The Singing of the Ramayana

Verse 1 (padma.5.66.1)

शेष उवाच। कथितौ वै सुमतिना वाल्मीकेराश्रमे शिशू । पुत्रौ स्वीयाविति ज्ञात्वा वाल्मीकिं प्रति संजगौ

śeṣa uvāca kathitau vai sumatinā vālmīkerāśrame śiśū putrau svīyāviti jñātvā vālmīkiṁ prati saṁjagau

Shesha said: Told by Sumati of the two children at Valmiki's hermitage, and knowing them to be his own sons, Rama then called out toward Valmiki.

Verse 2 (padma.5.66.2)

श्रीराम उवाच। कौ शिशू मम सारूप्यधारकौ बलिनां वरौ । किमर्थं तिष्ठतस्तत्र धनुर्विद्याविशारदौ

śrīrāma uvāca kau śiśū mama sārūpyadhārakau balināṁ varau kimarthaṁ tiṣṭhatastatra dhanurvidyāviśāradau

Shri Rama said: "Who are these two children, bearing my own likeness, finest of the mighty, skilled in the science of archery? Why do they dwell there?"

Verse 3 (padma.5.66.3)

अमात्यकथितौ श्रुत्वा विस्मयो मम जायते । यौ शत्रुघ्नं हनूमंतं लीलयांग बबंधतुः

amātyakathitau śrutvā vismayo mama jāyate yau śatrughnaṁ hanūmaṁtaṁ līlayāṁga babaṁdhatuḥ

"Hearing what my minister has told, wonder arises in me — that they, in mere play, bound both Shatrughna and Hanuman."

Verse 4 (padma.5.66.4)

तस्माच्छंस मुने सर्वं बालयोश्च विचेष्टितम् । यथा मे परमा प्रीतिर्भवत्येवमभीप्सिता

tasmācchaṁsa mune sarvaṁ bālayośca viceṣṭitam yathā me paramā prītirbhavatyevamabhīpsitā

"Therefore, O sage, tell me all the conduct of these two boys, so that the delight I most desire may come to me."

Verse 5 (padma.5.66.5)

इति तत्कथितं श्रुत्वा राजराजस्य धीमतः । उवाच परमं वाक्यं स्पष्टाक्षरसमन्वितम्

iti tatkathitaṁ śrutvā rājarājasya dhīmataḥ uvāca paramaṁ vākyaṁ spaṣṭākṣarasamanvitam

Hearing this said by the wise king of kings, he spoke a supreme word, its every syllable clear.

Verse 6 (padma.5.66.6)

वाल्मीकिरुवाच। तवांतर्यामिणो नॄणां कथं ज्ञानं च नो भवेत् । तथापि कथयाम्यत्र तव संतोषहेतवे

vālmīkiruvāca tavāṁtaryāmiṇo nṝṇāṁ kathaṁ jñānaṁ ca no bhavet tathāpi kathayāmyatra tava saṁtoṣahetave

Valmiki said: "How could knowledge of men fail to reach you, indweller of all? Yet even so I tell it here, for your own contentment."

Verse 7 (padma.5.66.7)

राजन्यौ बालकौ मह्यमाश्रमे बलिनां वरौ । त्वत्सारूप्यधरौ स्वांगमनोहरवपुर्धरौ

rājanyau bālakau mahyamāśrame balināṁ varau tvatsārūpyadharau svāṁgamanoharavapurdharau

"O king, these two boys at my hermitage, finest among the mighty, bear your own very likeness, their bodies clothed in a lovely, enchanting form."

Verse 8 (padma.5.66.8)

त्वया यदा वने त्यक्ता जानकी वै निरागसी । अंतर्वत्नी वने घोरे विलपंती मुहुर्मुहुः

tvayā yadā vane tyaktā jānakī vai nirāgasī aṁtarvatnī vane ghore vilapaṁtī muhurmuhuḥ

"When you abandoned sinless Janaki in the forest, with child as she was, lamenting again and again in that terrible wilderness —"

Verse 9 (padma.5.66.9)

कुररीमिव दुःखार्तां वीक्ष्याहं तव वल्लभाम् । जनकस्य सुतां पुण्यामाश्रमे त्वानयं तदा

kurarīmiva duḥkhārtāṁ vīkṣyāhaṁ tava vallabhām janakasya sutāṁ puṇyāmāśrame tvānayaṁ tadā

"— seeing your own beloved, sorrowful as a female osprey, that pure daughter of Janaka, I brought her then to my own hermitage."

Verse 10 (padma.5.66.10)

तस्याः पर्णकुटीरम्या रचिता मुनिपुत्रकैः । तस्यामसूत पुत्रौ द्वौ भासयंतौ दिशो दश

tasyāḥ parṇakuṭīramyā racitā muniputrakaiḥ tasyāmasūta putrau dvau bhāsayaṁtau diśo daśa

"A lovely leaf-hut was built for her by the sons of the sages; and in it she gave birth to two sons, whose radiance lit up all ten directions."

Verse 11 (padma.5.66.11)

तयोरकरवं नाम कुशो लव इति स्फुटम् । ववृधातेऽनिशं तत्र शुक्लपक्षे यथा शशी

tayorakaravaṁ nāma kuśo lava iti sphuṭam vavṛdhāte'niśaṁ tatra śuklapakṣe yathā śaśī

"I gave them their names, plainly, as Kusha and Lava; and there they grew without ceasing, like the moon in its own bright fortnight."

Verse 12 (padma.5.66.12)

कालेनोपनयाद्यानि सर्वाणि कृतवानहम् । वेदान्सांगानहं सर्वान्ग्राहयामास भूपते

kālenopanayādyāni sarvāṇi kṛtavānaham vedānsāṁgānahaṁ sarvāngrāhayāmāsa bhūpate

"In due time I performed every one of their sacraments, from the sacred thread onward; and I taught them, O lord of the earth, the whole of the Vedas together with their limbs."

Verse 13 (padma.5.66.13)

सर्वाणि सरहस्यानि शृणुष्व मुखतो मम । आयुर्वेदं धनुर्विद्यां शस्त्रविद्यां तथैव च

sarvāṇi sarahasyāni śṛṇuṣva mukhato mama āyurvedaṁ dhanurvidyāṁ śastravidyāṁ tathaiva ca

"Hear from my own mouth all their secret sciences: Ayurveda, the science of the bow, and likewise the science of weapons —"

Verse 14 (padma.5.66.14)

विद्यां जालंधरीं चाथ संगीतकुशलौ कृतौ । गंगाकूले गायमानौ लताकुंजवनेषु च

vidyāṁ jālaṁdharīṁ cātha saṁgītakuśalau kṛtau gaṁgākūle gāyamānau latākuṁjavaneṣu ca

"— and the science of Jalandhari as well; and I made them skilled in music too, as they sang upon the banks of the Ganga, in groves of creeper-bowers."

Verse 15 (padma.5.66.15)

चंचलौ चलचित्तौ तौ सर्वविद्याविशारदौ । तदाहमतिसंतोषं प्राप्तश्चाहं रघूत्तम

caṁcalau calacittau tau sarvavidyāviśāradau tadāhamatisaṁtoṣaṁ prāptaścāhaṁ raghūttama

"Restless, quick of mind, skilled in every science — then did I, O foremost of the Raghus, attain the greatest contentment."

Verse 16 (padma.5.66.16)

दत्त्वा सर्वाणि चास्त्राणि मस्तके निहितः करः । अतीवगानकुशलौ दृष्ट्वा लोका विसिष्मिरे । षड्जमध्यमगांधारस्वरभेदविशारदौ

dattvā sarvāṇi cāstrāṇi mastake nihitaḥ karaḥ atīvagānakuśalau dṛṣṭvā lokā visiṣmire ṣaḍjamadhyamagāṁdhārasvarabhedaviśāradau

Having given them every weapon, hand set upon my head, seeing them so exceedingly skilled in song, people were struck with wonder — masters of the distinctions among the notes shadja, madhyama, and gandhara.

Verse 17 (padma.5.66.17)

तथाविधौ विलोक्याहं गापयामि मनोहरम् । भविष्यज्ञानयोगाच्च कृतं रामायणं शुभम्

tathāvidhau vilokyāhaṁ gāpayāmi manoharam bhaviṣyajñānayogācca kṛtaṁ rāmāyaṇaṁ śubham

"Seeing them thus, I had them sing that lovely composition — the auspicious Ramayana, made through the power of foreknowledge of things yet to come."

Verse 18 (padma.5.66.18)

मृदंगपणवाद्यादि यंत्रवीणाविशारदौ । वनेवने च गायंतौ मृगपक्षिविमोहकौ

mṛdaṁgapaṇavādyādi yaṁtravīṇāviśāradau vanevane ca gāyaṁtau mṛgapakṣivimohakau

"Skilled in the mridanga, the panava drum, and other instruments, and the vina — singing forest after forest, bewildering the deer and the birds —"

Verse 19 (padma.5.66.19)

अद्भुतं गीतमाधुर्यं तव रामकुमारयोः । श्रोतुं तौ वरुणो बाला वा निनाय विभावरीम्

adbhutaṁ gītamādhuryaṁ tava rāmakumārayoḥ śrotuṁ tau varuṇo bālā vā nināya vibhāvarīm

"— the wondrous sweetness of your two sons' own song, O Rama — to hear it, Varuna kept those boys there through the whole night."

Verse 20 (padma.5.66.20)

मनोहरवयोरूपौ गानविद्याब्धिपारगौ । कुमारौ जगदुस्तत्र लोकेशादेशतः कलम्

manoharavayorūpau gānavidyābdhipāragau kumārau jagadustatra lokeśādeśataḥ kalam

Those two princes, lovely in age and form, having crossed to the far shore of the very ocean of music, sang there, at that guardian's command, a most excellent song —

Verse 21 (padma.5.66.21)

परमं मधुरं रम्यं पवित्रं चरितं तव । शुश्राव वरुणः सार्द्धं कुटुंबेन च गायकैः

paramaṁ madhuraṁ ramyaṁ pavitraṁ caritaṁ tava śuśrāva varuṇaḥ sārddhaṁ kuṭuṁbena ca gāyakaiḥ

"— of your own most sweet, lovely, and sacred life; and Varuna, together with his family and his singers, listened to it entire."

Verse 22 (padma.5.66.22)

शृण्वन्नैव गतस्तृप्तिं मित्रेण वरुणः सह । सुधातोऽपि परं स्वादुचरितं रघुनंदन

śṛṇvannaiva gatastṛptiṁ mitreṇa varuṇaḥ saha sudhāto'pi paraṁ svāducaritaṁ raghunaṁdana

"Listening, Varuna, together with Mitra, found no satisfaction; O delight of the Raghus, your story is sweeter still than nectar itself."

Verse 23 (padma.5.66.23)

गानानंदमहालोभ हृतप्राणेंद्रियक्रियः । प्रत्यागंतुं दिदेशासौ कुमारौ न हि तावकौ

gānānaṁdamahālobha hṛtaprāṇeṁdriyakriyaḥ pratyāgaṁtuṁ dideśāsau kumārau na hi tāvakau

"Overcome with the greatest longing for the delight of that song, his very breath and senses stolen away, he could not bring himself to command those two princes, your own sons, to depart."

