Sloka & Translation

[Rama enters to the inner apartment of his mother Kausalya--informs her of his exile to the forest--lamentations of Kausalya.]

तस्मिंस्तु पुरुषव्याघ्रे निष्क्रामति कृताञ्जलौ।

आर्तशब्दो महान् जज्ञे स्त्रीणामन्तःपुरे तदा।।2.20.1।।


तदा then, पुरुषव्याघ्रे tiger among men, तस्मिन् that Rama, कृताज्ञलौ with folded palms, निष्क्रामति while (he was) leaving, अन्तःपुरे in the inner apartment, स्त्रीणाम् women's, महान्
great, आर्तशब्दः cries of distress, जज्ञे arose.

When the tiger among men (Rama) was coming out with folded palms, there arose a huge cry of distress among the ladies of the harem:
कृत्येष्वचोदितः पित्रा सर्वस्यान्तःपुरस्य च।

गतिर्यश्शरणं चापि स रामोऽद्य प्रवत्स्यति।।2.20.2।।


यः who (Rama), पित्रा by father, कृत्येषु in his duty, अचोदितः without being urged, सर्वस्य entire, अन्तः पुरस्य for the inner apartment, गतिः refuge, शरणं च (आसीत्) was protector, सः रामः that Rama, अद्य now, प्रवत्स्यति is now going on exile.

Rama was the refuge and protector of all the inmates lot of the inner apartment although it was not his duty nor was he forced by his father to safeguard them. That Rama is now going on exile.
कौशल्यायां यथा युक्तो जनन्यां वर्तते सदा।

तथैव वर्ततेऽस्मासु जन्मप्रभृति राघवः।।2.20.3।।


जन्मप्रभृति right from birth, राघवः Rama, जनन्याम् with regard to his mother, कौशल्यायाम् in Kausalya, सदा always, युक्तः devoted, यथा how, वर्तते is conducting himself, अस्मासु in all
of us, तथैव in the same way, वर्तते is conducting.

Rama conducted himself towards us in the same way as he did towards his mother Kausalya right from the begining.
न क्रुध्यत्यभिशप्तोऽपि क्रोधनीयानि वर्जयन्।

क्रुद्धान्प्रसादयन्सर्वान् स इतोऽद्य प्रवत्स्यति।।2.20.4।।


क्रोधनीयानि deeds that cause anger, वर्जयन् avoiding, क्रुद्धान् सर्वान् all cholerictempered persons, प्रसादयन् pacifying them, अभिशप्तोऽपि even cursed, न क्रुध्यति does not get angry, सः such Rama, अद्य today, इतः from here, प्रवत्स्यति is going on exile.

Rama who used to avoid deeds that caused anger, pacified those who were angry with him, and never lost his cool even when cursed, that Rama is going on exile today.
अबुद्धिर्बत नो राजा जीवलोकं चरत्ययम्।

यो गतिं सर्वभूतानां परित्यजति राघवम्।।.2.20.5।।


बत alas यः who (Dasaratha), सर्वभूतानाम् of all beings, गतिम् who is the refuge, राघवम् to the son of the Raghus (Rama), परित्यजति is abandoning, अयम् this, नः राजा our king, अबुद्धि: devoid of intellect, जीवलोकम् in the world of living beings, चरति moving.

Alas our king who has lost his brain, who has ordered the banishment of Rama, the refuge of all living beings, (on the other hand) is moving about in the world.
इति सर्वा महिष्यस्ता विवत्सा इव धेनवः।

पतिमाचुक्रुशुश्चैव सस्वरं चापि चुक्रुशुः।।2.20.6।।


इति thus, सर्वाः all, ताः महिष्यः the king's wives, विवत्साः calfless, धेनवः इव like cows, सस्वरम् loudly, चुक्रुशुः च अपि cried and also, पतिम् husband, अचुक्रुशुश्च एव blamed also.

Thus all the queens like calfless cows cried loudly blaming their husband.
स हि चान्तःपुरे घोरमार्तशब्दं महीपतिः।

पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तः श्रुत्वा व्यालीयताऽसने।।2.20.7।।


सः महीपतिः that lord of the earth (king), अन्तःपुरे in the harem, घोरम् painful, आर्तशब्दम् cries of distress, श्रुत्वा having heard, पुत्र शोकाभिसन्तप्तः tormented with grief on account of his son, आसने in his seat, व्यालीयत sank down.

