Sage Bharadwaja Informs the Route of Chitrakuta

उषित्वा रजनीम् तत्र राजपुत्रावरिंदमौ | महर्षिमभिवाद्याथ जग्मतुस्तम् गिरिम् प्रति || २-५५-१

ushhitvaa rajaniim tatra raajaputraavari.ndamau | maharshhimabhivaadyaatha jagmatustam girim prati || 2-55-1

Having stayed that night there, those princes the annihilators of enemies, thereafter offered salutation to the sage Bharadwaja and proceeded towards that mountain of Chitrakuta.

तेषाम् चैव स्वस्त्ययनम् महर्षिः स चकार ह | प्रस्थितांश्चैव तान् प्रेक्ष्यपिता पुत्रानिवान्वगात् || २-५५-२

teshhaam chaiva svastyayanam maharshhiH sa chakaara ha | prasthitaa.nshchaiva taan prekshyapitaa putraanivaanvagaat || 2-55-2

That great sage Bharadwaja performed a religious rite ensuring a sage journey (scattering boiled rice on the ground and invoking blessing through the repetition of certain sacred texts0 for them. Perceiving them setting out for the journey, the sage accompanied them for a distance, as a father would do for his sons (and daughter-in-law).

ततः प्रचक्रमे वक्तुम् वचनम् स महामुनिः | भर्द्वाजो महातेजा रामम् सत्यपराक्रमम् || २-५५-३

tataH prachakrame vaktum vachanam sa mahaamuniH | bhardvaajo mahaatejaa raamam satyaparaakramam || 2-55-3

Bharadwaja the great sage with a remarkable splendour began to speak the following words to Rama the truly brave man.

गङ्गायमुनयोः सन्धिमासाद्य मनुजर्षभौ | काळिन्दीमनुगच्छेताम् नदीम् पश्चान्मुखाश्रिताम् || २-५५-४

gaN^gaayamunayoH sandhimaasaadya manujarshhabhau | kaaLindiimanugacchhetaam nadiim pashchaanmukhaashritaam || 2-55-4

"After approaching Oh, the best of men! The confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, follow the river Yamuna which takes to the direction of west."

अथासाद्य तु काळिन्न्धीम् शीघ्रस्रोतसमापगाम् | तस्यास्तीर्थम् प्रचरितम् पुराणम् प्रेक्ष्य राघवौ || २-५५-५ तत्र यूयम् प्लवम् कृत्वा तरतांशुमतीम् नदीम् |

athaasaadya tu kaaLinndhiim shiighrasrotasamaapagaam | tasyaastiirtham pracharitam puraaNam prekshya raaghavau || 2-55-5 tatra yuuyam plavam kR^itvaa tarataa.nshumatiim nadiim |

"Reaching the River Yamuna belonging to olden times, having a rapid stream and perceiving in it a passage for descent into the river, which is too much frequented the river, which is too much frequented, you cross the River Yamuna (the daughter of the sun-god) by preparing a raft there, Oh Rama!"

ततो न्यग्रोधमासाद्य महान्तम् हरितच्छदम् || २-५५-६ विवृद्धम् बहुभिर्वऋक्षैह् श्यामम् सिद्धोपसेवितम् | तस्मै सीताञ्जलिम् कृत्वा प्रयुञ्जीताशिषः शिवाः || २-५५-७

tato nyagrodhamaasaadya mahaantam haritachchhadam || 2-55-6 vivR^iddham bahubhirvaR^ikshaih shyaamam siddhopasevitam | tasmai siitaaJNjalim kR^itvaa prayuJNjiitaashiShaH shivaaH || 2-55-7

After crossing the river Yamuna and approaching a large banyan tree named Syama (dark-green) having green leaves surrounded by many tress and visited by Siddhas, Seetha should, joining her palms, recite her auspicious prayers to the tree."

समासाद्य तु तम् वृक्षम् वसेद्वातिक्रमेत वा | क्रोशमात्रम् ततो गत्वा नीलम् द्रक्ष्यथ काननम् || २-५५-८ पलाशबदरीमिश्रम् रम्यम् वंशैश्च यामुनैः |

sa panthaashchitrakuuTasya gataH subahusho mayaa || 2-55-9 ramye maardavayuktashcha vanadaavairviparjitaH |

"Having approached that tree, you can stay there or go beyond it. After going only for two miles from there, you will see a beautiful forest blue in colour with bamboo trees touching upon Yamuna river and interspersed with Sallaka and jujube trees."

स पन्थाश्चित्रकूटस्य गतः सुबहुशो मया || २-५५-९ रम्ये मार्दवयुक्तश्च वनदावैर्विपर्जितः |

iti panthaanamaavedya maharshhH sa nyavartata || 2-55-10 abhivaadya tathetyuktvaa raameNa vinivartitaH |

"It is the way to Chitrakuta. I visited that place many times. It is beautiful, endowed with serenity and free from forest-fire."

इति पन्थानमावेद्य महर्षः स न्यवर्तत || २-५५-१० अभिवाद्य तथेत्युक्त्वा रामेण विनिवर्तितः |

upaavR^itte munau tasmin raamo lakshmaNamabraviit || 2-55-11 kR^itapuNyaaH sma saumitre muniryanno.anukampate |

Having thus informed the way and ebbing urged by Rama to return after he had paid obeisance to the sage and Rama having replied �so be it', the great sage Bharadwaja returned.

उपावृत्ते मुनौ तस्मिन् रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् || २-५५-११ कृतपुण्याः स्म सौमित्रे मुनिर्यन्नोऽनुकम्पते |

iti tau puruShavyaaghrau mantrayitvaa manasvinau || 2-55-12 siitaamevaagrataH kR^itvaa kaaLindiim jagmaturnadiim |

That sage having returned, Rama spoke to Lakshmana as follows: "Oh Lakshmana! We are fortunate that the sage has shown compassion towards us."

इति तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ मन्त्रयित्वा मनस्विनौ || २-५५-१२ सीतामेवाग्रतः कृत्वा काळिन्दीम् जग्मतुर्नदीम् |

athaa saadya tu kaaLindiim shiighrasrotovahaam nadiim || 2-55-13 cintaamaapedire sarve nadiijalatitiirShavaH

Deliberating thus, Rama and Lakshmana the tigers among men who were highly intelligent, headed for the river Yamuna guarding Seetha still in front.

अथा साद्य तु काळिन्दीम् शीघ्रस्रोतोवहाम् नदीम् || २-५५-१३ चिन्तामापेदिरे सर्वे नदीजलतितीर्षवः

tau kaaShThasamghaatamatho chakratustu mahaaplavam || 2-55-14 shuShkairva.nshaiH samaastiirNamuLiiraishcha samaavR^itam |

Having reached the River Yamuna, running with rapid stream, all of them then plunged into a thought of how to cross those river-waters.

तौ काष्ठसम्घातमथो चक्रतुस्तु महाप्लवम् || २-५५-१४ शुष्कैर्वंशैः समास्तीर्णमुळीरैश्च समावृतम् |

tato vetasashaakhaashcha jambuushaakhaashcha viiryavaan || 2-55-15 chakaara lakshmaNashchhitvaa siitaayaaH sukhamaasanam |

Then, Rama and Lakshmana prepared a big raft with pieces of timber fastened together, covered with a kind of grass and spread over with dry bamboo canes.

ततो वेतसशाखाश्च जम्बूशाखाश्च वीर्यवान् || २-५५-१५ चकार लक्ष्मणश्छित्वा सीतायाः सुखमासनम् |

tatra shriyamivaachintyaam raamo daasharathiH priyaam || 2-55-16 iiShtsankahhanaabaan taanagtaarioatat plavam |

Thereafter, the valiant Lakshmana made for Seetha a comfortable seat, after chopping branches of reeds and of rose apple tree.

तत्र श्रियमिवाचिन्त्याम् रामो दाशरथिः प्रियाम् || २-५५-१६ ईष्त्सन्कह्हनाबान् तानग्तारिओअतत् प्लवम् |

paarshve cha tatra vaidehyaa vasane bhuuShNaani cha || 2-55-17 plave kaThinakaajam cha raamashchakre sahaayudhaiH |

Then Rama the son of Dasaratha helped Seetha his beloved consort who was unimaginable like the goddess of fortune and who was feeling shy a little- to mount the raft.

पार्श्वे च तत्र वैदेह्या वसने चूष्णानि च || २-५५-१७ प्लवे कठिनकाजम् च रामश्चक्रे सहायुधैः |

aaropya prathamam siitaam samghaaTam pratigR^ihya tau || 2-55-18 tataH prateraturya ttau viirau dasharathaatmajau |

Rama kept the two robes the jewellery, a shovel and a basket by the side of Seetha in the raft there, along with weapons.

आरोप्य प्रथमम् सीताम् सम्घाटम् प्रतिगृह्य तौ || २-५५-१८ ततः प्रतेरतुर्य त्तौ वीरौ दशरथात्मजौ |

kaaLindiimadhyamaayaataa siitaa tvenaamavandata || 2-55-19 svasti devi taraami tvaam paaryenme patirvatam | yakshye tvaam gonahasreNa suraaghaTashatena cha || 2-55-20 svasti pratyaagate raame puriimikshvaakupaalitaam |

Those valiant sons of Dasaratha firmly held that raft, firstly helped Seetha to ascend it and then ferried across the river watchfully.

काळिन्दीमध्यमायाता सीता त्वेनामवन्दत || २-५५-१९ स्वस्ति देवि तरामि त्वाम् पार्येन्मे पतिर्वतम् | यक्ष्ये त्वाम् गोनहस्रेण सुराघटशतेन च || २-५५-२० स्वस्ति प्रत्यागते रामे पुरीमिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम् |

kaaLindiimatha siitaa tu yaacamaanaa kR^itaaJNjaliH || 2-55-21 tiiramevaabhisampraaptaa dakshiNam varavarNinii |

Having arrived at the middle of Yamuna river, Seetha offered salutation to the river and prayed as follows: "Oh, goddess of Yamuna! Adieu! I am crossing you! May my husband complete his vow! When Rama safely comes back again towards the city of Ayodhya, ruled by Ikshvaku kings I shall propitiate you by offering a thousand cows and a hundred drinking vessels."

काळिन्दीमथ सीता तु याचमाना कृताञ्जलिः || २-५५-२१ तीरमेवाभिसम्प्राप्ता दक्षिणम् वरवर्णिनी |

te tiirNaaH plavamutsR^ijya prasthaaya yamunaavanaat || 2-55-23 shyaamam nyagrodhamaaseduH shiitalam haritachchhadam |

Seetha of excellent complexion thus praying with joined palms to Yamuna River, forthwith reached the southern side of the river.

ततः प्लवेनांशुमतीम् शीघ्रगामूर्मिमालिनीम् || २-५५-२२ तीरजैर्बहुभिर्वृक्षैः सम्तेरुर्यमुनाम् नदीम् |

nygrodham tamupaagamya vaidehi vaakyamabraviit || 2-55-24 namaste.antu mahaavR^iksha paarayenme patirvatam | kausalyaam caiva pashyeyam sumitraam ca yashasviniim || 2-55-25 iti siitaaJNjalim kR^itvaa paryagachchhadvanaspatim |

Thus, by the raft, Seetha Rama and lakshmaNa crossed the River Yamuna, which flows briskly, wreathed with waves, with many trees born on its bank and having rays for it reflection.

ते तीर्णाः प्लवमुत्सृज्य प्रस्थाय यमुनावनात् || २-५५-२३ श्यामम् न्यग्रोधमासेदुः शीतलम् हरितच्छदम् |

avalokya tataH siitaamaayaacantiimaninditaam || 2-55-26 dayitaam ca vidheyam ca raamo lakshmaNamabraviit |

They, who have crossed the river, abandoned the raft and march through the river-forest of Yamuna and reached a cool banyan tree called Syama having green leaves.

न्य्ग्रोधम् तमुपागम्य वैदेहि वाक्यमब्रवीत् || २-५५-२४ नमस्तेऽन्तु महावृक्ष पारयेन्मे पतिर्वतम् | कौसल्याम् चैव पश्येयम् सुमित्राम् च यशस्विनीम् || २-५५-२५ इति सीताञ्जलिम् कृत्वा पर्यगच्छद्वनस्पतिम् |

siitaamaadaaya gachchha tvamagrato bharataanuja || 2-55-27 pR^iShThato.aham gamiShyaami saayudho dvipadaam vara |

Having approached that banyan tree, Seetha spoke these words, "Oh, great tree! Obeisance to you! Let my husband complete his vow! Let me see again Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra." Thus speaking, Seetha circumambulated that tree with joined palms.

अवलोक्य ततः सीतामायाचन्तीमनिन्दिताम् || २-५५-२६ दयिताम् च विधेयम् च रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् |

gachchatostu tayormadhye babhuuva janakaatmajaa || 2-55-29 maataN^gayormadyagataa shubhaa naagavadhuuriva |

Seeing the irreproachable Seetha, who was beloved and obedient to him thus praying, Rama spoke to Lakshmana as follows:

सीतामादाय गच्छ त्वमग्रतो भरतानुज || २-५५-२७ पृष्ठतोऽहम् गमिष्यामि सायुधो द्विपदाम् वर |

ekaikam paadapam gulmam lataam vaa puShpashaaliniim || 2-55-30 adR^iShTapuurvaam pashyantii raamam paprachchha saa.abalaa |

"Oh, Lakshmana, the excellent of men! You take Seetha and proceed in the front. I, along with weapons, will follow you behind."

यद्यत्फलम् प्रार्थयते पुष्पम् वा जनकात्मजा || २-५५-२८ तत्तत्प्रदद्या वैदेह्या यत्रास्य रमते मनः |

ramaNiiyaan bahuvidhaan paadapaan kusumotkaTaan || 2-55-31 siitaavachanasamrabda anayaamaasa laksmaNaH |

"Give to Seetha whatever fruit or flower she desires it and wherever this Seetha's mind finds delight."

गच्चतोस्तु तयोर्मध्ये बभूव जनकात्मजा || २-५५-२९ मातङ्गयोर्मद्यगता शुभा नागवधूरिव |

vicitravaalukajalaam hasasaarasanaaditaam || 2-55-32 reme janakaraajasya tadaa prekshya sutaa nadiim |

Seetha who was walking in the middle of both of them was like an auspicious female elephant in the middle of two elephants.

एकैकम् पादपम् गुल्मम् लताम् वा पुष्पशालिनीम् || २-५५-३० अदृष्टपूर्वाम् पश्यन्ती रामम् पप्रच्छ साऽबला |

kroshamaatram tato gatvaa bhraatarau raamalakshmanau || 2-55-33 bahuunmedhyaan mR^igaan hatvaa ceraturyamunaavane |

That Seetha asked Rama whenever she saw the one or the other tree or a bush or a creeper shining with flowers which was not seen earlier.

रमणीयान् बहुविधान् पादपान् कुसुमोत्कटान् || २-५५-३१ सीतावचनसम्रब्द अनयामास लक्स्मणः |

vihR^itya te barhiNapuuganaadite | shubhe vane vaanaravaaraNaayute | samam nadiivapramupetya sammatam | nivaasamaajagmu radiinadarshanaaH || || 2-55-34

Duly grasping Seetha's words; Lakshmana brought to her many kinds of beautiful twigs of trees, full of flowers.

विचित्रवालुकजलाम् हससारसनादिताम् || २-५५-३२ रेमे जनकराजस्य तदा प्रेक्ष्य सुता नदीम् |

Then Seetha the daughter of King Janaka was please to see the River Yamuna with wonderful sands and waters re-echoing to the cry of swans and cranes.

क्रोशमात्रम् ततो गत्वा भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मनौ || २-५५-३३ बहून्मेध्यान् मृगान् हत्वा चेरतुर्यमुनावने |

Thereafter having travelled only a couple of miles the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana killed many consecrated deer and ate in the river-forest of Yamuna.

विहृत्य ते बर्हिणपूगनादिते | शुभे वने वानरवारणायुते | समम् नदीवप्रमुपेत्य सम्मतम् | निवासमाजग्मु रदीनदर्शनाः || || २-५५-३४

Having strolled in the charming forest, mad noisy by a number of peacocks and which was inhabited by elephants and monkeys and reaching an agreeable level ground at the bank of the river wearing an undejected look finally sought for an abode for the night.