Chapter 39
Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya
रामस्य तु वचः श्रुत्वा मुनि वेष धरम् च तम्
समीक्ष्य सह भार्याभी राजा विगत चेतनः
rāmasya tu vacaḥ śrutvā muni veṣa dharam ca tam
samīkṣya saha bhāryābhī rājā vigata cetanaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing Rama's words and seeing him clad in a garb of hermit, king Dasaratha with his wives fell unconscious. Consumed by grief, he could not look towards Rama. Troubled in mind as he was, the king could not speak to Rama by seeing into his face.
स मुहूर्तम् इव असम्ज्ञो दुह्खितः च मही पतिः
विललाप महा बाहू रामम् एव अनुचिन्तयन्
sa muhūrtam iva asamjño duhkhitaḥ ca mahī patiḥ
vilalāpa mahā bāhū rāmam eva anucintayan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The mighty armed Dasaratha was unconscious for some time, distressed and repented in various ways thinking of Rama alone.
मन्ये खलु मया पूर्वम् विवत्सा बहवः कृताः
प्राणिनो हिंसिता वा अपि तस्मात् इदम् उपस्थितम्
manye khalu mayā pūrvam vivatsā bahavaḥ kṛtāḥ
prāṇino hiṃsitā vā api tasmāt idam upasthitam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I think that previously many people were separated from their children by me or in any case many living beings were killed. Hence, this (calamity) has befallen me."
न तु एव अनागते काले देहाच् च्यवति जीवितम्
कैकेय्या क्लिश्यमानस्य मृत्युर् मम न विद्यते
na tu eva anāgate kāle dehāc cyavati jīvitam
kaikeyyā kliśyamānasya mṛtyur mama na vidyate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"life does not decamp from the body surely without the arrival of time. Death does not claim me, even being tormented by Kaikeyi and eventhough I behold my son, efflugent as fire, standing before me clad in the robes of an ascetic having cast off his fine garments."
एकस्याः खलु कैकेय्याः कृते अयम् क्लिश्यते जनः
स्व अर्थे प्रयतमानायाः संश्रित्य निकृतिम् त्विमाम्
ekasyāḥ khalu kaikeyyāḥ kṛte ayam kliśyate janaḥ
sva arthe prayatamānāyāḥ saṃśritya nikṛtim tvimām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"All these people are suffering on account of only Kaikeyi, who sought refuge in chincanery, with an implicit intent of selfishness"
एवम् उक्त्वा तु वचनम् बाष्पेण पिहित ईक्ष्णह
राम इति सकृद् एव उक्त्वा व्याहर्तुम् न शशाक ह
evam uktvā tu vacanam bāṣpeṇa pihita īkṣṇaha
rāma iti sakṛd eva uktvā vyāhartum na śaśāka ha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Having uttered these words and saying "Oh, Rama!" only once, he was not able to speak any more, his organs of voice being choked by tears.
सम्ज्ञाम् तु प्रतिलभ्य एव मुहूर्तात् स मही पतिः
नेत्राभ्याम् अश्रु पूर्णाभ्याम् सुमन्त्रम् इदम् अब्रवीत्
samjñām tu pratilabhya eva muhūrtāt sa mahī patiḥ
netrābhyām aśru pūrṇābhyām sumantram idam abravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Regaining consciousness after a moment, the king, with his eyes filled with tears, spoke these words to Sumantra:
औपवाह्यम् रथम् युक्त्वा त्वम् आयाहि हय उत्तमैः
प्रापय एनम् महा भागम् इतः जन पदात् परम्
aupavāhyam ratham yuktvā tvam āyāhi haya uttamaiḥ
prāpaya enam mahā bhāgam itaḥ jana padāt param
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"You come with a chariot, fit for driving, yoked with excellent horses and take this highly distinguished prince beyond this territory."
एवम् मन्ये गुणवताम् गुणानाम् फलम् उच्यते
पित्रा मात्रा च यत् साधुर् वीरः निर्वास्यते वनम्
evam manye guṇavatām guṇānām phalam ucyate
pitrā mātrā ca yat sādhur vīraḥ nirvāsyate vanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Since a pious and a valiant son is being sent to exile by father and mother, I think such is said to be the reward of virtues of the virtueous."
राज्ञो वचनम् आज्ञाय सुमन्त्रः शीघ्र विक्रमः
योजयित्वा आययौ तत्र रथम् अश्वैः अलम्कृतम्
rājño vacanam ājñāya sumantraḥ śīghra vikramaḥ
yojayitvā āyayau tatra ratham aśvaiḥ alamkṛtam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Sumantra obeying the words of the king, walked away quickly and arrived there fitted with horses, a chariot duly decorated.
