srivalmikiramayanam - Ayodhyakanda (Book 2) Sarga 14 to 20

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] 14

Introduction

This chapter starts with Kaikeyi's entreaties to the king followed by Dasaratha disowning her as wife. The night passes and Sumantra comes to wake up the King. Ordered by Kaikeyi to bring Sri Rama to the king, he goes to Sri Rama to fetch Him.

putra shoka arditam paapaa visamj~nam patitam bhuvi |
viveSTamaanam udiikSya saa aikSvaakam idam abraviit || 2-14-1

1. saa paapaa= that wicked woman, abraviit= spoke, idam= these words, ikshhvaakam= to Dasaratha who was born in Ikshvaaku dynasty, putrashokaarditam= tormented by the anguish for his son, patitam= who was fallen, visajJNam= unconscious, viveshhTamaana m= tossing about, bhuvi= on the floor.

That wicked woman spoke these words to Dasaratha, tormented as he was by the anguish for his son and who was unconscious, tossing about on the floor.

paapam kRtvaa iva kim idam mama samshrutya samshravam |
sheSe kSiti tale sannaH sthityaam sthaatum tvam arhasi || 2-14-2

2. kim= what is, idam= this ? samshrutya= after hearing, mama= my, samshravam= promise, sheshhe= you are lying, kshhititale= on the floor, sannaH= with grief, paapam kR^itva ivaa= as, though you had perpetrated a sithtyaam= you, arhasi= ought to, sthaatum= keep, sthityaam= within bounds of morality.

"What is this? After hearing the promise given to me, you are lying on the floor dejected as though you had committed a great sin. You ought to keep yourself within bounds of ethics".

aahuH satyam hi paramam dharmam dharmavido janaaH |
satyam aashritya hi mayaa tvam ca dharmam pracoditaH ||2-14-3

3. janaaH= People, dharma vidaH= who know what is right, aahuH hi= indeed speak, satyam= of truthfulness, paramam dharmam= as highest virtue, tvam= you, prabodhitaH= are made aware of, dharmam = (your)duty, mayaacha= by me, aashritya= who has taken refuge, satyam= in truth.

"People who know what is right, indeed speak of truthfulness as highest virtue. I too have taken refuge in truth and made you aware of your duty."

samshrutya shaibyaH shyenaaya svaam tanum jagatii patiH |
pradaaya pakSiNo raajan jagaama gatim uttamaam || 2-14-4

4. raajaa= Oh, king! samshrutya= having promised, svaam= his own, tanum= body, shyenaaya pakshhiNe= to a bird called hawk, shaibyaH= Saibya, jagatiipatiH= the lord of the world, jagaama= obtained, uttamaam= the highest, gatim= destiny.

"Oh, king! Having made a promise to a hawk and offering his body to the bird , king Saibya, the ruler of world obtained the greatest destiny".

tatha hi alarkaH tejasvii braahmaNe veda paarage |
yaacamaane svake netreuddhRtya avimanaa dadau || 2-14-5

5. tathaa= In that manne, alarkaH= alarka, tejasvii= the glorious man, uddhR^itya= plucking, svake= his own, netre= eyes, dadau hi= indeed gave, avimanaaH= remorselessly, braahmaNe= to the brahmana, veda paarage= skilled in the veda, yaachamaane= when asked for them.

"In that manner, Alarka the glorious man plucking his own eyes, indeed gave remorselessly, to a brahmana skilled in the Veda, When asked for them."

saritaam tu patiH svalpaam maryaadaam satyam anvitaH |
satya anurodhaat samaye velaam khaam na ativartate || 2-14-6

6. satyam anvitaH= Following truthfulness , saritaam patiH tu= ocean, the lord of rivers, samaye= at the time of flow-tide, naativartate= does not transgress, svaam= its, velaam= limit, maryaadaam= the boundary, svalpaam= (even)to a small extent, satyaanurodhaat= because of compliance to truth.

"Following ruthfulness, ocean the lord of rivers even at the time of flow-tide, does not transgress even to a small extent its boundary because of its compliance to truth."

styamekapadaM brahme satye dharmaH pratishhThataH|
satyamevaakshayaa vedaaH satyenai vaapyate param || 2-14-7

7. satyam= Truth, ekapadam= in the word, brahma= (is)Brahma, satye= on truth, dharmaH= is righteousness, pratishhTitaH= eshtablished, satyameva= truth indeed, vedaaH= is knowledge, akshhayaaH= which is imperishable, satyaineva= by truth alone, param= the supreme being, aapyate= is obtained.

"Truth is one word and is Brahma. On truth is righteousness established. Truth indeed is the knowledge imperishable. By truth alone, the supreme being is obtained".

satyaM samanuvartsva yadi dharme dhR^itaa matiH |
saphalaH sa varo me.astu varado hyasi sattama || 2-14-8

8. sattama= Oh the best of men! matiH dhR^itaayadi= if your mind is fixed, dharme = on piety, samanuvartasva= comfirm to, satyam= truth, astu= let, me= my, varaH= boon, saphalaH= bear fruit, asiH= you are indeed, varadaH= bestower of boons!.

"O the best among men! firmly adhere to truth, if your mind is fixed on piety. Since you are a bestower of boons, let my aforesaid prayer be granted.

dharmasyehaabhikaamaarthaM mama chaivaachichodanaat |
pravraajaya sutaM raamam triH khalu tvaaM braviimyaham || 2-14-9

9. iha= In the matter, abhikaamartham= for yearning, dharmasya= of righteousness, abhichodanaachcha= due to instigation, mama= of mine, pravraajaya= send to exile, raamam= Rama, sutam= the son, aham= I, prabraviimi= am telling, tvaam= to you, triH= three times.

"In the matter, yearning righteousness and to concede to my request, send Rama the son to exile. I am telling to you three times".

samayam ca mama aarya imam yadi tvam na kariSyasi |
agrataH te parityaktaa parityakSyaami jiivitam || 2-14-10

10. aarya= Oh, the venerable man ! tvam karishhyasi yadi= if you do not implement, imam= this, mama= my, samayam = agreement, parityaktvaa= having been left over, parityakshhyaami= I will give up, jiivitam= life, te agrataH= in front of you.

"Oh, the venerable man! If you do not implement our agreement, it means you have abandoned me. Hence I will give up my life here in front of you".

evam pracoditaH raajaa kaikeyyaa nirvishankayaa |
na ashakat paasham unmoktum balir indra kRtam yathaa || 2-14-11

11. evam= Thus, prachoditaH= by Kaikeyi, nirvishaNkayaa= without hesitation, rajaa= king Dasaratha, indrakR^itam yathaa= as trapped by Indra, naa shakat= was not able, moktum= to untie, paasham= the cord.

Thus compelled by Kaikeyi, who had no uneasiness in her mind, king Dasaratha could not untie the cord of plighted word that fettered him , any more than Bali could unloose the noose placed (round his body) by Indra(through his younger brother Vamana in order to deprive him of his sovereignty of the three worlds).

udbhraanta hRdayaH ca api vivarNa vanado abhavat |
sa dhuryo vai parispandan yuga cakra antaram yathaa|| 2-14-12

12. dhuryaH yathaa= Like a bullock, parispandan = throbbing, yuga chakraantaram= between yoke and the wheel, saH= Dasaratha, udbhraanta hR^idayaH= got agitated at heart, abhavat= became, vivarNa vadanaH chaapi= pale in his face.

Like a bullock throbbing between yoke and the wheel , Dasaratha got agitated in heart and became pale in his face.

vihvalaabhyaam ca netraabhyaam apashyann iva bhuumipaH |
kRcchraat dhairyeNa samstabhya kaikeyiim idam abraviit || 2-14-13

13. bhuupatiH= The king, vihvalaabhyaam netrabhyaam= with bedimmed eyes, apashyanniva= was unable, as it were to see, samstabhya= stood firm, dhairyeNa= with courage, kR^ichchhraat= and with difficulty, abraviit= spoke, idam= these words, kaikeyiim= to Kaikeyi.

King Dasaratha, with bedimmed eyes, was unable, as it were, to see. But with difficulty, he controlled himself by recourse to firmness and spoke to Kaikeyi as follows.

yaH te mantra kRtaH paaNir agnau paape mayaa dhRtaH |
tam tyajaami svajam caiva tava putram saha tvayaa || 2-14-14

14. paape= Oh, wicked woman! tyajaami= Iabandon, te= your, yaH paaNiH= hand, which, dhR^itaH= was clasped, mayaa= by me, agnau= in the presence of nuptial fire, mantrakR^itaH= when it was consecrated by sacred recitations, tava putram chaiva = as also your son, svajam= begotten by me, tvayaa saha= along with yourself.

"Oh, wicked woman! I abandon your hand, which was clasped by me in presence of nuptial fire, when it was consecrated by sacred recitations as also your son begotten by me along with yourself".

prayaataa rajanii devi suuryasyodayanaM prati |
abhishhekaM gurujanstvarayiishhyati maaM dhruvam || 2-14-15
raamaabhishhekasambhaaraistadarthamupakalpitaiH |

15. devi= Oh, queen! rajanii= the night, prayataa= has gone by, suuryasya udayanam prati= with return of rising sun, gurujanaH= elderly people, dhruvam= certainly, tvarayishhyati= will quicken, mama= me, abhishhekam= for installation, raamaabhishheka sambhaaraiH= with material to be used for Rama's coranation, upakalpitaiH= procured, tadartham= for the purpose.

"Oh, Queen! the night has gone by, with the return pf rising sun. Elderly people will certainly quicken me for installation of Rama with the sacred materials procured for the purpose".

raamaH kaarayitavyo me mR^itasya salilakriyaam || 2-14-16
tvayaa saputtrayaa naiva kartavyaa salilakriyaa |
vyaahantaasyashubhaachaare yadi raamaabhishhechanm || 2-14-17

16,17. ashubhaachaare= Oh, woman of vicious conduct! vyaahantaasi adi= If you obstruct, raamaabhishhechanam= Rama's installation , salilakriya= offering of water, naiva kartavyaa= cannot be done, tvayaa= by you, suputrayaa= including your son, raamaH= Rama, kaarayitaryaH= will be made to do, salilakriyaam= the offering of water, me= to me, mR^itasya= after death.

"Oh, woman of vicious conduct! If you obstruct Rama's installation, you including your son cannot offer me water. Rama will be made to do the offering of water to me, after death.

na cha shaknomyahaM drashhuM puurvaM tathaa sukham |
hataharshhaM niraanandaM punarjanamavaaN^mukham || 2-14-18

18. dR^ishhTvaa= Having seen, janam= people, tathaa sukham= with that joy, puurvam= before, aham= I, na shaknomicha= cannot, drashhTum= see, punaH= again, hata harshham= their happiness ended, niraanandam= without joy, avaaNmukham= having face turned downwards.

"Having seen people with that joy before, I cannot see them with there happiness ended, without any merriment and having their faces turned downward in grief".

taaM tathaa bruvatstasya bhuumipanya mahaatmanaH |
prabhaataa sharvarii puNyaa chandranakshatrashraalinii || 2-14-19

19. tasya bhuumipasya= That king, mahaatmanaH= the great souled, bruvataH= speaking, taam= to her, tathaa= as aforesaid, puNyaa= the holy, sharvarii= night, chandra nakshhatra shaalinii= endowed with moon and stars, prabhaataa= began to become clear into a dawn.

While that great souled king was speaking to her as aforesaid, the holy night endowed with, moon and stars began to become clear into a dawn.

tataH paapa samaacaaraa kaikeyii paarthivam punaH |
uvaaca paruSam vaakyam vaakyaj~naa roSa muurchitaa ||2-14-20

20. tataH= Afterwards, kaikeyii= K aikeyi, paapa samaachaaraa= of vicious conduct, vaakyaG^yaa= of skillful talk, roshha puuritaa= filled with anger, punaH= again, uvacha= spoke, parushham= harsh, vaakyam= words, parthivam= to the king.

Kaikeyi of vicious conduct and of skilful talk, filled with anger again spoke these harsh words to the king.

kim idam bhaaSase raajan vaakyam gara ruja upamam |
aanaayayitum akliSTam putram raamam iha arhasi || 2-14-21

21. raajan= Oh, king ! bhaashhase= you are uttering, vaakyam= words, gararujopamam= li ke painful disease, (with difficulty in swallowing), idam kim= why is this? arhasi= you ought, anaayayitum= to summon, putram= your son, raamam= Rama, iha= here, aklishhTam= with out delay.

" Oh, king ! You are uttering words, which cannot be swallowed easily like in a painful throat disease. You ought to summon your son Rama here without any delay."

sthaapya raajye mama sutam kRtvaa raamam vane caram |
nihsapatnaam ca maam kRtvaa kRta kRtyo bhaviSyasi || 2-14-22

22. kR^ita kR^ityaH bhavishhyasi= You will be one who discharged duty, shthaapya= by installing , mama sutam= my son, raajye= to kingdom kR^itvaa= by making, raamam= Rama, vane charam= wander in woods, kR^itvaa= by making, maam= me, niH sapatnaam= devoid of enemies.

"You will be the one who discharges duty, by installing my son to this kingdom, by making Rama to wander in woods and rid me of enemies."

sa nunnaiva tiikSena pratodena haya uttamaH |
raajaa pradocitaH abhiikSNam kaikeyiim idam abraviit || 2-14-23

23. prachoditaH= Impelled, abhiikshhNam= again and again, hayottama iva= like an excellent horse, nunnaH= thrashed, tiikshhNena= sever ely, pratodena with a whip, saH raajaa= that king, abraviit= spoke, idam= these words, kaikeyiim= to kaikeyi.

Impelled again and again by Kaikeyi, like an excellent horse being severely thrashed with a whip, that king spoke these words to Kaikeyi.

dharma bandhena baddho asmi naSTaa ca mama cetanaa |
jyeSTham putram priyam raamam draSTum icchaami dhaarmikam || 2-14-24

24. buddhaH= I am bound, dharma bandhena= by the ties of morality, mama chetanaacha= my judgement also, nashhTaa= is lost, ichchhaami= I wish, drashhTum= to see, raamam= Rama, dhaarmikam= the pious man, jyeshhTham = the eldest, priyam= the beloved.

"I am bound by the ties of morality. I lost my judgement. I wish to see the pious Rama, my beloved elder son."

tataH prabhaataaM rjaniimudite cha divaakare |
puNye nakshatrayoge che muhuurte cha samaahite || 2-14-25
vasishhTho guNasaMpannaH shishhyeH parivR^itastadaa |
upagR^ihyaashu saMbhaaraan [ravivesha purottamam || 2-14-26

25,26. tataH= Afterwards, raja niim= the night, prabhaataam= began to become clear, udite= with the rising, divaakare= sun, muhuurte= the moment , puNye= which is auspicious, nakshhatra yoge cha= united with lunar mansion, samaahite= approaching, tadaa= then , vasishhTaH= Vasista the sage, guNasapannaH= who is, rich with virtues, pravivesha= entered, aashu= briskly, pu rottamam= that capital city, parivR^itaH= surrounded, shishhyaiH= by disciples, upagR^ihya = having procured, sbhaaraan= requisite materials.

Meanwhile, the night began to become clear, with the rising of sun. While the auspicious, moment united with lunar mansion approaching, the sage Vashishta who is rich in virtues surrounded by his disciples entered the capital city of Ayodhya briskly, having procured the requisite materials for Rama's coronation.

siktasaMmaarjitapathaaM pataakottamabhuushhitaam |
vichitrakusumaakiirNaaM naanaasragbhirviraajitaam || 2-14-27
saMhR^ishhTamanujopetaaM samR^iddhavipaNaapaNaam |
mahotsavasamaakiirNaaM raaghavaarthe samustsukaam || 2-14-28
chandanaagurudhuupaishcha sarvataH pratidhuupitaam |
taaM puriim samatikramya purandarapuropamaam || 2-14-29
dadarshaantaH purashreshhThaM naanaadvijagaNaayutam |
paurajaanapadaakirrrNaM braahmaNairupashobhitam || 2-14-30

27,28,29,30. samitikramya= Passing through, taam puriim= that city, sikta sammaarjita , pathaam= whose streets were swept and watered, pataakottama bhuushhitaam= decorated with excellent flags, vichitra kusumaakiirNam= overspread with colourful flowers, viraajitam= made , brilliant, naanaa sragbhiH= with various types of garlands, samhR^ishhTa manujopetaam = filled with people of joy, samR^idhdhha vipaNaapaNaam= with shops and markets in abundance, mahotsava samaakiirNaam= filled with lot of festivities , samutsakaam= anxiouslywaiting, raaghavarth e= for , Rama, pratidhuupitaam= fumigated, sarvataH = on all sides, chandanaagarudhuupaiH= by perfumes of sandalwood and aloc, purandara puropamaam= resembling Amaravati city(capital of Indra) , dadarsha= (the sage vasista) beheld)beheld, antaH pura shreshhTam= filled with many number of brahmanas, paurajaana padaakiirNam = crowded with citizens and country men, upashobhitam = splendourous, braahmaNaiH= with brahmanas, YajJNya vidhiH= with knowers of sacrificial rites, sadasyaiH= with members of sacrificial assembly, sampuurNam= filled, paramadvijaiH = with excellent brahmanas.

Passing through that city, whose streets were swept and watered decorated with , excellent flags, overspread with colourful flowers , made brilliant with various types of garlands, filled with people of joy, with shops and markets with abundance, filled with lot of festivities, anxiously waiting for Rama, fumigated on all sides with perfumes of sandalwood , also resembling Amaravathy city(capital of Indra); the sage Vashishta beheld the excellent, gynaecium filled with many a number of brahmanas, crowded with citizens and countrymen, looking splendorous with brahmanas, knowers of sacrificial assembly filled with excellent brahmanas.

tadantaH puramaasaadya vyatichakraama tam janam || 2-14-31
vasishhThaH paramapriitaH paramarshhirvivesha cha |

31. paramarshhiH= The sage, vasishhTaH= Vasista, paramapriitaH= bei ng well pleased, aasaadya= reaching, tat antaHpuram that gynaeceum, vyatichakraama = got past, janam= those people, viveshcha= and entered it.

Sage Vashishta, being well pleased of seeing that gynaecium, got past those people there and , entered it.

sa tvapashyadvinishhkraantaM sumantraM naama saarathim |
dvaare manujasiMhasya sachivaM priyadarshanm || 2-14-32

32. saH tu= That sage Vasista, apasyat= saw, sumantram naama= Sumantra by name, sachivam= who was minister, saarathim= and charioteer, priya darshanam= who had a pleasing appearance, dvaare= at the gate, manujasimhasya= of Dasaratha, the best of men, vinishhkraantam= coming out.

Meanwhile, Vashishta saw Sumantra by name, who was charioteer-cum-minister of Dasaratha and who had a pleasing appearance coming out of the royal gate.

tamuvaacha mahaatejaaH suutaputraM vishaaradam || 2-14-33
vasishhThaH kshipramaachakshva nR^ipate rmaamihaagatam |

33. vasishhTaH= Vasista, mahaa tejaaH= with great splendour, tamuvaacha= spoke thus, **suutaputram** to that son of a charioteer, vishaaradam = the wise man, aachakshhva= tell, nR^ipateH= the king, kshhipram= quickly, maam= about me, aagatam= having come, iha= here.

That great splendoured Vashishta spoke thus to the learned Sumantra, "Tell the king quickly, that I have come."

The word "suta" evidently denotes here the son of a kshatriya through a brahmana wife (his business being that of a bard or a charioteer)-Amarakosa.

ime gaN^godakaghaTaaH saagarebhyashcha kaaJNchanaaH || 2-14-34
audumbaraM bhadrapiiThamabhishhekaarthamaagatam |
sarvabiijaani gandhaashcha ratnaani vividhaani cha || 2-14-35
kshaudram dadhi ghR^itaM laajaa darbhaaH sumanasaH payaH |
ashhTau cha kanyaa ruchiraa mattashchha varavaaraNaH | 2-14-36
chaturashvo rathaH shriimaan nistriMsho dhanuruttamam |
vaahanaM narasaMyuktaM chatraM cha shashipannibham || 2-14-37
shvete cha vaalavyajane bhR^iN^gaarushchha hiraNmayaH |
hemadaamapinaddhashcha kikudmaan paaNDuro vR^ishhaH || 2-14-38
kesarii cha chaturdaMshhTro hi shreshhTho mahaabalaH |
siMhaanasnaM vyaaghratanuH samiddhashchha hutaashanaH || 2-14-39
sarvavaaditrasaMghaashcha veshyaashchhaalaMkR^itaaH striyaH |
aachaaryaa braahmaNaa gaavaH puNyashcha mR^igapakshiNaH || 2-14-40
paurajaanapadashreshhThaa naigamaashcha gaNaiH saha |
ete chaanye cha bahavo niiyamaanaaH priyamvadaaH || 2-14-41
abhishhekaaya raamasya saha tishhThanti paarthivaiH |

34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41. ime= These, gaNgodaka ghataaH= pitchers filled with holy waters of Ganga, sagarebhyaHcha= and of oceans , kaaNchaanaaH= in gold pitchers, bhadra piitham= an excellent seat, andumbaram= made of Udambara wood, aagatam= came, abhishhekaartham= for the purpose of Rama's coronation, sarva biijaani= all types of seeds, gandhaaH= fragrant substances, ratnaanicha= and precious stones, vividhaani= of various kinds, kshhondram= honey, dadhi= curd, ghR^i tam= clarified butter, laazaaH= parched grains of paddy, darbhaaH= blades of Darbha grass, sumanasaH= flowers, papaH= milk, ashh Tau= eight, ruchiraaH= beatiful, kanyaaH= virgins, vaaraNaH= = elephant, mattaH= in rut, sriimaan= glorious, rathaH= chariot, chatur ashvaH= with four horses, mistrimshaH= a special kind of sword, called Nistrimsa, uttamam= excellent, dhanuH= bow, vaahanam= palanquin, narasamyuktam= with bearers, chhatram= umbrella, shashi sannibham= resembling the moon, sveta= while, vaalavyajane= chowries, hi raNmayaH= golden, bhR^ingaaruH= jug, pa aNduraH= bull, kakudmaan= with large hump on its back, hari shreshhTaH= excellent lion, kesarii= with beautiful mane, chaturdaamshTraH= with four large canine teeth, simhaasanam= a throne(with a pair of lions made of the same material for its charm), vyaaghratamH= tiger skin, hutaashanaH= fire, samiddhaH = = with ignition, sarva vaaditra sanghaH cha= all varieties of musical instruments, veshyaaH= courtisans, striyaaH= women, alankR^itaaH= decked with ornaments, aachaaryaaH= teachers, braahmaN aas= brahmanas, gaavaH= cows, mR^iga pakshhiNaH= animals and birds , puNyaaH= which are sacred, paurajanapada shreshhTaaH= the best of citizens and men of country-side, naigamaaHcha= merchants, gaNa iH saha= along with their followers, ete= all these, bahavaH anyecha= and many, niiyamaanaaH= retainers, priyamvadaaH= speaking kind words, paarthivaiH saha= along with kings, tishhTanti= stand waiting for, raamasya= Rama's, abhishhekaaya= coron ation.

