The Hermitage at Chitrakuta

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.56.1)

अथ रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामवसुप्तमनन्तरम्। प्रबोधयामास शनैर्लक्ष्मणं रघुनन्दनः॥ २-५६-१ ॥

atha rātryāṃ vyatītāyām avasuptam anantaram| prabodhayāmāsa śanair lakṣmaṇaṃ raghunandanaḥ

When the night had nearly passed, Raghu's joy, Rama, gently woke Lakshmana, who had been sleeping without a break.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.56.2)

सौमित्रे शृणु वन्यानां वल्गु व्याहरतां स्वनम्। संप्रतिष्ठामहे कालः प्रस्थानस्य परंतप॥ २-५६-२ ॥

saumitre śṛṇu vanyānāṃ valgu vyāharatāṃ svanam| saṃpratiṣṭhāmahe kālaḥ prasthānasya parantapa

"Listen, Saumitri, to the sweet cries of the forest creatures; the hour for our onward journey has come — let us set out, scorcher of foes."

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.56.3)

स सुप्तः समये भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणः प्रतिबोधितः। जहौ निद्रां च तन्द्रीं च प्रसक्तं च पथि श्रमम्॥ २-५६-३ ॥

sa suptaḥ samaye bhrātrā lakṣmaṇaḥ pratibodhitaḥ| jahau nidrāṃ ca tandrīṃ ca prasaktaṃ ca pathi śramam

Roused by his brother at the right hour, the sleeping Lakshmana cast off slumber, lethargy, and the weariness gathered on the road.

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.56.4)

ततोत्थाय ते सर्वे स्पृष्ट्वा नद्याः शिवं जलम्। पन्थानमृषिणोद्दिष्टं चित्रकूटस्य तं ययुः॥ २-५६-४ ॥

tato 'tthāya te sarve spṛṣṭvā nadyāḥ śivaṃ jalam| panthānam ṛṣiṇoddiṣṭaṃ citrakūṭasya taṃ yayuḥ

Then all three rose, touched the river's auspicious water, and took the path to Chitrakuta that the sage had shown them.

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.56.5)

ततः संप्रस्थितः काले रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। सीतां कमलपत्राक्षीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ २-५६-५ ॥

tataḥ saṃprasthitaḥ kāle rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha| sītāṃ kamalapatrākṣīm idaṃ vacanam abravīt

Setting out at that hour with Saumitri, Rama then spoke these words to lotus-eyed Sita.

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.56.6)

आदीप्तानिव वैदेहि सर्वतः पुष्पितान् नगान्। स्वैः पुष्पैः किंशुकान् पश्य मालिनः शिशिरात्यये॥ २-५६-६ ॥

ādīptān iva vaidehi sarvataḥ puṣpitān nagān| svaiḥ puṣpaiḥ kiṃśukān paśya mālinaḥ śiśirātyaye

Look, Videha's daughter — see how, as winter wanes, the kimshuka trees stand garlanded in their own blossoms, blazing on every side as though on fire.

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.56.7)

पश्य भल्लातकान् फुल्लान् नरैरनुपसेवितान्। फलपत्रैरवनतान् नूनं शक्ष्यामि जीवितुम्॥ २-५६-७ ॥

paśya bhallātakān phullān narair anupasevitān| phalapatrair avanatān nūnaṃ śakṣyāmi jīvitum

See these bhallataka trees in full bloom, untouched by human hand, bowed under fruit and leaf — surely we shall be able to live here.

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.56.8)

पश्य द्रोणप्रमाणानि लम्बमानानि लक्ष्मण। मधूनि मधुकारीभिः संभृतानि नगे नगे॥ २-५६-८ ॥

paśya droṇapramāṇāni lambamānāni lakṣmaṇa| madhūni madhukārībhiḥ saṃbhṛtāni nage nage

Look, Lakshmana, at the honeycombs the size of a droṇa-measure hanging from every tree, gathered there by the bees.

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.56.9)

एष क्रोशति दात्यूहस्तं शिखी प्रतिकूजति। रमणीये वनोद्देशे पुष्पसंस्तरसंकटे॥ २-५६-९ ॥

eṣa krośati dātyūhas taṃ śikhī pratikūjati| ramaṇīye vanoddeśe puṣpasaṃstarasaṃkaṭe

Here, in this lovely stretch of forest thick with a carpet of flowers, the datyuha bird calls out, and the peacock answers it in kind.

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.56.10)

मातंगयूथानुसृतं पक्षिसंघानुनादितम्। चित्रकूटमिमं पश्य प्रवृद्धशिखरं गिरिम्॥ २-५६-१० ॥

mātaṃgayūthānusṛtaṃ pakṣisaṃghānunāditam| citrakūṭam imaṃ paśya pravṛddhaśikharaṃ girim

Behold this mountain Chitrakuta, its high peaks soaring, roamed by herds of elephants and resounding with flocks of birds.

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.56.11)

समभूमितले रम्ये द्रुमैर्बहुभिरावृते। पुण्ये रंस्यामहे तात चित्रकूटस्य कानने॥ २-५६-११ ॥

samabhūmitale ramye drumair bahubhir āvṛte| puṇye raṃsyāmahe tāta citrakūṭasya kānane

Here, brother, in this sacred grove of Chitrakuta — level of ground, ringed by many trees, and altogether delightful — we shall find our joy.

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.56.12)

ततस्तौ पादचारेण गच्छन्तौ सह सीतया। रम्यमासेदतुः शैलं चित्रकूटं मनोरमम्॥ २-५६-१२ ॥

tatas tau pādacāreṇa gacchantau saha sītayā| ramyam āsedatuḥ śailaṃ citrakūṭaṃ manoramam

Then, walking on foot with Sita, the two brothers arrived at that lovely and enchanting mountain, Chitrakuta.

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.56.13)

तं तु पर्वतमासाद्य नानापक्षिगणायुतम्। बहुमूलफलं रम्यं संपन्नं सरसोदकम्॥ २-५६-१३ ॥

taṃ tu parvatam āsādya nānāpakṣigaṇāyutam| bahumūlaphalaṃ ramyaṃ saṃpannaṃ sarasodakam

Reaching that mountain — thronged with birds of every kind, rich in roots and fruits, delightful, and blessed with clear waters — Rama spoke to Lakshmana:

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.56.14)

मनोज्ञोऽयं गिरिः सौम्य नानाद्रुमलतायुतः। बहुमूलफलो रम्यः स्वाजीवः प्रतिभाति मे॥ २-५६-१४ ॥

manojño 'yaṃ giriḥ saumya nānādrumalatāyutaḥ| bahumūlaphalo ramyaḥ svājīvaḥ pratibhāti me

This mountain, gentle brother, seems delightful to me — clothed in trees and creepers of every kind, rich in roots and fruit, lovely, and able to sustain us on its own.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.56.15)

मुनयश्च महात्मानो वसन्त्यस्मिञ्शिलोच्चये। अयं वासो भवेत्तावदत्र सौम्य रमेमहि॥ २-५६-१५ ॥

munayaśca mahātmāno vasanty asmiñ śilocchaye| ayaṃ vāso bhavet tāvad atra saumya ramemahi

Great-souled sages, too, dwell upon this rocky height. Let this then be our dwelling, gentle one — here let us find our peace.

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.56.16)

इति सीता च रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्च कृताञ्जलिः। अभिगम्याश्रमं सर्वे वाल्मीकिमभिवादयन्॥ २-५६-१६ ॥

iti sītā ca rāmaśca lakṣmaṇaśca kṛtāñjaliḥ| abhigamyāśramaṃ sarve vālmīkim abhivādayan

So resolved, Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana, palms joined together, approached the hermitage and all offered their salutations to sage Valmiki.

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.56.17)

तान्महर्षिः प्रमुदितः पूजयामास धर्मवित्। आस्यतामिति चोवाच स्वागतं तु निवेद्य च॥ २-५६-१७ ॥

tān maharṣiḥ pramuditaḥ pūjayāmāsa dharmavit| āsyatām iti covāca svāgataṃ tu nivedya ca

The great sage, versed in dharma, welcomed them with delight, honored them, and bidding them welcome, said, "Be seated."

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.56.18)

ततोऽब्रवीन्महाबाहुर्लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मणाग्रजः। सन्निवेद्य यथान्यायमात्मानमृषये प्रभुः॥ २-५६-१८ ॥

tato 'bravīn mahābāhur lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ| sannivedya yathānyāyam ātmānam ṛṣaye prabhuḥ

Then the mighty-armed Rama, Lakshmana's elder brother, having duly presented himself to the sage, spoke to Lakshmana.

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.56.19)

लक्ष्मणानय दारूणि दृढानि च वराणि च। कुरुष्वावसथं सौम्य वासे मेऽभिरतं मनः॥ २-५६-१९ ॥

lakṣmaṇānaya dārūṇi dṛḍhāni ca varāṇi ca| kuruṣvāvasathaṃ saumya vāse me 'bhirataṃ manaḥ

"Lakshmana, bring strong and choice timber and build us a dwelling here — my heart is set on living in this place."

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.56.20)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सौमित्रिर्विविधान् द्रुमान्। आजहार ततश्चक्रे पर्णशालामरिंदमः॥ २-५६-२० ॥

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā saumitrir vividhān drumān| ājahāra tataścakre parṇaśālām ariṃdamaḥ

Hearing Rama's words, Saumitri gathered timber of many kinds, and that subduer of foes then built a hut of leaves.

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.56.21)

तां निष्ठितां बद्धकटां दृष्ट्वा रामः सुदर्शनाम्। शुश्रूषमाणमेकाग्रमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ २-५६-२१ ॥

tāṃ niṣṭhitāṃ baddhakaṭāṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmaḥ sudarśanām| śuśrūṣamāṇam ekāgram idaṃ vacanam abravīt

Seeing that hut, finished and thatched, so beautiful to behold, Rama spoke these words to the attentive Lakshmana, eager to serve.

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.56.22)

ऐणेयं मांसमाहृत्य शालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम्। कर्तव्यं वास्तुशमनं सौमित्रे चिरजीविभिः॥ २-५६-२२ ॥

aiṇeyaṃ māṃsam āhṛtya śālāṃ yakṣyāmahe vayam| kartavyaṃ vāstuśamanaṃ saumitre cirajīvibhiḥ

"Bring the flesh of a black antelope, Saumitri — we shall consecrate this dwelling. Those who wish for long life must perform the rite that quiets the spirits of the ground before entering a new home."

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.56.23)

मृगं हत्वानय क्षिप्रं लक्ष्मणेह शुभेक्षण। कर्तव्यः शास्त्रदृष्टो हि विधिर्धर्ममनुस्मर॥ २-५६-२३ ॥

mṛgaṃ hatvānaya kṣipraṃ lakṣmaṇeha śubhekṣaṇa| kartavyaḥ śāstradṛṣṭo hi vidhir dharmam anusmara

"Kill a deer quickly and bring it here, large-eyed Lakshmana — the rite ordained by scripture must indeed be performed. Keep this sacred duty in mind."

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.56.24)

भ्रातुर्वचनमाज्ञाय लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा। चकार स यथोक्तं च तं रामः पुनरब्रवीत्॥ २-५६-२४ ॥

bhrātur vacanam ājñāya lakṣmaṇaḥ paravīrahā| cakāra sa yathoktaṃ ca taṃ rāmaḥ punar abravīt

Understanding his brother's word, Lakshmana, slayer of enemy heroes, did as he was told; and Rama spoke to him again.

