The Tale of the Birth of Kusha and Lava

Verse 1 (padma.5.59.1)

शेष उवाच। अथ नावा समुत्तीर्य जाह्नवीं लक्ष्मणस्तदा । जानकीं परतस्तीरे हस्ते धृत्वा वनं ययौ

śeṣa uvāca atha nāvā samuttīrya jāhnavīṁ lakṣmaṇastadā jānakīṁ paratastīre haste dhṛtvā vanaṁ yayau

Shesha said: Then, having crossed the Ganga by boat, Lakshmana, taking Janaki by the hand on the far bank, went into the forest.

Verse 2 (padma.5.59.2)

सा चलंती पथि तदा शुष्यद्वदनलक्षिता । कंटकक्षतसत्पादा स्खलंती च पदे पदे

sā calaṁtī pathi tadā śuṣyadvadanalakṣitā kaṁṭakakṣatasatpādā skhalaṁtī ca pade pade

As she walked upon that path, her face marked with parchedness, her feet wounded by thorns, she stumbled at every step —

Verse 3 (padma.5.59.3)

लक्ष्मणस्तां महाघोरे विपिने दुःखदायिनि । प्रवेशयामास तदा राघवाज्ञाविधायकः

lakṣmaṇastāṁ mahāghore vipine duḥkhadāyini praveśayāmāsa tadā rāghavājñāvidhāyakaḥ

Lakshmana, carrying out Raghava's own command, then led her into that most terrible, sorrow-giving wilderness —

Verse 4 (padma.5.59.4)

यत्र वृक्षा महाघोरा बर्बूलाः खदिरा घनाः । श्लेष्मातकाश्चिंचिणीकाः शुष्का दावेन वह्निना

yatra vṛkṣā mahāghorā barbūlāḥ khadirā ghanāḥ śleṣmātakāściṁciṇīkāḥ śuṣkā dāvena vahninā

— where the trees were most terrible, dense babul and khadira, slesmataka and tamarind, parched by wildfire —

Verse 5 (padma.5.59.5)

कोटरस्था महासर्पाः फूत्कुर्वंति सुकोपिताः । घूका घूत्कुर्वते यत्र लोकचित्तभयंकराः

koṭarasthā mahāsarpāḥ phūtkurvaṁti sukopitāḥ ghūkā ghūtkurvate yatra lokacittabhayaṁkarāḥ

— where great serpents dwelling in tree-hollows hissed in their fury, where owls hooted, terrifying to the minds of all —

Verse 6 (padma.5.59.6)

व्याघ्राः सिंहाः सृगालाश्च द्वीपिनोऽतिभयंकराः । दृश्यंते यत्र सरला मनुष्यादाः सुकोपनाः

vyāghrāḥ siṁhāḥ sṛgālāśca dvīpino'tibhayaṁkarāḥ dṛśyaṁte yatra saralā manuṣyādāḥ sukopanāḥ

— where tigers, lions, jackals, and leopards most terrible were seen, ready man-eaters, easily enraged —

Verse 7 (padma.5.59.7)

महिषाः सूकरा दुष्टा दंष्ट्रा द्वयविलक्षिताः । कुर्वंति प्राणिनां तापं मानसस्य मदोद्धुराः

mahiṣāḥ sūkarā duṣṭā daṁṣṭrā dvayavilakṣitāḥ kurvaṁti prāṇināṁ tāpaṁ mānasasya madoddhurāḥ

— where wicked buffaloes and boars, marked by their paired tusks, frenzied with rage, tormented the minds of every creature.

Verse 8 (padma.5.59.8)

ईदृग्वनं प्रपश्यंती भयेनोपगतज्वरा । कंटकैर्दष्टचरणा लक्ष्मणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

īdṛgvanaṁ prapaśyaṁtī bhayenopagatajvarā kaṁṭakairdaṣṭacaraṇā lakṣmaṇaṁ vākyamabravīt

Beholding such a forest, seized with a fever of fear, her feet bitten by thorns, she said this word to Lakshmana —

Verse 9 (padma.5.59.9)

जानक्युवाच। वीरर्षिमुनिसंसेव्या नाश्रमान्नेत्रसौख्यदान् । नाहं पश्यामि नो तेषां पत्नीश्च सुतपोधनाः

jānakyuvāca vīrarṣimunisaṁsevyā nāśramānnetrasaukhyadān nāhaṁ paśyāmi no teṣāṁ patnīśca sutapodhanāḥ

Janaki said: "I see no hermitages fit for heroes, sages, and munis to dwell in, delightful to the eye — nor their wives, nor those rich in austerity."

Verse 10 (padma.5.59.10)

पश्यामि केवलं घोरान्पक्षिणः शुष्कवृक्षकान् । दावानलेन तत्सर्वं दह्यमानमिदं वनम्

paśyāmi kevalaṁ ghorānpakṣiṇaḥ śuṣkavṛkṣakān dāvānalena tatsarvaṁ dahyamānamidaṁ vanam

"I see only terrible things — birds, parched trees, this whole forest burning with wildfire."

Verse 11 (padma.5.59.11)

त्वां च पश्यामि दुःखार्तमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम् । शकुनेतरसाहस्रं भवेन्मम पदे पदे

tvāṁ ca paśyāmi duḥkhārtamaśrupūrṇākulekṣaṇam śakunetarasāhasraṁ bhavenmama pade pade

"And I see you, afflicted with sorrow, your eyes brimming and troubled with tears; ill-omened birds appear to me by the thousands at every step."

