Chapter 40

Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

VERSE 1

अथ रामः च सीता च लक्ष्मणः च कृत अन्जलिः
उपसम्गृह्य राजानम् चक्रुर् दीनाः प्रदक्षिणम्

atha rāmaḥ ca sītā ca lakṣmaṇaḥ ca kṛta anjaliḥ
upasamgṛhya rājānam cakrur dīnāḥ pradakṣiṇam

SYNONYMS

atha: then | rāmaśca: Rama | sītāca: Seetha | lakśmaṇasca: as Lakshmana | dīnāḥ: who felt miserable | upasamgṛhya: bowed down by touching the feet | rājānam: of the king | pradakṣiṇam cakruḥ: went round him clockwise | kṛtānjaliḥ: with joined palms. |

TRANSLATION

Then, Rama Seetha and Lakshmana, who felt miserable, bowed down by touching the feet of the king and went round him clockwise with joined palms.

VERSE 2

तम् च अपि समनुज्ञाप्य धर्मज्ञः सीतया सह
राघवः शोक सम्मूढो जननीम् अभ्यवादयत्

tam ca api samanujñāpya dharmajñaḥ sītayā saha
rāghavaḥ śoka sammūḍho jananīm abhyavādayat

SYNONYMS

samanujñaḥ: after taking leave | tam: of Dasaratha | rāghavaḥ: Rama | dharmañaḥ: who know what is right | sītayāsaha: along with seetha | abhyavādayat: bowed | jananīm: to his mother Kausalya | śokasammūdhaḥ: stupefied by sorrow. |

TRANSLATION

After taking leave of Dasaratha, Rama who knew what is right and stood confounded by sorrow, bowed along with Seetha to Kausalya.

VERSE 3

अन्वक्षम् लक्ष्मणो भ्रातुः कौसल्याम् अभ्यवादयत्
अथ मातुः सुमित्राया जग्राह चरणौ पुनः

anvakṣam lakṣmaṇo bhrātuḥ kausalyām abhyavādayat
atha mātuḥ sumitrāyā jagrāha caraṇau punaḥ

SYNONYMS

anvakṣam: Immediately following | bhrātuḥ: his brother | lakṣmanaḥ: Lakshmana | abhyavādayat: bowed | kausalyām: to Kausalya | atha: then | punaḥ: again | jagrāha: clasped | caraṇau: the feet | sumitrāyāḥ: of Sumintra | mātuḥ: his mother. |

TRANSLATION

Immediately following his brother, Lakshmana too bowed to Kausalya, then clasped the feet of his mother Sumitra.

VERSE 4

तम् वन्दमानम् रुदती माता सौमित्रिम् अब्रवीत्
हित कामा महा बाहुम् मूर्ध्नि उपाघ्राय लक्ष्मणम्

tam vandamānam rudatī mātā saumitrim abravīt
hita kāmā mahā bāhum mūrdhni upāghrāya lakṣmaṇam

SYNONYMS

upāghrāya: smelling | mūrdhani: the head | lakśmaṇam: of Lakshmana | mahābāhum: the mighty armed | vandamānam: who was saluting her | mātā: his mother | hitakāmā: who wished well of him | abravīt: spoke | rudatī: weeping | soumitrim: to that son of hers. |

TRANSLATION

Smelling (as a token of affection) the head of Lakshmana mighty armed, who was saluting her, his mother Sumitra who wished well of him, spoke weepin, to that son of her ( as follows)

VERSE 5

सृष्टः त्वम् वन वासाय स्वनुरक्तः सुहृज् जने
रामे प्रमादम् मा कार्षीः पुत्र भ्रातरि गच्चति

sṛṣṭaḥ tvam vana vāsāya svanuraktaḥ suhṛj jane
rāme pramādam mā kārṣīḥ putra bhrātari gaccati

SYNONYMS

svanuraktaḥ: highly fond | suhṛjjane: of your kinsman Rama | tvam: you | sṛṣṭaḥ: have been permitted(by me) | vanavāsāya: to dwell in the forest | putra: Oh son! maa karshhiiH = do not | pramādam: neglect | bhrātari: your half-brother | rāme: Rama | gacchati: who is going ( to the forest) |

TRANSLATION

"Highly fond of your kinsman Rama, you have been pemitted (by me) to dwell in the forest(with your eldest half-brother). Do not neglect your half-brother). Do not neglect your half-brother Rama, who is going to the forest, my son!"

VERSE 6

व्यसनी वा समृद्धो वा गतिर् एष तव अनघ
एष लोके सताम् धर्मः यज् ज्येष्ठ वशगो भवेत्

vyasanī vā samṛddho vā gatir eṣa tava anagha
eṣa loke satām dharmaḥ yaj jyeṣṭha vaśago bhavet

SYNONYMS

anagha: "Oh | sinless one! vysanīvā: whether in adversity | samṛddhovā: or in riches | eṣaḥ: that | gatiḥ: is refuge | tava: to you | bhave yat: it should become | dharmaḥ: code of conduct | satām: of the virtuous | loka: in the world | jyeṣṭhavaśagaḥ: younger brother should be subject to the control of his elder brother." |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, sinless one! Whether in adversity or in riches, he alone is refugee to you. It should become the code of conduct in the world, that younger brother should be subject to the control of his elder brother."

