Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 25 of 119 · 47 verses
A Mother’s Blessing for the Journey
Putting aside her distress and sipping pure water, Kausalya performs the auspicious rites for Rama. “You cannot be held back; go, best of the Raghus, and come back soon, keeping to the path of the good. May the dharma you keep with love and discipline protect you. May the gods you bow to in the shrines protect you in the forest with the great sages. May the weapons wise Vishvamitra gave you protect you. By serving your father and mother and by truth, live long and protected.”
She calls on everything to guard him: the sacrificial fuel, kusha grass and altars, the mountains, trees, shrubs and lakes, birds, snakes and lions; the Sadhyas, Vishvedevas and Maruts with the sages; Dhatri, Vidhatri, Pushan, Bhaga and Aryaman; the world-guardians led by Indra; the six seasons, months, years, nights, days and hours; Shruti, Smriti and Dharma; Skanda, Soma, Brihaspati, the seven sages and Narada; the mountains and oceans, King Varuna, sky, air, earth and wind, the stars and planets, the twilights. “May no rakshasa, pishacha or flesh-eater frighten you; no monkeys, scorpions, gadflies, mosquitoes, reptiles or insects trouble you in the thicket; may elephants, lions, tigers, bears, buffaloes and man-eaters not harm you.” She honours the gods with garlands and perfumes and has a great-souled brahmana make fire offerings of ghee, white garlands, fuel and mustard seed for Rama’s welfare; he makes the peace offering and an outer bali offering, and has brahmanas recite blessings with honey, curd, rice and ghee. She gives the priest his fee.
“May the blessing that came to Indra when he slew Vritra be yours; the blessing Vinata gave Garuda when he sought the nectar; the blessing Aditi gave the thunderbolt-bearer as he slew the daityas; the blessing of Vishnu as he took his three strides.” She places the remains of the offering on his head, anoints him, ties on a protective herb with mantras, and, speaking as if joyful though overcome with grief, kisses his head and embraces him: “Go, Rama, as you please. I shall see you back in Ayodhya, well and successful, like the risen full moon, seated on the throne, your father’s word fulfilled.” Eyes brimming, she walks around him and embraces him again and again. Rama presses his mother’s feet again and again and goes, blazing with splendour, to Sita’s apartments.
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सा विनीय तमायासमुपस्पृश्य जलं शुचि । चकार माता रामस्य मङ्गलानि मनस्विनी ॥ १ ॥
Putting aside that distress and sipping pure water, the high-minded mother of Rama performed the auspicious rites.
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न शक्यसे वारयितुं गच्छेदानीं रघूत्तम । शीघ्रं च विनिवर्तस्व वर्तस्व च सतां क्रमे ॥ २ ॥
“You cannot be stopped; go now, best of the Raghus. Come back quickly, and keep to the path of the good.
यं पालयसि धर्मं त्वं प्रीत्या च नियमेन च । स वै राघवशार्दूल धर्मस्त्वामभिरक्षतु ॥ ३ ॥
“May that dharma which you keep with love and discipline protect you, tiger of the Raghus.
येभ्यः प्रणमसे पुत्र देवेष्वायतनेषु च । ते च त्वामभिरक्षन्तु वने सह महर्षिभिः ॥ ४ ॥
“May those to whom you bow, son, among the gods in the shrines, protect you in the forest with the great sages.
यानि दत्तानि तेऽस्त्राणि विश्वामित्रेण धीमता । तानि त्वामभिरक्षन्तु गुणैः समुदितं सदा ॥ ५ ॥
“May the weapons given you by wise Vishvamitra protect you, endowed as you are with virtues, always.
पितृशुश्रूषया पुत्र मातृशुश्रूषया तथा । सत्येन च महाबाहो चिरं जीवाभिरक्षितः ॥ ६ ॥
“Protected by service to your father, my son, and by service to your mother, and by truth, mighty-armed one, live long.
समित्कुशपवित्राणि वेद्यश्चायतनानि च । स्थण्डिलानि च विप्राणां शैला वृक्षाः क्षुपा ह्रदाः । पतङ्गाः पन्नगाः सिंहास्त्वां रक्षन्तु नरोत्तम ॥ ७ ॥
“May the fuel, kusha grass and sacred strands, the altars and shrines, the brahmanas’ sacrificial grounds, mountains, trees, shrubs and lakes, birds, snakes and lions protect you, best of men.
