Vasishta requests Bharata to get himself anointed as a king. Bharata refuses to rob the throne from Rama. Who is really elighible for it as the eldest son of the family. He resolves to bring back Rama from the forest and orders Sumantra to arrange for vehicles and men for the journey. Thereupon, warriors merchants Shudras and Bhrahmanas harnessed their chariots and got ready for the journey to the forest along with Bharata.
tām ārya gaṇa sampūrṇām bharataḥ pragrahām sabhām |
dadarśa buddhi sampannaḥ pūrṇa candrām niśām iva || 2-82-1
1. bharataH = Bharata; buddhisampannaH = endowed with understanding; dadarsha = saw; taam sabhaam = that assembly; aaryagaNa sampannaam = enriched with the whole body of respectable men; nishaamiva = looking like a night; puurNa chandraH = in full moon; pragrahaam = with well-known planets.
Bharata endowed with understanding, saw that assembly, enriched with the whole body of respectable men, looking like a night in full moon duly enriched with well-known planets.
āsanāni yathā nyāyam āryāṇām viśatām tadā |
adṛśyata ghana apāye pūrṇa candrā iva śarvarī || 2-82-2
2. tadaa = then; saa = that; uttamaa = excellent; sabhaa = assembly; dyotitaa = was glowed; vastraaN^ga raga prabhaayaa = by the brilliance of clothes and scented cosmetics; aaryaNaam = of its respected members; vishataam = occupying; yathaanyaayam = their appropriate; aasanaani = seats.
That excellent assembly was aglow with the brilliance of clothes and scented cosmetics of its respected members occupying their appropriate seats.
sā vidvajjanasampūrṇā sabhā surucirā tadā |
adṛśyata ghanāpāye pūrṇacandreva śarvarī || 2-82-3
3. tadaa = then; sa sabhaa = that assembly; suruchiraa = which was beautiful; vidvjjana sampuurNaa = filled with learned men; adR^ishyata = looked; sharvariiva = like a night; puurNa chandraa = in full moon; ghanaapaaye = in autumn.
That beautiful assembly filled with learned men looked like a night with autumn full moon.
rājñaḥ tu prakṛtīḥ sarvāḥ samagrāḥ prekṣya dharmavit |
idam purohitaḥ vākyam bharatam mṛdu ca abravīt || 2-82-4
4. prekSya = seeing; sarvaaH = all; samagraaH = the entire; prakR^itiiH = body of ministers; raajJNaaH = of the king; purohitaH = Vasishta; dharmavit = the knower of righteousness; abraviit = spoke; idam = these; mR^idu = soft; vaakyam = words; bharatam = to Bharata.
Beholding all the entire body of ministers of the king, Vaishta the knower of righteousness uttered to Bharata the following soft-spoken words:
tāta rājā daśarathaḥ svar gataḥ dharmam ācaran |
dhana dhānyavatīm sphītām pradāya pṛthivīm tava || 2-82-5
5. taata = O; beloved Bharata!; raajaa = the king; dasharathaH = Dasaratha; aacharan = practicing; dharmam = righteousness; pradaaya = gave away; tava = to you; sphiitaam = this wide; pR^ithiviim = earth; dhana dhaanyavatiim = having riches and grains; svargataH = and went to heaven.
"O, beloved Bharata! The king Dasaratha, practicing righteousness, gave away to you this wide earth endowed with grains and riches and went to heaven."
rāmaḥ tathā satya dhṛtiḥ satām dharmam anusmaran |
na ajahāt pitur ādeśam śaśī jyotsnām iva uditaḥ || 2-82-6
6. tathaa = and; raamaH = Rama; satyadhR^itiH = who was firmly established in truth; smaran = remembering; dharmam = the righteousness; sataam = of good men; naajahaat = did not drop off; aadesham = the command; pituH = of his father; uditaH shashii iva = like a raising moon;(not dropping off); jyotsnaam = the moon = light.
"Rama, who was firmly established in truth, remembering the righteousness of good men, did not abandon the command of his father, as a raising moon does not abandon the moon-light."
pitrā bhrātrā ca te dattam rājyam nihata kaṇṭakam |
tat bhunkṣva mudita amātyaḥ kṣipram eva abhiṣecaya || 2-82-7
7. raajyam = the kingdom; nihatakaN^Takam = having its enemies destroyed; dattam = was given; te = to you; pitraa = by your father; bhraataacha = and brother; bhuNteSva = enjoy; tat = it; muditaamaatyaH = with its joyful ministers; abhiSechaya = get anointed for the kingdom; kSiprameva = just soon.
