Bharata and his minister approach the foot of Angudi tree, where Rama has slept on a grass-bed on the ground. Bharata feels bad that on his account, Rama and Seetha were to sleep on such a grass-bed. He thinks that the city of Ayodhya is plunged in desolation, because of the death of Dasaratha and the exile of Rama to the forest. Bharata further takes an owe that like Rama, he will also henceforth sleep on grass with his locks matted, wearing robes of bark and living only on roots and fruits. He says that if Rama refuses his appeal to occupy the throne of Ayodhya, he also will stay back in the forest along with Rama.
tat śrutvā nipuṇam sarvam bharataḥ saha mantribhiḥ |
ingudī mūlam āgamya rāma śayyām avekṣya tām || 2-88-1
abravīd jananīḥ sarvā iha tena mahātmanā |
śarvarī śayitā bhūmāu idam asya vimarditam || 2-88-2
1;2. shrutvaa = Having heard; tat sarvam = all that; nipuNam = perfectly; bharataH = Bharata; aagamya = approached; iN^gudiimuulam = the foot of Ingudi Tree; mantribhiH saha = along with his ministers; avakSya = gazed at; taam = that; raamashayaam = couch on which Rama had lain; abraviit = and said; sarvaaH = all; jananiiH = his mothers (as follows); idam iha = It is here; tena = that; mahaatmanaa = magnanimous hero; shayitaa = laid himself down; sharvarii = for that night; asya = his (limbs); vimardidam = pressing; bhuumau = the earth.
Having heard all that perfectly, Bharata approached the foot of Ingudi Tree along with his ministers and gazed on that grass-bed on which Rama had slept. Thereafter, he said to all his mothers as follows: "It is here that the magnanimous hero laid himself for that night, his limbs pressing the earth."
mahā bhāga kulīnena mahā bhāgena dhīmatā |
jāto daśarathena ūrvyām na rāmaḥ svaptum arhati || 2-88-3
3. mahaabhagena = of the great; dhiimataa = and segacious; dasharathena = Dasaratha; mahaabaaga kuliinena = in an illustrious family; raamaH = Rama; na arhati = does not deserve; svaptum = to sleep; urvyaam = on the bare earth!
"Born of the great and segacious Dasaratha in an illustrious family, Rama verily does not desrve to sleep on this bare earth!"
ajina uttara saṃstīrṇe vara āstaraṇa saṃcaye |
śayitvā puruṣa vyāghraḥ katham śete mahī tale || 2-88-4
4. katham = how could; puruSavyaghraH = Rama the tiger among men; shayitvaa = who used to sleep; varaastaraNa samehaye = on a couch horded with rich cushions; ajinottara samstiirNe = covered with superior hairy skins of antelopes; shete = sleep; mahiitale = on abre floor?
"How could Rama the tiger among men, who used to sleep on a couch horded with rich cushions covered with superior hairy skins of antelopes, sleep on a bare floor?"
prāsāda agra vimāneṣu valabhīṣu ca sarvadā |
haima rājata bhaumeṣu vara āstraraṇa śāliṣu || 2-88-5
puṣpa saṃcaya citreṣu candana agaru gandhiṣu |
pāṇḍura abhra prakāśeṣu śuka samgha ruteṣu ca || 2-88-6
prāsādavaravaryeṣu śītavatsu sugandhiṣu |
uṣitvā merukalpeṣu kṛtakāṃcanabhittiṣu || 2-88-7
gīta vāditra nirghoṣair vara ābharaṇa nihsvanaiḥ |
mṛdanga vara śabdaiḥ ca satatam pratibodhitaḥ || 2-88-8
bandibhir vanditaḥ kāle bahubhiḥ sūta māgadhaiḥ |
gāthābhir anurūpābhiḥ stutibhiḥ ca paramtapaḥ || 2-88-9
5; 6; 7; 8; 9. iSitvaa = having dwelt; sarvadaa = ever; praasaadaagra vimaaneSu = in palaces; the upper apartments resembling the chariots of the gods; valabhiiSucha = and in turrets; varaastaraNa shaaliSu = furnished with excellent carpets; puSpasamchaya chitreSu = decked with heaps of flowers; chandanaagaru gandhiSu = and perfumed with sandal and aloes; paaNDaraabhra prakaasheSu = like unto a bright and towering cloud; shukasamgharuteSucha = re-echoing to the cries of parrots; praasaada varavaryeSu = surpassing the finest of palaces; shiita vatsu = which were cool; sugandhiSu = fragrant with perfumes; kR^ita kaaNchana bhithiSu = with its golden walls; merukalpeSu = resembling unto Mount Meru; tatra = where; pratibodhitaH = he was; kaale = at the fitting time awakened; tatra = there; giita vaaditra nirghoSaiH = by the tinkling of ornametns; mR^idaNgavara shabdaishcha = by the excellent sound of clay tomtoms; saH = Rama; paramtapaH = the tornmentor of his enemy; vanditaH = glorified; bahubhiH = and minstrels; anuruupaabhiH = through appropriate; gathaabhiH = ballads; stutibhishcha = and songs of praise.
