Introduction
In this chapter, Sage Valmiki describes the bitter agony of Dasaratha on hearing to the adamant Kaikeyi’s words.
Verse 1 & 2
अतदर्हं महाराजं शयानम् सयानमतथोचितम् |
ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकात्परिच्युतम् || २-१३-१
अनर्थरूपा सिद्धार्था ह्यभीता भयदर्शिनी |
पुनराकारयामास तमेव वरमङ्गना || २-१३-२
Dasaratha was not suitable for such an unfortunate condition nor was he habituated to such a situation. He was lying down on the floor, as king Yayati who fell down on earth fter exhausting his merit in the region of heaven. Kaikeyi who was a manifestation of worthlessness who accomplished her desire, who was fearlessly exhibiting her fearful form, asked for those boons again in a loud voice, to Dasaratha who was in such a bad mood situation.
1;2. aN^ganaa = that Kaikeyi; anartha ruupaa = who was a manifesting of worthlessness ; siddhaarthaa = who accomplished her desire; abhiita = who was without fear; bhayadarshinii = who exhibited fear; aakaarayaamaasa = informed ; tameva varam = those boons; punaH = again; mahaaraajan = to Dasaratha; atadarsham = who was unsuitable for it; atathochim = who was not habitated to such a situation; shayaanam = who was lying down on floor; yayaatimiva = as king Yayati; parichyutam = who dropped; devalokaat = from heaven; puNyaante = after exhausting his merit.
Verse 3
त्वं कत्थसे महाराज सत्यवादी दृढव्रतः |
मम चेदं वरं कस्माद्विधारयितुमिच्छसि || २-१३-३
“Oh, king! You always boast yourself, saying “I speak truth. I am persisted in my promise.” Now, why are you objecting to my boon?”
3. mahaaragja = Oh; king!; tvam = you; katthase = boast satyavaadii = I speak truth; dR^iDhavrataH = I am persistent in promise; kasmat = why; ichhasi = do you desire; vidhaarayitum = to object; idam varam = this boon; mama = of mine.
Verse 4
एवमुक्तस्तु कैकेय्या राजा दशरथस्तदा |
प्रत्युवाच ततः क्रुद्धो मुहूर्तं विह्वलन्निव || २-१३-४
After thus spoken to by Kaikeyi, Dasaratha became angry, turned out delirious for a moment and again spoke as follows:
4. tadaa = then; evam = thus; uktaH = spoken; kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi; raajaa dasharathaa = King Dasaratha; krudhhaH = became angry; vihvalanniva = turned out delirious; muhuurtam = for a moment; tataH = and thereafter; pratyuvaacha = again spoke.
Verse 5
मृते मयि गते रामे वनं मनुजपुंगवे |
हन्त अनार्ये मम अमित्रे सकाम सुखिनी भव || २-१३-५
“Oh, the vulgar one! You, my enemy! You want to be happy after your desire is fulfilled when Rama the best among men leaves for the forest and when I die thereafter. Alas!”
5. anaarye = Oh; the vulgar one! mama amitre = you; my enemy!; bhava = become; sukhinii = happy; sakaamaa = after your desire is fulfilled; manuja puN^gave raame vanamgate = when Rama the best among men leaves for forest; mayi mR^ite = and when I die; hanta = alas!
Verse 6
स्वर्गेऽपि खलु रामस्य कुशलं दैवतैरहम् |
प्रत्यादेशादभिहितं धारयिष्ये कथं बत || २-१३-६
“When celestials ask for me about Rama’s well-being after I reach heaven, how can I indeed convince them that he is well obscuringly the actual fact?”
6. katham khalu = How indeed aham = I; dhaarayishhye = get bit perceived; daivataiH = by celestials; svarge api = in heaven also; raamasya = about Rama’s; kushalam = well-being; abhihitam = spoken; pratyaadeshaat = obscuringly; bata = alas!
Verse 7
कैकेय्याः प्रियकामेन रामः प्रव्राजितो मया |
यदि सत्यं ब्रवीम्येतत्तस्त्यं भविष्यति || २-१३-७
“If I tell without obscuring the fact that I sent Rama to exile desirous of showing kindness to Kaikeyi, nobody will believe me.”
7. braviimiyadi = If I tell ; etat = this; satyam = truth; raamaH = Rama; pravaajitaH = was sent; vanam = to forest; mayaa = by me; priya kaamena = desirous of showing kindness; kaikeyyaa = to Kaikeyi; tat = that; bhavishhyati = will become; asatyam = untruth.
Verse 8
अपुत्रेण मया पुत्रः श्रमेण महता महान् |
रामो लब्धो महाबाहुः स कथं त्यज्यते मया || २-१३-८
“With much effort I, the childless begot the great and powerful Rama as my son. How can I abandon such Rama?”
8. shrameNa = with much effort; mayaa = by me; aputreNa = the childless; mahaan = the great; mahaabaahuH = powerful man; raamaH = Rama; labhaH = was obtained; putraH = as son; katham = how; mayaa = by me; saH = such Rama; tyajyate = can be abandoned?
Verse 9
शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च जितक्रोधः क्षमापरः |
कथं कमलपत्राक्षो मया रामो विवास्यते || २-१३-९
“How can I send away Rama who is valiant and knowledgeable, who has subdued anger, who has forbearance and who has eyes like lotus-petals”.
9. katham = how; raama = Rama; shuuraH = who is valiant; krita vidyashcha = who is knoledgeable; jitu krodhaH = whose anger has been defeated; kshhamaaparaH = who is solely devoted to patience; kamala patraakshhaH = who has eyes like lotus petals ; vivasyate = be exiled; mayaa = by me?
Verse 10
कथमिन्दीवरश्यामं दीर्घबाहुं महाबलम् |
अभिराममहं रामं प्रेषयिष्यामि दण्डकान् || २-१३-१०
“How I can I send Rama, who is dark blue in colour like a blue lotus, who is long-armed , who is very strong and graceful, to Dandaka forest?”
10. katham = How; aham = I; preshhayishhyaami = can send; raamam = Rama; indiivarashyaamam = who is dark blue in colour like a blue lotus; diirghabahuum = who is long-armed; mahaabalam = who is very strong; abhiraamam = who is graceful; daNDakaan = to Dandaka forest?
Verse 11
सुखानामुचितस्यैव दुःखैरनुचितस्य च |
दुःखं नामानुपश्येयं कथं रामस्य धीमतः || २-१३-११
“Rama is accustomed to comforts. He is not accustomed to difficulties. How can I imagine such sensible Rama in a troublesome situation?”
11. uchitasya = one who is accostomed to; sukhaanaam = comforts; anuchitaasya = who is not habituated to; duHkhaiH = difficulties; dhiimatataH = who is sensible; katham naama = How; anupashyeyam = can I see; raamasya = (such)Rama’s ; duHkham = trouble ?
Verse 12
यदि दुःखमकृत्वाद्य मम संक्रमणं भवेत् |
अदुःखार्हस्य रामस्य ततः सुखमवाप्नुयाम् || २-१३-१२
12. avaapnuyaam = I shall attain ; sukham = happiness; sankramaNam bhavet = if death occurs; mama = to me; adya = now; tataH = so that; aduHkhaarhasya raamasya to difficulties; duHkham = misery; akR^itvaa = is not created.
Verse 13
नृशंसे पापसंकल्पे रामं स्त्यपराक्रमम् |
किं विप्रियेण कैकेयि प्रियं योजयसे मम || २-१३-१३
अकीर्तिरतुला लोके ध्रुवः परिभवश्च मे |
“Oh, cruel one! One with sinful thoughts! Oh, kaikeyi! why are you planning to do harm to Rama who is beloved to me and who is truly heroic? I shall certainly get unequalled ill fame and humiliation in this world”.
13. nR^ishamse = Oh; cruel one! paapasankalpi = one with sinful thoughts! kaikeyii = Oh; Kaikeyi! kim = why; yojayase = are you instigating; vipriyeNa = offence; raamam = to Rama; priyam = who is beloved; mama = to me; satyaparaakramam = who is truly heroic ? atulaa = uneaqualled; akiirtiH = ill-fame; paraabhavashcha = and humiliation; dhR^ivaH = is certain; me = to me; loke = in the world.
Verse 14
तथा विलपतस्तस्य परिभ्रमित चेतसः || २-१३-१४
अस्तमभ्यगमत्सूर्यो रजनी चाभ्यवर्तत |
While Dasaratha was thus lamenting with his disturbed mind, there was approach of night with setting of the sun.
14. tasya = that Dasaratha; tathaa = thus; vilapataH = while lamenting ; paribhramita chetasaH = with disturbed mind; rajani = night; abhijavartatacha = also came; astamagamat = after setting of; suuryaH = sun.
Verse 15
सा त्रियामा तथार्तस्य चन्द्रमण्डलमण्डिता || २-१३-१५
राज्ञो विलपमानस्य न व्यभासत शर्वरी |
To Dasaratha, who was thus lamenting painfully, the night seemed to be dark even though it was adorned with charming circular moon.
15. raagYaH = to king dasaratha; tathaa = thus; vilaapamaanusya = lamenting; aartasya = painfully; saa sharvarii = that night ; triyaamaa = at nine hours(three yamas) ; navyabhaasata = was not shining; chandramaNdalamaNDitaa = eventhough it was adorned with circular moon.
Verse 16
तथैवोष्णम् विनिःश्वस्य वृद्धो दसरथो नृपः || २-१३-१६
विललापार्तवद्दुःखं गगनासक्तलोचनः |
The aged Dasaratha was lamenting painfully as though afflicted with a disease, with lot and hard breaths, having his eyes fixed on the sky.
16. vR^iddhaH = The aged; dasarathaH nR^ipaH = king Dasaratha; vilalaapa = was lamenting; duHkham = painfully; aartavaat = as afflicted with disease; vinishshvasya = sighed; ushhNam = hotly; gaganaasakta lochanaH = having his eyes fixed on sky.
Verse 17
प्रभातं त्वयेच्छामि निशे नक्षत्रभूषणे || २-१३-१७
क्रियतां मे दया भद्रे मयायं रचितोऽञ्जलिः |
“Oh, auspicious night, decorated with stars! do not wish you to do break into a dawn. Have mercy on me. I pray with folded hands.”
17. bhadra nishe = Oh; auspicious night; nakshhatra bhuushhaNe = decorated with stars! na ichchaami = I do not wish; prabhaatam = day-break tvayaa = by you; kR^iyataam = make; dayaa = mercy; me = to me; ayam = these; aN^jali = folded hands; rachitaH = are formed; mayaa = by me.
Verse 18
अथवा गम्यतां शीघ्रं नाहमिच्छामि निर्घृणाम् || २-१३-१८
नृशंसां कैकेयीं द्रष्टुं यत्कृते व्यसनं महत् |
“Otherwise, Oh, Night! Leave away quickly. I do not went to see Kaikeyi, who is shameless, cruel and for whose reason this great calamity occurred”
18. athavaa = Otherwise; gamyataam = to be gone; (go away) ; shiighram = quickly.; aham = I; nechchhaami = do not want; drasTum = to see; kaikeyiim = kaikeyi; nirghRi^Naam = who is shameless; nR^ishamsaam = cruel; yatkR^ite = for whose reason; mahat = great; vyasanam = calamity occured.
Verse 19
एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजा कैकेयीं संयताञ्जलिः || २-१३-१९
प्रसादयामास पुनः कैकेयीं चेदमब्रवीत् |
The king spoke like this and beseeched kaikeyi with folded hands. He again spoke this word to Kaikeyi.
19. raajaa = king; uktvaa = spoke; evam = this; tataH = thereafter; prasa dayaamaasa = beseeched; kaikeyiim = to Kaikeyi; samyataaNjaliH = with folded hands; punaH = again; abraviit = spoke; idam cha = this word also; Kaikeyiim = to Kaikeyi
Verse 20
साधुवृत्तस्य दीनस्य त्वद्गतस्य गतायुषः | २-१३-२०
प्रसादः क्रियतां देवि भद्रे राज्ञो विशेषतः |
“Oh, auspicious queen! I am a well conducted man. I am dejected and seeking refuse in you. I am an old man and especially a king. Be kind to me.”
20. bhadre = Oh; auspicious ; devi = queen!; saadhuvR^ittasya = I am well conducted man; diinasya = dejected person; tvadgatasya = one who sought refuse in you; gataa yushhaH = old man; visheshhataH = especially; raaGyaH = king; prasaadaH kriyataam = Let favour be done.
Verse 21
शून्ये न खलु सुश्रोणि मयेदं समुदाहृतम् || २-१३-२१
कुरु साधु प्रसादं मे बाले सहृदया ह्यसि |
“Oh, well-hipped one! I hope that whatever I told, has not merged in the sky. Oh! young woman, be kind to me . You are good-hearted.”
21. sushroNi = Oh; the well hipped!; idam = All this; na khalusamudaatiR^itum = is not indeed addressed to ; shuunye = vacuum!(the sky); baale = Oh; young woman!; kuru = do; prasaadam = favour; me = to me; saadhu = well; asihi = you are indeed; sahR^idayaa = good hearted!
Verse 22
प्रसीद देवि रामो मे त्वद्धत्तं राज्यमव्ययम् || २-१३-२२
लभतामसितापाङ्गे यशः परमवाप्नुहि |
“Oh, queen with dark outer corner of eyes be kind. You your self give my kingdom to Rama. Thus, you will obtain great fame.”
22. devi = Oh; queen!; asitaapaaN^ge = with dark outer corner of eyes; prasiida = Be kind; raamaH labhataam = Let Rama obtain; me raajyam = my kingdom; tvaddattam = given by you; avaapnuti = obtain; param = great; yashaH = fame.
Verse 23
मम रामस्य लोकस्य गुरूणां भरतस्य च || २-१३-२३
प्रियमेतद्गुरुश्रोणि कुरु चारुमुखेक्षणे |
“Oh, broad hipped, with beautiful face and eyes! do this. It will be pleasing to me, to Rama, to the world, to priests and to Bharata.”
23. gurushroNe = Oh; the broad hipped; charumukhekshhaNaa = with beautiful face and eyes; kuru = do; etat = this; priyam = which will be pleasing; mama = to me; raamasya = to Rama; lokasya = to the world; guruuNaam = to priests bharatasyacha = and to Bharata.
Verse 24
विशुद्धभावस्य सु ुष्टभावा |
दीनस्य ताम्राश्रुकलस्य राज्ञः |
श्रुत्वा विचित्रं करुणं विलापं |
भर्तुर्नृशंसा न चकार वाक्यम् || २-१३-२४
Hearing the king, who was her pure-hearted husband and who was pitifully lamenting strangely with red eyes filled with tears, that bad tempered cruel woman did not follow his words.
24. sudushhta bhaava = that too bad-tempered; nR^ishamsaa = cruel woman; vishuddha bhaavasya = that cruel woman; shrutvaa = after hearing; vishuddha bhaavasya = the pure hearted; diinasya = the depressed; bhartuH = the husband; taamrekshhaNasyashru kalasya = with red eyes filled with tears; karuNam vilaapam = lamenting pitifully; vichitram = in a strange way ; nachakaara = could not follow; vaakyam = the words; raaGyaH = of king.
Verse 25
ततः स राजा पुनरेव मूर्छितः |
प्रियामतुष्टां प्रतिकूलभाषिणीम् |
समीक्ष्य पुत्रस्य विवासनम् प्रति |
क्षितौ विसंज्ञो निपपात दुःखितः || २-१३-२५
Seeing his discontented wife talking unpleasantly about sending Rama to forest, that king was distressed, fainted again and fell down unconscious on the floor.
25. samiikshha = seeing; priyaam = wife; pratikuula bhashhiniim = who is talking unpleasantly; putrasya vivaasanam prati = about sending the son to forest; atushhtaam = and who is dissatisfied; saH raajaa = that king; duHkhitaH = was distressed; tataH = and therafter; muurchchhitaH = fainted; punareva = again; visamGyaH = losing consciousness; nipapaata = fell down; kshhitau = on floor.
Verse 26
इतीव राज्ञो व्यथितस्य सा निशा |
जगाम घोरं श्वसतो मनस्विनः |
विबोध्यमानः प्रतिबोधनं तदा |
निवारयामास स राजसत्तमः || २-१३-२६
While the distressed and self-respected king was sighing terribly in the way, that night came to an end. In the dawn, bards and singers started to awaken him. But the excellent king prevented them to do.
26. itiiva = In this way; vyathitasya = the distressed; manasvinaH = self-respected; raajJNyaH = king; shvasataH = sighing; ghoram = terribly; sa a nishaa = that night; jagaama = exhausted.; raajasattamaH = That excellent king; vibodhyamaavaH = having been awakened; tadaa = then; nivaarayaamaasa = prevented; vibodhanam = the awakening.
