Chapter 18

Bala Kanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties

VERSE 1

निर्वृत्ते तु क्रतौ तस्मिन् हयमेधे महात्मनः
प्रति गृह्य अमरा भागान् प्रतिजग्मुः यथा आगतम्

nirvṛtte tu kratau tasmin hayamedhe mahātmanaḥ
prati gṛhya amarā bhāgān pratijagmuḥ yathā āgatam

SYNONYMS

mahātmanaḥ tasmin haya medhe: of the high souled one Dasharatha's, that, horse ritual | kratau nirvṛtte sati: ritual, when completed, that is | amarā bhāgān pratigṛhya: gods, their portion [of oblations,] on taking | yatha āgatam: as they came | pratijagmu: returned [to their heavens.] |

TRANSLATION

On the competition of the horse ritual of high-souled Dasharatha, the golds having received their portion of sacrificial oblation returned to their abodes as they have come. [1-18-1]

VERSE 2

समाप्त दीक्षा नियमः पत्नी गण समन्वितः
प्रविवेश पुरीम् राजा स भृत्य बल वाहनः

samāpta dīkṣā niyamaḥ patnī gaṇa samanvitaḥ
praviveśa purīm rājā sa bhṛtya bala vāhanaḥ

SYNONYMS

patnī gaṇa samanvitaḥ: wives', company, along with | rājā: king Dasharatha | samāpta dīkśā niyamaḥ = on completing, vovs, rules: consecration vowed for Vedic ritual | sa bhṛtya bala vāhana: along with, servants, guards, vehicles | praviveśa purīm: entered, city [Ayodhya,]. |

TRANSLATION

The king completing his consecratory vows held for horse ritual, entered Ayodhya city along with the company of his queens, servants, guards and vehicles. [1-18-2]

VERSE 3

यथा अर्हम् पूजिताः तेन राज्ञा च पृथिवीश्वराः
मुदिताः प्रययुः देशान् प्रणंय मुनि पुंगवम्

yathā arham pūjitāḥ tena rājñā ca pṛthivīśvarāḥ
muditāḥ prayayuḥ deśān praṇaṃya muni puṃgavam

SYNONYMS

pṛthvi īśvarāḥ: earthly, gods [other kings] | tena rājñā: by him, the king | yathā arham pūjitāḥ: as, befitting, honoured | muditāḥ: are gladdened | muni pungavam praṇamya: sage, the eminent [Vashishta] on duly adoring | deśān: to their countries | prayayuḥ = travelled: returned. |

TRANSLATION

The other kings who arrived for the ritual are delighted when befittingly honoured by the king Dasharatha, and they too returned to their countries, after suitably adoring the eminent sage Vashishta. [1-18-3]

VERSE 4

श्रीमताम् गच्छताम् तेषाम् स्वगृहाणि पुरात् ततः
बलानि राज्ञाम् शुभ्राणि प्रहृष्टानि चकाशिरे

śrīmatām gacchatām teṣām svagṛhāṇi purāt tataḥ
balāni rājñām śubhrāṇi prahṛṣṭāni cakāśire

SYNONYMS

tataḥ purāt: from that, city | sva gṛhāṇi = to their ovn, houses [ovn countries: homeward] | gacchatām = those vho are going: set forth | śrīmatām teṣām rājnām: of those magnificent [kings,] those, kings' | śubhrāṇi: clean [neat white uniforms, or in fine fettle] | pra hṛṣṭāni: highly, gladdened | balani cakāśire: armies [entourages,] shone forth. |

TRANSLATION

The entourages of those kings who set forth homeward from that city are highly gladdened and shone forth in fine fettle. [1-18-4]

PURPORT

Some commentaries said that the soldiers are given white and clean uniforms by Dasharatha by the word shubhraaNi and hence they are happy. But they may be said to be sprucely without those gifts from Dasharatha.
VERSE 5

गतेषु पृथिवीशेषु राजा दशरथः पुनः
प्रविवेश पुरीम् श्रीमान् पुरस्कृत्य द्विजोत्तमान्

gateṣu pṛthivīśeṣu rājā daśarathaḥ punaḥ
praviveśa purīm śrīmān puraskṛtya dvijottamān

SYNONYMS

pṛdhvi īśeṣu gateśu satsu: earthly, lords [kings,] when they have gone | tadā śrīmān rājā dasarathaḥ: then, fortunate, king, Dasharatha | dvijaḥ uttamān puraskṛtya: Brahmans, eminent ones, keeping ahead | purīm praviveśa: city, entered. |

TRANSLATION

On the departure of visiting kings, then that fortunate king Dasharatha entered the city Ayodhya, keeping eminent Brahman priests ahead of him in the procession. [1-18-5]

VERSE 6

शांतया प्रययौ सार्धम् ऋष्यशृङ्गः सुपूजितः
अनुगंयमानो राज्ञा च सानुयात्रेण धीमता

śāṃtayā prayayau sārdham ṛṣyaśṛṅgaḥ supūjitaḥ
anugaṃyamāno rājñā ca sānuyātreṇa dhīmatā

SYNONYMS

ṛṣyaśṛṅgaḥ: Rishyasringa | su pūjita: well, adored | sa anu yātreṇa: with, co-travellers [entourage of Romapada] | dhīmatā rājnā: with virtuous one, king [Romapaada] | anugamyamānaḥ ca: followed by, king also | śantayā sārtham prayayau: with Shanta, along with, travelled. |

TRANSLATION

Well adored by king Dasharatha sage Rishyasringa also travelled along with his wife Shanta, followed by his father-in-law King Romapada, and along with other co-travellers, namely the entourage of Romapada. [1-18-6]

VERSE 7

एवम् विसृज्य तान् सर्वान् राजा संपूर्ण मानसः
उवास सुखितः तत्र पुत्र उत्पत्तिम् विचिंतयन्

evam visṛjya tān sarvān rājā saṃpūrṇa mānasaḥ
uvāsa sukhitaḥ tatra putra utpattim viciṃtayan

SYNONYMS

rājā: king Dasharatha | evam tān sarvān visṛjya: thus, them, all, on dispersing | sampūrṇa mānasaḥ: with a satiated, heart | putra utpattim vicintayan: sons, birth, dwelling upon | tatra sukhitaḥ uvāsa: there, gratifyingly, dwelled. |

