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Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 23: Rāma asks Sītā to remain in Ayodhyā

Summary. Rāma reveals the exile and asks Sītā to respect Bharata’s authority, honour the Queens and care for his grieving parents

Sequence

  1. Sītā has been worshipping and waiting for the abhiṣeka, unaware of the reversal (2.23.1–4)
  2. when Rāma enters, she notices his pale, troubled face (2.23.5–7)
  3. she asks why he has returned without the parasol, fans, ceremonial escort, auspicious rites, and other signs she expected (2.23.8–17)
  4. he explains the two boons, Bharata's succession, and his own fourteen-year exile (2.23.18–22)
  5. he asks her to remain in Ayodhyā and avoid praising him before Bharata or challenging the new King's position (2.23.23–25)
  6. he tells her to continue worship and fasting, honor Daśaratha and all his Queens, and especially comfort Kausalyā (2.23.26–29)
  7. he asks her to regard Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna as a brother and a son, and to conduct herself without giving offense to Bharata. (2.23.30–34)

Verses 2.23.1–34

2.23.1

abhivādya tu kausalyāṃ rāmaḥ saṃprasthito vanam
kṛtasvastyayano mātrā dharmiṣṭhe vartmani sthitaḥ

Having saluted Kausalyā, Rāma set out for the forest; the benediction performed for him by his mother, he stood firm on the most righteous path.

Words: abhivādya tu — having saluted; kausalyāṃ — Kausalyā; rāmaḥ — Rāma; saṃprasthito — set out; vanam — to the forest; kṛtasvastyayano — for whom the benediction was performed; mātrā — by his mother; dharmiṣṭhe — on the most righteous; vartmani — path; sthitaḥ — standing, established

2.23.2

virājayan rājasuto rājamārgaṃ narair vṛtam
hṛdayāny āmamantheva janasya guṇavattayā

The prince, gracing the royal highway thronged with people, seemed to churn the hearts of the folk by his abundance of virtues.

Words: virājayan — gracing, illumining; rājasuto — the prince; rājamārgaṃ — the royal highway; narair vṛtam — thronged with people; hṛdayāny — the hearts; āmamantheva — seemed to churn; janasya — of the people; guṇavattayā — by his wealth of virtues

2.23.3

vaidehī cāpi tat sarvaṃ na śuśrāva tapasvinī
tad eva hṛdi tasyāś ca yauvarājyābhiṣecanam

But the poor princess of Videha had heard nothing of all this; only that consecration to the heir-apparency was in her heart.

Words: vaidehī cāpi — and the princess of Videha too; tat sarvaṃ — all that; na śuśrāva — had not heard; tapasvinī — the poor woman; tad eva — that alone; hṛdi — in the heart; tasyāś ca — and of her; yauvarājyābhiṣecanam — the consecration to heir-apparency

2.23.4

devakāryaṃ sma sā kṛtvā kṛtajñā hṛṣṭacetanā
abhijñā rājadharmāṇāṃ rājaputraṃ pratīkṣate

Having done her worship of the gods, the grateful, glad-hearted woman, well versed in the duties of royalty, awaited the prince.

Words: devakāryaṃ — the worship of the gods; sma — (emphatic particle); sā — she; kṛtvā — having done; kṛtajñā — grateful; hṛṣṭacetanā — glad-hearted; abhijñā — knowing, versed in; rājadharmāṇāṃ — the duties of kings; rājaputraṃ — the prince; pratīkṣate — awaits

2.23.5

praviveśātha rāmas tu svaveśma suvibhūṣitam
prahṛṣṭajanasaṃpūrṇaṃ hriyā kiṃ cid avāṅmukhaḥ

Then Rāma entered his own well-adorned dwelling, filled with rejoicing folk, his face a little downcast out of modesty.

Words: praviveśātha — then he entered; rāmas tu — and Rāma; svaveśma — his own dwelling; suvibhūṣitam — well-adorned; prahṛṣṭajanasaṃpūrṇaṃ — filled with rejoicing folk; hriyā — out of modesty; kiṃ cid — a little, somewhat; avāṅmukhaḥ — with downcast face

2.23.6

atha sītā samutpatya vepamānā ca taṃ patim
apaśyac chokasaṃtaptaṃ cintāvyākulilendriyam

Then Sītā, springing up and trembling, saw her husband scorched with grief, his senses agitated with anxiety.

