महा मात्र वचः श्रुत्वा रामः दशरथम् तदा | अन्वभाषत वाक्यम् तु विनयज्ञो विनीतवत् || २-३७-१
mahaa maatra vacaH shrutvaa raamaH dasharatham tadaa | anvabhaaShata vaakyam tu vinayaGYo viniitavat || 2-37-1
Hearing the words of the chief minister, Rama who was well-versed in courtesy, spoke then to Dasaratha as follows:
त्यक्त भोगस्य मे राजन् वने वन्येन जीवतः | किम् कार्यम् अनुयात्रेण त्यक्त सन्गस्य सर्वतः || २-३७-२
tyakta bhogasya me raajan vane vanyena jiivataH | kim kaaryam anuyaatreNa tyakta sangasya sarvataH || 2-37-2
"Of what use for me, who have forsaken enjoyments, cast away attachment for everything and am going to live in the forest on nomadic food, Oh king, with an army accompanying me?"
यो हि दत्त्वा द्विप श्रेष्ठम् कक्ष्यायाम् कुरुते मनः | रज्जु स्नेहेन किम् तस्य त्यजतः कुन्जर उत्तमम् || २-३७-३
yo hi dattvaa dvipa shreShTham kakShyaayaam kurute manaH | rajju snehena kim tasya tyajataH kunjara uttamam || 2-37-3
"Who, after giving away a first-class elephant, will work out his mind on a rope with which it is tied? What use is there for him through attachment to the rope after abandaning the excellent elephant?"
तथा मम सताम् श्रेष्ठ किम् ध्वजिन्या जगत् पते | सर्वाणि एव अनुजानामि चीराणि एव आनयन्तु मे || २-३७-४
tathaa mama sataam shreShTha kim dhvajinyaa jagat pate | sarvaaNi eva anujaanaami ciiraaNi eva aanayantu me || 2-37-4
"Oh, the best among good men! So also, what use is there for me by the army Oh, King, when I am giving away absolutely all. Let the dresses of a mendicant be brought to me.'
खनित्र पिटके च उभे मम आनयत गच्चतः | चतुर् दश वने वासम् वर्षाणि वसतः मम || २-३७-५
khanitra piTake ca ubhe mama aanayata gacchataH | catur dasha vane vaasam varShaaNi vasataH mama || 2-37-5
"I am going to reside in the abode of forest for fourteen years. Bring a shoel and a basket both for me."
अथ चीराणि कैकेयी स्वयम् आहृत्य राघवम् | उवाच परिधत्स्व इति जन ओघे निरपत्रपा || २-३७-६
atha ciiraaNi kaikeyii svayam aahR^itya raaghavam | uvaaca paridhatsva iti jana oghe nirapatrapaa || 2-37-6
Thereupon, Kaikeyi shamelessly bringing personally of men, said to Rama; "Put these on"
स चीरे पुरुष व्याघ्रः कैकेय्याः प्रतिगृह्य ते | सूक्ष्म वस्त्रम् अवक्षिप्य मुनि वस्त्राणि अवस्त ह || २-३७-७
sa ciire puruSha vyaaghraH kaikeyyaaH pratigR^ihya te | suukShma vastram avakShipya muni vastraaNi avasta ha || 2-37-7
Taking those two pieces of bark (as loin cloth and cover) from kaikeyi and discarding his clothing of fine yarn, Rama put on the garb of ascetics.
लक्ष्मणः च अपि तत्र एव विहाय वसने शुभे | तापसाच् चादने चैव जग्राह पितुर् अग्रतः || २-३७-८
lakShmaNaH ca api tatra eva vihaaya vasane shubhe | taapasaac chaadane caiva jagraaha pitur agrataH || 2-37-8
Lakshmana too there itself before his father put on the clothing of ascetics, by discarding his beautiful raiment.
