As per instructions of Rama, Guha gets a boat ready. Sumantra requests Rama to take him as a personal attendant to the forest, but Rama declines his offer and after reasoning with him, sends him back to Ayodhya. Rama and Lakshmana matted their hair with the latex of a banyan tree procured by Guha. On reaching the middle of the stream, Sita offers prayers to Mother Ganga (the deity presiding over the stream) and after crossing the river, all the three halt for the night at the foot of a tree.
Chapter [Sarga] 52 in Detail
prabhaataayaam tu sharvaryaam prithu vriksaa mahaa yashaah |
uvaaca raamah saumitrim laksmanam shubha laksanam || 2-52-1
That night having given way to dawn, the illustrious Rama with a broad chest spoke (as follows) to Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra and who was endowed with auspicious signs :
bhaaskara udaya kaalo ayam gataa bhagavatii nishaa |
asau sukrisno vihagah kokilah taata kuujati || 2-52-2
“Oh, dear brother! This is the hour of sunrise. The auspicious night has departed. That bird of dark plumage, the cuckoo, is singing.”
barhinaanaam ca nirghosah shruuyate nadataam vane |
taraama jaahnaviim saumya shiighragaam saagaram gamaam || 2-52-3
“Oh, good brother! Hear the cries of peacocks resounding in the forest. Let us cross the swift-flowing Ganga River that gushes to the sea.”
vijnaaya raamasya vacah saumitrir mitra nandanah |
guham aamantrya suutam ca so atisthad bhraatur agratah || 2-52-4
Lakshmana, the delight of his friends, having understood the words of Rama, called Guha as well as Sumantra and stood in front of his brother.
sa tu raamasya vachanam nishamya pratigrihya cha |
sthapatistuurnamaahuya sachivaanidamabraviit || 2-52-5
Hearing the command of Rama, Guha quickly received it, invited his ministers and spoke to them as follows:
asya vaahanasamyuktaam karnagraahavatiim shubhaam |
suprataaraam dridhaam tiirkhe shiigram naavamupaahara || 2-52-6
“Let a beautiful boat that is solidly constructed, sails well and a helmsman in it, be brought to the bank to carry this hero across!”
tam nishamya samaadesham guhaamaatyagano mahaan |
upohya ruchiraam naavam guhaaya pratyavedayat || 2-52-7
Hearing that command, the chief minister of King Guha brought a charming boat to the bank and reported the matter to Guha.
tatah sapraajnjalirbhuutvaa guho raaghavamabraviit |
upasthiteyam naurdeva bhuuyah kim karavaani te || 2-52-8
Then, Guha with folded hands spoke to Rama as follows: “Oh, Lord! Here, the boat has arrived. What more can I do for you?”
tavaamarasutaprakhya tartum saagaragaam nadiim |
nauriyam purushhavyaagra! taam tvamaaroha suvrata! || 2-52-9
“Oh, tiger among men! Oh, Rama resembling a son of divinity! Here is the boat for you to cross the river, which flows into the sea. Oh, virtuous one! (Pray) get into it.”
athovaacha mahaatejaa raamo guhamidam vachah |
kritakaamo.asmi bhavataa shiighramaaropyataamiti || 2-52-10
Then, Rama with great splendor, spoke to Guha as follows: “My desire has been accomplished by you. Let us embark with all speed.”
tatah kalaapaan samnahya khadgau baddhvaa ca dhanvinau |
jagmatur yena tau gangaam siitayaa saha raaghavau || 2-52-11
Having equipped themselves with a quiver each with arrows, fastening their swords and armed with their bows, Rama and Lakshmana, with Sita, proceeded towards the river of Ganga.
raamam eva tu dharmajnam upagamya viniitavat |
kim aham karavaani iti suutah praanjalir abraviit || 2-52-12
Sumantra joining his palms in humility, approached Rama who knew what is right and said, “What shall I do?”
tato.abraviiddaasharathih sumantram |
sprishan karenottamadakshinena |
sumantra shiighram punareva yaahi |
raajjnah sakaashe bhavachaapramattah || 2-52-13
Touching Sumantra with his auspicious right hand, Rama then said: “Oh, Sumantra! Return quickly to the king’s presence and be attentive in serving him.”
