On hearing the debate between Rama and Bharata, all the sages there were astonished. The sages request Bharata to accept Rama's words. Bharata explains to Rama that he is unable to rule the vast kingdom alone to the satisfaction of its subjects. Bharata further adds that Rama has the necessary competence to save the world and makes a fervent appeal to Rama to return to Ayodhya. However, Rama replies that Bharata is quite capable of ruling the kingdom and advises Bharata to take counsel from his wise ministers before administering the kingdom. Rama reaffirms Bharata that he will never be fulse to his father's vow. Finally, Bharata agrees to Rama;s proposition, but requests Rama to offer his sandals to be carried by him to ayodhya so that the peope there would get gain and security. Rama agrees to it and offers his sandals to Bharata, who takes a vow before Rama to enter fire in case he did not return immediately after the expiry of his term of exile. After embracing Bharata and Shatrughna, Rama bids farewell to all with due respect in accord with the rank of each and enters his hermitage.
tam apratima tejobhyām bhrātṛbhyām roma harṣaṇam |
vismitāḥ samgamam prekṣya samavetā maharṣayaḥ || 2-112-1
1. prekSya = seeing; tam = that; romaharSaNam = thrilling; samgamam = converse; bhraatR^ibhyaam = between those two brothers; apratima tejobhyaam = with incomparable dignity; maharSayaH = the great sages; samvetaaH = gathered there; vismitaaH = were astonished.
Witnessing that thrilling converse between those two brothers with incomparable dignity, the great sages gathered there were astonished.
antar hitāḥ tu ṛṣi gaṇāḥ siddhāḥ ca parama ṛṣayaḥ |
tau bhrātarau mahātmānau kākutsthau praśaśaṃsire || 2-112-2
2. munigaNaaH = the assemblies of ascetics; siddhaashcha = great saints; paramarSayaH = and distinguished sages; antarhitaaH = who stood invisible in space; prashashamsire = applauded; tau kaakutthsau = both Rama and Bharata; mahaatmaanau = the high-souled; bhraatarau = brothers (as follows)
The assemblies of ascetics, great saints present there and the distinguished sages who stood invisible in space, applauded both Rama and Bharata, the magnanimous brothers, saying (as follows):
sa dhanyo yasya putrau dvau dharmajnau dharma vikramau |
śrutvā vayam hi sambhāṣām ubhayoḥ spṛhayāmahe || 2-112-3
3. saH = that Dasaratha; yasya = who begot; dvau putrau = two sons; dharmajJNau = who know righteousness; dharma vikramau = and whose strength is justice; dhanyaH = was fortunate; shrutvaa = by hearing; sambhaaSaam = the conversation; ubhayoH = between theses two princes; vayam = we; delighted. spR^ihayaamaahe hi = are indeed delighted.
"That Dasaratha, who begot these two sons, who know righteousness and whose strength is justice, was fortunate. By hearing the debate between these two princes, we are indeed delighted."
tataḥ tu ṛṣi gaṇāḥ kṣipram daśagrīva vadha eṣiṇaḥ |
bharatam rāja śārdūlam ity ūcuḥ samgatā vacaḥ || 2-112-4
4. tataH = then; R^iSigaNaaH = the assembly of sages; dashagriiva vadhaiSiNaH = who wished to see destruction of Ravana; kSipram = quickly; samgataaH = came together; uuchuH- and spoke; iti = these; vachaH = words; bharatam = to Bharata; raaja shaarduulam = the excellent king.
Thereafter, that assembly of sages, who wished to see a quick destruction of Ravana, came together and spoke the following words to Bharata, the excellent king.
kule jāta mahā prājna mahā vṛtta mahā yaśaḥ |
grāhyam rāmasya vākyam te pitaram yady avekṣase || 2-112-5
5. kule jaata = O Bharata born in a noble race; mahaapraajJNa = highly intelligent; mahaa vR^itta = having a superior conduct; mahaa yashaH = and a great repute! avekSase yadi = If you respect; te = your; pitaram = father; raamasya = Rama's; vaakyam = words; graahyam = are to be accepted.
"O Bharata born in a noble race, highly intelligent, having a superior conduct and a great repute! If you have regard for your father, Rama's words are to be accepted.
sadā anṛṇam imam rāmam vayam igcchāmahe pituḥ |
anṛṇatvāc ca kaikeyyāḥ svargam daśaratho gataḥ || 2-112-6
6. vayam = we; ichchhaamahe = wish; imam raamam = this Rama; anR^iNam = to be free of debt; sadaa = forever; pituH = in the case of his father; dasharathaH = Dasaratha; anR^iNatvaachcha = becoming free of debt; kaikeyyaaH = in the case of Kaikeyi; gataH = went; svargam = to heaven.
"We wish to see Rama absolved of all obligations forever to his father. Dasaratha, having honoured his pledge to Kaikeyi, indeed went to heaven."
etāvad uktvā vacanam gandharvāḥ samaharṣayaḥ |
rāja ṛṣayaḥ caiva tathā sarve svām svām gatim gatāḥ || 2-112-7
7. uktvaa = having spoken; vachanam = the words; etaavat = that much; sarve = all; gandharvaaH = the celestial musicians; samaharSyaH = together with the great sages; tadaa = then; gataaH = went; svaam svaam = their respective; gatim = abodes.
Having uttered that much, all the celestial musicians and the great sages then went to their respective abodes.
hlāditaḥ tena vākyena śubhena śubha darśanaḥ |
rāmaḥ samhṛṣṭa vadanaḥ tān ṛṣīn abhyapūjayat || 2-112-8
8. tena vaakyena = by those words; shubhena = which were auspicious; shubhadarshanaH = the good-looking; raamaH = Rama; LaaditaH = looked radiant; abhyapuujayat = and worshipped; taan R^iSiin = those sages; samhR^iSTa vadanaH = with a joyful countenance.
Hearing those auspicious words, the good-looking Rama looked radiant and worshipped those sages with a joyful countenance.
srasta gātraḥ tu bharataḥ sa vācā sajjamānayā |
kṛta anjalir idam vākyam rāghavam punar abravīt || 2-112-9
9. bharatastu = Bharata; on his part; trastagaatraH = with trembled limbs; kR^itaaJNjaliH = joined his palms in salutation; punaH abraviit = again spoke; idam vaakyam = these words; raaghavam = to Rama; sajjamaaneyaa = in a strangled; vaachaa = voice.
Bharata, on his part, with trembled limbs, joined his palms in salutation and again spoke the following words to Rama in a strangled voice:
rāja dharmam anuprekṣya kula dharma anusamtatim |
kartum arhasi kākutstha mama mātuḥ ca yācanām || 2-112-10
10. kaakutthsa = O; Rama!; anuprekSya = keeping in view; (that); raajadharmam = the royal statute; kuladharma = and the statue of the race; anusantatim = continue; arhasi = you ought to; kartum = yield to; yachanaam = the entreaties; mama = of mine; maatushcha = and of your mother.
"O, Rama! Keep in view the continuance of our royal statue and the statute of the race. You ought to yield to the entreaties of mine and those of your mother."
rakṣitum sumahad rājyam aham ekaḥ tu na utsahe |
paura jānapadāmḥ ca api raktān ranjayitum tathā || 2-112-11
11. aham = I; ekastu = alone; notsahe = am not able; rakSitum = to protect; sumahat = the very large; raajyam = kingdom; tathaa = and; raJNjayitum = to the satisfaction; raktaan = of the beloved; paurajaanapadaan = inhabitants of town and country.
"I am not able to rule this vast empire alone to the satisfaction of the beloved inhabitants of town and country!"
jnātayaḥ ca hi yodhāḥ ca mitrāṇi suhṛdaḥ ca naḥ |
tvām eva pratikānkṣante parjanyam iva karṣakāḥ || 2-112-12
12. naH = our; jJNaatayashcha = kith and kin; yodhaashcha = soldiers; mitraaNi = companions; suhR^idashcha = and allies; prativiikSante = are waiting; tvameva = for you indeed; karSakaaH iva = as farmers (wait); parjanyamiva = for the rainy clouds.
