The Asvamedha Horse Is Let Loose

1-3. Having thus ordered (Shatrughna), the glorious Rama, the tormentor of his enemies, looked at the heroes and spoke to them with (i.e. using) good words: "Protecting from the rear my brother Shatrughna, protecting the horse, and obeying his orders, who would vanquish, with his multitudes of missiles, all the heroes that would come (to fight) the chief one (i.e. Shatrughna), let him spreading his very great fame on the earth take up the sword of (i.e. offered by) me."

4-9. When Rama spoke like this, Puskala, the son of Bharata, took that sword from the lotus-like hand of the king of the Raghu-family. "O lord, O master, being ready, holding all weapons and missiles and a bow and arrows, I shall go, guarding everyday, Shatrughna's rear. Today the entire earth will be conquered due to your valour. O very intelligent Ramachandra, these (soldiers) are (just) a means. By your grace I am capable of warding off the entire (army of) gods, demons and human beings, (if it) approaches (us) to fight (with us). The lord will know everything on seeing my valour. To protect Shatrughna from the rear, here I go." Praising Bharata's son, who was speaking like this, and approving of (his words), the lord Vishnu (i.e. Rama) praised all the chief heroes among the monkeys, led by (Hanumat) born from the Wind.

10-13. (He said): "O great hero Hanumat, carefully listen to my words. Due to your favour I obtained this kingdom free from trouble. To bring about my union with Sita, you crossed the ocean. O monkey, O lord of monkeys, I know all your adventures. Being, by my command, the guardian of my army, (please) go. You should protect Shatrughna, my brother, as (you protected) me. O you very intelligent one, you have to enlighten my brother Shatrughna whenever he has confusion of mind."

14-18. Hearing the great (i.e. important) words of the intelligent Ramachandra, he accepted them with (i.e. by bowing) his head, and saluted him. Then the great king(i.e. Rama) instructed Jambavanta, the lord of the monkeys, and the most lustrous among them, to serve Raghunatha (i.e. Shatrughna). (He said:) "(All of) you like Angada, Gavaya, Mainda, so also the monkey Dadhimukha, Sugriva — the king of the monkeys, the two monkeys viz. Satavaliand Aksika, (so also) Nila, Nala, having the mind's speed and a master born from the body of a monkey, should be ready. All of you, being adorned with elephants, good horses, with armours as ornaments made of gold, with helmets, should go quickly.'"

19. Then having called the good minister Sumantra, Rama, shining with strength and power said to him: "O chief of the ministers, say, which men, capable of protecting the horse should be employed now?'*

20-33. Hearing the words spoken by him (i.e. Rama), he, the killer of the enemy's heroes said: "O Raghunatha, listen to (the names of) the nine powerful kings, who have assembled here, who are archers, who are very learned, who are proficient in (the use of) all weapons and missiles, and who (therefore,) are capable of protecting the horse. (Theyare:) Pratapagrya, Nllaratna, so also king Laksrmnidhi, Riputapa, Ugrahaya, and king Sastravidalso. This Nilaratna is a distinguished person; Mahavlra, Rathagrani (are also there). He, the fearless one, would alone protect a lakh (of soldiers) and would fight with a lakh of soldiers. Let him go with (an army consisting of) ten aksauhinis furnished with armours, and with my arms raised (to bless him). This Pratapagrya is one who destroyed the pride of his enemy. Best among those who know (the employment of) all missiles, he discharges the arrows with (both) the right and the left hands. Let this Dandabhrt, who is young and who is ready to destroy the enemy, and who holds a bow, go with (the army consisting of) twenty aksauhinis for the protection of the horse. In the same way, let this best king Lakshminidhi who, having propitiated Indra studied (the employment of) missiles, go (with

Shatrughna). He knows the employment and discharge of the missiles like Brahmastra, Pasupatyastra, Garuda, and the one called Naga, (so also) Mayura, Nakula, Raudra, Vaisnava, the one called Megha, Vajra, the one named Parvata, so also the one called Vayavya. Let him, the crown (i.e. the best) of the brave, a hurricane to all the enemies, go with (soldiers numbering) one lakh from the army. Today let also this Riputapa go, who is the foremost among archers, skilled in (the use of) all weapons and missiles, and a wild fire to the bamboos in the form of the enemies. Let him go with the army consisting of four divisions. Let these mighty kings hold on their heads (i.e. obey) the order of Shatrughna. This great king Ugrasva also knows (the use of) weapons. Let all of them, quite ready, go as the protectors of your horse."

34-36. Having heard these words of the minister, he was delighted and ordered those soldiers mentioned by Sumantra. They, desiring to wage war for a long time, and maddened after it, were glad on receiving Raghunatha's (i.e. Rama's) order. Ready with armours etc., and with the movements of the weapons and missiles, they, impelled by Sfta's husband, went in the company of

37.46. Then, as told by the sage (Vasishtha), Rama honoured all the preceptors and sages (by giving them) presents as told (by Vasishtha). To the preceptor Rama gave an elephant sixty years old, a horse having the mind's speed and adorned with golden necklaces, a golden chariot which was adorned with gems and jewels, to which four horses were yoked, and which was furnished with all necessary equipment. (He also gave him) a lakh of gems, and pearls measuring a hundred tulas (each of which is equal to100 palas), a thousand tulas of bright lustre of corals, a very rich village crowded with many kinds of people, producing various kinds of crops, having many temples. In the same way he gave (presents) to the Brahma-priest and to the Adhvaryupriest. The best of the Raghus, having given profuse gifts to the priests, saluted them. Being honoured, they (said) with various words and blessings: "O Ramachandra, the descendant of Raghu, O great king, live long." The great one (i.e. Rama) gave the gifts of maidens, of land, of elephants, so also of horses, of gold, of Sheshamum with pearls, of food, water, and the excellent gift of fearlessness, so also all the gifts of gems, to brahmanas. Give, (again and again) give wealth; do not say 'No' to anyone. One should give food, one should give food endowed with all pleasures.

47-49. Thus the sacrifice, accompanied by presents, full of the brahmanas and with all auspicious rites, of the intelligent Rama, proceeded. Then the younger brother of Rama (viz. Shatrughna) went to his mother, saluted her (and said to her): "O auspicious one, give me leave; I am going just for the protection of the horse. With your grace, I, having conquered the group of the enemies, shall come (back) endowed with charm and accompanied by great kings and the best horse (let loose lor the sacrifice)." The mother said:

50-54. O (my) son, O great hero, go; may your journey be happy, o you of a good mind, having conquered all the hosts of your enemies come (back). Take care of Puskala, the best among those who know the course of conduct, the mighty son of your brother, (and) still a child, with (i.e. indulging in) sport. O son, if you come (back), with Puskala, and endowed with good fortune, I shall be glad. Otherwise I shall be unhappy. He said to his mother who was speaking like this: "Remembering the pair of your feet, I shall have good fortune. O auspicious. one, having taken care of Puskala like my own body, and doing (things) befitting my name, I shall come back happily."

55-58. Speaking thus, the hero went to see the great Rama dressed for the sacrifice and seated with the best sages in the sacrificial hall. The intelligent hero endowed with all grace, said: "O Rama, give me leave to protect the horse." Raghunatha (i.e. Rama) too hearing those words, said: "God bless you. Do not kill a child, a woman, a mad person or one without a weapon." Then Janaka's son and Sita's brother Laksmlnidhi, having smiled and having slightly moved his eyes said to Rama: Laksmlnidhi said:

59-64. O mighty-armed Ramachandra, devoted to all righteous ways, instruct JShatrughna in such a way that he would be extraordinary. Doing a deed which is befitting his family, and doing what his elder brother had done, he would go to the highest place endowed with lustre and power. O great king, you said: 'One should not belittle a brahmana;'(but) your father had killed a brahmana, greatly devoted to his father. You also performed a deed very much abhorred in the world, (since) you had certainly killed a woman who should not have been killed. (And) O great king, the great valourous deed, viz. cutting off the ears of the demoness (Surpanakha), which was done by his elder brother (Lakshmana) was not done by any one else. By your instruction Shatrughna will do the same thing. If, O lord, he would do like that, it would be unbecoming to the family.

65-71. To him, who was speaking like this, Rama skilled in all kinds of speech, smiled, and spoke with a voice deep like that of a cloud: "May the tranquil meditating saints hear, who look equally upon pleasure and pain and who know such things as how to cross fully this (ocean of) mundane existence which is difficult to cross. Those who are brave, who are great archers, who are skilled in (the use of) all weapons and missiles (alone) know the calling of war, and not (people) like you. Those who torment others and those who go astray, should be killed by kings who desire the good of all the people." Hearing these words spoken by the subduer of enemies (i.e. by Rama) all those members of the assembly smiled. (Then Vasishtha) born from the pitcher, let loose the horse that was worshipped and well adorned. Uttering this hymn, and touching the horse with the tip of his hand, Vasishtha, born from a pitcher, let loose the horse, with a desire for victory: "O horse, move sportively over the entire earth. Since you are let loose for the (horse-) sacrifice, come back quickly."

72-75. The horse, that was let loose, and that was surrounded by all warriors skilled in (the use of) all weapons and missiles, went with the speed of wind towards the eastern direction. The entire army shaking the earth moved on. Even Shesha held the earth with his hood slightly bent. The quarters were all around bright. The earth was full of beauty. Breezes blew gently from behind Shatrughna. The right arm of Shatrughna who was ready for the march, throbbed indicating (something) auspicious and leading to victory.

76-83. Puskala (the son of Bharata) entered his charming house which was rich with white balconies, and which had a jewelled quadrangular open shed in the middle of its courtyard. There he saw his wife who was greatly devoted to her husband, who was delighted when he was partially seen and who was eager to see her husband. She was chewing piper-betal (mixed** with camphor with her mouth resembling a lotus. Her very beautiful nose was like a sharp blade (of a sword). There were fine bracelets (worn) on her arms resembling lotus-stalks. Her excellent breasts were like the kapittha fruits. Her round hips were charming due to the knot of the wearing garment. Her very delicate feet had (worn) anklets. She saw her good husband. Having embraced his dear wife, speaking in a faltering tone, and with her body filled with the embrace (pressing) her breasts, he said: "O auspicious lady, by Rama's order I having a chariot and looking after the sacrificial horse, am going guarding the rear of Shatrughna. You should serve my mothers by gently rubbing their feet etc., eating (the food) left over by them and showing great regard for doing (things told) by them. All the auspicious ladies, devoted to their husbands, like Lopamudra, should not be insulted by you, O timid one. They are adorned by the strength of their own penance."

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