Dasharatha and Kaikeyi's Confrontation; Sumantra Summons Rama
Dasharatha approaches Kaikeyi in affection, but her two demands plunge him into deep grief. Sumantra is sent to bring Rama to the palace.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 5 / 49
Episode Text
साँझ समय सानंद नृपु गयउ कैकई गेहँ। गवनु निठुरता निकट किय जनु धरि देह सनेहँ॥ २४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sāṃjha samaya sānaṃda nṛpu gayau kaikai gehaṃ। gavanu niṭhuratā nikaṭa kiyā janu dhari deha sanehaṃ॥ 24 ॥
Meaning:
At evening time, King Dasharatha went joyfully to Kaikeyi's palace. It was as if love itself had taken on a body and gone near cruelty.
कोपभवन सुनि सकुचेउ राऊ। भय बस अगहुड़ परइ न पाऊ॥ सुरपति बसइ बाहँबल जाकें। नरपति सकल रहहिं रुख ताकें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kopabhavana suni sakuceu rāū। bhaya basa agahuḍa parai na pāū॥ surapati basai bāhaṃbala jākeṃ। narapati sakala rahahiṃ rukha tākeṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the name of the chamber of anger, the king became uneasy. In fear, his feet would not move forward. Indra himself dwells secure by the strength of whose arms, and all kings keep looking to him.
सो सुनि तिय रिस गयउ सुखाई। देखहु काम प्रताप बड़ाई॥ सूल कुलिस असि अँगवनिहारे। ते रतिनाथ सुमन सर मारे॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sō suni tiya risa gayau sukhāī। dekhahu kāma pratāpa baṛāī॥ sūla kulisa asi aṅgavanihāre। te ratinātha sumana sara māre॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing this, the queen's anger dried up. Behold the greatness of Cupid's power! Those who endure blows from tridents, thunderbolts, and swords on their limbs were struck by the arrows of Rati's lord (Cupid).
सभय नरेसु प्रिया पहिं गयऊ। देखि दसा दुखु दारुन भयऊ॥ भूमि सयन पटु मोट पुराना। दिए डारि तन भूषन नाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sabhaya naresu priyā pahiṃ gayau। dekhi dasā dukhu dārunu bhayau॥ bhūmi sayana paṭu moṭa purānā। die ḍāri tana bhūṣana nānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The king, in fear, went to his beloved. Seeing her condition, he felt great sorrow. She lay on the floor on a mat, wearing old coarse cloth, having cast off the various ornaments from her body.
कुमतिहि कसि कुबेषता फाबी। अनअहिवातु सूच जनु भाबी॥ जाइ निकट नृपु कह मृदु बानी। प्रानप्रिया केहि हेतु रिसानी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kumatihi kasi kubeṣatā phābī। anaahivātu sūca janu bhābī॥ jāi nikaṭa nṛpu kaha mṛdu bānī। prānapriyā kehi hetu risānī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
How well does such a vile disguise suit that foolish woman! It is as though it were an omen of impending widowhood. Going near her, the king spoke softly: 'Beloved, why are you angry?'
केहि हेतु रानि रिसानि परसत पानि पतिहि नेवारई। मानहुँ सरोष भुअंग भामिनि बिषम भाँति निहारई॥ दोउ बासना रसना दसन बर मरम ठाहरु देखई। तुलसी नृपति भवतब्यता बस काम कौतुक लेखई॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kehi hetu rāni risāni parasata pāni patihi nevāraī। mānahuṃ saroṣa bhuaṃga bhāmini biṣama bhāṃti nihāraī॥ dou bāsanā rasanā dasana bara marama ṭhāhuru dekhī। tulasī nṛpati bhavatabyatā basa kāma kautuka lekhaī॥
Meaning:
"Why are you angry, O queen?' Saying this, when the king touched her with his hand, she pushed his hand away. She looked as though a venomous serpent, full of anger, were staring with cruel eyes. The two boons are like the serpent's two tongues, and the two boons are the teeth; she seems to be seeking a place to strike. Tulsidas says that King Dasharatha, bound by fate, takes this shaking off of his hand and serpent-like glance as only Cupid's play.
बार बार कह राउ सुमुखि सुलोचनि पिकबचनि। कारन मोहि सुनाउ गजगामिनि निज कोप कर॥ २५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bāra bāra kaha rāu sumukhi sulochani pikabachani। kārana mohi sunāu gajagāmini nija kopa kara॥ 25 ॥
Meaning:
Again and again the king said, 'O lovely-faced one, beautiful-eyed one, dove-voiced one, elephant-gaited one, tell me the reason for your anger.'
अनहित तोर प्रिया केइँ कीन्हा। केहि दुइ सिर केहि जमु चह लीन्हा॥ कहु केहि रंकहि करौं नरेसू। कहु केहि नृपहि निकासौं देसू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
anahita tora priyā keiṃ kīnhā। kehi dui sira kehi jamu caha līnhā॥ kahu kehi raṅkahi karauṃ naresū। kahu kehi nṛpahi nikāsauṃ desū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Beloved, who has done you harm? Who has two heads? Whom does Yama want to take? Say, which beggar should I make king, or which king should I drive from the land?
सकउँ तोर अरि अमरउ मारी। काह कीट बपुरे नर नारी॥ जानसि मोर सुभाउ बरोरू। मनु तव आनन चंद चकोरू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sakauṃ tora ari amarau mārī। kāha kiṭa bapurē nara nārī॥ jānasi mora subhāu barorū। manu tava ānana canda cakorū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Even if your enemy were immortal, I could kill him. What are helpless human beings, mere insects? Lovely one, you know my nature: my mind is always a chakora bird to your moonlike face.
प्रिया प्रान सुत सरबसु मोरें। परिजन प्रजा सकल बस तोरें॥ जौं कछु कहौं कपटु करि तोही। भामिनि राम सपथ सत मोही॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
priyā prāna suta sarabasu moreṃ। parijana prajā sakala basa toreṃ॥ joṃ kacha kahaum̐ kapaṭa kari tohī। bhāmini rāma sapaṭha sata mohī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Beloved, my life, son, wealth, kinsfolk, subjects—all are under your control. If I say anything to you deceitfully, then, O fair lady, I swear a hundred times by Rama.
बिहसि मागु मनभावति बाता। भूषन सजहि मनोहर गाता॥ घरी कुघरी समुझि जियँ देखू। बेगि प्रिया परिहरहि कुबेषू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bihasi māgu manabhāvati bātā। bhūṣana sajahi manohara gātā॥ ghaṛī kughaṛī samuji jiyaṃ dekhu। begi priyā pariharahi kubeṣū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Smile and ask for whatever pleases your heart; adorn your lovely body with ornaments. Consider the good and bad times in your mind. O beloved, quickly give up this ugly disguise.
यह सुनि मन गुनि सपथ बड़ि बिहसि उठी मतिमंद। भूषन सजति बिलोकि मृगु मनहुँ किरातिनि फंद॥ २६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yaha suni mana guni sapaṭha baṛi bihasi uṭhī matimaṃda। bhūṣana sajati biloki mṛgu mānahuṃ kirātini phaṃda॥ 26 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing this and considering Rama's great oath in her mind, the foolish Kaikeyi rose up laughing and began to put on ornaments, as though a huntress were setting a trap on seeing a deer.
पुनि कह राउ सुहृद जियँ जानी। प्रेम पुलकि मृदु मंजुल बानी॥ भामिनि भयउ तोर मनभावा। घर घर नगर अनंद बधावा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
puni kaha rāu suhṛda jiyaṃ jānī। prema pulaki mṛdu maṃjula bānī॥ bhāmini bhayau tora manabhāvā। ghara ghara nagara ananda badhāvā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Taking Kaikeyi as a friend in his heart, King Dasharatha, thrilled with love, again spoke in soft and pleasing words: 'O fair lady, your wish has been fulfilled. Joyful congratulations are being sounded house to house throughout the city.'
रामहि देउँ कालि जुबराजू। सजहि सुलोचनि मंगल साजू॥ दलकि उठेउ सुनि हृदउ कठोरू। जनु छुइ गयउ पाक बरतोरू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmahi deuṃ kāli jubarājū। sajahi sulochani maṃgala sājū॥ dalaki uṭheu suni hṛdau kaṭhorū। janu chu'i gayau pāka baratorū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
I am giving Rama the crown prince's seat tomorrow. So, O beautiful-eyed one, get your auspicious adornment ready. As soon as she heard this, her hard heart cracked, as though a ripe boil had burst when touched.
ऐसिउ पीर बिहसि तेहिं गोई। चोर नारि जिमि प्रगटि न रोई॥ लखहिं न भूप कपट चतुराई। कोटि कुटिल मनि गुरू पढ़ाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aisiu pīra bihasi tehiṃ gōī। coranāri jimi pragaṭi na roī॥ lakhahiṃ na bhūpa kapaṭa caturāī। koṭi kuṭila mani gurū paṛhāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Even such a deep pain she hid with a smile, like a thief's wife who does not cry in public. The king does not perceive her deceitful cleverness, for she has been trained by Manthara, the teacher of millions of the crooked.
जद्यपि नीति निपुन नरनाहू। नारिचरित जलनिधि अवगाहू॥ कपट सनेहु बढ़ाइ बहोरी। बोली बिहसि नयन मुहु मोरी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jadyapi nīti nipuna naranāhū। nārīcarita jalanidhi avagāhū॥ kapaṭa sanehu baṛhāi bahorī। bolī bihasi nayana muhu morī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Although the king is skilled in policy, women's conduct is an unfathomable ocean. Then she further increased her deceptive affection, and, turning her eyes and face away, spoke with a smile.
मागु मागु पै कहहु पिय कबहुँ न देहु न लेहु। देन कहेहु बरदान दुइ तेउ पावत संदेहु॥ २७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
māgu māgu pai kahahu piyā kabahuṃ na dehu na lehu। dena kahehu bardāna dui teu pāvata saṃdehu॥ 27 ॥
Meaning:
You keep saying 'ask, ask,' my beloved, but you neither give nor take anything. You said you would grant two boons; even their obtaining seems doubtful.
जानेउँ मरमु राउ हँसि कहई। तुम्हहि कोहाब परम प्रिय अहई॥ थाती राखि न मागिहु काऊ। बिसरि गयउ मोहि भोर सुभाऊ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāneuṃ maramu rāu haṃsi kahai। tumhahi kohāba parama priya ahai॥ thātī rākhi na māgihu kāū। bisari gayau mohi bhora subhāu॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The king said with a smile, 'Now I understand your true intent. Indulging in anger is what you most love. Keeping the pledged boons stored away, you never asked for them again, and because I am forgetful by nature, I too had forgotten that matter.'
