Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— प्रवृद्धश्मश्रुसंदोहसंजातमुखविक्रियान्। मन्त्रिवृद्धान् जटायुक्तान् निजविश्लेषदुःखितान्॥१॥
Brahmā said: “The faces of the aged ministers were altered by masses of overgrown beard and mustache; they wore matted locks and had suffered through separation from him.
Passage 2
अनुजग्राह वीरेन्द्रो दृष्ट्या सामृतवर्षया। मधुराक्षरया वाचा पादप्रणतितत्परान्॥२॥
“The great hero favored those intent upon bowing at his feet with a nectar-raining glance and words of sweet syllables.
Passage 3
सुग्रीवं चैव हनुमन्तं भरताय महाशयः। दर्शयामास नितरां प्रशंसावाक्यपूर्वकम्॥३॥
“The magnanimous Lord introduced Sugrīva and Hanumān to Bharata, first praising them warmly.
Passage 4
जाम्बवन्तं च बलिनं सोपकारं रणाङ्गणे। विभीषणं च भक्तेन्द्रं गुणश्लाघापुरःसरम्॥४॥
“He also presented mighty Jāmbavān, whose help had been great on the battlefield, and Vibhīṣaṇa, foremost of devotees, recounting their virtues.
Passage 5
दुःखैकबान्धवानेतान् विद्धि मे कार्यसाधकान्। अहं पूर्वमहं पूर्वमिति यैः प्रहृतं रणे॥५॥
“‘Know these to be my sole companions in adversity, the accomplishers of my purpose. In battle each struck ahead of the others, crying, “I first! I first!”’
Passage 6
आर्योक्तया तानसौ नत्वा परिरम्भणपूर्वकम्। प्रणनाम ततः पश्चाल्लक्ष्मणं जयिनां वरम्॥६॥
“At his noble brother's words, Bharata bowed to each of them and embraced them. He then bowed to Lakṣmaṇa, foremost among the victorious.
Passage 7
मेघनादप्रहरणव्रणकर्कशमक्षतम्। वक्षःस्थलं लक्ष्मणस्य परिरेभे शनैश्च सः॥७॥
“He gently embraced Lakṣmaṇa's unbroken chest, hardened by the wound from Meghanāda's weapon.
Passage 8
ततो मैथिलराजस्य तनयां भक्तिसंनतः। कृच्छ्रादभ्युद्धृतां सीतामार्यां प्रणनाम सः॥८॥
“Then, bowed down with devotion, he paid homage to the noble Sītā, daughter of the king of Mithilā, who had been rescued from grievous distress.
Passage 9
अथाज्ञया प्रभोः सर्वे कपिसेनाधिनायकाः। मानुषं रूपमास्थाय तुङ्गानारुरुहुर्गजान्॥९॥
“At the Lord's command, all the monkey army's commanders assumed human forms and mounted lofty elephants.
Passage 10
निदेशाद्राघवेन्द्रस्य भक्तिहृष्टो विभीषणः। रथमध्यास्त विपुलं पताकाचित्रिताम्बरम्॥१०॥
“At Rāghavendra's direction, devotionally delighted Vibhīṣaṇa mounted a great chariot whose canopy was adorned with banners.
Passage 11
रामः सौमित्रिभरतमण्डितोभयपार्श्वकः। मध्ये सीतासमायुक्तो विमानवरमास्थितः॥११॥
“Rāma boarded the excellent aerial car with Sītā beside him, while Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata adorned his two sides.
Passage 12
प्रजाजनानुबन्धेन मन्दं मन्दमवाहयत्। विमानं बहुभूमिस्पृग्लघुव्योमपथेऽचरत्॥१२॥
“Out of affection for the citizens, he had the aerial car move very slowly along the lower sky, close to the many-storied buildings.
Passage 13
ततः शक्रशतविहितविचित्रानेकसंविधम्। अयोध्योपवनं रामो वीक्ष्य तस्मादवातरत्॥१३॥
“Rāma then beheld Ayodhyā's pleasure garden, furnished in countless wondrous ways as though by a hundred Indras, and descended there. The Mothers Welcome Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā
Passage 14
तत्र भ्रातृव्ययात्पुत्रविरहाच्चातिदुःखिते। अपश्यतां जनन्यौ स्वे गत्वा श्रीरामलक्ष्मणौ॥१४॥
“There Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa went to see their mothers, who had been deeply afflicted by their departure and separation from their sons.
