Sloka & Translation

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

एवं शृत्वा तु संवादं लक्ष्मणः पूर्वमागतः।

बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः शोकं सोढुमशक्नुवन्।।2.31.1।।

स भ्रातुश्चरणौ गाढं निपीड्य रघुनन्दनः।

सीतामुवाचातियशां राघवं च महाव्रतम्।।2.31.2।।


पूर्वम् previously, आगतः had come, लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, एवम् in this way, संवादम् conversation, श्रुत्वा having heard, शोकम् sorrow, सोढुम् to endure, अशक्नुवन् being unable, बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः (बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः) with his eyes filled with tears, सः that, रघुनन्दनः delight of the Raghu race, Lakshmana, भ्रातुः brother's, चरणौ feet, गाढम् tightly, निपीड्य pressing, महाव्रतम् of great resolve, राघवं च to Rama, अतियशाम् illustrious, सीताम् Sita, उवाच said.

Lakshmana who had already reached there heard the conversation (between Sita and Rama). His eyes brimming with tears, he was unable to bear the grief. He held the feet of his brother tightly and said to the illustrious Sita and Rama of great resolve:
एवं शृत्वा तु संवादं लक्ष्मणः पूर्वमागतः।

बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः शोकं सोढुमशक्नुवन्।।2.31.1।।

स भ्रातुश्चरणौ गाढं निपीड्य रघुनन्दनः।

सीतामुवाचातियशां राघवं च महाव्रतम्।।2.31.2।।


पूर्वम् previously, आगतः had come, लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, एवम् in this way, संवादम् conversation, श्रुत्वा having heard, शोकम् sorrow, सोढुम् to endure, अशक्नुवन् being unable, बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः (बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः) with his eyes filled with tears, सः that, रघुनन्दनः delight of the Raghu race, Lakshmana, भ्रातुः brother's, चरणौ feet, गाढम् tightly, निपीड्य pressing, महाव्रतम् of great resolve, राघवं च to Rama, अतियशाम् illustrious, सीताम् Sita, उवाच said.

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

अहं त्वानुगमिष्यामि वनमग्रे धनुर्धरः।।2.31.3।।


मृगगजायुतम् abounding in deer and elephants, वनम् to the forest, गन्तुम् to go, बुद्धि: decision, कृता यदि if made, अहम् I, अग्रे in front, धनुर्धरः one holding a bow, त्वा you, वनम् to the forest, अनुगमिष्यामि I shall follow.

If you have decided to go to the forest where deer and elephants abound, I shall also accompany you by walking before you, holding the bow.
मया समेतोऽरण्यानि बहूनि विचरिष्यसि।

पक्षिभिर्मृगयूथैश्च संघुष्टानि समन्ततः।।2.31.4।।


समन्ततः from all sides, पक्षिभिः with birds, मृगयूथैः च with herds of animals, संघुष्टानि echoing with the sounds of, बहूनि many, अरण्यानि forests, मया by me, समेतः accompanied by, विचरिष्यसि you will roam.

Accompanied by me, you will roam the forests echoing with the cries of birds and sounds of herds of animals.
न देवलोकाक्रमणं नामरत्वमहं वृणे।

ऐश्वर्यं वापि लोकानां कामये न त्वया विना।।2.31.5।।


अहम् I, त्वया विना without you, देवलोकाक्रमणम् the seizure of the world of devatas, न वृणे do not wish to choose, अमरत्वम् immortality, न not, लोकानाम् of the worlds, ऐश्वर्यं वापि sovereignty, न कामये do not desire.

Without you, I do not want victory over the gods or sovereignty over the worlds or even immortality.
एवं ब्रुवाणस्सौमित्रिर्वनवासाय निश्चितः।

रामेण बहुभिस्सान्त्वैर्निषिध्दः पुनरब्रवीत्।।2.31.6।।


वनवासाय to dwell in the forest, निश्चितः having decided, एवम् in this way, ब्रुवाणः speaking, सौमित्रिः Lakshmana, रामेण by Rama, बहुभिः with many, सान्त्वैः with the words of consolation, निषिद्धः dissuaded, पुनः again, अब्रवीत् said.

When Rama tried to dissuade Lakshmana with many words of consolation Lakshmana who was determined to go to the forest said again:
अनुज्ञातश्च भवता पूर्वमेव यदस्म्यहम्।

किमिदानीं पुनरिदं क्रियते मन्निवारणम्।।2.31.7।।


अहम् I, भवता by you, पूर्वमेव even earlier, अनुज्ञातः was permitted, अस्मि यत् I have been, इदानीम् now, पुनः again, इदम् this, (मत्)निवारणम् prevention (of me), किम् why, क्रियते is being done?

You have granted permission to me earlier.Why are you now preventing me?
यदर्थं प्रतिषेधो मे क्रियते गन्तुमिच्छतः।

एतदिच्छामि विज्ञातुं संशयो हि ममानघ।।2.31.8।।


अनघ O sinless one, गन्तुम् to go, इच्छतः desiring, मे my, प्रतिषेधः restriction, यदर्थम् for what reason, क्रियते is being done, एतत् all this, विज्ञातुम् to know, इच्छामि desiring, मम to me, संशयः हि I have a doubt.

I wish to know, O sinless one, the reason why you are dissuading me, when I am willing to go with you. This creates a doubt in my mind.
ततोऽब्रवीन्महातेजा रामो लक्ष्मणमग्रतः।

स्थितं प्राग्गामिनं वीरं याचमानं कृताञ्जलिम्।।2.31.9।।


ततः after that, महातेजाः brilliant, रामः Rama, अग्रतः in front of him, स्थितम् standing, प्राग्गामिनम् ready to walk ahead of, वीरम् heroic one, याचमानम् imploring, कृताञ्जलिम् with folded palms, लक्ष्मणम् to Lakshmana, अब्रवीत् said.

Addressing the heroic Lakshmana in front of him imploring with folded hands to take him to the forest so that he may walk ahead (and guard them), the effulgent Rama said:
स्निग्धो धर्मरतो वीरस्सततं सत्पथे स्थितः।

प्रियः प्राणसमो वश्यो भ्राता चापि सखा च मे।।2.31.10।।


स्निग्धः affectionate, धर्मरतः engaged in righteous activites, वीरः valiant, सततम् always, सत्पथे on the path of virtue, स्थितः abiding, मे to me, प्राणसमः like my own life, प्रियः dear, वश्यः obedient, भ्राता चापि brother also, सखा च friend.

You are affectionate, you are devoted to dharma. You are valiant. You always walk the path of virtue. You are dear to me like my own life. You are not only an obedient brother but also a friend.
मयाऽद्य सह सौमित्रे त्वयि गच्छति तद्वनम्।

को भरिष्यति कौसल्यां सुमित्रां वा यशस्विनीम्।।2.31.11।।


सौमित्रे O Lakshmana, त्वयि if you, अद्य today, मया सह along with me, तत् वनम् to the forest, गच्छति go, कौशल्याम् to Kausalya, यशस्विनीम् illustrious, सुमित्रां च Sumitra, कः who, भरिष्यति will take care?

O Lakshmana, if you also accompany me to the forest, who will take care of mother Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra?
अभिवर्षति कामैर्यः पर्जन्यः पृथिवीमिव।

स कामपाशपर्यस्तो महातेजा महीपतिः।।2.31.12।।


महातेजाः mighty one, यः that, महीपतिः lord of the earth, पृथिवीम् the earth, पर्जन्यः इव like Parjanya (Indra), कामैः favours (desires), अभिवर्षति showers, सः he, कामपाशपर्यस्तः he is bound by cords of passion.

Dasaratha, the mighty king like Parjanya (the raingod), lord of the earth used to shower favours on earth. But now he is bound by the noose of passion.
सा हि राज्यमिदं प्राप्य नृपस्याश्वपते स्सुता।

दुःखितानां सपत्नीनां न करिष्यति शोभनम्।।2.31.13।।


नृपस्य king, अश्वपतेः Aswapati's, सुता daughter, सा that (Kaikeyi), इदं राज्यम् this kingdom, प्राप्य having obtained, दुःखितानाम् afflicted ladies, सपत्नीनाम् of her cowives, शोभनम् welfare, न करिष्यति हि will not extend.

Once the daughter of king Aswapati (Kaikeyi) gains control over the kingdom, she will do nothing to help her afflicted cowives (Kausalya and Sumitra).
न स्मरिष्यति कौसल्यां सुमित्रां च सुदुःखिताम्।

भरतो राज्यमासाद्य कैकेय्यां पर्यवस्थितः।।2.31.14।।


भरतः Bharata, राज्यम् kingdom, आसाद्य having obtained, कैकेय्याम् in Kaikeyi, पर्यवस्थितः repose confidence, कौशल्याम् Kausalya, सुदुःखिताम् grieved, सुमित्रां च also Sumitra, न स्मरिष्यति will not remember.

When Bharata secures the kingdom, his confidence reposed in Kaikeyi he will not bother about the miserable Kausalya and Sumitra.
तामार्यां स्वयमेवेह राजानुग्रहणेन वा।

सौमित्रे भर कौशल्यामुक्तमर्थमिमं चर।।2.31.15।।


सौमित्रे स्वयमेव by yourself, राजानुग्रहणेन वा or by seeking the favour of king, इह stay here, आर्याम् venerable, तां कौशल्याम् that Kausalya, भर maintain, इमम् this, उक्तम् what is told, अर्थम् objective, चर accomplish.

Either by yourself or by seeking the favour of the king, O son of Sumitra, lend support to venerable Kausalya. This is the objective you must accomplish.
एवं मम च ते भक्तिर्भविष्यति सुदर्शिता।

धर्मज्ञ गुरुपूजायां धर्मश्चाप्यतुलो महान्।।2.31.16।।


धर्मज्ञ O knower of dharma (duty), एवम् in this way, मम in me, ते your, भक्तिः devotion,
सुदर्शिता is welldemonstrated, भविष्यति will become, गुरुपूजायाम् in worshipping the elders, अतुलः unequalled, महान् great, धर्मश्च is virtue also.

If you do this, your devotion to me will be amply demonstrated. Service to the elders, O dutiful one, is a virtue, great and unequalled.
एवं कुरुष्व सौमित्रे मत्कृते रघुनन्दन।

अस्माभिर्विप्रहीणाया मातुर्नो न भवेत्सुखम्।।2.31.17।।


रघुनन्दन O delight of the Raghu race, सौमित्रे O Son of Sumitra, मत्कृते for my sake, एवम् like this, कुरुष्व you may act, अस्माभिः by us, विप्रहीणायाः lady deprived of, नः our, मातुः for mother, सुखम् happiness, न भवेत् will not be.

O delight of the Raghu race, do this for my sake, since deprived of us, there will be no happiness for our mother, O son of Sumitra
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मण श्श्लक्ष्णया गिरा।

प्रत्युवाच तदा रामं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकोविदम्।।2.31.18।।


रामेण by Rama, एवम् in this way, उक्तः addressed, वाक्यज्ञः eloquent, लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, तदा then, वाक्यकोविदम् proficient in the use of words, रामम् Rama, श्लक्ष्णया in gentle voice, गिरा in words, प्रत्युवाच replied.

Thus addressed by Rama who was an adept in the use of words, eloquent Lakshmana gently replied:
तवैव तेजसा वीर भरतः पूजयिष्यति।

कौसल्यां च सुमित्रां च प्रयतो नात्र संशयः।।2.31.19।।


वीर O heroic one, भरतः Bharata, तव your, तेजसैव with your power, प्रयतः in humble manner, कौसल्यां च Kausalya and, सुमित्रा च also Sumitra, पूजयिष्यति he will honour, अत्र here, संशयः doubt, न not.

Aware of your power O valiant one, Bharata will undoubtedly pay respect to Kausalya and Sumitra with all humility.
कौशल्या बिभृयादार्या सहस्रमपि मद्विधान्।

यस्यास्सहस्रं ग्रामाणां सम्प्राप्त मुपजीवनम्।।2.31.20।।


यस्याः for (Kausalya), उपजीवनम् sustenance, ग्रामाणाम् of villages, सहस्रम् one thousand, सम्प्राप्तम् has been obtained, आर्या noble lady, कौशल्या Kausalya, मद्विधान् men like me, सहस्रमपि even one thousand, बिभृयात् she can support.

Noble Kausalya has under her charge a thousand villages for her sustenance. She can support a thousand men like me.
तदात्मभरणे चैव मम मातुस्तथैव च।

पर्याप्ता मद्विधानां च भरणाय यशस्विनी।।2.31.21।।


तत् for that, यशस्विनी illustrious Kausalya, आत्मभरणे चैव to support herself, तथैव च also, मम मातुः my mother's, मद्विधानां च of men like me, भरणाय च to support, पर्याप्ता is competent.

Illustrious Kausalya is competent enough to support herself, my mother and men like me.
कुरुष्व मामनुचरं वैधर्म्यं नेह विद्यते।

कृतार्थोऽहं भविष्यामि तव चार्थः प्रकल्पते।।2.31.22।।


माम् me, अनुचरम् as your follower, कुरुष्व make (take) me, इह in this, वैधर्म्यम् breach of virtue, न विद्यते is not considered, अहम् I, कृतार्थः accomplish my purpose, भविष्यामि I will become, तव your, अर्थः च object also, प्रकल्पते will be fulfilled.

Make me your follower. There is no breach of virtue in this. I will have my purpose
accomplished. Your object also will be fulfilled.
धनुरादाय सशरं खनित्रपिटकाधरः।

अग्रतस्ते गमिष्यामि पन्थानमनुदर्शयन्।।2.31.23।।


सशरम् (stringed) with arrows, धनुः bow, आदाय holding, खनित्रपिटकाधरः holding a basket and a crowbar, ते your, अग्रतः in front of, पन्थानम् the way, अनुदर्शयन् indicating, गमिष्यामि I shall go.

Holding the bow and arrows and carrying a crowbar and a basket, I shall go in front of you leading the way.
आहरिष्यामि ते नित्यं मूलानि च फलानि च।

वन्यानि यानि चान्यानि स्वाहाराणि तपस्विनाम्।।2.31.24।।


मूलानि roots, फलानि च fruits also, तपस्विनाम् for ascetics, स्वाहाराणि eatables, वन्यानि available in the forest, यानि those, अन्यानि च other products, नित्यम् daily, ते to you, आहरिष्यामि shall collect.

I shall daily collect roots, fruits and other forest products fit for ascetics.
भवांस्तु सह वैदेह्या गिरिसानुषु रंस्यते।

अहं सर्वं करिष्यामि जाग्रत स्स्वपतश्च ते।।2.31.25।।


भवांस्तु you, वैदेह्या सह with Sita, गिरिसानुषु on mountain slopes, रंस्यते you will go sporting, ते you, जाग्रतः while you are awake, स्ववतश्च while you are asleep, अहम् I,सर्वम् all tasks, करिष्यामि I will do.

When you go about for pleasure on mountain slopes along with Sita, I shall do everything for you, whether you are awake or asleep.
रामस्त्वनेन वाक्येन सुप्रीतः प्रत्युवाच तम्।

व्रजापृच्छस्व सौमित्रे सर्वमेव सुहृज्जनम्।।2.31.26।।


रामस्तु Rama also, अनेन वाक्येन with these words, सुप्रीतः immensely pleased man, तम् to him, प्रत्युवाच replied, सौमित्रे O Lakshmana, व्रज go forth, सर्वमेव all, सुहृज्जनम् friends, आपृच्छस्व ask leave of them.

Pleased with his words Rama said, O Lakshmana go and take leave of all your friends.
ये च राज्ञो ददौ दिव्ये महात्मा वरुण स्स्वयम्।

जनकस्य महायज्ञे धनुषी रौद्रदर्शने।।2.31.27।।

अभेद्यकवचे दिव्ये तूणी चाक्षयसायकौ।

आदित्यविमलौ चोभौ खड्गौ हेमपरिष्कृतौ।।2.31.28।।

सत्कृत्य निहितं सर्वमेतदाचार्यसद्मनि।

सर्वमायुधमादाय क्षिप्रमाव्रज लक्ष्मण।।2.31.29।।


लक्ष्मण O Lakshmana, महात्मा highsouled, वरुणः Varuna, स्वयम् himself, राज्ञः of the king, जनकस्य Janaka's, महायज्ञे in the great sacrifice, दिव्ये divine, रौद्रदर्शने awesome, ये those, धनुषी bows, दिव्ये divine, अभेद्यकवचे impenetrable armour, अक्षयसायकौ two sets of inexhaustible arrows, तूणी च two quivers, हेमपरिष्कृतौ plated with gold, आदित्यविमलौ as bright as the sun, उभौ both, खड्गौ swords, ददौ gave, एतत् that, सर्वम् everything, सत्कृत्य after having worshipped, आचार्य सद्मनि in the house of the preceptor (sage Vasistha), निहितम् is deposited, सर्वम् all, आयुधम् weaponry, आदाय after collecting , क्षिप्रं swiftly, आव्रज come forth.

O Lakshmana in the great sacrifice performed by the highsouled Janaka, Varuna himself gave him two aweinspiring celestial bows, two impenetrable divine armours, two quivers with inexhaustible arrows, two swords plated with gold and as bright as the sun. All these weapons are deposited in the house of our preceptor (sage Vasistha) where they are being worshipped. Go and bring them swiftly.
स सुहृज्जनमामन्त्र्यवनवासाय निश्चितः।

इक्ष्वाकुगुरुमागम्य जग्राहायुधमुत्तमम्।।2.31.30।।


वनवासाय to live in the forest, निश्चित: one who was determined, सः Lakshmana, सुहृज्जनम् friends, आमन्त्र्य taking leave of, इक्ष्वाकुगुरुम् preceptor of the Ikshvakus, Vasistha, आगम्य having reached, उत्तमम् powerful, आयुधम् weapons, जग्राह received.

Lakshmana, who was resolved to go to the forest, took leave of his friends, and collected from the house of Vasistha, preceptor of the Ikshvaku race, the powerful weapons deposited with him.
तद्धिव्यं राजशार्दूल सत्कृतं माल्यभूषितम्।

रामाय दर्शयामास सौमित्रिस्सर्वमायुधम्।।2.31.31।।


राजशार्दूलः tiger among princes, सौमित्रिः Lakshmana, दिव्यम् divine, सत्कृतम् sanctified, माल्यभूषितम् decorated with garlands, सर्वम् all, तत् आयुधम् those weapons, रामाय to Rama, दर्शयामास showed.

Lakshmana, tiger among princes, brought all those divine weapons sanctified and decorated with garlands and showed them to Rama.
तमुवाचात्मवान् रामः प्रीत्या लक्ष्मणमागतम्।

काले त्वमागत सौम्य काङ्क्षिते मम लक्ष्मण।।2.31.32।।


आत्मवान् selfpossessed, रामः Rama, आगतम् having arrived, तं लक्ष्मणम् to that Lakshmana, प्रीत्या affectionately, उवाच said, सौम्य O handsome, लक्ष्मण Lakshmana, त्वम् you, मम to me, काङ्क्षिते काले at the desired moment, आगतः have come.

O handsome Lakshmana, you have come at the expected time, said the selfpossessed Rama affectionately when he saw him arrive.
अहं प्रदातुमिच्छामि यदिदं मामकं धनम्।

ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तपस्विभ्यस्त्वया सह परन्तप।।2.31.33।।


परन्तप O tormentor of enemies, अहम् I, त्वया सह with you, यत् all that, इदम् this, मामकम् my belonging, धनम् wealth, तपस्विभ्यः to ascetics, ब्राह्मणेभ्यः to brahmins, प्रदातुम् to give away, इच्छामि I wish.

Let us give away, O tormentor of enemies (Lakshmana) my belogings to the ascetic brahmins.
वसन्तीह दृढं भक्त्या गुरुषु द्विजसत्तमाः।

तेषामपि च मे भूयस्सर्वेषाञ्चोपजीविनाम्।।2.31.34।।


इह here, गुरुषु among teachers, दृढम् deep, भक्त्या with devotion, द्विजसत्तमाः best of brahmins, वसन्ति are living, तेषामपि च for them, भूयः also, सर्वेषाम् for all, मे my, उपजीविनां च to my dependents.

Here live the best of brahmins who are deeply devoted to their teachers along with those who are dependent on me for their livelihood.
वशिष्ठपुत्रं तु सुयज्ञमार्यं

त्वमानयाशु प्रवरं द्विजानाम्।

अभिप्रयास्यामि वनं समस्ता

नभ्यर्च्य शिष्टानपरान् द्विजातीन्।।2.31.35।।


त्वम् you, द्विजानाम् among the brahmins, प्रवरम् best, वशिष्ठपुत्रम् son of Vasistha, आर्यम् venerable, सुयज्ञम् Suyajna, आशु swiftly, आनय bring, शिष्टान् distinguished, अपरान् other, समस्तान् all, द्विजातीन् brahmins, अभ्यर्च्य having paid homage, वनम् to the forest, अभिप्रयास्यामि I shall go.

Fetch Suyajna, son of Vasistha, best among the brahmins along with all other distinguished brahmins to whom I will pay my homage and leave for the forest.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे एकत्रिंशस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the thirtyfirst sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.