[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Epic, Poetry, Drama & Narrative](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit) › [The Rāma story (Vālmīki and later versions)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana) › [The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) › 2.68 # The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki 2.68 Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa 2.68 - **Language:** Sanskrit ### [2.68.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.1) tāṃ tathā garhayitvā tu mātaraṃ bharatas tadā roṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭaḥ punar evābravīd vacaḥ > When Bharat's anger-sharpened tongue > Reproaches on the queen had flung, > Again, with mighty rage possessed, > The guilty dame he thus addressed: > 'Flee, cruel, wicked sinner, flee, > Let not this kingdom harbour thee. > Thou who hast thrown all right aside, > Ween thou for me when I have died. > Canst thou one charge against the king, > Or the most duteous Ráma bring? > The one thy sin to death has sent, > The other chased to banishment. > Our line's destroyer, sin defiled > Like one who kills an unborn child, > Ne'er with thy lord in heaven to dwell, > Thy portion shall be down in hell > Because thy hand, that stayed for naught, > This awful wickedness has wrought, > And ruined him whom all held dear, > My bosom too is stirred with fear. > My father by thy sin is dead, > And Ráma to the wood is fled; > And of thy deed I bear the stain, > And fameless in the world remain. > Ambitious, evil-souled. in show > My mother, yet my direst foe. > My throning ne'er thine eyes shall bless, > Thy husband's wicked murderess. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.2) rājyād bhraṃśasva kaikeyi nṛśaṃse duṣṭacāriṇi parityaktā ca dharmeṇa mā mṛtaṃ rudatī bhava > When Bharat's anger-sharpened tongue > Reproaches on the queen had flung, > Again, with mighty rage possessed, > The guilty dame he thus addressed: > 'Flee, cruel, wicked sinner, flee, > Let not this kingdom harbour thee. > Thou who hast thrown all right aside, > Ween thou for me when I have died. > Canst thou one charge against the king, > Or the most duteous Ráma bring? > The one thy sin to death has sent, > The other chased to banishment. > Our line's destroyer, sin defiled > Like one who kills an unborn child, > Ne'er with thy lord in heaven to dwell, > Thy portion shall be down in hell > Because thy hand, that stayed for naught, > This awful wickedness has wrought, > And ruined him whom all held dear, > My bosom too is stirred with fear. > My father by thy sin is dead, > And Ráma to the wood is fled; > And of thy deed I bear the stain, > And fameless in the world remain. > Ambitious, evil-souled. in show > My mother, yet my direst foe. > My throning ne'er thine eyes shall bless, > Thy husband's wicked murderess. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.3) kiṃ nu te 'dūṣayad rājā rāmo vā bhṛśadhārmikaḥ yayor mṛtyur vivāsaś ca tvatkṛte tulyam āgatau > When Bharat's anger-sharpened tongue > Reproaches on the queen had flung, > Again, with mighty rage possessed, > The guilty dame he thus addressed: > 'Flee, cruel, wicked sinner, flee, > Let not this kingdom harbour thee. > Thou who hast thrown all right aside, > Ween thou for me when I have died. > Canst thou one charge against the king, > Or the most duteous Ráma bring? > The one thy sin to death has sent, > The other chased to banishment. > Our line's destroyer, sin defiled > Like one who kills an unborn child, > Ne'er with thy lord in heaven to dwell, > Thy portion shall be down in hell > Because thy hand, that stayed for naught, > This awful wickedness has wrought, > And ruined him whom all held dear, > My bosom too is stirred with fear. > My father by thy sin is dead, > And Ráma to the wood is fled; > And of thy deed I bear the stain, > And fameless in the world remain. > Ambitious, evil-souled. in show > My mother, yet my direst foe. > My throning ne'er thine eyes shall bless, > Thy husband's wicked murderess. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.4) bhrūṇahatyām asi prāptā kulasyāsya vināśanāt kaikeyi narakaṃ gaccha mā ca bhartuḥ salokatām > When Bharat's anger-sharpened tongue > Reproaches on the queen had flung, > Again, with mighty rage possessed, > The guilty dame he thus addressed: > 'Flee, cruel, wicked sinner, flee, > Let not this kingdom harbour thee. > Thou who hast thrown all right aside, > Ween thou for me when I have died. > Canst thou one charge against the king, > Or the most duteous Ráma bring? > The one thy sin to death has sent, > The other chased to banishment. > Our line's destroyer, sin defiled > Like one who kills an unborn child, > Ne'er with thy lord in heaven to dwell, > Thy portion shall be down in hell > Because thy hand, that stayed for naught, > This awful wickedness has wrought, > And ruined him whom all held dear, > My bosom too is stirred with fear. > My father by thy sin is dead, > And Ráma to the wood is fled; > And of thy deed I bear the stain, > And fameless in the world remain. > Ambitious, evil-souled. in show > My mother, yet my direst foe. > My throning ne'er thine eyes shall bless, > Thy husband's wicked murderess. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.5) yat tvayā hīdṛśaṃ pāpaṃ kṛtaṃ ghoreṇa karmaṇā sarvalokapriyaṃ hitvā mamāpy āpāditaṃ bhayam > When Bharat's anger-sharpened tongue > Reproaches on the queen had flung, > Again, with mighty rage possessed, > The guilty dame he thus addressed: > 'Flee, cruel, wicked sinner, flee, > Let not this kingdom harbour thee. > Thou who hast thrown all right aside, > Ween thou for me when I have died. > Canst thou one charge against the king, > Or the most duteous Ráma bring? > The one thy sin to death has sent, > The other chased to banishment. > Our line's destroyer, sin defiled > Like one who kills an unborn child, > Ne'er with thy lord in heaven to dwell, > Thy portion shall be down in hell > Because thy hand, that stayed for naught, > This awful wickedness has wrought, > And ruined him whom all held dear, > My bosom too is stirred with fear. > My father by thy sin is dead, > And Ráma to the wood is fled; > And of thy deed I bear the stain, > And fameless in the world remain. > Ambitious, evil-souled. in show > My mother, yet my direst foe. > My throning ne'er thine eyes shall bless, > Thy husband's wicked murderess. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.6) tvatkṛte me pitā vṛtto rāmaś cāraṇyam āśritaḥ ayaśo jīvaloke ca tvayāhaṃ pratipāditaḥ > When Bharat's anger-sharpened tongue > Reproaches on the queen had flung, > Again, with mighty rage possessed, > The guilty dame he thus addressed: > 'Flee, cruel, wicked sinner, flee, > Let not this kingdom harbour thee. > Thou who hast thrown all right aside, > Ween thou for me when I have died. > Canst thou one charge against the king, > Or the most duteous Ráma bring? > The one thy sin to death has sent, > The other chased to banishment. > Our line's destroyer, sin defiled > Like one who kills an unborn child, > Ne'er with thy lord in heaven to dwell, > Thy portion shall be down in hell > Because thy hand, that stayed for naught, > This awful wickedness has wrought, > And ruined him whom all held dear, > My bosom too is stirred with fear. > My father by thy sin is dead, > And Ráma to the wood is fled; > And of thy deed I bear the stain, > And fameless in the world remain. > Ambitious, evil-souled. in show > My mother, yet my direst foe. > My throning ne'er thine eyes shall bless, > Thy husband's wicked murderess. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.7) mātṛrūpe mamāmitre nṛśaṃse rājyakāmuke na te 'ham abhibhāṣyo 'smi durvṛtte patighātini > When Bharat's anger-sharpened tongue > Reproaches on the queen had flung, > Again, with mighty rage possessed, > The guilty dame he thus addressed: > 'Flee, cruel, wicked sinner, flee, > Let not this kingdom harbour thee. > Thou who hast thrown all right aside, > Ween thou for me when I have died. > Canst thou one charge against the king, > Or the most duteous Ráma bring? > The one thy sin to death has sent, > The other chased to banishment. > Our line's destroyer, sin defiled > Like one who kills an unborn child, > Ne'er with thy lord in heaven to dwell, > Thy portion shall be down in hell > Because thy hand, that stayed for naught, > This awful wickedness has wrought, > And ruined him whom all held dear, > My bosom too is stirred with fear. > My father by thy sin is dead, > And Ráma to the wood is fled; > And of thy deed I bear the stain, > And fameless in the world remain. > Ambitious, evil-souled. in show > My mother, yet my direst foe. > My throning ne'er thine eyes shall bless, > Thy husband's wicked murderess. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.8) kausalyā ca sumitrā ca yāś cānyā mama mātaraḥ duḥkhena mahatāviṣṭās tvāṃ prāpya kuladūṣiṇīm > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.9) na tvam aśvapateḥ kanyā dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ rākṣasī tatra jātāsi kulapradhvaṃsinī pituḥ > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.10) yat tvayā dhārmiko rāmo nityaṃ satyaparāyaṇaḥ vanaṃ prasthāpito duḥkhāt pitā ca tridivaṃ gataḥ > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.11) yat pradhānāsi tat pāpaṃ mayi pitrā vinākṛte bhrātṛbhyāṃ ca parityakte sarvalokasya cāpriye > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.12) kausalyāṃ dharmasaṃyuktāṃ viyuktāṃ pāpaniścaye kṛtvā kaṃ prāpsyase tv adya lokaṃ nirayagāminī > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.13) kiṃ nāvabudhyase krūre niyataṃ bandhusaṃśrayam jyeṣṭhaṃ pitṛsamaṃ rāmaṃ kausalyāyātmasaṃbhavam > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.14) aṅgapratyaṅgajaḥ putro hṛdayāc cāpi jāyate tasmāt priyataro mātuḥ priyatvān na tu bāndhavaḥ > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.15) anyadā kila dharmajñā surabhiḥ surasaṃmatā vahamānau dadarśorvyāṃ putrau vigatacetasau > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.16) tāv ardhadivase śrāntau dṛṣṭvā putrau mahītale ruroda putra śokena bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇā > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.17) adhastād vrajatas tasyāḥ surarājño mahātmanaḥ bindavaḥ patitā gātre sūkṣmāḥ surabhigandhinaḥ > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.18) tāṃ dṛṣṭvā śokasaṃtaptāṃ vajrapāṇir yaśasvinīm indraḥ prāñjalir udvignaḥ surarājo 'bravīd vacaḥ > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.19) bhayaṃ kaccin na cāsmāsu kutaś cid vidyate mahat kuto nimittaḥ śokas te brūhi sarvahitaiṣiṇi > Thou art not As'vapati's child, > That righteous king most sage and mild, > But thou wast born a fiend, a foe > My father's house to overthrow. > Thou who hast made Kaus'alyá, pure, > Gentle, affectionate, endure > The loss of him who was her bliss-- > What worlds await thee, Queen, for this? > Was it not patent to thy sense > That Ráma was his friends' defence, > Kaus'alyá's own true child most dear, > The eldest and his father's peer? > Men in the son not only trace > The father's figure, form, and face, > But in his heart they also find > The offspring of the father's mind; > And hence, though dear their kinsmen are, > To mothers sons are dearer far. > There goes an ancient legend how > Good Surabhi, the God-loved cow, > Saw two of her dear children strain, > Drawing a plough and faint with pain. > She saw them on the earth outworn, > Toiling till noon from early morn, > And as she viewed her children's woe, > A flood of tears began to flow. > As through the air beneath her swept > The Lord of Gods, the drops she wept, > Fine, laden with delicious smell, > Upon his heavenly body fell, > And Indra lifted up his eyes > And saw her standing in the skies, > Afflicted with her sorrow's weight, > Sad, weeping, all disconsolate. > The Lord of Gods in anxious mood > Thus spoke in suppliant attitude: > 'No fear disturbs our rest, and how > Comes this great dread upon thee now? > Whence can this woe upon thee fall, > Say, gentle one who lovest all?' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.20) evam uktā tu surabhiḥ surarājena dhīmatā patyuvāca tato dhīrā vākyaṃ vākyaviśāradā > Thus spake the God who rules the skies, > Indra, the Lord supremely wise; > And gentle Surabhi, well learned > In eloquence, this speech returned: > 'Not thine the fault, great God, not thine > And guiltless are the Lords divine: > I mourn two children faint with toil, > Labouring hard in stubborn soil, > Wasted and sad I see them now, > While the sun beats on neck and brow, > Still goaded by the cruel hind,-- > No pity in his savage mind. > O Indra, from this body sprang > These children, worn with many a pang. > For this sad sight I mourn, for none > Is to the mother like her son.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.21) śāntaṃ pātaṃ na vaḥ kiṃ cit kutaś cid amarādhipa ahaṃ tu magnau śocāmi svaputrau viṣame sthitau > Thus spake the God who rules the skies, > Indra, the Lord supremely wise; > And gentle Surabhi, well learned > In eloquence, this speech returned: > 'Not thine the fault, great God, not thine > And guiltless are the Lords divine: > I mourn two children faint with toil, > Labouring hard in stubborn soil, > Wasted and sad I see them now, > While the sun beats on neck and brow, > Still goaded by the cruel hind,-- > No pity in his savage mind. > O Indra, from this body sprang > These children, worn with many a pang. > For this sad sight I mourn, for none > Is to the mother like her son.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.22) etau dṛṣṭvā kṛṣau dīnau sūryaraśmipratāpinau vadhyamānau balīvardau karṣakeṇa surādhipa > Thus spake the God who rules the skies, > Indra, the Lord supremely wise; > And gentle Surabhi, well learned > In eloquence, this speech returned: > 'Not thine the fault, great God, not thine > And guiltless are the Lords divine: > I mourn two children faint with toil, > Labouring hard in stubborn soil, > Wasted and sad I see them now, > While the sun beats on neck and brow, > Still goaded by the cruel hind,-- > No pity in his savage mind. > O Indra, from this body sprang > These children, worn with many a pang. > For this sad sight I mourn, for none > Is to the mother like her son.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.23) mama kāyāt prasūtau hi duḥkhitau bhāra pīḍitau yau dṛṣṭvā paritapye 'haṃ nāsti putrasamaḥ priyaḥ > Thus spake the God who rules the skies, > Indra, the Lord supremely wise; > And gentle Surabhi, well learned > In eloquence, this speech returned: > 'Not thine the fault, great God, not thine > And guiltless are the Lords divine: > I mourn two children faint with toil, > Labouring hard in stubborn soil, > Wasted and sad I see them now, > While the sun beats on neck and brow, > Still goaded by the cruel hind,-- > No pity in his savage mind. > O Indra, from this body sprang > These children, worn with many a pang. > For this sad sight I mourn, for none > Is to the mother like her son.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.24) yasyāḥ putra sahasrāṇi sāpi śocati kāmadhuk kiṃ punar yā vinā rāmaṃ kausalyā vartayiṣyati > He saw her weep whose offspring feed > In thousands over hill and mead, > And knew that in a mother's eye > Naught with a son, for love, can vie. > He deemed her, when the tears that came > From her sad eyes bedewed his frame, > Laden with their celestial scent, > Of living things most excellent, > If she these tears of sorrow shed > Who many a thousand children bred, > Think what a life of woe is left > Kaus'alyá, of her Ráma reft. > An only son was hers and she > Is rendered childless now by thee. > Here and hereafter, for thy crime, > Woe is thy lot through endless time. > And now, O Queen, without delay, > With all due honour will I pay > Both to my brother and my sire > The rites their several fates require. > Back to Ayodhyá will I bring > The long-armed chief, her lord and king, > And to the wood myself betake > Where hermit saints their dwelling make. > For, sinner both in deed and thought! > This hideous crime which thou hast wrought > I cannot bear, or live to see > The people's sad eyes bent on me. > Begone, to Dandak wood retire, > Or cast thy body to the fire, > Or bind around thy neck the rope: > No other refuge mayst thou hope. > When Ráma, lord of valour true, > Has gained the earth, his right and due, > Then, free from duty's binding debt, > My vanished sin shall I forget.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.25) ekaputrā ca sādhvī ca vivatseyaṃ tvayā kṛtā tasmāt tvaṃ satataṃ duḥkhaṃ pretya ceha ca lapsyase > He saw her weep whose offspring feed > In thousands over hill and mead, > And knew that in a mother's eye > Naught with a son, for love, can vie. > He deemed her, when the tears that came > From her sad eyes bedewed his frame, > Laden with their celestial scent, > Of living things most excellent, > If she these tears of sorrow shed > Who many a thousand children bred, > Think what a life of woe is left > Kaus'alyá, of her Ráma reft. > An only son was hers and she > Is rendered childless now by thee. > Here and hereafter, for thy crime, > Woe is thy lot through endless time. > And now, O Queen, without delay, > With all due honour will I pay > Both to my brother and my sire > The rites their several fates require. > Back to Ayodhyá will I bring > The long-armed chief, her lord and king, > And to the wood myself betake > Where hermit saints their dwelling make. > For, sinner both in deed and thought! > This hideous crime which thou hast wrought > I cannot bear, or live to see > The people's sad eyes bent on me. > Begone, to Dandak wood retire, > Or cast thy body to the fire, > Or bind around thy neck the rope: > No other refuge mayst thou hope. > When Ráma, lord of valour true, > Has gained the earth, his right and due, > Then, free from duty's binding debt, > My vanished sin shall I forget.