Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 25

साऽवनीय तमायासमुपस्पृश्य जलं शुचिः। चकार माता रामस्य मङ्गलानि मनस्विनी।।2.25.1।।

sā'vanīya tamāyāsamupaspṛśya jalaṃ śuciḥ| cakāra mātā rāmasya maṅgalāni manasvinī

Highminded mother Kausalya, her anguish subdued, performed the sipping rite (achamana) and her self rendered pure, performed auspicious ceremonies for Rama.

न शक्यसे वारयितुं गच्छेदानीं रघूत्तम। शीघ्रं च विनिवर्तस्व वर्तस्व च सतां क्रमे।।2.25.2।।

na śakyase vārayituṃ gacchedānīṃ raghūttama| śīghraṃ ca vinivartasva vartasva ca satāṃ krame

I am unable to dissuade you, O the best among the descendants of Raghus, from going into the forest. Go now and return soon. Follow in the footsteps of the virtuous.

यं पालयसि धर्मं त्वं धृत्या च नियमेन च। स वै राघवशार्दूल धर्मस्त्वामभिरक्षतु।।2.25.3।।

yaṃ pālayasi dharmaṃ tvaṃ dhṛtyā ca niyamena ca| sa vai rāghavaśārdūla dharmastvāmabhirakṣatu

The duty which you are carrying out with courage and selfdiscipline, O tiger among the descendants of Raghu will alone protect you.

येभ्यः प्रणमसे पुत्र चैत्येष्वायतनेषु च। ते च त्वामभिरक्षन्तु वने सह महर्षिभिः।।2.25.4।।

yebhyaḥ praṇamase putra caityeṣvāyataneṣu ca| te ca tvāmabhirakṣantu vane saha maharṣibhiḥ

O my son may the gods in the temples and in other sacred places and the maharshis you bow to protect you in the forest

यानि दत्तानि तेऽस्त्राणि विश्वामित्रेण धीमता। तानि त्वामभिरक्षन्तु गुणैस्समुदितं सदा।।2.25.5।।

yāni dattāni te'strāṇi viśvāmitreṇa dhīmatā| tāni tvāmabhirakṣantu guṇaissamuditaṃ sadā

May the weapons endowed with mantric qualities, which were bestowed on you by sagacious Viswamitra always protect you

पितृशुश्रूषया पुत्र मातृशुश्रूषया तथा। सत्येन च महाबाहो चिरं जीवाभिरक्षितः।।2.25.6।।

pitṛśuśrūṣayā putra mātṛśuśrūṣayā tathā| satyena ca mahābāho ciraṃ jīvābhirakṣitaḥ

O my mighty armed son protected by the service to your father, mother and to truth, live long

समित्कुश पवित्राणि वेद्यश्चायतनानि च। स्थण्डिलानि विचित्राणि शैला वृक्षाः क्षुपा ह्रदाः।।2.25.7।। पतङ्गाः पन्नगास्सिंहास्त्वां रक्षन्तु नरोत्तम।

samitkuśa pavitrāṇi vedyaścāyatanāni ca| sthaṇḍilāni vicitrāṇi śailā vṛkṣāḥ kṣupā hradāḥ pataṅgāḥ pannagāssiṃhāstvāṃ rakṣantu narottama|

O best of men may sacrificial fuel, kusa grass and sacred rings made of kusha grass, sacrificial altars, temples, various levelled sacrificial grounds, mountains, trees, plants, lakes, birds, serpents and lions protect you

स्वस्तिसाध्याश्च विश्वे च मरुतश्च महर्षयः। स्वस्ति धाता विधाता च स्वस्ति पूषा भगोऽर्यमा।।2.25.8।। लोकपालाश्च ते सर्वे वासवप्रमुखास्तथा।

svastisādhyāśca viśve ca marutaśca maharṣayaḥ| svasti dhātā vidhātā ca svasti pūṣā bhago'ryamā lokapālāśca te sarve vāsavapramukhāstathā|

May all gods known as Sadhyas, Visvedevatas, Maruts, great ascetics, the sustainer (Virat Purusha), the preserver of creation (lord Brahma), Sun, Bhaga, Aryama, and all other important guardians of the world headed by Indra bestow their blessings on you

