The Springtime Lament at Lake Pampa

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.1.1)

स तां पुष्करिणीं गत्वा पद्मोत्पलझषाकुलाम् । रामः सौमित्रिसहितो विललापाकुलेन्द्रियः ॥ 1.1 ॥

sa tāṃ puṣkariṇīṃ gatvā padmotpalajhaṣākulām | rāmaḥ saumitrisahito vilalāpākulendriyaḥ || 1.1 ||

Having reached that lotus-pond, filled with lotuses, water-lilies and fish, Rama, together with Saumitri, lamented, his senses in turmoil.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.1.2)

तत्र दृष्ट्वैव तां हर्षादिन्द्रियाणि चकम्पिरे । स कामवशमापन्नः सौमित्रिमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 1.2 ॥

tatra dṛṣṭvaiva tāṃ harṣādindriyāṇi cakampire | sa kāmavaśamāpannaḥ saumitrimidamabravīt || 1.2 ||

There, the very moment he saw it, his senses trembled with a bittersweet joy; overcome by longing, he spoke thus to Saumitri.

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.1.3)

सौमित्रे शोभते पम्पा वैदूर्यविमलोदका । फुल्लपद्मोत्पलवती शोभिता विविधैर्द्रुमैः ॥ 1.3 ॥

saumitre śobhate pampā vaidūryavimalodakā | phullapadmotpalavatī śobhitā vividhairdrumaiḥ || 1.3 ||

O Saumitri, Pampa shines with waters clear as lapis lazuli, adorned with blooming lotuses and water-lilies, and beautified by trees of every kind.

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.1.4)

सौमित्रे पश्य पम्पायाः काननं शुभदर्शनम् । यत्र राजन्ति शैला वा द्रुमाः सशिखरा इव ॥ 1.4 ॥

saumitre paśya pampāyāḥ kānanaṃ śubhadarśanam | yatra rājanti śailā vā drumāḥ saśikharā iva || 1.4 ||

O Saumitri, behold Pampa's lovely-looking forest, where the mountains gleam as though the trees themselves had become peaks.

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.1.5)

मां तु शोकाभिसंतप्तमाधयः पीडयन्ति वै । भरतस्य च दुःखेन वैदेह्या हरणेन च ॥ 1.5 ॥

māṃ tu śokābhisaṃtaptamādhayaḥ pīḍayanti vai | bharatasya ca duḥkhena vaidehyā haraṇena ca || 1.5 ||

But me, tormented with grief, anguish alone afflicts — for Bharata's sorrow, and for Vaidehi's abduction.

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.1.6)

शोकार्तस्यापि मे पम्पा शोभते चित्रकानना । व्यवकीर्णा बहुविधैः पुष्पैः शीतोदका शिवा ॥ 1.6 ॥

śokārtasyāpi me pampā śobhate citrakānanā | vyavakīrṇā bahuvidhaiḥ puṣpaiḥ śītodakā śivā || 1.6 ||

Even to me, afflicted with grief, Pampa still appears beautiful — her groves wondrous, strewn with flowers of every kind, her waters cool and auspicious.

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.1.7)

नलिनैरपि संछन्ना ह्यत्यर्थशुभदर्शना । सर्पव्यालानुचरिता मृगद्विजसमाकुला ॥ 1.7 ॥

nalinairapi saṃchannā hyatyarthaśubhadarśanā | sarpavyālānucaritā mṛgadvijasamākulā || 1.7 ||

Covered with lotuses and exceedingly beautiful to behold, she is frequented by serpents and wild creatures, and thronged with deer and birds.

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.1.8)

अधिकं प्रविभात्येतन्नीलपीतं तु शाद्वलम् । द्रुमाणां विविधैः पुष्पैः परिस्तोमैरिवार्पितम् ॥ 1.8 ॥

adhikaṃ pravibhātyetannīlapītaṃ tu śādvalam | drumāṇāṃ vividhaiḥ puṣpaiḥ paristomairivārpitam || 1.8 ||

This meadow, blue and yellow, shines forth all the more, as though spread over with a carpet made of the trees' many-coloured flowers.

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.1.9)

पुष्पभारसमृद्धानि शिखराणि समन्ततः । लताभिः पुष्पिताग्राभिरुपगूढानि सर्वतः ॥ 1.9 ॥

puṣpabhārasamṛddhāni śikharāṇi samantataḥ | latābhiḥ puṣpitāgrābhirupagūḍhāni sarvataḥ || 1.9 ||

The mountain-peaks all around, laden richly with flowers, are everywhere embraced by creepers flowering at their very tips.

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.1.10)

सुखानिलोऽयं सौमित्रे कालः प्रचुरमन्मथः । गन्धवान् सुरभिर्मासो जातपुष्पफलद्रुमः ॥ 1.10 ॥

sukhānilo'yaṃ saumitre kālaḥ pracuramanmathaḥ | gandhavān surabhirmāso jātapuṣpaphaladrumaḥ || 1.10 ||

This season, O Saumitri, carries a pleasant breeze and greatly kindles passion; it is a fragrant, sweet-smelling month, its trees now come into flower and fruit.

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.1.11)

पश्य रूपाणि सौमित्रे वनानां पुष्पशालिनाम् । सृजतां पुष्पवर्षाणि वर्षं तोयमुचामिव ॥ 1.11 ॥

paśya rūpāṇi saumitre vanānāṃ puṣpaśālinām | sṛjatāṃ puṣpavarṣāṇi varṣaṃ toyamucāmiva || 1.11 ||

Behold, O Saumitri, the beauty of these flower-laden forests, showering down blossoms as clouds shower down rain.

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.1.12)

प्रस्तरेषु च रम्येषु विविधाः काननद्रुमाः । वायुवेगप्रचलिताः पुष्पैरवकिरन्ति गाम् ॥ 1.12 ॥

prastareṣu ca ramyeṣu vividhāḥ kānanadrumāḥ | vāyuvegapracalitāḥ puṣpairavakiranti gām || 1.12 ||

On the lovely rocky ledges, the many forest trees, stirred by the force of the wind, strew the ground with their flowers.

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.1.13)

पतितैः पतमानैश्च पादपस्थैश्च मारुतः । कुसुमैः पश्य सौमित्रे क्रीडतीव समन्ततः ॥ 1.13 ॥

patitaiḥ patamānaiśca pādapasthaiśca mārutaḥ | kusumaiḥ paśya saumitre krīḍatīva samantataḥ || 1.13 ||

See, O Saumitri, how the wind seems to play all about, with flowers that have fallen, that are falling, and that still cling to the trees.

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.1.14)

विक्षिपन् विविधाः शाखां नगानां कुसुमोत्कटाः । मारुतश्चलितस्थानैः षट्पदैरनुगीयते ॥ 1.14 ॥

vikṣipan vividhāḥ śākhāṃ nagānāṃ kusumotkaṭāḥ | mārutaścalitasthānaiḥ ṣaṭpadairanugīyate || 1.14 ||

Shaking the flower-laden branches of the trees on every side, the wind is accompanied, as if in song, by the bees driven from their resting places.

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.1.15)

मत्तकोकिलसंनादैर्नर्तयन्निव पादपान् । शैलकंदर निष्क्रान्तः प्रगीत इव चानिलः ॥ 1.15 ॥

mattakokilasaṃnādairnartayanniva pādapān | śailakaṃdara niṣkrāntaḥ pragīta iva cānilaḥ || 1.15 ||

Issuing from the mountain caves, the wind, as if singing along with the calls of intoxicated cuckoos, seems to make the very trees dance.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.1.16)

तेन विक्षिपतात्यर्थं पवनेन समन्ततः । अमी संसक्तशाखाग्रा ग्रथिता इव पादपाः ॥ 1.16 ॥

tena vikṣipatātyarthaṃ pavanena samantataḥ | amī saṃsaktaśākhāgrā grathitā iva pādapāḥ || 1.16 ||

Shaken exceedingly on every side by that wind, these trees, their branch-tips entangled together, seem as if bound one into another.

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.1.17)

स एव सुखसंस्पर्शो वाति चन्दनशीतलः । गन्धमभ्यवहन् पुण्यं श्रमापनयनोऽनिलः ॥ 1.17 ॥

sa eva sukhasaṃsparśo vāti candanaśītalaḥ | gandhamabhyavahan puṇyaṃ śramāpanayano'nilaḥ || 1.17 ||

That same wind blows, pleasant to the touch, cool as sandalwood, bearing a sacred fragrance, and carrying away all weariness.

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.1.18)

अमी पवनविक्षिप्ता विनदन्तीव पादपाः । षट्पदैरनुकूजद्भिर्वनेषु मधुगन्धिषु ॥ 1.18 ॥

amī pavanavikṣiptā vinadantīva pādapāḥ | ṣaṭpadairanukūjadbhirvaneṣu madhugandhiṣu || 1.18 ||

These trees, shaken by the wind, seem to cry aloud, echoed by the bees humming in the honey-scented groves.

