Sita's Account of the Svayamvara

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.118.1)

सा तु एवम् उक्ता वैदेही अनसूया अनसूयया। प्रतिपूज्य वचो मन्दम् प्रवक्तुम् उपचक्रमे॥ 118.1 ॥

sā tu evam uktā vaidehī anasūyā anasūyayā| pratipūjya vaco mandam pravaktum upacakrame

Thus addressed by Anasuya, Vaidehi, herself free of all envy, honoured her words and began to speak gently in reply.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.118.2)

न एतद् आश्चर्यम् आर्याया यन् माम् त्वम् अनुभाषसे। विदितम् तु मम अप्य् एतद् यथा नार्याः पतिर् गुरुः॥ 118.2 ॥

na etad āścaryam āryāyā yan mām tvam anubhāṣase| viditam tu mama apy etad yathā nāryāḥ patir guruḥ

"It is no wonder that a noble lady like you should speak to me thus, for I too well know that for a woman her husband is her highest guide.

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.118.3)

यद्य् अप्य् एष भवेद् भर्ता मम आर्ये वृत्त वर्जितः। अद्वैधम् उपवर्तव्यः तथा अप्य् एष मया भवेत्॥ 118.3 ॥

yady apy eṣa bhaved bhartā mama ārye vṛtta varjitaḥ| advaidham upavartavyaḥ tathā apy eṣa mayā bhavet

O noble one, even were this husband of mine devoid of good qualities, still he ought to be served by me without any wavering.

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.118.4)

किम् पुनर् यो गुण श्लाघ्यः सानुक्रोशो जित इन्द्रियः। स्थिर अनुरागो धर्म आत्मा मातृ वर्ती पितृ प्रियः॥ 118.4 ॥

kim punar yo guṇa ślāghyaḥ sānukrośo jita indriyaḥ| sthira anurāgo dharma ātmā mātṛ vartī pitṛ priyaḥ

How much more so, then, when he is praised for his virtues, compassionate, master of his senses, steadfast in affection, righteous of soul, one who treats me as a mother would and is as dear to me as a father!

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.118.5)

याम् वृत्तिम् वर्तते रामः कौसल्यायाम् महा बलः। ताम् एव नृप नारीणाम् अन्यासाम् अपि वर्तते॥ 118.5 ॥

yām vṛttim vartate rāmaḥ kausalyāyām mahā balaḥ| tām eva nṛpa nārīṇām anyāsām api vartate

The mighty Rama behaves toward the other queens of the king exactly as he behaves toward Kausalya.

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.118.6)

सकृद् दृष्टासु अपि स्त्रीषु नृपेण नृप वत्सलः। मातृवद् वर्तते वीरो मानम् उत्सृज्य धर्मवित्॥ 118.6 ॥

sakṛd dṛṣṭāsu api strīṣu nṛpeṇa nṛpa vatsalaḥ| mātṛvad vartate vīro mānam utsṛjya dharmavit

Even toward women whom the king had merely glanced at once, that hero, devoted to his father and versed in righteousness, lays aside all pride and behaves as toward a mother.

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.118.7)

आगच्छन्त्याः च विजनम् वनम् एवम् भय आवहम्। समाहितम् हि मे श्वश्र्वा हृदये यत् स्थितम् महत्॥ 118.7 ॥

āgacchantyāḥ ca vijanam vanam evam bhaya āvaham| samāhitam hi me śvaśrvā hṛdaye yat sthitam mahat

As I set out for this lonely and fearsome forest, my mother-in-law placed a weighty counsel firmly in my heart, and that I have kept.

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.118.8)

प्राणि प्रदान काले च यत् पुरा तु अग्नि सम्निधौ। अनुशिष्टा जनन्या अस्मि वाक्यम् तद् अपि मे धृतम्॥ 118.8 ॥

prāṇi pradāna kāle ca yat purā tu agni samnidhau| anuśiṣṭā jananyā asmi vākyam tad api me dhṛtam

And earlier still, at the time my hand was given, in the presence of the fire, what my own mother taught me — that instruction too I hold firmly in mind.

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.118.9)

नवी कृतम् तु तत् सर्वम् वाक्यैः ते धर्म चारिणि। पति शुश्रूषणान् नार्याः तपो न अन्यद् विधीयते॥ 118.9 ॥

navī kṛtam tu tat sarvam vākyaiḥ te dharma cāriṇi| pati śuśrūṣaṇān nāryāḥ tapo na anyad vidhīyate

O righteous one, your words have renewed all of that for me — for no austerity is prescribed for a woman other than service to her husband.