Verse 24 (padma.5.66.24)

रमणीय महाभोगैर्लोभितावपि बालकौ । चलितौ न गुरोश्चात्ममातुः पादांबुजस्मृतेः

ramaṇīya mahābhogairlobhitāvapi bālakau calitau na guroścātmamātuḥ pādāṁbujasmṛteḥ

"Tempted though they were by the most delightful of pleasures, those boys never once wavered from remembering the lotus-feet of their own guru and their mother."

Verse 25 (padma.5.66.25)

अहं चापि गतः पश्चाद्वरुणालयमुत्तमम् । वरुणः प्रेमसहितः पूजां चक्रे मम प्रभो

ahaṁ cāpi gataḥ paścādvaruṇālayamuttamam varuṇaḥ premasahitaḥ pūjāṁ cakre mama prabho

"I too then went afterward to Varuna's own excellent abode; and, my lord, Varuna worshipped me there with great love —"

Verse 26 (padma.5.66.26)

पृच्छते जन्मकर्मादि सर्वज्ञायापि बालयोः । वरुणायाब्रुवं सर्वं जन्मविद्याद्युपागमम्

pṛcchate janmakarmādi sarvajñāyāpi bālayoḥ varuṇāyābruvaṁ sarvaṁ janmavidyādyupāgamam

"— and, though himself all-knowing, asked after the boys' birth and deeds and the rest; I told Varuna everything — their birth, their learning, and how they had come to be there."

Verse 27 (padma.5.66.27)

श्रुत्वा सीतासुतौ देवः स चक्रेंबरभूषणैः । देवदत्तमिति ग्राह्यमिति मद्वाक्यगौरवात्

śrutvā sītāsutau devaḥ sa cakreṁbarabhūṣaṇaiḥ devadattamiti grāhyamiti madvākyagauravāt

"Hearing this, that god adorned Sita's two sons in garments of the sky; and, in honor of my own words, said, 'Let them be called Devadatta.'"

Verse 28 (padma.5.66.28)

आहृतं राजपुत्राभ्यां यद्दत्तं वरुणेन तत् । प्रसन्नेन तयोर्वाद्यगानविद्यावयोगुणैः । ततो मामब्रवीत्सीतामुद्दिश्य वरुणः कृती

āhṛtaṁ rājaputrābhyāṁ yaddattaṁ varuṇena tat prasannena tayorvādyagānavidyāvayoguṇaiḥ tato māmabravītsītāmuddiśya varuṇaḥ kṛtī

Whatever the two princes received had been given by pleased Varuna, for their skill in instrument and song, and for the virtues of their very youth; then that accomplished Varuna said this to me, concerning Sita —

Verse 29 (padma.5.66.29)

सीतापति व्रताधुर्या रूपशीलवयोन्विता । वीरपुत्रा महाभागा त्यागं नार्हति कर्हिचित्

sītāpati vratādhuryā rūpaśīlavayonvitā vīraputrā mahābhāgā tyāgaṁ nārhati karhicit

"'Sita, foremost among devoted wives, endowed with beauty, character, and youth, mother of heroic sons, of the greatest fortune — she deserves never, at any time, to be abandoned.'"

Verse 30 (padma.5.66.30)

महती हानिरेतस्यास्त्यागे हि रघुनंदन । सिद्धीनां परमासिद्धिरेषा ते ह्यनपायिनी

mahatī hāniretasyāstyāge hi raghunaṁdana siddhīnāṁ paramāsiddhireṣā te hyanapāyinī

"'Great indeed is the loss in her abandonment, O delight of the Raghus; she is the very supreme accomplishment of all your accomplishments — one that never departs.'"

Verse 31 (padma.5.66.31)

पामरैर्महिमानास्या ज्ञायते यदि दूषितैः । का हानिस्तावता राम पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तन

pāmarairmahimānāsyā jñāyate yadi dūṣitaiḥ kā hānistāvatā rāma puṇyaśravaṇakīrtana

"'If her greatness comes to be known even by wretched, corrupted men, what loss is there in that, O Rama, when merely to hear and sing of her is itself an act of merit?'"

Verse 32 (padma.5.66.32)

अस्मत्साक्षिकमेतस्याः पावनं चरितं सदा । सद्यस्ते सिद्धिमायांति ये सीतापदचिंतकाः

asmatsākṣikametasyāḥ pāvanaṁ caritaṁ sadā sadyaste siddhimāyāṁti ye sītāpadaciṁtakāḥ

"'With us as witness, her purifying life-story stands ever thus, unshaken; those who contemplate Sita's very feet swiftly attain their own accomplishment.'"

Verse 33 (padma.5.66.33)

यस्याः संकल्पमात्रेण जन्मस्थितिलयादिकाः । भवंति जगतां नित्यं व्यापारा ऐश्वरा अमी

yasyāḥ saṁkalpamātreṇa janmasthitilayādikāḥ bhavaṁti jagatāṁ nityaṁ vyāpārā aiśvarā amī

"'By her will alone, the birth, the sustaining, the dissolution of the worlds — all these divine workings — continue on, eternally.'"

Verse 34 (padma.5.66.34)

सीता मृत्युःसुधा चेयं तपत्येषा च वर्षति । स्वर्गो मोक्षस्तपो योगो दानं च तव जानकी

sītā mṛtyuḥsudhā ceyaṁ tapatyeṣā ca varṣati svargo mokṣastapo yogo dānaṁ ca tava jānakī

"'Sita is death itself, she is nectar itself; she scorches, and she brings the rain; heaven, liberation, austerity, discipline, charity — all these are that very Janaki of yours.'"

Verse 35 (padma.5.66.35)

ब्रह्माणं शिवमन्यांश्च लोकपालान्मदादिकान् । करोत्येषा करोत्येव नान्या सीता तव प्रिया

brahmāṇaṁ śivamanyāṁśca lokapālānmadādikān karotyeṣā karotyeva nānyā sītā tava priyā

"'She it is who brings forth Brahma, Shiva, the other guardians of the worlds, and myself besides — none other than Sita does this — she alone, your own beloved.'"

Verse 36 (padma.5.66.36)

त्वं पिता सर्वलोकानां सीता च जननीत्यतः । कुदृष्टिरत्र तु क्षेमयोग्या न तव कर्हिचित्

tvaṁ pitā sarvalokānāṁ sītā ca jananītyataḥ kudṛṣṭiratra tu kṣemayogyā na tava karhicit

"'You are the father of all the worlds, and Sita their mother — therefore no ill-considered view here could ever bring you good.'"

Verse 37 (padma.5.66.37)

वेत्ति सीतां सदा शुद्धां सर्वज्ञो भगवान्स्वयम् । भवानपि सुतां भूमेः प्राणादपि गरीयसीम्

vetti sītāṁ sadā śuddhāṁ sarvajño bhagavānsvayam bhavānapi sutāṁ bhūmeḥ prāṇādapi garīyasīm

"'The all-knowing Lord himself always knows Sita to be pure; and you too know that daughter of the earth to be dearer to you than your very life.'"

Verse 38 (padma.5.66.38)

आदर्तव्या त्वया तस्मात्प्रिया शुद्धेति जानकी । न च शापपराभूतिः सीतायां त्वयि वा विभो

ādartavyā tvayā tasmātpriyā śuddheti jānakī na ca śāpaparābhūtiḥ sītāyāṁ tvayi vā vibho

"'Therefore she deserves your honor — pure, beloved Janaki; there is no downfall from any curse, my lord, in Sita, nor in you.'"

Verse 39 (padma.5.66.39)

इमानि मम वाक्यानि वाच्यानि जगतां पतिम् । रामं प्रति त्वया साक्षाद्वाल्मीके मुनिसत्तम

imāni mama vākyāni vācyāni jagatāṁ patim rāmaṁ prati tvayā sākṣādvālmīke munisattama

"'These words of mine, O Valmiki, foremost of sages, are to be spoken by you directly to Rama, lord of the worlds.'"

Verse 40 (padma.5.66.40)

इत्युक्तो वरुणेनाहं सीतासंग्रहकारणात् । एवमेव हि सर्वैश्च लोकपालैरपि प्रभो

ityukto varuṇenāhaṁ sītāsaṁgrahakāraṇāt evameva hi sarvaiśca lokapālairapi prabho

Thus was I addressed by Varuna, for the sake of Sita's own welcome; and, my lord, in just this way, by all the other world-guardians too —

Verse 41 (padma.5.66.41)

श्रुतं रामायणोद्गानं पुत्राभ्यां ते सुरासुरैः । गंधर्वैरपि सर्वैश्च कौतुकाविष्टमानसैः

śrutaṁ rāmāyaṇodgānaṁ putrābhyāṁ te surāsuraiḥ gaṁdharvairapi sarvaiśca kautukāviṣṭamānasaiḥ

"— was the singing of the Ramayana heard from your two sons — by gods and demons alike, and by all the gandharvas too, their minds filled with wonder."

Verse 42 (padma.5.66.42)

प्रसन्ना एव सर्वेऽपि प्रशशंसुः सुतौ च ते । त्रैलोक्यं मोहितं ताभ्यां रूपगानवयोगुणैः

prasannā eva sarve'pi praśaśaṁsuḥ sutau ca te trailokyaṁ mohitaṁ tābhyāṁ rūpagānavayoguṇaiḥ

"All of them, well pleased, praised your two sons; and the three worlds were bewitched by their beauty, their song, and their youth."

Verse 43 (padma.5.66.43)

दत्तं यल्लोकपालैस्तु सुताभ्यां स्वीकृतं हि तत् । ऋषिभिश्च वरा आभ्यामन्येभ्यः कीर्तिरेव च

dattaṁ yallokapālaistu sutābhyāṁ svīkṛtaṁ hi tat ṛṣibhiśca varā ābhyāmanyebhyaḥ kīrtireva ca

"Whatever was offered by the guardians of the worlds was accepted by your two sons; and boons too from the sages, and renown besides from others."

Verse 44 (padma.5.66.44)

एकरामं जगत्सर्वं पूर्वं मुनिविलोकितम् । त्रिराममधुना जांतं सुताभ्यां तेखिलेक्षितम्

ekarāmaṁ jagatsarvaṁ pūrvaṁ munivilokitam trirāmamadhunā jāṁtaṁ sutābhyāṁ tekhilekṣitam

"The whole world, once beheld by sages as embodying but a single Rama, has come now, because of your two sons, to be seen by all as embodying three."

Verse 45 (padma.5.66.45)

एककामपरामूर्तिर्लोके पूर्वमवेक्षिता । कामैश्चतुर्भिरद्यायं जायते च यतस्ततः

ekakāmaparāmūrtirloke pūrvamavekṣitā kāmaiścaturbhiradyāyaṁ jāyate ca yatastataḥ

"What was once seen in the world as a single supreme form of desire fulfilled has now come to be manifest in four forms, wherever it arises."

Verse 46 (padma.5.66.46)

सर्वत्रान्यत्र राजेंद्र रामपुत्रौ कुशीलवौ । गीयते अत्र संकोचः किं कृतो विदुषि त्वयि

sarvatrānyatra rājeṁdra rāmaputrau kuśīlavau gīyate atra saṁkocaḥ kiṁ kṛto viduṣi tvayi

"O lord of kings, everywhere else Rama's sons, Kusha and Lava, are sung of; why, O wise one, has this hesitation been made here, before you yourself?"

Verse 47 (padma.5.66.47)

कृतेषु तव सर्वेषु श्रूयते महती स्तुतिः । त्यागादन्यत्र सीतायाः पुण्यश्लोकशिरोमणे

kṛteṣu tava sarveṣu śrūyate mahatī stutiḥ tyāgādanyatra sītāyāḥ puṇyaślokaśiromaṇe

"In every deed of yours the greatest praise is heard — save only in Sita's abandonment, O crest-jewel of those praised in holy verse."

Verse 48 (padma.5.66.48)

त्वया त्रैलोक्यनाथेन गार्हस्थ्यमनुकुर्वता । अंगीकार्यौ सुतौ रामविद्याशीलगुणान्वितौ

tvayā trailokyanāthena gārhasthyamanukurvatā aṁgīkāryau sutau rāmavidyāśīlaguṇānvitau

"O lord of the three worlds, feigning as you do the life of a householder, these two sons, endowed with your own learning, character, and virtues, must be accepted by you."

Verse 49 (padma.5.66.49)

न तौ स्वां मातरं हित्वा स्थास्यतोऽभवदंतिके । जनन्या सहितौ तस्मादाकार्यौ भवता सुतौ

na tau svāṁ mātaraṁ hitvā sthāsyato'bhavadaṁtike jananyā sahitau tasmādākāryau bhavatā sutau

"They will not remain near you, having abandoned their own mother; therefore, O king, both sons must be summoned together with their mother."

Verse 50 (padma.5.66.50)

दत्त एव तयेदानीं सेनासंजीवनात्पुनः । प्रत्ययः सर्वलोकानां पावनः पततामपि

datta eva tayedānīṁ senāsaṁjīvanātpunaḥ pratyayaḥ sarvalokānāṁ pāvanaḥ patatāmapi

"Through the revival of the whole army she has now given fresh conviction once more — a pure conviction, held by all the worlds, extended even to the fallen."

Verse 51 (padma.5.66.51)

नाज्ञातं तेन चास्माकं नामराणां च मानद । शुद्धौ तस्यास्तु लोकानां यन्नष्टं तदिह ध्रुवम्

nājñātaṁ tena cāsmākaṁ nāmarāṇāṁ ca mānada śuddhau tasyāstu lokānāṁ yannaṣṭaṁ tadiha dhruvam

"O giver of honor, none of this was ever unknown to us; whatever was lost in this world, that lady's own purity stands here beyond all doubt."

Verse 52 (padma.5.66.52)

शेष उवाच। इति वाल्मीकिना रामः सर्वज्ञोऽप्यवबोधितः । स्तुत्वा नत्वा च वाल्मीकिं प्रत्युवाच स लक्ष्मणम्

śeṣa uvāca iti vālmīkinā rāmaḥ sarvajño'pyavabodhitaḥ stutvā natvā ca vālmīkiṁ pratyuvāca sa lakṣmaṇam

Shesha said: Thus, though all-knowing, was Rama instructed by Valmiki; and, praising and bowing to Valmiki, he said this to Lakshmana —

Verse 53 (padma.5.66.53)

गच्छ ताताधुना सीतामानेतुं धर्मचारिणीम् । सपुत्रां रथमास्थाय सुमंत्रसहितः सखे

gaccha tātādhunā sītāmānetuṁ dharmacāriṇīm saputrāṁ rathamāsthāya sumaṁtrasahitaḥ sakhe

"Go now, my son, to bring back righteous Sita; mount your chariot, my friend, together with her sons, and with Sumantra beside you."

Verse 54 (padma.5.66.54)

श्रावयित्वा ममेमानि मुनेश्च वचनान्यपि । संबोध्य च पुरीमेतां सीतां प्रत्यानयाशु ताम्

śrāvayitvā mamemāni muneśca vacanānyapi saṁbodhya ca purīmetāṁ sītāṁ pratyānayāśu tām

"Having conveyed all these words, mine and the sage's alike, and having spoken to her of this city, bring Sita back swiftly."

Verse 55 (padma.5.66.55)

लक्ष्मण उवाच। यास्यामि तव संदेशात्सर्वेषां नः प्रभोर्विभो । देव्या यास्यति चेद्देव यात्रा मे सफला ततः

lakṣmaṇa uvāca yāsyāmi tava saṁdeśātsarveṣāṁ naḥ prabhorvibho devyā yāsyati ceddeva yātrā me saphalā tataḥ

Lakshmana said: "I shall go at your command, O lord of us all; if the goddess returns with me, my lord, then my journey shall have borne fruit."

Verse 56 (padma.5.66.56)

मयि सामाभ्यसूयैव पूर्वदोषवशात्सती । अनागतायां तस्यां तु क्षमस्वागंतुकं मम

mayi sāmābhyasūyaiva pūrvadoṣavaśātsatī anāgatāyāṁ tasyāṁ tu kṣamasvāgaṁtukaṁ mama

"That devoted lady bears me only the ill will of a past fault; if she does not come, forgive at least my own approach to her."

Verse 57 (padma.5.66.57)

इत्युक्त्वा लक्ष्मणो रामं रथे स्थित्वा नृपाज्ञया । सुमित्रमुनिशिष्याभ्यां युतोऽगाद्भूमिजाश्रमम्

ityuktvā lakṣmaṇo rāmaṁ rathe sthitvā nṛpājñayā sumitramuniśiṣyābhyāṁ yuto'gādbhūmijāśramam

Having spoken thus to Rama, Lakshmana, mounting his chariot at the king's command, together with the sage Sumitra's disciples, set out for the earth-born daughter's hermitage.

Verse 58 (padma.5.66.58)

कथं प्रसादनीया स्यात्सीता भगवती मया । पूर्वदोषं विजानंती रामाधीनस्य मे सदा

kathaṁ prasādanīyā syātsītā bhagavatī mayā pūrvadoṣaṁ vijānaṁtī rāmādhīnasya me sadā

"How am I to appease the divine Sita, who knows my past fault, ever knowing me as one wholly dependent on Rama?"

Verse 59 (padma.5.66.59)

एवं संचिंतयन्नंतर्हर्षसंकोच मध्यगः । लक्ष्मणः प्राप सीताया आश्रमं श्रमनाशनम्

evaṁ saṁciṁtayannaṁtarharṣasaṁkoca madhyagaḥ lakṣmaṇaḥ prāpa sītāyā āśramaṁ śramanāśanam

Reflecting thus, caught between inward joy and hesitation, Lakshmana reached Sita's own hermitage, that remover of all weariness.

Verse 60 (padma.5.66.60)

रथात्सोथावरुह्यारादश्रुरुद्धविलोचनः । आर्ये पूज्ये भगवति शुभे इति वदन्मुहुः

rathātsothāvaruhyārādaśruruddhavilocanaḥ ārye pūjye bhagavati śubhe iti vadanmuhuḥ

Descending from his chariot, even from a distance, his eyes brimming with tears, he said again and again: "O noble one! O worshipful one! O blessed one! O auspicious one!" —

Verse 61 (padma.5.66.61)

पपात पादयोस्तस्या वेपमानाखिलांगकः । उत्थापितस्तया देव्या प्रीतिविह्वलया स च

papāta pādayostasyā vepamānākhilāṁgakaḥ utthāpitastayā devyā prītivihvalayā sa ca

— he fell at her feet, his whole body trembling; and, raised up by that goddess, herself overwhelmed with affection, he too spoke —

Verse 62 (padma.5.66.62)

किमर्थमागतः सौम्य वनं मुनिजनप्रियम् । आस्ते स कुशली देवः कौसल्याशुक्तिमौक्तिकः

kimarthamāgataḥ saumya vanaṁ munijanapriyam āste sa kuśalī devaḥ kausalyāśuktimauktikaḥ

"Gentle one, why have you come to this forest, so beloved of the sages? Is that lord well — that pearl-oyster of Kausalya's own?"

Verse 63 (padma.5.66.63)

अरोषो मयि कश्चित्स कीर्त्या केवलयादृतः । कीर्त्यते सर्वलोकैश्च कल्याणगुणसागरः

aroṣo mayi kaścitsa kīrtyā kevalayādṛtaḥ kīrtyate sarvalokaiśca kalyāṇaguṇasāgaraḥ

"Is he without anger toward me, held in honor by his fame alone? He is praised by all the world, that very ocean of auspicious virtues."

Verse 64 (padma.5.66.64)

अकीर्तिभीतिमापन्नस्त्यक्तुं मां त्वां नियुक्तवान् । यदि ततश्च लोकेषु कीर्तिस्तस्यामलाभवत्

akīrtibhītimāpannastyaktuṁ māṁ tvāṁ niyuktavān yadi tataśca lokeṣu kīrtistasyāmalābhavat

"Out of fear of ill fame he commanded me to abandon you; and if by this his own good name has become spotless in the worlds —"

Verse 65 (padma.5.66.65)

मृत्वापि पतिसत्कीर्तिं कुर्वंत्या मे हि सुस्थिरा । पतिसामीप्यमेवाशु भूयादेव हि देवर

mṛtvāpi patisatkīrtiṁ kurvaṁtyā me hi susthirā patisāmīpyamevāśu bhūyādeva hi devara

"— then, having established my husband's good name even at the cost of my own death, O brother-in-law, may nearness to my husband come to me swiftly and forever."

Verse 66 (padma.5.66.66)

त्यक्तयापि मया तेन नासौ त्यक्तो मनागपि । फलं हि साधनायत्तं हेतुः फलवशो न तु

tyaktayāpi mayā tena nāsau tyakto manāgapi phalaṁ hi sādhanāyattaṁ hetuḥ phalavaśo na tu

"Though I was set aside by him, he never truly abandoned me, not even a little — the fruit depends upon the means, but the cause never depends upon the fruit."

Verse 67 (padma.5.66.67)

कौसल्याशल्यशून्यासौ कृपापूर्णा सदा मयि । आस्ते कुशलिनी यस्याः पुत्रस्त्रैलोक्यपालकः

kausalyāśalyaśūnyāsau kṛpāpūrṇā sadā mayi āste kuśalinī yasyāḥ putrastrailokyapālakaḥ

"Is Kausalya, free from all anguish, ever gracious toward me still? Is she well, whose son is protector of all three worlds?"

Verse 68 (padma.5.66.68)

सर्वे कुशलिनः संति भरताद्याश्च बांधवाः । सुमित्रा च महाभागा यस्याः प्राणादहं प्रिया

sarve kuśalinaḥ saṁti bharatādyāśca bāṁdhavāḥ sumitrā ca mahābhāgā yasyāḥ prāṇādahaṁ priyā

"Are all well — Bharata and the other kinsmen? And great, fortunate Sumitra too, who is dearer to me than my very own life?"