झूठेहुँ हमहि दोषु जनि देहू। दुइ कै चारि मागि मकु लेहू॥ रघुकुल रीति सदा चलि आई। प्रान जाहुँ बरु बचनु न जाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jhuṭhehuṃ hamahi doṣu jani dehū। dui kai cāri māgi maku lehū॥ raghukula rīti sadā cali āī। prāna jāhūṃ baru bacanu na jāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Do not blame me falsely. If you wish, ask four in place of two. This has always been the custom of the Raghu line: even if one's life must go, the promise does not fail.
नहिं असत्य सम पातक पुंजा। गिरि सम होहिं कि कोटिक गुंजा॥ सत्यमूल सब सुकृत सुहाए। बेद पुरान बिदित मनु गाए॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nahiṃ asatya sama pātaka puṃjā। giri sama hohiṃ ki koṭika guṃjā॥ satyamūla saba sukṛta suhāe। beda purāna bidita manu gāe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
There is no heap of sins equal to untruth. Can even millions of guñjā seeds equal a mountain? Truth is the root of all noble merit. This is known in the Vedas and Puranas, and Manu also said the same.
तेहि पर राम सपथ करि आई। सुकृत सनेह अवधि रघुराई॥ बात दृढ़ाइ कुमति हँसि बोली। कुमत कुबिहग कुलह जनु खोली॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehi para rāma sapaṭha kari āī। sukṛta saneha avadhi raghurāī॥ bāta dṛḍhāi kumati haṃsi bolī। kumata kubihaga kulaha janu kholī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
On that, I went ahead and swore by Rama. Rama is the limit of my merit and affection. Having thus confirmed the matter, the foolish Kaikeyi laughed and spoke, as though she had opened the cage of wicked thought-birds.
भूप मनोरथ सुभग बनु सुख सुबिहंग समाजु। भिल्लिनि जिमि छाड़न चहति बचनु भयंकरु बाजु॥ २८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhūpa manoratha subhaga banu sukha subihaṃga samāju। bhillini jimi chāṛana cahati bacanu bhayaṃkaru bāju॥ 28 ॥
Meaning:
The king's desire is a beautiful forest; joy is a host of lovely birds. Yet Kaikeyi, like a huntress, wants to let loose the dreadful hawk of her word.
सुनहु प्रानप्रिय भावत जी का। देहु एक बर भरतहि टीका॥ मागउँ दूसर बर कर जोरी। पुरवहु नाथ मनोरथ मोरी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunahu prānapriya bhāvata jī kā। dehu eka bara bharatahi ṭīkā॥ māgauṃ dūsara bara kara jorī। puravahu nātha manoratha morī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
[She said—] O dearest of my life, listen: grant me one boon that delights my heart—let Bharat receive the royal coronation; and, O Lord, I beg for a second boon with folded hands: fulfill my desire.
तापस बेष बिसेषि उदासी। चौदह बरिस रामु बनबासी॥ सुनि मृदु बचन भूप हियँ सोकू। ससि कर छुअत बिकल जिमि कोकू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāpasa beṣa biseṣi udāsī। caudah barisa rāmu banabāsī॥ suni mṛdu bacana bhūpa hiyaṃ sokū। sasi kara chuata bikala jimi kokū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
In the guise of an ascetic, with complete detachment, Rama should live in the forest for fourteen years, like a renunciant monk. Hearing Kaikeyi’s gentle words, the king’s heart was struck with sorrow, as a bird grows distressed at the touch of moonbeams.
गयउ सहमि नहिं कछु कहि आवा। जनु सचान बन झपटेउ लावा॥ बिबरन भयउ निपट नरपालू। दामिनि हनेउ मनहुँ तरु तालू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gayau sahami nahiṃ kachu kahi āvā। janu sacāna bana jhapaṭeu lāvā॥ bibarana bhayau nipaṭa narapālū। dāmini haneu manahuṃ taru tālū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The king was stunned and could not say anything, as if a hawk had swooped down on a quail in the forest. His whole complexion turned pale, as if lightning had struck a palm tree.
माथें हाथ मूदि दोउ लोचन। तनु धरि सोचु लाग जनु सोचन॥ मोर मनोरथु सुरतरु फूला। फरत करिनि जिमि हतेउ समूला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mātheṃ hātha mūdi dou locana। tanu dhari socu lāga janu socana॥ mora manorathu surataru phūlā। pharata karini jimi hateu samūlā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Placing his hands on his forehead and closing both eyes, the king sank into thought, as if Thought itself had taken on a body. [He thought—alas!] The wish-tree of my desire had blossomed, but just as it was bearing fruit, Kaikeyi uprooted it completely like an elephant would.
कवनें अवसर का भयउ गयउँ नारि बिस्वास। जोग सिद्धि फल समय जिमि जतिहि अबिद्या नास॥ २९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kavaneṃ avasara kā bhayau gayauṃ nāri bisvās। joga siddhi phala samaya jimi jatihi abidyā nāsa॥ 29 ॥
Meaning:
At what moment did what happen? Trusting a woman, I was undone, just as ignorance is destroyed in a yogi at the time when the fruit of yogic perfection is attained.
एहि बिधि राउ मनहिं मन झाँखा। देखि कुभाँति कुमति मन माखा॥ भरतु कि राउर पूत न होंही। आनेहु मोल बेसाहि कि मोही॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi bidhi rāu manahiṃ mana jhāṃkhā। dekhi kubhāṃti kumati mana mākhā॥ bharatu ki rāura pūta na hoṃhī। ānehu mola besāhi ki mohī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In this way the king was fretting inwardly. Seeing the king in such a state, the wicked-minded Kaikeyi grew deeply angry and said, 'Is Bharat not your son? Did you buy me for a price? Am I not your married wife?'
जो सुनि सरु अस लाग तुम्हारें। काहे न बोलहु बचनु सँभारें॥ देहु उतरु अनु करहु कि नाहीं। सत्यसंध तुम्ह रघुकुल माहीं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jo suni saru asa lāga tumhāreṃ। kāhe na bolahu bacanu saṃbhāreṃ॥ dehu utaru anu karahu ki nāhīṃ। satyasaṃdha tumha raghukula māhīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
If my words struck you like an arrow, why do you not speak with care and thought? Give your answer—yes or no. You are renowned in the Raghukul as one true to your vow.
देन कहेहु अब जनि बरु देहू। तजहु सत्य जग अपजसु लेहू॥ सत्य सराहि कहेहु बरु देना। जानेहु लेइहि मागि चबेना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dena kahehu aba jani baru dehū। tajahu satya jaga apajasu lehū॥ satya sarāhi kahehu baru denā। jānehu leiihi māgi cabenā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
You yourself said you would grant boons; now if you wish, do not give it. Forsake truth and accept infamy in the world. You praised truth and spoke of granting boons—thinking that she would ask for only a little parched grain!
सिबि दधीचि बलि जो कछु भाषा। तनु धनु तजेउ बचन पनु राखा॥ अति कटु बचन कहति कैकेई। मानहुँ लोन जरे पर देई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sibi dadhīci bali jo kachu bhāṣā। tanu dhanu tajeu bacana panu rākhā॥ ati kaṭu bacana kahati kaikeī। mānahuṃ lona jare para deī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
King Shibi, Dadhichi, and Bali gave up body and wealth and still kept their word. Kaikeyi was speaking very harshly, as if sprinkling salt on a burn.
धरम धुरंधर धीर धरि नयन उघारे रायँ। सिरु धुनि लीन्हि उसास असि मारेसि मोहि कुठायँ॥ ३० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dharama dhuraṃdhara dhīra dhari nayana ugāre rāyaṃ। siru dhuni līnhi usāsa asi māresi mohi kuṭhāyaṃ॥ 30 ॥
Meaning:
The steadfast king, bearer of the pillar of righteousness, composed himself, opened his eyes, shook his head, and sighed deeply, saying in effect: this has struck me a terrible blow and put me in a dire strait.
आगें दीखि जरत रिस भारी। मनहुँ रोष तरवारि उघारी॥ मूठि कुबुद्धि धार निठुराई। धरी कूबरीं सान बनाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āgeṃ dīkhi jarata risa bhārī। manahuṃ roṣa taravāri ughārī॥ mūṭhi kubuddhi dhāra niṭhurāī। dharī kūbarīṃ sāna banāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Kaikeyi, burning with fierce anger, appeared before him like a drawn sword of wrath. Misguided intellect was its hilt, harshness its blade, and it had been sharpened on the whetstone of Kubari (Manthara).
लखी महीप कराल कठोरा। सत्य कि जीवनु लेइहि मोरा॥ बोले राउ कठिन करि छाती। बानी सबिनय तासु सोहाती॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lakhī mahīpa karāla kaṭhorā। satya ki jīvanu leiihi morā॥ bole rāu kaṭhina kari chhaataee। bānī sabinaya tāsu sohātī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The king saw it as dreadful and cruel and thought, 'Will truth itself take my life?' He braced his chest and spoke in a very humble voice, one that would be pleasing to her.
प्रिया बचन कस कहसि कुभाँती। भीर प्रतीति प्रीति करि हाँती॥ मोरें भरतु रामु दुइ आँखी। सत्य कहउँ करि संकरु साखी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
priyā bacana kasa kahasi kubhāṃtī। bhīra pratīti prīti kari hāṃtī॥ moreṃ bharatu rāmu dui āṃkhī। satya kahauṃ kari saṃkaru sākhī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O dear one, why do you speak such harsh words? Why are you setting aside trust and love? For me, Bharat and Rama are both like my very eyes; I say this truth with Shiva as my witness.
अवसि दूतु मैं पठइब प्राता। ऐहहिं बेगि सुनत दोउ भ्राता॥ सुदिन सोधि सबु साजु सजाई। देउँ भरत कहुँ राजु बजाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
avasi dūtu maiṃ paṭhaiba prātā। aihahiṃ begi sunata dou bhrātā॥ sudina sodhi sabu sāju sajāī। deūṃ bharata kahuṃ rāju bajāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I will certainly send messengers at dawn. Both brothers will come at once upon hearing it. After selecting an auspicious time and making all arrangements, I will have Bharat’s kingship proclaimed with a drum.
लोभु न रामहि राजु कर बहुत भरत पर प्रीति। मैं बड़ छोट बिचारि जियँ करत रहेउँ नृपनीति॥ ३१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lobhu na rāmahi rāju kara bahuta bharata para prīti। maiṃ baḍa chota bicāri jiyaṃ karata raheuṃ nṛpanīti॥ 31 ॥
Meaning:
Rama has no greed for the kingdom, and Bharat is dearly loved. I alone had been considering greatness and smallness in my heart while following the duties of kingship.
राम सपथ सत कहउँ सुभाऊ। राममातु कछु कहेउ न काऊ॥ मैं सबु कीन्ह तोहि बिनु पूँछें। तेहि तें परेउ मनोरथु छूछें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma sapatha sata kahauṃ subhāū। rāmamātu kachu kaheu na kāū॥ maiṃ sabu kīnha tohi binu pūṃcheṃ। tehi teṃ pareu manorathu chūcheṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By Rama’s thousand oaths I say this of my own nature: Rama’s mother never said anything to me about this. I did it all without asking you. Therefore my wish has come to nothing.
