Hanuman Brings Bharata the News

Shloka 1 (yuddha.125.1)

अयोध्यां तु समालोक्य चिन्तयामास राघवः। प्रियकामः प्रियं रामस्ततस्त्वरितविक्रमः॥ 125.1 ॥

ayodhyāṃ tu samālokya cintayāmāsa rāghavaḥ| priyakāmaḥ priyaṃ rāmastatastvaritavikramaḥ|| 125.1 ||

Looking upon Ayodhya, Raghava Rama, ever swift in action and wishing to do a kindly deed, fell to thinking of some pleasing act to perform.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.125.2)

चिन्तयित्वा ततो दृष्टिं वानरेषु न्यपातयत्। उवाच धीमांस्तेजस्वी हनूमन्तं प्लवंगमम्॥ 125.2 ॥

cintayitvā tato dṛṣṭiṃ vānareṣu nyapātayat| uvāca dhīmāṃstejasvī hanūmantaṃ plavaṃgamam|| 125.2 ||

Having thus reflected, the wise and splendid Rama cast his glance among the monkeys and spoke to the monkey Hanuman —

Shloka 3 (yuddha.125.3)

अयोध्यां त्वरितो गत्वा शीघ्रं प्लवगसत्तम। जानीहि कच्चित् कुशली जनो नृपतिमन्दिरे॥ 125.3 ॥

ayodhyāṃ tvarito gatvā śīghraṃ plavagasattama| jānīhi kaccit kuśalī jano nṛpatimandire|| 125.3 ||

"O foremost of monkeys, go swiftly to Ayodhya and find out whether the people are well in the royal palace.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.125.4)

शृङ्गवेरपुरं प्राप्य गुहं गहनगोचरम्। निषादाधिपतिं ब्रूहि कुशलं वचनान्मम॥ 125.4 ॥

śṛṅgaverapuraṃ prāpya guhaṃ gahanagocaram| niṣādādhipatiṃ brūhi kuśalaṃ vacanānmama|| 125.4 ||

On reaching Shringaverapura, tell Guha, the lord of the Nishadas who dwells amid the forest, of my welfare, in my own words.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.125.5)

श्रुत्वा तु मां कुशलिनमरोगं विगतज्वरम्। भविष्यति गुहः प्रीतः स ममात्मसमः सखा॥ 125.5 ॥

śrutvā tu māṃ kuśalinamarogaṃ vigatajvaram| bhaviṣyati guhaḥ prītaḥ sa mamātmasamaḥ sakhā|| 125.5 ||

Hearing that I am well, free from illness and free from care, Guha will be pleased — he is my friend, dear to me as my own self.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.125.6)

अयोध्यायाश्च ते मार्गं प्रवृत्तिं भरतस्य च। निवेदयिष्यति प्रीतो निषादाधिपतिर्गुहः॥ 125.6 ॥

ayodhyāyāśca te mārgaṃ pravṛttiṃ bharatasya ca| nivedayiṣyati prīto niṣādādhipatirguhaḥ|| 125.6 ||

And, feeling glad, that lord of the Nishadas, Guha, will tell you the road to Ayodhya and the news of Bharata.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.125.7)

भरतस्तु त्वया वाच्यः कुशलं वचनान्मम। सिद्धार्थं शंस मां तस्मै सभार्यं सहलक्ष्मणम्॥ 125.7 ॥

bharatastu tvayā vācyaḥ kuśalaṃ vacanānmama| siddhārthaṃ śaṃsa māṃ tasmai sabhāryaṃ sahalakṣmaṇam|| 125.7 ||

To Bharata too you should convey, in my words, news of my welfare; tell him that I, with my wife and Lakshmana, come with my purpose accomplished.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.125.8)

हरणं चापि वैदेह्या रावणेन बलीयसा। सुग्रीवेण च संवादं वालिनश्च वधं रणे॥ 125.8 ॥

haraṇaṃ cāpi vaidehyā rāvaṇena balīyasā| sugrīveṇa ca saṃvādaṃ vālinaśca vadhaṃ raṇe|| 125.8 ||