Tormented with grief on account of his son, the king sank in his seat on hearing the cries of distress from the inner apartment
रामस्तु भृशमायस्तो निश्श्वसन्निव कुञ्जरः।

जगाम सहितो भ्रात्रा मातुरन्तःपुरं वशी।।2.20.8।।


वशी having selfcontrol, रामस्तु Rama however, भृशम् highly, आयस्तः troubled, कुञ्जरः इव like an elephant, निःश्वसन् heaving sighs, भ्रात्रा brother, सहितः together with, मातुः mother's, अन्तःपुरम् towards inner apartment, जगाम went.

Deeply pained yet selfpossessed Rama, heaving sighs like an elephant went towards the inner apartment of his mother along with his brother.
सोऽपश्यत्पुरुषं तत्र वृद्धं परमपूजितम्।

उपविष्टं गृहद्वारि तिष्ठतश्चापरान्बहून्।।2.20.9।।


सः he, तत्र there, गृहद्वारि at the entrance of the residence, उपविष्टम् seated, परमपूजितम् highly venerable, वृद्धं पुरुषम् aged man, तिष्ठतः standing, बहून् many, अपरांश्च others, अपश्यत् beheld.

Rama beheld a highly venerable elderly man seated at the entrance of the residence and many others standing (nearby).
दृष्ट्वैव तु तदा रामं ते सर्वे सहसोत्थिताः।

जयेन जयतां श्रेष्ठं वर्धयन्ति स्म राघवम्।।2.20.10।।


तदा then, रामम् Rama, दृष्ट्वैव on seeing, ते सर्वे all of them, सहसा immediately, उत्थिताः stood up, जयताम् among victors, श्रेष्ठम् best, राघवम् to the scion of the Raghu dynasty (Rama), जयेन with victory, वर्धयन्ति स्म caused prosperity.

On seeing Rama, all the eminent among the victors got up immediately and greeted him, saying, 'Victory to you'.
प्रविश्य प्रथमां कक्ष्यां द्वितीयायां ददर्श सः।

ब्राह्मणान्वेदसम्पन्नान्वृद्धान्राज्ञाऽभिसत्कृतान्।।2.20.11।।


सः he (Rama), प्रथमां कक्ष्याम् first courtyard, प्रविश्य having entered, द्वितीयायाम् in the second courtyard, वेदसम्पन्नान् learned in the Vedas, राज्ञा by the king, अभिसत्कृतान् wellhonoured, वृद्धान् aged, ब्राह्मणान् brahmins, ददर्श saw.

With the first courtyard crossed, Rama saw in the second aged brahmins versed in the Vedas, and duly honoured by the king.
प्रणम्य रामस्तान्विप्रांस्तृतीयायां ददर्श सः।

स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तथा बाला द्वाररक्षणतत्पराः।।2.20.12।।


सः राम that Rama, तान् विप्रान् those brahmins, प्रणम्य having paid obeisance, तृतीयायाम् in the third courtyard, द्वाररक्षणतत्पराः vigilantly guarding the door, स्त्रियः women, वृद्धा: the old, तथा as also, बालाः young children, ददर्श saw.

Rama wished the brahmins and saw old men, women and children vigilantly guarding the door in the third courtyard.
वर्धयित्वा प्रहृष्टास्ताः प्रविश्य च गृहं स्त्रियः।

न्यवेदयन्त त्वरिता राममातुः प्रियं तदा।।2.20.13।।


तदा then, ताः those, स्त्रियः women, प्रहृष्टाः were very pleased, वर्धयित्वा greeting him with words wishing prosperity, त्वरिताः in great haste, गृहम् in the apartment, प्रविश्य having entered, राममातुः Rama's mother, (Kausalya), प्रियम् pleasant (tidings), न्यवेदयन्त informed.

Wellpleased, the women then greeted him wishing prosperity. They hurried into the abode of Kausalya and gave her the happy news (of Rama's arrival).
कौशल्यापि तदा देवी रात्रिं स्थित्वा समाहिता।

प्रभाते त्वकरोत्पूजां विष्णोः पुत्रहितैषिणी।।2.20.14।।


तदा then, कौशल्या Kausalya, रात्रिम् night, समाहिता with composed mind, स्थित्वा remaining (in meditation), प्रभाते in the early morning, पुत्रहितैषिणी to secure her son's welfare, विष्णोः Visnu's, पूजाम् worship, अकरोत् performed.

Having spent the night with a composed mind (abosorbed in meditation), Kausalya was worshipping lord Visnu in the early morning to secure her son's welfare.
सा क्षौमवसना हृष्टा नित्यं व्रतपरायणा।

अग्निं जुहोति स्म तदा मन्त्रवत्कृतमङ्गला।।2.20.15।।


नित्यम् always, व्रतपरायणा devoted to performing vows, सा she, क्षौमवसना clad in silk cloth, हृष्टा in delight, कृतमङ्गला having performed the rituals of auspiciousness, मन्त्रवत् in accordance with mantras, अग्निं fire, जुहोति स्म offered oblations.

Always engaged in the observance of vows, Kausalya (then) clad in silk cloth was performing rituals of auspiciousness, offering oblations to the firegod in accordance with mantras (Vedic hymns).
प्रविश्य च तदा रामो मातुरन्त:पुरं शुभम्।

ददर्श मातरं तत्र हावयन्तीं हुताशनम्।।2.20.16।।


तदा then, रामः Rama, शुभम् auspicious, मातु: अन्तःपुरम् inner apartment of his mother, प्रविश्य having entered, तत्र there, हुताशनम् to Agni, हावयन्तीम् exhorting the priests to offer sacrificial oblations, मातरम् to mother, ददर्श saw.

Rama entered the auspicious inner apartment of his mother and saw her exhorting the priests to offer sacrificial oblations to Agni (firegod).
देवकार्यनिमित्तं च तत्रापश्यत्समुद्यतम्।

दध्यक्षतं घृतं चैव मोदकान्हविषस्तथा।।2.20.17।।

लाजान्माल्यानि शुक्लानि पायसं कृसरं तथा।

समिध: पूर्णकुम्भांश्च ददर्श रघुनन्दनः।।2.20.18।।


रघुनन्दनः scion of the Raghus or delight of the Raghu race (Rama), तत्र there, देवकार्यनिमित्तम् on account of religious acts, समुद्यतम् (things) kept ready, अपश्यत् saw, दध्यक्षतम् curd, grains of rice (smeared with turmeric), घृतं चैव also clarified butter, मोदकान् sweetmeats, तथा as also, हविषः oblations, लाजान् parched grain, शुक्लानि white, माल्यानि garlands of flowers, पायसम् porridge, कृसरम् sesame seeds mixed with cooked rice, समिधः sacrirficial faggots, पूर्णकुम्भान् vessels filled with water, ददर्श saw.

There Rama saw curd, grains of rice, clarified butter, sweetmeats, oblations, parched grain, white garlands, porridge of cooked rice mixed with sesame seeds, sacrirficial faggots, vessels filled with water, etc. kept ready for religious rites.
तां शुक्लक्षौमसंवीतां व्रतयोगेन कर्शिताम्।

तर्पयन्तीं ददर्शाद्भिर्देवतां देववर्णिनीम्।।2.20.19।।


शुक्लक्षौमसंवीताम् wearing white silk, व्रतयोगेन due to observance of vows, कर्शिताम् emaciated, देववर्णिनीम् having divine complexion, अद्भिः with water, देवताम् to deities, तर्पयन्तीम् engaged in propitiating, ताम् her (Kausalya), ददर्श beheld.

Kausalya, emaciated due to observance of vows and clad in white silk looked like a celestial being. She was engaged in offering libations to the deities.
सा चिरस्यात्मजं दृष्ट्वा मातृनन्दनमागतम्।

अभिचक्राम संहृष्टा किशोरं बडबा यथा।।2.20.20।।


सा she, चिरस्य after a long time, आगतम् arrived, मातृनन्दनम् delight to mother, आत्मजम् her son, दृष्ट्वा having seen, संहृष्टा in great delight, बडबा mare, किशोरं यथा like its offspring, अभिचक्राम went towards him.

Seeing her son who had come after a long time and who is a source of joy to his
mother, Kausalya approached him with great delight like a mare to her young calf.
स मातरमभिक्रान्तामुपसंगृह्य राघवः।

परिष्वक्तश्च बाहुभ्यामुपाघ्रातश्च मूर्धनि।।2.20.21।।


सः राघवः that scion of the Raghus (Rama), अभिक्रान्ताम् who had come to him, मातरम् mother, उपसंगृह्य with respectful salutations, बाहुभ्याम् with both arms, परिष्वक्तः was embraced, मूर्धनि on his forehead, उपाघ्रातश्च was kissed.

