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Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 110: Anasūyā’s gifts and Sītā’s story
Summary. Sītā receives clothing, ornaments and unfading cosmetic, then recounts her earth-birth, the bow and marriage
Sequence
- Sītā responds that she understands this commitment and describes Rāma's kindness, restraint, and respect for the women of his family (2.110.1–6)
- she recalls the guidance of her mother at the wedding and Kausalyā before the exile, saying Anasūyā has reinforced it (2.110.7–12)
- pleased, Anasūyā offers to grant a wish through her tapas → Sītā says she is already content (2.110.13–16)
- Anasūyā nevertheless gives her divine clothing, ornaments, a garland, and an unfading cosmetic (2.110.17–21)
- she then asks Sītā to recount how she married Rāma. (2.110.22–25)
- Sītā begins with her birth: while Janaka was ploughing, she emerged from the opened earth → the childless King took her up as his daughter, a voice from the sky confirmed the relationship, and his Queen raised her (2.110.26–32)
- when she reached marriageable age, Janaka worried about finding a suitable husband for a daughter with such an unusual origin → he decided to hold a contest (2.110.33–37)
- in this account, Varuṇa had given Janaka a mighty bow and two inexhaustible quivers at a sacrifice → Janaka set the lifting and stringing of the bow as the condition for marrying her → the assembled Kings could not lift it and withdrew (2.110.38–42)
- Rāma later arrived with Viśvāmitra and Lakṣmaṇa → he bent and strung the bow, breaking it with a great crash → Janaka offered Sītā to him, but Rāma would not marry without his father's approval → Daśaratha was summoned, Sītā married Rāma, and Ūrmilā married Lakṣmaṇa → Sītā ends by affirming the marriage she has remained devoted to. (2.110.43–52)
Verses 2.110.1–52
2.110.1
sā tv evam uktā vaidehī anasūyān asūyayā
pratipūjya vaco mandaṃ pravaktum upacakrame
But Vaidehī, thus addressed by Anasūyā who is free from all envy, honored her words and gently began to speak.
Words: sā — she; tv — but; evam — thus; uktā — addressed; vaidehī — Vaidehī; anasūyān asūyayā — by Anasūyā, who is free from envy; pratipūjya — having honored, revered; vaco — the words; mandaṃ — softly, gently; pravaktum — to speak; upacakrame — began
2.110.2
naitad āścaryam āryāyā yan māṃ tvam anubhāṣase
viditaṃ tu mamāpy etad yathā nāryāḥ patir guruḥ
“This that you, noble lady, say to me is no wonder; for I too know this — that for a woman the husband is her guru.
Words: naitad — this is not; āścaryam — a wonder; āryāyā — on the part of the noble lady; yan — that; māṃ — to me; tvam — you; anubhāṣase — you say, tell; viditaṃ — known; tu — but, indeed; mamāpy — to me too; etad — this; yathā — that, how; nāryāḥ — for a woman; patir — the husband; guruḥ — (is) guru, superior
2.110.3
yady apy eṣa bhaved bhartā mamārye vṛttavarjitaḥ
advaidham upavartavyas tathāpy eṣa mayā bhavet
Even if, noble lady, this husband of mine were devoid of good conduct, still he would have to be served by me without duplicity.
Words: yady apy — even if; eṣa — this; bhaved — were, should be; bhartā — husband; mamārye — my, O noble lady; vṛttavarjitaḥ — devoid of good conduct; advaidham — without duplicity, undividedly; upavartavyas — to be served, attended upon; tathāpy — yet, even so; eṣa — he; mayā — by me; bhavet — should be
2.110.4
kiṃ punar yo guṇaślāghyaḥ sānukrośo jitendriyaḥ
sthirānurāgo dharmātmā mātṛvartī pitṛ priyaḥ
How much more one who is praiseworthy for his virtues, compassionate, master of his senses, steadfast in love, righteous of soul, dutiful toward his mother and dear to his father!
Words: kiṃ punar — how much more; yo — who; guṇaślāghyaḥ — praiseworthy for his virtues; sānukrośo — compassionate; jitendriyaḥ — of conquered senses; sthirānurāgo — of steadfast affection; dharmātmā — righteous-souled; mātṛvartī — behaving dutifully toward his mother; pitṛ priyaḥ — dear to his father
2.110.5
yāṃ vṛttiṃ vartate rāmaḥ kausalyāyāṃ mahābalaḥ
tām eva nṛpanārīṇām anyāsām api vartate
The very conduct that the mighty Rāma shows toward Kausalyā, that same he shows toward the king's other women as well.
Words: yāṃ vṛttiṃ — which conduct; vartate — he behaves, conducts himself; rāmaḥ — Rāma; kausalyāyāṃ — toward Kausalyā; mahābalaḥ — the mighty; tām eva — that very; nṛpanārīṇām — toward the king's women; anyāsām — the other; api — also; vartate — he behaves
2.110.6
sakṛd dṛṣṭāsv api strīṣu nṛpeṇa nṛpavatsalaḥ
mātṛvad vartate vīro mānam utsṛjya dharmavit
Even toward women seen but once by the king, the hero — affectionate to the king and knowing dharma — behaves as toward a mother, laying aside all pride.
Words: sakṛd — once; dṛṣṭāsv — seen; api — even; strīṣu — toward women; nṛpeṇa — by the king; nṛpavatsalaḥ — affectionate to the king; mātṛvad — as toward a mother; vartate — behaves; vīro — the hero; mānam — pride, arrogance; utsṛjya — having cast off; dharmavit — the knower of dharma
2.110.7
āgacchantyāś ca vijanaṃ vanam evaṃ bhayāvaham
samāhitaṃ hi me śvaśrvā hṛdaye yat sthitaṃ mama
And as I was coming to this desolate and so fearsome forest, the counsel my mother-in-law impressed upon me has stayed firm-set in my heart.
Words: āgacchantyāś — of me as I was coming; ca — and; vijanaṃ — desolate, unpeopled; vanam — forest; evaṃ — thus, so; bhayāvaham — fear-bringing, fearsome; samāhitaṃ — impressed, enjoined; hi — for; me — by me; śvaśrvā — by my mother-in-law; hṛdaye — in the heart; yat — which; sthitaṃ — remains fixed; mama — my
2.110.8
prāṇipradānakāle ca yat purā tv agnisaṃnidhau
anuśiṣṭā jananyāsmi vākyaṃ tad api me dhṛtam
And the words with which my mother instructed me long ago at the giving of the hand, there in the presence of the sacred fire — those too I have kept.
Words: prāṇipradānakāle — at the time of the giving of the hand (in marriage); ca — and; yat — which; purā — formerly, long ago; tv — indeed; agnisaṃnidhau — in the presence of the fire; anuśiṣṭā — instructed; jananyāsmi — I was ... by my mother; vākyaṃ — the word, counsel; tad — that; api — too; me — by me; dhṛtam — held, kept
2.110.9
navīkṛtaṃ tu tat sarvaṃ vākyais te dharmacāriṇi
patiśuśrūṣaṇān nāryās tapo nānyad vidhīyate
All of that has now been renewed by your words, O righteous one; for a woman no austerity is ordained other than obedient service to her husband.
Words: navīkṛtaṃ — made new, renewed; tu — and, indeed; tat sarvaṃ — all that; vākyais — by the words; te — your; dharmacāriṇi — O righteous lady; patiśuśrūṣaṇān — than service to the husband; nāryās — for a woman; tapo — austerity; nānyad — no other; vidhīyate — is ordained
2.110.10
sāvitrī patiśuśrūṣāṃ kṛtvā svarge mahīyate
tathā vṛttiś ca yātā tvaṃ patiśuśrūṣayā divam
Sāvitrī, having rendered service to her husband, is exalted in heaven; and by adopting such conduct you too, through service to your husband, will reach heaven.
Words: sāvitrī — Sāvitrī; patiśuśrūṣāṃ — service to her husband; kṛtvā — having done, rendered; svarge — in heaven; mahīyate — is exalted, honored; tathā — likewise, so; vṛttiś — conduct; ca — and; yātā — adopted, followed; tvaṃ — you; patiśuśrūṣayā — by service to the husband; divam — to heaven
2.110.11
variṣṭhā sarvanārīṇām eṣā ca divi devatā
rohiṇī ca vinā candraṃ muhūrtam api dṛśyate
Best of all women, she is a goddess in heaven; and Rohiṇī is never seen apart from the Moon even for a moment.
Words: variṣṭhā — the best; sarvanārīṇām — of all women; eṣā — she; ca — and; divi — in heaven; devatā — (is) a goddess; rohiṇī — Rohiṇī (star-bride of the Moon); ca — and; vinā — without, apart from; candraṃ — the Moon; muhūrtam api — even for a moment; dṛśyate — is seen
2.110.12
evaṃvidhāś ca pravarāḥ striyo bhartṛdṛḍhavratāḥ
devaloke mahīyante puṇyena svena karmaṇā
And such excellent women, firm in their vows to their husbands, are exalted in the world of the gods by their own meritorious deeds.”
