Passage 1
गर्जमाना महासेना रघूणां सिन्धुसन्निभा। मत्तमातङ्गनिवहव्याप्तक्षोणितला ययौ॥१॥
The immense, roaring army of the Raghus advanced like an ocean, covering the earth with hosts of rutting elephants.
Passage 2
अश्वैः सिन्धुतरङ्गाभैरुच्छलद्भिः समन्ततः। छादयन्ती महीं मार्गान् वनानि विदिशो दिशः॥२॥
Its horses surged everywhere like waves of the sea, covering the earth, the roads, the forests, the intermediate quarters, and the cardinal directions.
Passage 3
महतीमटवीं प्राप्य चित्रकूटोपशल्यगा। अनालक्ष्याभवत्सेना तमस्तोमेषु भूरिषु॥३॥
Reaching the great forestland near Citrakūṭa, the army disappeared amid its dense masses of darkness.
Passage 4
तान्यरण्यान्यतिक्रम्य नदीश्च विततोर्मिगाः। श्रीमानासादयाञ्चक्रे चित्रकूटमहागिरिम्॥४॥
After crossing those forests and rivers with far-spreading waves, glorious Bharata approached the great mountain Citrakūṭa.
Passage 5
तत्र शुश्राव भरतो झिल्लीगणसुनिःस्वनम्। राजतालीवनस्थानं समीरजवसम्भवम्॥५॥
There Bharata heard the resonant sound of hosts of cicadas dwelling among stately tāla groves, stirred by the force of the wind.
Passage 6
भरतो वीक्ष्य तं देशं चित्रकूटसमीपतः। उवाच विस्मितः किञ्चिच्छत्रुघ्नं निकटस्थितम्॥६॥
Seeing that region near Citrakūṭa, Bharata was somewhat amazed and addressed Śatrughna, who stood beside him.
Passage 7
नूनं स एव देशोऽयं शत्रुघ्न सुनिरीक्ष्यते। भारद्वाजेन मुनिना यो मे संसूचितः पुरा॥७॥
"Śatrughna, this must surely be the very country that the sage Bharadvāja described to me earlier. Look at it carefully.
Passage 8
अग्रतो दृश्यतामेष पर्वतो नन्दनोपमः। वनैः संकीर्णविविधाधित्यकोपत्यकावनिः॥८॥
"See before us this mountain, comparable to Nandana, whose many slopes and valleys are crowded with forests.
Passage 9
अस्य गण्डगिरिग्रावस्राविणां निर्झराम्भसाम्। श्रूयते तुमुलो ध्वानो झिल्लीनिर्घोषसंयुतः॥९॥
"A tremendous sound is heard from its waterfalls streaming over the rocks on the mountain's flanks, mingled with the cry of cicadas.
Passage 10
अमी मयूराः कूजन्ति गिरिकुञ्जनिवासिनः। येषां शब्दो दरीमध्यप्रतिशब्देन बृंहितः॥१०॥
"Those peacocks dwelling in the mountain bowers are calling, their voices swelled by echoes within the caves.
Passage 11
अमी तमालशिखाग्रेषु कोकिलाः कलनादिनः। शुकालिकोककादम्बध्वनिनापूरयन् वनम्॥११॥
"Sweet-voiced cuckoos sit upon the tips of tamāla trees, while parrots, bees, chakravāka birds, and geese fill the forest with sound.
Passage 12
अजृम्भन्तेऽमितः शैलं पुष्पिताश्च महीरुहाः। नानाविधाः स्वसौरभ्यैर्वनमापूरयन्ति च॥१२॥
"Trees of many kinds burst into bloom all around the mountain and fill the forest with their own fragrances.
Passage 13
अयं मन्दाकिनीवारितरङ्गावलिशीलनः। आवाति नः शीतलस्पर्शो वायुरामोदवर्धनः॥१३॥
"This breeze, accustomed to the rows of waves in the Mandākinī's waters, blows upon us with a cool touch and deepens our delight.
Passage 14
नूनमस्मिन् गिरावार्यो भार्यया लक्ष्मणेन च। सहितो वसति क्षेममेकान्तमुदिताशयः॥१४॥
"Surely my noble brother dwells safely on this mountain with his wife and Lakṣmaṇa, his heart rejoicing in solitude.
