Ayodhya Kanda — Sarga 71

स प्राङ्मुखो राजगृहादभिनिर्याय वीर्यवान्। ततः सुदामां द्युतिमान् संतीर्यावेक्ष्य तां नदीम्॥ ह्रादिनी दूरपारं च प्रत्यक्स्रोतस्तरङ्गिणीम्। शतद्रुमतरच्छीमान् नदीमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः॥

Issuing from the palace, the blazing Bharata endowed with prowess went in an easterly direction, and seeing before him the river called Sudāmā, crossed it. Then the auspicious descendant of Iksvāku crossed the broad Hrādinſ coursing westwards, as also the river Satadru.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.1

ऐलधाने नदीं तीर्वा प्राप्य चापरपर्वतान्। शिलामाकुर्वती ती। आग्नेयं शल्यकर्षणम्॥

Then crossing a river at Eladhana,' and coming to Aparaparvata”, he crossed the Sila? and the Akurvatī, and arrived at Agneya* and Salyakarsanam. 1. Some read Eladhani. 2. Some read Apharaparyata. 3. The river, according to some is so named because it transforms the surrounding objects to stone. 4. Some make Agneya an epithet to Salyakarsana, meaning, relating to the south-east.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.2

सत्यसंधः शुचिर्भूत्वा प्रेक्षमाणः शिलावहाम्। अभ्यगात् स महाशैलान् वनं चैत्ररथं प्रति ॥

And having purified himself and seen Silavaha,' that one of truthful purposes passed the Mahacailas,' and entered the forest of Caitraratha. 1. According to Tirtha, Silavaha is a strcam having Āgneya on one side and Salyakarşaņa on the other. 2. Lit, mighty mountains.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.3

सरस्वतीं च गङ्गां च युग्मेन प्रतिपद्य च। उत्तरान् वीरमत्स्यानां भारुण्डं प्राविशद् वनम्॥

Then coming upon the confluence of the Ganga and the Sarasvati, Bharata entered the forest of Bhārunda lying to the north* of Vīramatsya. *Uttarān, lit. north. Some text read uttaram. It would mean countries lying to the north of Viramatsya.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.4

वेगिनी च कुलिङ्गाख्यां ह्रादिनी पर्वतावृताम्। यमुनां प्राप्य संतीर्णो बलमाश्वासयत् तदा॥

Next crossing the rapid river Kulingā and the Hrādinſ surrounded by hills, as well as the Yamunā, he ordered the forces to halt.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.5

शीतीकृत्वा तु गात्राणि क्लान्तानाश्वास्य वाजिनः। तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च प्रायादादाय चोदकम्॥ राजपुत्रो महारण्यमनभीक्ष्णोपसेवितम्। भद्रो भद्रेण यानेन मारुतः खमिवात्यगात्॥

Then cooling the limbs of the fatigued horses (with water) and refreshing them, Bharata himself bathed there and drank of the water; and then resumed the march, furnished with the water. Then the gentle prince by means of an excellent car, like to the wind-god himself, entered the mighty forest inhabited by various races of men.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.6

भागीरथी दुष्प्रतरां सोंऽशुधाने महानदीम्। उपायात् राघवस्तूर्णं प्राग्वटे विश्रुते पुरे॥

Seeing that the mighty river Gangā was hard to cross at Ansudhāna, Bharata speedily went to the famous city of Prāgvața.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.7

स गङ्गां प्राग्वटे ती, समायात् कुटिकोष्ठिकाम्। सबलस्तां स तीथि समगाद् धर्मवर्धनम्॥

Having crossed the Gangă at Prāgvața, he went over to the Kuţikoșthika. Having with his forces crossed that river, he proceeded to Dharmavardhana.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.8

तोरणं दक्षिणार्धेन जम्बूप्रस्थं समागमत्। वरूथं च ययौ रम्यं ग्रामं दशरथात्मजः॥

Then proceeding by the south of Toraņa, he came to Jambuprastha. Then Dasaratha's son went to the beautiful village of Varūtha.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.9

तत्र रम्ये वने वासं कृत्वासौ प्राङ्मुखो ययौ। उद्यानमुज्जिहानायाः प्रियका यत्र पादपाः॥

Having for a while stayed at that romantic wood, he proceeded eastwards, and presented himself at the villa of Ujjihānāya, where abound trees (called) Priyaka.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.10

स तांस्तु प्रियकान् प्राप्य शीघ्रानास्थाय वाजिनः। अनुज्ञाप्याथ भरतो वाहिनीं त्वरितो ययौ॥

Coming to the Priyakas, Bharata speedily yoking the horses, set out without delay, issuing his orders to the forces.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.11

वासं कृत्वा सर्वतीर्थे ती चोत्तानिकां नदीम्। अन्या नदीश्च विविधैः पार्वतीयैस्तुरङ्गमैः॥ हस्तिपृष्ठकमासाद्य कुटिकामप्यवर्तत। ततार च नरव्याघ्रो लोहित्ये च कपीवतीम्॥ एकसाले स्थाणुमती विनते गोमती नदीम्। कलिङ्गनगरे चापि प्राप्य सालवनं तदा ॥ भरतः क्षिप्रमागच्छत् सुपरिश्रान्तवाहनः। वनं च समतीत्याशु शर्वर्यामरुणोदये॥ अयोध्यां मनुना राज्ञा निर्मितां स ददर्श ह। तां पुरी पुरुषव्याघ्रः सप्तरात्रोषितः पथि॥

Then sojourning at Sarvatirtha and crossing the river there flowing north-wards as well as others abounding in various kinds of mountainous horses, Bharata arrived Hastiprşthaka. And at Lohitya that foremost of men crossed the Kapivati, at Ekasāla, the Sthanumati, and at Vinaya the Gomati. And Bharata arriving at a forest of Sala trees in the city of Kalinga, speedily passed it with his forces way-worn. And having passed the forest swiftly over night, he at sunrise saw Ayodhyā built by king Manu. Having spent seven nights on the journey, that chief of men beheld Ayodhyā.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.12

अयोध्यामग्रतो दृष्ट्वा सारथिं चेदमब्रवीत्। एषा नातिप्रतीता मे पुण्योद्याना यशस्विनी॥ अयोध्या दृश्यते दूरात् सारथे पाण्डुमृत्तिका। यज्विभिर्गुणसम्पन्नैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः॥ भूयिष्ठमृद्धैराकीर्णा राजर्षिवरपालिता। अयोध्यायां पुरा शब्दः श्रूयते तुमुलो महान्॥ समन्तानरनारीणां तमद्य न शृणोम्यहम्।

Before him and thus addressed the charioteer, O charioteer, from the distance Ayodhyā at seemeth like a mass of black earth, albeit she boasts of sacrificial priests crowned with every virtue, Brāhmaṇas versed in the Vedas and opulent people, and albeit she is maintained by Rājarșis. Formerly one could hear a great and mighty tumult all round Ayodhyā proceeding from men and women; but I do not hear this today.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.13

उद्यानानि हि सायाह्ने क्रीडित्वोपरतैनरैः॥ समन्ताद् विप्रधावद्भिः प्रकाशन्ते ममान्यथा। तान्यद्यानुरुदन्तीव परित्यक्तानि कामिभिः॥

The gardens where from persons having sported in the evening used to rush out (at day break) wear a different aspect now. Forsaken by the pleasure-seekers, the garden appear to weep.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.14

अरण्यभूतेव पुरी सारथे प्रतिभाति माम्। सह्यत्र यानैर्दृश्यन्ते न गर्न च वाजिभिः। निर्यान्तो वाभियान्तो वा नरमुख्या यथा पुरा॥

O charioteer, the city appears to me like a wilderness. And I do not as formerly behold the flower of the city leaving or entering her on cars or elephants or horses.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.15

उद्यानानि पुरा भान्ति मत्तप्रमुदितानि च। जनानां रतिसंयोगेष्वत्यन्तगुणवन्ति च॥ तान्येतान्यद्य पश्यामि निरानन्दानि सर्वशः। स्रस्तपर्णैरनुपथं विक्रोशद्भिरिव दुमैः॥

Gardens which, frequented by people inebriated with the honey of love, met together for purposes of sport, looked charmingly blooming, I find as utterly void of cheerfulness, with the trees as if lamenting with tremulous leaves.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.16

नाद्यापि श्रूयते शब्दो मत्तानां मृगपक्षिणाम्। सरक्तां मधुरां वाणी कलं व्याहरतां बहु॥

Still do I not hear the inarticulate though sweet and delicious voice of beasts and birds crying in chorus.* *Some text read muhus, momentarily.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.17

चन्दनागुरुसम्पृक्तो धूपसम्मूर्छितोऽमलः। प्रवाति पवनः श्रीमान् किं नु नाद्य यथा पुरा ॥

Why, as before, does not the blameless* and bland wind blow mixed with the perfume of sandal and faint with Dhūpa? *Some texts read atula in place of amala, incomparable.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.18

भेरीमृदङ्गवीणानां कोणसंघट्टितः पुनः। किमद्य शब्दो विरतः सदादीनगतिः पुरा॥

And why, again, have the sounds of Vīņās and Mļdangas developed by beating sticks, which continually flew in a never-ceasing vigorous courses, ceased to-day?

Ayodhya Kanda 71.19

अनिष्टानि च पापानि पश्यामि विविधानि च। निमित्तान्यमनोज्ञानि तेन सीदति मे मनः॥

I witness various evil, unsightly, and unpleasant* omens, and hence my mind is depressed. *The commentator renders amongnani, inauspicious. I venture to differ from him.,

Ayodhya Kanda 71.20

सर्वथा कुशलं सूत दुर्लभं मम बन्धुषु। तथा ह्यसति सम्मोहे हृदयं सीदतीव मे॥

O charioteer, complete good fortune with my friends is hardly to be realised. But although no apparent cause exists for my depression of spirits, yet my heart droopeth.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.21

विषण्णः श्रान्तहृदयस्त्रस्तः संलुलितेन्द्रियः। भरतः प्रविवेशाशु पुरीमिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम्॥

Then Bharata depressed and cast down and with his senses afflicted, speedily entered the city ruled by Ikşvāku.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.22

द्वारेण वैजयन्तेन प्राविशच्छ्रान्तवाहनः। द्वा:स्थैरुत्थाय विजयं पृष्ठस्तैः सहितो ययौ॥

And Bharata having his vehicles fatigued, entered by the Vaijayanta* gate, and went on, followed by the gate-keepers, who enquired after his welfare. *Vijayantena. Another meaning is, By the gate resembling that of Indra's palace.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.23

स त्वनेकाग्रहृदयो द्वा:स्थं प्रत्यर्च्य तं जनम्। सूतमश्वपतेः क्लान्तमब्रवीत् तत्र राघवः॥ किमहं त्वरयानीत: कारणेन विनानघ। अशुभाशङ्कि हृदयं शीलं च पततीव मे॥

Then courteously telling the warders to desist, he with an agitated heart spoke to the tired charioteer of Aśvapati, “O sinless one, why have I been brought in this haste without any (adequate) reason?" My heart apprehended some evil; and my disposition gives way.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.24

श्रुता नु यादृशाः पूर्वं नृपतीनां विनाशने। आकारांस्तानहं सर्वानिह पश्यामि सारथे॥

O charioteer, I see around me all those signs which I had heard told as occurring on the occasion of he death of monarchs.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.25

सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये। असंयतकवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः॥ बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च॥ अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटिम्बिभवनान्यहम्। अपेतमाल्यशोभानि असम्मृष्टाजिराणि च॥ देवागाराणि शून्यानि न भान्तीह यथा पुरा।

I behold the houses of the citizens unswept and unsightly with the doors flung open, and destitute of grace, without sacrifices and other religious ceremonies, without the incense of Dhūpa, the citizens fasting, and the people appearing with faded countenance, displaying no flags, etc., The abodes of the deities are not decorated with garlands, and their courts are unclean; and remaining vacant, they look. no longer beautiful as formerly.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.26

देवताः प्रविद्धाश्च यज्ञगोष्ठास्तथैव च॥ माल्यापणेषु राजन्ते नाद्य पण्यानि वा तथा। दृश्यन्ते वणिजोऽप्यद्य न यथापूर्वमत्र वै॥ ध्यानसंविग्नहदया नष्टव्यापारयन्त्रिताः।

The images are not worshipped; and the places of sacrifice are in a like condition. And garlands are not displayed in the shops where they are sold. And traders looking anxious, with their business stopped, do not look as before.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.27

देवायतनचैत्येषु दीनाः पक्षिगास्तथा॥ मलिनं चाश्रुपूर्णाक्षं दीनं ध्यानपरं कृशम्। सस्त्र.पुरां च पश्याम जनमुत्कण्ठितं पुरे॥

And in temples and Caityas birds and beasts appear dispirited. And in the city I behold men and women pale and woe-begone and emaciated and anxious, with tears filling their eyes.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.28

इत्येवमुक्त्वा भरतः सूतं तं दीनमानसः। तान्यनिष्टान्ययोध्यायां प्रेक्ष्य राजगृहं ययौ॥

Having said this to the charioteer, Bharata, beholding these inauspicious sights, entered the palace of the king with a depressed heart.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.29

तां शून्यशृङ्गाटकवेश्मरथ्यां रजोरुणद्वारकवाटयन्त्राम्। दृष्ट्वा पुरीमिन्द्रपुरीप्रकाशां दुःखेन सम्पूर्णतरो बभूव॥

Beholding the city resembling the city of Indra, with her crossings and houses and roads void of people, and the doors and hinges covered with dust, Bharata was filled with greater grief.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.30

बभूव पश्यन्मनसोऽप्रियाणि यान्यन्यदा नास्य पुरे बभूवुः। अवाक्शिरा दीनमना न हृष्टः पितुर्महात्मा प्रविवेश वेश्म ॥

And witnessing many unpleasant things which he had never seen during the life of the monarch, that high-souled one entered the mansion of his father, bending his head, depressed in spirits, and with his mind extremely aggrieved.

Ayodhya Kanda 71.31