Sloka & Translation

[Lamentations of king Dasaratha.]

ततश्शृत्वा महाराजः कैकेय्या दारुणं वचः।

चिन्तामभिसमापेदे मुहूर्तं प्रतताप च।।2.12.1।।


महाराजः maharaja कैकेय्याः Kaikeyi's, दारुणम् dreadful, वचः words, श्रुत्वा having heard, ततः thereafter, चिन्ताम् grief, अभिसमापेदे got, मुहूर्तम् for a moment, प्रतताप च was extremely distressed.

After hearing the dreadful words of Kaikeyi, the maharaja (Dasaratha), engulfed in grief, was extremely distressed for a moment.
किन्नु मे यदि वा स्वप्नश्चित्तमोहोऽपि वा मम।

अनुभूतोपसर्गो वा मनसो वाप्युपद्रवः।।2.12.2।।


मे my, स्वप्नः किं नु is this a dream?, यदि वा or, मम my, चित्तमोहोऽपि वा or hallucination of the mind?, अनुभूतोपसर्गो वा or some foreboding of evil I am going to experience , मनसः mind's, उपद्रवः वा or a malady.

' Is this a dream? Or a hallucination of the mind? Or some foreboding evil I am going to experience or a malady of my mind'? (wondered Dasaratha)
इति सञ्चिन्त्य तद्राजा नाध्यगच्छत्तदासुखम्।

प्रतिलभ्य चिरात्संज्ञां कैकेयीवाक्यताडितः।।2.12.3।।

व्यथितो विक्लबश्चैव व्याघ्रीं दृष्ट्वा यथा मृगः।

असंवृतायामासीनो जगत्यां दीर्घमुच्छवसन्।।2.12.4।।

मण्डले पन्नगो रुद्धो मन्त्रैरिव महाविषः।

अहो धिगिति सामर्षो वाचमुक्त्वा नराधिपः।।2.12.5।।

मोहमापेदिवान्भूय श्शोकोपहतचेतनः।


राजा king, इति thus, तत् about that , सञ्चित्य having thought over, तदा then, सुखम् comfort, नाध्यगच्छत् did not get, कैकेयीवाक्यताडितः struck by the words of Kaikeyi, नराधिपः king, चिरात् after a long time, संज्ञाम् senses, प्रतिलभ्य having regained, व्याघ्रीम् a tigress, दृष्ट्वा having seen, मृगः यथा like a deer, व्यथितः distressed, विक्लबः च एव startled, असंवृतायाम् uncovered, जगत्याम् on the ground, आसीनः having sat down, मण्डले in a circle, मन्त्रै: by incantations, रुद्धः confined, महाविषः highly venomous, पन्नगः इव like a serpent, दीर्घम् intense, उच्छवसन् heaving, सामर्षः with indignation, आहो धिक् what a pity, इति thus,
वाचम् word, उक्त्वा having spoken, शोकोपहतचेतनः with his senses struck by sorrow, भूयः again, मोहम् loss of consciousness, आपेदिवान् obtained.

The King absorbed in such thoughts did not get solace. He was startled and distressed like a deer beholding a tigress. He had long lost the senses struck by the (ruthless) words of Kaikeyi. He sank down upon the bare floor heaving deep sighs like a venomous serpent lying confined in a circle. 'What a pity' said the king with indignation and with his senses overwhelmed by sorrow fell into a stupor again.
चिरेण तु नृप स्संज्ञां प्रतिलभ्य सुदुःखितः।।2.12.6।।

कैकेयीमब्रवीत्क्रुद्धःप्रदहन्निव चक्षुषा।


नृपः the king, चिरेण after a long time, संज्ञाम् consciousness, प्रतिलभ्य having regained, सुदुःखितः distressed, क्रुद्धः angry, चक्षुषा with eyes, कैकेयीम् Kaikeyi, प्रदहन्निव as if burning, अब्रवीत् spoke.

Regaining his consciousness after a long time, the king in deep grief and with eyes as though burning in anger looked at Kaikeyi and said:
नृशंसे दुष्टचारित्रे कुलस्यास्य विनाशिनि।।2.12.7।।

किं कृतं तव रामेण पापं पापे मयापि वा।


नृशंसे O cruel woman, दुष्टचारित्रे of wicked character, अस्य कुलस्य of this family, विनाशिनि destroyer, पापे sinful woman, रामेण by Rama, मयापि वा or by me, तव your, किं पापं कृतम् what harm has been done?

O woman of cruel and sinful nature, you are bent on destroying this family. What harm has been done to you by Rama or by me?
यदा ते जननीतुल्यां वृत्तिं वहति राघव: ।।2.12.8।।

तस्यैव त्वमनर्थाय किंनिमित्तमिहोद्यता ।


राघवः Rama, यदा when ते in relation to you, जननीतुल्याम् like his own mother, वृत्तिम् conduct, वहति was carrying out, तस्यैव to such a person, अनर्थाय for injustice, त्वम् you, किं निमित्तम् for what purpose, इह here, उद्यता are you attempting?

Then Rama was conducting himself in relation to you as his own mother, for what purpose are you seeking injustice to such a person?
त्वं मयाऽऽत्मविनाशार्थं भवनं स्वं प्रवेशिता।।2.12.9।।

अविज्ञानान्नृपसुता व्याली तीक्ष्णविषा यथा।


त्वम् you, नृपसुता king's daughter, मया by me, तीक्ष्णविषा venomous, व्याली यथा like a female serpent, अविज्ञानात् by ignorance, स्वं भवनम् my home, आत्म विनाशार्थम् for selfdestruction, प्रवेशिता ushered in.

In my ignorance I brought home for my selfdestruction a king's daughter who was like a venomous female serpent.
जीवलोको यदा सर्वो रामस्याह गुणस्तवम्।।2.12.10।।

अपराधं किमुद्दिश्य त्यक्ष्यामीष्टमहं सुतम्।


यदा when, सर्वः all, जीवलोकः living beings of the world, रामस्य Rama's, गुणस्तवम् extoling virtues, आह is telling, (then), कम् what, अपराधम् crime, उद्धिश्य showing, अहम् I, इष्टं सुतम् beloved son, त्यक्ष्यामि I shall abandon.

When all living beings of this world are extoling the virtues of Rama, for what crime should I abandon my beloved son?
कौसल्यां वा सुमित्रां वा त्यजेयमपि वा श्रियम्।।2.12.11।।

जीवितं वाऽत्मनो रामं न त्वेव पितृवत्सलम्।


कौशल्यां वा even Kausalya, सुमित्रां वा or even Sumitra, श्रियमपि वा wealth, आत्मनः my own , जीवितं वा life also, त्यजेयम् shall give up, पितृवत्सलम् who is devoted to his father, रामं तु Rama, न will not leave.

I shall give up Kausalya or Sumitra or all my wealth or even my own life but I cannot leave Rama who is devoted to his father.
परा भवति मे प्रीतिर्दृष्ट्वा तनयमग्रजम्।।2.12.12।।

अपश्यतस्तु मे रामं नष्टा भवति चेतना।


अग्रजम् firstborn, तनयम् son, दृष्ट्वा having seen, मे my, परा supreme, प्रीतिः भवति will be my delight, रामम् Rama, अपश्यतस्तु but if I do not see him, मे my, चेतना life, नष्टा भवति is destroyed.

When I see my firstborn , I experience supreme delight. But if I do not see him, my
life loses its meaning.
तिष्ठेल्लोको विना सूर्यं शस्यं वा सलिलं विना।।2.12.13।।

न तु रामं विना देहे तिष्ठेत्तु मम जीवितम्।


लोकः world, सूर्यं विना without the Sun, तिष्ठेत् can exist, सस्यम् crops, सलिलं विना वा without water, तु but, रामं विना without Rama, मम देहे my body, जीवितम् life, न तिष्ठेत् shall not exist.

This world can exist without the Sun or crops (can be grown) without water but without Rama, life would not exist in my body.
तदलं त्यज्यतामेष निश्चयः पापनिश्चये।।2.12.14।।

अपि ते चरणै मूर्ध्ना स्पृशाम्येष प्रसीद मे।


पापनिश्चये O lady of evil intentions, तत् for that reason, अलम् enough, एषः such, निश्चयः intention, त्यज्यताम् give up, एषः here I, ते चरणौ your feet, मूर्ध्ना with my head, स्पृशाम्यपि
will touch, मे my (to me), प्रसीद you may be pleased.