VERSE 7

इदम् हि वृत्तम् उचितम् कुलस्य अस्य सनातनम्
दानम् दीक्षा च यज्ञेषु तनु त्यागो मृधेषु च

idam hi vṛttam ucitam kulasya asya sanātanam
dānam dīkṣā ca yajñeṣu tanu tyāgo mṛdheṣu ca

SYNONYMS

idam: this | vṛttamhi: is ideed a practice | ucitam: right | sanātanam: from ancient times | kulasya: in your race | dānam: of making gifts | dīkṣāca: of dedicating oneself to | yajñeṣu: performance of sacrificial rites | tanutyāgaḥ ca: and of forsaking the body | mṛdheṣu: in battles. |

TRANSLATION

"It is indeed a practice right from ancient times in your race, to make gifts, to dedicate onself to performance of sacrificial rites and to foresake one's body to fight battles."

VERSE 8

लक्स्मणम् त्वेवम्क्त्वा सा संसिद्धम् प्रियराघवम्
सुमित्रा गच्छ गच्छेति पुनः पुनरुवाच तम्

laksmaṇam tvevamktvā sā saṃsiddham priyarāghavam
sumitrā gaccha gaccheti punaḥ punaruvāca tam

SYNONYMS

evam: thus | uktvā: speaking | lakṣmanam: to Lakshmana | samsiddham: who was in readiness (to leave the forest) | priya rāghavam: and who loved Rama dearly | : that | sumitrā: Sumitra | punaḥ: punaH = again and again | uvāca: said | tam: to him | iti: thus | gaccha: "fare forth!" |

TRANSLATION

Thus speaking to Lakshmana, who was in readiness to leave the forest and who loved Rama dearly, Sumitra repeatedly said to him, "fare forth, fare forth!"

VERSE 9

रामम् दशरथम् विद्धि माम् विद्धि जनक आत्मजाम्
अयोध्याम् अटवीम् विद्धि गच्च तात यथा सुखम्

rāmam daśaratham viddhi mām viddhi janaka ātmajām
ayodhyām aṭavīm viddhi gacca tāta yathā sukham

SYNONYMS

vidhdhhi: consider | rāmam: Rama | daśaratham: to be Dasaratha | janakātmajām: Seetha the daughter of Janaka | mām: as myself | aṭavīm: forest | ayodhyām: as Ayodhya | gaccha: depart | yathāsukham: happily | tāta: my son! |

TRANSLATION

"Know Rama to be Dasaratha. Look upon Seetha the daughter of Janaka as myself. Consider the forest as Ayodhya and depart happily, my son!"

VERSE 10

ततः सुमन्त्रः काकुत्स्थम् प्रान्जलिर् वाक्यम् अब्रवीत्
विनीतः विनयज्ञः च मातलिर् वासवम् यथा

tataḥ sumantraḥ kākutstham prānjalir vākyam abravīt
vinītaḥ vinayajñaḥ ca mātalir vāsavam yathā

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | sumantraḥ: Sumantra | vinītaḥ: the humble man | vinayajñaśca: who was aware of humility | prāñjaliḥ: with joined palms | abravīt: spoke | vākyam: (these) words | kākutthsam: to Rama | vāsavam yathā: as to Indra (ruler of gods) maatalih = Matali(charioteer of Indra) |

TRANSLATION

Then, Sumantra the humble man, who was aware of humility, joined his palms and spoke these words to Rama even as Matali(charioteer of Indra) would to Indra (the ruler of gods).

VERSE 11

रथम् आरोह भद्रम् ते राज पुत्र महा यशः
क्षिप्रम् त्वाम् प्रापयिष्यामि यत्र माम् राम वक्ष्यसि

ratham āroha bhadram te rāja putra mahā yaśaḥ
kṣipram tvām prāpayiṣyāmi yatra mām rāma vakṣyasi

SYNONYMS

āroha: "mount | ratham: the chariot | mahāyaśaḥ: oh | rājaputra: prince! bhadram = may al be well | te: with you! praapayishhyaami = I shall take | tvām: you | kṣipram: speedily | yatra: wherever | vakṣyasi: you tell" |

TRANSLATION

"Mount the chariot, oh the highly illustrious prince! May all be well with you! I shall take you speedily, wherever you direct me to go."

VERSE 12

चतुर् दश हि वर्षाणि वस्तव्यानि वने त्वया
तानि उपक्रमितव्यानि यानि देव्या असि चोदितः

catur daśa hi varṣāṇi vastavyāni vane tvayā
tāni upakramitavyāni yāni devyā asi coditaḥ

SYNONYMS

tvayā: by you | vastavyāni: to be resided | vane: in the forest | caturdaśa: for fourteen | varṣāṇi: years | yāni: which years | coditaḥ asi: were directed to you | devyā: by the queen | tāni: those | upakramitavyāni: are considered to have commenced |

TRANSLATION

"you have to reside in the forest for fourteen years. Those years, as directed by the queen, are to be considered having commenced."

VERSE 13

तम् रथम् सूर्य सम्काशम् सीता हृष्टेन चेतसा
आरुरोह वर आरोहा कृत्वा अलम्कारम् आत्मनः

tam ratham sūrya samkāśam sītā hṛṣṭena cetasā
āruroha vara ārohā kṛtvā alamkāram ātmanaḥ

SYNONYMS

kṛtvā: having | alamkāram: adorned | ātmanaḥ: herself | sītā: Seetha | varārohā: with her comely buttocks | āruroha: mounted | hṛṣṭena: with a delighted | cetasā: mind | ta ratham: that chariot | surya samkāśam: which was shining like the sun. |

TRANSLATION

Having adorned herself, Seetha with her comely buttocks, mounted with a delighted mind, that chariot which was shining like the sun.

VERSE 14

तथैव आयुध जातानि भ्रातृभ्याम् कवचानि च
रथ उपस्थे प्रतिन्यस्य सचर्म कठिनम् च तत्

tathaiva āyudha jātāni bhrātṛbhyām kavacāni ca
ratha upasthe pratinyasya sacarma kaṭhinam ca tat

SYNONYMS

atho: thereafter | rāmalakṣmaṇau: Rama and Lakshmana | bhrātarau: the brothers | tūrṇam: quickly | āruruhatuḥ: mounted | tam: that chariot | jvalasamkāśam: which was resplendent like fire | cāmīkara vibhūṣitam: and decked with gold. |

TRANSLATION

Thereafter, Rama and Lakshmana the brothers quickly mounted that chariot, which was replendent like fire and decked with gold.

VERSE 15

वनवासम् हि सम्ख्यय वासांस्याभरणानि च
भर्तारमनुगच्छन्त्यै सीतायै श्वशुरो ददौ

vanavāsam hi samkhyaya vāsāṃsyābharaṇāni ca
bhartāramanugacchantyai sītāyai śvaśuro dadau

SYNONYMS

sītāyai: for Seetha | anugacchantyai: who was accompanying | bhartāram: her husband | śvaśuraḥ: the father in law(Dasaratha) | dadau: gave away | vāsāmsi: garments | ābharaṇānica: and jewellery | samkhyāya: taking into enumeration | vana vāsam: her stay in the forest. |

TRANSLATION

For Seetha who was accompanying with her husband, Dasaratha gave away garments and jewellery, taking into consideration the period for which she had to stay in the forest.

VERSE 16

तथैवायुधजालानि भ्रातृभ्याम् कवचानि च
रथोपस्थे प्रतिन्यस्य सचर्म कठिनम् च तत्

tathaivāyudhajālāni bhrātṛbhyām kavacāni ca
rathopasthe pratinyasya sacarma kaṭhinam ca tat

SYNONYMS

17| tathaiva: In like manner | bhrātṛthyām: for the brother | pratinyasya: keeping | jālāni: the sets of weapons | kavacānica: armour | kaṭhinamca: of hard make | sacarma: with leather = cover | rathopasthe: in the middle of the chariot | sumantraḥ: Sumantra | dṛṣṭvā: saw | sitātṛtīyān: the three of whom Seetha constituted the third | ārūdhān: mounted | ācodayat: drove | dhṛṣṭam: quickly | aśvān: the horses | sammatān: which were highly admired | jave: with swiftness | vāynvega samān: like velocity of wind. |

TRANSLATION

Even so for the two brothers, keeping the sets of weapon, an armour of hard make with leather-cover in the midst of the chariot, Sumantra saw the three of whom Seetha constituted the third mounted and quickly drove the horses which were highly admired, with their swiftness resembling the velocity of wind.

VERSE 18

प्रयाते तु महा अरण्यम् चिर रात्राय राघवे
बभूव नगरे मूर्च्चा बल मूर्च्चा जनस्य च

prayāte tu mahā araṇyam cira rātrāya rāghave
babhūva nagare mūrccā bala mūrccā janasya ca

SYNONYMS

rāghave: Rama | pratiyāte: after departing | mahāraṇye: to the great forest | cirarātrāya: for a long term | mūrcchā: unconsciousness | babhūva: prevailed | nagare: in the city | balamūrcchāca: (there was) faintness in strength | janasya: of people. |

TRANSLATION

Rama after departing to the great forest for a long term, unconsciousness prevailed in the city. There was faintness in the strength of people.

VERSE 19

तत् समाकुल सम्भ्रान्तम् मत्त सम्कुपित द्विपम्
हय शिन्जित निर्घोषम् पुरम् आसीन् महा स्वनम्

tat samākula sambhrāntam matta samkupita dvipam
haya śinjita nirghoṣam puram āsīn mahā svanam

SYNONYMS

tat puram: that city | āsīt: became | ākula sambhrāntam: filled with flurry | matta sankupita dvipam: with its elephants intoxicated in rut and highly excited (as they were) layashiNjita nirghoshham = resonant with tinkling of ornaments of horses |

TRANSLATION

The city( of Ayodhya) is filled with flurry, with its elephants intoxicated in rut and highly excited and resonant with tinkling of ornaments of horses.

VERSE 20

ततः सबाल वृद्धा सा पुरी परम पीडिता
रामम् एव अभिदुद्राव घर्म आर्तः सलिलम् यथा

tataḥ sabāla vṛddhā sā purī parama pīḍitā
rāmam eva abhidudrāva gharma ārtaḥ salilam yathā

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: thereafter | sā purī: that city | sabāla vṛddhā: including the youngsters and the old | parama pīḍitā: stricken with | abhidudrāva: ran towards | rāmam eva: Rama alone | salilam yathā: like towards water | gharmārtah: the one afflicted with heat (of the sun). |

TRANSLATION

That city, including the youngsters and the old, stricken with extreme agony, ran towards Rama alone, in the same way as the one afflicted with heat of the sun rushes towards water.

VERSE 21

पार्श्वतः पृष्ठतः च अपि लम्बमानाः तत् उन्मुखाः
बाष्प पूर्ण मुखाः सर्वे तम् ऊचुर् भृश दुह्खिताः

pārśvataḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ ca api lambamānāḥ tat unmukhāḥ
bāṣpa pūrṇa mukhāḥ sarve tam ūcur bhṛśa duhkhitāḥ

SYNONYMS

lambāmānāḥ: having down toards | pārśvataḥ: sides | pṛṣṭhataścaiva: and back | sarve: all those people | tadanmukhāḥ: with their faces turned towards him | bhāṣpapūrṇamukhāḥ: with their faces filled with tears | bhṛśanisvanāh: with loud voices | ūcuḥ: said | tam: to him(Sumantra) |

TRANSLATION

Having down towards sides and back of the chariot with their faces turned towards Rama and with their faces filled with tears, all those people said with loud voices to Sumantra thus:

VERSE 22

सम्यच्च वाजिनाम् रश्मीन् सूत याहि शनैः शनैः
मुखम् द्रक्ष्यामि रामस्य दुर्दर्शम् नो भविष्यति

samyacca vājinām raśmīn sūta yāhi śanaiḥ śanaiḥ
mukham drakṣyāmi rāmasya durdarśam no bhaviṣyati

SYNONYMS

sūta: Oh | chariotīr! samayaccha: hold in | raśmīn: the reins | vājinām: of the horses | yāhi: (and) go | śanaiḥ śanaiḥ: slowly and slowly | drakṣyāmaḥ: we would behold | mukham: the face | rāmasya: Rama | bhaviṣyati: which would be | durdarśam: difficult to behold | saḥ: for us. |

TRANSLATION

"Hold in the reins of the horses and go slowly and slowly, Oh charioteer! We would behold the face of Rama, which would be henceforth difficult to behold for us"

VERSE 23

आयसम् हृदयम् नूनम् राम मातुर् असंशयम्
यद् देव गर्भ प्रतिमे वनम् याति न भिद्यते

āyasam hṛdayam nūnam rāma mātur asaṃśayam
yad deva garbha pratime vanam yāti na bhidyate

SYNONYMS

hṛdayam: the heart | rāma mātuḥ: of Rama's mother(Kausaly) nuunam = surely asamshayam = undoubtedely | āyasam: is made of iron | yat: since | na bhidyat: it does not get broken | deva garbha pratime: (when) Rama resembling an affspring of gods | yāti: is going | vanam: to the forest. |

TRANSLATION

"The heart of Rama's mother(Kausalya) is surely and undoubtedly made of iron, since it does not get broken when Rama resembling an offspring of gods is going to the forest"

VERSE 24

कृत कृत्या हि वैदेही चाया इव अनुगता पतिम्
न जहाति रता धर्मे मेरुम् अर्क प्रभा यथा

kṛta kṛtyā hi vaidehī cāyā iva anugatā patim
na jahāti ratā dharme merum arka prabhā yathā

SYNONYMS

vaidehī: Seetha (the princess of Videha kingdom) kR^ita kR^ityaa = has done what ought to be done | anugatā: by going after | chayaiva: like a shadow | ratā: delighted | dharme: in virtue | na jahāti: does not leave | patim: her husband | yathā meru: like Mount Meru | arka prabhā: the efflugence of the sun. |

TRANSLATION

"Seetha(the princess of Videha kingdom) has done what ought to be done, by going along with him like a shadow, delighted in virtue as she was and does not leave her husband in the same way as Mount Meru does not leave the efflugence of sun"

VERSE 25

अहो लक्ष्मण सिद्ध अर्थः सतताम् प्रिय वादिनम्
भ्रातरम् देव सम्काशम् यः त्वम् परिचरिष्यसि

aho lakṣmaṇa siddha arthaḥ satatām priya vādinam
bhrātaram deva samkāśam yaḥ tvam paricariṣyasi

SYNONYMS

lakṣmaṇa: Oh | ḻakśmana! yaḥ tvam: since you | paracariṣyasi: are attending | satatam: ever | bhrātaram: to your brother | priyavādinam: who speaks affectionately | devasamkāśam: and in equal to the god | aho: Ah | siddharthaḥ: the accomplisher of purpose! |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Lakshmana! You are attending ever to your brother who speaks affectionately and is equal to the god. Ah, you are the accomplisher of purpose!"

VERSE 26

महति एषा हि ते सिद्धिर् एष च अभ्युदयो महान्
एष स्वर्गस्य मार्गः च यद् एनम् अनुगच्चसि

mahati eṣā hi te siddhir eṣa ca abhyudayo mahān
eṣa svargasya mārgaḥ ca yad enam anugaccasi

SYNONYMS

eṣā: It | mahatī: is immense | siddhi: fulfilment | te: for you | eṣaḥ: it | mahān: is tremendous | abhyandayaḥ: good fortune | mārgaśca: is even means | svargasya: to heaven | anugacchasi iti yat: that you are following | enam: this Rama. |

TRANSLATION

"It is an immense fulfilment for you, it is a tremendous good fortune for you, nay, it is even a means to heaven that you are following this Rama"

VERSE 27

एवम् वदन्तः ते सोढुम् न शेकुर् बाष्पम् आगतम्
अथ राजा वृतः स्त्रीभिर् दीनाभिर् दीन चेतनः

evam vadantaḥ te soḍhum na śekur bāṣpam āgatam
atha rājā vṛtaḥ strībhir dīnābhir dīna cetanaḥ

SYNONYMS

vadantaḥ: saying | evam: so | te narāḥ: those people | na śekuḥ: were not able | sodhum: to restrain | bāṣpam: their tears | āgatam: that come | anugacchantaḥ: and followed | tam: the Rama | priyam: their beloved | ikṣvāku nandanam: delight of the Ikshvaakus. |

TRANSLATION

Saying so, those people were not able to restrain their tears that come and followed that Rama, their beloved delight of the Ikshvakus.

VERSE 28

अथ राजा वृतः स्त्रीभिर्दीनाभिर्दीनचेतनः
निर्जगाम प्रियम् पुत्रम् द्रक्ष्यामि इति ब्रुवन् गृहात्

atha rājā vṛtaḥ strībhirdīnābhirdīnacetanaḥ
nirjagāma priyam putram drakṣyāmi iti bruvan gṛhāt

SYNONYMS

atha: then | rājā: the king | dīnacetanaḥ: with the distressed min | bruvan: saying | dakṣyāniti: that he would behold | priyam: his beloved | putram: son | nirjagāma: came out | gṛhāt: of his palace | vṛtaḥ: surrounded | strībhiḥ: by women | dīnābhiḥ: who were dejected. |

TRANSLATION

Then, the king with the distressed mind, saying that he would behold his beloved saw, came out of his palace surrounded by women who were too dejected.

VERSE 29

शुश्रुवे च अग्रतः स्त्रीनाम् रुदन्तीनाम् महा स्वनः
यथा नादः करेणूनाम् बद्धे महति कुन्जरे

śuśruve ca agrataḥ strīnām rudantīnām mahā svanaḥ
yathā nādaḥ kareṇūnām baddhe mahati kunjare

SYNONYMS

agrataḥ: In front of him | śuśruve: was heard | mahāsvanaḥ: a huge noise | rudantīnām: of crying | strīṇām: women | nādaḥ yathā: echoing like trumpeting | kareṇūnām: of female elephants | mahati kuṇjare: (when) a lordly elephant | baddhe: has been pinoned. |

TRANSLATION

In front of him was heard a huge noise of crying women, echoing like trumpeting of female elephants when a lordly elephant has been pinioned.

VERSE 30

पिता च राजा काकुत्स्थः श्रीमान् सन्नः तदा बभौ
परिपूर्णः शशी काले ग्रहेण उपप्लुतः यथा

pitā ca rājā kākutsthaḥ śrīmān sannaḥ tadā babhau
paripūrṇaḥ śaśī kāle graheṇa upaplutaḥ yathā

SYNONYMS

tadā: then | kāle: at that time | pitā hi: the father as is well known | śrīmān: as a glorious | rājā: king | kākutsthaḥ: Dasaratha( a scion of Kakutstha) abhavat = becoame | sannaḥ: shrunk | pūrṇa śaśīyathā: like a full moon | upaplutaḥ: overshadowed | graheṇa: by an eclipse. |

TRANSLATION

At that time, the father of Rama as is well known as a glorious king Dasaratha(a scion of Kakutstha) looked shrunk, like the full moon oversadowed by an eclipse.

VERSE 31

स च श्रीमानचिन्त्यात्मा रामो दशरथात्मजः
सूतम् संचोदयामास त्वरितम् वाह्यतामिति

sa ca śrīmānacintyātmā rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ
sūtam saṃcodayāmāsa tvaritam vāhyatāmiti

SYNONYMS

saḥ: then | śrīmān: glorious | daśarathātmazaḥ: son of Dasaratha | acintyātmā: of inconceivable courage | samcodayāmāsa: directed | sūtam: the charioteer | iti: thus | vāhyatām: "Let it be driven | tvaritam: fast" |

TRANSLATION

That glorious son of Dasaratha(Rama) of inconceivable courage, directed the charioteer in the words "Let the chariot be driven fast."

VERSE 32

रामो याहीति सूतम् तम् तिष्ठेति स जनस्तदा
उभयम् नाशकत्सूतः कर्तुमध्वनि चोदितः

rāmo yāhīti sūtam tam tiṣṭheti sa janastadā
ubhayam nāśakatsūtaḥ kartumadhvani coditaḥ

SYNONYMS

tathā: then | rāmaḥ: Rama(commanded) | tamsūtam: that charioteer | iti: with the words | yāhi: "Move on!" janaH = the people | tiṣṭha: "stop!" choditaH = urged | adhvani: on the passage | sūtaḥ: the charioteer | nāśakat: could not | kartum: do | ubhayam: both. |

TRANSLATION

Rama commanded that charioteer with the words "Move on!" The people said to him "stop!" Urged on the passage, the charioteer could not do both.

VERSE 33

निर्गच्छति महाबाहौ रामे पौरजनाश्रुभिः
पतितैरभ्यवहितम् प्रशशाम महीरजः

nirgacchati mahābāhau rāme paurajanāśrubhiḥ
patitairabhyavahitam praśaśāma mahīrajaḥ

SYNONYMS

ṃahīrajaḥ: the dust | abhyavahitam: raised on the road | nirgacchati: due to moving out | rāme: of Rama | mahābāhau: the mighty armed | praśaśāma: was suppressed | patitaiḥ: by the falling | paurajanāśrubhiḥ: tears of the citizens. |

TRANSLATION

The dust raised on the road due to moving out of mighty armed Rama, was suppressed by the falling tears of the citizens.

VERSE 34

रुदिताश्रुपरिद्यूनम् हाहाकृतमचेतनम्
प्रयाणे राघवस्यासीत्पुरम् परमपीडितम्

ruditāśruparidyūnam hāhākṛtamacetanam
prayāṇe rāghavasyāsītpuram paramapīḍitam

SYNONYMS

rudirāśru paridyūnam: Wet with wailing tears | hāhākṛtam: (and) loud cries | puram: the city (of Ayodhya) prayaaNe = at that time of departure | rāghavasya: of Rama | āsīt: became | acetanam: unconscious | paramapīditam: with deep agony. |

TRANSLATION

With full of wailing tears, the citizens of after making loud cries became unconscious with deep agony, at the time of departure of Rama.

VERSE 35

सुस्राव नयनैः स्त्रीणामस्रमायाससम्भवम्
मीनसम्क्षोभचलितैः सलिलम् पङ्कजैरिव

susrāva nayanaiḥ strīṇāmasramāyāsasambhavam
mīnasamkṣobhacalitaiḥ salilam paṅkajairiva

SYNONYMS

asram: Tears | āyāsasambhavam: born of anguish | susrāva: flowed | nayanaiḥ: from the eyes | strīṇām: of women | salilamiva: like(drops of) water | paṇkajaiḥ: from lotuses | mīna samkṣobhacalitaiḥ: by the commation of fist. |

TRANSLATION

Tears born of anguish flowed from the eyes of women like(drops of) water falling from lotuses by the commotion of fish.

VERSE 36

दृष्ट्वा तु नृपतिः श्रीमानेकचित्तगतम् पुरम्
निपपातैव दुःखेन हतमूल इव द्रुमः

dṛṣṭvā tu nṛpatiḥ śrīmānekacittagatam puram
nipapātaiva duḥkhena hatamūla iva drumaḥ

SYNONYMS

dṛṣṭvā: Seeing | puram: the city | ekacittagatam: with singleness of mind | śrīmān: the glorious | nṛpatiḥ: monarch | nipapātaiva: fell down | duḥkhena: with agony | drumaḥ iva: like a tree | hatamūlaḥ: sain at its root. |

TRANSLATION

Seeing the city with singleness of mind, the glorious monarch Dasaratha fell down with agony, like a tree slain at its root.

VERSE 37

ततओ हल हला शब्दो जज्ञे रामस्य पृष्ठतः
नराणाम् प्रेक्ष्य राजानम् सीदन्तम् भृश दुह्खितम्

tatao hala halā śabdo jajñe rāmasya pṛṣṭhataḥ
narāṇām prekṣya rājānam sīdantam bhṛśa duhkhitam

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: thereafter | prekṣya: seeing | rājānam: the king | sīdantam: becoming feeble | bṛśaduḥkhitam: and much distress | halahalaśabdaḥ: the out cry | narāṇam: of the people | jañe: rose | pṛṣṭataḥ: from the rear | rāmasya: of Rama. |

TRANSLATION

Thereafter, seeing the king becoming feeble and much distressed, the outery of the people rose from the rear of Rama.

VERSE 38

हा राम इति जनाः केचित् राम माता इति च अपरे
अन्तः पुरम् समृद्धम् च क्रोशन्तम् पर्यदेवयन्

hā rāma iti janāḥ kecit rāma mātā iti ca apare
antaḥ puram samṛddham ca krośantam paryadevayan

SYNONYMS

kacit: some | janāḥ: poeple | krośantaḥ: crying | hā rāmeti: "Oh Rama!" apare = and some others | rāmamāteti: "Oh Rama's mother!" paryadevayan antHpuram samR^iddhamcha = and made the entire gynaecium to weap. |

TRANSLATION

Some poeple crying "Oh, Rama!" and some other scrying "Oh, Rama's mother!", made the entire women in the gynaecium to weap.

VERSE 39

अन्वीक्षमाणो रामः तु विषण्णम् भ्रान्त चेतसम्
राजानम् मातरम् चैव ददर्श अनुगतौ पथि

anvīkṣamāṇo rāmaḥ tu viṣaṇṇam bhrānta cetasam
rājānam mātaram caiva dadarśa anugatau pathi

SYNONYMS

anvīkṣamānaḥ: looking back | rāmastu: Rama | dadarśa: saw | rājānam: the king | viṣaṇṇam: sorrowful | bhrāntacetasam: and perplexed in mind | mātaram caiva: as well as his mother | anugatau: following(him) pathi = on the road. |

TRANSLATION

Looking back, Rama saw the king sorrowful and perplexed in mind, as well as his mother following (him) on the road.

VERSE 40

स बद्ध इव पाशेन किशोरो मातरम् यथा
धर्मपाशेन सम्क्षिप्तः प्रकाशम् नाभुदैक्षत

sa baddha iva pāśena kiśoro mātaram yathā
dharmapāśena samkṣiptaḥ prakāśam nābhudaikṣata

SYNONYMS

saḥ: Rama | samkṣiptaḥ: bound | dharmapāśena: by the chord of righteousness | nābhyudaikṣata: could not behold those parents | prakāśam: openly | kiśoraḥ iva: as a (foal) | baddhaḥ: caught | pāśena: in a snare | mātaram yathā: its dam. |

TRANSLATION

Rama, bound by the chord of righteousness, could not gaze openly at his parents, as a foal caught in asnare would not properly look at its dam.

VERSE 41

पदातिनौ च यान अर्हाव् अदुह्ख अर्हौ सुख उचितौ
दृष्ट्वा संचोदयाम् आस शीघ्रम् याहि इति सारथिम्

padātinau ca yāna arhāv aduhkha arhau sukha ucitau
dṛṣṭvā saṃcodayām āsa śīghram yāhi iti sārathim

SYNONYMS

dṛṣṭvā: seeing(then) padaatinau = coming by foot | yānārhau: (through) worthy of a chariot | sukhocitau: habituated to comfort | avaduḥkhārhau: unworthy of suffering | samcodayāmāsa: commanded | sarathim: the charioteer | iti: thus | yāhi: "Drive | śīghram: fast!" |

TRANSLATION

Seeing them coming by foot, though worthy of a chariot, habituated to comfort and unworthy of suffering, Rama commanded the charioteer with words: "Drive fast!"

VERSE 42

न हि तत् पुरुष व्याघ्रः दुह्खदम् दर्शनम् पितुः
मातुः च सहितुम् शक्तः तोत्र अर्दितैव द्विपः

na hi tat puruṣa vyāghraḥ duhkhadam darśanam pituḥ
mātuḥ ca sahitum śaktaḥ totra arditaiva dvipaḥ

SYNONYMS

puruṣvyāghraḥ: Rama | duḥkhadam: feeling pained | dvipaḥ iva: as an elephant | totrārditaḥ: pricked by a good | na śaktaḥ hi: was indeed not able | sahitum: to bear | tat: that | darśanam: sight | pituḥ: of his father | mātuśca: and his mother. |

TRANSLATION

Rama the tiger among men, feeling pained, as an elephant being pricked by a good, indeed was not able to bear that plight of his father and his mother.

VERSE 43

प्रत्यगारमिवायान्ती वत्सला वत्सकारणात्
बद्धवत्सा यथा धेनू राममाताभ्याधावत

pratyagāramivāyāntī vatsalā vatsakāraṇāt
baddhavatsā yathā dhenū rāmamātābhyādhāvata

SYNONYMS

rāmamātā: Rama's mother(Kausalya) abhyadhaavata = ran towards her son | dhanuḥ iva: as a cow | baddha vatsā: whose calf stands tied | vatsalā: fond of her calf | āyāntī: coming | agāram prati: home | vatsa kāraṇāt yathā: for her calf. |

TRANSLATION

Rama's mother (Kausalya) ran towards her son, as a cow fond of her calf and whose calf is tied(in a stall), runs home for her calf.

VERSE 44

तथा रुदन्तीम् कौसल्याम् रथम् तम् अनुधावतीम्
क्रोशन्तीम् राम राम इति हा सीते लक्ष्मण इति च

tathā rudantīm kausalyām ratham tam anudhāvatīm
krośantīm rāma rāma iti hā sīte lakṣmaṇa iti ca

SYNONYMS

45| saḥ: Rama | askṛt: again and again | praikṣata: saw | tām kausalyām: that Kausalya | mātaram: his mohter | rudantīm: who was crying | tathā: thus | anudhāvantīm: running after | tam ratham: that chariot | mṛtyantīm iva: as though dancing | krośantīm: shouting | rāma rāmeti: Oh | ṟama! hā sīte: Oh | ṣītha! lakśmaṇetica: and Oh | sravantīm: trickling | vāri: tears | netrajam: decended from the eyes | rāmalakśmaṇa sītārtham: for the sake of Rama |

TRANSLATION

Rama again and again saw that Kausalya, his mother who was crying thus, running after that chariot as though dancing, shouting"Oh, Rama, Rama!" "Oh, Seetha!" and "Oh, Lakshmana!" trickling tears descending from her eyes for the sake of Rama Lakshmana and Seetha.

