Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथ भरतसमागमात्स वीरः किमपि समुद्विजिताशयोऽत्र शैले। अतिविजनवनान्तरैकशीलो कमपि मुदावहमन्यदेशमैच्छत्॥१॥
Brahmā said: After the meeting with Bharata, the heroic Rāma became inwardly uneasy upon this mountain. Inclined toward the deepest solitude of the forest, he desired another region that would bring a different kind of joy.
Passage 2
भुशुण्ड उवाच— मातुलेष्ववसद्वीरो भरतः कैकयीसुतः। इति श्रुतं पुरा ब्रह्मन् स कदा राममागतः॥२॥
Bhuśuṇḍa said: “Brahmā, I have previously heard that the heroic Bharata, son of Kaikeyī, was staying with his maternal relatives. When did he come to Rāma?
Passage 3
सर्वं विस्तरतो ब्रूहि भगवञ्छृण्वतो मम। भरतस्यागमं तत्र प्रस्थानं चेरितुस्ततः॥३॥
“Lord, tell me everything in detail as I listen: Bharata’s arrival there and the departure of the two brothers afterward.
Passage 4
किमब्रवीत्स भरतो मातरं पापकारिणीम्। प्रसाद्य च ततो रामं न निनाय कथं बुधः॥४॥
“What did Bharata say to his sin-committing mother? After propitiating Rāma, why was that wise prince unable to bring him back?
Passage 5
कथं चावर्तत प्राज्ञः प्रोषिते रघुपुङ्गवे। प्रजाः कथं रक्षितवान् वृत्तं दशरथं च किम्॥५॥
“How did the discerning Bharata conduct himself while the finest of the Raghus was away? How did he protect the people, and what happened to Daśaratha?
Passage 6
एवमाद्याः कथाः सर्वा रघुवीरकथाश्रिताः। ब्रूहि संश्रृण्वते मह्यं भक्तिप्रह्वाय पद्मभूः॥६॥
“Lotus-born Lord, tell me all these and the other accounts connected with the hero of the Raghus. I listen with my heart bowed in devotion.” Sumantra and Guha Turn Back
Passage 7
ब्रह्मोवाच— रामे गङ्गां समुत्तीर्णे भरद्वाजाश्रमं गते। न्यवर्तत सुमन्त्रोऽपि बद्धदृष्टिः प्रभोरनु॥७॥
Brahmā said: When Rāma had crossed the Gaṅgā and gone toward Bharadvāja’s hermitage, Sumantra also turned back, his gaze still fixed behind him upon the Lord.
Passage 8
निषादराजश्च तदा विषण्णः संन्यवर्तत। गायन्तौ तद्गुणग्रामं स्मरन्तौ तस्य चेष्टितम्॥८॥
The despondent king of the Niṣādas also turned back. The two sang of Rāma’s host of qualities and remembered his deeds.
Passage 9
ध्यायन्तौ तत्पदाम्भोजे वर्णयन्तौ च तं मिथः। तन्मनस्कौ तदात्मानौ तत्प्राणौ तन्मयौ च तौ॥९॥
They meditated upon his lotus feet and spoke of him to each other. Their minds were his, their very selves were his, their life-breaths were his, and they were wholly filled with him.
Passage 10
उभावपि गतौ तत्र शृङ्गवेरपुरे ततः। सुमन्त्रो गुहमामन्त्र्य रथं संयोज्य वाजिभिः॥१०॥
The two then reached Śṛṅgaverapura. Sumantra took leave of Guha and yoked the horses to the chariot.
Passage 11
साकेतमगमत्तूर्णं शून्यं रामेण निःसुखम्। संसुप्तमिव संत्रस्तं निर्दग्धमिव सर्वतः॥११॥
He hastened to Sāketa, which without Rāma was empty and joyless, as though stunned into sleep and burned on every side.
Passage 12
तूष्णींभूतमिवात्यर्थं रामविश्लेषदुःखितम्। विलिप्तमिव कैकेय्या अयशोराशिकज्जलैः॥१२॥
Grieving intensely at separation from Rāma, the city seemed struck utterly silent and smeared with the soot of Kaikeyī’s accumulated infamy.