O lady of evil intentions, enough of this. Give up your resolve. Here I touch your feet with my head. Be pleased with me.
किमिदं चिन्तितं पापे त्वया परमदारुणम्।।2.12.15।।

अथ जिज्ञाससे मां त्वं भरतस्य प्रियाप्रिये।

अस्तु यत्तत्त्वया पूर्वं व्याहृतं राघवं प्रति।।2.12.16।।

स मे ज्येष्ठस्सुत श्रीमान्धर्मज्येष्ठ इतीव मे।

तत्त्वया प्रियवादिन्या सेवार्थं कथितं भवेत्।।2.12.17।।


पापे O sinful one, त्वया by you, परमदारुणम् most dreadful, इदम् this, किम् why, चिन्तितम् thought, अथ or, त्वम् you, माम् me, भरतस्य Bharata's, प्रियाप्रिये about likes or dislikes, जिज्ञाससे enquire, अस्तु let it be so, त्वया by you, राघवं प्रति speaking of Rama, श्रीमान् noble, सः that Rama, मे my, धर्मज्येष्ठः foremost in discharging his duties, सुतः son, इतीव like this, पूर्वम् earlier, तत् that , यत् what words, व्याहृतम् uttered, तत् those, प्रियवादिन्या by a woman speaking sweet words, त्वया by you, सेवार्थम् only to serve(please) me, कथितं भवेत् could have been said.

O sinful one why have you got this most dreadful thought? Do you want to know my likes or dislikes about Bharata? Let them be so.But speaking of Rama earlier, you used to say, 'Rama is my eldest son. He is noble and foremost in discharging his duties.' Such sweet words could not have been said only to please me.
तच्छ्रुत्वा शोकसन्तप्ता सन्तापयसि मां भृशम्।

आविष्टाऽसि गृहं शून्यं सा त्वं परवशं गता।।2.12.18।।


तत् further, सा त्वम् you are such, परवशंगता under the influence of others, श्रुत्वा hearing their words, शोकसन्तप्ता tormented with sorrow, शून्यं गृहम् empty chamber of wrath, आविष्टा असि you have entered, माम् me, भृशम् greatly, सन्तापयसि causing me great pain.

Further you are tormented with sorrow under the influence of others' insinuations. You are causing me great pain by entering the empty chamber of wrath.
इक्ष्वाकूणां कुले देवि सम्प्राप्तस्सुमहानयम्।

अनयो नयसम्पन्ने यत्र ते विकृता मतिः।।2.12.19।।


नयसम्पन्ने endowed with a moral sense, देवि O queen, यत्र wherever, ते your, मतिः mind, विकृता changed, इक्ष्वाकुणां कुले in the Ikshvaku race, सुमहान् very great, अयम् this, अनयः immorality, सम्प्राप्तः has befallen.

O queen, till now you had a moral sense. With your mind debased (now), a very great immorality has infected the Ikshvaku race.
नहि किञ्चिदयुक्तं वा विप्रियं वा पुरा मम।

अकरोस्त्वं विशालाक्षि तेन न श्रद्दधाम्यहम्।।2.12.20।।


विशालाक्षि O largeeyed lady, पुरा in the past, मम to me, किञ्चित् even little, अयुक्तं वा improper, विप्रियं वा or unpalatable, त्वम् you, न अकरोः did not render, तेन for that reason, अहम् I न श्रद्दधामि do not believe.

O largeeyed lady, you have never done anything improper or unpalatable towards me in the past. Therefore I do not believe your words.
ननु ते राघवस्तुल्यो भरतेन महात्मना।

बहुशो हि सुबाले त्वं कथाः कथयसे मम।।2.12.21।।


ते to you, राघवः Raghava, महात्मना highsouled, भरतेन with Bharata, तुल्यः ननु is equal indeed, सुबाले O childish one, त्वम् you, बहुशः several times, मम to me, कथाः कथयसे (मम) हि used to tell (me).

O childish one, you used to tell me several times that Rama is as dear to you as the highsouled Bharata.
तस्य धर्मात्मनो देवि वनवासं यशस्विनः।

कथं रोचयसे भीरु नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च।।2.12.22।।


भीरु O lady, देवि O queen, धर्मात्मनः of that righteous one, यशस्विनः illustrious, तस्य his, नव पञ्च च वर्षाणि fourteen years, वनवासम् to dwell in the forest, कथम् how, रोचयसे wish?

O lady how do you wish this righteous and illustrious Rama to dwell in the forest for fourteen years?
अत्यन्तसुकुमारस्य तस्य धर्मे धृतात्मनः।

कथं रोचयसे वासमरण्ये भृशदारुणे।।2.12.23।।


अत्यन्तसुकुमारस्य exceedingly tender one, धर्मे in virtues, धृतात्मनः firmminded one, तस्य his (Rama's), भृशदारुणे very dreadful, अरण्ये in the forest, वासम् to dwell, कथम् why, रोचयसे you like?

Why do you want Rama who is so tender and a firm follower of dharma to dwell in the highly dreadful forest?
रोचयस्यभिरामस्य रामस्य शुभलोचने।

तव शुश्रूषमाणस्य किमर्थं विप्रवासनम्।।2.12.24।।


शुभलोचने O woman of beautiful eyes, तव to you, शुश्रूषमाणस्य desirous of serving, अभिरामस्य charming, रामस्य Rama's, विप्रवासनम् exile to a distant place, किमर्थम् why, रोचयसि do you desire?

O woman with attractive eyes, why do you want Rama who is so charming and serving you to be exiled to a distant place?
रामो हि भरताद्भूयस्तव शुश्रूषते सदा।

विशेषं त्वयि तस्मात्तु भरतस्य न लक्षये।।2.12.25।।


रामः Rama, भरतात् more than Bharata, भूयः still more, सदा always, तव to you, शुश्रूषते is doing service, तस्मात्तु for that reason also, त्वयि in you, भरतस्य Bharata's, विशेषम् speciality, न लक्षये I do not see.

Rama is doing greater service to you than Bharata. Therefore, I do not find any reason for you to have a special love for Bharata.
शुश्रूषां गौरवं चैव प्रमाणं वचनक्रियाम्।

कस्ते भूयस्तरं कुर्यादन्यत्र मनुजर्षभात्।।2.12.26।।

बहूनां स्त्रीसहस्राणां बहूनां चोपजीविनाम्।


बहूनाम् many, स्त्रीसहस्राणाम् thousands of women, बहूनाम् many, उपजीविनाम् attendants, अन्यत्र मनुजर्षभात् other than Rama who is the best among men, कः who, ते to you, भूयस्तरम् great, शुश्रूषाम् service, गौरवम् honour, प्रमाणं चैव trusting your words as true, वचनक्रियाम् carrying out your orders, कुर्यात् will do?

There are many thousands of women and attendants (in the inner apartment), but who will do greater service and honour you more than Rama, the best among men in the execution of your orders.
परिवादोऽपवादो वा राघवे नोपपद्यते।।2.12.27।।

सान्त्वयन्सर्वभूतानि राम श्शुद्धेन चेतसा।

गृह्णाति मनुजव्याघ्र प्रियैर्विषयवासिनः।।2.12.28।।


राघवे in the matter of Rama, परिवादः word of blame, अपवादो वा or word of reproach, नोपपद्यते does not aply to him, मनुजव्याघ्रः a tiger among men, रामः Rama, शुद्धेन with pure, चेतसा heart, सर्वभूतानि all beings, सान्त्वयन् while appeasing, विषयवासिनः inhabitants of the country, प्रियैः by doing acts dear to them, गृह्णाति attracts them.

The best among men, Rama has won the trust of the inhabitants of the country by securing their affection with a pure heart and by doing acts dear to them. Therefore, neither a word of blame nor reproach applies to this scion of the Raghu dynasty (Rama).
सत्येन लोकान् जयति दीनान् दानेन राघवः।

गुरूञ्छुश्रूषया वीरो धनुषा युधि शात्रवान्।।2.12.29।।


वीरः hero, राघवः Rama, सत्येन by truth, लोकान् the people, दानेन by charity, दीनान् the poor, जयति wins over, शुश्रूषया by his service, गुरून् his preceptors, युधि in battle, धनुषा by the power of his bow, शात्रवान् enemies, जयति conquers.

Rama is a hero who wins over the people by his truthfulness, the poor by charity, the preceptors by his service and the enemies in the battle by the power of his bow.
सत्यं दानं तपस्त्यागो मित्रता शौचमार्जवम्।

विद्या च गुरुशुश्रूषा ध्रुवाण्येतानि राघवे।।2.12.30।।


सत्यम् truth, दानम् munificence, तपः asceticism, त्यागः renunciation, शौचम् purity, आर्जवम् uprightness, विद्या च also learning, गुरुशुश्रूषा service to his superiors, एतानि all these, राघवे in Rama, ध्रुवाणि are firmly fixed.

Truth, munificence, asceticism, renunciation, purity, uprightness, learning and service to his superiors all those (virtues) are firmly planted in this descendant of the Raghus.
तस्मिन्नार्जवसम्पन्ने देवि देवोपमे कथम्।

पापमाशंससे रामे महर्षिसमतेजसि।।2.12.31।।


देवि O Devi आर्जवसम्पन्ने one endowed with uprightness, देवोपमे resembling gods, महर्षिसमतेजसि equal to great ascetics in lustre, तस्मिन् रामे in that Rama, कथम् how, पापम् harm, आशंससे wish.

How do you, O Devi, wish to harm Rama who is endowed with uprightness, who resembles the gods and in lustre to great ascetics?
न स्मराम्यप्रियं वाक्यं लोकस्य प्रियवादिनः।

स कथं त्वत्कृते रामं वक्ष्यामि प्रियमप्रियम्।।2.12.32।।


लोकस्य in this world, प्रियवादिनः one who speaks pleasing words, अप्रियम् unpleasant, वाक्यम् words, न स्मरामि I do not recollect, सः such a person, प्रियम् beloved, रामम् to Rama, त्वत्कृते for your sake, अप्रियम् unpleasant, कथम् how, वक्ष्यामि can I tell?

How can I, for your sake, speak harsh to my beloved Rama who uses pleasing words to the people of the world, and never an unpleasant word which I can recall?
क्षमा यस्मिन्दमस्त्याग सत्यं धर्मः कृतज्ञता।

अप्यहिंसा च भूतानां तमृते का गतिर्मम।।2.12.33।।


यस्मिन् in whom, क्षमा forgiveness, दमः forbearance, त्यागः renunciation, सत्यम् truthfulness, धर्मः righteousness, कृतज्ञता gratefulness, अपि च and also, भूतानाम् for all living beings, अहिंसा nonviolence, तम् ऋते without him (Rama), मम to me, का गतिः where is the refuge?

Where is the refuge for me without him in whom dwell forgiveness, forbearance, renunciation, truthfulness, righteousness, gratefulness and also nonviolence towards all living beings?
मम वृद्धस्य कैकेयि गतान्तस्य तपस्विनः।

दीनं लालप्यमानस्य कारुण्यं कर्तुमर्हसि।।2.12.34।।


कैकेयि O Kaikeyi, वृद्धस्य of the aged, गतान्तस्य on the verge of death, तपस्विनः wretched, दीनम् pitifully, लालप्यमानस्य wailing, मम to me, कारुण्यम् mercy, कर्तुम् to show, अर्हसि behoves you.

O Kaikeyi, you should show mercy to this wretched, old man on the verge of death, wailing pitifully.
पृथिव्यां सागरान्तायां यत्किञ्चिदधिगम्यते।

तत्सर्वं तव दास्यामि मा च त्वां मन्युराविशेत्।।2.12.35।।


सागरान्तायम् bounded by ocean, पृथिव्याम् on this earth, यत्किञ्चित् whatever, अधिगम्यते can be secured, तत् सर्वम् all that, तव to you, दास्यामि shall give त्वाम् you, मन्युः anger, मा आविशेत् do not possess.

I shall give you all that can be secured on this earth bounded by the ocean. Show no anger.
अञ्जलिं करोमि कैकेयि पादौ चापि स्पृशामि ते।

शरणं भव रामस्य माऽधर्मो मामिह स्पृशेत्।।2.12.36।।


कैकेयि O Kaikeyi, अञ्जलिं करोमि I bow to you with folded palms, ते your, पादौ feet, स्पृशामि चापि I touch too, रामस्य for Rama, शरणम् भव be the saviour, माम् me, अधर्मः sin, इह in this matter, मा स्पृशेत् may not touch.

O Kaikeyi I bow to you with folded palms. I touch your feet, too. Be the saviour of Rama. Let no sin taint me here (in this life).
इति दुःखाभिसन्तप्तं विलपन्तमचेतनम्।

घूर्णमानं महाराजं शोकेन समभिप्लुतम्।।2.12.37।।

पारं शोकार्णवस्याशु प्रार्थयन्तं पुनः पुनः।

प्रत्युवाचाथ कैकेयी रौद्रा रौद्रतरं वचः।।2.12.38।।


अथ after that, रौद्रा cruelnatured, कैकेयी Kaikeyi, इति in this way, दुःखाभिसन्तप्तम्
tormented with grief, विलपन्तम् lamenting, अचेतनम् unconscions, घूर्णमानम् (head) reeling, शोकेन with pain, समभिप्लुतम् overwhelmed, पुनः पुनः again and again, शोकार्णवस्य of the ocean of sorrow, पारम् to the other side, आशु quickly, प्रार्थयन्तम् beseeching, राजानम् to the king, रौद्रतरम् more fierce, वचः words, प्रत्युवाच replied.

Then the fierce Kaikeyi used fiercer words in reply to the king who was tormented with grief and filled with tears, senses switched off, head reeling, overwhelmed with pain, beseeching again and again to ferry him across the ocean of sorrow as quickly as possible:
यदि दत्त्वा वरौ राजन्पुनः प्रत्यनुतप्यसे।

धार्मिकत्वं कथं वीर पृथिव्यां कथयिष्यसि।।2.12.39।।


राजन् O king, वरौ boons, दत्वा having given, प्रत्यनुतप्यसे यदि if you are repenting like this, वीर valiant, पृथिव्याम् on this earth, धार्मिकत्वम् righteousness, कथम् how, कथयिष्यसि will you
speak?

O valiant king, if you repent like this after having given two boons, how will you talk about your righteousness on this earth?
यदा समेता बहवस्त्वया राजर्षय स्सह।

कथयिष्यन्ति धर्मज्ञ तत्र किं प्रतिवक्ष्यसि।।2.12.40।।


धर्मज्ञ O knower of righteousness, त्वया by you, समेताः assemble together, बहवः innumerable, राजर्षयः rajarshis, यदा when, कथयिष्यन्ति they speak for, तत्र then, किम् what, प्रतिवक्ष्यसि what will you answer?

O knower of righteousness when innumerable rajarshis assemble and ask you on this what answer will you give?
यस्याः प्रसादे जीवामि या च मामभ्यपालयत्।

तस्याः कृतम् मया मिथ्या कैकेय्या इति वक्षयसि।।2.12.41।।


यस्याः of whose, प्रसादे mercy, जीवामि I am alive, या such, माम् me, अभ्यपालयत् protected, तस्याः such, कैकेय्याः Kaikeyi's, मया by me, मिथ्याकृतम् broken the promise, इति like this, वक्ष्यसि will you tell?

Will you say, 'To such a Kaikeyi by whose mercy I am alive and by whom I was protected, I have broken the promise given'?
किल्बिषत्वं नरेन्द्राणां करिष्यसि नराधिप।

यो दत्वा वरमद्यैव पुनरन्यानि भाषसे।।2.12.42।।


नराधिप O king, यः such you are, अद्यैव right now, वरम् a boon, दत्वा having given, पुनः again, अन्यानि other than those words, भाषसे are speaking, त्वम् you, नरेन्द्राणाम् for kings, किल्बिषत्वम् blemish, करिष्यसि you are bringing.

O king, right now having given two boons, you are speaking otherwise. You are bringing blemish to kings (of the Ikshwaku race)
शैब्यश्श्येनकपोतीये स्वमांसं पक्षिणे ददौ।

अलर्कश्चक्षुषी दत्वा जगाम गतिमुत्तमाम्।।2.12.43।।


श्येनकपोतीये in the conflict between a hawk and a pigeon, शैब्यः king Saibya, पक्षिणे to the hawk, स्वमांसम् his own flesh, ददौ gave, अलर्कः king Alarka, चक्षुषी eyes, दत्वा having given, उत्तमां गतिम् highest state, जगाम attained.

(King) Saibya gave his own flesh to the hawk in the conflict between the hawk and the pigeon. (King) Alarka gave his eyes (to a blind man) and attained the highest state.
सागरस्समयं कृत्वा न वेलामतिवर्तते।

समयं माऽनृतं कार्षीः पूर्ववृत्तमनुस्मरन्।।2.12.44।।


सागरः ocean, समयम् vow, कृत्वा having made, वेलाम् the shore, अतिवर्तते does not cross, पूर्ववृत्तम् history of the earlier kings, अनुस्मरन् recollecting, समयम् the vow, अनृतम् false, मा कार्षीः do not make.

Having made the vow (to the gods), the ocean does not advance beyond the shore. Recollect the history of the earlier kings and do not make the vow false.
स त्वं धर्मं परित्यज्य रामं राज्येऽभिषिच्य च।

सह कौसल्यया नित्यं रन्तुमिच्छसि दुर्मते।।2.12.45।।


दुर्मते O wickedminded one, सः त्वम् you are such, धर्मम् righteousness, परित्यज्य deserting, रामम् of Rama, राज्ये in the kingdom, अभिषिच्य च having installed, कौसल्यया सह along with Kausalya, नित्यम् always, रन्तुम् to enjoy, इच्छसि are you desiring.

O wickedminded one, deserting righteousness and installing Rama in the kingdom,
you want to enjoy life with Kausalya everafter?
भवत्वधर्मो धर्मो वा सत्यं वा यदि वाऽनृतम्।

यत्त्वया संश्रुतं मह्यं तस्य नास्ति व्यतिक्रमः।।2.12.46।।


अधर्मः unrighteousness, धर्मो वा or righteousness, सत्यं वा or true, यदि वा or, अनृतम् false, भवतु let it be so, त्वया by you, मह्यम् for me, यत् whatever, संश्रुतम् was promised, तस्य for that, व्यतिक्रमः deviation, नास्ति is not there.

Whether righteous or unrighteous, true or false, there is no deviation from what you have promised to me.
अहं हि विषमद्यैव पीत्वा बहु तवाग्रतः।

पश्यतस्ते मरिष्यामि रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते।।2.12.47।।


रामः Rama, अभिषिच्यते यदि if installed (as princeregent), अहम् I, अद्यैव today itself, तव your, अग्रतः presence, बहु excessive, विषम् poison, पीत्वा drinking, ते पश्यतः even as you
are watching, मरिष्यामि हि will indeed die.

If Rama is coronated I will die while as you are watching right in your presence today itself by drinking excessive poison.
एकाहमपि पश्येयं यद्यहं राममातरम्।

अञ्जलिं प्रतिगृह्णन्तीं श्रेयो ननु मृतिर्मम।।2.12.48।।


अहम् I, एकाहमपि even for a day, राम मातरम् Rama's mother, अञ्जलिम् homage, प्रति गृह्णन्तीम् receving, पश्येयं यदि if I were to see, मम my, मृतिः death, श्रेयः ननु is preferable to me.

If I were to see Rama's mother receiving homage from everybody even for a day, I shall prefer my death.
भरतेनात्मना चाहं शपे ते मनुजाधिप।

यथा नान्येन तुष्येयमृते रामविवासनात्।।2.12.49।।


मनुजाधिप O chief of men, भरतेन by Bharata, आत्मना च on my own life, ते to you, शपे I swear, यथा that, रामनिवासनात् ऋते except banishment of Rama (to forest), अन्येन by any other (means), न तुष्येयम् I will not be satisfied.

O king, I swear on Bharata and on my own life that nothing less than Rama's banishment will satisfy me.
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं कैकेयी विरराम ह।

विलपन्तं च राजानं न प्रतिव्याजहार सा।।2.12.50।।


कैकेयी Kaikeyi, एतावत् to this extent, वचनम् words, उक्त्वा having spoken, विरराम ह remained silent, विलपन्तम् lamenting, राजानम् to the king, सा she, न प्रतिव्याजहार did not speak in reply.

Kaikeyi, having spoken to this extent remained silent. She heeded not the lament of
the king.
श्रुत्वा तु राजा कैकेय्या वृतं परमशोभनम्।

रामस्य च वने वासमैश्वर्यं भरतस्य च।।2.12.51।।

नाभ्यभाषत कैकेयीं मुहूर्तं व्याकुलेन्द्रियः।


राजा तु as regards the king, कैकेय्या by Kaikeyi, वृतम् asked for, परम् very, अशोभनम् inauspicious, रामस्य Rama's, वने वासम् exile to the forest, भरतस्य Bharata's, ऐश्वर्यं च wealth (enthronement), श्रुत्वा having heard, मुहूर्तम् for a moment, व्याकुलेन्द्रिय: with agitated senses, कैकेयीम् to Kaikeyi, नाभ्यभाषत did not speak.

Having heard of the highly unfair demands by Kaikeyi for Rama's exile to the forest and Bharata's prosperity (enthronement), the king was dumbstruck for a while with his senses agitated. He did not speak to Kaikeyi.
प्रैक्षतानिमिषो देवीं प्रियामप्रियवादिनीम्।।2.12.52।।

तां हि वज्रसमां वाचमाकर्ण्य हृदयाप्रियाम्।

दुःखशोकमयीं घोरां राजा न सुखितोऽभवत्।।2.12.53।।


अप्रियवादिनीम् to one who speaks unpleasant words, प्रियाम् to the beloved, देवीम् to the queen, अनिमिषः unblinking eyes, प्रैक्षत gazed, वज्रसमाम् resembling a thunderbolt, हृदयाप्रियाम् unpleasant to the heart, दुःखशोकमयीम् filled with grief and anguish, घोराम् dreadful, तां वाचम् those words, आकर्ण्य having listened, राजा king, सुखितः happy, न अभूत् did not become.

The unhappy king intently fixed his gaze at his beloved queen speaking unpleasant words charged with grief and anguish, unpleasant to the heart like the dreadful thunderbolt.
स देव्या व्यवसायं च घोरं च शपथं कृतम्।

ध्यात्वा रामेति निश्श्वस्य छिन्न स्तरुरिवापतत्।।2.12.54।।


सः he, देव्याः the queen's, व्यवसायं च determination, कृतम् having made, घोरम् dreadful, शपथं च vow, ध्यात्वा reflecting, निश्श्वस्य sighing, राम इति crying 'Rama', छिन्नः severed, तरुरिव like a tree, अपतत् fell down.

Reflecting on the determination of the queen and her dreadful vow, the king sighed and cried, 'O Rama' and then fell down like a tree severed.
नष्टचित्तो यथोन्मत्तो विपरीतो यथाऽतुरः।

हृततेजा यथा सर्पो बभूव जगतीपतिः।।2.12.55।।


जगतीपतिः lord of the earth, नष्टचित्तः the mind deranged, उन्मत्तः यथा like a madman, विपरीतः behaving in a contrary manner, आतुरः यथा like a sick person, हृततेजाः with its taken away (by mantra), सर्पः यथा like a serpent, बभूव became.

The lord of the earth (Dasaratha) became like a man with the mind deranged, like a sick man behaving to the contrary, like a serpent with its energy drained (through mantra).
दीनया तु गिरा राजा इति होवाच कैकयीम्।

अनर्थमिममर्थाभं केन त्वमुपदर्शिता।।2.12.56।।

भूतोपहतचित्तेव ब्रुवन्ती मां न लज्जसे।


राजा king, दीनया humble, गिरा words, कैकयीम् to Kaikeyi, इति thus, उवाच ह spoke, अर्थाभम् appearing beneficial to you, अनर्थम् such calamitous act, केन for what, त्वम् you, उपदर्शिता exhibited?, भूतोपहतचित्तेव faculties possessed by evil spirit, माम् me, ब्रुवन्ती while speaking, न लज्जसे (you) do not feel ashamed.

The king addressed Kaikeyi in humble words saying, Why did you exhibit this unfortunate act apparently beneficial to you? You are not ashamed of saying this like one whose faculties are possessed by an evil spirit.
शीलव्यसनमेतत्ते नाभिजानाम्यहं पुरा।।2.12.57।।

बालायास्तत्त्वितिदानीं ते लक्षये विपरीतवत्।


पुरा earlier, बालायाः when you were young, ते your, एतत् this, शीलव्यसनम् perverse behaviour, अहम् I, नाभिजानामि did not know, तु but, इदानीम् now, ते your, तत् about that, लक्षये perceiving, विपरीतवत् reverse of it.

I never knew earlier when you were young that you possessed such perverse behaviour. But now I perceive the reverse (of what I knew).
कुतो वा ते भयं जातं या त्वमेवंविधं वरम्।।2.12.58।।

राष्ट्रे भरतमासीनं वृणीषे राघवं वने।


ते to you, कुतः वा from where, भयम् fear, जातम् was born, या you, भरतम् to Bharata, राष्ट्रे in the kingdom, आसीनम् seated, राघवम् to Rama, वने in the forest, एवं विधम् this type of, वरम् a boon, वृणीषे you are asking for.

You are asking for a boon that Bharata should be enthroned in the kingdom while Rama should live in the forest. From where did you get this apprehension?
विरमैतेन भावेन त्वमेतेनानृतेन वा।।2.12.59।।

यदि भर्तुः प्रियं कार्यं लोकस्य भरतस्य च।


भर्तुः of your husband, लोकस्य of this world, भरतस्य च of Bharata also, प्रियम् beneficence, कार्यं यदि if you wish to do, एतेन भावेन with this thought (that Bharata should become king), अनृतेन with falsehood, एतेन वा or with such thought of exiling Rama, त्वम् you, विरम refrain.

If you wish to do good to your husband, to the world and also to Bharata, refrain from this illusory thought.
नृशंसे पापसङ्कल्पे क्षुद्रे दुष्कृतकारिणि।।2.12.60।।

किन्नु दुखमलीकं वा मयि रामे च पश्यसि।


नृशंसे O cruel one, पापसङ्कल्पे O (woman) of sinful resolve, क्षुद्रे O vile (creature), दुष्कृतकारिणि O woman of evil deeds, मयि in me, रामे च also in Rama, किं नु what, दुःखम् wrong, अलीकं वा or sin, पश्यसि see?

O cruel one, O woman of sinful resolve, O vile (creature), O woman of evil deeds, what wrong or sin do you really see in Rama or in me.
न कथञ्चिदृते रामाद्भरतो राज्यमावसेत्।।2.12.61।।

रामादपि हि तं मन्ये धर्मतो बलवत्तरम्।


रामादृते depriving Rama, भरतः Bharata, कथञ्चित् by whatever means, राज्यम् kingdom, न
आवसेत् will not occupy, हि because, तम् him, रामादपि more than Rama, धर्मतः righteously, बलवत्तरम् stronger, मन्ये I consider.

Depriving Rama, Bharata in no way will occupy the kingdom because in the matter of righteousness I think he is superior even to Rama.
कथं द्रक्ष्यामि रामस्य वनं गच्छेति भाषिते।।2.12.62।।

मुखवर्णं विवर्णं तु तं यथैवेन्दुमुपप्लुतम्।


वनं गच्छ go to the forest, इति like that, भाषिते on saying, उपप्लुतम् eclipsed, इन्दुं यथा like moon, विवर्णम् pale, रामस्य Rama's, मुखम् face, कथम् how, द्रक्ष्यामि shall I see.

While instructing Rama to go to the forest, how can I look at his face, pale like the eclipsed moon?
तां हि मे सुकृतां बुद्धिं सुहृद्भिस्सह निश्चिताम्।।2.12.63।।

कथं द्रक्ष्याम्यपावृत्तां परैरिव हतां चमूम्।

किं मां वक्ष्यन्ति राजानो नानादिग्भ्य स्समागताः।।2.12.64।।

बालो बताऽयमैक्ष्वाकश्चिरं राज्यमकारयत्।


सुकृताम् well thoughtout, सुहृद्भि: सह in consultation with friends, निश्चिताम् has been decided, मे I, तां बुद्धिम् that decision, परैः by enemies, हताम् defeated, चमूमिव like the army, अपावृत्ताम् retreating, कथम् how, द्रक्ष्यामि can I see, नानादिग्भ्यः from different directions, समागताः men assembled, राजानः all kings, माम् about me, किम् what, वक्ष्यन्ति they will speak of, बालः ignorant one, अयम् ऐक्ष्वाकः this Dasaratha, चिरम् for a long time, राज्यम् kingdom, अकारयत् ruled.

I have taken this decision in consultation with friends to install Rama. How can I see such a decision being reversed like a retreating army defeated by enemies? Kings from different quarters have already arrived and they will say, How did this ignorant descendant of the Ikshakus (Dasaratha) rule this kingdom for such a long time?
यदा तु बहवो वृद्धा गुणवन्तो बहुश्रुताः।।2.12.65।।

परिप्रक्ष्यन्ति काकुत्स्थं वक्ष्यामि किमहं तदा।


गुणवन्तः virtuous men, बहुश्रुताः welllearned, बहवः वृद्धाः many elders, काकुत्स्थम् about this scion of the Kakutstha race (Rama), यदा when, परिप्रक्ष्यन्ति when they question (me), तदा then, अहम् I, किं वक्ष्यामि what shall I tell (them)?

When several virtuous and learned elders ask me about Rama, what shall I tell them?
कैकेय्या क्लिश्यमानेन रामः प्रव्राजितो मया।।2.12.66।।

यदि सत्यं ब्रवीम्येतत्तदसत्यं भविष्यति।


कैकेय्या by Kaikeyi, क्लिश्यमानेन by being tortured, मया by me, रामः Rama, वनम् to the forest, प्रव्राजितः was sent, एतत् this, सत्यम् truth, ब्रवीमि यदि if I tell, तत् that, असत्यम् untruth, भविष्यति will become.

If I tell the truth 'Tortured by Kaikeyi, I have sent Rama to the forest', none will believe it and they will consider it untruth.
किं मां वक्ष्यति कौशल्या राघवे वनमास्थिते।।2.12.67।।

किं चैनां प्रतिवक्ष्यामि कृत्वा विप्रियमीदृशम्।


राघवे Rama, वनम् to the forest, आस्थिते takes refuge, कौशल्या Kausalya, माम् about me, किं वक्ष्यति what will she say, ईदृशम् such, वि(अ)प्रियम् unpleasant act, कृत्वा च having done, एनाम् to her, किम् what, प्रतिवक्ष्यामि reply can I give.

If Rama takes refuge in the forest, what will Kausalya say to me? Having committed such an unpleasant act, what reply can I give her?
यदा यदा हि कौशल्या दासीवच्च सखीव च।।2.12.68।।

भार्यावद्भगिनीवच्च मातृवच्चोपतिष्ठति।

सततं प्रियकामा मे प्रियपुत्रा प्रियंवदा।।2.12.69।।

न मया सत्कृता देवी सत्कारार्हा कृते तव।


देवि O Kaikeyi, सततम् always, मे प्रियकामा cherishing my welfare, प्रियपुत्रा giving birth to a beloved son, प्रियंवदा sweetspoken, कौशल्या Kausalya, यदा यदा हि whenever, दासीवच्च like an attendant, सखी वच्च like a friend, भार्यावत् like a wife, भगिनी वच्च like a sister, मातृवच्च like a mother, उपतिष्ठति served, सत्कारार्हा fit to receive courteous treatment, तव कृते because of you, मया by me, न सत्कृता never received attention.

Sweetspoken Kausalya who always cherishes my welfare. who has given me my beloved son, who has served me like an attendant, a friend, a wife, a sister and a mother deserved courteous treatment from me, but because of you, she never received due attention from me.
इदानीं तत्तपति मां यन्मया सुकृतं त्वयि।।2.12.70।।

अपथ्यव्यञ्जनोपेतं भुक्तमन्नमिवातुरम्।


मया by me, त्वयि in you, सुकृतं what favour has been done, तत् that one, अपथ्यव्यञ्जनोपेतम् mixed with unwholesome curry, भुक्तम् eaten, अन्नम् rice, आतुरमिव like a sick person, इदानीम् now, माम् me, तपति is burning me.

I have done many favours to you. Like a sick person afflicted by eating rice mixed with unwholesome curry, those acts of kindness are burning me now.
विप्रकारं च रामस्य सम्प्रयाणं वनस्य च।।2.12.71।।

सुमित्रा प्रेक्ष्य वै भीता कथं मे विश्वसिष्यति।


रामस्य Rama's, विप्रकारम् insult, वनस्य to the forest, सम्प्रयाणं च journey, प्रेक्ष्य on seeing, भीता frightened, सुमित्रा Sumitra, कथम् how, मे in me, विश्वसिष्यति will have confidence.

In seeing the insult meted out to Rama and his journey to the forest, how will frightened Sumitra have confidence in me?
कृपणं बत वैदेही श्रोष्यति द्वयमप्रियम्।।2.12.72।।

मां च पञ्चत्वमापन्नं रामं च वनमाश्रितम्।


वैदेही Sita, माम् my, पञ्चत्वम् आपन्नम् having been dead, रामम् of Rama, वनम् आश्रितम् taking refuge in the forest, अप्रियम् unpleasant, द्वयम् two events, कृपणम् in a pitiable state, श्रोष्यति will listen, बत alas.

Alas Sita will listen in a pitiable state the two unpleasant events namely my death and Rama's exile to the foest.
वैदेही बत मे प्राणान्शोचन्ती क्षपयिष्यति।।2.12.73।।

हीना हिमवतः पार्श्वे किन्नरेणेव किन्नरी।


हिमवतः पार्श्वे on the Himalayan slopes, किन्नरेण with Kinnera, हीना forsaken by, किन्नरीव like
a Kinneri, शोचन्ती lamenting, वैदेही Vaidehi, मे प्राणान् my life, क्षपयिष्यति will throw away, बत what a pity

What a pity Vaidehi, lamenting like a Kinnari forsaken by a Kinnara on the Himalayan slopes, will cause death to me.
न हि राममहं दृष्ट्वा प्रवसन्तं महावने।।2.12.74।।

चिरं जीवितुमाशंसे रुदन्तीं चापि मैथिलीम्।


अहम् I, महावने in that wilderness, प्रवसन्तम् living, रामम् to Rama, रुदतीम् crying, मैथिलीं च and Sita, दृष्ट्वा having seen, चिरम् for a long time, जीवितुम् to survive, न आशंसे हि indeed do not hope.

With Rama living in the wilderness and Sita crying, I do not hope to survive for long, indeed.
सा नूनं विधवा राज्यं सपुत्रा कारयिष्यसि।।2.12.75।।

न हि प्रव्राजिते रामे देवि जीवितुमुत्सहे।


सा such you are, विधवा as a widow, सपुत्रा with your son, नूनम् certainly, राज्यं कारयिष्यसि will rule the kingdom, देवि O Devi रामे प्रव्राजिते after Rama is exiled, जीवितुम् to live, न उत्सहे हि do not desire.

O Devi you will certainly rule the kingdom as a widow along with your son. (But) I do not wish to live after Rama is exiled.
सतीं त्वामहमत्यन्तं व्यवस्याम्यसतीं सतीम्।

रूपिणीं विषसंयुक्तां पीत्वेव मदिरां नरः।।2.12.76।।


रूपिणीम् beautiful, अत्यन्तम् extremely, असतीं सतीम् being an unchaste woman, त्वाम् you, नरः people, विषसंयुक्ताम् mixed with poison, मदिराम् wine, पीत्वेव having partaken, सतीम् like a chaste woman, व्यवस्यामि I have a sure belief.

Like people regarding wine mixed with poison as fine before drinking it, I had a firm belief that you were a chaste woman, but while you who look extremely beautiful you are actually not so.
अनृतैर्बहु मां सान्त्वै स्सान्त्वयन्ती स्म भाषसे।

गीतशब्देन संरुध्य लुब्धो मृगमिवावधीः।।2.12.77।।


अनृतैः untrue, सान्त्वै: with pleasing words, माम् me, बहु greatly, सान्त्वयन्ती while you are appeasing, भाषसे स्म used to speak, लुब्धः hunter, गीतशब्देन sound of music, संरुध्य having trapped, मृगम् इव like a deer, अवधीः killed (me).

You used to console me with so many words pleasing but untrue and you killed me like a hunter getting the deer trapped and slaughtered through the melody of music.
अनार्य इति मामार्याः पुत्रविक्रायकं ध्रुवम्।

धिक्करिष्यन्ति रथ्यासु सुरापं ब्राह्मणं यथा।।2.12.78।।


आर्याः respectable people, पुत्रविक्रायिकम् a seller of one's own son, माम् me, सुरापम् a consumer of liquor, ब्राह्मणं यथा like a brahmin, अनार्य इति as a mean person, रथ्यासु on the highway, ध्रुवम् certainly, धिक्करिष्यन्ति will censure me.

Respectable people on the highway will certainly say 'He sold away his son' and censure me as a mean person like a brahmin consuming liquor.
अहो दुःखमहो कृच्छ्रं यत्र वाचः क्षमे तव।

दुःखमेवंविधं प्राप्तं पुराकृतमिवाशुभम्।।2.12.79।।


अहो दुःखम् what a great sorrow, अहो कृच्छ्रम् what a great calamity, यत्र where, तव your, वाचः words, क्षमे endure, पुराकृतम् formerly committed, अशुभम् इव like sin, एवं विधम् in this way, दुःखम् sorrow, प्राप्तम् has befallen.

What suffering What a calamity that I am made to put up with your words. I am subject to this suffering may be as expiation for the sin formerly committed.
चिरं खलु मया पापे त्वं पापेनाभिरक्षिता।

अज्ञानादुपसम्पन्ना रज्जुरुद्बन्धिनी यथा।।2.12.80।।


पापे O wretch पापेन in my folly, मया by me, अज्ञानात् through ignorance, चिरम् for a long time, अभिरक्षिता protected, त्वम् you, उद्बन्धिनी serving for hanging, रज्जु: यथा like rope उपसम्पन्ना arrived.

O wretch I protected you in my folly for a long time through ignorance, like a rope preserved which turned out to be a noose to hang me with.
रममाणस्त्वया सार्धं मृत्युं त्वां नाभिलक्षये।

बालो रहसि हस्तेन कृष्णसर्पमिवास्पृशम्।।2.12.81।।


त्वया सार्धम् together with you, रममाणः while sporting, त्वाम् you, मृत्युम् as death, नाभिलक्षये did not mark, बालः like a child, रहसि in a solitary place, हस्तेन with hand, कृष्णसर्पमिव like a black cobra, अस्पृशम् touched.

While sporting with you, I did not realize you were death incarnate. Like a child handling a black cobra I caressed you.
मया ह्यपितृकः पुत्र स्समहात्मा दुरात्मना।

तं तु मां जीवलोकोऽयं नूनमाक्रोष्टुमर्हति।।2.12.82।।


महात्मा magnanimous, सः that Rama, दुरात्मना by the wickedminded, मया by me, अपितृकः without father, तम् such, माम् me, अयम् this, जीवलोकः world of living beings, नूनम् certainly, अक्रोष्ठुम् to condemn, अर्हति is entitled.

Wicked I am, I have made that magnanimous Rama fatherless. This world of living beings is certainly entitled to condemn me.
बालिशो बत कामात्मा राजा दशरथो भृशम्।

यः स्त्रीकृते प्रियं पुत्रं वनं प्रस्थापयिष्यति।।2.12.83।।


यः Dasaratha, स्त्रीकृते for the sake of a woman, प्रियम् dear, पुत्रम् son, वनं प्रस्थापयिष्यति sending to the forests, कामात्मा lustful, राजा दशरथः king Dasaratha, भृशम् greatly, बालिशः foolish one, बत alas.

(They will say), 'Alas how utterly foolish and lustful is king Dasaratha who is sending his beloved son to the forest for the sake of a woman'.
व्रतैश्च ब्रह्मचर्यैश्च गुरुभिश्चोपकर्शितः।

भोगकाले महत्कृच्छ्रं पुनरेव प्रपत्स्यते।।2.12.84।।


व्रतैः च due to observing vows, ब्रह्मचर्यैश्च by observance of vows of celibacy, गुरुभिश्च by preceptors, उपकर्शितः emaciated, भोगकाले at the time of enjoying pleasures, पुनः एव again now, महत् great, कृच्छ्रम् hardship, प्रपत्स्यते is going to undergo.

'(Rama) already emaciated by observing vows related to ritual and celibacy in compliance with the orders of the preceptors has to undergo hardships again at a time when he should enjoy pleasures (of life)'.
नालं द्वितीयं वचनं पुत्रो मां प्रतिभाषितुम्।

स वनं प्रव्रजेत्युक्तो बाढमित्येव वक्ष्यति।।2.12.85।।


पुत्रः (my) son, मां प्रति about me, द्वितीयम् second, वचनम् word, भाषितुम् to say, नालम् is not able, वनं व्रज go to the forest, इति in this way, उक्तः if told, सः he, बाढम् इत्येव Certainly so, वक्ष्यति will say.

My son Rama will not say a second word to me, if I tell him 'Go to the forest'.He will say, 'Certainly so'.
यदि मे राघवः कुर्याद्वनं गच्छेति चोदितः।

प्रतिकूलं प्रियं मे स्यान्न तु वत्सः करिष्यति।।2.12.86।।


राघवः descendant of the Raghus (Rama), वनं to the forest, गच्छ go, इति like that, चोदितः urged, मे to me, प्रतिकूलं contrary, कुर्यात् यदि if he does, तत् that, मे for me, प्रियं स्यात् will be welcome, वत्सः तु but my son, न करिष्यति will not do.

If this scion of the Raghu race (Rama) urged to go to the forest acts against my order, it will be welcome but my son will not do it.
शुद्धभावो हि भावं मे न तु ज्ञास्यति राघवः।।2.12.87।।

स वनं प्रब्रजे त्युक्तो बाढ मित्येव वक्षयति।


शुद्धभावः pure in thought, राघवः descendant of the Raghus (Rama), मे my, भावं तु intention, न ज्ञास्यति हि will not know, सः he, वनं to the forest, प्रव्रज go into exile, इति thus, उक्तः said by me, बाढम् इति एव certainly so, वक्ष्यति he will say.

The descendant of the Raghus (Rama) who is pure in thought will not come to know my intention. Therefore if I tell him 'Go to the forest,' he will say, 'Certainly so'.
राघवे हि वनं प्राप्ते सर्वलोकस्य धिक्कृतम्।।2.12.88।।

मृत्युरक्षमणीयं मां नयिष्यति यमक्षयम्।


राघवे the scion of the Raghu dynasty (Rama), वनं प्राप्ते reaches the forest, सर्वलोकस्य for the entire world, धिक्कृतम् contemptible, अक्षमणीयम् unpardonable, माम् me, मृत्युः death, यमक्षयम् to the abode of death, नयिष्यति will conduct.

If Rama goes to the forest, the god of death will conduct me to his abode, for condemned by the entire world, I shall not be forgiven (even by Yama).
मृते मयि गते रामे वनं मनुजपुङ्गवे।।2.12.89।।

इष्टे मम जने शेषे किं पापं प्रतिपत्स्यसे।


मनुजपुङ्गवे eminent among men, रामे Rama, वनं गते after he has gone to the forest, मयि when I, मृते having been dead, शेषे the remaining, मम इष्टे जने when my wellwishers, किम् what, पापम् harmful acts, प्रतिपत्स्यसे you are thinking of.

With me dead and Rama, the best among men, banished, what harmful acts are you contemplating against my wellwishers?
कौशल्या मां च रामं च पुत्रौ च यदि हास्यति।।2.12.90।।

दुःखान्यसहती देवी मामेवानुमरिष्यति।


देवी कौशल्या queen Kausalya, मां च me also, रामं च Rama also, पुत्रौ च sons Lakshmana
and Satrughna, हास्यति यदि if she loses, दुःखानि grief, असहती unable to bear, मामेव me
only, अनुमरिष्यति will, following me, die.

If queen Kausalya loses me, Rama, Lakshmana and Satrughna will follow me into death, unable to bear the grief.
कौसल्यां च सुमित्रां च मां च पुत्रैस्त्रिभिस्सह।।2.12.91।।

प्रक्षिप्य नरके सा त्वं कैकेयि सुखिता भव।


कैकेयि O Kaikeyi, कौशल्यां च Kausalya, सुमित्रां च Sumitra, त्रिभिः three, पुत्रैः सह along with sons, मां च with me, नरके into hell, प्रक्षिप्य having thrown, सा त्वम् such you are, सुखिता भव be happy.

O Kaikeyi consign Kausalya, Sumitra, me and my three sons into hell and be happy.
मया रामेण च त्यक्तं शाश्वतं सत्कृतं गुणैः।।2.12.92।।

इक्ष्वाकुकुलमक्षोभ्यमाकुलं पालयिष्यसि।


मया by me, रामेण च by Rama, त्यक्तम् abandoned, शाश्वतम् divine, गुणैः with virtues, सत्कृतम् worshipped, अक्षोभ्यम् undisturbed, इक्ष्वाकुकुलम् Ikshvaku race, आकुलम् afflicted with grief, पालयिष्यसि will rule.

You will rule undisturbed the Ikshvaku race honoured for its divine virtues. Now abandoned by me and Rama it will be afflicted with grief.
प्रियं चेद्भरतस्यैतद्रामप्रव्राजनं भवेत्।।2.12.93।।

मा स्म मे भरतः कार्षीत्प्रेतकृत्यं गतायुषः।


तत् this, रामप्रव्राजनम् Rama's exile, भरतस्य Bharata's, प्रियं भवेत् चेत् if it is to his liking, गतायुषः after cessation of my life, मे to me, भरतः Bharata, प्रेतकृत्यम् funeral rites, मा स्म कार्षीत् let him not perform.

If Rama's exile is approved by Bharata, then let him not perform my funeral rites after my death.
हन्तानार्ये ममामित्रे सकामा भव कैकयि।।2.12.94।।

मृते मयि गते रामे वनं पुरुषपुङ्गवे।

सेदानीं विधवा राज्यं सपुत्रा कारयिष्यसि।।2.12.95।।


हन्त What a calamity, मम अमित्रे O enemy of mine अनार्ये O wicked one कैकयि Kaikeyi, सकामा with desires fulfilled, भव become, पुरुषपुङ्गवे foremost of men, रामे Rama, वनंगते after he leaves for the forest, मयि when I, मृते am dead, विधवा a widow, सपुत्रा with your son, सा such as you, इदानीम् now, राज्यं कारयिष्यसि you will rule the kingdom.

O my enemy, O wicked Kaikeyi, after Rama, the foremost of men, has left for the forest your desires will be fulfilled. And after my death, you as a widow along with your son will rule the kingdom.
त्वं राजपुत्रीवादेन न्यवसो मम वेश्मनि।

अकीर्तिश्चातुला लोके ध्रुवः परिभवश्च मे।।2.12.96।।

सर्वभूतेषु चावज्ञा यथा पापकृतस्तथा।


त्वम् you, राजपुत्रीवादेन in the name of a princess, मम वेश्मनि in my palace, न्यवसः you lived, मे to me, लोके in the world, अतुला unparalleled, अकीर्तिः dishonour, परिभवश्च disgrace, ध्रुवः certainty, पापकृतः one who has committed sinful acts, यथा as, तथा so, सर्वभूतेषु in all living beings, अवज्ञा contempt.

You lived in my palace under the name of a princess. You have brought me, for sure, unparalleled dishonour and disgrace. Everybody will look upon me with contempt as if I have committed a sinful act.
कथं रथैर्विभुर्यात्वा गजाश्वैश्च मुहुर्मुहुः।।2.12.97।।

पद्भ्यां रामो महारण्ये वत्सो मे विचरिष्यति।


मे वत्सः my son, रामः Rama, मुहुर्मुहुः often, विभुः as prince, रथैः on chariots, गजाश्वैः च on elephants and horses, यात्वा riding, महारण्ये in the wilderness, पद्भ्याम् on foot, कथम् how, विचरिष्यति will roam.

How will my son, Rama, who used to ride on chariots, elephants and horses roam the wilderness barefoot?
यस्य त्वाहारसमये सूदाः कुण्डलधारिणः।।2.12.98।।

अहंपूर्वाः पचन्ति स्म प्रशस्तं पानभोजनम्।

स कथन्नु कषायाणि तिक्तानि कटुकानि च।।2.12.99।।

भक्षयन्वन्यमाहारं सुतो मे वर्तयिष्यति।


यस्य whose, आहारसमये at the time of taking food, कुण्डलधारिणः wearing earrings, सूदाः cooks, अहंपूर्वाः proudly, प्रशस्तम् enough, पानभोजनम् food and beverages, पचन्ति स्म used to
prepare, सः he, मे सुतः my son, कषायाणि astringent, तिक्तानि pungent, कटुकानि bitter, वन्यम् आहारम् wild fruits and roots, भक्षयन् eating, कथम् how, वर्तयिष्यति नु will exist.

How will my son for whom the cooks with kundalas in their ears used to proudly prepare enough food and beverages subsist on astringent, pungent, bitter wild fruits and roots?
महार्हवस्त्रसंवीतो भूत्वा चिरसुखोषितः।।2.12.100।।

काषायपरिधानस्तु कथं भूमौनिवत्स्यति।


महार्हवस्त्र संवीतः भूत्वा wearing costly apparels, चिरसुखोषितः having enjoyed comforts for a long time, काषायपरिधानः wearing saffron robes, कथं वा how, भूमौ on the ground, निवत्स्यति dwell (sleep)

How will he who was habituated to wearing expensive apparels and to (royal) comforts over a long period of time live (sleep) on the ground, putting on saffron
robes?
कस्यैतद्धारुणं वाक्यमेवंविधमचिन्तितम्।।2.12.101।।

रामस्यारण्यगमनं भरतस्याभिषेचनम्।


रामस्य Rama's, अरण्यगमनम् departure for the forest, भरतस्य Bharata's, अभिषेचनम् installation, एवंविधम् in this way, एतत् this, दारुणम् dreadful, अचिन्तितम् inconceivable, वाक्यम् words, कस्य whose?

Whose are these dreadful words, this inconceivable plan of Rama's exilement and Bharata's enthronement?
धिगस्तु योषितो नाम शठा स्स्वार्थपरास्सदा।

न ब्रवीमि स्त्रिय स्सर्वा भरतस्यैव मातरम्।।2.12.102।।


योषितः नाम woman means, शठाः secretly doing harm to others, सदा always, स्वार्थपराः
selfseeker, धिक् अस्तु shame, सर्वाः all, स्त्रियः women, न ब्रवीमि I do not say, भरतस्य Bharatha's, मातरम् एव mother alone.

A woman means one who secretly harms others. This is shameful indeed. They always seek selfish interests. I do not say this of all women, only of Bharata's mother.
अनर्थभावेऽर्थपरे नृशंसे ममानुतापाय निविष्टभावे।

किमप्रियं पश्यसि मन्निमित्तं हितानुकारिण्यथवाऽपि रामे।।2.12.103।।


अनर्थभावे O malicious one, अर्थपरे O covetous one नृशंसे O cruel one मम my, अनुतापाय for tormenting, निविष्टभावे having firm intention, मन्निमित्तम् for my sake, किम् what, अप्रियम् wrong, अथवापि rather, हितानुकारिणि devoted to the welfare of others, रामे in Rama, पश्यसि are seeing?

O malicious one, O covetous one, O cruel one, O woman determined to torment
me, what fault have you seen in Rama who is always devoted to the welfare of others?
परित्यजेयुः पितरो हि पुत्रान्भार्याः पतींश्चापि कृतानुरागाः।

कृत्स्नं हि सर्वं कुपितं जगत्स्याद्दृष्ट्वैव रामं व्यसने निमग्नम्।।2.12.104।।


व्यसने in adversity, निमग्नम् plunged, रामम् Rama, दृष्ट्वैव on seeing, पितरः fathers, पुत्रान् their sons, परित्यजेयुः will abandon, कृतानुरागाः affectionate, भार्याः wives, पतींश्चापि (will abandon) also husbands, कृत्स्नम् the whole, जगत् world, सर्वम् completely, कुपितं स्यात् will be inflamed.

This entire world will be inflamed to see Rama plunged in adversity. Fathers will abandon their sons. Wives, attached to their husbands, will forsake them.
अहं पुनर्देवकुमाररूपमलङ्कृतं तं सुतमाव्रजन्तम्।

नन्दामि पश्यन्नपि दर्शनेन भवामि दृष्ट्वैव च पुनर्युवेव।।2.12.105।।


अहं पुनः again on my part, देवकुमाररूपम् handsome like the son of a god, अलङ्कृतम् adorned, तं सुतम् that son, आव्रजन्तम् while coming (towards me), पश्यन् while looking at, दर्शनेनापि even on his appearance, नन्दामि I rejoice, दृष्ट्वा having seen, पुनः again, युवेव like a youth, भवामि च I shall also become.

When I see my son, handsome and welladorned like the son of a celestial deity, coming towards me, I rejoice. Even his very sight makes me grow young again.
विनाऽपि सूर्येण भवेत्प्रवृत्तिरवर्षता वज्रधरेण वाऽपि।

रामं तु गच्छन्तमित स्समीक्ष्य जीवेन्न कश्चित्त्विति चेतना मे।।2.12.106।।


सूर्येण विनाऽपि even without the Sun, वज्रधरेण by Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, अवर्षता वापि while not raining also, प्रवृत्ति: activity, भवेत् can happen, तु but, इतः from here, गच्छन्तम् while departing, रामम् Rama, समीक्ष्य having seen, कश्चित् any one, न जीवेत् will not live. इति this one, मे चेतना is my conviction.

Nature's activity will continue even without the Sun or even if Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, sends no rain but none will live to see Rama departing to the forest. This is my conviction.
विनाशकामामहिताममित्रामावासयं मृत्युमिवात्मनस्त्वाम्।

चिरं बताङ्केन धृतासि सर्पी महाविषा तेन हतोऽस्मि मोहात्।।2.12.107।।


विनाशकामाम् wishing my destruction, अहिताम् wishing harm, अमित्राम् like an enemy, त्वाम् you, आत्मनः I, मृत्युमिव like death, अवासयम् sheltered महाविषा highly posionous, सर्पी female snake, चिरम् for a long time, अङ्केन on the lap, धृतासि were carried, तेन for that reason, मोहात् with delusion, हतः अस्मि I am being ruined.

Alas I carried all along on my lap a highly poisonous female snake I gave you shelter while you were like death .This delusion is the cause of my ruin.You were my enemy. You wished me harm. You wished my destruction.
मया च रामेण च लक्ष्मणेन प्रशास्तु हीनो भरतस्त्वया सह।

पुरं च राष्ट्रं च निहत्य बान्धवान् ममाहितानां च भवाभिहर्षिणी।।2.12.108।।


भरतः Bharata, मया from me, लक्ष्मणेन च together with Lakshmana, रामेण with Rama, हीनः devoid, त्वया सह with you, बान्धवान् relatives, निहत्य after slaying, पुरं च the city, राष्ट्रं च the kingdom, प्रशास्तु he may rule, मम my, अहितानाम् of the foes, अभिहर्षिणी causing delight, भव become.

With Rama and Lakshmana withdrawn from me, my kinsmen killed, let Bharata along with you rule the city and the kingdom causing delight to my enemies.
नृशंसवृत्ते व्यसनप्रहारिणि प्रसह्य वाक्यं यदिहाद्य भाषसे।

न नाम ते केन मुखात्पतन्त्यधो विशीर्यमाणा दशना स्सहस्रधा।।2.12.109।।


नृशंसवृत्ते cruelnatured one, व्यसनप्रहारिणि striking one while in difficulties, अद्य now, प्रसह्य्
forcibly, यत् वाक्यम् which words, भाषसे you are speaking (with that), ते your, मुखात् from face, दशनाः teeth, सहस्रधा in thousand fragments, विशीर्यमाणाः broken to pieces, केन why, अधः to the ground, न नाम पतन्ति why are they not falling.

O cruelhearted woman, you strike one in adversity. Why are your teeth with which you are now speaking (such harsh words) do not fall to the ground, broken into a thousand fragments?
न किञ्चिदाहाहितमप्रियं वचो न वेत्ति रामः परुषाणि भाषितुम्।

कथन्नु रामे ह्यभिरामवादिनि ब्रवीषि दोषान्गुणनित्यसम्मते।।2.12.110।।


रामः Rama, किञ्चित् even a little, अहितम् harmful, अप्रियम् unkind, वचः words, न आह does not speak, परुषाणि harsh, भाषितुम् to speak, न वेत्ति does not know, अभिरामवादिनि one who talks pleasingly, गुणनित्यसम्मते in a man who is always honoured for his virtues, रामे in Rama, दोषान् faults, कथं नु how, ब्रवीषि are you telling?

How do you find fault with Rama who does not utter even one harmful or unpalatable word, who does not know how to use harsh words, and who speaks pleasingly and who is always honoured for his virtues?
प्रताम्य वा प्रज्वल वा प्रणश्य वा सहस्रशो वा स्फुटिता महीं व्रज।

न ते करिष्यामि वच स्सुदारुणं ममाहितं केकयराजपांसनि।।2.12.111।।


केकयराजपांसनि O obloquy on the house of Kekaya, प्रताम्य वा grieve, प्रज्वल वा or get burnt (in the fire), प्रणश्य वा or get destroyed, सहस्रशः into thousand pieces, स्पुटिता broken, महीम् the earth, व्रज वा reach, सुदारुणम् terrible, मम me, अहितम् harmful, ते your, वचः words, न करिष्यामि I will not do.

O obloquy on the house of Kekaya, you may grieve or burn yourself in the fire, or get destroyed. Even if you fall down on earth broken into a thousand pieces I will not act on your terrible, harmful words.
क्षुरोपमां नित्यमसत्प्रियंवदां प्रदुष्टभावां स्वकुलोपघातिनीम्।

न जीवितुं त्वां विषहेऽमनोरमां दिधक्षमाणां हृदयं सबन्धनम्।।2.12,112।।


क्षुरोपमाम् like a knife, नित्यम् always, असत्प्रियंवदाम् speaking pleasant lies, प्रदुष्टभावाम् wickednatured lady, स्वकुलोपघातिनीम् destroyer of your own race, अमनोरमाम् one who does not impress the mind, सबन्धनम् along with all binding, हृदयम् heart, दिधक्षमाणाम् intent on burning, त्वाम् you, जीवितुम् to live, न विषहे cannot tolerate.

You are like a knife. You always speak palatable lies. You are malevolent. You are a destroyer of your own race. You displease the mind. You are intent on burning down all the links of my heart. I cannot bear to see you alive in this world.
न जीवितं मेऽस्ति पुनःकुत स्सुखं विनाऽऽत्मजेनाऽत्मवतः कुतो रतिः।

ममाहितं देवि न कर्तुमर्हसि स्पृशामि पादावपि ते प्रसीद मे।।2.12.113।।


आत्मजेन विना without my son (Rama), मे for me, जीवितम् life, नास्ति does not exist, पुनः again, सुखम् happiness, कुतः from where, आत्मवतः of a selfrespecting man like me, रतिः pleasure, देवि O queen, मम my, अहितम् harmful act, कर्तुम् to do, न अर्हसि does not behove you, ते your, पादौ feet, स्पृशाम्यपि will touch also, मे in me, प्रसीद show favour.

There is no life for me without my son (Rama). What to speak of happiness again? Where is pleasure for a selfrespecting man like me? O queen, it does not behove you to do this harmful act. I will touch your feet. Show pity on me.
स भूमिपालो विलपन्ननाथवत्स्त्रिया गृहीतो हृदयेऽतिमात्रया।

पपात देव्याश्चरणौ प्रसारितावुभावसम्स्पृश्य यथाऽतुरस्तथा।।2.12.114।।


अतिमात्रया exceeding the limit of respect, स्त्रिया by a woman, हृदये in the heart, गृहीतः having grasped, सः that, भूमिपालः king, अनाथवत् like an orphan, विलपन् wailing, प्रसारितौ stretched apart, देव्याः the queens, चरणौ both feet, असम्स्पृश्य (असम्प्राप्य) without touching (without reaching), आतुरः sick, यथा as, तथा so, पपात fell down.

The king, with his heart in the grip of a woman, wailing like an orphan tried to reach her feet, exceeding the limit of selfrespect but, unable to touch them as she pulled
them apart, he collapsed like a sick man.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे द्वादशस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the twelfth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.