← 2.28 Lakṣmaṇa joins the exile · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.30 The walk to Daśaratha’s palace →
Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 29: Rāma’s gifts and Trijaṭa’s staff
Summary. Rāma & Sītā distribute wealth, the poor Trijaṭa receives the cattle encompassed by his staff’s throw
Sequence
- Lakṣmaṇa brings Suyajña, whom Rāma and Sītā welcome respectfully (2.29.1–4)
- they give him jewelry, gifts for his wife, a decorated couch, and the elephant Śatruñjaya, which Rāma received from his maternal uncle, together with a thousand other elephants → Suyajña blesses all three travelers (2.29.5–10)
- Rāma directs further gifts to Agastya and Kauśika, Kausalyā's teacher of the Taittirīya tradition, and the charioteer and longtime adviser Citraratha, including clothing, transport, wealth, and cattle (2.29.11–16)
- he provides for his dependents and asks them to keep his and Lakṣmaṇa's houses occupied until their return (2.29.17–19)
- the treasury's contents are brought out for further distribution to brāhmaṇas and people in need (2.29.20–21)
- Trijaṭa, a poor brāhmaṇa supporting many children by gathering food in the forest, asks for help → Rāma playfully offers him as many cows as the distance of his staff-throw will encompass (2.29.22–24)
- Trijaṭa throws with all his strength → Rāma explains that he meant no offense by the joke, gives him the herd, and receives his blessings. (2.29.25–27)
Verses 2.29.1–27
2.29.1
tataḥ śāsanam ājñāya bhrātuḥ śubhataraṃ priyam
gatvā sa praviveśāśu suyajñasya niveśanam
Then, having understood the very auspicious and pleasing command of his brother, he (Lakṣmaṇa) quickly went and entered the dwelling of Suyajña.
Words: tataḥ — then; śāsanam — the command; ājñāya — having understood, learned; bhrātuḥ — of his brother; śubhataraṃ — very auspicious; priyam — pleasing, dear; gatvā — having gone; sa — he; praviveśāśu — quickly entered; suyajñasya — of Suyajña; niveśanam — the dwelling
2.29.2
taṃ vipram agnyagārasthaṃ vanditvā lakṣmaṇo 'bravīt
sakhe 'bhyāgaccha paśya tvaṃ veśma duṣkarakāriṇaḥ
Having saluted that brahmin who was in the fire-sanctuary, Lakṣmaṇa said: “Friend, come and see the house of him who does hard deeds (Rāma).”
Words: taṃ vipram — that brahmin; agnyagārasthaṃ — standing in the fire-sanctuary; vanditvā — having saluted; lakṣmaṇo — Lakṣmaṇa; 'bravīt — said; sakhe — O friend; 'bhyāgaccha — come here; paśya — see; tvaṃ — you; veśma — the house; duṣkarakāriṇaḥ — of the doer of hard deeds
2.29.3
tataḥ saṃdhyām upāsyāśu gatvā saumitriṇā saha
juṣṭaṃ tat prāviśal lakṣmyā ramyaṃ rāmaniveśanam
Then, having quickly worshipped the twilight and gone together with Saumitri, he (Suyajña) entered that lovely dwelling of Rāma, graced with splendour.
Words: tataḥ — then; saṃdhyām — the twilight (worship); upāsyāśu — having quickly worshipped; gatvā — having gone; saumitriṇā saha — together with Saumitri; juṣṭaṃ — graced, endowed; tat — that; prāviśal — entered; lakṣmyā — with splendour, fortune; ramyaṃ — lovely; rāmaniveśanam — the dwelling of Rāma
2.29.4
tam āgataṃ vedavidaṃ prāñjaliḥ sītayā saha
suyajñam abhicakrāma rāghavo 'gnim ivārcitam
Rāghava, with palms joined and together with Sītā, approached that Suyajña, the knower of the Vedas who had come, honoured like the sacred fire.
Words: tam āgataṃ — him who had come; vedavidaṃ — the knower of the Vedas; prāñjaliḥ — with palms joined; sītayā saha — together with Sītā; suyajñam — Suyajña; abhicakrāma — approached; rāghavo — Rāghava (Rāma); 'gnim ivārcitam — honoured like the fire
2.29.5
jātarūpamayair mukhyair aṅgadaiḥ kuṇḍalaiḥ śubhaiḥ
sahema sūtrair maṇibhiḥ keyūrair valayair api
With excellent armlets of gold, with beautiful earrings, with gems together with golden cords, with bracelets and bangles too,
Words: jātarūpamayair — made of gold; mukhyair — excellent, foremost; aṅgadaiḥ — with armlets; kuṇḍalaiḥ — with earrings; śubhaiḥ — beautiful; sahema sūtrair — with golden cords; maṇibhiḥ — with gems, jewels; keyūrair — with bracelets; valayair api — and with bangles
2.29.6
anyaiś ca ratnair bahubhiḥ kākutsthaḥ pratyapūjayat
suyajñaṃ sa tadovāca rāmaḥ sītāpracoditaḥ
and with many other jewels, Kākutstha honoured Suyajña; then Rāma, urged by Sītā, said to him:
Words: anyaiś ca — and with other; ratnair — jewels; bahubhiḥ — many; kākutsthaḥ — Kākutstha (Rāma); pratyapūjayat — honoured in return; suyajñaṃ — Suyajña; sa — he; tadovāca — then said; rāmaḥ — Rāma; sītāpracoditaḥ — urged by Sītā
2.29.7
hāraṃ ca hemasūtraṃ ca bhāryāyai saumya hāraya
raśanāṃ cādhunā sītā dātum icchati te sakhe
“O gentle one, take a necklace and a golden cord for your wife; and now, friend, Sītā wishes to give a girdle to you (for her).
Words: hāraṃ ca — a necklace and; hemasūtraṃ ca — and a golden cord; bhāryāyai — for (your) wife; saumya — O gentle one; hāraya — take away, carry off; raśanāṃ — a girdle, waistband; cādhunā — and now; sītā — Sītā; dātum — to give; icchati — wishes; te — to you; sakhe — O friend
2.29.8
paryaṅkam agryāstaraṇaṃ nānāratnavibhūṣitam
tam apīcchati vaidehī pratiṣṭhāpayituṃ tvayi
Vaidehī also wishes to bestow upon you a couch with an excellent covering, adorned with various jewels.
Words: paryaṅkam — a couch, bed; agryāstaraṇaṃ — with an excellent covering; nānāratnavibhūṣitam — adorned with various jewels; tam — that; apīcchati — also wishes; vaidehī — Vaidehī (Sītā); pratiṣṭhāpayituṃ — to bestow, establish; tvayi — upon you
2.29.9
nāgaḥ śatruṃ jayo nāma mātulo yaṃ dadau mama
taṃ te gajasahasreṇa dadāmi dvijapuṃgava
There is an elephant named Śatruñjaya (conqueror of foes), whom my maternal uncle gave to me; that one I give to you, along with a thousand elephants, O bull among the twice-born.
Words: nāgaḥ — an elephant; śatruṃ jayo nāma — named Śatruñjaya ('conqueror of the foe'); mātulo — maternal uncle; yaṃ — whom; dadau — gave; mama — to me; taṃ — that (one); te — to you; gajasahasreṇa — with a thousand elephants; dadāmi — I give; dvijapuṃgava — O bull among the twice-born
2.29.10
ity uktaḥ sa hi rāmeṇa suyajñaḥ pratigṛhya tat
rāmalakṣmaṇasītānāṃ prayuyojāśiṣaḥ śivāḥ
Thus addressed by Rāma, Suyajña, having accepted that, pronounced auspicious blessings upon Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā.
Words: ity uktaḥ — thus addressed; sa hi — he indeed; rāmeṇa — by Rāma; suyajñaḥ — Suyajña; pratigṛhya — having accepted; tat — that; rāmalakṣmaṇasītānāṃ — upon Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā; prayuyojāśiṣaḥ — pronounced blessings; śivāḥ — auspicious
2.29.11
atha bhrātaram avyagraṃ priyaṃ rāmaḥ priyaṃvadaḥ
saumitriṃ tam uvācedaṃ brahmeva tridaśeśvaram
Then Rāma, sweet of speech, said this to his dear, composed brother Saumitri, as Brahmā (would speak) to the lord of the gods.
Words: atha — then; bhrātaram — brother; avyagraṃ — composed, unagitated; priyaṃ — dear; rāmaḥ — Rāma; priyaṃvadaḥ — sweet of speech; saumitriṃ — Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa); tam — that; uvācedaṃ — said this; brahmeva — like Brahmā; tridaśeśvaram — to the lord of the gods (Indra)
2.29.12
agastyaṃ kauśikaṃ caiva tāv ubhau brāhmaṇottamau
arcayāhūya saumitre ratnaiḥ sasyam ivāmbubhiḥ
“O Saumitri, summon and honour those two, Agastya and Kauśika, both best of brahmins, with jewels, as one nourishes crops with water.
Words: agastyaṃ — Agastya; kauśikaṃ caiva — and Kauśika; tāv ubhau — those two both; brāhmaṇottamau — best of brahmins; arcayāhūya — having summoned, honour; saumitre — O Saumitri; ratnaiḥ — with jewels; sasyam — a crop; ivāmbubhiḥ — as with waters
2.29.13
kausalyāṃ ca ya āśīrbhir bhaktaḥ paryupatiṣṭhati
ācāryas taittirīyāṇām abhirūpaś ca vedavit
And (honour) the teacher of the Taittirīyas, handsome and Veda-knowing, who devotedly attends upon Kausalyā with blessings —
Words: kausalyāṃ ca — and Kausalyā; ya — who; āśīrbhir — with blessings; bhaktaḥ — devoted; paryupatiṣṭhati — attends upon, waits upon; ācāryas — the teacher; taittirīyāṇām — of the Taittirīyas; abhirūpaś ca — and handsome; vedavit — the Veda-knower
2.29.14
tasya yānaṃ ca dāsīś ca saumitre saṃpradāpaya
kauśeyāni ca vastrāṇi yāvat tuṣyati sa dvijaḥ
O Saumitri, have a carriage and maidservants and silk garments given to him, until that brahmin is satisfied.
Words: tasya — to him; yānaṃ ca — a carriage and; dāsīś ca — and maidservants; saumitre — O Saumitri; saṃpradāpaya — cause to be given fully; kauśeyāni ca — and silk (garments); vastrāṇi — garments; yāvat — until, as long as; tuṣyati — is satisfied; sa dvijaḥ — that brahmin
2.29.15
sūtaś citrarathaś cāryaḥ sacivaḥ suciroṣitaḥ
toṣayainaṃ mahārhaiś ca ratnair vastrair dhanais tathā
The charioteer Citraratha, the noble counsellor who has long dwelt with us — satisfy him too with precious jewels, garments, and wealth.
Words: sūtaś — the charioteer; citrarathaś — Citraratha; cāryaḥ — and the noble one; sacivaḥ — counsellor, minister; suciroṣitaḥ — who has long dwelt (with us); toṣayainaṃ — satisfy him; mahārhaiś ca — and with precious; ratnair — jewels; vastrair — garments; dhanais tathā — and with wealth
2.29.16
śālivāhasahasraṃ ca dve śate bhadrakāṃs tathā
vyañjanārthaṃ ca saumitre gosahasram upākuru
And provide, O Saumitri, a thousand plough-oxen, two hundred good bulls, and a thousand cows to supply meals with milk.
Words: śālivāhasahasraṃ ca — and a thousand rice-oxen; dve śate — two hundred; bhadrakāṃs tathā — and good bulls; vyañjanārthaṃ ca — and for the sake of food/condiments; saumitre — O Saumitri; gosahasram — a thousand cows; upākuru — provide, furnish
2.29.17
tataḥ sa puruṣavyāghras tad dhanaṃ lakṣmaṇaḥ svayam
yathoktaṃ brāhmaṇendrāṇām adadād dhanado yathā
Then that tiger among men, Lakṣmaṇa, himself gave that wealth to the chief brahmins as directed, like Kubera the bestower of riches.
Words: tataḥ — then; sa puruṣavyāghras — that tiger among men; tad dhanaṃ — that wealth; lakṣmaṇaḥ — Lakṣmaṇa; svayam — himself; yathoktaṃ — as directed; brāhmaṇendrāṇām — to the chief brahmins; adadād — gave; dhanado yathā — like the bestower of wealth (Kubera)
2.29.18
athābravīd bāṣpakalāṃs tiṣṭhataś copajīvinaḥ
saṃpradāya bahu dravyam ekaikasyopajīvinaḥ
Then, having given much wealth to each one of the dependants, he spoke to the dependants who stood there with tear-choked voices:
Words: athābravīd — then he said; bāṣpakalāṃs — with tear-choked (voices); tiṣṭhataś — standing; copajīvinaḥ — and the dependants; saṃpradāya — having given; bahu dravyam — much wealth; ekaikasyopajīvinaḥ — to each one of the dependants
2.29.19
lakṣmaṇasya ca yad veśma gṛhaṃ ca yad idaṃ mama
aśūnyaṃ kāryam ekaikaṃ yāvadāgamanaṃ mama
“The house that is Lakṣmaṇa's, and this dwelling that is mine — each one must be kept not empty until my return.”
Words: lakṣmaṇasya ca — and of Lakṣmaṇa; yad veśma — which house; gṛhaṃ ca — and the dwelling; yad idaṃ mama — which is this of mine; aśūnyaṃ — not empty; kāryam — must be kept, made; ekaikaṃ — each one; yāvadāgamanaṃ — until (my) return; mama — of me
2.29.20
ity uktvā duḥkhitaṃ sarvaṃ janaṃ tam upajīvinam
uvācedaṃ dhanadhyakṣaṃ dhanam ānīyatām iti
tato 'sya dhanam ājahruḥ sarvam evopajīvinaḥ
Having said this to all those grieving dependant people, he said this to the treasurer: “Let the wealth be brought.” Then all the dependants brought his wealth.
Words: ity uktvā — having spoken thus; duḥkhitaṃ — grieving; sarvaṃ — all; janaṃ — people; tam — that; upajīvinam — dependant; uvācedaṃ — said this; dhanadhyakṣaṃ — to the treasurer; dhanam — the wealth; ānīyatām — let it be brought; iti — thus; tato — then; 'sya — his; dhanam — the wealth; ājahruḥ — brought; sarvam — all; evopajīvinaḥ — indeed the dependants
2.29.21
tataḥ sa puruṣavyāghras tad dhanaṃ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ
dvijebhyo bālavṛddhebhyaḥ kṛpaṇebhyo 'bhyadāpayat
Then that tiger among men, together with Lakṣmaṇa, had that wealth given out to the brahmins, to the young and old, and to the wretched.
Words: tataḥ — then; sa puruṣavyāghras — that tiger among men; tad dhanaṃ — that wealth; sahalakṣmaṇaḥ — together with Lakṣmaṇa; dvijebhyo — to the brahmins; bālavṛddhebhyaḥ — to the young and old; kṛpaṇebhyo — to the wretched, poor; 'bhyadāpayat — caused to be given
2.29.22
tatrāsīt piṅgalo gārgyas trijaṭo nāma vai dvijaḥ
ā pañcamāyāḥ kakṣyāyā nainaṃ kaś cid avārayat
There was a tawny-eyed brahmin of the Gārgya line named Trijaṭa; up to the fifth court no one stopped him.
Words: tatrāsīt — there was; piṅgalo — tawny(-eyed), reddish-brown; gārgyas — of the Gārgya line; trijaṭo nāma — named Trijaṭa; vai — indeed; dvijaḥ — a brahmin; ā pañcamāyāḥ — up to the fifth; kakṣyāyā — of the court, enclosure; nainaṃ — not him; kaś cid — anyone; avārayat — stopped, hindered
2.29.23
sa rājaputram āsādya trijaṭo vākyam abravīt
nirdhano bahuputro 'smi rājaputra mahāyaśaḥ
uñchavṛttir vane nityaṃ pratyavekṣasva mām iti
That Trijaṭa, approaching the prince, spoke these words: “O illustrious prince, I am penniless and have many sons; I live always in the forest by gleaning. Look upon me!”
Words: sa — he; rājaputram — the prince; āsādya — having approached; trijaṭo — Trijaṭa; vākyam — words; abravīt — spoke; nirdhano — penniless; bahuputro — having many sons; 'smi — I am; rājaputra — O prince; mahāyaśaḥ — O illustrious one; uñchavṛttir — living by gleaning; vane — in the forest; nityaṃ — always; pratyavekṣasva — look after, regard; mām — me; iti — thus
2.29.24
tam uvāca tato rāmaḥ parihāsasamanvitam
gavāṃ sahasram apy ekaṃ na tu viśrāṇitaṃ mayā
parikṣipasi daṇḍena yāvat tāvad avāpsyasi
Then Rāma said to him playfully: “Even one herd of a thousand cows has not yet been given away by me; as far as you can hurl your staff, so much shall you obtain.”
Words: tam — to him; uvāca — said; tato — then; rāmaḥ — Rāma; parihāsasamanvitam — in a jesting manner; gavāṃ — of cows; sahasram — a thousand; apy ekaṃ — even one; na tu — but not; viśrāṇitaṃ — given away, distributed; mayā — by me; parikṣipasi — you hurl, cast around; daṇḍena — with a staff; yāvat — as far as; tāvad — so much; avāpsyasi — you will obtain
2.29.25
sa śāṭīṃ tvaritaḥ kaṭyāṃ saṃbhrāntaḥ pariveṣṭya tām
āvidhya daṇḍaṃ cikṣepa sarvaprāṇena vegitaḥ
Hurriedly and in great excitement girding that loincloth about his waist, he whirled the staff and hurled it with all his strength, impelled with full force.
Words: sa — he; śāṭīṃ — the loincloth, cloth; tvaritaḥ — hurriedly; kaṭyāṃ — on the waist, hip; saṃbhrāntaḥ — flustered, excited; pariveṣṭya — having wrapped around, girded; tām — it; āvidhya — having whirled, brandished; daṇḍaṃ — the staff; cikṣepa — hurled, threw; sarvaprāṇena — with all his strength; vegitaḥ — impelled with force, speeded
2.29.26
uvāca ca tato rāmas taṃ gārgyam abhisāntvayan
manyur na khalu kartavyaḥ parihāso hy ayaṃ mama
And then Rāma, consoling that Gārgya, said: “No anger should be felt; this is only a jest of mine.”
Words: uvāca ca — and said; tato — then; rāmas — Rāma; taṃ gārgyam — that Gārgya; abhisāntvayan — consoling, pacifying; manyur — anger; na khalu — not indeed; kartavyaḥ — should be entertained, done; parihāso — a jest; hy ayaṃ — this indeed; mama — of mine
2.29.27
tataḥ sabhāryas trijaṭo mahāmunir gavām anīkaṃ pratigṛhya moditaḥ
yaśobalaprītisukhopabṛṃhiṇīs tad āśiṣaḥ pratyavadan mahātmanaḥ
Then the great sage Trijaṭa, with his wife, having joyfully received the herd of cows, uttered in return, upon that great soul, blessings that swell his fame, strength, love, and happiness.
Words: tataḥ — then; sabhāryas — with his wife; trijaṭo — Trijaṭa; mahāmunir — the great sage; gavām — of cows; anīkaṃ — a herd, multitude; pratigṛhya — having received; moditaḥ — delighted, rejoicing; yaśobalaprītisukhopabṛṃhiṇīs — swelling fame, strength, love and happiness; tad — those, thereupon; āśiṣaḥ — blessings; pratyavadan — uttered in return, replied; mahātmanaḥ — upon the great-souled one (Rāma)
← 2.28 Lakṣmaṇa joins the exile · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.30 The walk to Daśaratha’s palace →
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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