Having reached the banks of Tamasa river and thinking of the plight of the people of Ayodhya, Rama passes the night on the banks of Tamasa river. Waking up in the meantime, Rama instructs the charioteer to drive the chariot in such a way as to elude the citizens and lead them to think that the chariot had turned back towards Ayodhya instead of proceeding towards the forest. He then ascends the chariot along with Sita and Lakshmana and went ahead to the forest.
tataH tu tamasaa tiiram ramyam aashritya raaghavaH |
siitaam udviikShya saumitrim idam vacanam abraviit || 2-46-1
1. tataH = Then; raaghavaH = Rama; aashritya = taking his position at; tamasaa tiiram = at the banks of Tamasa river; udviikshhya = looking at; siitaam = Sita; abraviit = spoke; idam vachanam = these words; soumitrim = to Lakshmana :
Then Rama taking his position at the banks of Tamasa river and looking at Sita, spoke to Lakshmana as follows :
iyam adya nishaa puurvaa saumitre prasthitaa vanam |
vana vaasasya bhadram te sa na utkaNThitum arhasi || 2-46-2
2. soumitre = oh; Lakshmana! prahitaaH = we have been sent; vanam = to the forest. iyam = Today; puurvaa = is the first; nishaa = night; vanavaasasya = of residence in the forest . saH = You as such; na arhasi = are not required; utkaN^Thitum = to regret. Bhadram = blessedness; te = to you."
"Oh, Lakshmana! We have been sent to the forest. Today is the first night of our residence in the forest .You ought not feel anxious. May all be well with you!"
pashya shuunyaani araNyaani rudanti iva samantataH |
yathaa nilayam aayadbhir niliinaani mR^iga dvijaiH || 2-46-3
3. pashya = look here: mR^iga dvijaiH = animals and birds; aayadbhiH = returning; yathaanilayam = to their respective abodes; miliinaani = seeking for shelter . shuunyaani = woods; rudrantiiva = are crying; samantataH = from all sides".
"Look here: As the animals and birds are returning to their respective abodes seeking for shelter, the desolate woods seem to be crying from all sides"
adya ayodhyaa tu nagarii raaja dhaanii pitur mama |
sastrii pu.nsaa gataan asmaan shociShyati na sa.nshayaH || 2-46-4
4. adya = now; ayodhyaa nagarii = the city of Ayodhya; raajadhaanii = the capital; mama pituH = of my father; sa strii pumsaa = with its women and men; shochishhyati = will lament; asmaan = about us; gataan = that have departed. Na = There is no; samshayaH = doubt."
"Now, the city of Ayodhya the capital of my father with its men and women will lament about us that have departed (to the forest). There is no doubt"
anuraktaa hi manujaa raajaanam bahubhirguNaiH |
tvaam cha maam cha naravyaaghra shatraghnabharatau tathaa || 2-46-5
5. naravyaaghra = oh; tiger among men! manujaaH = The citizens (of Ayodhya); anuraktaaH hi = are indeed having affection; raajaanam = towards the king; tvaamcha = towards you; maamcha = towards me; tathaa = and; shatrughna bharatou = towards Satrughna and Bharata; guNaiH = by our virtues; bahubhiH = which are many."
"Oh, tiger among men! The citizens (of Ayodhya) are indeed having affection to the king no less than to you and myself, as also to Bharata and Satrughna, for many of our virtues."
pitaram chaanushochaami maataram cha yashasviniim |
api vaanaudha bhavetaam tu rudantau taavabhiikshNashaH || 2-46-6
6. "anushochaami = I feel repented; pitaramcha = for my father; maataramcha = and my mother; yashasivniim = who is illustrious. tou apivaa bhavetaam = Will they become even; andhou = blind; rudantou = by weeping; abhiikshhashaH = incessantly."
"I feel repented for my father and my illustrious mother. I fear whether they will become even blind, by weeping incessantly."
bharataH khalu dharma aatmaa pitaram maataram ca me |
dharma artha kaama sahitaiH vaakyaiH aashvaasayiShyati ||2-46-7
7. bharataH = Bharata; dharmaatmaa = the virtuous man; aashvaasayishhyati khalu = can indeed console; me = my; pitaram = father; maataraacha = and mother; vaakyaiH = by words; dharmaartha kaama sahitaiH = (containing)religious merit ; material welfare and sense- gratification."
"Bharata, the virtuous man, can indeed console my father and mother by his kind words."
bharatasya aanR^isha.nsatvam sa.ncintya aham punaH punaH |
na anushocaami pitaram maataram ca api lakShmaNa || 2-46-8
8. "lakshhmaNa = Oh; Lakshmana! vichintya = Thinking of; bharatasya = bharata's; anR^ishamsatvam = kindness; punaH punaH = again and again; aham = I;naanushochaami = do not grieve; pitaram = for(our) father; maataramcha api = or even (our) mother."
"Oh,Lakshmana! Thinking of Bharata's kindness again and again, I do not grieve for our father and mother"
tvayaa kaaryam nara vyaaghra maam anuvrajataa kR^itam |
anveShTavyaa hi vaidehyaa rakShaNa arthe sahaayataa || 2-46-9
9. "naravyaaghra: Lakshmana; the tiger among men! anuvrajataa = By following; maam = me; kaaryam = a purpose; kR^itam = has been served; tvayaa = by you. sahaayataa = a help; anveshhTavyaali = would have to be sought; rakshhaNaarthe = for the protection;vaidehyaaH = of Seetha"
"Oh, Lakshmana, tiger among men! You have done well by accompanying me, as otherwise, a help would have to be sought for by me for protecting Seetha"
adbhir eva tu saumitre vatsyaamy adya nishaam imaam |
etadd hi rocate mahyam vanye api vividhe sati || 2-46-10
10. " soumitre = Oh; Lakshmana! adya = Today; vatsyaami = I shall stay; imaam nishaam = in the night; adbhireva = with water alone. vanye = Wild fruits and roots; vividhe = of various kinds; satyapi = though being present; etat = this is; rochete hi = indeed a preference; mahyam = to me."
" Oh, Lakshmana! I shall live on water alone tonight. Though there are various kinds of wild fruits and roots, this is indeed a liking for me"
evam uktvaa tu saumitram sumantram api raaghavaH |
apramattaH tvam ashveShu bhava saumya iti uvaaca ha || 2-46-11
11. "evam = Thus; uktvaa = telling; soumitrim = Lakshmana; raaghavaH = Rama; uvaacha ha = spoke; sumantramapi = to Sumitra also; iti = thus: soumya = "Oh;gentleman! Tvam = you; apramattaH = be careful; ashveshhu = about the horses."
Thus telling Lakshmana, Rama spoke also to Sumantra as follows: "Oh, gentle man! Attend to the horses carefully."
so ashvaan sumantraH samyamya suurye astam samupaagate |
prabhuuta yavasaan kR^itvaa babhuuva pratyanantaraH || 2-46-12
12. saH sumantraH = That Sumantra; suurye = (on)sun; samupaagate = getting; astam = set; samyamya = tied up; ashvaan = the horses; kR^itvaa = causing; prabhuutayavasaan = them to have more grass(to eat);babhuuva = (and)became; pratyanantaraH = the immediate neighbor(of Rama).
The sun having completely set, Sumantra tied up the horses, supplied them with abundant grass and immediately stood nearest (to Rama).
upaasyatu shivaam sa.ndhyaam dR^iShTvaa raatrim upasthitaam |
raamasya shayanam cakre suutaH saumitriNaa saha || 2-46-13
13. upaasya = having worshipped; shivaam = the beautiful; sandhyaam = evening twilight; dR^ishhTvaa = and having seen; raatrim = the night; upasthitaam = come nearer; suutaH = the charioteer; soumitriNaasaha = along with Lakshmana; chakre = made; shayanam = the bed; raamasya = for Rama.
Having worshipped the beautiful evening twilight and having seen the night come nearer, Sumantra along with Lakshmana made the bed for Rama.
taam shayyaam tamasaa tiire viikShya vR^ikSha dalaiH kR^itaam |
raamaH saumitriNaam saardham sabhaaryaH samvivesha ha || 2-46-14
14. viikshhya = Seeing; taam shayyaam = that bed; kR^itaam = made; vR^ikshha dalaiH = of leaves of a tree; soumitriNaasaardham = with the help of Lakshmana; tamasaatiire = on the bank of Tamasa river; raamaH = Rama; sa bhaaryaH = along with his wife; samvivesha ha = laid down.
Seeing that bed made of leaves of a tree on the bank of Tamasa river with the help of Lakshmana, Rama along with his wife laid down on it.
sabhaaryam samprasuptam tam bhraataram viikShya lakShmaNaH |
kathayaam aasa suutaaya raamasya vividhaan guNaan || 2-46-15
15. viikshhya = seeing; tam braataram = that brother; samprasuptam = sleeping; sambhaaryam = along with his wife; lakshhmaNaH = Lakshmana; kathayaamaasa = narrated; raamasya = Rama's; vividhaam = various; guNaan = virtues; suutaaya = to Sumantra.
Seeing that brother sleeping along with his wife, Lakshmana narrated Rama's various virtues to Sumantra.
jaagrataH hi eva taam raatrim saumitrer uditaH raviH |
suutasya tamasaa tiire raamasya bruvataH guNaan || 2-46-16
16. raviH = The sun; uditaH = rose; soumitre = (while) Lakshmana; bruvataH = was recounting; raamasya = Rama's; guNaaH = excellences; suutasya = to Sumantra; tamasaa tiire = at the bank of Tamasa river;jaagratohyeva = keeping awake; taam raatrim = that (whole) night.
WhileLakshmana was thus recounting Rama's excellences to Sumantra, keeping awake that whole night at the bank of Tamasa river, the sun rose.
go kula aakula tiiraayaaH tamasaayaaH viduurataH |
avasat tatra taam raatrim raamaH prakR^itibhiH saha || 2-46-17
17. viduurataH = At a good distance ; taamasaayaaH = from Tamasa river; gokulaakula tiiraayaH = whose banks were crowded with herds of cows; raamaH = Rama; avasat = inhabited; tatra = there; taam raatrim = that night; prakR^itibhiH saha = with the citizens.
At a good distance from Tamasa river, whose banks were crowded with herds of cows, Rama passed that night there with the citizens.
utthaaya tu mahaa tejaaH prakR^itiis taa nishaamya ca |
abraviid bhraataram raamaH lakShmaNam puNya lakShaNam || 2-46-18
18. saH raamaH = That Rama; mahaateJaaH = with a great splendor; utthaaya cha = got up; nishaamyacha = saw; taaH = those; prakR^itiiH = citizens; abraviit = and spoke; (as follows); bhraataram = to his brother; lakshhmaNam = Lakshmana; puNyalakshhaNam = who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks:
Getting up from the bed and seeing those citizens, Rama with an extraordinary splendor, spoke to his brother, Lakshmana who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks:
asmad vyapekShaan saumitre nirapekShaan gR^iheShv api |
vR^ikSha muuleShu sa.nsuptaan pashya lakShmaNa saampratam || 2-46-19
19. pashya = Look at; lakshhmaNa = Oh; Lakshmana; asmadvyapekshhaan = (the citizens) full of longing for us; nirapekshhaan = unmindful; gR^iheshhvapi = even of their homes; sampratam = now; samsuptaan = sleeping together; vR^ikshha muuleshhu = at the roots of trees; soumitre = Oh; son of Sumitra!"
"Observe, Oh Lakshmana, the citizens full of longing for us, unmindful even of their homes, sleeping together at the roots of trees, Oh, the son of Sumitra!"
yathaa ete niyamam pauraaH kurvanti asman nivartane |
api praaNaan asiShyanti na tu tyakShyanti nishcayam || 2-46-20
20. "yathaa = how; ete pouraaH = these citizens; kurvanti = are making; niyamam = coercion; asminnivartane = to take us back; nyasishhyanti = (they) will lay down; praaNaanapi = even their lives; na tyakshhyanti = but would not give up; nishchayantu = their resolve."
"From the way in which these citizens are making coercion to take us back (to Ayodhya), it seems they will even lay down their lives, but in no case would give up their resolve"
yaavad eva tu sa.nsuptaaH taavad eva vayam laghu |
ratham aaruhya gacchaamaH panthaanam akutaH bhayam || 2-46-21
21. yaavadeva = till which time; samsuptaa = they are asleep; taavadeva = in that time; vayam = we; laghu = quickly; aaruhya = mount; ratham = chariot; gachchaama = and obtain; panthaanam = a route; akutobhayam = which has no fear from any quarter."
"Till which time the citizens are asleep, within that time, let us quickly mount the chariot and take a route which has no fear from any quarter"
ataH bhuuyo api na idaaniim ikShvaaku pura vaasinaH |
svapeyur anuraktaa maam vR^iShka muulaani sa.nshritaaH || 2-46-22
22. ataH = from this; ikshhvaakupura vaasinaH = the citizens of Ayodhya;( the capital of Ikshvaku); anuraktaaH = who are longing; maam = for me; nasvapeyuH = may not sleep; idaaniim = as of now; vR^ikshha muulaani = at the roots of trees; bhuuyo api = again; bhuuyo api = and again."
"From this the citizens of Ayodhya (the ancient capital of Ikshvaku), who are longing for me, may not sleep as of now, at the roots of trees again and again"
pauraa hi aatma kR^itaat duhkhaat vipramocyaa nR^ipa aatmajaiH |
na tu khalv aatmanaa yojyaa duhkhena pura vaasinaH || 2-46-23
23. pouraaH = the residents of city; vipramokshhyaaH hi = should indeed made free; duHkhaat = of their suffering; aatma kR^itaat = brought about by themselves; nR^ipaatmajaiH hi = by the sons of their rulers. puravaasinaH = The citizens; na yojyaaH hi = should not be burdened; duHkhena = with hardship; tu khalu = but indeed; aatmanaa = caused by (princes) themselves.
"The residents of city should indeed be made free of their suffering brought about by (citizens) themselves, by the sons of their rulers. The citizens should on no account be burdened with hardship caused by (princes) them selves as is our case."
abraviil lakShmaNo raamam saakShaat dharmam iva sthitam |
rocate me mahaa praaGYa kShipram aaruhyataam iti || 2-46-24
24. lakshhmaNaH = Lakshmana; abravit = spoke; iti = thus; raamam = to Rama; sthitam = who is standing firm; dharmamiva = like righteousness; saakshhaat = personified : praaG^ya = Oh; wise brother! rochate = It is agreeable; me = to me; tathaa = thus. aaruhyataam = Let (the chariot) be mounted; kshhipram = quickly."
Lakshmana replied as follows to Rama, who is standing firm like righteousness personified: "Oh, wise brother! What you say is agreeable to me. (Pray) ascend the chariot quickly"
atha raamo.abraviicchhriimaan sumantram yujyataam rathaH |
gamishhyaami tato.araNyam gachchha shriighramitaH prabho || 2-46-25
25. atha = Then; shriimaan = the glorious; raamaH = Rama; abraviit = spoke; sumantram = to Sumantra; (as follows);prabho = Oh; capable man! yujyataam = Arrange; rathaH = the chariot; gamishhyaami = I shall proceed; araNyam = to the forest. gachchha = Go; shiighram = quickly; itaH = from here."
Then, the glorious Rama spoke to the charioteer as follows: "Oh, capable man! Keep the chariot ready. I shall proceed to the forest. Let us go quickly from here."
suutaH tataH samtvaritaH syandanam taiH haya uttamaiH |
yojayitvaa atha raamaaya praanjaliH pratyavedayat || 2-46-26
26. tataH = then; saH suutaH = that chariot; tvaritaH = quickly; yojayitvaa = fastened; syandanam = the chariot; taiH hayottamaiH = with those excellent horses; atha = and thereafter; pratyavedayaT = informed; raamaaya = Rama; praaN^jaliH = with joined palms.
Then, Sumantra quickly fastened the chariot to its excellent horses and thereafter submitted with joined palms to Rama (as follows):
ayam yukto mahaabaaho rathaste rathinaam vara |
tvamaarohasva bhadram te sasiitaH sahalakshmaNaH || 2-46-27
27. mahaabaaho = Oh; mighty armed prince! te = Your; ayam rathaH = (this) chariot; yuktaH = is yoked. Rathinaam vara = Oh; jewel among car-warriors! tvam = You; aarohasva = ascend(it); sasiitaH = along with Sita; saha lakshhmaNaH = and with Lakshmana . bhadram = May prosperity be; te = to you."
"Oh, mighty armed prince! Your chariot is kept ready. You ascend it along with Sita and with Lakshmana, Oh jewel among car-warriors! May prosperity attend you"
tam syandanamadhishhThaaya raaghavaH saparichchhadaH |
shiighragaamaakulaavartaam tamasaamatarannadiim || 2-46-28
28. raaghavaaH = Rama; adhishhThaaya = mounted; tam syandanam = the chariot; sa parichchhadaH = with all necessaries for traveling (viz; his bow; armor; quiver; spade; basket and so on); aatarat = (and) crossed; shiighragaam; the swift flowing; tamasaam nadiim = Tamasa river; aakulaavartaam = thickly set with whirl-pools .
Rama mounted the chariot with all necessaries (like bow, armor, quiver, spade, basket, and so on) and crossed the swift flowing Tamasa river, thickly set with whirl- pools.
sa samtiirya mahaabaahuH shriimaan shivamakaNTakam |
praapadyata mahaamaargamabhayam bhayadarshinaam || 2-46-29
29. samtiirya = Having crossed the stream; shriimaan = the glorious; saH = Rama; mahaabaahuH = the mighty armed; praapadyata = reached; mahaa maargam = a great road; akaN^Takam = free from obstacles; abhayam = and safe; bhayadarshinaam = even for those who are apprehensive of danger.
Having duly crossed the stream, the glorious Rama the mighty armed reached a great road free from obstacles and safe even for those who are apprehensive of danger.
mohana artham tu pauraaNaam suutam raamaH abraviid vacaH |
udan mukhaH prayaahi tvam ratham aasthaaya saarathe || 2-46-30
muhuurtam tvaritam gatvaa nirgataya ratham punaH |
yathaa na vidyuH pauraa maam tathaa kuru samaahitaH || 2-46-31
30;31. raamaH = Rama; mohanaartham = in order to elude; pouraaNaam = the citizens; abraviit = spoke; vachaH = words; suutam = to Sumantra : "saarathe = Oh; charioteer! tvam = You; aasthaaya = mount; ratham = the chariot; prayaahi = (and) proceed; udaN^mukhaH = northwards. gatvaa = Go; muhuurtam = for a while ; tvaritam = quickly; nivartaya = and bring back; ratham = the chariot; punaH = again; samaahitaH = Remaining careful; kuru = do(it); yathaa = in such a way; tathaa = that; pouraaH = the citizens; na vidyaH = may not locate me."
In order to elude the citizens, Rama spoke to Sumantra as follows: "Oh, charioteer! You mount the chariot and go northward. Proceed for a while quickly and bring back the chariot again. Remaining careful, do it in such a way that the citizens may not be able to locate me"
Comment:- How can Rama elude the citizens, who came off leaving their homes, showing their immense affection towards him? Love without self-centeredness knows what love is. Then the seemingly untruth is not untruth, the hurt in appearance is not really a hurt and the said deception is not a deception. Rama the knower of love was free to do what was right and whatever he did was righteous.
raamasya vacanam shrutvaa tathaa cakre sa saarathiH |
pratyaagamya ca raamasya syandanam pratyavedayat || 2-46-32
32. shrutvaa = Hearing; raamasya = Rama's; vachanam = advice; saH saarathiH = that charioteer; chakre = made a round; tathaa = as he was told; pratyaagamya = and on returning; pratyavedayat = reported; raamasya = to Rama; syandanam = about the arrival of the chariot.
Hearing Rama's advice, the charioteer made a round of the chariot as he was suggested and on returning, reported to Rama about the arrival of the chariot.
tau samprayuktam tu ratham samaasitthau |
tadaa sasiitau raghava.nshavardhanau |
prachodayaamaasa tatasturamgamaan |
sa saarathiryena pathaa tapovanam || 2-46-33
33. tadaa = then; raghuvamsha vardhanou = Rama and Lakshmana; the promoters of the race of Raghu; sa siitou = along with Sita; samaasthitou = ascended; ratham = the chariot; samprayuktam = yoked together. TataH = thereafter; saa saarathiH = that charioteer; prachodayaamaasa = drove forward; turangamaan = the horses; pathaa = along the route; yena = by which; tapovanam = they can reach a grove suited to the practice of austerities.
Then, Rama and Lakshmana(the promoters of the race of Raghu) along with Sita ascended the chariot yoked together. The charioteer urged the horses along the route by which they can reach a grove suited to the practice of austerities.
tataH samaasthaaya ratham mahaarathaH
sasaarathirdhaasharathirvanam yayau |
udaN^mukham tam tu ratham chakaara sa |
prayaaNamaaN^gashyanivitadarshanaat || 2-46-34
34. tataH = Thereafter; saH = That Sumantra; chakaara = placed; tam ratham = that chariot; udaN^mukham = facing the north; prayaaNa maaN^galya nimitta darshanaat = for he saw omens auspicious for journey (in that quarter). DasharathiH = Rama (son of Dasaratha); mahaarathaH = the mighty car-warrior; sa saarathiH; along with the charioteer; aasthaaya = mounted; ratham = the chariot; yayou = and proceeded; vanam = to the forest.
However, Sumantra placed that chariot by facing it to the north, for he saw omens auspicious for journey (in that quarter). Rama (son of Dasaratha) the mighty car-warrior, along with the charioteer mounted the chariot and proceeded to the forest.
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iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye ayodhya kaaNDe shhTchatvaari.nshaH sargaH
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© Sept 2002, K. M. K. Murthy