Janaki's Vision of the Ganga

Verse 1 (padma.5.58.1)

शेष उवाच। भरतं मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा रघुनाथः सुदुःखितः । प्रतीहारमुवाचेदं शत्रुघ्नं प्रापयाशु माम्

śeṣa uvāca bharataṁ mūrcchitaṁ dṛṣṭvā raghunāthaḥ suduḥkhitaḥ pratīhāramuvācedaṁ śatrughnaṁ prāpayāśu mām

Shesha said: Seeing Bharata in a swoon, Raghunatha, greatly sorrowful, said to the doorkeeper: "Bring Shatrughna to me at once."

Verse 2 (padma.5.58.2)

तद्वाक्यं प्रोक्तमाकर्ण्य क्षणाच्छत्रुघ्नमानयत् । यत्र रामो निजभ्राता भरतेन सह स्थितः

tadvākyaṁ proktamākarṇya kṣaṇācchatrughnamānayat yatra rāmo nijabhrātā bharatena saha sthitaḥ

Hearing this word, he brought Shatrughna there in an instant, to where Rama sat together with his brother Bharata.

Verse 3 (padma.5.58.3)

भरतं मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा रघुनाथं च दुःखितम् । प्रणम्य दुःखितोऽवोचत्किमिदं दारुणं महत्

bharataṁ mūrcchitaṁ dṛṣṭvā raghunāthaṁ ca duḥkhitam praṇamya duḥkhito'vocatkimidaṁ dāruṇaṁ mahat

Seeing Bharata in a swoon and Raghunatha grieving, he bowed and, sorrowful, said: "What is this terrible, great calamity?"

Verse 4 (padma.5.58.4)

तदा रामोंऽत्यजप्रोक्तं वाक्यं लोकविगर्हितम् । तं प्रत्युवाच रामोऽसौ शत्रुघ्नं पदसेवकम्

tadā rāmoṁ'tyajaproktaṁ vākyaṁ lokavigarhitam taṁ pratyuvāca rāmo'sau śatrughnaṁ padasevakam

Then Rama told him the word uttered by that outcaste, censured by the world; Rama said this to Shatrughna, servant at his feet —

Verse 5 (padma.5.58.5)

अधोमुखो दीनरवो गद्गदाक्षरवेपथुः । शृणु भ्रातर्वचो मेऽद्य कुरु तत्क्षिप्रमादरात्

adhomukho dīnaravo gadgadākṣaravepathuḥ śṛṇu bhrātarvaco me'dya kuru tatkṣipramādarāt

— head bowed, his voice pitiful, trembling in choked syllables: "Hear my word today, brother; do it at once, with all reverence."

Verse 6 (padma.5.58.6)

यथा स्याद्विमलाकीर्तिर्गंगेव पृथिवीं गता । सीताया वाच्यमतुलं लोके श्रुत्वांत्यजोदितम्

yathā syādvimalākīrtirgaṁgeva pṛthivīṁ gatā sītāyā vācyamatulaṁ loke śrutvāṁtyajoditam

"So that my fame may become spotless, like the Ganga come down upon this earth — having heard this matchless slander about Sita, spoken by an outcaste before all the world —"

Verse 7 (padma.5.58.7)

हातुमिच्छामि देहं स्वमेनां वा जानकीं किल । इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य रामस्य किल शत्रुहा

hātumicchāmi dehaṁ svamenāṁ vā jānakīṁ kila iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya rāmasya kila śatruhā

"— I wish to abandon either my own body, or Janaki herself." Hearing this word of Rama's, that slayer of foes indeed —

Verse 8 (padma.5.58.8)

सवेपथुः पपातोर्व्यां दुःखितः परदारणः । संज्ञां प्राप्य मुहूर्तेन रघुनाथमवोचत

savepathuḥ papātorvyāṁ duḥkhitaḥ paradāraṇaḥ saṁjñāṁ prāpya muhūrtena raghunāthamavocata

— trembling, fell to the ground grieving, that piercer of enemy hosts; and, regaining his senses after a moment, said to Raghunatha —

Verse 9 (padma.5.58.9)

शत्रुघ्न उवाच। किमेतदुच्यते स्वामिञ्जानकीं प्रति दारुणम् । पाखंडैर्दुष्टचित्तैश्च सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतैः

śatrughna uvāca kimetaducyate svāmiñjānakīṁ prati dāruṇam pākhaṁḍairduṣṭacittaiśca sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaiḥ

Shatrughna said: "My lord, what terrible word is this concerning Janaki, spoken by hypocrites of wicked mind, cast out from all Dharma?"

Verse 10 (padma.5.58.10)

निंदिता श्रुतिरग्राह्या भवति त्वग्र्यजन्मनाम् । जाह्नवी सर्वलोकानां पापघ्नी दुरितापहा

niṁditā śrutiragrāhyā bhavati tvagryajanmanām jāhnavī sarvalokānāṁ pāpaghnī duritāpahā

"Scripture censured by the lowest-born becomes unacceptable to the finest of the twice-born; the Ganga, purifier of all the worlds, remover of sin —"

Verse 11 (padma.5.58.11)

निस्पृष्टा पापिभिः पुंभिः सा स्पर्शेनार्हिता सताम् । सूर्यो जगत्प्रकाशाय समुदेति जगत्यहो

nispṛṣṭā pāpibhiḥ puṁbhiḥ sā sparśenārhitā satām sūryo jagatprakāśāya samudeti jagatyaho

"— remains worthy of the touch of the righteous only by staying untouched by sinful men; the sun rises in this world to illumine it, ah —"

Verse 12 (padma.5.58.12)

उलूकानां रुचिकरो न भवेत्तत्र का क्षतिः । तस्मात्त्वमेनां गृह्णीष्व मा त्यजानिंदितां स्त्रियम्

ulūkānāṁ rucikaro na bhavettatra kā kṣatiḥ tasmāttvamenāṁ gṛhṇīṣva mā tyajāniṁditāṁ striyam

"— and if that does not please the owls, what loss is there in it? Therefore accept her — do not abandon this blameless woman."

Verse 13 (padma.5.58.13)

श्रीरामभद्रकृपया कुरुष्व वचनं मम । एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य शत्रुघ्नस्य महात्मनः

śrīrāmabhadrakṛpayā kuruṣva vacanaṁ mama etacchrutvā vacastasya śatrughnasya mahātmanaḥ

"By Shri Ramabhadra's own grace, heed this word of mine." Hearing this speech of great-souled Shatrughna —

Verse 14 (padma.5.58.14)

पुनःपुनर्जगादेदं यदुक्तं भरतं प्रति । तन्निशम्य वचो भ्रातुर्दुःखपूरपरिप्लुतः

punaḥpunarjagādedaṁ yaduktaṁ bharataṁ prati tanniśamya vaco bhrāturduḥkhapūrapariplutaḥ

— he told, again and again, the very thing he had already told Bharata; and hearing his brother's words, overwhelmed by a flood of sorrow —

Verse 15 (padma.5.58.15)

पपात मूर्च्छितो भूमौ छिन्नमूल इव द्रुमः । भ्रातरं पतितं वीक्ष्य शत्रुघ्नं दुःखितो भृशम्

papāta mūrcchito bhūmau chinnamūla iva drumaḥ bhrātaraṁ patitaṁ vīkṣya śatrughnaṁ duḥkhito bhṛśam

— he fell to the ground in a swoon, like a tree cut off at its very root. Seeing his brother fallen, greatly grieved Shatrughna —

Verse 16 (padma.5.58.16)

प्रतीहारमुवाचेदं लक्ष्मणं त्वानयांतिकम् । स लक्ष्मणगृहं गत्वा न्यवेदयदिदं वचः

pratīhāramuvācedaṁ lakṣmaṇaṁ tvānayāṁtikam sa lakṣmaṇagṛhaṁ gatvā nyavedayadidaṁ vacaḥ

— said to the doorkeeper: "Bring Lakshmana to me." He went to Lakshmana's house and delivered this word —

Verse 17 (padma.5.58.17)

प्रतीहार उवाच। स्वामिन्रामो भवंतं तु समाह्वयति वेगतः । स तच्छ्रुत्वा समाह्वानं रामचंद्रेण वेगतः

pratīhāra uvāca svāminrāmo bhavaṁtaṁ tu samāhvayati vegataḥ sa tacchrutvā samāhvānaṁ rāmacaṁdreṇa vegataḥ

The doorkeeper said: "My lord, Rama summons you urgently." Hearing this summons from Ramachandra, he at once —

Verse 18 (padma.5.58.18)

जगाम तरसा तत्र यत्र स भ्रातृकोऽनघः । भरतं मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा शत्रुघ्नमपि मूर्च्छितम्

jagāma tarasā tatra yatra sa bhrātṛko'naghaḥ bharataṁ mūrcchitaṁ dṛṣṭvā śatrughnamapi mūrcchitam

— went with speed to where his sinless brother was; and, seeing Bharata in a swoon, and Shatrughna in a swoon as well —

Verse 19 (padma.5.58.19)

श्रीरामचंद्रं दुःखार्तं दुःखितो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । किमेतद्दारुणं राजन्दृश्यते मूर्च्छनादिकम्

śrīrāmacaṁdraṁ duḥkhārtaṁ duḥkhito vākyamabravīt kimetaddāruṇaṁ rājandṛśyate mūrcchanādikam

— grieving, he said this to sorrowful Shri Ramachandra: "What terrible thing is this, O king — why is this swooning to be seen here?"

