Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam
( Translation and Commentary by Scholar,
Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji
and Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )
Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose Sarga 41
The ladies of the royal gymnasium lament over the exile of Rama and others. The citizens of Ayodhya also are reduced to a miserable plight. All Nature mourns at Rama’s departure.
As Rama the tiger among men, having paid obeisance with joined palms departed, a great cry of distress arose among women of inner apartments. "Where is he going, who was the path, who became the protector of the people, who are now defenseless weak and unhappy? Where has he gone, who was not angry even when provoked, who resolved every misunderstanding and who propitiated all those who were angry by sharing their suffering? That illustrious and great-souled Rama, who treated us with the same reverence he paid to his own mother, where has he gone? He the protector of the people and the whole world, driven to the forest by the king, goaded on by Kaikeyi? Alas! In his folly, the king has banished the virtuous the beloved and the strictly truthful Rama to the forest!” Thus did all the queens lament, like unto cows deprived of their calves and in there affection cried out loudly. Hearing those terrible crying sounds in the private apartments, the king profoundly afflicted by the departure of his son, became increasingly depressed.
On the departure of Rama to the forest, the sacred fires were no longer performed, no house holder prepared food, the people did not do their acts and even the sun went into eclipse. Elephants threw out the morsels of food they had taken into their mouths. Cows did not give suck to their calves. Mother did not rejoice, for having got a son born for the first time. Trisanku, Lohintanga, Brihaspati as also Budha and all other planets assumed a menacing aspect and got stayed with the moon. Stars ceased to twinkle. Planets were deprived of their splendour. The stars of Visakha appeared in the heaven, veiled in the mist. The great ocean rose, as by a speed of a long-lasting tempest. While Rama went to the forest, that city was shaken. All the cardinal points, having been disturbed, were covered by darkness. Planets did not become visible, nor the stars nor any other thing in heaven. All the people of the city suddenly became apathetic. No one was interested in either food or in pastime. All the people of Ayodhya, afflicted by grief in succession, heaved profound and burning sighs and bewailed about the departure of the Lord of the earth. The people in the king's way were wearing distressed faces filled with tears. No one appeared rejoicing. All were possessed by grief. The wind was not blowing coolly. The moon did not appear beneficent. The sun did not give out warmth to the earth. The entire world was in disorder Sons did not ask for their mothers and husbands did not ask for their wives. Brothers did not enquire about their sisters. All gave up every thing and thought of Rama alone. Then, all of Rama's own friends were bewildered in mind and the weight of their agony overwhelmed them. They did not leave their beds. Afflicted by fear and grief, the earth with its mountains, deprived of that great souled Rama, suffered a terrible convulsion, as when it is abandoned by Indra the lord of rain, and a great uproar reigned in the city which was filled with elephants, warriors and horses.
Thus completes 41th chapter in the Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose Sarga 42
The dust raised by Rama’s chariot having disappeared for a while, Dasaratha feels dejected and fell insensible on ground. When Kaikeyi comes forward to support him he scolds and asks her not to touch him. Kausalya then lifts him up and persuades him to return to their house. His personal attendants take him to Kausalya’s apartments and seeing him plunged in grief, Kausalya seats herself beside him and began to lament in various ways.
As long as the dust raised by the wheels of Rama’s chariot could be seen, so long did the king not withdraw his gaze from it. As long as the king was seeing his beloved son who was exceedingly virtuous, so long did the dust in the earth appear to be rising for the purpose of seeing his son. When the dust raised by Rama’s chariot was no longer visible, the unfortunate king afflicted by dejection, fell insensible on ground. When Dasaratha fell down, Kausalya his wife took her place on his right side to lift him up and Kaikeyi of charming limbs took her place on his left side. The king endowed with wisdom virtue and discretion seeing Kaikeyi beside him, said to her in great agitation as follows: "Oh, wicked Kaikeyi! Do not touch my limbs. I do not wish to see you .You are no longer my wife nor a relative. I am not of those who are dependent on you nor are they anything to me. I discord you, by whom righteousness has been discarded and who are solely interested in avariciousness. All that contract which I entered into by taking your hand and circumbulating the sacred fire, I now renounce in this world and the next. If Bharata feels cheerful for having got this kingdom which is imperishable, let the obsequial rites performed to me after my death do not reach me."
Meanwhile Kausalya the queen overwhelmed with grief, lifted up the king who was covered with dust and returned to her house. The virtuous monarch, thinking deeply of his son Rama, was so desolated as one who has slain a brahmin intentionally or as touching the fire by hand. Turning again and again towards the track of the chariot, the countenance of the king in grief lost its radiance like sun losing its radiance when swallowed by Rahu*.
*-Rahu- the inauspicious planet sent to swallow the sun at the time of eclipse.
Afflicted by grief, thinking of his beloved son he lamented. Knowing that his son reached the end of the city, he said as follows: "The marks of hooves of excellent horses which carried away my child are seen on the way. But he the great souled one is not being seen. He who slept on comfort on coverings sprinkled with the essence of sandalwood and refreshed by fans waved over by him by the most deserving women, Rama the best of all my sons, will from now on , has to take refuge at the foot of a tree somewhere, lying down on its trunk or rest on a stone. From today the inhabitants of the forest will behold that long armed lord of the world, Rama, rising from the ground and wandering around like an orphan. The daughter of Janaka, who was always accustomed to comforts, will wander exhausted in the forest through the thorny undergrowth. Seetha who was not earlier accustomed to woodlands, from now on will live in terror, hearing the roaring sound of wild beasts, which was thundering . Oh, Kaikeyi! Let your desire be fulfilled! Dwell in the kingdom as a widow. I do not indeed wish to survive without Rama the tiger among men. Thus lamenting, the king surrounded by his people, entered Ayodhya the best of cities like entering a disastrous house by one who has taken the funeral bath. Seeing the entire city with its road-junctions and mansions deserted, its shops and temples closed, with its people exhausted with fatigue and plunged in affliction; its highways not very crowded, the king entered his palace wailing and thinking of Rama alone as the sun enters a cloud. Bereft of Rama Seetha and Lakshmana, the palace looked like a big pool rendered unperturbed due to emptying of snakes in it by Garuda*"
*Garuda was a mythical bird (chief of feathered race, enemy of the serpent race)
The lamenting monarch spoke in trembling accents and in soft, pitiful, indistinct and not clearly intelligible words (as follows): "Take me quickly to the apartment of Kausalya the mother of Rama. Nowhere else my heart will find solace." The attendants took the king who was speaking as aforesaid, to Kausalya’s house and there he was gently laid (on a coach). Having entered Kausalya’s apartment and even though laid on a coach, his heart became agitated. Bereft of his two sons and his daughter-in-law also having deserted, the king saw that house devoid of charm as a sky without a moon. Looking at that palace and lifting up his arm, the powerful monarch cried in a loud voice, " Oh, Rama! You have left us both, your mother and I. Alas! Those jewels among men who will survive the term of fourteen years, seeing Rama come back and embrace him, will be happy indeed."
Thereupon, the night having fallen, the night resembling the hour of death to him, Dasaratha spoke these words to Kausalya when the midnight struck : "Oh, Kausalya! My sight has extinguished along with Rama and not returned. Even now, I am not able to see you properly. Touch me with your hand." Perceiving that monarch on the coach absorbed in the thought of Rama alone, Kausalya appeared very sad and sitting beside him, began to sigh and lament with a distressed look.
Thus completes 42nd chapter in the Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 43
Lamentation of Kausalya
Thereafter, Kausalya afflicted with grief of her son and seeing the king lying down depressed with sorrow, spoke to the monarch as follows: "Having planted her poison on Rama the tiger among men, indeed Kaikeyi of crooked ways will surely wander about freely like a female serpent that has cast off its slough. Having fulfilled her desire of expelling Rama to the forest, Kaikeyi the charming woman will frighten by clamping down upon me, like a dangerous serpent in the house. Even giving my son to her as a slave would have been better. By that Rama would have at least stayed in the house by doing the work entrusted by her and roaming about in the city, asking alms. Having willfully thrown Rama out of his position, Kaikeyi has acted in the same way as one who tends the sacred fire throws a part of the sacrifice to ogres on a new or full moon. Together with his wife, accompanied by Lakshmana and walking like king of elephants having a bow in hand, the mighty armed hero surely will have entered the forest. In the forest, what fate will befall them who had never seen such a suffering before and who have been sent by you to a forest life as per the wishes of Kaikeyi? Devoid of riches, those youthful beings, in exile at the age when they should be enjoying diversions of every kind, how are they to live in misery, having only roots and fruits for their nourishment? When that auspicious hour will come to me that will bring an end to my sorrows and I shall see Rama with his wife and brother returning here? When will Ayodhya regain her pristine glory, with people thrilling with rapture and be adorned with rows of towering banners the moment it hears of the two heroic princes (Rama and Lakshmana) being present ? When will the city rejoice like an ocean swelling jubilantly on a full moon night to perceive the two princes who are tigers among men come back from the forest? When will the mighty armed hero (Rama) enter the city of Ayodhya placing Seetha in his front in the chariot as a bull would follow a cow? When will thousands of men shower the parched grains of paddy on the royal highway over my two sons (Rama and Lakshmana) the subduer of their enemies, entering the city? When shall I see the two princes adorned with splendid ear-rings and armed with excellent bows and swords, entering Ayodhya like a pair of mountains crowned with peaks? When will those two princes with Seetha merrily go round the city clockwise, giving away flowers and fruits to virgins and brahmanas? When will the pious Rama, grown ripe in intellect and shining like a god in point of age, return to me, cherishing the world like the proportions and timely rain? Undoubtedly in some past life, through mean-mindedness, Oh, valiant king, I believe that the teats of cows were cut off by me while their calves were longing to suck them. Oh, tiger among heroes! Fond of my child like a cow, I, as such was forcibly deprived of my child by Kaikeyi in the same way as a cow having a calf of tender age may be deprived of her calf by a lion. I cannot indeed wish to survive without my only son who is adorned with all virtues and is well-versed in all scriptures. There is not the least capacity imaginable in me to sustain my life here so long as I fail to perceive my beloved son (Rama) who is mighty armed and Lakshmana of great strength. This fire born of grief occasioned by separation from my son, is torturing me in the same way as the illustrious sun, possessed of greatest splendor, scorches this earth with its rays in summer.”
Thus completes 43rd chapter in the Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 44
| Establishing the greatness of Rama, Sumitra of gracious speech, assuages Kausalya’s grief. |
Sumitra, who was devoted to righteousness spoke the following words, which were virtuous, to the celebrated Kausalya, the foremost among women, who had been wailing as aforesaid “That son of yours, Oh the venerable one, is endowed with excellent virtues and is the foremost among men. What is the use in your lamenting in this way or in weeping piteously? Your son is having mighty strength. He proved his high- soled father perfectly truthful by renouncing his throne. He stood firmly in righteousness, which is always practiced perfectly by disciples and which gives fruits even after death. That Rama, the most excellent man, never deserves to be lamented. Lakshmana, the faultless man and the compassionate man towards all beings, always renders the best form of service to Rama. His conduct is beneficial to the high-soled Rama. Sita, who was habituated to comforts, even after knowing the pain whatsoever, is accompanying your virtuous- soled son. What has not been secured by your capable son, who is rich in virtue and is engrossed in the vow of truthfulness, and the banner of whose fame flutters though out the world? Having known the purity and magnanimity of Rama , the sun assuredly will not be able to torment Rama’s body with his rays. Auspicious and delightful breeze of moderate heat and cold, blowing from woods at all times , will render service to Rama. Gently touching with its cool rays when he is reposing at night and embracing him like a father, the moon will refresh Rama. Formerly, when Rama killed Subahu the son of Sambarasura the chief of demons, Brahma being delighted , gave celestial weapons to Rama, the man with great splendor. Rama the hero and the tiger among men, relying on the strength of his own arms, will dwell fearlessly in the forest as if in his own palace. How can earth cannot be under the command of Rama, to whose aim of arrows, the enemies fall an easy prey? The splendor endowed with Rama, the valor that is in him and the beneficent strength that resides in him lead one to believe that when he completes the term of his exile in the forest, he will speedily regain his kingdom. Rama is the illuminator of even the sun, fire of fire, the ruler of rules, the splendor of splendor, the foremost glory of glory, the forbearance of forbearance, the god of gods and the foremost being of all the beings. Indeed, what handicaps are there for him in the forest or in Ayodhya? Rama the best among men will be installed on the throne soon along with the Mother Earth (the consort of lord Vishnu), Sita the princess of Videha kingdom and Lakshmi ( the goddess of fortune another consort of Vishnu) Seeing Rama departing, all the people in Ayodhya smitten as they were with upsurge of grief shed tears born of agony. The goddess of fortune as Sita followed the invincible hero even as he departed for the forest, clad in a garment of the sacred Kusa grass. Indeed, what can be difficult for him to obtain? What can be difficult to obtain for, to whose front indeed walks Lakshmana himself the best among the holders of bow wielding arrows, sword and missiles? Oh, Kausalya! I tell you the truth : you can see Rama coming back, on having completed the term of his exile in the forest . Abandon grief and infatuation. You will be able to see your son, like the rising moon, saluting respectfully your feet, by bowing his head. Seeing Rama shining with great splendor appearing before you again, having been coroneted, you will be shedding soon tears of joy from your eyes. Do not have uneasiness or grief. Rama has no ill luck. You will be able to see soon your son along with Sita, accompanied by Lakshmana. While people are to be consoled by you at this moment, why are you fostering grief in your heart? You, whose son is Rama, ought not to grieve, for none is established in right path in the world than Rama. Seeing your son saluting with his friends, you will at once begin to shed tears, like a line of clouds in a rainy season. Your son the bestower of boons, will soon return to Ayodhya, and touch your feet with his gentle but muscular hands. When your son the hero along with his friends salute you respectfully in adoration, you will sprinkle tears of joy in the same way as a line of clouds pour rain on the mountain."
