Ayodhya Kandam

55. Rama Crosses Kalindhi River [Yamuna]

[As per the instruction of sage Bhardwaja, the three cross Kalindhi on a raft built by them. After reaching the other shore they travel towards Chithrakuta mountain.]

After spending the night there, those two princes who are destroyer of enemies, after saluting the great sage then went towards the mountain. 55.1

That great sage chanting greetings for their welfare and followed them like a father follows his children. 55.2

That great sage Bharadwaja with a great luster started telling the following to Rama, who was a valorous teller of truth. 55.3

"Oh great men, after reaching the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, proceed along the Kalindhi river flowing westwards." 55.4

"Oh sons of Raghu clan, after having reached the rapidly flowing Kalindhi river, you would reach an ancient spot in the river bank, which is served by many. There you construct a raft and cross that river who is the daughter of Sun God." 55.5

"There you would find a banyan tree with lot of lush green leaves and also several densely growing dark trees served by great sages and let Sita salute them with folded hands and then should offer them invocations." 55.6-55.7

"After reaching that tree you can either stay there or proceed further. If you go one krosa[two miles] from there, you would see a dark forest of mostly of Palasa and Badari trees growing on the banks of Yamuna." 55.8

"That is the path leading to Chithrakuta and I have travelled through that path several times. It is pretty, soft and free from forest fires." 55.9

After that great sage who travels in the path of truth, described that path and Rama saluted him and requested him to go back to his hermitage. 55.10

After the great sage left, Rama told Lakshmana, "We appear to be blessed since the sage showed this great compassion on us." 55.11

Like this when the tiger among men talked with each other, keeping the very pleasant minded Sita in front and proceeded towards Kalindhi. 55.12

After they reached the fast flowing Kalindhi, they started thinking about how to cross the river. 55.13

They constructed a big float tying together wooden planks and dried Bamboo sticks and spread on it fragrant roots of Ushira plants. 55.14

That valorous Lakshmana using cut stems of reeds and branches of Jamoon tree, made a comfortable seat for Sita. 55.15

That lady who resembled Goddess Lakshmi and who was the darling of the son of Dasaratha felt little shy to climb on the float and was helped by Rama to climb on the float. 55.16

On one side of Sita Rama placed her cloths and ornaments and also kept the spade, basket and weapons. 55.17

First Sita climbed, when the float was kept stable by the sons of Dasaratha, who climbed on to it later and attentively ferrying it they crossed the river. 55.18

When Sita reached the middle of Kalindhi, she saluted the river and said, "oh Goddess, I pray for safety while crossing. Let my husband fulfill his vows. After I return to the town ruled by the Ikshuvaku clan, I will worship you with one thousand cows and hundred pots of Sura. 55.19-55.20

After the lady with a blessed colour begged the river with folded hands, they reached the southern bank of the river. 55.21

Thus on the float they crossed the swift flowing Yamuna who is daughter of Sun God, which was crowned with waves and which had trees growing thick on her banks. 55.22

After crossing they got down from the plank they went in the forest adjoining the river Yamuna which was blessed with greenery and reached the cool dark banyan tree. 55.23

When they reached the Banyan tree Sita told, "I salute you great tree. Please protect us and may my husband fulfill his vow. Let me able to see Kausalya and the famous Sumithra after my return." After praying like this they went round that Lord of the forest. 55.24-55.25

Seeing the blemish less and his beloved Sita requesting for blessings Rama told Lakshmana. 55.26

"Oh best walker, oh brother of Bharatha, you go in the front with Sita and I shall follow you armed with weapons." 55.27

"Whatever flower or fruit is requested by Sita, the daughter of Janaka, you get that so that the mind of Vaidehi is pleased." 55.28

When Sita was walking in between them, she appeared like a she elephant walking between two he elephants. 55.29

That gentle lady, one by one pointed out trees and shrubs which are completely laden with flowers and which she has not seen before or a creeper that she has not seen and asked Rama about them. 55.30

Lakshmana excited by the interest of Sita, without any effort brought pretty bunches of flowers and trees of every kind. 55.31

Then Sita seeing the river Yamuna with its peculiar coloured water and glittering sand and hearing the echoing sounds made by swans and cranes was greatly excited. 55.32

After walking for one more Krosa [Two miles] those brothers Rama and Lakshmana saw many deer suitable for sacrifice and after killing them in Yamuna forest ate them. 55.33

Appearing in high spirits after having seen several peacocks, several monkeys and elephants and roaming about in the lovely forest, they reached a comfortable level place on the banks of the river and stayed there for the night. 55.34

This is the end of Fifty Fifth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

56. Rama at Chithrakuta

[Before they reach Chithrakuta, they visit the hermitage of Valmiki. Later they reach Chithrakuta, build a house with dried leaves and start living there.]

After the night came to an end, Rama who woke up early gently waked up Lakshmana who was sleeping. 56.1

"Oh son of Sumithra, please hear the forest birds singing in melodious voice. Oh destroyer of enemies, the time has come for us to set out." 56.2

Lakshmana, who was awakened by his brother, cast off his sleep though he was drowsy due to the fatigue of the difficult journey. 56.3

Then all of them got up and after touching the peaceful water of the river, they travelled by the path indicated by the sage towards Chithrakuta. 56.4

When Rama and Lakshmana were setting out along with Sita who had eyes like lotus petal, Rama told her. 56.5

"Oh daughter of Videha, see the kimsuka trees in full of flowers all over, making it appear as if they have garlanded the entire tee, at the beginning of the spring season." 56.6

"See the Ballathaka trees, which is bent due to the load of lot of flowers and fruits, with no men to enjoy them and so we can comfortably live here." 56.7

"Oh Lakshmana see the honey combs of the size of jars hanging down in all trees which are populated by several honey bees." 56.8

"Hear the screaming of Nathyuha [type of cuckoo] birds which is echoed by the screaming peacocks and also see the delightful forest region matted with forest flowers." 56.9

"See the Chithrakuta mountain with its majestic peaks where the flock of melodiously singing birds are following the herds of elephants." 56.10

"We would enjoy this blessed Chithrakuta mountains with its forests where there is pretty leveled ground in which various types of trees are growing." 56.11

Then along with Sita they went on foot to the beautiful, delightful mountain which entertains the mind. 56.12

After reaching the mountain which was occupied by several types of groups of birds and which was pretty and had several fruits and roots and had very tasty water Rama told Lakshmana. 56.13

"This very attractive and peaceful mountain containing very many trees and climbers and also having several types of fruits and roots, appears to be a good place for us to live." 56.14

"Very many great sages are living on the top of this mountain, Oh peaceful and so we would settle down and live here." 56.15

Then Sita, Rama and Lakshmana having approached the hermitage of sage Valmiki, introduced themselves and saluted the sage. 56.16

That very happy sage who is the follower of Dharma welcomed and hospitably treated them and also offered them seats and spoke to them. 56.17

Then the mighty armed lord who was the elder brother of Lakshmana, having revealed about himself to the sage according to tradition and told Lakshmana. 56.18

"Oh peaceful Lakshmana, bring strong logs of good quality and build a home as I am interested in staying here." 56.19

Lakshmana who was the destroyer of his enemies having heard these words brought logs of food and built a hut with leaves as the roof. 56.20

The good looking Rama after looking at the firmly built hut, which had mats tied to its walls, told Lakshmana who was waiting with concentrated mind to serve him. 56.21

"Oh Lakshmana, since we are going to live here for long, let us satisfy the Vastu, by offering the flesh of black deer in sacrifice to it." 56.22

"Oh good looking Lakshmana, kill an animal and bring it here speedily. Remembering the tenets of Dharma let us act according to the rule of Sastras and you also recollect about the rituals." 56.23

That slayer of enemies, having understood the order of his brother [lord], carried them out and then Rama told him again. 56.24

"Oh peaceful one, cook the meat of this deer and then we will perform the sacrifice. Do it speedily as the auspicious Muhurtha is drawing near." 56.25

Then the valorous Lakshmana after killing the black deer, which is fit for sacrifice, cast it in a well kindled fire. 56.26

After assuring that it is well cooked and roasted well, Lakshmana drained its blood and then the tiger among men Rama told him. 56.27

"This black deer is well cooked with all its limbs. As you are an expert, please offer it to the house which is similar to a God." 56.28

That good Rama who was an expert in Manthras, after having bathed and after controlling his senses, briefly chanted all the Manthras and performed the sacrifice. 56.29

Having worshipped all the desirable gods with proper offering, and becoming pure, that greatly lustrous Rama entered the house of leaves with great happiness. 56.30

Then after offering sacrifices to Vaiswedevas, Rudra and Vishnu for appeasing the Vasthu Devatha, he performed auspicious tasks according to tradition and chanted Manthras and according to tradition bathed in the river for removing of all sins and offered final sacrifice. 56.31-56.32

Lakshmana established suitable altars in the hermitage and also constructed the place for worship and other sacred places. 56.33

Rama and Lakshmana who possessed auspicious qualities along with Sita worshipped the [evil] spirits, with flower garlands, fruits, and roots available in the forest and also well cooked meat and water and chanted prayers as specified in the Vedas and also offered Samith [sacrificial sticks] and Kusa grass in the fire and then entered that auspicious hut. 56.34-56.35

That very attractive residence constructed by wood as well as leaves, suited to that environment and well protected from wind, was entered in to by all of them, which was similar to the entry of all gods, in to the sanctum of good dharma. 56.36

They wandered in to the forest which had several types of animals and birds along with various types of brilliant flower bunches and where the sound of forest animals were echoing. 56.37

Having reached Chithrakuta blessed with beauty and with the river Mayavathi with its very pure water and which had several animals and birds all of them rejoiced and started forgetting about their banishing from Ayodhya. 56.38

This is the end of Fifty Sixth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

57. Sumanthra Reaches Back Ayodhya

[With a heavy heart, Sumanthra enters back the city which was sad. All people seeing the empty chariot become sad. Sumanthra goes and meets Dasaratha. When Dasaratha does not reply, Kausalya becomes sad and falls down fainted.]

After seeing that Rama has reached the southern bank of the river, Guha talked with Sumanthra for a while with sorrow and pain and went back to his home. 57.1

The people waiting there heard about Rama's going to hermitage of Bharadwaja, their stay in the hermitage with him and his going to the mountain. 57.2

Sumanthra, who has been permitted to leave, yoked the great horses to the chariot, with a very heavy heart started on his journey to Ayodhya. 57.3

Seeing on his way, the scented forests, rivers, lakes, villages and towns, he travelled with great speed. 57.4

That charioteer reached Ayodhya on the third day evening and saw the town bereft of happiness. 57.5

It looked empty and silent with great grief and Sumanthra became thoughtful, due to his tormented by violent sorrow. 57.6

"Is this the same place, which had elephants, horses, people and rulers of people? The city seemed to have been burnt by the fire of sorrow caused due to separation with Rama." 57.7

Engaged with these thoughts that charioteer, pulled by the swift running horses, arrived at the entrance of the city and quickly entered. 57.8

Hundreds and thousands of people, rushed towards Sumanthra who was moving to the city, asking "Where is Rama?" 57.9

"Taking leave from that great Rama who was a votary of Dharma, on the banks of river Ganga I have returned", he said. 57.10

Knowing that he has crossed Ganga, the people with their faces drenched with tears, shouted "Fie upon you", and taking a deep breath wailed loudly "Oh Rama." 57.11

From the people who were standing scattered in groups, Sumanthra heard, "we are lost, as we will not be able to see, Rama." 57.12

"We will not be able to see Rama in our midst, during charities, sacrifices, weddings and great assemblies of the society." 57.13

"What a great benefit for ordinary people? What a great love? What pleasures he gave?" like this the people were talking about Rama who looked them after like a father. 57.14

The women, burning with sorrow due to Rama's exile, were looking through windows in the stalls and loud bewailing was heard. 57.15
In the middle f the royal avenue Sumanthra proceeded with a hidden face and reached the palace of the king. 57.16

After alighting quickly from the chariot, he entered the palace of the king and crossed the seven courtyards, each of them crowded with people. 57.17

The ladies who had assembled on towers, palaces and multi storey buildings with a wish to see Rama, cried "Alas, alas", when they did not see Rama." 57.18

Women with their very large, clear eyes, filled and drenched with tears, were not able to clearly see each other. 57.19

Here and there in the palace, the wives of Dasaratha who were sorrowing because of exile of Rama were speaking among themselves and this was heard by Sumanthra. 57.20

"He went with Rama but has come back with Rama and what will that charioteer say to Kausalya who is greatly sorrowing?" 57.21

"Having seen that her son going away from her forcibly, I think it is difficult for Kausalya to survive and even if she survives, it would be a bad life." 57.22

After hearing these truthful words of the women of the king, he entered the house which seemed to be burning due to sorrow. 57.23

When he entered the eighth courtyard, in a pale white room, he saw the king sorrowing and withered due to the separation from his son. 57.24

Going near the king who was seated and after saluting him, Sumanthra told him the words of Rama as it was told to him. 57.25

Hearing those words silently, the mind of the king was greatly disturbed and affected by sorrow due to the absence of Rama, he lost his senses and fell on the ground. 57.26

After the king fell to the ground unconscious, the women of the inner apartment seeing him on the ground, raised their arms and wailed loudly. 57.27

Kausalya along with Sumithra lifted her husband who has fallen down and told him these words. 57.28

"Oh great one, why are you not talking to this messenger, who has returned from the forest home of Rama, who did difficult task." 57.29

"Oh son of the Raghu clan, having done an unjustifiable act, you are ashamed but rise up as the good act done by you of having fulfilled your word may help you to get out of this sorrow." 57.30

"Oh God like person, you are not enquiring out of fear, for which there is no need, as Kaikeyi is not here and so you can speak." 57.31

That Kausalya whose voice got choked due to tears who was absorbed in her sorrow, after having addressed the king, fell down on the earth. 57.32

After seeing Kausalya cry out loudly this way and later falling to the ground and also seeing their husband, all those women wailed loudly. 57.33

Having heard the great noise of wailing from the private apartment of the king, all the young and old people as well as women of the city, screamed and again the city was again filled with confusion. 57.34

This is the end of Fifty Seventh Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.


58. Sumanthra Delivers Rama's Message

[Dasaratha asks about what was told by Rama. Sumanthra tells that Rama had told him to look after the kingdom properly. He also wanted Bharatha to be respected by the queens due to his position. Lakshmana is furious on Dasaratha and Sita only wept.]

After the king was consoled, he regained consciousness and then he called the charioteer and asked him about Rama. 58.1

Then the charioteer saluted the king who was thinking of only Rama, who was drowned in grief and sorrow, who was old, burning in grief like a newly captured elephant, who was taking deep breath and who was worried like a sick elephant. 58.2-58.3

The king in great grief, seeing the dust coated and dejected charioteer, whose face was bathed in tears and who was near, asked him. 58.4

"Would Rama, the follower of Dharma, having taken refuge in the, foot of the tree, live. Oh charioteer, having lived a life of luxury, what that Rama, will eat now?" 58.5

"That son of the king is not accustomed to sorrow and is accustomed to sleep in proper couches and how will he sleep on bare ground?" 58.6

"Wherever he goes he would be followed by men, chariots, horses and elephants and how can that Rama live in a lonely forest?" 58.7

"How can my sons accompanied by Sita live in a forest, where wild elephants and black cobras move about?" 58.8

"Oh Sumanthra, how did the princes, along with Sita who is delicate and in the garb of a lady sage enter the forest on foot after alighting from the chariot?" 58.9

"Oh Charioteer, you are indeed blessed for you have seen my sons entering the forest like Aswini devathas entering Mandhara mountains." 58.10

"After reaching the forest, what did Rama say? What did Lakshmana say and what did the daughter of Mithila say?" 58.11

"Oh Charioteer, describe how Rama sat, ate and sleep? I would now live as a saint like Yayathi." 58.12

When the king questioned like this to the charioteer, he with a faltering voice told the king, with his face being made wet with tears. 58.13

"Oh king, Rama, who observes Dharma, with a folded hand in salutation and with bent head told." 58.14

"Oh Charioteer, tell my very wise father, that I told this with a bent head and touching his feet, which is fit to be worshipped." 58.15

"Oh Sumanthra, tell that I told all the residents of the private apartments without any distinction, news about my well-being and salutations according to their status." 58.16

"Tell my mother Kausalya, the news of my well-being as well as my salutations and request to hear these words with alertness." 58.17

"Oh god like mother, Do all your daily activities with Dharma and perform appropriate rituals based on fire in your chamber and serve the godly feet of my god like father." 58.18

"Leaving out the feeling of self as well as pride and the thought that you are the principal queen conduct yourself with all mothers and Oh mother, mould Kaikeyi in such a way that she is favourable to the king." 58.19

"Though Bharatha is your son, behave to him like that of a king and remember that the position of a king grants him a senior position." 58.20

"You have to tell that I wanted to enquire about his welfare and request him to honour equally all his mothers." 58.21

"You have to tell the powerful son of Ikshuvaku clan Bharatha, that he should obey the king as a Yuvaraja of the kingdom." 58.22

"As the king is in advanced age, do not put restrictions on him, since you live as Yuvaraja in his kingdom, you have to obey him." 58.23

Seeing me while he was shedding tears, "Look after my mother who may be more attached to me, as your own mother." 58.24

"Oh king this is what was told by him who has great fame and that Rama who has eyes like red lotus was shedding excessive tears while he was talking." 58.25

"But Lakshmana was greatly angry and while breathing deeply he told, "For what crime was this prince banished?" 58.26

"The king being influenced by the command of the hateful Kaikeyi has done this unworthy forbidden act by which we are all suffering." 58.27

"Whether the banishing of Rama was done out of avarice or due to the boon given earlier, it is an unworthy act." 58.28

"This has been done by the free will of the king with God like powers as I do not see any logic or reason for him being banished." 58.29

"The act of banishing of Rama has been done without proper thought, is contrary to justice and has been done without intelligence and will only produce great sorrow." 58.30

"I do not consider the great king as my father and my Rama not only is my brother, king as well as father as well as my relation." 58.31

"After sacrificing one who is loved by the entire world and disregarding the interest of every one, how can you please everyone with this act?" 58.32

"After banishing, the follower of Dharma, Rama who is liked by all and going against the will of all people, how can you continue as the king?" 58.33

"As for the very pleasant Janaki, she stood there taking deep breaths and was weeping due to great sorrow, and did not tell anything to me." 58.34

"That very famous princess, who has never seen such a great sorrow, was weeping out of her sorrow and so could not tell me anything." 58.35

"Seeing her husband with dried up mouth, at seeing me leaving, suddenly she burst in to tears." 58.36

"Rama with face wet by tears and hands saluting in reverence and supported by the arm of Lakshmana stood there and in the same way the pitiable Sita with a weeping face was staring at me and the chariot." 58.37

This is the end of Fifty Eighth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

59. Sumanthra Reports and Dasaratha Laments

[Then Sumanthra describes about his return to the city and how the people as well as nature were lamenting. Dasaratha becomes sorrowful and requests Sumanthra to bring back Rama or take him to the place where Rama is there.]

After hearing these words of the Charioteer who was his great minister, the king told, "please tell the rest of the information." 59.1

Having heard those words, Sumanthra, overcome with tears, once again told him about further details of Rama's message. 59.2

"Oh king, after matting up their hairs and wearing dresses of bark and grass, those valiant men crosses river Ganga and went towards Prayaga." 59.3

"Lakshmana walked in the front protecting the son of the Raghu clan and after seeing that I returned back helplessly." 59.4

"After Rama set out and I took leave to return my horses shedding hot tears did not proceed on the path further." 59.5

"After that, saluting those two princes with folded arms and controlling my grief, I got in to the chariot and set out." 59.6

"I waited there for many days along with Guha, with a wish that Rama might call me back." 59.7

"Oh great king, even trees with flowers, fruits and buds have been crushed, throughout your kingdom because of this calamity." 59.8

"The river water has become hot and so is the waters of ponds and lakes and the leaves of trees in forests and parks have dried up." 59.9

"Living beings are not moving about nor or wild animals roaming, for overpowered by the sorrow of parting of Rama, they have become silent." 59.10

"The water in the lakes in the lotus flowered lakes have gone turbid and with shriveled leaves all the withered lotus plants have sunk in the water and population of fishes and birds have gone down. 59.11

"The garlands made out of flowers grown in water and land have reduced fragrance now and do not shine like earlier." 59.12

"The gardens are empty with birds deserting them. Oh great man, I do not find the parks attractive anymore." 59.13

