Sloka & Translation

[Guha arranges a boat to help Rama, Lakshmana and Sita cross Ganga Rama asks Sumantra to return to Ayodhya and serve the king Sita worships Ganga for the safe return from exile.]

प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां पृथुवक्षा महायशाः।

उवाच रामः सौमित्रिं लक्ष्मणं शुभलक्षणम्।।2.52.1।।


शर्वर्याम् after the night passed, प्रभातायां तु at dawn, पृथुवक्षाः broadchested, महायशाः of great fame, रामः Rama, शुभलक्षणम् of auspicious signs (on his body), सौमित्रिम् Sumitra's
son, लक्ष्मणम् Lakshmana, उवाच said.

As the night advanced towards dawn, broadchested Rama of great renown said to Lakshmana, son of Sumitra, who had auspicious marks on his body:
भास्करोदयकालोऽयं गता भगवती निशा।

असौ सुकृष्णो विहगः कोकिलस्तात कूजति।।2.52.2।।


तात dear Lakshmana, अयम् now it is, भास्करोदयकालः time for sunrise, भगवती venerable, निशा night, गता is over, सुकृष्ण: deep dark, विहगः bird, असौ कोकिलः cuckoo, कूजति is singing.

O dear Lakshmana the holy night is over and it is time for sunrise. The deep dark bird, the cuckoo is singing.
बर्हिणानां च निर्घोषः श्रूयते नदतां वने।

तराम जाह्नवीं सौम्य शीघ्रगां सागरङ्गमाम्।।2.52.3।।


वने forest, नदताम् screaming, बर्हिणानाम् of the peacocks, निर्घोषः sound, श्रूयते heard, सौम्य handsome, शीघ्रगाम् flowing rapidly, सागरङ्गमाम् to merge in the sea, जाह्नवीम् to Ganga,
तराम need to cross.

Listen to the screams of the peacocks in the forest. The Ganga is flowing fast to merge in the sea. We need to cross it.
विज्ञाय रामस्य वचः सौमित्रिर्मित्रनन्दनः।

गुहमामन्त्र्य सूतं च सोऽतिष्ठद्भ्रातुरग्रतः।।2.52.4।।


मित्रनन्दनः one who keeps his friends happy, सः सौमित्रि: that Lakshmana the son of Sumitra, रामस्य Rama's, वचः words, विज्ञाय knowing, गुहम् to Guha, सूतं च to the charioteer also, आमन्त्र्य calling, भ्रातुः brother's, अग्रतः in front, अतिष्ठत् stood.

In response to Rama's desire, Lakshmana, son of Sumitra, one who brings joy to his friends, called Guha and the charioteer (Sumantra) and stood before his brother.
स तु रामस्य वचनं निशम्य प्रतिगृह्य च।

स्थपतिस्तूर्णमाहूय सचिवानिदमब्रवीत्।।2.52.5।।


सः स्थपतिः that king (of the nisadas), रामस्य Rama's, वचनम् words, निशम्य having heard, प्रतिगृह्य च accepting (the proposal), तूर्णम् quickly, सचिवान् ministers, आहूय calling, इदम् these words, अब्रवीत् said.

Having heard and accepted Rama's proposal, the king of the nisadas called his ministers at once and said:
अस्य वाहनसंयुक्तां कर्णग्राहवतीं शुभाम्।

सुप्रतारां दृढां तीर्थे शीघ्रं नावमुपाहर।।2.52.6।।


वाहनसंयुक्ताम् along with the boat, कर्णग्राहवतीम् with helmsmen, शुभाम् auspicious, सुप्रताराम् with a rowing rod, दृढाम् strong, नावम् boat, शीघ्रम् swiftly, अस्य with one who can row the boat, तीर्थे to the sacred bank (of Ganga), उपाहर fetch.

Get quickly to the sacred bank (of Ganga) a strong, auspicious boat equipped with rowing rods and helmsmen who can help cross the river with ease
तं निशम्य समादेशं गुहामात्यगणो महान्।

उपोह्य रुचिरां नावं गुहाय प्रत्यवेदयत्।।2.52.7।।


महान् great, गुहामात्यगणः ministers of Guha, तम् his, समादेशम् order, निशम्य having heard, रुचिराम् beautiful, नावम् boat, उपोह्य having brought, गुहाय to Guha, प्रत्यवेदयत् informed.

The ministers heard the orders, soon brought a beautiful boat and informed Guha (that his orders have been carried out).
ततः स प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा गुहो राघवमब्रवीत्।

उपस्थितेयं नौर्देव भूयः किं करवाणि ते।।2.52.8।।


ततः then, सः गुहः that Guha, प्राञ्जलि: भूत्वा with folded hands, राघवम् to Rama, अब्रवीत् said, देवः O king, इयम् this, नौः boat, उपस्थिता is kept here, ते for you, भूयः agian, किम् what, करवाणि I will do?

Then Guha with folded palms said to Rama: O king, the boat ready. Tell me what else can I do for you.
तवामरसुतप्रख्य तर्तुं सागरगां नदीम्।

नौरियं पुरुषव्याघ्र तां त्वमारोह सुव्रत।।2.52.9।।


पुरुषव्याघ्र tiger among men, अमरसुतप्रख्य reputed like a god's son, सागरगाम् flowing to the sea, नदीम् river, तर्तुम् to cross, तव your, इयम् this, नौः boat, सुव्रत engaged in vows, त्वम् you, ताम् that, आरोह climb up.

O best among men, renowned like a god's son and constantly engaged in vows, here is the boat for you to cross the Ganga flowing into the sea. Do board it.
अथोवाच महातेजा रामो गुहमिदं वचः।

कृतकामोऽस्मि भवता शीघ्रमारोप्यतामिति।।2.52.10।।


अथ thereafter, महातेजाः luminous, रामः Rama, गुहम्, to Guha इदम् these, वचः words, उवाच said, भवता through you, कृतकामः accomplished the work, अस्मि am, शीघ्रम् quickly, आरोप्यताम् getting on to the boat.

Thereafter the radiant Rama said to Guha, You have fulfilled my desire. Keep all our belongings in the boat.
ततः कलापान् सन्नह्य खड्गौ बध्वा च धन्विनौ।

जग्मतुर्येन तौ गङ्गां सीतया सह राघवौ।।2.52.11।।


ततः then, तौ राघवौ Rama and Lakshmana, सीतया सह with Sita, कलापान् quivers, सन्नह्य having tied, खड्गौ च swords, बध्वा wearing, धन्विनौ holding the bows, येन गङ्गाम् towards Ganga, जग्मतुः went on.

Rama and Lakshmana then put on their quivers, fastened their swords and holding their bows went towards Ganga along with Sita.
राममेव तु धर्मज्ञमुपगम्य विनीतवत्।

किमहं करवाणीति सूतः प्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत्।।2.52.12।।


सूतः charioteer, प्राञ्जलि: with folded hands, विनीतवत् humbly, धर्मज्ञम् righteous, राममेव तु near Rama, उपगम्य going towards, अहम् I, किम् what, करवाणि do you want me to do , इति this, अब्रवीत् asked.

The charioteer (Sumantra) approached the righteous Rama and asked him with folded hands: What can I do?
ततोऽब्रवीद्दाशरथिः सुमन्त्रं

स्पृशन् करेणोत्तमदक्षिणेन।

सुमन्त्र शीघ्रं पुनरेव याहि

राज्ञः सकाशे भव चाप्रमत्तः।।2.52.13।।


ततः then, दाशरथिः son of Dasaratha (Rama), सुमन्त्रम् to Sumantra, उत्तमदक्षिणेन with his right hand, करेण स्पृशन् touching, अब्रवीत् said, सुमन्त्र Sumantra, पुनरेव again, शीघ्रम् immediately, याहि proceed, राज्ञः सकाशे to the king, अप्रमत्तः च inattentive in looking after, भव be.

