Leaving Ayodhya early next morning, accompanied by family-priests, ministers, archers, elephants, cavalry, artisans, army and citizens and covering a long distance, Bharata arrives at the bank of Ganga River at Sringaberapura ruled by guha and, encamping the army there, breaks journey for offering libations to his deceased father on the bank of the Ganaga and also to give rest to the retinue.
tataḥ samutthitaḥ kālyam āsthāya syandana uttamam |
prayayau bharataḥ śīghram rāma darśana kānkṣayā || 2-83-1
1. tataH = thereafter; bharataH = Bharata; samutthitaH = rose up; kaalayam = at day-break; aasthaaya = mounted; syandanottamam = on an excellent chariot; prayayau = and procedded; shiighra = quickly; raamadarshanakaaNkshayaa = with a desire to see Rama.
Bharata rose up at day-break, mounted on excellent chariot and went quickly with a desire to see Rama.
agrataḥ prayayus tasya sarve mantri purodhasaḥ |
adhiruhya hayaiḥ yuktān rathān sūrya ratha upamān || 2-83-2
2. sarve = all; mantra purodhasaH = the ministers and priests; adhiruuhya = ascended; rathaan = chariots; yuktaam = yoked; hayaiH = with horses; suurya rathopamaan = resembling those of the sun; prayayuH = and went; agrataH = ahead; tasya = of him.
All the ministers and priests ascended, chariots yoked with horses, resembling those of the sun, and went ahead of Bharata.
nava nāga sahasrāṇi kalpitāni yathā vidhi |
anvayur bharatam yāntam ikṣvāku kula nandanam || 2-83-3
3. nava naagasraaNi = nine thousand elephants; kalpitaani = well-arranged; yathaavidhi = suitably; anvayuH = accompanied; yaantam = the moving; bharatam = Bharata; ikshvaaku kulanandanam = the joy of Ikshvaku dynasty.
Nine thousand elephants suitably duly arranged escorted Bharata the joy of the Ikshvaku dynasty, on his journey.
ṣaṣṭhī ratha sahasrāṇi dhanvino vividha āyudhāḥ |
anvayur bharatam yāntam rāja putram yaśasvinam || 2-83-4
4. SaSTiH = sixty; ratha sahasraaNi = thousand chariots; dhanvinaH = men wielding bows; vividhaayudhaaH = and various kinds of weapon; anvayuH = followed; yashasvinam = the illustrious; raajaputram = prince; bharatam = Bharata; yaantam = on his journey.
Sixty thousand chariots filled with archers, furnished with weapons of various kinds, followed the illustrious prince Bharata.
śatam sahasrāṇi aśvānām samārūḍhāni rāghavam |
anvayur bharatam yāntam rāja putram yaśasvinam || 2-83-5
5. shatam = a hundred; sahasraaNi = thousad; ashvaanaam samaaruuDhaani = cavalry; anvayuH = accompanied; yaantam = the moving; bharatam = Bharata; raaghavam = born in Raghu dynasty; satyasandham = who was true to his promise; jitendriyam- and who subdued his senses.
A hundred thousand cavalry accompanied the moving Bharata, born in Raghu dynasty, who was true to his promise and who subdued his senses.
kaikeyī ca sumitrā ca kausalyā ca yaśasvinī |
rāma ānayana samhṛṣṭā yayur yānena bhāsvatā || 2-83-6
6. kaikeyii cha = Kaikeyi; sumitraacha = Sumitra; yashashvinii = and the illustrious; kausalyaacha = Kausalya; yayuH = rode; bhaasvataa yaanena = in a resplendent chariot; ramaanayana samhR^iSTaaH = delighted as they were at the thought of the return of Rama.
Kaikeyi, Sumitra and the illustrious Kausalya rode in a resplendent chariot, delighted as they were at the thought of Rama's return.
prayātāḥ ca ārya samghātā rāmam draṣṭum salakṣmaṇam |
tasya eva ca kathāḥ citrāḥ kurvāṇā hṛṣṭa mānasāḥ || 2-83-7
7. aarya samghaataashcha = the whole body of noble men; hR^iSTamaanasaaH = with jubiliant hearts; kurvaaNaaH = narrating; chitraaH = marvelous; kathaaH = stories; tasyaiva = of Rama himself; prayaataaH = wnt; draSTum = to behold; raamam = Rama; salakshamaNaH = along with Lakshmana.
The whole body of noble men with their jubiliant hearts followed Bharata to see Rama again as also Lakshmana, recounting the marvelous exploits of that hero to each other saying:
megha śyāmam mahā bāhum sthira sattvam dṛḍha vratam |
kadā drakṣyāmahe rāmam jagataḥ śoka nāśanam || 2-83-8
8. kadaa = when; drakSyaamahe = shall we see; mahaabaahum = the mighty armed prince; maghashyaamam = of the hue of a dark cloud; sthira sattvam = whose courage is unshakable; dR^iDhavratam = of inflexible purpose; raamam = Rama; shokanaashanam = who banished sorrow; jagataH = from the earth?
"When shall we see the mighty armed prince, of the hue of dark cloud, whose courage is unshakable, of inflexible purpose Rama, who banished sorrow from the earth?"
dṛṣṭaeva hi naḥ śokam apaneṣyati rāghavaḥ |
tamaḥ sarvasya lokasya samudyann iva bhāskaraḥ || 2-83-9
9. raaghavaH = (As soon as) Rama; dR^iSTa eva = is seen; apaneSyatihi = he will indeed remove; naH = our; shokam = sorrow; tamaH iva = like darkness; sarvasya = of the entire; lokasya = world (is removed); samudyan = at the rising; bhaaskaraH = sun.
"Beholding Rama, our entire sorrow will indeed be dispelled, as darkness of the entire earth is dispelled at the rising of the sun."
iti evam kathayantaḥ te samprahṛṣṭāḥ kathāḥ śubhāḥ |
pariṣvajānāḥ ca anyonyam yayur nāgarikāḥ tadā || 2-83-10
10. te = those; naagarikaaH janaaH = citizens; kathayantaH = recounting; shubhaaH = the auspicious; kathaaH = stories; ityevam = as aforesaid; pariSvajaanaashcha = embracing; anyonyam = each other; samprahR^iSTaaH = joyfully; yayuH = went along.
Thus did the citizens of Ayodhya recount happily of Rama's glorious deeds, and they embraced each other as they went along.
ye ca tatra apare sarve sammatā ye ca naigamāḥ |
rāmam prati yayur hṛṣṭāḥ sarvāḥ prakṛtayaḥ tadā || 2-83-11
11. ye = which; apare = others; sammataaH = who were held in high esteem; tatra = there; ye = which; naigamaaH = merchants; tathaa = and; sarvaaH = all; prakR^itayaH = common people; yayuH = proceeded; hR^iSTaaH = merrily; raamam = to join Rama.
Those others who were held in high esteem, merchants and all common people proceeded merrily to join Rama.
maṇi kārāḥ ca ye kecit kumbha kārāḥ ca śobhanāḥ |
sūtra karma kṛtaḥ caiva ye ca śastra upajīvinaḥ || 2-83-12
māyūrakāḥ krākacikā rocakā vedhakāḥ tathā |
danta kārāḥ sudhā kārāḥ tathā gandha upajīvinaḥ || 2-83-13
suvarṇa kārāḥ prakhyātāḥ tathā kambala dhāvakāḥ |
snāpaka āccādakā vaidyā dhūpakāḥ śauṇḍikāḥ tathā || 2-83-14
rajakāḥ tunna vāyāḥ ca grāma ghoṣa mahattarāḥ |
śailūṣāḥ ca saha strībhir yānti kaivartakāḥ tathā || 2-83-15
12; 13; 14; 15. ye = which; kechit = some; maNikaaraaH = lapidaries; shobhanaaH = good; kumbhakaaraashcha = potters; ye = which; shastropajiivanaH = those who lived by manufacture of arms; suutrakarma kR^itashchaiva = carpenters; maayuurakaaH = those who made various articles from peacock-feathers; kraakachikaaH = sawyers; rochakaaH = workers in artificial ornaments; vedhakaaH = those who pierced gems; pearls etc; tathaa = and dantakaaraaH = those who made articles of ivory; sudhaakaraaH = those who prepared lime; tathaa = and; gandhopajiivanaH = those who lived by perfumery; prakhyaataaH = highly reputed; suvarnakaaraaH = goldsmiths; tathaa = and; kambaladhaavakaaH = weavers of blankets and other wollen goods; snaapakoSNodakaaH = those who provided hot water baths for others; vaidyaaH = physicians; shauN^DikaaH = distillers and venders of spirituous liquors; dhuupakaaH = fumigaters; rajakaaH = washer-men; tunnavaayaashcha = tailors; graamaghoSamahattaraaH = chiefs of villages and hamlets; shailuuSaaH = dancers; striibhiH saha = with their women-folk; tathaa = and; kaivartakaaH = fisher men; yayuH = started on the journey.
Some lapidaries, skilled potters, those who lived by manufacture of arms, carpenters, those who made various articles from peacock-feather, sawyers, workers in artificial ornaments, those who pierced gems, pearls etc, those who made articles of ivory, those who lived by perfumery, highly reputed goldsmiths, weavers of blankets and other wollen goods, those who provided hot-water baths for other, physicians, distillers and vendors of spirituous liquors, fumigators, washer-men, tailors, chiefs of villages and hamlets, dancers with their women-folk and fishermen started on the journey.
samāhitā vedavido brāhmaṇā vṛtta sammatāḥ |
go rathaiḥ bharatam yāntam anujagmuḥ sahasraśaḥ || 2-83-16
16. sahasrashaH = thousands; braahmaNaaH = of Brahmanas; samaahitaaH = well-composed; vR^itta sammataaH = renowned for their virtuous conduct; veda vidaH = versed in sacred scriptures; yaantam = riding; gorathaiH = on bullock-carts; anujagmuH = accompanied; bharatam = Bharata.
Thousands of Brahmanas, well-composed, renowned for their virtuous conduct, versed in sacred scriptures and riding on bullock-carts, accompanied Bharata.
suveṣāḥ śuddha vasanāḥ tāmra mṛṣṭa anulepanāḥ |
sarve te vividhaiḥ yānaiḥ śanaiḥ bharatam anvayuḥ || 2-83-17
17. te sarve = all of them; suveSaaH = attired in; shuddhavasanaaH = clean and fair raiment; taamra mR^iSTaanulepanaaH = anointed with pure red sandal-paste; vividhaiH = mounted on various kinds; yaanaiH = of vehicles; anvayuH = allowed; bharatam = Bharata; shanaiH = trangquilly.
All of them, attired in clean and fair raiment, anointed with pure red sandal-paste, mounted on various kinds of vehicles, followed Bharata tranquilly.
prahṛṣṭa muditā senā sānvayāt kaikayī sutam |
bhrāturānayane yāntam bharatam bhrātṛvatsalam || 2-83-18
18. prahR^iSTamuditaaH = exceedingly pleased and cheerful; saa senaa = that army; anvayaat = escorted; kaikeyiisutam = the son of Kaikeyi (Bharata); bhraatR^ivatsalam = who had affection for his brother; yaantam = who had set out; saanvayaat = along with hs family; aanayane = to bring; bhraatuH = his brother.
Exceedingly pleased and cheerful, that army escorted the son of Kaikeyi- Bharta who was affectionate towards his brother and who had set out along with his family to bring his brother, Rama.
te gatvā dūramadhvānam ratham yānāśvakuñjaraiḥ |
samāsedustato gaṅgām śṛṅgiberapuram prati || 2-83-19
yatra rāmasakho vīro guho jñātigaṇairvṛtaḥ |
nivasatyapramādena deśam tam paripālayan || 2-83-20
19; 20. te = they; gatvaa = having gone; duuram = a long; adhraanam = course; ratha yaanaashva = kuN^jaraiH = on chariots; carts; horses and elephants; samaaseduH = reached; gaNgaam = the River Ganga; shR^iN^giberapuram prati = close to the city of Shrigaberapura; yatra = where; viiraH = the valiant; guhaH = Guha; raamasakhaH = a bosom friend of Rama; vR^itaH = along with; j^NaatigaNaiH = multitude of his relatives; paripaalayan = was ruling; tam = that; desham = region; apramaadena = carefully.
Having gone for a considerable distance in their chariots, carts, horses and elephants, they reached the River Ganga close to the city of Shringaberapura, where the valiant Guha, a bosom friend of Rama along with multitude of relatives was ruling that region carefully.
upetya tīram gaṅgāyāścakramākairalaṅkatam |
vyavatiṣṭhata sā senā bharatasya anuyāyinī || 2-83-21
21. saa senaa = that army; bharasya = anuyaayinii = which was accompanying Bharata; upetya = arrived at; tiiram = the bank; gaN^gaayaaH = of Ganga River; alaN^kR^itam = beautified; chakravaakaiH = with charka birds; vyavaatiSThata = and was stationed there.
That army, which was accompanying Bharata, arrived at the bank of Ganga River, looking beautiful as it was with Charka* birds and stopped there.
Chakra bird: zoological name= Anas casarca.
nirīkṣya anugatām senām tām ca gangām śiva udakām |
bharataḥ sacivān sarvān abravīd vākya kovidaḥ || 2-83-22
22. niriikshya = seeing; senaam = the army; anugataam = which accompanied him; taam gaN^gaam cha = and that River Ganga; shivodakaam = with propitious waters; bharataH = Bharata; vaakya kovidaH = the master of words; abraviit = spoke; sarvam = to all; sachivaan = the ministers (as follows):
Seeing the army behind, which accompanied him and the River Ganga in front with its propitious waters, Bharata who was skillful in words, spoke to all his officers (as follows):
niveśayata me sainyam abhiprāyeṇa sarvaśaḥ |
viśrāntaḥ pratariṣyāmaḥ śvaidānīm mahā nadīm || 2-83-23
23. abhi praayeNa = It is my will; me sainyam = that my army; niveshayata = should take rest; sarvataH = by all means; vishraantaaH = after taking rest; idaamim = now; pratariSyaamaH = we shall cross; nadiim = the river; shvaH = tomorrow.
"It is my will that my army should take rest by all means. When they are refreshed we shall cross the river tomorrow."
dātum ca tāvad iccāmi svar gatasya mahī pateḥ |
aurdhvadeha nimitta artham avatīrya udakam nadīm || 2-83-24
24. avatiirya = descending into; nadiim = the river; ichchhami = I wish; datum cha = to make offering; udakam = of sacred water; ourdhvadehanimittaartham = for the infinitive spirit relating to the state after death; mahiipateH = of the king; svargatasya = who has gone to heaven.
"Meanwhile, descending into the river, I desire to make offering of the sacred water as libation for the infinite spirit relating to the state after death, to the king Dasaratha who has gone to heaven."
tasya evam bruvataḥ amātyāḥ tathā iti uktvā samāhitāḥ |
nyaveśayaṃs tāmḥ candena svena svena pṛthak pṛthak || 2-83-25
25. evam = thus; bruvataH = spoken; tasya = by him; amaatyaaH = the officers; uktvaa = replied; samaahitaaH = attentively; tatheti = "Be it so"; pr^ithak = and each; nyaveshayan = encamped; svena svena = their respective; taam = forces; chhandena = in accord with his pleasure.
Hearing these words from Bharata, the officers attentively answered, "Be it so" and each of them encamped their respective forces in accord with his pleasure.
niveśya gangām anu tām mahā nadīm |
camūm vidhānaiḥ paribarha śobhinīm |
uvāsa rāmasya tadā mahātmano |
vicintayāno bharataḥ nivartanam || 2-83-26
26. niveshya = having encaped; vidhaanaiH = mentienlously; chamuuve = the army; paribarhashobhiniim = which looked lovely with its surrounding equipment (like tents; furnishings etc); gaN^gaam anu = along Ganga; taam = that; mahaanadiim = great river; bharataH = Bharata; uvaasa = halted; tadaa = then; vichintayaanaH = reflecting; nivartanam = how to bring back; mahaatmanaH = the magnanimous; raamasya = Rama.
Having meticulously arranged for encampment of the army which looked lovely along Ganga that great river with the surrounding equipment (like tunts, furnishings etc), Bharata halted then, reflecting as to how to bring back the magnanimous Rama.
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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe tryaśītitamaḥ sargaḥ
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© September 2003, K. M. K. Murthy