Words: atha — then; sītā — Sītā; samutpatya — having sprung up; vepamānā ca — and trembling; taṃ patim — that husband; apaśyac — saw; chokasaṃtaptaṃ — scorched with grief; cintāvyākulilendriyam — his senses agitated with anxiety

2.23.7

vivarṇavadanaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ prasvinnam amarṣaṇam
āha duḥkhābhisaṃtaptā kim idānīm idaṃ prabho

Seeing him with face gone pale, sweating and troubled, she, herself burning with grief, said: 'What is this now, my lord?'

Words: vivarṇavadanaṃ — with face gone pale; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; taṃ — him; prasvinnam — sweating; amarṣaṇam — troubled, unable to bear it; āha — said; duḥkhābhisaṃtaptā — burning with grief; kim idānīm — what now; idaṃ — this; prabho — O lord

2.23.8

adya bārhaspataḥ śrīmān yuktaḥ puṣyo na rāghava
procyate brāhmaṇaiḥ prājñaiḥ kena tvam asi durmanāḥ

Rāghava, is not today the glorious Puṣya, ruled by Bṛhaspati, declared present by the learned brahmins? Why then are you downcast?

Words: adya — today; bārhaspataḥ — ruled by Bṛhaspati; śrīmān — glorious, auspicious; yuktaḥ — conjoined, present; puṣyo — the Puṣya asterism; na — not (interrog.); rāghava — O Rāghava; procyate — is declared; brāhmaṇaiḥ — by the brahmins; prājñaiḥ — learned; kena — by what cause; tvam asi — you are; durmanāḥ — downcast, low-spirited

2.23.9

na te śataśalākena jalaphenanibhena ca
āvṛtaṃ vadanaṃ valgu chatreṇābhivirājate

Your lovely face is not shining, sheltered by the hundred-ribbed parasol white as water-foam.

Words: na — not; te — your; śataśalākena — with a hundred ribs; jalaphenanibhena ca — and resembling water-foam; āvṛtaṃ — covered, sheltered; vadanaṃ — face; valgu — lovely; chatreṇābhivirājate — shines with the parasol

2.23.10

vyajanābhyāṃ ca mukhyābhyāṃ śatapatranibhekṣaṇam
candrahaṃsaprakāśābhyāṃ vījyate na tavānanam

Nor is your face, with eyes like lotus-petals, being fanned by the two splendid fans, bright as the moon and swans.

Words: vyajanābhyāṃ ca — and by the two fans; mukhyābhyāṃ — excellent, chief (dual); śatapatranibhekṣaṇam — with eyes like the lotus; candrahaṃsaprakāśābhyāṃ — bright as the moon and swans (dual); vījyate — is fanned; na — not; tavānanam — your face

2.23.11

vāgmino bandinaś cāpi prahṛṣṭās tvaṃ nararṣabha
stuvanto nādya dṛśyante maṅgalaiḥ sūtamāgadhāḥ

O bull among men, the eloquent panegyrists and the bards, the sūtas and māgadhas, are not seen today joyfully praising you with auspicious songs.

Words: vāgmino — the eloquent ones; bandinaś cāpi — and the panegyrists too; prahṛṣṭās — delighted; tvaṃ — you; nararṣabha — O bull among men; stuvanto — praising; nādya — not today; dṛśyante — are seen; maṅgalaiḥ — with auspicious songs; sūtamāgadhāḥ — the sūtas and māgadhas

2.23.12

na te kṣaudraṃ ca dadhi ca brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ
mūrdhni mūrdhāvasiktasya dadhati sma vidhānataḥ

The brahmins versed to the far shore of the Vedas are not, as prescribed, placing honey and curds upon your head, you the anointed one.

Words: na — not; te — your; kṣaudraṃ ca — and honey; dadhi ca — and curds; brāhmaṇā — the brahmins; vedapāragāḥ — versed to the end of the Vedas; mūrdhni — on the head; mūrdhāvasiktasya — of the consecrated one; dadhati sma — they place; vidhānataḥ — according to prescription

2.23.13

na tvāṃ prakṛtayaḥ sarvā śreṇīmukhyāś ca bhūṣitāḥ
anuvrajitum icchanti paurajāpapadās tathā

All the subjects, and the adorned guild-chiefs, and likewise the townsfolk and country-folk, do not wish to escort you.

Words: na tvāṃ — not you; prakṛtayaḥ — the subjects; sarvā — all; śreṇīmukhyāś ca — and the guild-chiefs; bhūṣitāḥ — adorned; anuvrajitum — to follow, escort; icchanti — wish; paurajāpapadās — the townsfolk and country-folk; tathā — likewise

2.23.14

caturbhir vegasaṃpannair hayaiḥ kāñcanabhūṣaṇaiḥ
mukhyaḥ puṣyaratho yuktaḥ kiṃ na gacchati te 'grataḥ

Why does the chief festal chariot, yoked to four swift horses with golden trappings, not go before you?

Words: caturbhir — with four; vegasaṃpannair — endowed with speed; hayaiḥ — with horses; kāñcanabhūṣaṇaiḥ — with golden ornaments; mukhyaḥ — chief; puṣyaratho — the festal chariot; yuktaḥ — yoked; kiṃ na gacchati — why does it not go; te 'grataḥ — before you

2.23.15

na hastī cāgrataḥ śrīmāṃs tava lakṣaṇapūjitaḥ
prayāṇe lakṣyate vīra kṛṣṇameghagiri prabhaḥ

O hero, no glorious elephant, prized for its auspicious marks and shining like a dark cloud or mountain, is seen before you on your march.

Words: na hastī cāgrataḥ — and no elephant in front; śrīmāṃs — glorious; tava — your; lakṣaṇapūjitaḥ — prized for its marks; prayāṇe — on the march; lakṣyate — is seen; vīra — O hero; kṛṣṇameghagiri — like a dark cloud and mountain; prabhaḥ — in radiance, shining

2.23.16

na ca kāñcanacitraṃ te paśyāmi priyadarśana
bhadrāsanaṃ puraskṛtya yāntaṃ vīrapuraḥsaram

O you of lovely aspect, nor do I see your throne bright with gold set before you, nor you going forth with heroes at the head.

Words: na ca — and not; kāñcanacitraṃ — bright with gold; te — your; paśyāmi — I see; priyadarśana — O you of lovely appearance; bhadrāsanaṃ — the auspicious throne; puraskṛtya — having placed in front; yāntaṃ — going; vīrapuraḥsaram — with heroes going before

2.23.17

abhiṣeko yadā sajjaḥ kim idānīm idaṃ tava
apūrvo mukhavarṇaś ca na praharṣaś ca lakṣyate

When the consecration is all prepared, what is this now with you? An unwonted hue is on your face, and no gladness is to be seen.

Words: abhiṣeko — the consecration; yadā — when; sajjaḥ — prepared, ready; kim idānīm — what now; idaṃ tava — this of yours; apūrvo — unwonted, unprecedented; mukhavarṇaś ca — and the complexion of the face; na — not; praharṣaś ca — and joy; lakṣyate — is seen

2.23.18

itīva vilapantīṃ tāṃ provāca raghunandanaḥ
sīte tatrabhavāṃs tāta pravrājayati māṃ vanam

As she lamented thus, the delight of the Raghus said to her: 'Sītā, my revered father is sending me away to the forest.'

Words: itīva — thus; vilapantīṃ — lamenting; tāṃ — her; provāca — said to; raghunandanaḥ — the delight of the Raghus; sīte — O Sītā; tatrabhavāṃs — his honor (the revered one); tāta — the father; pravrājayati — sends into exile; māṃ — me; vanam — to the forest

2.23.19

kule mahati saṃbhūte dharmajñe dharmacāriṇi
śṛṇu jānaki yenedaṃ krameṇābhyāgataṃ mama

O Jānakī, born in a great family, knower of dharma and practicer of dharma, hear by what course this has come upon me.

Words: kule mahati — in a great family; saṃbhūte — O you born; dharmajñe — O knower of dharma; dharmacāriṇi — O practicer of dharma; śṛṇu — hear; jānaki — O Jānakī; yenedaṃ — by which this; krameṇābhyāgataṃ — has come about in due course; mama — to me

2.23.20

rājñā satyapratijñena pitrā daśarathena me
kaikeyyai prītamanasā purā dattau mahāvarau

By my father King Daśaratha, true to his word, two great boons were formerly given to Kaikeyī, his heart well pleased.

Words: rājñā — by the king; satyapratijñena — true to his promise; pitrā — by the father; daśarathena — by Daśaratha; me — my; kaikeyyai — to Kaikeyī; prītamanasā — with pleased mind; purā — formerly; dattau — two given; mahāvarau — two great boons

2.23.21

tayādya mama sajje 'sminn abhiṣeke nṛpodyate
pracoditaḥ sa samayo dharmeṇa pratinirjitaḥ

Now, when this consecration of mine was prepared and set going by the king, she pressed for that compact, and my father, bound by dharma, was overmastered.

Words: tayādya — by her now; mama — my; sajje 'sminn — in this prepared; abhiṣeke — consecration; nṛpodyate — set going by the king; pracoditaḥ — urged, pressed; sa samayo — that compact; dharmeṇa — by dharma; pratinirjitaḥ — overmastered, won over

2.23.22

caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi vastavyaṃ daṇḍake mayā
pitrā me bharataś cāpi yauvarājye niyojitaḥ
so 'haṃ tvām āgato draṣṭuṃ prasthito vijanaṃ vanam

For fourteen years I must dwell in the Daṇḍaka forest; and my father has appointed Bharata to the heir-apparency. So I have come to see you, as I set out for the lonely forest.

Words: caturdaśa hi — for fourteen indeed; varṣāṇi — years; vastavyaṃ — it is to be dwelt; daṇḍake — in the Daṇḍaka; mayā — by me; pitrā me — by my father; bharataś cāpi — and Bharata too; yauvarājye — to the heir-apparency; niyojitaḥ — appointed; so 'haṃ — I therefore; tvām — you; āgato — have come; draṣṭuṃ — to see; prasthito — setting out; vijanaṃ vanam — the lonely forest

2.23.23

bharatasya samīpe te nāhaṃ kathyaḥ kadā cana
ṛddhiyuktā hi puruṣā na sahante parastavam
tasmān na te guṇāḥ kathyā bharatasyāgrato mama

In Bharata's presence I must never be spoken of by you, for men in prosperity cannot endure the praise of another; therefore my virtues should not be told by you before Bharata.

Words: bharatasya samīpe — in Bharata's presence; te — by you; nāhaṃ — not I; kathyaḥ — to be spoken of; kadā cana — ever; ṛddhiyuktā hi — for those endowed with prosperity; puruṣā — men; na sahante — do not endure; parastavam — the praise of another; tasmān — therefore; na — not; te — my; guṇāḥ — virtues; kathyā — to be told; bharatasyāgrato — before Bharata; mama — my

2.23.24

nāpi tvaṃ tena bhartavyā viśeṣeṇa kadā cana
anukūlatayā śakyaṃ samīpe tasya vartitum

Nor will you ever be specially maintained by him; only by compliance is it possible to live near him.

Words: nāpi — nor; tvaṃ — you; tena — by him; bhartavyā — to be maintained; viśeṣeṇa — especially; kadā cana — ever; anukūlatayā — by being compliant; śakyaṃ — it is possible; samīpe tasya — near him; vartitum — to live, remain

2.23.25

ahaṃ cāpi pratijñāṃ tāṃ guroḥ samanupālayan
vanam adyaiva yāsyāmi sthirā bhava manasvini

And I too, keeping that promise of my father, will go to the forest this very day; be steadfast, O noble-minded one.

Words: ahaṃ cāpi — and I too; pratijñāṃ tāṃ — that promise; guroḥ — of my elder (father); samanupālayan — keeping, observing; vanam — to the forest; adyaiva — this very day; yāsyāmi — I shall go; sthirā bhava — be steadfast; manasvini — O noble-minded one

2.23.26

yāte ca mayi kalyāṇi vanaṃ muniniṣevitam
vratopavāsaratayā bhavitavyaṃ tvayānaghe

And when I have gone, dear one, to the forest frequented by sages, you, O sinless one, must give yourself to vows and fasting.

Words: yāte ca mayi — and when I have gone; kalyāṇi — O blessed one; vanaṃ — to the forest; muniniṣevitam — frequented by sages; vratopavāsaratayā — by devotion to vows and fasting; bhavitavyaṃ — it must be; tvayānaghe — by you, O sinless one

2.23.27

kālyam utthāya devānāṃ kṛtvā pūjāṃ yathāvidhi
vanditavyo daśarathaḥ pitā mama nareśvaraḥ

Rising at dawn and duly performing worship of the gods, you must pay homage to Daśaratha, my father, the lord of men.

Words: kālyam — at dawn; utthāya — having risen; devānāṃ — of the gods; kṛtvā pūjāṃ — having done worship; yathāvidhi — according to rule; vanditavyo — to be saluted; daśarathaḥ — Daśaratha; pitā mama — my father; nareśvaraḥ — the lord of men

2.23.28

mātā ca mama kausalyā vṛddhā saṃtāpakarśitā
dharmam evāgrataḥ kṛtvā tvattaḥ saṃmānam arhati

And my mother Kausalyā, aged and wasted with grief, deserves honor from you, with dharma placed foremost.

Words: mātā ca mama — and my mother; kausalyā — Kausalyā; vṛddhā — aged; saṃtāpakarśitā — wasted with grief; dharmam evāgrataḥ — dharma foremost; kṛtvā — having placed; tvattaḥ — from you; saṃmānam — honor; arhati — deserves

2.23.29

vanditavyāś ca te nityaṃ yāḥ śeṣā mama mātaraḥ
snehapraṇayasaṃbhogaiḥ samā hi mama mātaraḥ

And you must always salute those who are my other mothers; for in affection, love, and companionship all my mothers are equal.

Words: vanditavyāś ca — and to be saluted; te — by you; nityaṃ — always; yāḥ śeṣā — who are the rest; mama mātaraḥ — my mothers; snehapraṇayasaṃbhogaiḥ — by affection, love, and companionship; samā hi — for equal; mama mātaraḥ — my mothers

2.23.30

bhrātṛputrasamau cāpi draṣṭavyau ca viśeṣataḥ
tvayā lakṣmaṇaśatrughnau prāṇaiḥ priyatarau mama

And Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna, dearer to me than my own breath, should be regarded by you especially as a brother and a son.

Words: bhrātṛputrasamau cāpi — and like a brother and a son (dual); draṣṭavyau ca — and to be regarded (dual); viśeṣataḥ — especially; tvayā — by you; lakṣmaṇaśatrughnau — Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna; prāṇaiḥ priyatarau — dearer than life (dual); mama — to me

2.23.31

vipriyaṃ na ca kartavyaṃ bharatasya kadā cana
sa hi rājā prabhuś caiva deśasya ca kulasya ca

And nothing displeasing to Bharata should ever be done; for he is the king, and the lord both of the country and of the family.

Words: vipriyaṃ — anything displeasing; na ca kartavyaṃ — and should not be done; bharatasya — to Bharata; kadā cana — ever; sa hi rājā — for he is king; prabhuś caiva — and the lord; deśasya ca — of the country; kulasya ca — and of the family

2.23.32

ārādhitā hi śīlena prayatnaiś copasevitāḥ
rājānaḥ saṃprasīdanti prakupyanti viparyaye

For kings, propitiated by good conduct and attended with diligence, grow gracious; but in the contrary case they grow wroth.

Words: ārādhitā hi — for when propitiated; śīlena — by good conduct; prayatnaiś copasevitāḥ — and served with efforts; rājānaḥ — kings; saṃprasīdanti — grow gracious; prakupyanti — grow angry; viparyaye — in the contrary case

2.23.33

aurasān api putrān hi tyajanty ahitakāriṇaḥ
samarthān saṃpragṛhṇanti janān api narādhipāḥ

Rulers of men forsake even their own-begotten sons if they act against their interest, and take to themselves able persons though unrelated.

Words: aurasān api — even own-begotten; putrān hi — sons indeed; tyajanty — they abandon; ahitakāriṇaḥ — doing harm, acting against interest; samarthān — the capable; saṃpragṛhṇanti — they take up, adopt; janān api — even (other) people; narādhipāḥ — rulers of men

2.23.34

ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi mahāvanaṃ priye tvayā hi vastavyam ihaiva bhāmini
tvayā hi vastavyam ihaiva bhāmini
yathā vyalīkaṃ kuruṣe na kasya cit tathā tvayā kāryam idaṃ vaco mama
tathā tvayā kāryam idaṃ vaco mama

I shall go to the great forest, my dear; but you, my lovely one, must remain right here. Act upon this word of mine so that you give offense to no one.

Words: ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi — I shall go; mahāvanaṃ — to the great forest; priye — O dear one; tvayā hi — for by you; vastavyam — it is to be dwelt; ihaiva — here itself; bhāmini — O radiant lady; yathā — so that; vyalīkaṃ — offense, displeasure; kuruṣe — you do; na kasya cit — to no one; tathā — thus; tvayā — by you; kāryam — to be done; idaṃ vaco — this word; mama — my

← 2.22 Kausalyā’s blessing and amulet · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.24 Sītā claims a share in the exile →

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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