Rama then caressed Sumantra with his right hand and said, Sumantra, go back immediately and never be inattentive in serving the king.
निवर्तस्वेत्युवाचैव ह्येतावद्धि कृतं मम।

रथं विहाय पद्भ्यां तु गमिष्यामि महावनम्।।2.52.14।।


मम myself, एतावत् till here, कृतं हि brought, निवर्तस्व return, रथम् chariot, विहाय leaving, पद्भ्याम् on foot, महावनम् the great forest, गमिष्यामि wiill go, इति this, उवाच said.

You have done enough. I shall now leave the chariot and walk into the great forest.
आत्मानं त्वभ्यनुज्ञातमवेक्ष्यार्तः स सारथिः।

सुमन्त्रः पुरुषव्याघ्रमैक्ष्वाकमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.52.15।।


सारथिः charioteer, सः सुमन्त्रः Sumantra, आत्मानम् self, अभ्यनुज्ञातम् permitted to go, अवेक्षय having seen, आर्तः pained, पुरुषव्याघ्रम् (best) among men, इक्ष्वाकम् of the Ikshvakus, इदम् this, अब्रवीत् said.

Having been permitted to go, Sumantra, the distressed charioteer, said to Rama, the best among men, and a descendant of the Ikshvaku race:
नातिक्रान्तमिदं लोके पुरुषेणेह केनचित्।

तव सभ्रातृभार्यस्य वासः प्राकृतवद्वने।।2.52.16।।


सभ्रातृभार्यस्य of one with brother and wife, तव your, प्राकृतवत् like a common man, वने in the forest, वासः residing, इदम् this, इह लोके in this world, केनचित् पुरुषेण by any person, नातिक्रान्तम् not overcome.

None else in this world would be able to live in the forest as you have resolved to, like a common man, along with your brother and spouse.
न मन्ये ब्रह्मचर्येऽस्ति स्वधीते वा फलोदयः।

मार्दवार्जवयोर्वापि त्वां चेद्व्यसनमागतम्।।2.52.17।।


त्वाम् to you, व्यसनम् grief, आगतं चेत् has come, ब्रह्मचर्ये celibacy, स्वधीते वा learning the Vedas, मार्दवार्जवयोर्वापि compassionate and pure, फलोदयः this is the result, नास्ति no use, मन्ये I think so.

If your celibacy and your grief are the consequences of your study of the Vedic lore, your compassionate nature and simplicity of character, I think there is no use of all these (virtues).
सह राघव वैदेह्या भ्रात्रा चैव वने वसन्।

त्वं गतिं प्राप्स्यसे वीर त्रीन् लोकांस्तु जयन्निव।।2.52.18।।


वीर valiant, राघव scion of the Raghu race (Rama), त्वम् you, वैदेह्या सह with Vaidehi, भ्रात्रा चैव and brother, वने forest, वसन् residing, त्रीन् three, लोकान् worlds, जयन्निव as if winning, गतिम् good status, प्राप्स्यसे will acquire.

Valiant scion of the Raghus dwelling in the forest along with Vaidehi (Sita) and brother Lakshmana you will attain the status as if you have won the three worlds.
वयं खलु हता राम ये त्वयाप्युपवञ्चिताः।

कैकेय्या वशमेष्यामः पापाया दुःखभागिनः।।2.52.19।।


राम Rama, वयम् we, हताः खलु are destroyed, ये by, त्वयापि you also, उपवञ्चिताः deprived of, दुःखभागिनः full of sorrow, पापायाः sinful, कैकेय्याः Kaikeyi, वशम् under the control, एष्यामः caught up like that.

Deprived of you, O Rama we will come under the control of that sinful Kaikeyi. We will suffer and die.
इति ब्रुवन्नात्मसमं सुमन्त्रः सारथिस्तदा।

दृष्ट्वा दूरगतं रामं दुःखार्तो रुरुदे चिरम्।।2.52.20।।


तदा then, सारथिः charioteer, सुमन्त्रः Sumantra, इति thus, ब्रुवन् saying, दूरगतम् gone afar, आत्मसमम् like his own self, रामम् Rama, दृष्ट्वा seeing, दुःखार्तः agonised, चिरम् long time, रुरुदे cried.

Rama was like his (Sumantra's) own self. When Sumantra, the charioteer, saw that Rama was preparing to go afar for a long time, he started weeping aloud in deep distress.
ततस्तु विगते बाष्पे सूतं स्पृष्टोदकं शुचिम्।

रामस्तु मधुरं वाक्यं पुनः पुनरुवाच तम्।।2.52.21।।


ततः then, बाष्पे tears, विगते shedding, स्पृष्टोदकम् taking a sip of water, शुचिम् pure, तं सूतम् to that charioteer, रामस्तु Rama, पुनः पुनः again and again, मधुरम् sweet, वाक्यम् words, उवाच said.

After the flow of tears ceased Sumantra took a sip of water and became sanctified. Then Rama addressed him with sweet words over and over again:
इक्ष्वाकूणां त्वया तुल्यं सुहृदं नोपलक्षये।

यथा दशरथो राजा मां न शोचेत्तथा कुरु।।2.52.22।।


इक्ष्वाकूणाम् of the Ikshvaku family, त्वया you, तुल्यम् like, सुहृदम् friend, नोपलक्षये do not see, राजा king, दशरथः Dasaratha, माम् me, यथा as, न शोचेत् not think, तथा like that, कुरु you do.

I find none else like you as friendly as you are to the Ikshvaku race. So do whatever you like to see that king Dasaratha does not brood over me.
शोकोपहतचेताश्च वृद्धश्च जगतीपतिः।

कामभावावसन्नश्च तस्मादेतद्ब्रवीमि ते।।2.52.23।।


जगतीपतिः lord of the world (Dasaratha), शोकोपहतचेताश्च consciousness overwhelmed with grief, वृद्धश्च and old also, कामभावावसन्नश्च full of passion, तस्मात् therefore, ते to you, एतत् all this, ब्रवीमि I am telling.

I tell you this because the lord of the earth (Dasaratha), is in deep distress. He is old. And he is under the control of his passion.
यद्यदाज्ञापयेत्किञ्चित्स महात्मा महीपतिः।

कैकेय्याः प्रियकामार्थं कार्यं तदविकाङ्क्षया।।2.52.24।।


महात्मा great, सः that, महीपतिः king Dasaratha, यद्यत् in that way, किञ्चित् a little, कैकेय्याः Kaikeyi, प्रियकामार्थम् to make happy, आज्ञापयेत् orders, तत् that, अविकाङ्क्षया all that, कार्यम् tasks be done.

To make Kaikeyi happy, do whatever little the great king Dasaratha orders you to do.
एतदर्थं हि राज्यानि प्रशासति नरेश्वराः।

यदेषां सर्वकृत्येषु मनो न प्रतिहन्यते।।2.52.25।।


एषाम् whatever, मनः in the mind, सर्वकृत्येषु to do all those, यत् न प्रतिहन्यते creater no obstacles, एतदर्थम् that is why, नरेश्वराः king, राज्यानि kingdom, प्रशासति हि rule.

The minds of kings create no hurdles in all that they want to do. That is why they rule kingdoms.
यद्यथा स महाराजो नालीकमधिगच्छति।

न च ताम्यति दुःखेन सुमन्त्र कुरु तत्तथा।।2.52.26।।


सुमन्त्र Sumantra, सः महाराजः that great king, यत् those tasks, यथा in whatever manner, अलीकम् sad, नाधिगच्छति not feel, दुःखेन in grief, न च ताम्यति not feel distressed, तत् those tasks, तथा in that way, कुरु do.

