Lakshmana and Nishad; Sumantra's Farewell Return
Lakshmana and Nishad share a conversation filled with deep reflection. After taking leave of Rama and Sita, Sumantra returns to Ayodhya with a heavy heart.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 16 / 49
Episode Text
उठे लखनु प्रभु सोवत जानी। कहि सचिवहि सोवन मृदु बानी॥ कछुक दूरि सजि बान सरासन। जागन लगे बैठि बीरासन॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
uṭhe lakhanu prabhu sovat jānī। kahi sacivahi sovana mṛdu bānī॥ kachuka dūri saja bāna sarāsana। jāgana lage baiṭhi vīrāsana॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
When Lakshmana saw that the Lord was sleeping, he arose and, in a gentle voice, told Sumantra to sleep. A little apart, equipped with bow and arrows, he sat in the warrior's posture and kept watch.
गुहँ बोलाइ पाहरू प्रतीती। ठावँ ठावँ राखे अति प्रीती॥ आपु लखन पहिं बैठेउ जाई। कटि भाथी सर चाप चढ़ाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
guhaṃ bolāi pāhārū pratītī। ṭhāvaṃ ṭhāvaṃ rākhae ati prītī॥ āpu lakhana pahiṃ baiṭheu jāī। kaṭi bhāthī sara cāpa caḍhāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Guha called in trustworthy guards and lovingly posted them at different places. Then, fastening his quiver at his waist and readying his bow and arrows, he went and sat near Lakshmana.
सोवत प्रभुहि निहारि निषादू। भयउ प्रेम बस हृदयँ बिषादू॥ तनु पुलकित जलु लोचन बहई। बचन सप्रेम लखन सन कहई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sovat prabhuhi nihāri niṣādū। bhayau prema basa hṛdayaṃ biṣādū॥ tanu pulakita jalu locana bahī। bacana saprema lakhana sana kahī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the Lord sleeping on the ground, Guha was overcome with sorrow out of love. His body thrilled with emotion and tears flowed from his eyes. Then he began to speak lovingly to Lakshmana.
भूपति भवन सुभायँ सुहावा। सुरपति सदनु न पटतर पावा॥ मनिमय रचित चारु चौबारे। जनु रतिपति निज हाथ सँवारे॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhūpati bhavana subhāyaṃ suhāvā। surapati sadanu na paṭatara pāvā॥ manimaya racita cāru caubāre। janu ratipati nija hātha saṃvāre॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
King Dasharatha's palace is beautiful by nature; even Indra's abode cannot equal it. It has lovely upper chambers fashioned of jewels, as though Cupid himself had decorated them with his own hands.
सुचि सुबिचित्र सुभोगमय सुमन सुगंध सुबास। पलँग मंजु मनि दीप जहँ सब बिधि सकल सुपास॥ ९० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suci subicitra subhogamaya sumana sugandha subāsa। palaṅga maṃju mani dīpa jahāṃ saba bidhi sakala supāsa॥ 90 ॥
Meaning:
There are pure, wonderfully varied, sumptuous delicacies, fragrant with the scent of flowers; there are lovely couches and lamps of jewels, and every kind of comfort and ease.
बिबिध बसन उपधान तुराईं। छीर फेन मृदु बिसद सुहाईं॥ तहँ सिय रामु सयन निसि करहीं। निज छबि रति मनोज मदु हरहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bibidha basana upadhāna turāīṃ। chīra phena mṛdu bisada suhāīṃ॥ tahaṃ siya rāmu sayana nisi karahīṃ। nija chabi rati manoja madu harahīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
There were various garments, pillows, and bedding, soft, pure, and lovely like the foam of milk. There, Sita and Rama used to sleep at night, and by their splendor they took away the pride of Rati and Kama.
ते सिय रामु साथरीं सोए। श्रमित बसन बिनु जाहिं न जोए॥ मातु पिता परिजन पुरबासी। सखा सुसील दास अरु दासी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
te siya rāmu sātharīṃ soe। śramita basana binu jāhiṃ na joe॥ mātu pitā parijana purabāsī। sakhā susīla dāsa aru dāsī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Those very Sita and Rama now sleep on a grass mat, tired and without clothes. In such a condition they cannot be seen. Mother, father, relatives, townspeople, friends, well-behaved servants and maidservants—
जोगवहिं जिन्हहि प्रान की नाईं। महि सोवत तेइ राम गोसाईं॥ पिता जनक जग बिदित प्रभाऊ। ससुर सुरेस सखा रघुराऊ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jogavahiṃ jinhahi prāna kī nāīṃ। mahi sovata tei rāma gosāīṃ॥ pitā janaka jaga bidita prabhāū। sasura suresa sakhā raghurāū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The Lord Rama, whom all cherished as if he were their very life, now lies sleeping on the earth. His father is Janaka, whose fame is known throughout the world; and his father-in-law is Raghurau, the friend of Indra.
रामचंदु पति सो बैदेही। सोवत महि बिधि बाम न केही॥ सिय रघुबीर कि कानन जोगू। करम प्रधान सत्य कह लोगू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmacandu pati so baidehī। sovata mahi bidhi bāma na kehī॥ siya raghubīra ki kānana jogū। karama pradhāna satya kaha logū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
And her husband is Rama, while Janaki now sleeps on the ground. Who is not subject to the will of the Creator? Are Sita and Rama fit only for the forest? People truly say that karma alone is supreme.
कैकयनंदिनि मंदमति कठिन कुटिलपनु कीन्ह। जेहिं रघुनंदन जानकिहि सुख अवसर दुखु दीन्ह॥ ९१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kaikayanaṃdini maṃdamati kaṭhina kuṭilapanu kīnha। jehiṃ raghunaṃdana jānakihi sukha avasara dukhu dīnha॥ 91 ॥
Meaning:
The foolish daughter of the king of Kekaya, Kaikeyi, acted with cruel cunning; she brought sorrow to Raghunandan Rama and Janaki at the very moment of joy.
भइ दिनकर कुल बिटप कुठारी। कुमति कीन्ह सब बिस्व दुखारी॥ भयउ बिषादु निषादहि भारी। राम सीय महि सयन निहारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhai dinakara kula biṭapa kuṭhārī। kumati kīnha saba bisva dukhārī॥ bhayau biṣādu niṣādahi bhārī। rāma sīya mahi sayana nihārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
She became the axe for the tree of the solar dynasty. That evil-minded woman brought grief to the whole world. Seeing Rama and Sita sleeping on the ground, Nishada was deeply saddened.
बोले लखन मधुर मृदु बानी। ग्यान बिराग भगति रस सानी॥ काहु न कोउ सुख दुख कर दाता। निज कृत करम भोग सबु भ्राता॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bole lakhana madhura mṛdu bānī। gyāna birāga bhagati rasa sānī॥ kāhu na kou sukha dukha kara dātā। nija kṛta karama bhoga sabu bhrātā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Lakshmana spoke in a sweet, gentle voice imbued with the essence of knowledge, dispassion, and devotion: "Brother, no one gives anyone joy or sorrow. Everyone reaps the fruit of their own deeds."
जोग बियोग भोग भल मंदा। हित अनहित मध्यम भ्रम फंदा॥ जनमु मरनु जहँ लगि जग जालू। संपति बिपति करमु अरु कालू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
joga biyoga bhoga bhala maṃdā। hita anahita madhyama bhrama phaṃdā॥ janamu maranu jahaṃ laga jaga jālū। saṃpati bipati karamu aru kālū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Union and separation, good and bad enjoyments, friend, foe, and the neutral—these are all snares of illusion. Birth and death, wealth and poverty, action and time—so long as these are the entanglements of the world;
धरनि धामु धनु पुर परिवारू। सरगु नरकु जहँ लगि ब्यवहारू॥ देखिअ सुनिअ गुनिअ मन माहीं। मोह मूल परमारथु नाहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dharani dhāmu dhanu pura parivārū। saragu naraku jahaṃ laga byavahārū॥ dekhia sunia gunia mana māhīṃ। moha mūla paramārathu nāhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Earth, home, wealth, city, family, heaven, and hell—so long as these are part of worldly dealings, things seen, heard, and thought upon in the mind, their root is delusion alone. In truth, this is not the ultimate reality.
सपनें होइ भिखारि नृपु रंकु नाकपति होइ। जागें लाभु न हानि कछु तिमि प्रपंच जियँ जोइ॥ ९२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sapaneṃ hoi bhikhāri nṛpu raṃku nākapati hoi। jāgeṃ lābhu na hāni kacha tima prapaṃca jiyaṃ joi॥ 92 ॥
Meaning:
Just as in a dream a king may become a beggar and a beggar the lord of heaven, then on waking there is neither gain nor loss; likewise, one should behold this world of appearances in the heart.
अस बिचारि नहिं कीजिअ रोसू। काहुहि बादि न देइअ दोसू॥ मोह निसाँ सबु सोवनिहारा। देखिअ सपन अनेक प्रकारा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asa bicāri nahiṃ kījia rosu। kāhuhu bādi na deia dosū॥ moha nisāṃ sabu sovanihārā। dekhia sapana aneka prakārā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Reflecting thus, one should not become angry, nor unjustly assign blame to anyone. All are sleepers in the night of delusion, and while asleep they see many kinds of dreams.
एहिं जग जामिनि जागहिं जोगी। परमारथी प्रपंच बियोगी॥ जानिअ तबहिं जीव जग जागा। जब सब बिषय बिलास बिरागा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehiṃ jaga jāmini jāgahiṃ jogī। paramārathī prapaṃca biyogī॥ jānia tabahiṃ jīva jaga jāgā। jaba saba biṣaya bilāsa birāgā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
In this night of the world, yogis remain awake—those who seek the highest truth and are detached from worldly illusion. A living being is truly awake in the world only when all attachment to sensual enjoyments has departed.
होइ बिबेकु मोह भ्रम भागा। तब रघुनाथ चरन अनुरागा॥ सखा परम परमारथु एहू। मन क्रम बचन राम पद नेहू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hoi bibeku moha bhrama bhāgā। taba raghunātha carana anurāgā॥ sakhā parama paramārathu ehū। mana karama bacana rāma pada nehū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
When discrimination arises, the delusion of illusion flees; then love awakens for the feet of Raghunath. O friend, devotion to the feet of Rama through mind, word, and deed—that alone is the highest spiritual good.
राम ब्रह्म परमारथ रूपा। अबिगत अलख अनादि अनूपा॥ सकल बिकार रहित गतभेदा। कहि नित नेति निरूपहिं बेदा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma brahma paramāratha rūpā। abigata alakha anādi anūpā॥ sakala bikāra rahita gatabhedā। kahi nita neti nirūpahiṃ bedā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Rama is the very form of supreme Reality, the supreme Brahman. He is imperishable, unseen, beginningless, incomparable, free from all change, and beyond distinctions; the Vedas eternally describe Him as "not this, not this."
भगत भूमि भूसुर सुरभि सुर हित लागि कृपाल। करत चरित धरि मनुज तनु सुनत मिटहिं जग जाल॥ ९३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhagata bhūmi bhūsura surabhi sura hita lāgi kṛpāla। karata carita dhari manuja tanu sunata miṭahiṃ jaga jāla॥ 93 ॥
Meaning:
That compassionate Rama takes on a human body and performs His divine acts for the welfare of devotees, the earth, Brahmins, cows, and the gods; hearing of them removes the entanglement of the world.
सखा समुझि अस परिहरि मोहू। सिय रघुबीर चरन रत होहू॥ कहत राम गुन भा भिनुसारा। जागे जग मंगल सुखदारा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sakhā samujhi asa pari hari mohū। siya raghubīra carana rata hohū॥ kahata rāma guna bhā bhinusārā। jāge jaga maṃgala sukhadārā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O friend, understand this and cast off delusion; be devoted to the feet of Sita and Rama. As they spoke of Rama's virtues, dawn broke. Then Rama, the bringer of auspiciousness and joy to the world, awoke.
