Sarga 30

Verse 2.30.1

सान्त्व्यमाना तु रामेण मैथिली जनकात्मजा।वनवासनिमित्ताय भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.30.1।।

You must not set out for the forest without taking me. Whether it is for austerity, for the wilderness, or even for heaven—I want it to be together with you.

Verse 2.30.2

सा तमुत्तमसंविग्ना सीता विपुलवक्षसम्।प्रणयाच्चाभिमानाच्च परिचिक्षेप राघवम्।।2.30.2।।

If, even when I stand thus resolved and unwavering, you still do not take me to the forest, then this very day I will drink poison—I will not go to live under the power of enemies.

Verse 2.30.3

किं त्वाऽमन्यत वैदेहः पिता मे मिथिलाधिपः।राम जामातरं प्राप्य स्त्रियं पुरुषविग्रहम्।।2.30.3।।

O Rāma—when my father, the king of Mithilā, accepted you as his son-in-law, did he imagine you to be a woman wearing the form of a man?

Verse 2.30.4

अनृतं बत लोकोऽयमज्ञानाद्यदि वक्ष्यति।तेजो नास्ति परं रामे तपतीव दिवाकरे।।2.30.4।।

It would indeed be false if, out of ignorance, people were to say that no supreme radiance is found in Rama—radiance blazing like the sun.

Verse 2.30.5

किं हि कृत्वा विषण्णस्त्वं कुतो वा भयमस्ति ते।यत्परित्यक्तुकामस्त्वं मामनन्यपरायणाम्।।2.30.5।।

As for the most precious ornaments, the finest garments, and whatever charming articles there are for delight and play—

Verse 2.30.6

द्युमत्सेनसुतं वीर सत्यवन्तमनुव्रताम्।सावित्रीमिव मां विद्धि त्वमात्मवशवर्तिनीम्।।2.30.6।।

Give my couches and vehicles, and whatever other possessions I have, to your own attendants; thereafter, bestow what remains upon the brāhmaṇas.

Verse 2.30.7

न त्वहं मनसाऽप्यन्यं द्रष्टाऽस्मि त्वदृतेऽनघ।त्वया राघव गच्छेयं यथाऽन्या कुलपांसिनी।।2.30.7।।

Knowing that her own going was agreeable to her husband, the noble lady—gladdened—quickly began the act of giving away.

Verse 2.30.8

स्वयं तु भार्यां कौमारीं चिरमध्युषितां सतीम्।शैलूष इव मां राम परेभ्यो दातुमिच्छसि।।2.30.8।।

Then the illustrious lady, her heart fulfilled and rejoicing at her husband’s words, began to give away wealth and jewels, spiritedly offering them to the righteous.

Verse 2.30.9

यस्य पथ्यं च रामाऽत्थ यस्य चार्थेऽवरुध्यसे।त्वं तस्य भव वश्यश्च विधेयश्च सदाऽनघ।।2.30.9।।

O sinless Rāma, for the sake of those whose welfare you speak of—and on whose account you restrain me—be ever compliant and obedient to them.

Verse 2.30.10

स मामनादाय वनं न त्वं प्रस्थातुमर्हसि।तपो वा यदि वाऽरण्यं स्वर्गो वा स्यात्सह मे त्वया।।2.30.10।।

And for me there will be no hardship on the road; walking behind you, it will be as though I were on a joyful outing or reclining upon a couch.

Verse 2.30.11

न च मे भविता तत्र कश्चित्पथि परिश्रमः।पृष्ठतस्तव गच्छन्त्या विहारशयनेष्विव।।2.30.11।।

Kuşa, kāśa, śara and iṣīkā grasses, and even thorny trees along the way—so long as I am with you—will feel to me as soft as cotton or antelope-skin.

Verse 2.30.12

कुशकाशशरेषीका ये च कण्टकिनो द्रुमाः।तूलाजिनसमस्पर्शा मार्गे मम सह त्वया।।2.30.12।।

O beloved, even the dust raised by mighty winds that might sting or trouble me, I will regard as though it were the finest sandal paste.

