Introduction
The ritual horse released by Emperor Sagara is snatched away by Indra in order to cause hindrance to the ritual. The ritual cannot proceed to culmination without the horse. Then Sagara orders his sixty thousand sons to search for that horse, asking them to dig earth to trace it, if it is not found on earth. And the princes will dig earth when they have not found the horse on earth, to the grief of beings living in netherworlds.
Verse 1
विश्वामित्रवचः श्रुत्वा कथान्ते रघुनंदन |
उवाच परमप्रीतो मुनिं दीप्तमिवानलम् || १-३९-१
On listening the narration of Vishvamitra, Rama, the delighter of Raghu’s dynasty is highly rejoiced, and at the end of the episode he spoke to sage whose glow is fire like. [1-39-1]
1. raghunandana = Raghu’s delight – Rama; vishvaamitravacaH shrutvaa = on listening Vishvamitra’s words – narration; paramapriitaH = highly rejoiced; kathaante = at the end of episode ; diiptam iva analam = glowing, like, fire; munim = to sage; uvaaca = said to.
Verse 2
श्रोतुमिच्छामि भद्रं ते विस्तरेण कथामिमाम् |
पूर्वजो मे कथं ब्रह्मन् यज्ञं वै समुपाहरत् || १-३९-२
I am interested to listen this episode exhaustively, oh, Brahman, let good betide you, how my ancestor Sagara had completed the Vedic-ritual, really. [1-39-2]
2. brahman = oh Brahman; imaam kathaam vistareNa shrotum icChaami = I am interested to listen extensively this episode; te bhadram = may good betide to you; me puurvajaH = earlier born one of mine – my ancestor Sagara; katham = how; ya~jnam = Vedic-ritual; samupaaharat [sam+upa+aaharat = well nearly completed] completed; vai = really.
Verse 3 & 4a
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कौतूहलसमन्वितः |
विश्वामित्रस्तु काकुत्स्थमुवाच प्रहसन्निव || १-३९-३
श्रूयतां विस्तरो राम सगरस्य महात्मनः |
On listening the words of Rama that are inclusive of his inquisitiveness, Sage Vishvamitra smilingly spoke to that descendent of Kakutstha, “oh, Rama, let the episode of the great-souled Sagara be listened vividly.” Vishvamitra thus commenced to narrate that episode. [1-39-3, 4a]
3, 4a. tasya tat vacanam = his – Rama’s, that, sentence; kautuuhalasamanvitaH = inclusive of inquisitiveness; shrutvaa = on listening; vishvaamitraH tu = Vishvamitra, on his part; kaakutstham = to the descendent of Kakutstha; prahasan iva uvaaca = said as though smiling; mahaatmanaH sagarasya = of great-souled one, Sagara’s; episode; vistaraH shruuyataam = vividly, may be listened; raama = oh Rama.
Verse 4b & 5a
शंकरश्वशुरो नाम हिमवानिति विश्रुतः || १-३९-४
विंध्यपर्वतमासाद्य निरीक्षेते परस्परम् |
The father-in-law of god Shankara who is well-known by the name of Himavan sets eyes on Mt. Vindhya, which stands as loftily as Himalayas, and those two mountains peer at each other. [1-39-4b, 5a]
4b, 5a. shankarashvashuraH = god Sankara’s father-in-law; himavaan naama = Himavanta, namely; iti vishrutaH = by name, thus, well known; vindhyaparvatam aasaadya = attaining Vindhya mountain [Himavan] – by sight, set eyes on; niriikSete parasparam = without wink [stares, peers] each other – Vindhya and Himalayas look at each other.
