Rama describes to Seetha the beauty of Mandakini River with its multi-colored beaches, swans, geese, deer and flowery trees on its banks. He shows some sages taking dip in the river and herds of elephants and monkeys coming for a drink there. Thus Rama and Seetha spend some of their time in enjoying the charms of Chitrakuta Mountain.
Chapter [Sarga] 95 in Detail
atha shailaad vinishkramya maithiliim kosala iishvarah |
adarshayat shubha jalaam ramyaam mandaakiniim nadiim || 2-95-1
Then, turning away from the mountain, Rama (The prospective ruler of Kosala) showed Seetha (the daughter of the King of Mithila) the beautiful river of Mandakini carrying splendid waters.
abraviic ca vara aarohaam caaru candra nibha aananaam |
videha raajasya sutaam raamo raajiiva locanah || 2-95-2
The lotus-eyed Rama spoke to Seetha, (the daughter of Janaka) who was having an elegant waist and whose face resembled the moon:
vicitra pulinaam ramyaam hamsa saarasa sevitaam |
kusumair upasampannaam pashya mandaakiniim nadiim || 2-95-3
"Behold this charming river of Mandakini, with its multi-colored sandy beaches, frequented by swans and geese and laden with flowers."
naanaa vidhaih tiira ruhair vritaam pushpa phala drumaih |
raajantiim raaja raajasya naliniim iva sarvatah || 2-95-4
"Behold this river, hedged on all sides with various kinds of flowers and fruits, growing on its banks and enhance its loveliness like the lake (Sangadhika) of Kubera (the ruler of Yakshas)"
mriga yuutha nipiitaani kalusha ambhaamsi saampratam |
tiirthaani ramaniiyaani ratim samjanayanti me || 2-95-5
"At this moment, its pleasant fords, where herds of deer drink and make the waters turbid, create ecstasy in me."
jataa ajina dharaah kaale valkala uttara vaasasah |
rishayah tu avagaahante nadiim mandaakiniim priye || 2-95-6
"O, beloved Seetha! Sages with matted locks and wearing antelope-skins and having bark of trees for their upper garment, take a dip in the River Mandakini, at the appointed hour."
aadityam upatishthante niyamaad uurdhva baahavah |
ete apare vishaala akshi munayah samshita vrataah || 2-95-7
"O, Lady of wide eyes! Here are some other sages of austere vows, worshipping the sun with uplifted arms; as per the scriptural injunctions."
maaruta uddhuuta shikharaih pranritta iva parvatah |
paadapaih patra pushpaani srijadbhir abhito nadiim || 2-95-8
"The trees, their crowns agitated by the breeze, which shower down leaves and flowers on both sides of the river, cause the mountain to appear as though it were dancing!"
kaccin mani nikaasha udaam kaccit pulina shaaliniim |
kaccit siddha jana aakiirnaam pashya mandaakiniim nadiim || 2-95-9
"See this River Mandakini with its crystal-like clear water at some places, with its shining sand-dunes at some places and crowded with Siddhas who are bathing at some other places."
nirdhuutaan vaayunaa pashya vitataan pushpa samcayaan |
popluuyamaanaan aparaan pashya tvam jala madhyagaan || 2-95-10
"Behold you, heaps of flowers shaken down by the wind and shattered. See some other heaps of flowers floating, O lady with slender waist!"
taamh ca ativalgu vacaso ratha anga aahvayanaa dvijaah |
adhirohanti kalyaani nishkuujantah shubhaah girah || 2-95-11
"O, Kalyani! Behold the sweet-voiced ruddy geese, ascending the banks uttering harmonious tones."
darshanam citra kuutasya mandaakinyaah ca shobhane |
adhikam pura vaasaac ca manye ca tava darshanaat || 2-95-12
"I consider this sight of Mandakini River and of Chitrakuta, particularly at your sight, to be more delightful than dwelling in the City of Ayodhya, O, lovely woman!"
vidhuuta kalushaih siddhaih tapo dama shama anvitaih |
nitya vikshobhita jalaam vihaahasva mayaa saha || 2-95-13
Here are Siddhas (semi-divine beings endowed with mystic powers), free from impurities and rich in asceticism, with their senses and mind under control, who perpetually stir the waters. You too should take a dip in the river along with me."
sakhiivac ca vigaahasva siite mandakiniim imaam |
kamalaany avamajjantii pushkaraani ca bhaamini || 2-95-14
"Enter the Mandakini River, as on the breast of a friend, submerging the red and white lotuses in it- O, Lovely Seetha!"
tvam paura janavad vyaalaan ayodhyaam iva parvatam |
manyasva vanite nityam sarayuuvad imaam nadiim || 2-95-15
"My darling! Think of the wild beasts as inhabitants of the city of Ayodhya, this mountain of Chitrakuta as the city of Ayodhya and this river as the Sarayu from now on!"
lakshmanah caiva dharma aatmaa man nideshe vyavasthitah |
tvam ca anukuulaa vaidehi priitim janayatho mama || 2-95-16
"O, Seetha! The virtuous Lakshmana is obeying my commands and you too are well-disposed, causing delight to me."
upasprishamh tri shavanam madhu muula phala ashanah |
na ayodhyaayai na raajyaaya sprihaye adya tvayaa saha || 2-95-17
"Bathing three times a day in the river and living on honey, roots and fruits in your company, I do not desire for the kingdom nor do I long for Ayodhya now."
imaam hi ramyaam gaja yuutha lolitaam |
nipiita toyaam gaja simha vaanaraih |
supushpitaih pushpa dharair alamkritaam |
na so asti yah syaan na gata kramah sukhii || 2-95-18
"There is none in the world, who would not be relieved of his fatigue and feel refreshed on the banks of this enchanting river, frequented by herds of elephants, who with lions and monkeys, come here to drink and which is adorned with innumerable flowers in full bloom."
iti iva raamo bahu samgatam vacah |
priyaa sahaayah saritam prati bruvan |
cacaara ramyam nayana anjana prabham |
sa citra kuutam raghu vamsha vardhanah || 2-95-19
Describing the varied beauties of the Mandakini River, Rama the bestower of delight to Raghu dynasty with his beloved consort as a companion, strolled in the lovely mountain of Chitrakuta which was shining like a piece of collieries."
ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye ayodhyaakaamde pamchanavatitamah sargah
Thus completes 95th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate