वर्णानां ब्राह्मणो यद्वत्तथा तीर्थेषु संगमः
just as among the castes the brāhmaṇa is foremost, so is the confluence of sacred places,
अत्र स्नानेन दानेन यथा शक्त्या जितेंद्रियः
by bathing here, giving charity, and conquering the senses according to one's capacity,
नरो वा यदि वा नारी विधिवत्स्नानमाचरेत्
whether man or woman, should perform the prescribed bath,
यथा वह्निर्दहेत्सर्वं शुष्कमार्द्रमथापि वा
just as fire burns everything, whether dry or moist,
एकतः सर्वतीर्थानि नानाविधिफलानि वै 2.8.6.
on one side are all the sacred places, each with its various fruits,
सर्वतीर्थावगाहस्य फलं यादृक्स्मृतं श्रुतौ
the fruit of bathing in all the sacred places, as is remembered in the tradition,
गोप्रताराभिधं तीर्थमपरं वर्ततेऽनघ
There is another sacred ford called Gopratāra, O sinless one.
यत्र स्नानेन दानेन न शोचति नरः क्वचित्
Where, through bathing and giving, a person never grieves at any time.
वाराणस्यां यथा विद्वन्वर्त्तते मणिकर्णिका
Just as, O learned one, Maṇikarṇikā exists in Vārāṇasī,
नैमिषे चक्रवापी तु यथा तीर्थतमा स्मृता
So too, in Naimiṣa, the Cakravāpī is remembered as the foremost of sacred fords.
यत्र रामाज्ञया विद्वन्साकेतनगरीजनाः
Where, by the command of Rāma, O learned one, the people of Sāketa city—
कथं च राघवो विद्वन्नेतत्कथय सुव्रत
And how did Rāghava, O learned one, tell me this, O steadfast one.
यथाजगाम रामोऽसौ स्वर्गं स च पुरीजनः
How Rāma went to heaven, and so did the people of the city.
पुरा रामो विधायैव देवकार्य्यमतंद्रितः
Once, Rāma, having accomplished the work of the gods, untiringly—
ततो निशम्य चारेण वानराः कामरूपिणः 2.8.6.
Then, having heard by means of spies, the monkeys who could assume any form—
देवगंधर्वपुत्राश्च ऋषिपुत्राश्च वानराः
The monkeys, sons of gods, gandharvas, and sages—
ते राममनुगत्योचुः सर्वे वानरयूथपाः
All the leaders of the monkey troops, following Rāma, spoke thus:
यदि राम विनास्माभिर्गच्छेस्त्वं पुरुषर्षभ
If, O best of men, you go without us, O Rāma—
श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तेषामृक्षवानररक्षसाम्
Having heard the words of those bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas—
यावत्प्रजा धरिष्यंति तावदेव विभीषण
As long as living beings endure, so long, O Vibhīṣaṇa—
शाधि राज्यं च खल्वेतन्नान्यथा मे वचः कुरु
Rule this kingdom indeed; otherwise, do not disregard my command.
एवमुक्त्वा तु काकुत्स्थो हनुमंतमथाब्रवीत्
Having spoken thus, the descendant of Kakutstha then addressed Hanuman:
यावल्लोका वदिष्यंति मत्कथां वानरर्षभ
As long as people speak of my story, O best of monkeys—
मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव अमृतप्राशनावुभौ
Mainda and Dvivida, both who had tasted the nectar—
पुत्रपौत्राश्च येऽस्माकं तान्रक्षन्त्विह वानराः मया सार्धं प्रयातेति तदा तान्राघवोऽब्रवीत् ।। 2.8.6.
Let the monkeys here protect our sons and grandsons, as we depart together—so said Rāghava to them at that time.
प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्य्यां पृथुवक्षा महाभुजः
When the night had ended, the broad-chested, mighty-armed one—
अग्निहोत्राणि यांत्वग्रे दीप्यमानानि सर्वशः
First approached the blazing sacrificial fires, all burning brightly.
ततो वसिष्ठस्तेजस्वी सर्वं निश्चित्य चेतसा
Then the radiant Vasiṣṭha, having considered everything in his mind,
ततः क्षौमाम्बरधरो ब्रह्मचर्यसमन्वितः
Clad in linen garments, endowed with the practice of celibacy,
न व्याहरच्छुभं किंचिदशुभं वा नरेश्वरः
The lord of men uttered nothing auspicious or inauspicious.