युद्ध-काण्ड > अयोध्या में स्वागत की तय्यारी, पुष्पक विमान कुबेर के पास भेजना



Bharata, after hearing the good news from Hanuma about the arrival of Rama, calls Shatrughna and commands him to make appropriate arrangements for the reception of Rama in the City of Ayodhya. Bharata departs with all others, for Nandigrama to receive Rama. The aerial car lands at Nandigrama. Bharata welcomes Rama and others, by embracing them and by greeting them joyously. Rama too offers his salutations to all his mothers, who come to receive him. Then, Bharata brings Rama's wooden sandals and places them below the feet of Rama. Rama commands Pushpaka, the aerial car to return to Kubera, the lord of riches to whom it originally belonged.
श्रुत्वा तु परमानन्दं भरतः सत्यविक्रमः |
हृष्टमाज्ञापयामास शत्रुघ्नं परवीरहा || ६-१२७-१
"Hearing the news of a great happiness from Hanuma, Bharata the truly brave ruler and the destroyer of enemies, commanded (as follows) to Shatrughna, who too felt delighted at the news."
दैवतानि च सर्वाणि चैत्यानि नगरस्य च |
सुगन्धमाल्यैर्वादित्रैरर्चन्तु शुचयो नराः || ६-१२७-२
"Let men of good conduct, offer worship to their family-deities, sanctuaries in the city with sweet-smelling flowers and to the accompaniment of musical instruments."
सूताः स्तुतिपुराणज्ञाह् सर्वे वैतालिकास्तथा |
सर्वे वादित्रकुशला गणिकाश्चैव संघशः || ६-१२७-३
राजदारास्तथामात्याः सैन्याः सेनागणाङ्गनाः |
ब्राह्मणाश्च सराजन्याः श्रेणिमुख्यास्तथा गणाः || ६-१२७-४
अभिनिर्यान्तु रामस्य द्रष्टुं शशिनिभं मुखम् |
"Let bards well-versed in singing praises and Puranas (containing ancient legends, cosmogony etc.) as also all panegyrists, all those proficient in the use of musical instruments, courtesans all collected together, the queen-mothers, ministers, army-men and their wives, brahmanas accompanied by Kshatriyas (members of fighting class), leaders of guilds of traders and artisans, as also their members, come out to see the moon-like countenance of Rama."
भरतस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शत्रुघ्नः परवीरहा || ६-१२७-५
विष्टीरनेकसाहस्रीश्चोदयामास भागशः |
Hearing the words of Bharata, Shatrughna the destroyer of valiant adversaries called together, laborers working on wages, numbering many thousands and dividing them into gangs, ordered them (as follows):
समीकुरुत निम्नानि विषमाणि समानि च || ६-१२७-६
स्थानानि च निरस्यन्तां नन्दिग्रामादितः परम् |
"Let the cavities on the path from Nandigrama to Ayodhya be levelled. Let the rough and the even places be made flat."
सिञ्चन्तु पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां हिमशीतेन वारिणा || ६-१२७-७
ततो&अम्प्;&अम्प्;अभ्यवकिरंस्त्वन्ये लाजैः पुष्पैश्च सर्वतः |
"Let the entire ground be sprinkled with ice-gold water. Let some others strew it all over with parched grains and flowers."
समुच्छ्रितपताकास्तु रथ्याः पुरवरोत्तमे || ६-१२७-८
शोभयन्तु च वेश्मानि सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति |
"Let the streets in Ayodhya, the excellent City, be lined with flags. Let the dwellings (on the road-side) be decorated, till the time of rising of the sun."
स्रग्दाममुक्तपुष्पैश्च सुगन्धैः पञ्चवर्णकैः || ६-१२७-९
राजमार्गमसम्बाधं किरन्तु शतशो नराः |
"Let hundreds of men sprinkle, on the main royal highway, with five fragrant colours and with rows of garlands as well as lose flowers."
ततस्तच्छासनं श्रुत्वा शत्रुघ्नस्य मुदान्विताः || ६-१२७-१०
धृष्टिर्जयन्तो विजयः सिद्धार्थश्चार्थसाधकः |
अशोको मन्त्रपालश्च सुमन्त्रश्चापि निर्ययुः || ६-१२७-११
On hearing that command of Shatrughna, Dhrushti, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddhartha, Arthasadhaka, Ashoka, Mantrapala and Sumantra proceeded with joy."
