Passage 1
सा रात्रिरतिकष्टेन सर्वेषां पर्वतोपमा। कथंचिदत्यगाद् घोरा तापाश्रुपरिदेवनेः॥१॥
That dreadful night, mountain-like in its weight, somehow passed for everyone amid anguish, tears, and lamentation.
Passage 2
प्रभाते मन्त्रिभिः सार्द्धं वशिष्ठो भगवान् द्रुतम्। महर्षिभिः परिवृतः सभामण्डपमाययौ॥२॥
At dawn, the blessed Vasiṣṭha quickly came to the assembly hall with the ministers, surrounded by great sages.
Passage 3
तत्र ते मन्त्रयाञ्चक्रुः सर्वे राज्याभिषेचनम्। यस्य कस्यापि वंश्यस्य वीक्ष्य नीराजकाः प्रजाः॥३॥
Seeing the people left without a king, they all deliberated there about consecrating someone from the royal line.
Passage 4
तानाह भगवानुच्चैः कोऽभिषेचनमर्हति। भरते भूमिभारार्हे मातुलेष्वधितिष्ठति॥४॥
The blessed sage said aloud to them, “Who is fit for consecration while Bharata, worthy to bear the burden of the earth, remains with his maternal relatives?”
Passage 5
प्रेष्यन्तां केकयान् दूता द्रुतं गत्वा गिरिव्रजम्। आनयन्तु महाभावं भरतं कुलभूषणम्॥५॥
“Let messengers be sent swiftly to Girivraja in the Kekaya land. Let them bring Bharata, the noble-minded ornament of his family.”
Passage 6
भो भो दूतवराः शीघ्रमितो गच्छत मा चिरम्। आनेयः केकयान् गत्वा भरतो भूरिविक्रमः॥६॥
“Excellent messengers, depart from here at once; do not delay. Go to Kekaya and bring back mighty Bharata.”
Passage 7
एवंभूतो विशेषोऽस्य ज्ञापनीयो न कर्हिचित्। आख्येयः कुशलं बन्धु देशग्रामपुरादिषु॥७॥
“Under no circumstances is this particular event to be disclosed to him. Say only that all is well with his relatives, the country, villages, and city.”
Passage 8
आयुष्मंस्त्वयि कुशलिनि कुशलं प्राणिनामिति। सामान्यतोऽखिलं वाच्यं विशेषः कोऽपि नोच्यताम्॥८॥
“Tell him generally, ‘Long-lived prince, while you are well, all living beings are well.’ Say nothing at all about the particular circumstance.”
Passage 9
आनेय एव चायुष्मान् विज्ञाप्य मम शासनम्। इति सम्प्रेषिता दूता यावद्गच्छेयुरुद्धुराः॥९॥
“Inform the long-lived prince of my command and be sure to bring him.” Thus the energetic messengers were dispatched and began their journey. Bharata’s Ominous Dream
Passage 10
अपश्यद्भरतस्तावदनिमित्तानि भूरिशः। निद्राणोऽतीव दुःस्वप्नान् ददर्श भयदायकान्॥१०॥
Meanwhile Bharata perceived many ill omens, and in sleep he saw exceedingly frightening nightmares.
Passage 11
सिन्धोः शोषं विधोः पातं गगनादवनीतले। दुर्दिनं काममेघौघस्तमसावरणं भुवः॥११॥
He saw the ocean dry up, the moon fall from the sky to the earth, and a dismal day in which masses of clouds and darkness covered the world.
Passage 12
व्यचष्ट च महाराजमन्यथा तातमात्मनः। पलितं मुक्तत्रिकुटं पतितं चैव शेखरात्॥१२॥
He saw his father, the great king, strangely altered—gray-haired, his topknot loosened, and fallen from a mountain peak.
Passage 13
अगाधेऽतीव कलुषे पङ्कगोमयजे ह्रदे। तैलाञ्जलीन् पिबन्तं च पतन्तं च मुहुर्मुहुः॥१३॥
In a bottomless, foul pool of mud and cow dung, he saw him drinking handfuls of oil and falling again and again.
