नारदस्य तु तद् वाक्यं श्रुत्वा वाक्यविशारदः। पूजयामास धर्मात्मा सह शिष्यो महामुनिम्॥
Hearing those words of Nārada, that one of virtuous soul, skilled in speech, together with his disciples, worshipped that great sage.
यथावत् पूजितस्तेन देवर्षि रदस्तथा। आपृच्छयैवाभ्यनुज्ञातः स जगाम विहायसम्॥
Having received due honours, that Devarși Nārada taking leave of him went to his ethereal regions.
स मुहूर्तं गते तस्मिन् देवलोकं मुनिस्तदा। जगाम तमसातीरं जाह्नव्यास्त्वविदूरतः॥
And when Nārada had left for the celestial regions, that holy person went to the banks of the Tamasā not very far from Jāhnavī.
स तु तीरं समासाद्य तमसाया मुनिस्तदा। शिष्यमाह स्थितं पार्श्वे दृष्ट्वा तीर्थमकर्दमम्॥
And having arrived at the banks of that river, the pious one, observing a holy spot devoid of mud, spoke to his disciple standing by.
अकर्दममिदं तीर्थे भरद्वाज निशामय। रमणीयं प्रसन्नाम्बु सन्मनुष्यमनो यथा।५।।
Saying-O Bharadvāja, behold this holy spot devoid of mud. And it is beautiful, and contains pleasant waters, even like the minds of good men.
न्यस्यतां कलशस्तात दीयतां वल्कलं मम। इदमेवावगाहिष्ये तमसातीर्थमुत्तमम्॥
O child, do you, put down your pitcher, and give me my bark. I will bathe even in this Tamasā, the best of holy spots.
एवमुक्तो भरद्वाजो वाल्मीकेन महात्मना। प्रायच्छत मुनेस्तस्य वल्कलं नियतो गुरुः॥
Thus accosted by the high-souled Vālmīki, Bharadvāja ever intent upon serving his spiritual guide, presented the sage his bark.
स शिष्याहस्तदादाय वल्कलं नियतेन्द्रियः। विचचार ह पश्यंस्तत् सर्वतो विपुलं वनम्।।।।।
That one of subdued senses, having received his bark from his disciple, began to range around, surveying that extensive forest.
तस्याभ्याशे तु मिथुनं चरन्तमनपायिनम्। ददर्श भगवांस्तत्र क्रौञ्चयोश्चारुनिःस्वनम्॥
In the vicinity of the forest, that worshipful one espied a pair of Krauñcas, emitting melodious notes, and ranging around never parting from one another.
तस्मात् तु मिथुनादेकं पुमांसं पापनिश्चयः। जघान वैरनिलयो निषादस्तस्य पश्यतः॥
At this juncture, a wicked-minded fowler, singling out the male, without any cause of hostility, slew him in the very presence of the holy man.
तं शोणितपरीताङ्ग चेष्टमानं महीतले। भार्या तु निहतं दृष्ट्वा रुराव करुणां गिरम्॥
Observing him struggling on the earth, bathed in blood, his female companion began to bewail in piteous accents.
वियुक्ता पतिना तेन द्विजेन सहचारिणा। ताम्रशीर्षेण मत्तेन पत्रिणा सहितेन वै॥
At the prospect of her separation from her copper-crested oviparous husband, engaged in sport with extended plumage.
तथाविधं द्विजं दृष्ट्वा निषादेन निपातितम्। ऋषेर्धर्मात्मनस्तस्य कारुण्यं समपद्यत॥
Finding the bird in that condition thus brought down by the fowler, the pity of that pious and righteous-souled Rși was excited exceedingly.
ततः करुणवेदित्वादधर्मोऽयमिति द्विजः। निशाम्य रुदती क्रौञ्चीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Then considering it to be an unrighteous deed, with a heart moved with pity, that twice-born one, beholding the weeping Krauñci, spoke these words.
मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमः शाश्वतीः समाः। यत् क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधीः काममोहितम्॥
O fowler, since you have slain one of a pair of Krauñcas, you shall never attain prosperity (respect)!