मत्तैर्नागसहस्रैश्च शातकुम्भविभूषितः |
अपरे हेमकक्ष्याभिः सगजाभिः करेणुभिः || ६-१२७-१२
निर्ययुस्त्वरया युक्ता रथैश्च सुमहारथाः |
Some rode on thousands of well-adorned elephants in rut and bearing banners. Some others rode on female-elephants provided with golden girths, along with those elephants. Excellent chariot-warriors issued forth in their chariots, with speed."
शक्त्यष्टिपाशहस्तानां सध्वजानां पताकिनाम् || ६-१२७-१३
तुरगाणां सहस्त्रैश्च मुख्यैर्मुख्यतरान्वितैः |
पदातीनां सहस्त्रैश्च वीराः परिवृता ययुः || ६-१२७-१४
Warriors on selected horses even still superior ones in thousands, bearing banners and pennants, carrying javelins, spears and nooses, as also surrounded by thousands of foot-soldiers, sallied forth."
ततो यानान्युपारूढाः सर्वा दशरथस्त्रियः |
कौसल्यां प्रमुखे कृत्वा सुमित्रां चापि निर्ययुः || ६-१२७-१५
कैकेय्या सहिताः सर्वा नन्दिग्राममुपागमन् |
Then, all the wives of the deceased Dasaratha, placing Kausalya and Sumitra in front of them, mounting their vehicles, issued forth. All of them, including Kaikeyi, reached Nandigrama."
द्विजातिमुख्यैर्धर्मात्मा श्रेणीमुख्यैः सनैगमैः || ६-१२७-१६
माल्यमोदक हस्तैश्च मन्त्रिभिर्भरतो वृतः |
शङ्खभेरीनिनादैश्च बन्दिभिश्चाभिवन्दितः || ६-१२७-१७
आर्यपादौ गृहीत्वा तु शिरसा धर्मकोविदः |
पाण्डुरं छत्रमादाय शुक्लमाल्योपशोभितम् || ६-१२७-१८
शुक्ले च वालव्यजने राजार्हे हेमभूषिते |
उपवासकृशो दीनश्चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरः || ६-१२७-१९
भ्रातुरागमनं श्रुत्वा तत्पूर्वं हर्षमागतः |
प्रत्युद्ययौ तदा रामं महात्मा सचिवैः सह || ६-१२७-२०
Placing the wooden sandals of his brother (Rama) on his head and taking the white parasol (intended for Rama) which was adorned with white garlands and two white whisks decorated with gold, eminently worthy of kings, accompanied by the foremost of Brahmanas, leaders of the guilds of traders and artisans, including the mercantile class, surrounded by the counselors with garlands and bell-shaped sweets in their hands, cheered by the blass of conches and kettle-drums, duly praised by panegyrists, the great-souled Bharata, for his part, whose mind was set on righteousness, who was well-versed with the secret of virtue, who was emaciated through fasting, who felt miserable, was clad in the bark of trees and the sking of a black antelope, who experienced joy for the first time in hearing the news of the arrival of his brother then went in advance, along with his ministers, to meet Rama."
अश्वानां खरशब्दैश्च रथनेमिस्वनेन च |
शङ्खदुन्दुभिनादेन संचचालेव मेदिनी || ६-१२७-२१
The earth seemed, as it were, shaking with the sound of horse-hoofs the rattling of rims of chariot-wheels and by the tumults of couches and kettle-drums."
कृत्स्नं तु नगरं ततु नन्दिग्राममुपागमत् |
समीक्ष्य भरतो वाक्यमुवाच पवनात्मजम् || ६-१२७-२२
The entire City of Ayodhya literally reached Nandigrama. Glancing round, Bharata spoke as follows to Hanuma."
कच्चिन्न खलु कापेयी सेव्यते चलचित्तता |
न हि पश्यामि काकुत्स्थं राममार्यं परन्तपम् || ६-१२७-२३
"Indeed, I hope the fickle-mindedness which constitutes the peculiarity of monkeys, has not been resorted to by you. For I do not indeed see Rama, a worthy scion of Kakutthsa and the destroyer of adversaries."
