Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 114

स्निग्धगम्भीरघोषेण स्यन्दनेनोपयान्प्रभुः। अयोध्यां भरतः क्षिप्रं प्रविवेश महायशाः।।2.114.1।।

snigdhagambhīraghoṣeṇa syandanenopayānprabhuḥ| ayodhyāṃ bharataḥ kṣipraṃ praviveśa mahāyaśāḥ

Bharata, the renowned lord (of Ayodhya) travelled on the chariot that produced a deep, soothing, sound. And entered Ayodhya soon.

बिडालोलूकचरितामालीननरवारणाम्। तिमिराभ्याहतां कालीमप्रकाशां निशामिव।।2.114.2।।

biḍālolūkacaritāmālīnanaravāraṇām| timirābhyāhatāṃ kālīmaprakāśāṃ niśāmiva

Ayodhya was like a dark, lightless night enveloped in gloom, ranged by cats and owls, its people and elephants out of sight.

राहुशत्रोः प्रियां पत्नीं श्रिया प्रज्वलितप्रभाम्। ग्रहेणाभ्युत्थितेनैकां रोहिणीमिव पीडिताम्।।2.114.3।।

rāhuśatroḥ priyāṃ patnīṃ śriyā prajvalitaprabhām| graheṇābhyutthitenaikāṃ rohiṇīmiva pīḍitām

(The city looked) like Rohini, the beloved consort of the Moon, the star which was majesticlly radiating flaming brilliance and now, tormented by the exalted Rahu which has eclipsed the Moon, shines alone.

अल्पोष्णक्षुब्धसलिलां घर्मोत्तप्तविहङ्गमाम्। लीनमीनझषग्राहां कृशां गिरिनदीमिव।।2.114.4।।

alpoṣṇakṣubdhasalilāṃ gharmottaptavihaṅgamām| līnamīnajhaṣagrāhāṃ kṛśāṃ girinadīmiva

(It appeared) like a lean mountainstream with scant, hot and turbid waters, with scorched aquatic birds and with small and large fishes and crocodiles dead due to the heat of the Sun.

विधूमामिव हेमाभामध्वराग्ने स्समुत्थिताम्। हविरभ्युक्षितां पश्चाच्छिखां विप्रलयं गताम्।।2.114.5।।

vidhūmāmiva hemābhāmadhvarāgne ssamutthitām| havirabhyukṣitāṃ paścācchikhāṃ vipralayaṃ gatām

It was like the flame of a sacrificial fire, smokeless and golden as it rises, that dies down after the oblation of clarified butter has been sprinkled.

विध्वस्तकवचां रुग्णगजवाजिरथध्वजाम्। हतप्रवीरामापन्नां चमूमिव महाहवे।।2.114.6।।

vidhvastakavacāṃ rugṇagajavājirathadhvajām| hatapravīrāmāpannāṃ camūmiva mahāhave

warriors slain in the great battle (the city appeared desolate).

सफेनां सस्वनां भूत्वा सागरस्य समुत्थिताम्। प्रशान्तमारुतोद्धूतां जलोर्मिमिव निस्स्वनाम्।।2.114.7।।

saphenāṃ sasvanāṃ bhūtvā sāgarasya samutthitām| praśāntamārutoddhūtāṃ jalormimiva nissvanām

It was like an ocean wave that had risen foaming and roaring but, swept by a gentle breeze, had fallen silent.

त्यक्तां यज्ञायुधैः सर्वैरभिरूपैश्च याजकैः। सुत्याकाले सुनिर्वृत्ते वेदिं गतरवामिव।।2.114.8।।

tyaktāṃ yajñāyudhaiḥ sarvairabhirūpaiśca yājakaiḥ| sutyākāle sunirvṛtte vediṃ gataravāmiva

It was like a sacrificial altar deserted by all its appliances and learned priests, fallen silent once the time of the Soma extraction had ended.

गोष्ठमध्ये स्थितामार्तामचरन्तीं तृणं नवम्। गोवृषेण परित्यक्तां गवां पक्तिमिवोत्सुकाम्।।2.114.9।।

goṣṭhamadhye sthitāmārtāmacarantīṃ tṛṇaṃ navam| govṛṣeṇa parityaktāṃ gavāṃ paktimivotsukām

the midst of the herd despairs and no longer grazes the new grass.

प्रभाकराद्यै स्सुस्निग्धैः प्रज्वलद्भिरिवोत्तमैः। वियुक्तां मणिभिर्जात्यैर्नवां मुक्तावलीमिव।।2.114.10।।

prabhākarādyai ssusnigdhaiḥ prajvaladbhirivottamaiḥ| viyuktāṃ maṇibhirjātyairnavāṃ muktāvalīmiva

It was like a new pearl necklace from which the finest, glossy, radiant gems and rubies had been detached.

सहसा चलितां स्थानान्महीं पुण्यक्षयाद्गताम्। संवृतद्युतिविस्तारां तारामिव दिवश्च्युताम्।।2.114.11।।

sahasā calitāṃ sthānānmahīṃ puṇyakṣayādgatām| saṃvṛtadyutivistārāṃ tārāmiva divaścyutām

It was like a star, its spreading radiance dimmed, suddenly dislodged from its place and fallen from heaven to earth when its store of merit is exhausted.

पुष्पनद्धां वसन्तान्ते मत्तभ्रमरनादिताम्। द्रुतदावाग्नि विप्लुष्टां क्लान्तां वनलतामिव।।2.114.12।।

puṣpanaddhāṃ vasantānte mattabhramaranāditām| drutadāvāgni vipluṣṭāṃ klāntāṃ vanalatāmiva

with the melodious humming of intoxicated bees and suddenly shrivelling, ravaged by the fastspreading forest fire.

सम्मूढनिगमांस्तब्धां संक्षिप्तविपणापणाम्। प्रच्छन्नशशिनक्षत्रां द्यामिवाम्बुधरैर्वृताम्।।2.114.13।।

sammūḍhanigamāṃstabdhāṃ saṃkṣiptavipaṇāpaṇām| pracchannaśaśinakṣatrāṃ dyāmivāmbudharairvṛtām

Ayodhya with its markets and shops closed, and its merchants in a daze looked like the sky covered with clouds obscuring the Moon and stars.

क्षीणपानोत्तमैर्भग्नैः शरावैरभिसंवृताम्। हतशौण्डामिव ध्वस्तांं पानभूमिमसंस्कृताम्।।2.114.14।।

kṣīṇapānottamairbhagnaiḥ śarāvairabhisaṃvṛtām| hataśauṇḍāmiva dhvastāṃṃ pānabhūmimasaṃskṛtām

(Ayodhya looked) like an uncleansed drinking place with broken pitchers emptied of excellent wine scattered around and with drunkards lying dead in the open.

वृक्णभूमितलां निम्नां वृक्णपात्रैस्समावृताम्। उपयुक्तोदकां भग्नां प्रपां निपतितामिव।।2.114.15।।

vṛkṇabhūmitalāṃ nimnāṃ vṛkṇapātraissamāvṛtām| upayuktodakāṃ bhagnāṃ prapāṃ nipatitāmiva

(Ayodhya appeared) like a ruined well, its foundations broken and sunken into the earth, its water used up, with broken pots scattered around, its riven surface forming a dale.

विपुलां विततां चैव युक्तपाशां तरस्विनाम्। भूमौ बाणैर्विनिष्कृत्तां पतितां ज्यामिवायुधात्।।2.114.16।।

vipulāṃ vitatāṃ caiva yuktapāśāṃ tarasvinām| bhūmau bāṇairviniṣkṛttāṃ patitāṃ jyāmivāyudhāt

It was like a powerful man's bowstring, broad and stretched taut with its loops, severed by arrows and fallen from the weapon to the ground.

सहसा युद्धशौण्डेन हयारोहेण वाहिताम्। निहतां प्रतिसैन्येन वडवामिव पातिताम्।।2.114.17।।

sahasā yuddhaśauṇḍena hayāroheṇa vāhitām| nihatāṃ pratisainyena vaḍavāmiva pātitām

It was like a mare suddenly ridden hard by a battle-skilled horseman and then struck down and felled by the enemy army.

शुष्कतोयां महामत्स्यैः कूर्मैश्च बहुभिर्वृताम्। प्रभिन्नतटविस्तीर्णां वापीमिव हृतोत्पलाम्।।2.114.18।।

śuṣkatoyāṃ mahāmatsyaiḥ kūrmaiśca bahubhirvṛtām| prabhinnataṭavistīrṇāṃ vāpīmiva hṛtotpalām

It was like a reservoir with its water dried up, filled with great fish and tortoises, its broad banks split and its lotuses withered.

पुरुषस्याप्रहृष्टस्य प्रतिषिद्धानुलेपनाम्। सन्तप्तामिव शोकेन गात्रयष्टिमभूषणाम्।।2.114.19।।

puruṣasyāprahṛṣṭasya pratiṣiddhānulepanām| santaptāmiva śokena gātrayaṣṭimabhūṣaṇām

It was like the skeletal frame of a dejected man, scorched with grief, denied unguents and stripped of ornaments.

प्रावृषि प्रविगाढायां प्रविष्टस्याभ्रमण्डलम्। प्रच्छन्नां नीलजीमूतैर्भास्करस्य प्रभामिव।।2.114.20।।

prāvṛṣi pravigāḍhāyāṃ praviṣṭasyābhramaṇḍalam| pracchannāṃ nīlajīmūtairbhāskarasya prabhāmiva

It was like the radiance of the sun obscured by black clouds when it has entered the mass of clouds in the depth of the rainy season.

भरतस्तु रथस्थ स्सन् श्रीमान्दशरथात्मजः। वाहयन्तं रथश्रेष्ठं सारथिं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.114.21।।

bharatastu rathastha ssan śrīmāndaśarathātmajaḥ| vāhayantaṃ rathaśreṣṭhaṃ sārathiṃ vākyamabravīt

Illustrious Bharata, son of Dasaratha, seated in his chariot, addressed the charioteer as he drove the most excellent of chariots saying:

किं नु खल्वद्य गम्भीरो मूर्छितो न निशम्यते। यथापुरमयोध्यायां गीतवादित्रनिस्वनः।।2.114.22।।

kiṃ nu khalvadya gambhīro mūrchito na niśamyate| yathāpuramayodhyāyāṃ gītavāditranisvanaḥ

How is it that in Ayodhya, the deep and allpervasive songs and sounds of musical instruments of the former days are not heard now?

वारुणीमदगन्धश्च माल्यगन्धश्च मूर्छितः। धूपितागुरुगन्धश्च न प्रवाति समन्ततः।।2.114.23।।

vāruṇīmadagandhaśca mālyagandhaśca mūrchitaḥ| dhūpitāgurugandhaśca na pravāti samantataḥ

The breeze no longer carries the intoxicating odour of spirituous liquor, the pervading fragrance of flower garlands and agaru (incense).

यानप्रवरघोषश्च स्निग्धश्च हयनिस्वनः। प्रमत्तगजनादश्च महांश्च रथनिस्वनः।।2.114.24।। नेदानीं श्रूयते पुर्यामस्यां रामे विवासिते।

yānapravaraghoṣaśca snigdhaśca hayanisvanaḥ| pramattagajanādaśca mahāṃśca rathanisvanaḥ nedānīṃ śrūyate puryāmasyāṃ rāme vivāsite|

After Rama's the exile the clatter of excellent carriages, the pleasing neighing of horses and trumpeting of elephants in rut and the rattle of chariots are no longer heard now.

चन्दनागरुगन्धांश्च महार्हाश्च नवस्रजः। गते हि रामे तरुणा स्संतप्ता नोपभुञ्जते।।2.114.25।।

candanāgarugandhāṃśca mahārhāśca navasrajaḥ| gate hi rāme taruṇā ssaṃtaptā nopabhuñjate

Since Rama has departed, the young men in distress do not enjoy expensive incense of agaru and sandalwood paste and garlands of fresh flowers.

चन्दनागरुगन्धांश्च महार्हाश्च नवस्रजः। गते हि रामे तरुणा स्संतप्ता नोपभुञ्जते।।2.114.25।।

candanāgarugandhāṃśca mahārhāśca navasrajaḥ| gate hi rāme taruṇā ssaṃtaptā nopabhuñjate

Since Rama has departed, the young men in distress do not enjoy expensive incense of agaru and sandalwood paste and garlands of fresh flowers.

बहिर्यात्रां न गच्छन्ति चित्रमाल्यधरा नराः। नोत्सवा स्सम्प्रवर्तन्ते रामशोकार्दिते पुरे।।2.114.27।।

bahiryātrāṃ na gacchanti citramālyadharā narāḥ| notsavā ssampravartante rāmaśokārdite pure

This city is stricken with grief on account of Rama's departure. Men do not go out on pleasure jaunts wearing garlands of variegated flowers. Festivities are not celebrated.

सह नूनं मम भ्रात्रा पुरस्यास्य द्युतिर्गता। न हि राजत्ययोध्येयं सासारेवार्जुनी क्षपा।।2.114.28।।

saha nūnaṃ mama bhrātrā purasyāsya dyutirgatā| na hi rājatyayodhyeyaṃ sāsārevārjunī kṣapā

Certainly splendour has left along with my brother. Like the night when the rain pours down during the waning of the Moon, Ayodhya shines not.

कदा नु खलु मे भ्राता महोत्सव इवाऽगतः। जनयिष्यत्ययोध्यायां हर्षं ग्रीष्म इवाम्बुदः।।2.114.29।।

kadā nu khalu me bhrātā mahotsava ivā'gataḥ| janayiṣyatyayodhyāyāṃ harṣaṃ grīṣma ivāmbudaḥ

When will my brother return to Ayodhya like a carnival and cause delight to every one like summer clouds?

तरुणैश्चारुवेषैश्च नरैरुन्नतगामिभिः। सम्पतद्भिरयोध्यायां नाभिभान्ति महापथाः।।2.114.30।।

taruṇaiścāruveṣaiśca narairunnatagāmibhiḥ| sampatadbhirayodhyāyāṃ nābhibhānti mahāpathāḥ

The highways of Ayodhya thronged with groups of elegantly attired young men or adults with their majestic gait, do not shine.

एवं बहुविधं जल्पन्विवेश वसतिं पितुः। तेन हीनां नरेन्द्रेण सिंहहीनां गुहामिव।।2.114.31।।

evaṃ bahuvidhaṃ jalpanviveśa vasatiṃ pituḥ| tena hīnāṃ narendreṇa siṃhahīnāṃ guhāmiva

Thus mourning in several ways, Bharata entered his fathers' palace (now) bereft of the king like a cave without the lion.