Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— तां गङ्गामन्ववसितां निरीक्ष्य महतीं चमूम्। निषादाधिपतिर्ज्ञातीन् विमृश्येदमवोचत॥१॥
Brahmā said: Seeing the vast army encamped along the Gaṅgā, the lord of the Niṣādas considered the matter and addressed his kinsmen.
Passage 2
भो भो निषादप्रवराः पश्यन्तु महतीमिमाम्। रघूणां वाहिनीं भीमां कोविदारध्वजै रथैः॥२॥
“O foremost Niṣādas, behold this immense and fearsome army of the Raghus, with chariots bearing kovidāra standards.
Passage 3
किं कर्तुमुद्यता एते पुरुषा रघुवंशजाः। किं क्रीडिष्यन्ति मृगयां हरिष्यन्त्यथवा परान्॥३॥
“What do these men of Raghu’s lineage intend to do? Will they sport in the hunt, or seize other men’s possessions?
Passage 4
गजान् वापि ग्रहीष्यन्ति हनिष्यन्त्यथवापि नः। इक्ष्वाकूणाममी वीराः शङ्कनीया विशेषतः॥४॥
“Will they capture elephants, or will they attack us? These warriors of the Ikṣvāku line must be regarded with particular caution.
Passage 5
जानेऽहं भरतो मात्रा रामं प्रव्राज्य कानने। लयं गतेऽधुना ताते निःशङ्को राज्यलोभतः॥५॥
“I know that Bharata’s mother drove Rāma into the forest. Now that his father has passed away, greed for the kingdom may have freed him of all restraint.
Passage 6
हन्तुमारब्धवानेष सानुजं वनवासिनम्। हा रघूणामियं बुद्धिः कथं जाता क्षयोन्मुखी॥६॥
“Perhaps he has set out to kill the forest-dwelling Rāma and his brother. Alas, how has the judgment of the Raghus become bent upon its own destruction?
Passage 7
ज्येष्ठो राज्यपदस्यार्हो द्रुह्यतेऽमीभिरुद्धतैः। मलीमसा राज्यलक्ष्मीरेषां मन्दा परस्परम्॥७॥
“These arrogant men betray the eldest, who is entitled to the throne. The stain of royal fortune has set these foolish men against one another.
Passage 8
विहाय सौहृदं धर्मं योद्धुमिच्छन्ति हीदृशाः। क्व रामस्य मतिधर्म्या क्वामीषां धर्मलङ्घनम्॥८॥
“Abandoning kinship and dharma, such men wish to fight. How far Rāma’s righteous mind stands from their violation of dharma!
Passage 9
स मे भर्ता प्रभुर्बन्धुः सखा स्वजन ईश्वरः। मयि जीवति को ह्येतं नरो गन्तुं क्षमः॥९॥
“He is my master, lord, kinsman, friend, intimate, and sovereign. While I live, what man can approach him with hostile intent?
Passage 10
धिङ् मे मैत्रीं च साहाय्यं बन्धुतां दास्यमेव च। यद्येते मां समुल्लङ्घ्य युद्धयेरन् प्रभुणा मम॥१०॥
“Shame upon my friendship, aid, kinship, and service if they pass me by and fight my lord.
Passage 11
मयैव प्रथमं युद्धममीषां दुष्टचेतसाम्। अहं रामप्रभावेण जेतास्म्येतानधार्मिकान्॥११॥
“These evil-minded men must first fight me. By Rāma’s power I shall defeat these unrighteous attackers.
Passage 12
विहाय नगरं राष्ट्रं धरणीं राज्यमेव च। वने वासी स धर्मात्मा सोढुमेते न शक्यते॥१२॥
“That righteous prince abandoned city, nation, earth, and kingdom to live in the forest; these men cannot be permitted to assail him.
