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.
rāmasya tu vacaḥ śrutvā muni veṣa dharam ca tam |
samīkṣya saha bhāryābhī rājā vigata cetanaḥ || 2-39-1
na enam duhkhena samtaptaḥ pratyavaikṣata rāghavam |
na ca enam abhisamprekṣya pratyabhāṣata durmanāḥ || 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 muhūrtam iva asamjño duhkhitaḥ ca mahī patiḥ |
vilalāpa mahā bāhū rāmam 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 mayā pūrvam vivatsā bahavaḥ kṛtāḥ |
prāṇino hiṃsitā vā api tasmāt 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 anāgate kāle dehāc cyavati jīvitam |
kaikeyyā kliśyamānasya mṛtyur mama na vidyate || 2-39-5
mo aham pāvaka samkāśam paśyāmi purataḥ sthitam |
vihāya vasane sūkṣme tāpasa āccādam ātmajam || 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."
ekasyāḥ khalu kaikeyyāḥ kṛte ayam kliśyate janaḥ |
sva arthe prayatamānāyāḥ saṃśritya nikṛtim tvimām || 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 uktvā tu vacanam bāṣpeṇa pihita īkṣṇaha |
rāma iti sakṛd eva uktvā vyāhartum na śaśāka 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.
samjñām tu pratilabhya eva muhūrtāt sa mahī patiḥ |
netrābhyām aśru pūrṇābhyām sumantram idam abravīt || 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:
aupavāhyam ratham yuktvā tvam āyāhi haya uttamaiḥ |
prāpaya enam mahā bhāgam itaḥ jana padāt 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 guṇavatām guṇānām phalam ucyate |
pitrā mātrā ca yat sādhur vīraḥ nirvāsyate 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."
rājño vacanam ājñāya sumantraḥ śīghra vikramaḥ |
yojayitvā āyayau tatra ratham aśvaiḥ alamkṛtam || 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 rāja putrāya sūtaḥ kanaka bhūṣitam |
ācacakṣe anjalim kṛtvā yuktam parama vājibhiḥ || 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.
rājā satvaram āhūya vyāpṛtam vitta saṃcaye |
uvāca deśa kālajño niścitam sarvataḥ śuci || 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);-
vāsāṃsi ca mahā arhāṇi bhūṣaṇāni varāṇi ca |
varṣāṇi etāni samkhyāya vaidehyāḥ kṣipram ānaya || 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 indreṇa evam uktaḥ tu gatvā kośa gṛham tataḥ |
prāyaccat sarvam āhṛtya sītāyai kṣipram 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.
sā sujātā sujātāni vaidehī prasthitā vanam |
bhūṣayām āsa gātrāṇi taiḥ vicitraiḥ vibhūṣaṇaiḥ || 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.
vyarājayata vaidehī veśma tat suvibhūṣitā |
udyataḥ aṃśumataḥ kāle kham prabhā iva vivasvataḥ || 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.
tām bhujābhyām pariṣvajya śvaśrūr vacanam abravīt |
anācarantīm kṛpaṇam mūdhni upāghrāya maithilīm || 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:
asatyaḥ sarva loke asmin satatam satkṛtāḥ priyaiḥ |
bhartāram na anumanyante vinipāta gatam striyaḥ || 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."
eṣa svabhāvo nārīṇāmanubhūya purā sukham |
alpāmapyāpadam prāpya duṣyanti 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."
asatyaśīlā vikṛtā durrgāhyāhṛdayāstathā |
yuvatyaḥ pāpasamkalpāḥ kṣaṇamātrādvirāgiṇaḥ || 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 kṛtam vidyā na dattam nāpi samgrahaḥ |
strīṇām gṛhṇāti hṛdayamanityahṛdayā hi tāḥ || 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!"
sādhvīnām hi sthitānām tu śīle satye śrute śame |
strīṇām pavitram paramam patireko viśiṣyate || 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 tvayā na avamantavyaḥ putraḥ pravrājitaḥ mama |
tava daivatam astu eṣa nirdhanaḥ sadhano api vā || 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."
vijñāya vacanam sītā tasyā dharma artha samhitam |
kṛta anjalir uvāca idam śvaśrūm abhimukhe sthitā || 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:-
kariṣye sarvam eva aham āryā yad anuśāsti mām |
abhijñā asmi yathā bhartur vartitavyam śrutam 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 mām asaj janena āryā samānayitum arhati |
dharmāt vicalitum na aham alam candrāt iva prabhā || 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 atantrī vādyate vīṇā na acakraḥ vartate rathaḥ |
na apatiḥ sukham edhate yā syāt api śata ātmajā || 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 dadāti hi pitā mitam mātā mitam sutaḥ |
amitasya hi dātāram bhartāram kā na pūjayet || 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!"
sā aham evam gatā śreṣṭhā śruta dharma para avarā |
ārye kim avamanyeyam strīṇām bhartā 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."
sītāyā vacanam śrutvā kausalyā hṛdayam gamam |
śuddha sattvā mumoca aśru sahasā duhkha harṣajam || 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.
tām prānjalir abhikramya mātṛ madhye atisatkṛtām |
rāmaḥ parama dharmajño mātaram vākyam abravīt || 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 mā duhkhitā bhūs tvam paśya tvam pitaram mama |
kṣayo hi vana vāsasya kṣipram eva bhaviṣyati || 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."
suptāyāḥ te gamiṣyanti nava varṣāṇi panca ca |
sā samagram iha prāptam mām drakṣyasi suhṛd vṛtam || 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."
etāvad abhinīta artham uktvā sa jananīm vacaḥ |
trayaḥ śata śata ardhā hi dadarśa avekṣya mātaraḥ || 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.
tāḥ ca api sa tathaiva ārtā mātṛṛr daśaratha ātmajaḥ |
dharma yuktam idam vākyam nijagāda kṛta anjaliḥ || 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.
samvāsāt paruṣam kiṃcit ajñānāt vā api yat kṛtam |
tan me samanujānīta sarvāḥ ca āmantrayāmi vaḥ || 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."
vacanam rāghavasyaitaddharmayuktam samāhitam |
śuśruvu stāḥ striyam sarvāḥ śokopahatacetasaḥ || 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.
jajñe atha tāsām samnādaḥ krauncīnām iva nihsvanaḥ |
mānava indrasya bhāryāṇām evam vadati rāghave || 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 paṇava megha ghoṣava |
ddaśaratha veśma babhūva yat purā |
vilapita paridevana ākulam |
vyasana gatam tat abhūt 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 vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye ayodhya kāṇḍe eko na catvāriṃśaḥ sargaḥ
Thus completes 39th chapter of ayodhya Kanda in glorious Valmiki Ramayana, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
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| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 |
| 40 | 41 |
© May 2002, K. M. K. Murthy