स्खलितलसितपादाम्भोजमन्दाभिघातच्छुरितमणितुलाकोट्याकुलाशामुखानाम् । चलदधरदलानांकुड्मलापक्ष्मलाक्षि- द्वयसरसिरुहाणामुल्लसत्कुण्डलानाम्
Whose lotus-like feet stumble and softly strike jeweled thresholds, whose faces are flushed with excitement, whose lips tremble, whose eyes—like closed lotus buds—flutter, and whose shining earrings sway.
द्राघिष्ठश्वसनसमीरणाभितापप्रम्लानीभवदरुणौष्ठपल्लवानाम् । नानोपायनविलसत्कराम्बुजानामालीभिः सततनिषेवितं समन्तात्
Whose tender, reddish lips have withered from the heat of their deep, rapid breaths, whose hands, adorned with various gifts, are always served on all sides by their companions.
तासामायतलोलनीलनयनव्याकोशलीनाम्बुज- स्रग्भिः संपरिपूजिताखिलतनुं नानाविलासास्पदम् । तन्मुग्धाननपङ्कजप्रविगलन्माध्वीरसास्वादिनीं- बिभ्राणं प्रणयान्मदाक्षिमधुहृन्मालां मनोहारिणीम्
He is worshipped on all sides by garlands of blue lotuses, whose petals are spread wide like their large, restless eyes; he is the abode of all delights, bearing a captivating garland of love, honey, and pride, savored by the sweet, nectar-drinking lotus faces of those innocent ones.
गोपीगोपपशूनां बहिः स्मरेदग्रतोऽस्य गीर्वाणघटांवित्तार्थिनीं विरिञ्चित्रिनयनशतमन्युपूर्विकां स्तोत्रपराम्
Outside, let one remember the assembly of gods in front of him—seeking wealth, led by Indra, Brahma, and others—devoted to praise, along with the cows, cowherds, and cattle.
तद्वद्दक्षिणतो मुनिनिकरं दृढधर्मवाञ्छया समाम्नायपरम् । योगीन्द्रानथ पृष्ठे मुमुक्षमाणान्समाधिना तु सनकाद्यान्
To the right, the group of sages, intent on firm righteousness and supreme tradition; and behind, the great yogis like Sanaka and others, desiring liberation, absorbed in samadhi.
सव्ये सकान्तानथ यक्षसिद्धगन्धर्वविद्याधरचारणांश्च । सकिन्नरानप्सरसश्च मुख्याः कामार्थिनीर्नर्तनगीतवाद्यैः
To the left, with their beloveds, are Yakshas, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyadharas, Charanas, Kinnaras, and the chief Apsaras—desiring pleasure, engaged in dance, song, and music.
शङ्खेन्दुकुन्दधवलं सकलागमज्ञं सौदामिनीततिपिशङ्गजटाकलापम् । तत्पादपङ्कजगताममलां च भक्तिं वाञ्छन्तमुज्झिततरान्यसमस्तसङ्गम्
One should contemplate him, white as a conch, the moon, or jasmine, knowing all the scriptures, with matted locks streaked like lightning, and those who desire pure devotion to his lotus feet, having abandoned all other attachments.
नानाविध श्रुतिगुणान्वितसप्तरागग्रामत्रयीगतमनोहरमूर्छनाभिः । संप्रीणयन्तमुदिताभिरपि प्रभक्त्या संचिन्तयन्नभसि मां द्रुहिणप्रसूतम्
Meditating on me—born from Brahma—in the sky, delighting with joyful devotion in the enchanting melodies of the threefold scale, endowed with various qualities of the Vedas and the seven modes.
इति ध्यात्वाऽत्मानं पटुविशदधीर्नन्दतनयं नरो बुद्ध्यैवाऽर्घप्रभृतिभिरनिन्द्योपहृतिभिः । यजेद्भूयो भक्त्या स्ववपुषि बहिष्ठैश्च विभवैरिति प्रोक्तं सर्वं यदभिलषितं भूसुरवराः
Thus, having meditated on the son of Nanda with a clear and pure mind, a person should worship him again with devotion, using flawless offerings such as arghya and others, both with his own body and with external means—thus, O best of Brahmins, everything desired has been explained.
इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखंडे वैशाखमाहात्म्ये त्र्युत्तरशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the Padma Purana, in the Pātāla section, in the greatness of the month of Vaiśākha, this is the one hundred and third chapter.
ऋषय ऊचुः - भूयो वद महाभाग रामचारित्रमद्भुतम् । राममाहात्म्यसर्वस्वं भक्तानां प्रीतिदायकम्
The sages said: Tell us again, O greatly fortunate one, the wondrous deeds of Rama—the essence of Rama's greatness, which brings joy to devotees.
सूत उवाच- अश्वमेधं क्रतुवरं कृत्वा दाशरथिर्यथा
Sūta said: After performing the horse sacrifice, the best of sacrifices, the son of Dasharatha—
प्रवृत्तो लोककृत्येषु शास्त्रकृत्येषु कोविदः । अयोध्यां गंतुकामेन शंकरेण महात्मना
Skilled in worldly and scriptural duties, desiring to go to Ayodhya, with the great-souled Shankara—
पार्वत्या सह देवेन उषितः सरयूतटे । मुनयस्तं समभ्येत्य शंकरं विश्वरूपिणम्
Having stayed on the banks of the Sarayu with Parvati, the god, the sages approached Shankara, the lord of all forms.
कश्यपाद्या महात्मानः पप्रच्छुरमितौजसम् । स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ सभार्यः कुत आगतः
The great sages, beginning with Kashyapa, asked him, whose energy is immeasurable: 'Welcome, O best of sages, with your wife—where have you come from?'
किमागमनकृत्यं ते कं देशं गंतुमुद्यतः । शंकर उवाच- अहं शंभुरिति ख्यातो विप्रो हिमगिरिस्थितः
'What is the purpose of your coming? To which land are you intending to go?' Shankara said: 'I am known as Shambhu, O Brahmin, dwelling on the snowy mountain.'
द्रष्टुं च राघवं गच्छे मम कार्यं महत्ततः । मामाह्वयति राजासौ पुराणश्रवणे रतः
I must go to see Rāghava; my purpose is very important. That king, who delights in hearing ancient tales, summons me.
आगच्छंतु भवंतोऽपि राघवः परितुष्यति । ततस्ते मुनयः शंभुर्ययू रामदिदृक्षया
Let you all come as well; Rāghava will be pleased. Then those sages, along with Śaṃbhu, went out of desire to see Rāma.
तानागतान्वसिष्ठस्तु ज्ञात्वा रामाय चोक्तवान् । ततः सत्वरमुत्थाय निर्ययौ स पुरोहितः
Having learned of their arrival, Vasiṣṭha spoke to Rāma. Then, rising quickly, the chief priest went out.
अर्घ्यपाद्यादिकैस्सर्वान्पूजयामास तानृषीन् । गृहराजं ततः सर्वान्प्रावेशयदरिंदमः
He honored all those sages with offerings of water for the feet and other rituals. Then the destroyer of enemies led them all into the palace.
प्रत्येकमासनं दत्वा स्वागतोक्त्यासनस्थितान् । क्रमेण रघुशार्दूलः पूजयामास तानृषीन्
He gave each one a seat, welcomed them, and seated them. Then, in order, the tiger of the Raghu line honored those sages.
वाचा मधुरया प्रीणन्निदमाहासनस्थितान् । श्रीराम उवाच- अद्य मे सफलं जन्म प्राप्तमद्य तपः फलम्
Pleasing them with sweet words, he spoke to those seated: Śrī Rāma said— Today my birth is fruitful, today my austerity has borne fruit.
अद्याभ्यासस्य विद्यानां फलकालोऽयमागतः । अद्य मे पितरस्तुष्टा राज्यं च सफलं मम
Today the time for the fruits of my study of knowledge has arrived. Today my fathers are pleased, and my kingship is fulfilled.
अद्य मे सफलं वृत्तमद्य मे सफलं श्रुतम् । एवं वदंतं राजानं ब्राह्मणाः कश्यपादयः
Today my conduct is fruitful, today my learning is fruitful. As the king spoke thus, the brāhmaṇas led by Kaśyapa—
ऊचुः प्रियतरं वाक्यं रामं राजीवलोचनम् । ऋषय ऊचुः अयं शंभुर्द्विजः प्राप्तः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः
Spoke most pleasing words to Rāma, lotus-eyed. The sages said: This is Śaṃbhu, a brāhmaṇa, arrived here, expert in all scriptures.
वेदवेदांगतत्त्वज्ञः सर्वभूतहिते रतः । कैलासवासी सततं तपसे कृतनिश्चयः
He knows the essence of the Vedas and their limbs, devoted to the welfare of all beings. He dwells always in Kailāsa, firmly resolved in austerity.
ब्रह्मणा ब्रह्मवर्चस्के तुल्यो ब्रह्मविदां वरः । हरिणा ब्रह्मवात्सल्ये प्रसादे शंकरोपमः
In spiritual radiance, he is equal to Brahmā, foremost among knowers of Brahman. In compassion for brāhmaṇas, in grace, he is like Śaṃkara.
एवंविधो महातेजाः शंभुर्ब्राह्मणपुंगवः । अष्टादशपुराणज्ञो मीमांसा न्यायकोविदः
Such is the great and radiant Śaṃbhu, foremost among brāhmaṇas. He knows the eighteen Purāṇas, skilled in Mīmāṃsā and logic.
त्वद्भाग्यगौरवादेव प्राप्तोऽयं मुनिसत्तमः । त्वयाहूतो मुनिवरः कैलासादागतः प्रभो
Because of your fortune and honor, this best of sages has arrived. The eminent sage, summoned by you, has come from Kailāsa, O Lord.
अतः पृच्छ महाभाग पुराणाख्यानमुत्तमम् । श्रोतुकामा वयं प्राप्तास्त्वामद्य रघुनंदन
Therefore, O highly fortunate one, ask for the supreme Purāṇa narrative. We have come today, O descendant of Raghu, desiring to hear from you.