Verse 12 (padma.5.59.12)

तन्मे कथय वीराग्र्य कथं मुक्ता महात्मना । रामेण दुष्टहृदया क्षिप्रं कथय मे हि तत्

tanme kathaya vīrāgrya kathaṁ muktā mahātmanā rāmeṇa duṣṭahṛdayā kṣipraṁ kathaya me hi tat

"Tell me this, foremost of heroes — how have I come to be abandoned by great-souled Rama, his heart turned so hard? Tell me this at once."

Verse 13 (padma.5.59.13)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य लक्ष्मणः शोककर्शितः । संरुद्धबाष्पवदनो न किंचित्प्रोक्तवांस्तदा

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya lakṣmaṇaḥ śokakarśitaḥ saṁruddhabāṣpavadano na kiṁcitproktavāṁstadā

Hearing this word, Lakshmana, drawn by sorrow, his face choked with tears, said nothing at all in that moment.

Verse 14 (padma.5.59.14)

तदेव विपिनं घोरं गच्छंती लक्ष्मणान्विता । पुनरप्याह तं वीरं दुःखार्ता पश्यती मुखम्

tadeva vipinaṁ ghoraṁ gacchaṁtī lakṣmaṇānvitā punarapyāha taṁ vīraṁ duḥkhārtā paśyatī mukham

Going still through that terrible wilderness with Lakshmana, afflicted with sorrow, she spoke again to that hero, gazing at his face —

Verse 15 (padma.5.59.15)

तदापि स न तां वक्ति किमपि प्रेक्षुलोलुपः । तदा सात्यंतनिर्बंधं चकार परिपृच्छती

tadāpi sa na tāṁ vakti kimapi prekṣulolupaḥ tadā sātyaṁtanirbaṁdhaṁ cakāra paripṛcchatī

Even then he told her nothing, wishing only to look away; and so she pressed him again and again, with the greatest insistence.

Verse 16 (padma.5.59.16)

आग्रहेण यदा पृष्टो लक्ष्मणः सीतया तदा । रुद्धकंठो मुहुः शोचन्नवदत्त्यागसंभवम्

āgraheṇa yadā pṛṣṭo lakṣmaṇaḥ sītayā tadā ruddhakaṁṭho muhuḥ śocannavadattyāgasaṁbhavam

When Lakshmana was thus insistently questioned by Sita, his throat choked, grieving again and again, he told her of her abandonment.

Verse 17 (padma.5.59.17)

तद्वाक्यं पविना तुल्यं निशम्य मुनिसत्तम । सुलताकृत्तमूलेव बभूवाकल्पवर्जिता

tadvākyaṁ pavinā tulyaṁ niśamya munisattama sulatākṛttamūleva babhūvākalpavarjitā

O best of sages, hearing that word, like a very thunderbolt, she became like a lovely creeper cut off at the root, stripped of every adornment.

Verse 18 (padma.5.59.18)

तदैव पृथिवी तां न जग्राह तनयामिमाम् । रामो विपापिनीं सीतां न जह्यादिति शंकिनी

tadaiva pṛthivī tāṁ na jagrāha tanayāmimām rāmo vipāpinīṁ sītāṁ na jahyāditi śaṁkinī

In that very moment the earth did not open to receive her own daughter, still doubting that Rama could truly abandon sinless Sita —

Verse 19 (padma.5.59.19)

पतितां तां तु वैदेहीं दृष्ट्वा सौमित्रिरुत्सुकः । पल्लवाग्र्यसमीरेण संज्ञितां तु चकार सः

patitāṁ tāṁ tu vaidehīṁ dṛṣṭvā saumitrirutsukaḥ pallavāgryasamīreṇa saṁjñitāṁ tu cakāra saḥ

Seeing Vaidehi thus fallen, Sumitra's son, anxious, revived her with the breeze stirred from the tips of the leaves.

Verse 20 (padma.5.59.20)

संज्ञां प्राप्ता ह्युवाचेदं मा हास्यं कुरु देवर । कथं मां पापरहितां त्यजते स रघूद्वहः

saṁjñāṁ prāptā hyuvācedaṁ mā hāsyaṁ kuru devara kathaṁ māṁ pāparahitāṁ tyajate sa raghūdvahaḥ

Regaining her senses, she said: "Do not jest with me, brother-in-law — how could that uplifter of the Raghus ever abandon me, who am free of sin?"

Verse 21 (padma.5.59.21)

एवं बहुविलप्याथ लक्ष्मणं दुःखसंयुतम् । संवीक्ष्यमू र्च्छिता भूमौ पपात परिदुःखिता

evaṁ bahuvilapyātha lakṣmaṇaṁ duḥkhasaṁyutam saṁvīkṣyamū rcchitā bhūmau papāta pariduḥkhitā

Having thus lamented at length, and seeing Lakshmana filled with sorrow, she, deeply afflicted, fell to the ground in a swoon.

