Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथोवाच वसिष्ठस्तं वृद्धः कुलपुरोहितः। वदामि शृणु धर्मात्मन् सर्वथा मामकं वचः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Then the aged Vasiṣṭha, priest of the royal house, addressed him: "Righteous Rāma, listen carefully to what I say.
Passage 2
गुरवस्त्रय एवैते लोके धर्मभृतां नृणाम्। आचार्यः कुलवृद्धो यः पिता माता च तत्पुनः॥२॥
"For people who uphold dharma, there are three gurus in this world: the teacher who is elder of the family, the father, and then the mother.
Passage 3
तत्राहं कुलपूज्यो व आचार्यो धर्मदर्शकः। मद्वचः सर्वथा मान्यं त्वया धर्मात्मना सदा॥३॥
"Among them I am your family's honored teacher and guide to dharma. As a righteous man, you must always respect my word.
Passage 4
मातुश्च वचनं मान्यं वृद्धाया धर्मसंगतम्। अतो यद्भरतो ब्रूतेऽभ्यर्थयन् दीनमानसः॥४॥
"The dharmic word of your aged mother must also be honored. Therefore, what Bharata asks of you with his distressed heart—
Passage 5
तत्कुरुष्व महाबाहो गुरुवाक्यानुरोधतः। ये गुरूनभिवर्तन्ते ते नराः शुभकारिणः॥५॥
"—do that, mighty-armed Rāma, in deference to your gurus' word. Those who follow their gurus are doers of good." Rāma Keeps His Father's Word
Passage 6
इत्यादि बहुधा तस्य लपतो दीनचेतसः। वसिष्ठस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच रघूद्वहः॥६॥
After the sorrowful Vasiṣṭha had spoken at length in this manner, the foremost Raghu heard him and replied.
Passage 7
गुरुर्मे जन्मना नित्यं राजा दशरथः कृती। मया यत्संश्रुतं तस्य न तन्मिथ्या भविष्यति॥७॥
"By birth the noble King Daśaratha is forever my guru. What I promised him shall not prove false."
Passage 8
इत्युक्तो भरतस्तेन रामेण सुमहाशयः। उवाच सारथिं स्वीयं सुमन्त्राख्यं महाभुजः॥८॥
Thus answered by magnanimous Rāma, mighty-armed Bharata addressed his own charioteer, Sumantra. Bharata Vows to Fast
Passage 9
भो सूत सुमते सम्यगिहास्य पदपद्मयोः। छायामाश्रित्य रचय मदर्थं कुशसंस्तरम्॥९॥
"Good Sumantra, here in the shade of his lotus feet, spread a bed of kuśa grass for me.
Passage 10
स्थण्डिलेऽधिशयिष्येऽहमिहास्य पदयोस्तले। निराहारो निरम्बुश्च स्थास्यामि कृपणाशयः॥१०॥
"I shall lie upon the bare ground here at his feet and remain without food or water, my heart afflicted.
Passage 11
स्थास्याम्येवं प्रकारेण यावन्न कृपयेत्प्रभुः। ततः स तमकुर्वाणं तथा रामाज्ञया विना॥११॥
"I shall remain this way until the Lord shows mercy." When Sumantra would not do it without Rāma's command—
Passage 12
वीक्ष्य स्वयं कुशान् भूमावास्तरदतिदुर्मनाः। उक्तः कमलनेत्रेण रामेण करुणात्मना॥१२॥
—the deeply dejected Bharata saw this and himself spread kuśa grass upon the ground. Compassionate, lotus-eyed Rāma said to him:
Passage 13
किमर्थं कुरुते भ्रातर्भवान् प्रायोपवेशनम्। ब्राह्मणस्यैव धर्मोऽयं न राजन्यस्य सुव्रत॥१३॥
"Brother, why are you undertaking a fast unto death? Keeper of a noble vow, that observance belongs to a brāhmaṇa, not to a prince.
