Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 26

अभिवाद्य च कौसल्यां राम स्संप्रस्थितो वनम्। कृतस्वस्त्ययनो मात्रा धर्मिष्ठे वर्त्मनि स्थितः।।2.26.1।। विराजयन्राजसुतो राजमार्गं नरैर्वृतम्। हृदयान्याममन्थेव जनस्य गुणवत्तया।।2.26.2।।

abhivādya ca kausalyāṃ rāma ssaṃprasthito vanam| kṛtasvastyayano mātrā dharmiṣṭhe vartmani sthitaḥ virājayanrājasuto rājamārgaṃ narairvṛtam| hṛdayānyāmamantheva janasya guṇavattayā

After the benedictory rites were performed by his mother Kausalya, Rama paid obeisance to her and staying on the righteous path decided to depart to the forest. He entered the highway thronged with people and illumining it with his lustre and stirred their hearts with (remembrances of) his excellent virtues.

अभिवाद्य च कौसल्यां राम स्संप्रस्थितो वनम्। कृतस्वस्त्ययनो मात्रा धर्मिष्ठे वर्त्मनि स्थितः।।2.26.1।। विराजयन्राजसुतो राजमार्गं नरैर्वृतम्। हृदयान्याममन्थेव जनस्य गुणवत्तया।।2.26.2।।

abhivādya ca kausalyāṃ rāma ssaṃprasthito vanam| kṛtasvastyayano mātrā dharmiṣṭhe vartmani sthitaḥ virājayanrājasuto rājamārgaṃ narairvṛtam| hṛdayānyāmamantheva janasya guṇavattayā

After the benedictory rites were performed by his mother Kausalya, Rama paid obeisance to her and staying on the righteous path decided to depart to the forest. He entered the highway thronged with people and illumining it with his lustre and stirred their hearts with (remembrances of) his excellent virtues.

वैदेही चापि तत्सर्वं न शुश्राव तपस्विनी। तदेव हृदि तस्याश्च यौवराज्याभिषेचनम्।।2.26.3।।

vaidehī cāpi tatsarvaṃ na śuśrāva tapasvinī| tadeva hṛdi tasyāśca yauvarājyābhiṣecanam

Sita, her mind preoccupied with thoughts about consecration, was engaged in religious austerities and hence could not hear of all this (development).

देवकार्यं स्वयं कृत्वा कृतज्ञा हृष्टचेतना। अभिज्ञा राजधर्माणां राजपुत्रं प्रतीक्षते।।2.26.4।।

devakāryaṃ svayaṃ kṛtvā kṛtajñā hṛṣṭacetanā| abhijñā rājadharmāṇāṃ rājaputraṃ pratīkṣate

Experienced in palace rituals, Sita, grateful (to God) after performing worship of the deities was awaiting in a happy mood the arrival of the prince.

प्रविवेशाथ रामस्तु स्वं वेश्म सुविभूषितम्। प्रहृष्टजनसम्पूर्णं ह्रिया किञ्चिदवाङ्मुखः।।2.26.5।।

praviveśātha rāmastu svaṃ veśma suvibhūṣitam| prahṛṣṭajanasampūrṇaṃ hriyā kiñcidavāṅmukhaḥ

His head bent down in embarrassment, Rama entered his welldecorated residence thronged with excited people.

अथ सीता समुत्पत्य वेपमाना च तं पतिम्। अपश्यच्छोकसन्तप्तं चिन्ताव्याकुलितेन्द्रियम्।।2.26.6।।

atha sītā samutpatya vepamānā ca taṃ patim| apaśyacchokasantaptaṃ cintāvyākulitendriyam

Sita got up suddenly, (her limbs) trembling to see her husband distressed with grief and agitated with anxiety.

तां दृष्ट्वा स हि धर्मात्मा न शशाक मनोगतम्। तं शोकं राघवः सोढुं ततो विवृततां गतः।।2.26.7।।

tāṃ dṛṣṭvā sa hi dharmātmā na śaśāka manogatam| taṃ śokaṃ rāghavaḥ soḍhuṃ tato vivṛtatāṃ gataḥ

On seeing her, virtuous Rama could not contain the sorrow in his mind which manifested (through his external appearance).

विवर्णवदनं दृष्ट्वा तं प्रस्विन्नममर्षणम्। आह दुःखाभिसन्तप्ता किमिदानीमिदं प्रभो।।2.26.8।।

vivarṇavadanaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ prasvinnamamarṣaṇam| āha duḥkhābhisantaptā kimidānīmidaṃ prabho

On seeing Rama with a pale face. indignant and heavily perspiring, Sita, consumed with grief said, My Lord, why are you now like this?