nivartasva iti uvaaca enam etaavadd hi kritam mama |
ratham vihaaya padbhyaam tu gamishhyaami mahaavanam || 2-52-14
“Go now, that your service to me has been completed. Abandoning the chariot, I shall go on foot to the mighty forest,” Rama said.
aatmaanam tu abhyanujnaatam aveksya aartah sa saarathih |
sumantrah purusa vyaaghram aiksvaakam idam abraviit || 2-52-15
Finding himself dismissed, Sumantra the charioteer was distressed and spoke to Rama, the tiger among men, as follows:
na atikraantam idam loke purusena iha kenacit |
tava sabhraatri bhaaryasya vaasah praakritavad vane || 2-52-16
“None in the world has had to suffer such a fate as yourself; that you should have to dwell in the forest with your brother and your consort as if you were an ordinary man!”
na manye brahma carye asti svadhiite vaa phala udayah |
maardava aarjavayoh vaa api tvaam ced vyasanam aagatam || 2-52-17
“I think that there is no reward in leading a life of religious student or in studying religious scriptures or even in cultivating tenderness and straight forwardness, when adversity has come to you.”
saha raaghava vaidehyaa bhraatraa caiva vane vasan |
tvam gatim praapsyase viira triiml lokaams tu jayann iva || 2-52-18
“Oh, heroic Rama! Living in the forest along with Sita and your brother, you will obtain the same position as one who has conquered the three worlds.”
vayam khalu hataa raama ye tayaa api upavancitaah |
kaikeyyaa vasham esyaamah paapaayaa duhkha bhaaginah || 2-52-19
“Oh, Rama! We are actually ruined, in that, disappointed in our hopes by you too, we shall fall under the sway of Kaikeyi the sinful woman and reap the suffering.”
iti bruvann aatma samam sumantrah saarathis tadaa |
dristvaa dura gatam raamam duhkha aartah rurude ciram || 2-52-20
Sumantra the charioteer thus speaking, wept for a long time, stricken with grief, seeing Rama, equal to his soul, departing to a distance.
tatah tu vigate baaspe suutam sprista udakam shucim |
raamah tu madhuram vaakyam punah punar uvaaca tam || 2-52-21
Then, Rama again and again spoke these sweet words as follows to that charioteer, whose tears got dried up and who had sipped some water and got himself purified:
iksvaakuunaam tvayaa tulyam suhridam na upalaksaye |
yathaa dasharatho raajaa maam na shocet tathaa kuru || 2-52-22
“I do not see any one who is as great a friend of the Ikshvakus as you are. (Pray) act in such a way that king Dasaratha may not lament about me”
shoka upahata cetaah ca vriddhah ca jagatii patih |
kaama bhaara avasannah ca tasmaat etat braviimi te || 2-52-23
“The king, his mind afflicted with grief, is aged as well. He is pressed down by a burden of passion. Hence, I tell you this.”
yad yad aajnaapayet kimcit sa mahaatmaa mahii patih |
kaikeyyaah priya kaama artham kaaryam tat avikaanksayaa || 2-52-24
“What so ever act that high-soled emperor may enjoin you to do, with intent to oblige the desire of Kaikeyi, it is to be done unhesitatingly.”
etat artham hi raajyaani prashaasati nara iishvaraah |
yad esaam sarva krityesu mano na pratihanyate || 2-52-25
“The kings indeed rule the states with this end in view that their will may not be frustrated in any undertaking.”
yadyathaa sa mahaa raajo na aliikam adhigacchati |
na ca taamyati duhkhena sumantra kuru tat tathaa || 2-52-26
“Oh, Sumantra! Carry out everything in such a way that the said emperor neither finds it unpleasing nor gets tormented by grief.”
adrista duhkham raajaanam vriddham aaryam jita indriyam |
bruuyaah tvam abhivaadya eva mama hetor idam vacah || 2-52-27
“Only after performing respectful salutation to the old and venerable king, who has never known suffering and who has subdued his senses, you tell these words to him on my behalf.”
na eva aham anushocaami laksmano na ca maithilii |
ayodhyaayaah cyutaah ca iti vane vatsyaamaha iti vaa (maheti!)|| 2-52-28
“Indeed neither I nor Lakshmana and Sita grieve for having moved from Ayodhya or that we are going to dwell in a forest.”
