Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञां सम्मृज्य नयनद्वयम्। पश्यंस्तमोवृतं विश्वं राजा सारथिमब्रवीत्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Regaining consciousness, the king wiped both eyes. Seeing the world enveloped in darkness, he addressed his charioteer.
Passage 2
अहो कष्टं सुमन्त्र त्वां पश्याम्येकं गृहागतम्। विना राममतो नूनं दीर्यते हृदयं मम॥२॥
“Alas, Sumantra, I see that you have returned home alone. Without Rāma, my heart is surely breaking.
Passage 3
तापेन परिदह्येते चक्षुषी मे सुदुर्भगे। अन्धकारमयं सर्वं पश्यामि भुवनत्रयम्॥३॥
“My unfortunate eyes burn with fever. I see all three worlds filled with darkness.
Passage 4
क्व गतः प्राणदो रामः क्व चावासं करिष्यति। एकाकी भार्यया युक्तो भ्रात्रा च लघुनान्वितः॥४॥
“Where has life-giving Rāma gone, and where will he make his dwelling—alone except for his wife and younger brother?
Passage 5
कथं स्थास्यति मे वत्सः कानने भृशदुर्गमे। शिरीषसुकुमाराङ्गः कथं पद्भ्यां चलिष्यति॥५॥
“How will my child live in the exceedingly difficult forest? His limbs are softer than śirīṣa flowers; how will he walk on foot?
Passage 6
कियद्यावद्भवांस्तस्य सार्थे समगमः पथि। कुतो विरसाजतस्तेन भवान् मार्गमनुव्रजन्॥६॥
“How far did you accompany him along the road? At what place, while following his path, were you parted from him?
Passage 7
अहो राजकुमारोऽसौ किमत्स्यति वने चरन्। चिराय यस्य संजातो राजभोगो मुदावहः॥७॥
“Alas, what will that prince eat while roaming the forest, he who for so long enjoyed the pleasures of royalty?
Passage 8
पद्मपत्रोपमैरङ्घ्रैः क्व वा स्वापं करिष्यति। दुग्धफेननिभाः शय्या यस्यासन् मृदुसंस्तृताः॥८॥
“Where will he sleep with feet like lotus petals? His beds were soft and white as milk-foam.
Passage 9
गच्छन्तमनुजग्मुर्यं नरेभाश्वरथादयः। स कथं पञ्चतुल्याभ्यां पद्भ्यां वनभुवि व्रजेत्॥९॥
“Elephants, horses, chariots, and attendants formerly followed wherever he went. How can he now travel the forest floor on feet delicate as cotton?
Passage 10
दर्भगर्भावनी सा तु पद्भ्यामाक्रम्यतेऽमुना। रम्याङ्गणेऽपि चरतो यस्य यानमुपानयत्॥१०॥
“He now treads with his feet upon ground filled with darbha grass, though even when he crossed a pleasant courtyard a vehicle was brought for him.
Passage 11
अहो तद्विपिनं घोरं सिंहव्याघ्रादिभिर्वृतम्। सरीसृपकुलाकीर्णं नानादुष्टगजावृतम्॥११॥
“Alas, that dreadful wilderness is filled with lions and tigers, swarming with reptiles, and occupied by many dangerous elephants.
Passage 12
कथं स्थास्यति तत्रासौ मम वत्सो मनोहरः। कोमलानि यदङ्गानि शिरीषकुसुमादपि॥१२॥
“How will my charming child live there, when his limbs are softer even than śirīṣa blossoms?
Passage 13
सा च राजेन्द्रतनया साक्षाल्लक्ष्मीरिव स्वयम्। राज्यभोगोचिता सीता कथं वत्स्यति कानने॥१३॥
“And Sītā, daughter of a great king and Lakṣmī herself, is accustomed to royal comfort. How will she live in the forest?
Passage 14
अहो मे दुष्कृतं भूरि स्त्रीवाक्येन विमुह्यतः। व्रजन्तं तनयं योऽहं न हठालयमषेधयम्॥१४॥
“Great indeed is my sin: deluded by a woman’s words, I failed to stop my son by force as he departed.
Passage 15
भवान् भाग्यनिधिः सूते यस्तौ धर्मैकविग्रहौ। सुपुण्यदर्शनौ वीरौ दृष्टवानसि चक्षुषा॥१५॥
“Charioteer, you are a treasury of good fortune, for with your own eyes you saw those two heroic embodiments of dharma, whose sight is supremely holy.
