Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 9 · Chapter 10
श्रीशुक उवाच खट्वाङ्गाद् दीर्घबाहुश्च रघुस्तस्मात् पृथुश्रवा: । अजस्ततो महाराजस्तस्माद् दशरथोऽभवत् ॥ १ ॥
sri-suka uvaca khatvangad dirghabahus ca raghus tasmat prthu-sravah ajas tato maha-rajas tasmad dasaratho ’bhavat
Sukadeva Gosvami said: The son of Maharaja Khatvanga was Dirghabahu, and his son was the celebrated Maharaja Raghu. From Maharaja Raghu came Aja, and from Aja was born the great personality Maharaja Dasaratha.
तस्यापि भगवानेष साक्षाद् ब्रह्ममयो हरि: । अंशांशेन चतुर्धागात् पुत्रत्वं प्रार्थित: सुरै: । रामलक्ष्मणभरतशत्रुघ्ना इति संज्ञया ॥ २ ॥
tasyapi bhagavan esa saksad brahmamayo harih amsamsena caturdhagat putratvam prarthitah suraih rama-laksmana-bharata- satrughna iti samjnaya
Being prayed for by the demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth Himself, directly appeared with His expansion and expansions of the expansion. Their holy names were Rama, Laksmana, Bharata and Satrughna. These celebrated incarnations thus appeared in four forms as the sons of Maharaja Dasaratha.
तस्यानुचरितं राजन्नृषिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभि: । श्रुतं हि वर्णितं भूरि त्वया सीतापतेर्मुहु: ॥ ३ ॥
tasyanucaritam rajann rsibhis tattva-darsibhih srutam hi varnitam bhuri tvaya sita-pater muhuh
O King Pariksit, the transcendental activities of Lord Ramacandra have been described by great saintly persons who have seen the truth. Because you have heard again and again about Lord Ramacandra, the husband of mother Sita, I shall describe these activities only in brief. Please listen.
गुर्वर्थे त्यक्तराज्यो व्यचरदनुवनं पद्मपद्भ्यां प्रियाया: पाणिस्पर्शाक्षमाभ्यां मृजितपथरुजो यो हरीन्द्रानुजाभ्याम् । वैरूप्याच्छूर्पणख्या: प्रियविरहरुषारोपितभ्रूविजृम्भ- त्रस्ताब्धिर्बद्धसेतु: खलदवदहन: कोसलेन्द्रोऽवतान्न: ॥ ४ ॥
gurv-arthe tyakta-rajyo vyacarad anuvanam padma-padbhyam priyayah pani-sparsaksamabhyam mrjita-patha-rujo yo harindranujabhyam vairupyac churpanakhyah priya-viraha-rusaropita-bhru-vijrmbha- trastabdhir baddha-setuh khala-dava-dahanah kosalendro ’vatan nah
To keep the promise of His father intact, Lord Ramacandra immediately gave up the position of king and, accompanied by His wife, mother Sita, wandered from one forest to another on His lotus feet, which were so delicate that they were unable to bear even the touch of Sita’s palms. The Lord was also accompanied by Hanuman (or by another monkey, Sugriva), king of the monkeys, and by His own younger brother Lord Laksmana, both of whom gave Him relief from the fatigue of wandering in the forest. Having cut off the nose and ears of Surpanakha, thus disfiguring her, the Lord was separated from mother Sita. He therefore became angry, moving His eyebrows and thus frightening the ocean, who then allowed the Lord to construct a bridge to cross the ocean. Subsequently, the Lord entered the kingdom of Ravana to kill him, like a fire devouring a forest. May that Supreme Lord, Ramacandra, give us all protection.
विश्वामित्राध्वरे येन मारीचाद्या निशाचरा: । पश्यतो लक्ष्मणस्यैव हता नैर्ऋतपुङ्गवा: ॥ ५ ॥
visvamitradhvare yena maricadya nisa-carah pasyato laksmanasyaiva hata nairrta-pungavah
In the arena of the sacrifice performed by Visvamitra, Lord Ramacandra, the King of Ayodhya, killed many demons, Raksasas and uncivilized men who wandered at night in the mode of darkness. May Lord Ramacandra, who killed these demons in the presence of Laksmana, be kind enough to give us protection.
