atha then, sūtaḥ the charioteer, kṛtāñjaliḥ with folded palms, rāmamēva Rama alone, anuśōcantam thinking of Rama, duḥkhaśōkasamanvitam by grief and sorrow, vṛddham aged, paramasantaptam deeply afflicted, navagraham newly-captured, dvipamiva like an elephant, viniḥśvasantam heaving deep sighs, asvastham indisposed, kuñjaramiva like an elephant, dhyāyantam brooding, mahārājam king, upasthitaḥ approached.

sūta the charioteer, dharmātmā righteous (Rama), vṛkṣamūlam foot of the tree, upāśritaḥ having taken refuge, kvanu where, vatsyati will he live?, atyanta sukhitaḥ enjoyed supreme luxury, sa: rāghavaḥ that Rama, kim what?, aśiṣyati will he eat?

yāntam when he went out, yam whom, padātirathakuñjarā: foot-soldiers, chariots and elephants, anuyānti sma followed, saḥ that, rāmaḥ Rama, vijanam desolate, vanam forest, āśritaḥ having taken shelter, katham how, vatsyati can live.

sumantra Sumantra, rājaputrau king's sons, sukumāryā along with delicate, tapasvinyā by the pitiable, sītayā saha with Sita, rathāt from the chariot, pādaiḥ on foot, avaruhya alighting, katham how, gatau did they go.

sumantra! Sumantra, vanam forest, āsādya on reaching, rāmaḥ Rama, kim what?, vacaḥ words, uvāca did speak, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, kim what, uvāca did say, maithilī ca and Sita, kim what, uvāca did say.

narēndrēṇa by the king, Dasaratha, iti in this way, bōdhitaḥ questioned, saḥ sūtaḥ that charioteer, bāṣpaparibaddhayā with voice choked with tears, sajjamānayā faltering with grief, vācā with words, rājānam to the king, uvāca said.

sūta! O charioteer, madvacanāt as my words, viditātmanaḥ knower of the self, mahātmanaḥ illustrious, vandanīyasya worthy of salutations, tasya that, tātasya father's, pādau feet, śirasā head, vandyau are worthy of salutations.

mama my, mātā mother, kausalyā Kausalya, kuśalam welfare, abhivādanaṅ ca salutations, apramādaṅ ca alertness, vaktavyā is worthy of conveying, idam this, vacaśca word, brūyāḥ tell.

abhimānaṅ ca egoism, mānaṅ ca pride, mātṛṣu towards mothers, vartasva conduct yourself, amba O mother, āryām venerable, kaikēyīm Kaikeyi, rājānam anu well-disposed towards the king, kāraya mould her.

bharataḥ Bharata, kuśalam welfare, vācyaḥ deserves to be told, madvacanēna by my word, vācyaḥ ca is to be told, sarvāsu among all, mātṛṣu mothers, yathānyāyam rightly, vṛttim behaviour, vartasva follow.

rājā king Dasaratha, atikrāntavayāḥ is advanced in age, ēnam him, mā sma vyavarōrudhaḥ do not restrict him, tvam you, tasyaiva that king's, ājñāpravartanāt carrying out the commands, kumārarājyē as prince regent, jīva live.

mahārāja! O king, mahāyaśāḥ renowned, rājīvatāmrākṣaḥ with red lotus-like eyes, rāmaḥ Rama, mām to me, ityēvam thus, bruvannēva while saying, bhṛśam copious, aśrūṇi tears, avartayat shed.

rājñā tu by the king also, kaikēyyāḥ of Kaikeyi, laghu trash, śāsanam command, āśritya having taken refuge, akāryam a forbidden act, kāryaṅ vā or a worthy act, kṛtam has been done, yēna by which, vayam we, abhipīḍitāḥ have been made to suffer.

idaṅ tāvat this one, īśvarasya kṛtē for (fear of) God, yathākāmam this act, kṛtam done, rāmasya Rama's, parityāgē in abandonment, hētum reason, na upalakṣayē I do not see.

aham I, mahārājē in that great king, pitṛtvam fatherhood, nōpalakṣyē I do not see, mama to me, rāghavaḥ Rama alone, bhrātā ca brother, bhartāca also protector, bandhuśca friend, pitā father.

sarvaprajābhirāmam Delight of all subjects, dhārmikam righteous, rāmam to Rama, pravrājya having used banishment, imam this, sarvalōkam entire world, virudhya antagonizing, rājā king, katham how, bhaviṣyasi will continue to rule?

adṛṣṭapūrvavyasanā who had never experienced adversity, yaśasvinī celebrated, rājaputrī that princess, tēna that, duḥkhēna with sorrow, rudatī weeping, mām to me, kiñcit even a little, naiva abravīt did not at all say.