The Life and Deeds of Lord Ramachandra

Verse 1 (bhagavata.9.10.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच खट्वाङ्गाद् दीर्घबाहुश्च रघुस्तस्मात् पृथुश्रवाः । अजस्ततो महाराजस्तस्माद् दशरथोऽभवत् ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca khaṭvāṅgād dīrghabāhuś ca raghus tasmāt pṛthu-śravāḥ ajas tato mahā-rājas tasmād daśaratho ’bhavat

Shri Shuka said: From Khatvanga came Dirghabahu; from him Raghu, of far-reaching fame; from him the great king Aja; and from Aja was born Dasharatha.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.9.10.2)

तस्यापि भगवानेष साक्षाद् ब्रह्ममयो हरिः । अंशांशेन चतुर्धागात् पुत्रत्वं प्रार्थितः सुरैः । रामलक्ष्मणभरतशत्रुघ्ना इति संज्ञया ॥ २ ॥

tasyāpi bhagavān eṣa sākṣād brahmamayo hariḥ aṁśāṁśena caturdhāgāt putratvaṁ prārthitaḥ suraiḥ rāma-lakṣmaṇa-bharata- śatrughnā iti saṁjñayā

To him too, this same Bhagavan Hari, the very embodiment of Brahman, came in person, appearing fourfold through his portions and portions of portions, entreated by the gods to take birth as his son — under the names Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.9.10.3)

तस्यानुचरितं राजन्नृषिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः । श्रुतं हि वर्णितं भूरि त्वया सीतापतेर्मुहुः ॥ ३ ॥

tasyānucaritaṁ rājann ṛṣibhis tattva-darśibhiḥ śrutaṁ hi varṇitaṁ bhūri tvayā sītā-pater muhuḥ

O king, you have already heard, told at length by seers who have seen the truth of things, and often from me, the deeds of Sita's husband.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.9.10.4)

गुर्वर्थे त्यक्तराज्यो व्यचरदनुवनं पद्मपद्भ्यां प्रियायाः पाणिस्पर्शाक्षमाभ्यां मृजितपथरुजो यो हरीन्द्रानुजाभ्याम् । वैरूप्याच्छूर्पणख्याः प्रियविरहरुषारोपितभ्रूविजृम्भ- त्रस्ताब्धिर्बद्धसेतुः खलदवदहनः कोसलेन्द्रोऽवतान्नः ॥ ४ ॥

gurv-arthe tyakta-rājyo vyacarad anuvanaṁ padma-padbhyāṁ priyāyāḥ pāṇi-sparśākṣamābhyāṁ mṛjita-patha-rujo yo harīndrānujābhyām vairūpyāc chūrpaṇakhyāḥ priya-viraha-ruṣāropita-bhrū-vijṛmbha- trastābdhir baddha-setuḥ khala-dava-dahanaḥ kosalendro ’vatān naḥ

May that lord of Koshala protect us — he who, for his father's word, gave up his kingdom and wandered from forest to forest on lotus feet too tender even for his beloved's touch, their soreness soothed by the king of monkeys and his own younger brother; who, having disfigured Shurpanakha, and then, enraged at the loss of his beloved, made the very ocean tremble at the arch of his brow until it yielded a bridge; and who, like a fire devouring a forest, consumed the wicked.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.9.10.5)

विश्वामित्राध्वरे येन मारीचाद्या निशाचराः । पश्यतो लक्ष्मणस्यैव हता नैर्ऋतपुङ्गवाः ॥ ५ ॥

viśvāmitrādhvare yena mārīcādyā niśā-carāḥ paśyato lakṣmaṇasyaiva hatā nairṛta-puṅgavāḥ

At Vishvamitra's sacrifice, before the very eyes of Lakshmana, he slew Maricha and the other foremost night-roaming demons.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.9.10.6)

यो लोकवीरसमितौ धनुरैशमुग्रं सीतास्वयंवरगृहे त्रिशतोपनीतम् । आदाय बालगजलील इवेक्षुयष्टिं सज्ज्यीकृतं नृप विकृष्य बभञ्ज मध्ये ॥ ६ ॥

yo loka-vīra-samitau dhanur aiśam ugraṁ sītā-svayaṁvara-gṛhe triśatopanītam ādāya bāla-gaja-līla ivekṣu-yaṣṭiṁ sajjyī-kṛtaṁ nṛpa vikṛṣya babhañja madhye

O king, in the assembly of the world's heroes at Sita's svayamvara, he took up Shiva's fearsome bow — so heavy that three hundred men had carried it there — strung it, and, as effortlessly as a young elephant snaps a stalk of sugarcane, drew and broke it in the middle.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.9.10.7)

जित्वानुरूपगुणशीलवयोऽङ्गरूपां सीताभिधां श्रियमुरस्यभिलब्धमानाम् । मार्गे व्रजन् भृगुपतेर्व्यनयत् प्ररूढं दर्पं महीमकृत यस्त्रिरराजबीजाम् ॥ ७ ॥

jitvānurūpa-guṇa-śīla-vayo ’ṅga-rūpāṁ sītābhidhāṁ śriyam urasy abhilabdhamānām mārge vrajan bhṛgupater vyanayat prarūḍhaṁ darpaṁ mahīm akṛta yas trir arāja-bījām

Thus he won Sita — matching him in quality, character, age, form and beauty — that very Goddess of Fortune who forever dwells upon his breast. Then, journeying home along the road, he humbled the swollen pride of Parashurama, who had thrice made the earth bereft of kshatriya seed.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.9.10.8)

यः सत्यपाशपरिवीतपितुर्निदेशं स्त्रैणस्य चापि शिरसा जगृहे सभार्यः । राज्यं श्रियं प्रणयिनः सुहृदो निवासं त्यक्त्वा ययौ वनमसूनिव मुक्तसङ्गः ॥ ८ ॥

yaḥ satya-pāśa-parivīta-pitur nideśaṁ straiṇasya cāpi śirasā jagṛhe sabhāryaḥ rājyaṁ śriyaṁ praṇayinaḥ suhṛdo nivāsaṁ tyaktvā yayau vanam asūn iva mukta-saṅgaḥ

He who bowed his head to the command of his father — bound as that father was by a promise to his wife — and, together with his own wife, gave up kingdom, wealth, loved ones, friends and home, going to the forest as easily as a liberated soul lets go of life.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.9.10.9)

रक्षःस्वसुर्व्यकृत रूपमशुद्धबुद्धे- स्तस्याः खरत्रिशिरदूषणमुख्यबन्धून् । जघ्ने चतुर्दशसहस्रमपारणीय- कोदण्डपाणिरटमान उवास कृच्छ्रम् ॥ ९ ॥

rakṣaḥ-svasur vyakṛta rūpam aśuddha-buddhes tasyāḥ khara-triśira-dūṣaṇa-mukhya-bandhūn jaghne caturdaśa-sahasram apāraṇīya- kodaṇḍa-pāṇir aṭamāna uvāsa kṛcchram

Bow ever in hand, its power unopposable, he wandered on through hardship in the forest; he disfigured the demoness, the sister of Ravana, whose mind was impure with desire, and slew her fourteen thousand kinsmen led by Khara, Trishira and Dushana.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.9.10.10)

सीताकथाश्रवणदीपितहृच्छयेन सृष्टं विलोक्य नृपते दशकन्धरेण । जघ्नेऽद्भुतैणवपुषाश्रमतोऽपकृष्टो मारीचमाशु विशिखेन यथा कमुग्रः ॥ १० ॥

sītā-kathā-śravaṇa-dīpita-hṛc-chayena sṛṣṭaṁ vilokya nṛpate daśa-kandhareṇa jaghne ’dbhutaiṇa-vapuṣāśramato ’pakṛṣṭo mārīcam āśu viśikhena yathā kam ugraḥ

O king, when ten-headed Ravana, his heart inflamed with desire on hearing of Sita's beauty, sent forth the wondrous golden deer, Rama was drawn away from the hermitage in pursuit of it, and swiftly slew Maricha with an arrow, as fierce Shiva once destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.9.10.11)

रक्षोऽधमेन वृकवद् विपिनेऽसमक्षं वैदेहराजदुहितर्यपयापितायाम् । भ्रात्रा वने कृपणवत् प्रियया वियुक्तः स्त्रीसङ्गिनां गतिमिति प्रथयंश्चचार ॥ ११ ॥

rakṣo-’dhamena vṛkavad vipine ’samakṣaṁ vaideha-rāja-duhitary apayāpitāyām bhrātrā vane kṛpaṇavat priyayā viyuktaḥ strī-saṅgināṁ gatim iti prathayaṁś cacāra

Then that vilest of demons, like a wolf, carried off the daughter of the king of Videha unseen in the forest; separated from his beloved, Rama wandered with his brother like one utterly helpless, showing thereby, by his own example, the plight that befalls one attached to a woman.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.9.10.12)

दग्ध्वात्मकृत्यहतकृत्यमहन् कबन्धं सख्यं विधाय कपिभिर्दयितागतिं तैः । बुद्ध्वाथ वालिनि हते प्लवगेन्द्रसैन्यै- र्वेलामगात् स मनुजोऽजभवार्चिताङ्घ्रिः ॥ १२ ॥

dagdhvātma-kṛtya-hata-kṛtyam ahan kabandhaṁ sakhyaṁ vidhāya kapibhir dayitā-gatiṁ taiḥ buddhvātha vālini hate plavagendra-sainyair velām agāt sa manujo ’ja-bhavārcitāṅghriḥ

He whose feet are worshiped by Brahma and Shiva, appearing as a man, performed the last rites for Jatayu whose duty was now fulfilled, slew the demon Kabandha, made friends with the monkeys, and — once Vali was slain and, through the monkey army, he had learned the whereabouts of his beloved — went on to the shore of the ocean.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.9.10.13)

यद्रोषविभ्रमविवृत्तकटाक्षपात- सम्भ्रान्तनक्रमकरो भयगीर्णघोषः । सिन्धुः शिरस्यर्हणं परिगृह्य रूपी पादारविन्दमुपगम्य बभाष एतत् ॥ १३ ॥

yad-roṣa-vibhrama-vivṛtta-kaṭākṣa-pāta- sambhrānta-nakra-makaro bhaya-gīrṇa-ghoṣaḥ sindhuḥ śirasy arhaṇaṁ parigṛhya rūpī pādāravindam upagamya babhāṣa etat

The ocean, its crocodiles and sea-monsters thrown into panic by the sidelong glance of his rolling, angry eyes, its very roar swallowed up in fear, then took bodily form and, carrying offerings upon its head, approached his lotus feet and spoke thus.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.9.10.14)

न त्वां वयं जडधियो नु विदाम भूमन् कूटस्थमादिपुरुषं जगतामधीशम् । यत्सत्त्वतः सुरगणा रजसः प्रजेशा मन्योश्च भूतपतयः स भवान् गुणेशः ॥ १४ ॥

na tvāṁ vayaṁ jaḍa-dhiyo nu vidāma bhūman kūṭa-stham ādi-puruṣaṁ jagatām adhīśam yat-sattvataḥ sura-gaṇā rajasaḥ prajeśā manyoś ca bhūta-patayaḥ sa bhavān guṇeśaḥ

"O all-pervading one, dull-witted as we are, we did not recognize you — the changeless, primeval Person, the ruler of all worlds. You are the master of the very qualities from which the gods arise in goodness, the lords of creatures in passion, and the lords of ghosts in ignorance."

Verse 15 (bhagavata.9.10.15)

कामं प्रयाहि जहि विश्रवसोऽवमेहं त्रैलोक्यरावणमवाप्नुहि वीर पत्नीम् । बध्नीहि सेतुमिह ते यशसो वितत्यै गायन्ति दिग्विजयिनो यमुपेत्य भूपाः ॥ १५ ॥

kāmaṁ prayāhi jahi viśravaso ’vamehaṁ trailokya-rāvaṇam avāpnuhi vīra patnīm badhnīhi setum iha te yaśaso vitatyai gāyanti dig-vijayino yam upetya bhūpāḥ

"Go as you wish, O hero; slay that disgrace of Vishrava, that tormentor of the three worlds, and win back your wife. Build here a bridge, that your fame may spread — one which conquering kings of every age will sing of when they come upon it."

Verse 16 (bhagavata.9.10.16)

बद्ध्वोदधौ रघुपतिर्विविधाद्रिकूटैः सेतुं कपीन्द्रकरकम्पितभूरुहाङ्गैः । सुग्रीवनीलहनुमत्प्रमुखैरनीकै- र्लङ्कां विभीषणदृशाविशदग्रदग्धाम् ॥ १६ ॥

baddhvodadhau raghu-patir vividhādri-kūṭaiḥ setuṁ kapīndra-kara-kampita-bhūruhāṅgaiḥ sugrīva-nīla-hanumat-pramukhair anīkair laṅkāṁ vibhīṣaṇa-dṛśāviśad agra-dagdhām

The lord of the Raghus, building a bridge across the ocean with mountain peaks whose trees the mighty monkeys shook loose with their own hands, entered — with his armies led by Sugriva, Nila and Hanuman, and guided by the eyes of Vibhishana — Lanka, already scorched once before.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.9.10.17)

सा वानरेन्द्रबलरुद्धविहारकोष्ठ- श्रीद्वारगोपुरसदोवलभीविटङ्का । निर्भज्यमानधिषणध्वजहेमकुम्भ- शृङ्गाटका गजकुलैर्ह्रदिनीव घूर्णा ॥ १७ ॥

sā vānarendra-bala-ruddha-vihāra-koṣṭha- śrī-dvāra-gopura-sado-valabhī-viṭaṅkā nirbhajyamāna-dhiṣaṇa-dhvaja-hema-kumbha- śṛṅgāṭakā gaja-kulair hradinīva ghūrṇā

