अयोध्याप्रस्थानम् Ayodhyā Prasthānam

The Sadguru said:

Then, Lord Hari, the Master, gave himself, situated in the Raṅga Vimāna, along with the Vimāna, to Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā).

śrīsadgururuvāca

atha raṅgavimānasthamātmānaṃ bhagavān hariḥ

adadāddhiraṇyagarbhāya vimānena saha prabhuḥ

अथ · atha — then

रङ्गविमानस्थम् · raṅgavimānastham — residing in the Ranga Vimana

आत्मानम् · ātmānam — Himself

भगवान् · bhagavān — the Lord

हरिः · hariḥ — Hari

अददात् · adadāt — gave

हिरण्यगर्भाय · hiraṇyagarbhāya — to Brahma

विमानेन · vimānena — with the Vimana

सह · saha — along with

प्रभुः · prabhuḥ — the Master

अथ भगवान् हरिः प्रभुः रङ्गविमानस्थम् आत्मानं विमानेन सह हिरण्यगर्भाय अददात्।

then · residing in the Ranga Vimana · Himself · the Lord · Hari · gave · to Brahma · with the Vimana · along with · the Master

This verse establishes the divine origin of the Raṅga Vimāna's movement, showing that the Lord Himself initiates the transition from the celestial realm to the earthly realm by gifting it to Brahmā.

That supreme, auspicious Vimāna, shining like a crore of suns, suddenly flew up into the sky and reached Brahmaloka.

koṭisūryaprakāśaṃ tadvimānaṃ paramaṃ śubham

uḍḍīya sahasā vyoni brahmalokamupāgamat

कोटिसूर्यप्रकाशम् · koṭisūryaprakāśam — shining like a crore of suns

तत् · tat — that

विमानम् · vimānam — Vimana

परमम् · paramam — supreme

शुभम् · śubham — auspicious

उड्डीय · uḍḍīya — having flown up

सहसा · sahasā — suddenly

व्योनि · vyoni — in the sky

ब्रह्मलोकम् · brahmalokam — to Brahmaloka

उपागमत् · upāgamat — reached

तत् परमं शुभं कोटिसूर्यप्रकाशं विमानं सहसा व्योनि उड्डीय ब्रह्मलोकम् उपागमत्।

shining like a crore of suns · that · Vimana · supreme · auspicious · having flown up · suddenly · in the sky · to Brahmaloka · reached

This verse describes the transcendental nature of the Vimāna, emphasizing its brilliance and its ability to traverse dimensions effortlessly.

Seeing that divine Raṅga Vimāna, the inhabitants of Brahmaloka, led by Marīci, were filled with supreme wonder.

dṛṣṭvā raṅgavimānaṃ tadbrahmalokanivāsinaḥ |

marīcipramukhā divyamāścaryaṃ paramaṃ yayuḥ

दृष्ट्वा · dṛṣṭvā — having seen

रङ्गविमानम् · raṅgavimānam — the Ranga Vimana

तत् · tat — that

ब्रह्मलोकनिवासिनः · brahmalokanivāsinaḥ — the inhabitants of Brahmaloka

मरीचिप्रमुखाः · marīcipramukhāḥ — led by Marici

दिव्यम् · divyam — divine

आश्चर्यम् · āścaryam — wonder

परमम् · paramam — supreme

ययुः · yayuḥ — attained/experienced

तत् रङ्गविमानं दृष्ट्वा मरीचिप्रमुखाः ब्रह्मलोकनिवासिनः परमं दिव्यम् आश्चर्यं ययुः।

having seen · the Ranga Vimana · that · the inhabitants of Brahmaloka · led by Marici · divine · wonder · supreme · attained/experienced

This verse highlights the impact of the Lord's presence on the celestial beings, setting the stage for the long period of worship that follows.

Brahmā worshipped that Lord Raṅganātha day after day for six Manvantaras with devotion, along with Marīci and the others.

brahmā taṃ pūjayāmāsa raṅganāthaṃ dine dine

manvantarāṇi ṣaḍ bhaktyā marīcipramukhaiḥ saha

ब्रह्मा · brahmā — Brahma

तम् · tam — Him

पूजयामास · pūjayāmāsa — worshipped

रङ्गनाथम् · raṅganātham — Ranganatha

दिने दिने · dine dine — day after day

मन्वन्तराणि · manvantarāṇi — Manvantaras

षड् · ṣaḍ — six

भक्त्या · bhaktyā — with devotion

मरीचिप्रमुखैः · marīcipramukhaiḥ — with Marici and others

सह · saha — along with

ब्रह्मा मरीचिप्रमुखैः सह भक्त्या षड् मन्वन्तराणि दिने दिने तं रङ्गनाथं पूजयामास।

Brahma · Him · worshipped · Ranganatha · day after day · Manvantaras · six · with devotion · with Marici and others · along with

This verse establishes the historical continuity of the Lord's worship, bridging the cosmic time of Manvantaras with the devotion of the celestial sages.

In this seventh Manvantara, the great Vaivasvata Manu, renowned as Śrāddhadeva, the lord, protects the world.

manvantare saptame'smin vaivasvatamanurmahān

śrāddhadeva iti khyāto jagatpālayati prabhuḥ

मन्वन्तरे · manvantare — in the Manvantara

सप्तमे · saptame — seventh

अस्मिन् · asmin — in this

वैवस्वतमनुः · vaivasvatamanuḥ — Vaivasvata Manu

महान् · mahān — the great one

श्राद्धदेव · śrāddhadeva — Shraddhadeva

इति · iti — thus

ख्यातः · khyātaḥ — renowned

जगत् · jagat — the world

पालयति · pālayati — protects

प्रभुः · prabhuḥ — the lord

अस्मिन् सप्तमे मन्वन्तरे महान् वैवस्वतमनुः श्राद्धदेव इति ख्यातः प्रभुः जगत् पालयति।

in the Manvantara · seventh · in this · Vaivasvata Manu · the great one · Shraddhadeva · thus · renowned · the world · protects · the lord

This verse introduces the human protagonist, Vaivasvata Manu, situating the narrative in the current cosmic cycle to ground the story in terrestrial history.

The city named Ayodhyā was built on the bank of the Sarayū. The lord ruled the world, residing right there.

ayodhyā nāma nagarī nirmitā sarayūtaṭe

pālayāmāsa bhuvanaṃ tatraiva nivasan prabhuḥ

अयोध्या · ayodhyā — Ayodhya

नाम · nāma — named

नगरी · nagarī — city

निर्मिता · nirmitā — built

सरयूतटे · sarayūtaṭe — on the Sarayu bank

पालयामास · pālayāmāsa — ruled

भुवनम् · bhuvanam — the world

तत्रैव · tatraiva — right there

निवसन् · nivasan — residing

प्रभुः · prabhuḥ — the lord

सरयूतटे अयोध्या नाम नगरी निर्मिता। तत्रैव निवसन् प्रभुः भुवनं पालयामास।

Ayodhya · named · city · built · on the Sarayu bank · ruled · the world · right there · residing · the lord

This verse establishes the geographical setting of the narrative, identifying Ayodhyā as the sacred site chosen for the Lord's future residence.

Once, he happened to come to Brahmaloka, and there he saw that divine, brilliant, great Vimāna.

sa kadācidbrahmalokamājagāma yadṛcchayā

dadarśa tatra taddivyaṃ vimānaṃ bhāsvaraṃ mahat

सः · saḥ — he

कदाचित् · kadācit — once

ब्रह्मलोकम् · brahmalokam — to Brahmaloka

आजगाम · ājagāma — came

यदृच्छया · yadṛcchayā — by chance

ददर्श · dadarśa — saw

तत्र · tatra — there

तत् · tat — that

दिव्यम् · divyam — divine

विमानम् · vimānam — Vimana

भास्वरम् · bhāsvaram — brilliant

महत् · mahat — great

सः कदाचित् यदृच्छया ब्रह्मलोकम् आजगाम, तत्र तत् दिव्यं भास्वरं महत् विमानं ददर्श।

he · once · to Brahmaloka · came · by chance · saw · there · that · divine · Vimana · brilliant · great

This verse describes the serendipitous meeting between the devotee and the Lord, emphasizing that the encounter is a result of divine grace.

And in the Raṅga Vimāna, he saw the God lying on the serpent couch, with a broad chest and lotus-like eyes.

tathā raṅgavimāne tu śeṣaparyaṅkaśāyinam |

viśālavakṣasaṃ devaṃ kamalāyatalocanam

तथा · tathā — and

रङ्गविमाने · raṅgavimāne — in the Ranga Vimana

तु · tu — indeed

शेषपर्यङ्कशायिनम् · śeṣaparyaṅkaśāyinam — reclining on the serpent couch

विशालवक्षसम् · viśālavakṣasam — with a broad chest

देवम् · devam — the God

कमलायतलोचनम् · kamalāyatalocanam — with lotus-like eyes

तथा रङ्गविमाने शेषपर्यङ्कशायिनं विशालवक्षसं कमलायतलोचनं देवं ददर्श।

and · in the Ranga Vimana · indeed · reclining on the serpent couch · with a broad chest · the God · with lotus-like eyes

This verse provides a vivid description of the Lord's form, focusing on His reclining posture, which is central to the iconography of Ranganatha.

The Puruṣa with arms reaching his knees, his neck adorned with the Kaustubha gem, wearing a crown and earrings, and wrapped in golden garments.