रिस परिहरु अब मंगल साजू। कछु दिन गएँ भरत जुबराजू॥ एकहि बात मोहि दुखु लागा। बर दूसर असमंजस मागा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
risa pariharu aba maṅgala sājū। kachu dina gaeṃ bharata juvarājū॥ eka hi bāta mohi dukhu lāgā। bara dūsara asamaṃjasa māgā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Now set aside anger and prepare the auspicious arrangements. In a few days Bharat will become crown prince. Only one thing grieved me: you asked for the second boon in a way that created difficulty.
अजहूँ हृदउ जरत तेहि आँचा। रिस परिहास कि साँचेहुँ साँचा॥ कहु तजि रोषु राम अपराधू। सबु कोउ कहइ रामु सुठि साधू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ajahūṃ hṛdaya jarata tehi āṃcā। risa parihāsa ki sāṃcehuṃ sāṃcā॥ kahu taji roṣu rāma aparādhū। sabu kou kahai rāmu suṭhi sādhū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
My heart is still burning from its heat. Is this said in jest, in anger, or is it truly the truth? Set aside your wrath and tell me Rama’s fault. Everyone says that Rama is most saintly.
तुहूँ सराहसि करसि सनेहू। अब सुनि मोहि भयउ संदेहू॥ जासु सुभाउ अरिहि अनुकूला। सो किमि करिहि मातु प्रतिकूला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tuhūṃ sarāhasi karasi sanehū। aba suni mohi bhayau sandehū॥ jāsu subhāu ari hi anukūlā। so kimi karihi mātu pratikūlā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
You yourself used to praise Rama and show affection for him. Hearing this now, I have become doubtful [whether your praise and love were false]. One whose nature is even favorable to an enemy—how could such a one act against his mother?
प्रिया हास रिस परिहरहि मागु बिचारि बिबेकु। जेहिं देखौं अब नयन भरि भरत राज अभिषेकु॥ ३२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
priyā hāsa risa pariharahi māgu bicāri bibeku। jehiṃ dekhauṃ aba nayana bhari bharata rāja abhiṣeku॥ 32 ॥
Meaning:
O dear one, give up laughter and anger and ask for your boon after due reflection and discernment, so that I may now behold Bharat’s royal coronation with eyes full of tears.
जिऐ मीन बरु बारि बिहीना। मनि बिनु फनिकु जिऐ दुख दीना॥ कहउँ सुभाउ न छलु मन माहीं। जीवनु मोर राम बिनु नाहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jiai mīna baru bāri bihīnā। mani binu phaniku jiai dukha dīnā॥ kahauṃ subhāu na chalu mana māhīṃ। jīvanu mora rāma binu nāhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
A fish may live without water, and a snake may live sorrowfully without its jewel; but I speak from my very nature, with no deceit in my heart: my life is not without Rama.
समुझि देखु जियँ प्रिया प्रबीना। जीवनु राम दरस आधीना॥ सुनि मृदु बचन कुमति अति जरई। मनहुँ अनल आहुति घृत परई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
samujhi dekhu jiyaṃ priyā pravīnā। jīvanu rāma darasa ādhīnā॥ suni mṛdu bacana kumati ati jarī। manahuṃ anala āhuti ghṛta parī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O wise beloved, understand this in your heart: my life depends on the sight of Rama. Hearing the king's gentle words, evil-minded Kaikeyi burns fiercely, as though ghee were being offered into a fire.
कहइ करहु किन कोटि उपाया। इहाँ न लागिहि राउरि माया॥ देहु कि लेहु अजसु करि नाहीं। मोहि न बहुत प्रपंच सोहाहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahai karahu kina koṭi upāyā। ihāṃ na lāgihi rāuri māyā॥ dehu ki lehu ajasu kari nāhīṃ। mohi na bahuta prapañca sohāhīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
She says, 'No matter how many millions of ways you try, your trickery will not work here. Give it, or take it and bear the disgrace. I do not care for so much scheming.'
रामु साधु तुम्ह साधु सयाने। राममातु भलि सब पहिचाने॥ जस कौसिलाँ मोर भल ताका। तस फलु उन्हहि देउँ करि साका॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmu sādhu tumha sādhu sayāne। rāmamātu bhali saba pahicāne॥ jasa kausilāṃ mora bhala tākā। tasa phalu unhahi deuṃ kari sākā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Rama is noble, you are a wise noble one, and Rama's mother is good as well; I have recognized everyone. As Kausalya wished me well, so I shall give her the same fruit in return.
होत प्रातु मुनिबेष धरि जौं न रामु बन जाहिं। मोर मरनु राउर अजस नृप समुझिअ मन माहिं॥ ३३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hota prātu munibeṣa dhari jauṃ na rāmu bana jāhīṃ। mora maranu rāuri ajasa nṛpa samujhia mana māhīṃ॥ 33 ॥
Meaning:
If, at dawn, Rama does not go to the forest in ascetic dress, then, O king, understand in your heart that my death will come and your disgrace will follow.
अस कहि कुटिल भई उठि ठाढ़ी। मानहुँ रोष तरंगिनि बाढ़ी॥ पाप पहार प्रगट भइ सोई। भरी क्रोध जल जाइ न जोई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asa kahi kuṭila bhaī uṭhi ṭhāṛhī। mānahuṃ roṣa taraṅgini bāṛhī॥ pāpa pahāra pragaṭa bhaī soī। bharī krodha jala jāi na joī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Saying this, the wicked Kaikeyi rose to her feet, as though a river of wrath had swelled. It seems to have sprung from a mountain of sin and is full of the waters of anger; it is so terrible that one cannot bear to look at it.
दोउ बर कूल कठिन हठ धारा। भवँर कूबरी बचन प्रचारा॥ ढाहत भूपरूप तरु मूला। चली बिपति बारिधि अनुकूला॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
doū bara kūla kaṭhina haṭha dhārā। bhavra kūbarī bacana pracārā॥ dhāhata bhūparūpa taru mūlā। calī bipati bāridhi anukūlā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The two boons are its banks; Kaikeyi's stubborn will is its fierce current, and the prompting of the hunchbacked Manthara's words is the whirlpool. That river of wrath is tearing down the tree that is King Dasharatha and rushing straight toward the sea of calamity.
लखी नरेस बात फुरि साँची। तिय मिस मीचु सीस पर नाची॥ गहि पद बिनय कीन्ह बैठारी। जनि दिनकर कुल होसि कुठारी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lakhī naresa bāta phuri sāṃcī। tiya misa mīchu sīsa para nācī॥ gahi pada binaya kīna baiṭhārī। jani dinakara kula hosa kuṭhārī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The king understood that the matter was truly, indeed, true: under the pretext of a woman, death itself was dancing on his head. Then, holding Kaikeyi's feet and seating her, he pleaded, 'Do not become an axe for the Solar dynasty-tree.'
मागु माथ अबहीं देउँ तोही। राम बिरहँ जनि मारसि मोही॥ राखु राम कहुँ जेहि तेहि भाँती। नाहिं त जरिहि जनम भरि छाती॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
māgu mātha abahīṃ deuṃ tohī। rāma birahaṃ jani mārasi mohī॥ rākhu rāma kahuṃ jehi tehi bhāṃtī। nāhĩ ta jarihi janama bhari chātī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Ask for my head, and I will give it to you right now. But do not kill me in Rama's separation. Keep Rama safe in whatever way you can; otherwise your breast will burn all your life.
देखी ब्याधि असाध नृपु परेउ धरनि धुनि माथ। कहत परम आरत बचन राम राम रघुनाथ॥ ३४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ḍekhī byādhi asādha nṛpu pareu dharani dhuni mātha। kahata parama ārata bacana rāma rāma raghunātha॥ 34 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing that the illness was incurable, the king fell to the ground, beating his head, and cried out in great anguish, 'Rama, Rama, O Raghunatha!'
ब्याकुल राउ सिथिल सब गाता। करिनि कलपतरु मनहुँ निपाता॥ कंठु सूख मुख आव न बानी। जनु पाठीनु दीन बिनु पानी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
byākula rāu sithila saba gātā। karini kalapataru manahuṃ nipātā॥ kaṇṭhu sūkha mukha āva na bānī। janu pāṭhīnu dīna binu pānī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The king became distraught; all his limbs grew limp, as though an elephant had uprooted the kalpataru. His throat dried up and no words came from his mouth, like a fish suffering without water.
पुनि कह कटु कठोर कैकेई। मनहुँ घाय महुँ माहुर देई॥ जौं अंतहुँ अस करतबु रहेऊ। मागु मागु तुम्ह केहिं बल कहेऊ॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
puni kaha kaṭu kaṭhora kaikēī। manahuṃ ghāya mahuṃ māhura dēī॥ jauṃ antahuṃ asa karatabu rahēū। māgu māgu tumha kehiṃ bala kahēū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Kaikeyi then spoke harsh and bitter words, as though pouring poison into a wound. She said, 'If this is what you intended to do in the end, on what strength did you say, “Ask, ask”?'
दुइ कि होइ एक समय भुआला। हँसब ठठाइ फुलाउब गाला॥ दानि कहाउब अरु कृपनाई। होइ कि खेम कुसल रौताई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dui ki hoi eka samaya bhuālā। haṃsaba ṭhaṭhāi phulāuba gālā॥ dāni kahāuba aru kripanāī। hoi ki khema kusala rautāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O king, can two things happen together: laughing uproariously and puffing out the cheeks? Can one be called generous and yet stingy? Can royal valor and well-being both remain intact?
छाड़हु बचनु कि धीरजु धरहू। जनि अबला जिमि करुना करहू॥ तनु तिय तनय धामु धनु धरनी। सत्यसंध कहुँ तृन सम बरनी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
chāṛahu bacanu ki dhīraju dharahū। jani abalā jimi karunā karahū॥ tanu tiya tanaya dhāmu dhanu dharanī। satyasaṃdha kahuṃ tṛna sama baranī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Either give up your word or show patience; do not lament like a helpless woman. For one steadfast in truth, the body, wife, son, home, wealth, and even the earth are all said to be as mere blades of grass.
मरम बचन सुनि राउ कह कहु कछु दोषु न तोर। लागेउ तोहि पिसाच जिमि कालु कहावत मोर॥ ३५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
marama bacana suni rāu kaha kahu kachhu doṣu na tora। lāgeu tohī pisāca jimi kālu kahāvata mora॥ 35 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Kaikeyi's heart-piercing words, the king said, 'Say whatever you wish; no fault is yours. My fate has come upon you like a demon; it is as though death itself is making you speak like this.'
चहत न भरत भूपतहि भोरें। बिधि बस कुमति बसी जिय तोरें॥ सो सबु मोर पाप परिनामू। भयउ कुठाहर जेहिं बिधि बामू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
chahata na bharata bhūpatahi bhoreṃ। bidhi basa kumati basī jiya toreṃ॥ so sabu mora pāpa parināmū। bhayau kuṭhāhara jehiṃ bidhi bāmū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata does not want the throne even in his dream. By fate, evil counsel has settled in your heart. All this is the result of my sins, by which destiny has turned adverse.
सुबस बसिहि फिरि अवध सुहाई। सब गुन धाम राम प्रभुताई॥ करिहहिं भाइ सकल सेवकाई। होइहि तिहुँ पुर राम बड़ाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
subasa basih i phiri avadha suhāī। saba guna dhāma rāma prabhutāī॥ karihahiṃ bhāi sakala sevakāī। hoihi tihuṃ pura rāma baṛāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
This lovely Ayodhya, though now ruined, will be well inhabited again, and Rama, the abode of all virtues, will rule there. All the brothers will serve him, and Rama's glory will spread through the three worlds.
तोर कलंकु मोर पछिताऊ। मुएहुँन मिटिहि न जाइहि काऊ॥ अब तोहि नीक लाग करु सोई। लोचन ओट बैठु मुहु गोई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tora kalaṅku mora pachitāū। muehuṃna miṭihi na jāihi kāū॥ aba tohī nīka lāga karu soī। locana oṭa baiṭhu muhu goī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Your disgrace and my regret will not vanish even after death. Now do what seems best to you. Hide your face and sit out of my sight.
जब लगि जिऔं कहउँ कर जोरी। तब लगि जनि कछु कहसि बहोरी॥ फिरि पछितैहसि अंत अभागी। मारसि गाइ नहारू लागी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaba lagi jiaum̐ kahauṃ kara jorī। taba lagi jani kachhu kahasi bahorī॥ phiri pachitaihasi anta abhāgī। mārasi gāi nahārū lāgī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I beg with folded hands: as long as I live, do not speak again. Otherwise, you wretched one, you will regret it in the end—you are killing the cow for the sake of the tether.
परेउ राउ कहि कोटि बिधि काहे करसि निदानु। कपट सयानि न कहति कछु जागति मनहुँ मसानु॥ ३६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pareu rāu kahi koṭi bidhi kāhe karasi nidānu। kapaṭa sayāni na kahati kachhu jāgati manahuṃ masānu॥ 36 ॥
Meaning:
The king, having tried countless ways to persuade her and asking why she was bringing destruction upon herself, fell to the ground. But the crafty Kaikeyi said nothing, as though she were silently awakening a cremation ground.
राम राम रट बिकल भुआलू। जनु बिनु पंख बिहंग बेहालू॥ हृदयँ मनाव भोरु जनि होई। रामहि जाइ कहै जनि कोई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma rāma rata bikala bhuālū। janu binu pankha bihaṅga behālū॥ hṛdayaṃ manāva bhoru jani hoī। rāmahi jāi kahai jani koī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The king kept repeating 'Rama, Rama,' and was as distraught as a bird without wings. In his heart he prayed that dawn would not come, and that no one should go tell Rama.
उदउ करहु जनि रबि रघुकुल गुर। अवध बिलोकि सूल होइहि उर॥ भूप प्रीति कैकइ कठिनाई। उभय अवधि बिधि रची बनाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
udau karahu jani rabi raghukula guru। avadha biloki sūla hoihi ura॥ bhūpa prīti kaikai kaṭhinaī। ubhaya avadhi bidhi raci banāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O Sun, guru of the Raghu line, do not rise yet. Seeing Ayodhya, your heart will feel great pain. Fate has fashioned both the king's affection and Kaikeyi's cruelty, setting the limit of each.
बिलपत नृपहि भयउ भिनुसारा। बीना बेनु संख धुनि द्वारा॥ पढ़हिं भाट गुन गावहिं गायक। सुनत नृपहि जनु लागहिं सायक॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bilapata nṛpahi bhayau bhinusārā। bīnā venu saṅkha dhuni dvārā॥ paḍhahiṃ bhāṭa guna gāvahiṃ gāyaka। sunata nṛpahi janu lāgahiṃ sāyaka॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
While still lamenting, the king found that dawn had arrived. At the palace gate the sounds of the veena, flute, and conch arose. Bards recited praises and singers sang his virtues; to the king, their sounds struck like arrows.
मंगल सकल सोहाहिं न कैसें। सहगामिनिहि बिभूषन जैसें॥ तेहि निसि नीद परी नहिं काहू। राम दरस लालसा उछाहू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
maṅgala sakala sohāhĩ na kaisẽ। sahagāminihi bibhūṣana jaisẽ॥ tehi nisi nīda parī nahiṃ kāhū। rāma darasa lālasā uchāhū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
How could all these auspicious signs fail to please the king, as ornaments please a woman who is going to die with her husband? That night, no one slept, for longing for Rama's sight and eager excitement filled every heart.
द्वार भीर सेवक सचिव कहहिं उदित रबि देखि। जागेउ अजहुँ न अवधपति कारनु कवनु बिसेषि॥ ३७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dvāra bhīra sevaka saciva kahahiṃ udita ravi dekhi। jāgeu ajahũ na avadhapati kāranu kavanu biseshi॥ 37 ॥
Meaning:
A crowd of ministers and attendants gathered at the palace gate. Seeing that the sun had risen, they said, 'What special reason is there that the Lord of Ayodhya has still not awakened?'
पछिले पहर भूपु नित जागा। आजु हमहि बड़ अचरजु लागा॥ जाहु सुमंत्र जगावहु जाई। कीजिअ काजु रजायसु पाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pachhile pahara bhūpu nita jāgā। āju hamahi baṛa acaraju lāgā॥ jāhu sumaṃtra jagāvahu jāī। kījia kāju rajāyasu pāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The king always wakes in the later part of the night, but today we are greatly surprised. O Sumantra, go and wake the king. After receiving his command, we shall do all the work.
गए सुमंत्रु तब राउर माहीं। देखि भयावन जात डेराहीं॥ धाइ खाइ जनु जाइ न हेरा। मानहुँ बिपति बिषाद बसेरा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gae sumaṃtru taba rāura māhīṃ। dekhi bhayāvana jāta ḍerāhīṃ॥ dhāi khāi janu jāi na herā। mānahuṃ bipati biṣāda baserā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Sumantra entered the royal palace, but seeing it so dreadful, he became afraid as he went. It seemed as though one would be bitten by something rushing at him, and it could not even be looked at. It was as if misfortune and sorrow had pitched their tent there.
पूछें कोउ न ऊतरु देई। गए जेहिं भवन भूप कैकेई॥ कहि जयजीव बैठ सिरु नाई। देखि भूप गति गयउ सुखाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pūcheṃ kou na ūtaru deī। gae jehiṃ bhavana bhūpa kaikeī॥ kahi jayajīva baiṭha sira nāī। dekhi bhūpa gati gayau sukhāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
No one gives any reply when asked. He went to the chamber where the king and Kaikeyi were. Saying, "Victory and long life," he bowed his head and sat down; and seeing the king’s condition, he was utterly stricken.
सोच बिकल बिबरन महि परेऊ। मानहुँ कमल मूलु परिहरेऊ॥ सचिउ सभीत सकइ नहिं पूँछी। बोली असुभ भरी सुभ छूँछी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soca bikala bibarana mahi pareū। mānahuṃ kamala mūlu parihareū॥ saciu sabhīta sakai nahiṃ pūṃchī। bolī asubha bharī subha chūṃchī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
[It was seen that] the king was overwhelmed with worry, and the color had left his face. He lay on the ground as if a lotus, torn from its roots, had withered and fallen. The minister, terrified, could not ask anything. Then Kaikeyi, filled with inauspicious intent and bereft of all goodness, spoke:
परी न राजहि नीद निसि हेतु जान जगदीसु। रामु रामु रटि भोरु किय कहइ न मरमु महीसु॥ ३८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parī na rājahi nīda nisi hetu jāna jagadīsu। rāmu rāmu raṭi bhoru kiya kahai na maramu mahīsu॥ 38 ॥
Meaning:
The king did not sleep through the night; only the Lord of the world knows the reason. He spent the morning chanting "Rama, Rama," yet the king does not reveal the secret of it.
आनहु रामहि बेगि बोलाई। समाचार तब पूँछेहु आई॥ चलेउ सुमंत्रु राय रुख जानी। लखी कुचालि कीन्हि कछु रानी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ānahu rāmahi begi bolāī। samācāra taba pūṃchehu āī॥ caleu sumaṃtru rāya rukha jānī। lakhī kucāli kīnhi kachu rānī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Bring Rama quickly and call him here. Then, when he comes, inquire about the news. Knowing the king’s mood, Sumantra set out and understood that the queen had contrived some evil scheme.
सोच बिकल मग परइ न पाऊ। रामहि बोलि कहिहि का राऊ॥ उर धरि धीरजु गयउ दुआरें। पूँछहिं सकल देखि मनु मारें॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soca bikala maga parai na pāū। rāmahi boli kahihi kā rāū॥ ura dhari dhīraju gayau duāreṃ। pūṃchahiṃ sakala dekhi manu māreṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Sumantra was so distressed that his feet would not move on the path. He thought, "What will the king say after having Rama called?" Somehow gathering courage in his heart, he went to the gate. Seeing him dejected, everyone began to ask.
समाधानु करि सो सबही का। गयउ जहाँ दिनकर कुल टीका॥ राम सुमंत्रहि आवत देखा। आदरु कीन्ह पिता सम लेखा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
samādhānu kari so sabahī kā। gayau jahāṃ dinakara kula ṭīkā॥ rāma sumaṃtrahi āvata dekhā। ādaru kīnhi pitā sama lekhā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
After pacifying everyone, Sumantra went to where Rama, the jewel of the सूर्यवंश, was. When Rama saw Sumantra coming, he honored him with the regard due to a father.
निरखि बदनु कहि भूप रजाई। रघुकुलदीपहि चलेउ लेवाई॥ रामु कुभाँति सचिव सँग जाहीं। देखि लोग जहँ तहँ बिलखाहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nirakhi badanu kahi bhūpa rajāī। raghukuladīpahi caleu levāī॥ rāmu kubhāṃti saciva saṅga jāhīṃ। dekhi loga jahaṃ tahaṃ bilakhāhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
After looking at his face and conveying the king’s command, he led away Rama, the lamp of Raghu’s line. Seeing Rama go with the minister in such a modest manner, people everywhere were filled with grief.
जाइ दीख रघुबंसमनि नरपति निपट कुसाजु॥ सहमि परेउ लखि सिंघिनिहि मनहुँ बृद्ध गजराजु॥ ३९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāi dīkh raghubaṃsamani narapati nipaṭa kusāju॥ sahami pareu lakhi siṃghinihi mānahuṃ vṛddha gajarāju॥ 39 ॥
Meaning:
Rama, jewel of the Raghu dynasty, went and saw that the king was in a most dreadful condition, as if an old elephant-king had fallen in fear upon seeing a lioness.