Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 54
ते तु तस्मिन् महावृक्षे उषित्वा रजनीं शुभाम्। विमलेऽभ्युदिते सूर्ये तस्माद् देशात् प्रतस्थिरे॥ १॥
Meaning
Having spent the beautiful night under that big tree, the party for their part set out from that place when the sun had clearly risen. (1)
यत्र भागीरथीं गङ्गां यमुनाभिप्रवर्तते। जग्मुस्तं देशमुद्दिश्य विगाह्य सुमहद् वनम्॥ २॥
Meaning
Travelling across a fairly extensive forest they proceeded in the direction of that region where the Yamunā rushes to meet the Gaṅgā (associated with the name of Emperor Bhagīratha, who had the credit of bringing down the stream to the terrestrial plane by dint of his devotion and austerities in order to purify the ashes of his departed great granduncles). (2)
तेभूमिभागान् विविधान् देशांश्चापि मनोहरान्। अदृष्टपूर्वान् पश्यन्तस्तत्र तत्र यशस्विनः॥ ३॥
Meaning
Beholding here and there various tracts of land and soul-captivating regions never seen before, the illustrious travellers moved on. (3)
यथा क्षेमेण सम्पश्यन् पुष्पितान् विविधान् द्रुमान्। निर्वृत्तमात्रे दिवसे रामः सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्॥ ४॥ प्रयागमभितः पश्य सौमित्रे धूममुत्तमम्। अग्नेर्भगवतः केतुं मन्ये संनिहितो मुनिः॥ ५॥
Meaning
Gazing on the various trees laden with blossoms while travelling at ease, Śrī Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā) when the day had just ended : “Behold, O son of Sumitrā, agreeable fragrant smoke, the emblem of the glorious god of fire near Prayāga (the confluence of the holy Gaṅgā and Yamunā rivers). From this I conclude the sage Bharadwāja is near about. (4-5)
नूनं प्राप्ताः स्म सम्भेदं गङ्गायमुनयोर्वयम्। तथाहि श्रूयते शब्दो वारिणोर्वारिघर्षजः॥ ६॥
Meaning
“We have surely reached the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā rivers; for the noise produced by the clashing of the waters of the two streams is heard.(6)
दारूणि परिभिन्नानि वनजैरुपजीविभिः। छिन्नाश्चाप्याश्रमे चैते दृश्यन्ते विविधा द्रुमाः॥ ७॥
Meaning
“Logs of wood, hewn by men living by the produce of the forest, as also the trees of various kinds thus dismembered are seen in the hermitage here.” (7)
धन्विनौ तौ सुखं गत्वा लम्बमाने दिवाकरे। गङ्गायमुनयोः संधौ प्रापतुर्निलयं मुनेः॥ ८॥
Meaning
Walking at ease the aforesaid two archers reached the outskirts of the sage’s dwelling in the space intervening the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā, while the sun was going down. (8)
रामस्त्वाश्रममासाद्य त्रासयन् मृगपक्षिणः। गत्वा मुहूर्तमध्वानं भरद्वाजमुपागमत्॥ ९॥
Meaning
Having reached the precincts of the hermitage and scaring the beasts and birds of the locality by his very appearance as a bowman and covering the intervening distance, which could be covered in a short while, Śrī Rāma for his part approached the hermitage of Bharadwāja. (9)
ततस्त्वाश्रममासाद्य मुनेर्दर्शनकांक्षिणौ। सीतयानुगतौ वीरौ दूरादेवावतस्थतुः॥ १०॥
Meaning
Arriving at the hermitage, the two valiant princes, for their part, who longed for a sight of the sage and were accompanied by Sītā, then halted at some distance awaiting his permission to see him. (10)
स प्रविश्य महात्मानमृषिं शिष्यगणैर्वृतम्। संशितव्रतमेकाग्रं तपसा लब्धचक्षुषम्॥ ११॥ हुताग्निहोत्रं दृष्ट्वैव महाभागः कृताञ्जलिः। रामः सौमित्रिणा सार्धं सीतया चाभ्यवादयत्॥ १२॥
Meaning
Eventually entering the hut occupied by the sage after obtaining his permission through some pupil, and beholding the high-souled sage of rigid vows,who had acquired omniscience through askesis and sat absorbed in meditation in the midst of hosts of his pupils, having poured oblations into the sacred fire, the celebrated and highly blessed Śrī Rāma, with Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā) and Sītā, greeted him with folded hands. (11-12)
न्यवेदयत चात्मानं तस्मै लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः। पुत्रौ दशरथस्यावां भगवन् रामलक्ष्मणौ॥ १३॥ भार्या ममेयं कल्याणी वैदेही जनकात्मजा। मां चानुयाता विजनं तपोवनमनिन्दिता॥ १४॥
Meaning
Nay, Śrī Rāma, the eldest brother of Lakṣmaṇa, introduced himself to the sage in the following words : “We are Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, sons of Emperor Daśaratha, O venerable sage! Here is my blessed and irreproachable wife, a princess of the Videha kingdom and daughter of King Janaka, who has followed me to the lonely forest suited for religious austerities. (13-14)
