श्रुत्वा तु राघवस्यैतद्वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः । भरतः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।। ७.८३.
Hearing these words of Rāghava, Bharata, skilled in speech, with joined palms, spoke these words.
त्वयि धर्मः परः साधो त्वयि सर्वा वसुन्धरा । प्रतिष्ठिता महाबाहो यशश्चामितविक्रम ।। ७.८३.
O noble one, supreme righteousness abides in you; in you, mighty-armed and of boundless prowess, the entire earth is established, as is fame.
महीपालाश्च सर्वे त्वां प्रजापतिमिवामराः । निरीक्षन्ते महात्मानं लोकानाथं यथा वयम् ।। ७.८३.
All the kings look upon you, O great-souled one, as the immortals look upon Prajāpati, as we do upon the lord of the worlds.
पुत्राश्च पितृवद्राजन्पश्यन्ति त्वां महाबल । पृथिव्या गतिभूतो ऽसि प्राणिनामपि राघव ।। ७.८३.
And, O mighty king, sons look upon you as a father; you are the path of the earth and of all living beings, O Rāghava.
स त्वमेवंविधं यज्ञमाहर्तासि कथं नृप । पृथिव्यां राजवंशानां विनाशो यत्र दृश्यते ।। ७.८३.
How, O king, can you, who are such a performer of sacrifice, undertake a rite in which the destruction of royal lineages on earth is seen?
पृथिव्यां ये च पुरुषा राजन्पौरुषमागताः । सर्वेषां भविता तत्र सङ्क्षयः सर्वकोपजः ।। ७.८३.
O king, all those men on earth who have attained manliness will all face destruction there, arising from universal wrath.
स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल गुणैरतुलविक्रम । पृथिवीं नार्हसे हन्तुं वशे हि तव वर्तते ।। ७.८३.
Therefore, O tiger among men, of incomparable prowess and virtues, you should not destroy the earth, for it is under your control.
भरतस्य तु तद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा ऽमृतमयं तदा । प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे रामः सत्यपराक्रमः ।। ७.८३.
Hearing those words of Bharata, which were like nectar, Rama, whose valor is true, experienced incomparable joy.
उवाच च शुभं वाक्यं कैकेय्यानन्दवर्धनम् । प्रीतो ऽस्मि परितुष्टो ऽस्मि तवाद्य वचने ऽनघ ।। ७.८३.
He spoke auspicious words, increasing the happiness of Kaikeyi’s son: 'I am pleased, I am fully satisfied with your words today, O blameless one.'
इदं वचनमक्लीबं त्वया धर्मसमाहितम् । व्याहृतं पुरुषव्याघ्र पृथिव्याः परिपालनम् ।। ७.८३.
This manly speech, imbued with righteousness, has been spoken by you, O tiger among men, for the protection of the earth.
एष्यदस्मदभिप्रायाद्राजसूयात्क्रतूत्तमात् । निवर्तयामि धर्मज्ञ तव सुव्याहृतेन च ।। ७.८३.
From our intention regarding the great Rajasuya sacrifice, I desist, O knower of dharma, because of your well-spoken words.
लोकपीडाकरं कर्म न कर्तव्यं विचक्षणैः । बालानां तु शुभं वाक्यं ग्राह्य लक्ष्मणपूर्वज । तस्माच्छृणोमि ते वाक्यं साधु युक्तं महामते ।। ७.८३.
Actions that cause suffering to the world should not be performed by the wise; but the auspicious words of the young must be accepted, O elder brother of Lakshmana. Therefore, I listen to your words, which are good and appropriate, O great-minded one.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे त्र्यशीतितमः सर्गः
Thus ends the eighty-third sarga in the glorious Uttarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by the sage Valmiki.
तथोक्तवति रामे तु भरते च महात्मनि । लक्ष्मणो ऽथ शुभं वाक्यमुवाच रघुनन्दनम् ।। ७.८४.
When Rama had spoken thus, and Bharata, the great-souled, as well, then Lakshmana addressed the descendant of Raghu with auspicious words.
अश्वमेधो महायज्ञः पावनः सर्वपाप्मनाम् । पावनस्तव दुर्धर्षो रोचतां रघुनन्दन ।। ७.८४.
The Ashvamedha, the great sacrifice, is purifying for all sinners; may this purifying and formidable rite please you, O descendant of Raghu.
