Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37

महामात्रवचः श्रुत्वा रामो दशरथं तदा। अभ्यभाषत वाक्यं तु विनयज्ञो विनीतवत्।।2.37.1।।

mahāmātravacaḥ śrutvā rāmo daśarathaṃ tadā| abhyabhāṣata vākyaṃ tu vinayajño vinītavat

On hearing the minister, Rama who knew how to be polite spoke these words to Dasaratha humbly:

त्यक्तभोगस्य मे राजन् वने वन्येन जीवतः। किं कार्यमनुयात्रेण त्यक्तसङ्गस्य सर्वतः।।2.37.2।।

tyaktabhogasya me rājan vane vanyena jīvataḥ| kiṃ kāryamanuyātreṇa tyaktasaṅgasya sarvataḥ

O king giving up pleasures and attachments altogether I am going to live on whatever is available in the forest. What is the use of followers?

यो हि दत्त्वा द्विपश्रेष्ठं कक्ष्यायां कुरुते मनः। रज्जुस्नेहेन किं तस्य त्यजतः कुञ्जरोत्तमम्।।2.37.3।।

yo hi dattvā dvipaśreṣṭhaṃ kakṣyāyāṃ kurute manaḥ| rajjusnehena kiṃ tasya tyajataḥ kuñjarottamam

Having given away the best of elephants, will any one be interested in the rope tied to its girth? Why should one have any attachment for the rope after he has given up the elephant?

तथा मम सतां श्रेष्ठ किं ध्वजिन्या जगत्पते। सर्वाण्येवानुजानामि चीराण्येवाऽनयन्तु मे।।2.37.4।।

tathā mama satāṃ śreṣṭha kiṃ dhvajinyā jagatpate| sarvāṇyevānujānāmi cīrāṇyevā'nayantu me

O best among the virtuous O lord of the world, I do not have any use for this army. I am giving away everything (to Bharata). Bring the bark only.

खनित्रपिटके चोभे समानयत गच्छतः। चतुर्दश वने वासं वर्षाणि वसतो मम।।2.37.5।।

khanitrapiṭake cobhe samānayata gacchataḥ| caturdaśa vane vāsaṃ varṣāṇi vasato mama

I am going to the forest to live there for fourteen years. Bring me two things: a basket and a crowbar.

अथ चीराणि कैकेयी स्वयमाहृत्य राघवम्। उवाच परिधत्स्वेति जनौघे निरपत्रपा।।2.37.6।।

atha cīrāṇi kaikeyī svayamāhṛtya rāghavam| uvāca paridhatsveti janaughe nirapatrapā

Thereupon in the assembly of people, without any sense of shame Kaikeyi herself brought the bark robes and said to the son of the Raghus (Rama), Wear it.

स चीरे पुरुषव्याघ्रः कैकेय्या प्रतिगृह्य ते। सूक्ष्मवस्त्रमवक्षिप्य मुनिवस्त्राण्यवस्त ह।।2.37.7।।

sa cīre puruṣavyāghraḥ kaikeyyā pratigṛhya te| sūkṣmavastramavakṣipya munivastrāṇyavasta ha

The tiger among men (Rama) received the bark robes from Kaikeyi and putting off the fine apparel wore the robes of an ascetic.

लक्ष्मणश्चापि तत्रैव विहाय वसने शुभे। तापसाच्छादने चैव जग्राह पितुरग्रतः।।2.37.8।।

lakṣmaṇaścāpi tatraiva vihāya vasane śubhe| tāpasācchādane caiva jagrāha pituragrataḥ

Lakshmana also removed his auspicious raiment in front (presence) of his father and accepted (put on) the robes of an ascetic.

अथाऽत्मपरिधानार्थं सीता कौशेयवासिनी। समीक्ष्य चीरं सन्त्रस्ता पृषती वागुरामिव।।2.37.9।।

athā'tmaparidhānārthaṃ sītā kauśeyavāsinī| samīkṣya cīraṃ santrastā pṛṣatī vāgurāmiva

Then Sita in silk clothes glanced at the bark robes meant for her to wear and was frightened like a doe seeing a (fowler's) snare.

सा व्यपत्रपमाणेव प्रगृह्य च सुदुर्मनाः। कैकेयी कुशचीरे ते जानकी शुभलक्षणा।।2.37.10।। अश्रुसम्पूर्ण नेत्रा च धर्मज्ञा धर्मदर्शिनी। गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.37.11।।

sā vyapatrapamāṇeva pragṛhya ca sudurmanāḥ| kaikeyī kuśacīre te jānakī śubhalakṣaṇā aśrusampūrṇa netrā ca dharmajñā dharmadarśinī| gandharvarājapratimaṃ bhartāramidamabravīt

Sita of auspicious nature who knew her duties and understood righteousness, took the garments made of kusa grass from Kaikeyi. With a sense of abashment her eyes suffused with tears, she said to her husband who was the very image of the king of gandharvas.

