Aranya KandaSarga 1531 Verses

Sarga 15

पञ्चवटी-निवासः (Settlement at Pañcavaṭī and Construction of the Hermitage)

अरण्यकाण्ड

This sarga maps the transition from travel to habitation: Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa reach Pañcavaṭī, a forest tract described as simultaneously beautiful and perilous (populated by diverse wild and ‘vicious’ animals). Rāma tasks Lakṣmaṇa—explicitly praised for discernment—to survey and choose an āśrama-site that suits Sītā and provides nearby water, ritual materials (samidh, kuśa, flowers, water), and a pleasing terrain. After deliberation, Rāma selects a level, tree-surrounded location and points out adjacent features: a fragrant lotus-tank and the Godāvarī river, famed in sage-tradition (Agastya is cited) and animated by swans, ducks, and cakravāka birds; distant hills are ornamented with mineral streaks likened to decorative windows and elephants. The narrative then becomes procedural: Lakṣmaṇa rapidly constructs a leaf-hut (parṇaśālā) with bamboo supports, branches, ropes, leveled ground, and grass-and-leaf roofing; he bathes in the Godāvarī, brings lotuses, performs customary flower-offerings and peace-invocation before occupancy, and presents the finished dwelling. Rāma and Sītā rejoice; Rāma embraces Lakṣmaṇa, praising his gratitude, duty-knowledge, and emotional intelligence, and then the trio resides happily for a time, portrayed as godlike in serenity.

Shlokas

Verse 3.15.1

ततः पञ्चवटीं गत्वा नानाव्यालमृगायुताम्।उवाच भ्रातरं रामस्सौमित्रिं दीप्ततेजसम्।।।।

“Not far from here is seen a lovely lotus-tank, adorned with lotuses that gleam like the sun and are fragrant with sweet scent.”

Verse 3.15.2

आगताः स्म यथोद्दिष्टममुं देशं महर्षिणा।अयं पञ्चवटीदेशस्सौम्य पुष्पितपादपः।।।।

This place is sacred; this place is fit for rites; this place abounds in animals and birds. Here, O Saumitra, we shall dwell—together with this bird (Jaṭāyu).

Verse 3.15.3

सर्वतश्चार्यतां दृष्टिः कानने निपुणोह्यसि।आश्रमः कतरस्मिन्नो देशे भवति सम्मतः।।।।

Let your gaze range everywhere in this forest; you are indeed skilled in judgment. In what place here would a hermitage be fitting for us?

Verse 3.15.4

रमते यत्र वैदेही त्वमहं चैव लक्ष्मण।तादृशो दृश्यतां देशस्सन्निकृष्टजलाशयः।।।।वनरामण्यकं यत्र स्थलरामण्यकं तथा।सन्निकृष्टं च यत्र स्यात्समित्पुष्पकुशोदकम्।।।।

Thus instructed by Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa—hands folded in reverence—spoke these words to Kakutstha (Rāma) in Sītā’s presence.

Verse 3.15.5

रमते यत्र वैदेही त्वमहं चैव लक्ष्मण।तादृशो दृश्यतां देशस्सन्निकृष्टजलाशयः।।3.15.4।।वनरामण्यकं यत्र स्थलरामण्यकं तथा।सन्निकृष्टं च यत्र स्यात्समित्पुष्पकुशोदकम्।।3.15.5।।

O Kakutstha, I am dependent upon you—even were you to remain thus for a hundred years. Only tell me the lovely place of your own choosing, saying, “Let it be made there.”

Verse 3.15.6

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मण संयताञ्जलिः।सीतासमक्षं काकुत्स्थमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।।।

Pleased by the words of great-souled Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma reflected and then chose a site endowed with every good quality.

Verse 3.15.7

परवानस्मि काकुत्स्थ त्वयि वर्षशतं स्थिते।स्वयं तु रुचिरे देशे क्रियतामिति मां वद।।।।

Having reached that lovely spot suited for establishing a hermitage, Rāma took Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) by both hands in his own and spoke to him.

Verse 3.15.8

सुप्रीतस्तेन वाक्येन लक्ष्मणस्य महात्मनः।विमृशन्रोचयामास देशं सर्वगुणान्वितम्।।।।

Having spoken thus to Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava—enhancer of prosperity, self-controlled—dwelt there very happily, in that place rich with fruits.

Verse 3.15.9

स तं रुचिरमाक्रम्य देशमाश्रमकर्मणि।हस्तौ गृहीत्वा हस्तेन रामस्सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।।।।

For some time, that righteous-souled one lived there, with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa attending upon him—like an immortal in heaven.

