Sloka & Translation

[Crossing many rivers, forests and territories Bharata reaches Ayodhya --- witnesses scenes of dull desolation charged with an atmosphere of apprehensions --- enters the palace dejected]

sa prāṅmukhō rājagṛhādabhiniryāya rāghavaḥ.

tatassudāmāṅ dyutimān santīryāvēkṣya tāṅ nadīm৷৷2.71.1৷৷

hlādinīṅ dūrapārāṅ ca pratyaksrōtastaraṅgiṇīm.

śatadrūmataracchrīmānnadīmikṣvākunandanaḥ৷৷2.71.2৷৷

dyutimān the glorious, śrīmān the auspicious, ikṣvākukulanandanaḥ the delight of the Ikshvaku race, saḥ rāghavaḥ that (Bharata) of Raghu dynasty, rājagṛhāt from Rajagriha, prāṅmukhaḥ eastwards, abhiniryāya set out, tataḥ then, tām that, sudāmām Sudama, nadīm river, āvēkṣya seen, santīrya having crossed, hlādinīm river Hladini, dūrapārām very wide, pratyaksrōtastaraṅgiṇīm flowing westwards crested with waves, śatadrūm nadīm river Satadru (Satlej), atarat crossed.

Glorious and prosperous prince Bharata, the delight of the Ikshvaku race, set out from Rajagriha, took the eastern direction, and observing the course of the river Sudama crossed Hladini and Satadru rivers which were very wide and flowing westwards crested with waves.

[Bharata meets Kaikeyi --- hears from Kaikeyi about the demise of king Dasaratha and Rama's exile --- Vasistha calls upon Bharata to perform obsequies and get consecrated]

apaśyaṅstu tatastatra pitaraṅ piturālayē.

jagāma bharatō draṣṭuṅ mātaraṅ māturālayē৷৷2.72.1৷৷

tataḥ thereafter, bharataḥ Bharata, tatra there, pituḥ father's, ālayē abode, pitaram father, apaśyan not seen, mātuḥ mother's, ālayē in the abode, mātaram mother, draṣṭum to see, jagāma went.

Not finding his father in his abode, Bharata went to see his mother in her apartment.

anuprāptaṅ tu taṅ dṛṣṭvā kaikēyī prōṣitaṅ sutam.

utpapāta tadā hṛṣṭā tyaktvā sauvarṇamāsanam৷৷2.72.2৷৷

kaikēyī Kaikeyi, prōṣitam sent, taṅ sutam that son, anuprāptam who had arrived, dṛṣṭvā having seen, tadā then, hṛṣṭā delighted, sauvarṇam golden, āsanam seat, tvaktvā leaving, utpapāta sprang up.

On seeing her son, who was sent away, presently arriving, the delighted Kaikeyi sprang up from her golden seat.

sa prāṅmukhō rājagṛhādabhiniryāya rāghavaḥ.

tatassudāmāṅ dyutimān santīryāvēkṣya tāṅ nadīm৷৷2.71.1৷৷

hlādinīṅ dūrapārāṅ ca pratyaksrōtastaraṅgiṇīm.

śatadrūmataracchrīmānnadīmikṣvākunandanaḥ৷৷2.71.2৷৷

sa praviśyaiva dharmātmā svagṛhaṅ śrīvivarjitam.

bharataḥ pratijagrāha jananyāścaraṇau śubhau৷৷2.72.3৷৷

dharmātmā a man of righteous conduct, saḥ bharataḥ that Bharata, śrīvivarjitam devoid of cheer, svagṛham his home, praviśyaiva on entering, jananyāḥ mother's, śubhau auspicious, caraṇau feet, pratijagrāha clasped.

On entering home the righteous Bharata found it devoid of cheer and touched the auspicious feet of his mother (with reverence).

ailādhānē nadīṅ tīrtvā prāpya cāparaparpaṭān.

śilāmakurvatīṅ tīrtvā āgnēyaṅ śalyakarṣaṇam৷৷2.71.3৷৷

satyasandhaśśuciśśrīmānprēkṣamāṇa śśilāvahām.

atyayātsa mahāśailānvanaṅ caitrarathaṅ prati৷৷2.71.4৷৷

satyasandha: one who is always true to his word, śuciḥ pure-hearted, śrīmān handsome, saḥ
he (Bharata), ailādhānē in Eladhana, nadīm river, tīrtvā crossed, aparaparpaṭān Aparaparpata region, prāpya ca having reached, śilām hill, akurvatīm originating, tīrtvā having crossed, āgnēyam towards northeast, śalyakarṣaṇam Salyakarsna, śilāvahām Silavaha, prēkṣamāṇaḥ observing, caitrarathaṅ vanaṅ prati towards a forest called Chaitraratha, mahāśailān great mountains, atyayāt went beyond.

Bharata, ever true to his word, handsome and pure-hearted, reached Aparaparpata region and crossed river Satadru at Eladhana, the mountain in which river Silavaha originates. Then he traversed Salyakarsna regions in the northeast, observing the course of the Silavaha and went beyond the great mountains in the direction of the forest called Chaitraratha.

sā taṅ mūrdhanyupāghrāya pariṣvajya yaśasvinam.

aṅkē bharatamārōpya praṣṭuṅ samupacakramē৷৷2.72.4৷৷

sā she, yaśasvinam illustrious, taṅ bharatam to Bharata, mūrdhani on his forehead, upāghrāya having smelt, pariṣvajya having hugged, aṅkē on her lap, ārōpya made him rest, praṣṭum to question, upacakramē began.

Kaikeyi, gave her illustrious son Bharata a hug, kissed him on his forehead, made him rest on her lap and began her query.

adya tē katicidrātrya ścyutasyā.ryakavēśmanaḥ.

api nādhvaśramaśaśīghraṅ rathēnāpatatastava৷৷2.72.5৷৷

āryakavēśmanaḥ from your noble grandfather's residence, cyutasya having left, tē to you, adya by now, katicit how many, rātrya: nights, śīghram swiftly, rathēna on chariot, āpatataḥ while moving, tava to you, adhvaśramaḥ weary of journey, api na is not there?

How many nights have you spent (on the way) since you left your noble grandfather's residence? Hasn't the hurried journey (over such a long distance) on the chariot left you exhausted?

sarasvatīṅ ca gaṅgāṅ ca yugmēna pratipadyaca.

uttarānvīramatsyānāṅ bhāruṇḍaṅ prāviśadvanam৷৷2.71.5৷৷

sarasvatīṅ ca Saraswati, gaṅgāṅ ca Ganga, yugmēna at the confluence, pratipadya having arrived, vīramatsyānām of Veeramatsya region, uttarām to the north, bhāruṇḍaṅ vanam forest Bharunda, prāviśat entered.

Arriving at the confluence of Saraswati and Ganga and traversing the north of Veeramatsya region, he entered the Bharunda forest.

āryakastē sukuśalī yudhājinmātulastava.

pravāsācca sukhaṅ putra! sarvaṅ mē vaktumarhasi৷৷2.72.6৷৷

putra! son, tē your, āryakaḥ revered grandfather, sukuśalī is he doing well?, tava your, mātulaḥ maternal uncle, yudhājit Yudhajit, pravāsāt the sojourn, sukham is it pleasant?, mē to me, sarvam everything, vaktum to tell, arhasi behoves you.

My son! are your revered grandfather and your maternal uncle Yudhajit doing well?
Did you have a pleasant time during the sojourn? You should tell me all this.

vēginīṅ ca kuliṅgākhyāṅ hlādinīṅ parvatā৷৷vṛtām.

yamunāṅ prāpya santīrṇaḥ balamāśvāsayattadā৷৷2.71.6৷৷

vēginīm rapidly-flowing, parvatāvṛtām hill-bound, hlādinīm pleasing to the mind, kuliṅgākhyām known as Kulinga, yamunām Yamuna, prāpya having arrived, santīrṇaḥ he crossed, tadā then, balam army, āśvāsayat made them rest.

He crossed the swift-flowing river known as Kulinga surrounded by hills and pleasing to the mind. Thereafter on crossing Yamuna he made his army rest on the otherside.

ēvaṅ pṛṣṭastu kaikēyyā priyaṅ pārthivanandanaḥ.

ācaṣṭa bharata ssarvaṅ mātrē rājīvalōcanaḥ৷৷2.72.7৷৷

rājīvalōcanaḥ lotus-eyed, pārthivanandanaḥ king's delight, bharataḥ Bharata, kaikēyyā by Kaikeyi, ēvam in this manner, priyam lovingly, pṛṣṭa: having been asked, mātrē to his mother, sarvam every thing, ācaṣṭē narrated.

Thus asked lovingly by his mother Kaikeyi, the lotus-eyed Bharata, the king's delight narrated everything to her.

saśītīkṛtya tu gātrāṇi klāntānāśvāsya vājinaḥ.

tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca prāyādādāya cōdakam৷৷2.71.7৷৷

gātrāṇi their limbs, śītīkṛtya having cooled, klāntān weary, vājinaḥ horses, āśvāsya having refreshed, tatra there, snātvā having bathed, pītvā ca and drinking, udakam water, ādāya took, prāyāt set out.

The weary horses rested and cooled their bodies. And they bathed and drank. They set out again refreshed taking with them a store of water.

adya mē saptamī rātriścyutasyā.ryakavēśmanaḥ.

ambāyāḥ kuśalī tāta yudhājinmātulaśca mē৷৷2.72.8৷৷

āryakavēśmanaḥ from noble grandsire's residence, cyutasya having left, mē to me, adya now, saptamī seventh, rātriḥ night, ambāyāḥ mother's, tātaḥ father, mē my, mātulaśca maternal uncle, yudhājit Yudhajit, kuśalī is keeping well.

This is the seventh night since I left my noble grandsire's residence. My mother's father, king of Kekaya and my maternal uncle Yudhajit are doing well.

rājaputrō mahāraṇyamanabhīkṣṇōpasēvitam.

bhadrō bhadrēṇa yānēna mārutaḥ khamivātyayāt৷৷2.71.8৷৷

bhadraḥ the blessed one, rājaputraḥ prince (Bharata), anabhīkṣṇōpasēvitam uninhabited, mahāraṇyam vast forest, bhadrēṇa by an excellent, yānēna on chariot, mārutaḥ wind-god, khamiva like sky, atyayāt passed through.

Then with the blessed prince (Bharata) on an excellent chariot, it (the army) moved through the vast and uninhabited forest like the god of wind passing through the sky.

yanmē dhanaṅ ca ratnaṅ ca dadau rājā parantapaḥ.

pariśrāntaṅ pathyabhavattatō.haṅ pūrvamāgataḥ৷৷2.72.9৷৷

parantapaḥ subduer of enemies, rājā king of Kekaya, mē to me, yat which, dhanaṅ ca wealth, ratnaṅ ca gems, dadau had given, that one, pathi on the way, pariśrāntam abhavat were exhausted, tataḥ therefore, aham I, pūrvam in advance, āgataḥ I came.

The (horses carrying) the wealth including the gems which the king (of Kekaya), the subduer of enemies had bestowed on me were exhausted on the way. Therefore I have come in advance.

bhāgīrathīṅ duṣpratarāmaṅśudhānē mahānadīm.

upāyādrāghavastūrṇaṅ prāgvaṭē viśrutē purē৷৷2.71.9৷৷

rāghavaḥ the descendant of Raghu (Bharata), viśrutē in the famous, prāgvaṭē Pragvata, purē city, aṅśudhānē at a place known as Anshudhana, duṣpratarām difficult to cross, mahānadīm mighty river, bhāgīrathīm Bhagirathi, tūrṇam quickly, upāyāt reached.

Bharata, the descendant of Raghu, knowing that the mighty river Bhagirathi was difficult to cross at a place known as Anshudhana, quickly reached the famous city of Pragvata.

rājavākyaharairdūtaistvaryamāṇō.hamāgataḥ.

yadahaṅ praṣṭumicchāmi tadambā vaktumarhati৷৷2.72.10৷৷

aham I, rājavākyaharaiḥ by those carrying out royal orders, dūtaiḥ messengers, tvaryamāṇaḥ have hastened, āgataḥ came, aham I, yat which one, praṣṭum to ask, icchāmi wish, tat all that, ambā mother, vaktum to tell, arhati behoves you.

Urged upon by the messengers carrying out the orders of the king, I have come. You, O mother, should answer the questions. I wish to ask you.

sa gaṅgāṅ prāgvaṭē tīrtvā samāyātkuṭikōṣṭhikām.

sabala stāṅ sa tīrtvā.tha samāyāddharmavardhanam৷৷2.71.10৷৷

saḥ he, prāgvaṭē at Pragvata city, gaṅgām river Ganga, tīrtvā having crossed, kuṭikōṣṭhikām Kutikoshti river, samāyāt reached, saḥ Bharata, sabalaḥ with his army, tām that river, tīrtvā having crossed, atha thereafter, dharmavardhanam Dharmavardhana village, samāyāt reached.

With Ganga at Pragvata city and river Kutikoshtika crossed along with his army, he reached Dharmavardhana village.

śūnyō.yaṅ śayanīyastē paryaṅkō hēmabhūṣitaḥ.

na cāyamikṣvākujanaḥ prahṛṣṭaḥ pratibhāti mā৷৷2.72.11৷৷

śayanīyaḥ a place worthy of resting, hēmabhūṣitaḥ decorated with gold, ayam this, tē your, paryaṅka: couch, śūnyaḥ is empty, ayam ca and this, ikṣvākujanaḥ attendants of Ikshavaku, prahṛṣṭaḥ with delight, mā to me, na pratibhāti does not appear.

Your gold-bedecked couch, worthy of resting lies empty. None of the attendants of the Ikshvakus look cheerful.

tōraṇaṅ dakṣiṇārdhēna jambhūprasthamupāgamat.

varūthaṅ ca yayau ramyaṅ grāmaṅ daśarathātmajaḥ৷৷2.71.11৷৷

daśarathātmajaḥ son of Dasaratha, (Bharata), tōraṇam Torana region, dakṣiṇārthēna southern direction of, jambūprastham Jambuprastha village, upāgamat arrived, varūtham Varutha village, ramyaṅ pleasant, grāmaṅ ca village, yayau obtained.

Having traversed the southern end of Torana, the son of Dasaratha (Bharata) reached the beautiful Varutha village via Jambuprastha.

rājā bhavati bhūyiṣṭhamihāmbāyā nivēśanē.

tamahaṅ nādya paśyāmi draṣṭumicchannihā.gataḥ৷৷2.72.12৷৷

rājā king, bhūyiṣṭham mostly, iha here, ambāyāḥ mother's, nivēśanē residence, bhavati stays, adya
today, tama him, aham I, na paśyāmi do not see, draṣṭum to see, icchan with a wish, iha here, āgataḥ came.

I had come here with the hope to see king Dasaratha who spends most of his time in my mother's residence. But today I do not see him .

tatra ramyē vanē vāsaṅ kṛtvā.sau prāṅmukhō yayau.

udyānamujjihānāyāḥ priyakā yatra pādapāḥ৷৷2.71.12৷৷

asau he (Bharata), atra there, ramyē charming, vanē forest, vāsam stay, kṛtvā having made, prāṅmukhaḥ eastwards, yatra where, priyakāḥ known as priyaka, pādapāḥ trees, ujjihānāyāḥ Ujjihana, udyānam garden, yayau reached.

