Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 51

तं जाग्रतमदम्भेन भ्रातुरर्थाय लक्ष्मणम्। गुहः सन्तापसन्तप्तो राघवं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.51.1।।

taṃ jāgratamadambhena bhrāturarthāya lakṣmaṇam| guhaḥ santāpasantapto rāghavaṃ vākyamabravīt

Deeply moved to see Lakshmana, scion of the Raghus, keeping awake all night without any pretence for his brother's sake, Guha spoke.

इयं तात सुखा शय्या त्वदर्थमुपकल्पिता। प्रत्याश्वसिहि साध्वस्यां राजपुत्र यथासुखम्।।2.51.2।।

iyaṃ tāta sukhā śayyā tvadarthamupakalpitā| pratyāśvasihi sādhvasyāṃ rājaputra yathāsukham

O dear prince this comfortable bed has been arranged for you. Rest happily on this bed.

उचितोऽयं जनस्सर्वः क्लेशानां त्वं सुखोचितः। गुप्त्यर्थं जागरिष्यामः काकुत्स्थस्य वयं निशाम्।।2.51.3।।

ucito'yaṃ janassarvaḥ kleśānāṃ tvaṃ sukhocitaḥ| guptyarthaṃ jāgariṣyāmaḥ kākutsthasya vayaṃ niśām

We are used to all kinds of suffering and you, to comfort. We will keep vigil during the night for the protection of Rama, descendant of the Kakutsthas.

न हि रामात्प्रियतमो ममास्ति भुवि कश्चन। ब्रवीम्येतदहं सत्यं सत्येनैव च ते शपे।।2.51.4।।

na hi rāmātpriyatamo mamāsti bhuvi kaścana| bravīmyetadahaṃ satyaṃ satyenaiva ca te śape

For me, there is none dearer than Rama in this world. I speak the truth. I swear by truth.

अस्य प्रसादादाशंसे लोकेस्मिन् सुमुहद्यशः। धर्मावाप्तिं च विपुलामर्थावाप्तिं च केवलम्।।2.51.5।।

asya prasādādāśaṃse lokesmin sumuhadyaśaḥ| dharmāvāptiṃ ca vipulāmarthāvāptiṃ ca kevalam

I am seeking supreme fame in this world through the attainment of dharma and acquisition of abundant artha by the grace of Rama alone.

सोऽहं प्रियसखं रामं शयानं सह सीतया। रक्षिष्यामि धनुष्पाणि स्सर्वतो ज्ञातिभि स्सह।।2.51.6।।

so'haṃ priyasakhaṃ rāmaṃ śayānaṃ saha sītayā| rakṣiṣyāmi dhanuṣpāṇi ssarvato jñātibhi ssaha

I along with my kinsmen, bow in hand, will protect my dear friend, Rama with Sita from every side.

न हि मेऽविदितं किञ्चिद्वनेऽस्मिंश्चरतस्सदा। चतुरङ्गं ह्यपिबलं सुमहत्प्रसहेमहि।।2.51.7।।

na hi me'viditaṃ kiñcidvane'smiṃścaratassadā| caturaṅgaṃ hyapibalaṃ sumahatprasahemahi

Wandering about in this forest all the time there is nothing unknown to me (here). We can withstand even a vast army of four divisions.

लक्ष्मणस्तं तदोवाच रक्ष्यमाणास्त्वयानघ। नात्र भीता वयं सर्वे धर्ममेवानुपश्यता।।2.51.8।।

lakṣmaṇastaṃ tadovāca rakṣyamāṇāstvayānagha| nātra bhītā vayaṃ sarve dharmamevānupaśyatā

Lakshmana said to Guha, O sinless one when all of us are under your righteous protection we have nothing to fear.

कथं दशरथौ भूमौ शयाने सह सीतया। शक्या निद्रा मया लब्धुं जीवितं वा सुखानि वा।।2.51.9।।

kathaṃ daśarathau bhūmau śayāne saha sītayā| śakyā nidrā mayā labdhuṃ jīvitaṃ vā sukhāni vā

When Rama, son of Dasaratha, sleeps on the ground with Sita how can I sleep or live or enjoy pleasures?

