Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21

तथा तु विलपन्तीं तां कौसल्यां राममातरम्। उवाच लक्ष्मणो दीनस्तत्कालसदृशं वचः।।2.21.1।।

tathā tu vilapantīṃ tāṃ kausalyāṃ rāmamātaram| uvāca lakṣmaṇo dīnastatkālasadṛśaṃ vacaḥ

While Rama's mother, Kausalya was lamenting, miserable Lakshmana said to her these words appropriate to the occasion:

न रोचते ममाप्येतदार्ये यद्राघवो वनम्। त्यक्त्वा राज्यश्रियं गच्छेत् स्त्रिया वाक्यवशं गतः।।2.21.2।।

na rocate mamāpyetadārye yadrāghavo vanam| tyaktvā rājyaśriyaṃ gacchet striyā vākyavaśaṃ gataḥ

O venerable one, I do not like that Rama should go to the forest yielding to the words of a woman and renouncing the welfare of the kingdom.

विपरीतश्च वृद्धश्च विषयैश्च प्रधर्षितः। नृपः किमिव न ब्रूयाच्चोद्यमानस्समन्मथः।।2.21.3।।

viparītaśca vṛddhaśca viṣayaiśca pradharṣitaḥ| nṛpaḥ kimiva na brūyāccodyamānassamanmathaḥ

The king has a perverse nature. He is aged. He is overpowered by passions. He is under the spell of carnal pleasures and is incited (by Kaikeyi). Such a man can speak anything.

नास्यापराधं पश्यामि नापि दोषं तथाविधम्। येन निर्वास्यते राष्ट्राद्वनवासाय राघवः।।2.21.4।।

nāsyāparādhaṃ paśyāmi nāpi doṣaṃ tathāvidham| yena nirvāsyate rāṣṭrādvanavāsāya rāghavaḥ

I do not see any fault in Rama nor any offence committed by him for which he is exiled from the kingdom.

न तं पश्याम्यहं लोके परोक्षमपि यो नरः। स्वमित्रोऽपि निरस्तोऽपि योऽस्य दोषमुदाहरेत्।।2.21.5।।

na taṃ paśyāmyahaṃ loke parokṣamapi yo naraḥ| svamitro'pi nirasto'pi yo'sya doṣamudāharet

I do not find anybody in this world, even an adversary or one defeated, who finds fault with him even in his absence.

देवकल्पमृजुं दान्तं रिपूणामपि वत्सलम्। अवेक्षमाणः को धर्मं त्यजेत्पुत्रमकारणात्।।2.21.6।।

devakalpamṛjuṃ dāntaṃ ripūṇāmapi vatsalam| avekṣamāṇaḥ ko dharmaṃ tyajetputramakāraṇāt

With no cause nor concern for righteousness, will any one abandon his son who is nearly equal to god, upright, selfrestrained and loved even by his enemies ?

तदिदं वचनं राज्ञःपुनर्बाल्यमुपेयुषः। पुत्रः को हृदये कुर्याद्राजवृत्तमनुस्मरन्।।2.21.7।।

tadidaṃ vacanaṃ rājñaḥpunarbālyamupeyuṣaḥ| putraḥ ko hṛdaye kuryādrājavṛttamanusmaran

Will any son with the ideals of a king in mind accept such words of this king who has entered his chilhood again ?

यावदेव न जानाति कश्चिदर्थमिमं नरः। तावदेव मया सार्धमात्मस्थं कुरु शासनम्।।2.21.8।।

yāvadeva na jānāti kaścidarthamimaṃ naraḥ| tāvadeva mayā sārdhamātmasthaṃ kuru śāsanam

Before this news is known to any one bring the kingdom under your control with my assistance.

मया पार्श्वे सधनुषा तव गुप्तस्य राघव। क स्समर्थोऽधिकं कर्तुं कृतान्तस्येव तिष्ठतः।।2.21.9।।

mayā pārśve sadhanuṣā tava guptasya rāghava| ka ssamartho'dhikaṃ kartuṃ kṛtāntasyeva tiṣṭhataḥ

O Rama who can commit excesses on you, when you stand like Yama, god of death, protected by me with my bow?