Words: evaṃvidhāś — of such kind; ca — and; pravarāḥ — excellent, foremost; striyo — women; bhartṛdṛḍhavratāḥ — firm in vows to their husbands; devaloke — in the world of the gods; mahīyante — are exalted; puṇyena — by meritorious; svena — their own; karmaṇā — deed
2.110.13
tato 'nasūyā saṃhṛṣṭā śrutvoktaṃ sītayā vacaḥ
śirasy āghrāya covāca maithilīṃ harṣayanty uta
Then Anasūyā, delighted to hear the words spoken by Sītā, kissed her on the head and, gladdening the Maithilī, said:
Words: tato — then; 'nasūyā — Anasūyā; saṃhṛṣṭā — delighted; śrutvoktaṃ — having heard the spoken (words); sītayā — by Sītā; vacaḥ — word; śirasy — on the head; āghrāya — having smelled (kissed); covāca — and said; maithilīṃ — the Maithilī (Sītā); harṣayanty — gladdening; uta — indeed
2.110.14
niyamair vividhair āptaṃ tapo hi mahad asti me
tat saṃśritya balaṃ sīte chandaye tvāṃ śucivrate
“Great austerity, gained through manifold observances, is indeed mine; relying on that power, O Sītā of pure vows, I offer you a wish of your choosing.
Words: niyamair — through observances; vividhair — various; āptaṃ — obtained; tapo — austerity; hi — indeed; mahad — great; asti — is; me — mine; tat — that; saṃśritya — relying on, resorting to; balaṃ — power; sīte — O Sītā; chandaye — I gratify, offer a wish to; tvāṃ — you; śucivrate — O you of pure vows
2.110.15
upapannaṃ ca yuktaṃ ca vacanaṃ tava maithili
prītā cāsmy ucitaṃ kiṃ te karavāṇi bravīhi me
kṛtam ity abravīt sītā tapobalasamanvitām
“Fitting and proper is your speech, O Maithilī, and I am pleased. Tell me — what suitable thing shall I do for you?” But Sītā answered the one endowed with the power of austerity, “It is already accomplished.”
Words: upapannaṃ — fitting, apt; ca — and; yuktaṃ — proper, right; ca — and; vacanaṃ — speech; tava — your; maithili — O Maithilī; prītā — pleased; cāsmy — and I am; ucitaṃ — suitable, fitting; kiṃ — what; te — for you; karavāṇi — shall I do; bravīhi — tell; me — me; kṛtam — (it is) done, accomplished; ity — thus; abravīt — said; sītā — Sītā; tapobalasamanvitām — to her endowed with the power of austerity
2.110.16
sā tv evam uktā dharmajñā tayā prītatarābhavat
saphalaṃ ca praharṣaṃ te hanta sīte karomy aham
But she, the knower of dharma, thus addressed by her, became even more pleased: “Ah, Sītā, I shall make your joy bear fruit!
Words: sā — she; tv — but; evam — thus; uktā — addressed; dharmajñā — the knower of dharma; tayā — by her; prītatarābhavat — became more pleased; saphalaṃ — fruitful; ca — and; praharṣaṃ — joy, delight; te — your; hanta — ah! indeed; sīte — O Sītā; karomy — I make; aham — I
2.110.17
idaṃ divyaṃ varaṃ mālyaṃ vastram ābharaṇāni ca
aṅgarāgaṃ ca vaidehi mahārham anulepanam
This heavenly, choice garland, this raiment and these ornaments, and a body-cosmetic, O Vaidehī, and a precious unguent —
Words: idaṃ — this; divyaṃ — divine, heavenly; varaṃ — choice, excellent; mālyaṃ — garland; vastram — raiment, garment; ābharaṇāni — ornaments; ca — and; aṅgarāgaṃ — body-cosmetic, unguent; ca — and; vaidehi — O Vaidehī; mahārham — very precious; anulepanam — unguent, salve
2.110.18
mayā dattam idaṃ sīte tava gātrāṇi śobhayet
anurūpam asaṃkliṣṭaṃ nityam eva bhaviṣyati
this, given by me, O Sītā, will beautify your limbs; suited to you and unfading, it will remain so forever.
