Полный четырёхтомник Манматхи Натха Датта, английский, Калькутта, 1891–1894. Все четыре тома конкретного перевода М. Н. Датта: Балаканда, Айодхьяканда, Араньяканда, Кишкиндхаканда, Сундараканда, Юддхаканда и Уттараканда. Полный текст выбранного четырёхтомного издания; это не собрание всех версий Рамаяны.
Все четыре тома конкретного перевода М. Н. Датта: Балаканда, Айодхьяканда, Араньяканда, Кишкиндхаканда, Сундараканда, Юддхаканда и Уттараканда. Полный текст выбранного четырёхтомного издания; это не собрание всех версий Рамаяны.
Project Gutenberg identifies each of the four ebooks as public domain in the USA. Translator Manmatha Nath Dutt lived 1855–1912; historical editions 1891, 1891, 1893, 1894. CRLF normalized to LF, outside whitespace trimmed, complete body split at paragraph boundaries for the reader. No text within the selected body dropped. Полные сведения об издании и лицензия
When the sages had spoken thus, Kakutstha said: "O ascetics, tell me
what is the work which I shall have to accomplish in your behalf. Your
fear shall be removed." As Kākutstha was speaking thus, Bhargava
remarked: "O lord of men, do thou hear of the origin of the fear that
threatens our country. O king, formerly in the Krita age, there was a
magnanimous offspring of Diti, the mighty Asura, Madu, eldest son of
Lotā. He was well disposed towards Brāhmanas, kind to those seeking his
refuge, and gifted with high intelligence. The exceedingly generous
deities delighted in him greatly. And by way of honoring him, Rudra
conferred a wonderful boon upon Madhu endowed with prowess and ever
intent on religion. And extracting a dart from his own, possessed of
terrific energy, endowed with great force, and furnished with exceeding
splendour, that high-souled one, well pleased, made it over (to Madhu)
and spoke to him. Thou hast practised excellent and unrivalled
righteousness, which hath won my good graces, and (therefore), I, highly
gratified, bestow on thee this choice weapon. So long as thou, O mighty
Asura, dost not assail celestials and Vipras, so long shall this be
thine,—otherwise it shall come to naught. Reducing to cinders the person
that shall rashly enter upon conflict with thee, this dart shall return
to thy hand." Having thus obtained the boon from Rudra, the mighty
Asura, again bowing to Mahādeva, addressed him, saying: "O reverend one,
may this excellent dart be the possession of my family. O god, thou art
the lord of the immortals.’ Thereat the lord of all beings, the mighty
deity Siva, answered Madhu, when he had spoken thus: ’This will not be.
But in order that thy prayer may not go for nothing, I graciously say in
thy behalf that one of thy sons shall sway this dart. So long that
dart-handed one shall be incapable of being destroyed by any creature.’
Having obtained this wonderful boon from the god, Madhu—foremost of
Asuras—caused a splendid city to be constructed. His beloved wife the
exalted and majestic Kumbhinasi is the offspring of Viçwavasu by Analā.
Her son, the highly powerful wicked, and fierce Lavana, ever since his
boyhood, gave himself up to a sinful course of life. Seeing his son,
committed to an impious course Madhu was overcome with grief, but he did
not say anything to him. And forsaking this world, he entered the region
of Varuna; and making over the dart unto Lavana, communicated to him all
about the boon he had obtained. And by virtue of the power of the dart,
he oppresseth the three worlds in especial the ascetics; such is the
power of Lavana, and such is his dart. Hearing all this O Kākutstha,
thou art capable (of righting our wrong.) Thou art our chief resource. O
Rāma many a monarch hath been already sued by the sages, O hero, to
deliver them from this fear,—but we have not yet found a deliverer.
Hearing, O child, that Rāvana together with all his forces and vehicles
hath been destroyed (by thee), we know that there breathes not another
king on earth capable of delivering us. Therefore our prayer is that
thou mayst deliver us afflicted with the fear of Lavana. Thus, O Rāma,
have we acquainted thee with the occasion of fear that hath arisen. Thou
art capable of coping with the same. Do thou of undeteriorated prowess,
do the needful."
SECTION LXXVI.
Thus accosted (by the sages), Rāma answered them with joined hands:
"What doth he live on? What are his ways? And where doth Lavana live?"
Hearing Rāghava’s words, the sages informed him of the way in which
Lavana increased in power. "His food is every creature specially
ascetics; his manner of life is regulated by ferocity and his constant
home is Madhuvana. Slaying constantly thousands on thousands of lions
and tigers and deer, and birds and human beings, he provides his daily
food (with their flesh.) And like the Destroyer on the occasion of the
universal dissolution, that one possessed of gigantic strength feeds on
other creatures as well." Hearing this, Rāghava spoke to the mighty
ascetics: "I will slay that Raksha. Let your fright depart." Having thus
bound himself with that promise to the ascetics of fierce energy,
Raghu’s son along with his brothers spoke: "What hero shall slay Lavana?
