🏛️ Ayodhya Kanda

Sarga 73

28 shlokas

AK-73-1Ayodhya Kanda 73.1

सश्रूत्वा तु पितरं वृत्तं भ्रातरौ च विवासितौ। भरतो दुःखसन्तप्त इदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.73.1।।

saśrūtvā tu pitarṃ vṛttṃ bhrātarau ca vivāsitau| bharato duḥkhasantapta idṃ vacanamabravīt||2.73.1||

Translation

भरतः Bharata, पितरम् father, वृत्तम् had passed away, भ्रातरौ the two brothers, विवासितौ were in exile, श्रुत्वा तु having heard, दुःखसन्तप्तः afflicted with sorrow, इदम् these, वचनम् words, अब्रवीत् said.

Meaning

On hearing about the demise of the father and his two brothers sent in exile, Bharata overtaken by sorrow spoke thus:

AK-73-2Ayodhya Kanda 73.2

किं नु कार्यं हतस्येह मम राज्येन शोचतः। विहीनस्याथ पित्रा च भ्रात्रा पितृसमेन च।।2.73.2।।

kiṃ nu kāryṃ hatasyeha mama rājyena śocatḥ| vihīnasyātha pitrā ca bhrātrā pitṛsamena ca||2.73.2||

Translation

पित्रा च with father, अथ and, पितृसमेन like to a father to me, भ्रात्राच with brother, विहीनस्य bereft, शोचतः of a grieving one, हतस्य fallen into misfortunes, मम to me, इह now, राज्येन with the kingdom, किं नु कार्यम् of what avail?

Meaning

Bereft of my father and my brother who was like a father to me, of what avail is this kingdom to me when I am grieving and fallen into misfortunes?

AK-73-3Ayodhya Kanda 73.3

दुःखे मे दुःखमकरोर्व्रणे क्षारमिवादधाः। राजानं प्रेतभावस्थं कृत्वा रामं च तापसम्।।2.73.3।।

duḥkhe me duḥkhamakarorvraṇe kṣāramivādadhāḥ| rājānṃ pretabhāvasthṃ kṛtvā rāmṃ ca tāpasam||2.73.3||

Translation

राजानम् king, प्रेतभावस्थम् reducing to a corpse, रामं च also Rama, तापसम् as an ascetic, कृत्वा having made, मे to me, दुःखे in one sorrow, दुःखं another sorrow, (मे) अकरोः you have caused, व्रणे in the wound, क्षारम् salt, आदधाः इव like putting.

Meaning

You have caused the death of the king and reduced Rama to an ascetic. You have piled one sorrow over sorrow on me like rubbing salt to the wound

AK-73-4Ayodhya Kanda 73.4

कुलस्य त्वमभावाय कालरात्रिरिवाऽगता। अङ्गारमुपगूह्य स्म पिता मे नावबुद्धवान्।।2.73.4।।

kulasya tvamabhāvāya kālarātririvā'gatā| aṅgāramupagūhya sma pitā me nāvabuddhavān||2.73.4||

Translation

त्वम् you, कुलस्य family's, अभावाय for destruction, कालरात्रिरिव like a fatal night, आगता have arrived, मे पिता my father, अङ्गारम् a live charcoal, उपगूह्य having embraced, नावबुद्धवान् did not realize.

Meaning

You have come here for the destruction of this race, like a fatal night. My father did not realize that he was embracing a live charcoal.

AK-73-5Ayodhya Kanda 73.5

मृत्युमापादितो पिता त्वया मे पापदर्शिनि। सुखं परिहृतं मोहात्कुलेऽस्मिन्कुलपांसनि।।2.73.5।।

mṛtyumāpādito pitā tvayā me pāpadarśini| sukhṃ parihṛtṃ mohātkule'sminkulapāṃsani||2.73.5||

Translation

पापदर्शिनि O woman of sinful thoughts, त्वया by you, मे पिता my father, मृत्युम् death, आपादितः was led to, कुलपांसनि O obloquy of the race, मोहात् out of folly, अस्मिन् कुले in this family, सुखम् happiness, परिहृतम् has been taken away.