Passage 15
प्रणेमतुस्तौ कौसल्यासुमित्रे निजमातरौ। आशीर्भिर्नन्दितौ ताभ्यां ध्वस्तत्रैलोक्यकण्टकौ॥१५॥
“The two who had destroyed the thorn of the three worlds bowed to their mothers Kausalyā and Sumitrā and were gladdened by their blessings.
Passage 16
पुत्रौ ददृशतुर्दृग्भ्यां नते आनन्दजाश्रुभिः। स्पर्शसौख्योपलम्भेन परं मुमुदतुर्भृशम्॥१६॥
“The mothers gazed upon their sons with eyes bowed beneath tears of joy, and delighted exceedingly in the bliss of touching them.
Passage 17
रावणेन्द्रजिदाद्यस्त्रैरङ्कितक्षतवती तयोः। अङ्गे स्पृशन्त्यौ प्रस्रवाबभूतां सदये भृशम्॥१७॥
“Tenderly touching the wounds marked upon their bodies by the weapons of Rāvaṇa, Indrajit, and the others, the two mothers overflowed with emotion.
Passage 18
भर्तुर्दुःखावहास्मीति शालीननयना वधूः। जानकी प्रणमच्छ्वश्र्वावेकभक्तितया ह्रिया॥१८॥
“Thinking, ‘I caused suffering for my husband,’ the modest-eyed bride Jānakī bashfully bowed to both mothers-in-law with single-minded devotion.
Passage 19
चिरं सुभगा भूया इत्याशिषमुदीर्य ते। वत्से तवैव वृत्तेन तीर्णः कृच्छ्राणि मे सुतः॥१९॥
“They blessed her, ‘May you long remain fortunate in marriage. Child, it was through your own conduct that my son crossed these ordeals.’
Passage 20
इत्थं प्रशस्य सुचिरं सुवृत्तां तां निजस्नुषाम्। स्थापयामासतुः पार्श्वे उत्थाप्य चरणद्वयात्॥२०॥
“After praising their virtuous daughter-in-law at length, they raised her from their feet and seated her beside them. Rāma Is Consecrated King
Passage 21
अथर्क्षरक्षःकपीन्द्रैराहृतैस्तीर्थकोटितः। अभिषिच्य जलैर्मूर्ध्नि मन्त्रिणः सप्तमोदिने॥२१॥
“Then, on the seventh day, the ministers consecrated his head with waters brought from millions of sacred fords by the chiefs of bears, rākṣasas, and monkeys.
Passage 22
महिष्या सीतया सार्धं चक्रुस्तं राज्यदीक्षितम्। आनर्चुर्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठा मन्त्राशीर्निबहाक्षतैः॥२२॥
“Together with his queen Sītā they consecrated him to kingship, and the foremost brāhmaṇas worshiped him with mantras, hosts of blessings, and unbroken rice.
Passage 23
सोऽदाद्दानानि भूरीणि तेभ्यो भूधेनुकाञ्चनैः। राजतैर्मणिभिर्वस्त्रैरलङ्कारैरनेकशः॥२३॥
“He gave them abundant gifts—lands, cows, gold, silver, jewels, garments, and ornaments of many kinds.
Passage 24
तपस्विवेषतोऽप्यासीज्जटावल्काजिनादिभिः। अत्यन्तरमणीयो यस्तस्य राजेन्द्रभूषणैः॥२४॥
“He had been exceedingly beautiful even in an ascetic's dress of matted locks, bark, and deerskin; how much more so now in the ornaments of a king.
Passage 25
द्विगुणेवाभवल्लक्ष्मीर्भूमीरमणशालिनः। राज्याभिषेकसमये सम्प्रसाधितवर्मणः॥२५॥
“At his royal consecration, when his splendid body was fully adorned, the majesty of the Lord of the earth seemed to double.
Passage 26
अथ तूर्यस्वनैर्गीतनृत्यवादित्रनिःस्वनैः। नानामङ्गलनिर्घोषैर्विप्रमन्त्राशिषां गणैः॥२६॥
“Then came the sounds of trumpets, song, dance, and instruments, many auspicious proclamations, and hosts of brāhmaṇas' mantras and blessings.
Passage 27
बृंहितैश्च गजेन्द्राणां हेषाभिर्वरवाजिनाम्। रथानां चैव निर्घोषैः पुरोगानां जयस्वनैः॥२७॥
“Great elephants trumpeted, excellent horses neighed, chariots thundered, and those going before cried victory.
