Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— रात्रौ जातावसानायां भास्करस्योदयात्पुरा। प्रबोधकेषु परितो बोधयत्सु यथाक्रमम्॥१॥
Brahmā said: When the night had ended, before sunrise, the appointed attendants began their customary calls to awaken the palace.
Passage 2
पठत्सु वन्दिलोकेषु गायत्सु विरुदावलीम्। कीर्तयत्सु च सूतेषु मागधेषु विशेषतः॥२॥
Court bards recited and sang lines of praise, while heralds—especially the Māgadhas—proclaimed the king’s glory.
Passage 3
वंशानुपूर्वीमखिलां श्रावयत्सु समन्ततः। उच्चारयत्सु विप्रेषु यथापूर्वं शुभाशिषः॥३॥
They recounted the whole royal lineage in order, and brāhmaṇas uttered the customary auspicious blessings on every side.
Passage 4
गीयमानासु गाथासु भूयो माङ्गलिकीगणैः। नीयमानेषु परितः पुण्यदर्शनवस्तुषु॥४॥
Groups of auspicious singers performed their songs, and sacred objects pleasant to behold were carried all around.
Passage 5
छायादर्शनपात्रेषु कल्पमानेषु सेवकैः। पठत्सु पञ्जरस्थेषु शुकेषु विहगेषु च॥५॥
Servants prepared mirrors and other articles for the morning observance, while parrots and other caged birds recited their trained phrases.
Passage 6
निष्कुटेषु च कूजत्सु कोकिलानां कलस्वरैः। प्रत्युपस्थानकुशलेष्वागच्छत्सु यथा पुरा॥६॥
Cuckoos called sweetly in the gardens, and those skilled in the morning attendance arrived as they had on earlier days.
Passage 7
दन्तधावनमादर्शं स्नानीयं च यथाविधि। आदाय सज्जमानेषु लोकेषु स्वाधिकारतः॥७॥
Each servant took up the toothbrush, mirror, bathing articles, and other prescribed items appropriate to his duty.
Passage 8
शब्दश्च सुमहानासीद् प्रबुद्धे राजवेश्मनि। सर्वे स्वस्वाधिकारेण यथास्थानमुपस्थिताः॥८॥
A tremendous sound filled the awakened palace as everyone stood in the proper place according to his office.
Passage 9
जातः सूर्योदयोऽप्यद्धा न चचाल च भूपतिः। नेङ्गते विगतप्राणः पतितः पाञ्चभौतिकः॥९॥
The sun had truly risen, yet the king did not stir. His life gone, his body made of the five elements lay motionless.
Passage 10
शयनाग्रेसरीणां च जाता वाचः परस्परम्। कथमद्य न राजेन्द्रः प्रबुद्धः क्लिष्टमानसः॥१०॥
Those nearest the bed began whispering among themselves: “Why has the distressed king not awakened today?”
Passage 11
चिरं रात्रौ जजागार महिषीभ्यां च खेदितः। पुत्रविश्लेषदुःखेन वारयन् विविधाः कथाः॥११॥
“He remained awake far into the night, afflicted beside the two queens and speaking many words about the pain of separation from his son.
Passage 12
एते अपि चिरं सुप्ते महिष्यौ दुःखकर्शिते। अथापराः शङ्कमानाः स्त्रियो भूयो महीपतिम्॥१२॥
“The two grief-worn queens have also slept long.” Then the other women grew suspicious about the king.
Passage 13
अपश्यन् सविधे गत्वा धार्ष्ट्यं कृत्वा भयातुराः। तावत्ताः ददृशुर्भूपं तथावस्थामुपागतम्॥१३॥
Overcoming their hesitation, they approached in fear and saw that the king had entered that final state.
Passage 14
उन्नेत्रसलिलं शान्तं शीतलं स्वगात्रतः। अङ्गारमिव शान्तस्य वह्नेर्निःश्वासवर्जितम्॥१४॥
Fluid had risen in his eyes; his body was still and cold, without breath, like an ember after the fire has gone out.
Passage 15
अथ प्रचुक्रुशुः सर्वा उत्क्षिप्ताहतपाणयः। भालेषु चापि वक्षःसु ताडयन्त्यः करद्वयम्॥१५॥
Then all the women screamed, raising their hands and striking their foreheads and breasts with both palms.
Passage 16
तासामार्तस्वरं श्रुत्वा कैकेयीप्रमुखा जवात्। तत्राययुः किमिति शङ्कमाना भयोद्धताः॥१६॥
Hearing their anguished cries, Kaikeyī and the other queens rushed there, fearfully asking what had happened.
Passage 17
तासां कोलाहलं श्रुत्वा पार्श्वस्थे उदतिष्ठताम्। कौसल्या च सुमित्रा च पश्यन्त्यौ नृपतेर्दशाम्॥१७॥
At the uproar, Kauśalyā and Sumitrā, who had lain beside him, arose and beheld the king’s condition.
Passage 18
सद्यः सम्भ्रान्तनयने स्वापोत्थितससम्भ्रमे। हा हा पुत्रेत्याक्रुश्य निपेततुरिलातले॥१८॥
Their eyes instantly wild with alarm as they rose from sleep, they cried, “Alas, our son!” and fell upon the ground. The Queens and Palace Lament
Passage 19
तयोर्भुवि विचेष्टन्त्यो भूरेणुविगतात्विषोः। कैकेयीप्रमुखाः सर्वा निपेतुरवनीतले॥१९॥
As those two writhed on the earth, their radiance obscured by dust, Kaikeyī and all the other queens also fell to the floor.
Passage 20
रुरुदुस्तीव्रशोकेन मन्दमुच्चैः शब्दकारिकाः। तासां शब्दमुपश्रुत्य रुदतीनां समन्ततः॥२०॥
Overcome by intense grief, they wept in low cries and loud. Their lamenting voices resounded on every side.
Passage 21
उत्थायोत्थाय भूपृष्ठे पतन्तीनां मुहुर्मुहुः। बाहुभिस्ताडयन्तीनां वक्षांसि च शिरांसि च॥२१॥
Again and again they rose only to fall back upon the floor, beating their breasts and heads with their arms.
Passage 22
निरात्मरक्षं भूपृष्ठे घ्नतीनां कोमलास्तनूः। आययुः स्वस्वगेहेभ्यः समस्ता राजबान्धवाः॥२२॥
While the women struck their delicate bodies against the ground without regard for themselves, all the king’s relatives came from their homes.
Passage 23
रुदन्तो रोदयन्तश्च चित्रस्थानपि शोकतः। अथासीत् सुमहान् शब्दस्तेषामन्योन्यपातिनाम्॥२३॥
They wept and caused even the onlookers to weep. A tremendous sound arose as they collapsed upon one another in grief.
Passage 24
अन्योन्यमालिङ्गयतामन्योन्यं च प्रलापिनाम्। सर्वभापूरितं वेश्म नीचैरुच्चैः समन्ततः॥२४॥
They embraced one another and lamented to one another; low and loud cries filled the entire palace.
Passage 25
तलध्वनिः प्रतिच्छायाध्वनिश्च सुमहानभूत्। हाहाकारो महानासीदन्तःपुरनिवासिनाम्॥२५॥
The sound of hands striking bodies and its echo grew immense. A great wail of “Alas!” rose from the inhabitants of the inner palace.
Passage 26
शिरोवक्षस्ताडनोत्थः शब्दश्च सुमहानभूत्। सर्वा राजमहिष्यश्च विचेष्टन्त्यो महीतले॥२६॥
A tremendous sound arose from the beating of heads and breasts as all the royal wives writhed upon the earth.
Passage 27
नाशोभन्त तदा ताराः आकाशात्पतिता इव। अतीव शोकसंशब्दे जायमाने समन्ततः॥२७॥
They looked like stars fallen from the sky, their beauty extinguished, while the sound of extreme grief arose everywhere. Kauśalyā Laments Daśaratha
Passage 28
कौसल्या पतिशोकेन विललाप तपस्विनी। हा नराधिप हा मित्र सुखदायक हा निधे॥२८॥
The suffering Kauśalyā lamented in grief for her husband: “Alas, king! Alas, friend and giver of happiness! Alas, treasury of goodness!
Passage 29
हा शत्रुनारीवैधव्यदीक्षादानविचक्षण। हा देवनरनागेन्द्रसर्वस्व यशसां निधे॥२९॥
“Alas, master at initiating the wives of enemies into widowhood! Treasure of fame, valued by gods, humans, and serpent kings!
