Valmiki Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda — Chapter 59

VR 2 59.1

मम त्वश्वा निवृत्तस्य न प्रावर्तन्त वर्त्मनि। उष्णमश्रु विमुञ्चन्तो रामे सम्प्रस्थिते वनम्॥ उभाभ्यां राजपुत्राभ्यामथ कृत्वाहमञ्जलिम्। प्रस्थितो रथमास्थाय तदुःखमपि धारयन्॥

mama tvaśvā nivṛttasya na prāvartanta vartmani| uṣṇamaśru vimuñcanto rāme samprasthite vanam|| ubhābhyāṃ rājaputrābhyāmatha kṛtvāhamañjalim| prasthito rathamāsthāya taduḥkhamapi dhārayan||

On Rāma having gone to the forest, my horses as I turned away, did not proceed vigorously on the way, and shed warm tears. And having (done homage) to both the princes by joining my hands, I turned my back, bearing as best I could that load of sorrow.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.2

गुहेन सार्धं तत्रैव स्थितोऽस्मि दिवसान् बहून्। आशया यदि मां रामः पुनः शब्दापयेदिति ॥

guhena sārdhaṃ tatraiva sthito'smi divasān bahūn| āśayā yadi māṃ rāmaḥ punaḥ śabdāpayediti ||

Indulging in the hope that Rāma might again summon me by any of the envoys (of Guha left there), I stayed there with Guha for many days.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.3

विषये ते महाराज महाव्यसनकर्शिताः। अपि वृक्षाः परिम्लानाः सपुष्पाकुरकोरकाः॥ उपतप्तोदका नद्यः पल्वलानि सरांसि च। परिशुष्कपलाशानि वनान्युपवनानि च॥

viṣaye te mahārāja mahāvyasanakarśitāḥ| api vṛkṣāḥ parimlānāḥ sapuṣpākurakorakāḥ|| upataptodakā nadyaḥ palvalāni sarāṃsi ca| pariśuṣkapalāśāni vanānyupavanāni ca||

In your dominions, O monarch, exercised by the calamity that has befallen Rāma, even trees bearing blossoms and buds and sprouts look sad; the rivers and pools and liquid lapses have their waters dried up; and the woods and groves have their foliage withered.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.4

न च सर्पन्ति सत्त्वानि व्याला न प्रचरन्ति च। रामशोकाभिभूतं त निष्कूजमिव तद्वनम्॥

na ca sarpanti sattvāni vyālā na pracaranti ca| rāmaśokābhibhūtaṃ ta niṣkūjamiva tadvanam||

Creatures do not move and beasts of prey cease to range about; and the forest appears to be dumb, stupefied by grief on account of Rāma.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.5

लीनपुष्करपत्राश्च नद्यश्च कलुषोदकाः। संतप्तपद्माः पद्मिन्यो लीनमीनविहंगमाः॥ जलजानि च पुष्पाणि माल्यानि स्थलजानि च। नातिभान्त्यल्पगन्धीनि फलानि च यथापुरम् ॥

līnapuṣkarapatrāśca nadyaśca kaluṣodakāḥ| saṃtaptapadmāḥ padminyo līnamīnavihaṃgamāḥ|| jalajāni ca puṣpāṇi mālyāni sthalajāni ca| nātibhāntyalpagandhīni phalāni ca yathāpuram ||

Streams containing lotuses with their leaves shrivelled, have their waters stained; and lotuses have their leaves burnt; and fished and (aquatic) birds have grown lean. And flowers both on land and water have been deprived of their freshness and fragrance; and they no longer retain their former condition.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.6

अत्रोद्यानानि शून्यानि प्रलीनविहगानि च। न चाभिरामानारामान् पश्यामि मनुजर्षभ॥

atrodyānāni śūnyāni pralīnavihagāni ca| na cābhirāmānārāmān paśyāmi manujarṣabha||

The gardens are idle with their birds drooping. And, O best of men, I do not find the bowers beautiful (as before).

