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?'
न ते शतशलाकेन जलफेननिभेन च। आवृतं वदनं वल्गु च्छत्रेणाभिविराजते
'Your charming face, usually shaded by a hundred-ribbed white umbrella like sea-foam, does not shine forth today.'
व्यजनाभ्यां च मुख्याभ्यां शतपत्रनिभेक्षणम्। चन्द्रहंसप्रकाशाभ्यां वीज्यते न तवाननम्
'Nor is your lotus-eyed face fanned by the two chief fly-whisks, bright as the moon and swan, as is customary.'
वाग्मिनो वन्दिनश्चापि प्रहृष्टास्त्वां नरर्षभ। स्तुवन्तो नाद्य दृश्यन्ते मङ्गलैः सूतमागधाः
'The eloquent bards and heralds, delighted, do not appear today to praise you, O bull among men, nor do the Sutas and Magadhas recite auspicious verses.'
न ते क्षौद्रं च दधि च ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। मूर्ध्नि मूर्धाभिषिक्तस्य ददति स्म विधानतः
'The Brahmins, masters of the Vedas, do not anoint your head with honey and curds as prescribed, as they would for one consecrated.'
न त्वां प्रकृतयः सर्वाः श्रेणीमुख्याश्च भूषिताः। अनुव्रजितुमिच्छन्ति पौरजानपदास्तथा
'All the citizens and chiefs of the guilds, adorned, do not wish to follow you, nor do the townspeople and countryfolk.'
चतुर्भिर्वेगसम्पन्नैर्हयैः काञ्चनभूषणैः। मुख्यः पुष्परथो युक्तः किं न गच्छति तेऽग्रतः
'Why does your foremost flower-adorned chariot, yoked with four swift horses adorned with gold, not go before you?'
न हस्ती चाग्रतः श्रीमान् सर्वलक्षणपूजितः। प्रयाणे लक्ष्यते वीर कृष्णमेघगिरिप्रभः
'Nor do I see your splendid elephant, honored for all auspicious marks, dark as a rain cloud or mountain, leading your procession, O hero.'
न च काञ्चनचित्रं ते पश्यामि प्रियदर्शन। भद्रासनं पुरस्कृत्य यान्तं वीर पुरःसरम्
'Nor do I see your beautiful golden-embellished royal seat placed in front, as you, O hero, proceed at the head.'
अभिषेको यदा सज्जः किमिदानीमिदं तव। अपूर्वो मुखवर्णश्च न प्रहर्षश्च लक्ष्यते
Now that the consecration is prepared, why is this with you? Your face shows an unfamiliar color, and no joy is seen.
इतीव विलपन्तीं तां प्रोवाच रघुनन्दनः। सीते तत्रभवांस्तातः प्रव्राजयति मां वनम्
To her, as she lamented in this way, the delight of the Raghus spoke: 'Sītā, my father there is sending me to the forest.'
कुले महति सम्भूते धर्मज्ञे धर्मचारिणि। शृणु जानकि येनेदं क्रमेणाद्यागतं मम
Born in a great family, knower and follower of righteousness, listen, Jānakī, to how this has now come to me in due course.
राज्ञा सत्यप्रतिज्ञेन पित्रा दशरथेन वै। कैकेय्यै मम मात्रे तु पुरा दत्तौ महावरौ
By the king, my father Daśaratha, true to his word, two great boons were formerly granted to Kaikeyī, my mother.
तयाद्य मम सज्जेऽस्मिन्नभिषेके नृपोद्यते। प्रचोदितः स समयो धर्मेण प्रतिनिर्जितः
Now, as my consecration was being prepared and the king was set to install me, she has urged him, and that promise, bound by righteousness, is being fulfilled.
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वस्तव्यं दण्डके मया। पित्रा मे भरतश्चापि यौवराज्ये नियोजितः
For fourteen years I must dwell in the Daṇḍaka forest, by my father's command, and Bharata is appointed to the heir-apparency.
सोऽहं त्वामागतो द्रष्टुं प्रस्थितो विजनं वनम्। भरतस्य समीपे ते नाहं कथ्यः कदाचन
So I have come to see you, as I set out for the lonely forest; in Bharata's presence, you must never speak of me.
ऋद्धियुक्ता हि पुरुषा न सहन्ते परस्तवम्। तस्मान्न ते गुणाः कथ्या भरतस्याग्रतो मम
For men endowed with prosperity do not tolerate praise of others; therefore, my virtues must not be spoken of before Bharata.
तस्मै दत्तं नृपतिना यौवराज्यं सनातनम्। स प्रसाद्यस्त्वया सीते नृपतिश्च विशेषतः
The everlasting heir-apparency has been given to him by the king; he must be especially honored by you, Sītā, and so too the king.
अहं चापि प्रतिज्ञां तां गुरोः समनुपालयन्। वनमद्यैव यास्यामि स्थिरीभव मनस्विनि
And I, upholding that promise to my teacher, will go to the forest today itself; be steadfast, O resolute one.
याते च मयि कल्याणि वनं मुनिनिषेवितम्। व्रतोपवासपरया भवितव्यं त्वयानघे
When I have gone, O auspicious one, to the forest frequented by sages, you must devote yourself to vows and fasting, O blameless one.
कल्यमुत्थाय देवानां कृत्वा पूजां यथाविधि। वन्दितव्यो दशरथः पिता मम जनेश्वरः
Rising early, performing worship of the gods as prescribed, you must bow to Daśaratha, my father, lord of the people.