Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 44

विलपन्ती तथा तां तु कौसल्यां प्रमदोत्तमाम्। इदं धर्मे स्थिता धर्म्यं सुमित्रा वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.44.1।।

vilapantī tathā tāṃ tu kausalyāṃ pramadottamām| idaṃ dharme sthitā dharmyaṃ sumitrā vākyamabravīt

While Kausalya, the best of women was thus lamenting, virtuous Sumitra spoke to her these righteous words:

तवार्ये सद्गुणैर्युक्तः पुत्र स्स पुरुषोत्तमः। किं ते विलपितेनैवं कृपणं रुदितेन वा।।2.44.2।।

tavārye sadguṇairyuktaḥ putra ssa puruṣottamaḥ| kiṃ te vilapitenaivaṃ kṛpaṇaṃ ruditena vā

My venerable lady, your son Rama is the greatest among men and is endowed with every virtue. Why do you lament in this way? Why do you weep bitterly?

यस्तवार्ये गतः पुत्रस्त्यक्त्वा राज्यं महाबलः। साधु कुर्वन् महात्मानं पितरं सत्यवादिनम्।।2.44.3।। शिष्टैराचरिते सम्यक्छश्वत्प्रेत्यफलोदये। रामो धर्मे स्थित श्रेष्ठो न स शोच्यः कदाचन।।2.44.4।।

yastavārye gataḥ putrastyaktvā rājyaṃ mahābalaḥ| sādhu kurvan mahātmānaṃ pitaraṃ satyavādinam śiṣṭairācarite samyakchaśvatpretyaphalodaye| rāmo dharme sthita śreṣṭho na sa śocyaḥ kadācana

In order to vindicate the words of his great and truthful father, O noble lady,your mighty son has renounced the kingdom and has gone (to the forest). He has stuck to the path so scrupulously followed by the wise, the everlasting results of which can be fully realised in the world to come. Such a peerless son is never to be grieved over.

यस्तवार्ये गतः पुत्रस्त्यक्त्वा राज्यं महाबलः। साधु कुर्वन् महात्मानं पितरं सत्यवादिनम्।।2.44.3।। शिष्टैराचरिते सम्यक्छश्वत्प्रेत्यफलोदये। रामो धर्मे स्थित श्रेष्ठो न स शोच्यः कदाचन।।2.44.4।।

yastavārye gataḥ putrastyaktvā rājyaṃ mahābalaḥ| sādhu kurvan mahātmānaṃ pitaraṃ satyavādinam śiṣṭairācarite samyakchaśvatpretyaphalodaye| rāmo dharme sthita śreṣṭho na sa śocyaḥ kadācana

In order to vindicate the words of his great and truthful father, O noble lady,your mighty son has renounced the kingdom and has gone (to the forest). He has stuck to the path so scrupulously followed by the wise, the everlasting results of which can be fully realised in the world to come. Such a peerless son is never to be grieved over.

वर्तते चोत्तमां वृत्तिं लक्ष्मणोऽस्मिन् सदानघः। दयावान् सर्वभूतेषु लाभस्तस्य महात्मनः।।2.44.5।।

vartate cottamāṃ vṛttiṃ lakṣmaṇo'smin sadānaghaḥ| dayāvān sarvabhūteṣu lābhastasya mahātmanaḥ

Blameless Lakshmana, compassionate to all beings, has acted most nobly in this matter for the benefit of his great soul.

अरण्यवासे यद्दुःखं जानती वै सुखोचिता। अनुगच्छति वैदेही धर्मात्मानं तवात्मजम्।।2.44.6।।

araṇyavāse yadduḥkhaṃ jānatī vai sukhocitā| anugacchati vaidehī dharmātmānaṃ tavātmajam

The daughter of Videha (Sita) who was used to comforts has knowingly followed your virtuous son into the hardships of forest life.

कीर्तिभूतां पताकां यो लोके भ्रमयति प्रभुः। धर्मसत्यव्रतधनः किं न प्राप्तस्तवात्मजः।।2.44.7।।

kīrtibhūtāṃ patākāṃ yo loke bhramayati prabhuḥ| dharmasatyavratadhanaḥ kiṃ na prāptastavātmajaḥ

Your allcompetent son who considers righteousness and truth as wealth, is waving the flag of fame in this world. What is that which your son did not gain ?

व्यक्तं रामस्य विज्ञाय शौचं माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्। न गात्रमंशुभि स्सूर्य स्सन्तापयितुमर्हति।।2.44.8।।

vyaktaṃ rāmasya vijñāya śaucaṃ māhātmyamuttamam| na gātramaṃśubhi ssūrya ssantāpayitumarhati

Knowing Rama's sterling purity and greatness the Sun evidently dare not scorch his body with its rays.

