Rama, travelling in the aerial car towards Ayodhya, lands at the hermitage of Bharadwaja the sage. When Rama enquires of Bhardwaja about the welfare of Ayodhya-City, Bharata and his mothers. Bharadwaja informs Rama about their welfare. Further, the sage informs that by virtue of his asceticism, he could know everything about the exploits of Rama from the day he left Ayodhya, till he destroyed Ravana. Then, Rama seeks a boon from Bharadwaja, asking him to make the trees on the route to Ayodhya, to bear fruit in the off-season for which the sage grants the boon. Thereupon, the troops of monkeys feasted on those fruits at will.
pūrṇe caturdaśe varṣe pañcamyāṃ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ |
bharadvājāśramaṃ prāpya vavande niyato munim || 6-124-1
1. chatrudashe varShe puurNe = after completion of fourteen years (of his exile); paN^chamyaam = and on the fifth day (the bright half) of the lunar month of Ashvayuja (roughly corresponding to the month of september); lakShmaNaagrajaH = Rama; niyataH = who was disciplined even now; raapya = having reached; bharadvaajaashramam = the hermitage of the sage; Bharadwaja; vavande = offered his salutation; (to the sage).
After completion of fourteen years of his exile and on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Ashvayuja (roughly corresponding to the month of September), Rama, who was disciplined even now, reaching the hermitage of the sage Bharadwaja, offered his salutation to the sage.
so.apṛcchadabhivādyainaṃ bharadvājaṃ tapodhanam |
śṛṇoṣi kaccidbhagavan subhikṣānāmayaṃ pure || 6-124-2
kaccitsa yukto bharato jīvantyapi ca mātaraḥ |
2. abhivaadya = having offered his obeisance; bharadvaajam = to the sage; Bharadwaja; enam tapodhanam = who was rich in this asceticism; saH = Rama; apR^ichchhat = enquired; bhagaran = O venerable one!; shR^iNoShi kachchit = have you heard; pure = of Ayodhya city; subhikShaanaamayam = having an abundance of food and free from disease?; saH bharataH kachchit = is that Bharata; yuktaH = attentive (in his rule)?; maataraH mama jiivanti = I hope my mothers are (still) alive.
Having offered his obeisance to Bharadwaja, who was rich in asceticism, Rama enquired (of him): "Have you heard, O venerable one, of Ayodhya City having an abundance of food and free from disease? Is that Bharata attentive in his rule? I hope my mothers are still alive."
evamuktastu rāmeṇa bharadvājo mahāmuniḥ || 6-124-3
pratyuvāca raghuśreṣṭhaṃ smitapūrvaṃ prahṛṣṭavat |
3. evam = thus; uktaH = spoken; raameNa = by Rama; bharadvaajaH = Bharadwaja; mahaamuniH = the great sage; prahR^iShTavat = quite rejoiced as he was; pratyuvaacha = replied; smitapuurvam = with a smile; raghushreShTham = to Rama (as follows):
Hearing the words of Rama, Bharadwaja the great sage, quite rejoiced as he was, smilingly replied to Rama (as follows):
paṅkadigdhastu bharato jaṭilastvāṃ pratīkṣate || 6-124-4
pāduke te puraskṛtya sarvaṃ ca kuśalaṃ gṛhe |
4. bharataH = Bharata; paN^kadigdhaH tu = mud-smeared as he is (throwing the burden and blame ie. mud on himself); jaTilaH = with his hari twisted together; puraskR^itya = and keeping in front; te paaduke = your wooden sandals; pratiikShate = is looking forward; tvaam = for you; sarvam cha = all are; kshalam = safe; gR^ihe = at your home and in the city.
"Bharata, with his mud-smeared limbs 9throwing the burden and blame ie. mud and with matted locks, as also placing your wooden-sandals before him, is looking forward for your arrival. All are safe at your home and in the city."
tvāṃ purā cīravasanaṃ praviśantaṃ mahāvanam || 6-124-5
strītṛtīyaṃ cyutaṃ rājyāddharmakāmaṃ ca kevalam |
padātiṃ tyaktasarvasvaṃ pitṛnirdeśakāriṇam || 6-124-6
sarvabhogaiḥ parityaktaṃ svargacyutamvāmaram |
dṛṣṭvā tu karuṇā pūrvaṃ mamāsītsamitiṃjaya || 6-124-7
kaikeyīvacane yuktaṃ vanyamūlaphalāśinam |
5-7. samitimjaya = O Rama; the victorious in battles!; puraa = formerly; dR^iShTvaa = on seeing; tvaam = you; pravishantam = penetrating deeply; mahaavanam = into the great forest; padaatim = on foot; kevalam dharmakaamam cha = with the sole intention of practicing virtue; chiiravasanam = clad in pieces of bark; chyutam = going away; raajyaat = from the sovereignty; sarvabhogaiH paritaktam = deprived of all enjoyments; amaram iva = like an immortal; svarga chyutam = fallen from heaven; tyakta sarvasvam = having renounced all your possession; striitR^itiiyam = with your spouse (Seetha) as the third (of your party besides Lakshmana and yourself); pitR^inirdeshakaariNam = resolved in carrying out the behest of your father; kaikeyii vachane yuktam = and intent on implementing the pledge given (by your father) to Kaikeyi; vanyamuula phalaashinam = and living; on wild roots and fruits; mama aashiit karuNaa = pity arose in me; puurvam = earlier.
"O Rama, the victorious in battles! Formerly, on seeing you penetrating deeply into the great forest on foot, with the sole intention of practicing virtue, clad in pieces of bark, going away from sovereignty, deprived of all enjoyments, like an immortal fallen from heaven, having renounced all your possession, with your spouse (Seetha) as the third (of your party besides Lakshmana and yourself), resolved in carrying out the behest of your father and intent on implementing the pledge given (by your father) to Kaikeyi and living on wild roots and fruits, pity arose in me earlier."
sāṃpratam tu samṛddhārthaṃ samitragaṇabāndhavam || 6-124-8
samīkṣya vijitāriṃ ca mamābhūtprītiruttamā |
8. sampratamtu = but now; uttamaa priitiH = a great delight; abhuut = occurred; mama = to me; samiikShya = on seeing; samR^iddhaartham = you; having fulfilled your purpose; vijitaarim = that you have conquered your enemies; samitragaNa baandhavam = and are accompanied by your host of friends and relatives.
"But now, a great delight occurred to me, on seeing you, having fulfilled your purpose, that you have conquered your enemies and are accompanied by your host of friends and relatives."
sarvaṃ ca sukhakuḥkhaṃ te viditaṃ mamam rāghava |
yattvayā vipulaṃ prāptaṃ janasthānanivāsinā || 6-124-9
9. sarvam viditam = it is completely known; mama = to me; te = of you; janasthaana nivaasinaa = having resided in Janasthana forest; praaptam = and having to; yat vipulam = that abundant; sukha duHkham = joy and sorrow; tvayaa = by you; raaghava = o Rama!
"That joy and sorrow experienced by you in abundance while residing in Janasthana-forest in completely known to me, O Rama!"
brāhmaṇārthe niyuktasya rakṣataḥ sarvatāpasān |
rāvaṇena hṛtā bhāryā babhūveyamaninditā || 6-124-10
10. rakShataH = (While) you were protecting; sarvataapasaan = all the ascetics; niyuktasya = who prayed; braahmaNaarthe = for safe guarding the interest of Brahmanas; aninditaa iyam = this irreproachible wife of yours; babhuuva hR^itaa = was taken away; raavaNena = by Ravana.