यो लोकवीरसमितौ धनुरैशमुग्रं सीतास्वयंवरगृहे त्रिशतोपनीतम् । आदाय बालगजलील इवेक्षुयष्टिं सज्ज्यीकृतं नृप विकृष्य बभञ्ज मध्ये ॥ ६ ॥ जित्वानुरूपगुणशीलवयोऽङ्गरूपां सीताभिधां श्रियमुरस्यभिलब्धमानाम् । मार्गे व्रजन् भृगुपतेर्व्यनयत् प्ररूढं दर्पं महीमकृत यस्त्रिरराजबीजाम् ॥ ७ ॥
yo loka-vira-samitau dhanur aisam ugram sita-svayamvara-grhe trisatopanitam adaya bala-gaja-lila iveksu-yastim sajjyi-krtam nrpa vikrsya babhanja madhye jitvanurupa-guna-sila-vayo ’nga-rupam sitabhidham sriyam urasy abhilabdhamanam marge vrajan bhrgupater vyanayat prarudham darpam mahim akrta yas trir araja-bijam
O King, the pastimes of Lord Ramacandra were wonderful, like those of a baby elephant. In the assembly where mother Sita was to choose her husband, in the midst of the heroes of this world, He broke the bow belonging to Lord Siva. This bow was so heavy that it was carried by three hundred men, but Lord Ramacandra bent and strung it and broke it in the middle, just as a baby elephant breaks a stick of sugarcane. Thus the Lord achieved the hand of mother Sita, who was equally as endowed with transcendental qualities of form, beauty, behavior, age and nature. Indeed, she was the goddess of fortune who constantly rests on the chest of the Lord. While returning from Sita’s home after gaining her at the assembly of competitors, Lord Ramacandra met Parasurama. Although Parasurama was very proud, having rid the earth of the royal order twenty-one times, he was defeated by the Lord, who appeared to be a ksatriya of the royal order.
य: सत्यपाशपरिवीतपितुर्निदेशं स्त्रैणस्य चापि शिरसा जगृहे सभार्य: । राज्यं श्रियं प्रणयिन: सुहृदो निवासं त्यक्त्वा ययौ वनमसूनिव मुक्तसङ्ग: ॥ ८ ॥
yah satya-pasa-parivita-pitur nidesam strainasya capi sirasa jagrhe sabharyah rajyam sriyam pranayinah suhrdo nivasam tyaktva yayau vanam asun iva mukta-sangah
Carrying out the order of His father, who was bound by a promise to his wife, Lord Ramacandra left behind His kingdom, opulence, friends, well-wishers, residence and everything else, just as a liberated soul gives up his life, and went to the forest with Sita.
रक्ष:स्वसुर्व्यकृत रूपमशुद्धबुद्धे- स्तस्या: खरत्रिशिरदूषणमुख्यबन्धून् । जघ्ने चतुर्दशसहस्रमपारणीय- कोदण्डपाणिरटमान उवास कृच्छ्रम् ॥ ९ ॥
raksah-svasur vyakrta rupam asuddha-buddhes tasyah khara-trisira-dusana-mukhya-bandhun jaghne caturdasa-sahasram aparaniya- kodanda-panir atamana uvasa krcchram
While wandering in the forest, where He accepted a life of hardship, carrying His invincible bow and arrows in His hand, Lord Ramacandra deformed Ravana’s sister, who was polluted with lusty desires, by cutting off her nose and ears. He also killed her fourteen thousand Raksasa friends, headed by Khara, Trisira and Dusana.
सीताकथाश्रवणदीपितहृच्छयेन सृष्टं विलोक्य नृपते दशकन्धरेण । जघ्नेऽद्भुतैणवपुषाश्रमतोऽपकृष्टो मारीचमाशु विशिखेन यथा कमुग्र: ॥ १० ॥
sita-katha-sravana-dipita-hrc-chayena srstam vilokya nrpate dasa-kandharena jaghne ’dbhutaina-vapusasramato ’pakrsto maricam asu visikhena yatha kam ugrah
O King Pariksit, when Ravana, who had ten heads on his shoulders, heard about the beautiful and attractive features of Sita, his mind was agitated by lusty desires, and he went to kidnap her. To distract Lord Ramacandra from His asrama, Ravana sent Marica in the form of a golden deer, and when Lord Ramacandra saw that wonderful deer, He left His residence and followed it and finally killed it with a sharp arrow, just as Lord Siva killed Daksa.
रक्षोऽधमेन वृकवद् विपिनेऽसमक्षं वैदेहराजदुहितर्यपयापितायाम् । भ्रात्रा वने कृपणवत् प्रियया वियुक्त: स्त्रीसङ्गिनां गतिमिति प्रथयंश्चचार ॥ ११ ॥
rakso-’dhamena vrkavad vipine ’samaksam vaideha-raja-duhitary apayapitayam bhratra vane krpanavat priyaya viyuktah stri-sanginam gatim iti prathayams cacara
When Ramacandra entered the forest and Laksmana was also absent, the worst of the Raksasas, Ravana, kidnapped Sitadevi, the daughter of the King of Videha, just as a tiger seizes unprotected sheep when the shepherd is absent. Then Lord Ramacandra wandered in the forest with His brother Laksmana as if very much distressed due to separation from His wife. Thus He showed by His personal example the condition of a person attached to women.
दग्ध्वात्मकृत्यहतकृत्यमहन् कबन्धं सख्यं विधाय कपिभिर्दयितागतिं तै: । बुद्ध्वाथ वालिनि हते प्लवगेन्द्रसैन्यै- र्वेलामगात् स मनुजोऽजभवार्चिताङ्घ्रि: ॥ १२ ॥
dagdhvatma-krtya-hata-krtyam ahan kabandham sakhyam vidhaya kapibhir dayita-gatim taih buddhvatha valini hate plavagendra-sainyair velam agat sa manujo ’ja-bhavarcitanghrih
Lord Ramacandra, whose lotus feet are worshiped by Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, had assumed the form of a human being. Thus He performed the funeral ceremony of Jatayu, who was killed by Ravana. The Lord then killed the demon named Kabandha, and after making friends with the monkey chiefs, killing Vali and arranging for the deliverance of mother Sita, He went to the beach of the ocean.
यद्रोषविभ्रमविवृत्तकटाक्षपात- सम्भ्रान्तनक्रमकरो भयगीर्णघोष: । सिन्धु: शिरस्यर्हणं परिगृह्य रूपी पादारविन्दमुपगम्य बभाष एतत् ॥ १३ ॥
yad-rosa-vibhrama-vivrtta-kataksa-pata- sambhranta-nakra-makaro bhaya-girna-ghosah sindhuh sirasy arhanam parigrhya rupi padaravindam upagamya babhasa etat
After reaching the beach, Lord Ramacandra fasted for three days, awaiting the arrival of the ocean personified. When the ocean did not come, the Lord exhibited His pastimes of anger, and simply by His glancing over the ocean, all the living entities within it, including the crocodiles and sharks, were agitated by fear. Then the personified ocean fearfully approached Lord Ramacandra, taking all paraphernalia to worship Him. Falling at the Lord’s lotus feet, the personified ocean spoke as follows.
न त्वां वयं जडधियो नु विदाम भूमन् कूटस्थमादिपुरुषं जगतामधीशम् । यत्सत्त्वत: सुरगणा रजस: प्रजेशा मन्योश्च भूतपतय: स भवान् गुणेश: ॥ १४ ॥
na tvam vayam jada-dhiyo nu vidama bhuman kuta-stham adi-purusam jagatam adhisam yat-sattvatah sura-gana rajasah prajesa manyos ca bhuta-patayah sa bhavan gunesah
O all-pervading Supreme Person, we are dull-minded and did not understand who You are, but now we understand that You are the Supreme Person, the master of the entire universe, the unchanging and original Personality of Godhead. The demigods are infatuated with the mode of goodness, the Prajapatis with the mode of passion, and the lord of ghosts with the mode of ignorance, but You are the master of all these qualities.
कामं प्रयाहि जहि विश्रवसोऽवमेहं त्रैलोक्यरावणमवाप्नुहि वीर पत्नीम् । बध्नीहि सेतुमिह ते यशसो वितत्यै गायन्ति दिग्विजयिनो यमुपेत्य भूपा: ॥ १५ ॥
kamam prayahi jahi visravaso ’vameham trailokya-ravanam avapnuhi vira patnim badhnihi setum iha te yasaso vitatyai gayanti dig-vijayino yam upetya bhupah
My Lord, You may use my water as You like. Indeed, You may cross it and go to the abode of Ravana, who is the great source of disturbance and crying for the three worlds. He is the son of Visrava, but is condemned like urine. Please go kill him and thus regain Your wife, Sitadevi. O great hero, although my water presents no impediment to Your going to Lanka, please construct a bridge over it to spread Your transcendental fame. Upon seeing this wonderfully uncommon deed of Your Lordship, all the great heroes and kings in the future will glorify You.
बद्ध्वोदधौ रघुपतिर्विविधाद्रिकूटै: सेतुं कपीन्द्रकरकम्पितभूरुहाङ्गै: । सुग्रीवनीलहनुमत्प्रमुखैरनीकै- र्लङ्कां विभीषणदृशाविशदग्रदग्धाम् ॥ १६ ॥
baddhvodadhau raghu-patir vividhadri-kutaih setum kapindra-kara-kampita-bhuruhangaih sugriva-nila-hanumat-pramukhair anikair lankam vibhisana-drsavisad agra-dagdham
Sukadeva Gosvami said: After constructing a bridge over the ocean by throwing into the water the peaks of mountains whose trees and other vegetation had been shaken by the hands of great monkeys, Lord Ramacandra went to Lanka to release Sitadevi from the clutches of Ravana. With the direction and help of Vibhisana, Ravana’s brother, the Lord, along with the monkey soldiers, headed by Sugriva, Nila and Hanuman, entered Ravana’s kingdom, Lanka, which had previously been burnt by Hanuman.
सा वानरेन्द्रबलरुद्धविहारकोष्ठ- श्रीद्वारगोपुरसदोवलभीविटङ्का । निर्भज्यमानधिषणध्वजहेमकुम्भ- शृङ्गाटका गजकुलैर्ह्रदिनीव घूर्णा ॥ १७ ॥
sa vanarendra-bala-ruddha-vihara-kostha- sri-dvara-gopura-sado-valabhi-vitanka nirbhajyamana-dhisana-dhvaja-hema-kumbha- srngataka gaja-kulair hradiniva ghurna
After entering Lanka, the monkey soldiers, led by chiefs like Sugriva, Nila and Hanuman, occupied all the sporting houses, granaries, treasuries, palace doorways, city gates, assembly houses, palace frontages and even the resting houses of the pigeons. When the city’s crossroads, platforms, flags and golden waterpots on its domes were all destroyed, the entire city of Lanka appeared like a river disturbed by a herd of elephants.
रक्ष:पतिस्तदवलोक्य निकुम्भकुम्भ- धूम्राक्षदुर्मुखसुरान्तकनरान्तकादीन् । पुत्रं प्रहस्तमतिकायविकम्पनादीन् सर्वानुगान् समहिनोदथ कुम्भकर्णम् ॥ १८ ॥
raksah-patis tad avalokya nikumbha-kumbha- dhumraksa-durmukha-surantaka-narantakadin putram prahastam atikaya-vikampanadin sarvanugan samahinod atha kumbhakarnam
When Ravana, the master of the Raksasas, saw the disturbances created by the monkey soldiers, he called for Nikumbha, Kumbha, Dhumraksa, Durmukha, Surantaka, Narantaka and other Raksasas and also his son Indrajit. Thereafter he called for Prahasta, Atikaya, Vikampana and finally Kumbhakarna. Then he induced all his followers to fight against the enemies.
तां यातुधानपृतनामसिशूलचाप- प्रासर्ष्टिशक्तिशरतोमरखड्गदुर्गाम् । सुग्रीवलक्ष्मणमरुत्सुतगन्धमाद- नीलाङ्गदर्क्षपनसादिभिरन्वितोऽगात् ॥ १९ ॥
tam yatudhana-prtanam asi-sula-capa- prasarsti-saktisara-tomara-khadga-durgam sugriva-laksmana-marutsuta-gandhamada- nilangadarksa-panasadibhir anvito ’gat
Lord Ramacandra, surrounded by Laksmana and monkey soldiers like Sugriva, Hanuman, Gandhamada, Nila, Angada, Jambavan and Panasa, attacked the soldiers of the Raksasas, who were fully equipped with various invincible weapons like swords, lances, bows, prasas, rstis, sakti arrows, khadgas and tomaras.
तेऽनीकपा रघुपतेरभिपत्य सर्वे द्वन्द्वं वरूथमिभपत्तिरथाश्वयोधै: । जघ्नुर्द्रुमैर्गिरिगदेषुभिरङ्गदाद्या: सीताभिमर्षहतमङ्गलरावणेशान् ॥ २० ॥
te ’nikapa raghupater abhipatya sarve dvandvam varutham ibha-patti-rathasva-yodhaih jaghnur drumair giri-gadesubhir angadadyah sitabhimarsa-hata-mangala-ravanesan
Angada and the other commanders of the soldiers of Ramacandra faced the elephants, infantry, horses and chariots of the enemy and hurled against them big trees, mountain peaks, clubs and arrows. Thus the soldiers of Lord Ramacandra killed Ravana’s soldiers, who had lost all good fortune because Ravana had been condemned by the anger of mother Sita.
रक्ष:पति: स्वबलनष्टिमवेक्ष्य रुष्ट आरुह्य यानकमथाभिससार रामम् । स्व:स्यन्दने द्युमति मातलिनोपनीते विभ्राजमानमहनन्निशितै: क्षुरप्रै: ॥ २१ ॥
raksah-patih sva-bala-nastim aveksya rusta aruhya yanakam athabhisasara ramam svah-syandane dyumati matalinopanite vibhrajamanam ahanan nisitaih ksurapraih
Thereafter, when Ravana, the king of the Raksasas, observed that his soldiers had been lost, he was extremely angry. Thus he mounted his airplane, which was decorated with flowers, and proceeded toward Lord Ramacandra, who sat on the effulgent chariot brought by Matali, the chariot driver of Indra. Then Ravana struck Lord Ramacandra with sharp arrows.
रामस्तमाह पुरुषादपुरीष यन्न: कान्तासमक्षमसतापहृता श्ववत् ते । त्यक्तत्रपस्य फलमद्य जुगुप्सितस्य यच्छामि काल इव कर्तुरलङ्घ्यवीर्य: ॥ २२ ॥
ramas tam aha purusada-purisa yan nah kantasamaksam asatapahrta svavat te tyakta-trapasya phalam adya jugupsitasya yacchami kala iva kartur alanghya-viryah
Lord Ramacandra said to Ravana: You are the most abominable of the man-eaters. Indeed, you are like their stool. You resemble a dog, for as a dog steals eatables from the kitchen in the absence of the householder, in My absence you kidnapped My wife, Sitadevi. Therefore as Yamaraja punishes sinful men, I shall also punish you. You are most abominable, sinful and shameless. Today, therefore, I, whose attempt never fails, shall punish you.
एवं क्षिपन् धनुषि संधितमुत्ससर्ज बाणं स वज्रमिव तद्धृदयं बिभेद । सोऽसृग् वमन् दशमुखैर्न्यपतद् विमाना- द्धाहेति जल्पति जने सुकृतीव रिक्त: ॥ २३ ॥
evam ksipan dhanusi sandhitam utsasarja banam sa vajram iva tad-dhrdayam bibheda so ’srg vaman dasa-mukhair nyapatad vimanad dhaheti jalpati jane sukrtiva riktah
After thus rebuking Ravana, Lord Ramacandra fixed an arrow to His bow, aimed at Ravana, and released the arrow, which pierced Ravana’s heart like a thunderbolt. Upon seeing this, Ravana’s followers raised a tumultuous sound, crying, Alas! Alas! What has happened? What has happened as Ravana, vomiting blood from his ten mouths, fell from his airplane, just as a pious man falls to earth from the heavenly planes when the results of his pious activities are exhausted.
ततो निष्क्रम्य लङ्काया यातुधान्य: सहस्रश: । मन्दोदर्या समं तत्र प्ररुदन्त्य उपाद्रवन् ॥ २४ ॥
tato niskramya lankaya yatudhanyah sahasrasah mandodarya samam tatra prarudantya upadravan
Thereafter, all the women whose husbands had fallen in the battle, headed by Mandodari, the wife of Ravana, came out of Lanka. Continuously crying, they approached the dead bodies of Ravana and the other Raksasas.
स्वान् स्वान् बन्धून् परिष्वज्य लक्ष्मणेषुभिरर्दितान् । रुरुदु: सुस्वरं दीना घ्नन्त्य आत्मानमात्मना ॥ २५ ॥
svan svan bandhun parisvajya laksmanesubhir arditan ruruduh susvaram dina ghnantya atmanam atmana
Striking their breasts in affliction because their husbands had been killed by the arrows of Laksmana, the women embraced their respective husbands and cried piteously in voices appealing to everyone.
हा हता: स्म वयं नाथ लोकरावण रावण । कं यायाच्छरणं लङ्का त्वद्विहीना परार्दिता ॥ २६ ॥
ha hatah sma vayam natha loka-ravana ravana kam yayac charanam lanka tvad-vihina parardita
O my lord, O master! You epitomized trouble for others, and therefore you were called Ravana. But now that you have been defeated, we also are defeated, for without you the state of Lanka has been conquered by the enemy. To whom will it go for shelter?
न वै वेद महाभाग भवान् कामवशं गत: । तेजोऽनुभावं सीताया येन नीतो दशामिमाम् ॥ २७ ॥
na vai veda maha-bhaga bhavan kama-vasam gatah tejo ’nubhavam sitaya yena nito dasam imam
O greatly fortunate one, you came under the influence of lusty desires, and therefore you could not understand the influence of mother Sita. Now, because of her curse, you have been reduced to this state, having been killed by Lord Ramacandra.
कृतैषा विधवा लङ्का वयं च कुलनन्दन । देह: कृतोऽन्नं गृध्राणामात्मा नरकहेतवे ॥ २८ ॥
krtaisa vidhava lanka vayam ca kula-nandana dehah krto ’nnam grdhranam atma naraka-hetave
O pleasure of the Raksasa dynasty, because of you the state of Lanka and also we ourselves now have no protector. By your deeds you have made your body fit to be eaten by vultures and your soul fit to go to hell.
श्रीशुक उवाच स्वानां विभीषणश्चक्रे कोसलेन्द्रानुमोदित: । पितृमेधविधानेन यदुक्तं साम्परायिकम् ॥ २९ ॥
sri-suka uvaca svanam vibhisanas cakre kosalendranumoditah pitr-medha-vidhanena yad uktam samparayikam
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: Vibhisana, the pious brother of Ravana and devotee of Lord Ramacandra, received approval from Lord Ramacandra, the King of Kosala. Then he performed the prescribed funeral ceremonies for his family members to save them from the path to hell.
ततो ददर्श भगवानशोकवनिकाश्रमे । क्षामां स्वविरहव्याधिं शिंशपामूलमाश्रिताम् ॥ ३० ॥
tato dadarsa bhagavan asoka-vanikasrame ksamam sva-viraha-vyadhim simsapa-mulam-asritam
Thereafter, Lord Ramacandra found Sitadevi sitting in a small cottage beneath the tree named Simsapa in a forest of Asoka trees. She was lean and thin, being aggrieved because of separation from Him.
राम: प्रियतमां भार्यां दीनां वीक्ष्यान्वकम्पत । आत्मसन्दर्शनाह्लादविकसन्मुखपङ्कजाम् ॥ ३१ ॥
ramah priyatamam bharyam dinam viksyanvakampata atma-sandarsanahlada- vikasan-mukha-pankajam
Seeing His wife in that condition, Lord Ramacandra was very compassionate. When Ramacandra came before her, she was exceedingly happy to see her beloved, and her lotuslike mouth showed her joy.
आरोप्यारुरुहे यानं भ्रातृभ्यां हनुमद्युत: । विभीषणाय भगवान् दत्त्वा रक्षोगणेशताम् । लङ्कामायुश्च कल्पान्तं ययौ चीर्णव्रत: पुरीम् ॥ ३२ ॥
aropyaruruhe yanam bhratrbhyam hanumad-yutah vibhisanaya bhagavan dattva rakso-ganesatam lankam ayus ca kalpantam yayau cirna-vratah purim
After giving Vibhisana the power to rule the Raksasa population of Lanka for the duration of one kalpa, Lord Ramacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Bhagavan), placed Sitadevi on an airplane decorated with flowers and then got on the plane Himself. The period for His living in the forest having ended, the Lord returned to Ayodhya, accompanied by Hanuman, Sugriva and His brother Laksmana.
अवकीर्यमाण: सुकुसुमैर्लोकपालार्पितै: पथि । उपगीयमानचरित: शतधृत्यादिभिर्मुदा ॥ ३३ ॥
avakiryamanah sukusumair lokapalarpitaih pathi upagiyamana-caritah satadhrty-adibhir muda
When Lord Ramacandra returned to His capital, Ayodhya, He was greeted on the road by the princely order, who showered His body with beautiful, fragrant flowers, while great personalities like Lord Brahma and other demigods glorified the activities of the Lord in great jubilation.
गोमूत्रयावकं श्रुत्वा भ्रातरं वल्कलाम्बरम् । महाकारुणिकोऽतप्यज्जटिलं स्थण्डिलेशयम् ॥ ३४ ॥
go-mutra-yavakam srutva bhrataram valkalambaram maha-karuniko ’tapyaj jatilam sthandile-sayam
Upon reaching Ayodhya, Lord Ramacandra heard that in His absence His brother Bharata was eating barley cooked in the urine of a cow, covering His body with the bark of trees, wearing matted locks of hair, and lying on a mattress of kusa. The most merciful Lord very much lamented this.
भरत: प्राप्तमाकर्ण्य पौरामात्यपुरोहितै: । पादुके शिरसि न्यस्य रामं प्रत्युद्यतोऽग्रजम् ॥ ३५ ॥ नन्दिग्रामात् स्वशिबिराद् गीतवादित्रनि:स्वनै: । ब्रह्मघोषेण च मुहु: पठद्भिर्ब्रह्मवादिभि: ॥ ३६ ॥ स्वर्णकक्षपताकाभिर्हैमैश्चित्रध्वजै रथै: । सदश्वै रुक्मसन्नाहैर्भटै: पुरटवर्मभि: ॥ ३७ ॥ श्रेणीभिर्वारमुख्याभिर्भृत्यैश्चैव पदानुगै: । पारमेष्ठ्यान्युपादाय पण्यान्युच्चावचानि च । पादयोर्न्यपतत् प्रेम्णा प्रक्लिन्नहृदयेक्षण: ॥ ३८ ॥
bharatah praptam akarnya pauramatya-purohitaih paduke sirasi nyasya ramam pratyudyato ’grajam nandigramat sva-sibirad gita-vaditra-nihsvanaih brahma-ghosena ca muhuh pathadbhir brahmavadibhih svarna-kaksa-patakabhir haimais citra-dhvajai rathaih sad-asvai rukma-sannahair bhataih purata-varmabhih srenibhir vara-mukhyabhir bhrtyais caiva padanugaih paramesthyany upadaya panyany uccavacani ca padayor nyapatat premna praklinna-hrdayeksanah
When Lord Bharata understood that Lord Ramacandra was returning to the capital, Ayodhya, He immediately took upon His own head Lord Ramacandra’s wooden shoes and came out from His camp at Nandigrama. Lord Bharata was accompanied by ministers, priests and other respectable citizens, by professional musicians vibrating pleasing musical sounds, and by learned brahmanas loudly chanting Vedic hymns. Following in the procession were chariots drawn by beautiful horses with harnesses of golden rope. These chariots were decorated by flags with golden embroidery and by other flags of various sizes and patterns. There were soldiers bedecked with golden armor, servants bearing betel nut, and many well-known and beautiful prostitutes. Many servants followed on foot, bearing an umbrella, whisks, different grades of precious jewels, and other paraphernalia befitting a royal reception. Accompanied in this way, Lord Bharata, His heart softened in ecstasy and His eyes full of tears, approached Lord Ramacandra and fell at His lotus feet with great ecstatic love.
पादुके न्यस्य पुरत: प्राञ्जलिर्बाष्पलोचन: । तमाश्लिष्य चिरं दोर्भ्यां स्नापयन् नेत्रजैर्जलै: ॥ ३९ ॥ रामो लक्ष्मणसीताभ्यां विप्रेभ्यो येऽर्हसत्तमा: । तेभ्य: स्वयं नमश्चक्रे प्रजाभिश्च नमस्कृत: ॥ ४० ॥
paduke nyasya puratah pranjalir baspa-locanah tam aslisya ciram dorbhyam snapayan netrajair jalaih ramo laksmana-sitabhyam viprebhyo ye ’rha-sattamah tebhyah svayam namascakre prajabhis ca namaskrtah
After offering the wooden shoes before Lord Ramacandra, Lord Bharata stood with folded hands, His eyes full of tears, and Lord Ramacandra bathed Bharata with tears while embracing Him with both arms for a long time. Accompanied by mother Sita and Laksmana, Lord Ramacandra then offered His respectful obeisances unto the learned brahmanas and the elderly persons in the family, and all the citizens of Ayodhya offered their respectful obeisances unto the Lord.
धुन्वन्त उत्तरासङ्गान् पतिं वीक्ष्य चिरागतम् । उत्तरा: कोसला माल्यै: किरन्तो ननृतुर्मुदा ॥ ४१ ॥
dhunvanta uttarasangan patim viksya ciragatam uttarah kosala malyaih kiranto nanrtur muda
The citizens of Ayodhya, upon seeing their King return after a long absence, offered Him flower garlands, waved their upper cloths, and danced in great jubilation.
पादुके भरतोऽगृह्णाच्चामरव्यजनोत्तमे । विभीषण: ससुग्रीव: श्वेतच्छत्रं मरुत्सुत: ॥ ४२ ॥ धनुर्निषङ्गाञ्छत्रुघ्न: सीता तीर्थकमण्डलुम् । अबिभ्रदङ्गद: खड्गं हैमं चर्मर्क्षराण्नृप ॥ ४३ ॥
paduke bharato ’grhnac camara-vyajanottame vibhisanah sasugrivah sveta-cchatram marut-sutah dhanur-nisangan chatrughnah sita tirtha-kamandalum abibhrad angadah khadgam haimam carmarksa-ran nrpa
O King, Lord Bharata carried Lord Ramacandra’s wooden shoes, Sugriva and Vibhisana carried a whisk and an excellent fan, Hanuman carried a white umbrella, Satrughna carried a bow and two quivers, and Sitadevi carried a waterpot filled with water from holy places. Angada carried a sword, and Jambavan, King of the Rksas, carried a golden shield.
पुष्पकस्थो नुत: स्त्रीभि: स्तूयमानश्च वन्दिभि: । विरेजे भगवान् राजन् ग्रहैश्चन्द्र इवोदित: ॥ ४४ ॥
puspaka-stho nutah stribhih stuyamanas ca vandibhih vireje bhagavan rajan grahais candra ivoditah
O King Pariksit, as the Lord sat on His airplane of flowers, with women offering Him prayers and reciters chanting about His characteristics, He appeared like the moon with the stars and planes.
भ्रात्राभिनन्दित: सोऽथ सोत्सवां प्राविशत् पुरीम् । प्रविश्य राजभवनं गुरुपत्नी: स्वमातरम् ॥ ४५ ॥ गुरून् वयस्यावरजान् पूजित: प्रत्यपूजयत् । वैदेही लक्ष्मणश्चैव यथावत् समुपेयतु: ॥ ४६ ॥
bhratrabhinanditah so ’tha sotsavam pravisat purim pravisya raja-bhavanam guru-patnih sva-mataram gurun vayasyavarajan pujitah pratyapujayat vaidehi laksmanas caiva yathavat samupeyatuh
Thereafter, having been welcomed by His brother Bharata, Lord Ramacandra entered the city of Ayodhya in the midst of a festival. When He entered the palace, He offered obeisances to all the mothers, including Kaikeyi and the other wives of Maharaja Dasaratha, and especially His own mother, Kausalya. He also offered obeisances to the spiritual preceptors, such as Vasistha. Friends of His own age and younger friends worshiped Him, and He returned their respectful obeisances, as did Laksmana and mother Sita. In this way they all entered the palace.
पुत्रान् स्वमातरस्तास्तु प्राणांस्तन्व इवोत्थिता: । आरोप्याङ्केऽभिषिञ्चन्त्यो बाष्पौघैर्विजहु: शुच: ॥ ४७ ॥
putran sva-mataras tas tu pranams tanva ivotthitah aropyanke ’bhisincantyo baspaughair vijahuh sucah
Upon seeing their sons, the mothers of Rama, Laksmana, Bharata and Satrughna immediately arose, like unconscious bodies returning to consciousness. The mothers placed their sons on their laps and bathed Them with tears, thus relieving themselves of the grief of long separation.
जटा निर्मुच्य विधिवत् कुलवृद्धै: समं गुरु: । अभ्यषिञ्चद् यथैवेन्द्रं चतु:सिन्धुजलादिभि: ॥ ४८ ॥
jata nirmucya vidhivat kula-vrddhaih samam guruh abhyasincad yathaivendram catuh-sindhu-jaladibhih
The family priest or spiritual master, Vasistha, had Lord Ramacandra cleanly shaved, freeing Him from His matted locks of hair. Then, with the cooperation of the elderly members of the family, he performed the bathing ceremony (abhiseka) for Lord Ramacandra with the water of the four seas and with other substances, just as it was performed for King Indra.
एवं कृतशिर:स्नान: सुवासा: स्रग्व्यलङ्कृत: । स्वलङ्कृतै: सुवासोभिर्भ्रातृभिर्भार्यया बभौ ॥ ४९ ॥
evam krta-sirah-snanah suvasah sragvy-alankrtah svalankrtaih suvasobhir bhratrbhir bharyaya babhau
Lord Ramacandra, fully bathed and His head clean-shaven, dressed Himself very nicely and was decorated with a garland and ornaments. Thus He shone brightly, surrounded by His brothers and wife, who were similarly dressed and ornamented.
अग्रहीदासनं भ्रात्रा प्रणिपत्य प्रसादित: । प्रजा: स्वधर्मनिरता वर्णाश्रमगुणान्विता: । जुगोप पितृवद् रामो मेनिरे पितरं च तम् ॥ ५० ॥
agrahid asanam bhratra pranipatya prasaditah prajah sva-dharma-nirata varnasrama-gunanvitah jugopa pitrvad ramo menire pitaram ca tam
Being pleased by the full surrender and submission of Lord Bharata, Lord Ramacandra then accepted the throne of the state. He cared for the citizens exactly like a father, and the citizens, being fully engaged in their occupational duties of varna and asrama, accepted Him as their father.
त्रेतायां वर्तमानायां काल: कृतसमोऽभवत् । रामे राजनि धर्मज्ञे सर्वभूतसुखावहे ॥ ५१ ॥
tretayam vartamanayam kalah krta-samo ’bhavat rame rajani dharma-jne sarva-bhuta-sukhavahe
Lord Ramacandra became King during Treta-yuga, but because of His good government, the age was like Satya-yuga. Everyone was religious and completely happy.
वनानि नद्यो गिरयो वर्षाणि द्वीपसिन्धव: । सर्वे कामदुघा आसन् प्रजानां भरतर्षभ ॥ ५२ ॥
vanani nadyo girayo varsani dvipa-sindhavah sarve kama-dugha asan prajanam bharatarsabha
O Maharaja Pariksit, best of the Bharata dynasty, during the reign of Lord Ramacandra the forests, the rivers, the hills and mountains, the states, the seven islands and the seven seas were all favorable in supplying the necessities of life for all living beings.
नाधिव्याधिजराग्लानिदु:खशोकभयक्लमा: । मृत्युश्चानिच्छतां नासीद् रामे राजन्यधोक्षजे ॥ ५३ ॥
nadhi-vyadhi-jara-glani- duhkha-soka-bhaya-klamah mrtyus canicchatam nasid rame rajany adhoksaje
When Lord Ramacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was the King of this world, all bodily and mental suffering, disease, old age, bereavement, lamentation, distress, fear and fatigue were completely absent. There was even no death for those who did not want it.
एकपत्नीव्रतधरो राजर्षिचरित: शुचि: । स्वधर्मं गृहमेधीयं शिक्षयन् स्वयमाचरत् ॥ ५४ ॥
eka-patni-vrata-dharo rajarsi-caritah sucih sva-dharmam grha-medhiyam siksayan svayam acarat
Lord Ramacandra took a vow to accept only one wife and have no connection with any other women. He was a saintly king, and everything in His character was good, untinged by qualities like anger. He taught good behavior for everyone, especially for householders, in terms of varnasrama-dharma. Thus He taught the general public by His personal activities.
प्रेम्णानुवृत्त्या शीलेन प्रश्रयावनता सती । भिया ह्रिया च भावज्ञा भर्तु: सीताहरन्मन: ॥ ५५ ॥
premnanuvrttya silena prasrayavanata sati bhiya hriya ca bhava-jna bhartuh sitaharan manah
Mother Sita was very submissive, faithful, shy and chaste, always understanding the attitude of her husband. Thus by her character and her love and service she completely attracted the mind of the Lord.