"These pitchers filled with holy waters of ganga , gold pitchers with sea water and an excellent seat with Udambara wood came for the purpose of Rama's installation ceremony. All types of seeds, fragrant substances and precious stones of various kinds, honey, curd, clarified butter, parched grains of paddy, blades of Darbha grass, flowers, milk, eight beautiful virgins , an elephant in rut, a glorious chariot with four horses, a special kind of sword called Nistrimsa, an excellent bow , a palanquin with bearers an umbrella resembling the moon , a pair of white chowries, a golden jug, a white bull with large , humo on its back, an excellent lion with beautiful mane with large canine teeth, a throne, a tiger skin, fire with ignition , all varieties of musical instruments,courtesans, women decked with ornaments, teachers, brahmanas, cows, animals and birds which are sacred, the best of citizens and men of country side, merchants along with their followers, all these and many other retainers speaking kind words, along with kings stand waiting for Rama's coronation.

tvarayasva mahaaraajaM yathaa samudite.ahani || 2-14-42
puNye nakshatrayoge cha raamo raajyamavaapnuyaat |

42. tvarayasya= Hasten, mahaar aajam= the emperor, yathaa= so that, raamaH= Rama, avaapnuyaat= will get the kingdom, ahani= when the day , samudite= gets started, puNye= at the auspicious, nakshhatra yogecha= occation of constallation called pushya.

Hasten the emperor, so that Rama will get the throne when the day gets started at the auspicious moment of pushya constellation uniting with the moon"

iti tasya vachaH shrutvaa suutaputro mahaatmanaH || 2-14-43
stuvannR^ipatishaardhuulaM pravivesha niveshanam |

43. suute putraH= Sumantra, shrutvaaa= hearing, iti= th ese, vachaH= words, tasya mahaatmanaH= of Vasista, the great souled, pravivesha= entered, niveshanam= the gynaeceum, stuvan= enlogging, nR^ipati shaarduulam= Dasaratha, that tiger among kings.

Hearing these words Vashishta the great souled, Sumantra entered the gynaecium along with Dasaratha, the tiger among kings.

taM tu puurvoditaM vR^iddhaM dvaarasthaa raajasammatam || 2-14-44
na shekurabhisaMroddhuM raajJNH prayachikiirshhvaH |

44. dvaarasthaaH= The doormen, priyachikiirshhavaH= who were wishing to do kindness , raajJNaH= to king, na shekuH= could not, abhisamroddum= obstruct, tamtu= him, p uurvoditam= who came before hand, vR^iddham= who was senior, raaja sammatam= who was esteemed by the king.

The doormen , who were wishing to do kindness to king, could not obstruct Sumantra, who came before hand who was senior and who was highly esteemed by the king.

sa saviipasthito raajJNstaamavasthaamajajJNiivaan || 2-14-45
vaagbhiH paramatushhTaabhirabhishhTotuM prachakrame |

45. samiipasthitaH= standing besides, raajJNaH= the king, , ajajJNivaan= ignorant of, taam= that, avasthaam= situation, saH= he, p achakrame= started, abhishhTotum= prai sing, , tushhTaabhiH= with very pleasing, vagbhiH= words.

Standing besides the king and ignorant of that situation, Sumantra started praising the king with very pleasing words.

tataH suuto yathaakaalaM paarthivasya niveshane || 2-14-46
sumantraH praaJNjalirbhuutvaa tushhTaava jagatiipatim |

46. tataH= Afterwards, sumant raH= Sumantra, suutaH= the charioteer, bhuutraa= befittingly, niveshane= i n gynaeceum, paarthivasya= of the king , tushhTaava= enlogised, jagatiipatim= the king, yathaakaalam= according to the moment suitable.

Sumantra, standing with joined palms in the gynaecium of the king, eulogised the king according to the appropriate moment as follows.

yathaa nandati tejasvii saagaro bhaaskarodaye |
priitah priitena manasaa tathaanandaghanaH svataH || 2-14-47

47. yatha= How, tejasvii= the splendid , saagaraH= ocean, nandati= gladdens, bhaskar odaye= at the time of sunrise, tathaa= so, aananda ghanaH = you filled with delight, svataH= by nature, priitaH= gladden (us), manasaa = with your mind, priitena= delighted.

"How the splendid ocean gladdens at the time of sunrise, so do you by nature filled with delight, gladden us with your delighted mind."

indramasyaaM tu veLaayaamabhitushhTaava maataliH || 2-14-48
so.ajayaddhaanavaansarvaaMstathaa tvaaM bodhayaamyaham |

48. asyaam veLaayaam = At this very hour, maataliH= Matali(Indra's charioteer)abhitushhTaava= praised, indram= Indra, saH= that Indra, ajayat= conquered , sarvaan= all, daanavaan= the demons, tathaa= this, aham= I, bodhayaami= am awakening, tvaam= you.

"At the very hour of sunrise, Matali (Indra's charioteer)praised Indra and the latter conquered all the demons. In the same manner, I am awakening you."

vedaaH sahaaN^gavidyaashchha yathaahyaatmabhuvam vibhum || 2-14-49
brahmaaNam bodhayantyadya tathaa tvaaM bodhayaamyaham |

49. tathaa= So, aham= I, bodhayaami = am awakening, tvaam= you, adya= now, yathaa= as , vedaaH= vedas, sahaaNga vidyaaH= along with the knowledge of limbs of the body, bodhayanti= guide** vibhum= Lord, brahmaaNam= Brahma, aatma , bhuvam= self born

"As Vedas along with the knowledge of the limbs of the body guide Lord Brahma (the creator) who is self born, so am I awakening you now."

Brahma derives his knowledge of objects to be evolved at the beginning of creation from the Vedas.

aadityaH saha chandreNa yathaa bhuutadharaaM shubhaam || 2-14-50
bodhayatyadya pR^ithiviiM tathaa tvaam bodhayaamyaham |

50. yathaa= Even as aadityaH= sun, sahachandreNa= along with moon , bodhayati= awaken, shubhaam= the beautiful, pR^ithiviim= earth, bhuutadharaam = which sustains the , living beings, tathaa= so, aham= I, bodhayaami= am awakening , tvaam= you."

"Even as the sun along with the moon awaken the beautiful earth which sustains the beings so, am I awakening you."

uttishhThaashu mahaaraaja kR^itakautukamaN^gaLaH || 2-14-51
viraajamaano vapushhaa meroriva divaakaraH |

51. mahaaraaja= Oh, Majesty!, u ttishhThaH= raise up, divaakaraH iva= like a sun , , meroH= from mount Meru, vapushhaa= with body, viraajamaanaH= shining brilliantly, kR^ita kantuka , maN^gaLaH= and dressed suitably for the auspicious ceremony.

"Having dressed suitably for the auspicious ceremony and shining brightly with you personality, raise up. Oh, Majesty, like the sun from mount Meru."

somasuuryau cha kaakutthsa shivavaishravaNaavapi || 2-14-52
varuNaashchhagnirindrashcha vijayaM pradishntu te |

52. kaakutthsa= Oh, Dasarath a born in kakutsa dynasty! soma suuryoncha= Sun and the moon, shiva vaishravaNaavapi= Shiva and Kubera, varuNaH= varuna, agniH= Agni, indraHcha= a nd Indra, pradishantu= bestow, te= you, vijayam= victory!

"Oh, Dasaratha born in Kakutsa dynasty! May the Gods -Sun and the Moon Shiva and Kubera, Varuna, Agni and Indra bestow you victory!"

gataa bhagavatii raatriH kR^itakR^itya midaM tava || 2-14-53
buddhyasva sR^ipashaarduula kuru kaaryamanantaram |
udatishhThata raamasya samagramabhishhechanm || 2-14-54

58. mahiipatiH= King Dasaratha, iti= thus, shrutvaa= hearing, tasya vachaH= his words, arthavat= which were meaningful, saantva puurvamiva= and which were very soothing , abhyakiiryata= was surrounded , shokena= with grief, bhuumya eva= once more.

"Oh, the best of the kings ! The holy night has gone by. Know what has been done and do what has to be done. All the requirements for Rama's coronation is kept ready" .

paurajaanapadaishchaapi naigamaishcha kR^itaaJNjaliH |
svayaM vasishhTho bhagavaan braahmaNaiH saha tishhThati || 2-14-55

55. bhagavaan= The venerable, vasishhThaH= Vasishta, svayam= hi mself , tishhThati = stands, bhaahmaNaiH scha = along with brahmanas, kR^itaaJNjaliH= being saluted with joined palms by, paura jaanapadaishchaapi= citizens and village folks, naigamaishcha= and merchants.

"The venerable Vashishta himself stands waiting at the gate along with brahmanas, being saluted saluted with joined palms by citizens, village folk and merchants."

kshipramaajJNpyataaM raajan raaghavasyaabhishhechanm |
yathaa hyapaalaaH pashavo yathaa senaa hyaanaayakaa || 2-14-56
yathaa chndraM vinaa raatriryathaa gaavo vinaa vR^ishham |
evaM hi bhavitaa raashhTraM yatra raajaa na dR^ishyate || 2-14-57

56,57. raajan= Oh, king!, aajJNaapyat aam= Give orders , kshhipram= quickly , raaghavasya= for Rama's, abhishhechanam= coronation ceremony, raashhTram= a state, yatra= in which, raajaa= a king, na dR^ishyate= is not seen, evam= thus, bhavitaahi= indeed becomes , yathaa= how, pashavaH= cattle is , apaalaaH= without herdsman, yathaa= how, senaa= army is, anaayakaH , without commander, yathaa= how, raatriH= night is, chandram vinaa = without moon, yathaa= how, gavaaH= cows are, vR^ishham vinaa= without bull.

"Oh king! Give orders quickly for Rama's coronation ceremony. A kingdom without a king is like cattle without a herdsman, army without a commander, night without the moon and cows without a bull."

iti tasya vachaH shrutvaa saantvapuurvamivaarthavat |
abhyakiiryata shokena bhuuya eva mahiipatiH || 2-14-58

58. mahiipatiH= King Dasaratha, iti= thus, shrutvaa= hearing, tasya vachaH= = his words, arthavat= which were meaningful, saantva puurvamiva= and which were very soothing , abhyakiiryata= was surrounded , shokena= with grief, bhuumya eva= once more.

King Dasaratha hearing his words which were soothing and meaningful, was surrounded with grief once more.

tataH sa raajaa tam suutam sanna harSaH sutam prati |
shoka aarakta iikSaNaH shriimaan udviikSya uvaaca dhaarmikaH || 2-14 59
vaakyaistu khalu marmaaNi mama bhuuyo nikR^intasi |

59. saH raajaa= That king , dhaarmikaH= who was pious, shriimaan= and glorious, sannaharshha= having lost joy, sutam prati= about his son, udvuikshhya = looked up, shoka raktekshhaNaH= with burning red eyes , uvaacha= spoke, tam suutam= to that charioteer, nikR^intasi= "You are chopping off, mama= my, marmaaNi= vitals, bhuuyaH eva = further, vaakyaiH= with words"

That king who was pious and glorious, having lost joy about his son, looked up with sorrowful red eyes and spoke those to Sumantra. "You are chopping off my vitals further more, with your words!."

sumantraH karuNam shrutvaa dRSTvaa diinam ca paarthivam || 2-14-60
pragRhiita anjaliH kimcit tasmaat deshaat apaakraman |

60. sumantraH= Sumantra, srutva a= hearing, karuNam= mournful words, dR^ishhTvaacha= and seeing , diinam= depressed, paarthivam= king, pragR^i hiitaaJNjaliH= taken upon himself the joined palms, apaakramat= slipped away, kiNchit= a little, tasmaat deshaat= from that place.

Sumantra, after seeing the depressed king and hearing mournful words, joined palms with salutation and slipped away to a distance from that place.

yadaa vaktum svayam dainyaan na shashaaka mahii patiH || 2-14-61
tadaa sumantram mantraj~naa kaikeyii pratyuvaaca ha |

61. yadaa= when, mahiipati H= the king, na shashaaka= could not, vaktum= say, svayam= himself, dainyaat= due to depression, tadaa= then, kaikeyi= Kaikeyi, mantrajJNaa= who is experienced in fore-thoughts, pratyuvaachaha= replied, suman tram= to Sumantra.

Dasaratha could not say any thing himself because of depression. Then, Kaikeyi who is experienced in fore-thoughts, spoke thus to Sumantra.

sumantra raajaa rajaniiM raamaharshhasamutsukaH || 2-14-62
prajaagaraparishraanto nidraavashamupeyuvaan |

62. sumantra= Oh, Sumantra! raajaa= The king, raama harshha samutsakah= getting emotional by the joy related to Rama, prajaagaraparishraantaH= was tired of awakening , rajaniim= the whole night, upeyivaam= got, nidraavasham= subjected to sleep.

"Oh Sumantra! The king, being smitten by emotional joy in relation to Rama, who tired of awakening the whole night and got subjected to sleep"

tadgachchha tvaritaM suuta raajaputraM yashasvinam || 2-14-63
raamamaanaya bhadraM te naatra kaaryaa vichaaraNaa |

63. suuta= Oh, sumantra!, tat= Hence, tvaritam = quickly, gachchha= proceed, aanaya= to bring, raamam= Rama, yashasvinam= the glorious, raajaputram= prince, bhadram= blessedness , te= to you, na kaaryaa= do not form, vichaara Naa= hesitation, atra= in the matter.

"Oh, Sumantra! Hence, quickly go and bring the glorious prince Rama. Blessedness to you! Do not have any hesitation in this matter. "

sa manyamaanaH kalyaaNam hR^idayena nannandha cha || 2-14-64
nirjagaama cha saMpriityaa tvarito raajashaasanaat |

64. saH= He, manyamaanaH= was thinking, kalyaanam= of auspicious occasion, hR^idayena= in heart, nanandacha= and rejoiced, sampriityaa= With pleasure, nirjagaama= he started, tvaritaH= hurriedly, raaja shaasanaat= by the orders of the king.

"He was thinking of that auspicious occasion in heart and rejoiced. With pleasure, he set out, by the orders of the king."

sumantrashchintayaamaasa tvaritaM choditastayaa || 2-14-65
vyaktaM raamo.abhishhekaarthamihaayaasyati dharmavit |

65. chiditaH= Instigated, tayaa= by her, sumantraH= Sumantra, chintayaamaasa= thought(thus), raamaH= Rama, dharmavit= the righteous, aayaasya= will come , iha =here, abhishhekaarthan= for coronation, vyaktam= certainly.

Instigated by her, Sumantra thought that the righteous Rama would come there certainly for coronation.

iti suuto matiM kR^itvaa harshheNa mahataa vR^itaH || 2-14-66
nirjagaama mahaabaaho raaghavasya didR^ikshayaa |

66. suutaH= Sumantra, iti= thus, matimkR^itvaa= thinking , mahataa harshheNa= in great joy, nirjagaama= set out, didR^ikshhayaa= with desire to see, raaghavasya= Rama, mahaabaaho= the long armed

Sumantra thus thinking and dwelling in a great joy, set out with a desire to see the long armed Rama

saagarahradasaMkaashaatsumantro.antaHpuraachchhubhaat || 2-14-67
nishhkramya janasaMbaadhaM dadarsha dvaaramagrataH |

67. sumantraH= Sumantra, nishhkramya= coming out, antaHpuraat= of gynaeceum, shubhaat= splendid, saagrahrada sankaashaat= like a pool in the sea, dadarsha= saw, dvaaram= the gate, jana sambaadhaam= looking congested, with men, agrahataH= in front.

Sumantra coming out of gynaceumwhich looked like a splendid pool in the sea, saw the gate being congested with throngs of people.

tataH purastatsaasaa vinirgato |
mahiipatiin dvaaragato vilokayan |
dadarsha pauraan vividhaanmahaadhanaa |
nupasthitaan dvaaramupetya vishhThataan || 2-14-68

68. tatah= Afterwards, vinirgataH= going out, purastaat= further on, dvaaragataH= approached the entrance, vilokayan= by seeing, dvaaram = the gate, upetya= come nearer, dadarsha= saw, mahiipatiim= kings, vishhTitaam= stationed, mahaadhanaan = very rich, pauraan= citizens, upasthitaan= having arrived.

Afterwards, proceeding further on, he saw near the gate some kings stationed there and very rich citizens having arrived there.

|| ityaarshe sriimadraamaayane aadikaavye ayodhyakaande chaturdashaH sargaH ||

Thus completes fourteenth chapter of Ayodhya kanda in Srimad Ramayana , the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 15

Introduction

In this chapter, Sumantra enters the royal court and observes all the arrangements made for the coronation of Sri Rama. Ordered by Dasaratha to fetch Sri Rama, he enters the mighty building of Sri Rama

te tu taam rajaniim uSya braahmaNaa veda paaragaaH |
upatasthur upasthaanam saha raaja purohitaaH || 2-15-1

1. te= these, brahmaNaaH = brahmanas, vedapaaragaaH = skilled in vedas, ushhya = stayed, taam rajiniim = for whole night, upatasthuH = and arrived, upasthaanam = at nearby place, saha raaja purohitaaH = along with royal priest, Vasista.

Those brahmans skilled in Vedas stayed there all the night and arrived at a nearby place along with the royal priest, Vashishta.

amaatyaa bala mukhyaaH ca mukhyaa ye nigamasya ca |
raaghavasya abhiSeka arthe priiyamaaNaaH tu samgataaH || 2-15-2

2. amaatyaaH = ministers, balamukhyaasheha = army chiefs, ye = which, mukyaaH = prominent leaders, nigamasya = of the city (those people), samgataaH = assembled, priyamaaNaaH = welcoming, abhishhekaarthe = cause of Rama's coronation.

Ministers, army chiefs, prominent leaders of the city assembled there, welcoming the cause of Rama's coronation.

udite vimale suurye puSye ca abhyaagate ahani |
abhiSekaaya raamasya dvija indraiH upakalpitam || 2-15-3
kaancanaa jala kumbhaaH ca bhadra piiTham svalamkRtam |

3. raamasya = Rama's, abhishhekaaya = coronation, upakalpitam = arranged by, dvijendraiH = the best of brahmanas, udite = after rising, suurye = of sun, vimale = clearly, abhyaagate = on arrival of , pushhyecha = pushyami star, praapte = and after arrival of, raamasya = Rama's, janma = birth, sthite = position, karkatakalagne = of auspicious time of cancer.

The best of brahmanas were prepared to do Rama's coronation in day-time after the sun rises clearly at the arrival of Pushya star and on arrival of Rama's auspicious birth time of Cancer.

kaaJNchanaa jalakumaabhashcha bhadrapiiThaM svalaN^kR^itam || 2-15-4
rathashcha samyagaa stiirNobhaasvataa vyaagracharmaNaa |

4. kaaJNchanaa = golden, jala kumbhaasheha = water pots, svalaNkR^itam = well decorated, bhadrapiitham = throne, rathashcha = and the chariot, aastiirNaH = covered by, bhaaasvataa = shining, vyaaghracharmaNaa = tiger-skin.

Golden water-pots, well-decorated throne and chariot covered well by shining tiger-skin were impressive.

gaN^gaayamunayoH puNyaatsaN^gamaadaahR^itaM jalam || 2-15-5
yaashchaanyaaH saritaH puNyaa hradaaH kuupaaH saraaMsi cha |
praagvaahaashchordhvavaahaashcha tiryagvaahaa ssamaahitaaH || 2-15-6
taabhyashchaivaahR^itaM to yaM samudrebhyashcha sarvashaH |

5,6. jalam = water, aahR^itam = brought from, puNyaat = auspicious, gangaayammayoH saN^gaat = conjuction of ganga and yamuna rivers, yaaH = which, anyaaH = other, saritaH = rivers(from them), hradaaH = lakes, kuupaaH = wells, saraamsicha = ponds, pragvaahaaH = those flowing upwards, tiryagvaahaaH = those flowing crossward, samaahitaaH = from those which joined together, taabhyaH cha = from them, samudrebhyaH cha = and from oceans, sarvashaH = from all sides, toyam = water, ahR^itam = was brought.

Water was brought from auspicious conjunction of rivers ganga and Yamuna, from other rivers, lakes, wells, ponds, from streams flowing eastwards, from streams which joined together and from oceans in all sides.

salaajaaH kshiiribhishchhannaa ghaTaaH kaaJNchanaraajataaH || 2-15-7
padmotpalayutaa bhaanti puurNaaH paramavaariNaa |

7. kaaN^chana raajataaH = gold and silver, ghataaH = pots, puurNaaH = filled with, paramavaariNaa = excellent water, salaajaaH = together with popped grain, chhannaaH = covered by, kshiiribhiH = milky sapped leaves, padmotpalayutaaH = along, with lotuses and water lilies, bhaanti = were shining.

Gold and silver pots filled with best water together with popped grain and covered by milky sapped leaves, lotuses and water-lilies were shining there.

kshaudraM dadhi ghR^itaM laajaa darbhaaH sumanasaH payaH || 2-15-8
veshyaashchaiva shubhaachaaraaH sarvaabharaNabhuushhitaaH |

8. kshaudram = honey, dadhi = curd, ghR^itam = clarified butter, laajaaH = popped grain, darbhaaH = sacred grass, sumanasaH = flowers, payaH = milk(were glimmering), veshyaaHcha eva = as also harlots, shubhaachaaraaH = with good customs,sarvaabhara Na bhuushhitaaH = and adorned with all types of ornaments.

Honey, curd, clarified butter popped grain, sacred grass, flowers and milk were kept ready. Harlots adorned with all types of ornaments were also glimmering there.

chandraaMshuvikachaprakhyaM kaaJNchanaM ratnabhushhitam ||2-15-9
sajjaM tishhThati raamasya vaalavyajanamuttamam |

9. raamasya = Rama's, uttamam = excellent, vaalavyajanam = fly-flapper, chandraanshu vikachaprakhyam = like spread-out rays of moon, kaanchanam - made with gold, ratna bhuushhitam = adorned with diamonds, tishhTati = was kept, sajjam = ready.

An excellent fly-flopper which was like spread-out rays of moon, made of gold, adorned with diamonds was kept ready for Rama.

chandramaNDalasamkaashamaatapatraM cha paaNDuram || 2-15-10
sajjaM dyutikaraM shriimadabhishhekapuraskR^itam |

10. paaN^Duram = white, aatapatramcha = umbrella also, chandramN^dalasankaasham = equal to circular moon dyutikaram = which was shining, shriimat = which was beautifl, abhishhekapuraskR^itam = which was kept in advance for the occasion of coronation, sajjam = was ready.

A white umbrella like circular moon, which was kept in advance for the occasion of coronation was also kept ready.

paaNDurashcha vR^ishhaH sajjaH paaNDuro.asvashcha susthitaH || 2-15-11
prasR^itashcha gajaH shriimaanaupavaahyaH pratiikshate |

11. paaN^DuraH = white, vR^ishhaH cha = bull also, sajjaH = was ready, paaN^DuraH =white, ashvaH cha = horse also, susthitaH = was in well established position, gajaH cha = elephant also, prasR^itaH = which was mighty, shriimaan = which was beautiful, oupaaahyaH = which was fit to be mounted by kings, pratiikshhate = was waiting.

