Sarga 20: Dasaratha's Reluctance
Dasharatha Anichha
Dasaratha protests that Rama, not yet sixteen, is too young and untrained to fight Ravana's demons Maricha and Subahu, and offers to go himself with his army instead; Vishvamitra grows angry at his refusal.
Jump to a shloka · 26 in this sarga
तच्छ्रुत्वा राजशार्दूलो विश्वामित्रस्य भाषितम्। मुहूर्तमिव निस्संज्ञस्संज्ञावानिदमब्रवीत्।।1.20.1।।
Meaning
Hearing Vishvamitra's words, the tigerly king lay senseless for a moment, then, regaining his composure, spoke thus.
ऊनषोडशवर्षो मे रामो राजीवलोचन:। न युद्धयोग्यतामस्य पश्यामि सह राक्षसै:।।1.20.2।।
Meaning
"My lotus-eyed Rama is not yet sixteen years old — I see no fitness in him for battle with rakshasas."
इयमक्षौहिणी पूर्णा यस्याहं पतिरीश्वर:। अनया संवृतो गत्वा योद्धाऽहं तैर्निशाचरै:।।1.20.3।।
Meaning
"Here is my full army, of which I am lord and master — surrounded by it, I myself will go and fight those night-wanderers."
इमे शूराश्च विक्रान्ता भृत्या मेऽस्त्रविशारदा:। योग्या रक्षोगणैर्योद्धुं न रामं नेतुमर्हसि।।1.20.4।।
Meaning
"These brave and valiant soldiers of mine, skilled in weaponry, are fit to fight the rakshasa hosts — you should not take Rama."
अहमेव धनुष्पाणिर्गोप्ता समरमूर्धनि। यावत्प्राणान्धरिष्यामि तावद्योत्स्ये निशाचरै:।।1.20.5।।
Meaning
"I myself, bow in hand, will be the guardian at the forefront of battle; as long as I hold my breath, I will fight the night-wanderers."
निर्विघ्ना व्रतचर्या सा भविष्यति सुरक्षिता। अहं तत्रागमिष्यामि न रामं नेतुमर्हसि।।1.20.6।।
Meaning
"Your vow's observance shall proceed unhindered and well protected — I myself will come there; you should not take Rama."
बालो ह्यकृतविद्यश्च न च वेत्ति बलाबलम्। न चास्त्रबलसंयुक्तो न च युद्धविशारद:।।1.20.7।।
Meaning
"He is a mere boy, untrained, unaware of strength and weakness, not equipped with weapon-craft nor skilled in war, and certainly no match for rakshasas who fight by deceit."
न चासौ रक्षसां योग्य: कूटयुद्धा हि ते ध्रुवम्।।1.20.8।।
Meaning
"He is surely no match for those demons, who fight only by treacherous means."
विप्रयुक्तो हि रामेण मुहूर्तमपि नोत्सहे।।1.20.8।। जीवितुं मुनिशार्दूल न रामं नेतुमर्हसि।
Meaning
"Separated from Rama, I could not bear to live even a moment, O foremost sage — you should not take Rama."
यदि वा राघवं ब्रह्मन्नेतुमिच्छसि सुव्रत।।1.20.9।। चतुरङ्गसमायुक्तं मया च सहितं नय।
Meaning
"But if you insist on taking Raghava, O one of good vows, then take him together with me and my four-fold army."