He (Bharata) halted in that charming forest for a while, proceeded eastwards till he reached a place known as Ujjihana garden abounding in spriyaka trees.

piturgrahīṣyē caraṇau taṅ mamā.khyāhi pṛcchataḥ.

āhōsvidamba! jyēṣṭhāyāḥ kausalyāyā nivēśanē৷৷2.72.13৷৷

amba O mother, pituḥ father's, caraṇau both the feet, grahīṣyē I shall hold, pṛcchataḥ thus asking, mama to me, tam about him, ākhyāhi you may tell, āhōsvit perchance, jyēṣṭhāyāḥ the eldest mother's, kauśalyāyāḥ Kausalya's, nivēśanē at her residence.

I would like to pay obeisance at my father's feet. Will you answer my question, O mother, and tell me regarding his whereabouts? Or perchance could he be at the residence of my eldest mother Kausalya?

sālāṅstu priyakānprāpya śīghrānāsthāya vājinaḥ.

anujñāpyātha bharataḥ vāhinīṅ tvaritō yayau৷৷2.71.13৷৷

bharataḥ Bharata, sālān sala trees, priyakān priyaka trees, prāpya having reached, śīghrān swift-running, vājinaḥ horses, āsthāya having harnessed, atha thereafter, vāhinīm forces, anujñāpya having commanded, tvaritaḥ quickly, yayau set out.

After reaching the groves of sala and priyaka trees, Bharata harnessed the swift-running horses to the chariot and ordered his forces to proceed fast.

taṅ pratyuvāca kaikēyī priyavadghōramapriyam.

ajānantaṅ prajānantī rājyalōbhēna mōhitā৷৷2.72.14৷৷

prajānantī In spite of knowing, rājyalōbhēna due to greed for kingdom, mōhitā infatuated, kaikēyī Kaikeyi, ghōram dreadful, apriyam unpleasant news, priyavat as if it was pleasing, ajānantam ignorant of what had transpired, tam him (Bharata), pratyuvāca conveyed to him.

In spite of knowing everything, Kaikeyi actuated by greed for the kingdom, broke the unpleasant and dreadful news as if it were pleasing to Bharata, who was ignorant of what had transpired.

vāsaṅ kṛtvā sarvatīrthē tīrtvā cōttānikāṅ nadīm.

anyā nadīśca vividhāḥ pārvatīyaisturaṅgamaiḥ৷৷2.71.14৷৷

hastipṛṣṭhakamāsādya kuṭikāmatyavartata.

tatāra ca naravyāghrō lauhityē sa kapīvatīm৷৷2.71.15৷৷

sarvatīrthē in a place known as Sarvatirtha, vāsam halt, kṛtvā having made, uttānikāṅ nadīm Uttanika river, vividhāḥ various, anyāḥ others, nadīśca rivers, pārvatīyaiḥ born in the mountains, turaṅgamaiḥ on horses, tīrtvā having crossed, hastipṛṣṭhakam on an elephant, āsādya ascending, kuṭikām Kutika river, atyavartata crossed over, saḥ naravyāghraḥ the tiger among men, lauhityē near Lauhitya, kapīvatīm river Kapivati, tatāra crossed.

That tiger among men, Bharata halted at a place known as Sarvatirtha and crossed the Uttanika and various other rivers with the help of hill-born horses. He crossed the Kutika river on an elephant the river Kapivati at a place known as Lauhitya.

yā gatissarvabhūtānāṅ tāṅ gatiṅ tē pitā gataḥ.

rājā mahatmā tējasvī yāyajūkassatāṅ gatiḥ৷৷2.72.15৷৷

rājā king, mahātmā high-souled one, tējasvī brilliant one, yāyajūkaḥ ever engaged in
performing sacrifices, satām for virtuous people, gatiḥ refuge, tē pitā your father, sarvabhūtānām for all living beings, yā which, gatiḥ ultimate course, tāṅ gatim that course, gataḥ attained.

Your high-souled, brilliant father ever engaged in performing sacrifices and a refuge for the virtuous people, went the inevitable way every living being must follow (attained heaven).

tacchrutvā bharatō vākyaṅ dharmābhijanavāñcuciḥ.

papāta sahasā bhūmau pitṛśōkabalārditaḥ৷৷2.72.16৷৷

dharmābhijanavān born of the righteous race, śuciḥ a man of pure nature, bharataḥ Bharata, tat at that, vākyam words, śrutvā on hearing, pitṛśōkabalārditaḥ shattered by the force of grief due to his father's demise, sahasā at once, bhūmau on the ground, papāta collapsed.

On hearing these words, he (Bharata), born of a righteous race and endowed with purity of character was shattered by the immense grief of his father's demise and dropped down instantaneously on the floor.

ēkasālē sthāṇumatīṅ vinatē gōmatīṅ nadīm.

kaliṅganagarē cāpi prāpya sālavanaṅ tadā৷৷2.71.16৷৷

bharataḥ kṣipramāgacchatsupariśrāntavāhanaḥ.

bharataḥ Bharata, ēkasālē at Ekasala village, sthāṇumatīm Sthanumati river, vinatē at Vinata village, gōmatīṅ nadīm Gomati river, supariśrāntavāhanaḥ with extremely fatigued horses, tadā then, kaliṅganagarē cāpi at Kalinganagara, sālavanam sala forest, prāpya having reached, kṣipram quickly, āgacchat came.

Bharata crossed the rivers Sthanumati at Ekasala and Gomati at Vinata villages. Thereafter as his horses were extremely tired he rested for a while in the sala forest in Kalinganagara before he speedily set out (again).

vanaṅ ca samatītyāśuśarvaryāmaruṇōdayē৷৷2.71.17৷৷

ayōdhyāṅ manunā rājñā nirmitāṅ sandadarśa ha.

āśu quickly, śarvaryām in the night, vanaṅ ca forest also, samatītya having passed through, aruṇōdayē at sunrise, manunā rājñā by king Manu, nirmitām built, ayōdhyām Ayodhya, sandadarśa ha saw.

He passed quickly through the forest at night and at sunrise beheld the city of Ayodhya built by king Manu.

hā hatō.smīti kṛpaṇāṅ dīnāṅ vācamudīrayan.

nipapāta mahābāhurbāhū vikṣipya vīryavān৷৷2.72.17৷৷

mahabāhuḥ mighty-armed one, vīryavān valiant, hā hataḥ asmi Alas! I am finished, iti thus, kṛpaṇām evoking compassion, dīnām pitiable, vācam words, udīrayan uttering, bāhū arms, vikṣipya having lifted, nipapāta fell down.

The mighty-armed, valiant Bharata, uttering pitiable words, evoking compassion. Alas, I am finished fell down at once throwing up his arms.

tataśśōkēna saṅvītaḥ piturmaraṇaduḥkhitaḥ.

vilalāpa mahātējā bhrāntākulitacētanaḥ৷৷2.72.18৷৷

tataḥ after that, mahātējāḥ radiant Bharata, śōkēna by grief, saṅvītaḥ overwhelmed, pituḥ father's, maraṇa duḥkhitaḥ sorrowing over death, bhrāntākulitacētanaḥ his mind afflicted with delusion, vilalāpa lamented.

Overwhelmed with grief, radiant Bharata reeling with delusion due to sorrow, lamented over the death of his father.

tāṅ purīṅ puruṣavyāghrassaptarātrōṣitaḥ pathi৷৷2.71.18৷৷

ayōdhyāmagratō dṛṣṭvā sārathiṅ vākyamabravīt.

pathi on the way, saptarātrōṣitaḥ spent seven nights, puruṣavyāghraḥ tiger among men, agrataḥ before him, tām ayōdhyāṅ purīm that Ayodhya city, dṛṣṭvā having seen, sārathim to the charioteer, vākyam words, abravīt said.

Having spent seven nights on his way, that tiger among men (Bharata) saw Ayodhaya before him. He said to the charioteer:

ētatsuruciraṅ bhāti piturmē śayanaṅ purā.

