Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - Ayodhya Kanda (Book 2) Sarga 83 to 92

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar, 

 Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 83

Introduction

Leaving Ayodhya early next morning, accompanied by family-priests, ministers, archers, elephants, cavalry, artisans, army and citizens and covering a long distance, Bharata arrives at the bank of Ganga River at Sringaberapura ruled by guha and, encamping the army there, breaks journey for offering libations to his deceased father on the bank of the Ganaga and also to give rest to the retinue.

tataH samutthitaH kaalyam aasthaaya syandana uttamam |
prayayau bharataH shiighram raama darshana kaankSayaa || 2-83-1

1. tataH= thereafter; bharataH= Bharata; samutthitaH= rose up; kaalayam= at day-break; aasthaaya= mounted; syandanottamam= on an excellent chariot; prayayau= and procedded; shiighra= quickly; raamadarshanakaaNkshayaa= with a desire to see Rama.

Bharata rose up at day-break, mounted on excellent chariot and went quickly with a desire to see Rama.

agrataH prayayus tasya sarve mantri purodhasaH |
adhiruhya hayaiH yuktaan rathaan suurya ratha upamaan || 2-83-2

2. sarve= all; mantra purodhasaH= the ministers and priests; adhiruuhya= ascended; rathaan= chariots; yuktaam= yoked; hayaiH= with horses; suurya rathopamaan= resembling those of the sun; prayayuH= and went; agrataH= ahead; tasya= of him.

All the ministers and priests ascended, chariots yoked with horses, resembling those of the sun, and went ahead of Bharata.

nava naaga sahasraaNi kalpitaani yathaa vidhi |
anvayur bharatam yaantam ikSvaaku kula nandanam || 2-83-3

3. nava naagasraaNi= nine thousand elephants; kalpitaani= well-arranged; yathaavidhi= suitably; anvayuH= accompanied; yaantam= the moving; bharatam= Bharata; ikshvaaku kulanandanam= the joy of Ikshvaku dynasty.

Nine thousand elephants suitably duly arranged escorted Bharata the joy of the Ikshvaku dynasty, on his journey.

SaSThii ratha sahasraaNi dhanvino vividha aayudhaaH |
anvayur bharatam yaantam raaja putram yashasvinam || 2-83-4

4. SaSTiH= sixty; ratha sahasraaNi= thousand chariots; dhanvinaH= men wielding bows; vividhaayudhaaH= and various kinds of weapon; anvayuH= followed; yashasvinam= the illustrious; raajaputram= prince; bharatam= Bharata; yaantam= on his journey.

Sixty thousand chariots filled with archers, furnished with weapons of various kinds, followed the illustrious prince Bharata.

shatam sahasraaNi ashvaanaam samaaruuDhaani raaghavam |
anvayur bharatam yaantam raaja putram yashasvinam || 2-83-5

5. shatam= a hundred; sahasraaNi= thousad; ashvaanaam samaaruuDhaani= cavalry; anvayuH= accompanied; yaantam= the moving; bharatam= Bharata; raaghavam= born in Raghu dynasty; satyasandham= who was true to his promise; jitendriyam- and who subdued his senses.

A hundred thousand cavalry accompanied the moving Bharata, born in Raghu dynasty, who was true to his promise and who subdued his senses.

kaikeyii ca sumitraa ca kausalyaa ca yashasvinii |
raama aanayana samhR^iSTaa yayur yaanena bhaasvataa || 2-83-6

6. kaikeyii cha= Kaikeyi; sumitraacha= Sumitra; yashashvinii= and the illustrious; kausalyaacha= Kausalya; yayuH= rode; bhaasvataa yaanena= in a resplendent chariot; ramaanayana samhR^iSTaaH= delighted as they were at the thought of the return of Rama.

Kaikeyi, Sumitra and the illustrious Kausalya rode in a resplendent chariot, delighted as they were at the thought of Rama’s return.

prayaataaH ca aarya samghaataa raamam draSTum salakSmaNam |
tasya eva ca kathaaH citraaH kurvaaNaa hR^iSTa maanasaaH || 2-83-7

7. aarya samghaataashcha= the whole body of noble men; hR^iSTamaanasaaH= with jubiliant hearts; kurvaaNaaH= narrating; chitraaH= marvelous; kathaaH= stories; tasyaiva= of Rama himself; prayaataaH= wnt; draSTum= to behold; raamam= Rama; salakshamaNaH= along with Lakshmana.

The whole body of noble men with their jubiliant hearts followed Bharata to see Rama again as also Lakshmana, recounting the marvelous exploits of that hero to each other saying:

megha shyaamam mahaa baahum sthira sattvam dR^iDha vratam |
kadaa drakSyaamahe raamam jagataH shoka naashanam || 2-83-8

8. kadaa= when; drakSyaamahe= shall we see; mahaabaahum= the mighty armed prince; maghashyaamam= of the hue of a dark cloud; sthira sattvam= whose courage is unshakable; dR^iDhavratam= of inflexible purpose; raamam= Rama; shokanaashanam= who banished sorrow; jagataH= from the earth?

“When shall we see the mighty armed prince, of the hue of dark cloud, whose courage is unshakable, of inflexible purpose Rama, who banished sorrow from the earth?”

dR^iSTaeva hi naH shokam apaneSyati raaghavaH |
tamaH sarvasya lokasya samudyann iva bhaaskaraH || 2-83-9

9. raaghavaH= (As soon as) Rama; dR^iSTa eva= is seen; apaneSyatihi= he will indeed remove; naH= our; shokam= sorrow; tamaH iva= like darkness; sarvasya= of the entire; lokasya= world (is removed); samudyan= at the rising; bhaaskaraH= sun.

“Beholding Rama, our entire sorrow will indeed be dispelled, as darkness of the entire earth is dispelled at the rising of the sun.”

iti evam kathayantaH te samprahR^iSTaaH kathaaH shubhaaH |
pariSvajaanaaH ca anyonyam yayur naagarikaaH tadaa || 2-83-10

10. te= those; naagarikaaH janaaH= citizens; kathayantaH= recounting; shubhaaH= the auspicious; kathaaH= stories; ityevam= as aforesaid; pariSvajaanaashcha= embracing; anyonyam= each other; samprahR^iSTaaH= joyfully; yayuH= went along.

Thus did the citizens of Ayodhya recount happily of Rama’s glorious deeds, and they embraced each other as they went along.

ye ca tatra apare sarve sammataa ye ca naigamaaH |
raamam prati yayur hR^iSTaaH sarvaaH prakR^itayaH tadaa || 2-83-11

11. ye= which; apare= others; sammataaH= who were held in high esteem; tatra= there; ye= which; naigamaaH= merchants; tathaa= and; sarvaaH= all; prakR^itayaH= common people; yayuH= proceeded; hR^iSTaaH= merrily; raamam= to join Rama.

Those others who were held in high esteem, merchants and all common people proceeded merrily to join Rama.

maNi kaaraaH ca ye kecit kumbha kaaraaH ca shobhanaaH |
suutra karma kR^itaH caiva ye ca shastra upajiivinaH || 2-83-12
maayuurakaaH kraakacikaa rocakaa vedhakaaH tathaa |
danta kaaraaH sudhaa kaaraaH tathaa gandha upajiivinaH || 2-83-13
suvarNa kaaraaH prakhyaataaH tathaa kambala dhaavakaaH |
snaapaka aacchaadakaa vaidyaa dhuupakaaH shauNDikaaH tathaa || 2-83-14
rajakaaH tunna vaayaaH ca graama ghoSa mahattaraaH |
shailuuSaaH ca saha striibhir yaanti kaivartakaaH tathaa || 2-83-15

12, 13, 14, 15. ye= which; kechit= some; maNikaaraaH= lapidaries; shobhanaaH= good; kumbhakaaraashcha= potters; ye= which; shastropajiivanaH= those who lived by manufacture of arms; suutrakarma kR^itashchaiva= carpenters; maayuurakaaH= those who made various articles from peacock-feathers; kraakachikaaH= sawyers; rochakaaH= workers in artificial ornaments; vedhakaaH= those who pierced gems, pearls etc; tathaa= and dantakaaraaH= those who made articles of ivory; sudhaakaraaH= those who prepared lime; tathaa= and; gandhopajiivanaH= those who lived by perfumery; prakhyaataaH= highly reputed; suvarnakaaraaH= goldsmiths; tathaa= and; kambaladhaavakaaH= weavers of blankets and other wollen goods; snaapakoSNodakaaH= those who provided hot water baths for others; vaidyaaH= physicians; shauN^DikaaH= distillers and venders of spirituous liquors; dhuupakaaH= fumigaters; rajakaaH= washer-men; tunnavaayaashcha= tailors; graamaghoSamahattaraaH= chiefs of villages and hamlets; shailuuSaaH= dancers; striibhiH saha= with their women-folk; tathaa= and; kaivartakaaH= fisher men; yayuH= started on the journey.

Some lapidaries, skilled potters, those who lived by manufacture of arms, carpenters, those who made various articles from peacock-feather, sawyers, workers in artificial ornaments, those who pierced gems, pearls etc, those who made articles of ivory, those who lived by perfumery, highly reputed goldsmiths, weavers of blankets and other wollen goods, those who provided hot-water baths for other, physicians, distillers and vendors of spirituous liquors, fumigators, washer-men, tailors, chiefs of villages and hamlets, dancers with their women-folk and fishermen started on the journey.

samaahitaa vedavido braahmaNaa vR^itta sammataaH |
go rathaiH bharatam yaantam anujagmuH sahasrashaH || 2-83-16

16. sahasrashaH= thousands; braahmaNaaH= of Brahmanas; samaahitaaH= well-composed; vR^itta sammataaH= renowned for their virtuous conduct; veda vidaH= versed in sacred scriptures; yaantam= riding; gorathaiH= on bullock-carts; anujagmuH= accompanied; bharatam= Bharata.

Thousands of Brahmanas, well-composed, renowned for their virtuous conduct, versed in sacred scriptures and riding on bullock-carts, accompanied Bharata.

suveSaaH shuddha vasanaaH taamra mR^iSTa anulepanaaH |
sarve te vividhaiH yaanaiH shanaiH bharatam anvayuH || 2-83-17

17. te sarve= all of them; suveSaaH= attired in; shuddhavasanaaH= clean and fair raiment; taamra mR^iSTaanulepanaaH= anointed with pure red sandal-paste; vividhaiH= mounted on various kinds; yaanaiH= of vehicles; anvayuH= allowed; bharatam= Bharata; shanaiH= trangquilly.

All of them, attired in clean and fair raiment, anointed with pure red sandal-paste, mounted on various kinds of vehicles, followed Bharata tranquilly.

prahR^iSTa muditaa senaa saanvayaat kaikayii sutam |
bhraaturaanayane yaantam bharatam bhraatR^ivatsalam || 2-83-18

18. prahR^iSTamuditaaH= exceedingly pleased and cheerful; saa senaa= that army; anvayaat= escorted; kaikeyiisutam= the son of Kaikeyi (Bharata); bhraatR^ivatsalam= who had affection for his brother; yaantam= who had set out; saanvayaat= along with hs family; aanayane= to bring; bhraatuH= his brother.

Exceedingly pleased and cheerful, that army escorted the son of Kaikeyi- Bharta who was affectionate towards his brother and who had set out along with his family to bring his brother, Rama.

te gatvaa duuramadhvaanam ratham yaanaashvakuJNjaraiH |
samaasedustato gaN^gaam shR^iN^giberapuram prati || 2-83-19
yatra raamasakho viiro guho jJNaatigaNairvR^itaH |
nivasatyapramaadena desham tam paripaalayan || 2-83-20

19, 20. te= they; gatvaa= having gone; duuram= a long; adhraanam= course; ratha yaanaashva= kuN^jaraiH= on chariots, carts, horses and elephants; samaaseduH= reached; gaNgaam= the River Ganga; shR^iN^giberapuram prati= close to the city of Shrigaberapura; yatra= where; viiraH= the valiant; guhaH= Guha; raamasakhaH= a bosom friend of Rama; vR^itaH= along with; j^NaatigaNaiH= multitude of his relatives; paripaalayan= was ruling; tam= that; desham= region; apramaadena= carefully.

Having gone for a considerable distance in their chariots, carts, horses and elephants, they reached the River Ganga close to the city of Shringaberapura, where the valiant Guha, a bosom friend of Rama along with multitude of relatives was ruling that region carefully.

upetya tiiram gaN^gaayaashcakramaakairalaN^katam |
vyavatiSThata saa senaa bharatasya anuyaayinii || 2-83-21

21. saa senaa= that army; bharasya= anuyaayinii= which was accompanying Bharata; upetya= arrived at; tiiram= the bank; gaN^gaayaaH= of Ganga River; alaN^kR^itam=beautified; chakravaakaiH= with charka birds; vyavaatiSThata= and was stationed there.

That army, which was accompanying Bharata, arrived at the bank of Ganga River, looking beautiful as it was with Charka* birds and stopped there.

Chakra bird: zoological name= Anas casarca.

niriikSya anugataam senaam taam ca gangaam shiva udakaam |
bharataH sacivaan sarvaan abraviid vaakya kovidaH || 2-83-22

22. niriikshya= seeing; senaam= the army; anugataam= which accompanied him; taam gaN^gaam cha= and that River Ganga; shivodakaam= with propitious waters; bharataH= Bharata; vaakya kovidaH= the master of words; abraviit= spoke; sarvam= to all; sachivaan= the ministers (as follows):

Seeing the army behind, which accompanied him and the River Ganga in front with its propitious waters, Bharata who was skillful in words, spoke to all his officers (as follows):

niveshayata me sainyam abhipraayeNa sarvashaH |
vishraantaH pratariSyaamaH shvaidaaniim mahaa nadiim || 2-83-23

23. abhi praayeNa= It is my will; me sainyam= that my army; niveshayata= should take rest; sarvataH= by all means; vishraantaaH= after taking rest; idaamim= now; pratariSyaamaH= we shall cross; nadiim= the river; shvaH= tomorrow.

“It is my will that my army should take rest by all means. When they are refreshed we shall cross the river tomorrow.”

daatum ca taavad icchaami svar gatasya mahii pateH |
aurdhvadeha nimitta artham avatiirya udakam nadiim || 2-83-24

24. avatiirya= descending into; nadiim= the river; ichchhami= I wish; datum cha= to make offering; udakam= of sacred water; ourdhvadehanimittaartham= for the infinitive spirit relating to the state after death; mahiipateH= of the king; svargatasya= who has gone to heaven.

“Meanwhile, descending into the river, I desire to make offering of the sacred water as libation for the infinite spirit relating to the state after death, to the king Dasaratha who has gone to heaven.”

tasya evam bruvataH amaatyaaH tathaa iti uktvaa samaahitaaH |
nyaveshayams taamH chandena svena svena pR^ithak pR^ithak || 2-83-25

25. evam= thus; bruvataH= spoken; tasya= by him; amaatyaaH= the officers; uktvaa= replied; samaahitaaH= attentively; tatheti= “Be it so”; pr^ithak= and each; nyaveshayan= encamped; svena svena= their respective; taam= forces; chhandena= in accord with his pleasure.

Hearing these words from Bharata, the officers attentively answered, “Be it so” and each of them encamped their respective forces in accord with his pleasure.

niveshya gangaam anu taam mahaa nadiim |
camuum vidhaanaiH paribarha shobhiniim |
uvaasa raamasya tadaa mahaatmano |
vicintayaano bharataH nivartanam || 2-83-26

26. niveshya= having encaped; vidhaanaiH= mentienlously; chamuuve= the army; paribarhashobhiniim= which looked lovely with its surrounding equipment (like tents, furnishings etc); gaN^gaam anu= along Ganga; taam= that; mahaanadiim= great river; bharataH= Bharata; uvaasa= halted; tadaa= then; vichintayaanaH= reflecting; nivartanam= how to bring back; mahaatmanaH= the magnanimous; raamasya= Rama.

Having meticulously arranged for encampment of the army which looked lovely along Ganga that great river with the surrounding equipment (like tunts, furnishings etc), Bharata halted then, reflecting as to how to bring back the magnanimous Rama.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe tryashiititamaH sargaH

Thus completes 83rd Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 84

Introduction

Guha the king of Nishada tribe asks his relative to guard the river bank and get ready for a battle, if necessary, with Bharata. Then, Guha approaches Bharata with a welcome-drink of honey, meat and fish. He asks Bharata with his army to accept his hospitality.

tataH niviSTaam dhvajiniim gangaam anvaashritaam nadiim |
niSaada raajo dR^iSTvaa eva j~naatiin samtvaritaH abraviit || 2-84-1

1. tataH= then; dR^iSTvaiva= just on seeing; dhvajiniim= an army; niviSTaam= encamped; anvaashritaam= and situated along; gaN^gaam nadiim= the River Ganga; niSaadaraajaH= Guha, the king of Nishadas; samtvasitaH= hastily; abraviit= spoke; jJNaatiin= to his relatives (as follows):

Just on seeing an army encamped and positioned along the River Ganga, Guha the king of Nishadas hastily spoke to his relatives as follows:

mahatii iyam ataH senaa saagara aabhaa pradR^ishyate |
na asya antam avagacchaami manasaa api vicintayan || 2-84-2

2. itaH= on this side; iyam= this; mahatii= huge; senaa= army; pradR^ishyati= is seen; saagaraabhaa= as an ocean; naadhigachchhami= I am not able to find; antam= the extent; asyaaH= of this army; vidintayannapi= even by my discerning; manasaa= with the mind.

“On this side, a huge army is seen like an ocean. I am not able to comprehend the extent of this army even by my discerning mind.”

yathaa tu khalu durbhaddhirbharataH svayamaagataH |
sa eSa hi mahaa kaayaH kovidaara dhvajo rathe || 2-84-3

3. eSaH= here ( is seen); rathe hi= on the chariot; saH= that; mahaakaayaH= towering; kovidaara*; dhvajaH=banner bearing Kovidara tree; bharataH= (and hence) Bharata; durbuddhiH= with an evil intent; svayam= himself; yathaatu aagataH= seems to have come.

“Here is seen on that chariot, a towering banner bearing Kovidara tree and hence Bharata himself with an evil intent seems to have come.”

Kovidara tree: pomegranate tree.

bandhayiSyati vaa daashaan atha vaa asmaan vadhiSyati |
atha daasharathim raamam pitraa raajyaat vivaasitam || 2-84-4
sampannaam shriyamanvicchamstasya raajJNaH sudurlabhaam |
bharataH kaikeyii putraH hantum samadhigacchati || 2-84-5

4, 5. bharataH= (Will) Bharata; kaikeyiiputraH= the son of Kaikeyi; badhayiSyati= bind with chains; daashaan= our fishermen; athavaa= or; vadhiSyati= kill; asmaan= us?; atha= or; samadhigachchhati= is he coming; hantum= to kill; raamam= Rama; daasharthiim= the son of Dasaratha; vivaasitam= who was exiled; raajyaat= from the kingdom; pitraa= by his father; anvichchhan= and desiring; shriyam= the prosperous kingdom; sampannaam= a luxury; sudurlabham= and that which is inaccessible to another.

“Will Bharata the son of Kaikeyi bind us with chains or slay us? Or is he coming to kill Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who was exiled from the kingdom by his father, desirous as Bharata is to get the prosperous Ayodhya kingdom, a luxury and that which is inaccessible to another?”

bhartaa caiva sakhaa caiva raamaH daasharathir mama |
tasya artha kaamaaH samnaddhaa gangaa anuupe atra tiSThata || 2-84-6

6. raamaH= Rama; daasharathiH= the son of Dasaratha; mama= is my; bhartaachaiva= Lord; sakhaa chaiva= and my friend too; (Hence); pratiSThata= be stationed; sannaddhaa= covered with armor; gaN^gaanuupe= one this bank of Ganga River; artha kaamaaH= desiring to advance the interest; tasya= of that Rama.

“Rama the son of Dasaratha is my Lord and my companion too. Hence you, covered with armor, be stationed on this bank of Ganga River, desiring to advance the interest of Rama.”

tiSThantu sarva daashaaH ca gangaam anvaashritaa nadiim |
bala yuktaa nadii rakSaa maamsa muula phala ashanaaH || 2-84-7

7. sarve= (Let) all; daashaashcha= our ferrymen; nadiirakSaaH= guarding the river; balayuktaaH= along with troops; maamsa muula phalaashanaaH= eating; meet, roota and fruits ( in the boats); tiSThantu= stay; anvaashritaaH= positioned along; gaN^gaam nadiim= the River Ganga.

“Let all our ferrymen guarding the river, along with the troops, eating meat roots and fruits ( in their boats), stay positioned along the River Ganga.”

naavaam shataanaam pancaanaam kaivartaanaam shatam shatam |
samnaddhaanaam tathaa yuunaam tiSThantu atyabhyacodayat || 2-84-8

8. paN^chaanam= (Let) five; shataanaam= hundred; naavaam= boats; shatam shatam= each; manned by a hundred; yuunaam= youthful; kaivartanaam= ferrymen; tiSThantu= be stationed; tathaa= and sannddhaam= made ready; iti= (Guha) thus; abhyachodayat= announced.

“Let five hundred boats, each manner by a hundred youthful ferrymen, be stationed and made ready” –thus announced Guha.

yadaa tuSTaH tu bharataH raamasya iha bhaviSyati |
saa iyam svastimayii senaa gangaam adya tariSyati || 2-84-9

9. yadaatu= when; bharataH= Bharata; bhaviSyati= be; aduSTaH= well-disposed; iha= here; raamasya= towards Rama; saa iyam= such of this; senaa= army; tariSyati= may cross; gaN^gaam= the River Ganga; adya= today; svastimatii= in safety.

“If Bharata is favourably disposed now towards Rama, then only his army may (be allowed to) cross the River Ganga in safety.”

iti uktvaa upaayanam gR^ihya matsya maamsa madhuuni ca |
abhicakraama bharatam niSaada adhipatir guhaH || 2-84-10

10. iti= thus; uktvaa= spoken; guhaH= Guha; niSaadaadhipatiH= the Lord of Nishadas; gR^ihya= took; matsya maamsa madhuuni= fish meat and honey; upaayanam= as an offering; abhichakraama= and approached; bharatam= Bharata.

After uttering thus, Guha the king of Nishadas took fish, meat and honey as an offering and approached Bharata.

tam aayaantam tu samprekSya suuta putraH prataapavaan |
bharataaya aacacakSe atha vinayaj~no viniitavat || 2-84-11

11. atha= thereafter; suutaputraH= Sumantra the charioteer; prataapavaan= a majestic man; vinayajJNaH= who knows the rules of discipline; samprekshya= seeing; tam= him aayaantam= approach; aachachaksha= told; bharataaya= Bharata; viniitavat= humbly (as follows):

Seeing him approach, Sumantra the charioteer, a majestic man who knows the rules of discipline, humbly told Bharata as follows:

eSa j~naati sahasreNa sthapatiH parivaaritaH |
kushalo daNDaka araNye vR^iddho bhraatuH ca te sakhaa || 2-84-12

12. eSaH= this; sthapatiH= Lord; parivaaritaH= who is surrounded; jJNaati sahasresha= by a thousand of his own people; kushalaH= is fully acquainted; daN^kaaraaN^ye= with the forest of Dandaka; vR^iddhaH= and an old; sakhaacha= friend; te= of your; bhraatuH= elder brother.

“This Lord who is surrounded by a thousand of his own people, is fully acquainted with the forest of Dandaka and also an old friend of your elder brother.”

tasmaat pashyatu kaakutstha tvaam niSaada adhipo guhaH |
asamshayam vijaaniite yatra tau raama lakSmaNau || 2-84-13

13. kaakutthsa= O, Bharata! Tasmaat= for that reason; guhaH= (let) Guha; niSaadaadhiphaH= the king of Nishadas; pashyatu= see; tvaam= you; vijaaniite= (He) knows; asamshayam= surely; yatra= where; tau= those; raamalakshmaNau= Rama and Lakshmana (are there).