Sumantra do things exactly in the manner the great king desires so that he does not feel sad or disappointed.
अदृष्टदुःखं राजानं वृद्धमार्यं जितेन्द्रियम्।

ब्रूयास्त्वमभिवाद्यैव मम हेतोरिदं वचः।।2.52.27।।


अदृष्टदुःखम् one who has not experienced any sorrow, वृद्धम् old, आर्यम् respectable, जितेन्द्रियम् one who has conquered the senses, राजानम् to king, मम हेतोः on my behalf, अभिवाद्यैव offering respects, इदम् these, वचः words, त्वम् you, ब्रूयाः tell.

After offering your salutations, tell these words, on my behalf, to the king who is respectable, bent with age and who has conquered his senses and never experienced any sorrow before.
नैवाहमनुशोचामि लक्ष्मणो न च मैथिली।

अयोध्यायाश्च्युताश्चेति वने वत्स्यामहेति च।।2.52.28।।


अयोध्यायाः from Ayodhya, च्युताश्चेति having been removed, वने in the forest, वत्स्यामहेति च have to dwell, अहम् we, नैव अनुशोचामि do not regret, लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, मैथिली च and Sita
also, न not.

I do not regret my banishment from Ayodhya to live in the forest. Neither Lakshmana nor Sita does.
चतुर्दशसु वर्षेषु निवृत्तेषु पुनः पुनः।

लक्ष्मणं मां च सीतां च द्रक्ष्यसे क्षिप्रमागतान्।।2.52.29।।


चतुर्दशसु fourteen, वर्षेषु years, निवृत्तेषु on completion, क्षिप्रम् quickly, आगतान् coming, लक्ष्मणम् Lakshmana, मां च I also, सीतां च and Sita, पुनः पुनः again and again, द्रक्ष्यसे will keep seeing.

Very quickly these fourteen years will come to an end and we will return (to Ayodhya). Then you will see me, Lakshmana and Sita off and on.
एवमुक्त्वा तु राजानं मातरं च सुमन्त्र मे।

अन्याश्च देवीस्सहिताः कैकेयीं च पुनः पुनः।।2.52.30।।

आरोग्यं ब्रूहि कौशल्यामथ पादाभिवन्दनम्।

सीताया मम चाऽऽर्यस्य वचनाल्लक्ष्मणस्य च।।2.52.31।।


राजानम् to the king, एवम् all this, उक्तवा having told, सुमन्त्र Sumantra, मे मातरं च to my mother also, सहिताः with, अन्याः other, देवीश्च queens, कैकेयीं च Kaikeyi, पुनः पुनः again and again, आरोग्यम् wellbeing, ब्रूहि convey, अथ and, सीतायाः Sita's, मम च mine, आर्यस्य लक्ष्मणस्य च Lakshmana's also, पादाभिवन्दनम् prostection at the feet, कौशल्याम् Kausalya.

Having said this to the king, O Sumantra tell my mother, the other queens including Kaikeyi again and again about my wellbeing and the wellbeing of Lakshmana and Sita. Convey our respectful salutations at the feet of mother Kausalya.
ब्रूयाश्च हि महाराजं भरतं क्षिप्रमानय।

आगतश्चापि भरतः स्थाप्यो नृपमते पदे।।2.52.32।।


महाराजं to the maharaja, is also, ब्रूयाः tell, भरतम् Bharata, क्षिप्रम् quickly, आनय send for, आगतश्चापि and on arrival, भरतः Bharata, नृपमते according to the king's desire, पदे king's position, स्थाप्यः be given.

Tell the king to send for Bharata quickly, and on his arrival, he be placed in the position of the king as per his own desire.
भरतं च परिष्वज्य यौवराज्येऽभिषिच्य च।

अस्मत्सन्तापजं दुःखं न त्वामभिभविष्यति।।2.52.33।।


भरतम् Bharata, परिष्वज्य embracing, यौवराज्ये crown prince, अभिषिच्य च having coronated, अस्मत्संतापजम् arising out of our absence, दुःखम् sorrow, त्वाम् you, न अभिभविष्यति will not affect you.

On embracing Bharata and making him the crownprince the sorrow due to our departure will not affect you.
भरतश्चापि वक्तव्यो यथा राजनि वर्तसे।

तथा मातृषु वर्तेथाः सर्वास्वेवाविशेषतः।।2.52.34।।


भरतश्चापि Bharata also, वक्तव्यः should be told, राजनि at the king, यथा just as, वर्तसे treats, सर्वास्वेव at all, मातृषु mothers, तथा likewise, अविशेषतः without differentiating, वर्तेथाः behave.

You should tell Bharata that just as he treats the king so should he treat all the mothers without differentiating betwen them.
यथा च तव कैकेयी सुमित्रा च विशेषतः।

तथैव देवी कौशल्या मम माता विशेषतः।।2.2.35।।


तव your, कैकेयी Kaikeyi, यथा च just as, सुमित्रा च Sumitra also, विशेषतः in a special
manner, देवी Devi, sumitra विशेषतः specially, मम माता my mother, कौशल्या Kausalya, तथैव in the same way.

Just as you treat Kaikeyi and Sumitra in a special manner, so should you treat Devi Kausalya, my mother.
तातस्य प्रियकामेन यौवराज्यमपेक्षता।

लोकयोरुभयोः शक्यं त्वया यत्सुखमेधितुम्।।2.52.36।।


तातस्य father's, प्रियकामेन loving desire, यौवराज्यम् princeregency, अपेक्षता waits, त्वया your, उभयोः both, लोकयोः worlds, यत् also, सुखम् happiness, एधितुम् to attain, शक्यम् able.

Princeregency is awaiting you because of our father's loving desire. See that through you (your actions) he is able to attain happiness in both the worlds.
निवर्त्यमानो रामेण सुमन्त्रः शोककर्शितः।

तत्सर्वं वचनं श्रुत्वा स्नेहात्काकुत्स्थमब्रवीत्।।2.52.37।।


रामेण by Rama, निवर्त्यमानः sent back, सुमन्त्रः Sumantra, शोककर्शितः afflicted with grief, तत् then, सर्वम् all, वचनम् words, श्रुत्वा having heard, स्नेहात् out of affection, काकुत्स्थम् Rama of Kakutstha race, अब्रवीत् said.

When Sumantra was asked by Rama to go back, he grew griefstricken. Having heard all that was said by the scion of the Kakutsthas, he replied:
यदहं नोपचारेण ब्रूयां स्नेहादविक्लबः।

भक्तिमानिति तत्तावद्वाक्यं त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि।।2.52.38।।


स्नेहात् out of love, अविक्लबः without fear, नोपचारेण informally, अहम् I am, यत् वाक्यम् these words, ब्रूयाम् telling, तत् then, भक्तिमान् इति like a devotee, त्वम् you, क्षन्तुम् to excuse, अर्हसि तावत् that.

I beg your pardon for what I have told you out of love. Accept it as the words of a devotee expressed without fear or formality.
कथं हि त्वद्विहीनोऽहं प्रतियास्यामि तां पुरीम्।

तव तावद्वियोगेन पुत्रशोकाकुलामिव।।2.52.39।।


अहम् I, त्वद्विहीनः leaving you, तव your, वियोगेन तावत् being separated from you, पुत्रशोकाकुलामिव like one who has lost her son, ताम् that, पुरीम् to the city (of Ayodhya), कथं हि how can I, प्रतियास्यामि return.

