Introduction
Sumantra takes leave from Guha, who learns from his spies that Rama departed for Chitrakuta. Sumantra drives back to Ayodhya. Entering the royal gynaeceum, he submits to the emperor what he earlier reported to the citizens who followed his chariot. Dasaratha and Kausalya fall into a faint to hear about Rama’s departure for Chitrakuta. All the inmates of gynaeceum weep loudly in anguish.
Verse 1
कथयित्वा सुदुह्ख आर्तः सुमन्त्रेण चिरम् सह |
रामे दक्षिण कूलस्थे जगाम स्व गृहम् गुहः || २-५७-१
While Rama landed upon the southern shore, Guha conversed for a long time with Sumantra and with much distress, went to his house.
1. raame = (when) Rama; dakshhiNa kuulasthe = landed upon the southern shore; guhaH = Guha; kathayitvaa = talked; chiram = for a long time; sumantreNa saha = with Sumantra; suduHkhaartaH = and with much distress; jagaama = went; svagR^iham = to his house.
Verse 2
भरद्वाजाभिगमनम् प्रयागे च सहासनम् |
आगिरेर्गमनम् तेषाम् तत्रस्थैरभिलक्षितम् || २-५७-२
It was gathered by those who were there (Guha and others) about Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana coming to sage Bharadwaja, their staying with him in Prayaga and their departure to Chitrakuta Mountain.
2. abhilakshhitam = It was gathered; tatrasthaiH = by those (Guha and others) who were there; teshhaam = about their; bharadvaajaagamanam = coming to sage Bharadwaja; sahaasanam = about staying with him; prayaage = in Prayaga; gamanam = and about their going; agire = to Chitrakuta mountain.
Verse 3
अनुज्ञातः सुमन्त्रः अथ योजयित्वा हय उत्तमान् |
अयोध्याम् एव नगरीम् प्रययौ गाढ दुर्मनाः || २-५७-३
Sumantra, being allowed to depart by Rama, tied excellent horses to the chariot and with intense anguish, rode towards the very city of Ayodhya.
3. atha = then; sumantraH = Sumantra; anuGYaataH = allowed to depart by Rama; yojayitvaa = tied; haya uttamaan = the excellent horses (to the chariot); gaaDha durmanaaH = and with intense anguish; prayayau = rode towards; ayodhyaam nagariim eva = the very city of Ayodhya.
Verse 4
स वनानि सुगन्धीनि सरितः च सरांसि च |
पश्यन्न् अतिययौ शीघ्रम् ग्रामाणि नगराणि च || २-५७-४
Sumantra, seeing the sweet-smelling woods, rivers, lakes, villages and towns on the way, soon crossed them.
4. saH = He; pashyan = seeing; sugandhiini = the sweet smelling vanaani = woods; saritaH cha = rivers; saraamsi cha = lakes; graamaaNi = villages; nagaraaNi = (and) towns; atiyayau = crossed (them) shiighram = quickly.
Verse 5
ततः साय अह्न समये तृतीये अहनि सारथिः |
अयोध्याम् समनुप्राप्य निरानन्दाम् ददर्श ह || २-५७-५
Reaching Ayodhya in the evening time of the third day Sumantra saw that city, joyless.
5. tataH = thereafter; samanupraapya = reaching; ayodhyaam = Ayodhya; saaya ahna samaye = in the evening-time; tR^itiiye ahani = of the third day; saarathiH = the charioteer; dadarsha ha = saw (it); niraanandaam = joyless.
Verse 6
स शून्याम् इव निह्शब्दाम् दृष्ट्वा परम दुर्मनाः |
सुमन्त्रः चिन्तयाम् आस शोक वेग समाहतः || २-५७-६
Beholding Ayodhya as if deserted in silence, Sumantra becoming very much distressed in mind and having afflicted with intense anguish, surmised as follows:
6. dR^ishhTvaa = beholding; shuunyaam iva = Ayodhya as deserted; nishshabdaam = in silence; sumantraH = Sumantra; parama durmanaaH = becoming very much distressed in mind; shoka vega samaahataH = and having afflicted with intense anguish; chintayaamaasa = surmised (as follows).
Verse 7
कच्चिन् न सगजा साश्वा सजना सजन अधिपा |
राम सम्ताप दुह्खेन दग्धा शोक अग्निना पुरी || २-५७-७
“I hope the city of Ayodhya with its elephants, horses, people and the kings was not burnt away by a fire of sorrow and blazing grief towards Rama.
7. purii kaccin na = was not the city; sagajaa = with elephants; saashvaa = with horses; sajanaa = with people; sajana adhipaa = and with kings; dagdhaa = burnt away; raama samtaapa duHkhena = by blazing grief towards Rama; shoka agninaa = and the fire of sorrow?
Verse 8
इति चिन्ता परः सूतः वाजिभिः श्रीघ्रपातिभिः |
नगरद्वारमासाद्य त्वरितः प्रविवेश ह || २-५७-८
Sumantra, thus lost in thought, reaching the city-gate through the fast-running horses, entered the city quickly.
8. suutaH = the charioteer; iti = thus; cintaa paraH = lost in thought; aasaadya = reaching; nagaradvaaram = the city-gate; shiighrapaatibhiH = by the fast-running; vaajibhiH = horses; praviveshaha = entered (the city) tvaritaaH = quickly.
Verse 9
सुमन्त्रम् अभियान्तम् तम् शतशो अथ सहस्रशः |
क्व रामैति पृच्चन्तः सूतम् अभ्यद्रवन् नराः || २-५७-९
Meanwhile, seeing Sumantra the charioteer approaching, hundreds and thousands of people ran towards him asking, “Where is Rama?”
9. atha = thereafter; (seeing) tam = that; sumantram = Sumantra; suutam = the charioteer; abhiyaantam = approaching; shatashaH = hundreds; sahasrashaH = and thousands; naraaH = of people; abhyadravan = ran towards him; pR^icchantaH = asking; iti = thus; kva = where is; raamaH = Rama?
Verse 10
तेषाम् शशंस गङ्गायाम् अहम् आपृच्च्य राघवम् |
अनुज्ञातः निवृत्तः अस्मि धार्मिकेण महात्मना || २-५७-१०
He replied them thus: “Bidding farewell to Rama at the shore of Ganga when sent back by that virtuous and high-souled Rama, I returned here.”
10. shashamsa = he replied; teshhaam = them; aapR^ichchhya = bidding farewell; raaghavam = to Rama; gaN^gaayaam = (at the shore) of Ganga; anuj~NaataH = when sent back; dhaarmikeNa = by that virtuous; mahaatmanaH = and high-souled Rama; aham = I; nivR^ittaH asmi = returned.
Verse 11
ते तीर्णाइति विज्ञाय बाष्प पूर्ण मुखा जनाः |
अहो धिग् इति निश्श्वस्य हा राम इति च चुक्रुशुः || २-५७-११
Hearing that Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana had crossed River Ganga, the people with their faces filled with tears sighed, “Oh, fie upon us! And cried aloud, “Alas, Rama!”
11. vij~Naaya = knowing; te = (that) Seetha Rama and Lakshmana; tiirNaaH iti = had crossed (Ganga); janaH = the people; baashhpapuurNamukhaaH = with their faces filled with tears; nishshvasya = sighed; iti = thus; aho = Oh; dhik = fie upon us! cukrushuH cha = and cried aloud; haa raama iti = thus = “Alas! Rama!
Verse 12
शुश्राव च वचः तेषाम् बृन्दम् बृन्दम् च तिष्ठताम् |
हताः स्म खलु ये न इह पश्यामैति राघवम् || २-५७-१२
Sumantra also heard the words of those people standing in groups and telling, “Lost indeed are we, who do not see Rama here!”
12. shushraava cha = (Sumantra) also heard; vachaH = words; teshhaam = of those people; tiSThataam = standing; bR^indam bR^idam = in groups; iti = and telling thus; hataaH sma khalu = lost indeed are we; ye = who; na pashyaamaH = do not see; raaghavam = Rama; iha = here!
Verse 13
दान यज्ञ विवाहेषु समाजेषु महत्सु च |
न द्रक्ष्यामः पुनर् जातु धार्मिकम् रामम् अन्तरा || २-५७-१३
“Never again can we see the pious Rama on the occasions of bestowing gifts, sacrificial performances or marriages or in large meetings.
13. najaatu = never; punaH = again; drakshhyaamaH = we can see; dhaarmikam = the pious; raamam = Rama; antaraa = on the occasions of; daana yaGYa vivaaheSu = bestowing gifts; sacrificial performances and marriages; mahatsu = large; samaajeshhu cha = meetings.
Verse 14
किम् समर्थम् जनस्य अस्य किम् प्रियम् किम् सुख आवहम् |
इति रामेण नगरम् पितृवत् परिपालितम् || २-५७-१४
The city of Ayodhya was protected by Rama, as by a father, with due regard to what was appropriate, what was congenial and what brought happiness to its people.
14. nagaram = the city of Ayodhya; paripaalitam = was protected; raameNa = by Rama; pitR^ivat = as by a father; iti = in this manner; kim = what was; samartham = appropriate; asya janasya = to these people; kim = what was; priyam = congenial; kim = what; sukhaavaham = brought happiness.
