Introduction
Rama is anguished for Seetha’s aloneness and it is expressed in his chastening Lakshmana. Rama asks him as to why he left Seetha unguarded in the lonely forest. Rama rushes rapidly to hermitage thinking and talking that rapidly to Lakshmana about Seetha, and on arriving he finds vacuity in hermitage and then he is thrown in throes of despair.
Verse 1
स दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणम् दीनम् शून्यम् दशरथ आत्मजः |
पर्यपृच्छत धर्माअत्मा वैदेहीम् आगतम् विना || ३-५८-१
On seeing dreary Lakshmana coming into the void of forest devoid of Vaidehi, then the virtue-souled Rama, the son of Dasharatha, has asked him impatiently. [3-58-1]
1. dharmaaatmaa = virtue-souled one; saH dasharatha aatmajaH = he that, Dasharatha’s, son [Rama]; shuunyam [shuunye] = void of [in void forest]; vaidehiim vinaa aagatam = Vaidehi, without [devoid of,] who has come; diinam lakSmaNam dR^iSTvaa = dreary, Lakshmana, on seeing; pari apR^icChata = verily [impatiently] asked.
Verse 2
प्रस्थितम् दण्डक अरण्यम् या माम् अनुजगाम ह |
क्व सा लक्ष्मण वैदेही याम् हित्वा त्वम् इह आगतः || ३-५८-२
“She who has come in tow with me to Dandaka forest when I started for peregrination, whom you have now deserted and came here, oh, Lakshmana, she that Vaidehi, where is she? [3-58-2]
2. lakSmaNa = oh, Lakshmana; daNDaka araNyam prasthitam = to Dandaka, forest, one who started for peregrination; maam = me; yaa = she who; anu jagaama ha = in tow, came along, indeed; yaam hitvaa = whom, on deserting; tvam iha aagataH = you, to here, came [lonely]; saa vaidehii kva = she, Vaidehi, where [is she?]
Verse 3
राज्य भ्रष्टस्य दीनस्य दण्डकान् परिधावतः |
क्व सा दुःख सहाया मे वैदेही तनु मध्यमा || ३-५८-३
“When I have become forlorn with the forfeiture of my kingdom and when I was rushing for Dandaka forest she stood with me as a partaker in my woes. She that comely Vaidehi, where is she? [3-58-3]
3. raajya bhraSTasya = one whose – kingdom, is forfeited; daNDakaan pari dhaavataH = to Dandaka forest, about, running – rushing for; diinasya = a forlorn one – at the time of exile; me duHkha sahaayaa = in mine, in woe, partaker – one who stood as a partaker in my woes; tanu madhyamaa = slender waisted lady – a comely lady; saa vaidehii kva = she, that Vaidehi, where is she?
Verse 4
याम् विना न उत्सहे वीर मुहूर्तम् अपि जीवितुम् |
क्व सा प्राण सहाया मे सीता सुर सुत उपमा || ३-५८-४
“Without whom I am disinclined to live even for a moment, oh, valiant one, such a Seetha who in simile is like the daughter of deities and who is my life-force, where is she? [3-58-4]
4. viira = oh, valiant one; yaam vinaa = [she] whom, without; muhuurtam api = for a moment, even; jiivitum = to live; na utsahe = not, enthused – disinclined; saa = she – who is; sura suta upamaa = gods, daughter, in simile – nymphlike; me praaNa sahaayaa = my, to life, helpmate – one who supports my life – life-force; siitaa kva = Seetha, where is she?
Verse 5
पतित्वम् अमराणाम् वा पृथिव्याः च अपि लक्ष्मण |
विना ताम् तपनीय आभाम् न इच्छेयम् जनक आत्मजाम् || ३-५८-५
“I am unambitious for the rulership either on heavens or on the earth, oh, Lakshmana, without the daughter of Janaka whose aspect glisters like gold. [3-58-5]
5. lakSmaNa = oh, Lakshmana; tapaniiya aabhaam = like gold, glistering – by complexion; taam janaka aatmajaam vinaa = her, Janaka, daughter of, without; amaraaNaam patitvam = on immortals [heavens,] rulership; pR^ithivyaaH ca api vaa = of earth, also, even, either; na icCheyam = not, I ambition – unambitious of.
Verse 6
कच्चित् जीवति वैदेही प्राणैः प्रियतरा मम |
कच्चित् प्रव्राजनम् वीर न मे मिथ्या भविष्यति || ३-५८-६
“Vaidehi who is dearer to me than my lives, will she be alive somehow! Oh, valiant Lakshmana, this peregrination of mine, will it not become futile, someway! [3-58-6]
6. viira = oh, valiant one; mama praaNaiH priya taraa = by my, lives, dear, more than; vaidehii = Vaidehi; jiivati kaccit = alive, somehow; me pravraajanam = my, peregrination; mithyaa na bhaviSyati kaccit = illusory [futile,] not, become, someway.
Verse 7
सीता निमित्तम् सौमित्रे मृते मयि गते त्वयि |
कच्चित् स कामा सुखिता कैकेयी सा भविष्यति || ३-५८-७
“When I am dead for the sake of Seetha and when you get back to Ayodhya lonesomely, and when Kaikeyi’s wishes are accomplished thus, oh, Soumitri, will she be comfortable, somewhat! [3-58-7]
7. saumitre = oh, Soumitri; siitaa nimittam mayi mR^ite = Seetha, for the sake of, I am, being dead; tvayi gate = you, on getting back [lonesomely to Ayodhya]; saa kaikeyii = she, Kaikeyi; sa kaama = with [accomplished,] wishes; sukhitaa = comfortable; bhaviSyati kaccit = will become, somewhat.
Verse 8
स पुत्र राज्याम् सिद्ध अर्थाम् मृत पुत्रा तपस्विनी |
उपस्थास्यति कौसल्या कच्चित् सौम्येन – सौम्य न – कैकयीम् || ३-५८-८
“Kaikeyi is with her son, with a kingdom, and further her ‘purposes are achieved,’ oh, gentle Lakshmana, and because of the death of her son will my austerely mother Kausalya humbly get into the servitude of Kaikeyi, anyhow! [3-58-8]
8. saumya = oh, gentle one; putraa mR^ita = while son, is dead – because of son’s death; tapasvinii kausalyaa = [my] austerely [mother,] Kausalya; sa putra raajyaam = one who is having, a son, a kingdom; siddha arthaam = one who has achieved, purposes – Kaikeyi; kaikayiim = at Kaikeyi; [saumyena = humbly]; na upa sthaasyati kaccit = not, nearby, stays [be in attendance – get into servitude] anyhow.
Verse 9
यदि जीवति वैदेही गमिष्याम्य् आश्रमम् पुनः |
सुवृत्ता यदि वृत्ता सा प्राणान् त्यक्ष्यामि लक्ष्मण || ३-५८-९
“I wish to get at the hermitage again if only that Vaidehi of good-conduct is alive in hermitage, else, oh, Lakshmana, if death has already conducted her out of hermitage I too will give up my lives here itself. [3-58-9]
9. lakSmaNa = oh, Lakshmana; vaidehii jiivati yadi = Vaidehi, is alive, if; punaH aashramam gamiSyaamy = again, to hermitage, I wish to get at; yadi [vaa] = else if; saa = she; su vR^ittaa = who is – of good, conduct; vR^ittaa = conducted out [by death]; praaNaan tyakSyaami = lives, I give up.
Verse 10
यदि माम् आश्रम गतम् वैदेही न अभिभाषते |
पुनः प्रहसिता सीता विनशिष्यामि लक्ष्मण || ३-५८-१०
“If Seetha, the princess from Videha, does not chat with me as before smiling gleefully on my arrival at the hermitage, oh, Lakshmana, I really breath my last. [3-58-10]
10. lakSmaNa = oh, Lakshmana; aashrama gatam = hermitage, on arrival at; maam = me; vaidehii siitaa = princess from Videha, Seetha; pra hasitaa = well [with gleefully,] smilingly; punaH = again, [as before]; yadi na abhi bhaaSate = if, not, towards me, chats [with me]; vi nashiSyaami = verily, I breath my last.
