Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— जानक्या विरहं बिभ्रत् संजिहीर्षुश्च रावणम्। जटायोरुपदेशेन मुक्तसंदेह आतुरः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Tormented as he bore separation from Jānakī, and now free of doubt through Jatāyu's report, Rāma desired to destroy Rāvaṇa.
Passage 2
पश्यन् वनानि सान्द्राणि विरहावेशमुग्धधीः। पृच्छन् क्वचिल्लतावृक्षान् क्वचिन्मूर्छन् क्वचित्स्खलन्॥२॥
Beholding the dense forests, his mind bewildered by the force of separation, he sometimes questioned vines and trees, sometimes fainted, and sometimes stumbled.
Passage 3
ध्रियमाणो लक्ष्मणेन पतमानः पदे पदे। रावणस्यापराधेन सरोषहृदयोऽभवत्॥३॥
Falling at every step and supported by Lakṣmaṇa, his heart filled with anger at Rāvaṇa's offense.
Passage 4
मौनमेवाव्रजन्मार्गं शोकावेशसुविह्वलः। नायं संभाष्यते केनाप्यसौ कमपि वक्ति न॥४॥
Overwhelmed by the force of grief, he traveled the road in silence. No one could converse with him, nor did he speak to anyone.
Passage 5
अत्यर्थकुपितस्वान्तो ब्रूते लक्ष्मणमेव सः। शृणु लक्ष्मण ते वच्मि सत्यमेतन्न संशयः॥५॥
His heart exceedingly enraged, he spoke only to Lakṣmaṇa: “Listen, Lakṣmaṇa, to what I tell you. It is true; there is no doubt.
Passage 6
यदि जीवति मे जाया तदा जीवतु नाम सा। नो चेद्भस्मीकरिष्यामि जगदेतच्चराचरम्॥६॥
“If my wife lives, then let her live. But if not, I shall reduce this entire world, moving and unmoving, to ashes.
Passage 7
सेशं सलोकपालं च सदेवासुरमानुषम्। खण्डयिष्यामि वसुधां शोषयिष्यामि सागरान्॥७॥
“Together with Śeṣa and the guardians of the worlds, with gods, asuras, and human beings, I shall shatter the earth and dry up the oceans.
Passage 8
मेरुं विभेदयिष्यामि छेत्स्यामि विधुभास्करौ। पातयिष्यामि नभसस्तारकाश्च ग्रहानपि॥८॥
“I shall split Mount Meru, cut down the moon and sun, and cast the stars and planets from the sky.
Passage 9
यदि जीवति मे प्राणवल्लभा जनकात्मजा। तदा मे जीवतं भ्रातर्नो चेत्त्यक्ष्याम्यसूनहम्॥९॥
“Brother, if Janaka's daughter, beloved as my life, lives, then let my own life continue. Otherwise I shall relinquish my vital breaths.
Passage 10
जगतः प्रलयं कृत्वा प्राणत्यागो भवेन्मम। इति तिग्मतरं वाक्यं नित्यं व्याहरतः प्रभोः॥१०॥
“Having brought about the dissolution of the world, I shall give up my life.” Thus the Lord continually uttered these intensely fierce words. Portents Afflict the Three Worlds
Passage 11
श्रावं श्रावं जगत्सर्वमरिष्टान्यभजत्तराम्। दृष्ट्वा दृष्ट्वा च सौमित्रिः सकम्पहृदयोऽभवत्॥११॥
Hearing them again and again, the whole world became filled with dire portents; seeing them repeatedly, Sumitrā's son trembled at heart.
Passage 12
भयविश्रान्तनयनो न च किंचिदवोचत। प्रचचाल मही कृत्स्ना सागरश्चोदतिष्ठत॥१२॥
His eyes fixed by fear, he said nothing. The entire earth shook, and the ocean surged upward.
Passage 13
भयाच्चकम्पिरे देवाश्चकम्पे मेरुरेव च। दिशः प्रजज्वलुः सर्वा नागलोको व्यकम्पत॥१३॥
The gods trembled with fear, and Meru itself shook. All the directions blazed, and the realm of the nāgas quaked.
Passage 14
मनांस्ययुः कश्मलत्वं त्रैलोक्ये वसतां सताम्। अकस्माद्दुःखसम्भूतिरकस्माच्छोकसम्भवः॥१४॥
The minds of the good dwelling in the three worlds sank into distress. Without apparent cause, suffering arose; without apparent cause, grief appeared.
Passage 15
अकस्माच्च मनःकम्पस्त्रैलोक्ये समजायत। जानकीविरहाद्रामे क्लिश्यमाने तदानिशम्॥१५॥
A sudden trembling of mind arose throughout the three worlds while Rāma was tormented day and night by separation from Jānakī.
Passage 16
एवं जगत्यरिष्टानि प्रविलोक्य दिवानिशम्। सौमित्रिरभवद्भीतः सकम्पहृदयो भृशम्॥१६॥
Seeing such portents in the world by day and night, Sumitrā's son became afraid, his heart trembling violently. Lakṣmaṇa Appeals to Rāma's Duty
Passage 17
तदा प्रणम्य सहसा भ्रातरं रघुपुङ्गवम्। स्पृष्ट्वाङ्घ्रियुगलं प्रह्व इदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥१७॥
He at once bowed to his brother, the foremost of the Raghus, touched his two feet, and humbly spoke these words.
Passage 18
श्रीमन् रघुकुलाधीश सूर्यवंशध्वज प्रभो। आर्यधर्मपथाधार देवगोद्विजरक्षक॥१८॥
“Glorious lord of Raghu's house, banner of the solar dynasty, master, foundation of the noble path of dharma, protector of gods, cows, and twice-born ones!
