Ayodhya KandaSarga 3941 Verses

Sarga 39

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

अयोध्याकाण्ड

Sarga 39 stages the immediate domestic and administrative aftermath of Rāma’s appearance in ascetic dress. Daśaratha and his queens collapse under grief; the king, overwhelmed, cannot meet Rāma’s gaze or reply. Regaining partial composure, he laments karmic causality and the suffering produced by Kaikeyī’s stratagem, then issues logistical commands to Sumantra: prepare a journey-ready chariot with the finest horses and escort Rāma beyond the city limits. The narrative shifts to court procedure as the king summons a treasury officer to provision Sītā for the forest term; ornaments and garments are brought, and Sītā is described as radiantly adorned, illuminating the palace like dawn. A central discourse follows between Kauśalyā and Sītā: Kauśalyā articulates an orthodox ethic of spousal fidelity and warns against abandoning a husband in misfortune; Sītā responds with folded hands, rejecting any comparison with fickle conduct and affirming that husband is a woman’s daivatam. Rāma then consoles Kauśalyā, emphasizing the finite term of exile (fourteen years) and requests forgiveness from all the queens for any unintended harshness. The palace, once festive with musical resonance, becomes filled with collective wailing, marking Ayodhyā’s transition from coronation expectancy to ritualized bereavement.

Shlokas

Verse 2.39.1

रामस्य तु वचः शृत्वा मुनिवेशधरं च तम्।समीक्ष्य सह भार्याभी राजा विगतचेतनः।।2.39.1।।नैनं दुःखेन सन्तप्तः प्रत्यवैक्षत राघवम्।न चैनमभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य प्रत्यभाषत दुर्मनाः।।2.39.2।।

Hearing Rāma’s words and seeing him clad in an ascetic’s garb, the king, together with his wives, lost consciousness. Tormented by grief, the dejected Daśaratha could not look upon Rāghava, and even after looking, could not reply.

Verse 2.39.2

Tormented by grief, the king could not look at Rāghava; and even when he gazed upon him, his mind cast down, he could not reply.

Verse 2.39.3

स मुहूर्तमिवासंज्ञो दुःखितश्च महीपतिः।विललाप महाबाहू राममेवानुचिन्तयन्।।2.39.3।।

A vīṇā without strings cannot be played; a chariot without wheels cannot move. So too, a woman without her husband does not flourish in happiness, even if she has a hundred sons.

Verse 2.39.4

मन्ये खलु मया पूर्वं विवत्सा बहवःकृताः।प्राणिनो हिंसिता वापि तस्मादिदमुपस्थितम्।।2.39.4।।

“I—who see my own son standing before me, radiant like fire, having cast off his fine garments and clothed in an ascetic’s dress—still do not meet my end.”

Verse 2.39.5

न त्वेवानागते काले देहाच्च्यवति जीवितम्।कैकेय्या क्लिश्यमानस्य मृत्युर्मम न विद्यते।।2.39.5।।योऽहं पावकसङ्काशं पश्यामि पुरतः स्थितम्।विहाय वसने सूक्ष्मे तापसाच्छादमात्मजम्।।2.39.6।।

Regaining consciousness after a moment, the king—his eyes brimming with tears—said this to Sumantra.

Verse 2.39.6

“If I have done anything at all harsh—whether through our long familiarity or through ignorance—please forgive me. Now I take leave of you all.”

Verse 2.39.7

एकस्याः खलु कैकेय्याः कृतेऽयं क्लिश्यते जनः।स्वार्थे प्रयतमानायाः संश्रित्य निकृतिं त्विमाम्।।2.39.7।।

All those women, their minds struck down by grief, listened to these words of Rāghava—virtuous, dharma-aligned, and composed.

Verse 2.39.8

एवमुक्त्वा तु वचनं बाष्पेण पिहितेन्द्रियः।रामेति सकृदेवोक्त्वा व्याहर्तुं न शशाक ह।।2.39.8।।

As Rāghava spoke thus, a great wail rose from the wives of the lord of men, sounding like the cry of the female krauñcī-birds.

Verse 2.39.9

संज्ञां तु प्रतिलभ्यैव मुहूर्तात्स महीपतिः।नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां सुमन्त्रमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.39.9।।

Daśaratha’s palace, once resounding like thunderclouds with the sounds of mṛdaṅgas and paṇavas, was now, overtaken by calamity, utterly sorrowful, filled with wailing and lamentation.

Verse 2.39.10

औपवाह्यं रथं युक्त्वा त्वमायाहि हयोत्तमैः।प्रापयैनं महाभागमितो जनपदात्परम्।।2.39.10।।

Harness the finest horses to a chariot fit for travel; come at once, and convey this high-souled Rāma from here to a place beyond the city limits.

Verse 2.39.11

एवं मन्ये गुणवतां गुणानां फलमुच्यते।पित्रा मात्रा च यत्साधुर्वीरो निर्वास्यते वनम्।।2.39.11।।

I think this is what people call the ‘reward’ of virtues in the virtuous—that such a righteous and heroic son is banished to the forest by his own father and mother.

