इति शृण्वञ्छुभां वाचं पौराणां हर्षितांगिनाम् । रामदर्शनसंजात पुलकोद्भेद शोभिनाम्
Hearing these auspicious words from the delighted citizens, whose bodies shone with the thrill of seeing Rama,
प्रविवेश वरं मार्गं रथ्याचत्वरभूषितम् । चंदनोदकसंसिक्तं पुष्पपल्लवसंयुतम्
He entered the splendid road, adorned with decorated streets and squares, sprinkled with sandalwood water and strewn with flowers and leaves.
तदा पौरांगनाः काश्चिद्गवाक्षबिलमाश्रिताः । रघुनाथस्वरूपेक्षा जातकामा अथाब्रुवन्
At that time, some city women, taking refuge at the window openings, desiring to see Raghunātha’s form, spoke thus.
पौरांगना ऊचुः। धन्या अभूवन्बत भिल्लकन्या वनेषु या राममुखारविंदम् । स्वलोचनेंदीवरकैरथापिबन्स्वभाग्यसंजातमहोदया इमाः
The city women said: Blessed indeed were the forest-dwelling Bhilla maidens, who drank in the lotus-face of Rama with their own lotus-like eyes, their fortune bringing forth such joy.
धन्यं मुखं पश्यत वीरधाम्नः श्रीरामदेवस्य सरोजनेत्रम् । यद्दर्शनं धातृमुखाः सुरा अपि प्रापुर्महद्भाग्ययुता वयंत्वहो
Behold the blessed face of the heroic Rama, with lotus eyes; by seeing it, even the gods, creators of the world, attained great fortune—how fortunate are we!
एतन्मुखं पश्यत चारुहासं किरीटसंशोभिनिजोत्तमांगम् । बंधूकधिक्कारलसच्छविप्रदं दंतच्छदं बिभ्रतमुच्चनासम्
Behold this face, with a charming smile, crowned and adorned, its radiant hue surpassing the bandhūka flower, bearing shining teeth and a prominent nose.
इति गदितवतीस्ताः स्नेहभारेण रामा नलिनदलसदृक्षैर्नेत्रपातैर्निरीक्ष्य । निखिलगुरुरनूनप्रेमभारं नृलोकं जननिगृहमियेष प्रोषितांगेन हृष्टः
Thus, having spoken, those women, gazing at Rama with eyes resembling lotus petals, full of affection, perceived the entire world and the homes of men as filled with unmeasured love, and, with bodies thrilled, rejoiced.
वात्स्यायन उवाच। भुजगाधीश्वरेशान धराभारधरक्षम । शृण्वेकं संशयं मह्यं कृपया कथयस्व तम्
Vātsyāyana said: O lord of serpents, master of the earth’s burden, please listen to my question and kindly explain it to me.
रघुनाथस्य गमनं वनं प्रति यदा ह्यभूत् । तदा प्रभृति देहेन स्थिता शून्येन चेतसा
From the time Raghunatha departed for the forest, she remained with an empty heart, present only in body.
तद्विप्रयोगविधुरा कृशदेहातिदुःखिता । सुमुखान्मंत्रिणः श्रुत्वा रघुनाथं समागतम्
Distressed by separation, her body emaciated and overcome with sorrow, she heard from Sumukha, the minister, that Raghunatha had returned.
कथं जहर्ष किमभूत्कीदृशं तत्र चिह्नितम् । रामचंद्रस्य संदेशहर्तारं किमुवाच सा
How did she rejoice? What happened? What signs were there? What did she say to the messenger who brought news from Ramachandra?
एतन्मे संशयं छिंधि रघुनाथगुणोदयम् । यथावच्छृण्वते मह्यं कथयस्व प्रसादतः
Resolve this doubt of mine and, by your grace, recount to me in detail the glorious qualities of Raghunatha as I listen.
शेष उवाच । साधुपृष्टं महाभाग द्विजवर्यपुरस्कृत । तन्मे निगदतः साक्षाच्छृणुष्वैकमनाः किल
Shesha said: O highly fortunate one, you have asked well, in the presence of these eminent brahmins. Now, listen attentively as I recount it directly.
सा वै तद्वदनांभोज च्युतं रामागमामृतम् । पीत्वा पीत्वा बभूवाहो स्थगितांगेन विह्वला
She, having drunk again and again the nectar of Rama's arrival that fell from his lotus-faced messenger's lips, became overwhelmed, her body motionless.