Passage 13
आत्मकोपाग्निना दग्धा यास्यन्त्येते पराभवम्। यदि रामं साधुवृत्तं द्रोग्धुमिच्छन्त्यमी खलाः॥१३॥
“If these villains seek to harm virtuous Rāma, they will be burned by the fire of their own hostility and go down to defeat.” The Niṣādas Prepare the River’s Defense
Passage 14
इति निश्चितमन्त्रोऽसौ निषादानां पतिर्बली। जगादाज्ञाकरान् दाशान् लोहयन्त्रसहस्रभाक्॥१४॥
Having firmly decided upon this counsel, the powerful Niṣāda lord, who commanded thousands of iron weapons, addressed his obedient boatmen.
Passage 15
शृण्वन्तु मे वचो दाशा महापौरुषमण्डनाः। लोहयन्त्रशतैर्गत्वा बध्नन्तु निखिलां नदीम्॥१५॥
“Hear my command, boatmen adorned with mighty courage. Go with hundreds of iron weapons and blockade the entire river.
Passage 16
इक्ष्वाकूणां महाघोरा यथेयं महती चमूः। नोत्तीर्य सरितं गच्छेद्रामचन्द्रं मम प्रभुम्॥१६॥
“Do not let this vast and terrible Ikṣvāku army cross the river and reach my lord Rāmacandra.
Passage 17
अन्ये च विदिता वीरा भवतां ये महाबलाः। सेनां संव्यूह्य तिष्ठन्तु ते सर्वे लोहयन्त्रिणः॥१७॥
“Let every other renowned and mighty warrior among you stand in battle array, armed with iron weapons.
Passage 18
सज्जन्तां लोहयन्त्राणि लक्षशः पुरुषा मम। वेधयन्तु परान् दुष्टान् लोहपिण्डैः सहस्रशः॥१८॥
“Let my men ready iron weapons by the hundred thousand and pierce the wicked enemy with iron missiles by the thousand.
Passage 19
शतघ्न्यः परिघाश्चैव भुशुण्ड्यस्तोमरास्तथा। बाणाः क्षेपणिकाश्चैव सज्ज्यन्तां त्वरितं भटाः॥१९॥
“Warriors, quickly prepare the śataghnīs, iron clubs, bhuśuṇḍīs, javelins, arrows, and projectile weapons.
Passage 20
एकैकं परवीरं च योधयन्तु शतं शतम्। सन्नद्धा मामका वीरा नानादस्त्रास्त्रवर्षिणः॥२०॥
“Let a hundred of my armored warriors, raining many missiles and weapons, engage each individual enemy champion.
Passage 21
ननु प्रथममेतेषां प्रवृत्तिरनुमीयताम्। यद्येषामभियोगश्चेद्रामचन्द्रे मम प्रभौ॥२१॥
“Yet first their purpose must be determined. If their campaign is indeed directed against my lord Rāmacandra,
Passage 22
तदामीभिर्न सुतरा गङ्गेयं मयि जीवति। तन्न तत्पददास्येन जेतुमिच्छाम्यहं सुरान्॥२२॥
“then they shall not cross this Gaṅgā while I live. Through service at his feet I would challenge even the gods.
Passage 23
नास्याः शुभं प्रपश्यामि सेनाया मामकैः शरैः। गजानश्वान् रथान् पत्तीन् भेत्तास्मि समरे क्षणात्॥२३॥
“I foresee no good for this army beneath my arrows. In a moment of battle I shall shatter its elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry.
Passage 24
इक्ष्वाकूणां भटा एते रामद्रोहमलीमसाः। स्वत एवाद्य गन्तारो धर्मराजनिकेतनम्॥२४॥
“These Ikṣvāku soldiers, stained by hostility toward Rāma, will today go of their own accord to the abode of the King of Dharma.
Passage 25
निमित्तमात्रमेतेषां संक्षये भवितास्म्यहम्। किंतु नाज्ञातवृत्तेन स्पर्धितुं शक्यते मया॥२५॥
“I shall merely be the instrument of their destruction. But I cannot contend with them before their true purpose is known.
