The Return to Nandigrama

Shloka 1 (yuddha.127.1)

श्रुत्वा तु परमानन्दं भरतः सत्यविक्रमः। हृष्टमाज्ञापयामास शत्रुघ्नं परवीरहा ॥ 127.1 ॥

śrutvā tu paramānandaṃ bharataḥ satyavikramaḥ| hṛṣṭamājñāpayāmāsa śatrughnaṃ paravīrahā || 127.1 ||

Hearing this supreme joy, Bharata of true valour was filled with delight, and gave command to Shatrughna, slayer of hostile heroes —

Shloka 2 (yuddha.127.2)

दैवतानि च सर्वाणि चैत्यानि नगरस्य च। सुगन्धमाल्यैर्वादित्रैरर्चन्तु शुचयो नराः ॥ 127.2 ॥

daivatāni ca sarvāṇi caityāni nagarasya ca| sugandhamālyairvāditrairarcantu śucayo narāḥ || 127.2 ||

"Let all the shrines of the gods and the sacred sites of the city be worshipped by pure-hearted men with fragrant garlands and music.

Shloka 3 (yuddha.127.3)

सूताः स्तुतिपुराणज्ञाः सर्वे वैतालिकास्तथा। सर्वे वादित्रकुशला गणिकाश्चैव संघशः ॥ 127.3 ॥

sūtāḥ stutipurāṇajñāḥ sarve vaitālikāstathā| sarve vāditrakuśalā gaṇikāścaiva saṃghaśaḥ || 127.3 ||

Let the bards versed in eulogy and ancient lore, all the panegyrists, all skilled in music, and the courtesans too, in their companies,

Shloka 4 (yuddha.127.4)

राजदारास्तथामात्याः सैन्याः सेनागणाङ्गनाः। ब्राह्मणाश्च सराजन्याः श्रेणिमुख्यास्तथा गणाः ॥ 127.4 ॥

rājadārāstathāmātyāḥ sainyāḥ senāgaṇāṅganāḥ| brāhmaṇāśca sarājanyāḥ śreṇimukhyāstathā gaṇāḥ || 127.4 ||

the queens, the ministers, the troops, the women of the army, the brahmins, the nobles, and the heads of the guilds and their companies —

Shloka 5 (yuddha.127.5)

अभिनिर्यान्तु रामस्य द्रष्टुं शशिनिभं मुखम्। भरतस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शत्रुघ्नः परवीरहा ॥ 127.5 ॥

abhiniryāntu rāmasya draṣṭuṃ śaśinibhaṃ mukham| bharatasya vacaḥ śrutvā śatrughnaḥ paravīrahā || 127.5 ||

all let them go forth to behold the moon-bright face of Rama." Hearing Bharata's word, Shatrughna, slayer of hostile heroes,

Shloka 6 (yuddha.127.6)

विष्टीरनेकसाहस्रीश्चोदयामास भागशः। समीकुरुत निम्नानि विषमाणि समानि च ॥ 127.6 ॥

viṣṭīranekasāhasrīścodayāmāsa bhāgaśaḥ| samīkuruta nimnāni viṣamāṇi samāni ca || 127.6 ||

set many thousands of labourers to work in their several bands, and ordered — "level every low and uneven place,

Shloka 7 (yuddha.127.7)

स्थानानि च निरस्यन्तां नन्दिग्रामादितः परम्। सिञ्चन्तु पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां हिमशीतेन वारिणा ॥ 127.7 ॥

sthānāni ca nirasyantāṃ nandigrāmāditaḥ param| siñcantu pṛthivīṃ kṛtsnāṃ himaśītena vāriṇā || 127.7 ||

clear away every obstruction from Nandigrama onward; and sprinkle the whole ground with water cold as snow.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.127.8)

ततोऽभ्यवकिरंस्त्वन्ये लाजैः पुष्पैश्च सर्वतः। समुच्छ्रितपताकास्तु रथ्याः पुरवरोत्तमे ॥ 127.8 ॥

tato'bhyavakiraṃstvanye lājaiḥ puṣpaiśca sarvataḥ| samucchritapatākāstu rathyāḥ puravarottame || 127.8 ||

Let some scatter parched grain and flowers on every side; and in the streets of that finest of cities let banners be raised high.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.127.9)

शोभयन्तु च वेश्मानि सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति। स्रग्दाममुक्तपुष्पैश्च सुगन्धैः पञ्चवर्णकैः ॥ 127.9 ॥

śobhayantu ca veśmāni sūryasyodayanaṃ prati| sragdāmamuktapuṣpaiśca sugandhaiḥ pañcavarṇakaiḥ || 127.9 ||

At sunrise let the mansions be adorned with clusters of gold-scented garlands and with wreaths of five colours,

Shloka 10 (yuddha.127.10)

राजमार्गमसम्बाधं किरन्तु शतशो नराः। ततस्तच्छासनं श्रुत्वा शत्रुघ्नस्य मुदान्विताः ॥ 127.10 ॥

rājamārgamasambādhaṃ kirantu śataśo narāḥ| tatastacchāsanaṃ śrutvā śatrughnasya mudānvitāḥ || 127.10 ||

and let hundreds of men clear the royal highway and scatter flowers upon it." Then, hearing Shatrughna's command, filled with delight —

Shloka 11 (yuddha.127.11)

धृष्टिर्जयन्तो विजयः सिद्धार्थश्चार्थसाधकः। अशोको मन्त्रपालश्च सुमन्त्रश्चापि निर्ययुः ॥ 127.11 ॥

dhṛṣṭirjayanto vijayaḥ siddhārthaścārthasādhakaḥ| aśoko mantrapālaśca sumantraścāpi niryayuḥ || 127.11 ||

Dhrishti, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddhartha, Arthasadhaka, Ashoka, Mantrapala, and Sumantra too — all these went forth.

Shloka 12 (yuddha.127.12)

मत्तैर्नागसहस्रैश्च शातकुम्भविभूषितः। अपरे हेमकक्ष्याभिः सगजाभिः करेणुभिः ॥ 127.12 ॥

mattairnāgasahasraiśca śātakumbhavibhūṣitaḥ| apare hemakakṣyābhiḥ sagajābhiḥ kareṇubhiḥ || 127.12 ||

Thousands of rutting elephants, adorned with golden ornaments, and others together with elephant-cows in gold-mounted trappings,

Shloka 13 (yuddha.127.13)

निर्ययुस्त्वरया युक्ता रथैश्च सुमहारथाः। शक्त्यष्टिपाशहस्तानां सध्वजानां पताकिनाम् ॥ 127.13 ॥

niryayustvarayā yuktā rathaiśca sumahārathāḥ| śaktyaṣṭipāśahastānāṃ sadhvajānāṃ patākinām || 127.13 ||

went forth in haste; and mighty charioteers rode out on their chariots, spears, swords and nooses in hand, their banners and flags aflutter,

Shloka 14 (yuddha.127.14)

तुरगाणां सहस्त्रैश्च मुख्यैर्मुख्यतरान्वितैः। पदातीनां सहस्त्रैश्च वीराः परिवृता ययुः ॥ 127.14 ॥

turagāṇāṃ sahastraiśca mukhyairmukhyatarānvitaiḥ| padātīnāṃ sahastraiśca vīrāḥ parivṛtā yayuḥ || 127.14 ||

together with thousands of horses, the finest among the fine, and thousands of foot-soldiers, the heroes marched, surrounded on every side.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.127.15)

ततो यानान्युपारूढाः सर्वा दशरथस्त्रियः। कौसल्यां प्रमुखे कृत्वा सुमित्रां चापि निर्ययुः ॥ 127.15 ॥

tato yānānyupārūḍhāḥ sarvā daśarathastriyaḥ| kausalyāṃ pramukhe kṛtvā sumitrāṃ cāpi niryayuḥ || 127.15 ||

Then all of Dasharatha's queens, mounted on their carriages, with Kausalya at their head, went forth together with Sumitra,

Shloka 16 (yuddha.127.16)

कैकेय्या सहिताः सर्वा नन्दिग्राममुपागमन् ॥ 127.16 ॥

kaikeyyā sahitāḥ sarvā nandigrāmamupāgaman || 127.16 ||

and along with Kaikeyi, all of them together arrived at Nandigrama.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.127.17)