ājānubāhuṃ puruṣaṃ kaustubhāmuktakandharam |

kirīṭakuṇḍaladharaṃ kanakāmbaraveṣṭitam

आजानुबाहुम् · ājānubāhum — arms reaching to knees

पुरुषम् · puruṣam — the Supreme Person

कौस्तुभामुक्तकन्धरम् · kaustubhāmuktakandharam — neck adorned with Kaustubha

किरीटकुण्डलधरम् · kirīṭakuṇḍaladharam — wearing crown and earrings

कनकाम्बरवेष्टितम् · kanakāmbaraveṣṭitam — wrapped in golden garments

आजानुबाहुं पुरुषं कौस्तुभामुक्तकन्धरं किरीटकुण्डलधरं कनकाम्बरवेष्टितं ददर्श।

arms reaching to knees · the Supreme Person · neck adorned with Kaustubha · wearing crown and earrings · wrapped in golden garments

This verse details the divine ornaments and attire of the Lord, enhancing the reader's visualization of His majestic and auspicious form.

Though engaged in yogic sleep, he is all-knowing and the protector of all; the Lord Padmanābha, Mādhava, who is affectionate to his devotees.

yoganidrāgataṃ cāpi sarvajñaṃ sarvarakṣakam|

bhagavantaṃ padmanābhaṃ mādhavaṃ bhaktavatsalam

योगनिद्रागतम् · yoganidrāgatam — engaged in yogic sleep

च · ca — and

अपि · api — also

सर्वज्ञम् · sarvajñam — all-knowing

सर्वरक्षकम् · sarvarakṣakam — protector of all

भगवन्तम् · bhagavantam — the Lord

पद्मनाभम् · padmanābham — Padmanabha

माधवम् · mādhavam — Madhava

भक्तवत्सलम् · bhaktavatsalam — affectionate to devotees

योगनिद्रागतं सर्वज्ञं सर्वरक्षकं भगवन्तं पद्मनाभं माधवं भक्तवत्सलं च ददर्श।

engaged in yogic sleep · and · also · all-knowing · protector of all · the Lord · Padmanabha · Madhava · affectionate to devotees

This verse reconciles the Lord's apparent inactivity in yogic sleep with His active role as the omniscient protector, highlighting His accessibility to devotees.

Seeing him, his eyes moist with tears of love and his hair standing on end, he praised the Lord of all worlds, who is affectionate to those who take refuge in him.

vilokya bāṣpasusnigdhalocanaḥ pulakāṅkitaḥ

tuṣṭāva sarvalokeśaṃ śaraṇāgatavatsalam

विलोक्य · vilokya — having seen

बाष्पसुस्निग्धलोचनः · bāṣpasusnigdhalocanaḥ — with eyes moist with tears of love

पुलकाङ्कितः · pulakāṅkitaḥ — with hair standing on end

तुष्टाव · tuṣṭāva — he praised

सर्वलोकेशं · sarvalokeśaṃ — the Lord of all worlds

शरणागतवत्सलम् · śaraṇāgatavatsalam — affectionate to those who seek refuge

सः बाष्पसुस्निग्धलोचनः पुलकाङ्कितः (सन्) विलोक्य सर्वलोकेशं शरणागतवत्सलं (प्रभुं) तुष्टाव।

having seen · with eyes moist with tears of love · with hair standing on end · he praised · the Lord of all worlds · affectionate to those who seek refuge

This verse captures the immediate emotional transformation of Manu upon witnessing the divine form of the Lord. It serves as the bridge between the visual experience of the Lord's beauty and the subsequent verbal outpouring of his devotion.

Manu said:

O Lord! Having created the universe yourself and then entered into it, you disport, and then, withdrawing from activity, you destroy it and sleep.

manuruvāca

tvameva sṛṣṭvā bhuvanaṃ tadevānupraviśya ca

vihṛtya virato bhūyaḥ saṃhṛtya svapiṣi prabho

त्वमेव · tvameva — you alone

सृष्ट्वा · sṛṣṭvā — having created

भुवनं · bhuvanaṃ — the universe

तदेव · tadeva — that same (universe)

अनुप्रविश्य · anupraviśya — having entered into

विहृत्य · vihṛtya — having sported

विरतः · virataḥ — having ceased activity

भूयः · bhūyaḥ — again

संहृत्य · saṃhṛtya — having withdrawn/dissolved

स्वपिषि · svapiṣi — you sleep

प्रभो · prabho — O Lord

प्रभो! त्वमेव भुवनं सृष्ट्वा तदेव अनुप्रविश्य विहृत्य, भूयः विरतः (सन्) संहृत्य स्वपिषि।

you alone · having created · the universe · that same (universe) · having entered into · having sported · having ceased activity · again · having withdrawn/dissolved · you sleep · O Lord

Manu begins his prayer by establishing the Lord's ontological status as the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe. This sets the stage for his later request by acknowledging the Lord's absolute sovereignty.

In the beginning, in the end, and in the middle, you alone truly exist, O Viṣṇu, illuminating all this yourself.

