Sarga 29: The Story of Siddhashrama
Siddhashrama Vrittanta
Vishvamitra tells Rama how this hermitage once belonged to Vishnu, who was born of Aditi and Kashyapa as the dwarf Vamana to reclaim the three worlds from Bali; the sage declares the hermitage as much Rama's as his own, and begins his sacrificial vow as Rama and Lakshmana keep watch.
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अथ तस्याप्रमेयस्य तद्वनं परिपृच्छत:। विश्वामित्रो महातेजा व्याख्यातुमुपचक्रमे।।1.29.1।।
Meaning
To that matchlessly resplendent Rama, who had asked about the forest, the greatly radiant Vishvamitra began to explain.
इह राम महाबाहो विष्णुर्देववर: प्रभु:। वर्षाणि सुबहूनीह तथा युगशतानि च।।1.29.2।। तपश्चरणयोगार्थमुवास सुमहातपा:।
Meaning
Here, mighty-armed Rama, the lord Vishnu, best of gods, dwelt for many years, indeed for hundreds of ages, in pursuit of ascetic practice and yoga.
एष पूर्वाश्रमो राम वामनस्य महात्मन:।।1.29.3।। सिद्धाश्रम इति ख्यातस्सिद्धो ह्यत्र महातपा:।
Meaning
This, Rama, is the former hermitage of the great-souled Vamana, known as Siddhashrama, since here the greatly ascetic one attained accomplishment.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु राजा वैरोचनिर्बलि:।।1.29.4।। निर्जित्य दैवतगणान् सेन्द्रांश्च समरुद्गणान्। कारयामास तद्राज्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुत:।।1.29.5।।
Meaning
At that time, King Bali, son of Virochana, having conquered the hosts of gods together with Indra and the Maruts, ruled that kingdom, renowned throughout the three worlds.
बलेस्तु यजमानस्य देवास्साग्निपुरोगमा:। समागम्य स्वयं चैव विष्णुमूचुरिहाश्रमे।।1.29.6।।
Meaning
While Bali was performing his sacrifice, the gods, with Agni at their head, approached Vishnu themselves in this very hermitage.
बलिर्वैरोचनिर्विष्णो यजते यज्ञमुत्तमम्। असमाप्ते क्रतौ तस्मिन् स्वकार्यमभिपद्यताम्।।1.29.7।।
Meaning
O Vishnu, Bali, son of Virochana, is performing a supreme sacrifice; before that rite is complete, let our own purpose be accomplished.
ये चैनमभिवर्तन्ते याचितार इतस्तत:। यच्च यत्र यथावच्च सर्वं तेभ्य: प्रयच्छति।।1.29.8।।
Meaning
To all who approach him from anywhere seeking alms, he grants whatever is asked, wherever and however it is asked, in full.
स त्वं सुरहितार्थाय मायायोगमुपागत:। वामनत्वं गतो विष्णो कुरु कल्याणमुत्तमम्।।1.29.9।।
Meaning
So, for the welfare of the gods, resort to your power of illusion, Vishnu; take the form of a dwarf and accomplish this great good.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राम कश्यपोऽग्निसमप्रभ:। अदित्या सहितो राम दीप्यमान इवौजसा।।1.29.10।। देवीसहायो भगवान् दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रकम्। व्रतं समाप्य वरदं तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम्।।1.29.11।।
Meaning
Meanwhile, Rama, the sage Kashyapa, radiant as fire, together with Aditi, blazing with his own vigor, having completed a divine vow of a thousand years, praised Madhusudana, the granter of boons.
तपोमयं तपोराशिं तपोमूर्तिं तपात्मकम्। तपसा त्वां सुतप्तेन पश्यामि पुरुषोत्तमम्।।1.29.12।।
Meaning
You are made of austerity, the aggregate of austerity, the very form and soul of austerity; through my own well-performed austerity, I behold you, Supreme Person.