TRANSLATION

On dispersing all of them king Dasharatha gratifyingly dwelled there in Ayodhya, with a satiated heart dwelling upon the birth of his sons. [1-18-7]

VERSE 8

ततो यज्ञे समाप्ते तु ऋतूनाम् षट् समत्ययुः
ततः च द्वादशे मासे चैत्रे नावमिके तिथौ

tato yajñe samāpte tu ṛtūnām ṣaṭ samatyayuḥ
tataḥ ca dvādaśe māse caitre nāvamike tithau

SYNONYMS

mahā bhāgam: greatly blessed one | ikśvāku nandanam: Ikshvaaku dynasty, delight of | lohita akśam: lotus-red, eyes | mahā bāhum: lengthy, armed | rakta oṣṭam: roseate, lips | dundubhi svanam: drumbeat, voiced | rāmam: Rama as | putram: the son | ajanayat: gave birth. |

TRANSLATION

On completion of the ritual, six seasons have passed by; then in the twelfth month, i.e., in chaitra mAsa , and on the ninth day of that chaitra month [April-May], when it is punarvasu nakshatra yukta navamI tithi , i.e., when the ruling star of that ninth day is punarvasu, for which Aditi is the presiding deity; and when five of the nine planets - sUrya, kuja, guru, shukra, shani are in ucCha sthAna -s, namely, when those planets are in ascension in their respective houses - meSha, makara, karkaTa, mIna, tula - rAshI -s; and when chandra yukta guru, karkaTa lagne - Jupiter in conjuction with Moon is ascendant in Cancer, and when day is advancing, Queen Kausalya gave birth to a son with all the divine attributes like lotus-red eyes, lengthy arms, roseate lips, voice like drumbeat, and who took birth to delight the Ikshwaku dynasty and adored by all the worlds, and who is the greatly blessed epitome of Vishnu, namely Rama. [1-18-8, 9, 10, 11] Twice six months had rolled a way since the great sacrifice was over and, in the first month of the New Year, on the ninth day of the bright fortnight, the Lord of the worlds chose to take human form and sent down half of His essence as the son of Kausalya (thenceforth to be known as Rama), the world-honored One, the crowning glory ot the grand line of Ikshwku, and the sum of all perfections. The constellation Punarvasu, of which Aditi was the regent, was chosen to preside at his birth. The Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn were in ascension in their respective houses. Aries, Capricornus, Cancer, Pisces and the Libra, Jupiter and the Moon were in conjunction ; the rising sign was Cancer. And KausalyA, shone with unparalleled effulgence, even as Aditi when she gave birth to Indra, the lord of the Shining Ones, the Vajra-wielder. - C. R. Sreeniuasa Aiyangar, 1910.

PURPORT

By this configuration of stars the supreme merits of Rama are indicated. atra sa~Nvastara mukha uttaayaNa vasanta caitra maasa shukla pakSha deva nakShatra diva abhijit lagna puNya nakShatraad utkR^iShTa kaale karkaaTaka lagne uccasya graha pa~ncake guru candra yoge shrii raama utpattiH | tasya sarva utkR^iShTataam sakala kalyaaNa guNa abhiramataam sakala shiShTa aadraNiiya sampattim mahaa paraakramam ca suucitam |dharmaakuutam . The phrase viSNoH artham half of Vishnu - is to be taken as half of the fruit of ritual where Vedic ritual itself is pervaded by Vishnu. The fruit of ritual is obtained in the shape of dessert, and Kausalya consumed half of it, but it is not half of Vishnu as he is illimitable. Even Sreeniuasa Aiyangar took it as half, in saying half of Vishnu's essence is Rama. This has become a perennial topic debating whether the incarnation of Rama is a pUrNa avtAra , artha avatAra or aMsha avatAra .
VERSE 12

कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेण अमित तेजसा
यथा वरेण देवानाम् अदितिः वज्र पाणिना

kausalyā śuśubhe tena putreṇa amita tejasā
yathā vareṇa devānām aditiḥ vajra pāṇinā

SYNONYMS

a mita tejasā: one with unlimited resplendence | tena putreṇa: by that, son | devānām vareṇa: among gods, the best one | vajra pāṇinā = by ṭhunderbolt, in hand [vielder: Indra] | adithiḥ yathā śuśubhe: Lady Aditi, as with, shone forth. |

TRANSLATION

Kausalya shone forth with such a son whose resplendence is unlimited, as with lady Aditi who once stood out with her son Indra, the best one among gods. [1-18-12]

VERSE 13

भरतो नाम कैकेय्याम् जज्ञे सत्य पराक्रमः
साक्षात् विष्णोः चतुर्थ भागः सर्वैः समुदितो गुणैः

bharato nāma kaikeyyām jajñe satya parākramaḥ
sākṣāt viṣṇoḥ caturtha bhāgaḥ sarvaiḥ samudito guṇaiḥ

SYNONYMS

satya parākramaḥ: truthfulness, as his valour | sākśāt viṣṇoḥ: manifest, Vishnu's | catur bhāgaḥ: fourth, component | sarvaiḥ guṇaiḥ samuditaḥ: with all, merits, embodied with | bharata nāma kaikeyyām jajñe: Bharata, named [son], to Queen Kaikeyi, born to. |

TRANSLATION

Queen Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata, one embodied with all merits, and whose truthfulness itself is his valour and who is fourth component of manifest Vishnu, namely Rama. [1-18-13]

PURPORT

The fraction indicated here like 'one fourth of Vishnu' etc may be reckoned as the share of the dessert consumed by the queens, but not as a cleaved portion of Vishnu as he is an indivisible entity. Here it is half of one-fourth i.e., one-eighth of dessert given to Kaikeyi.
VERSE 14

अथ लक्ष्मण शत्रुघ्नौ सुमित्रा अजनयत् सुतौ
वीरौ सर्व अस्त्र कुशलौ विष्णोः अर्ध समन्वितौ
११८१४

atha lakṣmaṇa śatrughnau sumitrā ajanayat sutau
vīrau sarva astra kuśalau viṣṇoḥ ardha samanvitau
1-18-14

