Sarga 75

Verse 2.75.1

दीर्घकालात्समुत्थाय संज्ञां लब्ध्वा च वीर्यवान्।नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां दीनामुद्वीक्ष्य मातरम्।।।।सोऽमात्यमध्ये भरतो जननीमभ्यकुत्सयत्।

After a long while, the valiant Bharata rose up and regained consciousness; looking upon his wretched mother with tear-filled eyes, he reproached her in the midst of the ministers.

Verse 2.75.2

राज्यं न कामये जातु मन्त्रये नापि मातरम्।।।।अभिषेकं न जानामि योऽभूद्राज्ञा समीक्षितः।विप्रकृष्टेह्यहं देशे शत्रुघ्नसहितोऽवसम्।।।।

I never desired the kingdom, nor did I ever consult even my mother about it. I know nothing of the consecration overseen by the king, for I was dwelling far away in another land together with Śatrughna.

Verse 2.75.3

राज्यं न कामये जातु मन्त्रये नापि मातरम्।।2.75.2।।अभिषेकं न जानामि योऽभूद्राज्ञा समीक्षितः।विप्रकृष्टेह्यहं देशे शत्रुघ्नसहितोऽवसम्।।2.75.3।।

I knew nothing of the abhiṣeka consecration that the king had arranged, for I was staying far away in another region together with Śatrughna.

Verse 2.75.4

वनवासं न जानामि रामस्याहं महात्मनः।विवासनं वा सौमित्रे स्सीतायाश्च यथाऽभवत्।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled wander the earth clad in rags, begging for alms like a madman, with a skull in his hand.

Verse 2.75.5

तथैव क्रोशतस्तस्य भरतस्य महात्मनः।कौसल्या शब्दमाज्ञाय सुमित्रामिदमब्रवीत्।।।।

As the great-souled Bharata continued to wail, Kausalya recognized his voice and spoke these words to Sumitra.

Verse 2.75.6

आगतः क्रूरकार्यायाः कैकेय्या भरतस्सुतः।तमहं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि भरतं दीर्घदर्शिनम्।।।।

Bharata—the far‑sighted son of Kaikeyī, whose deeds are cruel—has arrived. I wish to see that Bharata.

Verse 2.75.7

एवमुक्त्वा सुमित्रां सा विवर्णा मलिना कृशा।प्रतस्थे भरतो यत्र वेपमाना विचेतना।।।।

Having said this, she drew Bharata—so devoted to his brother—onto her lap; embracing the mighty-armed one, she wept, overwhelmed by sorrow.

Verse 2.75.8

स तु रामानुजश्चापि शत्रुघ्नसहितस्तदा।प्रतस्थे भरतो यत्र कौसल्याया निवेशनम्।।।।

Thus, as the noble Bharata lamented in anguish, his mind grew unsteady and shaken—through faintness and through being hemmed in by grief.

Verse 2.75.9

तत श्शत्रुघ्नभरतौ कौसल्यां प्रेक्ष्य दुःखितौ।पर्यष्वजेतां दुःखार्तां पतितां नष्टचेतसाम्।।।।रुदन्तौ रुदतीं दुःखात्समेत्यार्यां मनस्स्विनीम्।

That night passed in grief over him—Bharata—who had fallen to the ground, senseless and with his understanding clouded, repeatedly lamenting and again and again breathing out deep, warm sighs.

Verse 2.75.10

भरतं प्रत्युवाचेदं कौसल्या भृशदुःखिता।।।।इदं ते राज्यकामस्य राज्यं प्राप्तमकण्टकम्।संप्राप्तं बत कैकेय्या शशीघ्रं क्रूरेण कर्मणा।।।।

Deeply afflicted, Kauśalyā said to Bharata: “Here is the kingdom you desired—won without obstacle. Alas, Kaikeyī has quickly secured it for you by a cruel deed.”

Verse 2.75.11

भरतं प्रत्युवाचेदं कौसल्या भृशदुःखिता।।2.75.10।।इदं ते राज्यकामस्य राज्यं प्राप्तमकण्टकम्।संप्राप्तं बत कैकेय्या शशीघ्रं क्रूरेण कर्मणा।।2.75.11।।

Deeply afflicted, Kauśalyā said to Bharata: “Here is the kingdom you desired—won without obstacle. Alas, Kaikeyī has quickly secured it for you by a cruel deed.”

Verse 2.75.12

प्रस्थाप्य चीरवसनं पुत्रं मे वनवासिनम्।कैकेयी कं गुणं तत्र पश्यति क्रूरदर्शिनी।।।।

Having sent my son—clad in bark garments—to dwell in the forest, what ‘benefit’ did Kaikeyī, cruel of gaze, imagine there?

Verse 2.75.13

क्षिप्रं मामपि कैकेयी प्रस्थापयितुमर्हति।हिरण्यनाभो यत्रास्ते सुतो मे सुमहायशाः।।।।

Kaikeyī should send even me away at once—to wherever my son Rāma, greatly renowned, the golden-naveled, now dwells.

Verse 2.75.14

अथवा स्वयमेवाहं सुमित्रानुचरा सुखम्।अग्निहोत्रं पुरस्कृत्य प्रस्थास्ये यत्र राघवः।।।।

Or else I myself will set out gladly, with Sumitrā accompanying me, bearing the sacred agnihotra fire before me, to wherever Rāghava is.

Verse 2.75.15

कामं वा स्वयमेवाद्य तत्र मां नेतुमर्हसि।यत्रासौ पुरुषव्याघ्रः पुत्रो मे तप्यते तपः।।।।

Or indeed, you yourself should take me today to that place where that tiger among men—my son—undertakes his austerities.

Verse 2.75.16

इदं हि तव विस्तीर्णं धनधान्यसमाचितम्।हस्त्वश्वरथसम्पूर्णं राज्यं निर्यातितं तया।।।।

For this vast kingdom—rich in wealth and grain, and well supplied with elephants, horses, and chariots—has been handed over to you by her.

Verse 2.75.17

इत्यादिबहुभिर्वाक्यैः क्रूरैः सम्भर्त्सितोऽनघः।विव्यथे भरतस्तीव्रं व्रणे तुद्येव सूचिना।।।।

Reproached with many such cruel words, the sinless Bharata was pierced by intense pain, like a wound pricked by a needle.

Verse 2.75.18

पपात चरणौ तस्यास्तदा सम्भ्रान्तचेतनः।विलप्य बहुधाऽसंज्ञो लब्धसंज्ञस्ततः स्थितः।।।।

Then, his mind reeling, he fell at her feet; lamenting again and again, he lost consciousness, and then, regaining awareness, he stood there.

Verse 2.75.19

एवं विलपमानां तां भरतः प्राञ्जलिस्तदा।कौसल्यां प्रत्युवाचेदं शोकैर्बहुभिरावृताम्।।।।

As she lamented thus, overwhelmed by many griefs, Bharata then, with hands joined in reverence, replied to Kausalyā with these words.

Verse 2.75.20

आर्ये कस्मादजानन्तं गर्हसे मामकिल्बिषम्।विपुलां च मम प्रीतिं स्थिरां जानासि राघवे।।।।

O noble lady, why do you condemn me, though I was unaware and am guiltless? You know my deep and steadfast affection for Rāghava (Rāma).

Verse 2.75.21

कृता शास्त्रानुगा बुद्धिर्माभूत्तस्य कदाचन।सत्यसन्ध स्सतां श्रेष्ठो यस्याऽर्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May such a thought never arise in one whose mind is trained to follow the śāstras—that my noble brother, steadfast in truth and best among the righteous, went into exile with that person’s approval.

Verse 2.75.22

प्रेष्यं पापीयसां यातु सूर्यञ्च प्रतिमेहतु।हन्तु पादेन गां सुप्तां यस्याऽर्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the one by whose sanction my noble brother went into exile incur these sins: servitude under the most wicked, urinating facing the sun, and kicking a sleeping cow.

Verse 2.75.23

कारयित्वा महत्कर्म भर्ता भृत्यमनर्थकम्।अधर्मो योऽस्य सोऽस्यास्तु यस्याऽर्योऽनुमतेगतः।।।।

May the blame of unrighteousness fall upon the one by whose counsel my noble brother was sent away—like a master who makes a servant do heavy work without any due recompense.

Verse 2.75.24

परिपालयमानस्य राज्ञो भूतानि पुयत्रवत्।ततस्नु दुह्यतां पापं यस्याऽर्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May sin come upon the one by whose counsel my noble brother was exiled—like the sin incurred by a man who betrays a king who protects his subjects as a father guards his own children.

Verse 2.75.25

बलिषड्भागमुद्धृत्य नृपस्यारक्षतः प्रजाः।अधर्मो योऽस्य सोऽस्यास्तु यस्यार्थोऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the same unrighteousness fall upon the one by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—as upon a king who takes the lawful sixth share of revenue yet fails to protect his people.

Verse 2.75.26

संश्रुत्य च तपस्विभ्यस्सत्रे वै यज्ञदक्षिणाम्।तां विप्रलपतां पापं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May sin fall upon the one by whose counsel my noble brother was exiled—like the sin of a man who, at a sattrayajña, promises the sacrificial gift (dakṣiṇā) to ascetics and then deceitfully withholds it.

Verse 2.75.27

हस्त्यश्वरथसम्बाधे युद्धे शस्त्रसमाकुले।मा स्म कार्षीत्सतां धर्मं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the one by whose counsel my noble brother was exiled fail in the dharma upheld by the good—like a warrior who enters a battle thronged with elephants, horses, chariots, and weapons, yet does not perform his proper duty.

Verse 2.75.28

उपदिष्टं सुसूक्ष्मार्थं शास्त्रं यत्नेन धीमता।स नाशयतु दुष्टात्मा यस्याऽर्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the evil-minded man by whose counsel my noble brother was exiled come to ruin—he who destroys the subtle meaning of the śāstras, carefully taught by a wise teacher.

Verse 2.75.29

मा च तं व्यूढबाह्वंसं चन्द्रार्कसमतेजसम्।द्राक्षीद्राज्यस्थमासीनं यस्यार्योऽनुमतेगतः।।।।

And may the one by whose counsel my noble brother was exiled never behold him—broad-armed and broad-shouldered, radiant like the sun and moon—seated upon the royal throne.

Verse 2.75.30

पायसं कृसरं छागं वृथा सोऽश्नातु निर्घृणः।गुरूंश्चाप्यवजानातु यस्याऽर्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the pitiless man, by whose counsel my noble brother was exiled, eat in vain—without sacred purpose—payasa, kṛsara (rice with sesame), and goat-meat; and may he also despise his teachers.

Verse 2.75.31

गाश्च स्पृशतु पादेन गुरून्परिवदेत्स्वयम्।मित्रे द्रुह्येत सोऽत्यन्तं यस्याऽर्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the one by whose counsel my noble brother was exiled commit the worst offenses: may he kick cows with his foot, revile his elders and teachers himself, and utterly betray his friends.

Verse 2.75.32

विश्वासात्कथितं किञ्चित्परिवादं मिथः क्वचित्।विवृणोतु स दुष्टात्मा यस्याऽर्योऽमते गतः।।।।

May that wicked-minded man, by whose consent my noble brother was sent away, incur the guilt of betraying a confidence—revealing, somewhere and to someone, a little slander spoken privately in trust.

Verse 2.75.33

अकर्ता ह्यकृतज्ञश्च त्यक्ताचाऽत्मा निरपत्रपः।लोके भवतु विद्विष्टो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled be hated in the world—as one who never helps, who is ungrateful, who has abandoned right conduct, and who is shameless.

Verse 2.75.34

पुत्रैर्दारैश्च भृत्यैश्च स्वगृहे परिवारितः।स एको मृष्टमश्नातु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled incur the blame of one who, though surrounded at home by children, wife, and servants, eats fine food all alone.

Verse 2.75.35

अप्राप्य सदृशान् दाराननपत्यः प्रमीयताम्।अनवाप्य क्रियां धर्म्यां यस्याऽर्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled die without obtaining a worthy wife, without children, and without ever accomplishing the righteous religious duties that uphold dharma.

Verse 2.75.36

माऽत्मनस्सन्ततिं द्राक्षीत्स्वेषु दारेषु दुःखितः।आयुस्समग्रमप्राप्य यऽस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled live in misery and, without reaching the fullness of his life, never behold his own descendants through his wife.

Verse 2.75.37

राजस्त्रीबालवृद्धानां वधे यत्पापमुच्यते।भृत्यत्यागे च यत्पापं तत्पापं प्रतिपद्यताम्।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled incur whatever sin the scriptures declare for killing a king, a woman, children, and the aged—and whatever sin there is in abandoning dependents.

Verse 2.75.38

लाक्षया मधुमांसेन लोहेन च विषेण च।सदैव बिभृयाद्भृत्यान्यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled bear forever the guilt of one who supports his dependents by dealing in lac, liquor, meat, metal, and even poison.

Verse 2.75.39

सङ्ग्रमे समुपोढे स्म शत्रुपक्षभयङ्करे।पलायामानो वध्येत यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled meet the fate of a warrior who, though terrifying to the enemy, is slain while fleeing when the battle reaches its height.

Verse 2.75.40

कपालपाणिः पृथिवीमटतां चीरसंवृतः।भिक्षमाणो यथोन्मत्तो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

I did not know at all about the forest-exile of great-souled Rāma, nor how the banishment of Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa) and of Sītā came to pass.

Verse 2.75.41

मद्ये प्रसक्तो भवतु स्त्रीष्वक्षेषु च नित्यशः।कामक्रोधाभिभूतस्तु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was sent into exile become ever addicted to drink, women, and gambling—and be overpowered by desire and anger.

Verse 2.75.42

मास्म धर्मे मनो भूयादधर्मं स निषेवताम्।अपात्रवर्षी भवतु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the mind of the man by whose consent my noble brother went into exile never rest in dharma; may he practice unrighteousness and squander gifts upon the unworthy.

Verse 2.75.43

सञ्चितान्यस्य वित्तनि विविधानि सहस्रशः।दस्युभिर्विप्रलुप्यन्तां यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother went into exile have his many and varied hoarded riches plundered by thieves in countless ways.

Verse 2.75.44

उभे सन्ध्ये शयानस्य यत्पापं परिकल्प्यते।तच्चपापं भवेत्तस्य यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother went into exile incur that very sin assigned to one who sleeps through both twilight junctions—dawn and dusk.

Verse 2.75.45

यदग्निदायके पापं यत्पापं गुरतल्पगे।मित्रद्रोहे च यत्पापं तत्पापं प्रतिपद्यताम्।।।।

May that man incur the same sin as one who commits arson, violates the teacher’s bed, or betrays a friend.

Verse 2.75.46

देवतानां पित्रूणां च मातापित्रोस्तथैव च।मा स्म कार्षीत्स शुश्रूषां यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother went into exile never render proper service to the gods, the ancestors, or to his mother and father.

Verse 2.75.47

सतां लोकात्सतां कीर्त्या स्सञ्जुष्टात्कर्मणस्तथा।भ्रश्यतु क्षिप्रमद्यैव यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother went into exile fall away—this very day, at once—from the world of the virtuous, from their renown, and from deeds approved by the good.

Verse 2.75.48

अपास्य मातृशुश्रूषामनर्थे सोऽवतिष्ठताम्।दीर्घबाहुर्महावक्षा: यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother—long-armed and broad-chested—went into exile abandon service to his mother and remain fixed in futile, purposeless pursuits.

Verse 2.75.49

बहुपुत्रो दरिद्रश्च ज्वररोगसमन्वितः।स भूयात्सतत क्लेशी यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May the man by whose consent my noble brother went into exile live in unceasing misery—burdened with many sons, sunk in poverty, and afflicted by fever and disease.

Verse 2.75.50

आशामाशंसमानानां दीनानामूर्ध्वचक्षुषाम्।अर्थिनां वितथां कुर्याद्यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May that man—by whose sanction my noble brother was sent into exile—incur the guilt of one who makes the hopes of wretched beggars, looking up in expectation, turn out to be futile.

Verse 2.75.51

मायया रमतां नित्यं परुषः पिशुनोऽशुचिः।राज्ञो भीतस्त्वधर्मात्मा यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—bear the guilt of one who lives ever by deceit: harsh in speech, malicious, impure, unrighteous at heart, and always fearful of the king’s punishment.

Verse 2.75.52

ऋतुस्नातां सतीं भार्यामृतुकालानुरोधिनीम्।अतिवर्तेत दुष्टात्मा यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—incur the guilt of a wicked man who neglects his chaste wife, though she has bathed after her season and is attentive to the proper time.

Verse 2.75.53

सधर्मदारान्परित्यज्य परदारान्निषेवताम्।त्यक्तधर्मरतिर्मूढो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—incur the guilt of a deluded man who abandons his rightful wife, his partner in dharma, and seeks the wives of others, having forsaken righteousness.

Verse 2.75.54

विप्रलुप्तप्रजातस्य दुष्कृतं ब्राह्मणस्य यत्।तदेव प्रतिपद्येत यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—meet with that very demerit that falls to a brahmin who, his lineage lost, commits grievous wrongdoing.

Verse 2.75.55

पानीयदूषके पापं तथैव विषदायके।यत्तदेकस्स लभतां यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—alone receive that sin which belongs to one who pollutes drinking water and likewise to one who gives poison.

Verse 2.75.56

ब्राह्मणायोद्यतां पूजां विहन्तु कलुषेन्द्रियः।बालवत्सां च गां दोग्धु यस्यार्यो ऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—incur the guilt of a defiled-sensed man who disrupts offerings prepared for a brahmin and who milks a cow that has a young calf.

Verse 2.75.57

तुर्ष्णार्तं सति पानीये विप्रलम्भेन योजयेत्।लभेत तस्य यत्पापं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—incur the sin of one who, though water is available, cruelly deceives a thirst-tormented person and contrives to deny relief.

Verse 2.75.58

भक्त्या विवदमानेषु मार्गमाश्रित्य पश्यतः।तस्य पापेन युज्येत यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

May he—by whose sanction my noble brother was exiled—be burdened with the sin of one who, when disputants contend, merely looks on and, out of partisan loyalty, takes refuge in one side, laying down a one‑sided course.

Verse 2.75.59

विहीनां पतिपुत्राभ्यां कौसल्यां पार्थिवात्मजः।एवमाश्वासयन्नेव दुःखार्तो निपपात ह।।।।

Thus consoling Kausalyā, bereft of husband and son, Prince Bharata—overwhelmed by sorrow—fell down in anguish at her feet.

Verse 2.75.60

तथा तु शपथैः कष्टै श्शपमानमचेतनम्।भरतं शोकसन्तप्तं कौसल्या वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।।।

Having spoken thus to Sumitrā, Kausalyā—pale, sullied, and emaciated—set out trembling, almost bereft of sense, to the place where Bharata was.

Verse 2.75.61

मम दुःखमिदं पुत्र भूयस्समुपजायते।शपथै श्शपमानो हि प्राणानुपरुणत्सि मे।।।।

Then Bharata, the younger brother of Rāma, accompanied by Śatrughna, proceeded to where Kausalyā’s residence was.

Verse 2.75.62

दिष्ट्या न चलितो धर्मादात्मा ते सहलक्ष्मणः।वत्स सत्यप्रतिज्ञो ते सतां लोकमवाप्स्यसि।।।।

Then Śatrughna and Bharata, stricken with sorrow on seeing Kausalyā—grief-tormented, fallen down, and almost senseless—approached that venerable, noble-hearted lady; weeping as she wept in pain, they embraced her.

Verse 2.75.63

इत्युक्त्वा चाङ्कमानीय भरतं भ्रातृवत्सलम्।परिष्वज्य महाबाहुं रुरोद भृशदुःखिता।।।।

As Bharata, scorched by grief, lay senseless and kept swearing dreadful oaths, Kausalyā spoke these words to him.

Verse 2.75.64

एवं विलपमानस्य दुःखार्तस्य महात्मनः।मोहाच्च शोकसम्रोधाद्बभूव लुलितं मनः।।।।

My son, this sorrow of mine only increases; for by swearing such oaths you are, as it were, choking the very life-breath within me.

Verse 2.75.65

लालप्यमानस्य विचेतनस्य प्रणष्टबुद्धे: पतितस्य भूमौ।मुहुर्मुहुर्निश्श्वसतश्च घर्मं सा तस्य शोकेन जगाम रात्रिः।।।।

Dear child, happily your resolve has not swerved from dharma—nor has Lakṣmaṇa’s. Since you are true to your pledge, you shall attain the world of the virtuous.