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.26) ahaṃ hy apacitiṃ bhrātuḥ pituś ca sakalām imām vardhanaṃ yaśasaś cāpi kariṣyāmi na saṃśayaḥ > He saw her weep whose offspring feed > In thousands over hill and mead, > And knew that in a mother's eye > Naught with a son, for love, can vie. > He deemed her, when the tears that came > From her sad eyes bedewed his frame, > Laden with their celestial scent, > Of living things most excellent, > If she these tears of sorrow shed > Who many a thousand children bred, > Think what a life of woe is left > Kaus'alyá, of her Ráma reft. > An only son was hers and she > Is rendered childless now by thee. > Here and hereafter, for thy crime, > Woe is thy lot through endless time. > And now, O Queen, without delay, > With all due honour will I pay > Both to my brother and my sire > The rites their several fates require. > Back to Ayodhyá will I bring > The long-armed chief, her lord and king, > And to the wood myself betake > Where hermit saints their dwelling make. > For, sinner both in deed and thought! > This hideous crime which thou hast wrought > I cannot bear, or live to see > The people's sad eyes bent on me. > Begone, to Dandak wood retire, > Or cast thy body to the fire, > Or bind around thy neck the rope: > No other refuge mayst thou hope. > When Ráma, lord of valour true, > Has gained the earth, his right and due, > Then, free from duty's binding debt, > My vanished sin shall I forget.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.27) ānāyayitvā tanayaṃ kausalyāyā mahādyutim svayam eva pravekṣyāmi vanaṃ muniniṣevitam > He saw her weep whose offspring feed > In thousands over hill and mead, > And knew that in a mother's eye > Naught with a son, for love, can vie. > He deemed her, when the tears that came > From her sad eyes bedewed his frame, > Laden with their celestial scent, > Of living things most excellent, > If she these tears of sorrow shed > Who many a thousand children bred, > Think what a life of woe is left > Kaus'alyá, of her Ráma reft. > An only son was hers and she > Is rendered childless now by thee. > Here and hereafter, for thy crime, > Woe is thy lot through endless time. > And now, O Queen, without delay, > With all due honour will I pay > Both to my brother and my sire > The rites their several fates require. > Back to Ayodhyá will I bring > The long-armed chief, her lord and king, > And to the wood myself betake > Where hermit saints their dwelling make. > For, sinner both in deed and thought! > This hideous crime which thou hast wrought > I cannot bear, or live to see > The people's sad eyes bent on me. > Begone, to Dandak wood retire, > Or cast thy body to the fire, > Or bind around thy neck the rope: > No other refuge mayst thou hope. > When Ráma, lord of valour true, > Has gained the earth, his right and due, > Then, free from duty's binding debt, > My vanished sin shall I forget.' > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.28) iti nāga ivāraṇye tomarāṅkuśacoditaḥ papāta bhuvi saṃkruddho niḥśvasann iva pannagaḥ > Thus like an elephant forced to brook > The goading of the driver's hook, > Quick panting like a serpent maimed, > He fell to earth with rage inflamed. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ### [2.68.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68.29) saṃraktanetraḥ śithilāmbaras tadā vidhūtasarvābharaṇaḥ paraṃtapaḥ babhūva bhūmau patito nṛpātmajaḥ śacīpateḥ ketur ivotsavakṣaye > Thus like an elephant forced to brook > The goading of the driver's hook, > Quick panting like a serpent maimed, > He fell to earth with rage inflamed. > — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse ## Translations (1) - [The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki~en-griffith.2.74.p1) — Ralph T. H. Griffith 1870, English ## Other recensions (2) - [Critical edition, Ayodhyā- and Araṇyakāṇḍa (revised e-text)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki*crit-revised.2.68.1) — Sanskrit - [Southern recension](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki*southern.2.68.1) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.68) · Pramāṇa