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Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 37
Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 37
In the previous Sarga, Daṡaratha tells Sumantra to send four divisions of army, the best armaments, monies from his treasury and grain from his granaries along with Rāma, so that he can perform Yajñas and give generous gifts.
In this Sarga Rāma says that he does not fancy any of those things and the robes of bark are enough for him. Kaikēyee, shamelessly and to everyone’s shock, brings robes of bark for Rāma, Lakshmaṇa and Seetā.
Seetā, never used to such robes, is taken aback upon the sight of those clothes. Then she tries, awkwardly, to wrap them around herself, but in vain. Rāma then helps Seeta tie her new robes, making all the women there become emotional with tears.
Vasishṭha, unable to bear the sight of Seetā wearing such clothes, condemns Kaikēyee for her wicked ways and tells her that Seetā need not put on those robes as it is not part of the boons granted to her.
Further, Vasishṭha warns her that if Seetā goes with Rāma to the Vana, everyone will follow her, and Kaikēyee will be left all alone, all by herself, to rule an empty kingdom.
He further warns that Bharata, having born into that esteemed family, will not appreciate what she has done and would be loyal to Rāma.
Seetā, however, continues wearing the robes of bark, as she feels that to be the right thing to do.
2.37.1 மஹாமாத்ரவச: ஸ்ருத்வா ராமோ தஸரதம் ததா ।
அப்யபாஷத வாக்யம் து விநயஜ்ஞோ விநீதவத் ॥
mahāmātravacaḥ ṡrutvā rāmō daṡarathaṃ tadā ।
abhyabhāṣata vākyaṃ tu vinayajñō vinītavat ॥
On hearing the words of the Chief Minister,
Rāma, who was characteristically humble,
spoke to Daṡaratha with all deference:
2.37.2 த்யக்தபோகஸ்ய மே ராஜந்! வநே வந்யேந ஜீவத: ।
கிம் கார்யமநுயாத்ரேண த்யக்தஸங்கஸ்ய ஸர்வத: ॥
tyaktabhōgasya mē rājan! vanē vanyēna jīvataḥ ।
kiṃ kāryamanuyātrēṇa tyaktasaṅgasya sarvataḥ ॥
O king! I relinquish all the luxuries and attachments!
I will live in the Vana with whatever is available in the Vana!
What purpose would an entourage serve me!
2.37.3 யோ ஹி தத்த்வா த்விபஸ்ரேஷ்டம் கக்ஷ்யாயாம் குருதே மந: ।
ரஜ்ஜுஸ்நேஹேந கிம் தஸ்ய த்யஜத: குஞ்ஜரோத்தமம் ॥
yō hi dattvā dvipaṡrēṣṭhaṃ kakṣyāyāṃ kurutē manaḥ ।
rajjusnēhēna kiṃ tasya tyajataḥ kuñjarōttamam ॥
Would anyone relinquish a great elephant and
hang on to its waist band?
What good does it serve to fancy a rope
when the elephant itself is given away?
2.37.4 ததா மம ஸதாம் ஸ்ரேஷ்ட! கிம் த்வஜிந்யா ஜகத்பதே ।
ஸர்வாண்யேவாநுஜாநாமி சீராண்யேவாऽநயந்து மே ॥
tathā mama satāṃ ṡrēṣṭha! kiṃ dhvajinyā jagatpatē ।
sarvāṇyēvānujānāmi cīrāṇyēvā'nayantu mē ॥
O the foremost of good men!
O governor of the world!
I am giving up everything.
May I be given only robes of bark!
2.37.5 கநித்ரபிடகே சோபே ஸமாநயத கச்சத: ।
சதுர்தஸ வநே வாஸம் வர்ஷாணி வஸதோ மம ॥
khanitrapiṭakē cōbhē samānayata gacchataḥ ।
caturdaṡa vanē vāsaṃ varṣāṇi vasatō mama ॥
All I need to be given,
as I leave to live in the Vana for fourteen years,
are just two things, a basket and a crowbar!
2.37.6 அத சீராணி கைகேயீ ஸ்வயமாஹ்ருத்ய ராகவம் ।
உவாச பரிதத்ஸ்வேதி ஜநௌகே நிரபத்ரபா ॥
atha cīrāṇi kaikēyī svayamāhṛtya rāghavam ।
uvāca paridhatsvēti janaughē nirapatrapā ॥
With no shame whatsoever,
Kaikēyee herself brought the robes of bark
while the crowd was watching,
and said to Rāghava, “Here, put them on!”
2.37.7 ஸ சீரே புருஷவ்யாக்ர: கைகேய்யா ப்ரதிக்ருஹ்ய தே ।
ஸூக்ஷ்மவஸ்த்ரமவக்ஷிப்ய முநிவஸ்த்ராண்யவஸ்த ஹ ॥
sa cīrē puruṣavyāghraḥ kaikēyyā pratigṛhya tē ।
sūkṣmavastramavakṣipya munivastrāṇyavasta ha ॥
That tiger among men took those robes from her.
Giving up his fine apparel, he wore the robes of Munis.
2.37.8 லக்ஷ்மணஸ்சாபி தத்ரைவ விஹாய வஸநே ஸுபே ।
தாபஸாச்சாதநே சைவ ஜக்ராஹ பிதுரக்ரத: ॥
lakṣmaṇaṡcāpi tatraiva vihāya vasanē ṡubhē ।
tāpasācchādanē caiva jagrāha pituragrataḥ ॥
Lakshmaṇa also gave up his exquisite garments and
wore the robes of Munis, as his father watched.
2.37.9 அதாऽத்மபரிதாநார்தம் ஸீதா கௌஸேயவாஸிநீ ।
ஸமீக்ஷ்ய சீரம் ஸந்த்ரஸ்தா ப்ருஷதீ வாகுராமிவ ॥
athā'tmaparidhānārthaṃ sītā kauṡēyavāsinī ।
samīkṣya cīraṃ santrastā pṛṣatī vāgurāmiva ॥
Then, Seetā, who was wearing silk garments,
was taken aback by the sight of the robes meant for her,
like a doe that saw a fowler's net.
2.37.10 ஸா வ்யபத்ரபமாணேவ ப்ரக்ருஹ்ய ச ஸுதுர்மநா: ।
கைகேயீ குஸசீரே தே ஜாநகீ ஸுபலக்ஷணா ॥
sā vyapatrapamāṇēva pragṛhya ca sudurmanāḥ ।
kaikēyī kuṡacīrē tē jānakī ṡubhalakṣaṇā ॥
That women of exquisite virtues
her heart swelling in grief,
took those robes made of Kuṡa grass from Kaikēyee,
even while shying away from them.
2.37.11 அஸ்ருஸம்பூர்ண நேத்ரா ச தர்மஜ்ஞா தர்மதர்ஸிநீ ।
கந்தர்வராஜப்ரதிமம் பர்தாரமிதமப்ரவீத் ॥
aṡrusampūrṇa nētrā ca dharmajñā dharmadarṡinī ।
gandharvarājapratimaṃ bhartāramidamabravīt ॥
She, who knew Dharma and who foresaw Dharma,
then spoke with tearful eyes, to her husband
who was comparable to the king of Gandharvas:
2.37.12 கதம் நு சீரம் பத்நந்தி முநயோ வநவாஸிந: ।
இதி ஹ்யகுஸலா ஸீதா ஸா முமோஹ முஹுர்முஹு: ॥
kathaṃ nu cīraṃ badhnanti munayō vanavāsinaḥ ।
iti hyakuṡalā sītā sā mumōha muhurmuhuḥ ॥
“I do not know how the Munis
living in the Vanas wear these robes!”
Saying thus, she felt awkward, again and again
unable to put those robes on herself.
2.37.13 க்ருத்வா கண்டே ச ஸா சீரமேகமாதாய பாணிநா ।
தஸ்தௌ ஹ்யகுஸலா தத்ர வ்ரீடிதா ஜநகாத்மஜா ॥
kṛtvā kaṇṭhē ca sā cīramēkamādāya pāṇinā ।
tasthau hyakuṡalā tatra vrīḍitā janakātmajā ॥
With one of the robes tossed around the neck,
and the other held in the hand,
the daughter of Janaka
stood there feeling embarrassed
not knowing how to put them on!
2.37.14 தஸ்யாஸ்தத்க்ஷிப்ரமாகம்ய ராமோ தர்மப்ருதாம் வர: ।
சீரம் பபந்த ஸீதாயா: கௌஸேயஸ்யோபரி ஸ்வயம் ॥
tasyāstatkṣipramāgamya rāmō dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ।
cīraṃ babandha sītāyāḥ kauṡēyasyōpari svayam ॥
Going up to her instantly,
Rāma, the foremost of those who sustain Dharma,
draped those robes of Kuṡa grass personally
around Seetā over her silk clothes.
2.37.15 ராமம் ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய து ஸீதாயா பத்நந்தம் சீரமுத்தமம் ।
அந்த:புரகதா நார்யோ முமுசுர்வாரி நேத்ரஜம் ॥
rāmaṃ prēkṣya tu sītāyā badhnantaṃ cīramuttamam ।
antaḥpuragatā nāryō mumucurvāri nētrajam ॥
Tears rolled down from the eyes of
the women of the inner quarters,
upon seeing that virtuous Rāma
tying the robes on Seetā!
2.37.16 ஊசுஸ்ச பரமாயஸ்தா ராமம் ஜ்வலிததேஜஸம் ।
வத்ஸ நைவம் நியுக்தேயம் வநவாஸே மநஸ்விநீ ॥
ūcuṡca paramāyastā rāmaṃ jvalitatējasam ।
vatsa naivaṃ niyuktēyaṃ vanavāsē manasvinī ॥
Deeply troubled, they said to Rāma, of brilliant radiance,
“Dear child! No one ordered Seetā,
the magnificent, to live in the Vana!”
2.37.17 பிதுர்வாக்யாநுரோதேந கதஸ்ய விஜநம் வநம் ।
தாவத்தர்ஸநமஸ்யா ந: ஸபலம் பவது ப்ரபோ ॥
piturvākyānurōdhēna gatasya vijanaṃ vanam ।
tāvaddarṡanamasyā naḥ saphalaṃ bhavatu prabhō ॥
O lord, while you are away in the desolate Vana
in conformance with the word of your father,
we shall find solace in seeing her in our midst!
2.37.18 லக்ஷ்மணேந ஸஹாயேந வநம் கச்சஸ்வ புத்ரக ।
நேயமர்ஹதி கல்யாணீ வஸ்தும் தாபஸவத்வநே ॥
lakṣmaṇēna sahāyēna vanaṃ gacchasva putraka ।
nēyamarhati kalyāṇī vastuṃ tāpasavadvanē ॥
Dear son! May you go to the Vana,
with Lakshmaṇa as your companion!
But this tender and noble one is not
made to live in the Vana like a Muni!
2.37.19 குரு நோ யாசநாம் புத்ர! ஸீதா திஷ்டது பாமிநீ ।
தர்மநித்யஸ்ஸ்வயம் ஸ்தாதும் ந ஹீதாநீம் த்வமிச்சஸி ॥
kuru nō yācanāṃ putra! sītā tiṣṭhatu bhāminī ।
dharmanityassvayaṃ sthātuṃ na hīdānīṃ tvamicchasi ॥
Dear son! Please honor our request.
May Seetā, the beautiful and exquisite female, stay back!
Bound by your fidelity to Dharma,
you do not like to stay back, anyway!
2.37.20 தாஸாமேவம்விதா வாச ஸ்ருண்வந் தஸரதாத்மஜ: ।
பபந்தைவ ததா சீரம் ஸீதயா துல்யஸீலயா ॥
tāsāmēvaṃvidhā vāca ṡṛṇvan daṡarathātmajaḥ ।
babandhaiva tadā cīraṃ sītayā tulyaṡīlayā ॥
The son of Daṡaratha heard
those many words spoken by them.
Yet, he continued tying the robe to Seetā,
who was no less than him in her virtues.
2.37.21 சீரே க்ருஹீதே து தயா ஸமீக்ஷ்ய ந்ருபதேர்குரு: ।
நிவார்ய ஸீதாம் கைகேயீம் வஸிஷ்டோ வாக்யமப்ரவீத் ॥
cīrē gṛhītē tu tayā samīkṣya nṛpatērguruḥ ।
nivārya sītāṃ kaikēyīṃ vasiṣṭhō vākyamabravīt ॥
Seeing the robes being taken by Seetā,
and stopping her from wearing the robe,
Vasishṭha, the Guru of the king, said to Kaikēyee:
2.37.22 அதிப்ரவ்ருத்தே துர்மேதே கைகேயி குலபாம்ஸநி ।
வஞ்சயித்வா ச ராஜாநம் ந ப்ரமாணேऽவதிஷ்டஸே ॥
atipravṛttē durmēdhē kaikēyi kulapāṃsani ।
vañcayitvā ca rājānaṃ na pramāṇē'vatiṣṭhasē ॥
O Kaikēyee, of perverted mind!
You are dragging the name of the family in the dust!
You are exceeding all limits of decency!
You are way out of bounds by any standards,
in defrauding the king thus!
2.37.23 ந கந்தவ்யம் வநம் தேவ்யா ஸீதயா ஸீலவர்ஜிதே ।
அநுஷ்டாஸ்யதி ராமஸ்ய ஸீதா ப்ரக்ருதமாஸநம் ॥
na gantavyaṃ vanaṃ dēvyā sītayā ṡīlavarjitē ।
anuṣṭhāsyati rāmasya sītā prakṛtamāsanam ॥
You are left with no dignity in your character!
The lady Seetā should not go to Vana.
Rather, Seetā should take the throne that belongs to Rāma.
2.37.24 ஆத்மா ஹி தாராஸ்ஸர்வேஷாம் தாரஸங்க்ரஹவர்திநாம் ।
ஆத்மேயமிதி ராமஸ்ய பாலயிஷ்யதி மேதிநீம் ॥
ātmā hi dārāssarvēṣāṃ dārasaṅgrahavartinām ।
ātmēyamiti rāmasya pālayiṣyati mēdinīm ॥
For everyone who is worthy of having a wife,
the wife would be no less than their alter ego.
Being the alter ego of Rāma,
she can rule the earth.
2.37.25 அத யாஸ்யதி வைதேஹீ வநம் ராமேண ஸங்கதா ।
வயமப்யநுயாஸ்யாம: புரம் சேதம் கமிஷ்யதி ॥
atha yāsyati vaidēhī vanaṃ rāmēṇa saṅgatā ।
vayamapyanuyāsyāmaḥ puraṃ cēdaṃ gamiṣyati ॥
If the princess of Vidēha goes to Vana accompanying Rāma,
all of us will follow her. This entire city will go.
2.37.26 அந்தபாலாஸ்ச யாஸ்யந்தி ஸதாரோ யத்ர ராகவ: ।
ஸஹோபஜீவ்யம் ராஷ்ட்ரம் ச புரம் ச ஸபரிச்சதம் ॥
antapālāṡca yāsyanti sadārō yatra rāghavaḥ ।
sahōpajīvyaṃ rāṣṭraṃ ca puraṃ ca saparicchadam ॥
Wherever Rāma lives with his wife,
there will be the governors of the frontier regions
as well as the rural folk with their means of livelihood,
and the townsmen with their retainers and belongings!
2.37.27 பரதஸ்ச ஸஸத்ருக்நஸ்சீரவாஸா வநேசர: ।
வநே வஸந்தம் காகுத்ஸ்த மநுவத்ஸ்யதி பூர்வஜம் ॥
bharataṡca saṡatrughnaṡcīravāsā vanēcaraḥ ।
vanē vasantaṃ kākutstha manuvatsyati pūrvajam ॥
Along with Ṡatrughna, Bharata also,
wearing robes of bark, will go to the Vana,
where his elder brother, the scion of Kākutstha dynasty lives.
2.37.28 ததஸ்ஸூந்யாம் கதஜநாம் வஸுதாம் பாதபை ஸ்ஸஹ ।
த்வமேகா ஸாதி துர்வ்ருத்தா ப்ரஜாநாமஹிதே ஸ்திதா ॥
tataṡṡūnyāṃ gatajanāṃ vasudhāṃ pādapai ssaha ।
tvamēkā ṡādhi durvṛttā prajānāmahitē sthitā ॥
O wicked one, bent on ruining everyone!
Rule over the land all by yourself
that is deserted by everyone,
with nothing but the trees left!
2.37.29 ந ஹி தத்பவிதா ராஷ்ட்ரம் யத்ர ராமோ ந பூபதி: ।
தத்வநம் பவிதா ராஷ்ட்ரம் யத்ர ராமோ நிவத்ஸ்யதி ॥
na hi tadbhavitā rāṣṭraṃ yatra rāmō na bhūpatiḥ ।
tadvanaṃ bhavitā rāṣṭraṃ yatra rāmō nivatsyati ॥
It is not a kingdom, where Rāma is not the ruler.
That Vana, where Rāma is going to live, will become the kingdom!
2.37.30 ந ஹ்யதத்தாம் மஹீம் பித்ரா பரத: ஸாஸ்துமர்ஹதி ।
த்வயி வா புத்ரவத்வஸ்தும் யதி ஜாதோ மஹீபதே: ॥
na hyadattāṃ mahīṃ pitrā bharataḥ ṡāstumarhati ।
tvayi vā putravadvastuṃ yadi jātō mahīpatēḥ ॥
If Bharata was truly born to the king,
he would neither rule the land
that is not given by his father,
nor will he live as your son.
2.37.31 யத்யபி த்வம் க்ஷிதிதலாத்ககநம் சோத்பதிஷ்யஸி ।
பித்ருர்வம்ஸசரித்ரஜ்ஞ: ஸோऽந்யதா ந கரிஷ்யதி ॥
yadyapi tvaṃ kṣititalādgaganaṃ cōtpatiṣyasi ।
pitṛrvaṃṡacaritrajñaḥ sō'nyathā na kariṣyati ॥
Even if you jump up and down,
from earth to the sky,
he will not do anything differently,
knowing fully well the traditions
of his father’s lineage.
2.37.32 தத்த்வயா புத்ரகர்திந்யா புத்ரஸ்ய க்ருதமப்ரியம் ।
லோகே ஹி ஸ ந வித்யேத யோ ந ராமமநுவ்ரத: ॥
tattvayā putragardhinyā putrasya kṛtamapriyam ।
lōkē hi sa na vidyēta yō na rāmamanuvrataḥ ॥
Hence, with all the love you have for your son,
you are only doing what he would regret.
It is difficult to find anyone in this world
who would not be loyal to Rāma.
2.37.33 த்ரக்ஷ்யஸ்யத்யைவ கைகேயீ பஸுவ்யாலம்ருகத்விஜாந் ।
கச்சதஸ்ஸஹ ராமேண பாதபாம்ஸ்ச ததுந்முகாந் ॥
drakṣyasyadyaiva kaikēyī paṡuvyālamṛgadvijān ।
gacchatassaha rāmēṇa pādapāṃṡca tadunmukhān ॥
O Kaikēyee! Now you will see even
cattle, elephants, animals and birds going along with him,
and even trees turning in the direction Rāma left.
2.37.34 அதோத்தமாந்யாபரணாநி தேவி !
தேஹி ஸ்நுஷாயை வ்யபநீய சீரம் ।
ந சீரமஸ்யா: ப்ரவிதீயதேதி
ந்யவாரயத்தத்வஸநம் வஸிஷ்ட: ॥
athōttamānyābharaṇāni dēvi !
dēhi snuṣāyai vyapanīya cīram ।
na cīramasyāḥ pravidhīyatēti
nyavārayattadvasanaṃ vasiṣṭaḥ ॥
O Lady, take these robes of bark
off your daughter-in-law!
Give her the best of ornaments!
The robes of bark are not ordered for her.
Saying thus, Vasishṭha tried to
stop her from wearing the robes of bark.
2.37.35 ஏகஸ்ய ராமஸ்ய வநே நிவாஸ-
ஸ்த்வயா வ்ருத:கேகயராஜபுத்ரீ ।
விபூஷிதேயம் ப்ரதிகர்மநித்யா
வஸத்வரண்யே ஸஹ ராகவேண ॥
ēkasya rāmasya vanē nivāsa-
stvayā vṛtaḥkēkayarājaputrī ।
vibhūṣitēyaṃ pratikarmanityā
vasatvaraṇyē saha rāghavēṇa ॥
O Kaikēyee, you have sought only
the exile of Rāma to the Vana.
Hence, may she live in the forest along with Rāma
with all decorations and daily care of toilet!
2.37.36 யாநைஸ்ச முக்யை: பரிசாரகைஸ்ச
ஸுஸம்வ்ருதா கச்சது ராஜபுத்ரீ ।
வஸ்த்ரைஸ்ச ஸர்வைஸ்ஸஹிதைர்விதாநை
ர்நேயம் வ்ருதா தே வரஸம்ப்ரதாநே ॥
yānaiṡca mukhyaiḥ paricārakaiṡca
susaṃvṛtā gacchatu rājaputrī ।
vastraiṡca sarvaissahitairvidhānai
rnēyaṃ vṛtā tē varasampradānē ॥
May this princess go along
with all the vehicles, attendants,
garments and every other implement of convenience.
After all, she is not part of the boons you sought!
2.37.37 தஸ்மிம்ஸ்ததா ஜல்பதி விப்ரமுக்யே
குரௌ ந்ருபஸ்யாப்ரதிமப்ரபாவே ।
நைவ ஸ்ம ஸீதா விநிவ்ருத்தபாவா
ப்ரியஸ்ய பர்து: ப்ரதிகாரகாமா ॥
tasmiṃstathā jalpati vipramukhyē
gurau nṛpasyāpratimaprabhāvē ।
naiva sma sītā vinivṛttabhāvā
priyasya bhartuḥ pratikārakāmā ॥
Though that prominent Brāhmaṇa,
the highly distinguished guru of the king
was saying thus,
Seetā did not turn away (from wearing the robe),
intent upon doing the right thing
for the husband that she loved.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
அயோத்யாகாண்டே ஸப்தத்ரிம்ஸஸ்ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ayōdhyākāṇḍē saptatriṃṡassargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the thirty seventh Sarga
in Ayōdhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 37
In the previous Sarga, Daṡaratha tells Sumantra to send four divisions of army, the best armaments, monies from his treasury and grain from his granaries along with Rāma, so that he can perform Yajñas and give generous gifts.
In this Sarga Rāma says that he does not fancy any of those things and the robes of bark are enough for him. Kaikēyee, shamelessly and to everyone’s shock, brings robes of bark for Rāma, Lakshmaṇa and Seetā.
Seetā, never used to such robes, is taken aback upon the sight of those clothes. Then she tries, awkwardly, to wrap them around herself, but in vain. Rāma then helps Seeta tie her new robes, making all the women there become emotional with tears.
Vasishṭha, unable to bear the sight of Seetā wearing such clothes, condemns Kaikēyee for her wicked ways and tells her that Seetā need not put on those robes as it is not part of the boons granted to her.
Further, Vasishṭha warns her that if Seetā goes with Rāma to the Vana, everyone will follow her, and Kaikēyee will be left all alone, all by herself, to rule an empty kingdom.
He further warns that Bharata, having born into that esteemed family, will not appreciate what she has done and would be loyal to Rāma.
Seetā, however, continues wearing the robes of bark, as she feels that to be the right thing to do.
2.37.1 மஹாமாத்ரவச: ஸ்ருத்வா ராமோ தஸரதம் ததா ।
அப்யபாஷத வாக்யம் து விநயஜ்ஞோ விநீதவத் ॥
mahāmātravacaḥ ṡrutvā rāmō daṡarathaṃ tadā ।
abhyabhāṣata vākyaṃ tu vinayajñō vinītavat ॥
On hearing the words of the Chief Minister,
Rāma, who was characteristically humble,
spoke to Daṡaratha with all deference:
2.37.2 த்யக்தபோகஸ்ய மே ராஜந்! வநே வந்யேந ஜீவத: ।
கிம் கார்யமநுயாத்ரேண த்யக்தஸங்கஸ்ய ஸர்வத: ॥
tyaktabhōgasya mē rājan! vanē vanyēna jīvataḥ ।
kiṃ kāryamanuyātrēṇa tyaktasaṅgasya sarvataḥ ॥
O king! I relinquish all the luxuries and attachments!
I will live in the Vana with whatever is available in the Vana!
What purpose would an entourage serve me!
2.37.3 யோ ஹி தத்த்வா த்விபஸ்ரேஷ்டம் கக்ஷ்யாயாம் குருதே மந: ।
ரஜ்ஜுஸ்நேஹேந கிம் தஸ்ய த்யஜத: குஞ்ஜரோத்தமம் ॥
yō hi dattvā dvipaṡrēṣṭhaṃ kakṣyāyāṃ kurutē manaḥ ।
rajjusnēhēna kiṃ tasya tyajataḥ kuñjarōttamam ॥
Would anyone relinquish a great elephant and
hang on to its waist band?
What good does it serve to fancy a rope
when the elephant itself is given away?
2.37.4 ததா மம ஸதாம் ஸ்ரேஷ்ட! கிம் த்வஜிந்யா ஜகத்பதே ।
ஸர்வாண்யேவாநுஜாநாமி சீராண்யேவாऽநயந்து மே ॥
tathā mama satāṃ ṡrēṣṭha! kiṃ dhvajinyā jagatpatē ।
sarvāṇyēvānujānāmi cīrāṇyēvā'nayantu mē ॥
O the foremost of good men!
O governor of the world!
I am giving up everything.
May I be given only robes of bark!
2.37.5 கநித்ரபிடகே சோபே ஸமாநயத கச்சத: ।
சதுர்தஸ வநே வாஸம் வர்ஷாணி வஸதோ மம ॥
khanitrapiṭakē cōbhē samānayata gacchataḥ ।
caturdaṡa vanē vāsaṃ varṣāṇi vasatō mama ॥
All I need to be given,
as I leave to live in the Vana for fourteen years,
are just two things, a basket and a crowbar!
2.37.6 அத சீராணி கைகேயீ ஸ்வயமாஹ்ருத்ய ராகவம் ।
உவாச பரிதத்ஸ்வேதி ஜநௌகே நிரபத்ரபா ॥
atha cīrāṇi kaikēyī svayamāhṛtya rāghavam ।
uvāca paridhatsvēti janaughē nirapatrapā ॥
With no shame whatsoever,
Kaikēyee herself brought the robes of bark
while the crowd was watching,
and said to Rāghava, “Here, put them on!”
2.37.7 ஸ சீரே புருஷவ்யாக்ர: கைகேய்யா ப்ரதிக்ருஹ்ய தே ।
ஸூக்ஷ்மவஸ்த்ரமவக்ஷிப்ய முநிவஸ்த்ராண்யவஸ்த ஹ ॥
sa cīrē puruṣavyāghraḥ kaikēyyā pratigṛhya tē ।
sūkṣmavastramavakṣipya munivastrāṇyavasta ha ॥
That tiger among men took those robes from her.
Giving up his fine apparel, he wore the robes of Munis.
2.37.8 லக்ஷ்மணஸ்சாபி தத்ரைவ விஹாய வஸநே ஸுபே ।
தாபஸாச்சாதநே சைவ ஜக்ராஹ பிதுரக்ரத: ॥
lakṣmaṇaṡcāpi tatraiva vihāya vasanē ṡubhē ।
tāpasācchādanē caiva jagrāha pituragrataḥ ॥
Lakshmaṇa also gave up his exquisite garments and
wore the robes of Munis, as his father watched.
2.37.9 அதாऽத்மபரிதாநார்தம் ஸீதா கௌஸேயவாஸிநீ ।
ஸமீக்ஷ்ய சீரம் ஸந்த்ரஸ்தா ப்ருஷதீ வாகுராமிவ ॥
athā'tmaparidhānārthaṃ sītā kauṡēyavāsinī ।
samīkṣya cīraṃ santrastā pṛṣatī vāgurāmiva ॥
Then, Seetā, who was wearing silk garments,
was taken aback by the sight of the robes meant for her,
like a doe that saw a fowler's net.
2.37.10 ஸா வ்யபத்ரபமாணேவ ப்ரக்ருஹ்ய ச ஸுதுர்மநா: ।
கைகேயீ குஸசீரே தே ஜாநகீ ஸுபலக்ஷணா ॥
sā vyapatrapamāṇēva pragṛhya ca sudurmanāḥ ।
kaikēyī kuṡacīrē tē jānakī ṡubhalakṣaṇā ॥
That women of exquisite virtues
her heart swelling in grief,
took those robes made of Kuṡa grass from Kaikēyee,
even while shying away from them.
2.37.11 அஸ்ருஸம்பூர்ண நேத்ரா ச தர்மஜ்ஞா தர்மதர்ஸிநீ ।
கந்தர்வராஜப்ரதிமம் பர்தாரமிதமப்ரவீத் ॥
aṡrusampūrṇa nētrā ca dharmajñā dharmadarṡinī ।
gandharvarājapratimaṃ bhartāramidamabravīt ॥
She, who knew Dharma and who foresaw Dharma,
then spoke with tearful eyes, to her husband
who was comparable to the king of Gandharvas:
2.37.12 கதம் நு சீரம் பத்நந்தி முநயோ வநவாஸிந: ।
இதி ஹ்யகுஸலா ஸீதா ஸா முமோஹ முஹுர்முஹு: ॥
kathaṃ nu cīraṃ badhnanti munayō vanavāsinaḥ ।
iti hyakuṡalā sītā sā mumōha muhurmuhuḥ ॥
“I do not know how the Munis
living in the Vanas wear these robes!”
Saying thus, she felt awkward, again and again
unable to put those robes on herself.
2.37.13 க்ருத்வா கண்டே ச ஸா சீரமேகமாதாய பாணிநா ।
தஸ்தௌ ஹ்யகுஸலா தத்ர வ்ரீடிதா ஜநகாத்மஜா ॥
kṛtvā kaṇṭhē ca sā cīramēkamādāya pāṇinā ।
tasthau hyakuṡalā tatra vrīḍitā janakātmajā ॥
With one of the robes tossed around the neck,
and the other held in the hand,
the daughter of Janaka
stood there feeling embarrassed
not knowing how to put them on!
2.37.14 தஸ்யாஸ்தத்க்ஷிப்ரமாகம்ய ராமோ தர்மப்ருதாம் வர: ।
சீரம் பபந்த ஸீதாயா: கௌஸேயஸ்யோபரி ஸ்வயம் ॥
tasyāstatkṣipramāgamya rāmō dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ।
cīraṃ babandha sītāyāḥ kauṡēyasyōpari svayam ॥
Going up to her instantly,
Rāma, the foremost of those who sustain Dharma,
draped those robes of Kuṡa grass personally
around Seetā over her silk clothes.
2.37.15 ராமம் ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய து ஸீதாயா பத்நந்தம் சீரமுத்தமம் ।
அந்த:புரகதா நார்யோ முமுசுர்வாரி நேத்ரஜம் ॥
rāmaṃ prēkṣya tu sītāyā badhnantaṃ cīramuttamam ।
antaḥpuragatā nāryō mumucurvāri nētrajam ॥
Tears rolled down from the eyes of
the women of the inner quarters,
upon seeing that virtuous Rāma
tying the robes on Seetā!
2.37.16 ஊசுஸ்ச பரமாயஸ்தா ராமம் ஜ்வலிததேஜஸம் ।
வத்ஸ நைவம் நியுக்தேயம் வநவாஸே மநஸ்விநீ ॥
ūcuṡca paramāyastā rāmaṃ jvalitatējasam ।
vatsa naivaṃ niyuktēyaṃ vanavāsē manasvinī ॥
Deeply troubled, they said to Rāma, of brilliant radiance,
“Dear child! No one ordered Seetā,
the magnificent, to live in the Vana!”
2.37.17 பிதுர்வாக்யாநுரோதேந கதஸ்ய விஜநம் வநம் ।
தாவத்தர்ஸநமஸ்யா ந: ஸபலம் பவது ப்ரபோ ॥
piturvākyānurōdhēna gatasya vijanaṃ vanam ।
tāvaddarṡanamasyā naḥ saphalaṃ bhavatu prabhō ॥
O lord, while you are away in the desolate Vana
in conformance with the word of your father,
we shall find solace in seeing her in our midst!
2.37.18 லக்ஷ்மணேந ஸஹாயேந வநம் கச்சஸ்வ புத்ரக ।
நேயமர்ஹதி கல்யாணீ வஸ்தும் தாபஸவத்வநே ॥
lakṣmaṇēna sahāyēna vanaṃ gacchasva putraka ।
nēyamarhati kalyāṇī vastuṃ tāpasavadvanē ॥
Dear son! May you go to the Vana,
with Lakshmaṇa as your companion!
But this tender and noble one is not
made to live in the Vana like a Muni!
2.37.19 குரு நோ யாசநாம் புத்ர! ஸீதா திஷ்டது பாமிநீ ।
தர்மநித்யஸ்ஸ்வயம் ஸ்தாதும் ந ஹீதாநீம் த்வமிச்சஸி ॥
kuru nō yācanāṃ putra! sītā tiṣṭhatu bhāminī ।
dharmanityassvayaṃ sthātuṃ na hīdānīṃ tvamicchasi ॥
Dear son! Please honor our request.
May Seetā, the beautiful and exquisite female, stay back!
Bound by your fidelity to Dharma,
you do not like to stay back, anyway!
2.37.20 தாஸாமேவம்விதா வாச ஸ்ருண்வந் தஸரதாத்மஜ: ।
பபந்தைவ ததா சீரம் ஸீதயா துல்யஸீலயா ॥
tāsāmēvaṃvidhā vāca ṡṛṇvan daṡarathātmajaḥ ।
babandhaiva tadā cīraṃ sītayā tulyaṡīlayā ॥
The son of Daṡaratha heard
those many words spoken by them.
Yet, he continued tying the robe to Seetā,
who was no less than him in her virtues.
2.37.21 சீரே க்ருஹீதே து தயா ஸமீக்ஷ்ய ந்ருபதேர்குரு: ।
நிவார்ய ஸீதாம் கைகேயீம் வஸிஷ்டோ வாக்யமப்ரவீத் ॥
cīrē gṛhītē tu tayā samīkṣya nṛpatērguruḥ ।
nivārya sītāṃ kaikēyīṃ vasiṣṭhō vākyamabravīt ॥
Seeing the robes being taken by Seetā,
and stopping her from wearing the robe,
Vasishṭha, the Guru of the king, said to Kaikēyee:
2.37.22 அதிப்ரவ்ருத்தே துர்மேதே கைகேயி குலபாம்ஸநி ।
வஞ்சயித்வா ச ராஜாநம் ந ப்ரமாணேऽவதிஷ்டஸே ॥
atipravṛttē durmēdhē kaikēyi kulapāṃsani ।
vañcayitvā ca rājānaṃ na pramāṇē'vatiṣṭhasē ॥
O Kaikēyee, of perverted mind!
You are dragging the name of the family in the dust!
You are exceeding all limits of decency!
You are way out of bounds by any standards,
in defrauding the king thus!
2.37.23 ந கந்தவ்யம் வநம் தேவ்யா ஸீதயா ஸீலவர்ஜிதே ।
அநுஷ்டாஸ்யதி ராமஸ்ய ஸீதா ப்ரக்ருதமாஸநம் ॥
na gantavyaṃ vanaṃ dēvyā sītayā ṡīlavarjitē ।
anuṣṭhāsyati rāmasya sītā prakṛtamāsanam ॥
You are left with no dignity in your character!
The lady Seetā should not go to Vana.
Rather, Seetā should take the throne that belongs to Rāma.
2.37.24 ஆத்மா ஹி தாராஸ்ஸர்வேஷாம் தாரஸங்க்ரஹவர்திநாம் ।
ஆத்மேயமிதி ராமஸ்ய பாலயிஷ்யதி மேதிநீம் ॥
ātmā hi dārāssarvēṣāṃ dārasaṅgrahavartinām ।
ātmēyamiti rāmasya pālayiṣyati mēdinīm ॥
For everyone who is worthy of having a wife,
the wife would be no less than their alter ego.
Being the alter ego of Rāma,
she can rule the earth.
2.37.25 அத யாஸ்யதி வைதேஹீ வநம் ராமேண ஸங்கதா ।
வயமப்யநுயாஸ்யாம: புரம் சேதம் கமிஷ்யதி ॥
atha yāsyati vaidēhī vanaṃ rāmēṇa saṅgatā ।
vayamapyanuyāsyāmaḥ puraṃ cēdaṃ gamiṣyati ॥
If the princess of Vidēha goes to Vana accompanying Rāma,
all of us will follow her. This entire city will go.
2.37.26 அந்தபாலாஸ்ச யாஸ்யந்தி ஸதாரோ யத்ர ராகவ: ।
ஸஹோபஜீவ்யம் ராஷ்ட்ரம் ச புரம் ச ஸபரிச்சதம் ॥
antapālāṡca yāsyanti sadārō yatra rāghavaḥ ।
sahōpajīvyaṃ rāṣṭraṃ ca puraṃ ca saparicchadam ॥
Wherever Rāma lives with his wife,
there will be the governors of the frontier regions
as well as the rural folk with their means of livelihood,
and the townsmen with their retainers and belongings!
2.37.27 பரதஸ்ச ஸஸத்ருக்நஸ்சீரவாஸா வநேசர: ।
வநே வஸந்தம் காகுத்ஸ்த மநுவத்ஸ்யதி பூர்வஜம் ॥
bharataṡca saṡatrughnaṡcīravāsā vanēcaraḥ ।
vanē vasantaṃ kākutstha manuvatsyati pūrvajam ॥
Along with Ṡatrughna, Bharata also,
wearing robes of bark, will go to the Vana,
where his elder brother, the scion of Kākutstha dynasty lives.
2.37.28 ததஸ்ஸூந்யாம் கதஜநாம் வஸுதாம் பாதபை ஸ்ஸஹ ।
த்வமேகா ஸாதி துர்வ்ருத்தா ப்ரஜாநாமஹிதே ஸ்திதா ॥
tataṡṡūnyāṃ gatajanāṃ vasudhāṃ pādapai ssaha ।
tvamēkā ṡādhi durvṛttā prajānāmahitē sthitā ॥
O wicked one, bent on ruining everyone!
Rule over the land all by yourself
that is deserted by everyone,
with nothing but the trees left!
2.37.29 ந ஹி தத்பவிதா ராஷ்ட்ரம் யத்ர ராமோ ந பூபதி: ।
தத்வநம் பவிதா ராஷ்ட்ரம் யத்ர ராமோ நிவத்ஸ்யதி ॥
na hi tadbhavitā rāṣṭraṃ yatra rāmō na bhūpatiḥ ।
tadvanaṃ bhavitā rāṣṭraṃ yatra rāmō nivatsyati ॥
It is not a kingdom, where Rāma is not the ruler.
That Vana, where Rāma is going to live, will become the kingdom!
2.37.30 ந ஹ்யதத்தாம் மஹீம் பித்ரா பரத: ஸாஸ்துமர்ஹதி ।
த்வயி வா புத்ரவத்வஸ்தும் யதி ஜாதோ மஹீபதே: ॥
na hyadattāṃ mahīṃ pitrā bharataḥ ṡāstumarhati ।
tvayi vā putravadvastuṃ yadi jātō mahīpatēḥ ॥
If Bharata was truly born to the king,
he would neither rule the land
that is not given by his father,
nor will he live as your son.
2.37.31 யத்யபி த்வம் க்ஷிதிதலாத்ககநம் சோத்பதிஷ்யஸி ।
பித்ருர்வம்ஸசரித்ரஜ்ஞ: ஸோऽந்யதா ந கரிஷ்யதி ॥
yadyapi tvaṃ kṣititalādgaganaṃ cōtpatiṣyasi ।
pitṛrvaṃṡacaritrajñaḥ sō'nyathā na kariṣyati ॥
Even if you jump up and down,
from earth to the sky,
he will not do anything differently,
knowing fully well the traditions
of his father’s lineage.
2.37.32 தத்த்வயா புத்ரகர்திந்யா புத்ரஸ்ய க்ருதமப்ரியம் ।
லோகே ஹி ஸ ந வித்யேத யோ ந ராமமநுவ்ரத: ॥
tattvayā putragardhinyā putrasya kṛtamapriyam ।
lōkē hi sa na vidyēta yō na rāmamanuvrataḥ ॥
Hence, with all the love you have for your son,
you are only doing what he would regret.
It is difficult to find anyone in this world
who would not be loyal to Rāma.
2.37.33 த்ரக்ஷ்யஸ்யத்யைவ கைகேயீ பஸுவ்யாலம்ருகத்விஜாந் ।
கச்சதஸ்ஸஹ ராமேண பாதபாம்ஸ்ச ததுந்முகாந் ॥
drakṣyasyadyaiva kaikēyī paṡuvyālamṛgadvijān ।
gacchatassaha rāmēṇa pādapāṃṡca tadunmukhān ॥
O Kaikēyee! Now you will see even
cattle, elephants, animals and birds going along with him,
and even trees turning in the direction Rāma left.
2.37.34 அதோத்தமாந்யாபரணாநி தேவி !
தேஹி ஸ்நுஷாயை வ்யபநீய சீரம் ।
ந சீரமஸ்யா: ப்ரவிதீயதேதி
ந்யவாரயத்தத்வஸநம் வஸிஷ்ட: ॥
athōttamānyābharaṇāni dēvi !
dēhi snuṣāyai vyapanīya cīram ।
na cīramasyāḥ pravidhīyatēti
nyavārayattadvasanaṃ vasiṣṭaḥ ॥
O Lady, take these robes of bark
off your daughter-in-law!
Give her the best of ornaments!
The robes of bark are not ordered for her.
Saying thus, Vasishṭha tried to
stop her from wearing the robes of bark.
2.37.35 ஏகஸ்ய ராமஸ்ய வநே நிவாஸ-
ஸ்த்வயா வ்ருத:கேகயராஜபுத்ரீ ।
விபூஷிதேயம் ப்ரதிகர்மநித்யா
வஸத்வரண்யே ஸஹ ராகவேண ॥
ēkasya rāmasya vanē nivāsa-
stvayā vṛtaḥkēkayarājaputrī ।
vibhūṣitēyaṃ pratikarmanityā
vasatvaraṇyē saha rāghavēṇa ॥
O Kaikēyee, you have sought only
the exile of Rāma to the Vana.
Hence, may she live in the forest along with Rāma
with all decorations and daily care of toilet!
2.37.36 யாநைஸ்ச முக்யை: பரிசாரகைஸ்ச
ஸுஸம்வ்ருதா கச்சது ராஜபுத்ரீ ।
வஸ்த்ரைஸ்ச ஸர்வைஸ்ஸஹிதைர்விதாநை
ர்நேயம் வ்ருதா தே வரஸம்ப்ரதாநே ॥
yānaiṡca mukhyaiḥ paricārakaiṡca
susaṃvṛtā gacchatu rājaputrī ।
vastraiṡca sarvaissahitairvidhānai
rnēyaṃ vṛtā tē varasampradānē ॥
May this princess go along
with all the vehicles, attendants,
garments and every other implement of convenience.
After all, she is not part of the boons you sought!
2.37.37 தஸ்மிம்ஸ்ததா ஜல்பதி விப்ரமுக்யே
குரௌ ந்ருபஸ்யாப்ரதிமப்ரபாவே ।
நைவ ஸ்ம ஸீதா விநிவ்ருத்தபாவா
ப்ரியஸ்ய பர்து: ப்ரதிகாரகாமா ॥
tasmiṃstathā jalpati vipramukhyē
gurau nṛpasyāpratimaprabhāvē ।
naiva sma sītā vinivṛttabhāvā
priyasya bhartuḥ pratikārakāmā ॥
Though that prominent Brāhmaṇa,
the highly distinguished guru of the king
was saying thus,
Seetā did not turn away (from wearing the robe),
intent upon doing the right thing
for the husband that she loved.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
அயோத்யாகாண்டே ஸப்தத்ரிம்ஸஸ்ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ayōdhyākāṇḍē saptatriṃṡassargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the thirty seventh Sarga
in Ayōdhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.