Chapter 13

Bala Kanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties

VERSE 1

पुनः प्राप्ते वसन्ते तु पूर्णः संवत्सरो।अभवत्
प्रसवार्थम् गतो यष्टुम् हयमेधेन वीर्यवान्

punaḥ prāpte vasante tu pūrṇaḥ saṃvatsaro|abhavat
prasavārtham gato yaṣṭum hayamedhena vīryavān

SYNONYMS

punaḥ prāpte vasante tu: again, recurred, spring season, but in | pūrṇa samvatsaraḥ abhavat: full, year, over | vīryavān: determined one | prasava artham: progeny, requiring | yaṣṭum haya medhena: to ritualize, with Horse ritual | gataḥ: entered [ritual hall.] |

TRANSLATION

On completion of one full year another springtime arrived, and then Dasharatha a determined one to beget progeny by performing Horse Ritual entered the ritual hall. [1-13-1]

PURPORT

The performer of such Vedic rituals has to perform preliminary rituals for a period of one year in order to attain eligibility to perform the final one. Here Dasharatha is said to have completed such preludes as he entering into the Vedic ritual hall in the springtime of the succeeding year to the one referred in last chapter.
VERSE 2

अभिवाद्य वसिष्ठम् च न्यायतः प्रतिपूज्य च
अब्रवीत् प्रश्रितम् वाक्यम् प्रसवार्थम् द्विजोत्तमम्

abhivādya vasiṣṭham ca nyāyataḥ pratipūjya ca
abravīt praśritam vākyam prasavārtham dvijottamam

SYNONYMS

dvija uittamam vaśiṣṭam abhivādya: to that Brahman, the best, to Vashishta, on greeting | nyayataḥ pratipūjya ca: customarily, adoring him, also | abravīt pra śritam prasavārtham vākyam: said, very, humble, words. |

TRANSLATION

Greeting and even adoring the Sage Vashishta customarily Dasharatha said these very humble words to him. [1-13-2]

VERSE 3

यज्ञो मे क्रियताम् ब्रह्मन् यथोक्तम् मुनिपुङ्गव
यथा न विघ्नाः क्रियन्ते यज्ञांगेषु विधीयताम्

yajño me kriyatām brahman yathoktam munipuṅgava
yathā na vighnāḥ kriyante yajñāṃgeṣu vidhīyatām

SYNONYMS

muni pungavaḥ: sage, the eminent | brāhman: oh, Brahman | me yajñaḥ yatha uktam kriyatām: ritual, of, mine, as said [in scriptures] be performed | yajna angeṣu: ritual's, ancillary functions | yathā na vighnaḥ kriyate: as to how, no, obstacles, be occurred | vidhīyatām: be conducted. |

TRANSLATION

"Let my ritual be performed scripturally, oh eminent Brahman, let it be conducted in such a way that no obstacle occurs even in its ancillary functions. [1-13-3]

VERSE 4

भवान् स्निग्धः सुहृन् मह्यम् गुरुः च परमो महान्
वोढव्यो भवता च एव भारो यज्ञस्य च उद्यतः

bhavān snigdhaḥ suhṛn mahyam guruḥ ca paramo mahān
voḍhavyo bhavatā ca eva bhāro yajñasya ca udyataḥ

SYNONYMS

bhavān snigdhaḥ suhṛt mahyam: you are, friendly, kind-hearted, to me | paramaḥ mahān guruḥ ca: very, reverent, royal priest, also | yajñasya udyataḥ bhāraḥ: ritual's, upheaved, burden | bhavata eva voḍhavyaḥ: by you, alone, that shoulder it. |

TRANSLATION

"You being my very reverent royal priest are friendly and kind-hearted to me, and you alone shall shoulder the burden of the commenced ritual in all good faith and credence. [1-13-4]

VERSE 5

तथा इति च स राजानम् अब्रवीत् द्विजसत्तमः
करिष्ये सर्वम् एव एतत् भवता यत् समर्थितम्

tathā iti ca sa rājānam abravīt dvijasattamaḥ
kariṣye sarvam eva etat bhavatā yat samarthitam

SYNONYMS

dvija sattama: Brahman, the reverent | saḥ: he, Sage Vashishta | bhavatā yat samarthitam: by you, that which, is requested, or decided | etat: all that | sarvam tathā kariṣye: all, accordingly, I will make happen | iti rājānam abravīt: thus, to king, said. |

TRANSLATION

Then that reverent Brahman Vashishta said to king, "Whatever that is requested or decided by you, I will see that all of them are materialised accordingly. [1-13-5]

VERSE 6

ततो।अब्रवीत् द्विजान् वृद्धान् यज्ञ कर्मसु निष्ठितान्
स्थापत्ये निष्ठिताम् च एव वृद्धान् परम धार्मिकान्

tato|abravīt dvijān vṛddhān yajña karmasu niṣṭhitān
sthāpatye niṣṭhitām ca eva vṛddhān parama dhārmikān

SYNONYMS

,7,8,9| tataḥ abravīt dvijān vṛddhān: then [Sage Vashishta,] spoken to, to Brahmans, elderly scholars | yajña karmasu niṣṭitān: in ritual performance, proficient persons | vṛddhān parama dhārmikān: elderly experts, very, virtuous ones | sthāpatye niṣṭitām ca eva: to architects, proficient ones, thus | karma antikān: supervisors | śilpakarān: brick makers | vardhakīn: carpenters | khanakān api: earth-diggers, too | gaṇakān: accountants | śilpinaḥ ca eva: sculptors, also, thus | tatha eva: like that only | naṭa: actors | nartakān: dancers | tathā sucīn śāstra vidaḥ puruṣān: thus, flawless, scriptures, scholars, to those men | su bahu śrutān: well, many, heard [well-read in Vedas] | bhavantaḥ: by you all | rāja śāsanāt: by king's order | yajña karma: ritual, performance | samīhantām: be organised | iṣṭakā bahu sahasrī: bricks, many, thousands | śīghram anīyatām iti: quickly, be brought, thus | rājānām: for kingly [guests] | bahu guṇānvitā: very many, facilities included | upakāryaḥ kriyantām ca: royal palaces [guest houses,] be built, also. |

TRANSLATION

Then Sage Vashishta then summoned and spoke to elderly Brahman scholars, and elderly architects who are all proficient and elderly experts in conducting the construction of the ritual hall etc. Then summoned are the construction supervisors, brick-makers, carpenters, earth-diggers, accountants, and sculptors. So also the actors and dancers are summoned. Thus flawless scholars in scriptures and those men who are well read in Veda-s, are called and he addressed them saying, "Performance of the ritual be organised by the order of the king. Bricks in many thousands be brought quickly and royal palaces as temporary guesthouses be built for the kingly guests, with very many facilities included in them. [1-13-6,7,8,9]

PURPORT

A detailed description of the components of Vedic ritual hall is given at the endnote of next chapter, wherein King Dasharatha enters. Vedic ritual cannot be performed in ordinary households or in small temples. A very large place is selected, as per architectural science, and at its centre a homa kunda , an altar of fire will be constructed. This area will not have any roofing so as to let the vapours of oblations of ghee, sandalwood paste and others offered into the fire of altar, get into the atmosphere and thereby to Heavens. Around this altar of fire, huge sheds will be constructed to accommodate thousands of participants and onlookers. Apart from this, mammoth kitchens and dining halls are to be constructed as all of the thousands of participants, who are to be fed as long as ritual is conducted. Some of the many tradesmen are listed in a bird's eye view as above.
VERSE 10

ब्राह्मण आवसथाः चैव कर्तव्याः शतशः शुभाः
भक्ष्य अन्न पानैः बहुभिः समुपेताः सुनिष्ठिताः

brāhmaṇa āvasathāḥ caiva kartavyāḥ śataśaḥ śubhāḥ
bhakṣya anna pānaiḥ bahubhiḥ samupetāḥ suniṣṭhitāḥ

SYNONYMS

śubhāḥ: ideal | bahubhiḥ: with very many | bhakśya anna pānaiḥ sam upetā: with eatables, foods, potables, having | su niṣṭitāḥ: well established ones | brahmaṇā āvasathā: Brahmans, accommodation for | śataśaḥ kartavyāa: in hundreds, are to be done [built.] |

TRANSLATION

"Like that, for accommodating Brahmans hundreds of sanctified houses be built, well endowed and well established with very many eatables, foods, and potables. [1-13-10]

VERSE 11

तथा पौर जनस्य अपि कर्तव्याः च सुविस्तराः
आगतानाम् सुदूरात् च पार्थिवानाम् पृथक् पृथक्

tathā paura janasya api kartavyāḥ ca suvistarāḥ
āgatānām sudūrāt ca pārthivānām pṛthak pṛthak

SYNONYMS

tathā paura janasya api: so also, city, people, too | su vistarāḥ kartavyā ca: very, spacious [accomodation,] is to be done [built,] even | āgatānām su dūrāt ca: to those arriving, from distant places, also | pārthivānām pṛthak pṛthak: to kings, separately, separately [accommodation is to be given.] |

TRANSLATION

"So also, accommodation is to be given for city dwellers too, in very spacious housing, and severally for the kings arriving from distant places.[1-13-11]

VERSE 12

वाजिवारण शलाः च तथा शय्या गृहाणि च
भटानाम् महदावासम् वैदेशिक निवासिनाम्

vājivāraṇa śalāḥ ca tathā śayyā gṛhāṇi ca
bhaṭānām mahadāvāsam vaideśika nivāsinām

SYNONYMS

tathā śayyā gṛhāṇi ca: like that, reposing, stalls, also | vājivāraṇa śalāḥ ca: for horses, stables, also | bhaṭānām mahat āvāsam: for soldiers, great, billets | vaideśika nivāsinām: foreign-country, dwellers of. |

TRANSLATION

"For horses stables, reposing stalls for elephants, like that great billets for soldiers may be built for those foreign-country dwellers arriving in here on their horses and elephants along with their soldiers. [1-13-12]

VERSE 13

आवासा बहु भक्ष्या वै सर्व कामैः उपस्थिताः
तथा पौरजन्स्य अपि जनस्य बहु शोभनम्

āvāsā bahu bhakṣyā vai sarva kāmaiḥ upasthitāḥ
tathā paurajansya api janasya bahu śobhanam

SYNONYMS

āvāsāḥ bahu bhakśyāḥ vai: lodgings, with many foods, verily | sarva kāmaiḥ upasthitāḥ: with all, utilities, arranged | tathā paura jansya api: thus, for this city dwellers also | janasya bahu śobhanam: for [other] people, very, grand [food be given.] |

TRANSLATION

"These lodgings are to be arranged with many foods and utilities for the people of this city and for others coming from distant countries, and a very grand food be given in all of them. [1-13-13]

VERSE 14

दातव्यम् अन्नम् विधिवत् सत्कृत्य न तु लीलया
सर्वे वर्णा यथा पूजाम् प्राप्नुवन्ति सुसत्कृताः

dātavyam annam vidhivat satkṛtya na tu līlayā
sarve varṇā yathā pūjām prāpnuvanti susatkṛtāḥ

SYNONYMS

, 15a| annam dātavyam vidhivat: food, be given, dutifully | satkṛtya na tu līlaya: treating well, not, just, illusively | sarve varṇā: to all, castes | yathā pūjām prāpnuvanti: as they would, respects, they get | su satkritāḥ: well honoured na cha avaj~naa prayoktavya = not any, disrespect, be shown [to anyone] | kāma krodha vaśāt api: passion, anger, overcome by. |

TRANSLATION

"Food is to be given dutifully treating all of them well but not just illusively, and the people of all the castes shall be well honoured as they would get their due respect, and no disrespect be shown, even when overcome by passion or anger at anyone. [1-13-14, 15a]

VERSE 15

यज्ञ कर्मसु ये व्यग्राः पुरुषाः शिल्पिनः तथा

yajña karmasu ye vyagrāḥ puruṣāḥ śilpinaḥ tathā

SYNONYMS

b, 16| ye puruṣāḥ tathā śilpinaḥ: those, men, like that, architects | yajña karmasu vyagrā: in ritual's works, preoccupied | teśam api viśeṣeṇa: they be, also, exceptionally | pūjā kāryā yathā kramam: respectability, to be done, as they, deserve | ye sarve vasubhiḥ bhojanena ca: those, all, with funds, with foods, also | sampujitā syuḥ: well treated, they will be. |

TRANSLATION

"Exceptionally respectable are those men and architects that are preoccupied in the works of the ritual as they deserve, and those men involved in these works shall be well-treated with funds and food. [1-13-15b, 16]

VERSE 17

यथा सर्वम् सुविहितम् न किंचित् परिहीयते
तथा भवन्तः कुर्वन्तु प्रीति युक्तेन चेतसा

yathā sarvam suvihitam na kiṃcit parihīyate
tathā bhavantaḥ kurvantu prīti yuktena cetasā

SYNONYMS

sarvam yathā su vihitam: all this, as to how, will be well, organised | kimcit na pari hīyate: in the least, not, be neglected | tathā bhavanta: thus, you all | prīti yuktena cetasā: with interestedness [cooperation,] in good spirit | kurvantu: shall administer. |

TRANSLATION

"Thus, as to how all this be well organised without least negligence, thus you all shall administer in all your cooperation and good spirit." Thus Sage Vashishta spoke to the organisers. [1-13-17]

VERSE 18

ततः सर्वे समागंय वसिष्ठम् इदम् अब्रुवन्
यथेष्टम् तत् सुविहितम् न किंचित् परिहीयते

tataḥ sarve samāgaṃya vasiṣṭham idam abruvan
yatheṣṭam tat suvihitam na kiṃcit parihīyate

SYNONYMS

, 19a| tataḥ sarve samāgamya: then, all of them, collectively | vaśiṣṭam idam abruvan: to Vashishta, this, replied | yathā iṣṭam tat su vihitam: as desired, that, well ordered [will be done] | na kimcit parihīyate: not, in the least, will be neglected | yathā uktam tat kariṣyamaḥ: as, said, that, we will do | na kimcit parihāsyate: not, least, be slighted. |

TRANSLATION

Then all of them collectively replied to Sage Vashishta "As desired, all the well ordered works will not be neglected in the least, and they will be done as ordered, and not the least of them will be slighted." So said the artisans to Sage Vashishta. [1-13-18, 19a]

VERSE 19

ततः सुमंत्रम् आहूय वसिष्ठो वाक्यम् अब्रवीत्

tataḥ sumaṃtram āhūya vasiṣṭho vākyam abravīt

SYNONYMS

b, 20, 21a| tataḥ sumantram āhūya: then, Sumantra, on calling for | vaśiṣṭaḥ vākyam abravīt: Vashishta, [this] sentence, said | pṛdhivyām ye dhārmikāḥ nṛpatīm nimantrayasva: on the earth, those, that are righteous ones, [those] kings, be invited | sarva deśeṣu mānavān: from all, kingdoms, people | brahmaṇān kśatriyān vaisyān śūdrām: Brahmans, Kshatriya-s, Vaisyaa-s, Shuudra-s | ca eva sahasrasaḥ: also, thus, in thousands [scores of tem] | satkṛtya sam ānayasva: on honouring, let them be invited. |

TRANSLATION

"Then on calling for Sumantra, Sage Vashishta said these words to him, "Let all those kings of the earth that are righteous be invited, and let all the people from all the kingdoms, say Brahmans, Kshatriya-s, Vyasya-s, Shudra-s be invited in scores duly honouring them." So said Vashishta to Sumantra. [1-13-19b, 20, 21a]

