Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 16 of 119 · 47 verses
Rama Rides to His Father
Sumantra passes the crowded gate into the guarded inner courtyards, where old chamberlains in ochre with staves leap up to announce him. Rama has him brought in at once. Sumantra finds him on a golden couch, anointed with fragrant sandal red as boar’s blood, Sita beside him holding a whisk, like the moon with the star Chitra. “Fortunate is Kausalya in her son, Rama. Your father and Queen Kaikeyi wish to see you; come without delay.”
Delighted, Rama tells Sita: “Surely the king and queen are consulting together about my consecration. Kaikeyi, who knows the king’s wishes and wants my good, must be urging him on my behalf. Fortunate that he sends Sumantra himself; surely he will consecrate me today. Stay here happily with your attendants.” Sita follows him to the door, invoking blessings: “May the king perform your royal consecration, as Brahma did for Indra. May I see you consecrated, in deerskin, pure, a deer horn in hand. May Indra guard the east for you, Yama the south, Varuna the west and Kubera the north.”
Rama comes out like a lion from a mountain cave and sees Lakshmana waiting at the door with joined palms. He greets the petitioners, mounts his brilliant tiger-skin chariot, thundering like a cloud, and rides out like the moon from a great cloud, Lakshmana behind him holding the whisk. Crowds roar; horses and elephants follow by hundreds; women at the windows shower him with flowers: “Your mother Kausalya must be overjoyed. Sita must have practised great austerity to win Rama, as Rohini won the moon.” The people say: “Today he receives the kingdom by the king’s grace; we who will have him as ruler have every wish fulfilled. No one will ever see sorrow under this king.” Praised like Kubera, Rama rides down the bright royal road crowded with elephants, chariots and people.
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स तदन्तःपुरद्वारं समतीत्य जनाकुलम् । प्रविविक्तां ततः कक्ष्यामाससाद पुराणवित् ॥ १ ॥
Passing that crowded gate of the inner palace, the one who knew ancient ways reached a secluded courtyard,
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प्रासकार्मुकबिभ्रद्भिर्युवभिर्मृष्टकुण्डलैः । अप्रमादिभिरेकाग्रैः स्वानुरक्तैरधिष्ठिताम् ॥ २ ॥
guarded by young men bearing spears and bows, with polished earrings, vigilant, attentive and devoted to their master.
तत्र काषायिणो वृद्धान् वेत्रपाणीन् स्वलंकृतान् । ददर्श विष्ठितान् द्वारि स्त्र्यध्यक्षान् समाहितान् ॥ ३ ॥
There at the door he saw old men in ochre robes with staves in their hands, well adorned, the attentive overseers of the women.
ते समीक्ष्य समायान्तं रामप्रियचिकीर्षवः । सहसोत्पतिताः सर्वे ह्यासनेभ्यः ससम्भ्रमाः ॥ ४ ॥
Seeing him come, all of them, wishing to please Rama, sprang up hastily from their seats.
तानुवाच विनीतात्मा सूतपुत्रः प्रदक्षिणः । क्षिप्रमाख्यात रामाय सुमन्त्रो द्वारि तिष्ठति ॥ ५ ॥
The modest, courteous charioteer’s son said to them: “Tell Rama quickly that Sumantra stands at the door.”
ते राममुपसङ्गम्य भर्तुः प्रियचिकीर्षवः । सहभार्याय रामाय क्षिप्रमेवाचचक्षिरे ॥ ६ ॥
They, wishing to please their master, went to Rama and quickly told Rama, who was with his wife.
प्रतिवेदितमाज्ञाय सूतमभ्यन्तरं पितुः । तत्रैवानाययामास राघवः प्रियकाम्यया ॥ ७ ॥
Learning that the charioteer, intimate with his father, had been announced, Raghava, wishing to please him, had him brought in there.
तं वैश्रवणसंकाशमुपविष्टं स्वलंकृतम् । ददर्श सूतः पर्यङ्के सौवर्णे सोत्तरच्छदे ॥ ८ ॥
The charioteer saw him seated, well adorned, like Vaishravana, on a golden couch with a fine coverlet,
वराहरुधिराभेण शुचिना च सुगन्धिना । अनुलिप्तं परार्घ्येन चन्दनेन परंतपम् ॥ ९ ॥
anointed with pure, fragrant, costly sandal the colour of a boar’s blood, the scorcher of enemies,
स्थितया पार्श्वतश्चापि वालव्यजनहस्तया । उपेतं सीतया भूयश्चित्रया शशिनं यथा ॥ १० ॥
with Sita standing beside him holding a whisk, like the moon with the star Chitra.
तं तपन्तमिवादित्यमुपपन्नं स्वतेजसा । ववन्दे वरदं वन्दी विनयज्ञो विनीतवत् ॥ ११ ॥
The courteous herald, who knew courtesy, saluted the giver of boons, blazing like the sun with his own energy.
प्राञ्जलिः सुमुखं दृष्ट्वा विहारशयनासने । राजपुत्रमुवाचेदं सुमन्त्रो राजसत्कृतः ॥ १२ ॥
With joined palms, seeing him with a gracious face on his couch of ease, Sumantra, honoured by the king, said to the prince:
कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पिता त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छति । महिष्यापि हि कैकेय्या गम्यतां तत्र मा चिरम् ॥ १३ ॥
“Kausalya is fortunate in her son, Rama. Your father and Queen Kaikeyi wish to see you; go there without delay.”
एवमुक्तस्तु संहृष्टो नरसिंहो महाद्युतिः । ततः सम्मानयामास सीतामिदमुवाच ह ॥ १४ ॥
So addressed, the radiant lion among men, delighted, honoured him and then said to Sita:
देवि देवश्च देवी च समागम्य मदन्तरे । मन्त्रयेते ध्रुवं किंचिदभिषेचनसंहितम् ॥ १५ ॥
“Queen, the king and queen, having met, are surely consulting about something to do with my consecration.
लक्षयित्वा ह्यभिप्रायं प्रियकामा सुदक्षिणा । संचोदयति राजानं मदर्थमसितेक्षणा ॥ १६ ॥
“The dark-eyed, clever one, wishing me well, having seen the king’s intent, must be urging the king on my behalf.
सा प्रहृष्टा महाराजं हितकामानुवर्तिनी । जननी चार्थकामा मे केकयाधिपतेः सुता ॥ १७ ॥
“Delighted, following the great king, wishing my good, is my mother, the daughter of the Kekaya king.
दिष्ट्या खलु महाराजो महिष्या प्रियया सह । सुमन्त्रं प्राहिणोद् दूतमर्थकामकरं मम ॥ १८ ॥
“By good fortune the great king, with his beloved queen, has sent Sumantra as his messenger, who works for my good.
यादृशी परिषत् तत्र तादृशो दूत आगतः । ध्रुवमद्यैव मां राजा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति ॥ १९ ॥
“As the council is, so is the messenger who has come. Surely the king will consecrate me as crown prince today.
हन्त शीघ्रमितो गत्वा द्रक्ष्यामि च महीपतिम् । सह त्वं परिवारेण सुखमास्स्व रमस्व च ॥ २० ॥
“Well then, I will go quickly from here and see the lord of the earth. You stay here happily with your attendants and enjoy yourself.”
पतिसम्मानिता सीता भर्तारमसितेक्षणा । आ द्वारमनुवव्राज मङ्गलान्यभिदध्युषी ॥ २१ ॥
Honoured by her husband, dark-eyed Sita followed her husband to the door, speaking auspicious words:
राज्यं द्विजातिभिर्जुष्टं राजसूयाभिषेचनम् । कर्तुमर्हति ते राजा वासवस्येव लोककृत् ॥ २२ ॥
“May the king perform for you the royal consecration of the Rajasuya, honoured by the twice-born, as the maker of the worlds did for Vasava.
