न खल्वहं न गच्छेयं वनं जनकनन्दिनि। वचनं तन्नयति मां पितुः सत्योपबृंहितम्
Indeed, O daughter of Janaka, I would not go to the forest if my father's command, strengthened by truth, did not compel me.
एष धर्मश्च सुश्रोणि पितुर्मातुश्च वश्यता। आज्ञां चाहं व्यतिक्रम्य नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे
This is righteousness, O woman of lovely hips: obedience to father and mother. If I were to disregard their command, I could not bear to live.
अस्वाधीनं कथं दैवं प्रकारैरभिराध्यते। स्वाधीनं समतिक्रम्य मातरं पितरं गुरुम्
How can one worship destiny, which is not under one's control, by neglecting those who are—mother, father, and teacher?
यत्र त्रयं त्रयो लोकाः पवित्रं तत्समं भुवि। नान्यदस्ति शुभापाङ्गे तेनेदमभिराध्यते
Where these three exist, O woman of auspicious eyes, it is as pure as the three worlds on earth; nothing else equals it, and thus it is to be revered.
न सत्यं दानमानौ वा यज्ञो वाप्याप्तदक्षिणाः। तथा बलकराः सीते यथा सेवा पितुर्मता
Neither truth, nor charity, nor honor, nor sacrifices with abundant gifts, O Sita, are as powerful as service to one's father.
स्वर्गो धनं वा धान्यं वा विद्या पुत्राः सुखानि च। गुरुवृत्त्यनुरोधेन न किंचिदपि दुर्लभम्
Heaven, wealth, grain, knowledge, children, and happiness—nothing is unattainable through devoted service to one's teacher.
देवगन्धर्वगोलोकान् ब्रह्मलोकांस्तथापरान्। प्राप्नुवन्ति महात्मानो मातापितृपरायणाः
Great souls devoted to mother and father attain the worlds of the gods, Gandharvas, cows, and even Brahma's realm.
स मा पिता यथा शास्ति सत्यधर्मपथे स्थितः। तथा वर्तितुमिच्छामि स हि धर्मः सनातनः
As my father, established in the path of truth and righteousness, instructs me, so I wish to act; for that is the eternal law.
मम सन्ना मतिः सीते नेतुं त्वां दण्डकावनम्। वसिष्यामीति सा त्वं मामनुयातुं सुनिश्चिता
My mind is firmly resolved, O Sita, to lead you to the Dandaka forest; so be certain to follow me and dwell there.
सा हि दिष्टानवद्याङ्गि वनाय मदिरेक्षणे। अनुगच्छस्व मां भीरु सहधर्मचरी भव
You have been destined, O flawless-limbed one with intoxicating eyes, for the forest; follow me, O timid one, and be my companion in righteousness.
सर्वथा सदृशं सीते मम स्वस्य कुलस्य च। व्यवसायमनुक्रान्ता कान्ते त्वमतिशोभनम्
In every way, O Sita, your resolve is fitting for me and for your own lineage; your decision, O beautiful one, is most admirable.
आरभस्व शुभश्रोणि वनवासक्षमाः क्रियाः। नेदानीं त्वदृते सीते स्वर्गोऽपि मम रोचते
Begin, O woman of auspicious hips, the tasks suited for forest life; now, O Sita, even heaven does not please me without you.
ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च रत्नानि भिक्षुकेभ्यश्च भोजनम्। देहि चाशंसमानेभ्यः संत्वरस्व च मा चिरम्
Give jewels to the Brahmins and food to the mendicants; grant to those who ask, and hurry—do not delay.
भूषणानि महार्हाणि वरवस्त्राणि यानि च। रमणीयाश्च ये केचित् क्रीडार्थाश्चाप्युपस्कराः
All the precious ornaments, fine garments, and whatever delightful items there are for play—
शयनीयानि यानानि मम चान्यानि यानि च। देहि स्वभृत्यवर्गस्य ब्राह्मणानामनन्तरम्
Beds, vehicles, and all my other possessions—give them to our servants, after giving to the Brahmins.
