Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20

तस्मिंस्तु पुरुषव्याघ्रे निष्क्रामति कृताञ्जलौ। आर्तशब्दो महान् जज्ञे स्त्रीणामन्तःपुरे तदा।।2.20.1।।

tasmiṃstu puruṣavyāghre niṣkrāmati kṛtāñjalau| ārtaśabdo mahān jajñe strīṇāmantaḥpure tadā

When the tiger among men (Rama) was coming out with folded palms, there arose a huge cry of distress among the ladies of the harem:

कृत्येष्वचोदितः पित्रा सर्वस्यान्तःपुरस्य च। गतिर्यश्शरणं चापि स रामोऽद्य प्रवत्स्यति।।2.20.2।।

kṛtyeṣvacoditaḥ pitrā sarvasyāntaḥpurasya ca| gatiryaśśaraṇaṃ cāpi sa rāmo'dya pravatsyati

Rama was the refuge and protector of all the inmates lot of the inner apartment although it was not his duty nor was he forced by his father to safeguard them. That Rama is now going on exile.

कौशल्यायां यथा युक्तो जनन्यां वर्तते सदा। तथैव वर्ततेऽस्मासु जन्मप्रभृति राघवः।।2.20.3।।

kauśalyāyāṃ yathā yukto jananyāṃ vartate sadā| tathaiva vartate'smāsu janmaprabhṛti rāghavaḥ

Rama conducted himself towards us in the same way as he did towards his mother Kausalya right from the begining.

न क्रुध्यत्यभिशप्तोऽपि क्रोधनीयानि वर्जयन्। क्रुद्धान्प्रसादयन्सर्वान् स इतोऽद्य प्रवत्स्यति।।2.20.4।।

na krudhyatyabhiśapto'pi krodhanīyāni varjayan| kruddhānprasādayansarvān sa ito'dya pravatsyati

Rama who used to avoid deeds that caused anger, pacified those who were angry with him, and never lost his cool even when cursed, that Rama is going on exile today.

अबुद्धिर्बत नो राजा जीवलोकं चरत्ययम्। यो गतिं सर्वभूतानां परित्यजति राघवम्।।.2.20.5।।

abuddhirbata no rājā jīvalokaṃ caratyayam| yo gatiṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ parityajati rāghavam||.2.20.5||

Alas our king who has lost his brain, who has ordered the banishment of Rama, the refuge of all living beings, (on the other hand) is moving about in the world.

इति सर्वा महिष्यस्ता विवत्सा इव धेनवः। पतिमाचुक्रुशुश्चैव सस्वरं चापि चुक्रुशुः।।2.20.6।।

iti sarvā mahiṣyastā vivatsā iva dhenavaḥ| patimācukruśuścaiva sasvaraṃ cāpi cukruśuḥ

Thus all the queens like calfless cows cried loudly blaming their husband.

स हि चान्तःपुरे घोरमार्तशब्दं महीपतिः। पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तः श्रुत्वा व्यालीयताऽसने।।2.20.7।।

sa hi cāntaḥpure ghoramārtaśabdaṃ mahīpatiḥ| putraśokābhisantaptaḥ śrutvā vyālīyatā'sane

Tormented with grief on account of his son, the king sank in his seat on hearing the cries of distress from the inner apartment

रामस्तु भृशमायस्तो निश्श्वसन्निव कुञ्जरः। जगाम सहितो भ्रात्रा मातुरन्तःपुरं वशी।।2.20.8।।

rāmastu bhṛśamāyasto niśśvasanniva kuñjaraḥ| jagāma sahito bhrātrā māturantaḥpuraṃ vaśī

Deeply pained yet selfpossessed Rama, heaving sighs like an elephant went towards the inner apartment of his mother along with his brother.

