Sloka & Translation

[Rama, Sita and Lakshmana stay on the bank of Tamasa river -- at dawn they proceed, leaving behind the citizens of Ayodhya.]

ततस्तु तमसातीरं रम्यमाश्रित्य राघवः।

सीतामुद्वीक्ष्य सौमित्रिमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.46.1।।


ततः then, राघवः scion of the Raghus (Rama), रम्यम् lovely, तमसातीरम् bank of Tamasa, आश्रित्य having taken refuge, सीताम् Sita, उद्वीक्ष्य having looked at, सौमित्रिम् Sumitra's son (Lakshmana), इदं वचनम् these words, अब्रवीत् said.

The scion of the Raghus (Rama), having taken shelter on the lovely bank of Tamasa, glanced at Sita and said to Lakshmana thus:
इयमद्य निशा पूर्वा सौमित्रे प्रहिता वनम्।

वनवासस्य भद्रं ते स नोत्कण्ठितुमर्हसि।।2.46.2।।


सौमित्रे O Lakshmana, वनम् to the forest, प्रहिताः having been sent, अद्य today, इयम् this, वनवासस्य exile in the forest, पूर्वा first, निशा night, उत्कण्ठितुम् longing in your mind, न अर्हसि does not behove you, ते भद्रम् wish you well.

O Lakshmana, this happens to be the first night of our exile. You should not have any longing in your mind. Wish you well
पश्य शून्यान्यरण्यानि रुदन्तीव समन्ततः।

यथानिलयमायद्भिर्निलीनानि मृगद्विजैः।।2.46.3।।


यथानिलयम् to their respective abodes, आयद्भिः by those returning, मृगद्विजैः by wild animals and birds, निलीनानि concealed themselves in their hideouts, शून्यानि deserted, अरण्यानि forests, समन्ततः all over, रुदन्तीव as if crying, पश्य see.

Look at the deserted forest. The wild animals and birds have returned to their hideouts. They fill the air with their cries.
अद्यायोध्या तु नगरी राजधानी पितुर्मम।

सस्त्रीपुंसा गतानस्माञ्शोचिष्यति न संशयः।।2.46.4।।


अद्य now, मम पितुः my father's, राजधानी capital, अयोध्या नगरी city of Ayodhya, सस्त्रीपुंसा with men and women, गतान् having gone ( to the forest), अस्मान् about us, शोचिष्यति must be mourning, नसंशयः no doubt.

There is no doubt that now the men and women of Ayodhya, father's capital city must be bewailing our departure.
अनुरक्ता हि मनुजा राजानं बहुभिर्गुणैः।

त्वां च मां च नरव्याघ्र शत्रुघ्न भरतौ तथा।।2.46.5।।


नरव्याघ्र O tiger (best) among men, मनुजाः the people, बहुभिः many, गुणैः virtues, राजानम् to the king, त्वां च to you, मां च to me, तथा similarly, शत्रुघ्न भरतौ to Satrughna and Bharata, अनुरक्ताः हि are indeed attached.

O best of men because of our many virtues, the people (of Ayodhya) are indeed loyal to the king, to you, to me and to Satrughna and Bharata, too.
पितरं चानुशोचामि मातरं च यशस्विनीम्।

अपि वान्धौ भवेतां तु रुदन्तौ तावभीक्ष्णशः।।2.46.6।।


पितरं च also father, यशस्विनीम् illustrious, मातरं च also mother, अनुशोचामि I am distressed, तौ both of them, अभीक्ष्णशः repeatedly, रुदन्तौ while weeping, अन्धौ blind, अपि वा भवेताम् will they become.

What distresses me is the thought that both father and illustrious mother may
become blind by repeated weeping (over us).
भरतः खलु धर्मात्मा पितरं मातरं च मे।

धर्मार्थकामसहितैर्वाक्यैर्वाश्वासयिष्यति।।2.46.7।।


धर्मात्मा righteous, भरतः Bharata, धर्मार्थकामसहितैः with dharma, artha and kama, वाक्यैः words, मे my, पितरम् father, मातरं च and mother, आश्वासयिष्यति खलु will console indeed.

Righteous Bharata will indeed console parents with words in conformity with dharma, artha and kama.
भरतस्यानृशंसत्वं विचिन्त्याहं पुनः पुनः।

नानुशोचामि पितरं मातरं चापि लक्ष्मण।।2.46.8।।


लक्ष्मण Lakshmana, अहं I, भरतस्य Bharata's, अनृशंसत्वम् lack of wickedness, पुनः पुनः again again, विचिन्त्य after reflecting about, पितरम् father, मातरं च and mother, नानुशोचामि have no regrets.

As I reflect again and again on the benevolent nature of Bharata, there is no concern in me about my parents, O Lakshmana
त्वया कार्यं नरव्याघ्र मामनुव्रजता कृतम्।

अन्वेष्टव्या हि वैदेह्या रक्षणार्थे सहायता।।2.46.9।।


नरव्याघ्र O best of men, माम् me, अनुव्रजता while accompanying, त्वया by you, कार्यम् good deed, कृतम् has been done, वैदेह्याः Sita, रक्षणार्थे for protection, सहायता assistance, अन्वेष्टव्या हि to be sought for.

You, O Lakshmana, the best among men, have done a good job by accompanying me. Otherwise assistance for Sita's protection would have been sought (necessary).
अद्भिरेव तु सौमित्रे वत्स्याम्यद्य निशामिमाम्।

एतध्दि रोचते मह्यं वन्येऽपि विविधे सति।।2.46.10।।


सौमित्रे O Lakshmana, अद्य today, इमां निशाम् this night, अद्भिरेव with water only, वत्स्यामि I will live, विविधे different kinds, वन्ये forest products, सत्यपि available, एतत् this one, मह्यम् to me, रोचते हि is my preference.

O Lakshmana, I shall live this night on water alone. I prefer it, though various kinds of forest products are available.
एवमुक्त्वा तु सौमित्रिं सुमन्त्रमपि राघवः।

अप्रमत्तस्त्वमश्वेषु भव सौम्येत्युवाच ह।।2.46.11।।


राघवः Rama, सौमित्रिम् to Lakshmana, एवम् in this way, उक्त्वा having said, सौम्य O gentle one, त्वम् अश्वेषु about horses, अप्रमत्तः भव be careful, इति thus, सुमन्त्रमपि to Sumantra also, उवाच ह said.

Having said so to Lakshmana, he turned to Sumantra to say O gentle friend, tend the horses with care.
सोऽश्वान्सुमन्त्रः संयम्य सूर्येऽस्तं समुपागते।

प्रभूतयवसान् कृत्वा बभूव प्रत्यनन्तरः।।2.46.12।।


सः सुमन्त्रः that Sumantra, सूर्ये Sun, अस्तम् was setting, समुपागते was setting, अश्वान् horses, संयम्य tethered, प्रभूतयवसान् with abundant fodder, कृत्वा having made, प्रत्यनन्तरः
बभूव sat in their proximity.

As the Sun was setting, Sumantra tethered the horses, fed them with abundant fodder and sat close to them.
उपास्य तु शिवां सन्ध्यां दृष्ट्वा रात्रिमुपस्थिताम्।

रामस्य शयनं चक्रे सूतः सौमित्रिणा सह।।2.46.13।।


सूतः charioteer, शिवाम् auspicious, सन्ध्याम् Sandhya, उपास्य having worshipped, रात्रिम् night, उपस्थिताम् having arrived, दृष्ट्वा having seen, सौमित्रिणा सह along with Lakshmana, रामस्य of Rama, शयनम् bed, चक्रे made.

Then the charioteer worshipping the auspicious Sandhya (twilight), and seeing the night approach made bed for Rama and Lakshmana.
तां शय्यां तमसातीरे वीक्ष्य वृक्षदलैः कृताम्।

रामः सौमित्रिणा सार्धं सभार्यस्संविवेश ह।।2.46.14।।


तमसातीरे on the bank of Tamasa, वृक्षदलैः with leaves of trees, कृताम् made, तां शय्याम् that bed, वीक्ष्य having seen, रामः Rama, सभार्यः along with his wife, सौमित्रिणा सार्धम along with Lakshmana, संविवेश ह lay down.