यो न देवासुरैः सर्वैः शक्यः प्रसहितुं युधि। तं पश्य सुखसंविष्टं तृणेषु सह सीतया।।2.51.10।।

yo na devāsuraiḥ sarvaiḥ śakyaḥ prasahituṃ yudhi| taṃ paśya sukhasaṃviṣṭaṃ tṛṇeṣu saha sītayā

Look at that Rama whom all the gods and demons cannot face in war sleeps so comfortably on the grass with Sita.

यो मन्त्रतपसा लब्धो विविधैश्च पराश्रमैः। एको दशरथस्येष्टः पुत्रः सदृशलक्षणः।।2.51.11।। अस्मिन् प्रव्राजिते राजा न चिरं वर्तयिष्यति। विधवा मेदिनी नूनं क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति।।2.51.12।।

yo mantratapasā labdho vividhaiśca parāśramaiḥ| eko daśarathasyeṣṭaḥ putraḥ sadṛśalakṣaṇaḥ asmin pravrājite rājā na ciraṃ vartayiṣyati| vidhavā medinī nūnaṃ kṣiprameva bhaviṣyati

This favourite son of Dasaratha who has similar traits like his father was born after he rigorously practised austerities accompanied by (Vedic) mantras. When he is banished, the king will not live long. Surely this land will soon be widowed.

यो मन्त्रतपसा लब्धो विविधैश्च पराश्रमैः। एको दशरथस्येष्टः पुत्रः सदृशलक्षणः।।2.51.11।। अस्मिन् प्रव्राजिते राजा न चिरं वर्तयिष्यति। विधवा मेदिनी नूनं क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति।।2.51.12।।

yo mantratapasā labdho vividhaiśca parāśramaiḥ| eko daśarathasyeṣṭaḥ putraḥ sadṛśalakṣaṇaḥ asmin pravrājite rājā na ciraṃ vartayiṣyati| vidhavā medinī nūnaṃ kṣiprameva bhaviṣyati

This favourite son of Dasaratha who has similar traits like his father was born after he rigorously practised austerities accompanied by (Vedic) mantras. When he is banished, the king will not live long. Surely this land will soon be widowed.

विनद्य सुमहानादं श्रमेणोपरताः स्त्रियः। निर्घोषोपरतं चातो मन्ये राजनिवेशनम्।।2.51.13।।

vinadya sumahānādaṃ śrameṇoparatāḥ striyaḥ| nirghoṣoparataṃ cāto manye rājaniveśanam

All the women having cried so much must have quietened down out of sheer exhaustion. That is why perhaps the sounds from the royal palace have ceased.

कौशल्या चैव राजा च तथैव जननी मम। नाशंसे यदि जीवन्ति सर्वे ते शर्वरीमिमाम्।।2.51.14।।

kauśalyā caiva rājā ca tathaiva jananī mama| nāśaṃse yadi jīvanti sarve te śarvarīmimām

I doubt whether all of them -- the king, Kausalya and my mother -- can survive this night.

जीवेदपि हि मे माता शत्रुघ्नस्यान्ववेक्षया। तद्दुःखं यत्तु कौशल्या वीरसूर्विनशिष्यति।।2.51.15।।

jīvedapi hi me mātā śatrughnasyānvavekṣayā| tadduḥkhaṃ yattu kauśalyā vīrasūrvinaśiṣyati

My mother may live looking forward to Satrughna. But, alas Kausalya may die, separated from her valiant son.

अनुरक्तजनाकीर्णा सुखालोकप्रियावहा। राजव्यसनसंसृष्टा सा पुरी विनशिष्यति।।2.51.16।।

anuraktajanākīrṇā sukhālokapriyāvahā| rājavyasanasaṃsṛṣṭā sā purī vinaśiṣyati

That city (of Ayodhya) is full of loyal people. It brings them happiness. It is dear to them. It will perish due to the sad demise of the king.