catur dashasu varsesu nivrittesu punah punah |
laksmanam maam ca siitaam ca draksyasi ksipram aagataan || 2-52-29
“After completing fourteen years, you will once more see Lakshmana, myself and Sita too returned apace from the forest.”
evam uktvaa tu raajaanam maataram ca sumantra me |
anyaah ca deviih sahitaah kaikeyiim ca punah punah || 2-52-30
aarogyam bruuhi kausalyaam atha paada abhivandanam |
siitaayaa mama ca aaryasya vacanaal laksmanasya ca || 2-52-31
“Oh, Sumantra! This is what you should say to the king, my mother, all other queens and Kaikeyi. Tell Kausalya again and again that I am keeping good health. Thereafter, convey salutations at her feet on behalf of Sita as well as myself and Lakshmana the faithful man.”
bruuyaah ca hi mahaa raajam bharatam ksipram aanaya |
aagatah ca api bharatah sthaapyo nripa mate pade || 2-52-32
“Tell our salutations to the emperor too. Bring Bharata quickly. After his arrival, Bharata may be installed in the position, as desired by the king.”
bharatam ca parisvajya yauvaraajye abhisicya ca |
asmat samtaapajam duhkham na tvaam abhibhavisyati || 2-52-33
“When you embrace Bharata and install him in the office of the Prince Regent, the agony caused by the repentance felt by you on our account will not overpower you.”
bharatah ca api vaktavyo yathaa raajani vartase |
tathaa maatrisu vartethaah sarvaasv eva avishesatah || 2-52-34
“Bharata too is to be told thus: “Treat without distinction all your mothers with the same regard as you behave towards the king.”
yathaa ca tava kaikeyii sumitraa ca avishesatah |
tathaiva devii kausalyaa mama maataa vishesatah || 2-52-35
“As is your affection for Kaikeyi, so let it be for Sumitra and also the divine Kausalya, my mother”
taatasya priyakaamena yauvaraajyamapekshataa |
lokayorubhayoh shakyam tvayaa yatsukhamedhitum || 2-52-36
“If you accept the princely kingdom with an intent to please our father, it will be possible for you to enhance happiness in both the worlds (in this world and the next).”
nivartyamaano raamena sumantrah shoka karshitah |
tat sarvam vacanam shrutvaa snehaat kaakutstham abraviit || 2-52-37
Sumantra, who was being sent back by Rama, was agonized with grief after hearing the whole of that discourse and affectionately spoke to Rama as follows:
yad aham na upacaarena bruuyaam snehaat aviklavah |
bhaktimaan iti tat taavad vaakyam tvam ksantum arhasi || 2-52-38
“If I spoke to you fearlessly in a friendly tone without following courteousness, you ought to forgive my mode of expression, considering me as your devotee”
katham hi tvad vihiino aham pratiyaasyaami taam puriim |
tava taata viyogena putra shoka aakulaam iva || 2-52-39
“How indeed can I return without you to that city, which through separation from you, has been reduced to the state of a mother stricken with grief due to separation from her son”
saraamam api taavan me ratham dristvaa tadaa janah |
vinaa raamam ratham dristvaa vidiiryeta api saa purii || 2-52-40
“By seeing my chariot on that day even with Rama in it, the people were lamenting so much. Now, if they see the chariot without Rama the city of Ayodhya will even be broken asunder.”
dainyam hi nagarii gacched dristvaa shuunyam imam ratham |
suuta avashesam svam sainyam hata viiram iva aahave || 2-52-41
“The city will be plunged in misery, like an army in which its commander is lost in a combat with the charioteer alone surviving, on seeing this chariot without you.”
duure api nivasantam tvaam maanasena agratah sthitam |
cintayantyo adya nuunam tvaam niraahaaraah kritaah prajaah || 2-52-42
“Thinking of you, who though residing far away are established foremost in their minds, the people of Ayodhya must have been deprived of their food today.”
drishhtam taddhi tvayaa raama! yaadrisham tvatpravaasane |
prajaanaam samkulam vrittam tvachchhokaklaantachetasaam || 2-52-43
“The great perplexity that ensued, on the occasion of your exile, among the people (of Ayodhya), whose minds were depressed through grief on your account, was witnessed by you indeed, Oh, Rama!”
aarta naado hi yah pauraih muktah tat vipravaasane |
rathastham maam nishaamya eva kuryuh shata gunam tatah || 2-52-44
“The cry of distress raised by the citizens (of Ayodhya) will be increased a hundred-fold, when they see me with an empty chariot.”
aham kim ca api vaksyaami deviim tava sutah mayaa |
niitah asau maatula kulam samtaapam maa krithaaiti || 2-52-45
“Further, shall I say to the queen Kausalya as follows: - ‘Your son, Rama has been taken by me to the house of his maternal uncle, do not grieve’.”
asatyam api na eva aham bruuyaam vacanam iidrisham |
katham apriyam eva aham bruuyaam satyam idam vacah || 2-52-46
“I cannot tell such words too which are untrue. How can I tell, ‘I abandoned your son in the forest’, which words are true but unkind?”
mama taavan niyogasthaah tvad bandhu jana vaahinah |
katham ratham tvayaa hiinam pravaksyanti haya uttamaah || 2-52-47
“How will the excellent horses obedient to me, which carried yourself, Sita and Lakshmana, draw the chariot bereft of you?”
tanna shakshyaamyaham gantumayodhyaam tvadrite.anagha |
vanavaasaanuyaanaaya maamanujjnaatumarhasi || 2-52-48
“Oh, the faultless Rama! For this reason, I cannot go back to Ayodhya. (Pray) permit me to accompany you to the forest.”
yadi me yaacamaanasya tyaagam eva karisyasi |
saratho agnim praveksyaami tyakta maatraiha tvayaa || 2-52-49
“If you leave me even though I solicit you to take me with you, I shall enter a fire with chariot and all, here itself the moment I am forsaken by you”
bhavisyanti vane yaani tapo vighna karaani te |
rathena pratibaadhisye taani sattvaani raaghava || 2-52-50
“Oh, Rama! With the help of the chariot, I shall ward off those animals in the forest, which create obstacles to your austerities.”
tat kritena mayaa praaptam ratha caryaa kritam sukham |
aashamse tvat kritena aham vana vaasa kritam sukham || 2-52-51
“The pleasure of driving your chariot has been obtained by me because of you and it is through you that I seek the happiness that comes in dwelling in a forest.”
prasiida icchaami te aranye bhavitum pratyanantarah |
priityaa abhihitam icchaami bhava me patyanantarah || 2-52-52
“Be graceful. I desire to become your close associate in the forest. I wish to hear your loving assent with the words ‘be my close associate!"
ime chaapi hayaa viira yadi te vanavaasinah |
paricharyaam karishhyanti praapsyanti paramaam gatim || 2-52-53
“Oh, hero! If these horses too can render service to you, they can attain a supreme abode.”
tava shushruusanam muurdhnaa karisyaami vane vasan |
ayodhyaam deva lokam vaa sarvathaa prajahaamy aham || 2-52-54
-“By all means, I am leaving for good, Ayodhya or even heaven. Dwelling in the forest, with my head bent low, I shall render service to you.”
na hi shakyaa pravestum saa mayaa ayodhyaa tvayaa vinaa |
raaja dhaanii mahaa indrasya yathaa duskrita karmanaa || 2-52-55
“As a doer of wicked deeds cannot enter Amaravati, the capital of Devendra, so also I cannot enter Ayodhya without you.”
vana vaase ksayam praapte mama esa hi mano rathah |
yad anena rathena eva tvaam vaheyam puriim punah || 2-52-56
“This is indeed my desire that after reaching the end of your exile, I may take you back to the city of Ayodhya in this very chariot.”
catur dasha hi varsaani sahitasya tvayaa vane |
ksana bhuutaani yaasyanti shatashah tu tatah anyathaa || 2-52-57
“So long as I am with you together in the forest, fourteen years will slip away momentarily. Otherwise than this, they will multiply a hundred- fold.”
bhritya vatsala tisthantam bhartri putra gate pathi |
bhaktam bhrityam sthitam sthityaam tvam na maam haatum arhasi || 2-52-58
“Oh, prince, who are so fond of your dependents! You ought not abandon me, your devoted servant, established in the path followed by the son of his master and (always)keeping within bounds.”
evam bahu vidham diinam yaacamaanam punah punah |
raamah bhritya anukampii tu sumantram idam abraviit || 2-52-59
Rama, who was compassionate towards his dependents, spoke as follows to Sumantra, who was miserably entreating him again and again in many modes.
jaanaami paramaam bhaktim mayi te bhartri vatsala |
shrinu ca api yad artham tvaam presayaami puriim itah || 2-52-60
“Oh, charioteer so fond of your master! I know your excellent devotion to me. Hear wherefore I send you from here to the city of Ayodhya.”
nagariim tvaam gatam dristvaa jananii me yaviiyasii |
kaikeyii pratyayam gacched iti raamah vanam gatah || 2-52-61
“Seeing you, returning to Ayodhya, Kaikeyi, my younger mother will get the proof that Rama has gone to the forest.”
paritustaa hi saa devi vana vaasam gate mayi |
raajaanam na atishanketa mithyaa vaadii iti dhaarmikam || 2-52-62
“Having completely satisfied, about me having gone to forest, Kaikeyi will leave her strong suspicion that the virtuous king may be a person who speaks untruth.”
esa me prathamah kalpo yad ambaa me yaviiyasii |
bharata aaraksitam sphiitam putra raajyam avaapnuyaat || 2-52-63
“This is my first priority that my younger mother should get the extensive kingdom, protected by Bharata and thus ruled by her own son.”
mama priya artham raajnah ca sarathah tvam puriim vraja |
samdistah ca asi yaa anarthaams taams taan bruuyaah tathaa tathaa || 2-52-64
“For my pleasure and pleasure of the king, you go along with the chariot to Ayodhya and inform all the matters that you have been asked to tell each in the way you have been asked to do.”
iti uktvaa vacanam suutam saantvayitvaa punah punah |
guham vacanam akliibam raamah hetumad abraviit || 2-52-65
Having spoken thus to the charioteer, the courageous Rama consoled him again and again. Then, he spoke the following reasoned words to Guha:
nedaaniim guha yogyo.ayam vaso me sajane vane |
avashyam hyaashrame vaasah kartavyastadgato vidhih || 2-52-66
“Oh, Guha! This stay in the inhabited woods is not proper for me. My stay should definitely be in a hermitage. Let an action diverted towards that aim be taken”
soaham grihiitvaa niyamam tapasvijanabhuushhanam |
hitakaamah piturbhuuyah siitaayaa lakshmanasya cha || 2-52-67
jataah kritvaa gamisyaami nyagrodha ksiiram aanaya |
“I as such, wishing well of my father, Sita as well as Lakshmana and having taken up a discipline to be followed by ascetics, want to proceed further, wearing matted hair. Please bring the latex of a banyan tree.”
tat ksiiram raaja putraaya guhah ksipram upaaharat || 2-52-68
laksmanasya aatmanah caiva raamah tena akaroj jataah |
Guha immediately brought that latex to the prince. With that, Rama made matted hair to himself and to Lakshmana.
diirghabaahurnaravyaaghro jatilatva madhaarayat || 2-52-69
tau tadaa ciira vasanau jataa mandala dhaarinau |
ashobhetaam risi samau bhraatarau raama raksmanau || 2-52-70
Rama, tiger among men who possessed long arms wore the distinguished mark of an ascetic (in the shape of matted hair). Then, Rama and Lakshmana the brothers clad in the bark of trees and wearing a round mass of matted locks (on their head) looked bright like two ascetic sages.
tatah vaikhaanasam maargam aasthitah saha laksmanah |
vratam aadistavaan raamah sahaayam guham abraviit || 2-52-71
Having adopted the way of a hermit (temporarily) along with Lakshmana, Rama then accepted the vow of an ascetic life and spoke to Guha, his friend as follows:
apramattah bale koshe durge jana pade tathaa |
bhavethaa guha raajyam hi duraaraksatamam matam || 2-52-72
“Oh, Guha! Remain vigilant in defense, finance, internal security and public relations, for a kingdom is the most difficult one to be protected!”
tatah tam samanujnaaya guham iksvaaku nandanah |
jagaama tuurnam avyagrah sabhaaryah saha laksmanah || 2-52-73
Then Rama, who was a delight to Ikshvaku dynasty, bade farewell to Guha and departed quickly, remaining undistracted, along with his consort and together with Lakshmana.
sa tu dristvaa nadii tiire naavam iksvaaku nandanah |
titiirsuh shiighragaam gangaam idam laksmanam abraviit || 2-52-74
Seeing the boat on the bank of the river and keen to cross the swift- flowing Ganga, Rama spoke to Lakshmana as follows: -
aaroha tvam nara vyaaghra sthitaam naavam imaam shanaih |
siitaam ca aaropaya anvaksam parigrihya manasviniim || 2-52-75
“Oh, Lakshmana the tiger among men! You get into the boat stationed here unhurriedly afterwards, having helped Sita the virtuous wife step into it.”
sa bhraatuh shaasanam shrutvaa sarvam apratikuulayan |
aaropya maithiliim puurvam aaruroha aatmavaams tatah || 2-52-76
Hearing the command completely of his elder brother, the prudent Lakshmana, by not counteracting it, made Sita to ascend the boat first and stepped into it afterwards.
atha aaruroha tejasvii svayam laksmana puurvajah |
tatah nisaada adhipatir guho jnaatiin acodayat || 2-52-77
Then, the glorious Rama got into the boat himself. Thereafter, Guha the ruler of Nishadas commanded his kinsfolk to row them across the river.
raaghavoapi mahaatejaa naavamaaruhya taam tatah |
brahmavat kshatravachchaiva jajaapa hitamaatmanah || 2-52-78
After ascending the boat, Rama too of mighty splendor then recited a sacred text (daiviim naavam etc) fit for Brahmanas and Kshatriya alike and conducive to his own good.
aachamya cha yathaashaastram nadiim taam saha siitayaa |
praanamatpriitisamhrishhto lakshmanashchaamitaprabhah || 2-52-79
Having sipped water as per scriptures and with extreme delight, Rama with Sita made obeisance to that river. Lakshmana, of infinite splendor, followed suit.
anujnaaya sumantram ca sabalam caiva tam guham |
aasthaaya naavam raamah tu codayaam aasa naavikaan || 2-52-80
Bidding farewell to Guha with his army of men and Sumantra, Rama sat on the boat and directed the boatmen to move on.
tatah taih coditaa saa nauh karna dhaara samaahitaa |
shubha sphya vega abhihataa shiighram salilam atyagaat || 2-52-81
Propelled by those splendid and vigorous oarsmen, that boat furnished with a pilot, rapidly moved across the water.
madhyam tu samanupraapya bhaagiirathyaah tu aninditaa |
vaidehii praanjalir bhuutvaa taam nadiim idam abraviit || 2-52-82
Coming to the middle of Bhagirathi river, the irreproachable Sita with joined palms, spoke as follows to the said river: -
putrah dasharathasya ayam mahaa raajasya dhiimatah |
nidesham paalayatu enam gange tvad abhiraksitah || 2-52-83
catur dasha hi varsaani samagraani usya kaanane |
bhraatraa saha mayaa caiva punah pratyaagamisyati || 2-52-84
tatah tvaam devi subhage ksemena punar aagataa |
yaksye pramuditaa gange sarva kaama samriddhaye || 2-52-85
“Oh, Ganga! Let Rama, the son of the emperor Dasaratha honor his father’s command under your protection! Having dwelled in the forest in full fourteen years, may he return once more to your bank with his brother, Lakshmana and myself! Oh, blessed goddess Ganga! Returning safely, with all my desires fulfilled, I shall worship you with great joy.”
tvam hi tripathagaa devi brahma lokam samiiksase |
bhaaryaa ca udadhi raajasya loke asmin sampradrishyase || 2-52-86
You, Oh goddess flowing through three regions (namely heaven, earth and subterranean regions), include in your basin the realm of Brahma (the outermost of the six spheres enveloping the earth) and are vividly seen on this terrestrial plane as a consort of the ocean king.”
saa tvaam devi namasyaami prashamsaami ca shobhane |
praapta raajye nara vyaaghra shivena punar aagate || 2-52-87
gavaam shata sahasraani vastraani annam ca peshalam |
braahmanebhyah pradaasyaami tava priya cikiirsayaa || 2-52-88
“Oh, charming goddess! I, Sita, greet you and extol you too. When Rama the tiger among men safely returns and regains his kingdom, I shall give away a lakh of cows, soft clothing and food to Brahmanas with intent to please you.”
suraaghatasahasrena maamsabhuutodanena cha |
yakshye tvaam prayataa devi puriim punarupaagataa || 2-52-89
“Oh, goddess! After reaching back the city of Ayodhya, I shall worship you with thousand pots of spirituous liquor and jellied meat with cooked rice well prepared for the solemn rite.”
yaani tvattiiravaasiini daivataani cha santi hi |
taani sarvaani yakshyaami tiirthaanyaayatanaani cha || 2-52-90
“I shall worship all deities dwelling on your banks as also sacred spots and sanctuaries.”
punareva mahaabaaurmayaa bhraatraa cha samgatah |
ayodhyaam vanavaasaattu pravishatvanagho.anaghe || 2-52-91
“Oh, irreproachable goddess! May the sinless Rama (with mighty arms) re-enter Ayodhya again from the forest, along with Lakshmana and myself.”
tathaa sambhaasamaanaa saa siitaa gangaam aninditaa |
daksinaa daksinam tiiram ksipram eva abhyupaagamat || 2-52-92
Thus praying to Ganga, the efficient and irreproachable Sita rapidly reached the right bank of the river.
tiiram tu samanupraapya naavam hitvaa nara risabhah |
praatisthata saha bhraatraa vaidehyaa ca param tapah || 2-52-93
Reaching the bank and leaving the boat, Rama the best among men and the chastiser of foes proceeded further along with Lakshmana and Sita.
atha abraviin mahaa baahuh sumitra aananda vardhanam |
bhava samrakshanaarthaaya sajane vijane.api vaa || 2-52-94
Then, Rama the mighty armed spoke to Lakshmana (who heightened the joy of Sumitra) as follows:
avashyam rakshanam kaaryamadrishhte vijane vane |
agratah gaccha saumitre siitaa tvaam anugacchatu || 2-52-95
“Security is an inevitable need in a forest, which has unforeseen dangers and is uninhabited, Oh, Lakshmana! Go in front. Let Sita follow you.”
pristhatah aham gamisyaami tvaam ca siitaam ca paalayan |
adya duhkham tu vaidehii vana vaasasya vetsyati || 2-52-96
“I shall proceed in the rear, protecting you and Sita. Oh, jewel among men! We must accord protection here to one another."
na hi taavadatikraantaa sukaraa kaachana kriyaa |
adya duhkham tu vaidehii vanavaasasya vetsyati || 2-52-97
“An act which has gone out of hand, whatsoever, cannot indeed be remedied again. Sita will experience the hardship of staying in a forest only from now.”
pranashhtajanasambaadham kshetraaraamavivarbitam |
vishhamam cha prapaatam cha vanamadya pravekshyati || 2-52-98
“Today she will enter the forest, where density of people is not seen, which is utterly devoid of fields and gardens, has a rugged surface and is full of stumbles.”
shrutvaa raamasya vachanam pratisthe lakshmano.agratah |
anantaram cha siitaayaa raaghavo raghanandhanah || 2-52-99
Listening to Rama’s words, Lakshmana walked in front. Immediately after Sita, Rama, the delight of Raghu dynasty, advanced.
gatam tu gangaa para paaram aashu |
raamam sumantrah pratatam niriiksya |
adhva prakarsaat vinivritta dristir |
rmumoca baaspam vyathitah tapasvii || 2-52-100
Constantly gazing at Rama, who reached soon the other bank of Ganga River, the distressed Sumantra, his vision having failed due to the long distance and perturbed as he was, shed tears (of grief over separation from Rama).
sa lokapaalapratimaprabhaavavaam |
stiirtvaa mahaatmaa varado mahaanadiim |
tatah samriddhaan shubhasasyamaalinah |
kramena vatsaan muditaanupaagamat || 2-52-101
Having crossed the great river, Rama the high-soled, the bestowal of boons, equal in glory with the guardians of spheres, then reached progressively the prosperous and the happy land of Vatsa; which contained rows of beautiful crops.
tau tatra hatvaa caturah mahaa mrigaan |
varaaham rishyam prisatam mahaa rurum |
aadaaya medhyam tvaritam bubhuksitau|
vaasaaya kaale yayatur vanah patim || 2-52-102
Having hunted there four deer, namely Varaaha, Rishya, Prisata; and Mahaaruru (the four principal species of deer) and taking quickly the portions that were pure, being hungry as they were, Rama and Lakshmana reached a tree to take rest in the evening.
iti vaalmiiki raamaayane aadi kaavye ayodhya kaande dvipamchaashah sargah
Thus completes 52nd chapter in the Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate