Sarga 71

Verse 1

 स प्राङ्मुखो राजगृहादभिनिर्याय राघवः। ततस्सुदामां द्युतिमान् सन्तीर्यावेक्ष्य तां नदीम्।।2.71.1।। ह्लादिनीं दूरपारां च प्रत्यक्स्रोतस्तरङ्गिणीम्। शतद्रूमतरच्छ्रीमान्नदीमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।।2.71.2।।

“The radiant scion of Raghu set out from Rājagṛha facing east; then, after viewing the river Sudāmā, he crossed it, and also crossed the broad Hlādinī with its far shore, and the splendid Śatadrū, wave-crested and flowing westward.”

Verse 2

स प्राङ्मुखो राजगृहादभिनिर्याय राघवः। ततस्सुदामां द्युतिमान् सन्तीर्यावेक्ष्य तां नदीम्।।2.71.1।। ह्लादिनीं दूरपारां च प्रत्यक्स्रोतस्तरङ्गिणीम्। शतद्रूमतरच्छ्रीमान्नदीमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।।2.71.2।।

Facing east, the radiant Rāghava prince set out from Rājagṛha; he beheld the river Sudāmā and crossed it. Thereafter, the delight of the Ikṣvāku line crossed the Hlādinī, and then the Śatadrū as well—broad, wave-crested, and flowing westward.

Verse 3

ऐलाधाने नदीं तीर्त्वा प्राप्य चापरपर्पटान्। शिलामकुर्वतीं तीर्त्वा आग्नेयं शल्यकर्षणम्।।2.71.3।। सत्यसन्धश्शुचिश्श्रीमान्प्रेक्षमाण श्शिलावहाम्। अत्ययात्स महाशैलान्वनं चैत्ररथं प्रति।।2.71.4।।

Bharata—true to his vow, pure in heart, and illustrious—crossed the river at Ailādhāna and reached the region called Aparaparpaṭa. Crossing the mountain from which the river Śilāvahā springs, he proceeded northeast toward Śalyakarṣaṇa, watching the course of the Śilāvahā; then he passed beyond the great mountains, heading toward the forest known as Caitraratha.

Verse 4

ऐलाधाने नदीं तीर्त्वा प्राप्य चापरपर्पटान्। शिलामकुर्वतीं तीर्त्वा आग्नेयं शल्यकर्षणम्।।2.71.3।। सत्यसन्धश्शुचिश्श्रीमान्प्रेक्षमाण श्शिलावहाम्। अत्ययात्स महाशैलान्वनं चैत्ररथं प्रति।।2.71.4।।

Having crossed the river at Ailādhāna and reached the region of Apara-parpaṭa, he crossed the river that issues from the mountain, proceeding toward the northeastern Śalya-karṣaṇa. True to his word, pure-hearted and illustrious, he watched the course of the Śilāvahā and passed beyond the great mountains, heading toward the forest called Caitraratha.

Verse 5

सरस्वतीं च गङ्गां च युग्मेन प्रतिपद्यच। उत्तरान्वीरमत्स्यानां भारुण्डं प्राविशद्वनम्।।2.71.5।।

Reaching the confluence of the Sarasvatī and the Gaṅgā, and passing north of the Vīramatsya region, he entered the Bhāruṇḍa forest.

Verse 6

वेगिनीं च कुलिङ्गाख्यां ह्लादिनीं पर्वताऽऽवृताम्। यमुनां प्राप्य सन्तीर्णः बलमाश्वासयत्तदा।।2.71.6।।

He crossed the swift river called Kuliṅgā, delightful and ringed by hills; then, reaching the Yamunā and crossing it, he granted the army rest.

Verse 7

सशीतीकृत्य तु गात्राणि क्लान्तानाश्वास्य वाजिनः। तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च प्रायादादाय चोदकम्।।2.71.7।।

After cooling their limbs and reviving the weary horses, they bathed there and drank; then they set out again, taking water with them.

Verse 8

राजपुत्रो महारण्यमनभीक्ष्णोपसेवितम्। भद्रो भद्रेण यानेन मारुतः खमिवात्ययात्।।2.71.8।।

After cooling their limbs and reviving the weary horses, they bathed there and drank; then they set out again, taking water with them.

Verse 9

भागीरथीं दुष्प्रतरामंशुधाने महानदीम्। उपायाद्राघवस्तूर्णं प्राग्वटे विश्रुते पुरे।।2.71.9।।

Bharata, scion of the Raghus, quickly reached the renowned city of Prāgvaṭa; and he came up to the great river Bhāgīrathī, hard to cross at the ford called Aṃśudhāna.

Verse 10

स गङ्गां प्राग्वटे तीर्त्वा समायात्कुटिकोष्ठिकाम्। सबल स्तां स तीर्त्वाऽथ समायाद्धर्मवर्धनम्।।2.71.10।।

“After crossing the Gaṅgā at Prāgvaṭa, he reached Kuṭikōṣṭhikā; and then, crossing it with his army, he arrived at Dharmavardhana.”

Verse 11

तोरणं दक्षिणार्धेन जम्भूप्रस्थमुपागमत्। वरूथं च ययौ रम्यं ग्रामं दशरथात्मजः।।2.71.11।।

Passing along the southern part of Toraṇa, Daśaratha’s son reached Jambhūprastha and then went on to the pleasant village of Varūtha.

Verse 12

तत्र रम्ये वने वासं कृत्वाऽसौ प्राङ्मुखो ययौ। उद्यानमुज्जिहानायाः प्रियका यत्र पादपाः।।2.71.12।।

Having made a halt in that lovely forest, he continued eastward and reached the garden of Ujjihānā, where priyakā trees grew.

Verse 13

सालांस्तु प्रियकान्प्राप्य शीघ्रानास्थाय वाजिनः। अनुज्ञाप्याथ भरतः वाहिनीं त्वरितो ययौ।।2.71.13।।

Reaching groves of sāla and priyakā trees, Bharata harnessed swift horses and, after directing his forces, pressed on in haste.

Verse 14

वासं कृत्वा सर्वतीर्थे तीर्त्वा चोत्तानिकां नदीम्। अन्या नदीश्च विविधाः पार्वतीयैस्तुरङ्गमैः।।2.71.14।। हस्तिपृष्ठकमासाद्य कुटिकामत्यवर्तत। ततार च नरव्याघ्रो लौहित्ये स कपीवतीम्।।2.71.15।।

After halting at Sarvatīrtha, he crossed the river Uttānikā and many other streams using mountain-bred horses. Mounting an elephant, the tiger among men crossed the Kuṭikā, and at Lauhitya he also forded the Kapīvatī.

Verse 15

वासं कृत्वा सर्वतीर्थे तीर्त्वा चोत्तानिकां नदीम्। अन्या नदीश्च विविधाः पार्वतीयैस्तुरङ्गमैः।।2.71.14।। हस्तिपृष्ठकमासाद्य कुटिकामत्यवर्तत। ततार च नरव्याघ्रो लौहित्ये स कपीवतीम्।।2.71.15।।

After making camp at Sarvatīrtha, he crossed the river Uttānikā and many other varied rivers, using mountain-bred horses. Mounting an elephant, he forded the Kuṭikā; and that tiger among men crossed the Kapīvatī at Lauhitya.

Verse 16

एकसाले स्थाणुमतीं विनते गोमतीं नदीम्। कलिङ्गनगरे चापि प्राप्य सालवनं तदा।।2.71.16।। भरतः क्षिप्रमागच्छत्सुपरिश्रान्तवाहनः।

At Ekasāla he crossed the Sthāṇumatī, and at Vinata the river Gomatī. Reaching the sāla-forest at Kaliṅganagara then, Bharata—whose mounts were utterly exhausted—still pressed on swiftly.

