घृतं श्वेतानि माल्यानि समिधश्चैव सर्षपान्। उपसम्पादयामास कौसल्या परमाङ्गना
Kausalya, the foremost among women, prepared ghee, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering.
उपाध्यायः स विधिना हुत्वा शान्तिमनामयम्। हुतहव्यावशेषेण बाह्यं बलिमकल्पयत्
That preceptor, having performed the offering according to the rite for peace and health, arranged the external oblation with the remainder of the sacrificial materials.
मधुदध्यक्षतघृतैः स्वस्तिवाच्यं द्विजांस्ततः। वाचयामास रामस्य वने स्वस्त्ययनक्रियाम्
Then, with honey, curds, clarified butter, and auspicious words, he had the brahmins recite blessings for Rāma's safe journey into the forest.
ततस्तस्मै द्विजेन्द्राय राममाता यशस्विनी। दक्षिणां प्रददौ काम्यां राघवं चेदमब्रवीत्
Thereafter, Rāma's illustrious mother gave the chief of the brahmins a desired fee, and spoke these words to Rāghava:
यन्मङ्गलं सहस्राक्षे सर्वदेवनमस्कृते। वृत्रनाशे समभवत् तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम्
May that blessing which arose for the thousand-eyed Indra, revered by all the gods, at the slaying of Vṛtra, become your blessing.
यन्मङ्गलं सुपर्णस्य विनताकल्पयत् पुरा। अमृतं प्रार्थयानस्य तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम्
May that blessing which Vinatā once bestowed upon Suparṇa, when he sought the nectar, become your blessing.
अमृतोत्पादने दैत्यान् घ्नतो वज्रधरस्य यत्। अदितिर्मङ्गलं प्रादात् तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम्
May that blessing which Aditi gave to the wielder of the thunderbolt, as he struck down the demons at the birth of nectar, become your blessing.
त्रिविक्रमान् प्रक्रमतो विष्णोरतुलतेजसः। यदासीन्मङ्गलं राम तत् ते भवतु मङ्गलम्
May that blessing which was present when Viṣṇu of incomparable brilliance took his three great strides, O Rāma, become your blessing.
ऋषयः सागरा द्वीपा वेदा लोका दिशश्च ते। मङ्गलानि महाबाहो दिशन्तु शुभमङ्गलम्
May the seers, the oceans, the islands, the Vedas, the worlds, and the directions, O mighty-armed one, bestow upon you auspicious blessings.
इति पुत्रस्य शेषाश्च कृत्वा शिरसि भामिनी। गन्धैश्चापि समालभ्य राममायतलोचना
Thus, having completed the remaining rites for her son, the radiant lady, with fragrant substances, anointed Rāma of broad eyes.
औषधीं च सुसिद्धार्थां विशल्यकरणीं शुभाम्। चकार रक्षां कौसल्या मन्त्रैरभिजजाप च
Kausalyā performed a protective rite for Rāma with well-prepared, healing, and auspicious herbs, reciting mantras over him.
उवाचापि प्रहृष्टेव सा दुःखवशवर्तिनी। वाङ्मात्रेण न भावेन वाचा संसज्जमानया
Though overcome by sorrow, she spoke as if delighted, her words expressing only speech, not the feeling in her heart.
आनम्य मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय परिष्वज्य यशस्विनी। अवदत् पुत्रमिष्टार्थो गच्छ राम यथासुखम्
Bowing, smelling his head, and embracing him, the illustrious mother said to her son, 'Go, Rāma, may you attain your desire and travel happily.'
अरोगं सर्वसिद्धार्थमयोध्यां पुनरागतम्। पश्यामि त्वां सुखं वत्स संधितं राजवर्त्मसु
'May I see you, my child, returned to Ayodhyā, healthy and fulfilled in all aims, walking again the royal paths.'
प्रणष्टदुःखसंकल्पा हर्षविद्योतितानना। द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां वनात् प्राप्तं पूर्णचन्द्रमिवोदितम्
'Freed from all sorrowful thoughts, my face shining with joy, I shall see you returned from the forest, like the full moon newly risen.'
भद्रासनगतं राम वनवासादिहागतम्। द्रक्ष्यामि च पुनस्त्वां तु तीर्णवन्तं पितुर्वचः
'I shall see you again, Rāma, seated on an auspicious throne, returned from the forest, having fulfilled your father's command.'
