लोमश उवाच इल्वलस्तान् विदित्वा तु महर्षिसहितान् नृपान्। उपस्थितान् सहामात्यो विषयान्ते ह्यपूजयत्॥

Lomasha said: Having learnt that those kings with the great Rishi had arrived at the frontier of his kingdom. Ilvala with all his relatives went out and worshipped them duly.

Vana Parva 99.1

तेषां ततोऽसुरश्रेष्ठस्त्वातिथ्यमकरोत् तदा। सुसंस्कृतेन कौरव्य भ्रात्रा वातापिना यदा॥

O descendant of Kuru, that foremost of Asuras received them with hospitality and entertained them with well cooked meat of his brother Vatapi (in the form of a goat).

Vana Parva 99.2

ततो राजर्षयः सर्वे विषण्णा गतचेतसः। वातापिं संस्कृतं दृष्ट्वा मेषभूतं महासुरम्॥

Thereupon seeing Vatapi, the great Asura cooked, all the royal sages were filled with grief and became as senseless.

Vana Parva 99.3

अथाब्रवीदगस्त्यस्तान् राजर्षीनृषिसत्तमः। विषादो वो न कर्तव्यो ह्यहं भोक्ष्ये महासुरम्॥ धुर्यासनमथासाद्य निषसाद महानृषिः। तं पर्यवेषद् दैत्येन्द्र इल्वलः प्रहसन्निव॥

Thereupon that foremost of Rishis Agastya said to those royal sages. “You ought not to grieve. I shall eat up the great Asura." When the great Rishi sat on an excellent seat in order to eat, the great Daitya Ilvala laughingly began to distribute the food.

Vana Parva 99.4

अगस्त्य एव कृत्स्नं तु वातापिं वुभुजे ततः। भुक्तवत्यसुरोऽऽह्वानमकरोत् तस्य चेल्वलः॥

Then Agastya eat up all the cooked meat of Vatapi. When the dinner was over the Asura Alluvial began to summon him (Vatapi).

Vana Parva 99.5

ततो वायुः प्रादुरभूदधस्तस्य महात्मनः। शब्देन महता तात गर्जन्निव यथा घनः॥

Thereupon, a child, (only a quantity of) wind came out of the stomach of the high-souled one with great a sound as that of the roaring clouds.

Vana Parva 99.6

वातापे निष्क्रमस्वेति पुनः पुनरुवाच ह। तं प्रहस्याब्रवीद् राजन्नगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः॥

He (Ilvala) again and again cried, “Vatapi,O Vatapi, come out.” Then that foremost of Rishis, Agastya laughingly said,

Vana Parva 99.7

कुतो निष्क्रमितुं शक्तो मया जीर्णस्तु सोऽसुरः। इल्वलस्तु विषण्णोऽभूद् दृष्ट्वा जीर्ण महासुरम्॥

"How can he come out? I have already digested that Asura." Seeing that great Asura digested, Ilvala became sad.

Vana Parva 99.8

प्राञ्जलिश्च सहामात्यैरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्। किमर्थमुपयाताः स्थ ब्रूत किं करवाणि वः॥

Joining his hands along with his ministers, he thus spoke, “What for have you come here? And what can I do for you?”

Vana Parva 99.9

प्रत्युवाच ततोऽगस्त्यः प्रहसन्निल्वलं तदा। ईशं सुर विद्मस्त्वां वयं सर्वेधनेश्वरम्॥

Thereupon Agastya smilingly thus replied, "O Asura, we know you to be possessed of great power and also enormous wealth.

Vana Parva 99.10

एते च नातिधनिनोधनार्थश्च महान् मम। यथाशक्त्यविहिंस्यान्यान् संविभागं प्रयच्छ नः॥

These kings are not very wealthy, but my necessity of wealth is great. Give us what you can without injuring any other.

Vana Parva 99.11

ततोऽभिवाद्य तमृषिमिल्वलो वाम्यमब्रवीत्। दित्सितं यदि वेत्सि त्वं ततो दास्यामि ते वसु॥

Thereupon (having been thus addressed) Ilvala saluted the Rishi and thus spoke to him, "If you can say what it is that I mean to give, then I shall give you wealth.

Vana Parva 99.12

अगस्त्य उवाच गवां दशसहस्राणि राज्ञामेकैकशोऽसुर। तावदेव सुवर्णस्य दित्सितं ते महासुर॥

Agastya said : O Asura, you have intended to give to each of these kings ten thousand kine and as many gold coins.

Vana Parva 99.13

मां ततो वै द्विगणं रथश्चैव हिरण्मयः। मनोजवौ वाजिनौ च दित्सितं ते महासुर॥

O great Asura, to me you have intended to give twice as much and a golden chariot and a couple of horses with the speed of mind.

Vana Parva 99.14

लोमश उवाच जिज्ञास्यमानः स रथः कौन्तेयासीद्धिरण्मयः। ततः प्रव्यथितो दैत्यो ददावभ्यधिकं वसु॥

Lomasha said: O son of Kunti, he (Ilvala) made inquired and learnt that the car was really made of gold. The Daitya then with a sad heart gave away much wealth.

Vana Parva 99.15

विरावश्च सुरावश्च तस्मिन् युक्तौ रथे हयौ। ऊहतुः सवसूनाशु तावगस्त्याश्रमं प्रति॥ अगस्त्येनाभ्यनुज्ञाता जग्मू राजर्षयस्तदा। कृतवांश्च मुनिः सर्वं लोपामुद्राचिकीर्षितम्॥

That car which are yoked the two horses, called Virava and Surava. O descendant of Bharata, these horses took those kings and Agastya and also all the wealth to the hermitage of Agastya within twinkling of an eye. Then obtaining Agastya's permission the royal sages went away to their respective cities. That Rishi (Agastya) did all that his wife Lopamudra had desired.

Vana Parva 99.16

लोपामुद्रोवाच कृतवानसि तत् सर्वं भगवन् मम काक्षितम्। उत्पादय सकृन्मह्यमपत्यं वीर्यवत्तरम्॥

Lopamudra said : O exalted one, you have accomplished all my desires. (Now) beget on me a greatly powerful and virtuous son.

Vana Parva 99.17

अगस्त्य उवाच तुष्टोऽहमस्मि कल्याणि तव वृत्तन शोभने। विचारणामपत्ये तु तव वक्ष्यामि तां शृणु।॥

Agastya said : O blessed one, O beautiful lady, I am pleased with your conduct. Listen to me as regards the proposal I make in respect of your son.

Vana Parva 99.18

सहस्रं तेऽस्तु पुत्राणां शतं वा दशसम्मितम्। दश वा शततुल्याः स्युरेको वापि सहस्रजित्॥

Do you desire to have one thousand sons or one hundred sons, each equal to one hundred or only one such who can conquer one thousand.

Vana Parva 99.19

लोपामुद्रोवाच सहस्रसम्मितः पुत्र एकोऽप्यस्तु तपोधन। एकोहि बहुभिः श्रेयान् विद्वान् साधुरसाधुभिः॥

Lopamudra said : O great ascetic, let me have one son equal to one thousand. One learned and good son is preferable to many bad ones.

Vana Parva 99.20

लोमश उवाच स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय तया सम्भवन्मुनिः। समये समशीलिन्या श्रद्दावाञ्छ्रद्दधानया॥ तत आधाय गर्भं तमगमद् वनमेव सः। तस्मिन् वनगते गर्भो ववृधे सप्त शारदान्॥

Lomasha said: O King, saying “So be it”, that Rishi lived with reverence with his devoted wife of equal behaviour and then the Rishi) went away into the forest. After he had gone away to the forest, that conception grew on for seven years.