स्वस्ति साध्याश्च विश्वे च मरुतश्च महर्षिभिः । स्वस्ति धाता विधाता च स्वस्ति पूषा भगोऽर्यमा ॥ ८ ॥
“May the Sadhyas and the Vishvedevas and the Maruts with the great sages give you well-being; may Dhatri and Vidhatri give you well-being, and Pushan, Bhaga and Aryaman;
लोकपालाश्च ते सर्वे वासवप्रमुखास्तथा । ऋतवः षट् च ते सर्वे मासाः संवत्सराः क्षपाः ॥ ९ ॥
दिनानि च मुहूर्ताश्च स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा । श्रुतिः स्मृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः ॥ १० ॥
“and all the guardians of the worlds led by Vasava, all the six seasons, months, years, nights, days and hours give you well-being always. May Shruti, Smriti and Dharma guard you everywhere, my son.
स्कन्दश्च भगवान् देवः सोमश्च सबृहस्पतिः । सप्तर्षयो नारदश्च ते त्वां रक्षन्तु सर्वतः ॥ ११ ॥
“May the blessed god Skanda, and Soma with Brihaspati, the seven sages and Narada protect you everywhere.
ते चापि सर्वतः सिद्धा दिशश्च सदिगीश्वराः । स्तुता मया वने तस्मिन् पान्तु त्वां पुत्र नित्यशः ॥ १२ ॥
“And may the siddhas everywhere and the directions with their lords, praised by me, protect you always in that forest, my son.
शैलाः सर्वे समुद्राश्च राजा वरुण एव च । द्यौरन्तरिक्षं पृथिवी वायुश्च सचराचरः ॥ १३ ॥
नक्षत्राणि च सर्वाणि ग्रहाश्च सह दैवतैः । अहोरात्रे तथा संध्ये पान्तु त्वां वनमाश्रितम् ॥ १४ ॥
“May all the mountains and oceans, and King Varuna, sky, air, earth and wind, with all that moves and does not move, all the stars and planets with the gods, day and night and the two twilights protect you when you live in the forest.
ऋतवश्चापि षट् चान्ये मासाः संवत्सरास्तथा । कलाश्च काष्ठाश्च तथा तव शर्म दिशन्तु ते ॥ १५ ॥
“And may the six seasons, the months and years, the kalas and kashthas give you shelter.
महावनेऽपि चरतो मुनिवेषस्य धीमतः । तथा देवाश्च दैत्याश्च भवन्तु सुखदाः सदा ॥ १६ ॥
“As you wander in the great forest in a sage’s dress, wise one, may the gods and daityas always give you happiness.
राक्षसानां पिशाचानां रौद्राणां क्रूरकर्मणाम् । क्रव्यादानां च सर्वेषां मा भूत् पुत्रक ते भयम् ॥ १७ ॥
“May there be no fear for you, my son, of rakshasas, pishachas, fierce ones of cruel deeds, or any eaters of raw flesh.
प्लवगा वृश्चिका दंशा मशकाश्चैव कानने । सरीसृपाश्च कीटाश्च मा भूवन् गहने तव ॥ १८ ॥
“May monkeys, scorpions, gadflies and mosquitoes in the forest, reptiles and insects, not be in your thicket.
महाद्विपाश्च सिंहाश्च व्याघ्रा ऋक्षाश्च दंष्ट्रिणः । महिषाः शृङ्गिणो रौद्रा न ते द्रुह्यन्तु पुत्रक ॥ १९ ॥
“May great elephants, lions, tigers, fanged bears, and fierce horned buffaloes not harm you, my son.
नृमांसभोजना रौद्रा ये चान्ये सर्वजातयः । मा च त्वां हिंसिषुः पुत्र मया सम्पूजितास्त्विह ॥ २० ॥
“And the fierce eaters of human flesh, and others of every kind, honoured by me here, may they not hurt you, my son.