Verse 15
वात अयन गतानाम् च स्त्रीणाम् अन्वन्तर आपणम् |
राम शोक अभितप्तानाम् शुश्राव परिदेवनम् || २-५७-१५
While driving through bazaars, Sumantra heard the sounds of lamentation of women, coming forth from windows, consumed by anguish on account of Rama’s exile.
15. anvantara aapaNam = while driving through bazaars; shushraava = (Sumantra) hard; paridevanam = the lamentation; striiNaam = of women; vaata ayana gataanaam = coming forth from windows; raama shoka abhitaptaanaam = consumed by anguish on account of Rama’s exile.
Verse 16
स राज मार्ग मध्येन सुमन्त्रः पिहित आननः |
यत्र राजा दशरथः तत् एव उपययौ गृहम् || २-५७-१६
Going through the middle of the royal highway, Sumantra by covering his face, reached the house of Dasaratha.
16. saH sumantraH = That Sumantra; pihita aananaH = by covering his face; upayayau = reached; tat = that; gR^iham eva = house; yatra = where; raajaa = king; dasharathaH = Dasaratha (was there); raaja maarga madhyena = going through the middle of the royal highway.
Verse 17
सो अवतीर्य रथात् शीघ्रम् राज वेश्म प्रविश्य च |
कक्ष्याः सप्त अभिचक्राम महा जन समाकुलाः || २-५७-१७
Sumantra descended from the chariot, entered quickly the royal palace and traversed the seven inner apartments of the palace, filled with a large number of people.
17. saH = He; avatiirya = descended; rathaat = from the chariot; pravishya cha = entered; shiighram = quickly; raaja veshma = the royal palace; abhicakraama = and traversed; sapta = the seven; kakSyaaH = inner apartments of the palace; mahaa jana samaakulaaH = filled with a large number of people.
Verse 18
हर्म्यैर्विमानैः प्रासादैरवेक्ष्याथ समागतम् |
हाहाकारकृता नार्यो रामदर्शनकर्शिताः || २-५७-१८
Then, finding the forthcoming Sumantra from their large mansions, from seven-storied buildings and from royal palaces, the women who had been emaciated in not being able to see Rama, cried “Alas! Alas”
18. atha = then; avekshhya = seeing; samaagatam = (Sumantra) coming; naaryaH = the women; harmaiH = from large mansions; vimaanaiH = from seven-storied buildings; praasaadaiH = and from royal palaces; raamadarshanakarshitaaH = who had been emaciated in not seeing Rama; haahaakaarakR^itaH = cried “Alas! Alas”
Verse 19
आयतैर्विमलैर्नेत्रैरश्रुवेगपरिप्लुतैः |
अन्योन्यमभिवीक्षन्तेऽव्यक्तमार्ततराः स्त्रीयः || २-५७-१९
Those women, extremely confounded with grief with their long and bright eyes filled with a stream of tears, looked at each other imperceptibly.
19. striyaH = the women; aartataraaH = extremely confounded with grief; netraiH = with eyes; aayataiH = bright; ashruvegapariplutaiH = filled with a stream of tears; abhiviikshhante = looked at; anyoyam = each other; avyaktam = imperceptibly.
Verse 20
ततः दशरथ स्त्रीणाम् प्रासादेभ्यः ततः ततः |
राम शोक अभितप्तानाम् मन्दम् शुश्राव जल्पितम् || २-५७-२०
Sumantra also heard the feeble conversation of Dasaratha’s wives absorbed in anguish on account of Rama’s exile, from their respective inner apartments.
20. tataH = then; shushraava = (Sumantra) heard; mandam = the feeble; jalpitam = conversation; Dasharatha striiNaam = of Dasaratha’s wives; raama shoka abhitaptaanam = absorbed of anguish on account of Rama’s exile; tataH tatatH = from their respective; praasaadebhyaH = inner apartments.
Verse 22
यथा च मन्ये दुर्जीवम् एवम् न सुकरम् ध्रुवम् |
आच्चिद्य पुत्रे निर्याते कौसल्या यत्र जीवति || २-५७-२२
“In spite of her son (Rama) having left Ayodhya, Kausalya continues to survive. I think that surely it is difficult thus to live and it is not so easy to preserve it too!”
22. yathaa = In which manner; kausalyaa = Kausalya; yatra jiivati = survives wherever; aachchhidya = in spite of; putre = her son (Rama); niryaate = having left; manye = I think that; dhruvam = surely; na = it is not; sukaram = easy; evam = thus; durjiivitam = a difficult living.
Verse 21
सह रामेण निर्यातः विना रामम् इह आगतः |
सूतः किम् नाम कौसल्याम् शोचन्तीम् प्रति वक्ष्यति || २-५७-२१
“What Sumantra will reply to the lamenting Kausalya, when he now returns here without Rama while he formerly went out with Rama?”
21. kim naama = what; suutaH = Sumantra; prati vakshhyati = will reply; kausalyaam = to Kausalya; shocantiim = who is lamenting; niryaataH = (when he) went out; raameNa saha = with Rama; aagataH = and returned; iha = here; vinaa raamam = without Rama?
Verse 22
यथा च मन्ये दुर्जीवम् एवम् न सुकरम् ध्रुवम् |
आच्चिद्य पुत्रे निर्याते कौसल्या यत्र जीवति || २-५७-२२
“In spite of her son (Rama) having left Ayodhya, Kausalya continues to survive. I think that surely it is difficult thus to live and it is not so easy to preserve it too!”
22. yathaa = In which manner; kausalyaa = Kausalya; yatra jiivati = survives wherever; aachchhidya = in spite of; putre = her son (Rama); niryaate = having left; manye = I think that; dhruvam = surely; na = it is not; sukaram = easy; evam = thus; durjiivitam = a difficult living.
Verse 23
सत्य रूपम् तु तत् वाक्यम् राज्ञः स्त्रीणाम् निशामयन् |
प्रदीप्तम् इव शोकेन विवेश सहसा गृहम् || २-५७-२३
Hearing those credible words of Dasaratha’s wives, Sumantra all at once entered the house, that appeared to be set ablaze with grief.
23. nishaamayan = reaching to; tat vaakyam = those words; satya ruupam = so credible; raaGYaH = of king Dasaratha’s; striiNaam = wives; sahasaa = (Sumantra) quickly; vivesha = entered; gR^iham = the house; pradiiptim iva = appeared like burning; shokena = with grief.
Verse 24
स प्रविश्य अष्टमीम् कक्ष्याम् राजानम् दीनम् आतुलम् |
पुत्र शोक परिम्लानम् अपश्यत् पाण्डुरे गृहे || २-५७-२४
Sumantra entered the eighth inner apartment and saw in that white house, King Dasaratha the miserable the sick and the exhausted man on account of the exhausted man on account of the grief for his son.
24. saH = that Sumantra; pravishya = entered; aSTamiim = the eighth; kakSyaam = inner apartment; apashyat = (and) saw; raajaanam = king Dasaratha; diinaam = the miserable; aatulam = the sick; putra shoka parimlaanam = and the exhausted man; due to grief for his son; paaNDure = in that white; gR^ihe = house.
Verse 25
अभिगम्य तम् आसीनम् नर इन्द्रम् अभिवाद्य च |
सुमन्त्रः राम वचनम् यथा उक्तम् प्रत्यवेदयत् || २-५७-२५
Sumantra approached that king who was seated, offered his salutation and presented Rama’s message as told.
25. sumantraH = Sumantra; abhigamya = approached; tam narendram = the distressed king; aasiinam = who was seated; abhivaadya cha = offered his salutation; pratyavedayat = and presented; raamavachanam = Rama’s message; yathoktam = as told.
Verse 26
स तूष्णीम् एव तत् श्रुत्वा राजा विभ्रान्त चेतनः |
मूर्चितः न्यपतत् भूमौ राम शोक अभिपीडितः || २-५७-२६
That king heard silently the message of Rama, was bewildered, afflicted by grief, for his son, became fainted and fell on the ground.
26. saH raajaa = that king; shrutvaa = heard; tuushhNiim eva = silently; tat = that message of Rama; vibhraanta chetasaH = was afflicted by grief for his son; muurchitaH = became fainted; nyapatat = and fell; bhuumau = on the ground.
Verse 27
ततः अन्तः पुरम् आविद्धम् मूर्चिते पृथिवी पतौ |
उद्धृत्य बाहू चुक्रोश नृपतौ पतिते क्षितौ || २-५७-२७
The king thus having fainted, the gynaeceum was hurt. While the king was falling on the ground, the inmates of gynaeceum wept, raising their hands in distress.
27. tataH = then; pR^ithivii patau = the king; muurcchite = having fainted; antaHpuram = the gynaeceum; aviddham = was hurt; nR^ipatau = (while) the king; patite = was falling; kshhitau = on the ground; chukrosha = (the inmates of gynaeceum) wept; uddhR^itya = raising; baahuu = their hands.
Verse 28
सुमित्रया तु सहिता कौसल्या पतितम् पतिम् |
उत्थापयाम् आस तदा वचनम् च इदम् अब्रवीत् || २-५७-२८
Kausalya along with Sumitra lifted up their husband, who fell on the ground. Kausalya also spoke these words to Dasaratha.
28. tadaa = then; kausalyaa = Kausalya; sumitrayaa sahitaa = along with Sumitra; utthaapayaam aasa = lifted up; patim = their husband; patitam = who fell (on the ground); abraviit ca = and (Kausalya) also spoke; idam = these; vachanam = words.
Verse 29
इमम् तस्य महा भाग दूतम् दुष्कर कारिणः |
वन वासात् अनुप्राप्तम् कस्मान् न प्रतिभाषसे || २-५७-२९
“Oh, illustrious king! Why are you not speaking to this Rama’s messenger who came from the forest and who has done difficult things?”
29. mahaabhaagam = Oh; illustrious king! Kasmaat = why; na pratibhaashhase = are you not speaking; imam = to this; tasya = Rama’s duutam = messenger; anupraaptam = dushhkara kaariNaH = and who has done difficult things?
Verse 30
अद्य इमम् अनयम् कृत्वा व्यपत्रपसि राघव |
उत्तिष्ठ सुकृतम् ते अस्तु शोके न स्यात् सहायता || २-५७-३०
“Oh, Dasaratha! After doing an evil act, you are now feeling shameful. Rise up! Let it be a meritorious act for you. You cannot get a help, when you weep like this.”
30. raaghava = Oh; Dasaratha! kR^itvaa = after doing; anayam = an evil act; adya = now; vyapatrapasi = you are feeling shameful; uttishhTha = raise up!; astu = let it be; sukR^itam = a meritorious act; te = for you; sahaayataa = help; na syaat = cannot be obtained; shoke = in grief.
Verse 31
देव यस्या भयात् रामम् न अनुपृच्चसि सारथिम् |
न इह तिष्ठति कैकेयी विश्रब्धम् प्रतिभाष्यताम् || २-५७-३१
“Oh, king! On whose fear, you are not enquiring with Sumantra about the welfare of Rama, that Kaikeyi is not here. Speak fearlessly.”
31. deva = Oh; king!; yasyaaH = on whose; bhayaat; fear; na anupR^icchasi = you are not enquiring; raamam = about Rama; saarathim = with the; charioteer; kaikeyii = that Kaikeyi; na tishhThet = is not; iha = here; pratibhaashhyataam = speak; visrabdham = fearlessly.
Verse 32
सा तथा उक्त्वा महा राजम् कौसल्या शोक लालसा |
धरण्याम् निपपात आशु बाष्प विप्लुत भाषिणी || २-५७-३२
Kausalya, speaking excitedly in tears and entirely given up to anguish uttered thus to the monarch and soon fell to the ground.
32. saa kausalyaa = that Kausalya; baashhpa vipluta bhaashhiNii = speaking excitedly in tears; shoka laalasaa = and entirely given up to uttered; uktvaa = uttered; tathaa = thus; mahaa raajam = to the monarch; aashu = and soon; nipapaata = fell; dharaNyaam = on the ground.
Verse 34
ततः तम् अन्तः पुर नादम् उत्थितम् |
समीक्ष्य वृद्धाः तरुणाः च मानवाः |
स्त्रियः च सर्वा रुरुदुः समन्ततः |
पुरम् तदा आसीत् पुनर् एव सम्कुलम् || २-५७-३४
Hearing that crying sound raised in gynaeceum, all aged and young men and women on all sides gathered around weeping. The city then again became disturbed.
34. tataH = thereafter; samiikshya = seeing; tam = that; antaH pura naadam = noise in gynaeceum; maanavaaH = persons; vR^iddhaaH = aged; taruNaaH cha = and young; sarvaaH = all; striyaH cha = the women; samantataH = on all sides; ruruduH = cried; tadaa = then; puram = the city; punar eva = again; aasiit = became; samkulam = agitated.
Verse 33
एवम् विलपतीम् दृष्ट्वा कौसल्याम् पतिताम् भुवि |
पतिम् च अवेक्ष्य ताः सर्वाः सुस्वरम् रुरुदुः स्त्रियः || २-५७-३३
All those women cried in loud voice, seeing Kausalya fallen on the ground weeping as aforesaid and gazing their husband too (lying unconscious).
33. sarvaaH = all; taaH striyaH = those woman; ruruduH = cried; susvaram = loud voice; dR^ishhTvaa = seeing; kausalyaam = Kausalya; evam = thus; vilapatiim = weeping; bhuvipatitaam = fallen on the ground; avekshhya = and seeing; patim cha = the husband too.
