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.
इमौ ते त्विषुधी वीर बध्येतां शं यथा भवेत् । वैरिकोटिविनिष्पेष बाणकोटि सुपूरितौ
Here are your two quivers, hero, filled to the brim with arrows for crushing hosts of enemies, so that auspiciousness may prevail.
कवचं त्विदमाधेहि शरीरे कामसुंदरे । वज्रप्रभा महादीप्ति हतसंतमसंदृढम्
Place this armor upon your beautiful body; it shines with the brilliance of a diamond, dispelling darkness and granting firmness.
शिरस्त्राणं निजोत्तंसे कुरु कांत मनोरमम् । इमेव तंसे विशदे मणिरत्नविभूषिते
Adorn your head with this splendid crown, charming and lovely, set with clear gems and precious jewels.
इति सुविमलवाचं वीरपुत्रीं प्रपश्यन् । नयनकमलदृष्ट्या वीक्षमाणस्तंदंगम् । अधिगतपरिमोदो भारतिः शत्रुजेता । रणकरणसमर्थस्तां जगादातिधीरः
Beholding the heroic daughter speaking these pure words, gazing with lotus-like eyes, Bharata, conqueror of enemies, filled with joy and ready for battle, replied to her with great resolve.
पुष्कल उवाच। कांते यत्त्वं वदसि मां तथा सर्वं चराम्यहम् । वीरपत्नी भवेत्कीर्तिस्तव कांतिमतीप्सिता
Puṣkala said: Beloved, whatever you say to me, I shall do accordingly. May your fame as the wife of a hero be radiant, as you desire.
इति कांतिमतीदत्तं कवचं मुकुटं वरम् । धनुर्महेषुधीखड्गं सर्वं जग्राह वीर्यवान्
Thus, Kāntimatī gave the armor, crown, bow, great quiver, and sword; the valiant one accepted them all.
परिधाय च तत्सर्वं बहुशो भासमन्वितः । शुशुभेऽतीव सुभटः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकोविदः
Having donned all these, shining in many ways, the noble warrior, skilled in all weapons and missiles, appeared exceedingly splendid.
तमस्त्रशस्त्रशोभाढ्यं वीरमालाविभूषितम् । कुंकुमागुरुकस्तूरी चंदनादिकचर्चितम्
That hero, adorned with garlands of valor and resplendent with weapons and missiles, was anointed with saffron, aloe, musk, sandalwood, and other fragrant substances.
नानाकुसुममालाभिराजानुपरिशोभितम् । नीराजयामास मुहुस्तत्र कांतिमती सती
He was further adorned with various flower garlands upon his knees; there, the virtuous Kāntimatī repeatedly performed the ceremonial waving of lights.
नीराजयित्वा बहुशः किरंती मौक्तिकैर्मुहुः । गलदश्रुचलन्नेत्रा परिरेभे पतिं निजम्
After performing the ceremonial waving many times, scattering pearls again and again, with tears streaming and eyes trembling, she embraced her own husband.