Chapter 118
Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya
सा तु एवम् उक्ता वैदेही अनसूयान् असूयया
प्रतिपूज्य वचो मन्दम् प्रवक्तुम् उपचक्रमे
sā tu evam uktā vaidehī anasūyān asūyayā
pratipūjya vaco mandam pravaktum upacakrame
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Anasuya having spoken thus, Seetha without any jealousy, full of reverence for her, addressed her gently as follows:
न एतद् आश्चर्यम् आर्याया यन् माम् त्वम् अनुभाषसे
विदितम् तु मम अप्य् एतद् यथा नार्याः पतिर् गुरुः
na etad āścaryam āryāyā yan mām tvam anubhāṣase
viditam tu mama apy etad yathā nāryāḥ patir guruḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is not a surprise that a venerable woman like a you, talk to me like this, for, I know well that a husband is a respectable person for a woman."
यद्य् अप्य् एष भवेद् भर्ता मम आर्ये वृत्त वर्जितः
अद्वैधम् उपवर्तव्यः तथा अप्य् एष मया भवेत्
yady apy eṣa bhaved bhartā mama ārye vṛtta varjitaḥ
advaidham upavartavyaḥ tathā apy eṣa mayā bhavet
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, venerable woman! Even if my husband be without fortune, he should unhesitatingly be obeyed by me."
किम् पुनर् यो गुण श्लाघ्यः सानुक्रोशो जित इन्द्रियः
स्थिर अनुरागो धर्म आत्मा मातृ वर्ती पितृ प्रियः
kim punar yo guṇa ślāghyaḥ sānukrośo jita indriyaḥ
sthira anurāgo dharma ātmā mātṛ vartī pitṛ priyaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"How much more, if he be renowned for his virtues, compassionate, master of my heart, who is ever affectionate, a religious person, manifests the tenderness of a mother and a father to me."
याम् वृत्तिम् वर्तते रामः कौसल्यायाम् महा बलः
ताम् एव नृप नारीणाम् अन्यासाम् अपि वर्तते
yām vṛttim vartate rāmaḥ kausalyāyām mahā balaḥ
tām eva nṛpa nārīṇām anyāsām api vartate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The exceedingly strong Rama bears himself to all other Queens, as he exercises his behaviour towards his mother, Kausalya."
सकृद् दृष्टासु अपि स्त्रीषु नृपेण नृप वत्सलः
मातृवद् वर्तते वीरो मानम् उत्सृज्य धर्मवित्
sakṛd dṛṣṭāsu api strīṣu nṛpeṇa nṛpa vatsalaḥ
mātṛvad vartate vīro mānam utsṛjya dharmavit
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The valiant and pious Rama who is devoted to Dasartha and free from all sense of importance treats all those women as his mothers on whom Dasaratha has even once bestowed a single glance."
आगग्च्छन्त्याः च विजनम् वनम् एवम् भय आवहम्
समाहितम् हि मे श्वश्र्वा हृदये यत् स्थितम् महत्
āgagcchantyāḥ ca vijanam vanam evam bhaya āvaham
samāhitam hi me śvaśrvā hṛdaye yat sthitam mahat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"While departing for the lonely and fearful forest, my mother-in-law imparted a great message to me, which I have inscribed in my heart."
प्राणि प्रदान काले च यत् पुरा तु अग्नि सम्निधौ
अनुशिष्टा जनन्या अस्मि वाक्यम् तद् अपि मे धृतम्
prāṇi pradāna kāle ca yat purā tu agni samnidhau
anuśiṣṭā jananyā asmi vākyam tad api me dhṛtam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"What my mother taught me when witnessed by the fire, earlier at the time of my marriage with Rama, I shall always remember them."
नवी कृतम् तु तत् सर्वम् वाक्यैः ते धर्म चारिणि
पति शुश्रूषणान् नार्याः तपो न अन्यद् विधीयते
navī kṛtam tu tat sarvam vākyaiḥ te dharma cāriṇi
pati śuśrūṣaṇān nāryāḥ tapo na anyad vidhīyate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, virtuous woman! By your words, all that is being renewed. No austerity, other than obedience to one's husband is decreed for a woman."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Savitri* is now highly honoured in heaven, for having served her lord faithfully heaven, You too, having followed this, will proceed to heaven, in showing obedience to your husband."
