Sloka & Translation

[Sumitra consoles Kausalya.]

vilapantī tathā tāṅ tu kausalyāṅ pramadōttamām.

idaṅ dharmē sthitā dharmyaṅ sumitrā vākyamabravīt৷৷2.44.1৷৷


dharmē in virtues, sthitā abiding, sumitrā Sumitra, tathā then, vilapantīm lamenting, pramadōttamām best among women, tāṅ kauśalyām to that Kausalya, dharmyam conforming to righteousness, idaṅ vākyam these words, abravīt said.

While Kausalya, the best of women was thus lamenting, virtuous Sumitra spoke to her these righteous words:
tavāryē sadguṇairyuktaḥ putra ssa puruṣōttamaḥ.

kiṅ tē vilapitēnaivaṅ kṛpaṇaṅ ruditēna vā৷৷2.44.2৷৷


āryē O venerable one!, sadguṇaiḥ with every good quality, yuktaḥ endowed with, tava your, saḥ putraḥ such a son, puruṣōttamaḥ the greatest among men, ēvam in this way, tē you, vilapitēna with
lamentation, kṛpaṇam bitterly, ruditēna vā or by weeping, kim what is the use?

My venerable lady, your son Rama is the greatest among men and is endowed with every virtue. Why do you lament in this way? Why do you weep bitterly?
yastavāryē gataḥ putrastyaktvā rājyaṅ mahābalaḥ.

sādhu kurvan mahātmānaṅ pitaraṅ satyavādinam৷৷2.44.3৷৷

śiṣṭairācaritē samyakchaśvatprētyaphalōdayē.

rāmō dharmē sthita śrēṣṭhō na sa śōcyaḥ kadācana৷৷2.44.4৷৷


āryē O noble lady, mahābalaḥ mighty, yaḥ Rama, tava putraḥ your son, mahātmānam magnanimous, pitaram father, sādhu worthy of, satyavādinam as truthful one, kurvan to do, rājyam kingdom, tyaktvā renouncing, śiṣṭaiḥ by virtuous men, samyak fully, śaśvat everlasting, ācaritē followed, prētya in the next world, phalōdayē at the time of fruition, dharmē in virtues, sthitaḥ stuck, śrēṣṭhaḥ best, saḥ that, rāmaḥ Rama, kadācana at any point, śōcyaḥ na not to be grieved over.

In order to vindicate the words of his great and truthful father, O noble lady,your mighty son has renounced the kingdom and has gone (to the forest). He has stuck to the path so scrupulously followed by the wise, the everlasting results of which can be fully realised in the world to come. Such a peerless son is never to be grieved over.
vartatē cōttamāṅ vṛttiṅ lakṣmaṇō.smin sadānaghaḥ.

dayāvān sarvabhūtēṣu lābhastasya mahātmanaḥ৷৷2.44.5৷৷


anaghaḥ blameless one, sarvabhūtēṣu in all creatures, dayāvān compassionate, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, asmin in the matter (of Rama), sadā always, uttamām highest, vṛttim conduct, vartatē doing(showing), mahātmanaḥ great soul, tasya to him, lābhaḥ is benefit.

Blameless Lakshmana, compassionate to all beings, has acted most nobly in this matter for the benefit of his great soul.
araṇyavāsē yadduḥkhaṅ jānatī vai sukhōcitā.

anugacchati vaidēhī dharmātmānaṅ tavātmajam৷৷2.44.6৷৷


sukhōcitā used to comforts, vaidēhī Sita, araṇyavāsē living in the forest, yat duḥkham those hardships, jānatī vai knowingly, dharmātmānam virtuous, tava your, ātmajam son, anugacchati is following.

The daughter of Videha (Sita) who was used to comforts has knowingly followed your virtuous son into the hardships of forest life.
kīrtibhūtāṅ patākāṅ yō lōkē bhramayati prabhuḥ.

dharmasatyavratadhanaḥ kiṅ na prāptastavātmajaḥ৷৷2.44.7৷৷


prabhuḥ competent, yaḥ who, kīrtibhūtām renowned, patākām the banner, lōkē in this world, bhramayati waving, dharmasatyavratadhanaḥ one who considers righteousness and truth as wealth, tava ātmajaḥ your son, kim what, na prāptaḥ did not gain.

