Pātāla-khaṇḍa · Chapter 58
Sourceशेष उवाच। भरतं मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा रघुनाथः सुदुःखितः । प्रतीहारमुवाचेदं शत्रुघ्नं प्रापयाशु माम् १। तद्वाक्यं प्रोक्तमाकर्ण्य क्षणाच्छत्रुघ्नमानयत् । यत्र रामो निजभ्राता भरतेन सह स्थितः २। भरतं मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा रघुनाथं च दुःखितम् । प्रणम्य दुःखितोऽवोचत्किमिदं दारुणं महत् ३। तदा रामोंऽत्यजप्रोक्तं वाक्यं लोकविगर्हितम् । तं प्रत्युवाच रामोऽसौ शत्रुघ्नं पदसेवकम् ४। अधोमुखो दीनरवो गद्गदाक्षरवेपथुः । शृणु भ्रातर्वचो मेऽद्य कुरु तत्क्षिप्रमादरात् ५। यथा स्याद्विमलाकीर्तिर्गंगेव पृथिवीं गता । सीताया वाच्यमतुलं लोके श्रुत्वांत्यजोदितम् ६। हातुमिच्छामि देहं स्वमेनां वा जानकीं किल । इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य रामस्य किल शत्रुहा ७। सवेपथुः पपातोर्व्यां दुःखितः परदारणः । संज्ञां प्राप्य मुहूर्तेन रघुनाथमवोचत ८। शत्रुघ्न उवाच। किमेतदुच्यते स्वामिञ्जानकीं प्रति दारुणम् । पाखंडैर्दुष्टचित्तैश्च सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतैः ९। निंदिता श्रुतिरग्राह्या भवति त्वग्र्यजन्मनाम् । जाह्नवी सर्वलोकानां पापघ्नी दुरितापहा १०। निस्पृष्टा पापिभिः पुंभिः सा स्पर्शेनार्हिता सताम् । सूर्यो जगत्प्रकाशाय समुदेति जगत्यहो ११। उलूकानां रुचिकरो न भवेत्तत्र का क्षतिः । तस्मात्त्वमेनां गृह्णीष्व मा त्यजानिंदितां स्त्रियम् १२। श्रीरामभद्रकृपया कुरुष्व वचनं मम । एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य शत्रुघ्नस्य महात्मनः १३। पुनःपुनर्जगादेदं यदुक्तं भरतं प्रति । तन्निशम्य वचो भ्रातुर्दुःखपूरपरिप्लुतः १४। पपात मूर्च्छितो भूमौ छिन्नमूल इव द्रुमः । भ्रातरं पतितं वीक्ष्य शत्रुघ्नं दुःखितो भृशम् १५। प्रतीहारमुवाचेदं लक्ष्मणं त्वानयांतिकम् । स लक्ष्मणगृहं गत्वा न्यवेदयदिदं वचः १६। प्रतीहार उवाच। स्वामिन्रामो भवंतं तु समाह्वयति वेगतः । स तच्छ्रुत्वा समाह्वानं रामचंद्रेण वेगतः १७। जगाम तरसा तत्र यत्र स भ्रातृकोऽनघः । भरतं मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा शत्रुघ्नमपि मूर्च्छितम् १८। श्रीरामचंद्रं दुःखार्तं दुःखितो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । किमेतद्दारुणं राजन्दृश्यते मूर्च्छनादिकम् १९। तदाशु शंस मां सर्वं कारणं मुख्यतोऽनघ । एवं वदंतं नृपतिर्वृत्तांतं सर्वमादितः २०। शशंस लक्ष्मणं क्षिप्रं दुःखपूरपरिप्लुतम् । लक्ष्मणस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा सीतायास्त्यागसंभवम् २१। निःश्वसन्मुहुरुच्छ्वासं स्तब्धगात्र इवाभवत् । भ्रातरं स्तब्धगात्रं च कंपमानं मुहुर्मुहुः २२। न किंचन वदन्तं तं वीक्ष्य शोकार्दितोऽब्रवीत् । किं करिष्याम्यहं भूमौ स्थित्वा दुर्यशसांकितः २३। त्यजामीदं वपुः श्रीमल्लोकभीत्या च शोकवान् । सर्वदा भ्रातरो मह्यं मद्वाक्यकरणोत्सुकाः २४। इदानीं तेपि दैवेन प्रतिकूलवचः कराः । कुत्र गच्छामि कं यामि हसिष्यंति नृपा भुवि २५। दुर्यशो लांछितं मां वै कुष्ठिनं रूपवन्नराः । मनोर्वंशे पुरा भूपा जाता जाता गुणाधिकाः २६। इदानीं मयि जाते तु विपरीतं बभूव तत् । इति संभाषमाणं तं रामभद्रं समीक्ष्य सः २७। संस्तभ्याश्रूणि विपुलान्युवाच विकल स्वरः । स्वामिन्विषादं मा कार्षीः कथं तव मतिर्हृता २८। सीतामनिंदितां को नु त्यजति श्रुतवान्भवान् । आकारयामि रजकं परिपृच्छामि तं प्रति २९। कथं त्वयानिंदिता सा जानकी योषितां वरा । तव देशे बलात्कश्चिद्बाध्यते न जनोऽल्पकः ३०। तस्मात्तस्य यथास्वांते प्रतीतिः स्यात्तथाचर । किमर्थं त्यज्यते भीरुः पतिव्रतपरायणा ३१। मनसा वचसा नान्यं जानाति जनकात्मजा । तस्मादेनां गृहाण त्वमेतां मा त्यज जानकीम् ३२। ममोपरि कृपां कृत्वा मदुक्तं संश्रयाशु तत् । एवं वदंतं प्रत्यूचे रामः शोकेन कर्षितः ३३। लक्ष्मणं धर्मवाक्येन बोधयंस्त्यजनोद्यमः ३४। राम उवाच। कथं तु मां ब्रवीषि त्वं मा त्यजैनामनिंदिताम् । लोकापवादात्त्यक्ष्येऽहं जानन्नपि विपापिनीम् ३५। स्वयशः कारणेऽहं स्वं देहं त्यक्ष्याम्यशोभनम् । त्वामपि भ्रातरं त्यक्ष्ये लोकवादाद्विगर्हितम् ३६। किमुतान्ये गृहाः पुत्रा मित्राणि वसुशोभनम् । स्वयशःकारणे सर्वं त्यजामि किमु मैथिलीम् ३७। न तथा मे प्रियो भ्राता न कलत्रं न बांधवाः । यथा मे विमलाकीर्तिर्वल्लभा लोकविश्रुता ३८। इदानीं रजको नैव प्रष्टव्यो भवति ध्रुवम् । कालेन सर्वं भविता लोकचित्तस्य रंजनम् ३९। आमयो यद्वदामस्तु न चिकित्स्यो भवेत्क्षितौ । सकालेन परीपाकाद्भेषजादेव नश्यति ४०। तथा कालेन संभावि सांप्रतं मा विलंबय । त्यजैनां विपिने साध्वीं मां वा खड्गेन घातय ४१। इत्युक्तं वाक्यमाकर्ण्य दुःखितोऽभूत्तदा महान् । चिंतयामास च स्वांते लक्ष्मणः शोककर्षितः ४२। पित्राज्ञप्तो जामदग्न्यो मातरं चाप्यघातयत् । गुरोराज्ञा नैव लंघ्या युक्ताऽयुक्तापि सर्वथा ४३। तस्मादेनां त्यजाम्येव रामस्य प्रियकाम्यया । इति संचिंत्य मनसि भ्रातरं प्रत्युवाच सः ४४। लक्ष्मणउवाच। अकृत्यमपि कार्यं वै गुर्वाज्ञां नैव लंघयेत् । तस्मात्कुर्वे भवद्वाक्यं यत्त्वं वदसि सुव्रत ४५। इत्येवं भाषमाणं तं लक्ष्मणं प्रत्युवाच सः । साधुसाधु महाप्राज्ञ त्वया मे तोषितं मनः ४६। अद्यैव रात्रौ जानक्या दोहदस्तापसी क्षणे । तन्मिषेण रथे स्थाप्य मोचयैनां महावने ४७। इत्थं भाषितमाकर्ण्य विशुष्यद्वदनोऽभितः । रुदन्बाष्पकलां मुंचञ्जगाम स्वं निवेशनम् ४८। सुमंत्रं तु समाहूय वचनं तमथाब्रवीत् । रथं मे कुरु सज्जं वै सदश्ववरभूषितम् ४९। स तद्वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य रथमानीतवांस्तदा । आनीतं तं रथं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणः शोककर्षितः ५०। परमं दुःखमापन्नः संरुह्य स्यंदनं वरम् । निःश्वसञ्जानकीगेहं प्रतस्थे भ्रातृसेवकः ५१। गत्वा चांतःपुरे भ्राता रामस्य मिथिलात्मजाम् । प्रत्यूचे निःश्वसन्वाक्यं दुःखपूरपरिप्लुतः ५२। मातर्जानकि रामेण प्रेषितो भवनं तव । तापसीः प्रति याहि त्वं दोहदप्राप्तिहेतवे ५३। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य लक्ष्मणस्य विदेहजा । परमं हर्षमापन्ना लक्ष्मणं प्रत्यभाषत ५४। जानक्युवाच। धन्याहं मैथिली राज्ञी रामस्य चरणस्मरा । यस्या दोहदपूर्त्यर्थं प्रेषयामास लक्ष्मणम् ५५। अद्याहं ता वनचरीस्तापसीः पतिदेवताः । नमस्कुर्यां च वासोभिः पूजयामि मनोहराः ५६। इत्युक्त्वा रम्यवस्त्राणि महार्हाभरणानि च । मणीन्विमलमुक्ताश्च कर्पूरादिसुगंधिमत् ५७। चंदनादिकवस्तूनि विचित्राणि सहस्रधा । जग्राह रघुनाथस्य पत्नी स्वप्रियकाम्यया ५८। सीता गृहीत्वा सर्वाणि दासीनां करयोर्मुहुः । लक्ष्मणं प्रतिगच्छंती देहल्यां चास्खलत्तदा ५९। अविचार्य तदौत्सुक्याल्लक्ष्मणं प्रियकारिणम् । उवाच