Overhearing the conversation of Rama and Seetha, Lakshmana who came there earlier enters into dialogue with his brother, insisting that he too shall accompany Rama and Seetha to forests. Rama tries to persuade him to stay back, in vain. Then Rama had to agree to Lakshmana's insistence and asks him to fetch the divine bows, arrows and swords given by gods in the Vedic-ritual of Seetha's father, namely King Janaka.
evam śrutvā tu samvādam lakṣmaṇaḥ pūrvamāgataḥ |
bāṣpaparyākulamukhaḥ śokam soḍhumaśaknuvan || 2-31-1
sa bhrātuścaraṇau gāḍham nipīḍya raghunandanaḥ |
sītāmuvācātiyaśām rāghavam ca mahāvratam || 2-31-2
1;2. lakshhmaNaH = Lakshmana; aagataH = who came there; puurvam = earlier; shrutvaa = heard; samvaadam = the conversation; evam = thus; bhaashhpa paryaakulekshhanaH = having his eyes filled with tears; ashaknuvan = being unable; sodhum = to bear; shokam = the anguish; saH = that; raghunandanaH = Lakshmana; nipiidya = pressed; charaNau = the feet; bhraatuH = of his brother; gaadham = firmly; uvaacha = spoke; raaghavamcha = to Rama; mahaavratam = performing a great vow; siitaam = and to Seetha; atiyashaam = of great honour.
Lakshmana who came there earlier, heard the conversation of Seetha and Rama, having his eyes glut with tears, being unable to bear the anguish, tightly pressed the feet of his bother and spoke (as floows) to Rama who was performing a great vow and to Seetha who enjoyed great honour.
yadi gantum kṛtā buddhirvanam mṛgagajāyutam |
aham tvānugamiṣyāmi vanamadre dhanurdharaḥ || 2-31-3
3. buddhiH kR^itaayadi = If decision was made; gantum = to go; vanam = to forest; mR^igagajaayutam = filled with antelopes and elephants; aham = I; dhanurdharaH = wearing the bow; agre = in front; anugamishhyaami = shall accompany; tvaa = your; vanam = to forest.
"If you decided to go to the forest filled with antelopes and elephants, I, in front wearingthe bow, shall accompany you to the forest."
mayā sameto.araṇyāni bahūni vicariṣyasi |
pakṣibhirmṛgayūthaiśca samghuṣṭāni samantataḥ || 2-31-4
4. sametaH = together; mayaa = with me; vicharishhyasi = you will travel; bahuuni araNyaani = in many forests; samghushhTaani = resonant; samastataH = of all; pakshhibhiH = birds; mR^igayoothaiH = and troops of wild animals.
"Together with me, you will travel in the various forests, resonant with sounds of birds and herds of wild animals."
na devalokākramaṇam nāmaratvamaham vṛṇe |
aiśvaryam vāpi lokānām kāmaye na tvayā vinā || 2-31-5
5. tvayaa vinaa = without you; aham = I; navR^iNe = do not want; devalokakramaNam = ascendency to heaven; na = nor desiring; amaratvam = immortality; na kaamaye = now wishing; aishvaryam vaapi = even sovereignity; lokaanaam = over the globes.
"Without you, I do not want ascendency to heaven now do I desire immortality now do I wish for sovereignity over the globes."
evam bruvāṇaḥ saumitrirvinavāsāya niścitaḥ |
rāmeṇa bahubhiḥ sānvairniṣiddhaḥ punarabravīt || 2-31-6
6. saumitriH = Lakshmana; bruvaaNaH = who was speaking; evam = thus; nishchitaH = determined; vanavaasaaya = to dwell in the forest; nishhiddhaH = was forbidden; raameNa = by Rama; bahubhiH saantvaiH = through many pacifying words; punaH = again; abraviit = spoke.
Lakshmana who was speaking in favour of coming to the forst, was forbidden by Rama through many of his pacifying words. After hearing them, Lakshmana again soke as follows:
anujñātaśca bhavatā pūrvameva yadasmyaham |
kimidānīm punaridam kriyate me nivāraṇam || 2-31-7
7. aham = I; asmiyat = am indeed; anujJNaataH = permitted; bhavataa = by you; puurvameva = even earlier; idaaniim = now; kim = why; punaH = again; idam = this; nivaaraNam = hindrance; kriyate = is being done?
"I was indeed permitted by you earlier. How is it that you are prohibiting me now?"
yadartham pratiṣedho me kriyate gantumicchataḥ |
etadicchāmi vijñātum saṃśayo hi mamānagha || 2-31-8
8. anagha = Oh; the faultless man! ichchhaami = I desire; vijJNaatum = to know; yadartham = for what reason; pratishhedhaH = prohibition; kriyate = is done; etat = at this time; me = for me; ichhataH = who is willing; gautum = to go; samshayaH hi = there is indeed doubt; me = in me.
"Oh, the faultless man! I desire to know the reason for prohibiting me, who is indeed willing to come to the forest, because there is doubt in my mind."
tataḥ abravīn mahā tejā rāmaḥ lakṣmaṇam agrataḥ |
sthitam prāg gāminam vīram yācamānam kṛta anjalim || 2-31-9
9. tataH = thenafter; raamaH = Rama; mahaatejaaH = of great splendour; abraviit = spoke; lakshhmaNam = to Lakshmana; sthitam = standing; agrataH = in front; praaggaaminam = intending to go before; viiram = the valiant man; yaachamaanam = soliciting; kR^itaaNjalim = with joined palms.
Thereafter Rama of great splendour spoke to Lakshmana the valiant man who was standing in front, intending to preceede Sri Rama and soliciting with joined palms.
snigdho dharmarato vīrassatatam satpathe sthitaḥ |
priyaḥ prāṇasamo vaśo bhrātā cāpi sakhā ca me || 2-31-10
10. snigdhaH = friendly; dharmarataH = interested in righeousness; viiraH = valiant; sthitaH = always; satpathe = in good path; priyaH = the beloved one; praaNa samaH = as dear as life; vashyaH = obedient; bhraatraachaapi = the brother; sakhaacha = and a companion.
"You are so friendly, interested in righteousness, valiant, abiding always in a good path, dear to me as life, obedient, my brother and a companion."
mayā adya saha saumitre tvayi gaccati tat vanam |
ko bhariṣyati kausalyām sumitrām vā yaśasvinīm || 2-31-11
11. saumitre = Oh; Lakshmana! tvayi = you; gachchhati = having proceeded; tatvanam = to that forest; mayaa saha = along with me; adya = now; kaH = who; bharishhyati = will support; kausalyaam = Kausalaya; sumitraam vaa = or Sumira; yashashiviniim = the illustrious.
"Oh Lakshmana! If you proceed to the forest along with me now, who will support Kausalya or the illustrious Sumitra?"
abhivarṣati kāmaiḥ yaḥ parjanyaḥ pṛthivīm iva |
sa kāma pāśa paryastaḥ mahā tejā mahī patiḥ || 2-31-12
12. yaH = which; mahiipatiH = emporor; mahaatejaH = of great splendour; abhivarshhati = used to shower; kaamaiH = objects of desire; parjanyaH iva = as a cloud; pR^ithiviim = to the earth; saH = he; kaamapaashaparyantaH = stands circumscribed by cord of love.
"That emperor of great splendour, who used to shower blessings on the people as a cloud sends down rain on the earth, stands circumscribed by cord of love."
sā hi rājyam idam prāpya nṛpasya aśva pateḥ sutā |
duhkhitānām sapatnīnām na kariṣyati śobhanam || 2-31-13
13. saa = that Kaikeyi; sutaa = daughter; nR^ipasya = of king; ashvapateH = Aswapathi; praapya = after getting; idam raajyam = this kingdom; na karishhyati hi = will certainly not accord; shobhanam = good treatment; sapatniinaam = to step-wives; duHkhitaanaam = who are at grief.
"That Kaikeyi daughter of king Aswapathi, after obtaining this kingdom, will certainly not accord good treatment to her step-wives, who are at grief."
na smariṣyati kausalyām sumitrām ca suduḥkhitām |
bharato rājyamāsādya kaikeyyām paryavasthitaḥ || 2-31-14
14. bharataH = Bharata; aasaadya = obtaining; raajyamm = the kingdom; paryavasthitaH = will be devoted; kaikeyyaam = to Kaikeyi; na smarishhyati = will not think; kausalyaam = of Kausalya; suduHkhitaam = who is in great sorrow; sumitraameha = and Sumitra.
"Bharata on acquiring the kingdom will be devoted to Kaikeyi and will not think of sorrowful Kausalya or Sumitra."
tāmāryām svayameveha rājā.anugrahaṇena vā |
saumitre bhara kausalyā muktamarthamimam cara || 2-31-15
15. saumitre = Oh; Lakshmana! iha = you stay here; bhara = support; svayameva = through your own salf; raajaanugraheNa = or by obtaining favour through the king; taam kausalyaam = that Kausalya; aaryaam = the venerable lady; chara = do; imam = this; artham = thing; uktam = as said.
"Oh, Lakshmana! You stay here and support the venerable Kausalya through your own self or by obtaining favour through the king. Do this thing, as said."
evam mama ca te bhaktirbhaviṣyati sudarśitā |
dharmajña gurupūjāyām dharmaścāpyatulo mahān || 2-31-16
16. dharmajJNaa = Oh; Lakshmana; knower of righteousness! evam = thus; te = your; te = your; bhaktiH = devotion; mama = towards me; bhavishhyati = will be; sudarshitaa = well demonstrated; gurupuujaayaam = by honouring the elders; mahaan; a great; atulaH = unequalled; dharmashcha = religious merit(will accrue).
"Oh, Lakshmana the knower of righteousness! Thus, your devotion towards me will have been fully demonstrated by you. By honouring the elders, a great unqualled religious merit will accrue to you."
evam kuruṣva saumitre matkR^te raghunandana |
asmābhirviprahīnāyā māturno na bhavetsukham || 2-31-17
17. saumitre = OH; Lakshmana; raghunandana = who exhilarates Raghu dynasty; kurushhva = do; evam = thus; matkR^ite = for my sake; na bhavet = there will be no; sukham = happiness; naH = maatuH = to our mother; viprahiinaayaaH = who is left behind; naH = bye us.
"Oh, Lakshmana, the exhilarator of Raghu dynasty! Do this for my sake. There will be no happiness to our mother, if she is left behind by us."
evam uktaḥ tu rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā |
pratyuvāca tadā rāmam vākyajño vākya kovidam || 2-31-18
18. lakshmaNaH = Lakshmana; vaakyaajJNaH = who is intelligent in speech; uktaH = who was spoken; evam = thus; raameNa = by Rama; pratyuvaacha = replied; tadaa = then; giraa = with the voice; shlakshhNayaa = so gentle; raamam = to Rama; vaakyakovidam = who is skilled in speech.
Lakshmana who is intelligent in speech, after hearing Rama's words, replied in a gentle voice to him who is skilled in speech.
tava eva tejasā vīra bharataḥ pūjayiṣyati |
kausalyām ca sumitrām ca prayataḥ na atra saṃśayaḥ || 2-31-19
19. viiraH = Oh; Rama the valiant! bharataH = Bharata; prayataH = being piously dispossed; tava tejasaiva = by your splendour of such a kind; puujayishhyati = will respect; kausalyaamena = Kausalya; sumitraamcha = and Sumitra; na = no; samshayaH = doubt; atra = in this matter.
"Oh, Rama the valiant! Bharata being inspired by your splendour of morality will respect Kausalya and Sumitra. There is no doubt in this matter."
kausalyā bibhṛyāt āryā sahasram api mad vidhān |
yasyāḥ sahasram grāmāṇām samprāptam upajīvanam || 2-31-20
20. yasyaaH = upon which Kausalya; sahasram = thousand; graamaaNaam = villages; sampraaptam = obtained by her; upajiivinaam = are living in dependence; aaryaa = that venerable; kausalyaa = Kausalya; bibhR^iyaat = can maintain; sahasramapi = even thousand; madvidhaan = of my type.
"Kausalya obtained (by grant) thousand villages , which are dependent on her. Hence, that venerable Kausalya can maintain even thousand people like me."
tadātmabharaṇe caiva mama mātustathaiva ca |
paryāptā madvidhānām ca bharaṇāya yaśasvinī || 2-31-21
21. tat = that is why; yashasvinii = the illustrious Kausalya; paryaaptaa = is competent not only; aatmabharaNaichaiva = to maintain herself; tathaivacha = but also; mama maatuH = my mother; bharaNaayacha = and the support of; madvidhaanaamcha = people like me.
