The Spies' Observation

Verse 1 (padma.5.55.1)

व्यास उवाच। एतां श्रुत्वा कथां रम्यां लवस्य बलिनो मुनिः । संशयानः पर्यपृच्छन्नागं दशशताननम्

vyāsa uvāca etāṁ śrutvā kathāṁ ramyāṁ lavasya balino muniḥ saṁśayānaḥ paryapṛcchannāgaṁ daśaśatānanam

Vyasa said: Hearing this delightful tale of mighty Lava, the sage, filled with doubt, questioned the thousand-headed serpent, Shesha.

Verse 2 (padma.5.55.2)

श्रीवात्स्यायन उवाच। त्वयोक्तं तु पुरा रामः सीतामेकाकिनीं वने । रजकस्य दुरुक्त्यासौ तत्याज महि लोलुपः

śrīvātsyāyana uvāca tvayoktaṁ tu purā rāmaḥ sītāmekākinīṁ vane rajakasya duruktyāsau tatyāja mahi lolupaḥ

Shri Vatsyayana said: "You once told me that Rama, greedy for the earth's good name, abandoned Sita alone in the forest because of a washerman's harsh words."

Verse 3 (padma.5.55.3)

जानक्यां क्व सुतौ जातौ क्व धनुर्धरतां गतौ । कथं च शिक्षिता विद्या यो रामहयमाहरत्

jānakyāṁ kva sutau jātau kva dhanurdharatāṁ gatau kathaṁ ca śikṣitā vidyā yo rāmahayamāharat

"Where were those two sons born to Janaki, and where did they attain their mastery of the bow? How was that skill learned, by which he seized Rama's horse?"

Verse 4 (padma.5.55.4)

व्यास उवाच। इति श्रुत्वा मुनेर्वाक्यं शेषो नागो महामतिः । प्रशस्य विप्रं जगदे रामचारित्रमद्भुतम्

vyāsa uvāca iti śrutvā munervākyaṁ śeṣo nāgo mahāmatiḥ praśasya vipraṁ jagade rāmacāritramadbhutam

Vyasa said: Hearing the sage's words, Shesha, the great serpent of vast wisdom, praising that brahmin, related the wondrous story of Rama's life.

Verse 5 (padma.5.55.5)

शेष उवाच। रामो राज्यमयोध्यायां भ्रातृभिः सहितोऽकरोत् । धर्मेण पालयन्सर्वं क्षितिखंडं स्वया स्त्रिया

śeṣa uvāca rāmo rājyamayodhyāyāṁ bhrātṛbhiḥ sahito'karot dharmeṇa pālayansarvaṁ kṣitikhaṁḍaṁ svayā striyā

Shesha said: Rama, together with his brothers, ruled the kingdom in Ayodhya, protecting the whole realm righteously, together with his own wife.

Verse 6 (padma.5.55.6)

सीता दधार तद्वीर्यं मासाः पंचाभवंस्तदा । अत्यंतं शुशुभे देवी त्रयीव पुरुषं धरा

sītā dadhāra tadvīryaṁ māsāḥ paṁcābhavaṁstadā atyaṁtaṁ śuśubhe devī trayīva puruṣaṁ dharā

Sita bore his seed; five months passed; the goddess grew exceedingly radiant, as though the earth itself were bearing that man as the triple Veda.

Verse 7 (padma.5.55.7)

कदाचित्समये रामः पप्रच्छ च विदेहजाम् । कीदृशो दोहदः साध्वि मया ते साध्यते हि सः

kadācitsamaye rāmaḥ papraccha ca videhajām kīdṛśo dohadaḥ sādhvi mayā te sādhyate hi saḥ

Once, at that time, Rama asked Videha's daughter: "What is your pregnancy-craving, O virtuous one? I shall fulfill it for you."

Verse 8 (padma.5.55.8)

रहस्येव तु सा पृष्टा त्रपमाणा पतिं सती । लज्जा गद्गद वाग्रामं निजगाद वचोऽमृतम्

rahasyeva tu sā pṛṣṭā trapamāṇā patiṁ satī lajjā gadgada vāgrāmaṁ nijagāda vaco'mṛtam

Questioned thus in private, that virtuous one, bashful before her husband, spoke nectar-like words to Rama in a voice choked with shyness.

Verse 9 (padma.5.55.9)

सीतोवाच। त्वत्कृपातो मया सर्वं भुक्तं भोक्ष्यामि शोभनम् । न कश्चिन्मानसे कांत विषयो ह्यतिरिच्यते

sītovāca tvatkṛpāto mayā sarvaṁ bhuktaṁ bhokṣyāmi śobhanam na kaścinmānase kāṁta viṣayo hyatiricyate

Sita said: "By your grace I have enjoyed everything, and shall enjoy everything good besides; no desire, my beloved, remains in my mind beyond this."

Verse 10 (padma.5.55.10)

यस्याभवादृशः स्वामी देवसंस्तुतसत्पदः । तस्याः सर्वं वरीवर्ति न किंचिदवशिष्यते

yasyābhavādṛśaḥ svāmī devasaṁstutasatpadaḥ tasyāḥ sarvaṁ varīvarti na kiṁcidavaśiṣyate

"For her whose lord is such as you, whose very feet the gods themselves praise, everything comes of itself — nothing at all remains lacking."

Verse 11 (padma.5.55.11)

त्वमाग्रहात्पृच्छसि मां दोहदं मनसि स्थितम् । ब्रवीमि पुरतः सत्यं तव स्वामिन्मनोहर

tvamāgrahātpṛcchasi māṁ dohadaṁ manasi sthitam bravīmi purataḥ satyaṁ tava svāminmanohara

"Since you insist and ask of the craving fixed in my mind, I shall speak the truth before you now, my mind-enchanting lord."

Verse 12 (padma.5.55.12)

चिरं जातं मया सत्यो लोपामुद्रादिकाः स्त्रियः । दृष्ट्वा स्वामिन्मनो द्रष्टुं ता उत्सुकति सुंदरीः

ciraṁ jātaṁ mayā satyo lopāmudrādikāḥ striyaḥ dṛṣṭvā svāminmano draṣṭuṁ tā utsukati suṁdarīḥ

"It has been long, my lord, since I saw those virtuous women — Lopamudra and the others; my heart grows eager to look upon those lovely ones again."

Verse 13 (padma.5.55.13)

राज्यं प्राप्ता त्वया सार्द्धमनेकसुखमास्थिता । कृतघ्नाहं कदापीह ता नमस्कर्तुमानसा

rājyaṁ prāptā tvayā sārddhamanekasukhamāsthitā kṛtaghnāhaṁ kadāpīha tā namaskartumānasā

"Having gained the kingdom together with you, settled amid so much happiness, I have been ungrateful — my mind has never once turned there to bow before them."

Verse 14 (padma.5.55.14)

तत्र गत्वा तपःकोशान्वस्त्राद्यैः परिपूजये । रत्नानि चैव भास्वंति भूषा अपि समर्पये

tatra gatvā tapaḥkośānvastrādyaiḥ paripūjaye ratnāni caiva bhāsvaṁti bhūṣā api samarpaye

"Going there, to their hermitages of austerity, I shall honor them with garments and the like, and offer them radiant jewels and ornaments too —"

Verse 15 (padma.5.55.15)

यथा मे तोषिताः सत्यो ददत्याशीर्मनोहराः । एष मे दोहदः कांत परिपूरय मानसः

yathā me toṣitāḥ satyo dadatyāśīrmanoharāḥ eṣa me dohadaḥ kāṁta paripūraya mānasaḥ

"— so that those virtuous women, made happy by me, may grant me their own lovely blessings. This is my craving, beloved — fulfill this wish of my heart."

Verse 16 (padma.5.55.16)

इत्थमाकर्ण्य वचनं सीतायाः सुमनोहरम् । जगाद परमप्रीतो रामचंद्रः प्रियां प्रति

itthamākarṇya vacanaṁ sītāyāḥ sumanoharam jagāda paramaprīto rāmacaṁdraḥ priyāṁ prati

Hearing this most lovely speech of Sita's, Ramachandra, greatly pleased, said to his beloved —

Verse 17 (padma.5.55.17)

धन्यासि जानकी प्रातर्गमिष्यसि तपोधनाः । प्रेक्ष्यतास्तु कृतार्था त्वमागमिष्यसि मेंऽतिकम्

dhanyāsi jānakī prātargamiṣyasi tapodhanāḥ prekṣyatāstu kṛtārthā tvamāgamiṣyasi meṁ'tikam

"Blessed are you, Janaki. In the morning you shall have the sight of the ascetics rich in austerity; your purpose fulfilled, you shall return to my side."

Verse 18 (padma.5.55.18)

इति रामवचः श्रुत्वा परमां प्रीतिमाप सा । प्रातर्मम भवत्यद्धा तापसीनां समीक्षणम्

iti rāmavacaḥ śrutvā paramāṁ prītimāpa sā prātarmama bhavatyaddhā tāpasīnāṁ samīkṣaṇam

Hearing these words of Rama, she was filled with the greatest joy: "Truly, tomorrow morning I shall behold those women of austerity."

Verse 19 (padma.5.55.19)

अथ तन्निशि रामेण चाराः कीर्तिं निजां श्रुताम् । प्रेक्षितुं प्रेषितास्ते तु निशीथे ह्यगमनञ्छनैः

atha tanniśi rāmeṇa cārāḥ kīrtiṁ nijāṁ śrutām prekṣituṁ preṣitāste tu niśīthe hyagamanañchanaiḥ

Then, that same night, Rama, wishing to hear his own reputation, sent forth spies, who slipped out quietly at midnight.