तम् रथम् राज पुत्राय सूतः कनक भूषितम्
आचचक्षे अन्जलिम् कृत्वा युक्तम् परम वाजिभिः
tam ratham rāja putrāya sūtaḥ kanaka bhūṣitam
ācacakṣe anjalim kṛtvā yuktam parama vājibhiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The charioteer told the prince with joined palms about that chariot decorated by gold, fitted wih superb horses.
राजा सत्वरम् आहूय व्यापृतम् वित्त संचये
उवाच देश कालज्ञो निश्चितम् सर्वतः शुचि
rājā satvaram āhūya vyāpṛtam vitta saṃcaye
uvāca deśa kālajño niścitam sarvataḥ śuci
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The king, who knew what should be done at a proper place and time and was clear by all means, quickly called an officer placed in charge of the treasury and spoke in a decisive tone (as follows);-
वासांसि च महा अर्हाणि भूषणानि वराणि च
वर्षाणि एतानि सम्ख्याय वैदेह्याः क्षिप्रम् आनय
vāsāṃsi ca mahā arhāṇi bhūṣaṇāni varāṇi ca
varṣāṇi etāni samkhyāya vaidehyāḥ kṣipram ānaya
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Quickly bring for Seetha, clothings of great worth and ornaments of high quality, taking into consideration all these years (that Seetha has to spend in exile)
नर इन्द्रेण एवम् उक्तः तु गत्वा कोश गृहम् ततः
प्रायच्चत् सर्वम् आहृत्य सीतायै क्षिप्रम् एव तत्
nara indreṇa evam uktaḥ tu gatvā kośa gṛham tataḥ
prāyaccat sarvam āhṛtya sītāyai kṣipram eva tat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
After thus spoken by the king, the officer went to the treasury, brought all that in a lot and gave to Seetha.
सा सुजाता सुजातानि वैदेही प्रस्थिता वनम्
भूषयाम् आस गात्राणि तैः विचित्रैः विभूषणैः
sā sujātā sujātāni vaidehī prasthitā vanam
bhūṣayām āsa gātrāṇi taiḥ vicitraiḥ vibhūṣaṇaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Setting out as she was to the forest, Seetha of noble birth adorned her beautiful limbs with those wonderful jewels.
व्यराजयत वैदेही वेश्म तत् सुविभूषिता
उद्यतः अंशुमतः काले खम् प्रभा इव विवस्वतः
vyarājayata vaidehī veśma tat suvibhūṣitā
udyataḥ aṃśumataḥ kāle kham prabhā iva vivasvataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seetha, beautifully adorned as she was, illumined that palace, as the sky in a morning is illuminated by a rising sun.
ताम् भुजाभ्याम् परिष्वज्य श्वश्रूर् वचनम् अब्रवीत्
अनाचरन्तीम् कृपणम् मूध्नि उपाघ्राय मैथिलीम्
tām bhujābhyām pariṣvajya śvaśrūr vacanam abravīt
anācarantīm kṛpaṇam mūdhni upāghrāya maithilīm
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Embracing in her arms that princess of Mithila, who never behaved in self-pity, and smelling her head(as a token of affection), her mother-in-law(Kausalya) spoke as follows:
असत्यः सर्व लोके अस्मिन् सततम् सत्कृताः प्रियैः
भर्तारम् न अनुमन्यन्ते विनिपात गतम् स्त्रियः
asatyaḥ sarva loke asmin satatam satkṛtāḥ priyaiḥ
bhartāram na anumanyante vinipāta gatam striyaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Dishonest women, eventhough adored all the time by their husbands, cease to esteem their husband who has come to pass into evil days, throughout this world."
एष स्वभावो नारीणामनुभूय पुरा सुखम्
अल्पामप्यापदम् प्राप्य दुष्यन्ति प्रजहत्यपि
eṣa svabhāvo nārīṇāmanubhūya purā sukham
alpāmapyāpadam prāpya duṣyanti prajahatyapi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Having enjoyed happiness in the past, they become spoiled and even desert their husband, on obtaining even the least misfortune: such is the nature of (bad) women."