सा व्यपत्रपमाणेव प्रगृह्य च सुदुर्मनाः। कैकेयी कुशचीरे ते जानकी शुभलक्षणा।।2.37.10।। अश्रुसम्पूर्ण नेत्रा च धर्मज्ञा धर्मदर्शिनी। गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.37.11।।

sā vyapatrapamāṇeva pragṛhya ca sudurmanāḥ| kaikeyī kuśacīre te jānakī śubhalakṣaṇā aśrusampūrṇa netrā ca dharmajñā dharmadarśinī| gandharvarājapratimaṃ bhartāramidamabravīt

Sita of auspicious nature who knew her duties and understood righteousness, took the garments made of kusa grass from Kaikeyi. With a sense of abashment her eyes suffused with tears, she said to her husband who was the very image of the king of gandharvas.

कथं नु चीरं बध्नन्ति मुनयो वनवासिनः। इति ह्यकुशला सीता सा मुमोह मुहुर्मुहुः।।2.37.12।।

kathaṃ nu cīraṃ badhnanti munayo vanavāsinaḥ| iti hyakuśalā sītā sā mumoha muhurmuhuḥ

Sita, unacquainted with wearing bark robes, asked Rama, perplexed 'How do the sages who live in the forest wear bark garment?'.

कृत्वा कण्ठे च सा चीरमेकमादाय पाणिना। तस्थौ ह्यकुशला तत्र व्रीडिता जनकात्मजा।।2.37.13।।

kṛtvā kaṇṭhe ca sā cīramekamādāya pāṇinā| tasthau hyakuśalā tatra vrīḍitā janakātmajā

The daughter of Janaka, placed one end of the garment round her neck and held the other in her hand, and stood ashamed as she did not know what to do next.

तस्यास्तत्क्षिप्रमागम्य रामो धर्मभृतां वरः। चीरं बबन्ध सीतायाः कौशेयस्योपरि स्वयम्।।2.37.14।।

tasyāstatkṣipramāgamya rāmo dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ| cīraṃ babandha sītāyāḥ kauśeyasyopari svayam

Rama, foremost among protectors of righteousness, came forward quickly and fastened the bark himself over her silk garment.

रामं प्रेक्ष्य तु सीताया बध्नन्तं चीरमुत्तमम्। अन्तःपुरगता नार्यो मुमुचुर्वारि नेत्रजम्।।2.37.15।।

rāmaṃ prekṣya tu sītāyā badhnantaṃ cīramuttamam| antaḥpuragatā nāryo mumucurvāri netrajam

Beholding Rama fastening the bark garment on Sita, the women of the inner apartment shed tears from their eyes.

ऊचुश्च परमायस्ता रामं ज्वलिततेजसम्। वत्स नैवं नियुक्तेयं वनवासे मनस्विनी।।2.37.16।।

ūcuśca paramāyastā rāmaṃ jvalitatejasam| vatsa naivaṃ niyukteyaṃ vanavāse manasvinī

Profoundly distressed, they said to Rama glowing with burning lustre O dear, no one has ordered this highminded Sita to dwell in the forest.

पितुर्वाक्यानुरोधेन गतस्य विजनं वनम्। तावद्दर्शनमस्या नः सफलं भवतु प्रभो।।2.37.17।।

piturvākyānurodhena gatasya vijanaṃ vanam| tāvaddarśanamasyā naḥ saphalaṃ bhavatu prabho

In obedience to the words of your father, O lord you are going to the forest. Till you return, please allow us to have her (Sita's) audience.

लक्ष्मणेन सहायेन वनं गच्छस्व पुत्रक। नेयमर्हति कल्याणी वस्तुं तापसवद्वने।।2.37.18।।

lakṣmaṇena sahāyena vanaṃ gacchasva putraka| neyamarhati kalyāṇī vastuṃ tāpasavadvane

Go, O son to the forest with Lakshmana as your companion. (But) this auspicious Sita, will not be able to live in the jungle like a hermit.

कुरु नो याचनां पुत्र सीता तिष्ठतु भामिनी। धर्मनित्यस्स्वयं स्थातुं न हीदानीं त्वमिच्छसि।।2.37.19।।

kuru no yācanāṃ putra sītā tiṣṭhatu bhāminī| dharmanityassvayaṃ sthātuṃ na hīdānīṃ tvamicchasi

Do accede to our prayer. Let lovely Sita stay with us as you, O son faithful to your duty, will not like to remain here.