सोऽपश्यत्पुरुषं तत्र वृद्धं परमपूजितम्। उपविष्टं गृहद्वारि तिष्ठतश्चापरान्बहून्।।2.20.9।।

so'paśyatpuruṣaṃ tatra vṛddhaṃ paramapūjitam| upaviṣṭaṃ gṛhadvāri tiṣṭhataścāparānbahūn

Rama beheld a highly venerable elderly man seated at the entrance of the residence and many others standing (nearby).

दृष्ट्वैव तु तदा रामं ते सर्वे सहसोत्थिताः। जयेन जयतां श्रेष्ठं वर्धयन्ति स्म राघवम्।।2.20.10।।

dṛṣṭvaiva tu tadā rāmaṃ te sarve sahasotthitāḥ| jayena jayatāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ vardhayanti sma rāghavam

On seeing Rama, all the eminent among the victors got up immediately and greeted him, saying, 'Victory to you'.

प्रविश्य प्रथमां कक्ष्यां द्वितीयायां ददर्श सः। ब्राह्मणान्वेदसम्पन्नान्वृद्धान्राज्ञाऽभिसत्कृतान्।।2.20.11।।

praviśya prathamāṃ kakṣyāṃ dvitīyāyāṃ dadarśa saḥ| brāhmaṇānvedasampannānvṛddhānrājñā'bhisatkṛtān

With the first courtyard crossed, Rama saw in the second aged brahmins versed in the Vedas, and duly honoured by the king.

प्रणम्य रामस्तान्विप्रांस्तृतीयायां ददर्श सः। स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तथा बाला द्वाररक्षणतत्पराः।।2.20.12।।

praṇamya rāmastānviprāṃstṛtīyāyāṃ dadarśa saḥ| striyo vṛddhāstathā bālā dvārarakṣaṇatatparāḥ

Rama wished the brahmins and saw old men, women and children vigilantly guarding the door in the third courtyard.

वर्धयित्वा प्रहृष्टास्ताः प्रविश्य च गृहं स्त्रियः। न्यवेदयन्त त्वरिता राममातुः प्रियं तदा।।2.20.13।।

vardhayitvā prahṛṣṭāstāḥ praviśya ca gṛhaṃ striyaḥ| nyavedayanta tvaritā rāmamātuḥ priyaṃ tadā

Wellpleased, the women then greeted him wishing prosperity. They hurried into the abode of Kausalya and gave her the happy news (of Rama's arrival).

कौशल्यापि तदा देवी रात्रिं स्थित्वा समाहिता। प्रभाते त्वकरोत्पूजां विष्णोः पुत्रहितैषिणी।।2.20.14।।

kauśalyāpi tadā devī rātriṃ sthitvā samāhitā| prabhāte tvakarotpūjāṃ viṣṇoḥ putrahitaiṣiṇī

Having spent the night with a composed mind (abosorbed in meditation), Kausalya was worshipping lord Visnu in the early morning to secure her son's welfare.

सा क्षौमवसना हृष्टा नित्यं व्रतपरायणा। अग्निं जुहोति स्म तदा मन्त्रवत्कृतमङ्गला।।2.20.15।।

sā kṣaumavasanā hṛṣṭā nityaṃ vrataparāyaṇā| agniṃ juhoti sma tadā mantravatkṛtamaṅgalā

Always engaged in the observance of vows, Kausalya (then) clad in silk cloth was performing rituals of auspiciousness, offering oblations to the firegod in accordance with mantras (Vedic hymns).

प्रविश्य च तदा रामो मातुरन्त:पुरं शुभम्। ददर्श मातरं तत्र हावयन्तीं हुताशनम्।।2.20.16।।

praviśya ca tadā rāmo māturanta:puraṃ śubham| dadarśa mātaraṃ tatra hāvayantīṃ hutāśanam

Rama entered the auspicious inner apartment of his mother and saw her exhorting the priests to offer sacrificial oblations to Agni (firegod).