Having seen the bed of leaves made ready on the bank of Tamasa, Rama lay down there along with Sita and Lakshmana.
सभार्यं सम्प्रसुप्तं तं भ्रातरं वीक्ष्य लक्ष्मणः।

कथयामास सूताय रामस्य विविधान् गुणान्।।2.46.15।।


लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, सम्प्रसुप्तम् fallen asleep, सभार्यम् along with wife, तं भ्रातरम् that brother, वीक्ष्य having seen, सूताय to the charioteer (Sumantra), रामस्य Rama's, विविधान् various गुणान् virtues, कथयामास narrated.

Having seen that his brother along with his wife had fallen asleep, Lakshmana narrated the many virtues of Rama to Sumantra.
जाग्रतो ह्येव तां रात्रिं सौमित्रेरुदितो रविः।

सूतस्य तमसातीरे रामस्य ब्रुवतो गुणान्।।2.46.16।।


तमसातीरे on the bank of river Tamasa, रामस्य Rama's, गुणान् virtues, सूतस्य (in) the chrioteer's (presence), ब्रुवतः telling, सौमित्रेः Lakshmana, तां रात्रिम् that night, जाग्रतोह्येव by keeping awake, रविः the Sun, उदितः arose.

Lakshmana continued to describe Rama's virtues to the charioteer, keeping awake that entire night on the bank of Tamasa until the Sun rose.
गोकुलाकुलतीरायास्तमसाया विदूरतः।

अवसत्तत्र तां रात्रिं रामः प्रकृतिभिस्सह।।2.46.17।।


रामः Rama, प्रकृतिभिः with the subjects, गोकुलाकुलतीरायाः of that bank crowded with herds of cattle, तमसायाः Tamasa, विदूरतः not very far, तां रात्रिम् that night, तत्र there, अवसत् lived.

Rama spent the night with his subjects not very far from the bank of Tamasa which was crowded with herds of cattle.
उत्थाय स महातेजाः प्रकृतीस्ता निशाम्य च।

अब्रवीद्भ्रातरं रामो लक्ष्मणं पुण्यलक्षणम्।।2.46.18।।


महातेजाः brilliant, सः रामः that Rama, उत्थाय च having risen, ताः those, प्रकृतीः subjects, निशाम्य च having seen, पुण्यलक्षणम् having auspicious qualities, भ्रातरम् brother, लक्ष्मणम् addressing Lakshmana, अब्रवीत् he said.

On getting up, the brilliant Rama looked at his subjects and said to his brother Lakshmana full of noble qualities:
अस्मद्व्यपेक्षान् सौमित्रे निरपेक्षान् गृहेष्वपि।

वृक्षमूलेषु संसुप्तान् पश्य लक्ष्मण साम्प्रतम्।।2.46.19।।


लक्ष्मण O Lakshmana, सौमित्रे son of Sumitra, अस्मद्व्यपेक्षान् due to their affection for us, गृहेष्वपि even in their homes, निरपेक्षान् indifferent, साम्प्रतम् now, वृक्षमूलेषु at the foot of the trees, संसुप्तान् are fast asleep, पश्य you may see.

O Lakshmana, son of Sumitra look at these people, fast alseep under the trees. Out of affection for us, they are even indifferent to their home.
यथैते नियमं पौराः कुर्वन्त्यस्मन्निवर्तने।

अपि प्राणान्न्यसिष्यन्ति न तु त्यक्ष्यन्ति निश्चयम्।।2.46.20।।


एते पौराः these citizens, अस्मन्निवर्तने on our return, यथा as, नियमम् resolve, कुर्वन्ति are doing, प्राणानपि even life also, न्यसिष्यन्ति will give up, निश्चयं तु determination, न त्यक्ष्यन्ति will not abandon.

On seeing the people's resolve to take us back, it appears they are prepared to give up their lives rather than abandon their determination.
यावदेव तु संसुप्ता स्तावदेव वयं लघु।

रथमारुह्य गच्छामः पन्थानमकुतोभयम्।।2.46.21।।


यावदेव so long as, संसुप्ताः they are asleep, तावदेव so long, वयम् we, लघु quickly, रथम् chariot, आरुह्य mounting, अकुतोभयम् without fear, पन्थानम् on our way, गच्छाम we shall go.

