Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथोवाच महीपालो विलप्य बहुदीनवाक्। असह्यविरहोद्रेकदुःखसागरमग्नहृत्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Then the king spoke after lamenting in many piteous words, his heart submerged in an ocean of pain raised by unbearable separation.
Passage 2
धिङ् मां सुमन्त्र जीवन्तं विना रामेण सूनुना। लक्ष्मणेन च वीरेण वैदेह्या सुचरित्रया॥२॥
“Shame on me, Sumantra, for remaining alive without my son Rāma, without heroic Lakṣmaṇa, and without noble-hearted Vaidehī.
Passage 3
यत्र तौ सुमहावीरौ लोकोत्तरगुणाद्भुतौ। नय मामपि तत्रैव नान्यथा जीवनं मम॥३॥
“Take me also to the very place where those two mighty heroes, wondrous in virtues beyond this world, now dwell. Otherwise I cannot live.
Passage 4
अथवा महद्वियोगार्तिं निवेद्य करुणानिधिम्। निवर्तय वनाद्रामं वैदेहीलक्ष्मणान्वितम्॥४॥
“Or tell that treasury of compassion of my great anguish in separation, and bring Rāma back from the forest together with Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa.
Passage 5
हा मया किं कृतं कर्म घोरं धर्मयशोपहम्। त्रैलोक्यजीवनो रामः प्रवसन् न निवारितः॥५॥
“Alas, what dreadful deed have I done, destroying dharma and honor? I did not stop Rāma, the very life of the three worlds, from going into exile.
Passage 6
धिङ् मे सत्यवचोनिष्ठां यया रामः प्रवासितः। इदानीमपि मे रामं सुमन्त्र परिदर्शय॥६॥
“Shame upon my adherence to a pledged word, through which Rāma was exiled. Sumantra, even now let me behold my Rāma.
Passage 7
इमं मे दुःखदावाग्निं विना रामघनाघनम्। कोऽन्यः शमयिता लोके स्वानन्दरसवर्षणः॥७॥
“Apart from the rain-cloud that is Rāma, who else in this world can extinguish my forest fire of grief by showering the nectar of his own bliss?
Passage 8
अहा रामवियोगोत्थो दुःखोर्मिः शोकसागरः। न मया सुतरः सूत तेन त्यक्ष्यामि जीवितम्॥८॥
“Ah, charioteer, I cannot cross this ocean of sorrow whose waves of pain rise from separation from Rāma. Therefore I shall abandon my life.
Passage 9
दूरं गतस्ताडकारिर्भवान् यावत्तमानयेत्। तावद्विरहदावाग्निर्मम प्राणान् ग्रसिष्यति॥९॥
“The destroyer of Tāḍakā has gone far away. Before you could bring him back, this wildfire of separation would consume my life-breaths.”
Passage 10
इत्थं विलप्य भूपालो गतासुरिव तत्क्षणात्। मूर्च्छितः पतितो भूमौ परित्यज्य नृपासनम्॥१०॥
Lamenting thus, the king instantly appeared lifeless. Fainting, he left his royal seat and fell upon the ground. Kauśalyā Appeals to Sumantra
Passage 11
कौसल्या च तथैवार्ता विलप्य करुणं बहु। तप्यमानेन मनसा सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत्॥११॥
Kauśalyā, afflicted in the same way, lamented piteously at length and spoke these words to Sumantra with a heart consumed by anguish.
Passage 12
हा सूत मामपि क्षिप्रं तत्रैव नय कानने। यत्र सौमित्रिसीताभ्यां सहितो रामचन्द्रमाः॥१२॥
“Alas, charioteer, quickly take me also to that forest where the moonlike Rāma dwells with Sumitrā’s son and Sītā.
Passage 13
तादृक्पुत्रवियुक्ताया धिङ् मे जीवनमीदृशम्। अतो रथं समारोप्य नय मां रामसन्निधौ॥१३॥
“Shame on such a life as mine, separated from a son like him. Therefore place me in the chariot and take me into Rāma’s presence.
Passage 14
यदि मां कृपया साधो न रामं दर्शयिष्यसि। तदा विरहदावाग्निर्धक्ष्यत्येव न संशयः॥१४॥
“Good Sumantra, if out of compassion you do not show me Rāma, the wildfire of separation will surely burn me up. There is no doubt.
Passage 15
अथवा मामकं सूत हृदयं भृशकर्कशम्। वज्रादपीति मन्येऽहं यन्न शोकेन दीर्यते॥१५॥
“Or else, charioteer, I think my heart must be exceedingly hard—even harder than a thunderbolt—for it is not split apart by sorrow.
