Sloka & Translation

[Lakshmana gets ready to accompany Rama- takes leave of his friends and collects divine weapons from preceptor Vasistha--Rama asks Lakshmana to distribute his wealth among brahmins.]

ēvaṅ śṛtvā tu saṅvādaṅ lakṣmaṇaḥ pūrvamāgataḥ.

bāṣpaparyākulamukhaḥ śōkaṅ sōḍhumaśaknuvan৷৷2.31.1৷৷

sa bhrātuścaraṇau gāḍhaṅ nipīḍya raghunandanaḥ.

sītāmuvācātiyaśāṅ rāghavaṅ ca mahāvratam৷৷2.31.2৷৷


pūrvam previously, āgataḥ had come, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, ēvam in this way, saṅvādam conversation, śrutvā having heard, śōkam sorrow, sōḍhum to endure, aśaknuvan being unable, bāṣpaparyākulamukhaḥ (bāṣpaparyākulēkṣaṇaḥ) with his eyes filled with tears, saḥ that, raghunandanaḥ delight of the Raghu race, Lakshmana, bhrātuḥ brother's, caraṇau feet, gāḍham tightly, nipīḍya pressing, mahāvratam of great resolve, rāghavaṅ ca to Rama, atiyaśām illustrious, sītām Sita, uvāca said.

Lakshmana who had already reached there heard the conversation (between Sita and Rama). His eyes brimming with tears, he was unable to bear the grief. He held the feet of his brother tightly and said to the illustrious Sita and Rama of great resolve:
ēvaṅ śṛtvā tu saṅvādaṅ lakṣmaṇaḥ pūrvamāgataḥ.

bāṣpaparyākulamukhaḥ śōkaṅ sōḍhumaśaknuvan৷৷2.31.1৷৷

sa bhrātuścaraṇau gāḍhaṅ nipīḍya raghunandanaḥ.

sītāmuvācātiyaśāṅ rāghavaṅ ca mahāvratam৷৷2.31.2৷৷


pūrvam previously, āgataḥ had come, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, ēvam in this way, saṅvādam conversation, śrutvā having heard, śōkam sorrow, sōḍhum to endure, aśaknuvan being unable, bāṣpaparyākulamukhaḥ (bāṣpaparyākulēkṣaṇaḥ) with his eyes filled with tears, saḥ that, raghunandanaḥ delight of the Raghu race, Lakshmana, bhrātuḥ brother's, caraṇau feet, gāḍham tightly, nipīḍya pressing, mahāvratam of great resolve, rāghavaṅ ca to Rama, atiyaśām illustrious, sītām Sita, uvāca said.

Lakshmana who had already reached there heard the conversation (between Sita and Rama). His eyes brimming with tears, he was unable to bear the grief. He held the feet of his brother tightly and said to the illustrious Sita and Rama of great resolve:
yadi gantuṅ kṛtābuddhirvanaṅ mṛgagajāyutam.

ahaṅ tvānugamiṣyāmi vanamagrē dhanurdharaḥ৷৷2.31.3৷৷


mṛgagajāyutam abounding in deer and elephants, vanam to the forest, gantum to go, buddhi: decision, kṛtā yadi if made, aham I, agrē in front, dhanurdharaḥ one holding a bow, tvā you, vanam to the forest, anugamiṣyāmi I shall follow.

If you have decided to go to the forest where deer and elephants abound, I shall also accompany you by walking before you, holding the bow.
mayā samētō.raṇyāni bahūni vicariṣyasi.

pakṣibhirmṛgayūthaiśca saṅghuṣṭāni samantataḥ৷৷2.31.4৷৷


samantataḥ from all sides, pakṣibhiḥ with birds, mṛgayūthaiḥ ca with herds of animals, saṅghuṣṭāni echoing with the sounds of, bahūni many, araṇyāni forests, mayā by me, samētaḥ accompanied by, vicariṣyasi you will roam.

Accompanied by me, you will roam the forests echoing with the cries of birds and sounds of herds of animals.
na dēvalōkākramaṇaṅ nāmaratvamahaṅ vṛṇē.

aiśvaryaṅ vāpi lōkānāṅ kāmayē na tvayā vinā৷৷2.31.5৷৷


aham I, tvayā vinā without you, dēvalōkākramaṇam the seizure of the world of devatas, na vṛṇē do not wish to choose, amaratvam immortality, na not, lōkānām of the worlds, aiśvaryaṅ vāpi sovereignty, na kāmayē do not desire.