Verse 2.30.13

महावातसमुद्धूतं यन्मामपकरिष्यति।रजो रमण तन्मन्ये परार्थ्यमिव चन्दनम्।।2.30.13।।

O forest-rover, when I can lie down on grassy meadows at the forest’s edge, what could be more comfortable than that—even compared to beds spread with fine coverings?

Verse 2.30.14

शाद्वलेषु यथा शिश्ये वनान्ते वनगोचर।कुथास्तरणतल्पेषु किं स्यात्सुखतरं ततः।।2.30.14।।

O forest-roamer! I shall lie down on the tender grassy meadows at the forest’s edge—what could be more comfortable than that, compared to a bed spread with costly carpets?

Verse 2.30.15

पत्रं मूलं फलं यत्त्वमल्पं वा यदि वा बहु।दास्यसि स्वयमाहृत्य तन्मेऽमृतरसोपमम्।।2.30.15।।

Then Sītā, deeply stirred by a grave concern, reproached Rāghava—the broad-chested scion of the Raghu line—out of love and also from wounded self-respect.

Verse 2.30.16

न मातुर्न पितुस्तत्र स्मरिष्यामि न वेश्मनः।आर्तवान्युपभुञ्जाना पुष्पाणि च फलानि च।।2.30.16।।

Whatever leaf, root, or fruit you yourself gather and offer me—whether little or much—will be to me like nectar in taste.

Verse 2.30.17

न च तत्र ततः किञ्चिद्द्रष्टुमर्हसि विप्रियम्।मत्कृते न च ते शोको न भविष्यामि दुर्भरा।।2.30.17।।

There in the forest, enjoying the flowers and fruits of the seasons, I will not long for my mother or my father, nor even for the comforts of home.

Verse 2.30.18

य स्त्वया सह स स्वर्गो निरयो यस्त्वया विना।इति जानन्परां प्रीतिं गच्छ राम मया सह।।2.30.18।।

And for that reason, there in the forest you should not expect to see anything unpleasant arising from me: on my account you will have no sorrow, and I will not be a burden to you.

Verse 2.30.19

अथ मामेवमव्यग्रां वनं नैव नयिष्यति।विषमद्यैव पास्यामि मा विशं द्विषतां गमम्।।2.30.19।।

Wherever I am with you—that alone is heaven; and what is without you is hell. Knowing this, O Rāma, accept great joy and go with me.

Verse 2.30.20

पश्चादपि हि दुःखेन मम नैवास्ति जीवितम्।उज्झितायास्त्वया नाथ तदैव मरणं वरम्।।2.30.20।।

Even afterward, I would have no life left in me amid such sorrow. If I am abandoned by you, O my lord, then death at that very moment is better.

Verse 2.30.21

इमं हि सहितुं शोकं मुहूर्तमपि नोत्सहे।किं पुनर्दशवर्षाणि त्रीणि चैकं च दुःखिता।।2.30.21।।

I cannot endure this grief even for a single moment; what then of enduring it, a grieving woman, for fourteen years?

Verse 2.30.22

इति सा शोकसन्तप्ता विलप्य करुणं बहु।चुक्रोश पतिमायस्ता भृशमालिङ्ग्य सस्वरम्।।2.30.22।।

Thus, tormented by grief, she lamented piteously at length; then, exhausted, she clung tightly to her husband and cried out aloud.

Verse 2.30.23

सा विद्धा बहुभिर्वाक्यैर्दिग्धैरिव गजाङ्गना।चिरसन्नियतं बाष्पं मुमोचाग्निमिवारणिः।।2.30.23।।

Pierced by many such words, like a female elephant struck by poisoned arrows, she released the tears she had long held back—like a fire-kindling stick that finally brings forth fire.

Verse 2.30.24

तस्या स्फटिकसङ्काशं वारि सन्तापसम्भवम्।नेत्राभ्यां परिसुस्राव पङ्कजाभ्यामिवोदकम्।।2.30.24।।

From her eyes, tears—clear as crystal and born of burning anguish—streamed down like water slipping from a pair of lotuses.

