Uttara Kanda, Sarga 38

Meaning

In this way the mighty-armed Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) continued from day to day to administer all the affairs of the citizens as well as of the people of the outlying districts. (1)

Meaning

Then after some days Śrī Rāma with joined palms addressed the following submission to King Janaka, ruler of the Videha territory, and the suzerain lord of Mithilā, so the tradition goes: (2)

Meaning

“You indeed are our permanent support; we stand fostered by you. By virtue of the formidable prowess alone, born of your austerities, was Rāvaṇa killed by me. (3)

Meaning

“Bonds of affection which have followed from a matrimonial alliance and stand unequalled have existed between all the Ikṣwākus, on the one hand, and all the rulers of Mithilā, on the other, O king! (4)

Meaning

“Accepting the valuable presents, which are being respectfully offered by me, therefore, proceed you to your own city, O king Bharata and alongwith him Śatrughna too will follow at your heels for escorting you.” (5)

Meaning

Saying ‘Amen’, King Janaka thereupon made the following reply to Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu: “I feel gratified, O king, with your sight and polity. (6)

Meaning

“I for my part hereby bestow all these valuable presents which have been actually got together for my sake, O king, on my daughter, Empress Sītā.” (7)

Meaning

Having spoken as above to Śrī Rāma (a scion of Kakutstha) and taking leave of the said scion of Raghu, the glorious King Janaka proceeded to Mithilā, delighted in mind. (8)

Meaning

Janaka having departed, Śrī Rāma with joined palms submitted in all humility as follows to his maternal uncle, the Kekaya king, Yudhājit: (9)

Meaning

“This kingdom of Ayodhyā, myself, as also Bharata and Śatrughna, including Lakṣmaṇa, are at your disposal; nay,you are our very mainstay, O king, a jewel among men! (10)

Meaning

“The king, being aged, will feel afflicted on your account; hence, O king, your leaving this very day for your city finds favour with me. (11)

Meaning

“You will be followed by Lakṣmaṇa marching at your heels, taking with him abundant wealth and precious stones of various kinds for you.” (12)

Meaning

Yudhājit for his part said, “Be it so!” with reference to his departure, adding, “O scion of Raghu, let the precious stones as well as the gold remain eternally with you.” (13)

Meaning

Nay, having walked clockwise as a mark of respect around the king, Śrī Rāma, the king of the Kekayas, who was also the promoter of the Kekayas, nay, who had already been circumambulated clockwise by Śrī Rāma after greeting him, departed with Lakṣmaṇa as his escort, even as Indra did (for Amarāvatī) on the demon Vṛtra having been killed, with Lord Viṣṇu descended as his younger brother. (14-15)

Meaning

Having sent him away and embraced his friend Pratardana, the ruler of Kāśī, who was a friend and who entertained no fear from any quarter, Śrī Rāma then spoke as follows to him: (16)

Meaning

“Endeavour was made by you in co-operation with Bharata in my coronation*, O king, and affection and great amity was thereby shown by you. (17)

Meaning

“Therefore, O king of Kāśī, return you today to the enchanting city of Vārāṇasī, which stands enclosed with a strong wall provided with magnificent gateways and protected by you.” (18)

Meaning

Having spoken as above, and rising from his magnificent throne, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Kakutstha), whose mind was set on righteousness, tightly clasped Pratardana, who had clung to his bosom. (19)

Meaning

Śrī Rāma (who enhanced the joy of Kausalyā) then bid farewell to the king of Kāśī. Permitted by Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu), the ruler of Kāśī, who actually entertained fear from none, proceeded with all speed to Vārāṇasī when sent off by Śrī Rāma. Having sent away the said ruler of Kāśī, Śrī Rāma laughingly spoke in sweet accents as follows to the three hundred princes assembled there: “Your unflinching devotion to Me stands vindicated by your glory. (20—22)

Meaning

“Virtue is constant and truthfulness too ever exists invariably in you. Nay, through the majesty and glory alone of you, exalted souls, was the evil-minded and perverse Rāvaṇa, the vilest among the ogres, killed. I was a mere instrument in encompassing his death. Truly speaking, Rāvaṇa with his followers, as also his sons, ministers and kinsfolk—was made short work of through your glory alone. You too were called together by the high-souled Bharata on hearing of Sītā (the daughter of king Janaka) having been borne away from the forest. Nay, a pretty long time has gone by while all of you high-souled kings have been zealously active all these days in my interest. Hence I deem it proper that you should depart.” Nay, filled with great joy, the kings answered him thus: (23—27)

Meaning

“By our good luck, O Rāma, you have come out victorious and also stand secure in your own sovereignty. By our good fortune Sītā has been recovered and, thank God, the enemy has been vanquished. (28)

Meaning

“This was our highest ambition, and this constitutes our greatest satisfaction, that we see you having killed your enemy and come out victorious, O Rāma. (29)

Meaning

“Nay, it is but proper for you that you compliment us, O king worthy of tribute! We, however, do not know how to pay such a compliment. (30)

Meaning

“We now take leave of you and shall depart. Even as you ever remain enshrined in our heart, so filled with great devotion to you, we too may abide in the heart of yours, O mighty-armed one! (31)

Meaning

“And let your affection ever be for us, O monarch!” Answered by Śrī Rāma in the words “All right!”, all the kings, transported with joy and ready to depart, said to Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) with joined palms, “We are leaving”. Nay, honoured by Śrī Rāma, they all returned to their respective territories. (32-33)