Your all-competent son who considers righteousness and truth as wealth, is waving the flag of fame in this world. What is that which your son did not gain ?
vyaktaṅ rāmasya vijñāya śaucaṅ māhātmyamuttamam.

na gātramaṅśubhi ssūrya ssantāpayitumarhati৷৷2.44.8৷৷


rāmasya Rama's, śaucam purity, uttamam excellent, māhātmyam greatness, vijñāya having known, sūryaḥ sun, aṅśubhiḥ with rays, gātram body, santāpayitum to torment, na arhati will not be inclined, vyaktam this is evident.

Knowing Rama's sterling purity and greatness the Sun evidently dare not scorch his body with its rays.
śivassarvēṣu kālēṣu kānanēbhyō vinissṛtaḥ.

rāghavaṅ yuktaśītōṣṇassēviṣyati sukhō.nilaḥ৷৷2.44.9৷৷


śivaḥ gracious, kānanēbhyaḥ from the woodlands, vinissṛtaḥ blowing out, yuktaśītōṣṇaḥ with moderate heat and cold, sukhaḥ pleasant, anilaḥ breeze, rāghavam of Rama, sarvēṣu kālēṣu at all seasons, sēviṣyati will attend.

A pleasant yet moderately hot and cold breeze blowing through the woodlands will serve Rama at all seasons.
śayānamanaghaṅ rātrau pitēvābhipariṣvajan.

raśmibhi ssaṅspṛśan śītaiścandramāhlādayiṣyati৷৷2.44.10৷৷


candramā the Moon, rātrau at night, anaghaṅ sinless man, śayānam while asleep, śītaiḥ cool, raśmibhiḥ with rays, saṅspṛśan while touching, pitēva like father, abhipariṣvajan while embracing, āhlādayiṣyati delight.

While that sinless Rama sleeps at night, the Moon will comfort him by touching him with cool beams like a father embracing his son.
dadau cāstrāṇi divyāni yasmai brahmā mahaujasē.

dānavēndraṅ hataṅ dṛṣṭvā timidhvajasutaṅ raṇē৷৷2.44.11৷৷

sa śūraḥ puruṣavyāghraḥ svabāhubalamāśritaḥ.

asantrastō.pyaraṇasthō vēśmanīva nivatsyati৷৷2.44.12৷৷


raṇē in war, dānavēndram lord of demons, timidhvajasutam Timidhwaja's son, hatam having been killed, dṛṣṭvā having seen, mahaujasē having great lustre, yasmai to that Rama, brahmā like second Bramha, (Viswamitra), divyāni divine, astrāṇi weapons, dadau gave, śūraḥ brave, puruṣavyāghraḥ best of men, saḥ that Rama, araṇyasthō.pi though staying in the forest, svabāhubalam with the strength of his arms, āśritaḥ taking refuge, asantrastaḥ without fear, vēśmanīva like in his own palace, nivatsyati will reside.

To the mighty, heroic Rama, that best of men, Brahma-like Viswamitra has bequeathed many divine weapons, seeing him slay Timidhwaja's son (Subahu), lord of demons, in the battle. He will stay fearless in the forest, relying on the strength of his own arms as though he were living in the palace.
yasyēṣupathamāsādya vināśaṅ yānti śatravaḥ.

kathaṅ na pṛthivī tasya śāsanē sthātumarhati৷৷2.44.13৷৷


yasya whose, iṣupatham range of arrows, āsādya having received, śatravaḥ enemies, vināśam destruction, yānti will meet, tasya such Rama's, śāsanē in the command, pṛthivī earth, katham how, sthātum to subordinate, nārhati is unfit.

When enemies who are targets of his arrows are destoyed, how can this earth, not stay under the command of Rama?
yā śrī śśauryaṅ ca rāmasya yā ca kalyāṇasatvatā.

nivṛttāraṇyavāsa ssa kṣipraṅ rājyamavāpsyati৷৷2.44.14৷৷


rāmasya Rama's, yā śrīḥ that splendour, śauryaṅ ca valour, yā kalyāṇasatvatā that auspicious strength, nivṛttāraṇyavāsaḥ having returned from forest life, saḥ that Rama, kṣipram quickly, (svaṅ) rājyam his kingdom, avāpsyati will regain.

On return from his sojourn in the forest, Rama, endowed with splendour, valour and a strength that brings well-being will quickly regain his kingdom.
sūryasyāpi bhavētsūryō hyagnēragni prabhōḥ prabhuḥ.

śriyaḥ śrīśca bhavēdagryā kīrtiḥ kīrtyāḥ kṣamākṣamā৷৷2.44.15৷৷

daivataṅ daivatānāṅ ca bhūtānāṅ bhūtasattamaḥ.

tasya kē hyaguṇā dēvi! vanē vāpyathavā purē৷৷2.44.16৷৷


dēvi! O Devi (Kusalya)!, sūryasyāpi for the sun, sūryaḥ bhavēt he will act as light of the Sun, agnēḥ for fire, agniḥ lustre of fire, prabhōḥ for a ruler, prabhuḥ as supreme ruler, śriyaśca prosperity, śrīḥ as prosperity, kīrtyāḥ for fame, agryā as supreme, kīrtiḥ fame, kṣamā for tolerance, kṣamā as tolerance, daivatānām for gods, daivatam as god, bhūtānām for all beings, bhūtasattamaḥ as supreme being, bhavēt shall be, tasya for such Rama, vanē vāpi even in forest, athavā or, purē or in town, aguṇāḥ demerits, kē hi where are they?.

O Devi! Rama is the Sun (light) of the Sun, fire (splendour) of the fire, master (command) of masters, prosperity of the prosperous, the fame of the famous, forbearance of the forbearing, god of the gods and supreme among all beings. Whether he dwells in the forest or in the city, he has no demerit whatsoever.
pṛthivyā saha vaidēhyā śriyā ca puruṣarṣabhaḥ.

kṣipraṅ tisṛbhirētābhi ssaha rāmō.bhiṣēkṣyatē৷৷2.44.17৷৷


puruṣarṣabhaḥ eminent among men, rāmaḥ Rama, pṛthivyā saha with earth, vaidēhya along with Sita, śriyā ca with the goddess of fortune, ētābhiḥ with these, tisṛbhiḥ saha with three, kṣipram quickly, abhiṣēkṣayatē will be consecrated.

Rama, the best among men, will soon be coronated with these three namely the earth, the goddess of fortune and Sita.
duḥkhajaṅ visṛjantyasraṅ niṣkrāmantamudīkṣya yam.

ayōdhyāyāṅ janāssarvē śōkavēgasamāhatāḥ.2.44.18৷৷

kuśacīradharaṅ dēvaṅ gacchantamaparājitam.

sītēvānugatā lakṣmī stasya kiṅ nāma durlabham৷৷2.44.19৷৷


niṣkrāmantam when he was leaving, yam whom, udīkṣya having seen, ayōdhyāyām in Ayodhya, sarvē all, janāḥ inhabitants, śōkavēgasamāhatāḥ whipped by the speed of sorrow, duḥkhajam caused by sorrow, asram tears, visṛjanti are shedding, kuśacīradharam clad in bark and kusa robes, gacchantam departing, aparājitam the unconquerable, dēvam divine one, lakṣmīḥ goddess of fortune, sītēva like Sita, anugatā has followed, tasya to him, kiṅ nāma what, durlabham is
difficult?

