Passage 1
विगर्हयित्वा जननीं भूयो निःश्वस्य शोकतः। विललाप चिरं दुःखी भरतः पितृवत्सलः॥१॥
After condemning his mother, grief-stricken Bharata sighed again and lamented for a long time, devoted as he was to his father.
Passage 2
स्मारं स्मारं रामचन्द्रं प्रोषितं मातृकर्मणा। भूयोऽपि विललापासौ भरतो भ्रातृवत्सलः॥२॥
Remembering again and again how his mother’s deed had banished Rāmacandra, Bharata, devoted to his brother, lamented once more.
Passage 3
निःश्वस्य दुःखसंवीतो रुदित्वा च चिरं तदा। मूर्छितो निपपातोर्व्यां शक्रध्वज इवोच्चतः॥३॥
Wrapped in sorrow, he sighed and wept for a long time, then fainted and fell to the earth like Indra’s banner toppling from on high.
Passage 4
शत्रुघ्नस्तं समाश्वास्य दोर्भ्यामुत्थाप्य भूमितः। सुचिरं भर्त्सयामास कैकेयीं पापकारिणीम्॥४॥
Śatrughna comforted him, lifted him from the ground with both arms, and reproached sinful Kaikeyī at length.
Passage 5
हा कैकेयि महत्पापं स्त्रिया खलु कृतं त्वया। नीचचेटीकथा प्रोक्तं किमाहतवती वचः॥५॥
“Alas, Kaikeyī, what great evil you have done! What words spoken by a lowly maid led you to this?”
Passage 6
अन्तःपुरचरीवाक्यान्मन्थरां नीचचेटिकाम्। विज्ञाय भरतः श्रीमान् शत्रुघ्नाय न्यवेदयत्॥६॥
Learning from the women of the inner apartments that the lowly maid was Mantharā, noble Bharata pointed her out to Śatrughna.
Passage 7
सैषा दुर्मन्त्रदा मातुर्नीचा चेटी खलाशया। सर्वाङ्गभूषिता भूयो मात्रा सम्मानिता च नः॥७॥
“This is the base and wicked-minded maid who gave my mother that evil counsel. Now Mother has honored her and adorned every limb.
Passage 8
अनर्थमूलमेषैव चेटिका पापकारिणी। दूतोऽपसारयैनां त्वं दूरे शत्रुघ्न दुर्मतिम्॥८॥
“This sinful servant alone is the root of the calamity. Śatrughna, quickly remove this evil-minded woman far from here.
Passage 9
वरारमियं चक्षुःपथमद्य प्रयाति मे। मानयिष्यति मां स्निग्धामिति विज्ञाय दुष्टधीः॥९॥
“The wicked woman comes proudly before my eyes, imagining that I will honor her as one who acted lovingly toward me.
Passage 10
मया खलु कृतं राज्यं भरतस्येति सम्भ्रमात्। पुनः पुनर्दर्शनमार्गमियमभ्येति मे खला॥१०॥
“Thinking, ‘I have secured the kingdom for Bharata,’ the wretch eagerly places herself in my sight again and again.
Passage 11
मानयेनां यथायोग्यं नीचां चेटीं दुराशयाम्। यया नो निहतस्तातो भ्राता चैव वियोजितः॥११॥
“Give this low and malicious maid the honor she deserves; through her our father was killed and our brother banished.
Passage 12
इतः परं कियन्नाम विघ्नं मे करिष्यति। पूजार्हां पूजयैनां त्वमुपानद्भ्यां सुमुष्टिभिः॥१२॥
“What further ruin could she possibly bring me? Give this ‘worthy’ woman her due worship—with sandals and firm fists.”
Passage 13
निर्दिष्टां भरतेनैवं मन्थरां पापकारिणीम्। विचकर्ष बलाद्भूयः शत्रुघ्नो भृशकोपितः॥१३॥
When Bharata thus identified sinful Mantharā, the deeply enraged Śatrughna seized and dragged her by force.
Passage 14
पातयित्वा महीपृष्ठे पदद्वयमादाय तां खलाम्। आचकर्ष बलादेव निर्भर्त्स्य कुपितो नरः॥१४॥
The angry hero threw the wicked woman to the ground, caught both her feet, reviled her, and dragged her forcibly.
Passage 15
साऽकृष्यमाणा दुष्टात्मा शत्रुघ्नेन बलाद् भुवि। विचुक्रोश सुदीनात्मा पांसुभिः पूरिता नना॥१५॥
Dragged violently over the ground by Śatrughna, the wicked and wretched woman shrieked, her face covered in dust.
