Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 55

उषित्वा रजनीं तत्र राजपुत्रावरिन्दमौ। महर्षिमभिवाद्याथ जग्मतुस्तं गिरिं प्रति।।2.55.1।।

uṣitvā rajanīṃ tatra rājaputrāvarindamau| maharṣimabhivādyātha jagmatustaṃ giriṃ prati

After spending the night, the princes, destroyers of enemies, offered obeisance to that great sage (Bharadhwaja) and went towards that mount Chitrkuta.

तेषां चैव स्वस्त्ययनं महर्षि स्स चकार ह। प्रस्थितांश्चैव तान्प्रेक्ष्य पिता पुत्रानिवान्वगात्।।2.55.2।।

teṣāṃ caiva svastyayanaṃ maharṣi ssa cakāra ha| prasthitāṃścaiva tānprekṣya pitā putrānivānvagāt

Seeing them setting forth, the great sage blessed them for a safe journey and followed them like a father following his children.

ततः प्रचक्रमे वक्तुं वचनं स महामुनिः। भरद्वाजो महातेजा रामं सत्यपराक्रमम्।।2.55.3।।

tataḥ pracakrame vaktuṃ vacanaṃ sa mahāmuniḥ| bharadvājo mahātejā rāmaṃ satyaparākramam

Then that great effulgent sage Bharadwaja began to speak to Rama whose strength was truth.

गङ्गायमुनयो स्सन्धिमासाद्य मनुजर्षभौ। कालिन्दीमनुगच्छेतां नदीं पश्चान्मुखाश्रिताम्।।2.55.4।।

gaṅgāyamunayo ssandhimāsādya manujarṣabhau| kālindīmanugacchetāṃ nadīṃ paścānmukhāśritām

Reaching the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna, O Rama and Lakshmana best among men proceed along the Kalindi (Yamuna) river flowing westward.

अथाऽसाद्य तु कालिन्दी शीघ्रस्रोतसमापगाम्। तस्यास्तीर्थं प्रचलितं पुराणं प्रेक्ष्य राघवौ।।2.55.5।। तत्र यूयं प्लवं कृत्वा तरतांशुमतीं नदीम्।

athā'sādya tu kālindī śīghrasrotasamāpagām| tasyāstīrthaṃ pracalitaṃ purāṇaṃ prekṣya rāghavau tatra yūyaṃ plavaṃ kṛtvā taratāṃśumatīṃ nadīm|

On reaching that swiftflowing river Yamuna, O Rama and Lakshmana O scions of the Raghu race, you will find an ancient spot (on the river bank). There make a raft and cross Kalindi, daughter of the Sun.

ततो न्यग्रोधमासाद्य महान्तं हरितच्छदम्।।2.55.6।। विवृद्धं बहुभिर्वृक्षै श्श्यामं सिद्धोपसेवितम्। तस्मै सीताञ्जलिं कृत्वा प्रयुञ्जीताशिषश्शिवाः।।2.55.7।।

tato nyagrodhamāsādya mahāntaṃ haritacchadam vivṛddhaṃ bahubhirvṛkṣai śśyāmaṃ siddhopasevitam| tasmai sītāñjaliṃ kṛtvā prayuñjītāśiṣaśśivāḥ

There you will find a large, banyan tree with its lush green leaves, looking dark with its densely grown trees. It is inhabited by siddhas. Sita should offer with folded palms invocations for her wellbeing.

ततो न्यग्रोधमासाद्य महान्तं हरितच्छदम्।।2.55.6।। विवृद्धं बहुभिर्वृक्षै श्श्यामं सिद्धोपसेवितम्। तस्मै सीताञ्जलिं कृत्वा प्रयुञ्जीताशिषश्शिवाः।।2.55.7।।

tato nyagrodhamāsādya mahāntaṃ haritacchadam vivṛddhaṃ bahubhirvṛkṣai śśyāmaṃ siddhopasevitam| tasmai sītāñjaliṃ kṛtvā prayuñjītāśiṣaśśivāḥ

There you will find a large, banyan tree with its lush green leaves, looking dark with its densely grown trees. It is inhabited by siddhas. Sita should offer with folded palms invocations for her wellbeing.

समासाद्य तु तं वृक्षं वसेद्वातिक्रमेत वा। क्रोशमात्रं ततो गत्वा नीलं द्रक्ष्यथ काननम्।।2.55.8।। पलाशबदरीमिश्रं रम्यं वंशैश्च यामुनैः।

samāsādya tu taṃ vṛkṣaṃ vasedvātikrameta vā| krośamātraṃ tato gatvā nīlaṃ drakṣyatha kānanam palāśabadarīmiśraṃ ramyaṃ vaṃśaiśca yāmunaiḥ|

Reaching that tree, you may tarry or proceed further. A krosa from there, you will see a beautiful forest filled with dark trees mixed with Palasas and badaris and bamboos on the Yamuna.

