VALMIKI R

MITHILĀ

Now Vishvāmitra and a host of others

Escorted Rāma and Lakshmaṇa to Mithilā

Where a contest for breaking a mighty bow

Was going to be held for the svayamvara

Of the daughter of King Janaka reigning there.

They rested on the banks of River Sone that night.

The Sage not recounted the story of  the four sons

Of Kusha, and how the hundred sons of Kushanābha

Became hunchbacks because of a curse from Vāyu.

The daughters endured this state with patience.

King Brahmadatta of Kampilya married all of them.

Kushanābha did a sacrifice to obtain a son.

So was born the son named Gādhi.

The greatness of Rivier Kabushiki was described here.

KĀRTIKEYA

They crossed River Sone, and soon thereafter

They reached the bank of holy Gaṅga.

Responding to Rāma’s request Sage Vishvāmitra

Recounted the lore of the sacred Gaṅga.

The gods interrupted, it was said, the love-play

Of Lord Shiva and His consort Umā.

Which made the goddess curse Mother Earth

As well as various other gods.

Then was narrated at length the legend

Of the birth of Kārtikeya through Gaṅga.