Verse 3.15.10

अयं देशस्समश्रीमान् पुष्पितैस्तरुभिर्वृतः।इहाऽश्रमपदं सौम्य यथावत्कर्तुमर्हसि।।।।

This land is level and fair, encircled by trees in blossom. O gentle one, it is fitting that you establish the hermitage here in the proper manner.

Verse 3.15.11

इयमादित्यसङ्काशैः पद्मैस्सुरभिगन्धिभिः।अदूरे दृश्यते रम्या पद्मिनी पद्मशोभिता।।।।

Here, not far away, a delightful lotus pond is seen, adorned with fragrant lotuses that shine with the radiance of the sun.

Verse 3.15.12

यथातख्यातमगस्त्येन मुनिना भावितात्मना।इयं गोदावरी रम्या पुष्पितैस्तरुभिर्वृता।।।।हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा चक्रवाकोपशोभिता।

O gentle one, as the great sage directed, we have reached this place—this is Pañcavaṭī, a region adorned with trees in full bloom.

Verse 3.15.13

नातिदूरे न चासन्ने मृगयूथपिपीडिताः।।।।मयूरनादिता रम्याः प्रांशवो बहुकन्दराः।दृश्यन्ते गिरयः सौम्य फुल्लैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।।।

Just as the self-mastered sage Agastya had described, this delightful Godāvarī is encircled by trees in bloom, teeming with swans and ducks, and made radiant by flocks of cakravāka birds.

Verse 3.15.14

नातिदूरे न चासन्ने मृगयूथपिपीडिताः।।3.15.13।।मयूरनादिता रम्याः प्रांशवो बहुकन्दराः।दृश्यन्ते गिरयः सौम्य फुल्लैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।3.15.14।।

Neither too far nor too near, O gentle one, mountains come into view—lovely and tall, with many caves; they echo with peacocks’ calls, are frequented by herds of deer, and are covered with flowering trees.

Verse 3.15.15

सौवर्णैराजतैस्ताम्रैर्देशे देशे च धातुभिः।गवाक्षिता इवाभान्ति गजाः परमभक्तिभिः।।।।

Neither too far nor too near, the mountains appear—tall and many-caverned, alive with peacock-calls, covered with flowering trees, and frequented by herds of deer.

Verse 3.15.16

सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च खर्जूरपनसाम्रकैः।नीवारैस्तिमिशैश्चैव पुन्नागैश्चोपशोभिताः।।।।चूतैरशोकैस्तिलकैश्चम्पकैः केतकैरपि।पुष्पगुल्मलतोपेतैस्तैस्तैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।।।चन्दनैस्पन्दनैर्नीपैः पर्णासैर्लिकुचैरपि।धवाश्वकर्णखदिरैः शमीकिंशुकपाटलैः।।।।

With veins of minerals—gold, silver, and copper—showing in place after place, the mountains shine as though patterned with window-like panels, splendid like great elephants marked with radiant streaks.

Verse 3.15.17

सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च खर्जूरपनसाम्रकैः।नीवारैस्तिमिशैश्चैव पुन्नागैश्चोपशोभिताः।।3.15.16।।चूतैरशोकैस्तिलकैश्चम्पकैः केतकैरपि।पुष्पगुल्मलतोपेतैस्तैस्तैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।3.15.17।।चन्दनैस्पन्दनैर्नीपैः पर्णासैर्लिकुचैरपि।धवाश्वकर्णखदिरैः शमीकिंशुकपाटलैः।।3.15.18।।

The land is richly adorned—filled with sāla, tāla, and tamāla trees, with date palms, jackfruit, and mango; with wild rice and dense timiśa, and with punnāga. It is covered with mango, aśoka, tilaka, campaka, and ketaka, with flowering shrubs and creepers; and also with sandalwood, spandana, nīpa, parṇāsa, likuca, dhava, aśvakarṇa, khadira, śamī, kiṃśuka, and pāṭala trees.

Verse 3.15.18

This passage presents (3.15.16–3.15.18) as a single block, reiterating the long catalogue of trees, wild grains, and flowering growth that adorn the Pañcavaṭī region.

Verse 3.15.19

इदं पुण्यमिदं मेध्यमिदं बहुमृगद्विजम्।इह वत्स्याम सौमित्रे सार्धमेतेन पक्षिणा।।।।

This record repeats the same flora-description block (3.15.16–3.15.18), listing the many trees and plants that cover and beautify the Pañcavaṭī area.

