Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46

Meaning

Then, taking his stand on the delightful bank of the Tamasā and gazing on Sītā, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) spoke to Lakṣmaṇa, son of Sumitrā, as follows : (1)

Meaning

“Today, O Lakṣmaṇa, is the very first night of our exile in the forest. And since it is to the forest that we have been sent away, you ought not to feel anxious for those that have been left behind; may all be well with you ! (2)

Meaning

“Look here: sought for shelter by beasts and birds retiring to their respective abode, the desolate woods are crying, as it were, on all sides. (3)

Meaning

“The city of Ayodhyā, the capital of my father, King Daśaratha, with its men and women will for its part lament today for us three, that have departed for the forest: there is no doubt about it. (4)

Meaning

“For, the people of Ayodhyā are devoted to the king no less than to you and myself, as also to Bharata and Śatrughna, for our manifold virtues, O tiger among men ! (5)

Meaning

“I bewail the lot of my father as well as my illustrious mother, Kausalyā. I fear lest those parents of ours, who must be incessantly weeping, should be deprived of their eyesight. (6)

Meaning

“I am sure that the pious-minded Bharata will console my father and mother by means of words assuring them of religious merit, material welfare and sense-gratification. (7)

Meaning

“Reflecting again and again on the tender-heartedness of Bharata, O mighty-armed prince, I do not lament for my father and mother. (8)

Meaning

“By following me to the forest, O tiger among men, a great purpose of mine has been served by you; for, otherwise aid would have to be sought for by me for looking after Sītā (a princess of the Videha kingdom). (9)

Meaning

“I shall certainly live on water alone tonight, O son of Sumitrā ! Although there are various kinds of wild fruits and roots, this alone pleases me.” (10)

Meaning

Having told Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā) as above, Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, so the tradition goes, spoke to Sumantra too as follows : “Attend you to the horses now, O good sir !” (11)

Meaning

Fastening the horses tightly, the sun having completely set, and supplying them with abundant grass, the said Sumantra returned to the presence of Śrī Rāma. (12)

Meaning

Having worshipped the goddess presiding over the benign evening twilight (according to his grade in society) and seeing the night fallen, the charioteer alongwith Lakṣmaṇa, son of Sumitrā, prepared a ground suitable for Śrī Rāma to sleep on (by brushing aside gravel and particles of dust etc.) as well as a bed of leaves. (13)

Meaning

Perceiving the aforesaid bed overspread by Sumantra with fresh leaves of trees on the bank of the Tamasā with the help of Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā), Śrī Rāma with his consort lay down on it: so they say. (14)

Meaning

Observing Śrī Rāma buried in deep sleep with his spouse, fatigued as he was, Lakṣmaṇa for his part began to recount the various virtues of Śrī Rāma before the charioteer. (15)

Meaning

The sun rose past Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā) even as he was recounting to the charioteer on the bank of the Tamasā the excellences of Śrī Rāma, both Lakṣmaṇa and Sumantra keeping awake the whole of that night. (16)

Meaning

At a respectable distance from the Tamasā, whose bank was crowded with herds of cows, Śrī Rāma spent that night with the citizens on the aforesaid stretch of land. (17)

Meaning

Getting up from the bed and seeing those people lying at some distance, Śrī Rāma, who was possessed of extraordinary splendour, spoke as follows to his younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa, who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks : (18)

Meaning

“Behold, O Lakṣmaṇa, the citizens, full of great longing for us and absolutely unmindful of their homes as also of their near and dear ones, lying close to the roots of trees till this late hour, O son of Sumitrā ! (19)

Meaning

“From the way in which these citizens are taking pains to take us back to Ayodhyā, it seems they will even lay down their lives but would in no case give up their resolve. (20)

Meaning

“Therefore, while they are fast asleep let us in the meantime quickly mount the chariot and take a route which has no fear of molestation from any quarter, so that the citizens of Ayodhyā, the ancient capital of Ikṣwāku, who are so keenly devoted to me, may not henceforth have to repose leaning against the roots of trees as now. (21-22)

Meaning

“The residents of a city ruled over by a king should indeed be completely and finally rid by the sons of their rulers of suffering brought about by the citizens themselves. The citizens should on no account be burdened with affliction caused by the princes themselves, as in our case.” (23)

Meaning

“Lakṣmaṇa replied as follows to Śrī Rāma, who was firm as virtue incarnate : “What you say appeals to me, O wise brother; pray, ascend the chariot quickly.” (24)

Meaning

Śrī Rāma then said to the charioteer, “Please get the chariot ready soon. On it I shall proceed to the forest. Depart from this place at once, my Revered !” (25)

Meaning

Having got the chariot ready with those excellent horses yoked to it with great expedition, the charioteer for his part thereupon submitted as follows with folded hands to Śrī Rāma : (26)

Meaning

“Here is your chariot ready, O mighty-armed prince ! Pray, ascend it quickly with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, O jewel among chariot-warriors; may prosperity attend you !” (27)

Meaning

Mounting the aforesaid chariot with all necessaries for travelling (viz., his bow, armour, quiver, spade, basket and so on), Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, speedily crossed thereby the swift-flowing Tamasā, thickly set with eddies. (28)

Meaning

Having duly crossed the stream, the glorious Śrī Rāma (who was possessed of mighty arms) reached a smooth road, free from obstacles and safe even for those who are apprehensive of danger. (29)

Meaning

With a view to putting the citizens off the scent, Śrī Rāma for his part spoke to the charioteer as follows : “Mounting the chariot alone, O charioteer, proceed you northward and, going apace awhile, bring the chariot back again. Remaining careful, drive the chariot in such a way that the citizens may not be able to locate me.” (30-31)

Meaning

Hearing the command of Śrī Rāma, the said charioteer for his part did as he was told and, returning by a different route reported to Śrī Rāma the arrival of the chariot. (32)

Meaning

Then Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa (the promoters of the race of Raghu) for their part alongwith Sītā comfortably took their seats in the chariot, which was duly kept ready by the charioteer for their use. The said charioteer thereupon urged the horses along the route by which they could reach a forest suited to the practice of austerities. (33)

Meaning

At the outset, however, the charioteer placed the chariot facing the north; for he saw omens auspicious for journey in that quarter. Having duly occupied the chariot, Śrī Rāma, son of Daśaratha, who was a great car-warrior, thereupon proceeded to the forest alongwith the charioteer. (34)