Sumitra the queen, skilled in her employment of words, who is faultless and charming, thus consoled Rama’s mother with various words and finally stopped speaking. Hearing those words of Sumitra the mother of Lakshmana, the agony of Kausalya Rama’s mother and the wife of Dasaratha quickly disappeared in the same way as an autumnal cloud with a little water in it disappears quickly.
Thus completes 44th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 45
| Rama requests the citizens to return to Ayodhya and to show respect to Bharata the prince Regent and Dasaratha the king. The citizens try to persuade Rama to return to Ayodhya, but in vain. Rama along with all of them reach the bank of Tamasa. |
The people devoted to the high- soled Rama of unfailing bravery accompanied him on his way to the forest for exile. When the king was forced (in the interests of his son) to turn back, the group of friends who were following Rama’s chariot did not return. Rama who enjoyed great celebrity and who was richly endowed with every virtue, resembling the full moon, had indeed become the favorite for the people living in Ayodhya. Despite the entreaties of the people of his own, Rama(the scion of the Kakutstha), in order to honour his father’s vow; proceeded towards the forest. Fondly gazing on the people as though drinking with his eyes, Rama lovingly spoke (as follows) as though they were his own children: “The respect and affection that has been bestowed upon me by you (the residents of Ayodhya) may for my satisfaction be bestowed in a special measure on Bharata. He who enhances the delight of Kaikeyi and who possesses excellent conduct, will indeed do pleasing and beneficial things to you appropriately. Bharata who is matured in knowledge but young in age, who is gentle but endowed with virility and virtue, will become your worthy master who can dispel your fears. Bharata who is endowed with royal virtues is being marked as the prince. Further, king’s command is to be carried out by me and the rest of you. If you desire to please me, see that the king does not suffer agony when I have gone to forest for exile”
The more Rama the son of Dasaratha, showed himself to be faithful to his duty, the more the people wished to have him as their master. Rama accompanied by son of Sumitra, drew the people of the city, who were weeping piteously, after him as if tied and pulled with cords. Those brahmanas, who were triply revered for their learning, their age and their spirituality, their heads shaking with advanced years, cried out : “Oh Noble Steeds, of speedy breed! You who are carrying Rama, do come back! Do not proceed! Be friendly to your master (since by taking Rama against our wishes, you will be doing a disservice to him). Indeed all things, which are endowed with ears, more so horses, stand appraised of our entreaty. Therefore, you return. That hero of the pure soul, of virtuous and auspicious firm resolve, that master, deserves to be brought back to the city and not to be taken to the forest."
Seeing those aged brahmanas uttering those painful words, Rama quickly got down from the chariot. Rama with Sita and Lakshmana, taking close strides, proceeded on foot towards the forest. That Rama who was affectionate in his disposition and had compassion in his eyes, could not abandon those brahmanas walking on foot, far behind the chariot. Perceiving Rama still going towards the forest, those brahmanas perplexed in mind and greatly distressed, spoke the following words : “The whole of this brahmana community is following you, devoted (as you are) to the brahmanas. See, they are bearing the sacred fires on their shoulders. Look at these canopies (obtained by us while observing Vajpeya sacrifice*) accompanying our backs like clouds at the end of the rainy season”
*-It is laid down in the Vedas that he who performs a Vajpeya sacrifice must be supplied with a white canopy.
“With these canopies of ours, we shall give shade to you, who have got no canopy and are being scored with rays (of the sun.) Oh, Dear child! The intellect of ours, which was forever engaged in perusing the study of Vedic texts has been now made to follow the course of exile to the forest. We will carry the Vedas in our hearts as our excellent treasure and our wives too will remain at home, protected by their character. We shall not revoke our decision. Our mind is fully determined to go along with you (to the forest). If you do not pay attention to piety, what being will remain devoted to the path of virtue? Oh, prince of resolute conduct! We entreat you by our heads having gray hair like the white color of the swans, that are soiled with dust as a result of their falling on the ground (in the course of our prostration to you) (pray) turn back. Sacrifices have been commenced by many of those Brahmanas that have come here. Their completion, depends on your return. Beings both animate and inanimate, are indeed devoted to you. Show affection to those devotees, who entreat you to return. The trees held by their roots, unable to accompany you, seen to be weeping, hump-backed by the force of wind. Birds too, which sit motionless and are unable to go out in search of food and which remain fixed at one spot on trees, are supplicating you to return, compassionate as you are to all created beings."
While those brahmanas were crying thus with a view to persuading Rama to return, the river Tamasa appeared there, as though retarding the progress of Rama. Thereafter Sumantra the charioteer too released the horses, tired as they were, from the chariot and quickly making them roll, allowed them to graze not very far from the (bank of) Tamasa once they had drunk water and had their body washed in the river.
Thus completes 45th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 46
| Having reached the banks of Tamasa river and thinking of the plight of the people of Ayodhya, Rama passes the night on the banks of Tamasa river. Waking up in the meantime, Rama instructs the charioteer to drive the chariot in such a way as to elude the citizens and lead them to think that the chariot had turned back towards Ayodhya instead of proceeding towards the forest. He then ascends the chariot along with Sita and Lakshmana and went ahead to the forest. |
Then Rama taking his position at the banks of Tamasa river and looking at Seetha, spoke to Lakshmana as follows : “Oh, Lakshmana! We have been sent to the forest. Today is the first night of our residence in the forest .You ought not feel anxious. May all be well with you! Look here: As the animals and birds are returning to their respective abodes seeking for shelter, the desolate woods seem to be crying from all sides. Now, the city of Ayodhya the capital of my father with its men and women will lament about us that have departed (to the forest). There is no doubt the citizens (of Ayodhya) are indeed having affection to the king no less than to you and myself, as also to Bharata and Satrughna, for many of our virtues. I feel repented for my father and my illustrious mother. I fear whether they will become even blind, by weeping incessantly. Bharata, the virtuous man, can indeed console my father and mother by his kind words. Oh,Lakshmana! Thinking of Bharata’s kindness again and again, I do not grieve for our father and mother. You have done well by accompanying me, as otherwise, a help would have to be sought for by me for protecting Seetha. I shall live on water alone tonight. Though there are various kinds of wild fruits and roots, this is indeed a liking for me." Thus telling Lakshmana, Rama spoke also to Sumantra as follows: “Oh, gentle man! Attend to the horses carefully."
The sun having completely set, Sumantra tied up the horses, supplied them with abundant grass and immediately stood nearest (to Rama). Having worshipped the beautiful evening twilight and having seen the night come nearer, Sumantra along with Lakshmana made the bed for Rama. Seeing that bed made of leaves of a tree on the bank of Tamasa river with the help of Lakshmana, Rama along with his wife laid down on it. Seeing that brother sleeping along with his wife, Lakshmana narrated Rama’s various virtues to Sumantra.
WhileLakshmana was thus recounting Rama’s excellences to Sumantra, keeping awake that whole night at the bank of Tamasa river, the sun rose. At a good distance from Tamasa river, whose banks were crowded with herds of cows, Rama passed that night there with the citizens. Getting up from the bed and seeing those citizens, Rama with an extraordinary splendor, spoke to his brother,
Lakshmana who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks: “Observe, Oh Lakshmana, the citizens full of longing for us, unmindful even of their homes, sleeping together at the roots of trees, Oh, the son of Sumitra! From the way in which these citizens are making coercion to take us back (to Ayodhya), it seems they will even lay down their lives, but in no case would give up their resolve. Till which time the citizens are asleep, within that time, let us quickly mount the chariot and take a route which has no fear from any quarter. From this the citizens of Ayodhya (the ancient capital of Ikshvaku), who are longing for me, may not sleep as of now, at the roots of trees again and again. The residents of city should indeed be made free of their suffering brought about by (citizens) themselves, by the sons of their rulers. The citizens should on no account be burdened with hardship caused by (princes) them selves as is our case.”
Lakshmana replied as follows to Rama, who is standing firm like righteousness personified: “Oh, wise brother! What you say is agreeable to me. (Pray) ascend the chariot quickly”
Then, the glorious Rama spoke to the charioteer as follows: “Oh, capable man! Keep the chariot ready. I shall proceed to the forest. Let us go quickly from here."
Then, Sumantra quickly fastened the chariot to its excellent horses and thereafter submitted with joined palms to Rama (as follows): “Oh, mighty armed prince! Your chariot is kept ready. You ascend it along with Seetha and with Lakshmana, Oh jewel among car-warriors! May prosperity attend you”
Rama mounted the chariot with all necessaries (like bow, armor, quiver, spade, basket, and so on) and crossed the swift flowing Tamasa river, thickly set with whirl- pools. Having duly crossed the stream, the glorious Rama the mighty armed reached a great road free from obstacles and safe even for those who are apprehensive of danger. In order to elude the citizens, Rama spoke to Sumantra as follows: “Oh, charioteer! You mount the chariot and go northward. Proceed for a while quickly and bring back the chariot again. Remaining careful, do it in such a way that the citizens may not be able to locate me”
Comment:- How can Rama elude the citizens, who came off leaving their homes, showing their immense affection towards him? Love without self-centeredness knows what love is. Then the seemingly untruth is not untruth, the hurt in appearance is not really a hurt and the said deception is not a deception. Rama the knower of love was free to do what was right and whatever he did was righteous.
Hearing Rama’s advice, the charioteer made a round of the chariot as he was suggested and on returning, reported to Rama about the arrival of the chariot. Then, Rama and Lakshmana(the promoters of the race of Raghu) along with Seetha ascended the chariot yoked together. The charioteer urged the horses along the route by which they can reach a grove suited to the practice of austerities. However, Sumantra placed that chariot by facing it to the north, for he saw omens auspicious for journey (in that quarter). Rama (son of Dasaratha) the mighty car-warrior, along with the charioteer mounted the chariot and proceeded to the forest.
Thus completes the 46th chapter of Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 47
| The multitude that had caused Rama in his journey to the forest wake up to find Rama and his associates gone. They begin to rebuke themselves. Overwhelmed with grief, they hunt up to tracks of Rama’s chariot. Being unable to find the tracks, they helplessly return to Ayodhya in sheer despair. |
As the night was beginning to become dawn, those citizens relinquished by Raghava were perplexed with grief and became motionless. Made miserable with tears born of anguish and agony, they could not notice even a glimmer of Rama, though casting their eyes everywhere.
Their faces distorted with sorrow, deprived as they were of sagacious Rama and therefore non-pulsed, the citizens broke into piteous exclamations, saying:- “Cursed be to that slumber, rendered unconscious, by which we could not behold today that mighty armed Rama with a broad chest. How that Rama the strong armed, whose actions are never ineffectual, leave for exile, abandoning his devoted citizens? How did the chief of Raghus, who protected us ever, like a father the children born of his loins, could proceed to the forest, leaving us? Let us have recourse to death here itself, or definitely set out for a grand journey ( to the north with a resolve to die). For what purpose can life be good for us, separated as we are from Rama? Or there are a number of big dry logs of wood here. Lighting a funeral fire out of them, let us all enter the fire. “What shall we say to our fellow citizens? ‘The great armed Rama who is free from egoism and who speaks kindly ( to all ) has been conveyed to the forest by us!’ How can we say so? Seeing us returning without Rama, that city of Ayodhya, already desolate, will with its women, children and the aged, become even deeply cheerless. Having left the city thus with that hero, the conqueror of one’s own self, how can we look on that city again without him?"
Uplifting their arms , those men stricken with anguish, like cows bereft of their calves, lamented in various ways as above. Then, proceeding to some distance along the tracks for a while, they were overwhelmed with great despair again due to sudden disappearance of tracks. The good-natured citizens, due to disappearance of the tracks of the chariot, returned to Ayodhya, saying thus, “ How is it? What shall we do? We are afflicted by providence”
Therafter, all of them with aggrieved hearts went to the city of Ayodhya, which was comprising of virtuous people with distress, by the same path on which they had come. Beholding the city, they shed tears through their eyes stricken as they were in grief , their minds distressed through cheerlessness. Bereft of Rama, the aforesaid city of Ayodhya was not any more enchanting than a river whose snakes were uplifted from its pool by Garuda. As the sky without the moon or the sea without the water, these disconcerted men beheld the city from which all joy had fled. Entering their houses full of abundant riches with uneasiness, the citizens could not distinguish between their own people and others, even though being looked at, stricken as they were with grief, their joy having altogether extinguished.
Thus completes the 47th chapter of Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 48
| Informed by the citizens of Rama’s departure for the forest, when they returned to Ayodhya after being unable to find out the tracks of his chariot, the wives of the citizens reproach Kaikeyi and break into lamentation. |
The lives of those citizens, who had returned dejected and cheerless in this way after accompanying Rama were greatly hurt, having their eyes filled with tears afflicted with grief, longing to give up their lives and appeared as though they were dead. Reaching each his own house, all of them surrounded by their sons and wife, shed tears, their faces being covered by them. None was either delightful or merry. Merchants no longer exhibited their wares, nor their merchandise looked charming. Those in charge of home did not attend to cooking. None was delightful for instance on finding out a lost fortune, or on getting riches in abundance. No mother did rejoice even on obtaining a son born for the first time.
Oppressed with sorrow and weeping, women in every house heaped reproaches on their husbands who came home, with words as sharp as pricks of the goad which attack an elephant. “What purpose of theirs who do not see Rama, will be served by their dwellings, wife or wealth or sons or pleasures even? Lakshmana alone is a good man in this world, who was accompanying Rama belonging to Kakutstha dynasty, along with Sita ,duly rendering service to them in the forest. Fortunate too are the rivers; lotus ponds and lakes for bathing in whose sacred waters Rama entered into. Forests with beautiful row of trees, tracks of land abounding in water, rivers and mountains with alluring peaks will bring splendor to Rama. Any mountain or forest which Rama will visit, will not fail to respect him like a beloved guest who has arrived. Plants with many–colored flowers as their chaplets, bearing copious clusters of blossoms full of bees exhibit themselves at Rama. Even in unseasonable ness, mountains in compassion will present principal flowers and fruits to Rama, on his arrival. Mountains will show various wonderful waterfalls again and again, duly streaming forth uncontaminated waters. Trees on apex of mountains will enrapture Rama. Where there is Rama, there is neither fear nor humiliation. That Rama the son of Dasaratha, the hero and the mighty armed will come to our view not far from us. Let us run after him. The shelter of the feet of the lord and the high–souled Rama is in itself a joy. Rama indeed is the protector of all of us, he the refuge and our supreme asylum. We shall serve Seetha, while you attend on Rama.” Thus, the citizen’s wives, afflicted with agony, spoke in so many words to their husbands.
“Rama will secure the needs and interests of yours in the forest, while Sita will do the same thing with regard to us womenfolk. Who will be highly pleased with this residence in the city, which is apprehensible, with anxious people in it and not being a pleasant spot with unsettled minds? If it were to be the rule of Kaikeyi, it will not be in consonance with righteousness, with no protector and indeed with no use for our lives, mush less for our sons and riches. Whom else Kaikeyi will not abandon? That Kaikeyi, by whom her son and her husband were forsaken for the sake of power and who brought disgrace to her family. We swear even by our sons that while Kaikeyi is surviving and as long as we live, we will never inhabit this kingdom as Kaikeyi’s servants! Who can live happily on having obtained (as one’s ruler) that impious woman of wicked conduct, who banished the son of the king without any pity? The whole of this kingdom, without any leader, having no support and visited by calamities, will meet with ruin because of Kaikeyi’s fault. For, Rama having gone into exile, the monarch will not survive and when Dasaratha is dead, utter regrets will remain thereafter. It is certain! So, drink poison duly stirred up, since your merits are exhausted and you are marked out by ill fortune. Otherwise, follow Rama to forest or reach a place where even the name of Kaikeyi may not reach your ears. Rama has been sent to exile along with Seetha and Lakshmana deceitfully. We have been handed over now to Bharata, like the beasts in the hands of a slaughterer. Rama, whose face is like the full moon, of dark brown complexion, whose collar-bone is invisible (because of its being covered with flesh), a conqueror of foes, whose arms descend to his knees, whose eyes resemble lotuses, the elder brother of Lakshmana, who takes initiative in speaking and expresses with sweetness, truthful of speech and possessed of extra ordinary strength, is benevolent to all, delightfully charming as the moon, that tiger among men, as mighty as an elephant in rut, that great car-warrior, will surely adorn the woods, while roaming through them.”
Those wives of citizens in the city of Ayodhya, lamenting as aforesaid, began weeping, as though fear has cropped up for a forth-coming death. The sun sank below the horizon and the night fell, while the women in the houses were weeping in that manner about Rama. The city of Ayodhya, in which the kindling of fires had ceased and the chanting of Vedas and narration of sacred stories died out, looked as though it was coated with darkness at that time. The city of Ayodhya, in which the business of the trading class had come to a stand-still, in which joy had been faded out, which had become (now) support less, looked dim as though stars had disappeared in the sky. The women whose minds became sick on account of Rama, as one would feel on one’s own son or brother having been sent into exile, cried miserably expressing their grief in various ways. To them, Rama was dearer than their very sons! That city of Ayodhya, in which singing, rejoicing, dancing and instrumental music had been completely set at rest, when jpy had departed forever and whose shops had been closed, looked at that time like a grat ocean whose waters had dried up.
Thus completes 48th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 49
| Having traveled for a pretty long distance, Rama crossed Vedasruti, Gomati and Syandika rivers. He presses forward in the chariot talking with Sumantra. |
Rama the tiger among men, revolving in his mind the command of his father, covered a long distance during the rest of the night. While Rama was traveling with the same alacrity, that delightful night passed away. Having worshipped the blissful morning twilight, he passed beyond the boundary of that country. Seeing villages, whose outskirts have been tilled and the woodlands laden with blossoms and hearing as follows the words of men dwelling together in the midst of the village, Rama proceeded apace in those excellent horses as though slowly (engrossed as he was in enjoying the sights).
Woe unto the king Dasaratha who fell into the clutches of concupiscence. "Alas! Kaikeyi the cruel and the sinful one now is still engaged in a cruel game. She is sending to exile the prince Rama, the pious man, the great intellectual, the compassionate man and he who subdued the senses. That hot-tempered Kaikeyi is behaving in a rude manner, transgressing the bounds of propriety. How Seetha the venerable woman, the daughter of Janaka, who was delighted always in homely comforts can now experience hardships in the forest? What a surprise! The king Dasaratha, having no love for his son, now wants to abandon Rama who is so beloved to the people and is even faultless.”
Hearing these words of people residing in villages and hamlets, Rama the heroic prince of Kosala crossed the boundaries of Kosala state. Having crossed the river of auspicious waters called Vedashruti, Rama then stretched forth, facing the quarter occupied by Sage Agastya. After traveling a pretty long time from there, Rama crossed the river Gomati having beautiful waters, whose banks were adorned with cows and which headed towards the sea. Reaching the other bank of Gomati river with the help of the swift moving horses, Rama crossed the river called Syandika which had resounded with howls of peacocks and swans. The said Rama showed to Sita the land (of Kosala, the southern boundary of which was defined by Syandika river)given long ago by the king Manu to Ikshvaku and which was bounded by many territories.
The glorious Rama, the foremost among men, whose voice resembled the cackling of a swan in rut, addressed the charioteer with great affection, in the words “Oh, charioteer!” and spoke as follows : “When, coming back and united with my mother and father, shall I roam hunting in the forest, bordering on Sarayu river and laden with blossoms? I do not hanker much after hunting in the woodlands bordering on Sarayu river. In fact it is a delightful spot, made much of in the world by hosts of royal sages. Hunting in the forest is indeed for gratification of royal sages in this world. At times; the bow- men adopted it. But I do not long for it excessively.”
Uttering in sweet voice to the charioteer on various topics dearer to him, Rama advanced thus along that route.
Thus completes 49th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 50
| Rama bids farewell to his birth-place Ayodhya and reaches the bank of the holy Ganga. There, Nishadas offers welcome reception to Rama and others. |
Having traveled the extensive and beautiful Kosala territory and standing with his face turned towards Ayodhya, the wise Rama with joined palms spoke the following words: “I bid farewell to you, Oh best of the cities, carefully protected by Dasaratha born in Kakutstha dynasty, as well as of the deities who protect you and dwell in you. After getting relieved from exile in the forest and thus freed from the debt to the emperor, I shall see you again, duly getting united with my mother and father.”
Lifting his right arm and wearing a woeful look, his face covered with tears, Rama possessing lovely reddish eyes, spoke them to the people hailing from the countryside.(as follows) : “Mercy and compassion according to my worth (in your view) have been shown to me by you. Keeping agony for a long time is undesirable. Let each return to accomplish your desired object(attending to your house-hold work)!"
Respectfully saluting the high soled prince and going round him clockwise (as a mark of reverence), those men stood rooted here and there, wailing frightfully. While they were lamenting thus unceasingly, Rama passed beyond their sight, as the sun sinks out of view at nightfall. Then Rama, a tiger among men, in his chariot, crossed Kosala territory, which was rich in grain and treasure, inhabited by men given to charity, benevolent and free from every danger, pleasing, full of temples and sacrificial stakes, adorned with gardens and mango-orchards, intersected by ponds full of water, populated by contented and well nourished people, abounded in herds of cows which deserved to be seen by all kings and which re-echoed to the chanting of religious texts.
Rama, the best among the resolute, moved into the middle of a happy and prosperous kingdom, abounding in lovely gardens and fit to be enjoyed by kings. There, Rama beheld the celestial and lovely river of Ganga with its tree tributaries, carrying clear waters without green moss and frequented by sages.
The River Ganga was adorned with splendid hermitages within easy distance from one another, with pools overflowing with water, visited at suitable hours by celestial nymphs thrilling with rapture. The blessed river was graced by gods and demons, Gandharvas(celestial musicians) and kinnaras and was constantly visited by consorts of Nagas and Gandharvas. The well known river was hemmed in by hills serving as the play- ground of hundreds of celestials and embellished with hundreds of celestial gardens; it coursed through the heavens for the benefit of gods and which in heaven was named “The stream of Golden Lotuses”.