श्रूयते हि पुरावृत्तं वासवे सुमहात्मनि । ब्रह्महत्यावृतः शक्रो हयमेधेन पावितः ।। ७.८४.
It is heard that in ancient times, O greatly illustrious one, Indra, covered by the sin of killing a Brahmin, was purified by performing the horse sacrifice.
पुरा किल महाबाहो देवासुरसमागमे । वृत्रो नाम महानासीद्दैतेयो लोकसम्मतः ।। ७.८४.
Long ago, O mighty-armed one, during the meeting of gods and demons, there was a great demon named Vritra, esteemed by the world.
विस्तीर्णो योजनशतमुच्छ्रितस्त्रिगुणं ततः । अनुरागेण लोकांस्त्रीन्स्नेहात्पश्यति सर्वतः ।। ७.८४.
He was vast, a hundred yojanas in breadth, and three times that in height; out of affection, he looked upon all three worlds everywhere with love.
धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च बुद्ध्या च परिनिष्ठितः । शशास पृथिवीं स्फीतां धर्मेण सुसमाहितः ।। ७.८४.
He was knowledgeable in dharma, grateful, and firmly established in wisdom; he ruled the flourishing earth, well-governed by righteousness.
तस्मिन्प्रशासति तदा सर्वकामदुघा मही । रसवन्ति प्रभूनानि मूलानि च फलानि च ।। ७.८४.
While he ruled, the earth yielded all desired things; roots and fruits were abundant and flavorful for the powerful.
अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी सुसम्पन्ना महात्मनः । स राज्यं तादृशं भुङ्क्ते स्फीतमद्भुतदर्शनम् ।। ७.८४.
The earth, uncultivated, was prosperous for the great-souled one; he enjoyed such a kingdom, flourishing and wondrous to behold.
तस्य बुद्धिः समुप्तन्ना तपः कुर्यामनुत्तमम् । तपो हि परमं श्रेयः सम्मोहमितरत्सुखम् ।। ७.८४.
His mind then turned to performing supreme austerity; for austerity is the highest good, while other pleasures bring only delusion.
स निक्षिप्य सुतं ज्येष्ठं पौरेषु मधुरेश्वरम् । तप उग्रं समातिष्ठत्तापयन्सर्वदेवताः ।। ७.८४.
He installed his eldest son as ruler among the citizens, and undertook fierce austerity, causing distress to all the gods.
तपस्तप्यति वृत्रे तु वासवः परमार्तवत् । विष्णुं समुपसङ्क्रम्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।। ७.८४.
While Vritra performed austerity, Indra, in great distress, approached Vishnu and spoke these words.
तपस्यता महाबाहो लोकाः वृत्रेण निर्जिताः । बलवान्स हि धर्मात्मा नैनं शक्ष्यामि शासितुम् ।। ७.८४.
While Vritra was engaged in austerity, O mighty-armed one, the worlds were conquered by him; he is powerful and righteous, and I am unable to rule him.
यद्यसौ तप आतिष्ठेद्भूय एवासुरेश्वर । यावल्लोका धरिष्यन्ति तावदस्य वशानुगाः ।। ७.८४.
If that lord of the asuras should again undertake austerities, for as long as the worlds endure, they will remain subject to his control.
तं चैनं परमोदारमुपेक्षसि महाबलम् । क्षणं हि न भवेद्वृत्रः क्रुद्धे त्वयि सुरेश्वर ।। ७.८४.
And you, though you overlook that exceedingly generous and mighty one, O lord of the gods, Vṛtra would not survive even a moment if you were angered.
यदा हि प्रीतिसंयोगं त्वया विष्णो समागतः । तदाप्रभृति लोकानां नाथत्वमुपलब्धवान् ।। ७.८४.
Indeed, O Viṣṇu, from the moment you formed an alliance of affection, he attained lordship over the worlds.
स त्वं प्रसादं लोकानां कुरुष्व सुसमाहितः । त्वत्कृतेन हि सर्वं स्याप्रशान्तमरुजं जगत् ।। ७.८४.
Therefore, with firm resolve, grant your favor to the worlds; for by your doing, the entire restless universe would become peaceful.
इमे हि सर्वे विष्णो त्वां निरीक्षन्ते दिवौकसः । वृत्रघातेन महता तेषां साह्यं कुरुष्व ह ।। ७.८४.
All these dwellers of heaven, O Viṣṇu, look to you; assist them in the great task of slaying Vṛtra.