दीक्षितं व्रतसम्पन्नं वराजिनधरं शुचिम् । कुरङ्गशृङ्गपाणिं च पश्यन्ती त्वां भजाम्यहम् ॥ २३ ॥
“Seeing you consecrated, observant of vows, wearing the fine deerskin, pure, with a deer’s horn in your hand, may I serve you.
पूर्वां दिशं वज्रधरो दक्षिणां पातु ते यमः । वरुणः पश्चिमामाशां धनेशस्तूत्तरां दिशम् ॥ २४ ॥
“May the thunderbolt-bearer guard the east for you, Yama the south, Varuna the western quarter and the lord of wealth the north.”
अथ सीतामनुज्ञाप्य कृतकौतुकमङ्गलः । निश्चक्राम सुमन्त्रेण सह रामो निवेशनात् ॥ २५ ॥
Then, taking leave of Sita, his auspicious rites performed, Rama came out of the house with Sumantra.
पर्वतादिव निष्क्रम्य सिंहो गिरिगुहाशयः । लक्ष्मणं द्वारि सोऽपश्यत् प्रह्वाञ्जलिपुटं स्थितम् ॥ २६ ॥
Like a lion coming out of a mountain where it sleeps in a cave, he saw Lakshmana standing at the door, bowed with joined palms.
अथ मध्यमकक्ष्यायां समागच्छत् सुहृज्जनैः । स सर्वानर्थिनो दृष्ट्वा समेत्य प्रतिनन्द्य च ॥ २७ ॥
Then in the middle courtyard he met his friends; seeing all the petitioners, he greeted them and gave them joy.
ततः पावकसंकाशमारुरोह रथोत्तमम् । वैयाघ्रं पुरुषव्याघ्रो राजितं राजनन्दनः ॥ २८ ॥
Then the delight of the king, tiger among men, mounted the best of chariots, shining like fire, covered with tiger skin,
मेघनादमसम्बाधं मणिहेमविभूषितम् । मुष्णन्तमिव चक्षूंषि प्रभया मेरुवर्चसम् ॥ २९ ॥
rumbling like a cloud, roomy, adorned with jewels and gold, as if stealing the eyes with its brilliance, radiant as Meru,
करेणुशिशुकल्पैश्च युक्तं परमवाजिभिः । हरियुक्तं सहस्राक्षो रथमिन्द्र इवाशुगम् ॥ ३० ॥
yoked with excellent horses like young elephants, swift as the chariot of the thousand-eyed Indra yoked with bay horses.
प्रययौ तूर्णमास्थाय राघवो ज्वलितः श्रिया । स पर्जन्य इवाकाशे स्वनवानभिनादयन् ॥ ३१ ॥
Raghava set out quickly, blazing with splendour; like a thundercloud in the sky, he went resounding.
निकेतान्निर्ययौ श्रीमान् महाभ्रादिव चन्द्रमाः । चित्रचामरपाणिस्तु लक्ष्मणो राघवानुजः ॥ ३२ ॥
जुगोप भ्रातरं भ्राता रथमास्थाय पृष्ठतः । ततो हलहलाशब्दस्तुमुलः समजायत ॥ ३३ ॥
The glorious one came out of his house like the moon from a great cloud. Lakshmana, Raghava’s younger brother, holding a bright whisk, mounted the chariot behind and guarded his brother. Then a tumultuous uproar arose
तस्य निष्क्रममाणस्य जनौघस्य समन्ततः । ततो हयवरा मुख्या नागाश्च गिरिसंनिभाः ॥ ३४ ॥
अनुजग्मुस्तथा रामं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः । अग्रतश्चास्य संनद्धाश्चन्दनागुरुभूषिताः ॥ ३५ ॥
from the crowds on every side as he came out. Then the finest horses and elephants like mountains followed Rama by hundreds and thousands. In front of him went armoured men, adorned with sandal and aloe,
खड्गचापधराः शूरा जग्मुराशंसवो जनाः । ततो वादित्रशब्दाश्च स्तुतिशब्दाश्च वन्दिनाम् ॥ ३६ ॥
सिंहनादाश्च शूराणां ततः शुश्रुविरे पथि । हर्म्यवातायनस्थाभिर्भूषिताभिः समन्ततः ॥ ३७ ॥
heroes bearing swords and bows, people full of hopes. Then on the road were heard the sounds of instruments, the praises of the panegyrists and the lion-roars of heroes. Showered on every side with masses of fine flowers by adorned women standing at the windows of the mansions,
कीर्यमाणः सुपुष्पौघैर्ययौ स्त्रीभिररिंदमः । रामं सर्वानवद्याङ्ग्यो रामपिप्रीषया ततः ॥ ३८ ॥
वचोभिरग्र्यैर्हर्म्यस्थाः क्षितिस्थाश्च ववन्दिरे । नूनं नन्दति ते माता कौसल्या मातृनन्दन ॥ ३९ ॥
the subduer of enemies went on. Then all the women of flawless limbs, standing on the mansions and on the ground, wishing to please Rama, praised him with the finest words: “Surely your mother Kausalya rejoices, you who delight your mother,
पश्यन्ती सिद्धयात्रं त्वां पित्र्यं राज्यमुपस्थितम् । सर्वसीमन्तिनीभ्यश्च सीतां सीमन्तिनीं वराम् ॥ ४० ॥
अमन्यन्त हि ता नार्यो रामस्य हृदयप्रियाम् । तया सुचरितं देव्या पुरा नूनं महत् तपः ॥ ४१ ॥
“seeing you, your journey successful, approaching your father’s kingdom.” Those women thought Sita, beloved of Rama’s heart, the best of all married women: “Surely that queen practised great austerity before,
रोहिणीव शशाङ्केन रामसंयोगमाप या । इति प्रासादशृङ्गेषु प्रमदाभिर्नरोत्तमः । शुश्राव राजमार्गस्थः प्रिया वाच उदाहृताः ॥ ४२ ॥
“who has gained union with Rama, as Rohini with the moon.” So the best of men, standing on the royal road, heard the loving words spoken by the women on the palace tops.
स राघवस्तत्र तदा प्रलापान् शुश्राव लोकस्य समागतस्य । आत्माधिकारा विविधाश्च वाचः प्रहृष्टरूपस्य पुरे जनस्य ॥ ४३ ॥
Then Raghava heard there the talk of the people who had gathered, and the many words, concerning themselves, of the delighted people of the city:
एष श्रियं गच्छति राघवोऽद्य राजप्रसादाद् विपुलां गमिष्यन् । एते वयं सर्वसमृद्धकामा येषामयं नो भविता प्रशास्ता ॥ ४४ ॥
“Today Raghava goes to great fortune, about to receive it by the king’s grace. All our wishes are fulfilled, we who will have him as our ruler.
लाभो जनस्यास्य यदेष सर्वं प्रपत्स्यते राष्ट्रमिदं चिराय । न ह्यप्रियं किंचन जातु कश्चित् पश्येन्न दुःखं मनुजाधिपेऽस्मिन् ॥ ४५ ॥
“It is the gain of all these people that he will possess this whole kingdom for a long time. No one will ever see anything unpleasant, nor any sorrow, under this lord of men.”
स घोषवद्भिश्च हयैः सनागैः पुरःसरैः स्वस्तिकसूतमागधैः । महीयमानः प्रवरैश्च वादकै- रभिष्टुतो वैश्रवणो यथा ययौ ॥ ४६ ॥
With neighing horses and elephants in front, with heralds, charioteers and bards, honoured by the best musicians and praised, he went on like Vaishravana.
करेणुमातङ्गरथाश्वसंकुलं महाजनौघैः परिपूर्णचत्वरम् । प्रभूतरत्नं बहुपण्यसंचयं ददर्श रामो विमलं महापथम् ॥ ४७ ॥
Rama saw the clear great road, thronged with cow-elephants, elephants, chariots and horses, its squares filled with great crowds of people, with abundant jewels and heaps of many goods.