Without you how can I go back to the city (of Ayodhya) which, separated from you, is grieving like a lady who has lost her son?
सराममपि तावन्मे रथं दृष्ट्वा तदा जनः।

विना रामं रथं दृष्ट्वा विदीर्येतापि सा पुरी।।2.52.40।।


तदा then, जनः people, सराममपि with Rama, मे रथम् my chariot, दृष्ट्वा seeing, तावत् then, विना रामम् without Rama, रथम् chariot, दृष्ट्वा seeing, सा पुरी (people of) that city, विदीर्येतापि will be brokenhearted.

The people who had seen Rama board the chariot will be brokenhearted to see it without him.
दैन्यं हि नगरी गच्छेद्दृष्ट्वा शून्यमिमं रथम्।

सूतावशेषं स्वं सैन्यं हतवीरमिवाऽहवे।।2.52.41।।


शून्यम् empty, इमम् this, रथम् chariot, दृष्ट्वा seeing, आहवे हतवीरम् the hero killed in war, सूतावशेषम् with only the charioteer left, स्वम् they, सैन्यम् इव like the army, नगरी entering the city, दैन्यम् pitiable, गच्छेत् हि as will become.

Seeing the empty chariot the people of the city will look pitiable just like an army left only with the charioteer after its hero is killed in the war.
दूरेऽपि निवसन्तं त्वां मानसेनाग्रतः स्थितम्।

चिन्तयन्तोऽद्य नूनं त्वां निराहाराः कृताः प्रजाः।।2.52.42।।


प्रजाः people, अद्य today, दूरे at a distance, निवसन्तम् अपि although living, मानसेन in their minds, अग्रतः in front, स्थितम् staying, त्वाम् you, चिन्तयन्त्यः thinking, निराहाराः without food, कृताः done, नूनम् certainly.

Although living at a distance, the subjects feel in their minds that you are just ahead of them. Today they will certainly go without food, brooding over you.
दृष्टं तद्धि त्वया राम यादृशं त्वत्प्रवासने।

प्रजानां सङ्कुलं वृत्तं त्वच्छोकक्लान्तचेतसाम्।।2.52.43।।


राम Rama, त्वत्प्रवासने by your departure, त्वच्छोकक्लान्तचेतसां their minds exhausted with sorrow, प्रजानाम् people, वृत्तम् that which has happened, यादृशम् all their sorrow, सङ्कुलम् full of agony, तत् then, त्वया you, दृष्टं हि have seen.

At the time of your departure, O Rama, you have seen all that happened, the hearts of the people exhausted with grief.
आर्तनादो हि यः पौरैर्मुक्तस्त्वद्विप्रवासने।

सरथं मां निशाम्यैव कुर्युः शतगुणं ततः।।2.52.44।।


त्वद्विप्रवासने at the time of your banishment, पौरैः by citizens, यः how much of, आर्तनादः cry of agony, मुक्तः released (raised), सरथम् with chariot, माम् me, निशाम्यैव on seeing, ततः then, शतगुणम् a hundredfold, कुर्युः will make.

You have witnessed the cry of agony raised by the citizens at the time of your banishment. Now when they see the (empty) chariot, they will make it (raise their cry) a hundredfold.
अहं किं चापि वक्ष्यामि देवीं तव सुतो मया।

नीतोऽसौ मातुलकुलं सन्तापं मा कृथा इति।।2.52.45।।


असौ Alas, सुतः son, मया myself, मातुलकुलम् to the maternal uncle's, नीतः took, सन्तापम् grief, मा कृथाः do not make, इति this, अहम् I, देवीम् Kausalya, वक्ष्यामि किं चापि what can I say?

What shall I say to Kausalya? Shall I say 'O venerable queen I have left your son at his maternal uncle's, hence don't grieve'.
असत्यमपि नैवाहं ब्रूयां वचनमीदृशम्।

कथमप्रियमेवाहं ब्रूयां सत्यमिदं वचः।।2.52.46।।


अहम् I, असत्यम् untrue, ईदृशम् like this, वचनमपि words too, नैव ब्रूयाम् not tell, अहम् I, अप्रियम् unpleasant, सत्यम् truth, इदं वचः such words, कथम् how can, ब्रूयाम् I speak.

How can I lie to her? How can I tell her the unpleasent truth?
मम तावन्नियोगस्थास्त्वद्बन्धुजनवाहिनः।

कथं रथं त्वया हीनं प्रवक्ष्यन्ति हयोत्तमाः।।2.52.47।।


त्वद्बन्धुजनवाहिनः carrying your king, मम my, नियोगस्था under command, हयोत्तमाः excellent horses, त्वया हीनम् without you, रथम् chariot, कथम् how, प्रवक्ष्यन्ति will draw.

How can these excellent horses who used to carry you and your friends till now draw this chariot without you even though they are at my command?
तन्न शक्ष्याम्यहं गन्तुमयोध्यां त्वदृतेऽनघ।

वनवासानुयानाय मामनुज्ञातुमर्हसि।।2.52.48।।


तत् that is why, अनघ O sinless one, त्वदृते without you, अहम् I, अयोध्याम् to Ayodhya, गन्तुम् to go, न शक्ष्यामि cannot, माम् me, वनवासानुयानाय to accompany you in exile, अनुज्ञातुम् to give consent, अर्हसि behoves you.

That is why, O sinless one I cannot go back to Ayodhya without you. Allow me to accompany you into your exile.
यदि मे याचमानस्य त्यागमेव करिष्यसि।

सरथोऽग्निं प्रवेक्ष्यामि त्यक्तमात्र इह त्वया।।2.52.49।।


याचमानस्य request, मे my, त्यागमेव forsaking, करिष्यसि यदि if you, त्वया by you, त्यक्तमात्रः immediately after being forsaken, इह here, सरथः with the chariot, अग्निम् into fire प्रवेक्ष्यामि
I will enter.

If you forsake me in spite of my request I shall immediately enter fire along with my chariot.
भविष्यन्ति वने यानि तपोविघ्नकराणि ते।

रथेन प्रतिबाधिष्ये तानि सत्त्वानि राघव।।2.52.50।।


राघव O Rama, वने in the forest, यानि all those, ते to you, तपोविघ्नकराणि causing obstacles to your austerity, भविष्यन्ति are expected, तानि सत्त्वानि all those animals, रथेन with my chariot, प्रतिबाधिष्ये will avert by retaliating.

With my chariot I shall retaliate and prevent all those animals in the forest causing obstacles to your austerities, O Rama
त्वत्कृते न मयाऽवाप्तं रथचर्याकृतं सुखम्।

आशंसे त्वत्कृते नाहं वनवासकृतं सुखम्।।2.52.51।।


त्वत्कृतेन by your grace, मया by me, रथचर्याकृतम् by driving the chariot, सुखम् pleasure, अवाप्तम् is experienced, त्वत्कृते न by your favour, अहम् I, वनवासकृतम् dwelling in the forest,
सुखम् pleasure, आशंसे I am looking forward.

By your grace I experienced the pleasure of driving your chariot, and by your grace, too, I am looking forward to deriving the pleasure of dwelling in the forest.
प्रसीदेच्छामि तेऽरण्ये भवितुं प्रत्यनन्तरः।

प्रीत्याऽभिहितमिच्छामि भव मे प्रत्यनन्तरः।।2.52.52।।


प्रसीद be pleased, आरण्ये in the forest, ते to you, प्रत्यनन्तरः very close, भवितुम् to become, इच्छामि desirng, मे to me, प्रत्यनन्तरः be favourable (close), भव to me, प्रीत्या affectionately, अभिहितम् to be told, इच्छामि wish.

Be pleased. I wish to stay with you in the forest I long to hear from you these favourable words, 'Stay with me'.
इमे चापि हया वीर यदि ते वनवासिनः।

परिचर्यां करिष्यन्ति प्राप्स्यन्ति परमां गतिम्।।2.52.53।।


वीर O valiant one, इमे these, हयश्चापि horses also, वनवासिनः dwelling in the forest, ते to you, परिचर्याम् service, करिष्यन्ति if they do, यदि if so, परमाम् supreme, गतिम् state, प्राप्स्यन्ति will attain.

O valiant one, if these horses too could render services to you while you dwell in the forest, they would attain the supreme state.
तव शुश्रूषणं मूर्ध्ना करिष्यामि वने वसन्।

अयोध्यां देवलोकं वा सर्वथा प्रजहाम्यहम्।।2.52.54।।


वने in the forest, वसन् while dwelling, मूर्ध्ना with my head, तव your, शुश्रूषणम् service, करिष्यामि will render, अयोध्याम् to Ayodhya, देवलोकं वा or the world of the gods, अहम् I, सर्वथा altogether, प्रजहामि relinquish.

As I dwell in the forest, I shall serve you with my head bowed. For this I may altogether relinquish Ayodhya or even heaven.
न हि शक्या प्रवेष्टुं सा मयाऽयोध्या त्वया विना।

राजधानी महेन्द्रस्य यथा दुष्कृतकर्मणा।।2.52.55।।


त्वया विना without you, मया by me, दुष्कृतकर्मणा by the wicked, महेन्द्रस्य Indra's, राजधानी यथा like the capital, सा अयोध्या that Ayodhya, प्रवेष्टुम् to enter, न हि शक्या not possible.

Just as a sinner cannot enter the capital of Indra (heaven), it is impossible for me to enter Ayodhya without you.
वनवासे क्षयं प्राप्ते ममैष हि मनोरथः।

यदनेन रथेनैव त्वां वहेयं पुरीं पुनः।।2.52.56।।


मम myself, एषः हि this alone, मनोरथः cherished desire, यत् that, वनवासे in the forest, क्षयम् completion, प्राप्ते gaining, अनेन by this, रथेनैव chariot alone, त्वाम् you, पुनः again, पुरीम् to the city (Ayodhya), वहेयम् shall take.

It is my cherished desire to take you after the completion of your exile, back to the city (Ayodhya) in this chariot alone.
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि सहितस्य त्वया वने।

क्षणभूतानि यास्यन्ति शतसङ्ख्यान्यतोऽन्यथा।।2.52.57।।


वने in the forest, त्वया with you, सहितस्य accompanied, चतुर्दश वर्षाणि fourteen years, क्षणभूतानि like a moment, यास्यन्ति will pass, अत: more than this, अन्यथा in any other way, शतसङ्ख्यानि (will seem like) a hundred years.

If I accompany you into the forest, fourteen years will pass like a moment, otherwise it will seem like a hundred years.
भृत्यवत्सल तिष्ठन्तं भर्तृपुत्रगते पथि।

भक्तं भृत्यं स्थितं स्थित्यां त्वं न मां हातुमर्हसि।।2.52.58।।


भृत्यवत्सल one who is affectionate towards the servants, भर्तृपुत्र master's son, पथि on the path, तिष्ठन्तम् standing, भक्तम् devotee, भृत्यम् servant, स्थित्याम् on duty, स्थितम् fixed, माम् me, त्वम् you, हातुम् to forsake न अर्हसि does not behove.

O Rama you are affectionate towards your servants. I abide in the path followed by you, my master's son. I am your devoted servant. It does not behove you to forsake me who is faithful.
एवं बहुविधं दीनं याचमानं पुनः पुनः।

रामो भृत्यानुकम्पी तु सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.52.59।।


भृत्यानुकम्पी compassionate towards servants, रामः Rama, एवम् in this way, बहुविधम् in many ways, पुनः पुनः again and again, याचमानम् requesting, दीनम् miserable, सुमन्त्रम् to Sumantra, इदम् these words, अब्रवीत् spoke.

Repeatedly implored in various ways by the miserable Sumantra, Rama who is compassionate to his servants replied:
जानामि परमां भक्तिं मयि ते भर्तृवत्सल।

शृणु चापि यदर्थं त्वां प्रेषयामि पुरीमितः।।2.52.60।।


भर्तृवत्सल one loyal to the master, ते your, मयि in me, परमाम् supreme, भक्तिम् devotion, जानामि I know, इतः from here, त्वम् you, यदर्थम् for the reason, पुरीम् to Ayodhya, प्रेषयामि I am sending, शृणु चापि please listen.

O Sumantra, listen I know your deep devotion to me (I also know) you are loyal to your master (Dasaratha). So I am sending you to the city (Ayodhya) from here.
नगरीं त्वां गतं दृष्ट्वा जननी मे यवीयसी।

कैकेयी प्रत्ययं गच्छेदिति रामो वनं गतः।।2.52.61।।


नगरीम् to the city of Ayodhya, गतम् gone, त्वाम् you, दृष्ट्वा on seeing, मे my, यवीयसी younger, जननी mother, कैकेयी Kaikeyi, रामः Rama, वनम् to the forest, गतः had gone, इति thus, प्रत्ययम् conviction, गच्छेत् will have.

When my younger mother Kaikeyi sees that you have returned to Ayodhya, she will believe that Rama has really gone to the forest.
परितुष्टा हि सा देवी वनवासं गते मयि।

राजानं नातिशङ्केत 'मिथ्यावादी'ति धार्मिकम्।।2.52.62।।


मयि when I, वनवासम् dwell in the forest, गते having gone, सा देवी that queen, परितुष्टा completely satisfied, धार्मिकम् righteous, राजानम् about king Dasaratha, 'मिथ्यावादी'ति claimed to be a liar, नातिशङ्केत not have any doubt.

If queen Kaikeyi is fully satisfied that I have gone to dwell in the forest, she will no longer have any doubt and will believe that righteous king Dasaratha is not a liar.
एष मे प्रथमः कल्पो यदम्बा मे यवीयसी।

भरतारक्षितं स्फीतं पुत्रराज्यमवाप्नुयात्।।2.52.63।।


एषः this is, मे my, प्रथमः prime, कल्पः resolve, यत् that, मे my, यवीयसी younger, अम्बा mother, भरतारक्षितम् ruled by Bharata, स्फीतम् prosperous, पुत्रराज्यम् son's kingdom, अवाप्नुयात् will receive.

My prime resolve is that my younger mother should enjoy this prosperous and vast kingdom ruled by her son Bharata.
मम प्रियार्थं राज्ञश्च सरथस्त्वं पुरीं व्रज।

सन्दिष्टश्चासि यानर्थांस्तां स्तान् ब्रूयास्तथा तथा।।2.52.64।।


त्वम् you, सरथः along with the chariot, मम my, राज्ञश्च king's, प्रियार्थम् for the sake of (my) pleasure, पुरीम् to the city (Ayodhya), व्रज return, यान् अर्थान् those messages intended for every one, सन्दिष्टः असि you have been advised, तान्तान् all such, तथा तथा in the same way, ब्रूयाः please tell.

Sumantra, return to the city with the chariot for my pleasure and also for the pleasure of the king and convey to each of the persons concerned the message exactly as instructed.
इत्युक्त्वा वचनं सूतं सान्त्वयित्वा पुनः पुनः।

गुहं वचनमक्लीबो रामो हेतुमदब्रवीत्।।2.52.65।।


अक्लीबः indefatigable, रामः Rama, सूतम् to the charioteer, इति thus, वचनम् words, उक्त्वा having said, पुनः पुनः again and again, सान्त्वयित्वा after consoling, गुहम् to Guha, हेतुमत् reasonable, वचनम् words, अब्रवीत् said.

