“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118
Anasuya’s Gifts to Sita
Summary
Seetha agrees to the instructions given by Anasuya on the duties of a devoted wife. At the end of the conversation with Seetha, Anasuya requests her to ask for a boon, and highly pleased with her, Anasuya bestows heavenly flowers and ornaments on her. Anasuya then requests Seetha to relate to her the story of her marriage with Rama. Then Seetha relates that story to Anasuya in detail.
Chapter [Sarga] 118 in Detail
saa tu evam uktaa vaidehii anasuuyaan asuuyayaa |
pratipuujya vaco mandam pravaktum upacakrame || 2-118-1
Anasuya having spoken thus, Seetha without any jealousy, full of reverence for her, addressed her gently as follows:
na etad aashcaryam aaryaayaa yan maam tvam anubhaashase |
viditam tu mama apy etad yathaa naaryaah patir guruh || 2-118-2
"It is not a surprise that a venerable woman like a you, talk to me like this, for, I know well that a husband is a respectable person for a woman."
yady apy esha bhaved bhartaa mama aarye vritta varjitah |
advaidham upavartavyah tathaa apy esha mayaa bhavet || 2-118-3
"O, venerable woman! Even if my husband be without fortune, he should unhesitatingly be obeyed by me."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 kim punar yo guna shlaaghyah saanukrosho jita indriyah |
sthira anuraago dharma aatmaa maatri vartii pitri priyah || 2-118-4
"How much more, if he be renowned for his virtues, compassionate, master of my heart, who is ever affectionate, a religious person, manifests the tenderness of a mother and a father to me."
yaam vrittim vartate raamah kausalyaayaam mahaa balah |
taam eva nripa naariinaam anyaasaam api vartate || 2-118-5
The exceedingly strong Rama bears himself to all other Queens, as he exercises his behavior towards his mother, Kausalya."
sakrid drishtaasu api striishu nripena nripa vatsalah |
maatrivad vartate viiro maanam utsrijya dharmavit || 2-118-6
"The valiant and pious Rama who is devoted to Dasaratha and free from all sense of importance treats all those women as his mothers on whom Dasaratha has even once bestowed a single glance."
aagagccantyaah ca vijanam vanam evam bhaya aavaham |
samaahitam hi me shvashrvaa hridaye yat sthitam mahat || 2-118-7
"While departing for the lonely and fearful forest, my mother-in-law imparted a great message to me, which I have inscribed in my heart."
praani pradaana kaale ca yat puraa tu agni samnidhau |
anushishtaa jananyaa asmi vaakyam tad api me dhritam || 2-118-8
"What my mother taught me when witnessed by the fire, earlier at the time of my marriage with Rama, I shall always remember them."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 navii kritam tu tat sarvam vaakyaih te dharma caarini |
pati shushruushanaan naaryaah tapo na anyad vidhiiyate || 2-118-9
"O, virtuous woman! By your words, all that is being renewed. No austerity, other than obedience to one's husband is decreed for a woman."
saavitrii pati shushruushaam kritvaa svarge mahiiyate ||
tathaa vrittih ca yaataa tvam pati shushruushayaa divam || 2-118-10
Savitri is now highly honored in heaven, for having served her lord faithfully heaven, You too, having followed this, will proceed to heaven, in showing obedience to your husband."
varishthaa sarva naariinaam eshaa ca divi devataa |
rohinii ca vinaa candram muhuurtam api drishyate || 2-118-11
"This goddess Rohini, the excellent among all women, is not seen without the moon even for a single moment in the sky."
evam vidhaah ca pravaraah striyo bhartri dridha vrataah |
deva loke mahiiyante punyena svena karmanaa || 2-118-12
"Such excellent women, devoted to their husbands, and by their meritorious deeds, are highly honored in heaven."
tato anasuuyaa samhrishtaa shrutvaa uktam siitayaa vacah |
shirasy aaghraaya ca uvaaca maithiliim harshayanty uta || 2-118-13
Hearing the words of Seetha, Anasuya was very much pleased, kissed on Seetha's forehead and spoke delightfully (as follows)
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 niyamair vividhair aaptam tapo hi mahad asti me |
tat samshritya balam siite chandaye tvaam shuci vrate || 2-118-14
"O, Seetha with a bright smile! There is a great merit acquired by me in virtue of my various pious observances. Through that power, I wish to confer a boon on you."
upapannam ca yuktam ca vacanam tava maithili |
priitaa ca asmy ucitam kim te karavaani braviihyaham || 2-118-15
"O, Seetha! Your words are suitable for the occasion and are charming too. I am satisfied. Tell me what good I may do for you."
tasyaastadvachanam shrutvaa vismitaa mandavismayaa |
kritam ity abraviit siitaa tapo bala samanvitaam || 2-118-16
Hearing those words of Anasuya, Seetha was surprised and with a gentle smile spoke to her, who was richly endowed with the power of askesis [ascesis], saying; "Everything stands fulfilled (by your grace).
saa tu evam uktaa dharmajnaa tayaa priitataraa abhavat |
saphalam cha praharsam te hanta siite karomyaham || 2-118-17
Thus spoken by Seetha, the pious-minded Anasuya became more delighted and said: "O, Seetha! Alas! I will create a great joy for you, which will be to your advantage."
idam divyam varam maalyam vastram aabharanaani ca |
anga raagam ca vaidehi mahaa arham anulepanam || 2-118-18
mayaa dattam idam siite tava gaatraani shobhayet |
anuruupam asamklishtam nityam eva bhavishyati || 2-118-19
"O, Seetha, the daughter of Videha kingdom! Here are divine gifts: a garland, apparel, jewels, a scented cosmetic and rare body-cream. These are all given by me to adorn your limbs. They will be ever worthy of your and will remain in tact (even after constant use)."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 anga raagena divyena lipta angii janaka aatmaje |
shobhayishyaami bhartaaram yathaa shriir vishnum avyayam || 2-118-20
"O, Seetha! Your body, anointed with these heavenly cosmetics, will cause your husband to look beautiful, as Lakshmi (the goddess of fortune and beauty) does the imperishable Vishnu (the Lord of Preservation)."
saa vastram anga raagam ca bhuushanaani srajah tathaa |
maithilii pratijagraaha priiti daanam anuttamam || 2-118-21
Seetha accepted the apparel, the scented cosmetic, the jewels and the garlands as unsurpassed gifts of love.
pratigrihya ca tat siitaa priiti daanam yashasvinii |
shlishta anjali putaa dhiiraa samupaasta tapo dhanaam || 2-118-22
Having accepted those gifts of love, the illustrious Seetha with joined palms, sat near that female ascetic.
tathaa siitaam upaasiinaam anasuuyaa dridha vrataa |
vacanam prashtum aarebhe kaamcid tpriyaam kathaamanu || 2-118-23
To inquire about a lovely tale of once upon a time, Anasuya who was firm in austerity, started asking the following words to Seetha who was sitting near her in that manner.
svayam vare kila praaptaa tvam anena yashasvinaa |
raaghavena iti me siite kathaa shrutim upaagataa || 2-118-24
"O, Seetha! It is so said that you were won by the illustrious Rama through a process of your self-choosing (Svayamvara). This report has reached my ear."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 taam kathaam shrotum igccaami vistarena ca maithili |
yathaa anubhuutam kaartsnyena tan me tvam vaktum arhasi || 2-118-25
"O, Seetha! I wish to hear that narrative in detail. Hence, tell me that tale in full as you experienced it."
evam uktaa tu saa siitaa taam tato dharma caariniim |
shruuyataam iti ca uktvaa vai kathayaam aasa taam kathaam || 2-118-26
Then, Seetha obediently answered, saying "Hear me" and began to truly narrate that tale of Svayamvara to the virtuous woman, Anasuya."