कथं पुत्रं महात्मानं ज्येष्ठं प्रियमपश्यतः। शरीरं धारयिष्यन्ति प्राणा राज्ञो महात्मनः।।2.51.17।।

kathaṃ putraṃ mahātmānaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ priyamapaśyataḥ| śarīraṃ dhārayiṣyanti prāṇā rājño mahātmanaḥ

How can the noble king survive unable to see his highsouled, beloved, eldest son?

विनष्टे नृपतौ पश्चात्कौसल्या विनशिष्यति। अनन्तरं च माताऽपि मम नाशमुपैष्यति।।2.51.18।।

vinaṣṭe nṛpatau paścātkausalyā vinaśiṣyati| anantaraṃ ca mātā'pi mama nāśamupaiṣyati

Subsequent to the death of the king, Kausalya will die and my mother will follow her.

अतिक्रान्तमतिक्रान्तमनवाप्य मनोरथम्। राज्ये राममनिक्षिप्य पिता मे विनशिष्यति।।2.51.19।।

atikrāntamatikrāntamanavāpya manoratham| rājye rāmamanikṣipya pitā me vinaśiṣyati

Past is past (irreversible). My father, brooding over his desire of installing Rama as king unfulfilled, will perish.

सिद्धार्थाः पितरं वृत्तं तस्मिन्कालेऽप्युपस्थिते। प्रेतकार्येषु सर्वेषु संस्करिष्यन्ति भूमिपम्।।2.51.20।।

siddhārthāḥ pitaraṃ vṛttaṃ tasminkāle'pyupasthite| pretakāryeṣu sarveṣu saṃskariṣyanti bhūmipam

Those who will remain present around the king, my father, at the time of his death and perform the funeral rites have their desires fulfilled (for they could attend the king's obsequies).

रम्यचत्वरसंस्थानां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्। हर्म्यप्रासादसम्पन्नाम् गणिकावरशोभिताम्।।2.51.21।। रथाश्वगजसम्बाधां तूर्यनादविनादिताम्। सर्वकल्याणसम्पूर्णां हृष्टपुष्टजनाकुलाम्।।2.51.22।। आरामोद्यानसम्पन्नां समाजोत्सवशालिनीम्। सुखिता विचरिष्यन्ति राजधानीं पितुर्मम।।2.51.23।।

ramyacatvarasaṃsthānāṃ suvibhaktamahāpathām| harmyaprāsādasampannām gaṇikāvaraśobhitām rathāśvagajasambādhāṃ tūryanādavināditām| sarvakalyāṇasampūrṇāṃ hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanākulām ārāmodyānasampannāṃ samājotsavaśālinīm| sukhitā vicariṣyanti rājadhānīṃ piturmama

They will roam about happily in the capital city of my father with its lovely squares, wellaligned broad highways, its mansions and palaces, full of chariots, elephants, horses. It will be echoing with the sound of trumpets. It will be full of the welfare of all. It will be graced by the fairest of courtesans. Filled with wellnourished and contented people, the city dotted with several pleasuregardens and parks, will look splendid with community festivals and fairs.

रम्यचत्वरसंस्थानां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्। हर्म्यप्रासादसम्पन्नाम् गणिकावरशोभिताम्।।2.51.21।। रथाश्वगजसम्बाधां तूर्यनादविनादिताम्। सर्वकल्याणसम्पूर्णां हृष्टपुष्टजनाकुलाम्।।2.51.22।। आरामोद्यानसम्पन्नां समाजोत्सवशालिनीम्। सुखिता विचरिष्यन्ति राजधानीं पितुर्मम।।2.51.23।।

ramyacatvarasaṃsthānāṃ suvibhaktamahāpathām| harmyaprāsādasampannām gaṇikāvaraśobhitām rathāśvagajasambādhāṃ tūryanādavināditām| sarvakalyāṇasampūrṇāṃ hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanākulām ārāmodyānasampannāṃ samājotsavaśālinīm| sukhitā vicariṣyanti rājadhānīṃ piturmama