Passage 19
सर्वं त्वत्कृपादृष्ट्या जगदाप्यायतेतराम्। स चेद्भवान् प्रकुपितस्त्रैलोक्योपरि राघव॥१९॥
“The entire world is profoundly sustained by your gracious glance. If you become angry with the three worlds, Rāghava,
Passage 20
जीवेयुस्तत्कथं नाथ त्रिजगद्वासिनो जनाः। कश्चेदानीं रक्षकः स्याच्छ्रितदेवद्विजन्मनाम्॥२०॥
“then how could the inhabitants of the three worlds survive, Lord? Who now would protect the gods and twice-born who have sought refuge?
Passage 21
मान्धाता सगरश्चैव भरतोऽथ भगीरथः। दिलीपो रघुरेवापि येऽम्बरीषादयो नृपाः॥२१॥
“Māndhātṛ, Sagara, Bharata, Bhagīratha, Dilīpa, Raghu, and kings such as Ambarīṣa—
Passage 22
तैरिदं विश्वमखिलं स्वधर्मात्परिपालितम्। यावन्तो जनकः साक्षाद्राजा दशरथोऽभवत्॥२२॥
“All of them protected this whole world through their own dharma, down through your own father, King Daśaratha.
Passage 23
तेषां कुले भवान् कीर्तिवर्धनः सत्यसंगरः। त्यागी दयापरः साधुरक्षको दुष्टनाशकः॥२३॥
“Born in their line, you increase its renown: true to your pledges, generous, devoted to compassion, virtuous, a protector, and destroyer of the wicked.
Passage 24
सूर्यवंशैकतिलकः सम्मतश्च सतां सदा। एकस्याविनयेनार्य जगद्धन्तुं न चार्हसि॥२४॥
“You are the sole ornament of the solar dynasty and always honored by the good. Noble one, you should not destroy the world for the transgression of one being.
Passage 25
तमेव जहि पापिष्ठं रावणं लोकरावणम्। यस्याशु हननात्कृत्स्नं त्रैलोक्यं सुखयिष्यसि॥२५॥
“Slay only that utterly sinful Rāvaṇa, tormentor of the worlds. By killing him swiftly, you will bring happiness to all three worlds.
Passage 26
यदीच्छसि त्वं संहर्तुं तं पापं दशकन्धरम्। तदा स वै हतप्रायो बलवीर्ययुतोऽपि सन्॥२६॥
“If you desire to destroy that sinful ten-necked one, then he is already as good as dead, even though endowed with strength and valor.
Passage 27
पातयस्व प्रभो लङ्कां समुत्पाट्य महोदधौ। हरस्व राक्षसानीकमत्युग्रं लोकशोषणम्॥२७॥
“Master, uproot Laṅkā and cast it into the great ocean. Destroy the exceedingly terrible rākṣasa army that drains the worlds.
Passage 28
आनन्दय सुराधीशं रक्ष गोब्राह्मणानपि। याहि त्रयीपथं धर्मं मर्यादां स्थापय प्रभो॥२८॥
“Delight the lord of the gods and protect cows and brāhmaṇas. Follow the Vedic path of dharma and establish its proper bounds, Lord.
Passage 29
एतत्त्वया सदा कार्यं पूर्वेषां कीर्तिवर्धनम्। न जातुचिद्रुषाविष्टस्त्रैलोक्यं संहरेद्भवान्॥२९॥
“This is ever your work: to increase the renown of your ancestors. You should never, overcome by anger, destroy the three worlds.” Rāma Accepts the Counsel
Passage 30
इत्थं निशम्य सौमित्रेः पादोपास्तिपरस्य वै। वचनानि रघुश्रेष्ठो भक्तिप्रह्वस्य वाग्मिनः॥३०॥
The best of the Raghus thus heard the words of eloquent Sumitrā's son, who bowed in devotion and attended upon his feet.
Passage 31
लज्जाविनम्रवदनो रामो रोषान्निवर्तितः। लक्षणैर्लक्ष्मणस्याथ किंचिन्नियमितः प्रभुः॥३१॥
Rāma lowered his face in modesty and turned back from anger. The Lord was brought somewhat under restraint by Lakṣmaṇa's signs of devotion.
Passage 32
प्रसन्नहृदयो भूत्वा स्नेहेन परिरभ्य तम्। दोर्दण्डयुगलेनोच्चैः कृत्वा घ्राणं च मूर्धनि॥३२॥
His heart becoming serene, he lovingly embraced Lakṣmaṇa firmly with both mighty arms and smelled the crown of his head in affection.
Passage 33
बभूव सस्मितमुखः कारुण्यमधुराकृतिः। दृष्ट्वा तं तादृशं रामं स स्वस्थहृदयोऽभवत्॥३३॥
Rāma's face bore a smile and his form grew sweet with compassion. Seeing Rāma thus, Lakṣmaṇa's heart became calm. The Brothers Resume the Search
Passage 34
जग्मतुः सत्वरं वीरौ ततस्तौ कृतसंविदौ। काननान्यवगाहन्तौ विश्रमन्तौ स्थले स्थले॥३४॥
Having settled their resolve, the two heroes then proceeded swiftly, entering forest after forest and resting from place to place.
Passage 35
गाहन्तौ गिरिगह्वराणि विषमस्थानानि शृङ्गाणि च प्रोत्तुङ्गानि महीभृतां घनतरुस्तोमांश्च दीर्घाटवीः। आरोहादवरोहतश्च सततं खिन्नौ सुधीराशयौ सीताप्राप्तिसमुद्यमैकपरमौ तौ जग्मतुर्भ्रातरौ॥३५॥
The two brothers moved on, entering mountain caves, difficult places, lofty peaks, dense masses of trees, and long forests. Continually climbing and descending, weary yet steadfast at heart, they remained wholly devoted to the great effort of recovering Sītā.