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.
Jump to a shloka · 24 in this sarga
रामोऽपि सहसौमित्रिर्मुनीं स्तानभिपूज्य च। अग्रतो निषसादाथ विश्वामित्रस्य धीमत:।।1.31.21।।
Meaning
Rama too, together with Saumitri, having honored the sages, sat down before the wise Vishvamitra.
अथ रामो महातेजाः विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम्। पप्रच्छ नरशार्दूल: कौतूहलसमन्वित:।।1.31.22।।
Meaning
Then the greatly radiant Rama, tiger among men, filled with curiosity, questioned the great sage Vishvamitra.
भगवन् कोऽन्वयं देशस्समृद्धवनशोभित:। श्रोतुमिच्छामि भद्रं ते वक्तुमर्हसि तत्त्वत:।।1.31.23।।
Meaning
Blessed one, what land is this, adorned with flourishing forests? I wish to hear of it; may you be pleased to tell me truly.
चोदितो रामवाक्येन कथयामास सुव्रत:। तस्य देशस्य निखिलमृषिमध्ये महातपा:।।1.31.24।।
Meaning
Prompted by Rama's words, the greatly ascetic one of firm vows began to relate, in the midst of the sages, the whole history of that land.