Sloka & Translation

[Bharata addresses the assembly --- declines Vasistha's plea to accept the throne --- gets ready to depart for the forest with the citizens of Ayodhya.]

tāmāryagaṇasampūrṇāṅ bharataḥ pragrahāṅ sabhām.

dadarśa buddhisampannaḥ pūrṇacandrō niśāmiva৷৷2.82.1৷৷


buddhisampannaḥ sagacious, bharataḥ Bharata, āryagaṇasampūrṇām full of honourable members, tāṅ sabhām that assembly hall, pūrṇacandraḥ full-moon, pragrahām stretching forth, niśāmiva like night, dadarśa beheld.

Sagacious Bharata beheld that assembly hall filled with honourable members, like the full-moon beholds the night stretching forth (with stars).
āsanāni yathānyāyamāryāṇāṅ viśatāṅ tadā.

vastrāṅgarāgaprabhayā dyōtitā sā sabhōttamā৷৷2.82.2৷৷


tadā then, uttamā august, sā sabhā that assembly, yathānyāyam according to their rank, āsanāni seats, viśatām entered, āryāṇām honourable members', vastrāṅgarāgaprabhayā with the brilliance of their apparels and fragrance of unguents, dyōtitā looked splendid.

When the seats were occupied by the honourable members according to their rank, that august assembly looked splendid with the brilliance of their apparels and fragrance of unguents.
sā vidvajjanasampūrṇā sabhā surucirā tadā.

adṛśyata ghanāpāyē pūrṇacandrēva śarvarī৷৷2.82.3৷৷


tadā then, vidvajjanasampūrṇā filled with learned people, surucirā most splendid, sā sabhā that assembly, ghanāpāyē after the departure of rains, pūrṇacandrā with full-moon, śarvarīva like the
night, adṛśyata looked.

The most splendid assembly filled with learned people looked brilliant like the night with the autumnal full-moon.
rājñastu prakṛtī ssarvā ssamagrāḥ prēkṣya dharmavit.

idaṅ purōhitō vākyaṅ bharataṅ mṛdu cābravīt৷৷2.82.4৷৷


dharmavit knower of righteousness, purōhitaḥ the chief priest, samagrāḥ complete, sarvāḥ all, rājñaḥ king's, prakṛtīḥ ministers, prēkṣya having seen, bharatam Bharata, mṛdu in a gentle way, idam these, vākyam words, abravīt spoke.

The chief priest Vasistha, knower of righteousness, looked at all the ministers present and addressed Bharata in a gentle voice.
tāta! rājā daśaratha ssvargatō dharmamācaran.

dhanadhānyavatīṅ sphītāṅ pradāya pṛthivīṅ tava৷৷2.82.5৷৷


tāta! dear child, rājā king, daśarathaḥ Dasaratha, dharmam righteousness, ācaran while following, dhanadhānyavatīm abounding in wealth and grains, sphītām vast, pṛthivīm kingdom, tava to you, pradāya having given, svargataḥ attained heaven.

O dear child! following the righteous path king Dasaratha conferred on you this vast kingdom abounding in wealth and grains before attaining heaven.
rāmastathā satyadhṛtissatāṅ dharmamanusmaran.

nājahātpiturādēśaṅ śaśī jyōtsnāmivōditaḥ৷৷2.82.6৷৷


tathā and, satyadhṛtiḥ abiding in truth, rāmaḥ Rama, satām of the virtuous, dharmam righteousness, anusmaran remembering, uditaḥ rising, śaśī moon, jyōtsnāmiva like moon light, pituḥ father's, ādēśam command, nājahāt did not abandon.

Abiding in truth, remembering the righteous ways of virtuous men just as the rising Moon does not leave its beams, Rama too did not move away from his father's command.
pitrā bhrātrā ca tē dattaṅ rājyaṅ nihatakaṇṭakam.

tadbhuṅkṣva muditāmātyaḥ kṣipramēvābhiṣēcaya৷৷2.82.7৷৷


pitrā by your father, bhrātrā ca by your brother also, nihatakaṇṭakam all thorns removed, rājyam kingdom, tē to you, dattam has been given, muditāmātyaḥ with ministers pleased, tat that king dom, bhuṅkṣva enjoy, kṣipramēva quickly, abhiṣēcaya be consecrated.