Passage 14
उत्थाय पुरुषश्रेष्ठ राज्यं समनुपालय। पित्रा दत्तं कुलप्राप्तं न भवान् त्यक्तुमर्हति॥१४॥
"Rise, best of men, and govern the kingdom. You must not abandon the ancestral realm Father gave you."
Passage 15
ततः पौरा जानपदाः प्रजाः प्रकृतयोऽखिलाः। ऊचिरे भरतं सम्यग्वीक्ष्य रामस्य तद्व्रतम्॥१५॥
Then all the townspeople, country folk, subjects, and leading citizens, clearly seeing Rāma's resolve, spoke to Bharata.
Passage 16
एष सत्यधरो रामः करिष्यति पितुर्वचः। न निवर्त्स्यति धर्मात्मा तवोपायशतैरपि॥१६॥
"Rāma is the bearer of truth and will fulfill his father's word. The righteous Lord will not return even through a hundred devices of yours.
Passage 17
को हि व्यावर्तयेदेनं सत्यसन्धं महाव्रतम्। अथ रामोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं सर्वेषामनुशृण्वताम्॥१७॥
"Who could turn back this truth-bound keeper of a mighty vow?" Then, as everyone listened, Rāma spoke.
Passage 18
अहं वने निवत्स्यामि यावद्वर्षाश्चतुर्दश। ततो द्रक्ष्यामि नगरीमयोध्यामिति मे व्रतम्॥१८॥
"I shall dwell in the forest for fourteen years. Only then shall I see the city of Ayodhyā; this is my vow." Bharata Offers to Take Rāma's Exile
Passage 19
भरतः प्रत्युवाचैनं श्रूयतां विदुषामिदम्। यदि कार्यं पितुर्वाक्यं त्वया धर्मपरायण॥१९॥
Before the listening sages, Bharata replied: "If Father's word must be carried out by you, Rāma devoted to dharma—
Passage 20
अवश्यं वन एवार्य निवत्स्यसि तदा ब्रुवे। अहमेव पितुर्विनियोगाद् वने वत्स्यामि धार्मिक॥२०॥
"—and you must indeed live in the forest, then hear my proposal: I myself shall dwell in the forest according to Father's word, righteous brother.
Passage 21
स्वं राज्यमनुशाधि त्वं कुरु लोकस्य मङ्गलम्। निशम्य भ्रातुर्वचनं रामः स्मित्वाब्रवीदिदम्॥२१॥
"Rule your own kingdom and bring welfare to the world." Hearing his brother's words, Rāma smiled and replied.
Passage 22
तातेन मे यदादिष्टं जीवता सत्यवादिना। न तदुल्लङ्घितुं शक्यं मया भ्रातस्त्वयापि च॥२२॥
"Brother, neither you nor I can transgress what my truth-speaking father ordered while he lived.
Passage 23
न त्वां प्रतिनिधीकृत्य वनवासो भवेन्मम। अतो न कार्यो निर्बन्धस्त्वया व्रतधरे मयि॥२३॥
"My forest exile cannot be fulfilled by appointing you as my substitute. Therefore do not persist against me as I keep this vow.
Passage 24
यदुक्तं भवतो मात्रा द्वौ वरौ याचमानया। तस्यै दत्तं च यत्पित्रा मया यच्च प्रतिश्रुतम्॥२४॥
"Your mother asked for two boons; Father granted them to her, and I gave my promise.
Passage 25
लोके तदन्यथाकर्तुं कः शक्तोऽत्र चराचरे। जानामि त्वं हितो भक्तः सर्वं कर्तुमसि क्षमः॥२५॥
"Who in this world of moving and unmoving beings can make that otherwise? I know you are loving and devoted, and capable of doing everything.
Passage 26
तथापि मम कल्याणमेतदेव व्रतं मतम्। नान्यथा कर्तुमर्होऽसि मम सत्यं हितो भवान्॥२६॥
"Even so, I regard this vow alone as my good. Since you seek my welfare, you must not make my truth otherwise.
Passage 27
अनुजेन सहारण्यं प्रवेक्ष्यामि न संशयः। सत्यं भवतु कैकेय्यै पित्रा दत्तं वरद्वयम्॥२७॥
"Without doubt I shall enter the forest with my younger brother. Let the two boons Father granted Kaikeyī prove true.
Passage 28
अनृतात् त्राहि पितरं स्वर्गस्थं तं महाव्रतम्। एतदेव प्रकर्तव्यं त्वया तात मयापि च॥२८॥
"Save our great-vowed father, now in heaven, from falsehood. Dear brother, you and I must do precisely this." The Gods Reveal the Purpose of the Forest Journey
Passage 29
अथ तं देशमागच्छन् दशग्रीववधैषिणः। देवाः सर्षिगणाः सर्वे भरतं सम्प्रबोधितुम्॥२९॥
Then all the gods and hosts of sages who desired ten-headed Rāvaṇa's death came to that place to instruct Bharata.
Passage 30
ततो देवाश्च गन्धर्वा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः। राजर्षयो महान्तश्च भरतं समबोधयन्॥३०॥
The gods, Gandharvas, ascetic sages, and great royal seers addressed Bharata.
Passage 31
अस्ति वीर महत्कार्यं देवानां जगतां तथा। यदर्थं राघवे वंशे समभूद् रामचन्द्रमाः॥३१॥
"Hero, a great work must be done for the gods and the worlds. For its sake the moonlike Rāma appeared in Raghu's lineage.
Passage 32
एतस्य स्थानममलं प्रमोदवनमुत्तमम्। यत्र नित्यं वसत्येष रमयन्नात्मनो जनान्॥३२॥
"His stainless abode is the supreme Pramoda forest, where he eternally dwells, delighting his own people.
Passage 33
तत आगमनं त्वस्य महत्यै कार्यसम्पदे। नान्यथा तद्भवेत्कार्यमतो वनमुपागतः॥३३॥
"His coming from there serves the accomplishment of this great work. It could not be done otherwise, and therefore he has entered the forest.
Passage 34
निमित्तमात्रं जानीहि कैकेयीवचनं प्रभोः। सर्वमेव करोत्येष आत्मना वीतसम्भ्रमः॥३४॥
"Know Kaikeyī's words to be merely the occasion for the Lord. Entirely by himself and without confusion, he does everything.
Passage 35
प्रमोदवनमेतस्य स्थानं परमशोभनम्। यत्र जानन्ति मुनयो न देवा मनुजाः कुतः॥३५॥
"Pramoda forest is his supremely beautiful abode. Even the gods do not know it; how then could human beings, apart from the sages?
Passage 36
कोटिचन्द्रप्रतीकाशं कोटिसूर्यप्रतापवत्। प्रेमानन्दकदम्बेन परिपूर्णमनुत्तमम्॥३६॥
"It shines like ten million moons, possesses the splendor of ten million suns, and is unsurpassed, filled with a dense abundance of the bliss of love.
Passage 37
तद्धित्वा रामचन्द्रोऽयमयोध्यां समभूषयत्। निमित्तं तत्र जानीमस्त्रैलोक्यस्यैव रक्षणम्॥३७॥
"Leaving it, Rāmacandra adorned Ayodhyā. We know the cause to be nothing less than the protection of the three worlds.
Passage 38
अतस्त्वं तात भरत सिद्धार्थः सन्नितो व्रज। आज्ञां सम्पालयार्यस्य यस्याज्ञावशगाः सुराः॥३८॥
"Therefore, dear Bharata, depart content and with your purpose fulfilled. Obey the command of your noble brother, whose command even the gods follow."
