Introduction
As the evening twilight approaches, Anasuya sends Seetha to Rama’s presence. Seetha approaches Rama and shows him the apparel, jewels and garlands gifted by Anasuya and duly adorned by her, Rama spends the night there along with Seetha Lakshmana. At the onset of dawn, they take leave of the ascetics and advance further into the great forest in the route suggested by the ascetics.
Verse 1
अनसूया तु धर्मज्ना श्रुत्वा ताम् महतीम् कथाम् |
पर्यष्वजत बाहुभ्याम् शिरस्य् आघ्राय मैथिलीम् || २-११९-१
Hearing that great story, Anasuya the knower of piety kissed Seetha’s forehead and hugged her in her arms.
1. shrutvaa = hearing; taam = that; mahatiim kathaam = great story; anasuuyaatu = Anasuya; dharmajJNaa = the knower of piety; aaghraaya = kissed; shirasi = on the forehead; maithiliim = of Seetha; pariSvajata = and hugged her; baahubhyaan = in her arms.
Verse 2
व्यक्त अक्षर पदम् चित्रम् भाषितम् मधुरम् त्वया |
यथा स्वयम् वरम् वृत्तम् तत् सर्वम् हि श्रुतम् मया || २-११९-२
रमे अहम् कथया ते तु दृष्ढम् मधुर भाषिणि |
“It was narrated sweetly and amazingly by you, in clear words and syllables. It has been indeed heard by me how all that Svayamvara, the process of self-choosing marriage took place. O, the sweet speaking Seetha! I am overjoyed by hearing your story.”
2. bhaaSitam = It was narrated; tvayaa = by you; vyaktaakSarapadam = in clear words and syllables; chitram = amazingly; madhuram = and sweetly; shrutam hi = It has been indeed heard; mayaa = by me; yathaa = how; tatsarvam = all that; svayamvaram = Svayamvara; the process of self-choosing marriage; vR^ittam = took place; madhurabhaaSini = O; the sweetly speaking Seetha!; aham = I; dR^iDham rame = am overjoyed; te kathayaa = (by hearing) your story.
Verse 3 & 4
रविर् अस्तम् गतः श्रीमान् उपोह्य रजनीम् शिवाम् || २-११९-३
दिवसम् प्रति कीर्णानाम् आहार अर्थम् पतत्रिणाम् |
संध्या काले निलीनानाम् निद्रा अर्थम् श्रूयते ध्वनिः ||२-११९-४
“O, Fortunate One! While the auspicious night drawing near, the sun has sunk below horizon. The twittering of the birds can be heard, who, through the day, have sought their nourishment far and wide and are seeking their shelter for sleep at the time of evening-twilight.”
3; 4. shriimaan = O; Fortunate one!; shivaam = (while) the auspicious; rajaniim = night; upohya = is drawing near; raviH = the sun; astagataH = has sunk below horizon; dhvaniH = the twittering; patattriNaam = of the birds; shruuyate = can be heard; divasam = who; through the day; aahaaraartham = have sought their nourishment; pratikiirNaanaam = far and wide; niliinaanaam = and are seeking their shelter; nidraartham = for sleep; sandhyaakaale = at the time of evening-twilight.
Verse 5
एते च अप्य् अभिषेक आर्द्रा मुनयः फल शोधनाः |
सहिता उपवर्तन्ते सलिल आप्लुत वल्कलाः || २-११९-५
“These ascetics too are returning together, their bark-robes drenched from bathing, and with uplifted vessels, wet with sprinkled water on them.”
5. ete munayaH cha = these ascetics too; upavartante = are returning; sahitaaH = together; salilaa plavavalkalaaH = their bark = robes drenched from bathing; kalashodyataaH = with uplifted vessels; abhiSekaardraaH = wet with sprinkled water.
Verse 6
ऋषीणाम् अग्नि होत्रेषु हुतेषु विधि पुर्वकम् |
कपोत अन्ग अरुणो धूमो दृश्यते पवन उद्धतः || २-११९-६
“From the sacred fire kindled by the sages, according to the scriptural ordinance, a column of smoke with the hue of a Pigeon’s neck, raised by the wind, is seen there.”
6. agnihotreSu = from the sacred fire; huteSu = kindled; R^iSiiNaam = by the sages; vidhipuurvakam = according to the scriptural ordinance; dhuumam = a column of smoke; kapotaaNgaaruNaH = with the hue of a pigeon’s neck; pavanoddhataH = raised by the wind; dR^ishyate = is seen (there).
Verse 7
अल्प पर्णा हि तरवो घनी भूताः समन्ततः |
विप्रकृष्टे अपि ये देशे न प्रकाशन्ति वै दिशः || २-११९-७
“Thought their foliage is sparse, the trees look dense all around. The quarters of the world, by whom the senses are drawn apart, do not shine brilliantly at this place.”
7. alpaparNaaH = though their foliage is sparse; taravaH = the trees; ghaniibhuutaaH = look dense; samantataH = all around; dishaH = the quarters; na prakaashantivai = do not shine brilliantly; asmin deshe = at this place; viprakR^iSTendriye = by whom the senses are drawn apart.
Verse 8
रजनी रस सत्त्वानि प्रचरन्ति समन्ततः |
तपो वन मृगा ह्य् एते वेदि तीर्थेषु शेरते || २-११९-८
“The animals who wander about at night are ranging everywhere. The deer of the hermitage are sleeping round the sacred altars.”
8. rajamichara sattvaani = the animals who wander about at night; pracharanti = are ranging; samantataH = every where; ete = these; tapovana mR^igaaH = deer of the hermitage; sherate = are sleeping; vedi tiirtheSu = round the sacred altars.
Verse 9
सम्प्रवृत्ता निशा सीते नक्षत्र समलम्कृता |
ज्योत्स्ना प्रावरणः चन्द्रो दृश्यते अभ्युदितो अम्बरे || २-११९-९
“O, Seetha! The night richly adorned with stars has set well in motion. The moon encircled with light is seen rising in the sky.”
9. siite = O; Seetha!; nishaa = the night; nakSatra samalaNkR^itaa = richly adorned with stars; sampravR^ittaa = has set well in motion; chandraH = the moon; jyotsnaa praavaraNaH = encircled with light; dR^ishyati = is seen; abhyuditaH = rising; ambare = in the sky.
Verse 10
गम्यताम् अनुजानामि रामस्य अनुचरी भव |
कथयन्त्या हि मधुरम् त्वया अहम् परितोषिता || २-११९-१०
“Go now. I give you leave. Be a female companion to Rama. Your sweet conversation has charmed me.”
10. gamyataam = go now; anujaanaami = I give you leave; bhava = be; anucharii = a female companion; raamasya = to Rama; aham = I; paritoSitaa = have been charmed; tvayaa = by you; kathayantyaa = speaking; madhuram = sweetly.
Verse 11
अलम्कुरु च तावत् त्वम् प्रत्यक्षम् मम मैथिलि |
प्रीतिम् जनय मे वत्स दिव्य अलम्काल शोभिनी || २-११९-११
“O, Seetha! O, Dear child! Adorn (with ornaments and apparel gifted by me_ before my eyes and cause delight to me in embellishing yourself with heavenly jewels.”
11. maithili = O; Seetha!; vatse = Dear child!; alaNkuru = adorn (with ornaments and apparel gifted by me); mama pratyakSam taavat = before my eyes; janaya = cause; priitm = delight; me = to me; divyaalaNkaara shobhitaa = in embellishing yourself with heavenly ornaments.
Verse 12
सा तदा समलम्कृत्य सीता सुर सुत उपमा |
प्रणम्य शिरसा तस्यै रामम् तु अभिमुखी ययौ || २-११९-१२
Then Seetha, adorning herself, resembled the daughter of a god, and making obeisance to the feet of Anasuya, she went forward to meet Rama.
12. saa siitaa = that Seetha; sura sutopamaa = similar to the daughter of a god; samalaNkR^itya = adorning herself; tathaa = in that manner; praNamya = making obeisance by bending down; shirasaa = her head; yayau = ad proceeded; abhimukhaa = towards; raamam = Rama.
Verse 13
तथा तु भूषिताम् सीताम् ददर्श वदताम् वरः |
राघवः प्रीति दानेन तपस्विन्या जहर्ष च || २-११९-१३
Rama, the most eloquent one, saw Seetha adorned as aforesaid and felt delighted over the charming gifts of the ascetic.
13. raaghavaH = Rama; varaH = the most; vadataam = eloquent one; dadarsha = saw; siitaam = Seetha; bhuuSitaam = adorned; tathaa = as aforesaid; jaharSa cha = felt delighted; priitidaanena = over the charming gifts; tapsvinyaaH = of the ascetic.
Verse 14
न्यवेदयत् ततः सर्वम् सीता रामाय मैथिली |
प्रीति दानम् तपस्विन्या वसन आभरण स्रजाम् || २-११९-१४
Seetha, the daughter of Mithila kingdom then showed to Rama all the apparel, jewels and garlands the affectionate gifts of Anasuya the hermitess.
14. siitaa = Seetha; maithilii = the daughter of Mithila kingdom; tataH = then; nyavedayat = showed; raamaaya = to Rama; sarvam = all; vasanaabharaNa svajam = the apparel; jewels and garlands; priiti daanam = the affectionate gifts; tapasvinyaaH = of Anasuya; the hermitess.
Verse 15
प्रहृष्टः तु अभवद् रामो लक्ष्मणः च महा रथः |
मैथिल्याः सत्क्रियाम् दृष्ट्वा मानुषेषु सुदुर्लभाम् || २-११९-१५
Seeing the respectful treatment, received by Seetha, which was very rare among human beings, Rama and Lakshmana the great car-warrior felt highly rejoiced.
15. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; satkriyaam = the respectful treatment; maithilyaaH = received by Seetha; sudurlabhaam = which was very rare; maanuSeSu = among human beings; raamaH = Rama; lakSmaNashcha = and Lakshmana; mahaarathaH = the great car-warrior; abhavat = felt; prahR^iSTaH = hight rejoiced.
Verse 16
ततः ताम् सर्वरीम् प्रीतः पुण्याम् शशि निभ आननः |
अर्चितः तापसैः सिद्धैर् उवास रघु नन्दनः || २-११९-१६
Thereupon, Rama with his face resembling the moon, having been honoured by the holy ascetics, was delighted and spent that auspicious night there.
16. tataH = thereupon; raaghnandanaH = Rama; shashinibhaananaH = with his face resembling the moon; architaH = having been honoured; siddhaiH = by the holy; taapasaiH = ascetics; priitaH = was delighted; uvaasa = and stayed (there); taam = that; puNyam = auspicious; sharvariim = night.
Verse 17
तस्याम् रात्र्याम् व्यतीतायाम् अभिषिच्य हुत अग्निकान् |
आपृग्च्छेताम् नर व्याघ्रौ तापसान् वन गोचरान् || २-११९-१७
While that night passed away, Rama and Lakshmana the tigers among men finished their ablutions and took leave of the ascetics dwelling the forest, who had just poured oblations into the sacred fire.
17. tasyaam = (While) that; raatryaam = night; vyatiitaayaam = passed away; naravyaaghrau = Rama and Lakshamna the tigers among men; abhiSichya = finished their ablutions; apR^ichchhetaam = and took leave; vanagocharaan = of the ascetics dwelling in the forest; hutaagnikaan = who had just poured oblations into the sacred fire.
Verse 18
ताउ ऊचुः ते वन चराः तापसा धर्म चारिणः |
वनस्य तस्य संचारम् राक्षसैः समभिप्लुतम् || २-११९-१८
Those ascetics dwelling in the forest and practising virtue told Rama and Lakshmana about the region of that forest, which was infested with demons (as follows):
18. te taapasaaH = those ascetics; vana charaaH = dwelling in the forest; dharmachaariNaH = and practising virtue; uuchuH = told; tau = Rama and Lakshmana; samchaaram = about the region; tasya vanasya = of that forest; sambhi plutam = infested; raakSasaiH = with demons (as follows)
Verse 19
रक्षांसि पुरुषादानि नानारूपाणि राघव! |
वसन्त्यस्मिन् महारण्ये व्याळाश्चश्च रुधिराशनाः || २-११९-१९
“O, Rama! Various forms of man-eating demons and beasts drinking the blood are living in this great forest.”
19. raaghava = O; Rama!; naanaa ruupaaNi = various forms; puruSaadaani = of man-eating; rakSaamsi = demons; vyaalaashcha = and beasts; rudhiraashanaaH = drinking the blood; vasanti = are living; asmin mahaaraNye = in this great forest.
Verse 20
उच्चिष्टम् वा प्रमत्तम् वा तापसम् धर्मचारिणम् |
अदन्त्यस्मिन् महारण्ये तान्निवारय राघवः || २-११९-२०
“O, Rama! They devour an ascetic or a celibate, who has not rinsed his mouth after finishing his meal or who is inattentive in this great forest. (Pray ward them off!”
20. raaghava = O; Rama!; adanti = (They) devour; taapasam = an ascetic; dharmachaariNam = or a celibate; uchchhiSTamvaa = who has not rinsed his mouth after finishing his meal; pramattam vaa = or inattentive; asmin mahaaaNye = in this great forest; taan nivaaraya = (Pray) ward them off.
Verse 21
एष पन्था महर्षीणाम् फलान्य् आहरताम् वने |
अनेन तु वनम् दुर्गम् गन्तुम् राघव ते क्षमम् || २-११९-२१
“O, Rama! Here is the path of the great sages, through which they fetch the fruits in this forest. It is appropriate for you to go by this path in this dangerous forest.”
21. raaghava = O; Rama!; eSaH = this; panthaaH = is the path; maharSiiNaam = of the great sages; aaharataam = who fetch; phalaani = fruits; vane = in the forest; kSama = It is appropriate; te = for you; gantum = to go; anena = by this path; durgam vanam = in his dangerous forest.
Verse 22
इति इव तैः प्रान्जलिभिः तपस्विभिर्
र्द्विजैः कृत स्वस्त्ययनः परम् तपः |
वनम् सभार्यः प्रविवेश राघवः |
सलक्ष्मणः सूर्य इव अभ्र मण्डलम् || २-११९-२२
Thus addressed by those Brahmanas having great asceticism, who, with joined palms paid obedience to him and blessed his journey, Rama the harasser of his foes entered the forest with his consort along with Lakshmana, as sun enters a mass of clouds.
22. itiiva = thus addressed; taiH = by those; dvijaiH = brahmanas; tapasvibhiH = having great asceticism; prajJNaliH = who; with joined palms; kR^itasvastyayanaH = paid obedience to him and blessed his journey; raaghavaH = Rama; paramtapaH = the harasser of his foes; pravivesha = entered; vanam = the forest; sabhaaryaH = with his consort; salakSmaNaH = along with Lakshmana; suuryaH iva = as sun (enters); abhra maNDala = a mass of clouds.