VERSE 21

मिथिलाधिपतिम् शूरम् जनकम् सत्य वादिनम्

mithilādhipatim śūram janakam satya vādinam

SYNONYMS

b, 22| mithila patim śūram janakam: Mithila kingdom's, king, valiant one, King Janaka | satya vādinam: truth, advocate of | tam ānaya mahā bhāgam: him [Janaka,] invite, great, estimable one | svayameva eva: personally, thus [by you] | su satkṛtam: well honoured | pūrva sambandhinam jñātva: long-time, association, bearing in mind | pūrvam bravīmi te: firstly, I am telling, you. |

TRANSLATION

"You personally invite Janaka the king of Mithila, a valiant one and an advocate of truth, honouring his well and duly bearing in mind that he is a long-time associate of our King Dasharatha, hence I am telling you in the first instance. [1-13-21,22]

VERSE 23

तथा काशी पतिम् स्निग्धम् सततम् प्रिय वादिनम्
सद् वृत्तम् देवसंकाशम् स्वयम् एव अनयस्व ह

tathā kāśī patim snigdham satatam priya vādinam
sad vṛttam devasaṃkāśam svayam eva anayasva ha

SYNONYMS

tathā: likewise | snigdham satatam priya vādinam sat vṛttam: one who is friendly, always, affection, desiring one, well behaved [cordial] one | kāśi patim: thus, Kaashi's, king | svayam eva ānyasva ha: personally, alone, be invited indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"Thus that King of Kaashi who is always a friendly, affectionate and a cordial one, indeed he shall be invited by you personally. [1-13-23]

VERSE 24

तथा केकय राजानम् वृद्धम् परम धार्मिकम्
श्वशुरम् राज सिंहस्य सपुत्रम् त्वम् इह आनय

tathā kekaya rājānam vṛddham parama dhārmikam
śvaśuram rāja siṃhasya saputram tvam iha ānaya

SYNONYMS

vṛddham parama dhārmikam: elderly one, very, virtuous one | śvaśuram: father-in-law | rāja simhasya: of king, the lion's [Dasharatha's] | kekaya rājānam: Kekaya's king | sa putram tvam iha ānaya: along with his sons, you, here, invited. |

TRANSLATION

"Likewise, King of Kekaya, an elderly, very virtuous, and also the father-in-law of our Lion-King Dasharatha, you personally invite him along with his sons. [1-13-24]

VERSE 25

अङ्गेश्वरम् महेष्वासम् रोमपादम् सु सत्कृतम्
वयस्यम् राज सिंहस्य सपुत्रम् तम् इह आनय

aṅgeśvaram maheṣvāsam romapādam su satkṛtam
vayasyam rāja siṃhasya saputram tam iha ānaya

SYNONYMS

anga īsvaram: Anga kingdom's, lord | maha iṣvāsam: great bow, user of | rāja simhasya: king, the Lion [Dasharatha] | vayasyam: friend of | yaśaśvinam: illustrious one | romapādam su satkritam: Romapada, well, honoured, sam aanaya = well, be invited. |

TRANSLATION

"Romapada, the lord of Anga kingdom and the user of great bow, let that illustrious one be invited well honoured, for he is the friend of our lion-king Dasharatha. [1-13-25]

VERSE 26

तथा कोसल राजानम् भानुमंतम् सुसत्कृतम्
मगध अधिपतिम् शूरम् सर्व शास्त्र विशारदम्

tathā kosala rājānam bhānumaṃtam susatkṛtam
magadha adhipatim śūram sarva śāstra viśāradam

SYNONYMS

tathā kosala rājānam: like that, Kosala's, king | bhānumantam: Bhanumanta | susatkṛtam: well honoured | magadha adhipatim: Magadha, king | śūram: brave one | sarva śāstra viśāradam: in all scriptures, profound. |

TRANSLATION

"Like that King of Kosala namely Bhanumanta, and the King of Magadha, a brave one and a profound one in all scriptural knowledge, let them be honoured well and be invited. [1-13-26]

VERSE 27

प्राप्तिज्ञम् परमोदारम् सुसत्कृतम् पुरुषर्षभम्
राज्ञः शासनम् आदाय चोदयस्व नृपर्षभान्
प्राचीनान् सिन्धु सौवीरान् सौराष्ठ्रेयाम् च पार्थिवान्

prāptijñam paramodāram susatkṛtam puruṣarṣabham
rājñaḥ śāsanam ādāya codayasva nṛparṣabhān
prācīnān sindhu sauvīrān saurāṣṭhreyām ca pārthivān

SYNONYMS

prāptijñam: Praaptijna, the king of Magadha | parama udāram: kind-hearted one | susatkṛtam: well honoured | puruṣarṣabham: king, the best | rājñaḥ śāsanam ādāya: king's, orders, taking | codayasva: motivated by it | nṛparṣabhān: kings, the best | prācīnān: eastern regional kings | sindhu sauvīrān saurāṣṭhreyām ca pārthivān: Sindhu, Sauviira, Sauraastra, also, kings of. |

TRANSLATION

"And Praaptijna, the king of Magadha, the kind-hearted and best one among kings, be well honoured and invited. Further, taking the orders of King Dasharatha and motivated by those orders, the kings of Sindhu, Sauviira and Sauraastra kingdoms may also be invited. [1-13-27]

VERSE 28

दाक्षिणात्यान् नरेन्द्राम् च समस्तान् आनयस्व ह
सन्ति स्निग्धाः च ये च अन्ये राजानः पृथिवी तले

dākṣiṇātyān narendrām ca samastān ānayasva ha
santi snigdhāḥ ca ye ca anye rājānaḥ pṛthivī tale

SYNONYMS

, 29| dākṣiṇātyān narendrām ca: southern kingdoms', kings, also | samastān ānayasva ha: all of them, be invited, verily | santi snigdhāḥ ca ye ca anye: should there be, friends, other, those, also, other | rājānaḥ pridhvī tale: kings, on earth's, surface | tān ānaya yathā kśipram: them, be invited, as early as | sa anugān saha bāndhavān: along with, followers, along with, their relatives | etān mahābhāgaiḥ dūtaiḥ: them, highly illustrious ones, through envoys | ānayasva nṛpa ājñyā: invite them, by king's, orders. |

TRANSLATION

"All of the kings of southern kingdoms be invited, and should there be any other friends and other friendly kings on the surface of the earth, they too shall be invited as early as possible with all their followers, relatives through highly illustrious envoys, of course with the orders of our king." Thus Sage Vashishta said to minister Sumantra. [1-13-28, 29]

VERSE 30

वसिष्ठ वाक्यम् तत् श्रुत्वा सुमंत्रः त्वरितः तदा
व्यादिशत् पुरुषान् तत्र राज्ञाम् आनयने शुभान्

vasiṣṭha vākyam tat śrutvā sumaṃtraḥ tvaritaḥ tadā
vyādiśat puruṣān tatra rājñām ānayane śubhān

SYNONYMS

tat vaśiṣṭa vākyam śrutvā: that, Sage Vashishta's, words, on hearing | tadā sumantraḥ tvaritaḥ: then, Sumantra, expeditiously | rājnanam tatra ānayane: kings, there [to their kingdom,] for inviting | śubhān puruṣān vyādiśat = devout men: envoys, men, ordered. |

TRANSLATION

On hearing that word of Vashishta, Sumantra expeditiously ordered devout envoys to invite all those kings to their kingdom. [1-13-30]

VERSE 31

स्वयम् एव हि धर्मात्मा प्रयातो मुनि शासनात्
सुमंत्रः त्वरितो भूत्वा समानेतुम् महामतिः

svayam eva hi dharmātmā prayāto muni śāsanāt
sumaṃtraḥ tvarito bhūtvā samānetum mahāmatiḥ

SYNONYMS

dharmātmā sumantraḥ: virtuous one, Sumantra | muni śāśanāt: by sage's, orders | tvaritaḥ bhūtva: brisk, on becoming | samānetum mahī kśitaḥ: to fetch, earth's, rulers | svayam eva prayayātaḥ: personally, thus, journeyed. |

TRANSLATION

That virtuous Sumantra became brisk upon sage's words and personally journeyed to fetch all the rulers on the earth. [1-13-31]

VERSE 32

ते च कर्मान्तिकाः सर्वे वसिष्ठाय च महर्षये
सर्वम् निवेदयन्ति स्म यज्ञे यत् उपकल्पितम्

te ca karmāntikāḥ sarve vasiṣṭhāya ca maharṣaye
sarvam nivedayanti sma yajñe yat upakalpitam

SYNONYMS

te karma antikāḥ sarve: those, artisans, all | yajñe yat upakalpitam: in ritual, works, that are accomplished | vaśiṣṭyā, maharṣaye: to Vashishta, to the sage | sarvam nivedayanti sma: all details, have, reported. |

TRANSLATION

All those artisans engaged in ritual works have reported Vashishta, the details of all those ritual works that are accomplished. [1-13-32]

VERSE 33

ततः प्रीतो द्विज श्रेष्ठः तान् सर्वान् मुनिर् अब्रवीत्
अवज्ञया न दातव्यम् कस्य चित् लीलया अपि वा

tataḥ prīto dvija śreṣṭhaḥ tān sarvān munir abravīt
avajñayā na dātavyam kasya cit līlayā api vā

SYNONYMS

, 34a| tataḥ prītaḥ dvija śreśtaḥ muniḥ: then, satisfied, Brahman, eminent, saint, Sage Vashishta | tān sarvān abravīt: to, all of them, said | avajñayā na dātavyam: with disrespect, not, to be endowed | kasya cit līlaya api vā: to anyone, deceptively, also, either | avajñayā kṛtam hanyāt dātāram: with disrespect, done [deeds,] will kill, donor | na atra samśayam: not, there, any doubt. |

TRANSLATION

Then, that satisfied saint and eminent Brahman Vashishta, spoke this way to all of them, "nothing is to be endowed to anyone either with disrespect or deceptively, the deeds done with disrespect will kill the donor and there is no doubt about it." [1-13-33, 34a]

VERSE 34

ततः कैश्चित् अहो रात्रैः उपयाता महीक्षितः

tataḥ kaiścit aho rātraiḥ upayātā mahīkṣitaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 35a| tataḥ: then | mahīkśitaḥ: kings | rājñaḥ daśarathasya: for king, Dasharatha | bahūni ratnāni ādāya: very many, precious gems, taking | kaiḥ cit aho rātraiḥ upayātā: in some, days and nights, arrived. |

TRANSLATION

Then in some days and nights many kings have arrived taking precious gems with them as gifts for Dasharatha. [1-13-34b, 35a]

VERSE 35

ततो वसिष्ठः सुप्रीतो राजानम् इदम् अब्रवीत्

tato vasiṣṭhaḥ suprīto rājānam idam abravīt

SYNONYMS

b, 36| tataḥ vaśiṣṭhaḥ su prītaḥ: then, Vashishta, well, pleased | rājānam idam abravīt: to king, this, said | upayātā nara vyāghraḥ: arrived are, oh, manly tiger | rājanaḥ tava śāśanāt: kings, at your, behest | maya api satkṛtāḥ sarve: by me, also, well honoured, all | yatha arham rāja sattamāaḥ: as per their status, kings, the great. |

TRANSLATION

Then the well pleased Sage Vashishta said this to King Dasharatha "the kings from distant kingdoms have arrived at your behest, oh, tigerly-man, and thse best kings are well honoured by me also as per their status. [1-13-35b, 36]

VERSE 37

यज्ञीयम् च कृतम् सर्वम् पुरुषैः सुसमाहितैः
निर्यातु च भवान् यष्टुम् यज्ञ आयतनम् अन्तिकात्

yajñīyam ca kṛtam sarvam puruṣaiḥ susamāhitaiḥ
niryātu ca bhavān yaṣṭum yajña āyatanam antikāt

SYNONYMS

yajñīyam sarvam ca kṛtam: ritual works, all, also, completed | su samāhitaiḥ puruṣaiḥ: well, coalesced, by men | bhavān yaṣṭum: you, to perform ritual | antikān yajna āyatanam niryātu: that is nearby, ritual hall, you may proceed. |

TRANSLATION

"All the ritual works are also completed by the well coalescent men, thus you may start towards the ritual place that is nearby, to perform your ritual." Said Sage Vashishta to King Dasharatha. [1-13-37]

VERSE 38

सर्वकामैः उपहृतैः उपेतम् वै समन्ततः
द्रष्टुम् अर्हसि राजेन्द्र मनसेव विनिर्मितम्

sarvakāmaiḥ upahṛtaiḥ upetam vai samantataḥ
draṣṭum arhasi rājendra manaseva vinirmitam

SYNONYMS

rājendra: oh, best king | upahṛtaiḥ sarva kāmaiḥ: arranged around, with all, desirables [paraphernalia] | samantataḥ upetam vai: everywhere, available, indeed | manasā vi nirmitam eva: by wish, built, as though | draṣṭum arhasi: to see, apt of you. |

TRANSLATION

"All the desirable paraphernalia is arranged and made available everywhere, and it is apt of you see ritual hall that is as though built by your mere wish. [1-13-38]

VERSE 39

तथा वसिष्ठ वचनात् ऋष्यशृन्गस्य च उभयोः
दिवसे शुभ नक्षत्रे निर्यातो जगतीपतिः

tathā vasiṣṭha vacanāt ṛṣyaśṛngasya ca ubhayoḥ
divase śubha nakṣatre niryāto jagatīpatiḥ

SYNONYMS

tathā vaśiṣṭa vacanāt: thus, by Vashishta's word [advise] | ṛṣyasṛngasya ca: of Rishyasringa, also | ubhayoḥ: by [the word of] both | śubhe divasa: on a good, day | nakśatre: star [of that day matching] | niryātaḥ: came forth | jagatī patiḥ: world's lord [King Dasharatha.] |

TRANSLATION

Thus, on a good day while the ruling star of the day is favourable, King Dasharatha came forth towards the ritual hall according to the advice of both the sages Vashishta and Rishyasringa. [1-13-39]

PURPORT

In undertaking of auspicious works, Hindus watch out for date, day, and the star of the day, called tithi, vaara, nakshatra in accordance with astrological import. In addition to these three are two more yoga and karaNa , which when added together this becomes panchaanga , five-aspects of time, which are essential to verify before conducting any auspicious work.
VERSE 40

ततो वसिष्ठ प्रमुखाः सर्व एव द्विजोत्तमाः
ऋष्यशृन्गम् पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञ कर्म आरभन् तदा

tato vasiṣṭha pramukhāḥ sarva eva dvijottamāḥ
ṛṣyaśṛngam puraskṛtya yajña karma ārabhan tadā

SYNONYMS

tataḥ vaśiṣṭa pramukhāḥ: then, Vashishta, and other eminent ones | sarva eva dvija uttamāḥ: all, thus, Brahmans, eminent | ṛsyasṛngam puraskritya: Rishyasringa, keeping ahead of | yajna karma ārabhan tadā: ritual, works, commenced, thus. |

TRANSLATION

Then Sage Vashishta and other eminent Brahmans keeping the Sage Rishyasringa ahead of them entered the ritual hall, to commence the ritual works thus. [1-13-40]

VERSE 41

इति श्री वाल्मिकि रामायणे बालकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः

iti śrī vālmiki rāmāyaṇe bālakāṇḍe trayodaśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

sarve yajña vāṭa gatāḥ: all, to ritual hall, on going | yathā śāstram yathā vidhi: as per canons, as per custom | śrīmān rājā: illustroious, king Dasharatha | saha patnībhī: with, his wives | dīkśām upāviśat: king, ritual vow, undertook. |

TRANSLATION

When all have entered the ritual hall as per canons and custom, that glorious king Dasharatha along with his wives undertook vow of ritual. [1-13-41]