Sloka & Translation

[The trio cross Yamuna --- decide to reside on the river bank --- Sita rejoices getting her favourite flowers and fruits.]

uṣitvā rajanīṅ tatra rājaputrāvarindamau.

maharṣimabhivādyātha jagmatustaṅ giriṅ prati৷৷2.55.1৷৷


arindamau destroyers of enemies, rājaputrāḥ the (two) princes, tatra there, rajanī night, uṣitvā having spent, atha thereafter, maharṣim great sage (Bharadwaja), abhivādya having offered obeisance, taṅ giriṅ prati in the direction of that mountain, jagmatuḥ went.

After spending the night, the princes, destroyers of enemies, offered obeisance to that
great sage (Bharadhwaja) and went towards that mount Chitrkuta.
tēṣāṅ caiva svastyayanaṅ maharṣi ssa cakāra ha.

prasthitāṅścaiva tānprēkṣya pitā putrānivānvagāt৷৷2.55.2৷৷


saḥ maharṣiḥ that great sage, tēṣām to them, svastyayanam blessings for their safe journey, cakāra ha made, prasthitān set forth, tān them, prēkṣya having seen, pitā father, putrāniva like his own children, anvagāt ca followed also.

Seeing them setting forth, the great sage blessed them for a safe journey and followed them like a father following his children.
tataḥ pracakramē vaktuṅ vacanaṅ sa mahāmuniḥ.

bharadvājō mahātējā rāmaṅ satyaparākramam৷৷2.55.3৷৷


tataḥ then, mahātējāḥ effulgent, mahāmuniḥ great sage, saḥ bharadvājaḥ that Bharadwaja, satyaparākramam to one whose strength is truth, rāmam to Rama, vacanam words, vaktum to tell, pracakramē began.

Then that great effulgent sage Bharadwaja began to speak to Rama whose strength was truth.
gaṅgāyamunayō ssandhimāsādya manujarṣabhau.

kālindīmanugacchētāṅ nadīṅ paścānmukhāśritām৷৷2.55.4৷৷


manujarṣabhau two (best) among men, gaṅgāyamunayōḥ sandhim the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, gatvā having reached, paścānmukhāśritām flowing westward, kālindī nadīm river Kalindi (Yamuna), anugacchētām proceed along.

Reaching the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna, O Rama and Lakshmana best among men! proceed along the Kalindi (Yamuna) river flowing westward.
athā.sādya tu kālindī śīghrasrōtasamāpagām.

tasyāstīrthaṅ pracalitaṅ purāṇaṅ prēkṣya rāghavau৷৷2.55.5৷৷

tatra yūyaṅ plavaṅ kṛtvā taratāṅśumatīṅ nadīm.


rāghavau the scions of the Raghus (Rama and Lakshmana), atha then, śīghrasrōtasam rapidiy flowing āpagām river, kālindīm Kalindi (Yamuna), āsādya having reached, pracalitam served by many, purāṇam ancient, tasyāḥ tīrtham spot on the river bank, prēkṣya finding, tatra there, yūyam you, plavam a raft, kṛtvā having made, aṅśumatīm that daughter of the Sun (Yamuna), nadīm river, tarata cross over.

On reaching that swift-flowing river Yamuna, O Rama and Lakshmana! O scions of the Raghu race, you will find an ancient spot (on the river bank). There make a raft and cross Kalindi, daughter of the Sun.
tatō nyagrōdhamāsādya mahāntaṅ haritacchadam৷৷2.55.6৷৷

vivṛddhaṅ bahubhirvṛkṣai śśyāmaṅ siddhōpasēvitam.

tasmai sītāñjaliṅ kṛtvā prayuñjītāśiṣaśśivāḥ৷৷2.55.7৷৷


tataḥ haritacchadam with lush green leaves, mahāntam large, bahubhi: by many, vṛkṣai: trees, vivṛdhdam densely grown, sidhdōpasēvitam inhabited by siddhas (sages who have attained perfection), śyāmam dark (shady), nyagrōdham banyan tree, āsādya having approached, sītā Sita, tasmai to it, añjalim folded palms, kṛtvā having made, śivāḥ auspicious, āśiṣa: invocations, prayuñjīta offer.

