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Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 26
In this Sarga Rāma comes home with his head lowered. A shocked Seetā asks for the reason.. Rāma tells her about the developments and his decision to honor the word given by his father. He tells that he came to take leave of her and depart to the Vana.
He advices her on how she should manage her life while he is away. He tells her to be friendly with everyone and to cause no inconvenience to anyone.
He tells her that she should be mindful of the fact that Bharata is the king and the lord paramount, and that she should be careful not to say anything that displeases him, including bringing up or extolling the virtues of her husband.
He asks her to treat the elders (Daṡaratha, Kousalyā and all other wives of Daṡaratha) with respect and the younger ones (Bharata and Ṡatrughna) with affection.
2.26.1-2 அபிவாத்ய ச கௌஸல்யாம் ராம ஸ்ஸம்ப்ரஸ்திதோ வநம் ।
க்ருதஸ்வஸ்த்யயநோ மாத்ரா தர்மிஷ்டே வர்த்மநி ஸ்தித: ॥
விராஜயந்ராஜஸுதோ ராஜமார்கம் நரைர்வ்ருதம் ।
ஹ்ருதயாந்யாமமந்தேவ ஜநஸ்ய குணவத்தயா ॥
abhivādya ca kausalyāṃ rāma ssaṃprasthitō vanam ।
kṛtasvastyayanō mātrā dharmiṣṭhē vartmani sthitaḥ ॥
virājayanrājasutō rājamārgaṃ narairvṛtam ।
hṛdayānyāmamanthēva janasya guṇavattayā ॥
After receiving the blessings for his wellbeing from Kousalyā
and making prostrations to her,
Rāma proceeded to light up the
crowded royal pathway with his presence
by firmly setting himself in the path of Dharma;
but he made the minds of the people to be deeply stirred
by that very noble virtue, having set himself to leave for Vana.
2.26.3 வைதேஹீ சாபி தத்ஸர்வம் ந ஸுஸ்ராவ தபஸ்விநீ ।
ததேவ ஹ்ருதி தஸ்யாஸ்ச யௌவராஜ்யாபிஷேசநம் ॥
vaidēhī cāpi tatsarvaṃ na ṡuṡrāva tapasvinī ।
tadēva hṛdi tasyāṡca yauvarājyābhiṣēcanam ॥
The princess of Vidēha, absorbed in her observances,
had not heard of any of these developments.
Her thoughts were centered around the consecration.
2.26.4 தேவகார்யம் ஸ்வயம் க்ருத்வா க்ருதஜ்ஞா ஹ்ருஷ்டசேதநா ।
அபிஜ்ஞா ராஜதர்மாணாம் ராஜபுத்ரம் ப்ரதீக்ஷதே ॥
dēvakāryaṃ svayaṃ kṛtvā kṛtajñā hṛṣṭacētanā ।
abhijñā rājadharmāṇāṃ rājaputraṃ pratīkṣatē ॥
She who was well versed with state affairs,
completed all the activities that were due upon her
including offering prayers to the Dēvas, and
was waiting eagerly for the prince with joy.
2.26.5 ப்ரவிவேஸாத ராமஸ்து ஸ்வம் வேஸ்ம ஸுவிபூஷிதம் ।
ப்ரஹ்ருஷ்டஜநஸம்பூர்ணம் ஹ்ரியா கிஞ்சிதவாங்முக: ॥
pravivēṡātha rāmastu svaṃ vēṡma suvibhūṣitam ।
prahṛṣṭajanasampūrṇaṃ hriyā kiñcidavāṅmukhaḥ ॥
Then Rāma entered his house,
which was well decorated and was full of rejoicing folks,
with his head slightly lowered in embarrassment.
2.26.6 அத ஸீதா ஸமுத்பத்ய வேபமாநா ச தம் பதிம் ।
அபஸ்யச்சோகஸந்தப்தம் சிந்தாவ்யாகுலிதேந்த்ரியம் ॥
atha sītā samutpatya vēpamānā ca taṃ patim ।
apaṡyacchōkasantaptaṃ cintāvyākulitēndriyam ॥
Seetā then sprung up and trembled
as she looked at her husband
who seemed to be scorched by sadness,
all his senses disoriented.
