Preceded by Dasaratha's wives and others, Vasishta advances to the hermitage of Rama. Kausalya, on the way, shows to her co-wives the balls of Ingudi fruit-pulp offered to the spirits of Dasaratha by Rama on blades of Dabha grass, the raised spikes of which pointed towards the south; along the bank of Mandakini River. Kausalya was stricken with anguish for her deceased husband. Reaching the hermitage, both Rama and Lakshmana hold the feet of the Queens in salutation. Kausalya feels sad at the fate of Seetha in the forest, when the latter touches her feet. Rama holds the feet of his preceptor and takes his seat. Accompanied by his ministers, Bharata also sits nearby.
vasiṣṭhaḥ purataḥ kṛtvā dārān daśarathasya ca |
abhicakrāma taṃ deśaṃ rāmadarśanatarṣitaḥ || 2-104-1
1. raamadarshana tarSitaH = eagerly desirous of seeing Rama; vasiSThaH = Vasishta; abhichakraama = walked over; tam desham = to that place; kR^itvaa = protecting; dasharathasya = Dasaratha's; daarvaan = wives; purataH = in front.
Eager to see Rama again, Vasishta approached that place, preceded by Dasaratha's wives.
rājapatnyaśca gacchantyo mandaṃ mandākinīm prati |
dadṛśustatra tattīrthaṃ rāmalakṣmaṇasevitam || 2-104-2
2. raaja patnyashcha = the king's wives; gachchharityaH = while moving; mandam = slowly; mandaakiniim prati = towards River mandakini; dadR^ishuH = saw; tat tiirtham = that ford; tatra = there; raama lakSmaNa sevitam = being frequented by Rama and Lakshmana.
The king's wives, while moving slowly towards River Mandakini, saw the ford there, being frequented by Rama and Lakshmana.
kausalyā bāṣpapūrṇena mukhena pariśuṣyatā |
sumitrāmabravīddīnā yāścānyā rājayoṣitaḥ || 2-104-3
3. mukhena = with a face; parishuSyataa = emaciated; diinaa = sad; baaSpa puurNena = and filled with tears; kausalyaa = Kausalya; abraviit = spoke; sumitraam = to Sumitra; yaaH = and whoever; anyaaH = other; raajayoSitaH = royal women (were there).
With a gloomy and emaciated face, filled with tears, Kausalya spoke to Sumitra and other royal women (as follows):
idam teṣāmanāthānām kliṣṭamakliṣṭakarmaṇām |
vane prākkalanamtīrtham ye te nirviṣayīkṛtāḥ || 2-104-4
4. idam = this; tiirtham = is the ford; praakkaalanam = located in the eastern quarter; vane = in the forest; ye te = (frequented) by them; nirviSayii kR^itaaH = banished from the kingdom; teSaam = those; kliSTam = unfortunate persons; akliSTa karmaNaam = of illustrious exploits; anaathaanaam = who have no country.
"This is the ford, located in the eastern region of the forest, frequented by Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana, banished from the kingdom; those unfortunate persons of illustrious exploits who have no country."
itassumitre putraste sadā jalamatandritaḥ |
svayaṃ harati saumitrirmama putrasya kāraṇāt || 2-104-5
5. sumitre = O; Sumitra!; saumitriH = Lakshman; te putraH = your son; harati = draws; jalam = water; svayam = himself; sadaa = forever; atandritaH = unwearyingly; itaH = from here; kaaraNaat = for the sake; mama putrasya = of my son.
"O, Sumitra! Lakshmana, your son always draws water himself from here unwearyingly for the sake of my son."
jaghanyamapi te putraḥ kṛtavānna tu garhitaḥ |
bhrāturyadarthasahitaṃ sarvaṃ tadvihitam guṇaiḥ || 2-104-6
6. kR^itavaan api = though a doer; jaghanyam = of an inferior act; te putraH = your son; na = is not; garhitaH tu = to be censured; yat = that which; arhthasahitam = is useful; bhraatuH = to his brother; tat sarvam = all that; vishitam = is enjoined; guNaih = with virtues.
"Through engaged in an inferior act (of carrying water), your son is not to be censured because all that service rendered to his brother is enjoined with virtues."
adyāyamapi te putraḥ kleśānāmatathocitaḥ |
nīcānarthasamācāraṃ sajjaṃ karma pramuñcatu || 2-104-7
7. ayam = this; te putraH api = your son too; atathochitaH = who is not deserved of such; kleshaanaam = pains; adya = now; pramuNchatu = will indeed be relieved; sajjam = of this laborious; karma = act; niichaanarthasamaachaaram = which is mean and wretched.