Words: mayā — by me; dattam — given; idaṃ — this; sīte — O Sītā; tava — your; gātrāṇi — limbs, body; śobhayet — will beautify, may adorn; anurūpam — suitable, becoming; asaṃkliṣṭaṃ — unspoiled, unfading; nityam eva — forever indeed; bhaviṣyati — will be, remain
2.110.19
aṅgarāgeṇa divyena liptāṅgī janakātmaje
śobhayiṣyāmi bhartāraṃ yathā śrīr viṣṇum avyayam
O daughter of Janaka, with your limbs anointed by this divine cosmetic I shall make you grace your husband, as Śrī graces the imperishable Viṣṇu.
Words: aṅgarāgeṇa — with the body-cosmetic; divyena — divine; liptāṅgī — with anointed limbs; janakātmaje — O daughter of Janaka; śobhayiṣyāmi — I shall make (you) grace; bhartāraṃ — the husband; yathā — as; śrīr — Śrī (goddess of fortune); viṣṇum — Viṣṇu; avyayam — the imperishable
2.110.20
sā vastram aṅgarāgaṃ ca bhūṣaṇāni srajas tathā
maithilī pratijagrāha prītidānam anuttamam
That Maithilī accepted the raiment, the cosmetic, the ornaments, and the garlands too — that unsurpassed gift of love.
Words: sā — she; vastram — the raiment; aṅgarāgaṃ — the cosmetic; ca — and; bhūṣaṇāni — the ornaments; srajas — the garlands; tathā — likewise; maithilī — Maithilī; pratijagrāha — accepted, received; prītidānam — the gift of love; anuttamam — unsurpassed
2.110.21
pratigṛhya ca tat sītā prītidānaṃ yaśasvinī
śliṣṭāñjalipuṭā dhīrā samupāsta tapodhanām
And having received that gift of love, the illustrious, steadfast Sītā, with hollowed palms joined in reverence, sat attending upon the ascetic woman.
Words: pratigṛhya — having received; ca — and; tat — that; sītā — Sītā; prītidānaṃ — gift of love; yaśasvinī — the illustrious; śliṣṭāñjalipuṭā — with hollowed palms joined; dhīrā — steadfast, composed; samupāsta — sat attending, waited upon; tapodhanām — the one rich in austerity
2.110.22
tathā sītām upāsīnām anasūyā dṛḍhavratā
vacanaṃ praṣṭum ārebhe kathāṃ kāṃ cid anupriyām
Then Anasūyā of firm vows began to ask Sītā, who sat attending her, for some agreeable tale.
Words: tathā — then, thus; sītām — Sītā; upāsīnām — seated in attendance; anasūyā — Anasūyā; dṛḍhavratā — of firm vows; vacanaṃ — a word, speech; praṣṭum — to ask; ārebhe — began; kathāṃ — story, tale; kāṃ cid — some; anupriyām — agreeable, pleasing
2.110.23
svayaṃvare kila prāptā tvam anena yaśasvinā
rāghaveṇeti me sīte kathā śrutim upāgatā
“It has reached my ears, O Sītā — the tale that you were won at a self-choice ceremony by this illustrious Rāghava.
Words: svayaṃvare — at the self-choice (svayaṃvara); kila — it is said; prāptā — obtained, won; tvam — you; anena — by this; yaśasvinā — illustrious; rāghaveṇeti — by Rāghava — thus; me — to me; sīte — O Sītā; kathā — story; śrutim — hearing, ear; upāgatā — has come, reached
2.110.24
tāṃ kathāṃ śrotum icchāmi vistareṇa ca maithili
yathānubhūtaṃ kārtsnyena tan me tvaṃ vaktum arhasi
I wish to hear that story in full, O Maithilī; you ought to tell it to me entirely, just as it happened.”
Words: tāṃ kathāṃ — that story; śrotum — to hear; icchāmi — I wish; vistareṇa — in detail; ca — and; maithili — O Maithilī; yathānubhūtaṃ — as it was experienced; kārtsnyena — completely, in full; tan — that; me — to me; tvaṃ — you; vaktum — to tell; arhasi — ought
2.110.25
evam uktā tu sā sītā tāṃ tato dharmacāriṇīm
śrūyatām iti coktvā vai kathayām āsa tāṃ kathām
Thus addressed, Sītā then said to that righteous woman, “Let it be heard,” and began to tell her the tale.
Words: evam — thus; uktā — addressed; tu — and; sā — she; sītā — Sītā; tāṃ — to her; tato — then; dharmacāriṇīm — the righteous one; śrūyatām — let it be heard; iti — thus; coktvā — and having said; vai — indeed; kathayām āsa — told, narrated; tāṃ kathām — that story
2.110.26
mithilādhipatir vīro janako nāma dharmavit
kṣatradharmaṇy abhirato nyāyataḥ śāsti medinīm
“The heroic lord of Mithilā, Janaka by name, a knower of dharma, devoted to the duty of the warrior, rules the earth by justice.
Words: mithilādhipatir — the lord of Mithilā; vīro — heroic; janako — Janaka; nāma — by name; dharmavit — knower of dharma; kṣatradharmaṇy — in the duty of the kṣatriya; abhirato — devoted, engaged; nyāyataḥ — according to justice, rightly; śāsti — rules, governs; medinīm — the earth
2.110.27
tasya lāṅgalahastasya karṣataḥ kṣetramaṇḍalam
ahaṃ kilotthitā bhittvā jagatīṃ nṛpateḥ sutā
As he, plough in hand, was tilling the round of the field, I — the king's daughter — so it is said, rose up cleaving the earth.
Words: tasya — of him, his; lāṅgalahastasya — (of him) plough in hand; karṣataḥ — ploughing, tilling; kṣetramaṇḍalam — the circle of the field; ahaṃ — I; kilotthitā — so it is said, rose up; bhittvā — having split, cleaving; jagatīṃ — the earth; nṛpateḥ — of the king; sutā — daughter
2.110.28
sa māṃ dṛṣṭvā narapatir muṣṭivikṣepatatparaḥ
pāṃśu guṇṭhita sarvāṅgīṃ vismito janako 'bhavat
That lord of men, Janaka, intent on casting seed-grain from his fist, was astonished on seeing me, all my limbs covered with dust.
Words: sa — he; māṃ — me; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; narapatir — the lord of men; muṣṭivikṣepatatparaḥ — intent on scattering handfuls (of seed); pāṃśu guṇṭhita sarvāṅgīṃ — (me) with all limbs covered in dust; vismito — astonished; janako — Janaka; 'bhavat — became
2.110.29
anapatyena ca snehād aṅkam āropya ca svayam
mameyaṃ tanayety uktvā sneho mayi nipātitaḥ
And he, being childless, out of affection lifted me himself onto his lap, and saying, ‘This is my daughter,’ bestowed his love upon me.
Words: anapatyena — by him being childless; ca — and; snehād — out of affection; aṅkam — onto the lap; āropya — having lifted, placed; ca — and; svayam — himself; mameyaṃ — this is mine; tanayety — ‘(is my) daughter’, thus; uktvā — having said; sneho — affection, love; mayi — upon me; nipātitaḥ — was bestowed, cast down
2.110.30
antarikṣe ca vāg uktāpratimā mānuṣī kila
evam etan narapate dharmeṇa tanayā tava
And in the sky a voice, peerless and human-like, was uttered, it is said: ‘So it is, O king; by dharma she is your daughter.’
Words: antarikṣe — in the sky, mid-air; ca — and; vāg — a voice; uktāpratimā — uttered, peerless; mānuṣī — human(-like); kila — it is said; evam — thus, so; etan — this; narapate — O king; dharmeṇa — by dharma, rightfully; tanayā — daughter; tava — your
2.110.31
tataḥ prahṛṣṭo dharmātmā pitā me mithilādhipaḥ
avāpto vipulām ṛddhiṃ mām avāpya narādhipaḥ
Then my father, the righteous lord of Mithilā, rejoiced greatly; and that king, having gained me, attained abundant prosperity.
Words: tataḥ — then; prahṛṣṭo — greatly delighted; dharmātmā — the righteous-souled; pitā — father; me — my; mithilādhipaḥ — the lord of Mithilā; avāpto — attained; vipulām — abundant, ample; ṛddhiṃ — prosperity; mām — me; avāpya — having obtained; narādhipaḥ — the king
2.110.32
dattvā cāsmīṣṭavad devyai jyeṣṭhāyai puṇyakarmaṇā
tayā saṃbhāvitā cāsmi snigdhayā mātṛsauhṛdāt
And by him of holy deeds I was given over, like a beloved child, to his eldest queen; and by her, full of tenderness, I was cherished with a mother's affection.
Words: dattvā — having given; cāsmīṣṭavad — and I was, like a cherished child; devyai — to the queen; jyeṣṭhāyai — to the eldest, chief; puṇyakarmaṇā — by him of meritorious deeds; tayā — by her; saṃbhāvitā — cherished, honored; cāsmi — and I am; snigdhayā — by the affectionate one; mātṛsauhṛdāt — with a mother's love
2.110.33
patisaṃyogasulabhaṃ vayo dṛṣṭvā tu me pitā
cintām abhyagamad dīno vittanāśād ivādhanaḥ
But when my father saw that I had reached the age fit for union with a husband, he fell into distress, like a poor man stricken at the loss of his wealth.
Words: patisaṃyogasulabhaṃ — fit for union with a husband; vayo — age; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; tu — but; me — my; pitā — father; cintām — anxiety, worry; abhyagamad — fell into, went to; dīno — distressed, wretched; vittanāśād — from loss of wealth; ivādhanaḥ — like a poor man
2.110.34
sadṛśāc cāpakṛṣṭāc ca loke kanyāpitā janāt
pradharṣaṇām avāpnoti śakreṇāpi samo bhuvi
In this world the father of a daughter, though he be the equal of Indra on earth, suffers humiliation from people whether equal or inferior to him.
Words: sadṛśāc — from an equal; cāpakṛṣṭāc — and from an inferior; ca — and; loke — in the world; kanyāpitā — the father of a girl; janāt — from a person; pradharṣaṇām — humiliation, insult; avāpnoti — obtains, suffers; śakreṇāpi — even with Indra; samo — equal; bhuvi — on earth
2.110.35
tāṃ dharṣaṇām adūrasthāṃ saṃdṛśyātmani pārthivaḥ
cinntārṇavagataḥ pāraṃ nāsasādāplavo yatha
Seeing that humiliation looming near upon himself, the king, plunged into a sea of anxiety, could not reach its farther shore, like one without a raft.
Words: tāṃ — that; dharṣaṇām — humiliation; adūrasthāṃ — standing not far off, near; saṃdṛśyātmani — seeing upon himself; pārthivaḥ — the king; cinntārṇavagataḥ — fallen into the sea of anxiety; pāraṃ — the farther shore; nāsasādāplavo — did not reach, being without a raft; yatha — as, like
2.110.36
ayonijāṃ hi māṃ jñātvā nādhyagacchat sa cintayan
sadṛśaṃ cānurūpaṃ ca mahīpālaḥ patiṃ mama
For knowing me to be not born of a womb, that guardian of the earth, though he pondered, could not find for me a husband equal and suited to me.
Words: ayonijāṃ — not born of a womb; hi — for; māṃ — me; jñātvā — having known; nādhyagacchat — did not find; sa — he; cintayan — pondering; sadṛśaṃ — equal, matching; cānurūpaṃ — and suitable; ca — and; mahīpālaḥ — the guardian of the earth (king); patiṃ — husband; mama — for me
2.110.37
tasya buddhir iyaṃ jātā cintayānasya saṃtatam
svayaṃ varaṃ tanūjāyāḥ kariṣyāmīti dhīmataḥ
As he pondered continually, this resolve arose in the wise one's mind: ‘I shall hold a self-choice ceremony for my daughter.’
Words: tasya — of him, his; buddhir — thought, resolve; iyaṃ — this; jātā — arose, was born; cintayānasya — of him pondering; saṃtatam — continually; svayaṃ varaṃ — a self-choice (svayaṃvara); tanūjāyāḥ — of the daughter; kariṣyāmīti — ‘I shall make’, thus; dhīmataḥ — of the wise one
2.110.38
mahāyajñe tadā tasya varuṇena mahātmanā
dattaṃ dhanurvaraṃ prītyā tūṇī cākṣayya sāyakau
At a great sacrifice long ago, the exalted Varuṇa had given him, out of affection, an excellent bow and two quivers with inexhaustible arrows.
Words: mahāyajñe — at a great sacrifice; tadā — then, long ago; tasya — to him; varuṇena — by Varuṇa; mahātmanā — the great-souled; dattaṃ — was given; dhanurvaraṃ — an excellent bow; prītyā — out of affection; tūṇī — two quivers; cākṣayya — and inexhaustible; sāyakau — (with) two sets of arrows
2.110.39
asaṃcālyaṃ manuṣyaiś ca yatnenāpi ca gauravāt
tan na śaktā namayituṃ svapneṣv api narādhipāḥ
Unmovable by men even with effort, on account of its great weight — that bow the kings were not able to bend even in their dreams.
Words: asaṃcālyaṃ — not to be moved; manuṣyaiś — by men; ca — and; yatnenāpi — even with effort; ca — and; gauravāt — because of its weight; tan — that; na — not; śaktā — able; namayituṃ — to bend; svapneṣv — in dreams; api — even; narādhipāḥ — the kings
2.110.40
tad dhanuḥ prāpya me pitrā vyāhṛtaṃ satyavādinā
samavāye narendrāṇāṃ pūrvam āmantrya pārthivān
Taking up that bow, my truth-speaking father, having first summoned the princes, declared in the assembly of kings:
Words: tad — that; dhanuḥ — bow; prāpya — having taken up, obtained; me — my; pitrā — by (my) father; vyāhṛtaṃ — declared, proclaimed; satyavādinā — by the truth-speaker; samavāye — in the assembly; narendrāṇāṃ — of the kings; pūrvam — first; āmantrya — having summoned, invited; pārthivān — the princes, kings
2.110.41
idaṃ ca dhanur udyamya sajyaṃ yaḥ kurute naraḥ
tasya me duhitā bhāryā bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
‘Whatever man, lifting up this bow, can string it, to him my daughter shall become a wife — of this there is no doubt.’
Words: idaṃ — this; ca — and; dhanur — bow; udyamya — having lifted up; sajyaṃ — strung, with the bowstring on; yaḥ — who; kurute — makes, does; naraḥ — man; tasya — to him, his; me — my; duhitā — daughter; bhāryā — wife; bhaviṣyati — shall become; na saṃśayaḥ — no doubt
2.110.42
tac ca dṛṣṭvā dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ gauravād girisaṃnibham
abhivādya nṛpā jagmur aśaktās tasya tolane
And beholding that best of bows, like a mountain in its weight, the kings, unable to lift it, saluted it and departed.
Words: tac — that; ca — and; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ — the best of bows; gauravād — because of its weight; girisaṃnibham — resembling a mountain; abhivādya — having saluted, bowed to; nṛpā — the kings; jagmur — went, departed; aśaktās — unable; tasya — of it, its; tolane — in the lifting, weighing
2.110.43
sudīrghasya tu kālasya rāghavo 'yaṃ mahādyutiḥ
viśvāmitreṇa sahito yajñaṃ draṣṭuṃ samāgataḥ
After a very long time, this Rāghava of great splendor, together with Viśvāmitra, came to witness the sacrifice.
Words: sudīrghasya — of a very long; tu — but, and; kālasya — time; rāghavo — Rāghava; 'yaṃ — this; mahādyutiḥ — of great splendor; viśvāmitreṇa — with Viśvāmitra; sahito — accompanied; yajñaṃ — the sacrifice; draṣṭuṃ — to see, witness; samāgataḥ — came, arrived
2.110.44
lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ
viśvāmitras tu dharmātmā mama pitrā supūjitaḥ
Rāma of unfailing valor came with his brother Lakṣmaṇa; and the righteous Viśvāmitra was warmly honored by my father.
Words: lakṣmaṇena saha — together with Lakṣmaṇa; bhrātrā — (his) brother; rāmaḥ — Rāma; satyaparākramaḥ — of true valor; viśvāmitras — Viśvāmitra; tu — and; dharmātmā — the righteous-souled; mama — my; pitrā — by father; supūjitaḥ — well honored
2.110.45
provāca pitaraṃ tatra rāghavo rāmalakṣmaṇau
sutau daśarathasyemau dhanurdarśanakāṅkṣiṇau
ity uktas tena vipreṇa tad dhanuḥ samupānayat
There the sage spoke to my father of the two Rāghavas, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa: ‘These two are sons of Daśaratha, eager to see the bow.’ Thus urged by that brahmin, my father had the bow brought forth.
Words: provāca — spoke, addressed; pitaraṃ — to (my) father; tatra — there; rāghavo — concerning the Rāghava (prince); rāmalakṣmaṇau — Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa (the two); sutau — the two sons; daśarathasyemau — these two, of Daśaratha; dhanurdarśanakāṅkṣiṇau — desirous of seeing the bow (dual); ity — thus; uktas — addressed, told; tena — by that; vipreṇa — brahmin; tad — that; dhanuḥ — bow; samupānayat — had brought forth, brought near
2.110.46
nimeṣāntaramātreṇa tad ānamya sa vīryavān
jyāṃ samāropya jhaṭiti pūrayām āsa vīryavān
In the mere space of a blink, that mighty one bent the bow, swiftly fastened the string, and drew it to the full.
Words: nimeṣāntaramātreṇa — in the mere interval of a blink; tad — that (bow); ānamya — having bent; sa — he; vīryavān — the mighty; jyāṃ — the bowstring; samāropya — having fastened, strung; jhaṭiti — in an instant, quickly; pūrayām āsa — drew to the full, filled; vīryavān — the mighty one
2.110.47
tena pūrayatā vegān madhye bhagnaṃ dvidhā dhanuḥ
tasya śabdo 'bhavad bhīmaḥ patitasyāśaner iva
As he drew it forcefully, the bow snapped in two in the middle; and its sound was terrible, like that of a falling thunderbolt.
Words: tena — by him; pūrayatā — drawing (it) to the full; vegān — forcibly, with force; madhye — in the middle; bhagnaṃ — broken; dvidhā — in two; dhanuḥ — the bow; tasya — its; śabdo — sound; 'bhavad — was, arose; bhīmaḥ — terrible; patitasyāśaner — of a falling thunderbolt; iva — like
2.110.48
tato 'haṃ tatra rāmāya pitrā satyābhisaṃdhinā
udyatā dātum udyamya jalabhājanam uttamam
Then, there, my father, true to his word, raising up an excellent vessel of water, made ready to give me to Rāma.
Words: tato — then; 'haṃ — I; tatra — there; rāmāya — to Rāma; pitrā — by (my) father; satyābhisaṃdhinā — true to his word; udyatā — made ready, brought forth; dātum — to give; udyamya — having raised up; jalabhājanam — water-vessel; uttamam — excellent
2.110.49
dīyamānāṃ na tu tadā pratijagrāha rāghavaḥ
avijñāya pituś chandam ayodhyādhipateḥ prabhoḥ
But Rāghava did not then accept me, though I was being given, without first knowing the will of his father, the sovereign lord of Ayodhyā.
Words: dīyamānāṃ — (me) being given; na — not; tu — but; tadā — then; pratijagrāha — accepted; rāghavaḥ — Rāghava; avijñāya — without ascertaining; pituś — of the father; chandam — the will, wish; ayodhyādhipateḥ — of the lord of Ayodhyā; prabhoḥ — of the sovereign
2.110.50
tataḥ śvaśuram āmantrya vṛddhaṃ daśarathaṃ nṛpam
mama pitrā ahaṃ dattā rāmāya viditātmane
Then, having summoned my father-in-law, the aged king Daśaratha, my father gave me to Rāma, whose nature was well known.
Words: tataḥ — then; śvaśuram — the father-in-law; āmantrya — having summoned, invited; vṛddhaṃ — aged; daśarathaṃ — Daśaratha; nṛpam — king; mama — my; pitrā — by father; ahaṃ — I; dattā — was given; rāmāya — to Rāma; viditātmane — to him of well-known nature
2.110.51
mama caivānujā sādhvī ūrmilā priyadarśanā
bhāryārthe lakṣmaṇasyāpi dattā pitrā mama svayam
And my younger sister too, the virtuous, fair-to-look-upon Ūrmilā, was given by my father himself to be the wife of Lakṣmaṇa.
Words: mama — my; caivānujā — and the younger sister; sādhvī — virtuous; ūrmilā — Ūrmilā; priyadarśanā — fair to look upon; bhāryārthe — for the sake of a wife; lakṣmaṇasyāpi — of Lakṣmaṇa too; dattā — was given; pitrā — by father; mama — my; svayam — himself
2.110.52
evaṃ dattāsmi rāmāya tadā tasmin svayaṃ vare
anuraktā ca dharmeṇa patiṃ vīryavatāṃ varam
Thus was I given to Rāma then at that self-choice, and by dharma I am devoted to my husband, the best of the mighty.”
Words: evaṃ — thus; dattāsmi — I was given; rāmāya — to Rāma; tadā — then; tasmin — at that; svayaṃ vare — self-choice (svayaṃvara); anuraktā — devoted, attached; ca — and; dharmeṇa — by dharma; patiṃ — to (my) husband; vīryavatāṃ — of the mighty; varam — the best
← 2.109 Rāma leaves Citrakūṭa for Atri · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.111 Departure from Atri’s hermitage →
Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.
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