth with eager haste for his own purpose, bound for his teacher’s hermitage.

Verse 70

राजा स कृतकृत्योऽथ शेषं संगृह्य तद्धनम् । द्विजेभ्यो विधिवद्दत्त्वा पालयामास वै प्रजाः

Then the king, his aim fulfilled, gathered the remaining wealth; and, having duly bestowed it upon the twice-born (brāhmaṇas) according to proper rites, he indeed protected his subjects.

Verse 71

एवं स्वर्णखनेर्जातं माहात्म्यं च मुनीश्वरात्

Thus arose the account of the glory connected with the “gold mine,” as it was received from the lord of sages.