Passage 16
तामाह दुष्टहृदयां शत्रुघ्नो घोरदर्शनः। हा नीचे राजपुत्रीणामेवं दुर्मन्त्रदायिनि॥१६॥
Terrible in his anger, Śatrughna said to the evil-hearted woman, “Base creature who gave such wicked counsel to a king’s daughter!
Passage 17
वधार्हां त्वां हनिष्यामि निर्दयां पापकारिणीम्। त्वया हतो महाराजस्त्वया भ्राता वियोजितः॥१७॥
“Merciless sinner, you deserve death, and I shall kill you. You killed the great king and drove our brother away.
Passage 18
रघूणां कुलमुत्कृष्टं त्वया नीतं सुलाघवम्। असुभिस्त्वां वियोजयिष्यामि महानर्थकारिणीम्॥१८॥
“You have brought the exalted house of Raghu into contempt. Author of this great disaster, I shall separate you from life.
Passage 19
क्रमीदृशाय विधये पालितोच्छिष्टभोजिनी। शुनीव पिण्डदानेन वर्धिता दशनोद्धुरा॥१९॥
“Was it for this end that you, an eater of leftovers, were maintained? Fed morsel by morsel like a she-dog, you have grown bold enough to bare your teeth.
Passage 20
त्वं रासभी भारयोग्या योग्या राजकुलस्य न। महाराजकुमारस्य रामस्य भृशवैरिणी॥२०॥
“You are a she-ass fit to bear loads, not one fit for a royal household; you are the bitter enemy of Prince Rāma.
Passage 21
कथं नु त्वं परित्यक्ता तेनार्येण दयालुता। त्वदीयायां नृशंसायां को दयां परिपालयेत्॥२१॥
“How did that compassionate noble prince leave you alive? Who should preserve compassion toward one as cruel as you?
Passage 22
मया त्वमधुना पापे नेयासि यमपत्तनम्। अद्य त्वं द्रक्ष्यसि खले याम्या दारुणयातनाः॥२२॥
“Sinner, I shall now send you to Yama’s city. Wretch, today you will see his terrible torments.
Passage 23
इदं नः पतितं घोरं दुःखं शोकोज्जितं महत्। तदहं त्वयि मोक्ष्यामि वृश्चित्वा ननु ते गलम्॥२३॥
“This immense, dreadful burden of grief has fallen upon us. I shall discharge it upon you by severing your throat.”
Passage 24
इत्युक्त्वा कुपितो भूयः कुब्जिकां शत्रुसूदनः। विपोथ्य धरणीपृष्ठे विचकर्ष मुहुर्मुहुः॥२४॥
Having spoken, the enemy-subduer struck the hunchback down upon the earth and, still enraged, dragged her repeatedly.
Passage 25
भरतस्तं तथा क्रुद्धं वारयामास वाक्यतः। अवध्यामबलामेनामलं हत्वा महामते॥२५॥
Bharata restrained his furious brother with words: “Great-minded one, enough; do not kill this woman, who must not be slain.
Passage 26
हन्यामहमिमां पापां कैकेय्या सह किं नहि। किंतु धर्मात्मनामग्र्यस्त्यजेद्राम इति क्षमे॥२६॥
“Why would I not kill this sinner together with Kaikeyī? I spare them only because Rāma, foremost among the righteous, would reject me.
Passage 27
इत्युक्तो भरतेनासौ शत्रुघ्नस्तप्तमानसः। चिरं विकृष्य तां पापां पोथयित्वा महीतले॥२७॥
Thus addressed by Bharata, the anguished Śatrughna dragged the sinner for a long time and struck her against the ground.
Passage 28
तत्याज नियतक्रोधो न तु हिंसितवान् रुषा। नतस्तौ भ्रातरौ क्रुद्धौ दुःखशोकसमाकुलौ॥२८॥
Then, restraining his anger, he released her without killing her. The two brothers, still angry and overwhelmed by grief, bowed their heads. Kauśalyā Confronts Bharata
Passage 29
परस्परं समाधाय हृदयं भृशमातुरम्। कौसल्यां पुत्रशोकार्तां पतिशोकनिमीलिताम्॥२९॥
They steadied one another’s deeply wounded hearts and went toward Kauśalyā, tormented by grief for her son and blinded by sorrow for her husband.
Passage 30
द्रष्टुं चैव समाधातुं ततस्तावदतिष्ठताम्। तौ दूराद् वीक्ष्य दुःखार्ता रामस्य जननी तदा॥३०॥
They approached to see and console her. The grieving mother of Rāma saw them from a distance.
Passage 31
प्रणम्य भक्तिविनतौ पादयोरभ्यपेततुः। परिष्वज्याथ कौसल्या शत्रुघ्नं भरतं तथा॥३१॥
The brothers humbly approached and bowed devotedly at her feet. Kauśalyā embraced Śatrughna and Bharata.
Passage 32
ऊचे दीर्घं विनिःश्वस्य यथावृत्तं विचिन्त्य सा। कच्चित्ते पूरितः कामः कैकेय्या स्निग्धचित्तया॥३२॥
After a long sigh, she reflected on all that had happened and said, “Has loving-hearted Kaikeyī now fulfilled your desire?
Passage 33
कच्चित् प्राप्तं महीराज्यं मम पुत्रविवासनात्। आनन्दितस्य राज्येन पितृशोकः स किं तव॥३३॥
“Have you obtained sovereignty over the earth through my son’s exile? Delighted with the kingdom, what grief can you have for your father?
Passage 34
विनापराधं मत्पुत्रश्चीरवासा जटाधरः। प्रवासितो वनं घोरं तव राज्यस्य हेतवे॥३४॥
“My innocent son, wearing bark and matted locks, was sent to the terrible forest for the sake of your kingdom.
Passage 35
अहं तत्रैव यास्यामि यत्र रामः सहानुजः। सभार्यश्च वनेचारी तपश्चरति धार्मिकः॥३५॥
“I shall go where righteous Rāma wanders in the forest with his wife and younger brother, practicing austerity.
Passage 36
उचितं बत कैकेय्या त्वदर्थमिदमाचरत्। चेटिकामन्त्रकथनात् प्रादुर्भूतस्मृतिजवात्॥३६॥
“How fitting that Kaikeyī acted thus for you, impelled by the maid’s counsel and the sudden recollection it awakened.
Passage 37
रामं प्रवास्य विपिने पतिं प्राणैर्वियोज्य च। त्वदर्थं बत कैकेयी जगृहे राज्यमूर्जितम्॥३७॥
“Exiling Rāma to the wilderness and robbing her husband of life, Kaikeyī seized this mighty kingdom for you.
Passage 38
प्राप्त एवाधुना स त्वं भोक्ष्यसे राज्यमूर्जितम्। गतो यत्र स मत्पुत्रो नय तत्रैव मामपि॥३८॥
“Now that you have obtained it, you will enjoy that powerful kingdom. But take me to the place where my son has gone.
Passage 39
भुङ्क्ष्व निष्कण्टकं राज्यं कैकेय्या समुपार्जितम्। मृत्वापि तव तातेन तुभ्यं सम्प्रतिपादितम्॥३९॥
“Enjoy the rival-free kingdom Kaikeyī procured and that your father, even by dying, has delivered to you.”
Passage 40
कौसल्याया वचः श्रुत्वा भरतस्तामथाब्रवीत्। मातर्जानामि कैकेय्या मामपृष्ट्वैव यत्कृतम्॥४०॥
Hearing Kauśalyā, Bharata replied, “Mother, I know what Kaikeyī did without ever consulting me.
Passage 41
ईदृङ्मम पुनर्बुद्धिर्मा भूत्स्वप्नेऽपि जातुचित्। आर्ये महत्कृतं पापं कैकेय्यातिनृशंसया॥४१॥
“May such an intention never arise in me, even in a dream. Noble mother, exceedingly cruel Kaikeyī has committed a great sin. Bharata’s Solemn Self-Imprecations
Passage 42
किं पुनर्मामिदं वृत्तमजानन्तं विगर्हसे। रामः करिष्यते राज्यं तस्य दास्यमहं भजे॥४२॥
“Why then do you condemn me, who knew nothing of this affair? Rāma will rule, and I shall embrace his service.
Passage 43
भूतभव्यभविष्यत्सु मनसा कर्मणा गिरा। यस्य रामेऽन्यथाबुद्धिः स वै पततु रौरवे॥४३॥
“In past, present, or future, whoever thinks wrongly of Rāma in thought, deed, or speech—may that person fall into Raurava hell.
Passage 44
यस्य दास्यं परित्यज्य रामे स्यान्मतिरन्यथा। पापच्यमानः पापेन स वै पततु रौरवे॥४४॥
“Whoever abandons service to Rāma and turns his mind elsewhere—may he burn in his sin and fall into Raurava.
Passage 45
आर्ये यस्य परा प्रीतिर्न रामस्य पदाम्बुजे। घोरेण पाप्मना ग्रस्तः स वै पततु रौरवे॥४५॥
“Noble mother, whoever lacks supreme love for Rāma’s lotus feet—seized by terrible sin, may he fall into Raurava.