Verse 17

वनं च समतीत्याशुशर्वर्यामरुणोदये।।2.71.17।। अयोध्यां मनुना राज्ञा निर्मितां सन्ददर्श ह।

Swiftly passing through the forest in the night, at sunrise he beheld Ayodhyā—the city built by King Manu.

Verse 18

तां पुरीं पुरुषव्याघ्रस्सप्तरात्रोषितः पथि।।2.71.18।। अयोध्यामग्रतो दृष्ट्वा सारथिं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।

After spending seven nights on the road, that tiger among men, seeing Ayodhyā before him, addressed his charioteer.

Verse 19

एषा नातिप्रतीता मे पुण्योद्याना यशस्विनी।।2.71.19।। अयोध्या दृश्यते दूरात्सारथे पाण्डुमृत्तिका। यज्वभिर्गुणसम्पन्नैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः।।2.71.20।। भूयिष्ठमृद्धैराकीर्णा राजर्षिपरिपालिता।

O charioteer, from afar I behold Ayodhyā—renowned and famed for her sacred groves—yet she does not appear to me distinctly. That white-clayed city, ruled by royal sages, abounds with the wealthy and is filled with virtuous brahmins and sacrificial priests, learned and accomplished in the Vedas.

Verse 20

एषा नातिप्रतीता मे पुण्योद्याना यशस्विनी।।2.71.19।। अयोध्या दृश्यते दूरात्सारथे पाण्डुमृत्तिका। यज्वभिर्गुणसम्पन्नैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः।।2.71.20।। भूयिष्ठमृद्धैराकीर्णा राजर्षिपरिपालिता।

“Charioteer, there is Ayodhyā—renowned and adorned with sacred gardens—yet from this distance it does not appear to me very clearly. That city of pale-white earth is filled with many wealthy folk, and with virtuous brāhmaṇas, priests of yajña, accomplished in the Vedas, and protected by royal sages.”

Verse 21

अयोध्यायां पुरा शब्दश्श्रूयते तुमुलो महान्।।2.71.21।। समन्तान्नरनारीणां तमद्य न श्रुणोम्यहम्।

Formerly, in Ayodhyā, a great and tumultuous sound of men and women was heard on every side; today I do not hear that sound.

Verse 22

उद्यानानि हि सायाह्ने क्रीडित्वोपरतैर्नरैः।।2.71.22।। समन्तात्परिधावद्भिः प्रकाशन्ते ममान्यथा।

Indeed, the parks that once looked bright at evening with people strolling about on every side after their recreations now appear to me otherwise, lacking that familiar liveliness.

Verse 23

तान्यद्यानुरुदन्तीव परित्यक्तानि कामिभिः।।2.71.23।। अरण्यभूतेव पुरी सारथे प्रतिभाति मे।

Those gardens, abandoned today by seekers of pleasure, seem as though they are weeping; and the city, O charioteer, appears to me as if it had become a wilderness.

Verse 24

न ह्यत्र यानैर्दृश्यन्ते न गजैर्न च वाजिभिः।।2.71.24।। निर्यान्तो वाऽभियान्तो वा नरमुख्या यथापुरम्।

Here, no eminent men are seen—neither going out nor coming in—as before, mounted in vehicles, or on elephants, or on horses.

Verse 25

उद्यानानि पुरा भान्ति मत्तप्रमुदितानि च।।2.71.25।। जनानां रतिसंयोगेष्वत्यन्तगुणवन्ति च।

Formerly the gardens shone, filled with exuberant delight, and were exceedingly well-suited for people in their meetings of love and pleasure.

Verse 26

तान्येतान्यद्य पश्यामि निरानन्दानि सर्वशः।।2.71.26।। स्रस्तपर्णैरनुपथं विक्रोशद्भिरिव द्रुमैः।

But now I see those very gardens cheerless everywhere—the footpaths strewn with fallen leaves, and the trees seeming, as it were, to cry out.

Verse 27

नाद्यापि श्रूयते शब्दः मत्तानां मृगपक्षिणाम्।।2.71.27।। संरक्तां मधुरां वाणीं कलं व्याहरतां बहु।

Even now, no sound is heard of the animals and birds—many of them—uttering sweet and melodious calls in the crimson light of dawn.

Verse 28

चन्दनागरुसम्पृक्तो धूपसम्मूर्छितोऽतुलः।।2.71.28।। प्रवाति पवन श्श्रीमान्किन्नुनाद्य यथापुरम्।

Why does the auspicious wind not blow today as it did before—bearing the incomparable fragrance of sandal and agaru, heavy with incense-perfume?

Verse 29

भेरीमृदङ्गवीणानां कोणसङ्घट्टितः पुनः।।2.71.29।। किमद्य शब्दो विरतस्सदा दीनगतिः पुरा।

Why has the sound ceased today—the repeated clashing and resounding of horns, with kettledrums, mṛdaṅgas, and vīṇās? Why does the city’s movement feel sorrowful, though formerly it was ever otherwise?

Verse 30

अनिष्टानि च पापानि पश्यामि विविधानि च।।2.71.30।। निमित्तान्यमनोज्ञानितेन सीदति मे मनः।

I see many kinds of inauspicious and grievous portents—ugly signs along the way; and because of them my mind sinks into distress.

Verse 31

सर्वथा कुशलं सूत दुर्लभं मम बन्दुषु।।2.71.31।। तथाह्यसति सम्मोहे हृदयं सीदतीव मे।

O charioteer, I find no assurance of well-being anywhere regarding my kinsmen; and in this deluding uncertainty my heart seems to sink.

Verse 32

विषण्ण श्श्रान्तहृदयस्त्रस्त स्सुलुलितेन्द्रियः।।2.71.32।। भरतः प्रविवेशाशु पुरीमिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम्।

Dejected, with a weary heart, fearful and unsteady in his senses, Bharata quickly entered Ayodhyā, the city ruled by the Ikṣvākus.

Verse 33

द्वारेण वैजयन्तेन प्राविशच्छ्रान्तवाहनः।।2.71.33।। द्वास्स्थैरुत्थाय विजयं पृष्टस्तै स्सहितो ययौ।

With his mounts exhausted, he entered through the gate called Vaijayanta. The gatekeepers rose and, uttering cries of “Victory!”, went along with him.

Verse 34

स त्वनेकाग्रहृदयो द्वास्स्थं प्रत्यर्च्य तं जनम्।।2.71.34।। सूतमश्वपतेः क्लान्तमब्रवीत्तत्र राघवः।

But Bharata, his mind unable to settle on one thought, returned the greetings of the gatekeepers and those people there; then he spoke to the exhausted charioteer Aśvapati.

Verse 35

किमहं त्वरयाऽनीतः कारणेन विनानघ।।2.71.35।। अशुभाशङ्कि हृदयं शीलं च पततीव मे।

O blameless one, why have I been brought in haste without being told the reason? My heart suspects some inauspicious event, and my very composure seems to be failing me.

Verse 36

श्रुता नो यादृशाः पूर्वं नृपतीनां विनाशने।।2.71.36।। आकारांस्तानहं सर्वानिहपश्यामि सारथे।

O charioteer, I now see here all those very signs that we had heard of in former times as forebodings of a king’s death.

Verse 37

सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये।।2.71.37।। असंयत कवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः। बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च।।2.71.38।। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च। अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटुम्बिभवनान्यहम्।।2.71.39।।

I behold householders’ homes left unclean—rough and grimy; their doors unguarded, and their former splendour vanished on every side. The customary offerings are not performed, nor does the pleasing fragrance of incense arise. Families seem unfed, people bereft of radiance—each dwelling appears marked by misfortune.