Verse 5b & 6a
तयोर्मध्ये प्रवृत्तोऽभूद्यज्ञः स पुरुषोत्तम|| १-३९-५
स हि देशो नरव्याघ्र प्रशस्तो यज्ञकर्मणि|
Oh, best one among men, Rama, that Vedic-ritual of Sagara started in between those two mountains, namely Himalayas and Vindhya ranges, and oh, tigerly-man Rama, that area is renowned for Vedic-rituals, isn’t it! [1-39-5b, 6a]
5b, 6a. puruSottama = oh the best man – Rama; saH ya~jnaH = that, Vedic ritual of Sagara; tayoH madhye = of them two – between Vindhya and Himalayas mountains between; pravr^ittaH abhuut = started; naravyaaghra = oh tigerly man Rama; saH deshaH = that, area; ya~jnakarmaNi = for Vedic rituals; prashastaH hi = renowned, isn’t it.
Verse 6b & 7a
तस्याश्वचर्यां काकुत्स्थ दृढधन्वा महारथः || १-३९-६
अंशुमानकरोत्तात सगरस्य मते स्थितः |
Oh, dear sire Rama, the grandson of Sagara and the son of exiled Asamanja is Amshuman, oh, descendant of Kakutstha, which Anshuman’s bow will be unfaltering and who is a top-speeded chariot-rider, and he has escorted ritual-horse released. [1-39-6b, 7a]
6b, 7a. taata = oh dear sire; kaakutstha = oh descendant of Kakutstha; dR^iDhadhanvaa = unfaltering bow – wielder; mahaarathaH = top-speeded chariot-rider; such a prince; amshumaan = Amshuman; sagarasya mate sthitaH = in abiding by Sagara’s conviction; tasya = its – ritual’s; ashvacaryaam = course of action of horse – from release to retrieval; akarot = managed – escorted.
Verse 7b & 8a
तस्य पर्वणि तं यज्ञं यजमानस्य वासवः || १-३९-७
राक्षसीं तनुमास्थाय यज्ञीयाश्वमपाहरत् |
And on the day of a sacred function called ukthyam , Indra assumed the form of a demon and stole the ritual horse of the chief of the ritual, namely Sagara. [1-39-7b, 8a]
7b, 8a. vaasavaH = Indra; raakSasiim tanum aasthaaya = on assuming demonic form; parvaNi = at auspicious time [ukthya, the day of sacred function]; ya~jnam yajamaanasya = ritual’s, of presiding authority; tasya = his – Sagara’s; tam ya~jniiya ashvam apaaharat = snatched away that Vedic-ritual’s horse .
Verse 8b & 9a
ह्रियमाणे तु काकुत्स्थ तस्मिन्नश्वे महात्मनः ||१-३९-८
उपाध्यायगणाः सर्वे यजमानमथाब्रुवन् |
While that ritual-horse of the great-souled Sagara is stolen, all the congregations of the Ritviks, the religious-teachers, then spoke to the chief propitiator, namely Sagara. [1-39-8b, 9a]
8b, 9a. kaakutstha = oh Rama of Kakutstha; mahaatmanaH = great-souled one’s – Sagara’s; tasmin ashve hriyamaaNe tu = that, horse, while being stolen; atha sarve upaadhyaayagaNaaH = then, all, religious-teachers’ congregations – of ritwiks; yajamaanam abruvan = then spoke to propitiator.
Verse 9b & 10a
अयं पर्वणि वेगेन यज्ञियाश्वोऽपनीयते ||१-३९-९
हर्तारं जहि काकुत्स्थ हयश्चैवोपनीयताम् |
‘Oh, Sagara,the descendent of Kakutstha, at this auspicious time the ritual horse is hastily diverted, you kill him who stole the horse, and let that horse be fetched’. [1-39-9b, 10a]
9b, 10a. kaakutstha = oh decedent of Kakutstha – Sagara; parvaNi = on auspicious day; ayam ya~jniyaashvaH = this, ritual’s horse; vegena apaniiyate = hastily, being sidetracked – stolen away; hartaaram jahi = you kill who stole it – horse’s thief, ; hayaH ca eva upaniiyataam = horse, also, that way, be fetched.