Passage 16
कुत्र मे मरणं सूत महाकठिनचेतसः। यमोऽप्यसून् न गृह्णाति रामविश्लेषकल्मषान्॥१६॥
“Where is death for one so hard-hearted as I, Sumantra? Even Yama will not take these life-breaths stained by separation from Rāma.”
Passage 17
इत्युक्त्वा रामजननी शोकमूर्च्छायिता शनैः। सुमन्त्रो बोधयामास स्मृत्वा संदेशमीशितुः॥१७॥
After Rāma’s mother had spoken thus and gradually swooned from grief, Sumantra revived her, remembering the Lord’s message.
Passage 18
समाश्वसिहि मा तेऽम्ब शोकोऽयं हृदि वर्धताम्। धैर्यमालम्ब्य वर्तस्व नान्यथा विद्यते गतिः॥१८॥
“Take heart, Mother. Do not let this grief grow within your heart. Hold fast to courage and conduct yourself steadily; there is no other way. Rāma’s Joy in the Forest
Passage 19
रामस्तु भुवनारामः कानने विमुदान्वितः। सौमित्रिणा सेव्यमानो वर्तते सुखमीश्वरः॥१९॥
“Rāma, the delight of the worlds, remains perfectly joyful and at ease in the forest, attended by Sumitrā’s son.
Passage 20
किं चिकीर्षुर्वनं याति तद्वेत्ति स्वयमेव सः। त्रैलोक्यमङ्गलार्थाय जातोऽसौ पुरुषोत्तमः॥२०॥
“He alone knows what purpose he intends to accomplish by entering the forest. That Supreme Person has taken birth for the welfare of the three worlds.
Passage 21
गुहाश्रमगते तस्मिन् संसुप्ते भूमितल्पके। सर्वं मे तत्त्वमाचख्यौ लक्ष्मणस्तद्रहस्यवित्॥२१॥
“When he reached Guha’s settlement and slept upon a bed on the ground, Lakṣmaṇa, who knows his mystery, explained the whole truth to me.
Passage 22
स वै पुरुषधौरेयः साक्षात्कारणविग्रहः। न तस्य विषये शोकं राज्ञि त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि॥२२॥
“He is the foremost of persons, the very embodiment of the supreme Cause. Queen, you ought not to grieve over him.
Passage 23
त्रैलोक्यमङ्गला मातर्धन्या ते कुक्षिरुज्ज्वला। श्रोष्यते भवती तस्य गुणान् भुवनमङ्गलान्॥२३॥
“Mother who blesses the three worlds, glorious and fortunate is the womb that bore him. You will yet hear of his virtues, which bring blessing to all the worlds.
Passage 24
न तस्य विपिने कष्टं परमानन्दवारिधेः। नापि तं सेवमानस्य लक्ष्मणस्य महामतेः॥२४॥
“There is no hardship in the wilderness for him, the ocean of supreme bliss, nor for wise Lakṣmaṇa as he serves him.
Passage 25
जानकी मुदितात्यर्थं वर्तते स्वामिना सह। प्रासादेष्विव खेलन्ती रमते काननेष्वपि॥२५॥
“Jānakī remains exceedingly happy beside her Lord. She delights in the forests as playfully as she did within the palaces.
Passage 26
न दीनहृदया नापि दुःखयुक्ता वनेषु सा। समस्तमङ्गला लक्ष्मीर्भासयत्यखिलं वनम्॥२६॥
“She is neither downhearted nor distressed in the forest. Lakṣmī, the sum of all auspiciousness, illuminates the entire woodland.
Passage 27
पश्यन्ती पुष्पितान् वृक्षान् लताश्च स्तबकान्विताः। द्योतयन्ती वनं कान्त्या याति सा स्वामिना सह॥२७॥
“As she beholds flowering trees and vines heavy with clusters of blossoms, she walks beside her Lord, lighting the forest with her radiance.
Passage 28
मञ्जुमञ्जीरनादेन चमत्कृतमृगेक्षिता। याति संचारिणी साक्षात् काञ्चनी प्रतिमेव सा॥२८॥
“The deer gaze in wonder at the lovely music of her anklets. As she moves, she appears like a golden image come to life.
Passage 29
ययोः स्मरणमात्रेण लोके भवति मङ्गलम्। क्व तयोर्विपदो मातः कानने वा गृहेषु वा॥२९॥
“Mother, the mere remembrance of those two brings auspiciousness to the world. How could calamity touch them, whether in a forest or in a home?