Passage 26
सज्जा भवन्तस्तिष्ठन्तु गच्छामि भरतं त्वहम्। प्रवृत्तिं तस्य विज्ञाय कर्तुमर्हं यथोचितम्॥२६॥
“Remain here prepared. I shall go to Bharata, learn his intention, and then do what is appropriate.” Guha Approaches Bharata
Passage 27
इत्युक्त्वा बलवान् वीरः शृङ्गबेरपुराधिपः। गृहीत्वोपायनान् दिव्यान् मत्स्यान् पाठीनरोहितान्॥२७॥
Having spoken, the powerful hero and lord of Śṛṅgaverapura took splendid gifts, including pāṭhīna and rohita fish—
Passage 28
मांसानि मधुकुम्भांश्च फलानि विविधानि च। अभ्ययाद्भरतं शूरः सन्नद्धकवचो गुहः॥२८॥
—meats, jars of honey, and various fruits. Guha approached Bharata, heroic and clad in fastened armor.
Passage 29
संस्मृत्य रामचरणौ विन्यस्य निजमूर्धनि। वृतो ज्ञातिसहस्रेण राजद्वारमुपेयिवान्॥२९॥
Remembering Rāma’s feet and placing them upon his head in thought, he came to the royal entrance surrounded by a thousand kinsmen.
Passage 30
दृष्ट्वा तमभिगच्छन्तं रामस्यानुचरं वरम्। आचचक्षे भरतं प्राज्ञः सुमन्त्रो विनयान्वितः॥३०॥
Seeing that eminent follower of Rāma approach, wise and courteous Sumantra informed Bharata.
Passage 31
एष त्वामेति काकुत्स्थ शृङ्गबेरपुराधिपः। रामस्यानन्यभक्तोऽयं गुहो नाम महामतिः॥३१॥
“Descendant of Kakutstha, this is Guha, the wise lord of Śṛṅgaverapura, coming to you. He is exclusively devoted to Rāma.
Passage 32
महाबलो महाभाग्यो महाविनय ऊर्जितः। समृद्धो दण्डकारण्ये रामस्य च सखा महान्॥३२॥
“He is immensely strong, fortunate, disciplined, and powerful, prosperous in the Daṇḍaka forest, and a great friend of Rāma.
Passage 33
वृत्तज्ञश्च सदाऽऽर्यस्य गृहाण विनयादमुम्। इत्युक्तः स सुमन्त्रेण भरतो भूमिभूषणः॥३३॥
“He knows the noble Rāma’s circumstances; graciously receive him.” Thus addressed by Sumantra, Bharata, ornament of the earth—
Passage 34
विनीतहृदयो द्रष्टुमाचक्राङ्क्ष तदा गुहम्। प्रवेशितः प्रतीहारे रामानुजमियाय सः॥३४॥
—courteously expressed his wish to see Guha. Admitted by the doorkeeper, Guha approached Rāma’s younger brother.
Passage 35
अपश्यद्भरतं सौम्यं गुणैः श्रीरामसम्मितम्। अवन्दत गुहो भक्त्या रामभ्रातरमादृतः॥३५॥
He saw gentle Bharata, equal to Śrī Rāma in virtues, and reverently bowed with devotion to Rāma’s brother. Guha Offers Hospitality
Passage 36
उवाच सुप्रसन्नात्मा किञ्चिच्छङ्कावशेषितः। अयं तव गृहारामप्रायो देशः सुमञ्जुलः॥३६॥
Still retaining a little suspicion, Guha spoke with a gracious heart: “This charming country is as good as your own home and garden.
Passage 37
गङ्गातीरावनीस्थानपुरग्राममनोरमः। अल्प एवापि रुचिरो दृश्यतां सुभग त्वया॥३७॥
“Its lands, settlements, towns, and villages along the Gaṅgā are delightful. Though small, let this pleasant domain be accepted by you, fortunate prince.
Passage 38
तव दासगृहं चैतत् संक्षिप्तावसथोऽयम्। इह मूलफलाहारैर्निरास्वादैर्मुनिव्रताः॥३८॥
“This is your servant’s house, a modest dwelling. Here people observing the discipline of sages live upon simple roots and fruits.
Passage 39
वसन्ति मनुजाः सौम्यास्तेषां त्वं दृक्सुखो भव। इहार्द्राणि च शुष्काणि मांसानि विविधानि च॥३९॥
“Gentle prince, gladden them with the sight of you. Here are many kinds of fresh and dried meat.