"Your son too, who is not accustomed to such pains, will indeed be relived now of this mean, wretched and laborious task."
dakṣiṇāgreṣu darbheṣu sā dadarśa mahītale |
pituriṅgudipiṇyākam vyastamāyatalocanā || 2-104-8
8. aayata lochanaaH = the large-eyed; saa kausalya; dadarsha = observed; iNgudi piNyaakam = a ball make of Indugi pulp; nyastam = which was placed (by Rama); pituH = (in honour of his) father; mahiitale = on the ground; darbheSu = on a heap of Darbha grass; dakSiNaagreSu = the raised spiked of which pointed towards the south.
The large-eyed Kausalya observed a ball made of Ingudi pulp, which was placed by Rama in honour of his father on the ground, on aheap of Darbha grass, the raised spikes of which pointed towards the south.
taṃ bhūmau piturārtena nyastaṃ rāmeṇa vīkṣyasā |
uvāca devīi kausalyā sarvā daśarathastriyaḥ || 2-104-9
9. viikSya = seeing; tam = that ball; nyastam = placed; bhuumau = on the gorund; aartena raameNa = by the unfortunate Rama; pituH = for his father; saa kausalyaa = that Kausalya; devii = the Queen; uvaacha = spoke; sarvaaH = to all; dasharatha striyaH = the wives of Dasaratha (as follows):
Seeing that ball of food placed on the ground by the unfortunate Rama for his father, the Queen Kausalya spoke to all those wives of Dasaratha (as follows):
idamikṣvākunāthasya rāghavasya mahāatmanaḥ |
rāghaveṇa piturdattam paśyatai tadyathāvidhi || 2-104-10
10. pashyata = see; idam = this ball of food; dattam = offered; yathaavidhi = as per tradition; raaghaveNa = by Rama; raaghavasya = for Dasaratha; ikSvaaku naathesya = the Lord of Ikshvaku race; mahaatmanaH = high-souled; pituH = father.
"See this ball of food offered traditionally by Rama in honour of his father, the high-souled Dasaratha the Lord of Ikshvaku race."
tasya devasamānasya pārthivasya mahātmanaḥ |
naitadaupayikam manye bhuktabhogasya bhojanam || 2-104-11
11. na manye = I do not consider; etat = this; bhojanam = food; oupayikam = as befitting; tasya paarthivasya = for that king; deva samaan asya = like unto a God; bhukta bhogasya = who lived amidst every pleasure; mahaatmanaH = and a great souled.
"I do not consider this offering as befitting for that great-souled king, who was like unto a God and who lived amidst every pleasure."
caturntām mahīm bhuktvā mahendrasadṛśo vibhuḥ |
kathamiṅgudipiṇyākam sa bhuṅtke vasudhādipaḥ || 2-104-12
12. katham = how; saH vasudhaadhipaH = can that Lord of the earth; mahendra sadR^ishaH = resembling the Lord of celestials; vibhuH = and the mighty man; bhuktvaa = having enjoyed; mahiim = the earth; chaturantaam = with four ends; bhuN^kte = eat; iN^gudipiNyaakaM = a cake of Ingudi pulp?
"How can that Lord of the earth, Dasartha, equal to the Lord of celestials and a mighty man, having enjoyed the earth with its four quarters, the boundaries of which are the oceans, eat a cake of Ingudi pulp?"
ato duḥkhataram loke na kiṃñcitpratibhāti mā |
yatra rāmaḥ piturdadyādiṅgudikṣodamṛddhimān || 2-104-13
13. maa na pratipaati = I do not consider; kiJNchit = anything; duHkhataram = more painful; loke = on eart; ataH = then; yatra = when; raamaH = Rama; R^iddhimaan = the man of fortuen; dadyaat = offered; putuH = to his father; iN^gudi kSodam = a cake of Ingudi pulp.
"I do not consider any thing painful to me on earth than when Rama the man of fortune offering a cake of Ingudi pulp to his father."
rāmeṇeṅgudipiṇyākaṃ pitturdattaṃ samīkṣya me |
kathaṃ duḥkhena hṛdayam na spoṭati sahasradhā || 2-104-14
14. samiikSya = seeing; dattam = this offering; iN^gudipiNyaakam = a cake of Ingudi pulp; raameNa = by Rama; pituH = to his father; katham = why; me hR^idayam na sphoTati = does my heart not break; sahasradhaa = into a thousand pieces; duhkhena = with anguish?
