Sumantra arranges for a chariot for the travel of Rama, Seetha, and Lakshmana at the orders of Dasharatha. Kingly ornaments are obtained for Seetha. Rama seeks blessings from his mother Kausalya and others too. Kausalya's parting advises to Seetha.
raamasya tu vacaH shrutvaa muni veSha dharam ca tam |
samiikShya saha bhaaryaabhii raajaa vigata cetanaH || 2-39-1
na enam duhkhena samtaptaH pratyavaikShata raaghavam |
na ca enam abhisamprekShya pratyabhaaShata durmanaaH || 2-39-2
1;2. shrutvaa = hearing; raamasya = Rama's; vachaH = word; samiikshhyacha = and seeing; tam = him; muniveshhadharam = disguised as hermit; raajaa = the king; bhaaryaabhiH saha = with his wives; vigatachetanaH = lost their consciousness; samtaptaH = consumed; duhkhena = by grief; na pratyavekshhata = he could not behold; evam = thus; raaghavam = Rama; durmanaah = being troubled in mind; na pratyabhaashhata cha = he could not reply; abhisamprekshhya = seeing in the direction of enam = him(Rama).
Hearing Rama's words and seeing him clad in a garb of hermit, king Dasaratha with his wives fell unconscious. Consumed by grief, he could not look towards Rama. Troubled in mind as he was, the king could not speak to Rama by seeing into his face.
sa muhuurtam iva asamGYo duhkhitaH ca mahii patiH |
vilalaapa mahaa baahuu raamam eva anucintayan || 2-39-3
3. saH = mahiipatiH = that king; mahaabaahuH = the mighty armed; asamJNa iva = was unconscious; muhuurtam = for a moment; duHkhitaschcha = felt distressed and; vilalaapa = repented(in various ways) anuchintayan = thinking of raaman eva = Rama alone.
The mighty armed Dasaratha was unconscious for some time, distressed and repented in various ways thinking of Rama alone.
manye khalu mayaa puurvam vivatsaa bahavaH kR^itaaH |
praaNino hi.nsitaa vaa api tasmaat idam upasthitam || 2-39-4
4. puurvam = "previously; bahavaH = many people; kR^itaah = were made; vivatsaaH = separated from their children; mayaa = by me; vaapi = or; praaNinaH = living beings; himsitaaH = were killed; tasmaat; hence; manye khalu = I think; idam = this; upasthitam = has come."
"I think that previously many people were separated from their children by me or in any case many living beings were killed. Hence, this (calamity) has befallen me."
na tu eva anaagate kaale dehaac cyavati jiivitam |
kaikeyyaa klishyamaanasya mR^ityur mama na vidyate || 2-39-5
mo aham paavaka samkaasham pashyaami purataH sthitam |
vihaaya vasane suukShme taapasa aacchaadam aatmajam || 2-39-6
5;6. jiivitam = life; nachyavati = does not decamp; dehaat = from the body; tveva = surely; anaagate = without arrival; kaale = of time; nR^ityuH = death; na vidyate = does not claim; mama = me; klishyamaanasya = who am being tormented; kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi; pashyaami = seeing; aatmajam = my son; paavakasamkaasham = efflugent as fire; purataH sthitam = standing before me; taapasaachchhaadanam = clad in the robes of an ascetic; vihaaya = having cast off; suukshhme = fine; vasane = garments.
"life does not decamp from the body surely without the arrival of time. Death does not claim me, even being tormented by Kaikeyi and eventhough I behold my son, efflugent as fire, standing before me clad in the robes of an ascetic having cast off his fine garments."
ekasyaaH khalu kaikeyyaaH kR^ite ayam klishyate janaH |
sva arthe prayatamaanaayaaH sa.nshritya nikR^itim tvimaam || 2-39-7
7. ayam = janaH = all these people; klishyate = are suffering; kR^ite = on account; ekasyaaH = of only; kaikeyyaaH = Kaikeyi; samshritya = who sought refuge; nikR^itim = in chicanery; prayatamaanaayaaH = with an implicit intent; svaarthe = of selfishness.
