धनुर्भंगे मतिभ्रंशे कैकय्या मरणे पितुः । अरण्यगमने तत्र हरणे तव वारिधेः
In the breaking of the bow, the loss of wisdom, the death of the father by Kaikeyī, the journey to the forest, and your abduction by the ocean-dweller—
तरणे रक्षसां भर्तुर्मारणेऽपि रणेरणे । सहायीभवने मह्यमृक्षवानररक्षसाम्
In crossing the ocean, in the slaying of the lord of the demons in battle, in the gaining of allies for me among bears, monkeys, and demons—
लाभे तव प्रतिज्ञायाः सत्यत्वे च सतीमणे । पुनः स्वबंधुसंबंधे राज्यप्राप्तौ च भामिनि
In the fulfillment of your vow, O jewel among women, in its truth, in the restoration of kinship, and in the attainment of the kingdom, O beautiful one—
पुनः प्रियावियोगे च कारणं यदवारणम् । प्रसीदति तदेवाद्य संयोगे पुनरावयोः
Again, in the separation from the beloved, whatever is the cause of that, it is that which today brings about our reunion.
वेदोऽन्यथा कृतो येन लोकोत्पत्ति लयौ यतः । लोकाननुगतस्तस्मात्कारणं प्रथमं त्वहम्
By whom the Veda was made otherwise, from whom the creation and dissolution of the worlds arise; since the worlds follow me, I am the first cause.
अदृष्टमनुवर्तंते लोकाः संप्रतिबोधकाः । भोगेन जीर्यतेऽदृष्टं तत्तद्भुक्तं त्वया वने
People follow the unseen, which is the awakener; the unseen is worn away by enjoyment, and whatever you experienced in the forest has been consumed.
स्नेहोऽकारणकः सीते वर्धमानो मम त्वयि । लोकादृष्टे तिरस्कृत्य त्वामाह्वयत आदरात्
Love for you, O Sītā, is causeless and grows within me; disregarding the world's unseen, I call you with reverence.
शङ्कितेनापि दोषेण स्नेहनैर्मल्यमज्जनम् । भवतीति स वै शुद्ध आस्वाद्यो विबुधैः सदा
Even with suspicion of fault, the purity of love is cleansed; thus it is always pure and delightful to the wise.
स्नेहशुद्धिरियं भद्रे कृता मे त्वयि नान्यथा । मंतव्यं रक्षितोऽप्येष लोकः शिष्टानुवर्तिना
This purity of love, O gentle one, has been made by me for you, not otherwise; it should be considered that even this world is preserved by those who follow the virtuous.
आवयोर्निंदया देवि सर्वावस्था सुशुद्धये । लोको नश्येद्धि संमूढश्चरितैर्महतामयम्
By the reproach of us both, O goddess, in every circumstance, purity is attained; otherwise, the world would perish, confused by the actions of the great.
आवयोरुज्ज्वला कीर्तिरावयोरुज्ज्वलो रसः । आवयोरुज्ज्वलौ वंशावावयोरुज्ज्वलाः क्रियाः
The fame of us both is radiant, the flavor of us both is radiant, the lineages of us both are radiant, the deeds of us both are radiant.
भवेयुरावयोः कीर्तिर्गायका उज्ज्वला भुवि । आवयोर्भक्तिमंतो ये ते यांत्यंते भवांबुधेः
May the radiant fame of us both be sung on earth; those devoted to us both reach the end of the ocean of existence.
इत्युक्ता भवती तेन प्रीयमाणेन ते गुणैः । पत्युः पादांबुजे द्रष्टुं करोतु सदयं मनः
Thus addressed by him, who was delighted with your virtues, let your heart kindly incline to behold the lotus feet of your husband.
वासांसि रमणीयानि भूषणानि महांति च । अंगरागस्तथा गंधा मनोज्ञास्त्वयि योजिताः
Charming garments, splendid ornaments, fragrant unguents, and delightful scents have been adorned upon you.
रथो दास्यश्च रामेण प्रेषिता उत्सवायते । छत्रं च चामरे शुभ्रे गजा अश्वाश्च शोभने
A chariot and maidservants have been sent by Rāma for the festival; a white parasol, pure fly-whisks, and splendid elephants and horses as well.
स्तूयमाना द्विजश्रेष्ठैः सूतमागधबंदिभिः । वंद्यमाना पुरस्त्रीभिः सेव्यमाना च योद्धृभिः
Praised by the foremost Brāhmaṇas, by bards and heralds, honored by the women of the city, and served by warriors,
पुष्पैः संछाद्यमाना च देवीदेवांगनादिभिः । धनानि ददती तेभ्यो द्विजातिभ्यो यथेप्सितम्
Covered with flowers by divine women and celestial nymphs, you gave wealth to them and to the twice-born as they desired.
गजारूढौ कुमारौ च पुरस्कृत्य जनेश्वरी । मयानुगम्यमाना च गच्छायोध्यां निजां पुरीम्
With your sons, the princes, mounted on elephants before you, O queen of the people, and followed by me, you went to Ayodhyā, your own city.
त्वयि तत्र गतायां तु संगतायां प्रियेण ते । सर्वासां राजनारीणामागतानां च सर्वशः
When you had gone there and met your beloved, all the royal women and all those who had arrived
सर्वासामृषिपत्नीनां कौसलानां तथैव च । मंगलैर्वाद्यगीताद्यैर्भवत्वद्य महोत्सवः
—all the wives of the sages and the women of Kosala as well—celebrated a great festival for you today with auspicious music, instruments, and songs.
शेष उवाच-। इतिविज्ञापनां देवी श्रुत्वा सीता तमाह सा । नाहं कीर्तिकरी राज्ञो ह्यपकीर्तिः स्वयं त्वहम्
Śeṣa said: Thus, having heard that request, Sītā replied to him: 'I do not bring glory to the king; rather, I am his disgrace myself.'
किं मया तस्य साध्यं स्याद्धर्मकामार्थशून्यया । सत्येवं भवतां भूपे को विश्वासो निरंकुशे
'What could I accomplish for him, being devoid of righteousness, desire, and wealth? Indeed, O king, how can there be unrestrained trust in me?'
प्रत्यक्षा वा परोक्षा वा भर्तुर्दोषा मनःस्थिताः । न वाच्या जातु मादृश्या कल्याणकुलजातया
'Whether the faults of the husband are evident or hidden, they should never be spoken of by a woman like me, born in a noble family.'
पाणिग्रहणकाले मे यद्रूपो हृदये स्थितः । तद्रूपो हृदयान्नासौ कदाचिदपसर्पति
'The form that was fixed in my heart at the time of our marriage—that form never departs from my heart at any time.'
लक्ष्मणेमौ कुमारौ मे तत्तेजोंशसमुद्भवौ । वंशांकुरौ महाशूरौ धनुर्विद्याविशारदौ
'Lakṣmaṇa, these two sons of mine, born from a portion of his splendor, are the shoots of the lineage, great heroes, and skilled in the science of archery.'
नीत्वा पितुः समीपं तु लालनीयौ प्रयत्नतः । तपसाराधयिष्यामि रामं काममिह स्थिता
'Having brought them to their father, they must be carefully cherished; I will worship Rāma with austerity, remaining here as I wish.'
वाच्यं त्वया महाभाग पूज्यपादाभिवंदनम् । सर्वेभ्यः कुशलं चापि गत्वेतो मदपेक्षया
'You must say, O highly fortunate one, reverent salutations at the venerable feet of all, and also convey my well-wishes when you go, on my behalf.'
पुत्रौ समादिशत्सीता गच्छतं पितुरंतिकम् । शुश्रूषणीय एवासौ भवद्भ्यां स्वपदप्रदः
Sītā instructed her sons: 'Go to your father; he alone is to be served by you both, for he grants his own position.'
आज्ञप्तावप्यनिच्छंतौ तौ कुमारौ कुशीलवौ । वाल्मीकिवचनात्तत्र जग्मतुश्च सलक्ष्मणौ
Though commanded, the two princes, Kuśa and Lava, were reluctant, but at Vālmīki's word, they went there with Lakṣmaṇa.
वाल्मीकेरेव पादाब्जसमीपं तत्सुतौ गतौ । लक्ष्मणोऽपि ववंदे तं गत्वा बालकसंयुतः
The sons went to the vicinity of Vālmīki's lotus feet; Lakṣmaṇa also, accompanied by the boys, went and bowed to him.