"No one greeted me when I entered Ayodhya and men are taking tortured breath from time to time without being able to see Rama." 59.14

"Oh God like king, when people saw the royal chariot returning without Rama, all people in the royal avenue Were having their faces drenched with their own tears due to sorrow." 59.15

"Those women who watched the arrival of the chariot from towers, multi storied houses and royal palaces said, Alas, alas, because of their sorrow in not being able to see Rama." 59.16

"Ladies in great sorrow, with the broad and bright eyes drowned in tears, were looking at each other indistinctly through the veil of tears." 59.17

"I did not notice any difference between the anguish between his friends and foes and even normally disinterested people." 59.18

"Ayodhya with people who do not have a joyful mind, with dispirited horses and elephants, filled with sounds of anguish, with people taking laboured breaths due to sorrow and without joy appears to me Like Kausalya who is extremely sad due to parting of Rama," 59.19-59.20

Hearing the words of the charioteer that greatly dejected king, with a voice choked by his sobbing told Sumanthra. 59.21

"Incited by Kaikeyi who has wicked relations and sinful intention, I have done this without consulting, old people well versed in giving advice." 59.22

"I have Taken this decision for the sake of a lady, under her spell, without consulting my friends, ministers and men of prudent character." 59.23

"This great sorrow which has occurred due to fate has led to the destruction of my clan in a very casual way." 59.24

"Oh charioteer, if I have done even a little good to you, please take me to Rama as my soul is hurrying up." 59.25

"Obeying my order, please bring back Rama, for it is not possible to live without Rama even for a second." 59.26

"If you think that great one has gone very far away, put me in your chariot and take me quickly to him." 59.27

"Where is the elder brother of Lakshmana who has teeth set in a circle and is a great archer? I would live only if I am able to see him with Sita." 59.28

"If I am not able to see Rama, with red eyes, great hands and wearing pearl studded ear globes, I would go to the land of Yama." 59.29

"After having reached this state of affairs, what could be a greater sorrow to me than being not able to see Rama?" 59.30

"Hey Rama, Hey younger brother of Rama, Hey sage like daughter of Videha, you do not know that I am dying like an orphan due to this sorrow." 59.31

That king with mind dedicated to great sorrow, immersed in the ocean of sorrow which cannot be crossed told. 59.32

"Oh lady Kausalya, I am immersed in this great ocean of sorrow, whose breadth is separation from Rama, whose shore is the sorrow of separating from Sita, whose turbulent waves and whirlpools are the tortured breaths, whose turbid waters and foams are the tears, whose multitude of fishes are the waving of the hands, whose great sound is the cries of agony, who has water algae spread like disheveled hair, whose fire is the mouth of Kaikeyi, whose tides are the flow of tears and whose monstrous crocodiles are the words of the hunchback. The malicious boons of Kaikeyi are the shores where Rama has been exiled. What a pity that I would not be able to cross this sea while being alive." 59.33-59.36

That famous Dasaratha who was greatly desirous of seeing Rama and Lakshmana, was unable to get them there and then he cried likes this inauspiciously and he fell down unconscious on his bed. 59.37

That king who was wailing like this lost his senses as he was lamenting with greatly doubled sorrow. Hearing his sound of breathing, the mother of Rama was greatly scared. 59.38

This is the end of Fifty Ninth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

60. Sumanthra Consoles Kausalya

[Sumanthra tells that Sita is enjoying her life in the company and under protection of Rama. He also told her not to worry about Rama.]

Then she who was trembling like one in the grip of evil spirits, again and again rolled on the ground and then spoke to the charioteer. 60.1

"Take me to the palace where Rama and Sita as well as Lakshmana are there. I do not have desire to live without them even for a second." 60.2

"Turn back your chariot speedily and take me now to the Dandaka forest, for if I am not going there, I will go to the land of Yama." 60.3

That charioteer with faltering words prevented by speedily falling tears, consoled Kausalya and told to her. 60.4

"Please throw away the sorrow, the desire, the nervousness all arising out of deep grief. Rama is definitely going to live in the forest without bothering about the difficulties." 60.5

"Lakshmana who is serving the feet of Rama and worshipping them, is a man of Dharma and controlling his senses would go to the other world." 60.6

"Even in the desolate forest Sita would live like she lives at home, concentrating her mind fully on Rama and getting great confidence." 60.7

"I could not observe even a slightest dejection in Sita, as she has already got accustomed to live there away from her home." 60.8

"When she was in the city, she used to visit gardens and enjoy and similarly she is enjoying her stay in the desolate forest." 60.9

"That wife of Rama with her face resembling the full moon, with her mind concentrated on Rama is staying in the forest and enjoying her stay like a young girl." 60.10

"Her heart is united with Rama and her life is in his custody and so life without Rama Ayodhya would be like wilderness to her." 60.11

"That Sita on seeing villages, towns, roads, rivers and different type of trees enquired either with Rama and Lakshmana and understood about them and was behaving as if she was within two miles of Ayodhya and was in a recreational park." 60.12-60.13

"I remember her hastily muttering something about Kaikeyi but as of now I am not able to recollect them." 60.14

Thus after willfully avoiding telling Kausalya inadvertently her words about Kaikeyi, the charioteer told her those words which pleased her. 60.15

"The luster of Sita which resembled the luster of moon light, did not diminish due to the tiredness due to the journey or blowing fast wind or due to nervousness." 60.16

The look of that lady who was greatly generous which resembled a lotus flower with hundred petals and also the splendour of the full moon never wilted." 60.17

"Though her feet was not decorated by the liquid lac it shined like it was applied there and it was shining like the red lotus buds." 60.18

"Though Sita had cast off all her ornaments, even now it appeared as if her anklets was making tinkling sounds due to her love towards Rama." 60.19

"She who is in the forest even after seeing an elephant or a lion or tiger, does not get afraid due to her depending on strong arms of Rama." 60.20

"There is no need for you to become sad either for them or for you or for the king, for this history would be firmly engraved in the mind of the world." 60.21

"Leaving out sorrow and with a very happy frame of mind, firmly installed in the path of the great sages, they are living in the forest by supporting themselves with product of forests and they are upholding the promise given by their father." 60.22

Though being consoled by the very logical charioteer, that lady who was suffering the parting sorrow of her son did not stop chanting "Oh Darling, Oh Son, Oh Rama". 60.23

This is the end of Sixtieth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

61. Kausalya Accuses Dasaratha

[Kausalya tell that her son Rama would not accept the kingdom ruled by Bharatha after his return. She also tells him that he is capable of destroying Dasaratha himself but not doing it due to his attachment to Dharma.]

