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Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 46: Rāma crosses the Gaṅgā
Summary. He sends Sumantra back as proof of departure, forms matted locks with banyan sap and crosses while Sītā prays
Sequence
- At dawn Rāma prepares to cross the river (2.46.1–5)
- he tells Sumantra that they will now continue on foot and that he must return with the chariot → the driver protests at the injustice of Rāma's hardship (2.46.6–13)
- Rāma asks him to support the aging, distressed Daśaratha and carry the assurance that all three will return after fourteen years (2.46.14–22)
- he sends greetings to all the Queens, asks that Bharata be brought back and installed, and tells Bharata to honor every mother, especially Kausalyā. (2.46.23–28)
- Sumantra pleads to stay: he cannot face returning with the empty chariot or telling Kausalyā where her son has gone (2.46.29–37)
- he offers to serve them in the forest and bring them home when the exile ends (2.46.38–48)
- Rāma explains why he must return: the empty chariot will convince Kaikeyī that the exile is real and protect Daśaratha from suspicion of evading his promise (2.46.49–54)
- he asks Guha for banyan sap and uses it to form his and Lakṣmaṇa's hair into matted locks → he advises Guha to guard his army, treasury, forts, and territory, then says goodbye. (2.46.55–60)
- Lakṣmaṇa helps Sītā into the boat and boards after her; Rāma boards too and takes leave of Guha and Sumantra → Guha's men row them across (2.46.61–66)
- in midstream, Sītā prays to the Gaṅgā that Rāma may complete the fourteen years safely with herself and Lakṣmaṇa and return to his Kingdom → she promises worship and gifts of cattle, clothing, and food to brāhmaṇas when they return (2.46.67–73)
- on the southern bank, Rāma arranges their walking order: Lakṣmaṇa in front, Sītā in the middle, and himself behind to guard them both (2.46.74–77)
- Sumantra watches them with tears flowing (2.46.78)
- hungry, the brothers kill a boar, an ṛśya antelope, a spotted deer, and a ruru deer, take meat fit to eat, and stop beneath a tree for the night. (2.46.79)
Verses 2.46.1–79
2.46.1
prabhātāyāṃ tu śarvaryāṃ pṛthu vṛkṣā mahāyaśāḥ
uvāca rāmaḥ saumitriṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ śubhalakṣaṇam
When the night had brightened into dawn, the broad-chested, greatly renowned Rāma said to Saumitri, to Lakṣmaṇa of auspicious marks:
Words: prabhātāyāṃ — when it had brightened to dawn; tu — and; śarvaryāṃ — the night (loc. abs.); pṛthu — broad; vṛkṣā — chested (text: vṛkṣā, for vakṣāḥ 'chest'); mahāyaśāḥ — of great fame; uvāca — said; rāmaḥ — Rāma; saumitriṃ — to Saumitri; lakṣmaṇaṃ — to Lakṣmaṇa; śubhalakṣaṇam — of auspicious marks
2.46.2
bhāskarodayakālo 'yaṃ gatā bhagavatī niśā
asau sukṛṣṇo vihagaḥ kokilas tāta kūjati
'This is the hour of the sun's rising; the venerable night has passed; yonder, dear one, the deep-black bird, the cuckoo, is calling.'
Words: bhāskarodayakālo 'yaṃ — this is the time of sunrise; gatā — gone, passed; bhagavatī — the venerable, blessed; niśā — night; asau — yonder; sukṛṣṇo — very black; vihagaḥ — bird; kokilas — the cuckoo; tāta — dear one; kūjati — sings, calls
2.46.3
barhiṇānāṃ ca nirghoṣaḥ śrūyate nadatāṃ vane
tarāma jāhnavīṃ saumya śīghragāṃ sāgaraṃgamām
'And the cry of the peacocks calling in the forest is heard; let us cross the swift-flowing Jāhnavī, gentle one, that runs to the sea.'
Words: barhiṇānāṃ — of the peacocks; ca — and; nirghoṣaḥ — the sound, cry; śrūyate — is heard; nadatāṃ — of (them) calling out; vane — in the forest; tarāma — let us cross; jāhnavīṃ — the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā); saumya — O gentle one; śīghragāṃ — swift-flowing; sāgaraṃgamām — running to the sea
2.46.4
vijñāya rāmasya vacaḥ saumitrir mitranandanaḥ
guham āmantrya sūtaṃ ca so 'tiṣṭhad bhrātur agrataḥ
Understanding Rāma's word, Saumitri, the delight of his friends, having taken leave of Guha and the charioteer, stood before his brother.
Words: vijñāya — having understood; rāmasya — Rāma's; vacaḥ — word; saumitrir — Saumitri; mitranandanaḥ — delight of his friends; guham — Guha; āmantrya — having taken leave of; sūtaṃ ca — and the charioteer; so 'tiṣṭhad — he stood; bhrātur — of the brother; agrataḥ — before, in front of
2.46.5
tataḥ kalāpān saṃnahya khaḍgau baddhvā ca dhanvinau
jagmatur yena tau gaṅgāṃ sītayā saha rāghavau
Then, strapping on their quivers and girding on their two swords, the two bow-bearing Rāghavas, together with Sītā, went to where the Gaṅgā lay.
Words: tataḥ — then; kalāpān — the quivers; saṃnahya — having strapped on, girded; khaḍgau — the two swords; baddhvā — having bound on; ca — and; dhanvinau — the two bowmen; jagmatur — the two went; yena — to where; tau — the two; gaṅgāṃ — the Gaṅgā; sītayā saha — together with Sītā; rāghavau — the two Rāghavas
2.46.6
rāmam eva tu dharmajñam upagamya vinītavat
kim ahaṃ karavāṇīti sūtaḥ prāñjalir abravīt
Approaching Rāma, the knower of dharma, humbly, the charioteer, palms joined, said, 'What am I to do?'
Words: rāmam eva — Rāma indeed; tu — and; dharmajñam — the knower of dharma; upagamya — having approached; vinītavat — humbly, respectfully; kim — what; ahaṃ — I; karavāṇīti — 'shall I do', thus; sūtaḥ — the charioteer; prāñjalir — with palms joined; abravīt — said
2.46.7
nivartasvety uvācainam etāvad dhi kṛtaṃ mama
yānaṃ vihāya padbhyāṃ tu gamiṣyāmo mahāvanam
'Turn back,' he said to him; 'this much has been done for me. Leaving the chariot, we shall go on foot into the great forest.'
