Aranya Kanda, Sarga 15

ततः पञ्चवटीं गत्वा नानाव्यालमृगायुताम्। उवाच भ्रातरं रामस्सौमित्रिं दीप्ततेजसम्।।3.15.1।।

tataḥ pañcavaṭīṃ gatvā nānāvyālamṛgāyutām| uvāca bhrātaraṃ rāmassaumitriṃ dīptatejasam

On reaching Panchavati, which was full of various vicious animals, Rama said to Lakshmana, his brother who was glowing like fire:

आगताः स्म यथोद्दिष्टममुं देशं महर्षिणा। अयं पञ्चवटीदेशस्सौम्य पुष्पितपादपः।।3.15.2।।

āgatāḥ sma yathoddiṣṭamamuṃ deśaṃ maharṣiṇā| ayaṃ pañcavaṭīdeśassaumya puṣpitapādapaḥ

O handsome one, following the directions of the great sage, we have arrived at Panchavati, a place full of blossoming trees.

सर्वतश्चार्यतां दृष्टिः कानने निपुणोह्यसि। आश्रमः कतरस्मिन्नो देशे भवति सम्मतः।।3.15.3।।

sarvataścāryatāṃ dṛṣṭiḥ kānane nipuṇohyasi| āśramaḥ katarasminno deśe bhavati sammataḥ

O Lakshmana cast your eyes all around the forest for a suitable place (for building a hermitage). Indeed, you are good at judging things.

रमते यत्र वैदेही त्वमहं चैव लक्ष्मण। तादृशो दृश्यतां देशस्सन्निकृष्टजलाशयः।।3.15.4।। वनरामण्यकं यत्र स्थलरामण्यकं तथा। सन्निकृष्टं च यत्र स्यात्समित्पुष्पकुशोदकम्।।3.15.5।।

ramate yatra vaidehī tvamahaṃ caiva lakṣmaṇa| tādṛśo dṛśyatāṃ deśassannikṛṣṭajalāśayaḥ vanarāmaṇyakaṃ yatra sthalarāmaṇyakaṃ tathā| sannikṛṣṭaṃ ca yatra syātsamitpuṣpakuśodakam

Look, O Lakshmana for a place to the liking of Sita, a place where there is water source nearby where both of us can enjoy. Find a beautiful location where the surrounding forest is beautiful and where faggots, flowers, water and kusa grass are available at hand.

रमते यत्र वैदेही त्वमहं चैव लक्ष्मण। तादृशो दृश्यतां देशस्सन्निकृष्टजलाशयः।।3.15.4।। वनरामण्यकं यत्र स्थलरामण्यकं तथा। सन्निकृष्टं च यत्र स्यात्समित्पुष्पकुशोदकम्।।3.15.5।।

ramate yatra vaidehī tvamahaṃ caiva lakṣmaṇa| tādṛśo dṛśyatāṃ deśassannikṛṣṭajalāśayaḥ vanarāmaṇyakaṃ yatra sthalarāmaṇyakaṃ tathā| sannikṛṣṭaṃ ca yatra syātsamitpuṣpakuśodakam

Look, O Lakshmana for a place to the liking of Sita, a place where there is water source nearby where both of us can enjoy. Find a beautiful location where the surrounding forest is beautiful and where faggots, flowers, water and kusa grass are available at hand.

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मण संयताञ्जलिः। सीतासमक्षं काकुत्स्थमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।3.15.6।।

evamuktastu rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇa saṃyatāñjaliḥ| sītāsamakṣaṃ kākutsthamidaṃ vacanamabravīt

Having been thus instructed by Rama, Lakshmana said with folded palms in the presence of Sita:

परवानस्मि काकुत्स्थ त्वयि वर्षशतं स्थिते। स्वयं तु रुचिरे देशे क्रियतामिति मां वद।।3.15.7।।

paravānasmi kākutstha tvayi varṣaśataṃ sthite| svayaṃ tu rucire deśe kriyatāmiti māṃ vada

O Rama, I shall be dependent on you, even if I live for a hundred years. You only need to indicate a beautiful place of your choice.

सुप्रीतस्तेन वाक्येन लक्ष्मणस्य महात्मनः। विमृशन्रोचयामास देशं सर्वगुणान्वितम्।।3.15.8।।

suprītastena vākyena lakṣmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ| vimṛśanrocayāmāsa deśaṃ sarvaguṇānvitam

Rama was pleased with the words of great Lakshmana. Deliberating over it, he agreed upon a site suitable in all respects.

स तं रुचिरमाक्रम्य देशमाश्रमकर्मणि। हस्तौ गृहीत्वा हस्तेन रामस्सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।।3.15.9।।

sa taṃ ruciramākramya deśamāśramakarmaṇi| hastau gṛhītvā hastena rāmassaumitrimabravīt

Having come to a beautiful spot suitable for the asram, Rama took both the hands of Lakshmana in his own and said:

अयं देशस्समश्रीमान् पुष्पितैस्तरुभिर्वृतः। इहाऽश्रमपदं सौम्य यथावत्कर्तुमर्हसि।।3.15.10।।

ayaṃ deśassamaśrīmān puṣpitaistarubhirvṛtaḥ| ihā'śramapadaṃ saumya yathāvatkartumarhasi

This place is level, surrounded by beautiful trees in full bloom. O handsome one, you may build the hermitage here.

इयमादित्यसङ्काशैः पद्मैस्सुरभिगन्धिभिः। अदूरे दृश्यते रम्या पद्मिनी पद्मशोभिता।।3.15.11।।

iyamādityasaṅkāśaiḥ padmaissurabhigandhibhiḥ| adūre dṛśyate ramyā padminī padmaśobhitā

There, not very far, is a beautiful lotustank shining like the Sun, fragrant with lotuses.

यथातख्यातमगस्त्येन मुनिना भावितात्मना। इयं गोदावरी रम्या पुष्पितैस्तरुभिर्वृता।।3.15.12।। हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा चक्रवाकोपशोभिता।

yathātakhyātamagastyena muninā bhāvitātmanā| iyaṃ godāvarī ramyā puṣpitaistarubhirvṛtā haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇā cakravākopaśobhitā|

As said by the selfrealised soul, sage Agastya, this Godavari is beautiful, surrounded by trees with flowers in bloom, filled with flocks of swans, ducks and ruddy geese.

नातिदूरे न चासन्ने मृगयूथपिपीडिताः।।3.15.13।। मयूरनादिता रम्याः प्रांशवो बहुकन्दराः। दृश्यन्ते गिरयः सौम्य फुल्लैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।3.15.14।।

nātidūre na cāsanne mṛgayūthapipīḍitāḥ mayūranāditā ramyāḥ prāṃśavo bahukandarāḥ| dṛśyante girayaḥ saumya phullaistarubhirāvṛtāḥ

O handsome one, neither far nor near are seen tall mountains and flowering trees and herds of deer. Their numerous caves echo with sounds of peacocks.

नातिदूरे न चासन्ने मृगयूथपिपीडिताः।।3.15.13।। मयूरनादिता रम्याः प्रांशवो बहुकन्दराः। दृश्यन्ते गिरयः सौम्य फुल्लैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।3.15.14।।

nātidūre na cāsanne mṛgayūthapipīḍitāḥ mayūranāditā ramyāḥ prāṃśavo bahukandarāḥ| dṛśyante girayaḥ saumya phullaistarubhirāvṛtāḥ

O handsome one, neither far nor near are seen tall mountains and flowering trees and herds of deer. Their numerous caves echo with sounds of peacocks.

सौवर्णैराजतैस्ताम्रैर्देशे देशे च धातुभिः। गवाक्षिता इवाभान्ति गजाः परमभक्तिभिः।।3.15.15।।

sauvarṇairājataistāmrairdeśe deśe ca dhātubhiḥ| gavākṣitā ivābhānti gajāḥ paramabhaktibhiḥ

These mountains, with streaks of minerals like gold, silver and copper forming decorative designs, look beautiful like colourful windows, and appear like huge elephants.

सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च खर्जूरपनसाम्रकैः। नीवारैस्तिमिशैश्चैव पुन्नागैश्चोपशोभिताः।।3.15.16।। चूतैरशोकैस्तिलकैश्चम्पकैः केतकैरपि। पुष्पगुल्मलतोपेतैस्तैस्तैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।3.15.17।। चन्दनैस्पन्दनैर्नीपैः पर्णासैर्लिकुचैरपि। धवाश्वकर्णखदिरैः शमीकिंशुकपाटलैः।।3.15.18।।

sālaistālaistamālaiśca kharjūrapanasāmrakaiḥ| nīvāraistimiśaiścaiva punnāgaiścopaśobhitāḥ cūtairaśokaistilakaiścampakaiḥ ketakairapi| puṣpagulmalatopetaistaistaistarubhirāvṛtāḥ candanaispandanairnīpaiḥ parṇāsairlikucairapi| dhavāśvakarṇakhadiraiḥ śamīkiṃśukapāṭalaiḥ

The place is covered with sal and palmyrah trees including mango, jackfruit, dates, kadamba, punnaga, ashoka, champak, tilaka, ketaka, sandalwood, spandan, dhava, asvakarna parnasha, khadira, sami, kimsuka and patala trees. It is full of wild paddy, flowering bushes and creepers that run on the ground.

सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च खर्जूरपनसाम्रकैः। नीवारैस्तिमिशैश्चैव पुन्नागैश्चोपशोभिताः।।3.15.16।। चूतैरशोकैस्तिलकैश्चम्पकैः केतकैरपि। पुष्पगुल्मलतोपेतैस्तैस्तैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।3.15.17।। चन्दनैस्पन्दनैर्नीपैः पर्णासैर्लिकुचैरपि। धवाश्वकर्णखदिरैः शमीकिंशुकपाटलैः।।3.15.18।।

sālaistālaistamālaiśca kharjūrapanasāmrakaiḥ| nīvāraistimiśaiścaiva punnāgaiścopaśobhitāḥ cūtairaśokaistilakaiścampakaiḥ ketakairapi| puṣpagulmalatopetaistaistaistarubhirāvṛtāḥ candanaispandanairnīpaiḥ parṇāsairlikucairapi| dhavāśvakarṇakhadiraiḥ śamīkiṃśukapāṭalaiḥ

The place is covered with sal and palmyrah trees including mango, jackfruit, dates, kadamba, punnaga, ashoka, champak, tilaka, ketaka, sandalwood, spandan, dhava, asvakarna parnasha, khadira, sami, kimsuka and patala trees. It is full of wild paddy, flowering bushes and creepers that run on the ground.

सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च खर्जूरपनसाम्रकैः। नीवारैस्तिमिशैश्चैव पुन्नागैश्चोपशोभिताः।।3.15.16।। चूतैरशोकैस्तिलकैश्चम्पकैः केतकैरपि। पुष्पगुल्मलतोपेतैस्तैस्तैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।3.15.17।। चन्दनैस्पन्दनैर्नीपैः पर्णासैर्लिकुचैरपि। धवाश्वकर्णखदिरैः शमीकिंशुकपाटलैः।।3.15.18।।

sālaistālaistamālaiśca kharjūrapanasāmrakaiḥ| nīvāraistimiśaiścaiva punnāgaiścopaśobhitāḥ cūtairaśokaistilakaiścampakaiḥ ketakairapi| puṣpagulmalatopetaistaistaistarubhirāvṛtāḥ candanaispandanairnīpaiḥ parṇāsairlikucairapi| dhavāśvakarṇakhadiraiḥ śamīkiṃśukapāṭalaiḥ

The place is covered with sal and palmyrah trees including mango, jackfruit, dates, kadamba, punnaga, ashoka, champak, tilaka, ketaka, sandalwood, spandan, dhava, asvakarna parnasha, khadira, sami, kimsuka and patala trees. It is full of wild paddy, flowering bushes and creepers that run on the ground.

इदं पुण्यमिदं मेध्यमिदं बहुमृगद्विजम्। इह वत्स्याम सौमित्रे सार्धमेतेन पक्षिणा।।3.15.19।।

idaṃ puṇyamidaṃ medhyamidaṃ bahumṛgadvijam| iha vatsyāma saumitre sārdhametena pakṣiṇā

This is a holy place fit for sacrifice. There are many animals and birds here.Hence we will reside here with Jatayu.

