Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 56 of 119 · 38 verses
Chitrakuta: The Leaf Hut
When the night has passed, Rama gently wakes Lakshmana, who has just fallen asleep: “Listen to the sweet calls of the forest creatures; it is time to set out.” Lakshmana shakes off sleep, drowsiness and the weariness of the road. They touch the river’s auspicious water and take the path to Chitrakuta the sage described. Rama says to lotus-eyed Sita: “Vaidehi, see the kimshuka trees on every side, garlanded with their own flowers at the end of winter, as if on fire. See the bhallataka trees in bloom, untouched by men, bowed with fruit and leaves; surely I can live here. See, Lakshmana, the honeycombs hanging from every tree, each as big as a drona, filled by the bees. The datyuha bird cries and the peacock answers in this lovely forest place carpeted with flowers. See this mountain Chitrakuta with its high peaks, followed by herds of elephants, echoing with flocks of birds. In this holy forest of Chitrakuta, on level ground covered with trees, we shall be happy, my dear.”
Walking on foot with Sita, they reach the lovely, delightful mountain Chitrakuta, full of birds, roots and fruit and sweet water. “This mountain is charming, gentle one, covered with trees and creepers, rich in roots and fruit, easy to live on. Great-souled sages live on this mountain; let this be our dwelling, and let us be happy here.” Sita, Rama and Lakshmana, with joined palms, go to a hermitage and salute Valmiki. The righteous great sage, delighted, honours them, welcomes them and bids them sit. Rama introduces himself properly and says to Lakshmana: “Bring strong, good timber and make a dwelling, gentle one; my heart is set on living here.” Lakshmana brings many kinds of wood and builds a leaf hut. Seeing it finished, its mats bound, lovely to see, Rama says to his attentive brother: “Bring venison; we will perform the rite for the hut. Those who wish to live long must perform the house-pacifying rite. Kill a deer and bring it quickly, Lakshmana; the rite seen in the shastras must be done; remember dharma.” Lakshmana does as told. “Cook this venison; we will consecrate the hut. Hurry, gentle one; this is an auspicious moment and a fixed day.” Lakshmana kills a black buck, pure for sacrifice, and puts it in the kindled fire; when it is cooked, the blood gone, he tells Raghava: “This black buck is cooked whole, with all its limbs; worship the deities, godlike one, for you are skilled.” Rama, bathed, disciplined, virtuous and skilled in prayer, recites all the mantras for the completion of the rite, worships all the gods, and enters the dwelling purified; his heart is glad. He performs the Vaishvadeva bali, the offerings to Rudra and Vishnu, and the auspicious house-pacifying rites; recites prayers, bathes in the river, and makes an excellent offering to remove sin. He sets up altars, shrines and sacred spots fitting for a hermitage. Having satisfied the beings with forest garlands, fruit, roots, cooked meat, water, Vedic prayers, darbha, fuel and kusha, the two Raghavas with Sita enter the lovely hut, roofed with leaves, well made, sheltered from the wind, as the gods enter their hall Sudharma. In that excellent forest, full of many beasts and birds, with trees bearing bright clusters of flowers, echoing with beasts of prey, they live very happily, masters of their senses. Reaching lovely Chitrakuta and the river Malyavati with its fine fords, frequented by beasts and birds, Rama rejoices and lets go of the sorrow of exile from the city.
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अथ रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामवसुप्तमनन्तरम् । प्रबोधयामास शनैर्लक्ष्मणं रघुनन्दनः ॥ १ ॥
Then, when the night had passed, the delight of the Raghus gently woke Lakshmana, who had just fallen asleep:
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Chitrakuta: The Leaf Hut 1 min read.
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सौमित्रे शृणु वन्यानां वल्गु व्याहरतां स्वनम् । सम्प्रतिष्ठामहे कालः प्रस्थानस्य परंतप ॥ २ ॥
“Saumitri, listen to the sound of the forest creatures calling sweetly. Let us set out; it is the time for departing, scorcher of enemies.”
स सुप्तः समये भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणः प्रतिबोधितः । जहौ निद्रां च तन्द्रीं च प्रसक्तं च पथि श्रमम् ॥ ३ ॥
Woken at the right time by his brother, Lakshmana cast off sleep, drowsiness and the weariness that clung from the road.
तत उत्थाय ते सर्वे स्पृष्ट्वा नद्याः शिवं जलम् । पन्थानमृषिणादिष्टं चित्रकूटस्य तं ययुः ॥ ४ ॥
Then all of them rose, touched the auspicious water of the river, and took the road to Chitrakuta described by the sage.
ततः सम्प्रस्थितः काले रामः सौमित्रिणा सह । सीतां कमलपत्राक्षीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ५ ॥
Then, setting out at the proper time with Saumitri, Rama said these words to lotus-eyed Sita:
आदीप्तानिव वैदेहि सर्वतः पुष्पितान्नगान् । स्वैः पुष्पैः किंशुकान्पश्य मालिनः शिशिरात्यये ॥ ६ ॥
“Vaidehi, see the kimshuka trees everywhere in flower, as if on fire, garlanded with their own blossoms at the end of winter.
पश्य भल्लातकान् फुल्लान्नरैरनुपसेवितान् । फलपत्रैरवनतान् नूनं शक्ष्यामि जीवितुम् ॥ ७ ॥
“See the bhallataka trees in bloom, untouched by men, bent with fruit and leaves; surely I will be able to live here.
पश्य द्रोणप्रमाणानि लम्बमानानि लक्ष्मण । मधूनि मधुकारीभिः सम्भृतानि नगे नगे ॥ ८ ॥
“See, Lakshmana, the honeycombs, as big as a drona, hanging on tree after tree, filled by the honey-making bees.
एष क्रोशति नत्यूहस्तं शिखी प्रतिकूजति । रमणीये वनोद्देशे पुष्पसंस्तरसंकटे ॥ ९ ॥
“Here the datyuha calls, and the peacock answers it, in this lovely part of the forest crowded with carpets of flowers.
मातङ्गयूथानुसृतं पक्षिसंघानुनादितम् । चित्रकूटमिमं पश्य प्रवृद्धशिखरं गिरिम् ॥ १० ॥
“See this mountain Chitrakuta with its high peaks, followed by herds of elephants, echoing with flocks of birds.
समभूमितले रम्ये द्रुमैर्बहुभिरावृते । पुण्ये रंस्यामहे तात चित्रकूटस्य कानने ॥ ११ ॥
“On the lovely level ground, covered with many trees, in the holy forest of Chitrakuta, we shall be happy, my dear.”
ततस्तौ पादचारेण गच्छन्तौ सह सीतया । रम्यमासेदतुः शैलं चित्र कूटं मनोरमम् ॥ १२ ॥
Then, walking on foot with Sita, the two reached the lovely, charming mountain Chitrakuta.
तं तु पर्वतमासाद्य नानापक्षिगणायुतम् । बहुमूलफलं रम्यं सम्पन्नं सरसोदकम् ॥ १३ ॥
Reaching that mountain, full of many kinds of birds, abundant in roots and fruit, lovely, rich in sweet water:
मनोज्ञोऽयं गिरिः सौम्य नानाद्रुमलतायुतः । बहुमूलफलो रम्यः स्वाजीवः प्रतिभाति मे ॥ १४ ॥
“This mountain is charming, gentle one, spread with many trees and creepers, abundant in roots and fruit, lovely; it seems easy to live on.
मुनयश्च महात्मानो वसन्त्यस्मिञ्शिलोच्चये । अयं वासो भवेत्तावदत्र सौम्य रमेमहि ॥ १५ ॥
“And great-souled sages live on this mountain. Let this be our dwelling for now; let us be happy here, gentle one.”
इति सीता च रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्च कृताञ्जलिः । अभिगम्याश्रमं सर्वे वाल्मीकिमभिवादयन् ॥ १६ ॥
So Sita, Rama and Lakshmana, with joined palms, all went to the hermitage and saluted Valmiki.
तान्महर्षिः प्रमुदितः पूजयामास धर्मवित् । आस्यतामिति चोवाच स्वागतं तु निवेद्य च ॥ १७ ॥
The great sage, knowing dharma, delighted, honoured them, and having welcomed them, said, “Be seated.”
ततोऽब्रवीन्महाबाहुर्लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मणाग्रजः । संनिवेद्य यथान्यायमात्मानमृषये प्रभुः ॥ १८ ॥
Then the mighty-armed lord, Lakshmana’s elder brother, having introduced himself properly to the sage, said to Lakshmana:
लक्ष्मणानय दारूणि दृढानि च वराणि च । कुरुष्वावसथं सौम्य वासे मेऽभिरतं मनः ॥ १९ ॥
“Lakshmana, bring strong, good timber and make a dwelling, gentle one; my mind is set on living here.”
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सौमित्रिर्विविधान्द्रुमान् । आजहार ततश्चक्रे पर्णशालामरिंदमः ॥ २० ॥
Hearing his words, Saumitri brought trees of many kinds and then made a leaf hut, subduer of enemies.
तां निष्ठितां बद्धकटां दृष्ट्वा रामः सुदर्शनाम् । शुश्रूषमाणमेकाग्रमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ २१ ॥
Seeing it finished, with its mats bound, lovely to see, Rama said these words to his attentive, devoted brother:
ऐणेयं मांसमाहृत्य शालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम् । कर्तव्यं वास्तुशमनं सौमित्रे चिरजीविभिः ॥ २२ ॥
“Bringing antelope meat, we will perform a sacrifice for the hut. The house-pacifying rite must be done by those who wish to live long, Saumitri.
मृगं हत्वाऽऽनय क्षिप्रं लक्ष्मणेह शुभेक्षण । कर्तव्यः शास्त्रदृष्टो हि विधिर्धर्ममनुस्मर ॥ २३ ॥
“Kill a deer and bring it quickly here, Lakshmana of auspicious looks. The rite seen in the shastras must be done; remember dharma.”
भ्रातुर्वचनमाज्ञाय लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा । चकार स यथोक्तं चतं रामः पुनरब्रवीत् ॥ २४ ॥
Understanding his brother’s words, Lakshmana, slayer of enemy heroes, did as he was told, and Rama spoke to him again:
ऐणेयं श्रपयस्वैतच्छालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम् । त्वर सौम्य मुहूर्तोऽयं ध्रुवश्च दिवसोऽप्ययम् ॥ २५ ॥
“Cook this antelope meat; we will consecrate the hut. Hurry, gentle one; this is the auspicious moment and a fixed day.”
स लक्ष्मणः कृष्णमृगं हत्वा मेध्यं पतापवान् । अथ चिक्षेप सौमित्रिः समिद्धे जातवेदसि ॥ २६ ॥
Valiant Lakshmana, having killed a black buck fit for sacrifice, then put it into the kindled fire.
तं तु पक्वं समाज्ञाय निष्टप्तं छिन्नशोणितम् । लक्ष्मणः पुरुषव्याघ्रमथ राघवमब्रवीत् ॥ २७ ॥
Knowing it was cooked, roasted, the blood gone, Lakshmana then said to Raghava, the tiger among men:
अयं कृष्णः समाप्ताङ्गः शृतः कृष्णमृगो यथा । देवता देवसंकाश यजस्व कुशलो ह्यसि ॥ २८ ॥
“This black buck, cooked whole with all its limbs, like a black antelope: worship the deities, godlike one, for you are skilled.”
रामः स्नात्वा तु नियतो गुणवाञ्जप्यकोविदः । संग्रहेणाकरोत्सर्वान्मन्त्रान्सत्रावसानिकान् ॥ २९ ॥
Rama, having bathed, disciplined, virtuous, skilled in prayer, recited in brief all the mantras for the end of the rite.
इष्ट्वा देवगणान्सर्वान्विवेशावसथं शुचिः । बभूव च मनोह्लादो रामस्यामिततेजसः ॥ ३० ॥
Having worshipped all the hosts of gods, he entered the dwelling purified, and there was joy in the heart of Rama of boundless splendour.
वैश्वदेवबलिं कृत्वा रौद्रं वैष्णवमेव च । वास्तुसंशमनीयानि मङ्गलानि प्रवर्तयन् ॥ ३१ ॥
Performing the Vaishvadeva bali, and those for Rudra and Vishnu, carrying out the auspicious rites for pacifying the dwelling,
जपं च न्यायतः कृत्वा स्नात्वा नद्यां यथाविधि । पापसंशमनं रामश्चकार बलिमुत्तमम् ॥ ३२ ॥
having duly recited prayers and bathed in the river according to rule, Rama made an excellent offering for the removal of sin.
वेदिस्थलविधानानि चैत्यान्यायतनानि च । आश्रमस्यानुरूपाणि स्थापयामास राघवः ॥ ३३ ॥
Raghava set up the altar-places, the shrines and the sacred spots, fitting for the hermitage.
वन्यैर्माल्यैः फलैर्मूलैः पक्वैर्मांसैर्यथाविधि । अद्भिर्जपैश्च वेदोक्तैर्दर्भैश्च ससमित्कुशैः ॥ ३४ ॥
तौ तर्पयित्वा भूतानि राघवौ सह सीतया । तदा विविशतुः शालां सुशुभां शुभलक्षणौ ॥ ३५ ॥
With forest garlands, fruits, roots and cooked meats according to rule, with water, Vedic prayers, darbha, fuel and kusha, the two Raghavas with Sita, of auspicious marks, having satisfied the beings, then entered the very lovely hut.
तां वृक्षपर्णच्छदनां मनोज्ञां यथाप्रदेशं सुकृतां निवाताम् । वासाय सर्वे विविशुः समेताः सभां यथा देवगणाः सुधर्माम् ॥ ३६ ॥
That charming hut, roofed with leaves of trees, well made where it stood, sheltered from the wind, they all entered together to live in, as the hosts of gods enter Sudharma.
अनेकनानामृगपक्षिसंकुले विचित्रपुष्पस्तबकैर्द्रुमैर्युते । वनोत्तमे व्यालमृगानुनादिते तदा विजह्रुः सुसुखं जितेन्द्रियाः ॥ ३७ ॥
In that excellent forest, crowded with many kinds of beasts and birds, with trees bearing bright clusters of flowers, resounding with beasts of prey, they took their pleasure very happily, masters of their senses.
सुरम्यमासाद्य तु चित्रकूटं नदीं च तां माल्यवतीं सुतीर्थाम् । ननन्द हृष्टो मृगपक्षिजुष्टां जहौ च दुःखं पुरविप्रवासात् ॥ ३८ ॥
Reaching lovely Chitrakuta and that river Malyavati with its good fords, frequented by beasts and birds, Rama rejoiced, delighted, and let go the sorrow of exile from the city.