Vana Parva 99.21

सप्तमेऽब्दे गते चापि प्राच्यवत् स महाकविः। ज्वलन्निव प्रभावेण दृढस्युर्नाम भारत॥

O descendant of Bharata, when the seventh year passed, that highly learned man, called Dridasya came out of the womb blazing like fire.

Vana Parva 99.22

साङ्गोपनिषदान् वेदाञ्जपन्निव महातपाः। तस्य पुत्रोऽभवदृषेः स तेजस्वी महाद्विजः॥

That highly effulgent Brahmana, that great ascetic, took birth as that Rishi's (Agastya's) son, as if uttering the Vedas, Vedangas and the Upanishadas.

Vana Parva 99.23

स बाल एव तेजस्वी पितुस्तस्य निवेशने। इध्मानां भारमाजहे इध्मवाहस्ततोऽभवत्॥

Greatly powerful even in his childhood, he used to carry loads of sacrificial fuel to his father's house and hence he was called Idhmavaha.

Vana Parva 99.24

तथायुक्तं तु तं दृष्ट्वा मुमुदे स मुनिस्तदा। एवं स जनयामास भारतापत्यमुत्तमम्॥

Seeing him endued with such (prowess) that Rishi became very much pleased. O descendant of Bharata, thus did he beget that excellent son.

Vana Parva 99.25

लेभिरे पितरश्चास्य लोकान् राजन् यथेप्सितान्। तत अर्ध्वमयं ख्यातस्त्वगस्त्यस्याश्रमो भुवि॥

O king, by this his ancestors obtained the region they desired. From that time this place has become famous on earth as the hermitage of Agastya.

Vana Parva 99.26

प्राह्लादिरेवं वातापिरगस्त्येनोपशामितः। तस्यायमाश्रमो राजन् रमणीयैर्गुणैर्युतः॥

O king, this is that hermitage of Agastya who had killed Vatapi of the Prahrada race, the hermitage adorned with charming beauties.

Vana Parva 99.27

एषा भागीरथी पुण्या देवगन्धर्वसेविता। वातेरिता पताकेव विराजति नभस्तले॥

This sacred Bhagirathi frequented by the celestials and the Gandharvas rolls in like a person in the sky shaken by the gentle breeze.

Vana Parva 99.28

प्रतार्यमाणा कूटेषु यथा निम्नेषु नित्यशः। शिलातलेषु संत्रस्ता पन्नगेन्द्रवधूरिव॥

She flows onward on draggy crests (of hills), descending lower and lower, looking like a frightened female snake lying along the slopes of the hills.

Vana Parva 99.29

दक्षिणां वै दिशं सर्वां प्लावयन्ती च मातृवत्। पूर्वं शम्भोर्जटाभ्रष्टा समुद्रमहिषी प्रिया। अस्यां नद्यां सुपुण्यायां यथेष्टमवगाह्यताम्॥

Issuing first from the matted locks of Sambhu (Shiva), this favourite queen of the ocean floods the southern country, (thereby benefiting it) as a mother. Bathe freely in this highly sacred river.

Vana Parva 99.30

युधिष्ठिर निबोधेदं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्। भृगोस्तीर्थं महाराज महर्षिगणसेवितम्॥

O Yudhishthira, O great king, behold the Bhrigu Tirtha, celebrated over the three worlds and frequented by the great Rishi.

Vana Parva 99.31

यत्रोपस्पृष्टवान् रामो हृतं तेजस्तदाऽऽप्तवान्। अत्र त्वां भ्रातृभिः सार्धं कृष्णया चैव पाण्डव॥

Bathing in it, Rama regained his lost prowess. O son of Pandu, bathing here with your brothers and Krishna (Draupadi).

Vana Parva 99.32

दुर्योधनहृतं तेजः पुनरादातुमर्हसि। कृतवैरेण रामेण यथा चोपहृतं पुनः॥

You should regain that effulgence which had been robbed from you by Duryodhana, as Rama regained his lost splendour by a hostile encounter (with Dashratha's son).