Verse 20 (padma.5.58.20)

तदाशु शंस मां सर्वं कारणं मुख्यतोऽनघ । एवं वदंतं नृपतिर्वृत्तांतं सर्वमादितः

tadāśu śaṁsa māṁ sarvaṁ kāraṇaṁ mukhyato'nagha evaṁ vadaṁtaṁ nṛpatirvṛttāṁtaṁ sarvamāditaḥ

"Tell me at once, sinless one, the whole and true cause of it." As he spoke thus, the king told him the whole account from the very beginning —

Verse 21 (padma.5.58.21)

शशंस लक्ष्मणं क्षिप्रं दुःखपूरपरिप्लुतम् । लक्ष्मणस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा सीतायास्त्यागसंभवम्

śaśaṁsa lakṣmaṇaṁ kṣipraṁ duḥkhapūrapariplutam lakṣmaṇastadvacaḥ śrutvā sītāyāstyāgasaṁbhavam

— telling it swiftly to Lakshmana, who was overwhelmed by that flood of sorrow. Lakshmana, hearing this matter of Sita's abandonment —

Verse 22 (padma.5.58.22)

निःश्वसन्मुहुरुच्छ्वासं स्तब्धगात्र इवाभवत् । भ्रातरं स्तब्धगात्रं च कंपमानं मुहुर्मुहुः

niḥśvasanmuhurucchvāsaṁ stabdhagātra ivābhavat bhrātaraṁ stabdhagātraṁ ca kaṁpamānaṁ muhurmuhuḥ

— breathing hard again and again, became as if his very limbs had turned to stone; and seeing his brother's limbs thus stiffened, trembling again and again —

Verse 23 (padma.5.58.23)

न किंचन वदन्तं तं वीक्ष्य शोकार्दितोऽब्रवीत् । किं करिष्याम्यहं भूमौ स्थित्वा दुर्यशसांकितः

na kiṁcana vadantaṁ taṁ vīkṣya śokārdito'bravīt kiṁ kariṣyāmyahaṁ bhūmau sthitvā duryaśasāṁkitaḥ

— speaking not a word, seeing him thus, afflicted with grief, he said: "What shall I do, remaining upon this earth marked with ill fame?"

Verse 24 (padma.5.58.24)

त्यजामीदं वपुः श्रीमल्लोकभीत्या च शोकवान् । सर्वदा भ्रातरो मह्यं मद्वाक्यकरणोत्सुकाः

tyajāmīdaṁ vapuḥ śrīmallokabhītyā ca śokavān sarvadā bhrātaro mahyaṁ madvākyakaraṇotsukāḥ

"Out of fear of the people, grieving, I abandon this glorious body of mine; my brothers have always been eager to carry out my every word."

Verse 25 (padma.5.58.25)

इदानीं तेपि दैवेन प्रतिकूलवचः कराः । कुत्र गच्छामि कं यामि हसिष्यंति नृपा भुवि

idānīṁ tepi daivena pratikūlavacaḥ karāḥ kutra gacchāmi kaṁ yāmi hasiṣyaṁti nṛpā bhuvi

"Now even they, by fate, speak words contrary to my wish; where shall I go, to whom shall I turn — the kings of the earth will laugh at me."

Verse 26 (padma.5.58.26)

दुर्यशो लांछितं मां वै कुष्ठिनं रूपवन्नराः । मनोर्वंशे पुरा भूपा जाता जाता गुणाधिकाः

duryaśo lāṁchitaṁ māṁ vai kuṣṭhinaṁ rūpavannarāḥ manorvaṁśe purā bhūpā jātā jātā guṇādhikāḥ

"Marked with ill fame, handsome though I am, people will take me for a leper; once, kings born in the line of Manu ever grew greater in virtue —"

Verse 27 (padma.5.58.27)

इदानीं मयि जाते तु विपरीतं बभूव तत् । इति संभाषमाणं तं रामभद्रं समीक्ष्य सः

idānīṁ mayi jāte tu viparītaṁ babhūva tat iti saṁbhāṣamāṇaṁ taṁ rāmabhadraṁ samīkṣya saḥ

"— now, with my own birth, that has turned the other way." Seeing Ramabhadra speaking thus, he —

Verse 28 (padma.5.58.28)

संस्तभ्याश्रूणि विपुलान्युवाच विकल स्वरः । स्वामिन्विषादं मा कार्षीः कथं तव मतिर्हृता

saṁstabhyāśrūṇi vipulānyuvāca vikala svaraḥ svāminviṣādaṁ mā kārṣīḥ kathaṁ tava matirhṛtā

— restraining his own abundant tears, said in an agitated voice: "My lord, do not despair — how has your own mind been so overtaken?"

Verse 29 (padma.5.58.29)

सीतामनिंदितां को नु त्यजति श्रुतवान्भवान् । आकारयामि रजकं परिपृच्छामि तं प्रति

sītāmaniṁditāṁ ko nu tyajati śrutavānbhavān ākārayāmi rajakaṁ paripṛcchāmi taṁ prati

"Why would one as learned as you abandon blameless Sita on the strength of mere hearsay? I shall summon that washerman and question him myself."

