Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39

रामस्य तु वचः शृत्वा मुनिवेशधरं च तम्। समीक्ष्य सह भार्याभी राजा विगतचेतनः।।2.39.1।। नैनं दुःखेन सन्तप्तः प्रत्यवैक्षत राघवम्। न चैनमभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य प्रत्यभाषत दुर्मनाः।।2.39.2।।

rāmasya tu vacaḥ śṛtvā muniveśadharaṃ ca tam| samīkṣya saha bhāryābhī rājā vigatacetanaḥ nainaṃ duḥkhena santaptaḥ pratyavaikṣata rāghavam| na cainamabhisamprekṣya pratyabhāṣata durmanāḥ

After hearing Rama and beholding him in the robes of an ascetic, Dasaratha and his wives fell unconscious. With his body and mind afflicted with grief, Dasaratha could not look Rama in the face nor could he make a reply.

रामस्य तु वचः शृत्वा मुनिवेशधरं च तम्। समीक्ष्य सह भार्याभी राजा विगतचेतनः।।2.39.1।। नैनं दुःखेन सन्तप्तः प्रत्यवैक्षत राघवम्। न चैनमभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य प्रत्यभाषत दुर्मनाः।।2.39.2।।

rāmasya tu vacaḥ śṛtvā muniveśadharaṃ ca tam| samīkṣya saha bhāryābhī rājā vigatacetanaḥ nainaṃ duḥkhena santaptaḥ pratyavaikṣata rāghavam| na cainamabhisamprekṣya pratyabhāṣata durmanāḥ

After hearing Rama and beholding him in the robes of an ascetic, Dasaratha and his wives fell unconscious. With his body and mind afflicted with grief, Dasaratha could not look Rama in the face nor could he make a reply.

स मुहूर्तमिवासंज्ञो दुःखितश्च महीपतिः। विललाप महाबाहू राममेवानुचिन्तयन्।।2.39.3।।

sa muhūrtamivāsaṃjño duḥkhitaśca mahīpatiḥ| vilalāpa mahābāhū rāmamevānucintayan

The mightyarmed king lost consciousness for a moment and in grief lamented, brooding only over Rama.

मन्ये खलु मया पूर्वं विवत्सा बहवःकृताः। प्राणिनो हिंसिता वापि तस्मादिदमुपस्थितम्।।2.39.4।।

manye khalu mayā pūrvaṃ vivatsā bahavaḥkṛtāḥ| prāṇino hiṃsitā vāpi tasmādidamupasthitam

'In the past I must have separated many from their children or harmed many living beings. That is why I think this calamity has befallen me.

न त्वेवानागते काले देहाच्च्यवति जीवितम्। कैकेय्या क्लिश्यमानस्य मृत्युर्मम न विद्यते।।2.39.5।। योऽहं पावकसङ्काशं पश्यामि पुरतः स्थितम्। विहाय वसने सूक्ष्मे तापसाच्छादमात्मजम्।।2.39.6।।

na tvevānāgate kāle dehāccyavati jīvitam| kaikeyyā kliśyamānasya mṛtyurmama na vidyate yo'haṃ pāvakasaṅkāśaṃ paśyāmi purataḥ sthitam| vihāya vasane sūkṣme tāpasācchādamātmajam

Unless the destined hour arrives, life does not leave the body. Therefore, even though I am tormented by Kaikeyi and even after seeing my son, standing before me, (bright) like fire, taking off his fine clothes and wearing the robes of an ascetic my end does not come.

न त्वेवानागते काले देहाच्च्यवति जीवितम्। कैकेय्या क्लिश्यमानस्य मृत्युर्मम न विद्यते।।2.39.5।। योऽहं पावकसङ्काशं पश्यामि पुरतः स्थितम्। विहाय वसने सूक्ष्मे तापसाच्छादमात्मजम्।।2.39.6।।

na tvevānāgate kāle dehāccyavati jīvitam| kaikeyyā kliśyamānasya mṛtyurmama na vidyate yo'haṃ pāvakasaṅkāśaṃ paśyāmi purataḥ sthitam| vihāya vasane sūkṣme tāpasācchādamātmajam

Unless the destined hour arrives, life does not leave the body. Therefore, even though I am tormented by Kaikeyi and even after seeing my son, standing before me, (bright) like fire, taking off his fine clothes and wearing the robes of an ascetic my end does not come.

एकस्याः खलु कैकेय्याः कृतेऽयं क्लिश्यते जनः। स्वार्थे प्रयतमानायाः संश्रित्य निकृतिं त्विमाम्।।2.39.7।।

ekasyāḥ khalu kaikeyyāḥ kṛte'yaṃ kliśyate janaḥ| svārthe prayatamānāyāḥ saṃśritya nikṛtiṃ tvimām

Only because of Kaikeyi who resorted to this deception in pursuit of selfish ends so many people are made to suffer.

एवमुक्त्वा तु वचनं बाष्पेण पिहितेन्द्रियः। रामेति सकृदेवोक्त्वा व्याहर्तुं न शशाक ह।।2.39.8।।

evamuktvā tu vacanaṃ bāṣpeṇa pihitendriyaḥ| rāmeti sakṛdevoktvā vyāhartuṃ na śaśāka ha

Having uttered these words and muttering, 'O Rama' only once, his vision blurred by tears, he could speak no more.

संज्ञां तु प्रतिलभ्यैव मुहूर्तात्स महीपतिः। नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.39.9।।

saṃjñāṃ tu pratilabhyaiva muhūrtātsa mahīpatiḥ| netrābhyāmaśrupūrṇābhyāṃ sumantramidamabravīt

Regaining his senses in a moment, the king, with eyes filled with tears, said to Sumantra:

औपवाह्यं रथं युक्त्वा त्वमायाहि हयोत्तमैः। प्रापयैनं महाभागमितो जनपदात्परम्।।2.39.10।।

aupavāhyaṃ rathaṃ yuktvā tvamāyāhi hayottamaiḥ| prāpayainaṃ mahābhāgamito janapadātparam

Harness the finest horses to the chariot suitable for the journey, drive this magnanimous Rama to a place outside the city, and come back.

एवं मन्ये गुणवतां गुणानां फलमुच्यते। पित्रा मात्रा च यत्साधुर्वीरो निर्वास्यते वनम्।।2.39.11।।

evaṃ manye guṇavatāṃ guṇānāṃ phalamucyate| pitrā mātrā ca yatsādhurvīro nirvāsyate vanam

That the pious and heroic son is banished by his parents to the forest is, I think, the reward to the virtuous for his virtues.

राज्ञो वचनमाज्ञाय सुमन्त्रः शीघ्रविक्रमः। योजयित्वाऽययौ तत्र रथमश्वैरलङ्कृतम्।।2.39.12।।

rājño vacanamājñāya sumantraḥ śīghravikramaḥ| yojayitvā'yayau tatra rathamaśvairalaṅkṛtam

In obedience to the words of the king, Sumantra promptly harnessed the horses to a welldecorated chariot and brought it there.

तं रथं राजपुत्राय सूत: कनकभूषितम्। आचचक्षेऽञ्जलिं कृत्वा युक्तं परमवाजिभिः।।2.39.13।।

taṃ rathaṃ rājaputrāya sūta: kanakabhūṣitam| ācacakṣe'ñjaliṃ kṛtvā yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ

With folded palms Sumantra informed the prince that a chariot, decked in gold and harnessed with excellent horses, is ready.

राजा सत्वरमाहूय व्यापृतं वित्तसंञ्चये। उवाच देशकालज्ञो निश्चितं सर्वत श्शुचिम्।।2.39.14।।

rājā satvaramāhūya vyāpṛtaṃ vittasaṃñcaye| uvāca deśakālajño niścitaṃ sarvata śśucim

The king who was aware of the right place and time summoned hurriedly the treaury officer, who was firm and honest and said to him:

वासांसि च महार्हाणि भूषणानि वराणि च। वर्षाण्येतानि सङ्ख्याय वैदेह्याः क्षिप्रमानय।।2.39.15।।

vāsāṃsi ca mahārhāṇi bhūṣaṇāni varāṇi ca| varṣāṇyetāni saṅkhyāya vaidehyāḥ kṣipramānaya

Assess the (needs for) number of years the princess of Videha (Sita) is going to be in the forest, and fetch her quickly highly valuable garments and excellent ornaments.

