Vashishta urges Rama to grant the prayer of Bharata. Rama replies that the command given by his father cannot be disregarded. Bharata then decides to undertake a fest unto death as a last resort to exert pressure on Rama. On Rama's dubbing such a step as repugnant to the code of conduct prescribed for a kshatriya, Bharata requests Rama to allow him to remain in the forest as the latter's proxy. Rama, however, rules out this proposition also, saying that it is a matter of reproach. He reaffirms his resolve to enter Ayodhya only after implementing the pledge given to his father.
vasiṣṭhaḥ tu tadā rāmam uktvā rāja purohitaḥ |
abravīd dharma samyuktam punar eva aparam vacaḥ || 2-111-1
1. uktvaa = having spoken (thus); raamam = to Rama; vasiSThastu = Vasistha; raaja purohitaH = the royal priest; tadaa = then; punareva = again; abraviit = spoke; aparam vachaH = (the following) further words; dharmasamyuktam = which were righteous.
Having spoken thus to Rama, Vasishta the royal priest added the following righteous words:
puruṣasya iha jātasya bhavanti guravaḥ trayaḥ |
ācāryaḥ caiva kākutstha pitā mātā ca rāghava || 2-111-2
2. kaakutthsa = O; Rama!; raaghava = O; Raghava!; jaatasya = from birth; trayaH = three; guravaH = spiritual instructors; puruSasya = of a man; bhavanti = are; achaaryashchaiva = his teacher; pitaa = his father; maataacha = and his mother.
"O, Kakutstha, O offspring the Raghu dynasty! From birth, the three spiritual instructors of a man are his teacher, his father and his mother."
pitā hy enam janayati puruṣam puruṣa ṛṣabha |
prajnām dadāti ca ācāryaḥ tasmāt sa gurur ucyate || 2-111-3
3. puruSarSabha = O; the excellent among men!; pitaa = the father; janayatihi enam puruSam = gives man his life; aachaaryaH = the teacher; dadaati = instructs (him); prajJNaam = in wisdom; tasmaat = and therefore; saH = the teacher; uchyate = is said to be; guruH = the superior.
"O, excellent among men! The father of man his life. The teacher instructs him in wisdom and therefore instructs the teacher is said to be the superior!"
se te aham pitur ācāryaḥ tava caiva param tapa |
mama tvam vacanam kurvan na ativarteḥ satām gatim || 2-111-4
4. paramtapa = O; Rama; the tormentator of enemies!; saH aham = that I; aachaaryaH = am the spiritual preceptor; te pituH = to your father; tavachaiva = and to you too; kurvam = In obeying; mama = my vachanam = words; tvam = you; naativartate = will not transgress; niitim = the path; sataam = of the virtuous.
"O, Rama the tormentator of the enemies! I am the spiritual Preceptor to your father and to you too. In obeying my words, you will not transgress the path of the virtuous."
imā hi te pariṣadaḥ śreṇayaḥ ca samāgatāḥ |
eṣu tāta caran dharmam na ativarteḥ satām gatim || 2-111-5
5. taata = O; dear prince!; imaaH = these; pariSadaH = subjects; shreNayashcha = the traders and other categories of people; tathaa = and; dvijaaH = Brahmanas; te hi = are your people only; eSu = in their case; charan = while practising; dharmam = righteousness; naativartate = you will not transgress; gatim = the path; sataam = of the righteous.
"O, dear prince! These subjects, the traders, the other categories of people and Brahmana are your people only. In fulfilling your duty to them, you will not be transgressing your righteous path."
vṛddhāyā dharma śīlāyā mātur na arhasy avartitum |
asyāḥ tu vacanam kurvan na ativarteḥ satām gatim || 2-111-6
6. naarhasi = you ought not; avartitum = to be lacking in reverence; maatuH = to your mother; vR^iddhayaa = who is aged; dharma shiilayaaH = and of noble conduct; kurvan = by carrying out; asyaaH = her; vachanam = words; naati vartate = you will not deviate; gatim = from the path; sataam = of the virtuous.
"You ought not to be lacking in reverence to your mother who is aged and possessing a noble conduct. By carrying out her words, you will not deviate from the path of the virtuous."
bharatasya vacaḥ kurvan yācamānasya rāghava |
ātmānam na ativarteḥ tvam satya dharma parākrama || 2-111-7
7. raaghava = O; Rama; satyadharmaparaakramaH = excelling in truth and virtue!; kurvan = by fulfilling; vachaH = the words; bharatasya = of Bharata; yaachamaanasya = who is beseeching (you); tvam = you; naativartate = will not be false; aatmaanam = to yourself.
"O, Rama excelling in truth and virtue. By fulfilling the words of the beseeching Bharata, you will not be false to yourself."
evam madhuram uktaḥ tu guruṇā rāghavaḥ svayam |
pratyuvāca samāsīnam vasiṣṭham puruṣa ṛṣabhaḥ || 2-111-8
8. uktassam = having been spoken; madhuram = sweet words; guruNaa = by his spiritual preceptor; svayam = himself; evam = thus; raaghavaH = Rama; puruSarSabhaH = the excellent among men; pratyuvaacha = replied; vasiSTham = to Vasishta; samaasiinam = who was seated there
Having heard the sweet words spoken by his spiritual preceptro himself, Rama the excellent among men replied (as follows) to Vasishta who was seated there.
yan mātāpitarau vṛttam tanaye kurutaḥ sadā |
na supratikaram tat tu mātrā pitrā ca yat kṛtam || 2-111-9
yathā śakti pradānena snāpanāc cādanena ca |
nityam ca priya vādena tathā samvardhanena ca || 2-111-10
9; 10. vR^ittam = the good; yat = which; maataapitrau = a father and mother; kurutaH = do; yathaashakti pradaanena = by giving him whatever they can; sadaa = forever; tanaye = to their son; svaapanochchhaadanena cha = by putting him to sleep; rubbing his body with oil etc; priya vaaden = by speaking kindly to him; nityamcha = every moment; tathaa = and; samvardhanena = even by nourishing him; yat = and whatever; kR^itam = is done; maatraa = by a mother; pitraacha = and father; tat tu = that however; na suprati karam = cannot be requited.
"The good, which a father and mother do, by giving whatever they can, to their son constantly, by putting him to sleep, rubbing his body with oil etc, nay, by speaking kindly to him every moment, and even by nourishing him, can never be wholly requited."
sa hi rājā janayitā pitā daśaratho mama |
ājnātam yan mayā tasya na tan mithyā bhaviṣyati || 2-111-11
11. mam = my; pitaa = father; saH = that; raajaa dasharathaH = king Dasaratha; janayitaa hi = indeed begot me; yat = that whihc; ajJNaatam = was promised; mayaa = by me; tasya = to him; tat = that; na bhaviSyati = will not become; mithyaa = false.
"The command laid upon me by king Dasaratha, my father, who begot me, cannot therefore be disregarded."
evam uktaḥ tu rāmeṇa bharataḥ pratyanantaram |
uvāca parama udāraḥ sūtam parama durmanāḥ || 2-111-12
12. evam = thus; uktaH = spoken; raameNa = by Rama; bharataH = Bharata; paramodaaraH = the highly generous man; parama durmanaaH = was very much anguished; uvaacha = and spoke; suutam = to Sumantra the charioteer; pratyanantaram = who was standing nearby.
Hearing Rama's words, the most generous Bharata felt very mcuh anguished and addressed the following words to Sumantra the charioteer who was standing nearby:
iha me sthaṇḍile śīghram kuśān āstara sārathe |
āryam pratyupavekṣyāmi yāvan me na prasīdati || 2-111-13
13. saarathe = O; charioteer!; aastara = spread; kushaan = the Kusha grass; shiigram = soon; sthaN^Dile = on the ground; iha = here; me = for me; pratyupavekSyaami = I shall remain facing; aaryam = my illustrious brother; yaavat = till; na prasiidati me = he does not get me propitiated.