देवकार्यनिमित्तं च तत्रापश्यत्समुद्यतम्। दध्यक्षतं घृतं चैव मोदकान्हविषस्तथा।।2.20.17।। लाजान्माल्यानि शुक्लानि पायसं कृसरं तथा। समिध: पूर्णकुम्भांश्च ददर्श रघुनन्दनः।।2.20.18।।

devakāryanimittaṃ ca tatrāpaśyatsamudyatam| dadhyakṣataṃ ghṛtaṃ caiva modakānhaviṣastathā lājānmālyāni śuklāni pāyasaṃ kṛsaraṃ tathā| samidha: pūrṇakumbhāṃśca dadarśa raghunandanaḥ

There Rama saw curd, grains of rice, clarified butter, sweetmeats, oblations, parched grain, white garlands, porridge of cooked rice mixed with sesame seeds, sacrirficial faggots, vessels filled with water, etc. kept ready for religious rites.

देवकार्यनिमित्तं च तत्रापश्यत्समुद्यतम्। दध्यक्षतं घृतं चैव मोदकान्हविषस्तथा।।2.20.17।। लाजान्माल्यानि शुक्लानि पायसं कृसरं तथा। समिध: पूर्णकुम्भांश्च ददर्श रघुनन्दनः।।2.20.18।।

devakāryanimittaṃ ca tatrāpaśyatsamudyatam| dadhyakṣataṃ ghṛtaṃ caiva modakānhaviṣastathā lājānmālyāni śuklāni pāyasaṃ kṛsaraṃ tathā| samidha: pūrṇakumbhāṃśca dadarśa raghunandanaḥ

There Rama saw curd, grains of rice, clarified butter, sweetmeats, oblations, parched grain, white garlands, porridge of cooked rice mixed with sesame seeds, sacrirficial faggots, vessels filled with water, etc. kept ready for religious rites.

तां शुक्लक्षौमसंवीतां व्रतयोगेन कर्शिताम्। तर्पयन्तीं ददर्शाद्भिर्देवतां देववर्णिनीम्।।2.20.19।।

tāṃ śuklakṣaumasaṃvītāṃ vratayogena karśitām| tarpayantīṃ dadarśādbhirdevatāṃ devavarṇinīm

Kausalya, emaciated due to observance of vows and clad in white silk looked like a celestial being. She was engaged in offering libations to the deities.

सा चिरस्यात्मजं दृष्ट्वा मातृनन्दनमागतम्। अभिचक्राम संहृष्टा किशोरं बडबा यथा।।2.20.20।।

sā cirasyātmajaṃ dṛṣṭvā mātṛnandanamāgatam| abhicakrāma saṃhṛṣṭā kiśoraṃ baḍabā yathā

Seeing her son who had come after a long time and who is a source of joy to his mother, Kausalya approached him with great delight like a mare to her young calf.

स मातरमभिक्रान्तामुपसंगृह्य राघवः। परिष्वक्तश्च बाहुभ्यामुपाघ्रातश्च मूर्धनि।।2.20.21।।

sa mātaramabhikrāntāmupasaṃgṛhya rāghavaḥ| pariṣvaktaśca bāhubhyāmupāghrātaśca mūrdhani

The scion of the Raghus saw his mother coming and bowed her. She held him in both her arms and kissed his forehead.

तमुवाच दुराधर्षं राघवं सुतमात्मनः। कौशल्या पुत्रवात्सल्यादिदं प्रियहितं वचः।।2.20.22।।

tamuvāca durādharṣaṃ rāghavaṃ sutamātmanaḥ| kauśalyā putravātsalyādidaṃ priyahitaṃ vacaḥ

Out of love for her son, the invincible scion of the Raghu dynasty, Kausalya spoke with gentle and pleasant words:

वृद्धानां धर्मशीलानां राजर्षीणां महात्मनाम्। प्राप्नुह्यायुश्च कीर्तिं च धर्मं चोपहितं कुले।।2.20.23।।

vṛddhānāṃ dharmaśīlānāṃ rājarṣīṇāṃ mahātmanām| prāpnuhyāyuśca kīrtiṃ ca dharmaṃ copahitaṃ kule

May you attain long life and fame like those of the aged, virtuous and great rajarsis who upheld the righteousness in the race.