"Seeing this offering, a cake of Ingudi pulp, of Rama to his father, why does my heart not break into a thousand pieces with anguish?"
śrutistu khalviyaṃ satya laukikī pratibhāti mā |
yadannaḥ puruṣo bhavati tadannāstasya devatāḥ || 2-104-15
15. pratibhaati khalu = It indeed occurs; maa = to me; iyam = (that) this; shrutistu = saying; laukikii = among men; yadannaH = that the food; (eaten by); puruSaH = man; bhavati = becomes; tadannaaH = the same food; (eaten by); tasya = his; devataaH = Gods; satyaa = is true.
"It indeed occurs to me that the saying among men that the food eaten by man is also consumed by his Gods is true."
evamārtāṃ sapatnyastā jagmurāśvāsya tāṃ tadā |
dadṛśuścaśrame rāmaṃ svargacyutamivāmaram || 2-104-16
16. aashvaasya = consoling; taam = Kausalya; evam = thus; aartaam = afflicted with grief; taaH sapatnyaH = Kausalya's companions; tadaa = then; jagmuH = proceeded; dadR^ishushcha = and saw; raamam = Rama; aashrame = in the hermitage; amaramiva = who resembled an Immortal; svargachyutam = driven out of Paradise.
Consoling Kausalya thus afflicted by grief, Kausalya's companions then proceeded further and saw Rama in his hermitage, who resembled an Immortal driven out of Paradise.
sarvabhogaiḥ parityaktaṃ rāmaṃ samprekṣya mātaraḥ |
ārta mumucuraśruṇi sasvaraṃ śokakarśatāḥ || 2-104-17
17. samprekSya = Beholding; raamam = Rama; parityaktam = bereft; sarva bhogaiH = of all enjoyments; maataraH = his mothers; shokakarshitaaH = agnised with grief; aartaaH = and in deep distress; mumuchuH = emitted; ashruuNi = tears; sasvaram = with cries.
Beholding Rama bereft of all enjoyments, his mothers agonized as they were with grief, emitted cries and allowed tears to flow.
tāsāṃ rāmaḥ samutthāya jagraha caraṇān śubhān |
mātṛiṇāṃ manujavyāghraḥ sarvāsāṃ satyasaṃgaraḥ || 2-104-18
18. raamaH = Rama; manujavyaaghraH = the tiger among men; satya sangaraH = true to his promise; samutthaaya = raised up; jagraaha = and took hold; shubhaan charaNaan = of the auspicious feet; sarvaa saam = of all; taasaam maatR^iiNaam = those mothers.
Rama, the tiger among men, true to his promise raised up and took hold of the auspicious feet of all his mothers.
tāh pāṇibhiḥ sukhassarśaidvaṅgulitalaiśśubhaiḥ |
pramamārjū rajaḥ pṛṣṭhādrāmasyāyatalocanāḥ || 2-104-19
19. taaH = those; aayata lochanaaH = large-eyed Queens; sukha sparashaiH = by means of their pleasant = touching; mR^idvaN^gulitalaiH = and soft fingers and palms; shubhaiH = and charming; paaNibhiH = hands; pramamaarjuH = wiped; rajaH = the dust; raamasya = from Rama's pR^iSThaat = back.
Those large-eyed Queens, by means of their pleasantly touching soft fingers and palms as well as charming hands, wiped the dust from Rama's back.
saumitrirapi tāḥ sarvā mātṛīḥ samprekṣya duḥkhitaḥ |
ābhyāvādayadāsaktaṃ śanairāmādanantaram || 2-104-20
20. samprekSya = seeing; sarvaaH = all; taah maatR^iiH = those mothers; saumitrirapi = lakSmana too; duHkhitaH = being sorrowful; shanaiH = slowly; abhyavaadayat = paid obeisance; aasaktam = devotedly; raamaat anantaram = immediately offer Rama.
Seeing all those mothers, the wailing Lakshmana too slowly paid obeisance devotedly to them all by bowing to each in turn, immediately after Rama.
yathā rāme tathā tasmin sarvā vavṛtire striyaḥ |
vṛttim daśarathājjāte lakṣmaṇe śubhalakṣaṇe || 2-104-21
21. sarvaaH = all; striyaH = Dasaratha's wives; tasmin lakSmaNe = in the case of Lakshmana; jaate = born; dasharathaat = of Dasaratha; shubha lakSaNe = and exceedingly handsome; vavR^itire = showed; vR^ittim = affection; tathaa = in the same way; raame yathaa = as towards Rama.
All Dasaratha's wives manifested the same affection towards Lakshmana, who was born of Dasaratha and exceedingly handsome, as they did to Rama.
sītāpi caraṇāṃstasāmupasamgṛhya duḥ khitā |
śvaśrūṇāmaśrupūrṇākṣi sā babhūvāgrataḥ sthitā || 2-104-22
22. saa siitaapi = even that Seetha; duHkhitaa = with distress; upasamgR^ihya = took hold charaNaan = of the feet; shvashruuNaam = of her mothers-in-law; babhuuva = and became; sthitaa = standing; agrataH = in their front; ashrupuurNaakSii = with her eyes filled with tears.
Then, the grief-stricken Seetha, her eyes filed with tears, also touched the feet of her mothers-in-laws and stood before them.
tāṃ pariṣvajya duḥkhārtāṃ mātā duhitaram yathā |
vanavāsakṛśāṃ dīnāṃ kausalyā vākyamabravīt || 2-104-23
23. maataayathaa = as a mother; duhitaram = as her daughter; pariSvajya = embracing; taam = that Seetha; duHkhaartaam = who was afflicted with grief; vana vaasakR^ishaam = emaciated because of her stay in the forest; diinaam = and miserable; kausalyaa = Kausalya; abraviit = spoke; vaakyam = (the following) words:
Kausalya embraced the miserable Seetha as a mother her daughter, she who was emaciated because of her stay in the forest and afflicted with grief, and spoke the following words:
videharājasya sutā snuṣā daśarathasya ca |
rāmapatnī kathaṃ duḥkhaṃ samprāptā nirjane vane || 2-104-24
24. katham = how; raamapatnii = Seetha; Rama's wife; sutaa = the daughter; videharaajasya = of king Janaka; snuSaa = and the duaghter-in law; dasharathasya = of Dasaratha; sampraapto = has met with; duHkham = this plight; nirjane vane = in the desolate forest?
"How has the daughter of King Janaka, the daughter-in-law of King Dasaratha and Rama's wife, fallen into such a wretched plight that she is living in a desolate forest?"
padmamātapasantaptaṃ parikliṣṭamivotpalam |
kāñcanaṃ rajasā dhvastam ksliṣṭaṃ candramivāmbudaiḥ || 2-104-25
mukham te prekṣya mām śoko dahatyagnirivāśrayam |
bhṛśam manasi vaidehi vyasanāraṇisambhavaḥ || 2-104-26
25; 26. vaidehi = O; Seetha!; prekSya = seeing; te mukham = your face; padmam iva = like lotus; aatapasantaptam = withered with heat parikliSTam = or a faded; utalamiva = water-lily; kaaNchanam = or like gold; dhvastam = defiled; rajasaa = with dust; chandram iva = or a moon; kliSTam = hidden; ambudaiH = by the clouds; agniH = the fire; shokaH = of grief; vyasanaaraNisambhavaH iva = produced like by the fire wood of adversity; aashrayam maam manasi = and existing in my mind; ddahati = burns (me); bhR^isham = severely.
"O, Seetha! Seeing your face, like a lotus withered with heart or a faded lily or gold defiled with dust or a moon hidden by the clouds, the fire of grief produced by the firewood of adversity and existing in my mind burns me severely."
bruvantyamevamārtāyāṃ jananyāṃ bharatāgrajaḥ |
pādāvāsādya jagrāha vasiṣṭasya ca rāghavaḥ || 2-104-27
27. aartaayaam = (While) the afflicted; jananyaam = mother; bruvantyaam = was speaking; evam = thus; raaghavaH = Rama; bharataagrajaH = the elder brother of Bharata; aasaadya = approached; jagraaha = and took hold; paadau = of his feet; vasiSThasya = of Vasishta.
While the sorrowful mother was speaking thus, Rama the elder brother of Bharata approached Vasishta and took hold of his feet in salutation.
purohitasyagni samasya vai tadā |
bṛhaspaterindramivāmarādhipaḥ |
pragṛhya pādau susamṛddhatejasaḥ |
sahaiva tenopaniveśa rāghavaḥ || 2-104-28
28. tadaa = then; raaghavaH = Rama; pragR^ihya = holding; paadau = the feet; purohitasya = of that priest; agnisamasya vai = who was truly resembling a fire; susamR^iddha tejasaH = and possessed of very great splendour; indraH iva = even as Indra; amaraadhipaH = the Lord of celestials; (would clasp the feet); bR^ihaspate = of Brihaspati; upavivesha = sat down; tena sahaiva = by his side.
Then, Rama holding the feet of that priest, who was equal of Agni the fire and endowed with very great splendour, even as Indra the Lord of celestials would clasp the feet of Brihaspati, sat down by his side.
tato jaghanyaṃ sahitaiḥ samantribhiḥ |
purapradhānaiśca sahaiva sainikaiḥ |
janena dharmajñatamena dharmavā |
nupopaviṣṭo bharatastadāgrajam || 2-104-29
29. tadaa = then; tataH jaghanyam = after they sat; saH bharataH = that Bharata; dharmavaan = the pious man; sahitaiH = along with; mantribhiH = his counsellors; pura pradhanai shcha = the leading citizens; sainikaissahaiva = with warriors; dharmajJNa ta mana = and virtuous janena = people; upopaviSTaH = approached and sat near; agrajam = his elder brother.
Then, after Rama and Vasishta sat, Bharata the pious man along with his counsellors, the leading citizens, warriors and virtuous people seated himself at a lowel level at a proximity to Rama.
upopaviṣṭastu tadā sa vīryavāṃ |
stapasviveṣeṇa samīkṣya rāghavam |
śriyā jvalantaṃ bharataḥ kṛtāñjali |
ryathā mahendraḥ prayataḥ prajāpatim || 2-104-30
30. samiikSya = seeing; raaghavam = Rama; tapasviveSeNa = in the garb of an ascetic; jvalantam = radiant; shriyaa = in majesty; viiryavaan = the extremely powerful; saH bharataH = Bharata; kR^itaaNjaliH = paying obeisance to him with joined palms; tadaa = then; upopaviSTaH tu = took his place in his presence; prayataH mahendraH yathaa = as the devoted Indra the Lord of celestials; prajaapatim = before Brahma the Lord of creation.
Seeing Rama in the garb of an ascetic, radiant in majesty, the extremely powerful Bharata, paying obeisance to him with joined palms, then took his place in his presence, as the devoted Indra the Lord of celestials sits before Brahma the Lord of creation.
kimeṣa vākyam bharato.dya rāghavaṃ |
praṇamya stkṛtya ca sādhu vakṣyati |
itīva tasyāryajanasya tattvato |
babhūva kautūhalamuttamam tadā || 2-104-31
31. uttamam = a highest; kantuhalam = curiasity; babhuva = arose; tadaa = then; tattvataH = in the minds; tasya = of those; aaryajanasya = worthy men; itiiva kim saadhu vaakyan = as to what good words; eSaH = this; bharataH = Bharata; adya = at this moment; vakSyati = would utter; (while addressing); raaghavam = Rama; praNamya = having offered salutation; satkR^itya cha = and paid homage (to him).
A highest curiosity arose in the minds of those worthy men (assembled there) as to what persuasive words Bharata at that moment would utter, while addressing Rama, having offered salutation and homage to him.
sa rāghavaḥ satyadhṛtiśca lakṣmaṇo |
mahānubhāvo bharataśca dhārmikaḥ |
vṛtāḥ suhṛdbhiśca virejuradhvare |
yathā sadsyaḥ sahitāstrayo.agnayaḥ || 2-104-32
32. saH raaghavashcha = that Rama; satya dhR^itiH = possessed of truth and forbearance; lakSmaNaH = with Lakshmana; mahaanubhaavaH = who was endowed with magnanimity; dhaarmikaH = and the pious; bharatashcha = Bharata; vR^itaaH = surrounded; suhR^idbhiH = by his companions; virejuH = were as resplendent; trayaH = agnayaH yathaa = as the three sacrificial fires; (known by the names of Garhapatya; Ahavaniya and Dakshina); sahitaaH = accompanied by; adhvare sadasyaiH = the superintending priests.
That Rama endowed with truth and forbearance with Lakshmana who was bestowed with magnanimity and the pious Bharata, surrounded by his companions, were as resplendent as the three sacrificial Fires (known by the names of Garhapatya, Ahavamiya and Dakshina), accompanied by the superintending priests.
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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe caturuttaraśatatamaḥ sargaḥ
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© May 2005, K. M. K. Murthy