अथैवमुक्ते वचने हनूमानिदमब्रवीत् |
अर्थं विज्ञापयन्नेव भरतं सत्यविक्रमम् || ६-१२७-२४
When these remarks were uttered by Bharata, Hanuma forthwith replied, as follows to Bharata of unfailing prowess, by his meaningful words which were, as if they were apprising the situation."
सदा फलान्कुसुमितान्वृक्षान्प्राप्य मधुस्रवान् |
भरद्वाजप्रसादेन मत्तभ्रमरनादितान् || ६-१२७-२५
तस्य चैष वरो दत्तो वासवेन परन्तप |
ससैन्यस्य तदातिथ्यं कृतं सर्वगुणान्वितम् || ६-१२७-२६
निस्वनः श्रूयते भीमः प्रहृष्टानां वनौकसाम् |
मन्ये वानरसेना सा नदीं तरति गोमतीम् || ६-१२७-२७
"A formidable roar of rejoiced monkeys is being heard, for, they are seeing on the way, trees which continually, yield fruit, adorned with blossom, flowing with honey which is drunk by bees, making reverberant humming sounds - all due to the grace of Sage Bharadwaja O Bharata, the destroyer of adversaries! A boon was conferred by Indra, the lord of celestials, by virtue of which a hospitality rich with all excellences was earlier extended by Bharadwaja to you, with your entire army. I presume that the aforesaid army of monkeys is crossing the rivers, Gomati."
रजोवर्षं समुद्भूतं पश्य वालुकिनीं प्रति |
मन्ये सालवनं रम्यं लोलयन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः || ६-१२७-२८
"See the cloud of dust, shooting froths towards the grove of Sala trees. I presume that the monkeys are shaking the beautiful grove of Sala trees."
तदेतद्दृश्यते दूराद्विमलं चन्द्रसंनिभम् |
विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यं मनसा ब्रह्मनिर्मितम् || ६-१२७-२९
"There is seen, in distance, that very famous aerial car, shining brightly like the moon. The wonderful aerial car called Pushpaka was built with his intelligence by Viswakarma (an architect of gods, who has been referred to here as Brahma by virtue of his creative talent.)."
रावणं बान्धवैः सार्धं हत्वा लब्धं महात्मना |
तरुणादित्यसंकाशं विमानं रामवाहनम् || ६-१२७-३०
धनदस्य प्रसादेन दिव्यमेतन्मनोजवम् |
"This wonderful aerial car, with a speed of thought, which is carrying the great souled Rama, and shines brightly like the rising sun, belongs to Kubera, the lord of riches, by the grace of brahma, the lord of creation. (Who bestowed it on him)"
एतस्मिन्भ्रातरौ वीरौ वैदेह्या सह राघवौ || ६-१२७-३१
सुग्रीवश्च महातेजा राक्षसेन्द्रो विभीषणः |
"In the same aerial car are the valiant Rama and Lakshmana, the brothers, along with Seetha, the immensely brilliant Sugreeva and Vibhishana the demon."
ततो हर्षसमुद्भूतो निस्वनो दिवमस्पृशत् || ६-१२७-३२
स्त्रीबालयुववृद्धानां रामो&अम्प्;&अम्प्;अयमिति कीर्तितः |
Meanwhile, the words 'Here comes Rama' were loudly said and a clamour born of joy from the mouth of women, children, youth and elders touched the sky."
रथकुञ्जरवाजिभ्यस्ते&अम्प्;&अम्प्;अवतीर्य महीं गताः || ६-१२७-३३
ददृशुस्तं विमानस्थं नराः सोममिवाम्बरे |
Descending from their chariots, elephants as also horses and standing on the ground, all those people saw, like the moon in the sky, that Rama seated in the aerial car."
प्राञ्जलिर्भरतो भूत्वा प्रहृष्टो राघवोन्मुखः || ६-१२७-३४
स्वागतेन यथार्थेन ततो राममपूजयत् |
The over-joyed Bharata with his joined palms, his face turned towards Rama, worshipped and welcomed him in a befitting way."
मनसा ब्रह्मणा सृष्टे विमाने लक्ष्मणाग्रजः || ६-१२७-३५
रराज पृथुदीर्घाक्षो वज्रपाणिरिवापरः |
Rama, with his long and large eyes, seated in the aerial car, created by Viswakarma the divine architect with his intelligence, shone like another Indra who carries the thunderbolt in his hand."