That city — its pleasure-halls, granaries, splendid gateways, towers, assembly-halls, terraces and dovecotes all overrun by the monkey armies, its crossroads platforms, banners and golden pinnacles smashed apart — churned like a river disturbed by a herd of elephants.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.9.10.18)

रक्षःपतिस्तदवलोक्य निकुम्भकुम्भ- धूम्राक्षदुर्मुखसुरान्तकनरान्तकादीन् । पुत्रं प्रहस्तमतिकायविकम्पनादीन् सर्वानुगान् समहिनोदथ कुम्भकर्णम् ॥ १८ ॥

rakṣaḥ-patis tad avalokya nikumbha-kumbha- dhūmrākṣa-durmukha-surāntaka-narāntakādīn putraṁ prahastam atikāya-vikampanādīn sarvānugān samahinod atha kumbhakarṇam

Seeing this, the lord of the rakshasas summoned Nikumbha, Kumbha, Dhumraksha, Durmukha, Surantaka, Narantaka and the rest, his son Prahasta, Atikaya, Vikampana and all his other followers, and finally roused Kumbhakarna.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.9.10.19)

तां यातुधानपृतनामसिशूलचाप- प्रासर्ष्टिशक्तिशरतोमरखड्गदुर्गाम् । सुग्रीवलक्ष्मणमरुत्सुतगन्धमाद- नीलाङ्गदर्क्षपनसादिभिरन्वितोऽगात् ॥ १९ ॥

tāṁ yātudhāna-pṛtanām asi-śūla-cāpa- prāsarṣṭi-śaktiśara-tomara-khaḍga-durgām sugrīva-lakṣmaṇa-marutsuta-gandhamāda- nīlāṅgadarkṣa-panasādibhir anvito ’gāt

Against that army of demons, formidable with swords, spears, bows, lances, javelins, spear-headed arrows, iron clubs and blades, he advanced, accompanied by Lakshmana and the monkey chiefs — Sugriva, Hanuman, Gandhamadana, Nila, Angada, Jambavan and Panasa.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.9.10.20)

तेऽनीकपा रघुपतेरभिपत्य सर्वे द्वन्द्वं वरूथमिभपत्तिरथाश्वयोधैः । जघ्नुर्द्रुमैर्गिरिगदेषुभिरङ्गदाद्याः सीताभिमर्षहतमङ्गलरावणेशान् ॥ २० ॥

te ’nīkapā raghupater abhipatya sarve dvandvaṁ varūtham ibha-patti-rathāśva-yodhaiḥ jaghnur drumair giri-gadeṣubhir aṅgadādyāḥ sītābhimarṣa-hata-maṅgala-rāvaṇeśān

All those commanders of Raghu's lord, Angada foremost among them, fell upon the enemy host of elephants, foot-soldiers, chariots and horsemen in single combats, striking down with trees, mountain-peaks, maces and arrows the forces of Ravana — whose fortune Sita's own wrath had already undone.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.9.10.21)

रक्षःपतिः स्वबलनष्टिमवेक्ष्य रुष्ट आरुह्य यानकमथाभिससार रामम् । स्वःस्यन्दने द्युमति मातलिनोपनीते विभ्राजमानमहनन्निशितैः क्षुरप्रैः ॥ २१ ॥

rakṣaḥ-patiḥ sva-bala-naṣṭim avekṣya ruṣṭa āruhya yānakam athābhisasāra rāmam svaḥ-syandane dyumati mātalinopanīte vibhrājamānam ahanan niśitaiḥ kṣurapraiḥ

The lord of the rakshasas, seeing his army destroyed, mounted his aerial chariot in fury and bore down upon Rama, who shone gloriously on the celestial chariot brought by Matali; Ravana struck him with sharp, razor-tipped arrows.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.9.10.22)

रामस्तमाह पुरुषादपुरीष यन्नः कान्तासमक्षमसतापहृता श्ववत् ते । त्यक्तत्रपस्य फलमद्य जुगुप्सितस्य यच्छामि काल इव कर्तुरलङ्घ्यवीर्यः ॥ २२ ॥

rāmas tam āha puruṣāda-purīṣa yan naḥ kāntāsamakṣam asatāpahṛtā śvavat te tyakta-trapasya phalam adya jugupsitasya yacchāmi kāla iva kartur alaṅghya-vīryaḥ

Rama said to him: "O filth among man-eaters, like a dog you stole my wife away in my absence, wickedly and unseen. Today I, whose power none can defy, shall give you the fruit of your shameless, contemptible deed, as time itself gives fruit to the doer."