Verse 3.15.20

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा।अचिरेणाऽश्रमं भ्रातुश्चकार सुमहाबलः।।।।

Thus instructed by Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa—slayer of enemy champions and mighty in strength—quickly built a hermitage (āśrama) for his brother.

Verse 3.15.21

पर्णशालां सुविपुलां तत्र सङ्खातमृत्तिकाम्।सुस्तम्भां मस्करैर्दीर्घैः कृतवंशां सुशोभनाम्।।3.15. 21।।शमीशाखाभिरास्तीर्य दृढपाशावपाशिताम्।कुशकाशशरैः पर्णैस्सुपरिच्छादितां तथा।।3.15.22।।समीकृततलां रम्यां चकार लघुविक्रमः।निवासं राघवस्यार्थे प्रेक्षणीयमनुत्तमम्।।3.15.23।।

There Lakṣmaṇa—swift in execution—prepared a spacious leaf-hut: he dug and set the earthwork, raised firm supports with long bamboo poles, and made the structure well-formed and pleasing to behold.

Verse 3.15.22

पर्णशालां सुविपुलां तत्र सङ्खातमृत्तिकाम्।सुस्तम्भां मस्करैर्दीर्घैः कृतवंशां सुशोभनाम्।।3.15. 21।।शमीशाखाभिरास्तीर्य दृढपाशावपाशिताम्।कुशकाशशरैः पर्णैस्सुपरिच्छादितां तथा।।।।समीकृततलां रम्यां चकार लघुविक्रमः।निवासं राघवस्यार्थे प्रेक्षणीयमनुत्तमम्।।।।

He spread śamī branches across, bound them fast with strong ropes, and then carefully roofed and covered the hut with kuśa grass, kāśa grass, reeds, and leaves.

Verse 3.15.23

The swift-acting Lakṣmaṇa levelled the ground and made a charming dwelling—an excellent, sight-worthy residence—intended for Rāghava (Rāma).

Verse 3.15.24

सहसा लक्ष्मणः श्रीमान् नदीं गोदावरीं तदा।स्नात्वा पद्मानि चादाय सफलः पुनरागतः।।।।

At once the handsome Lakṣmaṇa went to the Godāvarī River; having bathed, he gathered lotuses and returned, his task fulfilled.

Verse 3.15.25

ततः पुष्पबलिं कृत्वा शान्तिं च स यथाविधि।दर्शयामास रामाय तदाश्रमपदं कृतम्।।।।

Thereafter he made an offering of flowers and performed the rite of peace according to the prescribed rule; then he showed Rāma the prepared site of the hermitage.

Verse 3.15.26

स तं दृष्ट्वा कृतं सौम्यमाश्रमं सीतया सह।राघवः पर्णशालायां हर्षमाहारयत्परम्।।।।

Seeing, together with Sītā, the gentle and well-made hermitage, Rāghava felt profound joy within that leaf-hut.

Verse 3.15.27

सुसंहृष्टः परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां लक्ष्मणं तदा।अतिस्निग्धं च गाढं च वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्।।।।

Overjoyed, he embraced Lakṣmaṇa with both arms—tight and with deep affection—and spoke these heartfelt words.

Verse 3.15.28

प्रीतोऽस्मि ते महत्कर्म त्वया कृतमिदं प्रभो।प्रदेयो यन्निमित्तं ते परिष्वङ्गो मया कृतः।।।।

“I am pleased with you, O noble one; this is a great deed you have done. Therefore I give you what I can at present—my embrace.”

Verse 3.15.29

भावज्ञेन कृतज्ञेन धर्मज्ञेन च लक्ष्मण।त्वया पुत्रेण धर्मात्मा न संवृत्तः पिता मम।।।।

O Lakṣmaṇa, because I have you—a brother like a son, who knows another’s heart, is grateful, and understands dharma—my righteous father is, as it were, not lost to me.

Verse 3.15.30

एवं लक्ष्मणमुक्त्वा तु राघवो लक्ष्मिवर्धनः।तस्मिन् देशे बहुफले न्यवसत्सुसुखं वशी।।।।

O Lakṣmaṇa, look for a place where Vaidehī will take delight—and where you and I too can live happily—near a water-source; where the forest is charming and the ground itself is pleasant, and where firewood for sacred rites, flowers, kuśa-grass, and water are easily available.

Verse 3.15.31

कञ्चित्कालं स धर्मात्मा सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च।अन्वास्यमानो न्यवसत्स्वर्गलोके यथामरः।।।।

O Lakṣmaṇa, find such a place—one that delights Vaidehī and also you and me—near a water-source; where the forest and the land are both charming, and where firewood for sacred use, flowers, kuśa-grass, and water are readily at hand.