आश्विने शुक्लपक्षस्य नवरात्रिषु सुव्रत
O virtuous one, during the bright fortnight of Ashvina, in the nine nights—
यदा पूर्वं विनिर्जित्य रावणं लोकरावणम्
when, having previously conquered Ravana, the terror of the worlds—
यत्र गत्वा पदा वीरो भरतो रामकांक्षया 2.8.8.
there, where the heroic Bharata went on foot, longing for Rama—
तत्रागमत्सुरगवी प्रादुर्भूता स्रवत्स्तनी
there appeared the celestial cow, manifest, with streaming udders.
तद्भूमिपतितं दुग्धं दृष्ट्वा वानरराक्षसाः
Seeing the milk that had fallen on that ground, the monkeys and demons—
किमेतदिति राजेंद्र तानुवाच रघूद्वहः
O king, asked, 'What is this?' Then the best of the Raghus spoke to them.
इत्युक्तास्तु ततः सर्वे वसिष्ठप्रमुखे स्थिताः
Thus addressed, all those present, led by Vasistha, stood there.
वसिष्ठोऽपि क्षणं ध्यात्वा तमुवाच निराकुलम्
Vasistha, after meditating for a moment, calmly spoke to him.
वसिष्ठ उवाच शृणु राम महाबाहो कामधेनुरियं शुभा
Vasistha said: 'Hear, O Rama of mighty arms, this is the auspicious wish-fulfilling cow.'
दुग्धमध्ये समुद्भूतो रुद्रस्त्वां द्रष्टुमागतः
'From the midst of the milk, Rudra himself has arisen, having come to see you.'
इमं संपूजय क्षिप्रमेतत्कुण्डस्य सन्निधौ दुग्धेश्वरमिति ख्यातं क्षीरकुण्डे पवित्रकम्
'Quickly worship this, here at the side of the pond; in the milk-pond, the pure one is known as Dugdeshvara.'
पूजयामास तल्लिंगं दुग्धेश्वरमिति स्मृतम्
He worshipped that linga, remembered as Dugdeshvara.
सीतया सत्कृतं यस्मात्तत्कुण्डं क्षीरसंगमम् 2.8.8.
Because that pond, where Sita offered reverence, is the meeting place of milk.
सीताकुण्डे नराः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा दुग्धेश्वरं प्रभुम्
Men, having bathed in Sita's pond and seen the Lord Dugdheshvara,
अत्र स्नानं जपो होमो दानं चाक्षयतां व्रजेत्
Here, bathing, recitation, oblation, and giving all become inexhaustible.
दुग्धेश्वरं च संपूज्य सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्
And by duly worshipping Dugdheshvara, one attains all desires.
एवं यो विधिवत्कुर्याद्दयाधर्मविशारदः
Thus, whoever performs in this way, according to rule, being skilled in compassion and righteousness,
तत्र पूर्वदिशाभागे सुग्रीवरचितं महत्
There, in the eastern direction, is the great shrine established by Sugriva,
यत्र स्नात्वा च दत्त्वा च रामं संपूज्य यत्नतः
Where, after bathing and giving, one worships Rama with care,
तत्प्रत्यग्दिशि वै स्थानं हनुमत्कुण्डमित्यपि
In the opposite direction from that is the place called Hanumat-kunda.
तयोः स्नानेन दानेन रामसंपूजनेन च इयं सा परमा मेध्याऽयोध्या धर्मनिधिः स्मृता
By bathing, giving, and worshipping Rama at those two, this Ayodhya is remembered as the supreme pure treasury of righteousness.
इत्युक्तास्तु ततः सर्वे वसिष्ठमुनिमादरात् कथयस्व तपोराशे कथामेतां सुदुर्लभाम्
Thus addressed, all of them then, with respect, said to the sage Vasishtha: 'O treasury of austerity, narrate this most rare story.'
अयोध्यायाः परं विप्र माहात्म्यं कथयंति यत् 2.8.8.
O Brahmin, tell that supreme glory of Ayodhya which is recounted.
यथा यात्रां विधास्यामः क्रमेण च विधानतः
How shall we undertake the pilgrimage, step by step and according to rule?
यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशय
Hearing which, one is freed from all sins—of this there is no doubt.
इदं गुह्यतरं क्षेत्रमयोध्याभिधमुत्तमम्
This most secret field, called Ayodhya, is supreme.
अस्मिन्सिद्धाः सदा देवा वैष्णवं व्रतमास्थिताः
Here, perfected beings and gods, having taken up the Vaishnava vow, always abide.
अभ्यस्यंति परं योगं युक्तप्राणा जितेन्द्रियाः
They practice supreme yoga, their breath controlled, their senses subdued.
कमलोत्पलशोभाढ्ये सरोभिः समलंकृते
Adorned with lakes shining with lotuses and water-lilies,
रोचते हि सदा वासः क्षेत्रे नित्यं हरेरिह
Indeed, dwelling always in this field of Hari is ever delightful.