एवमुक्ता तु रामेण कौसल्या शुभदर्शना। तथेत्युवाच सुप्रीता राममक्लिष्टकारिणम्
Thus addressed by Rāma, the auspicious Kausalyā, greatly pleased with her blameless son, replied, 'So be it.'
एवमुक्तस्तु वचनं रामो धर्मभृतां वरः। भूयस्तामब्रवीद् वाक्यं मातरं भृशदुःखिताम्
Having thus spoken, Rāma, foremost among the upholders of righteousness, again addressed words to his mother, who was deeply distressed.
मया चैव भवत्या च कर्तव्यं वचनं पितुः। राजा भर्ता गुरुः श्रेष्ठः सर्वेषामीश्वरः प्रभुः
Both you and I must carry out the command of our father; for the king is husband, teacher, the highest, lord and master of all.
इमानि तु महारण्ये विहृत्य नव पञ्च च। वर्षाणि परमप्रीत्या स्थास्यामि वचने तव
But after spending these fifteen years in the great forest with utmost joy, I shall abide by your word.
एवमुक्ता प्रियं पुत्रं बाष्पपूर्णानना तदा। उवाच परमार्ता तु कौसल्या सुतवत्सला
Thus addressed, Kausalyā, loving her son dearly, her face filled with tears, spoke in great anguish.
आसां राम सपत्नीनां वस्तुं मध्ये न मे क्षमम्। नय मामपि काकुत्स्थ वनं वन्यां मृगीमिव
O Rāma, I cannot bear to dwell among these co-wives; take me also, O Kakutstha, to the forest, like a wild doe.
यदि ते गमने बुद्धिः कृता पितरपेक्षया। तां तथा रुदतीं रामो रुदन् वचनमब्रवीत्
If your mind is made up to depart, out of regard for your father, then as she wept, Rāma, also weeping, spoke these words.
जीवन्त्या हि स्त्रिया भर्ता दैवतं प्रभुरेव च। भवत्या मम चैवाद्य राजा प्रभवति प्रभुः
For a living woman, her husband is her deity and lord; today, for both you and me, the king is the ruling master.
न ह्यनाथा वयं राज्ञा लोकनाथेन धीमता। भरतश्चापि धर्मात्मा सर्वभूतप्रियंवदः
We are not without protector, for the wise king, lord of the people, is ours; and Bharata too is righteous, speaking kindly to all beings.
राज्ञो वृद्धस्य सततं हितं चर समाहिता। व्रतोपवासनिरता या नारी परमोत्तमा
Always act with care for the welfare of the aged king; the woman who is devoted to vows and fasting is the most excellent.
भर्तारं नानुवर्तेत सा च पापगतिर्भवेत्। भर्तुः शुश्रूषया नारी लभते स्वर्गमुत्तमम्
If a woman does not follow her husband, she falls into misfortune; but by serving her husband, a woman attains the highest heaven.
अपि या निर्नमस्कारा निवृत्ता देवपूजनात्। शुश्रूषामेव कुर्वीत भर्तुः प्रियहिते रता
Even one who does not bow or has ceased worshipping the gods should still serve her husband, delighting in what pleases and benefits him.
एष धर्मः स्त्रिया नित्यो वेदे लोके श्रुतः स्मृतः। अग्निकार्येषु च सदा सुमनोभिश्च देवताः
This is the eternal duty of a woman, declared in the Veda and in the world, and always observed in fire-rites and by the noble-minded towards the gods.
पूज्यास्ते मत्कृते देवि ब्राह्मणाश्चैव सत्कृताः। एवं कालं प्रतीक्षस्व ममागमनकांक्षिणी
O Lady, for my sake, let the gods be worshipped and the Brāhmaṇas honored; thus, wait for the time, longing for my return.
नियता नियताहारा भर्तृशुश्रूषणे रता। प्राप्स्यसे परमं कामं मयि पर्यागते सति
Steadfast, with regulated diet, devoted to serving your husband, you will obtain the highest desire when I return.