स पन्थाश्चित्रकूटस्य गत स्सुबहुशो मया।।2.55.9।। रम्यो मार्दवयुक्तश्च वनदावैर्विवर्जितः।

sa panthāścitrakūṭasya gata ssubahuśo mayā ramyo mārdavayuktaśca vanadāvairvivarjitaḥ|

That path leads to Chitrakuta. I had travelled through it several times. It is beautiful, smooth and safe from forest fires.

इति पन्थानमावेद्य महर्षिस्सन्यवर्तत।।2.55.10।। अभिवाद्य तथेत्युक्त्वा रामेण विनिवर्तितः।

iti panthānamāvedya maharṣissanyavartata abhivādya tathetyuktvā rāmeṇa vinivartitaḥ|

The great sage returned after instructing Rama about the path. So be it, said Rama and offering obeisance requested Bharadhwaja to go back.

उपावृत्ते मुनौ तस्मिन्रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।।2.55.11।। कृतपुण्याः स्म सौमित्रे मुनिर्यन्नोऽनुकम्पते।

upāvṛtte munau tasminrāmo lakṣmaṇamabravīt kṛtapuṇyāḥ sma saumitre muniryanno'nukampate|

With the sage gone, Rama said, O Saumitri (son of Sumitra) we are lucky, for the sage has been so kind.

इति तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ मन्त्रयित्वा मनस्विनौ। सीतामेवाग्रतः कृत्वा कालिन्दीं जग्मतुर्नदीम्।।2.55.12।।

iti tau puruṣavyāghrau mantrayitvā manasvinau| sītāmevāgrataḥ kṛtvā kālindīṃ jagmaturnadīm

Thus talking with one another, the two nobleminded tigers (best) among men advanced towards river Kalindi (Yamuna) with Sita walking in front.

अथाऽसाद्य तु कालिन्दीं शीघ्रस्रोतोवहां नदीम्। चिन्तामापेदिरे सर्वे नदीजलतितीर्षवः।।2.55.13।।

athā'sādya tu kālindīṃ śīghrasrotovahāṃ nadīm| cintāmāpedire sarve nadījalatitīrṣavaḥ

Thereafter, they all reached the rapidly flowing river Kalindi and began pondering how to cross it.

तौ काष्ठसङ्घातमथो चक्रतु स्सुमहाप्लवम्। शुष्कैर्वंशै स्समास्तीर्णमुशीरैश्च समावृतम्।।2.55.14।।

tau kāṣṭhasaṅghātamatho cakratu ssumahāplavam| śuṣkairvaṃśai ssamāstīrṇamuśīraiśca samāvṛtam

Then they both made a big wooden float by joining logs of wood, spreading bamboos on it and covering it with the (fragrant roots of) Ushira bushes.

ततो वेतसशाखाश्च जम्बूशाखाश्च वीर्यवान्। चकार लक्ष्मणश्छित्वा सीताया स्सुखमासनम्।।2.55.15।।

tato vetasaśākhāśca jambūśākhāśca vīryavān| cakāra lakṣmaṇaśchitvā sītāyā ssukhamāsanam

The valiant Lakshmana cut the stems of reeds and branches of the Jambu tree to prepare a comfortable seat for Sita (on that float).

तत्र श्रियमिवाचिन्त्यां रामो दाशरथिः प्रियाम्। ईषत्संलज्जमानां तामध्यारोपयतप्लवम्।।2.55.16।।

tatra śriyamivācintyāṃ rāmo dāśarathiḥ priyām| īṣatsaṃlajjamānāṃ tāmadhyāropayataplavam

Rama, son of Dasaratha helped his beloved (Sita), who was looking inconceivably like Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and was feeling a little bashful while stepping on to the float.

पार्श्वे च तत्र वैदेह्या वसने भूषणानि च। प्लवे कठिनकाजं च रामश्चक्रे सहायुधैः।।2.55.17।।

pārśve ca tatra vaidehyā vasane bhūṣaṇāni ca| plave kaṭhinakājaṃ ca rāmaścakre sahāyudhaiḥ

Rama placed robes and ornaments on the float by the side of Sita and a spade and a basket along with weapons.

आरोप्य प्रथमं सीतां सङ्घाटं परिगृह्य तौ। तत प्रतेरतुर्यत्तौ वीरौ दशरथात्मजौ।।2.55.18।।

āropya prathamaṃ sītāṃ saṅghāṭaṃ parigṛhya tau| tata prateraturyattau vīrau daśarathātmajau

Those valiant sons of Dasaratha held the float (firmly) to help Sita step on to it. Then they crossed the river carefully.

