Sarga 9: Sumantra's Tale of Rishyasringa
Rishyasringopakhyanam
Sumantra recalls Sanatkumara's ancient prophecy: how sage Rishyasringa, raised in isolation by his father Vibhandaka, would one day end a drought in Anga and, through his grace, secure Dasaratha a son.
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भवन्तश्श्रुतधर्माणो लोकचारित्रवेदिन: । समादिशन्तु नियमं प्रायश्चित्तं यथा भवेत् ।।1.9.10।।
Meaning
"You who know the sacred duties and the ways of the world — instruct me what observance or expiation will bring relief."
वक्ष्यन्ति ते महीपालं ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगा:। विभण्डकसुतं राजन्सर्वोपायैरिहानय।।1.9.11।।
Meaning
Those brahmins, versed in the Vedas, would answer the king: "O king, bring the son of sage Vibhandaka here by every possible means."
आनाय्य च महीपाल ऋश्यशृङ्गं सुसत्कृतम्। प्रयच्छ कन्यां शान्तां वै विधिना सुसमाहित: ।।1.9.12।।
Meaning
"O monarch, having brought Rishyasringa here and honoring him greatly, offer him your daughter Shanta in marriage, according to due rite."
तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा चिन्तां प्रपत्स्यते । केनोपायेन वै शक्य इहानेतुं स वीर्यवान् ।।1.9.13।।
Meaning
On hearing their words, the king would fall into thought: "By what means can that powerful sage possibly be brought here?"
ततो राजा विनिश्चित्य सह मन्त्रिभिरात्मवान्। पुरोहितममात्यांश्च तत: प्रेष्यति सत्कृतान्।।1.9.14।।
Meaning
Then the wise king, having decided in consultation with his ministers, would send his priest and counsellors, duly honored, on this mission.
ते तु राज्ञो वचश्श्रुशृत्वा व्यथिता विनतानना:। न गच्छेम ऋषेर्भीता अनुनेष्यन्ति तं नृपम् ।। 1.9.15।।
Meaning
On hearing the king's command, they, distressed and afraid of the rishi's power, would say with faces bowed: "We dare not go there."
वक्ष्यन्ति चिन्तयित्वा ते तस्योपायांश्च तत्क्षमान्। आनेष्यामो वयं विप्रं न च दोषो भविष्यति।। 1.9.16।।
Meaning
Then, having deliberated on a fitting means, they would say: "We will bring the sage ourselves, and no blame will fall upon us."
एवमङ्गाधिपेनैव गणिकाभि: ऋषेस्सुत:। आनीतोऽवर्षयद्देवश्शान्ता चास्मै प्रदीयते।।1.9.17।।
Meaning
Thus, with the help of courtesans, the king of Anga would have the sage's son brought — the rain-god would pour down rain, and Shanta would be given to him in marriage.
ऋश्यशृङ्गस्तु जामाता पुत्रांस्तव विधास्यति। सनत्कुमारकथितमेतावद्व्याहृतं मया।।1.9.18।।
Meaning
"Rishyasringa, your son-in-law, will help bring about the birth of your sons. This much of what Sanatkumara related, I have now told you."
अथ हृष्टो दशरथस्सुमन्त्रं प्रत्यभाषत। यथर्श्यशृङ्गस्त्वानीतो विस्तरेण त्वयोच्यताम्।।1.9.19।।
Meaning
Then Dasaratha, delighted, said to Sumantra: "Tell me in full detail exactly how Rishyasringa was brought there."