Chapter XVI: Section XVI

Thus besought by the foremost of the celestials, that[18] searcher of hearts, Vishnu, although cognizant of the means whereby Ravana was to be destroyed, spake unto the gods these amiable words,--"What, ye gods, is the means of compassing the destruction of that lord of the Rakshasas, by adopting which I could slay that thorn of the ascetics?" Thus addressed, the deities answered Vishnu, incapable of deterioration, saying,--"Assuming the form of a human being, do thou in battle slay Ravana! He, O repressor of foes, had for a long course of time performed rigid austerities; and thereat, that creator of all, the first-create Brahma was well pleased. And propitiated by his penances, the Master conferred a boon on the Rakshasa to the effect that, save man, no fear should come to him from the various beings. And in the matter of that boon-bestowing, man had formerly been disregarded by (Ravana). And puffed up with pride in consequence of the boon he received from the Grand-sire, he commits ravages upon the three worlds and carries away the fair sex by violence. Therefore, O subduer of enemies, we have even fixed upon man for bringing about his death." Hearing this speech of the celestials, Vishnu of subdued soul chose even king Dacaratha for his father. And at that time, eagerly wishing to have sons, that destroyer of enemies, the effulgent king Dacaratha, who was sonless, was celebrating the sacrifice that conferreth male offspring. Then, having ascertained the course to follow, Vishnu, having greeted the Grand-sire, vanished there, worshipped by the deities and the Maharshis.

And then himself bearing in his hands a capacious vessel made of burnished gold, with a silver cover,--dear like unto a spouse, and resembling the divine Creative energy, filled with celestial _Payasa_,[19], from out the sacrificial fire of Dacaratha initiated into the ceremony, there arose a mighty being, of unparalleled prowess, high energy, and huge strength, black, and wearing a crimson apparel, with a red face, uttering the blares of a trumpet, and having a body covered with leonine hair, having whiskers and an excellent head of hair, furnished with auspicious marks, and adorned with celestial ornaments, and resembling a mountain-peak, and bearing the prowess of a flaming tiger, and like unto the Sun or tongues of flaming fire. And with his eyes fixed upon Dacaratha, he addressed the king, saying,--"O monarch, take thou me as a person commisioned by _Prajapati_." Hearing him speak thus, Dacaratha, with joined hands, said,--'Lord, art thou welcome? What can I do for thee?" Thereupon, that person despatched by _Prajapati_ again spake thus,--"O king, having adored the deities, thou hast to-day obtained this. Do thou foremost of kings, accept this excellent and divinly-prepared Payasa, conferring sons, health, and affluence,--which thou art to give unto thy worthy consorts, saying,--_Partake it_. Through them thou wilt, O monarch, obtain sons,--for obtaining whom thou hast performed this sacrifice." Thereupon, saying,--"So be it," the lord of men delightedly placed that divinely-bestowed golden vessel filled with the celestial _Payasa_ upon his head. And having saluted that wonderful being of gracious presence, he in excess of joy began to go round him again and again. Then Dacaratha, having received that divinely-prepared _Payasa_, waxed exceeding glad; like unto a pauper attaining plenty. Then that highly effulgent being of a wonderful form, having performed that mission of his, vanished even there. And Dacaratha's inner apartment, being graced with the rays of joy, looked like unto the welkin flooded with the lovely beams of the autumnal moon. Then entering the inner apaitment, he spake unto Kausalya, saying,--"Take thou this _Payasa_; for this will make thee bear a son." Having said this,the king offered unto her a portion of this _Payasa_. Then he conferred upon Sumitra a fourth of it. Then in order that she might have a son, king Dacaratha made over unto Kaikeyi an equal portion of what remained. And then having reflected, the mighty-minded one gave unto Sumitra the remaining portion of the _Payasa_ resembling ambrosia. Thus the king dispensed the _Payasa_ unto each and all of his wives. And those foremost wives of the king, having received that _Payasa_, became exceedingly delighted, and considered themselves as highly honored. Then those excellent consorts of the lord of earth, having separately partaken of that choice _Payasa_, shortly bore offspring, resmbling fire or the Sun. And the king, beholding those wives of his bearing children, obtained his desire and became delighted; even as that foremost of the celestials, Indra, while being worshipped by the _Siddhas_ and the ascetics.

[18] Nara means a multitude, and Ayana, dwelling-place. He whose
dwelling-place is a multitude, is Narayana. Metaphorically, the
word means evidently, the _Searcher of hearts_.--T.

[19] A preparation of milk, and sugar.--T.