The holy river, the sound of whose clashing waves and its striking with rocks resembled a deep laughter, having a bright smile as white as a foam, its waters reduced at some places to the shape of a maiden’s plaited locks, was rendered beautiful at some places by whirl pools. At some places, its waters were still and deep. At some places, they were disturbed with violent agitation. At some places, they made a deep roaring sound. At some places, they were having a terrific noise. Hosts of gods took a dip into its water. It was adorned by white lotuses. It was hemmed in, with expanse of small islands and at some places, lined with white sands. The river was rendered resonant by swans and cranes, was graced with cackling of Chakrawaka** birds and other birds which are in rut all through the year kept hovering on its water. At some places the river was adorned with trees growing on its banks encircling like garlands, at some places crowded with thick cluster of lotuses. At some places, it was graced with beds of water lilies in the form of buds and at some places, it was reddened with the pollen of numerous flowers, as though excited with passion. Having every aggregation of dirt removed, the river presented a spotlessly clear appearance like a crystal. The interior of the forest was reddened noisy again and again by the elephants guarding the quarters, by the ruttiest wild elephants and the elephants of excellent breed used for riding by gods. Surrounded by fruits and flowers and tender leaves, shrubs and birds, it looked like a young woman artistically decked with the best of jewels. The river was infested with dolphins, crocodiles and snakes.
Rama, the mighty armed, reached the river Ganga, which is devoid of sins and which dispels all sins, which had fallen from the mass of matted hair of Lord Shankara through the spiritual power of Emperor Bhagiratha, which is rendered noisy by cranes and herons, which is a consort of the ocean and which is in the vicinity of Sringaverapura (the modern Singraur).
Beholding the river Ganga with its waves covering whirlpools, Rama the great warrior said to Sumantra the charioteer as follows: “We shall halt here itself today. Oh, charioteer! Not far from the river stands this very large sacred fig tree with its many flowers and shoots. We shall stay here itself. I shall see (from here) the excellent river Ganga, which is auspicious and whose waters deserve to be respected by gods, men, Gandharvas, beasts, reptiles and birds .
Saying ‘so be it’ and nothing more to Rama, Lakshmana and Sumantra too then directed the horses to that sacred fig tree. Rama, the delight of Ikshvaku dynasty, reached that beautiful tree and got down from the chariot along with Sita and Lakshmana. Sumantra too dismounted from the chariot, unyoked the superb horses after which with joined palms, he seated himself near Rama at the foot of the tree. There, a king named Guha was Rama’s friend dear to him as his own life. He was Nishada by birth, a strong man and well known as a ruler of Nishadas.
Hearing of Rama the tiger among men having come to his territory, he approached the prince, escorted by elderly ministers and relatives. Seeing from a distance the king of Nishada coming, Rama along with Lakshmana thereupon went forth to meet Guha. Closely embracing Rama, Guha who felt disturbed, spoke to him, “This city too is as much as Ayodhya to you. What can I do for you? Oh mighty armed! Who indeed will get such a lovely guest?”
Having brought pristine cooked rice of excellent quality and other dishes of various kinds, he then quickly offered him water to wash his hands and spoke as follows: “Welcome to you, Oh, mighty armed! All this land is yours. We are your servants. You are the Lord. Rule over our kingdom in an efficient way. Here have arrived various kinds of dishes, drinks and syrups as also excellent beds (for you to sleep on) and food for your horses.
To Guha who was speaking as aforesaid, Rama replied thus: “We stand honored by you, by your very visit to us on foot, as well as your show of affection and are pleased with you". Pressing gently with his muscular arms, Rama spoke these words: “ Oh, Guha! Thank heaven that I am seeing you in good health with your relatives. Is all well with the kingdom, the allies and the treasure? I know your affection by which all this is extensively well arranged by you. But I am not in a position indeed to accept it. Know me as under a vow to be an ascetic, wearing the robes of bark and deerskin and by piety, I am determined to live in the forest by eating roots and fruits only. I desire nothing but a little forage for the horses. By being provided with this much at the present moment, I shall be duly satisfied by you. These horses were cherished by the king Dasaratha, my father. I shall feel honored by these horses being duly fed.”
Then Guha on that spot commanded his men as follows: “Let water for drinking and forage be supplied promptly to horses”
Having worshipped the evening twilight appearing in the west, with an upper garment made of bark(on his person); Rama then took for food only water brought by Lakshmana himself. Having washed the feet of Rama who was lying on the ground along with his consort, Lakshmana then came and stood near a tree. Guha too along with the charioteer conversed with Lakshmana and thereafter wielding a bow; alertly kept a vigil over Rama. The illustrious, lofty minded and the high-soled son of Dasaratha, who had never seen suffering and who deserved all comforts, remained lying on the ground thereafter, while that long night passed away.
Thus completes 50th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 51
Guha requests Lakshmana to take rest, duly expressing his readiness to guard Rama and his consort by keeping awake the whole night. Lakshmana expressed his unwillingness to lie down in the presence of his elder brother and sister- in -law and preferred to remain awake. He spends night talking with Guha, voicing grief for his royal father as well as his affectionate mothers.
Distressed with anguish to see Rama and Seetha lying on the ground, Guha said to Lakshmana, the scion of Raghu, who kept awake, through sincere love, for the protection of his brother Rama. “Here is a comfortable bed made for you, my friend! Relax well comfortably on it, Oh, prince! All of us are habituated to hardships. You are habituated to comforts. We shall keep awake this night, for the protection of Rama. For, none is dearer to me than Rama in this world. I speak the truth and swear to you by truth. I hope to acquire abundant acclaim and supreme merit in this world as also full reward of wealth, by the sole grace of Rama. As such, I along with my kindred shall protect my dear friend Rama who is reposing with Seetha in every way, with bow in hand. Nothing is indeed unknown in this forest to me, where I wander continually. We can able to withstand even a vast army too, comprising of four parts elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry.”
Then, Lakshmana replied to Guha as follows: “Oh, sinless Guha! Being protected by you, who keep your duty alone in view, all of us are fearless in this land. When Rama, the son of Dasaratha is lying on the ground with Seetha, how is it possible for me to sleep or to enjoy the pleasures of life? See that Rama, who cannot be vanquished in combat even by the gods and demons combined, now sleeping profoundly on the grass along with Seetha. When Rama-who is endowed with similar characteristics as Dasaratha, uniquely beloved, the son obtained by Dasaratha by virtue of his chanting of several sacred texts and austerities and by various undertakings in the form of sacrificial performances has gone to exile, the king will not live long and the earth will become surely widowed forthwith. Having cried out in a high-pitched tone, the women having exhausted, will have fallen silent and I am sure that a profound stillness reigns in the palace. I do not expect Kausalya, Dasaratha and my mother all of them to remain alive for this night. By looking forward to meet Satrughna, my mother might even stay alive. But it will be painful if Kausalya who has given birth to a heroic son, dies. That city of Ayodhya, filled with devoted people, hitherto a source of joy and which brought pleasure to the world, when seized with agony over the king’s death, will perish. How, in the absence of his magnanimous and the first born son, will the vital airs in the body of the generous king be maintained? After the death of king, Kausalya will die. My mother also will die thereafter. Having failed to install Rama in the kingdom, failed forever, which was the most cherished wish of his heart, my father will leave this world. Those who are fortunate will consecrate our deceased father and the king in the course of all funeral rites, when the hour has struck. People will joyfully move in the capital belonging to my father and the city with its quadrangular places allocated at lovely sites, and well-aligned roads, rich in mansions of well-to-do men, temples and royal palaces adorned with the foremost of courtesans, its chariots horses and elephants that obstruct the roads, the musical instruments that resound there-full of all blessings and crowded with merry and well fed men, well-provided with gardens and royal parks and bright with festivities carried on under the patronage of associations. Will Dasaratha remain alive? After returning from exile, can we see the high-soled king Dasaratha of noble vows again? Can we safely return to Ayodhya, after completion of the exile in the forest along with Rama who is faithful to his promises?” While the high-soled Lakshmana thus lamenting, stood on ground, afflicted with anguish as he was, that night rolled away.
While Lakshmana son of Dasaratha, who was concerned with the welfare of the people; was thus speaking the truth out of his affection for his elder brother Rama, Guha, overcome with agony and oppressed with adversity shed tears like an elephant tormented with fever.
Thus completes 51st chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 52
| As per instructions of Rama, Guha gets a boat ready. Sumantra requests Rama to take him as a personal attendant to the forest, but Rama declines his offer and after reasoning with him, sends him back to Ayodhya. Rama and Lakshmana mat their hair with the latex of a banyan tree procured by Guha. On reaching the middle of the stream, Seetha offers prayers to Mother Ganga (the deity presiding over the stream) and after crossing the river, all the three halt for the night at the foot of a tree. |
That night having given way to dawn, the illustrious Rama with a broad chest spoke (as follows) to Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra and who was endowed with auspicious signs : “Oh, dear brother! This is the hour of sunrise. The auspicious night has departed. That bird of dark plumage, the cuckoo, is singing. Hear the cries of peacocks resounding in the forest. Let us cross the swift-flowing Ganga River that gushes to the sea.”
--***-The river Ganga, when brought down from heaven by the austerities of Emperor Bhagiratha, followed the latter to the subterranean regions in order to consecrate the remains of his great grand uncles. In its course, it inundated the sacrificial ground of king Jahnu, who in his anger, drank up its waters. But the gods and sages and particularly Bhagiratha appeased his anger and he consented to release the waters through his ears. The river is thereafter regarded as his daughter.
Lakshmana, the delight of his friends, having understood the words of Rama, called Guha as well as Sumantra and stood in front of his brother. Hearing the command of Rama, Guha quickly received it, invited his ministers and spoke to them as follows: “Let a beautiful boat that is solidly constructed, sails well and a helmsman in it, be brought to the bank to carry this hero across!”
Hearing that command, the chief minister of King Guha brought a charming boat to the bank and reported the matter to Guha. Then, Guha with folded hands spoke to Rama as follows: “Oh, Lord! Here, the boat has arrived. What more can I do for you? Oh, Rama resembling a son of divinity! Here is the boat for you to cross the river, which flows into the sea. Pray get into it.”
Then, Rama with great splendor, spoke to Guha as follows: “My desire has been accomplished by you. Let us embark with all speed.”
Having equipped themselves with a quiver each with arrows, fastening their swords and armed with their bows, Rama and Lakshmana, with Seetha, proceeded towards the river of Ganga. Sumantra joining his palms in humility, approached Rama who knew what is right and said, “What shall I do?” Touching Sumantra with his auspicious right hand, Rama then said: “Oh, Sumantra! Return quickly to the king’s presence and be attentive in serving him. Go now, that your service to me has been completed. Abandoning the chariot, I shall go on foot to the mighty forest,” Rama said.
Finding himself dismissed, Sumantra the charioteer was distressed and spoke to Rama, the tiger among men, as follows: “None in the world has had to suffer such a fate as yourself; that you should have to dwell in the forest with your brother and your consort as if you were an ordinary man! I think that there is no reward in leading a life of religious student or in studying religious scriptures or even in cultivating tenderness and straight forwardness, when adversity has come to you. Living in the forest along with Seetha and your brother, you will obtain the same position as one who has conquered the three worlds. We are actually ruined, in that, disappointed in our hopes by you too; we shall fall under the sway of Kaikeyi the sinful woman and reap the suffering.”
Sumantra the charioteer thus speaking, wept for a long time, stricken with grief, seeing Rama, equal to his soul, departing to a distance.
Then, Rama again and again spoke these sweet words as follows to that charioteer, whose tears got dried up and who had sipped some water and got himself purified: “I do not see any one who is as great a friend of the Ikshvakus as you are. (Pray) act in such a way that king Dasaratha may not lament about me. The king, his mind afflicted with grief, is aged as well. He is pressed down by a burden of passion. Hence, I tell you this. What so ever act that high-soled emperor may enjoin you to do, with intent to oblige the desire of Kaikeyi, it is to be done unhesitatingly. The kings indeed rule the states with this end in view that their will may not be frustrated in any undertaking. Oh, Sumantra! Carry out everything in such a way that the said emperor neither finds it unpleasing nor gets tormented by grief. Only after performing respectful salutation to the old and venerable king, who has never known suffering and who has subdued his senses, you tell these words to him on my behalf. Indeed neither I nor Lakshmana and Seetha grieve for having moved from Ayodhya or that we are going to dwell in a forest. After completing fourteen years, you will once more see Lakshmana, myself and Seetha too returned apace from the forest. Oh, Sumantra! This is what you should say to the king, my mother, all other queens and Kaikeyi. Tell Kausalya again and again that I am keeping good health. Thereafter, convey salutations at her feet on behalf of Seetha as well as myself and Lakshmana the faithful man. Tell our salutations to the emperor too. Bring Bharata quickly. After his arrival, Bharata may be installed in the position, as desired by the king. When you embrace Bharata and install him in the office of the Prince Regent, the agony caused by the repentance felt by you on our account will not overpower you. Bharata too is to be told thus: “Treat without distinction all your mothers with the same regard as you behave towards the king. As is your affection for Kaikeyi, so let it be for Sumitra and also the divine Kausalya, my mother. If you accept the princely kingdom with intent to please our father, it will be possible for you to enhance happiness in both the worlds (in this world and the next).”
