Sarga 20

Verse 2.20.1

तस्मिंस्तु पुरुषव्याघ्रे निष्क्रामति कृताञ्जलौ।आर्तशब्दो महान् जज्ञे स्त्रीणामन्तःपुरे तदा।।।।

But as that tiger among men—Rāma—was leaving with palms joined in reverence, a great cry of distress arose among the women in the inner palace.

Verse 2.20.2

कृत्येष्वचोदितः पित्रा सर्वस्यान्तःपुरस्य च।गतिर्यश्शरणं चापि स रामोऽद्य प्रवत्स्यति।।।।

Though neither urged by his father nor bound by any formal duty, Rāma had been the refuge and protection of the entire inner palace household—yet that very Rāma now sets forth into exile.

Verse 2.20.3

कौशल्यायां यथा युक्तो जनन्यां वर्तते सदा।तथैव वर्ततेऽस्मासु जन्मप्रभृति राघवः।।।।

Just as Rāghava is ever devoted in his conduct toward his mother Kausalyā, so has he behaved toward all of us, from the very time of his birth.

Verse 2.20.4

न क्रुध्यत्यभिशप्तोऽपि क्रोधनीयानि वर्जयन्।क्रुद्धान्प्रसादयन्सर्वान् स इतोऽद्य प्रवत्स्यति।।।।

He who avoids deeds that provoke anger, who calms all who are angry, and who does not grow wrathful even when cursed—he, Rāma, is departing from here into exile today.

Verse 2.20.5

अबुद्धिर्बत नो राजा जीवलोकं चरत्ययम्।यो गतिं सर्वभूतानां परित्यजति राघवम्।।.।।

Alas, our king still wanders among the living, bereft of discernment, for he is casting away Rāghava, the refuge of all beings.

Verse 2.20.6

इति सर्वा महिष्यस्ता विवत्सा इव धेनवः।पतिमाचुक्रुशुश्चैव सस्वरं चापि चुक्रुशुः।।।।

Thus all those chief queens—like cows bereft of their calves—cried out aloud, wailing and calling out to their husband.

Verse 2.20.7

स हि चान्तःपुरे घोरमार्तशब्दं महीपतिः।पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तः श्रुत्वा व्यालीयताऽसने।।।।

For the king, scorched by grief for his son, heard the dreadful cries of distress from the inner chambers and sank down upon his seat.

Verse 2.20.8

रामस्तु भृशमायस्तो निश्श्वसन्निव कुञ्जरः।जगाम सहितो भ्रात्रा मातुरन्तःपुरं वशी।।।।

But Rāma—deeply distressed, sighing like an elephant, yet self-mastered—went with his brother to his mother’s inner apartments.

Verse 2.20.9

सोऽपश्यत्पुरुषं तत्र वृद्धं परमपूजितम्।उपविष्टं गृहद्वारि तिष्ठतश्चापरान्बहून्।।।।

There he saw an aged man, greatly venerable, seated at the doorway of the residence, and many others standing nearby.

Verse 2.20.10

दृष्ट्वैव तु तदा रामं ते सर्वे सहसोत्थिताः।जयेन जयतां श्रेष्ठं वर्धयन्ति स्म राघवम्।।।।

Then, the moment they saw Rāma, all of them rose at once and acclaimed Rāghava—best among victors—with cries of ‘Victory!’.

Verse 2.20.11

प्रविश्य प्रथमां कक्ष्यां द्वितीयायां ददर्श सः।ब्राह्मणान्वेदसम्पन्नान्वृद्धान्राज्ञाऽभिसत्कृतान्।।।।

After entering the first courtyard, he saw in the second aged brahmins, learned in the Vedas, whom the king had duly honored.

Verse 2.20.12

प्रणम्य रामस्तान्विप्रांस्तृतीयायां ददर्श सः।स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तथा बाला द्वाररक्षणतत्पराः।।।।

Having bowed to those brahmins, Rāma then saw, in the third courtyard, women—both elderly and young—intent on guarding the doorway.

Verse 2.20.13

वर्धयित्वा प्रहृष्टास्ताः प्रविश्य च गृहं स्त्रियः।न्यवेदयन्त त्वरिता राममातुः प्रियं तदा।।।।

Those women, rejoicing, bestowed blessings for his prosperity; then, hurrying into the chambers, they informed Rāma’s mother of the pleasing news.

Verse 2.20.14

कौशल्यापि तदा देवी रात्रिं स्थित्वा समाहिता।प्रभाते त्वकरोत्पूजां विष्णोः पुत्रहितैषिणी।।।।

Kauśalyā too, the queen, having spent the night composed in mind, performed worship of Viṣṇu at dawn, seeking her son’s welfare.

