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.
वाल्मीकिर्लक्ष्मणस्तौ तु कुमारौ मिलिता अमी । सभायां संस्थितं रामं ज्ञात्वा ते जग्मुरुत्सुकाः
Valmiki and Lakshmana, those two princes, having come together, recognized Rama standing in the assembly and, eager, they approached him.
लक्ष्मणः प्रणिपत्याथ सीतावाक्यादिसर्वशः । कथयामास रामाय हर्षशोकयुतः सुधीः
Then Lakshmana, after bowing, conveyed to Rama all of Sita’s words, entirely, his wise mind filled with both joy and sorrow.
सीतासंदेशवाक्येभ्यो रामो मूर्च्छां समन्वभूत् । संज्ञामवाप्य चोवाच लक्ष्मणं नयकोविदम्
From Sita’s message, Rama fell into a faint; regaining consciousness, he spoke to Lakshmana, who was skilled in counsel.
गच्छ मित्र पुनस्तत्र यत्नेन महता च ताम् । शीघ्रमानय भद्रं ते मद्वाक्यानि निवेद्य च
Go, friend, once more there with great effort; quickly bring her, may you fare well, and convey my words to her.
अरण्ये किं तपस्यंत्या गतिरन्या विचिंतिता । श्रुता दृष्टाथ वा मत्तो यन्नागच्छसि जानकि
Why, Janaki, do you not come to me—have you conceived of another path while practicing austerities in the forest? Have you heard or seen something from me?
त्वदिच्छया त्वमेवेतो गतारण्यं मुनिप्रियम् । पूजिता मुनिपत्न्यस्ता दृष्टा मुनिगणास्त्वया
It was by your own wish alone that you went to the forest, dear to the sages; you have been honored by the wives of the sages, and you have seen the groups of ascetics.
पूर्णो मनोरथस्तेऽद्य किं नागच्छसि भामिनि । न दोषं मयि पश्येस्त्वं स्वात्मेच्छाया विलोकनात्
Today your heart’s desire is fulfilled—why do you not come, O beautiful one? Do not see fault in me for looking to your own will.
गत्वा गत्वाथ वामोरु पतिरेव गतिः स्त्रियाः । निर्गुणोपि गुणांभोधिः किंपुनर्मनसेप्सितः
Going again and again, O slender-waisted one, the husband alone is the refuge of a woman; even if he is without qualities, he is an ocean of virtues—how much more so if he is desired by the mind.
याया क्रियाकुलस्त्रीणां सासा पत्युः प्रतुष्टये । पूर्वमेवप्रतुष्टोऽहमिदानीं सुतरां त्वयि
She who is busy with duties seeks her husband’s satisfaction; I was already satisfied before, and now I am all the more so with you.
यागो जपस्तपोदानं व्रतं तीर्थं दयादिकम् । देवाश्च मयि संतुष्टे तुष्टमेतदसंशयम्
Sacrifice, recitation, austerity, charity, vows, pilgrimage, compassion, and the like—all the gods are pleased when I am pleased; of this there is no doubt.