The scion of the Raghus saw his mother coming and bowed her. She held him in both her arms and kissed his forehead.
तमुवाच दुराधर्षं राघवं सुतमात्मनः।

कौशल्या पुत्रवात्सल्यादिदं प्रियहितं वचः।।2.20.22।।


कौशल्या Kausalya, दुराधर्षम् invincible, आत्मनः her own, सुतम् son, तं राघवम् that Rama, पुत्रवात्सल्यात् out of filial affection, प्रियहितम् pleasant and beneficial, इदम् these, वचः words, उवाच spoke.

Out of love for her son, the invincible scion of the Raghu dynasty, Kausalya spoke with gentle and pleasant words:
वृद्धानां धर्मशीलानां राजर्षीणां महात्मनाम्।

प्राप्नुह्यायुश्च कीर्तिं च धर्मं चोपहितं कुले।।2.20.23।।


वृद्धानाम् of the aged, धर्मशीलानाम् of the virtuous, महात्मनाम् great, राजर्षीणाम् of the rajarsis, आयुश्च long life, कीर्तिं च fame, कुले in the race, उपहितम् maintained over a long time, धर्मं च righteousness, प्राप्नु हि you may attain.

May you attain long life and fame like those of the aged, virtuous and great rajarsis who upheld the righteousness in the race.
सत्यप्रतिज्ञं पितरं राजानं पश्य राघव।

अद्यैव हि त्वां धर्मात्मा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।2.20.24।।


राघव scion of the Raghu dynasty (Rama), सत्यप्रतिज्ञम् true to his promise, पितरम् your father, राजानम् king, पश्य see, धर्मात्मा righteous one, त्वाम् you, अद्यैव today, यौवराज्ये as heirapparent, अभिषेक्ष्यति will coronate you.

O scion of the Raghu race see the king, your righteous and truthful father, who will consecrate you as princeregent today itself.
दत्तमासनमालभ्य भोजनेन निमन्त्रितः।

मातरं राघवः किञ्चिद्व्रीडात्प्रसार्याञ्जलिमब्रवीत्।।2.20.25।।


भोजनेन with food, निमन्त्रितः a man invited, राघवः Rama, दत्तम् provided, आसनम् seat, आलभ्य having touched, व्रोडात् out of shame, किञ्चित् a little, अञ्जलिम् with folded hands, प्रसार्य having stretched, मातरम् to mother, अब्रवीत् said.

Invited (by Kausalya) to partake the food, Rama out of abashment only touched the seat provided to him and having stretched his folded palms spoke to his mother.
स स्वभावविनीतश्च गौरवाच्च तदा नतः।

प्रस्थितो दण्डकारण्यमाप्रष्टुमुपचक्रमे।।2.20.26।।


स्वभावविनीतश्च by nature modest, तदा then, गौरवात् out of reverence (for his mother), नतः च humble also, सः he, दण्डकारण्यम् to Dandaka forest, प्रस्थितः for his departure, अप्रष्टुम् to seek her permission, उपचक्रमे commenced.

Modest by nature, Rama with respectful humility began seeking her permission for his departure to Dandaka forest:
देवि नूनं न जानीषे महद्भयमुपस्थितम्।

इदं तव च दुःखाय वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणस्य च।।2.20.27।।


देवि O Devi, नूनम् certainly, उपस्थितम् has befallen, महत् great, भयम् misfortune, न जानीषे you do not know, इदम् this one, तव च to you, वैदेह्याः of Sita, लक्ष्मणस्य च of Lakshmana also, दुःखाय for distress.

O mother surely you do not know that a great misfortune has befallen, causing distress to you, Sita and Lakshmana, too.
गमिष्ये दण्डकारण्यं किमनेनासनेन मे।

विष्टरासनयोग्यो हि कालोऽयं मामुपस्थितः।।2.20.28।।


दण्डकारण्यम् to Dandaka forest, गमिष्ये setting forth, मे for me, अनेन आसनेन with this seat, किम् what is the purpose, विष्टरासनयोग्यः worthy of a mat made of kusa grass, अयम् this, कालः time, मम for me, उपस्थितः has come.

I am setting forth to Dandaka forest. What is this seat for? A time has come for me when I am fit for a seat of kusa grass.
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने।

मधुमूलफलैर्जीवन्हित्वा मुनिवदामिषम्।।2.20.29।।


अमिषम् all meat, हित्वा abstaining, मुनिवत् like a hermit, मधुमूलफलैः honey, fruits and roots, जीवन् while living on, चतुर्दश fourteen, वर्षाणि years, विजने in a solitary, वने in the forest, वत्स्यामि am to dwell.

Abstaining from eating meat like hermits and living on honey, fruits and roots, I am to live in the solitary forest for fourteen years.
भरताय महाराजो यौवराज्यं प्रयच्छति।

मां पुनर्दण्डकारण्ये विवासयति तापसम्।।2.20.30।।


महाराजः great king, भरताय to Bharata, यौवराज्यम् status of heirapparent, प्रयच्छति is conferring, मां पुनः for me again, तापसम् like an ascetic, दण्डकारण्ये in Dandaka forest, विवासयति sending in exile.

The great king is conferring the status of heirapparent on Bharata while he is banishing me to Dandaka forest to live like an ascetic.
स षट्चाष्टौ च वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने।

आसेवमानो वन्यानि फलमूलैश्च वर्तयन्।।2.20.31।।


सः that (I am), वन्यानि forest products, आसेवमानः eating, फलमूलैः fruits and roots, वर्तयन् while living, षट्चाष्टौ च six and eight (fourteen), वर्षाणि years, विजने वने in the desolate forest, वत्स्यामि shall dwell.

Living on things available in the forest, on fruits and roots, I am to dwell in the uninhabited jungle for fourteen years.
सा निकृत्तेव सालस्य यष्टिः परशुना वने।

पपात सहसा देवी देवतेव दिवश्च्युता।।2.20.32।।


सा देवी that Kausalya, परशुना with an axe, वने in the forest, निकृत्ता severed, सालस्य sal tree's, यष्टिः इव like a stick (branch), दिवः from heaven, च्युता fallen down, देवतेव like a celestial, सहसा suddenly, पपात fell down.

All on a sidden Kausalya fell down on the ground like the branch of a sal tree in the forest severed by an axe, like a goddess dropped from heaven.
तामदुःखोचितां दृष्ट्वा पतितां कदलीमिव।

रामस्तूत्थापयामास मातरं गतचेतसम्।।2.20.33।।


अदुःखोचिताम् who does not deserve sorrow, पतिताम् fallen on the ground, कदलीमिव like a
plantain tree, गतचेतसम् deprived of her senses, तां मातरम् to that mother, दृष्ट्वा having seen, रामः Rama, उत्थापयामास lifted her up.

Seeing his mother who had done nothing to deserve (this) suffering and who had fallen down like a plantain tree, deprived of her senses, Rama raised her up (from the ground).
उपावृत्त्योत्थितां दीनां बडबामिव वाहिताम्।

पांसुकुण्ठितसर्वाङ्गीं विममर्श च पाणिना।।2.20.34।।


उपावृत्त्य rolled on the ground, उत्थिताम् arisen, वाहिताम् for drawing (heavy burden), बडबामिव like a mare, दीनाम् miserable, पांसुकुण्ठितसर्वाङ्गीम् all her body covered with dust, पाणिना with the hand, विममर्श caressed (wiped away).

Rama gently wiped away the dust that had covered her body as Kausalya stood miserable, like a mare who stands up after having rolled on the ground while pulling the load.
सा राघवमुपासीनमसुखार्ता सुखोचिता।

उवाच पुरुषव्याघ्रमुपशृण्वति लक्ष्मणे।।2.20.35।।


असुखार्ता struck by lack of happiness, सुखोचिता deserving happiness, सा she Kausalya, लक्ष्मणे in Lakshmana, उपशृण्वति while listening, उपासीनम् sitting nearby, पुरुषव्याघ्रम् to the tiger (the best) among men, राघवम् to Rama, उवाच said.

