अयं हि सर्वभूतानां मान्यस्तु नरसत्तमः। अस्मासु च गतः प्रीतिं रामः परपुरंजयः
For Rama, the conqueror of enemy cities, is honored by all beings and has won our affection.
इमानि बहुदुर्गाणि नद्यः शैलान्तराणि च। भवन्तः परिमार्गन्तु बुद्धिविक्रमसम्पदा
You must search through these many difficult regions—rivers and mountain ranges—using your intelligence, courage, and resources.
तत्र म्लेच्छान् पुलिन्दांश्च शूरसेनांस्तथैव च। प्रस्थलान् भरतांश्चैव कुरूंश्च सह मद्रकैः
There, examine the lands of the Mlecchas, Pulindas, Shurasenas, Prasthalas, Bharatas, Kurus, and Madrakas.
काम्बोजयवनांश्चैव शकानां पत्तनानि च। अन्वीक्ष्य दरदांश्चैव हिमवन्तं विचिन्वथ
Investigate also the Kambojas, Yavanas, and the cities of the Shakas; after that, search the Daradas and the Himalaya.
लोध्रपद्मकषण्डेषु देवदारुवनेषु च। रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः
In the groves of lodhra and padmaka trees, and in the forests of deodar, Ravana together with Vaidehi must be sought everywhere.
ततः सोमाश्रमं गत्वा देवगन्धर्वसेवितम्। कालं नाम महासानुं पर्वतं तं गमिष्यथ
Then, reaching the hermitage of Soma, frequented by gods and gandharvas, you shall go to the great mountain called Kala.
महत्सु तस्य शैलेषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च। विचिन्वत महाभागां रामपत्नीमनिन्दिताम्
On the vast slopes and in the caves of that mountain, search for Rama's blameless wife, O noble ones.
तमतिक्रम्य शैलेन्द्रं हेमगर्भं महागिरिम्। ततः सुदर्शनं नाम पर्वतं गन्तुमर्हथ
Passing beyond that lord of mountains, the great golden-peaked mountain, you should then proceed to the mountain called Sudarshana.
ततो देवसखो नाम पर्वतः पतगालयः। नानापक्षिसमाकीर्णो विविधद्रुमभूषितः
After that is the mountain named Devasakha, the abode of birds, crowded with many kinds of birds and adorned with various trees.
तस्य काननषण्डेषु निर्झरेषु गुहासु च। रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः
In the groves, waterfalls, and caves of that mountain, Ravana together with Vaidehi must be sought everywhere.
तमतिक्रम्य चाकाशं सर्वतः शतयोजनम्। अपर्वतनदीवृक्षं सर्वसत्त्वविवर्जितम्
Passing beyond that, there is a sky expanse a hundred yojanas in all directions, without mountains, rivers, or trees, devoid of all living beings.
तत्तु शीघ्रमतिक्रम्य कान्तारं रोमहर्षणम्। कैलासं पाण्डुरं प्राप्य हृष्टा यूयं भविष्यथ
Quickly crossing that terrifying wilderness, you will reach the pale Kailasa mountain and be filled with joy.
तत्र पाण्डुरमेघाभं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्। कुबेरभवनं रम्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा
There stands the delightful mansion of Kubera, resembling a pale cloud, adorned with gold, and constructed by Vishvakarma.
विशाला नलिनी यत्र प्रभूतकमलोत्पला। हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा अप्सरोगणसेविता
There is a vast lake, filled with abundant lotuses and blue lilies, crowded with swans and cranes, attended by groups of celestial nymphs.
तत्र वैश्रवणो राजा सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः। धनदो रमते श्रीमान् गुह्यकैः सह यक्षराट्
There, King Vaiśravaṇa, revered by all the worlds, the wealthy and illustrious lord of the Yakṣas, delights together with the Guhyakas.
तस्य चन्द्रनिकाशेषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च। रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः
In the caves and on the moon-bright mountains there, Rāvaṇa must be searched for, along with Sītā, thoroughly and in every place.
क्रौञ्चं तु गिरिमासाद्य बिलं तस्य सुदुर्गमम्। अप्रमत्तैः प्रवेष्टव्यं दुष्प्रवेशं हि तत् स्मृतम्
Upon reaching Mount Krauñca, its cave—extremely difficult to enter—must be entered with great care, for it is known to be hard to access.
वसन्ति हि महात्मानस्तत्र सूर्यसमप्रभाः। देवैरभ्यर्थिताः सम्यग् देवरूपा महर्षयः
For there dwell great sages, radiant as the sun, who, having been earnestly requested by the gods, are divine in form and resemble the great seers.
क्रौञ्चस्य तु गुहाश्चान्याः सानूनि शिखराणि च। निर्दराश्च नितम्बाश्च विचेतव्यास्ततस्ततः
The other caves, slopes, peaks, ravines, and foothills of Mount Krauñca must also be thoroughly searched in every direction.
अवृक्षं कामशैलं च मानसं विहगालयम्। न गतिस्तत्र भूतानां देवानां न च रक्षसाम्
There is the treeless Kāma mountain and the Mānasa lake, abode of birds; neither gods, spirits, nor demons can go there.
स च सर्वैर्विचेतव्यः ससानुप्रस्थभूधरः। क्रौञ्चं गिरिमतिक्रम्य मैनाको नाम पर्वतः
That mountain, Krauñca, with its slopes, plateaus, and peaks, must be completely searched; beyond it lies the mountain called Maināka.
मयस्य भवनं तत्र दानवस्य स्वयंकृतम्। मैनाकस्तु विचेतव्यः ससानुप्रस्थकन्दरः
There is the mansion of Maya, the Dānava, built by himself; Maināka, with its slopes, plateaus, and caves, must also be searched.
स्त्रीणामश्वमुखीनां तु निकेतस्तत्र तत्र तु। तं देशं समतिक्रम्य आश्रमं सिद्धसेवितम्
There, in various places, are the dwellings of horse-faced women; passing beyond that region, there is a hermitage frequented by perfected sages.
सिद्धा वैखानसा यत्र वालखिल्याश्च तापसाः। वन्दितव्यास्ततः सिद्धास्तपसा वीतकल्मषाः
There, the Siddhas, the Vaikhānasa sages, and the ascetic Vālakhilyas reside; those sinless Siddhas, purified by austerity, must be respectfully greeted.
प्रष्टव्या चापि सीतायाः प्रवृत्तिर्विनयान्वितैः। हेमपुष्करसंछन्नं तत्र वैखानसं सरः
You should also inquire from those humble ones about Sītā’s whereabouts; there is the Vaikhānasa lake, covered with golden lotuses.
तरुणादित्यसंकाशैर्हंसैर्विचरितं शुभैः। औपवाह्यः कुबेरस्य सार्वभौम इति स्मृतः
It is frequented by beautiful swans, shining like the rising sun; it is said to be Kubera’s royal bathing place.
गजः पर्येति तं देशं सदा सह करेणुभिः। तत् सरः समतिक्रम्य नष्टचन्द्रदिवाकरम्। अनक्षत्रगणं व्योम निष्पयोदमनादितम्
An elephant, always accompanied by its females, roams that region; passing beyond that lake, you will find a sky without moon or sun, without stars, without clouds, and without beginning.
गभस्तिभिरिवार्कस्य स तु देशः प्रकाश्यते। विश्राम्यद्भिस्तपःसिद्धैर्देवकल्पैः स्वयंप्रभैः
That region is illuminated as if by the rays of the sun, by ascetics who have attained perfection, resembling gods, shining with their own radiance as they rest.
तं तु देशमतिक्रम्य शैलोदा नाम निम्नगा। उभयोस्तीरयोस्तस्याः कीचका नाम वेणवः
Beyond that region flows a river named Śailodā; on both its banks are bamboo groves called Kīcaka.
ते नयन्ति परं तीरं सिद्धान् प्रत्यानयन्ति च। उत्तराः कुरवस्तत्र कृतपुण्यप्रतिश्रयाः
Those bamboos lead the perfected beings to the far shore and bring them back again; there are the northern Kurus, a refuge for those who have performed meritorious deeds.