"All these people are suffering on account of only Kaikeyi, who sought refuge in chincanery, with an implicit intent of selfishness"
evam uktvaa tu vacanam baaShpeNa pihita iikShNaha |
raama iti sakR^id eva uktvaa vyaahartum na shashaaka ha || 2-39-8
8. uktvaa = having uttered; evam = these; vachanam = words; uktvaa = and saying; raameti = "Oh Rama!"; sakR^ideva = only once; na shashaaka ha = he was not able; vyaahaartum = to speak; pihitendriyaH = his organs of voice being choked; bhaashhpena = by tears.
Having uttered these words and saying "Oh, Rama!" only once, he was not able to speak any more, his organs of voice being choked by tears.
samGYaam tu pratilabhya eva muhuurtaat sa mahii patiH |
netraabhyaam ashru puurNaabhyaam sumantram idam abraviit || 2-39-9
9. pratilabhyevor = regaining; samJNaam = consciousness; muhuurtaat = after a moment; mahiipatiH = the king; netraabhyaam = with his eyes; ashrupuurNaabhyaam = filled with tears; abraviit = spoke; idam = these words; sumantram = to Sumantra.
Regaining consciousness after a moment, the king, with his eyes filled with tears, spoke these words to Sumantra:
aupavaahyam ratham yuktvaa tvam aayaahi haya uttamaiH |
praapaya enam mahaa bhaagam itaH jana padaat param || 2-39-10
10. tvam = you; aayaahi = come; ratham = (with a) chariot; oupavaahyam = fit for driving; yuktvaa = yoked; hayottamaiH = with excellent horses; praapaya = and take; evam = this; mahaabhaagam = highly distinguished prince; param = beyond; itaH = this; janapadaat = territory.
"You come with a chariot, fit for driving, yoked with excellent horses and take this highly distinguished prince beyond this territory."
evam manye guNavataam guNaanaam phalam ucyate |
pitraa maatraa ca yat saadhur viiraH nirvaasyate vanam || 2-39-11
11. yat = since; saadhuH = a pious; viiraH = and a valiant (son); nirvaasyate = is being sent to exile; pitraa = by father; maatraacha = and mother; manye = I think; evam = such; uchate = is said (to be); phalam = the reward; guNaanaam = of virtues; guNavataam = of the virtuous.
"Since a pious and a valiant son is being sent to exile by father and mother, I think such is said to be the reward of virtues of the virtueous."
raaGYo vacanam aaGYaaya sumantraH shiighra vikramaH |
yojayitvaa aayayau tatra ratham ashvaiH alamkR^itam || 2-39-12
12. sumantraH = Sumantra; aaJNaaya = obeying; vachanam = the words; raaJNa = of the king; shiighra vikramaH = walked away quickly; aayayau = and arrived; tatra = there; yojayitvaa = fitted; ashvaiH = with horses; ratham = a chariot; alakR^itam = duly decorated.
Sumantra obeying the words of the king, walked away quickly and arrived there fitted with horses, a chariot duly decorated.
tam ratham raaja putraaya suutaH kanaka bhuuShitam |
aacacakShe anjalim kR^itvaa yuktam parama vaajibhiH || 2-39-13
13. suutaH = the charioteer; aachachakshhe = told; raajaputraaya = the prince; aNjalim kR^itvaa = with joined palms; tam ratham = about that chariot; kanaka bhushhitam = decorated by gold; yuktam = fitted; parama vaajibhiH = with superb horses.
The charioteer told the prince with joined palms about that chariot decorated by gold, fitted wih superb horses.
raajaa satvaram aahuuya vyaapR^itam vitta sa.ncaye |
uvaaca desha kaalaGYo nishcitam sarvataH shuci || 2-39-14
14. deshakaalaJNam = who knew proper place and time; nishchitam = who had a decisive attitude; suhuchim = who was clear; sarvatah = by all means; satvaram = quickl; aahuuya = called; vyaapR^itam = an officr; vittasamchaye = in the treasury; uvaacha = spoke(as follows)
The king, who knew what should be done at a proper place and time and was clear by all means, quickly called an officer placed in charge of the treasury and spoke in a decisive tone (as follows);-
vaasaa.nsi ca mahaa arhaaNi bhuuShaNaani varaaNi ca |
varShaaNi etaani samkhyaaya vaidehyaaH kShipram aanaya || 2-39-15
15. kshhipram = quickly; aanaya = bring; vaidehyaaH = for Seetha; vaasaamsicha = clothings; mahaarNaani = of great worth; bhuushhaNaanicha = and ornaments; varaaNi = of high quality; samkhyaaya = considering; etaani = (all) these; varshhaaNi = years (that Seetha has to spend in exile).
