# Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa 29 — Rāma’s gifts and Trijaṭa’s staff *Rāma & Sītā distribute wealth, the poor Trijaṭa receives the cattle encompassed by his staff’s throw* Portion: Preparing for exile and taking leave · Verses: 27 · Ref format: 2.29. ## Sequence - Lakṣmaṇa brings Suyajña, whom Rāma and Sītā welcome respectfully (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 (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 (29.11–16) - he provides for his dependents and asks them to keep his and Lakṣmaṇa's houses occupied until their return (29.17–19) - the treasury's contents are brought out for further distribution to brāhmaṇas and people in need (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 (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 (29.25–27). ## Verses **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. **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).” **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. **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. **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, **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: **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). **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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 — **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. **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. **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. **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. **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: **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.” **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. **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. **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. **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!” **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.” **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. **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.” **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.