Ayodhya Kanda: Chapter 75

दीर्घकालात् समुत्थाय संज्ञां लब्ध्वा स वीर्यवान्। नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां दीनामुद्वीक्ष्य मातरम्॥ सोऽमात्यमध्ये भरतो जननीमभ्यकुत्सयत्। राज्यं न कामये जातु मन्त्रये नापि मातरम्॥ अभिषेकं न जानामि योऽभूद् राज्ञा समीक्षितः। विप्रकृष्टे ह्यहं देशे शत्रुघ्नसहितोऽभवम्॥
Arising after a long while he had regained his consciousness, Bharata endowed with prowess, regarding his distressed mother with eyes filled with tears, began to tax her in the midst of the courtiers: “I had never desired the kingdom. I had never consulted my mother. Nor did I know the installation that had been thought of by the monarch. I was then living in a far country in company with Satrughna."

वनवासं न जानामि रामस्याहं महात्मनः। विवासनं च सौमित्रेः सीतायाश्च यथाभवत्॥
I did not know the banishment of the magnanimous Rāma to the woods, or the exile of Sumitra's son; nor did I know how Sītā came to be banished.

तथैव क्रोशतस्तस्य भरतस्य महात्मनः। कौसल्या शब्दमाज्ञाय सुमित्रां चेदमब्रवीत्॥
As the high-souled Bharata was thus wailing, Kausalyā recognizing his voice spoke to Sumitra.

आगतः क्रूरकार्यायाः कैकेय्या भरतः सुतः। तमहं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि भरतं दीर्घदर्शिनम्॥
Come is Bharata, the son of that one of crooked ways. I am desirous of seeing the farsighted Bharata.

एवमुक्त्वा सुमित्रां तां विवर्णवदना कृशा। प्रतस्थे भरतो यत्र वेपमाना विचेतना॥ स तु राजात्मजश्चापि शत्रुघ्नसहितस्तदा। प्रतस्थे भरतो येन कौसल्याया निवेशनम्॥
Having said this to Sumitrā, that one emaciated and with a pallid countenance, trembling and almost deprived of sensation, went to where Bharata, was. And it came to pass that the king's son, Bharata, along with Śatrughna had just then by the way that led to the same, been proceeding to Kausalyā's quarter.

ततः शत्रुघ्नभरतौ कौसल्या प्रेक्ष्य दुःखितौ। पर्यष्वजेतां दुःखार्ती पतितां नष्टचेतनाम्॥ रुदन्तौ रुदती दुःखात् समेत्यार्या मनस्विनी। भरतं प्रत्युवाचेदं कौसल्या भृशदुःखिता॥
Then Śatrughna and Bharata seeing the aggrieved Kausalyā, embraced the stricken and fallen lady wellnigh deprived of her senses. Thereupon, weeping from grief, the noble and intelligent Kausalyà exceedingly afflicted, embracing them as they indulged in sorrow, said to Bharata.

इदं ते राज्यकामस्य राज्यं प्राप्तमकण्टकम्। सम्प्राप्तं बत कैकेय्या शीघ्रं क्रूरेण कर्मणा॥
Thus have you, that had desired the kingdom, received it rid of its thorn. Alas! it has been speedily obtained through the crooked act of Kaikeyi.

प्रस्थाप्य चीरवसनं पुत्रं मे वनवासिनम्। कैकेयी के गुणं तत्र पश्यति क्रूरदर्शिनी॥
What is the good that is perceived by Kaikeyi of tortuous sight in sending away my son clad in bark to the woods?

क्षिप्रं मामपि कैकेयी प्रस्थापयितुमर्हति। हिरण्यनाभो यत्रास्ते सुतो मे सुमहायशाः॥
It behoves Kaikeyi to send me also speedily to where is staying my illustrious son furnished with a gold-gleaming navel.

अथवा स्वयमेवाहं सुमित्रानुचरा सुखम्। अग्निहोत्रं पुरस्कृत्य प्रस्थास्ये यत्र राघवः॥
Or first performing the fire-sacrifice, I followed by Sumitrā, will myself happily seek the way by which Rāghava (has gone to the woods).

कामं वा स्वयमेवाद्य तत्र मां नेतुमर्हसि। यत्रासौ पुरुषव्याघ्रस्तप्यते मे सुतस्तपः॥
Or it behoves you to yourself bring me to the place where that foremost of men, my son, is performing austerities.

इदं हि तव विस्तीर्णं धनधान्यसमाचितम्। हस्त्यश्वरथसम्पूर्ण राज्यं निर्यातितं तया॥
This spacious kingdom abounding in corn and wealth, and filled with elephants, horses, and cars, is yours, having been conferred on you (by Kaikeyi).

इत्यादिबहुभिर्वाक्यैः क्रूरैः सम्भर्त्तितोऽनघः। विव्यथे भरतोऽतीव व्रणे तुद्येव सूचिना॥
Thus reproached by many a harsh word, the sinless Bharata felt exceeding pain like to that produced by pricking a sore with a needle.

पपात चरणौ तस्यास्तदा सम्भ्रान्तचेतनः। विलप्य बहुधासंज्ञो लब्धसंज्ञस्तदाभवत्॥ एवं विलपमानां तां प्राञ्जलिर्भरतस्तदा। कौसल्या प्रत्युवाचेदं शोकैर्बहुभिरावृताम् ॥
Exceedingly agitated, he fell at Kausalya's feet, lamenting much, and well nigh deprived of his Bharata then regained his consciousness, and with joined hands answered Kausalya lamenting thus and overcome with excess of sorrow, saying.

आर्ये कस्मादजानन्तं गर्हसे मामकल्मषम्। विपुलां च मम प्रीति स्थितां जानासि राघवे॥
O noble lady, what for do you censure me who am without sin and who know nothing of this? You know that profuse is my delight in Rāghava.

कृतशास्त्रानुगा बुद्धिर्मा भूत् तस्य कदाचन। सत्यसंधः सतां श्रेष्ठो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May the sense of him never follow scripture, that had approved the exile into the woods of that foremost of the good, the noble Rāma intent senses. on truth!

प्रेष्यं पापीयसां यातु सूर्यं च प्रति मेहतु। हन्तु पादेन गाः सुप्ता यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May such a person as had approved the exile to the woods of the noble one undergo servitude at the hands of the sinful, answer the calls of nature facing the Sun, and kick a sleeping cow with his feet!

कारयित्वा महत् कर्म भर्ता भृत्यमनर्थकम्। अधर्मो योऽस्य सोऽस्यास्तु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into the woods come by the sin that is reaped by a master who withholds salary from servants after the ceremony is over!

परिपालयमानस्य राज्ञो भूतानि पुत्रवत्। ततस्तु दुह्यतां पापं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May that one that had approved the exile of the noble Rāma to the woods, be guilty of the sin that is his that injures a sovereign engaged in ruling his subjects like sons!

बलिषड्भागमुद्धत्य नृपस्यारक्षितुः प्रजाः। अधर्मो योऽस्य सोऽस्यास्तु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May the person that had approved the exile of the noble one to the woods, reap the sin of his that having taken a sixth pare of their incomes, does not protect his subjects!

संश्रुत्य च तपस्विभ्यः सत्रे वै यज्ञदक्षिणाम्। तां चापलतां पापं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of the noble one to the woods, come by the demerit that is his that denies Dakșiņās to ascetics in a sacrifice, after having promised them the same!

हस्त्यश्वरथसम्बाधे युद्धे शस्त्रसमाकुले। मास्म कार्षीत् सतां धर्म यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile into the woods of the noble one, never discharge the duty of the good in the field thronged with elephants and horses and cars, and bristling with arms!

उपदिष्टं सुसूक्ष्मार्थं शास्त्रं यत्नेन धीमता। स नाशयतु दुष्टात्मा यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May the wicked wight that had approved the exile of the noble one to the woods bring to naught the subtle scriptural knowledge which has been carefully taught him by his intelligent preceptor!

मा च तं व्यूढबाह्वसं चन्द्रभास्करतेजसम्। द्राक्षीद् राज्यस्थमासीनं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May that one that had approved the exile of the noble (Rāma) to the woods never behold the long-armed and broad-shouldered (Rāghava) resembling the Sun and the Moon in energy (on the throne)!

पायसं कृसरं छागं वृथा सोऽश्नातु निघृणः। गुरुंश्चाप्यवजानातु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May that one void of aversion, that had approved of the exile of the noble one to the woods feed on Payasa, Krsara, and goat's flesh, which have not been offered in sacrifice; and may he insult his spiritual precept.

गवां स्पृशतु पादेन गुरून् परिवदेत च। मित्रे दुह्येत सोऽत्यर्थं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
Or! May he that had approved the exile of the noble one to the woods touch a cow with his feet, revile his superiors, and injure his friends!

विश्वासात् कथितं किंचित् परिवादं मिथः क्वचित्। विवृणोतु स दुष्टात्मा यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May that one of wicked soul that had approved of the exile of the noble one into the woods divulge any defects (of another's character) that have been communicated to him in strict confidence!

अकर्ता चाकृतज्ञश्च त्यक्तश्च निरपत्रपः। लोके भवतु विद्विष्टो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of Rāma to the woods, never repay any good act, be ungrateful, abandoned by all, the object of universal execration.

पुत्रैर्दासैश्च भृत्यैश्च स्वगृहे परिवारितः। स एको मृष्टमश्नातु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved of the exile into the woods of the noble one, eat alone in his home, although surrounded by sons and wives and servitors!

अप्राप्य सदृशान् दाराननपत्यः प्रमीयताम्। अनवाप्य क्रियां धर्त्यां यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that haå approved of the exile of the noble one, die without obtaining wives worthy of him, without sons, without any good works performed!

मात्मनः संततिं द्राक्षीत् स्वेषु दारेषु दुःखितः। आयुःसमग्रमप्राप्य यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into the woods, never see his own offspring, and not attaining ripe age, may he mourn his wives!

राजस्त्रीबालवृद्धानां वधे यत् पापमुच्यते। भृत्यत्यागे च यत्पापं तत्पापं प्रतिपद्यताम्॥
And may he come by the sin that is reaped by slaying a king, a woman, a boy, or an old man, or by renouncing those who have claims on his maintenance!

लाक्षया मधुमांसेन लोहेन च विषेण च। सदैव बिभृयाद् भृत्यान् यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into the woods always feed his family with lac, honey, meat, iron, and poison!

संग्रामे समुपोढे च शत्रुपक्षभयंकरे। पलायमानो बध्येत यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May that one that had approved the exile of the noble one into the woods, while flying from the engagement while it is waxing furious with the foe, come to be killed !

कपालपाणिः पृथिवीमटतां चीरसंवृतः। भिक्षमाणो यथोन्मत्तो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved of the exile of the noble one into the woods, clad in tatters with a skuil in hand, like a madman range the earth abegging!

मद्यप्रसक्तो भवतु स्त्रीष्वक्षेषु च नित्यशः। कामक्रोधाभिभूतश्च यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into the woods, be always addicted to wine, to women, and to dice; and may he be swayed by lust, anger, etc!

मास्य धर्मे मनो भूयादधर्मं स निषेवताम्। अपात्रवर्षी भवतु यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved of the exile of that noble one into the woods, never relish virtue, and go after unrighteousness; and may he shower his wealth on the unworthy!

संचितान्यस्य वित्तानि विविधानि सहस्रशः। दस्युभिर्विप्रलुप्यन्तां यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into the woods, have his various accumulated riches by thousand carried off by robbers!

उभे संध्ये शयानस्य यत् पापं परिकल्प्यते। तच्च पापं भवेत् तस्य यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥ यदग्निदायके पापं यत् पापं गुरुतल्पगे। मित्रद्रोहे च यत् पापं तत् पापं प्रतिपद्यताम्॥
May he that had approved of the exile into the woods of that noble one, come by the demerit that is his who sleeps during both the twilight's! May he reap the sin that is reaped by an incendiary or him that Leith with his preceptor's wife; or him that wrongs his friend!

देवतानां पितृणां च मातापित्रोस्तथैव च। मा स्म कार्षीत् स शुश्रूषां यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।॥
May he that had approved the exile of that noble one into the woods, never serve the gods or the manes of the ancestors or his father and mother!

सतां लोकात् सतां कीर्त्याः सज्जुष्टात् कर्मणस्तथा। भ्रश्यतु क्षिप्रमद्यैव यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
may he that had approved the exile of that noble one into the woods, be speedily shut out from the world of the good, from their fame, and from their acts!

अपास्य मातृशुश्रूषामनर्थे सोऽवतिष्ठताम्। दीर्घबाहुमहावक्षा यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of that long armed and broad breasted one, renouncing the ministration of his mother, turn his thoughts to evil!

बहुभृत्यो दरिद्रश्च ज्वररोगसमन्वितः। समायात् सततं क्लेशं यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of the noble one, becoming improved the exile of the noble one, becoming impoverished yet having to support a large family, and suffering from fever, be always miserable! an

आशामाशंसमानानां दीनानामूलचक्षुषाम्। अर्थिनां वितथां कुर्याद् यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile of that noble one render fruitless the hopes of poor people cherishing them and looking up (wistfully).

मायया रमतां नित्यं पुरुषः पिशुनोऽशुचिः। राज्ञो भीतस्त्वधर्मात्मा यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile into the woods of the noble one remaining (always) wicked, cruel and impure, leading unrighteous life and being in (continual) fear of his sovereign, maintain himself by deceit for ever and a day!

ऋतुस्नातां सती भार्यामृतुकालानुरोधिनीम्। अतिवर्तेत दुष्टात्मा यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः५२।।
May that wicked person that had approved the exile into the woods of that noble one disregard his chaste wife remaining near, after she has performed her ablutions at the end of her season.

विप्रलुप्तप्रजातस्य दुष्कृतं ब्राह्मणस्य यत्। तदेतत् प्रतिपद्येत यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May his that had approved the banishment into the woods of that noble one be the sin that is incurred by a Brāhmana that has rendered himself sonless.

ब्राह्मणायोद्यतां पूजां विहन्तु कलुषेन्द्रियः। बालवत्सां च गां दोग्धुर्यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May that one of befouled senses that had approved of the exile into the woods of that noble one disturb the worship of Brāhmaṇa and milch a cow that has a calf.

धर्मदारान् परित्यज्य परदारान् निषेवताम्। त्यक्तधर्मरतिर्मूढो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May that foolish person that had approved the exile of that noble one forsaking all pleasure in virtue, seek others wives, renouncing his own wedded with sacred rites!

पानीयदूषके पापं तथैव विषदायके। यत्तदेकः स लभतां यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile into the woods of that noble one come by the sin that attaches to a wine biber or one that administers poison to another!

तृषार्तं सति पानीये विप्रलम्भेन योजयन्। यत् पापं लभते तत् स्याद् यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved of the exile into the woods of the noble one bear the sin that is his that serves a thirsty soul with deceit.

भक्त्या विवदमानेषु मार्गमाश्रित्य पश्यतः। तेन पापेन युज्येत यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः॥
May he that had approved the exile into the woods of that noble one reap the demerit of them that from devotion to their respective faiths wrangle from their own points of view, as well as that of them that listen to the disputation!

एवमाश्वासयन्नेव दुःखार्तोऽनुपपात ह। विहीनां पतिपुत्राभ्यां कौसल्या पार्थिवात्मजः॥
Having thus consoled Kausalyā bereft of her son and husband, the prince afflicted with distress fell down.

तदा तं शपथैः कष्टैः शपमानमचेतनम्। भरतं शोकसंतप्तं कौसल्या वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥
Then Kausalyā addressed the aggrieved Bharaia (well-nigh) deprived of his senses, swearing strong oaths, saying.

मम दुःखमिदं पुत्र भूयः समुपजायते। शपथैः शपमानो हि प्राणानुपरुणत्सि मे॥
O son, it grieves me more that you are afflicting my heart by taking oaths.

दिष्ट्या न चलितो धर्मादात्मा ते सहलक्षणः। वत्स सत्यप्रतिज्ञो हि सतां लोकानवाप्स्यसि ॥ इत्युक्त्वा चाङ्कमानीय भरतं भ्रातृवत्सलम्। परिष्वज्य महाबाहुं रुरोद भृशदुःखिता॥
Lucky it is that graced with auspicious marks, you swerves not from virtue. My child, for this reason you will attain the regions of pious person, drawing into her lap Bharata attached to his brother, and embracing the mighty armed one, gave way to grief.

एवं विलपमानस्य दुःखार्तस्य महात्मनः। मोहाच्च शोकसंरम्भाद् बभूव लुलितं मनः॥
And bewailing thus, the mind of the high souled (Bharata) wrought with sorrow, was overcome with the burden of grief.

लालप्यमानस्य विचेतनस्य प्रणष्टबुद्धेः पतितस्य भूमौ। मुहुर्मुहुनिःश्वसतश्च दीर्घ सा तस्य शोकेन जगाम रात्रिः :॥
And fallen the ground, lamenting, senseless, with his intellect overpowered, and momentarily heaving sighs, Bharata passed away night in grief.