Passage 30
सरःसु फुल्लपद्मेषु हसन्ती राजहंसकान्। विलासाञ्चितया गत्या याति सीता वनान्तरे॥३०॥
“Smiling at the royal swans upon lakes filled with open lotuses, Sītā proceeds through the heart of the forest with a graceful, playful gait.
Passage 31
रामं नवघनश्यामं लक्ष्मणं च सुलक्षणम्। पश्यन्ती परमानन्दा रमते सा शुभान्विता॥३१॥
“Beholding Rāma, dark as a fresh rain-cloud, and the splendidly marked Lakṣmaṇa, the blessed Sītā delights in supreme bliss.
Passage 32
यथा पुरे राजगृहे क्रीडन्ती काननेऽपि सा। शोभते स्मितपीयूषवर्षिचन्द्राद्भुतानना॥३२॥
“Just as she played in the royal palace in the city, so she shines even in the forest, her wondrous moonlike face raining the nectar of smiles.
Passage 33
अपूर्वान् कानने वृक्षान् विचित्राश्च लताः सती। सरांसि सरितश्चापि दृष्ट्वा पृच्छति वल्लभम्॥३३॥
“When the virtuous lady sees unfamiliar trees, marvelous vines, lakes, and rivers in the forest, she asks her beloved about them.
Passage 34
तत्र तत्र प्रियः स्थित्वा भूयो मोदयति प्रियाम्। वार्ताभिः सुविचित्राभिर्दर्शयन् काननश्रियम्॥३४॥
“Pausing here and there, her beloved repeatedly delights her with fascinating accounts as he points out the forest’s beauty. Their Presence Blesses the Forest
Passage 35
समीरणेन मन्देन शीतलेन सुगन्धिना। परागमधुगर्भेण सेव्यमाना सवल्लभा॥३५॥
“Together with her beloved, she is caressed by a gentle, cool, fragrant breeze laden with pollen and honey.
Passage 36
वनेऽपि मुदिता सीता न जहाति तनुप्रभाम्। वनश्रीदर्शनोत्कण्ठा द्विगुणोद्भूतकौतुका॥३६॥
“Joyful even in the forest, Sītā loses none of her bodily splendor. Eager to behold the woodland beauty, her wonder rises twofold.
Passage 37
मोदयन्ती प्रियं रामं लक्ष्मणं चापि सेवकम्। वनकुञ्जपथं प्राप्ता रमते सा विनोदिनी॥३७॥
“Delighting her beloved Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, his devoted attendant, that playful lady rejoices as she enters paths through the forest bowers.
Passage 38
पञ्चपत्रारुणाभ्यां च चरणाभ्यां महीतलम्। रञ्जयन्ती तडित्कान्तिर्द्योतते वनवीथिषु॥३८॥
“Coloring the earth with her two feet, red as five-petaled blossoms, she flashes along the forest paths with the brilliance of lightning.
Passage 39
न च सिंहगजव्याघ्रभयं तस्या विलोकये। अधिज्यधनुषोर्मध्ये गच्छन्त्या वीरयोर्द्वयोः॥३९॥
“I see no fear in her of lions, elephants, or tigers as she walks between the two heroes whose bows are strung.
Passage 40
त्रैलोक्यरक्षितारौ तौ वीरौ पौंस्नविभूषणौ। विनयन्तौ वने हिंस्रान् गच्छतोऽतिमुदान्वितौ॥४०॥
“Those two heroes, protectors of the three worlds and ornaments of manhood, travel in great joy, subduing the forest’s dangerous beasts.
Passage 41
न ग्लानिर्न श्रमो नापि खेदो न विपदः क्वचित्। तयोः सञ्चरतोः स्वैरमुपनम्राखिलश्रियोः॥४१॥
“As they roam freely, with every form of prosperity bowing before them, they experience no weariness, fatigue, distress, or misfortune anywhere.
Passage 42
अनुकूलं तयोः सर्वं वनेऽपि वसतोर्मुदा। गच्छतो यत्र यत्रैव तत्र तत्रैव मङ्गलम्॥४२॥
“Everything is favorable to them as they live joyfully in the forest. Wherever they go, auspiciousness is present there.
Passage 43
यानाश्रमद्रुमान् रामः सायमाश्रित्य तिष्ठति। प्रस्थितेऽपि तु तस्मिन् मुच्यन्ते परया श्रिया॥४३॥
“The hermitage trees beneath which Rāma rests in the evening are adorned with supreme beauty even after he has departed.
Passage 44
सरःसु स्वच्छतोयेषु येषु रामोऽवगाहते। अकस्मात्तेषु दृश्यन्ते नवपद्मवनश्रियः॥४४॥
“In every lake of clear water into which Rāma enters, the splendor of new lotus groves suddenly appears.
