Sloka & Translation

[Kausalya insists on Rama to take her along with him to the forest --Rama tells her that service to one's husband is the supreme virtue--Kauslaya allows Rama to proceed.]

ತಂ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷ್ಯ ತ್ವವಹಿತಂ ಪಿತುರ್ನಿರ್ದೇಶ ಪಾಲನೇ.

ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ ಬಾಷ್ಪಸಂರುದ್ಧಾ ವಚೋ ಧರ್ಮಿಷ್ಠಮಬ್ರವೀತ್৷৷2.24.1৷৷


ತಮ್ him, ಪಿತುಃ father's, ನಿರ್ದೇಶಪಾಲನೇ in carrying out the command, ಅವಹಿತಮ್ determined, ಸಮೀಕ್ಷ್ಯ having perceived, ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ Kausalya, ಬಾಷ್ಪಸಂರುಧ್ದಾ with choked tears, ಧರ್ಮಿಷ್ಠಮ್ pious, ವಚಃ words, ಅಬ್ರವೀತ್ said.

Having perceived that Rama was determined to carry out his father's command, Kausalya with her throat choked with tears said these words of piety:
ಅದೃಷ್ಟದುಃಖೋ ಧರ್ಮಾತ್ಮಾ ಸರ್ವಭೂತಪ್ರಿಯಂವದಃ.

ಮಯಿ ಜಾತೋ ದಶರಥಾತ್ಕಥಮುಞ್ಛೇನ ವರ್ತಯೇತ್৷৷2.24.2৷৷


ಅದೃಷ್ಟದುಃಖಃ one who had never experienced sorrow, ಧರ್ಮಾತ್ಮಾ righteous, ಸರ್ವಭೂತಪ್ರಿಯಂವದಃ one who speaks pleasantly to all, ದಶರಥಾತ್ of Dasaratha, ಮಯಿ to me, ಜಾತಃ born, ಉಞ್ಛೇನ by collecting the grains fallen on the ground, ಕಥಮ್ how, ವರ್ತಯೇತ್ will maintain.

How will this righteous Rama, born to me through Dasaratha, who speaks pleasantly to all, and who has not experienced any sorrow before live on the grains gleaned?
ಯಸ್ಯ ಭೃತ್ಯಾಶ್ಚ ದಾಸಾಶ್ಚ ಮೃಷ್ಟಾನ್ಯನ್ನಾನಿ ಭುಞ್ಜತೇ.

ಕಥಂ ಸ ಭೋಕ್ಷ್ಯತೇನಾಥೋ ವನೇ ಮೂಲಫಲಾನ್ಯಯಮ್৷৷2.24.3৷৷


ಯಸ್ಯ whose, ಭೃತ್ಯಾಶ್ಚ servants,ದಾಸಾಶ್ಚ attendants, ಮೃಷ್ಟಾನಿ delicious, ಅನ್ನಾನಿ cooked rice,
ಭುಞ್ಜತೇ enjoy, ಅಥಃ hereafter, ಸಃ ಅಯಮ್ such Rama, ವನೇ in the forest, ಮೂಲಫಲಾನಿ roots and fruits, ಕಥಮ್ how, ಭೋಕ್ಷ್ಯತೇ will eat?

How will Rama live on roots and fruits in the forest hereafter when his servants and attendants enjoy delicious food (here)?
ಕಃ ಏತಚ್ಛ್ರದ್ದಧೇಚ್ಛ್ರುತ್ವಾ ಕಸ್ಯ ವಾ ನ ಭವೇದ್ಭಯಮ್.

ಗುಣವಾನ್ದಯಿತೋ ರಾಜ್ಞಾ ರಾಘವೋ ಯದ್ವಿವಾಸ್ಯತೇ৷৷2.24.4৷৷


ಗುಣವಾನ್ virtuous, ದಯಿತಃ affectionate, ರಾಘವಃ Rama, ರಾಜ್ಞಾ by the king, ವಿವಾಸ್ಯತೇ ಇತಿ ಯತ್ will be exiled in this way, ಏತತ್ all this, ಶ್ರುತ್ವಾ having heard, ಕಃ who, ಶ್ರದ್ಧಧೇತ್ will believe, ಕಸ್ಯ ವಾ to whom, ಭಯಮ್ fear, ನ ಭವೇತ್ will not cause.

Who will believe that the virtuous and affectionate scion of the Raghus is exiled this way by the king? Who will not tremble in fear to hear this?
ನೂನಂ ತು ಬಲವಾನ್ ಲೋಕೇ ಕೃತಾನ್ತಸ್ಸರ್ವಮಾದಿಶನ್.

ಲೋಕೇ ರಾಮಾಭಿರಾಮಸ್ತ್ವಂ ವನಂ ಯತ್ರ ಗಮಿಷ್ಯಸಿ৷৷2.24.5৷৷


ರಾಮ O Rama!, ಲೋಕೇ ಅಭಿರಾಮಃ delight of this world, ತ್ವಮ್ you, ವನಮ್ to the forest, ಯತ್ರ ಗಮಿಷ್ಯಸಿ if ordered to go, ಲೋಕೇ in the world, ಸರ್ವಮ್ everything, ಆದಿಶನ್ while ordering, ಕೃತಾನ್ತಃ destiny, ನೂನಮ್ certainly, ಬಲವಾನ್ all-powerful.

