Chapter 54

Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

VERSE 1

ते तु तस्मिन् महा वृक्षौषित्वा रजनीम् शिवाम्
विमले अभ्युदिते सूर्ये तस्मात् देशात् प्रतस्थिरे

te tu tasmin mahā vṛkṣauṣitvā rajanīm śivām
vimale abhyudite sūrye tasmāt deśāt pratasthire

SYNONYMS

uṣṭvā: having spent | śivām: the beautiful | rajanīm: night | tasmin mahā vṛkṣe: under that big tree | te: they (Rama | pratasthire: started | tasmāt deśāt: from that place | sūrye: (when the) sun | vimale abhyndite: had clearly risen. |

TRANSLATION

Having spent the beautiful night under the big tree, Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana started from that place when the immaculate sun had risen.

VERSE 2

यत्र भागीरथी गन्गा यमुनाम् अभिवर्तते
जग्मुस् तम् देशम् उद्दिश्य विगाह्य सुमहद् वनम्

yatra bhāgīrathī gangā yamunām abhivartate
jagmus tam deśam uddiśya vigāhya sumahad vanam

SYNONYMS

3| vigāhya: having entered deeply into | sumahat: a fairly extensive | vanam: forest | te: they | yaśasvinaḥ: the illustrious trios | paśyantaḥ: seeing | vividhān: many | bhūmibhāgān: stretches of land | tatra tatra: and at some places | manoramān: attractive | deśāmścāpi: spots | adṛṣṭa pūrvān: never seen before | jagmuḥ: went | uddiśya: in the | tam deśam: of that region | yatra: where | yamunā: the River Yamuna | abhipravartate: was flowing forth | gaṇgām: towards River Ganga | bhagīrathīm: associated with name of Emperor Bhagiratha. |

TRANSLATION

Having penetrated into a deep forest, they the illustrious trios, while seeing many stretches of land and at some places, attractive scenery never seen before, proceeded in the direction of that region where river Yamuna was flowing forth towards river Ganga, associated with the name of Emperor Bhagiratha.

PURPORT

Comment: Emperor Bhagiratha had the credit of bringing down the stream to the terrestrial plane by dint of his devotion and austerities in order to purify the ashes of his departed grand uncles.
VERSE 4

यथा क्षेमेण गच्चन् स पश्यम्ः च विविधान् द्रुमान्
निवृत्त मात्रे दिवसे रामः सौमित्रिम् अब्रवीत्

yathā kṣemeṇa gaccan sa paśyamḥ ca vividhān drumān
nivṛtta mātre divase rāmaḥ saumitrim abravīt

SYNONYMS

paśyamśca: observing | vividhān: various | drumān: trees | gaccān: while walking | yathākṣemena: at ease | saḥ rāmaḥ: that Rama | abravīt: spoke | saumitram: to lakshmaNa | divase: (when) the day | nivṛttamātre: had just receded. |

TRANSLATION

Observing various trees while walking at ease, Rama spoke to Lakshmana (as follows) when the day had just receded.

VERSE 5

प्रयागम् अभितः पश्य सौमित्रे धूमम् उन्नतम्
अग्नेर् भगवतः केतुम् मन्ये सम्निहितः मुनिः

prayāgam abhitaḥ paśya saumitre dhūmam unnatam
agner bhagavataḥ ketum manye samnihitaḥ muniḥ

SYNONYMS

paśya: perceive | saumitra: Oh | dhūmām: the smoke | unnatam: (looking) prominent | ketum: as a sign | bhagavataḥ: of the glorious god | agneḥ: of fire | prayāgam abhitaḥ: near Prayaga (the confluence of the holy Ganga and Yamuna rivers) | manye: I think | muniḥ: the sage (Bharadwaja) | sannihitaḥ: (is staying0 nearby. |

TRANSLATION

"Perceive, Oh Lakshmana, the smoke looking prominent as a sign of the glorious god of fire near Prayaga (the confluence of the holy Ganga and Yamuna rivers). I think that sage Bharadwaja is staying nearby."