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा। अचिरेणाऽश्रमं भ्रातुश्चकार सुमहाबलः।।3.15.20।।

evamuktastu rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇaḥ paravīrahā| acireṇā'śramaṃ bhrātuścakāra sumahābalaḥ

Thus directed by Rama, the mighty Lakshmana, destroyer of enemy warriors, soon built a hermitage for his brother.

पर्णशालां सुविपुलां तत्र सङ्खातमृत्तिकाम्। सुस्तम्भां मस्करैर्दीर्घैः कृतवंशां सुशोभनाम्।।3.15. 21।। शमीशाखाभिरास्तीर्य दृढपाशावपाशिताम्। कुशकाशशरैः पर्णैस्सुपरिच्छादितां तथा।।3.15.22।। समीकृततलां रम्यां चकार लघुविक्रमः। निवासं राघवस्यार्थे प्रेक्षणीयमनुत्तमम्।।3.15.23।।

parṇaśālāṃ suvipulāṃ tatra saṅkhātamṛttikām| sustambhāṃ maskarairdīrghaiḥ kṛtavaṃśāṃ suśobhanām||3.15. 21|| śamīśākhābhirāstīrya dṛḍhapāśāvapāśitām| kuśakāśaśaraiḥ parṇaissuparicchāditāṃ tathā samīkṛtatalāṃ ramyāṃ cakāra laghuvikramaḥ| nivāsaṃ rāghavasyārthe prekṣaṇīyamanuttamam

Lakshmana who was quick to act dug the clay with nippers, planted long bamboo poles, put branches of sami trees across and tied them with strong ropes. He spread kusa and kasa grass and leaves on the levelled ground. He built a beautiful, spacious and nice residence for Rama.

पर्णशालां सुविपुलां तत्र सङ्खातमृत्तिकाम्। सुस्तम्भां मस्करैर्दीर्घैः कृतवंशां सुशोभनाम्।।3.15. 21।। शमीशाखाभिरास्तीर्य दृढपाशावपाशिताम्। कुशकाशशरैः पर्णैस्सुपरिच्छादितां तथा।।3.15.22।। समीकृततलां रम्यां चकार लघुविक्रमः। निवासं राघवस्यार्थे प्रेक्षणीयमनुत्तमम्।।3.15.23।।

parṇaśālāṃ suvipulāṃ tatra saṅkhātamṛttikām| sustambhāṃ maskarairdīrghaiḥ kṛtavaṃśāṃ suśobhanām||3.15. 21|| śamīśākhābhirāstīrya dṛḍhapāśāvapāśitām| kuśakāśaśaraiḥ parṇaissuparicchāditāṃ tathā samīkṛtatalāṃ ramyāṃ cakāra laghuvikramaḥ| nivāsaṃ rāghavasyārthe prekṣaṇīyamanuttamam

Lakshmana who was quick to act dug the clay with nippers, planted long bamboo poles, put branches of sami trees across and tied them with strong ropes. He spread kusa and kasa grass and leaves on the levelled ground. He built a beautiful, spacious and nice residence for Rama.

पर्णशालां सुविपुलां तत्र सङ्खातमृत्तिकाम्। सुस्तम्भां मस्करैर्दीर्घैः कृतवंशां सुशोभनाम्।।3.15. 21।। शमीशाखाभिरास्तीर्य दृढपाशावपाशिताम्। कुशकाशशरैः पर्णैस्सुपरिच्छादितां तथा।।3.15.22।। समीकृततलां रम्यां चकार लघुविक्रमः। निवासं राघवस्यार्थे प्रेक्षणीयमनुत्तमम्।।3.15.23।।

parṇaśālāṃ suvipulāṃ tatra saṅkhātamṛttikām| sustambhāṃ maskarairdīrghaiḥ kṛtavaṃśāṃ suśobhanām||3.15. 21|| śamīśākhābhirāstīrya dṛḍhapāśāvapāśitām| kuśakāśaśaraiḥ parṇaissuparicchāditāṃ tathā samīkṛtatalāṃ ramyāṃ cakāra laghuvikramaḥ| nivāsaṃ rāghavasyārthe prekṣaṇīyamanuttamam

Lakshmana who was quick to act dug the clay with nippers, planted long bamboo poles, put branches of sami trees across and tied them with strong ropes. He spread kusa and kasa grass and leaves on the levelled ground. He built a beautiful, spacious and nice residence for Rama.