निर्मनुष्यामिमां कृत्स्नामयोध्यां मनुजर्षभ। करिष्यामि शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्यदि स्थास्यति विप्रिये।।2.21.10।।

nirmanuṣyāmimāṃ kṛtsnāmayodhyāṃ manujarṣabha| kariṣyāmi śaraistīkṣṇairyadi sthāsyati vipriye

O best of men, if the whole of Ayodhya stands against you I shall depopulate it with my sharp arrows.

भरतस्याथ पक्ष्यो वा यो वाऽस्य हितमिच्छति। सर्वानेतान्वधिष्यामि मृदुर्हि परिभूयते।।2.21.11।।

bharatasyātha pakṣyo vā yo vā'sya hitamicchati| sarvānetānvadhiṣyāmi mṛdurhi paribhūyate

I shall slay all of them who support Bharata and those who seek his prosperity. A gentleman is treated with disgrace indeed.

प्रोत्साहितोऽयं कैकेय्या स दुष्टो यदि नः पिता। अमित्रभूतो निस्सङ्गं वध्यतां बध्यतामपि।।2.21.12।।

protsāhito'yaṃ kaikeyyā sa duṣṭo yadi naḥ pitā| amitrabhūto nissaṅgaṃ vadhyatāṃ badhyatāmapi

Even if our father instigated by Kaikeyi becomes our enemy, he shall be imprisoned or even slain regardless of our relationship with him.

गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः। उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य कार्यं भवति शासनम्।।2.21.13।।

gurorapyavaliptasya kāryākāryamajānataḥ| utpathaṃ pratipannasya kāryaṃ bhavati śāsanam

Even a preceptor who follows the unrighteous path and is filled with haughtiness and does not know how to discriminate between good and bad, deserves to be disciplined (punished).

बलमेष किमाश्रित्य हेतुं वापुरुषर्षभ। दातुमिच्छति कैकेय्यै राज्यं स्थितमिदं तव।।2.21.14।।

balameṣa kimāśritya hetuṃ vāpuruṣarṣabha| dātumicchati kaikeyyai rājyaṃ sthitamidaṃ tava

O best of men, under what authority or reason this king wants to confer on Kaikeyi the kingdom that rightfully belongs to you?

त्वया चैव मया चैव कृत्वा वैरमनुत्तमम्। काऽस्य शक्तिश्श्रियं दातुं भरतायारिशासन।।2.21.15।।

tvayā caiva mayā caiva kṛtvā vairamanuttamam| kā'sya śaktiśśriyaṃ dātuṃ bharatāyāriśāsana

What authority, O Rama, chastiser of foes, this king has to bestow the kingdom upon Bharata by entering into undesirable hostility towards you and me?

अनुरक्तोऽस्मि भावेन भ्रातरं देवि तत्त्वतः। सत्येन धनुषा चैव दत्तेनेष्टेन ते शपे।।2.21.16।।

anurakto'smi bhāvena bhrātaraṃ devi tattvataḥ| satyena dhanuṣā caiva datteneṣṭena te śape

O mother, (Lakshmana now tells Kausalya) I am truly loyal to my brother from the bottom of my heart. I swear this by my bow, on my merits earned through charity, by my truthfulness and by the good deeds I have done.

दीप्तमग्निमरण्यं वा यदि रामः प्रवेक्ष्यति। प्रविष्टं तत्र मां देवि त्वं पूर्वमवधारय।।2.21.17।।

dīptamagnimaraṇyaṃ vā yadi rāmaḥ pravekṣyati| praviṣṭaṃ tatra māṃ devi tvaṃ pūrvamavadhāraya

O mother rest assured should Rama enter a blazing fire or a forest I must have already entered it.

