Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 71

[Crossing many rivers, forests and territories Bharata reaches Ayodhya -- witnesses scenes of dull desolation charged with an atmosphere of apprehensions -- enters the palace dejected] स प्राङ्मुखो राजगृहादभिनिर्याय राघवः। ततस्सुदामां द्युतिमान् सन्तीर्यावेक्ष्य तां नदीम्।।2.71.1।। ह्लादिनीं दूरपारां च प्रत्यक्स्रोतस्तरङ्गिणीम्। शतद्रूमतरच्छ्रीमान्नदीमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।।2.71.2।।

[Crossing many rivers, forests and territories Bharata reaches Ayodhya -- witnesses scenes of dull desolation charged with an atmosphere of apprehensions -- enters the palace dejected] sa prāṅmukho rājagṛhādabhiniryāya rāghavaḥ| tatassudāmāṃ dyutimān santīryāvekṣya tāṃ nadīm hlādinīṃ dūrapārāṃ ca pratyaksrotastaraṅgiṇīm| śatadrūmataracchrīmānnadīmikṣvākunandanaḥ

Glorious and prosperous prince Bharata, the delight of the Ikshvaku race, set out from Rajagriha, took the eastern direction, and observing the course of the river Sudama crossed Hladini and Satadru rivers which were very wide and flowing westwards crested with waves.

स प्राङ्मुखो राजगृहादभिनिर्याय राघवः। ततस्सुदामां द्युतिमान् सन्तीर्यावेक्ष्य तां नदीम्।।2.71.1।। ह्लादिनीं दूरपारां च प्रत्यक्स्रोतस्तरङ्गिणीम्। शतद्रूमतरच्छ्रीमान्नदीमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।।2.71.2।।

sa prāṅmukho rājagṛhādabhiniryāya rāghavaḥ| tatassudāmāṃ dyutimān santīryāvekṣya tāṃ nadīm hlādinīṃ dūrapārāṃ ca pratyaksrotastaraṅgiṇīm| śatadrūmataracchrīmānnadīmikṣvākunandanaḥ

Glorious and prosperous prince Bharata, the delight of the Ikshvaku race, set out from Rajagriha, took the eastern direction, and observing the course of the river Sudama crossed Hladini and Satadru rivers which were very wide and flowing westwards crested with waves.

ऐलाधाने नदीं तीर्त्वा प्राप्य चापरपर्पटान्। शिलामकुर्वतीं तीर्त्वा आग्नेयं शल्यकर्षणम्।।2.71.3।। सत्यसन्धश्शुचिश्श्रीमान्प्रेक्षमाण श्शिलावहाम्। अत्ययात्स महाशैलान्वनं चैत्ररथं प्रति।।2.71.4।।

ailādhāne nadīṃ tīrtvā prāpya cāparaparpaṭān| śilāmakurvatīṃ tīrtvā āgneyaṃ śalyakarṣaṇam satyasandhaśśuciśśrīmānprekṣamāṇa śśilāvahām| atyayātsa mahāśailānvanaṃ caitrarathaṃ prati

Bharata, ever true to his word, handsome and purehearted, reached Aparaparpata region and crossed river Satadru at Eladhana, the mountain in which river Silavaha originates. Then he traversed Salyakarsna regions in the northeast, observing the course of the Silavaha and went beyond the great mountains in the direction of the forest called Chaitraratha.

ऐलाधाने नदीं तीर्त्वा प्राप्य चापरपर्पटान्। शिलामकुर्वतीं तीर्त्वा आग्नेयं शल्यकर्षणम्।।2.71.3।। सत्यसन्धश्शुचिश्श्रीमान्प्रेक्षमाण श्शिलावहाम्। अत्ययात्स महाशैलान्वनं चैत्ररथं प्रति।।2.71.4।।

ailādhāne nadīṃ tīrtvā prāpya cāparaparpaṭān| śilāmakurvatīṃ tīrtvā āgneyaṃ śalyakarṣaṇam satyasandhaśśuciśśrīmānprekṣamāṇa śśilāvahām| atyayātsa mahāśailānvanaṃ caitrarathaṃ prati

Bharata, ever true to his word, handsome and purehearted, reached Aparaparpata region and crossed river Satadru at Eladhana, the mountain in which river Silavaha originates. Then he traversed Salyakarsna regions in the northeast, observing the course of the Silavaha and went beyond the great mountains in the direction of the forest called Chaitraratha.