Sumantra, who was being sent back by Rama, was agonized with grief after hearing the whole of that discourse and affectionately spoke to Rama as follows: “If I spoke to you fearlessly in a friendly tone without following courteousness, you ought to forgive my mode of expression, considering me as your devotee. How indeed can I return without you to that city, which through separation from you, has been reduced to the state of a mother stricken with grief due to separation from her son. By seeing my chariot on that day even with Rama in it, the people were lamenting so much. Now, if they see the chariot without Rama the city of Ayodhya will even be broken asunder. The city will be plunged in misery, like an army in which its commander is lost in a combat with the charioteer alone surviving, on seeing this chariot without you. Thinking of you, who though residing far away are established foremost in their minds, the people of Ayodhya must have been deprived of their food today. The great perplexity that ensued, on the occasion of your exile, among the people (of Ayodhya), whose minds were depressed through grief on your account, was witnessed by you indeed, Oh, Rama! The cry of distress raised by the citizens (of Ayodhya) will be increased a hundred-fold, when they see me with an empty chariot. Further, shall I say to the queen Kausalya as follows: - ‘Your son, Rama has been taken by me to the house of his maternal uncle, do not grieve’? I cannot tell such words too which are untrue. How can I tell, ‘I abandoned your son in the forest’, which words are true but unkind? How will the excellent horses obedient to me, which carried yourself, Seetha and Lakshmana, draw the chariot bereft of you? For this reason, I cannot go back to Ayodhya. (Pray) permit me to accompany you to the forest. If you leave me even though I solicit you to take me with you, I shall enter a fire with chariot and all, here itself the moment I am forsaken by you. “Oh, Rama! With the help of the chariot, I shall ward off those animals in the forest, which create obstacles to your austerities. The pleasure of driving your chariot has been obtained by me because of you and it is through you that I seek the happiness that comes in dwelling in a forest. Be graceful. I desire to become your close associate in the forest. I wish to hear your loving assent with the words ‘Be my close associate! “Oh, hero! If these horses too can render service to you, they can attain a supreme abode. By all means, I am leaving for good, Ayodhya or even heaven. Dwelling in the forest, with my head bent low, I shall render service to you. As a doer of wicked deeds cannot enter Amaravati, the capital of Devendra, so also I cannot enter Ayodhya without you. This is indeed my desire that after reaching the end of your exile, I may take you back to the city of Ayodhya in this very chariot. So long as I am with you together in the forest, fourteen years will slip away momentarily. Otherwise than this, they will multiply a hundred- fold. “Oh, prince, who are so fond of your dependents! You ought not abandon me, your devoted servant, established in the path followed by the son of his master and always keeping within bounds.”
Rama, who was compassionate towards his dependents, spoke as follows to Sumantra, who was miserably entreating him again and again in many modes. “Oh, charioteer so fond of your master! I know your excellent devotion to me. Hear wherefore I send you from here to the city of Ayodhya. Seeing you, returning to Ayodhya, Kaikeyi, my younger mother will get the proof that Rama has gone to the forest. Having completely satisfied, about me having gone to forest, Kaikeyi will leave her strong suspicion that the virtuous king may be a person who speaks untruth. This is my first priority that my younger mother should get the extensive kingdom, protected by Bharata and thus ruled by her own son. For my pleasure and pleasure of the king, you go along with the chariot to Ayodhya and inform all the matters that you have been asked to tell each in the way you have been asked to do.”
Having spoken thus to the charioteer, the courageous Rama consoled him again and again. Then, he spoke the following reasoned words to Guha: “Oh, Guha! This stay in the inhabited woods is not proper for me. My stay should definitely be in a hermitage. Let an action diverted towards that aim be taken. I as such, wishing well of my father, Seetha as well as Lakshmana and having taken up a discipline to be followed by ascetics, want to proceed further, wearing matted hair. Please bring the latex of a banyan tree.”
Guha immediately brought that latex to the prince. With that, Rama made matted hair to himself and to Lakshmana. Rama, tiger among men who possessed long arms wore the distinguished mark of an ascetic in the shape of matted hair. Then, Rama and Lakshmana the brothers clad in the bark of trees and wearing a round mass of matted locks (on their head) looked bright like two ascetic sages.
Having adopted the way of a hermit temporarily along with Lakshmana, Rama then accepted the vow of an ascetic life and spoke to Guha, his friend as follows: “Oh, Guha! Remain vigilant in defense, finance, internal security and public relations, for a kingdom is the most difficult one to be protected!”
Then Rama, who was a delight to Ikshvaku dynasty, bade farewell to Guha and departed quickly, remaining undistracted, along with his consort and together with Lakshmana. Seeing the boat on the bank of the river and keen to cross the swift- flowing Ganga, Rama spoke to Lakshmana as follows:
“Oh, Lakshmana the tiger among men! You get into the boat stationed here unhurriedly afterwards, having helped Seetha the virtuous wife step into it.”
Hearing the command completely of his elder brother, the prudent Lakshmana, by not counteracting it, made Seetha to ascend the boat first and stepped into it afterwards. Then, the glorious Rama got into the boat himself. Thereafter, Guha the ruler of Nishadas commanded his kinsfolk to row them across the river. After ascending the boat, Rama too of mighty splendor then recited a sacred text (daiviim naavam etc) fit for brahmanas and Kshatriyas alike and conducive to his own good. Having sipped water as per scriptures and with extreme delight, Rama with Seetha made obeisance to that river. Lakshmana, of infinite splendor, followed suit. Bidding farewell to Guha with his army of men and Sumantra, Rama sat on the boat and directed the boatmen to move on. Propelled by those splendid and vigorous oarsmen, that boat furnished with a pilot, rapidly moved across the water. Coming to the middle of Bhagirathi river, the irreproachable Seetha with joined palms, spoke as follows to the said river: -
“Oh, Ganga! Let Rama, the son of the emperor Dasaratha honor his father’s command under your protection! Having dwelled in the forest in full fourteen years, may he return once more to your bank with his brother, Lakshmana and myself! Oh, blessed goddess Ganga! Returning safely, with all my desires fulfilled, I shall worship you with great joy.”
“You, Oh goddess flowing through three regions (namely heaven, earth and subterranean regions), include in your basin the realm of Brahma (the outermost of the six spheres enveloping the earth) and are vividly seen on this terrestrial plane as a consort of the ocean king. Oh, charming goddess! I, Seetha, greet you and extol you too. When Rama the tiger among men safely returns and regains his kingdom, I shall give away a lakh of cows, soft clothing and food to brahmanas with intent to please you. After reaching back the city of Ayodhya, I shall worship you with thousand pots of spirituous liquor and jellied meat with cooked rice well prepared for the solemn rite. I shall worship all deities dwelling on your banks as also sacred spots and sanctuaries. May the sinless Rama with mighty arms re-enter Ayodhya again from the forest, along with Lakshmana and me.”
Thus praying to Ganga, the efficient and irreproachable Seetha rapidly reached the right bank of the river. Reaching the bank and leaving the boat, Rama the best among men and the chastiser of foes proceeded further along with Lakshmana and Seetha.
Then, Rama the mighty armed spoke to Lakshmana (who heightened the joy of Sumitra) as follows: “Security is an inevitable need in a forest, which has unforeseen dangers and is uninhabited, Oh, Lakshmana! Go in front. Let Seetha follow you. I shall proceed in the rear, protecting you and Seetha. We must accord protection here to one another. An act which has gone out of hand, whatsoever, cannot indeed be remedied again. Seetha will experience the hardship of staying in a forest only from now. Today she will enter the forest, where density of people is not seen, which is utterly devoid of fields and gardens, has a rugged surface and is full of stumbles.”
Listening to Rama’s words, Lakshmana walked in front. Immediately after Seetha, Rama, the delight of Raghu dynasty, advanced. Constantly gazing at Rama, who reached soon the other bank of Ganga River, the distressed Sumantra, his vision having failed due to the long distance and perturbed as he was, shed tears (of grief over separation from Rama). Having crossed the great river, Rama the high-soled, the bestowal of boons, equal in glory with the guardians of spheres, then reached progressively the prosperous and the happy land of Vatsa; which contained rows of beautiful crops. Having hunted there four deer, namely Varaaha, Rishya, Prisata; and Mahaaruru (the four principal species of deer) and taking quickly the portions that were pure, being hungry as they were, Rama and Lakshmana reached a tree to take rest in the evening.
Thus completes 52nd chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya
Chapter [Sarga] 53
Introduction
| Rama tries to send Lakshmana back to Ayodhya, apprehending trouble for Kousalya and others in the hands of Kaikeyi. Lakshmana however refuses to return to Ayodhya, pleasing his inability to survive in the absence of Rama. Rama thereafter agrees again for Lakshmana’s stay in the forest with him. |
Rama, the foremost of those affording happiness to others, reached the aforesaid tree, worshipped the western twilight and spoke to Lakshmana as follows: “This night which has got past us today outside the inhabited territory is the first night which has passed without Sumantra. You ought not repent over it.” “Remaining free from lassitude, we must both keep awake during nights, from today Lakshmana! The safety and welfare of Seetha indeed depend on us two. Let us pass this night anyhow, Lakshmana! Let us lie down on the ground, covering it by straw, leaves and so on, and procured by our own hands. Stretching himself on the bare ground, Rama, who was accustomed to a luxurious coach, uttered the following suitable words to Lakshmana: Assuredly the emperor is sleeping badly tonight, while Kaikeyi, having realized her ambitions, ought to feel satisfied. Seeing Bharata returned, queen Kaikeyi, I am afraid, may not expel the lives of the emperor for the sake of kingdom. Aged and (therefore) helpless, deprived of my presence, what will he do, dominated as he is by his passion for Kaikeyi and who has fallen into the clutches of Kaikeyi. Reflecting on this misfortune of the king and his mental derangement, I deem that passion alone is greater than early gain and religious merit. What man however deluded, what father on account of a woman, at his own will and pleasure, abandon a son like myself? Alas, Kaikeyi’s son Bharata (alone) is happy along with his wife. Like an overlord, he is going to enjoy the prosperous kingdom of Kosala. Father is superannuated. I am staying in the forest. Bharata will become the prime head for the entire kingdom. He who pursues sensuous pleasures neglecting his real interests and discipline soon comes to distress; in the same way as king Dasaratha has. It seems that Kaikeyi came into our house, Oh good brother, to bring about an end to Dasaratha, to send me into exile and to secure kingship for Bharata. Blinded by pride of good fortune, Kaikeyi may even now persecute Kausalya and Sumitra because of their relationship with me. Queen Sumitra is likely to suffer hardship because of her affinity to us. From this very place, you proceed to Ayodhya next morning, Oh, Lakshmana! I shall proceed to Dandaka forest alone with Seetha, while you will be the protector for Kausalya, who has no defender. Kaikeyi of base deeds may resort to unjustified means to be disliked. Give (for protection) my mother to Bharata, Oh virtuous Prince! In some other (past) birth, women must have been deprived of their sons by my mother (Kausalya), Oh, Lakshmana! For that reason this has arisen certainly. At a time when Kausalya should have obtained benefits for her labors repaid by me, she has been deprived of my company by me, who was nurtured by her for a long time and brought up with great pains. Woe to me. Let no woman ever give birth to such a son as myself, who have caused perpetual grief to my mother, Oh, Lakshmana! Oh, Lakshmana! I think that myna (which is kept as a pet by mother Kausalya) is more affectionate than I, since her are heard the words, “Bite, Oh parrot, the foot of the enemy. What can be done by me, her son, who cannot go to her aid even a little to her, my mother, who is weeping, who is unfortunate and who has no son, Oh conqueror of foes? Kausalya my mother of poor luck indeed, bereft of me, is stricken with great melancholy and lies plunged in a sea of grief Enraged, I can subdue with my arrows single handed not only Ayodhya but also the earth. But it is not a question of valor here. Oh, the sinless Lakshmana! I am terribly concerned of doing wrong and of ruining my prospects in the other world. Hence, I do not allow myself to be crowned.” Rama during the night in that lonely forest, wailed piteously thus and in so many other ways and sat quite, his face full of tears. “The city of Ayodhya, now that you have come away from it, has certainly been divested of its splendor and resembles a night without the moon, Oh, Rama the jewel among armed warriors!” “The city of Ayodhya, now that you have come away from it, has certainly been divested of its splendor and resembles a night without the moon, Oh, Rama the jewel among armed warriors! It is not proper, Oh Rama, that you should grieve in this way. You cause distress to Seetha and me too, Oh jewel among men! Oh, Rama! Bereft of you, neither Seetha nor I will survive even for a moment, like fish pulled out of water. Oh, Rama causing pain to the foes! Without you, I do not wish to see either our father or Satrughna or Sumitra or even the heaven.” Then Rama and Lakshmana the lovers of piety, sitting comfortably there and on seeing a bed well- prepared under a banyan tree, sought for the bed. Attentively hearing Lakshmana’s words which were excellent and holistic and adopting for a fairly long period the course of conduct prescribed for hermits, Rama resolved to spend all the fourteen years in exile with Lakshmana. Thence forward, those two powerful offspring of the Raghu race (Rama .and Lakshmana) never admitted fear or agitation (while dwelling) in that vast and lonely forest any more than a couple of lions on the slopes of a mountain.