सकल सौच करि राम नहावा। सुचि सुजान बट छीर मगावा॥ अनुज सहित सिर जटा बनाए। देखि सुमंत्र नयन जल छाए॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sakala sauca kari rāma nahāvā। suci sujāna baṭa chīra magāvā॥ anuja sahita sira jaṭā banāe। dekhi sumaṃtra nayana jala chāe॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
After performing all the rites of purification, the pure and wise Rama bathed. Then he had banyan milk brought, and together with Lakshmana he made matted locks on his head with that milk. Seeing this, Sumantra's eyes filled with tears.
हृदयँ दाहु अति बदन मलीना। कह कर जोरि बचन अति दीना॥ नाथ कहेउ अस कोसलनाथा। लै रथु जाहु राम कें साथा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hṛdayaṃ dāhu ati badana malīnā। kaha kara jori bacana ati dīnā॥ nātha kaheu asa kosalanāthā। lai rathu jāhu rāma keṃ sāthā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
His heart burned intensely, and his face became pale. With folded hands he spoke in great humility: "Lord, King of Kosala, Dasharatha, had given me this order: take the chariot and go with Rama."
बनु देखाइ सुरसरि अन्हवाई। आनेहु फेरि बेगि दोउ भाई॥ लखनु रामु सिय आनेहु फेरी। संसय सकल सँकोच निबेरी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
banu dekhāi surasari anhvāī। ānehu pheri begi dou bhāī॥ lakhanu rāmu siya ānehu pherī। saṃsaya sakala saṃkocha nibērī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Take them to the forest for a visit, bathe them in the sacred river, and bring both brothers back quickly. Remove all doubt and hesitation, and bring Lakshmana, Rama, and Sita back.
नृप अस कहेउ गोसाइँ जस कहइ करौं बलि सोइ। करि बिनती पायन्ह परेउ दीन्ह बाल जिमि रोइ॥ ९४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nṛpa asa kaheu gosāīṃ jasu kahai karauṃ bali soi। kari binatī pāyahaṃ pareu dīnha bāl jimi roi॥ 94 ॥
Meaning:
The king had said this; now, whatever the Lord commands, I shall do the same. I am your servant, wholly devoted. Saying this in supplication, he fell at Rama's feet and wept like a child.
तात कृपा करि कीजिअ सोई। जातें अवध अनाथ न होई॥ मंत्रिहि राम उठाइ प्रबोधा। तात धरम मतु तुम्ह सबु सोधा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāta kṛpā kari kījia soī। jāteṃ avadha anātha na hoī॥ maṃtrihi rāma uṭhāi prabodhā। tāta dharama matu tumha sabu sodhā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
"O father, kindly do that by which Ayodhya may not become orphaned." Rama lifted the minister up and, comforting him, said: "O father, you have indeed sifted all the principles of dharma."
सिबि दधीच हरिचंद नरेसा। सहे धरम हित कोटि कलेसा॥ रंतिदेव बलि भूप सुजाना। धरमु धरेउ सहि संकट नाना॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sibi dadhīca haricanda naresā। sahe dharma hita koṭi kalesā॥ rantidaeva bali bhūpa sujānā। dharamu dhareu sahi saṃkaṭa nānā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Shibi, Dadhichi, and King Harishchandra endured countless hardships for the sake of dharma. The wise King Rantideva and Bali too, bearing many trials, upheld dharma.
धरमु न दूसर सत्य समाना। आगम निगम पुरान बखाना॥ मैं सोइ धरमु सुलभ करि पावा। तजें तिहूँ पुर अपजसु छावा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dharamu na dusara satya samānā। āgama nigama purāna bakhānā॥ maiṃ soī dharamu sulabha kari pāvā। tajeṃ tihūṃ pura apajasu chāvā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The Vedas, scriptures, and Puranas declare that there is no dharma equal to truth. I have easily obtained that dharma. If it is abandoned, infamy will spread through the three worlds.