Passage 16
श्रीरामलक्ष्मणौ साक्षाज्जानामि मुनिवाक्यतः। किं मामवोचद्धर्मात्मा स रामः सत्यसागरः॥१६॥
“From the sage’s words I know the true nature of Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. What did that righteous Rāma, ocean of truth, say about me?
Passage 17
लक्ष्मणश्च महाबाहुर्दृढव्रत उदारधीः। तावुभौ मां किमब्रूतां स्त्रीजितं न्यायवर्जितम्॥१७॥
“And what did mighty-armed Lakṣmaṇa, firm in vow and noble in mind, say of me— ruled by a woman and bereft of justice?”
Passage 18
इति पृष्टो नरेन्द्रेण सुमन्त्रः सर्ववृत्तवित्। उवाच करुणोद्रेककलिताक्षरया गिरा॥१८॥
Thus questioned by the king, Sumantra, who knew all that had occurred, replied in words broken by a surge of grief. Rāma’s Messages
Passage 19
प्रथमेऽहनि वीरेन्द्र सीतासौमित्रिसंगतः। पौरैः सबाष्पनयनैर्द्विजैरार्तस्वराक्षरैः॥१९॥
“Great king, on the first day Rāma traveled with Sītā and Sumitrā’s son while citizens followed with tearful eyes and brāhmaṇas called out in anguished voices.
Passage 20
निषिध्यमानोऽपि स्वैरं वनमेव द्रुतं ययौ। उवास तमसातीरे पौरजानपदैर्वृतः॥२०॥
“Though they tried to stop him, he freely hastened toward the forest and spent the night beside the Tamasā surrounded by the people of city and countryside.
Passage 21
रात्रौ प्रभातकल्पायां सुप्तांस्त्यक्त्वा प्रजाजनान्। व्यामोह्य सर्वान् प्रययौ गुहाश्रममुदारधीः॥२१॥
“Near dawn, the noble-minded Rāma left the sleeping people, bewildered all who might follow, and proceeded to Guha’s settlement.
Passage 22
ततो गङ्गातटे सद्यो मां विसृज्य महामनाः। नावमारुह्य सपदि गुहानीतां मुदायुतः॥२२॥
“Then on the bank of the Gaṅgā, the great-hearted Lord dismissed me and joyfully boarded the boat Guha had brought.
Passage 23
परं पारं समुत्तीर्य सभार्यः सहलक्ष्मणः। चित्तवृत्तिं ममाच्छिद्य प्रस्थितः पुरतो वनम्॥२३॥
“Crossing to the far bank with his wife and Lakṣmaṇa, he tore away the movement of my very heart and continued into the forest before me.
Passage 24
उवाच कांश्चित्संदेशांस्तान् शृणुष्व नराधिप। बद्ध्वाञ्जलिं भुवं स्पृष्ट्वा प्रणतिं त्वां चकार सः॥२४॥
“Lord of men, he gave several messages; hear them. Joining his palms and touching the earth, he bowed to you.
Passage 25
पप्रच्छ कुशलं चापि तव भक्तिसमानतः। मातॄणां चापि सर्वासां कौसल्याया विशेषतः॥२५॥
“Bowing with devotion, he asked after your welfare and that of all his mothers, especially Kauśalyā.
Passage 26
स्वविश्लेषपरीतापदुःखितायाः कृपानिधिः। इदं संदिष्टवानासीद्दुःखतप्तां स्वमातरम्॥२६॥
“The treasury of compassion sent this message to his own mother, tormented by the burning pain of separation from him:
Passage 27
मद्वियोगपरीतप्तः पिता मे कोसलेश्वरः। नातोदनीयो जननि कदापि परुषाक्षरैः॥२७॥
“‘Mother, my father, the lord of Kosala, burns from separation from me. Never wound him with harsh words.
Passage 28
मत्प्राणशपथं मत्वा ध्यात्वा च पुनरागमम्। नित्यमाराधनीयश्च यथा देवः पिता मम॥२८॥
“‘Take this as an oath upon my life, and remember that I shall return. My father must always be worshiped like a god.’
Passage 29
भरतं च महीपाल संदिदेश महाशयः। आराधयेथाः पितरं यौवराज्यगतः सदा॥२९॥
“Great king, the noble Rāma also sent word to Bharata: ‘When installed as heir, always honor our father.
Passage 30
तव शुश्रूषणात्प्रीतो न शोचिष्यति मां नृपः। स्निग्धोऽसि मयि चेद्भ्रातर्वर्तस्व पितुराज्ञया॥३०॥
“‘Pleased by your service, the king will not grieve for me. Brother, if you love me, conduct yourself according to our father’s command.