Thus completes 53rd chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 54
Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana reach the hermitage of Bharadwaja, situated at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The sage Bharadwaja extends hospitality to them and recommends Chitrakuta as the fittest place for them to sojourn in. Spending the night in discourses on various matters with him, the sage grants him leave early next morning to depart for Chitrakuta.
Having spent the beautiful night under the big tree, Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha started from that place when the immaculate Sun had risen. Having penetrated into a deep forest, they the illustrious trios, while seeing many stretches of land and at some places, attractive scenery never seen before, proceeded in the direction of that region where river Yamuna was flowing forth towards river Ganga, associated with the name of Emperor Bhagiratha.
Comment: Emperor Bhagiratha had the credit of bringing down the stream to the terrestrial plane by dint of his devotion and austerities in order to purify the ashes of his departed grand uncles.
Observing various trees while walking at ease, Rama spoke to Lakshmana (as follows) when the day had just receded. "Perceive, Oh Lakshmana, the smoke looking prominent as a sign of the glorious god of fire near Prayaga (the confluence of the holy Ganga and Yamuna rivers). I think that sage Bharadwaja is staying nearby." "We have certainly reached the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Yes, the noise produced by clashing of waters is heard." "Pieces of timber split up by men who are dependent upon forest-products, as also these trees of various kinds are seen in the hermitage of Bharadwaja." Having walked comfortably, Rama and Lakshmana wielding their bows, reached the abode of the sage Bhardwaja, near the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna, while the Sun was falling to the west. Having reached the hermitage and scaring the beasts and birds (by his very appearance as a bowman) and having proceeded on the intervening path for a while, Rama approached the vicinity of Bharadwaja. Arriving at the hermitage, the two valiant princes, who wished to see the sage, accompanied by Seetha, halted at first at some distance off. Entering the hermitage and beholding the high-souled sage who was austere and contemplative, his glance sharpened through severe meditation, surrounded by a group of disciples, who had kindled sacrificial fire, the highly fortunate man as he was, Rama together with Lakshmana and Seetha greeted him with joined palms. Rama (the elder brother of Lakshmana) introduced himself to the sage as follows: "Oh venerable sage! We both are Rama and Lakshmana the sons of Dasaratha." "Here is my blessed and irreproachable wife Seetha, daughter of Janaka who has accompanied me to the lonely forest suitable for religious austerities." "While I was being sent to exile by my father, my young and beloved brother Lakshmana (son of Sumitra) of firm vows has also followed me to the forest." "Oh, Venerable sage! Commanded by our father, we are entering a lonely forest to practise asceticism, living on roots and fruits." Hearing the words of that virtuous prince (Rama), the pious minded sage Bharadwaja then offered Madhuparka* as well as water to wash his hands with.
Comment: Madhuparka is a traditional offering which consists of a mixture of curds, butter, honey and the milk of the coconut as a welcome-drink.
The sage, who had practiced austerities, gave them various kinds of delicacies prepared from wild roots and fruits and also arranged accommodation for them. Honouring with words of welcome, the sage Bharadwaja seated, being surrounded on all sides with beasts, birds and hermits, spoke thus to Rama. Bharadwaja then said these endowed with righteousness to Rama, who had since taken his seat after accepting the aforesaid hospitality: "In fact, I am seeing you, arriving here after a long time, Oh scion of Kakutstha! And I have heard of your unjust banishment." "This holy place at the confluence of the two rivers is secluded and delightful. You stay here comfortably." Addressed in these words by Bharadwaja, Rama, born in Raghu dynasty, for his part, interested in the welfare of all, replied in the following pleasant words. "The people of the city and the rural folks Oh venerable sir, are nearer to this place. Finding me easy to see at this place, people keen to see Seetha and myself, I presume, will make their appearance at this hermitage. For this reason, I do not wish to stay here." “See some excellent Seetha suitable for a hermitage in some lonely place, Oh venerable sir, where Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, who is worthy of every comfort, may find delight in it.” Hearing these auspicious words of Rama, Bharadwaja the great sage then for his part spoke these suggestive words. The said commentator: According to the latest measurements, the distance is calculated as eighty miles. Making allowance for the difference in the standard of measurement obtaining in those days the figure arrived at by the learned commentator appears to be fairly concet. “Sixty miles from here, dear son, lies a sacred mountain on which you may take-up your dwelling, which region is inhabited by great sages, is charming to look at from all sides, infested by the black species of monkeys with a long tail, haunted by apes and bears, known by the name of Chitrakuta and which closely resembles Gandha maadana mountain.” Comment: The author of commentary known by the name of ‘Ramayana Siromani’construes the word ‘ Dasha’ in the sense that it should be split up as ‘ Dasha cha, Dasha cha, Dasha cha(meaning three times then = thirty Kroshes) Since 1 krosh= 2 miles, 30 kroshes= 60 miles and thus approximate to the figure worked out by the said commentator. According to the latest measurements, the distance is calculated as eighty miles. Making allowance for the difference in the standard of measurement obtaining in those days the figure arrived at by the learned commentator appears to be fairly concet. “As long as a man observes the peaks of Chitrakuta Mountain, he will perform virtuous deeds and will never set his mind on a sin.” “On that mountain, many sages having spent hundred years in austerities as though in sport , ascended to heaven, duly attaining their final emancipation.”
Comment: Kapaala Shiras is the name of Shiva which means happiness or final emancipation.
“I consider that mountain to be a very lonely and comfortable place for you to live in. Or else stay with m here itself, during the period of your exile, Oh Rama!” The pious sage Bharadwaja fulfilled all desires of Rama; who was his beloved guest and who was accompanied by his consort, Seetha and his brother, Lakshmana. While Rama, having approached that great sage at Prayaga (the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna), was discoursing on various topics, the auspicious night arrived. Greatly fatigued, Rama (Scion of Kakutstha) accompanied by Seetha as the third (Lakshmana being the second) who was accustomed to all comforts, happily spent that night at the lovely hermitage of Bharadwaja. When the night was gleaming into a dawn, Rama the lion among men approached the sage Bharadwaja, who was gleaming with resplendence and spoke as follows: “We have lodged in your hermitage tonight, Oh venerable sir! (Pray) you give us permission for fixing our residence now, Oh sage practicing truthfulness!” That night having come to an end, Bharadwaja replied for his part, as follows: “Proceed to Chitrakuta, rich in honey, tubers and fruits.” “I consider the abode of Chitrakuta as the right place for you to stay, Oh Rama, possessed of great strength! You set off for that well-known, sacred and lovely mountain, Chitrakuta which is adorned with clusters of trees of every description, frequented by Kinnaras and Nagas, is rendered charming by the cried of peacocks and infested with lordly elephants and bountiful with tubers and fruits.” “Since herds of elephants and troops of deer wander all around in the woodlands there, you will visibly notice them Oh Rama!” “Roaming about with Seetha, your mind will be delighted to see rivers, cascades, peaks of mountains, fissures in rocks, caves and rivulets.” “After reaching the auspicious and absolutely beautiful Chitrakuta Mountain, reverberant in all direction with the notes of small white cranes and cuckoo birds as well as with many kinds of deer and elephants in rut, settle down there in a hermitage.”
Thus completes 54th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 55
Sage Bharadwaja informs the route by which Rama and Lakshmana can reach Chitrakuta. They cross the River Yamuna by a raft prepared by themselves. Seetha prays the River Yamuna and a fig tree called Syama. The three of them traveled for a couple of miles along the bank of Yamuna, strolling in the charming forest and reach a leveled ground on the bank to take rest for the night.
Having stayed that night there, those princes the annihilators of enemies, thereafter offered salutation to the sage Bharadwaja and proceeded towards that mountain of Chitrakuta. That great sage Bharadwaja performed a religious rite ensuring a sage journey (scattering boiled rice on the ground and invoking blessing through the repetition of certain sacred texts0 for them. Perceiving them setting out for the journey, the sage accompanied them for a distance, as a father would do for his sons (and daughter-in-law).
Bharadwaja the great sage with a remarkable splendour began to speak the following words to Rama the truly brave man. “After approaching Oh, the best of men! The confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, follow the river Yamuna which takes to the direction of west.” “Reaching the River Yamuna belonging to olden times, having a rapid stream and perceiving in it a passage for descent into the river, which is too much frequented the river, which is too much frequented, you cross the River Yamuna (the daughter of the sun-god) by preparing a raft there, Oh Rama!” After crossing the river Yamuna and approaching a large banyan tree named Syama (dark-green) having green leaves surrounded by many tress and visited by Siddhas, Seetha should, joining her palms, recite her auspicious prayers to the tree.” “Having approached that tree, you can stay there or go beyond it. After going only for two miles from there, you will see a beautiful forest blue in colour with bamboo trees touching upon Yamuna river and interspersed with Sallaka and jujube trees.” “It is the way to Chitrakuta. I visited that place many times. It is beautiful, endowed with serenity and free from forest-fire.” Having thus informed the way and ebbing urged by Rama to return after he had paid obeisance to the sage and Rama having replied ‘so be it’, the great sage Bharadwaja returned. That sage having returned, Rama spoke to Lakshmana as follows: “Oh Lakshmana! We are fortunate that the sage has shown compassion towards us.” Deliberating thus, Rama and Lakshmana the tigers among men who were highly intelligent, headed for the river Yamuna guarding Seetha still in front. Having reached the River Yamuna, running with rapid stream, all of them then plunged into a thought of how to cross those river-waters. Then, Rama and Lakshmana prepared a big raft with pieces of timber fastened together, covered with a kind of grass and spread over with dry bamboo canes. Thereafter, the valiant Lakshmana made for Seetha a comfortable seat, after chopping branches of reeds and of rose apple tree. Then Rama the son of Dasaratha helped Seetha his beloved consort who was unimaginable like the goddess of fortune and who was feeling shy a little- to mount the raft. Rama kept the two robes the jewellery, a shovel and a basket by the side of Seetha in the raft there, along with weapons. Those valiant sons of Dasaratha firmly held that raft, firstly helped Seetha to ascend it and then ferried across the river watchfully. Having arrived at the middle of Yamuna river, Seetha offered salutation to the river and prayed as follows: “Oh, goddess of Yamuna! Adieu! I am crossing you! May my husband complete his vow! When Rama safely comes back again towards the city of Ayodhya, ruled by Ikshvaku kings I shall propitiate you by offering a thousand cows and a hundred drinking vessels.” Seetha of excellent complexion thus praying with joined palms to Yamuna River, forthwith reached the southern side of the river. Thus, by the raft, Seetha Rama and lakshmaNa crossed the River Yamuna, which flows briskly, wreathed with waves, with many trees born on its bank and having rays for it reflection. They, who have crossed the river, abandoned the raft and march through the river-forest of Yamuna and reached a cool banyan tree called Syama having green leaves. Having approached that banyan tree, Seetha spoke these words, “Oh, great tree! Obeisance to you! Let my husband complete his vow! Let me see again Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra.” Thus speaking, Seetha circumambulated that tree with joined palms. Seeing the irreproachable Seetha, who was beloved and obedient to him thus praying, Rama spoke to Lakshmana as follows: “Oh, Lakshmana, the excellent of men! You take Seetha and proceed in the front. I, along with weapons, will follow you behind.” “Give to Seetha whatever fruit or flower she desires it and wherever this Seetha’s mind finds delight.” Seetha who was walking in the middle of both of them was like an auspicious female elephant in the middle of two elephants. That Seetha asked Rama whenever she saw the one or the other tree or a bush or a creeper shining with flowers which was not seen earlier. Duly grasping Seetha’s words; Lakshmana brought to her many kinds of beautiful twigs of trees, full of flowers. Then Seetha the daughter of King Janaka was please to see the River Yamuna with wonderful sands and waters re-echoing to the cry of swans and cranes. Thereafter having travelled only a couple of miles the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana killed many consecrated deer and ate in the river-forest of Yamuna. Having strolled in the charming forest, mad noisy by a number of peacocks and which was inhabited by elephants and monkeys and reaching an agreeable level ground at the bank of the river wearing an undejected look finally sought for an abode for the night.