SYNONYMS

atha: then | vīrāu: valiant ones | sarva astra kuśalau: all, weaponry, experts | viṣṇoḥ: Vishnu's | artha: essence, epitome | samanvitau: those that are embodied with | sutau ajanayat: to sons, gave birth. |

TRANSLATION

Queen Sumitra then gave birth to two sons who are the embodied epitomes of Vishnu, namely Lakshmana, and Shatrughna, who are valiant ones and experts in all kinds of weaponry. [1-18-14]

VERSE 15

पुष्ये जातः तु भरतो मीन लग्ने प्रसन्न धीः
सार्पे जातौ तु सौमित्री कुल्दीरे अभ्युदिते रवौ

puṣye jātaḥ tu bharato mīna lagne prasanna dhīḥ
sārpe jātau tu saumitrī kuldīre abhyudite ravau

SYNONYMS

prasanna dhīḥ = level, headed one: guileless, fair-minded | puśye mīna lagne jātaḥ: under Pushyami star, in Pisces [of Zodiac,] born | saumitrī: sons of Sumitra [Lakshmana, Shatrughna] | sārpe kulīre: under star presided by serpent [aaSreSa,] in Cancer [of Zodiac] | ravau abhyudite = vhile ṣun, is rising: i.e., on next day of Rama's birth - nth of Chaitra | jātau: they are born. |

TRANSLATION

With the dawn of sun on the next day, fair-minded Bharata is born under Pisces where puSyami is the star of day, later the sons of Sumitra, namely Lakshmana and Shatrughna are born under Cancer, where aaSreSa is the star of the day, i.e., the tenth of chaitra month, [1-18-15]

PURPORT

Rama is born on the ninth day of Chaitra month, and Bharata is born in the earlier part of next day the tenth of Chaitra, earlier to his younger brothers, and then Lakshmana and Shatrughna are born on the later part of that tenth day. 'Pushya is the name of a month; but here it means the eighth mansion. The ninth is called Aslesh, or the snake. It is evident from this that Bharata, though his birth is mentioned before that of the twins, was the youngest of the four brothers and Rama's junior by eleven months' -- Schlegel. The eleven-month gap between Rama and Bharata is unapparent in the words of verse. This may be from some other version of Ramayana.
VERSE 16

राज्ञः पुत्रा महात्मानः चत्वारो जज्ञिरे पृथक्
गुणवंतः अनुरूपाः च रुच्या प्रोष्ठ पदोपमाः

rājñaḥ putrā mahātmānaḥ catvāro jajñire pṛthak
guṇavaṃtaḥ anurūpāḥ ca rucyā proṣṭha padopamāḥ

SYNONYMS

guṇavantaḥ anurūpāḥ ca: virtuous ones, charming, also | rucyā: by brilliance | proṣṭapada upamāḥ: [like puurva bhaadra, uttara bhaadra] stars, in simile | mahātmānaḥ: great souls | rājnaḥ putrā: kings', sons | catvāraḥ: four of them | jajñire pṛthak: born, separately. |

TRANSLATION

Thus there are four great-souled sons of Dasharatha, born on separate instances, who are virtuous, charming, and by brilliance they are in similitude with two stars of each of the asterisms called puurva bhadra and uttara bhaadra . [1-18-16]

PURPORT

The word proSTa is cow; pada feet; the feet of a cow. It is also the name for the asterisms puurvaa bhaadra, uttara baadra , containing stars in the wing of Pegasus, each of which will have two stars, and all the four stars make a perfect square. Like the pairs of stars the brother also move in pairs - Rama, Lakshmana; Bharata, Shatrughna. The epithet mahaa aatmanaH high-souled ones is though negligible for peripheral reading, it is explained as: Rama is one such, as he undertakes sva dharma anuSThaana ; Lakshmana by his sheSatva j~naana ; Bharata by his bhagavat paara tantrya ; and Shatrughna by his bhaagavata paaratantrya . Like this, each of the epithets used in Ramayana has something or the other meaning which is not generally recorded in English translations. All the English translations are story-oriented, as though there is some unknown story in Ramayana for retelling afresh. In the spate of telling story again and again these niceties are lost. The same is the position with the numerous epithets given to Seetha in Aranya Kanda. Readers may please note that each epithet conveys some meaning and if we could not incorporate them, it is our misfortune in getting a book containing their meanings. We request the readers to kindly inform us if they have come across the meanings of these seemingly useless and metre-filling-like epithets in any book, so that, that book will be brought to the notice of readers who are mistaking them as 'redundant stanza fillers'.
VERSE 17

जगुः कलम् च गंधर्वा ननृतुः च अप्सरो गणाः
देव दुंदुभयो नेदुः पुष्प वृष्टिः च खात् पतत्

jaguḥ kalam ca gaṃdharvā nanṛtuḥ ca apsaro gaṇāḥ
deva duṃdubhayo neduḥ puṣpa vṛṣṭiḥ ca khāt patat

SYNONYMS

, 18a| gandharvā kalam jaguḥ: celestial singers, melodiously, sang | apsarā gaṇāḥ nanṛtuḥ = divine dancers, groups of: dancing parties, danced | deva dundubhayaḥ neduḥ: divine, drums, sounded | khāt puśpa vṛṣṭi ca patat: from heavens, flowery, rain, also, fallen | ayodhyāyām jana akulaḥ: in Ayodhya, with people, thronging | utsavaḥ ca mahān asīt: festivity, also, great, is there. |

TRANSLATION

The celestial singers sang melodiously, paradisiacal dancing parties danced, divine drums drummed and heavens rained flowers, with all this there is a great festivity in Ayodhya with thronging people. [1-18-17, 18a]

VERSE 18

रथ्याः च जन संबाधा नट नर्तक संकुलाः

rathyāḥ ca jana saṃbādhā naṭa nartaka saṃkulāḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 19| rathyāḥ: streets | jana sambādhā = vith people, pressurised: stampeded | nata nartaka samkulāḥ: with actors, dancers, flurried by | gāyanaiḥ ca: singers, too | vādanaiḥ ca eva: with players of musical instruments, also, thus | tathā aparaiḥ = like that, by others: onlookers | virāvaṇyaḥ = vell sounding: hilarity, jubilation | tatra = there: on streets | vipulāḥ virejuḥ: widely, strewn | sarva ratna samanvitāḥ: all, gems, along with. |