द्विजातिमुख्यैर्धर्मात्मा श्रेणीमुख्यैः सनैगमैः। माल्यमोदक हस्तैश्च मन्त्रिभिर्भरतो वृतः ॥ 127.17 ॥

dvijātimukhyairdharmātmā śreṇīmukhyaiḥ sanaigamaiḥ| mālyamodaka hastaiśca mantribhirbharato vṛtaḥ || 127.17 ||

Bharata, righteous of soul, ringed about by the foremost brahmins, the guild-chiefs, the merchants and his ministers, garlands and sweets in hand,

Shloka 18 (yuddha.127.18)

शङ्खभेरीनिनादैश्च बन्दिभिश्चाभिवन्दितः। आर्यपादौ गृहीत्वा तु शिरसा धर्मकोविदः ॥ 127.18 ॥

śaṅkhabherīninādaiśca bandibhiścābhivanditaḥ| āryapādau gṛhītvā tu śirasā dharmakovidaḥ || 127.18 ||

acclaimed with the blare of conches and drums and the praises of the bards, and the righteous Bharata, bearing the noble Rama's sandals upon his own head,

Shloka 19 (yuddha.127.19)

पाण्डुरं छत्रमादाय शुक्लमाल्योपशोभितम्। शुक्ले च वालव्यजने राजार्हे हेमभूषिते ॥ 127.19 ॥

pāṇḍuraṃ chatramādāya śuklamālyopaśobhitam| śukle ca vālavyajane rājārhe hemabhūṣite || 127.19 ||

carrying a white parasol adorned with white garlands, and a white, gold-mounted royal fly-whisk fit for a king,

Shloka 20 (yuddha.127.20)

उपवासकृशो दीनश्चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरः। भ्रातुरागमनं श्रुत्वा तत्पूर्वं हर्षमागतः ॥ 127.20 ॥

upavāsakṛśo dīnaścīrakṛṣṇājināmbaraḥ| bhrāturāgamanaṃ śrutvā tatpūrvaṃ harṣamāgataḥ || 127.20 ||

wasted with fasting, wretched in bark-garments and black antelope-skin, Bharata, on hearing of his brother's coming, had already been overcome with joy long before.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.127.21)

प्रत्युद्ययौ तदा रामं महात्मा सचिवैः सह। अश्वानां खरशब्दैश्च रथनेमिस्वनेन च ॥ 127.21 ॥

pratyudyayau tadā rāmaṃ mahātmā sacivaiḥ saha| aśvānāṃ kharaśabdaiśca rathanemisvanena ca || 127.21 ||

The great-souled Bharata then went forth with his ministers to receive Rama; and to the sound of horses' hooves and the rumble of chariot-wheels,

Shloka 22 (yuddha.127.22)

शङ्खदुन्दुभिनादेन संचचालेव मेदिनी। गजानां बृंहितैश्चापि शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिःस्वनैः ॥ 127.22 ॥

śaṅkhadundubhinādena saṃcacāleva medinī| gajānāṃ bṛṃhitaiścāpi śaṅkhadundubhiniḥsvanaiḥ || 127.22 ||

to the blare of conches and drums, the very earth seemed to shake; and with the trumpeting of elephants the deep sound of conch and drum resounded too.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.127.23)

कृत्स्नं तु नगरं ततु नन्दिग्राममुपागमत्। समीक्ष्य भरतो वाक्यमुवाच पवनात्मजम् ॥ 127.23 ॥

kṛtsnaṃ tu nagaraṃ tatu nandigrāmamupāgamat| samīkṣya bharato vākyamuvāca pavanātmajam || 127.23 ||

The whole city seemed to have come to Nandigrama itself. Seeing this, Bharata spoke this word to the son of the wind—

Shloka 24 (yuddha.127.24)

कच्चिन्न खलु कापेयी सेव्यते चलचित्तता। न हि पश्यामि काकुत्स्थं राममार्यं परन्तपम् ॥ 127.24 ॥

kaccinna khalu kāpeyī sevyate calacittatā| na hi paśyāmi kākutsthaṃ rāmamāryaṃ parantapam || 127.24 ||

"Surely my fickle mind is not deceiving me? For I do not see the noble Kakutstha, Rama the tormentor of foes, anywhere!

Shloka 25 (yuddha.127.25)

कच्चिन्न चानुदृश्यन्ते कपयः कामरूपिणः। अथैवमुक्ते वचने हनूमानिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 127.25 ॥

kaccinna cānudṛśyante kapayaḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ| athaivamukte vacane hanūmānidamabravīt || 127.25 ||

And do I no longer even see those monkeys who take on any form at will?" Thus addressed, Hanuman spoke this in reply —

Shloka 26 (yuddha.127.26)

अर्थं विज्ञापयन्नेव भरतं सत्यविक्रमम्। सदा फलान्कुसुमितान्वृक्षान्प्राप्य मधुस्रवान् ॥ 127.26 ॥

arthaṃ vijñāpayanneva bharataṃ satyavikramam| sadā phalānkusumitānvṛkṣānprāpya madhusravān || 127.26 ||

informing Bharata of true valour, he said — "having come upon trees ever laden with fruit and flowers, sweetly dripping honey,

Shloka 27 (yuddha.127.27)

भरद्वाजप्रसादेन मत्तभ्रमरनादितान्। तस्य चैष वरो दत्तो वासवेन परन्तप ॥ 127.27 ॥

bharadvājaprasādena mattabhramaranāditān| tasya caiṣa varo datto vāsavena parantapa || 127.27 ||

humming with intoxicated bees, by Sage Bharadwaja's grace, O tormentor of foes — this very forest, Vasava (Indra) has granted as a boon,

Shloka 28 (yuddha.127.28)

ससैन्यस्य तदातिथ्यं कृतं सर्वगुणान्वितम्। निस्वनः श्रूयते भीमः प्रहृष्टानां वनौकसाम् ॥ 127.28 ॥

sasainyasya tadātithyaṃ kṛtaṃ sarvaguṇānvitam| nisvanaḥ śrūyate bhīmaḥ prahṛṣṭānāṃ vanaukasām || 127.28 ||

and the whole army together has received a hospitality, complete in every excellence. That is why a mighty roar of rejoicing forest-dwellers is heard —

Shloka 29 (yuddha.127.29)

मन्ये वानरसेना सा नदीं तरति गोमतीम्। रजोवर्षं समुद्भूतं पश्य वालुकिनीं प्रति ॥ 127.29 ॥

manye vānarasenā sā nadīṃ tarati gomatīm| rajovarṣaṃ samudbhūtaṃ paśya vālukinīṃ prati || 127.29 ||

I think that army of monkeys is now crossing the river Gomati; see how this cloud of dust rises toward the sandy stretches,

Shloka 30 (yuddha.127.30)

मन्ये सालवनं रम्यं लोलयन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः। तदेतद्दृश्यते दूराद्विमलं चन्द्रसंनिभम् ॥ 127.30 ॥

manye sālavanaṃ ramyaṃ lolayanti plavaṅgamāḥ| tadetaddṛśyate dūrādvimalaṃ candrasaṃnibham || 127.30 ||

I think the monkeys are shaking that lovely grove of Sala trees. And see — from afar, that spotless chariot, bright as the moon, now comes into view —

Shloka 31 (yuddha.127.31)

विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यं मनसा ब्रह्मनिर्मितम्। रावणं बान्धवैः सार्धं हत्वा लब्धं महात्मना ॥ 127.31 ॥

vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ divyaṃ manasā brahmanirmitam| rāvaṇaṃ bāndhavaiḥ sārdhaṃ hatvā labdhaṃ mahātmanā || 127.31 ||

that divine Pushpaka chariot, fashioned by Brahma through thought alone, which the great-souled Rama has won after slaying Ravana together with his kinsfolk.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.127.32)

तरुणादित्यसंकाशं विमानं रामवाहनम्। धनदस्य प्रसादेन दिव्यमेतन्मनोजवम् ॥ 127.32 ॥

taruṇādityasaṃkāśaṃ vimānaṃ rāmavāhanam| dhanadasya prasādena divyametanmanojavam || 127.32 ||

Radiant as the rising sun, that chariot which carries Rama — this divine vehicle, obtained by Kubera's grace, is as swift as thought itself.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.127.33)

एतस्मिन्भ्रातरौ वीरौ वैदेह्या सह राघवौ। सुग्रीवश्च महातेजा राक्षसेन्द्रो विभीषणः ॥ 127.33 ॥

etasminbhrātarau vīrau vaidehyā saha rāghavau| sugrīvaśca mahātejā rākṣasendro vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 127.33 ||

In it are seated both the heroic Raghava brothers with Vaidehi, and the mighty Sugriva, and Vibhishana, lord of the demons too."

Shloka 34 (yuddha.127.34)

ततो हर्षसमुद्भूतो निस्वनो दिवमस्पृशत्। स्त्रीबालयुववृद्धानां रामोऽयमिति कीर्तितः ॥ 127.34 ॥

tato harṣasamudbhūto nisvano divamaspṛśat| strībālayuvavṛddhānāṃ rāmo'yamiti kīrtitaḥ || 127.34 ||

Then a mighty roar, born of joy, rose up to touch the sky, as women, children, the young and the aged all cried out — "This is Rama himself!"

Shloka 35 (yuddha.127.35)

रथकुञ्जरवाजिभ्यस्तेऽवतीर्य महीं गताः। ददृशुस्तं विमानस्थं नराः सोममिवाम्बरे ॥ 127.35 ॥

rathakuñjaravājibhyaste'vatīrya mahīṃ gatāḥ| dadṛśustaṃ vimānasthaṃ narāḥ somamivāmbare || 127.35 ||

Descending from their chariots, elephants and horses, they came down upon the earth; and beheld him seated in that chariot, as men would gaze upon the moon in the sky.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.127.36)

प्राञ्जलिर्भरतो भूत्वा प्रहृष्टो राघवोन्मुखः। स्वागतेन यथार्थेन ततो राममपूजयत् ॥ 127.36 ॥

prāñjalirbharato bhūtvā prahṛṣṭo rāghavonmukhaḥ| svāgatena yathārthena tato rāmamapūjayat || 127.36 ||

Bharata, joining his palms, overflowing with joy, his face turned toward Raghava, then worshipped Rama with the due offerings of arghya and padya, as was fitting.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.127.37)

मनसा ब्रह्मणा सृष्टे विमाने लक्ष्मणाग्रजः। रराज पृथुदीर्घाक्षो वज्रपाणिरिवापरः ॥ 127.37 ॥

manasā brahmaṇā sṛṣṭe vimāne lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ| rarāja pṛthudīrghākṣo vajrapāṇirivāparaḥ || 127.37 ||

In that chariot fashioned by Brahma's own thought, Bharata's elder brother, broad and long-eyed, shone forth like a second Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.127.38)

ततो विमानाग्रगतं भरतो भ्रातरं तदा। ववन्दे प्रणतो रामं मेरुस्थमिव भास्करम् ॥ 127.38 ॥

tato vimānāgragataṃ bharato bhrātaraṃ tadā| vavande praṇato rāmaṃ merusthamiva bhāskaram || 127.38 ||

Then Bharata bowed low and saluted his brother Rama, seated at the head of the chariot, as one would salute the sun resting upon Mount Meru.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.127.39)

ततो रामाभ्यनुज्ञातं तद्विमानमनुत्तमम्। हंसयुक्तं महावेगम् निपपात महीतले ॥ 127.39 ॥

tato rāmābhyanujñātaṃ tadvimānamanuttamam| haṃsayuktaṃ mahāvegam nipapāta mahītale || 127.39 ||

Then, granted leave by Rama, that supreme, swan-drawn chariot of tremendous speed descended and alighted upon the earth.

Shloka 40 (yuddha.127.40)

आरोपितो विमानं तद्भरतः सत्यविक्रमः। राममासाद्य मुदितः पुनरेवाभ्यवादयत् ॥ 127.40 ॥

āropito vimānaṃ tadbharataḥ satyavikramaḥ| rāmamāsādya muditaḥ punarevābhyavādayat || 127.40 ||

Bharata, of true valour, mounted that chariot, and, delighted, having reached Rama's side, saluted him once again.

Shloka 41 (yuddha.127.41)

तं समुत्थाप्य काकुत्स्थश्चिरस्याक्षिपथं गतम्। अङ्के भरतमारोप्य मुदितः परिषष्वजे ॥ 127.41 ॥

taṃ samutthāpya kākutsthaścirasyākṣipathaṃ gatam| aṅke bharatamāropya muditaḥ pariṣaṣvaje || 127.41 ||

Lifting him up — that brother seen after so long a time — Kakutstha set Bharata upon his lap and embraced him with joy.

Shloka 42 (yuddha.127.42)

ततो लक्ष्मणमासाद्य वैदेहीं च परन्तपः। अभ्यवादयत प्रीतो भरतो नाम चाब्रवीत् ॥ 127.42 ॥

tato lakṣmaṇamāsādya vaidehīṃ ca parantapaḥ| abhyavādayata prīto bharato nāma cābravīt || 127.42 ||

Then Bharata, tormentor of foes, went to Lakshmana and to Vaidehi, and saluted them with love, and spoke, calling each by name —

Shloka 43 (yuddha.127.43)

सुग्रीवं कैकयी पुत्रो जाम्बवन्तं तथाङ्गदम्। मैन्दं च द्विविदं नीलमृषभं चैव सस्वजे ॥ 127.43 ॥

sugrīvaṃ kaikayī putro jāmbavantaṃ tathāṅgadam| maindaṃ ca dvividaṃ nīlamṛṣabhaṃ caiva sasvaje || 127.43 ||

Kaikeyi's son embraced Sugriva, Jambavan and Angada, and also Mainda, Dvivida, Nila and Rishabha,

Shloka 44 (yuddha.127.44)

सुषेणं च नलं चैव गवाक्षम् गन्धमादनम्। शरभं पनसं चैव परितः परिष्स्वजे ॥ 127.44 ॥

suṣeṇaṃ ca nalaṃ caiva gavākṣam gandhamādanam| śarabhaṃ panasaṃ caiva paritaḥ pariṣsvaje || 127.44 ||

and Sushena, Nala, Gavaksha and Gandhamadana too; Sharabha and Panasa as well he embraced on every side.

Shloka 45 (yuddha.127.45)

ते कृत्वा मानुषं रूपं वानराः कामरूपिणः। कुशलं पर्यपृषन्त प्रहृष्टा भरतं तदा ॥ 127.45 ॥

te kṛtvā mānuṣaṃ rūpaṃ vānarāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ| kuśalaṃ paryapṛṣanta prahṛṣṭā bharataṃ tadā || 127.45 ||

Those monkeys, who could take any form at will, then assumed human form and, greatly delighted, enquired after Bharata's welfare.

Shloka 46 (yuddha.127.46)

अथाब्रवीद्राजपुत्रः सुग्रीवं वानरर्षभम्। परिष्वज्य महातेजा भरतो धर्मिणां वरः ॥ 127.46 ॥

athābravīdrājaputraḥ sugrīvaṃ vānararṣabham| pariṣvajya mahātejā bharato dharmiṇāṃ varaḥ || 127.46 ||

Then the prince, greatest of the righteous, mighty in splendour, embraced Sugriva, chief of the monkeys, and spoke thus —

Shloka 47 (yuddha.127.47)

त्वमस्माकं चतुर्णां वैभ्राता सुग्रीव पञ्चमः। सौहार्दाज्जायते मित्रमपकारोऽरिलक्षणम् ॥ 127.47 ॥

tvamasmākaṃ caturṇāṃ vaibhrātā sugrīva pañcamaḥ| sauhārdājjāyate mitramapakāro'rilakṣaṇam || 127.47 ||

"O Sugriva, you are indeed a fifth brother to the four of us; for friendship is born of true affection, just as harm done is the mark of an enemy."

Shloka 48 (yuddha.127.48)

विभीषणं च भरतः सान्त्वयन्वाक्यमब्रवीत्। दिष्ट्या त्वया सहायेन कृतं कर्म सुदुष्करम् ॥ 127.48 ॥

vibhīṣaṇaṃ ca bharataḥ sāntvayanvākyamabravīt| diṣṭyā tvayā sahāyena kṛtaṃ karma suduṣkaram || 127.48 ||

And to Vibhishana too Bharata spoke words of kind regard — "By good fortune, with your help, this most arduous task has been accomplished."