"Having ever dwelt in palaces, the upper apartments resembling the chariots of the gods and in turrets, furnished with excellent carpets decked with heaps of flowers, perfumed with sandal and aloes, like unto a bright and towering cloud, re-echoing to the cries of parrots, suprassing the finest of palaces, which wre cool and fragrant with perfules, as unto Mount Meru with its golden walls, where in that palace he was awakened at the fitting time by sogns and music from various instruments, tinkling of ornaments and the excellent sounds of clay tomtoms, glorified by many panegyrists, bards and ministrels throught appropriate ballads and songs of praise."
aśraddheyam idam loke na satyam pratibhāti mā |
muhyate khalu me bhāvaḥ svapno ayam iti me matiḥ || 2-88-10
idam = this; ashraddheyam = is unbelievable; loke- in the world; na pratibhaati = and does not appear; satyam = true; maa = to me; me = my; bhaavaH = state of mind; muhyati khalu = is indded bewildered; me = My; matiH = wish; ayam = this; svapnaH iti = were a dream.
"This ( such a prince becoming like this) is unbelievable in the world and does not appear true to me. My mind is indeed bewildered. I wish that it were a dream."
na nūnam daivatam kiṃcit kālena balavattaram |
yatra dāśarathī rāmo bhūmāu evam śayīta saḥ || 2-88-11
11. nuunam = surely; daivatam = a deity; na kinchit = is not even a little; balavattaram = more powerful; kaalena = than Time (the will of god); yatra = since; saH = that; raamaH = Rama; daasharathiH = the son of Dasaratha; shayiita = has to sleep; bhuumaaveva = on the bare ground!
"Surely even a deity is not a little more powerful than Time (the will of god), since that Rama, the son of Dasaratha has to sleep on the bare ground!"
videha rājasya sutā sītā ca priya darśanā |
dayitā śayitā bhūmau snuṣā daśarathasya ca || 2-88-12
12. siitaacha = and Seetha; sutaa = the daughter; videha raajasya = of the king of Videha; priyadarshanaa = lovely to look upon; dayitaa = the charished; snuSaacha = daughter-in-law; dasharathasya = of Dsaaratha; shayitaa = has to sleep; bhuumau = on the floor.
"Even Seetha the daughter of the king of videha, lovely to look upon and the cherished daughter-in-law of Dasaratha has to sleep on the floor!"
iyam śayyā mama bhrātur idam hi parivartitam |
sthaṇḍile kaṭhine sarvam gātrair vimṛditam tṛṇam || 2-88-13
13. iyam = this; shayyaa = is indeed the bed; mama bhraatuH = of my elder brother; idam = here are; parivartitamhi = indeed the blessed marks of his changing sides; sarvam tR^iNam = in the form of all the blades of in the form of all the blades of Kusa grass; mR^iditam = trampled; gaatraiH = by his limbs; kaThine = on the hard; sthaN^Dile = ground.
"This is the bed of my elder brother. Here are indeed the blessed marks of his changing sides, in the form of all the blades of Kusa grass, trampled by his limbs on the hard ground."
manye sābharaṇā suptā sītā asmin śayane tadā |
tatra tatra hi dṛśyante saktāḥ kanaka bindavaḥ || 2-88-14
14. manye = I think; uttame = the blessed; siitaa = Seetha; suptaa = has slept; asmin = on this; shayanaa = bed; saabharaNaa = along with her jewels; tatra tatra = (for) here and there; kanakabimdavaH = some particles of gold; dR^ishyante hi = indeed appear; saktaaH = to be stuck up.
"I think the blessed Seetha has slept on this bed along with her jewels for, some particles of gold appear to be stuck up, here and there."
uttarīyam iha āsaktam suvyaktam sītayā tadā |
tathā hy ete prakāśante saktāḥ kauśeya tantavaḥ || 2-88-15
15. suvyaktam = It is very clear; uttariiyam = that the upper garment; siitayaa = of Seetha; aasaktam = was entangled; iha = (with these blades) here; tadaa = at that time; tathaahi = that is why; ete = these; kansheyatantavaH = silk threads; prakaashante = appear; saktaaH = stuck ( to them).
"It is very clear that the upper garment of Seetha got entangled with these blades here at that time. That is why, these silk-threads appear stuck to them."
manye bhartuḥ sukhā śayyā yena bālā tapasvinī |
sukumārī satī duhkham na vijānāti maithilī || 2-88-16
16. manye = i think; shayyaa = the bed; bhartuH = of her lord; sukhaa = is sweet; satii = to a woman; maithilii = and thought Seetha; balaa = is young; tapasvinii = and unfortunate; yena = yet; however; sukumarii = delicate she be; jaanaati = she would experience; na hi duHkham = no suffereing indeed.
"I think the bed of her husband is sweet to a woman and thought Seetha is young and unfortunate, yet however delicate she be, she would experience no suffering."
hā hantāsmi nṛśaṃso.aham yatsabhāryaḥ kṛtemama |
īdṛśīṃ rāghavaḥ śayyāmadhiśete hyānāthavat || 2-88-17
17. haa hanta = Alas!; aham = I; asmi = am; nR^ishamsaH = cruel; yat = because; mamakR^ite = on my account; anaathavat = like an orphan; raaghavaH = Rama; sabhaaryaH = along with his wife; adhisheta = slept on; iidR^ishiim = such; shayyaam = a bed.
"Alas! I am a cruel man because on my account, Rama, like an orphan, along with his wife slept on such a bed."
sārvabhauma kule jātaḥ sarva loka sukha āvahaḥ |
sarva loka priyaḥ tyaktvā rājyam priyam anuttamam || 2-88-18
katham indīvara śyāmo rakta akṣaḥ priya darśanaḥ |
sukha bhāgī ca duhkha arhaḥ śayito bhuvi rāghavaḥ || 2-88-19
18; 19. katham = How can; raaghavaH = Rama; jaataH = born; saarvabhaumakule = in the race of monarches; sammataH = hightly honoured; sarva lokasya = by the entire world; indiivara shyaamaH = having a dark complexion as that of a blue lotus; raktaakSaH = having red eyes; priyadarshana = lovely to look at; sukhabhaagii = who is entitiled for comfort; na duHhaarhaH = and who is not worthy of suffereing; shayitaH = sleep; bhuvi = on the ground; tyaktaa = abandoning; anuttamam = excelletn; raajyam = kingdom and sukham = comfort?
"How can Rama, born in the race of monarchs, highly honoured by the entire world, beloved of all the people, having a dark complexion as that of a blue-lotus, having red eyes, lovely to look at who is entittled for comfort and who is not worthy of suffering, sleep on the gound, abandoning excellent kingdom and comfort?"
dhanyaḥ khalu mahābhāgo lakṣmaṇaḥ śubhalakṣamaṇaḥ |
bhrātaram viṣame kāle yo rāmamanuvartate || 2-88-20
20. lakshmaNaH = Lakshmana; shubhalakSaNaH = and an exceedingly lucky man; yaH = who; anuvartate = accompanied; bhraataram = his elder brother; raamam = Rama; viSame = in an difficult; kaale = time; dhanyaH khalu = is indeed a fortunate man.
"Lakshmana, having auspicious marks on his body and an exceedingly lucky man, who accompanied his elder brother Rama in times of adversity in indeed a fortunate man."
siddha arthā khalu vaidehī patim yā anugatā vanam |
vayam saṃśayitāḥ sarve hīnāḥ tena mahātmanā || 2-88-21
21. vaidehii = Seetha; yaa = who; anugataa = went together with; patim = her husband; vanam = to the forest; siddhaarthaa khalu = is indeed an accomplished woman; sarve = All; vayam = of us; hiinaaH = who are bereft; mahaatmanaa = of the highly virtuous; tena = Rama; sanshayitaaH = are unsettled.
"Seetha, who went together with her husband to the forest, is indeed an accomplished woman. All of us, deprived of the highly virtuous Rama, are an unsettled lot."
akarṇa dhārā pṛthivī śūnyā iva pratibhāti mā |
gate daśarathe svarge rāme ca araṇyam āśrite || 2-88-22
22. dasharathe = Dasaratha; gate = went; svargam = to heaven; raamecha = Rama; aashrite = is dwelling in; araNyam = the forest; pR^ithivii = this earth; pratibhaati = is appearing; maa = to me; nauriva = as a boat; akarNadhaaraa = without a helmsman.
"Dasaratha went to heaven. Rama is dwelling in the forest. this kingdom appears to me as a boat without ahelmsman."
na ca prārthayate kaścin manasā api vasuṃdharām |
vane api vasataḥ tasya bāhu vīrya abhirakṣitām || 2-88-23
23. vasataH api = even if staying; vane = in the forest; vasumdharaam = this earth; baahuviiryaabhirakSitaam = is being protected by the power of arms; tasya = of that Rama; praarthayate = cannot be desired; manasaapi = even in one's mind; kashchit = by any one.
"Even if staying in the forest, Rama protects this earth with the power of his arms. Hence, nobdy can think even in his mind, to invade this kingdom."
