Chapter 102 - Erection of Five Palatial Shrines for Lakṣmaṇa and Others

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, listen to the mysterious incident that occurred on the way as Rāma set out towards his abode.

2. The aerial chariot Puṣpaka that was moving along the path of the firmament stood still unaccountably all of a sudden mystifying the men.

3. On seeing Puṣpaka motionless in the sky Rāma who was surprised spoke to the son of Vāyu:

4-5. “O Māruti, go to the ground below quickly and find out the cause of this Puṣpaka having come to a standstill in the middle of the sky. This huge-bodied Puṣpaka created by the eyes of Brahmā has never been restrained in its movement by anyone at any place.”

6. “So it shall be”, said Hanumān and went to the ground quickly coming back. He bowed down to Raghūttama and said:

7-9. “Beneath here is the holy spot named Hāṭakeśvara where Brahmā, the creator of the universe, himself abides.

Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, the two Aśvins who are the physicians of Devas as well as other Siddhas and Kinnaras—all these stay there.

It is for this reason that Puṣpaka does not go beyond that holy spot. It has become motionless. The truth has been spoken by me.”

Sūta said:

10. O hearing his words, Rāghava became curious. He directed Puṣpaka towards that holy place.

11. He got down along with all the monkeys and Rākṣasas of various types. He joyously moved about in the holy place all round.

12. He saw the Tīrtha and visited the holy shrines. Thereafter he visited Cāmuṇḍā installed by Pitāmaha. Then he took his holy bath is the Kuṇḍa that bestows all desired things.

13. Then Rāma saw the Lord of Devas installed by his father. He then visited the Four-armed Lord who was he himself.

14-16. He took his bath in the Rājavāpī and became pure. He then offered libations to the Pitṛs. Thereafter he thought thus: ‘In this holy spot here that yields much merit, I shall install a Liṅga in the same manner as Keśava was installed by my father. Further, my dear brother has resorted to heaven. I shall instal a Liṅga named after him. I shall also install an image of him along with a splendid image of Sītā. In this highly sacred and pure holy spot, I shall install myself in the form of a stone idol.’

17. After deciding thus, Rāma the foremost among those who wield weapons, erected five palatial temples with great devotion.

18. Then all those monkeys and Rākṣasas in particular installed severally their own Liṅgas.

19. They all stayed there itself for a long time with great faith. Then they went to Ayodhyā riding on the excellent aerial chariot.

20. Thus everything has been narrated to you all about how the great deity of Rāmeśvara along with Lakṣmaṇeśvara was installed in that highly splendid Tīrtha.

21. A man who always gets up early in the morning and visits both of them shall attain the entire benefit which one gets when Rāmāyaṇa is listened to.

22. Further, one who reads Rāmāyaṇa before those two deities on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days shall attain the entire benefit of Vājimedha (horse-sacrifice).