A white bull, a white horse a mighty and beautiful elephant which was fit to be mounted by kings were readily waiting.

ashhTau cha kanyaa maaN^galyaaH sarvaabharaNabhuushhitaaH || 2-15-12
vaaditraaNi cha sarvaaNi vandinashcha tathaapare |

12. ashhTau = eight, maaN^galyaaH = auspicious, kanyaaH = virgins, sarvaabharaNa bhuushhitaaH = adorned with all types of ornaments, sarvaaNi = all types of, vaaditraaNi = musical instruments, vandinaH cha = panegyrishts, tathaa = and, pare = others, (were waiting)

Eight auspicious virgins adorned all types of ornaments, various types of musical instruments, panegyrists and others were also waiting.

ikshvaakuuNaaM yathaa raajye saMbhriyetaabhishhechanam || 2-15-13
tathaajaatiiyamaadaaya raajaputraabhishhechanm |
te raajavachanaattatra samavetaa mahiipatim || 2-15-14
apashyanto.abruvan ko bu raajJNonaH pratipaadayet |

13,14. te = they, samavetaaH = who gathered, tatra = there, aadaaya = getting, raajaputraabhishhechanam = the things required for coronation cermony, raaja vachanaat = as per insturctions of king,tathaajaatiiyam = of such a kind, abhishhechanam = of things required for coronation, yathaa = as,sambhriyeta = collected, raajye = in kingdom, ikshhvakuuNaam = of Ikshhvaaku dynasty, apashyamtaH = could not see, mahiipatim = the kings, abruvam = spoke, kaH nu = who, pratipaadayet = will inform, raajJNo = the king, naH = about us.

The people who gathered there after getting the things required as per orders of king for coronation ceremony to be held in a kingdom of Ikshhvaaku dynasty, could not sight the king and discussed among themselves about how to inform the king regarding their arrival.

na pashyaamashcha raajaanamuditashcha divaakaraH || 2-15-15
yauvaraajyaabhishhekashcha sajjo raamasya dhiimataH |

15. nacha pashyaamaH = (we are ) not seeing, raajaanam = the king, divaakaraH cha = the sun also, uditahH = has risen, dhiimataH = the wise, raamasya = Rama's yauvaraajyaabhishhekaH cha = crowing ceremony also, sajjaH - is ready.

" The king is not being seen. The sun has risen. Everything is ready for the coronation of Rama, the wise".

iti teshhu bruvaaNeshhu saarvabhaumaan mahiipatiin || 2-15-16
abraviittaanidaM sarvaansumantro raajasatkR^itaH |

16. teshhu bruvaaNeshu = while they were speaking, iti = thus, sumantraH = sumantra, raaja satkR^itaH = who is well respected by king, abraviit = spoke, idam = these words, taan mahiipatiin = to those kings, sarvaan saarvaabhaumaan = who belong to all countries entirely.

Sumantra, who received good respect from Dasaratha, heard them thus speaking and addressed those kings, who came from different countries.

raamaH ca samyag aastiirNo bhaasvaraa vyaaghra carmaNaa || 2-15-17
gangaa yamunayoh puNyaat samgamaat aahRtam jalam |

17. aham = I, prasthitaH asmi = am going on journey, tvarayaa = quickly, raamam = to Rama, niyogena = as per orders of, raajJNaH = king, bhavantutuH = but you are, puujyaaH = worthy of worship, raajJNaH = to king, raamasyacha visheshhataH = and in particular to Rama.

"I am going to Rama quickly as per king's directions. But, you are all worthy of worship by Dasaratha and by Rama in particular."

ayaM pR^ichchhaami vachanaat sukhamaayushhmataamaham || 2-15-18
raajJNH saMpratibuddhasya chaanaagamanakaaraNam |

18. aayam aham = this I, pR^ichchhaami = shall ask, vachanaat = as word, aayushhmataam = if you who are long- lived, sukham = about well being, raajJNaH = of king, sam pratibuddhasya = who is now awake, anaagamana kaaraaNam cha = and about the reason of not coming.

"I shall ask as your word about the well-being of king who is now awake and also about the reason of his not coming here."

ityuktvaantaHpuradvaaramaajagaama puraaNavit || 2-15-19
sadaasaktaM cha tadveshma sumantraH pravivesha ha |

19. sumantra = Sumantra, puraaNavit = knower of sacred works, iti = thus, uktvaa = spoke, aajagaama = approached, antaHpura dvaaram = entrance of royal palace, praviveshaH = entered, tat = that, vesham = house, saktam = which is kept close, sadaa = always.

That Sumantra, knower of sacred works spoke thus, approached entrance of royal palace and entered the inner quarters which is always kept closed.

tushhTaavaasya tadaa vaMshaM pravishya sa vishaaM pateH || 2-15-20
shayaniiyaM narendhrasya tadasaadya vyatishhThata |

20. tadaa = then, saH = he, pravishya = entered, tushhTaava = praised, asya = this, vishaampateH = kings's vamsham = dynasty, aasaadya = approached, narendrasya tat shayaniiyam = that king's bedroom, vyatishhTat = stood at a distance.

He entered the inner quarters and praised the king's dynasty. He approached the royal bedroom and stood there at a distance.

so.atyaasaadya tu tadveshma tiraskariNi mantraa || 2-15-21
aashiirbhirguNayuktaabhirabhitushhTaava raaghavam |

21. saH = he, aasaadya = approached, veshma = bed room, tiraskariNimantaraa = as nearere to the curtain, abhitushhTaava = praised, raaghavam = Dasaratha, aashiirbhiH with blessings, guNa yuktaabhiH = countaining qualities.

He entered the bedroom, approached nearer to the curtain there and praised Dasaratha's qualities with blessings.

somasuuryau cha kaakutstha shivavaishravaNaavapi || 2-15-22
varuNashchagnirindrashcha vijayam pradishantu te |

22. kaakutthsa = oh, king Dasaratha! soma suuryau = moon and sund, shivavyashravaNau api = shiva and kubera, varuNaH cha = Varuna, agniH = Agni, indraH cha = Indra, pradishantute = grant, vijayam = victory, te = to you.

"Oh, king Dasaratha! Let sun and the moon, guardians of the world like Shiva and Kubera, Varuna, Agni and Indra grant victory to you!"

gataa bhagavatii raatriraH shivamupasthitam || 2-15-23
buddhyasva nR^ipashaarduula kuru kaaryamanantaram |

23. nR^ipashaarduula = oh, the best of kings! bhagavatii = the venerable, raatriH = night, gataa = has gone, shivam = the auspicious, ahaH = day, upasthitam = has come, buddhyasya = wake up, kuru = do, kaaryam = whatever to be done, anantaram = thereafter.

"Oh, the best of kings! The venerable night has gone. The auspicious day has come. Wake up and do whatever needs to be done thereafter."

braahmaNaa balamukhyaashcha naigamaashchaagataa nR^ipa || 2-15-24
darshanam pratikaaN^kshante pratibuddhyasva raaghava |

24. raaghava nR^ipa = oh, king born in Raghu dynasty ! braahmaNaaH cha = chiefs of armed forces, nygamaaH cha = and traders, aagataaH = have come, pratikaaN^kshhante = willing, darshanam = to see, paratibuddhyasya = wake up!

"Oh, king Dasaratha ! Brahmanas, chiefs of armed forces and traders are waiting to see you. Please wake up."

stuvantaM tam tadaa suutaM sumantraM mantrakovidam || 2-15-25
pratibuddhya tato raajaa idaM vachanamabraviit |

25. tataH thereafter, raajaa = king Dasaratha, pratibuddhya woke up, abraviit = and spoke, idam vachanam = these words, sumantram = to Sumantra, tadaa = then, stuvantam = enlogising, mantrakovidam = skilled in giving advice, suutam = charioteer.

Then, Dasaratha woke up and spoke these words to Sumantra, who was eulogising him, who was skilled in giving advice and who was his charioteer.

raamamaanaya suuteti yadasyabhihito/anayaa || 2-15-26
kimidaM kaaraNam yena mamaajJNaa pratihanyate |

26. suuta = oh, the charioteer! kim = what is, idam kaaraNam = this reason, yena by which, mama aajJNaa = my order, pratihamyate = is being rejected, yat abhihitaH api = eventhough you were told, anaya = to bring, raamam = Rama.

"Why have you not followed my orders even though you were asked by her to bring Rama."

na chaiva samprasupto.ahamaanayehaashu raaghavam || 2-15-27
iti raajaa dasharathaH suutaM tatraanvashaatpunaH |

27. raajaa dasharathaH = king Dasaratha, anvashaat = ordered, suuutam = charioteer, tatra = there, punaH = again, iti = thus, aham nacha eva samprasupataH = "I am not sleeping, aanaya =bring, raamam = Rama, iha = here, aashu = soon.

King Dasaratha ordered that charioteer there again thus - " I am not sleeping. Bring Rama here soon".

sa raajavachanaM shrutvaa shirasaa pratipuujya tam || 2-15-28
nirjagama nR^ipaavaasaanmanyamaanaH priyaM mahat |

28. saH - he, shrutvaa - listened to, raajavachanam = king's words, pratipuujya = paid respect, tam = to him, shirasaa = with head, manyamaanaH = thinking of, mahat = abundant, priyam = goodness, nirjagaama = came out, nR^ipaavaasaat = from king's house.

He listened to king's words, bowed his head in salutation to him, thought for goodness of king, and came out of the king's palace.

prasanno raajamaargaM cha pataakaadhvajashobhitam || 2-15-29
hR^ishhTaH pramuditaH suuto jagaamaashu vilokayan |

29. suutaH = the charioteer placid, prasannaH = became placeid, jagaama = went, hR^ishhTaH = rejoiced, pramuditaH = with pleasure, vilokayan = seeing, raajamaargamcha = royal roads, pataakaadhvaja shobhitam = adorned with flags and banners.

That Sumantra with placid mind, went happily seeing the royal roads adorned with flags and banners.

sa suutastatra shushraava raamaadhikaraNaaH kathaaH || 2-15-30
abhishhechanasaMyuktaassarvalokasya hR^ishhTavat |

30. suutaH = that charioteer, shushraava = heard, kathaaH = conversatious, raamadhikaraNaaH = about Rama, abhishechana samyuktaaH + and Rama's coronation, sarvalokasya = of all people, hR^ishhTavat = who were joyful.

Sumantra heard the words pertaining to Rama and Rama's coronation spoken together by joyful people there.

tato dadarsha ruchiraM kailaasashikharaprabham || 2-15-31
raamaveshma sumantrastu shakraveshmasamaprabham |

31. tataH = then, sumantraH tu = Sumantra, dadarshha = saw, raamaveshma = Rama's palace, ruchiram = which ws lovely, kailaasa sikharaprabham = shining like top of a mountain, shakra veshma samaprabham = radiant like Indra's palace.

Then, Sumantra saw Rama's palace which was lovely shining like top of a mountain and radiant like Indra's palace.

mahaakavaaTapihitaM vitardishatashobhitam || 2-15-32
kaaJNchanapratimaikaagraM maNividrumatoraNam |
shaaradaabhraghanaprakhyaM diiptaM meruguhopamam || 2-15-33
maNibhirvaramaalyaanaaM sumahadbhiralaMkR^itam |
muktaamaNibhiraakiirNaM chandhanaagurubhuushhitam || 2-15-34
gandhaanmanojJNaan visR^ijaddhaarduraM shikharaM yathaa |
saarasaishcha mayuuraishcha vinadadbhirviraajitam || 2-15-35
sukR^itehaamR^igaakiirNaM sukiirNaM bhaktibhistathaa |
manshchakshushcha bhuutaanaamaadadattigmatejasaa || 2-15-36
chandrabhaaskarasaMkaasham kuberabhavanopamam |
mahendradhaamapratimaM naanaapakshisamaakulam || 2-15-37
merushR^iN^gasamam suuto raamaveshma dadarsha ha |
upasthitaiH samaakiirNam janairaJNjalikaaribhiH || 2-15-38
upaadaaya samaakraantaistathaa jaanapadairjanaiH |
raamaabhishhekasumukhairunmukhaiH samalamkR^itam || 2-15-39
mahaameghasamaprakhyamudagraM suvibhuushhitam |
naanaaratnasamaakiirNaM kubjakairaatakaavR^itam || 2-15-40

32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40. suutaH = Sumantra, dadarshaH = saw, raamaveshma = Rama's house, mahaakavaata pihitam = with large doors, vitardhishata shobhitam = adorned, with hundreds of raised, quadrangular seats, kaaN^chana pratimaikaagram = having a summit embedded with golden idols, maNividruma toranam = with festooned decorations over doorways with gems and corals, sharadaabhraghanaprakhyam = with brilliance like automnal cloud, diiptam - shining, meruguhopamam - like vace of Meru mountain, alankR^itam = adorned withmaNibhiH = precious stones, sumadbhiH = with large, ramaalyaanaam=- best of garlands, aakiirNam = abundantly seathered , muktaamaNibhiH = pearls, chandanaagurubhuushhitam = decorated with sandal and aloe woods, visR^ijat = spreading out, manojJNaan = beautiful, gandhaan = smalls, saarasaiH = with cranes, mayuuraishcha = and with peacoks, vinadadbhiH = singing, viraajitam = was illuminated, sukR^itehaa mR^igaakiirNam = surrounded by well-arranged wolves, tathaa = and, sukiirNam = well place, bhaktibhiH = sculptures, aadadat = attracting, manaH minds, chakshhushcha = and eyes, bhuutaanaam = of living beings, chandrabhaaskaraa sankaasham = equal to sund and the moon, kubera bhavanopamana = like palace of kubera, mahendra chaama pratimam = equal to house of Indra, nanaapakshhisamaakulam = full of various kinds of birds, marushR^ingasamam = equal to Meru mountain, samaakiirNam = over spread, janaiH = by people upasthitaiH = who arrived, aN^jalikaaribhiH = with joined palms,tatha = and upadaaya = taking gifts and the like, jaanapadaiH = rural folk, raamaabhishheka sumukhaiH = favouring Rama's coronation, unmkhaiH = eagerly waiting, alankR^itam = decorated, udagram = elevated, mahaameghasamaprakhyam = like great clouds, suvibhuushhitam = adorned with , naanaaratnasamaakiirNam = various diamonds spread all over, kubja kairaavakaavR^itam = with hunch backed servants and servant of kirata tribe moving around.

Rama's palace was beautiful with large doors and adorned with hundreds of raised quadrangular seats. There were festooned decorations over doorways with gems and corals. It was adorned with various precious stones and the best of garlands. Pearls were scattered all over abundantly. It was decorated with sandal and aloe woods, spreading out beautiful smells like the peak of a Darddura Mountain. Cranes and peacocks were singing sweetly. Figures of wolves and other art forms were sculptured here and there. It was attracting the eyes and minds of living beings by its brilliance. It was shining like a constellation of moon and the sun. It was full of various kinds of birds. It was as high as Meru mountain. Sumantra saw such a palace of Rama. People who came from different rural parts to see Rama's coronation were waiting with different gifts in their hands. That house decorated with various diamonds, was looking high like a great cloud. Hunch backed servants and servants of kirata tribe were moving all over the house.

sa vaajiyuktena rathena saarathi |
rnaraakulaM raajakulam viraajayan |
varuuthinaa raamagR^ihaabhipaatinaa |
purasya sarvasya manaaMsi harshayan || 2-15-41

41. saH = that, saarathi = charioteer, rathena = with chariot, vaajiyuktena = fasterned with horses, varuuthinaa = having a top, raamagR^ihaabhipaatinaa = approaching towards Rama's palace,viraajayam = beautifying, naraakulam = human race, raajakulam = and royal race, harshhayam = gladdened, manaamsi = the hearts, purasya = of the city.

That Sumantra with chariot fastened with horses and having a top, approached towards Rama's palace, beautifying the human and the royal races, gladdened the hearts of all citizens.

tatassamaasaadya mahaadhanaM mahat |
prahR^ishhTaromaa sa babhuuva saarathiH |
mR^igairmayuuraishcha samaakulolbaNaM |
gR^ihaM varaarhasya shachiipateriva || 2-15-42

42. tataH = then, saH = that, saarathiH = charioteer,babhuuva = became, prahR^ishhTa romaa = hair-risingly thrilled, samaasaadya = after approaching, varaarhasya = excellent Rama's gR^iham = palace, mahaadhanam = having great wealth, mahat = large, samaakulolbaNam = beautifully, mR^igaiH = deers, mayuuraishcha = and peacocks, shachiipataH iva = like Indra's palace.

That palace of the great souled Rama was like Indra's palace with great wealth. It was filled with various deer and peacocks. After approaching that palace, he became quite thrilled.

sa tatra kailaasanibhaaH svalaMkR^itaaH |
pravishya kakshyaastridashaalayopamaaH |
priyaan varaan raamamate sthitaan bahuun |
vyapohya shuddhaaMtamupasthito rathii || 2-15-43

43. saH = that, rathii = Sumantra, praveshya = entered, kakshhyaaH = inner apartments, kailaasavibhaaH = equal to Kailasa mountain, svalankR^itaaH = well decorated, tridashaalayopamaaH = like, abodes of deities, tatra = there, vyapohya = passed over, bahuun = many of , raamamate sthitaan = established Rama's welll wishers,varam = best, priyaan = friends, upasthitaH = approached, shuddhaantam = royal inner apartment.

The inner apartments of Rama's palace were well decorated, high as Kailasa mountain and like abodes of deities. Sumantra entered there, passed over many of Rama's friends who well wishers and approached Rama's inner apartment.

sa tatra shushraava cha harshhayuktaa |
raamaabhishhekaarthakR^itaa janaanaaM |
naremdrasuunorabhimaMgaLaarthaaH |
sarvasya lokasya giraH prahR^ishhTaH || 2-15-44

44. tatra = then, saH = he, shushraava = heard, prahR^ishhTaaH = delightful, giraH = words, lokasya = of people, raamaabhishhekaartha kR^itaan = about things done for Rama's coronation, harshayuktaaH = filled with joy, janaanaam = of people, abhimangalaarthaaH = for the sake of prosperity, narendra suunoH = of Rama.

There, Sumantra heard delightful people talking about Rama's coronation and the rites to be performed for the sake of Rama's prosperity.

maheMdrasadmapratimaM tu veshma |
raamasya ramyaM mR^igamuchchaM |
vibhraajamaanaM prabhayaa sumamtraH || 2-15-45

45. sumantraH = Sumantra, dadarsha = saw, ramya = beautiful, raamasya veshma = Rama's palace, mahendrasadmapratimam = filled wih antelopes and birds, shR^ingam eva = like top, uchcha = of high, meroH = Meru mountain, vibhraajamaanam = shining, prabhayaa = with radiance.

Rama's palace was as high as top of the Meru mountain, shining with radiance. The mansion was filled with birds and antelopes. It was like Indra’s mansion. Sumantra saw such a beautiful house of Rama.

upasthitai raJNjalikaaribhishcha |
sopaayanairjaanapadairjanaishcha |
koTyaa paraardhaishcha vimuktayaanaiH |
samaakulaM dvaarapadam dadarsha || 2-15-46

46. dadarsha = saw, dvaarapadam = area of entrance, samaakulam = filled with, kotyaa = crores, parardhaishcha = and millions of, jaanapadaiH = of rural folk, janaishcha = and people, upasthitaaH = who approached, anjalikaaribhisheha = with folded hands, sopaayanaiH = with gifts, vimuktayaanaiH = who left their respective vehicles.

He saw crores and millions of rural folk and other people with folded hands approaching the area leaving their respective vehicles.

tato mahaameghamahiidharaabhaM |
prabhinnamatyaN^kushamatyasahyam |
raamopavaahyaam ruchiram dadarsha |
shatrumjayaM naagamudagrakaayam || 2-15-47

47. tataH = there after, dadarsha = saw, ruchiram = beautiful, naagam = elephant, shatrunjayam = called satrunjayam, udagrakaayam = with highly elevated, raamopavaahyam = Rama's royal vehichle, mahaamegha mahiidharaabham = like great cloud and mountain,prabhinnam = intoxicated, atyaN^kusham = uncontrollabel, asahyam = intolerable.

There he saw a beautiful elephant called Satrunjaya with highly elevated body and Rama's royal conveyance. It was like a great cloud and a mountain. It was intoxicated, uncontrollable and intolerable.

svalaMkR^itaan saasvarathaan sakumjaraa |
namaatyamukhayaamshcha dadarsha vallabhaan |
vyapohya suutaH sahitaansamaMtataH |
samR^iddhamaMtaHpura maavivesha ha || 2-15-48

48. dadarsha = saw, amaatya mukhyaamshaha = the ministers in chief, vallabhaan = who were beloved to the king, svalankR^itaan = who were well-adorned, saashvarathaan= with horse carriages sakunjaraan= the people, gathered, tataH= on all sides, aviveshaH=entered, samR^iddham=rich, antaHpuram= inner apartment.

The ministers in chief who were beloved to the king, were well-adorned and came there on horse-carriages and elephants. Sumantra passed over the people gathered there on all sides and entered the rich inner apartment.

tato.adrikuuTaachalameghasanni bhaM |
mahaavimaanopamaveshmasaMyutam |
avaaryamaaNaH pravivesha saarathiH |
prabhuutaratnaM makaro yathaarNavam || 2-15-49

49. tataH = then, saarathiH =the charioter, pravivesha = entered, mahaavimaanopama veshma samyutam = that Rama's palace containing houses equal to excellent divine cars, adrikuutaachala magha sannibham = similar to top of mountain, and immoveable cloud, makaro yathaa = like crocodile(entering) arNavam = ocean, prabhuutaratnam = containg, a number of precious stones, avaaryamaaNaH = without being obstructed by anyone.

Then, that Sumantra entered Rama's palace, which was like top of a mountain, like an unmoving cloud, which contained houses equal to excellent divine cars, like crocodile entering the ocean containing a number of precious stones. Nobody obstructed him.

|| ityaarshhe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe
paJNchadashaH sargaH ||

Thus completes fifteenth sarga of Ayodhya kanda in Srimad Ramayana.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 16

Introduction

In this chapter, Sumantra arrives at Rama's palace to fetch him to royal court. Rama starts to the royal court to meet his father. On the way Rama observes the jubiliant city

sa tat antaH pura dvaaram samatiitya jana aakulam |
praviviktaam tataH kakSyaam aasasaada puraaNavit || 2-16-1
praasa kaarmuka bibhradbhir yuvabhir mR^iSTa kuNDalaiH |
apramaadibhir eka agraiH svanuraktaiH adhiSThitaam || 2-16-2

1,2. saH= that sumantra; puraaNavit= who knew the ancient sacred works; samatiitya = passed over; tad= that; janaakulam= crowded; antaHpura dvaaram= palace entrance; tataH= then; aasasaada= reached secluded; kakshhyaam= inner apartment; adhishhThitaam= guarded by; yuuabhiH= youth; praasakaarmukabibhradbhiH= wearing bows and darts; mR^isTakundalaiH= heaving polished ear-rings; apramaadibhiH= who were vigilant; ekaagraiH= attentive; svanuraktaiH= and devoted to the king.

