Aranya Kanda, Sarga 16

वसतस्तस्य तु सुखं राघवस्य महात्मनः। शरद्व्यपाये हेमन्तऋतुरिष्टः प्रवर्तत।।3.16.1।।

vasatastasya tu sukhaṃ rāghavasya mahātmanaḥ| śaradvyapāye hemantaṛturiṣṭaḥ pravartata

While the great self Rama lived happily there, autumn passed and dear winter set in.

स कदाचित्प्रभातायां शर्वर्यां रघुनन्दनः। प्रययावभिषेकार्थं रम्यां गोदावरीं नदीम्।।3.16.2।।

sa kadācitprabhātāyāṃ śarvaryāṃ raghunandanaḥ| prayayāvabhiṣekārthaṃ ramyāṃ godāvarīṃ nadīm

Once Rama, delight of the Raghu race, went to the beautiful river Godavari for ablution in the early hours of the morning.

प्रह्वः कलशहस्तस्तं सीतया सह वीर्यवान्। पृष्ठतोऽनुव्रजन्भ्राता सौमित्रिरिदमब्रवीत्।।3.16.3।।

prahvaḥ kalaśahastastaṃ sītayā saha vīryavān| pṛṣṭhato'nuvrajanbhrātā saumitriridamabravīt

While valiant Lakshmana, walking behind Sita who was carrying a pitcher in her hand bent down a little and told Rama thus:

अयं स कालः सम्प्राप्तः प्रियो यस्ते प्रियंवद। अलङ्कृत इवाभाति येन संवत्सरः शुभः।।3.16.4।।

ayaṃ sa kālaḥ samprāptaḥ priyo yaste priyaṃvada| alaṅkṛta ivābhāti yena saṃvatsaraḥ śubhaḥ

O sweetspeaking brother, the season which is dear to you has arrived. It appears the auspicious year is going to be embellished with this season.

नीहारपरुषो लोकः पृथिवी सस्यशालिनी। जलान्यनुपभोग्यानि सुभगो हव्यवाहनः।।3.16.5।।

nīhāraparuṣo lokaḥ pṛthivī sasyaśālinī| jalānyanupabhogyāni subhago havyavāhanaḥ

People feel frozen with fog, and water is no more enjoyable. The earth is full of crops and fire is so agreeable.

नवाग्रयणपूजाभिरभ्यर्च्य पितृदेवताः। कृताग्रयणकाः काले सन्तो विगतकल्मषाः।।3.16.6।।

navāgrayaṇapūjābhirabhyarcya pitṛdevatāḥ| kṛtāgrayaṇakāḥ kāle santo vigatakalmaṣāḥ

Pious men offer their libations of the first crop at Agnistoma sacrifice and thereby please their manes and get rid of their sins.

प्राज्यकामा जनपदास्सम्पन्नतरगोरसाः। विचरन्ति महीपाला यात्रास्था विजिगीषवः।।3.16.7।।

prājyakāmā janapadāssampannataragorasāḥ| vicaranti mahīpālā yātrāsthā vijigīṣavaḥ

People in the countryside with their desires satisfied obtain abundant cow's milk at this time. Rulers of the earth are out on their expedition with a desire for victory.

सेवमाने दृढं सूर्ये दिशमन्तक सेविताम्। विहीनतिलकेव स्त्री नोत्तरा दिक्प्रकाशते।।3.16.8।।

sevamāne dṛḍhaṃ sūrye diśamantaka sevitām| vihīnatilakeva strī nottarā dikprakāśate

As the Sun has resorted to the direction (south) that serves the god of death, the north devoid of (the Sun) shines like a woman without the vermilion mark on the forehead.

प्रकृत्या हिमकोशाढ्यो दूरसूर्यश्च साम्प्रतम्। यथार्थनामा सुव्यक्तं हिमवान्हिमवान्गिरिः।।3.16.9।।

prakṛtyā himakośāḍhyo dūrasūryaśca sāmpratam| yathārthanāmā suvyaktaṃ himavānhimavāngiriḥ

Presently with the Sun far away, the Himalayas abounding in snow has naturally justified its name.

