Śrī Rāma, Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa proceed to the woods and slip past the citizens buried in slumber
Dohas
saji bana sāju samāju sabu banitā baṃdhu samēta.
baṃdi bipra gura carana prabhu calē kari sabahi acēta..79.. [2-79]
Having completed all the equipment and preparations for a journey to the woods the Lord with His Spouse and brother bowed to the feet of the Brāhmaṇas and the preceptor (Vasiṣṭha) and departed, leaving everyone in bewilderment.
Chaupais
nikasi basiṣṭha dvāra bhaē ṭhāḍhaē. dēkhē lōga biraha dava dāḍhaē..
kahi priya bacana sakala samujhāē. bipra bṛṃda raghubīra bōlāē.. [2-79-1]
gura sana kahi baraṣāsana dīnhē. ādara dāna binaya basa kīnhē..
jācaka dāna māna saṃtōṣē. mīta punīta prēma paritōṣē.. [2-79-2]
dāsīṃ dāsa bōlāi bahōrī. gurahi sauṃpi bōlē kara jōrī..
saba kai sāra saombhāra gōsāīṃ. karabi janaka jananī kī nāī.. [2-79-3]
bārahiṃ bāra jōri juga pānī. kahata rāmu saba sana mṛdu bānī..
sōi saba bhāomti mōra hitakārī. jēhi tēṃ rahai bhuāla sukhārī.. [2-79-4]
Issuing out of the palace the party halted at Vasiṣṭha’s door and found the people scorched with the fire of impending separation. The Hero of Raghu’s race comforted all with soothing words and then summoned hosts of Brāhmaṇas. He requested His preceptor to give them subsistence for a year and captivated their hearts through courtesy, gift and humility. He gratified mendicants with gifts and attentions and sated His friends with pure love. He then called His men-servants and maid-servants and entrusting them to the care of His Guru spoke to him with joined palms, “My lord, pray look after them and tend them as their own father and mother.” Again and again, with joined palms, Śrī Rāma addressed each one present there in soft accents, “He alone is friendly to me in every way, through whose good offices the king derives solace.”
Dohas
mātu sakala mōrē birahaom jēhiṃ na hōhiṃ dukha dīna.
sōi upāu tumha karēhu saba pura jana parama prabīna..80.. [2-80]
“Take care all of you, my most clever citizens, to see that none of my mothers is smitten with the pangs of separation from me.”
Chaupais
ēhi bidhi rāma sabahi samujhāvā. gura pada paduma haraṣi siru nāvā.
ganapatī gauri girīsu manāī. calē asīsa pāi raghurāī.. [2-80-1]
rāma calata ati bhayau biṣādū. suni na jāi pura ārata nādū..
kusaguna laṃka avadha ati sōkū. haharaṣa biṣāda bibasa suralōkū.. [2-80-2]
gai muruchā taba bhūpati jāgē. bōli sumaṃtru kahana asa lāgē..
rāmu calē bana prāna na jāhīṃ. kēhi sukha lāgi rahata tana māhīṃ. [2-80-3]
ēhi tēṃ kavana byathā balavānā. jō dukhu pāi tajahiṃ tanu prānā..
puni dhari dhīra kahai naranāhū. lai rathu saṃga sakhā tumha jāhū.. [2-80-4]
In this way Śrī Rāma consoled all and cheerfully bowed His head at the lotus feet of His preceptor. Invoking Lord Gaṇapati, Goddess Gaurī (Pārvatī) and the Lord of Kailāsa and receiving the blessings of His Guru, the Lord of Raghus proceeded further. There was great lamentation as He sallied forth; the piteous wail of the citizens was revolting to the ears. Evil omens appeared in Laṅkā and Ayodhyā was plunged in grief, while the abode of gods was overcome with a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow. When the spell of unconsciousness broke, the king woke and calling Sumantra thus began, “Rāma has left for the woods, but my life refuses to depart. I wonder what joy it seeks after by clinging to this body! What agony more severe than this can I have, that will draw my breath out of my body?” Then, recovering himself, the king said, “Follow him, my friend, with your chariot.”