"The kingdom, having its enemies destroy was given to you by your father and brother. Enjoy it, with its delightful ministers. Get anointed for the kingdom just soon."
udīcyāḥ ca pratīcyāḥ ca dākṣiṇātyāḥ ca kevalāḥ |
koṭyā apara antāḥ sāmudrā ratnāni abhiharantu te || 2-82-8
8. udiichyaaH = (Let) those living in the north; pratiichyaashcha = the westerners; daakSi Naatyaashcha = the Southerners; aparaantaaH = the kings of the western borders near the Sahya mountains; kevalaaH = who are without a throne; saamudraaH = and sea faring traders; abhiharantu = bring; koTyaa = crores; ratnaani = of jewels; te = to you (as gifts).
"let those living in the north, the Westerners; the southerners the kings of western borders near the Sahya mountains who are without a throne and the seafaring traders bring crores of jewels as gifts to you."
tat śrutvā bharataḥ vākyam śokena abhipariplutaḥ |
jagāma manasā rāmam dharmajño dharma kānkṣayā || 2-82-9
9. shritvaa = hearing; tat = those; vaakyam = words; dharmajJNaH = the pious; bharataH = Bharata; abhipariplutaH = was filled; shokena = with distress; jagaama = got raamam = Rama; manasaa = to his mind; dharmakaaN^kshayaa = thirsting for justice.
Hearing those words, the pious Bharata was filled with distress and thirsting for justice got his mind fixed on Rama.
sa bāṣpa kalayā vācā kala haṃsa svaraḥ yuvā |
vilalāpa sabhā madhye jagarhe ca purohitam || 2-82-10
10. yuvaa = the youthful Bharata; kalahamsa svaraH = with a voice of Hmasa bird; sabhaamadhye = in the midst of the assembly; vilaapa = lamented; sabaSpakalayaa = in a tearful and appealing; vaachaa = speech; jagarhecha = and reproached; purohitam = his royal priest (as follows).
The youthful Bharata, with a voice of a Hamsa bird, in the midst of the assembly, lamented in a tearful and appealing speech. He even reproached his royal priest as follows:
carita brahmacaryasya vidyā snātasya dhīmataḥ |
dharme prayatamānasya ko rājyam madvidho haret || 2-82-11
11. madvidhaH = such as I; kaH = who; haret = rob; raajyam = the kingdom; (of a man like Rama); charita brahmacharyasya = who practices Brahmacharya (continence and chastity); vidyaa snaatasya = versed in the science of the Vedas (scared scriptures); dhiimataH = a wise man; prayatamaanasya = who is devoted to; dharmam = duty?
"How can a man such as I, rob the throne from one, who practices Brahmacharya (continence and chastity), versed in the science of the Vedas (sacred scriptures) and who is devoted to duty?"
katham daśarathāj jātaḥ bhaved rājya apahārakaḥ |
rājyam ca aham ca rāmasya dharmam vaktum iha arhasi || 2-82-12
12. katham = How; jaataH = should one born; dasharaat = of Dasaratha; bhavet = become; raajyaapahaarakaH = the unsurper of a crown?; raajyamcha = the kingdom; ahamcha = and I myself; raamasya = are of Rama; arhasi = (You) ought; vaktum = to tell; dharmam = the law and justice; iha = in this matter.
"How should one born of Dasaratha become the usurper of a crown? Both the kingdom and I myself belong to Rama. You ought to tell the law and justice in this matter."
jyeṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ ca dharma ātmā dilīpa nahuṣa upamaḥ |
labdhum arhati kākutstho rājyam daśaratho yathā || 2-82-13
13. kaakuttsaH = Rama; jyeSTaH = who is the eldest son; shreSTahaH cha = an excellent man; dharmaatmaa = and a pious souled; diliipanahuSopamaH = who can be compared to Dilipipa* and Nahusha*; arhati = us eligible; labdhum = to obtain; raajyam = the kingdom; dasharathoyathaa = as with Dasaratha.
"Rama, the eldest son, an excellent man, a pious souled and who can be compared with Dilipa* and Nahusha*, is eligible to get the kingdom, as with Dasaratha."
Dilipa and Nahusha: Two most ancient and illustrious representatives of the solar and lunar dynasty respectively.
anārya juṣṭam asvargyam kuryām pāpam aham yadi |
ikṣvākūṇām aham loke bhaveyam kula pāṃsanaḥ || 2-82-14
14. yadi = If; loke = in this world; kuryaam ikSvaakuuNaam = kulapaamsanaH = I dishonoured the name of Ikshvaku race; aham = I; bhaveyam = should be (doing); paapam = a sin; anaarya juSTam = practiced by dishounourable man; sasvargyam = which does not lead to heaven.
"If in this world, I dishonoured the name of Ikshavaku race, I should be guilty of a sinful act, practiced by disgraceful men, which does not lead to heaven."
yadd hi mātrā kṛtam pāpam na aham tat abhirocaye |
ihastho vana durgastham namasyāmi kṛta anjaliḥ || 2-82-15
15. aham = I; narchaye hi = do not indeed like; tatapi = even that; paapam = sinful act; kR^itam = done; maatraa = by my mother; ihasthaH = from here itself; I; namasyaami = offer my salutation; kR^itaaN^jaliH = with my joined palms; vanadurgastham = to Rama; who is staying in an impassable forest.
"I do not indeed like that sinful act done even by my mother. From here itself, I offer my salutation with my joined palms to Rama who is residing in an impassable forest."
rāmam eva anugaccāmi sa rājā dvipadām varaḥ |
trayāṇām api lokānām rāghavo rājyam arhati || 2-82-16
16. anugachchhami = I will follow; ramameva = Rama alone; saH = He; dvipadaamvaraH = who is the excellent among men; raajaa = is the king; raghavaH = Rama; arhati = is eligible; raajyampi = even for the kingdom; trayaaNaam lokaanaam = of the three worlds.
"I will follow Rama's steps. He, who is supreme among men, is the king. Rama is eligible even for the kingdom of the three worlds."
tat vākyam dharma samyuktam śrutvā sarve sabhāsadaḥ |
harṣān mumucur aśrūṇi rāme nihita cetasaḥ || 2-82-17
17. shrutv aa = hearing; tadvaakyam = those words; of Bharata; dharmasamyuktam = filled with righteousness; sarve = all; sabhaasadaH = the members of the assembly; mumuchuH = shed; ashruuNi = tears; harSaat = of joy; nihita chetasaH = having their minds fixed upon; raame = Rama.
Hearing those righteous words of Bharata, all the members of the assembly shed tears of joy, having their minds obsessed of Rama.
yadi tu āryam na śakṣyāmi vinivartayitum vanāt |
vane tatra eva vatsyāmi yathā āryo lakṣmaṇaḥ tathā || 2-82-18
18. na shakSyaami yadi = I am unable; vinivartayitum = to bring back; aaryam = my elder brother; vanaat = from the forest; vatsyaami = I shall stay; tatra = in that; vane eva = forest itself; yathaa = as how; aaryaH = the venerable; lakshmaNaH = Lakshmana ( is staying).
"If I am unable to bring back my elder brother from the forest, I shall stay back in that forest itself, as how the venerable Lakshmana is staying now."
sarva upāyam tu vartiṣye vinivartayitum balāt |
samakṣam ārya miśrāṇām sādhūnām guṇa vartinām || 2-82-19
19. vartiSye = I shall use; sarvopaayam = every means; balata = compulsorily; vnivartayitum = to bring back; (that hero); samakSam = before; guNavartinaam = you practicing good virtues; saadhuunaam = the honourable; aarya mishraaNaam = and the distinguished men.
"I shall use every means to bring back compulsorily, that hero before you, practicing virtues, the honourable and the distinguished men."
viṣṭikarmāntikāḥ sarve mārgaśodhanarakṣakāḥ |
prasthāpitā mayā pūrvam yātrāpi mama rocate || 2-82-20
20. sarve = all; maargashodhaka rakSakaaH = those who are skilled in clearing paths; viSTikarmaantikaaH = working on and without wages; prasthaapitaaH = have been sent; mayaa = by me; puurvam = in advance; yatraapi = and the journey; rochate = pleases; mame = me.