संभावित कहुँ अपजस लाहू। मरन कोटि सम दारुन दाहू॥ तुम्ह सन तात बहुत का कहऊँ। दिएँ उतरु फिरि पातकु लहऊँ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sambhāvita kahuṃ apajasa lāhū। marana koṭi sama dāruna dāhū॥ tumhaṃ sana tāta bahuta kā kahauṃ। dieṃ utaru phiri pātaku lahauṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
For an honorable man, the gaining of disgrace is as dreadful as millions of deaths. O father, what more can I say? Even to return an answer would make me share in sin.
पितु पद गहि कहि कोटि नति बिनय करब कर जोरि। चिंता कवनिहु बात कै तात करिअ जनि मोरि॥ ९५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pitu pada gahi kahi koṭi nati binaya karaba kara jori। ciṃtā kavanihu bāta kai tāta kariya jani mori॥ 95 ॥
Meaning:
Go and clasp Father's feet, and with millions of salutations and folded hands make this plea: "O father, please do not worry about anything because of me."
तुम्ह पुनि पितु सम अति हित मोरें। बिनती करउँ तात कर जोरें॥ सब बिधि सोइ करतब्य तुम्हारें। दुख न पाव पितु सोच हमारें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tumha puni pitu sama ati hita moreṃ। binatī karauṃ tāta kara joreṃ॥ saba bidhi soi kartabya tumhāreṃ। dukha na pāva pitu soca hamāreṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
You too are as dear and helpful to me as a father. O dear one, with folded hands I beg you: in every way your duty is to ensure that my father does not suffer sorrow over us.
सुनि रघुनाथ सचिव संबादू। भयउ सपरिजन बिकल निषादू॥ पुनि कछु लखन कही कटु बानी। प्रभु बरजे बड़ अनुचित जानी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni raghunātha saciva saṃbādū। bhayau saparijana bikala niṣādū॥ puni kachu lakhana kahī kaṭu bānī। prabhu baraje baṛa anucita jānī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing this exchange between Raghunatha and the minister, the Nishada chief became distraught along with his family. Then Lakshmana spoke some harsh words. Seeing this as highly improper, the Lord restrained him.
सकुचि राम निज सपथ देवाई। लखन सँदेसु कहिअ जनि जाई॥ कह सुमंत्रु पुनि भूप सँदेसू। सहिन सकिहि सिय बिपिन कलेसू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sakuci rāma nija sapatha devāī। lakhana saṃdesu kahiā jani jāī॥ kaha sumantru puni bhūpa saṃdesū। sahina sakihi siya bipina kalesū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Humbly, Rama made Sumantra swear and said, 'Do not go and tell Lakshmana this message.' Sumantra then repeated the king's message: that Sita would not be able to bear the hardships of the forest.
जेहि बिधि अवध आव फिरि सीया। सोइ रघुबरहि तुम्हहि करनीया॥ नतरु निपट अवलंब बिहीना। मैं न जिअब जिमि जल बिनु मीना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehi bidhi avadha āva phiri sīyā। soi raghubarahi tumhahi karanīyā॥ nataru nipaṭa avalaṃba bihīnā। maiṃ na jiaba jimi jala binu mīnā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Therefore, whatever must be done so that Sita may return to Ayodhya, that alone should be done by you and by Lord Rama. Otherwise, I shall simply not be able to live without support, just as a fish cannot live without water.
मइकें ससुरें सकल सुख जबहिं जहाँ मनु मान। तहँ तब रहिहि सुखेन सिय जब लगि बिपति बिहान॥ ९६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
maikeṃ sasureṃ sakala sukha jabahiṃ jahāṃ manu māna। tahāṃ taba rahihi sukhena siya jaba lagi bipati bihāna॥ 96 ॥
Meaning:
In both her parental home and her father-in-law's house there is every comfort. Until this calamity is over, she may remain happily wherever and however she wishes.
बिनती भूप कीन्ह जेहि भाँती। आरति प्रीति न सो कहि जाती॥ पितु सँदेसु सुनि कृपानिधाना। सियहि दीन्ह सिख कोटि बिधाना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
binatī bhūpa kīnha jehi bhāṃtī। ārati prīti na so kahi jātī॥ pitu saṃdesu suni kṛpānidhānā। siyahi dīnha sikha koṭi bidhānā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The king's plea was made with such humility and love that it cannot be described. Hearing the father's message, the merciful Lord instructed Sita in countless ways.