हरामि वीर्याद्दुःखं ते तम स्सूर्य इवोदितः। देवी पश्यतु मे वीर्यं राघवश्चैव पश्यतु।।2.21.18।।

harāmi vīryādduḥkhaṃ te tama ssūrya ivoditaḥ| devī paśyatu me vīryaṃ rāghavaścaiva paśyatu

Like the rising Sun dispelling darkness, I shall eliminate your sorrow. O mother Let Rama see my valour. You, too.

एतत्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणस्य महात्मनः। उवाच रामं कौशल्या रुदन्ती शोकलालसा।।2.21.19।।

etattu vacanaṃ śrutvā lakṣmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ| uvāca rāmaṃ kauśalyā rudantī śokalālasā

Having heard the words of the magnanimous Lakshmana, Kausalya, depressed and weeping, said to Rama:

भ्रातुस्ते वदतः पुत्र लक्ष्मणस्य श्रुतं त्वया। यदत्रानन्तरं कार्यं कुरुष्व यदि रोचते।।2.21.20।।

bhrātuste vadataḥ putra lakṣmaṇasya śrutaṃ tvayā| yadatrānantaraṃ kāryaṃ kuruṣva yadi rocate

O my son you have heard what your brother Lakshmana said and if it pleases you, do later what is to be done.

न चाधर्म्यं वच श्रुत्वा सपत्न्या मम भाषितम्। विहाय शोकसन्तप्तां गन्तुमर्हसि मामितः।।2.21.21।।

na cādharmyaṃ vaca śrutvā sapatnyā mama bhāṣitam| vihāya śokasantaptāṃ gantumarhasi māmitaḥ

By heeding the unrighteous words of my cowife (Kaikeyi) it does not behove you to leave me griefstricken and go away from here.

धर्मज्ञ यदि धर्मिष्ठो धर्मं चरितुमिच्छसि। शुश्रूष मामिहस्थस्त्वं चर धर्ममनुत्तमम्।।2.21.22।।

dharmajña yadi dharmiṣṭho dharmaṃ caritumicchasi| śuśrūṣa māmihasthastvaṃ cara dharmamanuttamam

You are righteous. You know your duty. If you wish to follow the path of righteousness, stay here, serve me and follow the best of dharma.

शुश्रूषुर्जननीं पुत्र स्वगृहे नियतो वसन्। परेण तपसा युक्तः काश्यपस्त्रिदिवं गतः।।2.21.23।।

śuśrūṣurjananīṃ putra svagṛhe niyato vasan| pareṇa tapasā yuktaḥ kāśyapastridivaṃ gataḥ

O son Kasyapa who led a life of selfdiscipline and served his mother at home, attained heaven credited with (the merit of) the highest penance.

यथैव राजा पूज्यस्ते गौरवेण तथाऽस्म्यहम्। त्वां नाहमनुजानामि न गन्तव्यमितो वनम्।।2.21.24।।

yathaiva rājā pūjyaste gauraveṇa tathā'smyaham| tvāṃ nāhamanujānāmi na gantavyamito vanam

Just as the king is worthy of your respectful homage, so am I. I will not permit you to go from here to the forest.

त्वद्वियोगान्न मे कार्यं जीवितेन सुखेन वा। त्वया सह मम श्रेयस्तृणानामपि भक्षणम्।।2.21.25।।

tvadviyogānna me kāryaṃ jīvitena sukhena vā| tvayā saha mama śreyastṛṇānāmapi bhakṣaṇam

Separated from you, I have no use of this life or happiness. I prefer to live with you even if it means eating grass.

यदि त्वं यास्यसि वनं त्यक्त्वा मां शोकलालसाम्। अहं प्रायमिहासिष्ये न हि शक्ष्यामि जीवितुम्।।2.21.26।।

yadi tvaṃ yāsyasi vanaṃ tyaktvā māṃ śokalālasām| ahaṃ prāyamihāsiṣye na hi śakṣyāmi jīvitum

If you depart for the forest leaving me griefstricken I cannot live. Here I shall seek death by fasting.