PURPORT
वरिष्ठा सर्व नारीणाम् एषा च दिवि देवता
रोहिणी च विना चन्द्रम् मुहूर्तम् अपि दृश्यते
variṣṭhā sarva nārīṇām eṣā ca divi devatā
rohiṇī ca vinā candram muhūrtam api dṛśyate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This goddess Rohini, the excellent among all women, is not seen without the moon even for a single moment in the sky."
एवम् विधाः च प्रवराः स्त्रियो भर्तृ दृढ व्रताः
देव लोके महीयन्ते पुण्येन स्वेन कर्मणा
evam vidhāḥ ca pravarāḥ striyo bhartṛ dṛḍha vratāḥ
deva loke mahīyante puṇyena svena karmaṇā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Such excellent women, devoted to their husbands, and by their meritorious deeds, are highly honoured in heaven."
ततो अनसूया सम्हृष्टा श्रुत्वा उक्तम् सीतया वचः
शिरस्य् आघ्राय च उवाच मैथिलीम् हर्षयन्त्य् उत
tato anasūyā samhṛṣṭā śrutvā uktam sītayā vacaḥ
śirasy āghrāya ca uvāca maithilīm harṣayanty uta
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the words of Seetha, Anasuya was very much pleased, kissed on Seetha's forehead and spoke delightfully (as follows)
नियमैर् विविधैर् आप्तम् तपो हि महद् अस्ति मे
तत् संश्रित्य बलम् सीते चन्दये त्वाम् शुचि व्रते
niyamair vividhair āptam tapo hi mahad asti me
tat saṃśritya balam sīte candaye tvām śuci vrate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha with a bright smile! There is a great merit acquired by me in virtue of my various pious observances. Through that power, I wish to confer a boon on you."
उपपन्नम् च युक्तम् च वचनम् तव मैथिलि
प्रीता च अस्म्य् उचितम् किम् ते करवाणि ब्रवीह्यहम्
upapannam ca yuktam ca vacanam tava maithili
prītā ca asmy ucitam kim te karavāṇi bravīhyaham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! Your words are suitable for the occasion and are charming too. I am satisfied. Tell me what good I may do for you."
तस्यास्तद्वचनम् श्रुत्वा विस्मिता मन्दविस्मया
कृतम् इत्य् अब्रवीत् सीता तपो बल समन्विताम्
tasyāstadvacanam śrutvā vismitā mandavismayā
kṛtam ity abravīt sītā tapo bala samanvitām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing those words of Anasuya, Seetha was surprised and with a gentle smile spoke to her, who was richly endowed with the power of askesis, saying; "Everything stands fulfilled (by your grace).
सा तु एवम् उक्ता धर्मज्ना तया प्रीततरा अभवत्
सफलम् च प्रहर्षम् ते हन्त सीते करोम्यहम्
sā tu evam uktā dharmajnā tayā prītatarā abhavat
saphalam ca praharṣam te hanta sīte karomyaham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thus spoken by Seetha, the pious-minded Anasuya became more delighted and said: "O, Seetha! Alas! I will create a great joy for you, which will be to your advantage."
इदम् दिव्यम् वरम् माल्यम् वस्त्रम् आभरणानि च
अन्ग रागम् च वैदेहि महा अर्हम् अनुलेपनम्
idam divyam varam mālyam vastram ābharaṇāni ca
anga rāgam ca vaidehi mahā arham anulepanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha, the daughter of Videha kingdom! Here are divine gifts: a garland, an apparel, jewels, a scented cosmetic and rare body-cream. These are all given by me to adorn your limbs. They will be ever worthy of your and will remain in tact (even after constant use)."
अन्ग रागेण दिव्येन लिप्त अन्गी जनक आत्मजे
शोभयिष्यामि भर्तारम् यथा श्रीर् विष्णुम् अव्ययम्
anga rāgeṇa divyena lipta angī janaka ātmaje
śobhayiṣyāmi bhartāram yathā śrīr viṣṇum avyayam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! Your body, anointed with these heavenly cosmetics, will cause your husband to look beautiful, as Lakshmi (the goddess of fortune and beauty) does the imperishable Vishnu (the Lord of Preservation)."
सा वस्त्रम् अन्ग रागम् च भूषणानि स्रजः तथा
मैथिली प्रतिजग्राह प्रीति दानम् अनुत्तमम्
sā vastram anga rāgam ca bhūṣaṇāni srajaḥ tathā
maithilī pratijagrāha prīti dānam anuttamam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seetha accepted the apparel, the scented cosmetic, the jewels and the garlands as unsurpassed gifts of love.