Dohas
suṭhi sukumāra kumāra dōu janakasutā sukumāri.
ratha caḍhaāi dēkharāi banu phirēhu gaēom dina cāri..81.. [2-81]
Too tender-bodied are the two princes and delicate of frame is Janaka’s daughter. Pick them up on the chariot, show them round the forest and return after three or four days.”
Chaupais
jau nahiṃ phirahiṃ dhīra dōu bhāī. satyasaṃdha dṛḍhabrata raghurāī..
tau tumha binaya karēhu kara jōrī. phēria prabhu mithilēsakisōrī.. [2-81-1]
jaba siya kānana dēkhi ḍērāī. kahēhu mōri sikha avasaru pāī..
sāsu sasura asa kahēu saomdēsū. putri phiria bana bahuta kalēsū.. [2-81-2]
pitṛgṛha kabahu kabahu sasurārī. rahēhu jahāom ruci hōi tumhārī..
ēhi bidhi karēhu upāya kadaṃbā. phirai ta hōi prāna avalaṃbā.. [2-81-3]
nāhiṃ ta mōra maranu parināmā. kachu na basāi bhaēom bidhi bāmā..
asa kahi muruchi parā mahi rāū. rāmu lakhanu siya āni dēkhāū.. [2-81-4]
“If the two strong-minded brothers refuse to return-for the Lord of Raghus is true to his word and firm of resolve-then do you entreat him with joined palms: ‘My lord, kindly send back the daughter of Mithilā’s king.’ When Sītā gets alarmed at the sight of the jungle, avail yourself of that opportunity and tell her my advice in the following words. “The parents of your husband have sent this message to you: Please return home, my daughter; there is much hardship in the forest. Now with your parents and now in your husband’s home-stay wherever you please. In this way try all possible means; if she comes back, there will be a support to my life. Otherwise all this will end in my death; nothing can avail against an adverse fate.” So saying the king dropped unconscious on the ground exclaiming: “Bring Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā and show them to me!”
Dohas
pāi rajāyasu nāi siru rathu ati bēga banāi.
gayau jahāom bāhēra nagara sīya sahita dōu bhāi..82.. [2-82]
Receiving the king’s command Sumantra bowed his head to him and having got ready a most swift chariot went to the outskirts of the city, where Sītā and the two princely brothers were.
Chaupais
taba sumaṃtra nṛpa bacana sunāē. kari binatī ratha rāmu caḍhaāē..
caḍhai ratha sīya sahita dōu bhāī. calē hṛdayaom avadhahi siru nāī.. [2-82-1]
calata rāmu lakhi avadha anāthā. bikala lōga saba lāgē sāthā..
kṛpāsiṃdhu bahubidhi samujhāvahiṃ. phirahiṃ prēma basa puni phiri āvahiṃ.. [2-82-2]
lāgati avadha bhayāvani bhārī. mānahu kālarāti aomdhiārī..
ghōra jaṃtu sama pura nara nārī. ḍarapahiṃ ēkahi ēka nihārī.. [2-82-3]
ghara masāna parijana janu bhūtā. suta hita mīta manahu jamadūtā..
bāganha biṭapa bēli kumhilāhīṃ. sarita sarōvara dēkhi na jāhīṃ.. [2-82-4]
Then Sumantra delivered to them the king’s message and with humble submission persuaded Śrī Rāma to ascend the chariot. Having mounted the chariot Sītā and the two brothers set out on their journey mentally bowing their head to Ayodhyā. Finding Ayodhyā masterless with the departure of Śrī Rāma all those who had assembled there followed in their wake with an agitated mind. Śrī Rāma remonstrated in many ways, an ocean of compassion that He was; and the crowd turned homewards. But dragged by the affection they bore for Him they came back and joined the party once more. Ayodhyā presented a most dismal appearance as though it were the dark night of final dissolution of the universe. The men and women of the city looked like ghastly creatures and were frightened to see one another. Their houses appeared like so many crematories, their retainers like ghosts, and their sons, relations and friends like messengers of death. Trees and creepers in the gardens withered, while streams and ponds repelled the eyes.
Dohas
haya gaya kōṭinha kēlimṛga purapasu cātaka mōra.
pika rathāṃga suka sārikā sārasa haṃsa cakōra..83.. [2-83]
The numberless horses and elephants, animals kept for pleasure, urban cattle, Cātaka birds, peacocks, cuckoos, Cakravākas, parrots and Mainās, cranes, swans and Cakoras-
Chaupais
rāma biyōga bikala saba ṭhāḍhaē. jahaom tahaom manahu citra likhi kāḍhaē..
nagaru saphala banu gahabara bhārī. khaga mṛga bipula sakala nara nārī.. [2-83-1]
bidhi kaikēī kirātini kīnhī. jēṃhi dava dusaha dasahu disi dīnhī..
sahi na sakē raghubara birahāgī. calē lōga saba byākula bhāgī.. [2-83-2]
sabahiṃ bicāra kīnha mana māhīṃ. rāma lakhana siya binu sukhu nāhīṃ..
jahāom rāmu tahaom sabui samājū. binu raghubīra avadha nahiṃ kājū.. [2-83-3]
calē sātha asa maṃtru dṛḍhaāī. sura durlabha sukha sadana bihāī..
rāma carana paṃkaja priya jinhahī. biṣaya bhōga basa karahiṃ ki tinhahī.. [2-83-4]
All stood restless due to their separation from Śrī Rāma; they looked like so many pictures drawn here and there. The city resembled an extensive and thick forest full of fruits and the many men and women residing therein represented so many birds and beasts. God assigned Kaikeyī the role of a Bhīla woman who set the whole forest in a fierce blaze. The people could not bear the fire of separation from the Chief of Raghus and they all ran away in distress. They all came to this conclusion in their mind: “There can be no happiness without Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā. The whole community will live where Rāma takes up his abode; without the Hero of Raghu’s race we have no business in Ayodhyā.” Having thus firmly resolved they followed Him forsaking their happy homes, which were the envy of gods. Can the pleasures of sense overpower those who hold the lotus feet of Śrī Rāma dear to their heart?
Dohas
bālaka bṛddha bihāi gṛomha lagē lōga saba sātha.
tamasā tīra nivāsu kiya prathama divasa raghunātha..84.. [2-84]
Leaving the children and aged people in their homes all the citizens accompanied Śrī Rāma. And the Lord of Raghus made His first day’s halt on the bank of the Tamasā.
Chaupais
raghupati prajā prēmabasa dēkhī. sadaya hṛdayaom dukhu bhayau bisēṣī..
karunāmaya raghunātha gōsāomī. bēgi pāiahiṃ pīra parāī.. [2-84-1]
kahi saprēma mṛdu bacana suhāē. bahubidhi rāma lōga samujhāē..
kiē dharama upadēsa ghanērē. lōga prēma basa phirahiṃ na phērē.. [2-84-2]
sīlu sanēhu chāḍai nahiṃ jāī. asamaṃjasa basa bhē raghurāī..
lōga sōga śrama basa gaē sōī. kachuka dēvamāyāom mati mōī.. [2-84-3]
jabahiṃ jāma juga jāmini bītī. rāma saciva sana kahēu saprītī..
khōja māri rathu hāomkahu tātā. āna upāyaom banihi nahiṃ bātā.. [2-84-4]
When the Lord of Raghus saw His people overwhelmed with love, His tender heart was much afflicted. Lord Śrī Rāma, who is all compassion, is readily touched by others, pain. Addressing them in affectionate, soft and agreeable tones, He comforted all in ways more than one. He also gave them varied instructions in their moral duty; but overmastered by love they would not turn back even though urged to return. Śrī Rāma could not afford to take leave of His amiable disposition and loving nature; the Lord of Raghus thus found Himself in a fix. Overpowered by grief and toil the people fell asleep and the deluding potency of gods further helped to benumb their mind. When two watches of the night had passed, Śrī Rāma addressed the minister in endearing terms, “Father, drive the chariot in such a way as to mix up the tracks; by no other means can our object be accomplished.”
Dohas
rāma lakhana suya jāna caḍhai saṃbhu carana siru nāi..
sacivaom calāyau turata rathu ita uta khōja durāi..85.. [2-85]
Bowing their head to the feet of Lord Śambhu (Śiva) Śrī Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā mounted the car; and the minister (Sumantra) immediately drove the chariot now in one direction and now in another, thus confusing the tracks.
Chaupais
jāgē sakala lōga bhaēom bhōrū. gē raghunātha bhayau ati sōrū..
ratha kara khōja katahahu nahiṃ pāvahiṃ. rāma rāma kahi cahu disi dhāvahiṃ.. [2-85-1]
manahu bārinidhi būḍa jahājū. bhayau bikala baḍa banika samājū..
ēkahi ēka dēṃhiṃ upadēsū. tajē rāma hama jāni kalēsū.. [2-85-2]
niṃdahiṃ āpu sarāhahiṃ mīnā. dhiga jīvanu raghubīra bihīnā..
jauṃ pai priya biyōgu bidhi kīnhā. tau kasa maranu na māgēṃ dīnhā.. [2-85-3]
ēhi bidhi karata pralāpa kalāpā. āē avadha bharē paritāpā..
biṣama biyōgu na jāi bakhānā. avadhi āsa saba rākhahiṃ prānā.. [2-85-4]
All the people woke up at daybreak. “The Lord of Raghus has gone!” they loudly exclaimed. Nowhere could they find the tracks of the chariot and ran about in all directions crying “Rāma, O Rāma!” It seemed as if a bark had foundered in the ocean, as a result of which the party of merchants that had boarded it felt much agitated. Everyone explained to the other how Rāma had forsaken them perceiving their distress. They condemned themselves and praised the fish (that died as soon as they were taken out of water), and said to one another; “A curse on our life without the Hero of Raghu’s race! If God has torn us from our beloved, why did He not vouchsafe death to us on our asking?” Thus wailing in a variety of ways they all returned to Ayodhyā full of remorse. The anguish of parting was terrible beyond words. Everyone survived in the hope of seeing Rāma on the expiry of the term of exile.
Dohas
rāma darasa hita nēma brata lagē karana nara nāri.
manahu kōka kōkī kamala dīna bihīna tamāri..86.. [2-86]
Men and women alike started religious observances and fasts for ensuring Śrī Rāma’s return. They were as miserable as the male and female Cakravāka birds and the lotus flower are in the absence of the sun.
Chaupais
sītā saciva sahita dōu bhāī. sṛṃgabērapura pahucē jāī..
utarē rāma dēvasari dēkhī. kīnha daṃḍavata haraṣu bisēṣī.. [2-86-1]
lakhana sacivaom siyaom kiē pranāmā. sabahi sahita sukhu pāyau rāmā..
gaṃga sakala muda maṃgala mūlā. saba sukha karani harani saba sūlā.. [2-86-2]
kahi kahi kōṭika kathā prasaṃgā. rāmu bilōkahiṃ gaṃga taraṃgā..
sacivahi anujahi priyahi sunāī. bibudha nadī mahimā adhikāī.. [2-86-3]
majjanu kīnha paṃtha śrama gayaū. suci jalu piata mudita mana bhayaū..
sumirata jāhi miṭai śrama bhārū. tēhi śrama yaha laukika byavahārū.. [2-86-4]
Accompanied by Sītā and the minister the two brothers arrived at Śṛṅgaverapura. Beholding the celestial stream, Gaṅgā, Śrī Rāma alighted from His car and fell prostrate on the ground with great joy. Lakṣmaṇa, Sītā and the minister too made obeisance and Śrī Rāma rejoiced in common with them all. A fount of all joys and blessings, the Gaṅgā brings all delight and drives away all sorrow. Narrating numerous anecdotes connected with it, Śrī Rāma gazed on the waves of the Gaṅgā and told the minister, His younger brother (Lakṣmaṇa) and His beloved Consort the transcendent glory of the celestial stream. They took a plunge in the river and the fatigue of the journey was gone; and their hearts rejoiced when they drank of its holy water. That He whose very thought relieves the great toil of transmigration should feel fatigued shows that He imitated the ways of the world.