Seetha agrees to the instructions given by Anasuya on the duties of a devoted wife. At the end of the conversation with Seetha, Anasuya requests her to ask for a boon, and highly pleased with her, Anasuya bestows heavenly flowers and ornaments on her. Anasuya then requests Seetha to relate to her the story of her marriage with Rama. Then Seetha relates that story to Anasuya in detail.
saa tu evam uktaa vaidehii anasuuyaan asuuyayaa |
pratipuujya vaco mandam pravaktum upacakrame || 2-118-1
1. saa vaidehii = that Seetha; anasuuyaa = without any jealousy; evam = thus; uktaa = spoken; anasuuyayaa = by Anasuya; pratipuujya = with full reverence to; vachaH = her word; upachakrame = and began; pravaktum = to speak; mandam = gently (as follows):
Anasuya having spoken thus, Seetha without any jealousy, full of reverence for her, addressed her gently as follows:
na etad aashcaryam aaryaayaa yan maam tvam anubhaaShase |
viditam tu mama apy etad yathaa naaryaaH patir guruH || 2-118-2
2. na = It is not; aashcharyan = a surprise; yat tvam = that you; aaryaayaaH = a venerable woman like you; abhibhaaSate = talk; maam = to me; etat = like this; viditam tu = It is known; mamaapi = to me too; etat = this acclamation; yathaa = how; patiH = a husband; guruH = is a respectable person; naaryaaH = for a woman.
"It is not a surprise that a venerable woman like a you, talk to me like this, for, I know well that a husband is a respectable person for a woman."
yady apy eSha bhaved bhartaa mama aarye vR^itta varjitaH |
advaidham upavartavyaH tathaa apy eSha mayaa bhavet || 2-118-3
3. aarye = O; venerable woman!; yadyapi = even if; eSaH = this; mama bhartaa = my husband; bhavet = be; vR^itta arjitaH = without fortune; eSaH = he; tathaapi = even the; advaidham = should unhesitatingly; upachartavyaH = be obeyed; mayaa = by me.
"O, venerable woman! Even if my husband be without fortune, he should unhesitatingly be obeyed by me."
kim punar yo guNa shlaaghyaH saanukrosho jita indriyaH |
sthira anuraago dharma aatmaa maatR^i vartii pitR^i priyaH || 2-118-4
4. kim punaH = how much more; yaH = if he be; gunaH shlaaghyaH = renowned for his virtues; saamkroshaH = compassionate; jitendriyaH = master of my heart; sthiraanuraagaH = who is ever affectionate; dharmaatmaa = a religious person; priyaH = and manifests the tenderness; maatR^ivat = of a mother; pitR^ivat = and a father (to me).
"How much more, if he be renowned for his virtues, compassionate, master of my heart, who is ever affectionate, a religious person, manifests the tenderness of a mother and a father to me."
yaam vR^ittim vartate raamaH kausalyaayaam mahaa balaH |
taam eva nR^ipa naariiNaam anyaasaam api vartate || 2-118-5
5. mahaabalaH = the exceedingly strong; raamaH = Rama; vartate = bears; taameva = himself; a nyaasaam = to all other; nR^ipanaariiNaamapi = Queens; yaam vartate = as he exercises; vR^ittim = his behaviour; kausalyaayaam = towards Kausalya.
The exceedingly strong Rama bears himself to all other Queens, as he exercises his behaviour towards his mother, Kausalya."
sakR^id dR^iShTaasu api striiShu nR^ipeNa nR^ipa vatsalaH |
maatR^ivad vartate viiro maanam utsR^ijya dharmavit || 2-118-6
6. viiraH = the valiant Rama; nR^ipavatsalaH = who has affection towards Dasaratha; dharmavit = and who knows righteousness; vartate = behaves; maatR^ivat = like with a mother; striiSvapi = towards even the women; dR^iSTaasu = who were seen; nR^ipaNa = by Dasaratha; sakR^it = even once; utsR^ijya = free from; maanam = all sense of importance.
"The valiant and pious Rama who is devoted to Dasartha and free from all sense of importance treats all those women as his mothers on whom Dasaratha has even once bestowed a single glance."
aagagcchhantyaaH ca vijanam vanam evam bhaya aavaham |
samaahitam hi me shvashrvaa hR^idaye yat sthitam mahat || 2-118-7
7. aagachchhantyaaH = while departing; evam = thus; bhayaavaham = for a fearful; vijanam = and lonely; vanam = forest; dhR^itam = I am hR^idaye = in my heart; tat = that; mahat = great message; samaahitam = imparted; me = to me; shvashraa = by my mother-in-law.
"While departing for the lonely and fearful forest, my mother-in-law imparted a great message to me, which I have inscribed in my heart."
praaNi pradaana kaale ca yat puraa tu agni samnidhau |
anushiShTaa jananyaa asmi vaakyam tad api me dhR^itam || 2-118-8
8. puraa = earlier; paaNipraadaana kaale = at the time of my marriage; agnisannidhau = in the vicinity of a fire; yat = which; vaakyam = words; asmi = I was; anushiSTaa = taught; jananyaa = by my mother; tadapi = those words dhR^itam = are detained; me = by me.
"What my mother taught me when witnessed by the fire, earlier at the time of my marriage with Rama, I shall always remember them."
navii kR^itam tu tat sarvam vaakyaiH te dharma caariNi |
pati shushruuShaNaan naaryaaH tapo na anyad vidhiiyate || 2-118-9
9. dharma chaariNi = O; virtuous woman!; te vaakyaiH = by your words; tat sarvam = all that; naviikR^itam = is being renewed; anyat = other than; patishushruuSaNaat = obedience to one's husband; na tapaH = no austerity; vidhiiyate = is decreed; maaryaaH = for a woman.
"O, virtuous woman! By your words, all that is being renewed. No austerity, other than obedience to one's husband is decreed for a woman."
saavitrii pati shushruuShaam kR^itvaa svarge mahiiyate ||
tathaa vR^ittiH ca yaataa tvam pati shushruuShayaa divam || 2-118-10
10. saavitrii = Savitri*; mahiiyate = is highly honoured; svarge = in heaven; kR^itvaa = for having done; patishushruuSaam = service to her lord; tvam cha = you too; tathaa vR^ithiH = having such a conduct; yaataa = will proceed; divam = to heaven; pati shushruuSayaa = by obedience to your husband.
Savitri* is now highly honoured in heaven, for having served her lord faithfully heaven, You too, having followed this, will proceed to heaven, in showing obedience to your husband."
SAvitri was the celebrated wife of Prince Satyavan.
variShThaa sarva naariiNaam eShaa ca divi devataa |
rohiNii ca vinaa candram muhuurtam api dR^ishyate || 2-118-11
11. eSaa rohiNii = This goddess Rohini; variSThaa = the excellent; sarva nariiNaam = among all the women; na dR^ishyate = is not seen; chandram vinaa = without the moon; muhuurtamapi = even for a moment; divi = in the sky.
"This goddess Rohini, the excellent among all women, is not seen without the moon even for a single moment in the sky."
evam vidhaaH ca pravaraaH striyo bhartR^i dR^iDha vrataaH |
deva loke mahiiyante puNyena svena karmaNaa || 2-118-12
12. evam vidhaaH = such; pravaraaH = excellent; striyaH = women; bhartR^idriDha vrataaH = devoted to their husbands; svena = by their own; puNyena = meritorious; karmaNaa = deed; mahiiyante = are highly honoured; devaloke = in heaven.
"Such excellent women, devoted to their husbands, and by their meritorious deeds, are highly honoured in heaven."
tato anasuuyaa samhR^iShTaa shrutvaa uktam siitayaa vacaH |
shirasy aaghraaya ca uvaaca maithiliim harShayanty uta || 2-118-13
13. tataH = then; shrutvaa = hearing; vachaH = the words; uktam = spoken; siitayaa = by Seetha; anasuuyaa = Anasuya; samhR^iSTaa = was very much pleased; aaghraaya = kissed on; shirasi = the head; maithiliim = of Seetha; uvaacha = and spoke; harSayantii = delightfully (as follows)
Hearing the words of Seetha, Anasuya was very much pleased, kissed on Seetha's forehead and spoke delightfully (as follows)
niyamair vividhair aaptam tapo hi mahad asti me |
tat sa.nshritya balam siite chandaye tvaam shuci vrate || 2-118-14
14. siite = O; Seetha; shuchi smite = with a bright smile!; asti hi = there is indeed; mahat = a great; tapaH = merit; aaptam = acquired; me = by me; vividhaiH = in virtue of my various; niyamaiH = pious observances; samshritya = taking shelter; tat balam = of that power; chhandaye = I wish to confer a boon; tvaam = on you.
"O, Seetha with a bright smile! There is a great merit acquired by me in virtue of my various pious observances. Through that power, I wish to confer a boon on you."
upapannam ca yuktam ca vacanam tava maithili |
priitaa ca asmy ucitam kim te karavaaNi braviihyaham || 2-118-15
15. maithili = O; Seetha!; tava rachanam = your words; upapannam = are suited for the occasion; manojJNamcha = and are charming too; asmi = I am; priitaa = satisfied; braviihi = tell; me = me; kim = what; uchitam good; aham karavaaNi = I may do; te = for you.
"O, Seetha! Your words are suitable for the occasion and are charming too. I am satisfied. Tell me what good I may do for you."
tasyaastadvachanam shrutvaa vismitaa mandavismayaa |
kR^itam ity abraviit siitaa tapo bala samanvitaam || 2-118-16
16. shrutvaa = hearing; tadvachanam = those words; tasyaaH = of Anasuya; siitaa = Seetha; vismitaa = was surprised; mandavismayaa = and with gentle smile; abraviit = spoke; tapobala samanvitam = to Anasuya who was richly endowed with the power of askesis; (as follows): kR^itamiti = "Everything stands fulfilled (by your grace)."
Hearing those words of Anasuya, Seetha was surprised and with a gentle smile spoke to her, who was richly endowed with the power of askesis, saying; "Everything stands fulfilled (by your grace).
saa tu evam uktaa dharmajnaa tayaa priitataraa abhavat |
saphalam cha praharSham te hanta siite karomyaham || 2-118-17
17. evam = thus; uktaa = spoken; tayaa = by that Seetha; saa = that Anasuya; dharmajNaa = the pious minded; abhavat = became; priita taraa = more delighted; siite = O; Seetha!; hanta = Alas!; aham = I; karomi = will create; praharSam = a great joy; te = for you; saphalam = which will be to your advantage.
Thus spoken by Seetha, the pious-minded Anasuya became more delighted and said: "O, Seetha! Alas! I will create a great joy for you, which will be to your advantage."
idam divyam varam maalyam vastram aabharaNaani ca |
anga raagam ca vaidehi mahaa arham anulepanam || 2-118-18
mayaa dattam idam siite tava gaatraaNi shobhayet |
anuruupam asamkliShTam nityam eva bhaviShyati || 2-118-19
18; 19. siite = O; Seetha; vaidehi = the daughter of Videha kingdom!; idam = here are; divyam = divine; varam = gifts; maalyam = a garland; vastram = apparel; aabharaNaanicha = jewels; aN^ga raagamcha = scented cosmetic; mahaarham = and a rare; anulepanamcha = cream; idam = these are all; dattam = given; mayaa = by me; shobhayet = to adorn; tava = your; gaatraaNi = limbs; nityameva = It wll be ever; anuruupam = worthy of you; bhaviSyati = and will remain; asamkliSTam = intact (even after constant use).
"O, Seetha, the daughter of Videha kingdom! Here are divine gifts: a garland, an apparel, jewels, a scented cosmetic and rare body-cream. These are all given by me to adorn your limbs. They will be ever worthy of your and will remain in tact (even after constant use)."
anga raageNa divyena lipta angii janaka aatmaje |
shobhayiShyaami bhartaaram yathaa shriir viShNum avyayam || 2-118-20
20. janakaatmaje = O; Seetha! liptaaN^gii = your body; anointed; divyena = with this celestial; aN^garaageNa = cosmetic; shobhayiSyasi bhartaaram = will cause yourhusabdn to look beautiful; yathaa = as; shriiH = Lakshmi (the goddess of fortune and beauty); (does); avyayam = the imperishable; viSNum = Vishnu (the lord of preservation).
"O, Seetha! Your body, anointed with these heavenly cosmetics, will cause your husband to look beautiful, as Lakshmi (the goddess of fortune and beauty) does the imperishable Vishnu (the Lord of Preservation)."
saa vastram anga raagam ca bhuuShaNaani srajaH tathaa |
maithilii pratijagraaha priiti daanam anuttamam || 2-118-21
21. saa maithilii = that Seetha; pratijagraaha = accepted; vastram = the apparel; aNgaraagam cha = the scented cosmetic; bhuuSaNaani = the jewels; tathaa = and; srajaH = the garlands; anuttamam = as unsurpassed priitidaanam = gifts of love.
Seetha accepted the apparel, the scented cosmetic, the jewels and the garlands as unsurpassed gifts of love.
pratigR^ihya ca tat siitaa priiti daanam yashasvinii |
shliShTa anjali puTaa dhiiraa samupaasta tapo dhanaam || 2-118-22
22. yashasvinii = the illustrious; siitaa = Seetha; pratigR^ihya = having accepted; tat = those; priitidaanam = gifts of love; shliSTaajJNalipuTaa = with joined palms; samupaasta = sat near; tapodhanaam = that female ascetic.
Having accepted those gifts of love, the illustrious Seetha with joined palms, sat near that female ascetic.
tathaa siitaam upaasiinaam anasuuyaa dR^iDha vrataa |
vacanam praShTum aarebhe kaa.ncid tpriyaam kathaamanu || 2-118-23
23. praSTum = to inquire about; priyakathaamanu = a lovely tale; kaamchit = of once upon a time; anasuuyaa = Anasuya; dR^iDhavrataa = who was firm in austerity; aarebhe = started (asking); vachanam = (the following) words; siitaam = to Seetha; upaasiinaam = who was sitting near her;tathaa = in that manner.
To inquire about a lovely tale of once upon a time, Anasuya who was firm in austerity, started asking the following words to Seetha who was sitting near her in that manner.
svayam vare kila praaptaa tvam anena yashasvinaa |
raaghaveNa iti me siite kathaa shrutim upaagataa || 2-118-24
24. siite = O; Seetha! kila = It is so said that; tvam = you; praaptaa = were received as a wife; raaghaveNa = by Rama; yashasvinaa = the illustrious man; svayamvare = through a process of your self-choosing; iti = this; kathaa = report; upaagataa = has reached; me = my; shrutim = ear.
"O, Seetha! It is so said that you were won by the illustrious Rama through a process of your self-choosing (svayamvara)*. This report has reached my ear."
*Svayamvara= the ceremony of self-choice, when a princess chooses her own consort from the royal suitors assembled, by placing a garland around his neck.
taam kathaam shrotum igcchhaami vistareNa ca maithili |
yathaa anubhuutam kaartsnyena tan me tvam vaktum arhasi || 2-118-25
25. maithili = O; Seetha!; ichchhaami = I wish; shrotum = to hear; taam = that narrative; vistareNa = in detail; tat = hence; tvam = you; arhasi = ought; vaktum = to tell; kaarsnnyena = in full; yathaanubhuutam = as you experience it.
"O, Seetha! I wish to hear that narrative in detail. Hence, tell me that tale in full as you experienced it."
evam uktaa tu saa siitaa taam tato dharma caariNiim |
shruuyataam iti ca uktvaa vai kathayaam aasa taam kathaam || 2-118-26
26. saa siitaa = that Seetha; uktaa = having been spoken; evam = thus; tataH = then; uktvaa = said; iti shruuyataam = "Let this be heard"; kathayaamaasa = and narrated; taam kathaam = that tale; vai = truly; taam = to that; dharmachaariNiim = Anasuya = the virtuous woman.
Then, Seetha obediently answered, saying "Hear me" and began to truly narrate that tale of Svayamvara to the virtuous woman, Anasuya."
mithilaa adhipatir viiro janako naama dharmavit |
kShatra dharmaNy abhirato nyaayataH shaasti mediniim || 2-118-27
27. mithilaadhipatiH = A king of Mithila kingdom; janakonaama = named Janaka; viiraH = who was valiant; dharmavit = and knower of righteousness; abhirataH = was devoted to; kSatra dharme = the duty of a Warrior class; shaasti = and was ruling; mediniim = the earth; nyaataH = in a fitting manner.
"A king of Mithila kingdom, named Janaka who was valiant and a knower of righteousness, was devoted to the duty of his warrior class and was ruling the earth in a fitting manner."
tasya laangala hastasya karShataH kShetra maNDalam |
aham kila utthitaa bhittvaa jagatiim nR^ipateH sutaa || 2-118-28
28. tasya = (While) he; karSataH = was furrowing kSetra maNDalam = a territory of land; laaNgala hastasya = holding a plough in his hand; kila = it is so said that; aham = I; utthitaa = came forth; bhitvaa = splitting; jagatiim = the land; sutaa = as a daughter; nR^ipateH = of that king.
"While he was furrowing a territory of land, holding a plough in his hand, it is so said that I came forth, splitting up the land, as a daughter of that king."
sa maam dR^iShTvaa nara patir muShTi vikShepa tat paraH |
paa.nshu guNThita sarva angiim vismito janako abhavat || 2-118-29
29. saH janakaH = that Janaka; narapatiH = the king; muSTi vikSepa tatparaH = who was absorbed in scattering handfuls of seeds; abhavat = became; vismitaH = surprised; dR^iSTvaa = to see; maam = me; paa su guNThita sarvaaNgii = with all my limbs covered with dust.
"The king Janaka, who was absorbed in scattering handfuls of seeds was surprised to see me, with all my limbs covered with dust."
anapatyena ca snehaad ankam aaropya ca svayam |
mama iyam tanayaa ity uktvaa sneho mayi nipaatitaH || 2-118-30
30. aaropya = placing me; svayam = himself; aNkam = in his lap; snchaat = with affection; anapatyena = that childless king; Janaka; uktvaa = spoke; iti = thus; iyam = She; mama tanayaa = is my daughter; snehaH = and his fondness; nipaatitaH = got a place.
"Placing me personally in his lap with affection, that childless king Janaka called one as his daughter, and was very fond of me since then."
antarikShe ca vaag uktaa apratimaa maanuShii kila |
evam etan nara pate dharmeNa tanayaa tava || 2-118-31
31. kila = It is so said; vaak = A voice resembling that of a human being; antarikSe = in the air above me; uktaa = rang out; (saying); narapate = O; King!; evam etat = let it be so; amaanuSii = this divine being; apratimaa = without a match; tanayaa = is a daughter; tava = to you; dharmayaa = rightly.
"It is said that voice resembling that of a human being in the air above me rang out, saying": "O, King! Let it be so. This divine child without a match is a daughter to you, rightly."
tataH prahR^iShTo dharma aatmaa pitaa me mithilaa adhipaH |
avaapto vipulaam R^iddhim maam avaapya nara adhipaH || 2-118-32
32. tataH = thereafter; me pitaa = my father; dharmaatmaa = the pious minded; maraadhipaH = the lord of men; mithilaadhipaH = and the king of Mithila kingdom; prahR^iSTaH = was rejoiced; maam avaapya = in my possession; avaaptaH = and acquired; vipulaam = extensive; R^iddhim = property.
"Thereafter, my father the pious mind the lord of men and the king of Mithila kingdom was rejoiced in my possession and acquired extensive property."
dattvaa ca asmi iShTavad devyai jyeShThaayai puNya karmaNaa |
tayaa sambhaavitaa ca asmi snigdhayaa maatR^i sauhR^idaat || 2-118-33
33. puNyakarmaNaa = by that king performing auspicious acts; asmi = I was; datta = given; iSTavat = into the care of; jyeSThaayai devajai = the chief Queen; asmi = I was; sambhaavitaa = nourished; maatR^i sauhR^idaat = with maternal affection; snighdayaa = and tenderness; tayaa = by her.
"That king performing auspicious acts gave me into the care of the chief Queen. She nourished me fondly and with maternal affection."
pati samyoga sulabham vayo dR^iShTvaa tu me pitaa |
cintaam abhyagamad diino vitta naashaad iva adhanaH || 2-118-34
34. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; rayaH = my age; pati samyoga sulabham = to be such when union with a husabnd can be easily had; me pitaa = my father; abhyagamat = fell a prey; chintaam = to anxiety; adhanaH iva = like an indegent man; diinaH = miserable; vittanaashaat = from the loss of all his possessions.
