Sloka & Translation

[Sita enquires why Rama is distressed-Rama informs her about his impending banishment and instructs her to stay back in Ayodhya.]

abhivādya ca kausalyāṅ rāma ssaṅprasthitō vanam.

kṛtasvastyayanō mātrā dharmiṣṭhē vartmani sthitaḥ৷৷2.26.1৷৷

virājayanrājasutō rājamārgaṅ narairvṛtam.

hṛdayānyāmamanthēva janasya guṇavattayā৷৷2.26.2৷৷

rājasutaḥ prince, rāmaḥ Rama, mātrā by mother, kṛtasvastyayana: having been greeted with benedictory rites, kauśalyām to Kausalya, abhivādya ca after paying obeisance, dharmiṣṭhē in the righteous, vartmani on the path, sthitaḥ fixed, vanam to the forest, samprasthitaḥ set out, naraiḥ (janaiḥ) by the people, vṛtam surrounded with, rājamārgam highway, virājayan illuminating (with his lustre), guṇavattayā by excellent virtues, janasya people's, hṛdayāni hearts, amamanthēva mapahīl (stirred).

After the benedictory rites were performed by his mother Kausalya, Rama paid obeisance to her and staying on the righteous path decided to depart to the forest. He entered the highway thronged with people and illumining it with his lustre and stirred their hearts with (remembrances of) his excellent virtues.
abhivādya ca kausalyāṅ rāma ssaṅprasthitō vanam.

kṛtasvastyayanō mātrā dharmiṣṭhē vartmani sthitaḥ৷৷2.26.1৷৷

virājayanrājasutō rājamārgaṅ narairvṛtam.

hṛdayānyāmamanthēva janasya guṇavattayā৷৷2.26.2৷৷

rājasutaḥ prince, rāmaḥ Rama, mātrā by mother, kṛtasvastyayana: having been greeted with benedictory rites, kauśalyām to Kausalya, abhivādya ca after paying obeisance, dharmiṣṭhē in the righteous, vartmani on the path, sthitaḥ fixed, vanam to the forest, samprasthitaḥ set out, naraiḥ (janaiḥ) by the people, vṛtam surrounded with, rājamārgam highway, virājayan illuminating (with his lustre), guṇavattayā by excellent virtues, janasya people's, hṛdayāni hearts, amamanthēva mapahīl (stirred).

After the benedictory rites were performed by his mother Kausalya, Rama paid obeisance to her and staying on the righteous path decided to depart to the forest. He entered the highway thronged with people and illumining it with his lustre and stirred their hearts with (remembrances of) his excellent virtues.
vaidēhī cāpi tatsarvaṅ na śuśrāva tapasvinī.

tadēva hṛdi tasyāśca yauvarājyābhiṣēcanam৷৷2.26.3৷৷


tapasvinī engaged in religious austerities (for consecration), vaidēhī cāpi Sita also, tatsarvam all that, na śuśrāva did not hear, tasyāḥ her, hṛdi in heart, tat that, abhiṣēcanam ēva only consecration (was reflecting).

Sita, her mind preoccupied with thoughts about consecration, was engaged in religious austerities and hence could not hear of all this (development).
dēvakāryaṅ svayaṅ kṛtvā kṛtajñā hṛṣṭacētanā.

abhijñā rājadharmāṇāṅ rājaputraṅ pratīkṣatē৷৷2.26.4৷৷


kṛtajñā grateful (to god), rājadharmāṇām duties of a king (palace rituals), abhijñā experienced in, hṛṣṭacētanā with pleased mind, svayam herself, dēvakāryam worship of gods, kṛtvā having made, rājaputram prince, pratīkṣatē was awaiting.