Passage 14
स्थितं तैलोदनं भुक्त्वा नीचैः स्थापितमस्तकम्। तैलाक्तसर्ववपुषं तैलकुण्डावगाहिनम्॥१४॥
He saw him after eating rice cooked with oil, his head hanging low, his whole body smeared with oil and submerged in a vat of oil.
Passage 15
श्यामे लोहमये पीठे निषण्णं श्यामवाससा। प्रहसन्तं दशरथं कामिन्यः श्यामपिङ्गलाः॥१५॥
Daśaratha sat laughing upon a dark iron seat, dressed in black, while dark, tawny women surrounded him.
Passage 16
काकध्वजे खरयुते रथे कृत्वा त्वरान्विताः। रक्तकृष्णप्रसूनस्रग्धारिण्यो दक्षिणामुखम्॥१६॥
Those hurried women, wearing garlands of red and black flowers, placed him in a donkey-drawn chariot bearing a crow banner and faced it southward.
Passage 17
नयन्ति त्वरयन्त्यश्च प्रेम्णालिङ्ग्य समुत्सुकाः। इत्याद्यनेकमुद्वीक्ष्य स्वयं स पुरुषोत्तमः॥१७॥
Eagerly embracing him, they urged the chariot on and carried him away. The noble Bharata saw many such visions.
Passage 18
जानन्नपि श्रीभरतो बभूवाज्ञवदात्मना। अथ प्रातः समुत्थाय महाराजाधिराजभूः॥१८॥
Although Śrī Bharata understood their meaning, inwardly he became as one bewildered. Then at morning the future sovereign of great kings arose.
Passage 19
स्वभावमधुरोदाररसज्ञवरवल्लभः। तप्यमानेन मनसात्युदासीन इवात्मना॥१९॥
Naturally gentle and noble, a connoisseur of rasa and beloved of the excellent, he appeared utterly withdrawn because his mind was burning with distress.
Passage 20
स्थितो वयस्यैः सहितो नीयमानोऽपि चान्यतः। न तत्याज मनःशोकं भाविसूचनदुर्मनाः॥२०॥
Though his companions stayed with him and led him from one diversion to another, his foreboding mind could not cast off its grief.
Passage 21
प्रेमालापैः सुरुचिरैर्विचित्रैश्च कथानकैः। हास्यैर्गानैस्तथा वाद्यैर्नृत्यैः कौतुककारिभिः॥२१॥
They tried charming words of affection, varied stories, jokes, songs, instruments, dances, and entertaining displays.
Passage 22
प्रेक्षणीयैश्च विविधैर्वस्तुभिर्निस्तुलैरपि। सखिभिः प्रियचारित्रैश्चेटकैश्चाटुकारिभिः॥२२॥
His friends of pleasing conduct and flattering attendants offered many matchless spectacles and objects of delight.
Passage 23
गोष्ठीभिर्विविधाभिश्च पदार्थैश्च प्रहर्षणैः। गजरथैर्हयमल्लैश्चित्रयुद्धविशारदैः॥२३॥
They arranged lively gatherings and pleasing things, elephants, chariots, horses, wrestlers, and experts in spectacular combat.
Passage 24
क्रीडाकौतुकवार्ताभिस्तथा रत्नैरनेकशः। मोदितो रञ्जितश्चैव तैस्तैर्वस्तुकदम्बकैः॥२४॥
They sought repeatedly to cheer and delight the prince with games, wonders, amusing talk, jewels, and clusters of every kind of pleasure.
Passage 25
महाराजकुमारोऽसौ प्रससाद न चेतसि। ततः कश्चित्प्रियसखो जिज्ञासुस्तन्मनोऽब्रवीत्॥२५॥
Yet the great king’s son found no peace of mind. One beloved friend, wishing to understand his heart, then spoke.
Passage 26
किमद्येदं तवौदास्यं महाराजकुमारक। प्रसादहेतुष्वप्येषु कथं वा न प्रसीदसि॥२६॥
“Prince, why are you so despondent today? Why do none of these causes for delight bring you any pleasure?”
