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Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 103
Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 103
In this Sarga, the mothers, along with Vasishṭha visit river Mandākini and proceed to Rāma’s Āṡrama. Kousalyā cries upon seeing the Iṅgudi offering made by Rāma to Daṡaratha.
At the Āṡrama, Rāma pays respect to the mothers and so do Lakshmaṇa and Seetā. Kousalyā feels sad about the state of Seetā, who does not deserve to live in a Vana, having been born to a king and being the daughter-in-law of another king Daṡaratha.
Bharata then sits beside Rāma and everyone eagerly wait to see what he would say to Rāma.
2.103.1 வஸிஷ்ட: புரத: க்ருத்வா
தாராந்தஸரதஸ்ய ச ।
அபிசக்ராம தம் தேஸம்
ராமதர்ஸநதர்ஷித: ॥
vasiṣṭhaḥ purataḥ kṛtvā
dārāndaṡarathasya ca ।
abhicakrāma taṃ dēṡaṃ
rāmadarṡanatarṣitaḥ ॥
Vasishṭha, thirsting for a sight of Rāma,
walked to that place (banks of Mandākini)
with the women of Daṡaratha walking ahead of him.
2.103.2 ராஜபத்ந்யஸ்ச கச்சந்த்யோ
மந்தம் மந்தாகிநீம் ப்ரதி ।
தத்ருஸுஸ்தத்ர தத் தீர்தம்
ராமலக்ஷ்மணஸேவிதம் ॥
rājapatnyaṡca gacchantyō
mandaṃ mandākinīṃ prati ।
dadṛṡustatra tat tīrthaṃ
rāmalakṣmaṇasēvitam ॥
The King’s wives, as they proceeded
slowly towards the Mandākini,
saw the shore where Rāma and Lakshmaṇa were.
2.103.3 கௌஸல்யா பாஷ்பபூர்ணேந
முகேந பரிஸுஷ்யதா ।
ஸுமித்ராமப்ரவீத்தீநா
யாஸ்சாந்யா ராஜயோஷித: ॥
kausalyā bāṣpapūrṇēna
mukhēna pariṡuṣyatā ।
sumitrāmabravīddīnā
yāṡcānyā rājayōṣitaḥ ॥
Kousalyā, with her face worn out and full of tears,
said to Sumitrā and other women of the king,
in a pitiful manner:
2.103.4 இதம் தேஷாமநாதாநாம்
க்லிஷ்டமக்லிஷ்டகர்மணாம் ।
வநே ப்ராக்கலநம் தீர்தம்
யே தே நிர்விஷயீக்ருதா: ॥
idaṃ tēṣāmanāthānāṃ
kliṣṭamakliṣṭakarmaṇām ।
vanē prākkalanaṃ tīrthaṃ
yē tē nirviṣayīkṛtāḥ ॥
Huh! This is the shore that is to the east of the Vana,
where those who had been sent away from their place
are leading their hard life, which they are not used to!
2.103.5 இதஸ்ஸுமித்ரே புத்ரஸ்தே
ஸதா ஜலமதந்த்ரித: ।
ஸ்வயம் ஹரதி ஸௌமித்ரி:
மம புத்ரஸ்ய காரணாத் ॥
itassumitrē putrastē
sadā jalamatandritaḥ ।
svayaṃ harati saumitriḥ
mama putrasya kāraṇāt ॥
O Sumitrā, this is from where
your son Lakshmaṇa brings water
for the sake of my son,
all the time, without remiss!
2.103.6 ஜகந்யமபி தே புத்ர:
க்ருதவாந்நது கர்ஹித: ।
ப்ராதுர்யதர்தஸஹிதம்
ஸர்வம் தத்விஹிதம் குணை: ॥
jaghanyamapi tē putraḥ
kṛtavānnatu garhitaḥ ।
bhrāturyadarthasahitaṃ
sarvaṃ tadvihitaṃ guṇaiḥ ॥
Your son must not be condemned
for doing such a menial chore;
for, everything that is done
for the sake of a brother
must be counted as worthy.
2.103.7 அத்யாயமபி தே புத்ர:
க்லேஸாநாமததோசித: ।
நீசாநர்தஸமாசாரம்
ஸஜ்ஜம் கர்ம ப்ரமுஞ்சது ॥
adyāyamapi tē putraḥ
klēṡānāmatathōcitaḥ ।
nīcānarthasamācāraṃ
sajjaṃ karma pramuñcatu ॥
From now on, your son,
who does not deserve such hardships,
might be relieved of these
menial and distressing chores.
2.103.8 தக்ஷிணாக்ரேஷு தர்பேஷு
ஸா ததர்ஸ மஹீதலே ।
பிதுரிங்குதிபிண்யாகம்
ந்யஸ்தமாயதலோசநா ॥
dakṣiṇāgrēṣu darbhēṣu
sā dadarṡa mahītalē ।
pituriṅgudipiṇyākaṃ
nyastamāyatalōcanā ॥
She of wide eyes just then saw
the Iṅgudi ball on Darbha grass
with its ends pointing to the south
left there for the father.
2.103.9 தம் பூமௌ பிதுரார்தேந
ந்யஸ்தம் ராமேண வீக்ஷ்ய ஸா ।
உவாச தேவீ கௌஸல்யா
ஸர்வா தஸரதஸ்த்ரிய: ॥
taṃ bhūmau piturārtēna
nyastaṃ rāmēṇa vīkṣya sā ।
uvāca dēvī kausalyā
sarvā daṡarathastriyaḥ ॥
Seeing that which had been placed on the ground
for his father by the pitiful Rāma with all affection,
the lady Kousalyā said to the women of Daṡaratha:
2.103.10 இதமிக்ஷ்வாகுநாதஸ்ய
ராகவஸ்ய மஹாத்மந: ।
ராகவேண பிதுர்தத்தம்
பஸ்யதைதத்யதாவிதி ॥
idamikṣvākunāthasya
rāghavasya mahātmanaḥ ।
rāghavēṇa piturdattaṃ
paṡyataitadyathāvidhi ॥
Look at this offering made by Rāghava
in the customary manner to his father,
the descendent of Raghu and lord of Ikshwāku dynasty!
2.103.11 தஸ்ய தேவஸமாநஸ்ய
பார்திவஸ்ய மஹாத்மந: ।
நைததௌபயிகம் மந்யே
புக்தபோகஸ்ய போஜநம் ॥
tasya dēvasamānasya
pārthivasya mahātmanaḥ ।
naitadaupayikaṃ manyē
bhuktabhōgasya bhōjanam ॥
I cannot think this is fitting food
for that ruler of the earth, for that Mahātma,
who is the equal of the Dēvas and
who had savored all enjoyments!
2.103.12 சதுரந்தாம் மஹீம் புக்த்வா
மஹேந்த்ரஸத்ருஸோ விபு: ।
கதமிங்குதிபிண்யாகம்
ஸ புங்க்தே வஸுதாதிப: ॥
caturantāṃ mahīṃ bhuktvā
mahēndrasadṛṡō vibhuḥ ।
kathamiṅgudipiṇyākaṃ
sa bhuṅktē vasudhādhipaḥ ॥
How could he, the ruler of earth,
a lord comparable to the great Indra,
who enjoyed the earth that stretches to the four corners,
eat this ball made of Iṅgudi?
2.103.13 அதோ து:கதரம் லோகே
ந கிஞ்சித்ப்ரதிபாதி மா ।
யத்ர ராம: பிதுர்தத்யாத்
இங்குதிக்ஷோதம்ருத்திமாந் ॥
atō duḥkhataraṃ lōkē
na kiñcitpratibhāti mā ।
yatra rāmaḥ piturdadyāt
iṅgudikṣōdamṛddhimān ॥
Nothing in this world
could be more woeful to me
than finding Rāma, a man of plenty,
offering the (pitiable) dough of Iṅgudi to his father.
2.103.14 ராமேணேங்குதிபிண்யாகம்
பிதுர்தத்தம் ஸமீக்ஷ்ய மே ।
கதம் து:கேந ஹ்ருதயம்
ந ஸ்போடதி ஸஹஸ்ரதா ॥
rāmēṇēṅgudipiṇyākaṃ
piturdattaṃ samīkṣya mē ।
kathaṃ duḥkhēna hṛdayaṃ
na sphōṭati sahasradhā ॥
How is it that my heart does not blow apart
into thousands of pieces out of sadness,
even after seeing Rāma offering
a ball of Iṅgudi to his father?
2.103.15 ஸ்ருதிஸ்து கல்வியம் ஸத்யா
லௌகிகீ ப்ரதிபாதி மா ।
யதந்ந: புருஷோ பவதி
ததந்நாஸ்தஸ்ய தேவதா: ॥
ṡrutistu khalviyaṃ satyā
laukikī pratibhāti mā ।
yadannaḥ puruṣō bhavati
tadannāstasya dēvatāḥ ॥
The adage that says
‘whatever is food for man, is food for Dēvas’
looks true to me!
2.103.16 ஏவமார்தாம் ஸபத்ந்யஸ்தா
ஜக்முராஸ்வாஸ்ய தாம் ததா ।
தத்ருஸுஸ்சாஸ்ரமே ராமம்
ஸ்வர்கச்யுதமிவாமரம் ॥
ēvamārtāṃ sapatnyastā
jagmurāṡvāsya tāṃ tadā ।
dadṛṡuṡcāṡramē rāmaṃ
svargacyutamivāmaram ॥
After consoling her who was thus crying,
all the wives went to the Āṡrama and saw Rāma,
who looked like an immortal fallen from heaven.
2.103.17 ஸர்வபோகை: பரித்யக்தம்
ராமம் ஸம்ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய மாதர: ।
ஆர்தா முமுசுரஸ்ரூணி
ஸஸ்வரம் ஸோககர்ஸிதா: ॥
sarvabhōgaiḥ parityaktaṃ
rāmaṃ samprēkṣya mātaraḥ ।
ārtā mumucuraṡrūṇi
sasvaraṃ ṡōkakarṡitāḥ ॥
All the mothers, seeing Rāma
who was abandoned by every luxury,
shed tears in agony and
wept aloud burning with grief.
2.103.18 தாஸாம் ராமஸ்ஸமுத்தாய
ஜக்ராஹ சரணாந் ஸுபாந் ।
மாத்ரூணாம் மநுஜவ்யாக்ர:
ஸர்வாஸாம் ஸத்யஸங்கர: ॥
tāsāṃ rāmassamutthāya
jagrāha caraṇān ṡubhān ।
mātrūṇāṃ manujavyāghraḥ
sarvāsāṃ satyasaṅgaraḥ ॥
That tiger among men, who was staunch in his vows,
got up and touched the blessed feet of all his mothers.
2.103.19 தா: பாணிபிஸ்ஸுகஸ்பர்ஸை:
ம்ருத்வங்குலிதலைஸ்ஸுபை: ।
ப்ரமமார்ஜூ ரஜ: ப்ருஷ்டாத்
ராமஸ்யாயதலோசநா: ॥
tāḥ pāṇibhissukhasparṡaiḥ
mṛdvaṅgulitalaiṡṡubhaiḥ ।
pramamārjū rajaḥ pṛṣṭhāt
rāmasyāyatalōcanāḥ ॥
Those wide eyed women of delicate fingers of soft touch,
then wiped the dust off Rāma’s back.
2.103.20 ஸௌமித்ரிரபி தாஸ்ஸர்வா
மாதऽஸ்ஸம்ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய து:கித: ।
அப்யவாதயதாஸக்தம்
ஸநை ராமாதநந்தரம் ॥
saumitrirapi tāssarvā
māta'ssamprēkṣya duḥkhitaḥ ।
abhyavādayatāsaktaṃ
ṡanai rāmādanantaram ॥
The son of Sumitrā also, seeing the mothers, and feeling sad,
bowed to all of them in reverence, after Rāma.
2.103.21 யதா ராமே ததா தஸ்மிந்
ஸர்வா வவ்ருதிரே ஸ்த்ரிய: ।
வ்ருத்திம் தஸரதாஜ்ஜாதே
லக்ஷ்மணே ஸுபலக்ஷணே ॥
yathā rāmē tathā tasmin
sarvā vavṛtirē striyaḥ ।
vṛttiṃ daṡarathājjātē
lakṣmaṇē ṡubhalakṣaṇē ॥
All the ladies treated Lakshmaṇa of the auspicious marks,
who was born to Daṡaratha, with the
same affection that they showed Rama.
2.103.22 ஸீதாऽபி சரணாம்ஸ்தாஸாம்
உபஸங்க்ருஹ்ய து:கிதா ।
ஸ்வஸ்ரூணாமஸ்ருபூர்ணாக்ஷீ
ஸா பபூவாக்ரத: ஸ்திதா ॥
sītā'pi caraṇāṃstāsām
upasaṅgṛhya duḥkhitā ।
ṡvaṡrūṇāmaṡrupūrṇākṣī
sā babhūvāgrataḥ sthitā ॥
Seetā too, having touched the feet of her mothers-in-law,
stood in front of them grieving, with tear-filled eyes. There is more in this Ṡlōka than meets the eye.
Of everyone present there, Seetā is the only one who did not have many memories of Daṡaratha, of whom everyone is grieving. Hence, naturally, she would not cry as hard as the others and her reaction would also be milder.
Also, by not growing up in Ayōdhyā like everyone else did, she could not have developed the intimacy that everyone else there enjoy among themselves.
Hence, it is up to the elder women to open up a conversation with her. Rightly and aptly, they open the conversation by turning the attention to her difficulties.
Rāmāyaṇa is often cited as an illustration of how younger ones should show obedience to elders. But it must also be cited as an illustration of how considerate the elders should be to the younger ones.
It goes both ways, right?
2.103.23 தாம் பரிஷ்வஜ்ய து:கார்தாம்
மாதா துஹிதரம் யதா ।
வநவாஸக்ருஸாம் தீநாம்
கௌஸல்யா வாக்யமப்ரவீத் ॥
tāṃ pariṣvajya duḥkhārtāṃ
mātā duhitaraṃ yathā ।
vanavāsakṛṡāṃ dīnāṃ
kausalyā vākyamabravīt ॥
Embracing her like a mother would her daughter,
Kousalyā said to her, who was grieving
and had become thin and was feeling downcast,
living in the forest:
2.103.24 விதேஹராஜஸ்ய ஸுதா
ஸ்நுஷா தஸரதஸ்ய ச ।
ராமபத்நீ கதம் து:கம்
ஸம்ப்ராப்தா நிர்ஜநே வநே ॥
vidēharājasya sutā
snuṣā daṡarathasya ca ।
rāmapatnī kathaṃ duḥkhaṃ
samprāptā nirjanē vanē ॥
What kind of suffering,
of having to live in a desolate Vana,
has fallen upon the daughter of the king of Vidēha,
who is also the daughter-in-law of Daṡaratha
and the wife of Rāma!
2.103.25-26 பத்மமாதபஸந்தப்தம்
பரிக்லிஷ்டமிவோத்பலம் ।
காஞ்சநம் ரஜஸா த்வஸ்தம்
க்லிஷ்டம் சந்த்ரமிவாம்புதை: ॥
முகம் தே ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய மாம் ஸோகோ
தஹத்யக்நிரிவாऽஸ்ரயம் ।
ப்ருஸம் மநஸி வைதேஹி
வ்யஸநாரணிஸம்பவ: ॥
padmamātapasantaptaṃ
parikliṣṭamivōtpalam ।
kāñcanaṃ rajasā dhvastaṃ
kliṣṭaṃ candramivāmbudaiḥ ॥
mukhaṃ tē prēkṣya māṃ ṡōkō
dahatyagnirivā'ṡrayam ।
bhṛṡaṃ manasi vaidēhi
vyasanāraṇisambhavaḥ ॥
O daughter of Vidēha kingdom!
Seeing your face that resembles
a lotus scorched by the sun, a lily that is crushed,
gold covered with dust and moon obscured by clouds,
grief, born out of the flint of distress,
burns me away deeply into my heart
like fire which consumes its own source.
2.103.27 ப்ருவந்த்யாமேவமார்தாயாம்
ஜநந்யாம் பரதாக்ரஜ: ।
பாதாவாஸாத்ய ஜக்ராஹ
வஸிஷ்டஸ்ய ச ராகவ: ॥
bruvantyāmēvamārtāyāṃ
jananyāṃ bharatāgrajaḥ ।
pādāvāsādya jagrāha
vasiṣṭhasya ca rāghavaḥ ॥
As the distressed mother of
Bharata’s elder brother was speaking thus,
Rāghava reached Vasishṭha and touched his feet.
2.103.28 புரோஹிதஸ்யாக்நிஸமஸ்ய வை ததா
ப்ருஹஸ்பதேரிந்த்ரமிவாமராதிப: ।
ப்ரக்ருஹ்ய பாதௌ ஸுஸம்ருத்ததேஜஸ-
ஸ்ஸஹைவ தேநோபவிவேஸ ராகவ: ॥
purōhitasyāgnisamasya vai tadā
bṛhaspatērindramivāmarādhipaḥ ।
pragṛhya pādau susamṛddhatējasa-
ssahaiva tēnōpavivēṡa rāghavaḥ ॥
Rāghava touched the feet of
the supremely resplendent Purōhita, of fiery brilliance,
like Indra, the lord of immortals, does Bṛhaspati
and sat beside him.
2.103.29 ததோ ஜகந்யம் ஸஹிதைஸ்ஸமந்த்ரிபி:
புரப்ரதாநைஸ்ச ஸஹைவ ஸைநிகை: ।
ஜநேந தர்மஜ்ஞதமேந தர்மவா-
நுபோபவிஷ்டோ பரதஸ்ததாऽக்ரஜம் ॥
tatō jaghanyaṃ sahitaissamantribhiḥ
purapradhānaiṡca sahaiva sainikaiḥ ।
janēna dharmajñatamēna dharmavā-
nupōpaviṣṭō bharatastadā'grajam ॥
After they sat thus,
Bharata who knew Dharma took his seat near his brother,
along with the ministers, the important men of the city,
the army chiefs and men who were well versed in Dharma.
2.103.30 உபோபவிஷ்டஸ்து ததா ஸ வீர்யவாம்-
ஸ்தபஸ்விவேஷேண ஸமீக்ஷ்ய ராகவம் ।
ஸ்ரியா ஜ்வலந்தம் பரத: க்ருதாஞ்ஜலி-
ர்யதா மஹேந்த்ர: ப்ரயத: ப்ரஜாபதிம் ॥
upōpaviṣṭastu tadā sa vīryavāṃ-
stapasvivēṣēṇa samīkṣya rāghavam ।
ṡriyā jvalantaṃ bharataḥ kṛtāñjali-
ryathā mahēndraḥ prayataḥ prajāpatim ॥
Before taking his seat,
the valorous Bharata, with joined palms,
saluted Rāghava who dazzled by the
effulgence of his ascetic appearance,
as the mighty Indra devoutly
salute the great Progenitor.
2.103.31 கிமேஷ வாக்யம் பரதோऽத்ய ராகவம்
ப்ரணம்ய ஸத்க்ருத்ய ச ஸாது வக்ஷ்யதி ।
இதீவ தஸ்யார்யஜநஸ்ய தத்த்வதோ
பபூவ கௌதூஹலமுத்தமம் ததா ॥
kimēṣa vākyaṃ bharatō'dya rāghavaṃ
praṇamya satkṛtya ca sādhu vakṣyati ।
itīva tasyāryajanasya tattvatō
babhūva kautūhalamuttamaṃ tadā ॥
All the noble people then
became genuinely curious
as to what Bharata would say to Rāghava
after saluting and honoring him thus.
2.103.32 ஸ ராகவஸ்ஸத்யத்ருதிஸ்ச லக்ஷ்மணோ
மஹாநுபாவோ பரதஸ்ச தார்மிக: ।
வ்ருதா: ஸுஹ்ருத்பிஸ்ச விரேஜுரத்வரே
யதா ஸதஸ்யைஸ்ஸஹிதாஸ்த்ரயோऽக்நய: ॥
sa rāghavassatyadhṛtiṡca lakṣmaṇō
mahānubhāvō bharataṡca dhārmikaḥ ।
vṛtāḥ suhṛdbhiṡca virējuradhvarē
yathā sadasyaissahitāstrayō'gnayaḥ ॥
Rāghava, of unwavering resolve,
Lakshmaṇa, of great prowess and
Bharata, of utmost Dharma,
surrounded by their friends,
shone like the three of fires of a Yajña,
in the midst of the officiating priests.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே
வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
அயோத்யாகாண்டே
த்ய்ருத்தரஸததமஸ்ஸர்க: ।
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē
vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ayōdhyākāṇḍē
tyruttaraṡatatamassargaḥ ।
Thus concludes the one hundred and third Sarga
in Ayōdhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.
Ayodhya Kaanda - Sarga 103
In this Sarga, the mothers, along with Vasishṭha visit river Mandākini and proceed to Rāma’s Āṡrama. Kousalyā cries upon seeing the Iṅgudi offering made by Rāma to Daṡaratha.
At the Āṡrama, Rāma pays respect to the mothers and so do Lakshmaṇa and Seetā. Kousalyā feels sad about the state of Seetā, who does not deserve to live in a Vana, having been born to a king and being the daughter-in-law of another king Daṡaratha.
Bharata then sits beside Rāma and everyone eagerly wait to see what he would say to Rāma.
2.103.1 வஸிஷ்ட: புரத: க்ருத்வா
தாராந்தஸரதஸ்ய ச ।
அபிசக்ராம தம் தேஸம்
ராமதர்ஸநதர்ஷித: ॥
vasiṣṭhaḥ purataḥ kṛtvā
dārāndaṡarathasya ca ।
abhicakrāma taṃ dēṡaṃ
rāmadarṡanatarṣitaḥ ॥
Vasishṭha, thirsting for a sight of Rāma,
walked to that place (banks of Mandākini)
with the women of Daṡaratha walking ahead of him.
2.103.2 ராஜபத்ந்யஸ்ச கச்சந்த்யோ
மந்தம் மந்தாகிநீம் ப்ரதி ।
தத்ருஸுஸ்தத்ர தத் தீர்தம்
ராமலக்ஷ்மணஸேவிதம் ॥
rājapatnyaṡca gacchantyō
mandaṃ mandākinīṃ prati ।
dadṛṡustatra tat tīrthaṃ
rāmalakṣmaṇasēvitam ॥
The King’s wives, as they proceeded
slowly towards the Mandākini,
saw the shore where Rāma and Lakshmaṇa were.
2.103.3 கௌஸல்யா பாஷ்பபூர்ணேந
முகேந பரிஸுஷ்யதா ।
ஸுமித்ராமப்ரவீத்தீநா
யாஸ்சாந்யா ராஜயோஷித: ॥
kausalyā bāṣpapūrṇēna
mukhēna pariṡuṣyatā ।
sumitrāmabravīddīnā
yāṡcānyā rājayōṣitaḥ ॥
Kousalyā, with her face worn out and full of tears,
said to Sumitrā and other women of the king,
in a pitiful manner:
2.103.4 இதம் தேஷாமநாதாநாம்
க்லிஷ்டமக்லிஷ்டகர்மணாம் ।
வநே ப்ராக்கலநம் தீர்தம்
யே தே நிர்விஷயீக்ருதா: ॥
idaṃ tēṣāmanāthānāṃ
kliṣṭamakliṣṭakarmaṇām ।
vanē prākkalanaṃ tīrthaṃ
yē tē nirviṣayīkṛtāḥ ॥
Huh! This is the shore that is to the east of the Vana,
where those who had been sent away from their place
are leading their hard life, which they are not used to!
2.103.5 இதஸ்ஸுமித்ரே புத்ரஸ்தே
ஸதா ஜலமதந்த்ரித: ।
ஸ்வயம் ஹரதி ஸௌமித்ரி:
மம புத்ரஸ்ய காரணாத் ॥
itassumitrē putrastē
sadā jalamatandritaḥ ।
svayaṃ harati saumitriḥ
mama putrasya kāraṇāt ॥
O Sumitrā, this is from where
your son Lakshmaṇa brings water
for the sake of my son,
all the time, without remiss!
2.103.6 ஜகந்யமபி தே புத்ர:
க்ருதவாந்நது கர்ஹித: ।
ப்ராதுர்யதர்தஸஹிதம்
ஸர்வம் தத்விஹிதம் குணை: ॥
jaghanyamapi tē putraḥ
kṛtavānnatu garhitaḥ ।
bhrāturyadarthasahitaṃ
sarvaṃ tadvihitaṃ guṇaiḥ ॥
Your son must not be condemned
for doing such a menial chore;
for, everything that is done
for the sake of a brother
must be counted as worthy.
2.103.7 அத்யாயமபி தே புத்ர:
க்லேஸாநாமததோசித: ।
நீசாநர்தஸமாசாரம்
ஸஜ்ஜம் கர்ம ப்ரமுஞ்சது ॥
adyāyamapi tē putraḥ
klēṡānāmatathōcitaḥ ।
nīcānarthasamācāraṃ
sajjaṃ karma pramuñcatu ॥
From now on, your son,
who does not deserve such hardships,
might be relieved of these
menial and distressing chores.
2.103.8 தக்ஷிணாக்ரேஷு தர்பேஷு
ஸா ததர்ஸ மஹீதலே ।
பிதுரிங்குதிபிண்யாகம்
ந்யஸ்தமாயதலோசநா ॥
dakṣiṇāgrēṣu darbhēṣu
sā dadarṡa mahītalē ।
pituriṅgudipiṇyākaṃ
nyastamāyatalōcanā ॥
She of wide eyes just then saw
the Iṅgudi ball on Darbha grass
with its ends pointing to the south
left there for the father.
2.103.9 தம் பூமௌ பிதுரார்தேந
ந்யஸ்தம் ராமேண வீக்ஷ்ய ஸா ।
உவாச தேவீ கௌஸல்யா
ஸர்வா தஸரதஸ்த்ரிய: ॥
taṃ bhūmau piturārtēna
nyastaṃ rāmēṇa vīkṣya sā ।
uvāca dēvī kausalyā
sarvā daṡarathastriyaḥ ॥
Seeing that which had been placed on the ground
for his father by the pitiful Rāma with all affection,
the lady Kousalyā said to the women of Daṡaratha:
2.103.10 இதமிக்ஷ்வாகுநாதஸ்ய
ராகவஸ்ய மஹாத்மந: ।
ராகவேண பிதுர்தத்தம்
பஸ்யதைதத்யதாவிதி ॥
idamikṣvākunāthasya
rāghavasya mahātmanaḥ ।
rāghavēṇa piturdattaṃ
paṡyataitadyathāvidhi ॥
Look at this offering made by Rāghava
in the customary manner to his father,
the descendent of Raghu and lord of Ikshwāku dynasty!
2.103.11 தஸ்ய தேவஸமாநஸ்ய
பார்திவஸ்ய மஹாத்மந: ।
நைததௌபயிகம் மந்யே
புக்தபோகஸ்ய போஜநம் ॥
tasya dēvasamānasya
pārthivasya mahātmanaḥ ।
naitadaupayikaṃ manyē
bhuktabhōgasya bhōjanam ॥
I cannot think this is fitting food
for that ruler of the earth, for that Mahātma,
who is the equal of the Dēvas and
who had savored all enjoyments!
2.103.12 சதுரந்தாம் மஹீம் புக்த்வா
மஹேந்த்ரஸத்ருஸோ விபு: ।
கதமிங்குதிபிண்யாகம்
ஸ புங்க்தே வஸுதாதிப: ॥
caturantāṃ mahīṃ bhuktvā
mahēndrasadṛṡō vibhuḥ ।
kathamiṅgudipiṇyākaṃ
sa bhuṅktē vasudhādhipaḥ ॥
How could he, the ruler of earth,
a lord comparable to the great Indra,
who enjoyed the earth that stretches to the four corners,
eat this ball made of Iṅgudi?
2.103.13 அதோ து:கதரம் லோகே
ந கிஞ்சித்ப்ரதிபாதி மா ।
யத்ர ராம: பிதுர்தத்யாத்
இங்குதிக்ஷோதம்ருத்திமாந் ॥
atō duḥkhataraṃ lōkē
na kiñcitpratibhāti mā ।
yatra rāmaḥ piturdadyāt
iṅgudikṣōdamṛddhimān ॥
Nothing in this world
could be more woeful to me
than finding Rāma, a man of plenty,
offering the (pitiable) dough of Iṅgudi to his father.
2.103.14 ராமேணேங்குதிபிண்யாகம்
பிதுர்தத்தம் ஸமீக்ஷ்ய மே ।
கதம் து:கேந ஹ்ருதயம்
ந ஸ்போடதி ஸஹஸ்ரதா ॥
rāmēṇēṅgudipiṇyākaṃ
piturdattaṃ samīkṣya mē ।
kathaṃ duḥkhēna hṛdayaṃ
na sphōṭati sahasradhā ॥
How is it that my heart does not blow apart
into thousands of pieces out of sadness,
even after seeing Rāma offering
a ball of Iṅgudi to his father?
2.103.15 ஸ்ருதிஸ்து கல்வியம் ஸத்யா
லௌகிகீ ப்ரதிபாதி மா ।
யதந்ந: புருஷோ பவதி
ததந்நாஸ்தஸ்ய தேவதா: ॥
ṡrutistu khalviyaṃ satyā
laukikī pratibhāti mā ।
yadannaḥ puruṣō bhavati
tadannāstasya dēvatāḥ ॥
The adage that says
‘whatever is food for man, is food for Dēvas’
looks true to me!
2.103.16 ஏவமார்தாம் ஸபத்ந்யஸ்தா
ஜக்முராஸ்வாஸ்ய தாம் ததா ।
தத்ருஸுஸ்சாஸ்ரமே ராமம்
ஸ்வர்கச்யுதமிவாமரம் ॥
ēvamārtāṃ sapatnyastā
jagmurāṡvāsya tāṃ tadā ।
dadṛṡuṡcāṡramē rāmaṃ
svargacyutamivāmaram ॥
After consoling her who was thus crying,
all the wives went to the Āṡrama and saw Rāma,
who looked like an immortal fallen from heaven.
2.103.17 ஸர்வபோகை: பரித்யக்தம்
ராமம் ஸம்ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய மாதர: ।
ஆர்தா முமுசுரஸ்ரூணி
ஸஸ்வரம் ஸோககர்ஸிதா: ॥
sarvabhōgaiḥ parityaktaṃ
rāmaṃ samprēkṣya mātaraḥ ।
ārtā mumucuraṡrūṇi
sasvaraṃ ṡōkakarṡitāḥ ॥
All the mothers, seeing Rāma
who was abandoned by every luxury,
shed tears in agony and
wept aloud burning with grief.
2.103.18 தாஸாம் ராமஸ்ஸமுத்தாய
ஜக்ராஹ சரணாந் ஸுபாந் ।
மாத்ரூணாம் மநுஜவ்யாக்ர:
ஸர்வாஸாம் ஸத்யஸங்கர: ॥
tāsāṃ rāmassamutthāya
jagrāha caraṇān ṡubhān ।
mātrūṇāṃ manujavyāghraḥ
sarvāsāṃ satyasaṅgaraḥ ॥
That tiger among men, who was staunch in his vows,
got up and touched the blessed feet of all his mothers.
2.103.19 தா: பாணிபிஸ்ஸுகஸ்பர்ஸை:
ம்ருத்வங்குலிதலைஸ்ஸுபை: ।
ப்ரமமார்ஜூ ரஜ: ப்ருஷ்டாத்
ராமஸ்யாயதலோசநா: ॥
tāḥ pāṇibhissukhasparṡaiḥ
mṛdvaṅgulitalaiṡṡubhaiḥ ।
pramamārjū rajaḥ pṛṣṭhāt
rāmasyāyatalōcanāḥ ॥
Those wide eyed women of delicate fingers of soft touch,
then wiped the dust off Rāma’s back.
2.103.20 ஸௌமித்ரிரபி தாஸ்ஸர்வா
மாதऽஸ்ஸம்ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய து:கித: ।
அப்யவாதயதாஸக்தம்
ஸநை ராமாதநந்தரம் ॥
saumitrirapi tāssarvā
māta'ssamprēkṣya duḥkhitaḥ ।
abhyavādayatāsaktaṃ
ṡanai rāmādanantaram ॥
The son of Sumitrā also, seeing the mothers, and feeling sad,
bowed to all of them in reverence, after Rāma.
2.103.21 யதா ராமே ததா தஸ்மிந்
ஸர்வா வவ்ருதிரே ஸ்த்ரிய: ।
வ்ருத்திம் தஸரதாஜ்ஜாதே
லக்ஷ்மணே ஸுபலக்ஷணே ॥
yathā rāmē tathā tasmin
sarvā vavṛtirē striyaḥ ।
vṛttiṃ daṡarathājjātē
lakṣmaṇē ṡubhalakṣaṇē ॥
All the ladies treated Lakshmaṇa of the auspicious marks,
who was born to Daṡaratha, with the
same affection that they showed Rama.
2.103.22 ஸீதாऽபி சரணாம்ஸ்தாஸாம்
உபஸங்க்ருஹ்ய து:கிதா ।
ஸ்வஸ்ரூணாமஸ்ருபூர்ணாக்ஷீ
ஸா பபூவாக்ரத: ஸ்திதா ॥
sītā'pi caraṇāṃstāsām
upasaṅgṛhya duḥkhitā ।
ṡvaṡrūṇāmaṡrupūrṇākṣī
sā babhūvāgrataḥ sthitā ॥
Seetā too, having touched the feet of her mothers-in-law,
stood in front of them grieving, with tear-filled eyes. There is more in this Ṡlōka than meets the eye.
Of everyone present there, Seetā is the only one who did not have many memories of Daṡaratha, of whom everyone is grieving. Hence, naturally, she would not cry as hard as the others and her reaction would also be milder.
Also, by not growing up in Ayōdhyā like everyone else did, she could not have developed the intimacy that everyone else there enjoy among themselves.
Hence, it is up to the elder women to open up a conversation with her. Rightly and aptly, they open the conversation by turning the attention to her difficulties.
Rāmāyaṇa is often cited as an illustration of how younger ones should show obedience to elders. But it must also be cited as an illustration of how considerate the elders should be to the younger ones.
It goes both ways, right?
2.103.23 தாம் பரிஷ்வஜ்ய து:கார்தாம்
மாதா துஹிதரம் யதா ।
வநவாஸக்ருஸாம் தீநாம்
கௌஸல்யா வாக்யமப்ரவீத் ॥
tāṃ pariṣvajya duḥkhārtāṃ
mātā duhitaraṃ yathā ।
vanavāsakṛṡāṃ dīnāṃ
kausalyā vākyamabravīt ॥
Embracing her like a mother would her daughter,
Kousalyā said to her, who was grieving
and had become thin and was feeling downcast,
living in the forest:
2.103.24 விதேஹராஜஸ்ய ஸுதா
ஸ்நுஷா தஸரதஸ்ய ச ।
ராமபத்நீ கதம் து:கம்
ஸம்ப்ராப்தா நிர்ஜநே வநே ॥
vidēharājasya sutā
snuṣā daṡarathasya ca ।
rāmapatnī kathaṃ duḥkhaṃ
samprāptā nirjanē vanē ॥
What kind of suffering,
of having to live in a desolate Vana,
has fallen upon the daughter of the king of Vidēha,
who is also the daughter-in-law of Daṡaratha
and the wife of Rāma!
2.103.25-26 பத்மமாதபஸந்தப்தம்
பரிக்லிஷ்டமிவோத்பலம் ।
காஞ்சநம் ரஜஸா த்வஸ்தம்
க்லிஷ்டம் சந்த்ரமிவாம்புதை: ॥
முகம் தே ப்ரேக்ஷ்ய மாம் ஸோகோ
தஹத்யக்நிரிவாऽஸ்ரயம் ।
ப்ருஸம் மநஸி வைதேஹி
வ்யஸநாரணிஸம்பவ: ॥
padmamātapasantaptaṃ
parikliṣṭamivōtpalam ।
kāñcanaṃ rajasā dhvastaṃ
kliṣṭaṃ candramivāmbudaiḥ ॥
mukhaṃ tē prēkṣya māṃ ṡōkō
dahatyagnirivā'ṡrayam ।
bhṛṡaṃ manasi vaidēhi
vyasanāraṇisambhavaḥ ॥
O daughter of Vidēha kingdom!
Seeing your face that resembles
a lotus scorched by the sun, a lily that is crushed,
gold covered with dust and moon obscured by clouds,
grief, born out of the flint of distress,
burns me away deeply into my heart
like fire which consumes its own source.
2.103.27 ப்ருவந்த்யாமேவமார்தாயாம்
ஜநந்யாம் பரதாக்ரஜ: ।
பாதாவாஸாத்ய ஜக்ராஹ
வஸிஷ்டஸ்ய ச ராகவ: ॥
bruvantyāmēvamārtāyāṃ
jananyāṃ bharatāgrajaḥ ।
pādāvāsādya jagrāha
vasiṣṭhasya ca rāghavaḥ ॥
As the distressed mother of
Bharata’s elder brother was speaking thus,
Rāghava reached Vasishṭha and touched his feet.
2.103.28 புரோஹிதஸ்யாக்நிஸமஸ்ய வை ததா
ப்ருஹஸ்பதேரிந்த்ரமிவாமராதிப: ।
ப்ரக்ருஹ்ய பாதௌ ஸுஸம்ருத்ததேஜஸ-
ஸ்ஸஹைவ தேநோபவிவேஸ ராகவ: ॥
purōhitasyāgnisamasya vai tadā
bṛhaspatērindramivāmarādhipaḥ ।
pragṛhya pādau susamṛddhatējasa-
ssahaiva tēnōpavivēṡa rāghavaḥ ॥
Rāghava touched the feet of
the supremely resplendent Purōhita, of fiery brilliance,
like Indra, the lord of immortals, does Bṛhaspati
and sat beside him.
2.103.29 ததோ ஜகந்யம் ஸஹிதைஸ்ஸமந்த்ரிபி:
புரப்ரதாநைஸ்ச ஸஹைவ ஸைநிகை: ।
ஜநேந தர்மஜ்ஞதமேந தர்மவா-
நுபோபவிஷ்டோ பரதஸ்ததாऽக்ரஜம் ॥
tatō jaghanyaṃ sahitaissamantribhiḥ
purapradhānaiṡca sahaiva sainikaiḥ ।
janēna dharmajñatamēna dharmavā-
nupōpaviṣṭō bharatastadā'grajam ॥
After they sat thus,
Bharata who knew Dharma took his seat near his brother,
along with the ministers, the important men of the city,
the army chiefs and men who were well versed in Dharma.
2.103.30 உபோபவிஷ்டஸ்து ததா ஸ வீர்யவாம்-
ஸ்தபஸ்விவேஷேண ஸமீக்ஷ்ய ராகவம் ।
ஸ்ரியா ஜ்வலந்தம் பரத: க்ருதாஞ்ஜலி-
ர்யதா மஹேந்த்ர: ப்ரயத: ப்ரஜாபதிம் ॥
upōpaviṣṭastu tadā sa vīryavāṃ-
stapasvivēṣēṇa samīkṣya rāghavam ।
ṡriyā jvalantaṃ bharataḥ kṛtāñjali-
ryathā mahēndraḥ prayataḥ prajāpatim ॥
Before taking his seat,
the valorous Bharata, with joined palms,
saluted Rāghava who dazzled by the
effulgence of his ascetic appearance,
as the mighty Indra devoutly
salute the great Progenitor.
2.103.31 கிமேஷ வாக்யம் பரதோऽத்ய ராகவம்
ப்ரணம்ய ஸத்க்ருத்ய ச ஸாது வக்ஷ்யதி ।
இதீவ தஸ்யார்யஜநஸ்ய தத்த்வதோ
பபூவ கௌதூஹலமுத்தமம் ததா ॥
kimēṣa vākyaṃ bharatō'dya rāghavaṃ
praṇamya satkṛtya ca sādhu vakṣyati ।
itīva tasyāryajanasya tattvatō
babhūva kautūhalamuttamaṃ tadā ॥
All the noble people then
became genuinely curious
as to what Bharata would say to Rāghava
after saluting and honoring him thus.
2.103.32 ஸ ராகவஸ்ஸத்யத்ருதிஸ்ச லக்ஷ்மணோ
மஹாநுபாவோ பரதஸ்ச தார்மிக: ।
வ்ருதா: ஸுஹ்ருத்பிஸ்ச விரேஜுரத்வரே
யதா ஸதஸ்யைஸ்ஸஹிதாஸ்த்ரயோऽக்நய: ॥
sa rāghavassatyadhṛtiṡca lakṣmaṇō
mahānubhāvō bharataṡca dhārmikaḥ ।
vṛtāḥ suhṛdbhiṡca virējuradhvarē
yathā sadasyaissahitāstrayō'gnayaḥ ॥
Rāghava, of unwavering resolve,
Lakshmaṇa, of great prowess and
Bharata, of utmost Dharma,
surrounded by their friends,
shone like the three of fires of a Yajña,
in the midst of the officiating priests.
இத்யார்ஷே ஸ்ரீமத்ராமாயணே
வால்மீகீயே ஆதிகாவ்யே
அயோத்யாகாண்டே
த்ய்ருத்தரஸததமஸ்ஸர்க: ।
ityārṣē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē
vālmīkīyē ādikāvyē
ayōdhyākāṇḍē
tyruttaraṡatatamassargaḥ ।
Thus concludes the one hundred and third Sarga
in Ayōdhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa,
the first ever poem of humankind,
composed by Vālmeeki.