Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 57

कथयित्वा सुदुःखार्तस्सुमन्त्रेण चिरं सह। रामे दक्षिणकूलस्थे जगाम स्वगृहं गुहः।।2.57.1।।

kathayitvā suduḥkhārtassumantreṇa ciraṃ saha| rāme dakṣiṇakūlasthe jagāma svagṛhaṃ guhaḥ

Until Rama reached the southern bank, Guha kept talking with Sumantra for long and returned home with great sorrow.

भरद्वाजाभिगमनं प्रयागे च सहाऽसनम्। आगिरेर्गमनं तेषां तत्रस्थैरुपलक्षितम्।।2.57.2।।

bharadvājābhigamanaṃ prayāge ca sahā'sanam| āgirergamanaṃ teṣāṃ tatrasthairupalakṣitam

Positioned there, they could mark their arrival at Bharadwaja's at Prayaga, their stay (nighthalt) and their onward journey to Chitrakuta mountain.

अनुज्ञातस्सुमन्त्रोऽथ योजयित्वा हयोत्तमान्। अयोध्यामेव नगरीं प्रययौ गाढदुर्मनाः।।2.57.3।।

anujñātassumantro'tha yojayitvā hayottamān| ayodhyāmeva nagarīṃ prayayau gāḍhadurmanāḥ

Permitted by Rama to leave, Sumantra harnessed the best of horses and set out for the city of Ayodhya with a heavy heart.

स वनानि सुगन्धीनि सरितश्च सरांसि च। पश्यन्नतिययौ शीघ्रं ग्रामाणि नगराणि च।।2.57.4।।

sa vanāni sugandhīni saritaśca sarāṃsi ca| paśyannatiyayau śīghraṃ grāmāṇi nagarāṇi ca

Beholding the fragrancefilled forests, rivers, lakes, villages and towns on the way, Sumantra quickly crossed them.

तत स्सायाह्न समये तृतीयेऽहनि सारथिः। अयोध्यां समनुप्राप्य निरानन्दां ददर्श ह।।2.57.5।।

tata ssāyāhna samaye tṛtīye'hani sārathiḥ| ayodhyāṃ samanuprāpya nirānandāṃ dadarśa ha

The charioteer reached Ayodhya on the third day at dusk and found the city cheerless.

स शून्यामिव निश्शब्दां दृष्ट्वा परमदुर्मनाः। सुमन्त्रश्चिन्तयामास शोकवेगसमाहतः।।2.57.6।।

sa śūnyāmiva niśśabdāṃ dṛṣṭvā paramadurmanāḥ| sumantraścintayāmāsa śokavegasamāhataḥ

Beholding the silent city, almost empty, the deeply depressed Sumantra, afflicted with gushing tears reflected:

कच्चिन्न सगजा साऽश्वा सजना सजनाधिपा। रामसन्तापदुःखेन दग्धा शोकाग्निना पुरी।।2.57.7।।

kaccinna sagajā sā'śvā sajanā sajanādhipā| rāmasantāpaduḥkhena dagdhā śokāgninā purī

Has the city along with its elephants, horses, people and its king perished in the fire of grief for Rama?

इति चिन्तापरस्सूतो वाजिभिश्शीघ्रपातिभिः। नगरद्वारमासाद्य त्वरितः प्रविवेश ह।।2.57.8।।

iti cintāparassūto vājibhiśśīghrapātibhiḥ| nagaradvāramāsādya tvaritaḥ praviveśa ha

Absorbed in these thoughts, the charioteer came to the citygate, carried by the swiftfooted horses, and quickly entered the city.

सुमन्त्रमभियान्तं तं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। क्व राम इति पृच्छन्तस्सूतमभ्यद्रवन्नराः।।2.57.9।।

sumantramabhiyāntaṃ taṃ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ| kva rāma iti pṛcchantassūtamabhyadravannarāḥ

Meanwhile as the charioteer was moving towards the city, hundreds and thousands of men came pouring towards him enquiring, 'Where is Rama?'