Passage 13
चिरादुद्विग्नहृदयैर्नरनारीगणैर्वृतम्। रुदन्निष्कूजसोद्वेगपशुपक्षिगणावधिम्॥१३॥
Its men and women had long been anxious at heart. The city’s grief extended even to the animals and birds, whose cries resounded in agitation. Ayodhyā without Rāma
Passage 14
अस्तंगते सवितरि समुपेतः स सारथिः। अयोध्यां रामविश्लेषनिरुत्साहाखिलप्रजाम्॥१४॥
After the sun had set, the charioteer entered Ayodhyā, whose entire population had lost all spirit through separation from Rāma.
Passage 15
प्रतिहर्म्यं प्रतिगृहं प्रतिवीथिं प्रतिक्षणम्। कैकेय्या दुश्चरित्राणि गर्हद्भिर्मानुषैर्वृताम्॥१५॥
At every palace, every house, every street, and every moment, people condemned Kaikeyī’s wicked conduct.
Passage 16
रामस्य सत्यशीलत्वं गुणांश्चान्यान् मनोरमान्। राज्ञश्च चित्तनैष्ठुर्यं वैदेह्याः साधुवृत्तताम्॥१६॥
They spoke of Rāma’s truthful nature and his other enchanting virtues, the king’s hardness of heart, and Vaidehī’s noble conduct.
Passage 17
लक्ष्मणस्य व्रतं धैर्यं सख्यं च गदतां नृणाम्। रामविश्लेषखिन्नानां गणैः सर्वत आवृताम्॥१७॥
They praised Lakṣmaṇa’s vow, courage, and friendship. Everywhere the city was filled with groups of people exhausted by separation from Rāma.
Passage 18
आर्तानामिव समुद्भूतदीनस्वरविलापिनीम्। निरुत्साहां निरानन्दां प्रशान्ताखिलमङ्गलाम्॥१८॥
Like a gathering of the afflicted, it lamented in newly arisen voices of misery. It was listless, joyless, and all its auspicious celebration had ceased.
Passage 19
जनैस्त्यक्तगृहां रामविहारार्थगतागताम्। नारीगणैः परित्यक्तभूपालेपनमज्जनाम्॥१९॥
Its people had abandoned their homes and wandered back and forth seeking signs of Rāma’s passage. The women had forsaken bathing and the application of unguents.
Passage 20
रामे गतमनस्काभिर्नारीभिः क्षीणकान्तिभिः। सद्यः समुज्झिताशेषपतिबान्धवसत्क्रियाम्॥२०॥
The women’s minds had gone after Rāma and their radiance had faded; at once they had abandoned every service to husband and kin.
Passage 21
कैकेयीहृतसौभाग्यां सद्यः शोकसमावृताम्। वीक्षमाणः पुरीं सूतः प्राविशद्राजमन्दिरम्॥२१॥
Seeing the city whose good fortune Kaikeyī had stolen and which was now enveloped in grief, Sumantra entered the royal palace.
Passage 22
दृष्ट्वा शून्यं रथं पौरा रामस्य वनवासिनः। अनुद्रुत्य जवात्सद्यः परावृत्ता बभूविरे॥२२॥
When the citizens saw the empty chariot of forest-dwelling Rāma, they ran swiftly after it and immediately gathered around.
Passage 23
केचित्स्यन्दननिर्घोषं श्रुत्वा संजातसम्भ्रमाः। एकाकिनममुं प्राप्तं दृष्ट्वा खेदसमावृताः॥२३॥
Some became excited on hearing the chariot’s rumble, but when they saw Sumantra arrive alone, sorrow enveloped them.
Passage 24
क्वास्माकं प्राणदो रामस्त्राता दाता सतां मतः। ज्ञाता प्रेमलताकन्दः सौहार्दनिधिरीश्वरः॥२४॥
“Where is our life-giving Rāma, protector and benefactor, honored by the good, all-knowing Lord, root of the vine of love and treasury of affection?
