संविवेशाबला भूमौ निवेश्य भ्रुकुटिं मुखे। ततश्चित्राणि माल्यानि दिव्यान्याभरणानि च
She, weak and dejected, lay down on the ground, her brows furrowed; then her splendid garlands and divine ornaments—
अपविद्धानि कैकेय्या तानि भूमिं प्रपेदिरे। तया तान्य् अपविद्धानि माल्यान्य् आभरणानि च
—cast off by Kaikeyi, fell to the ground; those garlands and ornaments were thrown down by her.
अशोभयन्त वसुधां नक्षत्राणि यथा नभः। क्रोधागारे च पतिता सा बभौ मलिनाम्बरा
She lay fallen in the chamber of anger, her garments soiled, making the earth appear unsightly, just as stars do to the sky.
एकवेणीं दृढां बद्ध्वा गतसत्त्वेव किंनरी। आज्ञाप्य तु महाराजो राघवस्याभिषेचनम्
Her hair was bound in a single, tight braid, like a kinnari bereft of life; the great king had already ordered Rāghava's consecration.
प्रियार्हां प्रियमाख्यातुं विवेशान्तःपुरं वशी। स कैकेय्या गृहं श्रेष्ठं प्रविवेश महायशाः
The self-controlled king, worthy of bringing joy to the beloved, entered the inner apartments; the illustrious one entered Kaikeyi's finest chamber.
पाण्डुराभ्रम् इवाकाशं राहुयुक्तं निशाकरः। शुक-बर्हिसमायुक्तं क्रौञ्चहंसरुतायुतम्
It was like the sky with pale clouds, the moon seized by Rāhu, filled with peacock and barhin birds, resounding with the cries of cranes and swans.
वादित्ररवसङ्घुष्टं कुब्जावामनिकायुतम्। लतागृहैश्चित्रगृहैश्चम्पकाशोकशोभितैः
Resounding with the music of instruments, filled with hunchbacked and dwarf maidservants, adorned with bowers and painted chambers, beautified by campaka and aśoka trees.
दान्तराजतसौवर्णवेदिकाभिः समायुतम्। नित्यपुष्पफलैर्वृक्षैर्वापीभिरुपशोभितम्
Furnished with platforms of ivory, silver, and gold, graced with ever-flowering, fruit-bearing trees and pools of water.
दान्तराजतसौवर्णैः संवृतं परमासनैः। विविधैरन्नपानैश्च भक्ष्यैश्च विविधैरपि
Covered with the finest seats of ivory, silver, and gold, and supplied with various foods, drinks, and all kinds of delicacies.
उपपन्नं महार्हैश्च भूषणैस्त्रिदिवोपमम्। स प्रविश्य महाराजः स्वमन्तःपुरमृद्धिमत्
Adorned with precious ornaments, like the abode of the gods; thus the great king entered his splendid inner palace.
न ददर्श स्त्रियं राजा कैकेयीं शयनोत्तमे। स कामबलसंयुक्तो रत्यर्थी मनुजाधिपः
The king did not see his wife Kaikeyi on the excellent bed; filled with desire and longing for pleasure, the lord of men searched for her.
अपश्यन् दयितां भार्यां पप्रच्छ विषसाद च। नहि तस्य पुरा देवी तां वेलामत्यवर्तत
Not seeing his beloved wife, he asked after her and became dejected; for never before had the queen stayed away at such a time.
न च राजा गृहं शून्यं प्रविवेश कदाचन। ततो गृहगतो राजा कैकेयीं पर्यपृच्छत
Nor had the king ever entered an empty chamber; then, having gone to the chamber, the king inquired about Kaikeyi.
यथापुरम् अविज्ञाय स्वार्थलिप्सुम् अपण्डिताम्। प्रतिहारी त्वथोवाच संत्रस्ता तु कृताञ्जलिः
Unaware as before of her selfish intent and lack of wisdom, the king asked; but the doorkeeper, frightened, with joined palms, spoke.
देव देवी भृशं क्रुद्धा क्रोधागारमभिद्रुता। प्रतीहार्या वचः श्रुत्वा राजा परमदुर्मनाः
"Lord, the queen is greatly angered and has rushed to the chamber of wrath." Hearing the doorkeeper's words, the king became deeply troubled.
विषसाद पुनर्भूयो लुलितव्याकुलेन्द्रियः। तत्र तां पतितां भूमौ शयानामतथोचिताम्
He became despondent again, his senses disturbed and agitated; there he saw her lying on the ground, in a manner unbefitting her.
प्रतप्त इव दुःखेन सोऽपश्यज्जगतीपतिः। स वृद्धस्तरुणीं भार्यां प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम्
The lord of the earth, as if scorched by sorrow, saw his youthful wife, dearer than life itself, lying there.
अपापः पापसंकल्पां ददर्श धरणीतले। लतामिव विनिष्कृत्तां पतितां देवतामिव
Sinless himself, he saw her, whose mind was set on evil, lying on the ground—like a creeper cut off, like a goddess fallen.
किन्नरीमिव निर्धूतां च्युताम् अप्सरसं यथा। मायाम् इव परिभ्रष्टां हरिणीम् इव संयताम्
Like a kinnari cast away, like a fallen apsaras, like a delusion that has vanished, like a deer caught and subdued.
करेणुम् इव दिग्धेन विद्धां मृगयुना वने। महागज इवारण्ये स्नेहात् परमदुःखिताम्
Like a female elephant wounded by a poisoned arrow from a hunter in the forest, she lay there, deeply distressed from affection, like a great elephant in the woods.
परिमृज्य च पाणिभ्यामभिसंत्रस्तचेतनः। कामी कमलपत्राक्षीमुवाच वनितामिदम्
Wiping his face with his hands, his mind deeply troubled, the passionate king spoke these words to the lotus-eyed lady.
न तेऽहमभिजानामि क्रोधमात्मनि संश्रितम्। देवि केनाभियुक्तासि केन वासि विमानिता
I do not know of any anger residing in you, O lady; by whom have you been accused, or by whom have you been insulted?
यदिदं मम दुःखाय शेषे कल्याणि पांसुषु। भूमौ शेषे किमर्थं त्वं मयि कल्याणचेतसि
O blessed one, why do you lie on the ground, covered in dust, causing me such sorrow, when my mind is devoted to your welfare?
भूतोपहतचित्तेव मम चित्तप्रमाथिनि। सन्ति मे कुशला वैद्यास्त्वभितुष्टाश्च सर्वशः
It is as if your mind is afflicted by some being, disturbing my own heart; I have skilled physicians, all well-pleased and capable.
सुखितां त्वां करिष्यन्ति व्याधिमाचक्ष्व भामिनि। कस्य वापि प्रियं कार्यं केन वा विप्रियं कृतम्
They will restore you to happiness—tell me, beautiful one, what illness afflicts you? Or is there some dear wish to be fulfilled, or has someone done you harm?
कः प्रियं लभतामद्य को वा सुमहदप्रियम्। मा रौत्सीर्मा च कार्षीस्त्वं देवि सम्परिशोषणम्
Who today has gained great joy, or who has suffered great harm? Do not grieve, do not torment yourself, O lady.
अवध्यो वध्यतां को वा वध्यः को वा विमुच्यताम्। दरिद्रः को भवेदाढ्यो द्रव्यवान् वाप्यकिंचनः
Who that is not to be slain should be slain, or who that is to be slain should be released? Who that is poor should become wealthy, or who that is rich should become destitute?
अहं च हि मदीयाश्च सर्वे तव वशानुगाः। न ते कंचिदभिप्रायं व्याहन्तुमहमुत्सहे
Both I and all that is mine are under your command; I am not able to refuse any wish of yours.
आत्मनो जीवितेनापि ब्रूहि यन्मनसि स्थितम्। बलमात्मनि जानन्ती न मां शङ्कितुमर्हसि
Speak what is in your heart, even at the cost of my own life; knowing my strength, you should not doubt me.
करिष्यामि तव प्रीतिं सुकृतेनापि ते शपे। यावदावर्तते चक्रं तावती मे वसुंधरा
I will fulfill your desire, I swear to you by my merit; as long as the wheel of time turns, so long is this earth mine.