That Sumantra, who knew the ancient sacred works, passed over the crowded entrance of the palace and reached the secluded inner apartment. In that area of the inner apartment, some youths , wearing darts and bows, were on security-duty with due vigilance and attention. They were all greatly devoted to the king and were wearing polished ear-rings.

tatra kaaSaayiNo vR^iddhaan vetra paaNiin svalamkR^itaan |
dadarsha viSThitaan dvaari stry adhyakSaan susamaahitaan || 2-16-3

3. tatra= there; dadarsha= (he)saw; vR^iddhaan= aged; stryadhyakshhaan= palace supervisors; kaashhayiNaH= with orange coloured clothes; svalankR^itaan= well-adorned themselves; vetrapaaNiin= having vanes in their hands; susamaahitaan= well composed; vishhTitaan= being posted; dvaari= in door-ways.

There he saw aged palace-supervisors wearing orange coloured clothes, adorning themselves well, having canes in their hands, well composed and being posted at door-ways.

te samiikSya samaayaantam raama priya cikiirSavaH |
saha bhaaryaaya raamaaya kSipram eva aacacakSire || 2-16-4

4. te sarve= all of them; raamapriyachikiirshhavaH= the well-wishers of Rama; samiikshhya= saw; samaayaantam= him coming; utpatitaaH= raised;aasanabhyaH= from their seats; sahasaa= all at once; sasambhramaaH=hurriedly.

All of them, the well-wishers of Rama, saw that Sumantra arriving and raised from their seats hurriedly at once.

prativeditam aaj~naaya suutam abhyantaram pituH |
tatra eva aanaayayaam aasa raaghavaH priya kaamyayaa || 2-16-5

5. vimiitaatmaa= humble minded; suutaputraH= Sumantra; uvaacha= spoke; taan= to them; aakhyaata= "Make known; raamaaya= to Rama; kshhipram= immediately; sumantraH= Sumantra; tishhTati= is standing; pradikshhaNaH= with revernece; dvaari= at the entrance.

That humble-minded Sumantra spoke to them thus, "Tell Rama immediately that Sumantra is waiting with reverence at the entrance"

te raamamupasamgamya bhartuH priyachikiirshhavaH |
sahabhaaryaaya raamaaya kshipramevaachachakshire || 2-16-6

6. te= they; priyachikiirshhavaH= the well wishers; bhartuH= of master upasangamya= approached; raamam= Rama; kshhiprameva= quickly; achachakshhire= informed; ramaaya= to Rama; sahabhaaryaaya= who was with his wife.

They, the well-wishers of their master, approached Rama who was with his wife and immediately informed him.

prativeditamaajJNaaya suutamabhyamtaram pituH |
tatraivaanaayayaamaasa raaghavaH piyakaamyayaa || 2-16-7

7. aN^yaaya= knowing, suutam= Sumantra; abhyantaram= who was intimate; pituH= to father; prativeditam= being informed by them ; raagahava= Rama; priyakaamyayaa= who desired to show kindness; anaayayamaasa= called him in ; tatraiva= there only.

Knowing that Sumantra, who was intimate to his father, came, Rama who desired to show kindness, called him in there.

tam vaishravaNa samkaasham upaviSTam svalamkR^itam |
daadarsha suutaH paryanke sauvaNo sa uttarac chade || 2-16-8
varaaha rudhira aabheNa shucinaa ca sugandhinaa |
anuliptam para ardhyena candanena param tapam || 2-12-9
sthitayaa paarshvataH ca api vaala vyajana hastayaa |
upetam siitayaa bhuuyaH citrayaa shashinam yathaa || 2-16-10

8,9,10. tam= that; suutaH= Sumantra; dadarsha= saw; tam= that Rama; upavishhTam= sitting; vaishravaNa sankaasham= like Kubera; sauvarNe paryanke= on a golden couch; suuttarachchade= with the best of cloth=covering; svalankR^itam= well adorned himself, anuliptam= smeared ; paraardhyena chandanena= by excellent sandal; shuchinaa= purely; sugandhinaa= smelling like; varaaharudhiraabheNa= blood of a boar; upetam= endowed; siitayaachaapi= with Sita; sthitayaa= standing; paarshvataH= by the side; vaalavajanahastayaa= with chowrie in her hand; parantapam= Rama. the formentor of enemies; shashinamyathaa= was like moon; chitrayaa= with chitra star.

That Sumantra saw Rama sitting like Kubera on a golden couch with the best cloth-covering. He adorned himself well and had the body anointed with sandal perfume, purely smelling like blood of a boar. With Sita, standing on his side with chowrie in her hand, Rama was shining like moon with chitra star.

tam tapantam iva aadityam upapannam sva tejasaa |
vavande varadam bandii niyamaj~no viniitavat || 2-16-11

11. vandi= Sumantra; vinayajJNH= who knew pokite conduct; vavande= respectfully saluted; tam= that Rama; vimiitavat= who was refined; upapannam= endowed with; svateja sa= hi own brilliance;tapantam= shining; aadityam iva= like sun; varadam= granting wishes.

Sumantra, who knew polite conduct, offered salutation to Rama, who was refined with his own brilliance, shining like the sun and the fulfiller of desires.

praanjalis tu sukham pR^iSTvaa vihaara shayana aasane |
raaja putram uvaaca idam sumantraH raaja satkR^itaH || 2-16-12

12. sumantraH= Sumantra; raajasatkR^itaH= who was treated with respect by Rama, vuaacha= spoke; idam= these words; praN^jaliH= with folded hands; raajaputram= to that prince; sumukham= with beautiful face; vihaarashayanaasane= and who was seated on a swinging sofa.

Sumantra, who was treated with respect by Rama spoke thus with folded hands to that prince with beautiful face and who was seated on a swinging sofa.

kausalyaa suprabhaa deva pitaa tvam draSTum icchati |
mahiSyaa saha kaikeyyaa gamyataam tatra maaciram || 2-16-13

13. raamaH= Rama, kausalyaa suprajaa= the good offspring of Kausalya! pitaa= your father; mahishhyaa kaikeyyaasaha= along with Queen Kaikeyi; ichchhati= wish; drasTum= to see; tvaam= you; gamyataam= let you go; tatra= there; maachiram= wtihout delay.

"Oh Rama, the good offspring of Kausalya! Your father and the Queen Kaikeyi want to see you. Go there soon."

evam uktaH tu samhR^iSTaH nara simho mahaa dyutiH |
tataH sammaanayaam aasa siitaam idam uvaaca ha || 2-16-14

14. narasimhaH= that best of men; mahaadyutiH= with great brilliance; samhR^isTaH= was pleased; uktaH= to be told; evam= thus; tataH= them; sammanayaamaasa= honoured him; uvaacha ha= spoke; idam= these words; siitaam= to Sita.

That best of men with great brilliance was pleased to hear those words, then honoured him and spoke thus to Sita.

devi devaH ca devii ca samaagamya mad antare |
mantreyete dhruvam kimcit abhiSecana samhitam || 2-16-15

15. devi= Oh, Sita! devashcha= the king; deviicha= and the queen; samaagamya= together; mantrayate= are thinking; kinchit= of something; madantare= about me; abhishhachana samhitam= relating to coronation; dhR^ivam= certain.

"Oh Sita! The king and the queen together are thinking of something about me, relating to coronation. It is certain."

lakSayitvaa hi abhipraayam priya kaamaa sudakSiNaa |
samcodayati raajaanam mad artham madira iikSaNaa || 2-16-16

16. asitekshhaNaa= the black-eyed Kaikeyi; sudakshhiNaa= who is dexterous; priyakaamaa= friendly disposed; lakshhayitva= perceived; abhipraayam= the opinion; sanchodayati= inciting; raajaanam= the king; madartham= for my sake.

"Then black-eyed Kaikeyi who is dexterous and friendly disposed, has perceived the king's opinion and is inciting him for my sake"

saa prahR^ishhTaa mahaaraajam hitakaamaanuvartinii |
jananii chaarthakaamaa me kekayaadhipatessutaa || 2-16-17

17. kekayaadhipateH sutaa= "Kaikeyi, the daughter of king Kekaya; jananiicha= and my mother; saa= she; anuvartinii= is following; mahaarajam= the king; prahR^ishhTaa= is delighted; hitakaama= desirous of my benefit; me arthakaamaa= wishing my prosperity".

"Kaikeyi, my mother is following the king's intentions with great pleasure, desirous of my benefit and prosperity"

dishhTyaa khalu mahaaraajo mahishhyaa priyayaa saha |
sumamtram praahiNodduuta marthakaamakaram mama || 2-16-18

18. mahaarajaH= the king; priyayaa saha= along with wife; mahishhyaa= the queen; khalu= certainly; dishhtyaa= by luch; praahiNot= sent; sumantram= Sumantra; mama arthakaamakaram= who fulfils my desires and wishes; duutam= as messenger.

"It is certainly our luck that king and queen have sent Sumantra, who fulfils my desires and wishes, as messenger".

yaadR^ishii pariSat tatra taadR^isho duutaaagataH |
dhruvam adya eva maam raajaa yauvaraajye abhiSekSyati || 2-16-19

19. yaadR^ishii= of which sort of tatra parishhat that sort of ; duutaH= messenger; aagataH= came; dhR^ivam= certainly; adyaiva= today itself; raajaa= the king; abhishhekshhyati= will anoint; maam= me; youvaraajye= for the right of succession to kingdom.

"A worthy messenger has come who is truly representing the assembly there. It is certain that today itself the king will anoint me for the right of succession to kingdom".

hanta shiighram itaH gatvaa drakSyaami ca mahii patiH |
saha tvam parivaareNa sukham aassva ramasya ca || 2-16-20

20. hanta= Alas! gatvaa= (I shall) go; shiighram= immediately; itaH= from here; drakshhyaami cha= and see; mahipatim= the king; tvam= you; aasva= stay; sukham= happily; parivaareNa saha= with the circle of friends; ramasva cha= and enjoy yourself.

"I shall go immediately and see the king. You stay happily with the circle of friends and enjoy yourself."

pati sammaanitaa siitaa bhartaaram asita iikSaNaa |
aadvaaram anuvavraaja mangalaani abhidadhyuSii || 2-16-21

21. siitaa= Sita; patisammaanitaa= treated with respect by husband; asitekshhaNaa= having black eyes; anuvavraaja= followed; bhartaaram= husband; aa dvaaram= upto door; abhidadhyushhii= thinking; mangalaani= of auspicious things.

Sita, treated with respect by her husband and having black eyes, followed her husband up to the door, thinking of auspicious things in her mind.

raajyam dvijaatibhirjushhTam raajasuuyaabhishhechanam |
kartumarhati te raajaa vaasavasyeva lokakR^it || 2-16-22

22. raajaa= king Dasaratha; te= to you; raajyam= kingdom; jushhTam= being served; dvijaatibhiH= by brahmanas; vasavasyeva= like to Devendra; lokakR^it= by Brahma; arhati= entitled kartum= to perform; raajasuuyaabhishhehanam= great sacrifice at coronation of king.

"King Dasaratha will give you kingdom, being served by brahmanas, which will invest you with eligibility to perform the great sacrifice at the coronation ceremony like Brahma to Devendra."

diikshitam vratasampannam varaajinadharam shuchim |
kuraN^gapaaNim cha pashyantii tvaam bhajaamyaham || 2-16-23

23. aham= I; bhajaami= shall enjoy; pashyantii= seeing; tvaam= you; diikshhtam= initiated; vratasampannam= for perfect religious act of austerity; varaajinadharam= wearing excellent antelope-hide; shuchim= being pure; kuraN^ga shR^iN^gapaaNimcha= and bearing a deer-horn in hand.

"I shall be delighted to see you, initiated for the perfect religious act of austerity, wearing excellent antelope-hide, being pure and bearing a deer-horn in hand".

puurvaam disham vajradharo dakshiNaam paatu te yamaH |
varuNaH pashchimaamaashaam dhaneshastuuttaraam disham || 2-16-24

24. te= your; puurvam disham= eastern direction; vajradharaH= Indra the god of rain; dakshhiNaam= south; yamaH= yama the god of death; pashchimaamashaam= western direction; varunaH= varuna the regent of ocean; uttaraam disham tu= northern direction; dhaneshaH= Kubera, the god of riches, paatu= protect.

"May Indra the god of rain in the east, Yama the god of death in the south, Varuna the regent of the ocean in the west and Kubera the god of riches and treasure in the north, protect you".

atha siitaamanujJNaapya kR^itakautukamagaLaH |
nishchakraama sumantreNa saha raamo niveshanaat || 2-16-25

25. atha= then; raamaH= Rama; kR^itakantuka mangalaH= adorned as in an auspicious ceremony; anujJNaapya= got permission; siitaam= from Sita; nishchakraama= started; niveshanaat= from house; sumantreNa saha= along with Sumantra.

Rama, adorned as in an auspicious festivity, took permission from Sita and started from house along with Sumantra.

parvataadiva nishhkramya simho giriguhaashayaH |
lakshmaNam dvaariso.apashyat prahvaJNjalipuTam sthitam || 2-16-26

26. saH= that Rama; mishhkramya= came out of the house; parvataat iva= like from the mountain; simhah= lion; firigulaashayaH= residing in mountain cave; apashyat= saw; lakshhmaNam= Lakshmana; sthitam= staying; dvaari= at the door; prahvaaJNjalipuTam= bowing with the palms of hand joined and put to forehead as a mark of respect.

That Rama who came out, like a lion residing in a mountain cave from out of the mountain, saw Lakshmana standing at the door, bowing with palms of the hand joined and put to the forehead as a mark of respect.

atha madhyamakakshyaayaam samaagachchhat suhR^ijjanaiH |
sa sarvaan arthino dR^iSTvaa sametya pratinandya ca || 2-16-27
tataH paavaka samkaasham aaruroha ratha uttamam |
vaiyaaghram purushhvyaa gho raajitam raajanamdanaH || 2-16-28

27,28. atha= then; sah+that; raajananadanaH= prince; purushhavyaaghraH= the best of men; samaagachchhat= met; suhR^ijjanaiH= the friends madhya kakashhyaayaam= in the middle chamber; dR^ishhTvaa= saw; sarvaan= all; arthinaH= people desiring to behold him; sametya= approached nearer; pratinandyacha= and greated; aaruroha= mounted; rathothamam= excellent chariot; raajitam= shining; paavaka sankaasham= like fire; vyyaaghram= covered by tiger's skin

Then, that prince the best of men, met his friends in the middle chamber. He saw all the people who came there to behold him, approached nearer to them, greeted them and mounted the excellent chariot, which was resplendent like fire and covered with tiger's skin.

meghanaadamasambaadham maNihemavibhuushitam |
muSNantam iva cakSuumSi prabhayaa hema varcasam || 2-16-29
kareNu shishu kalpaiH ca yuktam parama vaajibhiH |
hari yuktam sahasra akSo ratham indraiva aashugam || 2-16-30
prayayau tuurNam aasthaaya raaghavo jvalitaH shriyaa |

29,30. ratham= the chariot; meghanaada= sounding like thunder; asambaadham= not congested; maNihemavibhuushhitam= decorated with gold and jewels; mushhNantamiva= as it was stealing; chakshhuumshhi= the eyes; prabhayaa= by splendour; marevarchasam= like brilliance of Meru mountain; paramavaajabhiH= excellent horses; kareNu shishukalpaiH= excellet horses; kareNu shishukalpaiH= looking like infantine elephants; yuktam= were fastened; aashugam= moving quickly; raaghavaH= Rama; jvalitaH= shining; shriyaa= with prosperity; aasthaaya= mounted; hariyuktam iva= what like chariot with horses; indraH= of Indra, the god of sky; sahasraakshhaH= having thousand eyes; prayayau= went forth; tuurNam= quickly.

That chariot was sounding like thunder. It was not congested. It was decorated with gold and jewels. Its splendour was like that of Meru mountain, stealing the eyes. Excellent horses looking like infantine elephants were tied to the chariot, which was moving quickly. That Rama shining with splendour like Indra, the lord of sky, mounted such a chariot and went forth quickly.

sa parjanyaiva aakaashe svanavaan abhinaadayan || 2-16-31
niketaan niryayau shriimaan mahaa abhraat iva candramaaH |

31. shriimaan saH= that splendid chariot; svanavaan= having sound; parjanya iva= like rain cloud; aakaashe= in the sky; abhinaadayan= making sound; niryayau= started; niketaat= from the house; chandramaa iva= like moon; mahaabhraat= from mighty cloud.

That splendid chariot, sounding like rain-cloud in the sky, came out of the house like moon coming out of a mighty cloud.

chatra caamara paaNis tu lakSmaNo raaghava anujaH ||2-16-32
jugopa bhraataram bhraataa ratham aasthaaya pR^iSThataH |

32. lakshhmaNaH= Lakshmana; raaghavaanujaH= Rama's younger; bhraataa= brother; aasthaaya= mounted; ratham= the chariot; pR^ishhTataH= in the back-side; jugopa= protected; bhraataram= brother; chhatra chaamara paaNiH= having umbrella and chamara fan in hand.

Lakshmana, Rama's younger brother mounted the chariot in the back-side and protected Rama with umbrella and chamara fan.

tataH hala halaa shabdaH tumulaH samajaayata ||2-16-33
tasya niSkramamaaNasya jana oghasya samantataH |

33. tataH= then; tasya= those; janaughasya= crowds; nishhkramamaaNasya= dispersing; samantataH= from all sides; samajaayata= generated; tumulaH= tumultuous; halahalaashabdaH= hallooing sound.

Then, the crowds started dispersing from all sides generating tumultuous hallowing sound.

tato hayavaraa mukhyaa naagaashcha girisannibhaaH || 2-16-34
anujagmustadaa raamam shatasho.atha sahasrashaH |

34. tataH= thereupon; shatashaH= hundreds; sahasrashaH= and thousands of ; mukhyaaH= importatn; hayavaraaH= excellent horses; nagaashcha= and elephants; girisannibhaaH= looking like mountains; tadaa= then; anujagmuH= followed; raamam= Rama.

Thereupon, hundreds and thousands of important people mounted on excellent horses and soldiers mounted on elephants, then followed Rama.

agratashchaasya sannaddhaashchandanaagurubhuushhitaaH || 2-16-35
khaDgachaapadharaaH shuuraa jagmuraashamsavo janaaH |

35. shuraaH janaaH= valiant persons; sannaddhaaH= dressed in armour; chandanaaguru bhushhitaaH= adorned with sandal and aloe perfumes; khadgachaapadharaaH= wearing swords and bows; aashamsavaH= declaring arrival of Rama; jagmuH= went; agrataH= in front; asya= of Rama.

Valiant persons, dressed in armour adorned with sandal and aloe perfumes, wearing swords and bows, declaring the arrival of Rama, went in front of Rama to receive him.

tato vaaditrashabdaashcha stutishabdaashcha vandinaam ||2-16-36
simhanaadaashcha shuuraaNaam tadaa shushruvire pathi |

36. tataH= thereafter; tadaa= then; vaaditra shabdaashcha= sounds of musical instruments; stutishabdaashcha= sounds of praising hymns; vandinaam= of panegyrists; simha naadaashcha= and lion like roars; shuuraaNaa= of valiant perosons; shushruvare= were heard; pathi= on the way.

At that time, sounds of musical instruments, sounds of praising hymns of panagyrists and lion-like roars of valiant persons were heard on the way.

harmyavaataayanasthaabhirbhuushhitaabhiH samantataH || 2-16-37
kiiryamaaNaH supushhpaughairyayau striibhirarimdamaH |

37. aarindamaH= Rama, the annihilator of enemies; yayau= went; kiiryamaNaH= being sprinkled; supushhponghaiH= by stream of good flowers; samantataH= all around; bhuushhitaabhiH striibhiH= by well adorned women; harmya vataayanasthaabhiH= standing in porticoes of palaces.

While Rama, the annihilator of enemies, was going, well-adorned women standing in porticoes of palaces, sprinkled flowers on him from all sides.

raamam sarvaanavadyaaNgyo raamapipriishhayaa tataH || 2-16-38
vachobhiragryairharmyasthaaH kshitisthaashcha vavandire |

38. tataH then, sarvaanavadyaaN^gyaa= women of equisitely beautiful form; harmyasthaah= standing in palaces; kshhitisthaashcha= and on ground vavandhire= were offering salutations; raamam= to Rama; agryaiH vachobhiH= with the best words; raamapipriishhayaa= with desire to please Rama.

Women of exquisitely beautiful form standing in palaces and on ground were offering salutations to Rama with the best words with a desire to please Rama.

nuunam nandhiti te maataa kausalyaa maatR^inandana || 2-16-39
pashyantii siddhayaatram tvaam pitryam raajyamupasthitam |

39. maatR^inandana= the one creates happiness to mother! siddhayaatram= have successful journey; te= your; maataa= mother; kausalyaa= kausalya; nandati= is elighting; nuunam= certainly; pashyantii= to see; tvaam= you; upasthitam= having obtained; pitryam raajyam= paternal kingdom.

"Oh, Rama, who creates happiness to mother! Have successful journey! Your mother Kausalya will be certainly delighted to see you obtaining the paternal kingdom."

sarvasiimantiniibhyashcha siitaam siimantiniim varaam || 2-16-40
amanyanta hi taa naaryo raamasya hR^idayapriyaam |

40. taaH= those; naaryaH= women; amanyantahi= thought; siitaam= Sita; raamasya hR^idayapriyaam= who is dear to Rama's heart; varaam= is better; siimantiim= woman; sarvasiimantiibhyaH= than all women.

Those women thought that Sita, who is dear to Rama's heart, is better woman than all women.

tayaa sucharitam devyaa puraa nuunam mahattapaH || 2-16-41
rohiNiiva shashaaN^kena raamasamyogamaapa yaa |

41. yaa= which Sita; rahiNii iva= like Rohini star; shashaaNkena= with moon; aapa= has obtained; raamasmyogam= union with Rama; tayaa devyaa= by such Sita; mahat= great; tapaH= penance; muunam= indeed; sucharitam= was performed well; puraa= in former times.

"As Rohini star stays together with the moon, Sita having obtained Rama as husband must have certainly performed a great penance in former times."

iti praasaadashR^iN^geshhu pramadaabhirnarottamaH || 2-16-42
shushraava raajamaargasthaH priyaa vaacha udaahR^itaaH |

42. narottamaH= Rama, the best of men; raajamaargasthaH= who was in the royal road; sushraava= heard; priyaaH vaachaH= pleasent words; udaahR^itaaH= spoken; iti= thus; pramadaabhiH= by women; praasaadasR^ingeshhu= who were in turrets.

While going through the royal road, Rama heard those pleasant words spoken thus by women standing in turrets.

sa raaghavaH tatra kathaa pralaapam |
shushraava lokasya samaagatasya |
aatma adhikaaraa vividhaaH ca vaacaH |
prahR^iSTa ruupasya pure janasya || 2-16-43

43. tadaa= then; saH= that; raaghavaH= Rama;sushraava= heard; pralapaan= words; lokasya= of people; samaagatasya; gathered; tatra= there; vaachaH cha= and also words; vividhaaH= variously; aatmaadhikaaraaH= pertaining to himself; pure janasya= by citizens; prahR^ishhTaruupasya= who were much delighted.

Then, Rama heard the words of people gathered there and also the words variously pertaining to himself, by citizens.

eSa shriyam gacchati raaghavo adya|
raaja prasaadaat vipulaam gamiSyan |
ete vayam sarva samR^iddha kaamaa|
yeSaam ayam no bhavitaa prashaastaa || 2-16-44

44. raaja prasaadaat= by king's propitiousness; eshhaH= this; raaghavaH= Rama; gamishhyan= who will obtain; vipulaam= the earth; adya= now; gachchhati= will gain; shriyam= wealth; yeshhaam naH= for which of us; ayam= he; bahvitaa= will become; prashastaa= ruler; ete vayam= such of us; sarvasamR^idhdhakaamaa= will have fulfilled all desires.

"By the king's propitiousness, this Rama today is going to obtain this earth and the wealthy kingdom. All our desires are going to be fulfilled because Rama will become the ruler."

laabho janasya asya yad eSa sarvam |
prapatsyate raaSTram idam ciraaya |
sa ghoSavadbhiH ca hayaiH sanaagaiH |
purahsaraiH svastika suuta maagadhaiH || 2-16-45

45. yat= since when; eshhaH= this Rama; pravatsyate= will get; sarvam idam raashhTram= this entire state; chiraaya= for a long time(since then); laabhaH= benefit; asya janasya= for these people; asmin mamjaadhipe= when this Rama becomes king; kashchit= anyone; jaatu= at anytime; na pashyet hi= will not see kichana= anything; apriyam= unkindly; na= nor; duHkham= grief.

"If Rama rules this state for a long time, it will be a great benefit to the people. If he becomes a king none can see dislike and sorrow at any time."

sa ghoshhavadbhishcha hayaiH sanaagaiH |
purassaraiH svastikasuutamaagadhaiH |
mahiiyamaanaH pravaraiH ca vaadakaiH |
abhiSTutaH vaishravaNo yathaa yayau|| 2-16-46

46. suutamaagadhaiH= bards and panegyrists; svastika= invoking blessings; purassaraiH= moving in front; mahiiyamaanaH= praising with great respect; abhishhTutaH= eulogised; pravaraiH vaadyakaiH= by the most excellent instrumentalists; saH= that Rama; vaishraavaNotatha= like Kubera the god of weatlh; yayau= went; hayaiH= with horses; sanaagaiH= together with elephants; ghoshhavadbhiH= having resounds.

While bards and panegyrists were moving in front praising with great respect, invoking blessings and eulogised by the most excellent instrumentalists, Rama, like Kubera the god of wealth, went with resounding horses and elephants.

kareNu maatanga ratha ashva samkulam |
mahaa jana oghaiH paripuurNa catvaram |
pabhuutaratnam bahupaNyasamchayam |
dadarsha raamo vimalam mahaapatham || 2-16-47

47. raamaH= Rama; dadarsha= saw; mahaapatham; great royal road; vimalam= which was spotless; prabhuuta ratnam= having abundant diamonds; bhaupaNya sanchayam= havin abundant diamonds; bahupaNya sanchayam= having many vendible commodities; kareNu maataN^ga rathaashva sankulam= full of female and male elephants; chariots and horses; paripuurNa chatvaram= the road junctions were filled; janaughaiH= with multitude of people.

Rama saw the great royal road which was spotlessly clean, having diamonds and various vendible commodities. It was full of male and female elephants, horses and chariots. There was abundance of people gathered at road junctions.

|| iti shrimad Ramayane shhoDasha sargaH ||

Thus completes sixteenth sarga of Ayodhya Kanda in Srimad Ramayana.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 17

Introduction

This chapter further describes journey towards the royal palace. On the way Rama hears blessings and well meaning words of his friends and various people gathered there

sa raamaH ratham aasthaaya samprahRSTa suhRj janaH |
pataakaadhvajasaMpannaM mahaarhagurudhuupitam || 2-17-1
apashyan nagaram shriimaan naanaa jana samaakulam |

1. raamaH = Rama, sriimaan the glourious man, samprahR^ishhTa suhR^ijjanaH = having joyful friends, aasthaaya =ascended , ratham = the chariot, apashyat = saw, nagaram = the city, pataakaadhavaja sampannam = rich with flags and banners, mahaarhaguru dhuupitam = perfumed with excellent befitting wood, naanaajanasamanvitam = endowed with varied types of people.

Rama the glorious man, who was with his joyful friends, ascended the chariot and saw the city which was decorated with flags and banners, which was perfumed all around by burning excellent aloe wood and which was endowed with varied types of people.

sa gRhaiH abhra samkaashaiH paaNDuraiH upashobhitam || 2-17-2
raaja maargam yayau raamaH madhyena agaru dhuupitam |

2. saH raamaH = that Rama, yayau = went, raajamaargam madhyena = through, middle of royal = passage, agarudhuupitam = which was incensed with aloe wood, upashobhitam = splendid, paN^duraiH grihaiH = with white houses, abhrasaN^kaashaiH = resembling like clouds.

That Rama went through the royal passage which was incensed with aloe wood. That royal street was splendid with white houses resembling clouds.

chandanaanaam cha mukhyaanaamaguruuNaam cha samchayaiH || 2-17-3
uttamaanaam cha gandhaanaaM kshaumakaushaambarasya cha |
aviddhaabhishcha muktaabhiruttamaiH sphaaTikairapi || 2-17-4
shobhamaanam asambaadham tam raaja patham uttamam |
samvRtam vividhaiH paNyaiH bhakSyaiH ucca avacaiH api || 2-17-5

3,4,5. tam = that, uttamam = excellent, raajapatham = royal route, samvritam = filled with, chandanaanaam = sandal, mukhyaanaam = superior, aguruuNaam = aloe-wood, uttamaanaam = excellent, gandhaanaam = perfumes, kshhoumakaushaam barashya cha = silk and linen cloth, sanchayaiH = heeps of them, aviddhaabhiH = unpiereced, muktaabhiH = unpiereced, muktaabhiH = pearls, uttamaiH = excellent, sphatikairapi = things made of crystal, shobhamaanam = splendid with, vividhaiH = various kinds of, pusshpaiH = flowers, uchaavachaiH = various kinds of, bhakshhaiH = eatables.

Rama entered that excellent royal route, which was filled with sandal, superior aloe-wood, excellent perfumes, silk and linen cloth, heaps of them, unpierced pearls, excellent things made of crystal, splendid with various kinds of flowers and eatables and which was not congested.

dadarsha taM raajapathaM divi devapatham yathaa |
dadhyakshatahavirlaajairdhuupairaguruchamdanaiH || 2-17-6
naanaamaalyopagaMdhaishcha sadaabhyarchitachatvaram |

6. dadarsha =(Rama) saw, tam raajapatham = that royal passage, devapatham yathaa = like divine passage, divi = in heaven, abhyarahita chatvaram = whose road junctions were worshipped, sadaa = perpetually, dadhyakshhata havirlaajaiH = with yoghurt, unbroken rice, clarified butter, fried grain, dhuupaiH = incense, aguruchandanaiH = aloe and sandal wood, naanaa maalyopagandhaishcha = and all types of garlands and perfumes.

Rama saw that royal route like divine passage in heaven. All the road junctions there were regularly worshipped with yoghurt, unbroken rice, clarified butter, fried grain, incense, aloe and sandal and all types of garlands and perfumes.

aashiir vaadaan bahuun shRNvan suhRdbhiH samudiiritaan || 2-17-7
yathaa arham ca api sampuujya sarvaan eva naraan yayau |

7. shR^iNvan = hearing, bahuun = various, aashiirvaadaan = blessings, samudiiritaan = spoken, suhR^idbhiH = by friends, yayau = (he) went, sampuujyacha = acknowledging, sarvaanena = all, naraan = people, yathaarham = according to merit.

Hearing the various blessing words spoken by his friends, he went acknowledging all those people suitably.

pitaamahaiH aacaritam tathaiva prapitaamahaiH || 2-17-8
adya upaadaaya tam maargam abhiSiktaH anupaalaya |

8. abhishhiktaH = get coronated, adya = today, upaadaaya = take, tam maargam = that path, aacharitam = followed pitaamahaiH = by grandfathers, tathaiva = and likewise, prapitaamahaiH = by greatgrandfathers, ampaalaya = and preserve(kingdom).

"Get coronated today, take the path followed by your grandfathers and great grandfathers and rule the kingdom."

yathaa sma laalitaaH pitraa yathaa puurvaiH pitaamahaiH ||2-17-9
tataH sukhataram sarve raame vatsyaama raajani |

9. raame = Rama, raajanisati = being king, vatsyaamaH = (we shall) dwell, sukhataram = happily further, tataH = than that, pitraa = by father, yathaa = in which way, poshhitaasma = we were ruled, yathaa = by which way, sarvaiH = by all, pitaamahaiH = grandfathers.

"If Rama becomes king, we shall be more happy than when his father ruled and also when his grandfathers ruled.

alamadya hi bhuktena parama arthaiH alam ca naH || 2-17-10
yathaa pashyaama niryaantam raamam raajye pratiSThitam |

10. pashyaamayadi = if we can see, raamam = Rama, niryaantam = going forth in city, pratisThitam = being established, raajye = in kingdom, adya = today, alam = it is enough, bhuktena = of eating, alam = it is enough, paramaarthaiH = of other concerns.

"If we can see Rama going forth in the city after getting coronated today, it is enough of eating or other activities."

tataH hi na priyataram na anyat kimcit bhaviSyati || 2-17-11
yathaa abhiSeko raamasya raajyena amita tejasaH |

11. kimchit = "which anyat = other thing, nabhavishhyati = is not about to be, priyataram = dearer, natt = to us, yathaa = as, abhishhekaH = coronation, raajyena = in kingdom, raamasya = of Rama, annitachetasaH = of unbounded spleadour.

"There is no other dearer thing to us than coronation of Rama of unbounded splendour".

etaaH ca anyaaH ca suhRdaam udaasiinaH kathaaH shubhaaH || 2-17-12
aatma sampuujaniiH shRNvan yayau raamaH mahaa patham |

12. raamaH = Rama, shriNvan = hearing, etaaH = these, anyaashcha = other, shubhaaH = good, kathaaH = tales , suhR^idaam = from friends, aatma sampuujaniiH = adoring oneself, udaasiinaH = was passive, yayau = went, mahaapatham = in royal route.

Rama, though hearing of these good, words spoken by his friends about himself was passive and went in royal route.

na hi tasmaan manaH kashcic cakSuSii vaa nara uttamaat || 2-17-13
naraH shaknoti apaakraSTum atikraante api raaghave |

13. raaghave atikraante api = though Rama has gone distantly, kashchit naraH = which man, na shaknotihi = was not able, apaakrashhTum = to turn back, chakshhushhii = eyes, manaH = mind, tasmaat = that, narottamaat = best of men.

Though Rama became distant, no one could turn back one's eyes and mind from him, the best of men.

yashcha raamaM na pashyettu yaM cha raamo na pashyati || 2-17-14
nindataH sarvalokeshhu svaatmaapyenam vigarhate |

14. yashcha = who, napashyethu = did not see, raamam = Rama, yamcha = and to whom, raamaH = Rama, napashyati = did not see, ninditaH = was blamed, sarvalokeshhu = among all people, svaatmaapi = one's mind also, vigarhate = yould blame, enam = oneself.

All the people blamed the one who did not see Rama and the one who was not seen by Rama. Such a person would blame himself of it.

sarveSaam sa hi dharma aatmaa varNaanaam kurute dayaam || 2-17-15
caturNaam hi vayahsthaanaam tena te tam anuvrataaH |

15. saH = that Rama, dharmaatmaa = the virtuous, kurute dayaa = took pity on, sarveshhu = all men, chaturNaami = of four, varNaanaam = classes, vayasthaanam = towards the aged, tena = hence, te = they, anuvartaaH = were devoted, tam = to him.

Rama, the virtuous, had compassion towards all the four classes of men and towards the aged people. Hence, they were all devoted to him.

chatpushhpathaan devapathaamshchaityaanyaayatanaani cha || 2-17-16
pradakshiNam pariharan jagaama nR^ipatessutaH |

16. nnapate sutaH = Rama, the prince jagaama = went, pariharam = by crossing, chatushhpathaan = road junctions, devapathaan = god's paths, chaityaan = sacred trees, aayatanaanicha = and temples, pradakshhiNam = keeping his, right side towards them.

Rama went by crossing road junction, god's paths, sacred trees and temples keeping his right side towards them.

sa raaja kulam aasaadya mahaa indra bhavana upamam || 2-17-17
praasaadashpaN^gairvividhaiH kailaasashikharopamaiH |
aavaarayadbhi rganaM vimaanairiva paaNDuraiH || 2-17-18
vardhamaanagR^ihaishchaapi ratna jaalaparishhkR^itaiH |
tatpR^ithivyaaM gR^ihavaraM mahendrasadanopamam || 2-17-19
raaja putraH pitur veshma pravivesha shriyaa jvalan |

17,18,19. raajaputraH = that Rama, aasaadya = approached, raajakulam = royal abode, pravivesha = entered, tat = that, pituH veshma = father's palace, gR^ihavaram = which was the best palace, jvalan = blazing, shriyaa = with radiance, mahendra sadanopamam = like palace of Indra, the king of celestials pR^ithivyaam = on earth, vividhaiH = various types of , praasaada shR^iN^gaiH = turrets, shubhaiH = which were auspicious, kailaasa shikharo pamaiH = looking like mount Kailasa, maghasamghopamaiH = as group of clouds, paaNduraiH vimaanairiva = as white heavenly cars, aavaarayadbhiH = covering, gaganam = the sky, vardhamaanagR^ihaishchaapi = also with royal houses named vardhamana, ratnajaala parishhkR^itaiH = adorned with a net of jewels.

Rama approached the royal abode and entered his father's palace which was the best palace with blazing radiance like the palace of king of celestials on earth. All around the house, there were various types turrets looking like Mount Kailasa, as group of clouds, as white heavenly cars touching the sky. There were royal houses named vardhamana which were adorned with a net of precious stones.

sa kakshyaa dhanvibhirguptaastisro.atikramya vaajibhiH || 2-17-20
padaatirapare kakshye dve jagaama narottamaH |

20. saH = that Rama, narottamaH = the best of men, atikramya = crossed vaajibhiH = with horses, tinraH kakshhyaaH = three enclosures, guptaaH = guarded, dhanvibhiH = by men armed with bows, jagaama = got, apare = other, dve kakshhye = two enclosures, guptaaH = guarded, dhanvibhiH = by men armed with bows, jagaama = got, apare = other, dve kakshhye = two enclosures, padaatiH = by foot.

Rama the best of men crossed with chariot three enclosures protected by men armed with bows and moved over the other two enclosures by foot.

sa sarvaaH samatikramya kakSyaa dasharatha aatmajaH || 2-17-21
samnivartya janam sarvam shuddha antaH puram abhyagaat |

21. saH dasharathaatmajaH = that Rama, samatikramya = crossed, sarvaaH = all, kakshhyaaH = gates, samnivartya = sent back, sarvam janam = all people, abhyagaat = veached, shuddhaantaH puram = the palace.

That Rama passed over all the gates, sent all the people back and entered the palace.

tasmin praviSTe pitur antikam tadaa |
janaH sa sarvo muditaH nRpa aatmaje |
pratiikSate tasya punaH sma nirgamam |
yathaa udayam candramasaH sarit patiH || 2-17-22

22. tadaa = then, tasmin = that, nR^ipaatmaje = prince, pravishhTe = went, antikam = nearer, pituH = to father, saH sarvaH = all those, janaH = people, muditaH = wer delighted, pratiikshhatesma = waited, punaH nirgamam = for exit again,chandramasaH udryam yathaa = as of rising of moon saritpatiH = the ocean.

When Rama went nearer to his father, all the people there were delighted waiting for his return as the ocean waits for raising of the moon.

|| ityaarshhe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe saptadashaH
sargaH ||

Thus completes the seventeenth sarga of Ayodhya Kanda of Srimad Ramayana.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 18

Introduction

In this chapter Rama arrives at the king's presence. Seeing King disturbed, Rama becomes grieved and wants to know the cause of king's perturbance. Queen Kaikeyi describes to Rama about the boons that Dasaratha had given earlier and also her wishes of coronating Bharatha instead of Rama and sending Rama to Dandaka forest. On listening to these harsh words of Kaikeyi, Rama did not become sorrowful, but Dasaratha was very much disturbed.

sa dadarsha aasane raamaH niSaNNam pitaram shubhe |
kaikeyii sahitam diinam mukhena parishuSyataa || 2-18-1

1. saH raamaH = that Rama, dadarsha = saw, pitaram = father, nishhaNNam = sitting, shubhe aasane = on beautiful seat, mukhena = with face, parishushhyataa = parched up, diinam = miserable, kaikeyyaa sahitam = together with Kaikeyi.

Rama saw his father sitting on a beautiful seat, but with his face looking completely parched up and miserable. Kaikeyi was at his side.

sa pituH caraNau puurvam abhivaadya viniitavat |
tataH vavande caraNau kaikeyyaaH susamaahitaH || 2-18-2

2. saH = Rama, viniitavat = being humble, susamaahitaH = well compsed, puurvam = first, abhivaadya = reverentially saluted, pituH = father's charaNau = feet, tataH = then, vavande = saluted, kaikeyyaaH = Kaikeyi's, charaNau = feet.

Rama being humble and well composed, first reverentially saluted his father's feet and then saluted Kaikeyi's feet.

raama iti uktvaa ca vacanam vaaSpa paryaakula iikSaNaH |
shashaaka nRpatir diino na iikSitum na abhibhaaSitum || 2-18-3

3. nR^ipatiH = the king Dasaratha, uktvaa = spoke, vachanam = the word, raamaiti ="Oh, Rama!" bhaashhpa paryaakulekshhaNaH = with his eyes filled with tears, diinaH = dejected, nashashaaka = being not able, iikshhitum = to see, na = nor able, abhibhaashhitum = to talk.

Dasaratha spoke only one word "Rama!" with his eyes filled with tears and dejected, being not able to see or to talk any further words.

tat apuurvam nara pater dRSTvaa ruupam bhaya aavaham |
raamaH api bhayam aapannaH padaa spRSTvaa iva pannagam || 2-18-4

4. dR^ishhTvaa = having seen, apuurvam = not earlier, tat ruupam = that form, narapateH = of king, bhayaavaham = producing fear, raamo.api = even Rama, bhayam aapannaH = was struck with fear, spR^ishhTeva = as seizure, pannagam = of snake, padaa = with foot.

Having not seen earlier such a fearful form of his father, even Rama was frightened as though he seized a snake by his foot.

indriyaiH aprahRSTaiaH tam shoka samtaapa karshitam |
nihshvasantam mahaa raajam vyathita aakula cetasam || 2-18-5
uurmi maalinam akSobhyam kSubhyantam iva saagaram |
upaplutam iva aadityam ukta anRtam RSim yathaa || 2-18-6

5,6. tam mahaaraajam = that king Dasaratha, niH shvasantam = was sighing, indriyaiH = with senses, aprahR^ishhTaiH = sans pleasure, shoka santaapa karishitam = emaciated with grief and anguish, vyathitaakulachetasam = with distressed and agitated mind, saagaram iva = like ocean, akshhobhyantam = becoming perturbed, uurmimaalinam = with now of waves, aadityam iva = like sun, upaplutam = which is eclipsed, R^ishhimyathaa = as a sage, uktaanR^itam = who spoke untruth.

That king Dasaratha was sighing heavily with senses sans pleasure, emaciated with grief and anguish, with distressed and agitated mind, like ocean which cannot be perturbed, becoming perturbed with row of waves, like sun which is eclipsed and who lost lustre like by a sage who spoke untruth.

acintya kalpam hi pitus tam shokam upadhaarayan |
babhuuva samrabdhataraH samudraiva parvaNi || 2-18-7

7. upadhaarayan = contemplating over, tam = that, achintyakalpam = unimaginable, shokam = grief, nR^ipate = of the king, babhuuva = became, samrabdhataraH = very much perturbed, samudra iva = like ocean, parvaNi on full moon day.

Contemplating over the unimaginable sorrow of the king, he was very much perturbed as an ocean does on a full moon day.

cintayaam aasa ca tadaa raamaH pitR hite rataH |
kimsvid adya eva nRpatir na maam pratyabhinandati || 2-18-8

8. chaturaH = the ingenious, raamaH = Rama, rataH = who is fond of, pitR^ihite = father's welfare, chintayaamaasa = anxiously thought, kimsvid = "why indeed, nR^ipatiH = king, adyaiva = just today, napratyabhinandati = is not greeting in return, maam = to me?"

The ingenious Rama, who is fond of his father's welfare, anxiously thought : " why indeed the king is not greeting me in return just today?"

anyadaa maam pitaa dRSTvaa kupitaH api prasiidati |
tasya maam adya samprekSya kim aayaasaH pravartate || 2-18-9

9. anyadaa = at other times, pitaa = father, kupito.api = eventhough angry, prasiidati = used to be gracious, dR^ishhTvaa = after seeing, maam = me,kim = why, tasya = such father, adya = today, pravartate = has become, aayaasaH = weary, samprekshhya = after seeing, maam = me,

"At other times, the father, even though angry used to be gracious after seeing me why today such a father has become weary after seeing me?"

sa diinaiva shoka aartaH viSaNNa vadana dyutiH |
kaikeyiim abhivaadya eva raamaH vacanam abraviit || 2-18-10

10. saH raamaH = that Rama, diina eva = indeed distressed, shokaartaH = afflicted with grief, vishhaNNavadanadyntiH = with lustre reduced from his face, abhivaadyaiva = salutted, kaikeyaam = to Kaikeyi, abraviit = spoke, vachanam = these words.

Rama indeed distressed and afflicted with grief, with lustre faded from his face, offered his salutation to Kaikeyi and spoke these words.

kaccin mayaa na aparaadham aj~naanaat yena me pitaa |
kupitaH tan mama aacakSva tvam caiva enam prasaadaya || 2-18-11

11. naaparaddham kachchit = I hope that no wrong was done, mayaa = by me, aJNyaanaat = through ignorance, aachakshhva = tell, mama = me, yena = why, pitaa = father, kupitaH = is angry, me = with me, tvameva = you alone, prasaadaya = propitiate, enam = him.

"I hope that I have not done anything wrong through ignorance. Tell me why father is angry with me. You alone propitiate him in my favour."

aprasannamanaaH kim nu sadaa maaM prati vatsalaH |
vivarNa vadano diino na hi maam abhibhaaSate || 2-18-12

12. aprasannaa manaaH kimnu = how mind has become displeased, maam prati = towards me, vatsalaH = who was affectionate towards offspring, sadaa = always, vivarNa vadanaH = with face becoming pale, diinaH = dejected, naabhibhashhate hi = not talking, maam = to me.

"Why my father, who was always affectionate to me, has become displeased? With his face becoming pale and dejected, he is not talking to me."

shaariiraH maanaso vaa api kaccit enam na baadhate |
samtaapo vaa abhitaapo vaa durlabham hi sadaa sukham || 2-18-13

13. kachchit = I hope that, santaapova.api = either affliction, shaariiraH = of body, abhitaapovaa = or distress, maanasaH = of mind, na baadhate = is not troubling, evam = him, sukham = happiness, durlabham hi = is indeed difficult to be attained, sadaa = always.

