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.
त्वया हि नित्यशः साह्यं कृतमेषां महात्मनाम् । असह्यमिदमन्येषामगतीनां गतिर्भवान् ।। ७.८४.
For you have always aided these great souls; this is unbearable for others, and you are the refuge for those without recourse.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे चतुरशीतितमः सर्गः
Thus ends the eighty-fourth sarga in the glorious Uttarakāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki.
लक्ष्मणस्य तु तद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा शत्रुनिबर्हणः । वृत्रघातमशेषेण कथयेत्याह सुव्रत ।। ७.८५.
Hearing those words of Lakṣmaṇa, the destroyer of enemies, Suvrata said, 'Tell in full the story of Vṛtra's slaying.'
राघवेणैवमुक्तस्तु सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनः । भूय एव कथां दिव्यां कथयामास सुव्रतः ।। ७.८५.
Thus addressed by Rāghava, the joy of Sumitrā, Suvrata again began to narrate the divine tale.
सहस्राक्षवचः श्रुत्वा सर्वेषां च दिवौकसाम् । विष्णुर्देवानुवाचेदं सर्वानिन्द्रपुरोगमान् ।। ७.८५.
Having heard the words of the thousand-eyed one and all the gods, Viṣṇu spoke these words to all the gods, with Indra at their head.
पूर्वं सौहृदबद्धो ऽस्मि वृत्रस्य ह महात्मनः । तेन युष्मत्प्रियार्थं हि नाहं हन्मि महासुरम् ।। ७.८५.
Formerly, I was bound by friendship with the great-souled Vṛtra; therefore, for your sake, I do not slay the great asura.
अवश्यं करणीयं च भवतां सुखमुत्तमम् । तस्मादुपायमाख्यास्ये येन वृत्रो निहन्यते ।। ७.८५.
But your supreme happiness must certainly be accomplished; therefore, I will declare a means by which Vṛtra will be slain.
त्रिधाभूतं करिष्यामि ह्यात्मानं सुरसत्तमाः । तेन वृत्रं सहस्राक्षो वधिष्यति न संशयः ।। ७.८५.
I shall divide myself into three parts, O best of gods; by that, the thousand-eyed one will slay Vṛtra, without doubt.
एकांशो वासवं यातु द्वितीयो वज्रमेव तु । तृतीयो भूतलं शक्रस्तदा वृत्रं वधिष्यति ।। ७.८५.
One part will enter Vāsava, the second will become the thunderbolt, and the third the earth; then Śakra will slay Vṛtra.
तथा ब्रुवति देवेशे देवा वाक्यमथाब्रुवन् । एवमेतन्न सन्देहो यथा वदसि दैत्यहन् ।। ७.८५.
As the lord of gods spoke thus, the gods replied, 'So it shall be, there is no doubt, just as you say, O slayer of demons.'