Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 82

तामार्यगणसम्पूर्णां भरतः प्रग्रहां सभाम्। ददर्श बुद्धिसम्पन्नः पूर्णचन्द्रो निशामिव।।2.82.1।।

tāmāryagaṇasampūrṇāṃ bharataḥ pragrahāṃ sabhām| dadarśa buddhisampannaḥ pūrṇacandro niśāmiva

Sagacious Bharata beheld that assembly hall filled with honourable members, like the fullmoon beholds the night stretching forth (with stars).

आसनानि यथान्यायमार्याणां विशतां तदा। वस्त्राङ्गरागप्रभया द्योतिता सा सभोत्तमा।।2.82.2।।

āsanāni yathānyāyamāryāṇāṃ viśatāṃ tadā| vastrāṅgarāgaprabhayā dyotitā sā sabhottamā

When the seats were occupied by the honourable members according to their rank, that august assembly looked splendid with the brilliance of their apparels and fragrance of unguents.

सा विद्वज्जनसम्पूर्णा सभा सुरुचिरा तदा। अदृश्यत घनापाये पूर्णचन्द्रेव शर्वरी।।2.82.3।।

sā vidvajjanasampūrṇā sabhā surucirā tadā| adṛśyata ghanāpāye pūrṇacandreva śarvarī

The most splendid assembly filled with learned people looked brilliant like the night with the autumnal fullmoon.

राज्ञस्तु प्रकृती स्सर्वा स्समग्राः प्रेक्ष्य धर्मवित्। इदं पुरोहितो वाक्यं भरतं मृदु चाब्रवीत्।।2.82.4।।

rājñastu prakṛtī ssarvā ssamagrāḥ prekṣya dharmavit| idaṃ purohito vākyaṃ bharataṃ mṛdu cābravīt

The chief priest Vasistha, knower of righteousness, looked at all the ministers present and addressed Bharata in a gentle voice.

तात राजा दशरथ स्स्वर्गतो धर्ममाचरन्। धनधान्यवतीं स्फीतां प्रदाय पृथिवीं तव।।2.82.5।।

tāta rājā daśaratha ssvargato dharmamācaran| dhanadhānyavatīṃ sphītāṃ pradāya pṛthivīṃ tava

O dear child following the righteous path king Dasaratha conferred on you this vast kingdom abounding in wealth and grains before attaining heaven.

रामस्तथा सत्यधृतिस्सतां धर्ममनुस्मरन्। नाजहात्पितुरादेशं शशी ज्योत्स्नामिवोदितः।।2.82.6।।

rāmastathā satyadhṛtissatāṃ dharmamanusmaran| nājahātpiturādeśaṃ śaśī jyotsnāmivoditaḥ

Abiding in truth, remembering the righteous ways of virtuous men just as the rising Moon does not leave its beams, Rama too did not move away from his father's command.

पित्रा भ्रात्रा च ते दत्तं राज्यं निहतकण्टकम्। तद्भुङ्क्ष्व मुदितामात्यः क्षिप्रमेवाभिषेचय।।2.82.7।।

pitrā bhrātrā ca te dattaṃ rājyaṃ nihatakaṇṭakam| tadbhuṅkṣva muditāmātyaḥ kṣipramevābhiṣecaya

The kingdom free from obstacles has been passed on to you by your father and brother. Get yourself coronated quickly and enjoy it along with your cheerful ministers.

उदीच्या श्च प्रतीच्या श्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च केवलाः। कोट्यापरान्तास्सामुद्रारत्नान्यभिहरन्तुते।।2.82.8।।

udīcyā śca pratīcyā śca dākṣiṇātyāśca kevalāḥ| koṭyāparāntāssāmudrāratnānyabhiharantute

Let kings from the north, the west, the south, the bordering kingdoms, and the seatraders offer you crores of gems as gifts.

तच्छ्रुत्वा भरतो वाक्यं शोकेनाभिपरिप्लुतः। जगाम मनसा रामं धर्मज्ञो धर्मकाङ्क्षया।।2.82.9।।

tacchrutvā bharato vākyaṃ śokenābhipariplutaḥ| jagāma manasā rāmaṃ dharmajño dharmakāṅkṣayā

On hearing those words, Bharata who knew his duty was overwhelmed with distress and, resolved to abide by righteousness, reached Rama through his mind (thought of Rama).

सबाष्पकलया वाचा कलहंसस्वरो युवा। विललाप सभामध्ये जगर्हे च पुरोहितम्।।2.82.10।।

sabāṣpakalayā vācā kalahaṃsasvaro yuvā| vilalāpa sabhāmadhye jagarhe ca purohitam

Young Bharata with the melodious voice of a swan, choked with tears, lamenting in the assembly, reproached the family priest Vasistha, saying:

चरितब्रह्मचर्यस्य विद्यास्नातस्य धीमतः। धर्मे प्रयतमानस्य को राज्यं मद्विधो हरेत्।।2.82.11।।

caritabrahmacaryasya vidyāsnātasya dhīmataḥ| dharme prayatamānasya ko rājyaṃ madvidho haret

Would any man seize this kingdom which rightfully belongs to sagacious Rama, who practises brahmacharya, who is wellversed in all branches of learning and who endeavours to protect righteousness?

कथं दशरथाज्जातो भवेद्राज्यापहारकः। राज्यं चाहं च रामस्य धर्मं वक्तुमिहार्हसि।।2.82.12।।

kathaṃ daśarathājjāto bhavedrājyāpahārakaḥ| rājyaṃ cāhaṃ ca rāmasya dharmaṃ vaktumihārhasi

How can any usurper of the kingdom be born of Dasaratha? Or, how would any progeny of Dasaratha become the usurper of the kingdom? I and the kingdom, both belong to Rama. You should tell the truth about this.

ज्येष्ठ श्श्रेष्ठश्च धर्मात्मा दिलीपनहुषोपमः। लब्धुमर्हति काकुत्स्थो राज्यं दशरथो यथा।।2.82.13।।

jyeṣṭha śśreṣṭhaśca dharmātmā dilīpanahuṣopamaḥ| labdhumarhati kākutstho rājyaṃ daśaratho yathā

The eldest, eminent and righteous Rama, the scion of the Kakutstha dynasty, who is comparable to Dilipa and Nahusha deserves to inherit this kingdom just as Dasaratha did.

अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यं कुर्यां पापमहं यदि। इक्ष्वाकूणामहं लोके भवेयं कुलपांसनः।।2.82.14।।

anāryajuṣṭamasvargyaṃ kuryāṃ pāpamahaṃ yadi| ikṣvākūṇāmahaṃ loke bhaveyaṃ kulapāṃsanaḥ

If I commit this evil act followed by wretched people which would not lead any one to heaven, I shall only be bringing disgrace to the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty.

यद्धि मात्रा कृतं पापं नाहं तदपि रोचये। इहस्थो वनदुर्गस्थं नमस्यामि कृताञ्जलिः।।2.82.15।।

yaddhi mātrā kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ nāhaṃ tadapi rocaye| ihastho vanadurgasthaṃ namasyāmi kṛtāñjaliḥ

I will never accept the evil deed committed by my mother. From here itself I shall pay obeisance with folded palms to my brother who dwells in the impenetrable forest.

राममेवानुगच्छामि राजा स द्विपदां वरः। त्रयाणामपि लोकानां राज्यमर्हति राघवः।।2.82.16।।

rāmamevānugacchāmi rājā sa dvipadāṃ varaḥ| trayāṇāmapi lokānāṃ rājyamarhati rāghavaḥ

I shall follow Rama the best among men. He alone and no one else deserves to rule over the kingdom of the three worlds.

तद्वाक्यं धर्मसंयुक्तं श्रुत्वा सर्वे सभासदः। हर्षान्मुमुचुरश्रूणि रामे निहितचेतसः।।2.82.17।।

tadvākyaṃ dharmasaṃyuktaṃ śrutvā sarve sabhāsadaḥ| harṣānmumucuraśrūṇi rāme nihitacetasaḥ

Hearing the words of Bharata full of righteousness, all the men assembled there shed tears of joy, thinking of Rama.

यदि त्वार्यं न शक्ष्यामि विनिवर्तयितुं वनात्। वने तत्रैव वत्स्यामि यथाऽर्यो लक्ष्मणस्तथा।।2.82.18।।

yadi tvāryaṃ na śakṣyāmi vinivartayituṃ vanāt| vane tatraiva vatsyāmi yathā'ryo lakṣmaṇastathā

If I am not able to bring back my noble brother (Rama) from the forest, I shall also dwell there like my noble brother Lakshmana.

सर्वोपायं तु वर्तिष्ये विनिवर्तयितुं बलात्। समक्षमार्यमिश्राणां साधूनां गुणवर्तिनाम्।।2.82.19।।

sarvopāyaṃ tu vartiṣye vinivartayituṃ balāt| samakṣamāryamiśrāṇāṃ sādhūnāṃ guṇavartinām

I shall employ all possible means to bring him back and join you who are respectable, virtuous and pious.

विष्टिकर्मान्तिका स्सर्वे मार्गशोधकरक्षकाः। प्रस्थापिता मया पूर्वं यत्रापि मम रोचते।।2.82.20।।

viṣṭikarmāntikā ssarve mārgaśodhakarakṣakāḥ| prasthāpitā mayā pūrvaṃ yatrāpi mama rocate

I have already despatched the explorers and protectors of roads who work for wages and without wages as well. It also pleases me to undertake this journey.

एवमुक्त्वा तु धर्मात्मा भरतो भ्रातृवत्सलः। समीपस्थमुवाचेदं सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रकोविदम्।।2.82.21।।

evamuktvā tu dharmātmā bharato bhrātṛvatsalaḥ| samīpasthamuvācedaṃ sumantraṃ mantrakovidam

Righteous Bharata who was full of devotion towards his brother having uttered thus, addressed the skilful counsellor Sumantra standing nearby:

तूर्णमुत्थाय गच्छ त्वं सुमन्त्र मम शासनात्। यात्रामाज्ञापय क्षिप्रं बलं चैव समानय।।2.82.22।।

tūrṇamutthāya gaccha tvaṃ sumantra mama śāsanāt| yātrāmājñāpaya kṣipraṃ balaṃ caiva samānaya

O Sumantra quickly rise and go. On my authority, order the expedition and let the army be marshalled at once.

एवमुक्त स्सुमन्त्रस्तु भरतेन महात्मना। हृष्टस्तदाऽदिशत्सर्वं यथासन्दिष्टमिष्टवत्।।2.82.23।।

evamukta ssumantrastu bharatena mahātmanā| hṛṣṭastadā'diśatsarvaṃ yathāsandiṣṭamiṣṭavat

On hearing the words of the magnanimous Bharata, Sumantra was delighted and as instructed, ordered everything as if he was anxious to do it himself.

ताः प्रहृष्टाः प्रकृतयो बलाध्यक्षा बलस्य च। श्रुत्वा यात्रां समाज्ञप्तां राघवस्य निवर्तने।।2.82.24।।

tāḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ prakṛtayo balādhyakṣā balasya ca| śrutvā yātrāṃ samājñaptāṃ rāghavasya nivartane

Having come to know that orders were issued to send the army on an expedition to bring back Rama, the subjects and the army chiefs were delighted.

ततो योधाङ्गना स्सर्वा भर्त्रून्सर्वान्गृहेगृहे। यात्रागमनमाज्ञाय त्वरयन्ति स्म हर्षिताः।।2.82.25।।

tato yodhāṅganā ssarvā bhartrūnsarvāngṛhegṛhe| yātrāgamanamājñāya tvarayanti sma harṣitāḥ

Then, the wives of the soldiers having come to know of the expedition were all delighted and in every household hastened up their husbands.

ते हयैर्गोरथैश्शीघ्रैस्स्यन्दनैश्च महाजवैः सह योधैर्बलाध्यक्षा बलं सर्वमचोदयन्।।2.82.26।।

te hayairgorathaiśśīghraissyandanaiśca mahājavaiḥ saha yodhairbalādhyakṣā balaṃ sarvamacodayan

Those chiefs of the army urged the soldiers, horses, fastmoving bullockcarts and swift chariots (to move on).

सज्जं तु तद्बलं दृष्ट्वा भरतो गुरुसन्निधौ। रथं मे त्वरयस्वेति सुमन्त्रं पार्श्वतोऽब्रवीत्।।2.82.27।।

sajjaṃ tu tadbalaṃ dṛṣṭvā bharato gurusannidhau| rathaṃ me tvarayasveti sumantraṃ pārśvato'bravīt

When Bharata saw that the army was ready, he instructed Sumantra who was standing by the side of the preceptor to quickly prepare his chariot.

भरतस्य तु तस्याज्ञां प्रतिगृह्य च हर्षितः। रथं गृहीत्वा प्रययौ युक्तं परमवाजिभिः।।2.82.28।।

bharatasya tu tasyājñāṃ pratigṛhya ca harṣitaḥ| rathaṃ gṛhītvā prayayau yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ

He (Sumantra) received the command of Bharata in great delight and set out with a chariot harnessed with excellent horses.

स राघव स्सत्यधृतिः प्रतापवान् ब्रुवन् सुयुक्तं दृढसत्यविक्रमः। गुरुं महारण्यगतं यशस्विनं प्रसादयिष्यन्भरतोऽब्रवीत्तदा।।2.82.29।।

sa rāghava ssatyadhṛtiḥ pratāpavān bruvan suyuktaṃ dṛḍhasatyavikramaḥ| guruṃ mahāraṇyagataṃ yaśasvinaṃ prasādayiṣyanbharato'bravīttadā

Bharata, a descendant of the Raghu race, firm in truth, one whose valour comes out of unswerving truth, speaking judiciously said this to propitiate his esteemed brother who was in the dense forest:

तूर्णं समुत्थाय सुमन्त्र गच्छ बलस्य योगाय बलप्रधानान्। आनेतुमिच्छामि हि तं वनस्थं प्रसाद्य रामं जगतो हिताय।।2.82.30।।

tūrṇaṃ samutthāya sumantra gaccha balasya yogāya balapradhānān| ānetumicchāmi hi taṃ vanasthaṃ prasādya rāmaṃ jagato hitāya

O Sumantra, arise, go at once to the leaders of the army and ask them to assemble the troops. I shall propifiate Rama who is in the deep forest and bring him back for the welfare of the world.

ससूतपुत्रो भरतेन सम्यगाज्ञापितस्सम्परिपूर्णकामः। शशास सर्वान्प्रकृतिप्रधानान्बलस्य मुख्यांश्च सुहृज्जनं च।।2.82.31।।

sasūtaputro bharatena samyagājñāpitassamparipūrṇakāmaḥ| śaśāsa sarvānprakṛtipradhānānbalasya mukhyāṃśca suhṛjjanaṃ ca

The charioteer categorically commanded by Bharata, his desire fulfilled, communicated the royal mandate to all important subjects, chiefs of army and friends.

तत स्समुत्थाय कुले कुले ते राजन्यवैश्या वृषलाश्च विप्राः। अयूयुजन्नुष्ट्रखरान्रथांश्च नागान्हयांश्चैव कुलप्रसूतान्।।2.82.32।।

tata ssamutthāya kule kule te rājanyavaiśyā vṛṣalāśca viprāḥ| ayūyujannuṣṭrakharānrathāṃśca nāgānhayāṃścaiva kulaprasūtān

Thereafter, men from every household, kshatriyas, vaisyas, sudras and brahmins came out and harnessed their chariots to the camels and asses, elephants and horses of high pedigree. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे द्व्यशीतितमस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the eightysecond sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.