Courtesy:Sri.P.R.Kannan
॥ अष्टमाष्टपदी ॥
(मामियं चलिता इतिवत्)
ASHTAPADI 8
(Like in Mamiyam Chalita)
भूपालरागॆण] [त्रिपुटतालॆन गीयते
Raga Bhupala] [Tala Triputa
रम्य-हर्म्यत- लॊचितौ मम पुत्रकौ वनसीमनि
सूत शंस कथं गतौ वद सीतयाऽसुखधामनि
शिव शिव सुमन्त्र सुमते क्वात्मजो विपिनॆषु ॥ (शिव)
O charioteer, tell me how my sons, used to living in beautiful palace, carry on with Sita in the
miserable forest. Siva, Siva, o wise Sumantra, where in the forest is my son?
जानकी धृतवल्कला किमुवाच वीक्ष्य वनानि ।
लक्ष्मणॊऽपि जगाद कानि सुलक्षणॊ वचनानि ॥ (शिव)
Tell me what Janaki, wearing the tree-bark, said on seeing the woods; tell me what words the
सन्ततं परिवर्तते हृदि तन्मुखं स्मितशॊभि ।
प्रात-रर्क- करावमर्श-सुफुल्ल- पद्मसनाभि ॥ (शिव)
His face always appears in my heart - face shining with smile and resembling the fully
blossomed lotus flower caressed by the rays of the morning Sun.
ते हि धन्यतमा वनात् पुनरागतं सहजॆन।
लॊकयन्ति पुरा सुतं मम ये दृशा प्रमदॆन ॥ (शिव)
They alone are indeed the most fortunate, who will ere long, look at my son with naturally proud
तद्वचां-स्याकर्णयॆयं कदा सुधा-मधुराणि ।
सहज-गौरव- विनय-भारभरॆण सूक्तधराणि ॥ (शिव)
When will I hear his words, with nectarine sweetness and full of wisdom, combined with natural
न क्षणार्ध-मिहासितुं प्रभवामि हन्त गृहॆषु ।
तत्र मां नय यत्र तौ मम पुत्रकौ विपिनॆषु ॥ (शिव)
I do not wish to remain in this house even for half a second. Take me there in the woods, where
राघवानुगताधुनापि निवर्तते न चिराय ।
कातरॆण हृदा समं मम दृष्टि-रात्मसुखाय ॥ (शिव)
My vision, which followed Raghava, together with my distressed heart, does not return even
now for such a long time, due to the joy I get (on being with Rama).
धीररामकवॆरिदं भणितं हरिप्रणयॆन ।
उषसि गायत शृणुत नन्दत सादरं हृदयॆन ॥ (शिव)
Sing with heartfelt emotion this song told by the courageous Ramakavi with Hari's blessings in
the early morning, hear others sing and dwell in joy.
श्लॊ ॥ श्रीरामॊऽपि निवर्त्य सूत-ममरस्रोतॊवहायाःपरं
पारं प्राप्तुमना मनागिव वलल्लज्जां विदेहात्मजाम् ।
आरॊप्य प्रथमं ततॊ गुहकरालम्बी विभुर्-लाघवाद्
आरॊहत् तरणिं धृतायुधभरः पश्चात् सुमित्रात्मजः ॥
Sri Rama, having asked the charioteer to return, wished to reach the other shore of the divine
Ganga river. He slowly helped the bashful Sita get into the boat first; he then entered the boat
dexterously, held by the hands of Guha, followed by Lakshmana, who carried a lot of weapons.
तामासाद्य जगद्वन्द्यां गङ्गां मङ्गलदायिनीम् ।
पत्युः कुशलमव्यग्रा प्रार्थयामास जानकी ॥
Janaki then looked to Ganga, the river, worshipped by the entire world and the bestower of all
auspiciousness, and prayed with a composed mind for her husband's welfare.