mithilaa adhipatir viiro janako naama dharmavit |
kshatra dharmany abhirato nyaayatah shaasti mediniim || 2-118-27
"A king of Mithila kingdom, named Janaka who was valiant and a knower of righteousness was devoted to the duty of his warrior class and was ruling the earth in a fitting manner."
tasya laangala hastasya karshatah kshetra mandalam |
aham kila utthitaa bhittvaa jagatiim nripateh sutaa || 2-118-28
"While he was furrowing a territory of land, holding a plough in his hand, it is so said that I came forth, splitting up the land, as a daughter of that king."
sa maam drishtvaa nara patir mushti vikshepa tat parah |
paamshu gunthita sarva angiim vismito janako abhavat || 2-118-29
"The king Janaka, who was absorbed in scattering handfuls of seeds, was surprised to see me, with all my limbs covered with dust."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 anapatyena ca snehaad ankam aaropya ca svayam |
mama iyam tanayaa ity uktvaa sneho mayi nipaatitah || 2-118-30
"Placing me personally in his lap with affection, that childless king Janaka called one as his daughter, and was very fond of me since then."
antarikshe ca vaag uktaa apratimaa maanushii kila |
evam etan nara pate dharmena tanayaa tava || 2-118-31
"It is said that voice resembling that of a human being in the air above me rang out, saying": "O, King! Let it be so. This divine child without a match is a daughter to you, rightly."
tatah prahrishto dharma aatmaa pitaa me mithilaa adhipah |
avaapto vipulaam riddhim maam avaapya nara adhipah || 2-118-32
"Thereafter, my father the pious mind the lord of men and the king of Mithila kingdom was rejoiced in my possession and acquired extensive property."
dattvaa ca asmi ishtavad devyai jyeshthaayai punya karmanaa |
tayaa sambhaavitaa ca asmi snigdhayaa maatri sauhridaat || 2-118-33
"That king performing auspicious acts gave me into the care of the chief Queen. She nourished me fondly and with maternal affection."
pati samyoga sulabham vayo drishtvaa tu me pitaa |
cintaam abhyagamad diino vitta naashaad iva adhanah || 2-118-34
"Seeing my age to be such, when union with a husband can be easily had, my father fell a prey to anxiety like an indigent man, feeling miserable by the loss of all his possessions."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 sadrishaac ca apakrishtaac ca loke kanyaa pitaa janaat |
pradharshanaam avaapnoti shakrena api samo bhuvi || 2-118-35
"Even though the father of an unmarried girl be like Indra himself on earth, suffers indignity in the world from the suitor's men, no matter whether they are equal or inferior to him."
taam dharshanaam aduurasthaam samdrishya aatmani paarthivah |
cinntaa arnava gatah paaram na aasasaada aplavo yatha || 2-118-36
"Perceiving that ill-treatment threatening him at no distant date, the king Janaka was plunged into an ocean of anxiety and did not reach its end any more than a man without a bark would reach the end of a sea."
ayonijaam hi maam jnaatvaa na adhyagagccat sa cintayan |
sadrisham ca anuruupam ca mahii paalah patim mama || 2-118-37
"Knowing me to be the one not emerged from a mother's womb, the king after a deep reflection was unable to find a suitable and worthy husband for me."
tasya buddhir iyam jaataa cintayaanasya samtatam |
svayam varam tanuujaayaah karishyaami iti dhiimatah || 2-118-38
"After reflecting thus deeply, the thought came to him, 'I shall inaugurate a Svayamvara, a process of self-choosing marriage, for my daughter."
mahaa yajne tadaa tasya varunena mahaatmanaa |
dattam dhanur varam priityaa tuunii ca akshayya saayakau || 2-118-39
"In ancient days, Janaka received with affection from Varuna the rain-god, an excellent bow with two quivers that should never lack arrows."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 asamcaalyam manushyaih ca yatnena api ca gauravaat |
tan na shaktaa namayitum svapneshu api nara adhipaah || 2-118-40
"That bow was so heavy in weight that no man could lift it up nor were any of the kings bale [sorrow] to bend it even in their dreams."