Passage 25
क्व स्थापितस्त्वया सूत सदा जीवनदर्शनः। प्राप्तोऽसि कथमेकाकी युङ्क्त्वा शून्यमिमं रथम्॥२५॥
“Charioteer, where have you left him whose sight always gives us life? How have you returned alone, driving this empty chariot?”
Passage 26
एवमापृच्छमानास्ते यथावृत्तं निवेदिताः। दृढप्रतिज्ञो भगवान् मां भाग्यपरिवर्जितम्॥२६॥
To those questioning him in this way, Sumantra related what had happened: “The Lord, firm in his vow, dismissed unfortunate me,
Passage 27
पुरीं प्रति समाज्ञाप्य स्वयं तापसवेषभृत्। श्रीमान् गङ्गां समुत्तीर्य सीतासौमित्रिसंयुतः॥२७॥
“commanding me to return to the city. Wearing an ascetic’s dress, the glorious Rāma crossed the Gaṅgā with Sītā and Sumitrā’s son.
Passage 28
वीक्षितः परतो गच्छन् यावद्दृष्टिपथं गतः। तस्मिन् दृक्पथमुल्लङ्घ्य वर्तमाने महाशये॥२८॥
“I watched that great-hearted Lord proceed onward for as long as he remained within the range of my sight. When he passed beyond it,
Passage 29
विश्लेषपरितप्तोऽहं स्थानान्निववृते ततः। आर्यः पुनरलं चक्रे भरद्वाजाश्रमस्थलीम्॥२९॥
“burning with separation, I then turned back from that place. The noble Rāma went on to grace the grounds of Bharadvāja’s hermitage.
Passage 30
दृशः कृतार्थयित्वा च तत्रत्यानां तपस्विनाम्। महाभागमुनिश्रेष्ठविनिर्दिष्टेन सोऽध्वना॥३०॥
“He fulfilled the eyes of the ascetics there, then took the road indicated by the greatly blessed and eminent sage.
Passage 31
चित्रकूटमलंकुर्वन्नास्ते इत्यनुशुश्रुम। इत्युक्तास्तेन ते लोका बाष्पव्याकुललोचनाः॥३१॥
“We heard that he now dwells at Citrakūṭa, adorning the mountain.” Hearing this from Sumantra, the people’s eyes filled with tears. The Citizens’ Reproach
Passage 32
भृशं रुरुदुरुत्तप्ताः संवीता विरहाग्निना। प्रस्थापनं सुमन्त्रस्य विमृश्य नगरीं प्रति॥३२॥
Scorched and wrapped in the fire of separation, they wept intensely as they considered Rāma’s sending Sumantra back to the city.
Passage 33
तस्य तापसवेशं च परतः प्रस्थितं तथा। भृशं संतप्तहृदया बभूवुः पुरवासिनः॥३३॥
Thinking of Rāma dressed as an ascetic and continuing farther away, the residents of the city became deeply tormented at heart.
Passage 34
अहो गतत्रपोऽयं किं रामं हित्वा वनान्तरे। स्वयमत्रागतः सूतो धिगेनं भाग्यवर्जितम्॥३४॥
“Has this charioteer no shame? How could he abandon Rāma deep in the forest and return here himself? Shame upon this unfortunate man!
Passage 35
किं कृते खलु वृद्धेन राज्ञापहृतबुद्धिना। रामः सर्वगुणारामः प्रवासं प्रापितो गृहात्॥३५॥
“What has the old king, deprived of reason, done? He has banished from his home Rāma, the abode of every virtue.
Passage 36
धिक्कैकेयीन्द्रतनयां सर्वेषां प्राणजीवनम्। रामं प्रवासयाञ्चक्रे क्षुब्धात्मैकोदरंभरी॥३६॥
“Shame upon Kaikeyī, daughter of a king! Self-absorbed and caring only for her own belly, she sent into exile Rāma, the life of everyone’s life.
Passage 37
इत्यादीन् दुर्वचः शब्दान् नृणां शुश्राव सारथिः। ततोऽसौ राजभवनं गत्वोन्मुच्य तुरङ्गमान्॥३७॥
The charioteer heard these and other harsh words from the people. Then he went to the royal palace and unyoked the horses.
