यत्र रामाज्ञया विद्वन्साकेतनगरीजनाः
Where, by the command of Rāma, O learned one, the people of Sāketa city—
कथं च राघवो विद्वन्नेतत्कथय सुव्रत
And how did Rāghava, O learned one, tell me this, O steadfast one.
यथाजगाम रामोऽसौ स्वर्गं स च पुरीजनः
How Rāma went to heaven, and so did the people of the city.
पुरा रामो विधायैव देवकार्य्यमतंद्रितः
Once, Rāma, having accomplished the work of the gods, untiringly—
ततो निशम्य चारेण वानराः कामरूपिणः 2.8.6.
Then, having heard by means of spies, the monkeys who could assume any form—
देवगंधर्वपुत्राश्च ऋषिपुत्राश्च वानराः
The monkeys, sons of gods, gandharvas, and sages—
ते राममनुगत्योचुः सर्वे वानरयूथपाः
All the leaders of the monkey troops, following Rāma, spoke thus:
यदि राम विनास्माभिर्गच्छेस्त्वं पुरुषर्षभ
If, O best of men, you go without us, O Rāma—
श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तेषामृक्षवानररक्षसाम्
Having heard the words of those bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas—
यावत्प्रजा धरिष्यंति तावदेव विभीषण
As long as living beings endure, so long, O Vibhīṣaṇa—
शाधि राज्यं च खल्वेतन्नान्यथा मे वचः कुरु
Rule this kingdom indeed; otherwise, do not disregard my command.
एवमुक्त्वा तु काकुत्स्थो हनुमंतमथाब्रवीत्
Having spoken thus, the descendant of Kakutstha then addressed Hanuman:
यावल्लोका वदिष्यंति मत्कथां वानरर्षभ
As long as people speak of my story, O best of monkeys—
मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव अमृतप्राशनावुभौ
Mainda and Dvivida, both who had tasted the nectar—
पुत्रपौत्राश्च येऽस्माकं तान्रक्षन्त्विह वानराः मया सार्धं प्रयातेति तदा तान्राघवोऽब्रवीत् ।। 2.8.6.
Let the monkeys here protect our sons and grandsons, as we depart together—so said Rāghava to them at that time.
प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्य्यां पृथुवक्षा महाभुजः
When the night had ended, the broad-chested, mighty-armed one—
अग्निहोत्राणि यांत्वग्रे दीप्यमानानि सर्वशः
First approached the blazing sacrificial fires, all burning brightly.
ततो वसिष्ठस्तेजस्वी सर्वं निश्चित्य चेतसा
Then the radiant Vasiṣṭha, having considered everything in his mind,
ततः क्षौमाम्बरधरो ब्रह्मचर्यसमन्वितः
Clad in linen garments, endowed with the practice of celibacy,
न व्याहरच्छुभं किंचिदशुभं वा नरेश्वरः
The lord of men uttered nothing auspicious or inauspicious.
रामस्य सव्यपार्श्वे तु सपद्मा श्रीः समाश्रिता
At Rāma's left side, Śrī, with her lotus, took refuge.
नानाविधायुधान्यत्र धनुर्ज्याप्रभृतीनि च
There were various kinds of weapons, including bows and bowstrings.
वेदो ब्राह्मणरूपेण सावित्री सव्यदक्षिणे
The Veda, in the form of a Brāhmaṇa, and Sāvitrī, were at his right and left.
ऋषयश्च महात्मानः सर्वे चैव महीधराः
The great-souled sages and all the mountains were present there.
तथानुयांति काकुत्स्थमंतःपुरगताः स्त्रियः 2.8.6.
Likewise, the women of the inner palace followed Kakutstha.
सान्तःपुरश्च भरतः शत्रुघ्नसहितो ययौ
Bharata, accompanied by Śatrughna and the inner palace, set out.
ततो विप्रा महात्मानः साग्निहोत्राः समंततः
Then the great-souled Brāhmaṇas, with their sacrificial fires, went all around.
मंत्रिणो भृत्ययुक्ताश्च सपुत्राः सहबांधवाः
The ministers, attended by their servants, with sons and relatives, also went.
ततः सर्वाः प्रकृतयो हृष्टपुष्टजनावृताः
Then all the people, surrounded by joyful and prosperous citizens,
तथा प्रजाश्च सकलाः सपुत्राश्च सवबांधवाः
Likewise, all the subjects, with their sons and relatives,