Verse 30 (padma.5.58.30)

कथं त्वयानिंदिता सा जानकी योषितां वरा । तव देशे बलात्कश्चिद्बाध्यते न जनोऽल्पकः

kathaṁ tvayāniṁditā sā jānakī yoṣitāṁ varā tava deśe balātkaścidbādhyate na jano'lpakaḥ

"How is Janaki, foremost among women, blameworthy in your eyes? In your own realm not even a handful of people are wrongfully oppressed by force."

Verse 31 (padma.5.58.31)

तस्मात्तस्य यथास्वांते प्रतीतिः स्यात्तथाचर । किमर्थं त्यज्यते भीरुः पतिव्रतपरायणा

tasmāttasya yathāsvāṁte pratītiḥ syāttathācara kimarthaṁ tyajyate bhīruḥ pativrataparāyaṇā

"Therefore act in such a way that conviction arises in that man's own heart; why should this timid woman, devoted wholly to her husband, be cast aside?"

Verse 32 (padma.5.58.32)

मनसा वचसा नान्यं जानाति जनकात्मजा । तस्मादेनां गृहाण त्वमेतां मा त्यज जानकीम्

manasā vacasā nānyaṁ jānāti janakātmajā tasmādenāṁ gṛhāṇa tvametāṁ mā tyaja jānakīm

"In mind and in speech Janaka's daughter knows no one else; therefore accept her — do not abandon this Janaki."

Verse 33 (padma.5.58.33)

ममोपरि कृपां कृत्वा मदुक्तं संश्रयाशु तत् । एवं वदंतं प्रत्यूचे रामः शोकेन कर्षितः

mamopari kṛpāṁ kṛtvā maduktaṁ saṁśrayāśu tat evaṁ vadaṁtaṁ pratyūce rāmaḥ śokena karṣitaḥ

"Show mercy to me, and take refuge at once in what I have said." To him speaking thus, Rama, drawn by sorrow, replied —

Verse 34 (padma.5.58.34)

लक्ष्मणं धर्मवाक्येन बोधयंस्त्यजनोद्यमः

lakṣmaṇaṁ dharmavākyena bodhayaṁstyajanodyamaḥ

— reasoning with Lakshmana in the language of Dharma, though his own resolve to abandon her never once wavered.

Verse 35 (padma.5.58.35)

राम उवाच। कथं तु मां ब्रवीषि त्वं मा त्यजैनामनिंदिताम् । लोकापवादात्त्यक्ष्येऽहं जानन्नपि विपापिनीम्

rāma uvāca kathaṁ tu māṁ bravīṣi tvaṁ mā tyajaināmaniṁditām lokāpavādāttyakṣye'haṁ jānannapi vipāpinīm

Rama said: "How can you tell me, 'do not abandon her, she is innocent'? I shall abandon her because of the people's censure, even though I know her to be without sin."

Verse 36 (padma.5.58.36)

स्वयशः कारणेऽहं स्वं देहं त्यक्ष्याम्यशोभनम् । त्वामपि भ्रातरं त्यक्ष्ये लोकवादाद्विगर्हितम्

svayaśaḥ kāraṇe'haṁ svaṁ dehaṁ tyakṣyāmyaśobhanam tvāmapi bhrātaraṁ tyakṣye lokavādādvigarhitam

"For the sake of my own good name I shall give up even this mere body of mine; and if condemned by the world's talk, I would abandon even you, brother."

Verse 37 (padma.5.58.37)

किमुतान्ये गृहाः पुत्रा मित्राणि वसुशोभनम् । स्वयशःकारणे सर्वं त्यजामि किमु मैथिलीम्

kimutānye gṛhāḥ putrā mitrāṇi vasuśobhanam svayaśaḥkāraṇe sarvaṁ tyajāmi kimu maithilīm

"What then of other things — house, sons, friends, and fine wealth? For the sake of my own fame I abandon everything — why then not Maithili too?"

Verse 38 (padma.5.58.38)

न तथा मे प्रियो भ्राता न कलत्रं न बांधवाः । यथा मे विमलाकीर्तिर्वल्लभा लोकविश्रुता

na tathā me priyo bhrātā na kalatraṁ na bāṁdhavāḥ yathā me vimalākīrtirvallabhā lokaviśrutā

"Neither my brother, nor my wife, nor my kinsmen are as dear to me as my own spotless fame, beloved and renowned throughout the world."

Verse 39 (padma.5.58.39)

इदानीं रजको नैव प्रष्टव्यो भवति ध्रुवम् । कालेन सर्वं भविता लोकचित्तस्य रंजनम्

idānīṁ rajako naiva praṣṭavyo bhavati dhruvam kālena sarvaṁ bhavitā lokacittasya raṁjanam

"There is truly no need now to question this washerman at all; in time, everything will come to please the minds of the people once more."