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.56.25)

ऐणेयं श्रपयस्वैतच्छालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम्। त्वरस्व सौम्य मुहूर्तोऽयं ध्रुवश्च दिवसोऽप्ययम्॥ २-५६-२५ ॥

aiṇeyaṃ śrapayasvaitac chālāṃ yakṣyāmahe vayam| tvarasva saumya muhūrto 'yaṃ dhruvaśca divaso 'py ayam

"Cook this venison, gentle one — we shall make our offering to the hut. Be quick, for this hour and this day are both auspicious."

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.56.26)

स लक्ष्मणः कृष्णमृगं हत्वा मेध्यं प्रतापवान्। अथ चिक्षेप सौमित्रिः समिद्धे जातवेदसि॥ २-५६-२६ ॥

sa lakṣmaṇaḥ kṛṣṇamṛgaṃ hatvā medhyaṃ pratāpavān| atha cikṣepa saumitriḥ samiddhe jātavedasi

The valiant Saumitri, having slain the sacred black antelope, then cast it into the blazing fire.

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.56.27)

तं तु पक्वं समाज्ञाय निष्टप्तं छिन्नशोणितम्। लक्ष्मणः पुरुषव्याघ्रमथ राघवमब्रवीत्॥ २-५६-२७ ॥

taṃ tu pakvaṃ samājñāya niṣṭaptaṃ chinnaśoṇitam| lakṣmaṇaḥ puruṣavyāghram atha rāghavam abravīt

When it was cooked through and every trace of blood had burned away, Lakshmana spoke to Raghava, tiger among men.

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.56.28)

अयं कृष्णः समाप्ताङ्गः शृतः कृष्णमृगो यथा। देवता देवसंकाश यजस्व कुशलो ह्यसि॥ २-५६-२८ ॥

ayaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ samāptāṅgaḥ śṛtaḥ kṛṣṇamṛgo yathā| devatā devasaṃkāśa yajasva kuśalo hy asi

"This black antelope, with all its limbs whole, is now well cooked. O godlike one, offer worship to the deities — you are skilled in this rite."

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.56.29)

रामः स्नात्वा तु नियतो गुणवाञ्जप्यकोविदः। संग्रहेणाकरोत्सर्वान् मन्त्रान् सत्रावसानिकान्॥ २-५६-२९ ॥

rāmaḥ snātvā tu niyato guṇavāñ japyakovidaḥ| saṃgraheṇākarot sarvān mantrān satrāvasānikān

Rama, having bathed, self-controlled, virtuous, and versed in sacred recitation, then briefly recited all the mantras prescribed for the close of a rite.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.56.30)

इष्ट्वा देवगणान् सर्वान् विवेशावसथं शुचिः। बभूव च मनोह्लादो रामस्यामिततेजसः॥ २-५६-३० ॥

iṣṭvā devagaṇān sarvān viveśāvasathaṃ śuciḥ| babhūva ca manohlādo rāmasyāmitatejasaḥ

Having worshipped all the host of deities, Rama, now purified, entered the dwelling; and a deep joy filled the heart of that hero of boundless splendor.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.56.31)

वैश्वदेवबलिं कृत्वा रौद्रं वैष्णवमेव च। वास्तुसंशमनीयानि मङ्गलानि प्रवर्तयन्॥ २-५६-३१ ॥

vaiśvadevabaliṃ kṛtvā raudraṃ vaiṣṇavam eva ca| vāstusaṃśamanīyāni maṅgalāni pravartayan

He offered the Vaishvadeva oblation, and offerings too to Rudra and to Vishnu, performing the auspicious rites that quiet a new dwelling.

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.56.32)

जपं च न्यायतः कृत्वा स्नात्वा नद्यां यथाविधि। पापसंशमनं रामश्चकार बलिमुत्तमम्॥ २-५६-३२ ॥

japaṃ ca nyāyataḥ kṛtvā snātvā nadyāṃ yathāvidhi| pāpasaṃśamanaṃ rāmaścakāra balim uttamam

Having duly recited his prayers and bathed in the river as prescribed, Rama performed a supreme offering to expiate all sin.

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.56.33)

वेदिस्थलविधानानि चैत्यान्यायतनानि च। आश्रमस्यानुरूपाणि स्थापयामास राघवः॥ २-५६-३३ ॥

vedisthalavidhānāni caityāny āyatanāni ca| āśramasyānurūpāṇi sthāpayāmāsa rāghavaḥ

Raghava set in place altars, shrines, and sanctuaries befitting the hermitage.

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.56.34)

वन्यैर्माल्यैः फलैर्मूलैः पक्वैर्मांसैर्यथाविधि। अद्भिर्जपैश्च वेदोक्तैर्दर्भैश्च ससमित्कुशैः॥ २-५६-३४ ॥

vanyair mālyaiḥ phalair mūlaiḥ pakvair māṃsair yathāvidhi| adbhir japaiśca vedoktair darbhaiśca sasamitkuśaiḥ

With garlands gathered in the forest, with fruits and roots, with duly cooked meat, with water, with Vedic recitations, and with sacred kusha grass together with fuel-sticks —

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.56.35)

तौ तर्पयित्वा भूतानि राघवौ सह सीतया। तदा विविशतुः शालां सुशुभां शुभलक्षणौ॥ २-५६-३५ ॥

tau tarpayitvā bhūtāni rāghavau saha sītayā| tadā viviśatuḥ śālāṃ suśubhāṃ śubhalakṣaṇau

— the two Raghavas, marked with every auspicious sign, satisfied the spirits, and then, with Sita, entered that beautiful hut.

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.56.36)

तां वृक्षपर्णच्छदनां मनोज्ञां यथाप्रदेशं सुकृतां निवाताम्। वासाय सर्वे विविशुः समेताः सभां यथा देवगणाः सुधर्माम्॥ २-५६-३६ ॥

tāṃ vṛkṣaparṇacchadanāṃ manojñāṃ yathāpradeśaṃ sukṛtāṃ nivātām| vāsāya sarve viviśuḥ sametāḥ sabhāṃ yathā devagaṇāḥ sudharmām

Into that hut — thatched with leaves, lovely, well built for its setting, sheltered from the wind — all three entered together to dwell, as the gods enter their assembly-hall called Sudharma.

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.56.37)

अनेकनानामृगपक्षिसंकुले विचित्रपुष्पस्तबकैर्द्रुमैर्युते। वनोत्तमे व्यालमृगानुनादिते तथा विजह्रुः सुसुखं जितेन्द्रियाः॥ २-५६-३७ ॥

anekanānāmṛgapakṣisaṃkule vicitrapuṣpastabakair drumair yute| vanottame vyālamṛgānunādite tathā vijahruḥ susukhaṃ jitendriyāḥ

In that finest of forests — teeming with countless beasts and birds, its trees laden with clusters of many-colored blossoms, echoing with the cries of wild creatures — the three, their senses mastered, wandered about in perfect contentment.

Shloka 38 (ayodhya.56.38)

सुरम्यमासाद्य तु चित्रकूटं नदीं च तां माल्यवतीं सुतीर्थाम्। ननन्द हृष्टो मृगपक्षिजुष्टां जहौ च दुःखं पुरविप्रवासात्॥ २-५६-३८ ॥

suramyam āsādya tu citrakūṭaṃ nadīṃ ca tāṃ mālyavatīṃ sutīrthām| nananda hṛṣṭo mṛgapakṣijuṣṭāṃ jahau ca duḥkhaṃ puravipravāsāt

Having reached the most delightful Chitrakuta and the river Malyavati with its lovely fords, thronged with birds and beasts, Rama rejoiced, and the sorrow of exile from his city fell away from him.