कुत्र सरथो येन मां प्रापयिष्यसि ६०। स निःश्वसन्रथं हैमं जानक्या सह निर्विशत् । सुमंत्रं प्रत्युवाचासौ चालयाश्वान्मनोजवान् ६१। स सुयुक्तं रथं वाक्याल्लक्ष्मणस्य तु चाह्वयत् । अश्रुपूर्णमुखं पश्यँल्लक्ष्मणं स मुहुर्मुहुः ६२। आहतास्तेन कशया वाहास्तस्यापतन्पथि । न चलंति यदा वाहास्तदा लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् ६३। सुमंत्र उवाच। स्वामिंश्चलंति नो वाहा यत्नेन परिचालिताः । किं करोमि न जानेऽत्र कारणं वाहपातने ६४। एवं ब्रुवंतं प्रत्यूचे लक्ष्मणो गद्गदस्वरः । सारथिं धैर्यमास्थाय ताडयैतान्कशादिभिः ६५। एतच्छ्रुत्वोदितं यंता कथंचित्समचालयत् । तदा स्फुरद्दक्षनेत्रं जानक्या दुःखशंसकम् ६६। तदैव हृदये शोकः समभूद्दुःखशंसकः । तदैव पक्षिणः पुण्याः कुर्वंति परिवर्तनम् ६७। एवं वीक्ष्यैव वैदेही प्रत्युवाचाथ देवरम् । कथं मे तापसीक्षायै यातुमिच्छा रघूद्वह ६८। रामे भूयाद्धि कल्याणं भरते वा तथानुजे । तत्प्रजासु च सर्वत्र मा भवंतु विपर्ययाः ६९। एवं ब्रुवंतीं संवीक्ष्य जानकीं च स लक्ष्मणः । न किंचिदुक्तवान्रुद्ध कंठो बाष्पप्रपूरितः ७०। सा गच्छंती मृगान्वामं परिवर्तनकारकान् । अपश्यद्दुःखसंघातकारकान्समभाषत ७१। अद्य यन्मे मृगा वामं वर्तयंति तदिष्यते । श्रीरामचरणौ मुक्त्वा गच्छंत्यायुक्तमेव तत् ७२। महिलानां परोधर्मः स्वभर्तृचरणार्चनम् । तन्मुक्त्वान्यत्र यांत्या मे यद्भवेद्युक्तमेव तत् ७३। एवं पथि विचारं तु कुर्वंत्या परमार्थतः । जाह्नवी ददृशे देव्या मुनिवृंदैकसेविता ७४। यस्यां जलस्य कल्लोला दृश्यंते दुग्धसंनिभाः । तरंगो दृश्यते यत्र स्वर्गसोपानमूर्तिभृत् ७५। यस्या वारिकणस्पर्शान्महापातकसंचयः । पलायते न कुत्रापि स्थानमीक्षन्समंततः ७६। गंगां प्राप्याथ सौमित्रिर्जानकीं स्यंदने स्थिताम् । उवाच निर्गलद्बाष्प एहि सीते रथाद्भुवि ७७। सीता तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य क्षणादवततार सा । लक्ष्मणेन धृता बाहौ स्खलंती पथि कंटकैः ७८। इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखण्डे शेषवात्स्यायनसंवादे रामाश्वमेधे जानक्या गंगादर्शनंनाम अष्टपंचाशत्तमोऽध्यायः ५८।
śeṣa uvāca| bharataṃ mūrcchitaṃ dṛṣṭvā raghunāthaḥ suduḥkhitaḥ | pratīhāramuvācedaṃ śatrughnaṃ prāpayāśu mām 1| tadvākyaṃ proktamākarṇya kṣaṇācchatrughnamānayat | yatra rāmo nijabhrātā bharatena saha sthitaḥ 2| bharataṃ mūrcchitaṃ dṛṣṭvā raghunāthaṃ ca duḥkhitam | praṇamya duḥkhito'vocatkimidaṃ dāruṇaṃ mahat 3| tadā rāmoṃ'tyajaproktaṃ vākyaṃ lokavigarhitam | taṃ pratyuvāca rāmo'sau śatrughnaṃ padasevakam 4| adhomukho dīnaravo gadgadākṣaravepathuḥ | śṛṇu bhrātarvaco me'dya kuru tatkṣipramādarāt 5| yathā syādvimalākīrtirgaṃgeva pṛthivīṃ gatā | sītāyā vācyamatulaṃ loke śrutvāṃtyajoditam 6| hātumicchāmi dehaṃ svamenāṃ vā jānakīṃ kila | iti vākyaṃ samākarṇya rāmasya kila śatruhā 7| savepathuḥ papātorvyāṃ duḥkhitaḥ paradāraṇaḥ | saṃjñāṃ prāpya muhūrtena raghunāthamavocata 8| śatrughna uvāca| kimetaducyate svāmiñjānakīṃ prati dāruṇam | pākhaṃḍairduṣṭacittaiśca sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaiḥ 9| niṃditā śrutiragrāhyā bhavati tvagryajanmanām | jāhnavī sarvalokānāṃ pāpaghnī duritāpahā 10| nispṛṣṭā pāpibhiḥ puṃbhiḥ sā sparśenārhitā satām | sūryo jagatprakāśāya samudeti jagatyaho 11| ulūkānāṃ rucikaro na bhavettatra kā kṣatiḥ | tasmāttvamenāṃ gṛhṇīṣva mā tyajāniṃditāṃ striyam 12| śrīrāmabhadrakṛpayā kuruṣva vacanaṃ mama | etacchrutvā vacastasya śatrughnasya mahātmanaḥ 13| punaḥpunarjagādedaṃ yaduktaṃ bharataṃ prati | tanniśamya vaco bhrāturduḥkhapūrapariplutaḥ 14| papāta mūrcchito bhūmau chinnamūla iva drumaḥ | bhrātaraṃ patitaṃ vīkṣya śatrughnaṃ duḥkhito bhṛśam 15| pratīhāramuvācedaṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ tvānayāṃtikam | sa lakṣmaṇagṛhaṃ gatvā nyavedayadidaṃ vacaḥ 16| pratīhāra uvāca| svāminrāmo bhavaṃtaṃ tu samāhvayati vegataḥ | sa tacchrutvā samāhvānaṃ rāmacaṃdreṇa vegataḥ 17| jagāma tarasā tatra yatra sa bhrātṛko'naghaḥ | bharataṃ mūrcchitaṃ dṛṣṭvā śatrughnamapi mūrcchitam 18| śrīrāmacaṃdraṃ duḥkhārtaṃ duḥkhito vākyamabravīt | kimetaddāruṇaṃ rājandṛśyate mūrcchanādikam 19| tadāśu śaṃsa māṃ sarvaṃ kāraṇaṃ mukhyato'nagha | evaṃ vadaṃtaṃ nṛpatirvṛttāṃtaṃ sarvamāditaḥ 20| śaśaṃsa lakṣmaṇaṃ kṣipraṃ duḥkhapūrapariplutam | lakṣmaṇastadvacaḥ śrutvā sītāyāstyāgasaṃbhavam 21| niḥśvasanmuhurucchvāsaṃ stabdhagātra ivābhavat | bhrātaraṃ stabdhagātraṃ ca kaṃpamānaṃ muhurmuhuḥ 22| na kiṃcana vadantaṃ taṃ vīkṣya śokārdito'bravīt | kiṃ kariṣyāmyahaṃ bhūmau sthitvā duryaśasāṃkitaḥ 23| tyajāmīdaṃ vapuḥ śrīmallokabhītyā ca śokavān | sarvadā bhrātaro mahyaṃ madvākyakaraṇotsukāḥ 24| idānīṃ tepi daivena pratikūlavacaḥ karāḥ | kutra gacchāmi kaṃ yāmi hasiṣyaṃti nṛpā bhuvi 25| duryaśo lāṃchitaṃ māṃ vai kuṣṭhinaṃ rūpavannarāḥ | manorvaṃśe purā bhūpā jātā jātā guṇādhikāḥ 26| idānīṃ mayi jāte tu viparītaṃ babhūva tat | iti saṃbhāṣamāṇaṃ taṃ rāmabhadraṃ samīkṣya saḥ 27| saṃstabhyāśrūṇi vipulānyuvāca vikala svaraḥ | svāminviṣādaṃ mā kārṣīḥ kathaṃ tava matirhṛtā 28| sītāmaniṃditāṃ ko nu tyajati śrutavānbhavān | ākārayāmi rajakaṃ paripṛcchāmi taṃ prati 29| kathaṃ tvayāniṃditā sā jānakī yoṣitāṃ varā | tava deśe balātkaścidbādhyate na jano'lpakaḥ 30| tasmāttasya yathāsvāṃte pratītiḥ syāttathācara | kimarthaṃ tyajyate bhīruḥ pativrataparāyaṇā 31| manasā vacasā nānyaṃ jānāti janakātmajā | tasmādenāṃ gṛhāṇa tvametāṃ mā tyaja jānakīm 32| mamopari kṛpāṃ kṛtvā maduktaṃ saṃśrayāśu tat | evaṃ vadaṃtaṃ pratyūce rāmaḥ śokena karṣitaḥ 33| lakṣmaṇaṃ dharmavākyena bodhayaṃstyajanodyamaḥ 34| rāma uvāca| kathaṃ tu māṃ bravīṣi tvaṃ mā tyajaināmaniṃditām | lokāpavādāttyakṣye'haṃ jānannapi vipāpinīm 35| svayaśaḥ kāraṇe'haṃ svaṃ dehaṃ tyakṣyāmyaśobhanam | tvāmapi bhrātaraṃ tyakṣye lokavādādvigarhitam 36| kimutānye gṛhāḥ putrā mitrāṇi vasuśobhanam | svayaśaḥkāraṇe sarvaṃ tyajāmi kimu maithilīm 37| na tathā me priyo bhrātā na kalatraṃ na bāṃdhavāḥ | yathā me vimalākīrtirvallabhā lokaviśrutā 38| idānīṃ rajako naiva praṣṭavyo bhavati dhruvam | kālena sarvaṃ bhavitā lokacittasya raṃjanam 39| āmayo yadvadāmastu na cikitsyo bhavetkṣitau | sakālena parīpākādbheṣajādeva naśyati 40| tathā kālena saṃbhāvi sāṃprataṃ mā vilaṃbaya | tyajaināṃ vipine sādhvīṃ māṃ vā khaḍgena ghātaya 41| ityuktaṃ vākyamākarṇya duḥkhito'bhūttadā mahān | ciṃtayāmāsa ca svāṃte lakṣmaṇaḥ śokakarṣitaḥ 42| pitrājñapto jāmadagnyo mātaraṃ cāpyaghātayat | gurorājñā naiva laṃghyā yuktā'yuktāpi sarvathā 43| tasmādenāṃ tyajāmyeva rāmasya priyakāmyayā | iti saṃciṃtya manasi bhrātaraṃ pratyuvāca saḥ 44| lakṣmaṇauvāca| akṛtyamapi kāryaṃ vai gurvājñāṃ naiva laṃghayet | tasmātkurve bhavadvākyaṃ yattvaṃ vadasi suvrata 45| ityevaṃ bhāṣamāṇaṃ taṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ pratyuvāca saḥ | sādhusādhu mahāprājña tvayā me toṣitaṃ manaḥ 46| adyaiva rātrau jānakyā dohadastāpasī kṣaṇe | tanmiṣeṇa rathe sthāpya mocayaināṃ mahāvane 47| itthaṃ bhāṣitamākarṇya viśuṣyadvadano'bhitaḥ | rudanbāṣpakalāṃ muṃcañjagāma svaṃ niveśanam 48| sumaṃtraṃ tu samāhūya vacanaṃ tamathābravīt | rathaṃ me kuru sajjaṃ vai sadaśvavarabhūṣitam 49| sa tadvākyaṃ samākarṇya rathamānītavāṃstadā | ānītaṃ taṃ rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇaḥ śokakarṣitaḥ 50| paramaṃ duḥkhamāpannaḥ saṃruhya syaṃdanaṃ varam | niḥśvasañjānakīgehaṃ pratasthe bhrātṛsevakaḥ 51| gatvā cāṃtaḥpure bhrātā rāmasya mithilātmajām | pratyūce niḥśvasanvākyaṃ duḥkhapūrapariplutaḥ 52| mātarjānaki rāmeṇa preṣito bhavanaṃ tava | tāpasīḥ prati yāhi tvaṃ dohadaprāptihetave 53| iti vākyaṃ samākarṇya lakṣmaṇasya videhajā | paramaṃ harṣamāpannā lakṣmaṇaṃ pratyabhāṣata 54| jānakyuvāca| dhanyāhaṃ maithilī rājñī rāmasya caraṇasmarā | yasyā dohadapūrtyarthaṃ preṣayāmāsa lakṣmaṇam 55| adyāhaṃ tā vanacarīstāpasīḥ patidevatāḥ | namaskuryāṃ ca vāsobhiḥ pūjayāmi manoharāḥ 56| ityuktvā ramyavastrāṇi mahārhābharaṇāni ca | maṇīnvimalamuktāśca karpūrādisugaṃdhimat 57| caṃdanādikavastūni vicitrāṇi sahasradhā | jagrāha raghunāthasya patnī svapriyakāmyayā 58| sītā gṛhītvā sarvāṇi dāsīnāṃ karayormuhuḥ | lakṣmaṇaṃ pratigacchaṃtī dehalyāṃ cāskhalattadā 59| avicārya tadautsukyāllakṣmaṇaṃ priyakāriṇam | uvāca kutra saratho yena māṃ prāpayiṣyasi 60| sa niḥśvasanrathaṃ haimaṃ jānakyā saha nirviśat | sumaṃtraṃ pratyuvācāsau cālayāśvānmanojavān 61| sa suyuktaṃ rathaṃ vākyāllakṣmaṇasya tu cāhvayat | aśrupūrṇamukhaṃ paśya~llakṣmaṇaṃ sa muhurmuhuḥ 62| āhatāstena kaśayā vāhāstasyāpatanpathi | na calaṃti yadā vāhāstadā lakṣmaṇamabravīt 63| sumaṃtra uvāca| svāmiṃścalaṃti no vāhā yatnena paricālitāḥ | kiṃ karomi na jāne'tra kāraṇaṃ vāhapātane 64| evaṃ bruvaṃtaṃ pratyūce lakṣmaṇo gadgadasvaraḥ | sārathiṃ dhairyamāsthāya tāḍayaitānkaśādibhiḥ 65| etacchrutvoditaṃ yaṃtā kathaṃcitsamacālayat | tadā sphuraddakṣanetraṃ jānakyā duḥkhaśaṃsakam 66| tadaiva hṛdaye śokaḥ samabhūdduḥkhaśaṃsakaḥ | tadaiva pakṣiṇaḥ puṇyāḥ kurvaṃti parivartanam 67| evaṃ vīkṣyaiva vaidehī