Passage 15
अमी वनमृगाः कामं रामदर्शनसस्पृहाः। त्यक्तबाणभया नूनं विश्रब्धा विचरन्त्यहो॥१५॥
"See how these forest animals, longing to behold Rāma, roam trustfully, having surely abandoned all fear of arrows.
Passage 16
अस्मिन् गिरिवरे भ्रातर्गह्वरे भूरिभूरुहे। गवेषणीयो धर्मात्मा ज्येष्ठो नः सत्यपालनः॥१६॥
"Brother, within some cavern rich with trees on this excellent mountain we must seek our righteous eldest brother, the guardian of truth.
Passage 17
विहाय सम्पदो राज्यं पुरीं बन्धुजनांस्तथा। वनकुञ्जप्रियो रामः शैलेऽस्मिन् विहरत्यलम्॥१७॥
"Having left wealth, kingdom, city, and kinsmen behind, Rāma now delights in forest bowers and wanders freely upon this mountain." The Searchers Find a Sign
Passage 18
इत्युक्त्वा भरतस्तत्र शत्रुघ्नं प्रति सैनिकान्। आदिदेश स्वयं भ्रातुः श्रीरामस्य गवेषणे॥१८॥
Having spoken thus to Śatrughna, Bharata personally ordered soldiers there to search for his brother Śrī Rāma.
Passage 19
गवेषयन्तस्ते तत्र पुरुषा गह्वरे वने। विचेरुः शस्त्रकलितास्त्रासयन्तो वनौकसः॥१९॥
Searching through that cavernous forest, the armed men roamed about and frightened its inhabitants.
Passage 20
प्रविश्य विपिनं सान्द्रं द्रुमवल्लीगणाकृतम्। मृगयां चक्रिरे वीरा भरतस्याज्ञया गिरौ॥२०॥
Entering the dense woodland formed by masses of trees and vines, the heroes searched the mountain at Bharata's command.
Passage 21
अग्रे च ददृशुर्धूमलेखां गगनसंसृताम्। आगत्य सूचयामासुर्भरतं सैनिका जनाः॥२१॥
Farther ahead they saw a line of smoke rising through the sky. The soldiers returned and reported it to Bharata.
Passage 22
गवेषितं वनं सर्वं मुनिवृन्दनिषेवितम्। न तत्र दृष्टस्ते भ्राता रामस्त्रैलोक्यरञ्जनः॥२२॥
"We searched the entire forest frequented by communities of sages, but your brother Rāma, delight of the three worlds, was not seen there.
Passage 23
एकान्ते तु गिरेर्भागे महागह्वरकानने। दृश्यते धूमलेखाभिर्व्याप्तं गगनमण्डलम्॥२३॥
"In a solitary part of the mountain, however, above a forest of immense caverns, the vault of heaven is seen covered by lines of smoke.
Passage 24
नूनं तत्र तव भ्राता भविष्यति सभार्यकः। न तत्र शक्यते गन्तुमस्माभिः कुलनन्दन॥२४॥
"Your brother and his wife must surely be there, delight of your lineage, but we are unable to approach that place.
Passage 25
वायुस्तत्र प्रभोराज्ञाकारी वनगोचरः। गन्तुं न दत्ते सामान्यान् परावर्तयतीव नः॥२५॥
"The wind moving through that forest obeys the Lord's command. It will not allow ordinary people to advance and seems to turn us back."
Passage 26
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां भरतो भ्रातृदर्शने। अत्युत्कलिकया युक्तो दूरे संस्थाप्य तां चमूम्॥२६॥
Hearing their words, Bharata became intensely eager to see his brother and stationed the army far away.
Passage 27
विवेश तं गिरिं घोरं वनावलिसमावृतम्। सेव्यमानो मरुद्भिस्तैर्धूतिपङ्कजराजिभिः॥२७॥
He entered that formidable mountain encircled by rows of forest, attended by those winds that stirred ranks of lotuses.
Passage 28
सर्वे भवन्तस्तिष्ठन्तु सैनिकाः इह दूरतः। एकोऽहं तत्र यास्यामि यत्रार्यः सह भार्यया॥२८॥
"All you soldiers remain here at a distance. I alone shall go where my noble brother dwells with his wife.
Passage 29
महाभाग्यवता भ्रात्रा सौमित्रेयेण संवृतः। शत्रुघ्नश्च सुमन्त्रश्च वसिष्ठाद्याश्च मामनु॥२९॥
"He is accompanied by our greatly blessed brother, the son of Sumitrā. Śatrughna, Sumantra, Vasiṣṭha, and the others should follow me.