In this eighth Ashtapadi, poet Ramakavi has given full expression to the uncontrolled sorrow of
king Dasaratha on separation from his very dear sons, Rama and Lakshmana. Unable to bear
the separation, he wishes to go to the forest himself and join his sons. 'Karuna' (pity) rasa has
been nicely employed by the poet here. Rama's determination to live in the forest takes him to
the Ganga's other shore. The poet then leads us to the prayer of Sita to Ganga.
॥ नवमाष्टपदी ॥
(राधावदन इतिवत्)
ASHTAPADI 9
(Like in Radhavadana)
घण्टा / मध्यमावति रागॆण] [आदितालॆन गीयते
Raga Ghanta/ Madhyamavati] [Tala Adi
प्रापय पुनरपि दॆवॆ पतिं मम कुशलिनमाशु नगर्याम् ।
तदनु तवाम्ब करॊमि यथोचित-विविध- विचित्र-सपर्याम् ॥
O Devi, o mother, reach my husband quickly to the city again comfortably. I shall perform
various special Poojas to you as suitable.
कलये भवतीं सुरधुनि धुतभवभीतिम् ।
आगमान्त-नुत- वैभवशालिनि सज्जनता-शिवतातिम् ॥ (कलयॆ)
O divine river, you remove the fear of samsara (transmigration of soul in repeated births). O
glorious one, revered by Upanishads, you grant succession of auspicious events to virtuous
त्रिभुवन-पावन- सगरकुमारक-सद्गति- दायिनि धन्ये ।
वन-गमनॊन्मुख- मव दयितं मम तुहिन-महीधर- कन्यॆ॥ (कलयॆ)
You are meritorious; you granted the desired good state to the sons of king Sagara; you purify
the three worlds. O daughter of Himavan, protect my husband, who is about to go to the forest.
मॊक्षशिरॊग्रह-सुखगमनॊचित- सॊपानाम्बु-तरङ्गे ।
रघुकुलपालिनि दॆवे पतिं मम पालय भगवति गङ्गे ॥ (कलयॆ)
Your wavy waters are the steps for comfortable ascension to the pinnacle of Liberation. O
Bhagavati Ganga, you are the protector of the lineage of Raghus; please protect my husband.
जगदघनाशिनि जननि भगीरथ-निरुपम- कीर्ति-पताके ।
त्वामिह नौमि सदा दयितं मम पालय भावित-लॊके ॥ (कलयॆ)
O mother, you are the destroyer of sins of all people; you are the banner of the matchless fame
of Bhagiratha. You are adored by the entire world. I worship you. Always protect my husband.
दॆवि दयस्व कपर्दि-कपर्दक- मालतिका-कृतमाले ।
तटयुग-सान्द्रित- कुसुमित-कॆसर- नवकृत-मालत- माले ॥ (कलयॆ)
Devi, take pity. You are like a garland of jasmine flowers in the matted hair of Siva. You are as if
garlanded with abundance of freshly flowered sweet-scented trees in rows on both sides.
मुरहर-चरण- सरॊरुह-मधुरस- निरुपम-पूर्णविलासे ।
अनुपदमपि बहुतर-भयशालिनि पालय नॊ वनवासे ॥ (कलयॆ)
You are full of glory imbibing the matchless sweet honey from the lotus feet of Vishnu. Please
protect us during our sojourn in the forest, which is full of many sources of fear in every step.
विलसति विकसित-सरसिज- निर्गत-मलिपटलं तव नीलम् ।
मज्जन-कृज्जन- दॆहसमुद्गतमिव घनपातकजालम् ॥ (कलयॆ)
Your occasional shining black colour is from the droves of bees getting out of blossomed lotus
flowers. It is as if signifying the dense web of sins emanating from the bodies of people
रामकवॆरिति गीतमुदार-पदावलि- कॊमल-बन्धम् ।
अनुदिनमपि पठतां हरतॆ भुवि जह्नुसुता भवबन्धम् ॥ (कलयॆ)
The daughter of Rishi Jahnu, Ganga removes on earth the bondage of samsara of those, who
read every day this song of Ramakavi, with beautiful expressions softly bound together.