Passage 30
हा भूषा हा नाथ हा वदान्य महाक्रतो। हा यायजूक हा सम्राट्प्रवराधिप हा पते॥३०॥
“Alas, ornament of the earth! Lord, generous performer of great sacrifices! Sacrificer, emperor, foremost ruler, my husband!
Passage 31
हा विश्वकान्त हा कान्त क्व गतोऽसि त्वमीदृशः। हायोध्यानगरीनाथ हा निजावनपण्डित॥३१॥
“Beloved of the world, my beloved, where have you gone in this condition? Lord of Ayodhyā, expert protector of your own people!
Passage 32
हा हा असुरसन्दोहनिवारणविधिक्षम। हा नाथ युधि दैत्यौघान् विजित्य निशितैः शरैः॥३२॥
“Alas, mighty destroyer of hosts of demons! Lord, after conquering hordes of daityas in battle with sharp arrows,
Passage 33
प्रतापाग्निभिरावेष्ट्य सप्तसिन्धुभृतां महीम्। नीराजितवपुर्देवकन्याभिर्यशसान्वितः॥३३॥
“you encircled the seven-rivered earth with the fire of your valor, while celestial maidens honored your glorious form.
Passage 34
पुनरायास्यसि गृहान् सुखयिष्यसि बान्धवान्। हा नाथ किमिमां निद्रां भजसे मीलितेक्षणः॥३४॥
“Will you not return home again and gladden your relatives? Alas, lord, why do you lie in this sleep with eyes closed?
Passage 35
पुनरुद्बोधरहितं किमीहृग्व्यसनं तव। हा नाथ कस्य पुण्येन पुनस्त्वं त्यक्तमीलनः। झटित्युत्थाय सुहृदः सुखयेः शोककर्शितान्॥३५॥
“What calamity has made you incapable of waking? Alas, lord, through whose merit might you open your eyes again, rise at once, and console your grief-worn friends?
Passage 36
हा नाथ कस्या हतमङ्गलाया दुर्बुद्धिजातेन सुतापदेन। रामस्य विश्लेषहुताशनेन त्वमत्यजः सर्वहिताच्च निजासून्॥३६॥
“Alas, lord, whose ruined fortune and wicked judgment produced this disaster for your son? Burned by the fire of separation from Rāma, you—benefactor of all—gave up your life.
Passage 37
हा नाथ दुष्टा रिपवोऽद्य जाताः पूर्णाशिषस्त्वय्यसुहीनदेहे। मित्राणि ते जीवितजीवितानि सीदन्ति दुर्दैवविमुष्टभव्याः॥३७॥
“Alas, lord, today your wicked enemies see their wishes fulfilled as your body lies lifeless, while your noble friends, for whom your life was life itself, sink beneath cruel fate.
Passage 38
हा नाथ दुर्दैववशादसह्यं वैधव्यमेतत् कथमद्य वक्ष्ये। प्राणा विनिर्यान्ति न भूरिघातैराहन्यमाना अपि वक्षसो मे॥३८॥
“Lord, through evil fate, how shall I endure this unbearable widowhood? Though I strike my breast again and again, my life-breaths will not depart.
Passage 39
अहो अहं देवहताद्य जाता क्व तादृशो मेऽभ्युदयो व्यतीतः। हा हा अकाण्डज्वलनेन दग्धा जीवामि किं नाथ भवत्युदासे॥३९॥
“Today I have been struck down by fate. Where has my former good fortune gone? Burned by an untimely blaze, why do I live when you have departed?
Passage 40
वृत्तानि तानि स्मरसे न नाथ त्वया वितीर्णानि शुभानि मह्यम्। क्व तानि ते लोकपते वचांसि वितीर्णवान् यैरभयं हितेभ्यः॥४०॥
“Lord, do you not remember all the blessings you bestowed upon me? Ruler of the world, where are those words by which you gave fearlessness to your loved ones?
Passage 41
अयं कुतः सम्पतितो वियोगस्तवात्मजस्योदितदुष्टविपाकः। पुत्रस्य पत्युश्च ममातुराया विश्लेष आमीलयदेकदैव॥४१॥
“From where has this separation fallen, the evil fruit that arose for your son? Separation from both son and husband has closed upon me, the afflicted one, all at once.
