Bala Kanda, Sarga 64

Meaning

“This very great errand of the gods in the shape of beguiling Viśwāmitra conjointly with infatuating him by rousing his passion has to be done by you at this juncture.’’ (1)

Meaning

Feeling abashed when told thus by the sagacious Indra (the thousand-eyed god), O Rāma, the aforesaid celestial nymph gave the following reply with folded-hands to the ruler of gods : (2)

Meaning

“This hot-tempered and eminent sage, Viśwāmitra, will pronounce a terrible curse on me, my lord: there is no doubt about it, O ruler of gods ! (3)

Meaning

“Since great fear on this score lurks in my mind, be pleased to take pity on me, and excuse me, my lord !’’ Requested thus with a mind full of fear by the frightened nymph on that occasion, O Rāma, Indra (the thousand-eyed god) spoke as follows to her, who stood trembling before him with folded hands: “Do not be afraid, Rambhā; may all be well with you ! Please do my bidding. (4-5)

Meaning

“Accompanied by the god of love, I too shall remain by your side in the form of a cuckoo, that captivates the heart by its enthralling notes in the vernal season when the trees assume a delightful appearance with their green foliage and fragrant blossoms. (6)

Meaning

“Wearing an exceedingly smart appearance full of manifold charms, do divert the mind of the celebrated sage Viśwāmitra (son of Kuśika), who is given to austerities, O good lady!’’ (7)

Meaning

Hearing his command and assuming looks which could not be excelled by another, the belle, who wore a bright smile on her lips proceeded to lure Viśwāmitra. (8)

Meaning

Viśwāmitra heard the notes of the warbling cuckoo and with an overjoyed mind looked at Rambhā too. (9)

Meaning

Attracted by the notes of the cuckoo as well as by the unique song and sight of Rambhā, the sage now fell a-doubting (whether the nymph had come of her own accord or had been sent by Indra to interfere with his austerities). (10)

Meaning

Concluding the whole mischief to be the doing of Indra (the thousand-eyed god), Viśwāmitra (son of Kuśika), the foremost of ascetics, was filled with rage and cursed Rambhā as follows : (11)

Meaning

“Since you have tried to seduce me, who seeks to conquer lust and anger, O Rambhā, you shall continue to stand as a stone image for ten thousand years, O hapless woman ! An exceptionally glorious Brāhmaṇa (viz., Vasiṣṭha, a mind-born son of Brahmā) richly endowed with spiritual energy acquired through austerities, O Rambhā, will redeem you, who have been punished for your foul deed through my anger.’’ (12-13)

Meaning

Having spoken thus, unable as he was to control his anger, the highly glorious and eminent sage, Viśwāmitra, fell a prey to remorse on his having exhausted the stock of merits, earned through his austerities, by cursing the nymph. (14)

Meaning

Under his terrible curse Rambhā instantly got petrified. And, hearing the curse of the great Ṛṣi Viśwāmitra, Love as well as Indra slipped away. (15)

Meaning

The stock of his merit earned through austerities having been mitigated through his anger, O Rāma, Viśwāmitra too, though highly glorious, did not get peace of mind because of his unconquered senses. (16)

Meaning

The spiritual energy stored through his austerities having been weakened, the thought entered his mind : “I shall no more give way to anger thus, nor speak on any account. (17)

Meaning

“Nor shall I even breathe for hundreds of years. Indeed, having fully controlled my senses, I shall chasten my temper. (18)

Meaning

“Till Brahmanhood is attained by me as earned through austerities, I shall do without breathing or eating for innumerable years. (19)

Meaning

“Nor will my limbs get atrophied so long as I continue to practise austerities.” In this way the celebrated Viśwāmitra, the foremost of sages, O Rāma, scion of Raghu, took a pledge which had no parallel in this world, to embark on a sacred vow of refraining from breathing and eating for a thousand years. (20)