"The illustrious Kausalya is competent not only to maintain herself but also my mother and people like me in addition."
kuruṣva māmanucaram vaidharmyam neha vidyate |
kṛtārtho.aham bhaviṣyāmi tava cārthaḥ prakalpate || 2-31-22
22. kurushhva = make; maam = me; amcharam = your attendant; iha = in this; navidyate = there is no; vaidharmyam = unlawfulness; aham = I; bhavishhyaami = will be; kR^itaarthaH = accomplishing my object; tava = your; arthattcha = purpose also; prakalpate = will be fulfilled.
"Make me your attendant. In this, there is no unrighteousness. Besides, I will be accomplishing my object. Your purpose also will be fulfilled."
dhanur ādāya saśaram khanitra piṭakā dharaḥ |
agrataḥ te gamiṣyāmi panthānam anudarśayan || 2-31-23
23. aadaaya = having taken; dhamh = the bow; sasharam = with arrows; khamitra pitakaadharaH = carrying a spade and a basket; gamishhyaami = I will travel; anudarshayan = showing; panthaanam = the path; agrataH = in front; te = of you.
"Taking my bow and arrows and carrying a spade and a basket, I will walk in front of you showing the path."
āhariṣyāmi te nityam mūlāni ca phalāni ca |
vanyāni yāni ca anyāni svāhārāṇi tapasvinām || 2-31-24
24. aaharishhyaami = I will procure; te = for you; nityam = for all time; muulaani = the tubers; phalaanicha = fruits; anyaanicha = and other things; yaani = which; svaahaaraaNi = are good food stuffs; vanyaani = available in the forest; tapasvinaam = for sages.
"I will procure for you for all time the tubers, fruits and other things which are good food stuffs available in the forest for sages."
bhavāṃs tu saha vaidehyā giri sānuṣu raṃsyate |
aham sarvam kariṣyāmi jāgrataḥ svapataḥ ca te || 2-31-25
25. bhavaamstu = be it so; that you; vaidehyaasaha = along with Seetha; ramsyate = enjoy yourself; girisaamushhu = on mountain = ridges; aham = I; karishhyaami = I shall do; sarvam = everything; te = (while) you; jaagrataH = are waking; svapatashcha = or sleeping.
"You along with Seetha enjoy yourself on mountain-ridges. I shall do everything while you are waking or sleeping."
rāmaḥ tu anena vākyena suprītaḥ pratyuvāca tam |
vraja āpṛccasva saumitre sarvam eva suhṛj janam || 2-31-26
26. raamastu = Rama; supriitaH = very much delighted; anena vaakyena = by these words; pratyuvaacha = replied; tam = to him( as follows); saumitre = Oh; Lakshmana! vraja = go; aapR^ichchhasva = take leave; sarvameva = of all; suhR^ijjanam = your friends.
Rama, very much delighted of hearing these words, said to him: "Oh, Lakshmana! Go, take leave of all your friends."
ye ca rājño dadau divye mahātmā varuṇaḥ svayam |
janakasya mahā yajñe dhanuṣī raudra darśane || 2-31-27
abhedya kavace divye tūṇī ca akṣaya sāyakau |
āditya vimalau ca ubhau khaḍgau hema pariṣkṛtau || 2-31-28
satkṛtya nihitam sarvam etat ācārya sadmani |
sa tvam āyudham ādāya kṣipram āvraja lakṣmaṇa || 2-31-29
27;28;29. lakshmana = Oh; Lakshmana! varuNaH = Varuna; mahatmaa = the great souled; svayam = himself; mahaayajJNe = at a grand sacrifice; janakasya = of Janaka; raajJNaH = the king; dadau = gave; ye = which; dhanushhii = bows; divye = which are heavenly; raudra darshane = (one) dreadful to look at; divye = divine; abhedya kavache = impentrable pieces of armour; tuuNiicha = and quivers; akshhayasaayake = containing an inexhaustible; ubhau = two; khadgau = swords; hemaparishhkR^ite = decked with gold; aaditya vimalau = with spotless lustre like that of a sun; etat sarvam = all these; nihitam = were kept; achaarya sadmani = at the residence of our receptor; Vasista;satkR^itya = after paying due reverence; aadaaya = take; sarvam = all those; aayudham = arms; aavraja = (and)return; skhhipram = soon.
"Oh, Lakshma! At a grand sacrifice perfomed by Janaka, the great-souled Varuna(god of water) personally gave heavently bows which are dreadful to look at, divine impenetrable pices of armour, quivers containing an inexhanstible stock of arms, two swords decked with gold and with spotless lustre like that of a sun - all these were kept at the residence of our receptor Vasista, after paying due reverence. Take all those arms and return soon."
sa suhṛj janam āmantrya vana vāsāya niścitaḥ |
iṣkvāku gurum āmantrya jagrāha āyudham uttamam || 2-31-30
30. lakshmaNaH = Lakshmana; nishahitaH = who was assured; vanavaasaaya = of his sojourn in the forest; aamantrya = after bidding good bye; suhR^ijjanam = to his griends; aagamya = approached; ikshhvaakugurum = Vasista; the preceptor of Ikshvaku dynasty; garaaha = took; uttamam = the excellent; aayudham = arms.
Lakshmana, who was assured of his sojourn in the forest, after bidding good bye ot his friends, approached Vasista the preceptor of Ikshvaku dynasty and took the excellent armoury.
tat divyam rāja śārdūlaḥ satkṛtam mālya bhūṣitam |
rāmāya darśayām āsa saumitriḥ sarvam āyudham || 2-31-31
31. saumitriH = Lakshmana; raajashaarduulaH = a tiger among princes; dadarshayaamaasa = showed; raamaaya = to Rama; sarvam = all; tat aayadham = those arms; divyam = which are divine; satkR^itam = which were worshipped maalya bhuushhitam = and decorated by garlands.
Lakshmana, a tiger among princes, showed to Rama all those arms, which were divine, being worshipped and decorated by garlands.
tam uvāca ātmavān rāmaḥ prītyā lakṣmaṇam āgatam |
kāle tvam āgataḥ saumya kānkṣite mama lakṣmaṇa || 2-31-32
32. raamaH = Rama; aatmavaan = who has controlled his mind; priitya = affectinately; uvaacha = soke(as follows) tama lakshhmaNam to Lakshmana; aagatam = who arrived; lakshmana = "Oh; Lakshmana saumya = the excellent man! tvam = you; aagataH = came; kaale = in time; kaaNkshhite = as desired; mama = by me.
Rama, who had fully controlled his mind, affectionately spoke as follows to Lakshmana who arrived: "Oh, Lakshmana, the excellent man! You came in time as desired by me."
aham pradātum iccāmi yad idam māmakam dhanam |
brāhmaṇebhyaḥ tapasvibhyaḥ tvayā saha paramtapa || 2-31-33
33. paramtapa = Lakshmana; the chastiser of foes! aham = I; tvayaa saha = along with you; ichchhaami = desire; pradaatum = to give away; yat = which; idam = this; dhanam = wealth; mamakam = pertaining to me; braahmaNebhyaH = to brahmanas; tapasvibhyaH = practising ansterities.
"Lakshmana, the chastiser of foes! along with you, I want to give all this wealth pertaining to me to brahmanas, practising ansterities."
vasanti iha dṛḍham bhaktyā guruṣu dvija sattamāḥ |
teṣām api ca me bhūyaḥ sarveṣām ca upajīvinām || 2-31-34
34. teshhaamapicha = to those; dvijasattamaaH = excellent brahmanas; vasanti = residing; iha = here; dR^idham = as strong; bhaktaaH = devotees; gurushhu = to preceptors; bhuuyaH = and; sarveshhaam = all; me = of my; upajiivinaamcha = dependants.
"I also desire to give to those excellent brahmanas residing here as strong devotees to their proceptors and to all my dependents."
vasiṣṭha putram tu suyajñam āryam |
tvam ānaya āśu pravaram dvijānām |
abhiprayāsyāmi vanam samastān |
abhyarcya śiṣṭān aparān dvijātīn || 2-31-35
35. tvam = you; aanaya = bring; aashu = soon; aaryam = the venerable; suyajJNam = Suyagna; vashishhTaputram = the son of Vasista; pravaram = the best; abhyarchya = after adoring; aparaan samastaan dvijaatiin = all other brahmanas; shishhTaan = who are cultured; abhiprayaasyaami = I will go; vanam = to the forest.
"You bring boon the venerable Suyagna, the son of Vasista, the best. After adoring all other brahmanas also who are cultured, I will go to the forest."
- - -
iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye ayodhya kāṇḍe eka triṃśaḥ sargaḥ
Thus completes 31st chapter in the Ayodhya kanda of the glorious Ramayayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
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© 2001, K. M. K. Murthy