Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 68

Meaning

Hearing the aforesaid speech of the counsellors, Mārkaṇḍeya and others, Vasiṣṭha, they say, addressed the following words to the king’s friends, the ministers as well as to all the Brāhmaṇas assembled there on that occasion : (1)

Meaning

“Since the celebrated Bharata, on whom kingship has been bestowed by the Emperor, as urged by Kaikeyī, is leading a most happy and joyous life at his maternal uncle’s with his younger brother Śatrughna; therefore, let swift messengers proceed quickly on horses to bring the two gallant brothers. What else can we thoughtfully consider?” (2-3)

Meaning

Then all submitted to Vasiṣṭha as follows : “Let the messengers depart.” Hearing that reply of the counsellors, Vasiṣṭha again spoke as follows : (4)

Meaning

“Come along, O Siddhārtha, Vijaya, Jayanta, Aśoka and Nandana ! Please hear what has got to be done by you : I speak to you all. (5)

Meaning

“Reaching the city of Rājagṛha quickly on (the back of) horses galloping at a swift speed, and shaking off grief, you should speak to Bharata under my orders as follows : (6)

Meaning

‘The family-priest as well as all the counsellors have told you that all is well. Pray, depart hence hastily; there is some most urgent business awaiting you.’ (7)

Meaning

“Going there, pray, do not inform him of Rāma having gone into exile or of his father having demised or of the threatened destruction of the scions of Raghu as a result of these incidents. (8)

Meaning

“Taking with you silken robes as well as excellent ornaments for the king, Bharata’s maternal grandfather, and for Bharata as a present from the king of Ayodhyā, depart at once.” (9)

Meaning

Having been furnished with the wherewithals to purchase provisions for the journey and while about to leave for the Kekaya kingdom mounting horses thought highly of for their swiftness, the messengers proceeded each to his own house to take leave of his own people. (10)

Meaning

Having immediately finished all preparations that remained to be made for the journey, and duly permitted by Vasiṣṭha, the messengers proceeded post haste to their destination. (11)

Meaning

They moved on touching Mālinī river flowing between the extreme southern end of Aparatāla mountain and the northern end of Pralamba mountain. (12)

Meaning

Crossing the Gaṅgā at Hastināpura they proceeded westward and, reaching the territory of Pañcāla through Kurujāṅgala and keenly perceiving lakes with full-blown flowers and rivers containing limpid waters, the aforesaid messengers swiftly moved on because of the pressing nature of their errand. (13-14)

Meaning

Reaching the bank of the charming river Śaradaṇḍā, which not only contained translucent waters but was also full of water and was frequented by birds of various kinds, they speedily crossed it. (15)

Meaning

Reaching a holy tree (inhabited by some divinity) standing on the western bank of the Śaradaṇḍā, and named Satyopayācana (so-called because prayers addressed to it invariably proved efficacious), which was worthy of salutation, and going round it clockwise as a token of respect, the messengers entered the city of Kuliṅgā. (16)

Meaning

Emerged from the village of Tejobhibhavana and reaching thence the village of Abhikāla, the messengers crossed the holy river Ikṣumatī, associated with the father and grandfather of the deceased Emperor. (17)

Meaning

Nay, perceiving Brāhmaṇas, who had mastered the Vedas and lived on as much water as could be contained in the hollow of their palms, they reached the Sudāmā mountain in the interior of the Bāhlīka kingdom, now known by the name of Balkh. (18)

Meaning

Beholding the spot on the top of Sudāmā mountain containing the footprints of Lord Viṣṇu, as well as the rivers Vipāśā (now known by the name of Beas) and Śālmalī and other rivers, big wells provided with stairs to reach the water and ponds, pools and lakes, and looking on lions, tigers, deer and elephants of various kinds, they proceeded along an exceptionally broad highway, keen as they were to execute the command of their master. (19-20)

Meaning

Even though their horses felt exhausted, the messengers shortly and directly reached the foremost town of Girivraja, the capital of the Kekaya kingdom, by a long yet peaceful route. (21)

Meaning

For the pleasure of their master, Sage Vasiṣṭha, as well as for the protection of the people and for vindicating the honour of their king’s race, the messengers for their part respectfully and speedily entered that town during the night itself. (22)