śaśinēvāmalaṅ rātrau gaganaṅ tōyadātyayē৷৷2.72.19৷৷

mē pituḥ my father's, ētat this, suruciram lovely, śayanam couch, purā formerly, tōyadātyayē at the end of the rainy season, rātrau in the night, amalam spotless, gaganam sky, śaśinēva as though by the Moon, bhāti sma used to radiate.

This couch of my father once used to shine like the spotless night sky irradiated by the autumnal Moon.

ēṣā nātipratītā mē puṇyōdyānā yaśasvinī৷৷2.71.19৷৷

ayōdhyā dṛśyatē dūrātsārathē pāṇḍumṛttikā.

yajvabhirguṇasampannairbrāhmaṇairvēdapāragaiḥ৷৷2.71.20৷৷

bhūyiṣṭhamṛddhairākīrṇā rājarṣiparipālitā.

sārathē O charioteer!, puṇyōdyānā a city of sacred gardens, yaśasvinī of great renown,
pāṇḍumṛttikā with white clay, yajvabhiḥ those who perform sacrifices, guṇasampannaiḥ by the virtuous, vēdapāragaiḥ by those well versed in the vedas, bhūyiṣṭham in abundance , ṛddhaiḥ by the wealthy, brāhmaṇaiḥ by brahmins, ākīrṇā filled with, rājarṣiparipālitā ruled by rajarsis, ēṣā ayōdhyā such Ayodhya, mē to me, nātipratītā not so clearly, dūrāt from a distance, dṛśyatē is seen.

O charioteer! I am able to see Ayodhya of great renown from a distance but not so clearly that white-clay-city of Ayodhya, with its sacred gardens ruled by several rajarsis, inhabited by numerous wealthy people, by virtuous brahmins and priests who perform sacrifices and who are well-versed in the Vedas.

tadidaṅ na vibhātyadya vihīnaṅ tēna dhīmatā.

vyōmēva śaśinā hīnamapcchuṣka iva sāgaraḥ৷৷2.72.20৷৷

dhīmatā sagacious, tēna by him, vihīnam deprived of, tat idam that this couch, adya today, śaśinā by the Moon, hīnam devoid of, vyōmēva like sky, apcchuṣkaḥ dried up by evaporation of water, sāgaraḥ iva like the sea, na vibhāti is not shining.

But today this couch without my sagacious father no longer shines like the sky without the Moon or like the sea evaporated.

bāṣpamutsṛjy kaṇṭhēna svātmanā paramapīḍitaḥ.

ācchādya vadanaṅ śrīmadvastrēṇa jayatāṅ varaḥ৷৷2.72.21৷৷

jayatām among the victorious, varaḥ the foremost, kaṇṭhēna with throat, bāṣpam tears, utsṛjya having released, vastrēṇa with raiment, śrīmat auspicious, vadanam countenance, ācchādya
having covered, svātmanā at his heart, paramapīḍitaḥ was profoundly distressed.

Bharata, the foremost among the victorious, clearing his tear-choked throat and covering his auspicious countenance with raiment, wept in profound distress with tears overflowing.

ayōdhyāyāṅ purā śabdaśśrūyatē tumulō mahān৷৷2.71.21৷৷

samantānnaranārīṇāṅ tamadya na śruṇōmyaham.

purā earlier, ayōdhyāyām in Ayodhya, naranārīṇām men and women, mahān great, tumulaḥ tumultous, śabdaḥ sound, samantāt all over, śrūyatē would hear, adya now, tam that sound, aham I, na śruṇōmi not hear.

I do not hear now, in Ayodhya the tumultous noise of men and women I used to hear earlier all over.

tamārtaṅ dēvasaṅkāśaṅ samīkṣya patitaṅ bhuvi.

nikṛttamiva sālasya skandhaṅ paraśunā vanē৷৷2.72.22৷৷

mattamātaṅgasaṅkāśaṅ candrārkasadṛśaṅ bhuvaḥ.

utthāpayitvā śōkārtaṅ vacanaṅ cēdamabravīt৷৷2.72.23৷৷

ārtam anguished, dēvasaṅkāśam resembling gods, vanē in the forest, paraśunā by an axe, nikṛttam severed, sālasya sala tree's, skandhamiva like a trunk, sutam son, bhuvi patitam fallen on the ground, mattamātaṅgasaṅkāśam like a mighty elephant, candrārkasadṛśam similar to the Sun and the Moon, śōkārtam tormented by grief, tam to him (Bharata), bhuvaḥ from the ground, utthāpayitvā having lifted him up, idam these, vacanaṅ ca words, abravīt said.

Anguished and grief-stricken, he who resembled the gods, fell down on the ground like a trunk of the sala tree in the forest severed by an axe. Seeing her son who was like a mighty elephant or like the Sun or the Moon, Kaikeyi lifted him up from the ground and spoke these words:

udyānāni hi sāyāhnē krīḍitvōparatairnaraiḥ৷৷2.71.22৷৷

samantātparidhāvadbhiḥ prakāśantē mamānyathā.

sāyāhnē early in the morning, krīḍitvā sporting, uparataiḥ free from desire, samantāt all over, paridhāvadbhiḥ strolling, naraiḥ people, udyānāni parks, mama I, anyathā no one, prakāśantē hi looking bright.

I do not see people who with passion used to stroll in the parks early in the morning. I see no cheerfulness in any one.

tānyadyānurudantīva parityaktāni kāmibhiḥ৷৷2.71.23৷৷

araṇyabhūtēva purī sārathē! pratibhāti mē.

kāmibhiḥ people full of passion, parityaktāni abandoned, tāni that, adya now, anurudantīva as if weeping, sārathē O charioteer, purī city, araṇyabhūtēva like a forest, mē to me, pratibhāti it appears.

O charioteer, people full of passion have abandoned the gardens. To me, the city looks like a forest as if weeping.

uttiṣṭhōttiṣṭha kiṅ śēṣē rājaputra! mahāyaśaḥ.

tvadvidhā nahi śōcanti santa ssadasi sammatāḥ৷৷2.72.24৷৷

mahāyaśaḥ illustrious one, rājaputra! prince, uttiṣṭha uttiṣṭha arise, arise, kiṅ śēṣē why are you lying down, sadasi in the assembly, sammatāḥ worthy of honour, tvadvidhāḥ like you, santaḥ learned people, na śōcanti hi ought not to grieve.

O illustrious prince! arise, arise. Why are you lying down on the floor? Learned people like you, who are worthy of honour in the assembly ought not to grieve like this.

na hyatra yānairdṛśyantē na gajairna ca vājibhiḥ৷৷2.71.24৷৷

niryāntō vā.bhiyāntō vā naramukhyā yathāpuram.

atra here, naramukhyāḥ important people, yathāpuram as in the past, yānaiḥ riding, niryāntō vā people going (out of city), abhiyāntō vā or coming in, na dṛśyantē hi not seen, gajaiḥ elephants, na not, vājibhiḥ ca horses also, na not.

Important people mounted on elephants or horses are not seen going out of the city or coming in.

dānayajñādhikārā hi śīlaśrutivacō.nugā.

buddhistē buddhisampanna! prabhēvārkasya mandirē৷৷2.72.25৷৷

buddhisampanna! intelligent, tē your, buddhiḥ wisdom, śīlaśrutivacōnugā ever following virtuous conduct and scriptures, dānayajñādhikārā entitled to dispense charity and perform
sacrifices, arkasya Sun's, mandirē in the house, prabhēva like light, (will always shine).