श्लॊ ॥ तीर्त्वा विष्णुपदॊद्भवा-मथ भरद्वाजं प्रयागे मुनिं
नत्वा तद्वचसा विचित्रविपिने द्राक् चित्रकूटे गिरौ ।
कृत्वा पर्णकुटीं वसन् प्रमुदित-स्सौमित्रि- शुश्रूषया
वैदॆहीं समलॊभयद् कतिपयं कालं रघूणां पतिः ॥
After crossing Ganga, the waters born of the feet of Vishnu, Raghupathi worshipped sage
Bharadwaja in Prayaga. At the sage's instance Rama quickly went to Mount Chitrakut in the
midst of the wonderful forest and lived in a hut of leaves. Pleased with the services rendered by
Lakshmana, Rama allured Sita to be happy for some time.
जनकजा-वनलॊभन- सम्भवद्रुचिरसौ चिरसौरभ-भृद्द्रुमाः ।
गिरितटी-र्विविधा- स्समदर्शयत्स सरसां सरसामपि च श्रियम् ॥
Rama showed Sita many trees spreading fragrance and various enchanting lakes of sweet
water at the foot of hills; Sita was mightily happy.
In this moving Ashtapadi, the poet brings out Sita's deep anxiety in regard to the
dangers to Rama from forest life, which she expresses very movingly in her prayers to
the divine river Ganga. Sita's love of Rama emerges very naturally as a devoted Pativrata
wife's virtuous attachment to her husband. The poet also brings out the greatness of
Ganga as a purifying divinity, very much on the lines of Valmiki's depiction in
॥ दशमाष्टपदी ॥
(समुदितमदने इतिवत्)
ASHTAPADI 10
(Like in Samuditamadane)
सावेरि / गुम्मकाम्भोजि रागॆण] [त्रिपुटतालेन गीयते
Raga Saveri/ Gummakambhoji] [Tala Triputa
इह सुमजटिलं कङ्कॆळि-पटलं विलसति मधुराधरे ।
चम्पक-कुसुमं परिमलै-रसमं विरचय कबरीभरे ॥
दयिते विपिने विहर सुखं सुमुखि यथेष्टमधुना ॥ (दयिते)
Here in the pleasing lower part of a number of Asoka trees, dense flowers shine. Wear in your
hair these Champaka flowers with different fragrances. O beautiful beloved, wander in the
इह पश्य नलिनि परिरण-दलिनि कलयति हृदयमुतम् ।
अपचिनु वकुलं परिमल-बहुलं कुरु भुजशिखरे पदम्॥ (दयिते)
Here look at this lotus with very delightful petals; it captivates the heart. Collect vakula flowers
of sweet fragrance and wear at the top of your arms in steps.
सुरभित-ककुभं लॊकय ककुभं विहरण-रसिके वने ।
मालती-निचयो विलसतु कुचयॊरुपरि तॆ रुचिरानने ॥ (दयिते)
Sita, you like to wander in this forest. Look at this Kutaja tree with fragrant flowers. O beautiful
faced, let this collection of jasmine flowers shine on top of your bosom.
तव भुजयुगलं मालती-मृदुलं वॆष्टय ननु मॆ गले ।
सुमतरुसविधं प्रापयॆ विविधं तत्र सञ्चर कॊमले ॥ (दयिते)
Now put your twin arms, soft like jasmine, round my neck. O delicate one, wander about where
many types of flower-bearing trees abound.
अनुरागादयि ते वनसीम्नि दयिते चिरमिह वसतॊऽपि मे ।
अवरॊधा-दधिकं सुख-मनवधिकं भवति हि ललनॊत्तमे ॥ (दयिते)
O beloved, even if I live here in this forest for a long time, I feel unlimited pleasure owing to your
love, more than in the inner apartments (of our palace), o best woman.
शुचिमांसमधुना भावित-मधुना स्वीकुरु धरणीसुते ।
उपविश विमले आनत-द्रुमतले शीतल-मृदुमारुते ॥ (दयिते)
O daughter of Bhumi, take these clean fleshy fruits now along with good honey. O spotless one,
sit under this stooping down tree, where cool wind blows.
अतिदूनौ चरणौ कृतवन-चरणौ विधराङ्गे मम साम्प्रतम् ।
खेदापनयनं मृदुतर-रचनं कलयामि यदा ते हितम् ॥ (दयिते)
Place now your feet, very much pained, having moved about in the forest, on my lap; let me do
you good by pressing your soft feet so as to remove the misery.
श्रीरामकविना निगदित-ममुनादृत- मार्यकवि-सम्सदा ।
वैदॆही-ललितं रघुवर-महितं विधुनॊतु दुरितं सदा ॥ (दयिते)
May this song by Sri Ramakavi, cherished by the assembly of learned poets, containing the
outpourings of Raghuvara towards the delicate Vaidehi remove misery always.
श्लॊ ॥ नीतॊ राक्षसनाशनाय मुनिभी रामॊ दिशं दक्षिणां
पश्य-न्नाश्रम- वासिन-स्स्वयमपि द्राक् पञ्चवट्याश्रयः ।
सीता-लुब्ध- दशास्य-चॊदित- वलन्मारीच-मायामृग-
व्याकृष्टॊ निहतॆनन् तेन करुणाक्रन्दै-रभू- त्वञ्चितः ॥
Rama, who was led by sages towards the southern direction for the purpose of killing
Rakshasas (who were troubling the sages), saw many of the sages living in Asramas in
Panchavati area. In the meantime, persuaded by the ten-headed Ravana, who lusted after Sita,
Maricha in the guise of an illusive golden deer attracted Sita. Rama killed Maricha, who cried
piteously (in Rama's voice) and was thus cheated.
मागत्य तत्र जनकॆन्द्र-सुता- मपश्यन् ।
विष्वक् भ्रमन् बहुविधं विललाप रामः ॥
A very tired Rama then reached his hut in Panchavati and, not finding Janaki there, he felt very
grieved, confused and vexed on separation and, wandering in the forest all around, he wailed
This Ashtapadi is in absolute contrast to Ashtapadi 7, where the 'bhayanaka' rasa was
employed to frighten Sita of the dangers of forest life. Here Rama wishes to make Sita
happy by any means available in the forest, where natural beauty and allurement are in
abundance. The poet resorts to the rare use of 'Sringara' rasa, but without affecting in
the least upon the strict code of conduct of a Tapasvi (observer of austerity), which
॥ एकादशाष्टपदी ॥
(वदसि यदि इतिवत्)
ASHTAPADI 11
(Like in Vadasi yadi)
मुखारि रागेण] [झंपतालेन गीयते
Raga Mukhari] [Tala Jhampa
दरहसित-सुन्दरं तव वदनपङ्कजं दर्शय सकृन्मम सलीलम् ।
तरल-तरलायते हृदय-मधुनाधिकं वहति परिताप-मतिवेलम् ॥
वने क्वासि सीते वचनमयि दॆहि सुकुमारं
मयि वद निरागसि क्रॊध-मुपयासि किं मुञ्च परिहासमतिदूरम् ॥ (वने)
O Sita, show me once your beautiful and sportive lotus face with gentle smile. My heart
trembles very much now and is very aggrieved. Where are you in the forest; give me your
sweet words; tell me whether you are angry with me, who am faultless; leave joking aside very
प्रेयसि सहायतां प्राप्य किल ते मया गहनभुवि दॆवि चिरकालम् ।
नगरमपि मुञ्चता स्वजनमपि मुञ्चता नगणितमभूद् सुखजालम् ॥ (वने)
O beloved Devi, with your help I spent quite a long time in this forest land, leaving city behind,
leaving my own people behind; the web of pleasure became irrelevant.
प्रणयिनि परीक्षितुं किमुत मम मानसं क्वचन गहने किमसि लीना ।
अल-मल- मितॊऽधिकं विरहचकितॊऽस्मि मे जीवितकला भवदधीना ॥ (वने)
O beloved, are you putting my mind to test? Where are you hiding in this forest? Enough of this,
I am shocked due to this separation; my lifestyle is under your care.
