Sarga 50

Verse 2.50.1

विशालान् कोसलान् रम्यान् यात्वा लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः।अयोध्याभिमुखो धीमान् प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।2.50.1।।

Having passed through the vast and lovely land of Kosala, the wise elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa turned toward Ayodhyā; with folded hands he spoke these words.

Verse 2.50.2

आपृच्छे त्वां पुरीश्रेष्ठे काकुत्स्थपरिपालिते।दैवतानि च यानि त्वां पालयन्ति वसन्ति च।।2.50.2।।

She was alive with the calls of swans and cranes, and with the cooing of cakravāka birds; again and again her stretches rang with the cries of birds stirred by ardor.

Verse 2.50.3

निवृत्तवनवासस्त्वामनृणो जगतीपतेः।पुनर्द्रक्ष्यामि मात्रा च पित्रा च सह सङ्गतः।।2.50.3।।

Lakṣmaṇa and Sumantra replied to Rāghava, “So be it,” and then guided the horses toward that iṅgudī tree.

Verse 2.50.4

ततो रुधिरताम्राक्षो भुजमुद्यम्य दक्षिणम्।अश्रुपूर्णमुखो दीनोऽब्रवीज्जानपदं जनम्।।2.50.4।।

Then, dejected, his face brimming with tears and his eyes copper-red, he raised his right arm and spoke to the countryfolk gathered there.

Verse 2.50.5

अनुक्रोशो दया चैव यथार्हं मयि वः कृतः।चिरं दुःखस्य पापीयो गम्यतामर्थसिद्धये।।2.50.5।।

Guha too—bow in hand and ever vigilant—kept watch over Rāma, speaking there with the charioteer and with Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa).

Verse 2.50.6

तेऽभिवाद्य महात्मानं कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्।विलपन्तो नरा घोरं व्यतिष्ठन्त क्वचित् क्वचित्।।2.50.6।।

Having saluted the great-souled one and circumambulated him in pradakṣiṇa, the men—lamenting bitterly—stood about here and there.

Verse 2.50.7

तथा विलपतां तेषामतृप्तानां च राघवः।अचक्षुर्विषयं प्रायाद्यथार्कः क्षणदामुखे।।2.50.7।।

Her crashing waters seemed like a fierce burst of laughter; her foam was a bright, pure smiling sheen. In some stretches her stream ran straight like a maiden’s braid, and in others she gleamed, adorned with whirlpools.

Verse 2.50.8

ततो धान्यधनोपेतान् दानशीलजनान् शिवान्।अकुतश्चिद्भयान् रम्यांश्चैत्ययूपसमावृतान्।।2.50.8।।उद्यानाम्रवनोपेतान् सम्पन्नसलिलाशयान्।तुष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णान् गोकुलाकुलसेवितान्।।2.50.9।।लक्षणीयान्नरेन्द्राणां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादितान्। रथेन पुरुषव्याघ्रः कोसलानत्यवर्तत।।2.50.10।।

Whatever you have kindly arranged out of affection, I return it all to you; for I am not in a position to accept gifts.

Verse 2.50.9

ततो धान्यधनोपेतान् दानशीलजनान् शिवान्।अकुतश्चिद्भयान् रम्यांश्चैत्ययूपसमावृतान्।।2.50.8।।उद्यानाम्रवनोपेतान् सम्पन्नसलिलाशयान्।तुष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णान् गोकुलाकुलसेवितान्।।2.50.9।।लक्षणीयान्नरेन्द्राणां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादितान्। रथेन पुरुषव्याघ्रः कोसलानत्यवर्तत।।2.50.10।।

Seeing Lakṣmaṇa keeping vigil, awake and without any show, solely for his brother’s sake, Guha—burning with grief—spoke these words to Rāghava.