Verse 22 (padma.5.59.22)

मुहूर्तेनापि संज्ञां सा प्राप्य दुःखपरिप्लुता । जगाद रामचरणौ स्मंरती शोकविक्षता

muhūrtenāpi saṁjñāṁ sā prāpya duḥkhapariplutā jagāda rāmacaraṇau smaṁratī śokavikṣatā

Regaining her senses after a moment, overwhelmed with sorrow, calling Rama's feet to mind, wounded by grief, she spoke —

Verse 23 (padma.5.59.23)

रघुनाथो महाबुद्धिस्त्यजते मां कथं महान् । यो मदर्थे पयोराशिं बद्धवान्वानरैर्युतः

raghunātho mahābuddhistyajate māṁ kathaṁ mahān yo madarthe payorāśiṁ baddhavānvānarairyutaḥ

"How could Raghunatha, of such great wisdom, that great one, abandon me — he who bound even the ocean itself, with the monkeys, for my own sake?"

Verse 24 (padma.5.59.24)

स कथं मां महावीरो निष्पापां रजकोक्तितः । त्यजिष्यति ममैवात्र दैवं तु प्रतिकूलितम्

sa kathaṁ māṁ mahāvīro niṣpāpāṁ rajakoktitaḥ tyajiṣyati mamaivātra daivaṁ tu pratikūlitam

"How could that great hero abandon me, sinless as I am, upon a washerman's mere word? Here it is only my own fate that has turned against me."

Verse 25 (padma.5.59.25)

एवं वदन्ती पुनरपि मूर्च्छां प्राप्ता विदेहजा । मूर्च्छितां तां समीक्ष्याथ रुरोद विकृतस्वरः

evaṁ vadantī punarapi mūrcchāṁ prāptā videhajā mūrcchitāṁ tāṁ samīkṣyātha ruroda vikṛtasvaraḥ

Speaking thus, Videha's daughter fell once more into a swoon; and seeing her thus fallen, he wept aloud in a broken voice.

Verse 26 (padma.5.59.26)

पुनः संज्ञामवाप्यैवं सौमित्रिं निजगाद सा । दुःखातुरं वीक्षमाणा रुद्धकंठं सुदुःखिता

punaḥ saṁjñāmavāpyaivaṁ saumitriṁ nijagāda sā duḥkhāturaṁ vīkṣamāṇā ruddhakaṁṭhaṁ suduḥkhitā

Regaining her senses once more, deeply grieved, seeing him afflicted with sorrow, his throat choked, she said this to Sumitra's son —

Verse 27 (padma.5.59.27)

सौमित्रे गच्छ रामं त्वं धर्ममूर्तिं यशोनिधिम् । मद्वाक्यमेवैतद्ब्रूयाः समक्षं तपसां निधेः

saumitre gaccha rāmaṁ tvaṁ dharmamūrtiṁ yaśonidhim madvākyamevaitadbrūyāḥ samakṣaṁ tapasāṁ nidheḥ

"O son of Sumitra, go to Rama, that embodiment of Dharma, treasure of fame; speak this very word of mine before that treasure of austerity —"

Verse 28 (padma.5.59.28)

मां तत्याज भवान्यद्वै जानन्नपि विपापिनीम् । कुलस्य सदृशं किं वा शास्त्रज्ञानस्य तत्फलम्

māṁ tatyāja bhavānyadvai jānannapi vipāpinīm kulasya sadṛśaṁ kiṁ vā śāstrajñānasya tatphalam

"'You abandoned me, knowing full well I was free of sin — is this fitting for your own lineage, or is this the fruit of your knowledge of scripture?'"

Verse 29 (padma.5.59.29)

नित्यं तव पदे रक्तां त्वदुच्छिष्टभुजं हि माम् । भवांस्तत्याज तत्सर्वं मम दैवं तु कारणम्

nityaṁ tava pade raktāṁ tvaducchiṣṭabhujaṁ hi mām bhavāṁstatyāja tatsarvaṁ mama daivaṁ tu kāraṇam

"'Me, ever devoted to your feet, living on what remained of your own meals — all of that you set aside; but the cause of it is only my own fate.'"

Verse 30 (padma.5.59.30)

कल्याणं तव सर्वत्र भूयाद्वीरवरोत्तम । अहं तावद्वने त्वां हि स्मरंती प्राणधारिका

kalyāṇaṁ tava sarvatra bhūyādvīravarottama ahaṁ tāvadvane tvāṁ hi smaraṁtī prāṇadhārikā

"'May good fortune attend you everywhere, O finest of heroes; here in the forest, holding you always in mind, I shall preserve my own life —'"

Verse 31 (padma.5.59.31)

मनसा कर्मणा वाचा भवानेव ममोत्तमः । अन्ये तुच्छीकृताः सर्वे मनसा रघुवंशज

manasā karmaṇā vācā bhavāneva mamottamaḥ anye tucchīkṛtāḥ sarve manasā raghuvaṁśaja

"'— in mind, deed, and speech, you alone are my highest, O scion of the Raghus; all else is trifling to my own mind.'"

Verse 32 (padma.5.59.32)

भवेभवे भवानेव पतिर्भूयान्महीश्वर । त्वत्पदस्मरणानेक हतपापा सतीश्वरी

bhavebhave bhavāneva patirbhūyānmahīśvara tvatpadasmaraṇāneka hatapāpā satīśvarī

"'In birth after birth may you alone be my husband, O lord of the earth; through the ceaseless remembrance of your feet, may this devoted wife's sins be destroyed.'"