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.118.10)

सावित्री पति शुश्रूषाम् कृत्वा स्वर्गे महीयते। तथा वृत्तिः च याता त्वम् पति शुश्रूषया दिवम्॥ 118.10 ॥

sāvitrī pati śuśrūṣām kṛtvā svarge mahīyate| tathā vṛttiḥ ca yātā tvam pati śuśrūṣayā divam

Savitri, having served her husband, is honoured in heaven; following that same conduct, you too, through service to your husband, shall attain the heavenly world.

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.118.11)

वरिष्ठा सर्व नारीणाम् एषा च दिवि देवता। रोहिणी च विना चन्द्रम् मुहूर्तम् अपि दृश्यते॥ 118.11 ॥

variṣṭhā sarva nārīṇām eṣā ca divi devatā| rohiṇī ca vinā candram muhūrtam api dṛśyate

This goddess Rohini, foremost among all women in heaven, is never seen even for a moment apart from the moon.

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.118.12)

एवम् विधाः च प्रवराः स्त्रियो भर्तृ दृढ व्रताः। देव लोके महीयन्ते पुण्येन स्वेन कर्मणा॥ 118.12 ॥

evam vidhāḥ ca pravarāḥ striyo bhartṛ dṛḍha vratāḥ| deva loke mahīyante puṇyena svena karmaṇā

Such excellent women, firm in their vow of devotion to their husbands, are honoured in the world of the gods by virtue of their own righteous deeds.

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.118.13)

ततो अनसूया सम्हृष्टा श्रुत्वा उक्तम् सीतया वचः। शिरस्य् आघ्राय च उवाच मैथिलीम् हर्षयन्त्य् उत॥ 118.13 ॥

tato anasūyā samhṛṣṭā śrutvā uktam sītayā vacaḥ| śirasy āghrāya ca uvāca maithilīm harṣayanty uta

Then, greatly delighted at hearing these words of Sita, Anasuya kissed her upon the head and spoke to Maithili, gladdening her further.

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.118.14)

नियमैर् विविधैर् आप्तम् तपो हि महद् अस्ति मे। तत् संश्रित्य बलम् सीते चन्दये त्वाम् शुचि व्रते॥ 118.14 ॥

niyamair vividhair āptam tapo hi mahad asti me| tat saṃśritya balam sīte chandaye tvām śuci vrate

"O Sita of pure vows, I possess a great store of asceticism acquired through manifold observances; relying on that power, I wish to grant you a boon.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.118.15)

उपपन्नम् च युक्तम् च वचनम् तव मैथिलि। प्रीता च अस्म्य् उचितम् किम् ते करवाणि ब्रवीह्यहम्॥ 118.15 ॥

upapannam ca yuktam ca vacanam tava maithili| prītā ca asmy ucitam kim te karavāṇi bravīhy aham

Your words, Maithili, are fitting and well-spoken, and I am pleased with you. Tell me what good thing I may do for you."

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.118.16)

तस्यास्तद्वचनम् श्रुत्वा विस्मिता मन्दविस्मया। कृतम् इत्य् अब्रवीत् सीता तपो बल समन्विताम्॥ 118.16 ॥

tasyās tad vacanam śrutvā vismitā manda vismayā| kṛtam ity abravīt sītā tapo bala samanvitām

Hearing her words, Sita, mildly astonished, said to that woman rich in the power of penance, "It is as good as done already."

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.118.17)

सा तु एवम् उक्ता धर्मज्ना तया प्रीततरा अभवत्। सफलम् च प्रहर्षम् ते हन्त सीते करोम्यहम्॥ 118.17 ॥

sā tu evam uktā dharmajñā tayā prītatarā abhavat| saphalam ca praharṣam te hanta sīte karomy aham

Thus addressed, the righteous Anasuya grew still more pleased, and said, "Well then, Sita, I shall make your delight bear fruit."

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.118.18)

इदम् दिव्यम् वरम् माल्यम् वस्त्रम् आभरणानि च। अन्ग रागम् च वैदेहि महा अर्हम् अनुलेपनम्॥ 118.18 ॥

idam divyam varam mālyam vastram ābharaṇāni ca| aṅga rāgam ca vaidehi mahā arham anulepanam

Here, Vaidehi, are a heavenly and choice garland, a robe, ornaments, cosmetic for the limbs, and a precious unguent —

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.118.19)

मया दत्तम् इदम् सीते तव गात्राणि शोभयेत्। अनुरूपम् असम्क्लिष्टम् नित्यम् एव भविष्यति॥ 118.19 ॥

mayā dattam idam sīte tava gātrāṇi śobhayet| anurūpam asaṃkliṣṭam nityam eva bhaviṣyati

these, Sita, are given by me, and they shall adorn your limbs; ever fitting for you, they shall remain forever unspoiled.

