Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 52 of 119 · 102 verses
Crossing the Ganga
At dawn Rama says: “The night is gone; the black koel sings and the peacocks call in the forest. Let us cross the swift Jahnavi.” Guha has his ministers bring a fine, strong boat with a helmsman. Rama and Lakshmana put on their quivers and swords. Sumantra asks, “What shall I do?” Rama, touching him with his right hand, says: “Go back quickly to the king, Sumantra, and be watchful. Turn back; I have done with the chariot; I go on foot into the great forest.” Sumantra protests: no one has ever had to live in the forest like a common man as you do with your brother and wife; if this calamity can befall you, there is no fruit in chastity, study, gentleness or honesty. Seeing Rama going so far, he weeps for a long time.
Rama, calm again, says: “I see no friend of the Ikshvakus equal to you. Act so that King Dasharatha does not grieve for me. He is old, his mind struck by grief, sunk under the weight of desire. Whatever he orders to please Kaikeyi, do it without hesitation; kings rule so that their will is not obstructed. Tell the king, with my salutations: I do not grieve, nor does Lakshmana or Maithili, for having left Ayodhya or living in the forest. When fourteen years have passed, you will see us back. Give my love to the king, my mother, the other queens and Kaikeyi; tell Kausalya we are well and touch her feet for Sita, for me and for Lakshmana. Tell the great king to bring Bharata quickly and place him in the office he desires. Embracing Bharata and consecrating him as crown prince will free him from his grief over us. And tell Bharata: treat all the mothers alike as you treat the king; as Kaikeyi and Sumitra, so especially Kausalya, my mother.” Sumantra, wasted with grief, begs to come: “How can I go back to that city without you? Seeing the empty chariot, the city would break like an army that has lost its hero. What shall I tell your mother, that I took you to your uncle’s house? I cannot tell such a lie. Let me follow you into the forest, or I will enter the fire with the chariot the moment you abandon me. I will drive off with the chariot any creatures that disturb your austerities.” Rama, compassionate to servants, says: “I know your devotion. But I send you back so that when Kaikeyi sees you return she will be convinced that Rama has gone to the forest, and will not suspect the righteous king of lying. My first wish is that my younger mother may have her son’s kingdom, guarded by Bharata. For my sake and the king’s, go back with the chariot and tell each one what I have said.”
Then he tells Guha: “It is not right for me to live in a peopled place; I must live in a hermitage and keep its discipline. I will take the vows that adorn ascetics. Bring the milk of the banyan.” With it Rama makes matted locks for Lakshmana and himself; in bark, with crowns of matted hair, the two brothers shine like sages. Taking up the forest hermit’s path, he tells Guha: “Be watchful over your army, treasury, forts and country; a kingdom is very hard to guard.” He takes leave and goes to the boat. Lakshmana helps Sita in first, then climbs in, and Rama after. Guha urges on his kinsmen. Rama recites prayers for his welfare, as brahmanas and kshatriyas do, sips water, and bows to the river with Sita and Lakshmana. The boat, driven by the oars, crosses swiftly. In midstream Sita, with joined palms, prays to the river: “May this son of the wise great king Dasharatha fulfil this command, protected by you, Ganga. After living fourteen full years in the forest, he will return with his brother and me. Then, having come back safely, fortunate goddess, I will worship you joyfully, for the fulfilment of every wish. You flow in three paths and look upon Brahma’s world, and appear in this world as the wife of the ocean king. I bow to you and praise you. When the tiger among men has returned and regained the kingdom, I will give brahmanas a hundred thousand cows, clothes and fine food to please you; and, returned to the city, I will worship you with a thousand jars of liquor and with meat and rice. I will worship all the deities, sacred fords and shrines on your banks. May the sinless, mighty-armed one enter Ayodhya again with me and his brother after his forest life, sinless goddess.” Speaking so, she quickly reaches the south bank. Rama tells Lakshmana: “Guard us in peopled and unpeopled places alike. In the unknown, lonely forest we must be guarded. Go in front, Saumitri; let Sita follow you; I will go behind, protecting you both. Today Vaidehi will learn what forest life means: a forest without people, without fields or gardens, rough and full of precipices.” Lakshmana goes first, Sita next, Rama behind. Sumantra, watching Rama reach the far bank, his gaze turned back by the distance, weeps. The great soul, having crossed the great river, comes in time to the rich land of the Vatsas, garlanded with fine crops. There the two kill four large animals, a boar, a rishya, a prishata and a great ruru, and, hungry, taking the pure meat, go at evening to a large tree to rest.
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प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां पृथुवृक्षा महायशाः । उवाच रामः सौमित्रिं लक्ष्मणं शुभलक्षणम् ॥ १ ॥
When night had dawned, the broad-chested, glorious Rama said to Lakshmana Saumitri of auspicious marks:
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Crossing the Ganga 1 min read.
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भास्करोदयकालोऽयं गता भगवती निशा । असौ सुकृष्णो विहगः कोकिलस्तात कूजति ॥ २ ॥
“This is the time of sunrise; the blessed night has gone. That jet-black bird, the koel, is singing, my dear.
बर्हिणानां च निर्घोषः श्रूयते नदतां वने । तराम जाह्नवीं सौम्य शीघ्रगां सागरंगमाम् ॥ ३ ॥
“And the cries of the peacocks calling in the forest are heard. Let us cross the swift Jahnavi, gentle one, which goes to the sea.”
विज्ञाय रामस्य वचः सौमित्रिर्मिंत्रनन्दनः । गुहमामन्त्र्य सूतं च सोऽतिष्ठद्भ्रातुरग्रतः ॥ ४ ॥
Understanding Rama’s words, Saumitri, delight of his friends, called Guha and the charioteer and stood before his brother.
स तु रामस्य वचनं निशम्य प्रतिगृह्य च । स्थपतिस्तूर्णमाहूय सचिवानिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ५ ॥
Hearing and accepting Rama’s words, the chieftain quickly called his ministers and said:
अस्य वाहनसंयुक्तां कर्णग्राहवतीं शुभाम् । सुप्रतारां दृढां तीर्थे शीघ्रं नावमुपाहर ॥ ६ ॥
“Quickly bring a fine boat to the ford for him, with its oarsmen and a helmsman, easy to cross in and strong.”
तं निशम्य समादेशं गुहामात्यगणो महान् । उपोह्य रुचिरां नावं गुहाय प्रत्यवेदयत् ॥ ७ ॥
Hearing that order, Guha’s great company of ministers brought a lovely boat and reported it to Guha.
ततः सप्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा गुहो राघवमब्रवीत् । उपस्थितेयं नौर्देव भूयः किं करवाणि ते ॥ ८ ॥
Then Guha, with joined palms, said to Raghava: “Here is the boat, lord; what more shall I do for you?
तवामरसुतप्रख्य तर्तुं सागरगां नदीम् । नौरियं पुरुषव्याघ्र तां त्वमारोह सुव्रत ॥ ९ ॥
“Here is the boat to cross the river that goes to the sea, you who are like a son of the immortals, tiger among men; board it, you of good vows.”
अथोवाच महातेजा रामो गुहमिदं वचः । कृतकामोऽस्मि भवता शीघ्रमारोप्यतामिति ॥ १० ॥
Then the radiant Rama said to Guha: “You have fulfilled my wish; let us be put aboard quickly.”
ततः कलापान्संनह्य खड्गौ बद्ध्वा च धन्विनौ । जग्मतुर्येन तौ गङ्गां सीतया सह राघवौ ॥ ११ ॥
Then the two bowmen, binding on their quivers and fastening their swords, went with Sita toward the Ganga.
राममेव तु धर्मज्ञमुपगम्य विनीतवत् । किमहं करवाणीति सूतः प्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत् ॥ १२ ॥
Approaching righteous Rama humbly, the charioteer said with joined palms: “What shall I do?”
ततोऽब्रवीद्दाशरथिः सुमन्त्रं स्पृशन्करेणोत्तमदक्षिणेन । सुमन्त्र शीघ्रं पुनरेव याहि राज्ञः सकाशे भवचाप्रमत्तः ॥ १३ ॥
Then the son of Dasharatha, touching Sumantra with his excellent right hand, said: “Sumantra, go back quickly to the king, and be watchful.”
निवर्तस्वेत्युवाचैनमेतावद्धि कृतं मम । रथं विहाय पद्भ्यां तु गमिष्यामो महावनम् ॥ १४ ॥
“Turn back,” he said to him; “this much you have done for me. Leaving the chariot, we will go on foot to the great forest.”
आत्मानं त्वभ्यनुज्ञातमवेक्ष्यार्तः स सारथिः । सुमन्त्रः पुरुषव्याघ्रमैक्ष्वाकमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ १५ ॥
Seeing himself dismissed, the charioteer Sumantra, distressed, said to the Ikshvaku tiger among men:
नातिक्रान्तमिदं लोके पुरुषेणेह केनचित् । तव सभ्रातृभार्यस्य वासः प्राकृतवद् वने ॥ १६ ॥
“No man in the world has ever had to undergo this: your living in the forest like a common man, with your brother and wife.
न मन्ये ब्रह्मचर्येऽस्ति स्वधीते वा फलोदयः । मार्दवार्जवयोर्वापि त्वां चेद् व्यसनमागतम् ॥ १७ ॥
“I do not think there is any fruit in chastity, in good study, or in gentleness and honesty, if this calamity has come upon you.
सह राघव वैदेह्या भ्रात्रा चैव वने वसन् । त्वं गतिं प्राप्स्यसे वीर त्रीम्ल्लोकांस्तु जयन्निव ॥ १८ ॥
“Living in the forest with Vaidehi and your brother, Raghava, you will attain a state as though conquering the three worlds, hero.
वयं खलु हता राम ये त्वयाप्युपवञ्चिताः । कैकेय्या वशमेष्यामः पापाया दुःखभागिनः ॥ १९ ॥
“We are indeed ruined, Rama, deceived by her; we will fall into the power of wicked Kaikeyi, sharers in sorrow.”
इति ब्रुवन्नात्मसमं सुमन्त्रः सारथिस्तदा । दृष्ट्वा दूरगतं रामं दुःखार्तो रुरुदे चिरम् ॥ २० ॥
Saying this to one he regarded as himself, the charioteer Sumantra, seeing Rama so far gone, wept long in sorrow.
ततस्तु विगते बाष्पे सूतं स्पृष्टोदकं शुचिम् । रामस्तु मधुरं वाक्यं पुनः पुनरुवाच तम् ॥ २१ ॥
Then, when his tears had stopped, Rama, having touched water and become pure, spoke sweet words to the charioteer again and again:
इक्ष्वाकूणां त्वया तुल्यं सुहृदं नोपलक्षये । यथा दशरथो राजा मां न शोचेत्तथा कुरु ॥ २२ ॥
“I see no friend of the Ikshvakus equal to you. Act so that King Dasharatha does not grieve for me.
शोकोपहतचेताश्च वृद्धश्च जगतीपतिः । कामभारावसन्नश्च तस्मादेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ २३ ॥
“The lord of the world is old, his mind struck by grief, and sunk under the burden of desire; that is why I tell you this.
यद् यदाज्ञापयेत्किंचित्स महात्मा महीपतिः । कैकेय्याः प्रियकामार्थं कार्यं तदविकाङ्क्षया ॥ २४ ॥
“Whatever that great-souled lord of the earth commands, to please Kaikeyi, it must be done without hesitation.
एतदर्थं हि राज्यानि प्रशासति नरेश्वराः । यदेषां सर्वकृत्येषु मनो न प्रतिहन्यते ॥ २५ ॥
“For this is why lords of men govern kingdoms: so that their minds are not obstructed in any task.
यद्यथा स महाराजो नालीकमधिगच्छति । न च ताम्यति दुःखेन सुमन्त्र कुरु तत् तथा ॥ २६ ॥
“So act, Sumantra, that the great king does not fall into falsehood and is not tormented by sorrow.
अदृष्टदुःखं राजानं वृद्धमार्यं जितेन्द्रियम् । ब्रूयास्त्वमभिवाद्यैव मम हेतोरिदं वचः ॥ २७ ॥
“To the king, who has never seen sorrow, old, noble, master of his senses, saluting him, say these words for my sake:
न एवाहमनुशोचामि लक्ष्मणो न च मैथिली । अयोध्यायाश्च्युताश्चेति वने वत्स्यामहेति वा ॥ २८ ॥
“’I do not grieve, nor does Lakshmana, nor Maithili, at being cast out of Ayodhya or because we shall live in the forest.
चतुर्दशसु वर्षेषु निवृत्तेषु पुनः पुनः । लक्ष्मणं मां च सीतां च द्रक्ष्यसि क्षिप्रमागतान् ॥ २९ ॥
“’When the fourteen years have passed, you will quickly see Lakshmana, me and Sita come back again.’