There you will find a large, banyan tree with its lush green leaves, looking dark with its densely grown trees. It is inhabited by siddhas. Sita should offer with folded palms invocations for her well-being.
samāsādya tu taṅ vṛkṣaṅ vasēdvātikramēta vā.

krōśamātraṅ tatō gatvā nīlaṅ drakṣyatha kānanam৷৷2.55.8৷৷

palāśabadarīmiśraṅ ramyaṅ vaṅśaiśca yāmunaiḥ.


tam vṛkṣam that tree, samāsādya having reached, vasēdvā one may tarry or, atikramēta vā or can go past, tata: from there, krōśamātram at a distance of a krosa, gatvā having gone, nīlam dark, palāśabadarīmiśram mixed with Palasa and Badari trees, yāmunai: on Yamuna, vaṅśai: ca with bamboos also, ramyam beautiful, kānanam forest, drakṣyatha you will see.

Reaching that tree, you may tarry or proceed further. A krosa from there, you will see a beautiful forest filled with dark trees mixed with Palasas and badaris and bamboos on the Yamuna.
sa panthāścitrakūṭasya gata ssubahuśō mayā৷৷2.55.9৷৷

ramyō mārdavayuktaśca vanadāvairvivarjitaḥ.


sa: that one, citrakūṭasya of Chitrakuta, panthā: path, mayā by me, bahuśa: several times, gata: gone, ramya beautiful, mārdavayuktaśca marked with smoothness, vanadāvai: forest fires, vivarjita: is without.

That path leads to Chitrakuta. I had travelled through it several times. It is beautiful, smooth and safe from forest fires.
iti panthānamāvēdya maharṣissanyavartata৷৷2.55.10৷৷

abhivādya tathētyuktvā rāmēṇa vinivartitaḥ.


sa: maharṣi: that great sage, iti thus, panthānam path, āvēdya after directing, rāmēṇa by Rama, tathēti 'so be it', uktvā having said, abhivādya paying obeisance, vinivartita: having been requested to return, nyavartata turned back.

The great sage returned after instructing Rama about the path. So be it, said Rama and offering obeisance requested Bharadhwaja to go back.
upāvṛttē munau tasminrāmō lakṣmaṇamabravīt৷৷2.55.11৷৷

kṛtapuṇyāḥ sma saumitrē muniryannō.nukampatē.


tasmin munau the sage (Bharadhwaja), upāvṛttē having turned back, rāma Rama, lakṣmaṇam to Lakshmana, abravīt said, saumitrē son of Sumitra, Lakshmana, kṛtapuṇyā: sma we are fortunate indeed, yat since, muniḥ the sage, na: on us, anukampatē is showing compassion.

With the sage gone, Rama said, O Saumitri (son of Sumitra)! we are lucky, for the sage has been so kind.
iti tau puruṣavyāghrau mantrayitvā manasvinau.

sītāmēvāgrataḥ kṛtvā kālindīṅ jagmaturnadīm৷৷2.55.12৷৷


manasvinau noble-minded, tau those two, puruṣavyāghrau tigers (best) among men, iti thus, mantrayitvā conversing, sītām to Sita, agrata: iva ahead of them, kṛtvā keeping, kālindīṅ nadīm towards river Kalindi (Yamuna), jagmatu: proceeded.

Thus talking with one another, the two noble-minded tigers (best) among men advanced towards river Kalindi (Yamuna) with Sita walking in front.
athā.sādya tu kālindīṅ śīghrasrōtōvahāṅ nadīm.

cintāmāpēdirē sarvē nadījalatitīrṣavaḥ৷৷2.55.13৷৷


atha thereafter, sarvē all of them, śīghrasrōtōvahām rapidly flowing, kālindīṅ nadīm river Kalindi, āsādya having reached, nadījalatitīrṣava: wishing to cross the river, cintām apēdirē pondered.

Thereafter, they all reached the rapidly flowing river Kalindi and began pondering how to cross it.
tau kāṣṭhasaṅghātamathō cakratu ssumahāplavam.