Passage 27
पराजित इवान्येन लक्ष्यसे विनयोजित। दुश्चिकित्स्यमिव व्याधिं प्राप्तो नित्यनिरामय॥२७॥
“Though always disciplined and healthy, you look as if someone had defeated you or as if you had contracted an incurable disease.”
Passage 28
संस्पृष्ट इव पापेन दृश्यसे पुण्यदर्शन। उक्तोऽसि वा किमद्य त्वं केनापि कलुषात्मना॥२८॥
“O auspicious-looking prince, you seem touched by sin. Has some malicious person spoken harshly to you today?”
Passage 29
वियुक्त इव चैवासि प्राणतुल्येन केनचित्। किमर्थमीदृशीं कष्टामवस्थामेवमास्थितः॥२९॥
“You seem separated from someone as dear as life. Why have you fallen into such a painful condition?”
Passage 30
निमित्तं ब्रूहि मे किंचिदार्यस्य तव पृच्छ्यते। स शासनीयः केकयराजेन खलु दुष्टधीः॥३०॥
“Please tell me its cause; I ask only out of regard for you. If some wicked man has offended you, the Kekaya king must punish him.”
Passage 31
प्रतिकूलवचा यस्ते सर्वलोकानुरञ्जन। इत्युक्तो भरतोऽवोचत्तं वै प्रियसखं निजम्॥३१॥
“Who has spoken against you, who delight all the world?” Thus addressed, Bharata replied to his dear friend.
Passage 32
मयाद्य निशि दुःस्वप्नो वीक्षितो घोरदर्शनः। स्मारं स्मारमहं तस्य पारं दुःखस्य न व्रजे॥३२॥
“Last night I saw a terrible and dreadful dream. Remembering it again and again, I cannot reach the end of my sorrow.”
Passage 33
ततः सर्वं समाचख्यौ यद्दृष्टमद्यसूचनम्। न जानाम्यद्य तातस्य शुभं किमपि वर्तते॥३३॥
He then recounted everything he had seen as an omen of the present day. “I do not know whether anything is well with my father today.”
Passage 34
अङ्गानि मे विशीर्यन्ति दीर्यते हृदयं च मे। रामस्य वापि वैदेह्या भ्रातुर्वा लक्ष्मणस्य मे॥३४॥
“My limbs are failing and my heart is breaking. Perhaps it concerns Rāma, Vaidehī, or my brother Lakṣmaṇa.”
Passage 35
नाहमद्य शुभं वीक्षे मम वा घोरदर्शनः। रात्रिशेषे तु यो दृष्टः स्वप्नो घोरतरो मया॥३५॥
“I see no good today, perhaps even for myself. The dream I saw in the final part of the night was exceedingly dreadful.”
Passage 36
न तत्प्रतिकृतिं पश्याम्यहं शोकपरिप्लुतः। काकुत्स्थस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सुहृदस्तस्य बान्धवाः॥३६॥
“Overwhelmed by grief, I see no remedy for it.” Hearing the descendant of Kakutstha speak, his friends and relatives grew concerned.
Passage 37
अवहित्थां समालम्ब्य लीलयैव समादधुः। विचिन्तयन्तस्ततो घोरं दुःस्वप्नमद्यशंसकम्॥३७॥
Concealing their own alarm, they casually tried to reassure him, even as they pondered the terrible dream that foretold the day’s events. The Messengers Reach Girivraja
Passage 38
उद्विग्नचित्तो भरतस्तां सभामधितस्थिवान्। तावद्दूताः परिप्रापुः केकयेन्द्रस्य मन्दिरम्॥३८॥
While the anxious Bharata remained in that assembly, the messengers reached the palace of the Kekaya king.
Passage 39
देशाननेकानुल्लङ्घ्य वशिष्ठप्रहिता जवात्। सप्तरात्रेण सम्प्राप्ताः कथंचिच्छान्तवाहनाः॥३९॥
Sent by Vasiṣṭha, they had crossed many lands at speed and arrived after seven nights, their exhausted mounts barely carrying them there.