Passage 31
मातॄश्च समभावेन सर्वा द्रक्ष्यसि संततम्। इत्यादि कथयन् रामो बाष्परुद्धेक्षणोऽभवत्॥३१॥
“‘Always regard all our mothers with equal feeling.’ As Rāma spoke these and other words, tears choked his eyes. Lakṣmaṇa’s Rebuke and Rāma’s Reply
Passage 32
ततश्च लक्ष्मणः क्रुद्ध इदमूचे नराधिप। पितुः प्रणतयो वाच्या ममार्यमनुगच्छतः॥३२॥
“Then, king, the angry Lakṣmaṇa said: ‘Convey my salutations to our father from me as I follow my noble brother.
Passage 33
इदं च वाच्यो नृपतिरनयोऽयं कृतस्त्वया। विनापराधं मे भ्राता भवता यत्प्रवासितः॥३३॥
“‘Tell the king also: You have committed this injustice by banishing my brother though he had committed no offense.
Passage 34
नाहं कदाचित्पारुष्याद्भवतो हृदयंगमः। भवेयं विप्रवासार्हो न तु रामः प्रियंवदः॥३४॥
“‘Because of my sharp nature, I may never have been dear to your heart and might deserve banishment—but not gentle-speaking Rāma.
Passage 35
त्रैलोक्यानन्दजननः साधुशीलः सतां मतः। रामस्य लोकारामस्य वद बीजं प्रवासने॥३५॥
“‘Rāma brings joy to the three worlds, is noble in conduct, and is revered by the good. Tell me the cause for banishing him, the delight of all people.
Passage 36
कैकेय्या वचनादेव प्रमृष्टा धिषणा तव। किमीहग्वरदानं ते लोके कीर्तिविनाशनम्॥३६॥
“‘Kaikeyī’s words alone swept away your judgment. Why grant such a boon, which destroys your fame in the world?
Passage 37
अधर्मकरणं चापि वार्धके लघुताकरम्। एकतः सर्वमेतत्ते स्नेहोऽप्यस्तं गतो नृप॥३७॥
“‘This unrighteous act brings disgrace in your old age. King, in this one deed everything is lost—even your affection has set like the sun.
Passage 38
दया लुप्ता हृदयतस्तस्मिंस्त्वयि ममाधुना। न स्नेहो विद्यते तात ध्रियमाणोऽपगच्छति॥३८॥
“‘Compassion has vanished from your heart. Therefore I now have no affection for you, father; whatever remained is passing away.
Passage 39
अधुना मे पिता माता सुहृद्बन्धुर्गुरुः सखा। प्राणाः सर्वस्वमेवापि राम एव जगत्त्रये॥३९॥
“‘Now in all three worlds Rāma alone is my father, mother, friend, relative, teacher, companion, life, and everything I possess.
Passage 40
सर्वलोकाभिरामस्य रामस्य त्यागमाचरन्। भरतेनापि किं राजा साधु वाच्यो मनीषिणा॥४०॥
“‘After casting out Rāma, delight of every world, can this king rightly be spoken well of even by wise Bharata?’
Passage 41
इति ब्रुवाणं सौमित्रिं रामस्त्वद्भक्तिसंनतः। उवाच वारयन्नुच्चैः क्रोधरक्तेक्षणं बुधः॥४१॥
“As Sumitrā’s son spoke, his eyes red with anger, wise Rāma—bowed in devotion to you—restrained him and said firmly:
Passage 42
मैवं वादीः कदापि त्वं ताते प्रियहिते मम। सत्यवाक्याश्रितो धर्मस्तेन सम्यगुपाश्रितः॥४२॥
“‘Never speak this way about my father, who is dear and benevolent to me. Dharma rests upon truthful speech, and he has rightly taken refuge in it.
Passage 43
मदर्थं मत्पिता नैव सत्यात्प्रस्खलितो वृद्धः। अधर्मकृत्पिता यस्य धर्मात्मा स कथं भवेत्॥४३॥
“‘For my sake my aged father must not fall away from truth. How could a son be righteous if his father became a doer of unrighteousness because of him?
Passage 44
ममापि तत्प्रकर्तव्यं सत्यवाक् स यथा भवेत्। न तावता मयि स्नेहो हीयतेऽस्य महामतेः॥४४॥
“‘I too must do what makes his word true. The affection this noble-minded king bears me is not diminished by that.’