Verse 69 (padma.5.66.69)

मद्वत्किं त्वमपि त्यक्तः सर्वलोकेषु कीर्तये । राज्ञः किं दुस्त्यजं तस्य स्वात्मापि यस्य न प्रियः

madvatkiṁ tvamapi tyaktaḥ sarvalokeṣu kīrtaye rājñaḥ kiṁ dustyajaṁ tasya svātmāpi yasya na priyaḥ

"Have you too, like me, been set aside somewhere in the world for fame's sake? What is there a king would find hard to give up, who does not even hold his own self dear?"

Verse 70 (padma.5.66.70)

इत्येवं बहुधा पृष्टस्तया रामानुजः सताम् । उवाच कुशली देवः कुशलं त्वयि पृच्छति

ityevaṁ bahudhā pṛṣṭastayā rāmānujaḥ satām uvāca kuśalī devaḥ kuśalaṁ tvayi pṛcchati

Questioned thus by her in so many ways, Rama's younger brother, beloved of the good, said: "That lord is well; he asks after your own welfare."

Verse 71 (padma.5.66.71)

कौसल्या च सुमित्रा च याश्चान्या राजयोषितः । पप्रच्छुः कुशलं देवि प्रीत्या त्वामाशिषा सह

kausalyā ca sumitrā ca yāścānyā rājayoṣitaḥ papracchuḥ kuśalaṁ devi prītyā tvāmāśiṣā saha

"Kausalya and Sumitra, and the other royal women too, O goddess, have lovingly asked after your welfare, with their blessings besides."

Verse 72 (padma.5.66.72)

कुशलप्रश्नपूर्वं हि तव पादाभिवंदनम् । निवेदयामि शत्रुघ्न भरताभ्यां कृतं शुभे

kuśalapraśnapūrvaṁ hi tava pādābhivaṁdanam nivedayāmi śatrughna bharatābhyāṁ kṛtaṁ śubhe

"After first asking of your welfare, homage is offered at your feet; O auspicious one, this Shatrughna and Bharata too have done."

Verse 73 (padma.5.66.73)

गुरुभिर्गुरुपत्नीभिः सर्वाभिरपि ते शुभे । दत्ताशीः कुशलप्रश्नः कृतश्च त्वयि जानकि

gurubhirgurupatnībhiḥ sarvābhirapi te śubhe dattāśīḥ kuśalapraśnaḥ kṛtaśca tvayi jānaki

"By the elders too, and by their wives, O auspicious one, blessing has been given by every one, and your welfare asked, O Janaki."

Verse 74 (padma.5.66.74)

आकारयति देवस्त्वां निर्व्यलीकेन चात्मवान् । अलभ्यान्यरतिस्त्वत्तोऽन्यत्र सर्वत्र भामिनि

ākārayati devastvāṁ nirvyalīkena cātmavān alabhyānyaratistvatto'nyatra sarvatra bhāmini

"That self-possessed lord summons you without any deceit; nowhere else, radiant one, does he find any delight but with you."

Verse 75 (padma.5.66.75)

शून्या एव दिशः सर्वास्त्वां विना जनकात्मजे । पश्यन्रोदिति नाथो नो रोदयन्नितरानपि

śūnyā eva diśaḥ sarvāstvāṁ vinā janakātmaje paśyanroditi nātho no rodayannitarānapi

"O daughter of Janaka, every direction lies empty without you; my lord, seeing this, weeps, though he weeps before no one else."

Verse 76 (padma.5.66.76)

यत्र देवि स्थितासि त्वं नित्यं स्मरति राघवः । अशून्यं तु तमेवासौ मन्यमानो विदेहजे

yatra devi sthitāsi tvaṁ nityaṁ smarati rāghavaḥ aśūnyaṁ tu tamevāsau manyamāno videhaje

"Wherever you dwell, goddess, Raghava holds it always in his mind; and, deeming that place alone not empty, O Videha's daughter, thinks of nothing else."

Verse 77 (padma.5.66.77)

धन्योऽयमाश्रमो जातो वाल्मीकेर्यत्र जानकी । कालं क्षपति वार्ताभिर्मदीयाभिर्वदन्निति

dhanyo'yamāśramo jāto vālmīkeryatra jānakī kālaṁ kṣapati vārtābhirmadīyābhirvadanniti

"'Blessed indeed has that hermitage become, where Valmiki's own Janaki spends her days,' he says, and, telling my own reports, weeps a little as he speaks."

Verse 78 (padma.5.66.78)

उक्तवान्यद्रुदन्किंचित्स्वामी नस्त्वयि तच्छृणु । व्यक्तीभवति वक्तुर्यद्धृद्गतं तदसंशयम्

uktavānyadrudankiṁcitsvāmī nastvayi tacchṛṇu vyaktībhavati vakturyaddhṛdgataṁ tadasaṁśayam

"Hear now what our lord said to you, weeping a little as he spoke; for what lies within a speaker's heart surely comes to light, without doubt."

Verse 79 (padma.5.66.79)

लोका वदंति मामेव सर्वेषामीश्वरेश्वरम् । अहं त्वदृष्टमेवैषां स्वतंत्रं कारणं ब्रुवे

lokā vadaṁti māmeva sarveṣāmīśvareśvaram ahaṁ tvadṛṣṭamevaiṣāṁ svataṁtraṁ kāraṇaṁ bruve

"'People call me the very lord of lords over all; but I myself say that unseen destiny alone is the true, independent cause of all this."

Verse 80 (padma.5.66.80)

अदृष्टमेव कार्येषु सर्वेशोऽप्यनुगच्छति । ईशनीयाः कुतो नैतदन्वीयुः सुखदुःखयोः

adṛṣṭameva kāryeṣu sarveśo'pyanugacchati īśanīyāḥ kuto naitadanvīyuḥ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ

"'Even the Lord of all, in every act, follows unseen destiny; how then could others, subject to it as they are, ever escape its joy and sorrow?"

Verse 81 (padma.5.66.81)

धनुर्भंगे मतिभ्रंशे कैकय्या मरणे पितुः । अरण्यगमने तत्र हरणे तव वारिधेः

dhanurbhaṁge matibhraṁśe kaikayyā maraṇe pituḥ araṇyagamane tatra haraṇe tava vāridheḥ

"'— in the breaking of the bow, in my own father's clouded judgment, in Kaikeyi's demand, in my father's death,"

Verse 82 (padma.5.66.82)

तरणे रक्षसां भर्तुर्मारणेऽपि रणेरणे । सहायीभवने मह्यमृक्षवानररक्षसाम्

taraṇe rakṣasāṁ bharturmāraṇe'pi raṇeraṇe sahāyībhavane mahyamṛkṣavānararakṣasām

"'— in the going to the forest, in your own abduction there, in the crossing of the ocean, in the slaying of the very lord of rakshasas, in battle after battle,"

Verse 83 (padma.5.66.83)

लाभे तव प्रतिज्ञायाः सत्यत्वे च सतीमणे । पुनः स्वबंधुसंबंधे राज्यप्राप्तौ च भामिनि

lābhe tava pratijñāyāḥ satyatve ca satīmaṇe punaḥ svabaṁdhusaṁbaṁdhe rājyaprāptau ca bhāmini

"'— in the aid of bears and monkeys and rakshasas, in winning you back, in the very truth of my vow, O jewel among devoted wives, then again in reunion with my kinsmen, in the gaining of the kingdom, O radiant one —"

Verse 84 (padma.5.66.84)

पुनः प्रियावियोगे च कारणं यदवारणम् । प्रसीदति तदेवाद्य संयोगे पुनरावयोः

punaḥ priyāviyoge ca kāraṇaṁ yadavāraṇam prasīdati tadevādya saṁyoge punarāvayoḥ

"'— and then again in this very separation from my beloved — that same unstoppable cause is now, once more, favorable to our reunion."

Verse 85 (padma.5.66.85)

वेदोऽन्यथा कृतो येन लोकोत्पत्ति लयौ यतः । लोकाननुगतस्तस्मात्कारणं प्रथमं त्वहम्

vedo'nyathā kṛto yena lokotpatti layau yataḥ lokānanugatastasmātkāraṇaṁ prathamaṁ tvaham

"'By that from which even the Veda was otherwise fashioned, from which the world's origin and dissolution proceed — I too, following the ways of the worlds, am but its first cause, no more."

Verse 86 (padma.5.66.86)

अदृष्टमनुवर्तंते लोकाः संप्रतिबोधकाः । भोगेन जीर्यतेऽदृष्टं तत्तद्भुक्तं त्वया वने

adṛṣṭamanuvartaṁte lokāḥ saṁpratibodhakāḥ bhogena jīryate'dṛṣṭaṁ tattadbhuktaṁ tvayā vane

"'The worlds, capable of understanding though they are, still follow unseen destiny; by experience that destiny is worn away — as by all you underwent in the forest."

Verse 87 (padma.5.66.87)

स्नेहोऽकारणकः सीते वर्धमानो मम त्वयि । लोकादृष्टे तिरस्कृत्य त्वामाह्वयत आदरात्

sneho'kāraṇakaḥ sīte vardhamāno mama tvayi lokādṛṣṭe tiraskṛtya tvāmāhvayata ādarāt

"'Sita, this affection of mine, causeless and ever growing toward you, though hidden from the sight of the world, calls you now with reverence, having held you apart a while."

Verse 88 (padma.5.66.88)

शङ्कितेनापि दोषेण स्नेहनैर्मल्यमज्जनम् । भवतीति स वै शुद्ध आस्वाद्यो विबुधैः सदा

śaṅkitenāpi doṣeṇa snehanairmalyamajjanam bhavatīti sa vai śuddha āsvādyo vibudhaiḥ sadā

"'Even under a suspected fault, one may be immersed in the very purity of affection; and so it remains ever pure, ever fit to be savored by the wise."

Verse 89 (padma.5.66.89)

स्नेहशुद्धिरियं भद्रे कृता मे त्वयि नान्यथा । मंतव्यं रक्षितोऽप्येष लोकः शिष्टानुवर्तिना

snehaśuddhiriyaṁ bhadre kṛtā me tvayi nānyathā maṁtavyaṁ rakṣito'pyeṣa lokaḥ śiṣṭānuvartinā

"'This very purity of affection, gracious one, I have wrought toward you, and none other; know that this world is protected by one who follows the counsel of the wise, even at the cost of himself."

Verse 90 (padma.5.66.90)

आवयोर्निंदया देवि सर्वावस्था सुशुद्धये । लोको नश्येद्धि संमूढश्चरितैर्महतामयम्

āvayorniṁdayā devi sarvāvasthā suśuddhaye loko naśyeddhi saṁmūḍhaścaritairmahatāmayam

"'It is only through censure of the two of us, goddess, in every circumstance, that the world's utmost purity has come about — else this deluded world would be undone by the very conduct of the great."

Verse 91 (padma.5.66.91)

आवयोरुज्ज्वला कीर्तिरावयोरुज्ज्वलो रसः । आवयोरुज्ज्वलौ वंशावावयोरुज्ज्वलाः क्रियाः

āvayorujjvalā kīrtirāvayorujjvalo rasaḥ āvayorujjvalau vaṁśāvāvayorujjvalāḥ kriyāḥ

"'Radiant is our fame, radiant our very essence; radiant are both our lineages, radiant are our deeds."

Verse 92 (padma.5.66.92)

भवेयुरावयोः कीर्तिर्गायका उज्ज्वला भुवि । आवयोर्भक्तिमंतो ये ते यांत्यंते भवांबुधेः

bhaveyurāvayoḥ kīrtirgāyakā ujjvalā bhuvi āvayorbhaktimaṁto ye te yāṁtyaṁte bhavāṁbudheḥ

"'May our fame be radiant, and may those upon this earth who sing of it be radiant too; those devoted to the two of us cross, in the end, to the far shore of this ocean of existence.'"

Verse 93 (padma.5.66.93)

इत्युक्ता भवती तेन प्रीयमाणेन ते गुणैः । पत्युः पादांबुजे द्रष्टुं करोतु सदयं मनः

ityuktā bhavatī tena prīyamāṇena te guṇaiḥ patyuḥ pādāṁbuje draṣṭuṁ karotu sadayaṁ manaḥ

"Thus addressed by him, and pleased as he is by your own virtues — make your heart gracious now, to behold your husband's own lotus-feet."

Verse 94 (padma.5.66.94)

वासांसि रमणीयानि भूषणानि महांति च । अंगरागस्तथा गंधा मनोज्ञास्त्वयि योजिताः

vāsāṁsi ramaṇīyāni bhūṣaṇāni mahāṁti ca aṁgarāgastathā gaṁdhā manojñāstvayi yojitāḥ

"Lovely garments, and great ornaments, and unguents for the body and delightful fragrances, have all been set aside for you."

Verse 95 (padma.5.66.95)

रथो दास्यश्च रामेण प्रेषिता उत्सवायते । छत्रं च चामरे शुभ्रे गजा अश्वाश्च शोभने

ratho dāsyaśca rāmeṇa preṣitā utsavāyate chatraṁ ca cāmare śubhre gajā aśvāśca śobhane

"A chariot, and maidservants, sent by Rama, arrayed for festival; a parasol and pure white chowries, elephants and horses, beautiful all —"

Verse 96 (padma.5.66.96)

स्तूयमाना द्विजश्रेष्ठैः सूतमागधबंदिभिः । वंद्यमाना पुरस्त्रीभिः सेव्यमाना च योद्धृभिः

stūyamānā dvijaśreṣṭhaiḥ sūtamāgadhabaṁdibhiḥ vaṁdyamānā purastrībhiḥ sevyamānā ca yoddhṛbhiḥ

"— praised by the finest brahmins, by bards, panegyrists, and heralds; honored by the women of the city, attended by warriors —"

Verse 97 (padma.5.66.97)

पुष्पैः संछाद्यमाना च देवीदेवांगनादिभिः । धनानि ददती तेभ्यो द्विजातिभ्यो यथेप्सितम्

puṣpaiḥ saṁchādyamānā ca devīdevāṁganādibhiḥ dhanāni dadatī tebhyo dvijātibhyo yathepsitam

"— strewn over with flowers by goddesses and celestial women; giving wealth to those very brahmins as much as they might wish —"

Verse 98 (padma.5.66.98)

गजारूढौ कुमारौ च पुरस्कृत्य जनेश्वरी । मयानुगम्यमाना च गच्छायोध्यां निजां पुरीम्

gajārūḍhau kumārau ca puraskṛtya janeśvarī mayānugamyamānā ca gacchāyodhyāṁ nijāṁ purīm

"— the two princes mounted upon elephants, the queen going before them, and I myself following after — come now to your own city of Ayodhya."

Verse 99 (padma.5.66.99)

त्वयि तत्र गतायां तु संगतायां प्रियेण ते । सर्वासां राजनारीणामागतानां च सर्वशः

tvayi tatra gatāyāṁ tu saṁgatāyāṁ priyeṇa te sarvāsāṁ rājanārīṇāmāgatānāṁ ca sarvaśaḥ

"When you have gone there and are joined with your beloved once more, for all the royal women who have come from every quarter —"

Verse 100 (padma.5.66.100)

सर्वासामृषिपत्नीनां कौसलानां तथैव च । मंगलैर्वाद्यगीताद्यैर्भवत्वद्य महोत्सवः

sarvāsāmṛṣipatnīnāṁ kausalānāṁ tathaiva ca maṁgalairvādyagītādyairbhavatvadya mahotsavaḥ

"— for all the sages' wives, and for the people of Kosala too — let there be today a great festival, filled with auspicious music and song."

Verse 101 (padma.5.66.101)

शेष उवाच-। इतिविज्ञापनां देवी श्रुत्वा सीता तमाह सा । नाहं कीर्तिकरी राज्ञो ह्यपकीर्तिः स्वयं त्वहम्

śeṣa uvāca- itivijñāpanāṁ devī śrutvā sītā tamāha sā nāhaṁ kīrtikarī rājño hyapakīrtiḥ svayaṁ tvaham

Shesha said: Hearing this message, the goddess Sita said to him: "I am no maker of the king's fame; I myself am but his ill fame."

Verse 102 (padma.5.66.102)

किं मया तस्य साध्यं स्याद्धर्मकामार्थशून्यया । सत्येवं भवतां भूपे को विश्वासो निरंकुशे

kiṁ mayā tasya sādhyaṁ syāddharmakāmārthaśūnyayā satyevaṁ bhavatāṁ bhūpe ko viśvāso niraṁkuśe

"Devoid of Dharma, Kama, and Artha as I am, what could I ever accomplish for him? If this is so, what trust could there be in so unrestrained a king?"

Verse 103 (padma.5.66.103)

प्रत्यक्षा वा परोक्षा वा भर्तुर्दोषा मनःस्थिताः । न वाच्या जातु मादृश्या कल्याणकुलजातया

pratyakṣā vā parokṣā vā bharturdoṣā manaḥsthitāḥ na vācyā jātu mādṛśyā kalyāṇakulajātayā

"Whether visible or hidden, faults residing in a husband's own mind should never be spoken by a woman such as I, born of a righteous lineage."

Verse 104 (padma.5.66.104)

पाणिग्रहणकाले मे यद्रूपो हृदये स्थितः । तद्रूपो हृदयान्नासौ कदाचिदपसर्पति

pāṇigrahaṇakāle me yadrūpo hṛdaye sthitaḥ tadrūpo hṛdayānnāsau kadācidapasarpati

"That very form which took its place in my heart at the time of our marriage — that form has never once departed from my heart."

Verse 105 (padma.5.66.105)

लक्ष्मणेमौ कुमारौ मे तत्तेजोंशसमुद्भवौ । वंशांकुरौ महाशूरौ धनुर्विद्याविशारदौ

lakṣmaṇemau kumārau me tattejoṁśasamudbhavau vaṁśāṁkurau mahāśūrau dhanurvidyāviśāradau

"Lakshmana, these two princes, born of a very portion of his own radiance, sprouts of his own lineage, greatly heroic, skilled in the science of archery —"

Verse 106 (padma.5.66.106)

नीत्वा पितुः समीपं तु लालनीयौ प्रयत्नतः । तपसाराधयिष्यामि रामं काममिह स्थिता

nītvā pituḥ samīpaṁ tu lālanīyau prayatnataḥ tapasārādhayiṣyāmi rāmaṁ kāmamiha sthitā

"— take them, to be cherished with the greatest care, to their father's own presence; I shall remain here, and by my own will worship Rama through austerity."

Verse 107 (padma.5.66.107)

वाच्यं त्वया महाभाग पूज्यपादाभिवंदनम् । सर्वेभ्यः कुशलं चापि गत्वेतो मदपेक्षया

vācyaṁ tvayā mahābhāga pūjyapādābhivaṁdanam sarvebhyaḥ kuśalaṁ cāpi gatveto madapekṣayā

"O great one, carry my own obeisance to those worthy of worship; and, going from here, ask after everyone's welfare on my behalf."

Verse 108 (padma.5.66.108)

पुत्रौ समादिशत्सीता गच्छतं पितुरंतिकम् । शुश्रूषणीय एवासौ भवद्भ्यां स्वपदप्रदः

putrau samādiśatsītā gacchataṁ pituraṁtikam śuśrūṣaṇīya evāsau bhavadbhyāṁ svapadapradaḥ

Sita commanded her sons: "Go now to your own father's presence; he must be served, for he alone is the one who shall grant you your own inheritance."

Verse 109 (padma.5.66.109)

आज्ञप्तावप्यनिच्छंतौ तौ कुमारौ कुशीलवौ । वाल्मीकिवचनात्तत्र जग्मतुश्च सलक्ष्मणौ

ājñaptāvapyanicchaṁtau tau kumārau kuśīlavau vālmīkivacanāttatra jagmatuśca salakṣmaṇau

Though thus commanded, those two princes, Kusha and Lava, unwilling still, went there together with Lakshmana, only at Valmiki's own word.

Verse 110 (padma.5.66.110)

वाल्मीकेरेव पादाब्जसमीपं तत्सुतौ गतौ । लक्ष्मणोऽपि ववंदे तं गत्वा बालकसंयुतः

vālmīkereva pādābjasamīpaṁ tatsutau gatau lakṣmaṇo'pi vavaṁde taṁ gatvā bālakasaṁyutaḥ

Those two sons went first to Valmiki's own lotus-feet; and Lakshmana too, going there together with the boys, bowed before him.

Verse 111 (padma.5.66.111)

वाल्मीकिर्लक्ष्मणस्तौ तु कुमारौ मिलिता अमी । सभायां संस्थितं रामं ज्ञात्वा ते जग्मुरुत्सुकाः

vālmīkirlakṣmaṇastau tu kumārau militā amī sabhāyāṁ saṁsthitaṁ rāmaṁ jñātvā te jagmurutsukāḥ

Valmiki, Lakshmana, and those two princes, thus joined together, and knowing Rama seated in his assembly, went there eagerly.

Verse 112 (padma.5.66.112)

लक्ष्मणः प्रणिपत्याथ सीतावाक्यादिसर्वशः । कथयामास रामाय हर्षशोकयुतः सुधीः

lakṣmaṇaḥ praṇipatyātha sītāvākyādisarvaśaḥ kathayāmāsa rāmāya harṣaśokayutaḥ sudhīḥ

Lakshmana, bowing then, filled with both joy and sorrow, told Rama everything, beginning from Sita's own words.

Verse 113 (padma.5.66.113)

सीतासंदेशवाक्येभ्यो रामो मूर्च्छां समन्वभूत् । संज्ञामवाप्य चोवाच लक्ष्मणं नयकोविदम्

sītāsaṁdeśavākyebhyo rāmo mūrcchāṁ samanvabhūt saṁjñāmavāpya covāca lakṣmaṇaṁ nayakovidam

Hearing that message of Sita's, Rama fell into a swoon; and, regaining his senses, said to Lakshmana, skilled in policy —

Verse 114 (padma.5.66.114)

गच्छ मित्र पुनस्तत्र यत्नेन महता च ताम् । शीघ्रमानय भद्रं ते मद्वाक्यानि निवेद्य च

gaccha mitra punastatra yatnena mahatā ca tām śīghramānaya bhadraṁ te madvākyāni nivedya ca

"Go, my friend, there once more, with the greatest effort, and bring her back swiftly — blessings upon you — having conveyed these words of mine as well."