आगमास्ते शिवाः सन्तु सिध्यन्तु च पराक्रमाः । सर्वसम्पत्तयो राम स्वस्तिमान् गच्छ पुत्रक ॥ २१ ॥
“May your ways be auspicious and your deeds of valour succeed; with every success, Rama, go in well-being, my son.
स्वस्ति तेऽस्त्वान्तरिक्षेभ्यः पार्थिवेभ्यः पुनः पुनः । सर्वेभ्यश्चैव देवेभ्यो ये च ते परिपन्थिनः ॥ २२ ॥
“May there be well-being for you from beings of the air and of the earth, again and again, and from all the gods, and from those who oppose you.
शुक्रः सोमश्च सूर्यश्च धनदोऽथ यमस्तथा । पान्तु त्वामर्चिता राम दण्डकारण्यवासिनम् ॥ २३ ॥
“May Shukra, Soma and Surya, Kubera and Yama, worshipped by me, protect you, Rama, living in the Dandaka forest.
अग्निर्वायुस्तथा धूमो मन्त्राश्चर्षिमुखच्युताः । उपस्पर्शनकाले तु पान्तु त्वां रघुनन्दन ॥ २४ ॥
“May Agni, Vayu and smoke, and the mantras fallen from the mouths of sages, protect you at the time of your ablutions, delight of the Raghus.
सर्वलोकप्रभुर्ब्रह्मा भूतकर्तृ तथर्षयः । ये च शेषाः सुरास्ते तु रक्षन्तु वनवासिनम् ॥ २५ ॥
“May Brahma, lord of all worlds, creator of beings, and the sages, and the other gods protect you living in the forest.”
इति माल्यैः सुरगणान् गन्धैश्चापि यशस्विनी । स्तुतिभिश्चानुरूपाभिरानर्चायतलोचना ॥ २६ ॥
So the glorious, large-eyed one worshipped the hosts of gods with garlands and perfumes and with fitting hymns.
ज्वलनं समुपादाय ब्राह्मणेन महात्मना । हावयामास विधिना राममङ्गलकारणात् ॥ २७ ॥
Bringing fire, she had it fed with offerings according to rule by a great-souled brahmana, for Rama’s well-being.
घृतं श्वेतानि माल्यानि समिधश्चैव सर्षपान् । उपसम्पादयामास कौसल्या परमाङ्गना ॥ २८ ॥
Kausalya, best of women, provided ghee, white garlands, fuel and mustard seed.
उपाध्यायः स विधिना हुत्वा शान्तिमनामयम् । हुतहव्यावशेषेण बाह्यं बलिमकल्पयत् ॥ २९ ॥
The priest, having made according to rule the offering for peace and health, made an outer bali offering with the remains of the oblation.
मधुदध्यक्षतघृतैः स्वस्तिवाच्यं द्विजांस्ततः । वाचयामास रामस्य वने स्वस्त्ययनक्रियाम् ॥ ३० ॥
Then with honey, curd, unbroken rice and ghee, she had the brahmanas recite blessings, the rite for Rama’s safe journey in the forest.
ततस्तस्मै द्विजेन्द्राय राममाता यशस्विनी । दक्षिणां प्रददौ काम्यां राघवं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३१ ॥
Then Rama’s glorious mother gave that chief brahmana the fee he wished, and said this to Raghava:
यन्मङ्गलं सहस्राक्षे सर्वदेवनमस्कृते । वृत्रनाशे समभवत् तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम् ॥ ३२ ॥
“The blessing that came to the thousand-eyed one, honoured by all the gods, at the slaying of Vritra, may that blessing be yours.
यन्मङ्गलं सुपर्णस्य विनताकल्पयत् पुरा । अमृतं प्रार्थयानस्य तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम् ॥ ३३ ॥
“The blessing Vinata prepared long ago for Suparna as he sought the nectar, may that blessing be yours.
अमृतोत्पादने दैत्यान् घ्नतो वज्रधरस्य यत् । अदितिर्मङ्गलं प्रादात् तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम् ॥ ३४ ॥
“The blessing Aditi gave the thunderbolt-bearer as he slew the daityas at the producing of the nectar, may that blessing be yours.
त्रिविक्रमान् प्रक्रमतो विष्णोरतुलतेजसः । यदासीन्मङ्गलं राम तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम् ॥ ३५ ॥
“The blessing that was Vishnu’s, of matchless splendour, as he took his three strides, Rama, may that blessing be yours.
ऋषयः सागरा द्वीपा वेदा लोका दिशश्च ते । मङ्गलानि महाबाहो दिशन्तु शुभमङ्गलम् ॥ ३६ ॥
“May the sages, the oceans, the continents, the Vedas, the worlds and the directions grant you blessings, mighty-armed one, auspicious blessings.”
इति पुत्रस्य शेषाश्च कृत्वा शिरसि भामिनी । गन्धैश्चापि समालभ्य राममायतलोचना ॥ ३७ ॥
औषधीं च सुसिद्धार्थां विशल्यकरणीं शुभाम् । चकार रक्षां कौसल्या मन्त्रैरभिजजाप च ॥ ३८ ॥
So the passionate, large-eyed woman put the remains on her son’s head, anointed Rama with perfumes, and with a well-prepared, auspicious herb that heals wounds, Kausalya made a protective amulet and chanted mantras over it.
उवाचापि प्रहृष्टेव सा दुःखवशवर्तिनी । वाङ्मात्रेण न भावेन वाचा संसज्जमानया ॥ ३९ ॥
Though in the power of sorrow, she spoke as if delighted, with words only, not with feeling, her voice catching.
आनम्य मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय परिष्वज्य यशस्विनी । अवदत् पुत्रमिष्टार्थो गच्छ राम यथासुखम् ॥ ४० ॥
Bending him down, kissing his head and embracing him, the glorious one said to her son: “Your wish attained, go, Rama, as you please.
अरोगं सर्वसिद्धार्थमयोध्यां पुनरागतम् । पश्यामि त्वां सुखं वत्स संधितं राजवर्त्मसु ॥ ४१ ॥
“May I see you back in Ayodhya, well, all your aims achieved, happy, my child, established on the royal roads.
प्रणष्टदुःखसंकल्पा हर्षविद्योतितानना । द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां वनात् प्राप्तं पूर्णचन्द्रमिवोदितम् ॥ ४२ ॥
“Rid of thoughts of sorrow, my face lit with joy, I shall see you come back from the forest like the risen full moon.
भद्रासनगतं राम वनवासादिहागतम् । द्रक्ष्यामि च पुनस्त्वां तु तीर्णवन्तं पितुर्वचः ॥ ४३ ॥
“And I shall see you again, Rama, seated on the throne, come back here from your life in the forest, having fulfilled your father’s word.
मङ्गलैरुपसम्पन्नो वनवासादिहागतः । वध्वाश्च मम नित्यं त्वं कामान् संवर्ध याहि भोः ॥ ४४ ॥
“Blessed with good fortune, come back here from your forest life, and always increase the wishes of my daughter-in-law and mine. Go now.
मयार्चिता देवगणाः शिवादयो महर्षयो भूतगणाः सुरोरगाः । अभिप्रयातस्य वनं चिराय ते हितानि कांक्षन्तु दिशश्च राघव ॥ ४५ ॥
“May the hosts of gods worshipped by me, led by Shiva, the great sages, the hosts of beings, the gods and serpents, and the directions seek your good, Raghava, as you go for a long time to the forest.”
अतीव चाश्रुप्रतिपूर्णलोचना समाप्य च स्वस्त्ययनं यथाविधि । प्रदक्षिणं चापि चकार राघवं पुनः पुनश्चापि निरीक्ष्य सस्वजे ॥ ४६ ॥
With eyes brimming with tears, having completed the rite for the journey according to rule, she walked around Raghava in reverence, and, looking at him again and again, embraced him.
तया हि देव्या च कृतप्रदक्षिणो निपीड्य मातुश्चरणौ पुनः पुनः । जगाम सीतानिलयं महायशाः स राघवः प्रज्वलितस्तया श्रिया ॥ ४७ ॥
Having been circled reverently by the queen, and pressing his mother’s feet again and again, the greatly renowned Raghava, blazing with that splendour, went to Sita’s dwelling.