प्रतिगृह्य च तत् सीता प्रीति दानम् यशस्विनी
श्लिष्ट अन्जलि पुटा धीरा समुपास्त तपो धनाम्
pratigṛhya ca tat sītā prīti dānam yaśasvinī
śliṣṭa anjali puṭā dhīrā samupāsta tapo dhanām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Having accepted those gifts of love, the illustrious Seetha with joined palms, sat near that female ascetic.
तथा सीताम् उपासीनाम् अनसूया दृढ व्रता
वचनम् प्रष्टुम् आरेभे कांचिद् त्प्रियाम् कथामनु
tathā sītām upāsīnām anasūyā dṛḍha vratā
vacanam praṣṭum ārebhe kāṃcid tpriyām kathāmanu
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
To inquire about a lovely tale of once upon a time, Anasuya who was firm in austerity, started asking the following words to Seetha who was sitting near her in that manner.
स्वयम् वरे किल प्राप्ता त्वम् अनेन यशस्विना
राघवेण इति मे सीते कथा श्रुतिम् उपागता
svayam vare kila prāptā tvam anena yaśasvinā
rāghaveṇa iti me sīte kathā śrutim upāgatā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! It is so said that you were won by the illustrious Rama through a process of your self-choosing (svayamvara)*. This report has reached my ear."
PURPORT
ताम् कथाम् श्रोतुम् इग्च्छामि विस्तरेण च मैथिलि
यथा अनुभूतम् कार्त्स्न्येन तन् मे त्वम् वक्तुम् अर्हसि
tām kathām śrotum igcchāmi vistareṇa ca maithili
yathā anubhūtam kārtsnyena tan me tvam vaktum arhasi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! I wish to hear that narrative in detail. Hence, tell me that tale in full as you experienced it."
एवम् उक्ता तु सा सीता ताम् ततो धर्म चारिणीम्
श्रूयताम् इति च उक्त्वा वै कथयाम् आस ताम् कथाम्
evam uktā tu sā sītā tām tato dharma cāriṇīm
śrūyatām iti ca uktvā vai kathayām āsa tām kathām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then, Seetha obediently answered, saying "Hear me" and began to truly narrate that tale of Svayamvara to the virtuous woman, Anasuya."
मिथिला अधिपतिर् वीरो जनको नाम धर्मवित्
क्षत्र धर्मण्य् अभिरतो न्यायतः शास्ति मेदिनीम्
mithilā adhipatir vīro janako nāma dharmavit
kṣatra dharmaṇy abhirato nyāyataḥ śāsti medinīm
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A king of Mithila kingdom, named Janaka who was valiant and a knower of righteousness, was devoted to the duty of his warrior class and was ruling the earth in a fitting manner."
तस्य लान्गल हस्तस्य कर्षतः क्षेत्र मण्डलम्
अहम् किल उत्थिता भित्त्वा जगतीम् नृपतेः सुता
tasya lāngala hastasya karṣataḥ kṣetra maṇḍalam
aham kila utthitā bhittvā jagatīm nṛpateḥ sutā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"While he was furrowing a territory of land, holding a plough in his hand, it is so said that I came forth, splitting up the land, as a daughter of that king."
स माम् दृष्ट्वा नर पतिर् मुष्टि विक्षेप तत् परः
पांशु गुण्ठित सर्व अन्गीम् विस्मितो जनको अभवत्
sa mām dṛṣṭvā nara patir muṣṭi vikṣepa tat paraḥ
pāṃśu guṇṭhita sarva angīm vismito janako abhavat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The king Janaka, who was absorbed in scattering handfuls of seeds was surprised to see me, with all my limbs covered with dust."
अनपत्येन च स्नेहाद् अन्कम् आरोप्य च स्वयम्
मम इयम् तनया इत्य् उक्त्वा स्नेहो मयि निपातितः
anapatyena ca snehād ankam āropya ca svayam
mama iyam tanayā ity uktvā sneho mayi nipātitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Placing me personally in his lap with affection, that childless king Janaka called one as his daughter, and was very fond of me since then."
अन्तरिक्षे च वाग् उक्ता अप्रतिमा मानुषी किल
एवम् एतन् नर पते धर्मेण तनया तव
antarikṣe ca vāg uktā apratimā mānuṣī kila
evam etan nara pate dharmeṇa tanayā tava
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is said that voice resembling that of a human being in the air above me rang out, saying": "O, King! Let it be so. This divine child without a match is a daughter to you, rightly."
ततः प्रहृष्टो धर्म आत्मा पिता मे मिथिला अधिपः
अवाप्तो विपुलाम् ऋद्धिम् माम् अवाप्य नर अधिपः
tataḥ prahṛṣṭo dharma ātmā pitā me mithilā adhipaḥ
avāpto vipulām ṛddhim mām avāpya nara adhipaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Thereafter, my father the pious mind the lord of men and the king of Mithila kingdom was rejoiced in my possession and acquired extensive property."
दत्त्वा च अस्मि इष्टवद् देव्यै ज्येष्ठायै पुण्य कर्मणा
तया सम्भाविता च अस्मि स्निग्धया मातृ सौहृदात्
dattvā ca asmi iṣṭavad devyai jyeṣṭhāyai puṇya karmaṇā
tayā sambhāvitā ca asmi snigdhayā mātṛ sauhṛdāt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"That king performing auspicious acts gave me into the care of the chief Queen. She nourished me fondly and with maternal affection."
पति सम्योग सुलभम् वयो दृष्ट्वा तु मे पिता
चिन्ताम् अभ्यगमद् दीनो वित्त नाशाद् इव अधनः
pati samyoga sulabham vayo dṛṣṭvā tu me pitā
cintām abhyagamad dīno vitta nāśād iva adhanaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Seeing my age to be such, when union with a husband can be easily had, my father fell a prey to anxiety like an indigent man, feeling miserable by the loss of all his possessions."
सदृशाच् च अपकृष्टाच् च लोके कन्या पिता जनात्
प्रधर्षणाम् अवाप्नोति शक्रेण अपि समो भुवि
sadṛśāc ca apakṛṣṭāc ca loke kanyā pitā janāt
pradharṣaṇām avāpnoti śakreṇa api samo bhuvi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Eventhough the father of an unmarried girl be like Indra himself on earth, suffers indignity in the world from the suitor's men, no matter whether they are equal or inferior to him."
ताम् धर्षणाम् अदूरस्थाम् संदृश्य आत्मनि पार्थिवः
चिन्न्ता अर्णव गतः पारम् न आससाद अप्लवो यथ
tām dharṣaṇām adūrasthām saṃdṛśya ātmani pārthivaḥ
cinntā arṇava gataḥ pāram na āsasāda aplavo yatha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Perceiving that ill-treatment threatening him at no distant date, the king Janaka was plunged into an ocean of anxiety and did not reach its end any more than a man without a bark would reach the end of a sea."
अयोनिजाम् हि माम् ज्नात्वा न अध्यगग्च्छत् स चिन्तयन्
सदृशम् च अनुरूपम् च मही पालः पतिम् मम
ayonijām hi mām jnātvā na adhyagagcchat sa cintayan
sadṛśam ca anurūpam ca mahī pālaḥ patim mama
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Knowing me to be the one not emerged from a mother's womb, the king after a deep reflection, was unable to find a suitable and worthy husband for me."
तस्य बुद्धिर् इयम् जाता चिन्तयानस्य सम्ततम्
स्वयम् वरम् तनूजायाः करिष्यामि इति धीमतः
tasya buddhir iyam jātā cintayānasya samtatam
svayam varam tanūjāyāḥ kariṣyāmi iti dhīmataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"After reflecting thus deeply, the thought came to him, 'I shall inaugurate a Svayamvara, a process of self-choosing marriage, for my daughter."
महा यज्ने तदा तस्य वरुणेन महात्मना
दत्तम् धनुर् वरम् प्रीत्या तूणी च अक्षय्य सायकौ
mahā yajne tadā tasya varuṇena mahātmanā
dattam dhanur varam prītyā tūṇī ca akṣayya sāyakau
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"In ancient days, Janaka received with affection from Varuna the rain-god, an excellent bow with two quivers that should never lack arrows."
असंचाल्यम् मनुष्यैः च यत्नेन अपि च गौरवात्
तन् न शक्ता नमयितुम् स्वप्नेषु अपि नर अधिपाः
asaṃcālyam manuṣyaiḥ ca yatnena api ca gauravāt
tan na śaktā namayitum svapneṣu api nara adhipāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"That bow was so heavy in weight that no man could lift it up nor any of the kings were bale to bend it even in their dreams."
तद् धनुः प्राप्य मे पित्रा व्याहृतम् सत्य वादिना
समवाये नर इन्द्राणाम् पूर्वम् आमन्त्र्य पार्थिवान्
tad dhanuḥ prāpya me pitrā vyāhṛtam satya vādinā
samavāye nara indrāṇām pūrvam āmantrya pārthivān
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"My truthful father called all the princes first and informed them in a meeting about the bow to be lifted."