यदि धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो धारयिष्यति जीवितम्। एवमुक्ता तु रामेण बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणा
If the best among the righteous preserves his life—thus addressed by Rāma, her eyes brimming with tears—
कौसल्या पुत्रशोकार्ता रामं वचनमब्रवीत्। गमने सुकृतां बुद्धिं न ते शक्नोमि पुत्रक
Kausalya, afflicted by grief for her son, spoke to Rama: 'My mind cannot accept your departure, my child.'
विनिवर्तयितुं वीर नूनं कालो दुरत्ययः। गच्छ पुत्र त्वमेकाग्रो भद्रं तेऽस्तु सदा विभो
O hero, surely the time is unyielding and cannot be turned back; go, my son, with single-mindedness—may you always be blessed, O noble one.
पुनस्त्वयि निवृत्ते तु भविष्यामि गतक्लमा। प्रत्यागते महाभागे कृतार्थे चरितव्रते। पितुरानृण्यतां प्राप्ते स्वपिष्ये परमं सुखम्
When you return, I will be free from fatigue; when you, O illustrious one, come back, having fulfilled your vow and accomplished your purpose, and having discharged your duty to your father, I will sleep in supreme happiness.
कृतान्तस्य गतिः पुत्र दुर्विभाव्या सदा भुवि। यस्त्वां संचोदयति मे वच आविध्य राघव
The path of death, my son, is always difficult to discern in this world; whoever urges you, O Raghava, heed my words.
गच्छेदानीं महाबाहो क्षेमेण पुनरागतः। नन्दयिष्यसि मां पुत्र साम्ना श्लक्ष्णेन चारुणा
Go now, mighty-armed one, and return safely; you will delight me, my son, with gentle and pleasing words.
अपीदानीं स कालः स्याद् वनात् प्रत्यागतं पुनः। यत् त्वां पुत्रक पश्येयं जटावल्कलधारिणम्
Perhaps now is the time when you will return from the forest, and I may see you, my child, wearing matted hair and bark garments.
तथा हि रामं वनवासनिश्चितं ददर्श देवी परमेण चेतसा। उवाच रामं शुभलक्षणं वचो बभूव च स्वस्त्ययनाभिकांक्षिणी
Thus, the queen, with utmost resolve, saw Rama determined to dwell in the forest; she spoke auspicious words to Rama, who possessed noble qualities, and became desirous of his welfare.
thumb|पञ्चविंशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चविंशः सर्गः ॥२-
Listen to the twenty-fifth canto.
सा विनीय तमायासमुपस्पृश्य जलं शुचि। चकार माता रामस्य मङ्गलानि मनस्विनी
Having dispelled her distress and touched pure water, Rama's mother, thoughtful, performed auspicious rites.
न शक्यसे वारयितुं गच्छेदानीं रघूत्तम। शीघ्रं च विनिवर्तस्व वर्तस्व च सतां क्रमे
You cannot be restrained, O best of the Raghu lineage; go now, and return swiftly, and abide by the path of the virtuous.
यं पालयसि धर्मं त्वं प्रीत्या च नियमेन च। स वै राघवशार्दूल धर्मस्त्वामभिरक्षतु
The dharma you uphold with affection and discipline, O tiger among the Raghus, may that dharma protect you.
येभ्यः प्रणमसे पुत्र देवेष्वायतनेषु च। ते च त्वामभिरक्षन्तु वने सह महर्षिभिः
Those to whom you bow, my son, among the gods and in their temples, may they protect you in the forest along with the great sages.
यानि दत्तानि तेऽस्त्राणि विश्वामित्रेण धीमता। तानि त्वामभिरक्षन्तु गुणैः समुदितं सदा
The weapons given to you by the wise Vishvamitra, may they always protect you, endowed with virtues.
पितृशुश्रूषया पुत्र मातृशुश्रूषया तथा। सत्येन च महाबाहो चिरं जीवाभिरक्षितः
Through service to your father, and likewise to your mother, and by truth, O mighty-armed one, may you live long and be safeguarded.