Sarga 31: Journey to Mithila
Mithila Yatra
With the sacrifice complete, the sages invite Rama to Janaka's court to see the wondrous, unliftable bow of Shiva; Vishvamitra bids farewell to the Siddhashrama's forest deities and sets out north with Rama, Lakshmana, and the sages, camping the first night on the bank of the Sona.
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तद्धनुर्नरशार्दूल मैथिलस्य महात्मन:। तत्र द्रक्ष्यसि काकुत्स्थ यज्ञं चाद्भुतदर्शनम्।।1.31.11।।
Meaning
That bow of the great-souled king of Mithila, tiger among men, you shall see there, along with a sacrifice wondrous to behold.
तद्धि यज्ञफलं तेन मैथिलेनोत्तमं धनु:। याचितं नरशार्दूल सुनाभं सर्वदैवतै:।।1.31.12।।
Meaning
For that supreme, well-hubbed bow was the fruit of the sacrifice that king of Mithila sought from all the gods.
आयागभूतं नृपतेस्तस्य वेश्मनि राघव। अर्चितं विविधैर्गन्धैर्धूपैश्चागरुगन्धिभि:।।1.31.13।।
Meaning
It is kept as an object of worship in that king's palace, Raghava, honored with various fragrances and aloe-scented incense.
एवमुक्त्वा मुनिवर: प्रस्थानमकरोत्तदा। सर्षिसङ्घ स्सकाकुत्स्थ: आमन्त्र्य वनदेवता:।।1.31.14।।
Meaning
Having spoken thus, the eminent sage then set out on his journey with the assembly of sages and Kakutstha, taking leave of the forest deities.
स्वस्ति वोऽस्तु गमिष्यामि सिद्वस्सिद्धाश्रमादहम्। उत्तरे जाह्नवीतीरे हिमवन्तं शिलोच्चयम्।।1.31.15।।
Meaning
Farewell to you all — my purpose accomplished, I now go from this Siddhashrama toward the mountain range of the Himalayas on the northern bank of the Ganga.
प्रदक्षिणं तत: कृत्वा सिद्धाश्रममनुत्तमम्। उत्तरां दिशमुद्दिश्य प्रस्थातुमुपचक्रमे।।1.31.16।।
Meaning
Then, circumambulating the unsurpassed Siddhashrama, he set out, heading toward the northern direction.
तं प्रयान्तं मुनिवरमन्वयादनुसारिणम्। शकटीशतमात्रं तु प्रायेण ब्रह्मवादिनाम्।।1.31.17।।
Meaning
Following behind that eminent sage as he journeyed came about a hundred cartloads of the Vedic scholars' belongings.
मृगपक्षिगणाश्चैव सिद्धाश्रमनिवासिन:। अनुजग्मुर्महात्मानं विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम्।।1.31.18।। निवर्तयामास तत: पक्षिसङ्घान् मृगानपि।
Meaning
The deer and flocks of birds dwelling in Siddhashrama also followed the great sage Vishvamitra; he then sent the flocks of birds and deer back.
ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं लम्बमाने दिवाकरे। वासं चक्रुर्मुनिगणाः शोणाकूले समाहिता:।।1.31.19।।
Meaning
Having traveled far, as the sun hung low, the assembly of sages made camp together on the bank of the Sona.
तेऽस्तं गते दिनकरे स्नात्वा हुतहुताशना:। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य निषेदुरमितौजस:।।1.31.20।।
Meaning
When the sun had set, having bathed and offered oblations into the fire, those of boundless radiance sat down with Vishvamitra at their head.