ādāvante ca madhye ca tvameva paramārthataḥ

prakāśase svayaṃ viṣṇo sarvametat prakāśayan

आदौ · ādau — in the beginning

अन्ते · ante — at the end

मध्ये · madhye — in the middle

त्वमेव · tvameva — you alone

परमार्थतः · paramārthataḥ — truly/in reality

प्रकाशसे · prakāśase — you shine

स्वयं · svayaṃ — by yourself

विष्णो · viṣṇo — O Viṣṇu

सर्वमेतत् · sarvametat — all this

प्रकाशयन् · prakāśayan — illuminating

विष्णो! आदौ अन्ते मध्ये च त्वमेव परमार्थतः (असि)। त्वं सर्वमेतत् प्रकाशयन् स्वयं प्रकाशसे।

in the beginning · at the end · in the middle · you alone · truly/in reality · you shine · by yourself · O Viṣṇu · all this · illuminating

This verse emphasizes the eternal nature of the Lord, who remains the constant substratum of reality through all time. It highlights the Lord's role as the self-effulgent source of all knowledge and existence.

You shine forth, O Mukunda, on the king of serpents who has become your couch. O Acyuta, Lord of the worlds, O lotus-eyed one, I see you alone, both within and without.

virājase tvaṃ purato mukunda

paryaṅkabhūte bhujagādhirāje

antarbahiścācyuta lokanātha

tvāmeva paśyāmi saroruhākṣa

विराजसे · virājase — you shine

त्वं · tvaṃ — you

पुरतः · purato — before me

मुकुन्द · mukunda — O Mukunda

पर्यङ्कभूते · paryaṅkabhūte — who has become the couch

भुजगाधिराजे · bhujagādhirāje — on the king of serpents

अन्तर्बहिः · antarbahiḥ — inside and outside

अच्युत · acyuta — O Acyuta

लोकनाथ · lokanātha — O Lord of the worlds

त्वामेव · tvāmeva — you alone

पश्यामि · paśyāmi — I see

सरोरुहाक्ष · saroruhākṣa — O lotus-eyed one

मुकुन्द! त्वं पर्यङ्कभूते भुजगाधिराजे विराजसे। अच्युत! लोकनाथ! सरोरुहाक्ष! अहं त्वामेव अन्तर्बहिः पश्यामि।

you shine · you · before me · O Mukunda · who has become the couch · on the king of serpents · inside and outside · O Acyuta · O Lord of the worlds · you alone · I see · O lotus-eyed one

Manu directly addresses the Lord's presence on the serpent couch, transitioning from abstract theology to personal, intimate devotion. This verse underscores the omnipresence of the Lord, whom Manu perceives both externally and internally.

Keeping this entire universe within your belly, you lie in yogic sleep. And again, O Ananta, you create the entire world externally, just as a spider does.

brahmāṇḍametajjaṭhare tavaiva

nidhāya śeṣe kṛtayoganidraḥ

punaśca sarvaṃ bahireva lokaṃ

yathorṇanābhirvisṛjasyananta

ब्रह्माण्डमेतत् · brahmāṇḍametaj — this universe

जठरे · jaṭhare — in the belly

तवैव · tavaiva — in your own

निधाय · nidhāya — having placed

शेषे · śeṣe — you lie

कृतयोगनिद्रः · kṛtayoganidraḥ — having entered yogic sleep

पुनश्च · punaśca — and again

सर्वं · sarvaṃ — everything

बहिरेव · bahireva — externally

लोकं · lokaṃ — the world

यथोर्णनाभिः · yathorṇanābhir — like a spider

विसृजसि · visṛjasi — you manifest

अनन्त · ananta — O Ananta

अनन्त! त्वं एतत् ब्रह्माण्डं तव जठरे निधाय कृतयोगनिद्रः शेषे। पुनः च यथा ऊर्णनाभिः (तथा) सर्वं लोकं बहिः एव विसृजसि।

this universe · in the belly · in your own · having placed · you lie · having entered yogic sleep · and again · everything · externally · the world · like a spider · you manifest · O Ananta

Using the classic analogy of the spider, Manu illustrates the Lord's effortless creation and dissolution of the universe. This reinforces the Lord's status as the independent, supreme controller who remains unaffected by His own creation.