O Rama! if you, being the delight of the world, are (ordered) to go to the forest, it
has to be said certainly that destiny which rules everything is all-powerful.
ಅಯಂ ತು ಮಾಮಾತ್ಮಭವ ಸ್ತವಾದರ್ಶನಮಾರುತಃ.

ವಿಲಾಪದುಃಖಸಮಿಧೋ ರುದಿತಾಶ್ರುಹುತಾಹುತಿಃ৷৷2.24.6৷৷

ಚಿನ್ತಾಬಾಷ್ಪಮಹಾಧೂಮಸ್ತವಾಗಮನಚಿತ್ತಜಃ.

ಕರ್ಶಯಿತ್ವಾ ಭೃಶಂ ಪುತ್ರ! ನಿಶ್ವಾಸಾಯಾಸಸಮ್ಭವಃ৷৷2.24.7৷৷

ತ್ವಯಾ ವಿಹೀನಾಮಿಹ ಮಾಂ ಶೋಕಾಗ್ನಿರತುಲೋ ಮಹಾನ್.

ಪ್ರಧಕ್ಷ್ಯತಿ ಯಥಾ ಕಕ್ಷಂ ಚಿತ್ರಭಾನುರ್ಹಿಮಾತ್ಯಯೇ৷৷2.24.8৷৷


ಪುತ್ರ O son, ಆತ್ಮಭವಃ born from the body, ತವ ಅದರ್ಶನ ಮಾರುತಃ (my) sighs that will suggest your absence, ವಿಲಾಪದುಃಖಸಮಿಧಃ with fuels of lamentation and affliction, ರುದಿತಾಶ್ರುಹುತಾಹುತಿಃ invoking with the offering of oblations of (my) wailing tears, ಚಿನ್ತಾಬಾಷ್ಪಮಹಾಧೂಮಃ with great smoke of vapour arising from anxious thoughts, ತವ your, ಆಗಮನ ಚಿತ್ತಜಃ born from the thought of your return, ನಿಶ್ವಾಸಾಯಾಸಸಮ್ಭವಃ produced from sighs of exhaustion, ಅತುಲಃ incomparable, ಮಹಾನ್ great, ಅಯಂ ಶೋಕಾಗ್ನಿ: this fire of grief, ಇಹ now, ತ್ವಯಾ by you, ವಿಹೀನಾಮ್ deprived, ಮಾಮ್ me, ಭೃಶಮ್ very much, ಕರ್ಶಯಿತ್ವಾ having emaciated, ಹಿಮಾತ್ಯಯೇ in summer, ಚಿತ್ರಭಾನುಃ fire, ಕಕ್ಷಂ ಯಥಾ like or a bunch of dry grass, ಪ್ರಧಕ್ಷ್ಯತಿ will burn.

After your departure, O son, an incomparably huge fire of grief with sighs of exhaustion will burst from my body, fanned by the wind of your absence and fuelled by lamentation and affliction. My wailing tears will be the oblations. My anxiety will be the great smoke rising vapour. This fire of grief will leave me very much emaciated and burn me like fire burns a forest of dead trees or a bunch of dry grass in summer.
ಕಥಂ ಹಿ ಧೇನು ಸ್ಸ್ವಂ ವತ್ಸಂ ಗಚ್ಛನ್ತಂ ನಾನುಗಚ್ಛತಿ.

ಅಹಂ ತ್ವಾನುಗಮಿಷ್ಯಾಮಿ ಯತ್ರ ಪುತ್ರ! ಗಮಿಷ್ಯಸಿ৷৷2.24.9৷৷.


ಧೇನುಃ cow, ಗಚ್ಛನ್ತಮ್ wandering, ಸ್ವಂ ವತ್ಸಮ್ its calf, ಕಥಂ ಹಿ how, ನಾನುಗಚ್ಛತಿ will not follow, ಪುತ್ರ son, ಯತ್ರ whereever, ಗಮಿಷ್ಯಸಿ you will go, ಅಹಮ್ I, ತ್ವಾ you, ಅನುಗಮಿಷ್ಯಾಮಿ will follow.

I shall follow you wherever you go, my son, like a cow following its calf. How is it possible for a cow not to follow its wandering calf?
ತಥಾ ನಿಗದಿತಂ ಮಾತ್ರಾ ತದ್ವಾಕ್ಯಂ ಪುರುಷರ್ಷಭಃ.

ಶ್ರುತ್ವಾ ರಾಮೋಬ್ರವೀದ್ವಾಕ್ಯಂ ಮಾತರಂ ಭೃಶದುಃಖಿತಾಮ್৷৷2.24.10৷৷


ಪುರುಷರ್ಷಭಃ best among men, ರಾಮಃ Rama, ಮಾತ್ರಾ by mother, ತಥಾ that way, ನಿಗದಿತಮ್ spoken, ತದ್ವಾಕ್ಯಮ್ those words, ಶ್ರುತ್ವಾ on hearing, ಭೃಶದುಃಖಿತಾಮ್ deeply afflicted, ಮಾತರಮ್ addressing his
mother, ವಾಕ್ಯಮ್ words, ಅಬ್ರವೀತ್ said.

At these words of his mother who was deeply afflicted Rama, best among men replied:
ಕೈಕೇಯ್ಯಾ ವಞ್ಚಿತೋ ರಾಜಾ ಮಯಿ ಚಾರಣ್ಯಮಾಶ್ರಿತೇ.

ಭವತ್ಯಾ ಚ ಪರಿತ್ಯಕ್ತೋ ನ ನೂನಂ ವರ್ತಯಿಷ್ಯತಿ৷৷2.24.11৷৷


ಕೈಕೇಯ್ಯಾ by Kaikeyi, ವಞ್ಚಿತಃ was deceived, ರಾಜಾ king, ಮಯಿ when I, ಅರಣ್ಯಮ್ forest, ಆಶ್ರಿತೇ will be resorting to, ಭವತ್ಯಾ ಚ by you also, ಪರಿತ್ಯಕ್ತಃ deserted, ನ ವರ್ತಯಿಷ್ಯತಿ he will not live, ನೂನಮ್ this is certain.

The king was deceived by Kaikeyi. If you also desert him after I have gone to the forest, surely he will not live.
ಭರ್ತುಃ ಕಿಲ ಪರಿತ್ಯಾಗೋ ನೃಶಂಸಃ ಕೇವಲಂ ಸ್ತ್ರಿಯಾಃ.

ಸ ಭವತ್ಯಾ ನ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯೋ ಮನಸಾಪಿ ವಿಗರ್ಹಿತಃ৷৷2.24.12৷৷


ಸ್ತ್ರಿಯಾಃ for a woman, ಭರ್ತುಃ husband's, ಪರಿತ್ಯಾಗಃ desertion, ಕೇವಲಮ್ only, ನೃಶಂಸಃ ಕಿಲ is a cruel act indeed, ವಿಗರ್ಹಿತಃ is abominable, ಸಃ that, ಭವತ್ಯಾ by you, ಮನಸಾಪಿ even in mind, ನ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಃ must not be done.

For a woman, to desert her husband is a cruel act. You must not do that which is contemptible even to think.
ಯಾವಜ್ಜೀವತಿ ಕಾಕುತ್ಸ್ಥಃ ಪಿತಾ ಮೇ ಜಗತೀಪತಿಃ.

ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಾ ಕ್ರಿಯತಾಂ ತಾವತ್ಸಹಿ ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಸನಾತನಃ৷৷2.24.13৷৷


ಮೇ ಪಿತಾ my father, ಜಗತೀಪತಿಃ lord of the earth, ಕಾಕುತ್ಸ್ಥಃ the descendant of Kakutstha, ಯಾವತ್ as long as, ಜೀವತಿ lives, ತಾವತ್ till then, ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಾ service, ಕ್ರಿಯತಾಮ್ be done, ಸಃ that one, ಧರ್ಮಃ ಹಿ ಸನಾತನಃ it is eternal virtue.

As long as the king, my father, the lord of the earth, a descendant of Kakutshta lives, you shall serve him. This is eternal virtue (in a woman).
ಏವಮುಕ್ತಾ ತು ರಾಮೇಣ ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ ಶುಭದರ್ಶನಾ.

ತಥೇತ್ಯುವಾಚ ಸುಪ್ರೀತಾ ರಾಮಮಕ್ಲಿಷ್ಟಕಾರಿಣಮ್৷৷2.24.14৷৷


ರಾಮೇಣ by Rama, ಏವಮ್ thus, ಉಕ್ತಾ having been said, ಶುಭದರ್ಶನಾ auspicious-looking lady, ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ Kausalya, ಸುಪ್ರೀತಾ exceedingly pleased, ಅಕ್ಲಿಷ್ಟಕಾರಿಣಮ್ unshakable in actions, ರಾಮಮ್ to Rama, ತಥೇತಿ 'Be it so', ಉವಾಚ said.

At these words of Rama, unshakable in action, auspicious-looking Kausalya, exceedingly pleased said 'Be it so'.
ಏವಮುಕ್ತಸ್ತು ವಚನಂ ರಾಮೋ ಧರ್ಮಭೃತಾಂ ವರಃ.

ಭೂಯಸ್ತಾಮಬ್ರವೀದ್ವಾಕ್ಯಂ ಮಾತರಂ ಭೃಶದುಃಖಿತಾಮ್৷৷2.24.15৷৷


ಧರ್ಮಭೃತಾಂ among upholders of rightcouness, ವರಃ foremost, ರಾಮಃ Rama, ಏವಮ್ in this way, ವಚನಮ್ words, ಉಕ್ತಃ having been spoken to, ಭೃಶ ದುಃಖಿತಾಮ್ in deep grief, ತಾಮ್ her, ಮಾತರಮ್ to mother, ಭೂಯ: again, ವಾಕ್ಯಮ್ words, ಅಬ್ರವೀತ್ said.