कालिन्दीमध्यमायाता सीता त्वेनामवन्दत। स्वस्ति देवि तरामि त्वां पारये न्मे पतिर्व्रतम्।।2.55.19।। यक्ष्ये त्वां गोसहस्रेण सुराघटशतेन च। स्वस्ति प्रत्यागते रामे पुरी मिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम्।।2.56.20।।

kālindīmadhyamāyātā sītā tvenāmavandata| svasti devi tarāmi tvāṃ pāraye nme patirvratam yakṣye tvāṃ gosahasreṇa surāghaṭaśatena ca| svasti pratyāgate rāme purī mikṣvākupālitām

On reaching the middle of the river Yamuna, Sita made reverential salutations to her saying O goddess, I am crossing you, may safety be ours and may my husband fulfil his vow After Rama's (safe) return to the city (of Ayodhya) ruled by the Ikshvaku kings, I shall worship you with a thousand cows and a hundred pots of wine.

कालिन्दीमध्यमायाता सीता त्वेनामवन्दत। स्वस्ति देवि तरामि त्वां पारये न्मे पतिर्व्रतम्।।2.55.19।। यक्ष्ये त्वां गोसहस्रेण सुराघटशतेन च। स्वस्ति प्रत्यागते रामे पुरी मिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम्।।2.56.20।।

kālindīmadhyamāyātā sītā tvenāmavandata| svasti devi tarāmi tvāṃ pāraye nme patirvratam yakṣye tvāṃ gosahasreṇa surāghaṭaśatena ca| svasti pratyāgate rāme purī mikṣvākupālitām

On reaching the middle of the river Yamuna, Sita made reverential salutations to her saying O goddess, I am crossing you, may safety be ours and may my husband fulfil his vow After Rama's (safe) return to the city (of Ayodhya) ruled by the Ikshvaku kings, I shall worship you with a thousand cows and a hundred pots of wine.

कालिन्दी मथ सीता तु याचमाना कृताञ्जलिः। तीरमेवाभिसम्प्राप्ता दक्षिणं वरवर्णिनी।।2.55.21।।

kālindī matha sītā tu yācamānā kṛtāñjaliḥ| tīramevābhisamprāptā dakṣiṇaṃ varavarṇinī

While Sita with her fair complexion was thus invoking river Yamuna with folded hands they reached the southern bank.

तत प्लवेनांशुमतीं शीघ्रगामूर्मिमालिनीम्। तीरजै र्बहुभिर्वृक्षै स्सन्तेरुर्यमुनां नदीम्।।2.55.22।।

tata plavenāṃśumatīṃ śīghragāmūrmimālinīm| tīrajai rbahubhirvṛkṣai ssanteruryamunāṃ nadīm

They crossed the swiftflowing river Yamuna, daughter of the Sungod, full of waves and with trees growing thick on her banks.

ते तीर्णाः प्लवमुत्सृज्य प्रस्थाय यमुनावनात्। श्यामं न्यग्रोध मासेदु श्शीतलं हरितच्छदम्।।2.55.23।।

te tīrṇāḥ plavamutsṛjya prasthāya yamunāvanāt| śyāmaṃ nyagrodha māsedu śśītalaṃ haritacchadam

Having crossed the river, they left the float and proceeded from the adjoining forest of Yamuna and reached the dark, cool banyan tree covered with lush green leaves.

न्यग्रोधं तमुपागम्य वैदेही वाक्यमब्रवीत्। नमस्तेऽस्तु महावृक्ष पारयेन्मे पतिर्व्रतम्।।2.55.24।। कौशल्यां चैव पश्येयं सुमित्रां च यशश्विनीम्। इति सीताऽञ्जलिं कृत्वा पर्यगच्छद्वनस्पतिम्।।2.55.25।।

nyagrodhaṃ tamupāgamya vaidehī vākyamabravīt| namaste'stu mahāvṛkṣa pārayenme patirvratam kauśalyāṃ caiva paśyeyaṃ sumitrāṃ ca yaśaśvinīm| iti sītā'ñjaliṃ kṛtvā paryagacchadvanaspatim

Having reached the banyan tree, Sita invoked it, saying, 'O great tree I offer you my salutations. May my husband fulfil his vow May I behold Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra on my return. Saying so, she went round the tree offering reverential salutations with folded hands.

न्यग्रोधं तमुपागम्य वैदेही वाक्यमब्रवीत्। नमस्तेऽस्तु महावृक्ष पारयेन्मे पतिर्व्रतम्।।2.55.24।। कौशल्यां चैव पश्येयं सुमित्रां च यशश्विनीम्। इति सीताऽञ्जलिं कृत्वा पर्यगच्छद्वनस्पतिम्।।2.55.25।।

nyagrodhaṃ tamupāgamya vaidehī vākyamabravīt| namaste'stu mahāvṛkṣa pārayenme patirvratam kauśalyāṃ caiva paśyeyaṃ sumitrāṃ ca yaśaśvinīm| iti sītā'ñjaliṃ kṛtvā paryagacchadvanaspatim

Having reached the banyan tree, Sita invoked it, saying, 'O great tree I offer you my salutations. May my husband fulfil his vow May I behold Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra on my return. Saying so, she went round the tree offering reverential salutations with folded hands.

अवलोक्य तत स्सीतामायाचन्तीमनिन्दिताम्। दयितां च विधेयां च रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।।2.55.26।।

avalokya tata ssītāmāyācantīmaninditām| dayitāṃ ca vidheyāṃ ca rāmo lakṣmaṇamabravīt

Beholding the obedient, blemishless, beloved Sita invoking blessings, Rama said to Lakhsmana:

सीतामादाय गच्छत्वमग्रतो भरतानुज। पृष्ठतोऽहं गमिष्यामि सायुधो द्विपदां वर।।2.55.27।।

sītāmādāya gacchatvamagrato bharatānuja| pṛṣṭhato'haṃ gamiṣyāmi sāyudho dvipadāṃ vara

O Lakshmana, best among bipeds (men) and brother of Bharata walk ahead with Sita and I shall follow with weapons.

यद्यत्फलं प्रार्थयते पुष्पं वा जनकात्मजा। तत्तत्प्रदद्या वैदेह्या यत्राऽस्या रमते मनः।।2.55.28।।

yadyatphalaṃ prārthayate puṣpaṃ vā janakātmajā| tattatpradadyā vaidehyā yatrā'syā ramate manaḥ

Whatever fruit or flower the daughter of Janaka asks for, get it. Whatever pleases her mind give it.

गच्छतोऽस्तु तयोर्मध्ये बभूव जनकात्मजा। मातङ्गयोर्मध्यगता शुभा नागवधूरिव।।2.55.29।।

gacchato'stu tayormadhye babhūva janakātmajā| mātaṅgayormadhyagatā śubhā nāgavadhūriva

The daughter of Janaka walked between them like a sheelephant between two males.

एकैकं पादपं गुल्मं लतां वा पुष्पशालिनीम्। अदृष्टपूर्वां पश्यन्ती रामं पप्रच्छ साऽबला।।2.55.30।।

ekaikaṃ pādapaṃ gulmaṃ latāṃ vā puṣpaśālinīm| adṛṣṭapūrvāṃ paśyantī rāmaṃ papraccha sā'balā

That gentle lady enquired of Rama about a tree or a shrub or a creeper in full bloom which she did not see before.

रमणीयान्बहुविधान्पादपान्कुसुमोत्कटान्। सीतावचनसंरब्ध आनयामास लक्ष्मणः।।2.55.31।।

ramaṇīyānbahuvidhānpādapānkusumotkaṭān| sītāvacanasaṃrabdha ānayāmāsa lakṣmaṇaḥ

Cheered by Sita's indents, Lakshmana brought her various beautiful plants and stocks of flowers.

विचित्रवालुकजलां हंससारसनादिताम्। रेमे जनकराजस्य सुता प्रेक्ष्य तदा नदीम्।।2.55.32।।

vicitravālukajalāṃ haṃsasārasanāditām| reme janakarājasya sutā prekṣya tadā nadīm

Beholding the river Yamuna with its wonderful water and sand echoing with the cackle of swans and cranes, Sita went ecstatic.

क्रोशमात्रं ततो गत्वा भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। बहून्मेध्यान्मृगान्हत्वा चेरतुर्यमुनावने।।2.55.33।।

krośamātraṃ tato gatvā bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau| bahūnmedhyānmṛgānhatvā ceraturyamunāvane

After walking a krosa into the forest on the bank of Yamuna, the two brothers killed many deer suitable for sacrifice and ate them.

विहृत्य ते बर्हिणपूगनादिते शुभे वने वानरवारणायुते। समं नदीवप्रमुपेत्य सम्मतं निवास माजग्मु रदीनदर्शनाः।।2.55.34।।

vihṛtya te barhiṇapūganādite śubhe vane vānaravāraṇāyute| samaṃ nadīvapramupetya sammataṃ nivāsa mājagmu radīnadarśanāḥ

They reached the tableland on the bank of that river and moved in high spirit in the lovely forest resounding with cries of flocks of peacocks and teeming with monkeys and elephants. Finally they selected a spot for their stay. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चपञ्चाशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fiftyfifth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.