Thus completes 55th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 56
Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana reach the mountain of Chitrakuta, beholding and showing one another the grandeur of the woods there. They visit the hermitage of sage Valmiki. Lakshmana builds a leaf-hut upon instructions from Rama. All of them enter the hut, after performing purification ceremony.
Then, Rama gently woke up Lakshmana, who was sleeping without break, even when the night was passing away. “Oh, Lakshmana! Hear the sound of wild animals, resounding beautifully. It is time for our journey. Let us start.” That Lakshmana who was sleeping, being woken up by his brother at the right moment, had relinquished sleep, sloth and strain which resulted on the way. Thereafter, all of them raised up touched the auspicious water (took bath) in the river and proceeded towards the path leading to Chitrakuta mountain, as suggested by the sage Bharadwaja. Rama who set out along with Lakshmana at that dawn, spoke as follows to Seetha whose eyes looked like lotus leaves: “Oh, Seetha! Behold Kimshuka trees with their diadem of flowers blossoming all over, as if they are blazing up, in this winter. Look at these Bhallataka (cashew nut) trees, abounding in flowers and bent down with fruits and leaves, all unplucked by men. We can certainly live here. Oh, Lakshmana! Behold in every tree the hanging honey-combs, with sizes of a water-trough, gathered by honey-bees. In this beautiful forest-region, dense with a scattered mass of flowers, a Chataka bird is crying and a peacock is responding to it. See this Chitrakuta mountain with a high and a mighty peak, wide-spread with a multitude of elephants and made to resound by a congregation of birds. Oh, brother! We shall sport in this forest of Chitrakuta, having a level-ground beautifully extensive with many trees and is pure.” Thereafter, Rama and Lakshmana along with Seetha traveling on foot, approached the mountain of Chitrakuta, which was pleasant and lovely. Reaching that mountain, filled with various flocks of birds, with many roots and fruits, lovely and rich in streaming water, Rama said to Lakshmana as follows: “It appears to me that this beautiful Chitrakuta mountain yields an easy sustenance, for, it is charmingly filled with various kinds of trees and creepers with different kinds of roots and fruits. Oh, gentle brother! High souled sages are also staying on this mountain. Let this become the dwelling. Let us have a pleasant resort here.” After deciding thus, Seetha Rama and Lakshmana with joined palms approached a hermitage and offered their salutation to the sage Valmiki. The great sage Valmiki, who knew what is right, full of delight, treated them with honour, offered cordial welcome and requested them to sit. Then Rama, the lord with mighty arms, in accordance with tradition, reported to the ascetic all that concerned them and spoke to Lakshmana as follows: "Lakshmana, my gentle brother! Bring strong and choicest timber and construct a dwelling. My mind is fascinated in living here.” Hearing those words of Rama, Lakshmana brought various kinds of trees. Thereafter, he the annihilator of enemies, constructed a leaf-hut. Seeing that hut, which was firmly built and thatched as well as beautiful to look at, Rama spoke the following words to Lakshmana who listened to his command and who was closely attentive to him: “Oh, Lakshmana! Bring the meat of an antelope. We shall perform a purifactory ceremony while entering the house, which is to be done by those who wish to live long. Oh, large-eyed Lakshmana! Killing the antelope quickly bring it here. The prescribed rite according to scriptural point of view indeed is to be performed. Keep in mind the sacred obligation."
Lakshmana the slayer of enemies, understanding his brother’s words, acted as instructed. Rama spoke again to Lakshmana as follows.
“Oh, gentle brother! Boil this antelope’s meat. We shall worship the leaf-hut. This day and this instant also are of a distinctive character. Be quick.”
Then, Lakshmana the strong man and son of Sumitra, killing a holy black antelope, tossed it in an ignited fire. Feeling certain that it is cooked and heated thoroughly with no blood remaining, Lakshmana spoke to Rama the lion among men as follows: “This black antelope, with its complete limbs, has been cooked completely by me. Oh, Rama resembling God! Worship the concerned deity, as you are skilled in that act.” Rama, the virtuous man and the learned man in chanting of sacred spells, after taking bath and with subdued mind, briefly chanted all the sacred scripts to be chanted at the end of a purifactory ceremony. Worshipping all classes of deities and getting himself purified, Rama entered the house. There was a heartfelt joy in Rama, with his limitless splendour. Having taken bath in the river as prescribed Rama offered oblations to Lord Rudra and Lord Vishnu after offereing tributes to Vaisvadeva. He performed benedictions relating to the purification of house and also a silent prayer as per prescribed rites. He finally offered excellent tributes to the deities, for removing sins.
Comment. Vaishvadevabalim: A religious ceremony which is to be performed every morning and evening and especially before the mid-day meal, followed by offering of food to the gods especially the god of fire.
Lakshmana erected altars in all the quarters of the hermitage as was fitting, Chaityas (places for worship of Lord Ganesha and others) and Ayatanas (places for worship of Vishnu and others). Rama and Lakshmana along with Seetha, having auspicious characteristics, satisfied the spirits by crowns of flowers obtained in the forest, by fruits roots and cooked meat, by water, by prayers as uttered in the sacred texts (Vedas), by sacred grass, by fuel and Kusa grass and then entered the auspicious leaf-hut. All of them (Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana) together for residential purpose, entered that hut, thatched with leaves of trees, looking beautiful, well-constructed at a suitable site and protected from winds, as if entering an assembly-hall called Sudharma (in heaven) by a group of celestials. Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana who subdued their senses, very happily strolled in that excellent forest, filled with many classes and multitude of beasts and birds, trees having multi-colored crowns of flowers, and resonating with sounds of elephants in rut and of antelopes. Delighted and joyful to reach the lovely Chitrakuta mountain and the river Malyavati, provided with good descents and frequented by birds and beasts, Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana shed the agony caused by their exile from the City of Ayodhya.
Thus completes 56th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 57
Sumantra takes leave from Guha, who learns from his spies that Rama departed for Chitrakuta. Sumantra drives back to Ayodhya. Entering the royal gynaeceum, he submits to the emperor what he earlier reported to the citizens who followed his chariot. Dasaratha and Kausalya fall into a faint to hear about Rama’s departure for Chitrakuta. All the inmates of gynaeceum weep loudly in anguish.
While Rama landed upon the southern shore, Guha conversed for a long time with Sumantra and with much distress, went to his house. It was gathered by those who were there (Guha and others) that Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana had come to sage Bharadwaja, stayed with him in Prayaga and departed to Chitrakuta mountain. Sumantra, being permitted to depart by Rama, tied excellent horses to the chariot and with intense anguish, rode towards the very city of Ayodhya. Sumantra, seeing the sweet-smelling woods, rivers, lakes, villages and towns on the way, soon crossed them. Reaching Ayodhya in the evening time of the third day, Sumantra saw that city, joyless.
Beholding Ayodhya as if deserted in silence, Sumantra, being very much distressed in mind and having afflicted with intense anguish, surmised as follows: “I hope the city of Ayodhya with its elephants, horses, people and the kings was not burnt away by a fire of sorrow and blazing grief towards Rama.”
Sumantra, thus lost in thought, reaching the city-gate through the fast-running horses, entered the city quickly. Meanwhile, seeing Sumantra the charioteer approaching, hundreds and thousands of people ran towards him asking, “Where is Rama?” He replied them thus: “Bidding farewell to Rama at the shore of Ganga when sent back by that virtuous and high-souled Rama, I returned here.”
Hearing that Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana had crossed River Ganga, the people with their faces filled with tears sighed, “Oh, fie upon us!” and cried aloud, “Alas, Rama!”
Sumantra also heard the words of those people standing in groups and telling, “Lost indeed are we, who do not see Rama here! Never again can we see the pious Rama on the occasions of bestowing gifts, sacrificial performances or marriages or in large meetings. The city of Ayodhya was protected by Rama, as by a father, with due regard to what was appropriate, what was congenial and what brought happiness to its people.”
While driving through bazaars, Sumantra heard the sounds of lamentation of women, coming forth from windows, due to anguish on account of Rama’s exile.
Going through the middle of the royal highway, Sumantra by covering his face reached the house of Dasaratha. Sumantra descended from the chariot, entered quickly the royal palace and traversed the seven inner apartments of the palace, filled with a large number of people. Then, finding the forthcoming Sumantra from their large mansions, from seven-storied buildings and from royal palaces, the women who had been emaciated in not being able to see Rama, cried “Alas! Alas!”.
Those women, extremely confounded with grief with their long and bright eyes filled with a stream of tears, looked at each other imperceptibly. Sumantra also heard the feeble conversation of Dasaratha’s wives absorbed in anguish on account of Rama’s exile, from their respective inner apartments. “What Sumantra will reply to the lamenting Kausalya, when he now returns here without Rama while he formerly went out with Rama? In spite of her son (Rama) having left Ayodhya, Kausalya continues to survive. I think that surely it is difficult thus to live as it is not so easy to preserve life (against odds)!”
Hearing those credible words of Dasaratha’s wives, Sumantra all at once entered the house that appeared to be set ablaze with grief. Sumantra entered the eighth inner apartment and saw in that white house, King Dasaratha the miserable the sick and the exhausted man on account of the grief for his son. He approached that king who was seated, offered his salutation and presented Rama’s message as told. That king heard silently the message of Rama, was bewildered, afflicted by grief for his son, became fainted and fell on the ground. The king thus having fainted, the gynaeceum was hurt. While the king was falling on the ground, the inmates of gynaeceum wept, raising their hands in distress. Kausalya along with Sumitra lifted up their husband, who fell on the ground.
She also spoke these words to Dasaratha: “Oh, illustrious king! Why are you not speaking to this Rama’s messenger, who came from the forest and who has undergone difficult things? After doing an evil act, you are now feeling shameful. Rise up! Let it be a meritorious act for you. You cannot get a help, when you weep like this. On whose fear, you are not enquiring with Sumantra about the welfare of Rama? That Kaikeyi is not here. Speak fearlessly.”
Kausalya, speaking excitedly in tears and entirely given up to anguish uttered thus to the monarch and soon fell to the ground. All those women cried in loud voice, seeing Kausalya fallen on the ground weeping as aforesaid and gazing their husband too (lying unconscious). Hearing that crying sound raised in gynaeceum, all aged and young men and women on all sides gathered around weeping. The city then again became disturbed.
Thus completes 57th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 58
As per the orders of king Dasaratha, Sumantra delivers the parting messages of Rama and Lakshmana. Rama sends positive messages to Kausalya and Bharata but Lakshmana sends angry messages to Dasaratha.
Thereafter, the king when recovered from loss of consciousness and again returned to his breath, called that charioteer for the purpose of getting the report on Rama. Then, Sumantra, who joined his palms in reverence, approached the monarch who was repenting about Rama alone, filled with pain and sorrow, advanced in age, greatly anguished, sighing like a newly caught elephant and reflecting on something as a sick elephant.
