Chapter 18
Bala Kanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties
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
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]
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
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]
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
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]
श्रीमताम् गच्छताम् तेषाम् स्वगृहाणि पुरात् ततः
बलानि राज्ञाम् शुभ्राणि प्रहृष्टानि चकाशिरे
śrīmatām gacchatām teṣām svagṛhāṇi purāt tataḥ
balāni rājñām śubhrāṇi prahṛṣṭāni cakāśire
SYNONYMS
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
गतेषु पृथिवीशेषु राजा दशरथः पुनः
प्रविवेश पुरीम् श्रीमान् पुरस्कृत्य द्विजोत्तमान्
gateṣu pṛthivīśeṣu rājā daśarathaḥ punaḥ
praviveśa purīm śrīmān puraskṛtya dvijottamān
SYNONYMS
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]
शांतया प्रययौ सार्धम् ऋष्यशृङ्गः सुपूजितः
अनुगंयमानो राज्ञा च सानुयात्रेण धीमता
śāṃtayā prayayau sārdham ṛṣyaśṛṅgaḥ supūjitaḥ
anugaṃyamāno rājñā ca sānuyātreṇa dhīmatā
SYNONYMS
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]
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
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]
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
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
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
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]
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
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
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
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]
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
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
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
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
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
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
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
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]
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
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
ब्राह्मणान् भोजयामास पौरान् जानपदान् अपि
उददद् ब्राह्मणानाम् च रत्नौघम् अमलम् बहु
brāhmaṇān bhojayāmāsa paurān jānapadān api
udadad brāhmaṇānām ca ratnaugham amalam bahu
SYNONYMS
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]
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
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
बाल्यात् प्रभृति सुस्निग्धो लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मि वर्धनः
bālyāt prabhṛti susnigdho lakṣmaṇo lakṣmi vardhanaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Right from childhood Lakshmana, the enhancer of prosperity, is always amiable towards his world-charming elder brother Rama. [1-18-28b, 29a]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
स चतुर्भिः महाभागैः पुत्रैः दशरथः प्रियैः
sa caturbhiḥ mahābhāgaiḥ putraiḥ daśarathaḥ priyaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
King Dasharatha is highly gladdened with four of his highly fortunate sons like the Forefather Brahma with gods in heaven. [1-18-33]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
स राज्ञो दर्शन आकांक्षी द्वार अध्यक्षान् उवाच ह
sa rājño darśana ākāṃkṣī dvāra adhyakṣān uvāca ha
SYNONYMS
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]
तत् श्रुत्वा वचनम् तस्य राज्ञो वेश्म प्रदुद्रुवुः
tat śrutvā vacanam tasya rājño veśma pradudruvuḥ
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
तम् दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितम् दीप्त्या तपसम् संशित व्रतम्
tam dṛṣṭvā jvalitam dīptyā tapasam saṃśita vratam
SYNONYMS
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]
स राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्य अर्घ्यम् शास्त्र दृष्टेन कर्मणा
sa rājñaḥ pratigṛhya arghyam śāstra dṛṣṭena karmaṇā
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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
ब्रूहि यत् प्रार्थितम् तुभ्यम् कार्यम् आगमनम् प्रति
brūhi yat prārthitam tubhyam kāryam āgamanam prati
SYNONYMS
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]
SYNONYMS
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]
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
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]
इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदिकाव्ये बाल काण्डे अष्टादशः सर्गः
iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādikāvye bāla kāṇḍe aṣṭādaśaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
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]