"I hope that either bodily affliction or mental distress is not troubling him. The object of happiness is indeed difficult to be attained always!"

kaccin na kimcit bharate kumaare priya darshane |
shatrughne vaa mahaa sattve maatRRNaam vaa mama ashubham || 2-18-14

14. nakachchit ashubham = I hope no bad thing occured, kimchit = a little, bharate = to Bharata, priyadarshane = the delightful man to look at, shatrughne = or to great strength, matruuNaamva = or to mothers, mama = of mine.

"I hope that no bad thing occurred to Bharata, the delightful man to look at or to Shatrughna, the man of great strength or to my mother. "

atoSayan mahaa raajam akurvan vaa pitur vacaH |
muhuurtam api na iccheyam jiivitum kupite nRpe || 2-18-15

15. nR^ipe kupite = if our father is angry, nechchheyam = i do not desire, jiivitum = to live, muhuurtampai = even for a moment, atoshhayan = without satisfying, mahaarajan = the king, akurvan = without doing, vachaH = word, pituH = of father.

"If our father becomes angry, I do not desire to live even for a moment without satisfying him or without fulfilling his command."

yataH muulam naraH pashyet praadurbhaavam iha aatmanaH |
katham tasmin na varteta pratyakSe sati daivate || 2-18-16

16. naraH = MN, iha = in this world, pashyet = sees, yatomuulam = from what root, aatmanaH one's own, pradurbhaavam = coming into existence, tasmin = that father, sati = being, pratyakshhe = the visible, daivate = god, katham = how, navarteta = behaves not.

"Man sees father as the visible god who is the root cause of one's own coming into existence and how else can he behave towards him other than like that?"

kaccit te paruSam kimcit abhimaanaat pitaa mama |
uktaH bhavatyaa kopena yatra asya lulitam manaH || 2-18-17

17. mama pitaa kachchituktaH = i hope my father has been spoken, kinchit = any words, yena = by which, lulitam = (they) disturbed, asya = his, manaH = conscience, te abhimaanaat = by your pride, bhavityaa roshheNa = by your angry, parushham = which was harsh.

"I hope you have not spoken anything which hurt my father's conscience with your pride and anger."

etat aacakSva me devi tattvena paripRcchataH |
kim nimittam apuurvo ayam vikaaraH manuja adhipe || 2-18-18

18. devi = oh, queen ! kimninuniiHam = for what vacason, ayam = this, vikaaraH = perturbation,apuurvaH = which was not there earlier, manujaadhipe = in the king, achakshhva = tell, me = me, paripR^ichchhataH = who is questioning, etat = this matter, tattvaina = in reality.

"I am asking you why my father got this perturbation, which was not there earlier. Tell me the true position."

evamuktaa tu kaikeyii raaghaveNa mahaatmanaa |
uvaachedaM sunirlajjaa dhR^ishhTamaatmahitaM vachaH || 2-18-19

19. evam = thus, uktaa =spoken, raaghaveNa = by Rama, mahaatmanaa = the great-souled, kaikeyii = Kaikeyi, dhR^ishhTam = fearlessly, uvaacha = spoke, idam vachaH = these words, aatmahitam = for her own benefit, sunirlajjaa = without any shame.

Thus questioned by the great souled Rama, Kaikeyi fearlessly spoke these words for her own benefit, without any shame on her part.

na raajaa kupito raama vyasanam naasya kimchana |
kimchinmanogataM tvasya tvadbhayaannaabhibhaashhate || 2-18-20

20. raama = Oh, Rama! raajaa = the king, nakupitaH = is not angry, nakinchana = there is nothing of vyasanam = distress, asya = for him, tu = but, asya = to him, knchit = there is something manogatham = in mind, naabhibhaashhate = which he is not telling, tvadbhayaat = from fear of you.

"Oh, Rama! The king is not angry. There is nothing of distress for him. But he has something in mind which he is not telling from fear."

priyam tvaamapriyam vaktum vaaNii naasyopapartate |
tadavashyam tvayaa kaaryam yadanenaashrutam mama || 2-18-21

21. asya = his, vaaNii = words, nopavartate = are not coming off, vaktum = to tell, apriyam = the disagreeable, tvaam = to you, priyam = the loveful one, yat = which, anena = by him, ashrutam = is promised, mama = to me, tat = that, kaaryam = is to be done, avashyam = certainly, tvayaa = by you.

"To him, words are not coming off to tell disagreeable utterance to you, the dear one. He promised me a word. It is to be certainly done by you."

eshha mahyam varam dattvaa puraa maamabhipuujya cha |
sa pashchaattapyate raajaa yathaanyaH praakR^itastathaa || 2-18-22

22. puraa = long ago, saH eshaH raajaa = such of this king, maam abhipuujyacha = honoured me and, dattvaa = gave, varam = the boon, yatha = as, anyaH = other, praakR^itaH = common man, tathaa = so, pashchaattapyate = he is repenting.

"Long ago, the king honoured me and gave me a boon. Like a common man, he is repenting now for having given the boon."

atisR^ijya dadaaniiti varam mama vishaampatiH |
sa nirarthaM gatajale setum bandhitumichchhati || 2-18-23

23. saH vishaampatiH = that king, atisR^ijya = promised, dadaami iti = to give thus, varam = the boon, mama = to me, ichchhati = desires, bandhitum = to build, nivartham = wastefully, setum = dam, gatajale = on a place where water has gone away.

"This king promised me to give the boon and now he desires to build a dam wastefully on a place where water has gone away."

dharmuulamidam raama viditam cha sataamapi |
tatsatyam na tyajedraajaa kupitastvatkR^ite yathaa || 2-18-24

24. raama = oh, Rama! viditam = it is known, sataamapi = even by wise men, idam = that truth, dharmamuulam = is the root of righteousness, kupitaH = the offeneded, rajaa = king, natyajet = let him not abandon, tat satyam = such truth, yathaa = as, tvatkR^ite = for your sake.

"Oh, Rama! It is known by even wise men, that truth is the root of righteousness. See that the offended king does not abandon such a truth for your sake."

yadi tadvakshyate raajaa shubham vaa yadi vaa.ashubham |
karishhyasi tataH sarvamaakhyaami punastvaham || 2-18-25

25. raajaa = the king, vakshhyate = is about to mention(to you), tat = that truth, shubhamvaa = either auspicious, ashubhamyadivaa = or inauspicious, aham punastu = still, I, aakhyaasyaami = shall tell, sarvam = all that, karishhyasi yadi = if you shalldo it, tataH = afterwards.

"The king is about to mention that truth which may look auspicious or inauspicious to you. Still, I shall tell you all that, if you shall do it afterwards."

yadi tvabhihitaM raajJNaa tvayi tanna vipatsyate |
tato.ahamabhidhaasyaami na hyeshha tvayi vakshyati || 2-18-26

26. tat = what, abhihitam = is spoken, raajJNyaa = by the king, na vipatsyate = does not go wrong, tvayi = in you, aham = I, abhidhaasyaami = shall tell, tatH = then, eshhaH = this king, navakshhyatihi = whill not indeed tell, tvayi = unto you.

"If what is spoken by the king does not create unfavourableness in you, I shall then tell you. This king will not indeed tell you."

etaattu vachanaM shrutvaa kaikeyyaa samudaahR^itam |
uvaacha vyathito raamastaam deviim nR^ipasannidhau || 2-18-27

27. shrutvaa = after hearing, etat = these, vachanam = words, samudaahR^itam = spoken, kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi, raamaH = Rama, vyathitaH = was pained, uvaacha = and spoke, taam deviim = to that queen, nR^ipasannidhau = in the presence of the king.

After hearing the words of Kaikeyi, Rama felt painful and spoke thus to her in the presence of the king.

aho dhiN^naarhase devi paktuM maamiidR^ishaM vachaH |
aham hi vacanaat raaj~naH pateyam api paavake || 2-18-28
bhakSayeyam viSam tiikSNam majjeyam api ca arNave |
niyuktaH guruNaa pitraa nRpeNa ca hitena ca || 2-18-29

28, 29. aho devii = Oh, queen! dhik = what a pity! naarhasi = you are not worthy, vaktum = to talk, iidR^isham = theses type of , vachaH = words, maam = about me, hi = because, vachanaat = by word, raaJNyaH = of king, aham = I, pateyam = shall jump, paavake.api = even in fire, niyuktaH = commanded, pitraa = by father, nR^ipeNa = who is the king, hitenacha = who wishes my welfare, guruNaa = who is venerable, bhakshhayeyam = I shall eat, tiikshhNam = fiery, vishham = poison, apcha = and majjeyam = sink, aarNave = into ocean.

"Oh, queen! what a pity! Do not talk like that to me. If father tells me, I shall jump even in fire. If father, who is a king, who wishes my welfare and who is venerable, commands me, I shall eat fiery poison and shall sink into an ocean."

tat bruuhi vacanam devi raaj~no yad abhikaankSitam |
kariSye pratijaane ca raamaH dvir na abhibhaaSate || 2-18-30

30. devii = oh, queen! tat = hence, bruuhi = tell, vachanam = the words, yat = which, abhikaaNkshhitam = are desired, raaJNyaH = by the king, pratijaanecha = I even promise, karishhye = to do, raamaH = Rama, naabhibhaashhate = does not speak, dviH = two things.

"Oh queen! Tell me the words of the king as desired by him. I even promise to do it. Rama does not speak two things."

tam aarjava samaayuktam anaaryaa satya vaadinam |
uvaaca raamam kaikeyii vacanam bhRsha daaruNam || 2-18-31

31. anaaryaa = the vulgar, kaikeyii = Kaikeyi, uvaacha = uttered, bhR^isha daarunam = very cruel, vachanam = words, tam raamam = to that Rama, aarjavasamaayuktam = who was committed to sincerity, satyavaadinam = and speaking of truth and a great war.

That vulgar Kaikeyi uttered very cruel words to that Rama, who was committed to sincerity and speaking of truth.

puraa deva asure yuddhe pitraa te mama raaghava |
rakSitena varau dattau sashalyena mahaa raNe || 2-18-32

32. raaghava = oh, Rama! puraa = long ago, daivaasurayuddhe = during battle between celestials, mahaaraNe = during the great war, te pitraa = by your father, sa shalyena = pierced by darts, rakshhitena = protected(by me) dattau = were given, mama = to me, varau = two boons.

"Oh, Rama! During a battle and a great war between celestials and demons long ago, I protected your father who was pierced by darts. Then, he gave me two boons."

tatra me yaacitaH raajaa bharatasya abhiSecanam |
gamanam daNDaka araNye tava ca adya eva raaghava || 2-18-33

33. raaghava = oh, Rama! tatra = under those circumstances, raajaa = the king, yaachitaH = was asked, abhishhechanam = for coronation, bharatasya = of Bharata, tava = your, gamanam = going, daNdakaaraNye = to the forest of Dandaka, adyaiva = now itself.

"Oh, Rama! According to those boons, I asked the king for coronation of Bharata and for your going to Dandaka forest today itself."

yadi satya pratij~nam tvam pitaram kartum icchasi |
aatmaanam ca nara reSTha mama vaakyam idam shRNu || 2-18-34

34. narashreshhTa = Oh Rama, the best of men! tvam ichchhasi yadi = If you want, kartum = to make, pitaram = father, aatmaanamcha = and yourself, satya pratiJNyam = faithful to a promise, shruNu = listen to idam vaakyam = these words, mama = of mine.

"Oh, Rama! If you want to make yourself and your father faithful to a promise, listen to these words of mine.

sa nideshe pitus tiSTha yathaa tena pratishrutam |
tvayaa araNyam praveSTavyam nava varSaaNi panca ca || 2-18-35

35. tishhTa = abide, pituH sannideshe = in father's command, yathaa = as, pratishrutam = promised, tena = by him, araNyam = forest, praveshhTavyam = is to be occupied for navapanchacha = faourteen, varshhaaNi = years, tvayaa = by you.

"Abide by your father's command. As per his assurance, you have to stay in the forest for fourteen years."

bharatastvabhishhichyeta yadetadabhishhechanm |
tvadarthe vihitam raajJNaa tena sarveNa raaghava || 2-18-36

36. raaghava = oh, Rama! bharataH = Bharata, abhishhechyeta = should be enthroned, tena sarveNa = completely in that manner, yat = in line with, etat = this, abhishhechanam = initiation, vihitam = arranged, tvadarthe = for your sake, raaJNyaa = by the king.

"Bharata is to be enthroned with the use of complete collection of materials already arranged by the king for your sake."

sapta sapta ca varSaaNi daNDaka araNyam aashritaH |
abhiSekam imam tyaktvaa jaTaa ciira dharaH vasa || 2-18-37

37. tyaktvaa = leaving, imam abhishhekam = this coronation function, vasa = dwell, daNdakaaraNyam aashritaH = taking refuge in the forest of Dandaka, sapta saptacha varshhaaNi = for fourteen years, jaTaajinadharaH = wearing braided hari and covered with a hide.

"You have to leave this coronation function and dwell in the forest of Dandaka for fourteen years, wearing braided hair and covered with a hide."

bharataH kosala pure prashaastu vasudhaam imaam |
naanaa ratna samaakiirNam savaaji ratha kunjaraam || 2-18-38

38. bharataH prashaastu = let Bharata rule, imaam vasudhaam = this earth, kosalapure = Ayodhya, the capital of kosala, naanaaratna samaakiirNam = completely covered with various types of precious things, savaajirathakuN^jaraam = filled with horses, chariots and elephants.

"Let Bharata rule this earth, by residing in Ayodhya filled with various types of precious thing together with horses, chariots and elephants."

etena tvaaM narendroyam kaaruNyena samaaplutaH |
shokasaMklishhTavadano na shaknoti niriikshitum || 2-18-39

39. etena = for this reason, ayam narendraH = this king Dasaratha, samaaplutaH = overwhelmed, kaaruNyena = with sympathy, na shaknoti = is not able, niriikshhitum = to see, tvaam = you, shoka samklishhTavadanaH = with face afflicted with grief.

"For this reason, king Dasaratha who is overwhelmed with sympathy towards you is not able to see you with his face, afflicted with grief."

etatkuru narendhrasya vachanaM raghunandana |
satyana mahataa raama taarayasva nareshvaram || 2-18-40

40. raghunandana = oh, Rama! kuru = do, etat vachanam = these words, narendrasya = of the king, taarayasya = liberate, narenshvaram = the king.

"Oh, Rama! Do as per the words of the king and liberate him by giving your father an opportunity to maintain the truth."

itiiva tasyaaM parushham vadantyaam |
nachaiva raamaH pravivesha shokam |
pravivyadhe chaapi mahaanubhaavo |
raajaa tu putravyasanaabhitaptaH || 2-18-41

41. tasyaam vadantyaam = while she was speaking, parushham = harsh words, itiiva = in this way, raamaH = Rama, nachaiva pravivesha = did not even enter, shokam = the sorrowfulness, raajaatu = but the king, mahaanubhaavaH = the mighty, pravivyathe = become much disturbed putravyasanaabhitaptaH = having been afflicted by calamity occured to hi son.

Though she was speaking such harsh words, Rama was not affected with sorrow. But the mighty Dasaratha became highly disturbed, having been afflicted by the calamity occurred to his son.

|| ityaarshhe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe
ashhTaadashaH sargaH ||

Thus completes the eighteenth sarga of Ayodhya kanda of Srimad Ramayana.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 19

Rama on hearing the harsh and cruel words of Kaikeyi remains unruffled. He asks Kaikeyi sorrowfuly about the reason the king did not speak to him directly about the matter. He then immediately decides to leave for forest after duly saluting the king and Kaikeyi. On the way to forest He desires to visit his mother and Sita and inform them of his decision

tat apriyam amitraghnaH vacanam maraNa upamam |
shrutvaa na vivyathe raamaH kaikeyiim ca idam abraviit || 2-19-1

1. raamaH = Rama, amitraghnaH = the annihilator of enemies, amitraghnaH = those words, apriyam = which were harsh, maraNopamam = equivalent to death, navivyathe = was unruffled, abrabiit = spoke, idam = these words, kaikeyiim = to Kaikeyi.

Rama the annihilator of enemies heard those harsh and deadly words but was unruffled. He spoke these words to Kaikeyi.

evam astu gamiSyaami vanam vastum aham tu ataH |
jaTaa ciira dharaH raaj~naH pratij~naam anupaalayan || 2-19-2

2. astu = let it be, evam = thus, aham = I, anupaalayam = shall be fulfillinging, pratiJNyaam = the promise, raajJNyaH = of the kings, gamishhyaami = shall go, vanam = to the forest, itaH = from here,vastum = to reside, jataajinadharaH = wearing braided hair and covered with a hide.

"Let it be, as you said it. I shall fulfil the king's promise, go to the forest from here to reside there, wearing braided hair and covered with a hide."

idam tu j~naatum icchaami kim artham maam mahii patiH |
na abhinandati durdharSo yathaa puram arim damaH || 2-19-3

3. ichchhaami = I want, N^yaatum = to know, idam tu = this as to, kimartham = why, mahiipatiH = the king, durdharshhaH = the inviolable, arindamaH = the subduer of enemies, naabhinandati = is not greeting, maam = me, yathaapuram = as befere.

"But I want to know why the king, the inviolable and the subduer of enemies, is not greeting me today as before."

manyur na ca tvayaa kaaryo devi bruuhi tava agrataH |
yaasyaami bhava supriitaa vanam ciira jaTaa dharaH || 2-19-4

4. devi = "Oh, queen! nakaaryaH = indignation, tvayaa = by you, bruumi = I am telling, tava agrataH = before you, yaasyaami = I shall go, vanam = to forest, chiirajataadharaH = wearing rags and braided hair, bhava = become, supriitaa = delighted well.

"Oh, queen! you need not be indignant. I am telling before you that I shall go to the forest, wearing rags and braided hair. Become delighted well."

hitena guruNaa pitraa kRtaj~nena nRpeNa ca |
niyujyamaano vishrabdham kim na kuryaat aham priyam || 2-19-5

5. nakuryaam kim = how can i not do, visrabdhaH = faithfully, priyam = action dear, pitraa = to father, niyujyamaanaH = as commanded, hitena = as well=wisher, guruNaa = as person with right conduct, nR^ipeNa cha = and as king.

"How can I not do faithfully an action dear to my father, as commanded by him as well-wisher, venerable man, as person with right conduct and as king."

aliikam maanasam tu ekam hRdayam dahati iva me |
svayam yan na aaha maam raajaa bharatasya abhiSecanam || 2-19-6

6. me = My, hR^idayam = heart, dahtiiva = is burning indeed,ekam = one, aliikam = displeasure, maanasam = of mind, raajaa = king, svayam = himself, yatnaaha = has not informed, maam = to me, bharatasya abhishhechanam = about Bharata's coronation.

"My heart is burning indeed with one sorrowful feeling that king himself has not informed me about Bharata's coronation."

aham hi siitaam raajyam ca praaNaan iSTaan dhanaani ca |
hRSTaH bhraatre svayam dadyaam bharataaya apracoditaH || 2-19-7

7. abrachoditaH = being unasked, aham = I, svayam = myself, hR^ishhTaH = gladly, dadyaam = will offer, siitaam = Sita, raajyam = kingdom, praaNaan = life, ishhTaan = loved ones, dhanaanicha = and wealth, bharataaya = to Bharata, bhraatre = the brother.

"Without being asked, I myself would have gladly offered even Sita with kingdom, even my life, loved ones and wealth."

kim punar manuja indreNa svayam pitraa pracoditaH |
tava ca priya kaama artham pratij~naam anupaalayan || 2-19-8

8. prachoditaH = being directed, manujendreNa =by king, pitraa = the father, svayam = himself, kimpunaH = how much more, ampaalyan = obeying, pratijJNyaam = promise, tava priyakaamaartham = for the sake of your beloved desire.

"Being directed by king, who is my father himself, how much more should I tell that I can give everything to Bharata, duly obeying father's promise to fulfil your beloved desire."

tat aashvaasaya hi imam tvam kim nv idam yan mahii patiH |
vasudhaa aasakta nayano mandam ashruuNi muncati || 2-19-9

9. tat = "that is why, tvam = you, aashvaasaya = console, imam = him, kimnu = why indeed, idam = this here, mahiipatiH = the king, muN^chati it yat = is releasing in line thus, ashruuNi = tears, mandam = slowly, vasudhasakta nayanaH = with eyes fixed upon the floor.

"That is why, you console him. Why indeed the king is thus slowly shedding tears, with eyes gazed upon the floor?"

gacchantu ca eva aanayitum duutaaH shiighra javaiH hayaiH |
bharatam maatula kulaat adya eva nRpa shaasanaat || 2-19-10

10. gachchhantu duutaaH = let messengers go, adyaiva = now itself, hayaiH = on horses, shiighrajavaiH = with rapid speed, aanayitum = to bring, bharatam = Bharata, maatulakulaat = from maternal uncle's house, nR^ipashaasanaat = as per orders of king.

"Let messengers go now itself on fleet horses to bring Bharata from maternal uncle's house as per orders of the king."

daNDaka araNyam eSo aham itaH gacchaami satvaraH |
avicaarya pitur vaakyam samaavastum catur dasha || 2-19-11

11. satvaraH = Immediately, eshhaH aham = I shall hasten, gachchhaami = in going, vastum = to live, daNdakaarNyam = in the forest of Dandaka, chaturdasha = for fourteen, samaaH = years, avichaarsya = without reflecting, vaakyam = on words, pituH = of father.

"Immediately, I shall go to live in forest of Dandaka for fourteen years, without reflecting on whether my father's words are right or wrong."

saa hRSTaa tasya tat vaakyam shrutvaa raamasya kaikayii |
prasthaanam shraddadhaanaa hi tvarayaam aasa raaghavam || 2-19-12

12. shrutvaa = hearing, tatvaakyam = those words, tasya raamasya = of that Rama, saa kaikayii = that Kaikeyi, hR^ishhTaa = felt glad, shraddhadhaanaa = believing, prasthaanam = his departure, tvarayaamaasa = hastened, raaghavam = Rama.

Hearing Rama's words, Kaikeyi felt glad that he would certainly go and urged him to make haste at once.

evam bhavatu yaasyanti duutaaH shiighra javaiH hayaiH |
bharatam maatula kulaat upaavartayitum naraaH || 2-19-13

13. bhavatn = "let it be; evam = so, naraaH = men, duutaaH = as messengers, yaasyanti = can go, hayaiH = on horses, shiighrajavaiH = with rapid speed, upaavartayitum = to bring back, bharatam = Bharata, maatulakulaat = from maternal uncle's house.

"Let it be so. Messengers can go on horses having rapid speed, to bring back Bharata from his maternal uncle's house."

tava tu aham kSamam manye na utsukasya vilambanam |
raama tasmaat itaH shiighram vanam tvam gantum arhasi || 2-19-14

14. tu = but, aham na manye = i do not think, kshhamam = it is appropriate, tava = of you, utsukasya = who are enthusiastic, vilambanam = to delay, raama = oh, Rama! tasmaat = that is why tvam = you, arhasi = are fit, gantum = to go, vanam = to forest, shiighram = immediately, taH = from here.