Experienced in palace rituals, Sita, grateful (to God) after performing worship of the deities was awaiting in a happy mood the arrival of the prince.
pravivēśātha rāmastu svaṅ vēśma suvibhūṣitam.

prahṛṣṭajanasampūrṇaṅ hriyā kiñcidavāṅmukhaḥ৷৷2.26.5৷৷


atha thereafter, rāmastu Rama, hriyā with embarrassment, kiñcit a little, avāṅmukhaḥ with his head bent down, prahṛṣṭajanasampūrṇam thronged with excited people, suvibhūṣitam well-decorated, svaṅ vēśma his own residence, pravivēśa entered.

His head bent down in embarrassment, Rama entered his well-decorated residence thronged with excited people.
atha sītā samutpatya vēpamānā ca taṅ patim.

apaśyacchōkasantaptaṅ cintāvyākulitēndriyam৷৷2.26.6৷৷


atha thereafter, sītā Sita, samutpatya entering suddenly, vēpamānā ca a trembling, śōkasantaptam distressed with grief, cintāvyākulitēndriyam senses agitated due to anxiety, taṅ patim her husband, apaśyat beheld.

Sita got up suddenly, (her limbs) trembling to see her husband distressed with grief and agitated with anxiety.
tāṅ dṛṣṭvā sa hi dharmātmā na śaśāka manōgatam.

taṅ śōkaṅ rāghavaḥ sōḍhuṅ tatō vivṛtatāṅ gataḥ৷৷2.26.7৷৷


dharmātmā virtuous, saḥ that, rāghavaḥ son of the Raghus (Rama), tām her, dṛṣṭvā having seen, manōgatam in mind, taṅ śōkam that sorrow, sōḍhum to endure (control), na śaśāka was not able, tataḥ for that reason, vivṛtatām gataḥ manifested.

On seeing her, virtuous Rama could not contain the sorrow in his mind which manifested (through his external appearance).
vivarṇavadanaṅ dṛṣṭvā taṅ prasvinnamamarṣaṇam.

āha duḥkhābhisantaptā kimidānīmidaṅ prabhō!৷৷2.26.8৷৷


vivarṇavadanam pale face, prasvinnam heavily perspiring, amarṣaṇam indignant, tam him, dṛṣṭvā having seen, duḥkhābhisantaptā consumed with grief, āha uttered, prabhō O Lord, idānīm now, idam this, kim what?

On seeing Rama with a pale face. indignant and heavily perspiring, Sita, consumed with grief said, My Lord, why are you now like this?
adya bārhaspata śśrīmānyuktaḥ puṣyō.nu rāghava.

prōcyatē brāhmaṇaiḥ prājñaiḥ kēna tvamasi durmanāḥ৷৷2.26.9৷৷


rāghava O scion of the Raghu race!, adya today, śrīmān auspicious one, bārhaspataḥ with Brihaspati presiding over, puṣyaḥ Pushya star, yuktaḥ as suitable, prājñaiḥ by learned ones, brāhmaṇaiḥ by brahmins, prōcyatē is declared, tvam you, kēna for what reason, durmanāḥ asi are dejected?

O scion of the Raghu race, today has been declared by learned brahmins a suitable and auspicious day for consecration under Pushya star with Brihaspati as presiding deity. Then why are you dejected?
na tē śataśalākēna jalaphēnanibhēna ca.

āvṛtaṅ vadanaṅ valgu chatrēṇāpi virājatē৷৷2.26.10৷৷


valgu charming, tē your, vadanam face, śata śalākēna with a hundred ribs, jalaphēnanibhēna (white) like foam in water, chatrēṇa by umbrella, āvṛtam having been covered, na virājatē does not shine.

How is it that your charming face shines not today under a hundred-ribbed umbrella (white) like foam in water?
vyajanābhyāṅ ca mukhyābhyāṅ śatapatranibhēkṣaṇam.

candrahaṅsaprakāśābhyāṅ vījyatē na tavānanam৷৷2.26.11৷৷


śatapatranibhēkṣaṇam eyes resembling lotus, tava ānanam your face, candrahaṅsa prakāśābhyām with the glow of the moon or swan, mukhyābhyām by the excellent, vyajanābhyām with fans, na vījyatē is not being fanned.

