Rama Requests the Citizens to Return to Ayodhya

अनुरक्ता महात्मानम् रामम् सत्य परक्रमम् | अनुजग्मुः प्रयान्तम् तम् वन वासाय मानवाः || २-४५-१

anuraktaa mahaatmaanam raamam satya parakramam | anujagmuH prayaantam tam vana vaasaaya maanavaaH || 2-45-1

The people devoted to the high- soled Rama of unfailing bravery accompanied him on his way to the forest for exile.

निवर्तिते अपि च बलात् सुहृद् वर्गे च राजिनि | न एव ते सम्न्यवर्तन्त रामस्य अनुगता रथम् || २-४५-२

nivartite api ca balaat suhR^id varge ca raajini | na eva te samnyavartanta raamasya anugataa ratham || 2-45-2

When the king was forced (in the interests of his son) to turn back, the group of friends who were following Rama's chariot did not return.

अयोध्या निलयानाम् हि पुरुषाणाम् महा यशाः | बभूव गुण सम्पन्नः पूर्ण चन्द्रैव प्रियः || २-४५-३

ayodhyaa nilayaanaam hi puruShaaNaam mahaa yashaaH | babhuuva guNa sampannaH puurNa candraiva priyaH || 2-45-3

Rama who enjoyed great celebrity and who was richly endowed with every virtue, resembling the full moon, had indeed become the favorite for the people living in Ayodhya.

स याच्यमानः काकुत्स्थः स्वाभिः प्रकृतिभिस् तदा | कुर्वाणः पितरम् सत्यम् वनम् एव अन्वपद्यत || २-४५-४

sa yaacyamaanaH kaakutsthaH svaabhiH prakR^itibhis tadaa | kurvaaNaH pitaram satyam vanam eva anvapadyata || 2-45-4

Despite the entreaties of the people of his own, Rama(the scion of the Kakutstha), in order to honor his father's vow; proceeded towards the forest.

अवेक्षमाणः सस्नेहम् चक्षुषा प्रपिबन्न् इव | उवाच रामः स्नेहेन ताः प्रजाः स्वाः प्रजाइव || २-४५-५

avekShamaaNaH sasneham cakShuShaa prapibann iva | uvaaca raamaH snehena taaH prajaaH svaaH prajaaiva || 2-45-5

Fondly gazing on the people as though drinking with his eyes, Rama lovingly spoke (as follows) as though they were his own children:

या प्रीतिर् बहुमानः च मय्य् अयोध्या निवासिनाम् | मत् प्रिय अर्थम् विशेषेण भरते सा निवेश्यताम् || २-४५-६

yaa priitir bahumaanaH ca mayy ayodhyaa nivaasinaam | mat priya artham visheSheNa bharate saa niveshyataam || 2-45-6

"The respect and affection that has been bestowed upon me by you (the residents of Ayodhya) may for my satisfaction be bestowed in a special measure on Bharata.

स हि कल्याण चारित्रः कैकेय्या आनन्द वर्धनः | करिष्यति यथावद् वः प्रियाणि च हितानि च || २-४५-७

sa hi kalyaaNa caaritraH kaikeyyaa aananda vardhanaH | kariShyati yathaavad vaH priyaaNi ca hitaani ca || 2-45-7

"Bharata who enhances the delight of Kaikeyi and who possesses excellent conduct, will indeed do pleasing and beneficial things to you appropriately."

ज्ञान वृद्धो वयो बालो मृदुर् वीर्य गुण अन्वितः | अनुरूपः स वो भर्ता भविष्यति भय अपहः || २-४५-८

GYaana vR^iddho vayo baalo mR^idur viirya guNa anvitaH | anuruupaH sa vo bhartaa bhaviShyati bhaya apahaH || 2-45-8

"Bharata who is matured in knowledge but young in age, who is gentle but endowed with virility and virtue, will become your worthy master who can dispel your fears"

स हि राज गुणैः युक्तः युव राजः समीक्षितः | अपि च अपि मया शिष्टैः कार्यम् वो भर्तृ शासनम् || २-४५-९

sa hi raaja guNaiH yuktaH yuva raajaH samiikShitaH | api ca api mayaa shiShTaiH kaaryam vo bhartR^i shaasanam || 2-45-9

"Bharata who is endowed with royal virtues is being marked as the prince. Further, king's command is to be carried out by me and the rest of you.

न च तप्येद् यथा च असौ वन वासम् गते मयि | महा राजः तथा कार्यो मम प्रिय चिकीर्षया || २-४५-१०

na ca tapyed yathaa ca asau vana vaasam gate mayi | mahaa raajaH tathaa kaaryo mama priya cikiirShayaa || 2-45-10

"If you desire to please me, see that the king does not suffer agony when I have gone to forest for exile"

यथा यथा दाशरथिर् धर्मम् एव आस्थितः अभवत् | तथा तथा प्रकृतयो रामम् पतिम् अकामयन् || २-४५-११

yathaa yathaa daasharathir dharmam eva aasthitaH abhavat | tathaa tathaa prakR^itayo raamam patim akaamayan || 2-45-11

The more Rama the son of Dasaratha, showed himself to be faithful to his duty, the more the people wished to have him as their master "

बाष्पेण पिहितम् दीनम् रामः सौमित्रिणा सह | चकर्ष इव गुणैः बद्ध्वा जनम् पुनर् इव आसनम् || २-४५-१२

baaShpeNa pihitam diinam raamaH saumitriNaa saha | cakarSha iva guNaiH baddhvaa janam punar iva aasanam || 2-45-12

Rama accompanied by son of Sumitra, drew the people of the city, who were weeping piteously, after him as if tied and pulled with cords.

ते द्विजाः त्रिविधम् वृद्धा ज्ञानेन वयसा ओजसा | वयः प्रकम्प शिरसो दूरात् ऊचुर् इदम् वचः || २-४५-१३

te dvijaaH trividham vR^iddhaa GYaanena vayasaa ojasaa | vayaH prakampa shiraso duuraat uucur idam vacaH || 2-45-13

Those brahmanas, who were triply revered for their learning, their age and their spirituality, their heads shaking with advanced years, cried out :

वहन्तः जवना रामम् भो भो जात्याः तुरम् गमाः | निवर्तध्वम् न गन्तव्यम् हिता भवत भर्तरि || २-४५-१४

vahantaH javanaa raamam bho bho jaatyaaH turam gamaaH | nivartadhvam na gantavyam hitaa bhavata bhartari || 2-45-14

"Oh Noble Steeds, of speedy breed! You who are carrying Rama, do come back! Do not proceed! Be friendly to your master (since by taking Rama against our wishes, you will be doing a disservice to him)"

कर्णवन्ति हि भूतानि विशेषण तुरम्गमाः | यूयम् तस्मान्निवर्तध्वम् याचनाम् प्रतिवेदिताः || २-४५-१५

karNavanti hi bhuutaani visheshhaNa turamgamaaH | yuuyam tasmaannivartadhvam yaachanaam prativeditaaH || 2-45-15

"Indeed all things, which are endowed with ears, more so horses, stand appraised of our entreaty. Therefore, you return."

धर्मतः स विशुद्धात्मा वीरः शुभदृढप्रतह् | उपवाह्यः तु वो भर्ता न अपवाह्यः पुरात् वनम् || २-४५-१६

dharmataH sa vishuddhaatmaa viiraH shubhadR^iDhapratah | upavaahyaH tu vo bhartaa na apavaahyaH puraat vanam || 2-45-16

"That hero of the pure soul, of virtuous and auspicious firm resolve, that master, deserves to be brought back to the city and not to be taken to the forest."

एवम् आर्त प्रलापांस् तान् वृद्धान् प्रलपतः द्विजान् | अवेक्ष्य सहसा रामः रथात् अवततार ह || २-४५-१७

evam aarta pralaapaa.ns taan vR^iddhaan pralapataH dvijaan | avekShya sahasaa raamaH rathaat avatataara ha || 2-45-17

Seeing those aged brahmanas uttering those painful words, Rama quickly got down from the chariot.

पद्भ्याम् एव जगाम अथ ससीतः सह लक्ष्मणः | सम्निकृष्ट पद न्यासो रामः वन परायणः || २-४५-१८

padbhyaam eva jagaama atha sasiitaH saha lakShmaNaH | samnikR^iShTa pada nyaaso raamaH vana paraayaNaH || 2-45-18

Rama with Sita and Lakshmana, taking close strides, proceeded on foot towards the forest.

द्विजातींस् तु पदातींस् तान् रामः चारित्र वत्सलः | न शशाक घृणा चक्षुः परिमोक्तुम् रथेन सः || २-४५-१९

dvijaatii.ns tu padaatii.ns taan raamaH caaritra vatsalaH | na shashaaka ghR^iNaa cakShuH parimoktum rathena saH || 2-45-19

That Rama who was affectionate in his disposition and had compassion in his eyes, could not abandon those brahmanas walking on foot, far behind the chariot.

गच्चन्तम् एव तम् दृष्ट्वा रामम् सम्भ्रान्त मानसाः | ऊचुः परम सम्तप्ता रामम् वाक्यम् इदम् द्विजाः || २-४५-२०

gacchantam eva tam dR^iShTvaa raamam sambhraanta maanasaaH | uucuH parama samtaptaa raamam vaakyam idam dvijaaH || 2-45-20

Perceiving Rama still going towards the forest, those brahmanas perplexed in mind and greatly distressed, spoke the following words :

ब्राह्मण्यम् कृत्स्नम् एतत् त्वाम् ब्रह्मण्यम् अनुगच्चति | द्विज स्कन्ध अधिरूढाः त्वाम् अग्नयो अपि अनुयान्ति अमी || २-४५-२१

braahmaNyam kR^itsnam etat tvaam brahmaNyam anugacchati | dvija skandha adhiruuDhaaH tvaam agnayo api anuyaanti amii || 2-45-21

"The whole of this brahmana community is following you, devoted (as you are) to the brahmanas. See, they are bearing the sacred fires on their shoulders"

वाजपेय समुत्थानि चत्राणि एतानि पश्य नः | पृष्ठतः अनुप्रयातानि हंसान् इव जल अत्यये || २-४५-२२

vaajapeya samutthaani chatraaNi etaani pashya naH | pR^iShThataH anuprayaataani ha.nsaan iva jala atyaye || 2-45-22

"Look at these canopies (obtained by us while observing Vajpeya sacrifice*) accompanying our backs like clouds at the end of the rainy season"

अनवाप्त आतपत्रस्य रश्मि सम्तापितस्य ते | एभिः चायाम् करिष्यामः स्वैः चत्रैः वाजपेयिकैः || २-४५-२३

anavaapta aatapatrasya rashmi samtaapitasya te | ebhiH chaayaam kariShyaamaH svaiH chatraiH vaajapeyikaiH || 2-45-23

"With these canopies of ours, we shall give shade to you, who have got no canopy and are being scored with rays (of the sun.)"

या हि नः सततम् बुद्धिर् वेद मन्त्र अनुसारिणी | त्वत् कृते सा कृता वत्स वन वास अनुसारिणी || २-४५-२४

yaa hi naH satatam buddhir veda mantra anusaariNii | tvat kR^ite saa kR^itaa vatsa vana vaasa anusaariNii || 2-45-24

"Oh, Dear child! The intellect of ours, which was forever engaged in perusing the study of Vedic texts has been now made to follow the course of exile to the forest"

हृदयेष्व् अवतिष्ठन्ते वेदा ये नः परम् धनम् | वत्स्यन्ति अपि गृहेष्व् एव दाराः चारित्र रक्षिताः || २-४५-२५

hR^idayeShv avatiShThante vedaa ye naH param dhanam | vatsyanti api gR^iheShv eva daaraaH caaritra rakShitaaH || 2-45-25

"We will carry the Vedas in our hearts as our excellent treasure and our wives too will remain at home, protected by their character"

न पुनर् निश्चयः कार्यः त्वद् गतौ सुकृता मतिः | त्वयि धर्म व्यपेक्षे तु किम् स्यात् धर्मम् अवेक्षितुम् || २-४५-२६

na punar nishcayaH kaaryaH tvad gatau sukR^itaa matiH | tvayi dharma vyapekShe tu kim syaat dharmam avekShitum || 2-45-26

"We shall not revoke our decision. Our mind is fully determined to go along with you (to the forest). If you do not pay attention to piety, what being will remain devoted to the path of virtue?"

याचितः नो निवर्तस्व हंस शुक्ल शिरः रुहैः | शिरोभिर् निभृत आचार मही पतन पांशुलैः || २-४५-२७

yaacitaH no nivartasva ha.nsa shukla shiraH ruhaiH | shirobhir nibhR^ita aacaara mahii patana paa.nshulaiH || 2-45-27

" Oh, prince of resolute conduct! We entreat you by our heads having gray hair like the white color of the swans, that are soiled with dust as a result of their falling on the ground (in the course of our prostration to you) (pray) turn back."

बहूनाम् वितता यज्ञा द्विजानाम् यैह आगताः | तेषाम् समाप्तिर् आयत्ता तव वत्स निवर्तने || २-४५-२८

bahuunaam vitataa yaGYaa dvijaanaam yaiha aagataaH | teShaam samaaptir aayattaa tava vatsa nivartane || 2-45-28

"Sacrifices have been commenced by many of those Brahmanas that have come here. Their completion, oh dear child, depends on your return"

भक्तिमन्ति हि भूतानि जम्गम अजम्गमानि च | याचमानेषु तेषु त्वम् भक्तिम् भक्तेषु दर्शय || २-४५-२९

bhaktimanti hi bhuutaani jamgama ajamgamaani ca | yaacamaaneShu teShu tvam bhaktim bhakteShu darshaya || 2-45-29

"Beings both animate and inanimate, Oh, Rama, are indeed devoted to you. Show affection to those devotees, who entreat you to return."

अनुगम्तुम् अशक्ताः त्वाम् मूलैः उद्धिऋत वेगिभिः | उन्नता वायु वेगेन विक्रोशन्ति इव पादपाः || २-४५-३०

anugamtum ashaktaaH tvaam muulaiH uddhiR^ita vegibhiH | unnataa vaayu vegena vikroshanti iva paadapaaH || 2-45-30

"The trees held by their roots, unable to accompany you, seen to be weeping, hump-backed by the force of wind"

निश्चेष्ट आहार संचारा वृक्ष एक स्थान विष्ठिताः | पक्षिणो अपि प्रयाचन्ते सर्व भूत अनुकम्पिनम् || २-४५-३१

nishceShTa aahaara sa.ncaaraa vR^ikSha eka sthaana viShThitaaH | pakShiNo api prayaacante sarva bhuuta anukampinam || 2-45-31

"Birds too, which sit motionless and are unable to go out in search of food and which remain fixed at one spot on trees, are supplicating you to return, compassionate as you are to all created beings"

एवम् विक्रोशताम् तेषाम् द्विजातीनाम् निवर्तने | ददृशे तमसा तत्र वारयन्ति इव राघवम् || २-४५-३२

evam vikroshataam teShaam dvijaatiinaam nivartane | dadR^ishe tamasaa tatra vaarayanti iva raaghavam || 2-45-32

While those brahmanas were crying thus with a view to persuading Rama to return, the river Tamasa appeared there, as though retarding the progress of Rama "

ततः सुमन्त्रोऽपि रथाद्विमुच्य | श्रान्तान्हयान्सम्परिवर्त्य श्रीघ्राम् | पीतोदकांस्तोयपरिप्लुताङ्गा | नचारयद्वै तमसाविदूरे || २-४५-३३

tataH sumantro.api rathaadvimuchya | shraantaanhayaansamparivartya shriighraam | piitodakaa.nstoyapariplutaaN^gaa | nachaarayadvai tamasaaviduure || 2-45-33

Thereafter Sumantra the charioteer too released the horses, tired as they were, from the chariot and quickly making them roll, allowed them to graze not very far from the (bank of) Tamasa once they had drunk water and had their body washed in the river."