"But I think it is not quite appropriate for you who are enthusiastic to go to forest, to delay further."

vriiDaa anvitaH svayam yac ca nRpaH tvaam na abhibhaaSate |
na etat kimcin nara shreSTha manyur eSo apaniiyataam || 2-19-15

15. etat = this, nakinchit = is nothing, yat = that, naabhibhaashhate nR^ipaH = the king is not talking, vriidaanvitaH = because of shyness, tvaam - to you, eshhaH - this, manyuH = indignation, avaniiyataam = be removed.

"It is nothing but shyness that the king is not able to speak to you. Oh Rama, the best of men! Do not worry about it."

yaavat tvam na vanam yaataH puraat asmaat abhitvaran |
pitaa taavan na te raama snaasyate bhokSyate api vaa || 2-19-16

16. raama = Oh, Rama! te pitaa = your father, na snaasyate = will not take bath, bhokshhyatepi vaa = nor eat a meal, yaavat taavat = so long as, tvam = you, yaataH = do not go, abhitvaram = immediatly, vanam = to the forest.

"Oh, Rama! Your father will neither take his bath nor eat a meal until you leave the city for the forest immediately.

dhik kaSTam iti nihshvasya raajaa shoka pariplutaH |
muurchitaH nyapatat tasmin paryanke hema bhuuSite || 2-19-17

17. raajaa = the king, iti = thus, niHshvasya = sighed, dhik = what a pity! kashhTam = how much misery!" shokapriplutaH = was overwhlmed with murchhitaH = fainted, nyapatat = fell, tasmin paryaN^ke = in that couch, hemabhuushhite = adorned with gold.

Hearing these words, the king saying "what a pity! How much misery!" was overwhelmed with sorrow, fainted and fell in that couch adorned with gold.

raamaH api utthaapya raajaanam kaikeyyaa abhipracoditaH |
kashayaa iva aahataH vaajii vanam gantum kRta tvaraH || 2-19-18

18. raamo.api = Rama, utthaapya = lifted up, rajaanam = the king, kR^itatvaraH = got hurried up, gantum = to go, vanam = to the forest, abhiprachoditaH = as istigated, kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi, vaajiiva = as horse, aahataH = was hit, kashayaa = by whip.

Rama lifted up the king and soon got hurried up to leave for the forest he was again instigated by Kaikeyi as a horse was hit by a whip.

tat apriyam anaaryaayaa vacanam daaruNa udaram |
shrutvaa gata vyatho raamaH kaikeyiim vaakyam abraviit || 2-19-19

19. raamaH = Rama, shrutvaa = hearing, anaaryaayaaH tat vachanam = that vulgar woman's words, daaruNodayam = having cruel consequence, apriyam = which were harsh, gatavyathaH = was unruffled, abraviit = spoke, vaakyam = the words, kaikeyiim = to Kaikeyi.

Rama after hearing that vulgar woman's words, which were harsh and having consequence, was unruffled and spoke these words to Kaikeyi.

na aham artha paraH devi lokam aavastum utsahe |
viddhi maam RSibhis tulyam kevalam dharmam aasthitam || 2-19-20

20. devi ! = Oh, quee,! aham = I, na = am not, arthaparaH = concerned with wealth, utsaahe = I am active, aavastum - to receive hospitably, lokam = the world, viddhi = know maam = me, tulyam = as equal to R^ishhibhiH = sages, aasthitam = abiding, dharmam = in righteousness, kevalam = alone.

"Oh queen! I am not concerned with wealth. I want to receive the world hospitable. Know me as equal to a sage, abiding in righteousness alone."

yad atrabhavataH kimcit shakyam kartum priyam mayaa |
praaNaan api parityajya sarvathaa kRtam eva tat || 2-19-21

21. kinchit = whatever, kartum shakyam = is to be able to do, yat priyam = that is dearer, atrabhavataH = to my revered father, mayaa = by me, tat = that , kR^itameva = is just done, sarvathaa = in all respects, parityajyaapi = even by renouncing, praNaan = life.

"If I have to do whatever action is dearer to my revered father, that action is just done in all respects even by renouncing life."

na hi ataH dharma caraNam kimcit asti mahattaram |
yathaa pitari shushruuSaa tasya vaa vacana kriyaa || 2-19-22

22. naasti hi = there is not indeed, kimchit = anything, mahattaram = of greater, dharmacharaNam = performance of duty, ataH = than this, yathaa = as, shushruushhaa = doing service, pitari = to father, tasya vachana kriyaavaa = or doing what he commands.

"There is not indeed anything of greater performance of duty than doing service to father or than doing what he commands."

anuktaH api atrabhavataa bhavatyaa vacanaat aham |
vane vatsyaami vijane varSaaNi iha catur dasha || 2-19-23

23. anukto.api = even if not told, atrabhavataa = by our reverent father, aham = I vatsyaami = shall reside, vane = in the forest, vijane = devoid of people, iha = now, chaturdasa varshhaaNi = for fourteen years, bhavatyaaH vachanaat = as per your word.

"Even if our reverent father does not tell me, I shall reside in the forest, devoid of people, now for fourteen years as per your word."

na nuunam mayi kaikeyi kimcit aashamsase guNam |
yad raajaanam avocaH tvam mama iishvarataraa satii || 2-19-24

24. kaikeyi = Oh, Kaikeyi! tvam = you, iishvarataraa satii = even though with, mama = concerning me, yatavochaH = talked for which reason, rajaanam = to the king, aashamsane = not seeing, kimchit = any, guNam = merit, mayi = in me, nuunam = certain!

" In the matter of coronation of Bharata, you told Dasaratha and not to me, even though you had every authority to tell, me directly. By this, it is known that you have not seen any merit in me. It is certain!"

yaavan maataram aapRcche siitaam ca anunayaamy aham |
tataH adya eva gamiSyaami daNDakaanaam mahad vanam || 2-19-25

25. aham = I, yaavat aapR^ichchhe = shall bid farewell, maataram = to mother, anunayaami = shall console, siitaamcha = Sita also, tataH = afterwards, adyaiva = today iisef, gamishhyaami = I shall go, mahat dandakaanaam vanam = to the great forest of Dandaka.

" Today itself, I shall go to the forest of Dandaka after bidding, farewell to my mother and also after consoling Sita."

bharataH paalayed raajyam shushruuSec ca pitur yathaa |
tahaa bhavatyaa kartavyam sa hi dharmaH sanaatanaH || 2-19-26

26. kartavam = obligation, bhavatyaa = by you, yathaa = how, bharataH = Bharata, paalayet = rules, raajyam = kingdom, tathaa = so also, shushruushhecha = does service, pituH = to father, saH = It, sanaatanaH dharamaH = is indeed an agae old practice.

"While ruling the kingdom, see that Bharata serves our father well. It is indeed an age-old practice."

sa raamasya vacaH shrutvaa bhRsham duhkha hataH pitaa |
shokaat ashaknuvan baaSpam praruroda mahaa svanam || 2-19-27

27. saH = that Dasaratha, pitaa = the father, shrutvaa = fater hearing, raamasya = Rama's vachaH = word, duHkhahataH = was hurt with grief, bhR^isham = very much, ashaknuvan = was unable, vaktum = to talk, shokaat = due to sorrow, praruroda = cried, mahaasvanam = with loud noise.

Dasaratha after hearing Rama's words was hurt very much with grief was unable to talk and wept loudly.

vanditvaa caraNau raamaH visamj~nasya pitus tadaa |
kaikeyyaaH ca api anaaryaayaa niSpapaata mahaa dyutiH || 2-19-28

28. raamaH = Rama, mahaadyutiH = with great brilliance, nishhpapaata = came out, vanditvaa = offering obeisance, charaNau = to the feet, pituH = of father, visanjJNyasya = who was fainted, tathaa = and, kaikeyyaashchaapi = also to the feet of Kaikeyi, anaryaayaaH = who was not honourable.

That Rama, with great brilliance, came out, after duly offering obeisance to the feet of his father who was fainted and also to the feet of that vulgar Kaikeyi.

sa raamaH pitaram kRtvaa kaikeyiim ca pradakSiNam |
niSkramya antaH puraat tasmaat svam dadarsha suhRj janam || 2-19-29

29. raamaH = Rama, pradakshhiNam kR^itvaa = made circumabulatory salutation, pitaram = to his father, kaikeyiimcha = and Kaikeyi, nishhkramya = left, tasmaat = that, antaH puraat = palace, dadarsha = saw, svam = his, suhR^ijjanam = friends.

Rama made circumambulatory salutation to his father as well as Kaikeyi, left that palace and saw his friends.

tam baaSpa paripuurNa akSaH pRSThataH anujagaama ha |
lakSmaNaH parama kruddhaH sumitra aananda vardhanaH || 2-19-30

30. lakshhmaNa = Lakshmana, sumitraananda vardhanaH = who exhilarates sumitra's delight, paramakR^iddhaH = was very angry, bhaashhpa paripuurNaakshhaH = with tearful eyes, anujagaamaH = accompanied, pR^ishhThataH = behind, tam = Rama,

Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, felt very angry with his eyes filled with tears and accompanied behind Rama.

aabhiSecanikam bhaaNDam kRtvaa raamaH pradakSiNam |
shanaiH jagaama saapekSo dRSTim tatra avicaalayan || 2-19-31

31. raamaH = Rama, pradakshhiNam kR^itvaa = did circumbulatory salutation, bhaaNdam = around commodities, abhishhechanam = collected coronation, dR^ishhTim = the glance, saapakshhaH = kept respectfully, avichaalayan = without deviation, tatra = on them, jagaama = moved away, shanaiH = slowly.

Rama did a circumbulatory salutation around the auspicious materials collected for the propound coronation and having fixed his attention respectfully on them, moved away slowly.

na ca asya mahatiim lakSmiim raajya naasho apakarSati |
loka kaantasya kaantatvam shiita rashmer iva kSapaa || 2-19-32

32. kaantatvaat = as pleasing personality, lokakaantasya = he was loved by people, raajyanaashaH = loss of kingdom, na apakarshhati = could not diminish,asya = his, mahatiim = great, lakshhmiim = splendour, khhapaa eva = as a night, siina rashme = of moon's splendour.

As Rama was a pleasing personality, he was loved by all the people. The loss of kingdom could not diminish such a great splendour of Rama as a night cannot diminish the splendour of the moon.

na vanam gantu kaamasya tyajataH ca vasumdharaam |
sarva loka atigasya iva lakSyate citta vikriyaa || 2-19-33

33. tyajatasya = in Rama, who was leaving, vasundharaam = the earth, gantukaamasya = who decided to go, vanam = to forest, chittavikriya = perturbation of mind, na lakshhyate = was not seen, sarvalokaatigasyeva = like in an ascetic who is beyond all worlds.

In that Rama, who was leaving the kingdom after having decided to go to the forest, there was no perturbation of mind in him like in an ascetic who is beyond worldly pain and pleasure.

pratishhiddhya shubham chhatraM vyajane cha svalaMkR^ite |
visarjayitvaa svajanaM ratham pauraastathaa jannaan || 2-19-34
dhaarayan manasaa duhkham indriyaaNi nigRhya ca |
pravivesha aatmavaan veshma maatura priya shamsivaan || 2-19-35

34,35. aatmavaan = Rama the man of great, pratishhidhya = refused, shubham = beautiful, chhatram = umbrella, svalaN^kR^ite = well decorated, vyajanecha = fans, visarjayitvaa = sent away, svajanam = his friends, ratham = chariot, tathaa = and, janaan = people, pouraan = relating to the city, dhaarayan = kept back, duHkham = sorrow, manasaa = in mind, nigR^ihasyacha = subdued, indriyaaNi = senses, pravivesha = entered, maatuH = mother's veshma = house, apriya shamsivaan = to inform the unpleasent.

Rama, the man of great courage, refused fans and umbrella, sent away his friends, chariot and citizens kept back sorrow in his mind, subdued his senses and entered his mother's house to inform the unpleasant news.

sarvo hyabhijanaH shriimaan shriimataH satyavaadinaH |
naalakshayat raamasya kimchidaakaaramaanane || 2-19-36

36. sarvaH = all, abhijanaH = adjacent people, shriimaan = who were intelligent, naalakshhayata = could not see, kinchit = any small, aakaaram = hint, aanane = in the face, raamasya = of Rama, shriimataH = who was splendid, satyavaadinaH = who spoke truth.

The people adjacent to Rama could not visualise any change in the face of Rama who was dignified and truthful in his words.

uchitam cha mahaabaahurna jahau harshhamaatmanaH |
shaaradaH samudiirNaamshushchandrasteja ivaatmajam || 2-19-37

37. mahaabaahuH = Rama with great arms, najahau = did not lose, aatmanaH = his, uchitam = usual, harshham = joy, tejaiva = as the splendour, aatmajam = that is natural, shaaradaH = of autumnal, chandraH = moon, diirghaamshuH = with lofty rays.

Rama did not lose his natural joy, as an autumnal moon with lofty rays does not lose its natural splendour.

vaachaa madhurayaa raamaH srvaM sammaanayan janam |
maatussamiipaM dhiiraatmaa pravivesha mahaayashaaH || 2-17-38

38. raamaH = Rama, dhiiraatmaa = with courageous spirit, mahaayashaaH = who is having great fame, sammaanayam = paying his respects, janam = to people, madhurayaa vaachaa = with sweet words, pravivesha = went, samiipam = near to, maatuH = mother.

Rama with his courageous spirit and of great fame, paying his respects to the people with his sweet words, went nearer to his mother.

taM guNaissamataaM praapto bhraataa vipulavikramaH |
saumitriranuvavraaja dhaarayan duHkhamaatmajam || 2-19-39

39. saumitriH = Lakshmana, praaptaH = who got, guNaiH = virtues, samataam = equal to (Rama), vipulavikramaH = who had great heroic valour, bhraataa = who was the brother, dhaarayan = kept, duHkham = grief, aatmajam = born in his mind, anuvavraaja = went along with, tam = that Rama.

Lakshmana, who got virtues equal to Rama, who was having great heroic valour and who was the brother, kept the grief within himself and went along with Rama.

pravishya veshma atibhRsham mudaa anvitam |
samiikSya taam ca artha vipattim aagataam |
na caiva raamaH atra jagaama vikriyaam |
suhRj janasya aatma vipatti shankayaa || 2-19-40

40. raamaH = Rama, pravishya = entered, veshma = the house, anvitam = overpowered by, atbhR^isham = very exceeding, mudaa = delight, nachaiva jagaama = did not get, vikriyaam = perturbation, aatmavipathi shankayaa = doubting about possible shock to his, suhR^ijjanasya = friends, atra = here, samiikshhya = understanding, taam = that, aagataam = incoming, arthavipathim = disaster in truth.

When Rama entered, Kausalya's palace was filled with great joy. At that time, Rama did not show any displeasure for the mihlap occurred in truth. He behaved like that because he had doubted about the possible shock to his friends even of fear of their life, if he showed any perturabation.

|| ityaarshhe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe ekonavimshaH
sargaH ||

Thus completes the nineteenth canto of Ayodhya in Srimad Ramayana.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 20

Introduction

Rama approaches his mother Kausalya to inform her of the calamity. Kausalya on hearing the news, faints. On recovering, she laments in the most grevious tones to Rama.

tasmimstu purushhvyaaghre nishhkraamati kR^itaaJNjalau |
aartashacdo mahaan jajJNe striiNaama ntaHpure tadaa || 2-20-1

1. tadaa =Then; tasmin = that Rama; purushha vyaaaghre = the best of men; nishhkraamati = While leaving; kR^itaanjalou= after offering salutation; sriiNaam= among women; antaHpura= in the palace; jajJNe = there was; mahaan =great aartashsbdaH =cry of pain.

While Rama, the best of men was leaving, after offering salutation to his father, women in the palace were weaping loudly.

kR^tyeshhvachoditaH pitraa sarvasyaantaH purasya cha |
gatiryaH sharaNam chaasiit sa roomo.adya pravatsyati || 2-20-2

2. yaH= which Rama; achoditaH= without being prompted; pitraa =by father kR^ityeshhu =in actions; aasiit =became; gatiH= the recourse; sharaNamcha =and protector; sarvasya= to entire; anta purasya =palace; saH raamaH =such Rama; pravatsyati =is going to exile; adya =now.

Which Rama, without being told by his father, used to do necessary activities and protect the entire palace, is about to go to exile now”.

kausalyaayaam yathaa yukto jananyaam vartate sadaa |
tathaiva vartate.asmaasu janmaprabhR^iti raaghavaH || 2-20-3

3. raaghavaH= Rama; janma prabhR^iti =since he was born; vartate =was behaving; tathaiva =in the same way; asmaasu =towards us; yathaa =as how; yuktaH =attentive; sadaa =always; kausalyaam =towards Kausalya; jananyaam =who was the mother.

“Rama, since he was born, was showing the same attention to us, as he was showing to his mother Kausalya.”

na krudhyatyabhishasto.api krodhaniiyaani varjayan |
kR^iddhaan prasaadayan sarvaan sa ito.adya pravatsyati || 2-20-4

4.varjayan= used to avoid; krodhayaani =actions which created anger; prasaadayani =soothed; sarvaan =all; kruddhaan =who were angry; na kruddhyati =was not furious; abhishasto api= even if abused; saH= Such Rama Pravatsyati = is going to exile; adya =to day; itaH = from here.

“He used to avoid actions which created anger and soothed all those who were angry. Rama was not furious with those who abused him. Such Rama is going today to exile.”

abhuddhirbata no raajaa jiivalokam charatyayam |
yo gatim sarvabhuutaanaam parityajati raaghavam || 2-20-5

5. yaH= Which Dasaratha parityajati =by abonding raaghavam =Rama gatim =who was helpful sarvabhuutaanaam =to all beings ayam =this naH rajahaa = our king abuddhiH= who is stupid, charati =is offending jiivalokam =all beings.”

“Our stupid king by abandoning Rama who was helpful to all beings , is offending all the beings.”

iti sarvaa mahishhyastaa vivatsaa iva dhenavaH |
patimaachukrushushchaiva sasvaram chaapi chukrushuH || 2-20-6

6. iti =Thus sarvaaH= all taaH =those mahishhaH =king’s consorts chukrushuHcha api =were weaping sasvaram =with sound, dhenavaH =who lost their calves aachukrushushcha eva =also abused patim =husband.

Thus, all the king consorts while weaping loudly, as cows which lost their Calves, abused their husband .

sa hi chaantaH pure ghoramaartashabdham mahiipatiH |
putrashokaabhisantaptaH shrutvaa vyaaliiyataasane || 2-20-7

7. shrutva =After hearing aarta shabdam =the distressful sounds yhoram =which was horrible, antaHpura =in the palace mahiipatiH= king Dasaratha vyaaliiyata =clung, aasane =to the seat putra shokaabhisantaptaH =with extreme anguish for his son.

After hearing the terrific distressful crying sounds in the palace, Dasaratha clung to the seat, with extreme anguish for his son.

raamaH tu bhRsham aayastaH nihshvasann iva kunjaraH |
jagaama sahitaH bhraatraa maatur antaH puram vashii || 2-20-8

8. raamastu =Rama, be it so, bhRisham =greatly aayastaH =hurt, niHshvasan =sighed kuN^jaraHiva =like elephant, vashii =subdued the senses jagaama =went antaHpuram =to the palace maatuH =of mother bhraatraa sahitaH =along with brother.

Rama, who was greatly hurt, sighed like an elephant, subdued his senses and went to his mother’s palace along with Lakshmana

so apashyat puruSam tatra vRddham parama puujitam |
upaviSTam gRha dvaari tiSThataH ca aparaan bahuun || 2-20-9

9. saH =Rama apashyat =saw parama puujitam =much-worshipped vriddham purusham =old man upavishTam =sitting gR^ihadvaari =at the gateway, bahuum =many aparaamshcha =others tishTataH= standing tatra =there.

Rama saw a much worshipped old man sitting at the gateway of the house and many other standing there.

dR^shhTvai tu tadaa raamaM te sarve sahasotthitaaH |
jayena jayataam shreshhTham vardhayanti sma raaghavam || 2-20-10

10. tadaa =Then, dR^iTvaiva =after seeing raamam =Rama te sarve =all of them utthitaaH =rose up sahasaa =quickly vardhayantisma =exhilarating their spirits jayena =by uttering “Hail! Glory!” raaghavam =to Rama jayatam shreshTam =the most triumphant man.

After seeing Rama, all of them rose quickly and greeted Rama the most triumphant man, by uttering the words “May you have increased success!”

pravishya prathamaam kakSyaam dvitiiyaayaam dadarsha saH |
braahmaNaan veda sampannaan vRddhaan raaj~naa abhisatkRtaan || 2-20-11

11. saH =That Rama pravishya =entered prathamaam kakshyaam =the first enclosure, dadarsha =saw dvitiiyaam =at the second gate vriddhaaan =old braahmaNaan =brahmanas, veda sampannaan =perfect in Vedas abhisatkRitaan =honoured raaGyaa =by king.

Rama crossed the first gate and saw old Brahmanas who were perfect in Vedas and duly honoured by the king.

praNamya raamaH taan vRddhaams tRtiiyaayaam dadarsha saH |
striyo vRddhaaH ca baalaaH ca dvaara rakSaNa tatparaaH || 2-20-12

12. raamaH =Rama pranamya =saluted taan =those vipraan =brahmanas, dadarsha =saw vR^iddhaaH =old striyaH= women tathaa =and balaaH =girls dvaara rakshaNa tatparaaH =who were interested in guarding the gate tR^itiiyaayaam =the third enclosure.

Rama offered salutation to those brahmanas and saw old women and girls, guarding the gate in the third enclosure.

vardhayitvaa prahRSTaaH taaH pravishya ca gRham striyaH |
nyavedayanta tvaritaa raama maatuH priyam tadaa || 2-20-13

13. tadaa =Then taaH =those striyaH =women, prahR^ishTaaH =having been glad, vardhayatvaa =greeted Rama with word of success, tvaritaaH= quickly pravishya= entered gR^iham =house, nyavedayasta =informed raamamaatuH =Kausalya, the mother of Rama priyam =the pleasing news.

Then those women, having been delighted, greeted Rama with good word of success, quickly entered the house and informed Kausalya about the lovely arrival of Rama .

kausalyaa api tadaa devii raatrim sthitvaa samaahitaa |
prabhaate tu akarot puujaam viSNoh putra hita eSiNii || 2-20-14

14. tadaa =at that time, kausalyaa =Kausalya sthitvaa =having stayed samaahitaa =steadfast raatrim =all the night, akarot =performed pujaam =worship vishhnoH =to Vishnu prabhaate =at dawn putrahi taishhiNii =for the welfare of the son.

At that time, Kausalya having spent the whole night with steadfastness, who performing worship to Vishnu,at dawn, for the welfare of her son.

saa kSauma vasanaa hRSTaa nityam vrata paraayaNaa |
agnim juhoti sma tadaa mantravat kRta mangalaa || 2-20-15

15. saa =Kausalya vrata paraayaNaa = who was interested to pracise religious vows nityam =regularly, kshhouma vesanaa =was wearing white silk sari kR^ita maN^galaa =made up of auspiciousness, hR^ishhTaa =thrilling with rapture, juhotisma =was doing sacrificial ceremony agnim =in fire mantravat =reciting vedic hymns.

Kausalya, who was interested to practise religious vows regularly was appearing auspiciously by wearing a white silk sari and gladly performing sacrificial ceremony in a sacred fire, by reciting vedic hymns.

pravishya ca tadaa raamaH maatur antaH puram shubham |
dadarsha maataram tatra haavayantiim huta ashanam || 2-20-16

16. tadaa =Then raAmaH =Rama provishya =entered shubham =auspicious maatuH antaHpuram = mother’s apartment, dadarsha =saw maataram = mother haavayantiim =performing sacrificial ceremony hutaashanam =in sacred fire tatra =there.

Then Rama entered the auspicious mother’s apartment and saw his mother performing sacrificial ceremony in sacred fire there.

devakaaryanimittam cha tatraapashyat samudyatam|
dadhyakshatam ghR^itam chaiva modakaan havishhastadaa || 2-20-17
laajaan maalyaani shuklaani paayasam kR^isaram tathaa |
samidhaH puurNakumbhaamshchha dadarsha raghunamdanaH || 2-20-18

17,18. tatra =There, raghunandanaH= Rama apashyat =saw samudyatam =articles of worship kept ready devakaaryanimiHam =for the purpose of sacred ceremony, dadhyakshhatam = curd,unbroken rice, gR^itam chaiva =clarified butter modakaan =sweet meats, tathaa =and havishhaH= things fit for oblation laajaan= fried grain, shuklaani =white maalyaani =garlands, paayasam =rice boiled in milk, kR^isaram =mixture of rice and peas with a few spices, samidhaH =sacrificial sticks puurNa kumbhaashcha =vessels full of water.

There, Rama saw the articles of worship kept ready for the purpose of the sacred ceremony like curd, unbroken rice, clarified butter, sweet meats, things fit for oblation, fried grain, garlands made of white flowers, rice boiled in milk, mixture of rice and peas with a few spices, sacrificial sticks, vessels full of water etc.

taam shuklakshaumasamviitaam vratayogena karshitaam |
tarpayantiim dadarshaadbhiH devataam devavarNiniim || 2-20-19

19. dadarsha =saw taam =Kausalya shukla kshhouma samviitaam =who was wearing white silk sari, karshitaam =became lean vratayogena =because of observance of vow, deva varNiniim =having appearance of an angel devataam =gods abdhiH =with water.

Kausalya, who became lean because of observance of vows, was shining like an angel with her white silk sari and was satiating gods by presenting to them libations by water.

saa cirasya aatmajam dRSTvaa maatR nandanam aagatam |
abhicakraama samhRSTaa kishoram vaDavaa yathaa || 2-20-20

20. dr^ishTvaa =by seeing aatmajam =her son, aagatam =who came chirasya =after a long time, maatR^i nandanam = who gave delight to his mother, saa =Kausalya samhRishhTaa =was glad abhichakrama =approached, by moving in front, kishoram yathaa =like a young colt, badabaa =by a female horse.

By seeing her son who came after a long time and who gave delight to mother, Kausalya was pleased and approached towards him, like a female horse approaching her young colt.

sa maataramabhikraantaamupasamgR^ihya raaghavaH |
parishhvaktashcha baahubhyaamupaagraatashcha muurdhani || 2-20-21

21. raamaH =Rama upa samgR^ihya =offered salutation by touching the feet abhikraantam =of approaching maataram =mother, parishhvaktaH= was embraced baahubhyaam =by her arms, upaaghraatashcha =was smelt muurdhani =in his head.

Rama offered salutation to the approaching mother by touching her feet. Then, she took him into her arms and smelt his head.

tam uvaaca duraadharSam raaghavam sutam aatmanaH |
kausalyaa putra vaatsalyaat idam priya hitam vacaH || 2-20-22

22. kausalya =Kausalya vuvaacha =spoke idam =these priyahitham =pleasing and salutary vachaH =words putravaatsalyaat =due to affection on son aatmanaH= her sutam =son tam raaghavam =that Rama duraadharshham =who was unassailable

Kausalya spoke these pleasing words affectionately to her son Rama, who was unassailable by enemies.

vRddhaanaam dharma shiilaanaam raajarSiiNaam mahaatmanaam |
praapnuhi aayuH ca kiirtim ca dharmam ca upahitam kule || 2-20-23

23. praapnuhi =obtain aayushcha =long life, kiirtimeha =glory, dharmamcha =and duty upahitam =engrained kule =in your race, vriddhaanam =as with the aged, dharmashhiilaanaam =the great souled, raajarshhiiNaam =the rayol sages.

“Obtain long life and glory, as obtained by the aged , the virtuous, the great souled and the royal sages .Protect the righteousness engrained in your race”

satya pratij~nam pitaram raajaanam pashya raaghava |
adya eva hi tvaam dharma aatmaa yauvaraajye abhiSekSyati || 2-20-24

24. raaghava =Oh, Rama! pashya = see raajaanam =the king pitaram =your father, satya pratiG^yam =who is having true promise adyaiva =Today itself, dharmaatmaa =that virtuous man abhishhekshhyati =will install tvaam =you youvaraajye =as successor to kingdom.

“Oh,Rama ! King Dasaratha ,your father is a man of true promise. Today itself, you will be installed as successor to the kingdom by your virtuous father.”

dattamaasanamaalabhya bhojanena nimantritaH |
maataram raaghavaH kimcit prasaarya anjalim abraviit || 2-20-25

25. raaghavaH =Rama nimantritaH= was called bhojanena =for food, aalabhya =touched aasanam =the seat dattam =offered, prasaarya =raised kinchit =slightly aNjalim =joined palms, abraviit =spoke maataram =to mother.

Kausalya asked Rama to take food , but Rama just touched the seat offered by her and after performing salutation to her, spoke thus to his mother.

sa svabhaava viniitaH ca gauravaac ca tadaa aanataH |
prasthito daNDakaaraNyamaaprashhTumupachakrame || 2-20-26

26. tadaa =Then saH =that Rama , svabhaava viniitashcha =being humble in nature, nataHcha =and modest gouravaat =due to respect for mother, prasthtaH =setting fourth journey daNd^akaaraNy^am =to Dandaka forest, upakrame =was set about aaprasTum =to seek permission.

That Rama , being humble in nature , became still modest due to respect for his mother and was set about to ask her permission before setting forth his journey to Dandaka forest.

devi nuunam na jaaniiSe mahad bhayam upasthitam |
idam tava ca duhkhaaya vaidehyaa lakSmaNasya ca || 2-20-27

27. devii =oh, mother! na jaaniishhe =you do not know mahat =-great bhayam =dismay upasthitam =is approaching nuunam =indeed. idam =This duHkhaaya =brings grief tavaacha =to you , vaidehyaa =to Sita lakshhmaN^asyacha =and to Lakshmana.

“Oh,mother! You do not know that a great dismay is approaching now. It brings grief to you, to Sita and to Lakshmana”

gamishhye daNDakaaraNyam kimanenaasanena me |
vishhTaraasanayogyo hi kaalo.ayam maamupasthitaH || 2-20-28

28. gamishhye =while going daN^dakaarNy^am =to Dandaka forest, kim =why anena =This seat me =for me? ayam = This kaalaH= time upasthitaH =has appeared, visTaraasanayogyaH= which is fit for a seat made of kusa grass.

“I am going to Dandaka forest. Why this seat for me? Time has come for me to sit on a seat made of Kusha grass.”

caturdasha hi varSaaNi vatsyaami vijane vane |
madhu muula phalaiH jiivan hitvaa munivad aamiSam || 2-20-29

29. vatsyaami =I shall live vane =in forest, vijane =bereft of people munivat =like sage chaturdasha =fourteen varshhaaNi =years hitvaa =leaving off aamishham =meat, jiivan =living madhu muulaphalaiH= with honey, roots and fruits.

“I shall live in a solitary forest like a sage for fourteen years, leaving off meat and living with roots, fruits and honey”.

bharataaya mahaa raajo yauvaraajyam prayacchati |
maam punar daNDaka araNyam vivaasayati taapasam || 2-20-30

30. mahaarajaH= the great king prayachhati =is giving bharataaya =to Bharata youvaraajyam =the succession to kingdom. maam punaH = To me, however, taapasam =as a sage nivaasayati = making me stay daN^dakaaraNye =in forest

"The great king is giving to Bharata the succession to kingdom and to me, however, he is making me a sage to stay in the forest of Dandaka."

sa shhTchaaashhTau cha varshhaaNi vatsyaami vijane vane |
aasevamaano vanyaani phalamuulaishcha cartayan || 2-20-31

31. saH =such of myself, aasevamaanaH =has to satisfy vanyaani =with things existing in the forest, vartayam =live phala nuulai =with roots and fruits vatsyaami =reside in vijane vane =forest, of people shaTcha =ashhToucha =for fourteen varshhaaNi =years.

“I have to satisfy with the things existing in the forest and subsist with roots and fruits in a solitary forest for fourteen years.”

saa nikR^ittaiva saalasya yashhTiH parashunaa vane |
papaata sahasaa devii devateva divashchyutaa || 2-20-32

32. saa devii =That queen papaata =fell on floor sahasaa =all at once yashTiH iva =like the branch saalasya =of the tree nikRitta =cut down parashunaa =by axe vane =in the forest, devatena =as angel chyutaa =dropping down divaH= from heaven

The queen Kausalya fell on the floor all at once like the branch of a tree, cut down by an axe and as an angel dropping down from heaven.

taam aduhkha ucitaam dRSTvaa patitaam kadaliim iva |
raamaH tu utthaapayaam aasa maataram gata cetasam || 2-20-33

33. raamaH = Rama dR^ishTvaa =saw taam maataram =that mother aduHkhochitaam =who was fit to be from sorrow, utthaapayaamaasa =lifted up her gatachetanam =who lost consciousness, patitaam =who fell on the floor kadaLiimiva =like a plantain tree.

Seeing Kausalya who was fit to be free from sorrow, Rama lifted up her, who had fallen unconsciously on the floor like a plantain tree.

upaavRtya utthitaam diinaam vaDavaam iva vaahitaam |
paamshu guNThita sarva agniim vimamarsha ca paaNinaa || 2-20-34

34. vi mamarsha =Rama touched paaNinaa =with hand diinaam =miserable Kausalya, paamsukuNThita sarvaaN^giim =whose limbs were covered with fragrant powder badamaamiva =like a female horse, vaahitaam =made to be carried of load, utthitaam =rose upaavR^ittya =after rolling from side to side.

Rama touched with his hand that miserable Kausalya,whose limbs were covered with fragrant powder and who rose like a loaded horse from the floor on which it rolled from side to side.

saa raaghavam upaasiinam asukha aartaa sukha ucitaa |
uvaaca puruSa vyaaghram upashRNvati lakSmaNe || 2-20-35

35. saa =That kausalya =sukhochita = who was fit for happiness asukhaartaa =but afflicted with sorrow, uvaacha =spoke raaghavam =to Rama purushhavyaaghram =the best of men upaasiinam =who was sitting nearby, lakshhmaN^e =while Lakshmana upashR^iNvati =was hearing.

Kausalya, who was fit for happiness but was afflicted with grief, spoke thus to Rama the best of men who was sitting nearby, while Lakshmana was hearing.

yadi putra na jaayethaa mama shokaaya raaghava |
na sma duhkham ataH bhuuyaH pashyeyam aham aprajaa || 2-20-36

36. putra =oh,son! raaghavaa =Rama! jayethaaH yadi =If you were not born shokaaya =to cause grief mama =to me aham =I nasma pashyeyam =would not have seen bhuuyaH =greater duHkham =grief ataH =than this aprajaaH =without progeny.

“Oh, Rama! I would not have felt this much grief if I were childless .You are born only to produce sorrow to me.”

ekaeva hi vandhyaayaaH shoko bhavati maanavaH |
aprajaa asmi iti samtaapo na hi anyaH putra vidyate || 2-20-37

37. putra =Oh,son! na vidyate =There is no anyaH =other santaapaH =grief vandhyaayaaH =to a barren women bhavati hi =There is indeed ekaH =one shokaH eva =only grief maanasaH =relating to mind iti =that asmi aprajaaH “I have no children”

“Oh, son! There is no other grief to a barren woman except the only worry that “I have no sons”.

na dRSTa puurvam kalyaaNam sukham vaa pati pauruSe |
api putre vipashyeyam iti raama aasthitam mayaa || 2-20-38

38. raamaH=oh, Rama na dR^ishTa puurvam = earlier was not seen sukham vaa = happiness or kalyaaNam =prospering pate pourushhe =during my husband’s manliness. asthitam =It was believed mayaa =by me iti =that api pashyeyam =can I see putre_api =at least in my son

“Oh, Rama! I have not seen any happiness or prosperity earlier, while my husband is in power. I believed that I could see them at last when my son comes to power.”

saa bahuuni amanoj~naani vaakyaani hRdayacchidaam |
aham shroSye sapatniinaam avaraaNaam varaa satii || 2-20-39

39. saa aham =such a person as myself, varaa satii =who is a better and virtuous wife, bahuuni =so many amaroG^Yaani =disagreeable vaakyaani =words sapatniinaam = of fellow wives, avaraaNaam =who are inferior to me, hR^idayachhidaam =who pierce the heart.

“I have to hear so many disagreeable words from my fellow-wives who are inferior to me and who pierce my heart with their words though I am a better and virtuous wife among them.”

ataH duhkhataram kim nu pramadaanaam bhaviSyati |
tvayi samnihite api evam aham aasam niraakRtaa || 2-20-40

40. kim nu =which one bhavishhyati =will be duHkhataram =more sorrowful pramadaanaam =to women ataH =than yaadR^ishaH =which -anantakaH =unending vilaapashcha =and dissolving shokaH= grief mama =to me

“Which one will be more sorrowful to women than this unending and consuming grief that occurred to me now?”

tvayi sannihite.apyevamahamaasaM niraakR^itaa |
kim punaH proSite taata dhruvam maraNam eva me || 2-20-41

41. taata =Oh, father(a term of affection addressed to a junior) tvayi sannihite api =Even when you are nearby, aham =I niraakR^itaa aasam =was rejected evam =thus kim punaH =what to tell proshhite =when you go to exile. maraNam =death dhR^ivam is certain me =to me

“Even when you are near by, I am being rejected. What to tell after you leave for exile? Death indeed is certain to me.”

atyantanigR^ihiitaasmi bharturnitymatantritaa |
parivaareNa kaikeyyaa samaa vaapyathavaa.avaraa || 2-20-42

42. asmi =Iam, nityam ;always atyanta nigR^ihiitaa =held down heaving bhartuH =by husband, atantritaa =without independence samaava =equal to athavaa =or avaraa =lower than parivaareNa =servants kaikeyyaaH= of Kaikeyi

“My husband always held me down, without giving me any independence and treat me equal to or even lower than the servants of Kaikeyi”

yo hi maam sevate kashcit atha vaa api anuvartate |
kaikeyyaaH putram anviikSya sa jano na abhibhaaSate || 2-20-43

43. yaH =kashchit =Anyone whatsoever sevate =serves maam =me athava =or anuvartate =follows saHjanaH =that person na abhibhaashhate hi=will not indeed speak anviikshhya =after seeing kaikeyyaaH= Kaikeyi’s putram =son

Those who serve me now and those who follow me, will not speak to me, after seeing Bharata”.

nityakrodhatayaa tasyaaH kathaM nu kharavaadi tat |
kaikeyyaa vadanam drashhTum putra shakshyaami durgataa || 2-20-44

44. putra =oh, son! durgataa=Myself, the miserable one! katham nu = how shakshhyaami =can I be able drashhTum =to see adanam =face tasyaaH kaikeyyaaH =of that Kaikeyi khara vaadi =who talks hurtingly nitya krodhatayaa ;because of the continuous anger

Oh, son! How can I, the miserable one, see the face of Kaikeyi who talks hurtingly because of her continuous anger.”

dasha sapta ca varSaaNi tava jaatasya raaghava |
asitaani prakaankSantyaa mayaa duhkha parikSayam || 2-20-45

45. raaghava =Oh, Rama! aasitaani =sat down mayaa =by me dasha saptacha =for seventeen varshhaa Ni =years tava jaatasya =after your second birth of your thread ceremony praakaaNkshhantyaa =with hope of duHkha parikshhantyaam =disappearance of troubles

“Oh,Rama! I have been waiting for seventeen years after your second birth of thread ceremony, with the hope that my troubles will disappear at one time or the other.”

tadakshayam mahaadduHkham notsahe sahitum chiram |
viprakaaram sapatniinaamevam jiirNaapi raaghava || 2-20-46

46. raaghava =oh, Rama! tat =for that reason, evam =in the way jiir Naapi =even if old aged, notsahe =I do not wish sahitum =to bear viprakaaram =insult sapatniinaam =of co-wives, akshhayam =un-ending mahat =great du Hkham =sorrow chiram =for long time

Oh, Rama! In this old age, I cannot bear insult from co-wives and this unending sorrow for a long time.

apashyantii tava mukham paripuurNashashiprabham |
kR^ipaNaa vartayishhyaami katham kR^ipaNajiivikaam || 2-20-47

47. katham =How kR^ipaNaa =the pitiable me, vartayishhyaami =can roll on kR^ipaNa jiivikaam =this miserable life apashhyantii =without seeing tava =your mukham =face, paripuurNa sashiprabham =radiating like full moon

“How can I the pitiable one, spend this miserable life without seeing your face radiating like full moon.”

upavaasaiH ca yogaiH ca bahubhiH ca parishramaiH |
duhkham samvardhitaH mogham tvam hi durgatayaa mayaa || 2-20-48

48. tvam =you samvardhitaH =were nourished mogham =in vain mayaa =by me durgatayaa =the unfortunate one, upavaasaishcha =and painful voes.

“You were nourished in vain by me ,the important one by fasts, by meditations, by various difficult and painful vows .”

sthiram tu hR^idayam manye mama idam yan na diiryate |
praavR^iSi iva mahaa nadyaaH spR^iSTam kuulam nava ambhasaa || 2-20-49

49. idam =This, mama =my hR^idayam =heart yat =for which reason na diiryate =is not breached kuulam iva =like bank mahaanadyaa =of great river spR^ishhTam =struck navaam bhasaa =by new water praavR^ishhi =in rainy season, manye =I think it sthhiram =as strong.

“My heart is not breached, as bank of a great river, struck by new water in monsoon, by hearing this news.That is why, I feel it is strong.”

mama eva nuunam maraNam na vidyate |
na ca avakaasho asti yama kSaye mama |
yad antako adya eva na maam jihiirSati |
prasahya simho rudatiim mRgiim iva || 2-20-50

50. na vidyate =There is no maraNam =death naasti =There is no nuunam =indeed. avakaashaH= place, mama =to me yamakshhaye =in the abode of yama. yat =for which reason, antakaH= yama, the god of death najihiirshhati =is not wishing to carry off maam =me adyaiva =now itself prasahya =forcibly.

“There is no death to me, indeed .I have no place in the abode of god yama who presides over the spirits of the dead .That is why, Yama is not forcingly carrying me off like a lion carrying off a wailing antelope.”

sthiram hi nuunam hR^idayam mama aayasam |
na bhidyate yad bhuvi na avadiiryate |
anena duHkhena ca deham arpitam |
dhruvam hi akaale maraNam na vidyate || 2-20-51

51. anena duHkhena = By the grief, deham = body arpitam =is pierced. nuunam =Indeed mama =my hR^idayam =heart sthhiram =which is hard aayasam =is made of iron. yat =for which reason na bhidyate =it is not broken naavadiiryate =it has not fallen into pieces, bhuvi =on the floor na vidyate =There is no akaale =untimely =maraNam =death dhR^ivam =It is certain.

“This grief is inserted into my body. Even then, my heart is stable. It has not broken into pieces and fallen on the floor .It is indeed made of iron. There is no untimely death, it is certain”

idam tu duHkham yad anarthakaani me|
vrataani daanaani ca samyamaaH ca hi |
tapaH ca taptam yad apatya kaaraNaat |
suniSphalam biijam iva uptam uuSare || 2-20-52

52. idam =This is duHkham =sad anarthakaaniiti =to speak about waste of me =my vrataani =religious voes daanaamicha =charities samyamaashcha =and restraints. yat =which tapaH =austerity taptam =is performed apatya kaaraNaat =for the sake of offspring, sunishhphalam =is completely in vain biijam iva =as seed uptam =sown uushhare =in saline soil.

“I feel bad since all my religious vows, charities, restraints have all gone waste.The austerity I performed for the sake of of –spring has gone in vain, as a seed sown in a saline soil.”

yadi hi akaale maraNam svayaa icchayaa |
labheta kashcit guru duHkha karshitaH |
gataa aham adya eva pareta samsadam |
vinaa tvayaa dhenur iva aatmajena vai || 2-20-53

53. kaschit =If a person guruduHkhakarshitaH =in great distress labheta yadi =can get akaale =premature maraNam =death svayaa =ichchhayaa =out of his own will, aham =I gataa =would have got pareta sampadam =glory of the dead adyaiva =now itself tvayaa vinaa= without you dhenuriva =like cow aatmajenavina =without calf

“If a man in great distress can get premature death out of his own will, I being separated from you ,would have attain the glory of the dead now itself like cow without the calf.”

athaapi kim jiivita madya me vR^ithaa |
tvayaa vinaa chndranibhaananaprabha |
anuvrajishhyaami vanam tvayaiva gauH |
sudurbalaa vatsamivaanukaaN^kshayaa || 2-20-54

54. athaapi =Moreover, chandranibhaanana prabha =oh, Rama! With your brilliant face shining like moon! kim =what me =my jiivitam =life tvayaavinaa =without you! vR^ithaa =waste indeed. adya =Now anuvrajishhyaami =Ican accompany tvayaiva =you only vanam =to the forest, vatsam iva =like with calf sudurbalaa = a completely weak cow gouH =cow anukaaNkshhayaa =with compassion

“Moreover, what is the use of life? Oh, Rama! With your brilliant face shining like moon! My life is useless without you. I shall accompany you to the forest like a weak cow going behind it’s calf”

bhR^isham asukham amarSitaa tadaa |
bahu vilalaapa samiikSya raaghavam |
vyasanam upanishaamya saa mahat |
sutam iva baddham avekSya kimnarii || 2-20-55

55. tadaa =Then, saa =that Kausalya samiikshhya =looked at raaghavam =Rama, upanishaamya =beholden with mahat =great vyasanam =calamity, avekshhya =saw sutam =son badhham =tied up, vilaapa =lamented bhR^isham =very much bahu =in many ways asukham =uneasily amarshhitaa =with anger kinnariiva =like kinnara woman.

Then, that Kausalya looked at Rama to whom a great calamity has occurred, saw her son bound by grief and lamented very much in various ways like a kinnara woman.

|| ityaarshhe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe vimshaH
sargaH ||

Thus completes the twentieth canto of Ayodhya Kanda in srimad Ramayana.

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