(How is it that) your face, with its lotus-like eyes is not being fanned by excellent fans of the colour of the Moon or the swan.
vāgminō vandinaścāpi prahṛṣṭāstvāṅ nararṣabha.

stuvantō nātra dṛśyantē maṅgalaiḥ ssūtamāgadhāḥ৷৷2.26.12৷৷


nararṣabha O best among men! vāgmina: eloquent men, vandinaścāpi panegyrists, sūtamāgadhāḥ charioteers and bards, prahṛṣṭāḥ delighted, tvām you, maṅgalaiḥ with auspicious words, stuvantaḥ praising, atra here, na dṛśyantē are not seen.

(How is it that) O best among men! eloquent panegyrists, charioteers, bards are not seen singing your praise with auspicious words?
na tē kṣaudraṅ ca dadhi ca brāhmaṇā vēdapāragāḥ.

mūrdhni mūrdhābhiṣiktasya dadati sma vidhānataḥ৷৷2.26.13৷৷


vēdapāragāḥ versed in the Vedas, brāhmaṇāḥ brahmins, mūrdhābhiṣiktasya having been consecrated, tē your, mūrdhni on head, vidhānataḥ conforming to rites, kṣaudraṅ ca honey also, dadhi ca curds, na dadati sma did not sprinkle.

How is it that brahmins versed in the Vedas have not duly sprinkled the mixture of honey and curd on your head (prior to your consecration)?
na tvāṅ prakṛtaya ssarvā śśrēṇīmukhyāśca bhūṣitāḥ.

anuvrajitumicchanti paurajānapadāstathā৷৷2.26.14৷৷


sarvāḥ all, prakṛtayaḥ ministers, śrēṇīmukhyāśca also the heads of guilds, tathā also, paurajānapadāḥ citizens of towns and villages, bhūṣitāḥ adorned, tvām you, anuvrajitum to follow, na icchanti do not seek.

How is it that well-adorned ministers, citizens from towns and villages, heads of guilds and others do not follow you?
caturbhirvēgasampannairhayaiḥ kāñcanabhūṣitaiḥ.

mukhyaḥ puṣyarathō yuktaḥ kiṅ na gacchati tē.grataḥ৷৷2.26.15৷৷


vēgasampannaiḥ running swiftly, kāñcanabhūṣitaiḥ decorated with gold, caturbhiḥ four, hayaiḥ horses, yuktaḥ
harnessed, mukhyaḥ important, puṣyarathaḥ ceremonial chariot, kim why, tē agrataḥ preceding you, na gacchati is not going.

How is it that the chief ceremonial chariot, decorated with gold and harnessed by four galloping horses is not preceding you?
hastī cāgrata śśrīmāṅ stava lakṣaṇapūjitaḥ.

prayāṇē lakṣyatē vīra! kṛṣṇamēghagiri prabhaḥ৷৷2.26.16৷৷


vīra! O valiant one!, tava your, prayāṇē in your journey, agrataḥ in front, lakṣaṇapūjitaḥ endowed with good features and revered, kṛṣṇamēghagiriprabhaḥ with the lustre of a dark cloud or a mountain, śrīmān auspicious one, hastī an elephant, na lakṣyatē is not seen.

How is it that the elephant, whose lustre resembles that of a mountain or a dark cloud and endowed with auspicious features is not seen leading your procession, O valiant one!
na ca kāñcanacitraṅ tē paśyāmi priyadarśana!.

bhadrāsanaṅ puraskṛtya yāntaṅ vīra puraskṛtam৷৷2.26.17৷৷


vīra O heroic one!, priyadarśana O one with a pleasant countenance!, kāñcanacitram carved in gold, tē to you, bhadrāsanam throne, puraskṛtya keeping in front of, yāntam proceeding, puraskṛtam keeping in front, na ca paśyāmi I do not see.

