1875.] Earn Narayan — Translation of the Ayodhya-MaMtmya. 143 



Bibb.isb.ana ; I, too, am a refugee, protect me likewise !' He who performs 

 the above, obtains all his wishes. After the prayer to Ramachandra, he 

 should address one to Janaki, daughter of Videha, who, on account of his per- 

 fect knowledge, is ^engaged in the meditation of Brahma, and is entirely care- 

 less of his body (videlia). ' I bow before your feet, which have entangled the 

 minds of Yogis, and which those of others do not reach. When the mind once 

 thinks of them, it remains fixed upon them for ever. The Munis meditate 

 on them, to remove their three kinds of taps [passions], bodily, mental, and 

 that which proceeds from organs of action and perception. The last perform 

 their actions by the guidance of their respective deities, and become useless 

 when they withdraw their influence over them ; such as when the sun, the deity 

 of the eye, withdraws his essence from it, the eye does not suffer, it remains 

 just the same, but can no longer see. This is also the case with the nose, the 

 tongue, &c, which cease to perform their functions when their deities withdraw 

 their powers. This union of the organs and their deities is called Daivak. 

 The bodily passion is named A'dibhautika, &c. ; the mental one, Adhyatmika. 

 Afterwards, he should go to Janmabhumi [birthplace of Ramachandra]. 

 East of Vighnesvar, or north of the residence of Vas'ishta, or west of that of 

 Lomasa Rishi, is the Janmasthan, the giver of salvation, the mere sight 

 of which releases a man from returning to a woman's womb. The fasting on 

 the day of Rama Navami, visiting the place with devotion, giving alms and 

 performing pilgrimages and sacrifices, frees a man from the transmigration of 

 his soul. A visit to it yields the reward of giving one thousand cows, obey- 

 ing father, mother, and the spiritual guide, and performing the Rajasuyia, 

 and Agni-hotra [sacrifices] one thousand times." 



Then Parvati asked in what way people should keep the fast of Rama 

 Navami. S'ri Sank ara replied — "To confer greatness on Navami, Rama- 

 chandra was born of the womb of Kaushalya. On that day, a Tuesday, which 

 falls on the bright half of Chait, theNakshitra was Punarvasu, and the time 

 was midday. The gods and celestial beings being highly pleased with it, 

 of their own accord began to play upon musical instruments. The fast of 

 Navami is considered superior to all other fasts, just as the Chintamani is 

 the best of all jewels and the Kalpa-vriksha of all trees. Those who keep this 

 fast, and listen to religious stories, perform religious dances, and give alms 

 on that day, obtain salvation. It fulfils the wishes of the gods, protects 

 the virtuous, and destroys the wicked. It bestows more advantages than 

 millions of sacrifices, because the adorable Rama was born on that day. All 

 the actions which a man performs on that day, in the name of Raghunatha, 

 give everlasting benefits. He who wishes to go to Raghunatha, should 

 keep this fast. The fool who eats on that day, shall go to hell, where all 

 the vicious are thrown into boiling oil. There is no doubt about it. The 

 deceased ancestors of him who on that day makes offerings in their names, 



