---
title: "Uttara Kanda, Sarga 86"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/uttara-kanda/sarga-86"
lang: "en"
---

# Uttara Kanda, Sarga 86

> तथोक्तवति रामे तु भरते च महात्मनि।  
> लक्ष्मणोऽथ शुभं वाक्यमुवाच रघुनन्दनम्॥ १॥

When Śrī Rāma and the noble Bharata had spoken thus, Lakṣmaṇa addressed these auspicious words to Śrī Rāma: (1)

> अश्वमेधो महायज्ञः पावनः सर्वपाप्मनाम्।  
> पावनस्तव दुर्धर्षो रोचतां रघुनन्दन॥ २॥

“O descendant of Raghu, the great sacrifice, Aśvamedha, is the purifier of all sins and shall be your purifier, although difficult to perform, if you so please. (2)

> श्रूयते हि पुरावृत्तं वासवे सुमहात्मनि।  
> ब्रह्महत्यावृतः शक्रो हयमेधेन पावितः॥ ३॥

“The legend about the very noble Vāsava (Indra) is heard, that Indra tainted by the sin of the killing of Brāhmaṇa was purified by the Horse-sacrifice. (3)

> पुरा किल महाबाहो देवासुरसमागमे।  
> वृत्रो नाम महानासीद् दैतेयो लोकसम्मतः॥ ४॥

“In the ancient times, O one of long arms, in the struggle that ensued between the gods and demons, there happened to be the mighty Vṛtra, son of Diti, honoured by the worlds. (4)

> विस्तीर्णो योजनशतमुच्छ्रितस्त्रिगुणं ततः।  
> अनुरागेण लोकांस्त्रीन् स्नेहात् पश्यति सर्वतः॥ ५॥

“A hundred Yojanas horizontally and thrice in height, he out of affection for three worlds, looked on all beings with compassion. (5)

> धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च बुद्ध्या च परिनिष्ठितः।  
> शशास पृथिवीं स्फीतां धर्मेण सुसमाहितः॥ ६॥

“Righteous and dutiful and well-composed in mind, he ruled over this wide earth righteously with great care. (6)

> तस्मिन् प्रशासति तदा सर्वकामदुघा मही।  
> रसवन्ति प्रसूनानि मूलानि च फलानि च॥ ७॥

“In his reign the earth yielded all such desirable and flavoured things, as flowers, roots and fruits. (7)

> अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी सुसम्पन्ना महात्मनः।  
> स राज्यं तादृशं भुङ्क्ते स्फीतमद्भुतदर्शनम्॥ ८॥

“The earth belonging to him yielded forth fruits without being ploughed. He ruled over that sort of kingdom, prosperous with wonderful appearance. (8)

> तस्य बुद्धिः समुत्पन्ना तपः कुर्यामनुत्तमम्।  
> तपो हि परमं श्रेयः सम्मोहमितरत् सुखम्॥ ९॥

“It arose in his mind: ‘I shall perform the penance unequalled, penance is indeed the highest form of welfare; all other forms of happiness are out of illusions.’ (9)

> स निक्षिप्य सुतं ज्येष्ठं पौरेषु मधुरेश्वरम्।  
> तप उग्रं समातिष्ठत् तापयन् सर्वदेवताः॥ १०॥

“Leaving his eldest son, Madhureśwara, as in-charge of the citizens, he performed frightful penances, tormenting all gods. (10)

> तपस्तप्यति वृत्रे तु वासवः परमार्तवत्।  
> विष्णुं समुपसंक्रम्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह॥ ११॥

“On Vṛtra performing penances, Vāsava (Indra) being highly afraid, approaching Viṣṇu spoke thus, indeed. (11)

> तपस्यता महाबाहो लोकाः सर्वे विनिर्जिताः।  
> बलवान् स हि धर्मात्मा नैनं शक्ष्यामि शासितुम्॥ १२॥

“ ‘O one of long arms, all the worlds have been conquered by him performing penances, he is righteous and powerful, I cannot subdue him. (12)

> यद्यसौ तप आतिष्ठेद् भूय एव सुरेश्वर।  
> यावल्लोका धरिष्यन्ति तावदस्य वशानुगाः॥ १३॥

“ ‘If again he performs penances, all beings of the worlds will be under him.(13)

> तं चैनं परमोदारमुपेक्षसि महाबल।  
> क्षणं हि न भवेद् वृत्रः क्रुद्धे त्वयि सुरेश्वर॥ १४॥

“ ‘O powerful one, you are overlooking this demon, O lord of the gods, if you are in anger, Vṛtra will not stand even for a moment. (14)

> यदा हि प्रीतिसंयोगं त्वया विष्णो समागतः।  
> तदाप्रभृति लोकानां नाथत्वमुपलब्धवान्॥ १५॥

“ ‘Ever since you patronised him, he has attained supremacy over the worlds.(15)

> स त्वं प्रसादं लोकानां कुरुष्व सुसमाहितः।  
> त्वत्कृतेन हि सर्वं स्यात् प्रशान्तमरुजं जगत्॥ १६॥

“So, have mercy on the worlds now; by your favour, indeed, this world will be free from pain. (16)

> इमे हि सर्वे विष्णो त्वां निरीक्षन्ते दिवौकसः।  
> वृत्रघातेन महता तेषां साह्यं कुरुष्व ह॥ १७॥

“These denizens of heaven (gods) look upon Thee, O Viṣṇu, please help them by killing the mighty Vṛtra. (17)

> त्वया हि नित्यशः साह्यं कृतमेषां महात्मनाम्।  
> असह्यमिदमन्येषामगतीनां गतिर्भवान्॥ १८॥

“By you forever succour was given to the noble ones i.e., gods. For others these ignoble Asuras are unbearable. You, Sir, are the resort of those who have no shelter.” (18)

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

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