Having reached the banks of Tamasa river and thinking of the plight of the people of Ayodhya, Rama passes the night on the banks of Tamasa river. Waking up in the meantime, Rama instructs the charioteer to drive the chariot in such a way as to elude the citizens and lead them to think that the chariot had turned back towards Ayodhya instead of proceeding towards the forest. He then ascends the chariot along with Sita and Lakshmana and went ahead to the forest.
tataḥ tu tamasā tīram ramyam āśritya rāghavaḥ |
sītām udvīkṣya saumitrim idam vacanam abravīt || 2-46-1
1. tataH = Then; raaghavaH = Rama; aashritya = taking his position at; tamasaa tiiram = at the banks of Tamasa river; udviikshhya = looking at; siitaam = Sita; abraviit = spoke; idam vachanam = these words; soumitrim = to Lakshmana :
Then Rama taking his position at the banks of Tamasa river and looking at Sita, spoke to Lakshmana as follows :
iyam adya niśā pūrvā saumitre prasthitā vanam |
vana vāsasya bhadram te sa na utkaṇṭhitum arhasi || 2-46-2
2. soumitre = oh; Lakshmana! prahitaaH = we have been sent; vanam = to the forest. iyam = Today; puurvaa = is the first; nishaa = night; vanavaasasya = of residence in the forest . saH = You as such; na arhasi = are not required; utkaN^Thitum = to regret. Bhadram = blessedness; te = to you."
"Oh, Lakshmana! We have been sent to the forest. Today is the first night of our residence in the forest .You ought not feel anxious. May all be well with you!"
paśya śūnyāni araṇyāni rudanti iva samantataḥ |
yathā nilayam āyadbhir nilīnāni mṛga dvijaiḥ || 2-46-3
3. pashya = look here: mR^iga dvijaiH = animals and birds; aayadbhiH = returning; yathaanilayam = to their respective abodes; miliinaani = seeking for shelter . shuunyaani = woods; rudrantiiva = are crying; samantataH = from all sides".
"Look here: As the animals and birds are returning to their respective abodes seeking for shelter, the desolate woods seem to be crying from all sides"
adya ayodhyā tu nagarī rāja dhānī pitur mama |
sastrī puṃsā gatān asmān śociṣyati na saṃśayaḥ || 2-46-4
4. adya = now; ayodhyaa nagarii = the city of Ayodhya; raajadhaanii = the capital; mama pituH = of my father; sa strii pumsaa = with its women and men; shochishhyati = will lament; asmaan = about us; gataan = that have departed. Na = There is no; samshayaH = doubt."
"Now, the city of Ayodhya the capital of my father with its men and women will lament about us that have departed (to the forest). There is no doubt"
anuraktā hi manujā rājānam bahubhirguṇaiḥ |
tvām ca mām ca naravyāghra śatraghnabharatau tathā || 2-46-5
5. naravyaaghra = oh; tiger among men! manujaaH = The citizens (of Ayodhya); anuraktaaH hi = are indeed having affection; raajaanam = towards the king; tvaamcha = towards you; maamcha = towards me; tathaa = and; shatrughna bharatou = towards Satrughna and Bharata; guNaiH = by our virtues; bahubhiH = which are many."
"Oh, tiger among men! The citizens (of Ayodhya) are indeed having affection to the king no less than to you and myself, as also to Bharata and Satrughna, for many of our virtues."
pitaram cānuśocāmi mātaram ca yaśasvinīm |
api vānaudha bhavetām tu rudantau tāvabhīkṣṇaśaḥ || 2-46-6
6. "anushochaami = I feel repented; pitaramcha = for my father; maataramcha = and my mother; yashasivniim = who is illustrious. tou apivaa bhavetaam = Will they become even; andhou = blind; rudantou = by weeping; abhiikshhashaH = incessantly."
"I feel repented for my father and my illustrious mother. I fear whether they will become even blind, by weeping incessantly."
bharataḥ khalu dharma ātmā pitaram mātaram ca me |
dharma artha kāma sahitaiḥ vākyaiḥ āśvāsayiṣyati ||2-46-7
7. bharataH = Bharata; dharmaatmaa = the virtuous man; aashvaasayishhyati khalu = can indeed console; me = my; pitaram = father; maataraacha = and mother; vaakyaiH = by words; dharmaartha kaama sahitaiH = (containing)religious merit ; material welfare and sense- gratification."