Verse 2.50.10

ततो धान्यधनोपेतान् दानशीलजनान् शिवान्।अकुतश्चिद्भयान् रम्यांश्चैत्ययूपसमावृतान्।।2.50.8।।उद्यानाम्रवनोपेतान् सम्पन्नसलिलाशयान्।तुष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णान् गोकुलाकुलसेवितान्।।2.50.9।।लक्षणीयान्नरेन्द्राणां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादितान्। रथेन पुरुषव्याघ्रः कोसलानत्यवर्तत।।2.50.10।।

Then the tiger among men crossed by chariot the land of Kosala—rich in grain and wealth; auspicious, inhabited by charitable and virtuous people; charming and free from fear on any side; adorned with sacred shrines and sacrificial posts; filled with gardens and mango groves and well-watered reservoirs; crowded with content and well-nourished folk, frequented by herds of cattle; worthy to be seen by kings, and resounding with the sound of Vedic recitation.

Verse 2.50.11

मध्येनमुदितं स्फीतं रम्योद्यानसमाकुलम्।राज्यं भोग्यं नरेन्द्राणां ययौ धृतिमतां वरः।।2.50.11।।

The best of the steadfast journeyed through the heart of that kingdom—joyful and flourishing, filled with delightful gardens—fit to be enjoyed by kings.

Verse 2.50.12

तत स्त्रिपथगां दिव्यां शिवतोयामशैवलाम्।ददर्श राघवो गङ्गां पुण्यामृषिनिषेविताम्।।2.50.12।।

Then Rāghava beheld the holy Gaṅgā—divine, flowing through the three worlds, with auspicious waters free of moss, revered and frequented by sages.

Verse 2.50.13

आश्रमैरविदूरस्थैः श्रीमद्भिस्समलङ्कृताम्।कालेऽप्सरोभिर्हृष्टाभि स्सेविताम्भोह्रदां शिवाम्।।2.50.13।।

While they still wept, unsated in their longing to see him longer, Rāghava moved on and passed beyond their sight—just as the sun disappears at the coming of night.

Verse 2.50.14

देवदानवगन्धर्वैः किन्नरैरुपशोभिताम्।नानागन्धर्वपत्नीभि स्सेवितां सततं शिवाम्।।2.50.14।।

Then the tiger among men crossed by chariot through the land of Kosala—prosperous with grain and wealth, inhabited by generous and auspicious people, free from fear on every side, charming with shrines and sacrificial posts, rich with gardens and mango-groves, well supplied with waters, crowded with contented and well-nourished folk, thronged with herds and cattle-villages, worthy to be seen by kings, and resonant with the recitation of the Veda.

Verse 2.50.15

देवाऽऽक्रीडशताकीर्णां देवोद्यानशतायुताम्।देवार्थमाकाशगमां विख्यातां देवपद्मिनीम्।।2.50.15।।

Auspicious Gaṅgā—adorned by splendid hermitages set not far from her banks—was at times visited by joyful apsarases, who sported in her clear water-lakes.

Verse 2.50.16

जलाघाताट्टहासोग्रां फेननिर्मलहासिनीम्।क्वचिद्वेणीकृतजलां क्वचिदावर्तशोभिताम्।।2.50.16।।

That auspicious Gaṅgā shone, adorned by devas, dānavas, gandharvas, and kinnaras, and was continually visited and honored by the wives of many gandharvas—ever gracious and holy.

Verse 2.50.17

क्वचित् स्तिमितगम्भीरां क्वचिद्वेगजलाकुलाम्।क्वचिद्गम्भीरनिर्घोषां क्वचिद्भैरवनिस्वनाम्।।2.50.17।।

I take leave of you, O Ayodhyā—the foremost of cities, protected by the Kakutstha line—and also of all the deities who dwell in you and keep watch over you.

Verse 2.50.18

देवसङ्घाप्लुतजलां निर्मलोत्पलशोभिताम्।क्वचिदाभोगपुलिनां क्वचिन्निर्मलवालुकाम्।।2.50.18।।

In some stretches she ran deep and still; in others she was churned by swift currents—here resounding with a grave, majestic rumble, and there roaring with a fearsome sound.

Verse 2.50.19

हंससारससङ्घुष्टां चक्रवाकोपकूजिताम्।सदा मदैश्च विहगैरभिसन्नादितान्तराम्।।2.50.19।।

Her waters were bathed in by hosts of celestials, and she shone with spotless blue lotuses; in places she had broad, sweeping sandbanks, and in places bright, clean sands.