Passage 42
न जीवनं सम्प्रति मे ममार्हं तथापि जीवामि विधेर्विपाकात्। करोमि किं न ग्रसते ममासून् पुत्रस्य पत्युश्च वियोग एषः॥४२॥
“Life is no longer fitting for me, yet through fate’s decree I remain alive. What shall I do? Why does this separation from son and husband not consume my life?
Passage 43
सुदुर्धरो मे विरहः सुतस्य त्वद्विप्रयोगाद् द्विगुणत्वमाप। सुदुर्भगाहं सुतरां सहामि दुःखोर्मिवन्तं ननु शोकसिन्धुम्॥४३॥
“My unbearable separation from my son has doubled through separation from you. Utterly unfortunate, I endure an ocean of grief heaving with waves of pain. Kauśalyā Condemns Kaikeyī’s Deed
Passage 44
हा कैकेयि तवैव दुष्कृतमिदं जागर्ति भूमीतले भोक्ष्ये राज्यमकण्टकं मम सुतश्चेति क्रूरे व्यधाः पातकम्। वैधव्यापदमीदृशीमगणयन्त्येवं प्रजादुःखदे मत्पुत्रं मदनात् प्रवासितवती तद्दुश्चरित्रं तव॥४४॥
“Kaikeyī, your evil deed now stands exposed upon the earth. Cruelly thinking, ‘My son will enjoy an uncontested kingdom,’ you committed this sin. Ignoring such a calamity of widowhood and bringing grief to the people, you exiled my son through infatuation—such is your wicked conduct.
Passage 45
त्यक्त्वा भर्तृसुखं विधाय च महादुःखं दुराचारिणी ब्रह्मक्षत्रविडन्त्यजादिसकलक्षोणीतलस्थायिषु। का स्त्री स्वात्मसुखार्थिनी वितनुतामेवंविधां क्रूरतां कैकेयि प्रकृतिप्रकामपरुषे दुष्टायां त्वामृते॥४५॥
“Abandoning the joy of your husband, wicked woman, you brought immense sorrow to brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, outcastes, and every inhabitant of the earth. What woman seeking her own happiness could spread such cruelty, Kaikeyī, except one as innately harsh and corrupt as you?
Passage 46
वैधव्यापदमुद्धुरं रामयशोध्वान्तादपि श्यामलं पापं चाप्रतिमं चकार भवती कस्मादिहामुत्र च। भ्रान्तं सर्वमपि त्वदीयमशुभं कर्मेदृशं कैकेयि क्रूरायास्तव किं गतं भृशमहं हा हन्त दीना हता॥४६॥
“Why did you commit this incomparable sin, bringing the crushing disaster of widowhood, darker than any shadow upon Rāma’s fame, both here and hereafter? Kaikeyī, your entire wicked design has turned astray. Alas, what has your cruelty achieved? I am ruined and helpless.
Passage 47
हा हन्त कुब्जावाचालीवाक्यवश्यहृदा त्वया। रघूणां संक्षयो जातः शत्रूणां च मनोरथः॥४७॥
“Alas! Allowing your heart to be ruled by the talkative hunchback’s words, you have brought ruin upon the Raghu line and fulfilled the desire of its enemies.
Passage 48
तव प्रसादनार्थाय राजा सत्यपरायणः। रामं प्रवासयामास तस्येदं कर्मणः फलम्॥४८॥
“To satisfy you, the truth-devoted king sent Rāma into exile. This is the fruit of that deed. Kauśalyā Calls to Rāma and Sītā
Passage 49
हा राम मामद्य हतामनाथां त्वया च पत्या च भृशं विहीनाम्। दुःखाप्लुतां पतितां शोकसिन्धौ जानासि नैवं विलपन्तीं सुदीनाम्॥४९॥
“Rāma, do you not know that today I am ruined and helpless, bereft of both you and my husband, drowned in pain, fallen into an ocean of grief, and lamenting in utter misery?
Passage 50
यत्रासि तत्रासि चराचरस्य शुभं दधानः शुभवान् स्वतश्च। मामीदृशागाधतमे नितान्तं शोकाम्बुराशौ पतितां न वेत्सि॥५०॥
“Wherever you are, you naturally bear auspiciousness to all that moves and does not move. Yet do you not know that I have fallen into this fathomless ocean of grief?