अत्यन्तसुखसञ्चारा मध्याह्ने स्पर्शतस्सुखाः। दिवसास्सुभगादित्याश्चायासलिलदुर्भगाः।।3.16.10।।

atyantasukhasañcārā madhyāhne sparśatassukhāḥ| divasāssubhagādityāścāyāsaliladurbhagāḥ

The days are enjoyable at noon as it is pleasant to move about during this time since the sun is not scorching. But the shade and water seem to be unfortunate (as they are not liked by any one.

मृदुसूर्यास्सनीहाराः पटुशीतास्समारुताः। शून्यारण्या हिमध्वस्ता दिवसा भान्तिसाम्प्रतम्।।3.16.11।।

mṛdusūryāssanīhārāḥ paṭuśītāssamārutāḥ| śūnyāraṇyā himadhvastā divasā bhāntisāmpratam

The days will be frostsmitten. The Sun will also be mild. Due to heavy dewfall the weather will be cold with the blowing of the wind. Forests will be empty (as no animals would be seen moving around.)

निवृत्ताकाशशयनाः पुष्यनीता हिमारुणाः। शीता वृद्धतरायामास्त्रियामा यान्ति साम्प्रतम्।।3.16.12।।

nivṛttākāśaśayanāḥ puṣyanītā himāruṇāḥ| śītā vṛddhatarāyāmāstriyāmā yānti sāmpratam

At this time people do not sleep under the open sky. With the month of Pushya approaching, nights feel cool and look red due to frost. They prolong into three yamas.

रविसङ्क्रान्तसौभाग्य स्तुषारारुणमण्डलः। निश्श्वासान्ध इवादर्शन्छन्द्रमा न प्रकाशते।।3.16.13।।

ravisaṅkrāntasaubhāgya stuṣārāruṇamaṇḍalaḥ| niśśvāsāndha ivādarśanchandramā na prakāśate

With the radiance of the Sun dimmed, with its orb reddened by frost, the moon does not shine clear like a mirror blurred with breath.

ज्योत्स्न तुषारमलिना पौर्णमास्यां न राजते। सीतेव चातपश्यामा लक्ष्यते न तु शोभते।।3.16.14।।

jyotsna tuṣāramalinā paurṇamāsyāṃ na rājate| sīteva cātapaśyāmā lakṣyate na tu śobhate

On a fullmoon night the beams of the moon faded by forest look pale, dull like Sita scorched by the heat of the Sun.

प्रकृत्या शीतलस्पर्शो हिमविद्धश्च साम्प्रतम्। प्रवाति पश्चिमो वायुः काले द्विगुणशीतलः।।3.16.15।।

prakṛtyā śītalasparśo himaviddhaśca sāmpratam| pravāti paścimo vāyuḥ kāle dviguṇaśītalaḥ

The west wind which by nature feels cold at this time blows doubly cold, hit by snow.

बाष्पच्छन्नान्यरण्यानि यवगोधूमवन्ति च। शोभन्तेऽभ्युदिते सूर्ये नद्भि क्रौञ्चसारसैः।।3.16.16।।

bāṣpacchannānyaraṇyāni yavagodhūmavanti ca| śobhante'bhyudite sūrye nadbhi krauñcasārasaiḥ

The snowcold forest terrains are fertile with barley and wheat crops. As the Sun rises the swans and kraunchas produce pleasing notes.

खर्जूरपुष्पाकृतिभिश्शिरोभिः पूर्णतण्डुलैः। शोभन्ते किञ्चिदानम्राश्शालयः कनकप्रभाः।।3.16.17।।

kharjūrapuṣpākṛtibhiśśirobhiḥ pūrṇataṇḍulaiḥ| śobhante kiñcidānamrāśśālayaḥ kanakaprabhāḥ

The tops of rice crops shining like gold resemble the flowers of datepalm.The fields full of ripe paddy bending a little (under the weight of grains) look delightful.

मयूखैरुपसर्पद्भिर्हिमनीहारसंवृतैः। दूरमभ्युदितस्सूर्यश्शशाङ्क इव लक्ष्यते।।3.16.18।।

mayūkhairupasarpadbhirhimanīhārasaṃvṛtaiḥ| dūramabhyuditassūryaśśaśāṅka iva lakṣyate

The Sun risen at the distant horizon looks like the Moon, his lengthening rays covered with snow and dew.

अग्राह्यवीर्यः पूर्वाह्णे मध्याह्ने स्पर्शतस्सुखः। संरक्तः किञ्चिदापाण्डुरातपश्शोभते क्षितौ।।3.16.19।।

agrāhyavīryaḥ pūrvāhṇe madhyāhne sparśatassukhaḥ| saṃraktaḥ kiñcidāpāṇḍurātapaśśobhate kṣitau

The heat of the Sun which we do not feel in the forenoon is comfortable during midday when the Sun shines slightly reddish white on earth.

अवश्यायनिपातेन किञ्चित्प्रक्लिन्नशाद्वला। वनानां शोभते भूमिर्निविष्टतरुणातपा।।3.16.20।।

avaśyāyanipātena kiñcitpraklinnaśādvalā| vanānāṃ śobhate bhūmirniviṣṭataruṇātapā

As the miadows are wet with dewdrops, the land looks delightful with mild Sunlight shining on the surface.

स्पृशंस्तु विमलं शीतमुदकं द्विरदस्सुखम्। अत्यन्ततृषितो वन्यः प्रतिसंहरते करम्।।3.16.21।।

spṛśaṃstu vimalaṃ śītamudakaṃ dviradassukham| atyantatṛṣito vanyaḥ pratisaṃharate karam

The wild tusker, extremely thirsty, touches the clean, cold water joyfully, but immediately withdraws its trunk unable to bear the cold.

एते हि समुपासीना विहगा जलचारिणः। नावगाहन्ति सलिलमप्रगल्भा इवाहवम्।।3.16.22।।

ete hi samupāsīnā vihagā jalacāriṇaḥ| nāvagāhanti salilamapragalbhā ivāhavam

Just as inefficient warriors do not enter the warfield, aquatic birds sitting near water do not venture to take a plunge into it.

अवश्यायतमोनद्धा नीहारतमसाऽवृताः। प्रसुप्ता इव लक्ष्यन्ते विपुष्पा वनराजयः।।3.16.23।।

avaśyāyatamonaddhā nīhāratamasā'vṛtāḥ| prasuptā iva lakṣyante vipuṣpā vanarājayaḥ

The flowerless forest ranges appear as if they are asleep, enveloped in the darkness of frost and snow .

बाष्पसञ्छन्नसलिला रुतविज्ञेयसारसाः। हिमार्द्रवालुकैस्तीरैस्सरितो भान्ति साम्प्रतम्।।3.16.24।।

bāṣpasañchannasalilā rutavijñeyasārasāḥ| himārdravālukaistīraissarito bhānti sāmpratam

Now the rivers are not visible as the waters are covered with vapour. They are only inferred through the cackling of swans and the sands of the bank moistened with dewdrops.

तुषारपतनाच्चैव मृदुत्वाद्भास्करस्य च। शैत्यादगाग्रस्थमपि प्रायेण रसवज्जलम्।।3.16.25।।

tuṣārapatanāccaiva mṛdutvādbhāskarasya ca| śaityādagāgrasthamapi prāyeṇa rasavajjalam

Due to snowfall, mildness of the Sun, and coldness (of weather) even the water flowing from the mountain top is not generally tasty.

जराजर्जरितैः पद्मैशशीर्णकेसरकर्णिकैः। नालषेर्हिमध्वस्सैर्न भन्ति कमलाकराः।।3.16.26।।

jarājarjaritaiḥ padmaiśaśīrṇakesarakarṇikaiḥ| nālaṣerhimadhvassairna bhanti kamalākarāḥ

The lotuses in the tank no more shine (bright) as they are decayed by age, their filaments and pericarps withered with only stalks remaining.

अस्मिंस्तु पुरुषव्याघ्रः काले दुःखसमन्वितः। तपश्चरति धर्मात्मा त्वद्भक्त्या भरतः पुरे।।3.16.27।।

asmiṃstu puruṣavyāghraḥ kāle duḥkhasamanvitaḥ| tapaścarati dharmātmā tvadbhaktyā bharataḥ pure

At this time, righteous Bharata, the best among men, with his devotion to you must be sadly performing penance at his residence.