Do you decide this. On whom shall devolve this duty? Whether the mighty
armed Bharata or the intelligent Satrughna shall (do this work?)" Thus
addressed by Rāghava Bharata remarked: "I will slay this. Let this task
be entrusted to me." Hearing Bharata’s speech instinct with fortitude
and valor, the younger brother of Lakshmana stood up, leaving his golden
seat. And Satrughna, saluting the king represented: "The mighty-armed
second son of Raghu hath already achieved a grand work: he formerly
governed Ayodhyā empty of the noble one,⁹⁶ bearing in his heart the
grief connected with his return. Undergoing many a hardship, king, that
illustrious one passed his days, lying down on a bed of sorrow, and
living on fruits and roots, and wearing rags. Having suffered such
misery, Raghu’s son should not be suffered to undergo trouble, while, O
king I his servant is by." On Satrughna saying this, Rāghava again said:
"Let this be so. Do thou do my bidding. I shall install thee on the
graceful city of Madhu; or if thou wish without and entrust Bharata with
this task, O long-armed one. Heroic, and accomplished, thou art
competent to found a city on the Yamunā as well as flourishing
provinces. He that, having people’s dominion, doth not furnish it with a
king, goeth to hell. So if thou accept my words, then slaying Madhu’s
son, the sinful Lavana, rule the kingdom righteously. O hero, thou must
say anything after what I have spoken. Without doubt, a youthful younger
brother must obey the injunctions of his elder brother. Do thou, O
Kākutstha, accept the installation which I confer on thee, preluded by
the prescribed religious formulae uttered by Vipras headed by
Vasishtha."
⁹⁶ Rāma.
SECTION LXXVII.
Thus accosted by Rāma, the exceedingly energetic Satrughna was
powerfully wrought up with bashfulness, and replied slowly: "O lord of
men, this doth not appear to be in consonance with morality. Wherefore,
an elder brother existing, wouldst thou install a younger one? I must, O
best of men, do thy behest; for, O exalted one, thy mandate can never be
passed by me. O hero, I have heard from thee as well as from the Sruti
(touching the morality concerned).⁹⁷ When my second brother had already
vowed (that he would slay Lavana), I ought not to have returned the
answer I actually have. I saying,—‘I will in battle slay the dreadful
Lavana,’ I have been guilty of an unrighteous speech. And it is for this
transgression that, O powerful one, I shall have to undergo this
improper process. But, albeit this course is unrighteous and entails
perdition, yet desired by my eldest brother, I certainly ought not to
make any answer. And, O Kākutstha, a second answer I would not return;
so that, O bestower of honor, I may not, by a second reply, render
myself liable to a fresh punishment. In this matter, O chief of men, I
will even do thy desire. Do thou, O descendant of Raghu, so order that
sin may not be mine (in having obeyed thy mandate.)" Thus addressed by
the heroic and high-souled Satrughna, Rāma, delighted, spoke unto
Bharata and Lakshmana,—"Do you carefully provide the things necessary
for the coronation: this very day shall I install that foremost of men,
the descendant of Raghu. And by my order do you summon the Purodhasas, O
Kākutstha, and the citizens and the Ritwijas, and the councillors."
Having received the royal behest, the mighty car-warriors did
accordingly. And the Kshatriyas and the Brāhmanas entered the royal
mansion with the priest as well as the requisite things for the
installation. And then commenced the auspicious sprinkling of the
high-souled Satrughna, gladdening (the hearts of all in) the palace of
Rāghava. And on being installed Kākutstha resembled the Sun; and he like
Skanda formerly installed by the celestials led by Indra. And when
Satrughna had been installed by Rāma of untiring deeds, the citizens as
well as the Brāhmanas of vast Vedic attainments experienced excess of
joy. And Kausalyā and Sumitra and Kaikeyi and the other wives of the
king set up festal salutation in the palace. And on Satrughna having
been installed the high-souled sages dwelling on the banks of the
Jamunā, thought that Lavana had been slain. Then placing the installed
Satrughna on his lap, Rāghava, extolling his prowess, addressed him
sweet words: "O captor of hostile capitals, this divine arrow never
missing is thine. With this, O son of Raghu, thou, O placid one, wilt
slay Lavana. O Kākutstha, this shaft was forged when invisible by
celestials and Asuras the divine self-sprung and invincible (deity)
reposed on the mighty main, and when creation was oppressed by Madhu and
Kaitabha as well as other Rākshasas. He, overwhelmed with rage desirous
of creating the three worlds, created this best of arrows invincible to
all beings, for the destruction of the wicked ones; and destroyed them
in battle by means of this very arrow. And having with this foremost of
shafts finished Madhu and Kaitabha, they set about creating the worlds.
When, O Satrughna, formerly I sought to slay Rāvana, I did not discharge
this arrow, thinking that if discharged, it would inflict great havoc on
creatures. Keeping in his abode that great and redoubted which had been
bestowed on Madhu by the high-souled Tryamvaka, for the destruction of
foes,—and worshipping the same ever, Lavana goeth about and secureth
excellent fare (for himself) when one challenged him, desirous of
reducing him (his antagonist) to ashes. Therefore, O foremost of men,
thou shouldst, before entering the city, stand at the gate obstructing
his course. O thou having long arms, thou shouldst invite him for battle
when he shall be weaponless and in that way wouldst be able to destroy
him. And by no other means he is to be slain. If thou canst encompass
this, he shall forsooth be slain. O my son, I have thus told thee the
way in which the dart should be thwarted. It is impossible to surpass
the prowess of the graceful Nilkantha."
⁹⁷ _i.e._ of being installed as a king during the life of my elder
brother.
SECTION LIXVIII.
Источники и права
