Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 96

तां तथा दर्शयित्वा तु मैथिलीं गिरिनिम्नगाम्। निषसाद गिरिप्रस्थे सीतां मांसेन छन्दयन्।।2.96.1।।

tāṃ tathā darśayitvā tu maithilīṃ girinimnagām| niṣasāda giriprasthe sītāṃ māṃsena chandayan

Rama showed Sita, the princess of Mithila the river Mandakini flowing in the mountain, gratified her by offering meat (to eat) and sat on the mountain slope.

इदं मेध्यमिदं स्वादु निष्टप्तमिदमग्निना। एवमास्ते स धर्मात्मा सीतया सह राघवः।।2.96.2।।

idaṃ medhyamidaṃ svādu niṣṭaptamidamagninā| evamāste sa dharmātmā sītayā saha rāghavaḥ

Offering Sita several kinds of preparations to eat, righteous Rama, seated in her company remarked, This meat is savoury, this meat roasted on fire is sacred.

तथा तत्राऽसतस्तस्य भरतस्यौपयायिनः। सैन्यरेणुश्च शब्दश्च प्रादुरास्तां नभस्पृशौ।।2.96.3।।

tathā tatrā'satastasya bharatasyaupayāyinaḥ| sainyareṇuśca śabdaśca prādurāstāṃ nabhaspṛśau

Now as Rama was sitting there, the tumult and the dust raised by the approaching army of Bharata reached the sky.

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे त्रस्ता श्शब्देन महता ततः। अर्दिता यूथपा मत्ता स्सयूथा दुद्रुवुर्दिशः।।2.96.4।।

etasminnantare trastā śśabdena mahatā tataḥ| arditā yūthapā mattā ssayūthā dudruvurdiśaḥ

Meanwhile, the mighty leaders of the elephantherds were agitated, and frightened by the loud noise, fled away from there in different directions.

स तं सैन्यसमुद्धूतं शब्दं शुश्राव राघवः। तां श्च विप्रद्रुतान्सर्वान्यूथपानन्ववैक्षत।।2.96.5।।

sa taṃ sainyasamuddhūtaṃ śabdaṃ śuśrāva rāghavaḥ| tāṃ śca vipradrutānsarvānyūthapānanvavaikṣata

Rama heard the sound generated by the army and saw those leaders of herds fleeing away.

तांश्च विद्रुवतो दृष्ट्वा तं च श्रुत्वा च निस्वनम्। उवाच राम स्सौमित्रिं लक्ष्मणं दीप्ततेजसम्।।2.96.6।।

tāṃśca vidruvato dṛṣṭvā taṃ ca śrutvā ca nisvanam| uvāca rāma ssaumitriṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ dīptatejasam

Seeing those animals fleeing and hearing the clamour, Rama addressed Lakshmana, son of Sumitra, who was blazing with energy.

हन्त लक्ष्मण पश्येह सुमित्रासुप्रजास्त्वया। भीमस्तनितगम्भीरस्तुमुलः श्रूयते स्वनः।।2.96.7।।

hanta lakṣmaṇa paśyeha sumitrāsuprajāstvayā| bhīmastanitagambhīrastumulaḥ śrūyate svanaḥ

O Lakshmana, the worthy son of Sumitra, fearful and tumultuous clamour like rumbling sound of clouds is heard. What a wonder Go and see.

गजयूथानि वाऽरण्ये महिषा वा महावने। वित्रासिता मृगा स्सिंहै स्सहसा प्रद्रुता दिशः।।2.96.8।।

gajayūthāni vā'raṇye mahiṣā vā mahāvane| vitrāsitā mṛgā ssiṃhai ssahasā pradrutā diśaḥ

Herds of elephants and buffaloes in the great woods and wild beasts frightened by lions are running in different directions.

राजा वा राजपुत्रो वा मृगयामटते वने। अन्यद्वा श्वापदं किञ्चित्सौमित्रे ज्ञातुमर्हसि।।2.96.9।।

rājā vā rājaputro vā mṛgayāmaṭate vane| anyadvā śvāpadaṃ kiñcitsaumitre jñātumarhasi

O Lakshmana, do ascertain if any king or prince has come for hunting or whether any ferocious animal has entered this forest, shouldn't you?

सुदुश्चरो गिरिश्चायं पक्षिणामपि लक्ष्मण। सर्वमेतद्यथातत्त्वमचिरात् ज्ञातुमर्हसि।।2.96.10।।

suduścaro giriścāyaṃ pakṣiṇāmapi lakṣmaṇa| sarvametadyathātattvamacirāt jñātumarhasi

O Lakshmana, this mountain is highly inaccessible even to birds. Find out exactly and quickly what this is all about.