Passage 46
रामचन्द्रमनादृत्य स्वस्य राज्याधिकारिताम्। स्वप्नेऽपि यो विजानाति स वै पततु रौरवे॥४६॥
“Whoever disregards Rāmacandra and imagines even in a dream that the kingdom is his own—may he fall into Raurava.
Passage 47
कैकेय्या यत्कृतं कर्म घोरबुद्ध्या नृशंसया। तत्र यस्य भवेत्प्रीतिः स वै पततु रौरवे॥४७॥
“Whoever takes pleasure in the cruel deed committed by ruthless and evil-minded Kaikeyī—may he fall into Raurava.
Passage 48
रामस्य चेटने वाञ्छां राज्यलाभं तथात्मनि। स्वप्नेऽपि भावितं येन स वै पततु रौरवे॥४८॥
“Whoever dreams of Rāma’s exile and of gaining the kingdom for himself—may he fall into Raurava.
Passage 49
वेदशास्त्रपुराणेभ्यस्तस्य स्याद् विमुखी मतिः। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥४९॥
“May the mind of anyone who even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest turn away from the Vedas, śāstras, and Purāṇas.
Passage 50
नित्यं पापानुगा बुद्धिस्तस्यास्तु नृपलापिनी। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५०॥
“May the person who even dreams of Rāma’s forest dwelling always possess a sin-following mind that destroys kings.
Passage 51
ब्रह्महत्या महाघोरा तस्य लिम्पतु विग्रहम्। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५१॥
“May the dreadful stain of killing a brāhmaṇa cling to whoever even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest.
Passage 52
तस्य गोवधजात्यापान्मास्तु मुक्तिः कदाचन। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५२॥
“May whoever even dreams of Rāma’s forest dwelling never be freed from the sin born of killing a cow.
Passage 53
हत्वा मित्रं गुरुं विप्रं तत्त्रयोऽप्यमिपद्यताम्। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५३॥
“May the threefold sin of killing a friend, a teacher, and a brāhmaṇa befall whoever even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest.
Passage 54
तस्य श्रेयस्करी बुद्धिः कदापि समुदेतु मा। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५४॥
“May no benevolent thought ever arise in whoever even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest.
Passage 55
इष्टं दत्तं हुतं तप्तं वन्ध्यं तस्यास्तु सर्वदा। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५५॥
“May the worship, gifts, oblations, and austerities of whoever even dreams of Rāma’s forest dwelling remain forever fruitless.
Passage 56
तस्य श्रेयः सदा मा भूदिह चैव परत्र च। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५६॥
“May there be no good, either here or hereafter, for whoever even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest.
Passage 57
गोग्रासहृत्या यत्पापं तत्पापं नं प्रबाधताम्। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५७॥
“May the sin of stealing a cow’s fodder assail whoever even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest.
Passage 58
अरक्षणात्प्रजानां यत्पापं राज्ञोऽस्तु तस्य तत्। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५८॥
“May the sin incurred by a king who fails to protect his subjects fall upon whoever even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest.
Passage 59
विप्रस्य हृत्वा सर्वस्वं पुष्णातु स निजं वपुः। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥५९॥
“May whoever even dreams of Rāma’s forest dwelling sustain his body by stealing all that belongs to a brāhmaṇa.
Passage 60
स्त्रीवधादग्निदानाच्च गुरुकन्याविदूषणात्। मित्रद्रोहाद् गोद्विजातिवह्निनिष्ठीवनात्तथा॥६०॥
“May the sins of killing a woman, arson, violating a teacher’s daughter, betraying a friend, and spitting upon a cow, brāhmaṇa, or sacred fire—
Passage 61
यत्पापं गुर्ववज्ञातस्तत्पापं तस्य लिप्यतु। रामस्य यो वने वासं स्वप्नस्थोऽपि विचिन्तयेत्॥६१॥
“—together with the sin of insulting one’s teacher, stain whoever even dreams of Rāma dwelling in the forest.” Kauśalyā Accepts and Blesses Bharata
Passage 62
इत्याद्यनेकशपथैरात्मानं शपतामुना। आश्वासिता राममाता वाक्यमेतदवोचत॥६२॥
Reassured by these and many other oaths with which Bharata bound himself, Rāma’s mother spoke.
Passage 63
जानामि त्वां महाप्राज्ञं शुद्धप्रकृतिमुज्ज्वलम्। कैकेय्या दूषणाद् वत्स न त्वं द्रक्ष्यसि कर्हिचित्॥६३॥
“Child, I know you to be profoundly wise, pure in nature, and radiant. You can never be blamed for Kaikeyī’s fault.