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.1.19)

गिरिप्रस्थेषु रम्येषु पुष्पवद्भिर्मनोरमैः । संसक्तशिखराः शैला विराजन्ति महाद्रुमैः ॥ 1.19 ॥

giriprastheṣu ramyeṣu puṣpavadbhirmanoramaiḥ | saṃsaktaśikharāḥ śailā virājanti mahādrumaiḥ || 1.19 ||

On the lovely mountain-plateaus, the mountains, their peaks joined together, shine forth with great, flower-laden, enchanting trees.

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.1.20)

पुष्पसंछन्नशिखरा मारुतोत्क्षेपचञ्चलाः । अमी मधुकरोत्तंसाः प्रगीता इव पादपाः ॥ 1.20 ॥

puṣpasaṃchannaśikharā mārutotkṣepacañcalāḥ | amī madhukarottaṃsāḥ pragītā iva pādapāḥ || 1.20 ||

These trees, their crowns covered with flowers, restless as the wind tosses them, crowned with bees as their ornament, seem as though a song were being sung to them.

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.1.21)

सुपुष्पितांस्तु पश्यैतान् कर्णिकारान् समन्ततः । हाटकप्रतिसंछन्नान् नरान् पीताम्बरानिव ॥ 1.21 ॥

supuṣpitāṃstu paśyaitān karṇikārān samantataḥ | hāṭakapratisaṃchannān narān pītāmbarāniva || 1.21 ||

Behold these Karnikara trees, blooming richly all around, seeming covered in gold, as though they were men clad in yellow garments.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.1.22)

अयं वसन्तः सौमित्रे नानाविहगनादितः । सीतया विप्रहीणस्य शोकसंदीपनो मम ॥ 1.22 ॥

ayaṃ vasantaḥ saumitre nānāvihaganāditaḥ | sītayā viprahīṇasya śokasaṃdīpano mama || 1.22 ||

This spring, O Saumitri, resounding with the cries of many birds, kindles all the more the grief of me who am parted from Sita.

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.1.23)

मां हि शोकसमाक्रान्तं संतापयति मन्मथः । हृष्टं प्रवदमानश्च समाह्वयति कोकिलः ॥ 1.23 ॥

māṃ hi śokasamākrāntaṃ saṃtāpayati manmathaḥ | hṛṣṭaṃ pravadamānaśca samāhvayati kokilaḥ || 1.23 ||

Overcome by grief as I am, the god of love torments me all the more; and this joyous, calling cuckoo seems to summon me by name.

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.1.24)

एष दात्यूहको हृष्टो रम्ये मां वननिर्झरे । प्रणदन्मन्मथाविष्टं शोचयिष्यति लक्ष्मण ॥ 1.24 ॥

eṣa dātyūhako hṛṣṭo ramye māṃ vananirjhare | praṇadanmanmathāviṣṭaṃ śocayiṣyati lakṣmaṇa || 1.24 ||

This joyous cataka-bird, O Lakshmana, calling by the lovely forest waterfall, will make me, already possessed by longing, grieve all the more.

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.1.25)

श्रुत्वैतस्य पुरा शब्दमाश्रमस्था मम प्रिया । मामाहूय प्रमुदिताः परमं प्रत्यनन्दत ॥ 1.25 ॥

śrutvaitasya purā śabdamāśramasthā mama priyā | māmāhūya pramuditāḥ paramaṃ pratyanandata || 1.25 ||

Formerly, dwelling in the hermitage, on hearing this bird's cry my beloved, greatly delighted, would call out to me and greet me joyfully.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.1.26)

एवं विचित्राः पतगा नानारावविराविणः । वृक्षगुल्मलताः पश्य सम्पतन्ति समन्ततः ॥ 1.26 ॥

evaṃ vicitrāḥ patagā nānārāvavirāviṇaḥ | vṛkṣagulmalatāḥ paśya sampatanti samantataḥ || 1.26 ||

See how these wondrous birds, crying out in calls of every kind, fly about everywhere among the trees, shrubs, and creepers.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.1.27)

विमिश्रा विहगाः पुंभिरात्मव्यूहाभिनन्दिताः । भृङ्गराजप्रमुदिताः सौमित्रे मधुरस्वराः ॥ 1.27 ॥

vimiśrā vihagāḥ puṃbhirātmavyūhābhinanditāḥ | bhṛṅgarājapramuditāḥ saumitre madhurasvarāḥ || 1.27 ||

O Saumitri, these sweet-voiced birds, mingling with their mates and delighting in their own flocks, rejoice along with the lord of the bees.

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.1.28)

अस्याः कूले प्रमुदिताः सङ्घशः शकुनास्त्विह । दात्यूहरतिविक्रन्दैः पुंस्कोकिलरुतैरपि ॥ 1.28 ॥

asyāḥ kūle pramuditāḥ saṅghaśaḥ śakunāstviha | dātyūharativikrandaiḥ puṃskokilarutairapi || 1.28 ||

On her banks, birds rejoice in flocks — with the passionate cries of the cataka and the calls of the male cuckoo besides.

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.1.29)

स्वनन्ति पादपाश्चेमे ममानङ्गप्रदीपकाः । अशोकस्तबकाङ्गारः षट्पदस्वननिःस्वनः ॥ 1.29 ॥

svananti pādapāśceme mamānaṅgapradīpakāḥ | aśokastabakāṅgāraḥ ṣaṭpadasvananiḥsvanaḥ || 1.29 ||

These trees, kindling my passion, resound — with the Ashoka's clusters glowing like embers, and the humming of bees among them.

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.1.30)

मां हि पल्लवताम्रार्चिर्वसन्ताग्निः प्रधक्ष्यति । नहि तां सूक्ष्मपक्ष्माक्षीं सुकेशीं मृदुभाषिणीम् ॥ 1.30 ॥

māṃ hi pallavatāmrārcirvasantāgniḥ pradhakṣyati | nahi tāṃ sūkṣmapakṣmākṣīṃ sukeśīṃ mṛdubhāṣiṇīm || 1.30 ||

This fire of spring, its flames red as tender young shoots, will surely burn me — for I cannot see her, of the delicate eyelashes, lovely hair, and gentle speech...

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.1.31)

अपश्यतो मे सौमित्रे जीवितेऽस्ति प्रयोजनम् । अयं हि रुचिरस्तस्याः कालो रुचिरकाननः ॥ 1.31 ॥

apaśyato me saumitre jīvite'sti prayojanam | ayaṃ hi rucirastasyāḥ kālo rucirakānanaḥ || 1.31 ||

...without the sight of her, O Saumitri, what purpose remains in my life? This, indeed, is that lovely season she loved, its forests delightful,

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.1.32)

कोकिलाकुलसीमान्तो दयिताया ममानघ । मन्मथायाससम्भूतो वसन्तगुणवर्धितः ॥ 1.32 ॥

kokilākulasīmānto dayitāyā mamānagha | manmathāyāsasambhūto vasantaguṇavardhitaḥ || 1.32 ||

its borders thronged with cuckoos, O sinless one, dear to my beloved — a season born to swell the labour of passion, made keener still by spring's own excellence.

Shloka 33 (kishkindha.1.33)

अयं मां धक्ष्यति क्षिप्रं शोकाग्निर्नचिरादिव । अपश्यतस्तां वनितां पश्यतो रुचिरान् द्रुमान् ॥ 1.33 ॥

ayaṃ māṃ dhakṣyati kṣipraṃ śokāgnirnacirādiva | apaśyatastāṃ vanitāṃ paśyato rucirān drumān || 1.33 ||

This fire of grief will consume me swiftly, as though without delay — since, though I behold these lovely trees, I cannot behold that woman.

Shloka 34 (kishkindha.1.34)

ममायमात्मप्रभवो भूयस्त्वमुपयास्यति । अदृश्यमाना वैदेही शोकं वर्धयतीह मे ॥ 1.34 ॥

mamāyamātmaprabhavo bhūyastvamupayāsyati | adṛśyamānā vaidehī śokaṃ vardhayatīha me || 1.34 ||

This fire, born of myself, will only grow greater; Vaidehi, unseen, deepens my grief here.

Shloka 35 (kishkindha.1.35)

दृश्यमानो वसन्तश्च स्वेदसंसर्गदूषकः । मां हि सा मृगशावाक्षी चिन्ताशोकबलात्कृतम् ॥ 1.35 ॥

dṛśyamāno vasantaśca svedasaṃsargadūṣakaḥ | māṃ hi sā mṛgaśāvākṣī cintāśokabalātkṛtam || 1.35 ||

This visible spring, bringing on its languid heat, only recalls to me her, the fawn-eyed one — for anxiety and grief have overpowered me,

Shloka 36 (kishkindha.1.36)

संतापयति सौमित्रे क्रूरश्चैत्रवनानिलः । अमी मयूराः शोभन्ते प्रनृत्यन्तस्ततस्ततः ॥ 1.36 ॥

saṃtāpayati saumitre krūraścaitravanānilaḥ | amī mayūrāḥ śobhante pranṛtyantastatastataḥ || 1.36 ||

...and, O Saumitri, this cruel breeze of the Chaitra grove torments me further. See how these peacocks, dancing here and there, shine forth in beauty.

Shloka 37 (kishkindha.1.37)

स्वैः पक्षैः पवनोद्धूतैर्गवाक्षैः स्फाटिकैरिव । शिखिनीभिः परिवृतास्त एते मदमूर्च्छिताः ॥ 1.37 ॥

svaiḥ pakṣaiḥ pavanoddhūtairgavākṣaiḥ sphāṭikairiva | śikhinībhiḥ parivṛtāsta ete madamūrcchitāḥ || 1.37 ||

With their own wind-tossed wings, like lattices of crystal, these peacocks, surrounded by their peahens, are intoxicated with passion.

Shloka 38 (kishkindha.1.38)

मन्मथाभिपरीतस्य मम मन्मथवर्धनाः । पश्य लक्ष्मण नृत्यन्तं मयूरमुपनृत्यति ॥ 1.38 ॥

manmathābhiparītasya mama manmathavardhanāḥ | paśya lakṣmaṇa nṛtyantaṃ mayūramupanṛtyati || 1.38 ||

To me, overpowered by passion, they only deepen my longing further. Behold, Lakshmana, how the peahen dances along with her dancing mate.

Shloka 39 (kishkindha.1.39)

शिखिनी मन्मथार्तैषा भर्तारं गिरिसानुनि । तामेव मनसा रामां मयूरोऽप्यनुधावति ॥ 1.39 ॥

śikhinī manmathārtaiṣā bhartāraṃ girisānuni | tāmeva manasā rāmāṃ mayūro'pyanudhāvati || 1.39 ||

This peahen, tormented by longing, follows her mate along the mountain-ridge; and the peacock too, in his very heart, pursues that same beloved.

Shloka 40 (kishkindha.1.40)

वितत्य रुचिरौ पक्षौ रुतैरुपहसन्निव । मयूरस्य वने नूनं रक्षसा न हृता प्रिया ॥ 1.40 ॥

vitatya rucirau pakṣau rutairupahasanniva | mayūrasya vane nūnaṃ rakṣasā na hṛtā priyā || 1.40 ||

Spreading wide his two lovely wings, laughing as it were with his cry — surely, in this forest, no demon has carried off the peacock's beloved!

Shloka 41 (kishkindha.1.41)

तस्मान्नृत्यति रम्येषु वनेषु सह कान्तया । मम त्वयं विना वासः पुष्पमासे सुदुःसहः ॥ 1.41 ॥

tasmānnṛtyati ramyeṣu vaneṣu saha kāntayā | mama tvayaṃ vinā vāsaḥ puṣpamāse suduḥsahaḥ || 1.41 ||

Therefore he dances with his beloved in these lovely woods. But for me, this dwelling here without her, in the very season of flowers, is utterly unbearable.

Shloka 42 (kishkindha.1.42)

पश्य लक्ष्मण संरागस्तिर्यग्योनिगतेष्वपि । यदेषा शिखिनी कामाद् भर्तारमभिवर्तते ॥ 1.42 ॥

paśya lakṣmaṇa saṃrāgastiryagyonigateṣvapi | yadeṣā śikhinī kāmād bhartāramabhivartate || 1.42 ||

Behold, Lakshmana, what deep affection exists even among creatures born in lower forms of life — see how this peahen, out of love, turns toward her mate.

Shloka 43 (kishkindha.1.43)

ममाप्येवं विशालाक्षी जानकी जातसम्भ्रमा । मदनेनाभिवर्तेत यदि नापहृता भवेत् ॥ 1.43 ॥

mamāpyevaṃ viśālākṣī jānakī jātasambhramā | madanenābhivarteta yadi nāpahṛtā bhavet || 1.43 ||

In just the same way, my large-eyed Janaki too, stirred with eager love, would turn toward me out of passion — had she not been carried away.

Shloka 44 (kishkindha.1.44)

पश्य लक्ष्मण पुष्पाणि निष्फलानि भवन्ति मे । पुष्पभारसमृद्धानां वनानां शिशिरात्यये ॥ 1.44 ॥

paśya lakṣmaṇa puṣpāṇi niṣphalāni bhavanti me | puṣpabhārasamṛddhānāṃ vanānāṃ śiśirātyaye || 1.44 ||

See, Lakshmana, how, for me, even these flowers turn fruitless — the blossoms of forests laden richly with bloom, now that winter has passed.

Shloka 45 (kishkindha.1.45)

रुचिराण्यपि पुष्पाणि पादपानामतिश्रिया । निष्फलानि महीं यान्ति समं मधुकरोत्करैः ॥ 1.45 ॥

rucirāṇyapi puṣpāṇi pādapānāmatiśriyā | niṣphalāni mahīṃ yānti samaṃ madhukarotkaraiḥ || 1.45 ||

Even these lovely flowers, the very glory of the trees, fall fruitlessly to the ground, together with swarms of bees.

Shloka 46 (kishkindha.1.46)

नदन्ति कामं शकुना मुदिताः सङ्घशः कलम् । आह्वयन्त इवान्योन्यं कामोन्मादकरा मम ॥ 1.46 ॥

nadanti kāmaṃ śakunā muditāḥ saṅghaśaḥ kalam | āhvayanta ivānyonyaṃ kāmonmādakarā mama || 1.46 ||

The birds, delighted, cry out sweetly in flocks as they please, as though calling to one another — and they drive me mad with longing.

Shloka 47 (kishkindha.1.47)

वसन्तो यदि तत्रापि यत्र मे वसति प्रिया । नूनं परवशा सीता सापि शोचत्यहं यथा ॥ 1.47 ॥

vasanto yadi tatrāpi yatra me vasati priyā | nūnaṃ paravaśā sītā sāpi śocatyahaṃ yathā || 1.47 ||

If spring has come there too, where my beloved now dwells, then surely Sita, helpless as she is, grieves even as I do.

Shloka 48 (kishkindha.1.48)

नूनं न तु वसन्तस्तं देशं स्पृशति यत्र सा । कथं ह्यसितपद्माक्षी वर्तयेत् सा मया विना ॥ 1.48 ॥

nūnaṃ na tu vasantastaṃ deśaṃ spṛśati yatra sā | kathaṃ hyasitapadmākṣī vartayet sā mayā vinā || 1.48 ||

Or perhaps spring does not even touch that place where she is; for how could she, of the dark lotus-eyes, go on living there without me?

Shloka 49 (kishkindha.1.49)

अथवा वर्तते तत्र वसन्तो यत्र मे प्रिया । किं करिष्यति सुश्रोणी सा तु निर्भर्त्सिता परैः ॥ 1.49 ॥

athavā vartate tatra vasanto yatra me priyā | kiṃ kariṣyati suśroṇī sā tu nirbhartsitā paraiḥ || 1.49 ||

Or if spring indeed comes even where my beloved is, what can that lovely one do, threatened and tormented as she is by that stranger?

Shloka 50 (kishkindha.1.50)

श्यामा पद्मपलाशाक्षी मृदुभाषा च मे प्रिया । नूनं वसन्तमासाद्य परित्यक्ष्यति जीवितम् ॥ 1.50 ॥

śyāmā padmapalāśākṣī mṛdubhāṣā ca me priyā | nūnaṃ vasantamāsādya parityakṣyati jīvitam || 1.50 ||

My dark-hued, lotus-petal-eyed, soft-spoken beloved will surely, on meeting this very spring, give up her life.

Shloka 51 (kishkindha.1.51)

दृढं हि हृदये बुद्धिर्मम सम्परिवर्तते । नालं वर्तयितुं सीता साध्वी मद्विरहं गता ॥ 1.51 ॥

dṛḍhaṃ hi hṛdaye buddhirmama samparivartate | nālaṃ vartayituṃ sītā sādhvī madvirahaṃ gatā || 1.51 ||

For this thought turns firmly, again and again, in my heart: that virtuous Sita, fallen into separation from me, cannot go on living.

Shloka 52 (kishkindha.1.52)

मयि भावो हि वैदेह्यास्तत्त्वतो विनिवेशितः । ममापि भावः सीतायां सर्वथा विनिवेशितः ॥ 1.52 ॥

mayi bhāvo hi vaidehyāstattvato viniveśitaḥ | mamāpi bhāvaḥ sītāyāṃ sarvathā viniveśitaḥ || 1.52 ||

For Vaidehi's heart, in truth, is wholly fixed on me; and my heart too is entirely fixed on Sita.

Shloka 53 (kishkindha.1.53)

एष पुष्पवहो वायुः सुखस्पर्शो हिमावहः । तां विचिन्तयतः कान्तां पावकप्रतिमो मम ॥ 1.53 ॥

eṣa puṣpavaho vāyuḥ sukhasparśo himāvahaḥ | tāṃ vicintayataḥ kāntāṃ pāvakapratimo mama || 1.53 ||

This breeze, bearing flowers, pleasant to the touch and cool as snow, feels to me, ever thinking of my beloved, like very fire.

Shloka 54 (kishkindha.1.54)

सदा सुखमहं मन्ये यं पुरा सह सीतया । मारुतः स विना सीतां शोकसंजननो मम ॥ 1.54 ॥

sadā sukhamahaṃ manye yaṃ purā saha sītayā | mārutaḥ sa vinā sītāṃ śokasaṃjanano mama || 1.54 ||

That very breeze which, formerly, with Sita, I always thought pleasant — now, without Sita, has become the begetter of my grief.

Shloka 55 (kishkindha.1.55)

तां विनाथ विहङ्गोऽसौ पक्षी प्रणदितस्तदा । वायसः पादपगतः प्रहृष्टमभिकूजति ॥ 1.55 ॥

tāṃ vinātha vihaṅgo'sau pakṣī praṇaditastadā | vāyasaḥ pādapagataḥ prahṛṣṭamabhikūjati || 1.55 ||

Even without her here, this same bird that once called out so — the crow now perched upon a tree — coos joyously again.

Shloka 56 (kishkindha.1.56)

एष वै तत्र वैदेह्या विहगः प्रतिहारकः । पक्षी मां तु विशालाक्ष्याः समीपमुपनेष्यति ॥ 1.56 ॥

eṣa vai tatra vaidehyā vihagaḥ pratihārakaḥ | pakṣī māṃ tu viśālākṣyāḥ samīpamupaneṣyati || 1.56 ||

This very bird was once, there, Vaidehi's appointed herald; this bird will surely lead me into the presence of that wide-eyed one.

Shloka 57 (kishkindha.1.57)

पश्य लक्ष्मण संनादं वने मदविवर्धनम् । पुष्पिताग्रेषु वृक्षेषु द्विजानामवकूजताम् ॥ 1.57 ॥

paśya lakṣmaṇa saṃnādaṃ vane madavivardhanam | puṣpitāgreṣu vṛkṣeṣu dvijānāmavakūjatām || 1.57 ||

Behold, Lakshmana, this resonance in the forest that deepens my longing all the more — the cooing of birds upon the flower-tipped trees.

Shloka 58 (kishkindha.1.58)

विक्षिप्तां पवनेनैतामसौ तिलकमञ्जरीम् । षट्पदः सहसाभ्येति मदोद्धूतामिव प्रियाम् ॥ 1.58 ॥

vikṣiptāṃ pavanenaitāmasau tilakamañjarīm | ṣaṭpadaḥ sahasābhyeti madoddhūtāmiva priyām || 1.58 ||

Toward this wind-tossed Tilaka blossom the bee suddenly darts, as though toward his own beloved, roused by passion.

Shloka 59 (kishkindha.1.59)

कामिनामयमत्यन्तमशोकः शोकवर्धनः । स्तबकैः पवनोत्क्षिप्तैस्तर्जयन्निव मां स्थितः ॥ 1.59 ॥

kāmināmayamatyantamaśokaḥ śokavardhanaḥ | stabakaiḥ pavanotkṣiptaistarjayanniva māṃ sthitaḥ || 1.59 ||

This Ashoka tree, though named 'sorrow-less', is in truth for lovers a great increaser of sorrow; standing there with its wind-tossed clusters, it seems almost to threaten me.

Shloka 60 (kishkindha.1.60)

अमी लक्ष्मण दृश्यन्ते चूताः कुसुमशालिनः । विभ्रमोत्सिक्तमनसः साङ्गरागा नरा इव ॥ 1.60 ॥

amī lakṣmaṇa dṛśyante cūtāḥ kusumaśālinaḥ | vibhramotsiktamanasaḥ sāṅgarāgā narā iva || 1.60 ||

See, Lakshmana, these mango trees, resplendent with blossom, appear like men with their bodies smeared in fragrant unguents, their minds swollen with amorous delight.

Shloka 61 (kishkindha.1.61)

सौमित्रे पश्य पम्पायाश्चित्रासु वनराजिषु । किंनरा नरशार्दूल विचरन्ति यतस्ततः ॥ 1.61 ॥

saumitre paśya pampāyāścitrāsu vanarājiṣu | kiṃnarā naraśārdūla vicaranti yatastataḥ || 1.61 ||

O Saumitri, O tiger among men, behold — in Pampa's wondrous rows of forest, Kinnaras wander here and there.

Shloka 62 (kishkindha.1.62)

इमानि शुभगन्धीनि पश्य लक्ष्मण सर्वशः । नलिनानि प्रकाशन्ते जले तरुणसूर्यवत् ॥ 1.62 ॥

imāni śubhagandhīni paśya lakṣmaṇa sarvaśaḥ | nalināni prakāśante jale taruṇasūryavat || 1.62 ||

Behold, Lakshmana, these sweet-fragrant lotuses everywhere; they shine upon the water like the rising morning sun.

Shloka 63 (kishkindha.1.63)

एषा प्रसन्नसलिला पद्मनीलोत्पलायुता । हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा पम्पा सौगन्धिकायुता ॥ 1.63 ॥

eṣā prasannasalilā padmanīlotpalāyutā | haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇā pampā saugandhikāyutā || 1.63 ||

This Pampa, with her clear waters, filled with lotuses and blue water-lilies, thronging with swans and Karandava ducks, abounds also in fragrant lotus-blooms.

Shloka 64 (kishkindha.1.64)

जले तरुणसूर्याभैः षट्पदाहतकेसरैः । पङ्कजैः शोभते पम्पा समन्तादभिसंवृता ॥ 1.64 ॥

jale taruṇasūryābhaiḥ ṣaṭpadāhatakesaraiḥ | paṅkajaiḥ śobhate pampā samantādabhisaṃvṛtā || 1.64 ||

Pampa shines, wholly covered on every side with lotuses upon the water that gleam like the young sun, their filaments stirred by bees.

Shloka 65 (kishkindha.1.65)

चक्रवाकयुता नित्यं चित्रप्रस्थवनान्तरा । मातङ्गमृगयूथैश्च शोभते सलिलार्थिभिः ॥ 1.65 ॥

cakravākayutā nityaṃ citraprasthavanāntarā | mātaṅgamṛgayūthaiśca śobhate salilārthibhiḥ || 1.65 ||

Ever accompanied by Chakravaka birds, her forest-plateaus wondrous, she shines too with herds of elephants and deer that come there seeking water.

Shloka 66 (kishkindha.1.66)

पवनाहतवेगाभिरूर्मिभिर्विमलेऽम्भसि । पङ्कजानि विराजन्ते ताड्यमानानि लक्ष्मण ॥ 1.66 ॥

pavanāhatavegābhirūrmibhirvimale'mbhasi | paṅkajāni virājante tāḍyamānāni lakṣmaṇa || 1.66 ||

On her clear water, Lakshmana, the lotuses, buffeted by waves driven swiftly by the wind, shine forth all the more.

Shloka 67 (kishkindha.1.67)

पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षीं सततं प्रियपङ्कजाम् । अपश्यतो मे वैदेहीं जीवितं नाभिरोचते ॥ 1.67 ॥

padmapatraviśālākṣīṃ satataṃ priyapaṅkajām | apaśyato me vaidehīṃ jīvitaṃ nābhirocate || 1.67 ||

Vaidehi, whose eyes are wide as lotus-petals, who ever loved the lotus — not seeing her, life itself does not please me.

Shloka 68 (kishkindha.1.68)

अहो कामस्य वामत्वं यो गतामपि दुर्लभाम् । स्मारयिष्यति कल्याणीं कल्याणतरवादिनीम् ॥ 1.68 ॥

aho kāmasya vāmatvaṃ yo gatāmapi durlabhām | smārayiṣyati kalyāṇīṃ kalyāṇataravādinīm || 1.68 ||

Ah, how perverse is the god of love, that he should make me recall her — gone now and unattainable, that most gracious one of the sweetest speech!

Shloka 69 (kishkindha.1.69)

शक्यो धारयितुं कामो भवेदभ्यागतो मया । यदि भूयो वसन्तो मां न हन्यात् पुष्पितद्रुमः ॥ 1.69 ॥

śakyo dhārayituṃ kāmo bhavedabhyāgato mayā | yadi bhūyo vasanto māṃ na hanyāt puṣpitadrumaḥ || 1.69 ||

I might well bear this passion that has overtaken me, were it not that this spring, its trees in bloom, strikes me down again and again.

Shloka 70 (kishkindha.1.70)

यानि स्म रमणीयानि तया सह भवन्ति मे । तान्येवारमणीयानि जायन्ते मे तया विना ॥ 1.70 ॥

yāni sma ramaṇīyāni tayā saha bhavanti me | tānyevāramaṇīyāni jāyante me tayā vinā || 1.70 ||

Those very things that once seemed delightful to me when she was with me, those same things, now without her, have become unpleasant to me.

Shloka 71 (kishkindha.1.71)

पद्मकोशपलाशानि द्रष्टुं दृष्टिर्हि मन्यते । सीताया नेत्रकोशाभ्यां सदृशानीति लक्ष्मण ॥ 1.71 ॥

padmakośapalāśāni draṣṭuṃ dṛṣṭirhi manyate | sītāyā netrakośābhyāṃ sadṛśānīti lakṣmaṇa || 1.71 ||

Looking at these lotus-petals, O Lakshmana, my gaze imagines that they resemble Sita's own two eyes.

Shloka 72 (kishkindha.1.72)

पद्मकेसरसंसृष्टो वृक्षान्तरविनिःसृतः । निःश्वास इव सीताया वाति वायुर्मनोहरः ॥ 1.72 ॥

padmakesarasaṃsṛṣṭo vṛkṣāntaraviniḥsṛtaḥ | niḥśvāsa iva sītāyā vāti vāyurmanoharaḥ || 1.72 ||

This enchanting breeze, mingled with lotus-pollen and issuing forth from among the trees, blows as if it were Sita's very breath.

Shloka 73 (kishkindha.1.73)

सौमित्रे पश्य पम्पाया दक्षिणे गिरिसानुषु । पुष्पितां कर्णिकारस्य यष्टिं परमशोभिताम् ॥ 1.73 ॥

saumitre paśya pampāyā dakṣiṇe girisānuṣu | puṣpitāṃ karṇikārasya yaṣṭiṃ paramaśobhitām || 1.73 ||

O Saumitri, behold, on the southern ridges of Pampa, the flowering, most beautiful bough of the Karnikara tree.

Shloka 74 (kishkindha.1.74)

अधिकं शैलराजोऽयं धातुभिस्तु विभूषितः । विचित्रं सृजते रेणुं वायुवेगविघट्टितम् ॥ 1.74 ॥

adhikaṃ śailarājo'yaṃ dhātubhistu vibhūṣitaḥ | vicitraṃ sṛjate reṇuṃ vāyuvegavighaṭṭitam || 1.74 ||

This king of mountains, richly adorned with its mineral ores, scatters wondrous-coloured dust, stirred up by the force of the wind.

Shloka 75 (kishkindha.1.75)

गिरिप्रस्थास्तु सौमित्रे सर्वतः सम्प्रपुष्पितैः । निष्पत्रैः सर्वतो रम्यैः प्रदीप्ता इव किंशुकैः ॥ 1.75 ॥

giriprasthāstu saumitre sarvataḥ samprapuṣpitaiḥ | niṣpatraiḥ sarvato ramyaiḥ pradīptā iva kiṃśukaiḥ || 1.75 ||

O Saumitri, the mountain plateaus, all around, seem as if ablaze with the lovely, leafless, richly flowering Kimshuka trees.

Shloka 76 (kishkindha.1.76)

पम्पातीररुहाश्चेमे संसिक्ता मधुगन्धिनः । मालतीमल्लिकापद्मकरवीराश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ 1.76 ॥

pampātīraruhāśceme saṃsiktā madhugandhinaḥ | mālatīmallikāpadmakaravīrāśca puṣpitāḥ || 1.76 ||

These plants growing on Pampa's banks, well-watered and honey-scented, are in bloom — jasmine, mallika, lotus, and oleander.

Shloka 77 (kishkindha.1.77)

केतक्यः सिन्दुवाराश्च वासन्त्यश्च सुपुष्पिताः । माधव्यो गन्धपूर्णाश्च कुन्दगुल्माश्च सर्वशः ॥ 1.77 ॥

ketakyaḥ sinduvārāśca vāsantyaśca supuṣpitāḥ | mādhavyo gandhapūrṇāśca kundagulmāśca sarvaśaḥ || 1.77 ||

The screw-pines, the Sinduvara shrubs, and the spring-jasmines are all richly in bloom; so too, everywhere, the fragrant Madhavi creepers and Kunda bushes.

Shloka 78 (kishkindha.1.78)

चिरिबिल्वा मधूकाश्च वञ्जुला बकुलास्तथा । चम्पकास्तिलकाश्चैव नागवृक्षाश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ 1.78 ॥

ciribilvā madhūkāśca vañjulā bakulāstathā | campakāstilakāścaiva nāgavṛkṣāśca puṣpitāḥ || 1.78 ||

The Ciribilva, the Mahua, the Vanjula and Bakula trees, as well as the Champaka, Tilaka, and Naga trees, all stand in flower.

Shloka 79 (kishkindha.1.79)

पद्मकाश्चैव शोभन्ते नीलाशोकाश्च पुष्पिताः । लोध्राश्च गिरिपृष्ठेषु सिंहकेसरपिञ्जराः ॥ 1.79 ॥

padmakāścaiva śobhante nīlāśokāśca puṣpitāḥ | lodhrāśca giripṛṣṭheṣu siṃhakesarapiñjarāḥ || 1.79 ||

The Padmaka trees shine forth, and the dark Ashokas are in bloom; and on the mountain-slopes the Lodhra trees glow tawny as a lion's mane.

Shloka 80 (kishkindha.1.80)

अङ्कोलाश्च कुरण्टाश्च चूर्णकाः पारिभद्रकाः । चूताः पाटलयश्चापि कोविदाराश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ 1.80 ॥

aṅkolāśca kuraṇṭāśca cūrṇakāḥ pāribhadrakāḥ | cūtāḥ pāṭalayaścāpi kovidārāśca puṣpitāḥ || 1.80 ||

The Ankola and Kuranta shrubs, the Churnaka and Paribhadraka trees, and the mango, the Patala, and the Kovidara trees besides, are all in flower.

Shloka 81 (kishkindha.1.81)

मुचुकुन्दार्जुनाश्चैव दृश्यन्ते गिरिसानुषु । केतकोद्दालकाश्चैव शिरीषाः शिंशपा धवाः ॥ 1.81 ॥

mucukundārjunāścaiva dṛśyante girisānuṣu | ketakoddālakāścaiva śirīṣāḥ śiṃśapā dhavāḥ || 1.81 ||

On the mountain-ridges are seen the Muchukunda and Arjuna trees, the Ketaka and Uddalaka, and the Shirisha, Shimshapa, and Dhava trees.

Shloka 82 (kishkindha.1.82)

शाल्मल्यः किंशुकाश्चैव रक्ताः कुरबकास्तथा । तिनिशा नक्तमालाश्च चन्दनाः स्यन्दनास्तथा ॥ 1.82 ॥

śālmalyaḥ kiṃśukāścaiva raktāḥ kurabakāstathā | tiniśā naktamālāśca candanāḥ syandanāstathā || 1.82 ||

The Shalmali and Kimshuka trees, and the red Kurabaka too; the Tinisha, Naktamala, sandalwood, and Syandana trees as well.

Shloka 83 (kishkindha.1.83)

हिन्तालास्तिलकाश्चैव नागवृक्षाश्च पुष्पिताः । पुष्पितान् पुष्पिताग्राभिर्लताभिः परिवेष्टितान् ॥ 1.83 ॥

hintālāstilakāścaiva nāgavṛkṣāśca puṣpitāḥ | puṣpitān puṣpitāgrābhirlatābhiḥ pariveṣṭitān || 1.83 ||

The Hintala, Tilaka, and Naga trees stand in flower, their blossoming crowns entwined all about by flowering creepers.

Shloka 84 (kishkindha.1.84)

द्रुमान् पश्येह सौमित्रे पम्पाया रुचिरान् बहून् । वातविक्षिप्तविटपान् यथासन्नान् द्रुमानिमान् ॥ 1.84 ॥

drumān paśyeha saumitre pampāyā rucirān bahūn | vātavikṣiptaviṭapān yathāsannān drumānimān || 1.84 ||

Behold here, O Saumitri, these many lovely trees of Pampa, their boughs tossed by the wind, standing close one against another.

Shloka 85 (kishkindha.1.85)

लताः समनुवर्तन्ते मत्ता इव वरस्त्रियः । पादपात् पादपं गच्छन् शैलाच्छैलं वनाद् वनम् ॥ 1.85 ॥

latāḥ samanuvartante mattā iva varastriyaḥ | pādapāt pādapaṃ gacchan śailācchailaṃ vanād vanam || 1.85 ||

The creepers press on, like women intoxicated with passion, passing from tree to tree, from mountain to mountain, from forest to forest.

Shloka 86 (kishkindha.1.86)

वाति नैकरसास्वादसम्मोदित इवानिलः । केचित् पर्याप्तकुसुमाः पादपा मधुगन्धिनः ॥ 1.86 ॥

vāti naikarasāsvādasammodita ivānilaḥ | kecit paryāptakusumāḥ pādapā madhugandhinaḥ || 1.86 ||

The breeze blows as though delighted at tasting many flavours; some trees stand laden fully with flowers, honey-scented.

Shloka 87 (kishkindha.1.87)

केचिन्मुकुलसंवीताः श्यामवर्णा इवाबभुः । इदं मृष्टमिदं स्वादु प्रफुल्लमिदमित्यपि ॥ 1.87 ॥

kecinmukulasaṃvītāḥ śyāmavarṇā ivābabhuḥ | idaṃ mṛṣṭamidaṃ svādu praphullamidamityapi || 1.87 ||

Some, still covered with buds, appeared dark in hue, as though the bee were murmuring: 'This one is delicious, this one is sweet, and this one is in full bloom' —

Shloka 88 (kishkindha.1.88)

रागरक्तो मधुकरः कुसुमेष्वेव लीयते । निलीय पुनरुत्पत्य सहसान्यत्र गच्छति । मधुलुब्धो मधुकरः पम्पातीरद्रुमेष्वसौ ॥ 1.88 ॥

rāgarakto madhukaraḥ kusumeṣveva līyate | nilīya punarutpatya sahasānyatra gacchati | madhulubdho madhukaraḥ pampātīradrumeṣvasau || 1.88 ||

— so this bee, reddened with passion, buries itself among the flowers alone; hiding, then rising up again, it darts suddenly elsewhere — this honey-greedy bee, among the trees on Pampa's banks.

Shloka 89 (kishkindha.1.89)

इयं कुसुमसंघातैरुपस्तीर्णा सुखाकृता । स्वयं निपतितैर्भूमिः शयनप्रस्तरैरिव ॥ 1.89 ॥

iyaṃ kusumasaṃghātairupastīrṇā sukhākṛtā | svayaṃ nipatitairbhūmiḥ śayanaprastarairiva || 1.89 ||

This ground, spread over with masses of flowers fallen of themselves, has become as pleasant as a bed of stone laid with soft coverings.

Shloka 90 (kishkindha.1.90)

विविधा विविधैः पुष्पैस्तैरेव नगसानुषु । विस्तीर्णाः पीतरक्ताभाः सौमित्रे प्रस्तराः कृताः ॥ 1.90 ॥

vividhā vividhaiḥ puṣpaistaireva nagasānuṣu | vistīrṇāḥ pītaraktābhāḥ saumitre prastarāḥ kṛtāḥ || 1.90 ||

O Saumitri, on the mountain-ridges, broad rock-ledges have been spread and coloured yellow and red by these same manifold flowers.

Shloka 91 (kishkindha.1.91)

हिमान्ते पश्य सौमित्रे वृक्षाणां पुष्पसम्भवम् । पुष्पमासे हि तरवः संघर्षादिव पुष्पिताः ॥ 1.91 ॥

himānte paśya saumitre vṛkṣāṇāṃ puṣpasambhavam | puṣpamāse hi taravaḥ saṃgharṣādiva puṣpitāḥ || 1.91 ||

Behold, O Saumitri, at winter's end, the trees bursting into flower; in this month of blossoms they seem to bloom as though in rivalry with one another.

Shloka 92 (kishkindha.1.92)

आह्वयन्त इवान्योन्यं नगाः षट्पदनादिताः । कुसुमोत्तंसविटपाः शोभन्ते बहु लक्ष्मण ॥ 1.92 ॥

āhvayanta ivānyonyaṃ nagāḥ ṣaṭpadanāditāḥ | kusumottaṃsaviṭapāḥ śobhante bahu lakṣmaṇa || 1.92 ||

O Lakshmana, these trees, resounding with bees, their boughs crowned with flowers as ornaments, shine forth greatly, as if calling out to one another.

Shloka 93 (kishkindha.1.93)

एष कारण्डवः पक्षी विगाह्य सलिलं शुभम् । रमते कान्तया सार्धं काममुद्दीपयन्निव ॥ 1.93 ॥

eṣa kāraṇḍavaḥ pakṣī vigāhya salilaṃ śubham | ramate kāntayā sārdhaṃ kāmamuddīpayanniva || 1.93 ||

This Karandava bird, plunging into the clear water, sports with his mate, as though kindling passion all the more.

Shloka 94 (kishkindha.1.94)

मन्दाकिन्यास्तु यदिदं रूपमेतन्मनोरमम् । स्थाने जगति विख्याता गुणास्तस्या मनोरमाः ॥ 1.94 ॥

mandākinyāstu yadidaṃ rūpametanmanoramam | sthāne jagati vikhyātā guṇāstasyā manoramāḥ || 1.94 ||

If this is indeed the form of the celestial Mandakini, so lovely to behold, then rightly is her fame renowned throughout the world.

Shloka 95 (kishkindha.1.95)

यदि दृश्येत सा साध्वी यदि चेह वसेमहि । स्पृहयेयं न शक्राय नायोध्यायै रघूत्तम ॥ 1.95 ॥

yadi dṛśyeta sā sādhvī yadi ceha vasemahi | spṛhayeyaṃ na śakrāya nāyodhyāyai raghūttama || 1.95 ||

O best of the Raghus, could that virtuous one but appear here, and could we dwell here together, I would not envy even Indra, nor long for Ayodhya.

Shloka 96 (kishkindha.1.96)

न ह्येवं रमणीयेषु शाद्वलेषु तया सह । रमतो मे भवेच्चिन्ता न स्पृहान्येषु वा भवेत् ॥ 1.96 ॥

na hyevaṃ ramaṇīyeṣu śādvaleṣu tayā saha | ramato me bhaveccintā na spṛhānyeṣu vā bhavet || 1.96 ||

For, sporting thus with her in these delightful green meadows, I would have no anxiety, nor would I long for anything besides.

Shloka 97 (kishkindha.1.97)

अमी हि विविधैः पुष्पैस्तरवो विविधच्छदाः । काननेऽस्मिन् विना कान्तां चिन्तामुत्पादयन्ति मे ॥ 1.97 ॥

amī hi vividhaiḥ puṣpaistaravo vividhacchadāḥ | kānane'smin vinā kāntāṃ cintāmutpādayanti me || 1.97 ||

But these trees, with their many leaves and many flowers, in this forest, without my beloved, only breed anxiety in me.

Shloka 98 (kishkindha.1.98)

पश्य शीतजलां चेमां सौमित्रे पुष्करायुताम् । चक्रवाकानुचरितां कारण्डवनिषेविताम् ॥ 1.98 ॥

paśya śītajalāṃ cemāṃ saumitre puṣkarāyutām | cakravākānucaritāṃ kāraṇḍavaniṣevitām || 1.98 ||

Behold, O Saumitri, this cool-watered Pampa, filled with lotuses, frequented by Chakravaka birds and resorted to by Karandava ducks.

Shloka 99 (kishkindha.1.99)

प्लवैः क्रौञ्चैश्च सम्पूर्णां महामृगनिषेविताम् । अधिकं शोभते पम्पा विकूजद्भिर्विहंगमैः ॥ 1.99 ॥

plavaiḥ krauñcaiśca sampūrṇāṃ mahāmṛganiṣevitām | adhikaṃ śobhate pampā vikūjadbhirvihaṃgamaiḥ || 1.99 ||

Full of Plava waterfowl and Krauncha birds, resorted to by great wild creatures, Pampa shines forth all the more, alive with cooing birds.

Shloka 100 (kishkindha.1.100)

दीपयन्तीव मे कामं विविधा मुदिता द्विजाः । श्यामां चन्द्रमुखीं स्मृत्वा प्रियां पद्मनिभेक्षणाम् ॥ 1.100 ॥

dīpayantīva me kāmaṃ vividhā muditā dvijāḥ | śyāmāṃ candramukhīṃ smṛtvā priyāṃ padmanibhekṣaṇām || 1.100 ||

These many joyous birds seem to kindle my longing all the more, as I recall my beloved — dark-hued, moon-faced, lotus-eyed.

Shloka 101 (kishkindha.1.101)

पश्य सानुषु चित्रेषु मृगीभिः सहितान् मृगान् । मां पुनर्मृगशावाक्ष्या वैदेह्या विरहीकृतम् । व्यथयन्तीव मे चित्तं संचरन्तस्ततस्ततः ॥ 1.101 ॥

paśya sānuṣu citreṣu mṛgībhiḥ sahitān mṛgān | māṃ punarmṛgaśāvākṣyā vaidehyā virahīkṛtam | vyathayantīva me cittaṃ saṃcarantastatastataḥ || 1.101 ||

Behold, on these varied mountain-ridges, the deer together with their does; and I, parted from fawn-eyed Vaidehi, find them, wandering here and there, torment my very heart.

Shloka 102 (kishkindha.1.102)

अस्मिन् सानुनि रम्ये हि मत्तद्विजगणाकुले । पश्येयं यदि तां कान्तां ततः स्वस्ति भवेन्मम ॥ 1.102 ॥

asmin sānuni ramye hi mattadvijagaṇākule | paśyeyaṃ yadi tāṃ kāntāṃ tataḥ svasti bhavenmama || 1.102 ||

If, upon this lovely ridge, thronging with flocks of intoxicated birds, I could but see that beloved one, then well-being would surely come to me.

Shloka 103 (kishkindha.1.103)

जीवेयं खलु सौमित्रे मया सह सुमध्यमा । सेवेत यदि वैदेही पम्पायाः पवनं शुभम् ॥ 1.103 ॥

jīveyaṃ khalu saumitre mayā saha sumadhyamā | seveta yadi vaidehī pampāyāḥ pavanaṃ śubham || 1.103 ||

Indeed, O Saumitri, I would go on living, could that slender-waisted Vaidehi but enjoy, together with me, this gracious breeze of Pampa.

Shloka 104 (kishkindha.1.104)

पद्मसौगन्धिकवहं शिवं शोकविनाशनम् । धन्या लक्ष्मण सेवन्ते पम्पाया वनमारुतम् ॥ 1.104 ॥

padmasaugandhikavahaṃ śivaṃ śokavināśanam | dhanyā lakṣmaṇa sevante pampāyā vanamārutam || 1.104 ||

Blessed indeed, O Lakshmana, are they who enjoy Pampa's forest-breeze, bearing the fragrance of lotus and water-lily, auspicious and grief-destroying.

Shloka 105 (kishkindha.1.105)

श्यामा पद्मपलाशाक्षी प्रिया विरहिता मया । कथं धारयति प्राणान् विवशा जनकात्मजा ॥ 1.105 ॥

śyāmā padmapalāśākṣī priyā virahitā mayā | kathaṃ dhārayati prāṇān vivaśā janakātmajā || 1.105 ||

How does she, dark-hued, lotus-petal-eyed, my beloved daughter of Janaka, helpless and parted from me, sustain her very life at all?

Shloka 106 (kishkindha.1.106)

किं नु वक्ष्यामि धर्मज्ञं राजानं सत्यवादिनम् । जनकं पृष्टसीतं तं कुशलं जनसंसदि ॥ 1.106 ॥

kiṃ nu vakṣyāmi dharmajñaṃ rājānaṃ satyavādinam | janakaṃ pṛṣṭasītaṃ taṃ kuśalaṃ janasaṃsadi || 1.106 ||

What indeed shall I say to King Janaka, knower of Dharma and speaker of truth, when in the assembly of his people he asks after Sita's welfare?

Shloka 107 (kishkindha.1.107)

या मामनुगता मन्दं पित्रा प्रस्थापितं वनम् । सीता धर्मं समास्थाय क्व नु सा वर्तते प्रिया ॥ 1.107 ॥

yā māmanugatā mandaṃ pitrā prasthāpitaṃ vanam | sītā dharmaṃ samāsthāya kva nu sā vartate priyā || 1.107 ||

She who, holding fast to Dharma, followed patiently after me, sent to the forest by her own father — where, indeed, is that beloved Sita now?

Shloka 108 (kishkindha.1.108)

तया विहीनः कृपणः कथं लक्ष्मण धारये । या मामनुगता राज्याद् भ्रष्टं विहतचेतसम् ॥ 1.108 ॥

tayā vihīnaḥ kṛpaṇaḥ kathaṃ lakṣmaṇa dhāraye | yā māmanugatā rājyād bhraṣṭaṃ vihatacetasam || 1.108 ||

Deprived of her, O Lakshmana, how, wretched as I am, shall I go on — she who followed even me, cast out of my kingdom, my mind shattered?

Shloka 109 (kishkindha.1.109)

तच्चार्वाञ्चितपद्माक्षं सुगन्धि शुभमव्रणम् । अपश्यतो मुखं तस्याः सीदतीव मतिर्मम ॥ 1.109 ॥

taccārvāñcitapadmākṣaṃ sugandhi śubhamavraṇam | apaśyato mukhaṃ tasyāḥ sīdatīva matirmama || 1.109 ||

Not seeing her lovely, curved, lotus-eyed face, fragrant, auspicious, and unblemished, my mind seems to sink into despair.

Shloka 110 (kishkindha.1.110)

स्मितहास्यान्तरयुतं गुणवन्मधुरं हितम् । वैदेह्या वाक्यमतुलं कदा श्रोष्यामि लक्ष्मण ॥ 1.110 ॥

smitahāsyāntarayutaṃ guṇavanmadhuraṃ hitam | vaidehyā vākyamatulaṃ kadā śroṣyāmi lakṣmaṇa || 1.110 ||

O Lakshmana, when shall I hear again Vaidehi's incomparable speech, touched with gentle smiles, full of virtue, sweet, and full of good will?

Shloka 111 (kishkindha.1.111)

प्राप्य दुःखं वने श्यामा मां मन्मथविकर्शितम् । नष्टदुःखेव हृष्टेव साध्वी साध्वभ्यभाषत ॥ 1.111 ॥

prāpya duḥkhaṃ vane śyāmā māṃ manmathavikarśitam | naṣṭaduḥkheva hṛṣṭeva sādhvī sādhvabhyabhāṣata || 1.111 ||

Even amid the sorrow of the forest, that virtuous, dark-hued one, seeing me tormented by longing, would speak to me gently, as though her own grief had vanished, as though joyful.

Shloka 112 (kishkindha.1.112)

किं नु वक्ष्याम्ययोध्यायां कौसल्यां हि नृपात्मज । क्व सा स्नुषेति पृच्छन्तीं कथं चापि मनस्विनीम् ॥ 1.112 ॥

kiṃ nu vakṣyāmyayodhyāyāṃ kausalyāṃ hi nṛpātmaja | kva sā snuṣeti pṛcchantīṃ kathaṃ cāpi manasvinīm || 1.112 ||

O prince, what indeed shall I say in Ayodhya to noble Kausalya, when she asks, 'Where now is my daughter-in-law?' — and how shall I answer her?

Shloka 113 (kishkindha.1.113)

गच्छ लक्ष्मण पश्य त्वं भरतं भ्रातृवत्सलम् । नह्यहं जीवितुं शक्तस्तामृते जनकात्मजाम् ॥ 1.113 ॥

gaccha lakṣmaṇa paśya tvaṃ bharataṃ bhrātṛvatsalam | nahyahaṃ jīvituṃ śaktastāmṛte janakātmajām || 1.113 ||

Go, Lakshmana, go see our brother-loving Bharata; for I am not able to live on without her, the daughter of Janaka.

Shloka 114 (kishkindha.1.114)

इति रामं महात्मानं विलपन्तमनाथवत् । उवाच लक्ष्मणो भ्राता वचनं युक्तमव्ययम् ॥ 1.114 ॥

iti rāmaṃ mahātmānaṃ vilapantamanāthavat | uvāca lakṣmaṇo bhrātā vacanaṃ yuktamavyayam || 1.114 ||

To Rama, the great-souled one, lamenting thus like one bereft of any protector, his brother Lakshmana spoke these fitting, steadfast words:

Shloka 115 (kishkindha.1.115)

संस्तम्भ राम भद्रं ते मा शुचः पुरुषोत्तम । नेदृशानां मतिर्मन्दा भवत्यकलुषात्मनाम् ॥ 1.115 ॥

saṃstambha rāma bhadraṃ te mā śucaḥ puruṣottama | nedṛśānāṃ matirmandā bhavatyakaluṣātmanām || 1.115 ||

Compose yourself, Rama; good fortune attend you, O best of men; do not grieve. The minds of those whose souls are pure and untainted are never so overcome.

Shloka 116 (kishkindha.1.116)

स्मृत्वा वियोगजं दुःखं त्यज स्नेहं प्रिये जने । अतिस्नेहपरिष्वङ्गाद् वर्तिरार्द्रापि दह्यते ॥ 1.116 ॥

smṛtvā viyogajaṃ duḥkhaṃ tyaja snehaṃ priye jane | atisnehapariṣvaṅgād vartirārdrāpi dahyate || 1.116 ||

Recalling the pain born of separation, put aside such excessive attachment even to a loved one; for from the too-close embrace of excessive affection, even a moist lamp-wick is burnt away.

Shloka 117 (kishkindha.1.117)

यदि गच्छति पातालं ततोऽभ्यधिकमेव वा । सर्वथा रावणस्तात न भविष्यति राघव ॥ 1.117 ॥

yadi gacchati pātālaṃ tato'bhyadhikameva vā | sarvathā rāvaṇastāta na bhaviṣyati rāghava || 1.117 ||

Even should he flee to the netherworld, or further still beyond, by no means whatsoever, dear Raghava, will Ravana escape his fate.

Shloka 118 (kishkindha.1.118)

प्रवृत्तिर्लभ्यतां तावत् तस्य पापस्य रक्षसः । ततो हास्यति वा सीतां निधनं वा गमिष्यति ॥ 1.118 ॥

pravṛttirlabhyatāṃ tāvat tasya pāpasya rakṣasaḥ | tato hāsyati vā sītāṃ nidhanaṃ vā gamiṣyati || 1.118 ||

Let word first be gained of that sinful demon; then either he will give up Sita, or he will go to his death.

Shloka 119 (kishkindha.1.119)

यदि याति दितेर्गर्भं रावणं सह सीतया । तत्राप्येनं हनिष्यामि न चेद् दास्यति मैथिलीम् ॥ 1.119 ॥

yadi yāti ditergarbhaṃ rāvaṇaṃ saha sītayā | tatrāpyenaṃ haniṣyāmi na ced dāsyati maithilīm || 1.119 ||

Even should Ravana flee with Sita into the very womb of Diti, if he will not give back Maithili, I shall slay him there as well.

Shloka 120 (kishkindha.1.120)

स्वास्थ्यं भद्रं भजस्वार्य त्यज्यतां कृपणा मतिः । अर्थो हि नष्टकार्यार्थैरयत्नेनाधिगम्यते ॥ 1.120 ॥

svāsthyaṃ bhadraṃ bhajasvārya tyajyatāṃ kṛpaṇā matiḥ | artho hi naṣṭakāryārthairayatnenādhigamyate || 1.120 ||

Be composed, noble one; be of good cheer; give up this abject state of mind. For even when a task seems lost, its end is still won by those who do not cease to strive.

Shloka 121 (kishkindha.1.121)

उत्साहो बलवानार्य नास्त्युत्साहात् परं बलम् । सोत्साहस्य हि लोकेषु न किंचिदपि दुर्लभम् ॥ 1.121 ॥

utsāho balavānārya nāstyutsāhāt paraṃ balam | sotsāhasya hi lokeṣu na kiṃcidapi durlabham || 1.121 ||

Resolve, O noble one, is the mightiest strength; there is no strength higher than resolve. To one who possesses resolve, nothing whatsoever in all the worlds is beyond reach.

Shloka 122 (kishkindha.1.122)

उत्साहवन्तः पुरुषा नावसीदन्ति कर्मसु । उत्साहमात्रमाश्रित्य प्रतिलप्स्याम जानकीम् ॥ 1.122 ॥

utsāhavantaḥ puruṣā nāvasīdanti karmasu | utsāhamātramāśritya pratilapsyāma jānakīm || 1.122 ||

Men possessed of resolve never falter in their undertakings. By resolve alone shall we surely win Janaki back.

Shloka 123 (kishkindha.1.123)

त्यजतां कामवृत्तत्वं शोकं संन्यस्य पृष्ठतः । महात्मानं कृतात्मानमात्मानं नावबुध्यसे ॥ 1.123 ॥

tyajatāṃ kāmavṛttatvaṃ śokaṃ saṃnyasya pṛṣṭhataḥ | mahātmānaṃ kṛtātmānamātmānaṃ nāvabudhyase || 1.123 ||

Give up this yielding to passion; cast your grief behind you. You fail to recognize your own self — great-souled, self-mastered as you are.

Shloka 124 (kishkindha.1.124)

एवं सम्बोधितस्तेन शोकोपहतचेतनः । त्यज्य शोकं च मोहं च रामो धैर्यमुपागमत् ॥ 1.124 ॥

evaṃ sambodhitastena śokopahatacetanaḥ | tyajya śokaṃ ca mohaṃ ca rāmo dhairyamupāgamat || 1.124 ||

Thus counselled by him, Rama, his mind till then overwhelmed by grief, cast aside both sorrow and confusion, and regained his composure.

Shloka 125 (kishkindha.1.125)

सोऽभ्यतिक्रामदव्यग्रस्तामचिन्त्यपराक्रमः । रामः पम्पां सुरुचिरां रम्यां पारिप्लवद्रुमाम् ॥ 1.125 ॥

so'bhyatikrāmadavyagrastāmacintyaparākramaḥ | rāmaḥ pampāṃ surucirāṃ ramyāṃ pāriplavadrumām || 1.125 ||

Then Rama, of inconceivable prowess, calm once more, passed on beyond that most lovely, delightful Pampa with her wind-tossed trees.

Shloka 126 (kishkindha.1.126)

निरीक्षमाणः सहसा महात्मा सर्वं वनं निर्झरकन्दरं च । उद्विग्नचेताः सह लक्ष्मणेन विचार्य दुःखोपहतः प्रतस्थे ॥ 1.126 ॥

nirīkṣamāṇaḥ sahasā mahātmā sarvaṃ vanaṃ nirjharakandaraṃ ca | udvignacetāḥ saha lakṣmaṇena vicārya duḥkhopahataḥ pratasthe || 1.126 ||

That great soul, surveying at once the whole forest with its waterfalls and caves, his mind still troubled, took counsel with Lakshmana, and, though stricken with sorrow, set forth.

Shloka 127 (kishkindha.1.127)

तं मत्तमातङ्गविलासगामी गच्छन्तमव्यग्रमना महात्मा । स लक्ष्मणो राघवमिष्टचेष्टो ररक्ष धर्मेण बलेन चैव ॥ 1.127 ॥

taṃ mattamātaṅgavilāsagāmī gacchantamavyagramanā mahātmā | sa lakṣmaṇo rāghavamiṣṭaceṣṭo rarakṣa dharmeṇa balena caiva || 1.127 ||

As he went along with the gait of a stately, passion-roused elephant, calm of mind, that great-souled Lakshmana, ever eager to serve, guarded Raghava with both righteousness and strength.

Shloka 128 (kishkindha.1.128)

तावृष्यमूकस्य समीपचारी चरन् ददर्शाद्भुतदर्शनीयौ । शाखामृगाणामधिपस्तरस्वी वितत्रसे नैव विचेष्ट चेष्टाम् ॥ 1.128 ॥

tāvṛṣyamūkasya samīpacārī caran dadarśādbhutadarśanīyau | śākhāmṛgāṇāmadhipastarasvī vitatrase naiva viceṣṭa ceṣṭām || 1.128 ||

Roaming near Rishyamuka, the swift lord of the monkeys, seeing these two of wondrous appearance as they moved along, grew so afraid that he could not so much as stir.

Shloka 129 (kishkindha.1.129)

स तौ महात्मा गजमन्दगामी शाखामृगस्तत्र चरंश्चरन्तौ । दृष्ट्वा विषादं परमं जगाम चिन्तापरीतो भयभारभग्नः ॥ 1.129 ॥

sa tau mahātmā gajamandagāmī śākhāmṛgastatra caraṃścarantau | dṛṣṭvā viṣādaṃ paramaṃ jagāma cintāparīto bhayabhārabhagnaḥ || 1.129 ||

That great monkey, with the gait of a stately elephant, roaming there, on seeing those two moving about, fell into utter dejection, overwhelmed with anxiety, crushed beneath the weight of fear.

Shloka 130 (kishkindha.1.130)

तमाश्रमं पुण्यसुखं शरण्यं सदैव शाखामृगसेवितान्तम् । त्रस्ताश्च दृष्ट्वा हरयोऽभिजग्मुर्महौजसौ राघवलक्ष्मणौ तौ ॥ 1.130 ॥

tamāśramaṃ puṇyasukhaṃ śaraṇyaṃ sadaiva śākhāmṛgasevitāntam | trastāśca dṛṣṭvā harayo'bhijagmurmahaujasau rāghavalakṣmaṇau tau || 1.130 ||

Terrified at the sight of those two mighty ones, Raghava and Lakshmana, the monkeys fled to that sacred, blissful, refuge-giving haunt, ever frequented by their kind.