ततस्त्वं प्राप्स्यसे पुत्र निरयं लोकविश्रुतम्। ब्रह्महत्यामिवाधर्मात्समुद्र स्सरितां पतिः।।2.21.27।।

tatastvaṃ prāpsyase putra nirayaṃ lokaviśrutam| brahmahatyāmivādharmātsamudra ssaritāṃ patiḥ

O son you will then fall into hell. As wellknown in the world, the ocean, the lord of rivers, incurred the guilt of slaying a brahmin through unrighteous conduct.

विलपन्तीं तथा दीनां कौसल्यां जननीं ततः। उवाच रामो धर्मात्मा वचनं धर्मसंहितम्।।2.21.28।।

vilapantīṃ tathā dīnāṃ kausalyāṃ jananīṃ tataḥ| uvāca rāmo dharmātmā vacanaṃ dharmasaṃhitam

Thereafter, virtuous Rama addressed these words consistent with righteousness to his miserable mother Kausalya who was thus lamenting:

नास्ति शक्तिः पितुर्वाक्यं समतिक्रमितुं मम। प्रसादये त्वां शिरसा गन्तुमिच्छाम्यहं वनम्।।2.21.29।।

nāsti śaktiḥ piturvākyaṃ samatikramituṃ mama| prasādaye tvāṃ śirasā gantumicchāmyahaṃ vanam

I do not have the power to transgress the orders of my father. Bowing my head I beseech you, allow me to go to the forest.

ऋषिणा च पितुर्वाक्यं कुर्वता व्रतचारिणा। गौर्हता जानता धर्मं कण्डुनाऽपि विपश्चिता।।2.21.30।।

ṛṣiṇā ca piturvākyaṃ kurvatā vratacāriṇā| gaurhatā jānatā dharmaṃ kaṇḍunā'pi vipaścitā

Learned sage Kandu who knew what is righteousness and a strict observant of vows, slew a cow for carrying out the command of his father.

अस्माकं च कुले पूर्वं सगरस्याज्ञया पितुः। खनद्भिस्सागरैर्भूमिमवाप्तस्सुमहान्वधः।।2.21.31।।

asmākaṃ ca kule pūrvaṃ sagarasyājñayā pituḥ| khanadbhissāgarairbhūmimavāptassumahānvadhaḥ

Earlier the sons of Sagara, born in our family, while excavating the earth by the order of their father met a terrible death.

जामद्ग्न्येन रामेण रेणुका जननी स्वयम्। कृत्ता परशुनाऽरण्ये पितुर्वचनकारिणा।।2.21.32।।

jāmadgnyena rāmeṇa reṇukā jananī svayam| kṛttā paraśunā'raṇye piturvacanakāriṇā

Parasurama, son of Jamadagni himself in obedience to the words of his father, decapitated his mother Renuka in the forest with an axe.

एतैरन्यैश्च बहुभिर्देवि देवसमैः कृतम्। पितुर्वचनमक्लीबं करिष्यामि पितुर्हितम्।।2.21.33।।

etairanyaiśca bahubhirdevi devasamaiḥ kṛtam| piturvacanamaklībaṃ kariṣyāmi piturhitam

All of them including many other godlike persons, O Mother fulfilled the words of their father. I shall also make my father's wish come true.

न खल्वेतन्मयैकेन क्रियते पितृशासनम्। एतैरपि कृतं देवि ये मया तव कीर्तिताः।।2.21.34।।

na khalvetanmayaikena kriyate pitṛśāsanam| etairapi kṛtaṃ devi ye mayā tava kīrtitāḥ

I am not O Devi the only one obeying my father's command. All I have mentioned to you did.

नाहं धर्ममपूर्वं ते प्रतिकूलं प्रवर्तये। पूर्वैरयमभिप्रेतो गतो मार्गोऽनुगम्यते।।2.21.35।।

nāhaṃ dharmamapūrvaṃ te pratikūlaṃ pravartaye| pūrvairayamabhipreto gato mārgo'nugamyate

I am not advancing anything new, contrary to the existing practice. I am only following the trodden path of our ancestors.

