Chapter 69

Bala Kanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties

VERSE 1

ततो रात्र्याम् व्यतीतायाम् स उपाध्यायः स बान्धवः
राजा दश्हरथो हृष्ह्टः सुमंत्रम् इदम् अब्रवीत्

tato rātryām vyatītāyām sa upādhyāyaḥ sa bāndhavaḥ
rājā daśharatho hṛṣhṭaḥ sumaṃtram idam abravīt

SYNONYMS

sa upādhyāyaḥ: with, teachers | sa bāndhavaḥ: with relatives | rājā daśarathaḥ hṛṣṭaḥ: king, Dasharatha, who is heartened | tataḥ rātryām vyatītāyām: then, night, on being elapsed [into next dawn] | sumantram idam abravīt: to Sumantra [his minister,] this, said. |

TRANSLATION

On the next dawn that heartened king Dasharatha who is with his teachers and his relatives then said this to his minister Sumantra. [1-69-1]

VERSE 2

अद्य सर्वे धन अध्यक्ष्हा धनम् आदाय पुष्ह्कलम्
व्रजंति अग्रे सु विहिता नाना रत्न समन्विताः

adya sarve dhana adhyakṣhā dhanam ādāya puṣhkalam
vrajaṃti agre su vihitā nānā ratna samanvitāḥ

SYNONYMS

adya: now | sarve dhana adhyakṣā: chancellors, of exchequers | puṣkalam dhanam ādāya: ample, riches, on drawing | nānā ratna sam anvitāḥ: numerous, gems [where gems are, upa lakshaNa, the subjunctive items among the items that are used in marriages from bridegroom's side,] all-inclusive | su vihitā: well, preparedly | agre vrajanti: in advance, let them travel. |

TRANSLATION

"Now let the chancellors of exchequers draw ample riches, gems and numerous other items that are used in the marriage from bridegroom's side, all-inclusively, and let them travel in advance and let them be well-prepared for any exigency... [1-69-2]

VERSE 3

छतुरंग बलम् छ अपि श्हीघ्रम् निर्यातु सर्वश्हः
मम आज्ञा समकालम् छ यानम् युग्मम् अनुत्तमम्

chaturaṃga balam cha api śhīghram niryātu sarvaśhaḥ
mama ājñā samakālam cha yānam yugmam anuttamam

SYNONYMS

mama: my | ājñā: order | sama kālam ca: even with, time, also [in a trice at my order] | caturanga balam ca api: quadruple, forces also, even | sarvaśaḥ: from everywhere | śīghram nir yātu: quickly, out, go [start off] | an uttamam: un, excelled ones | yānam: vehicles palanquins, sedan chairs, litters etc] | yugmam: that can be yoked [cabined-coaches with horses] |

TRANSLATION

"Let the quadruple forces start off in a trice from everywhere at my order, and others shall start with unexcelled vehicles like palanquins, sedan chairs, litters etc., and with those that can be yoked with horses, like cabined-coaches and horse-carriages... [1-69-3]

PURPORT

The fourfold army is generally taken as horses, elephants, chariots, and foot soldiers for the word caturanga balam , while some say such an army is moved only when a massive combat is necessary, but not when going to marriages. Thus some say though army is moved, it is as much as required. But this word also qualifies as caturanga balam= dhana, kanaka, vastu, vaahana sampatti , the quadruple opulence, namely 'riches, gold, equipage, and vehicles...' where opulence will be the only show in Indian marriages, either of poor or rich. R. C. Dutt comes near to this when telling in his poetic version: 'Ride in front with royal riches, gold and gems in bright array /
VERSE 4

वसिष्ह्ठो वामदेवः छ जाबालिः अथ काश्ह्यपः
मार्कण्डेयः छ दीर्घायुः ऋष्हिः कात्यायनः तथा

vasiṣhṭho vāmadevaḥ cha jābāliḥ atha kāśhyapaḥ
mārkaṇḍeyaḥ cha dīrghāyuḥ ṛṣhiḥ kātyāyanaḥ tathā

SYNONYMS

, 5| vasiṣṭhaḥ vāmadevaḥ ca: Vashishta, Vaamadeva, also | atha: then | jābāliḥ kāśyapaḥ: Jaabaali, Kaashyapa | dīrgha āyuḥ mārkaṇḍeyaḥ ca = long, lived one: one who has longevity, Maarkandeya, also | tathā: likewise | ṛṣiḥ kātyāyanaḥ: sage, Kaatyaayana | ete dvijāḥ: these, Brahmans | agre prayāntu: in forefront, let them travel | me syandanam yojayasva: my, royal-cariole, let it be yoked [with horses] | kāla atyayaḥ yathā na syāt: time, lapse, as to how, will not, will be there | dūtā mām tvarayanti hi: messengers [of Janaka,] me, hastening, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"Vashishta, Vaamadeva, Jaabaali and Kaashyapa, and the long-lived Maarkandeya, and Sage Kaatyaayana... let these Brahmans travel in forefront... and let horses be yoked to my royal-cariole, and as the messengers of Janaka are hastening me arrange for the travel without time lapse..." Thus Dasharatha ordered. [1-69-4, 5]

VERSE 6

वछनात् छ नरेन्द्रस्य सेना छ छतुरंगिणी
राजानम् ऋष्हिभिः सार्धम् व्रजंतम् पृष्ह्ठतो अन्वगात्

vachanāt cha narendrasya senā cha chaturaṃgiṇī
rājānam ṛṣhibhiḥ sārdham vrajaṃtam pṛṣhṭhato anvagāt

SYNONYMS

narendrasya vacanāt: the best king's, by the word of | caturangiṇī: quadruple [opulence] | senā: [some] army | ṛṣibhiḥ sārdham: with sages, as well | vrajantam: he who is going | rājānam: after that king | pṛṣṭhataḥ: at rearward | anvagāt: followed. |

TRANSLATION

On the word of that best king the fourfold opulence, and even the fourfold forces up to some extent followed rearward of the king who is going after the sages who are going afore of him. [1-69-6]

VERSE 7

गत्वा छतुर् अहम् मार्गम् विदेहान् अभ्युपेयिवान्
राजा तु जनकः श्ह्रीमान् श्ह्रुत्वा पूजाम् अकल्पयत्

gatvā chatur aham mārgam videhān abhyupeyivān
rājā tu janakaḥ śhrīmān śhrutvā pūjām akalpayat

SYNONYMS

catuḥ aham mārgam gatvā: four, day, route, on going | videhān abhyupeyivān [abhi upa eyu] = at Videha kingdom, reaced nearby: reached fringes of Videha | rājā śrīmān janakaḥ: king, illustrious Janaka | śrutvā pūjām akalpayat: on hearing, [welcome] ceremonies, arranged. |

TRANSLATION

Travelling on a four-day-route Dasharatha reached the fringes of Videha kingdom, and on hearing this, the illustrious king Janaka arranged for welcome ceremonies at the outskirts of the city. [1-69-7]

PURPORT

These formalities are still prevalent in marriage functions, in one way or the other, in India, esp. rural India. The bridegroom's party will be received at the outskirts of the bride's place, esp. if it were to be a village, then a small function / ceremony will be held laudatory to the bridegroom, and then they are invited into that place of bride like, 'meet a party halfway...' type protocol. This is other than baraat 'matrimonial pageantry...'
VERSE 8

ततो राजानम् आसाद्य वृद्धम् दश्हरथम् नृपम्
जनको मुदितो राजा हर्ष्हम् छ परमम् ययौ

tato rājānam āsādya vṛddham daśharatham nṛpam
janako mudito rājā harṣham cha paramam yayau

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | rājā muditaḥ janakaḥ: king, gladdened, Janaka nR^I pam raajaanam vR^iddham dasharatham = people's, paladin, king, senescent, towards Dasharatha | āsādya: at on getting at | paramam harṣam yayau: [a state of ] ecstatic, elation, went into. |

TRANSLATION

Then the king Janaka who is by far gladdened went into a state of ecstatic elation when he met the senescent king and paladin of people, namely Dasharatha, as the pace for the marriage celebrations is quickened because of the immediate arrival of Dasharatha. [1-69-8]

VERSE 9

उवाछ वछनम् श्ह्रेष्ह्ठो नरश्ह्रेष्ह्ठम् मुदा अन्वितम्
स्वागतम् ते नरश्ह्रेष्ह्ठः दिष्ह्ट्या प्राप्तो असि राघव

uvācha vachanam śhreṣhṭho naraśhreṣhṭham mudā anvitam
svāgatam te naraśhreṣhṭhaḥ diṣhṭyā prāpto asi rāghava

SYNONYMS

, 10a| nara śreṣṭhaḥ = best among men: Janaka | mudā anvitam: glee, included [gleeful one] | nara śreṣṭham: to man, the best [born in foremost lineage of Raghu-s, Dasharatha, the legatee of Raghu] | śreṣṭhaḥ vacanam uvāca: best [commendable,] sentence, said | rāghava: oh, the legatee of Raghu | te su āgatam: to you, hearty, welcome | diṣṭyā prāptaḥ asi: providentially, bechanced [you have come,] you are | ubhayoḥ putrayoḥ: from both, from sons | vīrya nirjitām: by valour, completely won | prītim lapsyase: delight, you get. |

TRANSLATION

And the best one among men, king Janaka, gleefully said this commendable sentence to Dasharatha, the best legatee of Raghu, "oh, king, a hearty welcome to you. Oh, legatee of Ragu, your arrival to my city is just by my providence... you will now get delectation on seeing your sons who won accolades just by their valorousness in the act of raising and breaking Shiva's bow... [1-69-9, 10a]

PURPORT

Though Rama alone broke the bow of Shiva, both Rama and Lakshmana are said to have done it. This is a common unified laudation used for both of them, in view of their insuperable brotherhood, and such a sort of commingling both, for one person's action, can be heard often. For e.g., when Lakshmana misshapes Shuurpanakha, Rama is said to have done, and even both are said to have done that act.
VERSE 10

दिष्ह्ट्या प्राप्तो महातेजा वसिष्ह्ठो भगवान् ऋष्हिः

diṣhṭyā prāpto mahātejā vasiṣhṭho bhagavān ṛṣhiḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 11a| mahātejā bhagavān vasiṣṭhaḥ ṛṣiḥ: great-resplendent, godly, Vashishta, the sage | sarvaiḥ dvija śreṣṭhaiḥ saha: with all, Brahmans, eminent ones, along with | devaiḥ śatakratuḥ iva: with gods, Indra [who had to perform 'shata' hundred 'kratu' Vedic-ritual s in his earlier human birth,] as with | diṣṭyā prāptaḥ = providentially, becanced: arrived here. |

TRANSLATION

"Providentially bechanced is the arrival of this great-resplendent and godly sage Vashishta, who arrived here with all of these eminent Brahmans, like Indra himself with all gods... [1-69-10b, 11a]

VERSE 11

दिष्ह्ट्या मे निर्जिता विघ्ना दिष्ह्ट्या मे पूजितम् कुलम्

diṣhṭyā me nirjitā vighnā diṣhṭyā me pūjitam kulam

SYNONYMS

b, 12a| vīrya śreṣṭhaiḥ: among valorous ones, the best ones | mahātmabhiḥ rāghavaiḥ saha: with noble-souled ones, Raghava-s, with | sambandhāt: [owing to this] hymeneal engagement | diṣṭyā me vighnā nirjitā: providentially, my, hindrances, are overcome | diṣṭyā me kulam pūjitam: providentially, my, lineage, is glorified. |

TRANSLATION

"Providentially my hindrances are overcome by the arrival of godlike sages, and providentially my lineage too is gloried owing to this hymeneal engagement with noble-souled Raghava-s, who are the most valorous among all the valorous people... [1-69-11b, 12a]

VERSE 12

श्ह्वः प्रभाते नरेन्द्र त्वम् सम्वर्तयितुम् अर्हसि

śhvaḥ prabhāte narendra tvam samvartayitum arhasi

SYNONYMS

b, 13b| nara śreṣṭha: among men, best in first-born-linage [because you are born in first and foremost Ikshvaku dynasty, hence you are] | nara indra: oh, Indra of Indra-like kings [on earth] | śvaḥ prabhāte: tomorrow, morning | yajñasya ante: Vedic-ritual, at end of [at the culmination] | ṛṣi sattamaiḥ [sammatam ]: with Sages, best one's [conducted by, agreeable to for the time and date of marriage] | vivāham tvam: marriage, you | sam vartayitum arhasi: to clearly initiate [about the talks, celebrations reg. marriage,] apt of you. |

TRANSLATION

"Because you are born in first and foremost Ikshvaku dynasty, hence you are the Indra of Indra-like kings on earth... and hence, it will be apt of you to initiate the celebrations of marriage tomorrow, and the marriage itself after the culmination of the Vedic-ritual in three or four days, and the date and time for the marriage, that which is agreeable to the best sages can be decided, and you can get it performed on that date, through those great sages... [1-69-12b, 13a]

PURPORT

There is controversy about the marriage of Seetha with Rama, insofar as its categorisation. Whether it is one of the eight kinds or not, is a debated point. The eight kinds of marriages are braahma, daiva, praajaapatya, aarSa, asura, gandharva, raakshasa, paishaaca and this topic can be discussed at a later time.
VERSE 13

