Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— वृक्षगुल्मलतावृन्दे वीक्षमाणो विदेहजाम्। दर्शयन् मानुषीं चेष्टां स्खलन् मोहेन च क्वचित्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Searching for the daughter of Videha among trees, shrubs, and masses of vines, Rāma displayed human conduct, sometimes stumbling in bewilderment.
Passage 2
ध्रियमाणश्च प्रतिपदं भ्रात्रा सौमित्रिणा ततः। प्रियायास्तस्करायोच्चैः प्रकुप्यन्मनसा प्रभुः॥२॥
Supported at every step by his brother, Sumitrā's son, the Lord inwardly raged against the thief who had stolen his beloved.
Passage 3
कबन्धस्यालयं प्राप्तः शापजातस्य रक्षसः। स ददर्श तमत्युग्रं राक्षसं घोररूपिणम्॥३॥
He reached the dwelling of Kabandha, who had become a rākṣasa through a curse, and saw that exceedingly fierce being of dreadful form.
Passage 4
दोर्भ्यामाकृष्य सत्त्वानि वनजानि सहस्रशः। ग्रसन्तं मुखरन्ध्रेण गन्धर्वं पूर्वजन्मनि॥४॥
With his two arms he dragged in forest creatures by the thousand and devoured them through his gaping mouth; in his former birth he had been a gandharva.
Passage 5
तस्यातिदीर्घदोर्दण्डयुगं छित्त्वा रघूद्वहः। खड्गेन शितधारेण पातयामास भूतले॥५॥
The scion of Raghu cut through his pair of immensely long arms with a keen-edged sword and cast them to the ground.
Passage 6
सोऽपि क्षणात्तनुं त्यक्त्वा राक्षसीमतिभीषणाम्। रामहस्तायुधस्पर्शाल्लेमे दिव्यतरं वपुः॥६॥
At once Kabandha abandoned his terrifying rākṣasa body and, through contact with the weapon in Rāma's hand, obtained a supremely celestial form.
Passage 7
गन्धर्व इति तेनासौ निश्चितस्तेन वर्ष्मणा। यथापूर्वं सुरुचिरो मणिहारविभूषणः॥७॥
From that body Rāma knew him to be a gandharva, once again splendid as before and adorned with jeweled necklaces.
Passage 8
प्रणनाम पुरो भूय राघवेन्द्रं मुदान्वितः। प्रसादसुमुखं देवं तुष्टाव कलया गिरा॥८॥
Coming before the lord of the Raghus, he bowed with joy and praised the gracious, radiant Lord in a gentle voice. Kabandha Describes Rāvaṇa
Passage 9
स रावणहृतां सीतां विज्ञाप्य रघुवल्लभे। इदं विज्ञापयामास नीतिज्ञो यक्षसत्तमः॥९॥
The wise and eminent celestial, speaking of Sītā stolen by Rāvaṇa, submitted this counsel to Rāma.
Passage 10
समुद्रमध्यवसतिर्लङ्काख्या यस्य सा पुरी। राक्षसौघसमाक्रान्ता दुर्गमा चैव मानुषैः॥१०॥
“His city called Laṅkā stands in the midst of the ocean, crowded with hosts of rākṣasas and inaccessible to human beings.
Passage 11
स्वयं यो बलवांश्चैव त्रैलोक्यं येन निर्जितम्। लीलयैव च चिच्छेद पौरुषं यो दिवस्पतेः॥११॥
“He himself is immensely strong and has conquered the three worlds; in mere sport he broke even the prowess of the lord of heaven.
Passage 12
येन कल्पद्रुमाञ्छित्त्वा स्वावासतरवः कृताः। यो ब्रह्माणं समाराध्य ययाचे वरमद्भुतम्॥१२॥
“He cut down wish-fulfilling trees and made them the trees of his own residence; after propitiating Brahmā, he asked for an extraordinary boon.
Passage 13
न जातु स्वस्य मरणं विधिसर्गे भवेर्भवेत्। तत्तथैवार्थितं तेन ब्रह्मणापि प्रतिश्रुतम्॥१३॥
“He asked that death should never come to him from any being in Brahmā's creation, and Brahmā promised him precisely what he sought.