त्यक्त्वा राज्यं च मानं च भोगांश्च विविधान्बहून्। तपस्स्वी नियताहारश्शेते शीते महीतले।।3.16.28।।

tyaktvā rājyaṃ ca mānaṃ ca bhogāṃśca vividhānbahūn| tapassvī niyatāhāraśśete śīte mahītale

Giving up his kingdom, honour and pleasures of many kinds, Bharata will be living like an ascetic, sleeping on the ground in cold weather, his food under restriction.

सोऽपि वेलामिमां नूनमभिषेकार्थमुद्यतः। वृतः प्रकृतिभिर्नित्यं प्रयाति सरयूं नदीम्।।3.16.29।।

so'pi velāmimāṃ nūnamabhiṣekārthamudyataḥ| vṛtaḥ prakṛtibhirnityaṃ prayāti sarayūṃ nadīm

At this time, Bharata, accompanied by his subjects, must be daily going to river Sarayu for ablution.

अत्यन्तसुखसंवृद्धस्सुकुमारस्सुखोचितः। कथं न्वपररात्रेषु सरयूमवगाहते।।3.16.30।।

atyantasukhasaṃvṛddhassukumārassukhocitaḥ| kathaṃ nvapararātreṣu sarayūmavagāhate

How can Bharata who was brought up in luxury, who is delicate, and deserves all comfort, take a dip in river Sarayu (in cold morning) ?

पद्मपत्रेक्षणो वीरश्श्यामो निरुदरो महान्। धर्मज्ञ स्सत्यवादी च ह्रीनिषेधो जितेन्द्रियः।।3.16.31।। प्रियाभिभाषी मधुरो दीर्घबाहुररिन्दमः। सन्त्यज्य विविधान्भोगानार्यं सर्वात्मना श्रितः।।3.16.32।।

padmapatrekṣaṇo vīraśśyāmo nirudaro mahān| dharmajña ssatyavādī ca hrīniṣedho jitendriyaḥ priyābhibhāṣī madhuro dīrghabāhurarindamaḥ| santyajya vividhānbhogānāryaṃ sarvātmanā śritaḥ

He has a blue complexion, a pair of eyes like lotus petals, a thin waist and long arms. He is selfrestrained, softspoken, sweettempered and truthful. He knows his duty and maintains a low profile. A subduer of enemies, he is heroic and great. Such Bharata has given up the diverse pleasures of life and has surrendered himself to you with all his soul.

पद्मपत्रेक्षणो वीरश्श्यामो निरुदरो महान्। धर्मज्ञ स्सत्यवादी च ह्रीनिषेधो जितेन्द्रियः।।3.16.31।। प्रियाभिभाषी मधुरो दीर्घबाहुररिन्दमः। सन्त्यज्य विविधान्भोगानार्यं सर्वात्मना श्रितः।।3.16.32।।

padmapatrekṣaṇo vīraśśyāmo nirudaro mahān| dharmajña ssatyavādī ca hrīniṣedho jitendriyaḥ priyābhibhāṣī madhuro dīrghabāhurarindamaḥ| santyajya vividhānbhogānāryaṃ sarvātmanā śritaḥ

He has a blue complexion, a pair of eyes like lotus petals, a thin waist and long arms. He is selfrestrained, softspoken, sweettempered and truthful. He knows his duty and maintains a low profile. A subduer of enemies, he is heroic and great. Such Bharata has given up the diverse pleasures of life and has surrendered himself to you with all his soul.

जितस्स्वर्गस्तव भ्रात्रा भरतेन महात्मना। वनस्थमपि तापस्ये यस्त्वामनुविधीयते।।3.16.33।।

jitassvargastava bhrātrā bharatena mahātmanā| vanasthamapi tāpasye yastvāmanuvidhīyate

Although you dwell in the forest, your great brother Bharata has won the kingdom of heaven by faithfully adopting your asceticism.

न पित्र्यमनुवर्तन्ते मातृकं द्विपदा इति। ख्यातो लोकप्रवादोऽयं भरतेनान्यथा कृतः।।3.16.34।।

na pitryamanuvartante mātṛkaṃ dvipadā iti| khyāto lokapravādo'yaṃ bharatenānyathā kṛtaḥ

The saying that men follow mother's path but not the path of the father, has been disproved by Bharata.

