Introduction
After the heavenward journey of Sage Sharabhanga, Rama is approached by others sages and hermits. They inform him about the atrocities of demons around that place. They all ask Rama to eradicate the menace and Rama avows to do so, in order to keep up the tranquillity of those hermitages, and also to obliterate the menace of demons from earth.
Verse 1
शरभङ्गे दिवम् प्राप्ते मुनि संघाः समागताः |
अभ्यगच्छन्त काकुत्स्थम् रामम् ज्वलित तेजसम् || ३-६-१
On Sage Sharabhanga attaining heaven, groups of sages assembled and approached Rama of Kakutstha dynasty, who is glowing with resplendence. [3-6-1]
1. sharabhange divam praapte = Sage Sharabhanga, heaven, on attaining; muni sanghaaH samaagataaH = sages, groups, assembled; abhyagacChanta = approached; kaakutstham = the one from Kakutstha dynasty; raamam = Rama; jvalita tejasam = glowing with resplendence.
Verse 2
वैखानसा वालखिल्याः संप्रक्षाला मरीचिपाः |
अश्म कुट्टाः च बहवः पत्र आहाराः च तापसाः || ३-६-२
The sages called Vaikahanasa-s, [who are born out of the nails of Prajaapati, the first ruler of mankind,] also Vaalakhilyaa-s, [those born from His hair,] and those from the water of His feet-wash, and those that thrive on drinking rays of sun and moon alone, and those that pound with stones and others who thrive on leaves alone, are those sages… [3-6-2]
2. vaikhaanasaa = sages born out of the nails of Prajaapati; vaalakhilyaaH = born from Prajaapati’s hair; sam prakshaalaa = from His feet-wash; mariichi paaH = rays of sun and moon, drinkers; ashma kuTTaaH ca = by stone, pound grains, also; bahavaH = many of them; patra aahaaraaH ca = leave-eaters, also; taapasaaH = sages.
Verse 3
दन्त उलूखलिनः च एव तथा एव उन्मज्जकाः परे |
गात्र शय्या अशय्याः च तथा एव अनवकाशिकाः || ३-६-३
Some of them use their own teeth to grid the grain they eat, and some who perform ascesis in neck-deep water, and some who sleep with their head resting on their shoulders or on chests without using any kind of bed, and some who do not use any kind of beds either, and some who meditate without any repose sitting in an enclosure without any leg-space. [3-6-3]
3. danta uluukhalinaH ca eva = teeth, grind-stones, like [use their own teeth to grind the grain]; tatha eva = like that; unmajjakaaH = neck deep in water [they perform ascesis]; pare = others; gaatra shayyaa = sleeper on their own shoulders or chest; a shayyaaH ca = no, beds, also; tathaa eva = like that; an avakaashakaaH = sages without any repose.
Verse 4
मुनयः सलिल आहारा वायु भक्षाः तथा अपरे |
आकाश निलयाः च एव तथा स्थण्डिल शायिनः || ३-६-४
And some sages whose food is water alone, or air alone to some, like that some who meditate staying in sky and some who sleep on bare ground itself. [3-6-4]
4. munayaH = sages; salila aahaaraa = water, as food; vaayu bhakshaaH = air, as food; tathaa = like that; apare = and some more; aakaasha nilayaaH ca = in air, standing, also; eva tathaa = thus, then; sthandila shaayinaH = on ground, sleeping.
Verse 5
तथा ऊर्थ्व वासिनः दान्ताः तथा आर्द्र पट वाससः |
स जपाः च तपो नित्याः तथा पंच तपोऽन्विताः || ३-६-५
Thus some are dwellers on high-peaked places with their senses controlled, and some are wearers of wet cloths, always reciting name or hymn japa and like that some who meditate with five kinds of fire around them. [3-6-5]
5. tathaa = thus; uurthva vaasinaH = high-peak, dwellers; daantaaH = controlled senses; tathaa = thus; aardra paTa vaasasaH = wet, cloths, wearers; sa japaaH ca = with, recitation, also; tapaH nityaaH = meditate, always; tathaa = like that; panca tapaH anvitaaH = in five kinds of fire, meditating.
Verse 6
सर्वे ब्राह्ंया श्रिया ज्युक्ता दृढ योग समाहिताः |
शरभंग आश्रमे रामम् अभिजग्मुः च तापसाः || ३-६-६
All have Vedic resplendence and firm yogic control, and they have arrived at the hermitage of Sage Sharabhanga for Rama. [3-6-6]
6. sarve = all; braahmyaa = of Brahma, i.e., of Vedic; shriyaa yuktaa = resplendence, with; dR^iDha yoga samaahitaaH = firm, yogic control, having; sharabhanga aashrame = in Sharabhanga hermitage; raamam = for Rama; abhijagmuH ca = arrived, also; taapasaaH = sages.
Verse 8
त्वम् इक्ष्वाकु कुलस्य अस्य पृथिव्याः च महारथः |
प्रधानः च अपि नाथः च देवानाम् मघवान् इव || ३-६-८
“You are the supreme charioteer born in Ikshvaku dynasty hence you are the protector of earth under your control. As with Indra, the ruler of divinities you are a similar ruler for us. [3-6-8]
8. mahaarathaH = being great charioteer in battlefields / Supreme Charioteer of Universe; tvam ikSvaaku kulasya naathaH = you are, Ikshvaku, dynasty, [not only] the protector; asya pR^ithivyaaH ca = to this, earth, also; devaanaam maghavaan iva = for gods, Indra, as with; [tvam = you are]; pradh[but also the] aanaH api ca = leader / protector, shelterer, even, also.
Verse 9
विश्रुतः त्रिषु लोकेषु यशसा विक्रमेण च |
पितृ व्रतत्वम् सत्यम् च त्वयि धर्मः च पुष्कलः || ३-६-९
“You are well renowned in all the three worlds by your repute and valour, and in you abounding are the virtues like truthfulness and devotion to your father, and even righteousness too, is there. [3-6-9]
9. [tvam = you are]; triSu lokeshu yashasaa vikrameNa ca vishrutaH = in three, worlds, by your repute and valour well, renowned; tvayi = in you; pitR^iu vratatvam satyam ca = to father, devotion, truthfulness, also; pushkalaH = abounding; dharmaH ca = righteousness, even [is there].
Verse 10
त्वाम् आसाद्य महात्मानम् धर्मज्ञम् धर्म वत्सलम् |
अर्थित्वात् नाथ वक्ष्यामः तत् च नः क्षन्तुम् अर्हसि || ३-६-१०
“You are the great-souled one, knower of righteousness and a patron of virtue… such as you are, on approaching you we beg to state something for which we may please be excused… [3-6-10]
10. mahaatmaanam = great soul; dharmaGYam = knower of righteousness; dharma vatsalam = virtue, patron of; tvaam arthitvaat aasaadya = you, like begging, on getting at [we beg to state as we have come across you]; vakshyaamaH = we can tell you [petition to you]; naatha = oh, protector; naH = our; that = that [special or personal] begging; kshantum arhasi = to pardon, will be apt of you.
Verse 11
अधार्मः सुमहान् नाथ भवेत् तस्य तु भूपतेः |
यो हरेत् बलि षड् भागम् न च रक्षति पुत्रवत् || ३-६-११
“Oh! , very great a-dharma, wrongness, will occur to that king who takes the sixth part of the country’s produce as cess, but does not safeguard his subjects like his own sons… [3-6-11]
11. naatha = oh, protector; yaH = which king; bali = cess; shaT bhaagam = sixth part; haret = who takes; putra vat = like sons; na ca rakshati = who does not, also, guard; tasya mahii pateH = to such a king; a dhaarmaH = non-virtue [wrongness,]; su mahaan = very, great; bhavet = will fall upon him.
Verse 12 & 13
युंजानः स्वान् इव प्राणान् प्राणैः इष्टान् सुतान् इव |
नित्य युक्तः सदा रक्षन् सर्वान् विषय वासिनः || ३-६-१२
प्राप्नोति शाश्वतीम् राम कीर्तिम् स बहु वार्षिकीम् |
ब्रह्मणः स्थानम् आसाद्य तत्र च अपि महीयते || ३-६-१३
“A king shall treat all the subjects of kingdom as his own sons, and he shall protect them as though he is ready to save them at the cost of his own lives, and he who will always be endeavouring in that manner will attain permanent renown lasting for many for many years to come, and thereby he attains a prosperous place even in Brahma’s abode… [3-6-12, 3]
12, 13. sarvaan vishaya vaasinaH = all, country, dwellers [subjects]; praanaiH iSTaan sutaan iva = than life, dearer, sons, like; svaan praanaan yunjaanah iva = his own, lives, give away, as though; nitya yuktaH sadaa rakshan = always, endeavouring, always, protecting; saH = he that king; praapnoti = will attain; shaashvatiim kiirtim = permanent, renown; bahu vaarSikiim = lasting for many years; brahmaNaH sthaanam aasaadya = in Brahma’s abode, a place, on getting; tatra ca api mahiiyate = there, also, even, will prosper.
Verse 14
यत् करोति परम् धर्मम् मुनिः मूल फल अशनः |
तत्र राज्ञः चतुर् भागः प्रजा धर्मेण रक्षतः || ३-६-१४
“He who righteously protects his subjects will get one fourth of the merit of great duty-bound deeds performed by each individual sage, say yajna-s, ascesis, meditation etc. performances. [3-6-14]
14. prajaa dharmeNa rakshataH = people, virtuously, he who protects; raaGYaH = for that king; muula phala ashanaH = tubers, fruits, eater; muniH = sage; yat = which; param dharmam = great, duty-bound deeds; karoti = performs; tatra catur bhaagaH = there [from sage,] to that king, fourth, part; [labhati = he gets.]
Verse 15
सो अयम् ब्राह्मण भूयिष्ठो वानप्रस्थ गणो महान् |
त्वम् नाथो अनाथवत् राम राक्षसैः हन्यते भृशम् || ३-६-१५
“O, Rama, though you are there as protector for the hermitages, suchlike this one, where the most reverent Brahmans are there numerously, they look as though forsaken, for they are being demolished by demons, devastatingly… [3-6-15]
15. O, Rama; tvam naathaH = while you are, there as protector; braahmaNa bhuuyiSThaH = with Brahmans, are there numerously; mahaan = most reverent ones; saH yam = that, this one [suchlike]; vaanaprastha gaNaH = hermitages, groups of; a naatha vat = forsaken ones, as though; raakshasaiH bhR^isham hanyate = by the demons, devastatingly, demolished.
Verse 16
एहि पश्य शरीराणि मुनीनाम् भावित आत्मनाम् |
हतानाम् राक्षसैः घोरैः बहूनाम् बहुधा वने || ३-६-१६
“Come and see many of the bodies of the sages, the contemplative souls, that are variously killed by ghastly demons in the forest… [3-6-16]
16. ehi pashya = come and see; vane ghoraiH raakshasaiH bahudhaa hataanaam = in forest, by ghastly, demons, variously, killed; muniinaam bhaavita aatmanaam = of sages, contemplative, souls; bahuunaam = many of them; shariiraaNi = bodies.
Verse 17
पंपा नदी निवासानाम् अनुमन्दाकिनीम् अपि |
चित्रकूट आलयानाम् च क्रियते कदनम् महत् || ३-६-१७
“At Pampa riverside, and alongside of River Mandakini, and at the surroundings of Mt. Chitrakuta also, this hideous warfare is being done… [3-6-17]
17. pampaa nadii nivaasaanaam = Pampa, riverside, dwelling; anu mandaakiniim api = along, Mandakini river, even; chitrakuuTa aalayaanaam ca = at Mt.Chitrkuuta, surrounds, also; kriyate kadanam mahat = does, warfare, hideous one.
Verse 18
एवम् वयम् न मृष्यामो विप्रकारम् तपस्विनाम् |
क्रियमाणम् वने घोरम् रक्षोभिः भीम कर्मभिः || ३-६-१८
“Thus. we are not able to tolerate this injustice to the sages, being executed in this forest by the demons with fiendish deeds, in a ghastly manner… [3-6-18]
18. evam vayam na mR^iSyaamaH = thus, we, not able to tolerate; vi prakaaram = not, orderliness [injustice]; tapasvinaam = for sages; kriyamaaNam vane ghoram = being executed by, in forest, in a ghastly manner; rakshobhiH bhiima karmabhiH = by demons, with fiendish, deeds.
Verse 19
ततः त्वाम् शरणार्थम् च शरण्यम् समुपस्थिताः |
परिपालय नः राम वध्यमानान् निशाचरैः || ३-६-१९
“Therefore we present ourselves before you as you are our protector, for the purpose of your protecting us that are being killed by nightwalkers… please safe guard us… [3-6-19]
19. tataH = therefore; O, Rama; sharaNyam tvaam sharaNa artham = a protecting one, a you, for protection, for the purpose of; sam upasthitaaH = we present before you; nishaa caraiH = by night-walkers; vadhyamaanaan = being killed; naH pari paalaya = protect = us, you safeguard.
Verse 20
परा त्वत्तः गतिः वीर पृधिव्यम् न उपपद्यते |
परिपालय नः सर्वान् राक्षसेभ्यो नृपात्मजः || ३-६-२०
“Other than you, oh, valorous Rama, no way-out is deducible on this earth, hence oh, prince, protect all of us from the demons… [3-6-20]
20. viiraH = oh! Valiant one; tvattaH = than you; paraa gatiH = other, way out; pR^idhivyam na upapadyate = on the earth, not, deducible; nR^ipa atmajaH = king’s, son �oh, prince; paripaalaya naH = protect us; sarvaan = all; raakshasebhyaH = from demons.
Verse 21
एतत् श्रुत्वा तु काकुत्स्थः तापसानाम् तपस्विनाम् |
इदम् प्रोवाच धर्मात्मा सर्वान् एव तपस्विनः || ३-६-२१
On hearing all that is said by the sages of great penance, he that virtue souled Rama said this unto all of the sages. [3-6-21]
21. dharmaatmaa = virtuous soul; kaakutsthaH = Kakutstha scion Rama; taapasaanaam = of great penance; etat shrutvaa tu = all that, on hearing; tapasvinaam = sages; idam provaaca = this, said; sarvaan eva tapasvinaH = all of the, thus, sages.
Verse 22
न एवम् अर्हथ माम् वक्तुम् आज्ञाप्यः अहम् तपस्विनाम् |
केवलेन स्व कार्येण प्रवेष्टव्यम् वनम् मया || ३-६-२२
“Unapt is this way of speaking to me…command me, for I am at your behest… just for my personal purpose I had to enter the forests…. [3-6-22]
22. evam maam vaktum na arhatha = this way, to me, to speak, not, apt of you; aham tapasvinaam aaGYaapyaH = I, sages, can be ordered; kevalena aatma kaaryeNa [sva kaaryeNa] mayaa vanam praveSTavyam = just for, personal purpose, by me, forest had to be entered.
Verse 23
विप्रकारम् अपाक्रष्टुम् राक्षसैः भवताम् इमम् |
पितुः तु निर्देशकरः प्रविष्टो अहम् इदम् वनम् || ३-६-२३
“I entered this forest as ordered by my father and even to obliterate the unconscionable state of yours owing to the misdeeds of demons. [3-6-23]
23. aham = I am; raakshasaiH = owing to demons; bhavataam = in your respect; imam = all this; vi prakaaram = unconscionable state; apaakraSTum = to obliterate; pituH tu = by father; nirdeshakaraH = as ordered; idam vanam = this forest; praviSTaH = entered.
Verse 24
भवताम् अर्थ सिद्ध्यर्थम् आगतोऽहम् यदृच्छया |
तस्य मे अयम् वने वासो भविष्यति महाफलः | ३-६-२४
“Perchance I have come for the achievement of your purpose, such as I am, dwelling in this forest will immensely be fruitful to me… [3-6-24]
24. aham = I; bhavataam artha siddhyartham = for your, purpose, achievement; yard^icChayaa = perchance; aagataH = have come; tasya me = such as I am, for me; ayam vane vaasaH = in this forest, dwelling; mahaa phalaH = immensely, fruitful; bhavishyati = it will be.
Verse 25
तपस्विनाम् रणे शत्रून् हन्तुम् इच्छामि राक्षसान् |
पश्यन्तु वीर्यम् ऋषयः सः ब्रातुर् मे तपोधनाः || ३-६-२५
“I wish to eliminate demons, the enemies of sages, in war… let the sages behold my valour, and my brother’s valour in doing so…” Thus Rama promised the sages. [3-6-25]
25. tapasvinaam shatruun raakshasaan raNe hantum icChaami = of sages, enemies, demons, in war, to eliminate, I wish to; tapaH dhanaaH R^ishayaH = by penance, rich, sages; pashyantu = may behold; sa bhraatuH me viiryam = with, brother, my, valour.
Verse 26
दत्त्वा अभयम् च अपि तपो धनानाम्
धर्मे धृइत आत्मा सह लक्ष्मणेन |
तपो धनैः च अपि सह आर्य दत्तः
सुतीक्ष्णम् एव अभिजगाम वीरः || ३-६-२६
Thus giving his aegis to the sages, that valiant Rama who is firmly virtue-souled, journeyed towards Sage Suteekshna with Lakshmana and the sages, and along with the one given by Honourable Janaka, namely Seetha. [3-6-26]
26. dharme dhR^ita atmaa = in virtue, one who is firm, soulfully; viiraH = valiant Rama; tapaH dhanaanaam = to sages; dattvaa abhayam = on giving, aegis; saha lakshmaNena = with, Lakshmana; tapodhanaiH ca api = sages, also; saha = along with; aarya datta = by Arya, given [by honourable Janaka given – Seetha]; sutiixkshNam eva abhi jagaama = to Sage Suteekshna alone, journeyed forward.
