Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 24

तं समीक्ष्य त्ववहितं पितुर्निर्देश पालने। कौशल्या बाष्पसंरुद्धा वचो धर्मिष्ठमब्रवीत्।।2.24.1।।

taṃ samīkṣya tvavahitaṃ piturnirdeśa pālane| kauśalyā bāṣpasaṃruddhā vaco dharmiṣṭhamabravīt

Having perceived that Rama was determined to carry out his father's command, Kausalya with her throat choked with tears said these words of piety:

अदृष्टदुःखो धर्मात्मा सर्वभूतप्रियंवदः। मयि जातो दशरथात्कथमुञ्छेन वर्तयेत्।।2.24.2।।

adṛṣṭaduḥkho dharmātmā sarvabhūtapriyaṃvadaḥ| mayi jāto daśarathātkathamuñchena vartayet

How will this righteous Rama, born to me through Dasaratha, who speaks pleasantly to all, and who has not experienced any sorrow before live on the grains gleaned?

यस्य भृत्याश्च दासाश्च मृष्टान्यन्नानि भुञ्जते। कथं स भोक्ष्यतेऽनाथो वने मूलफलान्ययम्।।2.24.3।।

yasya bhṛtyāśca dāsāśca mṛṣṭānyannāni bhuñjate| kathaṃ sa bhokṣyate'nātho vane mūlaphalānyayam

How will Rama live on roots and fruits in the forest hereafter when his servants and attendants enjoy delicious food (here)?

कः एतच्छ्रद्दधेच्छ्रुत्वा कस्य वा न भवेद्भयम्। गुणवान्दयितो राज्ञा राघवो यद्विवास्यते।।2.24.4।।

kaḥ etacchraddadhecchrutvā kasya vā na bhavedbhayam| guṇavāndayito rājñā rāghavo yadvivāsyate

Who will believe that the virtuous and affectionate scion of the Raghus is exiled this way by the king? Who will not tremble in fear to hear this?

नूनं तु बलवान् लोके कृतान्तस्सर्वमादिशन्। लोके रामाभिरामस्त्वं वनं यत्र गमिष्यसि।।2.24.5।।

nūnaṃ tu balavān loke kṛtāntassarvamādiśan| loke rāmābhirāmastvaṃ vanaṃ yatra gamiṣyasi

O Rama if you, being the delight of the world, are (ordered) to go to the forest, it has to be said certainly that destiny which rules everything is allpowerful.

अयं तु मामात्मभव स्तवादर्शनमारुतः। विलापदुःखसमिधो रुदिताश्रुहुताहुतिः।।2.24.6।। चिन्ताबाष्पमहाधूमस्तवागमनचित्तजः। कर्शयित्वा भृशं पुत्र निश्वासायाससम्भवः।।2.24.7।। त्वया विहीनामिह मां शोकाग्निरतुलो महान्। प्रधक्ष्यति यथा कक्षं चित्रभानुर्हिमात्यये।।2.24.8।।

ayaṃ tu māmātmabhava stavādarśanamārutaḥ| vilāpaduḥkhasamidho ruditāśruhutāhutiḥ cintābāṣpamahādhūmastavāgamanacittajaḥ| karśayitvā bhṛśaṃ putra niśvāsāyāsasambhavaḥ tvayā vihīnāmiha māṃ śokāgniratulo mahān| pradhakṣyati yathā kakṣaṃ citrabhānurhimātyaye

After your departure, O son, an incomparably huge fire of grief with sighs of exhaustion will burst from my body, fanned by the wind of your absence and fuelled by lamentation and affliction. My wailing tears will be the oblations. My anxiety will be the great smoke rising vapour. This fire of grief will leave me very much emaciated and burn me like fire burns a forest of dead trees or a bunch of dry grass in summer.

