Introduction

Sumantra narrates the ghastly fate of Ayodhya, both its animate and inanimate beings. Dasaratha laments and soon falls unconscious.

Verse 1

मम तु अश्वा निवृत्तस्य न प्रावर्तन्त वर्त्मनि |
उष्णम् अश्रु विमुन्चन्तः रामे सम्प्रस्थिते वनम् || २-५९-१

“Rama having departed to the forest, horses on the return path however, shedding warm tears, did not proceed further on the way.”

1.raame = Rama; samprasthite = having departed; vanam = to the forest; nivR^ittasya = the returning; ashvaaH tu = horses; however; mama = of mine; pramuNcantaH shedding; uSNam = warm; ashru = tears; na praavartanta = did not proceed; vartmani = on the way.

Verse 2

उभाभ्याम् राज पुत्राभ्याम् अथ कृत्वा अहम् ज्ञलिम् |
प्रस्थितः रथम् आस्थाय तत् दुह्खम् अपि धारयन् || २-५९-२

“I, on my part, offering salutation with joined palms to both the princes and keeping back from that grief, ascended the chariot and moved on.”

2. atha = thereafter; aham = I; kR^itvaa = offering (salutation); aJNjalim = with joined palms; ubhaabhyaam = to both; raaja putraabhyaam = the princes; dhaarayan = keeping back; tat = that; duHkham api = grief; aasthaaya = ascended; ratham = the chariot; prasthitaH = and moved on.

Verse 3

गुहा इव सार्धम् तत्र एव स्थितः अस्मि दिवसान् बहून् |
आशया यदि माम् रामः पुनः शब्दापयेद् इति || २-५९-३

“With the hope that I shall be called again by Rama, I stayed there along with Guha for three days.”

3. aashayaa = with the hope; iti = that; shabdaapayed dyadi = I shall be called; punaH = again; raamaH- (by) Rama; sthitaH asmi = I stayed; tatraiva = there only; guhena saartham = along with Guha; bahuun = for many (three); divasaan = days.

Verse 4

विषये ते महा राज माम व्यसन कर्शिताः |
अपि वृक्षाः परिम्लानः सपुष्प अन्कुर कोरकाः || २-५९-४

“Oh, emperor! Even trees in your domain have withered, without giving flowers sprouts and buds, having emaciated due to Rama’s separation.”

4. mahaaraaja = Oh; emperor; vR^iSaaH api = even trees; te viSaye = in your domain; parimlaanaH = have withered; sa puSpa ankura korakaaH = without flowers; sprouts and buds; raama vyasana karshitaaH = having emaciated due to Rama’s separation.

Verse 5

उपतप्तोदका नद्यः पल्वलानि सरांसि च |
परिष्कुपलाशानि वनान्युपवनानि च || २-५९-५

“Rivers, pools and lakes were with hot water. Groves and gardens were with their leaves, parched up.”

5. nadyaH = rivers; palvalaani = pools; saraamsi ca = lakes; upataptodakaaH = were with lot water; vanaani = groves; upavanaani cha = and gardens; pariSkupalaashaani = were with their leaves; parched up.

Verse 6

न च सर्पन्ति सत्त्वानि व्याला न प्रसरन्ति च |
राम शोक अभिभूतम् तन् निष्कूजम् अभवद् वनम् || २-५९-६

“Living beings are not moving. Wild animals too are not roaming around. That forest became silent, predominated by grief towards Rama.”

6. sattvaani = Living beings; na ca sarpanti = are not moving; vyaalaaH ca = wild animals too; na prasaranti = are not roaming around; tat vanam = that forest; abhavad = became; niSkuujam = silent; raama shoka abhibhuutam = predominated by grief towards Rama

Verse 7

लीन पुष्कर पत्राः च नर इन्द्र कलुष उदकाः |
सम्तप्त पद्माः पद्मिन्यो लीन मीन विहम्गमाः || २-५९-७

“Oh, emperor! Lotus-lakes were with lotus-leaves hiding under water pressing themselves closely together, with muddy waters, with parched lotus-flowers and in which fish and water fowls have completely disappeared.”

7. narendram = Oh; emperor; padminyaH = lotus-lakes (were); liina puSkara patraaH ca = with lotus-leaves hiding under water; having pressed themselves closely together; kaluSa udakaaH = with muddy waters; samtapta padmaaH = with parched lotus-flowers; liina miina vihamgamaaH = and in which fish and water-fowls having disappeared.