Therefore, you alone are the father of all people; without you, O God, nothing exists. Such a God, endless and primeval, lying on the serpent, I worship always.

tasmāttvamevāsi pitā janānāṃ

vinā tvayā kiñcana nāsti deva

etādṛśaṃ devamanantamādyaṃ

bhajāmi nityaṃ bhujage śayānam

तस्मात् · tasmāt — therefore

त्वमेवासि · tvamevāsi — you alone are

पिता · pitā — the father

जनानां · janānāṃ — of all people

विना · vinā — without

त्वया · tvayā — you

किञ्चन · kiñcana — anything

नास्ति · nāsti — does not exist

देव · deva — O God

एतादृशं · etādṛśaṃ — such

देवमनन्तमाद्यं · devamanantamādyaṃ — God, endless and primeval

भजामि · bhajāmi — I worship

नित्यं · nityaṃ — always

भुजगे · bhujage — on the serpent

शयानम् · śayānam — lying

तस्मात् त्वम् एव जनानां पिता असि। देव! त्वया विना किञ्चन नास्ति। एतादृशं अनन्तं आद्यं देवं भुजगे शयानं (त्वा) अहं नित्यं भजामि।

therefore · you alone are · the father · of all people · without · you · anything · does not exist · O God · such · God, endless and primeval · I worship · always · on the serpent · lying

Manu concludes his theological reflection by affirming his total dependence on the Lord. This verse establishes the foundation for his act of surrender and worship, acknowledging the Lord as the primeval father of all beings.

Like a father to a son, O Viṣṇu, you yourself do good for me, O God. This supplication is redundant, O Murāri, for I see your compassion everywhere.

piteva putrasya mamāpi viṣṇo

hitaṃ karoṣi svayameva deva

vijñāpanaṃ vyarthamidaṃ murāre

paśyāmi sarvatra dayāṃ tavaiva

पितेव · piteva — like a father

पुत्रस्य · putrasya — to a son

ममापि · mamāpi — for me also

विष्णो · viṣṇo — O Viṣṇu

हितं · hitaṃ — good

करोषि · karoṣi — you do

स्वयमेव · svayameva — yourself

देव · deva — O God

विज्ञापनं · vijñāpanaṃ — supplication

व्यर्थमिदं · vyarthamidaṃ — this is redundant

मुरारे · murāre — O Murāri

पश्यामि · paśyāmi — I see

सर्वत्र · sarvatra — everywhere

दयां · dayāṃ — compassion

तवैव · tavaiva — of yours

विष्णो! पितेव पुत्रस्य (तथा) मम अपि हितं स्वयम् एव करोषि। मुरारे! इदं विज्ञापनं व्यर्थं, (यतः) सर्वत्र तव दयां पश्यामि।

like a father · to a son · for me also · O Viṣṇu · good · you do · yourself · O God · supplication · this is redundant · O Murāri · I see · everywhere · compassion · of yours

Manu expresses the intimacy of the devotee-God relationship, comparing it to that of a father and son. He realizes that his prayer is merely a formality, as the Lord's compassion is already omnipresent.

Nevertheless, O friend of the poor, listen to my request, O friend of the world. In birth after birth, O Lord, I desire only devotion to your lotus feet.

tathāpi kiñcid dīnabandho

abhyarthanīyaṃ śṛṇu lokabandho|

icchāmyahaṃ janmani janmanīśa

tavaiva pādāmbujabhaktimeva

तथापि · tathāpi — nevertheless

किञ्चिद् · kiñcid — a little

दीनबन्धो · dīnabandho — O friend of the poor

अभ्यर्थनीयं · abhyarthanīyaṃ — request

शृणु · śṛṇu — listen

लोकबन्धो · lokabandho — O friend of the world

इच्छाम्यहं · icchāmyahaṃ — I desire

जन्मनि · janmani — in birth

जन्मनीश · janmanīśa — in birth after birth, O Lord

तवैव · tavaiva — of yours

पादाम्बुजभक्तिमेव · pādāmbujabhaktimeva — devotion to your lotus feet only

तथापि दीनबन्धो! लोकबन्धो! किञ्चित् अभ्यर्थनीयं शृणु। ईश! अहं जन्मनि जन्मनि तव पादाम्बुजभक्तिम् एव इच्छामि।

nevertheless · a little · O friend of the poor · request · listen · O friend of the world · I desire · in birth · in birth after birth, O Lord · of yours · devotion to your lotus feet only

This verse marks the transition from praise to a specific, eternal request. Manu asks for the only thing worth having: unwavering devotion, which he desires to persist across all future births.

Salutations to the God of gods, to Viṣṇu, the Supreme Self, who pervades this world both within and without, the one who lies on the serpent.

namo devādhidevāya viṣṇave paramātmane

antarbahiśca loke'smin vyāptāyoragaśāyine

नमो · namo — salutations

देवाधिदेवाय · devādhidevāya — to the God of gods

विष्णवे · viṣṇave — to Viṣṇu

परमात्मने · paramātmane — to the Supreme Self

अन्तर्बहिश्च · antarbahiśca — inside and outside

लोकेऽस्मिन् · loke'smin — in this world

व्याप्ताय · vyāptāya — who pervades

उरगशायिने · uragaśāyine — who lies on the serpent

देवाधिदेवाय परमात्मने विष्णवे नमः। अस्मिन् लोके अन्तर्बहिः व्याप्ताय उरगशायिने (तुभ्यं) नमः।

salutations · to the God of gods · to Viṣṇu · to the Supreme Self · inside and outside · in this world · who pervades · who lies on the serpent

Manu offers formal salutations to the Lord, acknowledging His supreme status as the Paramātman. This verse serves as a liturgical act of surrender, reinforcing the Lord's immanence and transcendence.