2.26.7 தாம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா ஸ ஹி தர்மாத்மா ந ஸஸாக மநோகதம் ।
தம் ஸோகம் ராகவ: ஸோடும் ததோ விவ்ருததாம் கத: ॥
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā sa hi dharmātmā na ṡaṡāka manōgatam ।
taṃ ṡōkaṃ rāghavaḥ sōḍhuṃ tatō vivṛtatāṃ gataḥ ॥
Seeing her, that Dharmātma was unable to
hold the sorrow that filled his mind
and had to let it out. Early that very morning, Rāma had taken leave of Seetā and went in a procession for the consecration. Within few hours everything changed. He came back now, to take leave of Seetā on his way to Vana!
Taking leave of his father who could not speak a word, was tough. Taking leave of his mother who collapsed in grief with her heart completely broken, was tougher. Taking leave of his dear wife, was unbearable, to say the least.
And so Rāma broke down, for two reasons: Seeing the innocent Seetā, the princess of a great lineage, on whom such a hardship fell, for no fault of hers. And for having to be away from her, the love of his life, for fourteen years!
2.26.8 விவர்ணவதநம் த்ருஷ்ட்வா தம் ப்ரஸ்விந்நமமர்ஷணம் ।
ஆஹ து:காபிஸந்தப்தா கிமிதாநீமிதம் ப்ரபோ! ॥
vivarṇavadanaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ prasvinnamamarṣaṇam ।
āha duḥkhābhisantaptā kimidānīmidaṃ prabhō! ॥
Seeing him indignant, with his
face pale and covered in perspiration,
she was consumed by grief and said:
“Why are you like this now, my lord?”
2.26.9 அத்ய பார்ஹஸ்பத ஸ்ஸ்ரீமாந்யுக்த: புஷ்யோऽநு ராகவ ।
ப்ரோச்யதே ப்ராஹ்மணை: ப்ராஜ்ஞை: கேந த்வமஸி துர்மநா: ॥
adya bārhaspata ṡṡrīmānyuktaḥ puṣyō'nu rāghava ।
prōcyatē brāhmaṇaiḥ prājñaiḥ kēna tvamasi durmanāḥ ॥
The highly learned Brāhmaṇas vouched that
today is an auspicious, well-boding day
because of the moon being in conjunction with
the Pushya constellation, which is ruled by Bṛhaspati.
What happened then, that threw you into this distress?
2.26.10 ந தே ஸதஸலாகேந ஜலபேநநிபேந ச ।
ஆவ்ருதம் வதநம் வல்கு சத்ரேணாபி விராஜதே ॥
na tē ṡataṡalākēna jalaphēnanibhēna ca ।
āvṛtaṃ vadanaṃ valgu chatrēṇāpi virājatē ॥
Why is not your charming face glowing under
the hundred-ribbed, foamy-white state umbrella!
2.26.11 வ்யஜநாப்யாம் ச முக்யாப்யாம் ஸதபத்ரநிபேக்ஷணம் ।
சந்த்ரஹம்ஸ ப்ரகாஸாப்யாம் வீஜ்யதே ந தவாநநம் ॥
vyajanābhyāṃ ca mukhyābhyāṃ ṡatapatranibhēkṣaṇam ।
candrahaṃsa prakāṡābhyāṃ vījyatē na tavānanam ॥
Why is not your face
that rivals full moon and white swans in its brightness,
and beautiful with lotus eyes
not being fanned by exquisite fly-whisks?
2.26.12 வாக்மிநோ வந்திநஸ்சாபி ப்ரஹ்ருஷ்டாஸ்த்வாம் நரர்ஷப ।
ஸ்துவந்தோ நாத்ர த்ருஸ்யந்தே மங்கலை: ஸ்ஸூதமாகதா: ॥
vāgminō vandinaṡcāpi prahṛṣṭāstvāṃ nararṣabha ।
stuvantō nātra dṛṡyantē maṅgalaiḥ ssūtamāgadhāḥ ॥
Why do I not see, O bull among men,
the eloquent panegyrists, chroniclers and heralds
hailing you gladly with auspicious words?
2.26.13 ந தே க்ஷௌத்ரம் ச ததி ச ப்ராஹ்மணா வேதபாரகா: ।
மூர்த்நி மூர்தாபிஷிக்தஸ்ய தததி ஸ்ம விதாநத: ॥
na tē kṣaudraṃ ca dadhi ca brāhmaṇā vēdapāragāḥ ।
mūrdhni mūrdhābhiṣiktasya dadati sma vidhānataḥ ॥
Nor do I see honey and curds sprinkled on your head
by Brāhmaṇas, the savants of Vēdas,
in a customary manner, as part of the consecration ceremony!
2.26.14 ந த்வாம் ப்ரக்ருதய ஸ்ஸர்வா ஸ்ஸ்ரேணீமுக்யாஸ்ச பூஷிதா: ।
அநுவ்ரஜிதுமிச்சந்தி பௌரஜாநபதாஸ்ததா ॥
na tvāṃ prakṛtaya ssarvā ṡṡrēṇīmukhyāṡca bhūṣitāḥ ।
anuvrajitumicchanti paurajānapadāstathā ॥
Why are the ministers, prominent businessmen,
and well dressed city and rural folks not following you?
2.26.15 சதுர்பிர்வேகஸம்பந்நைர்ஹயை: காஞ்சநபூஷிதை: ।
முக்ய: புஷ்யரதோ யுக்த: கிம் ந கச்சதி தேऽக்ரத: ॥
caturbhirvēgasampannairhayaiḥ kāñcanabhūṣitaiḥ ।
mukhyaḥ puṣyarathō yuktaḥ kiṃ na gacchati tē'grataḥ ॥
Why is not the festive chariot,
decorated in gold and drawn by four swift horses,
zooming ahead of you?
2.26.16 ஹஸ்தீ சாக்ரத ஸ்ஸ்ரீமாம் ஸ்தவ லக்ஷணபூஜித: ।
ப்ரயாணே லக்ஷ்யதே வீர! க்ருஷ்ணமேககிரி ப்ரப: ॥
hastī cāgrata ṡṡrīmāṃ stava lakṣaṇapūjitaḥ ।
prayāṇē lakṣyatē vīra! kṛṣṇamēghagiri prabhaḥ ॥
O Veera! Why do I not see a gorgeous, well decorated elephant,
mighty like a mountain that is covered by a dark cloud,
leading you in procession?
2.26.17 ந ச காஞ்சநசித்ரம் தே பஸ்யாமி ப்ரியதர்ஸந! ।
பத்ராஸநம் புரஸ்க்ருத்ய யாந்தம் வீர புரஸ்க்ருதம் ॥
na ca kāñcanacitraṃ tē paṡyāmi priyadarṡana! ।
bhadrāsanaṃ puraskṛtya yāntaṃ vīra puraskṛtam ॥
O Veera! O charming one! Why do I not see
your auspicious Chair of State, inlaid with gold,
being carried ahead of you with all due honor?
2.26.18 அபிஷேகோ யதா ஸஜ்ஜ: கிமிதாநீமிதம் தவ ।
அபூர்வோ முகவர்ணஸ்ச ந ப்ரஹர்ஷஸ்ச லக்ஷ்யதே ॥
abhiṣēkō yathā sajjaḥ kimidānīmidaṃ tava ।
apūrvō mukhavarṇaṡca na praharṣaṡca lakṣyatē ॥
At this time, when everything is in order for your consecration,
why is the color on your face like it had never been before?
Why is not your face seen brimming with happiness?
2.26.19 இதீவ விலபந்தீம் தாம் ப்ரோவாச ரகுநந்தந: ।
ஸீதே! தத்ர பவாம்ஸ்தாத: ப்ரவ்ராஜயதி மாம் வநம் ॥
itīva vilapantīṃ tāṃ prōvāca raghunandanaḥ ।
sītē! tatra bhavāṃstātaḥ pravrājayati māṃ vanam ॥
To that woman who was thus crying,
the scion of Raghu dynasty said:
“O Seetā, my venerable father
is banishing me to the Vana!”
2.26.20 குலே மஹதி ஸம்பூதே தர்மஜ்ஞே தர்மசாரிணி ! ।
ஸ்ருணு ஜாநகி! யேநேதம் க்ரமேணாப்யாகதம் மம ॥
kulē mahati sambhūtē dharmajñē dharmacāriṇi ! ।
ṡṛṇu jānaki! yēnēdaṃ kramēṇābhyāgataṃ mama ॥
O knower of Dharma! O practitioner of Dharma!
O woman of illustrious lineage! O daughter of Janaka!
Listen, let me tell you how
all of this happened, in a proper manner.
2.26.21 ராஜ்ஞா ஸத்யப்ரதிஜ்ஞேந பித்ரா தஸரதேந ச ।
கைகேய்யை மம மாத்ரே து புரா தத்தௌ மஹாவரௌ ॥
rājñā satyapratijñēna pitrā daṡarathēna ca ।
kaikēyyai mama mātrē tu purā dattau mahāvarau ॥
My father, king Daṡaratha, who is truthful to his word,
had given two great boons to mother Kaikēyee in the past.
2.26.22-24a தயாऽத்ய மம ஸஜ்ஜேऽஸ்மிந்நபிஷேகே ந்ருபோத்யதே ।
ப்ரசோதித ஸ்ஸ ஸமயோ தர்மேண ப்ரதிநிர்ஜித: ॥
சதுர்தஸ ஹி வர்ஷாணி வஸ்தவ்யம் தண்டகே மயா ।
பித்ரா மே பரதஸ்சாபி யௌவராஜ்யே நியோஜித: ॥
ஸோऽஹம் த்வாமாகதோ த்ரஷ்டும் ப்ரஸ்திதோ விஜநம் வநம் ।
tayā'dya mama sajjē'sminnabhiṣēkē nṛpōdyatē ।
pracōdita ssa samayō dharmēṇa pratinirjitaḥ ॥
caturdaṡa hi varṣāṇi vastavyaṃ daṇḍakē mayā ।
pitrā mē bharataṡcāpi yauvarājyē niyōjitaḥ ॥
sō'haṃ tvāmāgatō draṣṭuṃ prasthitō vijanaṃ vanam ।
As the preparations for my consecration
that was planned by the king were getting ready,
she invoked that promise of the boons
and secured them by the thrust of Dharma;
that I should live in Daṇḍaka Vana for fourteen years
and that my father should appoint
Bharata to the office of crown prince.
Hence I am set to leave for that uninhabited Vana
and came to take leave of you.
2.26.24b-25 பரதஸ்ய ஸமீபே து நாஹம் கத்ய: கதாசந ॥
புத்தியுக்தா ஹி புருஷா ந ஸஹந்தே பரஸ்தவம் ।
தஸ்மாந்நதே குணா: கத்யா பரதஸ்யாக்ரதோ மம ॥
bharatasya samīpē tu nāhaṃ kathyaḥ kadācana ॥
buddhiyuktā hi puruṣā na sahantē parastavam ।
tasmānnatē guṇāḥ kathyā bharatasyāgratō mama ॥
May you not make a mention of me in the presence of Bharata!
For, capable men cannot tolerate
others being praised in their presence!
Hence, may you not extol my virtues in the presence of Bharata! Children and women are, justifiably, worried as to who will take care of them.
Kaikēyee, incited by Manthara, was worried that she will not get the right care under the regime of Rāma, which is the source for this turn of events.
Kousalyā, upon hearing the news, was also worried about the same, that she would not get good care under the regime of Bharata, and may have to live as a second class citizen.
Having just seen Kaikēyee and heard Kousalyā worried about their care, Rāma’s immediate apprehension was that Seetā would also be worried about the same, about her own care.
She is now set to live for fourteen years without her husband and without a genuine purpose with which she can occupy herself.
Her well being is at the mercy of Daṡaratha and Bharata. There would be no one to speak for her.
And Rāma jumps right away to address that concern.
He could cheer up Kousalyā by reminding her of the noble responsibility of serving her husband. But in the case of Seetā, the situation is quite different.
Bharata has no direct responsibility for Seetā and Seetā can make no demands on him. Hence it should be in her own interest to be in his good books. So, Rāma advices her thus.
2.26.26 நாபி த்வம் தேந பர்தவ்யா விஸேஷேண கதாசந ।
அநுகூலதயா ஸக்யம் ஸமீபே த்வஸ்ய வர்திதும் ॥
nāpi tvaṃ tēna bhartavyā viṡēṣēṇa kadācana ।
anukūlatayā ṡakyaṃ samīpē tvasya vartitum ॥
He does not have the specific
responsibility of taking care of you.
Hence you should make sure
you conduct yourself agreeably with him.
2.26.27 தஸ்மை தத்தம் ந்ருபதிநா யௌவராஜ்யம் ஸநாதநம் ।
ஸ ப்ரஸாத்யஸ்த்வயா ஸீதே! ந்ருபதிஸ்ச விஸேஷத: ॥
tasmai dattaṃ nṛpatinā yauvarājyaṃ sanātanam ।
sa prasādyastvayā sītē! nṛpatiṡca viṡēṣataḥ ॥
The vice-regency of the age old kingdom
has been conferred upon him by the king.
You should try to gain his pleasure
and also, especially, the pleasure of the king.
2.26.28 அஹம் சாபி ப்ரதிஜ்ஞாம் தாம் குரோஸ்ஸமநுபாலயந் ।
வநமத்யைவ யாஸ்யாமி ஸ்திரா பவ மநஸ்விநீ! ॥
ahaṃ cāpi pratijñāṃ tāṃ gurōssamanupālayan ।
vanamadyaiva yāsyāmi sthirā bhava manasvinī! ॥
I have to leave to the Vana right today,
to fulfill the word given by the elder.
O thoughtful woman! May you be able to hold yourself up!
2.26.29 யாதே ச மயி கல்யாணி வநம் முநிநிஷேவிதம் ।
வ்ரதோபவாஸபரயா பவிதவ்யம் த்வயாऽநகே ॥
yātē ca mayi kalyāṇi vanaṃ muniniṣēvitam ।
vratōpavāsaparayā bhavitavyaṃ tvayā'naghē ॥
O faultless one! O blessed one!
As I go to the Vana which is the destination of Munis,
may you occupy yourself in doing Vratas and fasts!
2.26.30 கால்யமுத்தாய தேவாநாம் க்ருத்வா பூஜாம் யதாவிதி ।
வந்திதவ்யோ தஸரத: பிதா மம நரேஸ்வர: ॥
kālyamutthāya dēvānāṃ kṛtvā pūjāṃ yathāvidhi ।
vanditavyō daṡarathaḥ pitā mama narēṡvaraḥ ॥
After getting up in the morning and
performing Pooja in a customary manner to the Dēvas,
may you pay homage to the king, my father.
2.27.31 மாதா ச மம கௌஸல்யா வ்ருத்தா ஸந்தாபகர்ஸிதா ।
தர்மமேவாக்ரத: க்ருத்வா த்வத்த ஸ்ஸம்மாநமர்ஹதி ॥
mātā ca mama kausalyā vṛddhā santāpakarṡitā ।
dharmamēvāgrataḥ kṛtvā tvatta ssammānamarhati ॥
May you, keeping Dharma in the forefront of your mind,
pay respects to my aged mother Kousalyā,
who is whittling away with grief!
2.26.32 வந்திதவ்யாஸ்ச தே நித்யம் யா ஸ்ஸேஷா மம மாதர: ।
ஸ்நேஹ ப்ரணயஸம்போகை ஸ்ஸமா ஹி மம மாதர: ॥
vanditavyāṡca tē nityaṃ yā ṡṡēṣā mama mātaraḥ ।
snēha praṇayasambhōgai ssamā hi mama mātaraḥ ॥
All my other mothers also deserve your daily respects.
For, all of them are equal in their affection, love, and service!
2.26.33 ப்ராத்ருபுத்ரஸமௌ சாபி த்ரஷ்டவ்யௌ ச விஸேஷத: ।
த்வயா பரதஸத்ருக்நௌ ப்ராணை: ப்ரியதரௌ மம ॥
bhrātṛputrasamau cāpi draṣṭavyau ca viṡēṣataḥ ।
tvayā bharataṡatrughnau prāṇaiḥ priyatarau mama ॥
May you treat my dear brothers, Bharata and Ṡatrughna,
who are no less than my life itself, with motherly affection!
2.26.34 விப்ரியம் ந ச கர்தவ்யம் பரதஸ்ய கதாசந ।
ஸ ஹி ராஜா ப்ரபுஸ்சைவ தேஸஸ்ய ச குலஸ்ய ச ॥
vipriyaṃ na ca kartavyaṃ bharatasya kadācana ।
sa hi rājā prabhuṡcaiva dēṡasya ca kulasya ca ॥
May you never do anything that displeases Bharata,
for he would henceforth be the king and lord paramount
of the kingdom as well as the dynasty!
2.26.35 ஆராதிதா ஹி ஸீலேந ப்ரயத்நைஸ்சோபஸேவிதா: ।
ராஜாந ஸ்ஸம்ப்ரஸீதந்தி குப்யந்திச விபர்யயே ॥
ārādhitā hi ṡīlēna prayatnaiṡcōpasēvitāḥ ।
rājāna ssamprasīdanti kupyantica viparyayē ॥
Kings are gracious to those
who please them by exemplary conduct
and serve them with unwavering zeal;
they are incensed by anything contrary to it. Bosses are happy only with people who are aligned with them.
Anyone, even if it is their own children, would earn their displeasure if they behave to the contrary.
2.26.35 ஔரஸாநபி புத்ராந்ஹி த்யஜந்த்யஹிதகாரிண: ।
ஸமர்தாந்ஸம்ப்ரக்ருஹ்ணந்தி ஜநாநபி நராதிபா: ॥
aurasānapi putrānhi tyajantyahitakāriṇaḥ ।
samarthānsampragṛhṇanti janānapi narādhipāḥ ॥
The lords of peoples disown even their own kith and kin
should they prove to be working against their interests.
They embrace only those who are capable.
2.26.36 ஸா த்வம் வஸேஹ கல்யாணி! ராஜ்ஞஸ்ஸமநுவர்திநீ ।
பரதஸ்ய ரதா தர்மே ஸத்யவ்ரதபராயணா ॥
sā tvaṃ vasēha kalyāṇi! rājñassamanuvartinī ।
bharatasya ratā dharmē satyavrataparāyaṇā ॥
O blessed one! May you stay here
keeping your mind in Dharma,
being agreeable to the king Bharata
and adhering always to truth.
2.26.37 அஹம் கமிஷ்யாமி மஹாவநம் ப்ரியே!
த்வயா ஹி வஸ்தவ்யமிஹைவ பாமிநி! ।
யதா வ்யலீகம் குருஷே ந கஸ்ய சி-
த்ததா த்வயா கார்யமிதம் வசோ மம ॥
ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi mahāvanaṃ priyē!
tvayā hi vastavyamihaiva bhāmini! ।
yathā vyalīkaṃ kuruṣē na kasya ci-
ttathā tvayā kāryamidaṃ vacō mama ॥
My dear! I will now go to the great Vana!
My lady! I hope you stay here
without causing any inconvenience to anyone.
I hope you will follow this advice of mine. This Ṡlōka has a nice sentence in Sanskrit that you can practice every day for fun.
Tell your better half, “ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi mahāvanaṃ priyē!”, before leaving to work every day!
Mahāvana is, indeed, a befitting metaphor for modern workplace any way!
Here is the word by word meaning:
aham - I
gamiṣyāmi - am going to
mahāvanaṃ - great jungle
priyē - my dear!
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
அயோத்யாகாண்டே ஷட்விம்ஸஸ்ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ayōdhyākāṇḍē ṣaḍviṃṡassargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the twenty sixth Sarga
in Ayōdhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
You have completed reading 3423 Ṡlōkas out of ~24,000 Ṡlōkas of Vālmeeki Rāmāyaṇa.
Meaning, notes and commentary by: Krishna Sharma.