Verse 40 (padma.5.58.40)

आमयो यद्वदामस्तु न चिकित्स्यो भवेत्क्षितौ । सकालेन परीपाकाद्भेषजादेव नश्यति

āmayo yadvadāmastu na cikitsyo bhavetkṣitau sakālena parīpākādbheṣajādeva naśyati

"Just as we say of certain illnesses on this earth that treatment is unnecessary — for, in time, through its own ripening, the illness is destroyed by the remedy itself —"

Verse 41 (padma.5.58.41)

तथा कालेन संभावि सांप्रतं मा विलंबय । त्यजैनां विपिने साध्वीं मां वा खड्गेन घातय

tathā kālena saṁbhāvi sāṁprataṁ mā vilaṁbaya tyajaināṁ vipine sādhvīṁ māṁ vā khaḍgena ghātaya

"— so too, in time, shall this come to pass; delay it no further now. Leave this virtuous woman in the forest, or else slay me with a sword."

Verse 42 (padma.5.58.42)

इत्युक्तं वाक्यमाकर्ण्य दुःखितोऽभूत्तदा महान् । चिंतयामास च स्वांते लक्ष्मणः शोककर्षितः

ityuktaṁ vākyamākarṇya duḥkhito'bhūttadā mahān ciṁtayāmāsa ca svāṁte lakṣmaṇaḥ śokakarṣitaḥ

Hearing this word, Lakshmana then grew greatly sorrowful; drawn by grief, he pondered within his own mind —

Verse 43 (padma.5.58.43)

पित्राज्ञप्तो जामदग्न्यो मातरं चाप्यघातयत् । गुरोराज्ञा नैव लंघ्या युक्ताऽयुक्तापि सर्वथा

pitrājñapto jāmadagnyo mātaraṁ cāpyaghātayat gurorājñā naiva laṁghyā yuktā'yuktāpi sarvathā

"At his father's command, the son of Jamadagni slew even his own mother; a guru's command, just or unjust, is never in any way to be transgressed."

Verse 44 (padma.5.58.44)

तस्मादेनां त्यजाम्येव रामस्य प्रियकाम्यया । इति संचिंत्य मनसि भ्रातरं प्रत्युवाच सः

tasmādenāṁ tyajāmyeva rāmasya priyakāmyayā iti saṁciṁtya manasi bhrātaraṁ pratyuvāca saḥ

"Therefore I shall indeed abandon her, out of desire for Rama's own contentment." Having thus resolved in his mind, he said to his brother —

Verse 45 (padma.5.58.45)

लक्ष्मणउवाच। अकृत्यमपि कार्यं वै गुर्वाज्ञां नैव लंघयेत् । तस्मात्कुर्वे भवद्वाक्यं यत्त्वं वदसि सुव्रत

lakṣmaṇauvāca akṛtyamapi kāryaṁ vai gurvājñāṁ naiva laṁghayet tasmātkurve bhavadvākyaṁ yattvaṁ vadasi suvrata

Lakshmana said: "Even an improper deed, if it must be done, should never transgress the guru's own command; therefore, O one of good vows, I shall do as you say."

Verse 46 (padma.5.58.46)

इत्येवं भाषमाणं तं लक्ष्मणं प्रत्युवाच सः । साधुसाधु महाप्राज्ञ त्वया मे तोषितं मनः

ityevaṁ bhāṣamāṇaṁ taṁ lakṣmaṇaṁ pratyuvāca saḥ sādhusādhu mahāprājña tvayā me toṣitaṁ manaḥ

To him speaking thus, Rama replied: "Well done, well done, O greatly wise one — you have set my own mind at ease."

Verse 47 (padma.5.58.47)

अद्यैव रात्रौ जानक्या दोहदस्तापसी क्षणे । तन्मिषेण रथे स्थाप्य मोचयैनां महावने

adyaiva rātrau jānakyā dohadastāpasī kṣaṇe tanmiṣeṇa rathe sthāpya mocayaināṁ mahāvane

"This very night, under the pretext of Janaki's craving to see the ascetic women, take her upon a chariot and leave her in the great forest."

Verse 48 (padma.5.58.48)

इत्थं भाषितमाकर्ण्य विशुष्यद्वदनोऽभितः । रुदन्बाष्पकलां मुंचञ्जगाम स्वं निवेशनम्

itthaṁ bhāṣitamākarṇya viśuṣyadvadano'bhitaḥ rudanbāṣpakalāṁ muṁcañjagāma svaṁ niveśanam

Hearing this word, his face utterly parched, weeping, streaming with tears, he went off to his own dwelling.

