अथ रात्र्याम् व्यतीतायाम् अवसुप्तम् अनन्तरम् | प्रबोधयाम् आस शनैः लक्ष्मणम् रघु नन्दनः || २-५६-१
atha raatryaam vyatiitaayaam avasuptam anantaram | prabodhayaam aasa shanaiH lakShmaNam raghu nandanaH || 2-56-1
Then, Rama gently woke up Lakshmana, who was sleeping without break, even when the night was passing away.
सौमित्रे शृणु वन्यानाम् वल्गु व्याहरताम् स्वनम् | सम्प्रतिष्ठामहे कालः प्रस्थानस्य परम् तप || २-५६-२
saumitre shR^iNu vanyaanaam valgu vyaaharataam svanam | sampratiShThaamahe kaalaH prasthaanasya param tapa || 2-56-2
"Oh, Lakshmana! Hear the sound of wild animals, resounding beautifully. It is time for our journey. Let us start."
स सुप्तः समये भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणः प्रतिबोधितः | जहौ निद्राम् च तन्द्रीम् च प्रसक्तम् च पथि श्रमम् || २-५६-३
sa suptaH samaye bhraatraa lakShmaNaH pratibodhitaH | jahau nidraam ca tandriim ca prasaktam ca pathi shramam || 2-56-3
That Lakshmana who was sleeping, being woken up by his brother at the right moment, had relinquished sleep, sloth and strain which resulted on the way.
ततौत्थाय ते सर्वे स्पृष्ट्वा नद्याः शिवम् जलम् | पन्थानम् ऋषिणा उद्दिष्टम् चित्र कूटस्य तम् ययुः || २-५६-४
tatautthaaya te sarve spR^iShTvaa nadyaaH shivam jalam | panthaanam R^iShiNaa uddiShTam citra kuuTasya tam yayuH || 2-56-4
Thereafter, all of them raised up touched the auspicious water (took bath) in the river and proceeded towards the path leading to Chitrakuta mountain, as suggested by the sage Bharadwaja.
ततः सम्प्रस्थितः काले रामः सौमित्रिणा सह | सीताम् कमल पत्र अक्षीम् इदम् वचनम् अब्रवीत् || २-५६-५
tataH samprasthitaH kaale raamaH saumitriNaa saha | siitaam kamala patra akShiim idam vacanam abraviit || 2-56-5
Rama who set out along with Lakshmana at that dawn, spoke as follows to Seetha whose eyes looked like lotus leaves.
आदीप्तान् इव वैदेहि सर्वतः पुष्पितान् नगान् | स्वैः पुष्पैः किंशुकान् पश्य मालिनः शिशिर अत्यये || २-५६-६
aadiiptaan iva vaidehi sarvataH puShpitaan nagaan | svaiH puShpaiH ki.nshukaan pashya maalinaH shishira atyaye || 2-56-6
"Oh, Seetha! Behold Kimshuka trees with their diadem of flower blossoming all over, as if they are blazing up, in this winter."
पश्य भल्लातकान् फुल्लान् नरैः अनुपसेवितान् | फल पत्रैः अवनतान् नूनम् शक्ष्यामि जीवितुम् || २-५६-७
pashya bhallaatakaan phullaan naraiH anupasevitaan | phala patraiH avanataan nuunam shakShyaami jiivitum || 2-56-7
"Look at these Bhallataka (cashew nut) trees, abounding in flowers and bent down with fruits and leaves, all unplucked by men. We can certainly live here."
पश्य द्रोण प्रमाणानि लम्बमानानि लक्ष्मण | मधूनि मधु कारीभिः सम्भृतानि नगे नगे || २-५६-८
pashya droNa pramaaNaani lambamaanaani lakShmaNa | madhuuni madhu kaariibhiH sambhR^itaani nage nage || 2-56-8
"Oh, Lakshmana! Behold in every tree the hanging honey-combs, with sizes of a water-trough, gathered by honey-bees.
एष क्रोशति नत्यूहः तम् शिखी प्रतिकूजति | रमणीये वन उद्देशे पुष्प संस्तर सम्कटे || २-५६-९
eSha kroshati natyuuhaH tam shikhii pratikuujati | ramaNiiye vana uddeshe puShpa sa.nstara samkaTe || 2-56-9
In this beautiful forest-region, dense with a scattered mass of flowers, a Chataka bird is crying and a peacock is responding to it."
मातम्ग यूथ अनुसृतम् पक्षि सम्घ अनुनादितम् | चित्र कूटम् इमम् पश्य प्रवृद्ध शिखरम् गिरिम् || २-५६-१०
maatamga yuutha anusR^itam pakShi samgha anunaaditam | citra kuuTam imam pashya pravR^iddha shikharam girim || 2-56-10
"See this Chitrakuta mountain with a high and mighty peak, wide-spread with a multitude of elephants and made to resound by a congregation of birds."
समभूमितले रम्ये द्रुमैर्बहुभिरावृते | पुण्ये रंस्यामहे तात चित्रकूटस्य कानने || २-५६-११
samabhuumitale ramye drumairbahubhiraavR^ite | puNye ra.nsyaamahe taata citrakuuTasya kaanane || 2-56-11
"Oh, brother! We shall sport in this forest of Chitrakuta, having a level-ground beautifully extensive with many trees and is pure."
ततः तौ पाद चारेण गच्चन्तौ सह सीतया | रम्यम् आसेदतुः शैलम् चित्र कूटम् मनो रमम् || २-५६-१२
tataH tau paada caareNa gacchantau saha siitayaa | ramyam aasedatuH shailam citra kuuTam mano ramam || 2-56-12
Thereafter, Rama and Lakshmana along with Seetha traveling on foot, approached the mountain of Chitrakuta, which was pleasant and lovely.
तम् तु पर्वतम् आसाद्य नाना पक्षि गण आयुतम् | बहुमूलफलम् रम्यम् सम्पन्नम् सरसोदकम् || २-५६-१३
tam tu parvatam aasaadya naanaa pakShi gaNa aayutam | bahumuulaphalam ramyam sampannam sarasodakam || 2-56-13
Reaching that mountain, with various flocks of birds, with many roots and fruits, lovely and rich in streaming water, Rama said to Lakshmana as follows:
मनोज्ज़्नोऽयम् तिरिः सौम्य नानाद्रुमलतायतह् | बहुमूलफलो रम्यः स्वाजीवः प्रतिभाति मे || २-५६-१४
manojJno.ayam giriH saumya naanaadrumalataayutah | bahumuulaphalo ramyaH svaajiivaH pratibhaati me || 2-56-14
"It is appearing to me that this beautiful Chitrakuta mountain yields an easy sustenance, for, it is charmingly filled with various kinds of trees and creepers with different kinds of roots and fruits."
मनयश्च महात्मानो वसन्त्य शिलोच्चये | अयम् वासो भवेत् तावद् अत्र सौम्य रमेमहि || २-५६-१५
munayashcha mahaatmaano vasantyasmishilochchaye | ayam vaaso bhavet taavad atra saumya ramemahi || 2-56-15
"Oh, gentle brother! High souled sages are also staying on this mountain. Let this become the dwelling. Let us have a pleasant resort here."
इति सीता च रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्च कृताञ्जलिः | अभिगम्याश्रमम् सर्वे वाल्मीकि मभिवादयन् || २-५६-१६
iti siitaa ca raamashcha lakshmaNashcha kR^itaaJNjaliH | abhigamyaashramam sarve vaalmiiki mabhivaadayan || 2-56-16
After deciding thus Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana all with joined palms approached the hermitage and offered salutation to the sage Valmiki.
तान्महर्षिः प्रमुदितः पूजयामास धर्मवित् | आस्यतामिति चोवाच स्वागतम् तु निवेद्य च || २-५६-१७
taanmaharShiH pramuditaH puujayaamaasa dharmavit | aasyataamiti covaaca svaagatam tu nivedya ca || 2-56-17
The great sage Valmiki, who knew what is right, full of delight, treated them with honour, offered cordial welcome and requested them to sit.
ततोऽब्रवीन्महाबाहुर्लकमणम् लक्ष्मणाग्रजः | सम्निवेद्य यथान्याय मात्मानमृष्ये प्रभुः || २-५६-१८
tato.abraviinmahaabaahurlakhmaNam lakshmaNaagrajaH | samnivedya yathaanyaaya maatmaanamR^iShye prabhuH || 2-56-18
Then Rama, the lord with mighty arms, in accord with tradition, reported to the ascetic all that concerned them and spoke to Lakshmana as follows:
लक्ष्मण आनय दारूणि दृढानि च वराणि च | कुरुष्व आवसथम् सौम्य वासे मे अभिरतम् मनः || २-५६-१९
lakShmaNa aanaya daaruuNi dR^iDhaani ca varaaNi ca | kuruShva aavasatham saumya vaase me abhiratam manaH || 2-56-19
Lakshmana, my gentle brother! Bring strong and choicest timber and construct a dwelling. My mind is fascinated in dwelling here."
तस्य तत् वचनम् श्रुत्वा सौमित्रिर् विविधान् द्रुमान् | आजहार ततः चक्रे पर्ण शालाम् अरिम् दम || २-५६-२०
tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa saumitrir vividhaan drumaan | aajahaara tataH cakre parNa shaalaam arim dama || 2-56-20
Hearing those words of Rama, Lakshmana brought various kinds of trees. Thereafter, he the annihilator of enemies, constructed a leaf-hut.
ताम् निष्ठताम् बद्धकटाम् दृष्ट्वा रमः सुदर्शनाम् | शुश्रूषमाणम् एक अग्रम् इदम् वचनम् अब्रवीत् || २-५६-२१
taam niShThataam baddhakaTaam dR^iShTvaa raamaH sudarshanaam | shushruuShamaaNam eka agram idam vacanam abraviit || 2-56-21
Seeing that hut, which was firmly built and thatched as well as beautiful to look at, Rama spoke the following words to Lakshmana who listened to his command and who was closely attentive to him:
ऐणेयम् मांसम् आहृत्य शालाम् यक्ष्यामहे वयम् | कर्त्व्यम् वास्तुशमनम् सौमित्रे चिरजीवभिः || २-५६-२२
aiNeyam maa.nsam aahR^itya shaalaam yakShyaamahe vayam | kartvyam vaastushamanam saumitre cirajiivabhiH || 2-56-22
"Oh, Lakshmana! Bring the meat of an antelope. We shall perform a purifactory ceremony while entering the house. Which is to be done by those who wish to live long."
मृगम् हत्वाऽऽनय क्षिप्रम् लक्ष्मणेह शुभेक्षण कर्तव्यः शास्त्रदृष्टो हि विधिर्दर्ममनुस्मर || २-५६-२३
mR^igam hatvaa.a.anaya kshipram lakshmaNeha shubhekshaNa kartavyaH shaastradR^iShTo hi vidhirdarmamanusmara || 2-56-23
"Oh, large-eyed Lakshmana! Killing the antelope quickly, bring it here. The prescribed rite according to scriptural point of view indeed is to be performed. Keep in mind the sacred obligation."
भ्रातुर्वचन माज्ञाय लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा | चकार स यथोक्तम् च तम् रामः पुनरब्रवीत् || २-५६-२४
bhraaturvachana maajJNaaya lakshmaNaH paraviirahaa | cakaara sa yathoktam ca tam raamaH punarabraviit || 2-56-24
Lakshmana the slayer of enemies, understanding his brother's words, acted as instructed. Rama spoke again to Lakshmana as follows.
इणेयम् श्रपयस्वैतच्च्चालाम् यक्ष्यमहे वयम् | त्वरसौम्य मुहूर्तोऽयम् ध्रुवश्च दिवसोऽप्ययम् || २-५६-२५
iNeyam shrapayasvaitachcchaalaam yakshyamahe vayam | tvarasaumya muhuurto.ayam dhruvashcha divaso.apyayam || 2-56-25
"Oh, gentle brother! Boil this antelope's meat. We shall worship the leaf-hut. This day and this instant also are of a distinctive character. Be quick."
स लक्ष्मणः कृष्ण मृगम् हत्वा मेध्यम् पतापवान् | अथ चिक्षेप सौमित्रिः समिद्धे जात वेदसि || २-५६-२६
sa lakShmaNaH kR^iShNa mR^igam hatvaa medhyam pataapavaan | atha cikShepa saumitriH samiddhe jaata vedasi || 2-56-26
Then, Lakshmana the strong man and son of Sumitra, killing a holy back antelope, tossed it in an ignited fire.
तम् तु पक्वम् समाज्ञाय निष्टप्तम् चिन्न शोणितम् | लक्ष्मणः पुरुष व्याघ्रम् अथ राघवम् अब्रवीत् || २-५६-२७
tam tu pakvam samaaGYaaya niShTaptam chinna shoNitam | lakShmaNaH puruSha vyaaghram atha raaghavam abraviit || 2-56-27
Feeling certain that it is cooked and heated thoroughly with no blood remaining, Lakshmana spoke to Rama the lion among man as follows:
अयम् कृष्णः समाप्त अन्गः शृतः कृष्ण मृगो यथा | देवता देव सम्काश यजस्व कुशलो हि असि || २-५६-२८
ayam kR^iShNaH samaapta angaH shR^itaH kR^iShNa mR^igo yathaa | devataa deva samkaasha yajasva kushalo hi asi || 2-56-28
"This black antelope, with its complete limbs, has been cooked completely by me. Oh, Rama resembling God! Worship the concerned deity, as you are skilled in that act."
रामः स्नात्वा तु नियतः गुणवान् जप्य कोविदः | सम्ग्रहेणाकरोत्सर्वान् मन्त्रन् सत्रावसानिकान् || २-५६-२९
raamaH snaatvaa tu niyataH guNavaan japya kovidaH | samgraheNaakarotsarvaan mantran satraavasaanikaan || 2-56-29
Rama, the virtuous man and the learned man in chanting of sacred spells, after taking bath and with subdued mind, briefly chanted all the sacred scripts to be chanted at the end of a purifactory ceremony.
इष्ट्वा देवगणान् सर्वान् विवेशावसथम् शुचिः | बभूव च मनोह्लादो रामस्यामिततेजसः || २-५६-३०
iShTvaa devagaNaan sarvaan viveshaavasatham shuciH | babhuuva ca manohlaado raamasyaamitatejasaH || 2-56-30
Worshipping all classes of deities and getting himself purified, Rama entered the house. There was a heartful joy in rama, with his limitless splendour.
वैश्वदेवबलिम् कृत्वा रौद्रम् वैष्णवमेव च | वास्तुसंशमनीयानि मङ्गळानि प्रवर्तयन् || २-५६-३१ जपम् च न्यायतः कृत्वा स्नात्वा नद्याम् यथाविधि | पाप संशमनम् रामः चकार बलिम् उत्तमम् || २-५६-३२
vaishvadevabalim kR^itvaa raudram vaiShNavameva ca | vaastusa.nshamaniiyaani maN^gaLaani pravartayan || 2-56-31 japam ca nyaayataH kR^itvaa snaatvaa nadyaam yathaavidhi | paapa sa.nshamanam raamaH cakaara balim uttamam || 2-56-32
Having taken bath in the river as prescribed Rama offered oblations to Lord Rudra and Lord Vishnu after offereing tributes to Vaisvadeva. He performed benedictions relating to the purification of house and also a silent prayer as per prescribed rites. He finally offered excellent tributes to the deities, for removing sins.
वेदिस्थलविधानानि चैत्यान्यायतनानि च | आश्रमस्यानुरूपाणि स्थापयामास राघवः || २-५६-३३
vanyairmaalyaiH phalairmuulaiH pakvairmaa.nsairyathaavidhi | adbharjapaishcha vedoktai rdharbhaishca sasamitkushaiH || 2-56-34 tau tarpayitvaa bhuutaani raaghavau saha siitayaa | tadaa vivishatuH shaalaam sushubhaam shubhalakshaNau || 2-56-35
Lakshmana erected altars in all the quarters of the hermitage as was fitting, Chaityas (places for worship of Lord Ganesha and others) and Ayatanas (places for worship of Vishnu and others)
वन्यैर्माल्यैः फलैर्मूलैः पक्वैर्मांसैर्यथाविधि | अद्भर्जपैश्च वेदोक्तै र्धर्भैश्च ससमित्कुशैः || २-५६-३४ तौ तर्पयित्वा भूतानि राघवौ सह सीतया | तदा विविशतुः शालाम् सुशुभाम् शुभलक्षणौ || २-५६-३५
taam vR^ikSha parNac chadanaam manoGYaam | yathaa pradesham sukR^itaam nivaataam | vaasaaya sarve vivishuH sametaaH | sabhaam yathaa deva gaNaaH sudharmaam || 2-56-36
Rama and Lakshmana along with Seetha, having auspicious characteristics, satisfied the sirits by crowns of flowers obtained in the forest, by fruits roots and cooked meat, by water, by prayers as uttered in the sacred texts (Vedas), by sacred grass, by fuel and Kusa grass and then entered the auspicious leaf-hut.
ताम् वृक्ष पर्णच् चदनाम् मनोज्ञाम् | यथा प्रदेशम् सुकृताम् निवाताम् | वासाय सर्वे विविशुः समेताः | सभाम् यथा देव गणाः सुधर्माम् || २-५६-३६
suramyam aasaadya tu citra kuuTam | nadiim ca taam maalyavatiim sutiirthaam | nananda hR^iShTaH mR^iga pakShi juShTaam | jahau ca duhkham pura vipravaasaat || 2-56-38
All of them (Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana) together for residential purpose, entered that hut, thatched with leaves of trees, looking beautiful, well-constructed at a suitable site and protected from winds, as if entering an assembly-hall called Sudharma (in heavn) by a group of celestials.
अनेक नाना मृग पक्षि सम्कुले | विचित्र पुष्प स्तबलैः द्रुमैः युते | वन उत्तमे व्याल मृग अनुनादिते | तथा विजह्रुः सुसुखम् जित इन्द्रियाः || २-५६-३७
Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana who subdued their senses, very happily strolled in that excellent forest, filled with many classes and multitude of beasts and birds, trees having multi-coloured crowns of flowers, and resonating with sounds of elephants in rut and of antelopes.
सुरम्यम् आसाद्य तु चित्र कूटम् | नदीम् च ताम् माल्यवतीम् सुतीर्थाम् | ननन्द हृष्टः मृग पक्षि जुष्टाम् | जहौ च दुह्खम् पुर विप्रवासात् || २-५६-३८
Delighted and joyful to reach the lovely Chitrakuta mountain and the river Malyavati, provided with good descents and frequented by birds and beasts, Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana shed the agony caused by their exile from the City of Ayodhya.
