Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 3.278
हिन्दी · தமிழ் · తెలుగు · ಕನ್ನಡ · മലയാളം · বাংলা · मराठी · ગુજરાતી · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ · ଓଡ଼ିଆ · اردو · English · Español · Français · Deutsch · Português · Русский · 中文 · 日本語 · العربية · Bahasa Indonesia · ไทย
3.278.1
उक्तं भगवता जन्म रामादीनां पृथक्पृथक् ।
प्रस्थानकारणं ब्रह्मञ्श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथ्यताम् ॥ ३.२७८.१ ॥
The venerable one has told the births of Rāma and the others, one by one. O brahmin, I wish to hear the cause of their departure; please tell it.
3.278.2
कथं दाशरथी वीरौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ।
प्रस्तापितौ वने ब्रह्मन्मैथिली च यशस्विनी ॥ ३.२७८.२ ॥
O brahmin, how were the two heroic brothers, the sons of Daśaratha, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and the renowned Maithilī, sent forth into the forest?
3.278.3
जातपुत्रो दशरथः प्रीतिमानभवन्नृप ।
क्रियारतिर्धर्मरतः सततं वृद्धसेविता ॥ ३.२७८.३ ॥
O king, when a son was born, Daśaratha became delighted. Taking pleasure in ritual action and devoted to dharma, he was always served by the elders.
3.278.4
क्रमेण चास्य ते पुत्रा व्यवर्धन्त महौजसः ।
वेदेषु सरहस्येषु धनुर्वेदेषु पारगाः ॥ ३.२७८.४ ॥
In due course those sons of his, of great vigor, grew up, and became masters of the Vedas with their secret teachings and of the science of the bow.
3.278.5
चरितब्रह्मचर्यास्ते कृतदाराश्च पार्तिव ।
दृष्ट्वा रामं दशरथः प्रीतिमानभवत्सुखी ॥ ३.२७८.५ ॥
O king, having completed their vows of celibate study and taken wives, Daśaratha, seeing Rāma, became delighted and happy.
3.278.6
ज्येष्ठो रामोऽभवत्तेषां रमयामास हि प्रजाः ।
मनोहरतया धीमान्पितुर्हृदयनन्दनः ॥ ३.२७८.६ ॥
Among them the eldest was Rāma. By his charm he delighted the people; the wise one was the joy of his father's heart.
3.278.7
ततः स राजा मतिमान्मत्वाऽऽत्मानं वयोधिकम् ।
मन्त्रयामास सचिवैर्मन्त्रज्ञैश्च पुरोहितैः ॥ ३.२७८.७ ॥
Then that wise king, considering himself advanced in years, took counsel with his ministers, the knowers of counsel, and his priests.
3.278.8
अभिषेकाय रामस्य यावैराज्येन भारत ।
प्राप्तकालं च ते सर्वे मेनिरे मन्त्रिसत्तमाः ॥ ३.२७८.८ ॥
O Bhārata, the best of ministers all considered that the time had come for Rāma's consecration as heir-apparent.
3.278.9
लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम् ।
कम्बुग्रीवं महोरस्कं नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजम् ॥ ३.२७८.९ ॥
red-eyed, mighty-armed, walking like a maddened elephant, conch-necked, broad-chested, with dark curling hair.
3.278.10
दीप्यमानं श्रिया वीरं शक्रादनवरं बले ।
पारगं सर्वधर्माणां बृहस्पतिसमं मतौ ॥ ३.२७८.१० ॥
Radiant with splendour, a hero no less than Indra in might, master of all duties, equal to Bṛhaspati in wisdom.
3.278.11
सर्वानुरक्तप्रकृतिं सर्वविद्याविशारदम् ।
जितेन्द्रियममित्राणामपि दृष्टिमनोहरम् ॥ ३.२७८.११ ॥
Beloved by all his subjects, skilled in all learning, self-controlled, and pleasing to the eye and mind even of his enemies.
3.278.12
नियन्तारमसाधूनां गोप्तारं धर्मचारिणाम् ।
धृतिमन्तमनाधृष्यं जेतारमपराजितम् ॥ ३.२७८.१२ ॥
Restrainer of the wicked, protector of those who follow dharma, steadfast, unassailable, a conqueror, unvanquished.
3.278.13
पुत्रं राजा दशरथः कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम् ।
संदृश्यपरमां प्रीतिमगच्छत्कुलनन्दनम् ॥ ३.२७८.१३ ॥
Seeing his son, who increased Kausalyā's joy and delighted the family, King Daśaratha attained supreme gladness.
3.278.14
चिन्तयंश्च महातेजा गुणान्रामस्य वीर्यवान् ।
अभ्यभाषत भद्रं ते प्रीयमाणः पुरोहितम् ॥ ३.२७८.१४ ॥
Pondering the virtues of Rāma, the mighty and radiant king, pleased, spoke to the household priest: May good befall you.
3.278.15
अद् पुष्यो निशि ब्रह्मन्पुण्यं योगमुपैष्यति ।
संभाराः संभ्रियन्तां मे रामश्चोपनिमन्त्र्यताम् ॥ ३.२७८.१५ ॥
Brahmin, tonight the auspicious conjunction of the Puṣya asterism will come; let the materials be gathered for me, and let Rāma be invited.
3.278.16
श्व एवपुष्यो भविता यत्ररामः सुतो मया ।
यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्तव्यः पौरेषु सहमन्त्रिभिः ॥ ३.२७८.१६ ॥
Tomorrow itself will be the Puṣya asterism, when my son Rāma is to be anointed as crown prince before the citizens, together with the ministers.
3.278.17
इति तद्राजवचनं प्रतिश्रुत्याथ मन्थरा ।
कैकेयीमभिगम्येदं काले वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ३.२७८.१७ ॥
Having heard the king's words, Mantharā went to Kaikeyī and at the right time spoke these words.
3.278.18
अद्य कैकेयि दौर्भाग्यं राज्ञा ते ख्यापितं महत् ।
आशीविषस्त्वां संक्रुद्धश्छन्नो दशति दुर्भगे ॥ ३.२७८.१८ ॥
Today, Kaikeyī, the king has proclaimed your great misfortune; O unfortunate one, it will bite you as an enraged serpent bites hidden.
3.278.19
सुभगा खलु कौसल्या यस्याः पुत्रोऽभिषेक्ष्यते ।
कुतो हि तव सौभाग्यं यस्याः पुत्रो न राज्यभाक् ॥ ३.२७८.१९ ॥
Kausalyā is indeed fortunate, for her son will be consecrated. What fortune is yours, whose son does not share in the kingdom?
3.278.20
सा तद्वचनमाज्ञाय सर्वाभरणभूषिता ।
वेदी विलग्नमध्येन बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम् ॥ ३.२७८.२० ॥
Hearing those words, she, adorned with all ornaments, slender-waisted, bearing supreme beauty...
3.278.21
वविक्ते पतिमासाद्य हसन्तीव शुचिस्मिता ।
राजानं तर्जयन्तीव मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ३.२७८.२१ ॥
Approaching her husband in private, smiling as if laughing, pure-smiling, as if reproaching the king, she spoke these sweet words.
3.278.22
सत्यप्रतिज्ञ यन्मे त्वं काममेकं विसृष्टवान् ।
उपाकुरुष्व तद्राजंस्तस्मान्मुञ्चस्व संकटात्।
तदद्य कुरु सत्यं मे वरं वरद भूपते ॥ ३.२७८.२२ ॥
O true to your vow, the one wish you granted me, O king, now fulfill it, and free me from that distress. O giver of boons, O lord of the earth, make my boon true today.
3.278.23
वरं ददानि ते हन्त तद्गृहाण यदिच्छसि ।
अवध्यो वध्यतां कोद्य वध्यः कोऽद्य विमुच्यतां ॥ ३.२७८.२३ ॥
I give you a boon; take whatever you wish. Let the one who is not to be slain remain unslain; today, who is to be slain, and who is to be released?
3.278.24
धनं ददानि कस्याद् ह्रियतां कस्यरवापुनः ।
ब्राह्मणस्वादिहान्यत्रयत्किंचिद्वित्तमस्ति मे ॥ ३.२७८.२४ ॥
I will give wealth; to whom shall it be given, and whose wealth shall be taken again? Whatever wealth I have here or elsewhere, none of it is a brahmin's property.
3.278.25
पृथिव्यां राजराजोस्मि चातुर्वर्ण्यस् रिता ।
यस्तेऽभिलपितः कामो ब्रूहि कल्याणि माचिरं ॥ ३.२७८.२५ ॥
I am the king of kings on earth, protector of the fourfold social order. O auspicious one, tell me without delay whatever wish you have.
3.278.26
सातद्वचनमाज्ञाय परिगृह्य नराधिपम् ।
आत्मनो बलमाज्ञाय तत एनमुवाच ह ॥ ३.२७८.२६ ॥
Understanding those words, and having secured the lord of men, knowing her own strength, she then spoke to him.
3.278.27
आभिषेचनिकं यत्ते रामार्थमुपकल्पितम् ।
भरतस्तदवाप्नोतु वनं गच्छतु राघवः ॥ ३.२७८.२७ ॥
Let Bharata obtain the consecration that you have prepared for Rāma; let Rāghava go to the forest.
3.278.28
नव पञ्च च वर्षाणि दण्डकारण्यमाश्रितः ।
चीराजिनजटाधारी रामो भवतु तापसः ॥ ३.२७८.२८ ॥
For fourteen years, taking refuge in the Daṇḍaka forest, bearing bark-cloth, deerskin and matted hair, let Rāma become an ascetic.
3.278.29
स तं राजा वरं श्रुत्वा विप्रियं दारुणोदयम् ।
दुःखार्तो भरतश्रेष्ठ न किंचिद्व्याजहार ह ॥ ३.२७८.२९ ॥
O best of the Bharatas, having heard that boon—unwelcome and of dreadful outcome—the king, tormented by grief, said nothing at all.
3.278.30
ततस्तथोक्तं पितरं रामो विज्ञाय वीर्यवान् ।
वनं प्रतस्थे धर्मात्मा राजा सत्यो भवत्विति ॥ ३.२७८.३० ॥
Then Rāma, mighty and righteous-souled, understanding that his father had spoken thus, set out for the forest, thinking, 'Let the king's word be true.'
3.278.31
तमन्वगच्छल्लक्ष्मीवान्धनुष्माँल्लक्ष्मणस्तदा ।
सीता च भार्या भद्रं ते वैदेही जनकात्मजा ॥ ३.२७८.३१ ॥
Then the glorious, bow-bearing Lakṣmaṇa followed him, and Sītā, the Vaidehī, daughter of Janaka, his wife, went too. May good fortune be yours.
3.278.32
ततो वनं गतेरामे राजा दशरथस्तदा ।
समयुज्यत देहस्य कालपर्यायधर्मणा ॥ ३.२७८.३२ ॥
When Rāma had gone to the forest, King Daśaratha then was joined with the body's end, by the law of time's succession.
3.278.33
रामं तु गतमाज्ञाय राजानं च तथागतम् ।
अनार्या भरतं देवी कैकेयी वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ३.२७८.३३ ॥
Knowing that Rāma had gone, and the king likewise gone, the ignoble queen Kaikeyī spoke these words to Bharata.
3.278.34
गतोदशरथः स्वर्गं वनस्थौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ।
गृहाण राज्यंविपुलं क्षेमं निहतकण्टकम् ॥ ३.२७८.३४ ॥
Daśaratha has gone to heaven, and Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa dwell in the forest. Take this vast, secure kingdom, its thorns destroyed.
3.278.35
तामुवाच स धर्मात्मा नृशंसं बत ते कृतम् ।
पतिं हत्वाकुलं चेदमुत्साद्य धनलुब्धया ॥ ३.२७८.३५ ॥
Then the righteous Bharata said to her: "Alas, you have done a cruel deed. Having slain your husband, ruined this family, and destroyed it, greedy for wealth."
3.278.36
अयशः पातयित्वा मे मूर्ध्नि त्वं कुलपांसने ।
सकामा भव मे मातरित्युक्त्वा प्ररुरोद ह ॥ ३.२७८.३६ ॥
"O disgrace of the family, having brought infamy upon my head, may your desire be fulfilled, O mother!" Having said this, he wept bitterly.
3.278.37
स चारित्रं विशोध्याथ सर्वप्रकृतिसन्निधौ ।
अन्वयाद्धातरं रामं विनिवर्तनलालसः ॥ ३.२७८.३७ ॥
Having cleared his conduct in the presence of all the subjects, he followed his brother Rāma, eager to bring him back.
3.278.38
कौसल्यां च सुमित्रां च कैकेयीं च सुदुःखितः ।
अग्रे प्रस्थाप्य यानैः स शत्रुघ्नसहितो ययौ ॥ ३.२७८.३८ ॥
Deeply grieved, he sent Kausalyā, Sumitrā and Kaikeyī ahead in carriages, and went on together with Śatrughna.