Without you, I do not want victory over the gods or sovereignty over the worlds or even immortality.
ēvaṅ bruvāṇassaumitrirvanavāsāya niścitaḥ.

rāmēṇa bahubhissāntvairniṣidhdaḥ punarabravīt৷৷2.31.6৷৷


vanavāsāya to dwell in the forest, niścitaḥ having decided, ēvam in this way, bruvāṇaḥ speaking, saumitriḥ Lakshmana, rāmēṇa by Rama, bahubhiḥ with many, sāntvaiḥ with the words of consolation, niṣiddhaḥ dissuaded, punaḥ again, abravīt said.

When Rama tried to dissuade Lakshmana with many words of consolation Lakshmana who was determined to go to the forest said again:
anujñātaśca bhavatā pūrvamēva yadasmyaham.

kimidānīṅ punaridaṅ kriyatē mannivāraṇam৷৷2.31.7৷৷


aham I, bhavatā by you, pūrvamēva even earlier, anujñātaḥ was permitted, asmi yat I have been, idānīm now, punaḥ again, idam this, (mat)nivāraṇam prevention (of me), kim why, kriyatē is being done?

You have granted permission to me earlier.Why are you now preventing me?
yadarthaṅ pratiṣēdhō mē kriyatē gantumicchataḥ.

ētadicchāmi vijñātuṅ saṅśayō hi mamānagha!৷৷2.31.8৷৷


anagha! O sinless one, gantum to go, icchataḥ desiring, mē my, pratiṣēdhaḥ restriction, yadartham for what reason, kriyatē is being done, ētat all this, vijñātum to know, icchāmi desiring, mama to me, saṅśayaḥ hi I have a doubt.

I wish to know, O sinless one, the reason why you are dissuading me, when I am willing to go with you. This creates a doubt in my mind.
tatō.bravīnmahātējā rāmō lakṣmaṇamagrataḥ.

sthitaṅ prāggāminaṅ vīraṅ yācamānaṅ kṛtāñjalim৷৷2.31.9৷৷


tataḥ after that, mahātējāḥ brilliant, rāmaḥ Rama, agrataḥ in front of him, sthitam standing, prāggāminam ready to walk ahead of, vīram heroic one, yācamānam imploring, kṛtāñjalim with folded palms, lakṣmaṇam to Lakshmana, abravīt said.

Addressing the heroic Lakshmana in front of him imploring with folded hands to take him to the forest so that he may walk ahead (and guard them), the effulgent Rama said:
snigdhō dharmaratō vīrassatataṅ satpathē sthitaḥ.

priyaḥ prāṇasamō vaśyō bhrātā cāpi sakhā ca mē৷৷2.31.10৷৷


snigdhaḥ affectionate, dharmarataḥ engaged in righteous activites, vīraḥ valiant, satatam always, satpathē on the path of virtue, sthitaḥ abiding, mē to me, prāṇasamaḥ like my own life, priyaḥ dear, vaśyaḥ obedient, bhrātā cāpi brother also, sakhā ca friend.

You are affectionate, you are devoted to dharma. You are valiant. You always walk the path of virtue. You are dear to me like my own life. You are not only an obedient brother but also a friend.
mayā.dya saha saumitrē! tvayi gacchati tadvanam.

kō bhariṣyati kausalyāṅ sumitrāṅ vā yaśasvinīm৷৷2.31.11৷৷


saumitrē O Lakshmana, tvayi if you, adya today, mayā saha along with me, tat vanam to the forest, gacchati go, kauśalyām to Kausalya, yaśasvinīm illustrious, sumitrāṅ ca Sumitra, kaḥ who, bhariṣyati will take care?

O Lakshmana, if you also accompany me to the forest, who will take care of mother Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra?
abhivarṣati kāmairyaḥ parjanyaḥ pṛthivīmiva.

sa kāmapāśaparyastō mahātējā mahīpatiḥ৷৷2.31.12৷৷


mahātējāḥ mighty one, yaḥ that, mahīpatiḥ lord of the earth, pṛthivīm the earth, parjanyaḥ iva like Parjanya (Indra), kāmaiḥ favours (desires), abhivarṣati showers, saḥ he, kāmapāśaparyastaḥ he is bound by cords of passion.

Dasaratha, the mighty king like Parjanya (the rain-god), lord of the earth used to shower favours on earth. But now he is bound by the noose of passion.
sā hi rājyamidaṅ prāpya nṛpasyāśvapatē ssutā.

duḥkhitānāṅ sapatnīnāṅ na kariṣyati śōbhanam৷৷2.31.13৷৷


nṛpasya king, aśvapatēḥ Aswapati's, sutā daughter, sā that (Kaikeyi), idaṅ rājyam this kingdom, prāpya having obtained, duḥkhitānām afflicted ladies, sapatnīnām of her co-wives, śōbhanam welfare, na kariṣyati hi will not extend.

Once the daughter of king Aswapati (Kaikeyi) gains control over the kingdom, she will do nothing to help her afflicted co-wives (Kausalya and Sumitra).
na smariṣyati kausalyāṅ sumitrāṅ ca suduḥkhitām.

bharatō rājyamāsādya kaikēyyāṅ paryavasthitaḥ৷৷2.31.14৷৷


bharataḥ Bharata, rājyam kingdom, āsādya having obtained, kaikēyyām in Kaikeyi, paryavasthitaḥ repose confidence, kauśalyām Kausalya, suduḥkhitām grieved, sumitrāṅ ca also Sumitra, na smariṣyati will not remember.

When Bharata secures the kingdom, his confidence reposed in Kaikeyi he will not bother about the miserable Kausalya and Sumitra.
tāmāryāṅ svayamēvēha rājānugrahaṇēna vā.

saumitrē! bhara kauśalyāmuktamarthamimaṅ cara৷৷2.31.15৷৷


saumitrē! svayamēva by yourself, rājānugrahaṇēna vā or by seeking the favour of king, iha stay here, āryām venerable, tāṅ kauśalyām that Kausalya, bhara maintain, imam this, uktam what is told, artham objective, cara accomplish.

Either by yourself or by seeking the favour of the king, O son of Sumitra, lend support to venerable Kausalya. This is the objective you must accomplish.
ēvaṅ mama ca tē bhaktirbhaviṣyati sudarśitā.

dharmajña gurupūjāyāṅ dharmaścāpyatulō mahān৷৷2.31.16৷৷


dharmajña O knower of dharma (duty)!, ēvam in this way, mama in me, tē your, bhaktiḥ devotion,
sudarśitā is well-demonstrated, bhaviṣyati will become, gurupūjāyām in worshipping the elders, atulaḥ unequalled, mahān great, dharmaśca is virtue also.

If you do this, your devotion to me will be amply demonstrated. Service to the elders, O dutiful one, is a virtue, great and unequalled.
ēvaṅ kuruṣva saumitrē! matkṛtē raghunandana!.

asmābhirviprahīṇāyā māturnō na bhavētsukham৷৷2.31.17৷৷


raghunandana! O delight of the Raghu race, saumitrē O Son of Sumitra, matkṛtē for my sake, ēvam like this, kuruṣva you may act, asmābhiḥ by us, viprahīṇāyāḥ lady deprived of, naḥ our, mātuḥ for mother, sukham happiness, na bhavēt will not be.

O delight of the Raghu race, do this for my sake, since deprived of us, there will be no happiness for our mother, O son of Sumitra!
ēvamuktastu rāmēṇa lakṣmaṇa śślakṣṇayā girā.

pratyuvāca tadā rāmaṅ vākyajñō vākyakōvidam৷৷2.31.18৷৷


rāmēṇa by Rama, ēvam in this way, uktaḥ addressed, vākyajñaḥ eloquent, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, tadā then, vākyakōvidam proficient in the use of words, rāmam Rama, ślakṣṇayā in gentle voice, girā in words, pratyuvāca replied.

Thus addressed by Rama who was an adept in the use of words, eloquent Lakshmana gently replied:
tavaiva tējasā vīra! bharataḥ pūjayiṣyati.

kausalyāṅ ca sumitrāṅ ca prayatō nātra saṅśayaḥ৷৷2.31.19৷৷


vīra O heroic one, bharataḥ Bharata, tava your, tējasaiva with your power, prayataḥ in humble manner, kausalyāṅ ca Kausalya and, sumitrā ca also Sumitra, pūjayiṣyati he will honour, atra here, saṅśayaḥ doubt, na not.

Aware of your power O valiant one, Bharata will undoubtedly pay respect to Kausalya and Sumitra with all humility.
kauśalyā bibhṛyādāryā sahasramapi madvidhān.

yasyāssahasraṅ grāmāṇāṅ samprāpta mupajīvanam৷৷2.31.20৷৷


yasyāḥ for (Kausalya), upajīvanam sustenance, grāmāṇām of villages, sahasram one thousand, samprāptam has been obtained, āryā noble lady, kauśalyā Kausalya, madvidhān men like me, sahasramapi even one thousand, bibhṛyāt she can support.

Noble Kausalya has under her charge a thousand villages for her sustenance. She can support a thousand men like me.
tadātmabharaṇē caiva mama mātustathaiva ca.

paryāptā madvidhānāṅ ca bharaṇāya yaśasvinī৷৷2.31.21৷৷


tat for that, yaśasvinī illustrious Kausalya, ātmabharaṇē caiva to support herself, tathaiva ca also, mama mātuḥ my mother's, madvidhānāṅ ca of men like me, bharaṇāya ca to support, paryāptā is competent.

Illustrious Kausalya is competent enough to support herself, my mother and men like me.
kuruṣva māmanucaraṅ vaidharmyaṅ nēha vidyatē.

kṛtārthō.haṅ bhaviṣyāmi tava cārthaḥ prakalpatē৷৷2.31.22৷৷


mām me, anucaram as your follower, kuruṣva make (take) me, iha in this, vaidharmyam breach of virtue, na vidyatē is not considered, aham I, kṛtārthaḥ accomplish my purpose, bhaviṣyāmi I will become, tava your, arthaḥ ca object also, prakalpatē will be fulfilled.

Make me your follower. There is no breach of virtue in this. I will have my purpose
accomplished. Your object also will be fulfilled.
dhanurādāya saśaraṅ khanitrapiṭakādharaḥ.

agratastē gamiṣyāmi panthānamanudarśayan৷৷2.31.23৷৷


saśaram (stringed) with arrows, dhanuḥ bow, ādāya holding, khanitrapiṭakādharaḥ holding a basket and a crowbar, tē your, agrataḥ in front of, panthānam the way, anudarśayan indicating, gamiṣyāmi I shall go.

Holding the bow and arrows and carrying a crowbar and a basket, I shall go in front of you leading the way.
āhariṣyāmi tē nityaṅ mūlāni ca phalāni ca.

vanyāni yāni cānyāni svāhārāṇi tapasvinām৷৷2.31.24৷৷


mūlāni roots, phalāni ca fruits also, tapasvinām for ascetics, svāhārāṇi eatables, vanyāni available in the forest, yāni those, anyāni ca other products, nityam daily, tē to you, āhariṣyāmi shall collect.

I shall daily collect roots, fruits and other forest products fit for ascetics.
bhavāṅstu saha vaidēhyā girisānuṣu raṅsyatē.

ahaṅ sarvaṅ kariṣyāmi jāgrata ssvapataśca tē৷৷2.31.25৷৷


bhavāṅstu you, vaidēhyā saha with Sita, girisānuṣu on mountain slopes, raṅsyatē you will go sporting, tē you, jāgrataḥ while you are awake, svavataśca while you are asleep, aham I,sarvam all tasks, kariṣyāmi I will do.

When you go about for pleasure on mountain slopes along with Sita, I shall do everything for you, whether you are awake or asleep.
rāmastvanēna vākyēna suprītaḥ pratyuvāca tam.

vrajāpṛcchasva saumitrē! sarvamēva suhṛjjanam৷৷2.31.26৷৷


rāmastu Rama also, anēna vākyēna with these words, suprītaḥ immensely pleased man, tam to him, pratyuvāca replied, saumitrē! O Lakshmana, vraja go forth, sarvamēva all, suhṛjjanam friends, āpṛcchasva ask leave of them.

Pleased with his words Rama said, O Lakshmana! go and take leave of all your friends.
yē ca rājñō dadau divyē mahātmā varuṇa ssvayam.

janakasya mahāyajñē dhanuṣī raudradarśanē৷৷2.31.27৷৷

abhēdyakavacē divyē tūṇī cākṣayasāyakau.

ādityavimalau cōbhau khaḍgau hēmapariṣkṛtau৷৷2.31.28৷৷

satkṛtya nihitaṅ sarvamētadācāryasadmani.

sarvamāyudhamādāya kṣipramāvraja lakṣmaṇa!৷৷2.31.29৷৷


lakṣmaṇa! O Lakshmana, mahātmā high-souled, varuṇaḥ Varuna, svayam himself, rājñaḥ of the king, janakasya Janaka's, mahāyajñē in the great sacrifice, divyē divine, raudradarśanē awesome, yē those, dhanuṣī bows, divyē divine, abhēdyakavacē impenetrable armour, akṣayasāyakau two sets of inexhaustible arrows, tūṇī ca two quivers, hēmapariṣkṛtau plated with gold, ādityavimalau as bright as the sun, ubhau both, khaḍgau swords, dadau gave, ētat that, sarvam everything, satkṛtya after having worshipped, ācārya sadmani in the house of the preceptor (sage Vasistha), nihitam is deposited, sarvam all, āyudham weaponry, ādāya after collecting , kṣipraṅ swiftly, āvraja come forth.

O Lakshmana! in the great sacrifice performed by the high-souled Janaka, Varuna himself gave him two awe-inspiring celestial bows, two impenetrable divine armours, two quivers with inexhaustible arrows, two swords plated with gold and as bright as the sun. All these weapons are deposited in the house of our preceptor (sage Vasistha) where they are being worshipped. Go and bring them swiftly.
sa suhṛjjanamāmantryavanavāsāya niścitaḥ.

ikṣvākugurumāgamya jagrāhāyudhamuttamam৷৷2.31.30৷৷


vanavāsāya to live in the forest, niścita: one who was determined, saḥ Lakshmana, suhṛjjanam friends, āmantrya taking leave of, ikṣvākugurum preceptor of the Ikshvakus, Vasistha, āgamya having reached, uttamam powerful, āyudham weapons, jagrāha received.

Lakshmana, who was resolved to go to the forest, took leave of his friends, and collected from the house of Vasistha, preceptor of the Ikshvaku race, the powerful weapons deposited with him.
taddhivyaṅ rājaśārdūla satkṛtaṅ mālyabhūṣitam.

rāmāya darśayāmāsa saumitrissarvamāyudham৷৷2.31.31৷৷


rājaśārdūlaḥ tiger among princes, saumitriḥ Lakshmana, divyam divine, satkṛtam sanctified, mālyabhūṣitam decorated with garlands, sarvam all, tat āyudham those weapons, rāmāya to Rama, darśayāmāsa showed.

Lakshmana, tiger among princes, brought all those divine weapons sanctified and decorated with garlands and showed them to Rama.
tamuvācātmavān rāmaḥ prītyā lakṣmaṇamāgatam.

kālē tvamāgata saumya kāṅkṣitē mama lakṣmaṇa!৷৷2.31.32৷৷


ātmavān self-possessed, rāmaḥ Rama, āgatam having arrived, taṅ lakṣmaṇam to that Lakshmana, prītyā affectionately, uvāca said, saumya O handsome, lakṣmaṇa! Lakshmana, tvam you, mama to me, kāṅkṣitē kālē at the desired moment, āgataḥ have come.

O handsome Lakshmana, you have come at the expected time, said the self-possessed Rama affectionately when he saw him arrive.
ahaṅ pradātumicchāmi yadidaṅ māmakaṅ dhanam.

brāhmaṇēbhyastapasvibhyastvayā saha parantapa!৷৷2.31.33৷৷


parantapa! O tormentor of enemies, aham I, tvayā saha with you, yat all that, idam this, māmakam my belonging, dhanam wealth, tapasvibhyaḥ to ascetics, brāhmaṇēbhyaḥ to brahmins, pradātum to give away, icchāmi I wish.

Let us give away, O tormentor of enemies (Lakshmana) my belogings to the ascetic brahmins.
vasantīha dṛḍhaṅ bhaktyā guruṣu dvijasattamāḥ.

tēṣāmapi ca mē bhūyassarvēṣāñcōpajīvinām৷৷2.31.34৷৷


iha here, guruṣu among teachers, dṛḍham deep, bhaktyā with devotion, dvijasattamāḥ best of brahmins, vasanti are living, tēṣāmapi ca for them, bhūyaḥ also, sarvēṣām for all, mē my, upajīvināṅ ca to my dependents.

Here live the best of brahmins who are deeply devoted to their teachers along with those who are dependent on me for their livelihood.
vaśiṣṭhaputraṅ tu suyajñamāryaṅ

tvamānayāśu pravaraṅ dvijānām.

abhiprayāsyāmi vanaṅ samastā-

nabhyarcya śiṣṭānaparān dvijātīn৷৷2.31.35৷৷


tvam you, dvijānām among the brahmins, pravaram best, vaśiṣṭhaputram son of Vasistha, āryam venerable, suyajñam Suyajna, āśu swiftly, ānaya bring, śiṣṭān distinguished, aparān other, samastān all, dvijātīn brahmins, abhyarcya having paid homage, vanam to the forest, abhiprayāsyāmi I shall go.

Fetch Suyajna, son of Vasistha, best among the brahmins along with all other distinguished brahmins to whom I will pay my homage and leave for the forest.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkatriṅśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the thirtyfirst sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.