VERSE 46

तिष्ठ इति राजा चुक्रोष याहि याहि इति राघवः
सुमन्त्रस्य बभूव आत्मा चक्रयोः इव च अन्तरा

tiṣṭha iti rājā cukroṣa yāhi yāhi iti rāghavaḥ
sumantrasya babhūva ātmā cakrayoḥ iva ca antarā

SYNONYMS

daśaratha: Dasaratha | cukrośa: exclaimed saying | tiṣeti: "Stop!" raaghavaH = Rama | yāhiyāhi iti: "go on | procīd!" ātmā: the mind | sumantrasya: of Sumantra | babhūya: became | antarā iva: as in between | cakrayoḥ: two whirl-pools. |

TRANSLATION

Dasaratha exclaimed saying "Stop!" while Rama called out "Go on, proceed!" (In that way) Sumantra's mind became confused, as in between two (opposing) whirl pools.

VERSE 47

न अश्रौषम् इति राजानम् उपालब्धो अपि वक्ष्यसि
चिरम् दुह्खस्य पापिष्ठम् इति रामः तम् अब्रवीत्

na aśrauṣam iti rājānam upālabdho api vakṣyasi
ciram duhkhasya pāpiṣṭham iti rāmaḥ tam abravīt

SYNONYMS

rāmaḥ: Rama | abravīt: said | tam: to him | iti: thus | vakṣyasi: "you can say | rajānām: to the king | nāśrauṣamiti: that you did not hear | upālabdho'pi: even when scolded | duḥkham: (seeing) their gief | ciram: for a long tiem | pāpiṣṭam: is a very wicked thing. |

TRANSLATION

Rama said to him: "You can say to the king that you did not hear (his call), even when scolded (later). seeing their grief for a long time is quite unbearbale."

VERSE 48

रामस्य स वचः कुर्वन्न् अनुज्ञाप्य च तम् जनम्
व्रजतः अपि हयान् शीघ्रम् चोदयाम् आस सारथिः

rāmasya sa vacaḥ kurvann anujñāpya ca tam janam
vrajataḥ api hayān śīghram codayām āsa sārathiḥ

SYNONYMS

sārathiḥ: the charioteer | kurvan: doing | rāmasya: (as per) Rama's | vacaḥ: words | anuñāpya: taking leave of | tam: those | janam: citizens | codayāmāsa: driven | hayān: the horses | śīghram: (more) speedily | vrajoto'pi: even when they are proceeding. |

TRANSLATION

The charioteer, doing as per Rama's words, took leave of those citizens and drive the horses more speedily even while they are going.

VERSE 49

न्यवर्तत जनो राज्ञो रामम् कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्
मनसा अपि अश्रु वेगैः च न न्यवर्तत मानुषम्

nyavartata jano rājño rāmam kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam
manasā api aśru vegaiḥ ca na nyavartata mānuṣam

SYNONYMS

rāñaḥ: the king's | janaḥ: people | nyavartata: returned | rāmam: Rama | māmṣam: the mankind | nanyavartata: did not return | manasā'pi: with their mind | aśruvegiśca: or the impulse of their tears. |

TRANSLATION

The king's people returned after (mentally) going round Rama. Their minds did not return. Their impulse of tears also did not get reduced.

VERSE 50

यम् इच्चेत् पुनर् आयान्तम् न एनम् दूरम् अनुव्रजेत्
इति अमात्या महा राजम् ऊचुर् दशरथम् वचः

yam iccet punar āyāntam na enam dūram anuvrajet
iti amātyā mahā rājam ūcur daśaratham vacaḥ

SYNONYMS

amātyāḥ: the ministers | ūcuḥ: spoke | vacaḥ: these words | māhārajam: to the king | daśaratham: Dasaratha | iti: thus | yam: to who | icchet: (we) desire(him) aayantam = to come | punaḥ: again | enam: to him | nānuprajet: we | dūram: to a long distance. |

TRANSLATION

The ministers spoke to king Dasaratha as follows:" We should not follow to a long distance him whom we wish to see come back."

VERSE 51

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये अयोध्य काण्डे चत्वारिंशः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye ayodhya kāṇḍe catvāriṃśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

niśamya: hearing | teṣām: their | vacaḥ: words | sarvaguṇopapannam: which were befitting with all virtues | rājā: the king | kṛpaṇaḥ: felt miserable | vyasthitaḥ: stopped short | īkṣamāṇaḥ: gazing | sa bhāryaḥ: along with his wife | tam sutam: at that son(Rama) | prasvinnagātraḥ: with his body pesspiring | praviṣaṇṇarūpaḥ: and wearing a dejected appearance. |

TRANSLATION

Hearing their words, which were befilting with all virtues, the king Dasaratha felt miserable, stopped short, gazing along with his wife, at his son Rama, with his whole body perspiring and wearing a dejected look. Thus completes 40th chapter in the AyodhyaKanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic. Verse Locator for Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya : Chapter 40 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 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 © June 2002, K. M. K. Murthy