ततो विमानाग्रगतं भरतो भ्रातरं तदा || ६-१२७-३६
ववन्दे प्रणतो रामं मेरुस्थमिव भास्करम् |
Bent low in reverence, Bharata then saluted Rama, who stood in the forepart of the aerial car and shining like the sun appearing on Mount Meru."
ततो रामाभ्यनुज्ञातं तद्विमानमनुत्तमम् || ६-१२७-३७
हंसयुक्तं महावेगम् निपपात महीतले |
As authorized by Rama, that excellent aerial car, having a great speed and endowed with the images of swans, landed on the ground."
आरोपितो विमानं तद्भरतः सत्यविक्रमः || ६-१२७-३८
राममासाद्य मुदितः पुनरेवाभ्यवादयत् |
Feeling glad, when lifted on that aerial car and approaching Rama, Bharata of true valour, greeted him yet again."
तं समुत्थाप्य काकुत्स्थश्चिरस्याक्षिपथं गतम् || ६-१२७-३९
अङ्के भरतमारोप्य मुदितः परिषष्वजे |
Fully rising from his seat and placing that Bharata, who was seen after a long time, on his lap, Rama delightfully embraced him."
ततो लक्ष्मणमासाद्य वैदेहीं च परन्तपः || ६-१२७-४०
अभ्यवादयत प्रीतो भरतो नाम चाब्रवीत् |
Thereafter, the jubilant Bharata, the destroyer of adversaries, approaching Lakshmana and Seetha, then saluted them in reverence and also announced his name."
सुग्रीवं कैकयी पुत्रो जाम्बवन्तं तथाङ्गदम् || ६-१२७-४१
मैन्दं च द्विविदं नीलमृषभं चैव सस्वजे |
Then, Bharata embraced Sugreeva, Jambavan, Angada, Mainda, Dvivida, Neela and Rishabha."
सुषेणं च नलं चैव गवाक्षम् गन्धमादनम् || ६-१२७-४२
शरभं पनसं चैव परितह् परिष्स्वजे |
He also embraced Sushena, Nala, Gavaksha, Gandhamadana, Sharabha, Panasa and the surrounding monkeys."
ते कृत्वा मानुषं रूपं वानराः कामरूपिणः || ६-१२७-४३
कुशलं पर्यपृषन्त प्रहृष्टा भरतं तदा |
Then, those monkeys, who can change their form at will, assumed the form of humans and rejoicingly asked about the welfare of Bharata."
अथाब्रवीद्राजपुत्रः सुग्रीवं वानरर्षभम् || ६-१२७-४४
परिष्वज्य महातेजा भरतो धर्मिणां वरः |
Thereupon, the immensely brilliant Bharata, the son of Dasaratha and the foremost among the virtuous, after embracing Sugreeva the excellent monkey, spoke to him (as follows):
त्वमस्माकं चतुर्णां वैभ्राता सुग्रीव पञ्चमः || ६-१२७-४५
सौहार्दाज्जायते मित्रमपकारोऽरिलक्षणम् |
"You are a fifth brother, for all the four of us, O Sugreeva! A friend is born of affection, while malifience is the attribute of an adversary."
विभीषणं च भरतः सान्त्वयन्वाक्यमब्रवीत् || ६-१२७-४६
दिष्ट्या त्वया सहायेन कृतं कर्म सुदुष्करम् |
Thereafter, Bharata spoke the following kind words to Vibhishan: "Thank heaven! A very difficult task was accomplished by you, as a companion of Rama."
शत्रुघ्नश्च तदा राममभिवाद्य सलक्ष्मणम् || ६-१२७-४७
सीतायाश्चरणौ पश्चाद्ववन्दे विनयान्वितः |
Then, the valiant Shatrughna offered his salutation to Rama, along with Lakshmana and offered his reverential salutation to Seetha's feet, by bowing in humility."
रामो मातरमासाद्य विषण्णं शोककर्शिताम् || ६-१२७-४८
जग्राह प्रणतः पादौ मनो मातुः प्रसादयन् |
By going to his mother, who became pale and emaciated due to her grief, Rama, by bowing, seized her feet in salutation, making his mother's heart delighted."
अभिवाद्य सुमित्रां च कैकेयीं च यशस्विनीम् || ६-१२७-४९
स मातॄश्च तदा सर्वाः पुरोहितमुपागमत् |
Offering salutation to Sumatra, the illustrious Kaikeyi and all his mothers, Rama then went to Vasishta the priest and offered his salutation in reverence."
