Uttara Kanda, Sarga 44

Meaning

Then, having sent away the group of friends and having made up His mind through intellect, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) spoke these words to the door-keeper seated nearby: (1)

Meaning

“Bring immediately Sumitrā’s son, Lakṣmaṇa, endowed with auspicious marks, the highly illustrious Bharata and the unconquered Śatrughna.” (2)

Meaning

Having heard Śrī Rāma’s order the door-keeper placed his hands with palms joined together on the forehead (as a mark of respect) and having set forth to Lakṣmaṇa’s residence entered the same unhindered. (3)

Meaning

Wishing prosperity to the eminently high-souled Lakṣmaṇa and with his palms joined together he said, “The King desires to see you. Go there, do not delay.” (4)

Meaning

“Very well !” Having said so and having received the command of Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) Lakṣmaṇa (the son of Sumitrµā) mounting a chariot drove speedily to the palace of Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu). (5)

Meaning

Having seen Lakṣmaṇa departing, the door-keeper went to Bharata and there having wished prosperity and having bowed down with humility with his palms joined together said to Bharata, “The King desires to see you.” On hearing from the door-keeper the message sent by Śrī Rāma, the mighty Bharata sprang up from his seat and hurriedly left on foot. Then having beheld Bharata going away, the door-keeper moving speedily to the palace of Śatrughna, said with his palms joined together: “Come, come along, O best of the Raghus! The king desires to see you. Lakṣmaṇa has left earlier and the celebrated Bharata too.” Now, hearing his words Śatrughna got down from his throne and paying obeisance to the earth with his head, reached where Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) was. Then having come back, the door-keeper with his palms joined together informed Śrī Rāma that all His brothers were duly present, as ordered. Having heard that the princes have come, Śrī Rāma, His senses agitated due to anxiety, His mind distressed and His face downcast gave the following command to the door-keeper: “Immmediately, send in the princes to me. (6—13)

Meaning

“My life rests on them. These dear ones constitute my very life-breath.” Then ordered by the king, these princes of steady mind, clad in white entered, bowing down with their palms joined together. Having beheld His face like the eclipsed moon and like the evening sun shorn of brilliance, having also seen the sagacious Śrī Rāma’s eyes full of tears and having glanced at His face looking like a withered lotus, they all hurriedly bowed down their head in salutation at the feet of Śrī Rāma and became transfixed attentively, while Śrī Rāma shed tears. (14—17)

Meaning

Then having them embraced between his arms and lifting them up, asked them to take their seats, the mighty Śrī Rāma verily made the following statement: “O guardians of the people, you constitute all my possessions. You are my very life. I am simply looking after the kingdom carved out by you. (18-19)

Meaning

“You have practised the teachings of the scriptures. You have a mature intellect. This problem of mine deserves to be deliberated upon by you all together, O guardians of the people !” On being told thus by Śrī Rāma (a scion of Kakutstha) they all became attentive and mentally agitated to learn what the King would say. (20-21)