Bala Kanda · Sarga 51 of 77 · 28 verses
Shatananda Begins Vishvamitra’s Story
Shatananda, Janaka’s family priest, is the eldest son of Gautama and Ahalya. Hearing Vishvamitra’s account, his hair stands on end. He asks eagerly: Was my mother shown to the prince? Did she honour Rama with forest offerings? Was Rama told what the god did to her? Is she reunited with my father? Did my father honour Rama, and did Rama salute him with a peaceful mind? Vishvamitra answers: nothing was left undone; the sage’s wife is reunited with him, as Renuka with Jamadagni.
Shatananda then welcomes Rama warmly: “No one on earth is more fortunate than you, Rama, to have as your protector Vishvamitra, whose deeds are beyond thought and who has practised great austerity. Listen; I will tell you his story.” Vishvamitra was once a righteous king, son of Gadhi, grandson of Kushanabha, ruling for thousands of years. Once, touring the earth with a full army, he came to Vasishtha’s hermitage: full of flowering trees and peaceful deer, frequented by siddhas, gods and sages, ascetics who lived on water, air, fallen leaves or roots, like a second world of Brahma.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रस्य धीमतः । हृष्टरोमा महातेजाः शतानन्दो महातपाः ॥ १ ॥
गौतमस्य सुतो ज्येष्ठस्तपसा द्योतितप्रभः । रामसंदर्शनादेव परं विस्मयमागतः ॥ २ ॥
Hearing the wise Vishvamitra’s words, the radiant Shatananda of great austerity, eldest son of Gautama, shining with the light of austerity, his hair standing on end with joy, was filled with the greatest wonder just at seeing Rama.
बुद्धिमान विश्वामित्र के वचन सुनकर गौतम के सबसे बड़े पुत्र, तप के प्रकाश से दमकते, महातपस्वी तेजस्वी शतानंद के रोम आनंद से खड़े हो गए, और वे राम को देखते ही परम विस्मय से भर गए।
Commentary on the whole sarga
Shatananda Begins Vishvamitra’s Story 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Shatananda, eldest son of Gautama and Ahalya, hears what happened and is filled with wonder “just at seeing Rama”. The man who freed his mother is sitting before him.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
एतौ निषण्णौ सम्प्रेक्ष्य शतानन्दो नृपात्मजौ । सुखासीनौ मुनिश्रेष्ठं विश्वामित्रमथाब्रवीत् ॥ ३ ॥
Seeing the two princes seated comfortably, Shatananda said to Vishvamitra, best of sages:
दोनों राजकुमारों को आराम से बैठे देखकर शतानंद ने मुनिश्रेष्ठ विश्वामित्र से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture He sees the princes seated comfortably and turns to Vishvamitra. His questions come pouring out.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
अपि ते मुनिशार्दूल मम माता यशस्विनी । दर्शिता राजपुत्राय तपोदीर्घमुपागता ॥ ४ ॥
“Tiger among sages, was my glorious mother, who undertook long austerity, shown to the prince?
“मुनिसिंह, क्या मेरी यशस्विनी माता, जिन्होंने लंबा तप किया, राजकुमार को दिखाई दीं?
CommentaryNot scripture “Was my mother shown to the prince?” A son’s first thought is for his mother. Six questions follow, each a little more anxious.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
अपि रामे महातेजा मम माता यशस्विनी । वन्यैरुपाहरत् पूजां पूजार्हे सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥ ५ ॥
“Did my radiant, glorious mother bring forest offerings to Rama, who is worthy of honour from all embodied beings?
“क्या मेरी तेजस्विनी, यशस्विनी माता ने सब देहधारियों से सम्मान के योग्य राम को वन के उपहार भेंट किए?
CommentaryNot scripture “Did she offer Rama the forest gifts?” He knows the curse’s terms: her hospitality would free her.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
अपि रामाय कथितं यद् वृत्तं तत् पुरातनम् । मम मातुर्महातेजो देवेन दुरनुष्ठितम् ॥ ६ ॥
“Was Rama told what happened long ago, the wrong done to my mother by the god, radiant one?
“तेजस्वी, क्या राम को बहुत पहले जो हुआ था, देवता द्वारा मेरी माता के साथ किया गया अन्याय, बताया गया?