Vana Parva 99.33

वैशम्पायन उवाच स तत्र भ्रातृभिश्चैव कृष्णाया चैव पाण्डवः। स्नात्वा देवान् पितॄश्चैव तर्पयामास भारत॥

Vaishampayana said : O descendant of Bharata, the Pandava (Yudhishthira) bathed there with his brothers and Krishna (Draupadi) and offered oblations to the Pitris and the celestials.

Vana Parva 99.34

तस्य तीर्थस्य रूपं वै दीप्ताद् दीप्ततरं बभौ। अप्रधृष्यतरवासीच्छात्रवाणां नरर्षभ॥

O foremost of men, after he had bathed there, his body blazed forth in brighter effulgence. and he became invincible to all foes,

Vana Parva 99.35

अपृच्छच्चैव राजेन्द्र लोमशं पाण्डुनन्दनः। भगवन् किमर्थं रामस्य हृतमासीद् वपुः प्रभो। कथं प्रत्याहृतं चैव एतदाचक्ष्व पृच्छतः॥

O king of kings, the son of Pandu (Yudhishthira) then thus spoke to Lomasha, "O exalted one, for what reason Rama's effulgence was robbed? How did he again regain it? I ask you, tell me everything.

Vana Parva 99.36

लोमश उवाच शृणु रामस्य राजेन्द्र भार्गवस्य चधीमतः। जातो दशरथस्यासीत् पुत्रो रामो महात्मनः॥ विष्णुः स्वेन शरीरेण रावणस्य वधाय वै। पश्यामस्तमयोध्यायां जातं दाशरथिं ततः॥

Lomasha said : O king of kings, listen to the history of Rama (Dasharatha's son) and also that of the intelligent (Parshurama), the descendant of Bhrigu. For the destruction of Ravana, Vishnu in his own body took his birth as the son of the illustrious Dasharatha. We then saw that son of Dasharatha when he had been born in Ayodhya.

Vana Parva 99.37

ऋचीकनन्दनो रामो भार्गवो रेणुकासुतः। तस्य दाशरथेः श्रुत्वा रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः॥ कौतूहलान्वितो रामस्त्वयोध्यामगमत् पुनः। धनुरादाय तद् दिव्यं क्षत्रियाणां निबर्हणम्॥

Being impelled by curiosity, Rama, the descendant of Bhrigu, the son of Richika and Renuka, hearing of Rama, the son of Dasharatha of spotless deeds, went to Ayodhya, taking with him the bow so fatal to the Kshatriyas.

Vana Parva 99.38

जिज्ञासमानो रामस्य वीर्यं दाशरथेस्तदा। तं वै दशरथः श्रुत्वा विषयान्तमुपागतम्॥ प्रेषयामास रामस्य रामं पुत्रं पुरस्कृतम्। स तमभ्यागतं दृष्ट्वा उद्यतास्त्रमवस्थितम्॥ प्रहसनिव कौन्तेय रामो वचनमब्रवीत्। कृतकालं हि राजेन्द्रधनुरेतन्मया विभो॥

(With the intention of) ascertaining the prowess of Rama, the son of Dasharatha. Hearing that he had arrived at the frontier of his dominion, Dasharatha, sent his own son Rama to receive (Parshu) Rama with respect. Seeing him (Dasharatha's son) arrived and standing before him with upraised weapons, Rama, smilingly spoke these words to him, “O king of kings, O lord, O ruler of earth, string, if you can with all your strength, this bow in my hand which was made to destroy the Kshatriyas."

Vana Parva 99.39

समारोपय यत्नेन यदि शक्नोषि पार्थिव। इत्युक्तस्त्वाह भगवंस्त्वं नाधिक्षेप्तुमर्हसि॥

Having been thus addressed, he (Dasharatha's son) said, “O exalted one, you should not insult me thus.