मङ्गलैरुपसम्पन्नो वनवासादिहागतः। वध्वाश्च मम नित्यं त्वं कामान् संवर्ध याहि भोः
'Having returned from the forest, endowed with blessings, always fulfill the wishes of my daughter-in-law, and go forth, my son.'
मयार्चिता देवगणाः शिवादयो महर्षयो भूतगणाः सुरोरगाः। अभिप्रयातस्य वनं चिराय ते हितानि कांक्षन्तु दिशश्च राघव
'The hosts of gods led by Śiva, the great sages, beings, and celestial serpents whom I have worshipped—may they, and the directions, wish you well as you set out for the forest, O Rāghava.'
अतीव चाश्रुप्रतिपूर्णलोचना समाप्य च स्वस्त्ययनं यथाविधि। प्रदक्षिणं चापि चकार राघवं पुनः पुनश्चापि निरीक्ष्य सस्वजे
Her eyes overflowing with tears, having completed the blessings according to rite, she circumambulated Rāghava, and again and again embraced him, gazing intently.
तया हि देव्या च कृतप्रदक्षिणो निपीड्य मातुश्चरणौ पुनः पुनः। जगाम सीतानिलयं महायशाः स राघवः प्रज्वलितस्तया श्रिया
Having been circumambulated by the queen, the illustrious Rāghava repeatedly bowed and pressed his mother's feet, and then, radiant with her glory, went to Sītā's dwelling.
thumb|षड्विंशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः ॥२-
This is the twenty-sixth chapter in the Ayodhyākāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.
अभिवाद्य तु कौसल्यां रामः सम्प्रस्थितो वनम्। कृतस्वस्त्ययनो मात्रा धर्मिष्ठे वर्त्मनि स्थितः
Having bowed to Kausalya, Rama, set on departing for the forest, took leave of his mother and, steadfast in righteousness, stood firm on the path of duty.
विराजयन् राजसुतो राजमार्गं नरैर्वृतम्। हृदयान्याममन्थेव जनस्य गुणवत्तया
The royal son, shining forth as he moved along the royal road thronged with people, seemed to stir the hearts of the citizens by his virtues.
वैदेही चापि तत् सर्वं न शुश्राव तपस्विनी। तदेव हृदि तस्याश्च यौवराज्याभिषेचनम्
But Vaidehi, devoted to austerity, heard none of this; her heart remained fixed only on the impending consecration for the heir-apparency.
देवकार्यं स्म सा कृत्वा कृतज्ञा हृष्टचेतना। अभिज्ञा राजधर्माणां राजपुत्री प्रतीक्षति
Having performed her divine duties, grateful and with a joyful mind, the princess, well-versed in royal conduct, awaited the outcome.
प्रविवेशाथ रामस्तु स्ववेश्म सुविभूषितम्। प्रहृष्टजनसम्पूर्णं ह्रिया किंचिदवाङ्मुखः
Then Rama entered his own splendidly adorned house, filled with delighted people, his face turned slightly downward out of modesty.
अथ सीता समुत्पत्य वेपमाना च तं पतिम्। अपश्यच्छोकसंतप्तं चिन्ताव्याकुलितेन्द्रियम्
Thereupon Sita, rising up and trembling, saw her husband afflicted with sorrow, his senses disturbed by anxious thoughts.
तां दृष्ट्वा स हि धर्मात्मा न शशाक मनोगतम्। तं शोकं राघवः सोढुं ततो विवृततां गतः
Seeing her, that righteous one, Raghava, could not contain the grief in his heart and thus became visibly distraught.
विवर्णवदनं दृष्ट्वा तं प्रस्विन्नममर्षणम्। आह दुःखाभिसंतप्ता किमिदानीमिदं प्रभो
Observing him, pale-faced, sweating, and unresentful, she, tormented by sorrow, said: 'What is this now, my lord?'
अद्य बार्हस्पतः श्रीमान् युक्तः पुष्येण राघव। प्रोच्यते ब्राह्मणैः प्राज्ञैः केन त्वमसि दुर्मनाः
'Today, the auspicious day of Brihaspati joined with Pushya, is declared by learned Brahmins, O Raghava; why are you troubled in mind?'