3.278.39
वसिष्ठवामदेवाभ्यां विप्रैश्चान्यैः सहस्रशः ।
पौरजानपदैः सार्धं रामानयनकाङ्क्षया ॥ ३.२७८.३९ ॥
Together with Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva, with thousands of brahmins and others, with the townsmen and country folk, desiring to bring Rāma back.
3.278.40
ददर्श चित्रकूटस्थं स रामं सहलक्ष्मणम् ।
तापसानामलंकारं धारयन्तं धनुर्धरम् ॥ ३.२७८.४० ॥
He saw Rāma dwelling at Citrakūṭa with Lakṣmaṇa, adorned as an ascetic and bearing his bow.
3.278.41
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वाप्रणिपत्य रघूत्तमम् ।
शशंस मरणं राज्ञः सोऽनाथांश्चापि कोसलान् ॥ ३.२७८.४१ ॥
With folded hands, bowing to Rāma, best of the Raghus, he spoke, and reported the king's death and the orphaned Kosalas.
3.278.42
नाथ त्वं प्रतिपद्यस्व स्वराज्यमिति चोक्तवान् ॥ ३.२७८.४२ ॥
"Lord, take up your own kingdom," so he said.
3.278.43
स तस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा रामः परमदुःखितः ।
चकार देवकल्पस्य पितुः स्नात्वोदकक्रियाम् ॥ ३.२७८.४३ ॥
Hearing his words, Rāma was deeply grieved, and having bathed he performed the water-offering rite for his father, who was like a god.
3.278.44
अब्रवीत्स तदारामो भ्रातरं भ्रातृवत्सलम् ।
पादुके मे भविष्येते राज्यगोप्त्र्यौ परंतप।
एवमस्त्विति तं प्राह भरतः प्रणतस्तदा ॥ ३.२७८.४४ ॥
Then Rāma said to his brother, who was fond of his brother: "O scorcher of foes, let my sandals be the guardians of the kingdom." Then Bharata, bowing low, said to him, "So be it."
3.278.45
विसर्जितः स रामेण पितुर्वचनकारिणा ।
नन्दिग्रामेऽकरोद्राज्यं पुरस्कृत्यास्य पादुके ॥ ३.२७८.४५ ॥
Dismissed by Rāma, who obeyed his father's word, he ruled at Nandigrāma, placing Rāma's sandals before him.
3.278.46
रामस्तु पुनराशङ्क्य पौरजानपदागमम् ।
प्रविवेश महारण्यं शरभङ्गाश्रमं प्रति ॥ ३.२७८.४६ ॥
But Rāma, fearing again the arrival of the townspeople and country folk, entered the great forest toward the hermitage of Śarabhaṅga.
3.278.47
सत्कृत्य शरभङ्गं स दण्डकारण्यमाश्रितः ।
नदीं गोदावरीं रम्यामाश्रित्य न्यवसत्तदा ॥ ३.२७८.४७ ॥
Having honored Śarabhaṅga, he resorted to the Daṇḍaka forest, and taking refuge by the lovely river Godāvarī, he dwelt there.
3.278.48
वसतस्तस्य रामस्य ततः शूर्पणखाकृतम् ।
खरेणासीन्महद्वैरं जनस्थाननिवासिना ॥ ३.२७८.४८ ॥
While Rāma dwelt there, a great enmity arose with Khara, dweller of Janasthāna, because of what Śūrpaṇakhā had done.
3.278.49
रक्षार्थं तापसानां तु राघवो धर्मवत्सलः ।
चतुर्दशसहस्राणि जघान भुवि राक्षसान् ॥ ३.२७८.४९ ॥
To protect the ascetics, Rāghava, fond of dharma, struck down fourteen thousand rākṣasas upon the earth.
3.278.50
दूषणं च स्वरं चैवनिहत्य सुमहाबलौ ।
चक्रे क्षेमं पुनर्धीमान्धर्मारण्यं स राघवः ॥ ३.२७८.५० ॥
Having slain Dūṣaṇa and Khara, the two very mighty ones, the wise Rāghava once again made the Dharmāraṇya secure.
3.278.51
हतेषु तेषु रक्षःसु ततः शूर्पणखा पुनः ।
ययौ निकृत्तनासोष्ठी लङ्कां भ्रातुर्निवेशनम् ॥ ३.२७८.५१ ॥
When those rākṣasas were slain, Śūrpaṇakhā, her nose and lips cut off, went again to Laṅkā, her brother's abode.
3.278.52
ततो रावणमभ्येत्य राक्षसी दुःखमूर्च्छिता ।
पपात पादयोर्भ्रातुः संशुष्करुधिरानना ॥ ३.२७८.५२ ॥
Then the rākṣasī, faint with grief, approached Rāvaṇa and fell at her brother's feet, her face caked with dried blood.
3.278.53
तां तथा विकृतां दृष्ट्वा रावणः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ।
उत्पपातासनात्क्रुद्धो दन्तैर्दन्तानुपस्पृशन् ॥ ३.२७८.५३ ॥
Seeing her thus disfigured, Rāvaṇa, overcome with rage, leapt up from his seat, enraged, grinding teeth against teeth.
3.278.54
स्वानमात्यान्विसृज्याथ विविक्ते तामुवाच सः ।
केनास्येवं कृता भद्रे मामचिन्त्यावमत्य च ॥ ३.२७८.५४ ॥
Then, dismissing his ministers, he spoke to her in private: "Good lady, who has done this to you, disregarding me and dishonouring me?"
3.278.55
कः शूलं तीक्ष्णमासाद्य सर्वगात्रेषु सेवते ।
कः शिरस्यग्निमाधाय विश्वस्तः स्वपते सुखम् ॥ ३.२७८.५५ ॥
Who, impaled upon a sharp stake, endures it through all his limbs? Who, placing fire upon his head, sleeps comfortably, fearless?
3.278.56
आशीविषं घोरतरं पादेन स्पृशतीह कः ।
सिंहं केसरिणं मत्तः स्पृष्ट्वा दंष्ट्रासु तिष्ठति ॥ ३.२७८.५६ ॥
Who here touches with his foot a most terrible venomous serpent? Who, touching the maned lion in its rage, stands among its fangs?
3.278.57
इत्येवं ब्रुवतस्तस्य नेत्रेभ्यस्तेजसोऽर्चिषः ।
निश्चेरुर्दह्यतो रात्रौ वृक्षस्येव स्वरन्ध्रतः ॥ ३.२७८.५७ ॥
As he spoke thus, flames of brilliance poured out from his eyes, like fire pouring from the hollows of a tree burning in the night.
3.278.58
तस्य तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ भगिनी रामविक्रमम् ।
खरदूषणसंयुक्तं राक्षसानां पराभवम् ॥ ३.२७८.५८ ॥
His sister told him all of Rāma's valor, the defeat of the rākṣasas together with Khara and Dūṣaṇa.
3.278.59
ततो ज्ञातिवधं श्रुत्वा रावणः कालचोदितः ।
रामस्य वधमाकाङ्क्षन्मारीचं मनसागमत् ॥ ३.२७८.५९ ॥
Then Rāvaṇa, hearing of the slaughter of his kinsmen and impelled by time, desiring Rāma's death, went in his mind to Mārīca.
3.278.60
स निश्चित्यततः कृत्यं सागरं लवणाकरम् ।
ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे राजा विधाय नगरे विधिम् ॥ ३.२७८.६० ॥
Having settled his task and arranged matters in the city, the king set out toward the salt ocean.
3.278.61
त्रिकूटं समतिक्रम्य कालपर्वतमेव च ।
ददर्श मकरावासं गम्भीरोदं महोदधिम् ॥ ३.२७८.६१ ॥
Having crossed the Trikūṭa and also the Kāla mountain, he saw the great ocean, the abode of sea-monsters, deep of water.
3.278.62
तमतीत्याथ गोकर्णमभ्यगच्छद्दशाननः ।
दयितं स्तानमव्यग्रं शूलपाणेर्महात्मनः ॥ ३.२७८.६२ ॥
Having passed that, Daśānana then approached Gokarṇa, the beloved, undisturbed dwelling of the great-souled trident-bearer.
3.278.63
तत्राभ्यगच्छन्मारीचं पूर्वामात्यं दशाननः ।
पुरा रामभयादेव तापसं प्रियजीवितम् ॥ ३.२७८.६३ ॥
There Daśānana approached Mārīca, his former minister, who, out of fear of Rāma, had long since become an ascetic, holding his own life dear.