तदेतत्तु मया कार्यं क्रियते भुवि नान्यथा। पितुर्हि वचनं कुर्वन्न कश्चिन्नाम हीयते।।2.21.36।।

tadetattu mayā kāryaṃ kriyate bhuvi nānyathā| piturhi vacanaṃ kurvanna kaścinnāma hīyate

I will not do as duty anything contrary to what is done by others in this world. No one who obeys the commands of his father falls off the path of righteousness.

तामेवमुक्त्वा जननीं लक्ष्मणं पुनरब्रवीत्। वाक्यं वाक्यविदां श्रेष्ठश्श्रेष्ठस्सर्वधनुष्मताम्।।2.21.37।।

tāmevamuktvā jananīṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ punarabravīt| vākyaṃ vākyavidāṃ śreṣṭhaśśreṣṭhassarvadhanuṣmatām

One who is the best among the knowers of speech and best of all archers, Rama spoke to his mother in this manner and then said to Lakshmana:

तव लक्ष्मण जानामि मयि स्नेहमनुत्तमम्। विक्रमं चैव सत्त्वं च तेजश्च सुदुरासदम्।।2.21.38।।

tava lakṣmaṇa jānāmi mayi snehamanuttamam| vikramaṃ caiva sattvaṃ ca tejaśca sudurāsadam

I know, O Lakshmana, your profound affection for me. I also know your valour, strength and unassailable energy.

मम मातुर्महद्दुःखमतुलं शुभलक्षण। अभिप्रायमविज्ञाय सत्यस्य च शमस्य च।।2.21.39।।

mama māturmahadduḥkhamatulaṃ śubhalakṣaṇa| abhiprāyamavijñāya satyasya ca śamasya ca

O Lakshamana of auspicious qualities, since my mother is not aware of the significance of truth and selfrestraint, she is overcome with grief, great and incomparable.

धर्मो हि परमो लोके धर्मे सत्यं प्रतिष्ठितम्। धर्मसंश्रितमेतच्च पितुर्वचनमुत्तमम्।।2.21.40।।

dharmo hi paramo loke dharme satyaṃ pratiṣṭhitam| dharmasaṃśritametacca piturvacanamuttamam

Righteousness alone is supreme in this world and truth is established in righteousness. This excellent command of our father is supported by righteousness.

संश्रुत्य च पितुर्वाक्यं मातुर्वा ब्राह्मणस्य वा। न कर्तव्यं वृथा वीर धर्ममाश्रित्य तिष्ठता।।2.21.41।।

saṃśrutya ca piturvākyaṃ māturvā brāhmaṇasya vā| na kartavyaṃ vṛthā vīra dharmamāśritya tiṣṭhatā

Any one, O hero, who has taken recourse to righteousness should not allow the promise made to his father, mother or a brahmin to go in vain.

सोऽहं न शक्ष्यामि पितुर्नियोगमतिवर्तितुम्। पितुर्हिवचनाद्वीर कैकेय्याऽहं प्रचोदितः।।2.21.42।।

so'haṃ na śakṣyāmi piturniyogamativartitum| piturhivacanādvīra kaikeyyā'haṃ pracoditaḥ

O hero I cannot transgress the command of my father since at his instance only Kaikeyi urged me (to go to the forest).

तदेतां विसृजानार्यां क्षत्रधर्माश्रितां मतिम्। धर्ममाश्रय मा तैक्ष्ण्यं मद्बुद्धिरनुगम्यताम्।।2.21.43।।

tadetāṃ visṛjānāryāṃ kṣatradharmāśritāṃ matim| dharmamāśraya mā taikṣṇyaṃ madbuddhiranugamyatām

Therefore, leave this ignoble thought, resort to the duty of a kshatriya, take the righteous path. Do not adopt violence. Follow my decision.