Verse 33 (padma.5.59.33)

श्वश्रूजनं ब्रूहि सर्वं मत्संदेशं रघूत्तम । त्यक्ता वने महाघोरे रामेण निरघा सती

śvaśrūjanaṁ brūhi sarvaṁ matsaṁdeśaṁ raghūttama tyaktā vane mahāghore rāmeṇa niraghā satī

"'Tell my mother-in-law and all the rest, O foremost of the Raghus, this whole message of mine — that this sinless, devoted wife has been left by Rama in a most terrible forest.'"

Verse 34 (padma.5.59.34)

स्मरामि चरणौ युष्मद्वने मृगगणैर्युते । अंतर्वत्नी वने त्यक्ता रामेण सुमहात्मना

smarāmi caraṇau yuṣmadvane mṛgagaṇairyute aṁtarvatnī vane tyaktā rāmeṇa sumahātmanā

"'I hold your feet in mind, my lord, here in this forest thronged with herds of deer; with child, I have been left in the forest by that great-souled Rama.'"

Verse 35 (padma.5.59.35)

सौमित्रे शृणु मद्वाक्यं भद्रं भूयाद्रघूत्तमे । इदानीं संत्यजे प्राणान्रामवीर्यं सुरक्षती

saumitre śṛṇu madvākyaṁ bhadraṁ bhūyādraghūttame idānīṁ saṁtyaje prāṇānrāmavīryaṁ surakṣatī

"O son of Sumitra, hear this word of mine: may good fortune belong to that foremost of the Raghus; now I let go my own life, while safeguarding Rama's own seed within me."

Verse 36 (padma.5.59.36)

त्वं रामवचनं तथ्यं यत्करोषि शुभं तव । परतंत्त्रेण तत्कार्यं रामपादाब्जसेविना

tvaṁ rāmavacanaṁ tathyaṁ yatkaroṣi śubhaṁ tava parataṁttreṇa tatkāryaṁ rāmapādābjasevinā

"You do only what is right — Rama's own true word — whatever is good for you; you act now bound by his authority, a servant of Rama's own lotus-feet."

Verse 37 (padma.5.59.37)

गच्छ त्वं राम सविधे शिवाः पंथान एव ते । ममोपरि कृपा कार्या स्मर्तव्याहं कदा कदा

gaccha tvaṁ rāma savidhe śivāḥ paṁthāna eva te mamopari kṛpā kāryā smartavyāhaṁ kadā kadā

"Go now to Rama's presence — may your paths be auspicious; show mercy toward me — remember me now and again."

Verse 38 (padma.5.59.38)

इत्युक्त्वा मूर्च्छिता भूमौ पपात पुरतस्तदा । लक्ष्मणो दुःखमापेदे वीक्ष्य मूर्च्छितजानकीम्

ityuktvā mūrcchitā bhūmau papāta puratastadā lakṣmaṇo duḥkhamāpede vīkṣya mūrcchitajānakīm

Having spoken thus, she fell fainting to the ground before him; and Lakshmana was overcome with sorrow, seeing Janaki in a swoon.

Verse 39 (padma.5.59.39)

वीजयामास वासोग्रैः संज्ञां प्राप्तां प्रकृत्य च । सौमित्रिः सांत्वयामास वचनैर्मधुरैर्मुहुः

vījayāmāsa vāsograiḥ saṁjñāṁ prāptāṁ prakṛtya ca saumitriḥ sāṁtvayāmāsa vacanairmadhurairmuhuḥ

Fanning her with fine garments, reviving her, Sumitra's son consoled her again and again with sweet and gentle words.

Verse 40 (padma.5.59.40)

लक्ष्मण उवाच। एष गच्छामि रामं वै गत्वा शंसामि सर्वशः । समीपे ते मुनेरस्ति वाल्मीकेराश्रमो महान्

lakṣmaṇa uvāca eṣa gacchāmi rāmaṁ vai gatvā śaṁsāmi sarvaśaḥ samīpe te munerasti vālmīkerāśramo mahān

Lakshmana said: "I go now to Rama; going there, I shall tell him everything. Close beside you here stands the great hermitage of the sage Valmiki."

Verse 41 (padma.5.59.41)

इत्युक्त्वा तां परिक्रम्य दुःखितो बाष्पपूरितः । मुंचन्नश्रुकलां दुःखाद्ययौ रामं महीपतिम्

ityuktvā tāṁ parikramya duḥkhito bāṣpapūritaḥ muṁcannaśrukalāṁ duḥkhādyayau rāmaṁ mahīpatim

Having spoken thus, circling her in reverence, grieving, brimming with tears, streaming with sorrow, he went to King Rama.

Verse 42 (padma.5.59.42)

जानकी देवरं यांतं वीक्ष्य विस्मितलोचना । हसत्ययं महाभागो लक्ष्मणो देवरो मम

jānakī devaraṁ yāṁtaṁ vīkṣya vismitalocanā hasatyayaṁ mahābhāgo lakṣmaṇo devaro mama

Janaki, watching her brother-in-law depart, wondered with astonished eyes: "Is this fortunate Lakshmana, my own brother-in-law, truly at ease?"

