The Road to Panchavati

Shloka 1 (aranya.13.1)

राम प्रीतोऽस्मि भद्रं ते परितुष्टोऽस्मि लक्ष्मण । अभिवादयितुं यन्मां प्राप्तौ स्थः सह सीतया ॥ 13.1 ॥

rāma prīto'smi bhadraṃ te parituṣṭo'smi lakṣmaṇa | abhivādayituṃ yanmāṃ prāptau sthaḥ saha sītayā || 13.1 ||

"I am pleased, Rama; may good befall you. I am well content, Lakshmana, that you both, with Sita, have come to pay me homage.

Shloka 2 (aranya.13.2)

अध्वश्रमेण वां खेदो बाधते प्रचुरश्रमः । व्यक्तमुत्कण्ठते वापि मैथिली जनकात्मजा ॥ 13.2 ॥

adhvaśrameṇa vāṃ khedo bādhate pracuraśramaḥ | vyaktamutkaṇṭhate vāpi maithilī janakātmajā || 13.2 ||

The great fatigue of the journey must be troubling you both with weariness, and clearly Maithili, Janaka's daughter, too must be feeling its strain.

Shloka 3 (aranya.13.3)

एषा च सुकुमारी च खेदैश्च न विमानिता । प्राज्यदोषं वनं प्राप्ता भर्तृस्नेहप्रचोदिता ॥ 13.3 ॥

eṣā ca sukumārī ca khedaiśca na vimānitā | prājyadoṣaṃ vanaṃ prāptā bhartṛsnehapracoditā || 13.3 ||

She, so delicate, unused to being troubled by hardship, has yet come to this forest full of dangers, driven only by her love for her husband.

Shloka 4 (aranya.13.4)

यथैषा रमते राम इह सीता तथा कुरु । दुष्करं कृतवत्येषा वने त्वामभिगच्छती ॥ 13.4 ॥

yathaiṣā ramate rāma iha sītā tathā kuru | duṣkaraṃ kṛtavatyeṣā vane tvāmabhigacchatī || 13.4 ||

See to it, Rama, that Sita finds joy here; for in following you into the forest, she has performed a most difficult deed.

Shloka 5 (aranya.13.5)

एषा हि प्रकृतिः स्त्रीणामासृष्टे रघुनन्दन । समस्थमनुरज्यन्ते विषमस्थं त्यजन्ति च ॥ 13.5 ॥

eṣā hi prakṛtiḥ strīṇāmāsṛṣṭe raghunandana | samasthamanurajyante viṣamasthaṃ tyajanti ca || 13.5 ||

For this, O delight of the Raghus, has been the nature of women since creation began — they love one in prosperity, and forsake one in adversity.

Shloka 6 (aranya.13.6)

शतह्रदानां लोलत्वं शस्त्राणां तीक्ष्णतां तथा । गरुडानिलयोः शैघ्र्यमनुगच्छन्ति योषितः ॥ 13.6 ॥

śatahradānāṃ lolatvaṃ śastrāṇāṃ tīkṣṇatāṃ tathā | garuḍānilayoḥ śaighryamanugacchanti yoṣitaḥ || 13.6 ||

In fickleness they match the lightning's flicker, in sharpness the edge of weapons, and in swiftness the speed of Garuda or the wind — such, in general, are women.

Shloka 7 (aranya.13.7)

इयं तु भवतो भार्या दोषैरेतैर्विवर्जिता । श्लाघ्या च व्यपदेश्या च यथा देवीष्वरुन्धती ॥ 13.7 ॥

iyaṃ tu bhavato bhāryā doṣairetairvivarjitā | ślāghyā ca vyapadeśyā ca yathā devīṣvarundhatī || 13.7 ||

But this wife of yours is free from all such faults — she is worthy of praise and worthy to be cited as an example, like the goddess Arundhati among women.

Shloka 8 (aranya.13.8)

अलंकृतोऽयं देशश्च यत्र सौमित्रिणा सह । वैदेह्या चानया राम वत्स्यसि त्वमरिंदम ॥ 13.8 ॥

alaṃkṛto'yaṃ deśaśca yatra saumitriṇā saha | vaidehyā cānayā rāma vatsyasi tvamariṃdama || 13.8 ||

O subduer of foes, whatever region you choose to dwell in with Saumitri and with this Vaidehi, that region will thereby be adorned."

Shloka 9 (aranya.13.9)

एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना राघवः संयताञ्जलिः । उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यमृषिं दीप्तमिवानलम् ॥ 13.9 ॥

evamuktastu muninā rāghavaḥ saṃyatāñjaliḥ | uvāca praśritaṃ vākyamṛṣiṃ dīptamivānalam || 13.9 ||

Thus addressed by the sage, Raghava, with hands respectfully folded, spoke this humble reply to the sage, who glowed like blazing fire:

Shloka 10 (aranya.13.10)

धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यस्य मे मुनिपुंगवः । गुणैः सभ्रातृभार्यस्य गुरुर्नः परितुष्यति ॥ 13.10 ॥

dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi yasya me munipuṃgavaḥ | guṇaiḥ sabhrātṛbhāryasya gururnaḥ parituṣyati || 13.10 ||

"I am blessed, I am favoured, that this foremost of sages, our guru, is pleased with the virtues of me, together with my brother and my wife.

Shloka 11 (aranya.13.11)

किं तु व्यादिश मे देशं सोदकं बहुकाननम् । यत्राश्रमपदं कृत्वा वसेयं निरतः सुखम् ॥ 13.11 ॥

kiṃ tu vyādiśa me deśaṃ sodakaṃ bahukānanam | yatrāśramapadaṃ kṛtvā vaseyaṃ nirataḥ sukham || 13.11 ||

But do point out to me some place with water and abundant woodland, where I might build a hermitage and dwell there happily and at peace."

Shloka 12 (aranya.13.12)

ततोऽब्रवीन्मुनिश्रेष्ठः श्रुत्वा रामस्य भाषितम् । ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं धर्मात्मा ततोवाच वचः शुभम् ॥ 13.12 ॥

tato'bravīnmuniśreṣṭhaḥ śrutvā rāmasya bhāṣitam | dhyātvā muhūrtaṃ dharmātmā tatovāca vacaḥ śubham || 13.12 ||

Then, hearing Rama's words, that foremost of sages reflected a moment, and the righteous one spoke this auspicious reply:

Shloka 13 (aranya.13.13)

इतो द्वियोजने तात बहुमूलफलोदकः । देशो बहुमृगः श्रीमान् पञ्चवट्यभिविश्रुतः ॥ 13.13 ॥

ito dviyojane tāta bahumūlaphalodakaḥ | deśo bahumṛgaḥ śrīmān pañcavaṭyabhiviśrutaḥ || 13.13 ||

"Two yojanas from here, dear one, lies a splendid region abounding in roots, fruits, and water, rich in deer, renowned as Panchavati.

Shloka 14 (aranya.13.14)

तत्र गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं कृत्वा सौमित्रिणा सह । रमस्व त्वं पितुर्वाक्यं यथोक्तमनुपालयन् ॥ 13.14 ॥

tatra gatvā''śramapadaṃ kṛtvā saumitriṇā saha | ramasva tvaṃ piturvākyaṃ yathoktamanupālayan || 13.14 ||

Going there and building a hermitage with Saumitri, dwell there in delight, faithfully upholding your father's word as it was spoken.

Shloka 15 (aranya.13.15)

विदितो ह्येष वृत्तान्तो मम सर्वस्तवानघ । तपसश्च प्रभावेण स्नेहाद् दशरथस्य च ॥ 13.15 ॥

vidito hyeṣa vṛttānto mama sarvastavānagha | tapasaśca prabhāveṇa snehād daśarathasya ca || 13.15 ||

For this entire matter of yours is known to me, O sinless one — by the power of my austerity, and by my affection for Dasharatha.

Shloka 16 (aranya.13.16)

हृदयस्थं च ते च्छन्दो विज्ञातं तपसा मया । इह वासं प्रतिज्ञाय मया सह तपोवने ॥ 13.16 ॥

hṛdayasthaṃ ca te cchando vijñātaṃ tapasā mayā | iha vāsaṃ pratijñāya mayā saha tapovane || 13.16 ||

I know too, by my austerity, the wish that lies within your heart — though I might urge you to dwell here with me in this ascetic grove,

Shloka 17 (aranya.13.17)

अतश्च त्वामहं ब्रूमि गच्छ पञ्चवटीमिति । स हि रम्यो वनोद्देशो मैथिली तत्र रंस्यते ॥ 13.17 ॥

ataśca tvāmahaṃ brūmi gaccha pañcavaṭīmiti | sa hi ramyo vanoddeśo maithilī tatra raṃsyate || 13.17 ||

— yet I tell you instead: go to Panchavati. That woodland region is truly delightful, and there Maithili will find her joy.