Passage 40
उच्चावचमिदं भक्ष्यं भविता वो न संशयः। सम्भावयितुमिच्छामि तवार्यं महतीमिमाम्॥४०॥
“Food of every kind will be available for you without doubt. Noble prince, I wish to honor this great company of yours—
Passage 41
सेनां पुरुषहस्त्यश्वमहोक्षोष्ट्रवरान्विताम्। भोज्यान्नयवसैरद्य मां पावयितुमर्हसि॥४१॥
“—your army of men, elephants, horses, great bulls, and fine camels. Please bless me today by accepting cooked food, grain, and fodder.
Passage 42
मत्प्रभोस्त्वं किल भ्राता प्रभुरेव मतो मम। अतोऽर्चयितुं त्वामिच्छामि ससुहृद्बन्धुसैन्यकम्॥४२॥
“You are the brother of my lord and therefore my lord as well. I wish to honor you together with your friends, relatives, and army.”
Passage 43
इत्थं निषादराजेन प्रार्थितो भरतोऽब्रवीत्। सर्वे वयं त्वया वीर मानिताश्चैव पूरिताः॥४३॥
Thus invited by the Niṣāda king, Bharata replied, “Hero, you have honored and fully satisfied us all.
Passage 44
ममार्यस्य प्रियं मित्रं ममापि त्वं प्रियः सुहृत्। सर्वे मम कृताः कामा भवता सौम्यदर्शन॥४४॥
“You are my noble brother’s dear friend and therefore my own dear friend. Gentle one, you have fulfilled every wish of mine.
Passage 45
धन्यस्त्वं हृदुत्साहो यो रामस्य चमूमिमाम्। सम्पूजयसि सोत्कण्ठो मम कार्यमिदं त्वयि॥४५॥
“Blessed are you, whose eager heart is moved to honor this army for Rāma’s sake. I have one service to ask of you.
Passage 46
संदर्शयस्व पन्थानं भारद्वाजाश्रमोपगम्। शुभो नः कतरः पन्था भारद्वाजाश्रमं प्रति॥४६॥
“Show us the road leading to Bharadvāja’s hermitage. Which route to the hermitage will be most favorable for us?
Passage 47
अविज्ञाते हि देशेऽस्मिन् भवान् विज्ञापकोऽस्तु नः। इत्युक्तो भरतेनासौ नृपपुत्रेण धीमता॥४७॥
“In this unfamiliar country, please be our guide.” Thus addressed by the wise prince Bharata— Guha Asks Bharata’s Purpose
Passage 48
उवाच किञ्चित्साशङ्को गुहः श्रीरामसेवकः। प्राञ्जलिर्विनतस्कन्धो निखिलारण्यदेशवित्॥४८॥
—Guha, servant of Śrī Rāma and knower of the entire forest country, spoke with joined palms and bowed shoulders, still somewhat suspicious.
Passage 49
किं नु ते ज्ञातुमिच्छामि प्रवृत्तिं वाञ्छितां तथा। किं नु त्वं रामं व्रजसि राज्येच्छुर्दुष्टया धिया॥४९॥
“I wish to know your purpose and what you seek. Are you going to Rāma with a corrupt mind, desiring his kingdom?
Passage 50
तवेयं महती सेना गजाश्वभटसंकुला। सन्नद्धवीरपुरुषा कोविदारध्वजै रथैः॥५०॥
“This vast army of yours is filled with elephants, horses, and soldiers, with armored heroes and chariots bearing kovidāra standards.
Passage 51
संयुक्ता भूरिशस्त्रास्त्रैः शतघ्नीशतसंकुला। सर्वतो व्याप्तभूभागा शङ्कां वितनुते मम॥५१॥
“Equipped with abundant weapons and missiles and crowded with hundreds of śataghnīs, it covers the country on every side and arouses my suspicion.
Passage 52
मलीमसा राज्यलक्ष्मीः पितृभ्रातृनिषूदिनी। केषांचिदेव शुद्धानां मनो मोहयते न च॥५२॥
“The stain of royal fortune destroys fathers and brothers; only a few pure hearts remain undeluded by it.