किं मे स्वप्नो विमूढायाः किं वा भ्रमकरं वचः । ममवै मंदभाग्यायाः कथं रामेक्षणं पुनः
"Is this a dream for my bewildered mind, or are these words meant to deceive? How could I, so unfortunate, see Rama again?"
बहुना तपसा कृत्वा प्राप्तोऽयं वै सुतः शिशुः । केनचिन्मम पापेन विप्रयोगं गतः पुनः
"After performing great austerities, I obtained this son as a child, but through some sin of mine, he was separated from me again."
सुमंत्रिन्कुशली रामः सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः । कथं मां स्मरते वीरो वनचारी सुदुःखिताम्
"Is Sumanta well? Is Rama, together with Sita and Lakshmana, safe? How does that hero, dwelling in the forest, remember me, so afflicted?"
इति सा विललापोच्चै रघुनाथस्मृतिं गता । न निवेद निजं किंचित्परकीयं विमोहिता । सुमुखोऽपि तथा दृष्ट्वा दुःखितां मातरं भृशम्
Thus, absorbed in remembrance of Raghunatha, she wailed loudly, unable to express her own or others' feelings, bewildered; and Sumukha, seeing his mother so deeply distressed—
वीजयामास वासोग्रैः संज्ञामाप च सा पुनः । उवाच जननीं सौम्यं वचोहर्षकरं मुहुः
Fanned her with fine cloths until she regained consciousness; then, again and again, he spoke gentle, gladdening words to his mother.
रघुनाथागमस्मार हृष्टां तां व्यदधात्पुनः । मातर्विद्धि गृहं प्राप्तं रघुनाथं सलक्ष्मणम्
Recalling Raghunatha's return, he made her rejoice once more: "Mother, know that Raghunatha, together with Lakshmana, has come home."
सीतया सहितं पश्य चाशीर्भिरभियुंक्ष्व च । इति तथ्यं वचः श्रुत्वा सुमुखेन प्रभाषितम्
"See him with Sita, and bestow your blessings." Hearing these true words spoken by Sumukha—
यादृशं हर्षमापेदे तादृशं वेद्म्यहं नहि । उत्थाय चाजिरे प्राप्ता रोमांचिततनूरुहा
"Such joy as she felt, I do not know myself." Rising, she came to the courtyard, her hair standing on end.
हर्षविह्वलितांग्यश्रु मुंचंती राममैक्षत । तावत्स रामो राजेंद्रो नरयानमधिश्रितः
Her body trembling with joy, shedding tears, she beheld Rama; at that moment, Rama, lord of kings, had mounted the royal chariot.
प्राप्तः स्वमातुर्भवनं कैकेय्याः सुनयः पुरः । कैकेय्यपि त्रपाभारनम्रा रामं पुरःस्थितम्
He entered his mother's house, with Kaikeyi's wise counsel leading the way; and Kaikeyi herself, burdened with shame, stood before Rama.
नोवाच किंचिन्महतीं चिंतां प्राप्तवती मुहुः । सूर्यवंशध्वजो रामो मातरं वीक्ष्य लज्जिताम्
She said nothing, repeatedly overcome by deep anxiety; Rama, the banner of the Solar dynasty, seeing his mother abashed—
उवाच सांत्वयंस्तां च वाक्यैर्विनयमिश्रितैः । श्रीराम उवाच। मातर्मया वनं गत्वा सर्वमाचरितं तथा
Spoke to her, consoling her with gentle and respectful words. Shri Rama said: "Mother, I have gone to the forest and done everything accordingly."
अधुना करवै किं वा त्वदाज्ञातो जनन्यहो । मया न्यूनं कृतं नास्ति कथं मां नेक्ष्यसे पुनः
What should I do now, O mother, without your command? Alas! I have not committed any fault; why will you not look upon me again?
आशीर्भिरभिनंद्यैनं भरतं मां च वीक्षय । इति श्रुत्वापि तद्वाक्यं सा नम्रवदनानघ
Bless Bharata with your benedictions, and look upon me as well. Hearing these words, she, with her face bowed, faultless one,
शनैः शनैः प्रत्युवाच राम गच्छ स्वमालयम् । रामोऽपि श्रुत्वा वचनं जनन्याः पुरुषोत्तमः
Slowly and gently replied, 'Rama, go to your own home.' Rama, the best among men, hearing his mother's words,
नमस्कृत्य ययौ गेहं सुमित्रायाः कृपानिधिः । सुमित्रा पुत्रसहितं रामं दृष्ट्वा महामनाः
Bowed and departed to the house of Sumitra, the ocean of compassion. Sumitra, of great mind, seeing Rama with her son,