स्वागतं ते महाबाहो कौसल्यानन्दवर्धन || ६-१२७-५०
इति प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे नागरा राममब्रुवन् |
With joined palms, all the citizens of Ayodhya said to Rama: "Welcome to you, O the great-armed! O the enhancer of Kausala's delight!"
तन्यञ्जलिसहस्राणि प्रगृहीतानि नागरैः || ६-१२७-५१
व्याकोशानीव पद्मानि ददर्श भरताग्रजः |
Rama saw those thousands of joined palms held by the citizens, appearing as lotus-flowers in bloom."
पादुके ते तु रामस्य गृहीत्वा भरतः स्वयम् || ६-१२७-५२
चरणाभ्यां नरेन्द्रस्य योजयामास धर्मवित् |
Taking those wooden sandals of Rama, Bharata, the knower of virtue, personally placed them below the feet of Rama, the lord of men."
अब्रवीच्च तदा रामं भरतः स कृताञ्जलिः || ६-१२७-५३
एतत्ते रक्षितं राजन्राज्यं निर्यातितं मया |
Having offered his salutation with joined palms, Bharata spoke to Rama as follows: "This entire sovereignty of yours, kept with me as a deposit, is being returned to you, by me."
अद्य जन्म कृतार्थं मे संवृत्तश्च मनोरथः || ६-१२७-५४
यस्त्वां पश्यामि राजानमयोध्यां पुनरागतम् |
"My life has accomplished its purpose today and my wish too stands fulfilled, in that I see you, its king, come back to Ayodhya."
अवेक्षतां भवान्कोशं कोष्ठागारं पुरं बलम् || ६-१२७-५५
भवतस्तेजसा सर्वं कृतं दशगुणं मया |
"You review your treasury, granary, palace of your spirit, everything has been enhanced tenfold by me."
तथा ब्रुवाणं भरतं दृष्ट्वा तं भ्रातृवत्सलम् || ६-१२७-५६
मुमुचुर्वानरा बाष्पं राक्षसश्च विभीषणः |
Seeing that Bharata, speaking thus with affection with his brother, Vibhishana the demon and the monkeys shed their tears."
ततः प्रहर्षाद्भरतमङ्कमारोप्य राघवः || ६-१२७-५७
ययौ तेन विमानेन ससैन्यो भरताश्रमम् |
Placing Bharata on his lap with delight, Rama thereupon flew with his army (of monkeys and bears) in that aerial car to the hermitage of Bharata."
भरताश्रममासाद्य ससैन्यो राघवस्तदा || ६-१२७-५८
अवतीर्य विमानाग्रादवतस्थे महीतले |
Reaching the hermitage of Bharata along with his army Rama then descended from the anterior of the aerial car and stood, for the time-being, on the ground."
अब्रवीच्च तदा रामस्तद्विमानमनुत्तमम् || ६-१२७-५९
वह वैश्रवणं देवमनुजानामि गम्यताम् |
Then, Rama, for his part, spoke to that excellent aerial car, "Serve as a transport to Kubera, the lord. I permit you to leave."
ततो रामाभ्यनुज्ञातं तद्विमानमनुत्तमम् || ६-१२७-६०
उत्तरां दिशमुद्दिश्य जगाम धनदालयम् |
Thus permitted by Rama, that excellent aerial car, thereupon proceeded towards the northern direction, so as t reach the abode of Kubera the lord of riches."
विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यं सम्गृहीतं तु रक्षसा || ६-१२७-६१
अगमद्धनदं वेगाद्रामवाक्यप्रचोदितम् |
That wonderful aerial car, Pushpaka which was seized by Ravana once, went in speed to Kubera, as impelled by Rama's advice."
पुरोहितस्यात्मसमस्य राघवो |
बृहस्पतेः शक्र इवामराधीअपः |
निपीड्य पादौ पृथगासने शुभे |
सहैव तेनोपविवेश वीर्यवान् || ६-१२७-६२
Affectionately pressing the feet of Vasishta, his well-wisher and family-priest, even as Indra the lord of celestials would press the feet of Brihaspati (the preceptor of gods), the valiant Rama sat by his side, on a separate seat."
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायने आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे सप्तविंशत्यधिकशततमः सर्गः