"Bharata, the virtuous man, can indeed console my father and mother by his kind words."
bharatasya ānṛśaṃsatvam saṃcintya aham punaḥ punaḥ |
na anuśocāmi pitaram mātaram ca api lakṣmaṇa || 2-46-8
8. "lakshhmaNa = Oh; Lakshmana! vichintya = Thinking of; bharatasya = bharata's; anR^ishamsatvam = kindness; punaH punaH = again and again; aham = I;naanushochaami = do not grieve; pitaram = for(our) father; maataramcha api = or even (our) mother."
"Oh,Lakshmana! Thinking of Bharata's kindness again and again, I do not grieve for our father and mother"
tvayā kāryam nara vyāghra mām anuvrajatā kṛtam |
anveṣṭavyā hi vaidehyā rakṣaṇa arthe sahāyatā || 2-46-9
9. "naravyaaghra: Lakshmana; the tiger among men! anuvrajataa = By following; maam = me; kaaryam = a purpose; kR^itam = has been served; tvayaa = by you. sahaayataa = a help; anveshhTavyaali = would have to be sought; rakshhaNaarthe = for the protection;vaidehyaaH = of Seetha"
"Oh, Lakshmana, tiger among men! You have done well by accompanying me, as otherwise, a help would have to be sought for by me for protecting Seetha"
adbhir eva tu saumitre vatsyāmy adya niśām imām |
etadd hi rocate mahyam vanye api vividhe sati || 2-46-10
10. " soumitre = Oh; Lakshmana! adya = Today; vatsyaami = I shall stay; imaam nishaam = in the night; adbhireva = with water alone. vanye = Wild fruits and roots; vividhe = of various kinds; satyapi = though being present; etat = this is; rochete hi = indeed a preference; mahyam = to me."
" Oh, Lakshmana! I shall live on water alone tonight. Though there are various kinds of wild fruits and roots, this is indeed a liking for me"
evam uktvā tu saumitram sumantram api rāghavaḥ |
apramattaḥ tvam aśveṣu bhava saumya iti uvāca ha || 2-46-11
11. "evam = Thus; uktvaa = telling; soumitrim = Lakshmana; raaghavaH = Rama; uvaacha ha = spoke; sumantramapi = to Sumitra also; iti = thus: soumya = "Oh;gentleman! Tvam = you; apramattaH = be careful; ashveshhu = about the horses."
Thus telling Lakshmana, Rama spoke also to Sumantra as follows: "Oh, gentle man! Attend to the horses carefully."
so aśvān sumantraḥ samyamya sūrye astam samupāgate |
prabhūta yavasān kṛtvā babhūva pratyanantaraḥ || 2-46-12
12. saH sumantraH = That Sumantra; suurye = (on)sun; samupaagate = getting; astam = set; samyamya = tied up; ashvaan = the horses; kR^itvaa = causing; prabhuutayavasaan = them to have more grass(to eat);babhuuva = (and)became; pratyanantaraH = the immediate neighbor(of Rama).
The sun having completely set, Sumantra tied up the horses, supplied them with abundant grass and immediately stood nearest (to Rama).
upāsyatu śivām saṃdhyām dṛṣṭvā rātrim upasthitām |
rāmasya śayanam cakre sūtaḥ saumitriṇā saha || 2-46-13
13. upaasya = having worshipped; shivaam = the beautiful; sandhyaam = evening twilight; dR^ishhTvaa = and having seen; raatrim = the night; upasthitaam = come nearer; suutaH = the charioteer; soumitriNaasaha = along with Lakshmana; chakre = made; shayanam = the bed; raamasya = for Rama.
Having worshipped the beautiful evening twilight and having seen the night come nearer, Sumantra along with Lakshmana made the bed for Rama.
tām śayyām tamasā tīre vīkṣya vṛkṣa dalaiḥ kṛtām |
rāmaḥ saumitriṇām sārdham sabhāryaḥ samviveśa ha || 2-46-14
14. viikshhya = Seeing; taam shayyaam = that bed; kR^itaam = made; vR^ikshha dalaiH = of leaves of a tree; soumitriNaasaardham = with the help of Lakshmana; tamasaatiire = on the bank of Tamasa river; raamaH = Rama; sa bhaaryaH = along with his wife; samvivesha ha = laid down.
Seeing that bed made of leaves of a tree on the bank of Tamasa river with the help of Lakshmana, Rama along with his wife laid down on it.
sabhāryam samprasuptam tam bhrātaram vīkṣya lakṣmaṇaḥ |
kathayām āsa sūtāya rāmasya vividhān guṇān || 2-46-15
15. viikshhya = seeing; tam braataram = that brother; samprasuptam = sleeping; sambhaaryam = along with his wife; lakshhmaNaH = Lakshmana; kathayaamaasa = narrated; raamasya = Rama's; vividhaam = various; guNaan = virtues; suutaaya = to Sumantra.
Seeing that brother sleeping along with his wife, Lakshmana narrated Rama's various virtues to Sumantra.
jāgrataḥ hi eva tām rātrim saumitrer uditaḥ raviḥ |
sūtasya tamasā tīre rāmasya bruvataḥ guṇān || 2-46-16
16. raviH = The sun; uditaH = rose; soumitre = (while) Lakshmana; bruvataH = was recounting; raamasya = Rama's; guNaaH = excellences; suutasya = to Sumantra; tamasaa tiire = at the bank of Tamasa river;jaagratohyeva = keeping awake; taam raatrim = that (whole) night.
WhileLakshmana was thus recounting Rama's excellences to Sumantra, keeping awake that whole night at the bank of Tamasa river, the sun rose.
go kula ākula tīrāyāḥ tamasāyāḥ vidūrataḥ |
avasat tatra tām rātrim rāmaḥ prakṛtibhiḥ saha || 2-46-17
17. viduurataH = At a good distance ; taamasaayaaH = from Tamasa river; gokulaakula tiiraayaH = whose banks were crowded with herds of cows; raamaH = Rama; avasat = inhabited; tatra = there; taam raatrim = that night; prakR^itibhiH saha = with the citizens.
At a good distance from Tamasa river, whose banks were crowded with herds of cows, Rama passed that night there with the citizens.
utthāya tu mahā tejāḥ prakṛtīs tā niśāmya ca |
abravīd bhrātaram rāmaḥ lakṣmaṇam puṇya lakṣaṇam || 2-46-18
18. saH raamaH = That Rama; mahaateJaaH = with a great splendor; utthaaya cha = got up; nishaamyacha = saw; taaH = those; prakR^itiiH = citizens; abraviit = and spoke; (as follows); bhraataram = to his brother; lakshhmaNam = Lakshmana; puNyalakshhaNam = who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks:
Getting up from the bed and seeing those citizens, Rama with an extraordinary splendor, spoke to his brother, Lakshmana who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks:
asmad vyapekṣān saumitre nirapekṣān gṛheṣv api |
vṛkṣa mūleṣu saṃsuptān paśya lakṣmaṇa sāmpratam || 2-46-19
19. pashya = Look at; lakshhmaNa = Oh; Lakshmana; asmadvyapekshhaan = (the citizens) full of longing for us; nirapekshhaan = unmindful; gR^iheshhvapi = even of their homes; sampratam = now; samsuptaan = sleeping together; vR^ikshha muuleshhu = at the roots of trees; soumitre = Oh; son of Sumitra!"
"Observe, Oh Lakshmana, the citizens full of longing for us, unmindful even of their homes, sleeping together at the roots of trees, Oh, the son of Sumitra!"
yathā ete niyamam paurāḥ kurvanti asman nivartane |
api prāṇān asiṣyanti na tu tyakṣyanti niścayam || 2-46-20
20. "yathaa = how; ete pouraaH = these citizens; kurvanti = are making; niyamam = coercion; asminnivartane = to take us back; nyasishhyanti = (they) will lay down; praaNaanapi = even their lives; na tyakshhyanti = but would not give up; nishchayantu = their resolve."
"From the way in which these citizens are making coercion to take us back (to Ayodhya), it seems they will even lay down their lives, but in no case would give up their resolve"
yāvad eva tu saṃsuptāḥ tāvad eva vayam laghu |
ratham āruhya gaccāmaḥ panthānam akutaḥ bhayam || 2-46-21
21. yaavadeva = till which time; samsuptaa = they are asleep; taavadeva = in that time; vayam = we; laghu = quickly; aaruhya = mount; ratham = chariot; gachchaama = and obtain; panthaanam = a route; akutobhayam = which has no fear from any quarter."
"Till which time the citizens are asleep, within that time, let us quickly mount the chariot and take a route which has no fear from any quarter"
ataḥ bhūyo api na idānīm ikṣvāku pura vāsinaḥ |
svapeyur anuraktā mām vṛṣka mūlāni saṃśritāḥ || 2-46-22
22. ataH = from this; ikshhvaakupura vaasinaH = the citizens of Ayodhya;( the capital of Ikshvaku); anuraktaaH = who are longing; maam = for me; nasvapeyuH = may not sleep; idaaniim = as of now; vR^ikshha muulaani = at the roots of trees; bhuuyo api = again; bhuuyo api = and again."
