Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64

वधमप्रतिरूपं तु महर्षेस्तस्य राघवः। विलपन्नेव धर्मात्मा कौसल्यां पुनरब्रवीत्।।2.64.1।।

vadhamapratirūpaṃ tu maharṣestasya rāghavaḥ| vilapanneva dharmātmā kausalyāṃ punarabravīt

Grieving for having unfairly killed the great sage the rightenous descendant of the Raghus (Dasaratha) coutinued to tell Kausalya about it:

तदज्ञानान्महत्पापं कृत्वाहं सङ्कुलेन्द्रियः। एकस्त्वचिन्तयं बुध्या कथं नु सुकृतं भवेत्।।2.64.2।।

tadajñānānmahatpāpaṃ kṛtvāhaṃ saṅkulendriyaḥ| ekastvacintayaṃ budhyā kathaṃ nu sukṛtaṃ bhavet

Having committed the sin unwittingly, I was greatly agitated. I reflected in my mind as to how to atone for this great sin.

ततस्तं घटमादाय पूर्णं परमवारिणा। आश्रमं तमहं प्राप्य यथाऽख्यातपथं गतः।।2.64.3।।

tatastaṃ ghaṭamādāya pūrṇaṃ paramavāriṇā| āśramaṃ tamahaṃ prāpya yathā'khyātapathaṃ gataḥ

Holding the pot filled with clean water I reached the hermitage following the path as directed.

तत्राहं दुर्बलावन्धौ वृद्धावपरिणायकौ। अपश्यं तस्य पितरौ लूनपक्षाविव द्विजौ।।2.64.4।। तन्निमित्ताभिरासीनौ कथाभिरपरिश्रमौ। तामाशां मत्कृते हीनावुदासीनावनाथवत्।।2.64.5।।

tatrāhaṃ durbalāvandhau vṛddhāvapariṇāyakau| apaśyaṃ tasya pitarau lūnapakṣāviva dvijau tannimittābhirāsīnau kathābhirapariśramau| tāmāśāṃ matkṛte hīnāvudāsīnāvanāthavat

There I found his weak, blind, old parents. With no supporter, they looked like birds with clipped wings. They sat there helplessly like orphans and passively talking about their son, their only hope that I have deprived them of.

तत्राहं दुर्बलावन्धौ वृद्धावपरिणायकौ। अपश्यं तस्य पितरौ लूनपक्षाविव द्विजौ।।2.64.4।। तन्निमित्ताभिरासीनौ कथाभिरपरिश्रमौ। तामाशां मत्कृते हीनावुदासीनावनाथवत्।।2.64.5।।

tatrāhaṃ durbalāvandhau vṛddhāvapariṇāyakau| apaśyaṃ tasya pitarau lūnapakṣāviva dvijau tannimittābhirāsīnau kathābhirapariśramau| tāmāśāṃ matkṛte hīnāvudāsīnāvanāthavat

There I found his weak, blind, old parents. With no supporter, they looked like birds with clipped wings. They sat there helplessly like orphans and passively talking about their son, their only hope that I have deprived them of.

शोकोपहतचित्तश्च भयसन्त्रस्तचेतनः। तच्चाऽश्रमपदं गत्वा भूयश्शोकमहं गतः।।2.64.6।।

śokopahatacittaśca bhayasantrastacetanaḥ| taccā'śramapadaṃ gatvā bhūyaśśokamahaṃ gataḥ

Smitten with grief and my heart throbbing with fear I reached the hermitage and my sorrow became manifold.

पदशब्दं तु मे श्रुत्वा मुनिर्वाक्यमभाषत। किं चिरायसि मे पुत्र पानीयं क्षिप्रमानय।।2.64.7।।

padaśabdaṃ tu me śrutvā munirvākyamabhāṣata| kiṃ cirāyasi me putra pānīyaṃ kṣipramānaya

Hearing the sound of my footsteps, the sage said 'O son why have you delayed? Bring me some water quickly'.

यन्निमित्तमिदं तात सलिले क्रीडितं त्वया। उत्कण्ठिता ते मातेयं प्रविश क्षिप्रमाश्रमम्।।2.64.8।।

yannimittamidaṃ tāta salile krīḍitaṃ tvayā| utkaṇṭhitā te māteyaṃ praviśa kṣipramāśramam

'O Dear child, whatever be the reason, you have been sporting in the water so long, come at once to the hermitage. Your mother is anxious.

यद्व्यलीकं कृतं पुत्र मात्रा ते यदि वा मया। न तन्मनसि कर्तव्यं त्वया तात तपस्विना।।2.64.9।।

yadvyalīkaṃ kṛtaṃ putra mātrā te yadi vā mayā| na tanmanasi kartavyaṃ tvayā tāta tapasvinā

'O Child, O Son if your mother or I have done anything disagreeable, do not take it to heart, for you are an ascetic.

त्वं गतिस्त्वगतीनां चक्षुस्त्वं हीनचक्षुषाम्। समासक्तास्त्वयि प्राणाः किं त्वं नो नाभिभाषसे।।2.64.10।।

tvaṃ gatistvagatīnāṃ cakṣustvaṃ hīnacakṣuṣām| samāsaktāstvayi prāṇāḥ kiṃ tvaṃ no nābhibhāṣase

'You are a support to the supportless, eyes to the blind, you are our very vital life. Why don't you speak to us'?

मुनिमव्यक्तया वाचा तमहं सज्जमानया। हीनव्यञ्जनया प्रेक्ष्य भीतचित्त इवाब्रुवम्।।2.64.11।।

munimavyaktayā vācā tamahaṃ sajjamānayā| hīnavyañjanayā prekṣya bhītacitta ivābruvam

As I saw him, my heart was filled with terror and I stammered as I spoke in garbled sentences.

मनसः कर्म चेष्टाभिरभिसंस्तभ्य वाग्बलम्। आचचक्षे त्वहं तस्मै पुत्रव्यसनजं भयम्।।2.64.12।।

manasaḥ karma ceṣṭābhirabhisaṃstabhya vāgbalam| ācacakṣe tvahaṃ tasmai putravyasanajaṃ bhayam

After a lot of effort, with great fear controlling my thoughts and the power of speech, I related to him the calamity that had befallen his son.

क्षत्रियोऽहं दशरथो नाहं पुत्रो महात्मनः। सज्जनावमतं दुःखमिदं प्राप्तं स्वकर्मजम्।।2.64.13।।

kṣatriyo'haṃ daśaratho nāhaṃ putro mahātmanaḥ| sajjanāvamataṃ duḥkhamidaṃ prāptaṃ svakarmajam

O magnanimous sage I am a kshatriya known as Dasaratha. I am not your son. A pathetic incident has been caused by my own action, condemnable by the virtuous.

भगवंश्चापहस्तोऽहं सरयूतीरमागतः। जिघांसुश्श्वापदं कञ्चिन्निपाने चाऽगतं गजम्।।2.64.14।।

bhagavaṃścāpahasto'haṃ sarayūtīramāgataḥ| jighāṃsuśśvāpadaṃ kañcinnipāne cā'gataṃ gajam

Wishing to hunt a wild elephant coming down to the water hole for drinking, I went to the bank of Sarayu, bow in hand, O revered sage

ततश्श्रुतो मया शब्दो जले कुम्भस्य पूर्यतः। द्विपोऽयमिति मत्वाऽयं बाणेनाभिहतो मया।।2.64.15।।

tataśśruto mayā śabdo jale kumbhasya pūryataḥ| dvipo'yamiti matvā'yaṃ bāṇenābhihato mayā

There I heard the sound of a pot being filled with water and mistaking it to be an elephant's, shot an arrow.

गत्वा नद्यास्तत स्तीरमपश्यमिषुणा हृदि। विनिर्भिन्नं गतप्राणं शयानं भुवि तापसम्।।2.64.16।।

gatvā nadyāstata stīramapaśyamiṣuṇā hṛdi| vinirbhinnaṃ gataprāṇaṃ śayānaṃ bhuvi tāpasam

Thereafter I reached the river bank and beheld an ascetic with an arrow pierced in his chest. He was lying on the ground, his life ebbing away.

भगवच्छशब्दमालक्ष्य मया गजजिघांसुना। विसृप्टोऽम्भसि नाराचस्तेन ते निहतस्सुतः।।2.64.17।।

bhagavacchaśabdamālakṣya mayā gajajighāṃsunā| visṛpṭo'mbhasi nārācastena te nihatassutaḥ

O venerable one I released an arrow towards the water aiming at the sound intending to kill an elephant but it hit your son.

ततस्तस्यैव वचनादुपेत्य परितप्यतः। स मया सहसा बाण उधृतो मर्मतस्तदा।।2.64.18।।

tatastasyaiva vacanādupetya paritapyataḥ| sa mayā sahasā bāṇa udhṛto marmatastadā

Then I approached him. He was suffering from excruciating pain. I pulled out at his word the arrow from his chest.

स चोधृतेन बाणेन तत्रैव स्वर्गमास्थितः। भवन्तौ पितरौ शोचन्नन्धाविति विलप्य च।।2.64.19।।

sa codhṛtena bāṇena tatraiva svargamāsthitaḥ| bhavantau pitarau śocannandhāviti vilapya ca

Grieving for both of you and crying you are blind he died as soon as the arrow was pulled out.

अज्ञानाद्भवतः पुत्र स्सहसाऽभिहतो मया। शेषमेवं गते यत्स्यात्तत्प्रसीदतु मे मुनिः।।2.64.20।।

ajñānādbhavataḥ putra ssahasā'bhihato mayā| śeṣamevaṃ gate yatsyāttatprasīdatu me muniḥ

Your son has been killed by me due to my ignorance. Since this has happened, may the ascetic be pleased to command me on the next course of action.

स तच्च्रुत्वा वचः क्रूरं मयोक्तमघशंसिना। नाशकत्तीव्रमायासमकर्तुं भगवानृषिः।।2.64.21।।

sa taccrutvā vacaḥ krūraṃ mayoktamaghaśaṃsinā| nāśakattīvramāyāsamakartuṃ bhagavānṛṣiḥ

The venerable sage heard my cruel words about the sinful act and was not able to seriously react. (He was stunned).

स बाष्पपूर्णवदनो निश्श्वसन्शोककर्शितः। मामुवाच महातेजाः कृताञ्जलिमुपस्थितम्।।2.64.22।।

sa bāṣpapūrṇavadano niśśvasanśokakarśitaḥ| māmuvāca mahātejāḥ kṛtāñjalimupasthitam

The griefstricken, glorious ascetic with his face filled with tears, heaving deep sighs broke down with grief and spoke to me as I was standing with folded palms.

यद्येतदशुभं कर्म न त्वं मे कथयेस्स्वयम्। फलेन्मूर्धा स्म ते राजन् सद्य श्शतसहस्रधा।।2.64.23।।

yadyetadaśubhaṃ karma na tvaṃ me kathayessvayam| phalenmūrdhā sma te rājan sadya śśatasahasradhā

'O king, hadn't you yourself broken this inauspicious news, your head would have split into a hundred thousand pieces right now.

क्षत्रियेण वधो राजन् वानप्रस्थे विशेषतः। ज्ञानपूर्वं कृत स्स्थानाच्च्यावयेदपि वज्रिणम्।।2.64.24।।

kṣatriyeṇa vadho rājan vānaprasthe viśeṣataḥ| jñānapūrvaṃ kṛta ssthānāccyāvayedapi vajriṇam

'If a kshatriya kills any one knowingly, particularly when in vanaprastha (third stage) this sin can displace even Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt from his position, O king.

सप्तधा तु फलेन्मूर्धा मुनौ तपसि तिष्ठति। ज्ञानाद्विसृजतश्शस्त्रं तादृशे ब्रह्मावादिनि।।2.64.25।।

saptadhā tu phalenmūrdhā munau tapasi tiṣṭhati| jñānādvisṛjataśśastraṃ tādṛśe brahmāvādini

'If any one deliberately discharges a weapon upon an ascetic observing austerities or on him who expounds the Vedas, his head will split into seven pieces.

अज्ञानाद्धिकृतं यस्मादिदं तेनैव जवसि। अपि ह्यद्य कुलं न स्यादिक्ष्वाकूणां कुतो भवान्।।2.64.26।।

ajñānāddhikṛtaṃ yasmādidaṃ tenaiva javasi| api hyadya kulaṃ na syādikṣvākūṇāṃ kuto bhavān

'Since you have done this unwittingly you are still alive. If it had been otherwise, your Ikshvaku race itself would have been exterminated, what to speak of you

नय नौ नृप तं देशमिति मां चाभ्यभाषत। अद्य तं द्रष्टुमिच्छावः पुत्रं पश्चिमदर्शनम्।।2.64.27।। रुधिरेणावसिक्ताङ्गं प्रकीर्णाजिनवाससम्। शयानं भुवि निस्संज्ञं धर्म राजवशं गतम्।।2.64.28।।

naya nau nṛpa taṃ deśamiti māṃ cābhyabhāṣata| adya taṃ draṣṭumicchāvaḥ putraṃ paścimadarśanam rudhireṇāvasiktāṅgaṃ prakīrṇājinavāsasam| śayānaṃ bhuvi nissaṃjñaṃ dharma rājavaśaṃ gatam

'O king take us to that place. We wish to have the last look at him, at his garment of antelope skin in disarray, his body spattered with blood, lying on the ground unconscious under the sway of the lord of death'. Thus the sage said to me.

नय नौ नृप तं देशमिति मां चाभ्यभाषत। अद्य तं द्रष्टुमिच्छावः पुत्रं पश्चिमदर्शनम्।।2.64.27।। रुधिरेणावसिक्ताङ्गं प्रकीर्णाजिनवाससम्। शयानं भुवि निस्संज्ञं धर्म राजवशं गतम्।।2.64.28।।

naya nau nṛpa taṃ deśamiti māṃ cābhyabhāṣata| adya taṃ draṣṭumicchāvaḥ putraṃ paścimadarśanam rudhireṇāvasiktāṅgaṃ prakīrṇājinavāsasam| śayānaṃ bhuvi nissaṃjñaṃ dharma rājavaśaṃ gatam

'O king take us to that place. We wish to have the last look at him, at his garment of antelope skin in disarray, his body spattered with blood, lying on the ground unconscious under the sway of the lord of death'. Thus the sage said to me.

अथाहमेकस्तं देशं नीत्वा तौ भृशदुःखितौ। अस्पर्शयमहं पुत्रं तं मुनिं सह भार्यया।।2.64.29।।

athāhamekastaṃ deśaṃ nītvā tau bhṛśaduḥkhitau| asparśayamahaṃ putraṃ taṃ muniṃ saha bhāryayā

Thereupon, I took both of them all by myself to that spot and made the grieving ascetics touch the body of their son.

तौ पुत्रमात्मन स्स्पृष्ट्वा तमासाद्य तपस्विनौ। निपेततुश्शरीरेऽस्य पिता चास्येदमब्रवीत्।।62.64.30।।

tau putramātmana sspṛṣṭvā tamāsādya tapasvinau| nipetatuśśarīre'sya pitā cāsyedamabravīt

Both the ascetics stroking their son's body and collapsed upon it. And the father said:

नाभिवादयसे माद्य न च माऽमभिभाषसे। किं नु शेषे तु भूमौ त्वं वत्स किं कुपितो ह्यसि।।2.64.31।।

nābhivādayase mādya na ca mā'mabhibhāṣase| kiṃ nu śeṣe tu bhūmau tvaṃ vatsa kiṃ kupito hyasi

'O child why are you not greeting us today nor speaking? Why are you lying on the ground? Are you angry with us?

न त्वहं ते प्रियं पुत्र मातरं पश्य धार्मिक। किं नु नालिङ्गसे पुत्र सुकुमार वचो वद।।2.64.32।।

na tvahaṃ te priyaṃ putra mātaraṃ paśya dhārmika| kiṃ nu nāliṅgase putra sukumāra vaco vada

'O righteous son if I am no longer dear to you, (at least) look at your mother. O tender child, why are you not embracing me? Speak.

कस्य वाऽपररात्रेऽहं श्रोष्यामि हृदयङ्गमम्। अधीयानस्य मधुरं शास्त्रं वान्यद्विशेषतः।।2.64.33।।

kasya vā'pararātre'haṃ śroṣyāmi hṛdayaṅgamam| adhīyānasya madhuraṃ śāstraṃ vānyadviśeṣataḥ

'From whom shall I hear the sweet recitation of scriptures or other texts, delightful to my heart in the last watch of the night?

को मां सन्द्यामुपास्यैव स्नात्वा हुतहुताशनः। श्लाघयिष्यत्युपासीनः पुत्र शोकभयार्दितम्।।2.64.34।।

ko māṃ sandyāmupāsyaiva snātvā hutahutāśanaḥ| ślāghayiṣyatyupāsīnaḥ putra śokabhayārditam

'O son I am tortured with sorrow and fear. Who will serve me from now on after the ablution and the morning worship of Sandhya, followed by oblations to the sacrificial fire?

कन्दमूलफलं हृत्वा को मां प्रियमिवातिथिम्। भोजयिष्यत्यकर्मण्यमप्रग्रहमनायकम्।।2.64.35।।

kandamūlaphalaṃ hṛtvā ko māṃ priyamivātithim| bhojayiṣyatyakarmaṇyamapragrahamanāyakam

'I am incapable of doing any work, I am unable to procure anything (to meet my needs. now). I have no guide (to help me walk my way). Who will feed me like a welcome guest with tubers and fruits?

इमामन्धां च वृद्धां च मातरं ते तपस्विनीम्। कथं वत्स भरिष्यामि कृपणां पुत्रगर्धिनीम्।।2.64.36।।

imāmandhāṃ ca vṛddhāṃ ca mātaraṃ te tapasvinīm| kathaṃ vatsa bhariṣyāmi kṛpaṇāṃ putragardhinīm

'O son how can I support your wretched and pitiable mother, who is blind, old and yearning for her son?

तिष्ठ मां मागमः पुत्र यमस्य सदनं प्रति। श्वो मया सह गन्तासि जनन्या च समेधितः।।2.64.37।।

tiṣṭha māṃ māgamaḥ putra yamasya sadanaṃ prati| śvo mayā saha gantāsi jananyā ca samedhitaḥ

'My dear son, stay with me, do not go (now) to the abode of Yama, (lord of death). Tomorrow accompanied by me and your mother you may

उभावपि च शोकार्तावनाथौ कृपणौ वने। क्षिप्रमेव गमिष्यावस्त्वया हीनौ यमक्षयम्।।2.4.38।।

ubhāvapi ca śokārtāvanāthau kṛpaṇau vane| kṣiprameva gamiṣyāvastvayā hīnau yamakṣayam

'Deserted by you and without any support in the forest, afflicted with grief and feeling miserable, both of us also will assuredly go to Yama's abode, quickly.

ततो वैवस्वतं दृष्ट्वा तं प्रवक्ष्यामि भारतीम्। क्षमतां धर्मराजो मे बिभृयात्पितरावयम्।।2.64.39।।

tato vaivasvataṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ pravakṣyāmi bhāratīm| kṣamatāṃ dharmarājo me bibhṛyātpitarāvayam

'There seeing Yama, (lord of death), I shall say O Lord of Justice forgive me. Let this boy continue to maintain his parents.

दातुमर्हति धर्मात्मा लोकपालो महायशाः। ईदृशस्य ममाक्षय्या मेकामभयदक्षिणाम्।।2.64.40।।

dātumarhati dharmātmā lokapālo mahāyaśāḥ| īdṛśasya mamākṣayyā mekāmabhayadakṣiṇām

'That lord of justice, who is highly renowned, righteous and the guardian of the worlds will grant me one unfailing boon of protection from fear.

अपापोऽसि यदा पुत्र निहतः पापकर्मणा। तेन सत्येन गच्छाऽऽशु ये लोकाश्शस्त्रयोधिनाम्।।2.64.41।।

apāpo'si yadā putra nihataḥ pāpakarmaṇā| tena satyena gacchā''śu ye lokāśśastrayodhinām

'O sinless son, you are killed by a person of sinful deeds. On this truth, quickly go to those worlds which are attained by those valiant heroes.

यान्ति शूरा गतिं यां च सङ्ग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनः। हतास्त्वभिमुखाः पुत्र गतिं तां परमां व्रज।।2.64.42।।

yānti śūrā gatiṃ yāṃ ca saṅgrāmeṣvanivartinaḥ| hatāstvabhimukhāḥ putra gatiṃ tāṃ paramāṃ vraja

O son, attain that supreme goal which brave warriors, who never retreat but fall facing the foe in battle, attain.

यां गतिं सगरश्शैब्यो दिलीपो जनमेजयः। नहुषो दुन्दुमारश्च प्राप्तास्तां गच्छ पुत्रक।।2.64.43।।

yāṃ gatiṃ sagaraśśaibyo dilīpo janamejayaḥ| nahuṣo dundumāraśca prāptāstāṃ gaccha putraka

'You will attain, my son, the same supreme state achieved by Sagara, Saibya, Dilipa, Janamejaya, Nahusha and Dundumara.

या गति स्सर्वसाधूनां स्वाध्यायात्तपसाच या। या भूमिदस्याहिऽताग्नेरेकपत्नी व्रतस्य च।।2.64.44।। गोसहस्रप्रदातृ़णां या या गुरुभृतामपि। देहन्यासकृतां या च तां गतिं गच्छ पुत्रक।।2.64.45।।

yā gati ssarvasādhūnāṃ svādhyāyāttapasāca yā| yā bhūmidasyāhi'tāgnerekapatnī vratasya ca gosahasrapradātṛ़ṇāṃ yā yā gurubhṛtāmapi| dehanyāsakṛtāṃ yā ca tāṃ gatiṃ gaccha putraka

'You, my son, shall attain that supreme state obtained by those who are virtuous, who study the Vedas and practise asceticism.You shall attain the state merited by those bestowers of land as charity, who kindle the sacred fires, who are monoganists, who offer a thousand cows in charity, who nurture the venerable and who willingly lay down their bodies.

या गति स्सर्वसाधूनां स्वाध्यायात्तपसाच या। या भूमिदस्याहिऽताग्नेरेकपत्नी व्रतस्य च।।2.64.44।। गोसहस्रप्रदातृ़णां या या गुरुभृतामपि। देहन्यासकृतां या च तां गतिं गच्छ पुत्रक।।2.64.45।।

yā gati ssarvasādhūnāṃ svādhyāyāttapasāca yā| yā bhūmidasyāhi'tāgnerekapatnī vratasya ca gosahasrapradātṛ़ṇāṃ yā yā gurubhṛtāmapi| dehanyāsakṛtāṃ yā ca tāṃ gatiṃ gaccha putraka

'You, my son, shall attain that supreme state obtained by those who are virtuous, who study the Vedas and practise asceticism.You shall attain the state merited by those bestowers of land as charity, who kindle the sacred fires, who are monoganists, who offer a thousand cows in charity, who nurture the venerable and who willingly lay down their bodies.

न हि त्वस्मिन्कुले जातो गच्छत्यकुशलां गतिम्। स तु यास्यति येन त्वं निहतो मम बान्धवः।।2.64.46।।

na hi tvasminkule jāto gacchatyakuśalāṃ gatim| sa tu yāsyati yena tvaṃ nihato mama bāndhavaḥ

'He who has killed you will alone attain that undesirable state, a member of our family will not.'

एवं स कृपणं तत्र पर्यदेवयतासकृत्। ततोऽस्मै कर्तुमुदकं प्रवृत्तस्सहभार्यया।।2.64.47।।

evaṃ sa kṛpaṇaṃ tatra paryadevayatāsakṛt| tato'smai kartumudakaṃ pravṛttassahabhāryayā

In this way the ascetic piteously wailed again and again. Thereafter, he with his wife set about to perform the funeral obsequies of their son.

स तु दिव्येन रूपेण मुनिपुत्रस्स्वकर्मभिः। स्वर्गमध्यारुहत्क्षिप्रं शक्रेण सह धर्मवित्।।2.64.48।।

sa tu divyena rūpeṇa muniputrassvakarmabhiḥ| svargamadhyāruhatkṣipraṃ śakreṇa saha dharmavit

The virtuous son of that ascetic assumed a celestial form through the merit of his good deeds and ascended heaven at once with Indra.

आबभाषे च वृद्धौ तौ सह शक्रेण तापसः। आश्वास्यच मुहूर्तं तु पितरौ वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.64.49।।

ābabhāṣe ca vṛddhau tau saha śakreṇa tāpasaḥ| āśvāsyaca muhūrtaṃ tu pitarau vākyamabravīt

The ascetic in the company of Indra consoling the aged couple for a brief moment said:

स्थानमस्मि महत्प्राप्तो भवतोः परिचारणात्। भवन्तावपि च क्षिप्रं मम मूलमुपैष्यतः।।2.64.50।।

sthānamasmi mahatprāpto bhavatoḥ paricāraṇāt| bhavantāvapi ca kṣipraṃ mama mūlamupaiṣyataḥ

'I have attained this supreme state by virtue of the service rendered to you. You will also attain my state soon.'

एवमुक्त्वा तु दिव्येन विमानेन वपुष्मता। आरुरोह दिवं क्षिप्रं मुनिपुत्रो जितेन्द्रियः।।2.64.51।।

evamuktvā tu divyena vimānena vapuṣmatā| āruroha divaṃ kṣipraṃ muniputro jitendriyaḥ

The sage's son with his senses under control said this while ascending heaven on a beautiful, celestial, aerial chariot.

स कृत्वा तूदकं तूर्णं तापस स्सह भार्यया। मामुवाच महातेजाः कृताञ्जलिमुपस्थितम्।।2.64.52।।

sa kṛtvā tūdakaṃ tūrṇaṃ tāpasa ssaha bhāryayā| māmuvāca mahātejāḥ kṛtāñjalimupasthitam

The radiant ascetic along with his wife hurriedly completed the funeral libations and said to me standing with folded palms:

अद्यैव जहिं मां राजन्मरणे नास्ति मे व्यथा। यच्छरेणैकपुत्रं मां त्वमकर्षीरपुत्रकम्।।2.64.53।।

adyaiva jahiṃ māṃ rājanmaraṇe nāsti me vyathā| yacchareṇaikaputraṃ māṃ tvamakarṣīraputrakam

'Kill me, O king with the same arrow by which you rendered me childless. Death holds no pain for me.

त्वया तु यदविज्ञानान्निहतो मे सुतश्शुचिः। तेन त्वामभिशप्स्यामि सुदुःखमतिदारुणम्।।2.64.54।।

tvayā tu yadavijñānānnihato me sutaśśuciḥ| tena tvāmabhiśapsyāmi suduḥkhamatidāruṇam

'Though you have killed my purehearted son unintentionally, I will pronounce a disastrous and dreadful curse on you.

पुत्रव्यसनजं दुःखं यदेतन्मम साम्प्रतम्। एवं त्वं पुत्रशोकेन राजन्कालं करिष्यसि।।2.64.55।।

putravyasanajaṃ duḥkhaṃ yadetanmama sāmpratam| evaṃ tvaṃ putraśokena rājankālaṃ kariṣyasi

'Just as I am now suffering from grief caused by my son's death, you, O king, shall die from the sorrow on account of (separation from) your son.

अज्ञानात्तु हतो यस्मात्क्षत्रियेण त्वया मुनिः। तस्मात्त्वां नाविशत्याशु ब्रह्महत्या नराधिप।।2.64.56।।

ajñānāttu hato yasmātkṣatriyeṇa tvayā muniḥ| tasmāttvāṃ nāviśatyāśu brahmahatyā narādhipa

'Since you, O lord of men, you have killed an ascetic unaware, as kshatriya the sin of slaying a brahmin will not accrue to you immediately.

त्वामप्येतादृशो भावः क्षिप्रमेव गमिष्यति। जीवितान्तकरो घोरो दातारमिव दक्षिणा।।2.64.57।।

tvāmapyetādṛśo bhāvaḥ kṣiprameva gamiṣyati| jīvitāntakaro ghoro dātāramiva dakṣiṇā

'Just like the merits of alms come to the giver, you are going to face very soon a dreadful situation causing the end of your life.'

एवं शापं मयि न्यस्य विलप्य करुणं बहु। चितामारोप्य देहं तन्मिथुनं स्वर्गमभ्ययात्।।2.64.58।।

evaṃ śāpaṃ mayi nyasya vilapya karuṇaṃ bahu| citāmāropya dehaṃ tanmithunaṃ svargamabhyayāt

Having thus cursed me, the couple piteously lamenting for a long time, laid themselves down on the funeral pyre and went to heaven.

तदेतच्छिन्तयानेन स्मृतं पापं मया स्वयम्। तदा बाल्यात्कृतं देवि शब्दवेध्यनुशिक्षिणा।।2.64.59।।

tadetacchintayānena smṛtaṃ pāpaṃ mayā svayam| tadā bālyātkṛtaṃ devi śabdavedhyanuśikṣiṇā

While reflecting about it now, O Devi (Kausalya) I recollect this sin committed by me unintentionally, with childish pranks while practising the art of hitting a target by its sound.

तस्यायं कर्मणो देवि विपाकस्समुपस्थितः। अपथ्यैस्सहम्भुक्ते व्याधिरन्नरसे यथा।।2.64.60।।

tasyāyaṃ karmaṇo devi vipākassamupasthitaḥ| apathyaissahambhukte vyādhirannarase yathā

Just as a man eating forbidden food and drink falls sick, so have I fallen prey to grief, because of my sin, O Devi

तस्मान्मामागतं भद्रे तस्योदारस्य तद्वचः। यदहं पुत्रशोकेन सन्त्यक्ष्याम्यद्य जीवितम्।।2.64.61।।

tasmānmāmāgataṃ bhadre tasyodārasya tadvacaḥ| yadahaṃ putraśokena santyakṣyāmyadya jīvitam

O gentle lady, the words of that noble ascetic have come true today. Hence I am now going to give up my life.

चक्षुभ्यां त्वां न पश्यामि कौसल्ये साधु मां स्फृश। इत्युक्त्वा स रुदंस्त्रस्तो भार्यामाह च भूमिपः।।2.64.62।।

cakṣubhyāṃ tvāṃ na paśyāmi kausalye sādhu māṃ sphṛśa| ityuktvā sa rudaṃstrasto bhāryāmāha ca bhūmipaḥ

O Kausalya, I cannot see you with my eyes. Touch me gently, said the frightened Dasaratha, Lord of the earth, to his wife weeping.

एतन्मे सदृशं देवि यन्मया राघवे कृतम्। सदृशं तत्तु तस्यैव यदनेन कृतं मयि।।2.64.63।।

etanme sadṛśaṃ devi yanmayā rāghave kṛtam| sadṛśaṃ tattu tasyaiva yadanena kṛtaṃ mayi

Whatever I have done to the scion of the Raghu family (Rama) is befitting me, O Devi. And whatever he has done in respect of me is also worthy of him.

दुर्वृत्तमपि कः पुत्रं त्यजेद्भुवि विचक्षणः। कश्च प्रव्राज्यमानो वा नासूयेत्पितरं सुतः।।2.64.64।।

durvṛttamapi kaḥ putraṃ tyajedbhuvi vicakṣaṇaḥ| kaśca pravrājyamāno vā nāsūyetpitaraṃ sutaḥ

Which clearsighted man in this world, will abandon his son even if he is of evil conduct? Which son will not get angry with his father when he is banished?

यदि मां संस्पृशेद्रामस्सकृदद्य लभेत वा। यमक्षयमनुप्राप्ता द्रक्ष्यन्ति न हि मानवाः।।2.64.65।।

yadi māṃ saṃspṛśedrāmassakṛdadya labheta vā| yamakṣayamanuprāptā drakṣyanti na hi mānavāḥ

Before I die, will Rama touch me once or will he come to me? After reaching the abode of Yama men cannot see their relations.

चक्षुषा त्वां न पश्यामि स्मृतिर्मम विलुप्यते। दूता वैवस्वतस्यैते कौसल्ये त्वरयन्ति माम्।।2.64.66।।

cakṣuṣā tvāṃ na paśyāmi smṛtirmama vilupyate| dūtā vaivasvatasyaite kausalye tvarayanti mām

O Kausalya, I am unable to see you. My memory is failing and the messengers of Yama are hastening me.

अतस्तु किं दुःखतरं यदहं जीवितक्षये। न हि पश्यामि धर्मज्ञं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम्।।2.64.67।।

atastu kiṃ duḥkhataraṃ yadahaṃ jīvitakṣaye| na hi paśyāmi dharmajñaṃ rāmaṃ satyaparākramam

Can there be a greater sorrow than that at the last moment of my life I am unable to see my righteous and truthful son, Rama?

तस्यादर्शनजश्शोकस्सुतस्याप्रतिकर्मणः। उच्छोषयति मे प्राणान्वारिस्तोकमिवातपः।।2.64.68।।

tasyādarśanajaśśokassutasyāpratikarmaṇaḥ| ucchoṣayati me prāṇānvāristokamivātapaḥ

My grief in the absence of Rama of peerless deeds is drying up my life as heat dries up small pools of water.

न ते मनुष्या देवास्ते ये चारुशुभकुण्डलम्। मुखं द्रक्ष्यन्ति रामस्य वर्षे पञ्चदशे पुनः।।2.64.69।।

na te manuṣyā devāste ye cāruśubhakuṇḍalam| mukhaṃ drakṣyanti rāmasya varṣe pañcadaśe punaḥ

Those who will behold Rama's countenance adorned with auspicious earrings on his return in the fifteenth year are gods not men.

पद्मपत्रेक्षणं सुभ्रु सुदंष्ट्रं चारुनासिकम्। धन्या द्रक्ष्यन्ति रामस्य ताराधिपनिभं मुखम्।।2.64.70।।

padmapatrekṣaṇaṃ subhru sudaṃṣṭraṃ cārunāsikam| dhanyā drakṣyanti rāmasya tārādhipanibhaṃ mukham

Blessed are they who will behold Rama's countenance resembling the Moon, lord of the stars with eyes like lotus petals graceful eyebrows, even teeth and a nose.

सदृशं शारदस्येन्दोः पुल्लस्य कमलस्य च। सुगन्धि मम नाथस्य धन्या द्रक्ष्यन्ति तन्मुखम्।।2.64.71।।

sadṛśaṃ śāradasyendoḥ pullasya kamalasya ca| sugandhi mama nāthasya dhanyā drakṣyanti tanmukham

Fortunate indeed are the men who will behold my son's fragrant countenance camparable to the autmnal Moon and the fullblown lotus.

निवृत्तवनवासं तमयोध्यां पुनरागतम्। द्रक्ष्यन्ति सुखिनो रामं शुक्रं मार्गगतं यथा।।2.64.72।।

nivṛttavanavāsaṃ tamayodhyāṃ punarāgatam| drakṣyanti sukhino rāmaṃ śukraṃ mārgagataṃ yathā

Lucky men will behold Rama return to Ayodhya after the completion of his exile, like the planet Venus moving forward on its orbit.

कौसल्ये चित्तमोहेन हृदयं सीदतीव मे। वेदये न च संयुक्तान् शब्दस्पर्शरसानहम्।।2.64.73।।

kausalye cittamohena hṛdayaṃ sīdatīva me| vedaye na ca saṃyuktān śabdasparśarasānaham

O Kausalya, my heart, it appears is sinking and on account of delusion I am not able to feel the sense objects like sound touch and taste together.

चित्तनाशाद्विपद्यन्ते सर्वाण्येन्द्रियाणि मे। क्षीणस्नेहस्य दीपस्य संसक्ता रश्मयो यथा।।2.64.74।।

cittanāśādvipadyante sarvāṇyendriyāṇi me| kṣīṇasnehasya dīpasya saṃsaktā raśmayo yathā

With the loss of my mental faculty, all the sense organs are giving way, like the rays of the lamp giving way together when the oil is exhausted.

अयमात्मभवश्शोको मामनाथमचेतनम्। संसादयति वेगेन यथा कूलं नदीरयः।।2.64.75।।

ayamātmabhavaśśoko māmanāthamacetanam| saṃsādayati vegena yathā kūlaṃ nadīrayaḥ

This selfcreated grief is rapidly destroying me like the bank of a river eroded by its swift current, leaving me helpless and insensible.

हा राघव महाबाहो हा ममाऽयासनाशन। हा पितृप्रिय मे नाथ हाऽद्य क्वासि गतस्सुत।।2.64.76।।

hā rāghava mahābāho hā mamā'yāsanāśana| hā pitṛpriya me nātha hā'dya kvāsi gatassuta

Ah, mightyarmed Rama, destroyer of my agonies, Ah, the delight of your father, Ah, my protector, Ah, my son, where have you gone?.

हा कौसल्ये नशिष्यामि हा सुमित्रे तपस्विनि। हा नृशंसे ममामित्रे कैकेयि कुलपांसनि।।2.64.77।।

hā kausalye naśiṣyāmi hā sumitre tapasvini| hā nṛśaṃse mamāmitre kaikeyi kulapāṃsani

Ah, Kausalya, Ah, pitiable Sumitra, Ah, cruel Kaikeyi, my enemy and defiler of my race, I am going to die.

इति रामस्य मातुश्च सुमित्रायाश्च सन्निधौ। राजा दशरथ श्शोचञ्जीवितान्तमुपागमत्।।2.64.78।।

iti rāmasya mātuśca sumitrāyāśca sannidhau| rājā daśaratha śśocañjīvitāntamupāgamat

King Dasaratha, thus crying in distress in the presence of Rama's mother and Sumitra reached the end of his life.

यदा तु दीनं कथयन्नराधिपः प्रियस्य पुत्त्रस्य विवासनातुरः। गतेऽर्धरात्रे भृशदुःखपीडितस्तदा जहौ प्राणमुदारदर्शनः।।2.64.79।।

yadā tu dīnaṃ kathayannarādhipaḥ priyasya puttrasya vivāsanāturaḥ| gate'rdharātre bhṛśaduḥkhapīḍitastadā jahau prāṇamudāradarśanaḥ

King Dasaratha, a man of noble vision and lord of men, anguished by the exile of his son, kept pitiably muttering till past midnight until tormented by an intense agony he breathed his last. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुष्षष्टितमस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the sixtyfourth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.