Words: nivartasvety — 'turn back', thus; uvācainam — said to him; etāvad dhi — for this much; kṛtaṃ — (has been) done; mama — for me; yānaṃ — the vehicle, chariot; vihāya — having left, abandoned; padbhyāṃ — on foot, with the two feet; tu — but; gamiṣyāmo — we shall go; mahāvanam — the great forest
2.46.8
ātmānaṃ tv abhyanujñātam avekṣyārtaḥ sa sārathiḥ
sumantraḥ puruṣavyāghram aikṣvākam idam abravīt
But seeing himself thus dismissed, the charioteer Sumantra, distressed, said this to the tiger among men, the scion of Ikṣvāku:
Words: ātmānaṃ — himself; tv — but; abhyanujñātam — dismissed, given leave; avekṣyārtaḥ — seeing (this), distressed; sa — that; sārathiḥ — charioteer; sumantraḥ — Sumantra; puruṣavyāghram — the tiger among men; aikṣvākam — the scion of Ikṣvāku; idam — this; abravīt — said
2.46.9
nātikrāntam idaṃ loke puruṣeṇeha kena cit
tava sabhrātṛbhāryasya vāsaḥ prākṛtavad vane
'Never in the world has this been undergone by any man — such a dwelling in the forest, like a common man's, as yours, with your brother and your wife.'
Words: nātikrāntam — not undergone, unheard-of; idaṃ — this; loke — in the world; puruṣeṇeha — by a man here; kena cit — any; tava — your; sabhrātṛbhāryasya — of you with brother and wife; vāsaḥ — dwelling; prākṛtavad — like a common person; vane — in the forest
2.46.10
na manye brahmacarye 'sti svadhīte vā phalodayaḥ
mārdavārjavayor vāpi tvāṃ ced vyasanam āgatam
'I do not think there is any fruit in chastity, or in good study, or even in gentleness and uprightness, if calamity has come upon you.'
Words: na manye — I do not think; brahmacarye — in chastity, religious study; 'sti — there is; svadhīte — in good learning; vā — or; phalodayaḥ — the arising of fruit; mārdavārjavayor — in gentleness and uprightness; vāpi — or even; tvāṃ — you; ced — if; vyasanam — calamity, misfortune; āgatam — has come
2.46.11
saha rāghava vaidehyā bhrātrā caiva vane vasan
tvaṃ gatiṃ prāpsyase vīra trīṃl lokāṃs tu jayann iva
'Yet dwelling in the forest with Vaidehī and with your brother, O Rāghava, you will attain glory, O hero, as though conquering the three worlds.'
Words: saha — with; rāghava — O Rāghava; vaidehyā — with Vaidehī; bhrātrā caiva — and with the brother; vane — in the forest; vasan — dwelling; tvaṃ — you; gatiṃ — the goal, high state; prāpsyase — will attain; vīra — O hero; trīṃl lokāṃs — the three worlds; tu — indeed; jayann iva — as if conquering
2.46.12
vayaṃ khalu hatā rāma ye tayāpy upavañcitāḥ
kaikeyyā vaśam eṣyāmaḥ pāpāyā duḥkhabhāginaḥ
'But we indeed are ruined, Rāma — we who, cheated by her, shall fall under the sway of the wicked Kaikeyī, we, doomed to sorrow.'
Words: vayaṃ — we; khalu — indeed; hatā — ruined, undone; rāma — O Rāma; ye — who; tayāpy — by her too; upavañcitāḥ — deceived, cheated; kaikeyyā — of Kaikeyī; vaśam — the sway, power; eṣyāmaḥ — we shall come to; pāpāyā — of the wicked one; duḥkhabhāginaḥ — sharers in sorrow
2.46.13
iti bruvann ātma samaṃ sumantraḥ sārathis tadā
dṛṣṭvā dura gataṃ rāmaṃ duḥkhārto rurude ciram
Speaking thus, the charioteer Sumantra then, seeing Rāma — dear to him as his own self — gone far off, wept a long while, stricken with grief.
Words: iti — thus; bruvann — speaking; ātma samaṃ — (one) dear as his own self; sumantraḥ — Sumantra; sārathis — charioteer; tadā — then; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; dura gataṃ — gone far off (text: dura for dūra); rāmaṃ — Rāma; duḥkhārto — stricken with grief; rurude — wept, cried; ciram — for a long time
2.46.14
tatas tu vigate bāṣpe sūtaṃ spṛṣṭodakaṃ śucim
rāmas tu madhuraṃ vākyaṃ punaḥ punar uvāca tam
Then, when the charioteer's tears had passed and he had touched water and grown pure, Rāma spoke to him sweet words again and again:
Words: tatas tu — then; vigate bāṣpe — when the tears had gone (loc. abs.); sūtaṃ — the charioteer; spṛṣṭodakaṃ — who had touched water; śucim — pure; rāmas tu — but Rāma; madhuraṃ — sweet; vākyaṃ — words; punaḥ punar — again and again; uvāca — spoke; tam — to him
2.46.15
ikṣvākūṇāṃ tvayā tulyaṃ suhṛdaṃ nopalakṣaye
yathā daśaratho rājā māṃ na śocet tathā kuru
'I know no friend of the Ikṣvākus equal to you; act so that King Daśaratha may not grieve for me.'
Words: ikṣvākūṇāṃ — of the Ikṣvākus; tvayā tulyaṃ — equal to you; suhṛdaṃ — friend; nopalakṣaye — I do not perceive; yathā — so that; daśaratho — Daśaratha; rājā — the king; māṃ — for me; na śocet — may not grieve; tathā — so; kuru — act, do
2.46.16
śokopahata cetāś ca vṛddhaś ca jagatīpatiḥ
kāma bhārāvasannaś ca tasmād etad bravīmi te
'The lord of the earth is old, his mind stricken by grief, and sinking beneath the burden of desire; that is why I say this to you.'
Words: śokopahata cetāś — with mind stricken by grief; ca — and; vṛddhaś ca — and old; jagatīpatiḥ — the lord of the earth; kāma bhārāvasannaś — sunk beneath the burden of desire; ca — and; tasmād — therefore; etad — this; bravīmi — I say; te — to you
2.46.17
yad yad ājñāpayet kiṃ cit sa mahātmā mahīpatiḥ
kaikeyyāḥ priyakāmārthaṃ kāryaṃ tad avikāṅkṣayā
'Whatever that great-souled lord of the earth may command, to please the wishes of Kaikeyī, that must be carried out without demur.'
Words: yad yad — whatever; ājñāpayet — may command; kiṃ cit — anything; sa — that; mahātmā — great-souled; mahīpatiḥ — lord of the earth; kaikeyyāḥ — of Kaikeyī; priyakāmārthaṃ — to please (her) dear wish; kāryaṃ — to be done; tad — that; avikāṅkṣayā — without hesitation
2.46.18
etadarthaṃ hi rājyāni praśāsati nareśvarāḥ
yad eṣāṃ sarvakṛtyeṣu mano na pratihanyate
'For to this end do lords of men govern kingdoms — that in none of their undertakings should their will be thwarted.'