When the greatest Rama who was the best among those who followed Dharma and who gave joy to others went to the forest, the anguished Kausalya sobbing addressed her husband and told. 61.1

"Though your great fame has spread all over the three worlds, the compassionate Rama, who speaks sweetly as well as generously is well spoken of." 61.2

"Oh best among men, your sons as well as Sita are now suffering due to sorrow in a forest. Will they be able to endure it?" 61.3

"How can that Sita who is youthful, dark, pretty as well as one used to pleasure, tolerate the heat and cold?" 61.4

"She used to eat till now well cooked food with condiments and soups which is well prepared and how can she partake the food of the forest consisting of wild rice?" 61.5

"How can she who is blameless and auspicious, used to hearing sounds of musical instruments and music, bear to hear the inauspicious and horrible sound of wild animals?" 61.6

"How can the very strong Rama resembling the flag of Indra sleep, using his steel like strong hand as a pillow?" 61.7

"When will I be able to see again Rama who is lotus coloured, who has well grown hair, who has the scent of lotus flowers and has a face like lotus flower?" 61.8

"Without any doubt, my heart is made of diamond, for in spite of my not seeing him, it does not break in to pieces." 61.9

"It is due to your act without any mercy that all my relatives are running miserably round in the terrible forest after being banished by you." 61.10

"If Rama returns back in the fifteenth year, it does not appear that Bharatha will gave back the kingdom and treasury to him." 61.11

"It seems some people feed their relatives first in the Sradha [annual death ceremony] and then after the ceremony is over only they feed the best of Brahmins, just for the sake of feeding" 61.12

"Those greatly learned Brahmins with good conduct and equal to devas, then would not eat that food after some people have eaten it, even if it is nectar." 61.13

"The great Brahmins will not eat the food eaten earlier by others, even though they were Brahmins, like the bulls dislike their horns being cut off." 61.14

"Oh lord of universe, similarly is it not proper that elder brother who is great rejects the kingdom which was ruled by his younger brother?" 61.15

"A tiger would not like to eat the meat of animal killed by some other animal and this tiger among men, will not accept the kingdom enjoyed by others." 61.16

"The food offering to be offered in fire, the ghee, sacrificial cakes to be offered in fire, kusa grass, Khadira wood and sacrificial posts, after the lapse of one Yama [three hours] cannot be used." 61.17

"Similarly Rama would not accept this kingdom which has been possessed by others, which would be like liquor which has lost his power and a fire sacrifice where Soma is exhausted." 61.18

"Rama is highly determined and would not like to be insulted and if he is enraged with his sharp arrows, he may even split Mandhara mountain." 61.19

"Oh Dasaratha, it is only out of respect to you as his father that, the great one is not showing any interest in killing you. If he is angry, he is capable of pulling down, all the planets lead by moon and sun, the sky decorated by various stars and heaven but he is not disobeying you. He is capable of agitating in this world surrounded by mountains." 61.20-61.21

"That Rama will not tolerate the insult of this sort like a tiger cannot tolerate its tail being twisted." 61.22

"Even if all the worlds were to unite against him in a great war, he would not be scared. That Soul of Dharma would not follow a path outside Dharma but will unite the world with Dharma." 61.23

"The greatly valorous Rama who has mighty arms, using his golden arrows will burn all beings and all oceans in fire and it would appear as if it is the time of great deluge." 61.24

"That bull like man who has strength like a lion and eyes like that of a bull, has been destroyed by his own father like the fish killing its own offspring." 61.25

"Does your banishment of your own son who is the follower of Dharma, fall under the birth less Sasthra of the people who are born twice?" 61.26

"The first source of support for a lady is her husband, the second her son, the third her relatives and for her there is no fourth source of support." 61.27

"You are not there for me, Rama has gone to the forest and since I do not like to go to the forest, you have taken away everything from me." 61.28

"You have destroyed this kingship along with the country, You have destroyed the ministers along with yourselves, you have destroyed your good and your citizens and your son [Bharatha] and wife [Kaikeyi] are happy now." 61.29

After these words fell from her with frightful accents, the king became sad and lost his consciousness and thereafter recollecting the bad deeds done by him, he again lost his conscience." 61.30

This is the end of Sixty First Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

62. Kausalya Seeks Dasaratha's Pardon

[When Dasaratha begs forgiveness, great Kausalya realizes the great breach of Dharma made by her. She then admits her mistake and seeks the pardon of Dasaratha. At that time, the sorrow of Dasaratha increased due to an incident connected to his using the sound arrow.]

That king after hearing these angry and demeaning words from the very sad mother of Rama, became very thoughtful as well as sad. 62.1

The king after thinking that over became sad with worries and again lost his consciousness and that tormenter of enemies kept on thinking it for a long time and regained his senses. 62.2

After getting his senses back, he took long, hot and painful breaths, and noticing Kausalya near him again started thinking. 62.3

When he was thinking like this suddenly he remembered about the sinful act committed by him using the sound arrow [Arrow which is aimed at sound.] 62.4

That lord heartbroken due to the sorrow of parting with Rama, suddenly doubled his sorrow thinking of his earlier act. 62.5

That king Dasaratha who was being burnt by both these sorrows started trembling and with a bent head and with folded hands try to appease queen Kausalya. 62.6

"Hey Kausalya, be pleased with me for I am saluting you, for you are always good to everybody and cruel to none." 62.7

"Oh lady, if we do research on Dharma, it appears that for a woman a husband who has good or bad qualities is always godlike and to her he is a visible God." 62.8

"You are always the follower of dharma, who knows all that is good and bad in this world. Even though you are hurt deeply, it is not proper for you to talk like this to me, who is greatly grieving." 62.9

Hearing those very pitiable words from the king who was in wretched state, she shed tears like a canal that has been opened. 62.10

Kausalya who was crying, kept the lotus like folded palms of the king on her head, out of great emotion of fear talked pronouncing each letter at a time. 62.11

"Oh King, I have fallen down earth bowing down my head. I have been greatly hurt by your act of your begging from me and I am not at all fit to be pardoned by you." 62.12

"Oh heroic one, that lady is not fit for a praise in this and in the next world, who is appeased by her sagacious and praiseworthy husband." 62.13

"Oh follower of Dharma, I know about rules of Dharma and also know that you are an votary of truth but I spoke to you in an improper fashion, me being affected by the sorrow of parting with my son." 62.14

"Sorrow destroys courage as well as Sasthras and sorrow destroys everything and there is no enemy as great as sorrow." 62.15

"It is possible to endure the big blow from an enemies hand but it is not possible to endure, unexpected sorrow, however slight it may be." 62.16

"Oh heroic one, oh follower of Dharma, oh person who knows Vedas, even sages who do not have any doubt in either Dharma or Artha, when they are affected by sorrow, they get deluded." 62.17

"Today is the fifth night after Rama has started living in the forest but it appears as if it is five years since I lost my joy and drowned in sorrow." 62.18

"While thinking of Rama in my heart, the sorrow increases, like the water of ocean increases when a big river empties its waters in it." 62.19

When Kausalya was talking these auspicious words, the light of the sun diminished and night was about to set in. 62.20

Thus consoled by these words of Kausalya, the king, overcame his sorrow became under the control of sleep. 62.21

This is the end of Sixty Second Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.