Verse 8

जलजानि च पुष्पाणि माल्यानि स्थलजानि च |
न अद्य भान्ति अल्प गन्धीनि फलानि च यथा पुरम् || २-५९-८

“Water-born flowers and flowers living on dry lands now give very little fragrance and fruits do not have a luscious look as before.”

8. jalajaani = water-born; puSpaaNi = flowers; maalyaani = flowers; sthalajaani = living on dry land; adya = now; alpa gandhiini = giving very little fragrance; phalaani ca = and fruits; na bhaanti = do not have luscious look; yathaa puram = as before.

Verse 9

अत्रोद्यानानि शून्यानि प्रलीनविहगानि च |
न चाभिरामानारामान् पश्यामि मनुजर्षभ || २-५९-९

“Oh, best of men! The gardens here are empty of men and the birds have vanished. I am not seeing the gardens as charming (as before).”

9. manujarSabha = Oh; best of men; udyaanaani = the gardens; atra = here; shuunyaani = are empty of men; praliina vihagaani ca = and the birds have vanished; na pashyaami = I am not seeing; aaraamaan = the gardens; abhiraaman = as charming.

Verse 10

प्रविशन्तम् अयोध्याम् माम् न कश्चित् अभिनन्दति |
नरा रामम् अपश्यन्तः निह्श्वसन्ति मुहुर् मुहुः || २-५९-१०

“Nobody greeted me, entering into Ayodhya City. Having not seen Rama, the people are breathing their sigh of lamentation again and again.”

10. na kashchit = nobody; abhinandati = greeted me; pravishantam = entering; ayodhyaayaam = into Ayodhya City; apashyantaH = having not seen; raamam = Rama; naraaH = the people; nishvasanti = are breathing; muhur muhuH = again and again.

Verse 11

देव राजरथम् दृष्ट्वा विना राममिहागतम् |
दुःखादश्रुमुखः सर्वो राजमार्गगतो जनः || २-५९-११

“Oh, emperor! Seeing the royal chariot returning here without Rama, all the people along the royal high-way are shedding tears with grief.”

11. deva = Oh emperor; dR^iSTvaa = seeing; raajaratham = the royal chariot; aagatam = coming; iha = here; ninaa raamam = without Rama; sarvaH = all; janaH = the people; raajamarga gataH = going along the royal high-way; ashrumukhaH = are having their faces filled with tears; duHkhaat = by grief.

Verse 12

हर्म्यैः विमानैः प्रासादैः अवेक्ष्य रथम् आगतम् |
हाहा कार कृता नार्यो राम अदर्शन कर्शिताः || २-५९-१२

“Seeing the returned chariot, women from mansions, seven-storied buildings and royal palaces are crying �ha ha!’, being troubled by the non-appearance of Rama.”

12. aavekSya = seeing; ratham = the chariot; aagatam = coming; naaryaH = women; harmyaiH = from mansions; vimaanaiH = seven-storied buildings; praasaadaiH = and royal palaces; haahaakarakR^itaH = are crying �ha ha!’; raamadarshanakarshitaaH = being troubled by non-appearance of Rama.”

Verse 13

आयतैः विमलैः नेत्रैः अश्रु वेग परिप्लुतैः |
अन्योन्यम् अभिवीक्षन्ते व्यक्तम् आर्ततराः स्त्रियः || २-५९-१३

“Women, being more sorrowful, are looking at each other indistinctly with their long bright eyes overwhelmed with a flood of tears.”

13. striyaH = women; aartataraaH = being more sorrowful; abhiviikSante = are looking at; anyonyam = each other; avyaktam = indistinctly; aayataiH = with their long; vimalaiH = bright; netraiH = eyes; ashru vega pariplutaiH = overwhelmed with a flood of tears.

Verse 14

न अमित्राणाम् न मित्राणाम् उदासीन जनस्य च |
अहम् आर्ततया कंचित् विशेषम् न उपलक्षये || २-५९-१४

“I do not see any distinction in their agony, whether they are non-friends, friends or neutral people.”

14. aham = I; na upalakSaye = do not see; kimchit = any; visheSam = distinction; aartatayaa = in their agony; amitraaNaam = in non-friends; mitraaNaam = friends; udaasiina janasya = and neutral people.

Verse 15 & 16

अप्रहृष्ट मनुष्या च दीन नाग तुरम्गमा |
आर्त स्वर परिम्लाना विनिह्श्वसित निह्स्वना || २-५९-१५
निरानन्दा महा राज राम प्रव्राजन आतुला |
कौसल्या पुत्र हीना इवायोध्या प्रतिभाति मा मा || २-५९-१६

“Oh, emperor! The city of Ayodhya with its joy-less people, with its elephants and horses looking miserable, with sighing exhaustion due to cries of pain, filled with sounds of moaning, cheerless and feeling anguish due to Rama’s exile, appears to me, like Queen Kausalya without her son.”

15-16. mahaaraja = Oh; emperor; ayodhyaa = the city of Ayodhya; aprahR^iSTa manuSyaa cha = with joyless people; diina naaga turamgamaa = with elephants and horses looking miserable; aarta svara parimlaanaa = with sighing exhaustion to cries of pain; vinihshvasita nihsvanaa = filled with sounds of moaning; niraanandaa = cheerless; raama pravraajana aatulaa = anguish due to Rama’s exile; pratibhaati = as Kausalya; putra hiinaa = without her son.

Verse 17

सूतस्य वचनम् श्रुत्वा वाचा परम दीनया |
बाष्प उपहतया राजा तम् सूतम् इदम् अब्रवीत् || २-५९-१७

Hearing Sumantra’s words, the king in a voice choked with tears and very much woeful, spoke to that charioteer as follows:

17. raajaa = the king; shrutvaa = hearing; suutasya = Sumantra’s; vachanam = words; abraviit = spoke; idam = this; tam suutam = to that charioteer; vaacaa = in a voice; baaSpa upahatayaa = choked with tears; parama diinayaa = and very much woeful.

Verse 18

कैकेय्या विनियुक्तेन पाप अभिजन भावया |
मया न मन्त्र कुशलैः वृद्धैः सह समर्थितम् || २-५९-१८

“Enjoined by Kaikeyi with her sinful birth and intention, I could not deliberate with people experienced in counsel or with elders beforehand.”

18. viniyuktena = enjoined; kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi; paapa abhijana bhaavayaa = with sinful birth and intention; na samarthitam = it was not deliberated; mayaa = by me; mantra kushalaiH = with people experienced in counsel; vR^iddhaiH saha = and with elders.

Verse 19

न सुहृद्भिर् न च अमात्यैः मन्त्रयित्वा न नैगमैः |
मया अयम् अर्थः सम्मोहात् स्त्री हेतोह् सहसा कृतः || २-५९-१९

“This act has been done by me in haste due to infatuation for the sake of a woman, without consulting with friends or ministers or with interpreters of sacred texts.”

19. ayam = this; arthaH = act; kR^itaH = has been done; mayaa = by me; sahasaa = in haste; sammohaat = due to infatuation; strii hetoH = for the sake of a woman; na mantrayitvaa = without consulting; suhR^idbhiH = with friends; na mantrayitvaa = nor by consulting; amaatyaiH = with ministers; naigamaiH ca = or with interpreters of sacred texts.

Verse 20

भवितव्यतया नूनम् इदम् वा व्यसनम् महत् |
कुलस्य अस्य विनाशाय प्राप्तम् सूत यदृच्चया || २-५९-२०

“Oh, Sumantra! This great calamity, surely, has come as an inevitable consequence or for the ruin of this race or accidentally.”

20. suuta = Oh; Sumantra; idam = this; mahat = great; vyasanam = calamity; nuunam = surely; praaptam = has come; bhavitavyatayaa = as an inevitable consequence; vaa = r; vinaashaaya = for the ruin; asya = of this; kulasya = race; yadR^icchayaa = or accidentally.

Verse 21

सूत यद्य् अस्ति ते किंचिन् मया अपि सुकृतम् कृतम् |
त्वम् प्रापय आशु माम् रामम् प्राणाः सम्त्वरयन्ति माम् || २-५९-२१

Oh, sumantra! If at all I have done any favour to you, lead me fast to Rama. My vital spirits are hastening me.”

21. suuta = Oh; Sumantra; asti yadi = If at all; kimchit = any; sukR^itam = favour; kR^itam = has been done; te = to you; mayaa = by me; tvam = you; praapaya = lead; maam = me; aashu = fast; raamam = to Rama; praaNaaH = (my) vital spirits; samtvarayanti = are hastening; maam = me.

Verse 22

यद् यद् या अपि मम एव आज्ञा निवर्तयतु राघवम् |
न शक्ष्यामि विना राम मुहूर्तम् अपि जीवितुम् || २-५९-२२

“If there is the same unlimited authority of mine even now, let Rama be brought back to Ayodhya. I cannot survive without Rama even for a moment.”

22. yadyat aaGYaa = if there is the same unlimited authority; mama = of mine; yaa api = even now; raaghavam nivartayatu = let Rama be brought back; na shakSyaami = I cannot; jiivitum = survive; raamam vinaa = without Rama; muhuurtam api = even for a moment.

Verse 23

अथवा अपि महा बाहुर् गतः दूरम् भविष्यति |
माम् एव रथम् आरोप्य शीघ्रम् रामाय दर्शय || २-५९-२३

“Or perhaps Rama the mighty-armed might have gone a long way. Make me to ascend the chariot and quickly show me to Rama.”

23. athavaa = or perhaps; mahaa baahuH = Rama the mighty armed; gataH bhaviSyati = might have gone; duuram = along way; aaropya maam eva = make me to ascend; ratham = the chariot; shiighram = quickly; darshaya = and show (me); raamaaya = to Rama.

Verse 24

वृत्त दम्ष्ट्रः महा इष्वासः क्व असौ लक्ष्मण पूर्वजः |
यदि जीवामि साध्व् एनम् पश्येयम् सह सीतया || २-५९-२४

“Where is that Rama having pearl-like teeth and wearing a large bow? If only I can see him well with Seetha, I can survive.”

24. kva = where is; asau = that; lakSmaNa puurvajaH = Rama; vR^itta damSTro = having round teeth; mahaa iSvaasaH = and wearing a large bow? Pashyeyam yadi = If I can see; enam = him; saadhu = well; siitayaa saha = with Seetha; jiivaami = I can survive.

Verse 25

लोहित अक्षम् महा बाहुम् आमुक्त मणि कुण्डलम् |
रामम् यदि न पश्यामि गमिष्यामि यम क्षयम् || २-५९-२५

“If I cannot see Rama having red eyes, mighty arms and with ear-rings made of gems, I shall proceed to the world of Death.”

25. na pashyeyam yadi = if I cannot see; raamam = Rama; lohita akSam = having red eyes; mahaa baahum = mighty arms; aamukta maNi kuNDalam = with ear-rings made of gems; gamiSyaami = I shall proceed; yam kSayam = to the world of death.

Verse 26

अतः नु किम् दुह्खतरम् यो अहम् इक्ष्वाकु नन्दनम् |
इमाम् अवस्थाम् आपन्नो न इह पश्यामि राघवम् || २-५९-२६

“What is more distressing to me after getting into this condition, in not seeing here, Rama who is a delight to Ikshvaku dynasty?”

26. kim nu = what is; duhkhataram = more distressing; ataH = than; saH aham = that I; aapannaH = who has got into; imaam = this; avasthaam = condition; na pashyaami = am not seeing; raaghavam = Rama; ikSvaaku kula nandanam = who is a delight to Ikshvaku dynasty; iha = here?

Verse 27

हा राम राम अनुज हा हा वैदेहि तपस्विनी |
न माम् जानीत दुह्खेन म्रियमाणम् अनाथवत् || २-५९-२७

“Oh, Rama! Oh, Younger Brother of Rama! Oh, unfortunate Seetha! You do not know that I am dying with grief, like one abandoned.”

27. haa raama = Oh; Rama; haa raamaanuja = Oh; younger brother of Rama; tapasvinii = unfortunate; haa vaidehi = Oh; Seetha; na jaaniita = you do not know; maam = me; mriyamaaNam = as dying; duHkena = with grief; anaathavat = like one abandoned.

Verse 28

स तेन राजा दुःखेन भृशमर्पितचेतनः |
अवगाढः सुदुष्पारम् शोकसागमब्रवीत् || २-५९-२८

King Dasaratha, his mind very much despaired with grief and plunged in an ocean of sorrow, very difficult to be crossed, spoke (as follows)

28. saH raajaa = that Dasaratha; arpitachetasaH = his mind despaired; bhR^iSam = very much; duHkena = with grief; avagaaDhaH = plunged; shoka saagaram = in an ocean of sorrow; suduSpaaram = which is very difficult to be crossed; abraviit = spoke (as follows)

Verse 29, 30 , 31 & 32

रामशोकमहाभोगः सीताविरहपारगः |
श्वसितोर्मिमहावर्तो बाष्पफेनजलाविलः || २-५९-२९
बाहुविक्षेपमीनौघो विक्रन्दितमहास्वनः |
प्रकीर्णकेशशैवालः कैकेयीबडबामुखः || २-५९-३०
ममाश्रुवेगप्रभवः कुब्जावाक्यमहाग्रहः |
वरवेलो नृशंसाया रामप्रव्राजनायतः || २-५९-३१
यस्मिन् बत निमग्नोऽहम् कौसल्ये राघवम् विना |
दुस्तरः जीवता देवि मया अयम् शोक सागरः || २-५९-३२

“Oh, Queen Kausalya! I am plunged in this ocean of grief. Its area of sorrow is for Rama. its other shore is Seetha’s separation. Its waves and huge whirlpools are sighs of anguish. It is agitated with water and foam as tears. Throwing away of arms is the swarm of fishes. Its great sounds are cries of lamentation. The scattered hari is its duck-week. Kaikeyi is its submarine fire. Which is the cause for the rush in my tears. The words of the hum-backed are its huge crocodiles. Its shores are the boons asked by the cruel Kaikeyi. Its long stretch is due to sending of Rama to far away place. I cannot cross this ocean alive, without Rama. What a pity!”

33-36. deevii = Oh; queen; kausalye = Kausalya; yasmin = In which; aham = I; nimagnaH = am plunged; asau = in this; shoka saagaraH = ocean of grief; raamashokamahaabhogaH = its area of sorrow is for Rama; siitaavirahapaaragaH = its shore is Seetha’s separation; shvasitormimahaavartaH = its waves and huge whirl-pools are sighs of anguish; baaSpaphenajalaavilaH = It is agitated with water and foam as tears; baahuvikshhepamiinaughaH = throwing away of arms is the swarm of fishes; vikranditamahaasvanaH = its great sounds are cries of lamentation; prakiirNakeshashaivaalaH = the scattered hair is its duck-weed. kaikeyiibaDabaamukhaH = Kaikeyi is its submarine fire; mamaashruvegaprabhavaH = which is the cause for the rust in my tears; kubjaavaakyamahaagrahaH = the words of the hump-backed are its huge crocodiles; varavelaH = with shores as boons; nR^ishamsaayaaH = of the cruel Kaikeyi; raamapravraajanaayataH = its long stretch is due to sending of Rama to a far way place; dustaraH = It cannot be crossed jiivitaa = alive; mayaa = by me; raaghavam vinaa = without Rama.

Verse 33

अशोभनम् यो अहम् इह अद्य राघवम् |
दिदृक्षमाणो न लभे सलक्ष्मणम्
इति इव राजा विलपन् महा यहाशः
पपात तूर्णम् शयने स मूर्चितः || २-५९-३३

“Though I want to see Rama and Lakshmana now, I am not able to see them here. It is very bad.” – thus lamenting, the king of great renown soon became unconscious and fell down on his couch.

33. saH raajaa = that king; mahaayashaaH = of great renown; vilapan = lamenting; itiiva = in the manner; yaH aham = which I; didR^ikSamaaNaH = want to see; adya = now; raaghavam = Rama; salakSmaNam = along with Lakshmana; na labhe = (I am) not able to obtain; iha = here; ashobhanam = It is very bad; muurchitaH = became unconscious; tuurNam = soon; papaata = and fell; shayane = on his couch.

Verse 34

ति विलपति पार्थिवे प्रनष्टे |
करुणतरम् द्विगुणम् च राम हेतोः |
वचनम् अनुनिशम्य तस्य देवी |
भयम् अगमत् पुनर् एव राम माता || २-५९-३४

Hearing his words lamenting as much as twice more pitiably for Rama and the king having fallen unconscious, Kausalya was alarmed once again.

34. anunishamya = hearing; tasya = his; vachanam = words; vilapati = lamenting; dviguNam ca = as much as twice; karuNataram = more pitiably; raama hetoH = for Rama; paarthive = and the king; pranaSTe = having fallen unconscious; devii = Kausalya; agamat = got; bhayam = fear; punareva = once again.