नरेन्द्रेणैवमुक्तस्तु गत्वा कोशगृहं ततः। प्रायच्छत्सर्वमाहृत्य सीतायै सममेव तत्।।2.39.16।।

narendreṇaivamuktastu gatvā kośagṛhaṃ tataḥ| prāyacchatsarvamāhṛtya sītāyai samameva tat

Ordered thus by the king, the officer went to the treasury, collected all the things and presented them to Sita.

सा सुजाता सुजातानि वैदेही प्रस्थिता वनम्। भूषयामास गात्राणि तैर्विचित्रैर्विभूषणैः।।2.39.17।।

sā sujātā sujātāni vaidehī prasthitā vanam| bhūṣayāmāsa gātrāṇi tairvicitrairvibhūṣaṇaiḥ

That princess of noble birth from Videha adorned her beautiful limbs with the sparkling ornaments and got ready to depart for the forest.

व्यराजयत वैदेही वेश्म तत्सुविभूषिता। उद्यतोंऽशुमतः काले खं प्रभेव विवस्वतः।।2.39.18।।

vyarājayata vaidehī veśma tatsuvibhūṣitā| udyatoṃ'śumataḥ kāle khaṃ prabheva vivasvataḥ

Welladorned Sita illumined the palace like the rising Sun lighting up the sky at dawn.

तां भुजाभ्यां परिष्वज्य श्वश्रूर्वचनमब्रवीत्। अनाचरन्ती कृपणं मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय मैथिलीम्।।2.39.19।।

tāṃ bhujābhyāṃ pariṣvajya śvaśrūrvacanamabravīt| anācarantī kṛpaṇaṃ mūrdhnyupāghrāya maithilīm

Kausalya, Sita's motherinlaw, took her in her arms, embraced her, kissed her on the forehead, and said to her who conducted herself without evoking any pity.

असत्य स्सर्वलोकेऽस्मिन्सततं सत्कृताः प्रियैः। भर्तारं नानुमन्यन्ते विनिपातगतं स्त्रियः।।2.39.20।।

asatya ssarvaloke'sminsatataṃ satkṛtāḥ priyaiḥ| bhartāraṃ nānumanyante vinipātagataṃ striyaḥ

Those women who, although always gratified, do not follow their husband when they fall into misfortune, are regarded as unfaithful.

एष स्वभावो नारीणामनुभूय पुरा सुखम्। अल्पामप्यापदं प्राप्य दुष्यन्ति प्रजहत्यपि।।2.39.21।।

eṣa svabhāvo nārīṇāmanubhūya purā sukham| alpāmapyāpadaṃ prāpya duṣyanti prajahatyapi

Though they have enjoyed all pleasures (with their husbands) earlier, they censure them in the wake of the slightest trouble or even abandon them. This is the nature of women.

असत्यशीला विकृता दुर्ग्राह्यहृदयास्सदा। युवत्यः पापसंङ्कल्पाः क्षणमात्राद्विरागिणः।।2.39.22।।

asatyaśīlā vikṛtā durgrāhyahṛdayāssadā| yuvatyaḥ pāpasaṃṅkalpāḥ kṣaṇamātrādvirāgiṇaḥ

Evilminded young ladies are infidels. They are of perverted nature. They are inscrutable. In an instant they lose their love (for their husbands).

न कुलं न कृतं विद्या न दत्तं नापि सङ्ग्रहः। स्त्रीणां गृह्णाति हृदयमनित्यहृदया हि ताः।।2.39.23।।

na kulaṃ na kṛtaṃ vidyā na dattaṃ nāpi saṅgrahaḥ| strīṇāṃ gṛhṇāti hṛdayamanityahṛdayā hi tāḥ

Neither family traditions nor benefits received, nor education nor affection nor gifts nor even accumulated wealth attract women's hearts. Their minds are unstable indeed.

साध्वीनां हि स्थितानां तु शीले सत्ये श्रुते शमे। स्त्रीणां पवित्रं परमं पतिरेको विशिष्यते।।2.39.24।।

sādhvīnāṃ hi sthitānāṃ tu śīle satye śrute śame| strīṇāṃ pavitraṃ paramaṃ patireko viśiṣyate

But for those virtuous women whose minds are fixed in chastity, truth, scriptures and stability, the husband occupies a distinguished place and is considered supremely holy.

स त्वया नावमन्तव्यः पुत्रः प्रव्राजितो मम। तव दैवतमस्त्वेष निर्धनः सधनोऽपि वा।।2.39.25।।

sa tvayā nāvamantavyaḥ putraḥ pravrājito mama| tava daivatamastveṣa nirdhanaḥ sadhano'pi vā

You must not underestimate my son in his exile. You must treat him as your god whether he is wealthy or not.

विज्ञाय वचनं सीता तस्या धर्मार्थसंहितम्। कृताञ्जलिरुवाचेदं श्वश्रूमभिमुखे स्थिताम्।।2.39.26।।

vijñāya vacanaṃ sītā tasyā dharmārthasaṃhitam| kṛtāñjaliruvācedaṃ śvaśrūmabhimukhe sthitām

Sita who understood the import of these words which were in conformity with dharma and artha, repiled to her motherinlaw facing her with folded palms:

करिष्ये सर्वमेवाहमार्या यदनुशास्ति माम्। अभिज्ञास्मि यथा भर्तुर्वर्तितव्यं श्रुतं च मे।।2.39.27।।

kariṣye sarvamevāhamāryā yadanuśāsti mām| abhijñāsmi yathā bharturvartitavyaṃ śrutaṃ ca me

I shall do exactly all that the venerable motherinlaw instructs me. I have heard it earlier and have fully understood as to how I should conduct myself towards my husband.

न मामसज्जनेनार्या समानयितुमर्हति। धर्माद्विचलितुं नाहमलं चन्द्रादिव प्रभा।।2.39.28।।

na māmasajjanenāryā samānayitumarhati| dharmādvicalituṃ nāhamalaṃ candrādiva prabhā

My worshipful motherinlaw should not equate me with wicked people (women). I cannot swerve from the path of virtue like radiance which never leaves the Moon.

नातन्त्री वाद्यते वीणा नाचक्रो वर्तते रथः। नापतिस्सुखमेधेत या स्यादपि शतात्मजा।।2.39.29।।

nātantrī vādyate vīṇā nācakro vartate rathaḥ| nāpatissukhamedheta yā syādapi śatātmajā

A veena (lute) sans strings cannot be played. A chariot without wheels cannot move. Similarly, a woman without her husband finds no happiness even though she has one hundred sons.

मितं ददाति हि पिता मितं माता मितं सुतः। अमितस्य हि दातारं भर्तारं का न पूजयेत्।।2.39.30।।

mitaṃ dadāti hi pitā mitaṃ mātā mitaṃ sutaḥ| amitasya hi dātāraṃ bhartāraṃ kā na pūjayet

While the happiness that the father, mother and son give is limited, a husband gives unlimited happiness. Which wife will not worship such a husband?

साहमेवं गता श्रेष्ठा श्रुतधर्मपरावरा। आर्ये किमवमन्येऽहं स्त्रीणां भर्ता हि दैवतम्।।2.39.31।।

sāhamevaṃ gatā śreṣṭhā śrutadharmaparāvarā| ārye kimavamanye'haṃ strīṇāṃ bhartā hi daivatam

Instructed about my obligations by an eminent lady (her mother?), imbued with these ideals, how can I, O exalted one, underestimate him (my husband)? For a woman the husband is a god indeed

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा कौशल्या हृदयङ्गमम्। शुद्धसत्त्वा मुमोचाश्रु सहसा दुःखहर्षजम्।।2.39.32।।

sītāyā vacanaṃ śrutvā kauśalyā hṛdayaṅgamam| śuddhasattvā mumocāśru sahasā duḥkhaharṣajam

Listening to the heartstirring words of Sita, Kausalya with her heart so pure burst instantaneously into tears of joy and grief.

तां प्राञ्जलिरभिक्रम्य मातृमध्येऽतिसत्कृताम्। रामः परमधर्मात्मा मातरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.39.33।।

tāṃ prāñjalirabhikramya mātṛmadhye'tisatkṛtām| rāmaḥ paramadharmātmā mātaraṃ vākyamabravīt

Most virtuous Rama approached his mother, that highly revered lady among all his mothers, and with folded hands said:

अम्ब मा दुःखिता भूस्त्वं पश्य त्वं पितरं मम।। क्षयो हि वनवासस्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति।।2.39.34।।

amba mā duḥkhitā bhūstvaṃ paśya tvaṃ pitaraṃ mama|| kṣayo hi vanavāsasya kṣiprameva bhaviṣyati

O mother, do not grieve. Look after my father. My stay in the forest will soon come to an end.

सुप्तायास्ते गमिष्यन्ति नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च। सा समग्रमिह प्राप्तं मां द्रक्ष्यसि सुहृद्वृतम्।।2.39.35।।

suptāyāste gamiṣyanti nava varṣāṇi pañca ca| sā samagramiha prāptaṃ māṃ drakṣyasi suhṛdvṛtam

Fourteen years will pass off like a night's sleep. You will see me come home safe and sound, surrounded by my friends.

एतावदभिनीतार्थमुक्त्वा स जननीं वचः। त्रयश्शतशतार्धाश्च ददर्शा वेक्ष्य मातरः।।2.39.36।।

etāvadabhinītārthamuktvā sa jananīṃ vacaḥ| trayaśśataśatārdhāśca dadarśā vekṣya mātaraḥ

Speaking thus to his mother with highly polished words, he then turned his gaze at his other three hundred and fifty mothers.

ता श्चापि स तथैवार्ता मातृ़र्दशरथात्मजः। धर्मयुक्तमिदं वाक्यं निजगाद कृताञ्जलिः।।2.39.37।।

tā ścāpi sa tathaivārtā mātṛ़rdaśarathātmajaḥ| dharmayuktamidaṃ vākyaṃ nijagāda kṛtāñjaliḥ

To all the mothers who stood deeply distressed with grief the son of Dasaratha spoke with folded hands these words suffused with virtue:

संवासात्परुषं किञ्चिदज्ञानाद्वापि यत्कृतम्। तन्मे समनुजानीत सर्वाश्चामन्त्रयामि वः।।2.39.38।।

saṃvāsātparuṣaṃ kiñcidajñānādvāpi yatkṛtam| tanme samanujānīta sarvāścāmantrayāmi vaḥ

If I have been harsh towards you, on account of our living together or through ignorance may you forgive me. I (now) seek leave of you all.

वचनं राघवस्यैतध्दर्मयुक्तं समाहितम्। शुश्रुवुस्ताः स्त्रियंस्सर्वा श्शोकोपहतचेतसः।।2.39.39।।

vacanaṃ rāghavasyaitadhdarmayuktaṃ samāhitam| śuśruvustāḥ striyaṃssarvā śśokopahatacetasaḥ

All the women with their senses afflicted by grief heard the virtuous and wellbalanced words of the scion of the Raghu race:

जज्ञेऽथ तासां सन्नादः क्रौञ्चीनामिव निस्वनः। मानवेन्द्रस्य भार्याणामेवं वदति राघवे।।2.39.40।।

jajñe'tha tāsāṃ sannādaḥ krauñcīnāmiva nisvanaḥ| mānavendrasya bhāryāṇāmevaṃ vadati rāghave

While Rama said so, there arose a loud cry of the wives of the king like the cry of the female herons.

मुरजपणवमेघघोषवत् दशरथवेश्म बभूव यत्पुरा। विलपितपरिदेवनाकुलं व्यसनगतं तदभूत्सुदुःखितम्।।2.39.41।।

murajapaṇavameghaghoṣavat daśarathaveśma babhūva yatpurā| vilapitaparidevanākulaṃ vyasanagataṃ tadabhūtsuduḥkhitam

Dasaratha's palace which reverberated, like the rumblings of the cloud, with the sounds of drums and other musical instruments earlier, now immensely griefsticken and trapped in calamity, is filled with wailings and lamentations. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे एकोनचत्वारिंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the thirtyninth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.