Passage 51
हा साध्वि कल्याणि विदेहराजकुलाचलस्योर्जितसत्पताके। धन्यासि पत्या सहिता सुखाब्धौ मग्नासि याहं विलपामि सा हता॥५१॥
“Virtuous and auspicious Sītā, glorious banner upon the mountainlike house of Videha’s king, you are fortunate to remain with your husband, immersed in an ocean of happiness, while I lament here destroyed.
Passage 52
हा पापकारिणि क्रूरे यदर्थं रचितं त्वया। स एव भरतो नूनं त्वां भृशं गर्हयिष्यति॥५२॥
“Cruel perpetrator of sin, Bharata himself—the one for whose sake you arranged all this—will surely condemn you severely.
Passage 53
सौम्योऽति धर्माचरितः सत्त्ववान् विमलव्रतः। तदर्थमेवं कैकेयि किं त्वं क्रूरमुपाचरः॥५३॥
“He is gentle, deeply righteous, noble, and pure in vow. Kaikeyī, why did you act so cruelly for his sake?
Passage 54
हा हातिपापसङ्कल्पे सुतः पापविवर्जितः। सोऽप्येवं कर्मणालोके त्वयाद्य मलिनीकृतः॥५४॥
“Woman of supremely sinful intent, your son is free from sin, yet today you have stained his name in the world through this deed.
Passage 55
हा हा महाराज महीमहेन्द्र हा हा महाकीर्तिनिधे महाढ्य। हा हा महाबाहुवरेण्य पुण्यनिधे न मां पश्यसि शोकमग्नाम्॥५५॥
“Great king, Indra upon the earth, treasury of mighty fame and wealth! Foremost of the strong-armed, treasury of merit—do you not see me submerged in grief?
Passage 56
हा हा महाबल महामहनीयकीर्ते तत्तादृगुज्ज्वलतरं विमलं मनस्ते। कैकेयराजसुतयातिनृशंसयातिपापात्मना विकलितं कथमेवमासीत्॥५६॥
“Mighty king of greatly honored fame, how was your exceedingly pure and radiant mind so broken by the cruel and deeply sinful daughter of the Kekaya king?
Passage 57
इदं त्वया स्वात्मविनाशहेतवे सम्पादितं किं विदुषापि तादृशा। यद् रामचन्द्रं नितरां निरागसं प्रवासयामास दुरात्मनो गिरा॥५७॥
“Though so wise, why did you bring about the cause of your own destruction by sending entirely innocent Rāmacandra into exile at a wicked person’s word?
Passage 58
यदि त्वया साकमहं महीपते विशेयमग्निं परितः समेधितम्। तदा गमिष्यामि भवत्सलोकतां सत्ये च धर्मे महतीं व्यवस्थितिम्॥५८॥
“King, if I entered the blazing fire together with you, I would reach your world and the great station founded upon truth and dharma.
Passage 59
दूरे तु मे तर्हि सुतस्य तस्य वै रामाभिधस्यामृतवर्षिवर्ष्मणः। स्याद् दर्शनं लोकजनाभिकाङ्क्षितं ततो नु शोचामि करोमि किं त्वहम्॥५९॥
“But then the sight of my distant son Rāma—whose form showers nectar and whom all the world longs to see—would be lost to me. Therefore I grieve, uncertain what I should do.
Passage 60
हा राम निःशेषगुणाभिराम हा लक्ष्मण क्षेमदलक्षणाढ्य। हा मैथिलि ख्यापितसाधुवृत्ते कुत्रस्थ यूयं ननु मां न वित्थ॥६०॥
“Rāma, delight of every virtue! Lakṣmaṇa, rich in auspicious marks and giver of welfare! Maithilī, renowned for noble conduct! Where are you? Do you not know what has befallen me?
Passage 61
हा हा महाराजकुमारकौ वां प्रस्पन्दमानं ननु वामचक्षुः। किमद्य नाख्यास्यति दुर्निमित्तं ततोऽपि न स्याद् विपिनान्निवृत्तिः॥६१॥
“Two royal princes, does not your left eye throb today and announce this evil omen? Even so, it will not bring you back from the forest.