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.118.20)

अन्ग रागेण दिव्येन लिप्त अन्गी जनक आत्मजे। शोभयिष्यामि भर्तारम् यथा श्रीर् विष्णुम् अव्ययम्॥ 118.20 ॥

aṅga rāgeṇa divyena lipta aṅgī janaka ātmaje| śobhayiṣyāmi bhartāram yathā śrīr viṣṇum avyayam

O daughter of Janaka, your limbs anointed with this divine unguent, you shall grace your husband as Shri graces the imperishable Vishnu.

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.118.21)

सा वस्त्रम् अन्ग रागम् च भूषणानि स्रजः तथा। मैथिली प्रतिजग्राह प्रीति दानम् अनुत्तमम्॥ 118.21 ॥

sā vastram aṅga rāgam ca bhūṣaṇāni srajaḥ tathā| maithilī pratijagrāha prīti dānam anuttamam

Maithili accepted the robe, the cosmetic, the ornaments, and the garlands — that most excellent gift of love.

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.118.22)

प्रतिगृह्य च तत् सीता प्रीति दानम् यशस्विनी। श्लिष्ट अन्जलि पुटा धीरा समुपास्त तपो धनाम्॥ 118.22 ॥

pratigṛhya ca tat sītā prīti dānam yaśasvinī| śliṣṭa añjali puṭā dhīrā samupāsta tapo dhanām

Having received that gift of love, the renowned and steady Sita, with joined palms, sat close beside her who was rich in asceticism.

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.118.23)

तथा सीताम् उपासीनाम् अनसूया दृढ व्रता। वचनम् प्रष्टुम् आरेभे कांचिद् प्रियाम् कथामनु॥ 118.23 ॥

tathā sītām upāsīnām anasūyā dṛḍha vratā| vacanam praṣṭum ārebhe kāñcid priyām kathām anu

To Sita, thus seated near her, Anasuya, firm in her vows, began to put a question, wishing to hear some pleasant tale.

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.118.24)

स्वयम् वरे किल प्राप्ता त्वम् अनेन यशस्विना। राघवेण इति मे सीते कथा श्रुतिम् उपागता॥ 118.24 ॥

svayam vare kila prāptā tvam anena yaśasvinā| rāghaveṇa iti me sīte kathā śrutim upāgatā

"It is said, Sita, that you were won by this renowned Raghava at your own svayamvara — such is the tale that has reached my ears.

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.118.25)

ताम् कथाम् श्रोतुम् इच्छामि विस्तरेण च मैथिलि। यथा अनुभूतम् कार्त्स्न्येन तन् मे त्वम् वक्तुम् अर्हसि॥ 118.25 ॥

tām kathām śrotum icchāmi vistareṇa ca maithili| yathā anubhūtam kārtsnyena tan me tvam vaktum arhasi

I wish to hear that story in full detail, Maithili; you should tell it to me completely, just as you experienced it."

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.118.26)

एवम् उक्ता तु सा सीता ताम् ततो धर्म चारिणीम्। श्रूयताम् इति च उक्त्वा वै कथयाम् आस ताम् कथाम्॥ 118.26 ॥

evam uktā tu sā sītā tām tato dharma cāriṇīm| śrūyatām iti ca uktvā vai kathayām āsa tām kathām

Thus addressed, Sita said to that righteous woman, "Listen, then," and began to relate that story.

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.118.27)

मिथिला अधिपतिर् वीरो जनको नाम धर्मवित्। क्षत्र धर्मण्य् अभिरतो न्यायतः शास्ति मेदिनीम्॥ 118.27 ॥

mithilā adhipatir vīro janako nāma dharmavit| kṣatra dharmaṇy abhirato nyāyataḥ śāsti medinīm

"The lord of Mithila, the valiant and righteous king named Janaka, devoted to the duties of a warrior, ruled the earth justly.