Thus addressed, Rama, the foremost among upholders of righteousness, said to his mother who was in deep grief:
ಮಯಾ ಚೈವ ಭವತ್ಯಾ ಚ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಂ ವಚನಂ ಪಿತುಃ.

ರಾಜಾ ಭರ್ತಾ ಗುರು ಶ್ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠಸ್ಸರ್ವೇಷಾಮೀಶ್ವರಃ ಪ್ರಭುಃ৷৷2.24.16৷৷


ಮಯಾ ಚೈವ by me as well, ಭವತ್ಯಾ ಚ by you also, ಪಿತುಃ father's, ವಚನಮ್ words, ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಮ್ fit to be carried out, ರಾಜಾ king, ಭರ್ತಾ supporter husband, ಗುರುಃ guru, ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠಃ best, ಸರ್ವೇಷಾಮ್ for all, ಈಶ್ವರಃ is the lord, ಪ್ರಭುಃ master.

You and I should obey father's words. He is the king, supporter, preceptor, the best (among men) and lord and master of all of us.
ಇಮಾನಿ ತು ಮಹಾರಣ್ಯೇ ವಿಹೃತ್ಯ ನವ ಪಞ್ಚ ಚ.

ವರ್ಷಾಣಿ ಪರಮಪ್ರೀತಃ ಸ್ಥಾಸ್ಯಾಮಿ ವಚನೇ ತವ৷৷2.24.17৷৷


ಇಮಾನಿ these, ನವ ಪಞ್ಚ ಚ nine plus five (fourteen), ವರ್ಷಾಣಿ years, ಮಹಾರಣ್ಯೇ in the wild forest, ವಿಹೃತ್ಯ having roamed, ಪರಮಪ್ರೀತಃ with supreme pleasure, ತವ your, ವಚನೇ words (obeying your word), ಸ್ಥಾಸ್ಯಾಮಿ shall abide by.

Roaming the wild forest for fourteen years I shall abide by your words with supreme pleasure.
ಏವಮುಕ್ತಾ ಪ್ರಿಯಂ ಪುತ್ರಂ ಬಾಷ್ಪಪೂರ್ಣಾನನಾ ತದಾ.

ಉವಾಚ ಪರಮಾರ್ತಾ ತು ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ ಪುತ್ರವತ್ಸಲಾ৷৷2.24.18৷৷


ತದಾ then, ಏವಮ್ thus, ಉಕ್ತಾ addressed, ಪುತ್ರವತ್ಸಲಾ affectionate towards (her) son, ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ Kausalya, ಪರಮಾರ್ತಾ a greatly distressed, ಬಾಷ್ಪಪೂರ್ಣಾನನಾ with her face (eyes) filled with tears, ಪ್ರಿಯಮ್ beloved, ಪುತ್ರಮ್ son, ಉವಾಚ said.

Thus addressed by Rama, the affectionate Kausalya, deeply distressed, her eyes filled with tears, said to her beloved son:
ಆಸಾಂ ರಾಮ! ಸಪತ್ನೀನಾಂ ವಸ್ತುಂ ಮಧ್ಯೇ ನ ಮೇ ಕ್ಷಮಮ್.

ನಯ ಮಾಮಪಿ ಕಾಕುತ್ಸ್ಥ! ವನಂ ವನ್ಯಾಂ ಮೃಗೀಂ ಯಥಾ৷৷2.24.19৷৷

ಯದಿ ತೇ ಗಮನೇ ಬುದ್ಧಿಃ ಕೃತಾ ಪಿತುರಪೇಕ್ಷಯಾ.


ರಾಮ O Rama!, ಮೇ for me, ಆಸಾಮ್ of these, ಸಪತ್ನೀನಾಮ್ of co-wives, ಮಧ್ಯೇ in the midst of, ವಸ್ತುಮ್ to live, ನ ಕ್ಷಮಮ್ not able, ಕಾಕುತ್ಸ್ಥ scion of the Kakutstha race (Rama), ಪಿತುಃ with regard to your father, ಅಪೇಕ್ಷಯಾ with wish, ಗಮನೇ in going away, ತೇ to you, ಬುದ್ಧಿ: decision, ಕೃತಾ ಯದಿ if it is made, ಮಾಮಪಿ also me, ವನ್ಯಾಮ್ relating to the forest (wild), ಮೃಗೀಂ ಯಥಾ like a female deer, ವನಮ್ to the forest, ನಯ take me.