तमेवमुत्त्वा सौहार्दाद्भ्रातरं लक्ष्मणाग्रजः। उवाच भूयः कौसल्यां प्राञ्जलिश्शिरसानतः।।2.21.44।।

tamevamuttvā sauhārdādbhrātaraṃ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ| uvāca bhūyaḥ kausalyāṃ prāñjaliśśirasānataḥ

Speaking affectionately to his brother Lakshmana, Rama with folded hands and head bowed again addressed Kausalya:

अनुमन्यस्व मां देवि गमिष्यन्तमितो वनम्। शापिताऽसि मम प्राणैः कुरु स्वस्त्ययनानि मे।।2.21.45।।

anumanyasva māṃ devi gamiṣyantamito vanam| śāpitā'si mama prāṇaiḥ kuru svastyayanāni me

I have decided, O mother to go to the forest from here. Grant me the permission to do so. I swear on my life. Perform all the ceremonies for securing prosperity for me.

तीर्णप्रतिज्ञश्च वनात्पुनरेष्याम्यहं पुरीम्। ययातिरिव राजर्षिःपुरा हित्वा पुनर्दिवम्।।2.21.46।।

tīrṇapratijñaśca vanātpunareṣyāmyahaṃ purīm| yayātiriva rājarṣiḥpurā hitvā punardivam

Like rajarshi Yayati of yore who lost heaven and rejained it, I shall return from the forest to the city (of Ayodhya) after the vow is fulfilled.

शोकस्सन्धार्यतां मात र्हृदये साधु मा शुचः। वनवासादिहैष्यामि पुनः कृत्वा पितुर्वचः।।2.21.47।।

śokassandhāryatāṃ māta rhṛdaye sādhu mā śucaḥ| vanavāsādihaiṣyāmi punaḥ kṛtvā piturvacaḥ

Do not grieve, O mother Be prudent enough to subdue your sorrow in your heart. Having fulfilled father's words, I shall come back from my sojourn in the forest.

त्वया मया च वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणेन सुमित्रया। पितुर्नियोगे स्थातव्यमेष धर्मस्सनातनः।।2.21.48।।

tvayā mayā ca vaidehyā lakṣmaṇena sumitrayā| piturniyoge sthātavyameṣa dharmassanātanaḥ

You, Sita, Lakshmana, Sumitra and I -- all of us shall abide by the words of my father. This indeed is eternal law.

अम्ब संहृत्य सम्भारान् दुःखं हृदि निगृह्य च। वनवासकृता बुद्धिर्मम धर्म्याऽनु वर्त्यताम्।।2.21.49।।

amba saṃhṛtya sambhārān duḥkhaṃ hṛdi nigṛhya ca| vanavāsakṛtā buddhirmama dharmyā'nu vartyatām

O mother in withdrawing the articles (for consecration) and also in subduing the sorrow in your heart approve of my plan to dwell in the forest.

एतद्वचस्तस्य निशम्य माता सुधर्म्यमव्यग्रमविक्लबं च। मृतेव संज्ञां प्रतिलभ्य देवी समीक्ष्य रामं पुनरित्युवाच।।2.21.50।।

etadvacastasya niśamya mātā sudharmyamavyagramaviklabaṃ ca| mṛteva saṃjñāṃ pratilabhya devī samīkṣya rāmaṃ punarityuvāca

Having heard these words so unruffled and tranquil which conformed to righteousness, mother (Kausalya), like a dead person regaining consciousness spoke to Rama again:

यथैव ते पुत्र पिता तथाऽहं गुरु स्स्वधर्मेण सुहृत्तया च। न त्वाऽनुजानामि न मां विहाय सुदुःखितामर्हसि गन्तुमेवम्।।2.21.51।।

yathaiva te putra pitā tathā'haṃ guru ssvadharmeṇa suhṛttayā ca| na tvā'nujānāmi na māṃ vihāya suduḥkhitāmarhasi gantumevam

By virtue of my own duty and affection towards you, O my son I am as much your preceptor as your father is. I will not grant you permission. You should not go, leaving me deeply distressed.

किं जीवितेनेह विना त्वया मे लोकेन वा किं स्वधयाऽमृतेन। श्रेयो मुहूर्तं तव सन्निधानं ममेह कृत्स्नादपि जीवलोकात्।।2.21.52।।

kiṃ jīviteneha vinā tvayā me lokena vā kiṃ svadhayā'mṛtena| śreyo muhūrtaṃ tava sannidhānaṃ mameha kṛtsnādapi jīvalokāt

What is the purpose of my life in this world without you? What purpose do I have with the other world or with the oblations (offered to manes) or with nectar (availble to the gods). I would prefer one moment in your company to the whole world of living beings (without you).

नरैरिवोल्काभिरपोह्यमानो महागजोऽध्वानमनुप्रविष्टः। भूयः प्रजज्वाल विलापमेवं निशम्य रामः करुणं जनन्याः।।2.21.53।।

narairivolkābhirapohyamāno mahāgajo'dhvānamanupraviṣṭaḥ| bhūyaḥ prajajvāla vilāpamevaṃ niśamya rāmaḥ karuṇaṃ jananyāḥ

At the (inconsolable) lamentations of his mother, Rama was in flames (within) like a mighty elephant prevented from entering the highway by men with fireworks.

स मातरं चैव विसंज्ञकल्पा मार्तं च सौमित्रिमभिप्रतप्तम्। धर्मे स्थितो धर्म्यमुवाच वाक्यं यथा स एवार्हति तत्र वक्तुम्।।2.21.54।।

sa mātaraṃ caiva visaṃjñakalpā mārtaṃ ca saumitrimabhiprataptam| dharme sthito dharmyamuvāca vākyaṃ yathā sa evārhati tatra vaktum

Rama, centred on righteousness, again addressed his mother who had almost fainted and Lakshmana who was deeply distressed. As his words were consistent with righteousness, he alone was competent to speak that way.

अहं हि ते लक्ष्मण नित्यमेव जानामि भक्तिं च पराक्रमं च। मम त्वभिप्रायमसन्निरीक्ष्य मात्रा सहाभ्यर्दसि मां सुदुःखम्।।2.21.55।।

ahaṃ hi te lakṣmaṇa nityameva jānāmi bhaktiṃ ca parākramaṃ ca| mama tvabhiprāyamasannirīkṣya mātrā sahābhyardasi māṃ suduḥkham

I know your devotion (to me) and your valour, O Lakshmana But now, without understanding my intention you are causing me and mother severe pain and torment.

धर्मार्थकामाः खलु तात लोके समीक्षिता धर्मफलोदयेषु। ते तत्र सर्वे स्युरसंशयं मे भार्येव वश्याऽभिमता सुपुत्रा।।2.21.56।।

dharmārthakāmāḥ khalu tāta loke samīkṣitā dharmaphalodayeṣu| te tatra sarve syurasaṃśayaṃ me bhāryeva vaśyā'bhimatā suputrā

Dharma,artha and kama, O my dear are adjudged in this world according to the fruits of righteous action. All these three are doubtless there (in my decision to go to the forest), like obedience in a wife and love for the mother in good sons.

यस्मिंस्तु सर्वे स्युरसन्निविष्टा धर्मो यत स्स्यात्तदुपक्रमेत। द्वेष्यो भवत्यर्थपरो हि लोके कामात्मता खल्वपि न प्रशस्ता।।2.21.57।।

yasmiṃstu sarve syurasanniviṣṭā dharmo yata ssyāttadupakrameta| dveṣyo bhavatyarthaparo hi loke kāmātmatā khalvapi na praśastā

If actions which combine these three (dharma, artha and kama), cannot be performed (which is likely), resort to righteousness. (For) one who seeks wealth is abhorred and one who seeks fulfilment of desires does not attract admiration in this world.