Verse 11
ब्रूहि लक्ष्मण वैदेही यदि जीवति वा न वा |
त्वयि प्रमत्ते रक्षोभिः भक्षिता वा तपस्विनी || ३-५८-११
“Say Lakshmana, whether that pietistic Vaidehi is alive or not? Or, on your becoming unmindful of your guard is she consumed by demons, either? [3-58-11]
11. lakSmaNa = oh, Lakshmana; vaidehii = Vaidehi; jiivati vaa = alive, whether; na vaa = not, or; tvayi pramatte = by you, becoming unmindful; tapasvinii = pietistic [Seetha]; yadi rakSobhiH bhakSitaa vaa = whether, by demons, consumed, either; bruuhi say.
Verse 12
सुकुमारी च बाला च नित्यम् च अदुःख दर्शिनी |
मत् वियोगेन वैदेही व्यक्तम् शोचति दुर्मनाः || ३-५८-१२
“She who is softish by her nature and youngish by her age has never noticed the despair of separation from me, and now by my dissociation she will be despairing brokenheartedly, so it seems. [3-58-12]
12. sukumaarii ca baalaa ca = softish one, also, youngish, also; nityam ca a duHkha darshinii = always [ever], also, no, despair [of separation from me,] she saw [unnoticed]; such as she is; vaidehii = Vaidehi; dur manaaH = broken, heartedly; mat vi yogena = by my, not, connectedness – dissociation, separation; shocati = she will be despairing; vyaktam = so it seems.
Verse 13
सर्वथा रक्षसा तेन जिह्मेन सुदुरात्मना |
वदता लक्ष्मण इति उच्छैः तव अपि जनितम् भयम् || ३-५८-१३
“That impostor and highly impudent demon Maareecha who shouted loudly as, ‘oh, Lakshmana,’ might have caused fear even in you in everyway. [3-58-13]
13. jihmena = impostor – Maareecha; su dur aatmanaa = highly, evil, souled [impudent one – Maareecha]; lakSmaNa iti = oh, Lakshmana, thus; ucCaiH vadataa = loudly, who shouted; tena rakSasaa = by him, demon – Maareecha; sarvathaa = in everyway; tava api bhayam janitam = in you, even, fear, is caused.
Verse 14
श्रुतः च मन्ये वैदेह्या स स्वरः सदृशो मम |
त्रस्तया प्रेषितः त्वम् च द्रष्टुम् माम् शीघ्रम् आगतः || ३-५८-१४
“I hope that Vaidehi has also heard that voice which is similar to that of mine, and I hope frightened as she is she might have also hastened you, and I hope you also have come to see me, that hastily! [3-58-14]
14. vaidehyaa = by Vaidehi; mama sadR^ishaH = mine, similar; sa svaraH = that, voice; shrutaH ca = is heard, also; manye = I hope so [or, iti sha~Nke = I doubt]; trastayaa preSitaH tvam ca = frightened as she is, hastened, you, also; maam draSTum shiighram aagataH = me, to see, hastily, you have came.
Verse 15
सर्वथा तु कृतम् कष्टम् सीताम् उत्सृजता वने |
प्रतिकर्तुम् नृशंसानाम् रक्षसाम् दत्तम् अन्तरम् || ३-५८-१५
“In everyway you have caused hardship by leaving Seetha in isolation, and a leeway is given to the diabolical demons for a counterattack against us. [3-58-15]
15. siitaam vane utsR^ijataa = Seetha, in forest, by you in leaving off [in isolation]; sarvathaa kaSTam kR^itam = in everyway, hardship, is caused; prati kartum = for counter, attack – to take revenge; nR^ishamsaanaam rakSasaam antaram dattam = for diabolical, demons, leeway, is given.
Verse 16
दुःखिताः खर घातेन राक्षसाः पिशित अशनाः |
तैः सीता निहता घोरैः भविष्यति न संशयः || ३-५८-१६
“Raw-flesh eating demons are distraught as I have liquidated Khara, as a result those ghastly ones would have liquidated Seetha by now. There is no doubt about it. [3-58-16]
16. pishita ashanaaH raakSasaaH = raw-flesh, eaters, demons; khara ghaatena duHkhitaaH = Khara, [on my] liquidating, they are distraught – they are distraught on my liquidating Khara; ghoraiH taiH = ghastly ones, by them; siitaa nihataa bhaviSyati = Seetha, liquidated, she would have been; samshayaH na = doubt, is not there.
Verse 17
अहो अस्मि व्यसने मग्नः सर्वथा रिपु नाशन |
किम् तु इदानीम् करिष्यामि शंके प्राप्तव्यम् ईदृशम् || ३-५८-१७
“In everyway I am sunken in scourge, but oh, enemy-eliminator Lakshmana, what I can possibly do in present situation? Perchance, this sort of scourge is liable to chance upon me, alas!” Thus Rama gave vent to his feelings on his way to hermitage. [3-58-17]
17. ripu naashana = oh, enemy, eliminator Lakshmana; sarvathaa = in everyway; [asmin = in this]; vyasane magnaH asmi = in scourge, sunken, I am; idaaniim kim tu kariSyaami = as of now, what, but, can I do; iidR^isham praaptavyam shanke = this sort of [scourge,] [I am] liable to get, I deem; aho = alas!
Verse 18
इति सीताम् वरारोहाम् चिंतयन् एव राघवः |
आजगाम जन स्थानम् त्वरया सह लक्ष्मणः || ३-५८-१८
In this way while thinking emotively about that curvaceous Seetha, Raghava hurriedly returned to Janasthaana along with Lakshmana. [3-58-18]
18. raaghavaH = Raghava; iti = in this way; varaarohaam siitaam cintayan eva = curvaceous one, about Seetha, while thinking – emotively; saha lakSmaNaH = with Lakshmana; tvarayaa jana sthaanam aajagaama = hurriedly, to Janasthaana, came back.
Verse 19 & 20
विगर्हमाणो अनुजम् आर्त रूपम्
क्षुधा श्रमेण एव पिपासया च |
विनिःश्वसन् शुष्क मुखो विषण्णः
प्रतिश्रयम् प्राप्य समीक्ष्य शून्यम् || ३-५८-१९
स्वम् आश्रमम् स प्रविगाह्य वीरो
विहार देशान् अनुसृत्य कांश्चित् |
एतत् तत् इति एव निवास भूमौ
प्रहृष्ट रोमा व्यथितो बभूव || ३-५८-२०
He that Rama who chastened his younger brother en route is worried in aspect and wizened is his mouth by hunger, by strain, and also thus by thirst, and suspiring heavily he arrived near at hermitage, and became dispirited when he beheld the hermitage in vacuity. That valiant Rama on quickly entering his own hermitage found it to be vacuous. Then he rushed out and went round a place of pastime of Seetha, saying ‘yes, this is that place where she used to move round for plucking flowers.’ And again he dashed in to hermitage only to find it as an empty cottage. Then he rushed out to some other place of playtime of Seetha yelling, ‘yes, this is that place where she used play with deer, squirrels and birds.’ And again came back to vacant hermitage, and again he dashed to some other prayer-time place exclaiming, ‘yes, this is that very place where she offered her daily prayers.’ Finally on returning to the vacant hermitage he became one who is plunged into hair-raising throes of despair as that cottage is emptied of Seetha. [3-58-19, 20]
19. viiraH = valiant Rama; aarta ruupam = who is worried , in aspect; anujam = younger brother; vi garhamaaNaH = verily, chastening [en route]; kSudhaa shrameNa eva pipaasayaa ca = by hunger, by strain, like that, by thirst, also; vi niH shvasan = heavily, out, breathing – heavily suspiring; shuSka mukhaH = with a wizened, mouth; vi SaNNaH = dispirited; pratishrayam praapya = hermitage, having arrived; shuunyam samiikSya = vacuity, having beheld; svam aashramam = one’s own, hermitage; pra vi gaahya = on verily, inside, stepping [entering quickly]; kaamshcit = some of the; vihaara deshaan = pastime, places; anu sR^itya = in tow, on going around; then on seeing; nivaasa bhuumau = thus, in dwelling, place cottage of hermitage; etat tat eva iti = this [place,] that [place,] only, thus [marking them]; saH = he, Rama; prahR^iSTa romaa = happily standing hairs [hair-raising]; vyathitaH babhuuva = highly despaired, he became.
