Summary
In this chapter Kausalya bids farewell to Rama preparing to go to forest. Rama leaves her residence and goes to Seetha.
Chapter [Sarga] 25 in Detail
saa apaniiya tam aayaasam upasprishya jalam shuci |
cakaara maataa raamasya mangalaani manasvinii || 2-25-1
Kausalya, the magnanimous mother putting away her grief, sipped water from the palm of the hand, became purified and performed rites conducive to the welfare of Rama.
na shakyase vaarayauitum gachchhedaaniim raghuttama |
shriighram cha vinivartasva vartasva cha sataam krame || 2-25-2
"Oh, Rama! Your departure cannot be restrained, depart now, return soon. Abide in the footsteps of the virtuous."
yam paalayasi dharmam tvam dhrityaa cha niyamena cha |
savai raaghavashaardula! dharmastvaamabhirakshatu || 2-25-3
"Oh, Rama! Let that righteousness, which you are fostering with courage and discipline , protect you".
yebhyah pranamase putra chaityeshhvaayataneshhu cha |
te cha tvaamabhirakshantu vane saha maharshhibhih || 2-25-4
"Oh, son! To whom you will be bowing in salutation at cross-roads and in temples, those along with great saints will protect you in the forest.
yaani dattaani te.a straani vishvaamitrena dhiimataa |
taani tvaamabhirakshantu gunaissamuditam sadaa || 2-25-5
"All the arms given by the wise sage Visvamitra to you, will ever protect you who are rich in good qualities"
pitrishushrushhayaa putra maatrishu shruushhayaa tathaa |
satyena cha mahaabaaho chiram jiivaabhirakshitah || 2-25-6
"Oh, son with magnificent arms! Protected by your service to father and service to mother as well as truthfulness, you will belong-lived"
samitkushapavitraani vedyashchaayatanaani cha |
sthandhilaani vichitraani shailaa vrikshaah kushuphaa hradaah || 2-25-7
patagaah pannagaah simhaastvaam rakshantu narottama |
"Oh, Rama, the best among men! May the wooden sticks used for feeding the sacred fire, blades of the sacred Kusa grass and rings of Kusa grass(worn on the forth finger on sacrificial occasions)sacrificial altars , temples and various sites selected by Brahmanas for worship of gods, mountains, trees, bushes, large and deep pools of water, birds, snakes and lions protect you."
svasti saadhyaah ca vishve ca marutah ca maharsayah || 2-25-8
svasti dhaataa vidhaataa ca svasti puusaa bhago aryamaa |
ritavah caiva paksaah ca maasaah samvatsaraah ksapaah || 2-25-9
"May the saadhyas and viswadevas (two different kinds of gods) and wind-gods along with eminent sages ensure your happiness. May the cosmic person and the creator bring happiness to you. May the Pusha, Bhaga and Aryama (three of the twelve sons of Aditi) and the guardians of the spheres with Indra as their Head do good to you."
ritavashchaiva pakshaashcha maasaassamvatsaraah kshapaah |
dinaani ca muhuurtaah ca svasti kurvantu te sadaa || 2-25-10
"May the six seasons, all the fortnights and months, years, nights, days and hours always do good to you.
smritir dhritih ca dharmah ca paantu tvaam putra sarvatah |
skandah ca bhagavaan devah somah ca sabrihaspatih || 2-25-11
sapta risayo naaradah ca te tvaam raksantu sarvatah |
"May Veda, the Smriti texts taken as one body, the resolution and the piety protect you, my son! May lord Skanda (the younger son of Lord Siva) and the moon god along with the sage Brihaspati (the preceptor of gods), the well known seven sages as well as Sage Narada guard you on all sides."
yaashchaapi sarvatah siddaa dishshca sadigiishvaraah || 2-25-12
stutaa mayaa vane tasmin paantutvaam putra nityashah |
"May the four quarters along with the glorious guardians of the four quarters which are eulogized by me may protect you always on all sides in that forest."
shailaah sarve samudraashcha raajaa varuna eva cha || 2-25-13
dyaurantariksham prithivii nadyassarvaastathaiva cha |
naksatraani ca sarvaani grahaah ca sahadevataah || 2-25-14
ahoraatre tathaa sandhye paantu tvaam vanamaashritam |
" Let all mountains , oceans, king(of oceans) Varuna, heaven and earth, the intermediate space between them , rivers , astrological mansions including gods presiding over them, day and night, the morning and evening twilights may protect you while you reside in the forest ."
ritavashchaiva shhtpunyaa maasaah samvatsaraastathaa || 2-25-15
kalaashcha kaashhthaashcha tathaa tava sharma dishantu te |
"The six holy seasons, months, years and the measures of time known as Kala (equivalent to one minute) and Kastha (1/30th of Kala or two seconds) bestow you happiness"
mahaa vanaani caratah muni vesasya dhiimatah || 2-25-16
tavaadityaashcha daityaashcha bhavantu sukhadaah sadaa |
"Let the heavenly deities and the demons too ever grant happiness on you while you traverse through the large forest, in the guise of a hermit and full of wisdom”
raakshasaanaam pishaachaanaam raudraanaam kruurakarmanaam || 2-25-17
kravyaadaanaam cha sarveshham maabhuutputraka te bhayam |
"Oh, son! Let there not be fear for you of demons the terrible ones performing cruel deeds, of devilish beings called Pisachas and of all carnivorous animals."
plavagaa vrishcikaa damshaa mashakaah caiva kaanane || 2-25-18
sarii sripaah ca kiitaah ca maa bhuuvan gahane tava |
"In that impenetrable forest occupied by you, let there be no monkeys, scorpions, gad flies, mosquitoes, snakes or other insects.”
mahaa dvipaah ca simhaah ca vyaaghraariksaah ca damstrinah || 2-25-19
mahisaah shringino raudraa na te druhyantu putraka |
"Oh, son! Let the great elephants, lions with tusks, tigers, bears, terrible he-buffaloes with horns not to be hostile to you.
nri maamsa bhojanaa raudraa ye ca anye sattva jaatayah || 2-25-20
maa ca tvaam himsisuh putra mayaa sampuujitaah tu iha |
"Oh, son! Let the other ferocious man-eaters belonging to animal-species, being worshipped by me here, not hurt you."
aagamaah te shivaah santu sidhyantu ca paraakramaah || 2-25-21
sarva sampattayo raama svastimaan gaccha putraka |
"Oh, Rama, my son! May your path-ways be propitious! Let your valor be powerful! Go well with all accomplishments!.
svasti te astu aantariksebhyah paarthivebhyah punah punah || 2-25-22
sarvebhyah caiva devebhyo ye ca te paripanthinah |
"Let there be security to you against those dwelling in the atmosphere and on the earth as well as against all the celestials as also your enemies."
guruh somashcha suuryashcha dhanado.atha yamastathaa || 2-25-23
paantu tvaamarchitaa raama! dandakaaranyavaasinam |
"Oh, Rama! May Venus and the moon as also the sun and Kubera (the god of wealth) and Yama (the god of death) who are being worshipped by me, protect you, while you reside in the forest of Dandaka"
agnirvaayustathaa dhuumomantraashcharshhimukhaachchyutaah || 2-25-24
upasparshanakaale tu paantu tvaam raghundadana |
"Oh, Rama! May sacred hymns coming forth from fire, air , vapor, and from the mouth of singer of sacred hymns protect you at the time of taking bath."
sarva loka prabhur brahmaa bhuuta bhartaa tathaa risayah || 2-25-25
ye ca shesaah suraah te tvaam raksantu vana vaasinam |
"Let Siva, the lord of all spheres, Brahma, the lord of creation, Vishnu, the nourisher of beings, the sages and the rest of the celestials may protect you dwelling in the forest.
iti maalyaih sura ganaan gandhaih ca api yashasvinii || 2-25-26
stutibhih ca anuruupaabhir aanarca aayata locanaa |
Uttering thus, the illustrious Kausalya having large eyes, worshipped troops of divinities with garlands, sandal paste and befitting hymns of praise.
jvalanam samupaadaaya braahmanena mahaatmanaa || 2-25-27
haavayaamaasa vidhinaa raamamagalakaaranaat |
Duly procuring fire, she caused oblation to be poured into it, as per the direction of a high souled Brahmana for the purpose of Rama's well- being.
ghritam shvetaani maalyaani samidhah shvetasarshhapaan || 2-25-28
upasampaadayaamaasa kausalyaa pamaaganaa |
Kausalya, the excellent woman procured clarified butter, white garlands, ceremonial sticks and white mustard seeds.
upaadhyaayah sa vidhinaa hutva shaantimanaamayam || 2-25-29
hutahavyaavasheshhena baahyam balimakalpayat |
That preceptor performed ceremony for peace as per the statute as well as without error and carried out propitiatory oblation externally with the remaining sacrificial food left after the main offering.
madhudadyakshataghritaih svastivaachya dvijaam statah || 2-25-30
vaachayaamaasa raamasya vane svastyayanakriyaah |
She then got Brahmanas to pronounce blessings with honey, curd , unbroken grains of rice and clarified butter by the repetition of certain hymns and to utter prayers for the well - being of Rama in the forest.
tatastanmai dvijendraaya raamamaataa yashasvinii || 2-25-31
dakshinaam pradadau kaamyaam raaghavam chedamabraviit |
The illustrious Kausalya gave the desired fee to that chief of Brahmanas and spoke as follows to Rama:-
yan mangalam sahasra akse sarva deva namah krite || 2-25-32
vritra naashe samabhavat tat te bhavatu mangalam |
"Which felicity occurred in Devendra the thousand- eyed, adored by all celestials when a demon called Vritta was destroyed, let that felicity occur to you"
yan mangalam suparnasya vinataa akalpayat puraa || 2-25-33
amritam praarthayaanasya tat te bhavatu mangalam |
"Which blessing was invoked by Vinata to Garuda who was setting off to bring nectar in the past, may that blessing happen to you."
amritotpaadane daityaan ghnato vajradharasya yat || 2-25-34
aditirmagalam praadaat tatte bhavatu magalam |
"While blessing was bestowed on Devendra, the wielder of the thunderbolt , killing the demons at the time of producing nectar, let that blessing come to you "
tiinvikramaan prakamato vishhnoramitatejasah || 2-25-35
yadaasiinmagalam praadaat tatte bhavatu magalam |
"Oh, Rama! Which good fortune occurred to Vishnu who was immensely glorious while making his three strides (in order to measure the three worlds), let that good fortune come to you
ritavah saagaraa dviipaa vedaa lokaa dishshchate || 2-25-36
mamgalaani mahaabaaho dishantu shubhavagalaah |
"Oh, Rama, the mighty armed! May the seasons , oceans , Dvipas (principal division of earth girdled by oceans ), Vedas, various spheres and quarters confer blessings with good luck to you."
iti putrasya sheshhaashcha kritvaa shirasi bhaaminii || 2-25-37
gandaamshchaapi samaalabhya raamamaayatalo chanaa |
osadhiim ca api siddha arthaam vishalya karaniim shubhaam || 2-25-38
cakaara raksaam kausalyaa mantraih abhijajaapa ca |
saying so, Kausalya, the large eyed proud woman placed some unbroken rice grains on her son's head, smeared varieties of sandal pastes over his body, fastened about his wrist by way of an amulet, a herb called Visalyakarani (so called because it helps in painlessly extracting an arrow stuck into one's body) which is efficacious and auspicious and muttered sacred hymns in order to enhance its virtue.
uvaachaatiprahrishhteva saa duhkhavashartinii || 2-25-39
vaamaatrena na bhaavena vaachaa samsajjamaanayaa |
Though filled with grief inside, she appeared to be overjoyed outside and with faltering words, spoke thus with only mouth and not with her heart.
aanamya muurdhni ca aaghraaya parisvajya yashasvinii || 2-25-40
avadat putra siddha artho gaccha raama yathaa sukham |
The illustrious Kausalya embraced Rama, smelling his head by bending it and spoke these words "Rama, my son! Go with ease with accomplishment of purpose, as you are."
arogam sarva siddha artham ayodhyaam punar aagatam || 2-25-41
pashyaami tvaam sukham vatsa susthitam raaja veshmani |
Oh, son! With all your purposes fulfilled and with good health, I shall see you returning to Ayodhya happily and taking over the reins of the kingdom
pranashhtakuhkhasamkalpaa harshhavidyotitaananaa || 2-25-42
drakshyaami tvaam vanaatrpaaptam puurnachandramivoditam |
"All my thoughts of grief having been expulsed and my face shining with joy, I shall behold you returning from the forest like the full moon rising from the horizon"
bhadraasanagatam raama vanavaasaadihaagatam || 2-25-43
drakshaami cha punastvaam tu tiirnavantam piturvachah |
"Oh, Rama! I shall behold you returning here from your sojourn in the forest, having fulfilled your father's word and installed on the splendid throne."
magashairupasampanno vanavaasaadihaagatah || 2-25-44
padhvaa mama cha nityam tvam kaamaan samvardha yaahi bhoh |
"Having come here from your sojourn in the forest, you will be familiar with auspicious things and will ever be augmenting the desires of my daughter-in-law and of me. Depart now, Oh, Rama!”
mayaa arcitaa deva ganaah shiva aadayo |
maharsayo bhuuta mahaa asura uragaah |
abhiprayaatasya vanam ciraaya te|
hitaani kaanksantu dishah ca raaghava || 2-25-45
"Oh, Rama! Worshipped by me, let the hosts of gods headed by Siva, the Supreme Being, the great sages, spirits, the chief of evil spirits, the celestial serpents and the (four)quarters wish well of you, who is setting forth to forest, "
iti iva ca ashru pratipuurna locanaa|
samaapya ca svastyayanam yathaa vidhi |
pradaksinam caiva cakaara raaghavam |
punah punah ca api nipiidya sasvaje || 2-25-46
Having so said and having completed the rite of invoking blessings befittingly, Kausalya whose eyes were overflowing with tears, further went clockwise around Rama and having pressed close to him, embraced again and again.
tathaa tu devyaa sa krita pradaksino |
nipiidya maatuh caranau punah punah |
jagaama siitaa nilayam mahaa yashaah |
sa raaghavah prajvalitah svayaa shriyaa || 2-25-47
Having been done circumbulation (as a mark of protection) thus by the pious woman Kausalya, that highly illustrious Rama pressing his mother's feet again and again , shining by his own splendor, went to Sita's house
|| iti raamayane ayodhya kaanda panchavimsah sarga ||
Thus completes twenty fifth chapter of Ayodhya kanda in Srimad Ramayana.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate