Sloka & Translation

[Dasaratha tries to appease queen Kaikeyi.]

atadarhaṅ mahārājaṅ śayānamatathōcitam.

yayātimiva puṇyāntē dēvalōkātparicyutam৷৷2.13.1৷৷

anartharūpā siddhārthā hyabhītā bhayadarśinī.

punarākārayāmāsa tamēva varamaṅganā৷৷2.13.2৷৷


anartharūpā misfortune incarnate, siddhārthā with her purpose fulfilled, aṅganā that woman, atadarham who did not merit such treatment, atathōcitam who was not accustomed to that (treatment), puṇyāntē after exhausting the merits (earned), dēvalōkāt from the heaven, paricyutam fallen, yayātimiva like Yayati, śayānam lying, mahārājam to the maharaja (Dasaratha), abhītā fearless, bhayadarśinī displaying fear, punaḥ again, tamēva varam those very boons, ākārayāmāsa urged.

The maharaja lying on the floor resembled (king) Yayati fallen from heaven after his merits (earned earlier) were exhausted. He neither deserved nor was accustomed to such (humiliating) treatment. Fearless Kaikeyi ,the incarnate of misfortune having accomplished her purpose, displyaing feigned fear, urged the king again (without inhibition), about the boons:
atadarhaṅ mahārājaṅ śayānamatathōcitam.

yayātimiva puṇyāntē dēvalōkātparicyutam৷৷2.13.1৷৷

anartharūpā siddhārthā hyabhītā bhayadarśinī.

punarākārayāmāsa tamēva varamaṅganā৷৷2.13.2৷৷


anartharūpā misfortune incarnate, siddhārthā with her purpose fulfilled, aṅganā that woman, atadarham who did not merit such treatment, atathōcitam who was not accustomed to that (treatment), puṇyāntē after exhausting the merits (earned), dēvalōkāt from the heaven, paricyutam fallen, yayātimiva like Yayati, śayānam lying, mahārājam to the maharaja (Dasaratha), abhītā fearless, bhayadarśinī displaying fear, punaḥ again, tamēva varam those very boons, ākārayāmāsa urged.

The maharaja lying on the floor resembled (king) Yayati fallen from heaven after his merits (earned earlier) were exhausted. He neither deserved nor was accustomed to such (humiliating) treatment. Fearless Kaikeyi ,the incarnate of misfortune having accomplished her purpose, displyaing feigned fear, urged the king again (without inhibition), about the boons:
tvaṅ katthasē mahārāja! satyavādī dṛḍhavrataḥ.

mama cēmaṅ varaṅ kasmādvidhārayitumicchasi৷৷2.13.3৷৷


mahārāja O maharaja, satyavādī truthful, dṛḍhavrataḥ steadfast in your vows, tvam you, katthasē used to boast of, mama my, imaṅ varam this boon, kasmāt why, vidhārayitum to avoid, icchasi are seeking?

O great king! you used to boast that you always speak the truth and are steadfast in your vows. Why are you now seeking to avoid granting me this boon?
ēvamuktastu kaikēyyā rājā daśarathastadā.

pratyuvāca tataḥ kruddhō muhūrtaṅ vihvalanniva৷৷2.13.4৷৷


tadā then, kaikēyyā by Kaikeyi, ēvam in this way, uktaḥ having said, rājā daśarathaḥ king Dasaratha, kruddhaḥ in indignation, muhūrtam for a while, vihvalanniva as if in a state of delirium, tataḥ afterwards, pratyuvāca replied.

Thus addressed by Kaikeyi, king Dasaratha flew into a temper for a while, and then as if in a state of delirium, replied:
mṛtē mayi gatē rāmē vanaṅ manujapuṅgavē.

hantānāryē! mamāmitrē! sakāmā sukhinī bhava৷৷2.13.5৷৷


manujapuṅgavē foremost among men, rāmē Rama, vanaṅgatē exiled, mayi me, mṛtē being dead, anāryē O ignoble woman! mama amitrē my enemy, sakāmā having satisfied your desire, sukhinī bhava be happy, hanta alas.

Alas! O ignoble woman, my enemy, your desire would be fulfilled after Rama, the foremost among men is exiled and I am dead. You will be happy thereafter!
svargē.pi khalu rāmasya kuśalaṅ daivatairaham.

pratyādēśādabhihitaṅ dhārayiṣyē kathaṅ bata৷৷2.13.6৷৷


svargē.pi even in heaven, aham I, pratyādēśāt with repudiation, abhihitam stated, rāmasya about Rama's, kuśalam welfare, daivataiḥ by gods, kathaṅ khalu how, dhārayiṣyē will I hold (convince), bata what a catastrophe.

Even in heaven when the gods enquire about the welfare of Rama how will I convince them about his banishment repudiating the fact? What a catastrophe!
kaikēyyāḥ priyakāmēna rāmaḥ pravrājitō mayā.

yadi satyaṅ bravīmyētattadasatyaṅ bhaviṣyati৷৷2.13.7৷৷


kaikēyyāḥ of Kaikeyi, priyakāmēna for the pleasure, mayā by me, rāmaḥ Rama, pravrājitaḥ was sent (to the forest), ētat this, satyam truth, bravīmi yadi if I tell, tat that, asatyam untruth, bhaviṣyati will become.

If I tell the truth, 'To please Kaikeyi I have sent Rama to the forest', none will believe it and will consider it untruth.
aputrēṇa mayā putraśśramēṇa mahatā mahān.

rāmō labdhō mahābāhu ssakathaṅ tyajyatē mayā৷৷2.13.8৷৷


aputrēṇa without sons, mayā by me, mahatā with great, śramēṇa with effort, mahān mighty, mahābāhuḥ mighty-armed, rāmaḥ Rama, putraḥ as son, labdha: obtained, saḥ he, mayā by me, katham how, tyajyatē can be abandoned.

When I was issueless, I obtained mighty and valiant Rama with great effort as a son. How can I banish him?
śūraśca kṛtavidyaśca jitakrōdhō kṣamāparaḥ.

kathaṅ kamalapatrākṣō mayā rāmō vivāsyatē৷৷2.13.9৷৷


śūraḥ brave, kṛtavidyaśca learned also, jitakrōdhaḥ one who has subdued anger, kṣamāparaḥ forgiving, kamalapatrākṣaḥ one with eyes resembling lotus petals, rāmaḥ Rama, mayā by me, katham
how, vivāsyatē can be sent on exile.

How can I exile Rama, whose eyes resemble lotus petals, who is learned, who has subdued his anger and who is always full of forgiveness?
kathamindīvaraśyāmaṅ dīrghabāhuṅ mahābalam.

abhirāmamahaṅ rāmaṅ prēṣayiṣyāmi daṇḍakān৷৷2.13.10৷৷


indīvaraśyāmam complexion resembling blue lotus, dīrghabāhum one with long arms, mahābalam one with immense strength, abhirāmam a charming person, rāmam to Rama, aham I, daṇḍakān to Dandaka, katham how, prēṣayiṣyāmi can despatch.

Rama with a charming personality has a complexion like the blue lotus. He has long arms (with immense strength). How can I banish him to Dandaka forest?
sukhānāmucitasyaiva duḥkhairanucitasya ca.

dukhaṅ nāmānupaśyēyaṅ kathaṅ rāmasya dhīmataḥ৷৷2.13.11৷৷


sukhānām happiness, ucitasya deserves, duḥkhaiḥ sufferings, anucitasya ca does not deserve, dhīmataḥ sagacious, rāmasya to Rama, duḥkham distress, kathaṅ nāma how, anupaśyēyam can I bear to see

Rama deserves happiness not suffering. How can I bear to see such a sagacious Rama undergoing distress?
yadi duḥkhamakṛtvā.dya mama saṅkramaṇaṅ bhavēt.

aduḥkhārhasya rāmasya tata ssukhamavāpnuyām৷৷2.13.12৷৷


aduḥkhārhasya one who does not deserve suffering, rāmasya of Rama, duḥkham sorrow, akṛtvā not inflicting, mama my, saṅkramaṇam reaching death, adya now, bhavēt if it happens, tataḥ therefrom, sukham happiness, avāpnuyām I shall experience.

If death comes to me right now I shall be very happy because I will not have to inflict suffering on Rama who does not deserve it.
nṛśaṅsē! pāpasaṅkalpē rāmaṅ satyaparākramam.

kiṅ vipriyēṇa kaikēyi! priyaṅ yōjayasē mama৷৷2.13.13৷৷

akīrtiratulā lōkē dhruvaṅ paribhavaśca mē.


nṛśaṅsē O cruel one! pāpasaṅkalpē O woman of evil intentions! kaikēyi Kaikeyi, mama my, priyam dear, satyaparākramam truth as prowess, rāmam to Rama, vipriyēṇa harmful, kim why, yōjayasē arranging, lōkē in this world, mē to me, atulā unequalled, akīrtiḥ infamy, paribhavaśca disgrace, dhruvaṅ this is inevitable.