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.118.28)

तस्य लान्गल हस्तस्य कर्षतः क्षेत्र मण्डलम्। अहम् किल उत्थिता भित्त्वा जगतीम् नृपतेः सुता॥ 118.28 ॥

tasya lāṅgala hastasya karṣataḥ kṣetra maṇḍalam| aham kila utthitā bhittvā jagatīm nṛpateḥ sutā

While he, plough in hand, was furrowing a stretch of land, I, it is said, rose up, splitting open the earth, as the king's own daughter.

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.118.29)

स माम् दृष्ट्वा नर पतिर् मुष्टि विक्षेप तत् परः। पांशु गुण्ठित सर्व अन्गीम् विस्मितो जनको अभवत्॥ 118.29 ॥

sa mām dṛṣṭvā nara patir muṣṭi vikṣepa tat paraḥ| pāṃśu guṇṭhita sarva aṅgīm vismito janako abhavat

Seeing me, my whole body coated in dust, that king, then busy scattering handfuls of seed, was struck with astonishment.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.118.30)

अनपत्येन च स्नेहाद् अन्कम् आरोप्य च स्वयम्। मम इयम् तनया इत्य् उक्त्वा स्नेहो मयि निपातितः॥ 118.30 ॥

anapatyena ca snehād aṅkam āropya ca svayam| mama iyam tanayā ity uktvā sneho mayi nipātitaḥ

Childless as he was, out of affection he himself lifted me onto his lap and, declaring 'She is my daughter,' bestowed all his love upon me.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.118.31)

अन्तरिक्षे च वाग् उक्ता अप्रतिमा मानुषी किल। एवम् एतन् नर पते धर्मेण तनया तव॥ 118.31 ॥

antarikṣe ca vāg uktā apratimā mānuṣī kila| evam etan nara pate dharmeṇa tanayā tava

And it is said a voice, unearthly yet human in sound, spoke from the sky: 'It is so indeed, O king — by right, she is your own daughter.'

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.118.32)

ततः प्रहृष्टो धर्म आत्मा पिता मे मिथिला अधिपः। अवाप्तो विपुलाम् ऋद्धिम् माम् अवाप्य नर अधिपः॥ 118.32 ॥

tataḥ prahṛṣṭo dharma ātmā pitā me mithilā adhipaḥ| avāpto vipulām ṛddhim mām avāpya nara adhipaḥ

Then my righteous father, the lord of Mithila, rejoiced greatly, as though upon obtaining me he had gained vast prosperity.

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.118.33)

दत्त्वा च अस्मि इष्टवद् देव्यै ज्येष्ठायै पुण्य कर्मणा। तया सम्भाविता च अस्मि स्निग्धया मातृ सौहृदात्॥ 118.33 ॥

dattvā ca asmi iṣṭavad devyai jyeṣṭhāyai puṇya karmaṇā| tayā sambhāvitā ca asmi snigdhayā mātṛ sauhṛdāt

My father, that doer of meritorious deeds, gave me over as if by rite to his eldest queen, and she, full of tenderness, cherished me with a mother's affection.

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.118.34)

पति सम्योग सुलभम् वयो दृष्ट्वा तु मे पिता। चिन्ताम् अभ्यगमद् दीनो वित्त नाशाद् इव अधनः॥ 118.34 ॥

pati saṃyoga sulabham vayo dṛṣṭvā tu me pitā| cintām abhyagamad dīno vitta nāśād iva adhanaḥ

When my father saw that I had come of an age fit for marriage, he fell into anxiety, as wretched as a man who has lost all his wealth.

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.118.35)

सदृशाच् च अपकृष्टाच् च लोके कन्या पिता जनात्। प्रधर्षणाम् अवाप्नोति शक्रेण अपि समो भुवि॥ 118.35 ॥

sadṛśāc ca apakṛṣṭāc ca loke kanyā pitā janāt| pradharṣaṇām avāpnoti śakreṇa api samo bhuvi

In this world, the father of an unmarried girl, be he even the equal of Indra, suffers indignity at the hands of men of like or lesser standing.

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.118.36)

ताम् धर्षणाम् अदूरस्थाम् संदृश्य आत्मनि पार्थिवः। चिन्ता अर्णव गतः पारम् न आससाद अप्लवो यथा॥ 118.36 ॥

tām dharṣaṇām adūrasthām saṃdṛśya ātmani pārthivaḥ| cintā arṇava gataḥ pāram na āsasāda aplavo yathā

Foreseeing that indignity drawing near for himself, the king sank into a sea of anxiety, and, like a man without a raft, could not reach its farther shore.

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.118.37)

अयोनिजाम् हि माम् ज्नात्वा न अध्यगच्छत् स चिन्तयन्। सदृशम् च अनुरूपम् च मही पालः पतिम् मम॥ 118.37 ॥

ayonijām hi mām jñātvā na adhyagacchat sa cintayan| sadṛśam ca anurūpam ca mahī pālaḥ patim mama

Knowing me to be one not born of a womb, that king, for all his pondering, could find no husband for me who was both his equal and truly fitting.

Shloka 38 (ayodhya.118.38)

तस्य बुद्धिर् इयम् जाता चिन्तयानस्य सम्ततम्। स्वयम् वरम् तनूजायाः करिष्यामि इति धीमतः॥ 118.38 ॥

tasya buddhir iyam jātā cintayānasya samtatam| svayam varam tanūjāyāḥ kariṣyāmi iti dhīmataḥ

Reflecting thus without pause, the thought at last came to that wise king: 'I shall hold a svayamvara for my daughter.'

Shloka 39 (ayodhya.118.39)

महा यज्ने तदा तस्य वरुणेन महात्मना। दत्तम् धनुर् वरम् प्रीत्या तूणी च अक्षय्य सायकौ॥ 118.39 ॥

mahā yajñe tadā tasya varuṇena mahātmanā| dattam dhanur varam prītyā tūṇī ca akṣayya sāyakau

Long before, at a great sacrifice, the mighty Varuna had lovingly given him an excellent bow, together with two quivers whose arrows never ran out.

Shloka 40 (ayodhya.118.40)

असंचाल्यम् मनुष्यैः च यत्नेन अपि च गौरवात्। तन् न शक्ता नमयितुम् स्वप्नेषु अपि नर अधिपाः॥ 118.40 ॥

asaṃcālyam manuṣyaiḥ ca yatnena api ca gauravāt| tan na śaktā namayitum svapneṣu api nara adhipāḥ

So heavy was it that no man could stir it even with effort, and kings could not so much as bend it, even in their dreams.

Shloka 41 (ayodhya.118.41)

तद् धनुः प्राप्य मे पित्रा व्याहृतम् सत्य वादिना। समवाये नर इन्द्राणाम् पूर्वम् आमन्त्र्य पार्थिवान्॥ 118.41 ॥

tad dhanuḥ prāpya me pitrā vyāhṛtam satya vādinā| samavāye nara indrāṇām pūrvam āmantrya pārthivān

Having obtained that bow, my truthful father first summoned all the princely kings, and in their assembly made this declaration —

Shloka 42 (ayodhya.118.42)

इदम् च धनुर् उद्यम्य सज्यम् यः कुरुते नरः। तस्य मे दुहिता भार्या भविष्यति न संशयः॥ 118.42 ॥

idam ca dhanur udyamya sajyam yaḥ kurute naraḥ| tasya me duhitā bhāryā bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ

'Whatever man lifts this bow and strings it, to him without doubt shall my daughter become wife.'

Shloka 43 (ayodhya.118.43)

तच् च दृष्ट्वा धनुः श्रेष्ठम् गौरवाद् गिरि सम्निभम्। अभिवाद्य नृपा जग्मुर् अशक्ताः तस्य तोलने॥ 118.43 ॥

tac ca dṛṣṭvā dhanuḥ śreṣṭham gauravād giri samnibham| abhivādya nṛpā jagmur aśaktāḥ tasya tolane

Seeing that supreme bow, in weight like a very mountain, and unable to lift it, the kings offered it homage and departed.

Shloka 44 (ayodhya.118.44)

सुदीर्घस्य तु कालस्य राघवो अयम् महा द्युतिः। विश्वामित्रेण सहितो यज्नम् द्रष्टुम् समागतः। लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा रामः सत्य पराक्रमः॥ 118.44 ॥

sudīrghasya tu kālasya rāghavo ayam mahā dyutiḥ| viśvāmitreṇa sahito yajñam draṣṭum samāgataḥ| lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā rāmaḥ satya parākramaḥ

After a very long time, this radiant Raghava, Rama of true valour, came there together with the sage Vishvamitra and his brother Lakshmana, to witness that sacrifice.

Shloka 45 (ayodhya.118.45)

विश्वामित्रः तु धर्म आत्मा मम पित्रा सुपूजितः। प्रोवाच पितरम् तत्र भ्रातरौ राम लक्ष्मणौ॥ 118.45 ॥

viśvāmitraḥ tu dharma ātmā mama pitrā supūjitaḥ| provāca pitaram tatra bhrātarau rāma lakṣmaṇau

My father received that righteous Vishvamitra with full honour there, and Vishvamitra then spoke to my father concerning the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana.