Passage 45
श्रीरामचरणन्यासात्फलितं पुष्पितं वनम्। तदेवान्यदिवाभाति सद्यः संजातया श्रिया॥४५॥
“At the touch of Śrī Rāma’s feet, the forest becomes laden with fruit and flowers. With beauty arising in an instant, it seems transformed into another realm.
Passage 46
शाकमूलफलाहारे धर्मं चरति राघवे। प्रभूततमसम्पत्तिर्लभ्यतेऽद्य वनावली॥४६॥
“As Rāghava practices dharma while eating leaves, roots, and fruit, the whole forest region now attains the richest prosperity.
Passage 47
तावन्योन्यप्रियालापौ कृतान्योन्यहितावुभौ। वैदेहीं वीक्ष्य मुदितौ वने धर्मपरायणौ॥४७॥
“Those two brothers speak affectionately with one another and each attends to the other’s welfare. Devoted to dharma in the forest, both rejoice at the sight of Vaidehī.
Passage 48
अन्योन्यस्नेहसम्बद्धौ भ्रातरौ मुदिताशयौ। क्वचिन्न स्मरतो मातः पुरीं वा पुरवासिनः॥४८॥
“Mother, the two brothers, bound by mutual affection and joyful at heart, never give a thought to the city or its inhabitants.
Passage 49
लक्ष्मणस्य पिता माता सखा बन्धुः सुहृद् गुरुः। सर्वस्वमसवो रामो नान्यं स स्मरति क्वचित्॥४९॥
“For Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma is father, mother, companion, kinsman, friend, teacher, everything he possesses, and life itself. He never remembers anyone else.
Passage 50
रामो जनककन्यायाश्चारित्रेणातिमोदितः। वनवासेऽति सानन्दो न कञ्चिदभिकाङ्क्षति॥५०॥
“Rāma is exceedingly pleased by the conduct of Janaka’s daughter. Entirely content in forest exile, he longs for no one. Sumantra’s Consolation
Passage 51
वैदेही भर्तृपरमा मोदयन्ती मुदान्विता। सोत्कण्ठा वनवासेन वर्तते सुखसम्पदा॥५१॥
“Supremely devoted to her husband, joyful Vaidehī delights him in return. Eager for forest life, she abides in an abundance of happiness.
Passage 52
न तेषां विषये शोकः कार्यस्ते जननि क्वचित्। महानुभावमुख्यानां वनवासे रतात्मनाम्॥५२॥
“Mother, you should never grieve for those foremost among great souls, whose hearts delight in their forest dwelling.
Passage 53
अलं खेदेन ते राज्ञि राज्ञः खेदमपाकुरु। द्रक्ष्यसि चतुर्दशाब्दान्ते रामं भार्यानुजान्वितम्॥५३॥
“Enough of your distress, Queen; remove the king’s distress as well. At the end of fourteen years you will see Rāma accompanied by his wife and younger brother.
Passage 54
रामस्त्वद्विषये मातर्वचन्तापूर्वमुवाच माम्। भृशमाश्वासय क्षिप्रं वियुक्तां मम मातरम्॥५४॥
“Mother, concerning you Rāma spoke to me with deep concern: ‘Quickly give abundant reassurance to my mother, who is separated from me.’
Passage 55
उक्तं सशपथं तेन शृणु मामम्ब मा शुचः। पितुः सत्यात्सनुप्रीत्या निवत्स्यामि वने मुदा॥५५॥
“Hear what he solemnly declared: ‘Mother, do not grieve for me. Out of affection for my father’s truth, I shall dwell joyfully in the forest.’
Passage 56
सा त्वं विहाय मनसः शोकं मोहं च दीनताम्। आश्वासय महीपालं न पुनः परिखेदय॥५६॥
“Therefore cast sorrow, delusion, and dejection from your mind. Console the king; do not cause him further distress.”
Passage 57
इत्युक्त्वा वचनमुदारमात्तचित्तामाश्वास्य प्रभुवरमातरं सुमन्त्रः। नत्वोच्चैर्दशरथभूपतिं भृशार्तं निर्यातः सपदि स राजकीयसौधात्॥५७॥
Having spoken these noble words and consoled the deeply affected mother of the supreme Lord, Sumantra bowed low to the sorely afflicted King Daśaratha and at once departed from the royal palace. *Thus ends Chapter Twenty-one, “The Consolation of Kauśalyā and the King,” in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the venerable Ādi-Rāmāyaṇa.*