Passage 62
अथवा शुभमेव वां सदा त्रिजगन्मङ्गलदायिदर्शनौ। विधिना निहता तु मादृशी सुमहासङ्कटशोकभाजनम्॥६२॥
“Or perhaps all is always auspicious for you two, whose sight blesses the three worlds. It is I alone, struck down by fate, who have become the vessel of this terrible anguish and grief.” Arundhatī Consoles Kauśalyā
Passage 63
इत्युच्चैर्विलपन्तीं तां कुररीमिव दुःखिताम्। आजगाम सतीमौलिर्भर्त्रा सार्धमरुन्धती॥६३॥
As Kauśalyā lamented loudly like a grieving osprey, Arundhatī, crown among faithful wives, came with her husband.
Passage 64
तामालिङ्ग्य सुदुःखार्ता कौसल्या भर्तृशोकिनी। विललाप गलद्बाष्पधारासाराभिवर्षिणी॥६४॥
Kauśalyā, afflicted by extreme pain and mourning her husband, embraced her and lamented while pouring down torrents of tears.
Passage 65
हा मातस्त्वं रघुकुलवधूभूरिसौभाग्यकर्त्री पूर्णं यामाशिषमलमदा मङ्गलैकान्तहेतुम्। सा मय्येवंविधपरिणतौ दुर्विधेर्दुर्भगायां मूकीभावं कथमिव गता भर्तृतः पुत्रतश्च॥६५॥
“Mother, you bestowed upon me, a bride of the Raghu line, the full blessing that creates abundant fortune and perfect auspiciousness. How has that blessing now fallen silent when cruel fate has left me bereft of husband and son?
Passage 66
न खल्वतिशयोद्दीप्तदुर्दैवहतवृत्तिषु। देवतानामपि गिरो भवन्ति फलवत्तराः॥६६॥
“Even the words of deities do not bear fruit when a person’s life is struck by the blazing excess of evil fortune.
Passage 67
साहमद्य न जीविष्ये भृशं दुर्विधिना हता। ध्रुवमीदृगवस्थायाः श्रेयो मरणमेव मे॥६७॥
“Struck down so terribly by fate, I shall not live today. In such a condition, death alone is surely better for me.”
Passage 68
तां समाधाय शोकार्तां भर्तृवाक्यादरुन्धती। व्यवहारविनीताभिर्दासीभिर्नयत्ततः॥६८॥
Acting on her husband’s instruction, Arundhatī steadied the grief-stricken queen and had disciplined attendants lead her away. Vasiṣṭha Arranges the Succession and Funeral
Passage 69
तत्स्थानं विजनीकृत्य प्राजापत्यो मुनिर्गुरुः। आकार्य मन्त्रिणः सर्वानिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥६९॥
After clearing the place, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha, son of Prajāpati, summoned all the ministers and spoke these words.
Passage 70
यद्भावि तदभूद् दैवात् करणीयमतः परम्। क्रियतां त्वरितं तत्तु धैर्यमालम्ब्य चेतसा॥७०॥
“What was destined has occurred through fate. Now steady your minds with courage and quickly do what must be done.
Passage 71
रामः प्रवासी भरतो मातुलेष्वधितिष्ठति। संस्कार्यश्च महीपालः पारलौक्येन कर्मणा॥७१॥
“Rāma is in exile, Bharata is staying with his maternal relatives, and the king must be honored with the rites for the next world.
Passage 72
न च पुत्रेषु सत्स्वन्यः कर्माधिकृत एवचित्। रामश्च सत्यसम्बद्धो न निवर्त्स्यति सत्पथात्॥७२॥
“While sons survive, no other person is authorized to perform those rites, and Rāma, bound to truth, will not turn back from the righteous path.
Passage 73
अत आकार्यतां सौम्यो भरतः कार्यहेतवे। यदर्थमिदमारब्धं कैकेय्या क्रूरचित्तया॥७३॥
“Therefore summon gentle Bharata to carry out the duty—the very one for whose sake cruel-hearted Kaikeyī began all this.
Passage 74
तच्च सम्पत्स्यते तस्या अभीष्टं भरतागमे। तावद् रक्ष्यमिदं तैले भूपतेः पाञ्चभौतिकम्॥७४॥
“When Bharata arrives, her desired purpose will be accomplished. Until then, the king’s elemental body must be preserved in oil.
Passage 75
रघूणां प्रवरो राजा नायं दुर्गतिमर्हति। यस्याग्नयोऽश्वमेधीयाः सदा कुण्डेषु जाग्रति॥७५॥
“This foremost king of the Raghus does not deserve an improper end; the fires of his horse sacrifices remain ever awake in their altars.