तस्य तत् वछनम् श्ह्रुत्वा ऋष्हि मध्ये नराधिपः

tasya tat vachanam śhrutvā ṛṣhi madhye narādhipaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 14a| vākyam vākya vidām śreṣṭhaḥ = sentence, sentence, among ekṣperts, the best [sententious one: Dasharatha] | nara adhipaḥ: people's king [Dasharatha] | tasya tat vacanam śrutvā: his [Janaka's,] that, sentence, on hearing | ṛṣi madhye: sages, amongst | mahīpatim: to king Janaka | prati uvāca: replied. |

TRANSLATION

On hearing that sentence of king Janaka the sententious king Dasharatha replied the king Janaka from amongst the sages. [1-69-13b, 14a]

VERSE 14

प्रतिग्रहो दातृ वश्हः श्ह्रुतम् एतत् मया पुरा

pratigraho dātṛ vaśhaḥ śhrutam etat mayā purā

SYNONYMS

b, 15a| prati grahaḥ: in turn, taking [recipiency] | dātṛ: donor's [restitutor's] | vaśaḥ: in control of [rests with] | etat purā mayā śrutam: all this, earlier, by me, heard | dharma jña: oh, probity, knower of | yathā [tvam] vakṣyasi: as, [whatever you] say | tat vayam kariṣyāmahe: that, we, do. |

TRANSLATION

"Recipiency rests with the restitutor... so I have heard earlier. Hence, whatever you say, for you are the knower of probity and nothing goes amiss in your astute thinking, that we will do... [1-69-14b, 15a]

PURPORT

The word restitutor is used instead of 'donor' because Janaka is restoring the estranged divine pair to their togetherness in this mortal world. R. C. Dutt uses 'Gift betokens giver's bounty...' for this expression.
VERSE 15

तत् धर्मिष्ह्ठम् यश्हस्यम् छ वछनम् सत्य वादिनः

tat dharmiṣhṭham yaśhasyam cha vachanam satya vādinaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 16b| satya vādinaḥ = truth [principles,] affirmer of: Dasharatha | dharmiṣṭham: agreeable to the principles of marriages | yaśasyam ca: agreeable to familial glory | tat: that | vacanam: sentence | śrutvā: on listening | videha adhipatiḥ: Videha, to king of | param vismayam āgataḥ: extremely, thrill [of joy,] came over. |

TRANSLATION

On listening that sentence of that affirmer of principles, namely Dasharatha, that which is conformable to the principles of marriages and familial glory, a thrill of joy came over the king of Videha. [1-69-15b. 16a]

PURPORT

Usually the bridegroom's party will be stiff-necked at least till the marriage is over, which has become a nuisance practice in Indian marriages. Here Dasharatha is telling the opposite, by which his words are viewed as agreeable to righteousness of marriages etc., and for which Janaka is surprised.
VERSE 16

ततः सर्वे मुनि गणाः परस्पर समागमे

tataḥ sarve muni gaṇāḥ paraspara samāgame

SYNONYMS

b, 17a| tataḥ: then | sarve muni gaṇāḥ: then, all, saint's, coalescences | paraḥ para = one, to one: each other - assemblages of sages from Vashishta's side with the assemblages of sages of Mithila | sam āgame: on foregathering | mahatā harṣeṇa yuktāḥ: with extreme, rejoice, having | tām niśām: that, darkness [night] | sukham avasan = happily, resided: they spent. |

TRANSLATION

Then, on the forgathering of sages from Vashishta's side with the sages of Mithila all the sages have attained extreme joy and they spent that night happily. [1-69-16b, 17a]

VERSE 17

अथ रामो महातेजा लक्ष्ह्मणेन समम् ययौ

atha rāmo mahātejā lakṣhmaṇena samam yayau

SYNONYMS

b, 18a| atha rāmaḥ mahātejā: then, Rama, most brilliant one | viśvāmitram puraskṛtya: Vishvamitra, keeping ahead | lakśmaṇena: with Lakshmana | samam yayau: uniformly, proceeded [strutting in step with] | pituḥ pādau upaspṛśan: father's, feet, to touch. |

TRANSLATION

Then that most brilliant Rama, keeping Vishvamitra ahead, and strutting in step with Lakshmana, strutted to touch the feet of his father Dasharatha. [1-69-17]

VERSE 18

राजा छ राघवौ पुत्रौ निश्हांय परिहर्ष्हितः

rājā cha rāghavau putrau niśhāṃya pariharṣhitaḥ

SYNONYMS

b-19a| rājā ca: king Dasharatha, also | putrau rāghavau: sons, Raghava-s [Rama and Lakshmana, here the epithet's subtext is 'the super medallists of Raghu's dynasty] | niśāmya pariharