एतत्सर्वं क्रमेणैव तथ्यं त्वं वेत्थ सांप्रतम्
You truly know all this in detail and with accuracy at this very moment.
सेतिहासानि सर्वाणि सरहस्यानि तत्त्वतः
All the histories, and all the secrets in their true essence—
तं प्रणम्य प्रवक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं भवदग्रतः
Having bowed to him, I shall declare the greatness before you.
विद्यावन्तं विपुलमतिदं वेदवेदांगवेद्यं श्रेष्ठं शान्तं शमितविषयं शुद्धतेजोविशालम्
To that learned one, vast in intellect, foremost knower of Veda and Vedāṅga, tranquil, restrained in the senses, of pure and expansive brilliance—
ॐ नमो भगवते तस्मै व्यासायामिततेजसे
Om, I bow to that blessed Vyāsa, of boundless splendor.
शृण्वन्तु मुनयः सर्वे सावधानाः सशिष्यकाः
Let all the sages, attentive and with their disciples, listen.
उदीरितमगस्त्याय स्कन्देनाश्रावि नारदात्
What was spoken to Agastya, was heard from Skanda by Nārada.
कृष्णद्वैपायनाच्चैतन्मया प्राप्तं तपोधनाः
This I have received from Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, O ascetics.
नमामि परमात्मानं रामं राजीवलोचनम्
I bow to the Supreme Self, to Rāma, lotus-eyed.
अयोध्या सा परा मेध्या पुरी दुष्कृतिदुर्ल्लभा 2.8.1.
That Ayodhyā is supreme, pure, a city difficult for wrongdoers to attain.
सरयूतीरमासाद्य दिव्या परमशोभना
Situated on the banks of the Sarayū, it is divine and supremely beautiful.
हस्त्यश्वरथपत्त्याढ्या संपदुच्चा च संस्थिता
Abounding in elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, it stands in great prosperity.
सानूपवेषैः सर्वत्र सुविभक्तचतुष्टया
With well-arranged quarters everywhere, divided into fourfold sections.
पद्मोत्फुल्लशुभोदाभिर्वापीभिरुपशोभिता
Adorned with ponds shining with the beauty of blooming lotuses.
वीणावेणुमृदंगादिशब्दैरुत्कृष्टतां गता। शालैस्तालैर्नालिकेरैः पनसामलकैस्तथा
Resounding with the sounds of vīṇā, flute, mṛdaṅga, and the like, it has reached excellence; with śāla, tāla, coconut, jackfruit, and āmalaka trees as well.
तथैवाम्रकपित्थाद्यैरशोकैरुपशोभिता
Likewise, it is adorned with mango, wood-apple, aśoka, and other trees.
मालतीजातिबकुलपाटलीनागचंपकैः
With mālatī, jāti, bakula, pāṭalī, nāga, and campaka trees,
निम्बजंवीरकदलीमातुलिंगमहाफलैः
With nimba, jamvīra, kadalī, mātuliṅga, and great fruits,
देवतुल्यप्रभायुक्तैर्नृपपुत्रैश्च संयुता
Joined by princes endowed with radiance equal to the gods,
श्रेष्ठैः सत्कविभिर्युक्ता बृहस्पतिसमैर्द्विजैः 2.8.1.
Accompanied by excellent, honored poets and brahmins equal to Bṛhaspati,
अश्वैरुच्चैःश्रवस्तुल्यैर्दंतिभिर्दिग्गजैरिव
With horses like Uccaiḥśravas and elephants like the guardians of the directions,
यस्यां जाता महीपालाः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवाः
On whose banks were born kings descended from the solar dynasty,
यस्यास्तीरे पुण्यतोया कूजद्भृंगविहंगमा
On whose shore, with holy waters, bees and birds sing,
धर्मद्रवपरीता सा घर्घरोत्तमसंगमा
Filled with the essence of dharma, flowing with the best waters,
दक्षिणाच्चरणांगुष्ठान्निःसृता जाह्नवी हरेः
From whose southern toe emerged Jahnavi, the river of Hari,
तस्मादिमे पुण्यतमे नद्यौ देवनमस्कृते
Therefore, these two rivers are the most sacred, revered by the gods,
तामयोध्यामथ प्राप्तोऽगस्त्यः कुम्भोद्भवो मुनिः
Then Agastya, the sage born from the pot, arrived at Ayodhya,
आगत्य तु इतः सोऽपि कृऽत्वा यात्रां क्रमेण च
Having come from there, he too performed the pilgrimage in order,
पूजयित्वा यथान्यायं देवताः सकला अपि
He worshipped all the deities according to proper rites,
कृतकृत्योर्ज्जितानन्दस्तीर्थमाहात्म्यदर्शनात् 2.8.1.
Having fulfilled his purpose, rejoicing from witnessing the greatness of the holy place,