CommentaryNot scripture “Was Rama told of the wrong done to her by the god?” Shatananda calls it what it was: a wrong done by Indra. A son defends his mother’s honour.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
अपि कौशिक भद्रं ते गुरुणा मम संगता । मम माता मुनिश्रेष्ठ रामसंदर्शनादितः ॥ ७ ॥
“Kaushika, bless you, is my mother reunited with my teacher (father), best of sages, after seeing Rama?
“कौशिक, आपका कल्याण हो, मुनिश्रेष्ठ, क्या राम को देखकर मेरी माता मेरे गुरु (पिता) से फिर मिल गईं?
CommentaryNot scripture “Is my mother reunited with my father?” The deepest question: is the family whole again?
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
अपि मे गुरुणा रामः पूजितः कुशिकात्मज । इहागतो महातेजाः पूजां प्राप्य महात्मनः ॥ ८ ॥
“Son of Kushika, was Rama honoured by my teacher? Did the radiant one come here having received honour from that great soul?
“कुशिकनंदन, क्या मेरे गुरु ने राम का सम्मान किया? क्या वे तेजस्वी उन महात्मा से सम्मान पाकर यहाँ आए?
CommentaryNot scripture “Did my father honour Rama?”
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
अपि शान्तेन मनसा गुरुर्मे कुशिकात्मज । इहागतेन रामेण पूजितेनाभिवादितः ॥ ९ ॥
“Son of Kushika, was my teacher greeted with a peaceful mind by Rama, who came here and was honoured?”
“कुशिकनंदन, क्या यहाँ आए और सम्मानित राम ने शांत मन से मेरे गुरु का अभिवादन किया?”
CommentaryNot scripture “Did Rama greet my father with a peaceful mind?” Shatananda wants to know that every courtesy was kept, every wound healed.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः । प्रत्युवाच शतानन्दं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकोविदम् ॥ १० ॥
Hearing his words, the great sage Vishvamitra, skilled in speech, replied to Shatananda, skilled in speech:
उनके वचन सुनकर बोलने में कुशल महामुनि विश्वामित्र ने बोलने में कुशल शतानंद को उत्तर दिया:
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra answers one master of speech to another.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
नातिक्रान्तं मुनिश्रेष्ठ यत्कर्तव्यं कृतं मया । संगता मुनिना पत्नी भार्गवेणेव रेणुका ॥ ११ ॥
“Nothing was neglected, best of sages; what had to be done, I did. The wife is reunited with the sage, as Renuka with the Bhargava.”
“मुनिश्रेष्ठ, कुछ भी छूटा नहीं; जो करना था, मैंने किया। पत्नी मुनि से फिर मिल गई है, जैसे रेणुका भार्गव (जमदग्नि) से।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Nothing was neglected. The wife is reunited with the sage, as Renuka with Jamadagni.” Renuka was the mother of Parashurama; her story is another of a wife restored. Vishvamitra answers all six questions in one sentence.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य विश्वामित्रस्य धीमतः । शतानन्दो महातेजा रामं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ १२ ॥
Hearing the wise Vishvamitra’s words, the radiant Shatananda said to Rama:
बुद्धिमान विश्वामित्र के वचन सुनकर तेजस्वी शतानंद ने राम से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Shatananda now speaks directly to Rama.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
स्वागतं ते नरश्रेष्ठ दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि राघव । विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य महर्षिमपराजितम् ॥ १३ ॥
“Welcome to you, best of men. By good fortune you have come, Raghava, with the great unconquered sage Vishvamitra before you.
“पुरुषश्रेष्ठ, आपका स्वागत है। राघव, सौभाग्य से आप अजेय महामुनि विश्वामित्र को आगे करके आए हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture “Welcome. By good fortune you came with Vishvamitra.” His gratitude to Rama turns into praise of Rama’s teacher.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
अचिन्त्यकर्मा तपसा ब्रह्मर्षिरमितप्रभः । विश्वामित्रो महातेजा वेद्म्येनं परमां गतिम् ॥ १४ ॥
“Of deeds beyond thought through austerity, a brahmarshi of boundless splendour: the radiant Vishvamitra, I know him as the highest refuge.