अयं तु मामात्मभव स्तवादर्शनमारुतः। विलापदुःखसमिधो रुदिताश्रुहुताहुतिः।।2.24.6।। चिन्ताबाष्पमहाधूमस्तवागमनचित्तजः। कर्शयित्वा भृशं पुत्र निश्वासायाससम्भवः।।2.24.7।। त्वया विहीनामिह मां शोकाग्निरतुलो महान्। प्रधक्ष्यति यथा कक्षं चित्रभानुर्हिमात्यये।।2.24.8।।

ayaṃ tu māmātmabhava stavādarśanamārutaḥ| vilāpaduḥkhasamidho ruditāśruhutāhutiḥ cintābāṣpamahādhūmastavāgamanacittajaḥ| karśayitvā bhṛśaṃ putra niśvāsāyāsasambhavaḥ tvayā vihīnāmiha māṃ śokāgniratulo mahān| pradhakṣyati yathā kakṣaṃ citrabhānurhimātyaye

After your departure, O son, an incomparably huge fire of grief with sighs of exhaustion will burst from my body, fanned by the wind of your absence and fuelled by lamentation and affliction. My wailing tears will be the oblations. My anxiety will be the great smoke rising vapour. This fire of grief will leave me very much emaciated and burn me like fire burns a forest of dead trees or a bunch of dry grass in summer.

अयं तु मामात्मभव स्तवादर्शनमारुतः। विलापदुःखसमिधो रुदिताश्रुहुताहुतिः।।2.24.6।। चिन्ताबाष्पमहाधूमस्तवागमनचित्तजः। कर्शयित्वा भृशं पुत्र निश्वासायाससम्भवः।।2.24.7।। त्वया विहीनामिह मां शोकाग्निरतुलो महान्। प्रधक्ष्यति यथा कक्षं चित्रभानुर्हिमात्यये।।2.24.8।।

ayaṃ tu māmātmabhava stavādarśanamārutaḥ| vilāpaduḥkhasamidho ruditāśruhutāhutiḥ cintābāṣpamahādhūmastavāgamanacittajaḥ| karśayitvā bhṛśaṃ putra niśvāsāyāsasambhavaḥ tvayā vihīnāmiha māṃ śokāgniratulo mahān| pradhakṣyati yathā kakṣaṃ citrabhānurhimātyaye

After your departure, O son, an incomparably huge fire of grief with sighs of exhaustion will burst from my body, fanned by the wind of your absence and fuelled by lamentation and affliction. My wailing tears will be the oblations. My anxiety will be the great smoke rising vapour. This fire of grief will leave me very much emaciated and burn me like fire burns a forest of dead trees or a bunch of dry grass in summer.

कथं हि धेनु स्स्वं वत्सं गच्छन्तं नानुगच्छति। अहं त्वाऽनुगमिष्यामि यत्र पुत्र गमिष्यसि।।2.24.9.।।

kathaṃ hi dhenu ssvaṃ vatsaṃ gacchantaṃ nānugacchati| ahaṃ tvā'nugamiṣyāmi yatra putra gamiṣyasi||2.24.9.||

I shall follow you wherever you go, my son, like a cow following its calf. How is it possible for a cow not to follow its wandering calf?

तथा निगदितं मात्रा तद्वाक्यं पुरुषर्षभः। श्रुत्वा रामोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं मातरं भृशदुःखिताम्।।2.24.10।।

tathā nigaditaṃ mātrā tadvākyaṃ puruṣarṣabhaḥ| śrutvā rāmo'bravīdvākyaṃ mātaraṃ bhṛśaduḥkhitām

At these words of his mother who was deeply afflicted Rama, best among men replied:

कैकेय्या वञ्चितो राजा मयि चारण्यमाश्रिते। भवत्या च परित्यक्तो न नूनं वर्तयिष्यति।।2.24.11।।

kaikeyyā vañcito rājā mayi cāraṇyamāśrite| bhavatyā ca parityakto na nūnaṃ vartayiṣyati

The king was deceived by Kaikeyi. If you also desert him after I have gone to the forest, surely he will not live.

भर्तुः किल परित्यागो नृशंसः केवलं स्त्रियाः। स भवत्या न कर्तव्यो मनसाऽपि विगर्हितः।।2.24.12।।

bhartuḥ kila parityāgo nṛśaṃsaḥ kevalaṃ striyāḥ| sa bhavatyā na kartavyo manasā'pi vigarhitaḥ

For a woman, to desert her husband is a cruel act. You must not do that which is contemptible even to think.