Passage 40
ते समेत्य सभामध्ये केकयेन्द्रं युधाजितम्। राजानं राजपुत्रं च भरतं च ह्यवस्थितम्॥४०॥
Entering the assembly, they saw the Kekaya king, Yudhājit, the other princes, and Bharata present there.
Passage 41
ददृशुः पादयोर्नत्वा राजानं श्रमखेदिताः। ऊचिरे भरतं दूता विधेयार्थनिवेदिनः॥४१॥
Worn out by their journey, the messengers bowed at the king’s feet and then addressed Bharata, conveying the command entrusted to them.
Passage 42
सर्वैस्त्वं कुशलं पृष्टस्तूर्णमाकारितस्तथा। पुरोधसा मन्त्रिभिश्च कार्यमत्याहितं त्वयि॥४२॥
“Everyone asks after your welfare. The family priest and ministers summon you at once, for a most urgent duty rests upon you.”
Passage 43
अतः शीघ्रं विनिर्याहि समामन्त्र्य स्वबान्धवान्। भरतेन ततः पृष्टा दूताः सर्वेष्वनामयम्॥४३॥
“Therefore take leave of your relatives and depart quickly.” Bharata then questioned the messengers about everyone’s welfare.
Passage 44
संक्षेपेणैव सम्प्रोच्य निगृह्यान्तःस्थितां शुचम्। दूतांस्त्वरयतो वीक्ष्य भरतः कार्यतत्त्ववित्॥४४॥
They answered only in general terms, suppressing the grief within. Seeing the messengers urge haste, Bharata understood the matter to be serious. Farewell and Gifts
Passage 45
मातामहमुवाचेदं जवाज्जिगमिषुः पुरीम्। आज्ञापयत्तरामार्य गच्छामि पितुरन्तिकम्॥४५॥
Eager to leave swiftly for the city, he said to his maternal grandfather, “Noble lord, please give me leave; I am going to my father.”
Passage 46
शीघ्रं च पुनरेष्यामि निबद्धप्रणयस्त्वयि। ऊचे मातुलकश्चैनं युधाजिद् विरहातुरः॥४६॥
“Bound to you by affection, I shall soon return.” His maternal uncle Yudhājit, pained by the separation, also spoke to him.
Passage 47
सर्वेषु कुशलं वाच्यं पितृमातृमुखेषु ते। पुरोधसि वशिष्ठे च तथान्येषु द्विजातिषु॥४७॥
“Convey our good wishes to everyone—first to your father and mothers, then to the priest Vasiṣṭha and the other brāhmaṇas.”
Passage 48
स्मरणीया वयं शीघ्रं भवता हृतचेतसा। न ज्ञातश्च वसन् पुत्र भवान् प्रकृतिमोहनः॥४८॥
“Son, remember us soon, for you have stolen our hearts. While you lived here, we scarcely noticed time pass; such is your power to enchant everyone.”
Passage 49
आनन्दिता वयं सर्वे पुरं चेदं कृतार्थितम्। वियोक्तुं नैव वाञ्छामो भवतानन्ददायिना॥४९॥
“You have delighted us all and fulfilled the purpose of this city. We do not wish to be separated from you, the giver of joy.”
Passage 50
निबद्धहृदयाः सर्वा इमाः प्रकृतयश्च मे। प्रस्थास्यन्तं निशम्य त्वां जाता दुःखनिमीलिताः॥५०॥
“All these subjects of mine are bound to you in heart. Hearing that you will depart, they have become blinded by sorrow.”
Passage 51
योग एव त्वया भूयान्मा वियोगः कदाचन। हता मे शत्रवः सर्वे भूतिश्च महती कृता॥५१॥
“May we always be united with you and never separated. All my enemies are defeated, and you have brought me great prosperity.”
Passage 52
आनन्दितो भृशं वत्स कं नु शंसामि ते गुणम्। एवमेव सदास्मासु विदधत्सुखसम्पदम्॥५२॥
“Child, you have delighted me beyond measure. Which one of your virtues could I adequately praise? Continue always to bestow such happiness upon us.”