Passage 14
ततः सहोदरसुतबान्धवौघबलोर्जितः। जगज्जिगाय लङ्केशो नित्यं व्याकुलयन् जनान्॥१४॥
“Then, strengthened by throngs of brothers, sons, and kinsmen, the lord of Laṅkā conquered the world and continually afflicted its people.
Passage 15
दशवक्त्रपरिस्फूर्जद्विग्रहोऽतिभयानकः। विंशबाहुसमुच्छ्रायो विंशलोचनभीषणः॥१५॥
“His body, bristling with ten faces, is exceedingly dreadful; his twenty raised arms and twenty eyes inspire terror.
Passage 16
विकरालमहाकायः कल्पाग्निरिव तेजसा। शिवाराधनसंजातप्रतापातिमहौर्जितः॥१६॥
“Gigantic and hideous, he blazes like the fire at the end of an age, empowered by the immense majesty born of his worship of Śiva.
Passage 17
स ते प्रियापहारेण नितान्तं वध्यतां गतः। अतस्तस्य वधे यत्नो भवता भावितः कथम्॥१७॥
“By abducting your beloved he has made himself entirely deserving of death. How, then, have you planned the effort to kill him? Alliance with Sugrīva
Passage 18
के नु तत्र सहायास्ते समानव्यसनाः प्रभो। विज्ञापयामि तु श्रीमन् यदि चेतसि रोचते॥१८॥
“Who are your allies in this undertaking, Lord, companions who share a similar misfortune? Glorious one, if it pleases you, I shall offer counsel.
Passage 19
अस्ति वालिकनिष्ठभ्राता सुग्रीवो नाम वानरः। तस्यापि जाया तद्भ्रात्रा वालिना बलिना हृता॥१९॥
“There is a vāṇara named Sugrīva, the younger brother of Vālin. His wife too was taken from him by his powerful brother Vālin.
Passage 20
किष्किन्धापुरराज्यं च स्वयं स कुरुते प्रभो। बलाद्विवासितस्तेन सुग्रीवः सेवते वनम्॥२०॥
“Vālin himself rules the city and kingdom of Kiṣkindhā, Lord, while Sugrīva, forcibly exiled by him, dwells in the forest.
Passage 21
महाबली महावीरो महासत्यवचाश्च सः। सूर्यस्य तनयः साक्षाद् ग्रहराजस्य भास्वतः॥२१॥
“Sugrīva is immensely strong and heroic, utterly true to his word, and the very son of the radiant Sun, king of the planets.
Passage 22
स चेत्त्वयाभिषिच्येत राज्येऽस्मिंश्चिरकाङ्क्षिते। किष्किन्धानगरीराजधानीसम्पद्राजिते॥२२॥
“If you install him in the kingdom he has long desired, resplendent with the royal prosperity of Kiṣkindhā,
Passage 23
अवाप्नोति च चेत्तारां सुन्दरीं चिरकाङ्क्षिताम्। ततः प्रत्युपकाराय तव सज्ज्येत सोऽर्कजः॥२३॥
“and if he regains the beautiful Tārā whom he has longed for, that son of the Sun will ready himself to repay your kindness.
Passage 24
अष्टादशमहापद्मसंख्याताश्च प्लवंगमाः। तस्याज्ञावशगास्ते स्युस्तव सैन्यमहाभटाः॥२४॥
“Vāṇaras numbering eighteen mahāpadmas obey his command; they will become the mighty warriors of your army.
Passage 25
ऋक्षाणां च पतिवृद्धो जाम्बवान्नाम वीर्यवान्। महाबलो महाकायः सोऽपि स्यात्ते चमूभटः॥२५॥
“There is also the aged and valiant lord of the bears named Jāmbavān. Mighty and immense, he too will be a champion in your army.
Passage 26
तैर्वृतस्त्वं महावीर साक्षात्तेजोनिधिः प्रभो। विनयेथाः परं युद्धे दशग्रीवं मदोत्कटम्। सभृत्यं सपरीवारं सानुजं बलसंयुतम्॥२६॥
“Surrounded by them, great hero and manifest treasury of power, you will subdue in supreme battle the arrogant ten-necked one, together with his servants, household, brothers, and forces.
Passage 27
यद्यपि त्वामहं जानाम्यप्रमेयबलं जनैः। तथापि सेनासन्दोहो वरीयान् महतामपि॥२७॥
“Although I know that your strength cannot be measured by anyone, even the great are better served by a massed army.
Passage 28
नैकाकी शोभते राम क्वचिद् भूमिपतिर्भुवि। भवांश्चाभासि वीरेन्द्र त्रिजगत्पतिरेव मे॥२८॥
“A lord of the earth is never well served by standing alone, Rāma. To me, foremost of heroes, you shine as the lord of all three worlds.”
Passage 29
इति विज्ञाप्य गन्धर्वो रामाय स्वात्मदायिने। विमानवरमारुह्य तदादिष्टो दिवं ययौ॥२९॥
Having thus advised Rāma, the giver of his true form, the gandharva mounted an excellent celestial vehicle and, with Rāma's leave, went to heaven. The Brothers Journey to Pampā
Passage 30
तेनादिष्टेन मार्गेण जगाम रघुपुङ्गवः। क्रामन् दुर्गान् क्षितिधरान् घनानि विपिनानि च॥३०॥
The foremost of the Raghus traveled by the route Kabandha had indicated, crossing difficult mountains and dense forests.
Passage 31
क्वचित्त्वरान्वितौ वीरौ क्वचिन्मन्दगमावुभौ। ज्यारूढधनुषौ धीरौ सीताप्रेक्षणलालसौ॥३१॥
At times the two heroes hurried; at times they walked slowly. Resolute, with strung bows, they longed to see Sītā.
Passage 32
लक्ष्यमाणौ रहसि तमेवोद्यममातुरौ। सर्वज्ञौ मानुषीं चेष्टां वितन्वन्तौ विनोदिनौ॥३२॥
Alone together, wholly absorbed in that one endeavor, the all-knowing brothers playfully continued to enact human conduct.
Passage 33
खड्गिनौ बद्धतूणीरौ शक्तिमन्तौ महाभुजौ। वीरेन्द्रौ बद्धकवचौ जटामुकुटमण्डितौ॥३३॥
Bearing swords and fastened quivers, powerful and long-armed, the two foremost heroes wore armor and crowns of matted hair.
Passage 34
नीलोत्पलदलश्यामावतसीकुसुमप्रभौ। तमालकलिकाकारौ पुण्डरीकदलेक्षणौ॥३४॥
Dark as blue-lotus petals and radiant as flax blossoms, they resembled tamāla buds and had eyes like white-lotus petals.
Passage 35
सुकुमारतरौ रम्यौ दिव्यतापसवेशिनौ। भिल्लैश्च भिल्लपत्नीभिर्वने वीक्षितविग्रहौ॥३५॥
Exceedingly tender and beautiful in their divine ascetic dress, their forms were gazed upon in the forest by Bhilla men and women.
Passage 36
कारुण्यजननौ सद्यः सर्वेषामपि चेतसि। मयूरचन्द्रकधरौ गुञ्जापुञ्जविभूषितौ॥३६॥
They instantly awakened compassion in every heart, wearing peacock-eye ornaments and adorned with clusters of guñjā berries.
Passage 37
गिरिधातुप्रवालादिकृताकल्पौ महोज्ज्वलौ। त्रिजगत्सौख्यदानाय बहुलीलाकृतोद्यमौ॥३७॥
Splendidly decorated with mountain pigments, tender shoots, and the like, they undertook many divine sports to bestow joy upon the three worlds.
Passage 38
उच्चोच्चैर्गिरिशृङ्गाणि गिरिगह्वरकन्दराः। गिरिकाननवर्त्मनि गाहमानौ गतश्रमौ॥३८॥
They entered lofty mountain peaks, ravines, and caves along the forest paths of the hills, unwearied by the journey.
Passage 39
सीतासम्प्राप्तियत्नादन्यं यत्नं न क्वापि बिभ्रतौ। त्यक्ताखिलसुखासङ्गौ स्वार्थसाधनसत्वरौ॥३९॥
They entertained no effort anywhere except the effort to recover Sītā; abandoning attachment to every comfort, they hastened toward their purpose.
Passage 40
प्राप्तौ दिव्यजलं शुद्धं पम्पाख्यानं महासरः। सुगन्धिशुचिपानीयं फुल्लपङ्कजकेसरैः॥४०॥
They reached the great lake called Pampā, whose divine, pure, fragrant water was perfumed by the filaments of blossoming lotuses. The Beauty of Lake Pampā
Passage 41
नानाजातिलसत्पद्मवनभूषितमुज्ज्वलम्। ऋषिपत्नीगणाकीर्णमवगाढमृषिव्रजैः॥४१॥
It shone, adorned with beds of many kinds of lotuses, crowded with sages' wives and entered by companies of seers.
Passage 42
हंससारसचक्राह्वकादम्बकुलकेलिकृत्। मुक्ताविशुद्धसलिलगम्भीरमतिमञ्जुलम्॥४२॥
Swans, cranes, cakravākas, and flocks of waterfowl sported there; its pearl-pure water was deep and exceedingly lovely.
Passage 43
वनराजीसमावीतं क्रान्तभूरुहवल्लरि। तटस्थवल्लरीकुञ्जपतत्कुसुमपूजितम्॥४३॥
Rows of forest surrounded it, with vines climbing the trees, while flowers falling from vine bowers on its banks seemed to worship it.
Passage 44
कमनीयतमोतुङ्गकूलनिःश्रेणिसुन्दरम्। अजस्रस्वगुणोद्गारिराजहंसगणावृतम्॥४४॥
Its lofty, enchanting banks and descending steps were beautiful, and flocks of royal swans constantly proclaimed its virtues.
Passage 45
मन्दानिलकृतान्दोलं तनुवीचिसमुद्भवम्। मौक्तिकोत्पत्तिसुभगमुक्तास्फोटकदम्बकम्॥४५॥
Gentle winds set it swaying and raised delicate ripples; it was lovely with pearl-producing shells and clusters of opened oysters.
Passage 46
देवाङ्गनावगाहोत्थहरिचन्दनरञ्जितम्। कार्णाटीकुचकुम्भोत्थमलयागुरुसौरभम्॥४६॥
Celestial women's bathing tinged it with yellow sandalwood, and it carried the fragrance of Malaya aloe from the rounded breasts of women of Karṇāṭa.
Passage 47
कलकुञ्जलतासद्मविश्रान्तसुरकिन्नरम्। जलपानसमायातनानावर्णमृगान्वितम्॥४७॥
Gods and kinnaras rested in its charming vine-bowers, and deer of many colors came there to drink.
Passage 48
फुल्लपद्मदलासीननानाजातिविहंगमम्। मधुमत्तालिमधुपीगणसेवितपङ्कजम्॥४८॥
Birds of many kinds sat upon its open lotus petals, and honey-intoxicated swarms of bees attended its lotuses.
Passage 49
राजहंसकुलक्वाणमुखरीकृतदिक्तटम्। माध्वीकगन्धसन्दोहपाटच्चरसुखानिलम्॥४९॥
The calls of royal swans filled its shores and quarters, while pleasant breezes stole away masses of honeyed fragrance. Rāma Among the Sages
Passage 50
तत्तीरवासिनः शान्तान् ब्राह्मणान् मुनिपुङ्गवान्। प्रणनाम रघुश्रेष्ठो भूयस्तैरपि सत्कृतः॥५०॥
The best of the Raghus bowed to the peaceful brāhmaṇas and eminent sages dwelling on its banks, and they in turn honored him greatly.
Passage 51
तत्र स्नात्वा रघुपतिः पम्पासरसि शीतले। विश्रान्तिमकरोत्कान्तावियुक्तोऽहानि कानिचित्॥५१॥
After bathing in cool Lake Pampā, the lord of the Raghus, separated from his beloved, rested there for several days.
