---
title: "Uttara Kanda, Sarga 33"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/uttara-kanda/sarga-33"
lang: "en"
---

# Uttara Kanda, Sarga 33

> रावणग्रहणं तत् तु वायुग्रहणसंनिभम्।  
> ततः पुलस्त्यः शुश्राव कथितं दिवि दैवतैः॥ १॥

Pulastya thereupon heard as narrated by the gods in heaven the story of Rāvaṇa’s aforesaid capture, which was much like capturing the air. (1)

> ततः पुत्रकृतस्नेहात् कम्पमानो महाधृतिः।  
> माहिष्मतीपतिं द्रष्टुमाजगाम महानृषिः॥ २॥

Feeling commiseration (for Rāvaṇa) due to affection for his son (grandson), though highly self-possessed, the great Ṛṣi (seer of Vedic Mantras) came all the way to see the ruler of Māhiṣmatī. (2)

> स वायुमार्गमास्थाय वायुतुल्यगतिर्द्विजः।  
> पुरीं माहिष्मतीं प्राप्तो मनःसम्पातविक्रमः॥ ३॥

Travelling by the aerial route, the Brāhmaṇa, whose speed equalled that of the wind, reached the city of Māhiṣmatī with the swiftness of thought. (3)

> सोऽमरावतिसंकाशां हृष्टपुष्टजनावृताम्।  
> प्रविवेश पुरीं ब्रह्मा इन्द्रस्येवामरावतीम्॥ ४॥

Like Brahmā entering Amarāvatī, the city of Indra, he penetrated deep into the city, which was crowded with happy and prosperous people and which closely resembled Amarāvatī. (4)

> पादचारमिवादित्यं निष्पतन्तं सुदुर्दृशम्।  
> ततस्ते प्रत्यभिज्ञाय अर्जुनाय न्यवेदयन्॥ ५॥

Recognizing the sage, who looked like the sun-god coming on foot, extremely difficult as he was to gaze on, even while he was descending from the heavens, the counsellors of Arjuna thereupon reported his arrival to him. (5)

> पुलस्त्य इति विज्ञाय वचनाद्धैहयाधिपः।  
> शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय प्रत्युद्गच्छत् तपस्विनम्॥ ६॥

Placing his joined palms above his head on coming to know from their report that he was no other than Sage Pulastya, Arjuna (the suzerain lord of the Haihayas) went forward to meet the ascetic. (6)

> पुरोहितोऽस्य गृह्यार्घ्यं मधुपर्कं तथैव च।  
> पुरस्तात् प्रययौ राज्ञः शक्रस्येव बृहस्पतिः॥ ७॥

Taking with him Arghya (water to wash one’s hands with) as well as Madhuparka (a mixture of honey and curds), his family-priest preceded the king even as Sage Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of gods, would walk ahead of Indra. (7)

> ततस्तमृषिमायान्तमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम्।  
> अर्जुनो दृश्य सम्भ्रान्तो ववन्देन्द्र इवेश्वरम्॥ ८॥

Overawed to see the aforesaid Ṛṣi (the seer of Vedic Mantras) coming like the rising sun, Arjuna thereupon saluted him even as Indra, the ruler of gods, would salute the Supreme (Brahma). (8)

> स तस्य मधुपर्कं गां पाद्यमर्घ्यं निवेद्य च।  
> पुलस्त्यमाह राजेन्द्रो हर्षगद्गदया गिरा॥ ९॥

Having offered Madhuparka, a cow and water to wash his feet and hands (respectively) with, Arjuna, the king of kings, submitted as follows to Sage Pulastya in a voice choked with delight: (9)

> अद्यैवममरावत्या तुल्या माहिष्मती कृता।  
> अद्याहं तु द्विजेन्द्र त्वां यस्मात् पश्यामि दुर्दृशम्॥ १०॥

“Māhiṣmatī has in this way been placed on a par with Amarāvatī (the city of Indra) this day in that I see today, O prince of the twice-born, you, who are really so difficult to behold. (10)

> अद्य मे कुशलं देव अद्य मे कुशलं व्रतम्।  
> अद्य मे सफलं जन्म अद्य मे सफलं तपः॥ ११॥  
> यत् ते देवगणैर्वन्द्यौ वन्देऽहं चरणौ तव।  
> इदं राज्यमिमे पुत्रा इमे दारा इमे वयम्।  
> ब्रह्मन् किं कुर्मि किं कार्यमाज्ञापयतु नो भवान्॥ १२॥

“Prosperity attends on me today, O revered one! My vow too stands fulfilled today; my birth too stands consummated today and my askesis too have borne fruit today in that I salute your holy feet, which deserve to be saluted by gods. This kingdom, these sons and these consorts of mine, nay, even ourselves stand at your service. What should we do? Pray, command us what should be done by us.” (11-12)