"From this the citizens of Ayodhya (the ancient capital of Ikshvaku), who are longing for me, may not sleep as of now, at the roots of trees again and again"
paurā hi ātma kṛtāt duhkhāt vipramocyā nṛpa ātmajaiḥ |
na tu khalv ātmanā yojyā duhkhena pura vāsinaḥ || 2-46-23
23. pouraaH = the residents of city; vipramokshhyaaH hi = should indeed made free; duHkhaat = of their suffering; aatma kR^itaat = brought about by themselves; nR^ipaatmajaiH hi = by the sons of their rulers. puravaasinaH = The citizens; na yojyaaH hi = should not be burdened; duHkhena = with hardship; tu khalu = but indeed; aatmanaa = caused by (princes) themselves.
"The residents of city should indeed be made free of their suffering brought about by (citizens) themselves, by the sons of their rulers. The citizens should on no account be burdened with hardship caused by (princes) them selves as is our case."
abravīl lakṣmaṇo rāmam sākṣāt dharmam iva sthitam |
rocate me mahā prājña kṣipram āruhyatām iti || 2-46-24
24. lakshhmaNaH = Lakshmana; abravit = spoke; iti = thus; raamam = to Rama; sthitam = who is standing firm; dharmamiva = like righteousness; saakshhaat = personified : praaG^ya = Oh; wise brother! rochate = It is agreeable; me = to me; tathaa = thus. aaruhyataam = Let (the chariot) be mounted; kshhipram = quickly."
Lakshmana replied as follows to Rama, who is standing firm like righteousness personified: "Oh, wise brother! What you say is agreeable to me. (Pray) ascend the chariot quickly"
atha rāmo.abravīcchrīmān sumantram yujyatām rathaḥ |
gamiṣyāmi tato.araṇyam gaccha śrīghramitaḥ prabho || 2-46-25
25. atha = Then; shriimaan = the glorious; raamaH = Rama; abraviit = spoke; sumantram = to Sumantra; (as follows);prabho = Oh; capable man! yujyataam = Arrange; rathaH = the chariot; gamishhyaami = I shall proceed; araNyam = to the forest. gachchha = Go; shiighram = quickly; itaH = from here."
Then, the glorious Rama spoke to the charioteer as follows: "Oh, capable man! Keep the chariot ready. I shall proceed to the forest. Let us go quickly from here."
sūtaḥ tataḥ samtvaritaḥ syandanam taiḥ haya uttamaiḥ |
yojayitvā atha rāmāya prānjaliḥ pratyavedayat || 2-46-26
26. tataH = then; saH suutaH = that chariot; tvaritaH = quickly; yojayitvaa = fastened; syandanam = the chariot; taiH hayottamaiH = with those excellent horses; atha = and thereafter; pratyavedayaT = informed; raamaaya = Rama; praaN^jaliH = with joined palms.
Then, Sumantra quickly fastened the chariot to its excellent horses and thereafter submitted with joined palms to Rama (as follows):
ayam yukto mahābāho rathaste rathinām vara |
tvamārohasva bhadram te sasītaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ || 2-46-27
27. mahaabaaho = Oh; mighty armed prince! te = Your; ayam rathaH = (this) chariot; yuktaH = is yoked. Rathinaam vara = Oh; jewel among car-warriors! tvam = You; aarohasva = ascend(it); sasiitaH = along with Sita; saha lakshhmaNaH = and with Lakshmana . bhadram = May prosperity be; te = to you."
"Oh, mighty armed prince! Your chariot is kept ready. You ascend it along with Sita and with Lakshmana, Oh jewel among car-warriors! May prosperity attend you"
tam syandanamadhiṣṭhāya rāghavaḥ saparicchadaḥ |
śīghragāmākulāvartām tamasāmatarannadīm || 2-46-28
28. raaghavaaH = Rama; adhishhThaaya = mounted; tam syandanam = the chariot; sa parichchhadaH = with all necessaries for traveling (viz; his bow; armor; quiver; spade; basket and so on); aatarat = (and) crossed; shiighragaam; the swift flowing; tamasaam nadiim = Tamasa river; aakulaavartaam = thickly set with whirl-pools .
Rama mounted the chariot with all necessaries (like bow, armor, quiver, spade, basket, and so on) and crossed the swift flowing Tamasa river, thickly set with whirl- pools.
sa samtīrya mahābāhuḥ śrīmān śivamakaṇṭakam |
prāpadyata mahāmārgamabhayam bhayadarśinām || 2-46-29
29. samtiirya = Having crossed the stream; shriimaan = the glorious; saH = Rama; mahaabaahuH = the mighty armed; praapadyata = reached; mahaa maargam = a great road; akaN^Takam = free from obstacles; abhayam = and safe; bhayadarshinaam = even for those who are apprehensive of danger.
