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Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 39
By now everyone is resigned to the fact that neither would Kaikēyee yield from her misplaced demands, nor would Rāma take any other course other than making his father’s promise to Kaikēyee come true.
In this Sarga, Daṡaratha orders a fine chariot to be made ready for the departure of Rāma to Vana, and for the best clothes and jewelry for Seetā, that would last through her stay in the Vana.
Kousalyā tells Seetā to regard her husband just as she did before, even though he is penniless now. Seetā assures her mother-in-law that there would be no difference whatsoever in her regard for her husband.
Rāma takes leave of his mother Kousalyā and all the other three hundred and fifty mothers. The entire palace is filled with the din of cries of the women.
2.39.1-2 ராமஸ்ய து வச: ஸ்ருத்வா முநிவேஷதரம் ச தம் ।
ஸமீக்ஷ்ய ஸஹ பார்யாபீ ராஜா விகதசேதந: ॥
நைநம் து:கேந ஸந்தப்த: ப்ரத்யவைக்ஷத ராகவம் ।
ந சைநமபிஸம்ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய ப்ரத்யபாஷத துர்மநா: ॥
rāmasya tu vacaḥ ṡṛtvā munivēṣadharaṃ ca tam ।
samīkṣya saha bhāryābhī rājā vigatacētanaḥ ॥
nainaṃ duḥkhēna santaptaḥ pratyavaikṣata rāghavam ।
na cainamabhisamprēkṣya pratyabhāṣata durmanāḥ ॥
The king, in the company of his wives,
heard the words of Rāma.
The sight of Rāma in the garbs of a Muni
completely disoriented him.
Fried by grief, he could not even
manage to behold Rāghava.
With his mind completely dysfunctional,
he could neither see him nor respond to him.
2.39.3 ஸ முஹூர்தமிவாஸம்ஜ்ஞோ து:கிதஸ்ச மஹீபதி: ।
விலலாப மஹாபாஹூ ராமமேவாநுசிந்தயந் ॥
sa muhūrtamivāsaṃjñō duḥkhitaṡca mahīpatiḥ ।
vilalāpa mahābāhū rāmamēvānucintayan ॥
That lord of the lands cried as if
he had lost his senses completely for a moment.
He continued to lament, thinking about Rāma.
2.39.4 மந்யே கலு மயா பூர்வம் விவத்ஸா பஹவ:க்ருதா: ।
ப்ராணிநோ ஹிம்ஸிதா வாபி தஸ்மாதிதமுபஸ்திதம் ॥
manyē khalu mayā pūrvaṃ vivatsā bahavaḥkṛtāḥ ।
prāṇinō hiṃsitā vāpi tasmādidamupasthitam ॥
I must have separated many people
in the past from their children and
must have tormented many a being.
I think that this calamity
has befallen because of that.
2.39.5-6 ந த்வேவாநாகதே காலே தேஹாச்ச்யவதி ஜீவிதம் ।
கைகேய்யா க்லிஸ்யமாநஸ்ய ம்ருத்யுர்மம ந வித்யதே ॥
யோऽஹம் பாவகஸங்காஸம் பஸ்யாமி புரத: ஸ்திதம் ।
விஹாய வஸநே ஸூக்ஷ்மே தாபஸாச்சாதமாத்மஜம் ॥
na tvēvānāgatē kālē dēhāccyavati jīvitam ।
kaikēyyā kliṡyamānasya mṛtyurmama na vidyatē ॥
yō'haṃ pāvakasaṅkāṡaṃ paṡyāmi purataḥ sthitam ।
vihāya vasanē sūkṣmē tāpasācchādamātmajam ॥
I guess life won’t leave the body until it is time.
I don’t see death coming to me
even after being tormented thus by Kaikēyee
and even after seeing my fiery son, my own blood,
standing in front of me,
covered in the robes of a Muni,
leaving his fine garments behind!
2.39.7 ஏகஸ்யா: கலு கைகேய்யா: க்ருதே ऽயம் க்லிஸ்யதே ஜந: ।
ஸ்வார்தே ப்ரயதமாநாயா: ஸம்ஸ்ரித்ய நிக்ருதிம் த்விமாம் ॥
ēkasyāḥ khalu kaikēyyāḥ kṛtē 'yaṃ kliṡyatē janaḥ ।
svārthē prayatamānāyāḥ saṃṡritya nikṛtiṃ tvimām ॥
Everyone is suffering because of
one Kaikēyee, who is working towards her own ends
by harboring such devious means.
2.39.8 ஏவமுக்த்வா து வசநம் பாஷ்பேண பிஹிதேந்த்ரிய: ।
ராமேதி ஸக்ருதேவோக்த்வா வ்யாஹர்தும் ந ஸஸாக ஹ ॥
ēvamuktvā tu vacanaṃ bāṣpēṇa pihitēndriyaḥ ।
rāmēti sakṛdēvōktvā vyāhartuṃ na ṡaṡāka ha ॥
After saying those words with tears in his eyes,
with his senses completely burdened,
he could speak no more than utter just one word: ‘Rāma!’
2.39.9 ஸம்ஜ்ஞாம் து ப்ரதிலப்யைவ முஹூர்தாத்ஸ மஹீபதி: ।
நேத்ராப்யாமஸ்ருபூர்ணாப்யாம் ஸுமந்த்ரமிதமப்ரவீத் ॥
saṃjñāṃ tu pratilabhyaiva muhūrtātsa mahīpatiḥ ।
nētrābhyāmaṡrupūrṇābhyāṃ sumantramidamabravīt ॥
Regaining his senses after a few moments,
the lord of the lands, his eyes suffused with tears,
said to Sumantra:
2.39.10 ஔபவாஹ்யம் ரதம் யுக்த்வா த்வமாயாஹி ஹயோத்தமை: ।
ப்ராபயைநம் மஹாபாகமிதோ ஜநபதாத்பரம் ॥
aupavāhyaṃ rathaṃ yuktvā tvamāyāhi hayōttamaiḥ ।
prāpayainaṃ mahābhāgamitō janapadātparam ॥
Please bring a chariot appropriate for a long ride,
with the finest of the horses yoked to it.
And take this blessed soul from here,
to the areas beyond the boundaries of human dwellings.
2.39.11 ஏவம் மந்யே குணவதாம் குணாநாம் பலமுச்யதே ।
பித்ரா மாத்ரா ச யத்ஸாதுர்வீரோ நிர்வாஸ்யதே வநம் ॥
ēvaṃ manyē guṇavatāṃ guṇānāṃ phalamucyatē ।
pitrā mātrā ca yatsādhurvīrō nirvāsyatē vanam ॥
I guess I must surmise that the
best virtues of the best people
would only yield results like this.
How else is it possible that
such a noble Veera is being sent away in exile,
by his own father and mother?
2.39.12 ராஜ்ஞோ வசநமாஜ்ஞாய ஸுமந்த்ர: ஸீக்ரவிக்ரம: ।
யோஜயித்வாऽயயௌ தத்ர ரதமஸ்வைரலங்க்ருதம் ॥
rājñō vacanamājñāya sumantraḥ ṡīghravikramaḥ ।
yōjayitvā'yayau tatra rathamaṡvairalaṅkṛtam ॥
Sumantra, in accordance with those words of the king,
went swiftly and returned
with a well decorated chariot,
with splendid horses yoked to it.
2.39.13 தம் ரதம் ராஜபுத்ராய ஸூத: கநகபூஷிதம் ।
ஆசசக்ஷேऽஞ்ஜலிம் க்ருத்வா யுக்தம் பரமவாஜிபி: ॥
taṃ rathaṃ rājaputrāya sūtaḥ kanakabhūṣitam ।
ācacakṣē'ñjaliṃ kṛtvā yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ ॥
The charioteer then,
with palms joined in reverence,
informed the prince that the chariot,
embellished with gold trappings
and drawn by superb horses, was ready.
2.39.14 ராஜா ஸத்வரமாஹூய வ்யாப்ருதம் வித்தஸம்ஞ்சயே ।
உவாச தேஸகாலஜ்ஞம் நிஸ்சிதம் ஸர்வதஸ்ஸுசிம் ॥
rājā satvaramāhūya vyāpṛtaṃ vittasaṃñcayē ।
uvāca dēṡakālajñaṃ niṡcitaṃ sarvataṡṡucim ॥
The king then summoned an
honest and strict officer from the treasury,
who had a great sense of time and place, and said:
2.39.15 வாஸாம்ஸி ச மஹார்ஹாணி பூஷணாநி வராணி ச ।
வர்ஷாண்யேதாநி ஸங்க்யாய வைதேஹ்யா: க்ஷிப்ரமாநய ॥
vāsāṃsi ca mahārhāṇi bhūṣaṇāni varāṇi ca ।
varṣāṇyētāni saṅkhyāya vaidēhyāḥ kṣipramānaya ॥
Please bring immediately
the most exquisite garments and the finest jewelry,
that would be enough for Seetā,
for the count of years (that she will be away).
2.39.16 நரேந்த்ரேணைவமுக்தஸ்து கத்வா கோஸக்ருஹம் தத: ।
ப்ராயச்சத்ஸர்வமாஹ்ருத்ய ஸீதாயை ஸமமேவ தத் ॥
narēndrēṇaivamuktastu gatvā kōṡagṛhaṃ tataḥ ।
prāyacchatsarvamāhṛtya sītāyai samamēva tat ॥
Told thus by the lord of the peoples,
he went to the locker room
and brought everything and
gave all of them to Seetā.
2.39.17 ஸா ஸுஜாதா ஸுஜாதாநி வைதேஹீ ப்ரஸ்திதா வநம் ।
பூஷயாமாஸ காத்ராணி தைர்விசித்ரைர்விபூஷணை: ॥
sā sujātā sujātāni vaidēhī prasthitā vanam ।
bhūṣayāmāsa gātrāṇi tairvicitrairvibhūṣaṇaiḥ ॥
That high-born princess of Vidēha
who was ready to leave for the Vana
decorated her beautiful figure
with those assorted and elegant ornaments.
2.39.18 வ்யராஜயத வைதேஹீ வேஸ்ம தத்ஸுவிபூஷிதா ।
உத்யதோம்ऽஸுமத: காலே கம் ப்ரபேவ விவஸ்வத: ॥
vyarājayata vaidēhī vēṡma tatsuvibhūṣitā ।
udyatōṃ'ṡumataḥ kālē khaṃ prabhēva vivasvataḥ ॥
The princess of Vidēha, thus decked completely,
illuminated that house like
the rays of rising sun illuminating the sky.
2.39.19 தாம் புஜாப்யாம் பரிஷ்வஜ்ய ஸ்வஸ்ரூர்வசநமப்ரவீத் ।
அநாசரந்தீ க்ருபணம் மூர்த்ந்யுபாக்ராய மைதிலீம் ॥
tāṃ bhujābhyāṃ pariṣvajya ṡvaṡrūrvacanamabravīt ।
anācarantī kṛpaṇaṃ mūrdhnyupāghrāya maithilīm ॥
The mother-in-law then smelled her head
and took that princess of Mithilā,
who displayed absolutely no sense of despondency,
into her arms in embrace, and said:
2.39.20 அஸத்யஸ்ஸர்வலோகேऽஸ்மிந்ஸததம் ஸத்க்ருதா: ப்ரியை: ।
பர்தாரம் நாநுமந்யந்தே விநிபாதகதம் ஸ்த்ரிய: ॥
asatyassarvalōkē'sminsatataṃ satkṛtāḥ priyaiḥ ।
bhartāraṃ nānumanyantē vinipātagataṃ striyaḥ ॥
It is seen everywhere in this world,
that women of dubious devotion do not care
about their husbands when their fortunes take a wrong turn,
even though they had been well cared for by them all the while.
2.39.21 ஏஷ ஸ்வபாவோ நாரீணாமநுபூய புரா ஸுகம் ।
அல்பாமப்யாபதம் ப்ராப்ய துஷ்யந்தி ப்ரஜஹத்யபி ॥
ēṣa svabhāvō nārīṇāmanubhūya purā sukham ।
alpāmapyāpadaṃ prāpya duṣyanti prajahatyapi ॥
Such is the nature of women that
even after enjoying all the comforts,
they turn for the worse and even desert,
at the slightest of discomfort!
2.39.22 அஸத்யஸீலா விக்ருதா துர்க்ராஹ்யஹ்ருதயாஸ்ஸதா ।
யுவத்ய: பாபஸம்ங்கல்பா: க்ஷணமாத்ராத்விராகிண: ॥
asatyaṡīlā vikṛtā durgrāhyahṛdayāssadā ।
yuvatyaḥ pāpasaṃṅkalpāḥ kṣaṇamātrādvirāgiṇaḥ ॥
Women of dubious character are inconstant
and harbor evil thoughts.
Their hearts can hardly be touched.
And their love dries up in a matter of seconds.
2.39.23 ந குலம் ந க்ருதம் வித்யா ந தத்தம் நாபி ஸங்க்ரஹ: ।
ஸ்த்ரீணாம் க்ருஹ்ணாதி ஹ்ருதயமநித்யஹ்ருதயா ஹி தா: ॥
na kulaṃ na kṛtaṃ vidyā na dattaṃ nāpi saṅgrahaḥ ।
strīṇāṃ gṛhṇāti hṛdayamanityahṛdayā hi tāḥ ॥
Women waver in their mind a lot.
Neither the renown of the lineage,
nor the accomplishments of learning,
nor the favors done to them,
nor the gifts given to them,
nor all the respect shown to them
are enough to win over their hearts.
2.39.24 ஸாத்வீநாம் ஹி ஸ்திதாநாம் து ஸீலே ஸத்யே ஸ்ருதே ஸமே ।
ஸ்த்ரீணாம் பவித்ரம் பரமம் பதிரேகோ விஸிஷ்யதே ॥
sādhvīnāṃ hi sthitānāṃ tu ṡīlē satyē ṡrutē ṡamē ।
strīṇāṃ pavitraṃ paramaṃ patirēkō viṡiṣyatē ॥
Women who are good natured, truthful,
possessing good character and serenity of mind,
and aware of the dictates of the custom,
hold husband alone to be the ultimate and sacred.
2.39.25 ஸ த்வயா நாவமந்தவ்ய: புத்ர: ப்ரவ்ராஜிதோ மம ।
தவ தைவதமஸ்த்வேஷ நிர்தந: ஸதநோऽபி வா ॥
sa tvayā nāvamantavyaḥ putraḥ pravrājitō mama ।
tava daivatamastvēṣa nirdhanaḥ sadhanō'pi vā ॥
May my son, who is destined to live in exile,
be never slighted by you.
I hope you will treat him as your god,
regardless of whether he has money or not.
2.39.26 விஜ்ஞாய வசநம் ஸீதா தஸ்யா தர்மார்தஸம்ஹிதம் ।
க்ருதாஞ்ஜலிருவாசேதம் ஸ்வஸ்ரூமபிமுகே ஸ்திதாம் ॥
vijñāya vacanaṃ sītā tasyā dharmārthasaṃhitam ।
kṛtāñjaliruvācēdaṃ ṡvaṡrūmabhimukhē sthitām ॥
Appreciating in full those
righteous and meaningful words and
standing in front of the mother-in-law
with palms joined in reverence, Seetā, said:
2.39.27 கரிஷ்யே ஸர்வமேவாஹமார்யா யதநுஸாஸ்தி மாம் ।
அபிஜ்ஞாஸ்மி யதா பர்துர்வர்திதவ்யம் ஸ்ருதம் ச மே ॥
kariṣyē sarvamēvāhamāryā yadanuṡāsti mām ।
abhijñāsmi yathā bharturvartitavyaṃ ṡrutaṃ ca mē ॥
I shall do everything
just as you, the noble woman, have instructed me.
I have learned the same in the past and hence
am aware of how to conduct myself with a husband.
2.39.28 ந மாமஸஜ்ஜநேநார்யா ஸமாநயிதுமர்ஹதி ।
தர்மாத்விசலிதும் நாஹமலம் சந்த்ராதிவ ப்ரபா ॥
na māmasajjanēnāryā samānayitumarhati ।
dharmādvicalituṃ nāhamalaṃ candrādiva prabhā ॥
May you, O noble lady,
not equate me with those bad women!
I am not capable of deviating from Dharma
just as moonlight is not capable of leaving the moon!
2.39.29 நாதந்த்ரீ வாத்யதே வீணா நாசக்ரோ வர்ததே ரத: ।
நாபதிஸ்ஸுகமேதேத யா ஸ்யாதபி ஸதாத்மஜா ॥
nātantrī vādyatē vīṇā nācakrō vartatē rathaḥ ।
nāpatissukhamēdhēta yā syādapi ṡatātmajā ॥
Neither can a Veena produce music without strings,
nor can a chariot go anywhere without wheels.
Similarly, a woman can never know happiness
without a husband, even if she has a hundred sons.
2.39.30 மிதம் ததாதி ஹி பிதா மிதம் மாதா மிதம் ஸுத: ।
அமிதஸ்ய ஹி தாதாரம் பர்தாரம் கா ந பூஜயேத் ॥
mitaṃ dadāti hi pitā mitaṃ mātā mitaṃ sutaḥ ।
amitasya hi dātāraṃ bhartāraṃ kā na pūjayēt ॥
What a father can give is limited.
Limited is what a mother or sons can give.
There is a no limitation to what a husband can provide.
Which woman would not respect her husband?
2.39.31 ஸாஹமேவம் கதா ஸ்ரேஷ்டா ஸ்ருததர்மபராவரா ।
ஆர்யே! கிமவமந்யேऽஹம் ஸ்த்ரீணாம் பர்தா ஹி தைவதம் ॥
sāhamēvaṃ gatā ṡrēṣṭhā ṡrutadharmaparāvarā ।
āryē! kimavamanyē'haṃ strīṇāṃ bhartā hi daivatam ॥
Having learned the best of the Dharma,
and having conducted myself thus far,
O noble lady, how could I ever disrespect him!
Husband, indeed, is the god for a woman!
2.39.32 ஸீதாயா வசநம் ஸ்ருத்வா கௌஸல்யா ஹ்ருதயங்கமம் ।
ஸுத்தஸத்த்வா முமோசாஸ்ரு ஸஹஸா து:கஹர்ஷஜம் ॥
sītāyā vacanaṃ ṡrutvā kausalyā hṛdayaṅgamam ।
ṡuddhasattvā mumōcāṡru sahasā duḥkhaharṣajam ॥
On hearing those heart-warming words of Seetā,
the immaculate Kousalyā
shed tears of joy and grief, at once.
2.39.33 தாம் ப்ராஞ்ஜலிரபிக்ரம்ய மாத்ருமத்யேऽதிஸத்க்ருதாம் ।
ராம: பரமதர்மாத்மா மாதரம் வாக்யமப்ரவீத் ॥
tāṃ prāñjalirabhikramya mātṛmadhyē'tisatkṛtām ।
rāmaḥ paramadharmātmā mātaraṃ vākyamabravīt ॥
Then Rāma, the ultimate among Dharmātmas,
with palms joined in reverence,
circumambulated his mother,
who was the most revered among all the mothers.
2.39.34 அம்ப! மா து:கிதா பூஸ்த்வம் பஸ்ய த்வம் பிதரம் மம ॥
க்ஷயோ ஹி வநவாஸஸ்ய க்ஷிப்ரமேவ பவிஷ்யதி ॥
amba! mā duḥkhitā bhūstvaṃ paṡya tvaṃ pitaraṃ mama ॥
kṣayō hi vanavāsasya kṣipramēva bhaviṣyati ॥
O mother! May you not yield to grief!
Please take good care of my father.
My stay in Vana will come to an end, very soon.
2.39.35 ஸுப்தாயாஸ்தே கமிஷ்யந்தி நவ வர்ஷாணி பஞ்ச ச ।
ஸா ஸமக்ரமிஹ ப்ராப்தம் மாம் த்ரக்ஷ்யஸி ஸுஹ்ருத்வ்ருதம் ॥
suptāyāstē gamiṣyanti nava varṣāṇi pañca ca ।
sā samagramiha prāptaṃ māṃ drakṣyasi suhṛdvṛtam ॥
Nine and five years will pass by like a night's sleep.
And then you shall see me, returning here
with my friends, having fulfilled the promise!
2.39.36 ஏதாவதபிநீதார்தமுக்த்வா ஸ ஜநநீம் வச: ।
த்ரயஸ்ஸதஸதார்தாஸ்ச ததர்ஸா வேக்ஷ்ய மாதர: ॥
ētāvadabhinītārthamuktvā sa jananīṃ vacaḥ ।
trayaṡṡataṡatārdhāṡca dadarṡā vēkṣya mātaraḥ ॥
Having thus succinctly conveyed his firm resolve
to his mother, he paused for a moment and
looked at his three hundred and fifty mothers.
2.39.37 தாஸ்சாபி ஸ ததைவார்தா மாதऽர்தஸரதாத்மஜ: ।
தர்மயுக்தமிதம் வாக்யம் நிஜகாத க்ருதாஞ்ஜலி: ॥
tāṡcāpi sa tathaivārtā māta'rdaṡarathātmajaḥ ।
dharmayuktamidaṃ vākyaṃ nijagāda kṛtāñjaliḥ ॥
With palms joined in reverence,
the son of Daṡaratha spoke to those women
who were equally distressed,
these words that echo Dharma:
2.39.38 ஸம்வாஸாத்பருஷம் கிஞ்சிதஜ்ஞாநாத்வாபி யத்க்ருதம் ।
தந்மே ஸமநுஜாநீத ஸர்வாஸ்சாமந்த்ரயாமி வ: ॥
saṃvāsātparuṣaṃ kiñcidajñānādvāpi yatkṛtam ।
tanmē samanujānīta sarvāṡcāmantrayāmi vaḥ ॥
Please forgive me if I have done anything harsh,
because of ignorance or intimacy.
Please allow me to take leave of you.
2.39.39 வசநம் ராகவஸ்யைதத்தர்மயுக்தம் ஸமாஹிதம் ।
ஸுஸ்ருவுஸ்தா: ஸ்த்ரியம்ஸ்ஸர்வாஸ்ஸோகோபஹதசேதஸ: ॥
vacanaṃ rāghavasyaitadhdarmayuktaṃ samāhitam ।
ṡuṡruvustāḥ striyaṃssarvāṡṡōkōpahatacētasaḥ ॥
Hearing those well balanced words of Rāghava
that were so informed by Dharma,
the hearts of those women were wrung with grief.
2.39.40 ஜஜ்ஞேऽத தாஸாம் ஸந்நாத: க்ரௌஞ்சீநாமிவ நிஸ்வந: ।
மாநவேந்த்ரஸ்ய பார்யாணாமேவம் வததி ராகவே ॥
jajñē'tha tāsāṃ sannādaḥ krauñcīnāmiva nisvanaḥ ।
mānavēndrasya bhāryāṇāmēvaṃ vadati rāghavē ॥
Then, as Rāghava said those words,
the wives of that ruler of the people wailed loudly
that was reminiscent of the cries of Krounca birds.
2.39.41 முரஜபணவமேககோஷவத்
தஸரதவேஸ்ம பபூவ யத்புரா ।
விலபிதபரிதேவநாகுலம்
வ்யஸநகதம் ததபூத்ஸுது:கிதம் ॥
murajapaṇavamēghaghōṣavat
daṡarathavēṡma babhūva yatpurā ।
vilapitaparidēvanākulaṃ
vyasanagataṃ tadabhūtsuduḥkhitam ॥
The palace of Daṡaratha, which
used to reverberate with the sounds of
musical instruments like Muraja and Paṇava
resembling the rumbling of heavy clouds,
was now filled with wailing and lamentation,
and plunged in grief by the
great tragedy that fell upon it!
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
அயோத்யாகாண்டே ஏகோநசத்வாரிம்ஸஸ்ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkōnacatvāriṃṡassargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the thirty ninth Sarga
in Ayōdhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
By now everyone is resigned to the fact that neither would Kaikēyee yield from her misplaced demands, nor would Rāma take any other course other than making his father’s promise to Kaikēyee come true.
In this Sarga, Daṡaratha orders a fine chariot to be made ready for the departure of Rāma to Vana, and for the best clothes and jewelry for Seetā, that would last through her stay in the Vana.
Kousalyā tells Seetā to regard her husband just as she did before, even though he is penniless now. Seetā assures her mother-in-law that there would be no difference whatsoever in her regard for her husband.
Rāma takes leave of his mother Kousalyā and all the other three hundred and fifty mothers. The entire palace is filled with the din of cries of the women.
2.39.1-2 ராமஸ்ய து வச: ஸ்ருத்வா முநிவேஷதரம் ச தம் ।
ஸமீக்ஷ்ய ஸஹ பார்யாபீ ராஜா விகதசேதந: ॥
நைநம் து:கேந ஸந்தப்த: ப்ரத்யவைக்ஷத ராகவம் ।
ந சைநமபிஸம்ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய ப்ரத்யபாஷத துர்மநா: ॥
rāmasya tu vacaḥ ṡṛtvā munivēṣadharaṃ ca tam ।
samīkṣya saha bhāryābhī rājā vigatacētanaḥ ॥
nainaṃ duḥkhēna santaptaḥ pratyavaikṣata rāghavam ।
na cainamabhisamprēkṣya pratyabhāṣata durmanāḥ ॥
The king, in the company of his wives,
heard the words of Rāma.
The sight of Rāma in the garbs of a Muni
completely disoriented him.
Fried by grief, he could not even
manage to behold Rāghava.
With his mind completely dysfunctional,
he could neither see him nor respond to him.
2.39.3 ஸ முஹூர்தமிவாஸம்ஜ்ஞோ து:கிதஸ்ச மஹீபதி: ।
விலலாப மஹாபாஹூ ராமமேவாநுசிந்தயந் ॥
sa muhūrtamivāsaṃjñō duḥkhitaṡca mahīpatiḥ ।
vilalāpa mahābāhū rāmamēvānucintayan ॥
That lord of the lands cried as if
he had lost his senses completely for a moment.
He continued to lament, thinking about Rāma.
2.39.4 மந்யே கலு மயா பூர்வம் விவத்ஸா பஹவ:க்ருதா: ।
ப்ராணிநோ ஹிம்ஸிதா வாபி தஸ்மாதிதமுபஸ்திதம் ॥
manyē khalu mayā pūrvaṃ vivatsā bahavaḥkṛtāḥ ।
prāṇinō hiṃsitā vāpi tasmādidamupasthitam ॥
I must have separated many people
in the past from their children and
must have tormented many a being.
I think that this calamity
has befallen because of that.
2.39.5-6 ந த்வேவாநாகதே காலே தேஹாச்ச்யவதி ஜீவிதம் ।
கைகேய்யா க்லிஸ்யமாநஸ்ய ம்ருத்யுர்மம ந வித்யதே ॥
யோऽஹம் பாவகஸங்காஸம் பஸ்யாமி புரத: ஸ்திதம் ।
விஹாய வஸநே ஸூக்ஷ்மே தாபஸாச்சாதமாத்மஜம் ॥
na tvēvānāgatē kālē dēhāccyavati jīvitam ।
kaikēyyā kliṡyamānasya mṛtyurmama na vidyatē ॥
yō'haṃ pāvakasaṅkāṡaṃ paṡyāmi purataḥ sthitam ।
vihāya vasanē sūkṣmē tāpasācchādamātmajam ॥
I guess life won’t leave the body until it is time.
I don’t see death coming to me
even after being tormented thus by Kaikēyee
and even after seeing my fiery son, my own blood,
standing in front of me,
covered in the robes of a Muni,
leaving his fine garments behind!
2.39.7 ஏகஸ்யா: கலு கைகேய்யா: க்ருதே ऽயம் க்லிஸ்யதே ஜந: ।
ஸ்வார்தே ப்ரயதமாநாயா: ஸம்ஸ்ரித்ய நிக்ருதிம் த்விமாம் ॥
ēkasyāḥ khalu kaikēyyāḥ kṛtē 'yaṃ kliṡyatē janaḥ ।
svārthē prayatamānāyāḥ saṃṡritya nikṛtiṃ tvimām ॥
Everyone is suffering because of
one Kaikēyee, who is working towards her own ends
by harboring such devious means.
2.39.8 ஏவமுக்த்வா து வசநம் பாஷ்பேண பிஹிதேந்த்ரிய: ।
ராமேதி ஸக்ருதேவோக்த்வா வ்யாஹர்தும் ந ஸஸாக ஹ ॥
ēvamuktvā tu vacanaṃ bāṣpēṇa pihitēndriyaḥ ।
rāmēti sakṛdēvōktvā vyāhartuṃ na ṡaṡāka ha ॥
After saying those words with tears in his eyes,
with his senses completely burdened,
he could speak no more than utter just one word: ‘Rāma!’
2.39.9 ஸம்ஜ்ஞாம் து ப்ரதிலப்யைவ முஹூர்தாத்ஸ மஹீபதி: ।
நேத்ராப்யாமஸ்ருபூர்ணாப்யாம் ஸுமந்த்ரமிதமப்ரவீத் ॥
saṃjñāṃ tu pratilabhyaiva muhūrtātsa mahīpatiḥ ।
nētrābhyāmaṡrupūrṇābhyāṃ sumantramidamabravīt ॥
Regaining his senses after a few moments,
the lord of the lands, his eyes suffused with tears,
said to Sumantra:
2.39.10 ஔபவாஹ்யம் ரதம் யுக்த்வா த்வமாயாஹி ஹயோத்தமை: ।
ப்ராபயைநம் மஹாபாகமிதோ ஜநபதாத்பரம் ॥
aupavāhyaṃ rathaṃ yuktvā tvamāyāhi hayōttamaiḥ ।
prāpayainaṃ mahābhāgamitō janapadātparam ॥
Please bring a chariot appropriate for a long ride,
with the finest of the horses yoked to it.
And take this blessed soul from here,
to the areas beyond the boundaries of human dwellings.
2.39.11 ஏவம் மந்யே குணவதாம் குணாநாம் பலமுச்யதே ।
பித்ரா மாத்ரா ச யத்ஸாதுர்வீரோ நிர்வாஸ்யதே வநம் ॥
ēvaṃ manyē guṇavatāṃ guṇānāṃ phalamucyatē ।
pitrā mātrā ca yatsādhurvīrō nirvāsyatē vanam ॥
I guess I must surmise that the
best virtues of the best people
would only yield results like this.
How else is it possible that
such a noble Veera is being sent away in exile,
by his own father and mother?
2.39.12 ராஜ்ஞோ வசநமாஜ்ஞாய ஸுமந்த்ர: ஸீக்ரவிக்ரம: ।
யோஜயித்வாऽயயௌ தத்ர ரதமஸ்வைரலங்க்ருதம் ॥
rājñō vacanamājñāya sumantraḥ ṡīghravikramaḥ ।
yōjayitvā'yayau tatra rathamaṡvairalaṅkṛtam ॥
Sumantra, in accordance with those words of the king,
went swiftly and returned
with a well decorated chariot,
with splendid horses yoked to it.
2.39.13 தம் ரதம் ராஜபுத்ராய ஸூத: கநகபூஷிதம் ।
ஆசசக்ஷேऽஞ்ஜலிம் க்ருத்வா யுக்தம் பரமவாஜிபி: ॥
taṃ rathaṃ rājaputrāya sūtaḥ kanakabhūṣitam ।
ācacakṣē'ñjaliṃ kṛtvā yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ ॥
The charioteer then,
with palms joined in reverence,
informed the prince that the chariot,
embellished with gold trappings
and drawn by superb horses, was ready.
2.39.14 ராஜா ஸத்வரமாஹூய வ்யாப்ருதம் வித்தஸம்ஞ்சயே ।
உவாச தேஸகாலஜ்ஞம் நிஸ்சிதம் ஸர்வதஸ்ஸுசிம் ॥
rājā satvaramāhūya vyāpṛtaṃ vittasaṃñcayē ।
uvāca dēṡakālajñaṃ niṡcitaṃ sarvataṡṡucim ॥
The king then summoned an
honest and strict officer from the treasury,
who had a great sense of time and place, and said:
2.39.15 வாஸாம்ஸி ச மஹார்ஹாணி பூஷணாநி வராணி ச ।
வர்ஷாண்யேதாநி ஸங்க்யாய வைதேஹ்யா: க்ஷிப்ரமாநய ॥
vāsāṃsi ca mahārhāṇi bhūṣaṇāni varāṇi ca ।
varṣāṇyētāni saṅkhyāya vaidēhyāḥ kṣipramānaya ॥
Please bring immediately
the most exquisite garments and the finest jewelry,
that would be enough for Seetā,
for the count of years (that she will be away).
2.39.16 நரேந்த்ரேணைவமுக்தஸ்து கத்வா கோஸக்ருஹம் தத: ।
ப்ராயச்சத்ஸர்வமாஹ்ருத்ய ஸீதாயை ஸமமேவ தத் ॥
narēndrēṇaivamuktastu gatvā kōṡagṛhaṃ tataḥ ।
prāyacchatsarvamāhṛtya sītāyai samamēva tat ॥
Told thus by the lord of the peoples,
he went to the locker room
and brought everything and
gave all of them to Seetā.
2.39.17 ஸா ஸுஜாதா ஸுஜாதாநி வைதேஹீ ப்ரஸ்திதா வநம் ।
பூஷயாமாஸ காத்ராணி தைர்விசித்ரைர்விபூஷணை: ॥
sā sujātā sujātāni vaidēhī prasthitā vanam ।
bhūṣayāmāsa gātrāṇi tairvicitrairvibhūṣaṇaiḥ ॥
That high-born princess of Vidēha
who was ready to leave for the Vana
decorated her beautiful figure
with those assorted and elegant ornaments.
2.39.18 வ்யராஜயத வைதேஹீ வேஸ்ம தத்ஸுவிபூஷிதா ।
உத்யதோம்ऽஸுமத: காலே கம் ப்ரபேவ விவஸ்வத: ॥
vyarājayata vaidēhī vēṡma tatsuvibhūṣitā ।
udyatōṃ'ṡumataḥ kālē khaṃ prabhēva vivasvataḥ ॥
The princess of Vidēha, thus decked completely,
illuminated that house like
the rays of rising sun illuminating the sky.
2.39.19 தாம் புஜாப்யாம் பரிஷ்வஜ்ய ஸ்வஸ்ரூர்வசநமப்ரவீத் ।
அநாசரந்தீ க்ருபணம் மூர்த்ந்யுபாக்ராய மைதிலீம் ॥
tāṃ bhujābhyāṃ pariṣvajya ṡvaṡrūrvacanamabravīt ।
anācarantī kṛpaṇaṃ mūrdhnyupāghrāya maithilīm ॥
The mother-in-law then smelled her head
and took that princess of Mithilā,
who displayed absolutely no sense of despondency,
into her arms in embrace, and said:
2.39.20 அஸத்யஸ்ஸர்வலோகேऽஸ்மிந்ஸததம் ஸத்க்ருதா: ப்ரியை: ।
பர்தாரம் நாநுமந்யந்தே விநிபாதகதம் ஸ்த்ரிய: ॥
asatyassarvalōkē'sminsatataṃ satkṛtāḥ priyaiḥ ।
bhartāraṃ nānumanyantē vinipātagataṃ striyaḥ ॥
It is seen everywhere in this world,
that women of dubious devotion do not care
about their husbands when their fortunes take a wrong turn,
even though they had been well cared for by them all the while.
2.39.21 ஏஷ ஸ்வபாவோ நாரீணாமநுபூய புரா ஸுகம் ।
அல்பாமப்யாபதம் ப்ராப்ய துஷ்யந்தி ப்ரஜஹத்யபி ॥
ēṣa svabhāvō nārīṇāmanubhūya purā sukham ।
alpāmapyāpadaṃ prāpya duṣyanti prajahatyapi ॥
Such is the nature of women that
even after enjoying all the comforts,
they turn for the worse and even desert,
at the slightest of discomfort!
2.39.22 அஸத்யஸீலா விக்ருதா துர்க்ராஹ்யஹ்ருதயாஸ்ஸதா ।
யுவத்ய: பாபஸம்ங்கல்பா: க்ஷணமாத்ராத்விராகிண: ॥
asatyaṡīlā vikṛtā durgrāhyahṛdayāssadā ।
yuvatyaḥ pāpasaṃṅkalpāḥ kṣaṇamātrādvirāgiṇaḥ ॥
Women of dubious character are inconstant
and harbor evil thoughts.
Their hearts can hardly be touched.
And their love dries up in a matter of seconds.
2.39.23 ந குலம் ந க்ருதம் வித்யா ந தத்தம் நாபி ஸங்க்ரஹ: ।
ஸ்த்ரீணாம் க்ருஹ்ணாதி ஹ்ருதயமநித்யஹ்ருதயா ஹி தா: ॥
na kulaṃ na kṛtaṃ vidyā na dattaṃ nāpi saṅgrahaḥ ।
strīṇāṃ gṛhṇāti hṛdayamanityahṛdayā hi tāḥ ॥
Women waver in their mind a lot.
Neither the renown of the lineage,
nor the accomplishments of learning,
nor the favors done to them,
nor the gifts given to them,
nor all the respect shown to them
are enough to win over their hearts.
2.39.24 ஸாத்வீநாம் ஹி ஸ்திதாநாம் து ஸீலே ஸத்யே ஸ்ருதே ஸமே ।
ஸ்த்ரீணாம் பவித்ரம் பரமம் பதிரேகோ விஸிஷ்யதே ॥
sādhvīnāṃ hi sthitānāṃ tu ṡīlē satyē ṡrutē ṡamē ।
strīṇāṃ pavitraṃ paramaṃ patirēkō viṡiṣyatē ॥
Women who are good natured, truthful,
possessing good character and serenity of mind,
and aware of the dictates of the custom,
hold husband alone to be the ultimate and sacred.
2.39.25 ஸ த்வயா நாவமந்தவ்ய: புத்ர: ப்ரவ்ராஜிதோ மம ।
தவ தைவதமஸ்த்வேஷ நிர்தந: ஸதநோऽபி வா ॥
sa tvayā nāvamantavyaḥ putraḥ pravrājitō mama ।
tava daivatamastvēṣa nirdhanaḥ sadhanō'pi vā ॥
May my son, who is destined to live in exile,
be never slighted by you.
I hope you will treat him as your god,
regardless of whether he has money or not.
2.39.26 விஜ்ஞாய வசநம் ஸீதா தஸ்யா தர்மார்தஸம்ஹிதம் ।
க்ருதாஞ்ஜலிருவாசேதம் ஸ்வஸ்ரூமபிமுகே ஸ்திதாம் ॥
vijñāya vacanaṃ sītā tasyā dharmārthasaṃhitam ।
kṛtāñjaliruvācēdaṃ ṡvaṡrūmabhimukhē sthitām ॥
Appreciating in full those
righteous and meaningful words and
standing in front of the mother-in-law
with palms joined in reverence, Seetā, said:
2.39.27 கரிஷ்யே ஸர்வமேவாஹமார்யா யதநுஸாஸ்தி மாம் ।
அபிஜ்ஞாஸ்மி யதா பர்துர்வர்திதவ்யம் ஸ்ருதம் ச மே ॥
kariṣyē sarvamēvāhamāryā yadanuṡāsti mām ।
abhijñāsmi yathā bharturvartitavyaṃ ṡrutaṃ ca mē ॥
I shall do everything
just as you, the noble woman, have instructed me.
I have learned the same in the past and hence
am aware of how to conduct myself with a husband.
2.39.28 ந மாமஸஜ்ஜநேநார்யா ஸமாநயிதுமர்ஹதி ।
தர்மாத்விசலிதும் நாஹமலம் சந்த்ராதிவ ப்ரபா ॥
na māmasajjanēnāryā samānayitumarhati ।
dharmādvicalituṃ nāhamalaṃ candrādiva prabhā ॥
May you, O noble lady,
not equate me with those bad women!
I am not capable of deviating from Dharma
just as moonlight is not capable of leaving the moon!
2.39.29 நாதந்த்ரீ வாத்யதே வீணா நாசக்ரோ வர்ததே ரத: ।
நாபதிஸ்ஸுகமேதேத யா ஸ்யாதபி ஸதாத்மஜா ॥
nātantrī vādyatē vīṇā nācakrō vartatē rathaḥ ।
nāpatissukhamēdhēta yā syādapi ṡatātmajā ॥
Neither can a Veena produce music without strings,
nor can a chariot go anywhere without wheels.
Similarly, a woman can never know happiness
without a husband, even if she has a hundred sons.
2.39.30 மிதம் ததாதி ஹி பிதா மிதம் மாதா மிதம் ஸுத: ।
அமிதஸ்ய ஹி தாதாரம் பர்தாரம் கா ந பூஜயேத் ॥
mitaṃ dadāti hi pitā mitaṃ mātā mitaṃ sutaḥ ।
amitasya hi dātāraṃ bhartāraṃ kā na pūjayēt ॥
What a father can give is limited.
Limited is what a mother or sons can give.
There is a no limitation to what a husband can provide.
Which woman would not respect her husband?
2.39.31 ஸாஹமேவம் கதா ஸ்ரேஷ்டா ஸ்ருததர்மபராவரா ।
ஆர்யே! கிமவமந்யேऽஹம் ஸ்த்ரீணாம் பர்தா ஹி தைவதம் ॥
sāhamēvaṃ gatā ṡrēṣṭhā ṡrutadharmaparāvarā ।
āryē! kimavamanyē'haṃ strīṇāṃ bhartā hi daivatam ॥
Having learned the best of the Dharma,
and having conducted myself thus far,
O noble lady, how could I ever disrespect him!
Husband, indeed, is the god for a woman!
2.39.32 ஸீதாயா வசநம் ஸ்ருத்வா கௌஸல்யா ஹ்ருதயங்கமம் ।
ஸுத்தஸத்த்வா முமோசாஸ்ரு ஸஹஸா து:கஹர்ஷஜம் ॥
sītāyā vacanaṃ ṡrutvā kausalyā hṛdayaṅgamam ।
ṡuddhasattvā mumōcāṡru sahasā duḥkhaharṣajam ॥
On hearing those heart-warming words of Seetā,
the immaculate Kousalyā
shed tears of joy and grief, at once.
2.39.33 தாம் ப்ராஞ்ஜலிரபிக்ரம்ய மாத்ருமத்யேऽதிஸத்க்ருதாம் ।
ராம: பரமதர்மாத்மா மாதரம் வாக்யமப்ரவீத் ॥
tāṃ prāñjalirabhikramya mātṛmadhyē'tisatkṛtām ।
rāmaḥ paramadharmātmā mātaraṃ vākyamabravīt ॥
Then Rāma, the ultimate among Dharmātmas,
with palms joined in reverence,
circumambulated his mother,
who was the most revered among all the mothers.
2.39.34 அம்ப! மா து:கிதா பூஸ்த்வம் பஸ்ய த்வம் பிதரம் மம ॥
க்ஷயோ ஹி வநவாஸஸ்ய க்ஷிப்ரமேவ பவிஷ்யதி ॥
amba! mā duḥkhitā bhūstvaṃ paṡya tvaṃ pitaraṃ mama ॥
kṣayō hi vanavāsasya kṣipramēva bhaviṣyati ॥
O mother! May you not yield to grief!
Please take good care of my father.
My stay in Vana will come to an end, very soon.
2.39.35 ஸுப்தாயாஸ்தே கமிஷ்யந்தி நவ வர்ஷாணி பஞ்ச ச ।
ஸா ஸமக்ரமிஹ ப்ராப்தம் மாம் த்ரக்ஷ்யஸி ஸுஹ்ருத்வ்ருதம் ॥
suptāyāstē gamiṣyanti nava varṣāṇi pañca ca ।
sā samagramiha prāptaṃ māṃ drakṣyasi suhṛdvṛtam ॥
Nine and five years will pass by like a night's sleep.
And then you shall see me, returning here
with my friends, having fulfilled the promise!
2.39.36 ஏதாவதபிநீதார்தமுக்த்வா ஸ ஜநநீம் வச: ।
த்ரயஸ்ஸதஸதார்தாஸ்ச ததர்ஸா வேக்ஷ்ய மாதர: ॥
ētāvadabhinītārthamuktvā sa jananīṃ vacaḥ ।
trayaṡṡataṡatārdhāṡca dadarṡā vēkṣya mātaraḥ ॥
Having thus succinctly conveyed his firm resolve
to his mother, he paused for a moment and
looked at his three hundred and fifty mothers.
2.39.37 தாஸ்சாபி ஸ ததைவார்தா மாதऽர்தஸரதாத்மஜ: ।
தர்மயுக்தமிதம் வாக்யம் நிஜகாத க்ருதாஞ்ஜலி: ॥
tāṡcāpi sa tathaivārtā māta'rdaṡarathātmajaḥ ।
dharmayuktamidaṃ vākyaṃ nijagāda kṛtāñjaliḥ ॥
With palms joined in reverence,
the son of Daṡaratha spoke to those women
who were equally distressed,
these words that echo Dharma:
2.39.38 ஸம்வாஸாத்பருஷம் கிஞ்சிதஜ்ஞாநாத்வாபி யத்க்ருதம் ।
தந்மே ஸமநுஜாநீத ஸர்வாஸ்சாமந்த்ரயாமி வ: ॥
saṃvāsātparuṣaṃ kiñcidajñānādvāpi yatkṛtam ।
tanmē samanujānīta sarvāṡcāmantrayāmi vaḥ ॥
Please forgive me if I have done anything harsh,
because of ignorance or intimacy.
Please allow me to take leave of you.
2.39.39 வசநம் ராகவஸ்யைதத்தர்மயுக்தம் ஸமாஹிதம் ।
ஸுஸ்ருவுஸ்தா: ஸ்த்ரியம்ஸ்ஸர்வாஸ்ஸோகோபஹதசேதஸ: ॥
vacanaṃ rāghavasyaitadhdarmayuktaṃ samāhitam ।
ṡuṡruvustāḥ striyaṃssarvāṡṡōkōpahatacētasaḥ ॥
Hearing those well balanced words of Rāghava
that were so informed by Dharma,
the hearts of those women were wrung with grief.
2.39.40 ஜஜ்ஞேऽத தாஸாம் ஸந்நாத: க்ரௌஞ்சீநாமிவ நிஸ்வந: ।
மாநவேந்த்ரஸ்ய பார்யாணாமேவம் வததி ராகவே ॥
jajñē'tha tāsāṃ sannādaḥ krauñcīnāmiva nisvanaḥ ।
mānavēndrasya bhāryāṇāmēvaṃ vadati rāghavē ॥
Then, as Rāghava said those words,
the wives of that ruler of the people wailed loudly
that was reminiscent of the cries of Krounca birds.
2.39.41 முரஜபணவமேககோஷவத்
தஸரதவேஸ்ம பபூவ யத்புரா ।
விலபிதபரிதேவநாகுலம்
வ்யஸநகதம் ததபூத்ஸுது:கிதம் ॥
murajapaṇavamēghaghōṣavat
daṡarathavēṡma babhūva yatpurā ।
vilapitaparidēvanākulaṃ
vyasanagataṃ tadabhūtsuduḥkhitam ॥
The palace of Daṡaratha, which
used to reverberate with the sounds of
musical instruments like Muraja and Paṇava
resembling the rumbling of heavy clouds,
was now filled with wailing and lamentation,
and plunged in grief by the
great tragedy that fell upon it!
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
அயோத்யாகாண்டே ஏகோநசத்வாரிம்ஸஸ்ஸர்க: ॥
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkōnacatvāriṃṡassargaḥ ॥
Thus concludes the thirty ninth Sarga
in Ayōdhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.