Salutations, salutations, O Raṅganātha! O Lord of Ramā, salutations to you. Grant me only the service to you in birth after birth.

namo namo raṅganātha ramānātha namo'stu te|

kaiṅkaryameva me dehi tava janmani janmani

नमो · namo — salutations

रङ्गनाथ · raṅganātha — O Raṅganātha

रमानाथ · ramānātha — O Lord of Ramā

नमोऽस्तु · namo'stu — let there be salutations

ते · te — to you

कैङ्कर्यमेव · kaiṅkaryameva — service only

मे · me — to me

देहि · dehi — grant

तव · tava — of yours

जन्मनि · janmani — in birth

रङ्गनाथ! रमानाथ! नमः नमः, ते नमः अस्तु। मे तव कैङ्कर्यम् एव जन्मनि जन्मनि देहि।

salutations · O Raṅganātha · O Lord of Ramā · let there be salutations · to you · service only · to me · grant · of yours · in birth

The final verse of Manu's prayer is a direct petition for eternal service. By asking for 'kaiṅkarya' (service), Manu defines the ultimate goal of his existence, sealing his devotion with a repeated, emphatic salutation.

The Revered Guru said:

Thus prayed to by Vaivasvata Manu, the Lord Hari, the lotus-eyed one, ever eager to show grace to his devotees, spoke.

śrīsadgururuvāca

vaivasvatena manunā prārthito bhagavān hariḥ|

babhāṣe puṇḍarīkākṣo bhaktānugrahatatparaḥ

वैवस्वतेन · vaivasvatena — by Vaivasvata Manu

मनुना · manunā — by the Manu

प्रार्थितः · prārthitaḥ — prayed to

भगवान् · bhagavān — the Lord

हरिः · hariḥ — Hari

बभाषे · babhāṣe — spoke

पुण्डरीकाक्षः · puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ — lotus-eyed one

भक्तानुकम्पा · bhaktānugrahatatparaḥ — eager to show grace to devotees

वैवस्वतेन मनुना प्रार्थितः भगवान् हरिः पुण्डरीकाक्षः भक्तानुग्रहतत्परः बभाषे।

by Vaivasvata Manu · by the Manu · prayed to · the Lord · Hari · spoke · lotus-eyed one · eager to show grace to devotees

This verse serves as the bridge between Manu's emotional prayer and the Lord's response, highlighting the Lord's inherent nature of being moved by the devotion of His followers.

The Lord said:

O King, what you have uttered as a hymn to me is indeed true. Know me to be the one, eternal origin of all the worlds.

śrībhagavānuvāca

yaccakarthāṅga matstotraṃ satyameva mahīpate

māṃ viddhi sarvajagatāṃ mūlamekaṃ sanātanam

यत् · yat — which

चकर्थ · cakartha — you have uttered

अङ्ग · aṅga — O dear one

मत्स्तोत्रम् · matstotram — my hymn

सत्यमेव · satyameva — is indeed true

महीपते · mahīpate — O King

माम् · mām — me

विद्धि · viddhi — know

सर्वजगताम् · sarvajagatām — of all worlds

मूलमेकम् · mūlamekam — the one root/origin

सनातनम् · sanātanam — eternal

महीपते अङ्ग! यत् मत्स्तोत्रं चकर्थ तत् सत्यमेव। माम् सर्वजगताम् एकम् सनातनम् मूलम् विद्धि।

which · you have uttered · O dear one · my hymn · is indeed true · O King · me · know · of all worlds · the one root/origin · eternal

The Lord validates Manu's hymn, establishing the theological truth that He is the eternal, singular source of all existence, which sets the stage for His instruction to be worshipped.

By the mere sight of me, your knowledge has been illumined, as well as dispassion for worldly objects and devotion to me, O King.

mama darśanamātreṇa tava jñānaṃ prakāśitam |

vairāgyaṃ lokaviṣaye bhaktiśca mayi bhūpate

मम · mama — my

दर्शनमात्रेण · darśanamātreṇa — by mere sight

तव · tava — your

ज्ञानम् · jñānam — knowledge

प्रकाशितम् · prakāśitam — illumined

वैराग्यम् · vairāgyam — dispassion

लोकविषये · lokaviṣaye — regarding worldly objects

भक्तिश्च · bhaktiśca — and devotion

मयि · mayi — in me

भूपते · bhūpate — O King

भूपते! मम दर्शनमात्रेण तव ज्ञानम् प्रकाशितम्, लोकविषये वैराग्यम् मयि भक्तिश्च (जाता)।

my · by mere sight · your · knowledge · illumined · dispassion · regarding worldly objects · and devotion · in me · O King

The Lord explains that the mere act of seeing Him (darśana) has transformed Manu's consciousness, granting him the spiritual prerequisites for divine service.

Taking me, situated in the Raṅga Vimāna, O lord of the earth, go to the earth and there, worship me day after day.

māṃ ca raṅgavimānasthamādāya pṛthivīpate |

bhuvaṃ gaccha tathā tatra pūjaya tvaṃ dine dine

माम् · mām — me

च · ca — and

रङ्गविमानस्थम् · raṅgavimānastham — situated in the Ranga Vimana

आदाय · ādāya — having taken

पृथिवीपते · pṛthivīpate — O lord of the earth

भुवम् · bhuvam — to the earth

गच्छ · gaccha — go

तथा · tathā — and then

तत्र · tatra — there

पूजय · pūjaya — worship

त्वम् · tvam — you

दिने दिने · dine dine — day after day

पृथिवीपते! रङ्गविमानस्थम् माम् आदाय भुवम् गच्छ। तत्र त्वम् दिने दिने पूजय।

me · and · situated in the Ranga Vimana · having taken · O lord of the earth · to the earth · go · and then · there · worship · you · day after day

The Lord gives the direct command that initiates the migration of the deity to Ayodhya, formalizing the establishment of the Lord's presence on earth.

The Revered Guru said:

Thus instructed by Viṣṇu, King Vaivasvata Manu, then permitted also by Brahmā for the welfare of all the worlds,

śrīsadgururuvāca

ityukto viṣṇunā rājā vaivasvatamanustadā |

anujñāto brahmaṇāpi sarvalokahitāya ca

इत्युक्तः · ityuktaḥ — thus instructed

विष्णुना · viṣṇunā — by Vishnu

राजा · rājā — the King

वैवस्वतमनुः · vaivasvatamanuḥ — Vaivasvata Manu

तदा · tadā — then

अनुज्ञातः · anujñātaḥ — permitted

ब्रह्मणा · brahmaṇā — by Brahma

अपि · api — also

सर्वलोकहिताय · sarvalokahitāya — for the welfare of all worlds

विष्णुना इत्युक्तः वैवस्वतमनुः राजा तदा सर्वलोकहिताय ब्रह्मणा अपि अनुज्ञातः (बभूव)।

thus instructed · by Vishnu · the King · Vaivasvata Manu · then · permitted · by Brahma · also · for the welfare of all worlds

This verse confirms that Manu acted with the dual authority of the Lord's command and the creator Brahmā's permission, ensuring the legitimacy of the divine installation.

With a pleased mind, brought Viṣṇu situated in the Raṅga Vimāna, and returning to Ayodhyā, installed Mādhava.

viṣṇuṃ raṅgavimānasthamānīya prītamānasaḥ

ayodhyāṃ punarāgatya sthāpayāmāsa mādhavam

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Vishnu

रङ्गविमानस्थम् · raṅgavimānastham — situated in the Ranga Vimana

आनीय · ānīya — having brought

प्रीतमानसः · prītamānasaḥ — with a pleased mind

अयोध्याम् · ayodhyām — to Ayodhya

पुनः · punaḥ — again/back

आगत्य · āgatya — having returned

स्थापयामास · sthāpayāmāsa — installed

माधवम् · mādhavam — Madhava

प्रीतमानसः (मनुः) रङ्गविमानस्थम् विष्णुम् आनीय अयोध्याम् पुनः आगत्य माधवम् स्थापयामास।

Vishnu · situated in the Ranga Vimana · having brought · with a pleased mind · to Ayodhya · again/back · having returned · installed · Madhava

The narrative reaches its climax here as Manu successfully brings the divine presence to Ayodhya, marking the physical manifestation of the Lord in the city.

Day after day, with devotion, he worshipped him with the Vaiṣṇavas. He caused a festival to be held, which brought joy to the world.

dine dine bhaktipūrvaṃ pūjayāmāsa vaiṣṇavaiḥ |

utsavaṃ kārayāmāsa jagadānandakārakam

दिने दिने · dine dine — day after day

भक्तिपूर्वम् · bhaktipūrvam — with devotion

पूजयामास · pūjayāmāsa — he worshipped

वैष्णवैः · vaiṣṇavaiḥ — with the Vaishnavas

उत्सवम् · utsavam — festival

कारयामास · kārayāmāsa — he caused to be held

जगदानन्दकारकम् · jagadānandakārakam — causing joy to the world

सः वैष्णवैः सह भक्तिपूर्वम् दिने दिने पूजयामास, जगदानन्दकारकम् उत्सवम् च कारयामास।

day after day · with devotion · he worshipped · with the Vaishnavas · festival · he caused to be held · causing joy to the world

This verse describes the establishment of the devotional culture in Ayodhya, emphasizing that the Lord's presence is sustained by continuous worship and communal celebration.