Passage 38
भेजे विलपतो राज्ञः समीपं खिन्नमानसः। तत्र शून्यं रथं वीक्ष्य क्रोशन्तीनामितस्ततः॥३८॥
Distressed at heart, he approached the lamenting king. Seeing the empty chariot, women cried out here and there.
Passage 39
सौधाग्रेष्वधिरूढानां विलापं राजयोषिताम्। शृण्वन्नार्तस्वरोपेतं बभूवातीव दुःखितः॥३९॥
The royal women climbed to the palace roofs and lamented in anguished voices. Hearing them, Sumantra became overwhelmed with grief.
Passage 40
रथमारोप्य मे पुत्रं सभार्यं क्व नु नीतवान्। अये सुमन्त्र दुर्बुद्धे रथं शून्यं किमानयः॥४०॥
“Where have you taken my son and his wife after placing them in the chariot? Sumantra, foolish man, why have you brought the chariot back empty?
Passage 41
कष्टं जीवाम्यहं यस्य पुत्रो गेहाद्विनिर्गतः। अदर्शयद्भवानास्यं किमेकाकी कुसारथे॥४१॥
“Alas, I still live though my son has left his home! Bad charioteer, why have you returned alone without showing us his face?”
Passage 42
इत्थं सकरुणा वाचः शृण्वन् सूतः सुदुःखितः। राजानं रामविश्लेषशोकमीलितलोचनम्॥४२॥
Hearing such pitiful words, the deeply grieving charioteer approached the king, whose eyes were closed in sorrow at separation from Rāma.
Passage 43
महासंतापकलितं बालकं दुःखभागिनम्। चिरात्समनुशोचन्तं पश्चात्तापमुपागतम्॥४३॥
Daśaratha was consumed by great anguish, helpless and afflicted, grieving for a long time and overcome by remorse.
Passage 44
विषण्णहृदयं नत्वा प्रवक्तुमुपचक्रमे। यदस्मै तेन संदिष्टं तरणीमारुरक्षता। तन्निशम्य वचो राजा संदिष्टं ज्येष्ठसूनुना॥४४॥
Sumantra bowed to the despondent-hearted king and began to convey the message Rāma had given him while preparing to board the boat. Hearing the words sent by his eldest son, the king was shattered. Collapse in the Palace
Passage 45
विशीर्णहृदयः सद्यो विसंज्ञः सहसाभवत्। सिंहासनात्पपातोर्व्यां वियोगभरमूर्च्छितः॥४५॥
His heart broken, Daśaratha immediately lost consciousness. Overcome by the weight of separation, he fainted and fell from the throne to the ground.
Passage 46
नृपं निपतितं दृष्ट्वा मृतकल्पं विचेतनम्। हा हताः स्म इति प्रासाः प्रोचुरन्तःपुरस्त्रियः॥४६॥
Seeing the king fallen, insensible and like one dead, the women of the inner palace cried, “Alas, we are destroyed!”
Passage 47
अहो रामस्य दुःखेन राजासौ मूर्च्छितो भुवि। न्यपतद्गतसंज्ञश्च कष्टमापतितं महत्॥४७॥
“Alas, from grief over Rāma the king has fainted and fallen unconscious upon the ground. A terrible calamity has come upon us!”
Passage 48
एवमात्तस्वराणां श्रुत्वान्तःपुरयोषिताम्। आक्रोशं तत्र कौसल्या प्राप्ता सह सुमित्रया॥४८॥
Hearing the anguished cries of the women of the inner palace, Kauśalyā arrived there together with Sumitrā.
Passage 49
पतिं भूमौ निपतितमुत्थाप्यारोप्य चासने। अभिवीक्ष्य च कौसल्या जगादार्तमना वचः॥४९॥
They raised her husband from the ground and placed him on a seat. Looking upon him, Kauśalyā spoke with an afflicted heart.