शिवस्सर्वेषु कालेषु काननेभ्यो विनिस्सृतः। राघवं युक्तशीतोष्णस्सेविष्यति सुखोऽनिलः।।2.44.9।।

śivassarveṣu kāleṣu kānanebhyo vinissṛtaḥ| rāghavaṃ yuktaśītoṣṇasseviṣyati sukho'nilaḥ

A pleasant yet moderately hot and cold breeze blowing through the woodlands will serve Rama at all seasons.

शयानमनघं रात्रौ पितेवाभिपरिष्वजन्। रश्मिभि स्संस्पृशन् शीतैश्चन्द्रमाह्लादयिष्यति।।2.44.10।।

śayānamanaghaṃ rātrau pitevābhipariṣvajan| raśmibhi ssaṃspṛśan śītaiścandramāhlādayiṣyati

While that sinless Rama sleeps at night, the Moon will comfort him by touching him with cool beams like a father embracing his son.

ददौ चास्त्राणि दिव्यानि यस्मै ब्रह्मा महौजसे। दानवेन्द्रं हतं दृष्ट्वा तिमिध्वजसुतं रणे।।2.44.11।। स शूरः पुरुषव्याघ्रः स्वबाहुबलमाश्रितः। असन्त्रस्तोऽप्यरणस्थो वेश्मनीव निवत्स्यति।।2.44.12।।

dadau cāstrāṇi divyāni yasmai brahmā mahaujase| dānavendraṃ hataṃ dṛṣṭvā timidhvajasutaṃ raṇe sa śūraḥ puruṣavyāghraḥ svabāhubalamāśritaḥ| asantrasto'pyaraṇastho veśmanīva nivatsyati

To the mighty, heroic Rama, that best of men, Brahmalike Viswamitra has bequeathed many divine weapons, seeing him slay Timidhwaja's son (Subahu), lord of demons, in the battle. He will stay fearless in the forest, relying on the strength of his own arms as though he were living in the palace.

ददौ चास्त्राणि दिव्यानि यस्मै ब्रह्मा महौजसे। दानवेन्द्रं हतं दृष्ट्वा तिमिध्वजसुतं रणे।।2.44.11।। स शूरः पुरुषव्याघ्रः स्वबाहुबलमाश्रितः। असन्त्रस्तोऽप्यरणस्थो वेश्मनीव निवत्स्यति।।2.44.12।।

dadau cāstrāṇi divyāni yasmai brahmā mahaujase| dānavendraṃ hataṃ dṛṣṭvā timidhvajasutaṃ raṇe sa śūraḥ puruṣavyāghraḥ svabāhubalamāśritaḥ| asantrasto'pyaraṇastho veśmanīva nivatsyati

To the mighty, heroic Rama, that best of men, Brahmalike Viswamitra has bequeathed many divine weapons, seeing him slay Timidhwaja's son (Subahu), lord of demons, in the battle. He will stay fearless in the forest, relying on the strength of his own arms as though he were living in the palace.

यस्येषुपथमासाद्य विनाशं यान्ति शत्रवः। कथं न पृथिवी तस्य शासने स्थातुमर्हति।।2.44.13।।

yasyeṣupathamāsādya vināśaṃ yānti śatravaḥ| kathaṃ na pṛthivī tasya śāsane sthātumarhati

When enemies who are targets of his arrows are destoyed, how can this earth, not stay under the command of Rama?

या श्री श्शौर्यं च रामस्य या च कल्याणसत्वता। निवृत्तारण्यवास स्स क्षिप्रं राज्यमवाप्स्यति।।2.44.14।।

yā śrī śśauryaṃ ca rāmasya yā ca kalyāṇasatvatā| nivṛttāraṇyavāsa ssa kṣipraṃ rājyamavāpsyati

On return from his sojourn in the forest, Rama, endowed with splendour, valour and a strength that brings wellbeing will quickly regain his kingdom.

सूर्यस्यापि भवेत्सूर्यो ह्यग्नेरग्नि प्रभोः प्रभुः। श्रियः श्रीश्च भवेदग्र्या कीर्तिः कीर्त्याः क्षमाक्षमा।।2.44.15।। दैवतं दैवतानां च भूतानां भूतसत्तमः। तस्य के ह्यगुणा देवि वने वाप्यथवा पुरे।।2.44.16।।

sūryasyāpi bhavetsūryo hyagneragni prabhoḥ prabhuḥ| śriyaḥ śrīśca bhavedagryā kīrtiḥ kīrtyāḥ kṣamākṣamā daivataṃ daivatānāṃ ca bhūtānāṃ bhūtasattamaḥ| tasya ke hyaguṇā devi vane vāpyathavā pure

O Devi Rama is the Sun (light) of the Sun, fire (splendour) of the fire, master (command) of masters, prosperity of the prosperous, the fame of the famous, forbearance of the forbearing, god of the gods and supreme among all beings. Whether he dwells in the forest or in the city, he has no demerit whatsoever.