Passage 52
मुनीनामाश्रमेष्वार्यो निवसन् लक्ष्मणान्वितः। धनुर्धरः कोणपेभ्यो व्यदधान्मखरक्षणम्॥५२॥
Dwelling with Lakṣmaṇa in the sages' hermitages, the noble bowman protected their sacrifices from rākṣasas. The Cakravāka Birds Awaken His Grief
Passage 53
वियोगात्तस्य रामस्य शीतं पम्पासरोजलम्। अतनोदुरुसन्तापं तप्यमानमिवाग्निना॥५३॥
Because of Rāma's separation, even Pampā's cool water intensified his great anguish, as though it too were being heated by fire.
Passage 54
वीक्ष्य पम्पाजले क्रीडद्रथाङ्गमिथुनं मिथः। रहो जनकजां स्मृत्वा मुमूर्छ स्मरविह्वलः॥५४॥
Seeing a pair of cakravāka birds sporting together in Pampā's water, he privately remembered Janaka's daughter and fainted, overcome by love.
Passage 55
जवेनोत्थापितः सोऽथ भ्रात्रा संदत्तचेतनः। स्मारं स्मारं मुहुः कान्तां प्रललाप विशीर्णधीः॥५५॥
His brother quickly raised him and restored his awareness. Remembering his beloved again and again, Rāma lamented with a shattered mind.
Passage 56
अये रथाङ्ग त्वमतीव धन्यः स्वकान्तया क्रीडसि यो निकामम्। न जातु कश्चित्तव सौख्यमध्ये विघ्नप्रदोऽभूद्दशकण्ठतुल्यः॥५६॥
“O cakravāka, you are greatly blessed, for you sport freely with your beloved. Never has anyone like the ten-necked one arisen to obstruct your happiness.
Passage 57
वियुज्यसे यद्यपि मित्र कान्त्या दिनव्यपाये परमार्तिहेतौ। तथापि मध्ये युवयोर्न तावदस्त्यन्तरं यावदिहावयोस्तत्॥५७॥
“Although, friend, you are separated from your beloved at day's end, a cause of intense pain, the distance between you two is nothing like the distance now between the two of us.”
Passage 58
अथो रवावस्तमिते रघूणां पतिः स पम्पापुलिने निषण्णः। शुश्राव विश्लेषजदुःखभाजो रथाङ्गयोः सन्ततमार्तनादम्॥५८॥
When the sun had set, the lord of the Raghus sat upon Pampā's shore and heard the ceaseless anguished cries of the two cakravākas suffering separation.
Passage 59
उवाच तौ कूजितमुक्तकण्ठौ प्रदोषकाले करुणं रटन्तौ। चक्रौ युवानौ नवविप्रयोगादजस्रकामज्वरकीलदग्धौ॥५९॥
He addressed the two young cakravākas, crying openly and plaintively at twilight, pierced and burned by love's fever in their new separation.
Passage 60
अहो युवां रोदिथ ईदृशं किं कारुण्यधारावहमार्तरावम्। प्रपश्यथोऽन्योन्यमवारपारप्रसृत्वाराम्बुव्यवधौ सुखं स्थः॥६०॥
“Why do you two weep with such a pitiable, anguish-laden cry? You can see one another across the water stretching from shore to shore; you should take comfort.
Passage 61
हा हन्त रामं चिरविप्रयुक्तं प्राणप्रियाया विधिवञ्चितं माम्। प्रायो न जानीथ इहेदृशं यो दधाति कालानलतापमन्तः॥६१॥
“Alas, you surely do not know me—Rāma, long separated from the beloved of my life and cheated by fate—who bears within a burning like the fire of time.