"Quickly bring for Seetha, clothings of great worth and ornaments of high quality, taking into consideration all these years (that Seetha has to spend in exile)
nara indreNa evam uktaH tu gatvaa kosha gR^iham tataH |
praayacchat sarvam aahR^itya siitaayai kShipram eva tat || 2-39-16
16. tataH = after; uktaH = being spoken; evam = thus; narendreNa = by the king; yatvaa (he) went; koshagR^iham = to the treasury; aahR^itya = brought; sarvam = all; tat = that; samameva = in a lot; praayachchhat = (and) gave; siitaayai = to Seetha.
After thus spoken by the king, the officer went to the treasury, brought all that in a lot and gave to Seetha.
saa sujaataa sujaataani vaidehii prasthitaa vanam |
bhuuShayaam aasa gaatraaNi taiH vicitraiH vibhuuShaNaiH || 2-39-17
17. prasthitaa = setting out(as she was); vanam = to the forest; saa vaidehii = that Seetha; sujaataa = of noble birth; bhuushhayaamaasa = adorned; sujaataani = (her) beautiful; gaatraaNi = limbs; vibhuushhaNaiH = with jewels; vichitraiH = which were wonderful.
Setting out as she was to the forest, Seetha of noble birth adorned her beautiful limbs with those wonderful jewels.
vyaraajayata vaidehii veshma tat suvibhuuShitaa |
udyataH a.nshumataH kaale kham prabhaa iva vivasvataH || 2-39-18
18. vaidehi = Seetha; suvibhuushhitaa = beautifully adorned; vyaraajayata = illumined; tat veshma = that palace; ahamiva = as the sky; kaale = in the morning; prabhaa = (by) radiance; vivasvataH = of a sun; udyataH = rising.
Seetha, beautifully adorned as she was, illumined that palace, as the sky in a morning is illuminated by a rising sun.
taam bhujaabhyaam pariShvajya shvashruur vacanam abraviit |
anaacarantiim kR^ipaNam muudhni upaaghraaya maithiliim || 2-39-19
19. parishhvajya = embracing; bhujaabhyaam = in her arms; maithiliim = that princess of Mithila; anaacharantiim = who never behaved; kR^ipaNam = in self-pity; shvashruuH = her mother in law(Kausalya); upaaghraaya = and smelling; muurdhni = her head(as a token of affection); abraviit = spoke as follows:
Embracing in her arms that princess of Mithila, who never behaved in self-pity, and smelling her head(as a token of affection), her mother-in-law(Kausalya) spoke as follows:
asatyaH sarva loke asmin satatam satkR^itaaH priyaiH |
bhartaaram na anumanyante vinipaata gatam striyaH || 2-39-20
20. asatyaH = dishonest; striyaH = women; satkR^itaaH = eventhough adored; satatam = all the time; priyaiH = by their husbands; maanumanyate = cease to esteem; bhartaaram = their husband; vinipaatagatam = who has befallen into evil days; asmin sarvaloke = throughout this world.
"Dishonest women, eventhough adored all the time by their husbands, cease to esteem their husband who has come to pass into evil days, throughout this world."
eshha svabhaavo naariiNaamanubhuuya puraa sukham |
alpaamapyaapadam praapya dushhyanti prajahatyapi || 2-39-21
21. anubhuuya = having enjoyed; sukham = happiness; puraa = in the past; dushhyanti = (they) become spoiled; prajahatyapi = and even desert(their husband) praapya = on obtaining; alpaamapi = even the least; aapadam = misfortune; eshhaH = such; svabhaavaH = is the nature; naasiiNaam = of (bad) woman.