Shloka 18 (aranya.13.18)

स देशः श्लाघनीयश्च नातिदूरे च राघव । गोदावर्याः समीपे च मैथिली तत्र रंस्यते ॥ 13.18 ॥

sa deśaḥ ślāghanīyaśca nātidūre ca rāghava | godāvaryāḥ samīpe ca maithilī tatra raṃsyate || 13.18 ||

That region, O Raghava, is praiseworthy and not far from here; near the Godavari, there too Maithili will find delight.

Shloka 19 (aranya.13.19)

प्राज्यमूलफलैश्चैव नानाद्विजगणैर्युतः । विविक्तश्च महाबाहो पुण्यो रम्यस्तथैव च ॥ 13.19 ॥

prājyamūlaphalaiścaiva nānādvijagaṇairyutaḥ | viviktaśca mahābāho puṇyo ramyastathaiva ca || 13.19 ||

It abounds in roots and fruits, thronged with many kinds of birds; it is secluded, O mighty-armed one, and equally sacred and delightful.

Shloka 20 (aranya.13.20)

भवानपि सदाचारः शक्तश्च परिरक्षणे । अपि चात्र वसन् राम तापसान् पालयिष्यसि ॥ 13.20 ॥

bhavānapi sadācāraḥ śaktaśca parirakṣaṇe | api cātra vasan rāma tāpasān pālayiṣyasi || 13.20 ||

You too, being of good conduct and capable of protection, O Rama, will, by dwelling there, safeguard the ascetics as well.

Shloka 21 (aranya.13.21)

एतदालक्ष्यते वीर मधूकानां महावनम् । उत्तरेणास्य गन्तव्यं न्यग्रोधमपि गच्छता ॥ 13.21 ॥

etadālakṣyate vīra madhūkānāṃ mahāvanam | uttareṇāsya gantavyaṃ nyagrodhamapi gacchatā || 13.21 ||

O hero, see this great forest of mahua trees; going past it to the north, you should proceed onward to a banyan tree.

Shloka 22 (aranya.13.22)

ततः स्थलमुपारुह्य पर्वतस्याविदूरतः । ख्यातः पञ्चवटीत्येव नित्यपुष्पितकाननः ॥ 13.22 ॥

tataḥ sthalamupāruhya parvatasyāvidūrataḥ | khyātaḥ pañcavaṭītyeva nityapuṣpitakānanaḥ || 13.22 ||

Then, climbing the high ground not far from a mountain, you will find the place renowned as Panchavati, its groves forever in bloom."

Shloka 23 (aranya.13.23)

अगस्त्येनैवमुक्तस्तु रामः सौमित्रिणा सह । सत्कृत्यामन्त्रयामास तमृषिं सत्यवादिनम् ॥ 13.23 ॥

agastyenaivamuktastu rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha | satkṛtyāmantrayāmāsa tamṛṣiṃ satyavādinam || 13.23 ||

Thus addressed by Agastya, Rama, together with Saumitri, duly honoured that truthful sage and took his leave.

Shloka 24 (aranya.13.24)

तौ तु तेनाभ्यनुज्ञातौ कृतपादाभिवन्दनौ । तमाश्रमं पञ्चवटीं जग्मतुः सह सीतया ॥ 13.24 ॥

tau tu tenābhyanujñātau kṛtapādābhivandanau | tamāśramaṃ pañcavaṭīṃ jagmatuḥ saha sītayā || 13.24 ||

Given leave by him, and having bowed at his feet, the two brothers, together with Sita, set out toward that hermitage-place, Panchavati.

Shloka 25 (aranya.13.25)

गृहीतचापौ तु नराधिपात्मजौ । विषक्ततूणी समरेष्वकातरौ । यथोपदिष्टेन पथा महर्षिणा । प्रजग्मतुः पञ्चवटीं समाहितौ ॥ 13.25 ॥

gṛhītacāpau tu narādhipātmajau | viṣaktatūṇī samareṣvakātarau | yathopadiṣṭena pathā maharṣiṇā | prajagmatuḥ pañcavaṭīṃ samāhitau || 13.25 ||

Those two sons of the king, bows in hand, quivers girded, fearless in battle, journeyed on with focused mind to Panchavati, by the path the great sage had shown.