The Rāmāyana, Volume 4. Uttara Kānda

The Rāmāyana, Volume 4. Uttara Kānda

This book was transcribed from two scans of the original found at the Internet Archive. Words in italics in this etext were italicized in the original book. I have corrected obvious misspellings but I've left variant spellings alone. Inconsistent spellings of names and incorrect punctuation have been fixed. On the Rkshasas having been slain, all the ascetics, for the purpose of congratulating Rghava, came to Rma as he gained (back) his kingdom. Kauika, and Yavakrita, and Grgya, and Glava, and Kanvason unto Mdhlithi,who dwelt in the east, (came thither); and the reverend Swastystreya, and Namuchi, and Pramuchi, and Agastya, and the worshipful Atri, and Sumukha, and Vimukha,who dwelt in the south,came in company with Agastya.1 And Nrishadgu, and Kahashi, and Dhaumya, and that mighty sageKaueyawho abode in the western quarter, came there accompanied by their disciples. And Vasishtha and Kayapa and Atri and Viwamitra with Gautama and Jamadagni and Bharadwaja and also the seven sages,2 who for aye resided in the northern quarter, (came there). And on arriving at the residence of Rghava, those high-souled ones, resembling the fire in radiance, stopped at the gate, with the intention of communicating their arrival (to Rma) through the warder. And that foremost of asceticsthe righteous Agastyaversed in various branches of learning and cognizant of the Vedas along with their branches,addressed the warder, saying,"Do thou say unto Daaratha's son that wethe sageshave come (here)." Then at the words of Agastya, the gate-keeper quick3 and swift presented himself with celerity before the high-souled Rghava. And that one versed in polity and emotional expressions, of worthy ways, possessed of ability and endowed with patience, swiftly seeing Rma resembling the full moon in brightness, communicated unto him the arrival of that supreme of saintsAgastya. Hearing of the arrival of the anchorets, possessed of the effulgence of the sun new-risen, he answered the warder, saying,"Do thou usher them in, having regard to their comfort." And seeing the ascetics before him, Rma with joined hands worshipped their feet with arghyas, and with regard consecrated a cow unto each, and saluting them with a collected mind, he ordered seats (for the saints). And having, according to their rank, seated themselves on gorgeous and superb seats of Kua or deer-skins embroidered with gold, those foremost of sagesthose mighty saints, versed in the Vedas,along with their disciples and leaders, having (previously) been asked as to their welfare, addressed Rma, saying,"O son of Raghu. O mighty-armed one, complete welfare is ours. By good luck it is that we see thee fortunate, with all thy foes finished. By good luck it is that, O king, Rvanadestroyer of creatureshath been slain by thee. Sure, O Rma, it was no great matter for thee (to slay) Rvana along with his sons and grandsons. Furnished with thy bow, thou canst, without doubt, destroy the three worlds themselves. By good fortune it is, O Rma, that Rvana along with his sons and grandsons hath been slain by thee. By good fortune it is that to-day we see thee victorious along with Sit, and, O righteous-souled one, with thy brother, Lakshmana, (ever) compassing thy profit. (By good fortune it is) that, O king, to-day we behold (thee) in company with thy mothers and thy brothers. By good fortune it is that those night-rangers, Prahasta, and Vikata, and Virupksha, and Mahodara, and the unconquerable Akampana, have all been slain (by thee). By good fortune it is, O Rma, that he than whose proportions there are no other's greater on earth,even Kumbhakarna, was brought down (by thee). By good luck it is, O Rma, that those highly powerful night-rangers. Triiras and Atikya and Devntaka and Narntaka, have been slain by thee. By good luck it is that thou hadst been encountered in a hand-to-hand combat with that foremost of Rkshasas, incapable of being slain by the celestials themselves; and achieved victory (ultimately). To defeat Rvana in battle was (for thee) a small matter; but it is a piece of good fortune that Rvana's son, who had confronted thee for combat, hath been slain (by thee) in battle. By good fortune it is that thou, O mighty-armed one, hadst been liberated from (the bonds of) that foe of the celestials whose course resembled that of Time4;and that thou also hadst secured victory. Hearing of the destruction of Indrajit, we congratulate thee (on thy success). He was incapable of being slain by all creatures, and in battle possessed mighty powers of illusion. Hearing that Indrajit slain, amazement hath seized us all. Having conferred on us this holy freedom from fear, O Kkutstha, O repressor of enemies, thou through good fortune, wilt grow in victory." Hearing the speech of the ascetics of sacred souls, Rma, coming under the influence of a mighty wonder, said with joined hands,"Ye worshipful ones, wherefore, passing by those exceedingly powerful ones Kumbhakarna and the night-ranger, Rvanado ye praise Rvana's son? Wherefore, passing by Mahodara, and Prahasta, and the RkshasaVirupakshaand Matta, and Unmatta, and the irrepressible Devntaka and Narntakaredoubtable heroes alldo ye extoll Rvana's son? And wherefore, passing by Atikya and Triiras and Dhumrksha,that night-rangerall endowed with exceeding prowess,do you extoll Rvana's son? What was his prowess? And what his strength? And what his might? And by virtue of what cause did he surpass Rvana? If I can well hear the same, (do ye tell it me). I by no means command you. If the thing can bear disclosure, I would hear it. Pray, speak out. How was Sakra vanquished by him, and how also did he obtain the boon? And how was the son powerful,and not his sireRvana? How could that Rkshasa, surpassing his sire, conquer Sakra in mighty encounter, and how did he obtain the boon? O foremost of anchorets, do thou to-day unfold all this unto me, who ask (for the same)." ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 62496
Author: Valmiki
Release Date: Jun 27, 2020
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Translator: Dutt, Manmatha Nath