Passage 50
अयं ते समनुप्राप्तः सूतो रामं प्रवास्य च। सभार्यं विपिने घोरे पृच्छस्येनं कथं न च॥५०॥
“Your charioteer has returned after leaving Rāma and his wife in the dreadful forest. Why do you not question him?
Passage 51
इदानीं महिषी मा ते कैकेयी पापकारिणी। कथं न निर्वृतिं राजन् प्रयास्यति दुराशया॥५१॥
“Now let your sin-committing queen Kaikeyī rejoice. King, how could that wicked-minded woman fail to feel satisfied?
Passage 52
खिद्यसे च किमत्यर्थं कृत्वा स्वमतिपूर्वकम्। किं त्वनेनैव खेदेन चिरं नन्दय भामिनीम्॥५२॥
“Why do you grieve so intensely after acting by your own decision? Do not merely mourn; continue to delight that woman for whose sake you acted.
Passage 53
ममायमुचितः खेदो यस्याः पुत्रो वनं गतः। यदि वा लज्जसे राजन् विधाय नयवर्जितम्॥५३॥
“This grief rightly belongs to me, whose son has gone to the forest. Or perhaps, king, you now feel shame after acting without justice.
Passage 54
तथाप्यलं ते शोकेन संज्ञामेहि महीपते। आत्मना यत्कृतं तत्तु भोक्ष्यसे दुष्कृतं चिरम्॥५४॥
“Even so, enough of this grief; recover consciousness, lord of the earth. You will long experience the painful fruit of the wrong you yourself committed.
Passage 55
त्रैलोक्यस्य प्रियं राममपराधविवर्जितम्। प्रवास्य घोरं विपिनं भूरिदुःखमवाप्स्यसि॥५५॥
“You banished faultless Rāma, beloved of the three worlds, to the dreadful forest. You will therefore obtain immense suffering.
Passage 56
किं न पृच्छसि दुर्भाग्यं सुतमेनं महीपते। तवादेशकरो रामः किं संदिश्य वनं गतः॥५६॥
“Unfortunate king, why do you not ask this man about your son? What message did Rāma, obedient to your command, leave before entering the forest?
Passage 57
अथवा मुखदाक्षिण्यात्कैकेय्यास्त्वं न पृच्छसि। परोक्षेऽपि भवान् यस्या भयं मनसि मन्यते॥५७॥
“Or do you refrain out of deference to Kaikeyī? Even when she is absent, fear of her still lives within your heart.
Passage 58
अहं तु नाथ निर्लज्जा प्राणान् वपुषि धारये। यस्याः स तादृशः पुत्रो व्युषितोऽद्य चतुर्दश॥५८॥
“Lord, I too am shameless, for I continue to keep life in my body though such a son of mine has today gone away for fourteen years.
Passage 59
तत्तादृक् सुन्दरं तस्य मुखं चन्द्राधिकप्रभम्। पुत्रस्नेहेन पश्यन्ती नाहं मेहे पटान्तरम्॥५९॥
“His beautiful face shone more brightly than the moon. Out of a mother’s love I could not bear even a cloth to come between my eyes and him.
Passage 60
साहं पश्यामि भवनं रहितं तेन सूनुना। शून्योऽभूज्जीवलोको मे दुःखं स्यात्किमतः परम्॥६०॥
“Yet now I behold this palace bereft of that son. The whole world of the living has become empty to me. What sorrow could be greater than this?”
Passage 61
इत्थं विलप्य कौसल्या मूर्च्छिता न्यपतद्भुवि। तां तादृशीं नृपं चैव विसंज्ञमतिदुःखतः॥६१॥
After lamenting in this way, Kauśalyā fainted and fell to the ground. She and the king both lay unconscious from unbearable grief.
Passage 62
विलोक्य सर्वा अवरोधयोषितः कृतार्तनादं रुरुदुः सुदुःखिताः। निशम्य तं नादमशेषमेव तत्पुरं बभूवार्तरवेण काहलम्॥६२॥
Seeing them, all the women of the royal household raised anguished cries and wept in profound sorrow. Hearing that sound, the entire city became tumultuous with the roar of grief.