Passage 30
आयान्तु रघुनाथस्य तस्य दर्शनहेतवे। इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ श्रीमान् भरतोऽन्यान् निषेधयन्॥३०॥
"Let them come to behold Lord Rāma." Saying this, glorious Bharata went on while restraining the others.
Passage 31
दिवि धूमाग्रमालोक्य हर्षितो वेगवत्तरः। जगाम पुलकस्तोमव्याप्तसर्वाङ्गसुन्दरः॥३१॥
Seeing the crest of smoke in the sky, he hurried forward joyfully, his lovely body covered everywhere with masses of horripilation. The Forest Is Disturbed
Passage 32
रामस्तु भगवांस्तत्र भार्यया लक्ष्मणेन च। सह कुर्वन् कथाः स्फीता मोदते स्म महाभुजः॥३२॥
Meanwhile, mighty-armed Lord Rāma was delighting there with his wife and Lakṣmaṇa, engaged in expansive conversation.
Passage 33
तत्र तं वाहिनीशब्दं श्रुत्वा वननिवासिनः। सिंहादयः कन्दरान्तःस्था उत्पेतुः कृतगर्जनाः॥३३॥
Hearing the noise of the army there, the forest-dwelling lions and other creatures within the caves sprang up roaring.
Passage 34
व्याघ्रा निलिल्युः सम्भीत्या कोलाश्चैव विदुद्रुवुः। अन्ये च पशवो लिल्युर्यत्र कुत्रापि सम्भ्रमात्॥३४॥
The tigers hid in terror, the boars fled, and other animals darted in every direction in panic.
Passage 35
स्थानं त्यक्त्वा परे चेलुर्भ्रमुरन्ये भयातुराः। परे चकितवच्चासन् महात्राससमावृताः॥३५॥
Some left their places and ran; others wandered, stricken by fear; still others stood bewildered, overwhelmed by great terror.
Passage 36
एवं संचाल्यमानेषु पशुवृन्देषु पक्षिषु। आसीन्महान् परिक्षोभः कानने सैन्यशब्दजः॥३६॥
As the herds of animals and the birds were disturbed in this way, the army's noise produced a tremendous commotion in the forest.
Passage 37
दावाग्निनेव सम्भीताः सर्वतः पशुपक्षिणः। आर्तस्वरयुताश्चक्रुर्भ्रमणं सर्वतो दिशम्॥३७॥
Terrified as if by a forest fire, animals and birds cried in distress and began rushing in every direction.
Passage 38
केचिद्दरीषु विविशुः केचित्कुञ्जेषु निलिल्यिरे। केचिद्गह्वरदेशेषु तस्थुः सातङ्कमातुराः॥३८॥
Some entered caves, some hid within bowers, and some, afflicted and alarmed, remained in deep ravines.
Passage 39
वनचालं समुद्वीक्ष्य लक्ष्मणो भ्रातृवत्सलः। सेनागमं विनिश्चित्य भ्रातरं समवोचत॥३९॥
Affectionate Lakṣmaṇa observed the forest's agitation, concluded that an army was approaching, and addressed his brother.
Passage 40
आर्य संश्रूयते शब्दः सेनाया इव कानने। तन्मूलं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि केयं सेनास्ति कस्य वा॥४०॥
"Noble brother, a sound like that of an army is heard in the forest. I wish to discover its source: what army is this, and to whom does it belong?"
Passage 41
अथोवाच प्रभुर्ज्ञात्वा सेनाशब्दमुदित्वरम्। ज्ञायतां कस्य सेनेयं भ्रातरत्र घने वने॥४१॥
The Lord, recognizing the swelling noise of an army, said, "Brother, find out whose army this is here in the dense forest."
Passage 42
आर्यस्याज्ञामुपादाय लक्ष्मणो बलिनां वरः। शैलोद्देशं समारुह्य शालस्कन्धमधिष्ठितः॥४२॥
Receiving his noble brother's command, Lakṣmaṇa, foremost of the strong, climbed a rise of the mountain and mounted the trunk of a śāla tree.
Passage 43
अपश्यन्महतीं सेनां रघूणां सिन्धुघोषिणीम्। गजवाजिरथव्रातसंछादितमहीतलाम्॥४३॥
He saw the vast army of the Raghus roaring like the ocean, the earth covered by its hosts of elephants, horses, and chariots.