एवमुक्त्वा तु राजानं मातरं च सुमन्त्र मे । अन्याश्च देवीः सहिताः कैकेयीं च पुनः पुनः ॥ ३० ॥
आरोग्यं ब्रूहि कौसल्यामथ पादाभिवन्दनम् । सीताया मम चार्यस्य वचनाल्लक्ष्मणस्य च ॥ ३१ ॥
“Having said this to the king, and to my mother, Sumantra, and to the other queens together, and to Kaikeyi again and again, tell Kausalya we are well, and give her salutations at her feet from Sita, from me, the noble one, and from Lakshmana.
ब्रूयाश्च हि महाराजं भरतं क्षिप्रमानय । आगतश्चापि भरतः स्थाप्यो नृपमते पदे ॥ ३२ ॥
“And tell the great king to bring Bharata quickly; and when Bharata has come, let him be placed in the position the king wishes.
भरतं च परिष्वज्य यौवराज्येऽभिषिच्य च । अस्मत्संतापजं दुःखं न त्वामभिभविष्यति ॥ ३३ ॥
“Having embraced Bharata and consecrated him as crown prince, the sorrow born of grief for us will not overpower you.
भरतश्चापि वक्तव्यो यथा राजनि वर्तसे । तथा मातृषु वर्तेथाः सर्वास्वेवाविशेषतः ॥ ३४ ॥
“And Bharata must be told: as you behave toward the king, so behave toward all the mothers, without distinction.
यथा च तव कैकेयी सुमित्रा चाविशेषतः । तथैव देवी कौसल्या मम माता विशेषतः ॥ ३५ ॥
“As Kaikeyi is to you, and Sumitra, without distinction, so, and especially, is Queen Kausalya, my mother.
तातस्य प्रियकामेन यौवराज्यमवेक्षता । लोकयोरुभयोः शक्यं नित्यदा सुखमेधितुम् ॥ ३६ ॥
“By wishing to please our father and accepting the position of crown prince, you can prosper happily in both worlds.”
निवर्त्यमानो रामेण सुमन्त्रः शोककर्शितः । तत्सर्वं वचनं श्रुत्वा स्नेहात्काकुत्स्थमब्रवीत् ॥ ३७ ॥
Being sent back by Rama, Sumantra, worn with grief, having heard all those words, spoke lovingly to Kakutstha:
यदहं नोपचारेण ब्रूयां स्नेहादविक्लवः । भक्तिमानिति तत्तावद्वाक्यं त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥ ३८ ॥
“What I may say, not in courtly fashion but out of love, unashamed, you should forgive, knowing that I am devoted.
कथं हि त्वद्विहीनोऽहं प्रतियास्यामि तां पुरीम् । तव तात वियोगेन पुत्रशोकाकुलामिव ॥ ३९ ॥
“How can I, without you, go back to that city, which is as if overwhelmed by grief for a son through separation from you, my dear?
सराममपि तावन्मे रथं दृष्ट्वा तदा जनः । विना रामं रथं दृष्ट्वा विदीर्येतापि सा पुरी ॥ ४० ॥
“Seeing my chariot then with Rama in it, the people... and seeing the chariot without Rama, that city might burst apart.
दैन्यं हि नगरी गच्छेद् दृष्ट्वा शून्यमिमं रथम् । सूतावशेषं स्वं सैन्यं हतवीरमिवाहवे ॥ ४१ ॥
“The city would fall into dejection, seeing this empty chariot, like an army with only its charioteer left, its hero slain in battle.
दूरेऽपि निवसन्तं त्वां मानसेनाग्रतः स्थितम् । चिन्तयन्त्योऽद्य नूनं त्वां निराहाराः कृताः प्रजाः ॥ ४२ ॥
“Thinking of you, though you live far away, as standing before them in their minds, surely the people have gone without food today.
दृष्टं तद्धि त्वया राम यादृशं त्वत्प्रवासने । प्रजानां संकुलं वृत्तं त्वच्छोकक्लान्तचेतसाम् ॥ ४३ ॥
“You saw, Rama, what the people’s confused state was at your exile, their minds weary with grief for you.
आर्तनादो हि यः पौरैर्मुक्तस्त्वद्विप्रवासने । सरथं मां निशाम्यैव कुर्युः शतगुणं ततः ॥ ४४ ॥
“The cry of distress the citizens let out at your going, they would make a hundred times greater just on seeing me in the chariot.
अहं किं चापि वक्ष्यामि देवीं तव सुतो मया । नीतोऽसौ मातुलकुलं संतापं मा कृथा इति ॥ ४५ ॥
“And what shall I say to the queen? ‘Your son was taken by me to his uncle’s family; do not grieve’?
असत्यमपि नैवाहं ब्रूयां वचनमीदृशम् । कथमप्रियमेवाहं ब्रूयां सत्यमिदं वचः ॥ ४६ ॥
“I could never speak such untrue words. How then could I speak this true word, which is so unwelcome?
मम तावन्नियोगस्थास्त्वद्बन्धुजनवाहिनः । कथं रथं त्वया हीनं प्रवक्ष्यन्ति हयोत्तमाः ॥ ४७ ॥
“These fine horses, obedient to me, which carry your kinsmen: how will they draw the chariot without you?
तन्न शक्ष्याम्यहं गन्तुमयोध्यां त्वदृतेऽनघ । वनवासानुयानाय मामनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥ ४८ ॥
“So I cannot go to Ayodhya without you, sinless one. You should permit me to follow you into forest life.
यदि मे याचमानस्य त्यागमेव करिष्यसि । सरथोऽग्निं प्रवेक्ष्यामि त्यक्तमात्र इह त्वया ॥ ४९ ॥
“If, though I beg, you abandon me, I will enter fire with the chariot the moment I am abandoned by you here.
भविष्यन्ति वने यानि तपोविघ्नकराणि ते । रथेन प्रतिबाधिष्ये तानि सत्त्वानि राघव ॥ ५० ॥
“Whatever creatures there may be in the forest that obstruct your austerities, Raghava, I will drive them off with the chariot.
त्वत्कृतेन मया प्राप्तं रथचर्याकृतं सुखम् । आशंसे त्वत्कृतेनाहं वनवासकृतं सुखम् ॥ ५१ ॥
“Through you I have had the happiness of driving the chariot; through you I hope for the happiness of living in the forest.
प्रसीदेच्छामि तेऽरण्ये भवितुं प्रत्यनन्तरः । प्रीत्याभिहितमिच्छामि भव मे पत्यनन्तरः ॥ ५२ ॥
“Be gracious; I wish to be near you in the forest. I wish you to say lovingly: ‘Be near me.’
इमे चापि हया वीर यदि ते वनवासिनः । परिचर्यां करिष्यन्ति प्राप्स्यन्ति परमां गतिम् ॥ ५३ ॥
“And these horses, hero, if they serve you living in the forest, will reach the highest state.
तव शुश्रूषणं मूर्ध्ना करिष्यामि वने वसन् । अयोध्यां देवलोकं वा सर्वथा प्रजहाम्यहम् ॥ ५४ ॥
“Living in the forest I will serve you with my head bowed. I give up Ayodhya, or even the world of the gods, entirely.
न हि शक्या प्रवेष्टुं सा मयायोध्या त्वया विना । राजधानी महेन्द्रस्य यथा दुष्कृतकर्मणा ॥ ५५ ॥
“For I cannot enter that Ayodhya without you, as an evildoer cannot enter the capital of great Indra.
वनवासे क्षयं प्राप्ते ममैष हि मनोरथः । यदनेन रथेनैव त्वां वहेयं पुरीं पुनः ॥ ५६ ॥
“When the forest life comes to an end, this is my wish: that in this very chariot I may carry you back to the city.
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि सहितस्य त्वया वने । क्षणभूतानि यास्यन्ति शतसंख्यान्यतोऽन्यथा ॥ ५७ ॥
“With you in the forest, the fourteen years will pass like moments; otherwise they will be like hundreds of years.
भृत्यवत्सल तिष्ठन्तं भर्तृपुत्रगते पथि । भक्तं भृत्यं स्थितं स्थित्यां त्वं न मां हातुमर्हसि ॥ ५८ ॥
“Lover of your servants, you should not abandon me, a devoted servant who stands on the path your master’s son has taken, steadfast in my place.”
एवं बहुविधं दीनं याचमानं पुनः पुनः । रामो भृत्यानुकम्पी तु सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ५९ ॥
To Sumantra, begging so wretchedly again and again in many ways, Rama, compassionate to servants, said:
जानामि परमां भक्तिं मयि ते भर्तृवत्सल । शृणु चापि यदर्थं त्वां प्रेषयामि पुरीमितः ॥ ६० ॥
“I know your supreme devotion to me, you who love your master. Hear also why I send you from here to the city.
नगरीं त्वां गतं दृष्ट्वा जननी मे यवीयसी । कैकेयी प्रत्ययं गच्छेदिति रामो वनं गतः ॥ ६१ ॥
“Seeing you come back to the city, my younger mother Kaikeyi may be convinced that Rama has gone to the forest.
परितुष्टा हि सा देवि वनवासं गते मयि । राजानं नातिशङ्केत मिथ्यावादीति धार्मिकम् ॥ ६२ ॥
“And the queen, well pleased with my having gone to forest life, will not suspect the righteous king of being a liar.
एष मे प्रथमः कल्पो यदम्बा मे यवीयसी । भरतारक्षितं स्फीतं पुत्रराज्यमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ६३ ॥
“This is my first wish: that my younger mother may obtain her son’s prosperous kingdom, guarded by Bharata.
मम प्रियार्थं राज्ञश्च सरथस्त्वं पुरीं व्रज । संदिष्टश्चासि यानर्थांस्तांस्तान्ब्रूयास्तथा तथा ॥ ६४ ॥
“For my sake and the king’s, go to the city with the chariot, and tell each one the things you have been charged to say.”
इत्युक्त्वा वचनं सूतं सान्त्वयित्वा पुनः पुनः । गुहं वचनमक्लीबो रामो हेतुमदब्रवीत् ॥ ६५ ॥
Having said this to the charioteer and comforted him again and again, Rama spoke firm, reasoned words to Guha:
नेदानीं गुह योग्योऽयं वासो मे सजने वने । अवश्यं ह्याश्रमे वासः कर्तव्यस्तद्गतो विधिः ॥ ६६ ॥
“It is not fitting now, Guha, for me to live in a forest among people. I must surely live in a hermitage and follow its rules.
सोऽहं गृहीत्वा नियमं तपस्विजनभूषणम् । हितकामः पितुर्भूयः सीताया लक्ष्मणस्य च ॥ ६७ ॥
“So I, taking the discipline that adorns ascetics, again for the good of my father, of Sita and of Lakshmana,
जटाः कृत्वा गमिष्यामि न्यग्रोधक्षीरमानय । तत्क्षीरं राजपुत्राय गुहः क्षिप्रमुपाहरत् ॥ ६८ ॥
“will make matted locks and go. Bring the milk of the banyan.” Guha quickly brought that milk to the prince.
लक्ष्मणस्यात्मनश्चैव रामस्तेनाकरोज्जटाः । दीर्घबाहुर्नरव्याघ्रो जटिलत्वमधारयत् ॥ ६९ ॥
With it Rama made matted locks for Lakshmana and for himself; the long-armed tiger among men took on matted hair.
तौ तदा चीरवसनौ जटामण्डलधारिणौ । अशोभेतामृषिसमौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥ ७० ॥
Then the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, wearing bark and bearing crowns of matted hair, shone like sages.
ततो वैखानसं मार्गमास्थितः सहलक्ष्मणः । व्रतमादिष्टवान्रामः सहायं गुहमब्रवीत् ॥ ७१ ॥
Then, having taken up the path of the Vaikhanasas with Lakshmana, Rama, having undertaken the vow, said to his helper Guha:
अप्रमत्तो बले कोशे दुर्गे जनपदे तथा । भवेथा गुह राज्यं हि दुरारक्षतमं मतम् ॥ ७२ ॥
“Be watchful, Guha, over the army, the treasury, the fort and the country; for a kingdom is held to be the hardest thing to guard.”
ततस्तं समनुज्ञाय गुहमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः । जगाम तूर्णमव्यग्रः सभार्यः सहलक्ष्मणः ॥ ७३ ॥
Then, taking leave of Guha, the delight of the Ikshvakus went quickly, calm, with his wife and with Lakshmana.
स तु दृष्ट्वा नदीतीरे नावमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः । तितीर्षुः शीघ्रगां गङ्गामिदं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् ॥ ७४ ॥
Seeing the boat at the river’s edge, the delight of the Ikshvakus, wishing to cross the swift Ganga, said to Lakshmana:
आरोह त्वं नरव्याघ्र स्थितां नावमिमां शनैः । सीतां चारोपयान्वक्षं परिगृह्य मनस्विनीम् ॥ ७५ ॥
“Board this boat that stands here, slowly, tiger among men, and help high-minded Sita aboard, holding her, close behind.”
स भ्रातुः शासनं श्रुत्वा सर्वमप्रतिकूलयन् । आरोप्य मैथिलीं पूर्वमारुरोहात्मवांस्ततः ॥ ७६ ॥
Hearing his brother’s command and opposing nothing, the self-possessed one first helped Maithili aboard and then boarded himself.
अथारुरोह तेजस्वी स्वयं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः । ततो निषादाधिपतिर्गुहो ज्ञातीनचोदयत् ॥ ७७ ॥
Then the radiant elder brother of Lakshmana himself boarded. Then Guha, lord of the Nishadas, urged on his kinsmen.
राघवोऽपि महातेजा नावमारुह्य तां ततः । ब्रह्मवत्क्षत्रवच्चैव जजाप हितमात्मनः ॥ ७८ ॥
The radiant Raghava, having boarded the boat, then recited prayers for his own welfare, in the manner of brahmanas and of kshatriyas.
आचम्य च यथाशास्त्रं नदीं तां सह सीतया । प्राणमत्प्रीतिसंहृष्टो लक्ष्मणश्चामितप्रभः ॥ ७९ ॥
Having sipped water as the scriptures prescribe, he bowed to the river with Sita, delighted with joy, and Lakshmana of boundless radiance too.
अनुज्ञाय सुमन्त्रं च सबलं चैव तं गुहम् । आस्थाय नावं रामस्तु चोदयामास नाविकान् ॥ ८० ॥
Taking leave of Sumantra and of Guha with his men, Rama, seated in the boat, urged the boatmen on.
ततस्तैश्चोदिता सा नौः कर्णधारसमाहिता । शुभस्फ्यवेगाभिहता शीघ्रं सलिलमत्यगात् ॥ ८१ ॥
Then, urged by them, that boat, steadied by the helmsman, struck by the force of fine oars, quickly crossed the water.
मध्यं तु समनुप्राप्य भागीरथ्यास्त्वनिन्दिता । वैदेही प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा तां नदीमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ८२ ॥
Reaching the middle of the Bhagirathi, faultless Vaidehi joined her palms and said to that river:
पुत्रो दशरथस्यायं महाराजस्य धीमतः । निदेशं पालयत्वेनं गङ्गे त्वदभिरक्षितः ॥ ८३ ॥
“This son of the wise great king Dasharatha, may he fulfil this command, protected by you, Ganga.
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि समग्राण्युष्य कानने । भ्रात्रा सह मया चैव पुनः प्रत्यागमिष्यति ॥ ८४ ॥
“Having lived fourteen full years in the forest, he will come back again with his brother and with me.
ततस्त्वां देवि सुभगे क्षेमेण पुनरागता । यक्ष्ये प्रमुदिता गङ्गे सर्वकामसमृद्धिनी ॥ ८५ ॥
“Then, fortunate goddess, having come back safely, I will joyfully worship you, Ganga, you who fulfil every wish.
त्वं हि त्रिपथगा देवि ब्रह्मलोकं समीक्षसे । भार्या चोदधिराजस्य लोकेऽस्मिन् सम्प्रदृश्यसे ॥ ८६ ॥
“For you, goddess, flowing in three paths, look upon Brahma’s world, and are seen in this world as the wife of the king of the ocean.
सा त्वां देवि नमस्यामि प्रशंसामि च शोभने । प्राप्तराज्ये नरव्याघ्रे शिवेन पुनरागते ॥ ८७ ॥
“I bow to you, goddess, and praise you, lovely one. When the tiger among men has returned in safety and regained the kingdom,
गवां शतसहस्रं च वस्त्राण्यन्नं च पेशलम् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदास्यामि तव प्रियचिकीर्षया ॥ ८८ ॥
“I will give the brahmanas a hundred thousand cows, garments and fine food, wishing to please you.
सुराघटसहस्रेण मांसभूतोदनेन च । यक्ष्ये त्वां प्रयता देवि पुरीं पुनरुपागता ॥ ८९ ॥
“With a thousand jars of sura and with rice made with meat, I will worship you, goddess, purified, when I have come back to the city.
यानि त्वत्तीरवासीनि दैवतानि च सन्ति हि । तानि सर्वाणि यक्ष्यामि तीर्थान्यायतनानि च ॥ ९० ॥
“Whatever deities live on your banks, and the sacred fords and shrines, I will worship them all.
पुनरेव महाबाहुर्मया भ्रात्रा च संगतः । अयोध्यां वनवासात्तु प्रविशत्वनघोऽनघे ॥ ९१ ॥
“May the sinless, mighty-armed one, together with me and his brother, enter Ayodhya again after his forest life, sinless lady.”
तथा सम्भाषमाणा सा सीता गङ्गामनिन्दिता । दक्षिणा दक्षिणं तीरं क्षिप्रमेवाभ्युपागमत् ॥ ९२ ॥
Speaking so to the Ganga, faultless Sita, courteous, quickly reached the right (southern) bank.
तीरं तु समनुप्राप्य नावं हित्वा नरर्षभः । प्रातिष्ठत सह भ्रात्रा वैदेह्या च परंतपः ॥ ९३ ॥
Reaching the bank, the bull among men left the boat and set out with his brother and Vaidehi, scorcher of enemies.
अथाब्रवीन्महाबाहुः सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनम् । भव संरक्षणार्थाय सजने विजनेऽपि वा ॥ ९४ ॥
Then the mighty-armed one said to Sumitra’s joy: “Be ready to protect us, in peopled places or in lonely ones.
अवश्यं रक्षणं कार्यमदृष्टे विजने वने । अग्रतो गच्छ सौमित्रे सीता त्वामनुगच्छतु ॥ ९५ ॥
“Protection must surely be kept in the unknown, lonely forest. Go in front, Saumitri; let Sita follow you.
पृष्ठतोऽहं गमिष्यामि त्वां च सीतां च पालयन् । अन्योन्यस्येह नो रक्षा कर्तव्या पुरुषर्षभ ॥ ९६ ॥
“I will go behind, protecting you and Sita. Here we must protect one another, bull among men.
न हि तावदतिक्रान्ता सुकरा काचन क्रिया । अद्य दुःखं तु वैदेही वनवासस्य वेत्स्यति ॥ ९७ ॥
“No hard task has yet been passed through; but today Vaidehi will know the hardship of forest life.
प्रणष्टजनसम्बाधं क्षेत्रारामविवर्जितम् । विषमं च प्रपातं च वनमद्य प्रवेक्ष्यति ॥ ९८ ॥
“Today she will enter a forest without crowds of people, without fields or gardens, uneven and full of precipices.”
श्रुत्वा रामस्य वचनं प्रतस्थे लक्ष्मणोऽग्रतः । अनन्तरं च सीताया राघवो रघुनन्दनः ॥ ९९ ॥
Hearing Rama’s words, Lakshmana set out in front, and right after Sita went Raghava, the delight of the Raghus.
गतं तु गङ्गापरपारमाशु रामं सुमन्त्रः प्रततं निरीक्ष्य । अध्वप्रकर्षाद्विनिवृत्तदृष्टिर्मुमोच बाष्पं व्यथितस्तपस्वी ॥ १०० ॥
Watching Rama, who had quickly reached the far bank of the Ganga, steadily, until his sight turned back because of the distance, Sumantra, distressed and wretched, shed tears.
स लोकपालप्रतिमप्रभाववाम् । स्तीर्त्वा महात्मा वरदो महानदीम् । ततः समृद्धाञ्छुभसस्यमालिनः । क्रमेण वत्सान्मुदितानुपागमत् ॥ १०१ ॥
The great-souled giver of boons, with power like the guardians of the world, having crossed the great river, came in due course to the prosperous Vatsas, glad, garlanded with fine crops.
तौ तत्र हत्वा चतुरो महामृगान् । वराहमृश्यं पृषतं महारुरुम् । आदाय मेध्यं त्वरितं बुभुक्षितौ । वासाय काले ययतुर्वनः पतिम् ॥ १०२ ॥
There the two killed four large animals, a boar, a rishya, a prishata and a great ruru, and, hungry, taking the pure meat, went quickly at evening to a great tree to stay.