Verse 2.39.12

राज्ञो वचनमाज्ञाय सुमन्त्रः शीघ्रविक्रमः।योजयित्वाऽययौ तत्र रथमश्वैरलङ्कृतम्।।2.39.12।।

Understanding the king’s command, swift-moving Sumantra yoked the horses and went there with the chariot, splendidly equipped with its steeds.

Verse 2.39.13

तं रथं राजपुत्राय सूत: कनकभूषितम्।आचचक्षेऽञ्जलिं कृत्वा युक्तं परमवाजिभिः।।2.39.13।।

With palms joined, the charioteer informed the prince that the chariot—adorned with gold and harnessed to excellent horses—was ready.

Verse 2.39.14

राजा सत्वरमाहूय व्यापृतं वित्तसंञ्चये।उवाच देशकालज्ञो निश्चितं सर्वत श्शुचिम्।।2.39.14।।

The king, discerning what was fitting in place and time, quickly summoned the officer engaged in the treasury—firm in resolve and wholly trustworthy—and spoke to him.

Verse 2.39.15

वासांसि च महार्हाणि भूषणानि वराणि च।वर्षाण्येतानि सङ्ख्याय वैदेह्याः क्षिप्रमानय।।2.39.15।।

Calculate the years (of exile) and quickly bring for Vaidehī precious garments as well as excellent ornaments.

Verse 2.39.16

नरेन्द्रेणैवमुक्तस्तु गत्वा कोशगृहं ततः।प्रायच्छत्सर्वमाहृत्य सीतायै सममेव तत्।।2.39.16।।

Thus instructed by the king, he went to the treasury-house, brought everything, and handed it over in full to Sītā.

Verse 2.39.17

सा सुजाता सुजातानि वैदेही प्रस्थिता वनम्।भूषयामास गात्राणि तैर्विचित्रैर्विभूषणैः।।2.39.17।।

Vaidehī, noble-born and ready to depart for the forest, adorned her fair limbs with those varied and gleaming ornaments.

Verse 2.39.18

व्यराजयत वैदेही वेश्म तत्सुविभूषिता।उद्यतोंऽशुमतः काले खं प्रभेव विवस्वतः।।2.39.18।।

Vaidehī, richly adorned, made that palace shine—like the sky at dawn, lit by the radiance of the rising sun.

Verse 2.39.19

तां भुजाभ्यां परिष्वज्य श्वश्रूर्वचनमब्रवीत्।अनाचरन्ती कृपणं मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय मैथिलीम्।।2.39.19।।

Embracing Maithilī with both arms and kissing her on the forehead, her mother-in-law spoke—though Sītā’s conduct gave no occasion for pity.

Verse 2.39.20

असत्य स्सर्वलोकेऽस्मिन्सततं सत्कृताः प्रियैः।भर्तारं नानुमन्यन्ते विनिपातगतं स्त्रियः।।2.39.20।।

In this world, women who—though continually honoured by their beloved—do not stand by their husband when he falls into calamity are deemed untrue.

Verse 2.39.21

एष स्वभावो नारीणामनुभूय पुरा सुखम्।अल्पामप्यापदं प्राप्य दुष्यन्ति प्रजहत्यपि।।2.39.21।।

This, it is said, is the nature of women: having once enjoyed happiness, on meeting even a slight adversity, they reproach—and may even abandon.

Verse 2.39.22

असत्यशीला विकृता दुर्ग्राह्यहृदयास्सदा।युवत्यः पापसंङ्कल्पाः क्षणमात्राद्विरागिणः।।2.39.22।।

Young women of sinful intent are said to be untrue in conduct, warped in nature, ever hard to fathom in heart, and able to turn cold in affection in but a moment.

Verse 2.39.23

न कुलं न कृतं विद्या न दत्तं नापि सङ्ग्रहः।स्त्रीणां गृह्णाति हृदयमनित्यहृदया हि ताः।।2.39.23।।

Neither lineage nor past favors, nor learning, nor gifts, nor even amassed wealth wins a woman’s heart—for their hearts, it is said, are indeed inconstant.

Verse 2.39.24

साध्वीनां हि स्थितानां तु शीले सत्ये श्रुते शमे।स्त्रीणां पवित्रं परमं पतिरेको विशिष्यते।।2.39.24।।

But for virtuous women, steadfast in chastity, truth, sacred learning, and self-control, the husband alone stands forth as their highest sanctity—the supreme purifier.

Verse 2.39.25

स त्वया नावमन्तव्यः पुत्रः प्रव्राजितो मम।तव दैवतमस्त्वेष निर्धनः सधनोऽपि वा।।2.39.25।।

Therefore you must not treat with contempt my son, though sent into exile; let him be to you as a very deity, whether he be poor or possessed of wealth.

Verse 2.39.26

विज्ञाय वचनं सीता तस्या धर्मार्थसंहितम्।कृताञ्जलिरुवाचेदं श्वश्रूमभिमुखे स्थिताम्।।2.39.26।।

Understanding those words to be in accord with dharma and prudent purpose, Sītā, with hands folded in añjali, spoke thus, standing before her mother-in-law.

Verse 2.39.27

करिष्ये सर्वमेवाहमार्या यदनुशास्ति माम्।अभिज्ञास्मि यथा भर्तुर्वर्तितव्यं श्रुतं च मे।।2.39.27।।

I shall do exactly all that you, venerable lady, instruct me. I already know—and have heard before—how a wife must conduct herself toward her husband.

Verse 2.39.28

न मामसज्जनेनार्या समानयितुमर्हति।धर्माद्विचलितुं नाहमलं चन्द्रादिव प्रभा।।2.39.28।।

The venerable lady should not compare me to the wicked. I cannot swerve from dharma—just as radiance does not depart from the moon.

Verse 2.39.29

नातन्त्री वाद्यते वीणा नाचक्रो वर्तते रथः।नापतिस्सुखमेधेत या स्यादपि शतात्मजा।।2.39.29।।

Overwhelmed with grief, the mighty-armed king—lord of the earth—fell as if senseless for a moment and then lamented, his mind fixed only upon Rāma.

Verse 2.39.30

मितं ददाति हि पिता मितं माता मितं सुतः।अमितस्य हि दातारं भर्तारं का न पूजयेत्।।2.39.30।।

A father gives happiness only in measure; a mother gives in measure; a son gives in measure. But a husband is held to be a giver of boundless happiness—what woman would not honor such a husband?

Verse 2.39.31

साहमेवं गता श्रेष्ठा श्रुतधर्मपरावरा।आर्ये किमवमन्येऽहं स्त्रीणां भर्ता हि दैवतम्।।2.39.31।।

Trained in these ideals and instructed in the full range of dharma, how could I, O noble lady, ever slight him? For to a woman, her husband is truly her divinity.

Verse 2.39.32

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा कौशल्या हृदयङ्गमम्।शुद्धसत्त्वा मुमोचाश्रु सहसा दुःखहर्षजम्।।2.39.32।।

Hearing Sītā’s heart-touching words, Kauśalyā—pure in disposition—suddenly shed tears born of both grief and joy.

Verse 2.39.33

तां प्राञ्जलिरभिक्रम्य मातृमध्येऽतिसत्कृताम्। रामः परमधर्मात्मा मातरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.39.33।।

Rāma, supremely devoted to dharma, approached his mother—highly honored among the mothers—with folded hands and spoke to her.

Verse 2.39.34

अम्ब मा दुःखिता भूस्त्वं पश्य त्वं पितरं मम।।क्षयो हि वनवासस्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति।।2.39.34।।

“Mother, do not grieve. Do look after my father. For the end of this forest-exile will come swiftly.”

Verse 2.39.35

सुप्तायास्ते गमिष्यन्ति नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च।सा समग्रमिह प्राप्तं मां द्रक्ष्यसि सुहृद्वृतम्।।2.39.35।।

“For you, those nine years and five besides will pass as though in sleep. Then you will see me returned here in full safety, surrounded by my well-wishers.”

Verse 2.39.36

एतावदभिनीतार्थमुक्त्वा स जननीं वचः।त्रयश्शतशतार्धाश्च ददर्शा वेक्ष्य मातरः।।2.39.36।।

Having spoken to his mother these words—refined in meaning and measured in scope—he then looked toward the other mothers, three hundred and fifty in number.

Verse 2.39.37

ता श्चापि स तथैवार्ता मातृ़र्दशरथात्मजः।धर्मयुक्तमिदं वाक्यं निजगाद कृताञ्जलिः।।2.39.37।।

And to those mothers too, equally distressed, the son of Daśaratha, with folded hands, spoke these words grounded in dharma.

Verse 2.39.38

संवासात्परुषं किञ्चिदज्ञानाद्वापि यत्कृतम्।तन्मे समनुजानीत सर्वाश्चामन्त्रयामि वः।।2.39.38।।

“Surely, in the past I must have made many bereft of their children, or else harmed living beings; therefore I think this present misfortune has come upon me.”

Verse 2.39.39

वचनं राघवस्यैतध्दर्मयुक्तं समाहितम्।शुश्रुवुस्ताः स्त्रियंस्सर्वा श्शोकोपहतचेतसः।।2.39.39।।

“Unless the appointed time has arrived, life does not depart from the body. Though I am tormented by Kaikeyī, death does not come to me.”

Verse 2.39.40

जज्ञेऽथ तासां सन्नादः क्रौञ्चीनामिव निस्वनः।मानवेन्द्रस्य भार्याणामेवं वदति राघवे।।2.39.40।।

Indeed, because of Kaikeyī alone the people suffer—she, striving for her own gain, has taken refuge in this deceit.

Verse 2.39.41

मुरजपणवमेघघोषवत्दशरथवेश्म बभूव यत्पुरा।विलपितपरिदेवनाकुलंव्यसनगतं तदभूत्सुदुःखितम्।।2.39.41।।

Having spoken thus, his senses veiled by tears, he uttered “Rāma” only once—and was unable to speak further.