Passage 76
येनेष्टं राजसूयैश्च तथान्यैः सुमहामखैः। स सम्राड् दीक्षितवर्यश्च यजूकशिरोमणिः॥७६॥
“He performed royal consecration sacrifices and many other great rites. He was an emperor, foremost among the initiated, and crown jewel among sacrificers.
Passage 77
संस्कार्या भरतेनैव सुपुत्रेण मनीषिणा। अन्त्येष्टिकर्मणा चित्यामग्नीनाधाय यज्ञियान्॥७७॥
“Wise Bharata, his worthy son, must perform the final rite, placing the sacred sacrificial fires upon the funeral pyre.
Passage 78
अहं च वामदेवश्च कश्यपो गौतमस्तथा। मार्कण्डेयश्च भगवान् मौद्गल्यश्च महातपाः॥७८॥
“I, Vāmadeva, Kaśyapa, Gautama, blessed Mārkaṇḍeya, and the great ascetic Maudgalya;
Passage 79
जातूकर्णश्च जाबालिः कात्यायन उदारधीः। एते चान्ये च बहवो मन्त्रपूता द्विजातयः॥७९॥
“Jātūkarṇa, Jābāli, noble-minded Kātyāyana, and many other twice-born sages purified by mantra;
Passage 80
सर्वे तमनुगन्तारो नीयमाने नराधिपे। देवर्षयो ब्रह्मर्षयस्तथा राजर्षयोऽमलाः॥८०॥
“all these, together with spotless divine sages, brahmarṣis, and royal sages, will accompany the lord of men when he is borne away.
Passage 81
स सर्वैः सहितः सौम्यो भरतः श्रौतकर्मवित्। करिष्यते पितुर्दाहं यज्ञियेष्वेव चाग्निषु॥८१॥
“Gentle Bharata, learned in Vedic rites and accompanied by them all, will cremate his father in those very sacrificial fires.” Ayodhyā Is Darkened by Grief
Passage 82
ब्रह्मोवाच— वचो वसिष्ठस्य निशम्य सर्वे सारार्थतत्त्वादपरावर्तनीयम्। श्रीरामचन्द्रे हि गतं समाधिं विलोक्य राजानमितो विनिर्ययुः॥८२॥
Brahmā said: Hearing Vasiṣṭha’s words, whose essential truth could not be gainsaid, and seeing that the king had entered absorption in Śrī Rāmacandra, they all departed from there.
Passage 83
स्थले स्थले तदायोध्या वृद्धाद्भिर्नागरैर्जनैः। नरैर्नारीगणैः कीर्णा शोकाद्वैतमिवाभजत्॥८३॥
At every place Ayodhyā filled with aged citizens, men, and groups of women, until the city seemed to enter a state in which grief alone existed.
Passage 84
न शोभते नगरी राजहीना विवर्जिता राजकुमारकैश्च। अस्तंगतेऽर्केऽनुदितेन्दुबिम्बा शोच्यामवद् बहुलेव शर्वरीव॥८४॥
Bereft of its king and princes, the city no longer shone. It resembled a moonless night after sunset, dense and sorrowful.
Passage 85
न वाद्यघोषो न च गीतनादो नालापशब्दोऽर्दितानां जनानाम्। सर्वत्र शोकेन समावृता सा पुरी बभूवाभिभवं गतेव॥८५॥
There was no sound of instruments, no song, and no ordinary conversation among the afflicted people. Covered everywhere by grief, the city seemed utterly overwhelmed.
Passage 86
क्वापि घ्नन्ति शिरांसि भूतलशिलाखण्डेषु स्त्रियो दृग्भिर्बाष्पपरम्परां विदधते कुत्रापि निम्नोन्मुखीः। कर्णाकर्णिकयन्ति केकयसुतादुष्कर्म कुत्राप्यलं लिप्तेवाऽन्धतमिस्रराशिभिरभूद् भूना रघूणां पुरी॥८६॥
In one place women struck their heads against slabs of stone; elsewhere they bowed their faces and poured streams of tears from their eyes. Here and there people whispered from ear to ear of the Kekaya princess’s evil deed. The city of the Raghus seemed wholly smeared with masses of deepest darkness. *Thus ends Chapter Twenty-five, “The Grief for Daśaratha,” in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the venerable Ādi-Rāmāyaṇa.*