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Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 75
Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 75
Bharata cries out, in the presence of ministers, that he knows nothing of his mother’s plan or of Rāma’s exile, and that he was far away at his maternal grandfather’s house.
Kousalyā hears those cries and recognizes it to be the voice of Bharata. She starts along with Sumitrā to see him. Bharata also, at the same time, heads to Kousalyā’s place. Both cry seeing each other, albeit for different reasons.
Kousalyā, in her agony blames Bharata and utters many a harsh word. Bharata swears that he has no part in it and he shall incur the sin of every possible misdeed, if he had.
2.75.1-2a தீர்ககாலாத்ஸமுத்தாய ஸம்ஜ்ஞாம் லப்த்வா ச வீர்யவாந் ।
நேத்ராப்யாமஸ்ருபூர்ணாப்யாம் தீநாமுத்வீக்ஷ்ய மாதரம் ॥
ஸோऽமாத்யமத்யே பரதோ ஜநநீமப்யகுத்ஸயத் ।
dīrghakālātsamutthāya saṃjñāṃ labdhvā ca vīryavān ।
nētrābhyāmaṡrupūrṇābhyāṃ dīnāmudvīkṣya mātaram ॥
sō'mātyamadhyē bharatō jananīmabhyakutsayat ।
The mighty Bharata, getting up after a long while
and regaining his senses,
saw his dispirited mother through his tear-filled eyes,
and rebuked her in the presence of ministers.
2.75.2b-3 ராஜ்யம் ந காமயே ஜாது மந்த்ரயே நாபி மாதரம் ॥
அபிஷேகம் ந ஜாநாமி யோऽபூத்ராஜ்ஞா ஸமீக்ஷித: ।
விப்ரக்ருஷ்டேஹ்யஹம் தேஸே ஸத்ருக்நஸஹிதோऽவஸம் ॥
rājyaṃ na kāmayē jātu mantrayē nāpi mātaram ॥
abhiṣēkaṃ na jānāmi yō'bhūdrājñā samīkṣitaḥ ।
viprakṛṣṭēhyahaṃ dēṡē ṡatrughnasahitō'vasam ॥
I never wanted the kingdom,
nor did I discuss it with my mother.
I was not aware of the crowning
that the King has planned;
for I lived with Ṡatrughna in a far off country.
2.75.4 வநவாஸம் ந ஜாநாமி ராமஸ்யாஹம் மஹாத்மந: ।
விவாஸநம் வா ஸௌமித்ரேஸ்ஸீதாயாஸ்ச யதாऽபவத் ॥
vanavāsaṃ na jānāmi rāmasyāhaṃ mahātmanaḥ ।
vivāsanaṃ vā saumitrēssītāyāṡca yathā'bhavat ॥
I knew nothing about Mahātma Rāma’s exile to the Vana,
nor did I know how the exiling of
the son of Sumitrā and Seetā had come about.
2.75.5 ததைவ க்ரோஸதஸ்தஸ்ய பரதஸ்ய மஹாத்மந: ।
கௌஸல்யா ஸப்தமாஜ்ஞாய ஸுமித்ராமிதமப்ரவீத் ॥
tathaiva krōṡatastasya bharatasya mahātmanaḥ ।
kausalyā ṡabdamājñāya sumitrāmidamabravīt ॥
As Mahātma Bharata cried out aloud thus,
Kousalyā recognized his voice and said to Sumitrā:
2.75.6 ஆகத: க்ரூரகார்யாயா: கைகேய்யா பரதஸ்ஸுத: ।
தமஹம் த்ரஷ்டுமிச்சாமி பரதம் தீர்கதர்ஸிநம் ॥
āgataḥ krūrakāryāyāḥ kaikēyyā bharatassutaḥ ।
tamahaṃ draṣṭumicchāmi bharataṃ dīrghadarṡinam ॥
Bharata, the son of Kaikēyee,
who has acted so cruelly, has come.
I wish to see him, that farsighted Bharata. The ‘farsighted’ here is obviously a wry comment.
2.75.7 ஏவமுக்த்வா ஸுமித்ராம் ஸா விவர்ணா மலிநா க்ருஸா ।
ப்ரதஸ்தே பரதோ யத்ர வேபமாநா விசேதநா ॥
ēvamuktvā sumitrāṃ sā vivarṇā malinā kṛṡā ।
pratasthē bharatō yatra vēpamānā vicētanā ॥
Saying these words to Sumitrā,
she, the pale, the disheveled and the worn out,
started towards the place where Bharata was,
trembling and disoriented.
2.75.8 ஸ து ராமாநுஜஸ்சாபி ஸத்ருக்நஸஹிதஸ்ததா ।
ப்ரதஸ்தே பரதோ யத்ர கௌஸல்யாயா நிவேஸநம் ॥
sa tu rāmānujaṡcāpi ṡatrughnasahitastadā ।
pratasthē bharatō yatra kausalyāyā nivēṡanam ॥
(At the same time), the younger brother of Rāma (Bharata)
too started for Kousalyā’s house, along with Ṡatrughna.
2.75.9-10a ததஸ்ஸத்ருக்நபரதௌ கௌஸல்யாம் ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய து:கிதௌ ।
பர்யஷ்வஜேதாம் து:கார்தாம் பதிதாம் நஷ்டசேதநாம் ॥
ருதந்தௌ ருததீம் து:காத்ஸமேத்யார்யாம் மநஸ்விநீம்।
tataṡṡatrughnabharatau kausalyāṃ prēkṣya duḥkhitau ।
paryaṣvajētāṃ duḥkhārtāṃ patitāṃ naṣṭacētanām ॥
rudantau rudatīṃ duḥkhātsamētyāryāṃ manasvinīm।
Seeing her, Ṡatrughna and Bharata were grief-stricken.
They then cried and reached her in their grief
and embraced that self-respecting noble lady,
who fell down in a daze, crying, distressed with grief !
2.75.10b-11 பரதம் ப்ரத்யுவாசேதம் கௌஸல்யா ப்ருஸது:கிதா ॥
இதம் தே ராஜ்யகாமஸ்ய ராஜ்யம் ப்ராப்தமகண்டகம் ।
ஸம்ப்ராப்தம் பத கைகேய்யா ஸஸீக்ரம் க்ரூரேண கர்மணா ॥
bharataṃ pratyuvācēdaṃ kausalyā bhṛṡaduḥkhitā ॥
idaṃ tē rājyakāmasya rājyaṃ prāptamakaṇṭakam ।
saṃprāptaṃ bata kaikēyyā ṡaṡīghraṃ krūrēṇa karmaṇā ॥
Kousalyā, in her extreme grief,
responded to Bharata saying:
You got the kingdom that you wanted,
a kingdom that is free from every trouble!
And, how amazingly quick did it come,
thanks to the cruel acts of Kaikēyee!
2.75.12 ப்ரஸ்தாப்ய சீரவஸநம் புத்ரம் மே வநவாஸிநம் ।
கைகேயீ கம் குணம் தத்ர பஸ்யதி க்ரூரதர்ஸிநீ ॥
prasthāpya cīravasanaṃ putraṃ mē vanavāsinam ।
kaikēyī kaṃ guṇaṃ tatra paṡyati krūradarṡinī ॥
What merit does Kaikēyee of evil vision
see in abandoning my son, clad in bark,
to live in the Vana!
2.75.13 க்ஷிப்ரம் மாமபி கைகேயீ ப்ரஸ்தாபயிதுமர்ஹதி ।
ஹிரண்யநாபோ யத்ராஸ்தே ஸுதோ மே ஸுமஹாயஸா: ॥
kṣipraṃ māmapi kaikēyī prasthāpayitumarhati ।
hiraṇyanābhō yatrāstē sutō mē sumahāyaṡāḥ ॥
Kaikēyee should send me also, without delay there
where my son of golden navel and supreme renown lives.
2.75.14 அதவா ஸ்வயமேவாஹம் ஸுமித்ராநுசரா ஸுகம் ।
அக்நிஹோத்ரம் புரஸ்க்ருத்ய ப்ரஸ்தாப்யே யத்ர ராகவ: ॥
athavā svayamēvāhaṃ sumitrānucarā sukham ।
agnihōtraṃ puraskṛtya prasthāpyē yatra rāghavaḥ ॥
Better still, I shall myself, followed by Sumitrā,
go happily where Rāghava is,
taking the sacred fire with me!
2.75.15 காமம் வா ஸ்வயமேவாத்ய தத்ர மாம் நேதுமர்ஹஸி ।
யத்ராஸௌ புருஷவ்யாக்ர: புத்ரோ மே தப்யதே தப: ॥
kāmaṃ vā svayamēvādya tatra māṃ nētumarhasi ।
yatrāsau puruṣavyāghraḥ putrō mē tapyatē tapaḥ ॥
Or if you so prefer, you can yourself take me there
where he, my son, the tiger among men, is doing Tapa.
2.75.16 இதம் ஹி தவ விஸ்தீர்ணம் தநதாந்யஸமாசிதம் ।
ஹஸ்த்வஸ்வரதஸம்பூர்ணம் ராஜ்யம் நிர்யாதிதம் தயா ॥
idaṃ hi tava vistīrṇaṃ dhanadhānyasamācitam ।
hastvaṡvarathasampūrṇaṃ rājyaṃ niryātitaṃ tayā ॥
For she has bestowed upon you this vast kingdom,
abounding in wealth and grains,
complete with elephants, horses and chariots!
2.75.17 இத்யாதிபஹுபிர்வாக்யை: க்ரூரை: ஸம்பர்த்ஸிதோऽநக: ।
விவ்யதே பரதஸ்தீவ்ரம் வ்ரணே துத்யேவ ஸூசிநா ॥
ityādibahubhirvākyaiḥ krūraiḥ sambhartsitō'naghaḥ ।
vivyathē bharatastīvraṃ vraṇē tudyēva sūcinā ॥
Reproached with many a harsh word like these,
Bharata of no blemish suffered agony,
like one who had a needle thrust into his wounds. There is much to empathize with Bharata than with any other character in the entire Rāmāyaṇa. For, it is one thing to go through the misfortunes of life like everyone else does, and it is another thing to be implied guilty, where one is not. There is nothing worse than being the object of false accusations and misperception.
Another such famously known story of false accusation was that of Krishna being accused by Satrājit, of killing his son for the sake of the jewel of Ṡamantaka.
2.75.18 பபாத சரணௌ தஸ்யாஸ்ததா ஸம்ப்ராந்தசேதந: ।
விலப்ய பஹுதாऽஸம்ஜ்ஞோ லப்தஸம்ஜ்ஞஸ்தத: ஸ்தித: ॥
papāta caraṇau tasyāstadā sambhrāntacētanaḥ ।
vilapya bahudhā'saṃjñō labdasaṃjñastataḥ sthitaḥ ॥
He then fell at her feet, with his mind in a whirl,
and lamented for long, falling into a swoon.
Then he regained his sense and stood motionless.
2.75.19 ஏவம் விலபமாநாம் தாம் பரத: ப்ராஞ்ஜலிஸ்ததா ।
கௌஸல்யாம் ப்ரத்யுவாசேதம் ஸோகைர்பஹுபிராவ்ருதாம் ॥
ēvaṃ vilapamānāṃ tāṃ bharataḥ prāñjalistadā ।
kausalyāṃ pratyuvācēdaṃ ṡōkairbahubhirāvṛtām ॥
Bharata, then, with palms joined in reverence,
responded with these words to Kousalyā
who was crying, beset by many a grief:
2.75.20 ஆர்யே! கஸ்மாதஜாநந்தம் கர்ஹஸே மாமகில்பிஷம் ।
விபுலாம் ச மம ப்ரீதிம் ஸ்திராம் ஜாநாஸி ராகவே ॥
āryē! kasmādajānantaṃ garhasē māmakilbhiṣam ।
vipulāṃ ca mama prītiṃ sthirāṃ jānāsi rāghavē ॥
O revered lady! why do you revile me,
who is guiltless and knew nothing?
You know of my unwavering and ample affection for Rāghava.
2.75.21 க்ருதா ஸாஸ்த்ராநுகா புத்திர்மாபூத்தஸ்ய கதாசந ।
ஸத்யஸந்தஸ்ஸதாம் ஸ்ரேஷ்டோ யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
kṛtā ṡāstrānugā buddhirmābhūttasya kadācana ।
satyasandhassatāṃ ṡrēṣṭhō yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding
the noble one, the adherent of Truth and
the foremost of good men, has left,
be not counted as having his judgment
in alignment with Ṡastras. The ‘noble one’ in this Ṡlōka and also in about forty Ṡlōkas after this, refer to Rāma.
These Ṡlōkas indicate everything that was counted as a sin in those times, especially for a king or a person in power.
In these Ṡlōkas, Bharata says that he shall be condemned and shall incur the sin of doing many abhorrent things, had he had any part in exiling Rāma.
2.75.22 ப்ரேஷ்யம் பாபீயஸாம் யாது ஸூர்யஞ்ச ப்ரதிமேஹது ।
ஹந்து பாதேந காம் ஸுப்தாம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
prēṣyaṃ pāpīyasāṃ yātu sūryañca pratimēhatu ।
hantu pādēna gāṃ suptāṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of serving the sinners,
the sin of defecating sitting facing the sun and
the sin of kicking a sleeping cow with his feet!
2.75.23 காரயித்வா மஹத்கர்ம பர்தா ப்ருத்யமநர்தகம் ।
அதர்மோ யோऽஸ்ய ஸோऽஸ்யாஸ்து யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதேகத: ॥
kārayitvā mahatkarma bhartā bhṛtyamanarthakam ।
adharmō yō'sya sō'syāstu yasyā'ryō'numatēgataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of a master who extracts
copious amounts of work from his staff
without giving proper remuneration.
2.75.24 பரிபாலயமாநஸ்ய ராஜ்ஞோ பூதாநி புத்ரவத் ।
ததஸ்நு துஹ்யதாம் பாபம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
paripālayamānasya rājñō bhūtāni putravat ।
tatasnu duhyatāṃ pāpaṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of committing treachery
against a king who takes good care of
all beings as if they were his own children.
2.75.25 பலிஷட்பாகமுத்த்ருத்ய ந்ருபஸ்யாரக்ஷத: ப்ரஜா: ।
அதர்மோ யோऽஸ்ய ஸோऽஸ்யாஸ்து யஸ்யார்தோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
baliṣaḍbhāgamuddhṛtya nṛpasyārakṣataḥ prajāḥ ।
adharmō yō'sya sō'syāstu yasyārthō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of a king who
extracts a sixth of the income as tax,
and yet fails to protect his people
in accordance with Dharma.
2.75.26 ஸம்ஸ்ருத்ய ச தபஸ்விப்யஸ்ஸத்ரே வை யஜ்ஞதக்ஷிணாம் ।
தாம் விப்ரலபதாம் பாபம் யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
saṃṡrutya ca tapasvibhyassatrē vai yajñadakṣiṇām ।
tāṃ vipralapatāṃ pāpaṃ yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of one who
reneges on the promise of honorarium
made to Tapasvis at the time of a Yajña.
2.75.27 ஹஸ்த்யஸ்வரதஸம்பாதே யுத்தே ஸஸ்த்ரஸமாகுலே ।
மா ஸ்ம கார்ஷீத்ஸதாம் தர்மம் யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
hastyaṡvarathasambādhē yuddhē ṡastrasamākulē ।
mā sma kārṣītsatāṃ dharmaṃ yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be not counted for discharging the Dharma
as it behooves in a battle field
filled with elephants, horses, chariots and weapons.
2.75.28 உபதிஷ்டம் ஸுஸூக்ஷ்மார்தம் ஸாஸ்த்ரம் யத்நேந தீமதா ।
ஸ நாஸயது துஷ்டாத்மா யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
upadiṣṭaṃ susūkṣmārthaṃ ṡāstraṃ yatnēna dhīmatā ।
sa nāṡayatu duṣṭātmā yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of a scoundrel who disregards the
subtleties and nuances of Ṡastras,
that a wise teacher had assiduously imparted in him.
2.75.29 மா ச தம் வ்யூடபாஹ்வம்ஸம் சந்த்ரார்கஸமதேஜஸம் ।
த்ராக்ஷீத்ராஜ்யஸ்தமாஸீநம் யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதேகத: ॥
mā ca taṃ vyūḍhabāhvaṃsaṃ candrārkasamatējasam ।
drākṣīdrājyasthamāsīnaṃ yasyāryō'numatēgataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one,
the one with broad shoulders and long arms,
the one who is radiant like sun and moon, has left,
not (survive to) see him seated on the throne.
2.75.30 பாயஸம் க்ருஸரம் சாகம் வ்ருதா ஸோऽஸ்நாது நிர்க்ருண: ।
குரூம்ஸ்சாப்யவஜாநாது யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
pāyasaṃ kṛsaraṃ chāgaṃ vṛthā sō'ṡnātu nirghṛṇaḥ ।
gurūṃṡcāpyavajānātu yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, the merciless one,
at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of disrespecting elders
and gorging on Pāyasam, Kṛsara
and goat meat without occasion.
Pāyasam is rice pudding.
Kṛsara is either a dish made by cooking
moong dal along with rice or
by mixing sesame seeds with jaggery. Pāyasam, Kṛsara and goat meat should not be eaten casually, without occasion.
Pāyasam is reserved for festive and joyous times. Kṛsara is reserved for the time of ritual offerings to the deceased ancestors. Goat meat is reserved for the occasion of Yajñas.
2.75.31 காஸ்ச ஸ்ப்ருஸது பாதேந குரூந்பரிவதேத்ஸ்வயம் ।
மித்ரே த்ருஹ்யேத ஸோऽத்யந்தம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
gāṡca spṛṡatu pādēna gurūnparivadētsvayam ।
mitrē druhyēta sō'tyantaṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of kicking cows with his feet,
of defaming elders on purpose and
of committing unspeakable subterfuge against a friend.
2.75.32 விஸ்வாஸாத்கதிதம் கிஞ்சித்பரிவாதம் மித: க்வசித் ।
விவ்ருணோது ஸ துஷ்டாத்மா யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
viṡvāsātkathitaṃ kiñcitparivādaṃ mithaḥ kvacit ।
vivṛṇōtu sa duṣṭātmā yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
may incur the sin of a wretch,
who divulges what someone shares with to him in full trust.
2.75.33 அகர்தா ஹ்யக்ருதஜ்ஞஸ்ச த்யக்தாசாऽத்மா நிரபத்ரப: ।
லோகே பவது வித்விஷ்டோ யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
akartā hyakṛtajñaṡca tyaktācā'tmā nirapatrapaḥ ।
lōkē bhavatu vidviṣṭō yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be condemned in the world as one who commits suicide,
is ungrateful, insensitive and good for nothing.
2.75.34 புத்ரைர்தாரைஸ்ச ப்ருத்யைஸ்ச ஸ்வக்ருஹே பரிவாரித: ।
ஸ ஏகோ ம்ருஷ்டமஸ்நாது யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
putrairdāraiṡca bhṛtyaiṡca svagṛhē parivāritaḥ ।
sa ēkō mṛṣṭamaṡnātu yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of feasting all by oneself in his home
while surrounded by children, wife and household workers.
2.75.35 அப்ராப்ய ஸத்ருஸாந் தாராநநபத்ய: ப்ரமீயதாம் ।
அநவாப்ய க்ரியாம் தர்ம்யாம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
aprāpya sadṛṡān dārānanapatyaḥ pramīyatām ।
anavāpya kriyāṃ dharmyāṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
meet with the fate of dying
without getting married to a good wife,
without having any offspring and
without discharging the responsibilities due upon him.
2.75.36 மாऽத்மநஸ்ஸந்ததிம் த்ராக்ஷீத்ஸ்வேஷு தாரேஷு து:கித: ।
ஆயுஸ்ஸமக்ரமப்ராப்ய யऽஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
mā'tmanassantatiṃ drākṣītsvēṣu dārēṣu duḥkhitaḥ ।
āyussamagramaprāpya ya'syāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be condemned to the grief of not being
blessed with offspring through his lawful wife,
and to a life that ends before it is due.
2.75.37 ராஜஸ்த்ரீபாலவ்ருத்தாநாம் வதே யத்பாபமுச்யதே ।
ப்ருத்யத்யாகே ச யத்பாபம் தத்பாபம் ப்ரதிபத்யதாம் ॥
rājastrībālavṛddhānāṃ vadhē yatpāpamucyatē ।
bhṛtyatyāgē ca yatpāpaṃ tatpāpaṃ pratipadyatām ॥
May he incur the sin of killing
a king, women, children and the aged,
and that of abandoning the servants
who depend on him for their livelihood.
2.75.38 லாக்ஷயா மதுமாம்ஸேந லோஹேந ச விஷேண ச ।
ஸதைவ பிப்ருயாத்ப்ருத்யாந்யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
lākṣayā madhumāṃsēna lōhēna ca viṣēṇa ca ।
sadaiva bibhṛyādbhṛtyānyasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be reduced to supporting his dependants
by trading in lac, liquor, flesh, iron and poison.
2.75.39 ஸங்க்ரமே ஸமுபோடே ஸ்ம ஸத்ருபக்ஷபயங்கரே ।
பலாயாமாநோ வத்யேத யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
saṅgramē samupōḍhē sma ṡatrupakṣabhayaṅkarē ।
palāyāmānō vadhyēta yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be killed like a warrior who flees the battle field,
just when it reaches its crescendo
of terrorizing the enemy lines.
2.75.40 கபாலபாணி: ப்ருதிவீமடதாம் சீரஸம்வ்ருத: ।
பிக்ஷமாணோ யதோந்மத்தோ யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
kapālapāṇiḥ pṛthivīmaṭatāṃ cīrasaṃvṛtaḥ ।
bhikṣamāṇō yathōnmattō yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be damned to wander over the earth
begging like a madman, covered in rags,
with a skull in his hand.
To be continued
Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 75
Bharata cries out, in the presence of ministers, that he knows nothing of his mother’s plan or of Rāma’s exile, and that he was far away at his maternal grandfather’s house.
Kousalyā hears those cries and recognizes it to be the voice of Bharata. She starts along with Sumitrā to see him. Bharata also, at the same time, heads to Kousalyā’s place. Both cry seeing each other, albeit for different reasons.
Kousalyā, in her agony blames Bharata and utters many a harsh word. Bharata swears that he has no part in it and he shall incur the sin of every possible misdeed, if he had.
2.75.1-2a தீர்ககாலாத்ஸமுத்தாய ஸம்ஜ்ஞாம் லப்த்வா ச வீர்யவாந் ।
நேத்ராப்யாமஸ்ருபூர்ணாப்யாம் தீநாமுத்வீக்ஷ்ய மாதரம் ॥
ஸோऽமாத்யமத்யே பரதோ ஜநநீமப்யகுத்ஸயத் ।
dīrghakālātsamutthāya saṃjñāṃ labdhvā ca vīryavān ।
nētrābhyāmaṡrupūrṇābhyāṃ dīnāmudvīkṣya mātaram ॥
sō'mātyamadhyē bharatō jananīmabhyakutsayat ।
The mighty Bharata, getting up after a long while
and regaining his senses,
saw his dispirited mother through his tear-filled eyes,
and rebuked her in the presence of ministers.
2.75.2b-3 ராஜ்யம் ந காமயே ஜாது மந்த்ரயே நாபி மாதரம் ॥
அபிஷேகம் ந ஜாநாமி யோऽபூத்ராஜ்ஞா ஸமீக்ஷித: ।
விப்ரக்ருஷ்டேஹ்யஹம் தேஸே ஸத்ருக்நஸஹிதோऽவஸம் ॥
rājyaṃ na kāmayē jātu mantrayē nāpi mātaram ॥
abhiṣēkaṃ na jānāmi yō'bhūdrājñā samīkṣitaḥ ।
viprakṛṣṭēhyahaṃ dēṡē ṡatrughnasahitō'vasam ॥
I never wanted the kingdom,
nor did I discuss it with my mother.
I was not aware of the crowning
that the King has planned;
for I lived with Ṡatrughna in a far off country.
2.75.4 வநவாஸம் ந ஜாநாமி ராமஸ்யாஹம் மஹாத்மந: ।
விவாஸநம் வா ஸௌமித்ரேஸ்ஸீதாயாஸ்ச யதாऽபவத் ॥
vanavāsaṃ na jānāmi rāmasyāhaṃ mahātmanaḥ ।
vivāsanaṃ vā saumitrēssītāyāṡca yathā'bhavat ॥
I knew nothing about Mahātma Rāma’s exile to the Vana,
nor did I know how the exiling of
the son of Sumitrā and Seetā had come about.
2.75.5 ததைவ க்ரோஸதஸ்தஸ்ய பரதஸ்ய மஹாத்மந: ।
கௌஸல்யா ஸப்தமாஜ்ஞாய ஸுமித்ராமிதமப்ரவீத் ॥
tathaiva krōṡatastasya bharatasya mahātmanaḥ ।
kausalyā ṡabdamājñāya sumitrāmidamabravīt ॥
As Mahātma Bharata cried out aloud thus,
Kousalyā recognized his voice and said to Sumitrā:
2.75.6 ஆகத: க்ரூரகார்யாயா: கைகேய்யா பரதஸ்ஸுத: ।
தமஹம் த்ரஷ்டுமிச்சாமி பரதம் தீர்கதர்ஸிநம் ॥
āgataḥ krūrakāryāyāḥ kaikēyyā bharatassutaḥ ।
tamahaṃ draṣṭumicchāmi bharataṃ dīrghadarṡinam ॥
Bharata, the son of Kaikēyee,
who has acted so cruelly, has come.
I wish to see him, that farsighted Bharata. The ‘farsighted’ here is obviously a wry comment.
2.75.7 ஏவமுக்த்வா ஸுமித்ராம் ஸா விவர்ணா மலிநா க்ருஸா ।
ப்ரதஸ்தே பரதோ யத்ர வேபமாநா விசேதநா ॥
ēvamuktvā sumitrāṃ sā vivarṇā malinā kṛṡā ।
pratasthē bharatō yatra vēpamānā vicētanā ॥
Saying these words to Sumitrā,
she, the pale, the disheveled and the worn out,
started towards the place where Bharata was,
trembling and disoriented.
2.75.8 ஸ து ராமாநுஜஸ்சாபி ஸத்ருக்நஸஹிதஸ்ததா ।
ப்ரதஸ்தே பரதோ யத்ர கௌஸல்யாயா நிவேஸநம் ॥
sa tu rāmānujaṡcāpi ṡatrughnasahitastadā ।
pratasthē bharatō yatra kausalyāyā nivēṡanam ॥
(At the same time), the younger brother of Rāma (Bharata)
too started for Kousalyā’s house, along with Ṡatrughna.
2.75.9-10a ததஸ்ஸத்ருக்நபரதௌ கௌஸல்யாம் ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய து:கிதௌ ।
பர்யஷ்வஜேதாம் து:கார்தாம் பதிதாம் நஷ்டசேதநாம் ॥
ருதந்தௌ ருததீம் து:காத்ஸமேத்யார்யாம் மநஸ்விநீம்।
tataṡṡatrughnabharatau kausalyāṃ prēkṣya duḥkhitau ।
paryaṣvajētāṃ duḥkhārtāṃ patitāṃ naṣṭacētanām ॥
rudantau rudatīṃ duḥkhātsamētyāryāṃ manasvinīm।
Seeing her, Ṡatrughna and Bharata were grief-stricken.
They then cried and reached her in their grief
and embraced that self-respecting noble lady,
who fell down in a daze, crying, distressed with grief !
2.75.10b-11 பரதம் ப்ரத்யுவாசேதம் கௌஸல்யா ப்ருஸது:கிதா ॥
இதம் தே ராஜ்யகாமஸ்ய ராஜ்யம் ப்ராப்தமகண்டகம் ।
ஸம்ப்ராப்தம் பத கைகேய்யா ஸஸீக்ரம் க்ரூரேண கர்மணா ॥
bharataṃ pratyuvācēdaṃ kausalyā bhṛṡaduḥkhitā ॥
idaṃ tē rājyakāmasya rājyaṃ prāptamakaṇṭakam ।
saṃprāptaṃ bata kaikēyyā ṡaṡīghraṃ krūrēṇa karmaṇā ॥
Kousalyā, in her extreme grief,
responded to Bharata saying:
You got the kingdom that you wanted,
a kingdom that is free from every trouble!
And, how amazingly quick did it come,
thanks to the cruel acts of Kaikēyee!
2.75.12 ப்ரஸ்தாப்ய சீரவஸநம் புத்ரம் மே வநவாஸிநம் ।
கைகேயீ கம் குணம் தத்ர பஸ்யதி க்ரூரதர்ஸிநீ ॥
prasthāpya cīravasanaṃ putraṃ mē vanavāsinam ।
kaikēyī kaṃ guṇaṃ tatra paṡyati krūradarṡinī ॥
What merit does Kaikēyee of evil vision
see in abandoning my son, clad in bark,
to live in the Vana!
2.75.13 க்ஷிப்ரம் மாமபி கைகேயீ ப்ரஸ்தாபயிதுமர்ஹதி ।
ஹிரண்யநாபோ யத்ராஸ்தே ஸுதோ மே ஸுமஹாயஸா: ॥
kṣipraṃ māmapi kaikēyī prasthāpayitumarhati ।
hiraṇyanābhō yatrāstē sutō mē sumahāyaṡāḥ ॥
Kaikēyee should send me also, without delay there
where my son of golden navel and supreme renown lives.
2.75.14 அதவா ஸ்வயமேவாஹம் ஸுமித்ராநுசரா ஸுகம் ।
அக்நிஹோத்ரம் புரஸ்க்ருத்ய ப்ரஸ்தாப்யே யத்ர ராகவ: ॥
athavā svayamēvāhaṃ sumitrānucarā sukham ।
agnihōtraṃ puraskṛtya prasthāpyē yatra rāghavaḥ ॥
Better still, I shall myself, followed by Sumitrā,
go happily where Rāghava is,
taking the sacred fire with me!
2.75.15 காமம் வா ஸ்வயமேவாத்ய தத்ர மாம் நேதுமர்ஹஸி ।
யத்ராஸௌ புருஷவ்யாக்ர: புத்ரோ மே தப்யதே தப: ॥
kāmaṃ vā svayamēvādya tatra māṃ nētumarhasi ।
yatrāsau puruṣavyāghraḥ putrō mē tapyatē tapaḥ ॥
Or if you so prefer, you can yourself take me there
where he, my son, the tiger among men, is doing Tapa.
2.75.16 இதம் ஹி தவ விஸ்தீர்ணம் தநதாந்யஸமாசிதம் ।
ஹஸ்த்வஸ்வரதஸம்பூர்ணம் ராஜ்யம் நிர்யாதிதம் தயா ॥
idaṃ hi tava vistīrṇaṃ dhanadhānyasamācitam ।
hastvaṡvarathasampūrṇaṃ rājyaṃ niryātitaṃ tayā ॥
For she has bestowed upon you this vast kingdom,
abounding in wealth and grains,
complete with elephants, horses and chariots!
2.75.17 இத்யாதிபஹுபிர்வாக்யை: க்ரூரை: ஸம்பர்த்ஸிதோऽநக: ।
விவ்யதே பரதஸ்தீவ்ரம் வ்ரணே துத்யேவ ஸூசிநா ॥
ityādibahubhirvākyaiḥ krūraiḥ sambhartsitō'naghaḥ ।
vivyathē bharatastīvraṃ vraṇē tudyēva sūcinā ॥
Reproached with many a harsh word like these,
Bharata of no blemish suffered agony,
like one who had a needle thrust into his wounds. There is much to empathize with Bharata than with any other character in the entire Rāmāyaṇa. For, it is one thing to go through the misfortunes of life like everyone else does, and it is another thing to be implied guilty, where one is not. There is nothing worse than being the object of false accusations and misperception.
Another such famously known story of false accusation was that of Krishna being accused by Satrājit, of killing his son for the sake of the jewel of Ṡamantaka.
2.75.18 பபாத சரணௌ தஸ்யாஸ்ததா ஸம்ப்ராந்தசேதந: ।
விலப்ய பஹுதாऽஸம்ஜ்ஞோ லப்தஸம்ஜ்ஞஸ்தத: ஸ்தித: ॥
papāta caraṇau tasyāstadā sambhrāntacētanaḥ ।
vilapya bahudhā'saṃjñō labdasaṃjñastataḥ sthitaḥ ॥
He then fell at her feet, with his mind in a whirl,
and lamented for long, falling into a swoon.
Then he regained his sense and stood motionless.
2.75.19 ஏவம் விலபமாநாம் தாம் பரத: ப்ராஞ்ஜலிஸ்ததா ।
கௌஸல்யாம் ப்ரத்யுவாசேதம் ஸோகைர்பஹுபிராவ்ருதாம் ॥
ēvaṃ vilapamānāṃ tāṃ bharataḥ prāñjalistadā ।
kausalyāṃ pratyuvācēdaṃ ṡōkairbahubhirāvṛtām ॥
Bharata, then, with palms joined in reverence,
responded with these words to Kousalyā
who was crying, beset by many a grief:
2.75.20 ஆர்யே! கஸ்மாதஜாநந்தம் கர்ஹஸே மாமகில்பிஷம் ।
விபுலாம் ச மம ப்ரீதிம் ஸ்திராம் ஜாநாஸி ராகவே ॥
āryē! kasmādajānantaṃ garhasē māmakilbhiṣam ।
vipulāṃ ca mama prītiṃ sthirāṃ jānāsi rāghavē ॥
O revered lady! why do you revile me,
who is guiltless and knew nothing?
You know of my unwavering and ample affection for Rāghava.
2.75.21 க்ருதா ஸாஸ்த்ராநுகா புத்திர்மாபூத்தஸ்ய கதாசந ।
ஸத்யஸந்தஸ்ஸதாம் ஸ்ரேஷ்டோ யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
kṛtā ṡāstrānugā buddhirmābhūttasya kadācana ।
satyasandhassatāṃ ṡrēṣṭhō yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding
the noble one, the adherent of Truth and
the foremost of good men, has left,
be not counted as having his judgment
in alignment with Ṡastras. The ‘noble one’ in this Ṡlōka and also in about forty Ṡlōkas after this, refer to Rāma.
These Ṡlōkas indicate everything that was counted as a sin in those times, especially for a king or a person in power.
In these Ṡlōkas, Bharata says that he shall be condemned and shall incur the sin of doing many abhorrent things, had he had any part in exiling Rāma.
2.75.22 ப்ரேஷ்யம் பாபீயஸாம் யாது ஸூர்யஞ்ச ப்ரதிமேஹது ।
ஹந்து பாதேந காம் ஸுப்தாம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
prēṣyaṃ pāpīyasāṃ yātu sūryañca pratimēhatu ।
hantu pādēna gāṃ suptāṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of serving the sinners,
the sin of defecating sitting facing the sun and
the sin of kicking a sleeping cow with his feet!
2.75.23 காரயித்வா மஹத்கர்ம பர்தா ப்ருத்யமநர்தகம் ।
அதர்மோ யோऽஸ்ய ஸோऽஸ்யாஸ்து யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதேகத: ॥
kārayitvā mahatkarma bhartā bhṛtyamanarthakam ।
adharmō yō'sya sō'syāstu yasyā'ryō'numatēgataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of a master who extracts
copious amounts of work from his staff
without giving proper remuneration.
2.75.24 பரிபாலயமாநஸ்ய ராஜ்ஞோ பூதாநி புத்ரவத் ।
ததஸ்நு துஹ்யதாம் பாபம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
paripālayamānasya rājñō bhūtāni putravat ।
tatasnu duhyatāṃ pāpaṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of committing treachery
against a king who takes good care of
all beings as if they were his own children.
2.75.25 பலிஷட்பாகமுத்த்ருத்ய ந்ருபஸ்யாரக்ஷத: ப்ரஜா: ।
அதர்மோ யோऽஸ்ய ஸோऽஸ்யாஸ்து யஸ்யார்தோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
baliṣaḍbhāgamuddhṛtya nṛpasyārakṣataḥ prajāḥ ।
adharmō yō'sya sō'syāstu yasyārthō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of a king who
extracts a sixth of the income as tax,
and yet fails to protect his people
in accordance with Dharma.
2.75.26 ஸம்ஸ்ருத்ய ச தபஸ்விப்யஸ்ஸத்ரே வை யஜ்ஞதக்ஷிணாம் ।
தாம் விப்ரலபதாம் பாபம் யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
saṃṡrutya ca tapasvibhyassatrē vai yajñadakṣiṇām ।
tāṃ vipralapatāṃ pāpaṃ yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of one who
reneges on the promise of honorarium
made to Tapasvis at the time of a Yajña.
2.75.27 ஹஸ்த்யஸ்வரதஸம்பாதே யுத்தே ஸஸ்த்ரஸமாகுலே ।
மா ஸ்ம கார்ஷீத்ஸதாம் தர்மம் யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
hastyaṡvarathasambādhē yuddhē ṡastrasamākulē ।
mā sma kārṣītsatāṃ dharmaṃ yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be not counted for discharging the Dharma
as it behooves in a battle field
filled with elephants, horses, chariots and weapons.
2.75.28 உபதிஷ்டம் ஸுஸூக்ஷ்மார்தம் ஸாஸ்த்ரம் யத்நேந தீமதா ।
ஸ நாஸயது துஷ்டாத்மா யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
upadiṣṭaṃ susūkṣmārthaṃ ṡāstraṃ yatnēna dhīmatā ।
sa nāṡayatu duṣṭātmā yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of a scoundrel who disregards the
subtleties and nuances of Ṡastras,
that a wise teacher had assiduously imparted in him.
2.75.29 மா ச தம் வ்யூடபாஹ்வம்ஸம் சந்த்ரார்கஸமதேஜஸம் ।
த்ராக்ஷீத்ராஜ்யஸ்தமாஸீநம் யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதேகத: ॥
mā ca taṃ vyūḍhabāhvaṃsaṃ candrārkasamatējasam ।
drākṣīdrājyasthamāsīnaṃ yasyāryō'numatēgataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one,
the one with broad shoulders and long arms,
the one who is radiant like sun and moon, has left,
not (survive to) see him seated on the throne.
2.75.30 பாயஸம் க்ருஸரம் சாகம் வ்ருதா ஸோऽஸ்நாது நிர்க்ருண: ।
குரூம்ஸ்சாப்யவஜாநாது யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
pāyasaṃ kṛsaraṃ chāgaṃ vṛthā sō'ṡnātu nirghṛṇaḥ ।
gurūṃṡcāpyavajānātu yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, the merciless one,
at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of disrespecting elders
and gorging on Pāyasam, Kṛsara
and goat meat without occasion.
Pāyasam is rice pudding.
Kṛsara is either a dish made by cooking
moong dal along with rice or
by mixing sesame seeds with jaggery. Pāyasam, Kṛsara and goat meat should not be eaten casually, without occasion.
Pāyasam is reserved for festive and joyous times. Kṛsara is reserved for the time of ritual offerings to the deceased ancestors. Goat meat is reserved for the occasion of Yajñas.
2.75.31 காஸ்ச ஸ்ப்ருஸது பாதேந குரூந்பரிவதேத்ஸ்வயம் ।
மித்ரே த்ருஹ்யேத ஸோऽத்யந்தம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
gāṡca spṛṡatu pādēna gurūnparivadētsvayam ।
mitrē druhyēta sō'tyantaṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of kicking cows with his feet,
of defaming elders on purpose and
of committing unspeakable subterfuge against a friend.
2.75.32 விஸ்வாஸாத்கதிதம் கிஞ்சித்பரிவாதம் மித: க்வசித் ।
விவ்ருணோது ஸ துஷ்டாத்மா யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
viṡvāsātkathitaṃ kiñcitparivādaṃ mithaḥ kvacit ।
vivṛṇōtu sa duṣṭātmā yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
may incur the sin of a wretch,
who divulges what someone shares with to him in full trust.
2.75.33 அகர்தா ஹ்யக்ருதஜ்ஞஸ்ச த்யக்தாசாऽத்மா நிரபத்ரப: ।
லோகே பவது வித்விஷ்டோ யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
akartā hyakṛtajñaṡca tyaktācā'tmā nirapatrapaḥ ।
lōkē bhavatu vidviṣṭō yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be condemned in the world as one who commits suicide,
is ungrateful, insensitive and good for nothing.
2.75.34 புத்ரைர்தாரைஸ்ச ப்ருத்யைஸ்ச ஸ்வக்ருஹே பரிவாரித: ।
ஸ ஏகோ ம்ருஷ்டமஸ்நாது யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
putrairdāraiṡca bhṛtyaiṡca svagṛhē parivāritaḥ ।
sa ēkō mṛṣṭamaṡnātu yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
incur the sin of feasting all by oneself in his home
while surrounded by children, wife and household workers.
2.75.35 அப்ராப்ய ஸத்ருஸாந் தாராநநபத்ய: ப்ரமீயதாம் ।
அநவாப்ய க்ரியாம் தர்ம்யாம் யஸ்யாऽர்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
aprāpya sadṛṡān dārānanapatyaḥ pramīyatām ।
anavāpya kriyāṃ dharmyāṃ yasyā'ryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
meet with the fate of dying
without getting married to a good wife,
without having any offspring and
without discharging the responsibilities due upon him.
2.75.36 மாऽத்மநஸ்ஸந்ததிம் த்ராக்ஷீத்ஸ்வேஷு தாரேஷு து:கித: ।
ஆயுஸ்ஸமக்ரமப்ராப்ய யऽஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
mā'tmanassantatiṃ drākṣītsvēṣu dārēṣu duḥkhitaḥ ।
āyussamagramaprāpya ya'syāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be condemned to the grief of not being
blessed with offspring through his lawful wife,
and to a life that ends before it is due.
2.75.37 ராஜஸ்த்ரீபாலவ்ருத்தாநாம் வதே யத்பாபமுச்யதே ।
ப்ருத்யத்யாகே ச யத்பாபம் தத்பாபம் ப்ரதிபத்யதாம் ॥
rājastrībālavṛddhānāṃ vadhē yatpāpamucyatē ।
bhṛtyatyāgē ca yatpāpaṃ tatpāpaṃ pratipadyatām ॥
May he incur the sin of killing
a king, women, children and the aged,
and that of abandoning the servants
who depend on him for their livelihood.
2.75.38 லாக்ஷயா மதுமாம்ஸேந லோஹேந ச விஷேண ச ।
ஸதைவ பிப்ருயாத்ப்ருத்யாந்யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
lākṣayā madhumāṃsēna lōhēna ca viṣēṇa ca ।
sadaiva bibhṛyādbhṛtyānyasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be reduced to supporting his dependants
by trading in lac, liquor, flesh, iron and poison.
2.75.39 ஸங்க்ரமே ஸமுபோடே ஸ்ம ஸத்ருபக்ஷபயங்கரே ।
பலாயாமாநோ வத்யேத யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
saṅgramē samupōḍhē sma ṡatrupakṣabhayaṅkarē ।
palāyāmānō vadhyēta yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be killed like a warrior who flees the battle field,
just when it reaches its crescendo
of terrorizing the enemy lines.
2.75.40 கபாலபாணி: ப்ருதிவீமடதாம் சீரஸம்வ்ருத: ।
பிக்ஷமாணோ யதோந்மத்தோ யஸ்யார்யோऽநுமதே கத: ॥
kapālapāṇiḥ pṛthivīmaṭatāṃ cīrasaṃvṛtaḥ ।
bhikṣamāṇō yathōnmattō yasyāryō'numatē gataḥ ॥
May he, at whose bidding the noble one has left,
be damned to wander over the earth
begging like a madman, covered in rags,
with a skull in his hand.
To be continued