Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 30

सान्त्व्यमाना तु रामेण मैथिली जनकात्मजा। वनवासनिमित्ताय भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.30.1।।

sāntvyamānā tu rāmeṇa maithilī janakātmajā| vanavāsanimittāya bhartāramidamabravīt

In response to Rama's consolation with regard to her stay in the forest, the daughter of Janaka, Maithili (Sita) said:

सा तमुत्तमसंविग्ना सीता विपुलवक्षसम्। प्रणयाच्चाभिमानाच्च परिचिक्षेप राघवम्।।2.30.2।।

sā tamuttamasaṃvignā sītā vipulavakṣasam| praṇayāccābhimānācca paricikṣepa rāghavam

Sita agitated over a supreme cause upbraided the broadchested scion of the Raghu race out of love and injured selfrespect.

किं त्वाऽमन्यत वैदेहः पिता मे मिथिलाधिपः। राम जामातरं प्राप्य स्त्रियं पुरुषविग्रहम्।।2.30.3।।

kiṃ tvā'manyata vaidehaḥ pitā me mithilādhipaḥ| rāma jāmātaraṃ prāpya striyaṃ puruṣavigraham

O Rama while accepting you as soninlaw did my father, king of Mithila and lord of Videha ever think that you are a woman in the guise of a man?

अनृतं बत लोकोऽयमज्ञानाद्यदि वक्ष्यति। तेजो नास्ति परं रामे तपतीव दिवाकरे।।2.30.4।।

anṛtaṃ bata loko'yamajñānādyadi vakṣyati| tejo nāsti paraṃ rāme tapatīva divākare

Alas that will be a falschood if people out of ignorance say that there is no supreme splendour in Rama like the shining Sun.

किं हि कृत्वा विषण्णस्त्वं कुतो वा भयमस्ति ते। यत्परित्यक्तुकामस्त्वं मामनन्यपरायणाम्।।2.30.5।।

kiṃ hi kṛtvā viṣaṇṇastvaṃ kuto vā bhayamasti te| yatparityaktukāmastvaṃ māmananyaparāyaṇām

What may be the cause for your fear and depression behind your desire to desert one who is so exclusively devoted to you?

द्युमत्सेनसुतं वीर सत्यवन्तमनुव्रताम्। सावित्रीमिव मां विद्धि त्वमात्मवशवर्तिनीम्।।2.30.6।।

dyumatsenasutaṃ vīra satyavantamanuvratām| sāvitrīmiva māṃ viddhi tvamātmavaśavartinīm

Know, O valiant one, that by remaining subordinate to you, I am as faithful to you as Savitri was to her husband, Satyavanta, son of Dyumatsena.

न त्वहं मनसाऽप्यन्यं द्रष्टाऽस्मि त्वदृतेऽनघ। त्वया राघव गच्छेयं यथाऽन्या कुलपांसिनी।।2.30.7।।

na tvahaṃ manasā'pyanyaṃ draṣṭā'smi tvadṛte'nagha| tvayā rāghava gaccheyaṃ yathā'nyā kulapāṃsinī

O sinless son of the Raghus I am not like other women who bring disgreace to the family. I have not looked at any one except you, even with my mind's eye. I will go (to the forest) along with you.

स्वयं तु भार्यां कौमारीं चिरमध्युषितां सतीम्। शैलूष इव मां राम परेभ्यो दातुमिच्छसि।।2.30.8।।

svayaṃ tu bhāryāṃ kaumārīṃ ciramadhyuṣitāṃ satīm| śailūṣa iva māṃ rāma parebhyo dātumicchasi

I have been living with you for a long time, O Rama I am young and chaste. Why do you, like an actor, wish to hand me over to others.

यस्य पथ्यं च रामाऽत्थ यस्य चार्थेऽवरुध्यसे। त्वं तस्य भव वश्यश्च विधेयश्च सदाऽनघ।।2.30.9।।

yasya pathyaṃ ca rāmā'ttha yasya cārthe'varudhyase| tvaṃ tasya bhava vaśyaśca vidheyaśca sadā'nagha

You, O sinless Rama, may become subservient and obedient to them about whose wellfare you are speaking of and on account of whom you are preventing me to go (along with you).