63. Sabdha Bhedhi Story

[Dasaratha is not able to sleep and tells her how he killed an innocent sage in his youth by using the Sabdha Bhedhi arrow. The saint told him about his blind parents and died.]

After that the king woke up within a short time due to his mind being troubled by sorrow and then the king started thinking again. 63.1

Due to the banishment of Rama and Lakshmana, the king who was like Indra, appeared like a sun darkened by the calamity created by an Asura. 63.2

When Rama went to the forest after being banished, the king of Kosala kingdom remembered the evil deed done by him and wished to speak to the lady with black lashes. 63.3

That king on the sixth day of Rama's banishment at midnight recalled the evil act done by him. 63.4

That king sorrowing to the parting with his son recollected the misdeed done by him, addressed Kausalya who was equally sad, having parted with her son, told the following. 63.5

"Oh auspicious gentle lady, anyone who performs a good or bad act, he will himself get the result of such action." 63.6

"He who does not know about the likely fruit or evil result of any action, would be considered as a mere boy." 63.7

"If any one after seeing the attractive flowers of the phalasa tree, due to greed of the likely fruits as per his imagination, cuts off the mango orchard round it and waters the phalasa tree, he would repent." 63.8

"Anyone who runs for doing an act, without knowing how the fruit will be, would be like one who would repent after he waters the phalasa tree". 63.9

"I have cut the mango tree and am watering the phalasa plants. I have sent out Rama when he was about to bear the fruits and I am grieving at present." 63.10

"Oh Kausalya I attained fame as a great archer even in childhood as one can hit a target hearing the sound from it and with a help of that power, I have committed a sin." 63.11

"Just like a child eats poison in a state of bewitching ignorance, Oh lady, I have brought this problem by my own acts." 63.12

"Like a man who became interested in growing Phalasa trees, this result of using Sabda Bhedhi [Shoot at the sound], is due to my ignorance." 63.13

"Oh lady, I was not married at that time and I was the Yuvaraja ad you were not there to advise me. When the rainy season set in my passion and enthusiasm increased." 63.14

"The Sun, after removing the moisture from the earth by using its scorching rays, entered the fearful land of the dead [The sun has set]." 63.15

"At that time the heat subsided and seeing the glistening clouds frogs, geese as well as peacocks rejoiced." 63.16

"The birds after taking bath in water got their wings moistened and reached with great difficulty the trees, shaking by wind and rain." 63.17

"Covered with water due to the rain which never stopped, the mountain visited by exuberant antelopes looked like a lake of water." 63.18

"Though the waters were pure, since it rapidly flowed along with minerals which were mixed in the soil, the water was white as well as red and its flow appeared a like a moving serpent." 63.19

"With the coming of water due to rain, the streams which were pure going through the marshy red soil became red in colour." 63.20

"In that very pleasant season, armed with bows and arrows, with an intention of getting exercise, I proceeded in my chariot towards Sarayu river." 63.21

"I who did not have my senses under control, reached a water hole in the river and hid in a lonely place near by it, with a desire of killing a Buffalo or an elephant or any other wild animal." 63.22

"Secretly waiting there, I killed many cruel wild animals which reached the banks of the river, by the sounds made by them." 63.23

"After some time in that pitch darkness, I heard a pitcher being filled with water and since my eye could not reach there, I thought that it as the trumpeting sound of an elephant." 63.24

"Then taking out an arrow, which resembled a poisonous serpent and released it, with an aim of killing that elephant, towards the source of the sound." 63.25

"I sent a well sharpened arrow which looked like a poisonous serpent and in that morning twilight when it hit the vital parts of body of some one, I heard him shout "ha, ha" and also heard the sound of his body falling in water." 63.26-63.27

"When that arrow hit him, I heard the voice of human being say, "How can someone hit with an arrow a person like me, who is a sage?" 63.28

"I had come to this lonely river to quench my thirst and who has wounded me with an arrow and what offence have I done to him?" 63.29

"I am a sage living in the forest subsisting on the materials of the forest and who has imposed death on me using a weapon?" 63.30

"Who is desirous of killing me who has a matted hair and who wears deer skin and tree bark as cloth? What harm have I done to him?" 63.31

"The effort which has been done here is purposeless and disastrous and all people would consider it as a seen like one occupying the bed oh his Guru." 63.32

"I am not much bothered about my loss of life and am worried more about my father and mother after my death." 63.33

"I have been looking after those old people for quite some time and after I get mixed in the five elements, how would they continue to live in future?" 63.34

"That single arrow has killed me and also my aged father and mother and who is the childish person with malicious intentions who has killed all of us?" 63.35

"Hearing that pitiable voice, the bow and arrow fell down from my hands which has done an act against Dharma?" 63.36

"Hearing that pitiable voice, in that very dark night, I was greatly frightened with excess sorrow and was unable to think?" 63.37

"I reached the banks of river Sarayu, with a very troubled mind and in a dilapidated condition and there I saw the body of a sage which was stuck by an arrow and which was smeared with blood and dust, with scattered locks of hair and with his water pitcher thrown away." 63.38-63.39

"He who was greatly frightened and totally shaken up, stared at me with his eyes as if to burn me and told me these cruel words." 63.40

"Oh king, when I was trying to take water for my parents, I have been stuck by your arrow. What have I, who lives in the forest done to you?" 63.41

"Just by striking with one arrow in my vital parts, you have killed me as well as my aged blind, father and mother." 63.42

"How will they who are weak as well as blind and waiting for me to quench their thirst for a long time, control their thirst?" 63.43

"My father does not know that I am wounded and lying on the ground and it appears to me that there is nothing gained by penance or knowledge of Vedas." 63.44

"I do not know what he will do without having even energy to walk and he is as helpless like a tree which cannot protect another tree being cut?" 63.45

"Oh king of Raghu clan, please go quickly to my father and tell about this to my angry father, lest he does not burn this forest like an ignited fire." 63.46

"There is a foot path from here which leads to my father's hermitage. You go there and please him so that he will not curse you due to his anger." 63.47

"Oh king take out this sharp arrow from my body as it is hurting my vital parts of my body like a rushing water current advancing to break its elevated banks," 63.48

"A thought entered me that if the arrow is not removed, it will cause pain and if it is removed he would die." 63.49

"That the son of the sage seeing me who was greatly distressed, completely wretched and full of sorrow told me." 63.50

"That sage who was distressed and was about to die, with twisted limbs encircling his body and with great grief and with great difficulty spoke to me." 63.51

"Be courageous, Control your sorrow, become firm minded and remove the thought that you have killed a Brahmin." 63.52

"Oh king remove that worry that I am a Brahmin, from your mind, for oh king of the people, I was born of Vaisya father and Shudhra mother." 63.53

"After saying like this the saint who was hurt in his vital parts by the arrow, was lying on the ground writing in pain and turning and twisting his body and trembling and rolling on the earth and I bent and pulled out that arrow and the sage whose only wealth is his penance looked up to me and died." 63.54

"Oh auspicious lady, having seen the saint lying in the banks of Sarayu with his vital parts being wounded by an arrow and who was drenched in water and ceaselessly lamenting about his pain, I was greatly dejected" 63.55

This is the end of Sixty Third Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.