Passage 53
स भवान् किं समारब्धुमुद्यतोऽसि बलैर्वृतः। इति विज्ञातुमिच्छामि रामस्यानुचरोऽस्म्यहम्॥५३॥
“What undertaking have you begun, surrounded by these forces? I wish to know, for I am Rāma’s follower.”
Passage 54
इत्युक्तो रामभक्तेन गुहेन भरतस्तदा। उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं गङ्गावारिसितस्मितः॥५४॥
Thus questioned by Rāma’s devotee Guha, Bharata replied with sweet words and a smile as pure as the waters of the Gaṅgā. Bharata Clears Guha’s Suspicion
Passage 55
मा भून्ममेदृशी बुद्धिः स्वप्नेऽपि रघुसत्तमे। तद्दासदासं मां विद्धि सदाचरणदर्शिनम्॥५५॥
“May I never have such a thought toward the best of the Raghus, even in a dream. Know me as the servant of his servants, devoted to right conduct.
Passage 56
स नो राजा प्रभुः स्वामी गुरुर्बन्धुः परायणः। दहामि तद्वियोगेन मनःप्रीत्यै व्रजामि तम्॥५६॥
“He is our king, lord, master, teacher, kinsman, and supreme refuge. I burn in separation from him and go to him to bring joy to my heart.
Passage 57
स मे पितृसमो बन्धुस्तस्य भार्यैव भूरियम्। तत्पतित्वमहं वाञ्छन् किं न स्यां गुरुतल्पगः॥५७॥
“That kinsman is equal to my father, and this earth is his wife. If I desired lordship over her, would I not be one who violates his teacher’s marriage bed?
Passage 58
मय्यजानति कैकेय्या कृतं यद्गुरुपातकम्। सा तेन कर्मणा भूयो विनिर्भर्त्स्या मयोज्झिता॥५८॥
“Without my knowledge Kaikeyī committed that grave sin. For that deed I have rejected her, and she deserves renewed condemnation.
Passage 59
श्रीरामचरणाम्भोजदास्यलाभप्रमोदिनम्। न मामिति त्वं शङ्केथाः सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्॥५९॥
“Do not suspect me, who rejoices in attaining service to Śrī Rāma’s lotus feet. I tell you the truth, the truth.
Passage 60
धिङ्मामुक्लिष्टजन्मानं यत्कृते स रघूद्वहः। मात्रा मे पापकारिण्या नीतो विपिनवासिताम्॥६०॥
“Shame upon my accursed birth, for because of me the bearer of Raghu’s lineage was sent to dwell in the forest by my sinful mother.
Passage 61
नाजनिष्यत कैकेय्या मामकर्मापराधिनम्। नाभविष्यत्तदा ह्येष प्रजानां क्लेशसम्भवः॥६१॥
“Had Kaikeyī not borne me, though I was innocent of the deed, this suffering would never have arisen for the people.
Passage 62
कदा द्रक्ष्याम्यहं तप्तः श्रीराममुखमण्डलम्। कदा च विरहोद्रेकदुःखं मे शान्तिमेष्यति॥६२॥
“When shall I, tormented as I am, behold Śrī Rāma’s face? When will this pain, surging from separation, finally subside?
Passage 63
अहं वने निवत्स्यामि तस्यार्यस्य प्रतिज्ञया। तमुपावर्तयिष्यामि जातराज्याभिषेचनम्॥६३॥
“I shall dwell in the forest in fulfillment of that noble brother’s vow, and I shall turn him homeward once his royal consecration has been performed.
Passage 64
अमी वसिष्ठप्रमुखा मुनयः शुद्धबुद्धयः। एतैः सहित एवाहमभिषेक्ष्यामि तं प्रभुम्॥६४॥
“These pure-minded sages led by Vasiṣṭha have come. Together with them I shall consecrate that lord.