Vana Parva 99.40

नाहमप्यधमोधर्मे क्षत्रियाणां द्विजातिषु। इक्ष्वाकूणां विशेषेण बाहुवीर्ये न कत्थनम्॥

I am amongst the twice-born not deficient in the virtue of the Kshatriya order. But the descendants of Ikshvaku never boast of their prowess of arms,

Vana Parva 99.41

तमेवंवादिनं तत्र रामो वचनमब्रवीत्। अलं वै व्यपदेशेनधनुरायच्छ राघव॥

To him who spoke thus, Rama replied in these words, “O descendant of Raghu, stop all your crafty speech. Take this bow."

Vana Parva 99.42

ततो जग्राह रोषेण क्षत्रियर्षभसूदनम्। रामो दाशरथिर्दिव्यं हस्ताद् रामस्य कार्मुकम्॥ धनुरारोपयामास सलील इव भारत। ज्याशब्दमकरोच्चैव स्मयमानः स वीर्यवान्॥

Thereupon the son of Dasharatha Rama took up in anger from the hands of (Parshu) Rama that celestials bow which destroyed the foremost of Kshatriyas. O descendant of Bharata, that greatly powerful hero stringed that bow without the least exertion and then he twanged it.

Vana Parva 99.43

तस्य शब्दस्य भूतानि वित्रसन्त्यशनेरिव। अथाब्रवीत् तदा रामो रामं दाशरथिस्तदा॥ इदमारोपितं ब्रह्मन् किमन्यत् करवाणि ते। तस्य रामो ददौ दिव्यं जामदग्न्यो महात्मनः। शरमाकर्णदेशान्तमयमाकृष्यतामिति॥

With its twang like that of the thunder he frightened all creatures. Thereupon Rama, the son of Dasharatha, thus spoke to (Parshu) Rama, “O Brahmana, here I have stringed the bow. What else shall I do for you?” Then the illustrious son of Jamadagni (Parshurama) gave to Rama a celestials arrow and said, “Please this to the bow-string and draw it to your ear.

Vana Parva 99.44

लोमश उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वाब्रवीद् रामः प्रदीप्त इव मन्युना। श्रूयते क्षम्यते चैव दर्पपूर्णोऽसि भार्गव॥

Having heard this, Rama, blazing up in wrath, thus spoke to him, “O descendant of Bhrigu, I have heard what you have said and I have also pardoned you. You are full of vanity.

Vana Parva 99.45

त्वया ह्यधिगतं तेजः क्षत्रियेभ्यो विशेषतः। पितामहप्रसादेन तेन मां क्षिपसिध्रुवम्॥

You have acquired prowess superior to the Kshatriyas through the grace of the Grandsire (Brahma) and therefore you certainly insult me.!

Vana Parva 99.46

पश्य मां स्वेन रूपेण चक्षुस्ते वितराम्यहम्। ततो रामशरीरे वै रामः पश्यति भार्गवः॥ आदित्यान् सवसून् रुद्रान् साध्यांश्च समरुद्गणान्। पितरो हुताशनश्चैव नक्षत्राणि ग्रहास्तथा॥ गन्धर्वा राक्षसा यक्षा नद्यस्तीर्थानि यानि च। ऋषयो बालखिल्याश्च ब्रह्मभूताः सनातनाः॥ देवर्षयश्च कात्स्न्र्येन समुद्राः पर्वतास्तथा। वेदाश्च सोपनिषदो वषट्कारैः सहाध्वरैः॥ चेतोमन्ति च सामानिधनुर्वेदश्च भारत। मेघवृन्दानि वर्षाणि विद्युतश्च युधिष्ठिर॥

Behold me in my own original form; I give you sight.” Then the descendant of Bhrigu Rama saw in the body of Rama (Dasharatha's son). The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Marutas, the Pitris, Hutashana (Fire), constellations, the planets. The Gandharvas, the Rakshashas, the Yakshas, the rivers, the Tirthas, those eternal Rishis who have become Brahma-like, namely Valakhilyas. The celestials Rishis, the seas, the mountains, the Vedas, the Upanishadas, the Vasishthas, the sacrifices, the Samas in their living forms. O descendant of Bharata Yudhishthira, the science of arms, the clouds with rain and lightning to saw in the body of Rama (Dasharatha's son).