64. Curse of Saint Couple

[Dasaratha then tells how he told the old people about their son's death. He then narrates about their sorrow and how after cremating their son, they cursed him to suffer the sorrow of parting with his son and died. Dasaratha breaths his last while sleeping.]

That soul of Dharma wailing about the incomparable killing of that great sage Continued telling Kausalya. 64.1

"I after having done that great sin unintentionally with my senses being agitated, thought with a concentrated mind, how to make it all right." 64.2

"Then I filled the pot with pure water, reached the hermitage holding the pot, walking through the path as directed." 64.3

"There I saw his parents who were very weak, old and fit to be worshipped and who did not have a help to make them walk and who looked like birds whose wings has been cut. Since they were not able to do any work, they were talking about their son, whom I have eliminated and made them both as orphans." 64.4-64.5

"With a mind filled with grief and a palpitating heart due to great fear, I became more sad with apprehension on reaching the hermitage." 64.6

"Hearing the sound of my foot falls that sage told, "Oh son, why this great delay, Give me the water speedily." 64.7

"Whatever may the reason son, for your playing in the water for so long, your mother was greatly worried. Enter the hermitage quickly." 64.8

"Oh son, if me or your mother has done any displeasing act, since you are a sage, do not keep it in mind." 64.9

"You are the only support for us who are like orphans and as we are both without eyes, you are our eyes and you are our soul. Why are you not talking to us?" 64.10

"Having seen that sage, I uttered a few indistinct words, stammering and without proper emphasis on the syllables." 64.11

"Holding up firmly to the strength of my speech, my mind and my action, I related to him with fear the calamity that happened to their son." 64.12

"oh great one, I am not your son but a man of royal lineage named Dasaratha. By action which would be condemned by good people a sorrowful incident has happened." 64.13

"Oh god like person, I had come to bank of Sarayu with my bow and arrow with a desire to kill wild animals and elephants." 64.14

"Then I heard the sound of water entering the pot and I thought that it is an elephant and I shot an arrow to kill it" 64.15

"Then I went to the bank of the river, I saw a sage with an arrow pierced on his chest, lying on the ground and who was dying." 64.16

"Oh God like person, the arrow which I had sent based on the sound to kill an elephant and that arrow has stuck your son." 64.17

"From his words, understanding that he was suffering greatly and as per his advice I pulled out the arrow from his vital parts." 64.18

"When the arrow was drawn out, he died there itself bewailing for you both who are blind." 64.19

"Your son has been killed by me due to my ignorance and great haste and oh sage, please tell me all that I have to do now." 64.20

"Hearing those very cruel words of mine, informing him the bad news, the great saint suffered great anguish and was not knowing what to do." 64.21

"When what highly lustrous sage with his face wet with tears, taking tortured breaths and broken with sorrow Spoke to me who was standing nearby with folded hands." 64.22

"If you had not told me about this inauspicious act of yours, Oh king your head would have broken in to thousand pieces." 64.23

"O king, if a Kshatriya knowingly kills someone especially living in the forest, even if he is Indra, the user of Thunderbolt, he would be thrown out of his position." 64.24

"If knowingly you kill a person of ascetic practices, or one who propounds knowledge of Brahman, his head would split in to seven pieces." 64.25

"You are alive now because you have done it unknowingly otherwise not only you but the entire clan of Ikshuvaku would have perished." 64.26

Then he spoke, "Oh king now we would like to see our son and have a last look at his body drenched with blood, with his garment of deer skin lying scattered and which is lying unconscious on the earth and who has gone to the custody of Yama, the God of death." 64.27-64.28

"Then I took both of them who were extremely sorrowing to that place and made the sage and his wife touch their son." 64.29

"Then that miserable couple touched the body of their son and fell on it and that father spoke thus." 64.30

"My dear child, neither are you saluting me, nor do you talk to me. Why are you lying down on the earth? Are you angry?" 64.31

"Oh son who follows Dharma, am I not dear to you. If not see your mother. Why are you not hugging us? Please tell pretty words." 64.32

"From now onwards, late at night whose voice reciting sweetly the book of Sasthras, will I be able to hear?" 64.33
"Oh son, From now on who will salute the dawn after taking bath and offer sacrifices to the fire and after worshipping, talk to me with great confidence when I am afflicted with sorrow and fear?"64.34

"Who will bring roots and fruits and feed me with love like a guest from now on? I will be now sitting without work and without fetching anything as there would be nobody to help me to walk."64.35

"Oh child, you have made this very old and aged mother very sad and how can I support her who is longing for her son?" 64.36

"Oh son, wait, do not go to the city of death today and you can go there tomorrow accompanied by me and your mother." 64.37

"We both having been deserted by you are very sad in this cruel forest and feel like orphans and we also will come to the abode of death quickly." 64.38

"There we would see the God of death and implore him "Oh Lord of Dharma, forgive, Please allow this boy to maintain his parents." 64.39

"That famous God of Dharma, who looks after the world after deciding that my request is suitable to be granted, would grant me a boon to protect me from fear." 64.40

Oh son, you are sinless and killed by a person of sinful deeds and therefore you will go to world of heroes killed truly by weapons." 64.41

"Oh son, please attain that great state of warriors who were killed in a battle due to their not retreating when facing an enemy." 64.42

"Oh son attain that state which Sagara, Saibhya, Dileepa, Janamejaya, Nahusha and Dundumara, have attained." 64.43

Oh little son, you will attain the same state as that attained by Virtuous people who were ascetics and who studied Vedas, as that attained by givers of land in charity as also that attained by those who did worship of fire, as that attained by people who lived with only one wife, as that attained by people who gave thousands of cows in charity, as that attained by people who worshipped their elders and that attained by people who laid their body voluntarily. 64.44-64.45

"All those who are born in our clan will not attain any state of suffering, which would be attained by the one who killed you." 64.46

"Like this those two went on crying again and again and then he along with his wife commenced doing funeral rites to his son." 64.47

"That son of the sage who was an expert in Dharma, due to his own meritorious deeds assumed a celestial form and ascended to the heavens along with Indra." 64.48

"That sage along with Indra addressed those aged ones for a moment and told these words of consolation." 64.49

"By doing service to you, I have attained a great supreme state and t you both also would come and join me soon." 64.50

"That son of the sage who had controlled his senses, after saying this ascended the pretty divine chariot and went to heaven." 64.51

"That saint along with his wife completed the funerals libations immediately and told me who was standing by his side with folded hands." 64.52

"Oh king, since you have killed my only son with an arrow, you have made me childless and so I request you to kill me also and I will not be pained by it." 64.53

"Since you have killed my pure hearted son though unintentionally, I will give you a very cruel curse which would make you sad." 64.54

"Oh king, Similar to the sorrow that I am now suffering due to the death of my son, you will also suffer a sorrow caused by your son and would die after that." 64.55

"Oh king, though being a Kshatriya you have killed a saint unknowingly, the sin of killing a Brahmin would not get attached to you." 64.56

"Soon you will face a fatal condition causing you a dreadful death and this incident would follow you like the alms following the giver of alms." 64.57

"After giving this curse to me, those two people cried for some time and gave up their life lying on the funeral pyre and went to heaven." 64.58

"Oh Kausalya after recollecting this incident of my childish act in sending an arrow based on sound and killing a saint has recoiled on me." 64.59

"Oh lady, my present state is due to the consequence of my previous deed and it is like suffering health problems when you take food not conducive to health." 64.60

"Oh auspicious lady, now the words of that great sage has come true today and I would soon give up my life due to the sorrow caused by parting with my son." 64.61

"Oh Kausalya, I am not able to see you, please touch me with your holy hands" said the king to his wife crying all along. 64.62

"Oh Lady, the act of banishing to forest a son like Rama can possibly be done only by me and the act done by Rama in response to my word can only be done by Rama." 64.63

"In this world, which discriminating man will abandon his son, even if he is ill behaved and which son will not become angry with his father when he is being banished?" 64.64

"Would Rama touch me once now and will he come to my bedside? For after one reaches the land of Yama they cannot see their relations." 64.65

"Oh Kausalya, I am not able to see you and my memory is fading and the messengers of God of death are hastening me up." 64.66

"At this time when my life is fading I am not in a position to see Rama, who is a follower of Dharma and also valorous in truth." 64.67

"The sorrow arising out of not being able to see my son is drying away my life, similar to heat drying up a small pool of water." 64.68

"Those men who are able to see the pretty Rama wearing ear globes, during the fifteenth year are not men but are devas." 64.69

"Those men are blessed who would be able to see Rama with eyes like lotus petals, pretty eyebrows, good teeth, pretty nose and who resembles the moon, the lord of the stars." 64.70

"Those men are blessed indeed who would be able to see my son who has a face like the autumnal moon a fully opened lotus flower and who is fragrant." 64.71

"Those who see Rama after he completes and comes back to Ayodhya are indeed lucky and would be seeing him like planet Shukra moving forward on his course." 64.72

"Oh Kausalya, due to my numbed senses my heart is sinking and I am not able to differentiate the senses of look, hearing and smell." 64.73

"With the sinking of my perception, all my sense organs are sinking, like the rays of light are going away in a lamp in which oil is exhausted." 64.74

"This sorrow arising within me makes me helpless and senseless, like the current of the river destroying its bank." 64.75

"Oh Rama, Oh very strong one, Oh son destroying all my tiredness, Oh darling of the father, oh my lord, Where have you gone now." 64.76

"Oh Kausalya, Oh sage like Sumithra, oh Kaikeyi who is cruel and who is my enemy, oh destroyer of my clan, I am being destroyed." 64.77

That Dasaratha who was crying in distress in the presence of mother of Rama and Sumithra, reached the end of his life. 64.78

"That very generous king, deeply hurt by the exile of his son went on pitiably narrating all this past midnight and afflicted with great sorrow breathed his last." 64.79

This is the end of Sixty Fourth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

65. King Dasaratha's End

[When the attendants came in the morning to wake up the king, they were not able to wake him. They realized that he was dead and started crying. Sumithra and Kausalya who were sleeping due to being tired woke up and started crying.]

After the night was over, on the next day morning, highly accomplished, very learned auspicious singers of praise who were experts in praising, singers, flatterers separately one after another recited the glory of the king after reaching the palace of the king. 65.1-65.2

The high pitched benedictions of the king by those experts in praise and sound of their praise spread all over the palace. 65.3

When those bards were singing praises of the king, those who clap and sing, clapped and sang about the wonderful exploits of the king. 65.4

Due to the sound produced by them the birds sitting perched on branches of trees and some in cages found all over the palace awoke and began to twitter. 65.5

The sacred sounds uttered, the music of the Veena, songs about the exploits of the king, and blessings in the form of verses completely filled the palace. 65.6

Then the experts in purificatory rites who are skilled in performing royal service, large number of men women and eunuchs assembled as on former occasions. 65.7

At the proper time bath attendants bought water in golden vessel mixed with yellow sandal paste according to the custom." 65.8

Then several other young maids brought auspicious pastes and articles pleasing the senses for completion of the bathing ceremony. 65.9

All the presentations to the king as per daily practice which were of the best quality and which were endowed with wealth and auspiciousness were worshipped. 65.10

All of them waited till the sun rise with great enthusiasm, without reaching the king, with a mind in doubt as to what has happened. 65.11

Then those sleep women attendants of the king who had unrestricted access, came near the king and tried to wake him up. 65.12

Those people of proper conduct with humility and tact, after touching the bed could not find even a minute sign of life. 65.13

These women who were expert in matters relating to sleep could find from actions and movements the nature and intensity of sleep started shivering since they had doubt whether the king was alive and appeared like the shaking reeds standing in running water. 65.14

Those women who got doubt on seeing the king, when they saw him closely they found that their evil doubt was really true. 65.15

Defeated by the sorrow due to their son's absence both Kausalya and Sumithra were sleeping as if possessed by death and did not wake up. 65.16

Kausalya who had no luster, who was ashen, who had sunk down due to sorrow was lying down with limbs contracted and did not shine like the stars covered by darkness. 65.17

Kausalya, the king and Sumithra were sleeping one after another and both queens were drooping due to lot of crying and did not have luster. 65.18

Seeing those two auspicious queens and the king sleeping silently, the women of the private apartments considered that the king has lost his life breath. 65.19

Then those women, who were like the herd of she elephants who have lost their leader of the herd male elephant in the forest wailed bitterly and loudly. 65.20

Kausalya and Sumithra hearing the sound of their cries, suddenly recovered their senses and woke up. 65.21

Kausalya and Sumithra after they saw him touched him crying loudly "Oh lord" and then fell down on earth. 65.22

Kausalya the daughter of king of Kosala was lying down on earth coated with dust and like a star which fell down on earth did not shine. 65.23

When the king became ceased of activity and when those ladies saw Kausalya has fallen on the ground, they felt they saw a slain female elephant. 65.24

Then all the ladies of the king lead by Kaikeyi, drowned in grief crying fell on the ground with great crying. 65.25

Those women who were crying loudly, made increasingly louder sounds and that loud sound echoed and was heard all over the house. 65.26

When the news of demise reached outside, immediately all happiness vanished from there and the entire place was filled with only sorrow and unrest. The king's palace was thronged with anxious, sad and frightened people and the tumult and cries of agony filled that place. The members of the palace and relatives were greatly distressed with anguish. 65.27-65.28

The wives of the famous and great king realizing that the king has passed away, surrounded him with great sorrow and wept piteously and bitterly holding each other's arms and wailed like orphans. 65.29

This is the end of Sixty Fifth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.