ऋतवश्चैव पक्षाश्च मासा स्संवत्सराः क्षपाः।।2.25.9।। दिनानि च मुहूर्ताश्च स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा।

ṛtavaścaiva pakṣāśca māsā ssaṃvatsarāḥ kṣapāḥ dināni ca muhūrtāśca svasti kurvantu te sadā|

May the six seasons, years, months, fortnights, nights, days and moments bring good to you

स्मृतिर्धृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः।।2.25.10।। स्कन्दश्च भगवान्देव स्सोमश्च स बृहस्पतिः। सप्तर्षयो नारदश्च ते त्वां रक्षन्तु सर्वतः।।2.25.11।।

smṛtirdhṛtiśca dharmaśca pātu tvāṃ putra sarvataḥ skandaśca bhagavāndeva ssomaśca sa bṛhaspatiḥ| saptarṣayo nāradaśca te tvāṃ rakṣantu sarvataḥ

O my son may Smriti, Dhriti and Dharma always guard you. May divine personages and gods, Skanda, Soma, Brihaspati, the seven rishis and Narada protect you at all times

स्मृतिर्धृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः।।2.25.10।। स्कन्दश्च भगवान्देव स्सोमश्च स बृहस्पतिः। सप्तर्षयो नारदश्च ते त्वां रक्षन्तु सर्वतः।।2.25.11।।

smṛtirdhṛtiśca dharmaśca pātu tvāṃ putra sarvataḥ skandaśca bhagavāndeva ssomaśca sa bṛhaspatiḥ| saptarṣayo nāradaśca te tvāṃ rakṣantu sarvataḥ

O my son may Smriti, Dhriti and Dharma always guard you. May divine personages and gods, Skanda, Soma, Brihaspati, the seven rishis and Narada protect you at all times

याश्चापि सर्वतस्सिध्दा दिशश्च सदिगीश्वराः। स्तुता मया वने तस्मिन्पान्तु त्वां पुत्र नित्यशः।।2.25.12।।

yāścāpi sarvatassidhdā diśaśca sadigīśvarāḥ| stutā mayā vane tasminpāntu tvāṃ putra nityaśaḥ

May Siddhas, guardians of the quarters invoked by me protect you from all directions in that forest at all times, O my son

शैलास्सर्वे समुद्राश्च राजा वरुण एव च। द्यौरन्तरिक्षं पृथिवी नद्यस्सर्वास्तथैव च।।2.25.13।। नक्षत्राणि च सर्वाणि ग्रहाश्च सहदेवताः। अहोरात्रे तथा सन्ध्ये पान्तु त्वां वनमाश्रितम्।।2.25.14।।

śailāssarve samudrāśca rājā varuṇa eva ca| dyaurantarikṣaṃ pṛthivī nadyassarvāstathaiva ca nakṣatrāṇi ca sarvāṇi grahāśca sahadevatāḥ| ahorātre tathā sandhye pāntu tvāṃ vanamāśritam

When you dwell in the forest may all the mountains, seas, lord Varuna, heaven, space, and earth and also all rivers, all stars and planets with their presiding deities, day, night, dawn and dusk protect you

शैलास्सर्वे समुद्राश्च राजा वरुण एव च। द्यौरन्तरिक्षं पृथिवी नद्यस्सर्वास्तथैव च।।2.25.13।। नक्षत्राणि च सर्वाणि ग्रहाश्च सहदेवताः। अहोरात्रे तथा सन्ध्ये पान्तु त्वां वनमाश्रितम्।।2.25.14।।

śailāssarve samudrāśca rājā varuṇa eva ca| dyaurantarikṣaṃ pṛthivī nadyassarvāstathaiva ca nakṣatrāṇi ca sarvāṇi grahāśca sahadevatāḥ| ahorātre tathā sandhye pāntu tvāṃ vanamāśritam

When you dwell in the forest may all the mountains, seas, lord Varuna, heaven, space, and earth and also all rivers, all stars and planets with their presiding deities, day, night, dawn and dusk protect you

ऋतवश्चैव षट्पुण्या मासास्संवत्सरास्तथा। कलाश्च काष्ठाश्च तथा तव शर्म दिशन्तु ते।।2.25.15।।

