Rama, after due reflection, decides to leave Chitrakuta mountain because of many handicaps. Setting out his journey from Chitrakuta mountain, he reaches the hermitage of Sage Atri and offers his salutation to him. Introducing his wife Anansuya as a great female ascetic to Rama, Atri urges Rama to send his concert Seetha to Anasuya. Anasuya receives Seetha, who greeted her and gives her instructions on the role and responsibilities of a devoted wife.
राघवः तु अपयातेषु तपस्विषु विचिन्तयन् |
न तत्र अरोचयद् वासम् कारणैर् बहुभिः तदा || २-११७-१
1. atha = thereafter; tapasviSu = (When) the sages; yaateSu = departed; raaghavastu = Rama; tadaa = then; vichintayan = reflecting again and again; naarochayat = found no pleasure; vaasam = to remain; tatra = in that place; bahubhiH = for many; kaaraNariH = reasons.
Thereafter, when the sages departed, Rama, reflecting again and again, found no pleasure to remain in that place for many reasons.
इह मे भरतो दृष्टो मातरः च सनागराः |
सा च मे स्मृतिर् अन्वेति तान् नित्यम् अनुशोचतः || २-११७-२
2. iha = It is here; bharataH = (that) Bharata; maatarashcha = my mother; sanaagaraaH = along with the inhabitants of the city; dR^iSTaH = visited; me = me; saa smR^itiH cha = that memory; anveti = haunts; me = me; anushochataH = who lament; taan = for them; nityam = daily.
"It is here that Bharata, my mother along with the inhabitants of the city visited me. That memory haunts me, who lament for them daily."
स्कन्ध आवार निवेशेन तेन तस्य महात्मनः |
हय हस्ति करीषैः च उपमर्दः कृतो भृशम् || २-११७-३
3. haya hastikariiSaishcha = the dry dung of horses and elephants; tasya mahaatmanaH = of that high-souled Bharata's; skandaavaaraniveshena = encamped army; kR^itaH = caused; bhR^isham = much; upamardaH = spoliation.
"The dry dung of horses and elephants of that high souled Bharata's encamped army caused much spoliation (around here)."
तस्माद् अन्यत्र गग्च्छाम इति संचिन्त्य राघवः |
प्रातिष्ठत स वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणेन च सम्गतः || २-११७-४
4. gachchhaamaH = "We shall move"; tasmaat = therefore; anyatra = else where"; iti = thus; samchintya = pondering; saH raaghavaH = that Rama; sangataH = along with; vaidihyaaH = Seetha; lakSmaNena = and Lakshmana; pratiSThata = left (that place)
"We shall, therefore, move elsewhere", pondering thus, Rama along with Seetha and Lakshmana left that place.
सो अत्रेर् आश्रमम् आसाद्य तम् ववन्दे महा यशाः |
तम् च अपि भगवान् अत्रिः पुत्रवत् प्रत्यपद्यत || २-११७-५
5. aasaadya = reaching; aashramam = the hermitage; atreH = of Atri; a sage; saH raamaH = that Rama; mahaayashaaH = the highly celebrated; vavande = offered bhagavaan = the venerable; atriH api = Atri also; pratyapadyata = received; tam = his; putravat = as his own son.
On the way, after reaching the hermitage of a sage called Atri, the highly celebrated Rama offered salutation to that sage. The venerable sage, Atri too received him as his own son.
स्वयम् आतिथ्यम् आदिश्य सर्वम् अस्य सुसत्कृतम् |
सौमित्रिम् च महा भागाम् सीताम् च समसान्त्वयत् || २-११७-६
6. aadishya = offering; svayam = personally; sarvam = abundant; aatithyam = hospitality; susatkR^itam = with full honours; asya = to Rama; samasaantvayat = (he) rendered equal honour; saumitramcha = to Lakshmana; mahaabhaagaam = and the highly blessed; siitaamcha = Seetha too.
Offering personally, abundant hospitality with full honours to Rama, the sage Atri rendered equal honour to Lakshmana and the highly blessed Seetha too.
पत्नीम् च तम् अनुप्राप्ताम् वृद्धाम् आमन्त्र्य सत्कृताम् |
सान्त्वयाम् आस धर्मज्नः सर्व भूत हिते रतः || २-११७-७
7. dharmajJNaH = (Atri) who knew righteousness; ratiH = and who was interested; sarva bhuuta hite = in the welfare of all beings; aamantrya = called vR^iddhaam = patriimcha = his aged wife; (Anasuya) samanupraaptaam = who had just come there; satkR^itaam = she; who was revered by all; saantvayaamaasca = and addressed gently to her.
Atri, who knew righteousness and who was interested in the welfare of all beings, called his aged wife Anasuya who had just come there, she who was revered by all and addressed gently to her.
अनसूयाम् महा भागाम् तापसीम् धर्म चारिणीम् |
प्रतिगृह्णीष्व वैदेहीम् अब्रवीद् ऋषि सत्तमः || २-११७-८
रामाय च आचचक्षे ताम् तापसीम् धर्म चारिणीम् |
8. R^iSisattamaH = Atri; the excellent sage; abraviit = spoke; anasuuyaam = to Anasuya; mahaabhaayaam = the fortunate one; taapasiim = rich in asceticism; dharma chaariNiim = and who lived a pious life; (saying); pratigR^ihNiiSva = you welcome; vaidehiim = Videha's daughter! aachachakSecha = and related the story; dharmachaariNiim = of that virtuous; taam taapasiim = female ascetic; raamaaya = to Rama (as follows)
Atri excellent sage spoke to the illustrious Anasuya, rich in asceticism and who lived a pious life, saying "You welcome Videha's daughter!" and thereafter introduced that virtuous female ascetic to Rama (as follows):
दश वर्षाण्य् अनावृष्ट्या दग्धे लोके निरन्तरम् || २-११७-९
यया मूल फले सृष्टे जाह्नवी च प्रवर्तिता |
उग्रेण तपसा युक्ता नियमैः च अप्य् अलम्कृता || २-११७-१०
दश वर्ष सहस्राणि यया तप्तम् महत् तपः |
अनसूया व्रतैः तात प्रत्यूहाः च निबर्हिताः || २-११७-११
देव कार्य निमित्तम् च यया सम्त्वरमाणया |
दश रात्रम् कृत्वा रात्रिः सा इयम् माता इव ते अनघ || २-११७-१२
9; 10; 11; 12. anagha = O; Irreproachable!; loke = (when) the earth; dagdhe = was burnt up; anaavR^iSTyaa = by drought; niramtaram = without break; dashavarSaaNi = over a period of ten years; yayera = this virtuous woman; sR^iSTe = produced; muula phale = fruit and roots; jaahnaviicha = caused the River Jahnavi; pravartitaa = to flow here; yuktaa = undergoing; ugreNa = a right; tapasaa = mortification; alaNkR^itaa = enriched; niya maishchaapi = by pious observances; yayaa = by whom; mahat = the most severe; tapaH = asceticism; taptam = was practised; dashavarSa sahasraaNi = for ten thousand years; pratyuuhaaH = and obstacles; nivartitaaH = were done away with; yayaa = and by whom; deva kaaryanimittam = for the reason of a divine command; santvaramaaNayaa = in a great hurry; desharaatram = ten nightes; kR^itaa = were reduced; raatriH = to one night;* saa = she; iyam anasuuyaa = this Anasuya; vrataiH snaataa = the one who has bathed after completion of the voes; maateva = is like a mother; te = to you.
"O, Irreproachable Rama! When the earth was burnt up by drought without break for ten years, this virtuous woman produced fruit and roots, caused the River Jahnavi to flow here, undergoing a rigid mortification enriched by pious observances, by whom the most severe asceticism was practised for ten thousand years and obstacles were done away with and by whom for the reason of a divine command, in a great hurry ten nights were reduced to one night.* This Anasuya, who has bathed after completion of the voes, is like a mother to you."
*We read in Puranas how sage Mandavya once pronounced a curse against a hermitess, Sandili by name, who was a friend of Anasuya that she would be widowed one morning within the next ten days. The hermitess in her turn pronounced a counter-curse saying that there would be no dawn any more. Alarmed at this, gods approached Anasuya, who by virtue of her asceticism converted the period of ten nights into one and in this way averted the death of the hermittess, husband and accomplished the purpose of gods.
ताम् इमाम् सर्व भूतानाम् नमः कार्याम् यशस्विनीम् |
अभिगग्च्छतु वैदेही वृद्धाम् अक्रोधनाम् सदा || २-११७-१३
13. vaidehii = (Let) Seetha; abhigachchhatu = find refuge; taam = with such; imaam = this ascetic; namaskaaryaam = who is revered; sarva bhuutaanaam = by all the beings; yashasviniim = famous as she is vR^iddhaam = (and though) old; sadaa = is ever; akrodhanaam = free from anger.
"Let Seetha find refuge with that ascetic, who is revered by all the beings, famous as she is and though old is ever free from anger."
एवम् ब्रुवाणम् तम् ऋषिम् तथा इत्य् उक्त्वा स राघवः |
सीताम् उवाच धर्मज्नाम् इदम् वचनम् उत्तमम् || २-११७-१४
14. saH raaghavaH = that Rama; uktvaa = saying; tatheti = "Be it so"; tam R^iSim = to that sage; evam = thus; bruvaaNam = spoken; uvaacha = and spoke; dharmajJNaam = to the virtuous; siitaam = Seetha; idam = these; uttamam = excellent; vachanam = words.
Saying "Be it so" to the aforesaid sage, who was speaking thus, Rama spoke to the virtuous Seetha, the following excellent words:
राज पुत्रि श्रुतम् तु एतन् मुनेर् अस्य समीरितम् |
श्रेयो अर्थम् आत्मनः शीघ्रम् अभिगग्च्छ तपस्विनीम् || २-११७-१५
15. raaja putri = O; princess!; shrutam = you have heard; idam samiiritam = these words; asya muneH = of this sage; aatmanaH = for your own; shreyaH artham = good; shiighram = quickly; abhigachchha = approach; tapasviniim = the saintly Anasuya.
"O, princess! You have heard what the sage has said. For your own good, approach the saintly Anasuya without delay."
सीता तु एतद् वचः श्रुत्वा राघवस्य हित एषिणी |
ताम् अत्रि पत्नीम् धर्मज्नाम् अभिचक्राम मैथिली || २-११७-१६
16. shrutvaa = hearing; etadvachaH = these words; raaghavasya = of Rama; hitaiSiNaH = who is desirous of her welfare; siitaatu = Seetha; maithilii = the daughter of Mithila; abhichakraama = circumambulated; taam = that; atripatniim = Anasuya; Atri's wife; dharmajJNaam = who knows piety.
Hearing these words of Rama, who is desirous of her welfare, Seetha the daughter of Mithila circumambulated around Anasuya, Atri's wife, who knows piety.
शिथिलाम् वलिताम् वृद्धाम् जरा पाण्डुर मूर्धजाम् |
सततम् वेपमान अन्गीम् प्रवाते कदली यथा || २-११७-१७
ताम् तु सीता महा भागाम् अनसूयाम् पति व्रताम् |
अभ्यवादयद् अव्यग्रा स्वम् नाम समुदाहरत् || २-११७-१८
17; 18. siita = Seetha; avyagraa = coolly; abhyavaadayat = reverently paid homage; taam mahaabhaagaam = to that fortunate; anasuuyaam = Anasuya; pativrataa = a devoted and virtuous wife; shithilaam = who was feeble; palitaam = wrinkled; vR^iddhaam = aged; jaraapaaNDuramuurdhajaam = with her hair turned grey due to old age; vepamaanaaNgiim = and whose frame shook; satatam = constantly; kadaliim yathaa = like a banana tree; pravaate = in a strom; samudaaharat = (Seetha) told; (to Anasuya).
Seetha coolly and reverently paid homage to that fortunate Anasuya, a devoted and virtuous wife, who was feeble, wrinkled, aged, with her hair turned grey due to old age, and whose frame constantly shook like a banana tree in a storm. Seetha introduced herself, by announcing her name to Anasuya.
अभिवाद्य च वैदेही तापसीम् ताम् अनिन्दिताम् |
बद्ध अन्जलि पुटा हृष्टा पर्यपृग्च्छद् अनामयम् || २-११७-१९
19. abhivaadya = Saluting; aninditaam = the irreproachable; taam taapasiim = (that) ascetic; vaidehii = Seetha; baddhaajJNalipuTaa = with joined palms; hR^iSTaa = and rejoiced; paryapR^ichchhat = enquired; anaamayam = about her well-being.
Saluting the irreproachable ascetic the rejoiced Seetha with joined palms enquired about he well-being.
ततः सीताम् महा भागाम् दृष्ट्वा ताम् धर्म चारिणीम् |
सान्त्वयन्त्य् अब्रवीद्द् हृष्टा दिष्ट्या धर्मम् अवेक्षसे || २-११७-२०
20. tataH = then; saantvayantii = comforting; taam mahaabhaagaam = that celebrated; siitaam = Seetha; dharmachariNiim = engaged in righteous acts; (Anasuya); hR^iSTaa = rejoicingly; abraviit = spoke (as follows); avekSase = you are attending; dharmam = to righteousness; diSTyaa = luckily enough.
Then, comforting that celebrated Seetha, engaged in righteous acts, Anasuya rejoicingly spoke as follows: "Luckily enough, you are attending to righteousness."
त्यक्त्वा ज्नाति जनम् सीते मानम् ऋद्धिम् च मानिनि |
अवरुद्धम् वने रामम् दिष्ट्या त्वम् अनुगग्च्छसि || २-११७-२१
21. siite = O; Seetha; bhaamini = the beautiful lady!; diSTyaa = thank heaven!; tyaktvaa = Leaving; jJNaatijanam = your relatives; maanam = the honour; R^iddhimcha = and prosperity; anugachchhasi = you are accompanying; raamam = Rama; avaruddham = who is expelled vane = into a forest.
"O, Seetha the beautiful lady! Thank heaven! Leaving your relatives, honour and prosperity, you are accompanying Rama, who is expelled into a forest."
नगरस्थो वनस्थो वा पापो वा यदि वा अशुभः |
यासाम् स्त्रीणाम् प्रियो भर्ता तासाम् लोका महा उदयाः || २-११७-२२
22. yaasaam = to which; striiNaam = women; bhartaa = their husband; nagarasthaH = whether lives in a city; vanasthovaa = or in a forest; paapovaa = whether he is sinful; yadi vaa = or; shubhaH = virtuous; priyaH = (he is) dear (to her); taasaam = to them; (are obtained) mahodayaaH = greatly fortunate; lokaaH = words.
"Highly fortunate worlds await those women, await those women, to whom their husband is dear no matter whether he lives in a city or in a forest; whether he is sinful or virtuous."
दुह्शीलः काम वृत्तो वा धनैर् वा परिवर्जितः |
स्त्रीणाम् आर्य स्वभावानाम् परमम् दैवतम् पतिः || २-११७-२३
23. striiNaam = to women; aaryasvabhaavaanaam = of noble nature; patiH = husband; paramam = is the hightest daivatam = deity; duSiilaH = whether he is ill-behaved; kaama vR^ittovaa = or licentious; parivarjitovaa = or devoid of; dhanaiH = riches.
"To women of noble nature, the husband is the highest deity no mater whether he is ill-behaved or licentious or devoid of riches."
न अतो विशिष्टम् पश्यामि बान्धवम् विमृशन्त्य् अहम् |
सर्वत्र योग्यम् वैदेहि तपः कृतम् इव अव्ययम् || २-११७-२४
24. vaidehi = O; Seetha!; vimR^ishantii = On a reflection; na pashyaami = I perceive; na = none; vishiSTam = who is a better; baandhavam = friend; ataH = than a husband; yogyam = who protects his wife; sarvatra = in all circumstances; avyayam iva = like the imperishable fruit; kR^itam = accomplished; tapaH = of one's austerities.
"O, Seetha! On a reflection, I perceive none who is a better friend than a husband, who protects his wife in all circumstances, like the imperishable fruit of one's austerities."
न तु एवम् अवगग्च्छन्ति गुण दोषम् असत् स्त्रियः |
काम वक्तव्य हृदया भर्तृ नाथाः चरन्ति याः || २-११७-२५
25. yaaH = those women; kaama vaktavya hR^idayaaH = whose hearts follow their passions; charanti = and; conduct themselves; bhartR^inaathaaH = dominating their husbands; aststriyaH = such evil women; na avagachchhanti = having no understanding; guNa doSam = of virtue and vice; evam = (do not follow him) in the aforesaid manner.
"Those evil women, whose hearts follow their passions and conduct themselves dominating their husband, having no understanding of virtue and vice, do not follow him in the aforesaid manner."
प्राप्नुवन्त्य् अयशः चैव धर्म भ्रंशम् च मैथिलि |
अकार्य वशम् आपन्नाः स्त्रियो याः खलु तद् विधाः || २-११७-२६
26. maithili = O; Seetha!; khalu = Indeed; yaaH striyaH = those women; aapannaH = who get into akaarya vasham = an improper act of authority; tadvidhaaH = in the aforesaid manner; praapnuvanti = reap; ayashashcha = infamy; dharma bhramsham = and decline of righteousness.
"O, Seetha! Surely, those evil women, who get into an improper act of authority over their husbands reap infamy and decline in righteousness."
त्वद् विधाः तु गुणैर् युक्ता दृष्ट लोक पर अवराः |
स्त्रियः स्वर्गे चरिष्यन्ति यथा पुण्य कृतः तथा || २-११७-२७
27. striyastu = women; tvadvidhaaH = like you; yuktaaH = who are endowed; guNaiH = with virtues; dR^iSTa loka paraaparaaH = who look with detachment on prosperity and adversity in this world; yathaa tathaa = therefore; chariSyanti = dwell; svarge = in heaven; yathaa = as; dharmakR^itaH = those who performed meritorious deeds.
"Women, like you, on the other hand who are endowed with virtues, who look with detachment on prosperity and adversity in this world, therefore dwell in heaven as those who performed meritorious deeds."
तदेवमेनम् त्वमनुच्रता सती |
पतिव्रतानाम् समयानुवर्तिनी |
भव स्वभर्तुः सहधर्मचारिणी |
यश्श्च धर्मम् च ततः समाप्स्यसि || २-११७-२८
28. tat = thus; anuvrataa satii = devoted; enam = to your lord; pativrataanaam = loyal to your hasband; samayaanuvartinii = following established rules; tvam = you; bhava = become; saha dharmachaariNii = an honest wife; svabhartuH = to your husbandtataH = and thereby; samaapsyasi = obtain; yashashcha = renown; dharmam = and merit.
"Thus devoted to your lord, loyal to your husband, following established rules, you become an honest wife to your husband and obtain merit and renown."
- - -
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे सप्तदशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः
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© September 2005, K. M. K. Murthy
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