Verse 23 (bhagavata.9.10.23)

एवं क्षिपन् धनुषि संधितमुत्ससर्ज बाणं स वज्रमिव तद्धृदयं बिभेद । सोऽसृग् वमन् दशमुखैर्न्यपतद् विमाना- द्धाहेति जल्पति जने सुकृतीव रिक्तः ॥ २३ ॥

evaṁ kṣipan dhanuṣi sandhitam utsasarja bāṇaṁ sa vajram iva tad-dhṛdayaṁ bibheda so ’sṛg vaman daśa-mukhair nyapatad vimānād dhāheti jalpati jane sukṛtīva riktaḥ

Rebuking him thus, Rama fitted an arrow to his bow and released it; it pierced Ravana's heart like a thunderbolt. Vomiting blood from his ten mouths, he fell from his aerial chariot, while his people cried out "Alas! Alas!" — falling like a man of merit whose store of good deeds has finally run dry.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.9.10.24)

ततो निष्क्रम्य लङ्काया यातुधान्यः सहस्रशः । मन्दोदर्या समं तत्र प्ररुदन्त्य उपाद्रवन् ॥ २४ ॥

tato niṣkramya laṅkāyā yātudhānyaḥ sahasraśaḥ mandodaryā samaṁ tatra prarudantya upādravan

Then, by the thousand, the demon women came out of Lanka, together with Mandodari, weeping as they hastened to the field.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.9.10.25)

स्वान् स्वान् बन्धून् परिष्वज्य लक्ष्मणेषुभिरर्दितान् । रुरुदुः सुस्वरं दीना घ्नन्त्य आत्मानमात्मना ॥ २५ ॥

svān svān bandhūn pariṣvajya lakṣmaṇeṣubhir arditān ruruduḥ susvaraṁ dīnā ghnantya ātmānam ātmanā

Wretched, they embraced their own kinsmen who lay struck down by Lakshmana's arrows, striking themselves in grief and wailing aloud.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.9.10.26)

हा हताः स्म वयं नाथ लोकरावण रावण । कं यायाच्छरणं लङ्का त्वद्विहीना परार्दिता ॥ २६ ॥

hā hatāḥ sma vayaṁ nātha loka-rāvaṇa rāvaṇa kaṁ yāyāc charaṇaṁ laṅkā tvad-vihīnā parārditā

"Alas, my lord, we are undone! O Ravana, tormentor of the worlds — without you, to whom shall Lanka, now crushed by the enemy, turn for refuge?"

Verse 27 (bhagavata.9.10.27)

न वै वेद महाभाग भवान् कामवशं गतः । तेजोऽनुभावं सीताया येन नीतो दशामिमाम् ॥ २७ ॥

na vai veda mahā-bhāga bhavān kāma-vaśaṁ gataḥ tejo ’nubhāvaṁ sītāyā yena nīto daśām imām

"O most fortunate one, overcome by desire, you never understood the power of Sita's chastity — it is that very power which has brought you to this state."

Verse 28 (bhagavata.9.10.28)

कृतैषा विधवा लङ्का वयं च कुलनन्दन । देहः कृतोऽन्नं गृध्राणामात्मा नरकहेतवे ॥ २८ ॥

kṛtaiṣā vidhavā laṅkā vayaṁ ca kula-nandana dehaḥ kṛto ’nnaṁ gṛdhrāṇām ātmā naraka-hetave

"O joy of our dynasty, you have widowed Lanka and widowed us as well; you have made your own body food for vultures and your soul the cause of a fall into hell."

Verse 29 (bhagavata.9.10.29)

श्रीशुक उवाच स्वानां विभीषणश्चक्रे कोसलेन्द्रानुमोदितः । पितृमेधविधानेन यदुक्तं साम्परायिकम् ॥ २९ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca svānāṁ vibhīṣaṇaś cakre kosalendrānumoditaḥ pitṛ-medha-vidhānena yad uktaṁ sāmparāyikam

Shri Shuka said: With the approval of the lord of Koshala, Vibhishana then performed for his own kinsmen the funeral rites prescribed for the departed, as ordained by scripture.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.9.10.30)

ततो ददर्श भगवानशोकवनिकाश्रमे । क्षामां स्वविरहव्याधिं शिंशपामूलमाश्रिताम् ॥ ३० ॥

tato dadarśa bhagavān aśoka-vanikāśrame kṣāmāṁ sva-viraha-vyādhiṁ śiṁśapā-mūlam-āśritām

Then the Lord found Sita in the grove of Ashoka trees, seated at the foot of a Shimshapa tree, wasted thin by the sickness of separation from him.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.9.10.31)

रामः प्रियतमां भार्यां दीनां वीक्ष्यान्वकम्पत । आत्मसन्दर्शनाह्लादविकसन्मुखपङ्कजाम् ॥ ३१ ॥

rāmaḥ priyatamāṁ bhāryāṁ dīnāṁ vīkṣyānvakampata ātma-sandarśanāhlāda- vikasan-mukha-paṅkajām

Seeing his most beloved wife so pitiable, Rama was filled with compassion; and her lotus face, at the very sight of him, blossomed with joy.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.9.10.32)

आरोप्यारुरुहे यानं भ्रातृभ्यां हनुमद्युतः । विभीषणाय भगवान् दत्त्वा रक्षोगणेशताम् । लङ्कामायुश्च कल्पान्तं ययौ चीर्णव्रतः पुरीम् ॥ ३२ ॥

āropyāruruhe yānaṁ bhrātṛbhyāṁ hanumad-yutaḥ vibhīṣaṇāya bhagavān dattvā rakṣo-gaṇeśatām laṅkām āyuś ca kalpāntaṁ yayau cīrṇa-vrataḥ purīm

Granting Vibhishana lordship over the rakshasas of Lanka and a lifespan lasting till the end of the kalpa, the Lord, his vow now fulfilled, set Sita upon the aerial chariot, mounted it himself with his brothers and Hanuman, and set out for his own city.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.9.10.33)

अवकीर्यमाणः सुकुसुमैर्लोकपालार्पितैः पथि । उपगीयमानचरितः शतधृत्यादिभिर्मुदा ॥ ३३ ॥

avakīryamāṇaḥ sukusumair lokapālārpitaiḥ pathi upagīyamāna-caritaḥ śatadhṛty-ādibhir mudā

Along the way, beautiful flowers offered by the guardians of the worlds showered down upon him, while Brahma and the other gods joyfully sang of his deeds.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.9.10.34)

गोमूत्रयावकं श्रुत्वा भ्रातरं वल्कलाम्बरम् । महाकारुणिकोऽतप्यज्जटिलं स्थण्डिलेशयम् ॥ ३४ ॥

go-mūtra-yāvakaṁ śrutvā bhrātaraṁ valkalāmbaram mahā-kāruṇiko ’tapyaj jaṭilaṁ sthaṇḍile-śayam

On hearing that his brother, wearing bark garments and matted hair, had been living on barley gruel mixed with cow's urine and sleeping on the bare ground, the deeply compassionate Lord grieved.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.9.10.35)

भरतः प्राप्तमाकर्ण्य पौरामात्यपुरोहितैः । पादुके शिरसि न्यस्य रामं प्रत्युद्यतोऽग्रजम् ॥ ३५ ॥

bharataḥ prāptam ākarṇya paurāmātya-purohitaiḥ pāduke śirasi nyasya rāmaṁ pratyudyato ’grajam

On hearing of his elder brother's arrival, Bharata, placing Rama's sandals upon his own head, went out to meet him, accompanied by the citizens, ministers and priests.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.9.10.36)

नन्दिग्रामात् स्वशिबिराद् गीतवादित्रनिःस्वनैः । ब्रह्मघोषेण च मुहुः पठद्भिर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः ॥ ३६ ॥

nandigrāmāt sva-śibirād gīta-vāditra-niḥsvanaiḥ brahma-ghoṣeṇa ca muhuḥ paṭhadbhir brahmavādibhiḥ

He came forth from his camp at Nandigrama amid the sound of song and instrument, and the ceaseless Vedic chanting of learned brahmanas reciting the scriptures.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.9.10.37)

स्वर्णकक्षपताकाभिर्हैमैश्चित्रध्वजै रथैः । सदश्वै रुक्मसन्नाहैर्भटैः पुरटवर्मभिः ॥ ३७ ॥

svarṇa-kakṣa-patākābhir haimaiś citra-dhvajai rathaiḥ sad-aśvai rukma-sannāhair bhaṭaiḥ puraṭa-varmabhiḥ

The procession followed, with chariots bearing golden girth-bands and banners of many colors, fine horses harnessed in gold, and soldiers clad in golden armor.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.9.10.38)

श्रेणीभिर्वारमुख्याभिर्भृत्यैश्चैव पदानुगैः । पारमेष्ठ्यान्युपादाय पण्यान्युच्चावचानि च । पादयोर्न्यपतत् प्रेम्णा प्रक्लिन्नहृदयेक्षणः ॥ ३८ ॥

śreṇībhir vāra-mukhyābhir bhṛtyaiś caiva padānugaiḥ pārameṣṭhyāny upādāya paṇyāny uccāvacāni ca pādayor nyapatat premṇā praklinna-hṛdayekṣaṇaḥ

Also came guilds of the finest courtesans and attendants on foot, bearing regal insignia and precious goods of every kind; and Bharata, his heart and eyes melting with love, fell at Rama's feet.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.9.10.39)

पादुके न्यस्य पुरतः प्राञ्जलिर्बाष्पलोचनः । तमाश्लिष्य चिरं दोर्भ्यां स्नापयन् नेत्रजैर्जलैः ॥ ३९ ॥

pāduke nyasya purataḥ prāñjalir bāṣpa-locanaḥ tam āśliṣya ciraṁ dorbhyāṁ snāpayan netrajair jalaiḥ

Setting the sandals down before him, hands folded and eyes full of tears, Bharata was embraced by Rama for a long while with both arms, who bathed him in the water of his own tears.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.9.10.40)

रामो लक्ष्मणसीताभ्यां विप्रेभ्यो येऽर्हसत्तमाः । तेभ्यः स्वयं नमश्चक्रे प्रजाभिश्च नमस्कृतः ॥ ४० ॥

rāmo lakṣmaṇa-sītābhyāṁ viprebhyo ye ’rha-sattamāḥ tebhyaḥ svayaṁ namaścakre prajābhiś ca namaskṛtaḥ

Then Rama, together with Lakshmana and Sita, himself bowed to the worthiest of the brahmanas, and in turn was bowed to by all the citizens.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.9.10.41)

धुन्वन्त उत्तरासङ्गान् पतिं वीक्ष्य चिरागतम् । उत्तराः कोसला माल्यैः किरन्तो ननृतुर्मुदा ॥ ४१ ॥

dhunvanta uttarāsaṅgān patiṁ vīkṣya cirāgatam uttarāḥ kosalā mālyaiḥ kiranto nanṛtur mudā

Seeing their king return after so long, the people of northern Koshala waved their upper garments, showered him with garlands, and danced for joy.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.9.10.42)

पादुके भरतोऽगृह्णाच्चामरव्यजनोत्तमे । विभीषणः ससुग्रीवः श्वेतच्छत्रं मरुत्सुतः ॥ ४२ ॥

pāduke bharato ’gṛhṇāc cāmara-vyajanottame vibhīṣaṇaḥ sasugrīvaḥ śveta-cchatraṁ marut-sutaḥ

Bharata carried the sandals, and the finest whisk and fan; Vibhishana together with Sugriva carried them too; Hanuman carried the white parasol.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.9.10.43)

धनुर्निषङ्गाञ्छत्रुघ्नः सीता तीर्थकमण्डलुम् । अबिभ्रदङ्गदः खड्गं हैमं चर्मर्क्षराण्नृप ॥ ४३ ॥

dhanur-niṣaṅgāñ chatrughnaḥ sītā tīrtha-kamaṇḍalum abibhrad aṅgadaḥ khaḍgaṁ haimaṁ carmarkṣa-rāṇ nṛpa

Shatrughna carried the bow and quivers, Sita a pot of water from sacred fords; Angada carried the sword, and, O king, the lord of the bears carried a golden shield.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.9.10.44)

पुष्पकस्थो नुतः स्त्रीभिः स्तूयमानश्च वन्दिभिः । विरेजे भगवान् राजन् ग्रहैश्चन्द्र इवोदितः ॥ ४४ ॥

puṣpaka-stho nutaḥ strībhiḥ stūyamānaś ca vandibhiḥ vireje bhagavān rājan grahaiś candra ivoditaḥ

Seated upon the Pushpaka chariot, praised by women and glorified by bards, the Lord, O king, shone like the risen moon among the stars and planets.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.9.10.45)

भ्रात्राभिनन्दितः सोऽथ सोत्सवां प्राविशत् पुरीम् । प्रविश्य राजभवनं गुरुपत्नीः स्वमातरम् ॥ ४५ ॥

bhrātrābhinanditaḥ so ’tha sotsavāṁ prāviśat purīm praviśya rāja-bhavanaṁ guru-patnīḥ sva-mātaram

Welcomed thus by his brother, he entered the city, now given over to festival; and entering the royal palace, he bowed to the wives of his elders and to his own mother.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.9.10.46)

गुरून् वयस्यावरजान् पूजितः प्रत्यपूजयत् । वैदेही लक्ष्मणश्चैव यथावत् समुपेयतुः ॥ ४६ ॥

gurūn vayasyāvarajān pūjitaḥ pratyapūjayat vaidehī lakṣmaṇaś caiva yathāvat samupeyatuḥ

He bowed also to his teachers, to friends of his own age and to the younger ones, and, being honored by all, honored them in return; Sita and Lakshmana did likewise, each according to custom.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.9.10.47)

पुत्रान् स्वमातरस्तास्तु प्राणांस्तन्व इवोत्थिताः । आरोप्याङ्केऽभिषिञ्चन्त्यो बाष्पौघैर्विजहुः शुचः ॥ ४७ ॥

putrān sva-mātaras tās tu prāṇāṁs tanva ivotthitāḥ āropyāṅke ’bhiṣiñcantyo bāṣpaughair vijahuḥ śucaḥ

Their sons before them, the mothers rose as though their very life-breath had returned to their bodies; setting them upon their laps and bathing them in streams of tears, they let go of all their sorrow.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.9.10.48)

जटा निर्मुच्य विधिवत् कुलवृद्धैः समं गुरुः । अभ्यषिञ्चद् यथैवेन्द्रं चतुःसिन्धुजलादिभिः ॥ ४८ ॥

jaṭā nirmucya vidhivat kula-vṛddhaiḥ samaṁ guruḥ abhyaṣiñcad yathaivendraṁ catuḥ-sindhu-jalādibhiḥ

His guru, with the elders of the family, duly had his matted locks removed and then anointed him with the waters of the four seas and other sacred substances, just as Indra himself is anointed.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.9.10.49)

एवं कृतशिरःस्नानः सुवासाः स्रग्व्यलङ्कृतः । स्वलङ्कृतैः सुवासोभिर्भ्रातृभिर्भार्यया बभौ ॥ ४९ ॥

evaṁ kṛta-śiraḥ-snānaḥ suvāsāḥ sragvy-alaṅkṛtaḥ svalaṅkṛtaiḥ suvāsobhir bhrātṛbhir bhāryayā babhau

Thus bathed and anointed, finely dressed, garlanded and adorned, he shone forth in the company of his brothers and his wife, who were likewise beautifully attired.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.9.10.50)

अग्रहीदासनं भ्रात्रा प्रणिपत्य प्रसादितः । प्रजाः स्वधर्मनिरता वर्णाश्रमगुणान्विताः । जुगोप पितृवद् रामो मेनिरे पितरं च तम् ॥ ५० ॥

agrahīd āsanaṁ bhrātrā praṇipatya prasāditaḥ prajāḥ sva-dharma-niratā varṇāśrama-guṇānvitāḥ jugopa pitṛvad rāmo menire pitaraṁ ca tam

Won over by his brother's full submission and reverence, Rama then took his seat upon the throne; he protected his people, devoted as they were to their own duties within varna and ashrama, exactly as a father protects his children — and they, in turn, regarded him as their father.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.9.10.51)

त्रेतायां वर्तमानायां कालः कृतसमोऽभवत् । रामे राजनि धर्मज्ञे सर्वभूतसुखावहे ॥ ५१ ॥

tretāyāṁ vartamānāyāṁ kālaḥ kṛta-samo ’bhavat rāme rājani dharma-jñe sarva-bhūta-sukhāvahe

Though it was the Treta age, under Rama's rule — a king who knew dharma and brought happiness to every living being — time itself became like the Satya age.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.9.10.52)

वनानि नद्यो गिरयो वर्षाणि द्वीपसिन्धवः । सर्वे कामदुघा आसन् प्रजानां भरतर्षभ ॥ ५२ ॥

vanāni nadyo girayo varṣāṇi dvīpa-sindhavaḥ sarve kāma-dughā āsan prajānāṁ bharatarṣabha

O best of the Bharata line, the forests, rivers, mountains, lands, islands and seas — all yielded to the people whatever they desired, like wish-fulfilling cows.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.9.10.53)

नाधिव्याधिजराग्लानिदुःखशोकभयक्लमाः । मृत्युश्चानिच्छतां नासीद् रामे राजन्यधोक्षजे ॥ ५३ ॥

nādhi-vyādhi-jarā-glāni- duḥkha-śoka-bhaya-klamāḥ mṛtyuś cānicchatāṁ nāsīd rāme rājany adhokṣaje

Under Rama, the Lord beyond the senses, as king, there was no mental anguish, no disease, no old age or debility, no sorrow, grief, fear or weariness; nor did death come to anyone who did not wish it.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.9.10.54)

एकपत्नीव्रतधरो राजर्षिचरितः शुचिः । स्वधर्मं गृहमेधीयं शिक्षयन् स्वयमाचरत् ॥ ५४ ॥

eka-patnī-vrata-dharo rājarṣi-caritaḥ śuciḥ sva-dharmaṁ gṛha-medhīyaṁ śikṣayan svayam ācarat

Holding fast to his vow of a single wife, pure in conduct as a royal sage, he himself practiced the duties of a householder, teaching them to his people by his own example.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.9.10.55)

प्रेम्णानुवृत्त्या शीलेन प्रश्रयावनता सती । भिया ह्रिया च भावज्ञा भर्तुः सीताहरन्मनः ॥ ५५ ॥

premṇānuvṛttyā śīlena praśrayāvanatā satī bhiyā hriyā ca bhāva-jñā bhartuḥ sītāharan manaḥ

Sita, ever devoted, bowed low in modesty, of gentle nature and true to her love, alert to her husband's every feeling through reverence and gentle shyness — thus she captured her husband's heart entirely.