Passage 45
इत्यादि बोधयामास सौमित्रिं क्रोधमूर्च्छितम्। दाक्षिण्यविनयाचारामागरस्तनयस्तव॥४५॥
“With these and other teachings, your son—an ocean of courtesy, humility, and right conduct—instructed Lakṣmaṇa, who was overcome by anger. Sītā’s Silent Farewell
Passage 46
वैदेही तु चिरं राजन्निःश्वस्य सुदृढव्रता। बाष्पाकुलेक्षणा भूयः पश्यन्ती नृपतेः सुता॥४६॥
“King, steadfast Vaidehī sighed for a long while. The king’s daughter looked at me again, her eyes crowded with tears.
Passage 47
अदृष्टेदृशदुःखा सा नैव किञ्चिदवोचत। विसृज्यमानं भर्त्रा मां निरीक्ष्याश्रूण्यमुञ्चत॥४७॥
“Experiencing suffering she had never seen before, she said nothing. Watching her husband dismiss me, she shed tears.
Passage 48
ततः प्रणम्याश्रुविलोचनो भृशं त्वदङ्घ्रियुग्मं मनसा कृताञ्जलिः। वियोगतप्तं विससर्ज मां नतं निवेद्यमानोऽपि न खल्वरक्षयत्॥४८॥
“Then, eyes full of tears and palms joined inwardly, Rāma bowed deeply in his mind to your two feet. Though I pleaded, he released me—bowed and burning with separation—and did not keep me with him. Into the Forest
Passage 49
वदामि भूयोऽपि शृणुष्व भूपते यथा वनं प्रस्थित एव राघवः। विधाय तान् स्निग्धशिरोरुहान् जटा वटस्य दुग्धेन महोग्रतापसौ॥४९॥
“King, hear further how Rāghava entered the forest. The two mighty ascetics used banyan milk to twist their smooth hair into matted locks.
Passage 50
विभूतिलिप्ताखिलचारुविग्रहौ महाभुजौ वल्कलचीरधारिणौ। तरीं समास्थाय विदेहजायुतौ जवेन तीर्त्वा विबुधापगां पुरः॥५०॥
“Their beautiful bodies were covered with sacred ash; mighty-armed, they wore bark garments. With Videha’s daughter they boarded the boat and swiftly crossed the celestial river.
Passage 51
प्रजग्मतुर्घोरतरं घनं वनं रघूद्वहौ तावकसत्यपालनौ। प्रपश्यतो मे च गृहस्य चान्तरं हृत्वा प्रयागाभिमुखौ गतावुभौ॥५१॥
“The two finest Raghus, preserving your truth, entered the dense and dreadful forest. Before my watching eyes, they carried away the very heart of the house and went toward Prayāga.
Passage 52
अग्रे प्रयाति सौमित्रिर्बद्धतूणो धनुर्धरः। मध्ये विदेहजा देवी द्योतयन्ती दिशस्त्विषा॥५२॥
“Sumitrā’s son walked in front, bow in hand and quiver fastened. In the middle walked goddess Vaidehī, illuminating the directions with her radiance.
Passage 53
पृष्ठतो रघुशार्दूलो रामः कमललोचनः। मनांसि खेदयन्नद्धा पश्यतां पशुपक्षिणाम्॥५३॥
“Behind them came lotus-eyed Rāma, tiger among the Raghus, visibly grieving the hearts of all animals and birds who saw him.
Passage 54
ततश्चाहं निवृत्तोऽस्मि मन्दभाग्यतयोज्झितः। रामेण लोकरामेण श्यामसुन्दरमूर्तिना॥५४॥
“Then I turned back, abandoned by fortune and left behind by Rāma, delight of the world, whose form is dark and beautiful.
Passage 55
वाजिनश्च चिरं राममार्गान्वीक्षणकातराः। क्रोशन्तो बाष्पनयना ह्रेषमाणा निवर्तिताः॥५५॥
“The horses long strained to see the road Rāma had taken. Crying, their eyes tearful and their neighing loud, they were made to turn back.
Passage 56
गङ्गा च लहरिस्तोममुपनीयास्य पादयोः। गम्भीरदीर्घनिर्ह्रादा चिरं चुक्रोश भूपते॥५६॥
“King, the Gaṅgā placed masses of waves at his feet and cried for a long time with deep, prolonged roars.
Passage 57
तरवः पक्षिणां रावैर्भृशं रुरुदुरुद्धुराः। फलभारनतान् मूर्ध्नः पदोरस्य चिक्षिपुः॥५७॥
“The trees wept intensely through the cries of their birds and bent their heads heavy with fruit, casting their offerings at his feet.
Passage 58
परिम्लानदलाः सद्यो वियोगोत्तापधारिणः। क्रोशन्त्य इव नद्योऽपि कवोष्णकलुषोदकाः॥५८॥
“Their leaves immediately withered under separation’s heat. Even the rivers, their waters warm and turbid, seemed to cry out.
Passage 59
ब्रह्मोवाच— बभूवुर्म्लानपद्मास्याः पद्मिन्यो गतकान्तयः। अर्धावलीढकवलाः खिन्ना हरिणयूथपाः॥५९॥
Brahmā said: The lotus ponds lost their beauty, their lotus-faces withered. Leaders of the deer herds stood dejected with mouthfuls only half-chewed.
Passage 60
वनं रुददिवाभाति तचलद्वायुस्वनाकुलम्। पशवः पक्षिणो लोकाः सर्वे कान्तिविवर्जिताः॥६०॥
The forest seemed to weep, filled with the sounds of a restless wind. Animals, birds, and people alike were all bereft of radiance. Grief Reaches the Palace
Passage 61
पुरे ग्रामे जनपदे शोकाद्वैतमिवाभवत्। सर्वे शोचन्ति ते पुत्रं प्रोषितं तव सत्यतः॥६१॥
“In city, village, and countryside, grief alone seemed to exist. Everyone mourns your son, exiled to preserve your truth.
Passage 62
निन्दन्ति मां जनाः पौरा रामं सम्प्रेष्य चागतम्। देहलीभवनाट्टालजालस्था वरयोषितः॥६२॥
“The citizens condemn me for returning after sending Rāma away. Noble women watch from thresholds, houses, lattices, and palace roofs.
Passage 63
शपन्ति मां क्रूरकर्मा रामं हित्वागतो ह्ययम्। गलद्बाष्पोदकाः पौरा निरीक्षन्ते पुरीजनाः॥६३॥
“They curse me: ‘This cruel man has returned after abandoning Rāma.’ The people of the city gaze at me while streams of tears fall.
Passage 64
अस्मत्सर्वस्वमतुलं क्व रामः स्थापितोऽमुना। अहं च दग्धहृदयो न जीवन्नस्मि सम्प्रति॥६४॥
“They ask, ‘Where has he left Rāma, our incomparable everything?’ My own heart is burned; at this moment I do not count myself among the living.
Passage 65
रामस्य सौहार्दगुणैर्वञ्चितोऽस्मि महीपते। सुखं रामेण पौराणां स्वयं प्रवसता हृतम्॥६५॥
“King, I have been deprived of Rāma’s loving qualities. By going into exile, Rāma has carried away the happiness of the citizens.”
Passage 66
इति सूतमुखान्निशम्य वाचं करुणार्द्रमतिविकलवान्नरेन्द्रः। विललाप चिरं कृतानुतापः सुभृशं कैकयजाकृतेन तप्तः॥६६॥
Hearing these grief-soaked words from the charioteer, the king became utterly overwhelmed. Full of remorse and tormented by what Kaikeyī’s daughter had caused, he lamented for a long time.
Passage 67
चिरमात्मनः कथितदोषसंहतिगुरुदुःखसागरनिमग्नमानसः। विगतासुकल्प उपजातमूर्च्छनो व्यथितोऽवनीभूमि निपपात पार्थिवः॥६७॥
His mind submerged in the vast ocean of suffering created by the many faults he had confessed, the afflicted king fainted, seemed lifeless, and fell upon the earth.
Passage 68
करुणं विलप्य नृपतौ ततश्चिरं कृतमौनमासितवति मूढवत्। विललाप रामजननी चिरेण तदुद्गुणां निशम्य खलु सूतभाषितम्॥६८॥
After lamenting pitifully, the king sat for a long time in stunned silence. Hearing Sumantra’s account of Rāma’s exalted virtues, Rāma’s mother also lamented at length.
Passage 69
तामार्तामतिशयशोकशल्यविद्धां कौसल्यां त्रिभुवनमङ्गलैककुक्षिम्। संस्मृत्य प्रभुवरवाक्पदानि भूयस्तपन्तीं किमपि समादधौ सुमन्त्रः॥६९॥
Kauśalyā—whose womb alone had borne the auspiciousness of the three worlds—was afflicted and pierced by the dart of overwhelming grief. Remembering the supreme Lord’s words, Sumantra began gently to console her as she burned anew.