Chapter 2
Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya
ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः
हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः
tataḥ pariṣadaṃ sarvāmāmantrya vasudhādhipaḥ
hitamuddharṣaṇaṃ caivamuvāca prathitaṃ vacaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Addressing invited gathering in the court, Dasaratha spoke in friendly, pleasing and clear terms.
दुन्धुभिस्वनकल्पेन गम्भीरेणानुनादिना
स्वरेण महता राजा जीमूत इव नादयन्
dundhubhisvanakalpena gambhīreṇānunādinā
svareṇa mahatā rājā jīmūta iva nādayan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
In a loud voice resembling that of a kettle-drum, resounding the air like a thundering cloud and in a sweet splendid and incomparable voice endowed with the characteristics of a king's voice, King Dasaratha the lord of men spoke to the kings as follows:
विदितं भवतामेतद्यथा मे राज्यमुत्तमम्
पूर्वकैर्मम राजेन्द्रैस्सुतवत् परिपालितम्
viditaṃ bhavatāmetadyathā me rājyamuttamam
pūrvakairmama rājendraissutavat paripālitam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is well known that my excellent kingdom was ruled by my ancestral kings as if it were their son."
सो।अहमिक्ष्ह्वाकुभिः सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः परिपालितम्
श्रेयसा योक्तुकामो।अस्मि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत्
so|ahamikṣhvākubhiḥ sarvairnarendraiḥ paripālitam
śreyasā yoktukāmo|asmi sukhārhamakhilaṃ jagat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I have a desire that this entire land which was protected by the descendents of Ikshvaaku dynasty, be bestowed with goodness and the resultant happiness."
मयाप्याचरितं पूर्वैः पन्थानमनुगच्छता
प्रजा नित्यमनिद्रेण यथाशक्त्यभिरक्षिताः
mayāpyācaritaṃ pūrvaiḥ panthānamanugacchatā
prajā nityamanidreṇa yathāśaktyabhirakṣitāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Following the path established by my ancestors, I have always protected my people with alertness and to the best of my ability."
इदं शरीरं कृत्स्नस्य लोकस्य चरता हितम्
पाण्दुरस्यातपत्रस्य च्छायायां जरितं मया
idaṃ śarīraṃ kṛtsnasya lokasya caratā hitam
pāṇdurasyātapatrasya cchāyāyāṃ jaritaṃ mayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"In conducting the kingdom for benefit of the entire people, my body became impaired under shade of the white umbrella."
प्राप्य वर्षसहस्राणि बहू न्यायूंषि जीवतः
जीर्णस्यास्य शरीरस्य विश्रान्ति मभिरोचये
prāpya varṣasahasrāṇi bahū nyāyūṃṣi jīvataḥ
jīrṇasyāsya śarīrasya viśrānti mabhirocaye
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This body has been living for many thousands of years. Hence I desire rest."
राजप्रभावजुष्टाम् हि दुर्वहामजितेन्द्रियैः
परिश्रान्तो।अस्मि लोकस्य गुर्वीं धर्मधुरं वहन्
rājaprabhāvajuṣṭām hi durvahāmajitendriyaiḥ
pariśrānto|asmi lokasya gurvīṃ dharmadhuraṃ vahan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This burden of worldly righteousness is very heavy. This can be sustained only by royal power with qualities like courage and valor. A person who has no control of senses can not carry this burden. I have become tired while carrying this burden of righteousness. "
सो।अहं विश्रममिच्छामि पुत्रं कृत्वा प्रजाहिते
सन्निकृष्टानिमान् सर्वाननुमान्य द्विजर्षभान्
so|ahaṃ viśramamicchāmi putraṃ kṛtvā prajāhite
sannikṛṣṭānimān sarvānanumānya dvijarṣabhān
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I desire to take rest, entrusting the rule to my son for the benefit of the people, after obtaining consent from all those best Brahmans who are close to me."
अनुजातो हि मां सर्वैर्गुणैर्ज्येष्ठो ममात्मजः
पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरंजयः
anujāto hi māṃ sarvairguṇairjyeṣṭho mamātmajaḥ
purandarasamo vīrye rāmaḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"My eldest son Rama is equal to Devendra in valor. He is the conqueror of cities of enemies. He is equal to me in all qualities."
तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम्
यौवराज्ये नियोक्तास्मि प्रीतः पुरुषपुङ्गवम्
taṃ candramiva puṣyeṇa yuktaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ varam
yauvarājye niyoktāsmi prītaḥ puruṣapuṅgavam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Joyfully, I shall appoint Rama, who shines like the moon together with Pushya star, who is the best among the protectors of righteousness and who is an excellent man, to the realm of prince."
अनुरूपः स वै नाथो लक्ष्मीवान् लक्ष्मणाग्रजः
त्रैलोक्यमपि नाथेन येन स्यान्नाथवत्तरम्
anurūpaḥ sa vai nātho lakṣmīvān lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ
trailokyamapi nāthena yena syānnāthavattaram
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"If Rama becomes the lord, the three worlds also will have the best master. He is a glorious man. That Rama is the only fittest lord for the kingdom."
अनेन श्रेयसा सद्यः सम्योज्यैवमिमां महीम्
गतक्लेशो भविष्यामि सुते तस्मिन्निवेश्य वै
anena śreyasā sadyaḥ samyojyaivamimāṃ mahīm
gatakleśo bhaviṣyāmi sute tasminniveśya vai
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"By entrusting this kingdom to Rama, I shall be thus doing an immediate good and shall be devoid of difficulties."
यदीदम् मे।अनुरूपार्धं मया साधु सुमन्त्रितम्
भवन्तो मे।अनुमन्यन्तां कथं वा करवाण्यहम्
yadīdam me|anurūpārdhaṃ mayā sādhu sumantritam
bhavanto me|anumanyantāṃ kathaṃ vā karavāṇyaham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I am telling this after lot of thinking. Give consent to me if you feel this to be good and befitting. How else shall I do it?"
यद्यप्येषा मम प्रीतिर्हितमन्यद्विचिन्त्यताम्
अन्या मद्यस्थचिन्ता हि विमर्दाभ्यधिकोदया
yadyapyeṣā mama prītirhitamanyadvicintyatām
anyā madyasthacintā hi vimardābhyadhikodayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This is my desire. Yet, let there be thinking on any other beneficial way. Thinking by impartial neutral people will be distinctive and well developed through grinding of opposing views."
इति बृवन्तं मुदिताः प्रत्यनन्दन् नृपा नृपम्
वृष्तिमन्तं महामेघं नर्दन्त इव बर्हिणः
iti bṛvantaṃ muditāḥ pratyanandan nṛpā nṛpam
vṛṣtimantaṃ mahāmeghaṃ nardanta iva barhiṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Those delighted kings complimented king Dasaratha so speaking with a loud applause as the peacocks cry in delight when they see the raining great cloud.
स्निग्धो।अनुनादी सम्जज्ञे तत्र हर्षसमीरितः
जनौघोद्घुष्टसन्नादो विमानं कम्पयन्निव
snigdho|anunādī samjajñe tatra harṣasamīritaḥ
janaughodghuṣṭasannādo vimānaṃ kampayanniva
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That building appeared trembling by the sweet and reverberating sound made by the gathering of people there with their fond uproar.
तस्य धर्मार्थविदुषो भावमाज्ञाय सर्वशः
ब्राह्मणा जनमुख्याश्च पौरजानपदैः सह
tasya dharmārthaviduṣo bhāvamājñāya sarvaśaḥ
brāhmaṇā janamukhyāśca paurajānapadaiḥ saha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
After understanding the opinion of King Dasaratha, who knew the holy and worldly matters, the Brahmans, important people, urban and rural citizens came to a consensus after discussing together and told the aged king as follows.
अनेकवर्षसाहस्रो वृद्धस्त्त्वमसि पार्थिव
स रामं युवराजानमभिषिञ्चस्व पार्थिवम्
anekavarṣasāhasro vṛddhasttvamasi pārthiva
sa rāmaṃ yuvarājānamabhiṣiñcasva pārthivam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh king! You are an elderly person with thousands of years of age. Hence, inaugurate Rama as the ruling prince."
इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम्
गजेन महता यान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम्
icchāmo hi mahābāhuṃ raghuvīraṃ mahābalam
gajena mahatā yāntaṃ rāmaṃ chatrāvṛtānanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"All of us want to see Rama, with long arms, the hero with great might born in the clan of Raghu , his face protected by a white umbrella, moving on a great elephant."
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा तेषां मनःप्रियम्
अजानन्निव जिज्ञासुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
iti tadvacanaṃ śrutvā rājā teṣāṃ manaḥpriyam
ajānanniva jijñāsuridaṃ vacanamabravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
King Dasaratha, after hearing their words, spoke as follows as though he did not know their mind earlier and sought to know their true intention.
श्रुत्वैव वचनं यन्मे राघवं पतिमिच्छथ
राजानः संशयो।अयं मे तदिदं ब्रूत तत्त्वतः
śrutvaiva vacanaṃ yanme rāghavaṃ patimicchatha
rājānaḥ saṃśayo|ayaṃ me tadidaṃ brūta tattvataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh kings, I have a doubt as to why you want Raghava to be the king immediately after hearing my words. Inform your real opinion in this matter."
कथं नु मयि धर्मेण पृथिवीमनुशासति
भवन्तो द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति युवराजं ममात्मजम्
kathaṃ nu mayi dharmeṇa pṛthivīmanuśāsati
bhavanto draṣṭumicchanti yuvarājaṃ mamātmajam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Why do you desire to see my son as the prince, when I am ruling this earth with righteousness?"
ते तमूचुर्महात्मानं पौरजानपदैः सह
बहवो नृप कल्याणा गुणाः पुत्रस्य सन्ति ते
te tamūcurmahātmānaṃ paurajānapadaiḥ saha
bahavo nṛpa kalyāṇā guṇāḥ putrasya santi te
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Those kings together with urban and rural citizens after hearing those words spoke to the great soul Dasaratha as follows: "Oh king! Your son Rama has many auspicious virtues".
गुणान् गुणवतो देव देवकल्पस्य धीमतः
प्रियानानन्ददान् कृत्स्नान् प्रवक्ष्यामो।अद्यतान् शृणु
guṇān guṇavato deva devakalpasya dhīmataḥ
priyānānandadān kṛtsnān pravakṣyāmo|adyatān śṛṇu
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh king! We shall tell you now the various virtues of your wise son, listen to them. His qualities are equal to those of celestials. They are liked by all. They give happiness to all."
दिव्यैर्गुणैः शक्रसमो रामः सत्यपराक्रमः
इक्ष्वाकुभ्यो।अपि सर्वेभ्यो ह्यतिरिक्तो विशांपते
divyairguṇaiḥ śakrasamo rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ
ikṣvākubhyo|api sarvebhyo hyatirikto viśāṃpate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh king! Rama is equal to Devendra in heavenly qualities. He has true valor. He is greater than all the kings born in Ikshvaaku clan."
रामः सत्पुरुषो लोके सत्यधर्मपरायणः
साक्ष्हाद्रामाद्विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह
rāmaḥ satpuruṣo loke satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ
sākṣhādrāmādvinirvṛtto dharmaścāpi śriyā saha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama is the world renowned gentleman. He is keenly interested in truth and righteousness. Only Rama can make both righteousness and wealth combine without separation."
प्रजासुखत्वे चन्द्रस्य वसुधायाः क्ष्हमागुणैः
बुध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये साक्षाच्छचीपतेः
prajāsukhatve candrasya vasudhāyāḥ kṣhamāguṇaiḥ
budhyā bṛhaspatestulyo vīrye sākṣācchacīpateḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"He is equal to moon in making the people happy; equal to the earth in the quality of forgiveness; equal to Brihaspati in wisdom and verily to Devendra in valour."
धर्मजज्ञः सत्यसन्धश्च शीलवाननसूयकः
क्षान्तः सान्त्वयिता श्लक्ष्ह्णः कृतज्ञो विजितेन्द्रियः
dharmajajñaḥ satyasandhaśca śīlavānanasūyakaḥ
kṣāntaḥ sāntvayitā ślakṣhṇaḥ kṛtajño vijitendriyaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama knows all righteousness. He is true to his word and has good character. He has no envy. He has patience. He consoles those who are in troubles. He speaks good words. He has gratitude. He keeps senses under control."
मृदुश्च स्थिरचित्तश्च सदा भव्यो।अनसूयकः
प्रियवादी च भूतानाम् सत्यवादी च राघवः
mṛduśca sthiracittaśca sadā bhavyo|anasūyakaḥ
priyavādī ca bhūtānām satyavādī ca rāghavaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama is soft natured; has stable mind, always an auspicious man, and has no envy. He speaks truthful and loving words to all living beings. He worships aged Brahmans endued with the knowledge of various sciences. By that, his name, glory and splendor are growing in this world."
देवासुरमनुष्याणां सर्वास्त्रेषु विशारदः
सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथवत्साङ्गवेदवित्
devāsuramanuṣyāṇāṃ sarvāstreṣu viśāradaḥ
samyagvidyāvratasnāto yathavatsāṅgavedavit
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"He is skilled in the use of various weapons known to celestials, demons and men. He has duly concluded his vow of studying the various sciences and has systematically learnt all the Vedas along with its branches. *"
PURPORT
गान्धर्वे च भुवि श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः
कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनात्मा महामतिः
gāndharve ca bhuvi śreṣṭho babhūva bharatāgrajaḥ
kalyāṇābhijanaḥ sādhuradīnātmā mahāmatiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama is best in the world in the art of music. He has best relatives. He is gentle. He is not weak in mind. He has great wisdom."
द्विजैरभिविनीतश्च श्रेष्ठैर्धर्मार्थनैपुणैः
यदा व्रजति संग्रामं ग्रामार्थे नगरस्य वा
dvijairabhivinītaśca śreṣṭhairdharmārthanaipuṇaiḥ
yadā vrajati saṃgrāmaṃ grāmārthe nagarasya vā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama was trained in all matters from the best of Brahmans skilled in the art of righteousness and in the science of political economy. If it is necessary to go to a battle to protect a village or a city, Rama goes with Lakshmana and returns home only after obtaining victory."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"After returning from battle, Rama goes to citizens on an elephant or a chariot and inquires about their well being as though they were his own kinsmen, like a father does to his sons. He asks about their wives and children, about the sacred fires, about their servants and students, always completely as per the due order."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama the best among men always asks us 'Are your disciples serving you by keenly performing their actions?' "
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama feels very sad towards afflictions of men; and feels delighted in all functions celebrated by people on the occasions of child birth and the like, just as their own father does."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama speaks only truth. He is a great hero. He serves elders. He kept the senses under control. Rama, who talks smilingly, protects righteousness in all ways."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama duly procures beneficent deeds. He is not interested in wrangling talks. He is an orator like Brihaspati by his replies and rejoinders."
सुभ्रूरायतताम्राक्ष्हस्साक्ष्हाद्विष्णुरिव स्वयम्
subhrūrāyatatāmrākṣhassākṣhādviṣṇuriva svayam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama, who enchants the world, has beautiful eyebrows. He has red and broad eyes. He is absolutely like the God Vishnu himself in strength, heroism and valour."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"He knew the ins and outs of public administration. His senses are not afflicted by passion. He is capable of administering not only earth, but also the three worlds."
ना।अस्य क्रोधः प्रसादश्च निरर्थो।अस्ति कदाचन
nā|asya krodhaḥ prasādaśca nirartho|asti kadācana
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama's anger or mercy is not arbitrary at any time. He kills those who are to be slain as per rules. He is not angered at the innocent."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"He gladly bestows wealth to those with whom he is satisfied. As the sun shines by his rays, Rama shines by his qualities that are peaceful, which are enchanting and delightful to men."
तमेवंगुणसम्पन्नं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम्
लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी
tamevaṃguṇasampannaṃ rāmaṃ satyaparākramam
lokapālopamaṃ nāthamakāmayata medinī
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"All people desire Rama, who is endowed with this wealth of qualities, who has true valour, who is equal to presiding deities like Devendra, to be their lord."
वत्सः श्रेयसि जातस्ते दिष्ट्यासौ तव राघव
दिष्ट्या पुत्रगुणैर्युक्तो मारीच इव काश्यपः
vatsaḥ śreyasi jātaste diṣṭyāsau tava rāghava
diṣṭyā putraguṇairyukto mārīca iva kāśyapaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh king Dasaratha! Rama is born to you as a son, because of your good fortune, for the welfare of this world. He has all the virtues befitting of a son, like Kasyapa, the son of Marichi."
बलमारोग्यमायुश्च रामस्य विदितात्मनः
देवासुरमनुष्येषु सगन्धर्वोरगेषु च
balamārogyamāyuśca rāmasya viditātmanaḥ
devāsuramanuṣyeṣu sagandharvorageṣu ca
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"All people in the state including those in the capital as well as those in the nearby and in the far off places, pray for long life, health and strength of Rama of reputed nature."
स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तरुण्यश्च सायं प्रातः समाहिताः
सर्वान् देवान् नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे यशस्विनः
striyo vṛddhāstaruṇyaśca sāyaṃ prātaḥ samāhitāḥ
sarvān devān namasyanti rāmasyārthe yaśasvinaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Both young and aged women are praying with a stable mind each morning and evening to all celestials, for the benefit of renowned Rama."
तेषामायाचितं देव त्वत्प्रसादा त्समृद्ध्यताम्
राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्
teṣāmāyācitaṃ deva tvatprasādā tsamṛddhyatām
rāmamindīvaraśyāmaṃ sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh best of kings, Dasaratha ! We shall see Rama adorned with princely kingdom. Your son Rama has the complexion of a black lotus flower and annihilates all his enemies. Let the wish of the people be fulfilled by your grace."