Words: etadarthaṃ — for this purpose; hi — for; rājyāni — kingdoms; praśāsati — they rule, govern; nareśvarāḥ — lords of men; yad — that; eṣāṃ — of them; sarvakṛtyeṣu — in all their undertakings; mano — the mind, will; na pratihanyate — is not thwarted, opposed
2.46.19
tad yathā sa mahārājo nālīkam adhigacchati
na ca tāmyati duḥkhena sumantra kuru tat tathā
'So act, Sumantra, in such a way that the great king does not fall into (thoughts of) deceit, nor languish with grief.'
Words: tad — therefore; yathā — so that; sa — that; mahārājo — the great king; nālīkam — falsehood, deceit; adhigacchati — incurs, falls into; na ca — and not; tāmyati — languishes, is distressed; duḥkhena — with grief; sumantra — O Sumantra; kuru — do, act; tat — that; tathā — so
2.46.20
adṛṣṭaduḥkhaṃ rājānaṃ vṛddham āryaṃ jitendriyam
brūyās tvam abhivādyaiva mama hetor idaṃ vacaḥ
'Saluting the king — who has never known sorrow, aged, noble, master of his senses — you should on my behalf speak this word:'
Words: adṛṣṭaduḥkhaṃ — who has never known sorrow; rājānaṃ — the king; vṛddham — aged; āryaṃ — noble; jitendriyam — master of his senses; brūyās — you should say; tvam — you; abhivādyaiva — having saluted; mama hetor — for my sake; idaṃ — this; vacaḥ — word
2.46.21
naivāham anuśocāmi lakṣmaṇo na ca maithilī
ayodhyāyāś cyutāś ceti vane vatsyāmaheti vā
'Neither do I grieve at all, nor Lakṣmaṇa, nor the princess of Mithilā, whether at being fallen from Ayodhyā, or (thinking) "we shall dwell in the forest."'
Words: naivāham — not at all do I; anuśocāmi — grieve; lakṣmaṇo — Lakṣmaṇa; na ca — nor; maithilī — the Maithilī (Sītā); ayodhyāyāś — from Ayodhyā; cyutāś ceti — 'fallen', and thus; vane — in the forest; vatsyāmaheti — 'we shall dwell', thus; vā — or
2.46.22
caturdaśasu varṣeṣu nivṛtteṣu punaḥ punaḥ
lakṣmaṇaṃ māṃ ca sītāṃ ca drakṣyasi kṣipram āgatān
'When the fourteen years are over, you will soon see Lakṣmaṇa, and me, and Sītā come back once more.'
Words: caturdaśasu — in fourteen; varṣeṣu — years; nivṛtteṣu — when ended (loc. abs.); punaḥ punaḥ — again and again; lakṣmaṇaṃ — Lakṣmaṇa; māṃ ca — and me; sītāṃ ca — and Sītā; drakṣyasi — you will see; kṣipram — soon; āgatān — returned, come back
2.46.23
evam uktvā tu rājānaṃ mātaraṃ ca sumantra me
anyāś ca devīḥ sahitāḥ kaikeyīṃ ca punaḥ punaḥ
'Having thus addressed the king, and my mother, Sumantra, and all the other queens together, and Kaikeyī, again and again,'
Words: evam uktvā — having thus spoken to; tu — and; rājānaṃ — the king; mātaraṃ ca — and the mother; sumantra — O Sumantra; me — my; anyāś ca devīḥ — and the other queens; sahitāḥ — together, all; kaikeyīṃ ca — and Kaikeyī; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again
2.46.24
ārogyaṃ brūhi kausalyām atha pādābhivandanam
sītāyā mama cāryasya vacanāl lakṣmaṇasya ca
'convey to Kausalyā a wish for her health, and then a salutation at her feet — in the words of Sītā, of me, and of noble Lakṣmaṇa.'
Words: ārogyaṃ — (a wish for) health; brūhi — tell, convey; kausalyām — to Kausalyā; atha — and then; pādābhivandanam — salutation at (her) feet; sītāyā — of Sītā; mama — of me; cāryasya — and of the noble one; vacanāl — by the word; lakṣmaṇasya ca — and of Lakṣmaṇa
2.46.25
brūyāś ca hi mahārājaṃ bharataṃ kṣipram ānaya
āgataś cāpi bharataḥ sthāpyo nṛpamate pade
'And you should say to the great king: "Bring Bharata quickly; and Bharata, once he has come, should be installed in the royal office."'
Words: brūyāś ca — and you should say; hi — indeed; mahārājaṃ — to the great king; bharataṃ — Bharata; kṣipram — quickly; ānaya — bring; āgataś cāpi — and once he has come; bharataḥ — Bharata; sthāpyo — to be installed; nṛpamate — in the royal (station); pade — in the office, station
2.46.26
bharataṃ ca pariṣvajya yauvarājye 'bhiṣicya ca
asmatsaṃtāpajaṃ duḥkhaṃ na tvām abhibhaviṣyati
'And once you have embraced Bharata and consecrated him as heir-apparent, the grief born of sorrow for us will not overwhelm you.'
Words: bharataṃ ca — and Bharata; pariṣvajya — having embraced; yauvarājye — in the heir-apparency; 'bhiṣicya ca — and having consecrated; asmatsaṃtāpajaṃ — born of grief for us; duḥkhaṃ — the sorrow; na — not; tvām — you; abhibhaviṣyati — will overwhelm, overpower
2.46.27
bharataś cāpi vaktavyo yathā rājani vartase
tathā mātṛṣu vartethāḥ sarvāsv evāviśeṣataḥ
'And Bharata too should be told: "As you bear yourself toward the king, so you should bear yourself toward all the mothers, without distinction."'
Words: bharataś cāpi — and Bharata too; vaktavyo — should be told; yathā — as; rājani — toward the king; vartase — you conduct yourself; tathā — so; mātṛṣu — toward the mothers; vartethāḥ — you should conduct yourself; sarvāsv — toward all; evāviśeṣataḥ — without distinction indeed
2.46.28
yathā ca tava kaikeyī sumitrā cāviśeṣataḥ
tathaiva devī kausalyā mama mātā viśeṣataḥ
'And as Kaikeyī and Sumitrā are to you without distinction, just so is Queen Kausalyā, my mother, especially (to be honored).'