Passage 44
सुगुप्तां वीरपुरुषैः कोविदारध्वजै रथैः॥४४॥
It was well protected by heroic men and by chariots bearing kovidāra standards. Lakṣmaṇa Suspects an Attack
Passage 45
ततो देशात् समुत्तीर्य लक्ष्मणो वीर्यवत्तमः। अब्रवीदार्यसविधे त्वरारोषसमन्वितः॥४५॥
Descending from that place, the supremely valiant Lakṣmaṇa came before his noble brother and spoke in haste and anger.
Passage 46
आर्य जानीहि सेनेयं भरतस्य सुदुर्धरा। गजाश्वरथसंछन्ना कोविदारध्वजाङ्किता॥४६॥
"Noble brother, know that this formidable army belongs to Bharata. It is thronged with elephants, horses, and chariots and marked by kovidāra banners.
Passage 47
आवां प्रवास्य विपिने तातं कृत्वा तथागतिम्। प्राप्तोऽभिषेकस्तेनैव राज्ये वंशक्रमागते॥४७॥
"After sending us into the forest and bringing our father to such an end, he alone received consecration to the kingdom inherited through our lineage.
Passage 48
जीवतोरावयोरेष न तथापि मनोरथम्। परिपूर्णतमं धत्ते सचिन्तो ज्ञातकण्टकः॥४८॥
"Even while we live, his desire is still not wholly fulfilled; he remains anxious, regarding his kinsmen as thorns.
Passage 49
इति हन्तुं वनेऽप्येष प्राप्तो नौ दुष्टमानसः। महत्या सेनया युक्तः साशङ्कं कैकयीगिरा॥४९॥
"Thus this evil-minded man has come even into the forest to kill us, accompanied by a great army and made suspicious by Kaikeyī's words.
Passage 50
दृश्यन्ते परितः शैलं कोविदारध्वजा रथाः। वनेऽत्र सर्वतो व्याप्ता रघूणां महती चमूः॥५०॥
"Chariots flying kovidāra standards can be seen around the mountain. The great army of the Raghus fills this forest on every side.
Passage 51
अग्निर्निर्वाप्यतामार्य धूमलेखाभिसूचकः। इत एवाभिवर्तेरन् न यथा सैनिका भटाः॥५१॥
"Let this fire, betrayed by its line of smoke, be extinguished, so that the soldiers will not turn toward this very place.
Passage 52
प्रजावती प्रविशतु गिरेर्गुह्यतमां गुहाम्। धनुः सज्जं विधायाशु कवचं परिधीयताम्॥५२॥
"Let the noble lady enter the mountain's most hidden cave. Ready your bow at once and put on your armor.
Passage 53
अद्यावां भरतो हन्यादावां वा भरतं रिपुम्। एष कालः परिप्राप्तः सपत्नस्य पराजये॥५३॥
"Today Bharata will kill us, or we will kill Bharata, our enemy. The time has come for the rival's defeat.
Passage 54
अद्यार्यः पश्यतु मम चापपराक्रमम्। मम बाहुबलोत्क्षिप्ताः शरा विध्यन्तु विद्विषः॥५४॥
"Today let my noble brother behold the supreme prowess of my bow. Let the arrows launched by the power of my arms pierce our enemies.
Passage 55
धर्मश्चैवायमस्माकं वध्यः पूर्वापकारकृत्। अस्माभिरेव यत्कार्यं तदनेन स्वयं कृतम्॥५५॥
"It is also righteous for us to kill one who first harmed us. He has himself done what we would otherwise have had to do.
Passage 56
एवं स्थिते तु धर्मेण यदि हन्याव विद्विषः। तदा निष्कण्टकं राज्यं नन्वावयोर्भविष्यति॥५६॥
"Since matters stand thus, if we righteously kill our enemy, will not the kingdom then be free of thorns for us?" Rāma Reveals Bharata's Devotion
Passage 57
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य रामः सत्यभृतां वरः। ऊचे सर्वमनःसाक्षी भगवान् कञ्जलोचनः॥५७॥
Hearing these words, Rāma, foremost among upholders of truth, the lotus-eyed Lord who witnesses every mind, replied.