तेषां शशंस गङ्गायामहमापृच्छ्य राघवम्। अनुज्ञातो निवृत्तोऽस्मि धार्मिकेण महात्माना।।2.57.10।।

teṣāṃ śaśaṃsa gaṅgāyāmahamāpṛcchya rāghavam| anujñāto nivṛtto'smi dhārmikeṇa mahātmānā

I took leave of the great, righteous Rama on the bank of the Ganga and have returned with his permission. (replied Sumantra).

ते तीर्णा इति विज्ञाय बाष्पपूर्णमुखा जनाः। अहो धिगिति निश्श्वस्य हा रामेति च चुक्रुशुः।।2.57.11।।

te tīrṇā iti vijñāya bāṣpapūrṇamukhā janāḥ| aho dhigiti niśśvasya hā rāmeti ca cukruśuḥ

Hearing that they had (the trio) crossed the river Ganga, the people, with their faces filled with tears sighed and saying 'Fie upon us Alas, Rama' cried out aloud.

शुश्राव च वचस्तेषां बृन्दं बृन्दं च तिष्ठताम्। हतास्म खलु ये नेह पश्याम इति राघवम्।।2.57.12।।

śuśrāva ca vacasteṣāṃ bṛndaṃ bṛndaṃ ca tiṣṭhatām| hatāsma khalu ye neha paśyāma iti rāghavam

He saw them gathering in groups, saying, Henceforth we will not be able to see Rama and without him, we are lost indeed.

दानयज्ञविवाहेषु समाजेषु महत्सु च। न द्रक्ष्यामः पुन र्जातु धार्मिकं राममन्तरा।।2.57.13।।

dānayajñavivāheṣu samājeṣu mahatsu ca| na drakṣyāmaḥ puna rjātu dhārmikaṃ rāmamantarā

No longer will we see Rama at sacrifices, weddings, great assemblies and at places of charitable activity.

किं समर्थं जनस्यास्य किं प्रियं किं सुखावहम्। इति रामेण नगरं पितृवत्परिपालितम्।।2.57.14।।

kiṃ samarthaṃ janasyāsya kiṃ priyaṃ kiṃ sukhāvaham| iti rāmeṇa nagaraṃ pitṛvatparipālitam

Rama looked after his people like a father always thinking what was good for them, dear to them and comfortable to them.

वातायनगतानां च स्त्रीणामन्वन्तरापणम्। रामशोकाभितप्तानां शुश्राव परिदेवनम्।।2.57.15।।

vātāyanagatānāṃ ca strīṇāmanvantarāpaṇam| rāmaśokābhitaptānāṃ śuśrāva paridevanam

(He) heard wailings of women looking through the window and of the people in marketplaces burning with sorrow over Rama's exile.

स राजमार्गमध्येन सुमन्त्रः पिहिताननः। यत्र राजा दशरथस्तदेवोपययौ गृहम्।।2.57.16।।

sa rājamārgamadhyena sumantraḥ pihitānanaḥ| yatra rājā daśarathastadevopayayau gṛham

Sumantra with his face muffled, drove along the highway straight to the palace of king Dasaratha.

सोऽवतीर्य रथाच्छीघ्रं राजवेश्म प्रविश्य च। कक्ष्या स्सप्ताभिचक्राम महाजनसमाकुलाः।।2.57.17।।

so'vatīrya rathācchīghraṃ rājaveśma praviśya ca| kakṣyā ssaptābhicakrāma mahājanasamākulāḥ

Quickly alighting from the chariot, he entered the king's palace and crossed the seven courtyards overcrowded with people.

हर्म्यै र्विमानैः प्रासादैरवेक्ष्याथ समागतम्। हाहाकारकृता नार्यो रामदर्शनकर्शिताः।।2.57.18।।

harmyai rvimānaiḥ prāsādairavekṣyātha samāgatam| hāhākārakṛtā nāryo rāmadarśanakarśitāḥ

Women from mansions, sevenstoried buildings and from royal palaces, sighted him and pained at not seeing Rama cried out 'Alas, Alas'.

आयतैर्विमलैर्नेत्रैरश्रुवेगपरिप्लुतैः। अन्योन्यमभिवीक्षन्तेऽव्यक्तमार्ततराः स्त्रियः।।2.57.19।।

āyatairvimalairnetrairaśruvegapariplutaiḥ| anyonyamabhivīkṣante'vyaktamārtatarāḥ striyaḥ

The women in great anguish stood silently looking at one another, their large eyes flooded with overflowing tears.

ततो दशरथस्त्रीणां प्रासादेभ्य स्तत स्ततः। रामशोकाभितप्तानां मन्दं शुश्राव जल्पितम्।।2.57.20।।

tato daśarathastrīṇāṃ prāsādebhya stata stataḥ| rāmaśokābhitaptānāṃ mandaṃ śuśrāva jalpitam

From different spots in the palace, Sumantra heard the sobs and whispers of Dasaratha's wives who were tormented with the sorrow of Rama's exile.

सह रामेण निर्यातो विना राम मिहागतः। सूतः किन्नाम कौसल्यां शोचन्तीं प्रतिवक्ष्यति।।2.57.21।।

saha rāmeṇa niryāto vinā rāma mihāgataḥ| sūtaḥ kinnāma kausalyāṃ śocantīṃ prativakṣyati

The charioteer left with Rama and returned without him. What can he say to the wailing Kausalya?

यथा च मन्ये दुर्जीवमेवं न सुकरं ध्रुवम्। आच्छिद्य पुत्रे निर्याते कौसल्या यत्र जीवति।।2.57.22।।

yathā ca manye durjīvamevaṃ na sukaraṃ dhruvam| ācchidya putre niryāte kausalyā yatra jīvati

I think it is indeed difficult for Kausalya to live wherever and whichever way she tries as she has been separated from her son. (the queens said).

सत्यरूपं तु तद्वाक्यं राज्ञ: स्त्रीणां निशामयन्। प्रदीप्तमिव शोकेन विवेश सहसा गृहम्।।2.57.23।।

satyarūpaṃ tu tadvākyaṃ rājña: strīṇāṃ niśāmayan| pradīptamiva śokena viveśa sahasā gṛham

Listening to the correct words of the king's wives, he immediately entered the palace as if in flames (of grief).

स प्रविश्याष्टमीं कक्ष्यां राजानं दीनमातुरम्। पुत्रशोकपरिम्लानमपश्यत्पाण्डुरे गृहे।।2.57.24।।

sa praviśyāṣṭamīṃ kakṣyāṃ rājānaṃ dīnamāturam| putraśokaparimlānamapaśyatpāṇḍure gṛhe

On entering the eighth courtyard, he saw in a pale white chamber king Dasaratha desolate, anguished and withered with the sorrow of separation from his son.

अभिगम्य तमासीनं नरेन्द्रे मभिवाद्य च। सुमन्त्रो रामवचनं यथोक्तं प्रत्यवेदयत्।।2.57.25।।

abhigamya tamāsīnaṃ narendre mabhivādya ca| sumantro rāmavacanaṃ yathoktaṃ pratyavedayat

Sumantra approached the king who was seated, paid obeisance to him and conveyed Rama's words verbatim.

स तूष्णीमेव तच्छ्रुत्वा राजा विभ्रान्तचेतनः। मूर्छितो न्यपतद्भूमौ रामशोकाभिपीडितः।।2.57.26।।

sa tūṣṇīmeva tacchrutvā rājā vibhrāntacetanaḥ| mūrchito nyapatadbhūmau rāmaśokābhipīḍitaḥ

The king silently listened to Rama's message. Bewildered and tormented by the grief of Rama's absence, he fell down on the ground in a swoon.

ततोऽन्तःपुरमाविद्धं मूर्छिते पृथिवीपतौ। उद्धृत्य बाहू चुक्रोश नृपतौ पतितेक्षितौ।।2.57.27।।

tato'ntaḥpuramāviddhaṃ mūrchite pṛthivīpatau| uddhṛtya bāhū cukrośa nṛpatau patitekṣitau

The moment the lord of the earth fell down on the ground unconscious, the women in the inner apartment burst into tears, raising their arms.

सुमित्रया तु सहिता कौसल्या पतितं पतिम्। उत्थापयामास तदा वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्।।2.57.28।।

sumitrayā tu sahitā kausalyā patitaṃ patim| utthāpayāmāsa tadā vacanaṃ cedamabravīt

Having seen her husband collapsed on the ground, Kausalya assisted by Sumitra lifted him up and said to him thus:

इमं तस्य महाभाग दूतं दुष्करकारिणः। वनवासादनुप्राप्तं कस्मान्न प्रतिभाषसे।।2.57.29।।

imaṃ tasya mahābhāga dūtaṃ duṣkarakāriṇaḥ| vanavāsādanuprāptaṃ kasmānna pratibhāṣase

O distinguished king, why are you not enquiring from the messenger about him (Rama) who is capable of performing arduous tasks?

अद्यैवमनयं कृत्वा व्यपत्रपसि राघव। उत्तिष्ठ सुकृतं तेस्तु शोके नस्या त्सहायता।।2.57.30।।

adyaivamanayaṃ kṛtvā vyapatrapasi rāghava| uttiṣṭha sukṛtaṃ testu śoke nasyā tsahāyatā

O descendant of the Raghus are you ashamed of having done an injustice? Arise. you may be a blessed one (for fulfilling your promise). If you grieve, none will help you.

देव यस्या भयाद्रामं नानुपृच्छसि सारथिम्। नेह तिष्ठिति कैकेयी विस्रब्धं प्रतिभाष्यताम्।।2.57.31।।

deva yasyā bhayādrāmaṃ nānupṛcchasi sārathim| neha tiṣṭhiti kaikeyī visrabdhaṃ pratibhāṣyatām

Kaikeyi for fear of whom you dare not ask the charioteer about Rama, O king is not here. You may speak to him without fear.

सा तथोक्त्वा महाराजं कौसल्या शोकलालसा। धरण्यां निपपाताऽशु बाष्पविप्लुतभाषिणी।।2.57.32।।

sā tathoktvā mahārājaṃ kausalyā śokalālasā| dharaṇyāṃ nipapātā'śu bāṣpaviplutabhāṣiṇī

Absorbed in grief, Kausalya spoke to the maharaja in a voice choked with tears and then collapsed on the floor.

एवं विलपतीं दृष्ट्वा कौसल्यां पतितां भुवि। पतिं चावेक्ष्य ता स्सर्वा सुस्वरं रुरुदुः स्त्रियः।।2.57.33।।

evaṃ vilapatīṃ dṛṣṭvā kausalyāṃ patitāṃ bhuvi| patiṃ cāvekṣya tā ssarvā susvaraṃ ruruduḥ striyaḥ

All those women saw weeping Kausalya as well as their husband fallen on the ground and wailed loudly in a chorus.

तत स्तमन्तःपुरनादमुत्थितं समीक्ष्य वृद्धा स्तरुणाश्च मानवाः। स्त्रियश्च सर्वा रुरुदु स्समन्ततः पुरं तदासीत्पुनरेव सङ्कुलम्।।2.57.34।।

tata stamantaḥpuranādamutthitaṃ samīkṣya vṛddhā staruṇāśca mānavāḥ| striyaśca sarvā rurudu ssamantataḥ puraṃ tadāsītpunareva saṅkulam

Having heard the sound emanating from the inner apartment, people, old, young and women, of the city lamented. The city was crowded again. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे सप्तपञ्चाशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fiftyseventh sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.