सासु ससुर गुर प्रिय परिवारू। फिरहु त सब कर मिटै खभारू॥ सुनि पति बचन कहति बैदेही। सुनहु प्रानपति परम सनेही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sāsu sasura guru priya parivārū। phirahu ta saba kara miṭai khabhārū॥ suni pati bacana kahati baidehī। sunahu prānapati parama sanehī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
He said, 'If you return home, the worries of your mother-in-law, father-in-law, guru, loved ones, and family will all be removed.' Hearing her husband's words, Janaki said, 'O lord of my life, O most beloved one, listen.'
प्रभु करुनामय परम बिबेकी। तनु तजि रहति छाँह किमि छेंकी॥ प्रभा जाइ कहँ भानु बिहाई। कहँ चंद्रिका चंदु तजि जाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu karuṇāmaya parama bibekī। tanu taji rahati chāṃha kimi chheṃkī॥ prabhā jāi kahaṃ bhānu bihāī। kahaṃ candrikā candu taji jāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, you are compassionate and supremely wise. [Please consider:] how can a shadow remain apart once the body is gone? Where can light go, leaving the sun? And where can moonlight go, abandoning the moon?
पतिहि प्रेममय बिनय सुनाई। कहति सचिव सन गिरा सुहाई॥ तुम्ह पितु ससुर सरिस हितकारी। उतरु देउँ फिरि अनुचित भारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
patahi premamaya binaya sunāī। kahati saciva san girā suhāī॥ tumha pitu sasura sarisa hitakārī। utaru deūṃ phiri anucita bhārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
After offering her loving plea to her husband, Sita addressed the minister in sweet words: 'You are a benefactor to me, like my father and father-in-law. For me to answer you in return would be utterly improper.'
आरति बस सनमुख भइउँ बिलगु न मानब तात। आरजसुत पद कमल बिनु बादि जहाँ लगि नात॥ ९७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ārati basa sanamukha bhayauṃ bilagu na mānaba tāta। ārajasuta pada kamala binu bādi jahāṃ lagi nāta॥ 97 ॥
Meaning:
But, O dear father, I have come before you only in distress; please do not take offense. Without the lotus feet of the noble Lord, all relationships in the world are meaningless to me.
पितु बैभव बिलास मैं डीठा। नृप मनि मुकुट मिलित पद पीठा॥ सुखनिधान अस पितु गृह मोरें। पिय बिहीन मन भाव न भोरें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pitu baibhava bilāsa maiṃ ḍīṭhā। nṛpa mani mukuṭa milita pada pīṭhā॥ sukhanidhāna asa pitu gṛha moreṃ। piya bihīna mana bhāva na bhoreṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
I have seen the grandeur and splendour of my father's house, where even the crowns of the greatest kings seem to come to his footstool, as though bowing at his feet. Such a father's home, a storehouse of every joy, does not please my heart even in dreams without my husband.
ससुर चक्कवइ कोसलराऊ। भुवन चारिदस प्रगट प्रभाऊ॥ आगें होइ जेहि सुरपति लेई। अरध सिंघासन आसनु देई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sasura cakkavai kosalarāū। bhuvana cāridasa pragaṭa prabhāū॥ āgeṃ hoi jehi surapati leī। aradha siṃghāsana āsanu deī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
My father-in-law, the king of Kosala, is a universal emperor whose fame is manifest throughout the fourteen worlds. Even Indra comes forward to welcome him and offers him a place on half of his throne.
ससुर एतादृस अवध निवासू। प्रिय परिवारु मातु सम सासू॥ बिनु रघुपति पद पदुम परागा। मोहि केउ सपनेहुँ सुखद न लागा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sasura etādṛsa avadha nivāsū। priya parivāru mātu sama sāsū॥ binu raghupati pada paduma parāgā। mohi keu sapaneṃhu sukhada na lāgā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Such a father-in-law, residence in Ayodhya, beloved relatives, and mother-in-law like a mother—none of these seem pleasing to me even in dreams without the dust of the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha.
