कुंडं चखान तस्याग्रे विमलोदक संज्ञकम्
He dug a pond before him, called by the name of Vimalodaka.
इतिहासं प्रवक्ष्यामि तत्र त्रेतायुगे पुरा
I shall relate the ancient story that took place there in the Tretā age.
एकः पाशुपत श्रेष्ठो वाल्मीकिरिति संज्ञितः
There was one foremost among the Pāśupatas, known by the name Vālmīki.
एकदा स हि हेमंते मार्गे मासि तपोधनः
Once, in the winter season, during the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, that ascetic practiced austerities.
चकार भस्मना स्नानमापादतलमस्तकम्
He performed a bath with ashes, from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
न्यस्तमस्तकपांसुश्च संध्यामाध्यात्मिकीं स्मरन्
With his head bowed to the ground, he recollected the spiritual twilight meditation.
कृत्वा संहारमार्गेण सप्रमाणं प्रदक्षिणाम्
He circumambulated, in the prescribed manner, along the path of dissolution.
प्रणवं पुरतः कृत्वा षड्जादिस्वरभेदतः 4.2.54.
He placed the sacred syllable Om before him, distinguishing the notes from Ṣaḍja onward.
अंगहारैर्मनोहारि चारी मंडलसंयुतम्
With captivating gestures, graceful movements, and accompanied by circular steps.
अद्राक्षीद्राक्षसं घोरमतीव विकृताकृतिम्
He beheld a terrible Rākṣasa, exceedingly deformed in appearance.
रूक्षस्फुटितकेशाग्रं महालंब शिरोधरम्
Its hair was rough and split at the ends, its neck greatly elongated and hanging down.
महाविशालमौलिं च प्रोर्ध्वीभूतशिरोरुहम्
Its head was massive and broad, with hair standing upright.
प्रलंबित ललज्जिह्वमत्युत्कट कृकाटिकम्
Its tongue hung down, quivering, and its jaw was extremely protruding.
निमग्नकक्षाकुहरं शुष्कह्रस्व भुजद्वयम्
Its armpits were sunken, and both arms were dry and shrunken.
विशुष्क पांसुलोत्क्रोडं पृष्ठलग्नोदरत्वचम्
Its chest was emaciated and dusty, with the skin of its belly clinging to its back.
प्रलंब स्फिग्युगयुतं शुष्कमुष्काल्पमेहनम्
Its buttocks hung down in a pair, its genitals were shriveled, and its urinary organ was small.
अस्थिचर्मावशेषं च शिराजालितविग्रहम्
Its body consisted only of bones and skin, with veins standing out.
अतिविस्तृत पादं च दीर्घवक्रकृशांगुलिम् 4.2.54.
Its feet were exceedingly broad, with long, crooked, and thin toes.
विकटं भीषणाकारं क्षुत्क्षाममतिलोमशम्
It was monstrous, terrifying in form, gaunt with hunger, and excessively hairy.
मूर्तं भयानकमिव सर्वप्राणिभयप्रदम् अतिदीनाननं कस्त्वमिति धैर्येण पृष्टवान्
It appeared as a living embodiment of terror, causing fear to all beings; with a most wretched face, he bravely asked, 'Who are you?'
कुतस्त्वमिह संप्राप्तः कस्मात्ते गतिरीदृशी
How have you come here, and what has brought you to such a state?
अस्माकं तापसानां च न भयं त्वद्विधान्मनाक्
For ascetics like us, there is no fear at all from someone like you.
तापसोदीरितमिति तद्रक्षः प्रीतिपूवर्कम्
Hearing these words spoken by the ascetic, that spirit became pleased.
अनुक्रोशोस्ति यदि ते भगवंस्तापसोत्तम
If you have compassion, O venerable and foremost ascetic,
प्रतिष्ठानाभिधानोस्ति देशो गोदावरी तटे
There is a place called Pratiṣṭhāna on the bank of the Godāvarī.
तेन कर्मविपाकेन प्राप्तोस्मि गतिमीदृशीम्
By the result of my actions, I have attained this condition.
गतो बहुतरः कालस्तत्र मे वसतो मुने
A long time passed there while I was living, O sage.
वर्षत्यपि महामेघे धारासारैर्दिवानिशम् 4.2.54.
Even when great clouds poured heavy rain day and night,
पर्वण्यदत्तदाना ये कृततीर्थप्रतिग्रहाः
Those who gave gifts on festival days and accepted holy bathing places—
गते बहुतिथे काले मरुभूमौ मुने मया
After much time had passed there in the desert, O sage, by me,