Passage 39
इत्युक्त्वा वचनं सर्वे न्यवर्तन्त महर्षयः। देवाश्चापि सगन्धर्वाः स्वं स्वं स्थानमुपागमन्॥३९॥
Having said this, all the great sages withdrew, and the gods together with the Gandharvas returned to their respective abodes. Bharata Submits to Rāma's Command
Passage 40
खिन्नचेतास्तु भरतः पुनर्भूत्वा कृताञ्जलिः। भक्त्या सुसन्नतस्कन्ध इदमाह रघूद्वहम्॥४०॥
Grieved at heart, Bharata once more folded his hands. His shoulders deeply bowed in devotion, he addressed the foremost Raghu.
Passage 41
नमस्ते रघुशार्दूल सर्वभक्तानुपालक। महोदार महाप्राज्ञ सफलं कुरु याचनम्॥४१॥
"Homage to you, tiger of the Raghus and guardian of every devotee. Supremely generous and wise Lord, make my request fruitful.
Passage 42
राजधर्मं निजं वीक्ष्य कुलधर्मं च शाश्वतम्। देहि मे याचमानाय महोदार महाशय॥४२॥
"Regard your own royal duty and the eternal duty of the family, and grant what I ask, magnanimous and noble Lord.
Passage 43
न रक्षितुं मया शक्यं राज्यमेतदनाकुलम्। न च रञ्जयितुं शक्याः पौरा जानपदाश्च ते॥४३॥
"I am unable to preserve this kingdom undisturbed, nor can I keep your townspeople and country folk content.
Passage 44
न त्वदीयाः प्रजा राम शक्या अन्येन रक्षितुम्। ज्ञातयो बन्धुसुहृदो मित्राणि विविधा जनाः॥४४॥
"Rāma, no one else can protect your subjects—your kinsmen, relatives, well-wishers, friends, and people of every kind.
Passage 45
त्वामेव परितो राम काङ्क्षन्ते सर्वदा प्रभो। चकोरा इव शीतांशुं तावेतान् सुखयात्मना॥४५॥
"Lord Rāma, they always long only for you on every side, like cakora birds for the moon. Therefore delight them with your presence.
Passage 46
न मे शक्तिर्महीपाल महीं च परिरक्षितुम्। अनिशं त्वत्पदाम्भोजभक्तिमेवाभिकामये॥४६॥
"King, I have no power to protect the earth. Night and day I desire only devotion to your lotus feet."
Passage 47
इत्थमुक्त्वा वचो वीरः पादयोरपतत्प्रभोः। तमुत्थाप्य ततो रामः करुणानिधिरच्युतः॥४७॥
Having spoken thus, the hero fell at the Lord's feet. Then Rāma, the unfailing treasury of compassion, raised him.
Passage 48
अङ्कमारोपयामास सान्त्वयन् कलया गिरा। अब्रवीच्च महाबाहुरिदमर्थप्रसाधनम्॥४८॥
He placed Bharata upon his lap and consoled him with a gentle voice. The mighty-armed Lord then spoke these effective words.
Passage 49
बुद्धिरेषोपपन्ना ते सुस्थिरा कुलनन्दन। मदाज्ञया समर्थोऽसि पृथिवीमभिरक्षितुम्॥४९॥
"Delight of the family, this resolve of yours is fitting and firm. By my command you are capable of protecting the earth.
Passage 50
अमी वृद्धा मन्त्रिवरा अमात्यानः कुलप्रियाः। एतैः सम्मन्त्र्य सर्वाणि कार्याणि त्वं करिष्यसि॥५०॥
"Here are the elders, foremost counselors, officials, and friends of the family. Consulting with them, you will carry out every affair.
Passage 51
न पुनर्मत्प्रतिज्ञातं परावर्तय धार्मिक। चलेन्मेरुश्चलेद् भूमिश्चलेदब्धिश्चलेन्नभः॥५१॥
"But do not try again to turn me from my vow, righteous Bharata. Meru may move, the earth may move, the ocean may move, and the sky may move—
Passage 52
अग्निः शैत्यमुपागच्छेच्चन्द्रश्चण्डरुचिर्भवेत्। चलेत्स्थानाच्च शेषोऽपि न प्रतिज्ञामहं त्यजे॥५२॥
"—fire may grow cold, the moon may blaze fiercely, and even Śeṣa may leave his place, but I will not abandon my vow." Rāma Entrusts His Sandals to Bharata
Passage 53
इति वादिनि धर्मज्ञे रामचन्द्रे मनीषिणि। वसिष्ठोऽभ्यवदद् वाक्यं रघूणां यः पुरोहितः॥५३॥
When wise Rāmacandra, knower of dharma, had spoken, Vasiṣṭha, priest of the Raghus, addressed him.