Verse 115 (padma.5.66.115)

अरण्ये किं तपस्यंत्या गतिरन्या विचिंतिता । श्रुता दृष्टाथ वा मत्तो यन्नागच्छसि जानकि

araṇye kiṁ tapasyaṁtyā gatiranyā viciṁtitā śrutā dṛṣṭātha vā matto yannāgacchasi jānaki

"'Doing austerity in the forest, what other refuge has she resolved upon? Has she heard or seen something of me, Janaki, that you do not come?"

Verse 116 (padma.5.66.116)

त्वदिच्छया त्वमेवेतो गतारण्यं मुनिप्रियम् । पूजिता मुनिपत्न्यस्ता दृष्टा मुनिगणास्त्वया

tvadicchayā tvameveto gatāraṇyaṁ munipriyam pūjitā munipatnyastā dṛṣṭā munigaṇāstvayā

"'By your own wish you went from here into that forest so dear to the sages; you worshipped the sages' own wives, and beheld the assemblies of sages."

Verse 117 (padma.5.66.117)

पूर्णो मनोरथस्तेऽद्य किं नागच्छसि भामिनि । न दोषं मयि पश्येस्त्वं स्वात्मेच्छाया विलोकनात्

pūrṇo manorathaste'dya kiṁ nāgacchasi bhāmini na doṣaṁ mayi paśyestvaṁ svātmecchāyā vilokanāt

"'Your heart's own desire stands fulfilled today — why, radiant one, do you not come now? See no fault in me from the mere sight of your own wish granted."

Verse 118 (padma.5.66.118)

गत्वा गत्वाथ वामोरु पतिरेव गतिः स्त्रियाः । निर्गुणोपि गुणांभोधिः किंपुनर्मनसेप्सितः

gatvā gatvātha vāmoru patireva gatiḥ striyāḥ nirguṇopi guṇāṁbhodhiḥ kiṁpunarmanasepsitaḥ

"'Go where she will, O fair-thighed one, the husband alone remains a woman's true refuge; even without virtue he is an ocean of virtues — how much more when desired by the very heart?"

Verse 119 (padma.5.66.119)

याया क्रियाकुलस्त्रीणां सासा पत्युः प्रतुष्टये । पूर्वमेवप्रतुष्टोऽहमिदानीं सुतरां त्वयि

yāyā kriyākulastrīṇāṁ sāsā patyuḥ pratuṣṭaye pūrvamevapratuṣṭo'hamidānīṁ sutarāṁ tvayi

"'Whatever conduct belongs to women devoted to their duty, it is all for a husband's own contentment; I was content with you before — now I am content with you all the more."

Verse 120 (padma.5.66.120)

यागो जपस्तपोदानं व्रतं तीर्थं दयादिकम् । देवाश्च मयि संतुष्टे तुष्टमेतदसंशयम्

yāgo japastapodānaṁ vrataṁ tīrthaṁ dayādikam devāśca mayi saṁtuṣṭe tuṣṭametadasaṁśayam

"'Sacrifice, prayer, austerity, charity, vow, pilgrimage, compassion and the rest, and the very gods themselves — when I am content, all of this is content too, without doubt.'"

Verse 121 (padma.5.66.121)

शेष उवाच-। इति संदेशमादाय सीतां प्रति जगत्पतेः । आह लक्ष्मण आत्मेशमानतः प्रणयाद्धरौ

śeṣa uvāca- iti saṁdeśamādāya sītāṁ prati jagatpateḥ āha lakṣmaṇa ātmeśamānataḥ praṇayāddharau

Shesha said: Having received in this way this message for Sita from the lord of the worlds, Lakshmana, bowing, said with affection to his own lord, Hari —

Verse 122 (padma.5.66.122)

सीतानयनमुद्दिश्य प्रसन्नस्त्वं यदूचिवान् । कथयिष्यामि तद्वाक्यं विनयेन समन्वितम्

sītānayanamuddiśya prasannastvaṁ yadūcivān kathayiṣyāmi tadvākyaṁ vinayena samanvitam

"For the bringing of Sita, whatever you, pleased as you are, have spoken — that very word I shall convey, with all the courtesy it deserves."

Verse 123 (padma.5.66.123)

इत्युक्त्वा पादयोर्नत्वा रघुनाथस्य लक्ष्मणः । जगाम त्वरितः सीतां रथे तिष्ठन्महाजवे

ityuktvā pādayornatvā raghunāthasya lakṣmaṇaḥ jagāma tvaritaḥ sītāṁ rathe tiṣṭhanmahājave

Having spoken thus, and bowing at Raghunatha's feet, Lakshmana went swiftly to Sita, mounted upon his own most swift chariot.

Verse 124 (padma.5.66.124)

वाल्मीकिः श्रीयुतौ वीक्ष्य रामपुत्रौ महौजसौ । उवाच स्मितमाधाय मुखं कृत्वा मनोहरम्

vālmīkiḥ śrīyutau vīkṣya rāmaputrau mahaujasau uvāca smitamādhāya mukhaṁ kṛtvā manoharam

Valmiki, seeing Rama's two glorious, mighty sons, said, smiling, his face made lovely —

Verse 125 (padma.5.66.125)

युवां प्रगायतां पुत्रौ रामचारित्रमद्भुतम् । वीणां प्रवादयंतौ च कलगानेन शोभितम्

yuvāṁ pragāyatāṁ putrau rāmacāritramadbhutam vīṇāṁ pravādayaṁtau ca kalagānena śobhitam

"Sing now, my sons, of Rama's own wondrous life-story, playing the vina, adorned with your own sweet song."

Verse 126 (padma.5.66.126)

इत्यक्तौ तौ सुतौ रामचारित्रं बहुपुण्यदम् । अगायतां महाभागौ सुवाक्यपदचित्रितम्

ityaktau tau sutau rāmacāritraṁ bahupuṇyadam agāyatāṁ mahābhāgau suvākyapadacitritam

Thus told, those two most fortunate sons sang Rama's own life-story, so rich in merit, adorned with excellent words and verses.

Verse 127 (padma.5.66.127)

यस्मिन्धर्मविधिः साक्षात्पातिव्रत्यं तु यत्स्थितम् । भ्रातृस्नेहो महान्यत्र गुरुभक्तिस्तथैव च

yasmindharmavidhiḥ sākṣātpātivratyaṁ tu yatsthitam bhrātṛsneho mahānyatra gurubhaktistathaiva ca

— that story in which the very ordinance of Dharma stood embodied, in which chastity itself stood firm, in which was found the greatest brotherly affection, and likewise devotion to one's guru —

Verse 128 (padma.5.66.128)

स्वामिसेवकयोर्यत्र नीतिर्मूर्तिमती किल । अधर्मकरशास्तिं वै यत्र साक्षाद्रघूद्वहात्

svāmisevakayoryatra nītirmūrtimatī kila adharmakaraśāstiṁ vai yatra sākṣādraghūdvahāt

— in which the very relation of master and servant stood embodied as policy itself; in which the punishment of the unrighteous came directly from that uplifter of the Raghus —

Verse 129 (padma.5.66.129)

तद्गानेन जगद्व्याप्तं दिवि देवा अपि स्थिताः । किन्नरा अपि यद्गानं श्रुत्वा मूर्च्छामिताः क्षणात्

tadgānena jagadvyāptaṁ divi devā api sthitāḥ kinnarā api yadgānaṁ śrutvā mūrcchāmitāḥ kṣaṇāt

— by that singing the whole world was pervaded; and the gods, seated in heaven, and even the kinnaras, hearing that song, swooned in an instant.

Verse 130 (padma.5.66.130)

वीणायारणितं श्रुत्वा तालमानेन शोभितम् । निखिला परिषत्तत्र शालभं जीवचित्रिता

vīṇāyāraṇitaṁ śrutvā tālamānena śobhitam nikhilā pariṣattatra śālabhaṁ jīvacitritā

Hearing the resonance of the vina, adorned with its measured rhythm, that whole assembly, though alive, grew still as a painted picture.

Verse 131 (padma.5.66.131)

हर्षादश्रूणिमुंचंतो रामाद्या भूमिपास्तथा । तद्गानपंचमालापमोहिताश्चित्रितोपमाः

harṣādaśrūṇimuṁcaṁto rāmādyā bhūmipāstathā tadgānapaṁcamālāpamohitāścitritopamāḥ

Rama and the other kings shed tears of joy, bewildered by the very melody of that song's fifth note, as though themselves become painted figures.

Verse 132 (padma.5.66.132)

तत्र रामः सुतौ दृष्ट्वा महागानविमोहकौ । अदात्ताभ्यां सुवर्णस्य लक्षं लक्षं पृथक्पृथक्

tatra rāmaḥ sutau dṛṣṭvā mahāgānavimohakau adāttābhyāṁ suvarṇasya lakṣaṁ lakṣaṁ pṛthakpṛthak

There Rama, seeing his own two sons, so bewitching in their great song, gave to each of them, separately, a hundred thousand pieces of gold.

Verse 133 (padma.5.66.133)

तदा दानपरं दृष्ट्वा वाल्मीकिं मुनिसत्तमम् । अब्रूतां प्रहसंतौ तौ किंचिद्वक्रभ्रुवौ ततः

tadā dānaparaṁ dṛṣṭvā vālmīkiṁ munisattamam abrūtāṁ prahasaṁtau tau kiṁcidvakrabhruvau tataḥ

Then, seeing Valmiki devoted to such giving, the two of them, laughing, their brows slightly arched, said this —

Verse 134 (padma.5.66.134)

मुने महानयोनेन क्रियते भूमिपेन वै । यदावाभ्यां सुवर्णानि दातुमिच्छति लोभयन्

mune mahānayonena kriyate bhūmipena vai yadāvābhyāṁ suvarṇāni dātumicchati lobhayan

"Sage, a great impropriety is being committed by this king, in that he wishes to tempt us with gold."

Verse 135 (padma.5.66.135)

प्रतिग्रहो ब्राह्मणानां शस्यते नेतरेषु वै । प्रतिग्रहपरो राजा नरकायैव कल्पते

pratigraho brāhmaṇānāṁ śasyate netareṣu vai pratigrahaparo rājā narakāyaiva kalpate

"The acceptance of gifts is praised for brahmins alone, not for others; a king given over to accepting gifts is fit only for hell."

Verse 136 (padma.5.66.136)

आवयोः कृपया मुक्तं राज्यं भुंक्ते महीपतिः । कथं दातुं सुवर्णानि वांछति श्रेयसांचितः

āvayoḥ kṛpayā muktaṁ rājyaṁ bhuṁkte mahīpatiḥ kathaṁ dātuṁ suvarṇāni vāṁchati śreyasāṁcitaḥ

"It is by our own grace that this king now enjoys the kingdom he has been freed to rule — why then, wishing his own good, does he desire to give us gold?"

Verse 137 (padma.5.66.137)

इत्युक्तवंतौ तौ दृष्ट्वा वाल्मीकिः कृपयायुतः । अशंसद्युष्मत्पितरं जानीथां नीतिवित्तमौ

ityuktavaṁtau tau dṛṣṭvā vālmīkiḥ kṛpayāyutaḥ aśaṁsadyuṣmatpitaraṁ jānīthāṁ nītivittamau

Seeing them speak thus, Valmiki, filled with compassion, said: "Know your own father — you two are foremost in the very science of policy."