“O, Bharata! For that reason, let Guha the king of Nishadas see you. He knows surely where those two Rama and Lakshmana – are stationed.”

etat tu vacanam shrutvaa sumantraat bharataH shubham |
uvaaca vacanam shiighram guhaH pashyatu maam iti || 2-84-14

14. shrutvaa= hearing; etat= these; shubham= auspicious; vachanam= words; sumantreaat= of Sumantra; bharataH= Bharata; uvaacha= spoke; iti= these; vachanam= words; guhaH= (let) Guha; pashyati= see; maam= me; shiighram= immediately.

Hearing the auspicious words of Sumantra, Bharata answered, “Introduce Guha to me without delay.”

labdhvaa abhyanuj~naam samhR^iSTaH j~naatibhiH parivaaritaH |
aagamya bharatam prahvo guho vacanam abraviiit || 2-84-15

15. labdhvaa= having obtained; abhyamjJNaam= the permission; guhaH= Guha; parivaaritaH= surrouned; jJNaatibhiH= by his own people; samhR^iSTaH= joyfully; prahvaH= and humbly; aagamya= approached; baratam= Bharata; abraviit= and spoke; vachanam= these words.

Having obtained permission, Guha along with his own people, joyfully and humbly approached Bharata and spoke as follows:

niSkuTaH caiva desho ayam vancitaaH ca api te vayam |
nivedayaamaH te sarve svake daasha kule vasa || 2-84-16

16. ayam= this; deshaH= place; niSkuTaH= is like a pleasure-grove near your house; vayam= we; vaN^chitaashchaapi= are your subjects; sarve= all of us; nivedayaavaH= are reporting to you; te= as such; vasa= stay; daasakule= in this servant’s house.

“This place is like a pleasure-grove near your house. We are your subjects and are reporting to you as such. Stay in this servant’s house.”

asti muulam phalam caiva niSaadaiH samupaahR^itam |
aardram ca maamsam shuSkam ca vanyam ca ucca avacam mahat || 2-84-17

17. asti= here are; muulam= the root; phalam chaiva= fruit; samudaahR^itam= gathered; niSaadaiH= by my tribe; maamsamcha= and the meat; mahat= of great quality; ucchaavacham= and of various kinds; aardram= fresh; shuSkamcha= and dried; vanyam= and all a produce of the forest.

“Here are the roots and fruits gathered by my tribe as well as fresh and dried meat of great quality and of various kinds, and all a produce of the forest.”

aashamse svaashitaa senaa vatsyati imaam vibhaavariim |
arcitaH vividhaiH kaamaiH shvaH sasainyo gamiSyasi || 2-84-18

18. aasham se= I hope; senaa= the army; svaashitaa= after eating well; vatsyat= can halt; imam= in this night; architaH= offered reverently; vividhaiH= various kinds; kaamaiH= of all that you could desire; gamiSyasi= you can go; shvaH= tomorrow; sasainyaH= along with your army.

“I hope the army, after eating well, can halt for the night here. Furnished with all you could desire, you can continue your journey tomorrow along with your troops.”

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe caturashiititamaH sargaH

Thus completes 84th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 85

Introduction

Bharata thanks Guha for having come forward to offer hospitality to him and his army. He enquires about the proper route to proceed to the hermitage of Bharadvaja. Guha assures Bharata that he along with some of his ferrymen will follow him as guides. When Guha enquires Bharata whether he has an evil intention towards Rama, Bharata clarifies him that he is proceeding to Rama’s place to bring him back to Ayodhya. When night falls Bharata along with Shatrughna and his army take rest. However Guha consoles Bharata, who has been constantly bewailing, till the nightfall.

evam uktaH tu bharataH niSaada adhipatim guham |
pratyuvaaca mahaa praaj~no vaakyam hetu artha samhitam || 2-85-1

1. bharataH=bharata; mahaa praj^NaH= the highly intelligent; evam= thus; uktaH= spoken; pratyuvaacha= replied; vaakyam= in words; hetvartha samhitam= composed of reason and meaning; guham= to Guha; nishhadaadhipatim= the lord of Nishadas.

Hearing those words, the highly intelligent Bharata replied to Guha, the lord of Nishadas, in words that were full of reason and meaning.

uurjitaH khalu te kaamaH kR^itaH mama guroh sakhe |
yo me tvam iidR^ishiim senaam eko abhyarcitum icchasi || 2-85-2

2. sakhe= O, friend; mama= my; guroH =elder brother; yaH tvam= you; that very person, who ekaH= alone; ichchasi= wants; abhyarchitum= to offer hospitality; iidR^isham= to such (a huge); senaam= army; te kaamaH= such a wish of yours; kR^itaH= formed; uurjitaH khalu= is indeed mighty.

“O, friend of my elder brother! Indeed, your desire to offer hospitality to my army of such a magnitude, is great.”

iti uktvaa tu mahaa tejaa guham vacanam uttamam |
abraviid bharataH shriimaan niSaada adhipatim punaH || 2-85-3

3. uktvaatu=having spoken; uttamam= these excellent; vachanam= words; guham= to Guha; shriimaan= the greatly illustrious; bharataH= bharata; mahaatejaH= possessed of great splendor; abraviit= said; punah= again; nishhaadaadhipatim= to Guha, king of Nishadas as follows:

Having spoken these excellent words to Guha; the greatly illustrious Bharata, possessed of great splendor, said again to Guha the king of Nishadas (as follows):

katareNa gamiSyaami bharadvaaja aashramam guha |
gahano ayam bhR^isham desho gangaa anuupo duratyayaH || 2-85-4

4. guha= O, Guha! katareNa= by which of the two routes; gamishhyaami= can I go; bharadvaajaashramam= to the hermitage of Bharadvaja? Ayam= this; deshaH= region; gangaanuupaH= engulfed in waters of Ganga river; bhR^isham gahanaH= is not very much easy to cross.

“O, Guha! By which of these two routes can I go to the hermitage of Bharadvaja? This region engulfed in waters of Ganga River is not very much easy to negotiate and is difficult to cross.”

tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa raaja putrasya dhiimataH |
abraviit praanjalir vaakyam guho gahana gocaraH || 2-85-5

5. shrutvaa= hearing; tat vachanam= those words; tasya= of that; dhiimatah= wise; raajaputrasya= prince; guhaH= Guha; gahanagocharaH= who roams about in woods; praaN^jaliH= with joined palms; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam(these)words:

Hearing the words of the wise prince; Guha, who roams about in woods, with joined palms answered as follows:

daashaaH tu anugamiSyanti dhanvinaH susamaahitaaH |
aham ca anugamiSyaami raaja putra mahaa yashaH || 2-85-6

6. mahaayashaH= O, highly illustrious; raajaputra= prince! daashaaH= My ferrymen; dhanvinaH= wielding their bows; anugamishhyanti= will accompany; tvam= you; susamaahitaaH= with great attention; aham= I too; anugamishhyanti= will follow; tvaa= you(in person).

“O, highly illustrious prince! My ferrymen wielding their bows, and very attentive, will certainly accompany you. I too will follow you (in person).”

kaccin na duSTaH vrajasi raamasya akliSTa karmaNaH |
iyam te mahatii senaa shankaam janayati iva me || 2-85-7

7. na vrajati kachchit = I hope you are not going; dushhTaH= in offensive; raamasya= of Rama; aklishhTa karmaNaH= who is unwearied in action; iyam= this; mahati= great; te senaa= of yours; janayaatiiva= is begetting; shaN^kaam= a doubt; me= in me.

“I hope you are not going to attack Rama, who is unwearied in action. This great army of yours is begetting an apprehension in my mind.”

tam evam abhibhaaSantam aakaashaiva nirmalaH |
bharataH shlakSNayaa vaacaa guham vacanam abraviit || 2-85-8

8. bharataH= bharata; nirmalah iva= whose heart resembled a taintless; aakashaH= sky; abraviit= spoke; vachanam= these words; shlakshhayaa= in smooth; vaachaa= voice; tam guham= to that Guha; evam= who thus; abhibhaashhantam= talked(confessing his doubt).

Bharata, whose heart resembled a taintless sky, spoke the following words in smooth voice, to that Guha, who confessed his doubt as aforesaid.

maa bhuut sa kaalo yat kaSTam na maam shankitum arhasi |
raaghavaH sa hi me bhraataa jyeSThaH pitR^i samaH mama || 2-85-9

9. maa shuutam= let there not be; saH kaalam= such a time; kashhTam= of wretchedness; yat= what so ever; naarhasi= you ought not; shaN^kitum= to suspect; maam= me; saH raagh avaH= that Rama; me= my; jyeshhThaH= elder; bhraataa= brother; mataH hi= is indeed regarded; pitrusamaH= as my father.

“Let not such an occasion of wretchedness come! You should never have suspected me. That Rama my elder brother is indeed regarded as my father.”

tam nivartayitum yaami kaakutstham vana vaasinam |
buddhir anyaa na te kaaryaa guha satyam braviimi te || 2-85-10

10. yaami= I am proceeding; nivartaitum= to get back; tam= that; kaakutthsam= Rama; vanavaasinam= who is living in the forest; guha= O, Guha! na anyaa= No other; buddhiH= apprehension; kaaryaa= should be made; te= by you; braviim= I am telling; satyam= the truth; te= to you.

“I am going to get back Rama who is now living in the forest. O, Guha! No other apprehension should be made by you. I am telling you the truth.”

sa tu samhR^iSTa vadanaH shrutvaa bharata bhaaSitam |
punar eva abraviid vaakyam bharatam prati harSitaH || 2-85-11

11. shrutvaa= hearing; bharatabhaashhitam= the words of Bharata; saH tu= that Guha on his part; samhR^ishTa vadanah= with his face radiated; harshhitaH= with joy; abraviit= spoke; punareva= again; bharatam prati= to Bharata(as follows):

Hearing the words of Bharata, Guha on his part, with his face radiated with joy spoke again to Bharata as follows:

dhanyaH tvam na tvayaa tulyam pashyaami jagatii tale |
ayatnaat aagatam raajyam yaH tvam tyaktum iha icchasi || 2-85-12

12. tvam=you; dhanyah= be blessed; na pashyaami= I do not see; tvayaa= your; tulyam= equal; jagatiitale= on the earth; tvam= you; yaH= who; ichchasi= wish; tyaktum= to renounce; raajyam= the empire; aagatam= you acquired; iha= now; ayatnaat= without effort.

“You be blessed! I do not see your equal on this earth - you, who wish to renounce the empire you acquired now, even without effort.”

shaashvatii khalu te kiirtir lokaan anucariSyati |
yaH tvam kR^icchra gatam raamam pratyaanayitum icchasi || 2-85-13

13. te= you; kiiritiH= fame; khalu= assuredly; anucharishhyati= will traverse; shaashvatii= permanently; lokam= in all provinces. YaH tvam= as you the very person who; ichchhasi= wishes; pratyaanayitum= to bring back; raamam= Rama; kR^ichchhagatam= from his fearful plight.

“Assuredly your fame will traverse permanently in all provinces, as you are the very person who wishes to bring back Rama from his terrible plight.”

evam sambhaaSamaaNasya guhasya bharatam tadaa |
babhau naSTa prabhaH suuryo rajanii ca abhyavartata || 2-85-14

14. guhasya= Guha(while); evam= was thus; sambhaashhaNasya= talking; bharatam= to Bharata; suuryaaH= the sun; tadaa= then; babhou= glittered; nashhTaprabhaH= with less light; rajaniicha= and the night; abhyavartata= returned.

While Guha was talking thus to Bharata, the sun diffused less light and the night fell.

samniveshya sa taam senaam guhena paritoSitaH |
shatrughnena saha shriimaan shayanam punar aagamat || 2-85-15

15. shriimaan= the illustrious; saH= Bharata; sanniveshya taam senaam= lodging that army in camps; paritoshhitaH= and felt delighted; guhena= by Guha’s service; samupaagamat= returned to his camp; shayanam= and took rest; shatrughnena saha= with Shatrughna.

The illustrious Bharata, lodging that army in camps, felt delighted by Guha’s hospitality, returned to his camp and took rest along with Shatrughna.

raama cintaamayaH shoko bharatasya mahaatmanaH |
upasthitaH hi anarhasya dharma prekSasya taadR^ishaH || 2-85-16

16. bharatasya= to Bharata; mahaatmanaH= the high soled; dharmaprekshhasya= whose only aim is to fulfill his duty; anarhasya= and who is undeserving of sorrow; taadR^ishaH hi= indeed felt; shokaH= grief; raama chintaamayah=born of anguish for Rama.

The high soled Bharata, whose only aim is to fulfill his duty and who is undeserving of sorrow, indeed felt grief, born of anguish for Rama.

antar daahena dahanaH samtaapayati raaghavam |
vana daaha abhisamtaptam guuDho agnir iva paadapam || 2-85-17

17. agniriva= as a fire; guuDhah= hidden; paadapam= in a hollow tree; vana daahaabhi samtaptaH= while a forest on fire is burnt up; (so did)raaghavam= Bharata’s; dahanaH= fire; santaapayati= of anguish; antardaahena= burn within his heart.

As a fire is hidden in a hollow tree while a forest is on fire, so did Bharata’s fire of anguish burn with in his heart.

prasrutaH sarva gaatrebhyaH svedaH shoka agni sambhavaH |
yathaa suurya amshu samtaptaH himavaan prasrutaH himam || 2-85-18

18. svedam= perspiration; shokaagnisambhavam= born of fieriness of grief; prasR^itaH= poured off; sarvagaatrebhyaH= from all his limbs; yathaa= as; himam= the snow; prasR^itaH= melts and flows; suuryaamshu samtaptaH= heated by solar rays; himavaan= from Himavat mountain.

Perspiration born of fieriness of grief poured off from all his limbs, as the snow heated by solar rays melts and flows from Himavat mountain.

dhyaana nirdara shailena vinihshvasita dhaatunaa |
dainya paadapa samghena shoka aayaasa adhishR^ingiNaa || 2-85-19
pramoha ananta sattvena samtaapa oSadhi veNunaa |
aakraantaH duhkha shailena mahataa kaikayii sutaH || 2-85-20

19, 20. kaikeyiisutaH= Bharata,the son of Kaikeyi; aakraantaH= was pressed; mahata duHkha sailena= by the weight of that colossal mountain of agony; dhyaana nirdhara shailena= consisting of rocky caverns in the shape of settled contemplations on Rama; viniHshvasita dhaatunaa= minerals in the shape of groans and sighs; dainyapaadapa samghena= a cluster of trees in the shape of depressive thoughts ; shokaayaasaadhishR^iN^giNaa= summits in the form of sufferings and fatigue; pramohaananta sattvena= countless wild beasts in the shape of swoons; samtaapoushhadhi veNunaa= herbs and bamboos in the form of his exertions.

Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi was pressed by the weight of that colossal mountain of agony consisting of rocky caverns in the shape of settled contemplations on Rama, minerals in the shape of groans and sighs, a cluster of trees in the shape of depressive thoughts, summits in the form of sufferings and fatigue, countless wild beasts in the shape of swoons, herbs and bamboos in the form of his exertions.

vinishshvasanvai bhR^ishadurmanaastataH |
pramuuDhasamjJNaH paramaapadam gataH |
shamam na lebhe hR^idayajvaraardito |
nararSabho yuuthahato yatharSabhaH || 2-85-21

21. tataH= thereafter; nararshhabhah= Bharata the excellent among men, vinishhvasan= sighing; bhR^isha duramanaa= very much in melancholy; pramuuDha samjN^aH= his mind utterly confused in consequence.; gataH= having obtained; parama aapadam= an exrtreme distress; hR^idaya jvaraarditaH= afflicted with burning fever in his breast; R^ishhabhaH yathaa= like a bull; yuutha hataH= strayed from its herd; lekhe= found; na shamam= no peace.

Thereafter, Bharata the excellent among men sighing much in melancholy, his mind utterly confused in consequence, having obtained an extreme distress, afflicted as he was with burning fever in his breast and like a bull strayed from its herd, found no peace.

guhena saardham bharataH samaagataH |
mahaa anubhaavaH sajanaH samaahitaH |
sudurmanaaH tam bharatam tadaa punar |
guhaH samaashvaasayad agrajam prati || 2-85-22

22. bharataH= bharata; mahaanubhaavaH= the noble minded; sajanaH= with his escort; samaagataH= met; guhesaartham= Guha too; samaahitaH= in a composed mind; tadaa= then; guhah= Guha; sudurmanaaH= in very low spirits; aashvaasayaT= reassured; tam bharatam= that Bharata; punaH= again; agrajam prati= regarding his elder brother.

The noble soled Bharata, with his escort, met Guha too in a composed mind. Then Guha slowly reassured Bharata again as regards his elder brother.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaamDe pachaashiititamaH sargaH

Thus completes 85th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 86

Introduction

Guha reports to Bharata, how Rama and his party broke their journey at Shringaverapura and narrate to him the dialogue that took place between Lakshmana and himself during that night. Guha further tells him how Rama and Lakshmana matted their hair into a thick mass crossed the holy river with Seetha and left for the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaja.

aacacakShe atha sadbhaavam lakShmaNasya mahaatmanaH |
bharataaya aprameyaaya guho gahana gocaraH || 2-86-1

1. atha= thereafter; guhaH= Guha; gahanagocharaH= the foremost dweller; aachachakshhe= told; bharataaya= Bharata; aprameyaaya= who was having incomprehensible qualities; sadbhaavam= about the quality of goodness; lakshhmanasya= of Lakshmana; mahaatmanah= the high soled.

Then Guha the foremost dweller reported Bharata, who was having incomprehensible qualities, about the quality of goodness of Lakshmana(as follows):

tam jaagratam guNair yuktam vara caapa iShu dhaariNam |
bhraatR^i gupty artham atyantam aham lakShmaNam abravam || 2-86-2

2. aham=I; abravam= spoke; tam lakshhmanaam= to that Lakshmana; yuktam= endowed with; guNaiH= virtues; shara chaapaasidhaariNam= who wielded arrows, bow and a sword; jaagratam= and was awake; atyantam= very much; bhraatR^I gupyartham= for the sake guard of his brother.

"I spoke as follows to that Lakshmana, who is endowed with virtues and wielding arrows bow and a sword and who was keeping a vigil for the safe guard of his brother."

iyam taata sukhaa shayyaa tvad artham upakalpitaa |
pratyaashvasihi sheShva asyaam sukham raaghava nandana || 2-86-3

3. taata= O dear broter! Raaghavanandana= a delight to those born in Raghu dynasty! Iyam = Here is; sukhaa= a comfortable; shayyaa= bed; upakalpitaa= made ready ; tvadartham= for you; pratyaashvasihi= be comfortable; sheshhva= rest; sukham= peacefully; asyaam= on this.

"O, dear brother! Here is a comfortable bed made ready for you. Feel yourself at ease. Rest peacefully on this, O, delight of the Raghu race!"

ucito ayam janaH sarve duhkhaanaam tvam sukha ucitaH |
dharma aatmamH tasya gupty artham jaagariShyaamahe vayam || 2-86-4

4. dharmaatman= o, virtuous prince! sarvaH= all ayam these; janaH= people; uchitaH= are habitual; duHkhaanaam= to hardships; tvam= you; sukhochitaH= are used to comfort; vayam we; jaagarishhyaamahe= shall keep awake; gupyartham= for the safe guard; tasya= of Rama.

"All my people are habituated for hardships, o virtuous prince! You are used to comfort. Hence ,we shall keep awake for the safe guard of Rama."

na hi raamaat priyataro mama asti bhuvi kashcana |
maa utsuko bhuur braviimy etad apy asatyam tava agrataH || 2-86-5

5. kaschana naastihi= None is indeed; priyataraH= more dear; mama= to me; raamaat= than Rama; bhuvi= on earth; atha= moreover; maa bhuuH= do not become; utsukaH= restless; bhaviimi= I am telling; etat= this; satyam= truthful; vaakyam= sentence; agrataH= before; tava= you.

"None is more dear to me than Rama on this earth. Moreover, do not become restless. I am telling this truth in your presence."

asya prasaadaad aashamse loke asmin sumahad yashaH |
dharma avaaptim ca vipulaam artha avaaptim ca kevalaam || 2-86-6

6. prasaadaat= by the grace; asya= of that Rama; aashamse= I wish to attain; sumahat= a very great; yashaH= glory; asmin loke= in this earth; vipulaam= an extensive; dharmaavyaaptimcha= acquisition of righteousness; kevalou= unalloyed; arthakaamoucha= wealth and enjoyment.

"By the grace of Rama, I wish to attain a very great renown in this earth, an extensive acquisition of righteousness, an unalloyed wealth and enjoyment."

so aham priya sakham raamam shayaanam saha siitayaa |
rakShiShyaami dhanuSh paaNiH sarvaiH svair jnaatibhiH saha || 2-86-7

7. aham= I; saH= as such; dhanushhpaaNiH= with a bow in my hand; saha= along with; svaiH= my; jN^aatibhiH= relatives; rakshhisyaami= will guard; priyasakham= my dear friend; raaman= Rama; shayaanam= who slept ; siitayaasaha= together with Seetha.

"I as such with a bow in my hand, along with my relatives will guard my dear friend Rama, who slept together with Seetha."

na hi me aviditam kimcid vane asmimH carataH sadaa |
catur angam hy api balam prasahema vayam yudhi || 2-86-8

8. me= to me; sadaa= who forever; charataH= wander; asmin vane= in this forest; na kimchit hi= nothing is indeed; aviditam= unknown; vayam= we; prasahema hi= can defeat; chaturaNgam balam api= even an army consisting of all the four limbs; yudhi= in battle.

"Nothing is indeed unknown to me, who forever wander in this forest. We can defeat even an army consisting of all the four limbs in battle."

evam asmaabhir uktena lakShmaNena mahaatmanaa |
anuniitaa vayam sarve dharmam eva anupashyataa || 2-86-9

9. evam= thus; uktam= spoken; asmaabhiH= by us; sarve =all; vayam= of us; anuniitaaH= were politely replied; lakshhmaNena= by Lakshmana; mahaatmanaa= the high soled; anupashyataa= who perceives; dharmameva= righteousness alone.

"Thus spoken as aforesaid by us the high soled Lakshmana, who perceives righteousness alone,politely replied to all of us( as follows)

katham daasharathau bhuumau shayaane saha siitayaa |
shakyaa nidraa mayaa labdhum jiivitam vaa sukhaani vaa || 2-86-10

10. katham= how; shakyaa= is it possible; labdhum= to obtain; nidraa= sleep; jiivitamvaa= or even life ; sukhaanivaa= or comforts; mayaa= by me; while) daasharatha= Rama; siitayaasaha= along with Seetha; shayane= is reposing; bhuumou= on the floor?

"How is it possible for me to get a sleep, or even life or comforts when Rama is reposing on the floor along with Seetha?"

yo na deva asuraiH sarvaiH shakyaH prasahitum yudhi |
tam pashya guha samviShTam tR^iNeShu saha siitayaa || 2-86-11

11. guha= O, Guha!; yaH= which Rama; na shakyaH= cannot be; prasahitum= conquered; yudhi=in battle; sarvaiH= by all; devaasuraiH= the celestials and demons; pashya= see; tam= that Rama; siitaayaa saha= along with Seetha; samvishhTam=who has reposed; tR^iNeshhu= on blades of grass.

"O, Guha! Behold that Rama, who cannot be conquered in a battle even by all the celestials and demons, sleeping on the blades of grass along with Seetha."

mahataa tapasaa labdho vividhaiH ca parishramaiH |
eko dasharathasya eSha putraH sadR^isha lakShaNaH || 2-86-12

12. eshhaH= this Rama; ekaH= is an excellent; putraH= son; sadR^isha lakshhaNaH= having attributes equal to those; dasarathasya= of Dasaratha; labdhaH=who obtained him; mahataa= by a great; tapasaa= penance; vividhiH= and by facing various; parishramaishcha= troubles.

"This Rama is an excellent son, having qualities equal to those of Dasaratha. The king obtained Rama by performing a great penance and after facing various troubles."

asmin pravraajite raajaa na ciram vartayiShyati |
vidhavaa medinii nuunam kShipram eva bhaviShyati || 2-86-13

13. asmin= when he; pravrajite= having been to exiled; raajaa= the king Dasaratha; navaratryishhyati= will not survive; chiram= for long; medinii= this earth; bhavishhyati= will be; nuunam= surely; vidhavaa= without a husband; kshhiprameva= soon.

