इत्युक्तवंतं तं रामः प्रत्युवाच हसन्निव । मेघगंभीरया वाचा सर्ववाक्यविशारदः
When he had spoken thus, Rama, expert in all speech, replied with a voice deep as a cloud, as if smiling.
शृण्वंतु योगिनः शांताः समदुःखसुखाः पुनः । जानंत्यपारसंसारनिस्तारतरणादिकम्
Let the peaceful yogis, equal in pleasure and pain, listen again; they know the means to cross the boundless ocean of worldly existence.
ये शूराः समहेष्वासाः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकोविदाः । ते च जानंति युद्धस्य वार्त्तां न तु भवादृशाः
Those who are heroes, skilled archers, and masters of all weapons and missiles—they alone know the realities of battle, not people like you.
परोपतापिनो ये वै ये चोत्पथविसारिणः । ते हंतव्या नृपैः सर्वैः सर्वलोकहितैषिभिः
Those who harm others and those who stray from the right path—they must be slain by all kings and by all who seek the welfare of the world.
इत्युक्तमाकर्ण्य सभासदस्ते सर्वे स्मितं चक्रुररिंदमस्य । कुंभोद्भवः पूजितमेनमश्वं विमोचयामास सुशोभितं हि
Hearing these words, all the assembly members smiled at the enemy-subduer; the ocean-born one, having honored the horse, released it, for it was indeed splendid.
इमं मंत्रं समुच्चार्य वसिष्ठः कलशोद्भवः । कराग्रेण स्पृशन्नश्वं मुमोच जयकांक्षया
Reciting this mantra, Vasistha, born from a pot, touched the horse with his hand and released it, desiring victory.
वाजिन्गच्छ यथालीलं सर्वत्र धरणीतले । यागार्थे मोचितो येन पुनरागच्छ सत्वरः
'Go, horse, as you please, everywhere upon the earth; you are released for the sake of the sacrifice—return quickly to the one who set you free.'
अश्वस्तु मोचितः सर्वैर्भटैः शस्त्रास्त्रकोविदैः । परीतः प्रययौ प्राचीं दिशं वायुजवान्वितः
The horse, released by all the warriors skilled in weapons and missiles, surrounded, set out toward the eastern direction, swift as the wind.
प्रचचार बलं सर्वं कंपयद्धरणीतलम् । शेषोऽपि किंचिन्न तया फणया धृतवान्भुवम्
The entire army marched, shaking the earth; even Shesha did not hold the ground with his hood at that time.
दिशः प्रसेदुः परितः क्ष्मातलं शोभयान्वितम् । वायवस्तं तु शत्रुघ्नं पृष्ठतो मंदगामिनः
The directions all around became clear, and the earth's surface was adorned; the winds followed behind Shatrughna, who moved slowly.
शत्रुघ्नस्य प्रयाणायाभ्युद्य तस्य भुजोऽस्फुरत् । दक्षिणः शुभमाशंसी जयाय च बभूव ह
As Shatrughna set out on his journey, his right arm quivered—a sign of good fortune, foretelling victory.
पुष्कलः स्वगृहं रम्यं प्रविवेश समृद्धिमत् । वितर्दिभिर्वलक्षाभिः शोभितं रत्नवेदिकम्
Pushkala entered his own splendid and prosperous house, adorned with balconies and countless jewels, its platforms shining with gems.
तत्रापश्यन्निजां भार्यां पतिव्रतपरायणाम् । किंचित्स्वदर्शनाद्धृष्टां भर्तृदर्शनलालसाम्
There he saw his own wife, devoted to fidelity, somewhat emboldened by seeing him, longing for the sight of her husband.
मुखारविंदेन च नागवल्लीदलं सुकर्पूरयुतं च चर्वती । नासाफलं तोयभवं महाधनं बाह्वोर्मृणालीसदृशोः सुकंकणे
With a lotus-like face, she was chewing betel leaves mixed with fine camphor; her nose-ring was of precious water-born gems, her arms adorned with beautiful bangles resembling lotus stalks.
कुचौ तु मालूरफलोपमौ वरौ नितंबबिंबं वरनीवि शोभितम् । पादौ तुलाकोटिधरौ सुकोमलौ दधत्यहो एक्षत सत्पतिं स्वकम्
Her breasts were lovely, like ripe bael fruits, her hips adorned with a fine girdle; her feet, soft as the ends of a balance beam, bore delicate anklets—thus she gazed upon her noble husband.
परिरभ्य प्रियां धीरो गद्गदस्वरभाषिणीम् । तदुरोजपरीरंभनिर्भरीकृतदेहकाम्
The steadfast man embraced his beloved, who spoke with a voice choked by emotion, her body pressed close as he held her to his chest.
उवाच भद्रे गच्छामि शत्रुघ्नपृष्ठरक्षकः । रामाज्ञया याज्ञमश्वं पालयन्रथसंयुतः
He said, 'Dear one, I am going as Shatrughna’s rear-guard, to protect the horse for the sacrifice by Rama’s command, accompanied by chariots.'
त्वया मे मातरः पूज्याः पादसंवाहनादिमिः । तदुच्छिष्टं हि भुंजाना तत्कर्मकरणादरा
'You must honor my mothers with acts such as massaging their feet, and eat only what remains after them, diligently performing these duties.'
सर्वाः पतिव्रता नार्यो लोपामुद्रादिकाः शुभाः । नावमान्यास्त्वया भीरु स्वतपोबलशोभिताः
'All the wives, devoted to their husbands, beginning with Lopamudra and others, are to be respected by you, O timid one, for they are radiant with the power of their own austerity.'
शेष उवाच। इत्युक्तवंतं स्वपतिं वीक्ष्य प्रेम्णा सुनिर्भरम् । प्रत्युवाच हसंतीव किंचिद्गद्गदभाषिणी
Shesha said: Seeing her husband speak thus, she replied with deep affection, smiling a little, her words slightly faltering.
नाथ ते विजयोभूयात्सर्वत्र रणमंडले । शत्रुघ्नाज्ञा प्रकर्तव्या हयरक्षा यथा भवेत्
'Lord, may you be victorious everywhere on the battlefield; the protection of the horse must be carried out according to Shatrughna’s command.'
स्मरणीया हि सर्वत्र सेविका त्वत्पदानुगा । कदापि मानसं नाथ त्वत्तो नान्यत्र गच्छति
'I am your servant, to be remembered always, following your feet; my mind, O lord, never strays from you to another.'
परमायोधने कांत स्मर्तव्याहं न जातुचित् । सत्यां मयि तव स्वांते युद्धे 3विजयसंशयः
'Beloved, even in the fiercest battle, I must always be remembered; as long as I am true in your heart, there can be no doubt of your victory in war.'
पद्मनेत्र तथा कार्यमूर्मिलाद्या यथा मम । हास्यं नैव प्रकुर्वंति मां वीक्ष्य करताडनैः
'Lotus-eyed one, let Urmila and the others act toward me as they do; they do not laugh at me or strike me with their hands when they see me.'
इयं पत्नी महाभीरोः संग्रामे प्रपलायितुः । कातरा यर्हि युद्ध्यंति शूराणां समयः कुतः
'This wife of a great hero, who flees from battle, is timid—when such women fight, what time is there for the brave?'
इत्येवं न हसंत्युच्चैर्यथा मे देवरांगनाः । तथा कार्यं महाबाहो रामस्य हयरक्षणे
'Thus, they do not laugh loudly at me as the other royal women do; so must it be, O mighty-armed one, in protecting Rama’s horse.'
योद्धा त्वमादौ सर्वत्र परे ये तव पृष्ठतः । धनुष्टंकारबधिराः क्रियंतां बलिनः परे
'You must be the first to fight everywhere, and those others who are behind you; let the mighty enemies be made deaf by the twang of your bow.'
तवप्रोद्यत्करांभोज करवालभिया बलम् । परेषां भवतात्क्षिप्रमन्योन्य भयव्याकुलम्
'When your upraised lotus-like hand grasps the sword in battle, may the enemy’s army quickly become filled with mutual fear.'
कुलं महदलं कार्यं परान्विजयता त्वया । गच्छ स्वामिन्महाबाहो तव श्रेयो भवत्विह
You must establish a great lineage by conquering your enemies. Go forth, mighty-armed lord; may your welfare be here.
इदं धनुर्गृहाणाशु महद्गुणविभूषितम् । यस्य गर्जितमाकर्ण्य वैरिवृंदं भयातुरम्
Quickly take up this bow, adorned with excellent qualities; its thunderous sound strikes terror into the ranks of foes.