स मामनादाय वनं न त्वं प्रस्थातुमर्हसि। तपो वा यदि वाऽरण्यं स्वर्गो वा स्यात्सह मे त्वया।।2.30.10।।

sa māmanādāya vanaṃ na tvaṃ prasthātumarhasi| tapo vā yadi vā'raṇyaṃ svargo vā syātsaha me tvayā

You should not depart for the forest without taking me. Be it for penance or for the forest or for heaven, I wish to be with you.

न च मे भविता तत्र कश्चित्पथि परिश्रमः। पृष्ठतस्तव गच्छन्त्या विहारशयनेष्विव।।2.30.11।।

na ca me bhavitā tatra kaścitpathi pariśramaḥ| pṛṣṭhatastava gacchantyā vihāraśayaneṣviva

While following you, I will feel no fatigue there on the way as if I am going on a pleasurestroll or in a comfortable couch.

कुशकाशशरेषीका ये च कण्टकिनो द्रुमाः। तूलाजिनसमस्पर्शा मार्गे मम सह त्वया।।2.30.12।।

kuśakāśaśareṣīkā ye ca kaṇṭakino drumāḥ| tūlājinasamasparśā mārge mama saha tvayā

The white reeds, the kusha, the sara and the ishika grasses and thorny trees on the way will feel as soft as cotton or as the skin of a black antelope.

महावातसमुद्धूतं यन्मामपकरिष्यति। रजो रमण तन्मन्ये परार्थ्यमिव चन्दनम्।।2.30.13।।

mahāvātasamuddhūtaṃ yanmāmapakariṣyati| rajo ramaṇa tanmanye parārthyamiva candanam

I shall regard, O charming Rama, the harmful dust raised by the stormy wind and settled on me as the most excellent sandal powder.

शाद्वलेषु यथा शिश्ये वनान्ते वनगोचर। कुथास्तरणतल्पेषु किं स्यात्सुखतरं ततः।।2.30.14।।

śādvaleṣu yathā śiśye vanānte vanagocara| kuthāstaraṇatalpeṣu kiṃ syātsukhataraṃ tataḥ

O rover of the forest I will feel happier when I sleep on the meadows (of tender green grass) on the outskirts of the forest than when I sleep on the couch spread with carpets.

पत्रं मूलं फलं यत्त्वमल्पं वा यदि वा बहु। दास्यसि स्वयमाहृत्य तन्मेऽमृतरसोपमम्।।2.30.15।।

patraṃ mūlaṃ phalaṃ yattvamalpaṃ vā yadi vā bahu| dāsyasi svayamāhṛtya tanme'mṛtarasopamam

Whatever leaves or roots or fruits you collect with your own hands for me little or much, they will be nectar to me.

न मातुर्न पितुस्तत्र स्मरिष्यामि न वेश्मनः। आर्तवान्युपभुञ्जाना पुष्पाणि च फलानि च।।2.30.16।।

na māturna pitustatra smariṣyāmi na veśmanaḥ| ārtavānyupabhuñjānā puṣpāṇi ca phalāni ca

Enjoying the seasonal flowers and fruits in the forest, I will not remember my mother or father or home.

न च तत्र ततः किञ्चिद्द्रष्टुमर्हसि विप्रियम्। मत्कृते न च ते शोको न भविष्यामि दुर्भरा।।2.30.17।।

na ca tatra tataḥ kiñciddraṣṭumarhasi vipriyam| matkṛte na ca te śoko na bhaviṣyāmi durbharā

Therefore, you should not anticipate any problem from me in the forest. Neither shall I be burdensome to you nor shall I make you experience any sorrow on my account.

य स्त्वया सह स स्वर्गो निरयो यस्त्वया विना। इति जानन्परां प्रीतिं गच्छ राम मया सह।।2.30.18।।

ya stvayā saha sa svargo nirayo yastvayā vinā| iti jānanparāṃ prītiṃ gaccha rāma mayā saha

Wherever I be with you is heaven and without, hell. O Rama, recognise this truth, and derive great pleasure in my company.

अथ मामेवमव्यग्रां वनं नैव नयिष्यति। विषमद्यैव पास्यामि मा विशं द्विषतां गमम्।।2.30.19।।

atha māmevamavyagrāṃ vanaṃ naiva nayiṣyati| viṣamadyaiva pāsyāmi mā viśaṃ dviṣatāṃ gamam

If you do not take me to the forest without the least hesitation I shall consume poison right now, but not live under the control of enemies (at Ayodhya).