Verse 138 (padma.5.66.138)

इति श्रुत्वा मुनेर्वाक्यं बालकौ नृपपादयोः । लग्नौ विनयसंयुक्तौ मातृभक्त्यातिनिर्मलौ

iti śrutvā munervākyaṁ bālakau nṛpapādayoḥ lagnau vinayasaṁyuktau mātṛbhaktyātinirmalau

Hearing the sage's word, those two boys, filled with courtesy, their devotion to their mother most pure, clung fast to the king's own feet.

Verse 139 (padma.5.66.139)

रामो बालौ दृढं स्वांगे परिरभ्य मुदान्वितः । मेने स्त्रियास्तदा धर्मौ मूर्तिमंतावुपस्थितौ

rāmo bālau dṛḍhaṁ svāṁge parirabhya mudānvitaḥ mene striyāstadā dharmau mūrtimaṁtāvupasthitau

Rama, delighted, embraced those boys firmly against his own body, and then took her, in that woman's very form, to be Dharma itself, come before him.

Verse 140 (padma.5.66.140)

सभापि रामसुतयोर्वीक्ष्य वक्त्रे मनोरमे । जानकीपतिभक्तित्वं सत्यं मेने मुनीश्वर

sabhāpi rāmasutayorvīkṣya vaktre manorame jānakīpatibhaktitvaṁ satyaṁ mene munīśvara

The assembly too, beholding the lovely faces of Rama's two sons, O lord of sages, took their devotion to Janaki's own lord for true.

Verse 141 (padma.5.66.141)

इति शेषमुखप्रोक्तं श्रुत्वा वात्स्यायनोऽब्रवीत् । रामायणं श्रोतुमनाः सर्वधर्मसमन्वितम्

iti śeṣamukhaproktaṁ śrutvā vātsyāyano'bravīt rāmāyaṇaṁ śrotumanāḥ sarvadharmasamanvitam

Hearing this told by Shesha's own mouth, Vatsyayana, his mind set on hearing that Ramayana so filled with every righteousness, said —

Verse 142 (padma.5.66.142)

वात्स्यायन उवाच। कस्मिन्काले कृतं स्वामिन्रामायणमिदं महत् । कस्माच्चकार किन्तत्र वर्णनं तद्वदस्व मे

vātsyāyana uvāca kasminkāle kṛtaṁ svāminrāmāyaṇamidaṁ mahat kasmāccakāra kintatra varṇanaṁ tadvadasva me

Vatsyayana said: "At what time, my lord, was this great Ramayana composed? By whom was it made, and what is described within it — tell me this."

Verse 143 (padma.5.66.143)

शेष उवाच-। एकदा गतवान्विप्रो वाल्मीकिर्विपिनं महत् । यत्र तालास्तमालाश्च किंशुका यत्र पुष्पिताः

śeṣa uvāca- ekadā gatavānvipro vālmīkirvipinaṁ mahat yatra tālāstamālāśca kiṁśukā yatra puṣpitāḥ

Shesha said: Once the brahmin Valmiki went into a great forest, where tala and tamala trees stood, and where kimshuka trees bloomed —

Verse 144 (padma.5.66.144)

केतकी यत्र रजसा कुर्वती सौरभं वनम् । शशिप्रभेव महती दृश्यते शुभ्रकर्णभृत् । चंपकोबकुलश्चापि कोविदारः कुरंटकः

ketakī yatra rajasā kurvatī saurabhaṁ vanam śaśiprabheva mahatī dṛśyate śubhrakarṇabhṛt caṁpakobakulaścāpi kovidāraḥ kuraṁṭakaḥ

— where the ketaki flower, with its pollen, perfumed the whole forest, appearing great as the radiance of the moon, its petals pure and white; where champaka, bakula, kovidara, and kurantaka grew as well —

Verse 145 (padma.5.66.145)

अनेके पुष्पिता यत्र पादपाः शोभने वने । कोकिलानां विरावेण षट्पदानां च शब्दितैः

aneke puṣpitā yatra pādapāḥ śobhane vane kokilānāṁ virāveṇa ṣaṭpadānāṁ ca śabditaiḥ

— where in that lovely forest many trees stood in flower, and the whole place resounded everywhere with the calls of cuckoos and the humming of bees —

Verse 146 (padma.5.66.146)

संघुष्टं सर्वतो रम्यं मनोहरवयोन्वितम् । तत्र क्रौंचयुगं रम्यं कामबाणप्रपीडितम्

saṁghuṣṭaṁ sarvato ramyaṁ manoharavayonvitam tatra krauṁcayugaṁ ramyaṁ kāmabāṇaprapīḍitam

— lovely, delightful to behold; there a pair of curlews, most graceful, stricken by the arrows of desire —

Verse 147 (padma.5.66.147)

परस्परं प्रहृषितं रेमे स्निग्धतया स्थितम् । तदा व्याधः समागत्य तयोरेकं मनोहरम्

parasparaṁ prahṛṣitaṁ reme snigdhatayā sthitam tadā vyādhaḥ samāgatya tayorekaṁ manoharam

— delighted with one another, sported there, resting in mutual tenderness. Then a hunter, coming there, struck down one of that pair, the more lovely —

Verse 148 (padma.5.66.148)

अवधीन्निर्दयः कश्चिन्मांसास्वादनलोलुपः । तदा क्रौंची व्याधहतं स्वपतिं वीक्ष्य दुःखिता

avadhīnnirdayaḥ kaścinmāṁsāsvādanalolupaḥ tadā krauṁcī vyādhahataṁ svapatiṁ vīkṣya duḥkhitā

— slain mercilessly, greedy for the taste of its flesh. Then that female curlew, seeing her own mate slain by the hunter, grief-stricken —

Verse 149 (padma.5.66.149)

विललाप भृशं दुःखान्मुंचंती रावमुच्चकैः । तदा मुनिः प्रकुपितो निषादं क्रौंचघातकम्

vilalāpa bhṛśaṁ duḥkhānmuṁcaṁtī rāvamuccakaiḥ tadā muniḥ prakupito niṣādaṁ krauṁcaghātakam

— lamented greatly, uttering a cry of the loudest sorrow. Then the sage, enraged at that fowler, slayer of the curlew —

Verse 150 (padma.5.66.150)

शशाप वार्युपस्पृश्य सरितः पावनं शुभम् । मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमः शाश्वतीः समाः

śaśāpa vāryupaspṛśya saritaḥ pāvanaṁ śubham mā niṣāda pratiṣṭhāṁ tvamagamaḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ

— touching the sacred, auspicious water of the river, cursed him: "O fowler, may you never attain lasting fame, for eternal years —"

Verse 151 (padma.5.66.151)

यत्क्रौंचपक्षिणोरेकमवधीः काममोहितम् । तदा प्रबंधं श्लोकस्य जातं मत्वा ह्यनुद्विजाः

yatkrauṁcapakṣiṇorekamavadhīḥ kāmamohitam tadā prabaṁdhaṁ ślokasya jātaṁ matvā hyanudvijāḥ

"— since you have slain one of that pair of curlews, so bewildered by desire." Then, deeming that this had taken the very form of a shloka, those twice-born sages —

Verse 152 (padma.5.66.152)

ऊचुर्मुनिं प्रहृष्टास्ते शंसंतः साधुसाध्विति । स्वामिञ्छापोदिते वाक्ये भारतीश्लोकमातनोत्

ūcurmuniṁ prahṛṣṭāste śaṁsaṁtaḥ sādhusādhviti svāmiñchāpodite vākye bhāratīślokamātanot

— delighted, said to the sage, praising him, "Well done, well done!" "My lord, in these very words uttered as a curse, the goddess of speech has extended herself into a shloka."

Verse 153 (padma.5.66.153)

अत्यंतं मोहनो जातः श्लोकोऽयं मुनिसत्तम । तदा मुनिः प्रहृष्टात्मा बभूव वाडवर्षभ । तस्मिन्काले समागत्य ब्रह्मा पुत्रैः समन्वितः

atyaṁtaṁ mohano jātaḥ śloko'yaṁ munisattama tadā muniḥ prahṛṣṭātmā babhūva vāḍavarṣabha tasminkāle samāgatya brahmā putraiḥ samanvitaḥ

"This shloka has become exceedingly enchanting, O foremost of sages." Then the sage's own heart grew greatly delighted, O finest of brahmins; and at that very moment Brahma arrived there, together with his sons —

Verse 154 (padma.5.66.154)

वचो जगाद वाल्मीकिं धन्योसि त्वं मुनीश्वर । भारती त्वन्मुखे स्थित्वा श्लोकत्वं समपद्यत

vaco jagāda vālmīkiṁ dhanyosi tvaṁ munīśvara bhāratī tvanmukhe sthitvā ślokatvaṁ samapadyata

— and spoke this word to Valmiki: "Blessed are you, O lord of sages; the very goddess of speech, taking her place in your mouth, has come to be a shloka."

Verse 155 (padma.5.66.155)

तस्माद्रामायणं रम्यं कुरुष्व मधुराक्षरम् । येन ते विमला कीर्तिराकल्पांतं भविष्यति

tasmādrāmāyaṇaṁ ramyaṁ kuruṣva madhurākṣaram yena te vimalā kīrtirākalpāṁtaṁ bhaviṣyati

"Therefore compose now that lovely Ramayana, in sweet syllables, by which your own spotless fame shall endure until the end of the age."

Verse 156 (padma.5.66.156)

धन्या सैव मुखे वाणी रामनाम्ना समन्विता । अन्या कामकथा नॄणां जनयत्येव पातकम्

dhanyā saiva mukhe vāṇī rāmanāmnā samanvitā anyā kāmakathā nṝṇāṁ janayatyeva pātakam

"Blessed indeed is that speech in the mouth which is joined with the name of Rama; other talk of desire among men only gives birth to sin."

Verse 157 (padma.5.66.157)

तस्मात्कुरुष्व रामस्य चरितं लोकविश्रुतम् । येन स्यात्पापिनां पापहानिरेव पदेपदे

tasmātkuruṣva rāmasya caritaṁ lokaviśrutam yena syātpāpināṁ pāpahānireva padepade

"Therefore compose the world-renowned story of Rama, by which sinners may lose their very sin, step by step, as they hear it."

Verse 158 (padma.5.66.158)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे स्रष्टा सर्वदेवैः समन्वितः । ततः सचिंतयामास कथं रामायणं भवेत्

ityuktvāṁtardadhe sraṣṭā sarvadevaiḥ samanvitaḥ tataḥ saciṁtayāmāsa kathaṁ rāmāyaṇaṁ bhavet

Having spoken thus, the Creator vanished, together with all the gods; and then Valmiki pondered how the Ramayana might come to be.