“तप से अचिंत्य कर्म करने वाले, अपार तेज वाले ब्रह्मर्षि: तेजस्वी विश्वामित्र को मैं परम आश्रय जानता हूँ।
CommentaryNot scripture “Of deeds beyond thought through austerity.” Shatananda calls Vishvamitra the highest refuge. And he will tell why.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
नास्ति धन्यतरो राम त्वत्तोऽन्यो भुवि कश्चन । गोप्ता कुशिकपुत्रस्ते येन तप्तं महत्तपः ॥ १५ ॥
“No one on earth is more fortunate than you, Rama, whose protector is the son of Kushika, who has practised great austerity.
“राम, पृथ्वी पर आपसे अधिक भाग्यशाली कोई नहीं, जिनके रक्षक महान तप करने वाले कुशिक-पुत्र हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture “No one is more fortunate than you, whose protector is Vishvamitra.” Rama’s teacher is his greatest blessing.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
श्रूयतां चाभिधास्यामि कौशिकस्य महात्मनः । यथाबलं यथातत्त्वं तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥ १६ ॥
“Listen, and I will tell of great-souled Kaushika as far as I am able and as it truly was. Hear it from me.
“सुनिए, मैं महात्मा कौशिक के बारे में जितना कह सकता हूँ और जैसा सचमुच हुआ, वैसा बताता हूँ। मुझसे सुनिए।
CommentaryNot scripture “I will tell of Kaushika as it truly was.” So begins one of the longest stories in the Bala Kanda: the life of Vishvamitra, from king to brahmarshi. It fills fifteen sargas.
Scene 1 of 2 · Shatananda, Ahalya’s son, overjoyed, asks after his mother and begins to tell Rama who Vishvamitra truly is.
राजाऽऽसीदेष धर्मात्मा दीर्घकालमरिंदमः । धर्मज्ञः कृतविद्यश्च प्रजानां च हिते रतः ॥ १७ ॥
“This subduer of enemies was for a long time a righteous king, knowing dharma, learned, and devoted to the good of his people.
“शत्रुओं का दमन करने वाले ये बहुत समय तक धर्मात्मा राजा थे, धर्म के ज्ञाता, विद्वान, और प्रजा के हित में लगे हुए।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra was first a righteous king, learned and devoted to his people. His story begins in the world of power.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
प्रजापतिसुतस्त्वासीत् कुशो नाम महीपतिः । कुशस्य पुत्रो बलवान् कुशनाभः सुधार्मिकः ॥ १८ ॥
“There was a king named Kusha, son of Prajapati; Kusha’s son was the mighty and most righteous Kushanabha.
“प्रजापति के पुत्र कुश नाम के एक राजा थे; कुश के पुत्र बलवान और अत्यंत धर्मात्मा कुशनाभ थे।
CommentaryNot scripture The lineage again: Kusha, Kushanabha. We heard it from Vishvamitra himself in sargas 32 to 34.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
कुशनाभसुतस्त्वासीद् गाधिरित्येव विश्रुतः । गाधेः पुत्रो महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः ॥ १९ ॥
“Kushanabha’s son was known as Gadhi; and Gadhi’s son is the radiant great sage Vishvamitra.
“कुशनाभ के पुत्र गाधि नाम से प्रसिद्ध थे; और गाधि के पुत्र तेजस्वी महामुनि विश्वामित्र हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture Gadhi, and his son Vishvamitra. A royal line, a kshatriya by birth.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
विश्वामित्रो महातेजाः पालयामास मेदिनीम् । बहुवर्षसहस्राणि राजा राज्यमकारयत् ॥ २० ॥
“The radiant Vishvamitra protected the earth; for many thousands of years the king ruled the kingdom.
“तेजस्वी विश्वामित्र ने पृथ्वी की रक्षा की; राजा ने अनेक हज़ार वर्षों तक राज्य किया।
CommentaryNot scripture He ruled for many thousands of years, protecting the earth. A good king, not yet a sage.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
कदाचित् तु महातेजा योजयित्वा वरूथिनीम् । अक्षौहिणीपरिवृतः परिचक्राम मेदिनीम् ॥ २१ ॥
“Once the radiant one assembled his army and, surrounded by a full akshauhini, went round the earth.
“एक बार उन तेजस्वी ने अपनी सेना इकट्ठी की और पूरी एक अक्षौहिणी से घिरकर पृथ्वी की परिक्रमा की।
CommentaryNot scripture He gathers an army and tours the earth. A royal progress, showing power.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
नगराणि च राष्ट्राणि सरितश्च महागिरीन् । आश्रमान् क्रमशो राजा विचरन्नाजगाम ह ॥ २२ ॥
वसिष्ठस्याश्रमपदं नानापुष्पलताद्रुमम् । नानामृगगणाकीर्णं सिद्धचारणसेवितम् ॥ २३ ॥
“Wandering in turn through cities, kingdoms, rivers, great mountains and hermitages, the king came to Vasishtha’s hermitage, full of trees with flowers and creepers of many kinds, crowded with herds of deer, frequented by siddhas and charanas,
“क्रम से नगरों, राज्यों, नदियों, बड़े पर्वतों और आश्रमों में घूमते हुए राजा वसिष्ठ के आश्रम पहुँचे, जो अनेक प्रकार के फूलों और लताओं वाले वृक्षों से भरा, हिरणों के झुंडों से भरा, सिद्धों और चारणों से सेवित था,
CommentaryNot scripture He travels through cities, kingdoms, rivers, mountains and hermitages, and reaches Vasishtha’s hermitage, full of flowering trees and herds of deer. The warrior king enters the world of the sage.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
देवदानवगन्धर्वैः किंनरैरुपशोभितम् । प्रशान्तहरिणाकीर्णं द्विजसङ्घनिषेवितम् ॥ २४ ॥
“adorned with gods, danavas, gandharvas and kinnaras, full of tranquil deer, frequented by flocks of birds,
“देवताओं, दानवों, गंधर्वों और किन्नरों से सजा, शांत हिरणों से भरा, पक्षियों के झुंडों से सेवित,
CommentaryNot scripture Gods, gandharvas and kinnaras visit; the deer are tranquil. Peace is the mark of a true hermitage.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
ब्रह्मर्षिगणसंकीर्णं देवर्षिगणसेवितम् । तपश्चरणसंसिद्धैरग्निकल्पैर्महात्मभिः ॥ २५ ॥
सततं संकुलं श्रीमद्ब्रह्मकल्पैर्महात्मभिः । अब्भक्षैर्वायुभक्षैश्च शीर्णपर्णाशनैस्तथा ॥ २६ ॥
“crowded with hosts of brahmarshis and visited by divine sages; always thronged by great souls perfected by austerity, like fire, glorious, like Brahma, eating only water, only air, only fallen leaves,
“ब्रह्मर्षियों के समूहों से भरा और देवर्षियों द्वारा आए जाने वाला; तप से सिद्ध, अग्नि जैसे, यशस्वी, ब्रह्मा जैसे, केवल जल, केवल वायु, केवल गिरे पत्ते खाने वाले महात्माओं से सदा भरा,
CommentaryNot scripture Brahmarshis and divine sages; ascetics who live on water, air or fallen leaves. Valmiki fills the hermitage with every kind of holy life.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
फलमूलाशनैर्दान्तैर्जितदोषैर्जितेन्द्रियैः । ऋषिभिर्वालखिल्यैश्च जपहोमपरायणैः ॥ २७ ॥
अन्यैर्वैखानसैश्चैव समन्तादुपशोभितम् । वसिष्ठस्याश्रमपदं ब्रह्मलोकमिवापरम् । ददर्श जयतां श्रेष्ठो विश्वामित्रो महाबलः ॥ २८ ॥
“or fruits and roots, self-restrained, faults conquered, senses mastered; adorned on every side by the Valakhilya sages, devoted to prayer and offering, and by other Vaikhanasas: Vasishtha’s hermitage, like a second world of Brahma. Mighty Vishvamitra, best of conquerors, saw it.”
“या फल और मूल खाने वाले, संयमी, दोषों को जीते हुए, इंद्रियों को वश में किए; जप और होम में लगे वालखिल्य मुनियों और दूसरे वैखानसों से चारों ओर सजा: वसिष्ठ का आश्रम, मानो दूसरा ब्रह्मलोक। विजेताओं में श्रेष्ठ बलवान विश्वामित्र ने उसे देखा।”
CommentaryNot scripture Like “a second world of Brahma”. Vishvamitra, “best of conquerors”, sees it. The king who has conquered everything stands at the door of a power he does not yet understand. The great rivalry of Indian legend, Vishvamitra and Vasishtha, begins here.
Scene 2 of 2 · Long ago King Vishvamitra, leading a vast army, comes upon the peaceful hermitage of the sage Vasishtha.