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.7

प्रविशन्तमयोध्यायां न कश्चिदभिनन्दति। नरा राममपश्यन्तो निःश्वसन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः॥

praviśantamayodhyāyāṃ na kaścidabhinandati| narā rāmamapaśyanto niḥśvasanti muhurmuhuḥ||

When I entered Ayodhyā, none greeted me. And not seeing Rāma, the people sigh momentarily.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.8

देव राजरथं दृष्ट्वा विना राममिहागतम्। दूरादश्रुमुखः सर्वो राजमार्गे गतो जनः॥

deva rājarathaṃ dṛṣṭvā vinā rāmamihāgatam| dūrādaśrumukhaḥ sarvo rājamārge gato janaḥ||

And, O revered one, seeing the royal car returned hither without Rāma, the people on the highways from grief appear with tearful countenance.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.9

हम्र्यैर्विमानैः प्रासादैरवेक्ष्य रथमागतम्। हाहाकारकृता नार्यो रामादर्शनकर्शिताः॥

hamryairvimānaiḥ prāsādairavekṣya rathamāgatam| hāhākārakṛtā nāryo rāmādarśanakarśitāḥ||

And from mansions, cars, and lordly edifices, ladies seeing the car come back, set up a chorus of 'Ah' and 'Alas,' afflicted with the absence of Rama.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.10

आयतैर्विमलैनॆत्रैरश्रुवेगपरिप्लुतैः। अन्योन्यमभिवीक्षन्तेऽव्यक्तमार्ततराः स्त्रियः॥

āyatairvimalainètrairaśruvegapariplutaiḥ| anyonyamabhivīkṣante'vyaktamārtatarāḥ striyaḥ||

And becoming more distressed that ever, the fair sex with their expansive and clear eyes filled with tears, began to eye each other indistinctly.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.11

नामित्राणां न मित्राणामुदासीनजनस्य च। अहमार्ततया कंचिद् विशेषं नोपलक्षये॥

nāmitrāṇāṃ na mitrāṇāmudāsīnajanasya ca| ahamārtatayā kaṃcid viśeṣaṃ nopalakṣaye||

And in consequence of the general grief that prevailed, I could not perceive any difference between friends and foes and persons indifferent.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.12

अप्रहृष्टमनुष्या च दीननागतुरंगमा। आर्तस्वरपरिम्लानविनिःश्वसितनि:स्वना ॥ निरानन्दा महाराज रामप्रव्राजनातुरा। कौसल्या पुत्रहीनेव अयोध्या प्रतिभाति मे॥

aprahṛṣṭamanuṣyā ca dīnanāgaturaṃgamā| ārtasvaraparimlānaviniḥśvasitani:svanā || nirānandā mahārāja rāmapravrājanāturā| kausalyā putrahīneva ayodhyā pratibhāti me||

O mighty monarch, distressed in consequence of the exile of Rāma, men appear sunk in dejection, and elephants and horses are spiritless; and seized with cheerlessness, they utter doleful sounds and heave profound sighs. Ayodhyā appears to me joyless like Kausalyă deprived of her son.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.13

सूतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा वाचा परमदीनया। बाष्पोपहतया सूतमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥

sūtasya vacanaṃ śrutvā vācā paramadīnayā| bāṣpopahatayā sūtamidaṃ vacanamabravīt||

Hearing the words of the charioteer, the king like an exceedingly forlorn, addressed the former in words lost in the vapour of sorrow.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.14

कैकेय्या विनियुक्तेन पापाभिजनभावया। मया न मन्त्रकुशलैर्वृद्धैः सह समर्थितम्॥

kaikeyyā viniyuktena pāpābhijanabhāvayā| mayā na mantrakuśalairvṛddhaiḥ saha samarthitam||

Exhorted by Kaikeyi of a sinful country, born in a sinful race and cherishing sinful designs, I did not take counsel with aged people capable of offering advice.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.15

न सुहृद्भिर्न चामात्यैर्मन्त्रयित्वा सनैगमैः। मयायमर्थः सम्मोहात् स्त्रीहेतोः सहसा कृतः॥

na suhṛdbhirna cāmātyairmantrayitvā sanaigamaiḥ| mayāyamarthaḥ sammohāt strīhetoḥ sahasā kṛtaḥ||

Without consulting with friends or courtiers or persons versed in the Vedas, I have in the interest of a woman rashly done this thing through ignorance.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.16

भवितव्यतया नूनमिदं वा व्यसनं महत्। कुलस्यास्य विनाशाय प्राप्तं सूत यदृच्छया॥

bhavitavyatayā nūnamidaṃ vā vyasanaṃ mahat| kulasyāsya vināśāya prāptaṃ sūta yadṛcchayā||

Meseems, O charioteer, for the purpose of destroying this line entirely, this mighty disaster has surely befallen us through the influence of Destiny.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.17

सूत यद्यस्ति ते किंचिन्मयापि सुकृतं कृतम्। त्वं प्रापयाशु मां रामं प्राणाः संत्वरयन्ति माम्॥

sūta yadyasti te kiṃcinmayāpi sukṛtaṃ kṛtam| tvaṃ prāpayāśu māṃ rāmaṃ prāṇāḥ saṃtvarayanti mām||

O charioteer, if I have ever done you any good do you immediately take me to Rāma: my life urges me on (in this direction).

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.18

यद्यद्यापि ममैवाज्ञा निवर्तयतु राघवम्। न शक्ष्यामि विना रामं मुहूर्तमपि जीवितुम्॥

yadyadyāpi mamaivājñā nivartayatu rāghavam| na śakṣyāmi vinā rāmaṃ muhūrtamapi jīvitum||

Or let my command make Rāghava turn back. I cannot live for a moment without Rāma.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.19

अथवापि महाबाहुर्गतो दूरं भविष्यति। मामेव रथमारोप्य शीघ्रं रामाय दर्शय॥

athavāpi mahābāhurgato dūraṃ bhaviṣyati| māmeva rathamāropya śīghraṃ rāmāya darśaya||

But if that mighty-armed one has proceeded far, do you placing me on a car speedily show me to Rāma.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.20

वृत्तदंष्ट्रो महेष्वासः क्वासौ लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः। यदि जीवामि साध्वेनं पश्येयं सीतया सह॥

vṛttadaṃṣṭro maheṣvāsaḥ kvāsau lakṣmaṇapūrvajaḥ| yadi jīvāmi sādhvenaṃ paśyeyaṃ sītayā saha||

Where is that elder brother of Lakşmaņa of a mighty bow, furnished with teeth resembling Kunda flowers? If I live so long, I will behold him in company with Sītā.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.21

लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुमामुक्तमणिकुण्डलम्। रामं यदि न पश्येयं गमिष्यामि यमक्षयम्॥ अतो नु किं दुःखतरं योऽहमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनम्। इमामवस्थामापनो नेह पश्यामि राघवम्॥

lohitākṣaṃ mahābāhumāmuktamaṇikuṇḍalam| rāmaṃ yadi na paśyeyaṃ gamiṣyāmi yamakṣayam|| ato nu kiṃ duḥkhataraṃ yo'hamikṣvākunandanam| imāmavasthāmāpano neha paśyāmi rāghavam||

What can be sadder than this, that reduced to such a pass, I cannot see here that descendant of Ikşvāku, Rāghava?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.22

हा राम रामानुज हा हा वैदेहि तपस्विनि। न मां जानीत दुःखेन म्रियमाणमनाथवत्॥

hā rāma rāmānuja hā hā vaidehi tapasvini| na māṃ jānīta duḥkhena mriyamāṇamanāthavat||

Ah Rāma! Ah you younger brother of Rāma! Ah you unfortunate Vaidehī! You do not know that I am through grief lamenting like one deserted.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.23

स तेन राजा दुःखेन भृशमर्पितचेतनः। अवगाढः सुदुष्पारं शोकसागरमब्रवीत्॥

sa tena rājā duḥkhena bhṛśamarpitacetanaḥ| avagāḍhaḥ suduṣpāraṃ śokasāgaramabravīt||

Deprived of his consciousness through that sorrow of his, the king said.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.24

रामशोकमहावेगः सीताविरहपारगः। श्वसितोर्मिमहावर्तो वाष्पवेगजलाविलः॥ बाहुविक्षेपमीनोऽसौ विक्रन्दितमहास्वनः। प्रकीर्णकेशशैवाल: कैकेयीवडवामुखः॥ ममाश्रुवेगप्रभवः कुब्जावाक्यमहाग्रहः। वरवेलो नृशंसाया रामप्रव्राजनायतः॥ यस्मिन् बत निमग्नोऽहं कौसल्ये राघवं विना। दुस्तरो जीवता देवि मयायं शोकसागरः॥ अशोभनं योऽहमिहाद्य राघवं दिदृक्षमाणो न लभे सलक्ष्मणम्। इतीव राजा विलपन् महायशाः पपात तूर्णं शयने स मूर्च्छितः॥

rāmaśokamahāvegaḥ sītāvirahapāragaḥ| śvasitormimahāvarto vāṣpavegajalāvilaḥ|| bāhuvikṣepamīno'sau vikranditamahāsvanaḥ| prakīrṇakeśaśaivāla: kaikeyīvaḍavāmukhaḥ|| mamāśruvegaprabhavaḥ kubjāvākyamahāgrahaḥ| varavelo nṛśaṃsāyā rāmapravrājanāyataḥ|| yasmin bata nimagno'haṃ kausalye rāghavaṃ vinā| dustaro jīvatā devi mayāyaṃ śokasāgaraḥ|| aśobhanaṃ yo'hamihādya rāghavaṃ didṛkṣamāṇo na labhe salakṣmaṇam| itīva rājā vilapan mahāyaśāḥ papāta tūrṇaṃ śayane sa mūrcchitaḥ||

I have plunged myself into this ocean of woe hard to cross, with grief for Rāma as its mighty tide; separation from Sītā, its other shore; sighs heaved, its furious billows and whirlpools; tears, rivers that rush into it; tossing of the arms, its fishes; lamentations it roar; my hair flung about, its moss; Kaikeyi, its submarine fire; my fastflowing tears, its current; the words of the humpbacked one, its terrific ravenous animals; the boon, its continents; and the exile of Rama, its expanse. And, O Kausalyā, without Rāghava, I shall sink in this ocean. O exalted dame, living, it is hard for me to cross over this ocean. It is surely owing to my sin that to-day wishing to behold Rāghava and Lakşmaņa, I do not get them (before me). Having thus lamented, the illustrious king all of a sudden dropped to the earth in a swoon.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.25

इति विलपति पार्थिवे प्रणष्टे करुणतरं द्विगुणं च रामहेतोः। वचनमनुनिशम्य तस्य देवी भयमगमत् पुनरेव राममाता॥

iti vilapati pārthive praṇaṣṭe karuṇataraṃ dviguṇaṃ ca rāmahetoḥ| vacanamanuniśamya tasya devī bhayamagamat punareva rāmamātā||

On the king swooning away lamenting, that exalted lady, Rāma's mother, hearing his words doubly bitter and more piteous than ever uttered for Rāma, was seized with fresh apprehension.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

VR 2 59.26

इति विलपति पार्थिवे प्रणष्टे करुणतरं द्विगुणं च रामहेतोः। वचनमनुनिशम्य तस्य देवी भयमगमत् पुनरेव राममाता॥

iti vilapati pārthive praṇaṣṭe karuṇataraṃ dviguṇaṃ ca rāmahetoḥ| vacanamanuniśamya tasya devī bhayamagamat punareva rāmamātā||

On the king swooning away lamenting, that exalted lady, Rāma's mother, hearing his words doubly bitter and more piteous than ever uttered for Rāma, was seized with fresh apprehension.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)