"All those who are skilled in clearing paths working on and without wages, have been sent by me in advance and the journey so planned, pleases me."
evam uktvā tu dharma ātmā bharataḥ bhrātṛ vatsalaḥ |
samīpastham uvāca idam sumantram mantra kovidam || 2-82-21
21. bharataH = Bharata; dharmaatmaa = the pious minded; bhraatruvataalaH = who had an affection for his brother; uktvaa tu = spoke; evam = thus; uvaacha = and uttered; idam = these words; sumantram = to Sumantra; mantra kovidam = and who was sitting nearby.
The pious minded Bharata, who had an affection for his brother spoke as aforesaid and uttered the following words to Sumantra who was clever in giving counsel and who was sitting nearby.
tūrṇam utthāya gacca tvam sumantra mama śāsanāt |
yātrām ājñāpaya kṣipram balam caiva samānaya || 2-82-22
22. sumantra = O; Sumantra!; utthaaya = rise; tuurNam = quickly; gachha = and go; mama = as per my; shaasanaat = orders; aaJJNaapaya = and arrange; yatraam = for the journey; kSipram = immediately; samaanaye = bring; balamchaiva = the army also.
"O, Sumantra! Rise quickly and go. As per my orders, arrange for the jorney immediately. Bring the army also."
evam uktaḥ sumantraḥ tu bharatena mahātmanā |
hṛṣṭaḥ so adiśat sarvam yathā saṃdiṣṭam iṣṭavat || 2-82-23
23. uktaH = spoken; evam = thus; bharatena = by Bharata; mahaatmanaa = the high-souled; sumantraH = Sumantra; hR^iSTaH = was delighted; aadishat and arranged; sarvam = all; tat = that; yathaa samdiSTam = in accord with orders; iSTavat = and wishes.
Hearing the words of the magnanimous Bharata, Sumantra joyfully arranged all that in accord with Bharata's orders and wishes.
tāḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ prakṛtayo bala adhyakṣā balasya ca |
śrutvā yātrām samājñaptām rāghavasya nivartane || 2-82-24
24. shrutvaa = hearing; yaatraam = about the expedition; balasya cha = of the army also; nivartane = for the return; raaghavasya = of Rama; taaH = those; prakR^itayaH = ministers; balaadhyakSaa = and army-commanders; rahR^iSTaaH = were delighted.
Hearing about the expedition of the army too; for arranging of return of Rama, the ministers and army-commander there were delighted.
tataḥ yodha anganāḥ sarvā bhartṛṛn sarvān gṛhe gṛhe |
yātrā gamanam ājñāya tvarayanti sma harṣitāḥ || 2-82-25
25. tataH = thereafter; sarvaaH = all; yodhaaN^ganaaH = the wives of warriors; gR^ihe gR^ihe = in every house; aajJNaaya = knowing; yatraagamanam = about the ensuing expedition; harSitaaH = were joyful; tvarayantisma = and hurried up; srvaam = all (their respective); bhartR^iin = husbands.
All the wives of warriors in every house, knowing about the ensuing expedition, were jubiliant and hurried up all their respective husband to setoff for the journey.
te hayaiḥ go rathaiḥ śīghraiḥ syandanaiḥ ca mano javaiḥ |
saha yodhaiḥ bala adhyakṣā balam sarvam acodayan || 2-82-26
26. te = those; balaadhyakSaaH = commanders of the army; achodayam = urged; sarvam = the entire; balam = army; (to march quickly) shiighraiH = as also the fast-moving; hayaiH = horses; gorathaiH = bullock-carts; mahaajavaiH = with great speed; syandanaishcha = the chariots; yodhaishcha saha = along with the warriors.
Those army-generals urged the entire army to march forward quickly, with the fast moving horses, bullock carts with a good speed and the chariots along with the warriors.
sajjam tu tat balam dṛṣṭvā bharataḥ guru samnidhau |
ratham me tvarayasva iti sumantram pārśvataḥ abravīt || 2-82-27
27. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; tat balam = that army; sajjam = ready; bharataH = Bharata; gurusannidhau = in the presence of Vasishta; abraviit = spoke; sumantram = to Sumatra; paarshvataH = who was standing by his side; iti = thus; tvarayasya = get ready quickly; me = my; ratham = chariot."
Seeing that army ready, Bharata in the presence of Vasishta said as follows to Sumantra who was standing by his side: "Get ready my chariot quickly."
bharatasya tu tasya ājñām pratigṛhya praharṣitaḥ |
ratham gṛhītvā prayayau yuktam parama vājibhiḥ || 2-82-28
28. pratigR^ihya = accepting; aajJNaam = the command; tasya bharatasya = of that; Bharata; gR^ihiitvaa = and taking; ratham = a chariot; yuktam = yoked; paramavaajibhiH = with excellent horses; (Sumantra); prayayau = approached him; harSitaH = with delight.
Bowing to the command of Bharata and taking a chariot yoked with excellent horses, Sumantra on his part approached him with delight.
sa rāghavaḥ satya dhṛtiḥ pratāpavān |
bruvan suyuktam dṛḍha satya vikramaḥ |
gurum mahā araṇya gatam yaśasvinam |
prasādayiṣyan bharataḥ abravīt tadā || 2-82-29
29. BharataH = Bharata; raaghavaH = born in Raghu dynasty; satyadhR^itiH = who was sincere in purpose; prataapavaan = a powerful man; dR^iDha satyavikramaH = having strong and mighty prowess; bruvan = who talked; suyuktam = most appropriately; tadaa = then; abraviit = spoke; prasaadayiSyan = intending to obtain the grace; gurum = of Rama his elder brother; yashasvinam = an illustrious man; mahaaraNyagatam = staying in great woods.
Bharata, born in Raghu dynasty who was sincere in his purpose a powerful man having strong and mighty prowess and whose talk was most appropriate, then spoke as follows: intending (to undertake a journey) to persuade his illustrious elder brother, staying in dreary woods, to return to Ayodhya.
tūṇa samutthāya sumantra gacca |
balasya yogāya bala pradhānān |
ānetum iccāmi hi tam vanastham |
prasādya rāmam jagataḥ hitāya || 2-82-30
30. Sumantra = O; Sumantra! samutthaaya = rise up; gachchha = and proceed; tuurNam = quickly; bala pradhaanaan = to tell the army- chiefs; yogaaya = for arrangement; balasya = of the army; prasaadya = after propitiation; tam = that; raamam = Rama; vanastham = staying in the forest; ichchhami = I want; anetum = to bring him back; hitaaya = for the welfare; jagataH = of the world.
"O, Sumantra! Rise up and proceed quickly to inform the army-chief to arrange for the troops. After propitiating that Rama staying in the forest, I want to bring him back to Ayodhya for the welfare of the people."
sa sūta putraḥ bharatena samyag |
ājñāpitaḥ samparipūrṇa kāmaḥ |
śaśāsa sarvān prakṛti pradhānān |
balasya mukhyāmḥ ca suhṛj janam ca || 2-82-31
31. (thus); aajJNaapitaH = commanded; samyaK = well; bhavatena = by Bharata; saH = that; sumantraH = Sumantra; samparipuurNa kaamaH = his hopes being completely fulfilled; shasaasa = ordered; sarvaan = all; prakR^itipradhaanaan = the ministers in chief; mukhyaanshcha = the chiefs; balasya = of the army; suhR^ijjanam cha = and the fiendly persons.
Sumantra, having received that explicit command from Bharata, which fulfilled his highest hopes, called all the ministers-in-chief, the chiefs of the army and the friendly multitude.
tataḥ samutthāya kule kule te |
rājanya vaiśyā vṛṣalāḥ ca viprāḥ |
ayūyujann uṣṭra rathān kharāmḥ ca|
nāgān hayāmḥ caiva kula prasūtān || 2-82-32
32. tataH = thereupon; kule kule = from every house; te = those; raajanyavyasyaaH = the warriors and merchants; vR^iSalaashcha = Shudras; vipraaH = and Brahmanas; samutthaaya = rose up; aayuuyajan = harnessed; rathaamshcha = their chariots; uSTrakharaan = to camels and mules; kulaprasuutaan = well-bred; naagaan = elephants; hayaamshchaiva = and horses.
Thereupon, from every house, warriors merchants, Shudras and Brahmanas rose up and harnessed their chariots to camels, mules, well-bred elephants and horses.
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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe dvyaśītitamaḥ sargaḥ
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© August 2003, K. M. K. Murthy