śūnya samvaraṇā rakṣām ayantrita haya dvipām |
apāvṛta pura dvārām rāja dhānīm arakṣitām || 2-88-24
aprahṛṣṭa balām nyūnām viṣamasthām anāvṛtām |
śatravo na abhimanyante bhakṣyān viṣa kṛtān iva || 2-88-25
24; 25. shatruvaH = enemies; naabhimanyate = do not long for; raajadhaaniim = that royal capital of Ayodhya; shuunya samvaraNaa rakSaam = without guards to watch over its ramparts; ayantrita haya dvipaam = with its unrestrained horses and elephants; apaavR^ita pura dvaaraam = with its city-gates laid open; arakSitaam = without any defenders; aprahR^iSTa balaam = denuded of its happy army; shuunyaam = plunged in desolation; viSamasthaam = abiding in difficulties; anaavR^itaam = and exposed; viSakR^itaan bhakSaamiva = like poisoned food.
"Without guards to watch over its ramparts, with its unrestrained horses and elephants, with its city-gates laid open, without any defenders, denuded of its happy army, plunged in desolation in difficulties and exposed, that royal capital of Ayodhya will be shunned like poisoned food even by the enemies."
adya prabhṛti bhūmau tu śayiṣye aham tṛṇeṣu vā |
phala mūla aśano nityam jaṭā cīrāṇi dhārayan || 2-88-26
26. adya prabhR^iti = from today; aham = I; shayiSye = shall sleep; shayiSye = shall sleep; bhuumautu = on the earth; tR^iNeSuvaa = or on the grass; dhaarayan = wearing; jaTaachiiraaNi = my locks matted and with robes of bark; nityam = by all means; phalamulaashanaH = living on fruits and roots.
"From today onwards, I shall sleep on the earth or on the grass, with my locks matted, wearing robes of bark and by all means living on fruits and roots."
tasya artham uttaram kālam nivatsyāmi sukham vane |
tam pratiśravam āmucya na asya mithyā bhaviṣyati || 2-88-27
27. uttaram kaalam = for the rest of his exile; tasya artham = on behalf of Rama; nivatsyaami = I shall dwell; sukham = cheerfully; vane = in the forest; aamuchya = discharging; tam = that; pratishravam = promise; (so that); asya = the voews of Rama; nabhaviSyati = shall not have been made; mithyaa = in vain.
"For the rest of his exile, on behalf of Rama, I shall dwell cheerfully in the forest, thereby discharging that promise so that the vows of Rama shall not have been made in vain."
vasantam bhrātur arthāya śatrughno mā anuvatsyati |
lakṣmaṇena saha tu āryo ayodhyām pālayiṣyati || 2-88-28
28. shatrughnaH = Shatrughna; anuvatsyati = will bear company; maa = with me; vasantam = residing (in the forest); bhraatuH arthaaye = on behalf of Rama; aaryaH = Rama my elder brother; lakSmaNena saha = along with Lakshamana; paalayiSyati hi = will protect; ayodhyaam = Ayodhya.
"Shatrughna will bear company with me, residing in the forest on behalf of Rama. My elder brother, Rama along with Lakshmana will protect Ayodhya."
abhiṣekṣyanti kākutstham ayodhyāyām dvijātayaḥ |
api me devatāḥ kuryur imam satyam mano ratham |
prasādyamānaḥ śirasā mayā svayam |
bahu prakāram yadi na prapatsyate || 2-88-29
29. dvijaatayaH = by brahmanas the twice-born; kaakutthsam = Rama; abhishekSyanti = will eb enthroned; ayodhyaayaam = in Ayodhya; devataaH = May the gods; apikuryuH = grant; imam = that; me = my; manoratham = desire; satyam = (be made) a reality.
"Rama will be enthroned in ayodhya, by Brahmanas the Twice-born! May the gods grant that my desire be made a reality."
tatonruvatsayāmi cirāya rāghavam |
vanecaram nahruti māmrupekṣitrum || 2-88-30
30. na prapatsyate yadi = should Rama not accept; prasaadyamaanaH = the appeals; shirasaa = respectfully (bowing my head); bahuprakaaram = (made) in many ways; mayaa = by me; anuvatsyaami = I shall follow; raaghava = Rama; chiraaya = for any length of tiem; vane charam = he roams about in the forest; tataH = thereafter; naarhati = He ought not; upakSitum = to disregard; maam = me.
"Should Rama not accept the respectful appeals made in many a way by me, I shall follow the foot steps of Rama for any length of time he roams about in the forest thereafter. He ought not to refuse this grace to me."
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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe aṣṭāśītitamaḥ sargaḥ
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© February 2004, K. M. K. Murthy