The abduction of Vaidehi by the mighty Ravana, my meeting with Sugriva, and the slaying of Vali in combat — tell him all this.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.125.9)

मैथिल्यन्वेषणं चैव यथा चाधिगता त्वया। लङ्घयित्वा महातोयमापगापतिमव्ययम्॥ 125.9 ॥

maithilyanveṣaṇaṃ caiva yathā cādhigatā tvayā| laṅghayitvā mahātoyamāpagāpatimavyayam|| 125.9 ||

The search for Maithili, and how you traced her out after crossing that vast, undiminishing ocean —

Shloka 10 (yuddha.125.10)

उपयानं समुद्रस्य सागरस्य च दर्शनम्। यथा च कारितः सेतू रावणश्च यथा हतः॥ 125.10 ॥

upayānaṃ samudrasya sāgarasya ca darśanam| yathā ca kāritaḥ setū rāvaṇaśca yathā hataḥ|| 125.10 ||

our advance to the ocean, the sighting of the sea, how the bridge was built, and how Ravana was slain —

Shloka 11 (yuddha.125.11)

वरदानं महेन्द्रेण ब्रह्मणा वरुणेन च। महादेवप्रसादाच्च पित्रा मम समागमम्॥ 125.11 ॥

varadānaṃ mahendreṇa brahmaṇā varuṇena ca| mahādevaprasādācca pitrā mama samāgamam|| 125.11 ||

the boons granted by Indra, Brahma and Varuna, and, through Mahadeva's grace, my meeting with my father —

Shloka 12 (yuddha.125.12)

उपयातं च मां सौम्य भरताय निवेदय। सह राक्षसराजेन हरीणामीश्वरेण च॥ 125.12 ॥

upayātaṃ ca māṃ saumya bharatāya nivedaya| saha rākṣasarājena harīṇāmīśvareṇa ca|| 125.12 ||

tell all this. And, O gentle one, inform Bharata that I have drawn near, together with Vibhishana the king of demons and Sugriva the lord of monkeys.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.125.13)

जित्वा शत्रुगणान् रामः प्राप्य चानुत्तमं यशः। उपायाति समृद्धार्थः सह मित्रैर्महाबलैः॥ 125.13 ॥

jitvā śatrugaṇān rāmaḥ prāpya cānuttamaṃ yaśaḥ| upāyāti samṛddhārthaḥ saha mitrairmahābalaiḥ|| 125.13 ||

"Having conquered his hosts of enemies and won unequalled fame, Rama, his purpose accomplished, comes with his mighty friends."

Shloka 14 (yuddha.125.14)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा यमाकारं भजते भरतस्ततः। स च ते वेदितव्यः स्यात् सर्वं यच्चापि मां प्रति॥ 125.14 ॥

etacchrutvā yamākāraṃ bhajate bharatastataḥ| sa ca te veditavyaḥ syāt sarvaṃ yaccāpi māṃ prati|| 125.14 ||

What expression Bharata's face takes on hearing this, that you must observe — and likewise all that he may intend concerning me.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.125.15)

ज्ञेयाः सर्वे च वृत्तान्ता भरतस्येङ्गितानि च। तत्त्वेन मुखवर्णेन दृष्ट्या व्याभाषितेन च॥ 125.15 ॥

jñeyāḥ sarve ca vṛttāntā bharatasyeṅgitāni ca| tattvena mukhavarṇena dṛṣṭyā vyābhāṣitena ca|| 125.15 ||

All of Bharata's reactions and gestures — through the colour of his face, his glance, and his manner of speaking — are truly to be discerned.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.125.16)

सर्वकामसमृद्धं हि हस्त्यश्वरथसंकुलम्। पितृपैतामहं राज्यं कस्य नावर्तयेन्मनः॥ 125.16 ॥

sarvakāmasamṛddhaṃ hi hastyaśvarathasaṃkulam| pitṛpaitāmahaṃ rājyaṃ kasya nāvartayenmanaḥ|| 125.16 ||

A kingdom rich in every desired thing, teeming with elephants, horses and chariots, inherited from father and grandfather — whose mind would not be drawn to it?

Shloka 17 (yuddha.125.17)

संगत्या भरतः श्रीमान् राज्येनार्थी स्वयं भवेत्। प्रशास्तु वसुधां सर्वामखिलां रघुनन्दनः॥ 125.17 ॥

saṃgatyā bharataḥ śrīmān rājyenārthī svayaṃ bhavet| praśāstu vasudhāṃ sarvāmakhilāṃ raghunandanaḥ|| 125.17 ||

If, through this long association, the glorious Bharata himself desires the kingdom, then let that delight of the Raghus rule the whole earth entire.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.125.18)

तस्य बुद्धिं च विज्ञाय व्यवसायं च वानर। यावन्न दूरं याताः स्मः क्षिप्रमागन्तुमर्हसि॥ 125.18 ॥

tasya buddhiṃ ca vijñāya vyavasāyaṃ ca vānara| yāvanna dūraṃ yātāḥ smaḥ kṣipramāgantumarhasi|| 125.18 ||

O monkey, having discerned his mind and his resolve, you ought to return swiftly, before we have travelled far."

Shloka 19 (yuddha.125.19)

इति प्रतिसमादिष्टो हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः। मानुषं धारयन् रूपमयोध्यां त्वरितो ययौ॥ 125.19 ॥

iti pratisamādiṣṭo hanūmān mārutātmajaḥ| mānuṣaṃ dhārayan rūpamayodhyāṃ tvarito yayau|| 125.19 ||

Thus commanded, Hanuman, son of the wind-god, assuming a human form, swiftly set out for Ayodhya.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.125.20)

अथोत्पपात वेगेन हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः। गरुत्मानिव वेगेन जिघृक्षन्नुरगोत्तमम्॥ 125.20 ॥

athotpapāta vegena hanūmān mārutātmajaḥ| garutmāniva vegena jighṛkṣannuragottamam|| 125.20 ||

Then Hanuman, son of the wind-god, sprang up with speed, as Garuda would speed forth, eager to seize a great serpent.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.125.21)

लङ्घयित्वा पितृपथं विहगेन्द्रालयं शुभम्। गङ्गायमुनयोर्भीमं समतीत्य समागमम्॥ 125.21 ॥

laṅghayitvā pitṛpathaṃ vihagendrālayaṃ śubham| gaṅgāyamunayorbhīmaṃ samatītya samāgamam|| 125.21 ||

Leaping across the path of the ancestors, the fair dwelling of the lord of birds, and crossing the awesome confluence of Ganga and Yamuna,

Shloka 22 (yuddha.125.22)

शृङ्गवेरपुरं प्राप्य गुहमासाद्य वीर्यवान्। स वाचा शुभया हृष्टो हनूमानिदमब्रवीत्॥ 125.22 ॥

śṛṅgaverapuraṃ prāpya guhamāsādya vīryavān| sa vācā śubhayā hṛṣṭo hanūmānidamabravīt|| 125.22 ||

reaching Shringaverapura and coming before Guha, that valiant Hanuman, joyfully, spoke these words in a sweet voice —

Shloka 23 (yuddha.125.23)

सखा तु तव काकुत्स्थो रामः सत्यपराक्रमः। ससीतः सह सौमित्रिः स त्वां कुशलमब्रवीत्॥ 125.23 ॥

sakhā tu tava kākutstho rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ| sasītaḥ saha saumitriḥ sa tvāṃ kuśalamabravīt|| 125.23 ||

"Your friend, Rama the scion of Kakutstha, of true prowess, together with Sita and Lakshmana, enquires after your welfare.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.125.24)

पञ्चमीमद्य रजनीमुषित्वा वचनान्मुनेः। भरद्वाजाभ्यनुज्ञातं द्रक्ष्यस्यत्रैव राघवम्॥ 125.24 ॥

pañcamīmadya rajanīmuṣitvā vacanānmuneḥ| bharadvājābhyanujñātaṃ drakṣyasyatraiva rāghavam|| 125.24 ||

Having spent this fifth night at the sage's own bidding, and now permitted by Bharadvaja, you shall see Raghava here this very day."

Shloka 25 (yuddha.125.25)

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः सम्प्रहृष्टतनूरुहः। उत्पपात महावेगाद् वेगवानविचारयन्॥ 125.25 ॥

evamuktvā mahātejāḥ samprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ| utpapāta mahāvegād vegavānavicārayan|| 125.25 ||

So saying, that greatly splendid Hanuman, his body thrilling with joy, sprang up with tremendous speed, giving no further thought to anything.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.125.26)

सोऽपश्यद् रामतीर्थं च नदीं वालुकिनीं तथा। वरूथीं गोमतीं चैव भीमं शालवनं तथा॥ 125.26 ॥

so'paśyad rāmatīrthaṃ ca nadīṃ vālukinīṃ tathā| varūthīṃ gomatīṃ caiva bhīmaṃ śālavanaṃ tathā|| 125.26 ||

He beheld Ramatirtha, and the river Valukini, and Varuthi and Gomati too, and the awesome Sala-forest,

Shloka 27 (yuddha.125.27)

प्रजाश्च बहुसाहस्रीः स्फीताञ्जनपदानपि। स गत्वा दूरमध्वानं त्वरितः कपिकुञ्जरः॥ 125.27 ॥

prajāśca bahusāhasrīḥ sphītāñjanapadānapi| sa gatvā dūramadhvānaṃ tvaritaḥ kapikuñjaraḥ|| 125.27 ||

and many thousands of people and thriving realms besides. That foremost of monkeys, having swiftly covered a long stretch of the way,

Shloka 28 (yuddha.125.28)

आससाद द्रुमान् फुल्लान् नन्दिग्रामसमीपगान्। सुराधिपस्योपवने यथा चैत्ररथे द्रुमान्॥ 125.28 ॥

āsasāda drumān phullān nandigrāmasamīpagān| surādhipasyopavane yathā caitrarathe drumān|| 125.28 ||

reached the trees in full bloom near Nandigrama — like those of Indra's own pleasure-garden or the forest of Chaitraratha,

Shloka 29 (yuddha.125.29)

स्त्रीभिः सपुत्रैः पौत्रैश्च रममाणैः स्वलंकृतैः। क्रोशमात्रे त्वयोध्यायाश्चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरम्॥ 125.29 ॥

strībhiḥ saputraiḥ pautraiśca ramamāṇaiḥ svalaṃkṛtaiḥ| krośamātre tvayodhyāyāścīrakṛṣṇājināmbaram|| 125.29 ||

frequented by women adorned and at ease with their sons and grandsons. At a distance of one krosha from Ayodhya, clad in bark-garments and a black antelope-skin,

Shloka 30 (yuddha.125.30)

ददर्श भरतं दीनं कृशमाश्रमवासिनम्। जटिलं मलदिग्धाङ्गं भ्रातृव्यसनकर्शितम्॥ 125.30 ॥

dadarśa bharataṃ dīnaṃ kṛśamāśramavāsinam| jaṭilaṃ maladigdhāṅgaṃ bhrātṛvyasanakarśitam|| 125.30 ||

he saw Bharata — wretched, emaciated, dwelling in a hermitage, matted-haired, his limbs coated with dust, worn thin by grief for his brother,

Shloka 31 (yuddha.125.31)

फलमूलाशिनं दान्तं तापसं धर्मचारिणम्। समुन्नतजटाभारं वल्कलाजिनवाससम्॥ 125.31 ॥

phalamūlāśinaṃ dāntaṃ tāpasaṃ dharmacāriṇam| samunnatajaṭābhāraṃ valkalājinavāsasam|| 125.31 ||

living on fruits and roots, self-restrained, ascetic, righteous, his matted locks piled high, clothed in bark and deer-hide,

Shloka 32 (yuddha.125.32)

नियतं भावितात्मानं ब्रह्मर्षिसमतेजसम्। पादुके ते पुरस्कृत्य प्रशासन्तं वसुंधराम्॥ 125.32 ॥

niyataṃ bhāvitātmānaṃ brahmarṣisamatejasam| pāduke te puraskṛtya praśāsantaṃ vasuṃdharām|| 125.32 ||

disciplined, his mind fixed within, splendid as a Brahman-sage, ruling the earth with Rama's sandals set before him,

Shloka 33 (yuddha.125.33)

चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य लोकस्य त्रातारं सर्वतो भयात्। उपस्थितममात्यैश्च शुचिभिश्च पुरोहितैः॥ 125.33 ॥

cāturvarṇyasya lokasya trātāraṃ sarvato bhayāt| upasthitamamātyaiśca śucibhiśca purohitaiḥ|| 125.33 ||

protecting the people of all four orders from every peril, attended by pure ministers and priests,

Shloka 34 (yuddha.125.34)

बलमुख्यैश्च युक्तैश्च काषायाम्बरधारिभिः। नहि ते राजपुत्रं तं चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरम्॥ 125.34 ॥

balamukhyaiśca yuktaiśca kāṣāyāmbaradhāribhiḥ| nahi te rājaputraṃ taṃ cīrakṛṣṇājināmbaram|| 125.34 ||

and by capable army-commanders clad in ochre robes. The righteousness-loving citizens, for their part,

Shloka 35 (yuddha.125.35)

परिभोक्तुं व्यवस्यन्ति पौरा वै धर्मवत्सलाः। तं धर्ममिव धर्मज्ञं देहबन्धमिवापरम्॥ 125.35 ॥

paribhoktuṃ vyavasyanti paurā vai dharmavatsalāḥ| taṃ dharmamiva dharmajñaṃ dehabandhamivāparam|| 125.35 ||

did not deem it fit to enjoy pleasures while leaving that bark-clad prince behind — he who, knowing righteousness, seemed like Dharma himself, embodied in a second form.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.125.36)

उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः। वसन्तं दण्डकारण्ये यं त्वं चीरजटाधरम्॥ 125.36 ॥

uvāca prāñjalirvākyaṃ hanūmān mārutātmajaḥ| vasantaṃ daṇḍakāraṇye yaṃ tvaṃ cīrajaṭādharam|| 125.36 ||

With joined palms Hanuman spoke — "That Rama, scion of Kakutstha, for whom you grieve, who dwelt in the Dandaka forest wearing bark and matted hair,

Shloka 37 (yuddha.125.37)

अनुशोचसि काकुत्स्थं स त्वां कौशलमब्रवीत्। प्रियमाख्यामि ते देव शोकं त्यज सुदारुणम्॥ 125.37 ॥

anuśocasi kākutsthaṃ sa tvāṃ kauśalamabravīt| priyamākhyāmi te deva śokaṃ tyaja sudāruṇam|| 125.37 ||

he it is who has enquired after your welfare. O lord, I bring you glad news — cast off this dreadful grief.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.125.38)

अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते भ्रात्रा त्वं रामेण सह संगतः। निहत्य रावणं रामः प्रतिलभ्य च मैथिलीम्॥ 125.38 ॥

asmin muhūrte bhrātrā tvaṃ rāmeṇa saha saṃgataḥ| nihatya rāvaṇaṃ rāmaḥ pratilabhya ca maithilīm|| 125.38 ||

This very hour you are to be united with your brother Rama. Having slain Ravana and won back Maithili,

Shloka 39 (yuddha.125.39)

उपयाति समृद्धार्थः सह मित्रैर्महाबलैः। लक्ष्मणश्च महातेजा वैदेही च यशस्विनी। सीता समग्रा रामेण महेन्द्रेण शची यथा॥ 125.39 ॥

upayāti samṛddhārthaḥ saha mitrairmahābalaiḥ| lakṣmaṇaśca mahātejā vaidehī ca yaśasvinī| sītā samagrā rāmeṇa mahendreṇa śacī yathā|| 125.39 ||

Rama, his purpose accomplished, comes with his mighty friends. Lakshmana too, of great splendour, and the illustrious Vaidehi are coming — Sita is with Rama, whole and safe, as Shachi is with mighty Indra."

Shloka 40 (yuddha.125.40)

एवमुक्तो हनुमता भरतः कैकयीसुतः। पपात सहसा हृष्टो हर्षान्मोहमुपागमत्॥ 125.40 ॥

evamukto hanumatā bharataḥ kaikayīsutaḥ| papāta sahasā hṛṣṭo harṣānmohamupāgamat|| 125.40 ||

Thus addressed by Hanuman, Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi, delighted, sank suddenly to the ground and, overcome by joy, fainted.

Shloka 41 (yuddha.125.41)

ततो मुहूर्तादुत्थाय प्रत्याश्वस्य च राघवः। हनूमन्तमुवाचेदं भरतः प्रियवादिनम्॥ 125.41 ॥

tato muhūrtādutthāya pratyāśvasya ca rāghavaḥ| hanūmantamuvācedaṃ bharataḥ priyavādinam|| 125.41 ||

Then, rising within a moment and regaining his composure, Bharata of the Raghu line spoke thus to Hanuman, the bearer of pleasant tidings —

Shloka 42 (yuddha.125.42)

अशोकजैः प्रीतिमयैः कपिमालिङ्ग्य सम्भ्रमात्। सिषेच भरतः श्रीमान् विपुलैरश्रुबिन्दुभिः॥ 125.42 ॥

aśokajaiḥ prītimayaiḥ kapimāliṅgya sambhramāt| siṣeca bharataḥ śrīmān vipulairaśrubindubhiḥ|| 125.42 ||

Embracing the monkey in his eagerness, the glorious Bharata bathed him with copious tears, born not of grief but of joy.

Shloka 43 (yuddha.125.43)

देवो वा मानुषो वा त्वमनुक्रोशादिहागतः। प्रियाख्यानस्य ते सौम्य ददामि ब्रुवतः प्रियम्॥ 125.43 ॥

devo vā mānuṣo vā tvamanukrośādihāgataḥ| priyākhyānasya te saumya dadāmi bruvataḥ priyam|| 125.43 ||

"Are you a god or a man, who has come here out of compassion? O gentle one, to you who have brought me this welcome news, I now give this gift —

Shloka 44 (yuddha.125.44)

गवां शतसहस्रं च ग्रामाणां च शतं परम्। सकुण्डलाः शुभाचारा भार्याः कन्यास्तु षोडश॥ 125.44 ॥

gavāṃ śatasahasraṃ ca grāmāṇāṃ ca śataṃ param| sakuṇḍalāḥ śubhācārā bhāryāḥ kanyāstu ṣoḍaśa|| 125.44 ||

a hundred thousand cows and a hundred choice villages, and sixteen maidens of good conduct, adorned with earrings, to be your wives,

Shloka 45 (yuddha.125.45)

हेमवर्णाः सुनासोरूः शशिसौम्याननाः स्त्रियः। सर्वाभरणसम्पन्नाः सम्पन्नाः कुलजातिभिः॥ 125.45 ॥

hemavarṇāḥ sunāsorūḥ śaśisaumyānanāḥ striyaḥ| sarvābharaṇasampannāḥ sampannāḥ kulajātibhiḥ|| 125.45 ||

women of golden hue, of graceful form, with faces gentle as the moon, adorned with every ornament and born of noble lineage."

Shloka 46 (yuddha.125.46)

निशम्य रामागमनं नृपात्मजः कपिप्रवीरस्य तदाद्भुतोपमम्। प्रहर्षितो रामदिदृक्षयाभवत् पुनश्च हर्षादिदमब्रवीद् वचः॥ 125.46 ॥

niśamya rāmāgamanaṃ nṛpātmajaḥ kapipravīrasya tadādbhutopamam| praharṣito rāmadidṛkṣayābhavat punaśca harṣādidamabravīd vacaḥ|| 125.46 ||

Hearing from that foremost of monkeys this news of Rama's coming, seeming almost a wonder, prince Bharata was overjoyed with longing to see Rama, and once again, in his delight, spoke these further words.