अद्य बार्हस्पत श्श्रीमान्युक्तः पुष्योऽनु राघव। प्रोच्यते ब्राह्मणैः प्राज्ञैः केन त्वमसि दुर्मनाः।।2.26.9।।

adya bārhaspata śśrīmānyuktaḥ puṣyo'nu rāghava| procyate brāhmaṇaiḥ prājñaiḥ kena tvamasi durmanāḥ

O scion of the Raghu race, today has been declared by learned brahmins a suitable and auspicious day for consecration under Pushya star with Brihaspati as presiding deity. Then why are you dejected?

न ते शतशलाकेन जलफेननिभेन च। आवृतं वदनं वल्गु छत्रेणापि विराजते।।2.26.10।।

na te śataśalākena jalaphenanibhena ca| āvṛtaṃ vadanaṃ valgu chatreṇāpi virājate

How is it that your charming face shines not today under a hundredribbed umbrella (white) like foam in water?

व्यजनाभ्यां च मुख्याभ्यां शतपत्रनिभेक्षणम्। चन्द्रहंसप्रकाशाभ्यां वीज्यते न तवाननम्।।2.26.11।।

vyajanābhyāṃ ca mukhyābhyāṃ śatapatranibhekṣaṇam| candrahaṃsaprakāśābhyāṃ vījyate na tavānanam

(How is it that) your face, with its lotuslike eyes is not being fanned by excellent fans of the colour of the Moon or the swan.

वाग्मिनो वन्दिनश्चापि प्रहृष्टास्त्वां नरर्षभ। स्तुवन्तो नात्र दृश्यन्ते मङ्गलैः स्सूतमागधाः।।2.26.12।।

vāgmino vandinaścāpi prahṛṣṭāstvāṃ nararṣabha| stuvanto nātra dṛśyante maṅgalaiḥ ssūtamāgadhāḥ

(How is it that) O best among men eloquent panegyrists, charioteers, bards are not seen singing your praise with auspicious words?

न ते क्षौद्रं च दधि च ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। मूर्ध्नि मूर्धाभिषिक्तस्य ददति स्म विधानतः।।2.26.13।।

na te kṣaudraṃ ca dadhi ca brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ| mūrdhni mūrdhābhiṣiktasya dadati sma vidhānataḥ

How is it that brahmins versed in the Vedas have not duly sprinkled the mixture of honey and curd on your head (prior to your consecration)?

न त्वां प्रकृतय स्सर्वा श्श्रेणीमुख्याश्च भूषिताः। अनुव्रजितुमिच्छन्ति पौरजानपदास्तथा।।2.26.14।।

na tvāṃ prakṛtaya ssarvā śśreṇīmukhyāśca bhūṣitāḥ| anuvrajitumicchanti paurajānapadāstathā

How is it that welladorned ministers, citizens from towns and villages, heads of guilds and others do not follow you?

चतुर्भिर्वेगसम्पन्नैर्हयैः काञ्चनभूषितैः। मुख्यः पुष्यरथो युक्तः किं न गच्छति तेऽग्रतः।।2.26.15।।

caturbhirvegasampannairhayaiḥ kāñcanabhūṣitaiḥ| mukhyaḥ puṣyaratho yuktaḥ kiṃ na gacchati te'grataḥ

How is it that the chief ceremonial chariot, decorated with gold and harnessed by four galloping horses is not preceding you?

हस्ती चाग्रत श्श्रीमां स्तव लक्षणपूजितः। प्रयाणे लक्ष्यते वीर कृष्णमेघगिरि प्रभः।।2.26.16।।

hastī cāgrata śśrīmāṃ stava lakṣaṇapūjitaḥ| prayāṇe lakṣyate vīra kṛṣṇameghagiri prabhaḥ

How is it that the elephant, whose lustre resembles that of a mountain or a dark cloud and endowed with auspicious features is not seen leading your procession, O valiant one

न च काञ्चनचित्रं ते पश्यामि प्रियदर्शन। भद्रासनं पुरस्कृत्य यान्तं वीर पुरस्कृतम्।।2.26.17।।

na ca kāñcanacitraṃ te paśyāmi priyadarśana| bhadrāsanaṃ puraskṛtya yāntaṃ vīra puraskṛtam

O heroic one O handsome one how is it that I do not see your attendants proceeding in front with the throne carved in gold?

अभिषेको यथा सज्जः किमिदानीमिदं तव। अपूर्वो मुखवर्णश्च न प्रहर्षश्च लक्ष्यते।।2.26.18।।

abhiṣeko yathā sajjaḥ kimidānīmidaṃ tava| apūrvo mukhavarṇaśca na praharṣaśca lakṣyate

How is it that when arrangements are under way now for your consecration, the complexion of your countenance does not look like what it was before? There is no joy on your face.