Verse 49 (padma.5.58.49)

सुमंत्रं तु समाहूय वचनं तमथाब्रवीत् । रथं मे कुरु सज्जं वै सदश्ववरभूषितम्

sumaṁtraṁ tu samāhūya vacanaṁ tamathābravīt rathaṁ me kuru sajjaṁ vai sadaśvavarabhūṣitam

Calling Sumantra, he said this word to him: "Ready my chariot at once, adorned with the finest of horses."

Verse 50 (padma.5.58.50)

स तद्वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य रथमानीतवांस्तदा । आनीतं तं रथं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणः शोककर्षितः

sa tadvākyaṁ samākarṇya rathamānītavāṁstadā ānītaṁ taṁ rathaṁ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇaḥ śokakarṣitaḥ

Hearing this word, he brought the chariot then; and seeing that chariot brought, Lakshmana, drawn by sorrow —

Verse 51 (padma.5.58.51)

परमं दुःखमापन्नः संरुह्य स्यंदनं वरम् । निःश्वसञ्जानकीगेहं प्रतस्थे भ्रातृसेवकः

paramaṁ duḥkhamāpannaḥ saṁruhya syaṁdanaṁ varam niḥśvasañjānakīgehaṁ pratasthe bhrātṛsevakaḥ

— overcome now with the greatest sorrow, mounted that excellent chariot; and, sighing, that servant of his brother set out for Janaki's own dwelling.

Verse 52 (padma.5.58.52)

गत्वा चांतःपुरे भ्राता रामस्य मिथिलात्मजाम् । प्रत्यूचे निःश्वसन्वाक्यं दुःखपूरपरिप्लुतः

gatvā cāṁtaḥpure bhrātā rāmasya mithilātmajām pratyūce niḥśvasanvākyaṁ duḥkhapūrapariplutaḥ

Going into the inner apartments, Rama's brother, sighing and overwhelmed by a flood of sorrow, said this word to Mithila's own daughter —

Verse 53 (padma.5.58.53)

मातर्जानकि रामेण प्रेषितो भवनं तव । तापसीः प्रति याहि त्वं दोहदप्राप्तिहेतवे

mātarjānaki rāmeṇa preṣito bhavanaṁ tava tāpasīḥ prati yāhi tvaṁ dohadaprāptihetave

"Mother Janaki, I have been sent by Rama to your own dwelling; go now to the ascetic women, that your craving may be fulfilled."

Verse 54 (padma.5.58.54)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य लक्ष्मणस्य विदेहजा । परमं हर्षमापन्ना लक्ष्मणं प्रत्यभाषत

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya lakṣmaṇasya videhajā paramaṁ harṣamāpannā lakṣmaṇaṁ pratyabhāṣata

Hearing this word of Lakshmana's, Videha's daughter, filled with the greatest joy, said to Lakshmana —

Verse 55 (padma.5.58.55)

जानक्युवाच। धन्याहं मैथिली राज्ञी रामस्य चरणस्मरा । यस्या दोहदपूर्त्यर्थं प्रेषयामास लक्ष्मणम्

jānakyuvāca dhanyāhaṁ maithilī rājñī rāmasya caraṇasmarā yasyā dohadapūrtyarthaṁ preṣayāmāsa lakṣmaṇam

Janaki said: "Blessed am I, Maithili the queen, ever mindful of Rama's own feet, that he has sent Lakshmana for the fulfillment of my craving."

Verse 56 (padma.5.58.56)

अद्याहं ता वनचरीस्तापसीः पतिदेवताः । नमस्कुर्यां च वासोभिः पूजयामि मनोहराः

adyāhaṁ tā vanacarīstāpasīḥ patidevatāḥ namaskuryāṁ ca vāsobhiḥ pūjayāmi manoharāḥ

"Today I shall bow before those forest-dwelling, devoted ascetic women, and honor those lovely ones with garments of my own."

Verse 57 (padma.5.58.57)

इत्युक्त्वा रम्यवस्त्राणि महार्हाभरणानि च । मणीन्विमलमुक्ताश्च कर्पूरादिसुगंधिमत्

ityuktvā ramyavastrāṇi mahārhābharaṇāni ca maṇīnvimalamuktāśca karpūrādisugaṁdhimat

Having spoken thus, she gathered lovely garments, ornaments of the highest worth, jewels, spotless pearls, camphor and other fragrant things —

Verse 58 (padma.5.58.58)

चंदनादिकवस्तूनि विचित्राणि सहस्रधा । जग्राह रघुनाथस्य पत्नी स्वप्रियकाम्यया

caṁdanādikavastūni vicitrāṇi sahasradhā jagrāha raghunāthasya patnī svapriyakāmyayā

— sandalwood and other wares of a thousand varied kinds, all taken up by Raghunatha's wife, out of desire to please her beloved.

Verse 59 (padma.5.58.59)

सीता गृहीत्वा सर्वाणि दासीनां करयोर्मुहुः । लक्ष्मणं प्रतिगच्छंती देहल्यां चास्खलत्तदा

sītā gṛhītvā sarvāṇi dāsīnāṁ karayormuhuḥ lakṣmaṇaṁ pratigacchaṁtī dehalyāṁ cāskhalattadā

Placing all these things again and again into the hands of her maids, Sita, going out toward Lakshmana, stumbled then upon the very threshold.

Verse 60 (padma.5.58.60)

अविचार्य तदौत्सुक्याल्लक्ष्मणं प्रियकारिणम् । उवाच कुत्र सरथो येन मां प्रापयिष्यसि

avicārya tadautsukyāllakṣmaṇaṁ priyakāriṇam uvāca kutra saratho yena māṁ prāpayiṣyasi

Giving no thought to this, in her eagerness, she said to Lakshmana, ever eager to please her: "Where is the chariot, by which you will take me there?"

Verse 61 (padma.5.58.61)

स निःश्वसन्रथं हैमं जानक्या सह निर्विशत् । सुमंत्रं प्रत्युवाचासौ चालयाश्वान्मनोजवान्

sa niḥśvasanrathaṁ haimaṁ jānakyā saha nirviśat sumaṁtraṁ pratyuvācāsau cālayāśvānmanojavān

Sighing, he set out together with Janaki in that golden chariot; he said to Sumantra: "Drive on the horses, swift as thought."

Verse 62 (padma.5.58.62)

स सुयुक्तं रथं वाक्याल्लक्ष्मणस्य तु चाह्वयत् । अश्रुपूर्णमुखं पश्यँल्लक्ष्मणं स मुहुर्मुहुः

sa suyuktaṁ rathaṁ vākyāllakṣmaṇasya tu cāhvayat aśrupūrṇamukhaṁ paśya~llakṣmaṇaṁ sa muhurmuhuḥ

At Lakshmana's word he drove that well-yoked chariot forward; and, glancing again and again at Lakshmana's tear-filled face —

Verse 63 (padma.5.58.63)

आहतास्तेन कशया वाहास्तस्यापतन्पथि । न चलंति यदा वाहास्तदा लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्

āhatāstena kaśayā vāhāstasyāpatanpathi na calaṁti yadā vāhāstadā lakṣmaṇamabravīt

— struck by his whip, the horses stumbled upon the road; and when the horses would not move at all, he said to Lakshmana —

Verse 64 (padma.5.58.64)

सुमंत्र उवाच। स्वामिंश्चलंति नो वाहा यत्नेन परिचालिताः । किं करोमि न जानेऽत्र कारणं वाहपातने

sumaṁtra uvāca svāmiṁścalaṁti no vāhā yatnena paricālitāḥ kiṁ karomi na jāne'tra kāraṇaṁ vāhapātane

Sumantra said: "My lord, the horses will not move, however hard I drive them; what am I to do? I do not know the cause of this stumbling of the horses."

Verse 65 (padma.5.58.65)

एवं ब्रुवंतं प्रत्यूचे लक्ष्मणो गद्गदस्वरः । सारथिं धैर्यमास्थाय ताडयैतान्कशादिभिः

evaṁ bruvaṁtaṁ pratyūce lakṣmaṇo gadgadasvaraḥ sārathiṁ dhairyamāsthāya tāḍayaitānkaśādibhiḥ

To him speaking thus, Lakshmana, his voice choked, said to the charioteer: "Steel yourself, and strike them harder with whips and the like."

Verse 66 (padma.5.58.66)

एतच्छ्रुत्वोदितं यंता कथंचित्समचालयत् । तदा स्फुरद्दक्षनेत्रं जानक्या दुःखशंसकम्

etacchrutvoditaṁ yaṁtā kathaṁcitsamacālayat tadā sphuraddakṣanetraṁ jānakyā duḥkhaśaṁsakam

Hearing this said, the driver somehow got them moving; and then Janaki's right eye began to throb, a sign that foretold sorrow.

Verse 67 (padma.5.58.67)

तदैव हृदये शोकः समभूद्दुःखशंसकः । तदैव पक्षिणः पुण्याः कुर्वंति परिवर्तनम्

tadaiva hṛdaye śokaḥ samabhūdduḥkhaśaṁsakaḥ tadaiva pakṣiṇaḥ puṇyāḥ kurvaṁti parivartanam

At that very moment sorrow arose in her heart, foretelling grief; and at that very moment holy birds began to turn against her, an ill sign —

Verse 68 (padma.5.58.68)

एवं वीक्ष्यैव वैदेही प्रत्युवाचाथ देवरम् । कथं मे तापसीक्षायै यातुमिच्छा रघूद्वह

evaṁ vīkṣyaiva vaidehī pratyuvācātha devaram kathaṁ me tāpasīkṣāyai yātumicchā raghūdvaha

Seeing this, Vaidehi then said to her brother-in-law: "O uplifter of the Raghus, why does my mind feel such reluctance now to go and see the ascetic women?"

Verse 69 (padma.5.58.69)

रामे भूयाद्धि कल्याणं भरते वा तथानुजे । तत्प्रजासु च सर्वत्र मा भवंतु विपर्ययाः

rāme bhūyāddhi kalyāṇaṁ bharate vā tathānuje tatprajāsu ca sarvatra mā bhavaṁtu viparyayāḥ

"May there be good fortune for Rama, and for Bharata and his younger brother too, and for their subjects everywhere — let nothing untoward befall them."

Verse 70 (padma.5.58.70)

एवं ब्रुवंतीं संवीक्ष्य जानकीं च स लक्ष्मणः । न किंचिदुक्तवान्रुद्ध कंठो बाष्पप्रपूरितः

evaṁ bruvaṁtīṁ saṁvīkṣya jānakīṁ ca sa lakṣmaṇaḥ na kiṁciduktavānruddha kaṁṭho bāṣpaprapūritaḥ

Seeing Janaki speaking thus, Lakshmana said not a word, his throat choked, filled with tears.

Verse 71 (padma.5.58.71)

सा गच्छंती मृगान्वामं परिवर्तनकारकान् । अपश्यद्दुःखसंघातकारकान्समभाषत

sā gacchaṁtī mṛgānvāmaṁ parivartanakārakān apaśyadduḥkhasaṁghātakārakānsamabhāṣata

Going on further, she saw deer turning to the left, bringing signs of sorrow with them, and she said —

Verse 72 (padma.5.58.72)

अद्य यन्मे मृगा वामं वर्तयंति तदिष्यते । श्रीरामचरणौ मुक्त्वा गच्छंत्यायुक्तमेव तत्

adya yanme mṛgā vāmaṁ vartayaṁti tadiṣyate śrīrāmacaraṇau muktvā gacchaṁtyāyuktameva tat

"Whatever these deer signal for me today, from the left, is to be welcomed; for going now, having left Shri Rama's feet, is itself the only fitting thing for me."

Verse 73 (padma.5.58.73)

महिलानां परोधर्मः स्वभर्तृचरणार्चनम् । तन्मुक्त्वान्यत्र यांत्या मे यद्भवेद्युक्तमेव तत्

mahilānāṁ parodharmaḥ svabhartṛcaraṇārcanam tanmuktvānyatra yāṁtyā me yadbhavedyuktameva tat

"The highest Dharma for women is service at their own husband's feet; leaving that behind and going elsewhere, whatever now befalls me is fitting indeed."

Verse 74 (padma.5.58.74)

एवं पथि विचारं तु कुर्वंत्या परमार्थतः । जाह्नवी ददृशे देव्या मुनिवृंदैकसेविता

evaṁ pathi vicāraṁ tu kurvaṁtyā paramārthataḥ jāhnavī dadṛśe devyā munivṛṁdaikasevitā

As she thus truly reflected upon the road, that goddess beheld the Ganga, served there by hosts of sages alone —

Verse 75 (padma.5.58.75)

यस्यां जलस्य कल्लोला दृश्यंते दुग्धसंनिभाः । तरंगो दृश्यते यत्र स्वर्गसोपानमूर्तिभृत्

yasyāṁ jalasya kallolā dṛśyaṁte dugdhasaṁnibhāḥ taraṁgo dṛśyate yatra svargasopānamūrtibhṛt

— in which the waves of the water seemed like milk, where a single wave appeared to take on the very form of a stairway to heaven —

Verse 76 (padma.5.58.76)

यस्या वारिकणस्पर्शान्महापातकसंचयः । पलायते न कुत्रापि स्थानमीक्षन्समंततः

yasyā vārikaṇasparśānmahāpātakasaṁcayaḥ palāyate na kutrāpi sthānamīkṣansamaṁtataḥ

— by the mere touch of whose water-drop the whole accumulation of the greatest sins takes flight, finding, for all its looking about, no place left to stand.

Verse 77 (padma.5.58.77)

गंगां प्राप्याथ सौमित्रिर्जानकीं स्यंदने स्थिताम् । उवाच निर्गलद्बाष्प एहि सीते रथाद्भुवि

gaṁgāṁ prāpyātha saumitrirjānakīṁ syaṁdane sthitām uvāca nirgaladbāṣpa ehi sīte rathādbhuvi

Reaching the Ganga, Sumitra's son, tears streaming down, said to Janaki, seated upon the chariot: "Sita, come down from the chariot to the ground."

Verse 78 (padma.5.58.78)

सीता तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य क्षणादवततार सा । लक्ष्मणेन धृता बाहौ स्खलंती पथि कंटकैः

sītā tadvākyamākarṇya kṣaṇādavatatāra sā lakṣmaṇena dhṛtā bāhau skhalaṁtī pathi kaṁṭakaiḥ

Sita, hearing this word, descended from the chariot in an instant; held by the arm by Lakshmana, she stumbled upon that thorn-strewn path.