The king, having great distress, spoke to Sumantra, whose body was covered with dust, his face filled with tears, who was miserable and who approached near him (as follows):” Oh, Sumantra! Where can Rama the virtuous man abide, taking refuge at the root of a tree? What that Rama, who enjoyed very many pleasantries, can eat now? Oh, Sumantra! How can Rama the prince, who was habituated to good beds, sleep with such discomfort on a floor like an orphan? Foot soldiers, Chariots and elephants used to follow whenever Rama was marching ahead. How such a man can take shelter and stay in a forest devoid of people? How Seetha Rama and Lakshmana entered forest filled with wild animals and black snakes? How those princes with Seetha the delicate and the poor lady went on foot, after descending from the chariot? You have seen my sons entering the forest, as though divinities of Aswini had entered the Mountain-range of Mandara. You are indeed lucky. After reaching the forest, what words did Rama speak? What did Lakshmana speak? What did Seetha speak? Tell me where Rama sat, slept and took food. By hearing these things, I shall survive, as Yayati survived in the company of saints.”
Comment: King Yayati, when doomed to fall from heaven requested Indra to cast his lot with saints. He was accordingly sent down to a spot on the earth, where four ascetics- Astaka Pratardana, Vasuman and parva King Sibi had been practicing austerities, and had discourse with them- Mahabharata, Adi Parva.
As asked thus by the king, sumantra spoke to the emperor in a voice quivering and choked with tears (as follows): “Oh, emperor! Rama, keeping up the prescribed course of conduct, making salutation with joined palms and bowing his head in reverence to you, spoke to me as follows: ‘Oh, charioteer! Tell my salutations to my father, the one with a remarkable intellect, a mighty soul and the one to be respectfully greeted. Enquire about the health of all the people in the gynaeceum without any disparity and offer my appropriate salutations to them. My mother Kausalya is to be told about my welfare, about my offering salutations to her and about my meticulousness. Tell these words also to her. ‘Oh, godly lady! Be always righteous and be interested in offering worship and sacrifices as per the prescribed timings in the House of Fire worship. Nurture the feet of the Lord Dasaratha, like with a god. Oh, mother! Behave towards my other mothers, abandoning self-conceit and indignation. Make the venerable Kaikeyi, agreeable to the king. In respect of Bharata your son, follow a respectable behaviour as with a king. Kings are indeed sovereign in substance. Remember the rules relating to kings. Bharata is to be enquired about his well-being and he is also to be informed as follows: “Follow good behaviour indeed judiciously towards all your mothers. “The mighty armed Bharata the son of Ikshvaku race is to be told as follows: ‘Being installed in the office of Prince Regent, attend to your father who still stays in the throne’. The king has crossed his age. But do not depose him on that score. By proceeding according to the orders of the king, you live as a prince.’” “Shedding tears profusely, Rama again spoke to me as follows: ‘My mother, who is very much longing her son, is to be looked after by you as if she is your mother’. Oh, emperor! Rama of the most beautiful appearance with red eyes resembling red lotus flowers, while even uttering these words to me profusely shed tears. But Lakshmana was very angry and breathing a sigh, spoke to me as follows: ‘On which offence this prince was expelled from home? The king even took shelter under a wretched decree of Kaikeyi and performed an act not to be done, as though it is a proper deed, for which we are now tormented. Even if this was done for the good pleasure of the king or through the will of God, I do not see any justification for Rama’s abandonment. Even if this was done for the good pleasure of the king or through the will of god, I do not see any justification for Rama’s abandonment. Rama’s exile, an illegal decision undertaken whether due to levity of judgment or due to lack of reflection, will raise countless protests. I do not consider the emperor as my father. For me, Rama is the brother, lord, relative and my father. Leaving Rama the beloved of all people and who is interested in the welfare of all human beings, how would all these people would be interested in you by this act of yours? By banishing Rama who is delightful to entire people and who is a virtuous man and by opposing this entire entire world, how will you stay as a king?"
"Oh, King! The wise Seetha for her part with her mind like one possessed and forgetting her own existence, stood sighing and static. The illustrious Seetha having not seen such misfortune earlier could not even speak to me anything, weeping as she was with that uneasiness. Seeing me going back, Seetha with emaciated face, perceiving her husband, soon shed down tears. In the same way, Rama with tears on his face and with joined palms stood being shielded by the arms of Lakshmana. The miserable Seetha in the same manner was weeping and seeing the royal chariot and me.”
Thus completes 58th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 59
Sumantra narrates the ghastly fate of Ayodhya, both its animate and inanimate beings. Dasaratha laments and soon falls unconscious.
After hearing the words of Sumantra the charioteer and the most virtuous minister, Dasartha asked him to tell the remaining happenings further. Hearing those words of Dasaratha Sumantra, overcome with tears, narrated the further details of Rama’s message (as follows): “Oh emperor! Wearing clothes of bark, those brave men (Rama and Lakshmana), matting their hair twisted together, crossed River Ganga and proceeded towards River Prayaga. Escorting Rama, Lakshmana proceeded ahead. Seeing them moving on, I came back then unwillingly. Rama having departed to the forest, horses on the return path however, shedding warm tears did not proceed further on the way. I, on my part, offering salutation with joined palms to both the princes and keeping back from that grief, ascended the chariot and moved on. “With the hope that I shall be called again by Rama, I stayed there along with Guha for three days.
“O, emperor! Even trees in your domain have withered, without giving flowers sprouts and buds, having emaciated due to Rama’s separation. Rivers, pools and lakes were with hot water. Groves and gardens were with their leaves, parched up. Living beings are not moving. Wild animals too are not roaming around. That forest became silent, predominated by grief towards Rama. Lotus-lakes were with lotus-leaves hiding under water pressing themselves closely together, with muddy waters, with parched lotus-flowers and in which fish and water fowls have completely disappeared. Water-born flowers and flowers living on dry lands now give very little fragrance and fruits do not have a luscious look as before. Oh, best of men! The gardens here are empty of men and the birds have vanished. I am not seeing the gardens as charming (as before). “Nobody greeted me, entering into Ayodhya City. Having not seen Rama, the people are breathing their sigh of lamentation again and again. Seeing the royal chariot returning here without Rama, all the people along the royal high-way are shedding tears with grief. Seeing the returned chariot, women from mansions, seven-storied buildings and royal palaces are crying ‘ha ha!’ being troubled by the non-appearance of Rama. Women, being more sorrowful, are looking at each other indistinctly with their long bright eyes overwhelmed with a flood of tears. I do not see any distinction in their agony, whether they are non-friends, friends or neutral people. O emperor! The city of Ayodhya with its joy-less people, with its elephants and horses looking miserable, with sighing exhaustion due to cries of pain, filled with sounds of moaning, cheerless and feeling anguish due to Rama’s exile, appears to me, like Queen Kausalya without her son.”
Hearing Sumantra’s words, the king in a voice choked with tears and very much woeful, spoke to that charioteer as follows:
“Enjoined by Kaikeyi with her sinful birth and intention, I could not deliberate with people experienced in counsel or with elders beforehand. This act has been done by me in haste due to infatuation for the sake of a woman, without consulting with friends or ministers or with interpreters of sacred texts. Oh, Sumantra! This great calamity, surely, has come as an inevitable consequence or for the ruin of this race or accidentally. If at all I have done any favour to you, lead me fast to Rama. My vital spirits are hastening me. If there is the same unlimited authority of mine even now, let Rama be brought back to Ayodhya. I cannot survive without Rama even for a moment. Or perhaps Rama the mighty-armed might have gone a long way. Make me to ascend the chariot and quickly show me to Rama. Where is that Rama having pearl-like teeth and wearing a large bow? If only I can see him well with Seetha, I can survive. If I cannot see Rama having red eyes, mighty arms and with ear-rings made of gems, I shall proceed to the world of Death. What is more distressing to me after getting into this condition, in not seeing here, Rama who is a delight to Ikshvaku dynasty? O Rama! Oh, Younger Brother of Rama! Oh, unfortunate Seetha! You do not know that I am dying with grief, like one abandoned.”
King Dasaratha, his mind very much despaired with grief and plunged in an ocean of sorrow, very difficult to be crossed, spoke (as follows):
"O Queen Kausalya! I am plunged in this ocean of grief. Its area of sorrow is for Rama. Its other shore is Seetha’s separation. Its waves and huge whirlpools are sighs of anguish. It is agitated with water and foam as tears. Throwing away of arms is the swarm of fishes. Its great sounds are cries of lamentation. The scattered hair is its duck-weed. Kaikeyi is its submarine fire, which is the cause for the rush in my tears. The words of the hump-backed are its huge crocodiles. Its shores are the boons asked by the cruel Kaikeyi. Its long stretch is due to sending of Rama to far away place. I cannot cross this ocean alive, without Rama. What a pity! Though I want to see Rama and Lakshmana now, I am not able to see them here. It is very bad.”
Thus lamenting, the king of great renown soon became unconscious and fell down on his couch. Hearing his words lamenting as much as twice more pitiably for Rama and the king having fallen unconscious, Kausalya was alarmed once again.
Thus completes 59th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda in Prose
Sarga 60
Sumantra was unable to console Kausalya, who lied on the floor due to her extreme grief over her separation from Rama, even though he tries to avert her grief by telling her that Rama can reside in the forest delightfully, by warding off his agony.
Then, Kausalya, trembling again and again, as though possessed by a spirit, and lying on the floor without proper disposition of mind, spoke to Sumantra as follows: “Wherever Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana are there, take me to them. Without them, I do not cherish to live here even for a moment. Turn back the chariot quickly. Take also myself to the forest of Dandaka. Now, if I do not go after them, I shall enter the Death’s abode.”
Sumantra with joined palms and with a voice choked with tears and in faint accents, consoling Kausalya, spoke these words to her: “Abandon grief, delusion and haste born of affliction. Rama can reside in the forest, warding off anguish. Lakshmana too, knowing about a righteous conduct, having subdued his senses and serving the feet of Rama in the forest, is propitiating the other world. Seetha, getting a dwelling place resembling a house even in a lonely forest, her mind encamped in Rama and being fearless, is acquiring confidence. Not even very minute depression, even a little, is seen developed in Seetha. It appears to me as though Seetha is accustomed to so many exiles. Seetha is taking delight in the desolate forests in the same manner as she was earlier enjoying visiting gardens in the city. Seetha, a charming woman with her face resembling a full moon and with her mind absorbed in Rama, even though staying in a lonely forest, is enjoying it like a little girl. Seetha’s heart is directed towards Rama. Her life also is dependent on him. Even if Ayodhya is without Rama, then it becomes a forest to her. As if only a couple of miles away from Ayodhya and as being in a garden there, Seetha on seeing villages, towns, movement of rivers, and various types of trees, enquires with Rama or Lakshmana and knows well about them. I am remembering only these incidents about Seetha. It does not flash to my mind now of the words hurriedly spoken of by Seetha about Kaikeyi.”
Expunging the remarks spoken by Seetha about Kaikeyi coming almost nearer to his lips by inadvertence, Sumantra spoke only delightful and sweet words to Kausalya: “Seetha’s radiance resembling a moon’s gleam is not fading away due to her travel in the forest or due to the velocity of wind or because of her bewilderment or due to heat of the sun. That face of altruistic Seetha resembling a lotus flower, whose lustre is similar to that of a full moon, did not become changed. Her feet, which even though no longer painted with vermilion, still looks red as Alakta (red juice obtained from resin of certain trees), with lustre equal to that of red lotus buds. Seetha, sporting her tinkling anklets, walks playfully. Even now, Seetha dons her ornaments, as a mark of her passion towards Rama. Seetha, who stays in the forest, takes refuge in the arms of Rama and hence does not give herself to fear, even by seeing an elephant or a lion or a tiger. There is no need to pity them nor us nor the king too. This story will thrive in the world forever. Abandoning grief, possessing cheerful minds, settling well in the path followed by great sages, delighting in the forest-life and eating fruits of the forest, they are keeping up the promise given to their father.”
Even if averted thus by Sumantra, who is speaking appropriately well, being emaciated by sorrow for her son, could not stop crying, “O, my dear son Rama!”
Thus completes 60th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sree Valmiki Ramayana
courtesy from
Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji
and Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji
I Humbly bow to the lotus feet of both of them
for the collection
No comments:
Post a Comment