इतीव विलपन्तीं तां प्रोवाच रघुनन्दनः। सीते तत्र भवांस्तातः प्रव्राजयति मां वनम्।।2.26.19।।

itīva vilapantīṃ tāṃ provāca raghunandanaḥ| sīte tatra bhavāṃstātaḥ pravrājayati māṃ vanam

O Sita my venerable father is banishing me to the forest, said Rama, the scion of the Raghus, the joy of the Raghu race, seeing her thus lamenting.

कुले महति सम्भूते धर्मज्ञे धर्मचारिणि। शृणु जानकि येनेदं क्रमेणाभ्यागतं मम।।2.26.20।।

kule mahati sambhūte dharmajñe dharmacāriṇi| śṛṇu jānaki yenedaṃ krameṇābhyāgataṃ mama

You were born in a noble family. You know and practise dharma. I shall tell you how this banishment has come about. Do listen.

राज्ञा सत्यप्रतिज्ञेन पित्रा दशरथेन च। कैकेय्यै मम मात्रे तु पुरा दत्तौ महावरौ।।2.26.21।।

rājñā satyapratijñena pitrā daśarathena ca| kaikeyyai mama mātre tu purā dattau mahāvarau

My father, king Dasaratha, true to his promise, had earlier granted two great boons to my mother Kaikeyi.

तयाऽद्य मम सज्जेऽस्मिन्नभिषेके नृपोद्यते। प्रचोदित स्स समयो धर्मेण प्रतिनिर्जितः।।2.26.22।।

tayā'dya mama sajje'sminnabhiṣeke nṛpodyate| pracodita ssa samayo dharmeṇa pratinirjitaḥ

When the king was preparing for my consecration, she reminded him of the promise and in the name of righteousness he has been cornered.

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वस्तव्यं दण्डके मया। पित्रा मे भरतश्चापि यौवराज्ये नियोजितः।।2.26.23।।

caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi vastavyaṃ daṇḍake mayā| pitrā me bharataścāpi yauvarājye niyojitaḥ

I am to dwell in the Dandaka forest for fourteen years while father has appointed Bharata princeregent.

सोऽहं त्वामागतो द्रष्टुं प्रस्थितो विजनं वनम्। भरतस्य समीपे तु नाहं कथ्यः कदाचन।।2.26.24।। बुद्धियुक्ता हि पुरुषा न सहन्ते परस्तवम्। तस्मान्नते गुणाः कथ्या भरतस्याग्रतो मम।।2.26.25।।

so'haṃ tvāmāgato draṣṭuṃ prasthito vijanaṃ vanam| bharatasya samīpe tu nāhaṃ kathyaḥ kadācana buddhiyuktā hi puruṣā na sahante parastavam| tasmānnate guṇāḥ kathyā bharatasyāgrato mama

I have come to see you before departing for the desolate Dandaka forest. You should never praise me in the presence of Bharata because intellectuals cannot tolerate others being praised before them. You should never extol my virtues before him.

सोऽहं त्वामागतो द्रष्टुं प्रस्थितो विजनं वनम्। भरतस्य समीपे तु नाहं कथ्यः कदाचन।।2.26.24।। बुद्धियुक्ता हि पुरुषा न सहन्ते परस्तवम्। तस्मान्नते गुणाः कथ्या भरतस्याग्रतो मम।।2.26.25।।

so'haṃ tvāmāgato draṣṭuṃ prasthito vijanaṃ vanam| bharatasya samīpe tu nāhaṃ kathyaḥ kadācana buddhiyuktā hi puruṣā na sahante parastavam| tasmānnate guṇāḥ kathyā bharatasyāgrato mama

I have come to see you before departing for the desolate Dandaka forest. You should never praise me in the presence of Bharata because intellectuals cannot tolerate others being praised before them. You should never extol my virtues before him.

नापि त्वं तेन भर्तव्या विशेषेण कदाचन। अनुकूलतया शक्यं समीपे त्वस्य वर्तितुम्।।2.26.26।।

nāpi tvaṃ tena bhartavyā viśeṣeṇa kadācana| anukūlatayā śakyaṃ samīpe tvasya vartitum

Never expect special treatment from Bharata. You can (continue to) stay with him (here) by conducting yourself in a favourable manner.

तस्मै दत्तं नृपतिना यौवराज्यं सनातनम्। स प्रसाद्यस्त्वया सीते नृपतिश्च विशेषतः।।2.26.27।।

tasmai dattaṃ nṛpatinā yauvarājyaṃ sanātanam| sa prasādyastvayā sīte nṛpatiśca viśeṣataḥ

O Sita the king has conferred the hereditary regency on him. Therefore, O Sita, you must make efforts to win his favour, especially a king's.

अहं चापि प्रतिज्ञां तां गुरोस्समनुपालयन्। वनमद्यैव यास्यामि स्थिरा भव मनस्विनी।।2.26.28।।

ahaṃ cāpi pratijñāṃ tāṃ gurossamanupālayan| vanamadyaiva yāsyāmi sthirā bhava manasvinī

I am leaving for the forest right away for fulfilling my father's pledge. O highminded Sita be steady.

याते च मयि कल्याणि वनं मुनिनिषेवितम्। व्रतोपवासपरया भवितव्यं त्वयाऽनघे।।2.26.29।।

yāte ca mayi kalyāṇi vanaṃ muniniṣevitam| vratopavāsaparayā bhavitavyaṃ tvayā'naghe

O sinless, auspicious one engage yourself in vratas and fasting after my departure to the forest inhabited by ascetics.

काल्यमुत्थाय देवानां कृत्वा पूजां यथाविधि। वन्दितव्यो दशरथः पिता मम नरेश्वरः।।2.26.30।।

kālyamutthāya devānāṃ kṛtvā pūjāṃ yathāvidhi| vanditavyo daśarathaḥ pitā mama nareśvaraḥ

You must rise in time and with the (household) gods duly worshipped, pay obeisance to my father, king Dasaratha.

माता च मम कौशल्या वृद्धा सन्तापकर्शिता। धर्ममेवाग्रतः कृत्वा त्वत्त स्सम्मानमर्हति।।2.27.31।।

mātā ca mama kauśalyā vṛddhā santāpakarśitā| dharmamevāgrataḥ kṛtvā tvatta ssammānamarhati

You should give importance to duty(dharma) and show respect to my aged mother who is emaciated due to grief.

वन्दितव्याश्च ते नित्यं या श्शेषा मम मातरः। स्नेह प्रणयसम्भोगै स्समा हि मम मातरः।।2.26.32।।

vanditavyāśca te nityaṃ yā śśeṣā mama mātaraḥ| sneha praṇayasambhogai ssamā hi mama mātaraḥ

In terms of love, affection and service, the rest of my mothers are all equal. Therefore, you must pay them due respect regularly.

भ्रातृपुत्रसमौ चापि द्रष्टव्यौ च विशेषतः। त्वया भरतशत्रुघ्नौ प्राणैः प्रियतरौ मम।।2.26.33।।

bhrātṛputrasamau cāpi draṣṭavyau ca viśeṣataḥ| tvayā bharataśatrughnau prāṇaiḥ priyatarau mama

What is more important is that you should look on Bharata as your brother and Satrughna as your son. They are dearer to me than my life.

विप्रियं न च कर्तव्यं भरतस्य कदाचन। स हि राजा प्रभुश्चैव देशस्य च कुलस्य च।।2.26.34।।

vipriyaṃ na ca kartavyaṃ bharatasya kadācana| sa hi rājā prabhuścaiva deśasya ca kulasya ca

Now Bharata is the king of the country and head of the family. Therefore, you should never do anything disagreeable to him.

आराधिता हि शीलेन प्रयत्नैश्चोपसेविताः। राजान स्सम्प्रसीदन्ति कुप्यन्तिच विपर्यये।।2.26.35।।

ārādhitā hi śīlena prayatnaiścopasevitāḥ| rājāna ssamprasīdanti kupyantica viparyaye

Kings are gratified if they are served with zeal and good conduct. If the contrary happens, they get provoked.

औरसानपि पुत्रान्हि त्यजन्त्यहितकारिणः। समर्थान्सम्प्रगृह्णन्ति जनानपि नराधिपाः।।2.26.36।।

aurasānapi putrānhi tyajantyahitakāriṇaḥ| samarthānsampragṛhṇanti janānapi narādhipāḥ

Kings abandon (even) their own sons if they are harmful and receive capable people even if they are strangers.

सा त्वं वसेह कल्याणि राज्ञस्समनुवर्तिनी। भरतस्य रता धर्मे सत्यव्रतपरायणा।।2.26.37।।

sā tvaṃ vaseha kalyāṇi rājñassamanuvartinī| bharatasya ratā dharme satyavrataparāyaṇā

O auspicious one live here by being obedient to king Bharata. Absorbed in righteousness, follow truth and (religious) vows.

अहं गमिष्यामि महावनं प्रिये त्वया हि वस्तव्यमिहैव भामिनि। यथा व्यलीकं कुरुषे न कस्य चि त्तथा त्वया कार्यमिदं वचो मम।।2.26.38।।

ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi mahāvanaṃ priye tvayā hi vastavyamihaiva bhāmini| yathā vyalīkaṃ kuruṣe na kasya ci ttathā tvayā kāryamidaṃ vaco mama

O my beloved Sita I am going to the wild forest. Stay here and never cause displeasure to any one in any way. Could you carry out these words of mine? इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twentysixth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.