Verse 10b & 11a
यज्ञश्च्छिद्रं भवत्येतत्सर्वेषामशिवाय नः || १-३९-१०
तत्तथा क्रियतां राजन् यज्ञोऽच्छिद्रः क्रतुर्भवेत् |
‘This hindrance in Vedic-ritual will become inauspicious for all of us, thereby, oh, king, action may be taken as to how there can be no fault in proceedings of the ritual.’ The religious-teachers of Sagara have advised him in this way. [1-39-10b, 11a]
10b, 11a. etat yaGYaH cChidram = this one – the happening, in Vedic-ritual, hindrance; naH sarveSaam = us, for all; ashivaaya = not auspicious; bhavati = it becomes; tat = thereby; raajan = oh king; krataH = ritual’s proceedings; acChidraH = not faulty; yaGYaH bhavet = ritual, it will be; tathaa kriyataam = that way, action may be taken.
Verse 11b & 12a
सोऽपाध्यायवचः श्रुत्वा तस्मिन्सदसि पार्थिवः ||१-३९-११
षष्टिं पुत्रसहस्राणि वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह |
On hearing the words of religious-teachers that king Sagara indeed spoke this much to his sixty thousand sons in that religious-council. [1-39-11b, 12a]
11b, 12a. paarthivaH = that king – Sagara; saH upaadhyaayavacaH shrutvaa = he Sagara, on hearing words of religious-teachers; tasmin sadasi = in that, religious-council; SaSTim putrasahasraaNi = to sixty thousand sons; etat vaakyam uvaaca ha = spoke this sentence, indeed.
Verse 12b & 13a
गतिं पुत्रा न पश्यामि रक्षसां पुरुषर्षभाः ||१-३९-१२
मंत्रपूतैर्महाभागैरास्थितो हि महाक्रतुः |
‘Oh, sons, I do not envisage any way in for demons into this ritual, since oh, best ones among men, holy-sanctifiers who themselves are sanctified by the Vedic-hymns are conducting this glorious Vedic-ritual, isn’t it. [1-39-12b, 13a]
12b, 13a. puruSarSabhaaH = oh best ones among men; putraaH = oh sons; rakSasaam gatim na pashyaami = I do not envisage approaching [here] of demons; mahaakratuH = glorious Vedic-ritual; mantrapuutaiH mahaabhaagaiH = sanctified by hymns, by holy sanctifiers ; aasthitaH hi = presided over – being conducted, isn’t it.
Verse 13b & 14a
तद्गच्छत विचिन्वध्वं पुत्रका भद्रमस्तु वः ||१-३९-१३
समुद्रमालिनीं सर्वां पृथिवीमनुगच्छत |
‘Oh, sons, you may therefore proceed to search for the horse and its thief on entire earth as far as it is garlanded by the ocean, and safety betides you all. [1-39-13]
13b, 14a. putrakaaH = oh sons; tat = therefore; vicinvadhvam = for the purpose of searching – horse and its thief; gacChata = you may proceed; vaH bhadram astu = there will be safety to you all; samudramaaliniim = garlanded with ocean – encompassed by oceans; sarvaam = entire; pR^ithiviim anugacchata = earth, you follow – you search.
Verse 14b & 15a
एकैकं योजनं पुत्रा विस्तारमभिगच्छत || १-३९-१४
यावत्तुरगसंदर्शस्तावत्खनत मेदिनीम् |
तमेव हयहर्तारं मार्गमाणा ममाज्ञया ||१-३९-१५
‘Oh, sons, let each prince advance searching one square yojana of earth, by my order you dig up the earth until the appearance of the horse, while searching for the stealer of that horse. [1-39-14b, 15]
14b, 15. putraaH = oh sons; ekaikam yojanam = one [each prince] one, yojana – area of earth; vistaaram abhigacChata = square area, you advance – allocate for yourself; mama aaGYayaa = by my, order; tam hayahartaaram = him, horse stealer; maargamaaNaa = while searching; turagasandarshaH yaavat = until horse’s appearance; taavat mediniim khanata = till then you dig out earth.