Verse 2.20.15

सा क्षौमवसना हृष्टा नित्यं व्रतपरायणा।अग्निं जुहोति स्म तदा मन्त्रवत्कृतमङ्गला।।।।

Clad in fine linen and joyful, ever devoted to vows, she then offered oblations into the fire according to mantra, having completed the auspicious rites.

Verse 2.20.16

प्रविश्य च तदा रामो मातुरन्त:पुरं शुभम्।ददर्श मातरं तत्र हावयन्तीं हुताशनम्।।।।

Then Rāma entered his mother’s auspicious inner apartments and saw her there, directing the offering of oblations into Hutāśana (Agni).

Verse 2.20.17

देवकार्यनिमित्तं च तत्रापश्यत्समुद्यतम्।दध्यक्षतं घृतं चैव मोदकान्हविषस्तथा।।।।लाजान्माल्यानि शुक्लानि पायसं कृसरं तथा।समिध: पूर्णकुम्भांश्च ददर्श रघुनन्दनः।।।।

There Rāma saw the preparations set out for sacred rites: curd and akṣata (auspicious grains), clarified butter, sweetmeats, havis-offerings, parched grain, white garlands, pāyasa (rice-porridge) and kṛsara (rice mixed with sesame), along with sacrificial kindling (samidh) and vessels filled with water.

Verse 2.20.18

देवकार्यनिमित्तं च तत्रापश्यत्समुद्यतम्।दध्यक्षतं घृतं चैव मोदकान्हविषस्तथा।।2.20.17।।लाजान्माल्यानि शुक्लानि पायसं कृसरं तथा।समिध: पूर्णकुम्भांश्च ददर्श रघुनन्दनः।।2.20.18।।

There he saw all made ready for the divine rite: curds and consecrated rice, ghee, modakas and sacrificial offerings; parched grains, white garlands, payasa and krisara; ritual kindling (samidh) and jars filled to the brim with sacred water—thus did Rāma, joy of the Raghu line, behold them.

Verse 2.20.19

तां शुक्लक्षौमसंवीतां व्रतयोगेन कर्शिताम्।तर्पयन्तीं ददर्शाद्भिर्देवतां देववर्णिनीम्।।।।

He saw her—Kauśalyā—clad in white silk, made lean by the discipline of vows; radiant in complexion like a goddess, she was offering water-libations to propitiate the deities.

Verse 2.20.20

सा चिरस्यात्मजं दृष्ट्वा मातृनन्दनमागतम्।अभिचक्राम संहृष्टा किशोरं बडबा यथा।।।।

After a long while, seeing her own son arrive—the very joy of a mother—she hastened toward him in gladness, like a mare rushing to her young foal.

Verse 2.20.21

स मातरमभिक्रान्तामुपसंगृह्य राघवः।परिष्वक्तश्च बाहुभ्यामुपाघ्रातश्च मूर्धनि।।।।

Rāghava respectfully received his mother as she came toward him; she embraced him with both arms and kissed him upon the crown of his head.

Verse 2.20.22

तमुवाच दुराधर्षं राघवं सुतमात्मनः।कौशल्या पुत्रवात्सल्यादिदं प्रियहितं वचः।।।।

Then Kauśalyā, out of deep motherly love, spoke to her own son Rāghava—the invincible—words that were pleasing and meant for his good.

Verse 2.20.23

वृद्धानां धर्मशीलानां राजर्षीणां महात्मनाम्।प्राप्नुह्यायुश्च कीर्तिं च धर्मं चोपहितं कुले।।।।

May you attain long life and renown like the aged, virtuous, great royal sages—and may you uphold the dharma long established in your lineage.

Verse 2.20.24

सत्यप्रतिज्ञं पितरं राजानं पश्य राघव।अद्यैव हि त्वां धर्मात्मा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।।।

O Rāghava, behold your father the king, true to his pledge; the righteous one will consecrate you today itself as yuvarāja.

Verse 2.20.25

दत्तमासनमालभ्य भोजनेन निमन्त्रितः।मातरं राघवः किञ्चिद्व्रीडात्प्रसार्याञ्जलिमब्रवीत्।।।।

Invited by his mother to partake of food, Rāghava merely touched the seat that was offered; then, with slight bashfulness, he extended his folded hands and spoke to her.

Verse 2.20.26

स स्वभावविनीतश्च गौरवाच्च तदा नतः।प्रस्थितो दण्डकारण्यमाप्रष्टुमुपचक्रमे।।।।

Rāma—modest by nature and bowing then out of reverence—began to ask his mother for leave, as he was about to depart for the Daṇḍaka forest.

Verse 2.20.27

देवि नूनं न जानीषे महद्भयमुपस्थितम्।इदं तव च दुःखाय वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणस्य च।।।।

Mother, surely you do not yet know: a great calamity has come—one that will bring sorrow to you, to Vaidehī (Sītā), and to Lakṣmaṇa as well.