यावज्जीवति काकुत्स्थः पिता मे जगतीपतिः। शुश्रूषा क्रियतां तावत्सहि धर्मस्सनातनः।।2.24.13।।

yāvajjīvati kākutsthaḥ pitā me jagatīpatiḥ| śuśrūṣā kriyatāṃ tāvatsahi dharmassanātanaḥ

As long as the king, my father, the lord of the earth, a descendant of Kakutshta lives, you shall serve him. This is eternal virtue (in a woman).

एवमुक्ता तु रामेण कौशल्या शुभदर्शना। तथेत्युवाच सुप्रीता राममक्लिष्टकारिणम्।।2.24.14।।

evamuktā tu rāmeṇa kauśalyā śubhadarśanā| tathetyuvāca suprītā rāmamakliṣṭakāriṇam

At these words of Rama, unshakable in action, auspiciouslooking Kausalya, exceedingly pleased said 'Be it so'.

एवमुक्तस्तु वचनं रामो धर्मभृतां वरः। भूयस्तामब्रवीद्वाक्यं मातरं भृशदुःखिताम्।।2.24.15।।

evamuktastu vacanaṃ rāmo dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ| bhūyastāmabravīdvākyaṃ mātaraṃ bhṛśaduḥkhitām

Thus addressed, Rama, the foremost among upholders of righteousness, said to his mother who was in deep grief:

मया चैव भवत्या च कर्तव्यं वचनं पितुः। राजा भर्ता गुरु श्श्रेष्ठस्सर्वेषामीश्वरः प्रभुः।।2.24.16।।

mayā caiva bhavatyā ca kartavyaṃ vacanaṃ pituḥ| rājā bhartā guru śśreṣṭhassarveṣāmīśvaraḥ prabhuḥ

You and I should obey father's words. He is the king, supporter, preceptor, the best (among men) and lord and master of all of us.

इमानि तु महारण्ये विहृत्य नव पञ्च च। वर्षाणि परमप्रीतः स्थास्यामि वचने तव।।2.24.17।।

imāni tu mahāraṇye vihṛtya nava pañca ca| varṣāṇi paramaprītaḥ sthāsyāmi vacane tava

Roaming the wild forest for fourteen years I shall abide by your words with supreme pleasure.

एवमुक्ता प्रियं पुत्रं बाष्पपूर्णानना तदा। उवाच परमार्ता तु कौशल्या पुत्रवत्सला।।2.24.18।।

evamuktā priyaṃ putraṃ bāṣpapūrṇānanā tadā| uvāca paramārtā tu kauśalyā putravatsalā

Thus addressed by Rama, the affectionate Kausalya, deeply distressed, her eyes filled with tears, said to her beloved son:

आसां राम सपत्नीनां वस्तुं मध्ये न मे क्षमम्। नय मामपि काकुत्स्थ वनं वन्यां मृगीं यथा।।2.24.19।। यदि ते गमने बुद्धिः कृता पितुरपेक्षया।

āsāṃ rāma sapatnīnāṃ vastuṃ madhye na me kṣamam| naya māmapi kākutstha vanaṃ vanyāṃ mṛgīṃ yathā yadi te gamane buddhiḥ kṛtā piturapekṣayā|

O Rama, I am not able to live in the midst of these cowives. O descendant of Kakutstha, if you have resolved to go to the forest as per the wishes of your father take mea wild deeralong with you into the forest.

तां तथा रुदतीं रामो रुदन्वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.24.20।। जीवन्त्या हि स्त्रिया भर्ता दैवतं प्रभुरेव च

tāṃ tathā rudatīṃ rāmo rudanvacanamabravīt jīvantyā hi striyā bhartā daivataṃ prabhureva ca

Adding his tears to his mother's who was wailing Rama said As long as a woman lives, her husband is her god and also her lord (master).

भवत्या मम चैवाद्य राजा प्रभवति प्रभुः। न ह्यनाथा वयं राज्ञा लोकनाथेन धीमता।।2.24.21।।

bhavatyā mama caivādya rājā prabhavati prabhuḥ| na hyanāthā vayaṃ rājñā lokanāthena dhīmatā

The powerful king has authority over you as well as over me. As long as he is the sagacious lord of the entire world, how can we be without a master?

भरतश्चापि धर्मात्मा सर्वभूतप्रियंवदः। भवतीमनुवर्तेत स हि धर्मरतस्सदा।।2.24.22।।

bharataścāpi dharmātmā sarvabhūtapriyaṃvadaḥ| bhavatīmanuvarteta sa hi dharmaratassadā

Bharata, who is virtuous and speaks pleasantly to all beings and who is always attached to righteousness will surely remain obedient to you.

यथा मयि तु निष्क्रान्ते पुत्रशोकेन पार्थिवः। श्रमं नावाप्नुयात्किञ्चिदप्रमत्ता तथा कुरु।।2.24.23।।

yathā mayi tu niṣkrānte putraśokena pārthivaḥ| śramaṃ nāvāpnuyātkiñcidapramattā tathā kuru

After my departure, you must see that the king is not overpowered by grief for his son and struggles as little as possible.

दारुणश्चाप्ययं शोको यथैनं न विनाशयेत्। राज्ञो वृद्धस्य सततं हितं चर समाहिता।।2.24.24।।

dāruṇaścāpyayaṃ śoko yathainaṃ na vināśayet| rājño vṛddhasya satataṃ hitaṃ cara samāhitā

See that the old king does not succumb to this terrible grief. Serve him with a composed mind.

व्रतोपवासनिरता या नारी परमोत्तमा। भर्तारं नानुवर्तेत सा तु पापगतिर्भवेत्।।2.24.25।।

vratopavāsaniratā yā nārī paramottamā| bhartāraṃ nānuvarteta sā tu pāpagatirbhavet

A woman may be highly pious engaged in vows and fastings, but if she does not follow her husband, she will be condemned to hell.

भर्तु श्शुश्रूषया नारी लभते स्वर्गमुत्तमम्। अपि या निर्नमस्कारा निवृत्ता देवपूजनात्।।2.24.26।।

bhartu śśuśrūṣayā nārī labhate svargamuttamam| api yā nirnamaskārā nivṛttā devapūjanāt

A woman who serves her husband will attain the highest heaven even if she pays no homage to gods and abstains from worshipping them.

शुश्रूषामेव कुर्वीत भर्तुः प्रियहिते रता। एष धर्मः पुरा दृष्टो लोके वेदे श्रुतः स्मृतः।।2.24.27।।

śuśrūṣāmeva kurvīta bhartuḥ priyahite ratā| eṣa dharmaḥ purā dṛṣṭo loke vede śrutaḥ smṛtaḥ

A wife who serves her husband and who is engaged in doing good to him is righteous. This dharma exists in this world since ancient times, declared in the Vedas and the smritis.

अग्निकार्येषु च सदा सुमनोभिश्च देवताः। पूज्यास्ते मत्कृते देवि बाह्मणाश्चैव सुव्रताः।।2.24.28।।

agnikāryeṣu ca sadā sumanobhiśca devatāḥ| pūjyāste matkṛte devi bāhmaṇāścaiva suvratāḥ

For my sake, O devi worship the firegod with offerings of oblations and flowers, and brahmins who are true to religious vows.

एवं कालं प्रतीक्षस्व ममागमनकाङ्क्षिणी। नियता नियताहारा भर्तृशुश्रूषणे रता।।2.24.29।।

evaṃ kālaṃ pratīkṣasva mamāgamanakāṅkṣiṇī| niyatā niyatāhārā bhartṛśuśrūṣaṇe ratā

Looking forward to my return, spend your time this way with moderate intake, a mind under control and a life devoted to the service of your husband.

प्राप्स्यसे परमं कामं मयि प्रत्यागते सति। यदि धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो धारयिष्यति जीवितम्।।2.24.30।।

prāpsyase paramaṃ kāmaṃ mayi pratyāgate sati| yadi dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭho dhārayiṣyati jīvitam

If my father, who is the best among the upholders of righteousness, survives till I come back, you will have your highest desires fulfilled.

एवमुक्ता तु रामेण बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणा। कौशल्या पुत्रशोकार्ता रामं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.24.31।।

evamuktā tu rāmeṇa bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇā| kauśalyā putraśokārtā rāmaṃ vacanamabravīt

To these words of Rama, Kausalya, distressed with grief for her son, replied with her eyes filled with tears:

गमने सुकृतां बुद्धिं न ते शक्नोमि पुत्रक। विनिवर्तयितुं वीर नूनं कालो दुरत्ययः।।2.24.32।।

gamane sukṛtāṃ buddhiṃ na te śaknomi putraka| vinivartayituṃ vīra nūnaṃ kālo duratyayaḥ

I am unable to dissuade you, O my brave son, from your firm resolve to go to the forest. It is surely difficult (for me) to bide time.

गच्छ पुत्र त्वमेकाग्रो भद्रं तेऽस्तु सदा विभुः। पुनस्त्वयि निवृत्ते तु भविष्यामि गतव्यथा।।2.24.33।।

gaccha putra tvamekāgro bhadraṃ te'stu sadā vibhuḥ| punastvayi nivṛtte tu bhaviṣyāmi gatavyathā

Go with a steadfast mind, O my son May god be gracious. Only with your return, I shall be relieved of my suffering.

प्रत्यागते महाभागे कृतार्थे चरितव्रते। पितुरानृण्यतां प्राप्ते त्वयि लप्स्ये परं सुखम्।।2.24.34।।

pratyāgate mahābhāge kṛtārthe caritavrate| piturānṛṇyatāṃ prāpte tvayi lapsye paraṃ sukham

O reverend one, when you come back after having accomplished your purpose, performed your vows and acquitted yourself of the debt you owe your father, I shall attain supreme happiness.

कृतान्तस्य गतिः पुत्र दुर्विभाव्या सदा भुवि। यस्त्वां सञ्चोदयति मे वच आच्छिद्य राघव।।2.24.35।।

kṛtāntasya gatiḥ putra durvibhāvyā sadā bhuvi| yastvāṃ sañcodayati me vaca ācchidya rāghava

O Rama inconceivable is the course of destiny which is inciting you to go to the forest disregarding my words.

गच्छेदानीं महाबाहो क्षेमेण पुनरागतः। नन्दयिष्यसि मां पुत्र साम्ना वाक्येन चारुणा।।2.24.36।।

gacchedānīṃ mahābāho kṣemeṇa punarāgataḥ| nandayiṣyasi māṃ putra sāmnā vākyena cāruṇā

Go now, O my mightyarmed son and come back safe. And on your return, delight me with your sweet, gentle utterances.

अपीदानीं स कालस्स्याद्वनात्प्रत्यागतं पुनः। यत्त्वां पुत्रक पश्येयं जटावल्कलधारिणम्।।2.24.37।।

apīdānīṃ sa kālassyādvanātpratyāgataṃ punaḥ| yattvāṃ putraka paśyeyaṃ jaṭāvalkaladhāriṇam

O my dear child, how pleasing would it be, if today were to be the day of your return from the forest when I can see you wearing matted hair and robes of bark

तथा हि रामं वनवासनिश्चितं समीक्ष्य देवी परमेण चेतसा। उवाच रामं शुभलक्षणं वचो बभूव च स्वस्त्ययनाभिकाङ्क्षिणी।।2.24.38।।

tathā hi rāmaṃ vanavāsaniścitaṃ samīkṣya devī parameṇa cetasā| uvāca rāmaṃ śubhalakṣaṇaṃ vaco babhūva ca svastyayanābhikāṅkṣiṇī

Seeing Rama full of auspicious qualities resolved to go to the forest and having spoken to him with the fullness of her heart, Devi Kausalya now braced herself up to perform ceremonies in the interest of Rama's wellbeing. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्विंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twentyfourth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.