03.261
Yudhishthira said.
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)
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)
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
After having a son, King Daśaratha became delighted, engaged in duties, devoted to righteousness, and was always served by elders. (03-261-3)
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)
After they had observed celibacy and taken wives, the king Daśaratha then became delighted and happy. (03-261-5)
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)
Then the wise king, realizing his own advanced age, took counsel with his ministers, those versed in dharma, and his priests. (03-261-7)
O Bhārata, all the foremost ministers considered the consecration of Rāma as heir-apparent to be timely. (03-261-8)
He has red eyes, mighty and long arms, a gait like an intoxicated elephant, a broad chest, and dark curly hair. (03-261-9)
A hero shining with splendour, not inferior in strength to Indra, accomplished in all laws, and equal to Bṛhaspati in wisdom. (03-261-10)
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)
He is the controller of the wicked, the protector of those who live by dharma, steadfast, unassailable, a conqueror, and undefeated. (03-261-12)
O Arjuna, King Daśaratha, upon seeing his son—who brought joy to Kausalyā—felt the highest happiness. (03-261-13)
Thinking of Rāma's qualities, that mighty one of great splendor, being pleased, spoke to the priest, wishing him well. (03-261-14)
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)
Having thus heard the king's word, then Manthara, approaching Kaikeyi, at the right time said these words. (03-261-16)
Today, O Kaikeyi, the king has revealed your great misfortune. A wrathful and fierce serpent bites you, O unfortunate one. (03-261-17)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The king said.
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)
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.
Markandeya said;
She, having heard those words and welcomed the king, understood her own strength and then spoke to him. (03-261-24)
Let Bharata obtain what was prepared by you for Rāma's consecration; let Rāghava go to the forest. (03-261-25)
O best of the Bharatas, that king, hearing the unpleasant and cruel news, afflicted by sorrow, truly did not say anything. (03-261-26)
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)
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)
After Rāma went to the forest, King Daśaratha then passed away by the law of time. (03-261-29)
But, having learned of Rāma's departure and the king's arrival, and having brought Bharata, Queen Kaikeyi spoke these words. (03-261-30)
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)
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)
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)
He, having purified his character in the presence of all (the people), then sought his brother Rama, longing for his return. (03-261-34)
Greatly distressed, he sent Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi ahead in vehicles and then went along with Shatrughna. (03-261-35)
Thousands, along with Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva, brāhmaṇas, other people, and both townsfolk and villagers, went together desiring Rāma's return. (03-261-36)
He saw Rāma on Citrakūṭa hill, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, dressed like an ascetic and bearing a bow. (03-261-37)
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)
But Rama, again suspecting the arrival of townspeople and country-folk, entered the great forest towards the hermitage of Śarabhaṅga. (03-261-39)
After duly honoring Śarabhaṅga, he took up residence in the Daṇḍaka forest, settling at the beautiful river Godāvarī. (03-261-40)
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)
For the protection of the ascetics, Rāghava—devoted to dharma—slew fourteen thousand rākṣasas on earth. (03-261-42)
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)
After those rakṣasas were slain, Śūrpaṇakhā, her nose and lips cut off, again went to Laṅkā, the residence of her brother. (03-261-44)
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)
Seeing her thus changed, Rāvaṇa, overcome with anger, sprang up from his seat in rage, grinding his teeth together. (03-261-46)
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)
Who serves a sharp spear with all his limbs? Who, having placed fire on his head, confidently sleeps happily? (03-261-48)
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)
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)
His sister told him everything—of Rāma's valor, of the defeat of the rākṣasas together with Khara and Dūṣaṇa. (03-261-51)
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)
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)
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)
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)