TRANSLATION

Hilarity filled the streets with people stampeding them and with the flurry of actors, dancers, singers and instrumentalists, as well by other onlookers, and there on the streets widely strewn are all kinds of gems appreciating the artists. [1-18-18b, 19]

VERSE 20

प्रदेयांश्च ददौ राजा सूत मागध वंदिनाम्
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ वित्तम् गो धनानि सहस्रशः

pradeyāṃśca dadau rājā sūta māgadha vaṃdinām
brāhmaṇebhyo dadau vittam go dhanāni sahasraśaḥ

SYNONYMS

rājā: king | sūta māgadha vandinām: to eulogisers, bard singers, panegyrists | pradeyān ca: giveable donation, also | dadou: gave | brāhmaṇebhyaḥ: to Brahmans | vittam: funds | go dhanāni sahasraśaḥ: cow, wealth, in thousands | dadau: gave. |

TRANSLATION

The king gave worthy gifts to eulogisers, bard singers, and panegyrists, and to Brahmans he gave funds and wealth in the form of thousands of cows. [1-18-20]

VERSE 21

अतीत्य एकादश आहम् तु नाम कर्म तथा अकरोत्
ज्येष्ठम् रामम् महात्मानम् भरतम् कैकयी सुतम्

atītya ekādaśa āham tu nāma karma tathā akarot
jyeṣṭham rāmam mahātmānam bharatam kaikayī sutam

SYNONYMS

, 22| tataḥ: then | eka daśa āham atītya: one, ten, days, [eleven days,] when elapsed | nāma karma akarot: naming, ceremony, performed | mahā ātmānām jyeṣṭam rāmam: high souled, elder one, as Rama | kaikeyi sutam bharatam: Kaikeyi's, son, as Bharata | soumitrim: Sumitra's [to one son] | lakśmanam iti: as Lakshmana, thus | aparam: other [son] | śatrughnam: as Shatrughna | parama prītaḥ vaśiśta tadā: highly, gladdened, Vashishta, then | nāmāni kurute: names, [made] gave. |

TRANSLATION

Elapsed are eleven days and the naming ceremony is performed, then Vashishta, the chief priest, named the high-souled elder one as Rama, Kaikeyi's son as Bharata, and one son of Sumitra as Lakshmana and the other as Shatrughna [1-18-21, 22]

PURPORT

The word 'Rama' is defined as ramante sarve janaaH guNaiH asmin iti raamaH 'in whom all the people take delight for his virtuousness, thus he is Rama.' The name Rama is very old, so says padma puraaNa : shriyaH kamala vaasinyaa raameNa aham mahaaprabhuH | tasmaat shrii raama iti asya naama siddhi puraatanam || padma puraaNa Bharata is defined as: bharata raajya bharanaat - bibharti iti bharata Bharata is because he bears the burden of the kingdom of Rama during Rama's exile. Lakshmana is lkShmano laksmi sampannoH or lakShmi asya astiiti lakShmaNa Lakshmana is the favoured flourisher. The wealth of selfless dedication is in him, hence Lakshmana. One who is endowed with favoured dedication, kainkarya lakshana lakshita Lakshmana is a hearty dedication to Rama and he always wishes to reside by the side of his brother. Shatrughna is shatruun hanta iti shatrughnaH . Or shatrughno nitya shatru-ghnaH Shatrughna is always an enemy destroyer. The naming ceremony acquires a particular significance, because Vashishta, the purohita = puraa future; hitaH well-wisher of; well wishing advisor about the future of the kingdom, named these princes with a vision into the future.
VERSE 23

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयामास पौरान् जानपदान् अपि
उददद् ब्राह्मणानाम् च रत्नौघम् अमलम् बहु

brāhmaṇān bhojayāmāsa paurān jānapadān api
udadad brāhmaṇānām ca ratnaugham amalam bahu

SYNONYMS

, 24a| brahmaṇān paurān jānapadān api: Brahmans, urbanites, villagers, also | bhojayāmāsa: are fed well by king | brahāhmaṇānām bahu ratna ogham udadat = to Brahmans, many, valuable gems, he gave: gifted | a mitam: un, limited | teṣām janma kriya ādīni = them: the princes, birth, rites, ceremonies sequel to it | sarva karmāṇi akārayat: all, rituals, performed. |

TRANSLATION

The king feasted Brahmans, urbanites and villagers and he gifted many valuable gems to Brahmans in an unlimited way, and all the rituals of birth and ceremonies sequel to it like naming ceremony, first-food-feeding ceremony, first-hair-removal ceremony, and sacred thread ceremony are performed in respect of the princes. [1-18-23, 24a]

VERSE 24

तेषाम् केतुः इव ज्येष्ठो रामो रतिकरः पितुः
११८२४
बभूव भूयो भूतानाम् स्वयम् भूः इव सम्मतः

teṣām ketuḥ iva jyeṣṭho rāmo ratikaraḥ pituḥ
1-18-24
babhūva bhūyo bhūtānām svayam bhūḥ iva sammataḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 25a| tesṣam jyeṣṭhaḥ rāmaḥ: among them the princes, eldest one, Rama is | ketuḥ iva: flagstaff like | pituḥ bhuyaḥ rati kara: to his father, very much, delightful one | svayam bhū iva bhūtānām sammata babhūva: self-emerged [god, Brahma,] like, to all beings, acceptable, he became. |

TRANSLATION

Among those princes the eldest one Rama is like a flagstaff and a delight of his father Dasharatha, and he became acceptable to all beings like the self-created Brahma. [1-18-24b, 25a]

VERSE 25

सर्वे वेद विदः शूराः सर्वे लोकहिते रताः

sarve veda vidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve lokahite ratāḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 26a| sarve veda vidaḥ: all princes are, in Veda-s, scholars | śūrāḥ: valiant ones | sarve loka hite ratāḥ: all are, in worlds', welfare, interested | sarve jñāna upa sampannaḥ: all are, intellectual ones | sarve samuditā guṇaiḥ = all are, possessors of, vith merits: air of probity. |