अथ आत्म परिधान अर्थम् सीता कौशेय वासिनी | समीक्ष्य चीरम् सम्त्रस्ता पृषती वागुराम् इव || २-३७-९
atha aatma paridhaana artham siitaa kausheya vaasinii | samiikShya ciiram samtrastaa pR^iShatii vaaguraam iva || 2-37-9
Then, Seetha who wore silken clothing, by seeing the piece of bark intended to be worne by her, felt alarming as a deer would on seeing a snare(set for entrapping)
सा व्यपत्रपमाणा इव प्रतिगृह्य च दुर्मनाः | गन्धर्व राज प्रतिमम् भर्तारम् इदम् अब्रवीत् || २-३७-१० अश्रुसंपूर्ण्नेत्रा च धर्मज्ञा धर्मदर्शिनी | गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमम् भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत् || २-३७-११
saa vyapatrapamaaNaa iva pratigR^ihya ca durmanaaH | gandharva raaja pratimam bhartaaram idam abraviit || 2-37-10 ashrusaMpuurNnetraa cha dharmajJNaa dharmadarshinii | gandharvaraajapratimam bhartaaramidamabraviit || 2-37-11
Feeling abashed while taking the wearing apparel made of Kusa grass and greatly troubled in mind, Seetha who bore auspicious marks knew what is righteousness who was an illustration of righteousness spoke these words with her eyes filled with tears to her husband who looked like Chitraratha(the king of Gandharvas)
कथम् नु चीरम् बध्नन्ति मुनयो वन वासिनः | इति ह्यकुशला सीता सामुमोह मुहुर्मुहुः || २-३७-१२
kR^itvaa kaNThe ca saa ciiram ekam aadaaya paaNinaa | tasthau hi akuShalaa tatra vriiDitaa janaka aatmaja || 2-37-13
"How ascetics residing in the forest wear this piece of bark?" Thus saying, Seetha who was not adept in wearing the bark of trees, erred again and again(in her attempt to wear it)
कृत्वा कण्ठे च सा चीरम् एकम् आदाय पाणिना | तस्थौ हि अकुषला तत्र व्रीडिता जनक आत्मज || २-३७-१३
tasyaaH tat kShipram aagamya raamaH dharmabhR^itaam varaH | ciiram babandha siitaayaaH kausheyasya upari svayam || 2-37-14
Keeping one piece of bark on her neck as well as holding it with her hand, Seetha stood abashed, not adept as she was in wearing it.
तस्याः तत् क्षिप्रम् आगम्य रामः धर्मभृताम् वरः | चीरम् बबन्ध सीतायाः कौशेयस्य उपरि स्वयम् || २-३७-१४
raamam prekshya tu siitaayaaH badhnantam chiiramuttamam | antaHpuragataa naaryo mumuchurvaari netrajam || 2-37-15
Rama, the foremost of those upholding virute, quicky came and personally fastened that bark over the sild garment of Seetha.
रामम् प्रेक्ष्य तु सीतायाः बध्नन्तम् चीरमुत्तमम् | अन्तःपुरगता नार्यो मुमुचुर्वारि नेत्रजम् || २-३७-१५
uchushcha paramaayastaa raamam jvalitatejasam | vatsa naivam niyukteyam vanavaase manasvinii || 2-37-16
Seeing the greatest Rama fastening the bark to Seetha in that manner, the women in the gynaecium shed tears from their eyes.
उचुश्च परमायस्ता रामम् ज्वलिततेजसम् | वत्स नैवम् नियुक्तेयम् वनवासे मनस्विनी || २-३७-१६
piturvaakyaanurodhena gatasya vijanam vanam | taavaddarshanamasyaa naH saphalam bhavatu prabho || 2-37-17
Very much distress as they were, they spoke to Rama of dazzling glory as follows: " Dear child! This Seetha the high sould, was not so commanded to reside in the forest."
पितुर्वाक्यानुरोधेन गतस्य विजनम् वनम् | तावद्दर्शनमस्या नः सफलम् भवतु प्रभो || २-३७-१७
lakshmaNena sahaayena vanam gachchhasva putraka | neyamarhati kalyaaNii vastum taapasavadvane || 2-37-18
"When you departed to the forest in seclusion following the words of your father, Oh Rama, let her sight be a reward to us till your return."
लक्ष्मणेन सहायेन वनम् गच्छस्व पुत्रक | नेयमर्हति कल्याणी वस्तुम् तापसवद्वने || २-३७-१८
kuru no yaachanaam putra! siitaa tishhThatu bhaaminii | dharmanityaH svayam sthaatum na hiidaaniim tvamichchhasi || 2-37-19
" You go to the forest along with Lakshmana as your companion Oh son! Seetha the beautiful girl is not fit to reside in a forest like an ascetic."
कुरु नो याचनाम् पुत्र! सीता तिष्ठतु भामिनी | धर्मनित्यः स्वयम् स्थातुम् न हीदानीम् त्वमिच्छसि || २-३७-१९
taasaamevamvidhaa vaachaH shR^iNvan dasharathaatmajaH | babandhaiva tadaa chiiram siitayaa tulyashiilayaa || 2-37-20
"Accept our prayer, Oh son! Let Seetha the beautiful young lady stay here. Indeed, you the ever righteous in any case do not wish to stay back.
तासामेवम्विधा वाचः शृण्वन् दशरथात्मजः | बबन्धैव तदा चीरम् सीतया तुल्यशीलया || २-३७-२०
ciire gR^ihiite tu tayaa samiikshya nR^ipaterguruH | nivaarya siitaam kaikeyiim vasishhTho vaakyamabraviit || 2-37-21
Even after hearing their words in this manner, Rama fastened that piece of bark to Seetha, who has a well-matched nature.
चीरे गृहीते तु तया समीक्ष्य नृपतेर्गुरुः | निवार्य सीताम् कैकेयीम् वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत् || २-३७-२१
atipravR^itte durmedhe kaikeyi kulapaa.nsani | vaJNyitvaa cha raajaanam na pramaaNe.avatishhThase || 2-37-22
Seeing Seetha accepting the piece of bark, Vasistha the king's preceptor prevented her and spoke thus to Kaikeyi.
अतिप्रवृत्ते दुर्मेधे कैकेयि कुलपांसनि | वञ्यित्वा च राजानम् न प्रमाणेऽवतिष्ठसे || २-३७-२२
na gantavyam vanam devyaa siitayaa shiilavarjite | anushhThaasyati raamasya siitaa prakR^itamaasanam || 2-37-23
"Oh the evil minded Kaikeyi, who have exceeded your limits, who have brought disgrace to your family! You are not establishing justifiable standard and you misled the king.
न गन्तव्यम् वनम् देव्या सीतया शीलवर्जिते | अनुष्ठास्यति रामस्य सीता प्रकृतमासनम् || २-३७-२३
aatmaa hi daaraaH sarveshhaam daarasamgrahavartinaam | aatmeyamiti raamasya paalayishhyati mediniim || 2-37-24
"Oh, the woman without decorum! Seetha the princess shall not proceed to forest. She will occuply the throne, which was awarded to Rama."
आत्मा हि दाराः सर्वेषाम् दारसम्ग्रहवर्तिनाम् | आत्मेयमिति रामस्य पालयिष्यति मेदिनीम् || २-३७-२४
atha yaasyati vaidehii vanam raameNa samgataa | vayamapyanuyaasyaamaH puram chedam gamishhyati || 2-37-25
"A wife is very self to all, who constantly care for their wives. As Seetha is Rama's self, she can rule the earth."
अथ यास्यति वैदेही वनम् रामेण सम्गता | वयमप्यनुयास्यामः पुरम् चेदम् गमिष्यति || २-३७-२५
antapaalaashcha yaasyanti sadaaro yatra raaghavaH | sahopajiivyam raashhTram cha puram cha saparichchhadam || 2-37-26
"Or rather, if Seetha goes to forest together with Rama, we also will follow suit. This city too will go."
अन्तपालाश्च यास्यन्ति सदारो यत्र राघवः | सहोपजीव्यम् राष्ट्रम् च पुरम् च सपरिच्छदम् || २-३७-२६
bharatashcha sashatrughnashchiiravaasaa vanecharaH | vane vasantam kaakutthsamanuvatsyati puurvajam || 2-37-27
"The fronitier- guards and the State including its patrons, as well as this city with its goods and chattels will go whereever Rama and his wife are there."
भरतश्च सशत्रुघ्नश्चीरवासा वनेचरः | वने वसन्तम् काकुत्थ्समनुवत्स्यति पूर्वजम् || २-३७-२७
tatah shuunyaam gatajanaam vasudhaam paadapaiH saha | tvamekaa shaadhi durvR^ittaa prajaanaamahite sthitaa || 2-37-28
"Wearing pieces of bark, Bharata along with Shatrughna will live along with Rama their brother residing in the forest and moving in the forest."
ततह् शून्याम् गतजनाम् वसुधाम् पादपैः सह | त्वमेका शाधि दुर्वृत्ता प्रजानामहिते स्थिता || २-३७-२८
na hi tadbhavitaa raashhTram yatra raamo na bhuupatiH | tadvanam bhavitaa raashhTram yatra raamo nivatsyati || 2-37-29
Thereafter, singly you alone with bad conduct hurt to people, rule this earth which is bereft of people and desolate, with its trees alone remaining.
न हि तद्भविता राष्ट्रम् यत्र रामो न भूपतिः | तद्वनम् भविता राष्ट्रम् यत्र रामो निवत्स्यति || २-३७-२९
na hyadattaam mahiim pitraa bharataH shaastumarhati | tvayi vaa putravadvastum yadi jaato mahiipateH || 2-37-30
"Where Rama is not a king, that place will not indeed become on kingdom. That forest, where Rama will be living, can become a kingdom."
न ह्यदत्ताम् महीम् पित्रा भरतः शास्तुमर्हति | त्वयि वा पुत्रवद्वस्तुम् यदि जातो महीपतेः || २-३७-३०
yadyapi tvam kshititalaadgaganam chotpatishhyasi | piturv.nshacharitrajJNaH so.anyathaa na karishhyati ||2-37-31
"If Bharata is born to king Dasaratha, he is not fit either to rule the earth that is not being offered by his father nor to live as a son in your case."
यद्यपि त्वम् क्षितितलाद्गगनम् चोत्पतिष्यसि | पितुर्व्ंशचरित्रज्ञः सोऽन्यथा न करिष्यति ||२-३७-३१
tattvayaa putragardhinyaa putrasya kR^itamapriyam | loke hi sa na vidyeta yo na raamamanuvrataH || 2-37-32
"Even if you can jump from the surface of the earth to the sky, Bharata who knows the record of his father's dynasty will not do as you wish him to do"
तत्त्वया पुत्रगर्धिन्या पुत्रस्य कृतमप्रियम् | लोके हि स न विद्येत यो न राममनुव्रतः || २-३७-३२
drakshyasyadyaiva kaikeyi pashuvyaaLamR^igadvijaan | gachchhataH saha raameNa paadapaa.nshcha tadunmukhaan || 2-37-33
"therefore, an unfriendly act(alone) has been done by you, eventhough you are covetons towards his well-being. There is none indeed in this world who is not devoted to Rama"
द्रक्ष्यस्यद्यैव कैकेयि पशुव्याळमृगद्विजान् | गच्छतः सह रामेण पादपांश्च तदुन्मुखान् || २-३७-३३
athottamaanyaabharaNaani devi | dehi snushhaayai vyapaniiya chiiram | na chiiramasyaaH pravidhiiyateti | nyavaarayat tadvasanam vasishhThaH || 2-37-34
"Oh, Kaikeyi! You will see now itself that beasts, elephants, deers and birds going with Rama and trees also turning their faces towards Rama."
अथोत्तमान्याभरणानि देवि | देहि स्नुषायै व्यपनीय चीरम् | न चीरमस्याः प्रविधीयतेति | न्यवारयत् तद्वसनम् वसिष्ठः || २-३७-३४
ekasya raamasya vane nivaasa | stvayaa vR^itah kekayaraajaputri | vibhuushhiteyam pratikarmanityaa | vasatvaraNye saha raaghaveNa || 2-37-35
"Moreover, putting aside the bark of trees, give excellent jewellery to your daughter-in-law, Oh, Kaikeyi! the bark of trees is not ordained for her" Thus saying so, Vasishta prevented that wearing of garment by Seetha.
एकस्य रामस्य वने निवास | स्त्वया वृतह् केकयराजपुत्रि | विभूषितेयम् प्रतिकर्मनित्या | वसत्वरण्ये सह राघवेण || २-३७-३५
yaanaishcha mukhyaiH parichaarakaishcha | susamvR^itaa gachchhatu raajaputrii | vasraishcha sarvaiH sahitairvidhaanai | rneyam vR^itaa te varasampradaane || 2-37-36
"Oh, Kaikeyi! It was solicited by you, the dwelling in the forest of Rama only. Let Seetha, to be decorated daily, be adorned with ornaments and live in the forest along with Rama."
यानैश्च मुख्यैः परिचारकैश्च | सुसम्वृता गच्छतु राजपुत्री | वस्रैश्च सर्वैः सहितैर्विधानै | र्नेयम् वृता ते वरसम्प्रदाने || २-३७-३६
tasmi.nstathaa jalpati vipramukhye | gurau nR^ipasyaapratimaprabhaave | naiva sma siitaa vinivR^ittabhaavaa | priyasya bhartuH pratikaarakaamaa || 2-37-37
"Let Seetha go with excellent conveyances, well accompanied by attendants, with all costumes and useful accessories. Her exile was not indeed solicted by you, while asking for boons"
तस्मिंस्तथा जल्पति विप्रमुख्ये | गुरौ नृपस्याप्रतिमप्रभावे | नैव स्म सीता विनिवृत्तभावा | प्रियस्य भर्तुः प्रतिकारकामा || २-३७-३७
iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye ayodhya kaaNDe sapta triMshaH sargaH
Eventhough Vasista, the preceptor of the king, who had an influenc beyond compare and the best of brahmanas was speaking as above, Seetha did not turn away here resolution to follow the ways of her beloved husband.