"O, charioteer! Spread speedily the Kusha grass on the ground here for me. I shall remain facing my illustrious brother till he gets propitiated (and grant my request)."
anāhāro nirāloko dhana hīno yathā dvijaḥ |
śeṣye purastāt śālāyā yāvan na pratiyāsyati || 2-111-14
14. sheSye = I shall remain lying down; purastaat = in front; shaalaayaaH = of Rama's hut; anaahaaraH = withou food or drink; niraalokaH = and depriving myself of light; yaavat = until; na pratiyaasyati = he does not return to Ayodhya; dvijaH yathaa = like a brahmana; dhana hiinaH = who is destitute (likes down at the door of his creditor).
"I shall remain lying down in front of Rama's hut without food or drink and depriving myself of light until he returns to Ayodhya, like a brahman who is a destitute (lies down at the door of his crditor)."
sa tu rāmam avekṣantam sumantram prekṣya durmanāḥ |
kuśa uttaram upasthāpya bhūmāu eva āstarat svayam || 2-111-15
15. prekSya = seeing; sumantram = Sumantra; avekSantam = who was gazing at; raamam = RAma; (for his command); sa tu = that Bharata; durmanaaH = with low spirits; svayameva = on his own; upasthaapya = brought; kushottaram = a heap of Kusha grass; aastarat = and spread it; bhuumau = on the floor.
Seeing Sumantra who was gazing at Rama waiting for his command, the low-spirited Bharata, on his own, brought a heap of Kusha grass and spread it on the floor.
tam uvāca mahā tejā rāmo rāja ṛṣi sattamāḥ |
kim mām bharata kurvāṇam tāta pratyupavekṣyasi || 2-111-16
16. raamaH = Rama; mahaatejaaH = of great splendour; raajarSi sattamaH = and the excellent among royal sages; uvaacha = spoke; tam = to him (as follows); bharata = O; Bharata; taataH = my dear brother!; kim kurvaaNam taataH = what wrong have I done; pratyupavakSyasi = that you lie = down; maam = before me?
Rama of great splendour and the best among royal sages spoke to Bharata as follows: "O Bharata my dear brother! What wrong have I done that you lie down before me?"
brāhmaṇo hy eka pārśvena narān roddhum iha arhati |
na tu mūrdhā avasiktānām vidhiḥ pratyupaveśane || 2-111-17
17. braahmaNaH = A brahman; arhati hi = can indeed; ekapaarshvena = lie down on one; roddhum = in order to obstruct; naraan = men; iha = in this world; na = there is no; vidhiH = rule; muurdhaabhiSiktaanaam tu = for a warrior-class; pratyupaveshane = to lie down; obstructing men.
"A brahmana may lie down on one side in order to obstruct a willful debtor in this world. But, it is not befitting for a warrior-class.
uttiṣṭha nara śārdūla hitvā etad dāruṇam vratam |
pura varyām itaḥ kṣipram ayodhyām yāhi rāghava || 2-111-18
18. raaghava = O; Bharata; narashaarduulaH = Tiger among men!; hitvaa = giving up; etat = this; daaruNam = formidable; vratam = resolve; uttiSTha = rise up; yaahi = proceed; kSipram = speedily; ayodhyaam = to Ayodhya; puravaryaam = the excellent of cities; itaH = from here.
"O Bharata, Tiger among men! Giving up this formidable resolve, rise up proceed speedily to Ayodhya the best of cities, from here."
