Sarga 22: Rama and Lakshmana Depart
Rama Lakshmana Prasthana
Blessed by their parents, Rama and Lakshmana set out with Vishvamitra; on the Sarayu's bank the sage bestows the mantras Bala and Atibala, freeing Rama from fatigue, hunger, and fear, and the three rest for the night.
Jump to a shloka · 20 in this sarga
तथा वसिष्ठे ब्रुवति राजा दशरथस्सुतम प्रहृष्टवदनो राममाजुहाव सलक्ष्मणम्।।1.22.1।।
Meaning
As Vashishtha was speaking thus, King Dasaratha, his face full of joy, called for Rama along with Lakshmana.
कृतस्वस्त्ययनं मात्रा पित्रा दशरथेन च। पुरोधसा वसिष्ठेन मङ्गलैरभिमन्त्रितम्।।1.22.2।। स पुत्रं मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय राजा दशरथ: प्रियम्। ददौ कुशिकपुत्राय सुप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना।।1.22.3।।
Meaning
Blessed with protective rites by his mother and by King Dasaratha, and invoked with auspicious mantras by the priest Vashishtha, King Dasaratha smelled his beloved son's head and, with a joyful inner heart, gave him over to Kaushika's son.
ततो वायुस्सुखस्पर्शो नीरजस्को ववौ तदा। विश्वामित्रगतं दृष्ट्वा रामं राजीवलोचनम्।।1.22.4।।
Meaning
Then a pleasant, dust-free breeze blew, as the wind-god beheld the lotus-eyed Rama walking with Vishvamitra.
पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीद्देवदुन्दुभिनिस्वनै:। शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोष: प्रयाते तु महात्मनि।।1.22.5।।
Meaning
A great shower of flowers fell with the resounding of celestial drums, and the sound of conches and drums rose as the great-souled one departed.
विश्वामित्रो ययावग्रे ततो रामो धनुर्धर:। काकपक्षधरो धन्वी तं च सौमित्रिरन्वगात्।।1.22.6।।
Meaning
Vishvamitra walked ahead, then Rama the bow-bearer, his locks like a raven's wing, followed by Sumitra's son.
कलापिनौ धनुष्पाणी शोभमानौ दिशो दश। विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं त्रिशीर्षाविव पन्नगौ।।1.22.7।।
Meaning
With quivers and bows in hand, illuminating all ten directions, the two undiminished ones followed the great-souled Vishvamitra like twin three-headed serpents, or like the Ashvins following their grandsire.
अनुजग्मतुरक्षुद्रौ पितामहमिवाश्विनौ।।1.22.8।।
Meaning
Those two unassuming princes followed behind, like the twin Ashvins following their grandsire.
तदा कुशिकपुत्रं तु धनुष्पाणी स्वलङ्कृतौ।।1.22.8।। बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणौ खड्गवन्तौ महाद्युती। कुमारौ चारुवपुषौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।1.22.9।। अनुयातौ श्रिया दीप्तौ शोभयेतामनिन्दितौ। स्थाणुं देवमिवाचिन्त्यं कुमाराविव पावकी।।1.22.10।।
Meaning
Then, following Kaushika's son, the two handsome brothers Rama and Lakshmana, well adorned, bows in hand, wearing leather finger-guards, girt with swords and shining with splendor, blameless and radiant, followed him as the twin sons of Fire follow the inconceivable god Shiva.
अध्यर्धयोजनं गत्वा सरय्वा दक्षिणे तटे। रामेति मधुरां वाणीं विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत।।1.22.11।।
Meaning
Having gone a league and a half, on the southern bank of the Sarayu, Vishvamitra spoke to Rama in a sweet voice.
गृहाण वत्स सलिलं मा भूत्कालस्य पर्यय:। मन्त्रग्रामं गृहाण त्वं बलामतिबलां तथा।।1.22.12।।
Meaning
"Take the water, my child, let not the time pass by — receive from me the collection of mantras called Bala and Atibala."