The kingdom free from obstacles has been passed on to you by your father and brother. Get yourself coronated quickly and enjoy it along with your cheerful ministers.
udīcyā śca pratīcyā śca dākṣiṇātyāśca kēvalāḥ.

kōṭyāparāntāssāmudrāratnānyabhiharantutē৷৷2.82.8৷৷


udīcyāḥ kings from the north, pratīcyā śca from the west, dākṣiṇātyāśca from the south, kēvalāḥ solely, aparāntāḥ kings of the bordering kingdoms, sāmudrāḥ sea-traders, tē they, kōṭyā crores in number, ratnāni gems, abhiharantu may offer to you as gift.

Let kings from the north, the west, the south, the bordering kingdoms, and the sea-traders offer you crores of gems as gifts.
tacchrutvā bharatō vākyaṅ śōkēnābhipariplutaḥ.

jagāma manasā rāmaṅ dharmajñō dharmakāṅkṣayā৷৷2.82.9৷৷


dharmajñaḥ knower of duty, bharataḥ Bharata, tat that, vākyam words, śrutvā having heard, śōkēna with distress, abhipariplutaḥ overwhelmed, dharmakāṅkṣayā wishing to abide by righteousness, rāmam Rama, manasā with mind, jagāma reached.

On hearing those words, Bharata who knew his duty was overwhelmed with distress
and, resolved to abide by righteousness, reached Rama through his mind (thought of Rama).
sabāṣpakalayā vācā kalahaṅsasvarō yuvā.

vilalāpa sabhāmadhyē jagarhē ca purōhitam৷৷2.82.10৷৷


kalahaṅsasvaraḥ voice resembling the melodious cackle of a swan, yuvā the young man, sabāṣpakalayā voice choked with sobs, vācā words, sabhāmadhyē in the midst of the assembly, vilalāpa lamented, purōhitam to the family priest Vasistha, jagarhē ca reproached.

Young Bharata with the melodious voice of a swan, choked with tears, lamenting in the assembly, reproached the family priest Vasistha, saying:
caritabrahmacaryasya vidyāsnātasya dhīmataḥ.

dharmē prayatamānasya kō rājyaṅ madvidhō harēt৷৷2.82.11৷৷


caritabrahmacaryasya one who practised brahmacharaya, vidyāsnātasya who is well-versed in all branches of learning, dhīmataḥ of the sagacious, dharmē in righteousness, prayatamānasya endeavouring, rājyam kingdom, madvidhaḥ a man like me, kaḥ who, harēt will seize?

Would any man seize this kingdom which rightfully belongs to sagacious Rama, who practises brahmacharya, who is well-versed in all branches of learning and who endeavours to protect righteousness?
kathaṅ daśarathājjātō bhavēdrājyāpahārakaḥ.

rājyaṅ cāhaṅ ca rāmasya dharmaṅ vaktumihārhasi৷৷2.82.12৷৷


daśarathāt from Dasaratha, jātaḥ born, rājyāpahārakaḥ usurper of the kingdom, katham bhavēt how will he become?, rājyaṅ ca kingdom, ahaṅ ca I also, rāmasya belong to Rama, iha in this matter, dharmam truth, vaktum to tell, arhasi it behoves you.

How can any usurper of the kingdom be born of Dasaratha? Or, how would any
progeny of Dasaratha become the usurper of the kingdom? I and the kingdom, both belong to Rama. You should tell the truth about this.
jyēṣṭha śśrēṣṭhaśca dharmātmā dilīpanahuṣōpamaḥ.

labdhumarhati kākutsthō rājyaṅ daśarathō yathā৷৷2.82.13৷৷


jyēṣṭhaḥ eldest, śrēṣṭhaḥ ca and also eminent, dharmātmā righteous one, dilīpanahuṣōpamaḥ comparable to Dilipa and Nahusha, kākutstha Rama of Kakutstha dynasty, daśarathō yathā like Dasaratha, rājyam kingdom, labdhum to inherit, arhati deserves.