स लक्ष्मण स्सन्त्वरित स्सालमारुह्य पुष्पितम्। प्रेक्षमाणो दिश स्सर्वाः पूर्वां दिशमुदैक्षत।।2.96.11।।

sa lakṣmaṇa ssantvarita ssālamāruhya puṣpitam| prekṣamāṇo diśa ssarvāḥ pūrvāṃ diśamudaikṣata

Lakshmana hurriedly climbed a flowering sala tree, surveyed in all directions and fixed his gaze on the east.

उदङ्मुखः प्रेक्षमाणो ददर्श महतीं चमूम्। रथाश्वगजसम्बाधां यत्तैर्युक्तां पदातिभिः।।2.96.12।।

udaṅmukhaḥ prekṣamāṇo dadarśa mahatīṃ camūm| rathāśvagajasambādhāṃ yattairyuktāṃ padātibhiḥ

Turning his face to the north, he beheld a vast army consisting of chariots, elephants and horses and a wellequipped infantry.

तामश्वगजसम्पूर्णां रथध्वजविभूषिताम्। शशंस सेनां रामाय वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्।।2.96.13।।

tāmaśvagajasampūrṇāṃ rathadhvajavibhūṣitām| śaśaṃsa senāṃ rāmāya vacanaṃ cedamabravīt

He (Lakshmana) informed Rama about the army full of horses and elephants and decorated with chariotbanners and said these words:

अग्निं संशमयत्वार्य स्सीता च भजतां गुहाम्। सज्यं कुरुष्व चापं च शरांश्च कवचं तथा।।2.96.14।।

agniṃ saṃśamayatvārya ssītā ca bhajatāṃ guhām| sajyaṃ kuruṣva cāpaṃ ca śarāṃśca kavacaṃ tathā

O noble one, put out the sacred fire (Agnihotra) and let Sita take refuge in the cave. String your bow and keep the arrows ready. Put on your armour.

तं रामः पुरुषव्याघ्रो लक्ष्मणं प्रत्युवाच ह। अङ्गावेक्षस्व सौमित्रे कस्येमां मन्यसे चमूम्।।2.96.15।।

taṃ rāmaḥ puruṣavyāghro lakṣmaṇaṃ pratyuvāca ha| aṅgāvekṣasva saumitre kasyemāṃ manyase camūm

Rama the best among men replied to Lakshamana, Oh, Lakshmana, look properly and tell me to whom do you think this army might belong

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मणो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। दिधक्षन्निव तां सेनां रुषितः पावको यथा।।2.96.16।।

evamuktastu rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇo vākyamabravīt| didhakṣanniva tāṃ senāṃ ruṣitaḥ pāvako yathā

Hearing the words of Rama, enraged Lakshmana, like a flaming fire as if he would reduce the army to ashes, replied:

सम्पन्नं राज्यमिच्छंस्तु व्यक्तं प्राप्याभिषेचनम्। आवां हन्तुं समभ्येति कैकेय्या भरतस्सुतः।।2.96.17।।

sampannaṃ rājyamicchaṃstu vyaktaṃ prāpyābhiṣecanam| āvāṃ hantuṃ samabhyeti kaikeyyā bharatassutaḥ

It is evident that Kaikeyi's son Bharata, who has been consecrated, is coming to slay both of us desiring the prosperous kingdom (to be without obstacles).

एष वै सुमहाञ्छ्रीमान्विटपी सम्प्रकाशते। विराजत्युद्गतस्कन्धं कोविदारध्वजो रथे।।2.96.18।।

eṣa vai sumahāñchrīmānviṭapī samprakāśate| virājatyudgataskandhaṃ kovidāradhvajo rathe

There on that chariot, is a banner shining brilliantly with the emblem of a lofty majestic Kovidara tree with a large trunk.

असौ हि सुमहास्कन्धो विटपी च महाद्रुमः। विराजते महासैन्ये कोविदारध्वजो रथे।।2.96.19।।

asau hi sumahāskandho viṭapī ca mahādrumaḥ| virājate mahāsainye kovidāradhvajo rathe

There the emblem of the great Kovidara tree of very large trunk spread with many branches shines brilliantly atop the chariot.

भजन्त्येते यथाकाममश्वानारुह्य शीघ्रगान्। एते भ्राजन्ति संहृष्टा गजानारुह्य सादिनः।।2.96.20।।

bhajantyete yathākāmamaśvānāruhya śīghragān| ete bhrājanti saṃhṛṣṭā gajānāruhya sādinaḥ

These men mounted on swiftlymoving horses are following the post. The riders of elephants mounted on the elephants look cheerful.

गृहीतधनुषौ चावां गिरिं वीर श्रयावहै। अथवेहैव तिष्ठाव स्सन्नद्धावुद्यतायुधौ।।2.96.21।।

gṛhītadhanuṣau cāvāṃ giriṃ vīra śrayāvahai| athavehaiva tiṣṭhāva ssannaddhāvudyatāyudhau

O mighty warrior, let both of us take up the bows and station ourselves on this mountain or we shall stay here itself armed with weapons fully prepared for the battle.

अपि नौ वशमागच्छेत्कोविदारध्वजो रणे। अपि द्रक्ष्यामि भरतं यत्कृते व्यसनं महत्।।2.96.22।। त्वया राघव सम्प्राप्तं सीतया च मया तथा।

api nau vaśamāgacchetkovidāradhvajo raṇe| api drakṣyāmi bharataṃ yatkṛte vyasanaṃ mahat tvayā rāghava samprāptaṃ sītayā ca mayā tathā|

O Rama, will this Kovidara emblem come into our possession in the battle? Can I see Bharata, the cause of the calamity that has befallen you, Sita and me?

यन्निमित्तं भवान्राज्याच्छ्युतो राघव शाश्वतात्।।2.96.23।। सम्प्राप्तोऽयमरिर्वीर भरतो वध्य एव मे।

yannimittaṃ bhavānrājyācchyuto rāghava śāśvatāt samprāpto'yamarirvīra bharato vadhya eva me|

O that mighty warrior Bharata, on whose account you have been banished from the perpetual kingdom, comes here as a foe and as for me, he deserves to be slain.

भरतस्य वधे दोषं नाहं पश्यामि राघव। पूर्वापकारिणं हत्वा न ह्यधर्मेण युज्यते।।2.96.24।।

bharatasya vadhe doṣaṃ nāhaṃ paśyāmi rāghava| pūrvāpakāriṇaṃ hatvā na hyadharmeṇa yujyate

O Rama, I do not see anything wrong in slaying Bharata. In killing one who had done harm is not an act of unrighteousness.

पूर्वापकारी भरतस्त्यक्तधर्मश्च राघव। एतस्मिन्निहते कृत्स्नामनुशाधि वसुन्धराम्।।2.96.25।।

pūrvāpakārī bharatastyaktadharmaśca rāghava| etasminnihate kṛtsnāmanuśādhi vasundharām

O Rama, Bharata has abandoned righteousness and has harmed you. When he is slain, you shall rule over the whole earth.

अद्य पुत्रं हतं संख्ये कैकेयी राज्यकामुका। मया पश्येत्सुदुःखार्ता हस्तिभग्नमिव द्रुमम्।।2.96.26।।

adya putraṃ hataṃ saṃkhye kaikeyī rājyakāmukā| mayā paśyetsuduḥkhārtā hastibhagnamiva drumam

Let that Kaikeyi, greedy for the kingdom, see in great anguish her son who shall be slain by me today in a battle like a tree felled by an elephant.

कैकेयीं च वधिष्यामि सानुबन्धां सबान्धवाम्। कलुषेणाद्य महता मेदिनी परिमुच्यताम्।।2.96.27।।

kaikeyīṃ ca vadhiṣyāmi sānubandhāṃ sabāndhavām| kaluṣeṇādya mahatā medinī parimucyatām

I shall also slay Kaikeyi with her attendants and relations. Let the earth be cleansed of the great sin today.

अद्येमं संयतं क्रोधमसत्कारं च मानद। मोक्ष्यामि शत्रुसैन्येषु कक्षेष्विव हुताशनम्।।2.96.28।।

adyemaṃ saṃyataṃ krodhamasatkāraṃ ca mānada| mokṣyāmi śatrusainyeṣu kakṣeṣviva hutāśanam

O protector of honour, today I shall vent my suppressed anger and dishonour on the enemy's army like a fire on the thicket.

अद्यैतच्छित्रकूटस्य काननं निशितै श्शरैः। छिन्दञ्चत्रुशरीराणि करिष्ये शोणितोक्षितम्।।2.96.29।।

adyaitacchitrakūṭasya kānanaṃ niśitai śśaraiḥ| chindañcatruśarīrāṇi kariṣye śoṇitokṣitam

Today I shall rend the bodies of enemies with my sharpened arrows and spatter the forest of Chitrakuta mountain with their blood.

शरैर्निर्भिन्नहृदयान्कुञ्जरांस्तुरगांस्तथा। श्वापदाः परिकर्षन्तु नरांश्च निहतान्मया।।2.96.30।।

śarairnirbhinnahṛdayānkuñjarāṃsturagāṃstathā| śvāpadāḥ parikarṣantu narāṃśca nihatānmayā

Let the wild beasts drag away the elephants, horses and men to be killed by me with their hearts transfixed with my arrows.

शराणां धनुषश्चाहमनृणोऽस्मिन्महावने। ससैन्यं भरतं हत्वा भविष्यामि न संशयः।।2.96.31।।

śarāṇāṃ dhanuṣaścāhamanṛṇo'sminmahāvane| sasainyaṃ bharataṃ hatvā bhaviṣyāmi na saṃśayaḥ

Having slain Bharata and his army in this great forest, I shall doubtless discharge my debt to my arrows and bow. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे षण्णवतितमस्सर्गः। Thus ends the ninetysixth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.