"Our kith and king, soldiers, companions and allies are waiting for you indeed, as farmers wait for the rainy clouds."
idam rājyam mahā prājna sthāpaya pratipadya hi |
śaktimān asi kākutstha lokasya paripālane || 2-112-13
13. mahaa praajJNa = O Rama the sagacious! pratipadya = return; idam raajyam = to this kingdom; sthaapaya = and keep it in order; asi = you are; shaktimaan = competent; panipaalane = of administration; lokasya = of the world.
"O, the sagacious Rama! Return to the kingdom and keep it in order. You have the competence to save the world!"
ity uktvā nyapatad bhrātuḥ pādayor bharataḥ tadā |
bhṛśam samprārthayām āsa rāmam evam priyam vadaḥ || 2-112-14
14. bharataH = Bharata; tadaa = then; uktvaa = speaking; iti = thus; nyapatat = fell; paadayoH = at the feet; bhraatuH = of his brother; priyamvadaH = Bharata the kind-spoken; sampraartha yaamaasa = earnestly requested; raamam eva = Rama; bhR^isham = a great deal.
That Bharata, who was kind-spoken, thus made a fervent appeal to Rama and fell at his feet.
tam anke bhrātaram kṛtvā rāmo vacanam abravīt |
śyāmam nalina patra akṣam matta haṃsa svaraḥ svayam || 2-112-15
15. svayam aNkekRTitvaa = placing on his lap; tam bharatam = that Bharata; shyaamam = of dark hue; nalina patraakSam = wtih eyes resembling lotus-petals; matta hamsa svaram = having a voice of a swan in rut; raamaH = Rama; abraviit = spoke; vachanam = (the following) words.
Placing on his lap, that Bharata of dark hue, with eyes resembling lotus-petals and having a voice like that of a swan in rut, Rama spoke the following words to him:
āgatā tvām iyam buddhiḥ svajā vainayikī ca yā |
bhṛśam utsahase tāta rakṣitum pṛthivīm api || 2-112-16
16. taataH = O dear brother!; yaa buddhiH = which intellect; iyam = this; tvaam = you; aagataa = obtained; svajaa = self-born; vainayikiicha = and by training; (by that); utsahase = you are competent; bhR^isham = very much; rakSitum api = even to rule; pR^ithiviim = the earth.
"O, my dear brother! You are very much competent to rule the earth, by the intellect you obtained both inherently and by training."
amātyaiḥ ca suhṛdbhiḥ ca buddhimadbhiḥ ca mantribhiḥ |
sarva kāryāṇi sammantrya sumahānty api kāraya || 2-112-17
17. sammantrya = take counsel with; amaatyaishcha = ministers; suhR^idbhishcha = companions; buddhi madbhiH = and intelligent; mantribhishcha = counsellors; kaaraya = and get done; sarva kaaryaaNi = all activities; sumhaantyapi = even if they are gigantic.
"Take counsel with your ministers, companions and intelligent counsellors and get all activities done, even if they are gigantic."
lakṣmīḥ candrād apeyād vā himavān vā himam tyajet |
atīyāt sāgaro velām na pratijnām aham pituḥ || 2-112-18
18. lakSmiiH = light; apeyaadvaa = may go off; chandraat = from the moon; himam = snow; tyajedvaa = may decam; himavaan = from a Himalayan mountain; sagaraH = ocean; atiiyaat = may transgress; velaam- the shore; aham = (But) I; na = will not transgress; pituH = my father's; pratijNaam = promise.
"Light may go off from the moon; Himalayan mountain may shake off its snows; the sea may transgress its shores, but I will never be false to my father's vow!"
kāmād vā tāta lobhād vā mātrā tubhyam idam kṛtam |
na tan manasi kartavyam vartitavyam ca mātṛvat || 2-112-19
19. taata = my dear brother!; idam = this; kR^itam = was done; maatraa = by your mother; tubhyam- for your sake; kaamaadvaa = from her affection; lobhaadvaa = or covetousness; tat = that; nakartavyam = should not be carried out; manasi = in your mind; vartitavyam = you ought to obey; maatR^ivat = towards your mother.
"My dear brother! Your mother acted thus, for your sake, out of her affection or ambition. It should not be carried out in your mind. You ought to obey her as your mother."
evam bruvāṇam bharataḥ kausalyā sutam abravīt |
tejasā āditya samkāśam pratipac candra darśanam || 2-112-20
20. bharataH = Bharata; abraviit = replied; (as follows) kausalyaasutam = to Rama; bruvaaNam = who was speaking; evam = thus; aaditya saNkaasham = who was equal to sun; tejasaa = by his splendour; pratipachchandradarshanam = or to the moon in its first quarter.
Bharata replied (as follows) to Rama, who was speaking as aforesaid and who was equal to sun by his splendour or to the moon in its first quarter.
adhiroha ārya pādābhyām pāduke hema bhūṣite |
ete hi sarva lokasya yoga kṣemam vidhāsyataḥ || 2-112-21
21. aarya = O; noble brother!; paadabhyaam = by your feet; adhiroha = mount on; paaduke = (these) wooden sandals; hemabhuuSite = whjich are adorned with gold; ete = these sandals; vidhaasyataH hi = indeed will bestow; yogakSemam = gain and security; sarva lokasya = to the entire people.
"O, noble brother! Pray mount with your feet on the wooden sandals adorned with gold! Surely, these will bestow, gain and security to all the people!"
so adhiruhya nara vyāghraḥ pāduke hy avaruhya ca |
prāyagcchat sumahā tejā bharatāya mahātmane || 2-112-22
22. saH = that Rama; naravyaaghraH = the tiger among men; sumahaatejaaH = possessing exceptional glory; adhiruhya = placing his feet; paaduke = on the sandals; avaruhyacha = and leaving them; praayachchhat = gave them; mahaatmane = to the magnanimous; bharataaya = Bharata.
Rama, the tiger among men, possessing exceptional glory, placing his feet on the sandals and leaving them, gave them to the magnanimous Bharata.
sa pāduke sampraṇamya rāmaṃ vacanambravīt |
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi jaṭācīradharo hyaham || 2-112-23
phalamūlāśano vīra bhaveyam raghunaṃdana |
23; 24. sampraNamya = bowing before; paaduke = the sandals; saH = that Bharata; abraviit = spoke; vachanam = (these) words; raamam = to Rama; paramtapa = O; Rama the tormentator of enemies; viiraH = and the Hero!; chaturdasha = for fourteen; varSaaNi = your; aham = I; jaTaachiiradharaH = shall wear matted locks and and robes of bark; phala muulaashanaH = live on fruits and roots; raghunandana = O; Rama; vasan = and live; bhaveyam = staying bahiH = outside; nagaraat = the city; nyasta raajya tantraH = offering the ruling of the kingdom; tava = to your; paadukayoH = sandals
Bowing before the sandals, Bharata spoke the following words to Rama: "O, Rama the hero and the tormentator of enemies! For fourteen years, I shall wear matted locks and robes of bark, live on fruits and roots O Rama, and live outside the city, offering the ruling of the kingdom to your sandals."
tavāgamanamākāṅkṣan vasanvai nagarādbahiḥ || 2-112-24
tava pādukayornyastarājyatantraḥ paraṃtapa |
caturdaśe tu sampūrṇe varṣe.ahāni raghūttama || 2-112-25
na drakṣyāmi yadi tvāṃ tu pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam |
25. rahuuttama = O; Rama!; nadrakSyaami yadi = If I do not see; tvaam = you; ahani = on the day; sampuurNe = after completion of; chaturdashe varSe = fourteen the year; pravekSyaami = I shall enter; hutaashanam = the fire once for all.
