इति श्रीब्रह्माण्डे महापुराणे वायुप्रोक्ते मध्यभागे तृतीय उपोद्धातपादे एकविंशति तमौध्यायः
Thus ends the twenty-first chapter of the third section, in the middle part, of the Vāyu-proclaimed Śrī Brahmāṇḍa Mahāpurāṇa.
रामस्तेनाभ्यनुज्ञातश्चकार गमने मनः
Having been permitted by them, Rāma set his mind on departure.
परिष्वक्तस्तथा ताभ्यामाशीर्भिराभिनन्दितः
He was embraced by them and joyfully blessed with their good wishes.
निश्चक्रमाश्रमात्तस्मात्तपसे कृतनिश्चयः
With firm resolve for austerity, he departed from that hermitage.
हिमवन्तं गिरिवरं ययौ रामो महामनाः
Rāma, of great mind, went to Himavat, the best of mountains.
वनानि मुनिमुख्यानामावासांश्चात्यगाच्छनैः
He slowly passed through forests and the dwellings of eminent sages.
तीर्थेषु क्षेत्रमुख्येषु निवसन्वा ययौ शनैः
Dwelling at holy sites and foremost sacred places, he proceeded slowly.
आससादच लश्रेष्ठं हिमवन्तमनुत्तमम्
He reached the excellent and unsurpassed Himavat.
ददर्श विपुलैः शृङ्गैरुल्लिखन्तमिवांबरम्
He saw it, with its vast peaks seeming to scratch the sky.
रत्नौषधीभिरभितः स्फुरद्भिरभिशोभितम्
It was adorned all around with shining jewels and medicinal herbs.
सानिलेनानलेनोच्छैर्दह्यमानं नवं क्वचित्
In some places, it was being burned high by wind and fire, and in others, freshly scorched.
द्रवद्धिमाशिलाजातुजलशान्तदवानलम्
The mountain's melting snow and shilājatu soothed the forest fires with water.
स्फुरत्परस्परच्छायाशरैर्द्दीप्तवनं क्वचित्
In some places, the forest shone with the bright rays of their overlapping shadows.
तुषारक्लिन्नसिद्धौघौरुद्भासितवनं क्वचित्
Elsewhere, the forest was illuminated by the multitude of perfected beings, dampened by frost.
यक्षौघैर्भासितोपान्तं विशद्भिरिवपावकम्
Its outskirts were illuminated by hosts of yakshas, shining like pure fire.
मृगयूथार्त्तसन्नादैरापूरितगुहं क्वचित्
In some places, caves were filled with the cries of herds of wild animals.
प्रसभोन्मृष्टकान्तोरुशिलातरुतटं क्वचित्
Elsewhere, the slopes of rocks and trees were forcibly cleared by strong, beautiful thighs.
गवयैः खुरसंक्षुण्णशिलाप्रस्थतटङ्क्वचित्
In some places, the rocky plateaus and banks were crushed by the hooves of wild oxen.
युद्ध्यद्भिश्चूर्णितानेकगण्डशैलवनं क्वचित्
Elsewhere, forests of many-peaked mountains were shattered by those fighting.
सिंहानां चरणक्षुण्णनखभिन्नोपरं क्वचित्
In some places, the ground was broken and torn by the claws of lions as they walked.
गजैराक्रन्दनादेन पूर्यमामं वनं क्वचित्
Elsewhere, the forest was filled with the loud cries of elephants.
भेद्यमानाखिलशिलागंभीरकुहरं क्वचित्
In some places, deep caves were broken open along with all their rocks.
इतरेतरसंमर्दं विप्रभग्नदृषत्क्वचित्
Elsewhere, mutual collisions shattered stones with their force.
करेणुमाद्रवन्मत्तगजाकलितकाननम्
The forest was trampled by intoxicated elephants, their trunks raised.
गहनेषु गुरुत्राससाशङ्कविहरन्मृगम्
In the thickets, deer wandered cautiously, fearful of great danger.
क्रीडितं चमरीयूथैर्मन्दमन्दविचारिभिः
Elsewhere, herds of antelopes played, moving gently and slowly.
सतालनादैरुदिनैर्भृताशेषदिशामुखम्
The entire expanse was filled with the sound of loud drums.
अलक्तकरसक्लिन्नचरणाङ्कितभूतलम्
The ground was marked by footprints stained with red dye.
प्रवृत्तनृत्तं परितो विततोदग्रबर्हिभिः
All around, peacocks with splendid feathers performed lively dances.
गात्राह्लादकरैर्मन्दं वीज्यमानं वनानिलैः
The forest was gently fanned by breezes, bringing delight to the body.