They will roam about happily in the capital city of my father with its lovely squares, wellaligned broad highways, its mansions and palaces, full of chariots, elephants, horses. It will be echoing with the sound of trumpets. It will be full of the welfare of all. It will be graced by the fairest of courtesans. Filled with wellnourished and contented people, the city dotted with several pleasuregardens and parks, will look splendid with community festivals and fairs.

रम्यचत्वरसंस्थानां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्। हर्म्यप्रासादसम्पन्नाम् गणिकावरशोभिताम्।।2.51.21।। रथाश्वगजसम्बाधां तूर्यनादविनादिताम्। सर्वकल्याणसम्पूर्णां हृष्टपुष्टजनाकुलाम्।।2.51.22।। आरामोद्यानसम्पन्नां समाजोत्सवशालिनीम्। सुखिता विचरिष्यन्ति राजधानीं पितुर्मम।।2.51.23।।

ramyacatvarasaṃsthānāṃ suvibhaktamahāpathām| harmyaprāsādasampannām gaṇikāvaraśobhitām rathāśvagajasambādhāṃ tūryanādavināditām| sarvakalyāṇasampūrṇāṃ hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanākulām ārāmodyānasampannāṃ samājotsavaśālinīm| sukhitā vicariṣyanti rājadhānīṃ piturmama

They will roam about happily in the capital city of my father with its lovely squares, wellaligned broad highways, its mansions and palaces, full of chariots, elephants, horses. It will be echoing with the sound of trumpets. It will be full of the welfare of all. It will be graced by the fairest of courtesans. Filled with wellnourished and contented people, the city dotted with several pleasuregardens and parks, will look splendid with community festivals and fairs.

अपि जीवेद्दशरथो वनवासात्पुनर्वयम्। प्रत्यागम्य महात्मानमपि पश्येम सुव्रतम्।।2.51.24।।

api jīveddaśaratho vanavāsātpunarvayam| pratyāgamya mahātmānamapi paśyema suvratam

Will the king be still alive? Will we see the noble king again on our return from exile after the fulfilment of his vows?

अपि सत्यप्रतिज्ञेन सार्धं कुशलिना वयम्। निवृत्ते वनवासेऽस्मिन्नयोध्यां प्रविशेमहि।।2.51.25।।

api satyapratijñena sārdhaṃ kuśalinā vayam| nivṛtte vanavāse'sminnayodhyāṃ praviśemahi

Will we ever be able, after completion of the exile, to enter the city of Ayodhya along with Rama who is true to his promise?

परिदेवयमानस्य दुखार्तस्य महात्मनः। तिष्ठतो राजपुत्रस्य शर्वरी साऽत्यवर्तत।।2.51.26।।

paridevayamānasya dukhārtasya mahātmanaḥ| tiṣṭhato rājaputrasya śarvarī sā'tyavartata

While that noble prince (Lakshmana), tormented with grief, stood thus wailing, the night passed off.

तथा हि सत्यं ब्रुवति प्रजाहिते नरेन्द्रपुत्रे गुरुसौहृदाद्गुहः। मुमोच बाष्पं व्यसनाभिपीडितो ज्वरातुरो नाग इव व्यथातुरः।।2.51.27।।

tathā hi satyaṃ bruvati prajāhite narendraputre gurusauhṛdādguhaḥ| mumoca bāṣpaṃ vyasanābhipīḍito jvarāturo nāga iva vyathāturaḥ

Out of great friendship with Guha, Lakshmana thus told the true story of prince (Rama) in the interest of his subject (Guha). (On hearing it) Guha was deeply afflicted with grief and pain and began shedding tears like an elephant suffering from fever. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्यकाण्डे एकपञ्चाश स्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fiftyfirst sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.