"When Rama having seen exiled, the king Dasaratha will not survive for long.This earth will surely be without a husband soon."

vinadya sumahaa naadam shrameNa uparataaH striyaH |
nirghoSha uparatam nuunam adya raaja niveshanam || 2-86-14

14. striyaH=the women; (in the gynoecium's; vinadya= having cried; sumahaanaadam= with agreat noise; uparataaH= would have ceased crying; shramena= out of fatigue; adya= now; nirghoshhaH= the noise; nuunam= surely; virtaH= would have stopped; raajanivashane= in the royal palace.

"The women in the gynoecium's, having cried with a great noise, would have ceased their crying out of fatigue. Now, the great noise would have stopped in the royal palace by now."

kausalyaa caiva raajaa ca tathaa eva jananii mama |
na aashamse yadi te sarve jiiveyuH sharvariim imaam || 2-86-15

15. naashamse= I do not think; kausalyachaiva= that Kausalya; raajaacha= king Dasaratha; tathaiva= and; mamajananii= my mother Sumitra; yadi= whether; tesarve= all of them; jiiveyuH= will survive; imaam= in this; rajaniim= night.

"I do not expect whether all of them, like Kausalya Dasaratha and even my mother Sumitra will survive at all till this night."

jiived api hi me maataa shatrughnasya anvavekShayaa |
duhkhitaa yaa tu kausalyaa viirasuur vinashiShyati || 2-86-16

16. anvavekshhyaa= by beholding; shatrughnasya= of Satrughna; me maataa= my mother; jiivedapicha= may even survive; ; saatu= but she; yaa= that; kausalya= Kausalya; viirasuuH= who gave birth to the eminent Rama; vinashishhyati= will die; duHkhitaa= of sorrow.

"By beholding Shatrughna, my mother perhaps may even survive. However, the afflicted Kausalya who gave birth to the eminent Rama will surely die."

atikraantam atikraantam anavaapya mano ratham |
raajye raamam anikShipya pitaa me vinashiShyati || 2-86-17

17. me pitaa= My father, dasaratha; anavaapya= having not obtained; manoratham= his wish; atikraantam atikraantan=over steppingly and over stappingly; anikSipya= and having not been able to install; raamam= Rama; raajye= in the kingdom; vinashiSyati= will die.

Without realising his long-cherished wish and failing to install Rama in the kingdom of Aodhya, my father Dasaratha will expire."

siddha arthaaH pitaram vR^ittam tasmin kaale hy upasthite |
preta kaaryeShu sarveShu samskariShyanti bhuumipam || 2-86-18

18. tasminkaale= (when) that time; upasthite= comes; samskariSyanti= (those) who will perform; sarveSu= all; preta kaaryeSu= theobsequial rites; pitaram; of my father; bhuumipam= the king Dasaratha; vR^ittam= who expired; siddhaarthaaH= are indeed they who accomplished their purpose.

"Those who have accomplished their purpose (Shatrughna and others) will perform all the funeal honours to king Dasaratha, my father when the time comes for it."

ramya catvara samsthaanaam suvibhakta mahaa pathaam |
harmya praasaada sampannaam sarva ratna vibhuuShitaam || 2-86-19
gaja ashva ratha sambaadhaam tuurya naada vinaaditaam |
sarva kalyaaNa sampuurNaam hR^iShTa puShTa jana aakulaam || 2-86-20
aaraama udyaana sampuurNaam samaaja utsava shaaliniim |
sukhitaa vicariShyanti raaja dhaaniim pitur mama || 2-86-21

19, 20, 21. vichariSyanti= (They) will inhabi;t sukhitaaH= joyfully; mama pituH= my father; raajadhaaniim= capital city; ramyachatvara samsthaanaam= with its pleasant cross roads and meeting places; suvibhakta mahaapathaam= with its main roads well laid-out; harmya praasaada sampannaam= sumptous with large houses and lofty mansions; sarva ratna vibhuushhitaam= and all the gems with which they are encrusted; gajaashva ratha sambaadhaam= with the elephants horses and chariots that abound there; tuuryanaada vinaaditaam= the sound of trumpets with which it resonates; sarva kalyaana sampuurNaam= the many diversions it contains; hR^iSTa janaakulaam= its prosperous and well-fed people; aaraamodyaana sampuurNaam= its luxurious gardens and parks;samaajotsava shaliniim= the assemblies and festivals that continuously take place in it.

"They will joyfully inhabit my father capital City, with its pleasant cross roads and meeting places, with its main roads well laid out, sumptuous with large houses and lofty mansions, with all the gems they are encrusted, with elephants horses and chariots that abound there, the sound of trumpets with which the city resonates, the many diversions it contains, its properous and well-fed people, its luxurious gardens and parks as well as the assmeblies and festivals that continuously take place inti."

api satya pratijnena saardham kushalinaa vayam |
nivR^itte samaye hy asmin sukhitaaH pravishemahi || 2-86-22

22. vayam api pravishamahi= shall we indeed entere Ayodhya; sukhitaaH= happily; kushalinaa saartham= along with that virtuous Rama; satya pratijJNena= who is true to his promise; nivR^itte=when he completes; asmin= this; samaye= term ( of exile)?

Shall we enter Ayodhya happily along with that virtuous Rama, who has truly redeemed his promise, when he completed his term of exile?

paridevayamaanasya tasya evam sumahaatmanaH |
tiShThato raaja putrasya sharvarii saa atyavartata || 2-86-23

23. tasya sumahaatmanaH= (While) that magnanimous; raajaputrasya= Prince; paridevayamaanasya= was lamenting; evam= thus; tiSTataH= stnading guard; saa shaarvarii= that night; atyavartata= passed.

While that magnamimous prince was lamenting thus, standing guard, the night passed.

prabhaate vimale suurye kaarayitvaa jaTaa ubhau |
asmin bhaagiirathii tiire sukham samtaaritau mayaa || 2-86-24

24. suurye= (When) the sun; prabhaate= rose; vimale= brightly; ubhau= the two of them; got kaarayitvaa jaTaaH= got their locks of hair matted; asmin= at the banks of River Ganga; samtaaritau= and were ferried; sukham= safely; mayaa= by me.

"When the sun rose brightly in the next morning Rama and Lakshmana got their locks of hair matted into a thick mass at the banks of River Ganga and they were safely ferried by me."

jaTaa dharau tau druma ciira vaasasau |
mahaa balau kunjara yuuthapa upamau |
vara iShu caapa asi dharau param tapau |
vyavekShamaaNau saha siitayaa gatau ||2-86-25

25. tau= those; paramtapau= Rama and Lakshamana; mahaabalau= possessing great strength; jaTaadharau= wearing matted locks of hair; drumachiiravaasasau= and clothes made of bark; kuN^jara yuutha popamau= like unto the leaders of a herd of elephants; vareSu chaapaasidharau= wielding excellent bow, arrows and sword; vyapekSamaaNau= looking back at me; gatam= went away; siitaayaa saha= with Seetha.

"Rama and Lakshmana, who were capable of tormenting their enemies, possessing great strength, wearing matted locks of hari and clothes made of bark, like unto the leaders of herd of elephants, wielding excellent bow, arrows and sword, looking back at me, went away with Seetha.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe SaDashiititamaH sargaH

Thus completes 86th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 87

Introduction

Hearing Guha's words about Rama, Bharata fell unconscious. Bharata eases himself thereafter and asks Guha to report further details about Rama. Guha informs that eventhough he offered various kinds of flood to Rama, the latter refused it. He adds that Rama Seetha and Lakshmana observed fasting for that

night. Guha also informs Bharata that Lakshmana laid a bed of grass for Rama as well as Seetha to sleep theron and Lakshmana stood guarding Rama during the night, along with Guha and his kinsmen

guhasya vacanam shrutvaa bharato bhR^isham apriyam |
dhyaanam jagaama tatra eva yatra tat shrutam apriyam || 2-87-1

1. shrutvaa= hearing; bhR^isham the most; apriyam= disagreeable; vachanam= words; gahasya= of guha; bharataH= Bharata; jagaama= got; dhyaanam= into contemplation; tatraiva= directing his mind on Rama; yatra= of whom; tam= those; apriyam= unpleasant words; shrutam= were heard.

Hearing those most disagreeable words from Guha, Bharata began to think deeply, directing his mind on Rama, of whom those unpleasant words were heard.

sukumaaro mahaa sattvaH simha skandho mahaa bhujaH |
puNDariika vishaala akShaH taruNaH priya darshanaH || 2-87-2
pratyaashvasya muhuurtam tu kaalam parama durmanaaH |
papaata sahasaa totrair hR^idi viddha iva dvipaH || 2-87-3

2,3. sukumaaraH= that gentle; mahaasattvaH= extremely courageous; mahaabhujaH= and the mighty armed; taruNaH= young prince; simhaskandhaH= whose shoulders resembled a lion's; puN^Dariika vishaalaakshhaH= his large eyes opening like a lotus in flowering; priyadarshanaH= having pleasing appearance; muhuurtakaalam tu= mometarily; pratyaashvasya= sighed; paramadurmanaaH and in his extreme anguish; papaata= sank to the ground; sahasaa= suddenly; dvipaH iva= like an elephant; atividdhaH= that has been wounded in the heart; totraiH= with goads.

That gentle, extremely courageous and the mighty armed young prince, whose shoulders resembled a lion's his large eyes opening like a flowering lotus and having pleasing appearance, momentarily sighed and in his extreme anguish, sank to the ground suddenly like an elephant that has been wounded in the heart with goads.

bharatam murcCitam druSTvaa vivarNavadano guhaH |
babhuuva vyathitastatra bhuumikampe yathaa drumaH || 2-87-4

4. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; bharatam= Bharata; muurchhitam= unconscious; guhaH= Guha; vivarNavadanaH= growing pale; babhuuva= became; vyathitaH= shaken; tatra= there; yathaa drumaH= like a tree; bhuumikampe= during an earth-quake.

Seeing Bharata unconscious, Guha growing pale, shook like a tree during an earthquake.

tad avastham tu bharatam shatrughno anantara sthitaH |
pariShvajya ruroda uccair visamjnaH shoka karshitaH || 2-87-5

5. shatrughnaH= Shatrughna; anantara sthitaH= who stood near; pariSvajya= taking in his arms; bharatam= Bharata; tadavastham= who was in that stae; visamjJNaH= becoming non-pulsed; ruroda= cried; uchchaiH= loudly; shokakarshitaH= overcome with grief."

Shatrughna, who stood near, taking Bharata, who was in that unconscious state in his arms, becoming non-pulsed, cried loudly, overcome as he was with grief.

tataH sarvaaH samaapetur maataro bharatasya taaH |
upavaasa kR^ishaa diinaa bhartR^i vyasana karshitaaH || 2-87-6

6. tataH= then; sarvaaH= all; taaH= those; bharatasya= Bharata's maataraH= mothers; uparaashakR^ishaaH= emaciated through fasting; dinnaaH= extremely wretched; bhartR^ivyasena karshitaaH= being unable to find consolation for the sad end of their lord; samaapetaH= rushed (towards Bharata).

Then, all the queens, emaciated through fasting, extremely miserable, being unable to find consolation for the sad end of their lord, rushed towards Bharata.

taaH ca tam patitam bhuumau rudantyaH paryavaarayan |
kausalyaa tu anusR^itya enam durmanaaH pariShasvaje || 2-87-7

7. taashcha= all of them; rudatyaH= sobbing paryavaarayan= surrounded; tam= Bharata; patitam= who fell; bhuumau= on the ground; kausalyaaH tu= Kausalya on her part; durmanaaH= torn with grief; anusR^itya= ebnding over; enam= him; parishhasvaje= embraced him.

All of them, sobbing, surrounded Bharata who fell on the ground. Kausalya on her part, torn with grief and bending over him, embraced him.

vatsalaa svam yathaa vatsam upaguuhya tapasvinii |
paripapragcCa bharatam rudantii shoka laalasaa || 2-87-8

8. vatsalaa= the affectionate Kausalya; shoka laalasaa= agitated with grief; tapasvinii= and looking miserable; upaguuhya= pressing him to her bossom; vatsam yathaa= as to a calf; svam= by its own mother-cow; paripaprachchha= questioned; bharatam= Bharata ( in the following words)

That affectionate Kausalya, agitated as she was with grief and looking miserable, pressing him to her bosom as a cow its own calf, questioned Bharata (in the following words)

putra vyaadhir na te kaccit shariiram paribaadhate |
adya raaja kulasya asya tvad adhiinam hi jiivitam || 2-87-9

9. putra= O, son!; kachchit vyaadhi na paribaadhate= I hope that no ailment afflicts; te shariiram= your body; adya= now; jiivitam= the life; asya= of this; raajaknlasya= royal race; tvadadhiinam hi= is indeed dependent on you.

"O, son! I hope that no ailment afflicts your body. Now, the life of this royal race is indeed dependent on you."

tvaam dR^iShTvaa putra jiivaami raame sabhraatR^ike gate |
vR^itte dasharathe raajni naatha ekaH tvam adya naH || 2-87-10

10. putra= O, son!; raame= Rama; sa bhraatR^ike= along with his brother Lakshmana; gate= hoas gone (to the forest); raajJNi= the king; dasharathe= Dasaratha; vR^iSTvaa= looking on you; tvam= you; ekaH= alone; naathaH= are the protector; naH= for us; adya= now.

"O, son! Rama along with Lakshman has gone to the forest. The king Dasaratha is dead. I survive, looking on you. Now, you alone are the protector for us."

kaccin na lakShmaNe putra shrutam te kimcid apriyam |
putra vaa hy ekaputraayaaH saha bhaarye vanam gate || 2-87-11

11. putra= O, son!; kachchit= na shrutam= I hope it is not heard; te= by you; kimchit= any; apriyam= unpleasnt news; lakshmaNe= about Lakshman; putre vaa= or about Rama my son; eka putraayaaH= my only son; gate= who left; vanam= for the forest; sahabhaarye= along with his wife.

"I hope you have not heard any unpleasant news about Lakshmana or about Rama my one and the only son who left for the forest along with his wife."

sa muhuurtam samaashvasya rudann eva mahaa yashaaH |
kausalyaam parisaantvya idam guham vacanam abraviit || 2-87-12

12. saH= that Bharata; mahaa yashaaH= of great renown; samaashvasya= easing himself well; muhuurtam- within a moment; parisaantvya= consoled; kausalyaam= kausalya; rudanneva= and while still weaping; abraviit= spoke; idam= these vachanam= words; guham= to Guha.

Bharata of great renown, easing himself well within a moment, consoled Kausalya and while still weeping, spoke to Guha (as follows)

bhraataa me kva avasad raatrim kva siitaa kva ca lakShmaNaH |
asvapat shayane kasmin kim bhuktvaa guha shamsa me || 2-87-13

13. guha= O, Guha!; kva= where; me bhraataa= did my brother; avasat= halt; raatrau= in the night?; kva= where; siitaa= did Seetha (half in the night)?; kva= where; lakshhmaNaH cha= did Lakshmana (halt in the night)?; bhuktvaa= eating; kim= what; kasmin= and on which; shayane= couch; asvapat= did he repose?; shamasa= tell; me= me.

"O, guha! Tell me where did Rama my brother as also Seetha and Lakshmana halt in the night? On what couch and eating what, did he repose?

so abraviid bharatam pR^iShTo niShaada adhipatir guhaH |
yad vidham pratipede ca raame priya hite atithau || 2-87-14

14. saH guhaH= that Guha; nishhaadaadhipatiH= the Lord of Nishadas; hR^iSTaH= thrilling with rapture; abraviit= spoke; bharatam= to Bharata; yadvidham= about the manner in which; pratipade= he arranged for (feeding and reposing) priya hite= his beloved and kind; atithau= guest; raame= Rama.

Guha, the Lord of Nishadas, thrilling with rapture, spoke to Bharata about the manner in which he made arrangements for (feeding and reposing) his beloved and kind guest, Rama.

annam ucca avacam bhakShyaaH phalaani vividhaani ca |
raamaaya abhyavahaara artham bahu ca upahR^itam mayaa || 2-87-15

15. annam= food; uchchaavacham= of various kinds; bhakshhaaH= drinks; vividhaani= and different variets; phalaani cha= of fruits; upahR^itam= were brought; bahu= repeatedly; mayaa= by me; raamaaya= to the presence of Rama; abhyavahaaraartham= for the purpose of his consumption.

"Various kinds of food and drink and different varieties of fruits were brought repeatedly by me to the presence of Rama for the purpose of his consumption."

tat sarvam pratyanujnaasiid raamaH satya paraakramaH |
na hi tat pratyagR^ihNaat sa kShatra dharmam anusmaran || 2-87-16

16. raamaH= Rama; satya paraakramaH= the truely courageous man; pratyannjJNaasiit= refused; tatsarvam= all of them; anusmaran= and remembering; kSatradharmam= his warrior's duty; saH= he; na tu pratyagR^ihNaat= could not accept; tat= it.

Rama, the truly courageous man, refused all of them. Reminding himself of his warrior's statute, he could not accept it.

na hy asmaabhiH pratigraahyam sakhe deyam tu sarvadaa |
iti tena vayam raajann anuniitaa mahaatmanaa || 2-87-17

17. raajan= O, Bharata!; vayam= we; anuniitaaH= were pacified; tena= by that; mahaatmanaa= high-souled Rama; iti= saying thus; 'sakhe= O, friend!; na pratigraahyam= nothing should be received; deyam= but be given; saradaa= always; asmaabhiH= by us.

"O, Bharata! We were pacified by that high-souled Rama by saying thus: ' O, friend! We are not allowed to receive anything we must always be givers."

lakShmaNena samaaniitam piitvaa vaari mahaa yashaaH |
aupavaasyam tadaa akaarShiid raaghavaH saha siitayaa || 2-87-18

18. raaghavaH= Rama; mahaayashaH= of great glory; tadaa= then; siitayaasaha= along with Seetha; piitvaa= drank; vaari= the water; samaaniitam= brought; lakshmaNena= by Lakshmana; akaarshhit= and pulled himself; oupavaasyam= to fasting.

"Rama, of great glory, then along with Seetha drank the water brought by Lakshman as observed fasting."

tataH tu jala sheSheNa lakShmaNo apy akarot tadaa |
vaag yataaH te trayaH samdhyaam upaasata samaahitaaH || 2-87-19

19. tataH= thereafter; tadaa= at that time; lakSmaNo.api= Lakshmana also; akarot= drank; jalasheSeNa= the remainder of water; te trayaH= and those three; samupaasata= practised; vaagyataaH= silence; samhitaa= together; sandhyaam= in that evening-twillight

"Thereafter Lakshmana also drank the left-over water and those three practised silence together in that evening-twilight.

saumitriH tu tataH pashcaad akarot svaastaram shubham |
svayam aaniiya barhiimShi kShipram raaghava kaaraNaat || 2-87-20

20. tataH pashchaat= thereafter; saumitristu= Lakshmana; svayam= personally; aaniiya= brought; barhiimshi= a layer of Kusa grass; akarot= and arranged; shubham= a suitably; svaastaram= good bed; raaghava; kaaraNaat= for Rama; kSipram= immediately.

"Lakshmana then personally brought a layer of Kusa grass and arranged a fittingly nice bed with it for Rama immediately."

tasmin samaavishad raamaH svaastare saha siitayaa |
prakShaalya ca tayoH paadaau apacakraama lakShmaNaH || 2-87-21

21. raamaH= Rama; siitayaa saha= along with Seetha; samaavishat= settled dwon on; tasmin= that; svaastare= bed; prakSaalaya= after washing; tayoH= their; paadau= feet; lakShmaNaH= Lakshmana; apachakraama= wnet away to a distance.

"Rama, along with Seetha, settled down on that bed. After washing their feet, Lakshmana went away to a distance."

etat tad ingudii muulam idam eva ca tat tR^iNam |
yasmin raamaH ca siitaa ca raatrim taam shayitaau ubhau || 2-87-22

22. etat= here; tat= at that; ingudii muulam= foot of Ingudi Tree; idameva= on just this; tR^iNamcha= grass; yasmin= on which; ubhau= both; raamashcha= Rama and; siitaa= Seetha; shayitau= slept; taam raatrim= that night.

"Here at this fort of Ingndi Tree, on just this grass, on which both Rama and Seetha slept that night."

niyamya pR^iShThe tu tala angulitravaan |
sharaiH supuurNaau iShudhii param tapaH |
mahad dhanuH sajyam upohya lakShmaNo |
nishaam atiShThat parito asya kevalam || 2-87-23

23. lakSmaNaH= Lakshman; paramtapaH= who torments his enemy; talaanguliitravaan= wearing a glove of Goha skin; niyamya= strapping; pR^iSThe= on his back; iSudhii= quivers; supuurNau= full of; sharaiH= arrows; upohya= and wielding; mahat= a great; dhanuH= bow; sajyam= with string; atiSThat kevalam= remained walking alone; paritaH= round; asya= Rama; nishaam= during the night.

"Lakshmana, the scourge of his foe, wearing a glove of goha skin, strapping two quivers full of arrows on either side of his back and wielding a great stringed bow, remained on his part walking round Rama during that night."

tataH tu aham ca uttama baaNa caapadhR^ik |
sthito abhavam tatra sa yatra lakShmaNaH |
atandribhir jnaatibhir aatta kaarmukair |
mahaa indra kalpam paripaalayamH tadaa || 2-87-24

24. tataH= thereafter; ahamtu= I on my part; tadaa= at that time; uttama baaNa chaapa dhR^it= wearing excellent arrows and a bow; jN^aatibhiH= along with my kinsment; atandribhiH= who were free from lassitude; aatta kaarmukaiH= and carrying bows; abhavam= becoming; sthitaH= remained; tatra= there; yatra= where; lakSmanaH= Lakshama; paripaalayan= was guarding mahendra kalpam= Rama; who vied with Indra.

"Wearing excellent arrows and a bow along with my vigilant kinsmen carrying their bows, I on my part remained near Lakshman, who was guarding Rama who vied with Indra the Lord of celestials."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe saptaashiititamaH sargaH

Thus completes 87th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 88

Introduction

Bharata and his minister approach the foot of Angudi tree, where Rama has slept on a grass-bed on the ground. Bharata feels bad that on his account, Rama and Seetha were to sleep on such a grass-bed. He thinks that the city of Ayodhya is plunged in desolation, because of the death of Dasaratha and the exile of Rama to the forest. Bharata further takes an owe that like Rama, he will also henceforth sleep on grass with his locks matted, wearing robes of bark and living only on roots and fruits. He says that if Rama refuses his appeal to occupy the throne of Ayodhya, he also will stay back in the forest along with Rama

tat shrutvaa nipuNam sarvam bharataH saha mantribhiH |
ingudii muulam aagamya raama shayyaam avekShya taam || 2-88-1
abraviid jananiiH sarvaa iha tena mahaatmanaa |
sharvarii shayitaa bhuumaau idam asya vimarditam || 2-88-2

1,2. shrutvaa= Having heard; tat sarvam= all that; nipuNam= perfectly; bharataH= Bharata; aagamya= approached; iN^gudiimuulam= the foot of Ingudi Tree; mantribhiH saha= along with his ministers; avakSya= gazed at; taam= that; raamashayaam= couch on which Rama had lain; abraviit= and said; sarvaaH= all; jananiiH= his mothers (as follows); idam iha= It is here; tena= that; mahaatmanaa= magnanimous hero; shayitaa= laid himself down; sharvarii= for that night; asya= his (limbs); vimardidam=pressing; bhuumau= the earth.

Having heard all that perfectly, Bharata approached the foot of Ingudi Tree along with his ministers and gazed on that grass-bed on which Rama had slept. Thereafter, he said to all his mothers as follows: "It is here that the magnanimous hero laid himself for that night, his limbs pressing the earth."

mahaa bhaaga kuliinena mahaa bhaagena dhiimataa |
jaato dasharathena uurvyaam na raamaH svaptum arhati || 2-88-3

3. mahaabhagena= of the great; dhiimataa= and segacious; dasharathena= Dasaratha; mahaabaaga kuliinena= in an illustrious family; raamaH= Rama; na arhati= does not deserve; svaptum= to sleep; urvyaam= on the bare earth!

"Born of the great and segacious Dasaratha in an illustrious family, Rama verily does not desrve to sleep on this bare earth!"

ajina uttara samstiirNe vara aastaraNa samcaye |
shayitvaa puruSha vyaaghraH katham shete mahii tale || 2-88-4

4. katham= how could; puruSavyaghraH= Rama the tiger among men; shayitvaa= who used to sleep; varaastaraNa samehaye= on a couch horded with rich cushions; ajinottara samstiirNe= covered with superior hairy skins of antelopes; shete= sleep; mahiitale= on abre floor?

"How could Rama the tiger among men, who used to sleep on a couch horded with rich cushions covered with superior hairy skins of antelopes, sleep on a bare floor?"

praasaada agra vimaaneShu valabhiiShu ca sarvadaa |
haima raajata bhaumeShu vara aastraraNa shaaliShu || 2-88-5
puShpa samcaya citreShu candana agaru gandhiShu |
paaNDura abhra prakaasheShu shuka samgha ruteShu ca || 2-88-6
praasaadavaravaryeSu shiitavatsu sugandhiSu |
uSitvaa merukalpeSu kR^itakaamchanabhittiSu || 2-88-7
giita vaaditra nirghoShair vara aabharaNa nihsvanaiH |
mR^idanga vara shabdaiH ca satatam pratibodhitaH || 2-88-8
bandibhir vanditaH kaale bahubhiH suuta maagadhaiH |
gaathaabhir anuruupaabhiH stutibhiH ca paramtapaH || 2-88-9

5, 6, 7, 8, 9. iSitvaa= having dwelt; sarvadaa= ever; praasaadaagra vimaaneSu= in palaces, the upper apartments resembling the chariots of the gods; valabhiiSucha= and in turrets; varaastaraNa shaaliSu= furnished with excellent carpets; puSpasamchaya chitreSu= decked with heaps of flowers; chandanaagaru gandhiSu= and perfumed with sandal and aloes; paaNDaraabhra prakaasheSu= like unto a bright and towering cloud; shukasamgharuteSucha= re-echoing to the cries of parrots; praasaada varavaryeSu= surpassing the finest of palaces; shiita vatsu= which were cool; sugandhiSu= fragrant with perfumes; kR^ita kaaNchana bhithiSu= with its golden walls; merukalpeSu= resembling unto Mount Meru; tatra= where; pratibodhitaH= he was; kaale= at the fitting time awakened; tatra= there; giita vaaditra nirghoSaiH= by the tinkling of ornametns, mR^idaNgavara shabdaishcha= by the excellent sound of clay tomtoms; saH= Rama; paramtapaH= the tornmentor of his enemy; vanditaH= glorified; bahubhiH= and minstrels; anuruupaabhiH= through appropriate; gathaabhiH= ballads; stutibhishcha= and songs of praise.

"Having ever dwelt in palaces, the upper apartments resembling the chariots of the gods and in turrets, furnished with excellent carpets decked with heaps of flowers, perfumed with sandal and aloes, like unto a bright and towering cloud, re-echoing to the cries of parrots, suprassing the finest of palaces, which wre cool and fragrant with perfules, as unto Mount Meru with its golden walls, where in that palace he was awakened at the fitting time by sogns and music from various instruments, tinkling of ornaments and the excellent sounds of clay tomtoms, glorified by many panegyrists, bards and ministrels throught appropriate ballads and songs of praise."

ashraddheyam idam loke na satyam pratibhaati maa |
muhyate khalu me bhaavaH svapno ayam iti me matiH || 2-88-10

idam= this; ashraddheyam= is unbelievable; loke- in the world; na pratibhaati= and does not appear; satyam= true; maa= to me; me= my; bhaavaH= state of mind; muhyati khalu= is indded bewildered; me= My; matiH= wish; ayam= this; svapnaH iti= were a dream.

"This ( such a prince becoming like this) is unbelievable in the world and does not appear true to me. My mind is indeed bewildered. I wish that it were a dream."

na nuunam daivatam kimcit kaalena balavattaram |
yatra daasharathii raamo bhuumaau evam shayiita saH || 2-88-11

11. nuunam= surely; daivatam= a deity; na kinchit= is not even a little; balavattaram= more powerful; kaalena= than Time (the will of god); yatra= since; saH= that; raamaH= Rama; daasharathiH= the son of Dasaratha; shayiita= has to sleep; bhuumaaveva= on the bare ground!

"Surely even a deity is not a little more powerful than Time (the will of god), since that Rama, the son of Dasaratha has to sleep on the bare ground!"

videha raajasya sutaa siitaa ca priya darshanaa |
dayitaa shayitaa bhuumau snuShaa dasharathasya ca || 2-88-12

12. siitaacha= and Seetha; sutaa= the daughter; videha raajasya= of the king of Videha; priyadarshanaa= lovely to look upon; dayitaa= the charished; snuSaacha= daughter-in-law; dasharathasya= of Dsaaratha; shayitaa= has to sleep; bhuumau= on the floor.

"Even Seetha the daughter of the king of videha, lovely to look upon and the cherished daughter-in-law of Dasaratha has to sleep on the floor!"

iyam shayyaa mama bhraatur idam hi parivartitam |
sthaNDile kaThine sarvam gaatrair vimR^iditam tR^iNam || 2-88-13

13. iyam= this; shayyaa= is indeed the bed; mama bhraatuH= of my elder brother; idam= here are; parivartitamhi= indeed the blessed marks of his changing sides; sarvam tR^iNam= in the form of all the blades of in the form of all the blades of Kusa grass; mR^iditam= trampled; gaatraiH= by his limbs; kaThine= on the hard; sthaN^Dile= ground.

"This is the bed of my elder brother. Here are indeed the blessed marks of his changing sides, in the form of all the blades of Kusa grass, trampled by his limbs on the hard ground."

manye saabharaNaa suptaa siitaa asmin shayane tadaa |
tatra tatra hi dR^ishyante saktaaH kanaka bindavaH || 2-88-14

14. manye= I think; uttame= the blessed; siitaa= Seetha; suptaa= has slept; asmin= on this; shayanaa= bed; saabharaNaa= along with her jewels; tatra tatra= (for) here and there; kanakabimdavaH= some particles of gold; dR^ishyante hi= indeed appear; saktaaH= to be stuck up.

"I think the blessed Seetha has slept on this bed along with her jewels for, some particles of gold appear to be stuck up, here and there."

uttariiyam iha aasaktam suvyaktam siitayaa tadaa |
tathaa hy ete prakaashante saktaaH kausheya tantavaH || 2-88-15

15. suvyaktam= It is very clear; uttariiyam= that the upper garment; siitayaa= of Seetha; aasaktam= was entangled; iha= (with these blades) here; tadaa= at that time; tathaahi= that is why; ete= these; kansheyatantavaH= silk threads; prakaashante= appear; saktaaH= stuck ( to them).

"It is very clear that the upper garment of Seetha got entangled with these blades here at that time. That is why, these silk-threads appear stuck to them."

manye bhartuH sukhaa shayyaa yena baalaa tapasvinii |
sukumaarii satii duhkham na vijaanaati maithilii || 2-88-16

16. manye= i think; shayyaa= the bed; bhartuH= of her lord; sukhaa= is sweet; satii= to a woman; maithilii= and thought Seetha; balaa= is young; tapasvinii= and unfortunate; yena= yet; however; sukumarii= delicate she be; jaanaati= she would experience; na hi duHkham= no suffereing indeed.

"I think the bed of her husband is sweet to a woman and thought Seetha is young and unfortunate, yet however delicate she be, she would experience no suffering."

haa hantaasmi nR^ishamso.aham yatsabhaaryaH kR^itemama |
iidR^ishiiM raaghavaH shayyaamadhishete hyaanaathavat || 2-88-17

17. haa hanta= Alas!; aham= I; asmi= am; nR^ishamsaH= cruel; yat= because; mamakR^ite= on my account; anaathavat= like an orphan; raaghavaH= Rama; sabhaaryaH= along with his wife; adhisheta= slept on; iidR^ishiim= such; shayyaam= a bed.

"Alas! I am a cruel man because on my account, Rama, like an orphan, along with his wife slept on such a bed."

saarvabhauma kule jaataH sarva loka sukha aavahaH |
sarva loka priyaH tyaktvaa raajyam priyam anuttamam || 2-88-18
katham indiivara shyaamo rakta akShaH priya darshanaH |
sukha bhaagii ca duhkha arhaH shayito bhuvi raaghavaH || 2-88-19

18, 19. katham= How can; raaghavaH= Rama; jaataH= born; saarvabhaumakule= in the race of monarches; sammataH= hightly honoured; sarva lokasya= by the entire world; indiivara shyaamaH= having a dark complexion as that of a blue lotus; raktaakSaH= having red eyes; priyadarshana= lovely to look at; sukhabhaagii= who is entitiled for comfort; na duHhaarhaH= and who is not worthy of suffereing; shayitaH= sleep; bhuvi= on the ground; tyaktaa= abandoning; anuttamam= excelletn; raajyam= kingdom and sukham= comfort?

"How can Rama, born in the race of monarchs, highly honoured by the entire world, beloved of all the people, having a dark complexion as that of a blue-lotus, having red eyes, lovely to look at who is entittled for comfort and who is not worthy of suffering, sleep on the gound, abandoning excellent kingdom and comfort?"

dhanyaH khalu mahaabhaago lakshmaNaH shubhalakshamaNaH |
bhraataram viSame kaale yo raamamanuvartate || 2-88-20

20. lakshmaNaH= Lakshmana; shubhalakSaNaH= and an exceedingly lucky man; yaH= who; anuvartate= accompanied; bhraataram= his elder brother; raamam= Rama; viSame= in an difficult; kaale= time; dhanyaH khalu= is indeed a fortunate man.

"Lakshmana, having auspicious marks on his body and an exceedingly lucky man, who accompanied his elder brother Rama in times of adversity in indeed a fortunate man."

siddha arthaa khalu vaidehii patim yaa anugataa vanam |
vayam samshayitaaH sarve hiinaaH tena mahaatmanaa || 2-88-21

21. vaidehii= Seetha; yaa= who; anugataa= went together with; patim= her husband; vanam= to the forest; siddhaarthaa khalu= is indeed an accomplished woman; sarve= All; vayam= of us; hiinaaH= who are bereft; mahaatmanaa= of the highly virtuous; tena= Rama; sanshayitaaH= are unsettled.

"Seetha, who went together with her husband to the forest, is indeed an accomplished woman. All of us, deprived of the highly virtuous Rama, are an unsettled lot."

akarNa dhaaraa pR^ithivii shuunyaa iva pratibhaati maa |
gate dasharathe svarge raame ca araNyam aashrite || 2-88-22

22. dasharathe= Dasaratha; gate= went; svargam= to heaven; raamecha= Rama; aashrite= is dwelling in; araNyam= the forest; pR^ithivii= this earth; pratibhaati= is appearing; maa= to me; nauriva= as a boat; akarNadhaaraa= without a helmsman.

"Dasaratha went to heaven. Rama is dwelling in the forest. this kingdom appears to me as a boat without ahelmsman."

na ca praarthayate kashcin manasaa api vasumdharaam |
vane api vasataH tasya baahu viirya abhirakShitaam || 2-88-23

23. vasataH api= even if staying; vane= in the forest; vasumdharaam= this earth; baahuviiryaabhirakSitaam= is being protected by the power of arms; tasya= of that Rama; praarthayate= cannot be desired; manasaapi= even in one's mind; kashchit= by any one.

"Even if staying in the forest, Rama protects this earth with the power of his arms. Hence, nobdy can think even in his mind, to invade this kingdom."

shuunya samvaraNaa rakShaam ayantrita haya dvipaam |
apaavR^ita pura dvaaraam raaja dhaaniim arakShitaam || 2-88-24
aprahR^iShTa balaam nyuunaam viShamasthaam anaavR^itaam |
shatravo na abhimanyante bhakShyaan viSha kR^itaan iva || 2-88-25

24, 25. shatruvaH= enemies; naabhimanyate= do not long for; raajadhaaniim= that royal capital of Ayodhya; shuunya samvaraNaa rakSaam= without guards to watch over its ramparts; ayantrita haya dvipaam= with its unrestrained horses and elephants; apaavR^ita pura dvaaraam= with its city-gates laid open; arakSitaam= without any defenders; aprahR^iSTa balaam= denuded of its happy army; shuunyaam= plunged in desolation; viSamasthaam= abiding in difficulties; anaavR^itaam= and exposed; viSakR^itaan bhakSaamiva= like poisoned food.

"Without guards to watch over its ramparts, with its unrestrained horses and elephants, with its city-gates laid open, without any defenders, denuded of its happy army, plunged in desolation in difficulties and exposed, that royal capital of Ayodhya will be shunned like poisoned food even by the enemies."

adya prabhR^iti bhuumau tu shayiShye aham tR^iNeShu vaa |
phala muula ashano nityam jaTaa ciiraaNi dhaarayan || 2-88-26

26. adya prabhR^iti= from today; aham= I; shayiSye= shall sleep; shayiSye= shall sleep; bhuumautu= on the earth; tR^iNeSuvaa= or on the grass; dhaarayan= wearing; jaTaachiiraaNi= my locks matted and with robes of bark; nityam= by all means; phalamulaashanaH= living on fruits and roots.

"From today onwards, I shall sleep on the earth or on the grass, with my locks matted, wearing robes of bark and by all means living on fruits and roots."

tasya artham uttaram kaalam nivatsyaami sukham vane |
tam pratishravam aamucya na asya mithyaa bhaviShyati || 2-88-27

27. uttaram kaalam= for the rest of his exile; tasya artham= on behalf of Rama; nivatsyaami= I shall dwell; sukham= cheerfully; vane= in the forest; aamuchya= discharging; tam= that; pratishravam= promise; (so that); asya= the voews of Rama; nabhaviSyati= shall not have been made; mithyaa= in vain.

"For the rest of his exile, on behalf of Rama, I shall dwell cheerfully in the forest, thereby discharging that promise so that the vows of Rama shall not have been made in vain."

vasantam bhraatur arthaaya shatrughno maa anuvatsyati |
lakShmaNena saha tu aaryo ayodhyaam paalayiShyati || 2-88-28

28. shatrughnaH= Shatrughna; anuvatsyati= will bear company; maa= with me; vasantam= residing (in the forest); bhraatuH arthaaye= on behalf of Rama; aaryaH= Rama my elder brother; lakSmaNena saha= along with Lakshamana; paalayiSyati hi= will protect; ayodhyaam= Ayodhya.

"Shatrughna will bear company with me, residing in the forest on behalf of Rama. My elder brother, Rama along with Lakshmana will protect Ayodhya."

abhiShekShyanti kaakutstham ayodhyaayaam dvijaatayaH |
api me devataaH kuryur imam satyam mano ratham |
prasaadyamaanaH shirasaa mayaa svayam |
bahu prakaaram yadi na prapatsyate || 2-88-29

29. dvijaatayaH= by brahmanas the twice-born; kaakutthsam= Rama; abhishekSyanti= will eb enthroned; ayodhyaayaam= in Ayodhya; devataaH= May the gods; apikuryuH= grant; imam= that; me= my; manoratham= desire; satyam= (be made) a reality.

"Rama will be enthroned in ayodhya, by Brahmanas the Twice-born! May the gods grant that my desire be made a reality."

tatonruvatsayaami chiraaya raaghavam |
vanecharam nahruti maamrupekshitrum || 2-88-30

30. na prapatsyate yadi= should Rama not accept; prasaadyamaanaH= the appeals; shirasaa= respectfully (bowing my head); bahuprakaaram= (made) in many ways; mayaa= by me; anuvatsyaami= I shall follow; raaghava= Rama; chiraaya= for any length of tiem; vane charam= he roams about in the forest; tataH= thereafter; naarhati= He ought not; upakSitum= to disregard; maam= me.

"Should Rama not accept the respectful appeals made in many a way by me, I shall follow the foot steps of Rama for any length of time he roams about in the forest thereafter. He ought not to refuse this grace to me."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe aSTaashiititamaH sargaH

Thus completes 88th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 89

Introduction

Having passed the night on the banks of Ganga, Bharata asks Guha to make arrangements for their troops to cross the river by boats. Accordingly, Guha has kept ready five hundred boat with their ferry-men for the purpose. All of them reach the opposite shore of the river. Encamping the army at the shore in the magnificent woods of Prayaga, Bharata along with the priests and king's counsellors, approach the hermitage of Bharadwaja.

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vyuShya raatrim tu tatra eva gangaa kuule sa raaghavaH |
bharataH kaalyam utthaaya shatrughnam idam abraviit || 2-89-1

1. saH bharataH= that Bharata; raaghavaH= born in Raghu race; uSya= having stayed; raatrim= (that) night; tatra= at that; gangaakuule eva= bank of Ganga only; utthaaya= woke up; kaalyam= in the early hours; abraviit= and spoke; idam= these words; shatrughnam= to shatrughna.

Bharata, born in Raghu race, having passed the night in that place on the banks of Ganga, rising at dawn, said to shatrughna as follows:

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shatrugha uttiShTha kim sheShe niShaada adhipatim guham |
shiighram aanaya bhadram te taarayiShyati vaahiniim || 2-89-2

2. shatrughna= O, Shatrughna; uttiSTha= wake up! kim= why; sheSe= sleep (longer)?; anaya= Bring; guham= Guha; niSaadhipatim= the king of Nishadhas; shiighram= quickly; bhadram= happiness; te= to you; vaahiniim taarayiSyati= he will convey the army across the river.

"O, Shatrughna! Wake up! Why sleep longer? Bring guha the king of Nishadhas quickly and be happy. Let him convey the army across the river."

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jaagarmi na aham svapimi tathaiva aaryam vicintayan |
ity evam abraviid bhraatraa shatrughno api pracoditaH || 2-89-3

3. shatrughno.api= even Shatrughna; bhraataa= the brother; prachoditaH= (thus) urged (by Bharata); abraviit= spoke; ityevam= as follows= aham; na svapinii= I am not sleeping; vichintayan= thinking of; tam= that; aaryam eva= Rama alone; jaagarmi= I am wakeful.

Thus urged by Bharata, his brother Shatrughna said, "I am not sleeping. Thinking of that Rama alone, I have been wakeful."

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iti samvadator evam anyonyam nara simhayoH |
aagamya praanjaliH kaale guho bharatam abraviit || 2-89-4

4. narasimhayoH= (While) those two lions among men; sampadatoH= were talking themsleves; anyonyam= with each other; ityevam= in this manner; guhaH= Guha; aagamya= having come; kaale= in time; abraviit= spoke; praaN^jaliH= with joined palms; bharatam= to Bharata (as follows):

While those two lions among men were talking themselves with each other thus, Guha came in time and with joined palms, addressed Bharata saying:

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kaccit sukham nadii tiire avaatsiiH kaakutstha sharvariim |
kaccic ca saha sainyasya tava sarvam anaamayam || 2-89-5

5. kaakutthsa= O, Bharata; kachchit vaatsiiH= did you pass; sharvariim= the night; sukham= happily; nadiitiire= on the banks of the river?; (I hope); sarvam= all; anaamayam= taavat kachchit= is well indeed; te= to you; saha sainyasya= along with your army.

"O, Bharata! Did you pass the night happily on the banks of the river? I hope all is well with your army."

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guhasya tat tu vacanam shrutvaa snehaad udiiritam |
raamasya anuvasho vaakyam bharato api idam abraviit || 2-89-6

6. shrutvaa= hearing; tat= those; vachanam= words; guhasya= of Guha; udiiritam= spoken; snehaat= in affection; bharato.api= Bharata also; anuvashaH= in his devotion; raamasya= to Rama; abraviit= spoke; idam vaakyam= these words.

Hearing those words of Guha spoken with affection, Bharata also in his devotion to Rama, replied as follows:

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sukhaa naH sharvarii raajan puujitaaH ca api te vayam |
gangaam tu naubhir bahviibhir daashaaH samtaarayantu naH || 2-89-7

7. raajan= O, king!; sharvarii= the night; sukhaa= passed pleasantly; naH= for us; were treated hospitably; te= by you; dashaaH= (Let) your fisher man; naH samtaarayantu= ferry us across; gaN^gaam= Ganga River; bahviibhiH= countless; naubhiH= boats;

"O, king! The night passed pleasantly for us. We were treated hospitably by you. Let your fisher-men ferry us across Ganga River on your courtless boats."

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tato guhaH samtvaritaH shrutvaa bharata shaasanam |
pratipravishya nagaram tam jnaati janam abraviit || 2-89-8

8. shrutvaa= hearing; bharata shaasanam= Bharata's command; guhaH= Guha; tataH= then; pratipravishya= returned; nagaram= to the city; samtvaritam= in all haste; abraviit= and spoke; tam= to those; jJNaatijanam= multitude of his people (as follows):

Hearing Bharata's command, Guha returned to the city in all haste and spoke to those multitude of his people (as follows):

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uttiShThata prabudhyadhvam bhadram astu hi vaH sadaa |
naavaH samanukarShadhvam taarayiShyaama vaahiniim || 2-89-9

9. uttiSThata= rise; prabudhyadhvam= awake; bhadram= and may prosperity; sadaa= ever; astu= attend; vaH= you; samanukarSadhvam= duly haul; naavaH= the boats; (to the bank); taarayiSyaama= let us carry across; vaahiniim= the army.

"Rise, awake and may prosperity ever attend you! Duly haul the boats to the bank. Let us carry the army across the river."

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te tathaa uktaaH samutthaaya tvaritaaH raaja shaasanaat |
panca naavaam shataany eva samaaninyuH samantataH || 2-89-10

10. lathaa= thus; uktaaH= spoken; tvaritaaH= (rising) immediatley; raajashaasanaat= on the command of their king; te= they; samaaninyuH= brought together; aashu= quickly; pancha shataani= five hundred; naavaami= boatsamantataH= from very quarter.

Rising immediately on hearing the command of their king, they quickly brought together five hundred boats from every quarter.

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anyaaH svastika vijneyaa mahaa ghaNDaa dharaa varaaH |
shobhamaanaaH pataakinyo yukta vaataaH susamhataaH || 2-89-11

11. anyaaH= some; varaaH= excellent boats; mahaaghanTaadharaaH= possessing large bells; svastikavijJNaayaaH= were marked with Swastika; susamhataah= well-kept together; yukta vaataaH= with appropriate sails; shobhamaanaaH= and adorned; pataakaabhiH= with flags.

Some excellent boats, possessing large bells were marked with Sawstika, well-kept together with appropriate sails and adorned with flags.

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tataH svastika vijneyaam paaNDu kambala samvR^itaam |
sanandi ghoShaam kalyaaNiim guho naavam upaaharat || 2-89-12

12. tataH= then; guhaH= Guha; upaaharat= brought; naavam= one boat; svastika viJJneyaam= also adorned with Swastika; paaN^DukambaLa samvR^itaam= covered with white canvas; sanandighosSaam= covered with white canvas; sanandighoSaam= re-echoing with acclamations; kalyaaNaam= and beautiful.

Then, Guha brought there one boat also adorned with Swastika, was covered with white canvas, re-echoing with acclamations and which was beautiful.

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taam aaruroha bharataH shatrughnaH ca mahaa balaH |
kausalyaa ca sumitraa ca yaaH ca anyaa raaja yoShitaH || 2-89-13
purohitaH ca tat puurvam gurave braahmaNaaH ca ye |
anantaram raaja daaraaH tathaiva shakaTa aapaNaaH || 2-89-14

13-14. bharataH= Bharata; aaruroha= ascended; taam= it; shatrughnaH= Shatrughna; mahaabalaH= the exceedingly strong man; kausalyaacha= Kausalya; sumitraacha= Sumitra; yaaH= and whatever; anyaaH= other; raaja yoSitaH= royal women; (mounted the boats); tatpuurvam= Prior to them; purohitashcha= Vasisha, the royal priest; ye= and whatever; guravaH= elderly; braahmaNaashcha= Brahmanas; anantaram= thereafter; raa daaraaH= the king's wives; tathaiva= and; shakaTaavaNaaH= the bullock-carts and the provisions.

Vasishta, the royal priest and whatever elderly Brahmanas were present there ascended the boats, even before Bharata, Shatrughna, Kausalya, Sumitra. Whatever royal women were present also took their seats. Thereafter followed the king's wives a well as bullock- carts and provisions.

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aavaasam aadiipayataam tiirtham ca apy avagaahataam |
bhaaNDaani ca aadadaanaanaam ghoShaH tridivam aspR^ishat || 2-89-15

15. ghoSaH= the sound; aadiipayataam= of men; setting fire; aavaasam= to the huts; avagaahataam= and of those who were descending; tiirthamchaa api= the stone-steps (leading to the boat); aadadaanaam= and those who were transporting; bhaaN^Daani= their effects; who were transporting; bhaaN^Daani= their effects; aspR^ishat- touched; tridvam= the sky.

The sound of men setting fire to the huts, of those who were descending the steps leading to the boat and those who were transporting their effects touched the sky.

It has been a convention among Indian troops in the past to burn whatever is removing their essential things and tents while leaving a halting place in the course of their march to a destination. The idea is not to leave any trace of their whereabouts for the enemy. The practice was also believed to bring triumph to the troops who resorted to it.

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pataakinyaH tu taa naavaH svayam daashair adhiShThitaaH |
vahantyo janam aaruuDham tadaa sampetur aashugaaH || 2-89-16

16. taam naavaH= those boats, pataakinyaH= possessing flags; adhiSThitaaH= administered; daashaiH= by the fisher-men; svayam= themselves; tadaa= then; sampetuH= ran; aashugaaH= speedily; rahantyaH= carrying; aaruuDhamjanam= the passengers.

Thos boats, adorned with flags, steered by fisher-men themselves ran speedily, duly carrying those passengers.

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naariiNaam abhipuurNaaH tu kaashcit kaashcit tu vaajinaam |
kashcit tatra vahanti sma yaana yugyam mahaa dhanam || 2-89-17

17. kaashchit= some; adhipuurNaaH= were filled; naariiNaam= with women; atra= there; kaashchit= and some; (were loaded) vaajinaam= with horses; kaashchit= some; vahantisma= ferried animals of draught; mahaadhanam= of great value.

Some were filled with women. Some were loaded with horses and some of them ferried animals of draught of great value.

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taaH sma gatvaa param tiiram avaropya ca tam janam |
nivR^ittaaH kaaNDa citraaNi kriyante daasha bandhubhiH || 2-89-18

18. gatvaa= having reached; param tiiram= the opposite shore; taaH= those boats; avaropya= cleared; tam janam= those people; nivR^ittaaHsma= and returened; kriyantesma= (the boats) were plied; kaanDachitraaNi= as toy-boats made of bamboo; daashabandubhiH= by the kinsfolk of Guha.

Having reached the opposite shore, those boats cleared those people and on the return journey, the kinsfolk of Guha plied them as easily as toy- boats made of bamboo.

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savaijayantaaH tu gajaa gaja aarohaiH pracoditaaH |
tarantaH sma prakaashante sadhvajaa iva parvataaH || 2-89-19

19. gajaaroha prachoditaaH= goaded on by their mahouts; gajaaH= elephants; savaijayantaaH= adorned with flags; tarantaH= swimming across the river; prakaashantesma iva= looked like; sadhvajaaH= winged; parvataaH= mountains.

Goaded on by their mahouts, elephants adorned with their flags, swimming across the river, looked life winged mountains.

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naavaH ca aaruruhuH tu anye plavaiH teruH tathaa apare |
anye kumbha ghaTaiH terur anye teruH ca baahubhiH || 2-89-20

20. anye= some; aaruruhshcha= ascended; naavaH= boats; apare= some others; teruH= crossed; plavaiH= by rafts; tathaa= in the same manner; anye= some others; teruH= swam across kumbhaghaTaiH= with the help of big and small earthen vessels; anye= some other; terushcha= swam; baahibhiH= with arms.

Some ascended boats. Some others crossed the river by rafts in the same manner. Some others swam across with the help of big and small earthen vessels. The rest swam with arms.

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saa puNyaa dhvajinii gangaam daashaiH samtaaritaa svayam |
maitre muhuurte prayayau prayaaga vanam uttamam || 2-89-21

21. samtaaritaa= having been made to cross; gaNgaam= River Ganga; daashaiH= by the fishermen; svayam= themselves; saa puNyaa= that holy; dhvajinii= army; prayaryau= that holy; dhvajinii= army; prayayau= reached; uttamam= the magnificient; prayaagavanam= woods of Prayaga; maitre muhuurte= at the hour of maitra.

Having made to cross River Ganga by the fisher-men themselves, that holy army reached the magnificent woods of Prayaga at the hour of Maitra.

The hour of early hours. A Muhurta, loosely translated as an hour, really consist of 48 minutes. There are fifteen such Muhurtas in a day. They are named in order by Brihaspati as Randra, Sarpa, maitra, Paitra, Vasava, Apya, Vaisva, Brahma, Praja, Isha, Sindra, Aindragna, Nairta, Varunaryamana and Bhagi.

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aashvaasayitvaa ca camuum mahaatmaa |
niveshayitvaa ca yathaa upajoSham |
draShTum bharadvaajam R^iShi pravaryam |
R^itvig vR^itaH san bharataH pratasthe || 2-89-22

22. mahaatmaa= the high souled; bharataH= Bharata; aashvaasayitvaa chamnum= made the army to rest; niveshayitvaa= by encamping it; yathopajoSam= according to its inclination; pratasthe= and set out; R^itvigvR^itassan= along with the priests and the king's counsellors; draSTum= to see; bharadvaajam= Bharadwaja; R^iSivaryam= the foremost of sages.

The high-souled Bharata made the army to rest, by encamping it according to its inclination and set out along with the priests and king's counsellors to meet Bharadwaja, the foremost of sages.

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sa braahmaNasyaashramamabhyupetya |
mahaatmano devapurohitasya |
dadarsha ramyoTajavR^ikSaSaNDaM |
mahadvanaM vipravarasya ramyam || 2-89-23

23. abhyupetya= approaching; aashramam= the hermitage; braahmaNasya= of that Brahmana; mahaatmanaH= the high-souled; deva purohitasya= and the family- priest of gods; saH= Bharata; dadarsha= saw; mahat vanam= and extensive grove; vipravarasya= of the chief of ascetics; ramyam= which was enchanting; ramyoTaja vR^ikSaSaNDam= with its leafy huts and trees.

Approaching the hermitage of that high-souled Brahmana and the family priest of gods, Bharata saw an extensive and enchanting grove with its leafy huts and tress the chief of ascetics.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe ekonanavatitamaH sargaH

Thus completes 40th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 90

Introduction

Bharata along with Vasishta proceed to see Bharadwaja. Bharadwaja welcomes both of them hospitable. After exchanging pleasantries Bharadwaja asks Bharata whether he is coming to the forest to do any harm to Rama and Lakshmana. Bharata replies that he is coming to the forest for the purpose of taking back Rama to Ayodhya. When enquired by Bharata about the whereabouts of Rama, Bharadwaja informs that Rama along with Seetha and Lakshmana are staying on the chitrakuta mountain. Thereafter, at the request of Bharadwaja, Bharata along with his routine decides to make a night halt on that day at that hermitage and to proceed to Chitrakuta on the following morning.

dbharadvaaja aashramam dR^iShTvaa kroshaad eva nara R^iShabhaH |
balam sarvam avasthaapya jagaama saha mantribhiH || 2-90-1
padbhyaam eva hi dharmajno nyasta shastra parigcCadaH |
vasaano vaasasii kShaume purodhaaya purohitam || 2-90-2

1, 2. dR^iSTvaa= having seen; bharadwaajaashramam= Bharadwaja's hermitage; kroshaadeva= at a couple of miles away; nararshaabhaH= that excellent man; dharmajJNaH= knowing what is right; avasthaapya= leaving; sarvam= all; balam= his army; nyasta shastra parichchhadaH= discarding his weapons and ornaments; vasaanaH= wearing; kshhaume vaasasii= simple silken garment; jagaama= went forwards; padbhyaam eva= by foot; purodhaaya= proceeded by; purodhanam= Vasishta, his spiritual preceptor.

Having seen Bharadwaja's hermitage at a couple of miles away, that excellent man Bharata, knowing what is right, leaving all his army behind, discarding his weapons and ornaments, and wearing simple silken garment, went forwards by foot, proceeded by Vasishta, his spiritual preceptor.

tataH samdarshane tasya bharadvaajasya raaghavaH |
mantriNaH taan avasthaapya jagaama anu purohitam || 2-90-3

3. avasthaapya= leaving behind; taam mantriNaH= those ministers; samdarshana= at a visible distance to Bharadwaja; raaghavaH= Bharata; tataH= then; jagaama= went; anupurohitam= along with Vasista, his spiritual preceptor

Leaving his ministers behind at a visible distance to Bharadwaja, Bharata then went along with Vasishta, his spiritual preceptor.

vasiShTham atha dR^iShTvaa eva bharadvaajo mahaa tapaaH |
samcacaala aasanaat tuurNam shiShyaan arghyam iti bruvan || 2-90-4

4. atha= then; dR^iSTvaiva= on seeing; vasiSTham= Vasishta; bhararadvaajaH= Bharadwaja; mahaatapaaH= the great ascetic; samchachaala= rose; tuurNam= quickly; aasamaat= from his seat; bruvan= asking; shiSyaan= his disciples; arghyam iti= to fetch water to wash the hands (of the distinguished guests) with.

On seeing Vasishta, Bharadwaja the great ascetic rose quickly from his seat, asking his disciples to fetch water to wash the hand (of the distinguished guests) with.

samaagamya vasiShThena bharatena abhivaaditaH |
abudhyata mahaa tejaaH sutam dasharathasya tam || 2-90-5

5. mahaatejaaH= Bharadwaja of great splendour; samaagamya= having met; vasiSThena= Vasishta; abhivaaditaH= and hvaing been offered salutation; bharatena= by Bharata; abudhyata= recognized; tam= him; dasharathasya= as Dasaratha's sutam= son.

Having met Vasishta and greeted by Bharata, Bharadwaja of great splendour recognized him to be a son of Dasaratha.

taabhyaam arghyam ca paadyam ca dattvaa pashcaat phalaani ca |
aanupuurvyaac ca dharmajnaH papragcCa kushalam kule || 2-90-6

6. dharmajJNaH= Bharadwaja, who knows what is right; dattvaa= offering; taabhyaam= them both; anupuurvyaat= in order of seniority; arghyamcha paadyamcha= water to wash theri hands and feet with; pashchaat= and thereafter; phalaamicha= fruits as well; paprachchha= enquired; kushalan= about the welfare; kule= of their family.

Bharadwaja, knowing what is right, offering them both, in order of seniority, water to wash theri hands and feet with and fruits afterwards, made enquiries concerning the welfare of their family.

ayodhyaayaam bale koshe mitreShu api ca mantriShu |
jaanan dasharatham vR^ittam na raajaanam udaaharat || 2-90-7

7. (Subsequently, Bharadwaja made enquires as to whether all were well) ayodhyaam= in ayodhya; bale= with the army; koshe= with the treasury; mitreSvagricha= friends and; mantriSu= counsellors; jaanan= but knowing; dasharatham= Dasaratha; vR^ittam= to be dead; nodaharaat= he did not speak; raajaanaam= of the king

Subsequently, Bharadwaja made enquires with both of them as to whether all were well in the city of Ayodhya, with the army, with the treasury, friends and counsellors. But knowing Dasaratha friends and counsellors. But knowing Dasaratha to be dead, he did not speak of the king.

vasiShTho bharataH ca enam papragcCatur anaamayam |
shariire agniShu vR^ikSheShu shiShyeShu mR^iga pakShiShu || 2-90-8

8. vasiSTaH= Vasishta; bharatashcha= and Bharata; paprapachchhatuH= made enquiries; enam= with Bharadwaja; anaamayam= (if all were well) shariire= with his body; agniSu= his sacred fires; vR^iKSeSu= the trees; shiSyeSu= with his disciples; mR^iga pakSiSu= with the deer and birds

Vasishta and Bharata in return made enquires with Bharadwaja, if all were well with his body his sacred fires, his disciples, the trees, the deer and birds in the hermitage.

tathaa iti ca pratijnaaya bharadvaajo mahaa tapaaH |
bharatam pratyuvaaca idam raaghava sneha bandhanaat || 2-90-9

9. mahaatapaaH= the great ascetic; bharadvaajaH= Bharadwaja; pratijJNaaya= replied; tata tatheti= "All is well"; uvaacha= and spoke; idam= these words; bharatam prati= to Bharata; raaghava sneha bandhaanaat= bound as he was with affection to Rama.

The great ascetic Bharadwaja replied, "All is well" and spoke the following words to Bharata, bound as he was with affection to Rama.

kim iha aagamane kaaryam tava raajyam prashaasataH |
etad aacakShva me sarvam na hi me shudhyate manaH || 2-90-10

10. kim= for what; kaaryam= reason; tava= have you; prashaasataH= who are ruling; raajyam= the kingdom aagamane= come; iha= here; aachakaSva= tell me= me; sarvam= all; etat= this; me= My; manaH= mind; na hishuddhyate= is not indeed not getting cleared (of all doubts)

"For what reason have you, who are ruling the kingdom, come here? Tell me all this, for my mind is not getting cleared of doubts."

suShuve yama mitraghnam kausalya aananda vardhanam |
bhraatraa saha sabhaaryo yaH ciram pravraajito vanam || 2-90-11
niyuktaH strii niyuktena pitraa yo asau mahaa yashaaH |
vana vaasii bhava iti iha samaaH kila caturdasha || 2-90-12
kaccin na tasya apaapasya paapam kartum iha igcCasi |
akaNTakam bhoktu manaa raajyam tasya anujasya ca || 2-90-13

11, 12 13. amitraghnam= that annihilator of enemies; suSuvo= born of; kausalyaa= Kausalya; aananda ardhanam= for the increase of her happiness; yaH= he who; bhraatraa saha= with his brother; sabhaaryaaH= and his wife; pravraajitaH= have been exiled; vanam= to the forest; chiram= for a long period; yaH asau= that Rama; mahaayashaaH= who is full of glory; striiniyuktena= throught the intrigues of a woman; niyuktaH= was condemned; iti= thus; bhava= to be; vanavaasii= living in the forest; chaturdasha= for fourteen; samaaH= years; pitraa= by his father; na ichchhasi= I hope you do not intend; kartum= to do; paapam= any harm; iha= now; tasya= to that; apaapasya= irreproachable prince; anujasyacha= and his younger brother; bhoktumanaaH= in order to enjoy; raajyam= the kingdom; akaN^Takam= without any hindrance.

"That annihilator of enemies, born of Kausalya for the increase of her happiness, he who with his brother and his wife have been exiled to the forest for a long period, that Rama who is full of glory, through the intrigues of a woman was condemned to dwell in the forest for fourteen years by his father. I hope you do not intend to do any harm to that irreproachable prince and his younger brother in order to enjoy the throne without hindrance."

evam ukto bharadvaajam bharataH pratyuvaaca ha |
paryashru nayano duhkhaad vaacaa samsajjamaanayaa || 2-90-14

14. evam= thus uktaH= spoken; bharataH= Bharata; paryashrunayanaH= with his eyes filled with tears; duHkhaat= due to grief; samsajjamaanayaa= in a faltering; vaachaa= tone; pratyuvaacha= replied; bharadvaajam= to Bharadwaja ( as follows).

"Thus spoken to as aforesaid, Bharata with his eyes filled with tears in grief and in a faltering tone, replied to Bharadwaja as follows:

hato asmi yadi maam evam bhagavaan api manyate |
matto na doSham aashanker na evam maam anushaadhi hi || 2-90-15

15. bhagavaanapi manyate yadi= if you the blessed one, regard; maam= me; evam= like this; hataH asmi= I am lost; na ashaNKe= I cannot conceive; doSam= of any harm; mattaH= having proceeded from me; na anushaastuhi= Do not charge; maam= me; evam= thus.

"If you the Blessed One, regard me like this, I am lost indeed! I cannot conceive of any harm towards Rama having proceeded from me. do not charge me thus."

na ca etad iShTam maataa me yad avocan mad antare |
naaham etena tuShTaH ca na tad vacanam aadade || 2-90-16

16. yat= what; me maataa= my mother; avochat= talked; madantare= when I was away from home; etat= that; na cha= is not; iSTam= liking to me; aham= I; na= am not; tuSTachcha= pleased; etena= by it; na aadade= I do not accept; tadvachanam= her words.

" I do not approve of what my mother has done when I was away from home. I am not pleased with her nor do I accept her word in this matter."

aham tu tam nara vyaaghram upayaataH prasaadakaH |
pratinetum ayodhyaam ca paadau tasya abhivanditum || 2-90-17

17. aham tu= I on my part; upayaataH= came; abhinanditum cha= to offer salutation; tasya paadau= to his fat; pratinetum= and to take back; tam= him; naravyaaghram= the tiger among men; ayodhyaam= to Ayodhya; prasaadakaH= after propitiating him.

"I, on my part, came to take back that tiger among men to Ayodhya, after prostrating myself at his feet and having propitiated him."

tvam maam evam gatam matvaa prasaadam kartum arhasi |
shamsa me bhagavan raamaH kva samprati mahii patiH || 2-90-18

18. bhaagavan= O, venerable One! matvaa= believing; maam= me; evam gatam= to have come (for the aforesaid purpose); tvam= you; arhasi= ought; kartum= to do; prasaadam= a favour; shamsa= tell; me= me; kva= where;raamaH= Rama; mahiipatiH= the lord of the world; (is to be found) samprati= now?

"O, venerable one! Believing me to have come for the aforesaid purpose, you ought to do a favour for me. Tell me where Rama the Lord of the world is to be found now?"

vashiSThaadibhi R^itvigbhi ryaacito bhagavaaMstataH |
uvaaca tam bharadvaajaH prasaadaad bharatam vacaH || 2-90-19

19. tataH= then; yaachitaH= requested; vashiSThaadibhiH= by Vasishta and others; R^itvigbhiH= Priests, bhagavaan= the blessed; bharadvaajaH= Bharadwaja; prasaadaat= in affectionate; vachaH= words ( as follows):

Requested by Vasishta and other priests likewise, Bharadwaja answered Bharata in affectionate words as follows:

tvayy etat puruSha vyaaghram yuktam raaghava vamshaje |
guru vR^ittir damaH caiva saadhuunaam ca anuyaayitaa || 2-90-20

20. puruSavyaaghra= O Bharata the tiger among men!; tvyai= In you; raaghava vamshaje= who are born in the Raghu dynasty; guruvR^ittiH= good manners towards teachers; damashchaiva= self-control; anuyaayitaa= and following; saadhuunaam= virtuous men; (are all) yuktam= worthy of you.

"O, Bharata the tiger among men! Good manners towards teachers as well as self control and walking in the footsteps of virtuous men-these qualities are worthy of you, born as you are in the Raghu dynasty."

jaane ca etan manahstham te dR^iDhii karaNam astu iti |
apR^igcCam tvaam tava atyartham kiirtim samabhivardhayan || 2-90-21

21. jaane cha= I was aware; etat= this (of your purpose) te manasstham= in your mind; (so that); apr^ichchham= I asked; tvaam= you; iti= in this manner; astu= there must be; dR^iDhiikaraNam= confirmation; strenghen; samabhivardhayan= and to strengthen; kiirtim= your fame; atyartham= immeasurably.

" I was aware of your purpose in your mind. But, I desired to confirm it and it is on this account that I asked you, in order to strengthen you fame immeasurably."

jaane ca raamaM dharmajJNaM sasiitaM sahalakSmaNam |
asau vasati te bhraataa citra kuuTe mahaa girau || 2-90-22

22. jaane cha= I know; (where); dharmajJNam= the virtuous; raamam= Rama; sasiitam= along with Seetha; salakSmaNam= with lakshmana; (are to be found); asau= this; te bhraataa= your elder brother; vasati= is staying; mahaagirau= on the great mountain; chitrakuuTe= called Chitrakuta.

"I know where the virtuous Rama along with Seetha and LakSmana are to be found. Your elder brother is staying on the great mountain called Chitrakuta."

shvaH tu gantaa asi tam desham vasa adya saha mantribhiH |
etam me kuru supraajna kaamam kaama artha kovida || 2-90-23

23. gantaasi= you may go; shvaH= tomorrow; tam desham= to that place; vasa= stay here; adya= today; mantribhisaha= along with your ministers; supraajJNa= O, man of great wisdom; kamaarthakovida= who understands legitimate interest and desire!; kuru= grant; me= me; etat= this; kaamam= desire.

"You may proceed to that place tomorrow. Stay here today along with your ministers. O, man of great wisdom, who understands legitimate interest and desire! Grant me this desire."

tataH tathaa ity evam udaara darshanaH |
pratiita ruupo bharato abraviid vacaH |
cakaara buddhim ca tadaa mahaa aashrame |
nishaa nivaasaaya nara adhipa aatmajaH || 2-90-24

24. bharataH= Bharata; udaara darshanaH= of a broad out look; pratiitaruupaH= and whose reality (as an admirer of Rama) had now come to be known; tataH= thereafter; abraviit= answered; ityevam= be these; vachaH= words; tathaa= "so it be"; tadaa= then; naraadhipaatmajaH= the prince; chakaara= made up; buddim= his mind; nishaanivaasaaya= to stay for the night; tadaashrame= in this hermitage.

Bharata of a broad outlook and whose reality (as an admirer of Rama) had now come to be known, answered thus: "So be it". Then, the prince made up his mind to stay for that night in the hermitage."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe navatitamaH sargaH

Thus completes 90th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 91

Introduction

Having been instructed by Bharadwaja to bring the army to his place, Bharata allowed his army also to come to the hermitage. Then, Bharadwaja invokes Visvakarma, the divine architect and requests him to arrange for a befitting hopsitality to Bharata,

kR^ita buddhim nivaasaaya tathaiva sa muniH tadaa |
bharatam kaikayii putram aatithyena nyamantrayat || 2-91-1

1. kR^ita buddhim= (Seeing that he) had resolved; nivaasaaya= to halt; tatraiva= at that place; saH= that; muniH= sage; tadaa= then; nyamantrayat= prepared to offer; bharatam= Bharata; kaikeyiiputram= the son of Kaikeyi; aatithyena= the full honours due to a guest.

Seeing he had resolved to halt at that place for the night, the sage Bharadwaja prepared to offer Bharata the son of Kaikeyi the full honours due to a guest

abraviid bharataH tu enam nanu idam bhavataa kR^itam |
paadyam arghyam tathaa aatithyam vane yad uupapadyate || 2-91-2

2. bharatastu= Bharata on his part; abraviit= said; enam= to Bharadwaja; paadyam= water to wash my feet; arghyam= and hands; kR^itam name= have indeed been presented; bhavataa= by you; tathaa= and; idam aatithyam= this hositality fitting for a guest; yat= which; upapadyate= is available; vane= in a forest (was made available to me).

Then, Bharata said to Bharadwaja as follows: "Have you not presented me with water to wash my hands and feet and offered me this hospitality fitting for a guest in this forest?"

atha uvaaca bharadvaajo bharatam prahasann iva |
jaane tvaam priiti samyuktam tuShyeH tvam yena kenacit || 2-91-3

3. atha= thereafter; bharadwaajaH= Bharadwaja; prahasanniva= smilingly; uvaacha= spoke; bharatam= to Bharata (as follows); jaane= I know; tvaam= you; priitisamyuktam= are of a friendly disposition; tvam= you; tuSyeH= are please; yena kena chit= with whatever is offered to you.

Then, Bharadwaja smilingly replied to Bharata as follows: "I know you possess a friendly disposition and you are pleased with whatever is offered to you."

senaayaaH tu tava etasyaaH kartum igcCaami bhojanam |
mama pritir yathaa ruupaa tvam arho manuja R^iShabha || 2-91-4

4. manujarSabha= O the excellent among men!ichchhami= I wish; kartum= to offer; bhojanam= food; tava= to your; etasyaaH= this; senaayaaH= army; arhaH= you ought to ; (fulfil); mama= my; priitiH= satisfaction; yathaaruupaatathaa= in every suitable way.

"O, Bharata the excellent among men! I wish to offer food to your army. You ought to fulfil my satisfaction in every suitable way."

kim artham ca api nikShipya duure balam iha aagataH |
kasmaan na iha upayaato asi sabalaH puruSha R^iShabha || 2-91-5

5. puruSarSabha= O, warrior!; kimartham= why; aagataH= did you come; iha= here; nikSipya= keeping; balam= your army; duure= at a distance?; kasmaat= why; na upayaataH asi= did you not come; sabalaH= with your army; iha= here?

"O, warrior! Why did you come here, leaving your army at a distance? Why did you not come to my place with your army?"

bharataH pratyuvaaca idam praanjaliH tam tapo dhanam |
sasainyo na upayaato asmi bhagavan bhagavad bhayaat || 2-91-6

6. bharataH= Bharata; praaNjaliH= with joined palms; pratyuvaacha= replied; tam= to that Bharadwaja; tapodhanam= enriched with austerity; idam= these words; bhagavan= O, venerable one!; nopato.asmi= I have not come; sasainyaH= with the army; bhagavadbhayaat= for fear (of displeasing) you.

Bharata, with joined palms, replied to Bharadwaja who was rich with austerity in the following words: "O, venerable one! I have not come here with my army for the fear of displeasing you."

raajJNaa ca bhagavannityaM raajaputreNa vaa sadaa |
yatnataH parihartavyaa viSayeSu tapasvinaH || 2-91-7

7. bhagavan= O, venerable one!; raajJNaacha= either by the king; raaja putreNa= or by the prince; tapasvinaH= ascetics; parihartavyaH= are to be kept away at a distance; yatnataH= deliberately; sadaa= ever; viSayeSu= in their own lands.

"O, Venerable One! Either the king or the prince should always keep away from the places occupied by ascetics"

vaaji mukhyaa manuShyaaH ca mattaaH ca vara vaaraNaaH |
pragcCaadya mahatiim bhuumim bhagavann anuyaanti maam || 2-91-8

8. bhagavan= O, Holy one!; vaaji mukhyaaH= spirited horses; manuSyaashcha= men; vara vaaraNaashcha= rare elephants; mattaaH= in rut; prachchhaadya= covering; mahatiim= an immense; bhuumim= area; anuyaanti= are accompanying; maam= me

"O, Holy one! Spirited horses, men and rare elephants in rut covering an immense area are accompanying me."

te vR^ikShaan udakam bhuumim aashrameShu uTajaamH tathaa |
na himsyur iti tena aham eka eva aagataH tataH || 2-91-9

9. na himsyuH= let them not damage; vR^ikSaan= the trees; uTajaan= huts; bhuumim= and ground; tathaa= and; (defile); udakam= the waters; aashrameSu= of hermitages; iti te= in this thought; aham= I; samaagataH= came; eka eva= alone.

"Let them not damage the trees, huts and ground and defile the waters of hermitages' - in this thought, I came alone."

aaniiyataam itaH senaa ity aajnaptaH parama R^iShiNaa |
tathaa tu cakre bharataH senaayaaH samupaagamam || 2-91-10

10. tatastu= thereafter; bharataH= Bharata; aajNaptaH= having been commanded; paramarSiNaa= by that great sage; iti= thus; senaa aniiyaatam= 'Let the army be brought; itaH= here'; chakre= allowed; senayaaH= the army's samupaagamam= arrival.

Thereafter Bharata, having been commanded by that great sage to bring the army there, allowed the army's arrival to the hermitage.

agni shaalaam pravishya atha piitvaa apaH parimR^ijya ca |
aatithyasya kriyaa hetor vishva karmaaNam aahvayat || 2-91-11

11. atha= thereafter; pravishya= entering; agnishaalaam= the fire-sanctuary (the place where the sacrificial fire is kept); piitvaa= sipping; aapaH= water; parimR^ijyacha= and wiping the lips; kriyaahatoH= and in order to fulfil his duties; aatithyasya= towards the guests; aahvayat= (he) invoked; vishva karmaaNam= visva Karma (the architect of gods)

Meanwhile, entering the fire-sanctuary (the place where the sacrificial fire is kept), sipping water and wiping the lips, Bharadwaja invoked Visvakarma (the architect of gods) in order to fulfil his duties towards the guests (as follows)

aahvaye vishva karmaaNam aham tvaShTaaram eva ca |
aatithyam kartum igcCaami tatra me samvidhiiyataam || 2-91-12

12. aham= I; ichchhaami= wish; kartum= to offer; aatithyam= hospitality to the guests; aahvaye= I summon; vishvakarmaaNam= vishvakarma; tvaSTaaram eva cha= who is also the divine carpenter; samvidhiiyataam= let arrangements be made; tatra= in that connection; me= for me.

"I wish to offer hospitality to the guest I summon vishvakarma who is also the divine carpenter. Let arrangements be made in that connection for me."

ahvaye lokapaalaaM striin devaan shakramukhaaMstathaa |
aatithyaM kartumichchaami tatra me saMvidhiiyataam || 2-91-13

13. tathaa= and; aahvaye= I invoke; triin devaan= the three gods; lokapaalaan= the guardians of the worlds; shakramukhaan= with Indra as their king; ichchhaami= I wish; kartum= to offer; aatithyam= hospitality to the guests; samvidhiiyataam= let arrangements be made; tatra= in this connection ; me= for me.

"I further invoke the three gods (Yama, Varuna and Kubera) the guardians of the worlds with Indra as their king. I wish to offer hospitality to the guests. Let arrangements be made in this connection for me."

praak srotasaH ca yaa nadyaH pratyak srotasa eva ca |
pR^ithivyaam antarikShe ca samaayaantu adya sarvashaH || 2-91-14

14. yaaH nadyaH= Let the rivers; praak srotasashcha= which flow towards the east; pratyak srotasa evacha= and those which flow towards the west; pR^ithivyaam= across the earth; antarikSecha= and in the aerial region; adya= now; saha aayaastu= come together here; sarvashaH= from all quarters

"Let the rivers which flow towards the east and those which flow towards the west, across the earth and in the aerial region now come together here from all quarters."

anyaaH sravantu maireyam suraam anyaaH suniShThitaam |
aparaaH ca udakam shiitam ikShu kaaNDa rasa upamam || 2-91-15

15. anyaaH= (Let) some rivers; sravantu= flow with; maireyam= Maireya ( a kind of wine made from date palms etc); anyaaH= and some others (flow with) suniSThitaam= highly; aparaashcha= and some others; sravantu= flow with; shiitam= cool; udakam= water; ikSukaaNDarasopamam= with a taste of sugar cane.

"Let some rivers flow with Maireya ( a kind of wine made from date palms etc) some others flow with highly refined spirituous liquor and some others flow with cool water with a taste of sugarcane."

aahvaye deva gandharvaan vishvaa vasu hahaa huhuun |
tathaiva apsaraso deviir gandharviiH ca api sarvashaH || 2-91-16

16. aahvaye= I invoke; devagandharvaan= the celestials, celstial musicians; vishvaavasu haahaa huhuun= Vishvavasu Haha and Huhu; tathaiva= and apsarasaH= the nymphs; deviiH= belonging to celestial race; gandharviishchaapi= and also belonging to celestial musicians race sarvashaH= from all regions.

"I invoke the celestials and celestial musicians Vishvavasu, Haha and Huhu as also Apsaras (nymphs) belonging to the celestial and celestial musicians' race from all regions.

ghR^itaaciim atha vishvaaciim mishra keshiim alambusaam |
naagadantaaM ca hemaaM cha himaamadrikR^itasthalaam || 2-91-17

17. atha= And; (I invoke); ghR^itaachiim= the celstial nymphs called Ghritachi; vishvaachiim= Vishvachi; mishra kesiim= Mishra Kesi; alambusaam= Alambusa; naagadantaamcha= Nagadanta; hemaamcha= and Hema; himaam= and Hima; adrikR^ita sthadaam= who has an abode made in mountains.

"I invoke the celestial nymphs called ghritachi, Vishvachi, Mishra Kesi, Alambusa, Nagadanta and Hema as also Hima who has an abode made in mountains."

shakram yaaH ca upatiShThanti brahmaaNam yaaH ca bhaaminiiH |
sarvaaH tumburuNaa saardham aahvaye saparigcCadaaH || 2-91-18

18. aahvaye= I invoke; yoSitaH= the fair women; yaashcha= who; upatiSThanti= are attending on; shakram= Indra the Lord of celestials; yaashcha= and those who are (are attending on); brahmaaNam= Brahma the Lord of creation; sarvaaH= all of them; saparichchhadaaH= with their external appendages (like musical instruments); tumburuNaasaartham= along with (their teacher) Tumburu.

"I invoke the fair women who are attending on Brahma the Lord of creation - all of them with their external appendages (like musical instruments) along with (their teacher) Tumburu."

vanam kuruShu yad divyam vaaso bhuuShaNa patravat |
divya naarii phalam shashvat tat kauberam iha eva tu || 2-91-19

19. tat= (Let) that; divyam vanam= beautiful garden; kuruSu= in the region of northern Kuru; kauberam= presided over by Kubera; shashvat= always; vaasobhuuSaNa patravat= with its leaves which; sarve= as raiment and ornaments; divya naariiphalam= with its fruits in the form of heavenly damsels; etu= appear; iha= in this place.

"Let that beautiful garden in the region of northern Kuru, presided over by Kubera (the god of riches) always with its leaves which serve as raiment and ornaments, with its fruits in the form of heavenly damsels appear in this place."

iha me bhagavaan somo vidhattaam annam uttamam |
bhakShyam bhojyam ca coShyam ca lehyam ca vividham bahu || 2-91-20

20. (May); bhagavaan= the blessed; somaH= moon god( the deity presiding over annual plants); vidhattaam= furnish; me= me; iha= at this place; uttamam= excellent; annam= food; bahu= f many; vividham= Varieties; bhakSyam= confections; bhojayam= sweets; choSyam= sances; lchyamcha= and syrups

"Many the blessed moon-god (the duty presiding over annual plants) furnish me at this place, excellent food of every variety, confections, sweets, sauces and syrups."

vicitraaNi ca maalyaani paadapa pracyutaani ca |
suraa aadiini ca peyaani maamsaani vividhaani ca || 2-91-21

21. (May the blessed moon-god furnish me); vichitraaNi= many-coloured; maalyaanicha= flowers; paadapa prachyutaani= which have just fallen from trees; peyaani= drinks; suraadiini= like wine and others; vividhaani= and various kinds; maamsaani cha= of meat.

"May the blessed moon-god furnish me many-coloured flowers which have just fallen from the flower-plants or trees, the drinks like wine and others as also various kinds of meat."

evam samaadhinaa yuktaH tejasaa apratimena ca |
shikShaa svara samaayuktam tapasaa ca abraviin muniH || 2-91-22

22. muniH= that sage Bharadwaja; samaadhinaa= with his intense meditation; apratimena= having unequal; tejasaacha= splendour; yuktaH= and with; tapasaacha= austerity; abraviit= uttered; evam= thus; shiikSa svara samaayuktam= in tones according to the science which deals with proper articulation and pronunciation of Vedic texts.

That sage Bharadwaja, with his intense meditation, possessing unequal splendour and with austerity, spoke as follows, in tones befitting proper articulation and pronunciation of the scriptural texts:

manasaa dhyaayataH tasya praan mukhasya kR^ita anjaleH |
aajagmuH taani sarvaaNi daivataani pR^ithak pR^ithak || 2-91-23

23. tasya= (While) that sage Bharadwaja; kR^itaaN^jale= with joined palms; dhyaataH= was meditating; manasaa= with intelligence; praaNmukhasya= turning his face towards the east; sarvaaNi= all; taani daivataani= those celestials; aajagmuH= arrived; pR^ithak pR^ithak= one by one.

While that sage Bharadwaja, with joined palms, was meditating with absorption in the east, all those celestials came one by one.

malayam durduram caiva tataH sveda nudo anilaH |
upaspR^ishya vavau yuktyaa supriya aatmaa sukhaH shivaH || 2-91-24

24. tataH= then; anilaH= a breeze; upaspR^ishya= passing over; malayam= the mountain of Malaya; darduramchaiva= and Dardura; vavau= bean to blow; svedanudaH= removing sweat; yuktvaa= by its influence; supriyaatmaa= which was pleasant in nature; sukhaH= comfortable; shivaH= and gracious

Then, a pleasant comfortable and gracious breeze, passing over the mountains of Malaya and Dardura, began to blw, removing sweat by its influence.

tato abhyavartanta ghanaa divyaaH kusuma vR^iShTayaH |
deva dundubhi ghoShaH ca dikShu sarvaasu shushruve || 2-91-25

25. tataH= thereafter; divyaaH= wonderful; ghanaaH= clouds; abhyavarSantaH= let loose; kusuma vR^iSTayaH= a rain of flowers; divya dundubhi ghoSashcha= while the sound of divine gongs; shushrave= could be heard; sarvaasu= in every; dikSu= quarter

Thereafter wonderful clouds let loose a rain of flowers, while the sound of divine gongs could be heard on every side.

pravavuH ca uttamaa vaataa nanR^ituH ca apsaro gaNaaH |
prajagur deva gandharvaa viiNaa pramumucuH svaraan || 2-91-26

26. uttamaaH= (to the) Melodious; prasavuH= rustling; vaataashcha= of the wind; apsarogaNaaH= troops of Apsaras( divine nymphs); nanR^itushcha= danced; devagandharaaH= the celestials and celestial musicians; jagushcha= sang; viiNaaH= vina's stringed musical instruments; pramumuchuH= sent forth; svaraan= their tones.

Troops of Apsaras (divine nymphs) danced to the melodious rustling of the wind. The clestials and the celestial musicians sang. Vinas, stringed musical instruments transmitted their tunes.

sa shabdo dyaam ca bhuumim ca praaNinaam shravaNaani ca |
vivesha uccaaritaH shlakShNaH samo laya guNa anvitaH || 2-91-27

27. SakSNaH= sweet; layasamanvitaH= and harmonious; saH shabdaH= sounds; uchcharitaH= emitted; samaH= smoothly; vivesha= entered; dyaamcha= the sky; bhuumimcha= earth; shravaNaanicha= and the ears; praaNinaam= of beings.

Sweat and harmonious sounds emitted smoothly, entered the sky earth and the ears of beings.

tasminn uparate shabde divye shrotra sukhe nR^iNaam |
dadarsha bhaaratam sainyam vidhaanam vishva karmaNaH || 2-91-28

28. tasmin (when) those; divye shabde= celestial melodies; uparate= ceased; shrotrasukhe= so pleasingly heard; nR^iNaam= by human beings; bhaaratam= Bharata's; sainyam= army; dadarsha= saw; vidhaanam= the wonderful creations; vishvakarmaNaH= of Visvakarma.

When those celestial melodies ceased so pleasingly heard by the human ears, Bharata's army saw the wonderful creations of Visvakarma.

babhuuva hi samaa bhuumiH samantaat panca yojanam |
shaadvalair bahubhiH channaa niila vaiduurya samnibhaiH || 2-91-29

29. samaa= A levelled; bhuumiH= land; paN^ca yojanaa= of approximately twenty miles; samantaat= around; babhuuva hi= became; chhanna= covered; bahubhiH shaadvalaiH= by many carpets of grass; niila vaiDhuurya sannibhaiH= dark as emerald.

A levelled land of approximately twenty miles on all sides, became covered by many carpets of grass, dark as emerald.

tasmin bilvaaH kapitthaaH ca panasaa biija puurakaaH |
aamalakyo babhuuvuH ca cuutaaH ca phala bhuuShaNaaH || 2-91-30

30. tasmin= At that place; bilvaaH= Bilva; kapitthashcha= Kapitha; panasaaH= Panasa; biija puurakaH= Citron; amalakyaH= amalaki; chuutaashcha= and mango trees; phala bhuuSaNaaH= laden with fruit; babhuuvUH= were there.

At that place, Bilva, Kapittha, Panasa, Citron Amalaki and Mango Trees laden with fruit appeared.

uttarebhyaH kurubhyaH ca vanam divya upabhogavat |
aajagaama nadii divyaa tiirajair bahubhir vR^itaa || 2-91-31

31. vanam= A forest; divyopabhogaat= of divine enjoyments; uttarebhyaH kurubhyaH= from the tearitory of northern Kuru's; divyaa= and a divine; nadii= river; kR^itaa= shaped; bahubhiH= with various; tiirajaiH= trees on its bank; aajagaama= appeared (there)

A forest of divine enjoyments from the territory of northern Kuru's along with a river shaped with various trees on its bank appeared there.

catuH shaalaani shubhraaNi shaalaaH ca gaja vaajinaam |
harmya praasaada samghaataaH toraNaani shubhaani ca || 2-91-32

32. shubhraaNi= Splendid; chatushshaalaani= square mansions; shaalaashcha= with stables; gaja vaajinaam= for elephants and horses; (as well as); shubhaani= resplendent; harmya praasaada samyukta toraNaani= gates with watch-towers flanked by turrets (could be seen).

Splendid square mansions with stables for elephants and horses as well as resplendent gates with watch-towers flanked by turrets were seen.

sita megha nibham ca api raaja veshma sutoraNam |
shukla maalya kR^ita aakaaram divya gandha samukShitam || 2-91-33
catur asram asambaadham shayana aasana yaanavat |
divyaiH sarva rasair yuktam divya bhojana vastravat || 2-91-34
upakalpita sarva annam dhauta nirmala bhaajanam |
klR^ipta sarva aasanam shriimat svaastiirNa shayana uttamam || 2-91-35

33, 34, 35. raaja veshma chaapi= even a royal palace; (emerged); sita megha nibham= dazzling as a cloud; sutoraNam= pierced by splendid arches; shukla maalya kR^itaakaaram= hung with white garlands; divya gandha samukSitam= filled with fragrance of celestial perfumes; chaturashram= forming a perfect quadrangle; asambaadham= spacious; shayanaasana yaanavat= and furnished with couches, seats and palanquins; divyaiH= (supplied with) ambrosial; sarva rasaiH= drinks of every kind; divya bhojana vastravat= magnificent attire and food of every variety; upakalpita sarvaannam= well-prepared eatables of every description; dhauta nirmala bhaajanam= in cleaned vessels free from dirt; klupta sarvaasanam= all kinds of seats arranged in order; svaastiirNa shayanottamam= with superb couches duly covered with rich carpets; shriimat= looked charming.

A royal palace emerged, dazzling as a cloud, pierced by splendid arches, hung with white garlands, filled with fragrance of celestial perfumes, forming a perfect quadrangle, spacious, furnished with couches seats and palanquins, supplied with ambrosial drinks of every kind as well as magnificent attire and food of every variety, well-prepared eatables of every description in cleaned vessels free from dirt and all kinds of seats arranged in order looked charming with superb couches duly covered with rich carpets.

pravivesha mahaa baahur anujnaato maharShiNaa |
veshma tad ratna sampuurNam bharataH kaikayii sutaH || 2-91-36

36. mahaabaahuH= the mighty armed; bharataH= Bharata; kaikeyiisutaH= the son of Kaikeyi; anN^aataH= on the invitation; maharSiNaa= of the great sage; pravivesha= entered; tat veshma= that palace; ratna sampuurNam= filled with precious gems.

The mighty armed Bharata the son of Kaikeyi on invitation by the great sage, entered that palace filled with precious gems.

anujagmuH ca tam sarve mantriNaH sapurohitaaH |
babhuuvuH ca mudaa yuktaa tam dR^iShTvaa veshma samvidhim || 2-91-37

37. sarve= all; mantriNaH= the ministers; sapurohitaaH= together with priests; anujagmushcha= accompanied; tam= Bharata; dR^iSTvaa= and on seeing; tam= that; veshma samvidhim= excellent get-up of the palace; babhuuvushcha= they became; yuktaaH= filled; mudaa= with delight.

All the ministers together with priests accompanied Bharata and on entering that excellent get-up of the house, were filled

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tatra raaja aasanam divyam vyajanam chatram eva ca |
bharato mantribhiH saardham abhyavartata raajavat || 2-91-38

38. bharataH= Bharata; mantribhiH saartham= along with his ministers; abhyavartata= went clockwise round; divyam= the excellent; raajaasanam= royal throne; vyajanam= whisk; chhatram eva cha= and the royal umbrella; (kept there); raajavat= as if they were utilized by a king.

Bharata along with his ministers went clock-wise round the excellent royal throne, whisk and the royal umbrella kept there, as if they were utilized by a king.

aasanam puujayaam aasa raamaaya abhipraNamya ca |
vaala vyajanam aadaaya nyaShiidat saciva aasane || 2-91-39

39. puujamaayaasa= (they) paid reverence; aasanam= to the royal seat; abhipraNamya cha= bowing before it; raamaaya= as if Rama sat thereon; (and thereafter Bharata); aadaaya= taking hold of; vaala vyaajanam= the whisk; nyaSidat= sat down; schivaasane= on the seat meant for the chief minister.

They paid reverence to the royal seat, bowing before it, as if Rama sat thereon and thereafter Bharata, taking hold of the whisk, sat down on the seat meant for the chief minister.

aanupuurvyaan niSheduH ca sarve mantra purohitaaH |
tataH senaa patiH pashcaat prashaastaa ca niShedatuH || 2-91-40

40. sarve= all; mantri purohitaaH= the ministers and priests; niSeduH= sat down; aanupuurvyaan= in order of precedence; tataH= thereafter; senaapatiH= the chief of the army; pashchaat= and at last; prashaastaacha= the officer-in-charge of the encampment.

All the ministers and priests sat down in order of precedence. Thereafter, the chief of the army and at last the officer-in-charge of the encampment occupied their seats.

tataH tatra muhuurtena nadyaH paayasa kardamaaH |
upaatiShThanta bharatam bharadvaajasya shaasanat || 2-91-41

41. tataH= thereafter; muhurtena= on an instant; shaasanaat= by the orders; bharadvaajasya= of Bharadwaja; nadyaH= streams; paayasa kardamaaH= having milk thickened with rice in the plce of mud; upatiSThanta= flowed; bharatam= towards Bharata; tatra= there.

Then, on an instant, by the orders of Bharadwaja, streams having milk thickened with rice in the place of mud, flowed towards Bharata.

taasaam ubhayataH kuulam paaNDu mR^ittika lepanaaH |
ramyaaH ca aavasathaa divyaa brahmaNaH tu prasaadajaaH || 2-91-42

42. ubhayataH kuulam= On both the banks; taasaam= of those streams; ramyaaH= enchanting; divyaaH= and celestial; aavasadhaashcha= houses; paaNDu mR^ittika lepanaaH= plastered with white clay; prasaadajaaH= born of the grace; brahmaNaH= of Brahma the Lord of creation; (appeared there).

On both the banks of those streams, enchanting and celestial houses plastered with white clay born out of the grace of Brahma the Lord of creation, appeared.

tena eva ca muhuurtena divya aabharaNa bhuuShitaaH |
aagur vimshati saahasraaH braahmaNaa prahitaaH striyaH || 2-91-43

43. tena= at that; muhuurtena= moment itself; vimshati saahaasraaH= twenty thousand; striyaH= women; divyaabharaNa bhuuSitaaH= adorned with beautiful ornaments; prahitaaH= sent; brahmaNaa= by Brahma; aaguH= arrived.

At that moment itself, twenty thousand women adorned with beautiful ornaments, sent by Brahma, arrived.

suvarNa maNi muktena pravaalena ca shobhitaaH |
aagur vimshati saahasraaH kubera prahitaaH striyaH || 2-91-44

44. vimshatisaahasraaH= twenty thousand more; striyaH= women; shobhitaaH= who were radiant; suvarNa maNi muktena= and adorned with gold, gems, perals; pravaaLena= and corals; aaguH= came; kubera prahitaaH= from the region of Kubera.

Twenty thousand more women, who were radiant and adorned with gold, gems, pearls and corals came from the region of Kubera.

yaabhir gR^ihiitaH puruShaH sa unmaada iva lakShyate |
aagur vimshati saahasraa nandanaad apsaro gaNaaH || 2-91-45

45. apsaro gaNaaH= a particular company of Apsaras; grahiitaH= embraced; yaabhiH= by whom; puruSaH= a man; lakSyate= looked; sonmaada iva= as though seized with insanity; aaguH= came; nandanaat= from Nandana grove.

A particular company of Apsaras, embraced by whom, a man looked as though seized with insanity, came from Nandana grove.

naaradaH tumburur gopaH parvataH suurya varcasaH |
ete gandharva raajaano bharatasya agrato jaguH || 2-91-46

46. ete= these; pravaraaH= most excellent; gandharva raajaanaH= kings among celestial musicians; naaradaH= Narada; tumburuH= Tumburu; gopaH= and Gopa; sumryavarchasaH= whose radiance is like that of the sun; jaguH= began to sing; agrataH= in front; bharatasya= of Bharata.

Those most excellent kings among celestial musicians - Narada, Tumbura and Gopa whose radiance is like that of the sun, began to sing in front of Bharata.

alambusaa mishra keshii puNDariikaa atha vaamanaa |
upaanR^ityamH tu bharatam bharadvaajasya shaasanaat || 2-91-47

47. atha= then; shaasanaat= on the command; bharadvaajasya= of Bharadwaja; alambusaa= Alambusa; mishra keshi= Misra Kesi; puNDariikaa= Pundarika; vaamanaa= and Vamana; upaanR^ityantu= started dancing in the presence; bharatam= of Bharata.

Then, on the command of Bharadwaja, Alambusa, MishraKesi and Vamana started dancing in the presence of Bharata.

yaani maalyaani deveShu yaani caitrarathe vane |
prayaage taany adR^ishyanta bharadvaajasya shaasanaat || 2-91-48

48. shaasanaat= by the command; bharadwajasya= of Bharadwaja; maalyaani= wreaths of flowers; yaani= which were; deveSu= (beloved) of the gods; taani= or those; yaani= which; vane= grow in the woods; chaitrarathe= of Chaitraratha; aadR^ishyanta= were seen; prayaage= at Prayaga.

By the command of Bharadwaja, wreaths of flowers which were beloved of the gods or those which grow in the woods of chaitra ratha were seen at Prayaga.

bilvaa maardangikaa aasan shamyaa graahaa bibhiitakaaH |
ashvatthaa nartakaaH ca aasan bharadvaajasya tejasaa || 2-91-49

49. shaasanaat= By the command; bharadwaajasya= of Bharadwaja; bilvaaH= Bel trees; aasan= assumed; maardaN^gikaaH= (the form) of drummers; vibhiitakaaH= Vibhitaka trees; shamyaagraahaaH= of cymbalists; ashvathaaH= Peepul trees; aasan= assumed; nartakaashcha= the form of dancers.

By the command of Bharadwaja, Bel trees assumed the form of drummers, Vibhitaka trees assumed the form of cymbalists and Peepul trees assumed the form of dancers.

tataH sarala taalaaH ca tilakaa nakta maalakaaH |
prahR^iShTaaH tatra sampetuH kubjaa bhuutaa atha vaamanaaH || 2-91-50

50. tataH= then; saraLataaLaashcha= deoders, palmyras; tilakaaH= and Tilaka trees; bhuutvaa= transformed into; kubjaaH= hunchbacks; atha= and; vaamanaaH= dwarfs; prahR^iSTaaH= joyfully; sampetuH= arrived; tatra= there.

Then, dcodars palmyras and Tilaka trees along with Tamala trees transformed into hunch backs and dwarfs and joyfully arrived there.

shimshapaa aamalakii jambuur yaaH ca anyaaH kaanane lataaH |
maalatii mallikaa jaatiryaashcaanyaaH kaanane lataaH || 2-91-51
pramadaa vigraham kR^itvaa bharadvaaja aashrame avasan |

51. shimshupamamalakiijambvaH= Shimsapas (Ashoka trees); Amalakis(Emblic myrobalan), Jambus(rose apple trees); maalati= Malati; mallikaa= Mallika; jaatiH= and Jati; anyaaH= and other; yaH lataaH= creepers; kaanane= in the forest; kR^itvaa= had been changed; pramadaavigraham= into the form of dancing girls; bharadwaajaasrame= in the hermitage of Bharadwaja; (and they) avadan= spoke (as follows).

Shimshapas (Ashoka trees), Amalakis (Emblic myrobalan), Jambus (rose-apple trees), Malati, Mallika Jati and other creepers in the forest had been changed into dancing girls in the hermitage of Bharadwaja and they spoke as follows:

suraam suraapaaH pibata paayasam ca bubhukshitaaH || 2-91-52
maamsani ca sumedhyaani bhakShyantaam yaavad igcCatha || 2-91-53

52, 53. suraapaaH= O, wine-bibbers!; pibata= drink; yaavat= however much; suraaH= wine; ichchhatha= you desire! bubhukSitaaH= O troops stricken with hunger! (Let); paayasam cha= milk thickened with rice; maamsaanicha= and meats; sumedhyaani= which are very much fresh; bhakSyantaam= be eaten.

"O, wine-bibbers! Drink the wine, however much you desire! O troops stricken with hunger! Let milk thickened iwth rice and the meats which are very much fresh, be eaten (as you will)"

utsaadya snaapayanti sma nadii tiireShu valguShu |
apy ekam ekam puruSham pramadaaH satpa ca aShTa ca || 2-91-54

54. sapta cha seven or; aSTa cha= eight; pramadaaH= young women; snaanayantisma api= bathed; ekam ekam= every single; puruSam= man; abhi valguSu= on the beautiful; nadiitiireSu= on the beautiful; nadiitiireSu= river-banks; uchchhaadya= after massaging their body with oil.

Seven or eight young women bathed every single man on the beautiful river-banks, after massaging their body with oil.

samvahantyaH samaapetur naaryo rucira locanaaH |
parimR^ijya tathaa nyaayam paayayanti vara anganaaH || 2-91-55

55. naaryaH= women; ruchira lochanaaH= with charming eyes; samaapetuH= came running; samvaahantya= and shampooed their limbs; varaaNganaaH= lovely women; tathaa= like wise; parimR^ijya= wiped off the moisture (on their body); paayayanti= and gave them beverages to drink; anyauyam= mutually sharing them among each other.

Women with charming eyes came running and shampooed their limbs. Lovely women likewise wiped off the moisture on their body with towels and gave them beverages to drink, mutually sharing them among each other.

hayaan gajaan kharaan uShTraamH tathaiva surabheH sutaan |
abhojayan vaahanapaasteSaaM bhojyaM yathaavidhi || 2-91-56

56. vaahanapaaH= the keepers of animals; abhojayan= fed; hayaan= the horses; gajaan elephantsl kharaan= donkeys; uSTraan= camels; tathaiva= and likewise; sutaan= the offspring; surabheH= of Surabhi the divine cow; teSaam= with their; bhojyam= feed; yathaavidhi= suitably.

The keepers of animals fed horses, elephants, donkeys, camels and bullocks (the offspring of Surabhi the divine cow) with their suitable feed.

ikShuumH ca madhu jaalaamH ca bhojayanti sma vaahanaan |
ikShvaaku vara yodhaanaam codayanto mahaa balaaH || 2-91-57

57. vaahanaan= the animals; ikSvaaku varayodhaanaam= belonging to the illustrious warriors the descendents of Ikshvakus; mahaa balaaH= the exceedingly strong men; bhojantisma= were fed; ikSuumshcha= with sugarcane; madhulajaamshcha= and roasted grain mixed in honey; chodayantaH= duly cajoling them to eat.

The animals, belonging to the exceedingly strong and illustrious warriors, the descendents of Ikshvaku, were fed with pieces of sugarcane and roasted grain soaked in honey, duly cajoling them to eat.

na ashva bandho ashvam aajaanaan na gajam kunjara grahaH |
matta pramatta muditaa camuuH saa tatra sambabhau || 2-91-58

58. ashvabandhaH= the groom; na ajaanaat= did not recognize; ashram= his horse; kuN^jara grahaH= the elephant-keeper; na= did not recognise; gajam= his elephant; saa= that; chamuuH= army; tatra= there; sambabhau= appeared; mattapramatta muditaa= intoxicated, maddened and enraptured on that spot.

The groom did not recognise his horse. The elephant-keeper did not recognise his elephant. That army there appeared intoxicated, maddened and enraptured on that spot.

tarpitaa sarva kaamaiH te rakta candana ruuShitaaH |
apsaro gaNa samyuktaaH sainyaa vaacam udairayan || 2-91-59

59. sarva kaamaiH= with all their desires; tarpitaH= gratified; rakta chandana ruuSitaaH= and their bodies anointed with red-sandal paste; apsarogaNa samyuktaaH= surrounded by a company of Apsaras; te sainyaaH= those soldiers; adairayan= uttered; vaacham= these words.

With all their desires gratified, their bodies anointed with red-sandal paste, and surrounded by a company of Apsaras, those soldiers uttered the following words.

na eva ayodhyaam gamiShyaamo na gamiShyaama daNDakaan |
kushalam bharatasya astu raamasya astu tathaa sukham || 2-91-60

60. naiva gamiSyaamaH= we shall not go; ayodhyaam= either to Ayodhya; daN^Dakaan= or to Dandaka forest; bharatasya= Let Bharata; astu= be; kushalam= well!; tathaa= likewise; raamasya= let Rama; astu= be; sukham= at ease!

"We shall not go either to Ayodhya or to Dandaka forest. Let Bharata be well! Likewise, let Rama too be at east!"

iti paadaata yodhaaH ca hasty ashva aaroha bandhakaaH |
anaathaaH tam vidhim labdhvaa vaacam etaam udairayan || 2-91-61

61. labdhvaa= having obtained; tam= that; vidhim= hospitality; paadaatayodhaashcha= infantry; hastyashvaaroha bandhakaaH= and cavalry as well as those mounted on elephants and their keepers too; anaathaaH= no longer acknowledging their leaders; udairayan= spoke; etaam= these; vaadam= words; iti= thus.

Having obtained that hospitality, the infantry, the cavalry as well as those mounted on elephants and their keepers too, no longer acknowledging their leaders, spoke the following words:

samprahR^iShTaa vineduH te naraaH tatra sahasrashaH |
bharatasya anuyaataaraH svarge ayam iti ca abruvan || 2-91-62

62. samprahR^iSTaaH= in the height of joy; te naraaH= those men; sahasrashaH= in thosands; tatra= there; anuyaataaraH= the retinue; bharatasya= of Bharata; vineduH= cried out; abruvan= and spoke too; iti= thus; ayam= "Verily, this is; svagaH= heaven!"

In the height of joy, those men in thousands there, the retinue of Bharata cried out, "This is verily of heaven!"

nR^ityanti sma hasantisma gaayanti sma cha sainikaaH |
samantaat paridhaavanti maalyo petaaH sahasrashaH || 2-91-63

63. sainikaaH= the soldiers; sahasrashaH= in thousands; maalyapetaaH= wreathed in flowers; nR^ityantisma= danced; hasantisma= laughed; gaayantisma= and sang; paridhaavanti= and ran; samantaat= hither and thither.

The soldiers in thousands, wreathed in flowers danced, laughed, sang and ran hither and thither.

tato bhuktavataam teShaam tad annam amR^ita upamam |
divyaan udviikShya bhakShyaamH taan abhavad bhakShaNe matiH || 2-91-64

64. tataH= thereafter; teSaam= to those soldiers; bhuktavataam= who had partaken; tat annam= that food; amR^itopamam= which was as sweet as ambrosia; udviikSya= when they saw; taan= those; divyaan= fresh; bhakSyaan= dishes; abhavat= there arose; matiH= a desire; bhakSaNe= to eat (them again).

To those soldiers who had partaken that food which was as sweet as ambrosia, when they saw again those fresh dishes, there arose in them a desire to eat them again.

preShyaaH ceTyaH ca vadhvaH ca balasthaaH ca api sarvashaH |
babhuuvuH te bhR^isham tR^iptaaH sarve ca aahata vaasasaH || 2-91-65

65. sahasrashaH= thousands of; preSyaaH= servants; cheTyashcha= slaves; vadhvashcha= youthful women; te= and those; balasthaaH= in the army; sarvacha= on every side; aahata raasasaH= clad in new raiment; babhuuvaH= became; bhR^isham= very much; dR^iptaaH= contented.

Thousands of servants, slaves, youthful women and those in the army on every side, clad in new raiment, became very much contented.

kunjaraaH ca khara uShTraH ca go ashvaaH ca mR^iga pakShiNaH |
babhuuvuH subhR^itaaH tatra na anyo hy anyam akalpayat || 2-91-66

66. kuNjaraasahcha= Elephants; kharoSTraashcha= donkeys, camels; go.ashvaashcha= bullocks, horses; mR^iga pakSiNaH= animals and birds; tatra= there; babhuuvaH= were suitably; subhR^itaaH= fed well; anyaH= one; naakalpayat hi= did not afflict; anyam= the other.

Elephants, donkeys, camels, bullocks, horses, animals and birds there were suitably well-fed. Hence, one did not afflict the other.

na ashukla vaasaaH tatra aasiit kShudhito malino api vaa |
rajasaa dhvasta kesho vaa naraH kashcid adR^ishyata || 2-91-67

67. tatra= there; na aasiit= was no one; naa dR^ishyata= nor any one seen; ashuklavaasaa= in soiled attire; kSudhitaH= or hungry; malino.api= or unkept; kashchit naraH= or any man; dhvasta keshovaa= with his hair spoiled; rajasaa= by powdered dust.

There was no one seen in soiled attire or hungry or unkept or with hair powdered with dust.

aajaiH ca api ca vaaraahair niShTaana vara samcayaiH |
phala niryuuha samsiddhaiH suupair gandha rasa anvitaiH || 2-91-68
puShpa dhvajavatiiH puurNaaH shuklasya annasya ca abhitaH |
dadR^ishur vismitaaH tatra naraa lauhiiH sahasrashaH || 2-91-69

68, 69. aajaishchaapi= dishes of goat; vaarahaishcha= and boar; niSThaana vara samchayaiH= with delicious sauces; tatra= were there; suupaiH= flavoury soups; gandha rasaanvitaiH= that were spicy, fragrant and succulent; phala niryuuha samsiddhaiH= cooked in fruit juices; puurNaaH= filled; lohiiH= in vessels of rare metals; sahasrashaH= in thousands; puSpa dhvajavatiiH= decorated with flowers shuklaamshcha annasya= of white rice; naraaH= those soldiers; dadR^ishuH= saw (them); tatra= there; vos,otaaJ= with wonder; abhitaH= on all sides .

Dishes of goat and boar with delicious sauces were there and condiments that were spicy, fragrant and succulent, cooked in fruit juices; vessels of rare metals filled with rice, decorated with flowers, were offered in thousands to those soldiers there. The soldiers saw them with wonder on all sides.

babhuuvur vana paarshveShu kuupaaH paayasa kardamaaH |
taaH ca kaamadughaa gaavo drumaaH ca aasan madhushcyutaH || 2-91-70

70. kuupaaH= the wells; vana paarshveSu= in various sides of the kardamaaH= have their mud transformed into milk in which rice has been cooked with sugar; taaH= those; gaavaH= cows; aasan= were transformed; kaamadughaaH= into cows of plenty; drumaashcha= and the trees; madhushchyutaH= dripped honey.

The wells in various sides of the forest (surrounding Bharadwaja's hermitage) have their mud transformed into milk in which rice was cooked. The cows in the region were transformed into cows of plenty and the trees dripped honey.

vaapyo maireya puurNaaH ca mR^iShTa maamsa cayair vR^itaaH |
pratapta piTharaiH ca api maarga maayuura kaukkuTaiH || 2-91-71

71. vaapyaH= (some) ponds; vR^itaaH= were endowed with; maireya puurNaashcha= full of wine; (and some ponds with); mR^iSTaiH= pertaining to deer, peacocks and wild cocks; vratapta piTaraiH= cooked in hot pans.

Some ponds there were endowed with full of wine and some were filled with assortment of various dressed meats pertaining to deer, peacocks and wild cocks; cooked in hot pans.

paatriiNaam ca sahasraaNi shaata kumbhamayaani ca |
sthaalyaH kumbhyaH karambhyaH ca dadhi puurNaaH susamskR^itaaH || 2-91-72
yauvanasthasya gaurasya kapitthasya sugandhinaH |

72. (There were); sahasraaNi= thousands; paatriiNaam= of portable furnances; niyutaani= lacs; sthaliinaam= of culinary utensils; nyarbudaanicha= ten crores; shaata kumbha mayaani= of golden; paatraaNi= vessels; susamskR^itaaH= well-cleaned; sthaalyaH= bowls; dadhipuurNaaH= filled with curd; kumbhyaH= small water-jars; karambhyashcha= and wide-mouthed dishes.

There were thousands of portable furnaces, lacs of culinary utensils ten crores of golden vessels, well-cleaned bowls filled with curds, small water-jars and wide-mouthed dishes.

hradaaH puurNaa rasaalasya dadhnaH shvetasya ca apare |
babhuuvuH paayasasya ante sharkaraayaaH ca samcayaaH || 2-91-73
kalkaamH cuurNa kaShaayaamH ca snaanaani vividhaani ca |
dadR^ishur bhaajanasthaani tiirtheShu saritaam naraaH || 2-91-74

73, 74. hradaaH= lakes; puurNaaH= full; yauvanasthasya= of fresh (curds) gaurasya= shining sugandhinaH= fragrant; kapitthasya= and also in the colour of a wood-apple; rasaalasya= curds mixed with sugar and spices; apare cha= some other lakes; shvetasya= of white; dadhnaH= curds; anye= and some other lakes; paayasasya= of milk soaked in rice and sugar; sharkaraayaavasamchayaaH= and of heaps of mixture of barley-flour and sugar; babhuuvaH= were formed.

Lakes full of fresh curds, shining fragrant and in the colour of a wood-apple, curds mixed with sugar and spices, some other lakes filled with shite curds, some others filled with milk soaked in rice as well as sugar and some other lakes with a mixture of barley and sugar were formed.

kalkaan cuurNakaSaayaaMshca snaanaani vividhaani ca |
dadR^ishurbhaajanasthaani tiirtheSu saritaaM naraaH || 2-91-75

75. naraaH= those soldiers; dadR^ishuH= saw; kalkaan= jellies; chuurNa kaSaayaamshcha= powders and syrups (made of fruits); vividhaani= and various kinds; snaanaanicha= of accessories used in bathing; bhaajana sthaani= kept stored in vessels; tiirtheSu= on the banks; saritaam= of rivers.

Those soldiers saw jellies, powders and syrups made of fruits and various kinds of accessories used in bathing, kept stored in vessels, on the banks of rivers.

shuklaan amshumataH ca api danta dhaavana samcayaan |
shuklaamH candana kalkaamH ca samudgeShu avatiShThataH || 2-91-76
darpaNaan parimR^iShTaamH ca vaasasaam ca api samcayaan |
paaduka upaanahaam caiva yugmaan yatra sahasrashaH ||2-91-77
aanjaniiH kankataan kuurcaamH chatraaNi ca dhanuumShi ca |
marma traaNaani citraaNi shayanaany aasanaani ca || 2-91-78
pratipaana hradaan puurNaan khara uShTra gaja vaajinaam |
avagaahya sutiirthaamH ca hradaan sa utpala puShkaraan || 2-91-79
niila vaiduurya varNaamH ca mR^iduun yavasa samcayaan |
nirvaapa artham pashuunaam te dadR^ishuH tatra sarvashaH || 2-91-80

76, 77, 78, 79, 80. ta= those soldiers; dadR^ishaH= saw; tatra= there; sarvashaH= all around; dana dhaavana samchayaan= heaps of twigs used for cleaning the teeth; shuklaam= with white; mshumatashchaapi= brushes; shuklaan= white; chandana kalkaamshcha= sandal pastes; avatiSThataH= stored; samudgeSu= in caskets; parimR^iSThaam= polished; darpaNaancha= mirrors; samchayaan chaapi= piles; vaasasaam= of clothes; sahasrashaH= thousands; yugmaanicha= of pairs; paadukopaanahaam= of shoes and sandals; aaNjaniiH= caskets containing collyrium for the eyes; kamkataan= combs; kuurchaan= brushes; vastraaNi cha= raiments; dhanuumSicha= bows; marmatraanaani= protectors of vitals; chitraaNi= strange; shayanaani= couches; aasanaani= and seats; pratipaaa hradaan= drinking ponds; kharoSTragaja vaajinaam= for donkeys, camels, elephants and horses; hradaan= lakes; avagaahya sutiirthaan= with good stairs for descent; sotapalapuSkaran= with water lilies and lotuses; aakaashavarNapratimaan= with sky-blue colour; svachchhatoyaan= with clear water; sukhaplavaan- offering a comfortable bath; mR^iduun= and soft; yavasa samohayaan= grasses; nirvaapaarthaan= useful for feeding; pashuunaam= the animal; niipa vaiDhurya varNaamshcha= having colour of Nipa trees and of cat's eye gems.

Those soldiers saw there heaps of twings used for cleaning the teeth with white brushes at their tips, white sandal pastes stored in caskets, polished mirrors, piles of clothes, thousands of pairs of shoes and sandals, caskets containing collyrium for the eyes; combs, brushed, raiments bows, protectors of vitals, strange couches and seats, drinking ponds for donkeys camels elephants and horses, lakes with good stairs for descent having water-lilies and lotuses with sky-blue colour, with clear water offering a comfortable bath and soft grasses having a colour of Nipa tree and of cat's eye gems useful for feeding animals.

Nipa tree: Nanclea cadamba

vyasmayanta manuSyaste svapnakalphaM tadadbhutaM |
dR^iSTvaa.atithyaM kR^itaM taadR^igbharatasya mahaarSiNaa 2-91-81

81. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tat= that; adbhutam= wonderful; taadR^ik= and such; svapnakalpam= a dream-like; aatithyam= hospitality; kR^itam= offered; maharSiNaa= by the great sage Bharadwaja; te manuSyaaH= those men; vyasmayanta= were surprised.

Seeing such a wonderful and dreamlike hospitality offered by the great sage Bharadwaja, all those men were surprised.

ity evam ramamaaNaanaam devaanaam iva nandane |
bharadvaaja aashrame ramye saa raatrir vyatyavartata || 2-91-82

82. rama maaNaanaam= while they were enjoying; ityevam= thus; ramye= in that charming; bharadwaajaashrame= hermitage of Bharadwaja; devaanaamiva= like celestials; (enjoying); nanadane= in the garden of nandana; saa raatriH= that night; vytyavartata= had elapsed.

While they were enjoying thus in that charming hermitage of Bharadwaja, in the same manner as celestials enjoy the garden of Nandna, that night had elapsed.

pratijagmuH ca taa nadyo gandharvaaH ca yathaa aagatam |
bharadvaajam anujnaapya taaH ca sarvaa vara anganaaH || 2-91-83

83. anujJNaapya= having been permitted; bharadvaajam= by Bharadwaja; taaH nadyaH= those rivers; gandharvaashcha= the celestial musicians; sarvaaH= (and) all; taaH= those; varaaNganaashcha= beautiful women; pratijagmushcha= went back; yathaagatam= by the same way they came.

Having been permitted by Bharadwaja, those rivers, the celestial musicians and all those beautiful women went back by the same way they came.

tathaiva mattaa madira utkaTaa naraaH |
tathaiva divya aguru candana ukShitaaH |
tathaiva divyaa vividhaaH srag uttamaaH |
pR^ithak prakiirNaa manujaiH pramarditaaH || 2-91-84

84. naraaH= the soldiers; madirotkaTaaH= intoxicated with spirituous liquor; tathaiva mattaaH= were likewise excited with joy; tathaiva= Like wise; divyaagaru chandanokSitaaH= they were drenched in charming aloes and sandal paste; pramarditaaH= crushed; prakiirNaaH= and scattered; pR^ithak= at a distance; vividhaaH= various kinds; divyaah= of beautiful; sraguttamaaH= and excellent garlands; tathaiva= were there likewise.

The soldiers, intoxicated with spirituous liquor, were likewise excited with joy. Likewise, the men were drenched in charming aloes and sandal paste. Various kinds of excellent and charming garlands were there, crushed and garlands were there, crushed and scattered at distances, likewise.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe ekanavatitamaH sargaH

Thus completes 91st Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 92

Introduction

Bharata approaches the sage Bharadwaja and seeks his permission to leave. Bharata asks Bhardwaja the exact route by which he can reach the abode of Rama. Bharadwaja gives the details of the path towards the banks of river Mandakini, situated at the north of Chitrakuta mountain, where Rama is stationed along with Seetha and Lakshmana. Hearing of the journey, Dasaratha's wives approach Bharadwaja and offer their salutations to him. Bharata introduces his mothers one by one to Bharadwaja. While introducing his mother, Kaikeyi to Bharadwaja, Bharata describes Kaikeyi as the root-cause of their family's misfortune. But, the sage Bharadwaja consoles him, saying that the exile of Rama would ultimately result in happiness the sages, celestials and even the demons. Bharata finally bids farewell to the sage and proceeds to Chitrakuta, along with his retinue.

tataH taam rajaniim uShya bharataH saparigcCadaH |
kR^ita aatithyo bharadvaajam kaamaad abhijagaama ha || 2-92-1

1. tataH= thereafter ; bharataH= Bharata; saparichchhadaH= along with his routine; kR^itaatithyaH= who were hospitably treated (by Bharadwaja); vyuSya= spent; taam rajaniim= that night(there); abhijagaama= and approached; bharadwaajam= Bharadwaja, who had offered oblations in sacred fire, spoke to Bharata the tiger among men, who had come there with joined palms, saying.

Thereafter, Bharata along with his routine, who were treated hospitably, spent that night there and sought out Bharadwaja with fondness.

tam R^iShiH puruSha vyaaghram prekShya praanjalim aagatam |
huta agni hotro bharatam bharadvaajo abhyabhaaShata || 2-92-2

2. bharadwaajaH R^iSi= the sage Bharadwaja; hutaagni hotraH= who had offered oblations in sacred fire; prekSya= after seeing; bharatam= Bharata; puruSavyaaghram= the tiger among men; aagatam= who came; praN^jalim= with joined palms; abhyabhaaSata= spoke (as follows).

The sage Bharadwaja, who had offered oblations in sacred fire, spoke to Bharata the tiger among men, who had come there with joined palms, saying.

kaccid atra sukhaa raatriH tava asmad viShaye gataa |
samagraH te janaH kaccid aatithye shamsa me anagha || 2-92-3

3. he anaghaH= O, handsome Bharata!; raatriH= (Is this) night; gataakachchit= passed; sukham= comfortably; tava= by you; asmadviSaye= in our region?; te janaH= Is your retinue; samagraH kachchit= fully satisfied; aatithye= with my hospitality? shamsa= tell; me= me.

"O, handsome Bharata! Have you passed this night at out place comfortably? Is your retinue fully satisfied with my hospitality? Tell me."

tam uvaaca anjalim kR^itvaa bharato abhipraNamya ca |
aashramaad abhiniShkrantam R^iShim uttama tejasam || 2-92-4

4. aNjalim kR^itvaa= after joining his palms; abhipraNamyacha= salutation; bharataH= Bharata; uvaacha= replied; tam R^iSim= to that sage Bharadwaja; uttma tejasam with great splendour; abhiniSkraantam= who came out; aashramaat= from his hermitage.

After joining his palms in salutation, Bharata replied to the very glorious sage Bharawaja, who came out from his hermitage (as follows):

sukha uShito asmi bhagavan samagra bala vaahanaH |
tarpitaH sarva kaamaiH ca saamaatyo balavat tvayaa || 2-92-5

5. bhagavan= O, venerable sage!; sarvakaamaiH= with all the enjoyments; balavat= in plenty; tvayaa(given by) you; sukhoSitaH asmi= I felt comfortable; tarpitaH= and satisfied; saamaatyaH= along with my ministers; samagrabala vaahanaH= my entire army and the animals used in riding.

"O, venerable sage! With all the enjoyments in plenty provided by you, I felt comfortable and satisfied, along with very ministers my entire army and our animals too used in riding.

apeta klama samtaapaaH subhakShyaaH supratishrayaaH |
api preShyaan upaadaaya sarve sma susukha uShitaaH || 2-92-6

6. sarve= all of us; upaadaaya= together with; preSyaan api= our servants too; smaH= have become; susukhoSitaaH= very much comfortable; apetaklamasamptaapaaH= with our fatigue and pains removed; subhakSaaH= having eaten a good food; supratishrayaaH= and having been provided with a good accommodation.

"All of us including our servants have become very much satisfied with our fatigue and pains removed, having eaten a good food and having been provided an excellent accommodation."

aamantraye aham bhagavan kaamam tvaam R^iShi sattama |
samiipam prasthitam bhraatur maireNa iikShasva cakShuShaa || 2-92-7

7. bhagavan= O, Blessed one!; R^iSisattama= the excellent sage! aham= I; kaamam= an very much; aamantraye= taking leave, tvaam= of you; iikSasva= see me off; maitreNa= with a friendly; chakSuSaa= eye; prasthitam= me who is settingout; samiipam= towards the vicinity of; bhraatuH= my brother.

"O, Blessed one! O, excellent sage I am taking leave of you. Look on me with favour as I find myself in my brother's vicinity."

aashramam tasya dharmajna dhaarmikasya mahaatmanaH |
aacakShva katamo maargaH kiyaan iti ca shamsa me || 2-92-8

8. dharmajN^a= O, knower of piety!; aachakSva= tell; me= me; aashramam= about the hermitage; tasya mahaatmanaH= of that high-souled; dhaarmikasya= and pious man; shamsa= tell; me= me; katamaH= as to which; maargaH= way; kiyaan= how much distance; iti cha= and so forth.

"O, knower of piety! Tell me about the abode of that high-souled and pious man, Rama. Tell me as to which way I have to go, how much distance it is from here and so forth."

iti pR^iShTaH tu bharatam bhraatR^i darshana laalasam |
pratyuvaaca mahaa tejaa bharadvaajo mahaa tapaaH || 2-92-9

9. bharadvaajaH= Bharadwaja; mahaatejaaH= the highly glorious; mahaatapaah= and having excellent austerity; iti= thus; pR^iSTaH= asked; pratyuvaacha= replied; bharatam= to Bharata; bhraatR^idarshana laalasam= who is intensely desirous to see his brother.

The highly glorious Bharadwaaja, of rigid asceticism, thus questioned by Bharata (who intensely desired to see his brother again), answered him as follows:

bharata ardha tR^itiiyeShu yojaneShu ajane vane |
citra kuuTo giriH tatra ramya nirdara kaananaH || 2-92-10

10. bharata= O, Bharata!; tatra= there; ardhatR^itiiyeSu yojaneSu= at a distance of three and half Yojanas (ie about twenty eight miles); giriH= (is a) mountain; chitra kuuTaH= called Chitrakuta; ajane= which is an un-inhabited region; vane= in the forest; ramya nirjhara kaananaH= with its beautiful cascades and groves.

"O, Bharata! About twenty eight miles from here, there is a mountain called Chitrakuta, in the middle of a lonely forest with its charming Cascades and groves."

uttaram paarshvam aasaadya tasya mandaakinii nadii |
puShpita druma samchannaa ramya puShpita kaananaa || 2-92-11

11. aasaadya= going towards; tasya= its; uttaram paarshvam= norther side; mandaakinii nadii= (you find) River Mandakini; puSpitadruma samchhannaa= which is entirely enveloped iwth flowering trees; ramya puSpita kaananaa= and having forests flourished with charming blooms.

"Going towards its northern side, you will find River Mandakini, which is entirely enveloped with flowering trees and having forests flourished with charming blossoms."

anantaram tat saritaH citra kuuTaH ca parvataH |
tato parNa kuTii taata tatra tau vasato dhruvam || 2-92-12

12. taata= O, beloved Bharata!; anantaram= Beyond; tatsaritaH= that river; parvatashcha= there is a mountain; chitra kuuTaH= callled Chitrakuta; tayoH= and (on it) their; parNakuTii= hut made of leafy twigs; tau= both of them; vasataH= are residing; tatra= there; dhruvam= It is certain.

"O, beloved Bharata! Beyond that river, there is a mountain called Chitrakuta and on it, their hut made of leafy twigs. Both of them are residing there. It is sure."

dakShiNena eva maargeNa savya dakShiNam eva ca |
gaja vaaji ratha aakiirNaam vaahiniim vaahinii pate || 2-92-13
vaahayasva mahaa bhaaga tato drakShyasi raaghavam |

13. mahaabhaaga= O, illustrious; vaahiniipate= chief of army!; vaahayasva= direct; raahiniim= the army; gajavagirathaakiirNaam= filled with elephants, horses and chariots; dakSiNaanaiva= either towards the southern; maargeNa= route; savyadakSiNamevavaa= or to the left, proceeding southward; drakSyasi= you can see; raaghavam= Rama; tataH= then.

"O, the illustrious chief of army! Direct the forces filled with elephants horses and chariots either towards the southern route or to the left proceeding southward. You can see Rama then."

prayaaNam iti ca shrutvaa raaja raajasya yoShitaH |
hitvaa yaanaani yaana arhaa braahmaNam paryavaarayan || 2-92-14

14. shrutvaa= hearing about; tat= that; prayaaNam= journey; iti= in the aforesaid manner; raajaraajasya= Dasaratha's; yoSitaH= wives; yaanaarhaaH= eligible of sitting in palanquins; hitvaa= having left; yaanaani= their palanquins; paryavaarayan= stood encircling; braahmaNam= Bharadwaja.

Hearing him speak of the journey, Dasaratha's wives eligible of sitting in palanquins, descended from their palanquins and stood encircling Bharadwaja.

vepamaanaa kR^ishaa diinaa saha devyaa sumantriyaa |
kausalyaa tatra jagraaha karaabhyaam caraNau muneH || 2-92-15

15. tatra= among them; vepamaanaa= the trembling; kausalya= Kaulasya; kR^ishaa= the emaciated; diinaa= and the miserable women; sumitrayaadevyaasaha= along with the Queen Sumitra; jagraaha= clasped; charaNau= the feet; muneH= of the sage Bharadawaja; karaabhyaam= with their hands.

Kausalya, among the trembling, emaciated and the miserable women along with the Queen Sumitra clasped the feet of the sage Bharadwaja with their hands.

asamR^iddhena kaamena sarva lokasya garhitaa |
kaikeyii tasya jagraaha caraNau savyapatrapaa || 2-92-16

16. kaikeyii= Kaikeyi; asmaR^iddhena= with her unfulfilled; kaamena= desire; garhitaa= and despised; sarva lokasya= by the whole world; jagraaha= clasped; tasya= his; charaNau= feet; savya patrapaa= with bashfulness.

Kaikeyi with her unfulfilled desire and despised by the whole world, clasped the sage's feet with bashfullness.

tam pradakShiNam aagamya bhagavantam mahaa munim |
aduuraad bharatasya eva tasthau diina manaaH tadaa || 2-92-17

17. tadaa= then; pradakSiNam aagamya bhagavantam tam mahaamunim= having gone round that venerable and eminent sage clock-wise; tasthau= she stood; aduuraadeva= close; bharatasya= to Bharata himself; diina manaaH= distressed at heart.

Then, having gone around that venerable and eminent sage clock-wise, she stood close to Bharata himself, distressed as she was at heart.

tataH papragcCa bharatam bharadvaajo dR^iDha vrataH |
visheSham jnaatum igcCaami maatR^iR^iNaam tava raaghava || 2-92-18

18. tataH= then; bharadvaajaH= Bharadwaja; dR^iDha vrataH= firm in austerity; paprachha= enquired; bharatam= Bharata (as follows); raaghava= O, Bharata!; ichchhaami= I wish; jJNaatum= to know; visheSam= the distinctions; tava= of your; maatR^iNaam= mothers.

Then, Bharadwaja, firm in austerity, enquired Bharata as follows: "O, Bharata! I wish to know the distinctions of your mothers."

evam uktaH tu bharato bharadvaajena dhaarmikaH |
uvaaca praanjalir bhuutvaa vaakyam vacana kovidaH || 2-92-19

19. uktaH= spoken; evam= thus; bharadvaajena= by Bharadwaja; dhiimataa= the learned man; bharataH= Bharata; vachana kovidaH= skilled in expression; bhuutvaa praaN^jaliH= with joined palms; uvaacha= spoke; raakyam= (the following) words.

Hearing the words of the learned sage, Bharadwaja, Bharata who was skilled in expression, with joined palms, spoke the following words.

yaam imaam bhagavan diinaam shokaan ashana karshitaam |
pitur hi mahiShiim deviim devataam iva pashyasi || 2-92-20
eShaa tam puruSha vyaaghram simha vikraanta gaaminam |
kausalyaa suShuve raamam dhaataaram aditir yathaa || 2-92-21

20, 21. bhagavan= O, venrable sage!; imaam= this; diinaam= miserable deviim= queen; shokaanashanakarshitaam= emaciated by grief and fasting; mahiSiim= is the royal consort; pituH= of my father; yaam= whom; pashyasi= you see; devataamiva= resembling a goddess; eSaa= it is she; kausalyaa= Kausalya; aditiH yathaa= (who) as Aditi, dhataaram= gave birth to Upendra (Lord Vamoma, so-called because he is a younger brother to Indra); suSuve= begot; puruSa vyaaghram= that Tiger among heroes; simha vikraantagaaminam= with the gait and pride of a lion; tam raamam= that Rama.

"O, venerable sage! This miserable queen emaciated by grief and fasting, is the royal consort of my father, who you see resembling a goddess - it is she, Kausalya who, as Aditi gave birth to Upendra, begot that Tiger among the heroes, with the great gait and pride of a lion that Rama."

asyaa vaama bhujam shliShTaa yaa eShaa tiShThati durmanaaH |
karNikaarasya shaakhaa iva shiirNa puShpaa vana antare || 2-92-22
etasyaaH tau sutau devyaaH kumaarau deva varNinau |
ubhau lakShmaNa shatrughnau viirau satya paraakramau || 2-92-23

22-23. eSaa= she; yaa= who; tiSThati= stands; shliSTaa= clinging to; vaama bhujam= the left shoulder; asyaaH= of Kuasalya; durmanaaH= plunged in grief; (is Sumitra); shakheva= looking like a branch; karNikaarasya= of Karnikara tree; shiirNa puSpaa= with withered flowers; vanaanantare= standing in the interior of the gorve; ubhau= Both; lakSmaNa shatrughnau= Lakshmana and Shatrughna; viirau= the heroic; kumaarau= princes; deva varNinau= of god-like appearance; satya paraakramau= and unfailing prowess; sutau= are the sons; etasyaaH= of this; devyaaH= godly woman.

She, who stands clinging to the left shoulder of Kausalya, plunged in grief is the unfortunate Sumitra, looking like a branch of Karnikara tree with withered flowers standing in the interior of the grove. Both Lakshmana and Shatrughna, the two heroic princes of god-like appearance and unfailing prowess are the sons of this godly woman, Sumitra.

yasyaaH kR^ite nara yaaghrau jiiva naasham ito gatau |
raajaa putra vihiinaH ca svargam dasharatho gataH || 2-92-24
krodhanaamakR^itaprajJNaaM dR^iptaaM subhagamaaniniim |
aishvarya kaamaam kaikeyiim anaaryaam aarya ruupiNiim || 2-92-25
mama etaam maataram viddhi nR^ishamsaam paapa nishcayaam |
yato muulam hi pashyaami vyasanam mahad aatmanaH || 2-92-26

24, 25, 26. yasyaaH kR^ite= she, through whose fault; naravyaaghrau= those two tigers among men; gatau= have to obtain; jiivanaasham= a miserable existence; itaH= from here; raajaa dasharathaH= and king Dasaratha; putra vihiinashcha= deprived of his son; gataH= has gone; svaragam= to heaven; etaam= (this woman); krdhanaam= who is irate; akR^itaprajJNaam= imprudent; dR^iptam= arrogant; subhaga maaniniim= who esteems herself to be good-looking; aishvarya kaamaam= who is covetous of power; anaaryaam= unworthy; aarya ruupiNiim= though

"She, through whose fault, those two tigers among men have to obtain a miserable existence and King Dasaratha deprived of his son, has gone to heaven this woman, who is irate, imprudent, arrogant, who esteems herself to be good-looking, who is covetous of power, unworthy though noble to all appearance, know her to be Kaikeyi, my mother of wicked and sinful resolve, in whom I see the root cause of my great misfortune."

ity uktvaa nara shaarduulo baaShpa gadgadayaa giraa |
sa nishashvaasa taamra akSho kruddho naaga iva asakR^it || 2-92-27

27. saH= Bharata; narashaarduulaH= the tiger among men; taamraakSaH= with his red eyes, uktvaa= having spoken; iti= thus; giraa= in a voice; baaSpa gadgadayaa= stammered with tears; nishashvaasa= breathed; kR^iddhaH iva= like an enraged; shvasan= and hissing; naagaH= snake.

Bharata, the tiger among men, with his red eyes spoke thus in a voice broken by sobs and breathing as he like an enraged and hissing snake.

bharadvaajo maharShiH tam bruvantam bharatam tadaa |
pratyuvaaca mahaa buddhir idam vacanam arthavat || 2-92-28

28. bruvantam= spoken; tathaa= thus; tam bharatam= by that Bharata; maharSiH= the sage; bharadwaajaH= Bharadwaja; mahaabuddhiH= of great intellect; pratyuvaacha= replied; idam= in these; arthavat= meaningful; vachanam= words.

Hearing the aforesaid words spoken by Bharata, Bharadwaja the great intellectual sage replied in the following meaningful words.

na doSheNa avagantavyaa kaikeyii bharata tvayaa |
raama pravraajanam hy etat sukha udarkam bhaviShyati || 2-92-29

29. bharata= O, Bharata!; kaikeyii= Kaikeyi; na avagantavyaa= is not intended to be understood; tvayaa= by you; doSeNa= by her lapse; etat= this; raama pravraajanam= exile of Rama; bhaviSyati hi= will indeed become; sukhodarkam= a cause for happiness.

"O, Bharata! Kaikeyi is not intended to be understood by you accusatively. The exile of Rama with indeed become ultimately a cause for happiness!"

devaanaam daanavaanaam cha R^iSiiNaam bhaavitaatmanaam |
hitameva bhaviSyaddhi raamapravraajanaadiha || 2-92-30

30. iha= now; raama pravrajanaat= due to Rama's exile; bhaviSyaddhi= there will indeed be; hitameva= a benefit only; devaanaam= to the celestials; daanavaamcha= demons; R^iSiNaam cha= and the sages; bhaavitaatmanaam= whose souls are purified by meditating on the Universal spirit.

"Now, due to Rama's exile, there will indeed be a benefit to the celestials the demons and the sages whose souls are purified by meditating on the Universal Spirit."

abhivaadya tu samsiddhaH kR^itvaa ca enam pradakShiNam |
aamantrya bharataH sainyam yujyataam ity acodayat || 2-92-31

31. bharataH= Bharata; samsiddhaH= satisfied; abhivaadya= paid obeisance to him; pradakSiNam cha kR^itvaa= and circumbulated him; aamantrya= bidding farewell; achodayat= and directed; sainyam= the army; iti= thus; yujyataam= "Let us carry on."

Bharata satisfied, paid obeisance to him and circumambulated him in bidding a farewell, directing the army to get prepared to leave.

tato vaaji rathaan yuktvaa divyaan hema pariShkritaan |
adhyaarohat prayaaNa arthii bahuun bahu vidho janaH || 2-92-32

32. tataH then; prayaaNaarthiii= setting out for their destination; bahuvidhaH= many kinds; janaH= of people; adhyaarohat= ascended; bahuun= many; divyaan= excellent; rathan= chariots;hema pariSkR^itaan= decorated with gold; vaaji yuktaan= harnessed to horses.

Then, setting out for their destination, countless people ascended many excellent chariots, decorated with gold, duly harnessed to horses.

gaja kanyaa gajaaH caiva hema kakShyaaH pataakinaH |
jiimuutaa iva gharma ante saghoShaaH sampratasthire || 2-92-33

33. gaja kanyaa= female elephants; gajaashchaiva= and male elephants; hemakakSyaaH= pataakinaH= wearing golden chains and flags; saghoSaaH= distinguished by the sound of bells; jiimuutaaH iva= like (thundering) clouds; gharmaante= at the end of a summer; sampratasthira= marched in form.

Female and male elephants, wearing golden chains and flags, distinguished by the sound of bells, like thundering clouds at the end of a summer marched in a form.

vividhaany api yaanaani mahaani ca laghuuni ca |
prayayuH sumahaa arhaaNi paadair eva padaatayaH || 2-92-34

34. vividhaani= various; sumahaarhaaNi= precious; yaanaani= conveyances; mahaanti cha= (both) big; laghuunicha= and small; prayayuH= marched forward; padaatayaH= Pedestrians; paadaaraiva= went by foot.

Various precious conveyances, both big and small, marched forward. Pedestrians marched forward by foot.

atha yaana pravekaiH tu kausalyaa pramukhaaH striyaH |
raama darshana kaankShiNyaH prayayur muditaaH tadaa || 2-92-35

35. raama darshana kaankSiNyaH= desirous of seeing Rama; muditaaH= and delighted; kausalyaapramukhaaH striyaH= Kausalya and other honourable women; atha= thereafter; prayayuH= advanced; yaana pravekaiH= on excellent conveyances; tadaa= then.

Desirous of seeing Rama and delighted, Kausalya and other honourable women thereafter advanced on their excellent conveyances.

caMdrka taruNa aabhaasaam niyuktaam shibikaam shubhaam |
aasthaaya prayayau shriimaan bharataH saparigcCadaH || 2-92-36

36. shriimaan= the illustrious; bharataH= Bharata; aasthaaya= mounted; shubhaam= an auspicious; shibikaam= palanquin; chandraarka taruNaa bhaasaam= with a shine resembling that of rising moon and sun; niryuktaam= which was kept ready; praayayau= and proceeded saparichchhadaH= along with his escort.

The illustrious Bharata mounted a readily kept palanquin which was auspiciously shining like rising moon and sun and proceeded along with his escort.

saa prayaataa mahaa senaa gaja vaaji ratha aakulaa |
dakShiNaam disham aavR^itya mahaa megha iva utthitaH || 2-92-37
vanaani tu vyatikramya juShTaani mR^iga pakShibhiH |
gaN^gaayaaH paravelaayaaM giriSvapi nadiiSu cha 2-92-38

37, 38. saa mahaa senaa= that vast army; gaja vaajirathaakulaa= with its countless elephants horses and chariots; prayaataa= proceeded; aavRTitya= covering; dakSiNaam disham= the southern direction; mahaa megha iva= like a great cloud; utthitaH= that has risen (in the sky); paravelaayaam= on the other bank; gaN^gaayaaH= of the Ganges; giriSvapi= by mountains; nadiiSu cha= and streams; vyatikramya= crossing, vanaani= the woods; juSTaani= inhabited; mR^igapakSibhiH= by deer and birds.

That vast army with its countless elephants horses and chariots proceeded, covering the southern direction, like a great cloud that has risen in the sky and on the other bank of the Ganges, by mountains and streams, crossing the woods inhabited by deer and birds.

saa samprahR^iShTa dvipa vaaji yodhaa |
vitraasayantii mR^iga pakShi samghaan |
mahad vanam tat pravigaahamaanaa |
raraaja senaa bharatasya tatra || 2-92-39

39. saa senaa= that army; bharatasya= of Bharata; samprahR^iSTadvipa raajiyothaa= with its squadrous of rejoicing elephants horses and warrior; pratigaaha maanaa= penetrating; tat= into that; mahat= vast; vanam= forest; vitraasayantii= frightening; mR^iga pakSi saN^ghaan= innumerable beats and birds; raraaja= appeared resplendent; tatra= there.

That army of Bharata, with its squadrons of rejoicing elephants horses and warriors, penetrating into the vast forest, frightening innumerable beasts and birds, appeared resplendent there.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe dvinanavatitamaH sargaH

Thus completes 92nd Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection