Kishkindha Kanda · Sarga 1 of 67 · 130 verses
Rama’s Lament in Spring at the Pampa
Reaching the lotus lake Pampa, crowded with lotuses, water-lilies and fish, Rama, with Saumitri, laments, his senses troubled. At the very sight of it his senses tremble with emotion, and, overcome by love, he says to Lakshmana: “Saumitri, the Pampa shines with its water clear as beryl, its blooming lotuses, its many trees. See its lovely woods, where the trees stand like mountains with peaks. But I, burning with grief, am tormented by sorrows: by Bharata’s pain and by Vaidehi’s abduction. Even to me, stricken with grief, the Pampa is beautiful.” Then he describes the spring around him at length: the grass blue and yellow like spread carpets, the peaks heavy with flowers, creepers embracing the trees, the pleasant, fragrant wind of the flowering month that seems to play with fallen, falling and hanging blossoms, the bees that sing after it, the cuckoos that call, the trees that seem to sing. “This spring, Lakshmana, loud with many birds, kindles my grief, separated from Sita. Love torments me, overcome with grief, and the cuckoo, calling joyfully, seems to challenge me. This datyuhaka bird, crying at the lovely waterfall, will make me grieve; long ago, in the hermitage, my beloved heard its cry, called me in delight and rejoiced. The fire of spring, its embers the clusters of ashoka, its crackle the hum of bees, its flames the copper-red young leaves, will burn me up. Without seeing her, with her fine lashes, lovely hair and gentle speech, I have no use for life.”
He sees peacocks dancing with their mates and says: “See, Lakshmana, the peahen, tormented by love, dances after her husband on the mountain slope. Surely no rakshasa has carried off the peacock’s beloved in the forest; so he dances with his love in the lovely woods. For me, living without her in this flowering month is unbearable. See, even among animals there is passion, since the peahen follows her husband out of love; so too large-eyed Janaki would come to me, if she had not been carried off. The flowers of these woods are fruitless for me. If it is spring where my beloved is too, surely Sita, in another’s power, grieves as I do. Or perhaps spring does not touch the place where she is. Dark, lotus-eyed, soft-spoken, she will surely give up her life when spring comes. Her heart is truly set on me, and mine is wholly set on Sita. This flower-laden, cool wind, pleasant to the touch, is like fire to me as I think of my beloved.” He sees a crow calling joyfully on a tree and takes it as a messenger that will lead him to Vaidehi. He sees the ashoka, the “griefless” tree, increasing his grief and threatening him with its wind-tossed clusters; the mango trees in flower like men in perfumed paste, flushed with passion; the kinnaras roaming the Pampa’s woods; the lotuses shining on the water like the young sun; the chakravaka birds, the elephants and deer coming down to drink. “Without seeing Vaidehi, her eyes wide as lotus petals, who always loved lotuses, I do not care to live. Ah, the perversity of love, which makes me remember the auspicious one, sweetest of speakers, though she is gone and hard to reach! I could bear the love that has come upon me, if spring with its flowering trees did not strike me again. The things that were lovely to me with her are unlovely without her. My eyes want to look at the lotus buds, because they are like Sita’s eyes. The lovely wind, mixed with lotus pollen, coming out between the trees, blows like Sita’s breath.”
He names the flowering trees on the hills one after another, karnikara, kimshuka, malati, mallika, ketaki, campaka, ashoka and many more, the creepers following the wind-tossed trees like intoxicated women, the bee that clings to one flower and flies off to another, the ground strewn with fallen flowers like a bed. “If that good woman could be seen, and we could live here, I would not long for Shakra’s heaven, nor for Ayodhya. Delighting with her in these lovely meadows, I would have no care and no wish for anything else. Fortunate are they, Lakshmana, who enjoy the Pampa’s forest breeze. How does my dark, lotus-eyed beloved, separated from me, helpless, keep her life? What will I say to righteous King Janaka, truthful, when he asks me in the assembly whether Sita is well? Where is my beloved Sita, who followed me, unlucky as I was, when my father sent me to the forest, keeping to dharma? How can I live without her, wretched, Lakshmana, she who followed me when I had fallen from the kingdom and lost heart? My mind sinks when I do not see her face, with its lovely lotus eyes, fragrant, flawless. When shall I hear Vaidehi’s matchless words, mixed with smiles and laughter, full of virtue, sweet and kind? Even when she met hardship in the forest, she spoke to me, worn by love, sweetly, as if her pain were gone and she were happy. What will I say in Ayodhya to Kausalya when she asks, ‘Where is my daughter-in-law?’ Go, Lakshmana, see Bharata, who loves his brother; I cannot live without Janaka’s daughter.”
As great-souled Rama laments like one without a protector, his brother Lakshmana speaks fitting, steady words: “Steady yourself, Rama, bless you; do not grieve, best of men. The minds of pure-souled people like you do not grow dull. Remembering the pain born of separation, give up this excess of attachment to the beloved; even a wet wick burns from too much soaking in oil. Whether Ravana goes to the underworld or beyond it, he will not survive, dear one. First let news of that evil rakshasa be found; then he will either give up Sita or meet his death. Even if he enters Diti’s womb with Sita, I will kill him there, if he does not give back Maithili. Take back your composure, noble one; give up this wretched thought. Those who have lost their purpose do not regain it without effort. Energy is strong, noble one; there is no strength greater than energy. For one with energy nothing in the world is hard to get. Men of energy do not sink in their tasks. By energy alone we will win back Janaki. Put grief behind you and give up this love-sick way; you do not recognise yourself as great-souled and self-possessed.” Roused so, Rama, his mind struck by grief, casts off grief and confusion and takes courage. Rama of inconceivable valour passes calmly beyond the lovely Pampa, with its trees swaying in the wind. Looking quickly over the whole forest, with its waterfalls and caves, troubled at heart, afflicted by sorrow, he sets out with Lakshmana after reflection. Great-souled Lakshmana, devoted to him, walking like a proud elephant, protects Raghava with dharma and with strength as he goes on, calm. The mighty lord of the monkeys, moving near Rishyamuka, sees those two, wonderful to behold, and takes fright; he can do nothing. That great-souled monkey, moving with an elephant’s slow gait, seeing the two moving there, falls into deep despair, filled with anxiety, broken by the weight of fear. And the monkeys, seeing the two mighty ones, Raghava and Lakshmana, terrified, go to that hermitage, holy, pleasant, a refuge, always frequented by monkeys.
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स तां पुष्करिणीं गत्वा पद्मोत्पलझषाकुलाम् । रामः सौमित्रिसहितो विललापाकुलेन्द्रियः ॥ १ ॥
Having reached that lotus lake, crowded with lotuses, water-lilies and fish, Rama, with Saumitri, lamented, his senses troubled.
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Rama’s Lament in Spring at the Pampa 1 min read.
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तत्र दृष्ट्वैव तां हर्षादिन्द्रियाणि चकम्पिरे । स कामवशमापन्नः सौमित्रिमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ २ ॥
There, at the very sight of it, his senses trembled with joy. Fallen under the power of love, he said this to Saumitri:
सौमित्रे शोभते पम्पा वैदूर्यविमलोदका । फुल्लपद्मोत्पलवती शोभिता विविधैर्द्रुमैः ॥ ३ ॥
“Saumitri, the Pampa shines with water clear as beryl, with blooming lotuses and water-lilies, adorned with trees of many kinds.
सौमित्रे पश्य पम्पायाः काननं शुभदर्शनम् । यत्र राजन्ति शैला वा द्रुमाः सशिखरा इव ॥ ४ ॥
“Saumitri, see the Pampa’s woods, lovely to look on, where the trees shine like mountains with peaks.
मां तु शोकाभिसंतप्तमाधयः पीडयन्ति वै । भरतस्य च दुःखेन वैदेह्या हरणेन च ॥ ५ ॥
“But sorrows torment me, burning with grief, both through Bharata’s pain and through Vaidehi’s abduction.
शोकार्तस्यापि मे पम्पा शोभते चित्रकानना । व्यवकीर्णा बहुविधैः पुष्पैः शीतोदका शिवा ॥ ६ ॥
“Even to me, stricken with grief, the Pampa shines, with its many-coloured woods, strewn with flowers of many kinds, cool-watered, auspicious,
नलिनैरपि संछन्ना ह्यत्यर्थशुभदर्शना । सर्पव्यालानुचरिता मृगद्विजसमाकुला ॥ ७ ॥
“covered with lotuses too, exceedingly lovely to see, roamed by snakes and beasts of prey, crowded with deer and birds.
अधिकं प्रविभात्येतन्नीलपीतं तु शाद्वलम् । द्रुमाणां विविधैः पुष्पैः परिस्तोमैरिवार्पितम् ॥ ८ ॥
“This blue and yellow grassland shines even more, laid with the many kinds of flowers of the trees, as if with spread carpets.
पुष्पभारसमृद्धानि शिखराणि समन्ततः । लताभिः पुष्पिताग्राभिरुपगूढानि सर्वतः ॥ ९ ॥
“The treetops on every side are rich with the weight of flowers, embraced all round by creepers with flowering tips.
सुखानिलोऽयं सौमित्रे कालः प्रचुरमन्मथः । गन्धवान् सुरभिर्मासो जातपुष्पफलद्रुमः ॥ १० ॥
“This, Saumitri, is the season of pleasant winds, abounding in love: the fragrant month of spring, with trees bearing flowers and fruit.
पश्य रूपाणि सौमित्रे वनानां पुष्पशालिनाम् । सृजतां पुष्पवर्षाणि वर्षं तोयमुचामिव ॥ ११ ॥
“See, Saumitri, the forms of the woods rich in flowers, pouring down showers of flowers as clouds pour rain.
प्रस्तरेषु च रम्येषु विविधाः काननद्रुमाः । वायुवेगप्रचलिताः पुष्पैरवकिरन्ति गाम् ॥ १२ ॥
“On the lovely rocks the forest trees of many kinds, shaken by the force of the wind, scatter the ground with flowers.
पतितैः पतमानैश्च पादपस्थैश्च मारुतः । कुसुमैः पश्य सौमित्रे क्रीडतीव समन्ततः ॥ १३ ॥
“See, Saumitri, the wind seems to play on every side with flowers fallen, falling, and still on the trees.
विक्षिपन् विविधाः शाखां नगानां कुसुमोत्कटाः । मारुतश्चलितस्थानैः षट्पदैरनुगीयते ॥ १४ ॥
“Scattering the many branches of the trees, heavy with blossom, the wind is sung after by bees driven from their places.
मत्तकोकिलसंनादैर्नर्तयन्निव पादपान् । शैलकंदर निष्क्रान्तः प्रगीत इव चानिलः ॥ १५ ॥
“The wind, come out from mountain caves, as if singing, seems to make the trees dance with the calls of maddened cuckoos.
तेन विक्षिपतात्यर्थं पवनेन समन्ततः । अमी संसक्तशाखाग्रा ग्रथिता इव पादपाः ॥ १६ ॥
“By that wind, scattering them greatly on every side, these trees, their branch-tips touching, seem knotted together.
स एव सुखसंस्पर्शो वाति चन्दनशीतलः । गन्धमभ्यवहन् पुण्यं श्रमापनयनोऽनिलः ॥ १७ ॥
“That same wind, pleasant to touch, blows cool as sandal, carrying holy fragrance, taking away fatigue.
अमी पवनविक्षिप्ता विनदन्तीव पादपाः । षट्पदैरनुकूजद्भिर्वनेषु मधुगन्धिषु ॥ १८ ॥
“These trees, tossed by the wind, seem to roar, with bees humming along in the honey-scented woods.
गिरिप्रस्थेषु रम्येषु पुष्पवद्भिर्मनोरमैः । संसक्तशिखराः शैला विराजन्ति महाद्रुमैः ॥ १९ ॥
“On the lovely mountain plateaus, the mountains shine with great trees, flowering and charming, their tops joined.
पुष्पसंछन्नशिखरा मारुतोत्क्षेपचञ्चलाः । अमी मधुकरोत्तंसाः प्रगीता इव पादपाः ॥ २० ॥
“Their tops covered with flowers, swaying with the wind’s tossing, these trees, crowned with bees, seem to sing.
सुपुष्पितांस्तु पश्यैतान् कर्णिकारान् समन्ततः । हाटकप्रतिसंछन्नान् नरान् पीताम्बरानिव ॥ २१ ॥
“See these well-flowering karnikaras on every side, like men covered in gold, wearing yellow clothes.
अयं वसन्तः सौमित्रे नानाविहगनादितः । सीतया विप्रहीणस्य शोकसंदीपनो मम ॥ २२ ॥
“This spring, Saumitri, resounding with many kinds of birds, kindles grief in me, separated from Sita.
मां हि शोकसमाक्रान्तं संतापयति मन्मथः । हृष्टं प्रवदमानश्च समाह्वयति कोकिलः ॥ २३ ॥
“For love torments me, overcome with grief, and the cuckoo, calling joyfully, seems to challenge me.
एष दात्यूहको हृष्टो रम्ये मां वननिर्झरे । प्रणदन्मन्मथाविष्टं शोचयिष्यति लक्ष्मण ॥ २४ ॥
“This datyuhaka, joyful at the lovely forest waterfall, crying out, will make me grieve, possessed by love, Lakshmana.
श्रुत्वैतस्य पुरा शब्दमाश्रमस्था मम प्रिया । मामाहूय प्रमुदिताः परमं प्रत्यनन्दत ॥ २५ ॥
“Hearing its cry long ago, my beloved, staying in the hermitage, delighted, called me and rejoiced greatly.
एवं विचित्राः पतगा नानारावविराविणः । वृक्षगुल्मलताः पश्य सम्पतन्ति समन्ततः ॥ २६ ॥
“So too, see, these many-coloured birds, crying many kinds of cries, fly on every side to trees, bushes and creepers.
विमिश्रा विहगाः पुंभिरात्मव्यूहाभिनन्दिताः । भृङ्गराजप्रमुदिताः सौमित्रे मधुरस्वराः ॥ २७ ॥
“Mixed with their males, delighted with their own flocks, gladdened by the bhringaraja birds, Saumitri, sweet-voiced,
अस्याः कूले प्रमुदिताः सङ्घशः शकुनास्त्विह । दात्यूहरतिविक्रन्दैः पुंस्कोकिलरुतैरपि ॥ २८ ॥
“the birds here on this shore, delighted, in flocks, with the datyuhas’ love-cries and the calls of male cuckoos,
स्वनन्ति पादपाश्चेमे ममानङ्गप्रदीपकाः । अशोकस्तबकाङ्गारः षट्पदस्वननिःस्वनः ॥ २९ ॥
“make these trees resound, kindling love in me. Its embers the clusters of ashoka, its crackling the hum of bees,
मां हि पल्लवताम्रार्चिर्वसन्ताग्निः प्रधक्ष्यति । नहि तां सूक्ष्मपक्ष्माक्षीं सुकेशीं मृदुभाषिणीम् ॥ ३० ॥
“its flames the copper-red young leaves, the fire of spring will burn me up. Not seeing her, with fine lashes, lovely hair, gentle speech,
अपश्यतो मे सौमित्रे जीवितेऽस्ति प्रयोजनम् । अयं हि रुचिरस्तस्याः कालो रुचिरकाननः ॥ ३१ ॥
“I have no use for life, Saumitri. For this lovely season, with lovely woods, was dear to her,
कोकिलाकुलसीमान्तो दयिताया ममानघ । मन्मथायाससम्भूतो वसन्तगुणवर्धितः ॥ ३२ ॥
“its edges thronged with cuckoos, dear to my beloved, sinless one. Born of the torment of love, increased by the qualities of spring,
अयं मां धक्ष्यति क्षिप्रं शोकाग्निर्नचिरादिव । अपश्यतस्तां वनितां पश्यतो रुचिरान् द्रुमान् ॥ ३३ ॥
“this fire of grief will burn me quickly, before long. Not seeing that woman, seeing these lovely trees,
ममायमात्मप्रभवो भूयस्त्वमुपयास्यति । अदृश्यमाना वैदेही शोकं वर्धयतीह मे ॥ ३४ ॥
“this love born of myself will come upon me more. Vaidehi, unseen, increases my grief here,
दृश्यमानो वसन्तश्च स्वेदसंसर्गदूषकः । मां हि सा मृगशावाक्षी चिन्ताशोकबलात्कृतम् ॥ ३५ ॥
“and spring, seen, spoiling with the touch of sweat. That fawn-eyed one, by force of anxiety and grief,
संतापयति सौमित्रे क्रूरश्चैत्रवनानिलः । अमी मयूराः शोभन्ते प्रनृत्यन्तस्ततस्ततः ॥ ३६ ॥
“torments me, Saumitri, and the cruel wind of the spring woods. These peacocks shine, dancing here and there,
स्वैः पक्षैः पवनोद्धूतैर्गवाक्षैः स्फाटिकैरिव । शिखिनीभिः परिवृतास्त एते मदमूर्च्छिताः ॥ ३७ ॥
“with their own feathers tossed by the wind, like crystal lattice windows. Surrounded by peahens, these, dizzy with passion,
मन्मथाभिपरीतस्य मम मन्मथवर्धनाः । पश्य लक्ष्मण नृत्यन्तं मयूरमुपनृत्यति ॥ ३८ ॥
“increase the love of me, overwhelmed by love. See, Lakshmana, the peahen dances near the dancing peacock,
शिखिनी मन्मथार्तैषा भर्तारं गिरिसानुनि । तामेव मनसा रामां मयूरोऽप्यनुधावति ॥ ३९ ॥
“tormented by love, near her husband on the mountain slope. And the peacock runs after that lovely one in his mind,
वितत्य रुचिरौ पक्षौ रुतैरुपहसन्निव । मयूरस्य वने नूनं रक्षसा न हृता प्रिया ॥ ४० ॥
“spreading his lovely wings, as if mocking with his cries. Surely the peacock’s beloved has not been carried off by a rakshasa in the forest;
तस्मान्नृत्यति रम्येषु वनेषु सह कान्तया । मम त्वयं विना वासः पुष्पमासे सुदुःसहः ॥ ४१ ॥
“so he dances in the lovely woods with his love. But for me, this living without her in the month of flowers is very hard to bear.
पश्य लक्ष्मण संरागस्तिर्यग्योनिगतेष्वपि । यदेषा शिखिनी कामाद् भर्तारमभिवर्तते ॥ ४२ ॥
“See, Lakshmana, the passion even among those born as animals, since this peahen out of love approaches her husband.
ममाप्येवं विशालाक्षी जानकी जातसम्भ्रमा । मदनेनाभिवर्तेत यदि नापहृता भवेत् ॥ ४३ ॥
“So too would large-eyed Janaki, excited, come to me out of love, if she had not been carried off.
पश्य लक्ष्मण पुष्पाणि निष्फलानि भवन्ति मे । पुष्पभारसमृद्धानां वनानां शिशिरात्यये ॥ ४४ ॥
“See, Lakshmana, the flowers become fruitless for me, of the woods rich with the weight of flowers at winter’s end.
रुचिराण्यपि पुष्पाणि पादपानामतिश्रिया । निष्फलानि महीं यान्ति समं मधुकरोत्करैः ॥ ४५ ॥
“Even lovely flowers, through the trees’ too great splendour, fall fruitless to the ground together with swarms of bees.
नदन्ति कामं शकुना मुदिताः सङ्घशः कलम् । आह्वयन्त इवान्योन्यं कामोन्मादकरा मम ॥ ४६ ॥
“The birds, delighted, in flocks, call sweetly at will, as if calling to one another, making me mad with love.
वसन्तो यदि तत्रापि यत्र मे वसति प्रिया । नूनं परवशा सीता सापि शोचत्यहं यथा ॥ ४७ ॥
“If it is spring there too, where my beloved lives, surely Sita, in another’s power, grieves just as I do.
नूनं न तु वसन्तस्तं देशं स्पृशति यत्र सा । कथं ह्यसितपद्माक्षी वर्तयेत् सा मया विना ॥ ४८ ॥
“Or surely spring does not touch that place where she is. For how could she, with dark lotus eyes, live without me?
अथवा वर्तते तत्र वसन्तो यत्र मे प्रिया । किं करिष्यति सुश्रोणी सा तु निर्भर्त्सिता परैः ॥ ४९ ॥
“Or else spring is there where my beloved is: what will that fair-hipped one do, threatened by others?
श्यामा पद्मपलाशाक्षी मृदुभाषा च मे प्रिया । नूनं वसन्तमासाद्य परित्यक्ष्यति जीवितम् ॥ ५० ॥
“Dark, with eyes like lotus petals, soft-spoken, my beloved, surely, meeting spring, will give up her life.
दृढं हि हृदये बुद्धिर्मम सम्परिवर्तते । नालं वर्तयितुं सीता साध्वी मद्विरहं गता ॥ ५१ ॥
“For the thought turns firmly in my heart: good Sita, fallen into separation from me, cannot go on living.
मयि भावो हि वैदेह्यास्तत्त्वतो विनिवेशितः । ममापि भावः सीतायां सर्वथा विनिवेशितः ॥ ५२ ॥
“For Vaidehi’s heart is truly set on me, and my heart too is wholly set on Sita.
एष पुष्पवहो वायुः सुखस्पर्शो हिमावहः । तां विचिन्तयतः कान्तां पावकप्रतिमो मम ॥ ५३ ॥
“This flower-bearing wind, pleasant to the touch, bringing coolness, is like fire to me as I think of that beloved.
सदा सुखमहं मन्ये यं पुरा सह सीतया । मारुतः स विना सीतां शोकसंजननो मम ॥ ५४ ॥
“That wind which I always thought pleasant before, with Sita, without Sita produces grief in me.
तां विनाथ विहङ्गोऽसौ पक्षी प्रणदितस्तदा । वायसः पादपगतः प्रहृष्टमभिकूजति ॥ ५५ ॥
“Without her, that bird, the crow, crying then, perched on a tree, calls out joyfully.
एष वै तत्र वैदेह्या विहगः प्रतिहारकः । पक्षी मां तु विशालाक्ष्याः समीपमुपनेष्यति ॥ ५६ ॥
“This bird was there for Vaidehi as a messenger; this bird will lead me near the large-eyed one.
पश्य लक्ष्मण संनादं वने मदविवर्धनम् । पुष्पिताग्रेषु वृक्षेषु द्विजानामवकूजताम् ॥ ५७ ॥
“See, Lakshmana, in the forest, the noise that increases passion, of the birds calling in the flowering treetops.