अनुकूलं तु सा भर्तुर्ज्ञात्वा गमनमात्मनः। क्षिप्रं प्रमुदिता देवी दातुमेव प्रचक्रमे
Knowing her husband's departure, the queen, joyful and eager, promptly began to give away gifts.
ततः प्रहृष्टा प्रतिपूर्णमानसा यशस्विनी भर्तुरवेक्ष्य भाषितम्। धनानि रत्नानि च दातुमङ्गना प्रचक्रमे धर्मभृतां मनस्विनी
Then, delighted and with her heart fulfilled, the illustrious lady, having heard her husband's words, began to give wealth and jewels, the noble-minded woman among the righteous.
thumb|एकत्रिंशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे एकत्रिंशः सर्गः ॥२-
This is the thirty-first chapter in the Ayodhyākāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.
एवं श्रुत्वा स संवादं लक्ष्मणः पूर्वमागतः। बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः शोकं सोढुमशक्नुवन्
Having heard this conversation, Lakṣmaṇa arrived earlier, his face overwhelmed with tears, unable to endure his sorrow.
स भ्रातुश्चरणौ गाढं निपीड्य रघुनन्दनः। सीतामुवाचातियशां राघवं च महाव्रतम्
Pressing his brother's feet firmly, the delight of the Raghu lineage spoke to the illustrious Sītā and to Rāghava, the great vow-holder.
यदि गन्तुं कृता बुद्धिर्वनं मृगगजायुतम्। अहं त्वानुगमिष्यामि वनमग्रे धनुर्धरः
If you have resolved to go to the forest filled with deer and elephants, I will follow you ahead, bearing my bow.
मया समेतोऽरण्यानि रम्याणि विचरिष्यसि। पक्षिभिर्मृगयूथैश्च संघुष्टानि समन्ततः
Joined by me, you will wander through the delightful forests, resounding everywhere with flocks of birds and herds of wild animals.
न देवलोकाक्रमणं नामरत्वमहं वृणे। ऐश्वर्यं चापि लोकानां कामये न त्वया विना
I do not seek to ascend to the realm of the gods, nor do I desire immortality; nor do I wish for the sovereignty of worlds without you.
एवं ब्रुवाणः सौमित्रिर्वनवासाय निश्चितः। रामेण बहुभिः सान्त्वैर्निषिद्धः पुनरब्रवीत्
Thus speaking, Saumitri, resolved on dwelling in the forest, though restrained by Rāma with many gentle words, spoke again.
अनुज्ञातस्तु भवता पूर्वमेव यदस्म्यहम्। किमिदानीं पुनरपि क्रियते मे निवारणम्
Since I was already permitted by you before, why now again is restraint imposed upon me?
यदर्थं प्रतिषेधो मे क्रियते गन्तुमिच्छतः। एतदिच्छामि विज्ञातुं संशयो हि ममानघ
For what reason is this prohibition made against me, who wishes to go? I wish to know this, for I am uncertain, O blameless one.
ततोऽब्रवीन्महातेजा रामो लक्ष्मणमग्रतः। स्थितं प्राग्गामिनं धीरं याचमानं कृताञ्जलिम्
Then the mighty Rāma spoke to Lakṣmaṇa, who stood before him, steadfast, seeking, with joined palms.
स्निग्धो धर्मरतो धीरः सततं सत्पथे स्थितः। प्रियः प्राणसमो वश्यो विजेयश्च सखा च मे
Affectionate, devoted to righteousness, steadfast, always established in the path of virtue, dear as life, obedient, victorious, and my friend.
मयाद्य सह सौमित्रे त्वयि गच्छति तद्वनम्। को भजिष्यति कौसल्यां सुमित्रां वा यशस्विनीम्
If you, Saumitri, go with me today to that forest, who will serve Kausalyā or the illustrious Sumitrā?
अभिवर्षति कामैर्यः पर्जन्यः पृथिवीमिव। स कामपाशपर्यस्तो महातेजा महीपतिः
He who showers desires upon the earth like a cloud, the mighty king, is bound by the fetters of desire.