Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 56

अथ रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामवसुप्तमनन्तरम्। प्रबोधयामास शनैर्लक्ष्मणं रघुनन्दनः।।2.56.1।।

atha rātryāṃ vyatītāyāmavasuptamanantaram| prabodhayāmāsa śanairlakṣmaṇaṃ raghunandanaḥ

When the night was over, Rama, Delight of the Raghus, gently awakened Lakshmana who was asleep.

सौमित्रे श्रुणु वन्यानां वल्गु व्याहरतां स्वनम्। सम्प्रतिष्ठामहे काल प्रस्थानस्य परन्तप।।2.56.2।।

saumitre śruṇu vanyānāṃ valgu vyāharatāṃ svanam| sampratiṣṭhāmahe kāla prasthānasya parantapa

Listen to the songs of the forest birds, O son of Sumitra O tormentor of foes it is time we set out.

स सुप्तस्समये भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणः प्रतिबोधितः। जहौ निद्रां च तन्द्रीं च प्रसक्तं च पथि श्रमम्।।2.56.3।।

sa suptassamaye bhrātrā lakṣmaṇaḥ pratibodhitaḥ| jahau nidrāṃ ca tandrīṃ ca prasaktaṃ ca pathi śramam

Awakened by his brother in time, Lakshmana shook off his sleep, his drowsiness and his fatigue due to journey.

तत उत्थाय ते सर्वे स्पृष्ट्वा नद्या श्शिवं जलम्। पन्थानमृषिणाऽदिष्टं चित्रकूटस्य तं ययुः।।2.56.4।।

tata utthāya te sarve spṛṣṭvā nadyā śśivaṃ jalam| panthānamṛṣiṇā'diṣṭaṃ citrakūṭasya taṃ yayuḥ

Then they all rose, touched the river's auspicious waters and went the way the sage had directed -- towards mount Chitrakuta.

ततस्सम्प्रस्थितः काले रामस्सौमित्रिणा सह। सीतां कमलपत्राक्षीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.56.5।।

tatassamprasthitaḥ kāle rāmassaumitriṇā saha| sītāṃ kamalapatrākṣīmidaṃ vacanamabravīt

Early in the morning Rama set out with Lakshmana and said this to Sita with eyes like lotus petals:

आदिप्तानिव वैदेहि सर्वतः पुष्पितान्नगान्। स्वैः पुष्पैः किंशुकान् पश्य मालिनशिशिरात्यये।।2.56.6।।

ādiptāniva vaidehi sarvataḥ puṣpitānnagān| svaiḥ puṣpaiḥ kiṃśukān paśya mālinaśiśirātyaye

O daughter of Videha behold these kimsuka trees in full bloom everywhere. With the passing of winter, they appear bright as though they are garlanded by their own flowers.

पश्य भल्लातकान् फुल्लान्नरै रनुपसेवितान्। फलपत्रैरवनता न्नूनं शक्ष्याम जीवितुम्।।2.56.7।।

paśya bhallātakān phullānnarai ranupasevitān| phalapatrairavanatā nnūnaṃ śakṣyāma jīvitum

Behold these bhallataka trees in full bloom though there are none to enjoy them. They are bent with fruits and leaves. Surely, we can live here. (This place is fit for our habitation).

पश्य द्रोणप्रमाणानि लम्बमानानि लक्ष्मण। मधूनि मधुकारीभि स्सम्भृतानि नगे नगे।।2.56.8।।

paśya droṇapramāṇāni lambamānāni lakṣmaṇa| madhūni madhukārībhi ssambhṛtāni nage nage

O Lakshmana see the honeycombs of the size of wooden vessels crowded by the honeybees hanging down from every tree.

एष क्रोशति नत्यूहस्तं शिखी प्रतिकूजति। रमणीये वनोद्देशे पुष्पसंस्तरसङ्कटे।।2.56.9।।

eṣa krośati natyūhastaṃ śikhī pratikūjati| ramaṇīye vanoddeśe puṣpasaṃstarasaṅkaṭe

In this delightful forest region strewn with fallen flowers the peacock is responding to the screaming of natyuha bird.

मातङ्गयूथानुसृतं पक्षिसंङ्घानुनादितम्। चित्रकूटमिमं पश्य प्रवृद्धशिखरं गिरिम्।।2.56.10।।

mātaṅgayūthānusṛtaṃ pakṣisaṃṅghānunāditam| citrakūṭamimaṃ paśya pravṛddhaśikharaṃ girim

See these flocks of singing birds followed by herds of elephants. See this mount Chitrakuta with its towering peaks.

समभूमितले रम्ये द्रुमैर्बहुभिरावृते। पुण्ये रंस्यामहे तात चित्रकूटस्य कानने।।2.56.11।।

samabhūmitale ramye drumairbahubhirāvṛte| puṇye raṃsyāmahe tāta citrakūṭasya kānane

O dear this sacred forest of Chitrakuta standing on a level land is full of various trees. Let us enjoy it.

ततस्तौ पादचारेण गच्छन्तौ सह सीतया। रम्यमासेदतुश्शैलं चित्रकूटं मनोरमम्।।2.56.12।।

tatastau pādacāreṇa gacchantau saha sītayā| ramyamāsedatuśśailaṃ citrakūṭaṃ manoramam

Then they both along with Sita walked to that lovely, delightful Chitrakuta mountain.

तन्तु पर्वतमासाद्य नानापक्षिगणायुतम्। बहुमूलफलं रम्यं सम्पन्नं सरसोदकम्।।2.56.13।।

tantu parvatamāsādya nānāpakṣigaṇāyutam| bahumūlaphalaṃ ramyaṃ sampannaṃ sarasodakam

Rama arrived at that enchanting mountain full of various kinds of birds, fruits and roots, and sweet water. (And said to Lakshmana:)

मनोज्ञोऽयं गिरिस्सौम्य नानाद्रुमलतायुतः। बहुमूलफलो रम्य स्स्वाजीवः प्रतिभाति मे।।2.56.14।।

manojño'yaṃ girissaumya nānādrumalatāyutaḥ| bahumūlaphalo ramya ssvājīvaḥ pratibhāti me

O gentle one this enchanting mountain with different kinds of trees and creepers and many roots and fruits appears to be a happy place to live in.

मुनयश्च महात्मानो वसन्त्यस्मि शिलोच्चये। अयं वासो भवेत्तावदत्र सौम्य रमेमहि।।2.56.15।।

munayaśca mahātmāno vasantyasmi śiloccaye| ayaṃ vāso bhavettāvadatra saumya ramemahi

Great sages reside on this high mountain. Let it be our habitation and let us enjoy our life here, O handsome one

इति सीता च रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्च कृताञ्जलिः। अभिगम्याऽश्रमं सर्वे वाल्मीकि मभिवादयन्।।2.56.16।।

iti sītā ca rāmaśca lakṣmaṇaśca kṛtāñjaliḥ| abhigamyā'śramaṃ sarve vālmīki mabhivādayan

Thus Rama, Sita and Lakshmana approached the hermitage of sage Valmiki and paid obeisance to him with folded hands.

तान्महर्षि प्रमुदितः पूजयामास धर्मवित्। अस्यतामिति चोवाच स्वागन्तु निवेद्य च।।2.56.17।।

tānmaharṣi pramuditaḥ pūjayāmāsa dharmavit| asyatāmiti covāca svāgantu nivedya ca

The great sage Valmiki conversant with righteousness was delighted. He honoured them by extending welcome and said 'Be seated'.

ततोऽब्रवीन्महाबाहुर्लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मणाग्रजः। सन्निवेद्य यथान्याय मात्मानमृषये प्रभुः।।2.56.18।।

tato'bravīnmahābāhurlakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ| sannivedya yathānyāya mātmānamṛṣaye prabhuḥ

The mightyarmed elder brother of Lakshmana revealed his identity to the sage by duly introducing himself. And said then to Lakshmana:

लक्ष्मणाऽऽनय दारूणि दृढानि च वराणि च। कुरुष्वाऽवसथं सौम्य वासे मेऽभिरतं मनः।।2.56.19।।

lakṣmaṇā''naya dārūṇi dṛḍhāni ca varāṇi ca| kuruṣvā'vasathaṃ saumya vāse me'bhirataṃ manaḥ

O handsome Lakshmana, make a hut with strong, sound logs of wood. My mind impels me to stay here.

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सौमित्रिर्विविधान् द्रुमान्। आजहार तत श्चक्रे पर्णशालामरिन्दमः।।2.56.20।।

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā saumitrirvividhān drumān| ājahāra tata ścakre parṇaśālāmarindamaḥ

Having heard Rama, Saumitri, the subduer of enemies fetched different kinds of logs of wood, and with them made a hut and thatched it with leaves.

तां निष्ठितां बद्धकटां दृष्ट्वा रामस्सुदर्शनाम्। शुश्रूषमाणमेकाग्रमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.56.21।।

tāṃ niṣṭhitāṃ baddhakaṭāṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmassudarśanām| śuśrūṣamāṇamekāgramidaṃ vacanamabravīt

Rama saw the goodlooking leafhut with mats tied around as walls, and said to Lakshmana who was awaiting further command with rapt attention:

ऐणेयं मांसमाहृत्य शालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम्। कर्तव्यं वास्तुशमनं सौमित्रे चिरजीविभिः।।2.56.22।।

aiṇeyaṃ māṃsamāhṛtya śālāṃ yakṣyāmahe vayam| kartavyaṃ vāstuśamanaṃ saumitre cirajīvibhiḥ

O Lakshmana those who intend to live for long (in this hut), should pacify the deity presiding over here. Therefore, we shall bring the venison of a black antelope and make necessary offerings.

मृगं हत्वाऽऽनय क्षिप्रं लक्ष्मणेह शुभेक्षण। कर्तव्य श्शास्त्रदृष्टो हि विधिर्धर्ममनुस्मर।।2.56.23।।

mṛgaṃ hatvā''naya kṣipraṃ lakṣmaṇeha śubhekṣaṇa| kartavya śśāstradṛṣṭo hi vidhirdharmamanusmara

Slay an antelope and bring it here quickly. O Lakshmana The rites as prescribed by the scriptures will have to be carried out. You may recollect that tradition.

भ्रातुर्वचनमाज्ञाय लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा। चकार स यथोक्तं च तं राम पुनरब्रवीत्।।2.56.24।।

bhrāturvacanamājñāya lakṣmaṇaḥ paravīrahā| cakāra sa yathoktaṃ ca taṃ rāma punarabravīt

Lakshmana, slayer of heroes on the enemy's side, understood and implemented what he was told. Rama again said to him:

ऐणेयं श्रपयस्वैतच्छालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम्। त्वर सौम्य मुहूर्तोऽयं ध्रुवश्च दिवसोऽप्ययम्।।2.56.25।।

aiṇeyaṃ śrapayasvaitacchālāṃ yakṣyāmahe vayam| tvara saumya muhūrto'yaṃ dhruvaśca divaso'pyayam

Cook this venison, O handsome one We will offer it to the presiding deity of this hut. Hasten, the day and time are fixed (for the rites)

स लक्ष्मणः कृष्णमृगं मेध्यं हत्वा प्रतापवान्। अथ चिक्षेप सौमित्रिस्समिद्धे जातवेदसि।।2.56.26।।

sa lakṣmaṇaḥ kṛṣṇamṛgaṃ medhyaṃ hatvā pratāpavān| atha cikṣepa saumitrissamiddhe jātavedasi

Then the powerful son of Sumitra killed a black antelope fit for offering, and offered it to the wellkindled fire.

तन्तु पक्वं परिज्ञाय निष्टप्तं छिन्नशोणितम्। लक्ष्मण: पुरुषव्याघ्रमथ राघवमब्रवीत्।।2.56.27।।

tantu pakvaṃ parijñāya niṣṭaptaṃ chinnaśoṇitam| lakṣmaṇa: puruṣavyāghramatha rāghavamabravīt

With the blood drained out of the venison, Lakshmana roasted it and cooked it well, and then said to Rama, the tiger (best) among men.

अयं सर्व: समस्ताग्ङ: श्रृत: कृष्णमृगो मया। देवतां देवसङ्काश यजस्व कुशलो ह्यसि।।2.56.28।।

ayaṃ sarva: samastāgṅa: śrṛta: kṛṣṇamṛgo mayā| devatāṃ devasaṅkāśa yajasva kuśalo hyasi

This black antelope with all its limbs is wellcooked. O divine sire, you may make the offering to Vastu devata in which you are proficient.

राम: स्नात्वा तु नियतो गुणवान् जप्यकोविदः। सङ्ग्रहेणाकरोत् स्रवार्न मन्त्रान् सत्रावसानिकान्।।2.56.29।।

rāma: snātvā tu niyato guṇavān japyakovidaḥ| saṅgraheṇākarot sravārna mantrān satrāvasānikān

Virtuous Rama, who was an expert in the recitation of mantras, took his bath and his mind controlled, intoned briefly all the mantras appropriate to the completion of the ritual.

इष्ट्वा देवगणान्सर्वान्विवेशाऽवसथं शुचिः। बभूव च मनोह्लादो रामस्यामिततेजसः।।2.56.30।।

iṣṭvā devagaṇānsarvānviveśā'vasathaṃ śuciḥ| babhūva ca manohlādo rāmasyāmitatejasaḥ

Sanctified with the worship of all the gods, Rama of immeasurable lustre felt a great happiness on entering the hut.

वैश्वदेवबलिं कृत्वा रौद्रं वैष्णव मेव च। वास्तुसंशमनीयानि मङ्गलानि प्रवर्तयन्।।2.56.31।। जपं च न्यायत कृत्वा स्नात्वा नद्यां यथाविधि। पापसंशमनं राम श्चकार बलिमुत्तमम्।।2.56.32।।

vaiśvadevabaliṃ kṛtvā raudraṃ vaiṣṇava meva ca| vāstusaṃśamanīyāni maṅgalāni pravartayan japaṃ ca nyāyata kṛtvā snātvā nadyāṃ yathāvidhi| pāpasaṃśamanaṃ rāma ścakāra balimuttamam

Rama, offered oblations to Visvadevas, Rudra and Visnu, performed the auspices for the appeasement of the household deity. And having muttered japa silently in conformity with tradition, he took his ablution in the river as enjoined (by the sastras) and offered his final oblations for the expiation of his sins.

वैश्वदेवबलिं कृत्वा रौद्रं वैष्णव मेव च। वास्तुसंशमनीयानि मङ्गलानि प्रवर्तयन्।।2.56.31।। जपं च न्यायत कृत्वा स्नात्वा नद्यां यथाविधि। पापसंशमनं राम श्चकार बलिमुत्तमम्।।2.56.32।।

vaiśvadevabaliṃ kṛtvā raudraṃ vaiṣṇava meva ca| vāstusaṃśamanīyāni maṅgalāni pravartayan japaṃ ca nyāyata kṛtvā snātvā nadyāṃ yathāvidhi| pāpasaṃśamanaṃ rāma ścakāra balimuttamam

Rama, offered oblations to Visvadevas, Rudra and Visnu, performed the auspices for the appeasement of the household deity. And having muttered japa silently in conformity with tradition, he took his ablution in the river as enjoined (by the sastras) and offered his final oblations for the expiation of his sins.

वेदिस्थलविधानानि चैत्यान्यायतनानि च। आश्रमस्यानुरूपाणि स्थापयामास राघवः।।2.56.33।।

vedisthalavidhānāni caityānyāyatanāni ca| āśramasyānurūpāṇi sthāpayāmāsa rāghavaḥ

Rama, son of the Raghus, made altars in all the quarters, places of worship and sacred spots for fire befitting a hermitage.

वन्यैर्माल्यैः फलैर्मूलैः पक्वैर्मांसैर्यथाविधि। अद्भिर्जपैश्च वेदोक्तैर्दर्भैश्च ससमित्कुशैः।।2.56.34।। तौ तर्पयित्वा भूतानि राघवौ सह सीतया। तदा विविशतु श्शालां सुशुभां शुभलक्षणौ।।2.56.35।।

vanyairmālyaiḥ phalairmūlaiḥ pakvairmāṃsairyathāvidhi| adbhirjapaiśca vedoktairdarbhaiśca sasamitkuśaiḥ tau tarpayitvā bhūtāni rāghavau saha sītayā| tadā viviśatu śśālāṃ suśubhāṃ śubhalakṣaṇau

Bestowed with auspicious qualities, Rama and Lakshmana along with Sita propitiated those celestial beings with garlands of forest flowers, fruits and roots, wellcooked venison, water, muttering of prayers as expounded in the Vedas, faggots and kusa grass and entered that auspicious hermitage.

तां वृक्षपर्णच्छदनां मनोज्ञां यथाप्रदेशं सुकृतां निवाताम्। वासाय सर्वे विविशुस्समेतास्सभां यथा देवगणास्सुधर्माम्।।2.56.36।।

tāṃ vṛkṣaparṇacchadanāṃ manojñāṃ yathāpradeśaṃ sukṛtāṃ nivātām| vāsāya sarve viviśussametāssabhāṃ yathā devagaṇāssudharmām

Just like the gods enter the court of Sudharma, they all stepped into the hut to dwell there. The hut was charming wellbuilt on a suitable site and protected against storm.

अनेकनानामृगपक्षिसङ्कुले विचित्रपत्रस्तबकैर्द्रुमैर्युते। वनोत्तमे व्यालमृगानुनादिते तदा विजह्रु स्सुसुखं जितेन्द्रियाः।।2.56.37।।

anekanānāmṛgapakṣisaṅkule vicitrapatrastabakairdrumairyute| vanottame vyālamṛgānunādite tadā vijahru ssusukhaṃ jitendriyāḥ

Then they with their senses conquered, enjoyed perfect happiness in that splendid forest teeming with many varieties of animals and birds, with trees full of brilliant clusters of flowers and echoing with the sounds of wild animals.

सुरम्यमासाद्य तु चित्रकूटं नदीं च तां माल्यवतीं सुतीर्थाम्। ननन्द हृष्टो मृगपक्षिजुष्टां जहौ च दुखं पुरविप्रवासात्।।2.35.38।।

suramyamāsādya tu citrakūṭaṃ nadīṃ ca tāṃ mālyavatīṃ sutīrthām| nananda hṛṣṭo mṛgapakṣijuṣṭāṃ jahau ca dukhaṃ puravipravāsāt

Having reached the marvellous mount Chitrakuta and river Malyavati with excellent holy places and full of animals and birds, Rama shed the sorrow of his banishment from the city (of Ayodhya) and rejoiced with a gladdened heart. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्पञ्चाशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fiftysixth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.