Passage 28
अष्टम्यां प्राविशद्वीरो नगरीं स्वामलंकृताम्। चिरोत्कण्ठावशोत्सिक्तनरनारीगणाकुलाम्॥२८॥
“On the eighth day the hero entered his richly adorned city, crowded with men and women overflowing from long yearning.
Passage 29
भल्लूक्षरक्षःकपिभिर्विमिश्रां तां चतुर्विधाम्। तस्य सेनां जना वीक्ष्य प्रशशंसुः सुविस्मिताः॥२९॥
“The people marveled at and praised his fourfold army, intermingled with bears, rākṣasas, and monkeys.
Passage 30
तस्यादृतो जगृहतुस्तालव्यजनयुग्मकम्। उभौ सौमित्रिशत्रुघ्नौ भरतश्चातपत्रकम्॥३०॥
“Attentively, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna took up the pair of palm-leaf fans, while Bharata held the royal parasol.
Passage 31
रथस्थः शुशुभे रामः सीतया सह संयुतः। पुरुहूत इवेन्द्राण्या प्रावृषेण्यघनस्थितः॥३१॥
“Standing in the chariot beside Sītā, Rāma shone like Indra with Indrāṇī upon a cloud of the rainy season.
Passage 32
श्वश्रूजनैरतिस्निग्धैः शुद्धारितसुविग्रहाम्। रघुनाथप्रियां सीतां पश्यन्त्यो जालमार्गतः॥३२॥
“From behind the lattices, the women of the city beheld Sītā, beloved of Raghunātha, her beautiful form lovingly purified and adorned by her mothers-in-law.
Passage 33
रथस्थां प्रणमन्ति स्म साकेतपुरयोषितः। वह्नितोऽप्यतिशुद्धायै सीतायै नो नमोऽस्त्विति॥३३॥
“The women of Sāketa bowed to her as she stood in the chariot, saying, ‘Homage from us to Sītā, purer even than fire.’
Passage 34
अनसूयावितीर्णं तं प्रभामण्डलमण्डितम्। बिभ्रती शाश्वतं भव्यमङ्गरागं रराज सा॥३४॥
“She shone wearing the everlasting, splendid body ointment given by Anasūyā, surrounded by a circle of radiance. Rāma Honors His Father and Consoles Kaikeyī
Passage 35
स्यन्दनादवतीर्याथ सुहृद्भिः सह राघवः। विवेश राजभवनं यत्र सिंहासनं पितुः॥३५॥
“Rāghava then descended from the chariot with his friends and entered the royal palace where his father's throne stood.
Passage 36
दत्त्वा सपरिबर्हाणि सुहृद्भ्यो भवनानि सः। पश्चात्स्वयं विवेशान्तः पितुः श्रीमति वेश्मनि॥३६॥
“After assigning fully furnished residences to his friends, he himself entered his father's splendid inner palace.
Passage 37
पितुश्चरणमालोक्य सवाष्पनयनो विभुः। ववन्दे हि प्रेम्णा रामः श्रीमान् रघुकुलोद्वहः॥३७॥
“Beholding the place of his father's feet, the Lord's eyes filled with tears. Glorious Rāma, bearer of Raghu's lineage, bowed there with love.
Passage 38
तमुवाच रघुश्रेष्ठो वाष्पगद्गदया गिरा। तवाङ्कं पितरास्थाय किं नास्माभिः कृतं सुखम्॥३८॥
“The foremost Raghu addressed his father in a voice choked with tears: ‘Father, seated upon your lap, what happiness did we not experience?
Passage 39
लाल्यमानाः पोष्यमाणास्तातेन करुणावता। ज्ञापिता यां च सम्प्रीतिं साधुना प्राप्यते त्वया॥३९॥
“‘Cherished and nourished by a compassionate father, we were taught the perfect love obtained through one so noble as you.
Passage 40
क्रीडमानानङ्कगतान् मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय नः सदा। यथा लालितवांस्तात तथान्यो लालयेत कः॥४०॥
“‘Father, as we played upon your lap you always smelled our heads and fondled us. Who else could cherish us as you did?’
Passage 41
इति ब्रुवाणं वीरेन्द्रं जननी भरतस्य सा। लज्जायमाननयना न सम्मुखमुदाययौ॥४१॥
“While the great hero spoke thus, Bharata's mother, her eyes lowered in shame, did not come before him.
Passage 42
तामुवाचेषधर्मात्मा कृत्वा पादाभिवन्दनम्। तवैव सुकृतान्मातः पिता नः सत्यतोऽच्युतः॥४२॥
“The righteous Lord bowed at her feet and said, ‘Mother, it was through your merit alone that our father did not fall from truth.
Passage 43
कृतवान् दुष्करं कर्म ह्रीति का तेऽस्तु संस्तुतिः। यतो भर्तृहिताः एव साध्व्यो रघुकुलस्त्रियः॥४३॥
“‘He performed a deed difficult to accomplish. Why should shame be your praise, when the virtuous women of Raghu's lineage seek only their husbands' good?’
Passage 44
इत्युक्त्या रघुवीरस्य कैकेयी भरतप्रसूः। अभ्युद्धृता त्रपासिन्धोः सम्मुखीभूय तस्थुषी॥४४॥
“By these words of Raghu's hero, Kaikeyī, Bharata's mother, was lifted from the ocean of shame and stood facing him. Rāma Rewards His Allies and Begins His Reign
Passage 45
राज्यस्थानं विलोक्याथ प्रभोस्त्रिभुवनेशितुः। ऋक्षरक्षःकपिवराः सर्वे मुदमवाप्नुवन्॥४५॥
“Seeing the Lord of the three worlds established upon the throne, all the foremost bears, rākṣasas, and monkeys rejoiced.
Passage 46
उपाचरत् स तान् रामः संविधाभिरनेकशः। वस्त्रभोज्यप्रसादादिददानः प्रीतिवर्धनम्॥४६॥
“Rāma attended to them in many ways, increasing their affection by giving garments, food, tokens of grace, and other gifts.
Passage 47
मुनींश्च पूजयामास वदान्यसुरपादपः। तेऽस्मै हतारिवर्गाय सफलां ददुराशिषम्॥४७॥
“The generous wish-fulfilling tree among gods also worshiped the sages, and they gave fruitful blessings to him who had destroyed the host of enemies.
Passage 48
विप्रा धनानि भूरीणि गोभूस्वर्णाम्बराणि च। आदाय चाशिषो दत्त्वा संतुष्टाः स्वगृहान् ययुः॥४८॥
“The brāhmaṇas accepted abundant wealth—cows, land, gold, and garments—gave their blessings, and returned home contented.
Passage 49
सार्धमासं महासौख्यादज्ञातरजनीदिनान्। यातान् कपीन्द्रांस्तान् विससर्ज ततो विभुः॥४९॥
“After the monkey chiefs had passed half a month in such great happiness that days and nights went unnoticed, the Lord dismissed them.
Passage 50
पुष्पकाख्यं विमानं तत्कुबेरस्य महात्मनः। अनुमेने प्रभुर्गन्तुं यथास्थानं यथागतम्॥५०॥
“The Lord permitted the aerial car named Puṣpaka, belonging to the great Kubera, to return whence it had come to its proper station.
Passage 51
वनवासापदं तीर्त्वा प्राप्तराज्य इति प्रभुः। पालयंस्त्रिवर्गं स समं भ्रातृष्ववर्तत॥५१॥
“Having crossed the calamity of forest exile and regained his kingdom, the Lord upheld the three aims of life and treated all his brothers equally.
Passage 52
रामः सर्वासु मातृष्वविरतमवृत्तिर्निर्विशेषं प्रजासु त्रीनप्यर्थान् दधानो भृशमनुपहतो येषु तुर्यः पुमर्थः। भोगान् भुञ्जन् विदेहाधिपदुहितृयुतो वेदगोविप्ररक्षा- दक्षः श्रीमानयोध्याभिधमधुरपुरीमीश्वरोऽध्यास्त नित्यम्॥५२॥
“Rāma maintained unceasing and impartial conduct toward all his mothers and subjects. He upheld the first three human aims without ever being deprived of the fourth. Enjoying life beside the daughter of the king of Videha, skilled in protecting the Vedas, cows, and brāhmaṇas, the glorious Lord forever ruled the delightful city called Ayodhyā.” --- Source Note - Source witness: Bhuśuṇḍi Rāmāyaṇa, Volume 2, Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa. - This chapter was collated directly from physical PDF pages 750–754; all 52 passages are present continuously between the Chapter 243 and Chapter 245 colophons. - The English is a fresh, direct translation prepared for this edition.