O Rama, I am not able to live in the midst of these co-wives. O descendant of Kakutstha, if you have resolved to go to the forest as per the wishes of your father take me-a wild deer-along with you into the forest.
ತಾಂ ತಥಾ ರುದತೀಂ ರಾಮೋ ರುದನ್ವಚನಮಬ್ರವೀತ್৷৷2.24.20৷৷

ಜೀವನ್ತ್ಯಾ ಹಿ ಸ್ತ್ರಿಯಾ ಭರ್ತಾ ದೈವತಂ ಪ್ರಭುರೇವ ಚ


ರಾಮಃ Rama, ತಥಾ that way, ರುದತೀಮ್ wailing, ತಾಮ್ to her, ರುದನ್ while (himself) sobbing, ವಚನಮ್ words, ಅಬ್ರವೀತ್ said, ಜೀವನ್ತ್ಯಾ for a living lady, ಸ್ತ್ರಿಯಾಃ for a woman, ಭರ್ತಾ husband alone, ದೈವತಮ್ is god, ಪ್ರಭುರೇವ ಚ is also lord (master).

Adding his tears to his mother's who was wailing Rama said As long as a woman lives, her husband is her god and also her lord (master).
ಭವತ್ಯಾ ಮಮ ಚೈವಾದ್ಯ ರಾಜಾ ಪ್ರಭವತಿ ಪ್ರಭುಃ.

ನ ಹ್ಯನಾಥಾ ವಯಂ ರಾಜ್ಞಾ ಲೋಕನಾಥೇನ ಧೀಮತಾ৷৷2.24.21৷৷


ಪ್ರಭುಃ powerful one, ರಾಜಾ king, ಅದ್ಯ now, ಭವತ್ಯಾಃ for you, ಮಮ ಚ for me also, ಪ್ರಭವತಿ has the authority to command, ಲೋಕನಾಥೇನ by lord of the entire world, ಧೀಮತಾ by sagacious one, ರಾಜ್ಞಾ by king, ವಯಮ್ we, ಅನಾಥಾಃ without master, ನ ಹಿ are not.

The powerful king has authority over you as well as over me. As long as he is the sagacious lord of the entire world, how can we be without a master?
ಭರತಶ್ಚಾಪಿ ಧರ್ಮಾತ್ಮಾ ಸರ್ವಭೂತಪ್ರಿಯಂವದಃ.

ಭವತೀಮನುವರ್ತೇತ ಸ ಹಿ ಧರ್ಮರತಸ್ಸದಾ৷৷2.24.22৷৷


ಧರ್ಮಾತ್ಮಾ virtuous, ಸರ್ವಭೂತಪ್ರಿಯಂವದಃ who speaks pleasantly to all beings, ಭರತಶ್ಚಾಪಿ Bharata also, ಭವತೀಮ್ you, ಅನುವರ್ತೇತ will follow, ಸಃ he, ಸದಾ always, ಧರ್ಮರತಃ ಹಿ is attached to righteousness.

Bharata, who is virtuous and speaks pleasantly to all beings and who is always
attached to righteousness will surely remain obedient to you.
ಯಥಾ ಮಯಿ ತು ನಿಷ್ಕ್ರಾನ್ತೇ ಪುತ್ರಶೋಕೇನ ಪಾರ್ಥಿವಃ.

ಶ್ರಮಂ ನಾವಾಪ್ನುಯಾತ್ಕಿಞ್ಚಿದಪ್ರಮತ್ತಾ ತಥಾ ಕುರು৷৷2.24.23৷৷


ಮಯಿ me, ನಿಷ್ಕ್ರಾನ್ತೇ having departed to the forest, ಪಾರ್ಥಿವಃ king, ಪುತ್ರಶೋಕೇನ with grief for his son, ಯಥಾ how, ಕಿಞ್ಚಿತ್ even a little, ಶ್ರಮಮ್ effort, ನ ಅವಾಪ್ನುಯಾತ್ will not obtain, ತಥಾ in that way, ಅಪ್ರಮತ್ತಾ with attention, ಕುರು do.

After my departure, you must see that the king is not overpowered by grief for his son and struggles as little as possible.
ದಾರುಣಶ್ಚಾಪ್ಯಯಂ ಶೋಕೋ ಯಥೈನಂ ನ ವಿನಾಶಯೇತ್.

ರಾಜ್ಞೋ ವೃದ್ಧಸ್ಯ ಸತತಂ ಹಿತಂ ಚರ ಸಮಾಹಿತಾ৷৷2.24.24৷৷


ದಾರುಣಃ terrible, ಅಯಂ ಶೋಕಃ this grief, ಏನಮ್ him, ಯಥಾ in a manner, ನ ವಿನಾಶಯೇತ್ will not ruin (his health), ಸಮಾಹಿತಾ with composed mind, ವೃದ್ಧಸ್ಯ of the old, ರಾಜ್ಞಃ of the king, ಸತತಮ್ always, ಹಿತಮ್ good, ಚರ act.

See that the old king does not succumb to this terrible grief. Serve him with a composed mind.
ವ್ರತೋಪವಾಸನಿರತಾ ಯಾ ನಾರೀ ಪರಮೋತ್ತಮಾ.

ಭರ್ತಾರಂ ನಾನುವರ್ತೇತ ಸಾ ತು ಪಾಪಗತಿರ್ಭವೇತ್৷৷2.24.25৷৷


ಯಾ ನಾರೀ whichever woman, ವ್ರತೋಪವಾಸನಿರತಾ engaged in vows and fastings, ಪರಮೋತ್ತಮಾ highly pious, ಭರ್ತಾರಮ್ husband, ನಾನುವರ್ತೇತ does not follow, ಸಾ she, ಪಾಪಗತಿಃ hell a, ಭವೇತ್ will get.

A woman may be highly pious engaged in vows and fastings, but if she does not follow her husband, she will be condemned to hell.
ಭರ್ತು ಶ್ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಯಾ ನಾರೀ ಲಭತೇ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಮುತ್ತಮಮ್.

ಅಪಿ ಯಾ ನಿರ್ನಮಸ್ಕಾರಾ ನಿವೃತ್ತಾ ದೇವಪೂಜನಾತ್৷৷2.24.26৷৷


ಯಾ who, ನಿರ್ನಮಸ್ಕಾರಾ pays no respect, ದೇವಪೂಜನಾತ್ from worshipping gods, ನಿವೃತ್ತಾ has abstained, ನಾರೀ ಅಪಿ woman also, ಭರ್ತುಃ husband's, ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಯಾ with service, ಉತ್ತಮಮ್ highest, ಸ್ವರ್ಗಮ್ heaven, ಲಭತೇ will attain.

A woman who serves her husband will attain the highest heaven even if she pays no homage to gods and abstains from worshipping them.
ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಾಮೇವ ಕುರ್ವೀತ ಭರ್ತುಃ ಪ್ರಿಯಹಿತೇ ರತಾ.

ಏಷ ಧರ್ಮಃ ಪುರಾ ದೃಷ್ಟೋ ಲೋಕೇ ವೇದೇ ಶ್ರುತಃ ಸ್ಮೃತಃ৷৷2.24.27৷৷


ಭರ್ತುಃ husband's, ಪ್ರಿಯಹಿತೇ well-being, ರತಾ engaged, ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಾಮೇವ service alone, ಕುರ್ವೀತ shall do, ಏಷಃ this, ಪುರಾ in ancient times, ಲೋಕೇ in this world, ದೃಷ್ಟಃ is seen, ವೇದೇ in the Vedas, ಶ್ರುತಃ is heard, ಸ್ಮೃತಃ declared in Smritis, ಧರ್ಮಃ is truth.

A wife who serves her husband and who is engaged in doing good to him is righteous. This dharma exists in this world since ancient times, declared in the Vedas and the smritis.
ಅಗ್ನಿಕಾರ್ಯೇಷು ಚ ಸದಾ ಸುಮನೋಭಿಶ್ಚ ದೇವತಾಃ.

ಪೂಜ್ಯಾಸ್ತೇ ಮತ್ಕೃತೇ ದೇವಿ! ಬಾಹ್ಮಣಾಶ್ಚೈವ ಸುವ್ರತಾಃ৷৷2.24.28৷৷


ದೇವಿ! O devi!, ಮತ್ಕೃತೇ for my sake, ಸದಾ always, ದೇವತಾಃ the gods, ಅಗ್ನಿಕಾರ್ಯೇಷು in offering oblations to the fire-god, ಸುಮನೋಭಿಶ್ಚ with flowers, ತೇ to you, ಪೂಜ್ಯಾಃ worthy of worship, ಸುವ್ರತಾಃ true to their religious vows, ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣಾಶ್ಚೈವ brahmins also.

For my sake, O devi! worship the fire-god with offerings of oblations and flowers, and brahmins who are true to religious vows.
ಏವಂ ಕಾಲಂ ಪ್ರತೀಕ್ಷಸ್ವ ಮಮಾಗಮನಕಾಙ್ಕ್ಷಿಣೀ.

ನಿಯತಾ ನಿಯತಾಹಾರಾ ಭರ್ತೃಶುಶ್ರೂಷಣೇ ರತಾ৷৷2.24.29৷৷


ಏವಮ್ in this maner, ಮಮ my, ಆಗಮನಕಾಙ್ಕ್ಷಿಣೀ looking forward to my return, ನಿಯತಾ self-possessed lady, ನಿಯತಾಹಾರಾ observing discipine in food, ಭರ್ತೃ ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಣೇ in the service of your husband, ರತಾ devoted, ಕಾಲಮ್ time, ಪ್ರತೀಕ್ಷಸ್ವ wait for.

Looking forward to my return, spend your time this way with moderate intake, a mind under control and a life devoted to the service of your husband.
ಪ್ರಾಪ್ಸ್ಯಸೇ ಪರಮಂ ಕಾಮಂ ಮಯಿ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಾಗತೇ ಸತಿ.

ಯದಿ ಧರ್ಮಭೃತಾಂ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠೋ ಧಾರಯಿಷ್ಯತಿ ಜೀವಿತಮ್৷৷2.24.30৷৷


ಮಯಿ when I, ಪ್ರತ್ಯಾಗತೇ ಸತಿ having returned, ಧರ್ಮಭೃತಾಮ್ of protcetor of dharma, ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠಃ best, ಜೀವಿತಮ್ life, ಧಾರಯಿಷ್ಯತಿ ಯದಿ if he contains, ಪರಮಮ್ highest, ಕಾಮಮ್ desire, ಪ್ರಾಪ್ಸ್ಯಸೇ will obtain.

If my father, who is the best among the upholders of righteousness, survives till I come back, you will have your highest desires fulfilled.
ಏವಮುಕ್ತಾ ತು ರಾಮೇಣ ಬಾಷ್ಪಪರ್ಯಾಕುಲೇಕ್ಷಣಾ.

ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ ಪುತ್ರಶೋಕಾರ್ತಾ ರಾಮಂ ವಚನಮಬ್ರವೀತ್৷৷2.24.31৷৷


ರಾಮೇಣ by Rama, ಏವಮ್ in this manner, ಉಕ್ತಾ having been said, ಕೌಶಲ್ಯಾ Kausalya, ಪುತ್ರಶೋಕಾರ್ತಾ distressed with grief for her son, ಬಾಷ್ಪಪರ್ಯಾಕುಲೇಕ್ಷಣಾ with her eyes filled with tears, ರಾಮಮ್ to
Rama, ವಚನಮ್ these words, ಅಬ್ರವೀತ್ said.

To these words of Rama, Kausalya, distressed with grief for her son, replied with her eyes filled with tears:
ಗಮನೇ ಸುಕೃತಾಂ ಬುದ್ಧಿಂ ನ ತೇ ಶಕ್ನೋಮಿ ಪುತ್ರಕ.

ವಿನಿವರ್ತಯಿತುಂ ವೀರ! ನೂನಂ ಕಾಲೋ ದುರತ್ಯಯಃ৷৷2.24.32৷৷


ವೀರ O valiant one!, ಪುತ್ರಕ my child, ಗಮನೇ to go to the forest, ಸುಕೃತಾಮ್ firmly resolved, ತೇ ಬುಧ್ದಿಮ್ your mind, ವಿನಿವರ್ತಯಿತುಮ್ to revert, ನ ಶಕ್ನೋಮಿ I am not able, ನೂನಮ್ certainly, ಕಾಲಃ time, ದುರತ್ಯಯಃ difficult to overcome (pass).

I am unable to dissuade you, O my brave son, from your firm resolve to go to the forest. It is surely difficult (for me) to bide time.
ಗಚ್ಛ ಪುತ್ರ! ತ್ವಮೇಕಾಗ್ರೋ ಭದ್ರಂ ತೇಸ್ತು ಸದಾ ವಿಭುಃ.

ಪುನಸ್ತ್ವಯಿ ನಿವೃತ್ತೇ ತು ಭವಿಷ್ಯಾಮಿ ಗತವ್ಯಥಾ৷৷2.24.33৷৷


ಪುತ್ರ! O Son! ತ್ವಮ್ you, ಏಕಾಗ್ರಃ with resolute mind, ಗಚ್ಛ go, ವಿಭುಃ god, ತೇ to you, ಸದಾ always, ಭದ್ರಮ್ safety, ಅಸ್ತು be it, ತ್ವಯಿ when you, ಪುನಃ again, ನಿವೃತ್ತೇ ತು on your coming back, ಗತವ್ಯಥಾ relieved of suffering, ಭವಿಷ್ಯಾಮಿ I shall become.

Go with a steadfast mind, O my son! May god be gracious. Only with your return, I shall be relieved of my suffering.
ಪ್ರತ್ಯಾಗತೇ ಮಹಾಭಾಗೇ ಕೃತಾರ್ಥೇ ಚರಿತವ್ರತೇ.

ಪಿತುರಾನೃಣ್ಯತಾಂ ಪ್ರಾಪ್ತೇ ತ್ವಯಿ ಲಪ್ಸ್ಯೇ ಪರಂ ಸುಖಮ್৷৷2.24.34৷৷


ಮಹಾಭಾಗೇ when the reverend one!, ತ್ವಯಿ you, ಕೃತಾರ್ಥೇ with your purpose accomplished, ಚರಿತವ್ರತೇ when your vow is fulfilled, ಪಿತುಃ father's, ಆನೃಣ್ಯತಾಮ್ acquittal of debt, ಪ್ರಾಪ್ತೇ obtained, ಪ್ರತ್ಯಾಗತೇ on coming back, ಪರಮ್ supreme, ಸುಖಮ್ happiness, ಲಪ್ಸ್ಯೇ I will attain.

O reverend one!, when you come back after having accomplished your purpose, performed your vows and acquitted yourself of the debt you owe your father, I shall attain supreme happiness.
ಕೃತಾನ್ತಸ್ಯ ಗತಿಃ ಪುತ್ರ ದುರ್ವಿಭಾವ್ಯಾ ಸದಾ ಭುವಿ.

ಯಸ್ತ್ವಾಂ ಸಞ್ಚೋದಯತಿ ಮೇ ವಚ ಆಚ್ಛಿದ್ಯ ರಾಘವ!৷৷2.24.35৷৷


ಪುತ್ರ O son!, ರಾಘವ O Rama!, ಯಃ whichever (destiny), ಮೇ my, ವಚಃ words, ಆಚ್ಛಿದ್ಯ cutting
asunder (disregarding), ತ್ವಾ you, ಸಞ್ಚೋದಯತಿ is prompting, ಕೃತಾನ್ತಸ್ಯ destiny's, ಗತಿಃ course, ಸದಾ always, ಭುವಿ in this world, ದುರ್ವಿಭಾವ್ಯಾ is inconceivable.

O Rama! inconceivable is the course of destiny which is inciting you to go to the forest disregarding my words.
ಗಚ್ಛೇದಾನೀಂ ಮಹಾಬಾಹೋ ಕ್ಷೇಮೇಣ ಪುನರಾಗತಃ.

ನನ್ದಯಿಷ್ಯಸಿ ಮಾಂ ಪುತ್ರ ಸಾಮ್ನಾ ವಾಕ್ಯೇನ ಚಾರುಣಾ৷৷2.24.36৷৷


ಮಹಾಬಾಹೋ O mighty- armed one, ಇದಾನೀಮ್ now, ಗಚ್ಛ go, ಪುತ್ರ O son, ಕ್ಷೇಮೇಣ safely, ಪುನಃ ಆಗತಃ again on your return, ಸಾಮ್ನಾ in a gentle voice, ಚಾರುಣಾ by sweet, ವಾಕ್ಯೇನ utterances, ಮಾಮ್ me, ನನ್ದಯಿಷ್ಯಸಿ please.

Go now, O my mighty-armed son! and come back safe. And on your return, delight me with your sweet, gentle utterances.
ಅಪೀದಾನೀಂ ಸ ಕಾಲಸ್ಸ್ಯಾದ್ವನಾತ್ಪ್ರತ್ಯಾಗತಂ ಪುನಃ.

ಯತ್ತ್ವಾಂ ಪುತ್ರಕ! ಪಶ್ಯೇಯಂ ಜಟಾವಲ್ಕಲಧಾರಿಣಮ್৷৷2.24.37৷৷


ಪುತ್ರಕ O my dear child!, ವನಾತ್ from the forest, ಪುನಃ again, ಪ್ರತ್ಯಾಗತಮ್ have returned, ಜಟಾವಲ್ಕಲ ಧಾರಿಣಮ್ wearing matted hair and bark, ತ್ವಾಮ್ you, ಯತ್ since, ಪಶ್ಯೇಯಮ್ will see, ಸಃ ಕಾಲಃ that time, ಇದಾನೀಮ್ now itself, ಅಪಿ ಸ್ಯಾತ್ can it be now itself?

O my dear child, how pleasing would it be, if today were to be the day of your return
from the forest when I can see you wearing matted hair and robes of bark!
ತಥಾ ಹಿ ರಾಮಂ ವನವಾಸನಿಶ್ಚಿತಂ

ಸಮೀಕ್ಷ್ಯ ದೇವೀ ಪರಮೇಣ ಚೇತಸಾ.

ಉವಾಚ ರಾಮಂ ಶುಭಲಕ್ಷಣಂ ವಚೋ

ಬಭೂವ ಚ ಸ್ವಸ್ತ್ಯಯನಾಭಿಕಾಙ್ಕ್ಷಿಣೀ৷৷2.24.38৷৷


ದೇವೀ Devi (Kausalya), ರಾಮಮ್ Rama, ತಥಾ like that, ವನವಾಸನಿಶ್ಚಿತಮ್ determined to go to the forest, ಸಮೀಕ್ಷ್ಯ (ದದರ್ಶ) seeing, ಪರಮೇಣ ಚೇತಸಾ with supreme consciousness, ಶುಭಲಕ್ಷಣಮ್ with auspicious qualities (virtues), ರಾಮಮ್ to Rama, ವಚಃ words, ಉವಾಚ said, ಸ್ವಸ್ತ್ಯಯನಾಭಿಕಾಙ್ಕ್ಷಿಣೀ wishing to perform ceremonies for (his) well-being, ಬಭೂವ became.

Seeing Rama full of auspicious qualities resolved to go to the forest and having spoken to him with the fullness of her heart, Devi Kausalya now braced herself up to perform ceremonies in the interest of Rama's well-being.
ಇತ್ಯಾರ್ಷೇ ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ರಾಮಾಯಣೇ ವಾಲ್ಮೀಕೀಯ ಆದಿಕಾವ್ಯೇ ಅಯೋಧ್ಯಾಕಾಣ್ಡೇ ಚತುರ್ವಿಂಶಸ್ಸರ್ಗಃ৷৷
Thus ends the twentyfourth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.