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Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 98: Bharata’s appeal and Rāma’s answer

Summary. Bharata asks him to restore the Kingdom, Rāma teaches the inevitability of loss, separation and death

Sequence

  1. After a sorrowful night, the brothers perform their morning rites and sit together again (2.98.1–3)
  2. Bharata argues that if the Kingdom was given to him, he can now give it to Rāma → he says the responsibility is too great for him and compares the Kingdom to a breached embankment that only Rāma can repair (2.98.4–7)
  3. he asks Rāma to let those who depend on him receive the benefit of his abilities and describes the welcome awaiting him in Ayodhyā (2.98.8–12)
  4. Rāma answers that possessions end in loss, meetings in separation, and life in death (2.98.13–19)
  5. each day diminishes life, even when people greet the passing days and seasons with joy (2.98.20–24)
  6. relationships come together and part like pieces of wood meeting at sea; grief cannot reverse death (2.98.25–30)
  7. he urges Bharata to honor their father's good life by carrying out his instruction, just as he himself will do. (2.98.31–39)
  1. Bharata admires Rāma's steadiness but argues that a good son should correct a father's harmful decision → he rejects Kaikeyī's action and asks Rāma to rescue the family and people from its consequences (2.98.40–55)
  2. he says ruling and maintaining a household are appropriate duties for Rāma at this stage of life → he asks Vasiṣṭha to install Rāma there in the forest and offers once again to stay if Rāma will not return → Rāma remains firm, while the gathering joins Bharata's appeal. (2.98.56–71)

Verses 2.98.1–71

2.98.1

tataḥ puruṣasiṃhānāṃ vṛtānāṃ taiḥ suhṛdgaṇaiḥ
śocatām eva rajanī duḥkhena vyatyavartata

Then, for those lions among men, surrounded by their companies of friends, the night passed painfully as they went on grieving.

Words: tataḥ — then; puruṣasiṃhānāṃ — of the lions among men; vṛtānāṃ — surrounded; taiḥ suhṛdgaṇaiḥ — by those companies of friends; śocatām eva — as they were grieving; rajanī — the night; duḥkhena — painfully, with sorrow; vyatyavartata — passed away, went by

2.98.2

rajanyāṃ suprabhātāyāṃ bhrātaras te suhṛdvṛtāḥ
mandākinyāṃ hutaṃ japyaṃ kṛtvā rāmam upāgaman

When the night had brightened into fair dawn, those brothers, surrounded by their friends, having made oblation and muttered prayers on the Mandākinī, approached Rāma.

Words: rajanyāṃ suprabhātāyāṃ — when the night had dawned fair; bhrātaras — the brothers; te — those; suhṛdvṛtāḥ — surrounded by friends; mandākinyāṃ — on the Mandākinī (river); hutaṃ — the fire-oblation; japyaṃ — the muttered prayer; kṛtvā — having made, performed; rāmam — Rāma; upāgaman — they approached

2.98.3

tūṣṇīṃ te samupāsīnā na kaś cit kiṃ cid abravīt
bharatas tu suhṛnmadhye rāmavacanam abravīt

They sat down together in silence; no one said anything. But Bharata, in the midst of the friends, spoke words to Rāma.

Words: tūṣṇīṃ — silently; te — they; samupāsīnā — seated together; na kaś cit — no one; kiṃ cid — anything; abravīt — said; bharatas tu — but Bharata; suhṛnmadhye — in the midst of the friends; rāmavacanam — words to Rāma; abravīt — spoke

2.98.4

sāntvitā māmikā mātā dattaṃ rājyam idaṃ mama
tad dadāmi tavaivāhaṃ bhuṅkṣva rājyam akaṇṭakam

“My mother has been appeased; this kingdom has been given to me. That very kingdom I give to you alone—enjoy it, free of all opposition.

Words: sāntvitā — appeased, consoled; māmikā — my; mātā — mother; dattaṃ — given; rājyam idaṃ — this kingdom; mama — to me; tad — that; dadāmi — I give; tavaivāhaṃ — I ... to you alone; bhuṅkṣva — enjoy; rājyam — the kingdom; akaṇṭakam — free of thorns, unopposed

2.98.5

mahatevāmbuvegena bhinnaḥ setur jalāgame
durāvāraṃ tvadanyena rājyakhaṇḍam idaṃ mahat

Like a dyke breached by a mighty rush of water at the coming of the flood, this vast portion of a realm is hard for anyone but you to hold in check.

Words: mahatevāmbuvegena — as if by a great force of water; bhinnaḥ — broken, breached; setur — the dyke, dam; jalāgame — at the coming of the flood; durāvāraṃ — hard to hold back; tvadanyena — by anyone other than you; rājyakhaṇḍam idaṃ — this piece of a kingdom; mahat — great, vast

2.98.6

gatiṃ khara ivāśvasya tārkṣyasyeva patatriṇaḥ
anugantuṃ na śaktir me gatiṃ tava mahīpate

As a donkey cannot match the pace of a horse, or a common bird the flight of Tārkṣya (Garuḍa), so I have no power to follow your course, O lord of the earth.

Words: gatiṃ — the pace, gait; khara — like a donkey; ivāśvasya — as (the pace) of a horse; tārkṣyasyeva — as of Tārkṣya (Garuḍa); patatriṇaḥ — (for) a bird; anugantuṃ — to follow; na śaktir me — I have no power; gatiṃ tava — your course; mahīpate — O lord of the earth

2.98.7

sujīvaṃ nityaśas tasya yaḥ parair upajīvyate
rāma tena tu durjīvaṃ yaḥ parān upajīvati

Life is always easy for the man on whom others depend; but for him, Rāma, who must depend upon others, life is hard.

Words: sujīvaṃ — easy living; nityaśas — always; tasya — for him; yaḥ — who; parair — by others; upajīvyate — is depended upon; rāma — O Rāma; tena tu — but for him; durjīvaṃ — hard living; yaḥ — who; parān — upon others; upajīvati — lives dependent

2.98.8

yathā tu ropito vṛkṣaḥ puruṣeṇa vivardhitaḥ
hrasvakena durāroho rūḍhaskandho mahādrumaḥ

Just as a tree planted and nurtured by a short man becomes a great tree, with grown trunk, hard for him to climb—

Words: yathā tu — just as; ropito — planted; vṛkṣaḥ — a tree; puruṣeṇa — by a man; vivardhitaḥ — nurtured, made to grow; hrasvakena — by a short one; durāroho — hard to climb; rūḍhaskandho — with grown trunk; mahādrumaḥ — a great tree

2.98.9

sa yadā puṣpito bhūtvā phalāni na vidarśayet
sa tāṃ nānubhavet prītiṃ yasya hetoḥ prabhāvitaḥ

—and when, having come into flower, it should yet show no fruit, the man would not enjoy that reward for the sake of which it was made to grow;

Words: sa — it; yadā — when; puṣpito bhūtvā — having come into flower; phalāni — fruits; na vidarśayet — should not show, display; sa — he; tāṃ — that; nānubhavet — would not enjoy; prītiṃ — delight, reward; yasya hetoḥ — for the sake of which; prabhāvitaḥ — it was raised, made to thrive

2.98.10

eṣopamā mahābāho tvam arthaṃ vettum arhasi
yadi tvam asmān ṛṣabho bhartā bhṛtyān na śādhi hi

This is a simile, O mighty-armed one; you ought to grasp its meaning: if you, our bull and lord, do not rule us your dependents [you are like that fruitless tree].

Words: eṣopamā — this is the simile; mahābāho — O mighty-armed one; tvam — you; arthaṃ — the meaning; vettum arhasi — ought to understand; yadi tvam — if you; asmān — us; ṛṣabho — (our) bull, chief; bhartā — lord, supporter; bhṛtyān — (your) dependents; na śādhi hi — do not indeed rule

2.98.11

śreṇayas tvāṃ mahārāja paśyantv agryāś ca sarvaśaḥ
pratapantam ivādityaṃ rājye sthitam ariṃdamam

Let the guilds and the foremost citizens on every side behold you, O great king, established in the kingdom, blazing like the sun, O tamer of foes.

Words: śreṇayas — the guilds; tvāṃ — you; mahārāja — O great king; paśyantv — let them behold; agryāś ca — and the foremost ones; sarvaśaḥ — on every side; pratapantam ivādityaṃ — like the blazing sun; rājye sthitam — established in the kingdom; ariṃdamam — tamer of foes

2.98.12

tavānuyāne kākutṣṭha mattā nardantu kuñjarāḥ
antaḥpura gatā nāryo nandantu susamāhitāḥ

As you ride in procession, Kākutstha, let the rutting elephants trumpet, and let the women in the inner chambers rejoice, filled with contentment.

Words: tavānuyāne — in your procession; kākutṣṭha — O Kākutstha; mattā — rutting, in must; nardantu — let them trumpet, roar; kuñjarāḥ — the elephants; antaḥpura gatā — gone to the inner chambers; nāryo — the women; nandantu — let them rejoice; susamāhitāḥ — well-composed, contented

2.98.13

tasya sādhv ity amanyanta nāgarā vividhā janāḥ
bharatasya vacaḥ śrutvā rāmaṃ pratyanuyācataḥ

“Good!” thought the townsfolk, the various people, on hearing the speech of Bharata as he entreated Rāma in return.

Words: tasya — his; sādhv ity — “well done”, thus; amanyanta — they thought, approved; nāgarā — the townsmen; vividhā janāḥ — the various people; bharatasya vacaḥ — Bharata's speech; śrutvā — having heard; rāmaṃ — Rāma; pratyanuyācataḥ — as he entreated in return

2.98.14

tam evaṃ duḥkhitaṃ prekṣya vilapantaṃ yaśasvinam
rāmaḥ kṛtātmā bharataṃ samāśvāsayad ātmavān

Seeing the illustrious Bharata thus grieved and lamenting, the self-possessed Rāma, disciplined of soul, consoled him.

Words: tam — him; evaṃ — thus; duḥkhitaṃ — grieved; prekṣya — having seen; vilapantaṃ — lamenting; yaśasvinam — the illustrious one; rāmaḥ — Rāma; kṛtātmā — of disciplined soul; bharataṃ — Bharata; samāśvāsayad — consoled, reassured; ātmavān — self-possessed

2.98.15

nātmanaḥ kāmakāro 'sti puruṣo 'yam anīśvaraḥ
itaś cetarataś cainaṃ kṛtāntaḥ parikarṣati

A man has no power to act as he wills over himself; he is not his own master. Fate drags him this way and that.

Words: nātmanaḥ — not over himself; kāmakāro 'sti — is there freedom of will; puruṣo 'yam — this man; anīśvaraḥ — not his own master, powerless; itaś cetarataś — this way and that; cainaṃ — and him; kṛtāntaḥ — Fate, the Ender; parikarṣati — drags around

2.98.16

sarve kṣayāntā nicayāḥ patanāntāḥ samucchrayāḥ
saṃyogā viprayogāntā maraṇāntaṃ ca jīvitam

All accumulations end in depletion, all risings end in falls; all unions end in separation, and life ends in death.

Words: sarve — all; kṣayāntā — ending in decay; nicayāḥ — accumulations, hoards; patanāntāḥ — ending in a fall; samucchrayāḥ — risings, elevations; saṃyogā — unions, meetings; viprayogāntā — ending in separation; maraṇāntaṃ — ending in death; ca jīvitam — and life

2.98.17

yathā phalānaṃ pakvānāṃ nānyatra patanād bhayam
evaṃ narasya jātasya nānyatra maraṇād bhayam

Just as for ripe fruits there is no peril but falling, so for a man once born there is no peril but death.

Words: yathā — just as; phalānaṃ — of fruits; pakvānāṃ — ripe; nānyatra — nowhere else than; patanād bhayam — peril from falling; evaṃ — so; narasya jātasya — of a man once born; nānyatra — nowhere else than; maraṇād bhayam — peril from death

2.98.18

yathāgāraṃ dṛḍhasthūṇaṃ jīrṇaṃ bhūtvāvasīdati
tathāvasīdanti narā jarāmṛtyuvaśaṃ gatāḥ

Just as a house with sturdy pillars, having grown old, sinks into ruin, so men sink down, fallen under the sway of old age and death.

Words: yathāgāraṃ — just as a house; dṛḍhasthūṇaṃ — with firm pillars; jīrṇaṃ — grown old; bhūtvāvasīdati — having become, sinks into ruin; tathāvasīdanti — so they sink down; narā — men; jarāmṛtyuvaśaṃ — to the power of old age and death; gatāḥ — gone, fallen

2.98.19

ahorātrāṇi gacchanti sarveṣāṃ prāṇinām iha
āyūṃṣi kṣapayanty āśu grīṣme jalam ivāṃśavaḥ

The days and nights pass by, swiftly wasting away the life-spans of all living beings here, as the sun's rays dry up water in the summer.

Words: ahorātrāṇi — the days and nights; gacchanti — go by, pass; sarveṣāṃ prāṇinām — of all living beings; iha — here; āyūṃṣi — the life-spans; kṣapayanty — they waste away; āśu — swiftly; grīṣme — in summer; jalam — water; ivāṃśavaḥ — like the (sun's) rays

2.98.20

ātmānam anuśoca tvaṃ kim anyam anuśocasi
āyus te hīyate yasya sthitasya ca gatasya ca

Grieve for yourself; why do you grieve for another? Your own life-span dwindles, whether you stay still or go about.

Words: ātmānam — yourself; anuśoca — grieve for; tvaṃ — you; kim anyam — why another; anuśocasi — do you grieve for; āyus te — your life-span; hīyate — dwindles, is diminished; yasya — of whom (you); sthitasya ca gatasya ca — whether staying or going

2.98.21

sahaiva mṛtyur vrajati saha mṛtyur niṣīdati
gatvā sudīrgham adhvānaṃ saha mṛtyur nivartate

Death walks along with a man, death sits beside him; and when he has gone a very long road, death returns along with him.

Words: sahaiva — right alongside; mṛtyur — death; vrajati — walks, goes; saha — together; mṛtyur — death; niṣīdati — sits down; gatvā — having gone; sudīrgham adhvānaṃ — a very long road; saha — together; mṛtyur — death; nivartate — returns, turns back

2.98.22

gātreṣu valayaḥ prāptāḥ śvetāś caiva śiroruhāḥ
jarayā puruṣo jīrṇaḥ kiṃ hi kṛtvā prabhāvayet

Wrinkles have settled upon the limbs and the hair has turned white; when a man is worn out by old age, by what means could he restore his vigor?

Words: gātreṣu — on the limbs; valayaḥ prāptāḥ — wrinkles have come; śvetāś caiva — and white; śiroruhāḥ — the hairs of the head; jarayā — by old age; puruṣo jīrṇaḥ — a man worn out; kiṃ hi kṛtvā — by doing what indeed; prabhāvayet — could he make thrive, restore

2.98.23

nandanty udita āditye nandanty astam ite ravau
ātmano nāvabudhyante manuṣyā jīvitakṣayam

Men rejoice when the sun has risen, they rejoice when the sun has set; yet they do not perceive the wasting-away of their own life.

Words: nandanty — they rejoice; udita āditye — when the sun has risen; nandanty — they rejoice; astam ite ravau — when the sun has set; ātmano — of themselves; nāvabudhyante — do not perceive; manuṣyā — men; jīvitakṣayam — the wasting of life

2.98.24

hṛṣyanty ṛtumukhaṃ dṛṣṭvā navaṃ navam ihāgatam
ṛtūnāṃ parivartena prāṇināṃ prāṇasaṃkṣayaḥ

They delight to see the onset of a season, ever new, come round again; yet by the turning of the seasons comes the wasting-away of creatures' lives.

Words: hṛṣyanty — they delight, rejoice; ṛtumukhaṃ — the onset of a season; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; navaṃ navam — ever new; ihāgatam — come here, arrived; ṛtūnāṃ parivartena — by the revolution of the seasons; prāṇināṃ — of living beings; prāṇasaṃkṣayaḥ — the destruction of life

2.98.25

yathā kāṣṭhaṃ ca kāṣṭhaṃ ca sameyātāṃ mahārṇave
sametya ca vyapeyātāṃ kālam āsādya kaṃ cana

Just as one log and another log may meet on the great ocean, and having met, drift apart again after some length of time—

Words: yathā — just as; kāṣṭhaṃ ca kāṣṭhaṃ ca — a log and a log; sameyātāṃ — the two might come together; mahārṇave — on the great ocean; sametya ca — and having met; vyapeyātāṃ — the two would part; kālam āsādya — having reached a (span of) time; kaṃ cana — some, a certain

2.98.26

evaṃ bhāryāś ca putrāś ca jñātayaś ca vasūni ca
sametya vyavadhāvanti dhruvo hy eṣāṃ vinābhavaḥ

—so wives and sons and kinsmen and riches, having come together, run apart; for their separation is certain.

Words: evaṃ — so; bhāryāś ca — and wives; putrāś ca — and sons; jñātayaś ca — and kinsmen; vasūni ca — and riches; sametya — having come together; vyavadhāvanti — run apart, disperse; dhruvo hy — for certain; eṣāṃ — of these; vinābhavaḥ — separation, being apart

2.98.27

nātra kaś cid yathā bhāvaṃ prāṇī samabhivartate
tena tasmin na sāmarthyaṃ pretasyāsty anuśocataḥ

Here no living creature can make things unfold according to its own will; therefore a mourner has no power over the departed.

Words: nātra — not here; kaś cid — any; yathā bhāvaṃ — according to (its) wish, as it would; prāṇī — a living being; samabhivartate — proceeds, brings about; tena — therefore; tasmin — over that (departed) one; na sāmarthyaṃ — there is no power; pretasyāsty — of the departed there is; anuśocataḥ — of one grieving

2.98.28

yathā hi sārthaṃ gacchantaṃ brūyāt kaś cit pathi sthitaḥ
aham apy āgamiṣyāmi pṛṣṭhato bhavatām iti

For just as someone standing on the road might say to a passing caravan, “I too shall come along behind you”—

Words: yathā hi — for just as; sārthaṃ gacchantaṃ — to a passing caravan; brūyāt — might say; kaś cit — someone; pathi sthitaḥ — standing on the road; aham apy — I too; āgamiṣyāmi — shall come; pṛṣṭhato — behind; bhavatām — you (pl.); iti — thus

2.98.29

evaṃ pūrvair gato mārgaḥ pitṛpaitāmaho dhruvaḥ
tam āpannaḥ kathaṃ śoced yasya nāsti vyatikramaḥ

—so is the road our forefathers travelled, the sure road of fathers and grandfathers; having entered upon it, how should one grieve, when from it there is no escape?

Words: evaṃ — thus, so; pūrvair — by the ancestors; gato mārgaḥ — the road travelled; pitṛpaitāmaho — of fathers and grandfathers; dhruvaḥ — fixed, certain; tam āpannaḥ — having entered upon it; kathaṃ śoced — how should one grieve; yasya — of which; nāsti vyatikramaḥ — there is no crossing over

2.98.30

vayasaḥ patamānasya srotaso vānivartinaḥ
ātmā sukhe niyoktavyaḥ sukhabhājaḥ prajāḥ smṛtāḥ

As one's lifetime slips away like a stream that never turns back, the self should be set upon happiness; for creatures are ordained to have their share of joy.

Words: vayasaḥ — of (one's) age, lifetime; patamānasya — falling, slipping away; srotaso — of a stream; vānivartinaḥ — or non-returning; ātmā — the self; sukhe — upon happiness; niyoktavyaḥ — should be applied, engaged; sukhabhājaḥ — partaking of happiness; prajāḥ — creatures, people; smṛtāḥ — are declared, held (in tradition)

2.98.31

dharmātmā sa śubhaiḥ kṛtsnaiḥ kratubhiś cāptadakṣiṇaiḥ
dhūtapāpo gataḥ svargaṃ pitā naḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

That righteous soul, our father the lord of the earth, by all his auspicious sacrifices with their fees duly bestowed, has shaken off all sin and gone to heaven.

Words: dharmātmā — the righteous-souled; sa — he; śubhaiḥ kṛtsnaiḥ — by all the auspicious (rites); kratubhiś — by sacrifices; cāptadakṣiṇaiḥ — and with fees duly given; dhūtapāpo — with sins shaken off; gataḥ svargaṃ — gone to heaven; pitā naḥ — our father; pṛthivīpatiḥ — lord of the earth

2.98.32

bhṛtyānāṃ bharaṇāt samyak prajānāṃ paripālanāt
arthādānāc ca dhārmeṇa pitā nas tridivaṃ gataḥ

By duly maintaining his dependents, by protecting his subjects, and by acquiring wealth righteously, our father has gone to the third heaven.

Words: bhṛtyānāṃ bharaṇāt — from the maintenance of dependents; samyak — properly, duly; prajānāṃ paripālanāt — from the protection of subjects; arthādānāc ca — and from the acquiring of wealth; dhārmeṇa — righteously; pitā nas — our father; tridivaṃ gataḥ — gone to the third heaven

2.98.33

iṣṭvā bahuvidhair yajñair bhogāṃś cāvāpya puṣkalān
uttamaṃ cāyur āsādya svar gataḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

Having sacrificed with manifold sacrifices, having won abundant enjoyments, and having attained the fullest span of life, the lord of the earth has gone to heaven.

Words: iṣṭvā — having sacrificed; bahuvidhair yajñair — with manifold sacrifices; bhogāṃś cāvāpya — and having won enjoyments; puṣkalān — abundant, ample; uttamaṃ cāyur — and the highest lifespan; āsādya — having attained; svar gataḥ — gone to heaven; pṛthivīpatiḥ — the lord of the earth

2.98.34

sa jīrṇaṃ mānuṣaṃ dehaṃ parityajya pitā hi naḥ
daivīm ṛddhim anuprāpto brahmalokavihāriṇīm

For our father, casting off his worn-out human body, has attained the divine prosperity that ranges in the world of Brahmā.

Words: sa — he; jīrṇaṃ mānuṣaṃ dehaṃ — the worn-out human body; parityajya — having cast off; pitā hi naḥ — for our father indeed; daivīm ṛddhim — divine prosperity; anuprāpto — attained; brahmalokavihāriṇīm — ranging in the world of Brahmā

2.98.35

taṃ tu naivaṃ vidhaḥ kaś cit prājñaḥ śocitum arhati
tvadvidho yadvidhaś cāpi śrutavān buddhimattaraḥ

No wise man of such a kind ought to grieve for him—one like you, or such a one, learned and of superior intellect.

Words: taṃ tu — but for him; naivaṃ vidhaḥ — not one of such a kind; kaś cit — any; prājñaḥ — a wise man; śocitum arhati — ought to grieve; tvadvidho — one like you; yadvidhaś cāpi — and one of such kind; śrutavān — learned, versed in sacred lore; buddhimattaraḥ — of superior intellect

2.98.36

ete bahuvidhāḥ śokā vilāpa rudite tathā
varjanīyā hi dhīreṇa sarvāvasthāsu dhīmatā

These manifold griefs, and likewise lamentation and weeping, are to be shunned by a steadfast, wise man in all circumstances.

Words: ete — these; bahuvidhāḥ — manifold; śokā — griefs; vilāpa — lamentation; rudite — and weeping; tathā — likewise; varjanīyā hi — are indeed to be avoided; dhīreṇa — by the steadfast one; sarvāvasthāsu — in all conditions; dhīmatā — by the wise one

2.98.37

sa svastho bhava mā śoco yātvā cāvasa tāṃ purīm
tathā pitrā niyukto 'si vaśinā vadatāmv vara

So be composed, do not grieve; go and dwell in that city. For so were you commanded by our self-controlled father, O best of speakers.

Words: sa — so, being such; svastho bhava — be composed, be well; mā śoco — do not grieve; yātvā — having gone; cāvasa — and dwell in; tāṃ purīm — that city; tathā — so; pitrā — by (our) father; niyukto 'si — you have been appointed; vaśinā — by the self-controlled one; vadatāmv vara — O best of speakers

2.98.38

yatrāham api tenaiva niyuktaḥ puṇyakarmaṇā
tatraivāhaṃ kariṣyāmi pitur āryasya śāsanam

In that very duty to which I too was appointed by him of holy deeds, there I shall carry out the command of my noble father.

Words: yatrāham api — where I too; tenaiva — by him alone; niyuktaḥ — appointed; puṇyakarmaṇā — by him of holy deeds; tatraivāhaṃ — there indeed I; kariṣyāmi — shall carry out; pitur āryasya — of my noble father; śāsanam — the command

2.98.39

na mayā śāsanaṃ tasya tyaktuṃ nyāyyam ariṃdama
tat tvayāpi sadā mānyaṃ sa vai bandhuḥ sa naḥ pitā

It is not right for me to abandon his command, O tamer of foes; and by you too it must ever be honored—he is indeed our kinsman, he our father.

Words: na mayā — not by me; śāsanaṃ tasya — his command; tyaktuṃ — to abandon; nyāyyam — proper, right; ariṃdama — O tamer of foes; tat — that; tvayāpi — by you too; sadā — always; mānyaṃ — to be honored; sa vai bandhuḥ — he indeed is (our) kinsman; sa naḥ pitā — he (is) our father

2.98.40

evam uktvā tu virate rāme vacanam arthavat
uvāca bharataś citraṃ dhārmiko dhārmikaṃ vacaḥ

When Rāma, having spoken thus, had ceased his meaningful words, the righteous Bharata spoke a remarkable and righteous speech.

Words: evam uktvā tu — and having spoken thus; virate rāme — when Rāma had ceased; vacanam arthavat — the meaningful speech; uvāca — said; bharataś — Bharata; citraṃ — remarkable, striking; dhārmiko — the righteous one; dhārmikaṃ vacaḥ — righteous words

2.98.41

ko hi syād īdṛśo loke yādṛśas tvam ariṃdama
na tvāṃ pravyathayed duḥkhaṃ prītir vā na praharṣayet

Who in the world could be such as you, O tamer of foes? No sorrow could shake you, no joy could elate you.

Words: ko hi syād — who indeed could be; īdṛśo — such a one; loke — in the world; yādṛśas tvam — such as you; ariṃdama — O tamer of foes; na tvāṃ pravyathayed — sorrow could not shake you; duḥkhaṃ — sorrow; prītir vā — or joy; na praharṣayet — could not elate

2.98.42

saṃmataś cāsi vṛddhānāṃ tāṃś ca pṛcchasi saṃśayān
yathā mṛtas tathā jīvan yathāsati tathā sati

You are esteemed by the elders, and you consult them upon your doubts; to you the dead is as the living, non-being as being.

Words: saṃmataś cāsi — and you are esteemed; vṛddhānāṃ — by the elders; tāṃś ca pṛcchasi — and you ask them; saṃśayān — about (your) doubts; yathā mṛtas tathā jīvan — as the dead, so the living; yathāsati tathā sati — as in non-being, so in being

2.98.43

yasyaiṣa buddhilābhaḥ syāt paritapyeta kena saḥ
sa evaṃ vyasanaṃ prāpya na viṣīditum arhati

For one who has attained such wisdom—by what could he be tormented? Such a man, meeting with calamity, ought not to despair.

Words: yasyaiṣa — for whom this; buddhilābhaḥ — attainment of wisdom; syāt — should be; paritapyeta — could be tormented; kena — by what; saḥ — he; sa — he; evaṃ — thus; vyasanaṃ prāpya — having met with calamity; na viṣīditum arhati — ought not to despair

2.98.44

amaropamasattvas tvaṃ mahātmā satyasaṃgaraḥ
sarvajñaḥ sarvadarśī ca buddhimāṃś cāsi rāghava

You are of a nature like the immortals, great-souled, true to your word; you are all-knowing, all-seeing, and wise, O Rāghava.

Words: amaropamasattvas — of nature like the immortals; tvaṃ — you; mahātmā — great-souled; satyasaṃgaraḥ — true to your promise; sarvajñaḥ — all-knowing; sarvadarśī ca — and all-seeing; buddhimāṃś cāsi — and you are wise; rāghava — O Rāghava

2.98.45

na tvām evaṃ guṇair yuktaṃ prabhavābhavakovidam
aviṣahyatamaṃ duḥkham āsādayitum arhati

Endowed with such virtues, skilled in origination and dissolution, you should not be overtaken by even the most unbearable sorrow.

Words: na tvām — not you; evaṃ guṇair yuktaṃ — endowed with such virtues; prabhavābhavakovidam — skilled in origin and cessation; aviṣahyatamaṃ — most unbearable; duḥkham — sorrow; āsādayitum arhati — ought to overtake

2.98.46

proṣite mayi yat pāpaṃ mātrā matkāraṇāt kṛtam
kṣudrayā tad aniṣṭaṃ me prasīdatu bhavān mama

Whatever wicked deed my base mother did for my sake while I was away—that is hateful to me; may you be gracious to me.

Words: proṣite mayi — when I was away; yat pāpaṃ — what evil deed; mātrā — by (my) mother; matkāraṇāt — for my sake; kṛtam — was done; kṣudrayā — by the base woman; tad aniṣṭaṃ me — that is hateful to me; prasīdatu bhavān mama — may you be gracious to me

2.98.47

dharmabandhena baddho 'smi tenemāṃ neha mātaram
hanmi tīvreṇa daṇḍena daṇḍārhāṃ pāpakāriṇīm

I am bound by the bond of dharma; therefore I do not here slay this mother of mine with harsh punishment, evil-doer though she be and deserving of it.

Words: dharmabandhena — by the bond of dharma; baddho 'smi — I am bound; tenemāṃ — therefore this; neha — not here; mātaram — mother; hanmi — I slay; tīvreṇa daṇḍena — with harsh punishment; daṇḍārhāṃ — deserving of punishment; pāpakāriṇīm — the evil-doer (fem.)

2.98.48

kathaṃ daśarathāj jātaḥ śuddhābhijanakarmaṇaḥ
jānan dharmam adharmiṣṭhaṃ kuryāṃ karma jugupsitam

How could I, born of Daśaratha of pure lineage and deeds, and knowing dharma, do a most unrighteous, contemptible act?

Words: kathaṃ — how; daśarathāj jātaḥ — born of Daśaratha; śuddhābhijanakarmaṇaḥ — of pure birth and deeds; jānan dharmam — knowing dharma; adharmiṣṭhaṃ — most unrighteous; kuryāṃ — could I do; karma jugupsitam — a contemptible deed

2.98.49

guruḥ kriyāvān vṛddhaś ca rājā pretaḥ piteti ca
tātaṃ na parigarheyaṃ daivataṃ ceti saṃsadi

He was my elder, a doer of rites, aged, a king, now dead, and my father—and a very deity: for these reasons I would not reproach my father in an assembly.

Words: guruḥ — an elder, superior; kriyāvān — devoted to sacred rites; vṛddhaś ca — and aged; rājā — a king; pretaḥ — dead, departed; piteti ca — and “(my) father”; tātaṃ — (my) father; na parigarheyaṃ — I would not reproach; daivataṃ ceti — and “a deity”; saṃsadi — in the assembly

2.98.50

ko hi dharmārthayor hīnam īdṛśaṃ karma kilbiṣam
striyāḥ priyacikīrṣuḥ san kuryād dharmajña dharmavit

For what man who knows dharma, O knower of dharma, would—wishing to please a woman—do such a sinful deed, devoid of both dharma and profit?

Words: ko hi — who indeed; dharmārthayor hīnam — devoid of dharma and profit; īdṛśaṃ karma kilbiṣam — such a sinful deed; striyāḥ — of a woman; priyacikīrṣuḥ san — being desirous of pleasing; kuryād — would do; dharmajña — O knower of dharma; dharmavit — a knower of dharma

2.98.51

antakāle hi bhūtāni muhyantīti purāśrutiḥ
rājñaivaṃ kurvatā loke pratyakṣā sā śrutiḥ kṛtā

“At the hour of their end, beings become deluded”—so runs the ancient saying; and the king, by acting thus, has made that saying manifest before the world.

Words: antakāle hi — for at the time of the end; bhūtāni — beings; muhyantīti — “become deluded,” thus; purāśrutiḥ — an ancient tradition, old saying; rājñaivaṃ — by the king thus; kurvatā — by (him) doing; loke — in the world; pratyakṣā sā śrutiḥ — that saying made evident; kṛtā — was made

2.98.52

sādhv artham abhisaṃdhāya krodhān mohāc ca sāhasāt
tātasya yad atikrāntaṃ pratyāharatu tad bhavān

Wisely fixing your aim on what is right, may you undo that transgression of our father's which sprang from anger, delusion, and rashness.

Words: sādhv artham — the good aim, what is right; abhisaṃdhāya — having aimed at, resolved on; krodhān — out of anger; mohāc ca — and out of delusion; sāhasāt — out of rashness; tātasya — of (our) father; yad atikrāntaṃ — what was transgressed; pratyāharatu — let (you) withdraw, undo; tad bhavān — that, you

2.98.53

pitur hi samatikrāntaṃ putro yaḥ sādhu manyate
tad apatyaṃ mataṃ loke viparītam ato 'nyathā

The son who deems his father's transgression proper is reckoned mere offspring in the world; the son of the opposite mind is quite otherwise [the worthy one].

Words: pitur hi — for of the father; samatikrāntaṃ — the transgression, overstepping; putro yaḥ — the son who; sādhu manyate — deems proper; tad apatyaṃ — that offspring; mataṃ loke — is reckoned in the world; viparītam — of the opposite (mind); ato 'nyathā — otherwise than this

2.98.54

tad apatyaṃ bhavān astu mā bhavān duṣkṛtaṃ pituḥ
abhipat tat kṛtaṃ karma loke dhīravigarhitam

Be you that [worthy] offspring; do not, sir, take upon yourself your father's misdeed—that deed done which is censured by the steadfast in the world.

Words: tad apatyaṃ — that (worthy) offspring; bhavān astu — be you, let you be; mā bhavān — let not you; duṣkṛtaṃ pituḥ — the father's misdeed; abhipat — take upon, incur; tat kṛtaṃ karma — that deed done; loke — in the world; dhīravigarhitam — censured by the steadfast

2.98.55

kaikeyīṃ māṃ ca tātaṃ ca suhṛdo bāndhavāṃś ca naḥ
paurajānapadān sarvāṃs trātu sarvam idaṃ bhavān

May you save Kaikeyī, and me, and our father, our friends and our kinsmen, and all the town- and country-folk—all this, may you preserve.

Words: kaikeyīṃ — Kaikeyī; māṃ ca — and me; tātaṃ ca — and (our) father; suhṛdo — (our) friends; bāndhavāṃś ca naḥ — and our kinsmen; paurajānapadān — the town- and country-folk; sarvāṃs — all; trātu — may (you) save, protect; sarvam idaṃ bhavān — all this, you

2.98.56

kva cāraṇyaṃ kva ca kṣātraṃ kva jaṭāḥ kva ca pālanam
īdṛśaṃ vyāhataṃ karma na bhavān kartum arhati

Where is forest life, and where the warrior's calling? Where the matted locks, and where the ruling of a realm? Such a self-contradictory course you ought not to follow.

Words: kva cāraṇyaṃ — where forest-life; kva ca kṣātraṃ — and where the kṣatriya's calling; kva jaṭāḥ — where matted locks; kva ca pālanam — and where ruling, protection; īdṛśaṃ — such a; vyāhataṃ karma — self-contradictory course; na bhavān kartum arhati — you ought not to do

2.98.57

atha kleśajam eva tvaṃ dharmaṃ caritum icchasi
dharmeṇa caturo varṇān pālayan kleśam āpnuhi

But if you wish to practise a dharma born of hardship, then win your hardship by righteously protecting the four varṇas!

Words: atha — but if, now; kleśajam eva — born of hardship indeed; tvaṃ — you; dharmaṃ caritum icchasi — wish to practise dharma; dharmeṇa — through dharma, righteously; caturo varṇān — the four classes; pālayan — protecting; kleśam āpnuhi — obtain (your) hardship

2.98.58

caturṇām āśramāṇāṃ hi gārhasthyaṃ śreṣṭham āśramam
āhur dharmajña dharmajñās taṃ kathaṃ tyaktum arhasi

Of the four stages of life the knowers of dharma call householdership the best, O knower of dharma; how then can you forsake it?

Words: caturṇām āśramāṇāṃ hi — of the four stages of life; gārhasthyaṃ — householdership; śreṣṭham āśramam — the best stage; āhur — they call; dharmajña — O knower of dharma; dharmajñās — the knowers of dharma; taṃ — it; kathaṃ tyaktum arhasi — how can you forsake

2.98.59

śrutena bālaḥ sthānena janmanā bhavato hy aham
sa kathaṃ pālayiṣyāmi bhūmiṃ bhavati tiṣṭhati

In learning, in rank, and in birth I am but a child beside you; how then, such as I am, shall I govern the earth while you yet live?

Words: śrutena — in learning; bālaḥ — a child, youth; sthānena — in rank, station; janmanā — in birth; bhavato hy aham — I beside you; sa — such (being so); kathaṃ pālayiṣyāmi — how shall I rule; bhūmiṃ — the earth; bhavati tiṣṭhati — while you remain

2.98.60

hīnabuddhiguṇo bālo hīnaḥ sthānena cāpy aham
bhavatā ca vinā bhūto na vartayitum utsahe

Deficient in intellect and virtue, a mere boy, and inferior too in station, and bereft of you, I am not able to carry on.

Words: hīnabuddhiguṇo — deficient in intellect and virtue; bālo — a boy; hīnaḥ sthānena — inferior in station; cāpy aham — and I too; bhavatā ca vinā — and without you; bhūto — being; na vartayitum utsahe — I cannot manage to carry on

2.98.61

idaṃ nikhilam avyagraṃ pitryaṃ rājyam akaṇṭakam
anuśādhi svadharmeṇa dharmajña saha bāndhavaiḥ

This entire ancestral kingdom, undisturbed and free of thorns, rule by your own dharma, O knower of dharma, together with our kinsmen.

Words: idaṃ nikhilam — this entire; avyagraṃ — undisturbed, whole; pitryaṃ rājyam — ancestral kingdom; akaṇṭakam — free of thorns; anuśādhi — govern, rule; svadharmeṇa — by your own dharma; dharmajña — O knower of dharma; saha bāndhavaiḥ — together with the kinsmen

2.98.62

ihaiva tvābhiṣiñcantu dharmajña saha bāndhavaiḥ
ṛtvijaḥ savasiṣṭhāś ca mantravan mantrakovidāḥ

Right here, O knower of dharma, let the priests skilled in the sacred formulas, together with Vasiṣṭha and with our kinsmen, consecrate you with the mantras.

Words: ihaiva — right here; tvābhiṣiñcantu — let them consecrate you; dharmajña — O knower of dharma; saha bāndhavaiḥ — together with the kinsmen; ṛtvijaḥ — the priests; savasiṣṭhāś ca — and together with Vasiṣṭha; mantravan — with mantras; mantrakovidāḥ — skilled in mantras

2.98.63

abhiṣiktas tvam asmābhir ayodhyāṃ pālane vraja
vijitya tarasā lokān marudbhir iva vāsavaḥ

Once consecrated by us, go to rule Ayodhyā, having swiftly conquered the worlds as Vāsava (Indra) conquered them with the Maruts.

Words: abhiṣiktas tvam — you, once consecrated; asmābhir — by us; ayodhyāṃ — Ayodhyā; pālane vraja — go to (its) rule; vijitya tarasā lokān — having swiftly conquered the worlds; marudbhir iva vāsavaḥ — like Vāsava (Indra) with the Maruts

2.98.64

ṛṇāni trīṇy apākurvan durhṛdaḥ sādhu nirdahan
suhṛdas tarpayan kāmais tvam evātrānuśādhi mām

Discharging the three debts, utterly burning up your enemies, and gratifying your friends with the fulfilment of their desires—rule me here yourself.

Words: ṛṇāni trīṇy — the three debts; apākurvan — discharging, paying off; durhṛdaḥ — the enemies (ill-hearted); sādhu nirdahan — thoroughly burning up; suhṛdas tarpayan — gratifying (your) friends; kāmais — with desired things; tvam evātrānuśādhi mām — you yourself, rule me here

2.98.65

adyārya muditāḥ santu suhṛdas te 'bhiṣecane
adya bhītāḥ pālayantāṃ durhṛdas te diśo daśa

Today, noble one, let your friends rejoice at your consecration; today let your enemies, in fear, take to the ten directions.

Words: adyārya — today, O noble one; muditāḥ santu — let them be delighted; suhṛdas te — your friends; 'bhiṣecane — at (your) consecration; adya — today; bhītāḥ — frightened; pālayantāṃ — let them keep to, guard; durhṛdas te — your enemies; diśo daśa — the ten directions

2.98.66

ākrośaṃ mama mātuś ca pramṛjya puruṣarṣabha
adya tatra bhavantaṃ ca pitaraṃ rakṣa kilbiṣāt

Wiping away the reproach upon me and upon my mother, O bull among men, save today too our revered father from sin.

Words: ākrośaṃ — the reproach, outcry; mama mātuś ca — of me and (my) mother; pramṛjya — having wiped away; puruṣarṣabha — O bull among men; adya — today; tatra bhavantaṃ ca — and his revered self; pitaraṃ — the father; rakṣa kilbiṣāt — save from sin

2.98.67

śirasā tvābhiyāce 'haṃ kuruṣva karuṇāṃ mayi
bāndhaveṣu ca sarveṣu bhūteṣv iva maheśvaraḥ

With my head bowed I implore you: show compassion upon me and upon all our kinsmen, as the Great Lord (Śiva) does upon all beings.

Words: śirasā — with (my) head; tvābhiyāce 'haṃ — I entreat you; kuruṣva karuṇāṃ mayi — show compassion on me; bāndhaveṣu ca sarveṣu — and on all kinsmen; bhūteṣv iva maheśvaraḥ — as the Great Lord upon (all) beings

2.98.68

atha vā pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā vanam eva bhavān itaḥ
gamiṣyati gamiṣyāmi bhavatā sārdham apy aham

Or else, if you, turning your back on the city, will go from here to the forest, then I too will go along with you.

Words: atha vā — or else; pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā — having turned (your) back; vanam eva — to the forest indeed; bhavān itaḥ — you, from here; gamiṣyati — will go; gamiṣyāmi — I shall go; bhavatā sārdham apy aham — I too together with you

2.98.69

tathāpi rāmo bharatena tāmyata prasādyamānaḥ śirasā mahīpatiḥ
na caiva cakre gamanāya sattvavān matiṃ pitus tadvacane pratiṣṭhitaḥ

Even so, though the anguished Bharata entreated him with bowed head, Rāma, lord of the earth and full of resolve, did not set his mind upon returning, fixed as he was upon that command of his father.

Words: tathāpi — even so; rāmo — Rāma; bharatena — by Bharata; tāmyata — being anguished; prasādyamānaḥ — being entreated, propitiated; śirasā — with (bowed) head; mahīpatiḥ — the lord of the earth; na caiva cakre — and did not make; gamanāya — for going (back); sattvavān — full of resolve, firm; matiṃ — (his) mind; pitus — of (his) father; tadvacane — upon that command; pratiṣṭhitaḥ — fixed, established

2.98.70

tad adbhutaṃ sthairyam avekṣya rāghave samaṃ jano harṣam avāpa duḥkhitaḥ
na yāty ayodhyām iti duḥkhito 'bhavat sthirapratijñatvam avekṣya harṣitaḥ

Beholding that wondrous steadfastness in Rāghava, the sorrowing people felt at once both grief and joy—grieved that he would not go to Ayodhyā, yet gladdened to behold his firmness of resolve.

Words: tad adbhutaṃ sthairyam — that wondrous steadfastness; avekṣya — having beheld; rāghave — in Rāghava; samaṃ — at once, equally; jano — the people; harṣam avāpa — obtained joy; duḥkhitaḥ — (though) grieved; na yāty ayodhyām iti — “he goes not to Ayodhyā,” thus; duḥkhito 'bhavat — became grieved; sthirapratijñatvam — firmness of resolve; avekṣya — having beheld; harṣitaḥ — gladdened

2.98.71

tam ṛtvijo naigamayūthavallabhās tathā visaṃjñāśrukalāś ca mātaraḥ
tathā bruvāṇaṃ bharataṃ pratuṣṭuvuḥ praṇamya rāmaṃ ca yayācire saha

The priests, the leaders dear to the throngs of townsfolk, and likewise the mothers, swooning and choked with tears, extolled Bharata as he spoke thus; and bowing to Rāma, they entreated him together with him.

Words: tam — him (Bharata); ṛtvijo — the priests; naigamayūthavallabhās — the leaders dear to the townsfolk-throngs; tathā — likewise; visaṃjñāśrukalāś ca mātaraḥ — and the mothers, swooning and tearful; tathā bruvāṇaṃ bharataṃ — Bharata as he spoke thus; pratuṣṭuvuḥ — extolled, praised; praṇamya rāmaṃ ca — and having bowed to Rāma; yayācire — they entreated; saha — together (with him)

← 2.97 Bharata offers Rāma the Kingdom · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.99 Rāma explains Daśaratha’s obligations →

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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