असत्यशीला विकृता दुर्र्गाह्याहृदयास्तथा
युवत्यः पापसम्कल्पाः क्षणमात्राद्विरागिणः
asatyaśīlā vikṛtā durrgāhyāhṛdayāstathā
yuvatyaḥ pāpasamkalpāḥ kṣaṇamātrādvirāgiṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Young women, who are evil-minded, are untruthful in their disposition, are affected by passion and their essence, incomprehensible. They get aversion within a moment."
न कुलम् न कृतम् विद्या न दत्तम् नापि सम्ग्रहः
स्त्रीणाम् गृह्णाति हृदयमनित्यहृदया हि ताः
na kulam na kṛtam vidyā na dattam nāpi samgrahaḥ
strīṇām gṛhṇāti hṛdayamanityahṛdayā hi tāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Neither a noble descent, nor an accomplishment, nor learning, nor a gift nor even entertainment can capture the heart of women. They are unstbale of their heart indeed!"
साध्वीनाम् हि स्थितानाम् तु शीले सत्ये श्रुते शमे
स्त्रीणाम् पवित्रम् परमम् पतिरेको विशिष्यते
sādhvīnām hi sthitānām tu śīle satye śrute śame
strīṇām pavitram paramam patireko viśiṣyate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"But, for women established in good conduct, truthfulness, sacred learning and mental quietness, their husband alone is the most sacred entity, the best of all."
स त्वया न अवमन्तव्यः पुत्रः प्रव्राजितः मम
तव दैवतम् अस्तु एष निर्धनः सधनो अपि वा
sa tvayā na avamantavyaḥ putraḥ pravrājitaḥ mama
tava daivatam astu eṣa nirdhanaḥ sadhano api vā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"My son who is being sent to the forest should not be despised by you. Even if he is invested with riches or without riches, let him be a deity to you."
विज्ञाय वचनम् सीता तस्या धर्म अर्थ सम्हितम्
कृत अन्जलिर् उवाच इदम् श्वश्रूम् अभिमुखे स्थिता
vijñāya vacanam sītā tasyā dharma artha samhitam
kṛta anjalir uvāca idam śvaśrūm abhimukhe sthitā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
perceiving her words, endowed with essence of righteousness and joining her palms, Seetha replied to her mother-in-law standing in front of her, as follows:-
करिष्ये सर्वम् एव अहम् आर्या यद् अनुशास्ति माम्
अभिज्ञा अस्मि यथा भर्तुर् वर्तितव्यम् श्रुतम् च मे
kariṣye sarvam eva aham āryā yad anuśāsti mām
abhijñā asmi yathā bhartur vartitavyam śrutam ca me
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I shall do just all that, as your venerable self instructs me. I know how I should behave towards my husband. I have also heard about it earlier."
न माम् असज् जनेन आर्या समानयितुम् अर्हति
धर्मात् विचलितुम् न अहम् अलम् चन्द्रात् इव प्रभा
na mām asaj janena āryā samānayitum arhati
dharmāt vicalitum na aham alam candrāt iva prabhā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Your venerable self is not worthy of equating me with evil women. I am unable to deviate from virtue, even as a moon from the moonlight"
न अतन्त्री वाद्यते वीणा न अचक्रः वर्तते रथः
न अपतिः सुखम् एधते या स्यात् अपि शत आत्मजा
na atantrī vādyate vīṇā na acakraḥ vartate rathaḥ
na apatiḥ sukham edhate yā syāt api śata ātmajā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Vina (Indian lute) does not resonate without chords. Chariot does not move without wheels. Now can a wife bereft of her husband, even if blessed with hundred children, will not lie happily in comfort."
मितम् ददाति हि पिता मितम् माता मितम् सुतः
अमितस्य हि दातारम् भर्तारम् का न पूजयेत्
mitam dadāti hi pitā mitam mātā mitam sutaḥ
amitasya hi dātāram bhartāram kā na pūjayet
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A father indeed gives a limited extent, a mother in a limited measure and a son in moderation. Which woman, then, would not adore her husband, the bestower of unlimitedness!"
सा अहम् एवम् गता श्रेष्ठा श्रुत धर्म पर अवरा
आर्ये किम् अवमन्येयम् स्त्रीणाम् भर्ता हि दैवतम्
sā aham evam gatā śreṣṭhā śruta dharma para avarā
ārye kim avamanyeyam strīṇām bhartā hi daivatam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Having heard about the special and ordinary duties of a wife from the most excellent women, how can I, as such, despise my husband, Oh venerable lady? Husband is indeed a deity to women."