pratyuvācātha devaram | kathaṃ me tāpasīkṣāyai yātumicchā raghūdvaha 68| rāme bhūyāddhi kalyāṇaṃ bharate vā tathānuje | tatprajāsu ca sarvatra mā bhavaṃtu viparyayāḥ 69| evaṃ bruvaṃtīṃ saṃvīkṣya jānakīṃ ca sa lakṣmaṇaḥ | na kiṃciduktavānruddha kaṃṭho bāṣpaprapūritaḥ 70| sā gacchaṃtī mṛgānvāmaṃ parivartanakārakān | apaśyadduḥkhasaṃghātakārakānsamabhāṣata 71| adya yanme mṛgā vāmaṃ vartayaṃti tadiṣyate | śrīrāmacaraṇau muktvā gacchaṃtyāyuktameva tat 72| mahilānāṃ parodharmaḥ svabhartṛcaraṇārcanam | tanmuktvānyatra yāṃtyā me yadbhavedyuktameva tat 73| evaṃ pathi vicāraṃ tu kurvaṃtyā paramārthataḥ | jāhnavī dadṛśe devyā munivṛṃdaikasevitā 74| yasyāṃ jalasya kallolā dṛśyaṃte dugdhasaṃnibhāḥ | taraṃgo dṛśyate yatra svargasopānamūrtibhṛt 75| yasyā vārikaṇasparśānmahāpātakasaṃcayaḥ | palāyate na kutrāpi sthānamīkṣansamaṃtataḥ 76| gaṃgāṃ prāpyātha saumitrirjānakīṃ syaṃdane sthitām | uvāca nirgaladbāṣpa ehi sīte rathādbhuvi 77| sītā tadvākyamākarṇya kṣaṇādavatatāra sā | lakṣmaṇena dhṛtā bāhau skhalaṃtī pathi kaṃṭakaiḥ 78| iti śrīpadmapurāṇe pātālakhaṇḍe śeṣavātsyāyanasaṃvāde rāmāśvamedhe jānakyā gaṃgādarśanaṃnāma aṣṭapaṃcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ 58|
English translation
Śeṣa said :
1-8. Seeing Bharata unconscious, Raghunātha who was very much afflicted, said to the door-keepers; “Bring Śatrughna quickly to me.” Hearing these words, (the door-keeper), in a moment brought Śatrughna where his brother Rāma remained with Bharata. Seeing Bharata unconscious and Rāma afflicted, he who was grieved, saluted (Rāma) and said: “What has this frightful (incident) come about?” Then Rāma, with his face hung down with a piteous voice and with his words faltering and with tremor, told Śatrughna, the servant of his feet, the words of the śūdra —the popular censure: “O brother, listen, and quickly and carefully do what I tell you, so that my fame will go (i.e. flow) like Gaṅgā on the earth. Having heard the words unequalled in the world, uttered about Sītā by the śūdra, I indeed decided to abandon my body or Jānakī .” Hearing these words of Rāma, Śatrughna, the killer of his enemies, being afflicted fell down with a termor on the earth. Having regained consciousness after some time, he said to Raghunātha:
Śatrughna said :
9-13a. O lord, why are these horrible words being talked about Jānakī? Are the sacred texts, censured by the wicked-minded heretics, outcast from all religions, not to be accepted by the brāhmaṇas ? Does Gaṅgā that destroys the sins of all the people and that removes calamities, not deserve to be touched by the good, since she is touched by sinful men? In the world the sun rises to give light to the world? What is lost if he is not liked by the owls? Therefore, you (please) accept this (your) wife, (though) censured by a śūdra. O Ramabhadra , kindly do what I say.
13b-16. Having heard these words of the high-minded Śatrughna he again and again said what he had told Bharata. Hearing those words of his brother, Śatrughna, full of the flood of grief, fell unconscious on the ground like a tree with its roots cut off. Seeing his brother Śatrughna fallen (unconscious), he (i.e. Rāma), being very much afflicted, said these words to the door-keeper: “Bring Lakṣmaṇa near me.” He, having gone to Lakṣmaṇa’s house, told him these words (i.e. this message).
The door-keeper said :
17-19a. O lord, Rāma has summoned you quickly. Hearing that summons (made) by Rāma, the sinless one quickly and speedily went where his brother (Rāma) was. Seeing Bharata unconscious, also seeing Śatrughna unconscious, he said (these) words to Śrī Rāmacandra , who was afflicted with grief:
19b-23a. “O king, what is this frightful (scene) like swoon etc. Therefore, O sinless one, tell me the entire main cause.” To Lakṣmaṇa who was talking like this and was full of the flood of grief, the king quickly told the entire account from beginning. Hearing those words arising from the deserting of Sītā, he, sighing again and again, had his body as it were stupefied. Seeing his brother with his body stupefied, and repeatedly trembling, and not talking anything, he, afflicted with grief, said:
23b-27a. “Marked with infamy, what shall I do by being (i.e. living) on the earth? I, being afflicted, will abandon, through the fear of the world, this my glorious body. My brothers were always eager to do what I had told them; but, now unfortunately (for me) they are also doing opposite of what I tell them. Where should I go? Whom should I approach? Kings on the earth will laugh at me marked by infamy, as handsome men laugh at a leper. (When) formerly kings were born in Manu ’s race, they were born with superior qualities. (But) now when I am born that has become false.”
27b-33a. Seeing Rāmabhadra speaking like this, he checked his profuse tears, and spoke in a weakened tone: “O lord, do not be dejected. How is it that you are deprived of your understanding? Who are you, learned one (i.e. How does a learned person like you) to abandon Sītā? I shall call the washerman, and ask him: ‘How did you censure that Jānakī, the best among ladies?’ In your country no small person is forcibly harassed. Therefore, act towards him as there is the conviction about him in your mind. Why do you (unnecessarily) abandon the timid one who is loyal to her husband (i.e. you)? The daughter of Janaka does not know anyone else (but you) mentally or by speech (i.e. she does not think or talk about anyone else). Therefore, accept her; do not abandon Jānakī. Having shown favour to me, resort to (i.e. do) it quickly.”
33b-34. To Lakṣmaṇa who was speaking like this, Rāma, who was overpowered with grief and who was determined to abandon Sītā, advising Lakṣmaṇa with words of righteousness, said to him:
Rāma said :
35-41. How do you tell me: ‘Do not abandon her?’ Though I know her to be sinless, I am abandoning her due to public censure. For the sake of my fame I shall give up my unhappy body. I shall even forsake you, my brother, (if you are) condemned by public censure. Then how much more about other (member of my) family, sons, friends, and splendid wealth? For the sake of my fame, I shall give up everything, indeed Sītā also. To me my brother, my wife, my kinsmen, are not so dear as my beloved, spotless fame, known in the world. Certainly now the washerman is not to be questioned. In course of time the minds of people will be fully satisfied. A disease, as long as it is unripe (i.e. not properly developed), cannot be diagnosed on the earth, but goes away (i.e. is cured) after it has aggravated by means of medicine. Similarly this will take place (i.e. people will be satisfied) in course of time. Now do not delay. Leave this chaste lady in a forest, or kill me with a sword.