तस्येत्थं ब्रुवतश्चिन्ता बभूव हृदि वीक्षतः। शोकार्तेनास्य शकुनेः किमिदं व्याहृतं मया॥
Having uttered this, he got worried within himself, What is this that I have said, afflicted with grief for the bird?
चिन्तयन् स महाप्राज्ञश्चकार मतिमान्मतिम्। शिष्यं चैवाब्रवीद् वाक्यमिदं स मुनिपुङ्गवः॥
Resolving thus in his mind, that highly-wise one and best of sages addressed his disciple, saying.
पादबद्धोऽक्षरसमस्तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितः। शोकार्तस्य प्रवृत्तो मे श्लोको भवतु नान्यथा॥
This speech that I have uttered is of equal bound with metre and accents; it has rhythm and is capable of being chanted according to measure to stringed accompaniment. Let it therefore go forth as a sloka!
शिष्यस्तु तस्य ब्रुवतो मुनेर्वाक्यमनुत्तमम्। प्रतिजग्राह संतुष्टस्तस्य तुष्टोऽभवन्मुनि ॥
When the sage had spoken thus, his disciple, well pleased, assented to his excellent speech; and thereat that pious person was gratified.
सोऽभिषेकं ततः कृत्वा तीर्थे तस्मिन् यथाविधि। तमेव चिन्तयत्रर्थमुपावर्तत वै मुनिः॥
Then having duly performed his ablutions at that holy spot, the reverend sage retraced his steps, pondering over the incidents touching the sloka.
भरद्वाजस्ततः शिष्यो विनीतः श्रुतवान् गुरोः। कलशं पूर्णमादाय पृष्ठतोऽनुजगाम ह॥
His disciple also, accomplished in learning, and of meek demeanour, followed Vālmīki, carrying on his back a pitcher filled with water.
स प्रविश्याश्रमपदं शिष्येण सह धर्मवित्। उपविष्टः कथाश्चान्याश्चकार ध्यानमास्थितः॥
Having entered the hermitage along with his disciple, conversant with righteousness engaged in diverse kinds of talk, revolved in his mind the circumstances connected with the verses.
आजगाम ततो ब्रह्मा लोककर्ता स्वयं प्रभुः। चतुर्मुखो महातेजा द्रष्टुं तं मुनिपुङ्गवम् ॥
It came to pass that desirous of seeing the best of sages, there arrived, that lord and creator of all, the effulgent Brahmā, furnished with four countenances.
वाल्मीरिरथ तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय वाग्यतः। प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतो भूत्वा तस्थौ परमविस्मितः॥
Beholding him Vālmīki rose up suddenly and, wondering greatly, humbly and silently stood before him with clasped hands.
पूजयामास तं देवं पाद्याासनवन्दनैः। प्रणम्य विधिवच्चैनं पृष्ट्वा चैव निरामयम् ॥
And duly bending low in reverence, Vālmīki offered that deity water to wash his feet, and other things for reception.
अथोपविश्य भगवानासने परमार्चिते। वाल्मीकये च ऋषये संदिदेशासनं ततः॥
Having sat-down on a highly-honoured seat, that worshipful one enquired after the welfare of that sage Vālmīki knowing no deterioration, and then asked him to be seated.
ब्रह्मणा समनुज्ञातः सोऽप्युपाविशदासने। उपविष्टे तदा तस्मिन् साक्षाल्लोकपितामहे ॥ तद्गतेनैव मनसा वाल्मीकिानमास्थितः। पापात्मना कृतं कप्टं वैरग्रहणबुद्धिना॥ यत् तादृशं चारुरवं क्रौञ्चं हन्यादकारणात्। शोचन्नेव पुनः क्रौञ्चीमुपश्लोकमिमं जगौ।
Having been seated in the presence of the Grand-sire of all, Vālmīki, his mind running upon the self-same subject, became plunged in thought. What a sin has been committed by the wicked-minded one, incited by hostile feeling, that he without cause slew that sweetly-singing Kraunca! And thereupon, again lamenting that female Krauñca, he, in grief of heart, mentally recited those verses.