Verse 20 (padma.5.55.20)

ते प्रत्यहं रामकथाः शृण्वंतः सुमनोहराः । तद्दिने गतवंतस्तु धनाढ्यस्य गृहं महत्

te pratyahaṁ rāmakathāḥ śṛṇvaṁtaḥ sumanoharāḥ taddine gatavaṁtastu dhanāḍhyasya gṛhaṁ mahat

Hearing, as they did each day, lovely stories of Rama, they came that day to the great house of a wealthy man.

Verse 21 (padma.5.55.21)

दीपं वीक्ष्य प्रज्वलंतं वचनं वीक्ष्य मानुषम् । स्थितास्तत्र क्षणं चाराः समशृण्वन्यशो भृशम्

dīpaṁ vīkṣya prajvalaṁtaṁ vacanaṁ vīkṣya mānuṣam sthitāstatra kṣaṇaṁ cārāḥ samaśṛṇvanyaśo bhṛśam

Seeing a lamp burning there, hearing human voices, the spies paused a moment and listened closely to that great fame.

Verse 22 (padma.5.55.22)

तत्र काचन वामाक्षी बालकं प्रति हर्षिता । स्तनं धयंतं निजगौ वाक्यं तु सुमनोहरम्

tatra kācana vāmākṣī bālakaṁ prati harṣitā stanaṁ dhayaṁtaṁ nijagau vākyaṁ tu sumanoharam

There a certain lovely-eyed woman, delighted, said to her child, who was suckling at her breast, these most lovely words —

Verse 23 (padma.5.55.23)

पिब पुत्र यथेष्टं त्वं स्तन्यं मम मनोहरम् । पश्चात्तव सुदुष्प्रापं भविष्यति ममात्मज

piba putra yatheṣṭaṁ tvaṁ stanyaṁ mama manoharam paścāttava suduṣprāpaṁ bhaviṣyati mamātmaja

"Drink, my son, as much as you wish, this lovely milk of mine; hereafter, my child, it shall become a very rare thing for you."

Verse 24 (padma.5.55.24)

एतत्पुर्याः पती रामो नीलोत्पलदलप्रभः । तत्पुरीस्थजनानां तु न भविष्यति वै जनुः

etatpuryāḥ patī rāmo nīlotpaladalaprabhaḥ tatpurīsthajanānāṁ tu na bhaviṣyati vai januḥ

"The lord of this city is Rama, radiant as the petal of a blue lotus; and the people who dwell in his city shall know birth no more."

Verse 25 (padma.5.55.25)

जन्माभावात्कथं पानं स्तन्यस्य भुवि जायते । तस्मात्पिब मुहुः स्तन्यं दुर्ल्लभं हृदि मन्य च

janmābhāvātkathaṁ pānaṁ stanyasya bhuvi jāyate tasmātpiba muhuḥ stanyaṁ durllabhaṁ hṛdi manya ca

"Without birth, how could the drinking of milk ever occur on this earth? So drink of it again and again, and hold it precious in your heart."

Verse 26 (padma.5.55.26)

ये श्रीरामं स्मरिष्यंति ध्यायंति च वदंति ये । तेषामपि पयःपानं न भविष्यति जातुचित्

ye śrīrāmaṁ smariṣyaṁti dhyāyaṁti ca vadaṁti ye teṣāmapi payaḥpānaṁ na bhaviṣyati jātucit

"For those who shall remember Shri Rama, meditate upon him, and speak of him — for them too, the drinking of milk shall never come again."

Verse 27 (padma.5.55.27)

इत्यादिवाक्यं संश्रुत्य श्रीरामयशसोऽमृतम् । हर्षिताः प्रययुर्गेहमन्यद्भाग्यवतो महत्

ityādivākyaṁ saṁśrutya śrīrāmayaśaso'mṛtam harṣitāḥ prayayurgehamanyadbhāgyavato mahat

Hearing this and other such words, that very nectar of Shri Rama's fame, they went off delighted to another house, the great home of some fortunate man.

Verse 28 (padma.5.55.28)

तावदन्यश्चरस्तत्र मनोरममिदं गृहम् । मत्वा तिष्ठन्हि रामस्य क्षणं शुश्रूषया यशः

tāvadanyaścarastatra manoramamidaṁ gṛham matvā tiṣṭhanhi rāmasya kṣaṇaṁ śuśrūṣayā yaśaḥ

Meanwhile another spy, deeming this lovely house too a place of Rama's own fame, stood there attentively for a moment.

Verse 29 (padma.5.55.29)

तत्र काचिन्निजं कांतं पर्यंकोपरि सुस्थितम् । तांबूलं चर्वती दत्तं भर्त्तास्नेहेन सुंदरी

tatra kācinnijaṁ kāṁtaṁ paryaṁkopari susthitam tāṁbūlaṁ carvatī dattaṁ bharttāsnehena suṁdarī

There a certain lovely woman, seeing her husband seated comfortably upon a couch, chewing betel given him out of affection —

Verse 30 (padma.5.55.30)

कंकणस्वरशोभाढ्या कर्पूरागरुधूपिता । कांतं वीक्ष्य चलन्नेत्रा कामरूपमवोचत

kaṁkaṇasvaraśobhāḍhyā karpūrāgarudhūpitā kāṁtaṁ vīkṣya calannetrā kāmarūpamavocata

— resplendent with the chime of her bangles, perfumed with camphor and aloe-wood, her eyes darting as she gazed upon her beloved, spoke these words of love —

Verse 31 (padma.5.55.31)

नाथ त्वं तादृशो मह्यं भासि यादृग्रघोः पतिः । अत्यंतं सुंदरतरं वपुर्बिभ्रत्सुकोमलम्

nātha tvaṁ tādṛśo mahyaṁ bhāsi yādṛgraghoḥ patiḥ atyaṁtaṁ suṁdarataraṁ vapurbibhratsukomalam

"My lord, you appear to me just as the lord of the Raghus himself, bearing a form so exceedingly beautiful and soft —"

Verse 32 (padma.5.55.32)

पद्मप्रांतं नेत्रयुग्मं वक्षो मोहनविस्तृतम् । भुजौ च सांगदौ बिभ्रत्साक्षाद्राम इवासि मे

padmaprāṁtaṁ netrayugmaṁ vakṣo mohanavistṛtam bhujau ca sāṁgadau bibhratsākṣādrāma ivāsi me

"— your two eyes like lotuses, your chest broad and captivating, your arms adorned with armlets — to me you are Rama himself, in person."

Verse 33 (padma.5.55.33)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य कांतायाः सुमनोहरम् । उवाच नेत्रयोः प्रांतं नर्तयन्कामसुंदरः

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya kāṁtāyāḥ sumanoharam uvāca netrayoḥ prāṁtaṁ nartayankāmasuṁdaraḥ

Hearing this most lovely speech of his beloved, that husband, handsome as Kamadeva, made the corners of his eyes dance, and said —

Verse 34 (padma.5.55.34)

शृणु कांते त्वया प्रोक्तं साध्व्या तु सुमनोहरम् । पतिव्रतानां तद्योग्यं स्वकांतो राम एव हि

śṛṇu kāṁte tvayā proktaṁ sādhvyā tu sumanoharam pativratānāṁ tadyogyaṁ svakāṁto rāma eva hi

"Listen, my beloved: what you, a virtuous woman, have said is most lovely, and fitting for a devoted wife — your own husband is truly Rama himself."

Verse 35 (padma.5.55.35)

परं क्वाहं मंदभाग्यः क्व रामो भाग्यवान्महान् । क्व चाहं कीटवत्तुच्छः क्व ब्रह्मादिसुरार्चितः

paraṁ kvāhaṁ maṁdabhāgyaḥ kva rāmo bhāgyavānmahān kva cāhaṁ kīṭavattucchaḥ kva brahmādisurārcitaḥ

"But where am I, ill-fated, and where is great and fortunate Rama? Where am I, as worthless as an insect, and where he, worshipped by Brahma and the gods?"

Verse 36 (padma.5.55.36)

खद्योतः क्व नभोरत्नं शलभः क्व नु पामरः । गजारिः क्व मृगेंद्रोऽसौ शशकः क्व नु मंदधीः

khadyotaḥ kva nabhoratnaṁ śalabhaḥ kva nu pāmaraḥ gajāriḥ kva mṛgeṁdro'sau śaśakaḥ kva nu maṁdadhīḥ

"Where the firefly, and where the jewel of the sky? Where the lowly moth, where the wretch? Where the lion, foe of elephants, and where the dull-witted hare?"

Verse 37 (padma.5.55.37)

क्व च सा जाह्नवी देवी क्व रथ्या जलमुत्पथम् । क्व मेरुः सुरसंवासः क्व गुंजापुंजकोल्पकः

kva ca sā jāhnavī devī kva rathyā jalamutpatham kva meruḥ surasaṁvāsaḥ kva guṁjāpuṁjakolpakaḥ

"Where that goddess Jahnavi, and where a mere puddle brimming in a lane? Where Meru, the very dwelling of the gods, and where a trifling heap of gunja-seeds?"

Verse 38 (padma.5.55.38)

तथाहं क्व क्व रामोऽसौ यत्पादरजसांगना । शिलीभूता क्षणाज्जाता ब्रह्ममोहनरूपधृक्

tathāhaṁ kva kva rāmo'sau yatpādarajasāṁganā śilībhūtā kṣaṇājjātā brahmamohanarūpadhṛk

"Just so am I, set beside that Rama, from the dust of whose feet a very stone became, in an instant, a woman, bearing a form that bewildered even Brahma."

Verse 39 (padma.5.55.39)

इति वाक्यं प्रब्रुवाणं परिरेभे निजं पतिम् । जातकामा हृतप्रेम्णा नर्तित भ्रू धनुर्धरा

iti vākyaṁ prabruvāṇaṁ parirebhe nijaṁ patim jātakāmā hṛtapremṇā nartita bhrū dhanurdharā

Speaking these words, overcome with desire, her heart stolen by love, that woman, her eyebrows dancing like a drawn bow, embraced her own husband.