Meaning

O woman of sinful thoughts, you have brought about the death of my father. O obloquy of the race, by your folly you have deprived this family of its happiness.

AK-73-6Ayodhya Kanda 73.6

त्वां प्राप्य हि पिता मेऽद्य सत्यसन्धो महायशाः। तीव्रदुःखाभिसन्तप्तो वृत्तो दशरथो नृपः।।2.73.6।।

tvāṃ prāpya hi pitā me'dya satyasandho mahāyaśāḥ| tīvraduḥkhābhisantapto vṛtto daśaratho nṛpḥ||2.73.6||

Translation

मे my, पिता father, सत्यसन्धः adhering to truth, महायशाः renowned, नृपः king, दशरथः Dasaratha, अद्य now, त्वाम् you, प्राप्य having come under your influence, तीव्र दुःखाभिसन्तप्तः tormented by intense grief, वृत्तः has departed from this world.

Meaning

My father king Dasaratha who is bound to truth and highly renowned, having come under your influence and tormented by intense grief has departed from this world.

AK-73-7Ayodhya Kanda 73.7

विनाशितो महाराजः पिता मे धर्मवत्सलः। कस्मात्प्रव्राजितो रामः कस्मादेव वनं गतः।।2.73.7।।

vināśito mahārājḥ pitā me dharmavatsalḥ| kasmātpravrājito rāmḥ kasmādeva vanṃ gatḥ||2.73.7||

Translation

धर्मवत्सलः righteous, महाराजः great king, मे पिता my father, कस्मात् for what reason, विनाशितः has been destroyed, रामः Rama, कस्मात् for what reason, प्रव्राजितः has been exiled, वनम् to the forest, गतः has gone.

Meaning

Why was my father the righteous maharaja killed? Why was Rama exiled into the forest?

AK-73-8Ayodhya Kanda 73.8

कौसल्या च सुमित्रा च पुत्रशोकाभिपीडिते। दुष्करं यदि जीवेतां प्राप्य त्वां जननीं मम।।2.73.8।।

kausalyā ca sumitrā ca putraśokābhipīḍite| duṣkarṃ yadi jīvetāṃ prāpya tvāṃ jananīṃ mama||2.73.8||

Translation

पुत्रशोकाभिपीडिते tormented by the grief on account of separation from their sons, कौशल्या च Kausalya and, सुमित्रा च Sumitra too, मम जननीम् my own mother, त्वाम् you, प्राप्य having obtained, जीवेतां यदि will survive, दुष्करम् difficult.

Meaning

Tormented by the grief of separation from their sons, it is difficult for Kausalya and Sumitra to survive under you, O my mother.

AK-73-9Ayodhya Kanda 73.9

ननुत्वार्योऽपि धर्मात्मा त्वयि वृतिमनुत्तमाम्। वर्तते गुरुवृत्तिज्ञो यथा मातरि वर्तते।।2.73.9।।

nanutvāryo'pi dharmātmā tvayi vṛtimanuttamām| vartate guruvṛttijño yathā mātari vartate||2.73.9||

Translation

धर्मत्मा righteous, गुरुवृत्तिज्ञः well aware of his duties towards elders, आर्योऽपि noble, too मातरि towards his mother, यथा as, वर्तते conducted himself, त्वयि towards you, अनुत्तमाम् very great, वृत्तिम् conduct, वर्तते ननु is abiding indeed.

Meaning

My noble and righteous brother (Rama), who is well aware of his duties to the elders conducted himself before you as he would before his own mother.

AK-73-10Ayodhya Kanda 73.10

तथा ज्येष्ठा हि मे माता कौसल्या दीर्घदर्शिनी। त्वयि धर्मं समास्थाय भगिन्यामिव वर्तते।।2.74.10।।

tathā jyeṣṭhā hi me mātā kausalyā dīrghadarśinī| tvayi dharmṃ samāsthāya bhaginyāmiva vartate||2.74.10||

Translation

तथा in the same way, मे my, ज्येष्टा eldest, माता mother, दीर्घदर्शिनी a lady with farsight, कौशल्या Kausalya, धर्मम् righteousness, समास्थाय having adhered, त्वयि towards you, भगिन्यामिव as if a sister, वर्तते हि conducted

Meaning

In the same way my eldest mother the farsighted Kausalya, too adhered to righteousness and conducted herself towards you like a sister.