पित्रा प्रव्राज्यमानं मां सौमित्रिरनुजः प्रियः। अयमन्वगमद् भ्राता वनमेव धृतव्रतः॥ १५॥
Meaning
“While I was being exiled by my father, this my beloved younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā), of firm vows has also followed me to the forest. (15)
पित्रा नियुक्ता भगवन् प्रवेक्ष्यामस्तपोवनम्। धर्ममेवाचरिष्यामस्तत्र मूलफलाशनाः॥ १६॥
Meaning
“Ordered by our father, O venerable sage, we shall retire to a forest suited for austerities and shall practise virtue alone there, living on roots and fruits only.” (16)
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा राजपुत्रस्य धीमतः। उपानयत धर्मात्मा गामर्घ्यमुदकं ततः॥ १७॥
Meaning
Hearing the aforesaid submission of the sagacious prince, Śrī Rāma, Sage Bharadwāja, whose mind is given to piety, thereupon offered to him by way of a present due to an honoured guest a bull as well as water to wash his hands with as a preliminary to the hospitality that was to follow. (17)
नानाविधानन्नरसान् वन्यमूलफलाश्रयान्। तेभ्यो ददौ तप्ततपा वासं चैवाभ्यकल्पयत्॥ १८॥
Meaning
The sage, who had practised austerities, offered them delicacies of all descriptions prepared from wild roots and fruits, and also arranged accommodation for them. (18)
मृगपक्षिभिरासीनो मुनिभिश्च समन्ततः। राममागतमभ्यर्च्य स्वागतेनागतं मुनिः॥ १९॥ प्रतिगृह्य तु तामर्चामुपविष्टं स राघवम्। भरद्वाजोऽब्रवीद् वाक्यं धर्मयुक्तमिदं तदा॥ २०॥
Meaning
Honouring with words of welcome Śrī Rāma, who had approached him by slow stages pausing a little at intervals and then advancing meticulously out of respect, the said Sage Bharadwāja, seated in the company of beasts and birds as well as of hermits all round, now addressed the following words, consistent with righteousness, to Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, who had since taken his seat after accepting the aforesaid hospitality offered by the sage : (19-20)
चिरस्य खलु काकुत्स्थ पश्याम्यहमुपागतम्। श्रुतं तव मया चैव विवासनमकारणम्॥ २१॥
Meaning
“In fact, I have since long been expecting your arrival, O scion of Kakutstha ! And your gratuitous exile has also been heard of by me. (21)
अवकाशो विविक्तोऽयं महानद्योः समागमे। पुण्यश्च रमणीयश्च वसत्विह भवान् सुखम्॥ २२॥
Meaning
“This open stretch of land at the confluence of the two great rivers is not only secluded but sacred and lovely too. Dwell you here comfortably.” (22)
एवमुक्तस्तु वचनं भरद्वाजेन राघवः। प्रत्युवाच शुभं वाक्यं रामः सर्वहिते रतः॥ २३॥
Meaning
Addressed in these words by Bharadwāja, Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, for his part, who was devoted to the good of all, replied in the following agreeable words : (23)
भगवन्नित आसन्नः पौरजानपदो जनः। सुदर्शमिह मां प्रेक्ष्य मन्येऽहमिममाश्रमम्॥ २४॥ आगमिष्यति वैदेहीं मां चापि प्रेक्षको जनः। अनेन कारणेनाहमिह वासं न रोचये॥ २५॥
Meaning
“The people of the city as well as of the state of Ayodhyā, O venerable sir, are proximate to this place. Finding me easy to behold at this place, people keen to gaze on Sītā, a princess of the Videha kingdom, as well as on myself, I presume, will frequent this hermitage. For this reason I do not relish my sojourn here. (24-25)
एकान्ते पश्य भगवन्नाश्रमस्थानमुत्तमम्। रमते यत्र वैदेही सुखार्हा जनकात्मजा॥ २६॥
Meaning
“Pray, therefore, look for some excellent site for a hermitage in some lonely place, O venerable sir, where Sītā (a princess of the Videha dynasty), daughter of King Janaka, who deserves every comfort, may find delight.” (26)
एतच्छ्रुत्वा शुभं वाक्यं भरद्वाजो महामुनिः। राघवस्य तु तद् वाक्यमर्थग्राहकमब्रवीत्॥ २७॥
Meaning
Hearing this pious submission of Śrī Rāma, the great sage Bharadwāja for his part made the following answer pointing out the place sought by Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu : (27)
दशक्रोश इतस्तात गिरिर्यस्मिन् निवत्स्यसि। महर्षिसेवितः पुण्यः पर्वतः शुभदर्शनः॥ २८॥
Meaning
“Sixty* miles from this place, O dear son, lies a sacred mountain, on which you take up your abode, which is inhabited by great Ṛṣis and is charming to look at, and has a number of offshoots. (28)
गोलाङ्गूलानुचरितो वानरर्क्षनिषेवितः। चित्रकूट इति ख्यातो गन्धमादनसंनिभः॥ २९॥
Meaning
“It is infested by the black species of monkeys with a long tail (of the size of a cow-tail), is haunted by apes and bears, is known by the name of Citrakūta and closely resembles the Gandhamādana mountain in beauty. (29)
यावता चित्रकूटस्य नरः शृङ्गाण्यवेक्षते। कल्याणानि समाधत्ते न पापे कुरुते मनः॥ ३०॥
Meaning
“So long as a man beholds the peaks of the Citrakūṭa hill, he devotes himself entirely to virtuous acts and never sets his mind on sin. (30)
ऋषयस्तत्र बहवो विहृत्य शरदां शतम्। तपसा दिवमारूढाः कपालशिरसा सह॥ ३१॥
Meaning
“Having spent a hundred winters in austerities as though in sport on that mountain, many a seer with a head hoary through age as a bare skull ascended to heaven. (31)
प्रविविक्तमहं मन्ये तं वासं भवतः सुखम्। इह वा वनवासाय वस राम मया सह॥ ३२॥
Meaning
“I consider that mountain to be a very lonely and comfortable place for you to live in. Else dwell with me here at the confluence of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā for the period of exile.” (32)
स रामं सर्वकामैस्तं भरद्वाजः प्रियातिथिम्। सभार्यं सह च भ्रात्रा प्रतिजग्राह हर्षयन्॥ ३३॥
Meaning
The celebrated Sage Bharadwāja entertained his aforesaid beloved guest, Śrī Rāma, with his consort, Sītā, and with his younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa, delighting them with all desired objects. (33)
तस्य प्रयागे रामस्य तं महर्षिमुपेयुषः। प्रपन्ना रजनी पुण्या चित्राः कथयतः कथाः॥ ३४॥
Meaning
While Śrī Rāma, having approached that great seer at Prayāga (the confluence of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā), was talking with him on various topics, the delightful night arrived. (34)
सीतातृतीयः काकुत्स्थः परिश्रान्तः सुखोचितः। भरद्वाजाश्रमे रम्ये तां रात्रिमवसत् सुखम्॥ ३५॥
Meaning
Greatly fatigued, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Kakutstha), who was accompanied by Sītā as the third (Lakṣmaṇa being the second) and deserved all comforts, happily spent that night at the lovely hermitage of Bharadwāja. (35)
प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां भरद्वाजमुपागमत्। उवाच नरशार्दूलो मुनिं ज्वलिततेजसम्॥ ३६॥
Meaning
The night having ended in dawn, Śrī Rāma, a tiger among men, approached and spoke as follows to Sage Bharadwāja of resplendent glory : (36)
शर्वरीं भगवन्नद्य सत्यशील तवाश्रमे। उषिताः स्मोऽह वसतिमनुजानातु नो भवान्॥ ३७॥
Meaning
“We have lodged tonight at your hermitage, O venerable sir ! Pray, allow us to proceed to the place fixed for our abode now, O sage given to truthfulness !” (37)
रात्र्यां तु तस्यां व्युष्टायां भरद्वाजोऽब्रवीदिदम्। मधुमूलफलोपेतं चित्रकूटं व्रजेति ह॥ ३८॥
Meaning
That night having come to an end, Bharadwāja, when requested as above, replied for his part, they say, as follows : “Proceed gladly to Citrakūṭa, rich in honey, roots and fruits. (38)
वासमौपयिकं मन्ये तव राम महाबल। नानानगगणोपेतः किन्नरोरगसेवितः॥ ३९॥ मयूरनादाभिरतो गजराजनिषेवितः। गम्यतां भवता शैलश्चित्रकूटः स विश्रुतः॥ ४०॥ पुण्यश्च रमणीयश्च बहुमूलफलायुतः। तत्र कुञ्जरयूथानि मृगयूथानि चैव हि॥ ४१॥ विचरन्ति वनान्तेषु तानि द्रक्ष्यसि राघव। सरित्प्रस्रवणप्रस्थान् दरीकन्दरनिर्झरान्। चरतः सीतया सार्धं नन्दिष्यति मनस्तव॥ ४२॥
Meaning
“I deem it a fit place for your abode, O Rāma, possessed of great strength ! Repair you to that well-known sacred and lovely mountain, Citrakūṭa, which is adorned with clusters of trees of every description and frequented by Kinnaras and Nāgas, is rendered charming by the cries of peacocks and infested with lordly elephants and abounds in roots and fruits. Since herds of elephants as well as troops of deer roam about in the sylvan regions there, you will behold them, O scion of Raghu, as well as rivers, cascades, peaks of mountains, fissures in rocks, caves and rivulets, which will delight your mind as you roam about in the woods with Sītā. (39—42)
प्रहृष्टकोयष्टिभकोकिलस्वनै- र्विनोदयन्तं च सुखं परं शिवम्। मृगैश्च मत्तैर्बहुभिश्च कुञ्जरैः सुरम्यमासाद्य समावसाश्रयम्॥ ४३॥
Meaning
Reaching the agreeable and highly blessed mountain, which entertains the visitors with the notes of the overjoyed §Tiṭṭibha bird and cuckoo, is most delightful because of its many deer and elephants in rut and is fit for habitation, take up your abode on it. (43)
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