Verse 43 (padma.5.59.43)

कथं मां प्राणतः प्रेष्ठां विपापां राघवोऽत्यजत् । इति संचिंतयंती सा तमैक्षदनिमेषणा

kathaṁ māṁ prāṇataḥ preṣṭhāṁ vipāpāṁ rāghavo'tyajat iti saṁciṁtayaṁtī sā tamaikṣadanimeṣaṇā

"How could Raghava abandon me, dearer than his very life, free of any sin?" Thinking thus, she watched him go without blinking.

Verse 44 (padma.5.59.44)

जाह्नवीं सर्वथोत्तीर्णां ज्ञात्वा सत्यं स्वहापनम् । पतिता प्राणसंदेहं प्राप्ता मूर्च्छां गता तदा

jāhnavīṁ sarvathottīrṇāṁ jñātvā satyaṁ svahāpanam patitā prāṇasaṁdehaṁ prāptā mūrcchāṁ gatā tadā

Watching him cross the Ganga fully out of sight, and now knowing the truth of her own abandonment, she fell, brought to the very edge of life, and swooned.

Verse 45 (padma.5.59.45)

तदा हंसाः स्वपक्षाभ्यां जलमानीय सर्वतः । सिषिचुर्मधुरो वायुर्ववौ पुष्पसुगंधिमान्

tadā haṁsāḥ svapakṣābhyāṁ jalamānīya sarvataḥ siṣicurmadhuro vāyurvavau puṣpasugaṁdhimān

Then swans, bringing water in their own wings from every side, sprinkled it over her; a sweet breeze, fragrant with flowers, began to blow.

Verse 46 (padma.5.59.46)

करिणः पुष्करैः स्वीयैर्जलपूर्णैः समंततः । व्याप्तं शरीरं रजसा क्षालयंत इवागताः

kariṇaḥ puṣkaraiḥ svīyairjalapūrṇaiḥ samaṁtataḥ vyāptaṁ śarīraṁ rajasā kṣālayaṁta ivāgatāḥ

Elephants, their trunks filled with water, came from every side, as though to wash away the dust that covered her body.

Verse 47 (padma.5.59.47)

मृगास्तदंतिकं प्राप्य संतस्थुर्विस्मितेक्षणाः । नगाः पुष्पयुता आसंस्तत्कालं मधुना विना

mṛgāstadaṁtikaṁ prāpya saṁtasthurvismitekṣaṇāḥ nagāḥ puṣpayutā āsaṁstatkālaṁ madhunā vinā

Deer, drawing near, stood there with wondering eyes; and at that hour, though out of season, the very trees broke into flower.

Verse 48 (padma.5.59.48)

एतस्मिन्समये वृत्ते संज्ञां प्राप्य तदा सती । विललाप सुदुःखार्ता रामरामेति जल्पती

etasminsamaye vṛtte saṁjñāṁ prāpya tadā satī vilalāpa suduḥkhārtā rāmarāmeti jalpatī

As this took place, that virtuous woman, regaining her senses, cried out in the greatest sorrow, lamenting and calling, "Rama, Rama!"

Verse 49 (padma.5.59.49)

हा नाथ दीनबंधो हे करुणामयसंनिधे । अपराधादृते मां त्वं कथं त्यजसि वै वने

hā nātha dīnabaṁdho he karuṇāmayasaṁnidhe aparādhādṛte māṁ tvaṁ kathaṁ tyajasi vai vane

"Alas, my lord! O friend of the humble! O presence of compassion! Without any fault of mine, why do you abandon me here in the forest?"

Verse 50 (padma.5.59.50)

इत्येवमादिभाषंती विलपंती मुहुर्मुहुः । इतस्ततः प्रपश्यंती संमूर्च्छंती पुनःपुनः

ityevamādibhāṣaṁtī vilapaṁtī muhurmuhuḥ itastataḥ prapaśyaṁtī saṁmūrcchaṁtī punaḥpunaḥ

Speaking this and other such things, lamenting again and again, gazing here and there, swooning over and over —

Verse 51 (padma.5.59.51)

तदा स्वशिष्यैर्भगवान्वाल्मीकिः संगतो वनम् । शुश्राव रुदितं तत्र करुणास्वरभाषितम्

tadā svaśiṣyairbhagavānvālmīkiḥ saṁgato vanam śuśrāva ruditaṁ tatra karuṇāsvarabhāṣitam

— at that moment the divine Valmiki, together with his own disciples, was in that forest, and heard that weeping voice, spoken in a tone of anguish.

Verse 52 (padma.5.59.52)

शिष्यान्प्रति जगादाथ पश्यंतु वनमध्यतः । को रोदिति महाघोरे विपिने दुःखितस्वरः

śiṣyānprati jagādātha paśyaṁtu vanamadhyataḥ ko roditi mahāghore vipine duḥkhitasvaraḥ

He said to his disciples: "Look into the depths of the forest — who weeps in so sorrowful a voice, here in this most terrible wilderness?"

Verse 53 (padma.5.59.53)

ते प्रयुक्ताश्च मुनिना संजग्मुर्यत्र जानकी । रामरामेति भाषंती बाष्पपूरपरिप्लुता

te prayuktāśca muninā saṁjagmuryatra jānakī rāmarāmeti bhāṣaṁtī bāṣpapūrapariplutā

Sent by the sage, they went to where Janaki was, crying "Rama, Rama," overwhelmed by a very flood of tears.

Verse 54 (padma.5.59.54)

तां दृष्ट्वा स्त्रियमौत्सुक्याद्वाल्मीकिं प्रत्यगुर्मुनिम् । श्रुत्वा तदीरितं वाक्यं जगामासौ ततो मुनिः

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā striyamautsukyādvālmīkiṁ pratyagurmunim śrutvā tadīritaṁ vākyaṁ jagāmāsau tato muniḥ

Seeing that woman, they returned at once, eager, to sage Valmiki; and hearing this word of theirs, the sage himself went there.

Verse 55 (padma.5.59.55)

दृष्ट्वा तं तपसां राशिं जानकी पतिदेवता । नमोस्तु मुनये वेदमूर्तये व्रतवार्धये

dṛṣṭvā taṁ tapasāṁ rāśiṁ jānakī patidevatā namostu munaye vedamūrtaye vratavārdhaye

Seeing that mass of austerity before her, devoted Janaki said: "Salutation to the sage, embodiment of the Veda, ocean of holy vows —"

Verse 56 (padma.5.59.56)

इत्युक्तवंतीं तां सीतामाशीर्भिरभ्यनंदयत् । भर्त्रा सह चिरंजीव पुत्रौ प्राप्नुहि शोभनौ

ityuktavaṁtīṁ tāṁ sītāmāśīrbhirabhyanaṁdayat bhartrā saha ciraṁjīva putrau prāpnuhi śobhanau

Hearing Sita's word, he welcomed her with a blessing: "Live long together with your husband, and obtain two lovely sons."

Verse 57 (padma.5.59.57)

कासि त्वं किं वने घोरे संगतासि किमीदृशी । सर्वं मे शंस जानीयां तव दुःखस्य कारणम्

kāsi tvaṁ kiṁ vane ghore saṁgatāsi kimīdṛśī sarvaṁ me śaṁsa jānīyāṁ tava duḥkhasya kāraṇam

"Who are you, and how have you come to be in this dreadful forest, in such a state? Tell me everything, that I may know the cause of your sorrow."

Verse 58 (padma.5.59.58)

सा तदा प्रत्युवाचेमं रामस्य महिला मुनिम् । निःश्वसंती करुणया गिरासंजातवेपथुः

sā tadā pratyuvācemaṁ rāmasya mahilā munim niḥśvasaṁtī karuṇayā girāsaṁjātavepathuḥ

Then Rama's own wife, sighing, her voice full of grief, her body trembling, replied to that sage —

Verse 59 (padma.5.59.59)

शृणु मे वाक्यमर्थोक्तं सर्वदुःखस्य कारणम् । जानीहि मां भूमिपते रघुनाथस्य सेवकीम्

śṛṇu me vākyamarthoktaṁ sarvaduḥkhasya kāraṇam jānīhi māṁ bhūmipate raghunāthasya sevakīm

"Hear my word, its meaning laid bare, the very cause of all my sorrow; know me, O lord of the earth, to be the servant of Raghunatha."

Verse 60 (padma.5.59.60)

अपराधं विना त्यक्ता न जाने तत्र कारणम् । लक्ष्मणो मां विमुच्यात्र गतवान्राघवाज्ञया

aparādhaṁ vinā tyaktā na jāne tatra kāraṇam lakṣmaṇo māṁ vimucyātra gatavānrāghavājñayā

"Abandoned without any fault of mine — I do not know its cause; Lakshmana, leaving me here, has gone away, at Raghava's own command."

Verse 61 (padma.5.59.61)

इत्युक्त्वाश्रुकलापूर्णं बिभ्रतीं मुखपंकजम् । वाल्मीकिः सांत्वयन्प्राह जानकीं कमलेक्षणाम्

ityuktvāśrukalāpūrṇaṁ bibhratīṁ mukhapaṁkajam vālmīkiḥ sāṁtvayanprāha jānakīṁ kamalekṣaṇām

Having spoken thus, her lotus-face streaming with tears, Valmiki, consoling her, said to lotus-eyed Janaki —

Verse 62 (padma.5.59.62)

वाल्मीकिं मां विजानीहि पितुस्तव गुरुं मुनिम् । दुःखं मा कुरु वैदेहि ह्यागच्छ मम चाश्रमम्

vālmīkiṁ māṁ vijānīhi pitustava guruṁ munim duḥkhaṁ mā kuru vaidehi hyāgaccha mama cāśramam

"Know me to be Valmiki, the sage who is teacher to your own father; grieve not, Vaidehi — come now to my hermitage."

Verse 63 (padma.5.59.63)

भिन्नस्थाने पितुर्गेहं जानीहि पतिदेवते । ईदृशे कर्मणि मम रोषोस्त्वेव महीपतेः

bhinnasthāne piturgehaṁ jānīhi patidevate īdṛśe karmaṇi mama roṣostveva mahīpateḥ

"Know, O devoted wife, that your own father's house lies elsewhere; for a deed such as this, my anger falls only upon the lord of the earth."

Verse 64 (padma.5.59.64)

एवं वचः समाकर्ण्य जानकी पतिदेवता । दुःखपूर्णाश्रुवदना किंचित्सुखमवाप सा

evaṁ vacaḥ samākarṇya jānakī patidevatā duḥkhapūrṇāśruvadanā kiṁcitsukhamavāpa sā

Hearing this word, devoted Janaki, her eyes still full of sorrowful tears, found some small measure of comfort.

