Bala Kanda — Sarga 61

विश्वामित्रो महातेजाः प्रस्थितान् वीक्ष्य तानृषीन्। अब्रवीत्ररशार्दूल सर्वांस्तान् वनवासिनः॥

And, O puissant one, seeing those saints gone, the highly energetic Viśvāmitra addressed those inhabitants of the forest.

Bala Kanda 61.1

महाविघ्नः प्रवृत्तोऽयं दक्षिणामास्थितो दिशम्। दिशमन्यां प्रपत्स्यामस्तत्र तप्स्यामहे तपः॥

A mighty disturbance has happened in regard to the southern quarter: let us therefore repairing to another region, carry on austerities.

Bala Kanda 61.2

पश्चिमायां विशालायां पुष्करेषु महात्मनः। सुखं तपश्चरिष्यामः सुखं तद्धि तपोवनम्॥

You high-souled ones, in the west there are extensive tracts; and there in Puşkara will we peaceably carry on our austerities. That asylum is really pleasant.

Bala Kanda 61.3

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः पुष्करेषु महामुनिः। तप उग्रं दुराधर्षं तेपे मूलफलाशनः॥

Having said this, that exceedingly energetic and mighty Muni (Ascetic) began to perform terrible austerities, subsisting on fruits and roots.

Bala Kanda 61.4

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु अयोध्याधिपतिर्महान्। अम्बरीष इति ख्यातो यष्टुं समुपचक्रमे॥

And it came to pass that at this time that mighty lord of Ayodhyā, Ambarışa, prepared for celebrating a sacrifice.

Bala Kanda 61.5

तस्य वै यजमानस्य पशुमिन्द्रो जहार ह। प्रनष्टे तु पशौ विप्रो राजानमिदमब्रवीत्॥

And as he was sacrificing, Indra stole away his sacrificial beast. And on the beast being stolen, the priest said unto the king.

Bala Kanda 61.6

पशुरभ्याहृतो राजन् प्रणयस्तव दुर्नयात्। अरक्षितारं राजानं घ्नन्ति दोषा नरेश्वर॥

O king, the beast has been stolen (away); and it has been lost through your dereliction. And, O lord of men, his own fault destroy the king that fail to protect (the beast).7

Bala Kanda 61.7

प्रायश्चित्तं महद्येतनरं वा पुरुषर्षभ। आनयस्व पशुं शीघ्रं यावत् कर्म प्रवर्तते॥

O best of men, even this is the expiation: do you, while the ceremony lasts, speedily bring back the beast, or bring a man in its stead.

Bala Kanda 61.8

उपाध्यायवचः श्रुत्वा स राजा पुरुषर्षभः। अन्वियेष महाबुद्धिः पशुं गोभिः सहस्रशः॥

Hearing the priest's words, that highly intelligent king began to range various countries and provinces, cities, forests, and holy asylums, searching for the beast, with a thousand king (as the price thereof.)

Bala Kanda 61.9

देशाञ्जलपदांस्तांस्तान् नगराणि वनानि च। आश्रमाणि च पुण्यानि मार्गमाणो महीपतिः॥ स पुत्रसहितं तात सभार्यं रघुनन्दन। भृगुतुङ्गे समासीनमृचीकं संददर्श ह॥

And, O child, it came to pass that arriving at Bhrgutunga, (A mountain peak) he beheld Řcīka seated there in company with his wife and sons.

Bala Kanda 61.10

तमुवाच महातेजाः प्रणम्याभिप्रसाद्य च। महर्षि तपसा दीप्तं राजर्षिरमितप्रभः॥ पृष्ट्वा सर्वत्र कुशलम्चीकं तमिदं वचः। गवां शतसहस्रेण विक्रीणीषे सुतं यदि॥ पशोरर्थे महाभाग कृतकृत्योऽस्मि भार्गव।

O descendant of Raghu. And bowing to that Brahmarşi flaming in asceticism, and propitiating him, the exceedingly energetic royal saint of unparalleled effulgence having enquired as to his complete welfare, addressed Rcika, saying, 'O highly pious one, O Bhrgu's son, if in order that I may have a substitute for my sacrificial beast, you sell your son, my desire I shall atain.'

Bala Kanda 61.11

सर्वे परिगता देशा यज्ञियं न लभे पशुम्॥ दातुमर्हसि मूल्येन सुतमेकमितो मम।

I have ranged every country; but the beast I do not find. Therefore, it behove you to part with one of your sons for price.'

Bala Kanda 61.12

एवमुक्तो महातेजा ऋचीकस्त्वब्रवीद् वचः॥ नाहं ज्येष्ठं नरश्रेष्ठ विक्रीणीयां कथंचन।

Thus addressed the exceedingly energetic Rcīka replied, “O best of men, my first-born I will in no wise dispose of.'

Bala Kanda 61.13

ऋचीकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तेषां माता महात्मनाम्॥ उवाच नरशार्दूलमम्बरीषमिदं वचः।

Hearing the words of the high-souled Rcīka, their mother spoke to that foremost of men, Amvarisha, saying,

Bala Kanda 61.14

अविक्रेयं सुतं ज्येष्ठं भगवानाह भार्गवः॥ ममापि दयितं विद्धि कनिष्ठं शुनकं प्रभो। तस्मात् कनीयसं पुत्रं न दास्ये तव पार्थिव॥

The worshipful son of Bhțgu has said that his first-born cannot be disposed of-do you, O lord, also know that the youngest, Sunaka, is my favourite. Therefore my youngest son will I not give to you.

Bala Kanda 61.15

प्रायेण हि नरश्रेष्ठ ज्येष्ठाः पितृषु वल्लभाः। मातृणां च कनीयांसस्तस्माद् रक्ष्ये कनीयसम्॥

O foremost of men, the eldest sons are generally the best beloved of their fathers; and the youngest, of their mother, therefore the youngest I would retain.

Bala Kanda 61.16

उक्तवाक्ये मुनौ तस्मिन् मुनिपन्यां तथैव च। शुन:शेपः स्वयं राम मध्यमो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥

And when the ascetic as well as his wife had spoken thus, the second son, Sunahsepa, O Rāma, himself said.

Bala Kanda 61.17

पिता ज्येष्ठमविक्रेयं माता चाह कनीयसम्। विक्रेयं मध्यमं मन्ये राजपुत्र नयस्व माम्॥

My father would not sell the eldest; nor my mother the youngest,—therefore, I consider even the second as disposable. Do you then, O prince, take me.

Bala Kanda 61.18

अथ राजा महाबाहो वाक्यान्ते ब्रह्मवादिनः। हिरण्यस्य सुवर्णस्य कोटिभी रत्नराशिभिः॥ गवां शतसहस्रेण शुनःशेपं नरेश्वरः। गृहीत्वा परमप्रीतो जगाम रघुनन्दन॥

When that one versed in the Veda had ended, that lord of men, O mighty-armed descendant of Raghu, taking possession of Sunaḥsepa, by paying koțis of kine, and heaps of jewels, and gold and silver by hundreds and thousands, went away exceedingly delighted.

Bala Kanda 61.19

अम्बरीषस्तु राजर्षी रथमारोप्य सत्वरः। शुनःशेपं महातेजा जगामाशु महापशाः॥

That royal saint, the exceedingly energetic and highly famous Ambarīşa, placing Sunaḥsepa on his car, speedily set out.

Bala Kanda 61.20