"While you were busy in protecting all the ascetics who prayed you for safeguarding the interests of Brahmanas, this irreproachable wife of yours was taken away by Ravana."
mārīcadarśanaṃ caiva sītonmathanameva ca |
kabandhadarśanaṃ caiva pampābhigamanaṃ tathā || 6-124-11
sugrīveṇa ca te sakhyaṃ yathā vālī hatastvayā |
mārgaṇaṃ caiva vaidehyāḥ karma vātātmajasya ca || 6-124-12
viditāyāṃ ca sītāyāṃ nalaseturyathā kṛtaḥ |
yathā cādīpitā laṅkā prahṛṣṭūrariyūthapaiḥ || 6-124-13
saputrabāndavāmātyaḥ sabalaḥ sahāvāhanaḥ |
yathā ca nihataḥ saṃkhye rāvaṇo baladarpitaḥ || 6-124-14
yathā ca nihate tasmin rāvaṇe devakaṇṭake |
samāgamaśca tridaśairyathā dattaśca te varaḥ || 6-124-15
sarvam mamaitadviditaṃ tapasā dharmavatsala |
saṃpatanti ca me śiṣyāḥ pravṛttyākhyāḥ purīmitaḥ || 6-124-16
11-16. dharmavatsala = O Rama; devoted to virtue!; maariicha darshanamchaiva = even the apearance of Mareecha; siitonmattanevacha = the abduction of Seetha (by Ravana); kabandhadarshanam chaiva = the sight of Kabandha; tathaa = and pampaabhigamanam = your arrival at the Pampa lake; te sakhyam = your alliance; sugriiveNa = with Sugreeva; yathaa = and how; vaali = Vali; hataH = was killed; tvayaa = by you; maargaNam = the search; vaidehyaam = for Seetha; yathaa = how; nala setuH = the bridge; Nalasetu; kR^itaH = was constructed (over the sea); yathaa = how; laN^kaa = the city of Lanka; aadiipitaa = was set fire; prahR^iShTaiH hariyuuthapaiH = by the rejoiced monkey-chiefs; yathaa = how; tasmin raavaNe = that Ravana; devakaNTake = who was a thorn in the side of god; bala darpitaH = and who was arrogant of his might; nihataH = was killed; samkhye = in battle; saputra baandhavaamaatyaH = with his sons; kinsfolk and ministers; sabalaH = as well as his army; saharaahanaH = together with their mounts; yathaa = how samaagamaH = yur meeting; tridashaiH = with the gods (occured); yathaa = how; varaH cha = a boon; dattashcha = was conferred; te = on you; sarvam etat = all this; viditam = is known; mayaa = to me; tapasaa = by virtue of my asceticism; me shiShaaH = my disciples; pravR^ittaakhyaaH = who were accustomed to report to me the news; sampatnti = used to go; puriim = to Ayodhya City; itaH = from here.
"O Rama, devoted to virtue! Even the appearance of Mareecha, the abduction of Seetha by Ravana, the sight of Kabandha, your arrival at the Pampa lake, your alliance with Sugreeva, how Vali was killed by you, the search-operation for Seetha, the exploit of Hanuma, the tracing of Seetha, how the bridge, Nalasetu was constructed (over the sea), how the City of Lanka was set fire by the rejoiced monkey-chiefs, how that Ravana who was the thorn in the side of gods and how was arrogant of his might, was killed in battle, with his sons kinsfolk and his ministers as the gods happened, how a boon was conferred by them on you- all this is known to me by virtue of my asceticism. My disciples, who were accustomed to report to me the news, used to go to Ayodhya-City from here."
mitrāṇi dhana dhānyāni prajānāṃ sammatāniva |
jananī nanma bhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī || 6-124-17
17. mitraaNi = the friends; dhana dhaanyaani = the riches and the grains; sammataani = are highly honoured; iha = in this world; jananii = mother; janmabhuumishcha = and mother-land; gariiyasii = and far superior; svargaadapi = to even the heaven.
"The friends, the riches and the grains are highly honoured in this world. Mother and mother-land are far superior to even the heaven."
tasya tacchirasā vākyaṃ pratigṛhya nṛpātmajaḥ |
bāḍhamityeva saṃhṛṣṭaḥ śrīmānvaramayācata || 6-124-18
18. shirasaa tasya tat vaakyam pratigR^iya = bowing to the aforesaid statement of the sage with his head bent low; samhR^iShTaH = highly pleased as he was; baaDham ityeva = and saying by all means"; shriimaan = the glorious; nR^ipaatmajaH = prince (Rama); aayaachat = asked to him; varam = the following boon:
Bowing to the aforesaid statement of the sage with his head bent low, highly pleased as he was and saying, "By all means" the glorious prince (Rama) asked of him the following boon:
akālaphalino vṛkṣāḥ sarve cāpi madhusravāḥ |
phalānyamṛtagandhīni bahūni vividhāni ca || 6-124-19
bhavantu mārge bhavannayodhyāṃ prati gacchataḥ |
19. nhagavan = O the venerable sir!; sarvechaapi vR^ikShaaH = let all the trees; maarge = on the way; gachchhataH = even as I fly; ayodhyaam prati = To Ayodhya; akaalaphalinaH = bear fruit even in the off-season; madhusravaaH = and flow with honey; bahuuni vividhaani cha phalaani = let abundant fruits of various kinds; amR^itagandhiini = and emitting the fragrance of nectar; bhavantu = appear on them.
"O venerable sir! Let all the trees on the way, even as I fly to Ayodhya, bear fruit even in the off-season and flow with honey. Let abundant fruits of various kinds, emitting the fragrance of nectar, appear on them."
tatheti ca pratijñāte vacanātsamanantaram || 6-124-20
abhavanpādapāstatra svargapādapasaṃnibhāḥ |
20. tatheti pratiJNaate samanantaram vachanam = once the consent was given in the words "Be it so"; paadapaaH = the trees; tatra = there; abhavan = grew; svarga paadapa samnibhaaH = to be closely like the heavenly trees.
Once the consent of the sage was given in the words "be it so", the trees there grew to be closely like the heavenly trees.
niṣphalāḥ phalinaścāsanvipuṣpāḥ puṣpaśālinaḥ || 6-124-21
śuṣkāḥ samagrapatrāste nagāścaiva madhusravāḥ |
sarvato yojanāstrisro gacchatāmabhavaṃstadā || 6-124-22
21-22. tadaa = then; tistraH yojanaaH = three Yojanas (twenty four miles); gachchhataam = of the direction of their travel; nagaaH = the trees; niShphalaaH = that no longer bore fruit; phalinashcha = were laden with fruit; vipuShpaaH = and those which had ceased to blossom; puShpashaalinaH = looked charming with blossom; shuShkaaH = the withered trees; samagra patraashcha = were fully clothed with foliage; abhavan madhusravaaH = and further began to flow with honey.
Then, for an extent of three Yojanas (twenty four miles) on all sides, in the direction of their travel, the trees that no longer bore fruit, were laden with fruit and those which had ceased to blossom looked charming with blossom. The withered trees were fully clothed with foliage and further began to flow with honey.
tataḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ plavagarṣabhāste |
bahūni divyāni phalāni caiva |
kāmādupāśnanti sahasraśaste |
mudānvitāḥ svargajito mudeva || 6-124-23
23. te vaanararShabhaaH = those monkey-chiefs; prahR^iShTaaH = were highly pleased; anvitaaH = and endowed; mudena = with delight; svargajitaH = as those who had conquered the heaven; tataH = thereupon upaashnanti consumed; kaamaat = at will; sahasrashaH = thousands; bahuuni divyaani phalaani = of many of those wonderful fruits.
Highly rejoiced who had conquered the heaven, those monkey-chiefs thereupon consumed at will, thousands of many of those wonderful fruits.
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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyane ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe caturviṃśatyadhika śatatamaḥ sargaḥ
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© October 2009, K. M. K. Murthy