VERSE 6

नूनम् प्राप्ताः स्म सम्भेदम् गन्गा यमुनयोः वयम्
तथा हि श्रूयते शम्ब्दो वारिणा वारि घट्टितः

nūnam prāptāḥ sma sambhedam gangā yamunayoḥ vayam
tathā hi śrūyate śambdo vāriṇā vāri ghaṭṭitaḥ

SYNONYMS

sma: "Indeed | nūnam: certainly | vayam: we | prāptāḥ: have reached | sambhedam: the confluence | gaṅgāyamunayoḥ: of rivers | tathā hi: yes | śabdaḥ: the noise | vāriṇovārighaṭṭitaḥ: produced by clashing of waters | śrūyate: is heard." |

TRANSLATION

"We have certainly reached the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Yes, the noise produced by clashing of waters is heard."

VERSE 7

दारूणि परिभिन्नानि वनजैः उपजीविभिः
भरद्वाज आश्रमे च एते दृश्यन्ते विविधा द्रुमाः

dārūṇi paribhinnāni vanajaiḥ upajīvibhiḥ
bharadvāja āśrame ca ete dṛśyante vividhā drumāḥ

SYNONYMS

dārūṇi: "Pieces of timber | paribhinnāni: split up | upajīvibhiḥ: by men dependent upon | vanajaiḥ: forest-products | ete drumāśca: as also these trees | vividhāḥ: of various kinds | dṛṣyante: are seen | bharadvājāśrame: in the hermitage of Bharadwaja." |

TRANSLATION

"Pieces of timber split up by men who are dependent upon forest-products, as also these trees of various kinds are seen in the hermitage of Bharadwaja."

VERSE 8

धन्विनौ तौ सुखम् गत्वा लम्बमाने दिवा करे
गन्गा यमुनयोह् संधौ प्रापतुर् निलयम् मुनेः

dhanvinau tau sukham gatvā lambamāne divā kare
gangā yamunayoh saṃdhau prāpatur nilayam muneḥ

SYNONYMS

gatvā: having walked | sukham: comfortably | tau: Rama and Lakshmana | dhanvinau: wielding the bows | prāpatuḥ: reached | nilayam: the abode | muneḥ: of the sage Bhardwaja | sandhuau: near the confluence of | gaṅgāyamunayoḥ: rivers Ganga and Yamuna | divākare: (while) the Sun | lambamāne: was falling to the west. |

TRANSLATION

Having walked comfortably, Rama and Lakshmana wielding their bows, reached the abode of the sage Bhardwaja, near the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna, while the Sun was falling to the west.

VERSE 9

रामः तु आश्रमम् आसाद्य त्रासयन् मृग पक्षिणः
गत्वा मुहूर्तम् अध्वानम् भरद्वाजम् उपागमत्

rāmaḥ tu āśramam āsādya trāsayan mṛga pakṣiṇaḥ
gatvā muhūrtam adhvānam bharadvājam upāgamat

SYNONYMS

āsādya: having reached | āśramam: the hermitage | trāsayan: and scaring | mṛga pakṣiṇaḥ: the beasts and birds(by his very appearance as a bowman) | gatvā: and having proceeded | adhvānam: on the intervening path | muhūrtam: for a while | rāmaḥ: Rama | upāgamat: approached | bharadvājam: (the vicinity of) Bharadwaja. |

TRANSLATION

Having reached the hermitage and scaring the beasts and birds (by his very appearance as a bowman) and having proceeded on the intervening path for a while, Rama approached the vicinity of Bharadwaja.

VERSE 10

ततः तु आश्रमम् आसाद्य मुनेर् दर्शन कान्क्षिणौ
सीतया अनुगतौ वीरौ दूरात् एव अवतस्थतुः

tataḥ tu āśramam āsādya muner darśana kānkṣiṇau
sītayā anugatau vīrau dūrāt eva avatasthatuḥ

SYNONYMS

āsādya: having arrived | asśramam: at the hermitage | vīrau: the two valiant princes | darśanakāṅkṣiṇau: who wished to see | muneḥ: the sage | amugatai: accompanied | sītayā: by Seetha | tataḥ: then | avatasthatuḥ: stood off | dūrādeva: at some distance. |

TRANSLATION

Arriving at the hermitage, the two valiant princes, who wished to see the sage, accompanied by Seetha, halted at first at some distance off.

VERSE 11

स प्रविश्य महात्मानमृषिम् शिष्यगणैर्वऋतम्
संशितव्रतमेकाग्रम् तपसा लब्धचक्षुषम्

sa praviśya mahātmānamṛṣim śiṣyagaṇairvaṛtam
saṃśitavratamekāgram tapasā labdhacakṣuṣam

SYNONYMS

12| praveśya: entering | dṛṣṭvaiva: and | beholding: mahaatmaanam = the high-souled | ṛṣim: sage | samśitavaratam: of vivid vows | ekāgram: who had acquired undivided attention | cakṣuṣam: his glance | labdha: sharpened | tapasā: through severe meditation | vṛtam: surrounded | gaṇaiḥ: by a group of disciples | hutāgnihotram: who had kindled | mahābhāgam: the highly fortunate man | saḥ rāmaḥ: that Rama | saumitriṇā sārtham: together with Lakshmana | sītāyāca: and Seetha | abhyavādayat: greeted him with joined palms. |

TRANSLATION

Entering the hermitage and beholding the high-souled sage who was austere and contemplative, his glance sharpened through severe meditation, surrounded by a group of disciples, who had kindled sacrificial fire, the highly fortunate man as he was, Rama together with Lakshmana and Seetha greeted him with joined palms.

VERSE 13

न्यवेदयत च आत्मानम् तस्मै लक्ष्मण पूर्वजः
पुत्रौ दशरथस्य आवाम् भगवन् राम लक्ष्मणौ

nyavedayata ca ātmānam tasmai lakṣmaṇa pūrvajaḥ
putrau daśarathasya āvām bhagavan rāma lakṣmaṇau

SYNONYMS

lakśmaṇapūrvajaḥ: Rama(the elder brother of Lakshmana) | nyavedayata: introduced | ātmānam: himself | tasmai: to the sage (as follows:) | bhagavan: Oh | venerable sage! avām: we both | rāmalakṣmaṇau: are Rama and Lakshmana | putrau: the sons | daśarathasya: of Dasharatha. |

TRANSLATION

Rama (the elder brother of Lakshmana) introduced himself to the sage as follows: "Oh venerable sage! We both are Rama and Lakshmana the sons of Dasaratha."

VERSE 14

भार्या मम इयम् वैदेही कल्याणी जनक आत्मजा
माम् च अनुयाता विजनम् तपो वनम् अनिन्दिता

bhāryā mama iyam vaidehī kalyāṇī janaka ātmajā
mām ca anuyātā vijanam tapo vanam aninditā

SYNONYMS

iyam: "here is" mama = my | kalyāṇī: blessed | aninditā: and irreproachable | bharyā: wife | vaidehi: Seetha | janakātmajā: daughter of Janaka | anuyatā: who has accompanied | mām: me | vijanam: to the lonely | tapovanam: forest suitable for religious austerities" |

TRANSLATION

"Here is my blessed and irreproachable wife Seetha, daughter of Janaka who has accompanied me to the lonely forest suitable for religious austerities."

VERSE 15

पित्रा प्रव्राज्यमानम् माम् सौमित्रिर् अनुजः प्रियः
अयम् अन्वगमद् भ्राता वनम् एव दृढ व्रतः

pitrā pravrājyamānam mām saumitrir anujaḥ priyaḥ
ayam anvagamad bhrātā vanam eva dṛḍha vrataḥ

SYNONYMS

pravrājyamānam: "while I was being sent to exile | pitrā: by my father | ayam: this | priyaḥ: my beloved | anujaḥ: younger | bhrātā: brother | saumitriḥ: Lakshmana(son of Sumitra) | dṛḍhavrataḥ: of firm vows | anvagamat: has(also) followed | mām: me | vanameva: to the forest." |

TRANSLATION

"While I was being sent to exile by my father, my young and beloved brother Lakshmana (son of Sumitra) of firm vows has also followed me to the forest."

VERSE 16

पित्रा नियुक्ता भगवन् प्रवेष्यामः तपो वनम्
धर्मम् एव आचरिष्यामः तत्र मूल फल अशनाः

pitrā niyuktā bhagavan praveṣyāmaḥ tapo vanam
dharmam eva ācariṣyāmaḥ tatra mūla phala aśanāḥ

SYNONYMS

bhagavan: "Oh | venerable sage! niyuktāḥ: commanded | pitrā: by our father | pravekṣyāmaḥ: we shall enter | tapovanam: a forest suitable for austerities | tatra: there | cariṣyāmaḥ: we shall practise | dharmameva: asceticism alone | mūlaphalāśanā: living on roots and fruits." |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Venerable sage! Commanded by our father, we are entering a lonely forest to practise asceticism, living on roots and fruits."

VERSE 17

तस्य तत् वचनम् श्रुत्वा राज पुत्रस्य धीमतः
उपानयत धर्म आत्मा गाम् अर्घ्यम् उदकम् ततः

tasya tat vacanam śrutvā rāja putrasya dhīmataḥ
upānayata dharma ātmā gām arghyam udakam tataḥ

SYNONYMS

śrutvā: hearing | tat vacanam: that word | tasya: of that | dhīmataḥ: virtuous | rājaputrasya: prince(Rama) | dharmātmā: the pious minded Bharadwaja | tataḥ: then | upānayata: offered | gām: Madhuparka* | udakam: and water | arghyam: to wash his hands with. |

TRANSLATION

Hearing the words of that virtuous prince (Rama), the pious minded sage Bharadwaja then offered Madhuparka* as well as water to wash his hands with.

PURPORT

Comment: Madhuparka is a traditional offering which consists of a mixture of curds, butter, honey and the milk of the coconut as a welcome-drink.
VERSE 18

नानाविधानन्नरसान् वन्यमूलफलाश्रयान्
तेभ्यो ददौ तप्ततपा वासम् चैवाभ्यकल्पयत्

nānāvidhānannarasān vanyamūlaphalāśrayān
tebhyo dadau taptatapā vāsam caivābhyakalpayat

SYNONYMS

taptatapāḥ: the sage | dadau: gave | tebhyaḥ: them | annarasān: delicacies | nānāvidhān: of many kinds | vanyamūlaphalāśrayān: prepared from wild roots and fruits | abhi akalpayat: (and) arranged for | vāsamcaiva: their accommodation. |

TRANSLATION

The sage, who had practiced austerities, gave them various kinds of delicacies prepared from wild roots and fruits and also arranged accommodation for them.

VERSE 19

मृग पक्षिभिर् आसीनो मुनिभिः च समन्ततः
रामम् आगतम् अभ्यर्च्य स्वागतेन आह तम् मुनिः

mṛga pakṣibhir āsīno munibhiḥ ca samantataḥ
rāmam āgatam abhyarcya svāgatena āha tam muniḥ

SYNONYMS

abhyarcya: honouring | svāgatena: with words of welcome | muniḥ: the sage Bhardwaja | āsīnaḥ: seated | samantataḥ: being surrounded on all sides | mṛgapakṣibhiḥ: with beats | munibhiśca: and hermits | aha: spoke | tam rāmam: to that Rama (as follows) |

TRANSLATION

Honouring with words of welcome, the sage Bharadwaja seated, being surrounded on all sides with beasts, birds and hermits, spoke thus to Rama.

VERSE 20

प्रतिगृह्य च ताम् अर्चाम् उपविष्टम् स राघवम्
भरद्वाजो अब्रवीद् वाक्यम् धर्म युक्तम् इदम् तदा

pratigṛhya ca tām arcām upaviṣṭam sa rāghavam
bharadvājo abravīd vākyam dharma yuktam idam tadā

SYNONYMS

saḥ bharadvājaḥ: that Bharadwaja | abravīt: said | idam vākyam: these words | dharmayuktam: endowed with righteousness | tadā: then | rāghavam: to Rama | upaviṣṭam: who had since taken his seat | pratigṛhya: after accepting | tām: that | arcām: hospitality. |

TRANSLATION

Bharadwaja then said these endowed with righteousness to Rama, who had since taken his seat after accepting the aforesaid hospitality:

VERSE 21

चिरस्य खलु काकुत्स्थ पश्यामि त्वाम् इह आगतम्
श्रुतम् तव मया च इदम् विवासनम् अकारणम्

cirasya khalu kākutstha paśyāmi tvām iha āgatam
śrutam tava mayā ca idam vivāsanam akāraṇam

SYNONYMS

paśyāmi khalu: "In fact | tvām: you | āgatam: coming | iha: here | cirasya: after a long time | kākutstha: Oh scion of Kakutstha! idam = this | tava: your | akāraṇam: needless | vivāsanam: exile | śrutam ca: has also been heard | mayor: by me." |

TRANSLATION

"In fact, I am seeing you, arriving here after a long time, Oh scion of Kakutstha! And I have heard of your unjust banishment."

VERSE 22

अवकाशो विविक्तः अयम् महा नद्योह् समागमे
पुण्यः च रमणीयः च वसतु इह भगान् सुखम्

avakāśo viviktaḥ ayam mahā nadyoh samāgame
puṇyaḥ ca ramaṇīyaḥ ca vasatu iha bhagān sukham

SYNONYMS

ayam: this | avakāśaḥ: place | samāgame: at the confluence | mahānadyoḥ: of the two great rivers | viviktaḥ: is secluded | puṇyaśca: sacred | ramaṇīyaśca: and delightful | bhavān: you | vasatu: dwell | iha: here | sukham: comfortably." |

TRANSLATION

"This holy place at the confluence of the two rivers is secluded and delightful. You stay here comfortably."

VERSE 23

एवम् उक्तः तु वचनम् भरद्वाजेन राघवः
प्रत्युवाच शुभम् वाक्यम् रामः सर्व हिते रतः

evam uktaḥ tu vacanam bharadvājena rāghavaḥ
pratyuvāca śubham vākyam rāmaḥ sarva hite rataḥ

SYNONYMS

vacanam: these words | uktam: having been spoken | evam: thus | bharadvājena: by Bharadwaja | rāmaḥ: Rama | rāghavaḥ: born in Raghu dynasty | rataḥ: interested | sarvahite: in the welfare of all | pratyuvāca: replied | śubham: in these pleasant | vākyam: words. |

TRANSLATION

Addressed in these words by Bharadwaja, Rama, born in Raghu dynasty, for his part, interested in the welfare of all, replied in the following pleasant words.

VERSE 24

भगवन्न् इताअसन्नः पौर जानपदो जनः
सुदर्शमिह माम् प्रेक्ष्य मन्ये।अह मिममाश्रमम्

bhagavann itāasannaḥ paura jānapado janaḥ
sudarśamiha mām prekṣya manye|aha mimamāśramam

SYNONYMS

25| janaḥ: the people | paurajānapadaḥ: of the city and the rural folk | bhagavan: Oh venerable sir | āsannaḥ: are nearer | iha: at this place | mām: me | sudarśam: easy to behold | janaḥ: people | prekṣakaḥ: keen to see | vaidehīm: Seetha | mām capi: and myself | aham: I | manye: presume | āgamiṣyati: will make their appearance | imam āśramam: at this hermitage. |

TRANSLATION

"The people of the city and the rural folks Oh venerable sir, are nearer to this place. Finding me easy to see at this place, people keen to see Seetha and myself, I presume, will make their appearance at this hermitage. For this reason, I do not wish to stay here."

VERSE 26

एक अन्ते पश्य भगवन्न् आश्रम स्थानम् उत्तमम्
रमते यत्र वैदेही सुख अर्हा जनक आत्मजा

eka ante paśya bhagavann āśrama sthānam uttamam
ramate yatra vaidehī sukha arhā janaka ātmajā

SYNONYMS

paśya: "See | uttamam: some excellent | āśramasthānam: site for a hermitage | ekānte: in some lonely place | bhagavan: Oh venereal sir | yatra: where | vaidehī: Seetha | janakātmajā: daughter of Janaka | sukhārhā: who deserves comfort | rameta: may find delight." |

TRANSLATION

"See some excellent Seetha suitable for a hermitage in some lonely place, Oh venerable sir, where Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, who is worthy of every comfort, may find delight in it."

VERSE 27

एतत् श्रुत्वा शुभम् वाक्यम् भरद्वाजो महा मुनिः
राघवस्य ततः वाक्यम् अर्थ ग्राहकम् अब्रवीत्

etat śrutvā śubham vākyam bharadvājo mahā muniḥ
rāghavasya tataḥ vākyam artha grāhakam abravīt

SYNONYMS

śrutvā: hearing | etat: these | śubham: auspicious | vākyam: words. | rāghavasya: of Rama | bharadvājaḥ: Bharadwaja | mahā muniḥ: the great sage | tataḥ: then | abravīt: spoke | arthagrāhakam: suggestive |

TRANSLATION

Hearing these auspicious words of Rama, Bharadwaja the great sage then for his part spoke these suggestive words.

PURPORT

The said commentator. According to the latest measurements, the distance is calculated as eighty miles. Making allowance for the difference in the standard of measurement abtaining in those days the figure arrived at by the learned commentator appears to be fairly concet.
VERSE 28

दश क्रोशैतः तात गिरिर् यस्मिन् निवत्स्यसि
महर्षि सेवितः पुण्यः सर्वतः सुख दर्शनः

daśa krośaitaḥ tāta girir yasmin nivatsyasi
maharṣi sevitaḥ puṇyaḥ sarvataḥ sukha darśanaḥ

SYNONYMS

29| daśakrośe: sixty miles* | itaḥ: from here | tātaḥ: dear son | puṇyaḥ: (lies) a sacred | giriḥ: mountain | yatra: on which | nivatsyasi: you will take up your dwelling | maharṣi sevitaḥ: which region is inhabited by great sage | sukha darśanaḥ: is charming to look at | sarvataḥ: from all sides | golāṇgauulacaritaḥ: infested by the black species of monkeys with a long tail | vānara rakṣaniṣevitaḥ: haunted by apes and bears | khyātaḥ: known by the name | citrakūtaḥ iti: of Chitrakuta | gandhamādana sannibhaḥ: which closely resembles Gandhamadana mountain. |

TRANSLATION

"Sixty miles from here, dear son, lies a sacred mountain on which you may takeup your dwelling, which region is inhabited by great sages, is charming to look at from all sides, infested by the black species of monkeys with a long tail, haunted by apes and bears, known by the name of Chitrakuta and which closely resembles Gandha maadana mountain."

PURPORT

The author of commentary known by the name of Ramayana Siromani'construes the word Dasha' in the sense that it should be split up as Dasha cha, Dasha cha, Dasha cha(meaning three times then = thirty Kroshes) Since 1 krosh= 2 miles, 30 kroshes= 60 miles and thus approximate to the figure worked out by the said commentator. According to the latest measurements, the distance is calculated as eighty miles. Making allowance for the difference in the standard of measurement abtaining in those days the figure arrived at by the learned commentator appears to be fairly concet.
VERSE 30

यावता चित्र कूटस्य नरः शृन्गाणि अवेक्षते
कल्याणानि समाधत्ते न पापे कुरुते मनः

yāvatā citra kūṭasya naraḥ śṛngāṇi avekṣate
kalyāṇāni samādhatte na pāpe kurute manaḥ

SYNONYMS

yāvatā: " As long as naraH = a man | avekṣate: observes | śṛṇgāni: the peaks | citrakūtasya: of Chitrakuta mountain | samādhatte: he will perform | kalyāṇāni: virtuous acts | nakurute: and never sets | manaḥ: his mind | pāpe: on sin." |

TRANSLATION

"As long as a man observes the peaks of Chitrakuta mountain, he will perform virtuous deeds and will never set his mind on a sin."

VERSE 31

ऋषयः तत्र बहवो विहृत्य शरदाम् शतम्
तपसा दिवम् आरूधाः कपाल शिरसा सह

ṛṣayaḥ tatra bahavo vihṛtya śaradām śatam
tapasā divam ārūdhāḥ kapāla śirasā saha

SYNONYMS

tatra: there( on that mountain) | bhavaḥ: many | ṛṣayaḥ: sages | śaradām śatam: (having spent) hundred winters | tapasā: in austerities | vihṛtya: as though in sport | ārūdhāḥ: ascended | divam: to heaven | kapāla śirasā saha: in company of Shiva (attaining final emancipation) |

TRANSLATION

"On that mountain, many sages having spent hundred years in austerities as though in sport , ascended to heaven, duly attaining their final emancipation."

PURPORT

Kapaala Shiras is the name of Shiva which means happiness or final emancipation.
VERSE 32

प्रविविक्तम् अहम् मन्ये तम् वासम् भवतः सुखम्
इह वा वन वासाय वस राम मया सह

praviviktam aham manye tam vāsam bhavataḥ sukham
iha vā vana vāsāya vasa rāma mayā saha

SYNONYMS

aham: "I | manye: consider | tam vāsam: that abode(on the mountain) praviviktam = to be a very lonely | sukham: and comfortable one | bhavataḥ: for you | iha vā: or here itself | vasa: stay | mayā saha: with me | vanavāsāya: for the period of exile | rāma: Oh |

TRANSLATION

"I consider that mountain to be a very lonely and comfortable place for you to live in. Orelse stay with m here itself, during the period of your exile, Oh Rama!"

VERSE 33

स रामम् सर्व कामैअः तम् भरद्वाजः प्रिय अतिथिम्
सभार्यम् सह च भ्रात्रा प्रतिजग्राह धर्मवित्

sa rāmam sarva kāmaiaḥ tam bharadvājaḥ priya atithim
sabhāryam saha ca bhrātrā pratijagrāha dharmavit

SYNONYMS

saḥ bharadvājaḥ: that Bharadwaja | dharmavit: the pious man | pratijagrāha: entertained | priyātithim: his beloved guest | tam rāmam: that Rama | sa bhāryam: with his consort | bhrātrā sahaca: and with his brother Lakshmana | sarvakāmaiḥ: with all desired objects. |

TRANSLATION

The pious sage Bharadwaja fulfilled all desires of Rama; who was his beloved guest and who was accompanied by his consort, Seetha and his brother, Lakshmana.

VERSE 34

तस्य प्रयागे रामस्य तम् महर्षिम् उपेयुषः
प्रपन्ना रजनी पुण्या चित्राः कथयतः कथाः

tasya prayāge rāmasya tam maharṣim upeyuṣaḥ
prapannā rajanī puṇyā citrāḥ kathayataḥ kathāḥ

SYNONYMS

tasya rāmasya: (while) that Rama | upeynṣaḥ: having approached | tam maharṣim: that great sage | prayāge: at Prayaga(the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna) | kathayataḥ: was talking | citrāh: on various | kathāḥ: matters | puṇyā: the auspicious | rajanī: night | prasannā: arrived. |

TRANSLATION

While Rama, having approached that great sage at Prayaga(the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna), was discoursing on various topics, the auspicious night arrived.

VERSE 35

सीतातृतीय काकुत्स्थह् परिश्रान्तः सुखोचितः
भरद्वाजाश्रमे रम्ये ताम् रात्रि मवस्त्सुखम्

sītātṛtīya kākutsthah pariśrāntaḥ sukhocitaḥ
bharadvājāśrame ramye tām rātri mavastsukham

SYNONYMS

pariśrāntaḥ: greatly fatigued | kākutsthaḥ: Rama(scion of Kakutstha) siitaatR^itiiyaH = (accompanied by) Seetha as the third (Lakshmana being the second) | sukhocitaḥ: and desered all comforts | suham: happily | avasat: spent | tām rātrim: that night | ramie: at the lovely | bhardvājāśrame: hermitage of Bharadwaja. |

TRANSLATION

Greatly fatigued, Rama(Scion of Kakutstha) accompanied by Seetha as the third (Lakshmana being the second) who was accustmed to all comforts, happily spent that night at the lovely hermitage of Bharadwaja.

VERSE 36

प्रभातायाम् रजन्याम् तु भरद्वाजम् उपागमत्
उवाच नर शार्दूलो मुनिम् ज्वलित तेजसम्

prabhātāyām rajanyām tu bharadvājam upāgamat
uvāca nara śārdūlo munim jvalita tejasam

SYNONYMS

rajan yam: (when) the night | prabhātāyām: was gleaming into a dawn | naraśārdūlaḥ: Rama | upāgamat: approached | munim: the sage | bharadvājam: Bharadwaja | jvalita tejasam: gleaming with resplendence | uvāca: (and) spoke (as follows). |

TRANSLATION

When the night was gleaming into a dawn, Rama the lion among men approached the sage Bharadwaja, who was gleaming with resplendence and spoke as follows:

VERSE 37

शर्वरीम् भवनन्न् अद्य सत्य शील तव आश्रमे
उषिताः स्म इह वसतिम् अनुजानातु नो भवान्

śarvarīm bhavanann adya satya śīla tava āśrame
uṣitāḥ sma iha vasatim anujānātu no bhavān

SYNONYMS

uṣitāḥ sma: " we have stayed | iha tava āśrame: in this | śarvarīm: for the night | bhagavan: Oh | satya śīla: practicing truthfulness ! adya = now | bhavān: you | anujānātu: give permission | naḥ: to us | vasatim: for fixing our residence." |

TRANSLATION

"We have lodged in your hermitage tonight, Oh venerable sir! (Pray) you give us permission for fixing our residence now, Oh sage practicing truthfulness !"

VERSE 38

रात्र्याम् तु तस्याम् व्युष्टायाम् भरद्वाजो अब्रवीद् इदम्
मधु मूल फल उपेतम् चित्र कूटम् व्रज इति ह

rātryām tu tasyām vyuṣṭāyām bharadvājo abravīd idam
madhu mūla phala upetam citra kūṭam vraja iti ha

SYNONYMS

tasyām: that | rātryām: night | vyuṣṭāyām: having come to an end | bharadvāja: Bhardwaja | abravīt: spoke | idam: these words | iti: thus | vraja: "proceed | citrakūtam: to Chitrakuta | madhu mūla phalopetam: rich in honey |

TRANSLATION

That night having come to an end, Bharadwaja replied for his part, as follows: "Proced to Chitrakuta, rich in honey, tubers and fruits."

VERSE 39

वासमौपयिकम् मन्ये तव राम महाबल
नानानगगणोपेतः किन्नरोरगसेवितह्

vāsamaupayikam manye tava rāma mahābala
nānānagagaṇopetaḥ kinnaroragasevitah

SYNONYMS

40| manye: "I consider | vāsam: the abode(of Chitakuta) | oupayikam: the right place | tava: for you | rāma: Oh Rama | mahā bala: possessed of great strength! Bhavataa = you | gamyatām: set off for | saḥ: that | viśrutaḥ: well known | puṇyaśca: sacred | ramaṇīyaśca: and lovely | citrakūṭa śailaḥ: mountain | nānāgagaṇopetaḥ: which is adorned with clusters of trees of every description | kinnaroraga sevitaḥ: frequented by Kinnaras and Nagas | mayūra nādābhirutaḥ: is rendered charming by the cries of peapcocks | gaja raja niveṣitaḥ: and infested with lordly elephants | bahumūla phalāyutaḥ: and bountiful with tubers and fruits. |

TRANSLATION

"I consider the abode of Chitrakuta as the right place for you to stay, Oh Rama, possessed of great strength! You set off for that well-known, sacred and lovely mountain, Chitrakuta which is adoned with clusters of trees of every description, frequented by Kinnaras and Nagas, is rendered charming by the cried of peacocks and infested with lordly elephants and bountiful with tubers and fruits."

VERSE 41

तत्र कुन्जर यूथानि मृग यूथानि च अभितः

tatra kunjara yūthāni mṛga yūthāni ca abhitaḥ

SYNONYMS

kiṇjarayūthami: (since) herds of elephants | mṛgayūthani: and troops of deer | vicaranti: wander | abhitaḥ: all around | vanānte: in the woodlands | tatra: there | drakṣyasi: you will visibly notice | tāni: them | rāghava: Oh rama! |

TRANSLATION

"Since herds of elephants and troops of deer wander all around in the woodlands there, you will visibly notice them Oh Rama!"

VERSE 42

सरित्प्रस्रवणप्रस्थान् दरीकन्धरनिर्घरान्

saritprasravaṇaprasthān darīkandharanirgharān

SYNONYMS

carataḥ: Roaming about | sītayā sārtham: with Seetha | tava: your | manaḥ: mind | nandiṣyati: will be delighted(to see) saritprasravaNaprasthaan = rivers | darīkandara nirjharān: fissures in rocks |

TRANSLATION

"Roaming about with Seetha, your mind will be delighted to see rivers, cascades, peaks of mountains, fissures in rocks, caves and rivulets."

VERSE 43

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुःपंचाशः सर्गः

ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye ayodhyākāṇḍe catuḥpaṃcāśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

samavāsa: Settle down | āśramam: in a hermitage | āsādya: after reaching | śivam: the auspicious | suramyam: and absolutely beautiful | vasudhādharam: Chitrakuta mountain | vināditam: reverberant in all directions | prahṛṣṭakoyaṣṭika kokila svanaiḥ: with the notes of small white craves and cuckoo birds | bahubhiḥ: and with many | mṛgaiśca: deer and | kuṇjaraiśca: elephants | mattaiḥ: in rut." |

TRANSLATION

"After reaching the auspicious and absolutely beautiful Chitrakuta mountain, reveberant in all direction with the notes of small white cranes and cucukoo birds as well as with many kinds of deer and elephants in rut, settle down there in a hermitage."