सत्यप्रतिज्ञं पितरं राजानं पश्य राघव। अद्यैव हि त्वां धर्मात्मा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।2.20.24।।

satyapratijñaṃ pitaraṃ rājānaṃ paśya rāghava| adyaiva hi tvāṃ dharmātmā yauvarājye'bhiṣekṣyati

O scion of the Raghu race see the king, your righteous and truthful father, who will consecrate you as princeregent today itself.

दत्तमासनमालभ्य भोजनेन निमन्त्रितः। मातरं राघवः किञ्चिद्व्रीडात्प्रसार्याञ्जलिमब्रवीत्।।2.20.25।।

dattamāsanamālabhya bhojanena nimantritaḥ| mātaraṃ rāghavaḥ kiñcidvrīḍātprasāryāñjalimabravīt

Invited (by Kausalya) to partake the food, Rama out of abashment only touched the seat provided to him and having stretched his folded palms spoke to his mother.

स स्वभावविनीतश्च गौरवाच्च तदा नतः। प्रस्थितो दण्डकारण्यमाप्रष्टुमुपचक्रमे।।2.20.26।।

sa svabhāvavinītaśca gauravācca tadā nataḥ| prasthito daṇḍakāraṇyamāpraṣṭumupacakrame

Modest by nature, Rama with respectful humility began seeking her permission for his departure to Dandaka forest:

देवि नूनं न जानीषे महद्भयमुपस्थितम्। इदं तव च दुःखाय वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणस्य च।।2.20.27।।

devi nūnaṃ na jānīṣe mahadbhayamupasthitam| idaṃ tava ca duḥkhāya vaidehyā lakṣmaṇasya ca

O mother surely you do not know that a great misfortune has befallen, causing distress to you, Sita and Lakshmana, too.

गमिष्ये दण्डकारण्यं किमनेनासनेन मे। विष्टरासनयोग्यो हि कालोऽयं मामुपस्थितः।।2.20.28।।

gamiṣye daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ kimanenāsanena me| viṣṭarāsanayogyo hi kālo'yaṃ māmupasthitaḥ

I am setting forth to Dandaka forest. What is this seat for? A time has come for me when I am fit for a seat of kusa grass.

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने। मधुमूलफलैर्जीवन्हित्वा मुनिवदामिषम्।।2.20.29।।

caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi vatsyāmi vijane vane| madhumūlaphalairjīvanhitvā munivadāmiṣam

Abstaining from eating meat like hermits and living on honey, fruits and roots, I am to live in the solitary forest for fourteen years.

भरताय महाराजो यौवराज्यं प्रयच्छति। मां पुनर्दण्डकारण्ये विवासयति तापसम्।।2.20.30।।

bharatāya mahārājo yauvarājyaṃ prayacchati| māṃ punardaṇḍakāraṇye vivāsayati tāpasam

The great king is conferring the status of heirapparent on Bharata while he is banishing me to Dandaka forest to live like an ascetic.

स षट्चाष्टौ च वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने। आसेवमानो वन्यानि फलमूलैश्च वर्तयन्।।2.20.31।।

sa ṣaṭcāṣṭau ca varṣāṇi vatsyāmi vijane vane| āsevamāno vanyāni phalamūlaiśca vartayan

Living on things available in the forest, on fruits and roots, I am to dwell in the uninhabited jungle for fourteen years.

सा निकृत्तेव सालस्य यष्टिः परशुना वने। पपात सहसा देवी देवतेव दिवश्च्युता।।2.20.32।।

sā nikṛtteva sālasya yaṣṭiḥ paraśunā vane| papāta sahasā devī devateva divaścyutā

All on a sidden Kausalya fell down on the ground like the branch of a sal tree in the forest severed by an axe, like a goddess dropped from heaven.