अगम पंथ बनभूमि पहारा। करि केहरि सर सरित अपारा॥ कोल किरात कुरंग बिहंगा। मोहि सब सुखद प्रानपति संगा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
agama pantha banabhūmi pahārā। kari kehari sara sarita apārā॥ kola kirāta kuraṃga bihaṃgā। mohi saba sukhada prānapati saṃgā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Impregnable paths, forests and hills, elephants, lions, vast lakes and rivers; the Kols, Kiratas, deer, and birds—all these, when I am with my lord, will bring me happiness.
सासु ससुर सन मोरि हुँति बिनय करबि परि पायँ॥ मोर सोचु जनि करिअ कछु मैं बन सुखी सुभायँ॥ ९८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sāsu sasura sana mori huṃti binaya karabi pari pāyāṃ॥ mora soca jani kari a kachu maiṃ bana sukhī subhāyāṃ॥ 98 ॥
Meaning:
Therefore, falling at the feet of my mother-in-law and father-in-law, please make this request on my behalf: let them not worry about me. I am happy by nature in the forest.
प्राननाथ प्रिय देवर साथा। बीर धुरीन धरें धनु भाथा॥ नहिं मग श्रमु भ्रमु दुख मन मोरें। मोहि लगि सोचु करिअ जनि भोरें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prānanātha priya devara sāthā। bīra dhurīna dhareṃ dhanu bhāthā॥ nahiṃ maga śramu bhramu dukha mana moreṃ। mohi lagi soca kari a jani bhoreṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
My lord of life and dear brother-in-law, foremost among heroes, is with me, bearing bow and quiver. So I have neither fatigue nor confusion on the road, nor any sorrow in my heart. Please do not worry about me at all.
सुनि सुमंत्रु सिय सीतलि बानी। भयउ बिकल जनु फनि मनि हानी॥ नयन सूझ नहिं सुनइ न काना। कहि न सकइ कछु अति अकुलाना॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni sumantru siya sītali bānī। bhayau bikala janu phani mani hānī॥ nayana sūjha nahiṃ sunai na kānā। kahi na sakai kachu ati akulānā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Sita's cool, soothing words, Sumantra became distraught, as though a serpent had lost its jewel. He could not see clearly with his eyes, nor hear with his ears. In great anguish, he could say nothing.
राम प्रबोधु कीन्ह बहु भाँती। तदपि होति नहिं सीतलि छाती॥ जतन अनेक साथ हित कीन्हे। उचित उतर रघुनंदन दीन्हे॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma prabodhu kīnha bahu bhāṃtī। tadapi hoti nahiṃ sītali chātī॥ jatana aneka sātha hita kīnhe। ucita uttara raghunaṃdana dīnhe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Lord Rama tried to console him in many ways, but his heart did not grow calm. The minister made many efforts to accompany them and support the journey, yet Raghunandana Rama kept giving the proper response to all those proposals.
मेटि जाइ नहिं राम रजाई। कठिन करमगति कछु न बसाई॥ राम लखन सिय पद सिरु नाई। फिरेउ बनिक जिमि मूर गवाँई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
meṭi jāi nahiṃ rāma rajāī। kaṭhina karamagati kachu na basāī॥ rāma lakhana siya pada siru nāī। phireu banika jimi mūra gavāṃī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Lord Rama's command cannot be undone. The course of fate is difficult; nothing can control it. Bowing his head at the feet of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, Sumantra returned like a merchant who has lost his capital.
रथु हाँकेउ हय राम तन हेरि हेरि हिहिनाहिं। देखि निषाद बिषादबस धुनहिं सीस पछिताहिं॥ ९९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rathu hāṃkeu haya rāma tana heri heri hihināhīṃ। dekhi niṣāda biṣādabasa dhunahiṃ sīsa pachitāhīṃ॥ 99 ॥
Meaning:
Sumantra drove the chariot on; the horses, looking again and again toward Lord Rama, neighed. Seeing this, the Nishadas, overwhelmed by sorrow, beat their heads in regret.