Passage 58
किमर्थमप्रियं ब्रूषे भरते धर्मकारिणि। मम प्राणप्रिये तस्मिंस्त्वत्तोऽपि प्रियकारिणि॥५८॥
"Why do you speak harshly of righteous Bharata? He is dear to me as life and acts for my good; he is even dearer to me than you.
Passage 59
कदा नु भवता दृष्टं भरतेन कृतं मयि। अप्रियं तेन नैवं ते शङ्कनीयमतः परम्॥५९॥
"When have you ever seen Bharata do anything displeasing to me? You must not suspect him in this way again.
Passage 60
भरतात्ते न भेतव्यं ममातिप्रियकारिणः। तृतीया सा तु मे मूर्तिरन्तर्दृष्ट्यावलोकय॥६०॥
"You need not fear Bharata, who acts most lovingly toward me. He is my third manifest form; behold this through inward vision.
Passage 61
प्रथमा वासुदेवाख्या सर्वेषां मुक्तिदायिनी। सङ्कर्षणाख्या द्वितीया सर्वैश्वर्यनिधिः प्रभुः॥६१॥
"The first is named Vāsudeva and grants liberation to all. The second, named Saṅkarṣaṇa, is the Lord and treasury of every divine power.
Passage 62
प्रद्युम्नाख्या तृतीयेयं यामवाप्य मतोऽन्यदः। चतुर्थी त्वनिरुद्धाख्या य एष भवतोऽनुजः॥६२॥
"This third is named Pradyumna; once it is attained, nothing else is esteemed. The fourth is named Aniruddha, and he is this younger brother of yours.
Passage 63
एवं हि मम प्रियो वै भरतः प्राणसम्मितः। दिदृक्षुरेष मामभ्येति परावर्तयितुं वनात्॥६३॥
"Thus Bharata is truly as dear to me as my own life. Desiring to see me, he approaches in order to bring me back from the forest.
Passage 64
भरतं स्वाधिकं विद्धि पुनरेव न वक्ष्यसि। द्रक्ष्यस्यनुपदं तस्य मयि भक्तिं महात्मनः॥६४॥
"Know Bharata to be greater than yourself, and do not speak so again. In just a moment you will witness that great soul's devotion to me.
Passage 65
सेनेयं तस्य वीरस्य दृश्यतां परितो गिरिम्। इमौ तौ वायुजवनौ तुरगौ तस्य धीमतः॥६५॥
"Behold the army of that hero all around the mountain. Those two horses, swift as the wind, belong to wise Bharata.
Passage 66
अयमग्रेसरो हस्ती सेनायाः परिदृश्यते। नाम्ना शत्रुञ्जयो घोरः पितुर्मे प्रीतिवर्धनः॥६६॥
"That fearsome elephant visible at the army's head is named Śatruñjaya and was a source of delight to my father.
Passage 67
इमौ भरतशत्रुघ्नौ संदृश्येते महाभुजौ। सेनामुखं मण्डयन्तौ मम दर्शनवाञ्छिनौ॥६७॥
"There Bharata and mighty-armed Śatrughna can be seen adorning the head of the army, longing to behold me—
Passage 68
वैदेहीं च विशेषेण दिदृक्षू भक्तिसंयुतौ। इत्येवं कथयन् रामो लक्ष्मणं प्रति तद्बलम्॥६८॥
"—and especially eager to see Vaidehī, filled with devotion." As Rāma spoke thus to Lakṣmaṇa, he beheld that army—
Passage 69
ददर्श सीतासहितः प्राप्नुवन्महतीं मुदम्। लक्ष्मणस्तु तथोक्तेन ललज्जे विमृशन् हृदि॥६९॥
together with Sītā, attaining immense joy. Lakṣmaṇa, reflecting in his heart upon what had been said, felt ashamed.
Passage 70
ततश्च भरतः सम्यक् सन्निवेश्य बलं महत्। योजनार्धाद् गिरेस्तस्य स्थानसम्मर्दशङ्कया॥७०॥
Bharata then properly encamped his great force half a yojana from the mountain, fearing that its sacred place might be overcrowded.
Passage 71
वसिष्ठं च महाभागो मातरानेतुमादिशत्। ततो जगाम धर्मात्मा सीतारामदिदृक्षया॥७१॥
The fortunate prince instructed Vasiṣṭha to bring the mothers. Then the righteous Bharata proceeded onward, longing to behold Sītā and Rāma.