All the people, seeing the Lord of the world, the Lord of Śrī, lying on Śeṣa, attained supreme joy day after day.

sarve janā jagannāthaṃ śrīnāthaṃ śeṣaśāyinam |

vilokya paramaṃ harṣamavāpuśca dine dine

सर्वे · sarve — all

जनाः · janāḥ — people

जगन्नाथम् · jagannātham — Lord of the world

श्रीनाथम् · śrīnātham — Lord of Sri

शेषशायिनम् · śeṣaśāyinam — lying on Sesha

विलोक्य · vilokya — having seen

परमम् · paramam — supreme

हर्षम् · harṣam — joy

अवापुः · avāpuḥ — attained

दिने दिने · dine dine — day after day

सर्वे जनाः जगन्नाथम् श्रीनाथम् शेषशायिनम् विलोक्य दिने दिने परमम् हर्षम् अवापुः।

all · people · Lord of the world · Lord of Sri · lying on Sesha · having seen · supreme · joy · attained · day after day

The verse illustrates the direct impact of the Lord's presence on the populace, showing that the sight of the Lord leads to supreme happiness.

Rain fell in due season, the earth became rich with crops, food became abundant, and the country became prosperous.

kāle vṛṣṭiśca sañjātā pṛthivī sasyaśālinī

annaṃ bahuguṇaṃ cābhūt sphīto janapado'bhavat

काले · kāle — in due season

वृष्टिः · vṛṣṭiḥ — rain

सञ्जाता · sañjātā — occurred

पृथिवी · pṛthivī — the earth

सस्यशालिनी · sasyaśālinī — rich with crops

अन्नम् · annam — food

बहुगुणम् · bahuguṇam — abundant

स्फीतः · sphītaḥ — prosperous

जनपदः · janapadaḥ — country/region

अभवत् · abhavat — became

काले वृष्टिः सञ्जाता, पृथिवी सस्यशालिनी (अभवत्), अन्नम् बहुगुणम् च अभूत्, जनपदः स्फीतः अभवत्।

in due season · rain · occurred · the earth · rich with crops · food · abundant · prosperous · country/region · became

This verse highlights the prosperity that follows the presence of the Lord, linking the spiritual state of the kingdom to its material abundance.

All the people of Kośala were filled with joy, dedicated to their respective duties, believers, and devotees of the Lord.

sarve pramodasaṃyuktāḥ svasvadharmaparāyaṇāḥ

āstikā bhagavadbhaktāstatrāsan kośalā janāḥ

सर्वे · sarve — all

प्रमोदसंयुक्ताः · pramodasaṃyuktāḥ — filled with joy

स्वस्वधर्मपरायणाः · svasvadharmaparāyaṇāḥ — dedicated to their own duties

आस्तिकाः · āstikāḥ — believers

भगवद्भक्ताः · bhagavadbhaktāḥ — devotees of the Lord

तत्र · tatra — there

आसन् · āsan — were

कोशलाः · kośalāḥ — people of Kosala

जनाः · janāḥ — people

तत्र कोशलाः जनाः सर्वे प्रमोदसंयुक्ताः, स्वस्वधर्मपरायणाः, आस्तिकाः भगवद्भक्ताः आसन्।

all · filled with joy · dedicated to their own duties · believers · devotees of the Lord · there · were · people of Kosala · people

The chapter concludes by describing the ideal society of Kośala, where material prosperity is matched by the citizens' devotion and adherence to dharma.

Manu also, prompted by his guru Vasiṣṭha, the son of Brahmā, performed a sacrifice for the worship of Viṣṇu.

yajñaṃ cakre manuścāpi viṣṇorārādhanātmakam

guruṇā brahmaputreṇa vasiṣṭhena pracoditaḥ

यज्ञम् · yajñam — a sacrifice

चक्रे · cakre — performed

मनुः · manuḥ — Manu

च · ca — and

अपि · api — also

विष्णोः · viṣṇoḥ — of Viṣṇu

आराधनात्मकम् · ārādhanātmakam — consisting of worship

गुरुणा · guruṇā — by the guru

ब्रह्मपुत्रेण · brahmaputreṇa — by the son of Brahmā

वसिष्ठेन · vasiṣṭhena — by Vasiṣṭha

प्रचोदितः · pracoditaḥ — prompted or instructed

मनुः ब्रह्मपुत्रेण गुरुणा वसिष्ठेन प्रचोदितः सन् विष्णोः आराधनात्मकं यज्ञं चक्रे अपि च ।

a sacrifice · performed · Manu · and · also · of Viṣṇu · consisting of worship · by the guru · by the son of Brahmā · by Vasiṣṭha · prompted or instructed

This verse concludes the chapter by showing how Manu, having established the Lord in Ayodhya, formalizes his devotion through a Vedic sacrifice. It highlights the importance of following the guidance of a guru, Vasiṣṭha, to ensure the ritual is perfectly aligned with the worship of Viṣṇu.