भर्ता दशरथो यस्यास्साधुश्च भरतस्सुतः। कथं नु साऽम्बा कैकेयी तादृशी क्रूरशीलिनी।।3.16.35।।

bhartā daśaratho yasyāssādhuśca bharatassutaḥ| kathaṃ nu sā'mbā kaikeyī tādṛśī krūraśīlinī

How could mother Kaikeyi, who has a husband like Dasaratha and a noble son like Bharata, be so wicked by nature ?

इत्येवं लक्ष्मणे वाक्यं स्नेहाद्ब्रुवति धार्मिके। परिवादं जनन्यास्तमसहन्राघवोऽब्रवीत्।।3.16.36।।

ityevaṃ lakṣmaṇe vākyaṃ snehādbruvati dhārmike| parivādaṃ jananyāstamasahanrāghavo'bravīt

When pious Lakshmana said thus to Rama out of his love for him, Rama replied, unable to tolerate the words of censure against mother (Kaikeyi) :

स तेऽम्बा मध्यमा तात गर्हितव्या कथञ्चन। तामेवेक्ष्वाकुनाथस्य भरतस्य कथां कुरु।।3.16.37।।

sa te'mbā madhyamā tāta garhitavyā kathañcana| tāmevekṣvākunāthasya bharatasya kathāṃ kuru

O dear, Kaikeyi, our second mother, is never to be criticised like that. You may, however, speak more of Bharata, the lord of the Iksvakus.

निश्चिताऽपि हि मे बुद्धिर्वनवासे दृढव्रता। भरतस्नेहसन्तप्ता बालिशीक्रियते पुनः।।3.16.38।।

niścitā'pi hi me buddhirvanavāse dṛḍhavratā| bharatasnehasantaptā bāliśīkriyate punaḥ

Even though I have made up my mind to dwell in the forest and keep my vow, my love for Bharata makes me waver like a child (Rama does not want Bharata to suffer on his account).

संस्मराम्यस्य वाक्यानि प्रियाणि मधुराणि च। हृद्यान्यमृतकल्पानि मनःप्रह्लादनानि च।।3.16.39।।

saṃsmarāmyasya vākyāni priyāṇi madhurāṇi ca| hṛdyānyamṛtakalpāni manaḥprahlādanāni ca

I remember his dear, sweet, ambrosial words, soothing to the heart and pleasing to the mind.

कदान्वहं समेष्यामि भरतेन महात्मना। शत्रुघ्नेन च वीरेण त्वया च रघुनन्दन।।3.16.40।।

kadānvahaṃ sameṣyāmi bharatena mahātmanā| śatrughnena ca vīreṇa tvayā ca raghunandana

O enhancer of joy of the Raghus when shall I meet great Bharata, brave Satrughna and you all together?

इत्येवं विलपंस्तत्र प्राप्य गोदावरीं नदीम्। चक्रेऽभिषेकं काकुत्स्थस्सानुजस्सह सीतया।।3.16.41।।

ityevaṃ vilapaṃstatra prāpya godāvarīṃ nadīm| cakre'bhiṣekaṃ kākutsthassānujassaha sītayā

Expressing his grief in such manner, Rama reached Godavari where he took his bath with his brother and Sita.

तर्पयित्वाऽथ सलिलैस्ते पितृ़न्दैवतानि च। स्तुवन्ति स्मोदितं सूर्यं देवताश्च समाहिताः।।3.16.42।।

tarpayitvā'tha salilaiste pitṛ़ndaivatāni ca| stuvanti smoditaṃ sūryaṃ devatāśca samāhitāḥ

And then poised, they offered libations of water to their forefathers and gods and prayer to the rising Sun.

कृताभिषेकस्सरराज रामः सीताद्वितीयस्सह लक्ष्मणेन। कृताभिषेको गिरिराजपुत्र्या रुद्रस्सनन्दी भगवानिवेशः।।3.16.43।।

kṛtābhiṣekassararāja rāmaḥ sītādvitīyassaha lakṣmaṇena| kṛtābhiṣeko girirājaputryā rudrassanandī bhagavāniveśaḥ

Accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana,Rama finished his bath in the river.He looked splendid like Lord Rudra followed by Nandi and the daughter of the king of the mountains (Parvati). इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे षोडशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the sixteenth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.