Shloka 49 (yuddha.127.49)

शत्रुघ्नश्च तदा राममभिवाद्य सलक्ष्मणम्। सीतायाश्चरणौ पश्चाद्ववन्दे विनयान्वितः ॥ 127.49 ॥

śatrughnaśca tadā rāmamabhivādya salakṣmaṇam| sītāyāścaraṇau paścādvavande vinayānvitaḥ || 127.49 ||

Then Shatrughna saluted Rama together with Lakshmana, and that hero, full of humility, bowed also at Sita's feet.

Shloka 50 (yuddha.127.50)

रामो मातरमासाद्य विषण्णं शोककर्शिताम्। जग्राह प्रणतः पादौ मनो मातुः प्रसादयन् ॥ 127.50 ॥

rāmo mātaramāsādya viṣaṇṇaṃ śokakarśitām| jagrāha praṇataḥ pādau mano mātuḥ prasādayan || 127.50 ||

Rama, coming to his mother — pale and wasted with grief — bowed and clasped her feet in humility, gladdening his mother's heart,

Shloka 51 (yuddha.127.51)

अभिवाद्य सुमित्रां च कैकेयीं च यशस्विनीम्। स मातॄश्च तदा सर्वाः पुरोहितमुपागमत् ॥ 127.51 ॥

abhivādya sumitrāṃ ca kaikeyīṃ ca yaśasvinīm| sa mātṝśca tadā sarvāḥ purohitamupāgamat || 127.51 ||

and, having saluted Sumitra and glorious Kaikeyi as well, he then went, together with all his mothers, to the family priest.

Shloka 52 (yuddha.127.52)

स्वागतं ते महाबाहो कौसल्यानन्दवर्धन। इति प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे नागरा राममब्रुवन् ॥ 127.52 ॥

svāgataṃ te mahābāho kausalyānandavardhana| iti prāñjalayaḥ sarve nāgarā rāmamabruvan || 127.52 ||

"Welcome, O mighty-armed one, who gladdens Kausalya's heart!" — thus, with joined palms, the citizens spoke to Rama.

Shloka 53 (yuddha.127.53)

तन्यञ्जलिसहस्राणि प्रगृहीतानि नागरैः। व्याकोशानीव पद्मानि ददर्श भरताग्रजः ॥ 127.53 ॥

tanyañjalisahasrāṇi pragṛhītāni nāgaraiḥ| vyākośānīva padmāni dadarśa bharatāgrajaḥ || 127.53 ||

Those thousand upraised, joined palms of the citizens, Bharata's elder brother beheld as though they were so many blossoming lotuses.

Shloka 54 (yuddha.127.54)

पादुके ते तु रामस्य गृहीत्वा भरतः स्वयम्। चरणाभ्यां नरेन्द्रस्य योजयामास धर्मवित् ॥ 127.54 ॥

pāduke te tu rāmasya gṛhītvā bharataḥ svayam| caraṇābhyāṃ narendrasya yojayāmāsa dharmavit || 127.54 ||

The righteous Bharata himself took those sandals of Rama's, and fitted them upon the feet of the lord of men.

Shloka 55 (yuddha.127.55)

अब्रवीच्च तदा रामं भरतः स कृताञ्जलिः। एतत्ते रक्षितं राजन्राज्यं निर्यातितं मया ॥ 127.55 ॥

abravīcca tadā rāmaṃ bharataḥ sa kṛtāñjaliḥ| etatte rakṣitaṃ rājanrājyaṃ niryātitaṃ mayā || 127.55 ||

Then Bharata, with joined palms, said to Rama — "O king, this entire kingdom, which had been left with me in trust, I have today restored fully to you.

Shloka 56 (yuddha.127.56)

अद्य जन्म कृतार्थं मे संवृत्तश्च मनोरथः। यस्त्वां पश्यामि राजानमयोध्यां पुनरागतम् ॥ 127.56 ॥

adya janma kṛtārthaṃ me saṃvṛttaśca manorathaḥ| yastvāṃ paśyāmi rājānamayodhyāṃ punarāgatam || 127.56 ||

Today my birth has borne fruit, and my heart's desire is fulfilled, for I behold you returned to Ayodhya as king.

Shloka 57 (yuddha.127.57)

अवेक्षतां भवान्कोशं कोष्ठागारं पुरं बलम्। भवतस्तेजसा सर्वं कृतं दशगुणं मया ॥ 127.57 ॥

avekṣatāṃ bhavānkośaṃ koṣṭhāgāraṃ puraṃ balam| bhavatastejasā sarvaṃ kṛtaṃ daśaguṇaṃ mayā || 127.57 ||

Be pleased yourself to inspect the treasury, the storehouses, the capital and the army; by your own splendour I have made everything increase tenfold."

Shloka 58 (yuddha.127.58)

तथा ब्रुवाणं भरतं दृष्ट्वा तं भ्रातृवत्सलम्। मुमुचुर्वानरा बाष्पं राक्षसश्च विभीषणः ॥ 127.58 ॥

tathā bruvāṇaṃ bharataṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ bhrātṛvatsalam| mumucurvānarā bāṣpaṃ rākṣasaśca vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 127.58 ||

Seeing Bharata, so devoted to his brother, speaking thus, the monkeys and Vibhishana, the demon, all shed tears.

Shloka 59 (yuddha.127.59)

ततः प्रहर्षाद्भरतमङ्कमारोप्य राघवः। ययौ तेन विमानेन ससैन्यो भरताश्रमम् ॥ 127.59 ॥

tataḥ praharṣādbharatamaṅkamāropya rāghavaḥ| yayau tena vimānena sasainyo bharatāśramam || 127.59 ||

Then, with joy, setting Bharata upon his lap, Raghava, together with the army, journeyed on by that very chariot to Bharata's hermitage.

Shloka 60 (yuddha.127.60)

भरताश्रममासाद्य ससैन्यो राघवस्तदा। अवतीर्य विमानाग्रादवतस्थे महीतले ॥ 127.60 ॥

bharatāśramamāsādya sasainyo rāghavastadā| avatīrya vimānāgrādavatasthe mahītale || 127.60 ||

Reaching Bharata's hermitage, together with the army, Raghava then descended from the front of the chariot and stood upon the ground.

Shloka 61 (yuddha.127.61)

अब्रवीच्च तदा रामस्तद्विमानमनुत्तमम्। वह वैश्रवणं देवमनुजानामि गम्यताम् ॥ 127.61 ॥

abravīcca tadā rāmastadvimānamanuttamam| vaha vaiśravaṇaṃ devamanujānāmi gamyatām || 127.61 ||

Then Rama spoke to that supreme chariot — "Now bear the god Vaishravana; I grant you leave, you may go."

Shloka 62 (yuddha.127.62)

ततो रामाभ्यनुज्ञातं तद्विमानमनुत्तमम्। उत्तरां दिशमुद्दिश्य जगाम धनदालयम् ॥ 127.62 ॥

tato rāmābhyanujñātaṃ tadvimānamanuttamam| uttarāṃ diśamuddiśya jagāma dhanadālayam || 127.62 ||

Then, given leave by Rama, that supreme chariot, turning toward the northern quarter, set off for the abode of Kubera.

Shloka 63 (yuddha.127.63)

विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यं सम्गृहीतं तु रक्षसा। अगमद्धनदं वेगाद्रामवाक्यप्रचोदितम् ॥ 127.63 ॥

vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ divyaṃ samgṛhītaṃ tu rakṣasā| agamaddhanadaṃ vegādrāmavākyapracoditam || 127.63 ||

That divine Pushpaka chariot, received back by the lord of wealth, sped swiftly onward, driven by Rama's word, to reach Kubera.

Shloka 64 (yuddha.127.64)

पुरोहितस्यात्मसमस्य राघवो। बृहस्पतेः शक्र इवामराधिपः। निपीड्य पादौ पृथगासने शुभे। सहैव तेनोपविवेश वीर्यवान् ॥ 127.64 ॥

purohitasyātmasamasya rāghavo| bṛhaspateḥ śakra ivāmarādhipaḥ| nipīḍya pādau pṛthagāsane śubhe| sahaiva tenopaviveśa vīryavān || 127.64 ||

Pressing the feet of his own priest and friend — as Indra, lord of gods, would press the feet of Brihaspati — the valiant Raghava then sat down beside him, upon a separate, auspicious seat.