पश्चादपि हि दुःखेन मम नैवास्ति जीवितम्। उज्झितायास्त्वया नाथ तदैव मरणं वरम्।।2.30.20।।

paścādapi hi duḥkhena mama naivāsti jīvitam| ujjhitāyāstvayā nātha tadaiva maraṇaṃ varam

If forsaken, O Lord I shall not live a life of sorrow. Instant death is better (than abandoned existence).

इमं हि सहितुं शोकं मुहूर्तमपि नोत्सहे। किं पुनर्दशवर्षाणि त्रीणि चैकं च दुःखिता।।2.30.21।।

imaṃ hi sahituṃ śokaṃ muhūrtamapi notsahe| kiṃ punardaśavarṣāṇi trīṇi caikaṃ ca duḥkhitā

I cannot bear this grief even for a moment, what to speak of fourteen (ten and three and one) years of grieving.

इति सा शोकसन्तप्ता विलप्य करुणं बहु। चुक्रोश पतिमायस्ता भृशमालिङ्ग्य सस्वरम्।।2.30.22।।

iti sā śokasantaptā vilapya karuṇaṃ bahu| cukrośa patimāyastā bhṛśamāliṅgya sasvaram

Tormented with grief, Sita piteously and profusely lamented, and then exhausted, embraced her husband tightly and cried bitterly.

सा विद्धा बहुभिर्वाक्यैर्दिग्धैरिव गजाङ्गना। चिरसन्नियतं बाष्पं मुमोचाग्निमिवारणिः।।2.30.23।।

sā viddhā bahubhirvākyairdigdhairiva gajāṅganā| cirasanniyataṃ bāṣpaṃ mumocāgnimivāraṇiḥ

Pierced by so many words (of objection from Rama), Sita felt like a cowelephant penetrated by poisonsmeared arrrows. And shed her longsuppressed tears like arani (a firekindling stick) kindling fire.

तस्या स्फटिकसङ्काशं वारि सन्तापसम्भवम्। नेत्राभ्यां परिसुस्राव पङ्कजाभ्यामिवोदकम्।।2.30.24।।

tasyā sphaṭikasaṅkāśaṃ vāri santāpasambhavam| netrābhyāṃ parisusrāva paṅkajābhyāmivodakam

Crystallike tears arising out of distress flowed from her eyes like water trickling from two lotuses.

तच्चैवामलचन्द्राभं मुखमायतलोचनम्। पर्यशुष्यत बाष्पेण जलोद्धृतमिवाम्बुजम्।।2.30.25।।

taccaivāmalacandrābhaṃ mukhamāyatalocanam| paryaśuṣyata bāṣpeṇa jaloddhṛtamivāmbujam

Her face with large eyes assumed the brightness of an immaculate Moon and withered with tears like a lotus plucked out of water.

तां परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां विसंज्ञामिव दुःखिताम्। उवाच वचनं रामः परिविश्वासयंस्तदा।।2.30.26।।

tāṃ pariṣvajya bāhubhyāṃ visaṃjñāmiva duḥkhitām| uvāca vacanaṃ rāmaḥ pariviśvāsayaṃstadā

With his arms Rama embraced Sita who had almost fainted in grief. And in order to create confidence in her he said these words:

न देवि तव दुःखेन स्वर्गमप्यभिरोचये। न हि मेऽस्ति भयं किञ्चित्स्वयम्भोरिव सर्वतः।।2.30.27।।

na devi tava duḥkhena svargamapyabhirocaye| na hi me'sti bhayaṃ kiñcitsvayambhoriva sarvataḥ

When you are in grief O Devi I do not desire even heaven. Like the selfcreated Brahma, I have no fear for any one.

तव सर्वमभिप्रायमविज्ञाय शुभानने। वासं न रोचयेऽरण्ये शक्तिमानपि रक्षणे।।2.30.28।।

tava sarvamabhiprāyamavijñāya śubhānane| vāsaṃ na rocaye'raṇye śaktimānapi rakṣaṇe

O Sita of auspicious countenance even though I am capable of protecting you I did not like your stay in the forest as I did not know your intentions.

यत्सृष्टाऽसि मया सार्धं वनवासाय मैथिलि। न विहातुं मया शक्या कीर्तिरात्मवता यथा।।2.30.29।।

yatsṛṣṭā'si mayā sārdhaṃ vanavāsāya maithili| na vihātuṃ mayā śakyā kīrtirātmavatā yathā

Since you, O daughter of Mithila, were born to go along with me to the forest, I cannot abandon you just as a selfrespecting man cannot forsake his reputation.

धर्मस्तु गजनासोरु सद्भिराचरितः पुरा। तं चाहमनुवर्तेऽद्य यथा सूर्यं सुवर्चला।।2.30.30।।

dharmastu gajanāsoru sadbhirācaritaḥ purā| taṃ cāhamanuvarte'dya yathā sūryaṃ suvarcalā

O one with (shapely) thighs like the trunk of an elephant follow only the path of righteousness practised earlier by the virtuous as Suvarchala follows the Sun.

न खल्वहं न गच्छेयं वनं जनकनन्दिनि। वचनं तन्नयति मां पितु स्सत्योपबृंहितम्।।2.30.31।।

na khalvahaṃ na gaccheyaṃ vanaṃ janakanandini| vacanaṃ tannayati māṃ pitu ssatyopabṛṃhitam

Not that I shall not go to the forest (go I must). My father's word nourished by truth is leading me there, O daughter of Janaka

एष धर्मस्तु सुश्रोणि पितुर्मातुश्च वश्यता। अतश्च तं व्यतिक्रम्य नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे।।2.30.32।।

eṣa dharmastu suśroṇi piturmātuśca vaśyatā| ataśca taṃ vyatikramya nāhaṃ jīvitumutsahe

Obedience to parents is a righteous act. Therefore, O one with fair hips I cannot live and disobey the word of truth.

अस्वाधीनं कथं दैवं प्रकारैरभिराध्यते। स्वाधीनं समतिक्रम्य मातरं पितरं गुरुम्।।2.30.33।।

asvādhīnaṃ kathaṃ daivaṃ prakārairabhirādhyate| svādhīnaṃ samatikramya mātaraṃ pitaraṃ gurum

Mother, father and preceptor are present before us. By overstepping them, how can we, in various ways, worship God who is beyond reach (not visible)?

यत्त्रयं तत्त्रयो लोकाः पवित्रं तत्समं भुवि। नान्यदस्ति शुभापाङ्गे तेनेदमभिराध्यते।।2.30.34।।

yattrayaṃ tattrayo lokāḥ pavitraṃ tatsamaṃ bhuvi| nānyadasti śubhāpāṅge tenedamabhirādhyate

Where these three(mother,father and preceptor) equal to the three worlds are, O one with loverly sideglances, there is none in this world as holy. Therefore, they are to be worshipped.

न सत्यं दानमानौ वा न यज्ञाश्चाप्तदक्षिणाः। तथा बलकरा स्सीते यथा सेवा पितुर्हिता।।2.30.35।।

na satyaṃ dānamānau vā na yajñāścāptadakṣiṇāḥ| tathā balakarā ssīte yathā sevā piturhitā

Truth or munificence or homage or distribution of gifts to the revered ones or sacrifices, O Sita, are not considered as efficacious as service to father.

स्वर्गो धनं वा धान्यं वा विद्याः पुत्रास्सुखानि च। गुरुवृत्त्यनुरोधेन न किञ्चिदपि दुर्लभम्।।2.30.36।।

svargo dhanaṃ vā dhānyaṃ vā vidyāḥ putrāssukhāni ca| guruvṛttyanurodhena na kiñcidapi durlabham

By fulfilling father's wish, nothing is difficult to achieve, whether it is heaven, or wealth, or foodgrains, or learning, or sons or other comforts.

देवगन्धर्वगोलोकान्ब्रह्मलोकां स्तथाऽपरान्। प्राप्नुवन्ति महात्मानो मातापितृपरायणाः।।2.30.37।।

devagandharvagolokānbrahmalokāṃ stathā'parān| prāpnuvanti mahātmāno mātāpitṛparāyaṇāḥ

Great men who are devoted to the service of their parents attain the world of the gods, of gandharvas, of cows, of Visnu, of Brahma and other worlds.

स मां पिता यथा शास्ति सत्यधर्मपथे स्थितः। तथा वर्तितुमिच्छामि स हि धर्मस्सनातनः।।2.30.38।।

sa māṃ pitā yathā śāsti satyadharmapathe sthitaḥ| tathā vartitumicchāmi sa hi dharmassanātanaḥ

My father who follows the path of truth and dharma whatever be his commands, I wish to obey. He is, indeed, dharma eternal.

मम सन्ना मतिस्सीते त्वां नेतुं दण्डकावनम्। वसिष्यामीति सा त्वं मामनुयातुं सुनिश्चिता।।2.30.39।।

mama sannā matissīte tvāṃ netuṃ daṇḍakāvanam| vasiṣyāmīti sā tvaṃ māmanuyātuṃ suniścitā

O Sita, my discretion fails me in deciding whether to take you to Dandaka forest or not. You are, however, firmly determined to follow me, saying, you can live in the forest.

सा हि सृष्टाऽनवद्याङ्गि वनाय मदिरेक्षणे। अनुगच्छस्व मां भीरु सहधर्मचरी भव।।2.30.40।।

sā hi sṛṣṭā'navadyāṅgi vanāya madirekṣaṇe| anugacchasva māṃ bhīru sahadharmacarī bhava

O one with fascinating eyes and exquisite beauty you were born to live in the forest. O gentle lady, assist me in carrying out my duties.

सर्वथा सदृशं सीते मम स्वस्य कुलस्य च। व्यवसायमनुक्रान्ता कान्ते त्वमतिशोभनम्।।2.30.41।।

sarvathā sadṛśaṃ sīte mama svasya kulasya ca| vyavasāyamanukrāntā kānte tvamatiśobhanam

You, O my lovely beloved Sita, have taken in the right time a highly dignified decision befitting in all ways your family, myself and yourself.

आरभस्व शुभश्रोणि वनवासक्षमाः क्रियाः। नेदानीं त्वदृते सीते स्वर्गोऽपि मम रोचते।।2.30.42।।

ārabhasva śubhaśroṇi vanavāsakṣamāḥ kriyāḥ| nedānīṃ tvadṛte sīte svargo'pi mama rocate

O Sita, begin right now all preparations necessary for residing in the forest. O one, with beautiful buttocks, without you even the very heaven does not please me.

ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च रत्नानि भिक्षुकेभ्यश्च भोजनम्। देहि चाशंसमानेभ्य स्सन्त्वरस्व च मा चिरम्।।2.30.43।।

brāhmaṇebhyaśca ratnāni bhikṣukebhyaśca bhojanam| dehi cāśaṃsamānebhya ssantvarasva ca mā ciram

Give away your jewels to brahmins who need them and food to religious mendicants. Hurry up Do not delay.

भूषणानि महार्हाणि वरवस्त्राणि यानि च। रमणीयाश्च ये केचित्क्रीडार्थाश्चाप्युपस्कराः।।2.30.44।। शयनीयानि यानानि मम चान्यानि यानि च। देहि स्वभृत्यवर्गस्य ब्राह्मणानामनन्तरम्।।2.30.45।।

bhūṣaṇāni mahārhāṇi varavastrāṇi yāni ca| ramaṇīyāśca ye kecitkrīḍārthāścāpyupaskarāḥ śayanīyāni yānāni mama cānyāni yāni ca| dehi svabhṛtyavargasya brāhmaṇānāmanantaram

Distribute among your attendants highly valuable ornaments and excellent clothing, charming articles meant for (court) sport, my couches, chariots and all other things. Offer the rest to brahmins.

भूषणानि महार्हाणि वरवस्त्राणि यानि च। रमणीयाश्च ये केचित्क्रीडार्थाश्चाप्युपस्कराः।।2.30.44।। शयनीयानि यानानि मम चान्यानि यानि च। देहि स्वभृत्यवर्गस्य ब्राह्मणानामनन्तरम्।।2.30.45।।

bhūṣaṇāni mahārhāṇi varavastrāṇi yāni ca| ramaṇīyāśca ye kecitkrīḍārthāścāpyupaskarāḥ śayanīyāni yānāni mama cānyāni yāni ca| dehi svabhṛtyavargasya brāhmaṇānāmanantaram

Distribute among your attendants highly valuable ornaments and excellent clothing, charming articles meant for (court) sport, my couches, chariots and all other things. Offer the rest to brahmins.

अनुकूलं तु सा भर्तुर्ज्ञात्वा गमनमात्मनः। क्षिप्रं प्रमुदिता देवी दातुमेवोपचक्रमे।।2.30.46।।

anukūlaṃ tu sā bharturjñātvā gamanamātmanaḥ| kṣipraṃ pramuditā devī dātumevopacakrame

Having come to know that her departure to the forest is acceptable to her husband, Sita, highly delighted, quickly got ready to give away (things).