Having duly crossed the stream, the glorious Rama the mighty armed reached a great road free from obstacles and safe even for those who are apprehensive of danger.
mohana artham tu paurāṇām sūtam rāmaḥ abravīd vacaḥ |
udan mukhaḥ prayāhi tvam ratham āsthāya sārathe || 2-46-30
muhūrtam tvaritam gatvā nirgataya ratham punaḥ |
yathā na vidyuḥ paurā mām tathā kuru samāhitaḥ || 2-46-31
30;31. raamaH = Rama; mohanaartham = in order to elude; pouraaNaam = the citizens; abraviit = spoke; vachaH = words; suutam = to Sumantra : "saarathe = Oh; charioteer! tvam = You; aasthaaya = mount; ratham = the chariot; prayaahi = (and) proceed; udaN^mukhaH = northwards. gatvaa = Go; muhuurtam = for a while ; tvaritam = quickly; nivartaya = and bring back; ratham = the chariot; punaH = again; samaahitaH = Remaining careful; kuru = do(it); yathaa = in such a way; tathaa = that; pouraaH = the citizens; na vidyaH = may not locate me."
In order to elude the citizens, Rama spoke to Sumantra as follows: "Oh, charioteer! You mount the chariot and go northward. Proceed for a while quickly and bring back the chariot again. Remaining careful, do it in such a way that the citizens may not be able to locate me"
Comment:- How can Rama elude the citizens, who came off leaving their homes, showing their immense affection towards him? Love without self-centeredness knows what love is. Then the seemingly untruth is not untruth, the hurt in appearance is not really a hurt and the said deception is not a deception. Rama the knower of love was free to do what was right and whatever he did was righteous.
rāmasya vacanam śrutvā tathā cakre sa sārathiḥ |
pratyāgamya ca rāmasya syandanam pratyavedayat || 2-46-32
32. shrutvaa = Hearing; raamasya = Rama's; vachanam = advice; saH saarathiH = that charioteer; chakre = made a round; tathaa = as he was told; pratyaagamya = and on returning; pratyavedayat = reported; raamasya = to Rama; syandanam = about the arrival of the chariot.
Hearing Rama's advice, the charioteer made a round of the chariot as he was suggested and on returning, reported to Rama about the arrival of the chariot.
tau samprayuktam tu ratham samāsitthau |
tadā sasītau raghavaṃśavardhanau |
pracodayāmāsa tatasturamgamān |
sa sārathiryena pathā tapovanam || 2-46-33
33. tadaa = then; raghuvamsha vardhanou = Rama and Lakshmana; the promoters of the race of Raghu; sa siitou = along with Sita; samaasthitou = ascended; ratham = the chariot; samprayuktam = yoked together. TataH = thereafter; saa saarathiH = that charioteer; prachodayaamaasa = drove forward; turangamaan = the horses; pathaa = along the route; yena = by which; tapovanam = they can reach a grove suited to the practice of austerities.
Then, Rama and Lakshmana(the promoters of the race of Raghu) along with Sita ascended the chariot yoked together. The charioteer urged the horses along the route by which they can reach a grove suited to the practice of austerities.
tataḥ samāsthāya ratham mahārathaḥ
sasārathirdhāśarathirvanam yayau |
udaṅmukham tam tu ratham cakāra sa |
prayāṇamāṅgaśyanivitadarśanāt || 2-46-34
34. tataH = Thereafter; saH = That Sumantra; chakaara = placed; tam ratham = that chariot; udaN^mukham = facing the north; prayaaNa maaN^galya nimitta darshanaat = for he saw omens auspicious for journey (in that quarter). DasharathiH = Rama (son of Dasaratha); mahaarathaH = the mighty car-warrior; sa saarathiH; along with the charioteer; aasthaaya = mounted; ratham = the chariot; yayou = and proceeded; vanam = to the forest.
However, Sumantra placed that chariot by facing it to the north, for he saw omens auspicious for journey (in that quarter). Rama (son of Dasaratha) the mighty car-warrior, along with the charioteer mounted the chariot and proceeded to the forest.
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iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye ayodhya kāṇḍe ṣṭcatvāriṃśaḥ sargaḥ
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© Sept 2002, K. M. K. Murthy
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