āsīnaḥ tu eva bharataḥ paura jānapadam janam |
uvāca sarvataḥ prekṣya kim āryam na anuśāsatha || 2-111-19
19. aasiinastveva = still sitting like that; bharataH = Bharata; prekSya = looking at; janam = the people; paura jaanapadam = the citizens and the rural folk; sarvataH = on all sides; uvaacha = and asked; kim = why; naanushaasatha = they are not entreating; aaryam = his venerable brother (to return)
Still sitting in the same posture, Bharata looked at the citizens and rural folk around on all sides and asked them why they were not entreating his venerable brother to return.
te tam ūcur mahātmānam paura jānapadā janāḥ |
kākutstham abhijānīmaḥ samyag vadati rāghavaḥ || 2-111-20
20. te jaanaaaH = tose people; paurajaanapadaaH = the inhabitants of town and country; uuchuH = replied; mahaatmaanam = to high souled; tam = Bharata (as follows); abhijaaniiya = we know well; kaakutthasam = Rama; raaghavaH = Rama; vadati = is speaking; samyak = rightly.
Those people, the inhabitants of town and country replied to the magnanimous Bharata as follows: "We know Rama very well. He is speaking rightly."
eṣo api hi mahā bhāgaḥ pitur vacasi tiṣṭhati |
ata eva na śaktāḥ smo vyāvartayitum anjasā || 2-111-21
21. eSaH = this; mahaabhaagaH = Rama of exalted merit; tiSThati hi = is indeed standing; pituH = on his father's; vachasi = words; ata eva = for that reason; na smaH = we are not; shaktaaH = able; vyaavartayitum = to make him return; aJNjasaa = indeed.
"This Rama of exalted merit is indeed standing on his father's words. Hence, we are not able to convince him to return to Ayodhya."
teṣām ājnāya vacanam rāmo vacanam abravīt |
evam nibodha vacanam suhṛdām dharma cakṣuṣām || 2-111-22
22. aajJNaaya = understanding; teSaam = their; vachanam = words; raamaH = Rama; abraviit = spoke; (as follows); nibodha = reflect on; vachanam = the words; suhR^idaam = of your friends; dharma chakSuSaam = who see rightly; evam = thus.
Hearing their words, Rama said to Bharata: "Reflect on the words of your companions, who see rightly."
etac ca eva ubhayam śrutvā samyak sampaśya rāghava |
uttiṣṭha tvam mahā bāho mām ca spṛśa tathā udakam || 2-111-23
23. mahaabaaho = O; the mighty armed; raaghava = Bharata!; shrutvaa = hearing; etat = these; ubhayam chaiva = two (my words and their words); sampashya = and reflecting on them; samyak = well; tvam = you; uttiSTha = rise up; spR^iha = and touch; maamcha = me; tathaa = and udakam = (drink) water.
"O the mighty armed Bharata! Having listened to their testimony and mine, reflect on the matter carefull. Rise and touch me and drink water."
atha utthāya jalam spṛṣṭvā bharato vākyam abravīt |
śṛṇvantu me pariṣado mantriṇaḥ śreṇayaḥ tathā || 2-111-24
24. atha = thereafter; bharataH = Bharata; utthaaya = rose; spR^iSTvaa = touched; jalam = water; abraviit = and spoke; vaakyam = (the following) words; pariSadaH = (Let) the audience; mantriNaH = ministers; tathaa = and; shrNayaH = the guild of traders; shruNvantu = hear; me = me.
Thereafter, Bharata rose, touched water and spoke as follows: "Let the audience, including ministers and the guild of traders hear me also."
na yāce pitaram rājyam na anuśāsāmi mātaram |
āryam parama dharmajnam abhijānāmi rāghavam || 2-111-25
25. na yaache = I never asked; pitaram = my father; raajyam = for the kingdom; naanushaasaami = nor did I counsel; maataram = my mother (to enthrone me); naanujaanaami = I never gave my approval; (for the exile of ); raaghavam of Rama; aaryam = the venerable man; paramadharmajJNam = who knows his duty very well.
"I never asked my father for the kingdom, nor did I counsel my mother to enthrone me. I never gave my approval for the exile of Rama, the venerable hero, who knows his duty very well."
yadi tu avaśyam vastavyam kartavyam ca pitur vacaḥ |
aham eva nivatsyāmi caturdaśa vane samāḥ || 2-111-26
26. avashyam yadi = If it is absolutely essential; vastavyam = (that one of us_ should remain here; vachaH = and the command (of our father); kartavyamcha = be executed; ahameva = (then) it is I; nivatsyaami = who will live; vane = in the forest; chaturdasha samaaH = for fourteen years.