सीताया वचनम् श्रुत्वा कौसल्या हृदयम् गमम्
शुद्ध सत्त्वा मुमोच अश्रु सहसा दुह्ख हर्षजम्
sītāyā vacanam śrutvā kausalyā hṛdayam gamam
śuddha sattvā mumoca aśru sahasā duhkha harṣajam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing Seetha's words, which touched her heart, Kausalya of pure mind suddenly started shedding tears born of agony and delight.
ताम् प्रान्जलिर् अभिक्रम्य मातृ मध्ये अतिसत्कृताम्
रामः परम धर्मज्ञो मातरम् वाक्यम् अब्रवीत्
tām prānjalir abhikramya mātṛ madhye atisatkṛtām
rāmaḥ parama dharmajño mātaram vākyam abravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama, the most virtuous man, joining his palms, approached and spoke these words to his mother, who is highly respected among all his mothers:
अम्ब मा दुह्खिता भूस् त्वम् पश्य त्वम् पितरम् मम
क्षयो हि वन वासस्य क्षिप्रम् एव भविष्यति
amba mā duhkhitā bhūs tvam paśya tvam pitaram mama
kṣayo hi vana vāsasya kṣipram eva bhaviṣyati
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, mother! You do not grieve. You look after my father. The end of exile will come rather soon."
सुप्तायाः ते गमिष्यन्ति नव वर्षाणि पन्च च
सा समग्रम् इह प्राप्तम् माम् द्रक्ष्यसि सुहृद् वृतम्
suptāyāḥ te gamiṣyanti nava varṣāṇi panca ca
sā samagram iha prāptam mām drakṣyasi suhṛd vṛtam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Fourteen years will elapse, while you are asleep. you as such, will see me, duly arrived here in my entire being, surrounded by my well-wishers."
एतावद् अभिनीत अर्थम् उक्त्वा स जननीम् वचः
त्रयः शत शत अर्धा हि ददर्श अवेक्ष्य मातरः
etāvad abhinīta artham uktvā sa jananīm vacaḥ
trayaḥ śata śata ardhā hi dadarśa avekṣya mātaraḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Uttering the aforesaid words of such quality and appropriate meaning to his mother, Rama thought once again and gazed at his three hundred and fifty step-mothers.
ताः च अपि स तथैव आर्ता मातृऋर् दशरथ आत्मजः
धर्म युक्तम् इदम् वाक्यम् निजगाद कृत अन्जलिः
tāḥ ca api sa tathaiva ārtā mātṛṛr daśaratha ātmajaḥ
dharma yuktam idam vākyam nijagāda kṛta anjaliḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama joined his palms and saluted those step mothers also, who were too distressed in the same way and spoke these words which were in consonance with the spirit of righteousness.
सम्वासात् परुषम् किंचित् अज्ञानात् वा अपि यत् कृतम्
तन् मे समनुजानीत सर्वाः च आमन्त्रयामि वः
samvāsāt paruṣam kiṃcit ajñānāt vā api yat kṛtam
tan me samanujānīta sarvāḥ ca āmantrayāmi vaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Please excuse me, if I have done any mistake either becuase of our living together or due to ignorance on my part. I now take leave of you all."
वचनम् राघवस्यैतद्धर्मयुक्तम् समाहितम्
शुश्रुवु स्ताः स्त्रियम् सर्वाः शोकोपहतचेतसः
vacanam rāghavasyaitaddharmayuktam samāhitam
śuśruvu stāḥ striyam sarvāḥ śokopahatacetasaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
All those women, whose mind was overpowered with grief, heard the aforesaid cool submission of Rama, which was in consonance with righteousness.
जज्ञे अथ तासाम् सम्नादः क्रौन्चीनाम् इव निह्स्वनः
मानव इन्द्रस्य भार्याणाम् एवम् वदति राघवे
jajñe atha tāsām samnādaḥ krauncīnām iva nihsvanaḥ
mānava indrasya bhāryāṇām evam vadati rāghave
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
While Rama was speaking thus, an outery, resembling the wail of female cranes arose from those wives of Dasaratha.
इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये अयोध्य काण्डे एको न चत्वारिंशः सर्गः
iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye ayodhya kāṇḍe eko na catvāriṃśaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Dasaratha' s palace, which was earlier resounding with tomtoms, large drums and Meghas( musical instruments which sound like rumbling of clouds) was now filled with wails and cries and fallen on evil days. Thus completes 39th chapter of ayodhya Kanda in glorious Valmiki Ramayana, the work of a sage and the oldest epic. Verse Locator for Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya : Chapter 39 Top of Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 © May 2002, K. M. K. Murthy