"Seeing my age to be such, when union with a husband can be easily had, my father fell a prey to anxiety like an indigent man, feeling miserable by the loss of all his possessions."
sadR^ishaac ca apakR^iShTaac ca loke kanyaa pitaa janaat |
pradharShaNaam avaapnoti shakreNa api samo bhuvi || 2-118-35
35. kanyaapita samo.api = even though the father of an unmarried girl be like; shakreNa = Indra himself; bhuvi = on earth; avaapnoti = gets; pradharSaNaam = ill-treatment; loke = in the world; janaat = from the suitor's men; sadR^ishaashcha = ( no matter whether) they are equal; apakR^iSTaashcha = or inferior to him.
"Eventhough the father of an unmarried girl be like Indra himself on earth, suffers indignity in the world from the suitor's men, no matter whether they are equal or inferior to him."
taam dharShaNaam aduurasthaam sa.ndR^ishya aatmani paarthivaH |
cinntaa arNava gataH paaram na aasasaada aplavo yatha || 2-118-36
36. dR^iSTvaa = perceiving; taam dharSaNaam = that ill-treatment; aduurasthaam = to be not far-off; aatmani = for him; paarthivaH = the king Janaka; chintaarNava gataH = was plunged into an ocean of anxiety; naasasaada = and did not reach; paaram = its end; aplavoyathaa = any more than a man without a bark (would reach the end of a sea)
"Perceiving that ill-treatment threatening him at no distant date, the king Janaka was plunged into an ocean of anxiety and did not reach its end any more than a man without a bark would reach the end of a sea."
ayonijaam hi maam jnaatvaa na adhyagagcchhat sa cintayan |
sadR^isham ca anuruupam ca mahii paalaH patim mama || 2-118-37
37. jJNaatvaa = knowing; maam = me; ayonijaam = to be the one not emerged from a mother's womb; mahiipaalaH = the king; vichintayan = after a deep reflection; naadhyagachchhat = was unable to find; anuruupam cha = a suitable; sadR^isham = and worthy; patim = husband; mama = for me.
"Knowing me to be the one not emerged from a mother's womb, the king after a deep reflection, was unable to find a suitable and worthy husband for me."
tasya buddhir iyam jaataa cintayaanasya samtatam |
svayam varam tanuujaayaaH kariShyaami iti dhiimataH || 2-118-38
38. tasya = to him; dhiimataH = the wiseman; chintayaamasya = after reflecting (thus); santatam = constantly; jaataa = it has come; iyam buddiH = to his mind; iti = thus; kariSyaami = "I shall arrange; svayamvaram = for a process of self-choosing marriage; tanuujayaaH = for my daughter."
"After reflecting thus deeply, the thought came to him, 'I shall inaugurate a Svayamvara, a process of self-choosing marriage, for my daughter."
mahaa yajne tadaa tasya varuNena mahaatmanaa |
dattam dhanur varam priityaa tuuNii ca akShayya saayakau || 2-118-39
39. tadaa = In ancient days; mahaayajJNe = on the occasion of a great sacrifice; mahaatmanaa = by the high-souled; varuNena = Varuna; the rain-god; tasya = to him; dattam = was given; dhanurvaram = an excellent bow; tuuNiicha = with two quivers; akSaya saayakau = that should never lack arrows; priityaa = with affection.
"In ancient days, Janaka received with affection from Varuna the rain-god, an excellent bow with two quivers that should never lack arrows."
asa.ncaalyam manuShyaiH ca yatnena api ca gauravaat |
tan na shaktaa namayitum svapneShu api nara adhipaaH || 2-118-40
40. gauravaat = because of heavy weight; tat = that bow; asamchaalyam = which could not be lifted; manuSyaiH = by men; yatnenaapi = even with effort; naraadhiparaH = and the kings; na shaktaaH = were unable; namayitum = to bend (it); svapneSvapi = even in their dreams.
"That bow was so heavy in weight that no man could lift it up nor any of the kings were bale to bend it even in their dreams."
tad dhanuH praapya me pitraa vyaahR^itam satya vaadinaa |
samavaaye nara indraaNaam puurvam aamantrya paarthivaan || 2-118-41
41. me pitraa = by my father; satyavaadinaa = who speaks truth; aamantrya = having called paarthivaan = the princes; puurvam = first; vyaahR^itam = informed; samavaaye = in their meeting; tat dhanuH = about that bow; praapya = to be lifted.
"My truthful father called all the princes first and informed them in a meeting about the bow to be lifted."
idam ca dhanur udyamya sajyam yaH kurute naraH |
tasya me duhitaa bhaaryaa bhaviShyati na sa.nshayaH || 2-118-42
42. yaH narah = whichever man; udyamya = lifts; idam dhanuH = this bow; kurute sajyamcha = and strings it; tasya = to him; me duhitaa = my daughter; bhaviSyati = will become; bhaaryaa = a consort (to him); na = there is no; samshayaH = doubt.
"Whoever is able to lift up and string this bow, I will bestow my daughter in marriage on him. There is no doubt about it."
tac ca dR^iShTvaa dhanuH shreShTham gauravaad giri samnibham |
abhivaadya nR^ipaa jagmur ashaktaaH tasya tolane || 2-118-43
43. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; tat dhanuH shreSTham- that excellent bow; girisannibham = resembling a mountain; gauravaato = from the point of view of its heavy weight; asaktaaH = and bieng unable; tolane = to life; tasya = it; nR^ipaaH = the princes; abhivaadhya = offered salutation to it; jagmuH = and went away.
"Seeing that excellent bow, resembling a mountain in weight, and being unable to lift it up, the princes offered salutation to it and went away."
sudiirghasya tu kaalasya raaghavo ayam mahaa dyutiH |
vishvaamitreNa sahito yajnam draShTum samaagataH || 2-118-44
lakShmaNena saha bhraatraa raamaH satya paraakramaH |
44. sudiirghasya kaalasya = after a very long time; ayam raamaH = this Rama; raaghavaH = born in Raghu dynasty; mahaa dyutiH = with a great splendour; satya paraakramaH = possessing a true valour; lakSmaNena saha = along with Lakshmana; bhraatraa = his brother; vishvaamitreNa sahitaH = together with Visvamitra the sage; samaagataH- came; draSTum = to behold; yajNam = a sacrifice.
"After a very long time, this Rama born in Raghu dynasty with a great splendour possessing a true valour, along with his brother Lakshmana together with a sage Visvamitra, came to witness a sacrifice."
vishvaamitraH tu dharma aatmaa mama pitraa supuujitaH || 2-118-45
provaaca pitaram tatra raaghavo raama lakShmaNau |
45. dharmaatmaa = the pious souled; vishvaamitrastu = Visvamitra; supuujitaH = having been worshipped well; mama pitraa = by my father;bhraatarau = about the two brothers; raama lakSmaNau = Rama and Lakshmana; tatra = there.
"The pious-souled Visvamitra, having been received well by my father said to my father, (as follows):
sutau dasharathasya imau dhanur darshana kaankShiNau || 2-118-46
dhanurdarshaya raamaaya raajaputraaya daivikam |
46. imau = these two boys; sutau = the sons; dasharathasya = of Dasaratha; dhanurdarshana kaaN^kSiNau = wish to see that bow; darshaya = show; dhanuH = the bow; daivikam = coming from gods; raamaaya = to Rama; raajaputraaya = the prince.
"These two boys, the sons of Dasaratha wish to see that bow. Show that bow, coming from gods, to Rama the prince."
ity uktaH tena vipreNa tad dhanuH samupaanayat || 2-118-47
nimeSha antara maatreNa tad aanamya sa viiryavaan |
jyaam samaaropya jhaTiti puurayaam aasa viiryavaan || 2-118-48
47; 48. iti = thus; uktaH = spoken; tena viprena = by that Brahmana; tatodhanuH upaanayat = (Janaka) caused that bow to be brought there; mahaabalaH = the mighty; viiryavaan = and the valiant Rama; aanamya = bent; tat = that bow; nimeSaantara meatreNa = merely within an instant; jhaTiti = and soon; samaaropya = stringed the bow; jyaam = with the bows-cord; puurayaamaasa = ad drew the bow to the full.
"Hearing the words of Vivamitra, Janaka caused the bow to be brought there. The mighty and the valiant Rama bent that bow merely within an instant and immediately stringed the bow with the bow-cord and drew the bow to the full."
tena puurayataa vegaan madhye bhagnam dvidhaa dhanuH |
tasya shabdo abhavad bhiimaH patitasya ashaner iva || 2-118-49
49. tena = by that Rama; puurayataa = who was drawing the bow to the full; dhanuH = the bow; bhagnam = was broken; dvidhaaH = into two; madhye = in the middle vegaat = due to that jerk; tasya = its; bhiimaH = terrific; shabdaH = sound; abhavat = was; patitasya ashaneriva = like that of a falling thunder-bolt.
"While Rama was drawing the bow to the full, the bow was broken into two in the middle due to the resultant jerk. The terrific sound then created was like that of a falling thunderbolt."
tato aham tatra raamaaya pitraa satya abhisa.ndhinaa |
udyataa daatum udyamya jala bhaajanam uttamam || 2-118-50
50. tataH = then; tatra = and there; pitraa = by my father; satyaabhisandhinaa = who was true to his promise; nishchitaa = it was decided; daatum = to give; aham = me; raamaaya = to Rama; udyamya = offering him; jalabhaajanam = of jar of pure water.
"Then and there, my father true to his promise decided to bestow me on Rama, offering him a jar of pure water."
diiyamaanaam na tu tadaa pratijagraaha raaghavaH |
avijnaaya pituH chandam ayodhyaa adhipateH prabhoH || 2-118-51
51. tadaa = then; raaghavaH = Rama; na tu pratijagraaha = did not consent to accept; diiyamaanaam = me who was being offered to him; avijJNaaya = withut knowing; chhandam = the opinion; pituH = of his father; prabhoH = the Lord; ayodhyaadhipateH = and the king of Ayodhya.
"But Rama did not consent to accept my hand till the will of his father, the Lord and the king of Ayodhya had been made known to him."
tataH shvashuram aamantrya vR^iddham dasharatham nR^ipam |
mama pitraa aham dattaa raamaaya vidita aatmane || 2-118-52
52. tataH = thereupon; mama pitraa = by my father; shvashuram = my father -in-law; vR^iddham = and the aged; dasharatham nR^ipam = king Dasaratha; aamantrya = was invited; aham = I; dattaa = was given; raamaaya = to Rama; viditaatmane = the knower of the self.
Thereupon, my father-in-law and the aged Dasaratha was invited to Mithila by my father and with his approval, I was bestowed on Rama, the knower of the self."
mama caiva anujaa saadhvii uurmilaa priya darshanaa |
bhaarya arthe lakShmaNasya api dattaa pitraa mama svayam || 2-118-53
53. dattaa = was given; mama pitraa = by my father; svayam = personally; mama = my; anujaa = younger sister; uurmilaa = Urmila; saadhvii = the virtuous lady; priyadarshanaa = of lovely looks; bhaaryaarthe = as a consort; lakSmaNasyaapi = to Lakshmana.
"My younger sister Urmila, the virtuous lady of lovely looks was given as a consort to Lakshmana by my father himself."
evam dattaa asmi raamaaya tadaa tasmin svayam vare |
anuraktaa ca dharmeNa patim viiryavataam varam || 2-118-54
54. tadaa = then; asmi = I was; dattaa = given; evam = thus; raamaaya = to Rama; tasmin svayamvare = in that; svayamvara; a process of self-choosing marriage; asmi = I became; anuraktaa = devoted; dhameNa = by my good works; patim = to my husband; param = who is excellent; viiryavataam = among men of strength.
"I was given thus to Rama in that Svayamvara, a process of self-choosing marriage. I became devoted, by my good works, to my husband who is excellent among men of strength."
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ityaarShe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye ayodhyaakaaNDe aShTaadashottarashatatamaH sargaH
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© November 2005, K. M. K. Murthy