Passage 62
अहो अपूर्वा ज्वलनस्य वृत्तिर्ज्वलामि भस्मापि च दृश्यते न। विधाय भस्म ज्वलनोऽन्य आशु निर्वर्ततेऽसौ न निवृत्तिमेति॥६२॥
“How strange is this fire's behavior! I burn, yet no ashes appear. An ordinary fire soon goes out after making ashes, but this one never ceases.” Lakṣmaṇa Tends the Grieving Rāma
Passage 63
इति प्रलपता तेन मुक्तास्थूलाश्रुमुञ्चता। नीतं पम्पासरस्तीरं प्रावृषीव किलार्द्रताम्॥६३॥
As he lamented and shed great tears, Pampā's bank was made wet as though by the rainy season.
Passage 64
रामस्य हृदि सन्तापं विज्ञाय विरहोद्भवम्। दध्यौ प्रतिक्षणं तत्र पद्मपत्राणि लक्ष्मणः॥६४॥
Knowing the anguish in Rāma's heart to be born of separation, Lakṣmaṇa continually gathered lotus leaves there.
Passage 65
शयनीयं च तैरेव कृत्वा तस्य विचक्षणः। काञ्चीकटकहारादि पद्मपत्रैरकल्पयत्॥६५॥
The thoughtful brother made Rāma a bed from those leaves and fashioned girdles, bracelets, necklaces, and other ornaments from lotus leaves.
Passage 66
क्वचित् पम्पातीरे तनुमभिनवाशोकलतिकाम्। उरोजप्रोत्तुङ्गस्तवकभरनम्रां रघुपतिः। विलोक्य प्राणेशीं प्रणयपरिरम्भोत्सुकमनाः। पतन् साश्रुं भ्रात्रा कथमपि धृतो दोर्युगवृतः॥६६॥
Once on Pampā's bank, the lord of the Raghus saw a slender young aśoka vine, bowed by high clusters like breasts. Mistaking it for the queen of his life and longing to embrace her in love, he fell in tears and was barely caught within his brother's two arms.
Passage 67
कदाचिदुद्यन्तमुदीच्य चन्द्रं कलङ्कलेखामलिनान्तरं सः। कृतेणनाभीतिलकाङ्कुराख्यं प्रियामुखेन्दुं बुबुधे रुषाक्तम्॥६७॥
Once, seeing the rising moon darkened within by its line of stain, he mistook it for the moon of his beloved's face, marked with a sprout-like tilaka and colored by anger.
Passage 68
उपालभत तं साधुरये जनकनन्दिनि। अकस्मात्कुप्यसि कथं कान्ते मयि निरागसि॥६८॥
The gentle Rāma reproached that vision: “O daughter of Janaka, why are you suddenly angry with me, your innocent beloved?
Passage 69
देहि मे चुम्बनं तन्वि दूरे किं परिधावसि। भाले ते राजतेऽत्यर्थं कस्तूरीतिलकं प्रिये॥६९॥
“Slender one, give me a kiss. Why do you run far away? Beloved, the musk tilaka shines beautifully upon your brow.”
Passage 70
इति प्रलपितं श्रुत्वा तस्य सौमित्रिरब्रवीत्। अलं भ्रमेण चन्द्रोऽयमुदेति जगतां मुदे॥७०॥
Hearing him lament thus, Sumitrā's son said, “Enough of this delusion. This is the moon rising for the joy of the world.”
Passage 71
इत्थं पम्पातीरनिवासां खिन्नः खिन्नः कान्ताविश्लेषातिरुजातः श्रीरघुवीरः। भ्रात्रा शश्वत् सार्धचिरेण प्राहृतधैर्यो निन्ये कानिचिदतिशयदीर्घतमानि दिनानि॥७१॥
Thus Śrī Raghavīra, repeatedly stricken during his stay on Pampā's bank and overwhelmed by the agony of separation from his beloved, was gradually restored to courage by his brother and passed several days that seemed exceedingly long.
Passage 72
पम्पासरःस्नानविशुद्धचेतसां सङ्गे मुनीनां क्वचिदात्तगोपनः। कुर्वन् स विज्ञानकथा मनोहराः कालं निनायातिवियोगदुःसहम्॥७२॥
Remaining discreetly among sages whose minds were purified by bathing in Lake Pampā, he passed the unbearably painful time of separation by speaking with them on captivating matters of spiritual knowledge.