Verse 2.30.25

तच्चैवामलचन्द्राभं मुखमायतलोचनम्।पर्यशुष्यत बाष्पेण जलोद्धृतमिवाम्बुजम्।।2.30.25।।

That long-eyed face, radiant like the spotless moon, grew parched with tears—like a lotus drawn up from the water.

Verse 2.30.26

तां परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां विसंज्ञामिव दुःखिताम्।उवाच वचनं रामः परिविश्वासयंस्तदा।।2.30.26।।

Embracing her with both arms—grief-stricken and as if fainting—Rāma then spoke, seeking to steady her with reassuring words.

Verse 2.30.27

न देवि तव दुःखेन स्वर्गमप्यभिरोचये।न हि मेऽस्ति भयं किञ्चित्स्वयम्भोरिव सर्वतः।।2.30.27।।

“O Devi, when you are in sorrow, I desire not even heaven. For I have no fear from any quarter—like Svayambhū (Brahmā) himself.”

Verse 2.30.28

तव सर्वमभिप्रायमविज्ञाय शुभानने।वासं न रोचयेऽरण्ये शक्तिमानपि रक्षणे।।2.30.28।।

“O fair-faced one, without fully knowing your resolve, I did not approve of your dwelling in the forest—though I am able to protect you.”

Verse 2.30.29

यत्सृष्टाऽसि मया सार्धं वनवासाय मैथिलि।न विहातुं मया शक्या कीर्तिरात्मवता यथा।।2.30.29।।

“Since you are destined to share forest-dwelling with me, O Maithilī, I cannot abandon you—just as a man of self-respect cannot cast away his good name.”

Verse 2.30.30

धर्मस्तु गजनासोरु सद्भिराचरितः पुरा।तं चाहमनुवर्तेऽद्य यथा सूर्यं सुवर्चला।।2.30.30।।

O you whose thighs are like an elephant’s trunk, dharma was practised long ago by the virtuous; that very dharma I shall follow today, as Suvarcalā follows the Sun.

Verse 2.30.31

न खल्वहं न गच्छेयं वनं जनकनन्दिनि।वचनं तन्नयति मां पितु स्सत्योपबृंहितम्।।2.30.31।।

It is not that I would not go to the forest, O Janaka’s daughter; my father’s command—strengthened by truth—leads me there.

Verse 2.30.32

एष धर्मस्तु सुश्रोणि पितुर्मातुश्च वश्यता।अतश्च तं व्यतिक्रम्य नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे।।2.30.32।।

This indeed is dharma, O fair-hipped one: obedience to father and mother. Therefore, having transgressed that, I would not have the heart to live.

Verse 2.30.33

अस्वाधीनं कथं दैवं प्रकारैरभिराध्यते।स्वाधीनं समतिक्रम्य मातरं पितरं गुरुम्।।2.30.33।।

If one oversteps mother, father, and teacher—who stand within immediate reach—how could one, by any means, truly worship the Divine that lies beyond direct reach?

Verse 2.30.34

यत्त्रयं तत्त्रयो लोकाः पवित्रं तत्समं भुवि।नान्यदस्ति शुभापाङ्गे तेनेदमभिराध्यते।।2.30.34।।

Where those three—mother, father, and teacher—are present, there, as it were, the three worlds abide; on earth nothing is holier than what is equal to them. Therefore they are to be revered and worshipped.

Verse 2.30.35

न सत्यं दानमानौ वा न यज्ञाश्चाप्तदक्षिणाः।तथा बलकरा स्सीते यथा सेवा पितुर्हिता।।2.30.35।।

Neither truth-speaking, nor charity and honor, nor sacrifices (yajñas) with due gifts are as strengthening and effective, O Sita, as the wholesome service rendered to one’s father.

Verse 2.30.36

स्वर्गो धनं वा धान्यं वा विद्याः पुत्रास्सुखानि च।गुरुवृत्त्यनुरोधेन न किञ्चिदपि दुर्लभम्।।2.30.36।।

By conforming oneself to the rightful intention and guidance of one’s elders, nothing is hard to obtain—heaven, wealth, grain, learning, sons, and comforts alike.

Verse 2.30.37

देवगन्धर्वगोलोकान्ब्रह्मलोकां स्तथाऽपरान्।प्राप्नुवन्ति महात्मानो मातापितृपरायणाः।।2.30.37।।

Great-souled people devoted to their mother and father attain exalted realms—the worlds of the gods (devas), the gandharvas, Go-loka, the world of Brahmā, and other higher worlds as well.

Verse 2.30.38

स मां पिता यथा शास्ति सत्यधर्मपथे स्थितः।तथा वर्तितुमिच्छामि स हि धर्मस्सनातनः।।2.30.38।।

As my father, steadfast on the path of truth and dharma, commands me, so I wish to act; for that is dharma—eternal and enduring.

Verse 2.30.39

मम सन्ना मतिस्सीते त्वां नेतुं दण्डकावनम्।वसिष्यामीति सा त्वं मामनुयातुं सुनिश्चिता।।2.30.39।।

O Sita, my mind is firmly resolved to take you to the Dandaka forest; and you, saying, “I shall live there,” are steadfastly determined to follow me.

Verse 2.30.40

सा हि सृष्टाऽनवद्याङ्गि वनाय मदिरेक्षणे।अनुगच्छस्व मां भीरु सहधर्मचरी भव।।2.30.40।।

O gentle Sita, flawless in limb and enchanting in gaze, you are indeed fashioned for forest-life; follow me, and become my companion in dharma.

Verse 2.30.41

सर्वथा सदृशं सीते मम स्वस्य कुलस्य च।व्यवसायमनुक्रान्ता कान्ते त्वमतिशोभनम्।।2.30.41।।

O Sita, my beloved, you have undertaken a most splendid resolve—wholly fitting and worthy of me, of you, and of your noble family.

Verse 2.30.42

आरभस्व शुभश्रोणि वनवासक्षमाः क्रियाः।नेदानीं त्वदृते सीते स्वर्गोऽपि मम रोचते।।2.30.42।।

What has happened that you are so downcast? From where has this fear come to you, that you wish to abandon me—one who has no refuge but you alone?

Verse 2.30.43

ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च रत्नानि भिक्षुकेभ्यश्च भोजनम्।देहि चाशंसमानेभ्य स्सन्त्वरस्व च मा चिरम्।।2.30.43।।

O hero, know me to be like Sāvitrī—faithfully devoted to Satyavān, son of Dyumatsena—ever living in accordance with your will.

Verse 2.30.44

भूषणानि महार्हाणि वरवस्त्राणि यानि च।रमणीयाश्च ये केचित्क्रीडार्थाश्चाप्युपस्कराः।।2.30.44।।शयनीयानि यानानि मम चान्यानि यानि च।देहि स्वभृत्यवर्गस्य ब्राह्मणानामनन्तरम्।।2.30.45।।

O blameless one, apart from you I have not looked upon another—even in thought. O Rāghava, I shall go with you; I am not like other women who bring disgrace upon their family.

Verse 2.30.45

भूषणानि महार्हाणि वरवस्त्राणि यानि च।रमणीयाश्च ये केचित्क्रीडार्थाश्चाप्युपस्कराः।।2.30.44।।शयनीयानि यानानि मम चान्यानि यानि च।देहि स्वभृत्यवर्गस्य ब्राह्मणानामनन्तरम्।।2.30.45।।

Yet you yourself wish, O Rāma, to hand me over to others like an actor—me, your youthful and chaste wife who has long dwelt with you.

Verse 2.30.46

अनुकूलं तु सा भर्तुर्ज्ञात्वा गमनमात्मनः।क्षिप्रं प्रमुदिता देवी दातुमेवोपचक्रमे।।2.30.46।।

Begin, O Sītā of lovely hips, the preparations fit for life in the forest; for now, without you, even heaven itself holds no charm for me.

Verse 2.30.47

ततः प्रहृष्टा प्रतिपूर्णमानसायशश्विनी भर्तुरवेक्ष्य भाषितम्।धनानि रत्नानि च दातुमङ्गनाप्रचक्रमे धर्मभृतां मनस्स्विनी।।2.30.47।।

Give jewels to the brāhmaṇas, and food to mendicants; give also to those who are in need—hurry, and do not delay.