ṛtavaścaiva ṣaṭpuṇyā māsāssaṃvatsarāstathā| kalāśca kāṣṭhāśca tathā tava śarma diśantu te

May all the six pious seasons, months, years, kala and kashta contribute to your wellbeing

महावने विचरतो मुनिवेषस्य धीमतः। तवादित्याश्च दैत्याश्च भवन्तु सुखदास्सदा।।2.25.16।।

mahāvane vicarato muniveṣasya dhīmataḥ| tavādityāśca daityāśca bhavantu sukhadāssadā

May gods and demons always give you happiness when you wander in that great forest clad in ascetic garb

राक्षसानां पिशाचानां रौद्राणां क्रूरकर्मणाम्। क्रव्यादानां च सर्वेषां मा भूत्पुत्रक ते भयम्।।2.25.17।।

rākṣasānāṃ piśācānāṃ raudrāṇāṃ krūrakarmaṇām| kravyādānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ mā bhūtputraka te bhayam

Let there be no fear from rakshasas who are fearful to look at and commit cruel acts, from pisachas (evil spirits) and from flesheating animals, O my child

प्लवगा वृश्चिका दंशामशकाश्चैव कानने। सरीसृपाश्च कीटाश्च मा भूवन्गहने तव।।2.25.18।।

plavagā vṛścikā daṃśāmaśakāścaiva kānane| sarīsṛpāśca kīṭāśca mā bhūvangahane tava

May monkeys, scorpions, wild gnats, mosquitoes, reptiles and insects in that inaccessible forest not trouble you

महाद्विपाश्च सिंहाश्च व्याघ्रा ऋक्षाश्च दंष्ट्रिणः। महिषा श्शृङ्गिणो रौद्रा न ते द्रुह्यन्तु पुत्रक।।2.25.19।।

mahādvipāśca siṃhāśca vyāghrā ṛkṣāśca daṃṣṭriṇaḥ| mahiṣā śśṛṅgiṇo raudrā na te druhyantu putraka

May the mighty elephants, lions with pointed incisors, tigers, bears and fierce, wild, horned buffaloes, do you no harm, O my dear son

नृमांसभोजना रौद्रा ये चान्ये सत्वजातयः। मा च त्वां हिंसिषुः पुत्र मया संपूजितास्त्विह।।2.25.20।।

nṛmāṃsabhojanā raudrā ye cānye satvajātayaḥ| mā ca tvāṃ hiṃsiṣuḥ putra mayā saṃpūjitāstviha

May the ferocious breed of cernivores I worship not harm you, O my child

आगमास्ते शिवास्सन्तु सिध्यन्तु च पराक्रमाः। सर्वसम्पत्तये राम स्वस्तिमान्गच्छ पुत्रक।।2.25.21।।

āgamāste śivāssantu sidhyantu ca parākramāḥ| sarvasampattaye rāma svastimāngaccha putraka

O Rama may your path be auspecious May your valour be fruitful Go safel and achieve success in everything

स्वस्ति ते ऽस्त्वन्तरिक्षेभ्यः पार्थिवेभ्यः पुनः पुनः। सर्वेभ्यश्चैव देवेभ्यो ये च वै परिपन्थिनः।।2.25.22।।

svasti te 'stvantarikṣebhyaḥ pārthivebhyaḥ punaḥ punaḥ| sarvebhyaścaiva devebhyo ye ca vai paripanthinaḥ

May gods from the sky, the earth and all other gods protect you and let there be no harm to you from your foes.

गुरुस्सोमश्च सूर्यश्च धनदोऽथ यमस्तथा। पान्तु त्वामर्चिता राम दण्डकारण्यवासिनम्।।2.25.23।।

gurussomaśca sūryaśca dhanado'tha yamastathā| pāntu tvāmarcitā rāma daṇḍakāraṇyavāsinam

Propitiated by my worship, O Rama may Brihaspati, Moon, Sun, Kubera and Yama protect you when you are in Dandaka forest

अग्निर्वायुस्तथा धूमो मन्त्राश्चर्षिमुखाच्च्युताः। उपस्पर्शनकाले तु पान्तु त्वां रघुनन्दन।।2.25.24।।

agnirvāyustathā dhūmo mantrāścarṣimukhāccyutāḥ| upasparśanakāle tu pāntu tvāṃ raghunandana