While they are asleep, we shall quickly mount the chariot and fearlessly proceed on the way.
अतो भूयोऽपि नेदानीमिक्ष्वाकुपुरवासिनः।

स्वपेयुरनुरक्ता मां वृक्षमूलानि संश्रिताः।।2.46.22।।


अतः therefore, माम् about me, अनुरक्ताः attached, इक्ष्वाकुपुरवासिनः inhabitants of the city of the Ikshvakus, भूयोऽपि again, वृक्षमूलानि at the foot of the trees, संश्रिताः having taken refuge, इदानीम् now, भूयोऽपि again, न स्वपेयुः should not sleep.

These loyal inhabitants of Ayodhya, the city of the Ikshvakus will no more sleep again shelterd under the trees.
पौरा ह्यात्मकृताद्दुःखाद्विप्रमोच्या नृपात्मजैः।

न तु खल्वात्मना योज्या दुःखेन पुरवासिनः।।2.46.23।।


पौराः the citizens, नृपात्मजैः by the sons of the king, आत्मकृतात् done by themselves, दुःखात् from the sufferings, विप्रमोच्या हि are to be delivered, पुरवासिनः people of the city, आत्मना by themselves, दुःखेन suffering, न योज्याः हि are not to be united.

The prince should deliver the citizens from the sufferings caused by themselves but should not make them suffer on their account.
अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणो रामं साक्षाद्धर्ममिवस्थितम्।

रोचते मे तथा प्राज्ञ क्षिप्र मारुह्यतामिति।।2.46.24।।


साक्षात् incarnate of, धर्ममिव righteousness, स्थितम् remaining, रामम् to Rama, लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, प्राज्ञ O sagacious, मे to me, तथा that way, रोचते is agreeable, क्षिप्रम् quickly, आरुह्यताम् let us board the chariot, इति thus, अब्रवीत् spoken.

Lakshmana said to Rama who was the very image of like righteousness O wise one, I like this (proposal). Let us quickly mount the chariot.
अथ रामोऽब्रवीच्छ्रीमान्सुमन्त्रं युज्यतां रथः।

गमिष्यामि ततोऽरण्यं गच्छ शीघ्रमितः प्रभो।।2.46.25।।


अथ then, श्रीमान् glorious, रामः Rama, सुमन्त्रम् addressing Sumantra, अब्रवीत् said, प्रभो O master charioteer, रथः chariot, युज्यताम् be yoked, ततः then, अरण्यम् to the forest, गमिष्यामि shall go, इतः from here, शीघ्रम् quickly, गच्छ I shall go.

Then glorious Rama addressing Sumantra said O master charioteer, harness the chariot. I shall (let us) quickly leave for the forest.
सूतस्तत स्सत्त्वरितः स्यन्दनं तैर्हयोत्तमैः।

योजयित्व्राऽथ रामाय प्राञ्जलिः प्रत्यवेदयत्।।2.46.26।।


ततः thereupon, सः सूतः that charioteer (Sumantra), त्वरितः in haste , स्यन्दनम् the chariot, तैः those, हयोत्तमैः splendid horses, योजयित्वा having harnessed, अथ and, प्राञ्जलिः with folded palms, रामाय for Rama, प्रत्यवेदयत् informed.

Thereupon the charioteer hurriedly harnessed the splendid horses to the chariot and informed Rama with folded hands:
अयं युक्तो महाबाहो रथस्ते रथिनां वर।

त्वमारोहस्व भद्रं ते ससीत स्सहलक्ष्मणः।।2.46.27।।


महाबाहो O longarmed one, रथिनाम् among the charioteers, वर best, ते for you, अयं रथः this chariot, युक्तः has been yoked, त्वम् you, स सीतः with Sita, सह लक्ष्मणः with Lakshmana, अरोहस्व mount, ते भद्रम् all the best.

O best among riders the chariot has been harnessed. O mightyarmed one, board it along with Sita and Lakshmana. All the best
तं स्यन्दनमधिष्ठाय राघव स्सपरिच्छदः।

शीघ्रगामाकुलावर्तां तमसामतरन्नदीम्।।2.46.28।।


सपरिच्छदः with his belongings, राघवः Rama, तं स्यन्दनम् that chariot, अधिष्ठाय having mounted, शीघ्रगाम् rapidly flowing, आकुलावर्ताम् agitated with whirlpools, तमसां नदीम्
Tamasa river, अतरत् crossed.

Rama (along with others) mounted the chariot with his belongings, crossed the rapidly flowing Tamasa agitated with whirlpools.
स सन्तीर्य महाबाहुः श्रीमान् शिवमकण्टकम्।

प्रापद्यत महामार्गमभयं भयदर्शिनाम्।।2.46.29।।


महाबाहुः mightyarmed, श्रीमान् gracious, सः that Rama, सन्तीर्य having crossed, शिवम् auspicious, अकण्टकम् without thorns (sufferings), भयदर्शिनाम् even for the timid, अभयम् arousing confidence, महामार्गम् highway, प्रापद्यत reached.

Having crossed the river, the mightyarmed and gracious Rama proceeded on the auspicious and thornless highway arousing confidence even in the timid.
मोहनार्थं तु पौराणां सूतं रामोऽब्रवीद्वचः।

उदङ्मुखः प्रयाहि त्वं रथमास्थाय सारथे।।2.46.30।।

मुहूर्तं त्वरितं गत्वा निवर्तय रथं पुनः।

यथा न विद्युः पौरा मां तथा कुरु समाहितः।।2.46.31।।


रामः Rama, पौराणाम् citizens', मोहनार्थम् to elude, सूतम् to the charioteer, वचः those words, अब्रवीत् said, सारथे O charioteer, त्वम् you, रथम् chariot, आस्थाय having mounted, उदङ्मुखः in northerly direction, प्रयाहि you may proceed, मुहूर्तम् for a while, त्वरितम् speedily, गत्वा having gone, रथम् chariot, पुनः again, निवर्तय turn back, माम् about me, पौराः citizens, यथा how, न विद्युः will not know, तथा in that manner, समाहितः accomplish, कुरु you may act.

With the intention of confusing the citizens, Rama said to the charioteer, O Sumantra, having seated in the chariot proceed speedly for a while in northerly direction and again turn back the chariot. Accomplish this feat in such a manner that the citizens will not know (where we have gone).
रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा तथा चक्रे स सारथिः।

प्रत्यागम्य च रामस्य स्यन्दनं प्रत्यवेदयत्।।2.46.32।।


सः सारथिः that charioteer, रामस्य Rama's, वचनम् words, श्रुत्वा having heard, तथा as instructed, चक्रे having done, प्रत्यागम्य having retuned, रामस्य to Rama, स्यन्दनम् chariot, प्रत्यवेदयत् informed.

The charioteer did as instructed by Rama, returned to him with the chariot and informed (of its readiness).
तौ सम्प्रयुक्तं तु रथं समास्थितौ

तदा ससीतौ रघुवंशवर्धनौ।

प्रचोदयामास ततस्तुरङ्गमान्

स सारथिर्येन पथा तपोवनम्।।2.46.33।।


तदा then, स सीतौ with Sita, रघुवंशवर्धनौ perpetuating the race of Raghu, Rama and Lakshmana, सम्प्रयुक्तम् wellyoked, रथम् chariot, समास्थितौ were seated, ततः then, सः सारथिः the charioteer, येन पथा that way, तपोवनम् penancegroves, तुरङ्गमान् horses, प्रचोदयामास urged.

When Rama and Lakshmana, perpetuaters of the Raghu race along with Sita were seated on the wellyoked chariot, Sumantra urged the horses to move.
तत स्समास्थाय रथं महारथः

ससारथिर्दाशरथिर्वनं ययौ।

उदङ्मुखं तं तु रथं चकार स

प्रयाणमाङ्गल्य निमित्तदर्शनात्।।2.46.34।।


ततः then, सः he Sumantra, प्रयाणमाङ्गल्यनिमित्तदर्शनात् having seen the auguries of auspiciousness during the journey, तं रथम् that chariot, उदङ्मुखम् northerly direction, चकार made, महारथः that great chariot, दाशरथिः Rama , ससारथिः with the charioteer, रथम् chariot, (सम्) आस्थाय having mounted, वनम् to the forest, ययौ went.

As it augurs well to travel north Sumantra placed the chariot in that direction. Thereafter that great charioteer, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana boarded the chariot and departed.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्चत्वारिंशस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the fortysixth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.