हिमान्ते पश्य सौमित्रे वृक्षाणां पुष्पसम्भवम्। पुष्पमासे हि तरवः संघर्षादिव पुष्पिताः
See, Saumitri, in the cold season, the blossoming of the trees; for in the flowering month, the trees bloom as if from mutual contact.
आह्वयन्त इवान्योन्यं नगाः षट्पदनादिताः। कुसुमोत्तंसविटपाः शोभन्ते बहु लक्ष्मण
The trees, filled with the humming of bees, seem to call to one another; their branches adorned with flowers shine greatly, O Lakṣmaṇa.
एष कारण्डवः पक्षी विगाह्य सलिलं शुभम्। रमते कान्तया सार्धं काममुद्दीपयन्निव
Here is the kāraṇḍava bird, plunging into the pure water, delighting with his mate, as if kindling desire.
मन्दाकिन्यास्तु यदिदं रूपमेतन्मनोरमम्। स्थाने जगति विख्याता गुणास्तस्या मनोरमाः
Indeed, the charming appearance of this Mandākinī is fitting; her virtues are renowned in the world, and they are delightful.
यदि दृश्येत सा साध्वी यदि चेह वसेमहि। स्पृहयेयं न शक्राय नायोध्यायै रघूत्तम
If that virtuous lady were seen, and if we could dwell here, O best of Raghu's line, I would not long for Indra's realm nor for Ayodhyā.
न ह्येवं रमणीयेषु शाद्वलेषु तया सह। रमतो मे भवेच्चिन्ता न स्पृहान्येषु वा भवेत्
Indeed, while enjoying these lovely meadows with her, no worry would arise in me, nor would I desire anything else.
अमी हि विविधैः पुष्पैस्तरवो विविधच्छदाः। काननेऽस्मिन् विना कान्तां चिन्तामुत्पादयन्ति मे
For these trees here, adorned with various flowers and diverse foliage, in this forest, without my beloved, only stir up thoughts of sorrow in me.
पश्य शीतजलां चेमां सौमित्रे पुष्करायुताम्। चक्रवाकानुचरितां कारण्डवनिषेविताम्
See, O Saumitri, these cool waters filled with lotuses, frequented by chakravāka birds and visited by kāraṇḍava ducks.
प्लवैः क्रौञ्चैश्च सम्पूर्णां महामृगनिषेविताम्। अधिकं शोभते पम्पा विकूजद्भिर्विहंगमैः
Pampā shines even more, filled with plava and krauñcha birds, frequented by great animals, and resounding with the calls of many birds.
दीपयन्तीव मे कामं विविधा मुदिता द्विजाः। श्यामां चन्द्रमुखीं स्मृत्वा प्रियां पद्मनिभेक्षणाम्
The joyful birds of many kinds seem to inflame my longing, as I remember my dark, lotus-eyed beloved with a face like the moon.
पश्य सानुषु चित्रेषु मृगीभिः सहितान् मृगान्। मां पुनर्मृगशावाक्ष्या वैदेह्या विरहीकृतम्। व्यथयन्तीव मे चित्तं संचरन्तस्ततस्ततः
See, on those lovely slopes, the deer together with their mates; as I, separated from Vaidehī, whose eyes are like young deer, am pained at heart as they wander here and there.
अस्मिन् सानुनि रम्ये हि मत्तद्विजगणाकुले। पश्येयं यदि तां कान्तां ततः स्वस्ति भवेन्मम
On this delightful hill, crowded with intoxicated flocks of birds, if only I could see my beloved, then all would be well for me.
जीवेयं खलु सौमित्रे मया सह सुमध्यमा। सेवेत यदि वैदेही पम्पायाः पवनं शुभम्
Truly, O Saumitri, I could live if the slender-waisted Vaidehī, together with me, could enjoy the pure, auspicious breeze of Pampā.
पद्मसौगन्धिकवहं शिवं शोकविनाशनम्। धन्या लक्ष्मण सेवन्ते पम्पाया वनमारुतम्
Blessed are those who enjoy the forest breeze of Pampā, carrying the fragrance of lotuses and blue lilies, auspicious and dispelling sorrow, O Lakṣmaṇa.
श्यामा पद्मपलाशाक्षी प्रिया विरहिता मया। कथं धारयति प्राणान् विवशा जनकात्मजा
My beloved, dark and lotus-petal-eyed, separated from me—how does Janaka’s daughter, helpless, sustain her life?