TRANSLATION

All the princes are scholars in Veda-s, valiant ones, all are interested in the welfare of the world, all are intellectuals and all of them possess an air of probity. [1-18-25b, 26a]

VERSE 26

तेषाम् अपि महातेजा रामः सत्य पराक्रमः

teṣām api mahātejā rāmaḥ satya parākramaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 27a| teṣām api mahā tejā: among them, also, great, resplendent | rāamaḥ satya parākramaḥ: Rama, truthfulness, as his valorous one | nirmala śaśānka iva: tranquil, moon, like | sarvasya lokasya iṣṭaḥ: to all, of world, dear one. |

TRANSLATION

Among them the great resplendent Rama, whose valour itself is his truthfulness, is the dear one to all the world like the tranquil moon. [1-18-26b, 27a]

VERSE 27

गज स्कन्धे अश्व पृष्टे च रथ चर्यासु सम्मतः

gaja skandhe aśva pṛṣṭe ca ratha caryāsu sammataḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 28a| [saḥ rāmaḥ: he that Rama is] | gaja skandhe: on [riding] elephant's, shoulders | aśva pṛṣṭte: on [riding] horse's, on back | ca: also | ratha caryāsu: in chariots', manoeuvring of [tactical charioting] | sammataḥ: admitted to be [the champion] | dhanuḥ vede ca nirataḥ: in archery, Veda, also, rejoices in | pituḥ śuśrūśaṇe rataḥ: father's, in service, absorbed in. |

TRANSLATION

Rama is admittedly a champion of riding elephants and horses, also in tactical charioting, and he rejoices in the art of archery, and absorbed in the obedient service of his father. [1-18-27b, 28a]

VERSE 28

बाल्यात् प्रभृति सुस्निग्धो लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मि वर्धनः

bālyāt prabhṛti susnigdho lakṣmaṇo lakṣmi vardhanaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 29a| lakśmi vardhana lakśmana: prosperity, enhancer of, Lakshmana | bālyāt prabhṛti: childhood, since | loka rāmasya: for world, charming Rama | jyeṣṭasya bhrātuḥ: towards elder, brother | rāmasya: in respect of Rama | nityasaḥ su snigdhaḥ: always, he is very amiable. |

TRANSLATION

Right from childhood Lakshmana, the enhancer of prosperity, is always amiable towards his world-charming elder brother Rama. [1-18-28b, 29a]

VERSE 29

सर्व प्रिय करः तस्य रामस्य अपि शरीरतः

sarva priya karaḥ tasya rāmasya api śarīrataḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 30a| lakśmi sampannaḥ lakśmanaḥ: wealth [of dedication], one endowed with, Lakshmana s, even | śarīrataḥ api: bodily, even [dedicated to Rama] | sarva priya karaḥ: all, agreeable deeds, while peforming | tasya rāmasya: to that, Rama | bahiḥ prāna iva: external, entity, like | a paraḥ = bahiḥ prāṇa = outer, life: alter ego, [he behaved like alter ego,]. |

TRANSLATION

Lakshmana who is endowed with the wealth of dedication dedicated himself to Rama with bodily service, and while performing all agreeable deeds in respect of Rama, he behaved like Rama's alter ego. [1-18-29b, 30a]

VERSE 30

न च तेन विना निद्राम् लभते पुरुषोत्तमः

na ca tena vinā nidrām labhate puruṣottamaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 31a| puruṣa uttamaḥ: of men, best Rama | tena vināa = him: Lakshmana, without | nidrām na labhate: sleep, he does not, get | upānītam mṛṣṭam annam ca: brought [for him,] delicious, food, also | tam vinā: him [Lakshmana,] without | na aśnāti: will not, eat. |

TRANSLATION

That best one among the men Rama does not get his sleep without Lakshmana and he would not eat food brought for him, however delicious it may be, without Lakshmana. [1-18-30b, 31a]

VERSE 31

यदा हि हयम् आरूढो मृगयाम् याति राघवः

yadā hi hayam ārūḍho mṛgayām yāti rāghavaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 32a| rāghava: Raghava | hayam arūḍhaḥ: horse, on mounting | yadā mṛgayām yāti: when, for a hunting game, goes | tataḥ: then | saḥ: he, Lakshmana | dhanuḥ paripālayan: bow, wielding [as a squire] | enam priṣṭataḥ abhyeti: him [Rama,] behind [Rama,] rushes after. |

TRANSLATION

Whenever Raghava mounts a horse and goes on a hunting game Lakshmana rushes after him wielding his bow as a squire. [1-18-31b, 32a]

VERSE 32

भरतस्य अपि शत्रुघ्नो लक्ष्मण अवरजो हि सः

bharatasya api śatrughno lakṣmaṇa avarajo hi saḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 33a| lakśamaṇā varajaḥ = ḻakśmana's, born along vith: younger brother | saḥ śatrughnaḥ: he that, Shatrughna | bharatasya api: to Bharata, even | nityam prānaiḥ priyataraḥ: always, by lives, dear one | tasya ca: to him [to Shatrughna,] even | tathā āsīt priyaḥ: like that, he is, a dear one. |

TRANSLATION

Lakshmana's younger brother Shatrughna is a dear one to Bharata, like that Bharata too held Shatrughna dearer than his own lives. [1-18-32b, 33a]

VERSE 33

स चतुर्भिः महाभागैः पुत्रैः दशरथः प्रियैः

sa caturbhiḥ mahābhāgaiḥ putraiḥ daśarathaḥ priyaiḥ

SYNONYMS

saḥ: he, Dasharatha, mahaa bhaagaiH chaturbhi priyaiH putraiH = with highly fortunate, four, dearest, sons | pitāmaha devaiḥ iva: Forefather, Brahma, with gods, as with | parama prītaḥ babhūva: highly, glad, he became. |

TRANSLATION

King Dasharatha is highly gladdened with four of his highly fortunate sons like the Forefather Brahma with gods in heaven. [1-18-33]

VERSE 34

ते यदा ज्ञान संपन्नाः सर्वैः समुदिता गुणैः

te yadā jñāna saṃpannāḥ sarvaiḥ samuditā guṇaiḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 35, 36a| te sarvaiḥ guṇaiḥ samuditā = vith all, merits, having: gifted with | yadā jñāna sampannāḥ = they [four princes,] vhen, practical visdom: prudence, prospering with | hrīmantaḥ = baśful ones: self-conscious [to do wrong deeds] | kīrtimantaḥ ca: well-know ones [for their gentility,] also | sarva jñā: all, knowing ones [knowers of pros and cons] | dīrgha darśinaḥ = foresighted: conscientious | evam prabhāvāṇām: with this kind of, potentiality having | dīpta tejasām: radiantly, brilliant ones | teṣām sarveṣām: all, in respect of | pitā = father: Dasharatha | loka adhipaḥ yathā = vorld, presiding deity: Brahma, as with | hṛṣṭaḥ: is contented. |

TRANSLATION

When all of the four sons are thus prospering with prudence, gifted with all the merits, self-conscious to do wrong deeds, well-known for their gentility, knowers of pros and cons and even the conscientious princes, then their father Dasharatha is contented in respect of all of them who are such radiantly brilliant and potential princes, like Brahma. [1-18-34b, 35, 36a]

VERSE 36

ते च अपि मनुज व्याघ्रा वैदिक अध्ययने रताः

te ca api manuja vyāghrā vaidika adhyayane ratāḥ

SYNONYMS

te manuja vyāghrāḥ api: they, manly, tigers, even | vaidika adhyayane ratāḥ: Veda, studies, engrossed in | pitṛu śuśrūṣaṇe ratāḥ: in father's, service, delighted in | dhanurvede ca niṣṭitāḥ: in art of archery, also, experts. |

TRANSLATION

Even those tigerly-men, namely the princes, are engrossed in the studies of Veda-s, delighted to render service to their father and they are also the experts in art of archery. [1-18-36b, 37a]

VERSE 37

अथ राजा दशरथः तेषाम् दार क्रियाम् प्रति

atha rājā daśarathaḥ teṣām dāra kriyām prati

SYNONYMS

b, 38a| tataḥ: then | dharmātmā rājā: noble souled, king Dasharatha | saḥ upādhyāyaḥ sa bāndhavā: along with, teachers, with, relatives | teṣām dāra kriyām prati: of their, matrimonial, works [alliances,] about | cintayāmāsa: contemplated. |

TRANSLATION

Then the noble souled Dasharatha contemplated along with his priestly teachers and relatives about the matrimonial alliances of his sons. [1-18-37b, 38a]

VERSE 38

तस्य चिंतयमानस्य मंत्रि मध्ये महात्मनः

tasya ciṃtayamānasya maṃtri madhye mahātmanaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 39a| maha ātmanaḥ tasya: great, souled one, his Dasharatha | cintayā mānasya: while he is thinking so [discussing so] | mantri madhye = ministers, among, mahā tejā = great resplendent one: highly powerful | visvāmitraḥ mahā muniḥ: Vishvamitra great sage | abhyāgacchat [abhi ā gacchat]: arrived. |

TRANSLATION

While the great souled Dasharatha is discussing the marriages of princes among his ministers, the highly powerful sage Vishvamitra arrived. [1-18-38b, 39a]

VERSE 39

स राज्ञो दर्शन आकांक्षी द्वार अध्यक्षान् उवाच ह

sa rājño darśana ākāṃkṣī dvāra adhyakṣān uvāca ha

SYNONYMS

b, 40a| saḥ: he, Vishvamitra | rājñaḥ darśana ākānkśī: king, to see, desirous to | dvāra adhyakśān uvāca ha: to the door, keeper, said to | gādhinaḥ sutaḥ: Gadhi's son | kauśikam: belonging to Kushi's dynasty | mām prāptam: me, as arrived | śīghram ākhyāta: quickly, inform [to king.] |

TRANSLATION

Desirous to have an audience with king Vishvamitra said to the doorkeeper, "Let the king be informed quickly that I, the son of Gadhi from the dynasty of Kushi, have come" [1-18-39b, 40a]

VERSE 40

तत् श्रुत्वा वचनम् तस्य राज्ञो वेश्म प्रदुद्रुवुः

tat śrutvā vacanam tasya rājño veśma pradudruvuḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 41a| tat vacanam śrutvā: that, words, on listening | sarve sambhrānta manasaḥ: all, dumbfounded, at hearts | tena vākyena coditā: by those, words, ushered by | rājnaḥ veśma pra dudruvuḥ: to that, king's [Dasharatha's,] palace, quickly, rushed to. |

TRANSLATION

On listening those words all the doorkeepers are dumbfounded, and ushered by those words they quickly rushed to the place of Dasharatha. [1-18-40b, 41a]

VERSE 41

ते गत्वा राज भवनम् विश्वामित्रम् ऋषिम् तदा

te gatvā rāja bhavanam viśvāmitram ṛṣim tadā

SYNONYMS

b, 42a| tataḥ: then | te rāja bhavanam gatvā: they, to king's, palace, having gone | tataḥ: then | viśvamitram ṛṣim prāptam: Vishvamitra, sage, as has come | ikśvākave nṛpāyaiḥ: of Ikshwaku dynasty, to king | āvedayāmāsu: announced. |

TRANSLATION

Then on their arriving at the king's palace the doorkeepers have announced to the king of Ikshvaku-s, namely Dasharatha, about the arrival of sage Vishvamitra. [1-18-41b, 42a]

VERSE 42

तेषाम् तत् वचनम् श्रुत्वा सपुरोधाः समाहितः

teṣām tat vacanam śrutvā sapurodhāḥ samāhitaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 43a| teṣām tat vacanam śrutvā: their [doorkeepers,] that word [that message,]on hearing | samhṛṣṭaḥ: highly pleased, Dasharatha | sa purodhāḥ: with, priests | [and] samāhitaḥ: collecting himself, in self-possessed manner | [tam: him, Vishvamitra] | prati ujjagāma = tovards, gone: gone towards welcomingly | vāsavaḥ brahmāṇam iva: Indra, like, towards Brahma [in a ceremonial manner.] |

TRANSLATION

On hearing that message from doorkeepers Dasharatha is highly pleased and he has gone towards Vishvamitra in a self-possessed manner along with royal priests, as Indra would ceremoniously go towards Brahma. [1-18-42b, 43a]

VERSE 43

तम् दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितम् दीप्त्या तपसम् संशित व्रतम्

tam dṛṣṭvā jvalitam dīptyā tapasam saṃśita vratam

SYNONYMS

b, 44a| tataḥ: then | rājā: king Dasharatha | jvalitam = vho is resplendent: Vishvamitra | dīptyā tapasam: one who is radiant, by ascesis | samśita vratam: one who severe, self-discipline | tam dṛṣṭva: him [Vishvamitra,] on seeing | pra hṛṣṭa vadanaḥ: well, gladsome, face [expression, aspect] | arghyam upahārayat: water, offered. |

TRANSLATION

Then on seeing the resplendent sage Vishvamitra, whose radiance is by his own ascesis and who has severe self-discipline, the king offered water with a gladsome aspect, as first customary hospitality in receiving unexpected guest. [1-18-43b, 44a]

VERSE 44

स राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्य अर्घ्यम् शास्त्र दृष्टेन कर्मणा

sa rājñaḥ pratigṛhya arghyam śāstra dṛṣṭena karmaṇā

SYNONYMS

b, 45a| saḥ: he, Vishvamitra | śāstra dṛṣṭena karmaṇā = scriptural, point of viev: scripturally, [also] by practice - customarily | rājnaḥ arghyam prati gṛhya: rom king, water, on receiving | narādhipam: with king | kuśalam ca avyayam ca eva: well-being, also, welfare, also, thus | parya apṛcchat: enquired after. |

TRANSLATION

On receiving water from the king scripturally and customarily Vishvamitra enquired after the well-being and welfare of king Dasharatha. [1-18-44b, 45a]

VERSE 45

पुरे कोशे जनपदे बान्धवेषु सुहृत्सु च

pure kośe janapade bāndhaveṣu suhṛtsu ca

SYNONYMS

b, 46a| su dhārmikaḥ kauśikaḥ = highly righteous, k͟huśi's son: Vishvamitra | rājnaḥ: of king | pure kośe janapade bāndhaveṣu: in city, in exchequer, in rural areas, among relatives | su hṛtsu = among gūd, hearted: ones - friends | kuśalam: well-being | paryapṛcchat: asked after. |

TRANSLATION

That highly righteous sage Vishvamitra asked the king after the well-being of city, exchequer, rural areas, friends and relatives. [1-18-45b, 46a]

VERSE 46

अपि ते संनताः सर्वे सामंत रिपवो जिताः

api te saṃnatāḥ sarve sāmaṃta ripavo jitāḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 47a| sāmantāḥ sarve te api sannata: provincial kings, all, to you, acquiescent | ripavaḥ jitāḥ: enemies, conquered | te: your | daivatam karma: for propitiating gods, deeds | mānuśam ca eva = humanly, also, thus: to administer humans | sādhu anuṣṭitham: properly, performed. |

TRANSLATION

Sage Vishvamitra asked Dasharatha, "Are all of the provincial kings acquiescent to you, and all your enemies conquered? Are you properly performing the devotional and social works?" [1-18-46b, 47a]

VERSE 47

वसिष्ठम् च समागंय कुशलम् मुनिपुंगवः

vasiṣṭham ca samāgaṃya kuśalam munipuṃgavaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 48a| munipungavaḥ vasiṣṭham ca: sage, the eminent, Vashishta, also | tān: them | mahā bhāgā ṛṣīm ca: most, exalted, sages, also | yathā nyāyam: as per, custom | samāgamya: on meeting with | kuśalam uvāca ha: well-being, spoke [asked after,] indeed. |

TRANSLATION

And on meeting the eminent sage Vashishta and with them the other exalted sages according to custom Vishvamitra asked after their well-being. [1-18-47b, 48a]

VERSE 48

ते सर्वे हृष्ट मनसः तस्य राज्ञो निवेशनम्

te sarve hṛṣṭa manasaḥ tasya rājño niveśanam

SYNONYMS

b, 49a| te sarve hṛṣṭta manasaḥ: all of them, gladdened, at heart | tasya rājñaḥ niveśanam: that, king's, palace | viviśuḥ: entered | tathā yathā arhataḥ = then, according to, eligibility: protocol | tena pūjitāḥ by him, the king, adored: invited | niṣeduḥ: took seats. |

TRANSLATION

Then adoringly invited by the king Dasharatha all of them gladly entered the palace and they took their seats according to protocol. [1-18-48b, 49a]

VERSE 49

अथ हृष्ट मना राजा विश्वामित्रम् महामुनिम्

atha hṛṣṭa manā rājā viśvāmitram mahāmunim

SYNONYMS

b, 50a| atha: then | parama udāraḥ: very, generous one | rājā: king Dasharatha | hṛṣṭta manā: gladdened, at heart | tam mahāmuniḥ viśvamitram: him, the great sage, Vishvamitra | abhipūjayan hṛṣṭaḥ: while adoring, feeling happy | uvāca [idam]: spoke, [this way.] |

TRANSLATION

Then the very generous king Dasharatha is gladdened at heart at the arrival of Vishvamitra, and he spoke this way feeling happy to adore that sage. [1-18-49b, 50a]

VERSE 50

यथा अमृतस्य संप्राप्तिः यथा वर्षम् अनूदके

yathā amṛtasya saṃprāptiḥ yathā varṣam anūdake

SYNONYMS

b, 51, 52b| mahā mune: oh, great saint Vishvamitra | amṛtasya samprāpti yathā: ambrosia, attaining, as with | an udake: without, water [in droughty land] | varṣam yathā: rain, as with a prajasya = without, progeny [for childless ones] | sadṛśa dāreṣu: in deserving, wife | putra janma yathā: son's, birth, as with | pra naṣṭasya lābhaḥ yathā: long lost [treasures,] regaining, as with | mahā udaye harṣaḥ yathā: at great happening, rejoice, as with | te āgamanam thā eva: your, arrival, like that, only | manye: is deemed | svāgatam [te]: welcome, to you. |

TRANSLATION

"I deem your arrival is in the vein of mortals attaining ambrosia, rainfall in a droughty land, a barren father begetting a son through his deserving wife, a regain of long lost treasures, and the gladness at a great happening, oh, great saint, welcome to you." [1-18-50b, 51, 52a]