Verse 65 (padma.5.59.65)

शेष उवाच। वाल्मीकिः सांत्वयित्वैनां दुःखपूराकुलेक्षणाम् । निनाय स्वाश्रमं पुण्यं तापसीवृन्दपूरितम्

śeṣa uvāca vālmīkiḥ sāṁtvayitvaināṁ duḥkhapūrākulekṣaṇām nināya svāśramaṁ puṇyaṁ tāpasīvṛndapūritam

Shesha said: Valmiki, having consoled her, her eyes troubled still by that flood of sorrow, led her to his own sacred hermitage, thronged with ascetic women.

Verse 66 (padma.5.59.66)

सा गच्छंती पृष्ठतोऽस्य वाल्मीकेस्तपसां निधेः । रराजेंदोः पृष्ठतो वै तारकेव मनोहरा

sā gacchaṁtī pṛṣṭhato'sya vālmīkestapasāṁ nidheḥ rarājeṁdoḥ pṛṣṭhato vai tārakeva manoharā

Walking behind that treasure of austerity, Valmiki, she shone forth, most lovely, like a star trailing behind the moon.

Verse 67 (padma.5.59.67)

वाल्मीकिः प्राप्य च स्वीयमाश्रमं मुनिपूरितम् । तापसीः प्रतिसंचख्यौ जानकीं स्वाश्रमं गताम्

vālmīkiḥ prāpya ca svīyamāśramaṁ munipūritam tāpasīḥ pratisaṁcakhyau jānakīṁ svāśramaṁ gatām

Reaching his own hermitage, thronged with sages, Valmiki told the ascetic women that Janaki had come to dwell there.

Verse 68 (padma.5.59.68)

वैदेही तापसीः सर्वा नमश्चक्रे महामनाः । परस्परं प्रहृषिताः परिरंभं समाचरन्

vaidehī tāpasīḥ sarvā namaścakre mahāmanāḥ parasparaṁ prahṛṣitāḥ pariraṁbhaṁ samācaran

Great-souled Vaidehi bowed before all those ascetic women; and, delighted together, they embraced one another.

Verse 69 (padma.5.59.69)

वाल्मीकिर्निजशिष्यान्स प्रत्युवाच तपोनिधिः । रच्यतां बत जानक्याः पर्णशाला मनोरमा

vālmīkirnijaśiṣyānsa pratyuvāca taponidhiḥ racyatāṁ bata jānakyāḥ parṇaśālā manoramā

Valmiki, that treasure of austerity, said to his own disciples: "Let a lovely leaf-hut now be built for Janaki."

Verse 70 (padma.5.59.70)

इत्युक्तं वाक्यमाकर्ण्य वाल्मीकेः सुमनोरमम् । व्यरचन्पत्रकैः शालां दारुभिः सुमनोहराम्

ityuktaṁ vākyamākarṇya vālmīkeḥ sumanoramam vyaracanpatrakaiḥ śālāṁ dārubhiḥ sumanoharām

Hearing this most gracious word of Valmiki's, they built, of leaves and timber, a most beautiful hut.

Verse 71 (padma.5.59.71)

तत्रावसद्धि वैदेही पतिव्रतपरायणा । वाल्मीकेः परिचर्यां च कुर्वंती फलभक्षिका

tatrāvasaddhi vaidehī pativrataparāyaṇā vālmīkeḥ paricaryāṁ ca kurvaṁtī phalabhakṣikā

There Vaidehi took up her dwelling, wholly devoted to her husband, serving Valmiki, living on fruit alone.

Verse 72 (padma.5.59.72)

जपंती रामरामेति मनसा वचसा स्वयम् । निनाय दिवसांस्तत्र जानकी पतिदेवता

japaṁtī rāmarāmeti manasā vacasā svayam nināya divasāṁstatra jānakī patidevatā

Reciting "Rama, Rama" herself, in mind and in speech, devoted Janaki passed her days there.

Verse 73 (padma.5.59.73)

काले सासूत पूत्रौ द्वौ मनोहरवपुर्धरौ । रामचंद्र प्रतिनिधी ह्यश्विनाविव जानकी

kāle sāsūta pūtrau dvau manoharavapurdharau rāmacaṁdra pratinidhī hyaśvināviva jānakī

In due time Janaki gave birth to two sons, bearing forms as lovely as the Ashvin twins, standing there in Ramachandra's own stead.

Verse 74 (padma.5.59.74)

तच्छ्रुत्वा तु मुनिर्हृष्टो जानक्याः पुत्रसंभवम् । चकार जातकर्मादि संस्कारान्मंत्रवित्तमः

tacchrutvā tu munirhṛṣṭo jānakyāḥ putrasaṁbhavam cakāra jātakarmādi saṁskārānmaṁtravittamaḥ

Hearing this, the sage, delighted at the birth of Janaki's sons, that foremost knower of mantras, performed the birth rites and the sacraments due.

Verse 75 (padma.5.59.75)

कुशैर्लवैश्च वाल्मीकिर्मुनिः कर्माणि चाचरत् । तन्नाम्ना पुत्रयोराख्या कुशो लव इति स्फुटा

kuśairlavaiśca vālmīkirmuniḥ karmāṇi cācarat tannāmnā putrayorākhyā kuśo lava iti sphuṭā

With kusha grass and lava-oblations, sage Valmiki performed those rites; and from these very words the two sons' names were clearly declared — Kusha and Lava.

Verse 76 (padma.5.59.76)

वाल्मीकिर्यत्र विरजा मंगलं तद्यथाचरत् । अत्यंतं हृष्टचित्ता सा बभूव कमलेक्षणा

vālmīkiryatra virajā maṁgalaṁ tadyathācarat atyaṁtaṁ hṛṣṭacittā sā babhūva kamalekṣaṇā

Wherever sinless Valmiki performed such auspicious rites, that lotus-eyed one grew exceedingly glad at heart.

Verse 77 (padma.5.59.77)

तद्दिने लवणं हत्वा शत्रुघ्नः स्वल्पसैनिकः । आगमच्चाश्रमे चास्य वाल्मीकेर्निशि शोभने

taddine lavaṇaṁ hatvā śatrughnaḥ svalpasainikaḥ āgamaccāśrame cāsya vālmīkerniśi śobhane

That very day, having slain Lavana, Shatrughna, with a small band of soldiers, came by night to that lovely hermitage of Valmiki's.

Verse 78 (padma.5.59.78)

तदा वाल्मीकिना शिष्टः शत्रुघ्नो रघुनायकम् । मा शंस जानकीपुत्रौ कथयिष्याम्यहं पुरः

tadā vālmīkinā śiṣṭaḥ śatrughno raghunāyakam mā śaṁsa jānakīputrau kathayiṣyāmyahaṁ puraḥ

Then Valmiki, cautioning him, said to Shatrughna, lord of the Raghus: "Say nothing of Janaki's sons — I myself shall tell it, in due time."

Verse 79 (padma.5.59.79)

जानकीपुत्रकौ तत्र ववृधाते मनोरमौ । कंदमूलफलैः पुष्टौ व्यदधादुन्मदौ वरौ

jānakīputrakau tatra vavṛdhāte manoramau kaṁdamūlaphalaiḥ puṣṭau vyadadhādunmadau varau

Janaki's two sons grew there, most lovely, nourished on roots, bulbs, and fruit, and became two spirited, excellent boys.

Verse 80 (padma.5.59.80)

शुक्लप्रतिपदायाश्च शशीव सुमनोहरौ । कालेन संस्कृतौ जातावुपनीतौ मनोहरौ

śuklapratipadāyāśca śaśīva sumanoharau kālena saṁskṛtau jātāvupanītau manoharau

Lovely as the moon on the first day of its bright fortnight, in due time those graceful boys underwent their sacred-thread ceremony.

Verse 81 (padma.5.59.81)

उपनीयमुनिर्वेदं सांगमध्यापयत्सुतौ । सरहस्यं धनुर्वेदं रामायणमपाठयत्

upanīyamunirvedaṁ sāṁgamadhyāpayatsutau sarahasyaṁ dhanurvedaṁ rāmāyaṇamapāṭhayat

After the sacred thread, the sage taught his two sons the Veda together with its limbs, and the secret science of archery, and had them recite the Ramayana.

Verse 82 (padma.5.59.82)

वाल्मीकिना च धनुषी दत्ते स्वर्णसुभूषिते । अभेद्ये सगुणे श्रेष्ठे वैरिवृंदविदारणे

vālmīkinā ca dhanuṣī datte svarṇasubhūṣite abhedye saguṇe śreṣṭhe vairivṛṁdavidāraṇe

And Valmiki gave them two bows, adorned in gold, unbreakable, well-strung, the finest, able to rend whole hosts of foes —

Verse 83 (padma.5.59.83)

इषुधी बाणसंपूर्णौ अक्षये करवालके । चर्माण्यभेद्यानि ददौ जानक्यात्मजयोस्तदा

iṣudhī bāṇasaṁpūrṇau akṣaye karavālake carmāṇyabhedyāni dadau jānakyātmajayostadā

— two inexhaustible quivers full of arrows, and swords, and impenetrable shields — all these he then gave to Janaki's two sons.

Verse 84 (padma.5.59.84)

धनुर्धरौ धनुर्वेदपारगावाश्रमे मुदा । चरंतौ तत्र रेजाते अश्विनाविव शोभनौ

dhanurdharau dhanurvedapāragāvāśrame mudā caraṁtau tatra rejāte aśvināviva śobhanau

Bearers of the bow, masters now of the science of archery, roaming the hermitage with delight, they shone there like the Ashvin twins themselves.

Verse 85 (padma.5.59.85)

जानकी वीक्ष्य पुत्रौ द्वौ खड्गचर्मधरौ वरौ । परमं हर्षमापन्ना विरहोद्भवमत्यजत्

jānakī vīkṣya putrau dvau khaḍgacarmadharau varau paramaṁ harṣamāpannā virahodbhavamatyajat

Janaki, seeing her two excellent sons, sword and shield now in hand, was filled with the greatest joy, and cast off the sorrow born of her separation.

Verse 86 (padma.5.59.86)

एष ते कथितो विप्र जानक्याः पुत्रसंभवः । अतः शृणुष्व यद्वृत्तं वीरबाहुविकृंतनम्

eṣa te kathito vipra jānakyāḥ putrasaṁbhavaḥ ataḥ śṛṇuṣva yadvṛttaṁ vīrabāhuvikṛṁtanam

This, O brahmin, has now been told to you — the birth of Janaki's sons; hear now what happened next — the cutting off of a hero's very arm.