Chapter 4
Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya
गतेष्वथ नृपो भूयः पौरेषु सह मन्त्रिभिः
मन्त्रयुत्वा ततश्चक्रे निश्चयज्ञः स निश्चयम्
gateṣvatha nṛpo bhūyaḥ paureṣu saha mantribhiḥ
mantrayutvā tataścakre niścayajñaḥ sa niścayam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
After the citizens left, Dasaratha who was efficient in taking decisions pertaining to place and time of ceremonies, again conferred with the ministers and decided thus: "Tomorrow will be a day when the constellation of Pushya would be in the ascendant. My son Rama, who has eyes like red lotus, can be crowned as a prince tomorrow".
अथान्तर्गृहमासाद्य राजा दशरथस्तदा
सूतमामन्त्रयामास रामं पुनरिहानय
athāntargṛhamāsādya rājā daśarathastadā
sūtamāmantrayāmāsa rāmaṃ punarihānaya
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, king Dasaratha entered the inner palace and then ordered Sumantra thus, "Bring Rama again here".
प्रतिगृह्य स तद्वाक्यं सूतः पुनरुपाययौ
रामस्य भवनं शीघ्रं राममानयितुं पुनः
pratigṛhya sa tadvākyaṃ sūtaḥ punarupāyayau
rāmasya bhavanaṃ śīghraṃ rāmamānayituṃ punaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Obeying the king's words, Sumantra went to Rama's house immediately to bring Rama once again.
द्वाःस्थैरावेदितं तस्य रामायागमनं पुनः
श्रुत्वैव चापि रामस्तं प्राप्तं शङ्कान्वितो।अभवत्
dvāḥsthairāveditaṃ tasya rāmāyāgamanaṃ punaḥ
śrutvaiva cāpi rāmastaṃ prāptaṃ śaṅkānvito|abhavat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The doorkeepers informed Rama that Sumantra had come again. Hearing that, Rama was uncertain as to the reason for Sumantra's arrival again.
प्रवेश्य चैनं त्वरितं रामो वचन मब्रवीत्
यदागमनकृत्यं ते भूयस्तद्भ्रुह्यशेषतः
praveśya cainaṃ tvaritaṃ rāmo vacana mabravīt
yadāgamanakṛtyaṃ te bhūyastadbhruhyaśeṣataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama immediately allowed Sumantra inside and spoke these words to him: "Tell me completely the purpose of your arrival again."
तमुवाच ततः सूतो राजा त्वां द्रष्टु मिच्छति
श्रुत्वा प्रमाणमत्र त्वं गमनायेतराय वा
tamuvāca tataḥ sūto rājā tvāṃ draṣṭu micchati
śrutvā pramāṇamatra tvaṃ gamanāyetarāya vā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing those words, Sumantra said: "King Dasaratha wants to see you. Decide yourself in this matter whether to proceed to your father or otherwise".
इति सूतवचः श्रुत्वा रामो।अथ त्वरयान्वितः
प्रययौ राजभवनं पुनर्द्रष्टुं नरेश्वरम्
iti sūtavacaḥ śrutvā rāmo|atha tvarayānvitaḥ
prayayau rājabhavanaṃ punardraṣṭuṃ nareśvaram
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama, after hearing Sumantra's words, started immediately and went to the royal palace to see king Dasaratha, the Lord of people, again.
तं श्रुत्वा समनुप्राप्तं रामं दशरथो नृपः
प्रवेश्यामास गृहं विवक्षुः प्रियमुत्तमम्
taṃ śrutvā samanuprāptaṃ rāmaṃ daśaratho nṛpaḥ
praveśyāmāsa gṛhaṃ vivakṣuḥ priyamuttamam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing Rama to have arrived, king Dasaratha allowed him to come into the house, to tell him an excellent and affectionate word.
प्रविश्न्नेप च श्रीमान् राघवो भवनं पितुः
ददर्श पितरं दूरात् प्रणिपत्य कृताञ्ज्लिः
praviśnnepa ca śrīmān rāghavo bhavanaṃ pituḥ
dadarśa pitaraṃ dūrāt praṇipatya kṛtāñjliḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The glorious Rama, soon after entering his father's house, saw his father from a distance and fell prostrate before him in an act of submission, with his palms joined together.
प्रणमन्तं समुत्थाप्य तं परिष्वज्य भूमिपः
प्रदिश्य चास्मै रुचिरमासनं पुनरब्रवीत्
praṇamantaṃ samutthāpya taṃ pariṣvajya bhūmipaḥ
pradiśya cāsmai ruciramāsanaṃ punarabravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Dasaratha lifted Rama up and took him into his embrace. Then, he offered a beautiful seat to Rama and spoke to him as follows:
राम वृद्धो।अस्मि दीर्घायुर्भुक्ता भोगा मयेप्सिताः
अन्न्वद्भिः क्रतुश्तैस्तथेष्टं भूरिदक्षिणैः
rāma vṛddho|asmi dīrghāyurbhuktā bhogā mayepsitāḥ
annvadbhiḥ kratuśtaistatheṣṭaṃ bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh Rama, I have now become aged after living for a long period. I enjoyed all the luxuries in life, as I desired. I propitiated Gods by performing hundreds of sacrifices, in which food and lots of fees were given away to the officiating priests. "
जातमिष्टमपत्यं मे त्वमद्यानुपमं भुवि
दत्तमिष्टमधीतं च मया पुरुषसत्तम
jātamiṣṭamapatyaṃ me tvamadyānupamaṃ bhuvi
dattamiṣṭamadhītaṃ ca mayā puruṣasattama
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O Rama, the best of men! You are now born to me as without an equal on earth and as my beloved child. I had given away lots of donations, I had performed holy rites and I have also studied Vedas and other Holy Scriptures during my life time."
अनुभूतानि चेष्टानि मया वीर सुखान्यपि
देवर्षिपितृविप्राणामनृणो।अस्मि तथात्मनः
anubhūtāni ceṣṭāni mayā vīra sukhānyapi
devarṣipitṛviprāṇāmanṛṇo|asmi tathātmanaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh gallant Rama! I also enjoyed all the comforts, as I desired. Thus I am relieved of all debts to the celestials (by performing holy sacrifices), to the sages (by studying Vedas etc.), to my ancestors (by begetting you), to the Brahmans (by giving away donations and food) and to myself (by enjoying all comforts as I desired)."
न किञ्चिन्म कर्तव्यं तवान्यत्राभिषेचनात्
अतो युत्त्वामहं ब्रूयां तन्मे त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि
na kiñcinma kartavyaṃ tavānyatrābhiṣecanāt
ato yuttvāmahaṃ brūyāṃ tanme tvaṃ kartumarhasi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I have no duty other than to anoint you for the crown. Hence, do what I tell you."
अद्य प्रकृतयः सर्वास्त्वामिच्छन्ति नराधिपम्
अतस्त्वां युवराजानमभिषेक्ष्यामि पुत्रक
adya prakṛtayaḥ sarvāstvāmicchanti narādhipam
atastvāṃ yuvarājānamabhiṣekṣyāmi putraka
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Now all the people want you to be the king. Hence, I can install you as prince."
अपि चाद्याशुभान् राम स्वप्ने प्श्यामि दारुणान्
सनिर्घाता दिवोल्का च परतीह महास्वना
api cādyāśubhān rāma svapne pśyāmi dāruṇān
sanirghātā divolkā ca paratīha mahāsvanā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, Rama! It is not only the people's desire, but also these days I am getting fearful and inauspicious dreams. Here, thunderous comets are falling with great sound, during day time."
अवष्टब्धं च मे राम नक्षत्रं दारुणैर्ग्रहैः
आवेदयन्ति दैवज्ञाव्ः सूर्याङ्गारकराहुभिः
avaṣṭabdhaṃ ca me rāma nakṣatraṃ dāruṇairgrahaiḥ
āvedayanti daivajñāvḥ sūryāṅgārakarāhubhiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, Rama! Astrologers are informing me that fearful planets like Sun, Mars and Rahu are encroaching my birth star."
प्रायेण हि निमित्तानामीदृशानां समुद्भवे
राजा हि मृत्युमाप्नोति घोरं वापदमृच्छति
prāyeṇa hi nimittānāmīdṛśānāṃ samudbhave
rājā hi mṛtyumāpnoti ghoraṃ vāpadamṛcchati
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Whenever such inauspicious signs are produced, the king generally will get either death or a fearful accident."
तद्यावदेव मे चेतो न विमुञ्चति राघव
तावदेवाभिषिञ्चस्व चला हि प्राणिनां मतिः
tadyāvadeva me ceto na vimuñcati rāghava
tāvadevābhiṣiñcasva calā hi prāṇināṃ matiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, Rama! Hence, before my mind gets changed, get you anointed to the crown. Are not the minds of men unstable?"
अद्य चन्द्रोभ्युपगतः पुष्यात्पूर्वं पुनर्वसू
श्वः पुष्ययोगं नियतं वक्ष्यन्ते दैवचिन्तकाः
adya candrobhyupagataḥ puṣyātpūrvaṃ punarvasū
śvaḥ puṣyayogaṃ niyataṃ vakṣyante daivacintakāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Today, the moon is entering the constellation known as Punarvasu which comes before Pushyami star. The astrologers inform that the coronation ceremony can be fixed for tomorrow, when the moon joins Pushyami star."
ततः पुष्ये।अभिषिञ्चस्व मनस्त्वरयतीव माम्
श्वस्त्वाहमभिषेक्ष्यामि यौवराज्ये परंतप
tataḥ puṣye|abhiṣiñcasva manastvarayatīva mām
śvastvāhamabhiṣekṣyāmi yauvarājye paraṃtapa
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Hence, get anointed for the crown on the day of Pushyami star. My mind is urging me as it were to expedite things. O, annihilator of the enemies! I shall anoint you for the princely kingdom tomorrow."
तस्मात्त्वयादप्रभृति निशेयं नियतात्मना
सह वध्वोपवस्तव्या दर्भप्रस्तरशायिना
tasmāttvayādaprabhṛti niśeyaṃ niyatātmanā
saha vadhvopavastavyā darbhaprastaraśāyinā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"That is why, with self control, you along with your wife should observe fast for this night from now onwards, and sleep on a couch made of Kusha grass."
सुहृदश्चाप्रमत्तास्त्वां रक्षन्त्वद्य समन्ततः
भवन्ति बहुविघ्नानि कार्याण्येवंविधानि हि
suhṛdaścāpramattāstvāṃ rakṣantvadya samantataḥ
bhavanti bahuvighnāni kāryāṇyevaṃvidhāni hi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Generally, there are many obstacles for such type of functions. Hence, your friends should guard you vigilantly from all directions."
विप्रोषितश्च भरतो यावदेव पुरादितः
तावदेवाभिषेकस्ते प्राप्तकालो मतो मम
viproṣitaśca bharato yāvadeva purāditaḥ
tāvadevābhiṣekaste prāptakālo mato mama
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is my opinion that your coronation function should occur, while Bharata is away from the city."
कामं खलु सतां वृत्ते भ्राता ते भरतः स्थितः
ज्येष्ठनुवर्ती धर्मात्मा सानुक्रोशो जितेन्द्रियः
kāmaṃ khalu satāṃ vṛtte bhrātā te bharataḥ sthitaḥ
jyeṣṭhanuvartī dharmātmā sānukrośo jitendriyaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
" Bharata, your brother, goes according to his eldest brother. He is righteous, compassionate and has the senses under control. He verily follows the path of good people."
किन्तु चित्तं मनुष्याणामनित्यमिति मे मतिः
सतां च धर्मनित्यानां कृतशोभि च राघव
kintu cittaṃ manuṣyāṇāmanityamiti me matiḥ
satāṃ ca dharmanityānāṃ kṛtaśobhi ca rāghava
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, Rama! It is my opinion that minds of men are inconstant. But the ever righteous, endowed with goodness, sometimes may act unexpectedly on impulse."
इत्युक्तः सोओ।अभ्यनुज्ञातः श्वोभाविन्यभिषेचने
व्रजेति रामः पितरमभिवाद्याभ्ययाद्गृहम्
ityuktaḥ soo|abhyanujñātaḥ śvobhāvinyabhiṣecane
vrajeti rāmaḥ pitaramabhivādyābhyayādgṛham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Dasaratha, after telling in this way about the ensuing coronation ceremony scheduled for the next day, permitted Rama to depart. Rama offered his salutations to his father and went to his house.
प्रविश्य चात्मनो वेश्म राज्ञोद्धिष्टे।अभिषेचने
तत्क्षणेन च निर्गम्य मातुर्न्तःपुरं ययौ
praviśya cātmano veśma rājñoddhiṣṭe|abhiṣecane
tatkṣaṇena ca nirgamya māturntaḥpuraṃ yayau
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
After hearing the decision of Dasaratha regarding coronation ceremony, Rama entered his house and by starting immediately, went to his mother's queenly house.
तत्र तां प्रवणामेव मातरं क्षौमवासिनीम्
वाग्यतां देवतागारे ददर्शायाचतीं श्रियम्
tatra tāṃ pravaṇāmeva mātaraṃ kṣaumavāsinīm
vāgyatāṃ devatāgāre dadarśāyācatīṃ śriyam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
There, in the queen's worshipping place, Rama saw Kausalya silently in meditation, wearing silk clothes and praying to goddess Lakshmi.
प्रागेव चागता तत्र सुमित्रा लक्ष्मण स्तदा
सीता चानायिता श्रुत्वा प्रियं रामाभिषेचनम्
prāgeva cāgatā tatra sumitrā lakṣmaṇa stadā
sītā cānāyitā śrutvā priyaṃ rāmābhiṣecanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the good news of the coronation ceremony of Rama, Sumitra and Lakshmana came there even before Seetha was brought.
तस्मिन् काले हि कौसल्या तस्थावामीलितेक्षणा
सुमित्रयान्वास्यमाना सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च
tasmin kāle hi kausalyā tasthāvāmīlitekṣaṇā
sumitrayānvāsyamānā sītayā lakṣmaṇena ca
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
At that time, Kausalya closed her eyes and was in meditation. Along with her, Sumitra, Lakshmana and Seetha were sitting nearby.
श्रुत्वा पुष्येण पुत्रस्य यौवराज्याभिषेचनम्
प्राणायामेन पुरुषं ध्यायमाना जनार्दनम्
śrutvā puṣyeṇa putrasya yauvarājyābhiṣecanam
prāṇāyāmena puruṣaṃ dhyāyamānā janārdanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing that her son will be anointed for the princely kingdom on the day of Pushyami star, Kausalya with controlled breath, was meditating on lord Vishnu.
तथा सनियमामेव सो।अभिगम्याभिवाद्य च
उवाच वचनं रामो हर्ष्यंस्तामिदं तदा
tathā saniyamāmeva so|abhigamyābhivādya ca
uvāca vacanaṃ rāmo harṣyaṃstāmidaṃ tadā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama approached his mother, even while she was engaged in pious observance, offered salutation and spoke the following words making her delighted.
अम्ब पित्रा नियुक्तो।अस्मि प्रजापालनकर्मणि
भविता श्वो।अभिषेको मे यथा मि शासनं पितुः
amba pitrā niyukto|asmi prajāpālanakarmaṇi
bhavitā śvo|abhiṣeko me yathā mi śāsanaṃ pituḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, mother! My father ordered that I should rule the people. As per his orders, there will be anointing ceremony to me tomorrow."
