Sarga 24: The Forest of Tataka
Tataka Vana
Crossing the Ganga, Rama and Lakshmana reach a dreadful forest; Vishvamitra tells how these once-prosperous lands were ruined by the yakshini Tataka, and commands Rama to kill her and free the land.
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तत: प्रभाते विमले कृताह्निकमरिन्दमौ। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य नद्यास्तीरमुपागतौ।।1.24.1।।
Meaning
Then, at bright dawn, the two conquerors of foes, having performed their morning rites, arrived at the riverbank with Vishvamitra leading the way.
ते च सर्वे महात्मानो मुनयस्संश्रितव्रता:। उपस्थाप्य शुभां नावं विश्वामित्रमथाब्रुवन्।।1.24.2।।
Meaning
All those great-souled sages of steadfast vows, having readied an auspicious boat, said to Vishvamitra.
आरोहतु भवान्नावं राजपुत्रपुरस्कृत:। अरिष्टं गच्छ पन्थानं मा भूत्कालविपर्यय:।।1.24.3।।
Meaning
"Board the boat with the princes ahead of you, and go on your prosperous way without delay."
विश्वामित्रस्तथेत्युक्तवा तानृषीनभिपूज्य च। ततार सहितस्ताभ्यां सरितं सागरङ्गमाम्।।1.24.4।।
Meaning
Agreeing and honoring those sages, Vishvamitra crossed the river bound for the ocean, together with the two princes.
ततश्शुश्राव वै शब्दमतिसंरम्भवर्धितम्। मध्यमागम्य तोयस्य सह राम: कनीयसा।।1.24.5।।
Meaning
On reaching midstream, Rama, with his younger brother, heard a tumultuous, ever-swelling sound.
अथ रामस्सरिन्मध्ये पप्रच्छ मुनिपुङ्गवम्। वारिणो भिद्यमानस्य किमयं तुमुलो ध्वनि:।।1.24.6।।
Meaning
Then, in the river's midst, Rama asked the foremost sage: "What is this tumultuous roar of clashing waters?"
राघवस्य वचश्श्रुत्वा कौतूहलसमन्वित:। कथयामास धर्मात्मा तस्य शब्दस्य निश्चयम्।।1.24.7।।
Meaning
Hearing Raghava's inquisitive words, the righteous sage began to explain the cause of that sound.
कैलासपर्वते राम मनसा निर्मितं सर:। ब्रह्मणा नरशार्दूल तेनेदं मानसं सर:।।1.24.8।।
Meaning
"On Mount Kailasha, O tigerly man, Brahma created a lake by his mind — hence it is called Manasa Lake."
तस्मात्सुस्राव सरसस्सायोध्यामुपगूहते। सर प्रवृत्ता सरयू: पुण्या ब्रह्मसरश्च्युता।।1.24.9।।
Meaning
"From that lake flows this sacred Sarayu, which embraces Ayodhya, having issued from Brahma's own lake."
तस्यायमतुलश्शब्दो जाह्नवीमभिवर्तते। वारिसङ्क्षोभजो राम प्रणामं नियत: कुरु।।1.24.10।।
Meaning
"This matchless sound arises as the Sarayu meets the Ganga, O Rama, born of the collision of their waters — offer your reverent salutation."