Having spoken to the charioteer and consoling him again and again, indefatigable Rama spoke to Guha words full of reasoning:
नेदानीं गुह योग्योऽयं वासो मे सजने वने।

आवश्यं ह्याश्रमे वासः कर्तव्यस्तद्गतो विधिः।।2.52.66।।


गुह Guha, इदानीम् now, मे to me, सजने with people, वने in the forest, अयम् this, वासः abode, न योग्यः not suitable, आश्रमे in the hermitage, वासः dwelling, अवश्यम् is necessary, तद्गतः pertaining to that, विधिः prescribed acts, कर्तव्यः to be done.

Guha this forest where people live is not suitable for my stay. It is necessary that I live in a hermitage. So please do the needful.
सोऽहं गृहीत्वा नियमं तपस्वि जनभूषणम्।

हितकामः पितुर्भूयः सीताया लक्ष्मणस्य च।।2.52.67।।

जटाः कृत्वा गमिष्यामि न्यग्रोधक्षीरमानय।


सः अहम् that I, तपस्विजनभूषणम् the adornment of ascetics, नियमम् prescribed austerities, गृहीत्वा accepting, पितुः father's, भूयः also, सीतायाः Sita's, लक्ष्मणस्य च also Lakshmana's, हितकामः seeking their good, जटाः कृत्वा having matted my locks of hair, गमिष्यामि shall go, न्यग्रोधक्षीरम् latex of banyan tree, आनय fetch.

Seeking the welfare of my father, Sita and Lakshmana I shall enter the forest with matted hair and practise the prescribed austerities which are the adornments of ascetics. Do fetch me the sap of a banyan tree.
तत् क्षीरं राजपुत्राय गुहः क्षिप्रमुपाहरत्।।2.52.68।।

लक्ष्मणस्यात्मनश्चैव रामस्तेनाकरोज्जटाः।


गुहः Guha, क्षिप्रम् quickly, राजपुत्राय for the prince (Rama), तत् that, क्षीरम् milk, उपाहरत् brought , रामः Rama, तेन with that, लक्ष्मणस्य for Lakshmana, आत्मनश्चैव of his own, जटाः matted locks of hair, अकरोत् made.

Guha fetched the latex quickly and gave it to the prince (Rama) and with that Rama matted his own hair and Lakshmana's.
दीर्घबाहुर्नरव्याघ्रो जटिलत्वमधारयत्।।2.52.69।।

तौ तदा चीरवसनौ जटामण्डलधारिणौ।

आशोभेतामृषिसमौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।2.52.70।।


दीर्घबाहुः longarmed, नरव्याघ्रः tiger (best) among men, जटिलत्वम् their hair twisted and matted, अधारयत् put on, तदा then, चीरवसनौ wearing the robes (of bark), जटामण्डलधारिणौ wearing crown of matted locks, भ्रातरौ brothers, रामलक्ष्मणौ Rama and Lakshmana, ऋषिसमौ resembling sages, अशोभेताम् shone.

The longarmed Rama, the best of men, put on locks of matted hair. As the two
brothers, Rama and Lakshmana stood dressed in bark wearing crowns of matted hair, they resembled two resplendent ascetics.
ततो वैखानसं मार्गमास्थितः सह लक्ष्मणः।

व्रतमादिष्टवान् रामः सखायं गुहमब्रवीत्।।2.52.71।।


ततः thereafter, सहलक्ष्मणः along with Lakshmana, वैखानसम् relating to sages, मार्गम् the path, आस्थितः having resorted to, रामः Rama, व्रतम् religious vow, आदिष्टवान् having accepted, सखायम् his friend, गुहम् to Guha, अब्रवीत् said.

Having adopted the path of ascetics along with Lakshmana, Rama said to his friend Guha:
अप्रमत्तो बले कोशे दुर्गे जनपदे तथा।

भवेथा गुह राज्यं हि दुरारक्षतमं मतम्।।2.52.72।।


गुह Guha, बले in the army, कोशे in the treasury, दुर्गे in the fort, तथा similarly, जनपदे in the provinces, अप्रमत्तः alert, भवेथाः you shall be, राज्यम् kingdom, दुरारक्षतमम् with great difficulty, मतं हि it is said.

O Guha you must be vigilant about your army, treasury, forts and provinces. A kingdom, it is (rightly) said, is protected with great difficulty.
ततस्तं समनुज्ञाय गुहमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।

जगाम तूर्णमव्यग्रः सभार्यः सह लक्ष्मणः।।2.52.73।।


ततः then after, इक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः Delight of (also son of) the Iksvakus (Rama), तं गुहम् to that Guha, समनुज्ञाय after permitting him to leave, अव्यग्रः peacefully, सभार्यः with his consort, सहलक्ष्मणः with Lakshmana, तूर्णम् swiftly, जगाम went.

Rama, Delight of the Iksvakus, then permitted Guha to take leave. And departed quickly with his consort and Lakshmana in peace.
स तु दृष्ट्वा नदीतीरे नावमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।

तितीर्षुः शीघ्रगां गङ्गामिदं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।।2.52.74।।


सः इक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः Rama, descendant of the Ikshvakus, नदीतीरे on the bank of the river, नावम् boat, दृष्ट्वा having seen, शीघ्रगाम् swiftly flowing, गङ्गाम् Ganga, तितीर्षुः intending to cross, लक्ष्मणम् Lakshmana, इदम् these words, अब्रवीत् said.

Seeing the boat on the river bank and intending to cross the swiftly flowing Ganga, Rama, descendant of the Iksvakus said to Lakshmana:
आरोह त्वं नरव्याघ्र स्थितां नावमिमां शनैः।

सीतां चारोपयान्वक्षं परिगृह्य मनस्विनीम्।।2.52.75।।


नरव्याघ्रः (best) among men (Lakshmana), त्वम् you, स्थितम् standing, इमाम् this, नावम् boat, शनैः slowly, आरोह board, अन्वक्षम् along with the beam, मनस्विनीम् highminded, सीतां च Sita also, परिगृह्य holding her, आरोपय help her to get in.

O Lakshmana, the best of men the boat stands ready, get into it slowly (carefully), and then help the noble Sita board it by holding the beam (which balances the boat).
स भ्रातुः शासनं श्रुत्वा सर्वमप्रतिकूलयन्।

आरोप्य मैथिलीं पूर्वमारुरोहाऽऽत्मवां स्ततः।।2.52.76।।


आत्मवान् selfcontrolled, सः that Lakshmana, भ्रातुः brother, शासनम् command, श्रुत्वा on hearing, सर्वम् all, अप्रतिकूलयन् without acting contrarily, पूर्वम् first, मैथिलीम् Sita, आरोप्य having helped her board, ततः thereafter, आरुरोह got in

Having heard his brother's command the selfcontrolled Lakshmana did as he was told.He first helped Sita get into the boat and thereafter boarded it himself.
अथारुरोह तेजस्वी स्वयं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः।

ततो निषादाधिपतिर्गुहो ज्ञातीनचोदयत्।।2.52.77।।


अथ then after, तेजस्वी glorious, लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः Lakshmana's elder brother, स्वयम् himself, आरुरोह boarded, निषादाधिपतिः king of nishadas, गुहः Guha, ज्ञातीन् kinsmen, आचोदयत् unged (to row the boat).

With the boat boarded by the glorious Rama, Lakshmana's elder brother, Guha, king of the nishadas urged his kinsmen (to row the boat).
राघवोऽपि महातेजा नावमारुह्य तां ततः।

ब्रह्मवत् क्षत्रवच्चैव जजाप हितमात्मनः।।2.52.78।।


महातेजाः राघवोऽपि even resplendent Rama, तां नावम् that boat, आरुह्य having boarded, ततः then, ब्रह्मवत् befitting brahmins, क्षत्रवच्चैव and also befitting kshatriyas, आत्मनः his own, हितम् welfare, जजाप muttered mantras.

Resplendent Rama boarded the boat and muttered for his own safety mantras befitting brahmins and kshatriyas.
आचम्य च यथाशास्त्रं नदीं तां सह सीतया।

प्राणमत्प्रीतिसंहृष्टो लक्ष्मणश्चामितप्रभः।।2.52.79।।


सीतया सह along with Sita, यथाशास्त्रम् as per the scriptures, आचम्य च sipping (the water of Ganga), प्रीतिसंहृष्टः with great pleasure, तां नदीम् that river, प्राणमत् paid obeisance, अमितप्रभः of unlimited radiance, लक्ष्मणश्च Lakshmana also.

Rama of undimmed radiance sipped the waters (of the Ganga) in accordance with the scriptures and with great pleasure and paid obeisance to the river with Sita and Lakshmana.
अनुज्ञाय सुमन्त्रं च सबलं चैव तं गुहम्।

आस्थाय नावं रामस्तु चोदयामास नाविकान्।।2.52.80।।


रामस्तु as for Rama, सुमन्त्रम् Sumantra, सबलम् along with his army, तं गुहम् to that Guha, अनुज्ञाय permitting (to leave), नावम् boat, आस्थाय having seated, नाविकान् boatmen, चोदयामास directed to proceed.

Having permitted Sumantra and Guha with his army to leave, Rama seated on the boat urged the boatmen to proceed.
ततस्तैश्चोदिता सा नौः कर्णधारसमाहिता।

शुभस्फ्यवेगाभिहता शीघ्रं सलिलमत्यगात्।।2.52.81.।।


ततः then, कर्णधारसमाहिता wellruddered by the helmsmen, सा नौः that boat, तैः by them, चोदिता rowed, शुभस्फ्यवेगाभिहता propelled by the speed of strong oars, शीघ्रम् swiftly, सलिलम् waters, अत्यगात् crossed.

The wellruddered boat rowed by the helmsmen and propelled by strong oars, swiftly crossed the waters of the river.
मध्यं तु समनुप्राप्य भागीरथ्यास्त्वनिन्दिता।

वैदेही प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा तां नदीमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.52.82।।


अनिन्दिता blameless, वैदेही Sita, भागीरथ्याः river Bhagheerathi's, मध्यम् middle, समनुप्राप्य having reached, प्राञ्जलिः भूत्वा with folded palms, तां नदीम् to that river, इदम् these words, अब्रवीत् uttered.

When the boat reached the midstream that unblemished Sita with palms folded invoked the river thus:
पुत्रो दशरथस्यायं महाराजस्य धीमतः।

निदेशं पारयित्वेमं गङ्गे त्वदभिरक्षितः।।2.52.83।।

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि समग्राण्युष्य कानने।

भ्रात्रा सह मया चैव पुनः प्रत्यागमिष्यति।।2.52.84।।

ततस्त्वां देवि सुभगे क्षेमेण पुनरागता।

यक्ष्ये प्रमुदिता गङ्गे सर्वकामसमृद्धिनी।।2.52.85।।


गङ्गे O Ganga, धीमतः of the sagacious, महाराजस्य of the maharaja, दशरथस्य Dasaratha's, पुत्रः son, अयम् Rama, त्वदभिरक्षितः protected by you, इमम् this, निदेशम् command, पालयित्वा having obeyed, भ्रात्रा सह with brother, मया चैव with me also, चतुर्दश fourteen, वर्षाणि years,
समग्राणि full, कानने in the forest, उष्य having stayed, पुनः again, प्रत्यागमिष्यति will come back, सुभगे देवी O fortunate Devi, गङ्गे Ganga, ततः then, क्षेमेण safely, पुनः again, आगता reaching, प्रमुदिता highly delighted, सर्वकामसमृध्दिनी having fulfilled all my desires, त्वाम् you, यक्ष्ये worship.

O Ganga, protected by you, this son (Rama) of Dasaratha, the sagacious maharaja, will carry out his father's command. He along with his brother will return after living in the forest for full fourteen years. O fortunate Devi, he will worship you in delight for fulfilling all his desires after his safe return.
त्वं हि त्रिपथगा देवि ब्रह्मलोकं समीक्षसे।

भार्या चोदधिराजस्य लोकेऽस्मिन् सम्प्रदृश्यसे।।2.52.86।।


देवि O Devi, त्रिपथगा one flowing in the three worlds, त्वम् you, ब्रह्मलोकम् the region of Brahma, the creator, समीक्षसे हि are seeing, अस्मिन् in this, लोके world, उदधिराजस्य king of the ocean, भार्या च are a spouse, संप्रदृश्यसे appear (to mortals).

O Devi, you are Tripathaga, flowing in three directions (worlds). You behold the region of Brahma and happen to be the spouse of the king of the ocean in this world (of mortals).
सा त्वां देवि नमस्यामि प्रशंसामि च शोभने।

प्राप्तराज्ये नरव्याघ्रे शिवेन पुनरागते।।2.52.87।।

गवां शतसहस्राणि वस्त्राण्यन्नं च पेशलम्।

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदास्यामि तव प्रियचिकीर्षया।।2.52.88।।


देवि O Devi, शोभने O lovely one, सा that me, त्वाम् you, नमस्यामि pay homage, प्रशंसामि च adore, शिवेन safely, पुनः again, आगते on return, नरव्याघ्रे (best) among men, प्राप्तराज्ये having regained the kingdom, तव to you, प्रियचिकीर्षया to with the intention of pleasing, गवाम् of cows, शतसहस्राणि one hundred thousand, वस्त्राणि clothes, पेशलम् very delicious, अन्नं च food also, ब्राह्मणेभ्यः to brahmins, प्रदास्यामि will give.

O Devi O lovely Ganga I offer you my obeisance and my adorations. After the safe return of Rama, the tiger (best) among men, from the forest and after he regains the kingdom I shall give a hundred thousand cows, clothing and delicious food to brahmins as a mark of regard, which will please you.
सुराघटसहस्रेण मांसभूतौदनेन च।

यक्ष्ये त्वां प्रयता देवि पुरीं पुनरुपागता।।2.52.89।।


देवि O Devi, पुनः again, पुरीम् Ayodhya, उपागता having reached, प्रयता purified by austerities, सुराघटसहस्रेण with a thousand pots of nectar, मांसभूतौदनेन च food in the form of meat, यक्ष्ये offer you and worship you.

O Devi after my return to Ayodhya purified by my austerities, I shall worship you by offering a thousand pots of nectar and food in the form of meat.
यानि त्वत्तीरवासीनि दैवतानि च सन्ति हि।

तानि सर्वाणि यक्ष्यामि तीर्थान्यायतनानि च।।2.52.90।।


यानि all those, दैवतानि deities, त्वत्तीरवासीनि inhabiting your banks, सन्ति are found तानि all, सर्वाणि of them, तीर्थानि all sacred spots, आयतनानि च all temples, यक्ष्यामि I will worship.

I shall worship all those deities inhabiting your banks and all sacred spots and temples.
पुनरेव महाबाहुर्मया भ्रात्रा च सङ्गतः।

अयोध्यां वनवासात्तु प्रविशत्वनघोऽनघे।।2.52.91।।


अनघे O sacred one, अनघः blemishless, महाबाहुः mightyarmed, मया with me, भ्रात्रा च and also with brother, सङ्गतः together with, वनवासात् after the exile in the forest, पुनरेव again, अयोध्याम् to Ayodhya, प्रविशतु may enter.

O sacred one may the blemishless, mightyarmed Rama accompanied by me and
his brother reenter Ayodhya after the exile.
तथा सम्भाषमाणा सा सीता गङ्गामनिन्दिता।

दक्षिणा दक्षिणं तीरं क्षिप्रमेवाभ्युपागमत्।।2.52.92।।


अनिन्दिता blameless, दक्षिणा auspicious, सा सीता that sita, तथा thus, सम्भाषमाणा addressing, क्षिप्रमेव quickly, दक्षिणम् southern, तीरम् side, अभ्युपागमत् reached.

While the unblemished, auspicious Sita was thus addressing (the river), the boat swiftly reached the south bank.
तीरं तु समनुप्राप्य नावं हित्वा नरर्षभः।

प्रातिष्ठत सह भ्रात्रा वैदेह्या च परन्तपः।।2.52.93।।


नरर्षभः the best of men, परन्तपः tormentor of enemies, तीरम् bank, समनुप्राप्य having reached, नावम् the boat, हित्वा leaving, भ्रात्रा सह with his brother, वैदेह्या च and Sita, प्रातिष्ठत proceeded forward.

Rama, the best of men and tormentor of enemies, after reaching the other side of the river, left the boat and proceeded with Sita and his brother.
अथाब्रवीन्महाबाहुः सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनम्।

भव संरक्षणार्थाय सजने विजनेऽपि वा।।2.52.94।।


अथ then, महाबाहुः one with long arms, सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनम् to Lakshmana, enhancer of the joy of Sumitra, अब्रवीत् said, सजने in populated areas, विजनेऽपि वा or in solitary places, संरक्षणार्थाय for protection, भव be ready.

The longarmed Rama then said to Lakshmana, enhancer of the joy of Sumitra: Whether in populated areas or in solitary places, excercise alacrity in the matter of protection.
अवश्यं रक्षणं कार्यमदृष्टे विजने वने।

अग्रतो गच्छ सौमित्रे सीता त्वामनुगच्छतु।।.2.52.95।।


अदृष्टे unseen, विजने devoid of people, वने in the forest, अवश्यम् certainly, रक्षणम् protection, कार्यम् is to be rendered, सौमित्रे O Lakshmana, अग्रतः in front, गच्छ go, सीता Sita, त्वाम् you, अनुगच्छतु may follow.

In this desolate forest which we had never seen before we must certainly be concerned about our protection. O Lakshmana , let Sita follow you
पृष्ठतोऽहं गमिष्यामि त्वां च सीतां च पालयन्।

अन्योन्यस्येह नो रक्षा कर्तव्या पुरुषर्षभ।।2.52.96।।


अहम् I, त्वां च you also, सीतां च also Sita ,पालयन् protecting, पृष्ठतः behind, गमिष्यामि I will keep walking, पुरुषर्षभ best of men, इह here, न: for us, अन्योन्यस्य mutually, रक्षा protection, कर्तव्या fit to be done.

O best of men, I will follow you and Sita and keep watch. We must ensure mutual protection.
न हि तावदतिक्रान्ता सुकरा काचन क्रिया।

अद्य दुःखं तु वैदेही वनवासस्य वेत्स्यति।।2.52.97।।


अतिक्रान्ता a thing of the past, काचन क्रिया any task, सुकरा difficult, न हि तावत् not possible, अद्य now, वैदेही Sita, वनवासस्य life in the forest, दुःखम् difficulties, वेत्स्यति will come to know.

We have not yet confronted any hardship. From now on Sita will come to know the difficulties of forest life.
प्रणष्टजनसम्बाधं क्षेत्रारामविवर्जितम्।

विषमं च प्रपातं च वनमद्य प्रवेक्ष्यति।।2.52.98।।


प्रणष्टजनसम्बाधम् devoid of concourse of people, क्षेत्रारामविवर्जितम् devoid of farms and gardens, विषमम् च uneven and inaccessible, प्रपातं च with deep ditches, वनम् forest, अद्य now, प्रवेक्ष्यति will enter.

Now she will enter the forest which is devoid of concourse of people, farms and pleasure groves and which is uneven and inaccessible and full of deep ditches.
श्रुत्वा रामस्य वचनं प्रतस्थे लक्ष्मणोऽग्रतः।

अनन्तरं च सीताया राघवो रघुनन्दनः।।2.52.99।।


लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, रामस्य at Rama's, वचनम् words, श्रुत्वा having heard, अग्रतः ahead, प्रतस्थे went, सीतायाः Sita's, अनन्तरम् behind, रघुनन्दनः delight of the Raghus, राघवः Rama.

Having heard the words of Rama, Lakshmana went ahead and Rama, delight of the Raghus, walked behind Sita.
गतं तु गङ्गापरपारमाशु

रामं सुमन्त्रः प्रततं निरीक्ष्य।

अध्वप्रकर्षाद्विनिवृत्तदृष्टि

र्मुमोच बाष्पं व्यथित स्तपस्वी।।2.52.100।।


तपस्वी the miserable, सुमन्त्रः Sumantra, आशु swiftly, गङ्गापरपारम् other side of Ganga, गतम् reached, रामम् of Rama, प्रततम् continuously, निरीक्ष्य having gazed, अध्वप्रकर्षात् due to long distance, विनिवृत्तदृष्टिः turning away his sight, व्यथितः distressed, बाष्पम् मुमोच shed tears.

The wretched Sumantra kept gazing at Rama who swiftly reached the other side of the Ganga and only when he could not see him because of long distance, he turned away his gaze and, overcome with grief, shed tears.
स लोकपालप्रतिमप्रभाववां

स्तीर्त्वा महात्मा वरदो महानदीम्।

ततः समृद्धान् शुभसस्यमालिनः

क्रमेण वत्सान् मुदितानुपागमत्।।2.52.101।।


महात्मा highsouled, वरदः bestower of boons, लोकपालप्रतिप्रभाववान् equal in splendour to the Protector of the world, सः he (such Rama), महानदीम् mighty river, तीर्त्वा having crossed, ततः then, क्रमेण gradually, समृद्धान् highly prosperous, मुदितान् with happy people, वत्सा (country known as) Vatsa, उपागमत् reached.

Having crossed that mighty river, the highsouled Rama, bestower of boons and equal in splendour, to the Protector of the world reached Vatsa by and by, a highly prosperous country inhabited by happy people.
तौ तत्र हत्वा चतुरो महामृगान्

वराहमृश्यं पृषतं महारुरुम्।

आदाय मेध्यं त्वरितं बुभुक्षितौ

वासाय काले ययतुर्वनस्पतिम्।।2.52.102।।


बुभुक्षितौ famished, तौ they, तत्र there, वराहम् a boar, ऋश्यम् a whitefooted male antelope, पृषतम् spotted deer, महारुरुम् a great deer with black stripes, चतुरः four, मृगान् animals, हत्वा killed, मेध्यम् pure meat, त्वरितम् quickly, आदाय partaking as food, काले in the evening, वासाय for rest, वनस्पतिम् under a tree, ययतुः reached.

Famished, they (Rama and Lakshmana) killed a boar, a rishya (whitefooted male antelope), a spotted deer and a great deer with black stripes. They partook the meat and reached a tree by evening where they rested for the night.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे द्विपञ्चाश स्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the fiftysecond sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.