सूर्यस्यापि भवेत्सूर्यो ह्यग्नेरग्नि प्रभोः प्रभुः। श्रियः श्रीश्च भवेदग्र्या कीर्तिः कीर्त्याः क्षमाक्षमा।।2.44.15।। दैवतं दैवतानां च भूतानां भूतसत्तमः। तस्य के ह्यगुणा देवि वने वाप्यथवा पुरे।।2.44.16।।

sūryasyāpi bhavetsūryo hyagneragni prabhoḥ prabhuḥ| śriyaḥ śrīśca bhavedagryā kīrtiḥ kīrtyāḥ kṣamākṣamā daivataṃ daivatānāṃ ca bhūtānāṃ bhūtasattamaḥ| tasya ke hyaguṇā devi vane vāpyathavā pure

O Devi Rama is the Sun (light) of the Sun, fire (splendour) of the fire, master (command) of masters, prosperity of the prosperous, the fame of the famous, forbearance of the forbearing, god of the gods and supreme among all beings. Whether he dwells in the forest or in the city, he has no demerit whatsoever.

पृथिव्या सह वैदेह्या श्रिया च पुरुषर्षभः। क्षिप्रं तिसृभिरेताभि स्सह रामोऽभिषेक्ष्यते।।2.44.17।।

pṛthivyā saha vaidehyā śriyā ca puruṣarṣabhaḥ| kṣipraṃ tisṛbhiretābhi ssaha rāmo'bhiṣekṣyate

Rama, the best among men, will soon be coronated with these three namely the earth, the goddess of fortune and Sita.

दुःखजं विसृजन्त्यस्रं निष्क्रामन्तमुदीक्ष्य यम्। अयोध्यायां जनास्सर्वे शोकवेगसमाहताः।2.44.18।। कुशचीरधरं देवं गच्छन्तमपराजितम्। सीतेवानुगता लक्ष्मी स्तस्य किं नाम दुर्लभम्।।2.44.19।।

duḥkhajaṃ visṛjantyasraṃ niṣkrāmantamudīkṣya yam| ayodhyāyāṃ janāssarve śokavegasamāhatāḥ|2.44.18|| kuśacīradharaṃ devaṃ gacchantamaparājitam| sītevānugatā lakṣmī stasya kiṃ nāma durlabham

When the people of Ayodhya saw the godlike Rama departing, clad in robes of kusha and bark, they were moved to tears of grief. What is impossible for him who is unconquerable and whom Sita, like the goddess of fortune, follows.

दुःखजं विसृजन्त्यस्रं निष्क्रामन्तमुदीक्ष्य यम्। अयोध्यायां जनास्सर्वे शोकवेगसमाहताः।2.44.18।। कुशचीरधरं देवं गच्छन्तमपराजितम्। सीतेवानुगता लक्ष्मी स्तस्य किं नाम दुर्लभम्।।2.44.19।।

duḥkhajaṃ visṛjantyasraṃ niṣkrāmantamudīkṣya yam| ayodhyāyāṃ janāssarve śokavegasamāhatāḥ|2.44.18|| kuśacīradharaṃ devaṃ gacchantamaparājitam| sītevānugatā lakṣmī stasya kiṃ nāma durlabham

When the people of Ayodhya saw the godlike Rama departing, clad in robes of kusha and bark, they were moved to tears of grief. What is impossible for him who is unconquerable and whom Sita, like the goddess of fortune, follows.

धनुर्ग्रहवरो यस्य बाणखड्गास्त्रभृत्स्वयम्। लक्ष्मणो व्रजति ह्यग्रे तस्य किं नाम दुर्लभम्।।2.44.20।।

dhanurgrahavaro yasya bāṇakhaḍgāstrabhṛtsvayam| lakṣmaṇo vrajati hyagre tasya kiṃ nāma durlabham

What is impossible for Rama ahead of whom moves Lakshmana, the best of archers, weilding swords, arrows and other weapons?

निवृत्तवनवासं तं द्रष्टासि पुनरागतम्। जहिशोकं च मोहं च देवि सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते।।2.44.21।।

nivṛttavanavāsaṃ taṃ draṣṭāsi punarāgatam| jahiśokaṃ ca mohaṃ ca devi satyaṃ bravīmi te

I tell you the truth, Kausalya, that you will see Rama's return when the period of exile is complete. Hence give up your sorrow and delusion.

शिरसा चरणावेतौ वन्दमानमनिन्दिते पुनर्द्रक्ष्यसि कल्याणि पुत्रं चन्द्रमिवोदितम्।।2.44.22।।

śirasā caraṇāvetau vandamānamanindite punardrakṣyasi kalyāṇi putraṃ candramivoditam

O irreproachable and auspicious one you will see your son, like the rising Moon, touching your feet with his head.

पुनः प्रविष्टं दृष्ट्वा तमभिषिक्तं महाश्रियम्। समुत्स्रक्ष्यसि नेत्राभ्यां क्षिप्रमानन्दजं पयः।।2.44.23।।

punaḥ praviṣṭaṃ dṛṣṭvā tamabhiṣiktaṃ mahāśriyam| samutsrakṣyasi netrābhyāṃ kṣipramānandajaṃ payaḥ

Soon you will see him enthrouned shining in full glory on his return from exile while tears of joy will flow from your eyes.

मा शोको देवि दुःखं वा न रामे दृश्यतेऽशिवम्। क्षिप्रं द्रक्ष्यसि पुत्रं त्वं ससीतं सहलक्ष्मणम्।।2.44.24।।

mā śoko devi duḥkhaṃ vā na rāme dṛśyate'śivam| kṣipraṃ drakṣyasi putraṃ tvaṃ sasītaṃ sahalakṣmaṇam

Desist from grief or tear for Rama, O Devi nothing inauspicious will happen to him you will soon see your son along with Sita and Lakshmana.

त्वया शेषो जनश्चैव समाश्वास्यो यदाऽनघे। किमिदानीमिदं देवि करोषि हृदि विक्लबम्।।2.44.25।।

tvayā śeṣo janaścaiva samāśvāsyo yadā'naghe| kimidānīmidaṃ devi karoṣi hṛdi viklabam

O sinless lady, O queen when you are overcome by fear, how can you console others?

नार्हा त्वं शोचितुं देवि यस्यास्ते राघवस्सुतः। न हि रामात्परो लोके विद्यते सत्पथे स्थितः।।2.44.26।।

nārhā tvaṃ śocituṃ devi yasyāste rāghavassutaḥ| na hi rāmātparo loke vidyate satpathe sthitaḥ

O Kausalya, with a son like Rama, you should not grieve. There is none in this world superior to Rama who stands steady in the path of virtue.

अभिवादयमानं तं दृष्ट्वा ससुहृदं सुतम्। मुदाऽश्रृ मोक्ष्यसे क्षिप्रं मेघलेखेव वार्षिकी।।2.44.27।।

abhivādayamānaṃ taṃ dṛṣṭvā sasuhṛdaṃ sutam| mudā'śrṛ mokṣyase kṣipraṃ meghalekheva vārṣikī

Like a flake of cloud in monsoon, you are going to shed tears of joy soon seeing your son along with his friends bowing to you in reverence.

पुत्रस्ते वरदः क्षिप्रमयोध्यां पुनरागतः। पाणिभ्यां मृदुपीनाभ्यां चरणौ पीडयिष्यति।।2.44.28।।

putraste varadaḥ kṣipramayodhyāṃ punarāgataḥ| pāṇibhyāṃ mṛdupīnābhyāṃ caraṇau pīḍayiṣyati

Your son, bestower of boons, will soon return to Ayodhya and press your feet with his soft, tender hands.

अभिवाद्य नमस्यन्तं शूरं ससुहृदं सुतम्। मुदाऽस्रैः प्रोक्ष्यसि पुनर्मेघराजिरिवाचलम्।।2.44.29।।

abhivādya namasyantaṃ śūraṃ sasuhṛdaṃ sutam| mudā'sraiḥ prokṣyasi punarmegharājirivācalam

While paying obeisance to you, you will drench your brave son, surrounded by friends, with tears of joy like a mass of clouds drenching the mountain.

आश्वासयन्ती विविधैश्च वाक्यै र्वाक्योपचारे कुशलाऽनवद्या। रामस्य तां मातरमेवमुक्त्वा देवी सुमित्रा विरराम रामा।।2.44.30।।

āśvāsayantī vividhaiśca vākyai rvākyopacāre kuśalā'navadyā| rāmasya tāṃ mātaramevamuktvā devī sumitrā virarāma rāmā

Irreproachable and skilful in the use of words, queen Sumitra of cheerful disposition fell silent after thus consoling Rama's mother in various ways.

निशम्य तल्लक्ष्मणमातृवाक्यं रामस्य मातुर्नरदेवपत्न्या:। सद्यश्शरीरे विननाश शोकः शरद्गतो मेघ इवाल्पतोयः।।2.44.31।।

niśamya tallakṣmaṇamātṛvākyaṃ rāmasya māturnaradevapatnyā:| sadyaśśarīre vinanāśa śokaḥ śaradgato megha ivālpatoyaḥ

On hearing the words of Lakshmana's mother the grief in the heart of the queen (Kausalya), mother of Rama, instantly disappeared like the autumnal cloud that holds but little rain. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुश्चत्वारिंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fortyfourth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.