śuṣkairvaṅśai ssamāstīrṇamuśīraiśca samāvṛtam৷৷2.55.14৷৷


atha then, tau both of them, śuṣkai: with dry, vaṅśai: bamboos, samāstīrṇam well-spread, uśīrai:
fragrant roots of Ushira bush, samāvṛtam covered with, kāṣṭasaṅghātam with logs of wood joined together, mahāplavam big float, cakratu: made.

Then they both made a big wooden float by joining logs of wood, spreading bamboos on it and covering it with the (fragrant roots of) Ushira bushes.
tatō vētasaśākhāśca jambūśākhāśca vīryavān.

cakāra lakṣmaṇaśchitvā sītāyā ssukhamāsanam৷৷2.55.15৷৷


tata: then, vīryavān valiant, lakṣmaṇa: Lakshmana, vētasaśākhāśca stems of reeds, jambūśākhāśca branches from Jambu tree, chitvā after cutting, sītāyā: for Sita, sukham comfortable, āsanam seat, cakāra made.

The valiant Lakshmana cut the stems of reeds and branches of the Jambu tree to prepare a comfortable seat for Sita (on that float).
tatra śriyamivācintyāṅ rāmō dāśarathiḥ priyām.

īṣatsaṅlajjamānāṅ tāmadhyārōpayataplavam৷৷2.55.16৷৷


dāśarathi: Dasaratha's son, rāmaḥ Rama, tatra there, śriyamiva looking like Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), acintyām inconceivable (majesty), īṣat a little, saṅlajjamānām feeling shy, tām priyām that beloved Sita, plavam float, adhyārōpayata ascended.

Rama, son of Dasaratha helped his beloved (Sita), who was looking inconceivably like Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and was feeling a little bashful while stepping on to the float.
pārśvē ca tatra vaidēhyā vasanē bhūṣaṇāni ca.

plavē kaṭhinakājaṅ ca rāmaścakrē sahāyudhaiḥ৷৷2.55.17৷৷


rāma: Rama, tatra there, plavē on the float, vaidēhyāḥ Sita's, pārśvē on the side of, vasanē clothes, bhūṣaṇāni ca ornaments, kaṭhinakājaṅ a crowbar and a basket, āyudhai: weapons, cakrē placed.

Rama placed robes and ornaments on the float by the side of Sita and a spade and a basket along with weapons.
ārōpya prathamaṅ sītāṅ saṅghāṭaṅ parigṛhya tau.

tata pratēraturyattau vīrau daśarathātmajau৷৷2.55.18৷৷


vīrau heroes, tau those two, daśarathātmajau Dasratha's sons, saṅghāṭam that float, pratigṛhya tightly holding, prathamam at first, sītām Sita, ārōpya making her board, tataḥ then, yattau carefully, pratēratuḥ crossed.

Those valiant sons of Dasaratha held the float (firmly) to help Sita step on to it. Then they crossed the river carefully.
kālindīmadhyamāyātā sītā tvēnāmavandata.

svasti dēvi! tarāmi tvāṅ pārayē nmē patirvratam৷৷2.55.19৷৷

yakṣyē tvāṅ gōsahasrēṇa surāghaṭaśatēna ca.

svasti pratyāgatē rāmē purī mikṣvākupālitām৷৷2.56.20৷৷


kālindīmadhyam the middle of the river Kalindi (Yamuna), āyātā on reaching, sītā Sita, ēnām to this river, avandata made reverential salutation, dēvī O goddess, tvām you, tarāmi crossing, svasti let safety be ours, mē my, pati: husband, vratam vow, pārayēt may fulfil, rāmē Rama, svasti safely, ikṣvākupālitām ruled by Ikshvaku kings, purīm city of Ayodhya, pratyāgatē on his return, tvām you, gōsahasrēṇa with the offer of a thousand cows, surāghaṭaśatēna ca with a hundred pots of wine, yakṣē will worship.

On reaching the middle of the river Yamuna, Sita made reverential salutations to her saying O goddess, I am crossing you, may safety be ours and may my husband fulfil his vow! After Rama's (safe) return to the city (of Ayodhya) ruled by the Ikshvaku kings, I shall worship you with a thousand cows and a hundred pots of wine.
kālindī matha sītā tu yācamānā kṛtāñjaliḥ.

tīramēvābhisamprāptā dakṣiṇaṅ varavarṇinī৷৷2.55.21৷৷


varavarṇinī lady of fair complexion, sītā Sita, kālindīm Yamuna, kṛtāñjali: folding her hands, yācamānā in supplication, atha thereafter, dakṣiṇaṅ tīramēva southern bank, abhisamprāptā reached.