O highly intelligent one, by your wisdom, virtuous conduct and scriptural knowledge you are entitled to dispense charity and perform sacrifices. You will always shine incessantly like light of the Sun.

udyānāni purā bhānti mattapramuditāni ca৷৷2.71.25৷৷

janānāṅ ratisaṅyōgēṣvatyantaguṇavanti ca.

purā earlier, udyānāni gardens, mattapramuditāni ca very melodiously singing, janānām for people, ratisaṅyōgēṣu lovers for their pleasures, atyantaguṇavanti ca very appropriate, bhānti would be.

Earlier the gardens used to reverberate with passionate songs of birds--places appropriate for lovers seeking pleasures.

sa ruditvā ciraṅ kālaṅ bhūmau viparivṛtya ca.

jananīṅ pratyuvācēdaṅ śōkairbahubhirāvṛtaḥ৷৷2.72.26৷৷

saḥ he (Bharata), bahubhiḥ in many ways, śōkaiḥ with sorrow, āvṛtaḥ engulfed by, ciraṅ kālam for a long time, ruditvā having wept, bhūmau on the ground, viparivṛtya ca and rolled, jananīm to his mother, idam these words, pratyuvāca replied.

Bharata engulfed in profuse sorrow wept for a long time rolling on the ground and then said these words in reply to his mother:

tānyētānyadya paśyāmi nirānandāni sarvaśaḥ৷৷2.71.26৷৷

srastaparṇairanupathaṅ vikrōśadbhiriva drumaiḥ.

adya now, anupatham footpath, srastaparṇaiḥ dry leaves, vikrōśadbhiriva as if crying, drumaiḥ trees,
tānyētāni such (gardens), sarvaśaḥ all over, nirānandāni cheerless, paśyāmi see.

Now the trees appear cheerless, the paths are full of dry leaves fallen all over. It appears as if the trees are crying.

abhiṣēkṣyati rāmaṅ nu rājā yajñaṅ nu yakṣyatē.

ityahaṅ kṛtasaṅkalpō hṛṣṭō yātrāmayāsiṣam৷৷2.72.27৷৷

rājā king, rāmam Rama, abhiṣēkṣyati nu about to consecrate, yajñam sacrifice, yakṣyatē nu or will perform indeed, iti thinking, aham I, kṛtasaṅkalpaḥ with these thoughts, hṛṣṭaḥ delighted, yātrām journey, ayāsiṣam had undertaken.

Thinking that the king is about to consecrate Rama or perform some sacrifice, I undertook the journey in great delight.

nādyāpi śrūyatē śabdaḥ mattānāṅ mṛgapakṣiṇām৷৷2.71.27৷৷

saṅraktāṅ madhurāṅ vāṇīṅ kalaṅ vyāharatāṅ bahu.

saṅraktām in the red tincture (of the rising Sun), madhurām melodious, vāṇīm voices, bahu many, kalam sweet sound, vyāharatām freely singing and moving, mattānām proud, mṛgapakṣiṇām
animals and birds, śabdaḥ sound, adyāpi now, na śrūyatē not hearing.

I do not hear in the red tincture of the rising Sun the melodious voices of the freely moving animals and birds.

tadidaṅ hyanyathā bhūtaṅ vyavadīrṇaṅ manō mama.

pitaraṅ yō na paśyāmi nityaṅ priyahitē ratam৷৷2.72.28৷৷

tat idam all this, anyathā differently, bhūtam has happened, yaḥ such me, nityam always, priyahitē my welfare and happiness, ratam intent on, pitaram father, na paśyāmi I do not behold, mama my, manaḥ mind, vyavadīrṇam is shattered.

Now everything has turned out to be different. My mind is shattered.I no longer behold my father who is ever intent on my welfare and happiness.

candanāgarusampṛktō dhūpasammūrchitō.tulaḥ৷৷2.71.28৷৷

pravāti pavana śśrīmānkinnunādya yathāpuram.

candanāgarusampṛktaḥ fragrance of sandal and incense, dhūpasammūrchitaḥ smell wafting through the smoke, atulaḥ incomparable, śrīmān prosperous, pavanaḥ wind, adya now, yathāpuram in the city always, kiṅ nu why is it not, na pravāti not blowing?

Why is it that the incomparable fragrance of sandal and incense that used to fill the nostrils, not blowing now in the prosperous city of Ayodhya?

amba! kēnātyagādrājā vyāghinā mayyanāgatē.

dhanyā rāmādayassarvē yaiḥ pitā saṅskṛta ssvayam৷৷2.72.29৷৷

amba! O mother, rājā king, mayi my, anāgatē even before I could return, kēna vyādhinā by what ailment, atyagāt passed away, yaiḥ by Rama and others, pitā father, svayam personally, saṅskṛtaḥ has been offered last rites, such, rāmādayaḥ Rama and others, dhanyāḥ are fortunate.

O mother! what ailment caused the king's death before I could return? How fortunate are Rama and others by whom the last rites of my father were performed !

bhērīmṛdaṅgavīṇānāṅ kōṇasaṅghaṭṭitaḥ punaḥ৷৷2.71.29৷৷

kimadya śabdō viratassadā dīnagatiḥ purā.

purā earlier, dīnagatiḥ melancholy, punaḥ again, kōṇasaṅghaṭṭitaḥ sounds of musical instruments, bhērīmṛdaṅgavīṇānām of the trumpets, mrudangas and veena, śabdaḥ sound, adya now, kim why, virataḥ not heard.

Why is it that the sounds of musical instruments like mrudangas and veenas are not heard now? Why is the city filled with melancholy?

na nūnaṅ māṅ mahārājaḥ prāptaṅ jānāti kīrtimān.

upajighrēddhi mūrdhni tāta ssannamya satvaram৷৷2,72.30৷৷

kīrtimān illustrious, mahārājaḥ great king, mām me, prāptam reaching this place, na jānāti does not know, nūnam surely, tātaḥ father, satvaram quickly, mām me, sannamya bending, mūrdhni on the fore head, upajighrēt hi would have smelt indeed( kissed).

Surely the illustrious maharaja is not aware of my arrival. Otherwise he would have quickly bent my head and kissed me on my forehead.

aniṣṭāni ca pāpāni paśyāmi vividhāni ca৷৷2.71.30৷৷

nimittānyamanōjñānitēna sīdati mē manaḥ.

aniṣṭāni inauspicious symptoms, ca also, pāpāni sinful sights, paśyāmi see, vividhāni various nimittāni passing, amanōjñāni ugly, tēna hence, sīdati filled with grief, mē my manaḥ mind.

Since I see many passing, inauspicious, sinful, ugly sights, my mind shrinks.

kva sa pāṇissukhasparśastātasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ.

yēna māṅ rajasā dhvastamabhīkṣṇaṅ parimārjati৷৷2.72.31৷৷

rajasā with dust, dhvastam covered, mām me, yēna by which (hand), abhīkṣṇam repeatedly, parimārjati used to wipe away, akliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ of tireless actions, tātasya father's, sukhasparśaḥ having pleasant touch, saḥ pāṇiḥ that hand, kva where is it?

Where is that hand of my father of unwearied actions, the hand that would wipe away
the dust from my person with a pleasant touch?

sarvathā kuśalaṅ sūta! durlabhaṅ mama banduṣu৷৷2.71.31৷৷

tathāhyasati sammōhē hṛdayaṅ sīdatīva mē.

sūta! charioteer, sarvathā all over, mama to me, bandhuṣu relations, kuśalam welfare, durlabham not seem to be true, tathāhi therefore, sammōhē deluded, asati it is, mē my, hṛdayam heart, sīdatīva filled with grief.

I do not see anywhere, O charioteer the well-being, of my kinsmen. Hence I feel deluded and my heart is filled with grief.

yō mē bhrātā pitā bandhuryasya dāsō.smi dhīmataḥ.

tasya māṅ śīghramākhyāhi rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ৷৷2.72.32৷৷

yaḥ who, mē to me, bhrātā brother, pitā father, bandhuḥ relative, dhīmataḥ wise, yasya whose, dāsaḥ asmi I am a slave (of that wise man), tasya such, akliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ of a man of unwearied actions, rāmasya to Rama, mām about me, śīghram at once, ākhyāhi announce.