Words: yathā ca — and as; tava — to you; kaikeyī — Kaikeyī; sumitrā — Sumitrā; cāviśeṣataḥ — and without distinction; tathaiva — just so; devī kausalyā — Queen Kausalyā; mama mātā — my mother; viśeṣataḥ — especially
2.46.29
nivartyamāno rāmeṇa sumantraḥ śokakarśitaḥ
tat sarvaṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā snehāt kākutstham abravīt
Sumantra, being sent back by Rāma, worn thin with grief, having heard all that speech, said to Kākutstha out of affection:
Words: nivartyamāno — being sent back; rāmeṇa — by Rāma; sumantraḥ — Sumantra; śokakarśitaḥ — worn thin by grief; tat sarvaṃ — all that; vacanaṃ — speech; śrutvā — having heard; snehāt — out of affection; kākutstham — to Kākutstha (Rāma); abravīt — said
2.46.30
yad ahaṃ nopacāreṇa brūyāṃ snehād aviklavaḥ
bhaktimān iti tat tāvad vākyaṃ tvaṃ kṣantum arhasi
'If, out of affection and not by mere courtesy, I — steadfast and devoted — should say something, that speech, at least, you ought to forgive.'
Words: yad — if, that; ahaṃ — I; nopacāreṇa — not by (mere) formal courtesy; brūyāṃ — should say; snehād — out of affection; aviklavaḥ — unwavering, steady; bhaktimān — devoted; iti — thus; tat tāvad — that at least; vākyaṃ — speech; tvaṃ — you; kṣantum — to forgive; arhasi — ought
2.46.31
kathaṃ hi tvadvihīno 'haṃ pratiyāsyāmi tāṃ purīm
tava tāta viyogena putraśokākulām iva
'For how shall I, bereft of you, return to that city, which through separation from you, dear one, is as though distraught with grief for a son?'
Words: kathaṃ — how; hi — for; tvadvihīno 'haṃ — I, bereft of you; pratiyāsyāmi — shall return, go back; tāṃ purīm — to that city; tava — of you; tāta — dear one; viyogena — through separation; putraśokākulām — distraught with grief for a son; iva — as if
2.46.32
sarāmam api tāvan me rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā tadā janaḥ
vinā rāmaṃ rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā vidīryetāpi sā purī
'The people grieved even at seeing my chariot with Rāma in it as it left; how much more, seeing the chariot without Rāma, would that city burst asunder!'
Words: sarāmam api — even with Rāma in it; tāvan — so much, then; me — my; rathaṃ — chariot; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; tadā — then; janaḥ — the people; vinā rāmaṃ — without Rāma; rathaṃ — the chariot; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; vidīryetāpi — would burst apart even; sā purī — that city
2.46.33
dainyaṃ hi nagarī gacched dṛṣṭvā śūnyam imaṃ ratham
sūtāvaśeṣaṃ svaṃ sainyaṃ hatavīram ivāhave
'For seeing this empty chariot, with only the driver left, the city would sink into wretchedness, like an army in battle whose hero has been slain.'
Words: dainyaṃ — wretchedness, misery; hi — for; nagarī — the city; gacched — would fall into; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; śūnyam — empty; imaṃ ratham — this chariot; sūtāvaśeṣaṃ — with only the driver remaining; svaṃ sainyaṃ — its own army; hatavīram — whose hero is slain; ivāhave — as in battle
2.46.34
dūre 'pi nivasantaṃ tvāṃ mānasenāgrataḥ sthitam
cintayantyo 'dya nūnaṃ tvāṃ nirāhārāḥ kṛtāḥ prajāḥ
'Though you dwell far away, the people, picturing you standing before them in their minds, thinking of you today, are surely rendered unable to eat.'
Words: dūre 'pi — even far away; nivasantaṃ — dwelling; tvāṃ — you; mānasenāgrataḥ — before (them) in the mind; sthitam — standing; cintayantyo — thinking (of); 'dya — today; nūnaṃ — surely; tvāṃ — you; nirāhārāḥ — without food, fasting; kṛtāḥ — made, rendered; prajāḥ — the people, subjects
2.46.35
ārtanādo hi yaḥ paurair muktas tadvipravāsane
rathasthaṃ māṃ niśāmyaiva kuryuḥ śataguṇaṃ tataḥ
'The cry of anguish that the citizens raised at his going into exile — seeing me back in the chariot, they would then make it a hundredfold greater.'
Words: ārtanādo — cry of anguish; hi — for; yaḥ — which; paurair — by the citizens; muktas — uttered, let out; tadvipravāsane — at his going into exile; rathasthaṃ — seated in the chariot; māṃ — me; niśāmyaiva — just on seeing; kuryuḥ — they would make; śataguṇaṃ — a hundredfold; tataḥ — then, thereupon
2.46.36
ahaṃ kiṃ cāpi vakṣyāmi devīṃ tava suto mayā
nīto 'sau mātulakulaṃ saṃtāpaṃ mā kṛthā iti
'And what shall I say to the queen, your mother? "Your son was taken by me to his maternal uncle's house; do not grieve"?'
Words: ahaṃ — I; kiṃ — what; cāpi — and even; vakṣyāmi — shall I say; devīṃ — to the queen; tava suto — your son; mayā — by me; nīto — was taken; 'sau — that one; mātulakulaṃ — to the maternal uncle's house; saṃtāpaṃ — grief; mā kṛthā — do not feel/make; iti — thus
2.46.37
asatyam api naivāhaṃ brūyāṃ vacanam īdṛśam
katham apriyam evāhaṃ brūyāṃ satyam idaṃ vacaḥ
'I could not utter such a false statement; yet how am I to speak this true but unwelcome word?'
Words: asatyam api — even (something) untrue; naivāhaṃ — not at all do I; brūyāṃ — would say; vacanam īdṛśam — such a statement; katham — how; apriyam — unwelcome, unpleasant; evāhaṃ — indeed I; brūyāṃ — would say; satyam — true; idaṃ vacaḥ — this word
2.46.38
mama tāvan niyogasthās tvadbandhujanavāhinaḥ
kathaṃ rathaṃ tvayā hīnaṃ pravakṣyanti hayottamāḥ
'How shall these excellent horses of mine, obedient to command and used to bearing your kinsmen, draw the chariot bereft of you?'
Words: mama — my; tāvan — indeed; niyogasthās — obedient to command; tvadbandhujanavāhinaḥ — that carry your kinsfolk; kathaṃ — how; rathaṃ — the chariot; tvayā hīnaṃ — bereft of you; pravakṣyanti — will draw, carry forth; hayottamāḥ — the excellent horses
2.46.39
yadi me yācamānasya tyāgam eva kariṣyasi
saratho 'gniṃ pravekṣyāmi tyakta mātra iha tvayā
'If, though I plead with you, you will nonetheless forsake me, then, together with the chariot, I shall enter the fire the very moment I am abandoned by you here.'
Words: yadi — if; me — of me; yācamānasya — imploring, begging; tyāgam eva — abandonment indeed; kariṣyasi — you will do; saratho — together with the chariot; 'gniṃ — the fire; pravekṣyāmi — I shall enter; tyakta mātra — the very moment (I am) abandoned; iha — here; tvayā — by you
2.46.40
bhaviṣyanti vane yāni tapovighnakarāṇi te
rathena pratibādhiṣye tāni sattvāni rāghava
'Whatever creatures there will be in the forest that hinder your austerities, those, O Rāghava, I shall drive off with the chariot.'
Words: bhaviṣyanti — there will be; vane — in the forest; yāni — which; tapovighnakarāṇi — causing obstacles to austerity; te — your; rathena — with the chariot; pratibādhiṣye — I shall ward off, drive back; tāni sattvāni — those creatures; rāghava — O Rāghava
2.46.41
tat kṛtena mayā prāptaṃ ratha caryā kṛtaṃ sukham
āśaṃse tvatkṛtenāhaṃ vanavāsakṛtaṃ sukham
'The happiness that comes of driving the chariot I have gained through this service of mine; through your grace I hope, too, for the happiness that comes of dwelling in the forest.'
Words: tat kṛtena — by that (service) done; mayā — by me; prāptaṃ — obtained; ratha caryā kṛtaṃ — produced by chariot-driving; sukham — happiness; āśaṃse — I hope for; tvatkṛtenāhaṃ — I, through what is done by you; vanavāsakṛtaṃ — produced by forest-dwelling; sukham — happiness
2.46.42
prasīdecchāmi te 'raṇye bhavituṃ pratyanantaraḥ
prītyābhihitam icchāmi bhava me patyanantaraḥ
'Be gracious! I wish to be your close attendant in the forest; grant what is asked in love, I beg — be near at hand to me.'
Words: prasīdecchāmi — be gracious; I wish; te — your; 'raṇye — in the forest; bhavituṃ — to be, become; pratyanantaraḥ — close, immediately attendant; prītyābhihitam — spoken out of affection; icchāmi — I wish; bhava — be; me — to me; patyanantaraḥ — near at hand (var. of pratyanantaraḥ)
2.46.43
tava śuśrūṣaṇaṃ mūrdhnā kariṣyāmi vane vasan
ayodhyāṃ devalokaṃ vā sarvathā prajahāmy aham
'Dwelling in the forest, I shall render you service with my head bowed; Ayodhyā, or even the world of the gods, I wholly renounce.'
Words: tava — your; śuśrūṣaṇaṃ — service, attendance; mūrdhnā — with the head; kariṣyāmi — I shall do; vane vasan — dwelling in the forest; ayodhyāṃ — Ayodhyā; devalokaṃ vā — or the world of the gods; sarvathā — altogether, wholly; prajahāmy aham — I renounce, give up
2.46.44
na hi śakyā praveṣṭuṃ sā mayāyodhyā tvayā vinā
rājadhānī mahendrasya yathā duṣkṛtakarmaṇā
'For that Ayodhyā cannot be entered by me without you, any more than the capital of great Indra can be entered by an evildoer.'
Words: na hi — for not; śakyā — able (to be); praveṣṭuṃ — to be entered; sā — that; mayāyodhyā — by me, Ayodhyā; tvayā vinā — without you; rājadhānī — the capital; mahendrasya — of great Indra; yathā — as; duṣkṛtakarmaṇā — by an evildoer
2.46.45
ime cāpi hayā vīra yadi te vanavāsinaḥ
paricaryāṃ kariṣyanti prāpsyanti paramāṃ gatim
'And these horses too, O hero, if they render service to you, the forest-dweller, will attain the highest state.'
Words: ime cāpi — and these too; hayā — horses; vīra — O hero; yadi — if; te — for you; vanavāsinaḥ — the forest-dweller (gen.); paricaryāṃ — service, attendance; kariṣyanti — will do, render; prāpsyanti — will attain; paramāṃ gatim — the highest goal, state
2.46.46
vanavāse kṣayaṃ prāpte mamaiṣa hi manorathaḥ
yad anena rathenaiva tvāṃ vaheyaṃ purīṃ punaḥ
'When the forest-dwelling has reached its end, this is my heart's desire: that with this very chariot I may carry you back to the city again.'
Words: vanavāse — the forest-dwelling; kṣayaṃ prāpte — when it has reached its end (loc. abs.); mamaiṣa — this of mine; hi — indeed; manorathaḥ — heart's desire; yad — that; anena rathenaiva — by this very chariot; tvāṃ — you; vaheyaṃ — I may carry; purīṃ — to the city; punaḥ — again
2.46.47
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi sahitasya tvayā vane
kṣaṇabhūtāni yāsyanti śataśas tu tato 'nyathā
'For the fourteen years spent with you in the forest will pass as though a single moment; but otherwise, they would seem a hundred times as long.'
Words: caturdaśa — fourteen; hi — for; varṣāṇi — years; sahitasya — of (me) accompanying (you); tvayā — with you; vane — in the forest; kṣaṇabhūtāni — become (as) a moment; yāsyanti — will pass; śataśas — a hundredfold; tu — but; tato 'nyathā — otherwise than that
2.46.48
bhṛtyavatsala tiṣṭhantaṃ bhartṛputragate pathi
bhaktaṃ bhṛtyaṃ sthitaṃ sthityāṃ tvaṃ na māṃ hātum arhasi
'O lover of your servants, you ought not to abandon me — a devoted servant, standing firm in his duty, keeping to the road along which my master's son has gone.'
Words: bhṛtyavatsala — O one fond of your servants; tiṣṭhantaṃ — standing, waiting; bhartṛputragate — trodden by the master's son; pathi — on the road; bhaktaṃ — devoted; bhṛtyaṃ — servant; sthitaṃ — standing, remaining; sthityāṃ — in (his) proper station, duty; tvaṃ — you; na — not; māṃ — me; hātum — to abandon; arhasi — ought
2.46.49
evaṃ bahuvidhaṃ dīnaṃ yācamānaṃ punaḥ punaḥ
rāmo bhṛtyānukampī tu sumantram idam abravīt
To Sumantra, thus begging piteously in many ways again and again, Rāma, compassionate to his servants, said this:
Words: evaṃ — thus; bahuvidhaṃ — in many ways; dīnaṃ — piteous, wretched; yācamānaṃ — begging; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again; rāmo — Rāma; bhṛtyānukampī — compassionate to servants; tu — but; sumantram — to Sumantra; idam — this; abravīt — said
2.46.50
jānāmi paramāṃ bhaktiṃ mayi te bhartṛvatsala
śṛṇu cāpi yadarthaṃ tvāṃ preṣayāmi purīm itaḥ
'I know your supreme devotion to me, O loyal one; but hear also for what purpose I am sending you back to the city from here.'
Words: jānāmi — I know; paramāṃ bhaktiṃ — supreme devotion; mayi — toward me; te — your; bhartṛvatsala — O loyal to your master; śṛṇu — hear; cāpi — and also; yadarthaṃ — for what purpose; tvāṃ — you; preṣayāmi — I send; purīm — to the city; itaḥ — from here
2.46.51
nagarīṃ tvāṃ gataṃ dṛṣṭvā jananī me yavīyasī
kaikeyī pratyayaṃ gacched iti rāmo vanaṃ gataḥ
'Seeing you returned to the city, my younger mother Kaikeyī may gain assurance that "Rāma has truly gone to the forest."'
Words: nagarīṃ — to the city; tvāṃ — you; gataṃ — gone, returned; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; jananī me — my mother; yavīyasī — younger; kaikeyī — Kaikeyī; pratyayaṃ — confidence, assurance; gacched — may gain, reach; iti — (thinking) that; rāmo vanaṃ gataḥ — 'Rāma has gone to the forest'
2.46.52
parituṣṭā hi sā devi vanavāsaṃ gate mayi
rājānaṃ nātiśaṅketa mithyāvādīti dhārmikam
'For that queen, well satisfied that I have gone to dwell in the forest, will not suspect the righteous king of being a liar.'
Words: parituṣṭā — well satisfied, pleased; hi — for; sā devi — that queen; vanavāsaṃ gate mayi — when I have gone to forest-dwelling (loc. abs.); rājānaṃ — the king; nātiśaṅketa — would not overly suspect; mithyāvādīti — 'a liar', thus; dhārmikam — the righteous (king)
2.46.53
eṣa me prathamaḥ kalpo yad ambā me yavīyasī
bharatārakṣitaṃ sphītaṃ putrarājyam avāpnuyāt
'This is my foremost design — that my younger mother may obtain a flourishing kingdom for her son, guarded by Bharata.'
Words: eṣa — this; me — my; prathamaḥ kalpo — foremost design; yad — that; ambā me — my mother; yavīyasī — younger; bharatārakṣitaṃ — guarded by Bharata; sphītaṃ — flourishing, prosperous; putrarājyam — the kingdom for (her) son; avāpnuyāt — may obtain
2.46.54
mama priyārthaṃ rājñaś ca sarathas tvaṃ purīṃ vraja
saṃdiṣṭaś cāsi yānarthāṃs tāṃs tān brūyās tathātathā
'For my sake and the king's, go with the chariot to the city; and the messages with which you are charged, deliver them, each just so.'
Words: mama priyārthaṃ — for my pleasure, my sake; rājñaś ca — and the king's; sarathas — together with the chariot; tvaṃ — you; purīṃ — to the city; vraja — go; saṃdiṣṭaś cāsi — and you are charged, instructed; yānarthāṃs — which matters, messages; tāṃs tān — those various; brūyās — you should speak; tathātathā — just so, each accordingly
2.46.55
ity uktvā vacanaṃ sūtaṃ sāntvayitvā punaḥ punaḥ
guhaṃ vacanam aklībaṃ rāmo hetumad abravīt
jaṭāḥ kṛtvā gamiṣyāmi nyagrodhakṣīram ānaya
Having said this and consoled the charioteer again and again, Rāma spoke to Guha a manly, well-reasoned word: 'I shall go having made matted locks; bring the milky sap of the banyan.'
Words: ity uktvā — having thus spoken; vacanaṃ — the word; sūtaṃ — the charioteer; sāntvayitvā — having consoled; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again; guhaṃ — to Guha; vacanam — a word; aklībaṃ — unfaltering, manly; rāmo — Rāma; hetumad — reasoned, cogent; abravīt — said; jaṭāḥ — matted locks; kṛtvā — having made; gamiṣyāmi — I shall go; nyagrodhakṣīram — the milky sap of the banyan; ānaya — bring
2.46.56
tat kṣīraṃ rājaputrāya guhaḥ kṣipram upāharat
lakṣmaṇasyātmanaś caiva rāmas tenākaroj jaṭāḥ
Guha quickly brought that sap to the prince; and with it Rāma fashioned matted locks for Lakṣmaṇa and for himself.
Words: tat kṣīraṃ — that sap; rājaputrāya — for the prince; guhaḥ — Guha; kṣipram — quickly; upāharat — brought; lakṣmaṇasyātmanaś caiva — for Lakṣmaṇa and for himself; rāmas — Rāma; tenākaroj — with it made; jaṭāḥ — matted locks
2.46.57
tau tadā cīravasanau jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇau
aśobhetām ṛṣisamau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau
Then the two brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, clad in bark garments and wearing masses of matted hair, shone forth like two seers.
Words: tau — the two; tadā — then; cīravasanau — clad in bark garments; jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇau — wearing masses of matted locks; aśobhetām — the two shone; ṛṣisamau — like seers; bhrātarau — the two brothers; rāmalakṣmaṇau — Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa
2.46.58
tato vaikhānasaṃ mārgam āsthitaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ
vratam ādiṣṭavān rāmaḥ sahāyaṃ guham abravīt
Then Rāma, together with Lakṣmaṇa, having taken up the way of the forest anchorites and undertaken the vow, said to his companion Guha:
Words: tato — then; vaikhānasaṃ — of the forest anchorites; mārgam — the path, way; āsthitaḥ — having entered upon, adopted; sahalakṣmaṇaḥ — together with Lakṣmaṇa; vratam — the vow; ādiṣṭavān — having undertaken; rāmaḥ — Rāma; sahāyaṃ — the companion; guham — Guha; abravīt — said
2.46.59
apramatto bale kośe durge janapade tathā
bhavethā guha rājyaṃ hi durārakṣatamaṃ matam
'Be vigilant, Guha, over your army, treasury, fortresses, and countryside; for a kingdom is held the hardest of all things to guard.'
Words: apramatto — vigilant, heedful; bale — over the army; kośe — over the treasury; durge — over the fortresses; janapade — over the countryside, realm; tathā — and so; bhavethā — you should be; guha — O Guha; rājyaṃ — a kingdom; hi — for; durārakṣatamaṃ — the hardest to guard; matam — considered, held
2.46.60
tatas taṃ samanujñāya guham ikṣvākunandanaḥ
jagāma tūrṇam avyagraḥ sabhāryaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ
Then, taking leave of that Guha, the delight of the Ikṣvākus went on swiftly and composed, with his wife and with Lakṣmaṇa.
Words: tatas — then; taṃ — that; samanujñāya — having taken leave of, dismissed; guham — Guha; ikṣvākunandanaḥ — delight of the Ikṣvākus; jagāma — went; tūrṇam — swiftly; avyagraḥ — unperturbed, composed; sabhāryaḥ — with his wife; sahalakṣmaṇaḥ — together with Lakṣmaṇa
2.46.61
sa tu dṛṣṭvā nadītīre nāvam ikṣvākunandanaḥ
titīrṣuḥ śīghragāṃ gaṅgām idaṃ lakṣmaṇam abravīt
Seeing a boat on the river-bank, the delight of the Ikṣvākus, wishing to cross the swift Gaṅgā, said this to Lakṣmaṇa:
Words: sa tu — but he; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; nadītīre — on the river-bank; nāvam — a boat; ikṣvākunandanaḥ — delight of the Ikṣvākus; titīrṣuḥ — wishing to cross; śīghragāṃ — swift-flowing; gaṅgām — the Gaṅgā; idaṃ — this; lakṣmaṇam — to Lakṣmaṇa; abravīt — said
2.46.62
āroha tvaṃ nara vyāghra sthitāṃ nāvam imāṃ śanaiḥ
sītāṃ cāropayānvakṣaṃ parigṛhya manasvinīm
'Board gently this boat that lies at rest, O tiger among men; and lift the high-spirited Sītā aboard right after, holding her carefully.'
Words: āroha — climb aboard, mount; tvaṃ — you; nara vyāghra — O tiger among men; sthitāṃ — lying at rest, waiting; nāvam imāṃ — this boat; śanaiḥ — gently, slowly; sītāṃ — Sītā; cāropayānvakṣaṃ — and lift (her) aboard right after; parigṛhya — holding, taking hold of; manasvinīm — the high-spirited (lady)
2.46.63
sa bhrātuḥ śāsanaṃ śrutvā sarvam apratikūlayan
āropya maithilīṃ pūrvam ārurohātmavāṃs tataḥ
Hearing his brother's command and in nothing opposing it, the self-possessed one first helped the Maithilī aboard and then mounted himself.
Words: sa — he; bhrātuḥ — of the brother; śāsanaṃ — command; śrutvā — having heard; sarvam — in everything, wholly; apratikūlayan — not opposing, complying; āropya — having helped aboard; maithilīṃ — the Maithilī (Sītā); pūrvam — first; ārurohātmavāṃs — the self-possessed one mounted; tataḥ — then
2.46.64
athāruroha tejasvī svayaṃ lakṣmaṇapūrvajaḥ
tato niṣādādhipatir guho jñātīn acodayat
Then the majestic elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa himself mounted; thereupon Guha, lord of the Niṣādas, urged on his kinsmen.
Words: athāruroha — then mounted; tejasvī — the majestic, splendid one; svayaṃ — himself; lakṣmaṇapūrvajaḥ — the elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa; tato — then; niṣādādhipatir — the lord of the Niṣādas; guho — Guha; jñātīn — the kinsmen; acodayat — urged on, directed
2.46.65
anujñāya sumantraṃ ca sabalaṃ caiva taṃ guham
āsthāya nāvaṃ rāmas tu codayām āsa nāvikān
And taking leave of Sumantra and of Guha with his troop, Rāma, boarding the boat, urged on the boatmen.
Words: anujñāya — having taken leave of; sumantraṃ ca — and Sumantra; sabalaṃ caiva — and (Guha) with his army; taṃ guham — that Guha; āsthāya — having boarded, mounted; nāvaṃ — the boat; rāmas tu — Rāma; codayām āsa — urged on; nāvikān — the boatmen
2.46.66
tatas taiś coditā sā nauḥ karṇadhārasamāhitā
śubhasphyavegābhihatā śīghraṃ salilam atyagāt
Then that boat, urged on by them, steadied by the helmsman, driven by the force of the fine oars, swiftly sped across the water.
Words: tatas — then; taiś coditā — urged on by them; sā nauḥ — that boat; karṇadhārasamāhitā — steadied by the helmsman; śubhasphyavegābhihatā — driven by the force of the fine oars; śīghraṃ — swiftly; salilam — the water; atyagāt — sped across, crossed
2.46.67
madhyaṃ tu samanuprāpya bhāgīrathyās tv aninditā
vaidehī prāñjalir bhūtvā tāṃ nadīm idam abravīt
On reaching the middle of the Bhāgīrathī, the blameless Vaidehī, joining her palms, spoke thus to that river:
Words: madhyaṃ — the middle; tu — but; samanuprāpya — having reached; bhāgīrathyās tv — of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā); aninditā — the blameless one; vaidehī — Vaidehī (Sītā); prāñjalir bhūtvā — having joined her palms; tāṃ nadīm — to that river; idam — this; abravīt — said
2.46.68
putro daśarathasyāyaṃ mahārājasya dhīmataḥ
nideśaṃ pālayatv enaṃ gaṅge tvadabhirakṣitaḥ
'This is the son of the wise great king Daśaratha; may he, protected by you, O Gaṅgā, fulfill this his charge.'
Words: putro — son; daśarathasyāyaṃ — this of Daśaratha; mahārājasya — of the great king; dhīmataḥ — of the wise; nideśaṃ — the command, charge; pālayatv enaṃ — may he keep this; gaṅge — O Gaṅgā; tvadabhirakṣitaḥ — protected by you
2.46.69
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi samagrāṇy uṣya kānane
bhrātrā saha mayā caiva punaḥ pratyāgamiṣyati
'For, having dwelt fourteen full years in the forest, he will return again, together with his brother and with me.'
Words: caturdaśa — fourteen; hi — for; varṣāṇi — years; samagrāṇy — full, complete; uṣya — having dwelt; kānane — in the forest; bhrātrā saha — together with the brother; mayā caiva — and with me; punaḥ — again; pratyāgamiṣyati — will return
2.46.70
tatas tvāṃ devi subhage kṣemeṇa punar āgatā
yakṣye pramuditā gaṅge sarvakāmasamṛddhaye
'Then, O blessed goddess Gaṅgā, having safely returned, I shall worship you with joy, for the fulfillment of all my desires.'
Words: tatas — then; tvāṃ — you; devi — O goddess; subhage — O blessed, fortunate one; kṣemeṇa — safely, in safety; punar āgatā — having returned again; yakṣye — I shall worship, offer sacrifice; pramuditā — delighted, joyful; gaṅge — O Gaṅgā; sarvakāmasamṛddhaye — for the fulfillment of all desires
2.46.71
tvaṃ hi tripathagā devi brahma lokaṃ samīkṣase
bhāryā codadhirājasya loke 'smin saṃpradṛśyase
'For you, O goddess, flowing in three paths, look upon the world of Brahmā; and as the wife of the ocean-king, you are seen here in this world.'
Words: tvaṃ — you; hi — for; tripathagā — flowing in three paths; devi — O goddess; brahma lokaṃ — the world of Brahmā; samīkṣase — you behold, look upon; bhāryā — wife; codadhirājasya — and of the ocean-king; loke 'smin — in this world; saṃpradṛśyase — you are seen, appear
2.46.72
sā tvāṃ devi namasyāmi praśaṃsāmi ca śobhane
prāpta rājye naravyāghra śivena punar āgate
'So I bow to you, O goddess, and praise you, O lovely one; (I shall worship you) when the tiger among men, having regained his kingdom, has auspiciously come back again.'
Words: sā — she (I); tvāṃ — you; devi — O goddess; namasyāmi — I bow to, salute; praśaṃsāmi ca — and I praise; śobhane — O lovely, beautiful one; prāpta rājye — when the kingdom has been regained (loc. abs.); naravyāghra — the tiger among men (loc. abs.); śivena — auspiciously, safely; punar āgate — when he has returned again (loc. abs.)
2.46.73
gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi vastrāṇy annaṃ ca peśalam
brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pradāsyāmi tava priyacikīrṣayā
'I shall give to the brahmins hundreds of thousands of cows, garments, and fine food, out of a wish to please you.'
Words: gavāṃ — of cows; śatasahasrāṇi — hundreds of thousands; vastrāṇy — garments; annaṃ ca — and food; peśalam — fine, choice; brāhmaṇebhyaḥ — to the brahmins; pradāsyāmi — I shall give; tava — your; priyacikīrṣayā — out of a wish to do (you) a kindness
2.46.74
tathā saṃbhāṣamāṇā sā sītā gaṅgām aninditā
dakṣiṇā dakṣiṇaṃ tīraṃ kṣipram evābhyupāgamat
Speaking thus to the Gaṅgā, the blameless, gracious Sītā quickly reached the southern bank.
Words: tathā — thus; saṃbhāṣamāṇā — addressing, speaking to; sā sītā — that Sītā; gaṅgām — the Gaṅgā; aninditā — the blameless one; dakṣiṇā — the gracious one (also: on the south); dakṣiṇaṃ tīraṃ — the southern bank; kṣipram evābhyupāgamat — very quickly reached
2.46.75
tīraṃ tu samanuprāpya nāvaṃ hitvā nararṣabhaḥ
prātiṣṭhata saha bhrātrā vaidehyā ca paraṃtapaḥ
Reaching the bank and leaving the boat, the bull among men, scorcher of foes, set out together with his brother and Vaidehī.
Words: tīraṃ — the bank; tu — but; samanuprāpya — having reached; nāvaṃ — the boat; hitvā — having left; nararṣabhaḥ — the bull among men; prātiṣṭhata — set out; saha bhrātrā — together with the brother; vaidehyā ca — and with Vaidehī; paraṃtapaḥ — scorcher of foes
2.46.76
athābravīn mahābāhuḥ sumitrānandavardhanam
agrato gaccha saumitre sītā tvām anugacchatu
Then the mighty-armed one said to Saumitri, the increaser of Sumitrā's joy: 'Go in front, Saumitri; let Sītā follow you.'
Words: athābravīn — then said; mahābāhuḥ — the mighty-armed one; sumitrānandavardhanam — the increaser of Sumitrā's joy; agrato — in front; gaccha — go; saumitre — O Saumitri; sītā — Sītā; tvām — you; anugacchatu — let (her) follow
2.46.77
pṛṣṭhato 'haṃ gamiṣyāmi tvāṃ ca sītāṃ ca pālayan
adya duḥkhaṃ tu vaidehī vanavāsasya vetsyati
'I shall go behind, guarding both you and Sītā; today, though, Vaidehī will come to know the hardship of forest-dwelling.'
Words: pṛṣṭhato — behind; 'haṃ — I; gamiṣyāmi — shall go; tvāṃ ca sītāṃ ca — both you and Sītā; pālayan — protecting; adya — today; duḥkhaṃ — the hardship, sorrow; tu — but; vaidehī — Vaidehī; vanavāsasya — of forest-dwelling; vetsyati — will come to know
2.46.78
gataṃ tu gaṅgāparapāram āśu rāmaṃ sumantraḥ pratataṃ nirīkṣya
adhvaprakarṣād vinivṛttadṛṣṭir mumoca bāṣpaṃ vyathitas tapasvī
Gazing long after Rāma, who had swiftly gone to the far shore of the Gaṅgā, until his sight was cut off by the great length of the road, the wretched Sumantra, sore troubled, shed tears.
Words: gataṃ — gone; tu — but; gaṅgāparapāram — to the far shore of the Gaṅgā; āśu — swiftly; rāmaṃ — Rāma; sumantraḥ — Sumantra; pratataṃ — continuously, long; nirīkṣya — having gazed at; adhvaprakarṣād — because of the great length of the road; vinivṛttadṛṣṭir — his gaze cut off, turned back; mumoca — shed, let fall; bāṣpaṃ — tears; vyathitas — troubled, distressed; tapasvī — the wretched, poor one
2.46.79
tau tatra hatvā caturo mahāmṛgān varāham ṛśyaṃ pṛṣataṃ mahārurum
ādāya medhyaṃ tvaritaṃ bubhukṣitau vāsāya kāle yayatur vanaspatim
There the two, having killed four great beasts — a boar, an ṛśya antelope, a spotted deer, and a great ruru deer — and, being hungry, swiftly taking the pure meat, went at the proper time to a forest tree to lodge.
Words: tau — the two; tatra — there; hatvā — having killed; caturo — four; mahāmṛgān — great beasts, deer; varāham — a boar; ṛśyaṃ — an ṛśya (white-footed antelope); pṛṣataṃ — a spotted deer; mahārurum — a great ruru deer; ādāya — having taken; medhyaṃ — the pure (meat, fit to eat); tvaritaṃ — quickly; bubhukṣitau — the two being hungry; vāsāya — for lodging, to dwell; kāle — at the (proper) time; yayatur — the two went; vanaspatim — to a forest tree
← 2.45 Lakṣmaṇa keeps watch beside the Gaṅgā · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.47 Rāma grieves and asks Lakṣmaṇa to return →
Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki. 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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