Verse 40 (padma.5.55.40)

इत्यादि वाक्यं संश्रुत्य गतश्चान्यनिवेशनम् । तावदन्यश्चरो वाक्यं शुश्राव यशसान्वितम्

ityādi vākyaṁ saṁśrutya gataścānyaniveśanam tāvadanyaścaro vākyaṁ śuśrāva yaśasānvitam

Hearing this and other such words, he went on to another dwelling; meanwhile another spy overheard words full of glory too.

Verse 41 (padma.5.55.41)

काचित्पुष्पमयीं शय्यां चंदनं सह चंद्रकम् । सर्वं विधाय कामार्हं जगाद वचनं पतिम्

kācitpuṣpamayīṁ śayyāṁ caṁdanaṁ saha caṁdrakam sarvaṁ vidhāya kāmārhaṁ jagāda vacanaṁ patim

A certain woman, having prepared a bed of flowers with sandal-paste and camphor, everything arranged fit for love, said to her husband —

Verse 42 (padma.5.55.42)

पते कुरुष्व भोगार्हे शयनं पुष्पमंचके । चंदनादिकलेपं च तथा भोगमनेकधा

pate kuruṣva bhogārhe śayanaṁ puṣpamaṁcake caṁdanādikalepaṁ ca tathā bhogamanekadhā

"My lord, lie down upon this flower-couch, fit for delight, anointed with sandal-paste and every manner of pleasure."

Verse 43 (padma.5.55.43)

त्वादृशा एव भोगार्हा न च रामपराङ्मुखाः । सर्वं रामकृपाप्राप्तमुपभुंक्ष्व यथातथम्

tvādṛśā eva bhogārhā na ca rāmaparāṅmukhāḥ sarvaṁ rāmakṛpāprāptamupabhuṁkṣva yathātatham

"Only those such as you are fit for such enjoyment, not those who turn their faces from Rama; partake fully of all this, gained as it is by Rama's grace."

Verse 44 (padma.5.55.44)

मत्सदृशी कामिनी ते चंदनं तापहारकम् । पर्यंकः पुष्परचितः सर्वं रामकृपाभवम्

matsadṛśī kāminī te caṁdanaṁ tāpahārakam paryaṁkaḥ puṣparacitaḥ sarvaṁ rāmakṛpābhavam

"A beloved such as I am to you, this sandal-paste that soothes your fatigue, this couch arranged with flowers — all of it is born of Rama's grace."

Verse 45 (padma.5.55.45)

ये रामं न भजिष्यंति ते नरा जठरं स्वयम् । न भर्तुं शक्नुवंत्येव वस्त्रभोगादि वर्जिताः

ye rāmaṁ na bhajiṣyaṁti te narā jaṭharaṁ svayam na bhartuṁ śaknuvaṁtyeva vastrabhogādi varjitāḥ

"Those men who will not worship Rama — such men, deprived of clothing and every pleasure, shall not even be able to fill their own bellies."

Verse 46 (padma.5.55.46)

इति ब्रुवंतीं महिलां हर्षितः पतिरब्रवीत् । सर्वं तथ्यं ब्रवीषि त्वं मम रामकृपाभवम्

iti bruvaṁtīṁ mahilāṁ harṣitaḥ patirabravīt sarvaṁ tathyaṁ bravīṣi tvaṁ mama rāmakṛpābhavam

Hearing his wife speak thus, her husband, delighted, said: "All that you say is true — everything of mine comes only through Rama's grace."

Verse 47 (padma.5.55.47)

इत्येवं रामभद्रस्य यशः श्रुत्वा गतश्चरः । तावदन्यस्य वेश्मस्थश्चरोऽन्य शुश्रुवे वचः

ityevaṁ rāmabhadrasya yaśaḥ śrutvā gataścaraḥ tāvadanyasya veśmasthaścaro'nya śuśruve vacaḥ

Having heard this fame of Ramabhadra, that spy moved on; meanwhile another spy, standing at another house, heard yet further words.

Verse 48 (padma.5.55.48)

काचित्कांतेन पर्यंके वीणावादनतत्परा । कांतेन रामसत्कीर्तिं गायमाना पतिं जगौ

kācitkāṁtena paryaṁke vīṇāvādanatatparā kāṁtena rāmasatkīrtiṁ gāyamānā patiṁ jagau

A certain woman, seated with her husband upon a couch, absorbed in playing the veena, sang of Rama's lovely fame and spoke to her husband.

Verse 49 (padma.5.55.49)

स्वामिन्वयं धन्यतमा येषां पुर्याः पतिः प्रभुः । श्रीरामः स्वप्रजाः पुत्रानिव पाति च रक्षकः

svāminvayaṁ dhanyatamā yeṣāṁ puryāḥ patiḥ prabhuḥ śrīrāmaḥ svaprajāḥ putrāniva pāti ca rakṣakaḥ

"My lord, we are the most blessed of all, whose city's very lord and master is Shri Rama, who protects his own people as a father protects his sons."

Verse 50 (padma.5.55.50)

यो महत्कर्मदुःसाध्यं कृतवान्सुलभं न तत् । समुद्रं यो निजग्राह सेतुं तत्र बबंध च

yo mahatkarmaduḥsādhyaṁ kṛtavānsulabhaṁ na tat samudraṁ yo nijagrāha setuṁ tatra babaṁdha ca

"He who accomplished that great deed not easily achieved by others — who mastered the very ocean and built a bridge across it there —"

Verse 51 (padma.5.55.51)

रावणं यो रिपुं हत्वा लंकां संभज्य वानरैः । जानकीमाजहारात्र महदाचारमाचरत्

rāvaṇaṁ yo ripuṁ hatvā laṁkāṁ saṁbhajya vānaraiḥ jānakīmājahārātra mahadācāramācarat

"— who, having slain his enemy Ravana and set Lanka in order with the monkeys, brought Janaki back here — that was the great deed he performed."

Verse 52 (padma.5.55.52)

इति प्रोक्तं समाकर्ण्य वचः सुमधुराक्षरम् । पतिः स्मितं चकारेमां वाक्यं पुनरथाब्रवीत्

iti proktaṁ samākarṇya vacaḥ sumadhurākṣaram patiḥ smitaṁ cakāremāṁ vākyaṁ punarathābravīt

Hearing these words spoken in such sweet syllables, her husband smiled, and said this to her once more —

Verse 53 (padma.5.55.53)

मुग्धेनेदं महत्कर्म रामचंद्रस्य भामिनी । दशाननवधादीनि समुद्र दमनानि च

mugdhenedaṁ mahatkarma rāmacaṁdrasya bhāminī daśānanavadhādīni samudra damanāni ca

"You speak, my innocent one, of this great deed of Ramachandra's — the slaying of the ten-headed one, and the taming of the ocean."

Verse 54 (padma.5.55.54)

लीलयायोऽवनिं प्राप्तो ब्रह्मादिप्रार्थितो महान् । करोति सच्चरित्राणि महापापहराणि च

līlayāyo'vaniṁ prāpto brahmādiprārthito mahān karoti saccaritrāṇi mahāpāpaharāṇi ca

"That great one, entreated by Brahma and the gods, came to this earth in mere play, and performs those righteous deeds that take away the greatest sins."

Verse 55 (padma.5.55.55)

मा जानीहि नरं रामं कौसल्यानंददायकम् । सृजत्यवति हंत्येतद्विश्वं लीलात्तमानुषः

mā jānīhi naraṁ rāmaṁ kausalyānaṁdadāyakam sṛjatyavati haṁtyetadviśvaṁ līlāttamānuṣaḥ

"Think not of Rama, the delight of Kausalya, as a mere man; that man creates, sustains, and destroys this whole universe in mere play."

Verse 56 (padma.5.55.56)

धन्या वयं ये रामस्य पश्यामो मुखपंकजम् । ब्रह्मादिसुरदुर्दर्शं महत्पुण्यकृतो वयम्

dhanyā vayaṁ ye rāmasya paśyāmo mukhapaṁkajam brahmādisuradurdarśaṁ mahatpuṇyakṛto vayam

"Blessed are we, who behold Rama's lotus-face, so hard to attain even for Brahma and the gods; we are indeed doers of the greatest merit."

Verse 57 (padma.5.55.57)

अशृणोद्रामचंद्रस्य चरित्रं श्रुतिसौख्यदम् । इत्यादिवाक्यं शुश्राव चारो द्वारिस्थितो मुहुः

aśṛṇodrāmacaṁdrasya caritraṁ śrutisaukhyadam ityādivākyaṁ śuśrāva cāro dvāristhito muhuḥ

He heard that story of Ramachandra, delightful to the ear; this and other such words the spy heard again and again, standing there at the door.

Verse 58 (padma.5.55.58)

अन्यो ह्यन्यं गृहं गत्वा तस्थौ श्रोतुं हरेर्यशः । तत्रापि रामभद्रस्य यशः शुश्राव शोभनम्

anyo hyanyaṁ gṛhaṁ gatvā tasthau śrotuṁ hareryaśaḥ tatrāpi rāmabhadrasya yaśaḥ śuśrāva śobhanam

Then, going from house to house, he paused to hear Hari's fame; there too he heard the lovely glory of Ramabhadra.

Verse 59 (padma.5.55.59)

खेलंती स्वामिना सार्धं द्यूतेन सुमनोहरा । उवाच वाक्यं मधुरं नर्तयंतीव कंकणे

khelaṁtī svāminā sārdhaṁ dyūtena sumanoharā uvāca vākyaṁ madhuraṁ nartayaṁtīva kaṁkaṇe

A lovely woman, playing dice with her husband, her very bangles seeming to dance, spoke sweet words to him.

Verse 60 (padma.5.55.60)

जितं मया कांत जवेन सर्वं । करिष्यसि त्वं किमु हारिमानसः । इत्यादि वाक्यं परिहासपूर्वकं । कृत्वा स्वकांतं परिषस्वजे मुदा

jitaṁ mayā kāṁta javena sarvaṁ kariṣyasi tvaṁ kimu hārimānasaḥ ityādi vākyaṁ parihāsapūrvakaṁ kṛtvā svakāṁtaṁ pariṣasvaje mudā

"Beloved, I have swiftly won everything from you; what will you do now, your heart quite stolen away?" Speaking thus in jest, she embraced her husband with delight.

Verse 61 (padma.5.55.61)

उवाच कांतश्चार्वंगि जितमेव सुशोभने । रामं मे स्मरतो नित्यं न कुत्रापि पराजयः

uvāca kāṁtaścārvaṁgi jitameva suśobhane rāmaṁ me smarato nityaṁ na kutrāpi parājayaḥ

Her husband said: "O lovely-limbed one, O radiant one, you have won indeed; but for me, who ever remembers Rama, there is no defeat anywhere."

Verse 62 (padma.5.55.62)

इदानीं त्वां तु जेष्यामि रामं स्मृत्वा मनोहरम् । देवा यथा पुरा स्मृत्वा दितिजानजयन्क्षणात्

idānīṁ tvāṁ tu jeṣyāmi rāmaṁ smṛtvā manoharam devā yathā purā smṛtvā ditijānajayankṣaṇāt

"Now I shall win you back too, remembering mind-enchanting Rama, just as the gods of old, remembering him, conquered the sons of Diti in a single instant."

Verse 63 (padma.5.55.63)

एवमुक्त्वा पाशकानां परिवर्तनमाकरोत् । तावज्जयं प्रपेदेऽसौ हर्षितो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

evamuktvā pāśakānāṁ parivartanamākarot tāvajjayaṁ prapede'sau harṣito vākyamabravīt

Having spoken thus, he cast the dice; and, winning the game, he said, delighted —

Verse 64 (padma.5.55.64)

मम प्रोक्तमृतं जातं जिता त्वं नवयौवना । रामस्मारी कदाप्येव न भवेद्रिपुतो भयी

mama proktamṛtaṁ jātaṁ jitā tvaṁ navayauvanā rāmasmārī kadāpyeva na bhavedriputo bhayī

"What I said has come true — you are conquered now, O one in the bloom of youth! One who remembers Rama is never afraid of any foe."

Verse 65 (padma.5.55.65)

इत्येवं तौ वदंतौ च परस्परमथोत्सुकौ । परिरभ्य दृढं प्रेम्णा ततश्चारो गतो गृहम्

ityevaṁ tau vadaṁtau ca parasparamathotsukau parirabhya dṛḍhaṁ premṇā tataścāro gato gṛham

Thus the two of them, speaking to one another, eagerly embraced each other fast with love; and then the spy moved on to another house.

Verse 66 (padma.5.55.66)

एवं पंचमहाचारा राज्ञः संश्रुत्य वै यशः । परस्परं प्रशंसंतो गेहं स्वं स्वं ययुर्मुदा

evaṁ paṁcamahācārā rājñaḥ saṁśrutya vai yaśaḥ parasparaṁ praśaṁsaṁto gehaṁ svaṁ svaṁ yayurmudā

Thus, having heard the king's own fame, all five of the great spies, praising one another, went joyfully each to his own home.

Verse 67 (padma.5.55.67)

एकः षष्ठश्चरः कारुगेहानालोक्य तत्र ह । जगाम श्रोतुकामोऽसौ यशो राज्ञो महीपतेः

ekaḥ ṣaṣṭhaścaraḥ kārugehānālokya tatra ha jagāma śrotukāmo'sau yaśo rājño mahīpateḥ

The sixth spy, seeing there the house of a craftsman, went to it, wishing to hear the fame of the lord of the earth.

Verse 68 (padma.5.55.68)

रजकः क्रोधसंस्पृष्टो भार्यामन्यगृहोषिताम् । पदा संताडयामास धिक्कुर्वञ्छोणनेत्रवान्

rajakaḥ krodhasaṁspṛṣṭo bhāryāmanyagṛhoṣitām padā saṁtāḍayāmāsa dhikkurvañchoṇanetravān

A washerman, filled with fury, struck his wife, who had stayed a while in another man's house, with his foot, his eyes red as he reproached her.

Verse 69 (padma.5.55.69)

गच्छ त्वं मद्गृहात्तस्य गेहं यत्रोषिता दिनम् । नाहं गृह्णामि भवतीं दुष्टां वचनलंघिनीम्

gaccha tvaṁ madgṛhāttasya gehaṁ yatroṣitā dinam nāhaṁ gṛhṇāmi bhavatīṁ duṣṭāṁ vacanalaṁghinīm

"Go from my house to that very house where you stayed a day; I will not have you back, wicked woman, transgressor of my word."

Verse 70 (padma.5.55.70)

तदास्य माता प्रोवाच मा त्यजैनां गृहागताम् । अपराधेन रहितां दुष्टकर्मविवर्जिताम्

tadāsya mātā provāca mā tyajaināṁ gṛhāgatām aparādhena rahitāṁ duṣṭakarmavivarjitām

Then his mother said: "Do not cast her out, who has returned now to your own house, free of any fault, free of any wicked deed."

Verse 71 (padma.5.55.71)

मातरं प्रत्युवाचाथ रजकः क्रोधसंयुतः । नाहं रामइव प्रेष्ठां गृह्णाम्यन्यगृहोषिताम्

mātaraṁ pratyuvācātha rajakaḥ krodhasaṁyutaḥ nāhaṁ rāmaiva preṣṭhāṁ gṛhṇāmyanyagṛhoṣitām

Then the washerman, filled with fury, answered his mother: "I am not like Rama, to take back a wife who has lived in another man's house."

Verse 72 (padma.5.55.72)

स राजा यत्करोत्येव तत्सर्वं नीतिमद्भवेत् । अहं गृह्णामि नो भार्यां परवेश्मनि संस्थिताम्

sa rājā yatkarotyeva tatsarvaṁ nītimadbhavet ahaṁ gṛhṇāmi no bhāryāṁ paraveśmani saṁsthitām

"Whatever that king does becomes proper policy by the mere doing of it — but I will not take back a wife who has stayed in another man's house."

Verse 73 (padma.5.55.73)

पुनःपुनरुवाचेदं नाहं रामो महीश्वरः । यः परस्य गृहे संस्थां जानकीं वै ररक्ष सः

punaḥpunaruvācedaṁ nāhaṁ rāmo mahīśvaraḥ yaḥ parasya gṛhe saṁsthāṁ jānakīṁ vai rarakṣa saḥ

He said this again and again: "I am not Rama, that lord of the earth, who kept and protected Janaki, though she had dwelt in another man's house."

Verse 74 (padma.5.55.74)

इति वाक्यं समाश्रुत्य चारः क्रोधपरिप्लुतः । खड्गं गृहीत्वा स्वकरे तं हंतुं विदधे मनः

iti vākyaṁ samāśrutya cāraḥ krodhapariplutaḥ khaḍgaṁ gṛhītvā svakare taṁ haṁtuṁ vidadhe manaḥ

Hearing these words, the spy, overflowing with fury, took a sword in hand and resolved in his heart to slay him.

Verse 75 (padma.5.55.75)

स रामोक्तं च सस्मार न वध्यः कोपि मे जनः । इति ज्ञात्वा सरोषं तु संजहार महामनाः

sa rāmoktaṁ ca sasmāra na vadhyaḥ kopi me janaḥ iti jñātvā saroṣaṁ tu saṁjahāra mahāmanāḥ

But he remembered Rama's own decree — "None of my subjects is to be put to death" — and, knowing this, that great-hearted one, angry as he was, restrained himself.

Verse 76 (padma.5.55.76)

तदा श्रुत्वा सुदुःखार्तः पंचचारा यतः स्थिताः । ततो गतः प्रकुपितो निःश्वसन्मुहुरुच्छ्वसन्

tadā śrutvā suduḥkhārtaḥ paṁcacārā yataḥ sthitāḥ tato gataḥ prakupito niḥśvasanmuhurucchvasan

Hearing this, deeply pained — the five spies who stood there — and he too, enraged, breathing hard again and again, departed from that place.

Verse 77 (padma.5.55.77)

ते वै परस्परं तत्र मिलितास्तु समब्रुवन् । स्वश्रुतं रामचरितं सर्वलोकैकपूजितम्

te vai parasparaṁ tatra militāstu samabruvan svaśrutaṁ rāmacaritaṁ sarvalokaikapūjitam

There, meeting with one another, they spoke together of Rama's story as they had heard it — that story worshipped by all the world alone.

Verse 78 (padma.5.55.78)

ते तद्भाषितमाकर्ण्य परस्परममंत्रयन् । न वाच्यं रघुनाथाया वाच्यं दुष्टजनोदितम्

te tadbhāṣitamākarṇya parasparamamaṁtrayan na vācyaṁ raghunāthāyā vācyaṁ duṣṭajanoditam

Hearing that speech recounted, they took counsel with one another: "What that wicked man said must never be repeated to Raghunatha's queen."

Verse 79 (padma.5.55.79)

इति संमंत्र्य ते गेहं गत्वा सुषुपुरुत्सुकाः । प्राता राज्ञे प्रशंसाम इति बुद्ध्या व्यवस्थिताः

iti saṁmaṁtrya te gehaṁ gatvā suṣupurutsukāḥ prātā rājñe praśaṁsāma iti buddhyā vyavasthitāḥ

Having thus taken counsel together, they went eagerly each to his own home and slept; and by morning they had resolved in their minds to tell the king only praise.