"Having enjoyed happiness in the past, they become spoiled and even desert their husband, on obtaining even the least misfortune: such is the nature of (bad) women."
asatyashiilaa vikR^itaa durrgaahyaahR^idayaastathaa |
yuvatyaH paapasamkalpaaH kshaNamaatraadviraagiNaH || 2-39-22
22. yuvatyaH = young women; paapa samkalpaaH = who are evil-minded; asatya shiilaaH = are untruthful in their disposition; vikR^itaaH = affected by passion; tathaa = and; durgraahya hR^idayaaH = their essence; incomprehensible; viraagiNaH = they get aversion; kshhaNamaatraat = within a moment.
"Young women, who are evil-minded, are untruthful in their disposition, are affected by passion and their essence, incomprehensible. They get aversion within a moment."
na kulam na kR^itam vidyaa na dattam naapi samgrahaH |
striiNaam gR^ihNaati hR^idayamanityahR^idayaa hi taaH || 2-39-23
23. nakulam = neither a noble descent; na kR^itam = nor an accomplishment; vidyaa = nor learning; na dattam = nor a gift; naapi samgrahaH = nor even entertainment; grihNaati = can capture; hR^idayam = the heart; striiNaam = of women; taaH = they are; anitya hR^idayaahi = unstable their heart indeed.
Neither a noble descent, nor an accomplishment, nor learning, nor a gift nor even entertainment can capture the heart of women. They are unstbale of their heart indeed!"
saadhviinaam hi sthitaanaam tu shiile satye shrute shame |
striiNaam pavitram paramam patireko vishishhyate || 2-39-24
24. te = but; striiNaam = established; shiile = in good conduct; satye = truthfulness; shrute = sacred learning; shame = and mental quictness; patiH = their husband; ekaH = alone; paramam = is the most; pavitram = sacred entity; vishishhyate = the best of all.
"But, for women established in good conduct, truthfulness, sacred learning and mental quietness, their husband alone is the most sacred entity, the best of all."
sa tvayaa na avamantavyaH putraH pravraajitaH mama |
tava daivatam astu eSha nirdhanaH sadhano api vaa || 2-39-25
25. mama = my; saH putraH = this son; pravraajitaH = who is sent to forest; naavamantavyaH = should not be despised; tvayaa = by you; sadhanopi vaa = even if he is with riches or; nirdhanaH = without riches; astu eshhaH = let him be; diavam = a deity; tava = to you.
"My son who is being sent to the forest should not be despised by you. Even if he is invested with riches or without riches, let him be a deity to you."
viGYaaya vacanam siitaa tasyaa dharma artha samhitam |
kR^ita anjalir uvaaca idam shvashruum abhimukhe sthitaa || 2-39-26
26. viJNaaya = perceiving; tasyaH = her; vachanam = words; dharmaarthasamhitam = endowed with essence of righteousness; kR^itaaNJalaiH = and joining her palms; siitaa = Seetha; uvaacha = replied; shvashruum = to her mother-in-law; sthitaam = standing; abhimukhe = in front of her; idam = as follows:
perceiving her words, endowed with essence of righteousness and joining her palms, Seetha replied to her mother-in-law standing in front of her, as follows:-
kariShye sarvam eva aham aaryaa yad anushaasti maam |
abhiGYaa asmi yathaa bhartur vartitavyam shrutam ca me || 2-39-27
27. aham = i; karishhye = shall do; sarvameva = just all; yathaa = as; aaryaa = your venerable self; anushaashi = instructs; maam = me; abhiJNaa = I know; yathaa = how; vartitavyam = it is to be behaved; bhartuH = towards my husband; asmi = I; me = for me; shrutamcha = have also heard(about it)
"I shall do just all that, as your venerable self instructs me. I know how I should behave towards my husband. I have also heard about it earlier."
na maam asaj janena aaryaa samaanayitum arhati |
dharmaat vicalitum na aham alam candraat iva prabhaa || 2-39-28
28. aaryaa = your venerable self; na arhati = is not worthy; samaanayitum = of equating; maam = me; asjjanena = with evil women; naalam = I am unable; vichalitum = to deviate; dharmaat = from virtue; chandraamiva = even as moon; prabhaa = the moonlight.
"Your venerable self is not worthy of equating me with evil women. I am unable to deviate from virtue, even as a moon from the moonlight"
na atantrii vaadyate viiNaa na acakraH vartate rathaH |
na apatiH sukham edhate yaa syaat api shata aatmajaa || 2-39-29
29. viiNaa = Vina(Indian lute); na vaadyate = does not resonate; atantrii = without chords; rathaH = chariot; na vartate = does not move; achakraH = without wheels; yaa = which woman; apatiH = without husband; syaadapi = even perhaps; shataatmajaa = belssed with hundred children; na edheta = will not live in comfor; sukham = happily.
"Vina (Indian lute) does not resonate without chords. Chariot does not move without wheels. Now can a wife bereft of her husband, even if blessed with hundred children, will not lie happily in comfort."
mitam dadaati hi pitaa mitam maataa mitam sutaH |
amitasya hi daataaram bhartaaram kaa na puujayet || 2-39-30
30. pitaa = "A father; dadaatihi = indeed gives; mitam = a limited extent; maataa = A mother; mitam = in a limited measure; sutah = A son; mitam = in moderation; kaa = which woman; na puujayet = would not adore; bhartaaram = her husband; daataaram = the bestower; amitasya = of unlimitedness."
"A father indeed gives a limited extent, a mother in a limited measure and a son in moderation. Which woman, then, would not adore her husband, the bestower of unlimitedness!"
saa aham evam gataa shreShThaa shruta dharma para avaraa |
aarye kim avamanyeyam striiNaam bhartaa hi daivatam || 2-39-31
31. shruta dharma varaavaraa = "having heard about the special and ordinary duties(of a wife); shreshhThaa = from the most excellent women; kim = how; saa aham = can I; evam gataa = despise(my husband?); aarye = Oh; venerable self! bhartaa = husband; daivatam hi = is indeed a deity; striiNaam = to women."
"Having heard about the special and ordinary duties of a wife from the most excellent women, how can I, as such, despise my husband, Oh venerable lady? Husband is indeed a deity to women."
siitaayaa vacanam shrutvaa kausalyaa hR^idayam gamam |
shuddha sattvaa mumoca ashru sahasaa duhkha harShajam || 2-39-32
32. shrutvaa = hearing; siitaayaaH = Seetha's vachanam = words; hR^idayaNgamam = which touched her heart; kausalyaa = Kausalya; shuddhasattvaa = of pure mind; sahasaa = suddenly; mumocha = shed; ashru = tears; duHkha harshhajam = born of agony and delight.
Hearing Seetha's words, which touched her heart, Kausalya of pure mind suddenly started shedding tears born of agony and delight.
taam praanjalir abhikramya maatR^i madhye atisatkR^itaam |
raamaH parama dharmaGYo maataram vaakyam abraviit || 2-39-33
33. raamaH = Rama; parama dharmaatmaa = the most virtuous man; praaNjaliH = joining his palms; abhikramya = approached; abraviit = spoke; vaakyam = (these) words; taam maataram = to that mother; atisatkR^itaam = who is highly respected; maatR^imadhye = among his mothers.
Rama, the most virtuous man, joining his palms, approached and spoke these words to his mother, who is highly respected among all his mothers:
amba maa duhkhitaa bhuus tvam pashya tvam pitaram mama |
kShayo hi vana vaasasya kShipram eva bhaviShyati || 2-39-34
34. amba = Oh; mother! tvam = you; maa bhuuH = do not; duHkhitaa = grieve; tvam = you; pashya = look after; mama pitaram = my father; kshhayaH = the end; vanavaasasya = of exile; bhavishhyati = will come; kshhiprameva = rather soon.
"Oh, mother! You do not grieve. You look after my father. The end of exile will come rather soon."
suptaayaaH te gamiShyanti nava varShaaNi panca ca |
saa samagram iha praaptam maam drakShyasi suhR^id vR^itam || 2-39-35
35. nava paNchacha = fourteen; varshhaaNi = years; gamishhyanti = will elapse; te = (while) you; suptaayaaH = are asleep; saa = you as such; drakshhyasi = will see; maam = me; sampraaptam = duly arrived; iha = here; samagram = in my entire being; suhR^idvR^itam = surrounded by my well- wishers.
"Fourteen years will elapse, while you are asleep. you as such, will see me, duly arrived here in my entire being, surrounded by my well-wishers."
etaavad abhiniita artham uktvaa sa jananiim vacaH |
trayaH shata shata ardhaa hi dadarsha avekShya maataraH || 2-39-36
36. uktvaa = uttering; vachaH = words; etaavat = of such quality; abhiniitaartham = end appropriate meaning; aavekshhya = refelected again; dadarsha = (and) gazed at; trayaH shata shataardhaaH = his three hundred fifty; maataraH cha = mothers also.
Uttering the aforesaid words of such quality and appropriate meaning to his mother, Rama thought once again and gazed at his three hundred and fifty step-mothers.
taaH ca api sa tathaiva aartaa maatR^iR^ir dasharatha aatmajaH |
dharma yuktam idam vaakyam nijagaada kR^ita anjaliH || 2-39-37
37. saH = that; dasharathaatmajaH = Rama; kR^itaaNjaliH = joined his palms; taaH = to those; maatR^iirapi = mothers also; aartaaH = who were distressed; tathaiva = in the same way; nijagaada = and spoke; idam vaakyam = these words; dharmayuktam = which were in consonance with righteousness.
Rama joined his palms and saluted those step mothers also, who were too distressed in the same way and spoke these words which were in consonance with the spirit of righteousness.
samvaasaat paruSham ki.ncit aGYaanaat vaa api yat kR^itam |
tan me samanujaaniita sarvaaH ca aamantrayaami vaH || 2-39-38
38. samanujaaniita = excuse; me = me; tat = that; yat = for which reson; kiNchit = a little; parushham = wrong; kR^itam = was done; aJNaanaadvaa = due to ignorance or; samvaasaat = or because of our living together; aamantrayaami = I take leave of; sarvaaH = all; vaH = of you.
"Please excuse me, if I have done any mistake either becuase of our living together or due to ignorance on my part. I now take leave of you all."
vachanam raaghavasyaitaddharmayuktam samaahitam |
shushruvu staaH striyam sarvaaH shokopahatachetasaH || 2-39-39
39. sarvaaH = all; taaH = those; striyaH = women; shokopahata chetanaH = whose mind was overpowered with grief; shushruvuH = heard; etat = these; vachanam = words; dharmayuktam = which were in consonance with righteousnes; samaahitam = the cool submission; raaghavasya = of Rama.
All those women, whose mind was overpowered with grief, heard the aforesaid cool submission of Rama, which was in consonance with righteousness.
jaGYe atha taasaam samnaadaH kraunciinaam iva nihsvanaH |
maanava indrasya bhaaryaaNaam evam vadati raaghave || 2-39-40
40. atha = after; raaghave = Rama; vadati = has spoken; evam = thus; sannaadaH = an outery; nisvaH iva = resembling the wail; krauNchiinaam = of female cranes; jaJNe = arose; taasam = (from) those; maanavendrasya bhaaryaaNaam = wives of Dasaratha.
While Rama was speaking thus, an outery, resembling the wail of female cranes arose from those wives of Dasaratha.
muraja paNava megha ghoShava |
ddasharatha veshma babhuuva yat puraa |
vilapita paridevana aakulam |
vyasana gatam tat abhuut suduhkhitam || 2-39-41
41. yat = which; dasharatha veshma = Dasaratha's palace; puurvaa = earlier; murajapaNavamegha ghoshhavat = was resounding with tomtoms; large drum and Meghas(musical instruments which sound like rumbling of clouds); tat = it; abhuut = became; vilapita paridevanaakulam = filled with wails and cries; vyasanagatam = fall on evil days.
Dasaratha' s palace, which was earlier resounding with tomtoms, large drums and Meghas( musical instruments which sound like rumbling of clouds) was now filled with wails and cries and fallen on evil days.
- - -
iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye ayodhya kaaNDe eko na catvaariMshaH sargaH
Thus completes 39th chapter of ayodhya Kanda in glorious Valmiki Ramayana, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
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© May 2002, K. M. K. Murthy