The eldest, eminent and righteous Rama, the scion of the Kakutstha dynasty, who is comparable to Dilipa and Nahusha deserves to inherit this kingdom just as Dasaratha did.
anāryajuṣṭamasvargyaṅ kuryāṅ pāpamahaṅ yadi.

ikṣvākūṇāmahaṅ lōkē bhavēyaṅ kulapāṅsanaḥ৷৷2.82.14৷৷


aham I, anāryajuṣṭam followed by wretched ones, asvargyam not leading to heaven, pāpam sin, kuryāṅ yadi if I do, lōkē in this world, ikṣvākūṇām to the Ikshvaku kings, kulapāṅsanaḥ one who is a disgrace to the family, bhavēyam I shall become.

If I commit this evil act followed by wretched people which would not lead any one to heaven, I shall only be bringing disgrace to the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
yaddhi mātrā kṛtaṅ pāpaṅ nāhaṅ tadapi rōcayē.

ihasthō vanadurgasthaṅ namasyāmi kṛtāñjaliḥ৷৷2.82.15৷৷


mātrā by my mother, yat which, pāpam sin, kṛtam was committed, tat api that one also, aham I, na rōcayē hi do not accept, ihasthaḥ from here, vanadurgastham one staying in impenetrable forest, kṛtāñjaliḥ with folded palms, namasyāmi pay obeisance.

I will never accept the evil deed committed by my mother. From here itself I shall pay
obeisance with folded palms to my brother who dwells in the impenetrable forest.
rāmamēvānugacchāmi rājā sa dvipadāṅ varaḥ.

trayāṇāmapi lōkānāṅ rājyamarhati rāghavaḥ৷৷2.82.16৷৷


rāmamēva Rama alone, anugacchāmi I will follow, dvipadāṅ varaḥ best among men, saḥ he alone, rājā is the king, rāghavaḥ Rama, trayāṇāṅ lōkānām of the three worlds', rājyamapi kingdom, arhati deserves.

I shall follow Rama the best among men. He alone and no one else deserves to rule over the kingdom of the three worlds.
tadvākyaṅ dharmasaṅyuktaṅ śrutvā sarvē sabhāsadaḥ.

harṣānmumucuraśrūṇi rāmē nihitacētasaḥ৷৷2.82.17৷৷


sarvē all, sabhāsadaḥ members of the assembly, dharmasaṅyuktam bound by righteousness, tadvākyam those words, śrutvā having heard, rāmē on Rama, nihitacētasaḥ fixing their thoughts, harṣāt out of joy, aśrūṇi tears, mumucuḥ shed.

Hearing the words of Bharata full of righteousness, all the men assembled there shed tears of joy, thinking of Rama.
yadi tvāryaṅ na śakṣyāmi vinivartayituṅ vanāt.

vanē tatraiva vatsyāmi yathā.ryō lakṣmaṇastathā৷৷2.82.18৷৷


āryam my noble brother, vanāt from the forest, vinivartayitum to bring back, na śakṣyāmi yadi if I am not able, āryaḥ noble brother, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, yathā as, tathā so, tatra there, vanē ēva in the forest itself, vatsyāmi I shall dwell.

If I am not able to bring back my noble brother (Rama) from the forest, I shall also dwell there like my noble brother Lakshmana.
sarvōpāyaṅ tu vartiṣyē vinivartayituṅ balāt.

samakṣamāryamiśrāṇāṅ sādhūnāṅ guṇavartinām৷৷2.82.19৷৷


guṇavartinām of the virtuous, sādhūnām of the pious, āryamiśrāṇām noble ones, samakṣam in the presence, balāt with all force, vinivartayitum to bring back, sarvōpāyam by all means, vartiṣyē I shall attempt.

I shall employ all possible means to bring him back and join you who are respectable, virtuous and pious.
viṣṭikarmāntikā ssarvē mārgaśōdhakarakṣakāḥ.

prasthāpitā mayā pūrvaṅ yatrāpi mama rōcatē৷৷2.82.20৷৷


mārgaśōdhakarakṣakāḥ explorers and protectors of the paths, sarvē all, viṣṭikarmāntikāḥ who work for wages and no wages, mayā by me, pūrvam previously, prasthāpitāḥ have been despatched, mama for me, yātrāpi this journey, rōcatē pleases.