गुरुश्च राजा च पिता च वृद्धः क्रोधात्प्रहर्षाद्यदि वाऽपि कामात्। यद्व्यादिशेत्कार्यमवेक्ष्य धर्मं कस्तन्न कुर्यादनृशंसवृत्तिः।2.21.58।।

guruśca rājā ca pitā ca vṛddhaḥ krodhātpraharṣādyadi vā'pi kāmāt| yadvyādiśetkāryamavekṣya dharmaṃ kastanna kuryādanṛśaṃsavṛttiḥ|2.21.58||

Whatever a preceptor, an old man, a king and a father commands whether it is out of anger or pleasure or passion must be carried out as dharma. Who will not do it unless he is heartless?

स वै न शक्नोमि पितुः प्रतिज्ञा मिमामकर्तुं सकलां यथावत्। स ह्यावयोस्तात गुरुर्नियोगे देव्याश्च भर्ता स गति स्सधर्मः।।2.21.59।।

sa vai na śaknomi pituḥ pratijñā mimāmakartuṃ sakalāṃ yathāvat| sa hyāvayostāta gururniyoge devyāśca bhartā sa gati ssadharmaḥ

It is impossible for me not to execute the promise completely, O my dear, he (Dasaratha) is our preceptor and, therefore, fit to command us. Even for mother Kausalya, he is her husband, her refuge and her dharma.

तस्मिन्पुनर्जीवति धर्मराजे विशेषतस्स्वे पथि वर्तमाने। देवी मया सार्धमितोऽपगच्छेत् कथं स्विदन्या विधवेव नारी।।2.21.60।।

tasminpunarjīvati dharmarāje viśeṣatassve pathi vartamāne| devī mayā sārdhamito'pagacchet kathaṃ svidanyā vidhaveva nārī

While the righteous king is living, more importantly treading the righteous path, how can mother Kausalya, like an ordinary widow, accompany me leaving this city?

सा माऽनुमन्यस्व वनं व्रजन्तं कुरुष्व न स्स्वस्त्ययनानि देवि। यथा समाप्ते पुनराव्रजेयं यथा हि सत्येन पुनर्ययातिः।।2.21.61।।

sā mā'numanyasva vanaṃ vrajantaṃ kuruṣva na ssvastyayanāni devi| yathā samāpte punarāvrajeyaṃ yathā hi satyena punaryayātiḥ

Grant me permission O mother, to depart for the forest. Bless me and perform ceremonies for my wellbeing so that I shall return (to the city) after completion (of my exile) like Yayati (who came back to heaven) with the strength of truth.

यशो ह्यहं केवलराज्यकारणा न्न पृष्ठतः कर्तुमलं महोदयम्। अदीर्घकाले न तु देवि जीविते वृणेऽवरामद्य महीमधर्मतः।।2.21.62।।

yaśo hyahaṃ kevalarājyakāraṇā nna pṛṣṭhataḥ kartumalaṃ mahodayam| adīrghakāle na tu devi jīvite vṛṇe'varāmadya mahīmadharmataḥ

I will not forsake this great glory (of fulfilling my father's promise) for the sake of the kingdom. In this transient existence O mother, I do not wish to acquire this insignificant earth unrighteously.

प्रसादयन्नरवृषभ स्समातरं पराक्रमाज्जिगमिषुरेव दण्डकान्। अथानुजं भृशमनुशास्य दर्शनं चकार तां हृदि जननीं प्रदक्षिणम्।।2.21.63।।

prasādayannaravṛṣabha ssamātaraṃ parākramājjigamiṣureva daṇḍakān| athānujaṃ bhṛśamanuśāsya darśanaṃ cakāra tāṃ hṛdi jananīṃ pradakṣiṇam

Rama, the best among men, thus pacified his mother insisting on his desire to depart for Dandaka forest with courage. And elaborately instructed his brother about his good intentions after which he circumambulated his mother with all his heart. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twentyfirst sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.