Passage 54
जानामि त्वां महाराज धार्मिकं सत्यवादिनम्। न हि कृच्छ्रगतस्यापि तव पापोन्मुखी मतिः॥५४॥
"Great king, I know you to be righteous and truthful. Even in distress your mind never turns toward sin.
Passage 55
त्वामाश्रिता अपि न वै रमन्ते पापकर्मणि। कुतः पुरुषशार्दूल तव स्यात् तादृशी स्पृहा॥५५॥
"Even those who take refuge in you find no delight in sinful action. How then, tiger among men, could such a desire arise in you?
Passage 56
कुलमेवेदममलमिक्ष्वाकूणां विशेषतः। त्वं तत्र प्रकटो राम समग्रं भूषयन् कुलम्॥५६॥
"This lineage of the Ikṣvākus is especially stainless, and you, Rāma, have appeared within it, adorning the entire family.
Passage 57
अतः परं ते विज्ञाप्यमिदमस्मि महाव्रत। प्रदेहि पादुके स्वीये भरतायाभियाचते॥५७॥
"Great keeper of vows, I now have this further request: give your own sandals to Bharata, who earnestly asks for them.
Passage 58
इमे हि स्वप्रभावेण त्रैलोक्यं पालयिष्यतः। अनर्घ्यरत्नजटिते कोटिचन्द्रार्कसन्निभे॥५८॥
"By their own majesty these two will protect the three worlds. Set with priceless jewels, they resemble ten million moons and suns.
Passage 59
विश्वं पालयितुं योग्ये तमो हर्तुं तथा क्षमे। एवमुक्तो वसिष्ठेन रामस्त्रैलोक्यरक्षकः॥५९॥
"They are fit to protect the universe and powerful enough to dispel darkness." Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, Rāma, protector of the three worlds—
Passage 60
प्रददौ पादुके तस्मै भरताय महाभुजः। ते गृहीत्वा प्रभोर्वीरः प्रहर्षं किञ्चिदाव्रजत्॥६०॥
—gave the sandals to mighty Bharata. Receiving the Lord's sandals, the hero experienced a measure of joy.
Passage 61
ततः स रामचन्द्रस्य कृत्वा भक्त्या प्रदक्षिणम्। महानागेन्द्रशिरसि पादुके समरोपयत्॥६१॥
Then he devoutly circumambulated Rāmacandra and placed the sandals upon the head of a great lordly elephant.
Passage 62
अथ सर्वान् जनान् राम आनुपूर्व्याभ्यपूजयत्। मुनीन् वसिष्ठप्रमुखान् भरतं च विशेषतः॥६२॥
Rāma then honored all the people in due order, especially the sages headed by Vasiṣṭha and Bharata.
Passage 63
सर्वाः सम्पूज्य मातॄश्चरणविनतिभिर्दुःखिता वाष्पकण्ठीः विलुष्यन्तं वाष्पपूर्णेक्षणमथ भरतं रामचन्द्रो विसृज्य। सीतासौमित्रियुक्तः कथमपि धृतिमानश्रुपूर्णाकुलाक्षो वीरस्तां पर्णशालां धरणिधरदरीं केसरीव प्रविष्टः॥६३॥
Rāmacandra honored all his sorrowing, tear-choked mothers by bowing at their feet, and then dismissed Bharata, whose eyes overflowed with tears and whose body was wasting in grief. Joined by Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, the steadfast hero, his own troubled eyes filled with tears, somehow entered the leaf hut like a lion entering a mountain cave.