O cruel, malevolent Kaikeyi, why do you propose such a harmful act against Rama who has truth as his prowess and who is so dear to me? Certainly, you will get unparalleled infamy and disgrace in this world.
tathā vilapatastasya paribhramitacētasaḥ৷৷2.13.14৷৷

astamabhyagamatsūryō rajanī cābhyavartata.


paribhramitacētasaḥ with a whirling mind, tasya of that Dasaratha, tathā in that way, vilapataḥ lamenting sūryaḥ the Sun, astamabhyagamat set, rajanī ca night also, abhyavartata ca fell.

While Dasaratha was thus lamenting with a distracted mind, the Sun set and night fell.
sā triyāmā tathārttasya candramaṇḍalamaṇḍitā৷৷2.13.15৷৷

rājñō vilapamānasya na vyabhāsata śarvarī.


tathā in that way, ārttasya of the anguished, vilapamānasya while he was lamenting, rājñaḥ of the king, triyāmā with three yamas, sā that, śarvarī night, candramaṇḍalamaṇḍitā adorned with the lunar orb, na vyabhāsata did not shine.

For the king who was in deep anguish and in tears the night appeared dark even though it was adorned with the lunar orb.
tathaivōṣṇaṅ viniśvasya vṛddhō daśarathō nṛpaḥ৷৷2.13.16৷৷

vilalāpārtavadyukhaṅ gaganāsaktalōcanaḥ.


vṛddhaḥ aged, daśarathaḥ nṛpaḥ king Dasaratha, tathaiva in that way only, uṣṇam hot, viniśśvasya heaving sighs, ārtavat like a sick man, gaganāsaktalōcanaḥ looked at the sky with a fixed gaze, duḥkham pitiably, vilalāpa lamented.

The old king Dasaratha, heaving hot sighs, started lamenting pitiably fixing his gaze at the sky like the sick:
na prabhātaṅ tvayēcchāmi niśē! nakṣatrabhūṣaṇē!৷৷2.13.17৷৷

kriyatāṅ mē dayā bhadrē! mayā.yaṅ racitō.ñjaliḥ.


nakṣatrabhūṣaṇē! adorned with stars, bhadrē O auspicious-looking one, niśē O Night! tvayā by you, prabhātam dawn, na icchāmi I do not desire, mē to me, dayā kindness, kriyatām be done, mayā by me, ayam this, añjaliḥ with palms folded, racitaḥ is held.

'O auspicious-looking Night adorned with stars, I do not wish to see the dawn. O gentle night, be kind to me I pray with folded hands'.
athavā gamyatāṅ śīghraṅ nāhamicchāmi nirghṛṇām৷৷2.13.18৷৷

nṛśaṅsāṅ kaikayīṅ draṣṭuṅ yatkṛtē vyasanaṅ mahat.


athavā or, śīghram quickly, gamyatām let it go, yatkṛtē for whose sake, mahat great, vyasanam misfortune, nirghṛṇām merciless, nṛśaṅsām malicious, kaikayīm Kaikeyi, draṣṭum to look at, aham I, nēcchāmi do not desire.

'Or, pass off quickly. I do not want to see this merciless, malicious Kaikeyi who is the
cause of this great misfortune'.
ēvamuktvā tatō rājā kaikēyīṅ saṅyatāñjaliḥ৷৷2.13.19৷৷

prasādayāmāsa punaḥ kaikēyīṅ cēdamabravīt.


rājā king, ēvam thus, uktvā having said, tataḥ then, saṅyatāñjaliḥ with folded hands, kaikēyīm
to Kaikeyi, prasādayāmāsa appeased, punaḥ again, kaikēyīm to Kaikeyi, idaṅ ca this word also, abravīt spoke.

Having said this, the king spoke again with folded hands to Kaikeyi in order to appease her:
sādhu vṛttasya dīnasya tvadgatasya gatāyuṣaḥ৷৷2.1.20৷৷

prasādaḥ kriyatāṅ dēvi! bhadrē rājñō viśēṣataḥ.


bhadrē O gentle lady, dēvi O queen, sādhuvṛttasya having good conduct, dīnasya of this wretch, tvadgatasya devoted to you, gatāyuṣaḥ of a man whose life is almost over, viśēṣataḥ especially, rājñaḥ as a king, prasādaḥ favour, kriyatām let it be done.

O gentle queen, I am an old man and my life is almost over. I am a wretch devoted to you. I am a man of good conduct. Do me this favour especially as I am king.
śūnyē na khalu suśrōṇi! mayēdaṅ samudāhṛtam৷৷2.13.21৷৷

kuru sādhu prasādaṅ mē bālē! sahṛdayā hyasi.


suśrōṇi fair-hipped lady, mayā by me, idam all this, śūnyē in the sky, na khalu samudāhṛtam indeed has not been told, bālē O young lady, mē to me, sādhu very well, prasādam favour, kuru do, sahṛdayā asi hi surely you are kind-hearted.

O lady with fair hips, I hope whatever I have said has not been a cry in the (empty) sky. O young lady show me this favour. Surely you are kind-hearted.
prasīda dēvi! rāmōmētvaddattaṅ rājyamavyam৷৷2.13.22৷৷

labhatāmasitāpāṅgē yaśaḥ paramavāpnu hi.


dēvi O queen, prasīda be pleased, rāmaḥ Rama, tvaddattam given by you, mē rājyam my kingdom, labhatām will receive, asitāpāṅgē O one with dark eyelashes, param very great, yaśaḥ fame, avāpnuhi acquire.

O queen with beautiful, dark eyelashes, show pity on me. Let Rama receive this unbounded kingdom through you and you acquire fame.
mama rāmasya lōkasya gurūṇāṅ bharatasya ca৷৷2.13.23৷৷

priyamētadguruśrōṇi! kuru cārumukhēkṣaṇē


guruśrōṇi O one with heavy hips! cārumukhēkṣaṇē having charming eyes and a beautiful face, mama for me, rāmasya of Rama, lōkasya of the world, gurūṇām to all the preceptors, bharatasya ca of Bharata also, priyam pleasing, ētat this act, kuru do.

O lady with heavy hips, charming eyes and a beautiful face, do this favour to me, to Rama, to the world, to all the preceptors and to Bharata too.
viśuddhabhāvasya suduṣṭabhāvā

tāmrēkṣaṇasyāśrukalasya rājñaḥ.

śrutvā vicitraṅ karuṇaṅ vilāpaṅ

bharturnṛśaṅsā na cakāra vākyam৷৷2.13.24৷৷


suduṣṭabhāvā a lady with wicked thoughts, nṛśaṅsā heartless, viśuddhabhāvasya of pure (kind) feeling, tāmrēkṣaṇasya of one with eyes rendered red, aśrukalasya filled with tears, bhartuḥ husband, rājñaḥ king's, vicitram in various ways, karuṇaṅ vilāpam piteous wailing, śrutvā having heard, vākyaṅ that word, na cakāra did not obey.

The king with a clean heart, whose eyes had been rendered red with weeping wailed piteously. Even after hearing it, that malicious woman full of wicked thoughts did not act upon his word.
tatassa rājā punarēva mūrchitaḥ

priyāmatuṣṭāṅ pratikūlabhāṣiṇīm.

samīkṣya putrasya vivāsanaṅ prati

kṣitau visaṅjñō nipapāta dukhitaḥ৷৷2.13.25৷৷


putrasya son's, vivāsanaṅ prati about banishment, pratikūlabhāṣiṇīm speaking the opposite, atuṣṭām not satisfied, priyām beloved wife, samīkṣya having seen, duḥkhitaḥ struck with grief, tataḥ thereafter, saḥ rājā that king, punarēva again, mūrchitaḥ having fainted, visaṅjñaḥ losing consciousness, kṣitau on the ground (floor), nipapāta fell down.

Seeing his dear wife not pleased (despite his pleadings) and urging him, to the contrary, for the banishment of his son, the king overcome with grief fell down unconscious on the floor.
itīva rājñō vyathitasya sā niśā

jagāma ghōraṅ śvasatō manasvinaḥ

vibōdhyamānaḥ pratibōdhanaṅ tadā

nivārayāmāsa sa rājasattamaḥ৷৷2.13.26৷৷


itīva like this, vyathitasya afflicted with grief, manasvinaḥ of that high-minded, rājñaḥ of king, ghōram dreadful, śvasataḥ heaving deep sighs, sā niśā that night, jagāma passed off, saḥ rājasattamaḥ that eminent king, vibōdhyamānaḥ being awakened (by panegyrists), tadā then, pratibōdhanam not to awaken, nivārayāmāsa stopped.

The night passed off with the high-minded king lamenting this way and heaving deep sighs. When he got up, the eminent king stopped (the panegyrists) awakening him.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē trayōdaśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the thirteenth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.