Passage 53
सर्वदा दर्शनं देहि लोकानन्दसुधानिधे। अथास्मै तुरगान् जात्यान् विचित्रान् जलगामिनः॥५३॥
“O nectar-ocean of joy for the world, grant us your sight always.” The king then gave Bharata remarkable, purebred horses swift as though moving over water.
Passage 54
अजिनानि महार्हाणि कम्बलान्यासनानि च। वस्त्राणि च विचित्राणि तद्देशप्रभवानि च॥५४॥
He gave costly hides, blankets, seats, and many-colored garments produced in that land.
Passage 55
हेमनिष्कसहस्राणि तुङ्गा अश्वतरीस्तथा। क्रमेलकान् महाजात्यान् शुनश्च मृगयोद्धरान्॥५५॥
He gave thousands of gold coins, tall mules, fine-bred camels, and hunting dogs trained to bring down wild animals.
Passage 56
चित्रवर्णान् महाकायान् व्याघ्रतुल्यान् पराक्रमे। केकयेन्द्रोऽदिशत्प्रीतः संविधांश्चापि देशजाः॥५६॥
The delighted Kekaya king assigned enormous, many-colored hounds, fierce as tigers, together with provisions native to the region.
Passage 57
अमात्यान् भूरिधिषणान् दासान् दासीश्च मञ्जुलाः। वन्दिनो मागधान् सूतान् भूरिकार्यकरान् जनान्॥५७॥
He sent wise ministers, servants, charming maidservants, bards, Māgadha panegyrists, heralds, and many capable workers.
Passage 58
आखेटकांश्चेटकांश्च भण्डांश्च प्रियदर्शनान्। सभाप्रसादकान् प्राज्ञान् पण्डितांश्च महाकवीन्॥५८॥
There were hunters, attendants, pleasing entertainers, clever men skilled at delighting an assembly, scholars, and great poets.
Passage 59
यद्यद्रुच्यतमं तस्य स्वस्रीयस्य महात्मनः। प्रीत्योपपादयाञ्चक्रे तत्तत्केकयभूपतिः॥५९॥
Out of affection, the Kekaya king supplied everything that was most pleasing to his noble sister’s son.
Passage 60
धनं बहुतरं प्रादाद्भगिन्यै चित्तरञ्जनम्। भूषांश्च रत्नजटिता विचित्रांश्चापि शाटिकाः॥६०॥
For his sister he sent abundant wealth that would delight her heart, ornaments studded with gems, and many-colored garments.
Passage 61
रत्नानि च महार्हाणि देयानि विविधानि च। सत्कृत्य सुबहु प्रादात्स्वस्र्यार्थं महात्मने॥६१॥
After honoring the noble prince, he entrusted him with many costly jewels and varied gifts intended for his sister.
Passage 62
सार्थं तस्य ददौ सेनां महतीं चतुरङ्गिणीम्। प्रस्थाने भरतस्याथ गिरिव्रजपुरस्त्रियः॥६२॥
For his journey he gave Bharata a great fourfold army. As Bharata prepared to depart, the women of Girivraja responded.
Passage 63
आत्मानं भूषयाञ्चक्रुर्दूषयाञ्चक्रुरेव च। आर्यपुत्रः पुरीमेतीत्यश्रुशोकविवर्जिताः॥६३॥
They adorned themselves because the noble prince was returning to the city, yet they also disfigured themselves with tears and grief at losing him.
Passage 64
विरहात्तस्य चात्यन्तं वर्धयन्त्यः शुचं हृदि। नगरं भूषितं सर्वं तस्य सन्तोषहेतवे॥६४॥
While separation from him deepened the sorrow in their hearts, they decorated the whole city for his pleasure. The Women of Girivraja Praise Bharata
Passage 65
आययुर्बलभीतुङ्गवातायनपथेषु च। कामिन्यः कामबाणेन ताडिता भरतं प्रति। ऊचुः परस्परं दूना विरहेणास्य भूयसा॥६५॥
The women, pierced by Love’s arrows for Bharata, came to high terraces, windows, and roads. Deeply pained by his departure, they spoke to one another.
