Rama's Departure from Ayodhya

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.40.1)

अथ रामश्च सीता च लक्ष्मणश्च कृताञ्जलिः। उपसंगृह्य राजानं चक्रुर्दीनाः प्रदक्षिणम्॥ 40.1 ॥

atha rāmaśca sītā ca lakṣmaṇaśca kṛtāñjaliḥ| upasaṃgṛhya rājānaṃ cakrurdīnāḥ pradakṣiṇam

Then Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, with joined palms, embraced the king's feet and, though wretched with grief, walked around him in reverent circumambulation.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.40.2)

तं चापि समनुज्ञाप्य धर्मज्ञः सह सीतया। राघवः शोकसम्मूढो जननीमभ्यवादयत्॥ 40.2 ॥

taṃ cāpi samanujñāpya dharmajñaḥ saha sītayā| rāghavaḥ śokasammūḍho jananīmabhyavādayat

And Raghava, the knower of dharma, having taken leave of him too, though stupefied with grief, bowed to his mother along with Sita.

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.40.3)

अन्वक्षं लक्ष्मणो भ्रातुः कौसल्यामभ्यवादयत्। अपि मातुः सुमित्राया जग्राह चरणौ पुनः॥ 40.3 ॥

anvakṣaṃ lakṣmaṇo bhrātuḥ kausalyāmabhyavādayat| api mātuḥ sumitrāyā jagrāha caraṇau punaḥ

Right after him, Lakshmana bowed to Kausalya, and then again clasped the feet of his own mother, Sumitra.

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.40.4)

तं वन्दमानं रुदती माता सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्। हितकामा महाबाहुं मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय लक्ष्मणम्॥ 40.4 ॥

taṃ vandamānaṃ rudatī mātā saumitrimabravīt| hitakāmā mahābāhuṃ mūrdhnyupāghrāya lakṣmaṇam

As mighty-armed Lakshmana bowed before her, his weeping mother, wishing him well, kissed his head and spoke.

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.40.5)

सृष्टस्त्वं वनवासाय स्वनुरक्तः सुहृज्जने। रामे प्रमादं मा कार्षीः पुत्र भ्रातरि गच्छति॥ 40.5 ॥

sṛṣṭastvaṃ vanavāsāya svanuraktaḥ suhṛjjane| rāme pramādaṃ mā kārṣīḥ putra bhrātari gacchati

"You have been sent forth to dwell in the forest because of your deep devotion to your kinsman; be not negligent, my son, toward your brother Rama as he departs."

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.40.6)

व्यसनी वा समृद्धो वा गतिरेष तवानघ। एष लोके सतां धर्मो यज्ज्येष्ठवशगो भवेत्॥ 40.6 ॥

vyasanī vā samṛddho vā gatireṣa tavānagha| eṣa loke satāṃ dharmo yajjyeṣṭhavaśago bhavet

"Whether in adversity or in prosperity, he alone is your refuge, O sinless one; this is the eternal law among the virtuous — that a younger brother should submit to his elder."

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.40.7)

इदं हि वृत्तमुचितं कुलस्यास्य सनातनम्। दानं दीक्षा च यज्ञेषु तनुत्यागो मृधेषु हि॥ 40.7 ॥

idaṃ hi vṛttamucitaṃ kulasyāsya sanātanam| dānaṃ dīkṣā ca yajñeṣu tanutyāgo mṛdheṣu hi

"This indeed has ever been the fitting, time-honoured practice of this family — to give in charity, to be consecrated for sacrifices, and to lay down one's body in battle."

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.40.8)

लक्ष्मणं त्वेवमुक्त्वासौ संसिद्धं प्रियराघवम्। सुमित्रा गच्छ गच्छेति पुनः पुनरुवाच तम्॥ 40.8 ॥

lakṣmaṇaṃ tvevamuktvāsau saṃsiddhaṃ priyarāghavam| sumitrā gaccha gaccheti punaḥ punaruvāca tam

Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, ever ready and devoted to beloved Raghava, Sumitra said to him again and again, "Go forth, go forth."

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.40.9)

रामं दशरथं विद्धि मां विद्धि जनकात्मजाम्। अयोध्यामटवीं विद्धि गच्छ तात यथासुखम्॥ 40.9 ॥

rāmaṃ daśarathaṃ viddhi māṃ viddhi janakātmajām| ayodhyāmaṭavīṃ viddhi gaccha tāta yathāsukham

"Know Rama to be Dasharatha; know me in Janaka's daughter; know the forest to be Ayodhya — go, my child, in happiness."

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.40.10)

ततः सुमन्त्रः काकुत्स्थं प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्। विनीतो विनयज्ञश्च मातलिर्वासवं यथा॥ 40.10 ॥

tataḥ sumantraḥ kākutsthaṃ prāñjalirvākyamabravīt| vinīto vinayajñaśca mātalirvāsavaṃ yathā

Then Sumantra, humble and versed in courtesy, spoke with joined palms to Kakutstha, as Matali would speak to Vasava.

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.40.11)

रथमारोह भद्रं ते राजपुत्र महायशः। क्षिप्रं त्वां प्रापयिष्यामि यत्र मां राम वक्ष्यसे॥ 40.11 ॥

rathamāroha bhadraṃ te rājaputra mahāyaśaḥ| kṣipraṃ tvāṃ prāpayiṣyāmi yatra māṃ rāma vakṣyase

"Mount the chariot — may all be well with you, O highly renowned prince; I shall bring you swiftly to wherever you bid me, O Rama."

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.40.12)

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वस्तव्यानि वने त्वया। तान्युपक्रमितव्यानि यानि देव्या प्रचोदितः॥ 40.12 ॥

caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi vastavyāni vane tvayā| tānyupakramitavyāni yāni devyā pracoditaḥ

"The fourteen years you must dwell in the forest are to be reckoned as having now begun, just as the queen decreed."

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.40.13)

तं रथं सूर्यसंकाशं सीता हृष्टेन चेतसा। आरुरोह वरारोहा कृत्वालंकारमात्मनः॥ 40.13 ॥

taṃ rathaṃ sūryasaṃkāśaṃ sītā hṛṣṭena cetasā| āruroha varārohā kṛtvālaṃkāramātmanaḥ

With a joyful heart, that lovely woman Sita, having adorned herself, mounted that chariot, radiant as the sun.

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.40.14)

वनवासं हि संख्याय वासांस्याभरणानि च। भर्तारमनुगच्छन्त्यै सीतायै श्वशुरो ददौ॥ 40.14 ॥

vanavāsaṃ hi saṃkhyāya vāsāṃsyābharaṇāni ca| bhartāramanugacchantyai sītāyai śvaśuro dadau

Considering the years of her forest-dwelling, her father-in-law gave garments and ornaments to Sita, who was following her husband.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.40.15)

तथैवायुधजातानि भ्रातृभ्यां कवचानि च। रथोपस्थे प्रविन्यस्य सचर्म कठिनं च यत्॥ 40.15 ॥

tathaivāyudhajātāni bhrātṛbhyāṃ kavacāni ca| rathopasthe pravinyasya sacarma kaṭhinaṃ ca yat

Likewise, having placed the array of weapons, the two brothers' armour, and a hard leather shield within the chariot,

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.40.16)

अथो ज्वलनसंकाशं चामीकरविभूषितम्। तमारुरुहतुस्तूर्णं भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ॥ 40.16 ॥

atho jvalanasaṃkāśaṃ cāmīkaravibhūṣitam| tamāruruhatustūrṇaṃ bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau

Rama and Lakshmana, the two brothers, then swiftly mounted that chariot, blazing like fire and adorned with gold.

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.40.17)

सीतातृतीयानारूढान् दृष्ट्वा रथमचोदयत्। सुमन्त्रः सम्मतानश्वान् वायुवेगसमाञ्जवे॥ 40.17 ॥

sītātṛtīyānārūḍhān dṛṣṭvā rathamacodayat| sumantraḥ sammatānaśvān vāyuvegasamāñjave

Seeing the three, with Sita as the third, now mounted, Sumantra drove on those well-tried horses, swift as the wind.

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.40.18)

प्रयाते तु महारण्यं चिररात्राय राघवे। बभूव नगरे मूर्च्छा बलमूर्च्छा जनस्य च॥ 40.18 ॥

prayāte tu mahāraṇyaṃ cirarātrāya rāghave| babhūva nagare mūrcchā balamūrcchā janasya ca

As Raghava set out for the great forest, for a long sojourn, faintness overcame the city, and faintness overcame the strength of its people.

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.40.19)

तत् समाकुलसम्भ्रान्तं मत्तसंकुपितद्विपम्। हयसिञ्जितनिर्घोषं पुरमासीन्महास्वनम्॥ 40.19 ॥

tat samākulasambhrāntaṃ mattasaṃkupitadvipam| hayasiñjitanirghoṣaṃ puramāsīnmahāsvanam

That city grew agitated and confused, its elephants maddened and enraged, filled with the jingling of horses' bells, resounding with a great tumult.

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.40.20)

ततः सबालवृद्धा सा पुरी परमपीडिता। राममेवाभिदुद्राव घर्मार्तः सलिलं यथा॥ 40.20 ॥

tataḥ sabālavṛddhā sā purī paramapīḍitā| rāmamevābhidudrāva gharmārtaḥ salilaṃ yathā

Then that city, young and old alike, utterly stricken, rushed after Rama alone, as one afflicted by heat rushes toward water.

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.40.21)

पार्श्वतः पृष्ठतश्चापि लम्बमानास्तदुन्मुखाः। बाष्पपूर्णमुखाः सर्वे तमूचुर्भृशनिःस्वनाः॥ 40.21 ॥

pārśvataḥ pṛṣṭhataścāpi lambamānāstadunmukhāḥ| bāṣpapūrṇamukhāḥ sarve tamūcurbhṛśaniḥsvanāḥ

Leaning out from the sides and from behind, their faces turned toward him, all of them, faces filled with tears, cried out to him in loud voices.

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.40.22)

संयच्छ वाजिनां रश्मीन् सूत याहि शनैः शनैः। मुखं द्रक्ष्याम रामस्य दुर्दर्शं नो भविष्यति॥ 40.22 ॥

saṃyaccha vājināṃ raśmīn sūta yāhi śanaiḥ śanaiḥ| mukhaṃ drakṣyāma rāmasya durdarśaṃ no bhaviṣyati

"Hold the reins of the horses, charioteer, and go slowly, slowly — let us look upon Rama's face, for it will become impossible for us to see hereafter."

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.40.23)

आयसं हृदयं नूनं राममातुरसंशयम्। यद् देवगर्भप्रतिमे वनं याति न भिद्यते॥ 40.23 ॥

āyasaṃ hṛdayaṃ nūnaṃ rāmamāturasaṃśayam| yad devagarbhapratime vanaṃ yāti na bhidyate

"Surely Rama's mother's heart must be made of iron, beyond doubt, since it does not break even as he, the very image of a god's son, goes to the forest."

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.40.24)

कृतकृत्या हि वैदेही छायेवानुगता पतिम्। न जहाति रता धर्मे मेरुमर्कप्रभा यथा॥ 40.24 ॥

kṛtakṛtyā hi vaidehī chāyevānugatā patim| na jahāti ratā dharme merumarkaprabhā yathā

Vaidehi, having fulfilled her purpose, follows her husband like his very shadow; devoted to dharma, she does not forsake him, just as the sun's radiance never forsakes Mount Meru.

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.40.25)

अहो लक्ष्मण सिद्धार्थः सततं प्रियवादिनम्। भ्रातरं देवसंकाशं यस्त्वं परिचरिष्यसि॥ 40.25 ॥

aho lakṣmaṇa siddhārthaḥ satataṃ priyavādinam| bhrātaraṃ devasaṃkāśaṃ yastvaṃ paricariṣyasi

"Ah, Lakshmana, blessed indeed is your purpose, that you shall ever attend upon your brother, who speaks so lovingly and is the very likeness of a god!"

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.40.26)

महत्येषा हि ते बुद्धिरेष चाभ्युदयो महान्। एष स्वर्गस्य मार्गश्च यदेनमनुगच्छसि॥ 40.26 ॥

mahatyeṣā hi te buddhireṣa cābhyudayo mahān| eṣa svargasya mārgaśca yadenamanugacchasi

"Great indeed is this good fortune of yours, and great this rise in your merit; this too is the very path to heaven, that you follow after him."