सीतया प्युपवस्तव्या रजनीयं मया सह
एवमृत्विगुपाध्यायैस्सह मामुक्तवान् पिता
sītayā pyupavastavyā rajanīyaṃ mayā saha
evamṛtvigupādhyāyaissaha māmuktavān pitā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Seetha too, along with me should observe fast this whole night. The father together with preceptors and teachers said this to me."
यानि यान्यत्र योग्यानि श्वो भाविन्यभिषेचने
तानि मे मङ्गल्दान्यद्य वैदेह्याश्चैव कारय
yāni yānyatra yogyāni śvo bhāvinyabhiṣecane
tāni me maṅgaldānyadya vaidehyāścaiva kāraya
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Have all the auspicious rites that are required for the ensuing tomorrow's anointment ceremony, performed to me and to Seetha today."
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु कौसल्या चिरकालाभिकाङ्क्षितम्
हर्ष्बाष्पकलं वाक्यमिदं राम मभाषत
etacchrutvā tu kausalyā cirakālābhikāṅkṣitam
harṣbāṣpakalaṃ vākyamidaṃ rāma mabhāṣata
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the news of anointment ceremony, which was being desired by her for a long time, Kausalya spoke to Rama the following sweet words with tears of joy in her eyes.
वत्स राम चिरं जीव हतास्ते परिपन्थिनः
ज्ञातीन्मे त्वं श्रियायुक्तः सुमित्रायाश्च नन्दय
vatsa rāma ciraṃ jīva hatāste paripanthinaḥ
jñātīnme tvaṃ śriyāyuktaḥ sumitrāyāśca nandaya
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, child Rama! You live a long life! Let your enemies be destroyed! Let the cousins of mine and of Sumitra be made happy by your glory."
कल्याणे बत न्क्षत्रे मयि जातो।असि पुत्रक
येन त्वया दशरथो गुणैराराधितः पिता
kalyāṇe bata nkṣatre mayi jāto|asi putraka
yena tvayā daśaratho guṇairārādhitaḥ pitā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, my little son! You were born to me on a day of an auspicious star. That is why, your father king Dasaratha was propitiated by your virtues."
अमोघं बत मे क्षान्तं पुरुषे पुष्करेक्षणे
येयमिक्ष्वाकुराज्यश्रीः पुत्र त्वां संश्रयिष्यति
amoghaṃ bata me kṣāntaṃ puruṣe puṣkarekṣaṇe
yeyamikṣvākurājyaśrīḥ putra tvāṃ saṃśrayiṣyati
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, son! My worship to the lotus eyed Lord Vishnu with endurance has become fruitful. Hence, this glorious kingdom of Ikshvaku dynasty is going to embrace you."
इत्येवमुक्तो मात्रेदं रामो भ्रातरमब्रवीत्
प्राञ्जलिं प्रह्वमासीनमभिवीख्स्य स्मयन्निव
ityevamukto mātredaṃ rāmo bhrātaramabravīt
prāñjaliṃ prahvamāsīnamabhivīkhsya smayanniva
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama, after hearing the words spoken by his mother, saw his brother Lakshmana who was sitting humbly nearby with joined palms and spoke to him smilingly as follows:
लक्ष्मणेमां माया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्
द्वितीयं मे।अन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता
lakṣmaṇemāṃ māyā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām
dvitīyaṃ me|antarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Lakshmana! You rule this earth together with me. This glorious kingdom has reached you, who are my second conscience."
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगां स्त्वमिष्टान् राज्यफलानि च
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃ stvamiṣṭān rājyaphalāni ca
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Lakshmana! You enjoy the benefits as desired by you and the fruits of kingdom. I desire to live and even to rule the kingdom but for you."