Verse 2.20.28

गमिष्ये दण्डकारण्यं किमनेनासनेन मे।विष्टरासनयोग्यो हि कालोऽयं मामुपस्थितः।।।।

I shall go to the Daṇḍaka forest. What use is this seat to me now? For a time has come upon me when I am fit only for a kuśa-grass mat.

Verse 2.20.29

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने।मधुमूलफलैर्जीवन्हित्वा मुनिवदामिषम्।।।।

For fourteen years I shall dwell in the lonely forest, living on honey, roots, and fruits, and giving up meat—like a sage.

Verse 2.20.30

भरताय महाराजो यौवराज्यं प्रयच्छति।मां पुनर्दण्डकारण्ये विवासयति तापसम्।।।।

The great king is granting the office of heir-apparent to Bharata, and sending me away again to the Daṇḍaka forest—to live as an ascetic.

Verse 2.20.31

स षट्चाष्टौ च वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने।आसेवमानो वन्यानि फलमूलैश्च वर्तयन्।।।।

Thus for fourteen years I shall dwell in the desolate forest, sustaining myself on forest fare—fruits and roots—partaking only of what the wilderness provides.

Verse 2.20.32

सा निकृत्तेव सालस्य यष्टिः परशुना वने।पपात सहसा देवी देवतेव दिवश्च्युता।।।।

Then that noble lady suddenly fell—like a sāla-branch cut in the forest by an axe, like a goddess dropped from heaven.

Verse 2.20.33

तामदुःखोचितां दृष्ट्वा पतितां कदलीमिव।रामस्तूत्थापयामास मातरं गतचेतसम्।।।।

Seeing his mother—one who deserved no such sorrow—fallen like a plantain tree and bereft of consciousness, Rāma lifted her up.

Verse 2.20.34

उपावृत्त्योत्थितां दीनां बडबामिव वाहिताम्।पांसुकुण्ठितसर्वाङ्गीं विममर्श च पाणिना।।।।

As she rose after rolling on the ground—wretched, like a mare strained by pulling a burden—her whole body dulled with dust, Rāma gently wiped and soothed her with his hand.

Verse 2.20.35

सा राघवमुपासीनमसुखार्ता सुखोचिता।उवाच पुरुषव्याघ्रमुपशृण्वति लक्ष्मणे।।।।

Kausalyā—fit for happiness yet crushed by distress—spoke to Rāma, the best of men, as he sat near her, while Lakṣmaṇa listened.

Verse 2.20.36

यदि पुत्र न जायेथा मम शोकाय राघव।न स्म दुःखमतो भूयः पश्येयमहमप्रजाः।।।।

O son, O Rāghava—had you not been born to me only to bring this sorrow, then even as a woman without children I would not have had to behold grief greater than this.

Verse 2.20.37

एक एव हि वन्ध्याया श्शोको भवति मानसः।अप्रजाऽस्मीति सन्तापो न ह्यन्यः पुत्र विद्यते।।।।

For a barren woman, my son, there is only one sorrow in the mind—the burning anguish of thinking, “I have no child”; beyond that, no other grief compares.

Verse 2.20.38

न दृष्टपूर्वं कल्याणं सुखं वा पतिपौरुषे।अपि पुत्रे ऽपि पश्येयमिति रामाऽस्थितं मया।।।।

O Rāma, I never before saw good fortune or happiness while my husband held power; I sustained myself only with the hope that I might see it when my son came to authority.

Verse 2.20.39

सा बहून्यमनोज्ञानि वाक्यानि हृदयच्छिदाम्।अहं श्रोष्ये सपत्नीनामवराणां वरा सती।।।।

Though I am the senior queen, I will have to hear many unpleasant, heart-cutting words from my co-wives who are younger than I.

Verse 2.20.40

अतो दुःखतरं किं नु प्रमदानां भविष्यति।मम शोको विलापश्च यादृशोऽयमनन्तकः।।।।

What greater suffering can there be for women than this—such unending grief and lamentation as mine?

Verse 2.20.41

त्वयि सन्निहितेऽप्येवमहमासं निराकृता।किं पुनः प्रोषिते तात ध्रुवं मरणमेव मे।।।।

Even when you are present, dear child, I have been treated as cast aside; what then when you are far away in exile? For me, death will surely follow.

Verse 2.20.42

अत्यन्तनिगृहीतास्मि भर्तुर्नित्यमतन्त्रिता।परिवारेण कैकेय्या स्समा वाप्यथवाऽवरा।।।।

I am utterly restrained and always without independence under my husband; I am treated as equal to—or even lower than—the attendants of Kaikeyī.

Verse 2.20.43

योऽहि मां सेवते कश्चिदथवाप्यनुवर्तते।कैकेय्याः पुत्रमन्वीक्ष्य स्वश्चि जनो नाभिभाषते।।।।

Whoever serves me or even follows my side—after seeing Kaikeyī’s son, even my own people do not speak to me.

Verse 2.20.44

नित्यक्रोधतया तस्याः कथं नु खरवादितत्।कैकेय्या वदनं द्रष्टुं पुत्र शक्ष्यामि दुर्गता।।।।

Wretched as I am, my son—how shall I be able to look upon Kaikeyī’s face, she who is ever angry and harsh of speech?

Verse 2.20.45

दश सप्त च वर्षाणि जातस्य तव राघवअतितानि प्रकाङ्क्षन्त्या मया दुःखपरिक्षयम्।।।।

O Rāghava, seventeen years have passed since you came of age, and all that time I have lived longing for the end of my sorrow.

Verse 2.20.46

तदक्षयं महद्दुःखं नोत्सहे सहितुं चिरम्।विप्रकारं सपत्नीनामेवं जीर्णाऽपि राघव।।।।

Therefore, O Rāghava, aged as I am, I cannot endure for long this vast, unending grief—nor the humiliations inflicted by my co-wives.

Verse 2.20.47

अपश्यन्ती तव मुखं परिपूर्णशशिप्रभम्।कृपणा वर्तयिष्यामि कथं कृपणजीविकाम्।।।।

Without beholding your face, radiant as the full moon, how shall I—wretched—go on living this miserable life?

Verse 2.20.48

उपवासैश्च योगैश्च बहुभिश्च परिश्रमैः।दुःखं संवर्धितो मोघं त्वं हि दुर्गतया मया।।।।

With fasts, with disciplines of yoga, and with many hardships, I raised you with difficulty—yet now, alas, it seems all has come to nothing, for I am utterly unfortunate.

Verse 2.20.49

स्थिरं तु हृदयं मन्ये ममेदं यन्न दीर्यते।प्रावृषीव महानद्या स्पृष्टं कूलं नवाम्भसा।।।।

I think my heart must be hard indeed, since it does not break—like the bank of a great river in the rainy season, struck by fresh floodwaters yet not crumbling.

Verse 2.20.50

ममैव नूनं मरणं न विद्यतेन चावकाऽशोस्ति यमक्षयेऽमम।यदन्तकोऽद्यैव न मां जिहीर्षति।प्रसह्य सिंहो रुदतीं मृगीमिव।।।।

Surely death does not come to me, nor is there any place for me in Yama’s realm—since Death does not seize me even now, forcibly, as a lion carries off a crying doe.

Verse 2.20.51

स्थिरं हि नूनं हृदयं ममायसंन भिद्यते यद्भुवि नावदीर्यते।अनेन दुःखेन च देहमर्पितंध्रुवं ह्यकाले मरणं न विद्यते।।।।

Surely my heart is firm—made of iron—for it neither shatters nor breaks upon the earth. And this body, surrendered to such grief, will not meet an untimely death; that is certain.

Verse 2.20.52

इदं हि दुःखं यदनर्थकानि मेव्रतानि दानानि च संयमाश्च हि।तपश्च तप्तं यदपत्यकारणात्सुनिष्फलं बीजमिवोप्तमूषरे।।।।

This is my grief: my vows, my gifts, and my self-restraint have become meaningless. Even the austerities I practised to gain a child have proved fruitless—like seed sown in barren soil.

Verse 2.20.53

यदि ह्यकाले मरणं स्वयेच्छयालभेत कश्चिद्गुरुदुःखकर्शितः।गताहमद्यैव परेतसंसदंविना त्वया धेनुरिवात्मजेन वै।।।।

If one, crushed by unbearable grief, could obtain an untimely death by sheer choice, then I would have gone this very day to the assembly of the departed, to Yama’s court; for without you I am like a cow without her calf.

Verse 2.20.54

अथापि किं जीवितमद्य मे वृथात्वया विना चन्द्रनिभाननप्रभ।अनुव्रजिष्यामि वनं त्वयैव गौस्सुदुर्बला वत्समिवानुकाङ्क्षया।।।।

Even so, what worth is my life today—empty without you, O you whose face shines like the full moon? I will follow you to the forest, like a weakened cow longing with tender affection for her calf.

Verse 2.20.55

भृशमसुखममर्षिता तदाबहु विललाप समीक्ष्य राघवम्।व्यसनमुपनिशम्य सा महत्सुतमिव बद्धमवेक्ष्य किन्नरी।।।।

Then she—overwhelmed by intense misery and burning indignation—lamented at length on seeing Rāghava; having heard of the great calamity, she looked upon him like a kinnarī gazing at her grown son held bound in captivity.