I have already despatched the explorers and protectors of roads who work for wages and without wages as well. It also pleases me to undertake this journey.
ēvamuktvā tu dharmātmā bharatō bhrātṛvatsalaḥ.

samīpasthamuvācēdaṅ sumantraṅ mantrakōvidam৷৷2.82.21৷৷


dharmātmā righteous one, bhrātṛvatsalaḥ a devoted brother, bharataḥ Bharata, ēvam in this way, uktvā tu having uttered, samīpastham standing nearby, mantrakōvidam skilled in counselling, sumantram to Sumantra, idam these words, uvāca said.

Righteous Bharata who was full of devotion towards his brother having uttered thus, addressed the skilful counsellor Sumantra standing nearby:
tūrṇamutthāya gaccha tvaṅ sumantra! mama śāsanāt.

yātrāmājñāpaya kṣipraṅ balaṅ caiva samānaya৷৷2.82.22৷৷


sumantra! Sumantra, mama my, śāsanāt on command, tūrṇam quickly, utthāya after rising, gaccha tvaṅ go, kṣipram speedily, yātrām expedition, ājñāpaya order, balaṅ caiva army also, samānaya bring.

O Sumantra! quickly rise and go. On my authority, order the expedition and let the army be marshalled at once.
ēvamukta ssumantrastu bharatēna mahātmanā.

hṛṣṭastadā.diśatsarvaṅ yathāsandiṣṭamiṣṭavat৷৷2.82.23৷৷


mahātmanā magnanimous, bharatēna by Bharata, ēvam in that way, uktaḥ having been instructed, sumantraḥ Sumantra, hṛṣṭaḥ in delight, tat then, sarvam entirely, yathāsandiṣṭam as has been commanded, iṣṭavat as if he longed, ādiśat ordered.

On hearing the words of the magnanimous Bharata, Sumantra was delighted and as instructed, ordered everything as if he was anxious to do it himself.
tāḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ prakṛtayō balādhyakṣā balasya ca.

śrutvā yātrāṅ samājñaptāṅ rāghavasya nivartanē৷৷2.82.24৷৷


rāghavasya Rama's, nivartanē return, samājñaptām ordered, balasya ca army's, yātrām the expedition, śrutvā having heard, tāḥ those, prakṛtayaḥ subjects, balādhyakṣāḥ chiefs of army, prahṛṣṭāḥ were delighted.

Having come to know that orders were issued to send the army on an expedition to bring back Rama, the subjects and the army chiefs were delighted.
tatō yōdhāṅganā ssarvā bhartrūnsarvāngṛhēgṛhē.

yātrāgamanamājñāya tvarayanti sma harṣitāḥ৷৷2.82.25৷৷


tataḥ thereafter, gṛhēgṛhē in every house, sarvāḥ all, yōdhāṅganāḥ wives of soldiers, yātrāgamanam for expedition, ājñāya having come to know, harṣitāḥ gladly, sarvān all, bhartrūn their husbands, tvarayanti sma hastened them up.

Then, the wives of the soldiers having come to know of the expedition were all delighted and in every household hastened up their husbands.
tē hayairgōrathaiśśīghraissyandanaiśca mahājavaiḥ

saha yōdhairbalādhyakṣā balaṅ sarvamacōdayan৷৷2.82.26৷৷


tē those, balādhyakṣāḥ chiefs of army, hayaiḥ horses, śīghraiḥ fast-moving, gōrathaiḥ bullock carts, mahājavaiḥ of swift, syandanaiśca by chariots, yōdhaiśca saha with soldiers, sarvam all, balam army, acōdayan urged.

Those chiefs of the army urged the soldiers, horses, fast-moving bullock-carts and swift chariots (to move on).
sajjaṅ tu tadbalaṅ dṛṣṭvā bharatō gurusannidhau.

rathaṅ mē tvarayasvēti sumantraṅ pārśvatō.bravīt৷৷2.82.27৷৷


bharataḥ Bharata, sajjam ready, tat balam that army, dṛṣṭvā having seen, gurusannidhau in the presence of the preceptor (Vasistha), pārśvataḥ on his side, sumantram to Sumantra, mē my, ratham chariot, tvarayasva quickly prepare, iti like this, abravīt said.

When Bharata saw that the army was ready, he instructed Sumantra who was standing by the side of the preceptor to quickly prepare his chariot.
bharatasya tu tasyājñāṅ pratigṛhya ca harṣitaḥ.

rathaṅ gṛhītvā prayayau yuktaṅ paramavājibhiḥ৷৷2.82.28৷৷


tasya bharatasya that Bharata's, ājñām command, pratigṛhya having received, harṣitaḥ delighted, paramavājibhiḥ with excellent horses, yuktam harnessed, ratham chariot, gṛhītvā grasping, prayayau
went.

He (Sumantra) received the command of Bharata in great delight and set out with a chariot harnessed with excellent horses.
sa rāghava ssatyadhṛtiḥ pratāpavān bruvan suyuktaṅ dṛḍhasatyavikramaḥ.

guruṅ mahāraṇyagataṅ yaśasvinaṅ prasādayiṣyanbharatō.bravīttadā৷৷2.82.29৷৷


tadā then, rāghavaḥ Bharata, satyadhṛtiḥ firm in truth, pratāpavān valiant, dṛḍhasatyavikramaḥ whose valour comes out of unshakable truth, suyuktam judiciously, bruvan speaking, bharataḥ Bharata, mahāraṇyagatam gone to the great forest, yaśasvinam illustrious, gurum esteemed brother, prasādayiṣyan to propitiate, abravīt said.

Bharata, a descendant of the Raghu race, firm in truth, one whose valour comes out of unswerving truth, speaking judiciously said this to propitiate his esteemed brother who was in the dense forest:
tūrṇaṅ samutthāya sumantra! gaccha balasya yōgāya balapradhānān.

ānētumicchāmi hi taṅ vanasthaṅ prasādya rāmaṅ jagatō hitāya৷৷2.82.30৷৷


sumantra! Sumantra, samutthāya arise, balasya the army's, yōgāya to assemble, balapradhānān to leaders of the army, tūrṇam quickly, gaccha go, vanastham who is in the forest, tam rāmam that Rama, prasādya having appeased, jagataḥ world's, hitāya welfare, ānētum to bring, icchāmi hi am wishing.

O Sumantra, arise, go at once to the leaders of the army and ask them to assemble the troops. I shall propifiate Rama who is in the deep forest and bring him back for the welfare of the world.
sasūtaputrō bharatēna samyagājñāpitassamparipūrṇakāmaḥ.

śaśāsa sarvānprakṛtipradhānānbalasya mukhyāṅśca suhṛjjanaṅ ca৷৷2.82.31৷৷


bharatēna by Bharata, samyak distinctly, ājñāpitaḥ having been ordered, samparipūrṇakāmaḥ with his desire fulfilled, saḥ that, sūtaputraḥ charioteer, sarvān all, prakṛtipradhānān to important subjects, balasya army's, mukhyāṅśca chiefs, suhṛjjanaṅ ca to friends, śaśāsa ordered.

The charioteer categorically commanded by Bharata, his desire fulfilled, communicated the royal mandate to all important subjects, chiefs of army and friends.
tata ssamutthāya kulē kulē tē rājanyavaiśyā vṛṣalāśca viprāḥ.

ayūyujannuṣṭrakharānrathāṅśca nāgānhayāṅścaiva kulaprasūtān৷৷2.82.32৷৷


tataḥ there after, kulē kulē in every household, tē those, rājanyavaiśyāḥ kshatriyas, vaisyas vṛṣalāśca sudras, viprāḥ brahmins, samutthāya after rising up, uṣṭrakharān camels and asses, rathāṅśca chariots, kulaprasūtān born in a good race, nāgān elephants, hayāṅścaiva horses as well, ayūyujan harnessed.

Thereafter, men from every household, kshatriyas, vaisyas, sudras and brahmins came out and harnessed their chariots to the camels and asses, elephants and horses of high pedigree.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē dvyaśītitamassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the eightysecond sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.