Verse 38

सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये।।2.71.37।। असंयत कवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः। बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च।।2.71.38।। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च। अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटुम्बिभवनान्यहम्।।2.71.39।।

“I observe householders’ homes left unswept, harsh and grimy; their doors stand unfastened, and everywhere they seem bereft of śrī, of prosperity. No offerings are being made, nor is there the pleasing fragrance of incense. I see families unfed, people without radiance, and houses marked by alakṣmī, inauspiciousness.”

Verse 39

सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये।।2.71.37।। असंयत कवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः। बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च।।2.71.38।। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च। अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटुम्बिभवनान्यहम्।।2.71.39।।

“I observe householders’ homes left unswept, harsh and grimy; their doors stand unfastened, and everywhere they seem bereft of śrī, of prosperity. No offerings are being made, nor is there the pleasing fragrance of incense. I see families unfed, people without radiance, and houses marked by alakṣmī, inauspiciousness.”

Verse 40

अपेतमाल्यशोभानि ह्यसम्मृष्टाजिराणि च। देवागाराणि शून्यानि न चाभान्ति यथापुरम्।।2.71.40।।

The temples are bereft of the beauty of garlands; their courtyards are neither swept nor purified. They stand empty and no longer shine as they once did.

Verse 41

देवतार्चाः प्रविद्धाश्च यज्ञगोष्ठ्यस्तथाविधाः। माल्यापणेषु राजन्ते नाद्य पण्यानि वा तथा।।2.71.41।।

Offerings to the deities have been discontinued, and the customary gatherings for yajña are no longer seen. Even the garland-markets, once bright with goods, now display no wares as before.

Verse 42

दृश्यन्ते वणिजोऽप्यद्य न यथापूर्वमत्रवै। ध्यानसंविग्नहृदयाः नष्टव्यापारयन्त्रिताः।।2.71.42।।

Even the merchants are not seen here today as they were before—hearts unsettled, minds distracted, held back by trade that has collapsed.

Verse 43

देवायतनचैत्येषु दीनाः पक्षिगणास्तथा।।2.71.43।। मलिनं चाश्रुपूर्णाक्षं दीनं ध्यानपरं कृशम्। सस्त्रीपुंसं च पश्यामि जनमुत्कण्ठितं पुरे।।2.71.44।।

In the temples and sacred shrines, even the flocks of birds appear dispirited.

Verse 44

देवायतनचैत्येषु दीनाः पक्षिगणास्तथा।।2.71.43।। मलिनं चाश्रुपूर्णाक्षं दीनं ध्यानपरं कृशम्। सस्त्रीपुंसं च पश्यामि जनमुत्कण्ठितं पुरे।।2.71.44।।

“I see the people in the city—women and men alike—downcast and emaciated, their eyes brimming with tears, wretched in spirit, and absorbed in anxious, sorrowful thought.”

Verse 45

इत्येवमुक्त्वा भरतस्सूतं तं दीनमानसः। तान्यनिष्टान्ययोध्यायां प्रेक्ष्य राजगृहं ययौ।।2.71.45।।

Having spoken thus to that charioteer, Bharata—his heart weighed down—after seeing these ominous signs in Ayodhya, proceeded to the royal palace.

Verse 46

तां शून्यशृङ्गाटकवेश्मरथ्यां रजोऽरुणद्वारकवाटयन्त्राम्। दृष्ट्वा पुरीमिन्द्रपुरप्रकाशां दुःखेन सम्पूर्णतरो बभूव।।2.71.46।।

Seeing that city—once radiant like Indra’s own—now with deserted crossroads, houses, and streets, and with door-fittings reddened by dust, he became overwhelmed with grief.

Verse 47

Seeing many things grievous to the mind—things that had never occurred in his city before—the magnanimous Bharata, head bowed, dejected and joyless, entered his father’s palace.