Farewell to Janaka and the Assembled Kings

Shloka 1 (uttara.38.1)

एवमास्ते महाबाहुरहन्यहनि राघवः । प्रशासत्सर्वकार्याणि पौरजानपदेषु च ।। 38.1 ।।

evamāste mahābāhurahanyahani rāghavaḥ | praśāsatsarvakāryāṇi paurajānapadeṣu ca || 38.1 ||

Thus the mighty-armed Raghava continued, day after day, governing all the affairs of the city-folk and the country-folk.

Shloka 2 (uttara.38.2)

ततः कतिपयाहःसु वैदेहं मिथिलाधिपम् । राघवः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।। 38.2 ।।

tataḥ katipayāhaḥsu vaidehaṃ mithilādhipam | rāghavaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha || 38.2 ||

Then, after a few days, Raghava, with joined palms, spoke this word to the Vaideha, the lord of Mithila.

Shloka 3 (uttara.38.3)

भवान्हि गतिरव्यग्रा भवता पालिता वयम् । भवतस्तेजसोग्रेण रावणो निहतो मया ।। 38.3 ।।

bhavānhi gatiravyagrā bhavatā pālitā vayam | bhavatastejasogreṇa rāvaṇo nihato mayā || 38.3 ||

"You alone are our unwavering refuge; by you have we been sustained. It was by your fierce splendour that Ravana was slain by me.

Shloka 4 (uttara.38.4)

इक्ष्वाकूणां च सर्वेषां मैथिलानां च सर्वशः । अतुलाः प्रीतयो राजन्सम्बन्धकपुरोगमाः ।। 38.4 ।।

ikṣvākūṇāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ maithilānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ | atulāḥ prītayo rājansambandhakapurogamāḥ || 38.4 ||

O king, between all the Ikshvakus and all the people of Mithila there is boundless affection, led by our marriage-bond.

Shloka 5 (uttara.38.5)

तद्भवान्स्वपुरं यातु रत्नान्यादाय पार्थिव । भरतश्च सहायार्थं पृष्ठतस्ते ऽनुयास्यति ।। 38.5 ।।

tadbhavānsvapuraṃ yātu ratnānyādāya pārthiva | bharataśca sahāyārthaṃ pṛṣṭhataste 'nuyāsyati || 38.5 ||

Therefore, O king, take these jewels and set out for your own city; and Bharata shall follow behind you, for your assistance."

Shloka 6 (uttara.38.6)

स तथेति नृपः कृत्वा राघवं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । प्रीतो ऽस्मि भवतो राजन्दर्शनेन नयेन च ।। 38.6 ।।

sa tatheti nṛpaḥ kṛtvā rāghavaṃ vākyamabravīt | prīto 'smi bhavato rājandarśanena nayena ca || 38.6 ||

That king, saying "so be it," spoke this word to Raghava: "O king, I am gladdened both by the sight of you and by your just rule.

Shloka 7 (uttara.38.7)

यान्येतानि तु रत्नानि मदर्थं सञ्चितानि वै । दुहित्रे तानि वै राजन्सर्वाण्येव ददामि च ।। 38.7 ।।

yānyetāni tu ratnāni madarthaṃ sañcitāni vai | duhitre tāni vai rājansarvāṇyeva dadāmi ca || 38.7 ||

These jewels that were gathered for my own use — O king, all of them I now give to my daughter."

Shloka 8 (uttara.38.8)

एवमुक्त्वा तु काकुत्स्थं जनको हृष्टमानसः । प्रययौ मिथिलां श्रीमांस्तमनुज्ञाय राघवम् ।। 38.8 ।।

evamuktvā tu kākutsthaṃ janako hṛṣṭamānasaḥ | prayayau mithilāṃ śrīmāṃstamanujñāya rāghavam || 38.8 ||

Having spoken thus to Kakutstha, glorious Janaka, glad at heart, took leave of Raghava and departed for Mithila.

Shloka 9 (uttara.38.9)

ततः प्रयाते जनके केकयं मातुलं प्रभुः । राघवः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।। 38.9 ।।

tataḥ prayāte janake kekayaṃ mātulaṃ prabhuḥ | rāghavaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha || 38.9 ||

When Janaka had departed, the lord Raghava, with joined palms, spoke this word to his maternal uncle, the king of Kekaya.

Shloka 10 (uttara.38.10)

इदं राज्यमहं चैव भरतश्च सलक्ष्मणः । आयत्तास्त्वं हि नो राजन्गतिश्च पुरुषर्षभ ।। 38.10 ।।

idaṃ rājyamahaṃ caiva bharataśca salakṣmaṇaḥ | āyattāstvaṃ hi no rājangatiśca puruṣarṣabha || 38.10 ||

"This kingdom, and I myself, and Bharata together with Lakshmana — we are all dependent upon you; you alone, O king, O bull among men, are our refuge.

Shloka 11 (uttara.38.11)

राजा हि वृद्धः सन्तापं त्वदर्थमुपयास्यति । तस्माद्गमनमद्यैव रोचते तव पार्थिव ।। 38.11 ।।

rājā hi vṛddhaḥ santāpaṃ tvadarthamupayāsyati | tasmādgamanamadyaiva rocate tava pārthiva || 38.11 ||

The aged king will grieve on your account; therefore, O king, it would please me if you departed this very day.

Shloka 12 (uttara.38.12)

लक्ष्मणेनानुयात्रेण पृष्ठतो ऽनुगमिष्यते । धनमादाय विपुलं रत्नानि विविधानि च ।। 38.12 ।।

lakṣmaṇenānuyātreṇa pṛṣṭhato 'nugamiṣyate | dhanamādāya vipulaṃ ratnāni vividhāni ca || 38.12 ||

Lakshmana shall follow behind as your escort; go, taking abundant wealth and jewels of every kind."

Shloka 13 (uttara.38.13)

युधाजित्तु तथेत्याह गमनं प्रति राघवम् । रत्नानि च धनं चैव त्वय्येवाक्षय्यमस्त्विति ।। 38.13 ।।

yudhājittu tathetyāha gamanaṃ prati rāghavam | ratnāni ca dhanaṃ caiva tvayyevākṣayyamastviti || 38.13 ||

Yudhajit said "so be it" to Raghava regarding his departure: "May these jewels and this wealth remain ever-inexhaustible with you alone."

Shloka 14 (uttara.38.14)

प्रदक्षिणं स राजानं कृत्वा केकयवर्धनः । रामेण हि कृतः पूर्वमभिवाद्य प्रदक्षिणम् ।। 38.14 ।।

pradakṣiṇaṃ sa rājānaṃ kṛtvā kekayavardhanaḥ | rāmeṇa hi kṛtaḥ pūrvamabhivādya pradakṣiṇam || 38.14 ||

That increaser of the Kekaya line then circled the king reverently — for Rama had first saluted and circled him.

Shloka 15 (uttara.38.15)

लक्ष्मणेन सहायेन प्रयातः केकयेश्वरः । हते ऽसुरे यथा वृत्रे विष्णुना सह वासवः ।। 38.15 ।।

lakṣmaṇena sahāyena prayātaḥ kekayeśvaraḥ | hate 'sure yathā vṛtre viṣṇunā saha vāsavaḥ || 38.15 ||

With Lakshmana as his companion, the lord of Kekaya set out, as Vasava sets out with Vishnu when the demon Vritra has been slain.

Shloka 16 (uttara.38.16)

तं विसृज्य ततो रामो वयस्यमकुतोभयम् । प्रतर्दनं काशिपतिं परिष्वज्येदमब्रवीत् ।। 38.16 ।।

taṃ visṛjya tato rāmo vayasyamakutobhayam | pratardanaṃ kāśipatiṃ pariṣvajyedamabravīt || 38.16 ||

Having taken leave of him, Rama then embraced his fearless friend Pratardana, lord of Kashi, and said this.

Shloka 17 (uttara.38.17)

दर्शिता भवता प्रीतिर्दर्शितं सौहृदं परम् । उद्योगश्च कृतो राजन्भरतेन त्वया सह ।। 38.17 ।।

darśitā bhavatā prītirdarśitaṃ sauhṛdaṃ param | udyogaśca kṛto rājanbharatena tvayā saha || 38.17 ||

"You have shown me affection, you have shown the highest friendship; and, O king, you joined Bharata in the effort made for me.

Shloka 18 (uttara.38.18)

तद्भवानद्य काशेय पुरीं वाराणसीं व्रज । रमणीयां त्वया गुप्तां सुप्रकाशां सुतोरणाम् ।। 38.18 ।।

tadbhavānadya kāśeya purīṃ vārāṇasīṃ vraja | ramaṇīyāṃ tvayā guptāṃ suprakāśāṃ sutoraṇām || 38.18 ||

Therefore, O son of Kashi, go now to the delightful city of Varanasi, guarded by you, resplendent, with its beautiful gateways."

Shloka 19 (uttara.38.19)

एतावदुक्त्वा चोत्थाय काकुत्स्थः परमासनात् । पर्यष्वजत धर्मात्मा निरन्तरमुरोगतम् ।। 38.19 ।।

etāvaduktvā cotthāya kākutsthaḥ paramāsanāt | paryaṣvajata dharmātmā nirantaramurogatam || 38.19 ||

Having said this much, and rising from his splendid seat, righteous Kakutstha embraced him close, chest to chest.

Shloka 20 (uttara.38.20)

विसर्जयामास तदा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः । राघवेणाभ्यनुज्ञातः काशीशो ऽप्यकुतोभयः । वाराणसीं ययौ तूर्णं राघवेण विसर्जितः ।। 38.20 ।।

visarjayāmāsa tadā kausalyānandavardhanaḥ | rāghaveṇābhyanujñātaḥ kāśīśo 'pyakutobhayaḥ | vārāṇasīṃ yayau tūrṇaṃ rāghaveṇa visarjitaḥ || 38.20 ||

Then the increaser of Kausalya's joy took his leave of him; and the fearless lord of Kashi, given leave and dismissed by Raghava, swiftly departed for Varanasi.

Shloka 21 (uttara.38.21)

विसृज्य तं काशिपतिं त्रिशतं पृथिवीपतीन् । प्रहसन्राघवो वाक्यमुवाच मधुराक्षरम् ।। 38.21 ।।

visṛjya taṃ kāśipatiṃ triśataṃ pṛthivīpatīn | prahasanrāghavo vākyamuvāca madhurākṣaram || 38.21 ||

Having dismissed the lord of Kashi, Raghava then turned, smiling, to the three hundred kings and spoke a word of sweet syllables.

Shloka 22 (uttara.38.22)

भवतां प्रीतिरव्यग्रा तेजसा परिरक्षिता । धर्मश्च नियतो नित्यं सत्यं च भवतां सदा ।। 38.22 ।।

bhavatāṃ prītiravyagrā tejasā parirakṣitā | dharmaśca niyato nityaṃ satyaṃ ca bhavatāṃ sadā || 38.22 ||

"Your affection has been unwavering, guarded by your own splendour; your righteousness has ever been steadfast, and truth has ever been with you.

Shloka 23 (uttara.38.23)

युष्माकं चानुभावेन तेजसा च महात्मनाम् । हतो दुरात्मा दुर्बुद्धी रावणो राक्षसाधमः ।। 38.23 ।।

yuṣmākaṃ cānubhāvena tejasā ca mahātmanām | hato durātmā durbuddhī rāvaṇo rākṣasādhamaḥ || 38.23 ||

It was by the might and splendour of you great souls that the evil-minded, wicked Ravana, vilest of demons, was slain.

Shloka 24 (uttara.38.24)

हेतुमात्रमहं तत्र भवतां तेजसा हतः । रावणः सगणो युद्धे सपुत्रामात्यबान्धवः ।। 38.24 ।।

hetumātramahaṃ tatra bhavatāṃ tejasā hataḥ | rāvaṇaḥ sagaṇo yuddhe saputrāmātyabāndhavaḥ || 38.24 ||

I was there merely the occasion; it was by your splendour that Ravana, with his host, his sons, ministers and kin, was slain in battle.

Shloka 25 (uttara.38.25)

भवन्तश्च समानीता भरतेन महात्मना । श्रुत्वा जनकराजस्य काननात्तनयां हृताम् ।। 38.25 ।।

bhavantaśca samānītā bharatena mahātmanā | śrutvā janakarājasya kānanāttanayāṃ hṛtām || 38.25 ||

It was the great-souled Bharata who gathered you all, on hearing that King Janaka's daughter had been carried off from the forest.

Shloka 26 (uttara.38.26)

उद्युक्तानां च सर्वेषां पार्थिवानां महात्मनाम् । कालो व्यतीतः सुमहान्गमनं रोचयाम्यतः ।। 38.26 ।।

udyuktānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ pārthivānāṃ mahātmanām | kālo vyatītaḥ sumahāngamanaṃ rocayāmyataḥ || 38.26 ||

A very long time has now passed for all you great-souled kings who stood ready; therefore I think it fitting that you now depart."

Shloka 27 (uttara.38.27)

प्रत्यूचुस्तं च राजानो हर्षेण महता वृताः । दिष्ट्यां त्वं विजयी राम स्वराज्ये ऽपि प्रतिष्ठितः ।। 38.27 ।।

pratyūcustaṃ ca rājāno harṣeṇa mahatā vṛtāḥ | diṣṭyāṃ tvaṃ vijayī rāma svarājye 'pi pratiṣṭhitaḥ || 38.27 ||

And the kings, filled with great joy, answered him: "By good fortune, O Rama, you have proved victorious, and are established too in your own kingdom.

Shloka 28 (uttara.38.28)

दिष्ट्या प्रत्याहृता सीता दिष्ट्या शत्रुः पराजितः । एष नः परमः काम एषा नः पीतिरुत्तमा ।। 38.28 ।।

diṣṭyā pratyāhṛtā sītā diṣṭyā śatruḥ parājitaḥ | eṣa naḥ paramaḥ kāma eṣā naḥ pītiruttamā || 38.28 ||

By good fortune Sita has been won back, by good fortune the enemy is vanquished; this is our supreme desire, this our highest joy.

Shloka 29 (uttara.38.29)

यत्त्वां विजयिनं राम पश्यामो हतशात्रवम् ।। 38.29 ।।

yattvāṃ vijayinaṃ rāma paśyāmo hataśātravam || 38.29 ||

This too, that we behold you, O Rama, victorious, your enemy slain.

Shloka 30 (uttara.38.30)

एतत्त्वय्युपपन्नं च यदस्मांस्त्वं प्रशंससे । प्रशंसार्ह न जानीमः प्रशंसां वक्तुमीदृशीम् ।। 38.30 ।।

etattvayyupapannaṃ ca yadasmāṃstvaṃ praśaṃsase | praśaṃsārha na jānīmaḥ praśaṃsāṃ vaktumīdṛśīm || 38.30 ||

This befits none but you, that you should praise us; unworthy of such praise, we do not even know how to speak praise like yours in return.

Shloka 31 (uttara.38.31)

आपृच्छामो गमिष्यामो हृदिस्थो नः सदा भवान् । वर्तामहे महाबाहो प्रीत्यात्र महता वृताः । भवेच्च ते महाराज प्रीतिरस्मासु नित्यदा ।। 38.31 ।।

āpṛcchāmo gamiṣyāmo hṛdistho naḥ sadā bhavān | vartāmahe mahābāho prītyātra mahatā vṛtāḥ | bhavecca te mahārāja prītirasmāsu nityadā || 38.31 ||

We take our leave, and shall depart; you shall dwell forever in our hearts. O mighty-armed one, we remain here full of the greatest love; and, O great king, may your love for us endure forever too."

Shloka 32 (uttara.38.32)

बाढमित्येव राजानो हर्षेण परमान्विताः । उचुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे राघवं गमनोत्सुकाः ।। 38.32 ।।

bāḍhamityeva rājāno harṣeṇa paramānvitāḥ | ucuḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve rāghavaṃ gamanotsukāḥ || 38.32 ||

"So be it, indeed," — thus, filled with the greatest joy, all the kings, with joined palms, eager now to depart, said to Raghava.

Shloka 33 (uttara.38.33)

पूजिताश्चैव रामेण जग्मुर्देशान्स्वकान्स्वकान् ।। 38.33 ।।

pūjitāścaiva rāmeṇa jagmurdeśānsvakānsvakān || 38.33 ||

And, honoured by Rama, they went, each to his own land.