विक्षिप्तां पवनेनैतामसौ तिलकमञ्जरीम् । षट्पदः सहसाभ्येति मदोद्धूतामिव प्रियाम् ॥ ५८ ॥
“This bee suddenly goes to the tilaka blossom scattered by the wind, as to a beloved shaken with passion.
कामिनामयमत्यन्तमशोकः शोकवर्धनः । स्तबकैः पवनोत्क्षिप्तैस्तर्जयन्निव मां स्थितः ॥ ५९ ॥
“This ashoka, greatly increasing the grief of lovers, stands as if threatening me with its clusters tossed by the wind.
अमी लक्ष्मण दृश्यन्ते चूताः कुसुमशालिनः । विभ्रमोत्सिक्तमनसः साङ्गरागा नरा इव ॥ ६० ॥
“These mango trees, Lakshmana, rich in flowers, are seen like men with perfumed paste, their minds swelling with passion.
सौमित्रे पश्य पम्पायाश्चित्रासु वनराजिषु । किंनरा नरशार्दूल विचरन्ति यतस्ततः ॥ ६१ ॥
“Saumitri, see, in the many-coloured woods of the Pampa, kinnaras, tiger among men, wander here and there.
इमानि शुभगन्धीनि पश्य लक्ष्मण सर्वशः । नलिनानि प्रकाशन्ते जले तरुणसूर्यवत् ॥ ६२ ॥
“See, Lakshmana, these sweet-smelling lotuses shine everywhere on the water like the young sun.
एषा प्रसन्नसलिला पद्मनीलोत्पलायुता । हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा पम्पा सौगन्धिकायुता ॥ ६३ ॥
“This is the Pampa, with clear water, joined with lotuses and blue water-lilies, strewn with swans and karandavas, joined with saugandhika lotuses.
जले तरुणसूर्याभैः षट्पदाहतकेसरैः । पङ्कजैः शोभते पम्पा समन्तादभिसंवृता ॥ ६४ ॥
“The Pampa shines, covered all round with lotuses like the young sun on the water, their filaments struck by bees,
चक्रवाकयुता नित्यं चित्रप्रस्थवनान्तरा । मातङ्गमृगयूथैश्च शोभते सलिलार्थिभिः ॥ ६५ ॥
“always joined with chakravakas, with many-coloured plateaus and woods within, and it shines with herds of elephants and deer seeking water.
पवनाहतवेगाभिरूर्मिभिर्विमलेऽम्भसि । पङ्कजानि विराजन्ते ताड्यमानानि लक्ष्मण ॥ ६६ ॥
“On the clear water, the lotuses shine, struck by waves driven by the wind, Lakshmana.
पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षीं सततं प्रियपङ्कजाम् । अपश्यतो मे वैदेहीं जीवितं नाभिरोचते ॥ ६७ ॥
“Not seeing Vaidehi, with eyes wide as lotus petals, who always loved lotuses, life does not please me.
अहो कामस्य वामत्वं यो गतामपि दुर्लभाम् । स्मारयिष्यति कल्याणीं कल्याणतरवादिनीम् ॥ ६८ ॥
“Ah, the perversity of love, which makes me remember the auspicious one, sweetest of speakers, though she is gone and hard to reach!
शक्यो धारयितुं कामो भवेदभ्यागतो मया । यदि भूयो वसन्तो मां न हन्यात् पुष्पितद्रुमः ॥ ६९ ॥
“The love that has come upon me could be borne by me, if spring, with its flowering trees, did not strike me again.
यानि स्म रमणीयानि तया सह भवन्ति मे । तान्येवारमणीयानि जायन्ते मे तया विना ॥ ७० ॥
“Those things that were lovely to me with her become unlovely to me without her.
पद्मकोशपलाशानि द्रष्टुं दृष्टिर्हि मन्यते । सीताया नेत्रकोशाभ्यां सदृशानीति लक्ष्मण ॥ ७१ ॥
“For my eyes want to see the petals of the lotus buds, thinking they are like Sita’s eyes, Lakshmana.
पद्मकेसरसंसृष्टो वृक्षान्तरविनिःसृतः । निःश्वास इव सीताया वाति वायुर्मनोहरः ॥ ७२ ॥
“Mixed with lotus filaments, coming out from among the trees, the charming wind blows like Sita’s breath.
सौमित्रे पश्य पम्पाया दक्षिणे गिरिसानुषु । पुष्पितां कर्णिकारस्य यष्टिं परमशोभिताम् ॥ ७३ ॥
“Saumitri, see, on the mountain slopes south of the Pampa, the flowering stem of the karnikara, most beautiful.
अधिकं शैलराजोऽयं धातुभिस्तु विभूषितः । विचित्रं सृजते रेणुं वायुवेगविघट्टितम् ॥ ७४ ॥
“This king of mountains, adorned greatly with minerals, sends out many-coloured dust, stirred by the force of the wind.
गिरिप्रस्थास्तु सौमित्रे सर्वतः सम्प्रपुष्पितैः । निष्पत्रैः सर्वतो रम्यैः प्रदीप्ता इव किंशुकैः ॥ ७५ ॥
“The mountain plateaus, Saumitri, seem ablaze on every side with lovely kimshukas, leafless, fully in flower.
पम्पातीररुहाश्चेमे संसिक्ता मधुगन्धिनः । मालतीमल्लिकापद्मकरवीराश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ ७६ ॥
“And these, growing on the Pampa’s shore, watered, honey-scented: malati, mallika, padma and karavira in flower,
केतक्यः सिन्दुवाराश्च वासन्त्यश्च सुपुष्पिताः । माधव्यो गन्धपूर्णाश्च कुन्दगुल्माश्च सर्वशः ॥ ७७ ॥
“ketakis and sinduvaras and vasantis in full flower, madhavis full of fragrance and kunda bushes everywhere,
चिरिबिल्वा मधूकाश्च वञ्जुला बकुलास्तथा । चम्पकास्तिलकाश्चैव नागवृक्षाश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ ७८ ॥
“ciribilvas and madhukas, vanjulas and bakulas, campakas and tilakas and nagavrikshas in flower,
पद्मकाश्चैव शोभन्ते नीलाशोकाश्च पुष्पिताः । लोध्राश्च गिरिपृष्ठेषु सिंहकेसरपिञ्जराः ॥ ७९ ॥
“and padmakas shine, and blue ashokas in flower, and lodhras on the mountain ridges, tawny as a lion’s mane,
अङ्कोलाश्च कुरण्टाश्च चूर्णकाः पारिभद्रकाः । चूताः पाटलयश्चापि कोविदाराश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ ८० ॥
“ankolas and kurantas, churnakas and paribhadrakas, mangoes and patalis and kovidaras in flower,
मुचुकुन्दार्जुनाश्चैव दृश्यन्ते गिरिसानुषु । केतकोद्दालकाश्चैव शिरीषाः शिंशपा धवाः ॥ ८१ ॥
“mucukundas and arjunas are seen on the mountain slopes, ketakas and uddalakas, shirishas, shimshapas and dhavas,
शाल्मल्यः किंशुकाश्चैव रक्ताः कुरबकास्तथा । तिनिशा नक्तमालाश्च चन्दनाः स्यन्दनास्तथा ॥ ८२ ॥
“shalmalis and kimshukas and red kurabakas, tinishas and naktamalas, sandal trees and syandanas,
हिन्तालास्तिलकाश्चैव नागवृक्षाश्च पुष्पिताः । पुष्पितान् पुष्पिताग्राभिर्लताभिः परिवेष्टितान् ॥ ८३ ॥
“hintalas and tilakas and nagavrikshas in flower. Flowering, wound round with creepers with flowering tips,
द्रुमान् पश्येह सौमित्रे पम्पाया रुचिरान् बहून् । वातविक्षिप्तविटपान् यथासन्नान् द्रुमानिमान् ॥ ८४ ॥
“see here, Saumitri, the many lovely trees of the Pampa. These nearby trees, their branches tossed by the wind,
लताः समनुवर्तन्ते मत्ता इव वरस्त्रियः । पादपात् पादपं गच्छन् शैलाच्छैलं वनाद् वनम् ॥ ८५ ॥
“the creepers follow, like fine women intoxicated. Going from tree to tree, from mountain to mountain, from forest to forest,
वाति नैकरसास्वादसम्मोदित इवानिलः । केचित् पर्याप्तकुसुमाः पादपा मधुगन्धिनः ॥ ८६ ॥
“the wind blows as if delighted by tasting many flavours. Some trees, full of flowers, are honey-scented;
केचिन्मुकुलसंवीताः श्यामवर्णा इवाबभुः । इदं मृष्टमिदं स्वादु प्रफुल्लमिदमित्यपि ॥ ८७ ॥
“some, covered with buds, shone as if dark in colour. ‘This is sweet, this is tasty, this is in full bloom’:
रागरक्तो मधुकरः कुसुमेष्वेव लीयते । निलीय पुनरुत्पत्य सहसान्यत्र गच्छति । मधुलुब्धो मधुकरः पम्पातीरद्रुमेष्वसौ ॥ ८८ ॥
“so the bee, red with passion, hides in the flowers; having hidden, he flies up again and suddenly goes elsewhere, that bee greedy for honey among the trees on the Pampa’s shore.
इयं कुसुमसंघातैरुपस्तीर्णा सुखाकृता । स्वयं निपतितैर्भूमिः शयनप्रस्तरैरिव ॥ ८९ ॥
“This ground, strewn with heaps of flowers fallen of themselves, is made comfortable, as if with spread bedding.
विविधा विविधैः पुष्पैस्तैरेव नगसानुषु । विस्तीर्णाः पीतरक्ताभाः सौमित्रे प्रस्तराः कृताः ॥ ९० ॥
“On the mountain slopes, with those very flowers of many kinds, wide yellow and red beds have been made, Saumitri.
हिमान्ते पश्य सौमित्रे वृक्षाणां पुष्पसम्भवम् । पुष्पमासे हि तरवः संघर्षादिव पुष्पिताः ॥ ९१ ॥
“See, Saumitri, at winter’s end, the flowering of the trees; for in the month of flowers the trees have bloomed as if in rivalry.
आह्वयन्त इवान्योन्यं नगाः षट्पदनादिताः । कुसुमोत्तंसविटपाः शोभन्ते बहु लक्ष्मण ॥ ९२ ॥
“As if calling to one another, the trees, resounding with bees, their branches crowned with flowers, shine greatly, Lakshmana.
एष कारण्डवः पक्षी विगाह्य सलिलं शुभम् । रमते कान्तया सार्धं काममुद्दीपयन्निव ॥ ९३ ॥
“This karandava bird, plunging into the auspicious water, delights with its mate, as if kindling love.
मन्दाकिन्यास्तु यदिदं रूपमेतन्मनोरमम् । स्थाने जगति विख्याता गुणास्तस्या मनोरमाः ॥ ९४ ॥
“This form, which is that of the Mandakini, is charming; rightly are her charming qualities famous in the world.
यदि दृश्येत सा साध्वी यदि चेह वसेमहि । स्पृहयेयं न शक्राय नायोध्यायै रघूत्तम ॥ ९५ ॥
“If that good woman could be seen, and if we could live here, I would not long for Shakra nor for Ayodhya, best of the Raghus.
न ह्येवं रमणीयेषु शाद्वलेषु तया सह । रमतो मे भवेच्चिन्ता न स्पृहान्येषु वा भवेत् ॥ ९६ ॥
“For delighting with her in such lovely meadows, I would have no care and no longing for other things.
अमी हि विविधैः पुष्पैस्तरवो विविधच्छदाः । काननेऽस्मिन् विना कान्तां चिन्तामुत्पादयन्ति मे ॥ ९७ ॥
“For these trees, with many kinds of flowers and many kinds of leaves, in this forest, without my beloved, produce anxiety in me.
पश्य शीतजलां चेमां सौमित्रे पुष्करायुताम् । चक्रवाकानुचरितां कारण्डवनिषेविताम् ॥ ९८ ॥
“See this cool-watered one, Saumitri, joined with lotuses, roamed by chakravakas, frequented by karandavas,
प्लवैः क्रौञ्चैश्च सम्पूर्णां महामृगनिषेविताम् । अधिकं शोभते पम्पा विकूजद्भिर्विहंगमैः ॥ ९९ ॥
“full of plavas and kraunchas, frequented by great beasts: the Pampa shines greatly with its crying birds.
दीपयन्तीव मे कामं विविधा मुदिता द्विजाः । श्यामां चन्द्रमुखीं स्मृत्वा प्रियां पद्मनिभेक्षणाम् ॥ १०० ॥
“The many kinds of joyful birds seem to inflame my love, as I remember my dark, moon-faced beloved, with eyes like lotuses.
पश्य सानुषु चित्रेषु मृगीभिः सहितान् मृगान् । मां पुनर्मृगशावाक्ष्या वैदेह्या विरहीकृतम् । व्यथयन्तीव मे चित्तं संचरन्तस्ततस्ततः ॥ १०१ ॥
“See on the many-coloured slopes the deer with their does; moving here and there, they seem to pain my heart, separated from fawn-eyed Vaidehi.
अस्मिन् सानुनि रम्ये हि मत्तद्विजगणाकुले । पश्येयं यदि तां कान्तां ततः स्वस्ति भवेन्मम ॥ १०२ ॥
“On this lovely slope, crowded with flocks of maddened birds, if I could see that beloved, then all would be well with me.
जीवेयं खलु सौमित्रे मया सह सुमध्यमा । सेवेत यदि वैदेही पम्पायाः पवनं शुभम् ॥ १०३ ॥
“I would surely live, Saumitri, if slender-waisted Vaidehi enjoyed with me the Pampa’s auspicious breeze,
पद्मसौगन्धिकवहं शिवं शोकविनाशनम् । धन्या लक्ष्मण सेवन्ते पम्पाया वनमारुतम् ॥ १०४ ॥
“carrying the scent of lotuses and saugandhikas, auspicious, destroying grief. Fortunate are they, Lakshmana, who enjoy the Pampa’s forest breeze.
श्यामा पद्मपलाशाक्षी प्रिया विरहिता मया । कथं धारयति प्राणान् विवशा जनकात्मजा ॥ १०५ ॥
“Dark, with eyes like lotus petals, my beloved, separated from me, how does Janaka’s daughter, helpless, keep her life?
किं नु वक्ष्यामि धर्मज्ञं राजानं सत्यवादिनम् । जनकं पृष्टसीतं तं कुशलं जनसंसदि ॥ १०६ ॥
“What will I say to the king who knows dharma, who speaks truth, to Janaka, when he asks about Sita’s welfare in the assembly of people?
या मामनुगता मन्दं पित्रा प्रस्थापितं वनम् । सीता धर्मं समास्थाय क्व नु सा वर्तते प्रिया ॥ १०७ ॥
“She who followed me, unfortunate, sent to the forest by my father, Sita, keeping to dharma: where is she, my beloved, now?
तया विहीनः कृपणः कथं लक्ष्मण धारये । या मामनुगता राज्याद् भ्रष्टं विहतचेतसम् ॥ १०८ ॥
“Without her, how can I, wretched, go on, Lakshmana, she who followed me, fallen from the kingdom, my heart struck?
तच्चार्वाञ्चितपद्माक्षं सुगन्धि शुभमव्रणम् । अपश्यतो मुखं तस्याः सीदतीव मतिर्मम ॥ १०९ ॥
“Not seeing that face of hers, with lovely curved lotus eyes, fragrant, auspicious, flawless, my mind seems to sink.
स्मितहास्यान्तरयुतं गुणवन्मधुरं हितम् । वैदेह्या वाक्यमतुलं कदा श्रोष्यामि लक्ष्मण ॥ ११० ॥
“When shall I hear Vaidehi’s matchless words, mixed with smiles and laughter, full of virtue, sweet, kind, Lakshmana?
प्राप्य दुःखं वने श्यामा मां मन्मथविकर्शितम् । नष्टदुःखेव हृष्टेव साध्वी साध्वभ्यभाषत ॥ १११ ॥
“Though she met hardship in the forest, the dark one, good woman, spoke kindly to me, worn by love, as if her pain were gone, as if happy.
किं नु वक्ष्याम्ययोध्यायां कौसल्यां हि नृपात्मज । क्व सा स्नुषेति पृच्छन्तीं कथं चापि मनस्विनीम् ॥ ११२ ॥
“What will I say in Ayodhya to Kausalya, prince, when she asks, ‘Where is that daughter-in-law?’, and how to that high-minded one?
गच्छ लक्ष्मण पश्य त्वं भरतं भ्रातृवत्सलम् । नह्यहं जीवितुं शक्तस्तामृते जनकात्मजाम् ॥ ११३ ॥
“Go, Lakshmana, see Bharata, who loves his brother. For I am not able to live without Janaka’s daughter.”
इति रामं महात्मानं विलपन्तमनाथवत् । उवाच लक्ष्मणो भ्राता वचनं युक्तमव्ययम् ॥ ११४ ॥
To great-souled Rama, lamenting so like one without a protector, his brother Lakshmana spoke fitting, unfailing words:
संस्तम्भ राम भद्रं ते मा शुचः पुरुषोत्तम । नेदृशानां मतिर्मन्दा भवत्यकलुषात्मनाम् ॥ ११५ ॥
“Steady yourself, Rama, bless you; do not grieve, best of men. The minds of such as you, of pure soul, do not become dull.
स्मृत्वा वियोगजं दुःखं त्यज स्नेहं प्रिये जने । अतिस्नेहपरिष्वङ्गाद् वर्तिरार्द्रापि दह्यते ॥ ११६ ॥
“Remembering the pain born of separation, give up excess of affection for the beloved. Even a wet wick burns through too close an embrace of oil.
यदि गच्छति पातालं ततोऽभ्यधिकमेव वा । सर्वथा रावणस्तात न भविष्यति राघव ॥ ११७ ॥
“If he goes to the underworld, or even further than that, Ravana will in any case not survive, dear one, Raghava.
प्रवृत्तिर्लभ्यतां तावत् तस्य पापस्य रक्षसः । ततो हास्यति वा सीतां निधनं वा गमिष्यति ॥ ११८ ॥
“Let news of that evil rakshasa be obtained first. Then he will either give up Sita or go to his death.
यदि याति दितेर्गर्भं रावणं सह सीतया । तत्राप्येनं हनिष्यामि न चेद् दास्यति मैथिलीम् ॥ ११९ ॥
“If Ravana goes with Sita even into Diti’s womb, I will kill him there too, if he will not give back Maithili.
स्वास्थ्यं भद्रं भजस्वार्य त्यज्यतां कृपणा मतिः । अर्थो हि नष्टकार्यार्थैरयत्नेनाधिगम्यते ॥ १२० ॥
“Take to steadiness, bless you, noble one; let this wretched thought be given up. Purpose is not won without effort by those whose purpose is lost.
उत्साहो बलवानार्य नास्त्युत्साहात् परं बलम् । सोत्साहस्य हि लोकेषु न किंचिदपि दुर्लभम् ॥ १२१ ॥
“Energy is strong, noble one; there is no strength greater than energy. For one with energy nothing in the worlds is hard to obtain.
उत्साहवन्तः पुरुषा नावसीदन्ति कर्मसु । उत्साहमात्रमाश्रित्य प्रतिलप्स्याम जानकीम् ॥ १२२ ॥
“Men with energy do not sink in their tasks. Relying on energy alone, we will regain Janaki.
त्यजतां कामवृत्तत्वं शोकं संन्यस्य पृष्ठतः । महात्मानं कृतात्मानमात्मानं नावबुध्यसे ॥ १२३ ॥
“Let the love-sick way be given up, putting grief behind you. You do not recognise yourself, great-souled and self-possessed.”
एवं सम्बोधितस्तेन शोकोपहतचेतनः । त्यज्य शोकं च मोहं च रामो धैर्यमुपागमत् ॥ १२४ ॥
Roused so by him, Rama, his mind struck by grief, giving up grief and confusion, took courage.
सोऽभ्यतिक्रामदव्यग्रस्तामचिन्त्यपराक्रमः । रामः पम्पां सुरुचिरां रम्यां पारिप्लवद्रुमाम् ॥ १२५ ॥
Calm, of inconceivable valour, Rama passed beyond that very lovely, charming Pampa, with its swaying trees.
निरीक्षमाणः सहसा महात्मा सर्वं वनं निर्झरकन्दरं च । उद्विग्नचेताः सह लक्ष्मणेन विचार्य दुःखोपहतः प्रतस्थे ॥ १२६ ॥
Looking quickly over the whole forest, with its waterfalls and caves, the great-souled one, troubled in mind, with Lakshmana, afflicted by sorrow, having reflected, set out.
तं मत्तमातङ्गविलासगामी गच्छन्तमव्यग्रमना महात्मा । स लक्ष्मणो राघवमिष्टचेष्टो ररक्ष धर्मेण बलेन चैव ॥ १२७ ॥
As Raghava went, calm in mind, walking with the grace of a maddened elephant, the great-souled Lakshmana, devoted in his acts, protected him with dharma and with strength.
तावृष्यमूकस्य समीपचारी चरन् ददर्शाद्भुतदर्शनीयौ । शाखामृगाणामधिपस्तरस्वी वितत्रसे नैव विचेष्ट चेष्टाम् ॥ १२८ ॥
Moving near Rishyamuka, the mighty lord of the monkeys saw those two, wonderful to behold, moving, and took fright; he could make no move.
स तौ महात्मा गजमन्दगामी शाखामृगस्तत्र चरंश्चरन्तौ । दृष्ट्वा विषादं परमं जगाम चिन्तापरीतो भयभारभग्नः ॥ १२९ ॥
That great-souled monkey, moving there with an elephant’s slow gait, seeing the two moving, fell into the deepest despair, overcome by anxiety, broken by the weight of fear.
तमाश्रमं पुण्यसुखं शरण्यं सदैव शाखामृगसेवितान्तम् । त्रस्ताश्च दृष्ट्वा हरयोऽभिजग्मु- र्महौजसौ राघवलक्ष्मणौ तौ ॥ १३० ॥
And the monkeys, seeing those two of great might, Raghava and Lakshmana, went terrified to that hermitage, holy, pleasant, a refuge, its bounds always frequented by monkeys.