Bala Kanda — Sarga 54

कामधेनुं वसिष्ठोऽपि यदा न त्यजते मुनिः। तदास्य शबलां राम विश्वामित्रोऽन्वकर्षत॥

When the ascetic Vasiștha would not part with the cow of plenty then Viśvāmitra, O Rāma, forced Śabala away.

Bala Kanda 54.1

नीयमाना तु शबला राम राज्ञा महात्मना। दुःखिता चिन्तयामास रुदन्ती शोककर्शिता॥

And, O Rāma, carried away by that highsouled king, ſabala, stricken with grief and afflicted with sorrow, bethought herself, weeping.

Bala Kanda 54.2

परित्यक्ता वसिष्ठेन किमहं सुमहात्मना। याहं राजभृतैर्दीना हियेय भृशदुःखिता॥

Have I been forsaken by the high-souled Vasiştha that the royal retainers carry me off thus aggrieved?

Bala Kanda 54.3

किं मयापकृतं तस्य महर्षे वितात्मनः। यन्मामनागसं दृष्ट्वा भक्तां त्यजति धार्मिकः॥

What wrong have I done to that mighty ascetic of concentrated spirit, that, knowing me to be faultless, that righteous one leave her that was devoted to his service?'

Bala Kanda 54.4

इति संचिन्तयित्वा तु निःश्वस्य च पुनःपुनः। जगाम वेगेन तदा वसिष्ठं परमौजसम्॥ निधूय तांस्तदा भृत्याञ्छतशः शत्रुसूदन।

Revolving this in her mind and sighing again and again she darted to where the pre-eminently energetic Vasiştha was; and cutting off those servants (of the king),5

Bala Kanda 54.5

जगामानिलवेगेन पादमूलं महात्मनः॥ शबला सा रुदन्ती च क्रोशन्ती चेदमब्रवीत्। वसिष्ठस्याग्रतः स्थित्वा रुदन्ती मेघनिःस्वना ॥

She with the speed of the wind, appeared at the feet of that high-souled one. And weeping, she spoke in distressful accents.

Bala Kanda 54.6

भगवन् किं परित्यक्ता त्वयाहं ब्रह्मणः सुत। यस्माद् राजभटामां हि नयन्ते त्वत्सकाशतः॥

O Brahma's son, wherefore have I been forsaken by you, that the servants of the king were carrying me from off your presence?

Bala Kanda 54.7

एवमुक्तस्तु ब्रह्मर्षिरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्। शोकसंतप्तहृदयां स्वसारमिव दु:खिताम्॥

Thus addressed the Brahmarși said these words to that one aggrieved, and of heart afflicted with sorrow, and like to a sister.

Bala Kanda 54.8

न त्वां त्यजामि शबले नापि मेऽपकृतं त्वया। एष त्वां नयते राजा बलान्मत्तो महाबलः॥

O Śabala, not that I forsake you; nor hast you done me any wrong. But this mighty king proud of his prowess has been carrying you away.

Bala Kanda 54.9

नहि तुल्यं बलं मह्यं राजा त्वद्य विशेषतः। बली राजा क्षत्रियश्च पृथिव्याः पतिरेव च॥

Surely, my strength is not equal to his. More specially, he is a king, a powerful king, more particularly, this day he should not be slain by me (inasmuch as he is my guest): he is a Ks atriya and lord of earth.

Bala Kanda 54.10

इयमक्षौहिणी पूर्णा गजवाजिरथाकुला। हस्तिध्वजसमाकीर्णा तेनासौ बलवत्तरः॥

And he is foremost in might by virtue of possessing this entire Akşohiņi abounding in elephants and horses and cars and standards.'

Bala Kanda 54.11

एवमुक्ता वसिष्ठेन प्रत्युवाच विनीतवत्। वचनं वचनज्ञा सा ब्रह्मर्षिमतुलप्रभम्॥

Thus addressed by Vasistha, that cognizant of words humbly said in reply to that Brahmarși of incomparable power.

Bala Kanda 54.12

न बलं क्षत्रियस्याहुर्ब्राह्मणा बलवत्तराः। ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मबलं दिव्यं क्षात्राच्च बलवत्तरम्॥

The might of the Kșatriyas is not great, the Brāhmaṇas are more mighty than they. O Brāhmaṇa, super-human is the power of the Brāhmaṇas, excelling that of the Kşatriyas.

Bala Kanda 54.13

अप्रमेयं बलं तुभ्यं न त्वया बलवत्तरः। विश्वामित्रो महावीर्यस्तेजस्तव दुरासदम्॥

Your power is immeasurable; and the exceedingly energetic Viśvāmitra is not more one powerful than thyself. Your energy is unequalled.

Bala Kanda 54.14

नियुक्ष्व मां महातेजस्त्वं ब्रह्मबलसम्भृताम्। तस्य दर्प बलं यत्नं नाशयामि दुरात्मनः॥

O highly energetic one, do you command me bursting with Brahmā forces: the pride, power and endeavours of that wicked one will I bring down.

Bala Kanda 54.15

इत्युक्तस्तु तया राम वसिष्ठस्तु महायशाः। सृजस्वेति तदोवाच बलं परबलार्दनम्॥

Thus accosted by her, the highly famous Vasistha, O Rama, said, 'Create you forces capable of crushing the forces of the enemy.'

Bala Kanda 54.16

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सुरभिः सासृजत् तदा। तस्या हुंभारवोत्सृष्टाः पह्लवाः शतशो नृप॥ नाशयन्ति बलं सर्वं विश्वामित्रस्य पश्यतः। स राजा परमक्रुद्धः क्रोधविस्फारितेक्षणः॥ पह्नवान् नाशयामास शस्त्रैरुच्चावचैरपि। विश्वामित्रार्दितान् दृष्ट्वा पह्लवाञ्शतशस्तदा॥ भूय एवासृजद् घोराञ्छकान् यवनमिश्रितान्। तैरासीत् संवृता भूमिः शकैर्यवनमिश्रितैः॥ प्रभावद्भिर्महावीहेमकिंजल्कसंनिभैः। तीक्ष्णासिपट्टिशधरैर्हेमवर्णाम्बरावृतैः॥ निर्दग्धं तद्बलं सर्वं प्रदीप्तैरिव पावकैः। ततोऽस्त्राणि महातेजा विश्वामित्रो मुमोच ह। तैस्तै यवनकाम्बोजा बर्बराश्चाकुलीकृताः॥

Hearing those words of his, Surabhi created (an army). And, O king, Pahlavas by hundreds brought into being by her lowing, begin even in Viśvāmitra's sight to commit havoc upon his forces. Thereat, exceedingly angered, with eyes expanded in ire, that king commenced to slay the Pahlavas with various weapons. And beholding the Pahlavas by hundreds afflicted by Viśvāmitra, she again created grim-visaged Sakas mixed with Yavanas. And the field became thronged with the Sakas mixed with Yavanas, of dazzling splendour, exceedingly fierce, resembling golden filaments, bearing sharp scimitars and adzes, and clad in yellow apparel. And that entire host (of Viśvāmitra) was being consumed by them like to flaming fires. Then the exceedingly powerful Viśvāmitra hurled weapons at them; and with these the Yavanas, Kambojas and Barbaras (Barbarians) became sore afflicted.' Then the exceedingly powerful Viśvāmitra hurled weapons at them; and with these the Yavanas, Kambojas and Barbaras (Barbarians) became sore afflicted.'

Bala Kanda 54.17