"O, Rama! If I do not see you the following day when the fourteenth year has fully ended, I shall enter the fire once for all."
tatheti ca pratijñāya taṃ pariṣvajya sādaram || 2-112-26
śatrughnam ca pariṣvajya bharataṃ cedamabravīt |
26. tatheti = "so be it"; pratiJNaaya = promised Rama; pariSvajya shatrughnam = took Shatrughna also in his arms; abraviit = and spoke; idam = these words; bharatamcha = to Bharata.
"So be it" promised Rama, embraced that Bharata with affection, took Shatrughna also in his arms and spoke to Bharata as follows:
mātaram rakṣa kaikeyīm mā roṣam kuru tāṃ prati || 2-112-27
mayā ca sītayā caiva śapto.si raghusattama |
ityuktvāśruparītākṣo bhrātaraṃ visasarja ha || 2-112-28
27; 28. raghusattama = O; Bharata!; rakSa = protect; maataram = your mother; kaikeyiim = Kaikeyi; maa kuru = do not get; roSam = angry; taam prati = with her; asi = you are; shaptaH = taken vow; mayaacha = by me; siitayaachaiva = and by Seetha; uktvaa = speaking; iti = thus; 9Rama); ashrupariitakSaH = having his eyes filled iwth tears; visarjaha = bade farewell; bhraataram = to his brother.
"O Bharata! Protect your mother, Kaikeyi. Do not get angry with her. You are taken vow thus by me and by Seetha." speaking thus, Rama with his eyes filled iwth tears, bade farewell to his brother.
sa pāduke te bharataḥ pratāpavān |
svalamkṛte samparigṛhya dharmavit |
pradakṣiṇam caiva cakāra rāghavam |
cakāra caiva uttama nāga mūrdhani || 2-112-29
29. saH bharataH = that Bharata; prataapavaan = the valiant man; dharmavit = who knew righteousness; samparipuujya = worshipped; te paaduke = those sandals; svalaNK^Rite = decorated well; chakaara = made; pradakSiNam = circumambulation; raaghavam = to Rama; chakaara = and kept; te = those sandals; uttama naaga muurdhani = on the head of an excellent elephant.
The valiant Bharata, who knew righteousness worshipped those sandals which were well-decorated made a circumambulation to Rama and kept the sandals on the head of an excellent elephant.
atha ānupūrvyāt pratipūjya tam janam |
gurūmḥ ca mantri prakṛtīḥ tathā anujau |
vyasarjayad rāghava vaṃśa vardhanaḥ |
sthitaḥ sva dharme himavān iva acalaḥ || 2-112-30
30. atha = then; raaghava vamshavardhanaH = rama; the augmentator of Raghu dynasty; sthiraH = firm; himavaan achalaH iva = as a Himalayan rock; svadharme = (abiding in) his own duty; pratinandya = greeted; tam = those men; aanupuurvyaa = in accord with their rank; guruumshcha = the host of his preceptors; mantriprakR^itiiH = ministers his subjects; tatha = and; anujau = and his brothers; vyasarjayat = and bade farewell.
Rama, the augmentator of Raghu dynasty, being firm as a Himalayan rock in abiding in his own righteousness, greeted those men, in accord with their rank, the host of his preceptors, ministers, subjects and his brothers and bade farewell to all of them.
tam mātaro bāṣpa gṛhīta kaṇṭho |
duhkhena na āmantrayitum hi śekuḥ |
sa tu eva mātṛṛr abhivādya sarvā |
rudan kuṭīm svām praviveśa rāmaḥ || 2-112-31
31. maataraH = his mothers; baSpagR^ihiita kaNThyaH = their voices choked with tears; duHkhena = by sorrow; na shekurhi = were unable; aamantrayitam = to bid farewell verbally; tam = to Rama; saH = that; raama eva = Rama himself; abhivaadya = offered his salutations; sarvaaH = to all; maatR^iiH = his mothers; pravivesha = and entered; svaam = his; kuTiim = hermitage; rudan = weeping.
His mothers, their voices choked with tears due to sorrow, were unable to bid farewell verbally to Rama. However, Rama himself offered his salutations to all his mothers and entered his hermitage, weeping.
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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe dvādaśottaraśatatamaḥ sargaḥ
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© September 2005, K. M. K. Murthy