Passage 64
रामेण सहितस्तात चिरं श्रेयांस्यवाप्नुहि। अपीदृशैस्त्वं शपथैर्नूनमुद्वेजयस्य माम्॥६४॥
“Dear son, may you long enjoy every good together with Rāma. These terrible oaths of yours truly distress me.
Passage 65
धर्मात्मा सत्यपरमो वेदार्थनयनो भवान्। चिरं धर्मेण वर्धस्व रघूणां कुलनन्दन॥६५॥
“You are righteous, devoted above all to truth, and guided by the meaning of the Veda. Delight of Raghu’s line, flourish long through dharma.
Passage 66
कदा द्रक्ष्याम्यहं रामं भवता लक्ष्मणेन च। सहितं चीर्णतपसं वनवासादुपागतम्॥६६॥
“When shall I see Rāma return from forest exile, his austerity completed, together with you and Lakṣmaṇa?
Passage 67
राजर्षीणां महर्षीणां पुण्येन विमलात्मनाम्। दीर्घमायुश्च लभतां भवान् कुलयशस्करः॥६७॥
“By the merit of pure-hearted royal sages and great seers, may you, the glory of your family, obtain long life.
Passage 68
पुण्यैः समेधितस्तिष्ठ चिरं नृपतिनन्दन। यथा रामस्तथैव त्वं ममातिप्रेमभाजनम्॥६८॥
“Nurtured by merit, live long, prince. You are as much an object of my deepest love as Rāma himself.
Passage 69
दिष्ट्या त्वमागतः पुत्र भाग्येन नृपतेरिह। कुरु संस्कारमन्त्येष्ट्या प्रमीतस्य पितुर्जवात्॥६९॥
“By good fortune you have arrived, son, and by the king’s good destiny. Quickly perform the final rites for your departed father.
Passage 70
तैले निपातितं तत्ते पितुर्दाहोचितं वपुः। दह्यतां संस्कृते वह्नौ दीक्षितेन्द्रस्य यज्वनः॥७०॥
“Your father’s body, fit for cremation, has been preserved in oil. Let the body of that consecrated lord of sacrificers be burned in the sanctified fire.
Passage 71
त्वदायत्तमिदं कर्म पितुस्ते पारलौकिकम्। कुरु द्विजातिभिः सार्धं कर्मज्ञैर्मुनिपुङ्गवैः॥७१॥
“Your father’s rites for the next world now depend upon you. Perform them with brāhmaṇas and eminent sages who know the ritual.
Passage 72
स्वर्गतं पितरं वत्स त्वं प्रीणयितुमर्हसि। पिण्डसम्मेलनात्पूर्वं रेकाद्यं करणास्तथा॥७२॥
“Child, you should satisfy your father who has gone to heaven. Perform the preliminary rites before the joining of the ancestral rice-balls.
Passage 73
कुरु पुत्रोचितं कर्म भवान् कुलधुरन्धरः। आजानिकं रघूणां हि या ईदृशं विमलं यशः॥७३॥
“Pillar of the family, perform the duty proper to a son, upholding the spotless ancestral fame of the Raghus.
Passage 74
भूयश्चाश्वासितो वीरस्तदा कौसल्यया भृशम्। रुरोद भूपतिं स्मृत्वा पितरं भ्रातरं तथा॥७४॥
Though Kauśalyā repeatedly consoled the hero, he wept again, remembering the king, his father, and his brother.
Passage 75
विललापातिकरुणं कौसल्यां वीक्ष्य तादृशीम्। विधवां शोकसम्पन्नां पुत्रेण च विवर्जिताम्॥७५॥
Seeing Kauśalyā in that condition—a grief-stricken widow separated from her son—he lamented with heartrending sorrow.
Passage 76
तथा विलपतस्तस्य प्रावर्तन्त पितृप्रसूः। उष्णनिःश्वासतः शोकाद् दुःखसंवृतचेतसः॥७६॥
As he lamented, hot sighs poured from the grieving son whose mind was engulfed in pain.
Passage 77
ततो रात्रिरुपावृत्ता दुर्नेया पर्वतोपमा। शोके वर्षशताकारा त्रियामापि तमोवृता॥७७॥
Night then descended, almost impossible to endure and heavy as a mountain. Darkness covered its three watches, and in grief it seemed a hundred years long.
Passage 78
अथ प्रभाते भगवान् वशिष्ठो द्विजातिभिर्मन्त्रवरैः प्रधानः। समन्वितो राजगृहं सशोकम् उपागमत् सर्वविधेयवेत्ता॥७८॥
At dawn, blessed Vasiṣṭha—foremost in sacred counsel and knower of every proper duty—came to the grieving royal palace accompanied by eminent brāhmaṇas.