tad dhanuh praapya me pitraa vyaahritam satya vaadinaa |
samavaaye nara indraanaam puurvam aamantrya paarthivaan || 2-118-41
"My truthful father called all the princes first and informed them in a meeting about the bow to be lifted."
idam ca dhanur udyamya sajyam yah kurute narah |
tasya me duhitaa bhaaryaa bhavishyati na samshayah || 2-118-42
"Whoever is able to lift up and string this bow, I will bestow my daughter in marriage on him. There is no doubt about it."
tac ca drishtvaa dhanuh shreshtham gauravaad giri samnibham |
abhivaadya nripaa jagmur ashaktaah tasya tolane || 2-118-43
"Seeing that excellent bow, resembling a mountain in weight, and being unable to lift it up, the princes offered salutation to it and went away."
sudiirghasya tu kaalasya raaghavo ayam mahaa dyutih |
vishvaamitrena sahito yajnam drashtum samaagatah || 2-118-44
lakshmanena saha bhraatraa raamah satya paraakramah |
"After a very long time, this Rama born in Raghu dynasty with a great splendor possessing a true valor, along with his brother Lakshmana together with a sage Visvamitra, came to witness a sacrifice."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 vishvaamitrah tu dharma aatmaa mama pitraa supuujitah || 2-118-45
provaaca pitaram tatra raaghavo raama lakshmanau |
"The pious-souled Visvamitra, having been received well by my father said to my father, (as follows):
sutau dasharathasya imau dhanur darshana kaankshinau || 2-118-46
dhanurdarshaya raamaaya raajaputraaya daivikam |
"These two boys, the sons of Dasaratha wish to see that bow. Show that bow, coming from gods, to Rama the prince."
ity uktah tena viprena tad dhanuh samupaanayat || 2-118-47
nimesha antara maatrena tad aanamya sa viiryavaan |
jyaam samaaropya jhatiti puurayaam aasa viiryavaan || 2-118-48
"Hearing the words of Visvamitra, Janaka caused the bow to be brought there. The mighty and the valiant Rama bent that bow merely within an instant and immediately stringed the bow with the bow-cord and drew the bow to the full."
tena puurayataa vegaan madhye bhagnam dvidhaa dhanuh |
tasya shabdo abhavad bhiimah patitasya ashaner iva || 2-118-49
"While Rama was drawing the bow to the full, the bow was broken into two in the middle due to the resultant jerk. The terrific sound then created was like that of a falling thunderbolt."
tato aham tatra raamaaya pitraa satya abhisamdhinaa |
udyataa daatum udyamya jala bhaajanam uttamam || 2-118-50
"Then and there, my father true to his promise decided to bestow me on Rama, offering him a jar of pure water."
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Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 118 diiyamaanaam na tu tadaa pratijagraaha raaghavah |
avijnaaya pituh chandam ayodhyaa adhipateh prabhoh || 2-118-51
"But Rama did not consent to accept my hand till the will of his father, the Lord and the king of Ayodhya had been made known to him."
tatah shvashuram aamantrya vriddham dasharatham nripam |
mama pitraa aham dattaa raamaaya vidita aatmane || 2-118-52
Thereupon, my father-in-law and the aged Dasaratha was invited to Mithila by my father and with his approval, I was bestowed on Rama, the knower of the self."
mama caiva anujaa saadhvii uurmilaa priya darshanaa |
bhaarya arthe lakshmanasya api dattaa pitraa mama svayam || 2-118-53
"My younger sister Urmila, the virtuous lady of lovely looks was given as a consort to Lakshmana by my father himself."
evam dattaa asmi raamaaya tadaa tasmin svayam vare |
anuraktaa ca dharmena patim viiryavataam varam || 2-118-54
"I was given thus to Rama in that Svayamvara, a process of self-choosing marriage. I became devoted, by my good works, to my husband who is excellent among men of strength."
ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye ayodhyaakaande astaadashottarashatatamah sargah
Thus completes 118th Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
References
K. M. K. Murthy. (1999). Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya.
Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.
Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.
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