Introduction
As per the orders of king Dasaratha, Sumantra delivers the parting messages of Rama and Lakshmana. Rama sends positive messages to Kausalya and Bharata but Lakshmana sends angry messages to Dasaratha.
Verse 1
प्रत्याश्वस्तः यदा राजा मोहात् प्रत्यागतः पुनः |
थाजुहाव तम् सूतम् राम वृत्त अन्त कारणात् || २-५८-१
Thereafter, the king when recovered from loss of consciousness and again returned to his breath, he called that charioteer for the purpose of getting the report on Rama.
1. atha = thereafter; raajaa = the king; yadaa = when; pratyaashvastaH = recovered; mohaat = from loss of consciousness; punaH = and again; pratyaagataH = returned to his breath; (then) aajuhaava = called; tam suutam = that charioteer; raama vR^ittantaa kaaraNaat = for the purpose of getting the report on Rama.
Verse 2 & 3
तदा सूतो महाराज कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः|
राममेव अनुशोचन्तं दुःखशोकसमन्वितम् || २-५८-२
वृद्धम् परम सम्तप्तम् नव ग्रहम् इव द्विपम् |
विनिःश्वसन्तम् ध्यायन्तम् अस्वस्थम् इव कुन्जरम् || २-५८-३
Then, Sumantra, who joined his palms in reverence, approached the monarch who was repenting about Rama alone, filled with pain and sorrow, advanced in age, greatly anguished, sighing like a newly caught elephant and reflecting on something as a sick elephant.
2-3. atha = then; suutaH = sumantra; kR^itaaJNjaliH = who joined his palms in reverence; upasthitaH = approached; mahaaraaja = the monarch; anushochantam = who was repenting; raamameva = about Rama alone; duhkha shoka samanvitam = filled with pain and sorrow; vR^iddham = who was advanced in age; parama samtaptam = who was greatly anguished; vinihshvasantam = who was sighing; dvipam iva = like an elephant; nava graham = which was newly caught; dhyaayantam = who was thinking something; kunjaram iva = like an elephant; asvastham = which is sick.
Verse 4
राजा तु रजसा सूतम् ध्वस्त अङ्गम् समुपस्थितम् |
अश्रु पूर्ण मुखम् दीनम् उवाच परम आर्तवत् || २-५८-४
The king, having great distress, spoke to Sumantra, whose body was covered with dust, his face filled with tears, who was miserable and who approached near him (as follows):
4. raajaa = the king; parama aartavat = having great distress; uvaacha = spoke; suutam = to Sumantra; dhvasta aN^gam = whose body was covered; rajasaa = with dust; ashru puurNa mukham = whose face was filled with tears; diinam = who was miserable; samupasthitam = and who approached near him.
Verse 5
क्व नु वत्स्यति धर्म आत्मा वृक्ष मूलम् उपाश्रितः |
सो अत्यन्त सुखितः सूत किम् अशिष्यति राघवः || २-५८-५
“Oh, Sumantra! Where can Rama the virtuous man abide, taking refuge at the root of a tree? What that Rama, who enjoyed very many pleasantries, can eat now?”
5. suuta = Oh; Sumantra; kva nu = where; dharmaatmaa = can Rama the virtuous man; vatsyati = reside; upaashritaH = taking refuge; vR^ikSa muulam = at the root of a tree? Kim = what; saH raaghavaH = that Rama; atyanta sukhitaH = who enjoyed very many comforts; ashiSyati = can eat?
Verse 6
दुःखस्यानुचितो दुःखम् सुमन्त्र शयनोचितः |
भूमि पाल आत्मजो भूमौ शेते कथम् अनाथवत् || २-५८-६
“Oh, Sumantra! How can Rama the prince, who was habituated to good beds, sleep with such discomfort on a floor like an orphan?”
6. sumantra = Oh Sumantra; katham = how can; bhuumi paala aatmajo = Rama the prince; shayanochitaH = who was habituated to good beds; shete = sleep; duHkham = with discomfort; bhuumau = on a floor; anaathavat = like an orphan?
Verse 7
यम् यान्तम् अनुयान्ति स्म पदाति रथ कुण्ज़्जराः |
स वत्स्यति कथम् रामः विजनम् वनम् आश्रितः || २-५८-७
“Foot soldiers, Chariots and elephants used to follows whenever Rama was marching ahead. How such a man can take shelter and stay in a forest devoid of people?”
7. yam = with whom; yaantam = while journeying; padaati ratha kuNJjaraaH = foot-soldiers; chariots and elephants; anuyaanti sma = sued to follow; katham = how; saH raamaH = that Rama; aashritaH = can take shelter; vatsyati = and stay; vijanam = in a deserted; vanam = forest?
Verse 8
व्याळैः मृगैः आचरितम् कृष्ण सर्प निषेवितम् |
कथम् कुमारौ वैदेह्या सार्धम् वनम् उपस्थितौ || २-५८-८
“How Seetha Rama and Lakshmana entered forest filled with wild animals and black snakes?”
8. katham = how; kumaarau = Rama and Lakshmana; vaidehyaa saardham = along with Seetha; upasthitau = reached; vanam = the forest; aacaritam = being frequented by; vyaaLaiH = wild; mR^igaiH = animals; kR^iSNa sarpa niSevitam = and haunted by black snakes?
Verse 9
सुकुमार्या तपस्विन्या सुमन्त्र सह सीतया |
राज पुत्रौ कथम् पादैः अवरुह्य रथात् गतौ || २-५८-९
“Oh, Sumantra! How those princes with Seetha the delicate and the poor lady went on foot, after descending from the chariot?”
9. sumantra = Oh Sumantra! Katham = how; raajaputrau = those princes; siitayaa saha = with Seetha; sukumaaryaa = the delicate; tapasvinyaa = and the poor lady; gatau = went; paadaiH = on foot; avaruhya = after descending; rathaat = from the chariot?
Verse 10
सिद्ध अर्थः खलु सूत त्वम् येन दृष्टौ मम आत्मजौ |
वन अन्तम् प्रविशन्तौ ताव् अश्विनाव् इव मन्दरम् || २-५८-१०
“Oh, Sumantra! You have seen my sons entering the forest, as though divinities of Aswini had entered the Mountain-range of Mandara. You are indeed lucky.”
10. suuta = Oh; Sumantra! Ye = by you; mama = my; aatmajau = sons; dR^iSTau = have been seen; pravishantau = entering; vana antam = the boundary of the forest; mandaram iva = as (entering) the region of Mandara mountain; ashvinaav = by the two divinities of Aswini; tvam = you; siddha arthaH khalu = are indeed accomplished.
Verse 11
किम् उवाच वचो रामः किम् उवाच च लक्ष्मणः |
सुमन्त्र वनम् आसाद्य किम् उवाच च मैथिली || २-५८-११
“Oh, Sumantra! After reaching the forest, what words did Rama speak? What did Lakshmana speak? What did Seetha speak?”
11. sumantra = Oh; Sumantra! Aasaadya = after reaching; vanam = the forest; kim = what; vachaH = words; raamaH = (did) Rama; uvaacha = speak; kim = what did; lakSmaNaH = Lakshmana; uvaacha = speak; kim cha = and what; maithilii = (did) Seetha; uvaacha = speak?
Verse 12
आसितम् शयितम् भुक्तम् सूत रामस्य कीर्तय |
जीविष्याम्यहमेतेन ययातिरिव साधुषु || २-५८-१२
“Oh, charioteer! Tell me where Rama sat, slept and took food. By hearing these things, I shall survive, as Yayati survived in the company of saints.”
12. suuta = Oh; charioteer; kiirtaya = tell (me); asitam = about sitting; shayitam = sleeping; bhuktam = and eating; raamasya = of Rama; etena = by this; aham = I; jiivishhyaami = shall survive; saadhushhu iva = as among saints; yayaatiH = Yayati (lived).
Verse 13
इति सूतः नर इन्द्रेण चोदितः सज्जमानया |
उवाच वाचा राजानम् स बाष्प परिर्बद्धया || २-५८-१३
As asked thus by the king, Sumantra spoke to the emperor in a voice quivering and choked with tears (as follows).
13. choditaH = as asked; iti = thus; narendreNa = by the king; saH suutaH = that charioteer; uvaacha = spoke; raajaanam = to the emperor; vaachaa = in a voice; sajjamaanayaa = quivering; baaSpa paribaddhayaa = and choked with tears.
Verse 14
अब्रवीन् माम् महा राज धर्मम् एव अनुपालयन् |
अन्जलिम् राघवः कृत्वा शिरसा अभिप्रणम्य च || २-५८-१४
“Oh, emperor! Rama, keeping up the prescribed course of conduct, making salutation with joined palms and bowing his head in reverence to you, spoke to me as follows:”
14. mahaaraaja = Oh; emperor; raaghavaH = Rama; anupaalayan = keeping up; dharmameva = the prescribed course of conduct; kR^itvaa = making; anjalim = salutation with joined palms; abhipraNamya cha = and bowing in reverence; shirasaa = with his head (to you); abraviit = spoke; maam = to me.
Verse 15
सूत मद्वचनात् तस्य तातस्य विदित आत्मनः |
शिरसा वन्दनीयस्य वन्द्यौ पादौ महात्मनः || २-५८-१५
“Oh, charioteer! Tell my salutations to my father, the one with a remarkable intellect, a mighty soul and the one to be respectfully greeted.”
15. suuta = Oh; charioteer; paadau = the feet; tasya taatasya = of my father; vidita aatmanaH = one with remarkable intellect; mahaatmanaH = one with mighty soul; vandaniiyasya = and one to be respectfully greeted; vandyau = are to be saluted; shirasaa = with my head; madvacanaat = through my words.
Verse 16
सर्वम् अन्तः पुरम् वाच्यम् सूत मद्वचनात्त्वया |
आरोग्यम् अविशेषेण यथा अर्हम् च अभिवादनम् || २-५८-१६
Oh, charioteer! Enquire about the health of all the people in the gynaeceum without any disparity and offer my appropriate salutations to them.
16. suuta = Oh; Charioteer; vaachyam = It is to be spoken; tvayaa = by you; madvachanaat = as my word; sarvam = to the entire; antaH puram = gynaeceum; avisheSeNa = without any disparity; aarogyam = about their health; yathaarham = and appropriate; abhivaadanam ca = salutations too.
Verse 17
माता च मम कौसल्या कुशलम् च अभिवादनम् |
अप्रमादम् च वक्तव्या ब्रूयाश्चैमिदम् वचः || २-५८-१७
My mother Kausalya is to be told about my welfare, about my offering salutations to her and about my meticulousness.
17. mama = my; maataa = Kausalya; vaktavyaa = is to be told; kushalam = about my welfare; abhivaadanam ca = about my salutations; apramaadam ca = and about my alertness; bruuyaaH = tell; idam = these; vachashcha = words also.
Verse 18
धर्मनित्या यथाकालमग्न्यगारपरा भव |
देवि देवस्य पादौ च देववत् परिपालय || २-५८-१८
“Oh, godly lady! Be always righteous and be interested in offering worship and sacrifices as per the prescribed timings in the House of Fire worship. Nurture the feet of the Lord Dasaratha, like with a god.”
18. devii = Oh; godly lady; bhava = be; dharmanityaa = righteous always; agnyagaaraparaa = and be interested in offering sacrifices in the house of fire-worship; yathaa kaalam = as per the prescribed timings; paripaalaya = nurture; paadau ca = the feet; devasya = of the King Dasaratha; devavat = like with a god.
Verse 19
अभिमानम् च मानम् च त्यक्त्वा वर्तस्व मातृषु |
अनु राजान मार्याम् च कैकेयीमम्ब कारय || २-५८-१९
“Oh, mother! Behave towards my other mothers, abandoning self-conceit and indignation. Make the venerable Kaikeyi, agreeable to the king.”
19. amba = Oh; mother; vartasva = behave; maatR^iSu = towards other mothers; tyaktvaa = abounding; abhimaanam ca = self-conceit; maanam ca = and indignation; kaaraya = make; aaryaam = the venerable; kaikeyiim = Kiakeyi; raajaanam anu = agreeable to the king.
Verse 20
कुमारे भरते वृत्तिर्वर्तितव्याच राजवत् |
अर्थज्येष्ठा हि राजानो राजधर्ममनुस्मर || २-५८-२०
“In respect of Bharata your son, follow a respectable behaviour as with a king. Kings are indeed sovereign in substance. Remember the rules relating to kings.”
20. bharate = in respect of Bharata; kumaare = your son; vartitavyaa = follow; vR^ittiH = a respectable behaviour; raajavat = as with a king; raajaanaH = kings; artha jyeSThaaH hi = are indeed sovereign in substance; anusmara = remember; raajadharmam = the rules; relating to kings.
Verse 21
भरतः कुशलम् वाच्यो वाच्यो मद् वचनेन च |
सर्वास्व एव यथा न्यायम् वृत्तिम् वर्तस्व मातृषु || २-५८-२१
“Bharata is to be enquired about his well-being and he is also to be informed as follows: “Follow good behaviour indeed judiciously towards all your mothers.”
21. bharataH = Bharata; vaacyaH = is to be asked; kushalam = about his well-being; vaacyaH ca = It is to be told also; madvachanena = as my word; vartasva = follow; vR^ittim = good behaviour; eva = indeed; yathaanyaayam = judiciously; sarvaasu = towards all; maatR^iSu = mothers.
Verse 22
वक्तव्यः च महा बाहुर् इक्ष्वाकु कुल नन्दनः |
पितरम् यौवराज्यस्थो राज्यस्थम् अनुपालय || २-५८-२२
“The mighty armed Bharata the son of Ikshvaku race, is to be told as follows: �Being installed in the office of Prince Regent, attend to your father who still stays in the throne’.”
22. mahaabaahuH = the mighty armed Bharata; ikSvaaku kula nandanaH = the son of Ikshvaku race; vaktavyaH ca = is to be told (as follows) yauvaraajyasthaH = being installed in the office of prince Regent.
Verse 23
अतिक्रान्तवया राजा मास्मैनम् व्यवरोरुधः |
कुमारराज्ये जीव त्वम् तस्यैवाज्ञ्प्रवर्तनाम् || २-५८-२३
“The king has crossed his age. But do not depose him on that score. By proceeding according to the orders of the king, you live as a prince.”
23. raajaa = the King; atikraantavayaaH = has crossed his age; maasmainam vyavarorudhaH = do not depose; enam = him; aaJNaapravartanaat = by proceeding according to the orders; tasyaiva = of the king; tvam = of; jiiva = live; kumaara raajye = as a prince.”
Verse 24
अब्रवीच्चापि माम् भूयो भृशमश्रूणि वर्तयन् |
मातेव मम माता ते द्रष्टव्या पुत्रगर्धिनी || २-५८-२४
“Shedding tears profusely, Rama again spoke to me as follows : �My mother, who is very much longing her son, is to be looked after by you as if she is your mother’.”
24. vartayan = shedding; ashruuNi = tears; bhR^isham = profusely; bhuuyaH = (he) again; abraviicchaapi = spoke; maam = to me (as follows); maam maataa = my mother; putragardhinii = who is very much longing her son; draSTavyaa = is to be looked after; te = by you; maateva = as your mother.
Verse 25
इति एवम् माम् महाराज बृवन्न् एव महा यशाः |
रामः राजीव ताम्र अक्षो भृशम् अश्रूणि अवर्तयत् || २-५८-२५
“Oh, emperor! Rama of the most beautiful appearance with red eyes resembling red lotus flowers, while even uttering these words to me profusely shed tears.”
25. mahaaraja = Oh; emperor; raamaH = Rama; mahaayashaaH = of most beautiful appearance; raajiiva taamraakshhaH = with red eyes resembling red lotus flowers; bruvanneva = while even uttering; ityeva = thus; maam = to me; bhR^isham = amply; avartata = shed; ashruuNi = tears.
Verse 26
लक्ष्मणः तु सुसम्क्रुद्धो निह्श्वसन् वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् |
केन अयम् अपराधेन राज पुत्रः विवासितः || २-५८-२६”But Lakshmana was very angry and breathing a sigh, spoke to me as follows: �On which offence this prince was expelled from home?’”
“But Lakshmana was very angry and breathing a sigh, spoke to me as follows: �On which offence this prince was expelled from home?’”
26. lakshmaNastu = but Lakshmana; susamkruddhaH = was very angry; nishshvasan = and breathing a sigh; abraviit = spoke; vaakyam = (these) words; kena = on which; aparedhena = offence; ayam = this; raajaputraH = prince; vivaasitaH = was expelled from his home’”
Verse 27
राज्ञा तु खलु कैकेय्या लघु त्वाश्रित्य शासनम् |
कृतम् कार्यमकार्यम् वा वयम् येनाभिपीडिताः || २-५८-२७
“The king even took shelter under a wretched decree of Kaikeyi and performed an act not to be done, as though it is a proper deed, for which we are now tormented.”
27. raajJNaa tu = the king even; aashritya = took shelter under; laghu = the wretched; shaasanam = decree; kaikeyyaaH = of Kaikeyi; kR^itam = and did; akaaryam = an act not to be done; kaaryam = as though it is a proper act; yena = by which; vayam = we; abhipiiDitaH = are tormented.
Verse 28
यदि प्रव्राजितः रामः लोभ कारण कारितम् |
वर दान निमित्तम् वा सर्वथा दुष्कृतम् कृतम् || २-५८-२८
“Even if this was done for the good pleasure of the king or through the will of God, I do not see any justification for Rama’s abandonment.”
28. lobha kaaraNa kaaritam = either instigated by passion; vara daana nimittam vaa = or with the intention of giving boons; raamaH = Rama; pravraajitaH yadi = was sent to exile; dushhkR^itam = an infamous deed; kR^itam = was done; sarvathaa = by all means.”
Verse 29
इदम् तावद्यथाकाममीश्वरस्य कृते कृतम् |
रामस्य तु परित्यागे न हेतुम् उपलक्षये || २-५८-२९
“Even if this was done for the good pleasure of the king or through the will of god, I do not see any justification for Rama’s abandonment.”
29. idam taavat = even if this; kR^itam = was done; yathaakaamam = for the good pleasure of the kin; iishvarasya kR^ita = or through the will of god; na upalakshhye = I do not see; hetum = any justification; raamasya = for Rama’s parityaage = abandonment.
Verse 30
असमीक्ष्य समारब्धम् विरुद्धम् बुद्धि लाघवात् |
जनयिष्यति सम्क्रोशम् राघवस्य विवासनम् || २-५८-३०
“Rama’s exile, an illegal decision undertaken whether due to levity of judgment or due to lack of reflection, will raise countless protests.”
30. raaghavasya = Rama’s; vivaasam = exile; viruddham = an illegal decision; samaarabdham = undertaken; buddhi laaghavaat = whether due to levity of judgment; asamiikshhya = or due to lack of reflection; janayishhyati = will raise; samkrosham = intensive anguish.
Verse 31
अहम् तावन् महा राजे पितृत्वम् न उपलक्षये |
भ्राता भर्ता च बन्धुः च पिता च मम राघवः || २-५८-३१
“I do not consider the emperor as my father. For me, Rama is the brother, lord, relative and my father.”
31. aham = I; na upalakshhaye = do not see; pitR^itvam = father-hood; mahaaraaja = in the emperor; mama = for me; raaghavaH = Rama; bhraataa ca = is brother; bhartaa ca = lord; bandhuH ca = relative and; pitaa = father.
Verse 32
सर्व लोक प्रियम् त्यक्त्वा सर्व लोक हिते रतम् |
सर्व लोको अनुरज्येत कथम् त्वा अनेन कर्मणा || २-५८-३२
“Leaving Rama the beloved of all people and who is interested in the welfare of all human beings, how would all these people would be interested in you by this act of yours?”
32. tyaktvaa = leaving; sarva loka priyam = (Rama) the beloved of all people; ratam = and who is interested; sarva lokahite = in the welfare of all mankind; katham = how would; sarva lokaH = all the people; anurajyeta = be interested; tvam = in you; anena karmaNaa = by this act?
Verse 33
सर्वप्रजाभिरामम् हि रामम् प्रव्राज्य धार्मिकम् |
सर्वलोकम् विरुध्येमम् कथम् राजा भविष्यसि || २-५८-३३
“By banishing Rama who is delightful to entire people and who is a virtuous man and by opposing all this entire world, how will you stay as a king?”
33. pravraajya = by banishing; raamam = Rama; sarvaprajaabhiraamam = who is delightful to entire people; dhaarmikam = and virtuous; virudhya = and opposing; imam sarva lokam = all this entire world; katham = how; bhavishhyasi = will you stay; raajaa = as a king?
Verse 34
जानकी तु महा राज निःश्वसन्ती तपस्विनी |
भूत उपहत चित्ता इव विष्ठिता वृष्मृता स्थिता || २-५८-३४
“Oh, King! The wise Seetha for her part with her mind like one possessed and forgetting her own existence, stood sighing and static.
34. mahaaraaja = “Oh king; tapasvinii = the wise; jaanakii tu = Seetha for her part; niHshvasantii = stood sighing; bhuuta upahata cittaa = with mind like one possessed; vR^iSmR^itaa sthitaa = forgetting her own existence there; viSThitaa = stood motionless.
Verse 35
अदृष्ट पूर्व व्यसना राज पुत्री यशस्विनी |
तेन दुह्खेन रुदती न एव माम् किंचित् अब्रवीत् || २-५८-३५
“The illustrious Seetha having not seen such misfortune earlier, could not even to speak me anything, weeping as she was with that uneasiness.”
35. raaja putrii = that princess Seetha; yashasvinii = the illustrious one; adR^iSTa puurva vyasanaa = having not seen such misfortune earlier; na eva abraviit = could not even tell; kimcit = anything; maam = to me; rudatii = weeping (as she was); tena duHkhena = with that unpleasantness.
Verse 36
उद्वीक्षमाणा भर्तारम् मुखेन परिशुष्यता |
मुमोच सहसा बाष्पम् माम् प्रयान्तम् उदीक्ष्य सा || २-५८-३६
“Seeing me going back, Seetha with emaciated face, perceiving her husband, soon shed down tears.”
36. udiikSya = seeing; maam = me; parishuSyataa = with emaciated; mukhena = face; udviikSamaaNaa = perceiving; bhartaaram = her husband; sahasaa = soon; mumoca = shed down; baaSpam = tears.
Verse 37
तथैव रामः अश्रु मुखः कृत अन्जलिः |
स्थितः अभवल् लक्ष्मण बाहु पालितः स्थितः |
तथैव सीता रुदती तपस्विनी |
निरीक्षते राज रथम् तथैव माम् || २-५८-३७
“In the same way, Rama with tears on his face and with joined palms, stood being shielded by the arms of Lakshmana. The miserable Seetha in the same manner was weeping and seeing the royal chariot and me.”
37. tathaiva = In the same way; raamaH = Rama; ashru mukhaH = with tears on his face; kR^ita anjaliH = and with joined palms; sthitaH abhaval = stood; lakSmaNa baahu paalitaH = shielded by the arms of Lakshmana; tathaiva = In the same way; tapasvinii = the miserable; siitaa = Seetha; rudatii = weeping; niriikSate = was seeing; raaja ratham = the royal chariot; tathaiva = and; maam = me.”