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.40.27)

एवं वदन्तस्ते सोढुं न शेकुर्बाष्पमागतम्। नरास्तमनुगच्छन्ति प्रियमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनम्॥ 40.27 ॥

evaṃ vadantaste soḍhuṃ na śekurbāṣpamāgatam| narāstamanugacchanti priyamikṣvākunandanam

So speaking, they could not restrain the tears that welled up, as those people followed after that beloved delight of the Ikshvakus.

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.40.28)

अथ राजा वृतः स्त्रीभिर्दीनाभिर्दीनचेतनः। निर्जगाम प्रियं पुत्रं द्रक्ष्यामीति ब्रुवन् गृहात्॥ 40.28 ॥

atha rājā vṛtaḥ strībhirdīnābhirdīnacetanaḥ| nirjagāma priyaṃ putraṃ drakṣyāmīti bruvan gṛhāt

Then the king, with his mind cast down, surrounded by dejected women, came forth from his palace, saying, "I shall see my beloved son."

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.40.29)

शुश्रुवे चाग्रतः स्त्रीणां रुदतीनां महास्वनः। यथा नादः करेणूनां बद्धे महति कुञ्जरे॥ 40.29 ॥

śuśruve cāgrataḥ strīṇāṃ rudatīnāṃ mahāsvanaḥ| yathā nādaḥ kareṇūnāṃ baddhe mahati kuñjare

Before him arose the loud sound of women weeping, like the trumpeting of she-elephants when a mighty tusker has been captured and bound.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.40.30)

पिता हि राजा काकुत्स्थः श्रीमान् सन्नस्तदा बभौ। परिपूर्णः शशी काले ग्रहेणोपप्लुतो यथा॥ 40.30 ॥

pitā hi rājā kākutsthaḥ śrīmān sannastadā babhau| paripūrṇaḥ śaśī kāle graheṇopapluto yathā

The glorious king, father of Kakutstha, appeared then diminished, like the full moon overtaken and dimmed by an eclipse.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.40.31)

स च श्रीमानचिन्त्यात्मा रामो दशरथात्मजः। सूतं संचोदयामास त्वरितं वाह्यतामिति॥ 40.31 ॥

sa ca śrīmānacintyātmā rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ| sūtaṃ saṃcodayāmāsa tvaritaṃ vāhyatāmiti

And that glorious Rama, son of Dasharatha, of inconceivable resolve, urged the charioteer on, saying, "Drive quickly!"

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.40.32)

रामो याहीति तं सूतं तिष्ठेति च जनस्तथा। उभयं नाशकत् सूतः कर्तुमध्वनि चोदितः॥ 40.32 ॥

rāmo yāhīti taṃ sūtaṃ tiṣṭheti ca janastathā| ubhayaṃ nāśakat sūtaḥ kartumadhvani coditaḥ

"Go on," said Rama to the charioteer, while the people cried "Stop!" — thus urged upon the road both ways, the charioteer could do neither.

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.40.33)

निर्गच्छति महाबाहौ रामे पौरजनाश्रुभिः। पतितैरभ्यवहितं प्रणनाश महीरजः॥ 40.33 ॥

nirgacchati mahābāhau rāme paurajanāśrubhiḥ| patitairabhyavahitaṃ praṇanāśa mahīrajaḥ

As the mighty-armed Rama went forth, the dust raised upon the road was laid to rest by the tears falling from the citizens' eyes.

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.40.34)

रुदिताश्रुपरिद्यूनं हाहाकृतमचेतनम्। प्रयाणे राघवस्यासीत् पुरं परमपीडितम्॥ 40.34 ॥

ruditāśruparidyūnaṃ hāhākṛtamacetanam| prayāṇe rāghavasyāsīt puraṃ paramapīḍitam

Wet with tears of weeping, filled with cries of woe, the city, at Raghava's departure, became as though senseless, sunk in utmost affliction.

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.40.35)

सुस्राव नयनैः स्त्रीणामस्रमायाससम्भवम्। मीनसंक्षोभचलितैः सलिलं पङ्कजैरिव॥ 40.35 ॥

susrāva nayanaiḥ strīṇāmasramāyāsasambhavam| mīnasaṃkṣobhacalitaiḥ salilaṃ paṅkajairiva

Tears born of anguish streamed from the women's eyes, like drops of water falling from lotuses stirred by the darting of fish.

