Lakshmana's Resolve

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.31.1)

एवम् श्रुत्वा तु सम्वादम् लक्ष्मणः पूर्वमागतः । बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः शोकम् सोढुमशक्नुवन् ॥ 31.1 ॥

evam śrutvā tu samvādam lakṣmaṇaḥ pūrvamāgataḥ | bāṣpaparyākulamukhaḥ śokam soḍhumaśaknuvan

Lakshmana, who had come there earlier, hearing this conversation, his face brimming with tears, unable to bear his sorrow —

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.31.2)

स भ्रातुश्चरणौ गाढम् निपीड्य रघुनन्दनः । सीतामुवाचातियशाम् राघवम् च महाव्रतम् ॥ 31.2 ॥

sa bhrātuścaraṇau gāḍham nipīḍya raghunandanaḥ | sītāmuvācātiyaśām rāghavam ca mahāvratam

— that delight of the Raghus firmly pressed his brother's feet, and spoke to Raghava of the great vow, and to Sita of great renown.

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.31.3)

यदि गन्तुम् कृता बुद्धिर्वनम् मृगगजायुतम् । अहम् त्वानुगमिष्यामि वनमग्रे धनुर्धरः ॥ 31.3 ॥

yadi gantum kṛtā buddhirvanam mṛgagajāyutam | aham tvānugamiṣyāmi vanamagre dhanurdharaḥ

"If your mind is resolved to go to the forest teeming with deer and elephants, I shall walk before you into the forest, bow in hand."

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.31.4)

मया समेतोऽरण्यानि बहूनि विचरिष्यसि । पक्षिभिर्मृगयूथैश्च सम्घुष्टानि समन्ततः ॥ 31.4 ॥

mayā sameto'raṇyāni bahūni vicariṣyasi | pakṣibhirmṛgayūthaiśca samghuṣṭāni samantataḥ

"Together with me you shall roam through the many forests, resounding on every side with birds and herds of wild creatures."

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.31.5)

न देवलोकाक्रमणम् नामरत्वमहम् वृणे । ऐश्वर्यम् वापि लोकानाम् कामये न त्वया विना ॥ 31.5 ॥

na devalokākramaṇam nāmaratvamaham vṛṇe | aiśvaryam vāpi lokānām kāmaye na tvayā vinā

"I do not desire ascent to the world of the gods, nor immortality, nor even lordship over the worlds — not without you."

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.31.6)

एवम् ब्रुवाणः सौमित्रिर्वनवासाय निश्चितः । रामेण बहुभिः सान्त्वैर्निषिद्धः पुनरब्रवीत् ॥ 31.6 ॥

evam bruvāṇaḥ saumitrirvanavāsāya niścitaḥ | rāmeṇa bahubhiḥ sāntvairniṣiddhaḥ punarabravīt

Thus spoke Saumitri, resolved on dwelling in the forest; forbidden by Rama with many gentle words, he spoke again:

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.31.7)

अनुज्ञातश्च भवता पूर्वमेव यदस्म्यहम् । किमिदानीम् पुनरिदम् क्रियते मे निवारणम् ॥ 31.7 ॥

anujñātaśca bhavatā pūrvameva yadasmyaham | kimidānīm punaridam kriyate me nivāraṇam

"Since I was granted permission by you long before this, why is this obstruction now being placed before me again?"

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.31.8)

यदर्थम् प्रतिषेधो मे क्रियते गन्तुमिच्छतः । एतदिच्छामि विज्ञातुम् संशयो हि ममानघ ॥ 31.8 ॥

yadartham pratiṣedho me kriyate gantumicchataḥ | etadicchāmi vijñātum saṃśayo hi mamānagha

"O sinless one, I wish to know the reason why this prohibition is placed on me, though I am willing to go — for indeed a doubt troubles my mind."

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.31.9)

ततः अब्रवीन् महा तेजा रामः लक्ष्मणम् अग्रतः । स्थितम् प्राग् गामिनम् वीरम् याचमानम् कृत अन्जलिम् ॥ 31.9 ॥

tataḥ abravīn mahā tejā rāmaḥ lakṣmaṇam agrataḥ | sthitam prāg gāminam vīram yācamānam kṛta anjalim

Then the greatly resplendent Rama spoke to Lakshmana, the valiant one, who stood before him ready to set forth, pleading with joined palms:

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.31.10)

स्निग्धो धर्मरतो वीरस्सततम् सत्पथे स्थितः । प्रियः प्राणसमो वशो भ्राता चापि सखा च मे ॥ 31.10 ॥

snigdho dharmarato vīrassatatam satpathe sthitaḥ | priyaḥ prāṇasamo vaśo bhrātā cāpi sakhā ca me

"You are affectionate, devoted to righteousness, valiant, ever established on the good path; dear to me as my own life, obedient, both my brother and my friend."

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.31.11)

मया अद्य सह सौमित्रे त्वयि गच्चति तत् वनम् । को भरिष्यति कौसल्याम् सुमित्राम् वा यशस्विनीम् ॥ 31.11 ॥

mayā adya saha saumitre tvayi gaccati tat vanam | ko bhariṣyati kausalyām sumitrām vā yaśasvinīm

"O Saumitri, if you go with me today to that forest, who will support Kausalya, or the illustrious Sumitra?"

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.31.12)

अभिवर्षति कामैः यः पर्जन्यः पृथिवीम् इव । स काम पाश पर्यस्तः महा तेजा मही पतिः ॥ 31.12 ॥

abhivarṣati kāmaiḥ yaḥ parjanyaḥ pṛthivīm iva | sa kāma pāśa paryastaḥ mahā tejā mahī patiḥ

"That greatly resplendent lord of the earth, who used to shower desired things upon the world as a raincloud showers the earth, now lies bound fast in the noose of passion."

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.31.13)

सा हि राज्यम् इदम् प्राप्य नृपस्य अश्व पतेः सुता । दुह्खितानाम् सपत्नीनाम् न करिष्यति शोभनम् ॥ 31.13 ॥

sā hi rājyam idam prāpya nṛpasya aśva pateḥ sutā | duhkhitānām sapatnīnām na kariṣyati śobhanam

"For she, the daughter of King Ashvapati, once she has obtained this kingdom, will surely show no kindness to her grieving co-wives."

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.31.14)

न स्मरिष्यति कौसल्याम् सुमित्राम् च सुदुःखिताम् । भरतो राज्यमासाद्य कैकेय्याम् पर्यवस्थितः ॥ 31.14 ॥

na smariṣyati kausalyām sumitrām ca suduḥkhitām | bharato rājyamāsādya kaikeyyām paryavasthitaḥ

"Bharata, once he has obtained the kingdom and become devoted wholly to Kaikeyi, will not remember Kausalya, or Sumitra in her deep sorrow."

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.31.15)

तामार्याम् स्वयमेवेह राजाऽनुग्रहणेन वा । सौमित्रे भर कौसल्या मुक्तमर्थमिमम् चर ॥ 31.15 ॥

tāmāryām svayameveha rājā'nugrahaṇena vā | saumitre bhara kausalyā muktamarthamimam cara

"O Saumitri, therefore you stay here and support that venerable Kausalya — either by your own means or through favour obtained from the king. Do as I have said."

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.31.16)

एवम् मम च ते भक्तिर्भविष्यति सुदर्शिता । धर्मज्ञ गुरुपूजायाम् धर्मश्चाप्यतुलो महान् ॥ 31.16 ॥

evam mama ca te bhaktirbhaviṣyati sudarśitā | dharmajña gurupūjāyām dharmaścāpyatulo mahān

"Thus, O knower of righteousness, your devotion to me will be fully shown; and by honouring your elders, a great and unequalled merit of righteousness will also come to you."

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.31.17)

एवम् कुरुष्व सौमित्रे मत्क्ऱ्^ते रघुनन्दन । अस्माभिर्विप्रहीनाया मातुर्नो न भवेत्सुखम् ॥ 31.17 ॥

evam kuruṣva saumitre matkऱ^te raghunandana | asmābhirviprahīnāyā māturno na bhavetsukham

"Do this, O Saumitri, delight of the Raghus, for my sake — for our mother would have no happiness if left bereft of us both."

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.31.18)

एवम् उक्तः तु रामेण लक्ष्मणः श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । प्रत्युवाच तदा रामम् वाक्यज्ञो वाक्य कोविदम् ॥ 31.18 ॥

evam uktaḥ tu rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā | pratyuvāca tadā rāmam vākyajño vākya kovidam

Thus addressed by Rama, Lakshmana, himself skilled in speech, then replied in a gentle voice to Rama who was so accomplished in speech.

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.31.19)

तव एव तेजसा वीर भरतः पूजयिष्यति । कौसल्याम् च सुमित्राम् च प्रयतः न अत्र संशयः ॥ 31.19 ॥

tava eva tejasā vīra bharataḥ pūjayiṣyati | kausalyām ca sumitrām ca prayataḥ na atra saṃśayaḥ

"O hero, by your splendour alone Bharata, devoutly disposed, will surely honour both Kausalya and Sumitra — there is no doubt of this."

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.31.20)

कौसल्या बिभृयात् आर्या सहस्रम् अपि मद् विधान् । यस्याः सहस्रम् ग्रामाणाम् सम्प्राप्तम् उपजीवनम् ॥ 31.20 ॥

kausalyā bibhṛyāt āryā sahasram api mad vidhān | yasyāḥ sahasram grāmāṇām samprāptam upajīvanam

"The venerable Kausalya, who has a thousand villages granted to her for her sustenance, could support even a thousand men like me."

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.31.21)

तदात्मभरणे चैव मम मातुस्तथैव च । पर्याप्ता मद्विधानाम् च भरणाय यशस्विनी ॥ 31.21 ॥

tadātmabharaṇe caiva mama mātustathaiva ca | paryāptā madvidhānām ca bharaṇāya yaśasvinī

"That illustrious lady is fully capable not only of maintaining herself, but also my mother, and of supporting people like me besides."

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.31.22)

कुरुष्व मामनुचरम् वैधर्म्यम् नेह विद्यते । कृतार्थोऽहम् भविष्यामि तव चार्थः प्रकल्पते ॥ 31.22 ॥

kuruṣva māmanucaram vaidharmyam neha vidyate | kṛtārtho'ham bhaviṣyāmi tava cārthaḥ prakalpate

"Make me your attendant instead — there is no impropriety in this. I shall thereby have my purpose fulfilled, and your purpose too shall be accomplished."

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.31.23)

धनुर् आदाय सशरम् खनित्र पिटका धरः । अग्रतः ते गमिष्यामि पन्थानम् अनुदर्शयन् ॥ 31.23 ॥

dhanur ādāya saśaram khanitra piṭakā dharaḥ | agrataḥ te gamiṣyāmi panthānam anudarśayan

"Taking up my bow with its arrows, and carrying a spade and a basket, I shall go before you, showing the way."

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.31.24)

आहरिष्यामि ते नित्यम् मूलानि च फलानि च । वन्यानि यानि च अन्यानि स्वाहाराणि तपस्विनाम् ॥ 31.24 ॥

āhariṣyāmi te nityam mūlāni ca phalāni ca | vanyāni yāni ca anyāni svāhārāṇi tapasvinām

"I shall bring for you always roots and fruits, and whatever other forest produce is fit food for ascetics."

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.31.25)

भवांस् तु सह वैदेह्या गिरि सानुषु रंस्यते । अहम् सर्वम् करिष्यामि जाग्रतः स्वपतः च ते ॥ 31.25 ॥

bhavāṃs tu saha vaidehyā giri sānuṣu raṃsyate | aham sarvam kariṣyāmi jāgrataḥ svapataḥ ca te

"You shall take your ease with Vaidehi upon the mountain slopes; I shall attend to everything, whether you are waking or asleep."

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.31.26)

रामः तु अनेन वाक्येन सुप्रीतः प्रत्युवाच तम् । व्रज आपृच्चस्व सौमित्रे सर्वम् एव सुहृज् जनम् ॥ 31.26 ॥

rāmaḥ tu anena vākyena suprītaḥ pratyuvāca tam | vraja āpṛccasva saumitre sarvam eva suhṛj janam

Rama, greatly delighted by these words, replied to him: "Go then, O Saumitri, and take leave of all our friends."

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.31.27)

ये च राज्ञो ददौ दिव्ये महात्मा वरुणः स्वयम् । जनकस्य महा यज्ञे धनुषी रौद्र दर्शने ॥ 31.27 ॥

ye ca rājño dadau divye mahātmā varuṇaḥ svayam | janakasya mahā yajñe dhanuṣī raudra darśane

"The two divine bows, terrible to behold, which the great-souled Varuna himself gave to King Janaka at his great sacrifice —"

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.31.28)

अभेद्य कवचे दिव्ये तूणी च अक्षय सायकौ । आदित्य विमलौ च उभौ खड्गौ हेम परिष्कृतौ ॥ 31.28 ॥

abhedya kavace divye tūṇī ca akṣaya sāyakau | āditya vimalau ca ubhau khaḍgau hema pariṣkṛtau

"— along with two divine and impenetrable coats of mail, two quivers of inexhaustible arrows, and two swords, adorned with gold and spotless as the sun —"

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.31.29)

सत्कृत्य निहितम् सर्वम् एतत् आचार्य सद्मनि । स त्वम् आयुधम् आदाय क्षिप्रम् आव्रज लक्ष्मण ॥ 31.29 ॥

satkṛtya nihitam sarvam etat ācārya sadmani | sa tvam āyudham ādāya kṣipram āvraja lakṣmaṇa

"— all these were kept, duly honoured, in the house of our preceptor. Go, Lakshmana, take up those weapons and return swiftly."

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.31.30)

स सुहृज् जनम् आमन्त्र्य वन वासाय निश्चितः । इक्ष्वाकु गुरुम् आगम्य जग्राह आयुधम् उत्तमम् ॥ 31.30 ॥

sa suhṛj janam āmantrya vana vāsāya niścitaḥ | ikṣvāku gurum āgamya jagrāha āyudham uttamam

He, resolved on dwelling in the forest, took leave of his friends, and going to the preceptor of the Ikshvaku line, took up the excellent weapons.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.31.31)

तत् दिव्यम् राज शार्दूलः सत्कृतम् माल्य भूषितम् । रामाय दर्शयाम् आस सौमित्रिः सर्वम् आयुधम् ॥ 31.31 ॥

tat divyam rāja śārdūlaḥ satkṛtam mālya bhūṣitam | rāmāya darśayām āsa saumitriḥ sarvam āyudham

Saumitri, that tiger among princes, then showed Rama all those divine weapons, duly worshipped and adorned with garlands.

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.31.32)

तम् उवाच आत्मवान् रामः प्रीत्या लक्ष्मणम् आगतम् । काले त्वम् आगतः सौम्य कान्क्षिते मम लक्ष्मण ॥ 31.32 ॥

tam uvāca ātmavān rāmaḥ prītyā lakṣmaṇam āgatam | kāle tvam āgataḥ saumya kānkṣite mama lakṣmaṇa

The self-possessed Rama affectionately said to Lakshmana who had returned: "O gentle Lakshmana, you have come at the very time I desired."

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.31.33)

अहम् प्रदातुम् इच्चामि यद् इदम् मामकम् धनम् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यः तपस्विभ्यः त्वया सह परम्तप ॥ 31.33 ॥

aham pradātum iccāmi yad idam māmakam dhanam | brāhmaṇebhyaḥ tapasvibhyaḥ tvayā saha paramtapa

"O scorcher of foes, together with you I wish to give away all this wealth of mine to brahmins who practise austerity."

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.31.34)

वसन्ति इह दृढम् भक्त्या गुरुषु द्विज सत्तमाः । तेषाम् अपि च मे भूयः सर्वेषाम् च उपजीविनाम् ॥ 31.34 ॥

vasanti iha dṛḍham bhaktyā guruṣu dvija sattamāḥ | teṣām api ca me bhūyaḥ sarveṣām ca upajīvinām

"Here dwell the most excellent brahmins, firm in devotion to their teachers; to them too, and to all my dependents besides, I wish to give."

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.31.35)

वसिष्ठ पुत्रम् तु सुयज्ञम् आर्यम् । त्वम् आनय आशु प्रवरम् द्विजानाम् । अभिप्रयास्यामि वनम् समस्तान् । अभ्यर्च्य शिष्टान् अपरान् द्विजातीन् ॥ 31.35 ॥

vasiṣṭha putram tu suyajñam āryam | tvam ānaya āśu pravaram dvijānām | abhiprayāsyāmi vanam samastān | abhyarcya śiṣṭān aparān dvijātīn

"Bring quickly the venerable Suyajna, son of Vasishtha, foremost among brahmins. Having duly honoured him and all the other cultured brahmins, I shall then set out for the forest."