Passage 66
धन्यास्ताः सखि निवसन्ति कोसलायां याः स्वैरं भरतमुखेन्दुकान्तिसारम्। पीयूषादपि रमणीयमास्वदन्त्यः स्वात्मानं किमपि कृतार्थयन्ति वामाः॥६६॥
“Friend, blessed are the women who live in Kosala. Freely savoring the essential beauty of Bharata’s moonlike face—more delightful than nectar—they make their lives wonderfully fulfilled.”
Passage 67
जानीमः सखि भरतस्य पाणिपद्मे पौष्पं तद्धनुरुदयत्यमोघवीर्यम्। पौष्पैस्तैरिषुभिरसौ ननु त्रिलोकीं निर्जित्य प्रथयति कीर्तिमिन्दुवर्णम्॥६७॥
“Friend, we know that the flower-bowed god of love rises within Bharata’s lotus hand with unfailing power. Surely with those flower-arrows he conquers the three worlds and spreads moon-bright fame.”
Passage 68
नापश्यन् वयमिदमीयमेतदास्यं चन्द्रादप्यधिकगुणं महामनोज्ञम्। एतावत्सहवसतावपीह भाग्ये निर्मुक्ता न किमपि काममाप्तवत्यः॥६८॥
“We failed to behold this supremely captivating face of his, richer in virtue than the moon. Even after living near him so long, our poor fortune left us deprived, and we gained none of what we desired.”
Passage 69
क्वैतस्य त्रिशतमितेषु योजनेषु क्षमाढ्या वसतिरुदेतिपूरयोध्या। क्वास्माकं वसतिरियं गतेऽत्र देशे विच्छेदं मनसि सहामहेऽस्य किं वा॥६९॥
“Far away, three hundred yojanas distant, rises his glorious home, Ayodhyā; where is that city and where is our dwelling in this land? Once he has gone, how could our hearts endure separation from him?”
Passage 70
यास्यामो वयमथवास्य सङ्गलग्नाः पत्यादीन् सपदि विहाय बान्धवौघान्। निःशङ्कं श्रयतु कुलं कलङ्कभारं विच्छेदं तदपि सहामहेऽमुना न॥७०॥
“Or else we shall cling to his company and go, abandoning at once husbands and hosts of relatives. Let our families bear the weight of scandal without fear; even that is preferable, for we cannot endure separation from him.” The Return to a Silent Ayodhyā
Passage 71
इत्थमालपतीनां स मनांस्यादाय सुन्दरः। केकयेन्द्रपुरस्त्रीणां निर्जगाम पुराद् बहिः॥७१॥
Thus the handsome prince stole the hearts of the women of the Kekaya capital as they spoke, and he departed from the city.
Passage 72
नातिदूरे सन्निवर्त्य स्निग्धं मातामहं नृपम्। अयोध्याभिमुखो धीमान् भरतः समवर्तत॥७२॥
Not far outside, Bharata respectfully sent back his affectionate royal grandfather and turned toward Ayodhyā.
Passage 73
सप्तरात्रोषितो मार्गे महत्या सेनया युतः। कोविदारध्वजरथः पुरीं प्राप महायशाः॥७३॥
After seven nights on the road, accompanied by the great army, the renowned prince—his chariot bearing the kovidāra emblem—approached the city.
Passage 74
स्नात्वा स गोमतीं पुण्यां प्रातः परमधार्मिकः। ददर्शाथ रथारूढो दूरात्तां कोसलां पुरीम्॥७४॥
That deeply righteous prince bathed in the sacred Gomatī at dawn. Then, mounted on his chariot, he saw the city of Kosala from afar.
Passage 75
मनुना निर्मितां पूर्वं महाराजेन धीमता। प्रम्लानामिव सर्वत्र हर्षशोभाविवर्जिताम्॥७५॥
The city once built by wise King Manu now seemed withered everywhere, bereft of joy and splendor.
Passage 76
तां तथा दुर्गतां वीक्ष्य राजचिह्नविवर्जिताम्। अशोचन्मनसा धीमान् भरतः शत्रुकर्शनः॥७६॥
Seeing it in that miserable state, stripped of royal signs, wise Bharata, scourge of enemies, grieved inwardly.