O heroic one! O handsome one! how is it that I do not see your attendants proceeding in front with the throne carved in gold?
abhiṣēkō yathā sajjaḥ kimidānīmidaṅ tava.

apūrvō mukhavarṇaśca na praharṣaśca lakṣyatē৷৷2.26.18৷৷


abhiṣēkaḥ consecration, yathā as, sajjaḥ arranged, tava your, mukhavarṇaḥ complexion of your face, apūrvaḥ unusual, praharṣaśca delightful, na lakṣyatē not seen, idānīm now, idam this, kim why?

How is it that when arrangements are under way now for your consecration, the complexion of your countenance does not look like what it was before? There is no joy on your face.
itīva vilapantīṅ tāṅ prōvāca raghunandanaḥ.

sītē! tatra bhavāṅstātaḥ pravrājayati māṅ vanam৷৷2.26.19৷৷


itīva in this way, vilapantīm lamenting, tām to her, raghunandanaḥ Rama, prōvāca said , sītē O Sita,
tatrabhavān venerable, tātaḥ father, mām me, vanam to the forest, pravrājayati banishing.

O Sita! my venerable father is banishing me to the forest, said Rama, the scion of the Raghus, the joy of the Raghu race, seeing her thus lamenting.
kulē mahati sambhūtē dharmajñē dharmacāriṇi!.

śṛṇu jānaki! yēnēdaṅ kramēṇābhyāgataṅ mama৷৷2.26.20৷৷


mahati in a noble, kulē family, sambhūtē born in, dharmajñē knower of righteousness, dharmacāriṇi for an observer of righteousness, jānaki Sita, yēna kramēṇa in such course, idam this, abhyāgatam has befallen, śṛṇa listen.

You were born in a noble family. You know and practise dharma. I shall tell you how this banishment has come about. Do listen.
rājñā satyapratijñēna pitrā daśarathēna ca.

kaikēyyai mama mātrē tu purā dattau mahāvarau৷৷2.26.21৷৷


rājñā by the king, satyapratijñēna true to his promise, pitrā my father, daśarathēna by Dasaratha, purā earlier, mama mātrē to my mother, kaikēyyai to Kaikeyi, mahāvarau two great boons, dattau were given.

My father, king Dasaratha, true to his promise, had earlier granted two great boons
to my mother Kaikeyi.
tayā.dya mama sajjē.sminnabhiṣēkē nṛpōdyatē.

pracōdita ssa samayō dharmēṇa pratinirjitaḥ৷৷2.26.22৷৷


adya now, nṛpōdyatē the king was getting ready, mama my, asmin abhiṣēkē for this consecration, sajjē in the preparation, tayā by her, saḥ that, samayaḥ promise, pracōditaḥ was urged, dharmēṇa in the name of righteousness, pratinirjitaḥ has been conquered.

When the king was preparing for my consecration, she reminded him of the promise and in the name of righteousness he has been cornered.
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi vastavyaṅ daṇḍakē mayā.

pitrā mē bharataścāpi yauvarājyē niyōjitaḥ৷৷2.26.23৷৷


mayā by me, caturdaśa varṣāṇi fourteen years, daṇḍakē in Dandaka forest, vastavyam am to dwell, mē pitrā by my father, bharataścāpi Bharata also, yauvarājyē as heir-apparent, niyōjitaḥ has been appointed.

I am to dwell in the Dandaka forest for fourteen years while father has appointed Bharata prince-regent.
sō.haṅ tvāmāgatō draṣṭuṅ prasthitō vijanaṅ vanam.

bharatasya samīpē tu nāhaṅ kathyaḥ kadācana৷৷2.26.24৷৷

buddhiyuktā hi puruṣā na sahantē parastavam.

tasmānnatē guṇāḥ kathyā bharatasyāgratō mama৷৷2.26.25৷৷


vijanam desolate, vanam forest, prasthitaḥ set to depart, saḥ aham such me, tvām you, draṣṭum to see, āgataḥ I have come, bharatasya Bharata's, samīpē in the presence of, kadācana at any time, aham I, na kathyaḥ not to be told , buddhiyuktāḥ intellectuals, puruṣāḥ men, parastavam praising others ,
na sahantē hi cannot endure, tasmāt for that reason, bharatasya Bharata's, agrataḥ infront of, tē those, mama guṇāḥ my virtues, na kathyāḥ should not be mentioned.

I have come to see you before departing for the desolate Dandaka forest. You should never praise me in the presence of Bharata because intellectuals cannot tolerate others being praised before them. You should never extol my virtues before him.
nāpi tvaṅ tēna bhartavyā viśēṣēṇa kadācana.

anukūlatayā śakyaṅ samīpē tvasya vartitum৷৷2.26.26৷৷


tvam you, tēna by him, kadācana at any time, viśēṣēṇa with a special treatment, na bhartavyā should not be supported, anukūlatayā tu by being favourable only, asya his, samīpē in his vicinity, vartitum to remain, śakyam is possible.

Never expect special treatment from Bharata. You can (continue to) stay with him (here) by conducting yourself in a favourable manner.
tasmai dattaṅ nṛpatinā yauvarājyaṅ sanātanam.

sa prasādyastvayā sītē! nṛpatiśca viśēṣataḥ৷৷2.26.27৷৷


nṛpatinā by the king, tasmai for him, sanātanam perpetual, yauvarājyam regency, dattam given, sītē O Sita, saḥ he, tvayā by you, prasādyaḥ has to be pleased, nṛpatiśca king also, viśēṣataḥ especially.

O Sita! the king has conferred the hereditary regency on him. Therefore, O Sita, you must make efforts to win his favour, especially a king's.
ahaṅ cāpi pratijñāṅ tāṅ gurōssamanupālayan.

vanamadyaiva yāsyāmi sthirā bhava manasvinī!৷৷2.26.28৷৷


ahaṅ cāpi I also, gurōḥ father's, tāṅ pratijñām that promise, samanupālayan while fulfilling, adyaiva now itself, vanam to the forest, yāsyāmi shall go, manasvini high-minded, Sita, tvam you, sthirā bhava
keep steady.

I am leaving for the forest right away for fulfilling my father's pledge. O high-minded Sita! be steady.
yātē ca mayi kalyāṇi vanaṅ muniniṣēvitam.

vratōpavāsaparayā bhavitavyaṅ tvayā.naghē৷৷2.26.29৷৷


anaghē O sinless one, kalyāṇi O auspicious one, mayi me, muniniṣēvitam inhabited by
ascetics, vanam to the forest, yātē when I am gone, tvayā by you, vratōpavāsa parayā engaged in vratas and fasting, bhavitavyam should be done.

O sinless, auspicious one! engage yourself in vratas and fasting after my departure to the forest inhabited by ascetics.
kālyamutthāya dēvānāṅ kṛtvā pūjāṅ yathāvidhi.

vanditavyō daśarathaḥ pitā mama narēśvaraḥ৷৷2.26.30৷৷


kālyam fimely, utthāya rising, yathāvidhi according to the prescribed rituals, dēvānām of the gods, pūjām kṛtvā having worshipped, mama pitā my father, narēśvaraḥ lord of the people, daśarathaḥ to Dasaratha, vanditavyaḥ is worthy of homage (by you).

You must rise in time and with the (household) gods duly worshipped, pay obeisance to my father, king Dasaratha.
mātā ca mama kauśalyā vṛddhā santāpakarśitā.

dharmamēvāgrataḥ kṛtvā tvatta ssammānamarhati৷৷2.27.31৷৷


santāpakarśitā emaciated due to grief, vṛddhā aged, mama mātā ca my mother, kauśalyā Kausalya, dharmamēva duty only, agrataḥ kṛtvā placing ahead, tvattaḥ by you, sammānam respect, arhati deserves.

You should give importance to duty(dharma) and show respect to my aged mother
who is emaciated due to grief.
vanditavyāśca tē nityaṅ yā śśēṣā mama mātaraḥ.

snēha praṇayasambhōgai ssamā hi mama mātaraḥ৷৷2.26.32৷৷


śēṣāḥ the rest of them, yā mama mātaraḥ my mothers, tē to you also, nityam always, vanditavyāḥ should be respected, mama my, mātaraḥ mothers, snēhapraṇaya sambhōgaiḥ with love, affection and service, samāḥ hi are equal.

In terms of love, affection and service, the rest of my mothers are all equal. Therefore, you must pay them due respect regularly.
bhrātṛputrasamau cāpi draṣṭavyau ca viśēṣataḥ.

tvayā bharataśatrughnau prāṇaiḥ priyatarau mama৷৷2.26.33৷৷


mama to me, prāṇaiḥ more than life , priyatarau dearer, bharataśatrughnau Bharata and Satrughna, viśēṣataḥ specially, tvayā by you, bhrātṛputrasamau as your brother and your sons, draṣṭavyau ca are to be looked after.

What is more important is that you should look on Bharata as your brother and Satrughna as your son. They are dearer to me than my life.
vipriyaṅ na ca kartavyaṅ bharatasya kadācana.

sa hi rājā prabhuścaiva dēśasya ca kulasya ca৷৷2.26.34৷৷


kadācana at any time, bharatasya of Bharata, vipriyam disagreeable, na kartavyam should not be done, saḥ he, dēśasya ca of the country, kulasya ca of the family also, rājā king, prabhuścaiva also the lord.

Now Bharata is the king of the country and head of the family. Therefore, you should never do anything disagreeable to him.
ārādhitā hi śīlēna prayatnaiścōpasēvitāḥ.

rājāna ssamprasīdanti kupyantica viparyayē৷৷2.26.35৷৷


rājāna: kings, śīlēna with good conduct, ārādhitāḥ are gratified, prayatnaiḥ with endeavours, upasēvitāḥ having been served, samprasīdanti are satisfied, viparyayē in contrary to that, kupyantica are also enraged.

Kings are gratified if they are served with zeal and good conduct. If the contrary happens, they get provoked.
aurasānapi putrānhi tyajantyahitakāriṇaḥ.

samarthānsampragṛhṇanti janānapi narādhipāḥ৷৷2.26.36৷৷


narādhipāḥ kings, ahitakāriṇaḥ harmful men, aurasān putrānapi even their own sons, tyajanti will abandon, samarthān capable men, janānapi even other people, sampragṛhṇanti accept.

Kings abandon (even) their own sons if they are harmful and receive capable people even if they are strangers.
sā tvaṅ vasēha kalyāṇi! rājñassamanuvartinī.

bharatasya ratā dharmē satyavrataparāyaṇā৷৷2.26.37৷৷


kalyāṇi O auspicious one!, sā tvam so you, rājñaḥ of the king, bharatasya of Bharata, samanuvartinī an obedient lady, dharmē in righteousness, ratā absorbed one, satyavrata parāyaṇā following the truth and the vows, iha vasa live here.

O auspicious one live here by being obedient to king Bharata. Absorbed in righteousness, follow truth and (religious) vows.
ahaṅ gamiṣyāmi mahāvanaṅ priyē!

tvayā hi vastavyamihaiva bhāmini!.

yathā vyalīkaṅ kuruṣē na kasya ci-

ttathā tvayā kāryamidaṅ vacō mama৷৷2.26.38৷৷


priyē O beloved one, bhāmini beauty (Sita), aham I, mahāvanam to the great forest, gamiṣyāmi I am going, tvayā by you, ihaiva here itself, kasyacit to any one, yathā in any way, vyalīkam harm, na kuruṣē would not do, tathā in that way, vastavyam you shall live here, mama my, idaṅ vacaḥ these words, kāryam should be done.

O my beloved Sita! I am going to the wild forest. Stay here and never cause displeasure to any one in any way. Could you carry out these words of mine?
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ṣaḍviṅśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the twentysixth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.