> तं धर्मेऽग्निषु पुत्रेषु शिवं पृष्ट्वा च पार्थिवम्।  
> पुलस्त्योवाच राजानं हैहयानां तथार्जुनम्॥ १३॥

Having inquired of the king about his welfare concerning religious practices, sacrificial fires and sons, Sage Pulastya spoke as follows to Arjuna, the ruler of the Haihayas: (13)

> नरेन्द्राम्बुजपत्राक्ष पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानन।  
> अतुलं ते बलं येन दशग्रीवस्त्वया जितः॥ १४॥

“Matchless is your might by dint of which Rāvaṇa stands conquered by you, O ruler of men whose eyes resemble the lotus-petals and whose countenance shines as the full moon. ` (14)

> भयाद् यस्योपतिष्ठेतां निष्पन्दौ सागरानिलौ।  
> सोऽयं मृधे त्वया बद्धः पौत्रो मे रणदुर्जयः॥ १५॥

“That very grandson of mine, who was hard to conquer, and for fear of whom the ocean as well as the wind stood motionless in attendance, was made captive by you on the battlefield. (15)

> पुत्रकस्य यशः पीतं नाम विश्रावितं त्वया।  
> मद्वाक्याद् याच्यमानोऽद्य मुञ्च वत्स दशाननम्॥ १६॥

“The glory of my beloved child stands swallowed up by you and your own name has been made widely known by you. Being solicited by me today, pray, set my child, Rāvaṇa, free at my intercession.” (16)

> पुलस्त्याज्ञां प्रगृह्योचे न किंचन वचोऽर्जुनः।  
> मुमोच वै पार्थिवेन्द्रो राक्षसेन्द्रं प्रहृष्टवत्॥ १७॥

Arjuna did not utter a word in reply. Bowing to the command of Pulastya, however, the king of kings joyously set free the ruler of ogres. (17)

> स तं प्रमुच्य त्रिदशारिमर्जुनः  
> प्रपूज्य दिव्याभरणस्रगम्बरैः।  
> अहिंसकं सख्यमुपेत्य साग्निकं  
> प्रणम्य तं ब्रह्मसुतं गृहं ययौ॥ १८॥

Having unconditionally released the enemy of gods and duly honoured him with celestial ornaments, garlands and raiment, nay, contracted with him in the presence of fire an alliance which involved no destruction to each other and, respectfully bowing down to the aforesaid son of Brahmā (the creator), the celebrated Arjuna entered his palace. (18)

> पुलस्त्येनापि संत्यक्तो राक्षसेन्द्रः प्रतापवान्।  
> परिष्वक्तः कृतातिथ्यो लज्जमानो विनिर्जितः॥ १९॥

Though unconditionally released by Arjuna after being hospitably treated, and lovingly embraced by his grandfather, Pulastya, the glorious Rāvaṇa felt shy due to his having been utterly vanquished. (19)

> पितामहसुतश्चापि पुलस्त्यो मुनिपुङ्गवः।  
> मोचयित्वा दशग्रीवं ब्रह्मलोकं जगाम ह॥ २०॥

Having secured the deliverance of Rāvaṇa (the ten-headed monster), they say, Pulastya too, (a mind-born) son of Brahmā ( the grandfather of the entire creation) and the foremost of ascetics, went back to the realm of Brahmā (the creator). (20)

> एवं स रावणः प्राप्तः कार्तवीर्यात् प्रधर्षणम्।  
> पुलस्त्यवचनाच्चापि पुनर्मुक्तो महाबलः॥ २१॥

In this way the notorious and highly powerful Rāvaṇa sustained defeat at the hands of Arjuna (son of Kṛtavīrya) and was then also set at liberty once more at the intercession of Pulastya. (21)

> एवं बलिभ्यो बलिनः सन्ति राघवनन्दन।  
> नावज्ञा हि परे कार्या य इच्छेच्छ्रेय आत्मनः॥ २२॥

Thus, O delight of the scions of Raghu, there are warriors mightier than the mighty; hence by him who seeks his own welfare no disrespect should be shown to his enemy. (22)

> ततः स राजा पिशिताशनानां  
> सहस्रबाहोरुपलभ्य मैत्रीम्।  
> पुनर्नृपाणां कदनं चकार  
> चकार सर्वां पृथिवीं च दर्पात्॥ २३॥

Having secured the alliance of Arjuna (the thousand-armed prince), the said king of ogres (lit., flesh-eaters) resumed the destruction of rulers of men and arrogantly ranged over the entire globe. (23)

Book: https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana

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