The Messages of Rama and Lakshmana

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.58.1)

प्रत्याश्वस्तो यदा राजा मोहात्प्रत्यागतः पुनः। अथाजुहाव तं सूतं रामवृत्तान्तकारणात्॥ २-५८-१ ॥

pratyāśvasto yadā rājā mohāt pratyāgataḥ punaḥ| athājuhāva taṃ sūtaṃ rāmavṛttāntakāraṇāt

When the king, recovering from his swoon, came back to his senses, he then summoned the charioteer to learn news of Rama.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.58.2)

तदा सूतो महाराज कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः। राममेवानुशोचन्तं दुःखशोकसमन्वितम्॥ २-५८-२ ॥

tadā sūto mahārāja kṛtāñjalir upasthitaḥ| rāmam evānuśocantaṃ duḥkhaśokasamanvitam

Then, O great king, the charioteer stood before him, palms joined — before that monarch grieving for Rama alone, filled with pain and sorrow.

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.58.3)

वृद्धं परमसंतप्तं नवग्रहमिव द्विपम्। विनिःश्वसन्तं ध्यायन्तमस्वस्थमिव कुञ्जरम्॥ २-५८-३ ॥

vṛddhaṃ paramasaṃtaptaṃ navagraham iva dvipam| viniḥśvasantaṃ dhyāyantam asvastham iva kuñjaram

That aged king, greatly afflicted, was sighing like a newly captured elephant and brooding like a sick tusker.

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.58.4)

राजा तु रजसा सूतं ध्वस्ताङ्गं समुपस्थितम्। अश्रुपूर्णमुखं दीनमुवाच परमार्तवत्॥ २-५८-४ ॥

rājā tu rajasā sūtaṃ dhvastāṅgaṃ samupasthitam| aśrupūrṇamukhaṃ dīnam uvāca paramārtavat

To that charioteer, his body coated in dust, his wretched face streaming with tears, now standing before him, the king spoke in deep anguish.

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.58.5)

क्व नु वत्स्यति धर्मात्मा वृक्षमूलमुपाश्रितः। सोऽत्यन्तसुखितः सूत किमशिष्यति राघवः॥ २-५८-५ ॥

kva nu vatsyati dharmātmā vṛkṣamūlam upāśritaḥ| so 'tyantasukhitaḥ sūta kim aśiṣyati rāghavaḥ

"Where, Suta, does the righteous one now dwell, sheltering at the foot of some tree? What will Raghava, who knew nothing but comfort, now eat?"

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.58.6)

दुःखस्यानुचितो दुःखं सुमन्त्र शयनोचितः। भूमिपालात्मजो भूमौ शेते कथमनाथवत्॥ २-५८-६ ॥

duḥkhasyānucito duḥkhaṃ sumantra śayanocitaḥ| bhūmipālātmajo bhūmau śete katham anāthavat

"Sumantra, how can that prince, unused to sorrow, accustomed to soft beds, now lie sleeping on the bare earth like one without a protector?"

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.58.7)

यं यान्तमनुयान्ति स्म पदातिरथकुञ्जराः। स वत्स्यति कथं रामो विजनं वनमाश्रितः॥ २-५८-७ ॥

yaṃ yāntam anuyānti sma padātirathakuñjarāḥ| sa vatsyati kathaṃ rāmo vijanaṃ vanam āśritaḥ

He whom foot-soldiers, chariots, and elephants once followed wherever he went — how will that same Rama now live, taking refuge in a lonely forest?

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.58.8)

व्यालैर्मृगैराचरितं कृष्णसर्पनिषेवितम्। कथं कुमारौ वैदेह्या सार्धं वनमुपस्थितौ॥ २-५८-८ ॥

vyālair mṛgair ācaritaṃ kṛṣṇasarpaniṣevitam| kathaṃ kumārau vaidehyā sārdhaṃ vanam upasthitau

How did the two princes, together with Vaidehi, come to enter a forest roamed by savage beasts and haunted by black serpents?

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.58.9)

सुकुमार्या तपस्विन्या सुमन्त्र सह सीतया। राजपुत्रौ कथं पादैरवरुह्य रथाद्गतौ॥ २-५८-९ ॥

sukumāryā tapasvinyā sumantra saha sītayā| rājaputrau kathaṃ pādair avaruhya rathād gatau

"Sumantra, how did the two princes, along with the delicate, hapless Sita, descend from the chariot and go on foot?"

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.58.10)

सिद्धार्थः खलु सूत त्वं येन दृष्टौ ममात्मजौ। वनान्तं प्रविशन्तौ ताववश्विनाविव मन्दरम्॥ २-५८-१० ॥

siddhārthaḥ khalu sūta tvaṃ yena dṛṣṭau mamātmajau| vanāntaṃ praviśantau tāv aśvināv iva mandaram

"You are indeed blessed, Suta, for you saw my two sons entering the forest's edge, like the twin Ashvins entering Mount Mandara."

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.58.11)

किमुवाच वचो रामः किमुवाच च लक्ष्मणः। सुमन्त्र वनमासाद्य किमुवाच च मैथिली॥ २-५८-११ ॥

kim uvāca vaco rāmaḥ kim uvāca ca lakṣmaṇaḥ| sumantra vanam āsādya kim uvāca ca maithilī

"What words did Rama speak, Sumantra, on reaching the forest? What did Lakshmana say? And what did Maithili say?"

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.58.12)

आसितं शयितं भुक्तं सूत रामस्य कीर्तय। जीविष्याम्यहमेतेन ययातिरिव साधुषु॥ २-५८-१२ ॥

āsitaṃ śayitaṃ bhuktaṃ sūta rāmasya kīrtaya| jīviṣyāmy aham etena yayātir iva sādhuṣu

"Tell me, Suta, of Rama's sitting, his sleeping, his eating — by this alone shall I live on, as Yayati once lived among the virtuous."

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.58.13)

इति सूतो नरेन्द्रेण चोदितः सज्जमानया। उवाच वाचा राजानं स बाष्पपरिबद्धया॥ २-५८-१३ ॥

iti sūto narendreṇa coditaḥ sajjamānayā| uvāca vācā rājānaṃ sa bāṣpaparibaddhayā

Thus questioned by the king, the charioteer spoke to him in a faltering voice, choked with tears.

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.58.14)

अब्रवीन्मां महाराज धर्ममेवानुपालयन्। अञ्जलिं राघवः कृत्वा शिरसाभिप्रणम्य च॥ २-५८-१४ ॥

abravīn māṃ mahārāja dharmam evānupālayan| añjaliṃ rāghavaḥ kṛtvā śirasābhipraṇamya ca

"O great king, Raghava, still holding fast to dharma, joined his palms, bowed his head, and spoke to me thus:

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.58.15)

सूत मद्वचनात्तस्य तातस्य विदितात्मनः। शिरसा वन्दनीयस्य वन्द्यौ पादौ महात्मनः॥ २-५८-१५ ॥

sūta madvacanāt tasya tātasya viditātmanaḥ| śirasā vandanīyasya vandyau pādau mahātmanaḥ

"'Suta, in my name bow your head to the feet of my father — that great soul of proven wisdom, worthy of every reverence.'

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.58.16)

सर्वमन्तःपुरं वाच्यं सूत मद्वचनात्त्वया। आरोग्यमविशेषेण यथार्हं चाभिवादनम्॥ २-५८-१६ ॥

sarvam antaḥpuraṃ vācyaṃ sūta madvacanāt tvayā| ārogyam aviśeṣeṇa yathārhaṃ cābhivādanam

"'To the entire women's quarters, Suta, convey in my name inquiries after their health without distinction, and my due salutations.'

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.58.17)

माता च मम कौसल्या कुशलं चाभिवादनम्। अप्रमादं च वक्तव्या ब्रूयाश्चेदमपि वचः॥ २-५८-१७ ॥

mātā ca mama kausalyā kuśalaṃ cābhivādanam| apramādaṃ ca vaktavyā brūyāś cedam api vacaḥ

"'To my mother Kausalya, tell her of my well-being, offer my salutations, assure her of my vigilance, and speak to her also these words:'

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.58.18)

धर्मनित्या यथाकालमग्न्यागारपरा भव। देवि देवस्य पादौ च देववत् परिपालय॥ २-५८-१८ ॥

dharmanityā yathākālam agnyāgāraparā bhava| devi devasya pādau ca devavat paripālaya

"'Godly lady, remain ever devoted to dharma, faithful in season to the fire-sacrifice, and tend the feet of my father as though he were a god.'

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.58.19)

अभिमानं च मानं च त्यक्त्वा वर्तस्व मातृषु। अनुराजानमार्यां च कैकेयीमम्ब कारय॥ २-५८-१९ ॥

abhimānaṃ ca mānaṃ ca tyaktvā vartasva mātṛṣu| anurājānam āryāṃ ca kaikeyīm amba kāraya

"'Mother, set aside pride and hurt, and treat my other mothers well; and keep the noble Kaikeyi in harmony with the king.'

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.58.20)

कुमारे भरते वृत्तिर्वर्तितव्या च राजवत्। अर्थज्येष्ठा हि राजानो राजधर्ममनुस्मर॥ २-५८-२० ॥

kumāre bharate vṛttir vartitavyā ca rājavat| arthajyeṣṭhā hi rājāno rājadharmam anusmara

"'Toward prince Bharata, too, conduct yourself as toward a king, for kings are reckoned foremost by the realm they hold — keep ever in mind the duties of a king.'

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.58.21)

भरतः कुशलं वाच्यो वाच्यो मद्वचनेन च। सर्वास्वेव यथान्यायं वृत्तिं वर्तस्व मातृषु॥ २-५८-२१ ॥

bharataḥ kuśalaṃ vācyo vācyo madvacanena ca| sarvāsv eva yathānyāyaṃ vṛttiṃ vartasva mātṛṣu

"Ask Bharata after his welfare, and tell him too, in my words: 'Conduct yourself justly and well toward all our mothers alike.'"

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.58.22)

वक्तव्यश्च महाबाहुरिक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दनः। पितरं यौवराज्यस्थो राज्यस्थमनुपालय॥ २-५८-२२ ॥

vaktavyaśca mahābāhur ikṣvākukulanandanaḥ| pitaraṃ yauvarājyastho rājyastham anupālaya

"And to that mighty-armed delight of the Ikshvaku line, say further: 'While you hold the office of crown prince, tend and serve our father who still holds the throne.'

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.58.23)

अतिक्रान्तवया राजा मास्मैनं व्यवरोरुधः। कुमारराज्ये जीव त्वं तस्यैवाज्ञाप्रवर्तनात्॥ २-५८-२३ ॥

atikrāntavayā rājā māsmainaṃ vyavarorudhaḥ| kumārarājye jīva tvaṃ tasyaivājñāpravartanāt

"'The king has passed his prime — do not for that reason set him aside. Live as prince regent, acting always by his command alone.'"

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.58.24)

अब्रवीच्चापि मां भूयो भृशमश्रूणि वर्तयन्। मातेव मम माता ते द्रष्टव्या पुत्रगर्धिनी॥ २-५८-२४ ॥

abravīc cāpi māṃ bhūyo bhṛśam aśrūṇi vartayan| māteva mama mātā te draṣṭavyā putragardhinī

Then, shedding many tears, he said to me once more: "My mother, who so longs for her son, must be looked after by you as though she were your own mother."

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.58.25)

इत्येवं मां महाराज ब्रुवन्नेव महायशाः। रामो राजीवताम्राक्षो भृशमश्रूण्यवर्तयत्॥ २-५८-२५ ॥

ity evaṃ māṃ mahārāja bruvann eva mahāyaśāḥ| rāmo rājīvatāmrākṣo bhṛśam aśrūṇy avartayat

Even as he spoke these words to me, O great king, Rama of far-famed glory, his eyes red as the lotus, wept freely.

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.58.26)

लक्ष्मणस्तु सुसंक्रुद्धो निःश्वसन् वाक्यमब्रवीत्। केनायमपराधेन राजपुत्रो विवासितः॥ २-५८-२६ ॥

lakṣmaṇastu susaṃkruddho niḥśvasan vākyam abravīt| kenāyam aparādhena rājaputro vivāsitaḥ

But Lakshmana, deeply enraged, sighed and spoke: "For what crime has this prince been driven into exile?

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.58.27)

राज्ञा तु खलु कैकेय्या लघुत्वाश्रित्य शासनम्। कृतं कार्यमकार्यं वा वयं येनाभिपीडिताः॥ २-५८-२७ ॥

rājñā tu khalu kaikeyyā laghutvāśritya śāsanam| kṛtaṃ kāryam akāryaṃ vā vayaṃ yenābhipīḍitāḥ

"The king, taking shelter behind Kaikeyi's petty decree, has done a deed — right or wrong — by which we are all now tormented.

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.58.28)

यदि प्रव्राजितो रामो लोभकारणकारितम्। वरदाननिमित्तं वा सर्वथा दुष्कृतं कृतम्॥ २-५८-२८ ॥

yadi pravrājito rāmo lobhakāraṇakāritam| varadānanimittaṃ vā sarvathā duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam

"If Rama has been thus banished — whether driven by greed or bound by the promise of boons — it is, in every way, a wicked deed.

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.58.29)

इदं तावद्यथाकाममीश्वरस्य कृते कृतम्। रामस्य तु परित्यागे न हेतुमुपलक्षये॥ २-५८-२९ ॥

idaṃ tāvad yathākāmam īśvarasya kṛte kṛtam| rāmasya tu parityāge na hetum upalakṣaye

"This may have been done merely to satisfy the king's own wish, but I can see no justification whatever for the abandonment of Rama.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.58.30)

असमीक्ष्य समारब्धं विरुद्धं बुद्धिलाघवात्। जनयिष्यति संक्रोशं राघवस्य विवासनम्॥ २-५८-३० ॥

asamīkṣya samārabdhaṃ viruddhaṃ buddhilāghavāt| janayiṣyati saṃkrośaṃ rāghavasya vivāsanam

"This exile of Raghava, an unlawful act undertaken thoughtlessly, out of sheer poverty of judgment, will raise a great outcry.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.58.31)

अहं तावन्महाराजे पितृत्वं नोपलक्षये। भ्राता भर्ता च बन्धुश्च पिता च मम राघवः॥ २-५८-३१ ॥

ahaṃ tāvan mahārāje pitṛtvaṃ nopalakṣaye| bhrātā bhartā ca bandhuśca pitā ca mama rāghavaḥ

"As for me, I no longer recognize fatherhood in the emperor. For me, Raghava alone is brother, lord, kinsman, and father.

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.58.32)

सर्वलोकप्रियं त्यक्त्वा सर्वलोकहिते रतम्। सर्वलोकोऽनुरज्येत कथं त्वामनेन कर्मणा॥ २-५८-३२ ॥

sarvalokapriyaṃ tyaktvā sarvalokahite ratam| sarvaloko 'nurajyeta kathaṃ tvām anena karmaṇā

"Having cast aside one beloved of all the world, one devoted to the welfare of all the world — how, by this act, will all the world hold you dear?

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.58.33)

सर्वप्रजाभिरामं हि रामं प्रव्राज्य धार्मिकम्। सर्वलोकं विरुध्यैनं कथं राजा भविष्यसि॥ २-५८-३३ ॥

sarvaprajābhirāmaṃ hi rāmaṃ pravrājya dhārmikam| sarvalokaṃ virudhyainaṃ kathaṃ rājā bhaviṣyasi

"Having banished Rama, the delight of all his subjects and a man of dharma, and thereby setting yourself against the whole world — how will you remain its king?"

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.58.34)

जानकी तु महाराज निःश्वसन्ती तपस्विनी। भूतोपहतचित्तेव विष्ठिता विस्मृता स्थिता॥ २-५८-३४ ॥

jānakī tu mahārāja niḥśvasantī tapasvinī| bhūtopahatacitteva viṣṭhitā vismṛtā sthitā

"But Janaki, O king, that hapless lady, stood there sighing, her mind as though possessed by some spirit, rooted still and lost to herself.

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.58.35)

अदृष्टपूर्वव्यसना राजपुत्री यशस्विनी। तेन दुःखेन रुदती नैव मां किंचिदब्रवीत्॥ २-५८-३५ ॥

adṛṣṭapūrvavyasanā rājaputrī yaśasvinī| tena duḥkhena rudatī naiva māṃ kiṃcid abravīt

That renowned princess, who had never before known such misfortune, wept in her anguish and could not say a single word to me.

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.58.36)

उद्वीक्षमाणा भर्तारं मुखेन परिशुष्यता। मुमोच सहसा बाष्पं मां प्रयान्तमुदीक्ष्य सा॥ २-५८-३६ ॥

udvīkṣamāṇā bhartāraṃ mukhena pariśuṣyatā| mumoca sahasā bāṣpaṃ māṃ prayāntam udīkṣya sā

Gazing up at her husband, her face pale and drawn, she suddenly wept when she saw me setting out on my way.

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.58.37)

तथैव रामोऽश्रुमुखः कृताञ्जलिः स्थितोऽभवल्लक्ष्मणबाहुपालितः। तथैव सीता रुदती तपस्विनी निरीक्षते राजरथं तथैव माम्॥ २-५८-३७ ॥

tathaiva rāmo 'śrumukhaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ sthito 'bhaval lakṣmaṇabāhupālitaḥ| tathaiva sītā rudatī tapasvinī nirīkṣate rājarathaṃ tathaiva mām

In just the same way, Rama stood there, his face wet with tears, palms joined, held steady by Lakshmana's supporting arm; and in just the same way, hapless Sita, weeping, kept watching the royal chariot, and watching me."