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.40.36)

दृष्ट्वा तु नृपतिः श्रीमानेकचित्तगतं पुरम्। निपपातैव दुःखेन कृत्तमूल इव द्रुमः॥ 40.36 ॥

dṛṣṭvā tu nṛpatiḥ śrīmānekacittagataṃ puram| nipapātaiva duḥkhena kṛttamūla iva drumaḥ

Seeing the city with its mind fixed as one upon him, the glorious king fell to the ground with grief, like a tree felled at its very root.

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.40.37)

ततो हलहलाशब्दो जज्ञे रामस्य पृष्ठतः। नराणां प्रेक्ष्य राजानं सीदन्तं भृशदुःखितम्॥ 40.37 ॥

tato halahalāśabdo jajñe rāmasya pṛṣṭhataḥ| narāṇāṃ prekṣya rājānaṃ sīdantaṃ bhṛśaduḥkhitam

Then a great tumult arose behind Rama, from the people, on seeing the king sinking down, grievously afflicted.

Shloka 38 (ayodhya.40.38)

हा रामेति जनाः केचिद् राममातेति चापरे। अन्तःपुरसमृद्धं च क्रोशन्तं पर्यदेवयन्॥ 40.38 ॥

hā rāmeti janāḥ kecid rāmamāteti cāpare| antaḥpurasamṛddhaṃ ca krośantaṃ paryadevayan

"Alas, Rama!" cried some people, and others, "Alas, Rama's mother!" — and they made even the flourishing inner chambers resound with lament.

Shloka 39 (ayodhya.40.39)

अन्वीक्षमाणो रामस्तु विषण्णं भ्रान्तचेतसम्। राजानं मातरं चैव ददर्शानुगतौ पथि॥ 40.39 ॥

anvīkṣamāṇo rāmastu viṣaṇṇaṃ bhrāntacetasam| rājānaṃ mātaraṃ caiva dadarśānugatau pathi

Looking back, Rama saw upon the road, following him, the king, sorrowful and bewildered in mind, and his mother too.

Shloka 40 (ayodhya.40.40)

स बद्ध इव पाशेन किशोरो मातरं यथा। धर्मपाशेन संयुक्तः प्रकाशं नाभ्युदैक्षत॥ 40.40 ॥

sa baddha iva pāśena kiśoro mātaraṃ yathā| dharmapāśena saṃyuktaḥ prakāśaṃ nābhyudaikṣata

Bound as he was by the cord of dharma, he could not look openly at them — like a colt tied by a rope that cannot freely gaze at its mother.

Shloka 41 (ayodhya.40.41)

पदातिनौ च यानार्हावदुःखार्हौ सुखोचितौ। दृष्ट्वा संचोदयामास शीघ्रं याहीति सारथिम्॥ 40.41 ॥

padātinau ca yānārhāvaduḥkhārhau sukhocitau| dṛṣṭvā saṃcodayāmāsa śīghraṃ yāhīti sārathim

Seeing the two, worthy of a chariot and unused to hardship, accustomed only to comfort, going on foot, he urged the charioteer, "Drive quickly!"

Shloka 42 (ayodhya.40.42)

नहि तत् पुरुषव्याघ्रो दुःखजं दर्शनं पितुः। मातुश्च सहितुं शक्तस्तोत्त्रैर्नुन्न इव द्विपः॥ 40.42 ॥

nahi tat puruṣavyāghro duḥkhajaṃ darśanaṃ pituḥ| mātuśca sahituṃ śaktastottrairnunna iva dvipaḥ

That tiger among men indeed could not bear the sight of his father's and mother's grief, like an elephant goaded again and again by the driver's hook.

Shloka 43 (ayodhya.40.43)

प्रत्यगारमिवायान्ती सवत्सा वत्सकारणात्। बद्धवत्सा यथा धेनू राममाताभ्यधावत॥ 40.43 ॥

pratyagāramivāyāntī savatsā vatsakāraṇāt| baddhavatsā yathā dhenū rāmamātābhyadhāvata

Rama's mother ran after him as a cow, fond of her calf tied at home, runs back toward the house for her calf's sake.

Shloka 44 (ayodhya.40.44)

तथा रुदन्तीं कौसल्यां रथं तमनुधावतीम्। क्रोशन्तीं राम रामेति हा सीते लक्ष्मणेति च॥ 40.44 ॥

tathā rudantīṃ kausalyāṃ rathaṃ tamanudhāvatīm| krośantīṃ rāma rāmeti hā sīte lakṣmaṇeti ca

Thus, Kausalya, weeping, ran after that chariot, crying, "Rama, Rama!" and "Alas, Sita! Alas, Lakshmana!"

Shloka 45 (ayodhya.40.45)

रामलक्ष्मणसीतार्थं स्रवन्तीं वारि नेत्रजम्। असकृत् प्रैक्षत स तां नृत्यन्तीमिव मातरम्॥ 40.45 ॥

rāmalakṣmaṇasītārthaṃ sravantīṃ vāri netrajam| asakṛt praikṣata sa tāṃ nṛtyantīmiva mātaram

— shedding tears from her eyes for the sake of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita; Rama gazed upon his mother again and again, as though she were dancing in her grief.

Shloka 46 (ayodhya.40.46)

तिष्ठेति राजा चुक्रोश याहि याहीति राघवः। सुमन्त्रस्य बभूवात्मा चक्रयोरिव चान्तरा॥ 40.46 ॥

tiṣṭheti rājā cukrośa yāhi yāhīti rāghavaḥ| sumantrasya babhūvātmā cakrayoriva cāntarā

The king cried out, "Stop!" and Raghava, "Go on, go on!" — and Sumantra's spirit was caught between the two, as if between two wheels.

Shloka 47 (ayodhya.40.47)

नाश्रौषमिति राजानमुपालब्धोऽपि वक्ष्यसि। चिरं दुःखस्य पापिष्ठमिति रामस्तमब्रवीत्॥ 40.47 ॥

nāśrauṣamiti rājānamupālabdho'pi vakṣyasi| ciraṃ duḥkhasya pāpiṣṭhamiti rāmastamabravīt

Rama said to him: "You may tell the king, if reproached, that you did not hear him — for enduring their grief any longer would be a most grievous wrong."

Shloka 48 (ayodhya.40.48)

स रामस्य वचः कुर्वन्ननुज्ञाप्य च तं जनम्। व्रजतोऽपि हयान् शीघ्रं चोदयामास सारथिः॥ 40.48 ॥

sa rāmasya vacaḥ kurvannanujñāpya ca taṃ janam| vrajato'pi hayān śīghraṃ codayāmāsa sārathiḥ

Obeying Rama's word, and taking leave of the people even as they still followed, the charioteer swiftly urged the horses on.

Shloka 49 (ayodhya.40.49)

न्यवर्तत जनो राज्ञो रामं कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्। मनसाप्याशुवेगेन न न्यवर्तत मानुषम्॥ 40.49 ॥

nyavartata jano rājño rāmaṃ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam| manasāpyāśuvegena na nyavartata mānuṣam

The king's people, having circumambulated Rama, turned back, but their minds did not return, nor did the rush of their tears cease.

Shloka 50 (ayodhya.40.50)

यमिच्छेत् पुनरायातं नैनं दूरमनुव्रजेत्। इत्यमात्या महाराजमूचुर्दशरथं वचः॥ 40.50 ॥

yamicchet punarāyātaṃ nainaṃ dūramanuvrajet| ityamātyā mahārājamūcurdaśarathaṃ vacaḥ

"One should not follow far behind him whom one wishes to see return again" — thus the ministers spoke this word to King Dasharatha.

Shloka 51 (ayodhya.40.51)

तेषां वचः सर्वगुणोपपन्नं प्रस्विन्नगात्रः प्रविषण्णरूपः। निशम्य राजा कृपणः सभार्यो व्यवस्थितस्तं सुतमीक्षमाणः॥ 40.51 ॥

teṣāṃ vacaḥ sarvaguṇopapannaṃ prasvinnagātraḥ praviṣaṇṇarūpaḥ| niśamya rājā kṛpaṇaḥ sabhāryo vyavasthitastaṃ sutamīkṣamāṇaḥ

Hearing their words, replete with every virtue, the pitiable king, his body drenched in sweat and his countenance dejected, stood still together with his queen, gazing upon that son of his.