When the people of Ayodhya saw the god-like Rama departing, clad in robes of kusha and bark, they were moved to tears of grief. What is impossible for him who is unconquerable and whom Sita, like the goddess of fortune, follows.
dhanurgrahavarō yasya bāṇakhaḍgāstrabhṛtsvayam.

lakṣmaṇō vrajati hyagrē tasya kiṅ nāma durlabham৷৷2.44.20৷৷


dhanurgrahavaraḥ the most skilled archer, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, svayam himself, bāṇakhaḍgāstrabhṛt bearing arrows, swords and other weapons, yasya to whom, agrē in the forefront, vrajati going, tasya for that Rama, kiṅ nāma what, durlabham is the difficulty?

What is impossible for Rama ahead of whom moves Lakshmana, the best of archers, weilding swords, arrows and other weapons?
nivṛttavanavāsaṅ taṅ draṣṭāsi punarāgatam.

jahiśōkaṅ ca mōhaṅ ca dēvi! satyaṅ bravīmi tē৷৷2.44.21৷৷


dēvi! O Kausalya, nivṛttavanavāsam on completion of exile, punaḥ again, āgatam having returned, tam that Rama, draṣṭāsi will see, śōkaṅ ca sorrow, mōhaṅ ca delusion, jahi you may give up, tē to you, satyam truth, bravīmi am telling.

I tell you the truth, Kausalya, that you will see Rama's return when the period of exile is complete. Hence give up your sorrow and delusion.
śirasā caraṇāvētau vandamānamaninditē!

punardrakṣyasi kalyāṇi! putraṅ candramivōditam৷৷2.44.22৷৷


aninditē irreproachable one, kalyāṇi! O auspicious one, ētau caraṇau at these feet, śirasā with head, vandamānam paying homage, putram son, uditam rising, candramiva Moon-like, punaḥ again, drakṣayasi will see.

O irreproachable and auspicious one! you will see your son, like the rising Moon, touching your feet with his head.
punaḥ praviṣṭaṅ dṛṣṭvā tamabhiṣiktaṅ mahāśriyam.

samutsrakṣyasi nētrābhyāṅ kṣipramānandajaṅ payaḥ৷৷2.44.23৷৷


punaḥ again, praviṣṭam having entered, abhiṣiktam enthroned, mahāśriyam shining in glory, tam him, dṛṣṭvā having seen, kṣipram soon, nētrābhyām from your eyes, anandajam arising out of joy, payaḥ water, samutsrakṣyasi pour out.

Soon you will see him enthrouned shining in full glory on his return from exile while
tears of joy will flow from your eyes.
mā śōkō dēvi! duḥkhaṅ vā na rāmē dṛśyatē.śivam.

kṣipraṅ drakṣyasi putraṅ tvaṅ sasītaṅ sahalakṣmaṇam৷৷2.44.24৷৷


dēvi! O Devi (Kausalya)! śōkaḥ grief, duḥkhaṅ vā or distress, mā do not entertain, rāmē in Rama, aśivam inauspiciousness, na dṛśyatē is not to be seen, tvam you, sasītam with Sita, sahalakṣmaṇam with Lakshmana, putram son, kṣipram soon, drakṣayasi you will see.

Desist from grief or tear for Rama, O Devi! nothing inauspicious will happen to him you will soon see your son along with Sita and Lakshmana.
tvayā śēṣō janaścaiva samāśvāsyō yadā.naghē!.

kimidānīmidaṅ dēvi! karōṣi hṛdi viklabam৷৷2.44.25৷৷


anaghē! sinless lady, dēvi! O Devi! śēṣaḥ the remaining, janaḥ people, tvayā by you, yadā when, samāśvāsyaḥ ēva are to be consoled, idānīm in this manner, hṛdi in your heart, viklabam overcome with fear, karōṣi doing, idam this, kim what?

O sinless lady, O queen! when you are overcome by fear, how can you console
others?
nārhā tvaṅ śōcituṅ dēvi! yasyāstē rāghavassutaḥ.

na hi rāmātparō lōkē vidyatē satpathē sthitaḥ৷৷2.44.26৷৷


dēvi! O Kausalya, yasyāḥ whose, tē to you, rāghavaḥ Rama, sutaḥ as son, tvam you, śōcitum to grieve, nārhā are not fit, rāmāt compared to Rama, paraḥ superior, satpathē on the path of virtue, sthitaḥ abiding, lōkē in this world, na vidyatē hi is not found.

O Kausalya, with a son like Rama, you should not grieve. There is none in this world superior to Rama who stands steady in the path of virtue.
abhivādayamānaṅ taṅ dṛṣṭvā sasuhṛdaṅ sutam.

mudā.śrṛ mōkṣyasē kṣipraṅ mēghalēkhēva vārṣikī৷৷2.44.27৷৷


abhivādayamānam one while bowing to you in reverence, sasuhṛdam along with friends, taṅ sutam to your son, dṛṣṭvā seeing, kṣipram soon, vārṣikī pertaining to rainy-season, mēghalēkhēva like a streak of clouds, mudā delightfully, aśru tears, mōkṣyasē you are going to shed.

Like a flake of cloud in monsoon, you are going to shed tears of joy soon seeing your son along with his friends bowing to you in reverence.
putrastē varadaḥ kṣipramayōdhyāṅ punarāgataḥ.

pāṇibhyāṅ mṛdupīnābhyāṅ caraṇau pīḍayiṣyati৷৷2.44.28৷৷


varadaḥ one who confers boons, tē putraḥ your son, kṣipram soon, ayōdhyām to Ayodhya, punaḥ again, āgataḥ having returned, mṛdupīnābhyām tender and plump, pāṇibhyām hands, caraṇau your feet, pīḍayiṣyati will press.

Your son, bestower of boons, will soon return to Ayodhya and press your feet with his soft, tender hands.
abhivādya namasyantaṅ śūraṅ sasuhṛdaṅ sutam.

mudā.sraiḥ prōkṣyasi punarmēgharājirivācalam৷৷2.44.29৷৷


abhivādya greeting, namasyantam offering salutations, śūram brave sasuhṛdam with friends, sutam to your son, mudā with delight, asraiḥ with tears, mēgharājiḥ mass of clouds, acalamiva like a mountain, punaḥ again, prōkṣyasi will be drenched.

While paying obeisance to you, you will drench your brave son, surrounded by friends, with tears of joy like a mass of clouds drenching the mountain.
āśvāsayantī vividhaiśca vākyai-

rvākyōpacārē kuśalā.navadyā.

rāmasya tāṅ mātaramēvamuktvā

dēvī sumitrā virarāma rāmā৷৷2.44.30৷৷


vākyōpacārē serving with words, kuśalā skilled, anavadyā irreproachable, rāmā cheerful nature, dēvī queen, sumitrā Sumitra, vividhaiḥ various, vākyaiḥ words, āśvāsayantī while consoling, rāmasya Rama's, tāṅ mātaram to his mother, ēvam in that way, uktvā having said, virarāma fell silent.

Irreproachable and skilful in the use of words, queen Sumitra of cheerful disposition fell silent after thus consoling Rama's mother in various ways.
niśamya tallakṣmaṇamātṛvākyaṅ

rāmasya māturnaradēvapatnyā:.

sadyaśśarīrē vinanāśa śōkaḥ

śaradgatō mēgha ivālpatōyaḥ৷৷2.44.31৷৷


tat that, lakṣmaṇamātṛvākyam words of Lakshmana's mother, niśamya having heard, naradēvapatnyā: queen, rāmasya mātuḥ of Rama's mother, śōkaḥ grief, śaradgataḥ relating to autumn, alpatōyaḥ with slight moisture, mēgha iva like cloud, sadyaḥ instantly, śarīrē in the body, vinanāśa destroyed.

On hearing the words of Lakshmana's mother the grief in the heart of the queen (Kausalya), mother of Rama, instantly disappeared like the autumnal cloud that holds but little rain.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē catuścatvāriṅśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the fortyfourth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.