Shloka 46 (ayodhya.118.46)

सुतौ दशरथस्य इमौ धनुर् दर्शन कान्क्षिणौ। धनुर्दर्शय रामाय राजपुत्राय दैविकम्॥ 118.46 ॥

sutau daśarathasya imau dhanur darśana kāṅkṣiṇau| dhanurdarśaya rāmāya rājaputrāya daivikam

'These two sons of Dasharatha wish to see that bow; show it, this divine weapon, to prince Rama.'

Shloka 47 (ayodhya.118.47)

इत्य् उक्तः तेन विप्रेण तद् धनुः समुपानयत्॥ 118.47 ॥

ity uktaḥ tena vipreṇa tad dhanuḥ samupānayat

Thus addressed by that brahmin, my father had that bow brought there.

Shloka 48 (ayodhya.118.48)

निमेष अन्तर मात्रेण तद् आनम्य स वीर्यवान्। ज्याम् समारोप्य झटिति पूरयाम् आस वीर्यवत्॥ 118.48 ॥

nimeṣa antara mātreṇa tad ānamya sa vīryavān| jyām samāropya jhaṭiti pūrayām āsa vīryavat

In the span of a single eye-blink that mighty Rama bent it, and swiftly, with full strength, drew the string taut to the very full.

Shloka 49 (ayodhya.118.49)

तेन पूरयता वेगान् मध्ये भग्नम् द्विधा धनुः। तस्य शब्दो अभवद् भीमः पतितस्य अशनेर् इव॥ 118.49 ॥

tena pūrayatā vegān madhye bhagnam dvidhā dhanuḥ| tasya śabdo abhavad bhīmaḥ patitasya aśaner iva

As he drew it with such force, the bow snapped in two at its middle, and the sound of it was terrible, like that of a thunderbolt falling.

Shloka 50 (ayodhya.118.50)

ततो अहम् तत्र रामाय पित्रा सत्य अभिसंधिना। उद्यता दातुम् उद्यम्य जल भाजनम् उत्तमम्॥ 118.50 ॥

tato aham tatra rāmāya pitrā satya abhisaṃdhinā| udyatā dātum udyamya jala bhājanam uttamam

Then and there my father, true to his word, lifted a fine vessel of water, ready to give me over to Rama.

Shloka 51 (ayodhya.118.51)

दीयमानाम् न तु तदा प्रतिजग्राह राघवः। अविज्नाय पितुः चन्दम् अयोध्या अधिपतेः प्रभोः॥ 118.51 ॥

dīyamānām na tu tadā pratijagrāha rāghavaḥ| avijñāya pituḥ chandam ayodhyā adhipateḥ prabhoḥ

But Raghava did not, just then, accept me thus offered, without first knowing the wish of his father, the lord of Ayodhya.

Shloka 52 (ayodhya.118.52)

ततः श्वशुरम् आमन्त्र्य वृद्धम् दशरथम् नृपम्। मम पित्रा अहम् दत्ता रामाय विदित आत्मने॥ 118.52 ॥

tataḥ śvaśuram āmantrya vṛddham daśaratham nṛpam| mama pitrā aham dattā rāmāya vidita ātmane

Then my father invited the aged king Dasharatha, his future kinsman by marriage, and thereupon gave me to Rama, that knower of the self.

Shloka 53 (ayodhya.118.53)

मम चैव अनुजा साध्वी ऊर्मिला प्रिय दर्शना। भार्य अर्थे लक्ष्मणस्य अपि दत्ता पित्रा मम स्वयम्॥ 118.53 ॥

mama ca eva anujā sādhvī ūrmilā priya darśanā| bhārya arthe lakṣmaṇasya api dattā pitrā mama svayam

My own younger sister too, the virtuous and lovely Urmila, was likewise given by my father himself in marriage to Lakshmana.

Shloka 54 (ayodhya.118.54)

एवम् दत्ता अस्मि रामाय तदा तस्मिन् स्वयम् वरे। अनुरक्ता च धर्मेण पतिम् वीर्यवताम् वरम्॥ 118.54 ॥

evam dattā asmi rāmāya tadā tasmin svayam vare| anuraktā ca dharmeṇa patim vīryavatām varam

Thus, at that svayamvara, I was given to Rama, and I became devoted, in keeping with righteousness, to my husband, foremost among men of valour."