Passage 77
किमद्य ज्ञापयत्येषा पुरी सुप्तेव सर्वतः। न च संश्रूयते घोषः पुरेव तुमुलो महान्॥७७॥
“What does this city, asleep on every side, portend today? The great tumultuous sound once heard here is gone.”
Passage 78
न च शृङ्गारितास्तुङ्गा दृश्यन्ते मदकुञ्जराः। आगच्छन्तश्च गच्छन्तः पानार्थं विमलोदके॥७८॥
“No tall, adorned, rutting elephants are seen coming and going to drink the clear water.”
Passage 79
कृतपल्याणशोभाश्च न न दृश्यन्तेऽत्र वाजिनः। उच्छलन्तो महानद्यास्तरङ्गा इव सर्वतः॥७९॥
“Nor are the splendidly saddled horses seen leaping everywhere like waves of a great river.”
Passage 80
न चोद्यानविहारार्थं पुरान्निष्क्रमतां बहिः। महाजनवरेण्यानां श्रूयते रथजो ध्वनिः॥८०॥
“No chariot-rumble is heard from eminent citizens leaving the city to enjoy its gardens.”
Passage 81
गानध्वनिश्च नारीणां पुरे न श्रूयते क्वचित्। भेरीदुन्दुभिढक्कादिघोषा माङ्गलिकाः क्वचित्॥८१॥
“Nowhere in the city is women’s singing heard, nor any auspicious sound of kettledrums, war drums, or ḍhakkā drums.”
Passage 82
ध्वजकेतुपताकाश्च नेक्ष्यन्ते पुरवेश्मसु। न च माङ्गलिको घोषः श्रूयते चरतां नृणाम्॥८२॥
“No standards, emblems, or banners appear upon the city’s mansions, and no auspicious cry is heard from people moving through its streets.”
Passage 83
प्रसुप्ता इव सर्वत्र दृश्यन्ते सत्त्वजातयः। पशवः पक्षिणश्चापि रुदन्त इव सर्वतः॥८३॥
“All living beings seem asleep everywhere, and the animals and birds seem to be weeping on every side.”
Passage 84
तिरोभूतेव नो भाति श्रीः प्रासादेषु चापि नः। पुरश्रीरपि नष्टेव लक्ष्यते खलु सम्प्रति॥८४॥
“Prosperity appears to have vanished from our palaces; indeed, the city’s own beauty now seems lost.”
Passage 85
इति शोचन् स मनसा सूतं च कथयन् मुहुः। विवेश नगरीं सद्यः सुषामिव गतश्रियम्॥८५॥
Grieving inwardly and repeatedly speaking thus to his charioteer, he entered the city, which looked like a beautiful woman whose radiance had departed.
Passage 86
म्लानानि तत्र पौराणां मुखानि विमुखानि च। वीक्ष्यमाणो हृदा वीरः किं भावीति वितर्कयन्॥८६॥
The hero saw the citizens’ withered, averted faces and wondered in his heart what had happened and what was yet to come.
Passage 87
मलिनान् बाष्पनयनान् दीनान् ध्यानपरान् जनान्। पर्यन्तपृच्छमानोऽसौ विवेश भवनं निजम्॥८७॥
He passed sorrowful people, soiled, tear-eyed, and lost in thought. Questioning those around him, he entered his own residence.
Passage 88
बहून्यनर्थजातानि चिन्तयन् मनसोत्त्वरः। पूर्वं ययौ पितुर्वेश्म शून्यं दृष्ट्वा परावृतत्॥८८॥
His mind urgently imagining many calamities, he first went to his father’s palace. Finding it empty, he turned away.
Passage 89
ततोऽन्वगान्मातृगृहं स बुद्धिमान् निशम्य माता स्वसुतं समागतम्। महार्हहेमासनतः समुत्थिता जवेन दृष्टाभिययौ समुत्सुका॥८९॥
Wise Bharata then went to his mother’s residence. Hearing that her son had arrived, she rose eagerly from her costly golden seat and hastened to meet him the moment she saw him.