VERSE 52

कम् च ते परमम् कामम् करोमि किमु हर्षितः

kam ca te paramam kāmam karomi kimu harṣitaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 53, 54a| brahman: Oh, Brahman | harṣitaḥ: [I, who am, at our arrival] delighted | te paramam kam kāmam: your, choicest, what, objective | kimu: in which way | karomi: I can fulfil | me pātra bhūtaḥ asi: to me, recipient, eligible, you are | māna dā: oh, respect, endower of | diṣṭyā prāptaḥ asi: fortunately, arrived, you are | adya me janma saphalam: today, my, birth, is fructified | jīvitam ca su jīvitam = life, also, best life: flourishing | yasmāt vipra indram adrākśam: for what reason, Brahman, the great, is seen by me [at my own house] | suprabhātā niśā mama: sun dawn, night, of mine. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Brahman, as I am the one who is delighted for your arrival, and as you are the most eligible recipient from me, what is that choicest object of yours to be fulfilled by me, and in which way. Oh, endower of respect, for me your arrival is fortunate whereby my birth is fructified and my life flourished today, and wherefore I could see a great Brahman like you visiting my home, therefore the sun appears to have dawned in my night. [1-18-52b, 53, 54a]

VERSE 54

पूर्वम् राजर्षि शब्देन तपसा द्योतित प्रभः

pūrvam rājarṣi śabdena tapasā dyotita prabhaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 55a| pūrvam rāja ṛśi śabdena = earlier: originally, kingly-saint, by title | dyotitaḥ prabhaḥ = indicated: explicit, is your glory – such as you are | anu: subsequently | apasā: by ascesis | brahma ṛṣitvam prāptaḥ: Absolute, sainthood, you attained | mayā bahudhā pūjyaḥ asi: by me, in many ways, venerable, you are. |

TRANSLATION

"Originally your glory was explicit by your title kingly-sage, and subsequently you attained the Absolute-sainthood by your ascesis, and you are venerable to me, in many ways." [1-18-54b, 55a]

VERSE 55

तत् अद्भुतम् अभूत् विप्र पवित्रम् परमम् मम

tat adbhutam abhūt vipra pavitram paramam mama

SYNONYMS

b, 56a| vipra: oh, Brahman | tat: thereby | [idam: this arrival of yours] | adbhutam: surprising | mama: to me | pavitram paramam: sacred, ideally | prabho: oh, adept one | tava samdarśanāt: by your, very appearance | aham: I have [become one who] | śubha kśetra gataḥ = to sacred, place, one vho has gone: on pilgrimage | abhūt: I have become. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Brahman, thereby your arrival at my place is surprising and ideally sacred to me, and by your very appearance I have become one who has gone on a quiet pilgrimage. [1-18-55b, 56a]

PURPORT

Dasharatha deems that city itself is sanctified with the arrival of Vishvamitra and thinks that he is like the one who secured the merit of pilgrimage without actually going over a sacred place.
VERSE 56

ब्रूहि यत् प्रार्थितम् तुभ्यम् कार्यम् आगमनम् प्रति

brūhi yat prārthitam tubhyam kāryam āgamanam prati

SYNONYMS

b, 57a| āgāmanam prati: arrival, regarding [the work that made you to come] | tubhyam prārthitam: by you, entreated | yat kāryam: which, work is there [deed] | [that] brūhi: you tell | aham anugṛhītaḥ [vai]: I am, blessed [indeed] | tvat artha: for its, result [of your deed] | pari vṛddhaye icchāmi: to its flourish [ to make happen, for fulfilling it,] I wish to. |

TRANSLATION

"You may tell me, entreating which work your arrival chanced here and I feel that I am indeed blessed and wish to make it happen to achieve results. [1-18-56b, 57a]

VERSE 57

कार्यस्य न विमर्शम् च गंतुम् अर्हसि सुव्रत

kāryasya na vimarśam ca gaṃtum arhasi suvrata

SYNONYMS

b, 58a| su vrata: [sage with] blest, vows | kāryasya vimarśanam gantum na arhasi: about work, deliberation, to go into, not, apt of you | aham a śeśeṇa kartā ca = ī am, vithout, remainder [of vork: thoroughly,] the doer | bhavān mama daivatam hi: you are, for me, god, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"It is unapt of you to deliberate about the feasibility of the work, oh, sage with blest vows, while I am the fulfiller of it without any reminder, since you are god to me, indeed. [1-18-57b, 58a]

VERSE 58

मम च अयम् अनुप्राप्तो महान् अभ्युदयो द्विज
तव आगमन जः कृत्स्नो धर्मः च अनुत्तमो द्विज

mama ca ayam anuprāpto mahān abhyudayo dvija
tava āgamana jaḥ kṛtsno dharmaḥ ca anuttamo dvija

SYNONYMS

b, c| dvija: oh, Brahman | mama ayam mahān abhyudayaḥ anuprāptaḥ: for me, this is, great, prosperity, that bechanced | [mama: to me] | tava āgamana jaḥ: your, arrival, caused | kṛtsnaḥ dharmaḥ anuttamaḥ: entire, propriety, is the unexcelled one. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Brahman, this is the great prosperity that bechanced on me, and this is propriety in its entirety that bechanced on me, as a result of your arrival. [1-18-58b, c]

VERSE 59

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदिकाव्ये बाल काण्डे अष्टादशः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādikāvye bāla kāṇḍe aṣṭādaśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

ātmavatā: by high-minded Dasharatha | iti: this way | vinītam uktam: humbly, when said | hṛdaya sukham śruti sukham: for heart, pleasing, for ears, pleasing | vākyam niśamya: words, on hearing | prathita guna yaśā: one who is renowned, [for his personal] attributes, and reputation | guṇaiḥ viśiṣṭaḥ: by his qualities, exceptional one | parama ṛṣiḥ: the sublime, sage [Vishvamitra] | paramam harṣam jagāma: high, rejoice, he obtained. |

TRANSLATION

On hearing the words of high-minded Dasharatha, said that way in all his humbleness, and those that are pleasant to ears as well to heart, he who is a renowned for his personal attributes and a reputed one by his exceptional qualities, that sublime sage Vishvamitra obtained high rejoice. [1-18-59]