Verse 159 (padma.5.66.159)

तदा ध्यानपरो जातो नदीतीरे मनोरमे । तस्य चेतस्यथो रामः प्रादुर्भूतो मनोहरः

tadā dhyānaparo jāto nadītīre manorame tasya cetasyatho rāmaḥ prādurbhūto manoharaḥ

Then, absorbed in meditation, he sat upon a lovely riverbank, and in his own heart Rama then appeared, most lovely —

Verse 160 (padma.5.66.160)

नीलोत्पलदलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् । निरीक्ष्य तस्य चरितं भूतंभाविभवच्च यत्

nīlotpaladalaśyāmaṁ rāmaṁ rājīvalocanam nirīkṣya tasya caritaṁ bhūtaṁbhāvibhavacca yat

— dark as the petal of the blue lotus, lotus-eyed; and beholding his own life-story, both what had been and what was yet to come —

Verse 161 (padma.5.66.161)

तदात्यंतं मुदं प्राप्तो रामायणमथासृजत् । मनोरमपदैर्युक्तं वृत्तैर्बहुविधैरपि

tadātyaṁtaṁ mudaṁ prāpto rāmāyaṇamathāsṛjat manoramapadairyuktaṁ vṛttairbahuvidhairapi

— then, filled with the greatest delight, he composed the Ramayana, joined with lovely words and metres of many kinds.

Verse 162 (padma.5.66.162)

षट्कांडानि सुरम्याणि यत्र रामायणेऽनघ । बालमारण्यकं चान्यत्किष्किंधा सुंदरं तथा

ṣaṭkāṁḍāni suramyāṇi yatra rāmāyaṇe'nagha bālamāraṇyakaṁ cānyatkiṣkiṁdhā suṁdaraṁ tathā

O sinless one, in that Ramayana there are six most delightful kandas — Bala, and Aranyaka, and another, Kishkindha, and Sundara too —

Verse 163 (padma.5.66.163)

युद्धमुत्तरमन्यच्च षडेतानि महामते । शृणुयाद्यो नरः पुण्यात्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

yuddhamuttaramanyacca ṣaḍetāni mahāmate śṛṇuyādyo naraḥ puṇyātsarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

— Yuddha, and another, Uttara — these six, O great-minded one; whatever man hears them is freed, by that merit, from every sin.

Verse 164 (padma.5.66.164)

तत्र बाले तु संतुष्टः पुत्रेष्ट्या चतुरस्सुतान् । प्राप पंक्तिरथः साक्षाद्धरिं ब्रह्मसनातनम्

tatra bāle tu saṁtuṣṭaḥ putreṣṭyā caturassutān prāpa paṁktirathaḥ sākṣāddhariṁ brahmasanātanam

There, in the Bala kanda, satisfied by the sacrifice for sons, Panktiratha attained, in visible form, Hari himself, eternal as Brahman.

Verse 165 (padma.5.66.165)

स कौशिकमखं गत्वा सीतामुद्वाह्य भार्गवम् । आगत्य पुरमुत्कृष्टो यौवराज्यप्रकल्पनम्

sa kauśikamakhaṁ gatvā sītāmudvāhya bhārgavam āgatya puramutkṛṣṭo yauvarājyaprakalpanam

He, going to Kaushika's sacrifice, marrying Sita there, meeting the descendant of Bhrigu, and returning to his own exalted city, was established as heir apparent.

Verse 166 (padma.5.66.166)

मातृवाक्याद्वनं प्रागाद्गंगामुत्तीर्य पर्वतम् । चित्रकूटं महिलया लक्ष्मणेन समन्वितः

mātṛvākyādvanaṁ prāgādgaṁgāmuttīrya parvatam citrakūṭaṁ mahilayā lakṣmaṇena samanvitaḥ

At his mother's word he set out for the forest, crossing the Ganga, to Mount Chitrakuta, together with his wife and Lakshmana.

Verse 167 (padma.5.66.167)

भरतस्तं वने श्रुत्वा जगाम भ्रातरं नयी । तमप्राप्य स्वयं नंदिग्रामे वासमचीकरत्

bharatastaṁ vane śrutvā jagāma bhrātaraṁ nayī tamaprāpya svayaṁ naṁdigrāme vāsamacīkarat

Bharata, hearing of him in the forest, that man skilled in policy, went to his brother; and, not finding him, made his own dwelling at Nandigrama.

Verse 168 (padma.5.66.168)

बालमेतच्छृणुष्वान्यदारण्यकसमुद्भवम् । मुनीनामाश्रमे वासस्तत्र तत्रोपवर्णनम्

bālametacchṛṇuṣvānyadāraṇyakasamudbhavam munīnāmāśrame vāsastatra tatropavarṇanam

This is the Bala kanda; hear now another, arisen from the Aranyaka kanda; here and there, the description of dwelling in the hermitages of sages —

Verse 169 (padma.5.66.169)

नासाच्छेदः शूर्पणख्याः खरदूषणनाशनम् । मायामारीचहननं दैत्याद्रामापहारणम्

nāsācchedaḥ śūrpaṇakhyāḥ kharadūṣaṇanāśanam māyāmārīcahananaṁ daityādrāmāpahāraṇam

— the cutting off of Shurpanakha's nose, the destruction of Khara and Dushana, the slaying of the illusory Maricha, and the demon's abduction of Rama's own wife —

Verse 170 (padma.5.66.170)

वने विरहिणा भ्रांतं मनुष्यचरितं भृतम् । कबंधप्रेक्षणं तत्र पम्पायां गमनं तथा

vane virahiṇā bhrāṁtaṁ manuṣyacaritaṁ bhṛtam kabaṁdhaprekṣaṇaṁ tatra pampāyāṁ gamanaṁ tathā

— his wandering in the forest, filled with the sorrow of one bereft, so human in its telling, the sight of Kabandha there, and likewise his going to Pampa —

Verse 171 (padma.5.66.171)

हनूमता संगमनमित्येतद्वनसंज्ञितम् । अपरं च शृणु मुने संक्षिप्य कथयाम्यहम्

hanūmatā saṁgamanamityetadvanasaṁjñitam aparaṁ ca śṛṇu mune saṁkṣipya kathayāmyaham

— and the meeting with Hanuman — this is called the Aranyaka kanda; hear another too, sage, which I shall tell you now, in brief.

Verse 172 (padma.5.66.172)

सप्ततालप्रभेदश्च वालेर्मारणमद्भुतम् । सुग्रीवे राज्यदानं च नगवर्णनमित्युत

saptatālaprabhedaśca vālermāraṇamadbhutam sugrīve rājyadānaṁ ca nagavarṇanamityuta

The piercing of the seven Sala trees, and the wondrous slaying of Vali; the granting of the kingdom to Sugriva, and the description of the mountain —

Verse 173 (padma.5.66.173)

लक्ष्मणात्कर्मसंदेशः सुग्रीवस्य विवासनम् । तथा सैन्यसमुद्देशः सीतान्वेषणमप्युत

lakṣmaṇātkarmasaṁdeśaḥ sugrīvasya vivāsanam tathā sainyasamuddeśaḥ sītānveṣaṇamapyuta

— the message conveyed by Lakshmana, Sugriva's own banishment, and likewise the marshalling of the army, and the search for Sita too —

Verse 174 (padma.5.66.174)

संपातिप्रेक्षणं तत्र वारिधेर्लंघनं तथा । परतीरे कपिप्राप्तिः कैष्किंधं कांडमद्भुतम्

saṁpātiprekṣaṇaṁ tatra vāridherlaṁghanaṁ tathā paratīre kapiprāptiḥ kaiṣkiṁdhaṁ kāṁḍamadbhutam

— the sight of Sampati there, and the leaping across the ocean, the arrival of the monkey upon the far shore — this is the wondrous Kishkindha kanda.

Verse 175 (padma.5.66.175)

सुंदरं शृणु कांडं वै यत्र रामकथाद्भुता । प्रतिगेहे प्रति भ्रांतिः कपेश्चित्रस्य दर्शनम्

suṁdaraṁ śṛṇu kāṁḍaṁ vai yatra rāmakathādbhutā pratigehe prati bhrāṁtiḥ kapeścitrasya darśanam

Hear now the Sundara kanda, in which Rama's own wondrous story is told: the wandering from house to house, the sight of that wondrous monkey —

Verse 176 (padma.5.66.176)

सीतासंदर्शनं तत्र जानक्याभाषणं तथा । वनभंगः प्रकुपितैर्बंधनं वानरस्य च

sītāsaṁdarśanaṁ tatra jānakyābhāṣaṇaṁ tathā vanabhaṁgaḥ prakupitairbaṁdhanaṁ vānarasya ca

— the sight of Sita there, and the speaking with Janaki, the destruction of the grove, and the binding of the monkey by the enraged rakshasas —

Verse 177 (padma.5.66.177)

ततो लंकाप्रज्वलनं वानरैः संगतिस्ततः । रामाभिज्ञानदानं च सैन्यप्रस्थानमेव च

tato laṁkāprajvalanaṁ vānaraiḥ saṁgatistataḥ rāmābhijñānadānaṁ ca sainyaprasthānameva ca

— then the burning of Lanka, the meeting with the monkeys thereafter, the giving of Rama's own token of recognition, and likewise the setting forth of the army —

Verse 178 (padma.5.66.178)

समुद्रे सेतुकरणं शुकसारणसंगतिः । इति सुंदरमाख्यातं युद्धे सीतासमागमः

samudre setukaraṇaṁ śukasāraṇasaṁgatiḥ iti suṁdaramākhyātaṁ yuddhe sītāsamāgamaḥ

— the building of the bridge across the ocean, the meeting with Shuka and Sarana — thus is the Sundara kanda told; in the Yuddha kanda, the reunion with Sita —

Verse 179 (padma.5.66.179)

उत्तरे ऋषिसंवादो यज्ञप्रारंभ एव च । तत्रानेका रामकथाः शृण्वतां पापनाशकाः

uttare ṛṣisaṁvādo yajñaprāraṁbha eva ca tatrānekā rāmakathāḥ śṛṇvatāṁ pāpanāśakāḥ

— in the Uttara kanda, dialogue with the sages, and the very beginning of the sacrifice as well; there many stories of Rama, destroying the sin of all who hear them.

Verse 180 (padma.5.66.180)

इति षट्कांडमाख्यातं ब्रह्महत्यापनोदनम् । संक्षेपतो मया तुभ्यमाख्यातं सुमनोहरम्

iti ṣaṭkāṁḍamākhyātaṁ brahmahatyāpanodanam saṁkṣepato mayā tubhyamākhyātaṁ sumanoharam

Thus have the six kandas been told, which remove the sin of brahmin-slaying; in brief have I recounted to you this most lovely account.

Verse 181 (padma.5.66.181)

चतुर्विंशतिसाहस्रं षट्कांडपरिचिह्नितम् । तद्वै रामायणं प्रोक्तं महापातकनाशनम्

caturviṁśatisāhasraṁ ṣaṭkāṁḍaparicihnitam tadvai rāmāyaṇaṁ proktaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam

Twenty-four thousand verses in number, marked out by its six kandas, that indeed is the Ramayana called, destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 182 (padma.5.66.182)

तच्छ्रुत्वा राघवः प्रीतः पुत्रावाधाय चासने । दृढं तौ परिरभ्याथ सीतां सस्मार वल्लभाम्

tacchrutvā rāghavaḥ prītaḥ putrāvādhāya cāsane dṛḍhaṁ tau parirabhyātha sītāṁ sasmāra vallabhām

Hearing this, Raghava was delighted; and, seating his two sons upon his own throne, he embraced them firmly, and then called to mind his beloved Sita.