Introduction

In this chapter Rama arrives at the king’s presence. Seeing King disturbed, Rama becomes grieved and wants to know the cause of king’s perturbance. Queen Kaikeyi describes to Rama about the boons that Dasaratha had given earlier and also her wishes of coronating Bharatha instead of Rama and sending Rama to Dandaka forest. On listening to these harsh words of Kaikeyi, Rama did not become sorrowful, but Dasaratha was very much disturbed.

Verse 1

स ददर्श आसने रामः निषण्णम् पितरम् शुभे |
कैकेयी सहितम् दीनम् मुखेन परिशुष्यता || २-१८-१

Rama saw his father sitting on a beautiful seat, but with his face looking completely parched up and miserable. Kaikeyi was at his side.

1. saH raamaH = that Rama; dadarsha = saw; pitaram = father; nishhaNNam = sitting; shubhe aasane = on beautiful seat; mukhena = with face; parishushhyataa = parched up; diinam = miserable; kaikeyyaa sahitam = together with Kaikeyi.

Verse 2

स पितुः चरणौ पूर्वम् अभिवाद्य विनीतवत् |
ततः ववन्दे चरणौ कैकेय्याः सुसमाहितः || २-१८-२

Rama being humble and well composed, first reverentially saluted his father’s feet and then saluted Kaikeyi’s feet.

2. saH = Rama; viniitavat = being humble; susamaahitaH = well compsed; puurvam = first; abhivaadya = reverentially saluted; pituH = father’s charaNau = feet; tataH = then; vavande = saluted; kaikeyyaaH = Kaikeyi’s; charaNau = feet.

Verse 3

राम इति उक्त्वा च वचनम् वाष्प पर्याकुल ईक्षणः |
शशाक न्ऱ्पतिर् दीनो न ईक्षितुम् न अभिभाषितुम् || २-१८-३

Dasaratha spoke only one word “Rama!” with his eyes filled with tears and dejected, being not able to see or to talk any further words.

3. nR^ipatiH = the king Dasaratha; uktvaa = spoke; vachanam = the word; raamaiti = “Oh; Rama!” bhaashhpa paryaakulekshhaNaH = with his eyes filled with tears; diinaH = dejected; nashashaaka = being not able; iikshhitum = to see; na = nor able; abhibhaashhitum = to talk.

Verse 4

तत् अपूर्वम् नर पतेर् द्ऱ्ष्ट्वा रूपम् भय आवहम् |
रामः अपि भयम् आपन्नः पदा स्प्ऱ्ष्ट्वा इव पन्नगम् || २-१८-४

Having not seen earlier such a fearful form of his father, even Rama was frightened as though he seized a snake by his foot.

4. dR^ishhTvaa = having seen; apuurvam = not earlier; tat ruupam = that form; narapateH = of king; bhayaavaham = producing fear; raamo.api = even Rama; bhayam aapannaH = was struck with fear; spR^ishhTeva = as seizure; pannagam = of snake; padaa = with foot.

Verse 5 & 6

इन्द्रियैः अप्रह्ऱ्ष्टैअः तम् शोक सम्ताप कर्शितम् |
निह्श्वसन्तम् महा राजम् व्यथित आकुल चेतसम् || २-१८-५
ऊर्मि मालिनम् अक्षोभ्यम् क्षुभ्यन्तम् इव सागरम् |
उपप्लुतम् इव आदित्यम् उक्त अन्ऱ्तम् ऱ्षिम् यथा || २-१८-६

That king Dasaratha was sighing heavily with senses sans pleasure, emaciated with grief and anguish, with distressed and agitated mind, like ocean which cannot be perturbed, becoming perturbed with row of waves, like sun which is eclipsed and who lost lustre like by a sage who spoke untruth.

5;6. tam mahaaraajam = that king Dasaratha; niH shvasantam = was sighing; indriyaiH = with senses; aprahR^ishhTaiH = sans pleasure; shoka santaapa karishitam = emaciated with grief and anguish; vyathitaakulachetasam = with distressed and agitated mind; saagaram iva = like ocean; akshhobhyantam = becoming perturbed; uurmimaalinam = with now of waves; aadityam iva = like sun; upaplutam = which is eclipsed; R^ishhimyathaa = as a sage; uktaanR^itam = who spoke untruth.

Verse 7

अचिन्त्य कल्पम् हि पितुस् तम् शोकम् उपधारयन् |
बभूव सम्रब्धतरः समुद्रैव पर्वणि || २-१८-७

Contemplating over the unimaginable sorrow of the king, he was very much perturbed as an ocean does on a full moon day.

7. upadhaarayan = contemplating over; tam = that; achintyakalpam = unimaginable; shokam = grief; nR^ipate = of the king; babhuuva = became; samrabdhataraH = very much perturbed; samudra iva = like ocean; parvaNi on full moon day.

Verse 8

चिन्तयाम् आस च तदा रामः पित्ऱ् हिते रतः |
किंस्विद् अद्य एव न्ऱ्पतिर् न माम् प्रत्यभिनन्दति || २-१८-८

The ingenious Rama, who is fond of his father’s welfare, anxiously thought : ” why indeed the king is not greeting me in return just today?”

8. chaturaH = the ingenious; raamaH = Rama; rataH = who is fond of; pitR^ihite = father’s welfare; chintayaamaasa = anxiously thought; kimsvid = “why indeed; nR^ipatiH = king; adyaiva = just today; napratyabhinandati = is not greeting in return; maam = to me?”

Verse 9

अन्यदा माम् पिता द्ऱ्ष्ट्वा कुपितः अपि प्रसीदति |
तस्य माम् अद्य सम्प्रेक्ष्य किम् आयासः प्रवर्तते || २-१८-९

“At other times, the father, even though angry used to be gracious after seeing me why today such a father has become weary after seeing me?”

9. anyadaa = at other times; pitaa = father; kupito.api = eventhough angry; prasiidati = used to be gracious; dR^ishhTvaa = after seeing; maam = me;kim = why; tasya = such father; adya = today; pravartate = has become; aayaasaH = weary; samprekshhya = after seeing; maam = me;

Verse 10

स दीनैव शोक आर्तः विषण्ण वदन द्युतिः |
कैकेयीम् अभिवाद्य एव रामः वचनम् अब्रवीत् || २-१८-१०

Rama indeed distressed and afflicted with grief, with lustre faded from his face, offered his salutation to Kaikeyi and spoke these words.

10. saH raamaH = that Rama; diina eva = indeed distressed; shokaartaH = afflicted with grief; vishhaNNavadanadyntiH = with lustre reduced from his face; abhivaadyaiva = salutted; kaikeyaam = to Kaikeyi; abraviit = spoke; vachanam = these words.

Verse 11

कच्चिन् मया न अपराधम् अज्ञानात् येन मे पिता |
कुपितः तन् मम आचक्ष्व त्वम् चैव एनम् प्रसादय || २-१८-११

“I hope that I have not done anything wrong through ignorance. Tell me why father is angry with me. You alone propitiate him in my favour.”

11. naaparaddham kachchit = I hope that no wrong was done; mayaa = by me; aJNyaanaat = through ignorance; aachakshhva = tell; mama = me; yena = why; pitaa = father; kupitaH = is angry; me = with me; tvameva = you alone; prasaadaya = propitiate; enam = him.

Verse 12

अप्रसन्नमनाः किम् नु सदा मां प्रति वत्सलः |
विवर्ण वदनो दीनो न हि माम् अभिभाषते || २-१८-१२

“Why my father, who was always affectionate to me, has become displeased? With his face becoming pale and dejected, he is not talking to me.”

12. aprasannaa manaaH kimnu = how mind has become displeased; maam prati = towards me; vatsalaH = who was affectionate towards offspring; sadaa = always; vivarNa vadanaH = with face becoming pale; diinaH = dejected; naabhibhashhate hi = not talking; maam = to me.

Verse 13

शारीरः मानसो वा अपि कच्चित् एनम् न बाधते |
सम्तापो वा अभितापो वा दुर्लभम् हि सदा सुखम् || २-१८-१३

“I hope that either bodily affliction or mental distress is not troubling him. The object of happiness is indeed difficult to be attained always!”

13. kachchit = I hope that; santaapova.api = either affliction; shaariiraH = of body; abhitaapovaa = or distress; maanasaH = of mind; na baadhate = is not troubling; evam = him; sukham = happiness; durlabham hi = is indeed difficult to be attained; sadaa = always.

