Uttara Kanda, Sarga 88

Meaning

That Lakṣmaṇa, having narrated the whole episode of the slaying of Vṛtra, proceeded to describe the remaining part of the story. On, Vṛtra of mighty power, a terror to the gods, being killed, Indra, the killer of Vṛtra, afflicted by the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter, became unconscious. (1-2)

Meaning

Deprived of consciousness, he (Indra) went beyond the border of the world, where he remained for sometime as if writhing like a snake. (3)

Meaning

The thousand-eyed one, Indra, having disappeared, the world was agitated, and the earth lost its form, moisture and the forestations, all lakes and rivulets dried up, commotion prevailed among beings due to draught. (4-5)

Meaning

When the world was tottering, the gods agitated in mind, started the sacrifice that had been mentioned by Viṣṇu formerly. (6)

Meaning

Then all hosts of gods, together with the preceptors and the sages, approached the place where Indra was hiding, quite unconscious due to fear. (7)

Meaning

Having seen the thousand-eyed one possessed by the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter, the gods performed the Aśvamedha with their Lord, Indra, at their head. (8)

Meaning

Then, O lord of men, Śrī Rāma, the mighty Aśvamedha yajña came to be performed for the purification of the noble Mahendra (Indra) from the Brahma-hatyā.(9)

Meaning

Then as the sacrifice, Aśvamedha, came to an end, Brahma hatyā (in person) of the noble Indra approached the gods and said : ‘Where would you give me place?’ (10)

Meaning

Then the gods satisfied, happily said to her (the Brahma-hatyā), ‘O one difficult to reach, divide yourself four-fold.’ (11)

Meaning

Having heard the words of the noble gods, Brahma-hatyā (in person) split itself, and staying with difficulty in Indra’s person, chose shelter elsewhere. (12)

Meaning

‘By one part, I shall stay for four months of the rainy season, shattering the pride of sinful ones and moving at will in the rivers swollen with water. (13)

Meaning

By another part, I shall stay for all times on earth, there is no doubt, I speak out the truth to you all. (14)

Meaning

By the part which is my third one, I shall stay for three nights every month in the proud and youthful women, destroying their pride.(15)

Meaning

Those who kill innocent Brāhmaṇas on false pleas, them I shall attack by the fourth part, O bulls among gods.’ (16)

Meaning

Then the gods replied : ‘O one of painful stay, may all that be as you say, do as you like.’ (17)

Meaning

Then the gods fully pleased saluted the thousand-eyed one, Vāsava (Indra), since he was now carefree and purified from sin. (18)

Meaning

On Indra being established again, the whole world was rendered calm, then Indra worshipped through the wonderful sacrifice, Aśvamedha. (19)

Meaning

O descendant of Raghu, this is the results from Aśvamedha. So, O fortunate one, O King, perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice. (20)

Meaning

Having heard the beautiful and charming words of Lakṣmaṇa, the king Śrī Rāmacandra, a great soul and equal to Indra in might and valour, was very much pleased and fully satisfied. (21)