May Fire, Wind, Smoke and Mantras emanated from the mouths of rishis protect you when you take your ablutions, O Son of the Raghu race O Joy of the Raghus

सर्वलोकप्रभुर्ब्रह्मा भूतभर्ता तथर्षयः। ये च शेषास्सुरास्ते त्वां रक्षन्तु वनवासिनम्।।2.25.25।।

sarvalokaprabhurbrahmā bhūtabhartā tatharṣayaḥ| ye ca śeṣāssurāste tvāṃ rakṣantu vanavāsinam

May Siva, lord of all the worlds, Visnu, supporter of living beings, Brahma, rishis and all the rest of the gods protect you while you dwell in the forest

इति माल्यैस्सुरगणान्गन्धैश्चापि यशस्विनी। स्तुतिभिश्चानुरूपाभिरानर्चाऽयतलोचना।।2.25.26।।

iti mālyaissuragaṇāngandhaiścāpi yaśasvinī| stutibhiścānurūpābhirānarcā'yatalocanā

Thus illustrious, largeeyed Kausalya worshipped hosts of gods by offering them garlands and fragrant substances with appropriate prayers.

ज्वलनं समुपादाय ब्राह्मणेन महात्मना। हावयामास विधिना राममङ्गलकारणात्।।2.25.27।।

jvalanaṃ samupādāya brāhmaṇena mahātmanā| hāvayāmāsa vidhinā rāmamaṅgalakāraṇāt

After collecting the sacred fire through great brahmins she duly offered oblations to the gods for the welfare of Rama.

घृतं श्वेतानि माल्यानि समिधश्श्वेतसर्षपान्। उपसम्पादयामास कौशल्या परमाङ्गना।।2.25.28।।

ghṛtaṃ śvetāni mālyāni samidhaśśvetasarṣapān| upasampādayāmāsa kauśalyā paramāṅganā

Noble Kausalya procured clarified butter, garlands of white flowers, sacred fuel, and grains of white mustard seed (for oblations to the gods).

उपाध्याय स्सविधिना हुत्वा शान्तिमनामयम्। हुतहव्यावशेषेण बाह्यं बलिमकल्पयत्।।2.25.29।।

upādhyāya ssavidhinā hutvā śāntimanāmayam| hutahavyāvaśeṣeṇa bāhyaṃ balimakalpayat

The officiating priest performed the ritual of sacrificial offerings strictly in accordance with rules for peace and happiness of Rama. With the remainder of the offerings, he performed whatever ceremonies were to be done externally.

मधु दध्यक्षतघृतैः स्वस्तिवाच्यद्विजांस्ततः। वाचयामास रामस्य वनेस्वस्त्ययनक्रियाः।।2.25.30।।

madhu dadhyakṣataghṛtaiḥ svastivācyadvijāṃstataḥ| vācayāmāsa rāmasya vanesvastyayanakriyāḥ

Thereafter she made the brahmins pronounce benedictory prayers, offering honey, curd, rice and clarified butter.Then she got mantras (expiatory rites) recited for averting evil to Rama while in the forest.

ततस्तस्मै द्विजेन्द्राय राममाता यशस्विनी। दक्षिणां प्रददौ काम्यां राघवं चेदमब्रवीत्।।2.25.31।।

tatastasmai dvijendrāya rāmamātā yaśasvinī| dakṣiṇāṃ pradadau kāmyāṃ rāghavaṃ cedamabravīt

The illustrious Kausalya, mother of Rama gave abundant gifts to the best of the brahmins and thereafter said to him:

यन्मङ्गलं सहस्राक्षे सर्वदेवनमस्कृते। वृत्रनाशे समभवत्तत्ते भवतु मङ्गलम्।।2.25.32।।

yanmaṅgalaṃ sahasrākṣe sarvadevanamaskṛte| vṛtranāśe samabhavattatte bhavatu maṅgalam

May the same blessings bestowed by all the gods on the thousandeyed Indra at the time of killing Vritra be with you

यन्मङ्गलं सुपर्णस्य विनताऽकल्पयत्पुरा। अमृतं प्रार्थयानस्य तत्ते भवतु मङ्गलम्।।2.25.33।।

yanmaṅgalaṃ suparṇasya vinatā'kalpayatpurā| amṛtaṃ prārthayānasya tatte bhavatu maṅgalam

May you be conferred with the same blessings which Vinata bestowed on Garuda at the time of bringing nectar

अमृतोत्पादने दैत्यान् घ्नतो वज्रधरस्य यत्। अदितिर्मङ्गलं प्रादात्तत्ते भवतु मङ्गलम्।।2.25.34।।

amṛtotpādane daityān ghnato vajradharasya yat| aditirmaṅgalaṃ prādāttatte bhavatu maṅgalam

May you be bestowed with the same blessings conferred by Aditi on Indra, the wielder of thunder for the killing of daityas at the time nectar was generated

त्रीन्विक्रमान्प्रक्रमतो विष्णोरमिततेजसः। यदासीन्मङ्गलं राम तत्ते भवतु मङ्गलम्।।2.25.35।।

trīnvikramānprakramato viṣṇoramitatejasaḥ| yadāsīnmaṅgalaṃ rāma tatte bhavatu maṅgalam

O Rama by occupying three footsteps of space, highly lustrous Visnu owned the three worlds and obtained glory. May you obtain similar auspiciousness

ऋतवस्सागरा द्वीपा वेदा लोका दिशश्च ते। मङ्गलानि महाबाहो दिशन्तु शुभमङ्गलाः।।2.25.36।।

ṛtavassāgarā dvīpā vedā lokā diśaśca te| maṅgalāni mahābāho diśantu śubhamaṅgalāḥ

O mightyarmed Rama may the auspicious and prosperous seasons, seas, islands. the Vedas, the worlds and the quarters bless you

इति पुत्रस्य शेषांश्च कृत्वा शिरसि भामिनी। गन्धैश्चापि समालभ्य राममायतलोचना।।2.25.37।। ओषधीं चापि सिद्धार्थां विशल्यकरणीं शुभाम्। चकार रक्षां कौशल्या मन्त्रैरभिजजाप च।।2.25.38।।

iti putrasya śeṣāṃśca kṛtvā śirasi bhāminī| gandhaiścāpi samālabhya rāmamāyatalocanā oṣadhīṃ cāpi siddhārthāṃ viśalyakaraṇīṃ śubhām| cakāra rakṣāṃ kauśalyā mantrairabhijajāpa ca

The largeeyed Kausalya placed the remains of the offerings on his (Rama's) head and applied sandal cream to his body. She tied an auspicious medicinal herb known as Vishalyakarani to his arm for attainment of his objectives, repeatedly muttering prayers.

इति पुत्रस्य शेषांश्च कृत्वा शिरसि भामिनी। गन्धैश्चापि समालभ्य राममायतलोचना।।2.25.37।। ओषधीं चापि सिद्धार्थां विशल्यकरणीं शुभाम्। चकार रक्षां कौशल्या मन्त्रैरभिजजाप च।।2.25.38।।

iti putrasya śeṣāṃśca kṛtvā śirasi bhāminī| gandhaiścāpi samālabhya rāmamāyatalocanā oṣadhīṃ cāpi siddhārthāṃ viśalyakaraṇīṃ śubhām| cakāra rakṣāṃ kauśalyā mantrairabhijajāpa ca

The largeeyed Kausalya placed the remains of the offerings on his (Rama's) head and applied sandal cream to his body. She tied an auspicious medicinal herb known as Vishalyakarani to his arm for attainment of his objectives, repeatedly muttering prayers.

उवाचातिप्रहृष्टेव सा दुःखवशवर्तिनी। वाङ्ग्मात्रेण न भावेन वाचाऽसंसज्जमानया।।2.25.39।।

uvācātiprahṛṣṭeva sā duḥkhavaśavartinī| vāṅgmātreṇa na bhāvena vācā'saṃsajjamānayā

Even though Kausalya was filled with distress, she appeared as if she was very much happy. She uttered mere words in a confusing tone without applying her mind.

आनम्य मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय परिष्वज्य यशस्विनी। अवदत्पुत्र सिद्धार्थो गच्छ राम यथासुखम्।।2.25.40।।

ānamya mūrdhni cāghrāya pariṣvajya yaśasvinī| avadatputra siddhārtho gaccha rāma yathāsukham

Illustrious Kausalya embraced Rama, bending his head down and smelt his forehead. And then said O Rama go in peace and come back after accomplishing the objective.

अरोगं सर्वसिद्धार्थमयोध्यां पुनरागतम्। पश्यामि त्वां सुखं वत्स सुस्थितं राजवर्त्मनि।।2.25.41।।

arogaṃ sarvasiddhārthamayodhyāṃ punarāgatam| paśyāmi tvāṃ sukhaṃ vatsa susthitaṃ rājavartmani

O my son I shall be happy to behold you back in Ayodhya in sound health successful in your objectives and firmly established in the kingdom.

प्रणष्टदुःखसङ्कल्पा हर्षविद्योतितानना। द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां वनात्प्राप्तं पूर्णचन्द्रमिवोदितम्।।2.25.42।।

praṇaṣṭaduḥkhasaṅkalpā harṣavidyotitānanā| drakṣyāmi tvāṃ vanātprāptaṃ pūrṇacandramivoditam

When you return from the forest like the full Moon rising, I shall behold you with my anxieties gone and my face sparkling with joy.

भद्रासनगतं राम वनवासादिहागतम्। द्रक्ष्यामि च पुनस्त्वां तु तीर्णवन्तं पितुर्वचः।।2.25.43।।

bhadrāsanagataṃ rāma vanavāsādihāgatam| drakṣyāmi ca punastvāṃ tu tīrṇavantaṃ piturvacaḥ

After you have fulfilled your father's words and returned from your exile I shall behold you seated on the throne, O Rama

मङ्गलैरुपसपन्नो वनवासादिहागतः। वध्वा मम च नित्यं त्वं कामान्संवर्ध याहि भोः।।2.25.44।।

maṅgalairupasapanno vanavāsādihāgataḥ| vadhvā mama ca nityaṃ tvaṃ kāmānsaṃvardha yāhi bhoḥ

O Rama, credited with auspicious events on return from the forest, fulfil my desires and those of my daughterinlaw (Sita).

मयाऽर्चिता देवगणाश्शिवादयो महर्षयो भूतमहासुरोरगाः। अभिप्रयातस्य वनं चिराय ते हितानि काङ्क्षन्तु दिशश्च राघव।।2.25.45।।

mayā'rcitā devagaṇāśśivādayo maharṣayo bhūtamahāsuroragāḥ| abhiprayātasya vanaṃ cirāya te hitāni kāṅkṣantu diśaśca rāghava

O son of the Raghu race Lord Siva and other gods, the great rishis, bhutas, great asuras and serpents and four quarters worshipped by me will always promote your welfare when you dwell in the forest.

इतीव साऽश्रुप्रतिपूर्णलोचना समाप्य च स्वस्त्ययनं यथाविधि। प्रदक्षिणं चैव चकार राघवं पुनः पुनश्चापि निपीड्य सस्वजे।।2.25.46।।

itīva sā'śrupratipūrṇalocanā samāpya ca svastyayanaṃ yathāvidhi| pradakṣiṇaṃ caiva cakāra rāghavaṃ punaḥ punaścāpi nipīḍya sasvaje

Thus with her eyes brimming with tears, she duly completed the benedictory rites and circumambulated the scion of the Raghus and embraced him again and again holding him tight.

तथा तु देव्या स कृतप्रदक्षिणो निपीड्य मातुश्चरणौ पुनः पुनः। जगाम सीतानिलयं महायशा स्स राघवः प्रज्वलित स्स्वया श्रिया।।2.25.47।।

tathā tu devyā sa kṛtapradakṣiṇo nipīḍya mātuścaraṇau punaḥ punaḥ| jagāma sītānilayaṃ mahāyaśā ssa rāghavaḥ prajvalita ssvayā śriyā

Circumambulated by mother Kausalya, the illustrious scion of the Raghu race clasped his mother's feet again and again. And shining in his glory, proceeded to the palace of Sita. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चविंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twentyfifth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.