Kausalya who deserved happiness yet was struck down by (this) distress spoke to Rama, the tiger among men who was sitting nearby, while Lakshmana was listening.
यदि पुत्र न जायेथा मम शोकाय राघव।

न स्म दुःखमतो भूयः पश्येयमहमप्रजाः।।2.20.36।।


पुत्र O my son, राघव Rama, मम to me, शोकाय to cause sorrow, न जायेथाः यदि if you were
not born, अहम् I, अप्रजाः without progeny, अतः more than this, भूयः greater, दुःखम् sorrow, न स्म पश्येयम् would not have seen.

O my son, if you were not born to me, I, even as a woman without progeny, would not have experienced grief, more intense than this.
एक एव हि वन्ध्याया श्शोको भवति मानसः।

अप्रजाऽस्मीति सन्तापो न ह्यन्यः पुत्र विद्यते।।2.20.37।।


पुत्र O my son, वन्ध्यायाः for a barren woman, अप्रजाः issueless, अस्मि I am, इति thus, मानसः in mind, एकः one, शोकः affliction, भवति हि surely happens, अन्यः any other, सन्तापः sorrow, न विद्यते हि does not exist.

O my son a barren woman has only one mental agony that she has no progeny. Except that she does not have any other sorrow.
न दृष्टपूर्वं कल्याणं सुखं वा पतिपौरुषे।

अपि पुत्रे ऽपि पश्येयमिति रामाऽस्थितं मया।।2.20.38।।


राम O Rama, पतिपौरुषे when my husband was exercising authority, कल्याणम् auspicious moment, सुखं वा or pleasure, न दृष्टपूर्वम् was not seen earlier, पुत्रेऽपि in son, पश्येयम् can I
see, इति thus, मया by me, आस्थितम् life is sustained.

I did not have the fortune, O Rama, to enjoy any auspicious moment or pleasure earlier when my husband was in authority. I exist with the hope that I will have it when my son assumes authority.
सा बहून्यमनोज्ञानि वाक्यानि हृदयच्छिदाम्।

अहं श्रोष्ये सपत्नीनामवराणां वरा सती।।2.20.39।।


सा अहम् such am I वरा सती being the eldest (of the queens), अवराणाम् by the younger ones, हृदयच्छिदाम् heartbreaking, सपत्नीनाम् cowives, अमनोज्ञानि unpleasant, बहूनि many,
वाक्यानि words, श्रोष्ये will have to listen.

I, being the eldest (of the queens) will have to listen to many heartbreaking and unpleasant words from my fellowwives who are younger to me.
अतो दुःखतरं किं नु प्रमदानां भविष्यति।

मम शोको विलापश्च यादृशोऽयमनन्तकः।।2.20.40।।


मम to me, अनन्तकः unending, यादृश: शोकः such sorrow, विलापश्च lamentation, अतः now, प्रमदानाम् for women, दुःखतरम् more distress, किं नु भविष्यति what else can be there?

There cannnot be greater distress for any woman than such unending grief and lamentation (which I am now experiencing).
त्वयि सन्निहितेऽप्येवमहमासं निराकृता।

किं पुनः प्रोषिते तात ध्रुवं मरणमेव मे।।2.20.41।।


तात O child, त्वयि you, सन्निहितेऽपि even when you are nearby, अहम् I, एवम् in this way, निराकृता आसम् I am rejected, प्रोषिते when you are banished, किं पुनः what to say again, मे for me, मरणम् death, ध्रुवम् is certain.

O child even when you are nearby I am neglected like this. What to say when you are banished. Death is certain to me.
अत्यन्तनिगृहीतास्मि भर्तुर्नित्यमतन्त्रिता।

परिवारेण कैकेय्या स्समा वाप्यथवाऽवरा।।2.20.42।।


कैकेय्याः of Kaikeyi's, परिवारेण attendants, समा वा equal to, अथवा or, अवरा inferior, अतन्त्रिता without independence, नित्यम् always, भर्तुः by husband, अत्यन्तनिगृहीता अस्मि am greatly repressed.

Treating me as an equal or inferior to the attendants of Kaikeyi and making me
always dependent, my husband has greatly suppressed me.
योऽहि मां सेवते कश्चिदथवाप्यनुवर्तते।

कैकेय्याः पुत्रमन्वीक्ष्य स्वश्चि जनो नाभिभाषते।।2.20.43।।


यः whoever, कश्चित् any one, माम् me, सेवते serving, अथवा or, अनुवर्तते following me, सः जनः such person, कैकेय्याः Kaikeyi's, पुत्रम् son, अन्वीक्ष्य having seen, नाभिभाषते हि will not talk to me.

Any one who serves me or follows me will not talk to me after seeing Bharata (installed as heirapparent).
नित्यक्रोधतया तस्याः कथं नु खरवादितत्।

कैकेय्या वदनं द्रष्टुं पुत्र शक्ष्यामि दुर्गता।।2.20.44।।


पुत्र O son, दुर्गता fallen into a bad state, नित्यक्रोधतया due to being always in temper, खरवादि speaking harsh words, तस्याः कैकेय्याः that Kaikeyi's, तत्वदनम् that face, द्रष्टुम् to look at, कथं नु how, शक्ष्यामि will be able?

Fallen into an unfortunate state how can I look at Kaikeyi's face who is always harsh and in temper?
दश सप्त च वर्षाणि जातस्य तव राघव

अतितानि प्रकाङ्क्षन्त्या मया दुःखपरिक्षयम्।।2.20.45।।


राघव Rama, तव जातस्य after you were (re) born (after your investiture with the sacred thread regarded as second birth), दश सप्त च ten and seven (seventeen), वर्षाणि years, दुःखपरिक्षयम् end of my sorrows, प्रकाङ्क्षन्त्या longing, मया by me, अतितानि have been spent.

O Rama, I have spent the last seventeen years after your birth with the expectaion that my sorrows would come to an end.
तदक्षयं महद्दुःखं नोत्सहे सहितुं चिरम्।

विप्रकारं सपत्नीनामेवं जीर्णाऽपि राघव।।2.20.46।।


राघव Rama, तत् for that reason, एवम् like this, जीर्णापि grown old, अक्षयम् unending, महत् great, दुःखम् sorrow, सपत्नीनाम् of my cowives, विप्रकारम् insult, चिरम् for long time, सहितुम् to tolerate, नोत्सहे do not desire.

Therefore, O Rama, I cannot at this old age endure this great, endless sorrow and the insults from cowives for long.
अपश्यन्ती तव मुखं परिपूर्णशशिप्रभम्।

कृपणा वर्तयिष्यामि कथं कृपणजीविकाम्।।2.20.47।।


कृपणा wretched I am, तव your, परिपूर्णशशिप्रभम् as bright as the full Moon, मुखम् face, अपश्यन्ती without beholding, कृपणजीविकाम् pitiable means of existence, कथम् how, वर्तयिष्यामि will live.

Without beholding your face that is as bright as the full Moon, how can this wretched woman live this pitiable life?
उपवासैश्च योगैश्च बहुभिश्च परिश्रमैः।

दुःखं संवर्धितो मोघं त्वं हि दुर्गतया मया।।2.20.48।।


त्वम् you, दुर्गतया मया by me so unfortunate, उपवासैश्च through fasts, योगैश्च through meditation, बहुभिः many, परिश्रमैश्च with efforts, दुःखम् with difficulty, मोघम् in vain, संवर्धितः have been brought up.

Through meditation, through fasts and with a great deal of efforts you have been brought up by this luckless (mother). But alas this is all in vain.
स्थिरं तु हृदयं मन्ये ममेदं यन्न दीर्यते।

प्रावृषीव महानद्या स्पृष्टं कूलं नवाम्भसा।।2.20.49।।


प्रावृषि in rainy season, नवाम्भसा with fresh water, स्पृष्टम् contacted, महानद्याः mighty river's, कूलम् इव like bank, मम my, इदम् this, हृदयम् heart, यत् for which reason, न दीर्यते does not break, स्थिरम् firm (hard), मन्ये am thinking.

I think my heart must be very firm (hard) like the bark of a great river which, touched by (a flood of) fresh water in the rainy season does not disintegrate.
ममैव नूनं मरणं न विद्यते

न चावकाऽशोस्ति यमक्षयेऽमम।

यदन्तकोऽद्यैव न मां जिहीर्षति।

प्रसह्य सिंहो रुदतीं मृगीमिव।।2.20.50।।


सिंहः lion, रुदतीम् crying, मृगीमिव like a female deer, माम् myself, अन्तकः Yama, (the god of death), प्रसह्य forcibly, अद्यैव now itself, यत् since, न जिहीर्षति is not willing to carry, मम to me, नूनम् certainly, मरणम् death, न विद्यते does not befall, मम for me, यमक्षये in the abode of (the god of death), Yama, अवकाशः opportunity, नास्ति not there.

There is no room for me in the abode of Yama (the god of death). If he does not
carry me off forcibly like a lion carrying away a crying female deer, certainly there is no death for me.
स्थिरं हि नूनं हृदयं ममायसं

न भिद्यते यद्भुवि नावदीर्यते।

अनेन दुःखेन च देहमर्पितं

ध्रुवं ह्यकाले मरणं न विद्यते।।2.20.51।।


नूनम् assuredly, मम my, स्थिरम् still (hard), हृदयम् heart, आयसम् is made of iron, यत् since, न भिद्यते is not breaking, भुवि on this earth, नावदीर्यते does not disintegrate, अनेन this, दुःखेन due to sorrow, देहम् body, अर्पितम् surrendered (pervaded), अकाले untimely, मरणम् death, न विद्यते may not be possible, ध्रुवम् this is certain.

Surely my still (hard) heart is made of iron. It neither bursts nor breaks down on the ground. Pervaded by grief, there is no untimely death for this my body, too.
इदं हि दुःखं यदनर्थकानि मे

व्रतानि दानानि च संयमाश्च हि।

तपश्च तप्तं यदपत्यकारणा

त्सुनिष्फलं बीजमिवोप्तमूषरे।।2.20.52।।


मे my, व्रतानि mortifications, दानानि च charitable gifts, संयमाश्च selfrestraint, अनर्थकानीति यत् are all meaningless, इदम् this, दुःखम् regret, अपत्यकारणात् for the sake of progeny, तप्तम् practised, यत् which, तपः asceticism, ऊषरे in a barren land, उप्तम् sown, बीजम् इव like a seed, सुनिष्फलम् was fruitless.

My regret is that all my mortifications, gifts of charity and penances are of no avail. Even the asceticism which I practised for the sake of progeny was fruitless like a seed sown in a barren land.
यदि ह्यकाले मरणं स्वयेच्छया

लभेत कश्चिद्गुरुदुःखकर्शितः।

गताहमद्यैव परेतसंसदं

विना त्वया धेनुरिवात्मजेन वै।।2.20.53।।


कश्चित् any one, गुरुदुःखकर्शितः tormented with deep grief, स्वया of one's own, इच्छया by free will, अकाले untimely, मरणम् death, लभेत यदि if he gets, अहम् I, अद्यैव now itself, आत्मजेन विना without offspring, धेनुरिव like a cow, त्वया विना without you, परेतसंसदम् to the
assembly of Yama, गता would have reached.

If any one, tormented with great sorrow, could willingly commit suicide I would have gone the way to the assembly of Yama (the lord of death) right away as without you I will be now like a cow without a calf.
अथापि किं जीवितमद्य मे वृथा

त्वया विना चन्द्रनिभाननप्रभ।

अनुव्रजिष्यामि वनं त्वयैव गौ

स्सुदुर्बला वत्समिवानुकाङ्क्षया।।2.20.54।।


अथापि even then, चन्द्रनिभाननप्रभ one having a countenance resembling the splendour of the full Moon, त्वया विना without you, मे my, जीवितम् life, अद्य today, किम् what use, वृथा fruitless, सुदुर्बला enfeebled, गौः cow, वत्सम् इव like a calf, अनुकाङ्क्षया in its affection, त्वयैव with you alone, अद्य now, वनम् to the forest, अनुव्रजिष्यामि shall follow.

What is the use of this life now? What is life without you whose countenance glows like the full Moon? Like a cow emaciated by its search for the calf, I will follow you into the forest.
भृशमसुखममर्षिता तदा

बहु विललाप समीक्ष्य राघवम्।

व्यसनमुपनिशम्य सा मह

त्सुतमिव बद्धमवेक्ष्य किन्नरी।।2.20.55।।


सा that (Kausalya), राघवम् Rama, समीक्ष्य having seen, महत् great, व्यसनम् misfortune, उपनिशम्य having heard, बद्धम् is made captive, सुतम् son, अवेक्ष्य looking on, किन्नरीव like a kinnari, तदा then, असुखम् unhappy, अमर्षिता wrathful, भृशम् extremely, बहु much, विललाप lamented.

Kausalya, filled with anger due to extreme sorrow reflected over her misfortune, and burst into harrowing tears, looking at Rama, like a kinnari looking at her grownup son taken captive.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the twentieth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.