रहित-मधुनैकया भुवन-मखिलं त्वया शून्यमिव भाति मम नूनम् ।
मम कि-मयॊध्यया प्राण-वहनेन वा स्फुरति मम न प्रतिविधानम् ॥ (वने)
With all sweetness of yours gone, the entire earth appears empty to me now. For me, what with
Ayodhya, what with living; no counter-measure strikes my mind.
समय-मिम- मुपलभ्य विषम-शर- पातकी मम पुनरुपांशु-वधकारी ।
तनुरपि च सज्जयत्यहह निहतॊऽस्म्यहं शिव शिव विधि-स्तदनुसारी ॥ (वने)
Taking advantage of this opportune time, the sinful Manmatha, who holds five different arrows,
kills me silently and attacks my body. I am killed. Siva, Siva, destiny follows him.
बिल्व-सदृशस्तनी क्व नु कथय बिल्व सा तिलकरुचिरां ब्रूहि तिलक वामाम् ।
क्षितिभृता-मधिनाथ कापि नृपसुन्दरी वीक्षिता यदि शंस रामाम् ॥ (वने)
O bilva tree, tell me where is the lass with bilva-like rounded breasts. O Tilaka tree, tell me
where is the lass with beautiful mark on the forehead (or beautiful ornaments). O chief of
mountains, did you see the beautiful princess anywhere, tell me.
राममयजीविते रघुवंशदीपिके हा महीवरपुत्रि हा सुशीले ।
दॆहि मे प्रतिवचनं देहि मम दर्शनं हा प्रिये मम हृदनुकूलॆ ॥ (वने)
O Sita, whose entire life is suffused with Rama, o light of the Raghu lineage, o virtuous
daughter of Bhumi, o Sita of noble conduct, answer me; appear before me; o beloved, o Sita,
रामकविना भणितमिति धरणिकन्यका-रहित- रघुनायक-विलापम् ।
श्रवण-मधुरं सदसि गायतां नहि भवति मानिनी-जन- विरह-पापम् ॥ (वने)
May this song of wail of Raghunayaka separated from Sita, the daughter of Bhumi, as told by
Ramakavi, be sweet of hearing; those who sing this in assemblies will not undergo the misery
श्लॊ॥ शॊकोन्मत्तमना वने सहभुवा रामॊ विचिन्वन् प्रियां
प्रत्यॆणं प्रतिबर्हिणं प्रतिगिरिं प्रत्यापगं प्रत्यगम् ।
पृच्छन् लक्ष्मणसान्त्वितः प्रतिपदं गच्छन् ददर्शाग्रतः
कस्या-प्याहवलक्षणं हतहयं निर्विण्ण-सूतं रथम् ॥
Rama, with mind full of grief and, thinking of his beloved, enquired every deer, every peacock,
every hill, every river and every mountain about the whereabouts of Sita. As he walked along,
consoled by Lakshmana, he saw in front of him certain signs of a fight having taken place in
which horses were killed, charioteer was eliminated and chariot was broken.
तमागतं वीक्ष्य रघुप्रवीर-मन्वॆषमाणं जनकेन्द्रपुत्रीम् ।
प्राणैर्लुठद्भिः निजकण्ठपीठे मुह्यन् मुहुः प्राह शनैः जटायुः ॥
Seeing that chief among Raghus in search of the daughter of Janaka coming along, Jatayu
haltingly spoke, with his life breath swinging in the throat and frequently lapsing into
In stark contrast to the previous Ashtapadi soaked in 'Sringara' rasa, this Ashtapadi is
full of 'Karuna' rasa. Rama wails inconsolably; he expresses his undying love for Sita.
By talking of Sita, whose entire life is suffused with Rama and her being the light of the
Raghu lineage, Rama confirms Sita's exalted position of 'Pativrata'. Like in Valmiki
Ramayana, he enquires all trees, mountains and rivers about the whereabouts of Sita. At
last he sees Jatayu, who conveys to him the news of Ravana's kidnapping of Sita.
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