Uttara Kanda, Sarga 38

एवमास्ते महाबाहुरहन्यहनि राघवः । प्रशासत्सर्वकार्याणि पौरजानपदेषु च ।। 7.38.1 ।।

evamāste mahābāhurahanyahani rāghavaḥ | praśāsatsarvakāryāṇi paurajānapadeṣu ca || 7.38.1 ||

Thus, the mighty-armed Rama lived day after day, administering all affairs concerning both the city dwellers and the rural populace.

ततः कतिपयाहःसु वैदेहं मिथिलाधिपम् । राघवः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।। 7.38.2 ।।

tataḥ katipayāhaḥsu vaidehaṃ mithilādhipam | rāghavaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha || 7.38.2 ||

Then, after a few days, Rama, with folded hands, spoke these words to Janaka, the king of Videha and lord of Mithila.

भवान्हि गतिरव्यग्रा भवता पालिता वयम् । भवतस्तेजसोग्रेण रावणो निहतो मया ।। 7.38.3 ।।

bhavānhi gatiravyagrā bhavatā pālitā vayam | bhavatastejasogreṇa rāvaṇo nihato mayā || 7.38.3 ||

You are indeed our steadfast refuge, and we have been protected by you; it was by your fierce might that Ravana was killed by me.

इक्ष्वाकूणां च सर्वेषां मैथिलानां च सर्वशः । अतुलाः प्रीतयो राजन्सम्बन्धकपुरोगमाः ।। 7.38.4 ।।

ikṣvākūṇāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ maithilānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ | atulāḥ prītayo rājansambandhakapurogamāḥ || 7.38.4 ||

O King, the affections between all the Ikshvakus and all the Maithilas, especially those stemming from our marital relationship, are truly incomparable.

तद्भवान्स्वपुरं यातु रत्नान्यादाय पार्थिव । भरतश्च सहायार्थं पृष्ठतस्ते ऽनुयास्यति ।। 7.38.5 ।।

tadbhavānsvapuraṃ yātu ratnānyādāya pārthiva | bharataśca sahāyārthaṃ pṛṣṭhataste 'nuyāsyati || 7.38.5 ||

Therefore, O King, you may return to your city taking the jewels, and Bharata will follow behind you for assistance.

स तथेति नृपः कृत्वा राघवं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । प्रीतो ऽस्मि भवतो राजन्दर्शनेन नयेन च ।। 7.38.6 ।।

sa tatheti nṛpaḥ kṛtvā rāghavaṃ vākyamabravīt | prīto 'smi bhavato rājandarśanena nayena ca || 7.38.6 ||

Having agreed, King Janaka then spoke to Rama, saying, "O King, I am pleased by your sight and your wisdom."

यान्येतानि तु रत्नानि मदर्थं सञ्चितानि वै । दुहित्रे तानि वै राजन्सर्वाण्येव ददामि च ।। 7.38.7 ।।

yānyetāni tu ratnāni madarthaṃ sañcitāni vai | duhitre tāni vai rājansarvāṇyeva dadāmi ca || 7.38.7 ||

O King, I give all these jewels, which were collected for my sake, to my daughter.

एवमुक्त्वा तु काकुत्स्थं जनको हृष्टमानसः । प्रययौ मिथिलां श्रीमांस्तमनुज्ञाय राघवम् ।। 7.38.8 ।।

evamuktvā tu kākutsthaṃ janako hṛṣṭamānasaḥ | prayayau mithilāṃ śrīmāṃstamanujñāya rāghavam || 7.38.8 ||

Having thus spoken to Rama, the glorious Janaka, with a joyful mind, took leave of Rama and departed for Mithila.

ततः प्रयाते जनके केकयं मातुलं प्रभुः । राघवः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।। 7.38.9 ।।

tataḥ prayāte janake kekayaṃ mātulaṃ prabhuḥ | rāghavaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha || 7.38.9 ||

After Janaka had departed, Lord Rama, with folded hands, then spoke these words to his maternal uncle, Kekaya.

इदं राज्यमहं चैव भरतश्च सलक्ष्मणः । आयत्तास्त्वं हि नो राजन्गतिश्च पुरुषर्षभ ।। 7.38.10 ।।

idaṃ rājyamahaṃ caiva bharataśca salakṣmaṇaḥ | āyattāstvaṃ hi no rājangatiśca puruṣarṣabha || 7.38.10 ||

O King, O best among men, this kingdom, I, Bharata, and Lakshmana are all dependent on you, for you are indeed our refuge.

राजा हि वृद्धः सन्तापं त्वदर्थमुपयास्यति । तस्माद्गमनमद्यैव रोचते तव पार्थिव ।। 7.38.11 ।।

rājā hi vṛddhaḥ santāpaṃ tvadarthamupayāsyati | tasmādgamanamadyaiva rocate tava pārthiva || 7.38.11 ||

The old king will indeed suffer sorrow for your sake, therefore, O prince, your departure today itself is suitable.

लक्ष्मणेनानुयात्रेण पृष्ठतो ऽनुगमिष्यते । धनमादाय विपुलं रत्नानि विविधानि च ।। 7.38.12 ।।

lakṣmaṇenānuyātreṇa pṛṣṭhato 'nugamiṣyate | dhanamādāya vipulaṃ ratnāni vividhāni ca || 7.38.12 ||

Lakshmana will follow behind as a companion, taking abundant wealth and various jewels.

युधाजित्तु तथेत्याह गमनं प्रति राघवम् । रत्नानि च धनं चैव त्वय्येवाक्षय्यमस्त्विति ।। 7.38.13 ।।

yudhājittu tathetyāha gamanaṃ prati rāghavam | ratnāni ca dhanaṃ caiva tvayyevākṣayyamastviti || 7.38.13 ||

Yudhājit then said to Rama regarding his departure, "So be it; let the jewels and wealth indeed be inexhaustible in you alone."

प्रदक्षिणं स राजानं कृत्वा केकयवर्धनः । रामेण हि कृतः पूर्वमभिवाद्य प्रदक्षिणम् ।। 7.38.14 ।।

pradakṣiṇaṃ sa rājānaṃ kṛtvā kekayavardhanaḥ | rāmeṇa hi kṛtaḥ pūrvamabhivādya pradakṣiṇam || 7.38.14 ||

Having circumambulated the king, Yudhājit, the enhancer of Kekaya, departed, just as Rama had previously saluted and circumambulated.

लक्ष्मणेन सहायेन प्रयातः केकयेश्वरः । हते ऽसुरे यथा वृत्रे विष्णुना सह वासवः ।। 7.38.15 ।।

lakṣmaṇena sahāyena prayātaḥ kekayeśvaraḥ | hate 'sure yathā vṛtre viṣṇunā saha vāsavaḥ || 7.38.15 ||

The lord of Kekaya departed with Lakshmana's help, just as Indra, with Vishnu, went after the demon Vritra was killed.

तं विसृज्य ततो रामो वयस्यमकुतोभयम् । प्रतर्दनं काशिपतिं परिष्वज्येदमब्रवीत् ।। 7.38.16 ।।

taṃ visṛjya tato rāmo vayasyamakutobhayam | pratardanaṃ kāśipatiṃ pariṣvajyedamabravīt || 7.38.16 ||

Then, having dismissed that fearless friend, Rama embraced Pratardana, the lord of Kashi, and spoke this.

दर्शिता भवता प्रीतिर्दर्शितं सौहृदं परम् । उद्योगश्च कृतो राजन्भरतेन त्वया सह ।। 7.38.17 ।।

darśitā bhavatā prītirdarśitaṃ sauhṛdaṃ param | udyogaśca kṛto rājanbharatena tvayā saha || 7.38.17 ||

O King, you have shown great affection and supreme friendship, and you, along with Bharata, have made a great effort.

तद्भवानद्य काशेय पुरीं वाराणसीं व्रज । रमणीयां त्वया गुप्तां सुप्रकाशां सुतोरणाम् ।। 7.38.18 ।।

tadbhavānadya kāśeya purīṃ vārāṇasīṃ vraja | ramaṇīyāṃ tvayā guptāṃ suprakāśāṃ sutoraṇām || 7.38.18 ||

Therefore, O King of Kashi, you should go today to your beautiful city of Varanasi, which is protected by you, well-illuminated, and adorned with beautiful arches.

एतावदुक्त्वा चोत्थाय काकुत्स्थः परमासनात् । पर्यष्वजत धर्मात्मा निरन्तरमुरोगतम् ।। 7.38.19 ।।

etāvaduktvā cotthāya kākutsthaḥ paramāsanāt | paryaṣvajata dharmātmā nirantaramurogatam || 7.38.19 ||

Having said this much, the righteous Rama rose from his excellent seat and embraced him closely to his chest.

विसर्जयामास तदा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः । राघवेणाभ्यनुज्ञातः काशीशो ऽप्यकुतोभयः । वाराणसीं ययौ तूर्णं राघवेण विसर्जितः ।। 7.38.20 ।।

visarjayāmāsa tadā kausalyānandavardhanaḥ | rāghaveṇābhyanujñātaḥ kāśīśo 'pyakutobhayaḥ | vārāṇasīṃ yayau tūrṇaṃ rāghaveṇa visarjitaḥ || 7.38.20 ||

Then, Rama, who brings joy to Kaushalya, dismissed the fearless lord of Kashi, who, having been permitted and sent off by Rama, quickly returned to Varanasi.

विसृज्य तं काशिपतिं त्रिशतं पृथिवीपतीन् । प्रहसन्राघवो वाक्यमुवाच मधुराक्षरम् ।। 7.38.21 ।।

visṛjya taṃ kāśipatiṃ triśataṃ pṛthivīpatīn | prahasanrāghavo vākyamuvāca madhurākṣaram || 7.38.21 ||

Having dismissed that lord of Kashi and three hundred other kings, Rama, with a smile, spoke words that were sweet.

भवतां प्रीतिरव्यग्रा तेजसा परिरक्षिता । धर्मश्च नियतो नित्यं सत्यं च भवतां सदा ।। 7.38.22 ।।

bhavatāṃ prītiravyagrā tejasā parirakṣitā | dharmaśca niyato nityaṃ satyaṃ ca bhavatāṃ sadā || 7.38.22 ||

Your unwavering affection is protected by your valor, and your righteousness and truth are always constant.

युष्माकं चानुभावेन तेजसा च महात्मनाम् । हतो दुरात्मा दुर्बुद्धी रावणो राक्षसाधमः ।। 7.38.23 ।।

yuṣmākaṃ cānubhāvena tejasā ca mahātmanām | hato durātmā durbuddhī rāvaṇo rākṣasādhamaḥ || 7.38.23 ||

It is by your influence and the valor of you great souls that the evil-minded, ill-intentioned Ravana, the vilest of rakshasas, was killed.

हेतुमात्रमहं तत्र भवतां तेजसा हतः । रावणः सगणो युद्धे सपुत्रामात्यबान्धवः ।। 7.38.24 ।।

hetumātramahaṃ tatra bhavatāṃ tejasā hataḥ | rāvaṇaḥ sagaṇo yuddhe saputrāmātyabāndhavaḥ || 7.38.24 ||

In that matter, I was merely an instrument; it was by your valor that Ravana, along with his retinue, sons, ministers, and relatives, was killed in battle.

भवन्तश्च समानीता भरतेन महात्मना । श्रुत्वा जनकराजस्य काननात्तनयां हृताम् ।। 7.38.25 ।।

bhavantaśca samānītā bharatena mahātmanā | śrutvā janakarājasya kānanāttanayāṃ hṛtām || 7.38.25 ||

You all were brought here by the great-souled Bharata, having heard that King Janaka's daughter was abducted from the forest.

उद्युक्तानां च सर्वेषां पार्थिवानां महात्मनाम् । कालो व्यतीतः सुमहान्गमनं रोचयाम्यतः ।। 7.38.26 ।।

udyuktānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ pārthivānāṃ mahātmanām | kālo vyatītaḥ sumahāngamanaṃ rocayāmyataḥ || 7.38.26 ||

A very long time has passed since all you great-souled kings were ready, therefore I approve of your departure.

प्रत्यूचुस्तं च राजानो हर्षेण महता वृताः । दिष्ट्यां त्वं विजयी राम स्वराज्ये ऽपि प्रतिष्ठितः ।। 7.38.27 ।।

pratyūcustaṃ ca rājāno harṣeṇa mahatā vṛtāḥ | diṣṭyāṃ tvaṃ vijayī rāma svarājye 'pi pratiṣṭhitaḥ || 7.38.27 ||

The kings, filled with great joy, replied to him, saying, "Fortunately, O Rama, you are victorious and re-established in your own kingdom."

दिष्ट्या प्रत्याहृता सीता दिष्ट्या शत्रुः पराजितः । एष नः परमः काम एषा नः पीतिरुत्तमा ।। 7.38.28 ।।

diṣṭyā pratyāhṛtā sītā diṣṭyā śatruḥ parājitaḥ | eṣa naḥ paramaḥ kāma eṣā naḥ pītiruttamā || 7.38.28 ||

Fortunately, Sita has been brought back, and fortunately, the enemy has been defeated; this is our highest desire and our supreme joy.

यत्त्वां विजयिनं राम पश्यामो हतशात्रवम् ।। 7.38.29 ।।

yattvāṃ vijayinaṃ rāma paśyāmo hataśātravam || 7.38.29 ||

Our greatest joy is that we see you, O Rama, victorious and with your enemies slain.

एतत्त्वय्युपपन्नं च यदस्मांस्त्वं प्रशंससे । प्रशंसार्ह न जानीमः प्रशंसां वक्तुमीदृशीम् ।। 7.38.30 ।।

etattvayyupapannaṃ ca yadasmāṃstvaṃ praśaṃsase | praśaṃsārha na jānīmaḥ praśaṃsāṃ vaktumīdṛśīm || 7.38.30 ||

It is fitting for you to praise us, but O worthy of praise, we do not know how to utter such praise in return.

आपृच्छामो गमिष्यामो हृदिस्थो नः सदा भवान् । वर्तामहे महाबाहो प्रीत्यात्र महता वृताः । भवेच्च ते महाराज प्रीतिरस्मासु नित्यदा ।। 7.38.31 ।।

āpṛcchāmo gamiṣyāmo hṛdistho naḥ sadā bhavān | vartāmahe mahābāho prītyātra mahatā vṛtāḥ | bhavecca te mahārāja prītirasmāsu nityadā || 7.38.31 ||

We take our leave and shall depart, for you will always reside in our hearts; O mighty-armed one, we have been filled with great affection here, and O great king, may your affection for us always remain.

बाढमित्येव राजानो हर्षेण परमान्विताः । उचुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे राघवं गमनोत्सुकाः ।। 7.38.32 ।।

bāḍhamityeva rājāno harṣeṇa paramānvitāḥ | ucuḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve rāghavaṃ gamanotsukāḥ || 7.38.32 ||

All the kings, filled with supreme joy and eager to depart, said "Very well" to Rama with folded hands.

पूजिताश्चैव रामेण जग्मुर्देशान्स्वकान्स्वकान् ।। 7.38.33 ।।

pūjitāścaiva rāmeṇa jagmurdeśānsvakānsvakān || 7.38.33 ||

Honored by Rama, they all departed to their respective countries. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे ऽष्टात्रिंशः सर्गः ।। 38 ।। Thus ends the thirty-eighth sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.