Verse 2.50.20

क्वचित्तीररुहैर्वृक्षैर्मालाभिरिवशोभिताम्।क्वचित्फुल्लोत्पलच्छन्नां क्वचित्पद्मवनाकुलाम्।।2.50.20।।

In some places, trees rising on her banks adorned her like garlands; in some places she was covered with blooming blue lotuses; and in others she was thick with groves of lotuses.

Verse 2.50.21

क्वचित्कुमुदषण्डैश्च कुड्मलैरुपशोभिताम्।नानापुष्परजोध्वस्तां समदामिव च क्वचित्।।2.50.21।।

In some places she was further adorned with clusters of kumuda lilies and half-open buds; elsewhere, dusted with pollen from many flowers, she seemed as though gently intoxicated.

Verse 2.50.22

व्यपेतमलसङ्घातां मणिनिर्मलदर्शनाम्।दिशागजैर्वनगजै र्मत्तैश्च वरवारणैः।।2.50.22।।देवोपवाह्यैश्च मुहुस्सन्नादितवनान्तराम्।

Freed from masses of impurity, she looked clear as a spotless jewel; and the forest depths along her banks repeatedly rang with the trumpeting of excellent, rut-maddened elephants—wild elephants and the mighty ‘quarter-elephants’, fit to bear the gods.

Verse 2.50.23

प्रमदामिव यत्नेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः।।2.50.23।।फलैः पुष्पैः किसलयैर्वृतां गुल्मैर्द्विजैस्तथा।शिंशुमारैश्च नक्रैश्च भुजङ्गैश्च निषेविताम्।।2.50.24।।

She appeared like a noble lady, carefully adorned with the finest ornaments.

Verse 2.50.24

प्रमदामिव यत्नेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः।।2.50.23।।फलैः पुष्पैः किसलयैर्वृतां गुल्मैर्द्विजैस्तथा।शिंशुमारैश्च नक्रैश्च भुजङ्गैश्च निषेविताम्।।2.50.24।।

Her banks were ringed with fruits, flowers, tender shoots, shrubs, and birds; and her waters were inhabited by śiṃśumāras, crocodiles, and serpents.

Verse 2.50.25

विष्णुपादच्युतां दिव्यामपापां पापनाशिनीम्।तां शङ्करजटाजूटाद्भ्रष्टां सागरतेजसा।।2.50.25।।समुद्रमहिषीं गङ्गां सारसक्रौञ्चनादिताम्।आससाद महाबाहुः शृङ्गिबेरपुरं प्रति।।2.50.26।।

Mighty-armed Rāma reached Śṛṅgiberapura and drew near the holy Gaṅgā—the Ocean’s queen—echoing with the cries of cranes and krauñca birds: that divine, stainless river, destroyer of sins, said to have fallen from Viṣṇu’s feet and, by the splendor of Sagara’s line, to have streamed down from Śaṅkara’s matted locks.

Verse 2.50.26

विष्णुपादच्युतां दिव्यामपापां पापनाशिनीम्।तां शङ्करजटाजूटाद्भ्रष्टां सागरतेजसा।।2.50.25।।समुद्रमहिषीं गङ्गां सारसक्रौञ्चनादिताम्।आससाद महाबाहुः शृङ्गिबेरपुरं प्रति।।2.50.26।।

Proceeding toward Śṛṅgiberapura, mighty-armed Rāma reached the Gaṅgā, consort of the Ocean, resonant with the calls of herons and krauñca birds.

Verse 2.50.27

तामूर्मिकलिलावर्तामन्ववेक्ष्य महारथः।सुमन्त्रमब्रवीत्सूतमिहैवाद्य वसामहे।।2.50.27।।

Seeing the Gaṅgā, turbulent with waves and eddies, the great chariot-warrior said to the charioteer Sumantra, “Here indeed shall we stay tonight.”

Verse 2.50.28

अविदूरादयं नद्या बहुपुष्पप्रवालवान्।सुमहानिङ्गुदीवृक्षो वसामोऽत्रैव सारथे।।2.50.28।।

“O charioteer, not far from the river stands this very large iṅgudī tree, rich with many flowers and tender shoots; we shall stay right here.”

Verse 2.50.29

द्रक्ष्याम स्सरितां श्रेष्ठां सम्मान्यसलिलां शिवाम्।देवदानवगन्धर्वमृगमानुषपक्षिणाम्।।2.50.29।।

“We shall behold the most excellent of rivers—auspicious and gracious—whose waters are held in reverence by devas, dānavas, and gandharvas, and likewise by beasts, humans, and birds.”

Verse 2.50.30

लक्ष्मणश्च सुमन्त्रश्च बाढमित्येव राघवम्।उक्त्वा तमिङ्गुदीवृक्षं तदोपययतुर्हयैः।।2.50.30।।

Rāma, delight of the Ikṣvākus, reached that lovely tree and alighted from the chariot together with his wife and with Lakṣmaṇa.

Verse 2.50.31

रामोऽभियाय तं रम्यं वृक्षमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।रथादवातरत्तस्मात्सभार्य स्सहलक्ष्मणः।।2.50.31।।

Sumantra too dismounted from the chariot, unyoked the excellent horses, and then stood near Rāma at the foot of the tree with folded palms.

Verse 2.50.32

सुमन्त्रोऽप्यवतीर्यास्मान्मोचयित्वा हयोत्तमान्।वृक्षमूलगतं राममुपतस्थे कृताञ्जलिः।।2.50.32।।

There lived a king named Guha—Rāma’s friend, as dear as his own self—born among the Niṣādas; powerful, and renowned as their chief.

Verse 2.50.33

तत्र राजा गुहो नाम रामस्यात्मसमस्सखा।निषादजात्यो बलवान् स्थपतिश्चेति विश्रुतः।।2.50.33।।

Hearing that Rāma—the tiger among men—had come into his territory, Guha, surrounded by elder counselors, ministers, and kinsmen, went forth to welcome him.

Verse 2.50.34

स शृत्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रं रामं विषयमागतम्।वृद्धैः परिवृतोऽमात्यैः ज्ञातिभिश्चाभ्युपागतः।।2.50.34।।

When my forest-exile is ended and I have fulfilled my obligation to the Lord of the world—my father—I shall see you again, reunited with my mother and father.

Verse 2.50.35

ततो निषादाधिपतिं दृष्ट्वा दूरादुपस्थितम्।सह सौमित्रिणा राम स्समागच्छद्गुहेन सः।।2.50.35।।

Then Rama, together with Saumitrī (Lakshmana), saw from afar the lord of the Niṣādas approaching, and he went forward to meet Guha.

Verse 2.50.36

तमार्तस्सम्परिष्वज्य गुहो राघवमब्रवीत्।यथाऽयोध्या तथेयं ते राम किं करवाणि ते।।2.50.36।।ईदृशं हि महाबाहो कः प्राप्स्यत्यतिथिं प्रियम्।

In anguish Guha embraced Rāghava and said: “O Rama, this place is for you as Ayodhyā itself. What shall I do for you? O mighty-armed one, who could ever gain the blessed fortune of receiving so dear a guest as you?”

Verse 2.50.37

ततो गुणवदन्नाद्यमुपादाय पृथग्विधम्।।2.50.37।।अर्घ्यं चोपानयत्क्षिप्रं वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह।

Then, bringing various kinds of fine food, he quickly presented arghya—the respectful welcome-offering—and spoke these words.

Verse 2.50.38

स्वागतं ते महाबाहो तवेयमखिला मही।।2.50.38।।वयं प्रेष्या भवान्भर्ता साधु राज्यं प्रशाधि नः।

“Welcome to you, O mighty-armed one! This entire land is yours. We are your attendants; you are our lord. Rule this kingdom righteously for our good.”

Verse 2.50.39

भक्ष्यं भोज्यं च पेयं च लेह्यंचेदमुपस्थितम्।।2.50.39।।शयनानि च मुख्यानि वाजिनां खादनं च ते।

Here are foods to bite and chew, drinks and sweets to lick—all made ready; and here are fine beds, and fodder too for your horses.

Verse 2.50.40

एवं ब्रुवाणं तु गुहं राघवः प्रत्युवाच ह।।2.50.40।।अर्चिताश्चैव हृष्टाश्च भवता सर्वथा वयम्।पद्भ्यामभिगमाच्चैव स्नेहसन्दर्शनेन च।।2.50.41।।

As Guha spoke thus, Rāghava replied: “In every way you have honored and gladdened us—by coming to meet us on foot, and by the affectionate regard you have shown.”

Verse 2.50.41

एवं ब्रुवाणं तु गुहं राघवः प्रत्युवाच ह।।2.50.40।।अर्चिताश्चैव हृष्टाश्च भवता सर्वथा वयम्।पद्भ्यामभिगमाच्चैव स्नेहसन्दर्शनेन च।।2.50.41।।

Pressing him tightly with his strong arms, Rāma said: “Good fortune that I see you, O Guha, healthy along with your kinsmen. Is all well with your realm, your friends, and your wealth?”

Verse 2.50.42

भुजाभ्यां साधु पीनाभ्यां पीडयन्वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।दिष्ट्या त्वां गुह पश्यामि ह्यरोगं सह बान्धवैः।अपि ते कुशलं राष्ट्रे मित्रेषु च धनेषु च।।2.50.42।।

“Whatever you have arranged here out of affection—I release you from it entirely; for I am not in a position to accept gifts.”

Verse 2.50.43

यत्त्विदं भवता किञ्चित्प्रीत्या समुपकल्पितम्।सर्वं तदनुजानामि न हि वर्ते प्रतिग्रहे।।2.50.43।।

Filled with hundreds of divine playgrounds and linked to hundreds of heavenly gardens, she flowed through the sky for the sake of the gods, famed as Devapadminī—the river of celestial lotuses.

Verse 2.50.44

कुशचीराजिनधरं फलमूलाशिनं च माम्।विद्धि प्रणिहितं धर्मे तापसं वनगोचरम्।।2.50.44।।

Know me as one firmly established in dharma—living as an ascetic who roams the forest, clad in kuśa-grass, bark-cloth, and antelope-skin, sustaining myself on fruits and roots.

Verse 2.50.45

अश्वानां खादनेनाहमर्थी नान्येन केनचित्।एतावताऽत्र भवता भविष्यामि सुपूजितः।।2.50.45।।

I ask only for fodder for the horses—nothing else at all. If you do just this much here, I shall consider myself truly honored.

Verse 2.50.46

एते हि दयिता राज्ञः पितुर्दशरथस्य मे।एतैस्सुविहितैरश्वै भविष्याम्यहमर्चितः।।2.50.46।।

These horses are dear to my father, King Daśaratha. If these horses are well cared for, I shall feel duly honored.

Verse 2.50.47

अश्वानां प्रतिपानं च खादनं चैव सोऽन्वशात्।गुहस्तत्रैव पुरुषां स्त्वरितं दीयतामिति।।2.50.47।।

Then Guha issued orders right there to his men: “Quickly provide the horses with drink and fodder.”

Verse 2.50.48

ततश्चीरोत्तरासङ्गः सन्ध्यामन्वास्य पश्चिमाम्।जलमेवाददे भोज्यं लक्ष्मणेनाऽऽहृतं स्वयम्।।2.50.48।।

Then, wearing his bark-cloth upper garment, he performed the evening sandhyā rite; and for refreshment he took only water, which Lakṣmaṇa himself had brought.

Verse 2.50.49

तस्य भूमौ शयानस्य पादौ प्रक्षाल्य लक्ष्मणः।सभार्यस्य ततोऽभ्येत्य तस्थौ वृक्षमुपाश्रितः।।2.50.49।।

As he lay upon the ground with his wife, Lakṣmaṇa washed his feet; then he returned and stood, taking refuge by a tree.

Verse 2.50.50

गुहोऽपि सह सूतेन सौमित्रिमनुभाषयन्।अन्वजाग्रत्ततो राममप्रमत्तो धनुर्धरः।।2.50.50।।

As that wise, illustrious, great-souled son of Daśaratha—accustomed to comfort and unacquainted with suffering—lay thus upon the ground, the night passed, seeming long.

Verse 2.50.51

तथा शयानस्य ततोऽस्य धीमतो यशस्विनो दाशरथेर्महात्मनः।अदृष्टदुःखस्य सुखोचितस्य सा तदाव्यतीयाय चिरेण शर्वरी।।2.50.51।।

You have shown me fitting compassion and kindness. To prolong grief too long is blameworthy; go now, so that your duties may be fulfilled.