तामदुःखोचितां दृष्ट्वा पतितां कदलीमिव। रामस्तूत्थापयामास मातरं गतचेतसम्।।2.20.33।।

tāmaduḥkhocitāṃ dṛṣṭvā patitāṃ kadalīmiva| rāmastūtthāpayāmāsa mātaraṃ gatacetasam

Seeing his mother who had done nothing to deserve (this) suffering and who had fallen down like a plantain tree, deprived of her senses, Rama raised her up (from the ground).

उपावृत्त्योत्थितां दीनां बडबामिव वाहिताम्। पांसुकुण्ठितसर्वाङ्गीं विममर्श च पाणिना।।2.20.34।।

upāvṛttyotthitāṃ dīnāṃ baḍabāmiva vāhitām| pāṃsukuṇṭhitasarvāṅgīṃ vimamarśa ca pāṇinā

Rama gently wiped away the dust that had covered her body as Kausalya stood miserable, like a mare who stands up after having rolled on the ground while pulling the load.

सा राघवमुपासीनमसुखार्ता सुखोचिता। उवाच पुरुषव्याघ्रमुपशृण्वति लक्ष्मणे।।2.20.35।।

sā rāghavamupāsīnamasukhārtā sukhocitā| uvāca puruṣavyāghramupaśṛṇvati lakṣmaṇe

Kausalya who deserved happiness yet was struck down by (this) distress spoke to Rama, the tiger among men who was sitting nearby, while Lakshmana was listening.

यदि पुत्र न जायेथा मम शोकाय राघव। न स्म दुःखमतो भूयः पश्येयमहमप्रजाः।।2.20.36।।

yadi putra na jāyethā mama śokāya rāghava| na sma duḥkhamato bhūyaḥ paśyeyamahamaprajāḥ

O my son, if you were not born to me, I, even as a woman without progeny, would not have experienced grief, more intense than this.

एक एव हि वन्ध्याया श्शोको भवति मानसः। अप्रजाऽस्मीति सन्तापो न ह्यन्यः पुत्र विद्यते।।2.20.37।।

eka eva hi vandhyāyā śśoko bhavati mānasaḥ| aprajā'smīti santāpo na hyanyaḥ putra vidyate

O my son a barren woman has only one mental agony that she has no progeny. Except that she does not have any other sorrow.

न दृष्टपूर्वं कल्याणं सुखं वा पतिपौरुषे। अपि पुत्रे ऽपि पश्येयमिति रामाऽस्थितं मया।।2.20.38।।

na dṛṣṭapūrvaṃ kalyāṇaṃ sukhaṃ vā patipauruṣe| api putre 'pi paśyeyamiti rāmā'sthitaṃ mayā

I did not have the fortune, O Rama, to enjoy any auspicious moment or pleasure earlier when my husband was in authority. I exist with the hope that I will have it when my son assumes authority.

सा बहून्यमनोज्ञानि वाक्यानि हृदयच्छिदाम्। अहं श्रोष्ये सपत्नीनामवराणां वरा सती।।2.20.39।।

sā bahūnyamanojñāni vākyāni hṛdayacchidām| ahaṃ śroṣye sapatnīnāmavarāṇāṃ varā satī

I, being the eldest (of the queens) will have to listen to many heartbreaking and unpleasant words from my fellowwives who are younger to me.

अतो दुःखतरं किं नु प्रमदानां भविष्यति। मम शोको विलापश्च यादृशोऽयमनन्तकः।।2.20.40।।

ato duḥkhataraṃ kiṃ nu pramadānāṃ bhaviṣyati| mama śoko vilāpaśca yādṛśo'yamanantakaḥ

There cannnot be greater distress for any woman than such unending grief and lamentation (which I am now experiencing).

त्वयि सन्निहितेऽप्येवमहमासं निराकृता। किं पुनः प्रोषिते तात ध्रुवं मरणमेव मे।।2.20.41।।

tvayi sannihite'pyevamahamāsaṃ nirākṛtā| kiṃ punaḥ proṣite tāta dhruvaṃ maraṇameva me

O child even when you are nearby I am neglected like this. What to say when you are banished. Death is certain to me.

अत्यन्तनिगृहीतास्मि भर्तुर्नित्यमतन्त्रिता। परिवारेण कैकेय्या स्समा वाप्यथवाऽवरा।।2.20.42।।

atyantanigṛhītāsmi bharturnityamatantritā| parivāreṇa kaikeyyā ssamā vāpyathavā'varā

Treating me as an equal or inferior to the attendants of Kaikeyi and making me always dependent, my husband has greatly suppressed me.

योऽहि मां सेवते कश्चिदथवाप्यनुवर्तते। कैकेय्याः पुत्रमन्वीक्ष्य स्वश्चि जनो नाभिभाषते।।2.20.43।।

yo'hi māṃ sevate kaścidathavāpyanuvartate| kaikeyyāḥ putramanvīkṣya svaści jano nābhibhāṣate

Any one who serves me or follows me will not talk to me after seeing Bharata (installed as heirapparent).

नित्यक्रोधतया तस्याः कथं नु खरवादितत्। कैकेय्या वदनं द्रष्टुं पुत्र शक्ष्यामि दुर्गता।।2.20.44।।

nityakrodhatayā tasyāḥ kathaṃ nu kharavāditat| kaikeyyā vadanaṃ draṣṭuṃ putra śakṣyāmi durgatā

Fallen into an unfortunate state how can I look at Kaikeyi's face who is always harsh and in temper?

दश सप्त च वर्षाणि जातस्य तव राघव अतितानि प्रकाङ्क्षन्त्या मया दुःखपरिक्षयम्।।2.20.45।।

daśa sapta ca varṣāṇi jātasya tava rāghava atitāni prakāṅkṣantyā mayā duḥkhaparikṣayam

O Rama, I have spent the last seventeen years after your birth with the expectaion that my sorrows would come to an end.

तदक्षयं महद्दुःखं नोत्सहे सहितुं चिरम्। विप्रकारं सपत्नीनामेवं जीर्णाऽपि राघव।।2.20.46।।

tadakṣayaṃ mahadduḥkhaṃ notsahe sahituṃ ciram| viprakāraṃ sapatnīnāmevaṃ jīrṇā'pi rāghava

Therefore, O Rama, I cannot at this old age endure this great, endless sorrow and the insults from cowives for long.

अपश्यन्ती तव मुखं परिपूर्णशशिप्रभम्। कृपणा वर्तयिष्यामि कथं कृपणजीविकाम्।।2.20.47।।

apaśyantī tava mukhaṃ paripūrṇaśaśiprabham| kṛpaṇā vartayiṣyāmi kathaṃ kṛpaṇajīvikām

Without beholding your face that is as bright as the full Moon, how can this wretched woman live this pitiable life?

उपवासैश्च योगैश्च बहुभिश्च परिश्रमैः। दुःखं संवर्धितो मोघं त्वं हि दुर्गतया मया।।2.20.48।।

upavāsaiśca yogaiśca bahubhiśca pariśramaiḥ| duḥkhaṃ saṃvardhito moghaṃ tvaṃ hi durgatayā mayā

Through meditation, through fasts and with a great deal of efforts you have been brought up by this luckless (mother). But alas this is all in vain.

स्थिरं तु हृदयं मन्ये ममेदं यन्न दीर्यते। प्रावृषीव महानद्या स्पृष्टं कूलं नवाम्भसा।।2.20.49।।

sthiraṃ tu hṛdayaṃ manye mamedaṃ yanna dīryate| prāvṛṣīva mahānadyā spṛṣṭaṃ kūlaṃ navāmbhasā

I think my heart must be very firm (hard) like the bark of a great river which, touched by (a flood of) fresh water in the rainy season does not disintegrate.