While Sita with her fair complexion was thus invoking river Yamuna with folded hands they reached the southern bank.
tata plavēnāṅśumatīṅ śīghragāmūrmimālinīm.

tīrajai rbahubhirvṛkṣai ssantēruryamunāṅ nadīm৷৷2.55.22৷৷


tata: then, śīghragām swift-flowing, ūrmimālinīm full of waves, tīrajai: growing on the banks, bahubhi: many, vṛkṣai: trees, aṅśumatīm daughter of the Sun-god, yamunāṅ nadīm river Yamuna, santēru: crossed.

They crossed the swift-flowing river Yamuna, daughter of the Sun-god, full of waves and with trees growing thick on her banks.
tē tīrṇāḥ plavamutsṛjya prasthāya yamunāvanāt.

śyāmaṅ nyagrōdha māsēdu śśītalaṅ haritacchadam৷৷2.55.23৷৷


tīrṇā: having crossed, tē they, plavam raft, utsṛjya after leaving, yamunāvanāt from the forest adjoining Yamuna river, prasthāya after starting, haritacchadam a place full of greenery, śītalam cool, śyāmam dark, nyagrōdham banyan tree, asēdu: reached.

Having crossed the river, they left the float and proceeded from the adjoining forest of Yamuna and reached the dark, cool banyan tree covered with lush green leaves.
nyagrōdhaṅ tamupāgamya vaidēhī vākyamabravīt.

namastē.stu mahāvṛkṣa! pārayēnmē patirvratam৷৷2.55.24৷৷

kauśalyāṅ caiva paśyēyaṅ sumitrāṅ ca yaśaśvinīm.

iti sītā.ñjaliṅ kṛtvā paryagacchadvanaspatim৷৷2.55.25৷৷


vaidēhī Sita, taṅ nyagrōdham that banyan tree, upāgamya having reached, vākyam these words, abravīt said, mahāvṛkṣa! O great tree, tē to you, nama:astu my salutations, mē patiḥ my husband, vratam vow, pārayēt may fulfil, kauśalyāṅ ca and Kausalya, yaśaśvinīm illustrious, sumitrāṅ ca also Sumitra, paśyēyam may I behold, sītā Sita, iti in this way, añjaliṅ kṛtvā offering reverential salutations with folded hands, vanaspatim to the tree, paryagacchat went round.

Having reached the banyan tree, Sita invoked it, saying, 'O great tree! I offer you my salutations. May my husband fulfil his vow! May I behold Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra on my return. Saying so, she went round the tree offering reverential salutations with folded hands.
avalōkya tata ssītāmāyācantīmaninditām.

dayitāṅ ca vidhēyāṅ ca rāmō lakṣmaṇamabravīt৷৷2.55.26৷৷


tata: then, rāmaḥ Rama, ayācantīm who was seeking blessings, aninditām blemishless, dayitām beloved, vidhēyāṅ ca and obedient, sītām Sita, avalōkya having seen, lakṣmaṇam to Lakshmana, abravīt said.

Beholding the obedient, blemishless, beloved Sita invoking blessings, Rama said to Lakhsmana:
sītāmādāya gacchatvamagratō bharatānuja.

pṛṣṭhatō.haṅ gamiṣyāmi sāyudhō dvipadāṅ vara৷৷2.55.27৷৷


dvipadāṅ vara best among bipeds (men), bharatānuja brother of Bharata (Lakshmana), tvam you, sītām Sita, ādāya taking with you, agrata: ahead, gaccha go, aham I, sāyudha: armed with weapons, pṛṣṭhata: from behind, gamiṣyāmi will follow.

O Lakshmana, best among bipeds (men) and brother of Bharata! walk ahead with Sita and I shall follow with weapons.
yadyatphalaṅ prārthayatē puṣpaṅ vā janakātmajā.

tattatpradadyā vaidēhyā yatrā.syā ramatē manaḥ৷৷2.55.28৷৷


janakātmajā daughter of Janaka, yadyatphalam whichever fruit, puṣpaṅ vā or flower, prārthayatē requests for, tattat that one, asyā: vaidēhyā: for this Sita, mana: mind, yatra where, ramatē takes pleasure, pradadya give.

Whatever fruit or flower the daughter of Janaka asks for, get it. Whatever pleases her mind give it.
gacchatō.stu tayōrmadhyē babhūva janakātmajā.

mātaṅgayōrmadhyagatā śubhā nāgavadhūriva৷৷2.55.29৷৷


gacchatōḥ going like that, tayōḥ of both, madhyagatā moving in the middle, janakātmajā daughter of Janaka, mātaṅgayōḥ of two male elephants, madhyagatā in between, śubhā auspicious, nāgavadhūriva
like a female elephant, babhūva remained.

The daughter of Janaka walked between them like a she-elephant between two males.
ēkaikaṅ pādapaṅ gulmaṅ latāṅ vā puṣpaśālinīm.

adṛṣṭapūrvāṅ paśyantī rāmaṅ papraccha sā.balā৷৷2.55.30৷৷


sā abalā that gentle lady, ēkaikam one by one, pādapam tree, gulmam shrub, adṛṣṭapūrvām never seen before, puṣpaśālinīm flowering, latāṅ vā or a creeper, paśyantī seeing, rāmam to Rama, papraccha asked.

That gentle lady enquired of Rama about a tree or a shrub or a creeper in full bloom which she did not see before.
ramaṇīyānbahuvidhānpādapānkusumōtkaṭān.

sītāvacanasaṅrabdha ānayāmāsa lakṣmaṇaḥ৷৷2.55.31৷৷


lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, sītāvacanasaṅrabdhaḥ cheered by the indent of Sita, kusumōtkaṭān laden with flowers, ramaṇīyān beautiful, bahuvidhān various, pādapān trees, ānayāmāsa brought.

Cheered by Sita's indents, Lakshmana brought her various beautiful plants and stocks of flowers.
vicitravālukajalāṅ haṅsasārasanāditām.

rēmē janakarājasya sutā prēkṣya tadā nadīm৷৷2.55.32৷৷


tadā then, janakarājasya sutā daughter of king Janaka (Sita), vicitravālukajalām wonderful water and sand, haṅsasārasanāditām echoing with the sounds of swans and cranes, nadīm river Yamuna, prēkṣya beholding, rēmē exceedingly delighted.

Beholding the river Yamuna with its wonderful water and sand echoing with the cackle of swans and cranes, Sita went ecstatic.
krōśamātraṅ tatō gatvā bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau.

bahūnmēdhyānmṛgānhatvā cēraturyamunāvanē৷৷2.55.33৷৷


tata: then, bhrātarau the two brothers, rāmalakṣmaṇau Rama and Lakshmana, krōśamātram a krosa, gatvā having gone, mēdhyān suitable for sacrifice (pure), bahūn many, mṛgān deer, hatvā having slain, yamunāvanē in the forest on the bank of Yamuna, cēratu: ate.

After walking a krosa into the forest on the bank of Yamuna, the two brothers killed many deer suitable for sacrifice and ate them.
vihṛtya tē barhiṇapūganāditē śubhē vanē vānaravāraṇāyutē.

samaṅ nadīvapramupētya sammataṅ nivāsa mājagmu radīnadarśanāḥ৷৷2.55.34৷৷


adīnadarśanā: appearing in high spirits, tē they, barhiṇapūganāditē resounding with the melody of peacocks, vānaravāraṇāyutē inhabited by monkeys and elephants, śubhē vanē in that lovely forest, vihṛtya roaming about, samam levelled, sammatam convenient, nadīvapram bank of the river, upētya having reached, nivāsam dwelling, ājagmatu: made.

They reached the table-land on the bank of that river and moved in high spirit in the lovely forest resounding with cries of flocks of peacocks and teeming with monkeys and elephants. Finally they selected a spot for their stay.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē pañcapañcāśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the fiftyfifth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.