Passage 65
अयशः पातितं मूर्ध्नि मम मात्रा न संशयः। तदहं क्षालयिष्यामि रामदास्यरसोदकैः॥६५॥
“My mother has undoubtedly cast disgrace upon my head. I shall wash it away with the nectarean waters of service to Rāma.” Guha Praises Bharata
Passage 66
इत्युक्ते भरते नासौ श्रुत्वा वाक्यं निषादराट्। प्रतिपूज्य वचोभिस्तं बभाषे प्रीतमानसः॥६६॥
Hearing Bharata speak these words, the Niṣāda king honored him with words of praise and replied with a delighted heart.
Passage 67
धन्योऽसि त्वं महाबाहो रघूणां कुलभूषणः। श्रुत्वा नितान्तं प्रीतोऽहं धर्मोपेतं वचस्तव॥६७॥
“Blessed are you, mighty-armed ornament of Raghu’s lineage. Hearing your words so filled with dharma, I am deeply pleased.
Passage 68
काकुत्स्थानां कुले जातो धर्मात्मा सत्यभाषणः। कथं भवान् प्रवर्तेत न्यायातीतेऽसतां पथि॥६८॥
“Born in Kakutstha’s line, righteous and truthful, how could you ever follow the unjust path of the wicked?
Passage 69
नित्यं तवेदृशी बुद्धिर्वर्ततां धर्मवर्त्मनि। शोभा रघूणां वंशस्य वर्धतां प्रतिभास्वरम्॥६९॥
“May your mind remain forever thus upon the path of dharma. May the luminous glory of Raghu’s lineage continue to increase.
Passage 70
अयत्नोपगतं राज्यं भवान् संत्यक्तुमिच्छति। अतस्ते सदृशो लोके न प्रपश्यामि धीर्निधे॥७०॥
“You wish to renounce a kingdom that came to you without effort. Therefore, treasure of wisdom, I see no equal to you in the world.
Passage 71
पित्रा प्रवासितं रामं यत्त्वमानेतुमिच्छसि। तेन ते महती कीर्तिर्भुवनेषु भविष्यति॥७१॥
“Because you seek to bring home Rāma, whom his father sent into exile, your great fame will spread throughout the worlds.
Passage 72
एतद्धर्मान्वितं कर्म न चित्रं भरत त्वयि। श्रीरामचरणाम्भोजदास्यनिर्मलमानसे॥७२॥
“This deed filled with dharma is no wonder in you, Bharata, whose heart is purified by service to Śrī Rāma’s lotus feet.” Bharata’s Questions through the Night
Passage 73
तयोः संवदतोरित्थं सूर्यास्तमगमत्तदा। अवर्तत निशा घोरा रामविश्लेषदुस्तरा॥७३॥
As the two conversed in this way, the sun set. A dreadful night began, made hard to cross by separation from Rāma.
Passage 74
भरतश्चैव शत्रुघ्नो गुहेनोपगतावुभौ। पृच्छन्तौ रामवृत्तानि निद्रां नालभतां निशि॥७४॥
Bharata and Śatrughna remained with Guha, asking about Rāma’s activities, and neither obtained sleep that night.
Passage 75
आक्रान्तो विरहाद्भूतदुःखसागरतारिभिः। निषादराजं भरतः पर्यपृच्छत सस्पृहः॥७५॥
Overwhelmed by waves of a vast ocean of pain born of separation, eager Bharata questioned the Niṣāda king.
Passage 76
त्यक्त्वा राज्यमिहागतो रघुपतिः क्व देशमध्युषितवान्। किं भोज्यं कृतवान् किमाह वचनं सूतं सुमन्त्रं च सः॥ मैथिल्या सहितः कथं शयितवान् संस्तीर्य भूमौ तृणं। गङ्गां लङ्घितवान् कथं कमवहद्देशं च धर्माधिपः॥७६॥
“After abandoning the kingdom and arriving here, where did the lord of the Raghus stay? What food did he take, and what did he say to the charioteer Sumantra? How did he lie with the princess of Mithilā upon grass spread on the ground? How did the lord of dharma cross the Gaṅgā, and which land did he enter?”
Passage 77
इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे दक्षिणखण्डे। गुहप्रश्नो नाम द्वात्रिंशोऽध्यायः॥७७॥
Thus ends Chapter Thirty-Two, “Guha’s Question,” in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa.