03.261
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
उक्तं भगवता जन्म रामादीनां पृथक्पृथक्। प्रस्थानकारणं ब्रह्मञ्श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथ्यताम् ॥०३-२६१-१॥
O Brahman, the separate births of Rāma and others have been declared by the Blessed One; I desire to hear the cause of their departure—may it be explained. (03-261-1)
कथं दाशरथी वीरौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। प्रस्थापितौ वनं ब्रह्म मैथिली च यशस्विनी ॥०३-२६१-२॥
How were the heroic sons of Daśaratha, the brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, sent to the forest by command, and Maithilī, the illustrious Sītā, too? (03-261-2)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
जातपुत्रो दशरथः प्रीतिमानभवन्नृपः। क्रियारतिर्धर्मपरः सततं वृद्धसेविता ॥०३-२६१-३॥
After having a son, King Daśaratha became delighted, engaged in duties, devoted to righteousness, and was always served by elders. (03-261-3)
क्रमेण चास्य ते पुत्रा व्यवर्धन्त महौजसः। वेदेषु सरहस्येषु धनुर्वेदे च पारगाः ॥०३-२६१-४॥
His sons, in due course, grew greatly in strength, becoming accomplished in the Vedas and their secrets, as well as in the science of archery. (03-261-4)
चरितब्रह्मचर्यास्ते कृतदाराश्च पार्थिव। यदा तदा दशरथः प्रीतिमानभवत्सुखी ॥०३-२६१-५॥
After they had observed celibacy and taken wives, the king Daśaratha then became delighted and happy. (03-261-5)
ज्येष्ठो रामोऽभवत्तेषां रमयामास हि प्रजाः। मनोहरतया धीमान्पितुर्हृदयतोषणः ॥०३-२६१-६॥
Rāma, the eldest among them, became the delight of his father's heart—a wise one, he caused the subjects to rejoice by his charm. (03-261-6)
ततः स राजा मतिमान्मत्वात्मानं वयोऽधिकम्। मन्त्रयामास सचिवैर्धर्मज्ञैश्च पुरोहितैः ॥०३-२६१-७॥
Then the wise king, realizing his own advanced age, took counsel with his ministers, those versed in dharma, and his priests. (03-261-7)
अभिषेकाय रामस्य यौवराज्येन भारत। प्राप्तकालं च ते सर्वे मेनिरे मन्त्रिसत्तमाः ॥०३-२६१-८॥
O Bhārata, all the foremost ministers considered the consecration of Rāma as heir-apparent to be timely. (03-261-8)
लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम्। दीर्घबाहुं महोरस्कं नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजम् ॥०३-२६१-९॥
He has red eyes, mighty and long arms, a gait like an intoxicated elephant, a broad chest, and dark curly hair. (03-261-9)
दीप्यमानं श्रिया वीरं शक्रादनवमं बले। पारगं सर्वधर्माणां बृहस्पतिसमं मतौ ॥०३-२६१-१०॥
A hero shining with splendour, not inferior in strength to Indra, accomplished in all laws, and equal to Bṛhaspati in wisdom. (03-261-10)
सर्वानुरक्तप्रकृतिं सर्वविद्याविशारदम्। जितेन्द्रियममित्राणामपि दृष्टिमनोहरम् ॥०३-२६१-११॥
His nature was beloved by all, he was skilled in all branches of knowledge, had conquered his senses, and was pleasing to behold even to his enemies. (03-261-11)
नियन्तारमसाधूनां गोप्तारं धर्मचारिणाम्। धृतिमन्तमनाधृष्यं जेतारमपराजितम् ॥०३-२६१-१२॥
He is the controller of the wicked, the protector of those who live by dharma, steadfast, unassailable, a conqueror, and undefeated. (03-261-12)
पुत्रं राजा दशरथः कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्। संदृश्य परमां प्रीतिमगच्छत्कुरुनन्दन ॥०३-२६१-१३॥
O Arjuna, King Daśaratha, upon seeing his son—who brought joy to Kausalyā—felt the highest happiness. (03-261-13)
चिन्तयंश्च महातेजा गुणान्रामस्य वीर्यवान्। अभ्यभाषत भद्रं ते प्रीयमाणः पुरोहितम् ॥०३-२६१-१४॥
Thinking of Rāma's qualities, that mighty one of great splendor, being pleased, spoke to the priest, wishing him well. (03-261-14)
अद्य पुष्यो निशि ब्रह्मन्पुण्यं योगमुपैष्यति। सम्भाराः सम्भ्रियन्तां मे रामश्चोपनिमन्त्र्यताम् ॥०३-२६१-१५॥
O Brāhmaṇa, today at night during Puṣya, the auspicious conjunction will occur. Let the materials be prepared for me, and let Rāma also be invited. (03-261-15)
इति तद्राजवचनं प्रतिश्रुत्याथ मन्थरा। कैकेयीमभिगम्येदं काले वचनमब्रवीत् ॥०३-२६१-१६॥
Having thus heard the king's word, then Manthara, approaching Kaikeyi, at the right time said these words. (03-261-16)
अद्य कैकेयि दौर्भाग्यं राज्ञा ते ख्यापितं महत्। आशीविषस्त्वां सङ्क्रुद्धश्चण्डो दशति दुर्भगे ॥०३-२६१-१७॥
Today, O Kaikeyi, the king has revealed your great misfortune. A wrathful and fierce serpent bites you, O unfortunate one. (03-261-17)
सुभगा खलु कौसल्या यस्याः पुत्रोऽभिषेक्ष्यते। कुतो हि तव सौभाग्यं यस्याः पुत्रो न राज्यभाक् ॥०३-२६१-१८॥
Truly fortunate is Kausalya, whose son will be anointed. But how can you be considered fortunate, when your son does not gain the kingdom? (03-261-18)
सा तद्वचनमाज्ञाय सर्वाभरणभूषिता। वेदीविलग्नमध्येव बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम् ॥०३-२६१-१९॥
She, understanding those words and adorned with all ornaments, stood bearing her excellent form, as if in the midst of an altar. (03-261-19)
विविक्ते पतिमासाद्य हसन्तीव शुचिस्मिता। प्रणयं व्यञ्जयन्तीव मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥०३-२६१-२०॥
In a secluded spot, having approached her husband, she with a pure smile, as if smiling and as if expressing affection, spoke sweet words. (03-261-20)
सत्यप्रतिज्ञ यन्मे त्वं काममेकं निसृष्टवान्। उपाकुरुष्व तद्राजंस्तस्मान्मुच्यस्व सङ्कटात् ॥०३-२६१-२१॥
O king, you who are truthful in your promise—since you have granted me one wish, fulfill that, and thus be freed from your difficulty. (03-261-21)
राजोवाच॥
The king said.
वरं ददानि ते हन्त तद्गृहाण यदिच्छसि। अवध्यो वध्यतां कोऽद्य वध्यः कोऽद्य विमुच्यताम् ॥०३-२६१-२२॥
I grant you a boon, indeed; therefore, accept whatever you desire. Let one who is not to be slain be slain; decide today who should be slain and who should be released. (03-261-22)
धनं ददानि कस्याद्य ह्रियतां कस्य वा पुनः। ब्राह्मणस्वादिहान्यत्र यत्किञ्चिद्वित्तमस्ति मे ॥०३-२६१-२३॥
To whom should I give wealth now, or by whom should it be taken again? Among the Brāhmaṇa and others here or elsewhere, whatever wealth I have.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said;
सा तद्वचनमाज्ञाय परिगृह्य नराधिपम्। आत्मनो बलमाज्ञाय तत एनमुवाच ह ॥०३-२६१-२४॥
She, having heard those words and welcomed the king, understood her own strength and then spoke to him. (03-261-24)
आभिषेचनिकं यत्ते रामार्थमुपकल्पितम्। भरतस्तदवाप्नोतु वनं गच्छतु राघवः ॥०३-२६१-२५॥
Let Bharata obtain what was prepared by you for Rāma's consecration; let Rāghava go to the forest. (03-261-25)
स तद्राजा वचः श्रुत्वा विप्रियं दारुणोदयम्। दुःखार्तो भरतश्रेष्ठ न किञ्चिद्व्याजहार ह ॥०३-२६१-२६॥
O best of the Bharatas, that king, hearing the unpleasant and cruel news, afflicted by sorrow, truly did not say anything. (03-261-26)
ततस्तथोक्तं पितरं रामो विज्ञाय वीर्यवान्। वनं प्रतस्थे धर्मात्मा राजा सत्यो भवत्विति ॥०३-२६१-२७॥
Then, having understood his father’s words, the powerful and righteous Rāma set out for the forest, saying, "May the king remain true (to his word)." (03-261-27)
तमन्वगच्छल्लक्ष्मीवान्धनुष्माँल्लक्ष्मणस्तदा। सीता च भार्या भद्रं ते वैदेही जनकात्मजा ॥०३-२६१-२८॥
Then Lakṣmaṇa—prosperous and armed with a bow—followed him; and Sītā, the blessed wife, Vaidehī, daughter of Janaka, (followed as well). (03-261-28)
ततो वनं गते रामे राजा दशरथस्तदा। समयुज्यत देहस्य कालपर्यायधर्मणा ॥०३-२६१-२९॥
After Rāma went to the forest, King Daśaratha then passed away by the law of time. (03-261-29)
रामं तु गतमाज्ञाय राजानं च तथागतम्। आनाय्य भरतं देवी कैकेयी वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥०३-२६१-३०॥
But, having learned of Rāma's departure and the king's arrival, and having brought Bharata, Queen Kaikeyi spoke these words. (03-261-30)
गतो दशरथः स्वर्गं वनस्थौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। गृहाण राज्यं विपुलं क्षेमं निहतकण्टकम् ॥०३-२६१-३१॥
Daśaratha has gone to heaven; Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are dwelling in the forest. Accept this vast and secure kingdom, now rid of dangers. (03-261-31)
तामुवाच स धर्मात्मा नृशंसं बत ते कृतम्। पतिं हत्वा कुलं चेदमुत्साद्य धनलुब्धया ॥०३-२६१-३२॥
The righteous man spoke to her: 'Alas, your act is cruel—killing your husband and destroying this family out of greed for wealth.' (03-261-32)
अयशः पातयित्वा मे मूर्ध्नि त्वं कुलपांसने। सकामा भव मे मातरित्युक्त्वा प्ररुरोद ह ॥०३-२६१-३३॥
After causing disgrace to fall upon my head, you, O defiler of the lineage, be satisfied for my sake, O mother—having uttered thus, he cried out loudly. (03-261-33)
स चारित्रं विशोध्याथ सर्वप्रकृतिसंनिधौ। अन्वयाद्भ्रातरं रामं विनिवर्तनलालसः ॥०३-२६१-३४॥
He, having purified his character in the presence of all (the people), then sought his brother Rama, longing for his return. (03-261-34)
कौसल्यां च सुमित्रां च कैकेयीं च सुदुःखितः। अग्रे प्रस्थाप्य यानैः स शत्रुघ्नसहितो ययौ ॥०३-२६१-३५॥
Greatly distressed, he sent Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi ahead in vehicles and then went along with Shatrughna. (03-261-35)
वसिष्ठवामदेवाभ्यां विप्रैश्चान्यैः सहस्रशः। पौरजानपदैः सार्धं रामानयनकाङ्क्षया ॥०३-२६१-३६॥
Thousands, along with Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva, brāhmaṇas, other people, and both townsfolk and villagers, went together desiring Rāma's return. (03-261-36)
ददर्श चित्रकूटस्थं स रामं सहलक्ष्मणम्। तापसानामलङ्कारं धारयन्तं धनुर्धरम् ॥०३-२६१-३७॥
He saw Rāma on Citrakūṭa hill, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, dressed like an ascetic and bearing a bow. (03-261-37)
विसर्जितः स रामेण पितुर्वचनकारिणा। नन्दिग्रामेऽकरोद्राज्यं पुरस्कृत्यास्य पादुके ॥०३-२६१-३८॥
He, having been dismissed by Rāma—the fulfiller of his father's command—established the kingdom at Nandigrāma, installing Rāma's sandals as the symbol of rulership. (03-261-38)
रामस्तु पुनराशङ्क्य पौरजानपदागमम्। प्रविवेश महारण्यं शरभङ्गाश्रमं प्रति ॥०३-२६१-३९॥
But Rama, again suspecting the arrival of townspeople and country-folk, entered the great forest towards the hermitage of Śarabhaṅga. (03-261-39)
सत्कृत्य शरभङ्गं स दण्डकारण्यमाश्रितः। नदीं गोदावरीं रम्यामाश्रित्य न्यवसत्तदा ॥०३-२६१-४०॥
After duly honoring Śarabhaṅga, he took up residence in the Daṇḍaka forest, settling at the beautiful river Godāvarī. (03-261-40)
वसतस्तस्य रामस्य ततः शूर्पणखाकृतम्। खरेणासीन्महद्वैरं जनस्थाननिवासिना ॥०३-२६१-४१॥
While Rāma was dwelling there, then, owing to the act of Śūrpaṇakhā, a great enmity arose by Khara, the dweller of Janasthāna. (03-261-41)
रक्षार्थं तापसानां च राघवो धर्मवत्सलः। चतुर्दश सहस्राणि जघान भुवि रक्षसाम् ॥०३-२६१-४२॥
For the protection of the ascetics, Rāghava—devoted to dharma—slew fourteen thousand rākṣasas on earth. (03-261-42)
दूषणं च खरं चैव निहत्य सुमहाबलौ। चक्रे क्षेमं पुनर्धीमान्धर्मारण्यं स राघवः ॥०३-२६१-४३॥
He, Rāghava, the wise one, having slain the greatly mighty Dūṣaṇa and Khara, again brought well-being to the forest of righteousness. (03-261-43)
हतेषु तेषु रक्षःसु ततः शूर्पणखा पुनः। ययौ निकृत्तनासोष्ठी लङ्कां भ्रातुर्निवेशनम् ॥०३-२६१-४४॥
After those rakṣasas were slain, Śūrpaṇakhā, her nose and lips cut off, again went to Laṅkā, the residence of her brother. (03-261-44)
ततो रावणमभ्येत्य राक्षसी दुःखमूर्छिता। पपात पादयोर्भ्रातुः संशुष्करुधिरानना ॥०३-२६१-४५॥
Then the demoness, overcome with pain and her face streaked with dried blood, approached Rāvaṇa and fell at her brother's feet. (03-261-45)
तां तथा विकृतां दृष्ट्वा रावणः क्रोधमूर्छितः। उत्पपातासनात्क्रुद्धो दन्तैर्दन्तानुपस्पृशन् ॥०३-२६१-४६॥
Seeing her thus changed, Rāvaṇa, overcome with anger, sprang up from his seat in rage, grinding his teeth together. (03-261-46)
स्वानमात्यान्विसृज्याथ विविक्ते तामुवाच सः। केनास्येवं कृता भद्रे मामचिन्त्यावमन्य च ॥०३-२६१-४७॥
Having dismissed his own ministers, then, in a secluded place, he said to her: "By whom was this done to you, O gentle one—disregarding and not considering me?" (03-261-47)
कः शूलं तीक्ष्णमासाद्य सर्वगात्रैर्निषेवते। कः शिरस्यग्निमादाय विश्वस्तः स्वपते सुखम् ॥०३-२६१-४८॥
Who serves a sharp spear with all his limbs? Who, having placed fire on his head, confidently sleeps happily? (03-261-48)
आशीविषं घोरतरं पादेन स्पृशतीह कः। सिंहं केसरिणं कश्च दंष्ट्रासु स्पृश्य तिष्ठति ॥०३-२६१-४९॥
Who here touches a more terrible venomous serpent with their foot? And who stands having touched the jaws of a maned lion? (03-261-49)
इत्येवं ब्रुवतस्तस्य स्रोतोभ्यस्तेजसोऽर्चिषः। निश्चेरुर्दह्यतो रात्रौ वृक्षस्येव स्वरन्ध्रतः ॥०३-२६१-५०॥
Thus, as he spoke, from his channels (such as his eyes) rays of energy like flames emerged as he burned at night, just as flames issue from the holes of a tree. (03-261-50)
तस्य तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ भगिनी रामविक्रमम्। खरदूषणसंयुक्तं राक्षसानां पराभवम् ॥०३-२६१-५१॥
His sister told him everything—of Rāma's valor, of the defeat of the rākṣasas together with Khara and Dūṣaṇa. (03-261-51)
स निश्चित्य ततः कृत्यं स्वसारमुपसान्त्व्य च। ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे राजा विधाय नगरे विधिम् ॥०३-२६१-५२॥
Having made his decision, and after consoling his sister, the king performed the prescribed rites in the city and then proceeded onward. (03-261-52)
त्रिकूटं समतिक्रम्य कालपर्वतमेव च। ददर्श मकरावासं गम्भीरोदं महोदधिम् ॥०३-२६१-५३॥
After crossing the Trikūṭa mountain and also the Kāla mountain, he beheld the dwelling of makaras, the vast ocean with its deep waters. (03-261-53)
तमतीत्याथ गोकर्णमभ्यगच्छद्दशाननः। दयितं स्थानमव्यग्रं शूलपाणेर्महात्मनः ॥०३-२६१-५४॥
Then, having passed by him, Daśānana (Rāvaṇa) went to Gokarna, the dear and tranquil place of the great-souled wielder of the trident (Śiva). (03-261-54)
तत्राभ्यगच्छन्मारीचं पूर्वामात्यं दशाननः। पुरा रामभयादेव तापस्यं समुपाश्रितम् ॥०३-२६१-५५॥
There, Rāvaṇa, the ten-headed one, approached Mārīca, his former minister, who had taken to asceticism out of fear of Rāma in former times. (03-261-55)