AK-73-11Ayodhya Kanda 73.11

तस्याः पुत्रं कृताऽत्मानं चीरवल्कलवाससम्। प्रस्थाप्य वनवासाय कथं पापे न शोचसि।।2.73.11।।

tasyāḥ putrṃ kṛtā'tmānṃ cīravalkalavāsasam| prasthāpya vanavāsāya kathṃ pāpe na śocasi||2.73.11||

Translation

पापे O perverse wretch, कृतात्मानम् a man pure in mind, तस्याः Kauslaya's, पुत्रम् son, चीरवल्कलवाससम् made to adorn garments made of bark, वनवासाय to dwell in the forest, प्रस्थाप्य having sent, कथम् how, न शोचसि you do not feel remorseful?

Meaning

You have forced Kausalya's son, so pure in mind, to wear garments made of bark and dwell in the forest. Do you not feel remorse for it, O perverse wretch?

AK-73-12Ayodhya Kanda 73.12

अपापदर्शनं शूरं कृतात्मानं यशस्विनम्। प्रव्राज्य चीरवसनं किन्नु पश्यसि कारणम्।।2.73.12।।

apāpadarśanṃ śūrṃ kṛtātmānṃ yaśasvinam| pravrājya cīravasanṃ kinnu paśyasi kāraṇam||2.73.12||

Translation

अपापदर्शनम् one who never contemplated evil, शूरम् valiant, कृतात्मानम् having control over his mind, यशस्विनम् the glorious, चीरवसनम् clad in bark clothes, प्रव्राज्य after being exiled, किन्नु what possible, कारणम् reason, पश्यसि do you see?

Meaning

The glorious, valiant, selfpossessed (Rama) had never contemplated evil. What possible reason do you have for sending him, clothed in bark, into exile?

AK-73-13Ayodhya Kanda 73.13

लुब्धाया विदितो मन्ये न तेऽहं राघवं प्रति। तथाह्यनर्धो राज्यार्थं त्वयाऽनीतो महानयम्।।2.73.13।।

lubdhāyā vidito manye na te'hṃ rāghavṃ prati| tathāhyanardho rājyārthṃ tvayā'nīto mahānayam||2.73.13||

Translation

लुब्धायाः of avaricious, ते to you, अहम् I, राघवं प्रति to Rama, न विदितः were unaware of, मन्ये I deem, तथाहि that is proper, त्वया by you, राज्यार्थम् for the sake of kingdom, अयम् this, महान् great, अनर्थः calamity, आनीतः has been brought about.

Meaning

Being avaricious, you are, I think, unaware of my devotion to Rama. This great calamity has been brought about by you for (your greed for) the kingdom.

AK-73-14Ayodhya Kanda 73.14

अहं हि पुरुषव्याघ्रावपश्यन्रामलक्ष्मणौ। केन शक्तिप्रभावेन राज्यं रक्षितुमुत्सहे।।2.73.14।।

ahṃ hi puruṣavyāghrāvapaśyanrāmalakṣmaṇau| kena śaktiprabhāvena rājyṃ rakṣitumutsahe||2.73.14||

Translation

अहम् I, पुरुषव्याघ्रौ two tigers among men, रामलक्ष्मणौ Rama and Lakshmana, अपश्यन् without beholding them, केन with what, शक्तिप्रभावेन by the mighty power, राज्यम् kingdom, रक्षितुम् to protect, उत्सहे will be competent?

Meaning

When Rama and Lakshmana, the best of men stay away from me, by virtue of what mighty power am I competent to protect this kingdom?

AK-73-15Ayodhya Kanda 73.15

तं हि नित्यं महाराजो बलवन्तं महाबलः। उपाश्रितोऽभूद्धर्मात्मा मेरुर्मेरुवनं यथा।।2.73.15।।

tṃ hi nityṃ mahārājo balavantṃ mahābalḥ| upāśrito'bhūddharmātmā merurmeruvanṃ yathā||2.73.15||

Translation

महाबलः mighty, धर्मात्मा righteous one, महाराजः great king, नित्यम् always, बलवन्तम् all powerful, तम् Rama, मेरुः mount Meru, मेरुवनं यथा just as the forest surrounding Meru, उपाश्रितः अभूत् हि used to rely upon.

Meaning

The mighty and righteous maharaja used to rely upon the powerful Rama just as mount Meru depends on the forest surrounding it for its protection.

AK-73-16Ayodhya Kanda 73.16

सोऽहं कथमिमं भारं महाधुर्यसमुद्धृतम्। दम्योधुरमिवाऽऽसाद्य वहेयं केनचौजसा।। 2.73.16।।

so'hṃ kathamimṃ bhārṃ mahādhuryasamuddhṛtam| damyodhuramivā''sādya vaheyṃ kenacaujasā|| 2.73.16||

Translation

सः अहम् such as me, इमं भारम् this burden, आसाद्य having taken, महाधुर्यसमुद्धृतम् carried by a great bull fit to be yoked, धुरम् the weight, दम्यः इव like an young bullock requiring training, केन by what, ओजसा strength, वहेयम् I shall bear?

Meaning

Like a young untrained bullock that cannot carry the weight fit for a great bull, with what strength can I bear this burden?

AK-73-17Ayodhya Kanda 73.17

अथवा मे भवेच्छक्तिर्योगैर्बुद्धिबलेन वा। सकामां न करिष्यामि त्वामहं पुत्रगर्धिनीम्।।2.73.17।।

athavā me bhavecchaktiryogairbuddhibalena vā| sakāmāṃ na kariṣyāmi tvāmahṃ putragardhinīm||2.73.17||

Translation

अथवा or, योगैः by employing the four expedients (conciliation, bribery, sowing dissenssions and punishment), बुद्धिबलेन वा or with the strength of intellect, मे to me, शक्तिः भवेत् I might get strength, अहम् I, पुत्रगर्धिनीम् covetous of son, त्वाम् you, सकामाम् having fulfilled your ambition, न करिष्यामि will not do.

Meaning

If I gather the strength (to carry the burden) either by employing the four expedients (available to a king against an enemy) or by the power of intellect, I will not allow you, covetous of your son, to fulfil your ambition.

AK-73-18Ayodhya Kanda 73.18

न मे विकाङ्क्षा जायेत त्यक्तुं त्वां पापनिश्चयाम्। यदि रामस्य नावेक्षा त्वयि स्यान्मातृवत्सदा।।2.73.18।।

na me vikāṅkṣā jāyeta tyaktuṃ tvāṃ pāpaniścayām| yadi rāmasya nāvekṣā tvayi syānmātṛvatsadā||2.73.18||

Translation

त्वयि towards you, रामस्य of Rama, सदा always, मातृवत् just like his mother, अवेक्षा न स्याद्यदि if it were not so, पापनिश्चयाम् having sinful conviction, त्वाम् you, त्यक्तुम् to renounce, मे to me, विकाङ्क्षा disinclination, न जायेत will not cause.

Meaning

Had Rama not treated you as his own mother I would not have the slightest hesitation to renounce you, a lady of sinful disposition.

AK-73-19Ayodhya Kanda 73.19

उत्पन्नातु कथं बुद्धिस्तवेयं पापदर्शिनि। साधुचारित्रविभ्रष्टे पूर्वेषां नो विगर्हिता।।2.73.19।।

utpannātu kathṃ buddhistaveyṃ pāpadarśini| sādhucāritravibhraṣṭe pūrveṣāṃ no vigarhitā||2.73.19||

Translation

पापदर्शिनि O sinful woman, साधुचरित्रविभ्रष्टे one fallen from virtuous conduct, नः our, पूर्वेषाम् for our ancestors, विगर्हिता reproachable, इयं बुद्धि: this thought, तव to you, कथम् how, उत्पन्ना originated.

Meaning

O woman of sinful thoughts fallen from virtuous conduct, how did you entertain this thought reproachable to our ancestors?

AK-73-20Ayodhya Kanda 73.20

अस्मिन्कुले हि पूर्वेषां ज्येष्ठो राज्येऽभिषिच्यते। अपरे भ्रातरस्तस्मिन्प्रवर्तन्ते समाहिताः।।2.73.20।।

asminkule hi pūrveṣāṃ jyeṣṭho rājye'bhiṣicyate| apare bhrātarastasminpravartante samāhitāḥ||2.73.20||

Translation

अस्मिन् in this, कुले race, पूर्वेषाम् of our ancestors, ज्येष्ठः the eldest one, राज्ये in the kingdom, अभिषिच्यते हि is indeed installed, अपरे the rest of them, भ्रातरः brothers, तस्मिन् in the eldest, समाहिताः concentrate their attention, प्रवर्तन्ते conduct themselves.

Meaning

In our race only the eldest son is installed in the kingdom and the other brothers behave with utmost respect towards him.

AK-73-21Ayodhya Kanda 73.21

न हि मन्ये नृशंसे त्वं राजधर्ममवेक्षसे। गतिं वा न विजानासि राजवृत्तस्य शाश्वतीम्।।2.73.21।।

na hi manye nṛśṃse tvṃ rājadharmamavekṣase| gatiṃ vā na vijānāsi rājavṛttasya śāśvatīm||2.73.21||

Translation

नृशंसे O cruel lady, त्वम् you, राजधर्मम् royal tradition, न अवेक्षसे are not looking at, वा or, राजवृत्तस्य royal tradition's, शाश्वतीम् everlasting, गतिम् consequences, न विजानासि are ignorant, मन्ये I suppose.

Meaning

O cruel one I suppose neither have you any respect for the royal tradition nor are you aware of the everlasting benefit that ensues in following the royal traditon.

AK-73-22Ayodhya Kanda 73.22

सततं राजवृत्ते हि ज्येष्ठो राज्येऽभिषिच्यते। राज्ञामेतत्समं तत्स्यादिक्ष्वाकूणां विशेषतः।।2.73.22।।

satatṃ rājavṛtte hi jyeṣṭho rājye'bhiṣicyate| rājñāmetatsamṃ tatsyādikṣvākūṇāṃ viśeṣatḥ||2.73.22||

Translation

राजवृत्ते in royal custom, सततम् always, ज्येष्ठः the eldest son, राज्ये in the kingdom, अभिषिच्यते is consecrated, एतत् this, राज्ञाम् to all kings, समम् is the same, तत् that, इक्ष्वाकूणाम् for Ikshvakus, विशेषतः स्यात् especially it applies.

Meaning

According to the established law of royalty, the eldest son is invariably crowned in the kingdom. This is true of all kings. This is a special tradition of the kings of the Ikshvaku race.

AK-73-23Ayodhya Kanda 73.23

तेषां धर्मैकरक्षाणां कुलचारित्रशोभिनाम्। अद्य चारित्रशौण्डीर्यं त्वां प्राप्य विनिवर्तितम्।।2.73.23।।

teṣāṃ dharmaikarakṣāṇāṃ kulacāritraśobhinām| adya cāritraśauṇḍīryṃ tvāṃ prāpya vinivartitam||2.73.23||

Translation

धर्मैकरक्षाणाम् with righteousness as their sole protection, कुलचारित्रशोभिनाम् befitting the ancestral traditions of the noble race, तेषाम् those (Ikshvaku kings)', चारित्रशौण्डीर्यम् pride about their tradition, अद्य now, त्वाम् you, प्राप्य after admitting, विनिवर्तितम् has been topsyturvied.

Meaning

As for the Ikshvaku kings, righteousness is their sole protection. They follow the ancestral traditions befitting the noble race. This tradition has been topsyturvied by admitting you into the family.

AK-73-24Ayodhya Kanda 73.24

तवापि सुमहाभागा जनेन्द्राः कुलपूर्वगाः। बुद्धेर्मोहः कथमयं सम्भूतस्त्वयि गर्हितः।।2.73.24।।

tavāpi sumahābhāgā janendrāḥ kulapūrvagāḥ| buddhermohḥ kathamayṃ sambhūtastvayi garhitḥ||2.73.24||

Translation

तव your, कुलपूर्वगाः ancestors of your family, जनेन्द्राः अपि kings also, सुमहाभागाः were highly distinguished, गर्हितः censured, अयम् this, बुद्धेः mind's, मोहः delusion, त्वयि in you, कथम् how, सम्भूतः originated.

Meaning

Even the kings in your ancestral family were highly distinguished men. How did this condemnable deflection originate in your mind?

AK-73-25Ayodhya Kanda 73.25

न तु कामं करिष्यामि तवाऽहं पापनिश्चये। त्वया व्यसनमारब्धं जीवितान्तकरं मम।।2.73.25।।

na tu kāmṃ kariṣyāmi tavā'hṃ pāpaniścaye| tvayā vyasanamārabdhṃ jīvitāntakarṃ mama||2.73.25||

Translation

पापनिश्चये O woman of sinful convictions, अहं तु I on my part, तव your, कामम् cherished desire, न करिष्यामि will not fulfil, त्वया by you, मम my, जीवितान्तकरम् bringing an end to my existence, व्यसनम् distressing deed, आरब्धम् has commenced.

Meaning

O woman of sinful disposition, I on my part will not fulfil your cherished desire. You have started a distressing deed to bring an end to my existence.

AK-73-26Ayodhya Kanda 73.26

एषत्विदानीमेवाहमप्रियार्थं तवानघम्। निवर्तयिष्यामि वनाद्भ्रातरं स्वजनप्रियम्।।2.73.26।।

eṣatvidānīmevāhamapriyārthṃ tavānagham| nivartayiṣyāmi vanādbhrātarṃ svajanapriyam||2.73.26||

Translation

एषः अहं तु as for me, इदानीम् now itself, तव your, अप्रियार्थम् for the sake of causing displeasure, अनघम् faultless, स्वजनप्रियम् the beloved of his people, भ्रातरम् my brother, वनात् from the forest, निवर्तयिष्यामि will make him turn back.

Meaning

To cause a great discomfiture for you, right now I shall bring back my faultless brother, the beloved of his people, from the forest.

AK-73-27Ayodhya Kanda 73.27

निवर्तयित्वा रामं च तस्याहं दीप्ततेजसः। दासभूतो भविष्यामि सुस्थिरेणान्तरात्मना।।2.73.27।।

nivartayitvā rāmṃ ca tasyāhṃ dīptatejasḥ| dāsabhūto bhaviṣyāmi susthireṇāntarātmanā||2.73.27||

Translation

रामम् Rama, निवर्तयित्वा after bringing back, सुस्थिरेण with a steady, अन्तरात्मना and heart, दीप्ततेजसः with radiating lustre, तस्य to him, दासभूतः like a servant, भविष्यामि I shall become.

Meaning

With the effulgent Rama brought back, I shall serve him with a steadfast mind.

AK-73-28Ayodhya Kanda 73.28

इत्येवमुक्त्वा भरतो महात्मा प्रियेतरैर्वाक्यगणैस्तुदंस्ताम्। शोकातुरश्चापि ननाद भूयः सिंहो यथा पर्वतगह्वरस्थः।।2.73.28।।

ityevamuktvā bharato mahātmā priyetarairvākyagaṇaistudṃstām| śokāturaścāpi nanāda bhūyḥ siṃho yathā parvatagahvarasthḥ||2.73.28||

Translation

महात्मा highsouled, भरतः Bharata, इत्येवम् in this manner, उक्त्वा having spoken, प्रियेतरैः unpleasant, वाक्यगणैः with words, ताम् her, तुदन् afflicting, शोकातुरः overwhelmed with grief, पर्वतगह्वरस्थः inside a mountaincave, सिंहो यथा like a lion, भूयश्चापि once again, ननाद cried out loudly.

Meaning

Having inflicted on his mother these unpleasant words in this manner, the highsouled Bharata, overwhelmed with grief, roared again like a lion in a mountaincave. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रिसप्ततितमस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the seventythird sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

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