रामस्तु सहसौमित्रिः सुतीक्ष्णेनाभिपूजितः। परिणाम्य निशां तत्र प्रभाते प्रत्यबुध्यत ॥
Having been well entertained by Sutīksna, Rāma in company with Sumitrā's son, having passed away the night there, awoke in the morning.
उत्थाय च यथाकालं राघवः सह सीतया। उपस्पृश्य सुशीतेन तोयेनोत्पलगन्धिना॥ अथ तेऽग्नि सुरांश्चैव वैदेही रामलक्ष्मणौ। काल्यं विधिवदभ्यर्च्य तपस्विशरणे वने॥ उदयन्तं दिनकरं दृष्ट्वा विगतकल्मषाः। सुतीक्ष्णमभिगम्येदं श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रुवन्॥
And arising in due time, Rāma along with Sītā, bathed in cool waters odorous with the aroma of lotuses; and having in proper time duly worshipped Fire as well as the deities, in that forest containing abodes of ascetics, Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Videha's daughter, their sins purged off, seeing the sun risen, approached Sutīksna and spoke to him these mild words.
सुखोषिताः स्म भगवंस्त्वया पूज्येन पूजिताः। आपृच्छामः प्रयास्यामो मुनयस्त्वरयन्ति नः॥
O Reverend sir, we we have stayed here pleasantly, being excellently ministered to by you. We greet you, and go away. The ascetics urge speed upon us.
त्वरामहे वयं द्रष्टुं कृत्स्नमाश्रममण्डलम्। ऋषीणां पुण्यशीलानां दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम्॥
We hasten to view the collections of asylums that belong to the holy sages inhabiting the forest of Dandaka.
अभ्यनुज्ञातुमिच्छामः सहैभिर्मुनिपुंगवैः। धर्मनित्यैस्तपोदान्तैर्विशिखैरिव पावकैः॥
Now we crave your permission along with that of these foremost of anchorites, steady in virtue, crowned with asceticism and selfcontrolled, resembling smokeless flames.
अविषह्यातपो यावत् सूर्यो नातिविराजते। अमार्गेणागतां लक्ष्मी प्राप्येवान्वयवर्जितः॥ तावदिच्छामहे गन्तुमित्युक्त्वा चरणौ मुनेः। ववन्दे सहसौमित्रिः सीतया सह राघवः॥
And we intend to set out ere the sun like to a low-sprung one that has attained to auspicious fortune through evil ways, with rays incapable of being borne, shines too fiercely.
तौ सोस्पृशन्तौ चरणावुत्थाप्य मुनिपुंगवः। गाढमाश्लिष्य सस्नेहमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Having said this, Rāghava along with Sītā and Sumitrā's son bowed down to the ascetic's feet.
अरिष्टं गच्छ पन्थानं राम सौमित्रिणा सह। सीतया चानया सार्धं छाययेवानुवृत्तया॥
And as they touched his feet, that best of ascetics, raising Rāma and Lakşmaņa up, embraced them closely and said, O Rāma, go your way safely, in company with Sumitrā's son and this Sītā that follows you like a shadow.
पश्याश्रमपदं रम्यं दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम्। एषां तपस्विनां वीर तपसा भावितात्मनाम्॥
Behold the beauteous asylums, O hero. of these pure-spirited ascetics inhabiting the forest of Dandaka.
सुप्राज्यफलमूलानि पुष्पितानि वनानि च। प्रशस्तमृगयूथानि शान्तपक्षिगणानि च॥ फुल्लपङ्कजखण्डानि प्रसन्नसलिलानि च। कारण्डवविकीर्णानि तटाकानि सरांसि च॥ द्रक्ष्यसे दृष्टिरम्याणि गिरिप्रस्रवणानि च । रमणीयान्यरण्यानि मयूराभिरुतानि च॥
You will see blossoming woods garnished with fruits and roots, containing goodly deer, and mild feathered tribes; tanks and pools laughing with blown lotuses, containing pleasant waters, and abounding in Kārandavas; charming mountain-springs; and romantic forests picturesque with peacocks.
गम्यतां वत्स सौमित्रे भवानपि च गच्छतु। आगन्तव्यं च ते दृष्ट्वा पुनरेवाश्रमं प्रति ॥
Go, O child; and go you also, O Sumitra's son. And come again to my asylum after having seen these.
एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा काकुत्स्थः सहलक्ष्मणः। प्रदक्षिणं मुनिं कृत्वा प्रस्थातुमुपचक्रमे॥
Thus addressed, Kākutstha along with Laks maņa, having gone round the ascetic, prepared for departing.
ततः शुभतरे तूणी धनुषी चायतेक्षणाः। ददौ सीता तयोर्धात्रोः खङ्गौ च विमलौ ततः॥
Then Sīlā of expansive eyes handed to the brothers excellent quivers bows and shining swords.
आबध्य च शुभे तूणी चापे चादाय सस्वने। निष्क्रान्तावाश्रमाद् गन्तुमुभौ तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ॥
Then fastening the graceful quivers, and taking the sweet-sounding bows, both Rāma and Lakşmaņa issued from the hermitage.
शीघ्रं तौ रूपसम्पन्नावनुज्ञातौ महर्षिणा। प्रस्थितौ धृतचापासी सीतया सह राघवौ॥
And permitted by the Maharşi, the Rāghavas furnished with grace, equipped with bows and scimitars, swiftly set out along with Sītā.