42-44. Hearing these words uttered (by Rāma), the great one was pained. Lakṣmaṇa, overpowered with grief, thought in his mind (i.e. to himself): Jamadagni ’s son ( Paraśurāma ), killed even his mother by the order of his father. The order of an elderly person, whether it is proper or improper, is not at all to be disobeyed. Therefore, with a desire to do what is dear to Rāma, I shall leave her (in the forest).’ Thinking like this in his mind (i.e. to himself), he said to his brother:
Lakṣmaṇa said :
45-47. What ought not to be done should even be done. An elderly person’s order should not be violated (i.e. disobeyed). Therefore, I shall carry out your words that you speak to me, O you of a good vow.
To Lakṣmaṇa, who was speaking like this, he said: “Good, good, O very intelligent one, you have pleased my mind. Tonight only, under the pretext of (fulfilling) Sītā’s cherished wish to see the female ascetics, put her into a chariot and leave her in the great forest.”
48-54. Hearing these words, he, with his mouth fully parched, weeping, shedding tears, went to his own house. Having called Sumantra , he said these words to him: “Make ready my chariot, adorned with good horses.” He, having heard these words, then brought the chariot. Seeing the chariot that was brought Lakṣmaṇa overpowered with grief, was very much distressed; and he, the servant of his brother (Rāma), got into the excellent chariot, and sighing, went to Sītā’s abode, and having gone into the harem and heaving and full of grief, said (these) words to the daughter of Mithilā : “O mother Sītā, Rāma has sent me to you. To fulfil your cherished wish you (can) go the female ascetics.” Having heard these words of (i.e. spoken by) Lakṣmṣṇa, Sītā who was very much delighted, said to Lakṣmaṇa:
Jānakī said :
55-63. I, Maithilī , who remember Rāma’s feet and to fulfil whose cherished wish he sent Lakṣmaṇa, am blessed. Today I shall salute the female ascetics living in the forest, and looking upon their husbands as deities I shall honour the charming ones with (presents of) garments.
Saying so, Raghunātha’s wife (Sītā), in order to do what was dear to her, took (with her) charming garments, costly ornaments, gems, spotless pearls, camphor etc. having fragrance, so also various things like sandal in thousands. Repeatedly accepting these (things) from the hands of the female servants and then going to Lakṣmaṇa, Sītā tumbled at the threshold. Not minding it through curiosity, she said to Lakṣmaṇa who did good to her: “Where is the chariot in which you will take me (to the forest)?” Heaving he along with Sītā got into the golden chariot. He said to Sumantra: “Drive the horses having the speed of mind.” At the words of Lakṣmaṇa he looking at Lakṣmaṇa’s face full of tears called the chariot, well-yoked (with horses). The horses, struck by kim with a whip, fell on the path. When the horses did not move, he said to Lakṣmaṇa:
Sumantra said :
64-78. O lord, though driven with effort, the horses do not move. What should I do? I do not realise the cause of their fall.
To him who was speaking like this, Lakṣmaṇa said in a faltering voice after mustering courage to the charioteer: “Strike these with whips etc.” Hearing these words, the charioteer somehow drove them. Then Sītā’s right eye, indicating trouble, throbbed. Just then in her heart grief, indicating misfortune, was produced. Just then only, auspicious birds turned round. Seeing these, Sītā said to her brother-in-law: “How is it that I have a desire to go to see the female ascetics. May well-being come to Rāma; so also to his younger brother, Bharata; so also to his subjects everywhere. Let misfortunes not come to them.” That Lakṣmaṇa with his throat chocked and full of tears, did not say anything to Sītā who was speaking like this. She (while) going saw deer turning to the left and causing multitudes of miseries. She said (to Lakṣmaṇa): “It is laid down that since today the deer are turning to the left, it is not proper that I am going after abandoning Rāma’s feet. The highest duty of women is to serve their husbands’ feet. So, whatever would happen to me who am going after leaving him, (must be said) to be proper only.” When the queen (Sītā) was thinking like this on the way, she actually saw Gaṅgā which was resorted to by groups of sages only, in which waves of water resembling milk were seen, in which waves having the form of a staircase to heaven were seen. By the touch of the drops of her water the heap of great sins not finding any place all around, runs away. Having reached Gaṅgā, Lakṣmaṇa shedding tears said to Sītā, seated in the chariot: “Sītā, come down to the ground from the chariot.” Having heard his words Sītā with her arms held by him, in a moment got down and on the way tumbled on thorns.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 43950, revision 336001 (2022-04-17T11:46:09Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365369.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.