Verse 14

कच्चिन् न किंचित् भरते कुमारे प्रिय दर्शने |
शत्रुघ्ने वा महा सत्त्वे मात्ऱ्ऱ्णाम् वा मम अशुभम् || २-१८-१४

“I hope that no bad thing occurred to Bharata, the delightful man to look at or to Shatrughna, the man of great strength or to my mother. ”

14. nakachchit ashubham = I hope no bad thing occured; kimchit = a little; bharate = to Bharata; priyadarshane = the delightful man to look at; shatrughne = or to great strength; matruuNaamva = or to mothers; mama = of mine.

Verse 15

अतोषयन् महा राजम् अकुर्वन् वा पितुर् वचः |
मुहूर्तम् अपि न इच्चेयम् जीवितुम् कुपिते न्ऱ्पे || २-१८-१५

“If our father becomes angry, I do not desire to live even for a moment without satisfying him or without fulfilling his command.”

15. nR^ipe kupite = if our father is angry; nechchheyam = i do not desire; jiivitum = to live; muhuurtampai = even for a moment; atoshhayan = without satisfying; mahaarajan = the king; akurvan = without doing; vachaH = word; pituH = of father.

Verse 16

यतः मूलम् नरः पश्येत् प्रादुर्भावम् इह आत्मनः |
कथम् तस्मिन् न वर्तेत प्रत्यक्षे सति दैवते || २-१८-१६

“Man sees father as the visible god who is the root cause of one’s own coming into existence and how else can he behave towards him other than like that?”

16. naraH = MN; iha = in this world; pashyet = sees; yatomuulam = from what root; aatmanaH one’s own; pradurbhaavam = coming into existence; tasmin = that father; sati = being; pratyakshhe = the visible; daivate = god; katham = how; navarteta = behaves not.

Verse 17

कच्चित् ते परुषम् किंचित् अभिमानात् पिता मम |
उक्तः भवत्या कोपेन यत्र अस्य लुलितम् मनः || २-१८-१७

“I hope you have not spoken anything which hurt my father’s conscience with your pride and anger.”

17. mama pitaa kachchituktaH = i hope my father has been spoken; kinchit = any words; yena = by which; lulitam = (they) disturbed; asya = his; manaH = conscience; te abhimaanaat = by your pride; bhavityaa roshheNa = by your angry; parushham = which was harsh.

Verse 18

एतत् आचक्ष्व मे देवि तत्त्वेन परिप्ऱ्च्चतः |
किम् निमित्तम् अपूर्वो अयम् विकारः मनुज अधिपे || २-१८-१८

“I am asking you why my father got this perturbation, which was not there earlier. Tell me the true position.”

18. devi = oh; queen ! kimninuniiHam = for what vacason; ayam = this; vikaaraH = perturbation;apuurvaH = which was not there earlier; manujaadhipe = in the king; achakshhva = tell; me = me; paripR^ichchhataH = who is questioning; etat = this matter; tattvaina = in reality.

Verse 19

एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी राघवेण महात्मना |
उवाचेदं सुनिर्लज्जा धृष्टमात्महितं वचः || २-१८-१९

Thus questioned by the great souled Rama, Kaikeyi fearlessly spoke these words for her own benefit, without any shame on her part.

19. evam = thus; uktaa = spoken; raaghaveNa = by Rama; mahaatmanaa = the great-souled; kaikeyii = Kaikeyi; dhR^ishhTam = fearlessly; uvaacha = spoke; idam vachaH = these words; aatmahitam = for her own benefit; sunirlajjaa = without any shame.

Verse 20

न राजा कुपितो राम व्यसनम् नास्य किंचन |
किंचिन्मनोगतं त्वस्य त्वद्भयान्नाभिभाषते || २-१८-२०

“Oh, Rama! The king is not angry. There is nothing of distress for him. But he has something in mind which he is not telling from fear.”

20. raama = Oh; Rama! raajaa = the king; nakupitaH = is not angry; nakinchana = there is nothing of vyasanam = distress; asya = for him; tu = but; asya = to him; knchit = there is something manogatham = in mind; naabhibhaashhate = which he is not telling; tvadbhayaat = from fear of you.

Verse 21

प्रियम् त्वामप्रियम् वक्तुम् वाणी नास्योपपर्तते |
तदवश्यम् त्वया कार्यम् यदनेनाश्रुतम् मम || २-१८-२१

“To him, words are not coming off to tell disagreeable utterance to you, the dear one. He promised me a word. It is to be certainly done by you.”

21. asya = his; vaaNii = words; nopavartate = are not coming off; vaktum = to tell; apriyam = the disagreeable; tvaam = to you; priyam = the loveful one; yat = which; anena = by him; ashrutam = is promised; mama = to me; tat = that; kaaryam = is to be done; avashyam = certainly; tvayaa = by you.

Verse 22

एष मह्यम् वरम् दत्त्वा पुरा मामभिपूज्य च |
स पश्चात्तप्यते राजा यथान्यः प्राकृतस्तथा || २-१८-२२

“Long ago, the king honoured me and gave me a boon. Like a common man, he is repenting now for having given the boon.”

22. puraa = long ago; saH eshaH raajaa = such of this king; maam abhipuujyacha = honoured me and; dattvaa = gave; varam = the boon; yatha = as; anyaH = other; praakR^itaH = common man; tathaa = so; pashchaattapyate = he is repenting.

Verse 23

अतिसृज्य ददानीति वरम् मम विशाम्पतिः |
स निरर्थं गतजले सेतुम् बन्धितुमिच्छति || २-१८-२३

“This king promised me to give the boon and now he desires to build a dam wastefully on a place where water has gone away.”

23. saH vishaampatiH = that king; atisR^ijya = promised; dadaami iti = to give thus; varam = the boon; mama = to me; ichchhati = desires; bandhitum = to build; nivartham = wastefully; setum = dam; gatajale = on a place where water has gone away.

Verse 24

धर्मूलमिदम् राम विदितम् च सतामपि |
तत्सत्यम् न त्यजेद्राजा कुपितस्त्वत्कृते यथा || २-१८-२४

“Oh, Rama! It is known by even wise men, that truth is the root of righteousness. See that the offended king does not abandon such a truth for your sake.”

24. raama = oh; Rama! viditam = it is known; sataamapi = even by wise men; idam = that truth; dharmamuulam = is the root of righteousness; kupitaH = the offeneded; rajaa = king; natyajet = let him not abandon; tat satyam = such truth; yathaa = as; tvatkR^ite = for your sake.

Verse 25

यदि तद्वक्ष्यते राजा शुभम् वा यदि वाऽशुभम् |
करिष्यसि ततः सर्वमाख्यामि पुनस्त्वहम् || २-१८-२५

“The king is about to mention that truth which may look auspicious or inauspicious to you. Still, I shall tell you all that, if you shall do it afterwards.”

25. raajaa = the king; vakshhyate = is about to mention(to you); tat = that truth; shubhamvaa = either auspicious; ashubhamyadivaa = or inauspicious; aham punastu = still; I; aakhyaasyaami = shall tell; sarvam = all that; karishhyasi yadi = if you shalldo it; tataH = afterwards.

Verse 26

यदि त्वभिहितं राज्ञा त्वयि तन्न विपत्स्यते |
ततोऽहमभिधास्यामि न ह्येष त्वयि वक्ष्यति || २-१८-२६

“If what is spoken by the king does not create unfavourableness in you, I shall then tell you. This king will not indeed tell you.”

26. tat = what; abhihitam = is spoken; raajJNyaa = by the king; na vipatsyate = does not go wrong; tvayi = in you; aham = I; abhidhaasyaami = shall tell; tatH = then; eshhaH = this king; navakshhyatihi = whill not indeed tell; tvayi = unto you.

Verse 27

एतात्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा कैकेय्या समुदाहृतम् |
उवाच व्यथितो रामस्ताम् देवीम् नृपसन्निधौ || २-१८-२७

After hearing the words of Kaikeyi, Rama felt painful and spoke thus to her in the presence of the king.

27. shrutvaa = after hearing; etat = these; vachanam = words; samudaahR^itam = spoken; kaikeyyaa = by Kaikeyi; raamaH = Rama; vyathitaH = was pained; uvaacha = and spoke; taam deviim = to that queen; nR^ipasannidhau = in the presence of the king.

Verse 28 & 29

अहो धिङ्नार्हसे देवि पक्तुं मामीदृशं वचः |
अहम् हि वचनात् राज्ञः पतेयम् अपि पावके || २-१८-२८
भक्षयेयम् विषम् तीक्ष्णम् मज्जेयम् अपि च अर्णवे |
नियुक्तः गुरुणा पित्रा न्ऱ्पेण च हितेन च || २-१८-२९

“Oh, queen! what a pity! Do not talk like that to me. If father tells me, I shall jump even in fire. If father, who is a king, who wishes my welfare and who is venerable, commands me, I shall eat fiery poison and shall sink into an ocean.”

28; 29. aho devii = Oh; queen! dhik = what a pity! naarhasi = you are not worthy; vaktum = to talk; iidR^isham = theses type of ; vachaH = words; maam = about me; hi = because; vachanaat = by word; raaJNyaH = of king; aham = I; pateyam = shall jump; paavake.api = even in fire; niyuktaH = commanded; pitraa = by father; nR^ipeNa = who is the king; hitenacha = who wishes my welfare; guruNaa = who is venerable; bhakshhayeyam = I shall eat; tiikshhNam = fiery; vishham = poison; apcha = and majjeyam = sink; aarNave = into ocean.

Verse 30

तत् ब्रूहि वचनम् देवि राज्ञो यद् अभिकान्क्षितम् |
करिष्ये प्रतिजाने च रामः द्विर् न अभिभाषते || २-१८-३०

“Oh queen! Tell me the words of the king as desired by him. I even promise to do it. Rama does not speak two things.”

30. devii = oh; queen! tat = hence; bruuhi = tell; vachanam = the words; yat = which; abhikaaNkshhitam = are desired; raaJNyaH = by the king; pratijaanecha = I even promise; karishhye = to do; raamaH = Rama; naabhibhaashhate = does not speak; dviH = two things.

Verse 31

तम् आर्जव समायुक्तम् अनार्या सत्य वादिनम् |
उवाच रामम् कैकेयी वचनम् भ्ऱ्श दारुणम् || २-१८-३१

That vulgar Kaikeyi uttered very cruel words to that Rama, who was committed to sincerity and speaking of truth.

31. anaaryaa = the vulgar; kaikeyii = Kaikeyi; uvaacha = uttered; bhR^isha daarunam = very cruel; vachanam = words; tam raamam = to that Rama; aarjavasamaayuktam = who was committed to sincerity; satyavaadinam = and speaking of truth and a great war.

Verse 32

पुरा देव असुरे युद्धे पित्रा ते मम राघव |
रक्षितेन वरौ दत्तौ सशल्येन महा रणे || २-१८-३२

“Oh, Rama! During a battle and a great war between celestials and demons long ago, I protected your father who was pierced by darts. Then, he gave me two boons.”

32. raaghava = oh; Rama! puraa = long ago; daivaasurayuddhe = during battle between celestials; mahaaraNe = during the great war; te pitraa = by your father; sa shalyena = pierced by darts; rakshhitena = protected(by me) dattau = were given; mama = to me; varau = two boons.

Verse 33

तत्र मे याचितः राजा भरतस्य अभिषेचनम् |
गमनम् दण्डक अरण्ये तव च अद्य एव राघव || २-१८-३३

“Oh, Rama! According to those boons, I asked the king for coronation of Bharata and for your going to Dandaka forest today itself.”

33. raaghava = oh; Rama! tatra = under those circumstances; raajaa = the king; yaachitaH = was asked; abhishhechanam = for coronation; bharatasya = of Bharata; tava = your; gamanam = going; daNdakaaraNye = to the forest of Dandaka; adyaiva = now itself.

Verse 34

यदि सत्य प्रतिज्ञम् त्वम् पितरम् कर्तुम् इच्चसि |
आत्मानम् च नर रेष्ठ मम वाक्यम् इदम् श्ऱ्णु || २-१८-३४

“Oh, Rama! If you want to make yourself and your father faithful to a promise, listen to these words of mine.

34. narashreshhTa = Oh Rama; the best of men! tvam ichchhasi yadi = If you want; kartum = to make; pitaram = father; aatmaanamcha = and yourself; satya pratiJNyam = faithful to a promise; shruNu = listen to idam vaakyam = these words; mama = of mine.

Verse 35

स निदेशे पितुस् तिष्ठ यथा तेन प्रतिश्रुतम् |
त्वया अरण्यम् प्रवेष्टव्यम् नव वर्षाणि पन्च च || २-१८-३५

“Abide by your father’s command. As per his assurance, you have to stay in the forest for fourteen years.”

35. tishhTa = abide; pituH sannideshe = in father’s command; yathaa = as; pratishrutam = promised; tena = by him; araNyam = forest; praveshhTavyam = is to be occupied for navapanchacha = faourteen; varshhaaNi = years; tvayaa = by you.

Verse 36

भरतस्त्वभिषिच्येत यदेतदभिषेचन्म् |
त्वदर्थे विहितम् राज्ञा तेन सर्वेण राघव || २-१८-३६

“Bharata is to be enthroned with the use of complete collection of materials already arranged by the king for your sake.”

36. raaghava = oh; Rama! bharataH = Bharata; abhishhechyeta = should be enthroned; tena sarveNa = completely in that manner; yat = in line with; etat = this; abhishhechanam = initiation; vihitam = arranged; tvadarthe = for your sake; raaJNyaa = by the king.

Verse 37

सप्त सप्त च वर्षाणि दण्डक अरण्यम् आश्रितः |
अभिषेकम् इमम् त्यक्त्वा जटा चीर धरः वस || २-१८-३७

“You have to leave this coronation function and dwell in the forest of Dandaka for fourteen years, wearing braided hair and covered with a hide.”

37. tyaktvaa = leaving; imam abhishhekam = this coronation function; vasa = dwell; daNdakaaraNyam aashritaH = taking refuge in the forest of Dandaka; sapta saptacha varshhaaNi = for fourteen years; jaTaajinadharaH = wearing braided hari and covered with a hide.

Verse 38

भरतः कोसल पुरे प्रशास्तु वसुधाम् इमाम् |
नाना रत्न समाकीर्णम् सवाजि रथ कुन्जराम् || २-१८-३८

“Let Bharata rule this earth, by residing in Ayodhya filled with various types of precious thing together with horses, chariots and elephants.”

38. bharataH prashaastu = let Bharata rule; imaam vasudhaam = this earth; kosalapure = Ayodhya; the capital of kosala; naanaaratna samaakiirNam = completely covered with various types of precious things; savaajirathakuN^jaraam = filled with horses; chariots and elephants.

Verse 39

एतेन त्वां नरेन्द्रोयम् कारुण्येन समाप्लुतः |
शोकसंक्लिष्टवदनो न शक्नोति निरीक्षितुम् || २-१८-३९

“For this reason, king Dasaratha who is overwhelmed with sympathy towards you is not able to see you with his face, afflicted with grief.”

39. etena = for this reason; ayam narendraH = this king Dasaratha; samaaplutaH = overwhelmed; kaaruNyena = with sympathy; na shaknoti = is not able; niriikshhitum = to see; tvaam = you; shoka samklishhTavadanaH = with face afflicted with grief.

Verse 40

एतत्कुरु नरेन्ध्रस्य वचनं रघुनन्दन |
सत्यन महता राम तारयस्व नरेश्वरम् || २-१८-४०

“Oh, Rama! Do as per the words of the king and liberate him by giving your father an opportunity to maintain the truth.”

40. raghunandana = oh; Rama! kuru = do; etat vachanam = these words; narendrasya = of the king; taarayasya = liberate; narenshvaram = the king.

Verse 41

इतीव तस्यां परुषम् वदन्त्याम् |
नचैव रामः प्रविवेश शोकम् |
प्रविव्यधे चापि महानुभावो |
राजा तु पुत्रव्यसनाभितप्तः || २-१८-४१

Though she was speaking such harsh words, Rama was not affected with sorrow. But the mighty Dasaratha became highly disturbed, having been afflicted by the calamity occurred to his son.

41. tasyaam vadantyaam = while she was speaking; parushham = harsh words; itiiva = in this way; raamaH = Rama; nachaiva pravivesha = did not even enter; shokam = the sorrowfulness; raajaatu = but the king; mahaanubhaavaH = the mighty; pravivyathe = become much disturbed putravyasanaabhitaptaH = having been afflicted by calamity occured to hi son.