Verse 16
दीक्षितः पौत्रसहितः सोपाध्यायगणस्त्वहम् |
इह स्थास्यामि भद्रं वो यावत्तुरगदर्शनम् ||१-३९-१६
‘As for myself, I will stay here only along with my grandson, namely Amshuman, and with the congregation of religious-teachers till the horse appears, as I am under vow of the ritual.’ Thus Sagara instructed to his sixty thousand sons and stayed back at the ritual place. [1-39-16]
16. diikSitaH aham tu = under vow, I, for my part; such as I am; pautrasahitaH = along with grand son [Amshuman] ; sopaadhyaayagaNaH = along with congregation of religious-teachers; yaavat turagadarshanam = till, horse appears; iha sthaasyaami = here, I will stay; vaH bhadram = to you all, safe betides.
Verse 17
ते सर्वे हृष्टमनसो राजपुत्रा महाबलाः |
जग्मुर्महीतलं राम पितुर्वचनयंत्रिताः ||१-३९-१७
Animated by their father’s words those great-mighty princes enthusiastically proceeded onto earth’s surface in the preliminary round of search. [1-39-1]
17. raama = oh Rama; [iti uktaaH = thus, who are addressed – the sons]; mahaabalaaH = great mighty ones; raajaputraaH = king’s sons – princes; hR^iSTamanasaH = gladdened at heart – enthusiastically; pituH vacanayantritaaH = amimated by words of father; te sarve = they, all; mahiitalam jagmuH = proceeded to earth’s surface.
Verse 18
गत्वा तु पृथिवीं सर्वमदृष्टा तं महबलाः |
योजनायामविस्तारमेकैको धरणीतलम् |
बिभिदुः पुरुषव्याघ्र वज्रस्पर्शसमैर्भुजैः ||१-३९-१८
But, oh, tigerly-man Rama, on going round the earth in its entirety those great-mighty princes did not find that horse, then as said by their father they mapped the earth to a unit of one square yojana for each of them, and each of them hollowed out each and every area on the surface of earth with their arms that have the touch of the diamonds. [1-39-18]
18. puruSavyaaghra = oh tigerly man, Rama; mahaabalaaH = great mighty ones; sarvam pR^ithiviim gatvaa tu = having gone entire earth, but; tam adR^iShTaa = that – horse, not, seen; ekaikaH = each every – prince; yojanaayaam avistaaram = yojana-s not very wide; dharaNiitalam = surface of earth; vajrasparshasamaiH = similar to the touch of diamond ; bhujaiH [nakhaiH] = with arms – with nails; bibhiduH = they hollowed out.
Verse 19
शूलैरशनिकल्पैश्च हलैश्चापि सुदारुणैः |
भिद्यमाना वसुमती ननाद रघुनंदन ||१-३९-१९
Mother Earth bewailed while she is ruptured with spears also that are similar to thunderbolts, besides with very gruelling ploughs. [1-39-19]
19. raghunandana = oh legatee of Raghu, Rama; ashanikalpaiH shuulaiH ca = spears similar to thunderbolt, also; sudaaruNaiH halaiH ca api = very gruelling, with ploughs, also, even; bhidyamaanaa vasumatii nanaada = mother earth bewailed being ruptured .
Verse 20
नागानां वध्यमानानामसुराणां च राघव |
राक्षसानां च दुर्धर्षः सत्त्वानां निनदोऽभवत् ||१-३९-२०
Oh, Raghava, there emerged an unbearable rumpus from the serpents, asura-s, demons, and other beings living underneath the surface of earth, while they are killed during hollowing the earth. [1-39-20]
20. raaghava = oh Raghava; vadhyamaanaanaam [mathyamaanaanaam] naagaanaam = being killed [while being battered,] of serpents; asuraaNaam ca = of asura-s, also; raakSasaanaam ca = of demons, also; sattvaanaam = of other beings; durdharSaH ninadaH abhavat = unbearable [unstoppable,] rumpuses, emerged.
Verse 21
योजनानां सहस्राणि षष्टिं तु रघुनंदन |
बिभिदुर्धरणीं राम रसातलमनुत्तमम् ||१-३९-२१
Oh, Rama, the legatee of Raghu’s dynasty, thus sixty thousand square yojana-s of the earth is dug over, so as to make the earth’s outermost plane as the unsurpassed rasaatala, the sixth subterranean and the nethermost plane. [1-39-21]
21. raghunandana = oh legatee of Raghu’s dynasty; raama = oh Rama; yojanaanaam SaSTim sahasraaNi tu = sixty thousand yojana-s , thus; dharaNiim = of earth; they dug to make it as the; anuttamam = unsurpassed; rasaatalam = as sixth subterranean field; bibhiduH = hollowed.
Verse 22
एवं पर्वतसंबाधं जम्बूद्वीपं नृपात्मजाः |
खनन्तो नृपशार्दूल सर्वतः परिचक्रमुः ||१-३९-२२
Oh, the tigerly king Rama, the sons of Sagara have endeavoured everywhere digging over the Jambu Island which is verily congested with mountains in this way. [1-39-22]
22. nR^ipashaarduula = oh tigerly king, Rama; nR^ipaatmajaaH = king’s sons; parvatasambaadham = verily congested with mountains ; jambuudviipam = Jambu Island [plateau]; evam khanantaH = this way, while digging; sarvataH paricakramuH = everywhere, they endeavoured.
Verse 23
ततो देवाः सगंधर्वाः सासुराः सहपन्नगाः |
संभ्रांतमनसः सर्वे पितामहमुपागमन् ||१-३९-२३
All the gods along with gandharva-s, asura-s, and reptiles who are distraught at heart for the plight of earth have approached the Forefather, Brahma. [1-39-23]
23. tataH = then; sagandharvaaH = along with gandharva-s; saasuraaH sahapannagaaH = with asura-s, and with reptiles; devaaH = gods; sarve sambhraantamanasaH = all are, distraught at heart – for the plight of earth; pitaamaham upaagaman = neared – approached to Forefather Brahma.
Verse 24
ते प्रसाद्य महात्मानं विषण्णवदनास्तदा |
ऊचुः परमसंत्रस्ताः पितामहमिदं वचः ||१-३९-२४
They the gods who are very highly scared, and who are chap-fallen, then spoke this sentence to the great-souled Forefather Brahma on gaining his grace. [1-39-24]
24. paramasantrastaaH = who are very highly scared; viSaNNavadanaaH = with despondent faces – chap-fallen; te = they, the gods; tadaa = then; mahaatmaanam pitaamaham prasaadya = getting the grace of great-souled Forefather – Brahma ; idam vacaH uucuH = they spoke this sentence.
Verse 25
भगवन् पृथिवी सर्वा खन्यते सगरात्मजैः |
बहवश्च महात्मानो वध्यन्ते जलचारिणः ||१-३९-२५
‘Oh, god Brahma, the sons of Sagara are digging entire earth, thus aquatic beings and many great-souls are being destroyed. [1-39-25]
25. bhagavan = oh god Brahma; sarvaa pR^ithivii = entire, earth; sagaraatmajaiH khanyate = being dug by sons of Sagara, ; jalacaariNaH [talavaasinaH, rasaatalavaasinaH] = water moving creatures [aquatic beings, dwellers in netherworlds]; bahavaH ca mahaatmaanaH vadhyante = many, great souled beings, also, are being destroyed.
Verse 26
अयं यज्ञ हरोऽस्माकमनेनाश्वोऽपनीयते |
इति ते सर्वभूतानि हिंसन्ति सगरात्मजाः ||१-३९-२६
” ‘This one is the destroyer of our ritual… this one has carried off our ritual horse…’ thinking thus and suspecting everyone those sons of Sagara are torturing all the living beings.’ Thus all the gods have appealed to Brahma.” So said Sage Vishvamitra to Rama and others. [1-39-26]
26. ayam = this one is; [naH = our]; yaGYaharaH = ritual stealer – hinderer; anena = by this one; asmaakam ashvaH apaniiyate = our, [ritual] horse, is carried off; iti = thus – thinking thus; te sagaraatmajaaH = those, Sagara’s sons; sarvabhuutaani himsanti = they are torturing all living beings.
