Ayodhya Kanda — Sarga 26

अभिवाद्य तु कौसल्यां रामः सम्प्रस्थितो वनम्। कृतस्वस्त्ययनो मात्रा धर्मिष्ठे वर्त्मनि स्थितः॥ विराजयन् राजसुतो राजमार्ग नरैर्वृतम्। हृदयान्याममन्थेव जनस्य गुणवत्तया॥

Rāma, intent on repairing to the forest, and treading in pious tracks, after duly saluting Kausalyā and beautifying the royal road, crowded with people, captivated their hearts by means of his high accomplishments.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.1

वैदेही चापि तत् सर्वं न शुश्राव तपस्विनी। तदेव हृदि तस्याश्च यौवराज्याभिषेचनम्॥

Vaidehi, ever engaged in ascetic rites, did not hear of all these affairs; there was in her heart only the thought of Rāma's installation.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.2

देवकार्यं स्म सा कृत्वा कृतज्ञा हृष्टचेतना। अभिज्ञा राजधर्माणां राजपुत्री प्रतीक्षति ॥

That daughter of the king, after offering her service to the deities according to the proper royal rites, was eagerly awaiting the approach of Rāma with a grateful and pleased heart.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.3

प्रविवेशाथ रामस्तु स्ववेश्म सुविभूषितम्। प्रहृष्टजनसम्पूर्ण ह्रिया किंचिदवाङ्मुखः॥

Entered Rāma this beautiful abode, excellently furnished and filled with people highly delighted, having his head hanging down a little with shame.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.4

अथ सीता समुत्पत्य वेपमाना च तं पतिम्। अपश्यच्छोकसंतप्तं चिन्ताव्याकुलितेन्द्रियम्॥

Sītā, seeing her husband, racked with sorrow and troubled in mind with anxiety, rose up trembling from her seat.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.5

तां दृष्ट्वा स हि धर्मात्मा न शशाक मनोगतम्। तं शोकं राघवः सोढुं ततो विवृततां गतः॥

Seeing her, that virtuous souled Rāghava, could not bear his internal sorrow, which manifested itself by external signs.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.6

विवर्णवदनं दृष्ट्वा तं प्रस्विनममर्षणम्। आह दुःखाभिसंतप्ता किमिदानीमिदं प्रभो॥

Finding him with face pale and perspiring, and incapable of containing grief within, Sītā sore distressed with sorrow addressed him, saying, Oh my lord, why do I perceive such a change in you?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.7

अद्य बार्हस्पतः श्रीमान् युक्तः पुष्येण राघव। प्रोच्यते ब्राह्मणैः प्राज्ञैः केन त्वमसि दुर्मनाः॥

To day the constellation Puşya is in conjunction with the moon, and planet Bịhaspati is presiding over this conjunction, this day has been declared as the most auspicious one by the learned Brahmins, then why do you cherish such a sorrow in the mind?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.8

न ते शतशलाकेन जलफेननिभेन च। आवृतं वदनं वल्गु च्छत्रेणाभिविराजते॥

Why has not your charming face been placed under the shade of an umbrella having hundred ribs and white as a watery foam?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.9

व्यजनाभ्यां च मुख्याभ्यां शतपत्रनिभेक्षणम्। चन्द्रहंसप्रकाशाभ्यां वीज्यते न तवाननम्॥

Why do not the servants fan you, having eyes like lotus' petals, with chowries white as the moon or a goose?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.10

वाग्मिनो वन्दिनश्चापि प्रहृष्टास्त्वां नरर्षभ। स्तुवन्तो नाद्य दृश्यन्ते मङ्गलैः सूतमागधाः॥

I do not see you, Oh best of men, eulogised with auspicious songs by the panegyrists, encomiasts and family bards.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.11

न ते क्षौद्रं च दधि च ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। मूर्धि मूर्धाभिषिक्तस्य ददति स्म विधानतः॥

Why do not the Brahmins, versed in the Vedas, observing the formal rites, sprinkle on your head honey and curd, after washing it duly?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.12

न त्वां प्रकृतयः सर्वा श्रेणीमुख्याश्च भूषिताः। अनुव्रजितुमिच्छन्ति पौरजानपदास्तथा॥

Why are not your subjects, citizens urbans, and leading members of society dressed and adorned, willing to follow you?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.13

चतुर्भिर्वेगसम्पनैर्हयैः काञ्चनभूषणैः। मुख्यः पुष्परथो युक्तः किं न गच्छति तेऽग्रतः॥

Why does not that excellent sport-chariot go before you, having four fast going steeds, adorned with golden ornaments tied to it?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.14

न हस्ती चाग्रतः श्रीमान् सर्वलक्षणपूजितः। प्रयाणे लक्ष्यते वीर कृष्णमेघगिरिपर्भः॥

Why does not that excellent elephant precede you, Oh great hero, which is gifted with auspicious marks and resembles as mass of dark clouds and a mighty hill?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.15

न च काञ्चनचित्रं ते पश्यामि प्रियदर्शन। भद्रासनं पुरस्कृत्य यान्तं वीर पुरःसरम्॥

Why do not the servants run before you, Oh mighty hero, with a pretty looking royal seat embroidered with gold?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.16

अभिषेको यदा सज्जः किमिदानीमिदं तव। अपूर्वो मुखवर्णश्च न प्रहर्षश्च लक्ष्यते॥

Why do I perceive your face so pale as never seen before, and why therein is no mark of gladness, when every thing for your installation has been made ready?

