Keeping Rama's sandals on his head, Bharata ascends his chariot along with Shatrughna. Bharata advances along with his troops along side the mountain of chitrakuta. On the way, he beholds Bharadvaja's hermitage and meets the sage. Bharata informs the sage about the insistance of Rama to stay back in the forest for fourteen years so as to honour the promise of his father scruprulously and also Vaishta's advice to Rama to offer his sandals to Bharata, to ensure peace and harmony in Ayodhya.
tataḥ śirasi kṛtvā tu pāduke bharataḥ tadā |
āruroha ratham hṛṣṭaḥ śatrughnena samanvitaḥ || 2-113-1
1. tataH = thereafter; bharataH = Bharata; shatrughnena samnvitaH = along with Shatrughna; tadaa = then; kR^ivaa = keeping; paaduke = the sandals; shirasi = on his head; hR^iSTaH = and having been pleased; aaruroha = ascended; ratham = his chariot.
Thereafter, keeping the sandals on his head, Bharata delightfully ascended his chariot along with Shatrughna.
vasiṣṭho vāmadevaḥ ca jābāliḥ ca dṛḍha vrataḥ |
agrataḥ prayayuḥ sarve mantriṇo mantra pūjitāḥ || 2-113-2
2. agrataH = before him; vasiSThaH = Vasishta; vaasudevashcha = Vasudeva; dR^iDhavrataH = sarve = and all; mantriNaH = the ministers; mantra puujitaaH = distinguished for their advices; prayayuH = went ahead.
Before him, Vasishta, Vasudeva of firm vows, Jabali and all the ministers distinguished for their counsels, went ahead.
mandākinīm nadīm ramyām prān mukhāḥ te yayuḥ tadā |
pradakṣiṇam ca kurvāṇāḥ citra kūṭam mahā girim || 2-113-3
3. tadaa = then; te = they; yayuH = advanced; kurvaaNaaH = making; pradakSiNam = a round of; chitrakuuTam mahaagirim = Chitrakuta mountain; praaNmukhaaH = facing east towards; ramyaam = by the charming; nadiim = River; mandaakiniim = Mandakini.
Them, they advanced eastwards, by the charming Mandakini River, after making a round of Chitrakuta Mountain.
paśyan dhātu sahasrāṇi ramyāṇi vividhāni ca |
prayayau tasya pārśvena sasainyo bharataḥ tadā || 2-113-4
4. pashyam = observing; vividhaani = various kinds; dhaatu sahasraaNi = of thousands of rocks; ramyaaNi = which were enchanting; bharataH = Bharata; tadaa = then; prayayou = travelled; paarshve = along the side; tasya = of that mountain; sasainyaH = along with his troops.
Observing various types of thousands of enchanting rocks, Bharata advanced along with his troops along the side of the mountain.
adūrāc citra kūṭasya dadarśa bharataḥ tadā |
āśramam yatra sa munir bharadvājaḥ kṛta ālayaḥ || 2-113-5
5. tadaa = then; bharataH = Bharata; dadarsha = saw; aashramam = a hermitage; yatra = where; muniH = the sage; saH bharadvaajaH = that Bharadwaja; kR^itaalayaH = made it as a residence; aduuraat = in the vicinity; chitrakuuTasya = of Chitrakuta Mountain.
In the vicinity of Chitrakuta Mountain, Bharata saw a hermitage where the sage Bharadwaja resided.
sa tam āśramam āgamya bharadvājasya buddhimān |
avatīrya rathāt pādau vavande kula nandanaḥ || 2-113-6
6. tadaa = then; saH bharataH = that Bharata; buddhimaan = endowed with understanding; aagamya = reached; tam aashramam = that hermitage; bharadvaajasya = of Bharatadvaja; avatiirya = descended; rathaat = from his chariot; vavande = and bowed down in salutation; paadau = to the feet of Bharatadwaja.
Then, that Bharata endowed with understanding reached that hermitage of Bharadwaja, descended from his chariot and bowed down to the feet of Bharadwaja in saluation.
tato hṛṣṭo bharadvājo bharatam vākyam abravīt |
api kṛtyam kṛtam tāta rāmeṇa ca samāgatam || 2-113-7
7. tataH = then; uktaH = spoken; evam = thus; bharadvaajena = by Bharadvaja; dhiimataa = the learned sage; bharataH = Bharata; bhraatR^ivatsalaH = affectionate towards his brothers; pratyuvaacha = replied; bharadvaajam = to Bharadvaja (as follows)
The, Bharadvaja full of joy, enquired of Bharata saying, "O, dear prince! Has your purpose been accomplished? Have you met Rama?"
evam uktaḥ tu bharato bharadvājena dhīmatā |
pratyuvāca bharadvājam bharato dharma vatsalaḥ || 2-113-8
8. tataH then; uktaH = spoken; evam = thus; bharadvaajena = by Bharadvaja; dhiimataa = the learned sage; bharataH = Bharat; bhraatR^ivatsalaH = affectionate towards his brothers; prayuvaacha = replied; bharadvaajam = to Bharadvaja (as follows):
Hearing the words of the learned sage, Bharadvaja, Bharata who was affectionate towards his brothers, replied to Bharadvaja (as follows)
sa yācyamāno guruṇā mayā ca dṛḍha vikramaḥ |
rāghavaḥ parama prīto vasiṣṭham vākyam abravīt || 2-113-9
9. yaachyamaanaH = despite the entreaties; guruNaa = of his preceptor; mayaa = and of mine; raaghavaH = Rama; dR^iDhavikramaH = is unshakeable in his resolve; parama priitaH = and most cheerfully; abraviit = spoke; vaakyam = ( the following) words; vasiSTham = to Vasishta.
Despite the entreaties of his preceptor and of mine, Rama is unshakeable in his resolve and most cheerfully spoke the following words to Vasishta.
pituḥ pratijnām tām eva pālayiṣyāmi tattvataḥ |
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi ya pratijnā pitur mama || 2-113-10
10. paalayiSyaami = I shall honour; taam pratijJNaam eva = that promise alone; pituH = of my father; tattvataH = scruprulously; yaa = which; pratiJJNaaH = I promised; mama pituH = to my father; chaturdasha varSaaNi = for fourteen years.
"I shall honour the promise of my father scrupulously and reside in the forest for fourteen years as I promised him."
evam ukto mahā prājno vasiṣṭhaḥ pratyuvāca ha |
vākyajno vākya kuśalam rāghavam vacanam mahat || 2-113-11
11. uktaH = spoken; evam = in this manner (by Rama); vasiSThaH = Vasishta; mahaapraajJNaH = the highly wise; vaakyajJNaH = and the knower of the mode of expression; pratyuvaachaha = replied; mahat = in great; vachanam = words; raaghavam = to Rama; vaakyakushalam = who is the most skilful of orators.
Hearing the words of Rama, the highly wise Vasishta, the knower of proper mode of expression, replied to Rama who is the most skilful of orators, in the following great words:
ete prayagccha samhṛṣṭaḥ pāduke hema bhūṣite |
ayodhyāyām mahā prājna yoga kṣema kare tava || 2-113-12
12. mahaa praajJNa = O; the extremely segacious prince!; samhR^iSTaH = joyfully; prayachchha = bestow; ete = those; hemabhuuSite = gold-encrusted; tava paaduke = sandals of yours; (on us); yogakSama kare = which ensure peace and harmony; ayodhyaayaam = in Ayodhya.
"O, the extremely segacious prince! Bestow joyfully thse gold-encrusted sandals of yours on us and ensure peace and harmony in Ayodhya."
evam ukto vasiṣṭhena rāghavaḥ prān mukhaḥ sthitaḥ |
pāduke hema vikṛte mama rājyāya te dadau || 2-113-13
13. evam = thus; uktaH = spoken; vasiSTena = by Vasishta; raaghavaH = Rama; sthitaH = stood up; praaNmukhaH = facing the EAst; adhiruhya = placed his feet; ete = in those; paaduke = sandals; dadau = and gave; mama = to me; raajyaaya = as a sign of regency.
"Hearing the words of Vasishta, Rama stood up and turning to the East, placed his feet in those sandals and gave them to me as a sign of regency."
nivṛtto aham anujnāto rāmeṇa sumahātmanā |
ayodhyām eva gagcchāmi gṛhītvā pāduke śubhe || 2-113-14
14. anujnaataH = having taken leave; raameNa = of Rama; sumahaatmanaa = the vry high-souled gR^ihiitvaa = after receiving; shubhe = the auspicious; paaduke = sandals; gachchhaami = and proceeding; ayodhyaameva = to Ayodhya.
"Having taken leave of the very high-souled Rama, I turned back after receiving the auspicious sandals. Now, I am proceeding to Ayodhya."
etat śrutvā śubham vākyam bharatasya mahātmanaḥ |
bharadvājaḥ śubhataram munir vākyam udāharat || 2-113-15
15. shrutvaa = hearing; etat vaakyam = those words; shubham = which were auspicious; bharatasya = Bharata; mahaatmanaH = the high-souled; bharadvaajaH muniH = the sage Bharadvaja; uvaacha = spoke; tam = to him; shubhataram = the more auspicious; vaakyam = words.
Hearing those auspicious words of the high-souled Bharata, the sage Bharadvaja spoke to him the following words.
na etac citram nara vyāghra śīla vṛttavatām vara |
yad āryam tvayi tiṣṭhet tu nimne vṛṣṭim iva udakam || 2-113-16
16. naravyaaghra = O; Tiger among men!; vara = and excellent; shiilavR^ittavataam = among those having virtue and good conduct; na = there is no; chitram = surprise; etat = that; aaryam = a noble trait; yat tiSThet = prevails; tvayi = in you; udakam iva = as water; sR^iSTam = allowed to go; nimne = prevails downwards.
"O Bharata the Tiger among men and excellent among those having virtue and good conduct! There is no surprise that a noble trait prevails in you, as naturally as the water allowed to go, always settles downwards."
amṛtaḥ sa mahā bāhuḥ pitā daśarathaḥ tava |
yasya tvam īdṛśaḥ putro dharma ātmā dharma vatsalaḥ || 2-113-17
17. tava pitaa = your father; dasharathaH = Dasaratha; saH = that; mahaabaahuH = mighty armed; yasya = to whom; tvam = you; putraH = are the son; iidR^ishaH = wndowed with such qualities; dharmajJNaH = as knower of righteousness; dharma vastalaH = and loving piety; amR^itaH = is immortal.
"Your valiant father, Dasaratha, is immortal in having such a son as you are, the knower of righteousness and loving peity."
tam ṛṣim tu mahātmānam ukta vākyam kṛta anjaliḥ |
āmantrayitum ārebhe caraṇāu upagṛhya ca || 2-113-18
18. ukta vaakyam = thus spoken; tam R^iSim = by the sage; (Bharata); kR^itaaNjaliH = with his joined palms; upagR^ihya = touched; aarebhe = and began; aamantryitum = taking leave.
Hearing the words of that sage, Bharata with his joined palms, touched his feet in salutation and began taking leave from him.
tataḥ pradakṣiṇam kṛtvā bharadvājam punaḥ punaḥ |
bharataḥ tu yayau śrīmān ayodhyām saha mantribhiḥ || 2-113-19
19. tataH = then; shriimaan = the glorious; bharataH = Bharata; kR^itvaa = made; pradkSiNam = circumambulation; punaH punaH = again and again; bharadvaajam = to Bharadwaja; yayau = and proceeded; ayodhyaam = to Ayodhya; mantribhiH saha = along with his ministers.
Then, the glorious Bharata made circumambulation again and again to Bharadwaja and proceeded to Ayodhya along with hims ministers.
yānaiḥ ca śakaṭaiḥ caiva hayaiḥ nāgaiḥ ca sā camūḥ |
punar nivṛttā vistīrṇā bharatasya anuyāyinī || 2-113-20
20. saa = that; vistiirNaa = extensive; chamuuH = army; bharatasya = of Bharata; anuyaayinii = following him; yaanaishcha = with vehicles; shakTaishcha = carts; hayaiH = horses; naagaishoha = and elephants; nivR^ittaa = turned back; punaH = again (towards Ayodhya).
Thata extensive army of Bharata, following him with vehicles, carts and elephants, turned back again towards Ayodhya.
tataḥ te yamunām divyām nadīm tīrtvā ūrmi mālinīm |
dadṛśuḥ tām punaḥ sarve gangām śiva jalām nadīm || 2-113-21
21. tataH = thereafter; te sarve = all of them; tiirtvaa = crossed; divyaam = the charming; yamunaa nadiim = river Yamuna; uurmi maaliniim = wreathed wtih waves; punaH = and moreover; dadR^ishuH = saw; taam gaN^gaam nadiim = that River GAnga; shubhajalaam = with its pure water.
Thereafter, all of them crossed the charming River Yamuna wreathed with waves and moreover saw the River Ganga with its pure water.
tām ramya jala sampūrṇām samtīrya saha bāndhavaḥ |
śṛnga vera puram ramyam praviveśa sasainikaḥ || 2-113-22
śṛnga vera purād bhūya ayodhyām saṃdadarśa ha |
22. saha baandhavaH = (Bharata) together with his relatives; sa sainikaH = and his army; samtiirya = crossed; taam = that River Ganga; ramya jalasmapuurNaam- full of charming waters; pravivesha = and entered; ramyam = the beautiful; shR^iNgibherapuram = town of Shringibhera; shR^iNgibherapuraat = from that Shringibhera; samdadarha = he saw; ayodhyaam = Ayodhya; bhuuyaH = again.
Bharata accompanied by his relative and his army crossed that River Ganga, full of charming waters and entered the beautiful town of Shringibhera. From Shringibhera, he saw Ayodhya again.
ayodhyām ca tato dṛṣṭvā pitrā bhrātrā vivarjitām |
bharato duhkha samtaptaḥ sārathim ca idam abravīt || 2-113-23
23. tataH = then; dR^iSTvaa = beholding; ayodhyaam = Ayodhya; vivarjitaam = bereft of; pitraa = his father; bhraatraa = and brother; bharataH = Bharata; duHkhasantaptaH = tormented with grief; abraviit = spoke; idam = these words; sarathiim = to the charioteer.
Beholding the City of Ayodhya, which was bereft of his father and brother, Bharata tormented with grief, spoke the following words to the charioteer:
sārathe paśya vidhvastā ayodhyā na prakāśate |
nirākārā nirānandā dīnā pratihata svanā || 2-113-24
24. saarathe = O; charioteer!; pashya = see; saa ayodhyaa = that Ayodhya; vidhvastaa = ruined; niraakaaraa = with a vacant look; niraanandaa = joyless; diinaa = miserable; pratihatasvaraa = and with choked voice.
"O, Charioteer! See that Ayodhya city, ruined, with a vacant look, joyless, miserable, and with an impeded voice."
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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe trayodaśottaraśatatamaḥ sargaḥ
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© August 2005, K. M. K. Murthy