अयोध्यानिलयानां हि पुरुषाणां महायशाः। बभूव गुणसम्पन्नः पूर्णचन्द्र इव प्रियः
Indeed, among the men dwelling in Ayodhya, Rama, renowned and full of virtues, was as dear as the full moon.
स याच्यमानः काकुत्स्थस्ताभिः प्रकृतिभिस्तदा। कुर्वाणः पितरं सत्यं वनमेवान्वपद्यत
Though entreated by those citizens at that time, Kakutstha, upholding his father's truth, set out for the forest.
अवेक्षमाणः सस्नेहं चक्षुषा प्रपिबन्निव। उवाच रामः सस्नेहं ताः प्रजाः स्वाः प्रजा इव
Looking at them with affection, as if drinking them in with his eyes, Rama spoke tenderly to those people, as a father to his own children.
या प्रीतिर्बहुमानश्च मय्ययोध्यानिवासिनाम्। मत्प्रियार्थं विशेषेण भरते सा विधीयताम्
The love and great respect the people of Ayodhya bear for me—let that, for my sake, be especially shown to Bharata.
स हि कल्याणचारित्रः कैकेय्यानन्दवर्धनः। करिष्यति यथावद् वः प्रियाणि च हितानि च
For he, of noble conduct and the joy of Kaikeyi, will properly do for you what is dear and beneficial.
ज्ञानवृद्धो वयोबालो मृदुर्वीर्यगुणान्वितः। अनुरूपः स वो भर्ता भविष्यति भयापहः
Though young in years, he is mature in wisdom, gentle, and endowed with heroic virtues; he will be a fitting lord for you, removing your fears.
स हि राजगुणैर्युक्तो युवराजः समीक्षितः। अपि चापि मया शिष्टैः कार्यं वो भर्तृशासनम्
He is endowed with royal qualities and has been chosen as heir-apparent; and you must also, as instructed by me and the elders, obey your lord's commands.
न संतप्येद् यथा चासौ वनवासं गते मयि। महाराजस्तथा कार्यो मम प्रियचिकीर्षया
Just as the king should not grieve when I have gone to the forest, so too, out of regard for me, you must act for his happiness.
यथा यथा दाशरथिर्धर्ममेवाश्रितो भवेत्। तथा तथा प्रकृतयो रामं पतिमकामयन्
The more King Dasaratha adhered to righteousness, the more the people longed for Rama as their lord.
बाष्पेण पिहितं दीनं रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। चकर्षेव गुणैर्बद्धं जनं पुरनिवासिनम्
With eyes clouded by tears, Rama, together with Saumitri, seemed to draw the townspeople to himself by his virtues, as if they were bound to him.
ते द्विजास्त्रिविधं वृद्धा ज्ञानेन वयसौजसा। वयःप्रकम्पशिरसो दूरादूचुरिदं वचः
Then the elders among the twice-born, advanced in knowledge, age, and vigor, their heads trembling with age, spoke these words from afar.
वहन्तो जवना रामं भो भो जात्यास्तुरंगमाः। निवर्तध्वं न गन्तव्यं हिता भवत भर्तरि
"O swift horses carrying Rama, turn back! You must not go further. It is for your own good and your master's."
कर्णवन्ति हि भूतानि विशेषेण तुरङ्गमाः। यूयं तस्मान्निवर्तध्वं याचनां प्रतिवेदिताः
For all creatures, especially horses, are attentive to speech; therefore, having heard our request, you must turn back.
धर्मतः स विशुद्धात्मा वीरः शुभदृढव्रतः। उपवाह्यस्तु वो भर्ता नापवाह्यः पुराद् वनम्
For your lord, pure in spirit, righteous, heroic, and firm in his noble vow, should be brought back to the city by you, not carried away to the forest.
एवमार्तप्रलापांस्तान् वृद्धान् प्रलपतो द्विजान्। अवेक्ष्य सहसा रामो रथादवततार ह
Seeing those elders, distressed and uttering anguished words, Rama suddenly descended from the chariot.
पद्भ्यामेव जगामाथ ससीतः सहलक्ष्मणः। संनिकृष्टपदन्यासो रामो वनपरायणः
Then Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana, proceeded on foot, placing his steps close together, intent on the forest.
द्विजातीन् हि पदातींस्तान् रामश्चारित्रवत्सलः। न शशाक घृणाचक्षुः परिमोक्तुं रथेन सः
Rama, who cherished righteous conduct, could not, out of compassion, leave those Brahmins behind by chariot.
गच्छन्तमेव तं दृष्ट्वा रामं सम्भ्रान्तमानसाः। ऊचुः परमसंतप्ता रामं वाक्यमिदं द्विजाः
Seeing Rama departing, the Brahmins, their minds troubled and deeply afflicted, spoke these words to him.
ब्राह्मण्यं कृत्स्नमेतत् त्वां ब्रह्मण्यमनुगच्छति। द्विजस्कन्धाधिरूढास्त्वामग्नयोऽप्यनुयान्त्वमी
All Brahminhood follows you, for you are devoted to Brahmins; even these fires, borne on the shoulders of Brahmins, accompany you.
वाजपेयसमुत्थानि च्छत्राण्येतानि पश्य नः। पृष्ठतोऽनुप्रयातानि मेघानिव जलात्यये
See these umbrellas, arisen from Vājapeya sacrifices, following behind us like clouds after the end of the rains.
अनवाप्तातपत्रस्य रश्मिसंतापितस्य ते। एभिश्छायां करिष्यामः स्वैश्छत्रैर्वाजपेयकैः
For you, scorched by the sun's rays and lacking an umbrella, we will provide shade with our own Vājapeya umbrellas.
या हि नः सततं बुद्धिर्वेदमन्त्रानुसारिणी। त्वत्कृते सा कृता वत्स वनवासानुसारिणी
The resolve that always guided us according to Vedic mantras, for your sake, now follows you into the forest, dear one.
हृदयेष्ववतिष्ठन्ते वेदा ये नः परं धनम्। वत्स्यन्त्यपि गृहेष्वेव दाराश्चारित्ररक्षिताः
The Vedas, which dwell in our hearts and are our greatest wealth, will remain in our homes, as will our wives, protected by virtue.
पुनर्न निश्चयः कार्यस्त्वद्गतौ सुकृता मतिः। त्वयि धर्मव्यपेक्षे तु किं स्याद् धर्मपथे स्थितम्
There is no need for further deliberation regarding your departure; when you are devoted to righteousness, what remains for us who stand on the path of dharma?
याचितो नो निवर्तस्व हंसशुक्लशिरोरुहैः। शिरोभिर्निभृताचार महीपतनपांसुलैः
We beseech you to return, with our heads bowed, hair white as swans, and our conduct humble, dusted by the earth.
बहूनां वितता यज्ञा द्विजानां य इहागताः। तेषां समाप्तिरायत्ता तव वत्स निवर्तने
Many sacrifices performed by Brahmins here await completion; their fulfillment depends, dear one, on your return.
भक्तिमन्तीह भूतानि जङ्गमाजङ्गमानि च। याचमानेषु तेषु त्वं भक्तिं भक्तेषु दर्शय
All beings here, both moving and unmoving, are devoted; when they beseech you, show devotion to the devoted.
अनुगन्तुमशक्तास्त्वां मूलैरुद्धतवेगिनः। उन्नता वायुवेगेन विक्रोशन्तीव पादपाः
Unable to follow you, their roots torn and driven by the wind, the trees seem to cry out as they are lifted by the breeze.
निश्चेष्टाहारसंचारा वृक्षैकस्थाननिश्चिताः। पक्षिणोऽपि प्रयाचन्ते सर्वभूतानुकम्पिनम्
Birds, motionless in food and movement, fixed in their trees, also beseech you, the compassionate to all beings.
एवं विक्रोशतां तेषां द्विजातीनां निवर्तने। ददृशे तमसा तत्र वारयन्तीव राघवम्
As those Brahmins cried out for your return, darkness appeared there, seeming to block Raghava.