पुनरन्तर्गतमना भूत्वा शोकपरायणः। तमुवाच ततो ब्रह्मा प्रहसन् मुनिपुङ्गवम्॥ श्लोक एवास्त्वयं बद्धो नात्र कार्या विचारणा। मच्छन्दादेव ते ब्रह्मन् प्रवृत्तेयं सरस्वती॥
Then smiling, Brahmā spoke to the excellent sage,-Those verses of your which you have composed a sloka shall attain celebrity: no doubt need be entertained on this head, It is because I had intended so, that those verses had come out of your lips.
रामस्य चरितं कृत्स्नं कुरु त्वमृषिसत्तम। धर्मात्मनो भगवतो लोके रामस्य धीमतः॥ वृत्तं कथय धीरस्य यथा ते नारदाच्छुतम्।
Do you now, O best of saints, compose the entire history of Rāma. Do you relate to the world the history of the righteous-souled and intelligent Rāma crowned with qualities. And do you, as you have heard it from Närada.
रहस्यं च प्रकाशं च यद् वृत्तं तस्य धीमतः॥ रामस्य सहसौमित्रे राक्षसानां च सर्वशः। वैदेह्याश्चैव यत् वृत्तं प्रकाशं यदि वा रहः॥ तच्चाप्यविदितं सर्व विदितं ते भविष्यति।
Relate all what is known, and all what is unknown to the world, O wise one, concerning Rāma, and Laksmana, and Videha's daughter, and all the Rākşasas. And even what is not known to Nārada, shall be unfolded to you.
न ते वागनृता काव्ये काचिदत्र भविष्यति॥ कुरु रामकथां पुण्यां श्लोकबद्धां मनोरमाम्।
No words of yours in this poem shall contain an untruth sacred. Therefore, now compose into verses. This delightful story of Rama.
यावत् स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले॥ तावद् रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति।
As long as the mountains and the seas exist on earth, the history of Rāmāyaṇa will remain prevalent among men.
यावद् रामस्य च कथा त्वत्कृता प्रचरियति ॥ तावदूर्ध्वमधश्च त्वन मल्लोकेषु निवत्स्यसि।
As long as this story of Rāmāyaṇa shall retain its currency, you shall reside both in this world and in mine.
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान् ब्रह्मा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत। ततः सशिष्यो भगवान् मुनिर्विस्मयमाययौ ॥
Having said this, the Lord Brahmä disappeared there. And thereat the sage and his disciples marvelled greatly.
तस्य शिष्यास्ततः सर्वे जगुः श्लोकमिमं पुनः। मुहुर्मुहुः प्रीयमाणाः प्राहुश्च भृशविस्मिताः॥
His disciples sang those verses again and again; and, momentarily experiencing pleasure, recited it with exceeding wonder.
समाक्षरैश्चतुर्भिर्यः पादैर्गीतो महर्षिणा। सोऽनुव्याहरणाद् भूयः शोकः श्लोकत्वमागतः॥
Those verses, composed of equal accents, and furnished with four parts, have been sung by the great saint, have, in virtue of frequent repetition, been associated with a world of pathos and have attained the eminence of a sloka.
तस्य बुद्धिरियं जाता महर्षे वितात्मनः। कृत्स्नं रामायणं काव्यमीदृशैः करवाण्यहम्॥
Now it is the intention of that illustrious and self-centred sage to compose the entire Rāmāyaṇa in this metre.
स्तदास्य रामस्य चकार कीर्तिमान्। समाक्षरैः श्लोकशतैर्यशस्विनो यशस्करं काव्यमुदारदर्शनः।॥
The great ascetic Vālmīki of gracious appearance and unparalleled renown composed a poetry consisting of hundreds of verses in melodious measure, couching the significance of the history of Rāma.
तदुपगतसमाससंधियोगं सममधुरोपनतार्थवाक्यबद्धम्। रघुवरचरितं मुनिप्रणीतं दशशिरसश्च वधं निशामयध्वम्॥
Listen to the annals of the foremost of Raghu's race, and the destruction of the Tenheaded one composed by the ascetic, with Samāsas, Sandhis, Prakrtis, and Pratayas; and lucid with sweet and equally-accented words.