ममैव नूनं मरणं न विद्यते न चावकाऽशोस्ति यमक्षयेऽमम। यदन्तकोऽद्यैव न मां जिहीर्षति। प्रसह्य सिंहो रुदतीं मृगीमिव।।2.20.50।।

mamaiva nūnaṃ maraṇaṃ na vidyate na cāvakā'śosti yamakṣaye'mama| yadantako'dyaiva na māṃ jihīrṣati| prasahya siṃho rudatīṃ mṛgīmiva

There is no room for me in the abode of Yama (the god of death). If he does not carry me off forcibly like a lion carrying away a crying female deer, certainly there is no death for me.

स्थिरं हि नूनं हृदयं ममायसं न भिद्यते यद्भुवि नावदीर्यते। अनेन दुःखेन च देहमर्पितं ध्रुवं ह्यकाले मरणं न विद्यते।।2.20.51।।

sthiraṃ hi nūnaṃ hṛdayaṃ mamāyasaṃ na bhidyate yadbhuvi nāvadīryate| anena duḥkhena ca dehamarpitaṃ dhruvaṃ hyakāle maraṇaṃ na vidyate

Surely my still (hard) heart is made of iron. It neither bursts nor breaks down on the ground. Pervaded by grief, there is no untimely death for this my body, too.

इदं हि दुःखं यदनर्थकानि मे व्रतानि दानानि च संयमाश्च हि। तपश्च तप्तं यदपत्यकारणा त्सुनिष्फलं बीजमिवोप्तमूषरे।।2.20.52।।

idaṃ hi duḥkhaṃ yadanarthakāni me vratāni dānāni ca saṃyamāśca hi| tapaśca taptaṃ yadapatyakāraṇā tsuniṣphalaṃ bījamivoptamūṣare

My regret is that all my mortifications, gifts of charity and penances are of no avail. Even the asceticism which I practised for the sake of progeny was fruitless like a seed sown in a barren land.

यदि ह्यकाले मरणं स्वयेच्छया लभेत कश्चिद्गुरुदुःखकर्शितः। गताहमद्यैव परेतसंसदं विना त्वया धेनुरिवात्मजेन वै।।2.20.53।।

yadi hyakāle maraṇaṃ svayecchayā labheta kaścidguruduḥkhakarśitaḥ| gatāhamadyaiva paretasaṃsadaṃ vinā tvayā dhenurivātmajena vai

If any one, tormented with great sorrow, could willingly commit suicide I would have gone the way to the assembly of Yama (the lord of death) right away as without you I will be now like a cow without a calf.

अथापि किं जीवितमद्य मे वृथा त्वया विना चन्द्रनिभाननप्रभ। अनुव्रजिष्यामि वनं त्वयैव गौ स्सुदुर्बला वत्समिवानुकाङ्क्षया।।2.20.54।।

athāpi kiṃ jīvitamadya me vṛthā tvayā vinā candranibhānanaprabha| anuvrajiṣyāmi vanaṃ tvayaiva gau ssudurbalā vatsamivānukāṅkṣayā

What is the use of this life now? What is life without you whose countenance glows like the full Moon? Like a cow emaciated by its search for the calf, I will follow you into the forest.

भृशमसुखममर्षिता तदा बहु विललाप समीक्ष्य राघवम्। व्यसनमुपनिशम्य सा मह त्सुतमिव बद्धमवेक्ष्य किन्नरी।।2.20.55।।

bhṛśamasukhamamarṣitā tadā bahu vilalāpa samīkṣya rāghavam| vyasanamupaniśamya sā maha tsutamiva baddhamavekṣya kinnarī

Kausalya, filled with anger due to extreme sorrow reflected over her misfortune, and burst into harrowing tears, looking at Rama, like a kinnari looking at her grownup son taken captive. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twentieth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.