"If it is absolutely essential that one of us should remain here and the command of our father be executed, then it is I who will reside in the forest for fourteen years."
dharma ātmā tasya tathyena bhrātur vākyena vismitaḥ |
uvāca rāmaḥ samprekṣya paura jānapadam janam || 2-111-27
27. dharmaatmaa = The high souled; raamaH = Rama; vismitaH = was surprised; tathyena vaakyena = by sincere words; tasya = of that; bhraatuH = brother; samprekSya = and by looking at; paurajaanapadam = the inhabitants of town and country; vuaacha = spoke (as follows)
The high-souled Rama was surprised by the sincere words of his brother and by looking at the inhabitants of town and country, spoke (as follows):
vikrītam āhitam krītam yat pitrā jīvatā mama |
na tal lopayitum śakyam mayā vā bharatena vā || 2-111-28
28. vikriitam = the disposal; aahitam = the pledge; kriitam = and the come by; yat = which; (were given); pitraa = by my father; jiivataa = while he was alive; tat = that; na shakyam = cannot be; lopayitum = broken; mayaa vaa = either by me; bharatena vaa = or by Bharata.
"The disposal, the pledge and the come-by which he was alive, cannot be broken either by me or by Bharata."
upadhir na mayā kāryo vana vāse jugupsitaḥ |
yuktam uktam ca kaikeyyā pitrā me sukṛtam kṛtam || 2-111-29
29. upadhiH = my consent to the substitute; vanavase = in respect of the sojourn in the forest; na kaaryaH = cannot be done; mayaa = by me; jugupsitaH = which is a distasteful thing; uktam = what was advised; kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi; yuktam = was property; kR^itam = and what was done; me pitraa = by me father; sukrutam = was a righteous deed.
"I cannot accede to the substitute in respect of the sojourn in the forest and it is distasteful thing. What was advised by Kaikeyi was proper and what was done by my father was a righteous deed."
jānāmi bharatam kṣāntam guru satkāra kāriṇam |
sarvam eva atra kalyāṇam satya saṃdhe mahātmani || 2-111-30
30. jaanaami = I am aware; (that) bharatam = Bharata; kSaantam = has patience; gurusatkaara kaaraNam = and devotion for the elders; sarvameva = all will be kalyaaNam = propitious; atra = in the case of this Bharata; satya sandhe = who is true to his promise; mahaatmani = and magnanimous.
"I am aware that Bharata has necessary patience and due devotion for the elders. All will be propitious in the case of this magnanimous Bharata, who is true to his promise."
anena dharma śīlena vanāt pratyāgataḥ punaḥ |
bhrātrā saha bhaviṣyāmi pṛthivyāḥ patir uttamaḥ || 2-111-31
31. pratyaagataH = after returning; punaH = again; vaanaat = from the forest; bhaviSyaami = I shall become; uttamaH = an excellent; patiH = king; pR^ithivyaah = of the earth; anena bhraatrena saha = along with my brother; dharmashiilena = who is of virtuous nature.
"After returning from the forest, I shall rule the earth, assisted by my virtuous brother."
vṛto rājā hi kaikeyyā mayā tad vacanam kṛtam |
anṛtān mocaya anena pitaram tam mahī patim || 2-111-32
32. raajaa = the king Dasaratha; vR^ito hi = was indeed prevailed upon; kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi; tadvachanam = that promise; kR^itam = was fulfilled; mayaa = by me; anena = for this reason; mochaya = relieve; mahiipatim = the emperor; tam pitaram = and that father; anR^itaat = from blame.
"The king Dasaratha was indeed solicited for a boon by Kaikeyi. That word of the king has been fulfilled by me. Hence, relieve our father, the emperor from the blame."
- - -
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe ekādaśottaraśatatamaḥ sargaḥ
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© August 2005, K. M. K. Murthy