इदम् च धनुर् उद्यम्य सज्यम् यः कुरुते नरः
तस्य मे दुहिता भार्या भविष्यति न संशयः
idam ca dhanur udyamya sajyam yaḥ kurute naraḥ
tasya me duhitā bhāryā bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Whoever is able to lift up and string this bow, I will bestow my daughter in marriage on him. There is no doubt about it."
तच् च दृष्ट्वा धनुः श्रेष्ठम् गौरवाद् गिरि सम्निभम्
अभिवाद्य नृपा जग्मुर् अशक्ताः तस्य तोलने
tac ca dṛṣṭvā dhanuḥ śreṣṭham gauravād giri samnibham
abhivādya nṛpā jagmur aśaktāḥ tasya tolane
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Seeing that excellent bow, resembling a mountain in weight, and being unable to lift it up, the princes offered salutation to it and went away."
सुदीर्घस्य तु कालस्य राघवो अयम् महा द्युतिः
विश्वामित्रेण सहितो यज्नम् द्रष्टुम् समागतः
sudīrghasya tu kālasya rāghavo ayam mahā dyutiḥ
viśvāmitreṇa sahito yajnam draṣṭum samāgataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"After a very long time, this Rama born in Raghu dynasty with a great splendour possessing a true valour, along with his brother Lakshmana together with a sage Visvamitra, came to witness a sacrifice."
विश्वामित्रः तु धर्म आत्मा मम पित्रा सुपूजितः
viśvāmitraḥ tu dharma ātmā mama pitrā supūjitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The pious-souled Visvamitra, having been received well by my father said to my father, (as follows):
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"These two boys, the sons of Dasaratha wish to see that bow. Show that bow, coming from gods, to Rama the prince."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Hearing the words of Vivamitra, Janaka caused the bow to be brought there. The mighty and the valiant Rama bent that bow merely within an instant and immediately stringed the bow with the bow-cord and drew the bow to the full."
तेन पूरयता वेगान् मध्ये भग्नम् द्विधा धनुः
तस्य शब्दो अभवद् भीमः पतितस्य अशनेर् इव
tena pūrayatā vegān madhye bhagnam dvidhā dhanuḥ
tasya śabdo abhavad bhīmaḥ patitasya aśaner iva
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"While Rama was drawing the bow to the full, the bow was broken into two in the middle due to the resultant jerk. The terrific sound then created was like that of a falling thunderbolt."
ततो अहम् तत्र रामाय पित्रा सत्य अभिसंधिना
उद्यता दातुम् उद्यम्य जल भाजनम् उत्तमम्
tato aham tatra rāmāya pitrā satya abhisaṃdhinā
udyatā dātum udyamya jala bhājanam uttamam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Then and there, my father true to his promise decided to bestow me on Rama, offering him a jar of pure water."
दीयमानाम् न तु तदा प्रतिजग्राह राघवः
अविज्नाय पितुः चन्दम् अयोध्या अधिपतेः प्रभोः
dīyamānām na tu tadā pratijagrāha rāghavaḥ
avijnāya pituḥ candam ayodhyā adhipateḥ prabhoḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"But Rama did not consent to accept my hand till the will of his father, the Lord and the king of Ayodhya had been made known to him."
ततः श्वशुरम् आमन्त्र्य वृद्धम् दशरथम् नृपम्
मम पित्रा अहम् दत्ता रामाय विदित आत्मने
tataḥ śvaśuram āmantrya vṛddham daśaratham nṛpam
mama pitrā aham dattā rāmāya vidita ātmane
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereupon, my father-in-law and the aged Dasaratha was invited to Mithila by my father and with his approval, I was bestowed on Rama, the knower of the self."
मम चैव अनुजा साध्वी ऊर्मिला प्रिय दर्शना
भार्य अर्थे लक्ष्मणस्य अपि दत्ता पित्रा मम स्वयम्
mama caiva anujā sādhvī ūrmilā priya darśanā
bhārya arthe lakṣmaṇasya api dattā pitrā mama svayam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"My younger sister Urmila, the virtuous lady of lovely looks was given as a consort to Lakshmana by my father himself."
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टादशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe aṣṭādaśottaraśatatamaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I was given thus to Rama in that Svayamvara, a process of self-choosing marriage. I became devoted, by my good works, to my husband who is excellent among men of strength."