तासामेवंविधा वाच शृण्वन् दशरथात्मजः। बबन्धैव तदा चीरं सीतया तुल्यशीलया।।2.37.20।।

tāsāmevaṃvidhā vāca śṛṇvan daśarathātmajaḥ| babandhaiva tadā cīraṃ sītayā tulyaśīlayā

While Rama was listening to such words uttered by them, he got the bark robes fastened round Sita who was of similar nature.

चीरे गृहीते तु तया समीक्ष्य नृपतेर्गुरुः। निवार्य सीतां कैकेयीं वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.37.21।।

cīre gṛhīte tu tayā samīkṣya nṛpaterguruḥ| nivārya sītāṃ kaikeyīṃ vasiṣṭho vākyamabravīt

When Sita wore the bark garments, Vasistha, the king's preceptor who was watching this restrained her (Sita) and said to Kaikeyi:

अतिप्रवृत्ते दुर्मेधे कैकेयि कुलपांसनि। वञ्चयित्वा च राजानं न प्रमाणेऽवतिष्ठसे।।2.37.22।।

atipravṛtte durmedhe kaikeyi kulapāṃsani| vañcayitvā ca rājānaṃ na pramāṇe'vatiṣṭhase

. You are exceeding all limits of decency O Kaikeyi your motive is evil. You are a disgrace to the race You have deceived the king and your behaviour does not conform to the standards (of righteousness).

न गन्तव्यं वनं देव्या सीतया शीलवर्जिते। अनुष्ठास्यति रामस्य सीता प्रकृतमासनम्।।2.37.23।।

na gantavyaṃ vanaṃ devyā sītayā śīlavarjite| anuṣṭhāsyati rāmasya sītā prakṛtamāsanam

You are devoid of good conduct, O Kaikeyi Divine Sita need not go to the forest. Remaining here she should occupy the royal throne of Rama.

आत्मा हि दारास्सर्वेषां दारसङ्ग्रहवर्तिनाम्। आत्मेयमिति रामस्य पालयिष्यति मेदिनीम्।।2.37.24।।

ātmā hi dārāssarveṣāṃ dārasaṅgrahavartinām| ātmeyamiti rāmasya pālayiṣyati medinīm

For every householder, his wife is the soul. Since Sita is the soul of Rama, she can rule this earth.

अथ यास्यति वैदेही वनं रामेण सङ्गता। वयमप्यनुयास्यामः पुरं चेदं गमिष्यति।।2.37.25।।

atha yāsyati vaidehī vanaṃ rāmeṇa saṅgatā| vayamapyanuyāsyāmaḥ puraṃ cedaṃ gamiṣyati

Otherwise, if Sita goes with Rama to the forest, all of us along with the entire city will follow.

अन्तपालाश्च यास्यन्ति सदारो यत्र राघवः। सहोपजीव्यं राष्ट्रं च पुरं च सपरिच्छदम्।।2.37.26।।

antapālāśca yāsyanti sadāro yatra rāghavaḥ| sahopajīvyaṃ rāṣṭraṃ ca puraṃ ca saparicchadam

The guardians of the harem, its patron king Dasaratha with his retinue and, the people of this city will go wherever Rama lives with his wife.

भरतश्च सशत्रुघ्नश्चीरवासा वनेचरः। वने वसन्तं काकुत्स्थ मनुवत्स्यति पूर्वजम्।।2.37.27।।

bharataśca saśatrughnaścīravāsā vanecaraḥ| vane vasantaṃ kākutstha manuvatsyati pūrvajam

Wandering in the forest and wearing bark, Satrughna and Bharata will live in the company of their elder brother (Rama) in the jungle.

तत श्शून्यां गतजनां वसुधां पादपै स्सह। त्वमेका शाधि दुर्वृत्ता प्रजानामहिते स्थिता।।2.37.28।।

tata śśūnyāṃ gatajanāṃ vasudhāṃ pādapai ssaha| tvamekā śādhi durvṛttā prajānāmahite sthitā

Intent upon doing harm to the people with your vile behaviour, you alone rule this kingdom full of trees and deserted by men.

न हि तद्भविता राष्ट्रं यत्र रामो न भूपतिः। तद्वनं भविता राष्ट्रं यत्र रामो निवत्स्यति।।2.37.29।।

na hi tadbhavitā rāṣṭraṃ yatra rāmo na bhūpatiḥ| tadvanaṃ bhavitā rāṣṭraṃ yatra rāmo nivatsyati

That is not a kingdom where Rama does not rule. If Rama lives in the forest, that shall be the kingdom.

न ह्यदत्तां महीं पित्रा भरतः शास्तुमर्हति। त्वयि वा पुत्रवद्वस्तुं यदि जातो महीपतेः।।2.37.30।।

na hyadattāṃ mahīṃ pitrā bharataḥ śāstumarhati| tvayi vā putravadvastuṃ yadi jāto mahīpateḥ

If Bharata is truly born to the king, he will not rule the kingdom which has not been bestowed on him (wholeheartedly) by his father. Nor will he live like a son to you.

यद्यपि त्वं क्षितितलाद्गगनं चोत्पतिष्यसि। पितृर्वंशचरित्रज्ञः सोऽन्यथा न करिष्यति।।2.37.31।।

yadyapi tvaṃ kṣititalādgaganaṃ cotpatiṣyasi| pitṛrvaṃśacaritrajñaḥ so'nyathā na kariṣyati

Even if you were to fly from earth to sky, Bharata who knows the traditions of his father's dynasty, will not act otherwise.

तत्त्वया पुत्रगर्धिन्या पुत्रस्य कृतमप्रियम्। लोके हि स न विद्येत यो न राममनुव्रतः।।2.37.32।।

tattvayā putragardhinyā putrasya kṛtamapriyam| loke hi sa na vidyeta yo na rāmamanuvrataḥ

Therefore, by greedily guarding your son's interest you are doing him harm. There is none in this world who will not follow Rama.

द्रक्ष्यस्यद्यैव कैकेयी पशुव्यालमृगद्विजान्। गच्छतस्सह रामेण पादपांश्च तदुन्मुखान्।।2.37.33।।

drakṣyasyadyaiva kaikeyī paśuvyālamṛgadvijān| gacchatassaha rāmeṇa pādapāṃśca tadunmukhān

Today you shall see, O Kaikeyi, flocks of cattle, elephants, deer and birds following Rama, even the trees bending towards him.

अथोत्तमान्याभरणानि देवि देहि स्नुषायै व्यपनीय चीरम्। न चीरमस्याः प्रविधीयतेति न्यवारयत्तद्वसनं वसिष्टः।।2.37.34।।

athottamānyābharaṇāni devi dehi snuṣāyai vyapanīya cīram| na cīramasyāḥ pravidhīyateti nyavārayattadvasanaṃ vasiṣṭaḥ

O Kaikeyi remove those bark robes and bestow on your daughterinlaw precious ornaments. She was not ordained to wear the bark. Vaisishta, saying so, prevented Sita from wearing that garment.

एकस्य रामस्य वने निवास स्त्वया वृतःकेकयराजपुत्री। विभूषितेयं प्रतिकर्मनित्या वसत्वरण्ये सह राघवेण।।2.37.35।।

ekasya rāmasya vane nivāsa stvayā vṛtaḥkekayarājaputrī| vibhūṣiteyaṃ pratikarmanityā vasatvaraṇye saha rāghaveṇa

O Kaikeyi, you asked that Rama only should dwell in the forest (wearing bark robes). Therefore let Sita, adorn her body daily, while she lives in the forest with Rama.

यानैश्च मुख्यैः परिचारकैश्च सुसंवृता गच्छतु राजपुत्री। वस्त्रैश्च सर्वैस्सहितैर्विधानै र्नेयं वृता ते वरसम्प्रदाने।।2.37.36।।

yānaiśca mukhyaiḥ paricārakaiśca susaṃvṛtā gacchatu rājaputrī| vastraiśca sarvaissahitairvidhānai rneyaṃ vṛtā te varasampradāne

Equipped with excellent chariots, attendants, garments, and all other needs let the princess (Sita) go. While seeking boons, you did not include Sita.

तस्मिंस्तथा जल्पति विप्रमुख्ये गुरौ नृपस्याप्रतिमप्रभावे। नैव स्म सीता विनिवृत्तभावा प्रियस्य भर्तुः प्रतिकारकामा।।2.37.37।।

tasmiṃstathā jalpati vipramukhye gurau nṛpasyāpratimaprabhāve| naiva sma sītā vinivṛttabhāvā priyasya bhartuḥ pratikārakāmā

(Though) Vasistha, endowed with matchless power, the preceptor of the king and foremost among the brahmins thus expressed himself, Sita was not willing to swerve from her resolve in order to serve her beloved husband. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे सप्तत्रिंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the thirtyseventh sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.