The Commencement of the Sacrifice

Shesha said:

1-5. Then Lakshmana, having come (there) repeatedly saluted her, and with (his voice) faltering through love, he told her the words uttered by Rama. Having seen Lakshmana full of modesty to have come (there) and having heard Rama's message through his mouth, Sita being abashed, said: " O Lakshmana, how (i.e. why) have you come? I forsaken by Rama in the great forest and remembering Rama, am staying in Valmlki's hermitage." Having heard the words that came out from her mouth Lakshmana said: " O mother, O you chaste lady, Rama is inviting you again and again. A chaste wife does not bring to her mind the fault committed by her husband; therefore, seated in an excellent charriot, come with me."

6-10. Hearing these words JanakI who looked upon her husband as god, gave up the anger in her heart and sat in the chariot with Lakshmana. Having saluted all the female ascetics and the sages bright with (the knowledge of) the Vedas, and mentally remembering Rama, she sat in the chariot and went to the city (of Ayodhya). She having costly ornaments, reached the city in due course. She reached the river Sarayu where Rama was waiting. Having got down from the chariot with Lakshmana, the charming one, devoted to her husband, stuck to (i.e. fell at) the feet of Rama. Rama, having seen that Janaki, beside herself due to love, (said): " O good lady, I shall complete the sacrifice with you."

11-16. Having saluted Valmiki and other best brahmanas, she, eager to salute the feet of his mothers, went (to them). Having showered blessings on that dear Janaki, the mother of the heroes, Kausalya became glad in many ways. Kaikeyl, seeing the daughter of the Videha-king bowing at her feet, gave her the blessing: " With your husband and sons live long". Sumitra, seeing the daughter of the Videha-king bowing at her feet, gave her blessing giving sons and grandsons. O brahmana, the chaste Slta, dear to Ramachandra, having fully saluted them indeed obtained great joy. Seeing the religiously wedded wife of Ramachandra come there, the Pitcher-born (i.e. Agasti), disregarding the golden (image of Rama's) wife, placed (in its place) (his) chaste wife.

17-19. In the sacrifice Rama at that time shone with Slta, like the Moon having rising lustre in the autumn along with the star (Rohini). With his chaste wife Vaidehi, he performed the sacrifice removing all sins when the lovely time had come. (People) seeing Rama engaged with Slta in the sacrifice, were, being full of eagerness, very much delighted.

20-34. At that time of the best sacrifice Rama said to the intelligent Vasishtha: " O lord, what needful things should be done hereafter? " Hearing Rama's words the very intelligent preceptor said: " Worship of brahmanas, giving delight to them, should be done. Formerly (king) Marutta1 made the sacrifice ready with preparations. Then brahmanas were gratified with (gifts of) money etc. The brahmanas were unable to carry large loads of the gifts. The brahmanas unable to carry the loads of gifts threw them in the region of Himavat. Therefore, O foremost king having wealth, O best king, you too give gifts etc. to brahmanas, so that there will be excellent (i.e. great) satisfaction." Hearing this the foremost king, looking upon Agasti as venerable, first worshipped Brahma's son, the treasure of penance. He worshipped delightful Agastya with his wife by means of many loads of gems and various loads of gold surrounded by (i.e. together with) countries and people giving great delight. In the same way he honoured Satyavati's son Vyasa with gems, gold coins, and various countries. He worshipped Chyavana with his wife with good gems. He also honoured all other sages, priests, the treasures of penance, in many ways with heaps of gems and loads of gold. At that time, in the sacrifice Rama gave large presents to brahmanas. He gave a lakh of gold coins to eachbrahmana. He gave various gifts to the helpless, blind and poor with lovely gems given according to their satisfaction. There he gave, as laid down in the sacred texts, variegated garments, soft food, giving joy to all. The city crowded with well-fed and delighted people, grown (more populous) with all beings, surrounded (i.e. crowded) by women became very much delighted. The brahmana, the pitcherborn sage (i.e. Agasti), seeing him (i.e. Rama) giving gifts to all, was very much delighted.

1. Marutta — A king of the solar race, who is said to have performed a sacrifice in which the gods took part as waiters.

35-41. Then he called sixty-four kings with their wives, to bring nectar-like water to bathe (the horse). Rama with Sita, adorned with all (kinds of) ornaments went to bring water in a pitcher of a golden colour. Saumitra (i.e. Lakshmana) also (went) with Urmila, king Bharata with Mandavi, Shatrughna with Srutakirti, and Puskala with Kantimati. Subahu (went) with Satyavati, Satyavat with Virabhusa, Sumada with Satkirti, and king Vimala with his queen. King Viramani went with lovely Srutavati, Lakshminidhi with Komala, Riputapa with Angasena, Bibhisana with Mahamurti, and Pratapagrya with Pratita. Ugrasva (went) with Kamagama, Nilaratna with Adhiramya. Suratha (went) with Sumanohari and the monkey with Mohana. The sage Vasishtha sent these (and other) kings.

42-44. Vasishtha who knew the sacred hymns, having gone to Sarayu flooded with holy and auspicious water, consecrated the water: " O water, purify this horse with this charming water for the sacrifice ofRamachandra, the protector of the entire world." All kings like Rama brought that water touched by the sage to the pavilion praised by best brahman as.

45-50. The pitcher-born sage (i.e. Agasti) having bathed the horse, white like milk, consecrated him with a hymn through the hands of Rama: " O great horse, purify me in this crowd of the brahmanas. May all the delighted gods be pleased by your sacrifice." Saying so, king Rama with Sita touched him. Then all the kings through curiosity looked upon it as a wonder. They said to one another: " What does that Rama by remembering whom men are freed from great sins, say? " When king Rama spoke like this, the pitcher-born sage (i.e. Agasti), consecrated a sword and gave it into Rama's hand. When Rama held and touched the sword, the horse gave up the beast's form and assumed a divine form at the sacrifice.

51-53. Surrounded by celestial nymphs, fanned by chowries, and decorated with a necklace, he got into an excellent divine car. Then all the people seeing him to have given up the horse's form and to have assumed an excellent divine form, were wonder-struck at that sacrifice. Then that very righteous Rama, knowing it himself, and making the people all around to know it, asked him of a divine form:

54. " Who are you who have obtained a divine form; for what reason are you turned into a horse? How are you accompanied by a divine woman? What do you desire to do? Tell it (to us)." Having heard the words of Rama, the god said to the king (i.e. Rama):

55-56. He laughed, and spoke very charming words with a voice resembling that of clouds: " To you who move without and within, there is nothing anywhere that is not known. Yet, I shall tell you who ask me, everything properly.

57-67. O Rama, O tormentor of enemies, in the former existence I, an exteremely righteous brahmana, behaved in a manner opposed to the Vedas. Formerly, sometime I went to the bank of Hutapapa which was charming with trees and lovely everywhere. O you of mighty arms, having bathed there and gratified the dead ancestors, having duly given gifts, I took to meditation upon you (in a manner) acceptable to the Vedas. O King, at that time many kings had come there. To deceive them, I practised this religious hypocrisy. An excellent enclosed place was fixed with the preparations for many sacrifices. That charming and big place was covered with garments and had wooden rings on the tops of sacrificial posts. The smoke rising from the sacrificial fire and having a wonderful form, made the wide firmament charming and matchless. I whose body was beautified with many beautiful marks, whose penance was great, who was adorned with darbhas, who had the sacred fuel in his hands, was indeed religious hypocrisy in an embodied form. (At that time) Durvasas, of a great lustre, roaming at will over the world, came there on the bank of the river Dhiitapapa. Before him he saw me practising religious hypocrisy, observing silence, not offering him materials of worship, arrogant, and not uttering words of welcome. Seeing (me), the very intelligent sage, overpowered with anger like the ocean on a parvan-day, cursed me, a religious hypocrite: 'O you of a wicked mind, O you mean ascetic, since you are practising religious hypocrisy on the bank of the river, obtain beasthood (i.e. be born as a beast) which is fully censurable'.

68-74. Having heard that curse given (by him), I became extremely distressed at that time; and I indeed seized the feet of that sage Durvasas. Then, O Rama, the brahmana showed me an excellent favour. (He said: ) 'O ascetic, be a horse at the sacrifice of the king of kings. Then, due to contact with his (i.e. Rama's) hand, go, after taking up a divine, charming form, free from religious hypocrisy, to that highest position.' Even that curse given by him became favourable to me, since I obtained the lovely touch of your hand. O Rama, I have obtained the touch of your hand, difficult to be obtained, which was difficult to be had by gods etc. even after many births. O great king, give me an order. Through your favour I shall reach that great, eternal place of you, which is free from misery etc. O king, O lord of men, through your favour I shall go to that place where there is no grief, no old age, no death, no confusion about time."

75-83. Saying so to him and turning round, he got into that excellent divine, car decked with jewels, and very much honoured by all gods. By the grace of Rama's feet he went to an eternal place, free from re-birth, and bereft of grief and delusion. Having heard what he had told, the other people knew Rama (properly), and mad with joy they were amazed. O brahmana, O you very intelligent one, even if Vishnu is remembered with religious hypocrisy it gives salvation. Then what (will happen) by avoiding religious hypocrisy! Somehow or other Rama should be much remembered, by which a man obtains the highest position, difficult to be obtained (even) by gods etc. The sages having seen that wonder regarded themselves blessed. When the god who formerly had a horse's form, went to heaven, Rama said to the treasures of penance and the best among those who know the Vedas: " O brahmana(s), what should Ido? The horse is lost; he has obtained happiness. How will the sacrifice, gratifying all deities, will (now) proceed? May the sages do that by which the gods would be gratified, my sacrifice will be excellent, and I would have what is told by the sacred rules."

84-87. Hearing these words, the best sage Vasishtha, skilled in knowing the hearts of all sages, said: " Quickly bring camphor, due to which gods having first received oblation, will now accept it, after being impelled by my words." Hearing these words Rama quickly brought very shining camphor for pleasing the gods very much. Then the sage, with his heart very much delighted, invoked the wonderful gods. All of them surrounded by their attendants, came that moment only.

 

CHAPTER SIXTYEIGHT

The Horse Sacrifice Ends

Shesha said:

1 -6. Indra together with the gods tasting at the sacrifice the oblations cooked and seen by Ramachandra. did not obtain satisfaction. Vishnu, Shiva, so also Brahma having four faces, Varuija, Kubera and other gods tasted the oblations refined by Vasishtha. The best brahmanas also were as it were oppressed with hunger after taking the food. The treasure of pity (i.e. Rama), having gratified all gods with the oblations, and being urged on by Vasishtha, did what was necessary to be done according to the rules. The brahmanas were pleased with the gifts; the great gods were pleased with the oblations. All being gratified on receiving their portions, went home. To the priests headed by the hotf (i.e. the priest reciting the prayers of the Rgveda at the sacrifice) he gave kingdoms in the four directions. Those brahmanas who were pleased, gave blessings to Rama in an auspicious manner.

7-18. Then having offered the full oblation, Vasishtha said to the good ladies: “You should felicitate the king who has completed the sacrifice.” Hearing those words, those ladies gladly scattered parched grains over Rama who had vanquished Cupid by means of his handsomeness and was adorned with great gems. Surrounded by crores of kings going on foot, he went to the best river surrounded by groups of birds. As the lord of stars with his lustre going up and being surrounded by his wives, shines, in the same way Rama surrounded by hosts of kings shone. Coming to know about that great festival, all people were hurrying and their eyes had become steady after seeing the face of the husband of Sita. The people, seeing the lord of kings going with Sita to the river and having desired since long to see (Rama) were delighted. Many actors and singers, singing the bright glory (of Rama), followed the lord of the earth saluted by the entire world. The female dancers, dancing there and disturbing the minds of their husbands, and sprinkling (water) over them with syringes, went to serve Rama.

Smearing the great king with turmeric and saffron and smearing one another, they obtained highest joy. They, with necklaces of pearls put on the pairs of their breasts and marked with ear­rings of gold, touching the pairs of their ears, went along the path crowded with men and women. They duly reached the river flooded with auspicious and holy water.

19-24. Having gone there, Rama with Sita followed by Vasishtha and others entered the holy water. All the kings and the people entered after him. With lovely syringes they sprinkl­ed the water purified by the dust of his feet and saluted by the entire world over one another. All with very red eyes enjoyed more than they expected. That righteous Rama, having sported for a long time along with Sita with the waves in the flood of that auspicious water, again went out (of the river). The king having put on a silken garment, having (worn) a crown and ear-rings, having excellent bracelets with the beauty of armlets, having the charm of a crore of Cupids, and being praised by best kings, shone. The noble-minded king, having fixed the sacrificial post adorned with excellent colours on the bank of the river, obtained the wonderful glory in the three worlds, which was not easily obtained by other kings.

25. Thus, along with the daughter of king Janakahe, performing three horse-sacrifices, obtained matchless fame in the three worlds very difficult to be obtained even by gods.

26-38. О dear one, I who was asked (by you), have des­cribed (to you) the good story of Rama. I have described the sacrifice in detail. О brahmaga, what do you ask again? He who, through devotion for Vishgu, hears the (description of) the good sacrifice of Rama, would, after having crossed (i.e. over­come) the sin of killing a brahmaga, obtain the eternal Brah­man. A sonless man would obtain sons; a poor man would obtain wealth; a person suffering from a disease gets rid of it; one that is bound gets free from bondage. Hearing Rama’s story even a wicked cantata obtains the highest position. What to say of the best brahmaga, solely intent on devotion! By remembering Rama sinners would obtain the highest position, the highest heaven difficult to be obtained by gods like Indra. Those men who remember the best of the Raghus, are blessed.

In a moment they, having crossed the mundane existence, go to inexhaustible happiness. Every letter (of the story of Rama) is a wild fire burning the bamboo in the form of a brahmaoa’s murder. One should worship that teacher who makes one hear (i.e. recites to one) that. Having heard the story, one should give the reader along with his wife a couple of cows after having honoured him with garments, ornaments and food. О best brahma^a, having fashioned charming, excellent, golden images of Rama and Slta shining with ear-rings and adorned with rings, they should be presented to a brahmana only. His deities and dead ancestors would then reach Vishshu’s heaven only. You formerly asked me about Rama’s story. I told it to you. О brahma^a, what else should I tell you, the intelligent one. Those who listen to this story, destroying the heap of (sins due to) brahmana-murders, go to the highest position, very difficult to be obtained by gods. There is no scope for doubt here that he who kills a cow or his son, or he who drinks liquor, or who violates his teacher’s bed (i.e. his wife), becomes purified in a moment.

 

CHAPTER SIXTYNINE

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