Vana Parva 99.47

ततः स भगवान् विष्णुस्तं वै बाणं मुमोच ह। शुष्काशनिसमाकीर्णं महोल्काभिश्च भारत॥ पांसुवर्षेण महता मेघवर्षेश्च भूतलम्। भूमिकम्पैश्च निर्घातै दैश्च विपुलैरपि॥

Then the exalted Vishnu (Rama) shot that arrow. O descendant of Bharata at this the whole earth was filled with sounds of thunder and burning meteors flashed through the sky. Showers of dust and rain fell on the earth, earthquakes, whirl-winds of fearful sounds convulged everything.

Vana Parva 99.48

स रामं विह्वलं कृत्वा तेजश्चाक्षिष्य केवलम्। आगच्छज्ज्वलितो बाणो रामबाहुप्रचोदितः॥

Confounding (Parshu) Rama by the effulgence of the arrow shot by the hand of Rama, it came back blazing into his hand.

Vana Parva 99.49

स तु विह्वलतां गत्वा प्रतिलभ्य च चेतनाम्। रामः प्रत्यागतप्राणः प्राणमद् विष्णुतेजसम्॥ विष्णुना सोऽभ्यनुज्ञातो महेन्द्रमगमत् पुनः। भीतस्तु तत्र न्यवसद् व्रीडितस्तु महातपाः॥

(Parshu) Rama who had been thus deprived of his senses, then regaining his consciousness and receiving back (as it were) his life, bowed to the greatly effulgent Vishnu (Rama). Commanded by Vishnu he again went to the Mahendra mountain. The great ascetic lived there in fear and in shame.

Vana Parva 99.50

ततः संवत्सरेऽतीते हतौजसमवस्थितम्। निर्मदं दुःखितं दृष्ट्वा पितरो राममब्रुवन्॥

When one year passed away, seeing (Parshu) Rama deprived of prowess, his pride gone and himself in great affliction, the Pitris thus spoke to him,

Vana Parva 99.51

पितर ऊचुः न वै सम्यगिदं पुत्र विष्णुमासाद्य वै कृतम्। स हि पूज्यश्च मान्यश्च त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वदा॥

“O son, in going to Vishnu, your conduct was not proper. He deserves to be worshipped and respected by the three worlds.

Vana Parva 99.52

गच्छ पुत्र नदी पुण्यां वधूसरकृताह्वयाम्। तत्रोपस्पृश्य तीर्थेषु पुनर्वपुरवाप्स्यसि॥

O son, go to the sacred river which is known by the name of Vadhusara. Bathing in all the Tirthas in that river, you will regain your old effulgence.

Vana Parva 99.53

दीप्तोदं नाम तत् तीर्थं यत्र ते प्रपितामहः। भृगुर्देवयुगे राम तप्तवानुत्तमं तपः॥

O Rama, therein is the Tirtha called Diptodaka where your grand father Bhrigu in the celestials age practised excellent austerities."

Vana Parva 99.54

तत् तथा कृतवान् रामः कौन्तेय वचनात् पितुः। प्राप्तवांश्च पुनस्तेजस्तीर्थेऽस्मिन् पाण्डुनन्दन॥

O son of Kunti, Rama did all that his ancestors had said. O son of Pandu, he regained his lost effulgence in this Tirtha.

Vana Parva 99.55

एतदीदृशकं तात रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा। प्राप्तमासीन्महाराज विष्णुमासाद्य वै पुरा॥

O child, O great king, this was what happened in the days of yore to Rama of spotless deeds when he met with Vishnu.

Vana Parva 99.56