सहसा लक्ष्मणः श्रीमान् नदीं गोदावरीं तदा। स्नात्वा पद्मानि चादाय सफलः पुनरागतः।।3.15.24।।

sahasā lakṣmaṇaḥ śrīmān nadīṃ godāvarīṃ tadā| snātvā padmāni cādāya saphalaḥ punarāgataḥ

Lakshmana then went to river Godavari, had his bath, and returned with some lotuses.

ततः पुष्पबलिं कृत्वा शान्तिं च स यथाविधि। दर्शयामास रामाय तदाश्रमपदं कृतम्।।3.15.25।।

tataḥ puṣpabaliṃ kṛtvā śāntiṃ ca sa yathāvidhi| darśayāmāsa rāmāya tadāśramapadaṃ kṛtam

Lakshmana offered oblation of flowers, invoked peace as per tradition (before occupying a newly made home) and showed Rama the cottage he had built.

स तं दृष्ट्वा कृतं सौम्यमाश्रमं सीतया सह। राघवः पर्णशालायां हर्षमाहारयत्परम्।।3.15.26।।

sa taṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛtaṃ saumyamāśramaṃ sītayā saha| rāghavaḥ parṇaśālāyāṃ harṣamāhārayatparam

Rama and Sita saw the beautiful hermitage built by Lakshmana, and expressed much happiness over the leafthatched cottage.

सुसंहृष्टः परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां लक्ष्मणं तदा। अतिस्निग्धं च गाढं च वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्।।3.15.27।।

susaṃhṛṣṭaḥ pariṣvajya bāhubhyāṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ tadā| atisnigdhaṃ ca gāḍhaṃ ca vacanaṃ cedamabravīt

Deeply pleased with Lakshmana, he hugged him tightly and said those loving words :

प्रीतोऽस्मि ते महत्कर्म त्वया कृतमिदं प्रभो। प्रदेयो यन्निमित्तं ते परिष्वङ्गो मया कृतः।।3.15.28।।

prīto'smi te mahatkarma tvayā kṛtamidaṃ prabho| pradeyo yannimittaṃ te pariṣvaṅgo mayā kṛtaḥ

O my master, you have done a great task for which I have given you what I could give at the moment a hug.

भावज्ञेन कृतज्ञेन धर्मज्ञेन च लक्ष्मण। त्वया पुत्रेण धर्मात्मा न संवृत्तः पिता मम।।3.15.29।।

bhāvajñena kṛtajñena dharmajñena ca lakṣmaṇa| tvayā putreṇa dharmātmā na saṃvṛttaḥ pitā mama

O Lakshmana with a son like you who can understand others' feelings, who has a sense of gratitude and a sense of duty my father is not dead yet.

एवं लक्ष्मणमुक्त्वा तु राघवो लक्ष्मिवर्धनः। तस्मिन् देशे बहुफले न्यवसत्सुसुखं वशी।।3.15.30।।

evaṃ lakṣmaṇamuktvā tu rāghavo lakṣmivardhanaḥ| tasmin deśe bahuphale nyavasatsusukhaṃ vaśī

Rama who was an enhancer of fortunes and who had his senses under control said thus to Lakshmana and lived happily there in that place filled with fruits.

कञ्चित्कालं स धर्मात्मा सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च। अन्वास्यमानो न्यवसत्स्वर्गलोके यथामरः।।3.15.31।।

kañcitkālaṃ sa dharmātmā sītayā lakṣmaṇena ca| anvāsyamāno nyavasatsvargaloke yathāmaraḥ

Righteous Rama, served by Lakshmana, and Sita lived there for some time like a god in heaven. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे पञ्चदशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fifteenth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.