सरस्वतीं च गङ्गां च युग्मेन प्रतिपद्यच। उत्तरान्वीरमत्स्यानां भारुण्डं प्राविशद्वनम्।।2.71.5।।

sarasvatīṃ ca gaṅgāṃ ca yugmena pratipadyaca| uttarānvīramatsyānāṃ bhāruṇḍaṃ prāviśadvanam

Arriving at the confluence of Saraswati and Ganga and traversing the north of Veeramatsya region, he entered the Bharunda forest.

वेगिनीं च कुलिङ्गाख्यां ह्लादिनीं पर्वताऽऽवृताम्। यमुनां प्राप्य सन्तीर्णः बलमाश्वासयत्तदा।।2.71.6।।

veginīṃ ca kuliṅgākhyāṃ hlādinīṃ parvatā''vṛtām| yamunāṃ prāpya santīrṇaḥ balamāśvāsayattadā

He crossed the swiftflowing river known as Kulinga surrounded by hills and pleasing to the mind. Thereafter on crossing Yamuna he made his army rest on the otherside.

सशीतीकृत्य तु गात्राणि क्लान्तानाश्वास्य वाजिनः। तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च प्रायादादाय चोदकम्।।2.71.7।।

saśītīkṛtya tu gātrāṇi klāntānāśvāsya vājinaḥ| tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca prāyādādāya codakam

The weary horses rested and cooled their bodies. And they bathed and drank. They set out again refreshed taking with them a store of water.

राजपुत्रो महारण्यमनभीक्ष्णोपसेवितम्। भद्रो भद्रेण यानेन मारुतः खमिवात्ययात्।।2.71.8।।

rājaputro mahāraṇyamanabhīkṣṇopasevitam| bhadro bhadreṇa yānena mārutaḥ khamivātyayāt

Then with the blessed prince (Bharata) on an excellent chariot, it (the army) moved through the vast and uninhabited forest like the god of wind passing through the sky.

भागीरथीं दुष्प्रतरामंशुधाने महानदीम्। उपायाद्राघवस्तूर्णं प्राग्वटे विश्रुते पुरे।।2.71.9।।

bhāgīrathīṃ duṣpratarāmaṃśudhāne mahānadīm| upāyādrāghavastūrṇaṃ prāgvaṭe viśrute pure

Bharata, the descendant of Raghu, knowing that the mighty river Bhagirathi was difficult to cross at a place known as Anshudhana, quickly reached the famous city of Pragvata.

स गङ्गां प्राग्वटे तीर्त्वा समायात्कुटिकोष्ठिकाम्। सबल स्तां स तीर्त्वाऽथ समायाद्धर्मवर्धनम्।।2.71.10।।

sa gaṅgāṃ prāgvaṭe tīrtvā samāyātkuṭikoṣṭhikām| sabala stāṃ sa tīrtvā'tha samāyāddharmavardhanam

With Ganga at Pragvata city and river Kutikoshtika crossed along with his army, he reached Dharmavardhana village.

तोरणं दक्षिणार्धेन जम्भूप्रस्थमुपागमत्। वरूथं च ययौ रम्यं ग्रामं दशरथात्मजः।।2.71.11।।

toraṇaṃ dakṣiṇārdhena jambhūprasthamupāgamat| varūthaṃ ca yayau ramyaṃ grāmaṃ daśarathātmajaḥ

Having traversed the southern end of Torana, the son of Dasaratha (Bharata) reached the beautiful Varutha village via Jambuprastha.

तत्र रम्ये वने वासं कृत्वाऽसौ प्राङ्मुखो ययौ। उद्यानमुज्जिहानायाः प्रियका यत्र पादपाः।।2.71.12।।

tatra ramye vane vāsaṃ kṛtvā'sau prāṅmukho yayau| udyānamujjihānāyāḥ priyakā yatra pādapāḥ

He (Bharata) halted in that charming forest for a while, proceeded eastwards till he reached a place known as Ujjihana garden abounding in spriyaka trees.

सालांस्तु प्रियकान्प्राप्य शीघ्रानास्थाय वाजिनः। अनुज्ञाप्याथ भरतः वाहिनीं त्वरितो ययौ।।2.71.13।।

sālāṃstu priyakānprāpya śīghrānāsthāya vājinaḥ| anujñāpyātha bharataḥ vāhinīṃ tvarito yayau

After reaching the groves of sala and priyaka trees, Bharata harnessed the swiftrunning horses to the chariot and ordered his forces to proceed fast.

वासं कृत्वा सर्वतीर्थे तीर्त्वा चोत्तानिकां नदीम्। अन्या नदीश्च विविधाः पार्वतीयैस्तुरङ्गमैः।।2.71.14।। हस्तिपृष्ठकमासाद्य कुटिकामत्यवर्तत। ततार च नरव्याघ्रो लौहित्ये स कपीवतीम्।।2.71.15।।

vāsaṃ kṛtvā sarvatīrthe tīrtvā cottānikāṃ nadīm| anyā nadīśca vividhāḥ pārvatīyaisturaṅgamaiḥ hastipṛṣṭhakamāsādya kuṭikāmatyavartata| tatāra ca naravyāghro lauhitye sa kapīvatīm

That tiger among men, Bharata halted at a place known as Sarvatirtha and crossed the Uttanika and various other rivers with the help of hillborn horses. He crossed the Kutika river on an elephant the river Kapivati at a place known as Lauhitya.

वासं कृत्वा सर्वतीर्थे तीर्त्वा चोत्तानिकां नदीम्। अन्या नदीश्च विविधाः पार्वतीयैस्तुरङ्गमैः।।2.71.14।। हस्तिपृष्ठकमासाद्य कुटिकामत्यवर्तत। ततार च नरव्याघ्रो लौहित्ये स कपीवतीम्।।2.71.15।।

vāsaṃ kṛtvā sarvatīrthe tīrtvā cottānikāṃ nadīm| anyā nadīśca vividhāḥ pārvatīyaisturaṅgamaiḥ hastipṛṣṭhakamāsādya kuṭikāmatyavartata| tatāra ca naravyāghro lauhitye sa kapīvatīm

That tiger among men, Bharata halted at a place known as Sarvatirtha and crossed the Uttanika and various other rivers with the help of hillborn horses. He crossed the Kutika river on an elephant the river Kapivati at a place known as Lauhitya.

एकसाले स्थाणुमतीं विनते गोमतीं नदीम्। कलिङ्गनगरे चापि प्राप्य सालवनं तदा।।2.71.16।। भरतः क्षिप्रमागच्छत्सुपरिश्रान्तवाहनः।

ekasāle sthāṇumatīṃ vinate gomatīṃ nadīm| kaliṅganagare cāpi prāpya sālavanaṃ tadā bharataḥ kṣipramāgacchatsupariśrāntavāhanaḥ|

Bharata crossed the rivers Sthanumati at Ekasala and Gomati at Vinata villages. Thereafter as his horses were extremely tired he rested for a while in the sala forest in Kalinganagara before he speedily set out (again).

वनं च समतीत्याशुशर्वर्यामरुणोदये।।2.71.17।। अयोध्यां मनुना राज्ञा निर्मितां सन्ददर्श ह।

vanaṃ ca samatītyāśuśarvaryāmaruṇodaye ayodhyāṃ manunā rājñā nirmitāṃ sandadarśa ha|

He passed quickly through the forest at night and at sunrise beheld the city of Ayodhya built by king Manu.

तां पुरीं पुरुषव्याघ्रस्सप्तरात्रोषितः पथि।।2.71.18।। अयोध्यामग्रतो दृष्ट्वा सारथिं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।

tāṃ purīṃ puruṣavyāghrassaptarātroṣitaḥ pathi ayodhyāmagrato dṛṣṭvā sārathiṃ vākyamabravīt|

Having spent seven nights on his way, that tiger among men (Bharata) saw Ayodhaya before him. He said to the charioteer:

एषा नातिप्रतीता मे पुण्योद्याना यशस्विनी।।2.71.19।। अयोध्या दृश्यते दूरात्सारथे पाण्डुमृत्तिका। यज्वभिर्गुणसम्पन्नैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः।।2.71.20।। भूयिष्ठमृद्धैराकीर्णा राजर्षिपरिपालिता।

eṣā nātipratītā me puṇyodyānā yaśasvinī ayodhyā dṛśyate dūrātsārathe pāṇḍumṛttikā| yajvabhirguṇasampannairbrāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ bhūyiṣṭhamṛddhairākīrṇā rājarṣiparipālitā|

O charioteer I am able to see Ayodhya of great renown from a distance but not so clearly that whiteclaycity of Ayodhya, with its sacred gardens ruled by several rajarsis, inhabited by numerous wealthy people, by virtuous brahmins and priests who perform sacrifices and who are wellversed in the Vedas.

एषा नातिप्रतीता मे पुण्योद्याना यशस्विनी।।2.71.19।। अयोध्या दृश्यते दूरात्सारथे पाण्डुमृत्तिका। यज्वभिर्गुणसम्पन्नैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः।।2.71.20।। भूयिष्ठमृद्धैराकीर्णा राजर्षिपरिपालिता।

eṣā nātipratītā me puṇyodyānā yaśasvinī ayodhyā dṛśyate dūrātsārathe pāṇḍumṛttikā| yajvabhirguṇasampannairbrāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ bhūyiṣṭhamṛddhairākīrṇā rājarṣiparipālitā|

O charioteer I am able to see Ayodhya of great renown from a distance but not so clearly that whiteclaycity of Ayodhya, with its sacred gardens ruled by several rajarsis, inhabited by numerous wealthy people, by virtuous brahmins and priests who perform sacrifices and who are wellversed in the Vedas.

अयोध्यायां पुरा शब्दश्श्रूयते तुमुलो महान्।।2.71.21।। समन्तान्नरनारीणां तमद्य न श्रुणोम्यहम्।

ayodhyāyāṃ purā śabdaśśrūyate tumulo mahān samantānnaranārīṇāṃ tamadya na śruṇomyaham|

I do not hear now, in Ayodhya the tumultous noise of men and women I used to hear earlier all over.

उद्यानानि हि सायाह्ने क्रीडित्वोपरतैर्नरैः।।2.71.22।। समन्तात्परिधावद्भिः प्रकाशन्ते ममान्यथा।

udyānāni hi sāyāhne krīḍitvoparatairnaraiḥ samantātparidhāvadbhiḥ prakāśante mamānyathā|

I do not see people who with passion used to stroll in the parks early in the morning. I see no cheerfulness in any one.

तान्यद्यानुरुदन्तीव परित्यक्तानि कामिभिः।।2.71.23।। अरण्यभूतेव पुरी सारथे प्रतिभाति मे।

tānyadyānurudantīva parityaktāni kāmibhiḥ araṇyabhūteva purī sārathe pratibhāti me|

O charioteer, people full of passion have abandoned the gardens. To me, the city looks like a forest as if weeping.

न ह्यत्र यानैर्दृश्यन्ते न गजैर्न च वाजिभिः।।2.71.24।। निर्यान्तो वाऽभियान्तो वा नरमुख्या यथापुरम्।

na hyatra yānairdṛśyante na gajairna ca vājibhiḥ niryānto vā'bhiyānto vā naramukhyā yathāpuram|

Important people mounted on elephants or horses are not seen going out of the city or coming in.

उद्यानानि पुरा भान्ति मत्तप्रमुदितानि च।।2.71.25।। जनानां रतिसंयोगेष्वत्यन्तगुणवन्ति च।

udyānāni purā bhānti mattapramuditāni ca janānāṃ ratisaṃyogeṣvatyantaguṇavanti ca|

Earlier the gardens used to reverberate with passionate songs of birds--places appropriate for lovers seeking pleasures.

तान्येतान्यद्य पश्यामि निरानन्दानि सर्वशः।।2.71.26।। स्रस्तपर्णैरनुपथं विक्रोशद्भिरिव द्रुमैः।

tānyetānyadya paśyāmi nirānandāni sarvaśaḥ srastaparṇairanupathaṃ vikrośadbhiriva drumaiḥ|

Now the trees appear cheerless, the paths are full of dry leaves fallen all over. It appears as if the trees are crying.

नाद्यापि श्रूयते शब्दः मत्तानां मृगपक्षिणाम्।।2.71.27।। संरक्तां मधुरां वाणीं कलं व्याहरतां बहु।

nādyāpi śrūyate śabdaḥ mattānāṃ mṛgapakṣiṇām saṃraktāṃ madhurāṃ vāṇīṃ kalaṃ vyāharatāṃ bahu|

I do not hear in the red tincture of the rising Sun the melodious voices of the freely moving animals and birds.

चन्दनागरुसम्पृक्तो धूपसम्मूर्छितोऽतुलः।।2.71.28।। प्रवाति पवन श्श्रीमान्किन्नुनाद्य यथापुरम्।

candanāgarusampṛkto dhūpasammūrchito'tulaḥ pravāti pavana śśrīmānkinnunādya yathāpuram|

Why is it that the incomparable fragrance of sandal and incense that used to fill the nostrils, not blowing now in the prosperous city of Ayodhya?

भेरीमृदङ्गवीणानां कोणसङ्घट्टितः पुनः।।2.71.29।। किमद्य शब्दो विरतस्सदा दीनगतिः पुरा।

bherīmṛdaṅgavīṇānāṃ koṇasaṅghaṭṭitaḥ punaḥ kimadya śabdo viratassadā dīnagatiḥ purā|

Why is it that the sounds of musical instruments like mrudangas and veenas are not heard now? Why is the city filled with melancholy?

अनिष्टानि च पापानि पश्यामि विविधानि च।।2.71.30।। निमित्तान्यमनोज्ञानितेन सीदति मे मनः।

aniṣṭāni ca pāpāni paśyāmi vividhāni ca nimittānyamanojñānitena sīdati me manaḥ|

Since I see many passing, inauspicious, sinful, ugly sights, my mind shrinks.

सर्वथा कुशलं सूत दुर्लभं मम बन्दुषु।।2.71.31।। तथाह्यसति सम्मोहे हृदयं सीदतीव मे।

sarvathā kuśalaṃ sūta durlabhaṃ mama banduṣu tathāhyasati sammohe hṛdayaṃ sīdatīva me|

I do not see anywhere, O charioteer the wellbeing, of my kinsmen. Hence I feel deluded and my heart is filled with grief.

विषण्ण श्श्रान्तहृदयस्त्रस्त स्सुलुलितेन्द्रियः।।2.71.32।। भरतः प्रविवेशाशु पुरीमिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम्।

viṣaṇṇa śśrāntahṛdayastrasta ssululitendriyaḥ bharataḥ praviveśāśu purīmikṣvākupālitām|

Dejected and depressed at heart, with no control over his senses and his mind full of apprehension, Bharata swiftly entered the city of Ayodhya ruled by the Ikshvakus.

द्वारेण वैजयन्तेन प्राविशच्छ्रान्तवाहनः।।2.71.33।। द्वास्स्थैरुत्थाय विजयं पृष्टस्तै स्सहितो ययौ।

dvāreṇa vaijayantena prāviśacchrāntavāhanaḥ dvāssthairutthāya vijayaṃ pṛṣṭastai ssahito yayau|

He entered the city through the gate known as Vaijayanta with his horses exhausted. The doorkeepers stood up and amidst cries of victory followed him in.

स त्वनेकाग्रहृदयो द्वास्स्थं प्रत्यर्च्य तं जनम्।।2.71.34।। सूतमश्वपतेः क्लान्तमब्रवीत्तत्र राघवः।

sa tvanekāgrahṛdayo dvāssthaṃ pratyarcya taṃ janam sūtamaśvapateḥ klāntamabravīttatra rāghavaḥ|

Bewildered, that descendant of Raghu (Bharata), reciprocated the greetings of the gatekeepers and then addressed the exhausted charioteer, Ashwapati:

किमहं त्वरयाऽनीतः कारणेन विनानघ।।2.71.35।। अशुभाशङ्कि हृदयं शीलं च पततीव मे।

kimahaṃ tvarayā'nītaḥ kāraṇena vinānagha aśubhāśaṅki hṛdayaṃ śīlaṃ ca patatīva me|

O irreproachable one, why was I brought here in haste without any reason? My mind apprehends something inauspicious. I feel indisposed.

श्रुता नो यादृशाः पूर्वं नृपतीनां विनाशने।।2.71.36।। आकारांस्तानहं सर्वानिहपश्यामि सारथे।

śrutā no yādṛśāḥ pūrvaṃ nṛpatīnāṃ vināśane ākārāṃstānahaṃ sarvānihapaśyāmi sārathe|

O charioteer I now see the very for ebodings I had heard in the past in connection with the death of kings.

सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये।।2.71.37।। असंयत कवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः। बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च।।2.71.38।। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च। अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटुम्बिभवनान्यहम्।।2.71.39।।

sammārjanavihīnāni paruṣāṇyupalakṣaye asaṃyata kavāṭāni śrīvihīnāni sarvaśaḥ| balikarmavihīnāni dhūpasammodanena ca anāśitakuṭumbāni prabhāhīnajanāni ca| alakṣmīkāni paśyāmi kuṭumbibhavanānyaham

I see the unswept homes of householders standing dirty with doors not closed. There is no beauty anywhere. No one offers oblations (at the time of worship). There is no fragrance of burning incense. The families have no food to eat. The people look cheerless. I see inauspiciousness everywhere.

सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये।।2.71.37।। असंयत कवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः। बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च।।2.71.38।। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च। अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटुम्बिभवनान्यहम्।।2.71.39।।

sammārjanavihīnāni paruṣāṇyupalakṣaye asaṃyata kavāṭāni śrīvihīnāni sarvaśaḥ| balikarmavihīnāni dhūpasammodanena ca anāśitakuṭumbāni prabhāhīnajanāni ca| alakṣmīkāni paśyāmi kuṭumbibhavanānyaham

I see the unswept homes of householders standing dirty with doors not closed. There is no beauty anywhere. No one offers oblations (at the time of worship). There is no fragrance of burning incense. The families have no food to eat. The people look cheerless. I see inauspiciousness everywhere.

सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये।।2.71.37।। असंयत कवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः। बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च।।2.71.38।। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च। अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटुम्बिभवनान्यहम्।।2.71.39।।

sammārjanavihīnāni paruṣāṇyupalakṣaye asaṃyata kavāṭāni śrīvihīnāni sarvaśaḥ| balikarmavihīnāni dhūpasammodanena ca anāśitakuṭumbāni prabhāhīnajanāni ca| alakṣmīkāni paśyāmi kuṭumbibhavanānyaham

I see the unswept homes of householders standing dirty with doors not closed. There is no beauty anywhere. No one offers oblations (at the time of worship). There is no fragrance of burning incense. The families have no food to eat. The people look cheerless. I see inauspiciousness everywhere.

अपेतमाल्यशोभानि ह्यसम्मृष्टाजिराणि च। देवागाराणि शून्यानि न चाभान्ति यथापुरम्।।2.71.40।।

apetamālyaśobhāni hyasammṛṣṭājirāṇi ca| devāgārāṇi śūnyāni na cābhānti yathāpuram

The temples stand devoid of the beauty of floral offerings. The floors of front yards are left unswept and unsmeared. They look deserted, devoid of brightness of the past.

देवतार्चाः प्रविद्धाश्च यज्ञगोष्ठ्यस्तथाविधाः। माल्यापणेषु राजन्ते नाद्य पण्यानि वा तथा।।2.71.41।।

devatārcāḥ praviddhāśca yajñagoṣṭhyastathāvidhāḥ| mālyāpaṇeṣu rājante nādya paṇyāni vā tathā

The offerings to deities have been dispensed with. There are no groups of people performing the usual holy sacrifices. The markets where garlands were sold now stand without them.

दृश्यन्ते वणिजोऽप्यद्य न यथापूर्वमत्रवै। ध्यानसंविग्नहृदयाः नष्टव्यापारयन्त्रिताः।।2.71.42।।

dṛśyante vaṇijo'pyadya na yathāpūrvamatravai| dhyānasaṃvignahṛdayāḥ naṣṭavyāpārayantritāḥ

Even traders seem restrained by the loss of business. They are not seen as before concentrating on their trade.

देवायतनचैत्येषु दीनाः पक्षिगणास्तथा।।2.71.43।। मलिनं चाश्रुपूर्णाक्षं दीनं ध्यानपरं कृशम्। सस्त्रीपुंसं च पश्यामि जनमुत्कण्ठितं पुरे।।2.71.44।।

devāyatanacaityeṣu dīnāḥ pakṣigaṇāstathā malinaṃ cāśrupūrṇākṣaṃ dīnaṃ dhyānaparaṃ kṛśam| sastrīpuṃsaṃ ca paśyāmi janamutkaṇṭhitaṃ pure

I see groups of birds frequenting the temples. The sanctuaries appear dispirited. The people in the city, both men and women look dull, emaciated, pitiable with throats choked. Their eyes are filled with tears and minds absorbed in distressing thoughts.

देवायतनचैत्येषु दीनाः पक्षिगणास्तथा।।2.71.43।। मलिनं चाश्रुपूर्णाक्षं दीनं ध्यानपरं कृशम्। सस्त्रीपुंसं च पश्यामि जनमुत्कण्ठितं पुरे।।2.71.44।।

devāyatanacaityeṣu dīnāḥ pakṣigaṇāstathā malinaṃ cāśrupūrṇākṣaṃ dīnaṃ dhyānaparaṃ kṛśam| sastrīpuṃsaṃ ca paśyāmi janamutkaṇṭhitaṃ pure

I see groups of birds frequenting the temples. The sanctuaries appear dispirited. The people in the city, both men and women look dull, emaciated, pitiable with throats choked. Their eyes are filled with tears and minds absorbed in distressing thoughts.

इत्येवमुक्त्वा भरतस्सूतं तं दीनमानसः। तान्यनिष्टान्ययोध्यायां प्रेक्ष्य राजगृहं ययौ।।2.71.45।।

ityevamuktvā bharatassūtaṃ taṃ dīnamānasaḥ| tānyaniṣṭānyayodhyāyāṃ prekṣya rājagṛhaṃ yayau

With these words said to the charioteer, Bharata, having seen such ominous sights in Ayodhya, proceeded to the king's palace with a depressed heart.

तां शून्यशृङ्गाटकवेश्मरथ्यां रजोऽरुणद्वारकवाटयन्त्राम्। दृष्ट्वा पुरीमिन्द्रपुरप्रकाशां दुःखेन सम्पूर्णतरो बभूव।।2.71.46।।

tāṃ śūnyaśṛṅgāṭakaveśmarathyāṃ rajo'ruṇadvārakavāṭayantrām| dṛṣṭvā purīmindrapuraprakāśāṃ duḥkhena sampūrṇataro babhūva

As he (Bharata) beheld the city of Ayodhya that once had the lustre of the city of Indra, now with its crossroads, houses and highways all deserted, the fittings (nuts and bolts) on the doors red with dust, he was overwhelmed with grief.