Ayodhya Kanda 26.17

इतीव विलपन्तीं तां प्रोवाच रघुनन्दनः। सीते तत्र भवांस्तातः प्रव्राजयति मां वनम्॥ कुले महति सम्भूते धर्मज्ञे धर्मचारिणि। शृणु जानकि येनेदं क्रमेणाद्यागतं मम॥

Whereupon spoke to that weeping Sītā, the descendant of Raghu thus:, Oh Sītā, Oh you born of a great family, versed in the knowledge of religion and intent on the performance of religious rites, my father has banished me to the forest! Do you hear, Oh daughter of Janaka, how has this calamity befallen me.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.18

राज्ञा सत्यप्रतिज्ञेन पित्रा दशरथेन वै। कैकेय्यै मम मात्रे तु पुरा दत्तौ महावरौ॥

In the days of yore was granted to my mother, Kaikeyi two boons by my father, king Dasaratha of truthful vows.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.19

तयाद्य मम सज्जेऽस्मिन्नभिषेके नृपोद्यते। प्रचोदितः स समयो धर्मेण प्रतिनिर्जितः॥

When every thing was made ready by my father for my installation, Kaikeyi reminded him of his promise and gained over him for this righteousness.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.20

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वस्तव्यं दण्डके मया। पित्रा मे भरतश्चापि यौवराज्ये नियोजितः॥

I shall live in the forest of Dandaka for fourteen years and Bharata shall be installed by my father as the heir apparent of the throne.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.21

सोऽहं त्वामागतो द्रष्टुं प्रस्थितो विजनं वनम्। भरतस्य समीपे ते नाहं कत्थ्यः कदाचन॥ ऋद्धियुक्ता हि पुरुषा न सहन्ते परस्तवम्। तस्मान्न ते गुणाः कथ्या भरतस्याग्रतो मम ॥

And myself bound to fly as an exile to the wood, have come here to see you; do you not praise me ever before Bharata. Those who are crowned with prosperity cannot bear another's praise; is it therefore behoves you not to extol my virtues in the presence of Bharata.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.22

अहं ते नानुवक्तव्यो विशेषेण कदाचन। अनुकूलतया शक्यं समीपे तस्य वर्तितुम्॥

You should not extol me even in the company of your friends; you shall be then able to live with Bharata as one favourable to his party.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.23

तस्मै दत्तं नृपतिना यौवराज्यं सनातनम्। स प्रसाद्यस्त्वया सीते नृपतिश्च विशेषतः॥

The monarch has granted him this lasting heir appearentship; it is therefore proper for you, Oh Sītā, to please him specially for he is the king now.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.24

अहं चापि प्रतिज्ञां तां गुरोः समनुपालयन्। वनमद्यैव यास्यामि स्थिरीभव मनस्विनि॥

To day shall I repair to the forest for redeeming my father's vows; do you, Oh high minded one, live here in undisturbed mind.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.25

याते च मयि कल्याणि वनं मुनिनिषेवितम्। व्रतोपवासपरया भवितव्यं त्वयानघे॥

Do you, Oh sinless and auspicious one, live here engaged in religious rites and fasts, when I shall wend my way to the forest inhabited by the great ascetics.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.26

कल्यमुत्थाय देवानां कृत्वा पूजां यथाविधि। वन्दितव्यो दशरथः पिता मम जनेश्वरः॥

Rising from the bed early in the morning, adore the deities, every day, and then bow down to the feet of my father Dasaratha, the lord of men.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.27

माता च मम कौसल्या वृद्धा संतापकर्शिता। धर्ममेवाग्रतः कृत्वा त्वत्तः सम्मानमर्हति ॥

My mother Kausalyā is old and much pressed down with sorrow; do you show proper respects to her, considering it to be a pious deed.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.28

वन्दितव्याश्च ते नित्यं याः शेषा मम मातरः। स्नेहप्रणयसम्भोगैः समा हि मम मातरः॥

You should then bow down to my other mothers who all minister to me, with equal love and affection.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.29

भ्रातृपुत्रसमौ चापि द्रष्टव्यौ च विशेषतः। त्वया भरतशत्रुघ्नौ प्राणैः प्रियतरौ मम॥

Should you specially regard Bharata and Śatrughna like to your sons or brothers, who are dearer to me than my life itself.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.30

विप्रियं च न कर्तव्यं भरतस्य कदाचन। स हि राजा च वैदेहि देशस्य च कुलस्य च॥

You should not do, Oh Vaidehī, any such thing as might be unpleasant to Bharata, for he is the king of the land as well as of the family.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.31

आराधिता हि शीलेन प्रयत्नैश्चोपसेविताः। राजानः सम्प्रसीदन्ति प्रकुप्यन्ति विपर्यये॥

The monarchs are always propitiated by being served with assiduity and good temper; they are offended when any thing contrary to it happens.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.32

औरस्यानपि पुत्रान् हि त्यजन्त्यहितकारिणः। समर्थान् सम्प्रगृह्णन्ति जनानपि नराधिपाः॥

They renounce even their own son, born of their lions, when they find him bringing about their mischief, and admit into their favour persons devoted to their welfare bearing no relationship whatever.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.33

सा त्वं वसेह कल्याणि राज्ञः समनुवर्तिनी। भरतस्य रता धर्मे सत्यव्रतपरायणा॥

It therefore behoves you, Oh auspicious one, to live here, abiding by Bharata's commands and being engaged in religious rites and truthful vows.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.34

अहं गमिष्यामि महावनं प्रिये त्वया हि वस्तव्यमिहैव भामिनि। यथा व्यलीकं कुरुषे न कस्यचित् तथा त्वया कार्यमिदं वचो मम॥

I am going to the forest, Oh my darling, and you shall live here. Oh excellent lady, abide by my word as did you never formerly falsify it.

Ayodhya Kanda 26.35