Announce at once my arrival to the wise Rama, the man of unwearied actions, my brother, father and friend whose slave I am.

viṣaṇṇa śśrāntahṛdayastrasta ssululitēndriyaḥ৷৷2.71.32৷৷

bharataḥ pravivēśāśu purīmikṣvākupālitām.

viṣaṇṇaḥ dejected, śrāntahṛdayaḥ with depressed heart, trastaḥ fearful man, sululitēndriyaḥ losing control over his senses, bharataḥ Bharata, āśu quickly, ikṣvākupālitām ruled by the Ikshvakus, purīm city of Ayodhya, pravivēśa entered.

Dejected and depressed at heart, with no control over his senses and his mind full of apprehension, Bharata swiftly entered the city of Ayodhya ruled by the Ikshvakus.

dvārēṇa vaijayantēna prāviśacchrāntavāhanaḥ৷৷2.71.33৷৷

dvāssthairutthāya vijayaṅ pṛṣṭastai ssahitō yayau.

śrāntavāhanaḥ with his horses exhausted, vaijayantēna known as Vaijayanta, dvārēṇa through gate of, prāviśat entered, dvāḥsthaiḥ by gate keepers, utthāya having stood up, vijayam victory, pṛṣṭaḥ having been uttered, taiḥ sahitaḥ along with them, yayau went.

He entered the city through the gate known as Vaijayanta with his horses exhausted. The door-keepers stood up and amidst cries of victory followed him in.

pitā hi bhavati jyēṣṭhō dharmamāryasya jānataḥ.

tasya pādau grahīṣyāmi sa hīdānīṅ gatirmama৷৷2.72.33৷৷

dharmam the ways of righteousness, jānataḥ one who knows, āryasya of the noble person, jyēṣṭhaḥ eldest brother, pitā bhavati hi becomes father, tasya his, pādau feet, grahīṣyāmi shall hold, sa: he, idānīm now, mama my, gatiḥ hi is a refuge indeed.

To one who knows the ways of righteouness the elder brother is (like) the father. Indeed, he (Rama) is my refuge and I shall hold his feet now.

dharmaviddharmanityaśca satyasandhō dṛḍhavrataḥ.

āryaḥ kimabravīdrājā pitā mē satyavikramaḥ৷৷2.72.34৷৷

dharmavit conversant with virtuous conduct, dharmanityaśca one who always coducts himself in a righteous manner, satyasandha: fixed upon truth, dṛḍhavrataḥ firm in vows, satyavikramaḥ one whose strength is truth, āryaḥ venerable one, rājā king, mē pitā my father, kim what, abravīt did he say (at the time of his death)?

What did my father, the noble king, conversant with righteous conduct, true, to his vows, one who always conducted himself in a righteous manner, whose truth was his
prowess (at the time of his death)?

sa tvanēkāgrahṛdayō dvāssthaṅ pratyarcya taṅ janam৷৷2.71.34৷৷

sūtamaśvapatēḥ klāntamabravīttatra rāghavaḥ.

saḥ rāghavaḥ tu as for the descendant of Raghus, anēkāgrahṛdayaḥ with a bewildered mind, dvāsstham to the gatekeepers, tam those, janam people, pratyarcya greeting in turn tatra there, aśvapatēḥ to Ashwapati, klāntam exhausted, sūtam to the charioteer, abravīt said.

Bewildered, that descendant of Raghu (Bharata), reciprocated the greetings of the gate-keepers and then addressed the exhausted charioteer, Ashwapati:

paścimaṅ sādhu sandēśamicchāmi śrōtumātmanaḥ.

iti pṛṣṭā yathātattvaṅ kaikēyī vākyamabravīt৷৷2.72.35৷৷

ātmanaḥ relating to me, paścimam last, sandēśam message, sādhu exactly, śrōtum to listen, icchāmi wish, iti thus, pṛṣṭā questioned, kaikēyī Kaikeyi, yathā tattvam as actually happened, vākyam words, abravīt said.

I want to hear the exact words of my father's last message to me. Thus questioned (by Bharata), Kaikeyi related the exact facts:

kimahaṅ tvarayā.nītaḥ kāraṇēna vinānagha৷৷2.71.35৷৷

aśubhāśaṅki hṛdayaṅ śīlaṅ ca patatīva mē.

anagha O irreproachable one, aham I am, kāraṇēna vinā without any reason, tvarayā in haste, kim why, ānītaḥ was brought, hṛdayam my heart, aśubhāśaṅki apprehends something inauspcious, mē my, śīlaṅ ca disposition, patatīva is lost.

O irreproachable one, why was I brought here in haste without any reason? My mind apprehends something inauspicious. I feel indisposed.

rāmēti rājā vilapan hā sītē! lakṣmaṇēti ca.

sa mahātmā paraṅ lōkaṅ gatō gatimatāṅ varaḥ৷৷2.72.36৷৷

gatimatām among those who attained the excellent state, varaḥ the foremost, mahātmā magnanimous, saḥ that, rājā king, rāmēti O Rama, hā sītē! O Sita, lakṣmaṇēti ca O Lakshmana also, vilapan lamenting, paraṅ lōkam to the other world, gataḥ went.

The magnanimous king, the foremost of those who attained the excellent state after, death, went to the other world, lamenting 'O Rama, O Sita, O Lakshamana!'.

śrutā nō yādṛśāḥ pūrvaṅ nṛpatīnāṅ vināśanē৷৷2.71.36৷৷

ākārāṅstānahaṅ sarvānihapaśyāmi sārathē!.

sārathē! O charioteer, nṛpatīnām kings', vināśanē in destruction, yādṛśāḥ such kind of, pūrvam in times past, naḥ us, śrutāḥ have been heard, tān sarvān all those, ākārān signs, aham I, iha paśyāmi I am seeing now.

O charioteer! I now see the very for ebodings I had heard in the past in connection with the death of kings.

imāṅ tu paścimāṅ vācaṅ vyājahāra pitā tava.

kāladharmaparikṣiptaḥ pāśairiva mahāgajaḥ৷৷2.72.37৷৷

tava your, pitā father, mahāgajaḥ like a great elephant, pāśairiva as though by cords, kāladharmaparikṣiptaḥ caught by the noose of fate and time, paścimām last, imām this, vācam words, vyājahāra uttered.

Your father, caught by the noose of death, like a great elephant bound by cords, uttered these last words:

sammārjanavihīnāni paruṣāṇyupalakṣayē৷৷2.71.37৷৷

asaṅyata kavāṭāni śrīvihīnāni sarvaśaḥ.

balikarmavihīnāni dhūpasammōdanēna ca৷৷2.71.38৷৷

anāśitakuṭumbāni prabhāhīnajanāni ca.

alakṣmīkāni paśyāmi kuṭumbibhavanānyaham৷৷2.71.39৷৷

aham I, sammārjanavihīnāni unswept, kuṭuṅmbibhavanāni houses of families, paruṣāṇi dirty, upalakṣayē discern, asaṅyata kavāṭāni doors not closed, sarvaśaḥ on every side, śrīvihīnāni bereft of beauty, balikarmavihīnāni devoid of offering oblations, dhūpasammōdanēna ca with fragrance of burnt incense, anāśitakuṭumbāni familes without food, prabhāhīnajanāni ca men devoid of brightness, alakṣmīkāni inauspicious, paśyāmi I see

I see the unswept homes of householders standing dirty with doors not closed. There is no beauty anywhere. No one offers oblations (at the time of worship). There is no fragrance of burning incense. The families have no food to eat. The people look cheerless. I see inauspiciousness everywhere.

siddhārthāstē narā rāmamāgataṅ saha sītayā.

lakṣmaṇaṅ ca mahābāhuṅ drakṣyanti punarāgatam৷৷2.72.38৷৷

sītayā saha along with Sita, āgatam returned, rāmam Rama, punaḥ again, āgatam arrived, mahābāhum mighty-armed, lakṣmaṇaṅ ca with Lakshmana, drakṣyanti see, tē narāḥ those men, siddhārthāḥ will have their desires fulfilled.

'Those men who will see Rama returning home along with Sita and mighty-armed Lakshmana, will have their desires fulfilled.'

tacchrutvā viṣasādaiva dvitīyāpriyaśaṅsanāt.

viṣaṇṇavadanō bhūtvā bhūyaḥ papraccha mātaram৷৷2.72.39৷৷

tat that one, śrūtvā on hearing, dvitīyāpriyaśaṅsanāt the account of second unpleasant tidings, viṣasādaiva more distressed, viṣaṇṇavadanaḥ bhūtvā with down-cast countenance, bhūyaḥ again, mātaram mother, papraccha enquired.

Bharata was more distraught on hearing the words that conveyed the second unpleasant tidings. With downcast countenance, he again enquired of his mother thus:

kva cēdānīṅ sa dharmātmā kausalyānandavardhanaḥ.

lakṣmaṇēna saha bhrātrā sītayā ca samaṅ gataḥ৷৷2.72.40৷৷

dharmātmā righteous one, saḥ he, kauśalyānandavardhanaḥ one who enhances the delight of Kausalya,
bhrātrā with his brother, lakṣmaṇēna saha with Lakshmana too, sītayā ca samam with Sita, idānīm at this time, kva where, gataḥ has gone?

Where has righteous Rama who enhances the delight of Kausalya along with his brother Lakshmana and Sita gone now?

apētamālyaśōbhāni hyasammṛṣṭājirāṇi ca.

dēvāgārāṇi śūnyāni na cābhānti yathāpuram৷৷2.71.40৷৷

apētamālyaśōbhāni deprived of the splendour of garlands, asammṛṣṭājirāṇi ca floors of the front yards unsmeared, dēvāgārāḥ temples, śūnyāni empty, yathāpuram as before, nābhānti ca not shining.

The temples stand devoid of the beauty of floral offerings. The floors of front yards are left unswept and unsmeared. They look deserted, devoid of brightness of the past.

tathā pṛṣṭā yathātattvamākhyātumupacakramē.

mātāsya sumahadvākyaṅ vipriyaṅ priyaśaṅkayā৷৷2.72.41৷৷

tathā thus, pṛṣṭā questioned, asya mātā his mother, sumahat great, vipriyam grievous, vākyam words, priyaśaṅkayā presuming it to be pleasant, yathātattvam exact fact, ākhyātum to relate, upacakramē commenced.

Thus questioned, his mother started relating the exact events, presuming them to be pleasant tidings (for Bharata).

dēvatārcāḥ praviddhāśca yajñagōṣṭhyastathāvidhāḥ.

mālyāpaṇēṣu rājantē nādya paṇyāni vā tathā৷৷2.71.41৷৷

dēvatārcāḥ offerings to deities, praviddhā: ca have been dispensed with, yajñagōṣṭhyaḥ groups of people performing holy sacrifices, tathāvidhāḥ as before, tathā usual, mālyāpaṇēṣu in the markets where garlands are sold, adya now, paṇyāni items (garlands) for sale, na rājantē are not there.

The offerings to deities have been dispensed with. There are no groups of people performing the usual holy sacrifices. The markets where garlands were sold now stand without them.

sa hi rājasutaḥ putra! cīravāsā mahāvanam.

daṇḍakānsaha vaidēhyā lakṣmaṇānucarō gataḥ৷৷2.72.42৷৷

putra! O son, rājasutaḥ king's son (prince), saḥ that Rama, cīravāsāḥ attired in garments of bark, lakṣmaṇānucaraḥ followed by Lakshmana, vaidēhyā saha with Sita, mahāvanam great forest, daṇḍakān to Dandaka, gataḥ hi left.

O my son, prince Rama attired in garments of bark along with Sita and followed by Lakshmana left for the great Dandaka forest.

dṛśyantē vaṇijō.pyadya na yathāpūrvamatravai.

dhyānasaṅvignahṛdayāḥ naṣṭavyāpārayantritāḥ৷৷2.71.42৷৷

naṣṭavyāpārayantritāḥ restrained by the loss of business, dhyānasaṅvignahṛdayāḥ with distracted attention, vaṇijō.pi even traders, adya now, atra there, yathāpūrvam as before, na dṛśyantē are not seen.

Even traders seem restrained by the loss of business. They are not seen as before concentrating on their trade.

tacchrutvā bharatastrastō bhrātuścāritraśaṅkayā.

svasya vaṅśasya mahātmyātpraṣṭuṅ samupacakramē৷৷2.72.43৷৷

bharataḥ Bharata, tat that word, śrutvā having heard, svasya vaṅśasya his dynasty's, mahātmyāt due to greatness, bhrātuḥ his brother's, caritraśaṅkayā doubting about unrighteous conduct, praṣṭum to ascertain, samupacakramē again started.

Conscious of the glory of his race, Bharata continued to enquire if there was any unrighteous conduct on the part of his brother.

dēvāyatanacaityēṣu dīnāḥ pakṣigaṇāstathā৷৷2.71.43৷৷

malinaṅ cāśrupūrṇākṣaṅ dīnaṅ dhyānaparaṅ kṛśam.

sastrīpuṅsaṅ ca paśyāmi janamutkaṇṭhitaṅ purē৷৷2.71.44৷৷

tathā as before, dēvāyatanacaityēṣu in temples and in sanctuaries, pakṣigaṇāḥ multitude of birds, dīnāḥ dispirited, purē in the city, sastrīpuṅsam with women and men, janam people, utkaṇṭhitam with choked throats, malinam dull, aśrupūrṇākṣam eyes filled with tears, dīnam piteous, dhyānaparam absorbed in distressing thoughts, kṛśam emaciated, paśyāmi I see.

I see groups of birds frequenting the temples. The sanctuaries appear dispirited. The people in the city, both men and women look dull, emaciated, pitiable with throats choked. Their eyes are filled with tears and minds absorbed in distressing thoughts.

kaccinna brāhmaṇadhanaṅ hṛtaṅ rāmēṇa kasyacit.

kaccinnāḍhyō daridrō vā tēnāpāpō vihiṅsitaḥ৷৷2.72.44৷৷

rāmēṇa by Rama, kasyacit of some one or the other, brāhmaṇa dhanam wealth of brahmin, na hṛtaṅ did not seize, kaccit I hope not, tēna by him, āḍhyaḥ a rich man, daridrō vā or a poor one, apāpaḥ innocent, na vihiṅsitaḥ was not tortured, kaccit I hope.

I hope Rama did not seize the wealth of any brahmin nor did any harm to an innocent person, whether rich or poor.

kaccinna paradārānvā rājaputrō.bhimanyatē.

kasmātsa daṇḍakāraṇyē bhrūṇahēva vivāsitaḥ৷৷2.72.45৷৷

rājaputraḥ the prince, paradārān another man's wife, nābhimanyatē vā kaccit did not covet, I hope, sa: he, Rama, bhrūṇahā like a sinner who had slain a child in embryo, daṇḍakāraṇyē to Dandaka forest, kasmāt why, vivāsitaḥ has been banished.

I hope he did not covet another man's wife. Like a sinner who had slain a child in embryo why has he been banished to Dandaka forest?

ityēvamuktvā bharatassūtaṅ taṅ dīnamānasaḥ.

tānyaniṣṭānyayōdhyāyāṅ prēkṣya rājagṛhaṅ yayau৷৷2.71.45৷৷

bharataḥ Bharata, ayōdhyāyām in Ayodhya, tāni these, aniṣṭāni ominous sights, prēkṣya having seen, dīnamānasaḥ with depressed heart, taṅ sūtam that charioteer, ityēvam in this way, uktvā having said, rājagṛham king's palace, yayau proceeded.

With these words said to the charioteer, Bharata, having seen such ominous sights in Ayodhya, proceeded to the king's palace with a depressed heart.

athāsya capalā mātā tatsvakarma yathātatham.

tēnaiva strīsvabhāvēna vyāhartumupacakramē৷৷2.72.46৷৷

atha thereafter, capalā the capricious one, asya mātā his mother, tēna by the same, strī svabhāvēna with her earlier feminine disposition, tat that, svakarma her own deeds, yathātatham faithfully, vyāhartum to tell, upacakramē commenced.

Then the capricious mother, with the same feminine disposition which she had
displayed earlier, started giving a faithful account of all her deeds.

tāṅ śūnyaśṛṅgāṭakavēśmarathyāṅ rajō.ruṇadvārakavāṭayantrām.

dṛṣṭvā purīmindrapuraprakāśāṅ duḥkhēna sampūrṇatarō babhūva৷৷2.71.46৷৷

śūnyaśṛṅgāṭakavēśmarathyām a place with crossroads, houses, and highways deserted, rajō.ruṇadvārakavāṭayantrām the fittings (nuts and bolts) on the doors red with dust, indrapuraprakāśām once having the lustre of the city of Indra, tāṅ purīm that city, dṛṣṭvā having seen, duḥkhēna with grief, sampūrṇataraḥ overwhelmed, babhūva became.

As he (Bharata) beheld the city of Ayodhya that once had the lustre of the city of Indra, now with its cross-roads, houses and highways all deserted, the fittings (nuts and bolts) on the doors red with dust, he was overwhelmed with grief.

ēvamuktā tu kaikēyī bharatēna mahātmanā.

uvāca vacanaṅ hṛṣṭā mūḍhā paṇḍitamāninī৷৷2.72.47৷৷

mahātmanā great, bharatēna by Bharata, ēvam thus, uktā spoken, mūḍhā the foolish lady, paṇḍitamāninī thinking herself to be wise, kaikēyī Kaikeyi, hṛṣṭā delightfully, vacanam these words, uvāca spoke.

On hearing the words of great Bharata, that foolish woman Kaikeyi thinking herself to be wise, cheerfully said:

bahūni paśyanmanasō.priyāṇi yānyanyadā nāsya purē babhūvuḥ.

avākchirā dīnamanā nahṛṣṭaḥ piturmahātmā pravivēśa vēśma৷৷2.71.47৷৷

anyadā in other times, yāni such, asya his, purē in the city, na babhūvuḥ did not happen, bahūni many, manasaḥ to the mind, apriyāṇi unpleasant ones, paśyan seeing, avākchirāḥ with head bowed down, dīnamanāḥ dejected mind, nahṛṣṭaḥ cheerless, mahātmā magnanimous, pituḥ father's, vēśma palace, pravivēśa entered.

Having witnessed many unpleasant things that had never happened before, the magnanimous Bharata who was looking cheerless and dejected entered his father's palace with his head bent down.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkasaptatitamassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the seventyfirst sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

na brāhmaṇadhanaṅ kiñciddhṛtaṅ rāmēṇa kasyacit

kaścinnāḍhyō daridrō tēnāpāpō vihiṅsitaḥ.

na rāmaḥ paradārāṅśca cakṣurbhyāmapi paśyati৷৷2.72.48৷৷

rāmēṇa by Rama, kasyacit some one's, brāhmaṇa dhanam wealth of brahmin, kiñcit even a little, na hṛtam was not seized, tēna by him, āḍhyaḥ whether rich, daridrō vā or poor apāpaḥ innocent, kaścit even a little, na vihiṅsitaḥ was not harmed, rāmaḥ Rama, paradārān wife of other man, cakṣurbhyām with the eyes, na paśyati did not see.

Rama did not rob any brahmin of even a little wealth nor did he harm any innocent man, whether rich or poor. He never casts his eyes on another's wife.

mayā tu putra! śrutvaiva rāmasyaivābhiṣēcanam.

yācitastē pitā rājyaṅ rāmasya ca vivāsanam৷৷2.72.49৷৷

putra! O my son, mayā tu by me, rāmasyaiva Rama's, abhiṣēcanam consecration, śrutvaiva on hearing itself, pitā your father, tē for you, rājyam kingdom, rāmasya Rama's, vivāsanaṅ ca banishment, yācitaḥ has been asked.

My son, I on hearing of Rama's consecration asked your father to confer the kingdom on you and banish Rama.

sa svavṛttiṅ samāsthāya pitā tē tatta.thākarōt.

rāmaśca saha saumitriḥ prēṣitassaha sītayā৷৷2.72.50৷৷

tē pitā your father, saḥ he, svavṛttim kept up his own promise, samāsthāya having followed, tat that one, tathā exactly, akarōt performed, sahasaumitri along with Lakshmana, rāmaśca Rama also, sītayā saha along with Sita, prēṣitaḥ were sent.

Your father, faithful to his word, banished Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita.

tamapaśyanpriyaṅputraṅ mahīpālō mahāyaśāḥ.

putraśōkaparidyūnaḥ pañcatvamupapēdivān৷৷2.72.51৷৷

mahāyaśāḥ renowned, mahīpālaḥ ruler of this earth, tam that, priyaṅ putram beloved son, apaśyan not being able to behold, putraśōka paridyūnaḥ stricken by filial grief, pañcatvam the state of merger in the five elements, upapēdivān obtained.

The renowned ruler of the earth (king Dasaratha), unable to behold (the sorry state of) his beloved son and stricken by filial grief, merged into the five elements (died).

tvayātvidānīṅ dharmajña! rājatvamavalambyatām.

tvatkṛtē hi mayā sarvamidamēvaṅ vidhaṅ kṛtam৷৷2.72.52৷৷

dharmajña! O knower of dharma, idānīm now, tvayā by you, rājatvam kingship, avalambyatām take possession of, mayā by me, tvatkṛtē for your sake only, ēvaṅ vidham in this manner, idaṅ sarvam all this, kṛtaṅ hi has been done.

O knower of dharma, assume kingship now. It is only for your sake that all this has been done by me.

mā śōkaṅ mā ca santāpaṅ dhairyamāśraya putraka.

tvadadhīnā hi nagarī rājyaṅ caitadanāmayam৷৷2.72.53৷৷

putraka my son, śōkam sorrow, mā āśraya do not take recourse, santāpaṅ ca to remorse, mā do not take recourse, dhairyam courage, āśraya take recourse, nagarī this city, tvadadhīnā is under
your control, anāmayam free from obstacles, ētat this, rājyaṅ ca kingdom also.

My son, give up sorrow and agony and take recourse to courage. This city as well as the kingdom, free from all obstacles, is under your control.

tatputra! śīghraṅ vidhinā vidhijñairvasiṣṭhamukhyai ssahitō dvijēndraiḥ.

saṅkālya rājānamadīnasattvamātmānamurvyāmabhiṣēcayasva৷৷2.72.54৷৷

tat hence, putra! O my son, vidhijñai: by those well-versed in rules, vasiṣṭhamukhyaiḥ headed by Vasistha, dvijēndraiḥ by the best of brahmins, sahitaḥ with, rājānam to the king, vidhinā duly, śīghram quickly, saṅkālya performing obsequies, adīna sattvam without getting depressed in spirit, ātmānam yourself, urvyām on this earth, abhiṣēcayasva get coronated.

Therefore, my son, under the guidance of Vasistha and other noble brahmins, well-versed in rituals, quickly perform the funeral obsequies in accordance with tradition and without getting depressed in spirit, get yourself coronated as lord of this earth.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē dvisaptatitamassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the seventysecond sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.