किं नु वक्ष्यामि धर्मज्ञं राजानं सत्यवादिनम्। जनकं पृष्टसीतं तं कुशलं जनसंसदि
What shall I say to the righteous king, the truth-speaking Janaka, if he asks about Sītā’s welfare in the assembly of people?
या मामनुगता मन्दं पित्रा प्रस्थापितं वनम्। सीता धर्मं समास्थाय क्व नु सा वर्तते प्रिया
She who followed me, though I was sent to the forest by her father, steadfast in righteousness—where now does my dear Sītā dwell?
तया विहीनः कृपणः कथं लक्ष्मण धारये। या मामनुगता राज्याद् भ्रष्टं विहतचेतसम्
Deprived of her, O Lakṣmaṇa, how shall I, wretched, continue—she who followed me, fallen from the kingdom and with my mind distressed?
तच्चार्वाञ्चितपद्माक्षं सुगन्धि शुभमव्रणम्। अपश्यतो मुखं तस्याः सीदतीव मतिर्मम
As I do not see her face, with eyes like blooming lotuses, fragrant, lovely, and unblemished, my mind seems to sink.
स्मितहास्यान्तरयुतं गुणवन्मधुरं हितम्। वैदेह्या वाक्यमतुलं कदा श्रोष्यामि लक्ष्मण
When shall I hear, O Lakṣmaṇa, the matchless words of Vaidehī—virtuous, sweet, and beneficial—adorned with gentle smiles and laughter?
प्राप्य दुःखं वने श्यामा मां मन्मथविकर्शितम्। नष्टदुःखेव हृष्टेव साध्वी साध्वभ्यभाषत
When she, dark-complexioned, found me tormented by love and suffering in the forest, that virtuous lady, as if freed from sorrow, spoke to me joyfully.
किं नु वक्ष्याम्ययोध्यायां कौसल्यां हि नृपात्मज। क्व सा स्नुषेति पृच्छन्तीं कथं चापि मनस्विनीम्
What shall I say in Ayodhyā to Kausalyā, O prince, when she, wise and noble, asks, 'Where is my daughter-in-law?'
गच्छ लक्ष्मण पश्य त्वं भरतं भ्रातृवत्सलम्। नह्यहं जीवितुं शक्तस्तामृते जनकात्मजाम्
Go, Lakṣmaṇa, see Bharata, who loves his brothers; for I am not able to live without Janaka’s daughter.
इति रामं महात्मानं विलपन्तमनाथवत्। उवाच लक्ष्मणो भ्राता वचनं युक्तमव्ययम्
Thus, as Rāma, the great-souled one, lamented like one bereft of support, his brother Lakṣmaṇa spoke these fitting and unwavering words.
संस्तम्भ राम भद्रं ते मा शुचः पुरुषोत्तम। नेदृशानां मतिर्मन्दा भवत्यकलुषात्मनाम्
Compose yourself, Rāma—may all be well with you; grieve not, best of men. Such thoughts do not arise in those whose hearts are pure.
स्मृत्वा वियोगजं दुःखं त्यज स्नेहं प्रिये जने। अतिस्नेहपरिष्वङ्गाद् वर्तिरार्द्रापि दह्यते
Remembering the sorrow born of separation, let go of your attachment to your beloved. Even a moist wick, when embraced too closely by flame, is consumed.
यदि गच्छति पातालं ततोऽभ्यधिकमेव वा। सर्वथा रावणस्तात न भविष्यति राघव
Even if he goes to the netherworld or to a place beyond, Rāvaṇa will not escape you, Rāghava, in any way.
प्रवृत्तिर्लभ्यतां तावत् तस्य पापस्य रक्षसः। ततो हास्यति वा सीतां निधनं वा गमिष्यति
Let us first discover the whereabouts of that wicked Rākṣasa; then he will either release Sītā or meet his end.
यदि याति दितेर्गर्भं रावणं सह सीतया। तत्राप्येनं हनिष्यामि न चेद् दास्यति मैथिलीम्
If Rāvaṇa goes into the womb of Diti along with Sītā, even there I will slay him, unless he returns the daughter of Mithilā.
स्वास्थ्यं भद्रं भजस्वार्य त्यज्यतां कृपणा मतिः। अर्थो हि नष्टकार्यार्थैरयत्नेनाधिगम्यते
Regain your composure, noble one, and cast aside this pitiable state of mind. Lost purposes are not regained by those who make no effort.