अहमेवाहरिष्यामि स्वयं लोकान् महामुने। आवासं त्वहमिच्छामि प्रदिष्टमिह कानने
O great sage, I myself will conquer the worlds; but I desire a dwelling here in the forest, as you have indicated.
भवान् सर्वत्र कुशलः सर्वभूतहिते रतः। आख्यातं शरभङ्गेन गौतमेन महात्मना
You are skilled in all matters, devoted to the welfare of all beings; this has been told to me by the noble Śarabhaṅga and Gautama.
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण महर्षिर्लोकविश्रुतः। अब्रवीन्मधुरं वाक्यं हर्षेण महता युतः
Thus addressed by Rāma, the great sage renowned in the world spoke sweet words, filled with great joy.
अयमेवाश्रमो राम गुणवान् रम्यतामिति। ऋषिसंघानुचरितः सदा मूलफलैर्युतः
This very hermitage, O Rāma, is virtuous and delightful, always frequented by groups of sages, and abounds with roots and fruits.
इममाश्रममागम्य मृगसंघा महीयसः। अहत्वा प्रतिगच्छन्ति लोभयित्वाकुतोभयाः
Coming to this hermitage, the great herds of deer, having tempted but not harmed, depart without fear.
नान्यो दोषो भवेदत्र मृगेभ्योऽन्यत्र विद्धि वै। तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य महर्षेर्लक्ष्मणाग्रजः
Know that there is no other fault here except from the deer; hearing these words of the great sage, the elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa—
उवाच वचनं धीरो विगृह्य सशरं धनुः। तानहं सुमहाभाग मृगसंघान् समागतान्
The steadfast one, grasping his bow with arrows, spoke these words: 'O most fortunate one, I will slay these assembled herds of deer.'
हन्यां निशितधारेण शरेणानतपर्वणा। भवांस्तत्राभिषज्येत किं स्यात् कृच्छ्रतरं ततः
'With a sharp, keen arrow, I would kill them; but if you were to heal them there, what hardship would be greater than that?'
एतस्मिन्नाश्रमे वासं चिरं तु न समर्थये। तमेवमुक्त्वोपरमं रामः संध्यामुपागमत्
'I am not able to dwell long in this hermitage.' Having spoken thus, Rāma ceased and performed the evening twilight rites.
अन्वास्य पश्चिमां संध्यां तत्र वासमकल्पयत् । सुतीक्ष्णस्याश्रमे रम्ये सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च
Having performed the evening twilight rites there, he arranged to stay in the beautiful hermitage of Sutikṣṇa, together with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa.
ततः शुभं तापसयोग्यमन्नं स्वयं सुतीक्ष्णः पुरुषर्षभाभ्याम्। ताभ्यां सुसत्कृत्य ददौ महात्मा संध्यानिवृत्तौ रजनीं समीक्ष्य
Then Sutikṣṇa himself, the great-souled one, after properly honoring the two best of men, gave them pure food suitable for ascetics, upon the close of twilight, seeing that night had come.
thumb|अष्टमः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अरण्यकाण्डे अष्टमः सर्गः ॥३-
Let the eighth sarga be heard.
रामस्तु सहसौमित्रिः सुतीक्ष्णेनाभिपूजितः। परिणाम्य निशां तत्र प्रभाते प्रत्यबुध्यत
Rāma, together with Saumitri, having been duly honored by Sutikṣṇa, spent the night there and awoke at dawn.
उत्थाय च यथाकालं राघवः सह सीतया। उपस्पृश्य सुशीतेन तोयेनोत्पलगन्धिना
Rāghava, rising at the proper time with Sītā, performed purification with cool water fragrant with lotuses.
अथ तेऽग्निं सुरांश्चैव वैदेही रामलक्ष्मणौ। काल्यं विधिवदभ्यर्च्य तपस्विशरणे वने
Then, in that forest, refuge of ascetics, Vaidehī, Rāma, and Lakṣmaṇa, at dawn, duly worshipped the fire and the deities.
उदयन्तं दिनकरं दृष्ट्वा विगतकल्मषाः। सुतीक्ष्णमभिगम्येदं श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रुवन्
Seeing the sun rising, their sins dispelled, they approached Sutikṣṇa and spoke these gentle words.
सुखोषिताः स्म भगवंस्त्वया पूज्येन पूजिताः। आपृच्छामः प्रयास्यामो मुनयस्त्वरयन्ति नः
We have been happily hosted by you, O revered one, honored with your veneration; we take leave, for the sages urge us onward.
त्वरामहे वयं द्रष्टुं कृत्स्नमाश्रममण्डलम्। ऋषीणां पुण्यशीलानां दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम्
We hasten to see the entire circle of hermitages, of those sages of pure conduct who dwell in the Dandaka forest.
अभ्यनुज्ञातुमिच्छामः सहैभिर्मुनिपुंगवैः। धर्मनित्यैस्तपोदान्तैर्विशिखैरिव पावकैः
We wish to receive your permission, together with these foremost sages, ever steadfast in righteousness and subdued by austerity, blazing like arrows of fire.
तावदिच्छामहे गन्तुमित्युक्त्वा चरणौ मुनेः। ववन्दे सहसौमित्रिः सीतया सह राघवः
Having said, 'We wish to depart,' Rama, along with Saumitri and Sita, bowed at the feet of the sage.
तौ संस्पृशन्तौ चरणावुत्थाप्य मुनिपुंगवः। गाढमाश्लिष्य सस्नेहमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
As they touched his feet, the eminent sage raised them up, embraced them closely with affection, and spoke these words.
अरिष्टं गच्छ पन्थानं राम सौमित्रिणा सह। सीतया चानया सार्धं छाययेवानुवृत्तया
Go safely on your path, Rama, together with Saumitri and with Sita, who follows like a shadow.
पश्याश्रमपदं रम्यं दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम्। एषां तपस्विनां वीर तपसा भावितात्मनाम्
Behold the delightful hermitage of those ascetics dwelling in the Dandaka forest, O hero, whose souls are purified by austerity.
सुप्राज्यफलमूलानि पुष्पितानि वनानि च। प्रशस्तमृगयूथानि शान्तपक्षिगणानि च
You will see forests rich in excellent fruits and roots, blossoming trees, herds of noble deer, and flocks of peaceful birds.
फुल्लपङ्कजखण्डानि प्रसन्नसलिलानि च। कारण्डवविकीर्णानि तटाकानि सरांसि च
You will see ponds and lakes with blooming clusters of lotuses, clear waters, and flocks of waterfowl scattered about.
द्रक्ष्यसे दृष्टिरम्याणि गिरिप्रस्रवणानि च। रमणीयान्यरण्यानि मयूराभिरुतानि च
You will see charming sights and mountain streams, lovely forests resounding with the cries of peacocks.
गम्यतां वत्स सौमित्रे भवानपि च गच्छतु। आगन्तव्यं च ते दृष्ट्वा पुनरेवाश्रमं प्रति
Go, child; Saumitri, you too should proceed. After seeing all this, you must return again to the hermitage.
एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा काकुत्स्थः सहलक्ष्मणः। प्रदक्षिणं मुनिं कृत्वा प्रस्थातुमुपचक्रमे
Thus addressed, Kakutstha, together with Lakshmana, replied, 'So be it,' and, circling the sage, began their departure.
ततः शुभतरे तूणी धनुषी चायतेक्षणा। ददौ सीता तयोर्भ्रात्रोः खड्गौ च विमलौ ततः
Then Sita, whose eyes were wide, gave the two brothers their splendid quivers and bows, and also their shining swords.
आबध्य च शुभे तूणी चापे चादाय सस्वने। निष्क्रान्तावाश्रमाद् गन्तुमुभौ तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ
Fastening the fine quivers and taking up their bows with a resounding noise, both Rama and Lakshmana left the hermitage to depart.