पुनश्च हयमेधादि कार्यमारभ्य पावनम् । यशो वितन्वन्भुवने लोकान्रामोऽविता भयात्
Again, undertaking the purifying task of the horse sacrifice and other rites, Rama spread his renown throughout the world, protecting people from fear.
तेभ्यस्तुष्टो ददौ हारान्रत्नानि विविधानि च । महाधनानि वासांसि शत्रुघ्नः प्रवरो महान्
Pleased with them, Shatrughna, the foremost and great one, gave garlands, various gems, great wealth, and garments.
सुमतिर्नाम तेजस्वी सर्वविद्याविशारदः । रघुनाथस्य सचिवः शत्रुघ्नानुचरो वरः
Sumati by name, radiant and skilled in all knowledge, was the minister of Raghu's lord and the excellent attendant of Shatrughna.
ययौ तेन महावीरो ग्रामाञ्जनपदान्बहून् । रघुनाथप्रतापेन न कोपि हृतवान्हयम्
With him, the great hero traveled through many villages and regions; by the glory of Raghu's lord, no one took the horse.
देशाधिपाये बहवो महाबलपराक्रमाः । हस्त्यश्वरथपादात चतुरंगसमन्विताः
Many rulers of regions, possessing great strength and valor, accompanied by elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, with their fourfold armies—
संपदो बहुशो नीत्वा मुक्तामाणिक्यसंयुताः । शत्रुघ्नं हयरक्षार्थमागतं प्रणता मुहुः
Having brought abundant treasures adorned with pearls and rubies, they repeatedly bowed to Shatrughna, who had come for the protection of the horse.
इदं राज्यं धनं सर्वं सपुत्रपशुबांधवम् । रामचंद्रस्य सर्वं हि न मदीयं रघूद्वह
This kingdom, all this wealth, along with sons, cattle, and relatives, belongs entirely to Ramachandra; it is not mine, O best of the Raghu line.
एवं तदुक्तमाकर्ण्य शत्रुघ्नः परवीरहा । आज्ञां स्वां तत्र संज्ञाप्य ययौ तैः सहितः पथि
Hearing this said, Shatrughna, destroyer of enemy heroes, issued his own command there and proceeded along the path with them.
एवं क्रमेण संप्राप्तः शत्रुघ्नो हयसंयुतः । अहिच्छत्रां पुरीं ब्रह्मन्नानाजनसमाकुलाम्
Thus, in due course, Shatrughna, accompanied by the horse, arrived at the city of Ahichhatra, crowded with countless people.
ब्रह्मद्विजसमाकीर्णां नानारत्नविभूषिताम् । सौवर्णैः स्फाटिकैर्हर्म्यैर्गोपुरैः समलंकृताम्
Filled with Brahmins and twice-borns, adorned with various gems, decorated with golden and crystal palaces and towers—
यत्र रंभा तिरस्कारकारिण्यः कमलाननाः । दृश्यंते सर्वहर्म्येषु ललना लीलयान्विताः
Where Rambha and other lotus-faced women, causing jealousy, are seen in every palace, engaged in playful activities.
यत्र स्वाचारललिताः सर्वभोगैकभोगिनः । धनदानुचरायद्वत्तथा लीलासमन्विताः
Where those delighting in all pleasures, graceful in their conduct, live as companions of Kubera, and are engaged in playful pursuits.
यत्र वीरा धनुर्हस्ताःशरसंधानकोविदाः । कुर्वंति तत्र राजानं सुहृष्टं सुमदाभिधम्
Where heroes, skilled in archery and arrow-joining, with bows in hand, make the king there, named Sumada, joyful.
एवंविधं ददर्शासौ नगरं दूरतः प्रभुः । पार्श्वे तस्य पुरश्रेष्ठमुद्यानं शोभयान्वितम्
Thus, the lord saw that city from afar, splendid, with its foremost gardens shining at its side.
पुन्नागैर्नागचंपैश्च तिलकैर्देवदारुभिः । अशोकैः पाटलैश्चूतैर्मंदारैःकोविदारकैः
With punnāga, nāgacaṃpa, tilaka, and devadāru trees, with aśoka, pāṭala, mango, mandāra, and kovidāra trees,
आम्रजंबुकदंबैश्च प्रियालपनसैस्तथा । शालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च मल्लिकाजातियूथिभिः
With mango, jamun, kadamba, priyāla, and jackfruit trees as well, with śāla, tāla, tamāla, and with mallikā, jāti, and yūthi flowers,
नीपैः कदंबैर्बकुलैश्चंपकैर्मदनादिभिः । शोभितं सददर्शाथशत्रुघ्नःपरवीरहा
With nīpa, kadamba, bakula, campaka, and madana trees and others, that place was splendid; then Shatrughna, the destroyer of enemies, beheld it.
हयोगतस्तद्वनमध्यदेशे । तमालतालादि सुशोभिते वै । ययौ ततः पृष्ठत एव वीरो । धनुर्धरैः सेवितपादपद्मः
By the movement of his horse, in the midst of that forest, beautiful with tamāla and tāla trees, the hero proceeded behind, his lotus feet attended by bowmen.
ददर्श त रचितं देवायतनमद्भुतम् । इंद्रनीलैश्च वैडूर्यैस्तथा मारकतैरपि
There he saw a wondrous temple constructed for the gods, adorned with sapphires, cat's-eye gems, and emeralds.
शोभितं सुरसेवार्हं कैलासप्रस्थसन्निभम् । जातरूपमयैः स्तंभैःशोभितं सद्मनां वरम्
Splendid, fit for the service of the gods, resembling the summit of Kailāsa, adorned with golden pillars, the best of mansions.
दृष्ट्वातद्रघुनाथस्य भ्राता देवालयं वरम् । पप्रच्छ सुमतिं स्वीयं मंत्रिणं वदतांवरम्
Seeing that excellent temple of Raghunātha's brother, he questioned his wise minister, foremost among speakers.
शत्रुघ्न उवाच। वदामात्य वरेदं किं कस्यदेवस्य केतनम् । का देवता पूज्यतेऽत्र कस्य हेतोः स्थितानघ
Shatrughna said: O best of ministers, tell me, whose shrine is this? Which deity is worshipped here, and for what reason does it stand, O sinless one?
एवमाकर्ण्य यथावदिहसर्वशः
Hearing this, as it was, in every detail—
कामाक्षायाः परं स्थानं विद्धि विश्वैकशर्मदम् । यस्या दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वसिद्धिः प्रजापते
Know this as the supreme abode of Kāmākṣā, the sole giver of happiness to the world; by her mere sight, O Lord of Creatures, all attainments are gained.
देवासुरास्तु यां स्तुत्वा नत्वा प्राप्ताखिलां श्रियम् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां दात्री भक्तानुकंपिनी
The gods and asuras, having praised and bowed to her, obtained all prosperity; she is the giver of dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation, compassionate to her devotees.
याचिता सुमदेनात्राहिच्छत्रा पतिना पुरा । स्थिता करोति सकलं भक्तानां दुःखहारिणी
Once, at the request of Sumada, king of Ahicchatra, she remained here, fulfilling all desires of her devotees and removing their suffering.
तां नमस्कुरु शत्रुघ्न सर्ववीर शिरोमणे । नत्वाशु सिद्धिं प्राप्नोषि ससुरासुरदुर्ल्लभाम्
Bow to her, O Shatrughna, jewel among all heroes; by bowing, you will swiftly attain success, difficult even for gods and asuras.
इति श्रुत्वाथ तद्वाक्यं शत्रुघ्नः शत्रुतापनः । पप्रच्छ सकलां वार्तां भवान्याः पुरुषर्षभः
Hearing these words, Shatrughna, the tormentor of foes, the best of men, then asked for the complete story of Bhavānī.
शत्रुघ्न उवाच। कोऽहिच्छत्रापती राजा सुमदः किं तपः कृतम् । येनेयं सर्वलोकानां माता तुष्टात्र संस्थिता
Shatrughna said: Who is the king Sumada of Ahicchatra? What austerity did he perform, by which this Mother of all worlds became pleased and established here?
वद सर्वं महामात्य नानार्थपरिबृंहितम् । यथावत्त्वं हि जानासि तस्माद्वद महामते
Tell me everything, O great minister, in all its aspects; for you know it well, therefore speak, O wise one.