1S7-3.] Ram Narayan — Translation of the Ayodhyd-Mdhdtmya. 1G3 



ter that of wisdom. Weapons, such as the sword, bow, and arrows, ap- 

 peared in form of men, and the Vedas as Brahmans. So also did Onkar, 

 Gayitri, Svaka, S'raddha, Vashat, mountains, Munis, those whom Ramachan- 

 dra respected, Bharata, Satrughna, Brahmans with their children and wives 

 and servants, all the subjects, with purified hearts, clean clothes, and daubed 

 with sandal, bears, monkeys, insects, worms, beasts, birds, scorpions, serpents, 

 and aquatic animals, all freed from sins and sorrow. Thus they came to 

 Svargadvara, bathed there, and began to move, conversing together. Seeing 

 this the gods were struck with wonder. They went four and a half 7cos to 

 the west of Svargadvara, and observing the Sarayu became very happy. The 

 generous, great, and the father of all, Brahma, with the gods, mounted on 

 chariots, came gently through the air. Flowers were showered on Raghu- 

 natha and his companions, Apsaras danced, and Gandharvas sang. Brahma 

 said, ' Raghava, leave the visible body and come with thy brothers ; I 

 cannot compel tbee, do whatever thou pleasest. I alone know thee, thou 

 art he to whom all go and in whom all find a resting-place. Thou art om- 

 niscient, the supporter of all, and the bestower of salvation. No one knows 

 thee, devoid of Maya, which thou hast produced to create the world. Thou 

 art beyond thought, the essence of everything, the smallest and largest, and 

 everlasting. Thou hast no superior ; come to thy ancient residence with, or 

 without, a body.' Ramachandra considered that as he bad come from Ayo- 

 dhya, it was improper for him to go back, so he went to Sakaitun, where 

 Vishnu is worshipped. His companions followed him with their bodies 

 without feeling the least pain, and enjoyed all blessings. All the gods 

 praised them and went to their homes. The imprecation of Narada, which 

 was that Ramachandra should suffer from the separation of his wife, was 

 fulfilled, and now Ramachandra became Vishnu, and Sita Lakshmi. Rama- 

 chandra then said to Brahma, ' Brahma, point out a place for the residence 

 of my followers, who have left their homes and relations ; they are my devo- 

 tees and are beloved by me. I could not allow them to die.' Brahma said, 

 'Let them remain in Santaloka (a name of heaven).' Those who leave this 

 world, meditating on Ramachandra or Ayodhya, or merely bathe at Gopirtar, 

 will surely obtain heaven. All men, animals, insects, worms, birds, and 

 other creatures, when bathing in the Sarayu, became beautiful and glorious, 

 just as iron is converted into gold when it touches the philosopher's stone, 

 and go to the regions of Vishnu. 



" Here, therefore, they went across the Sarayu without fear, like those 

 who in crossing catch hold of the tail of a cow ; hence the place is called 

 ' Gopirtar.' " 



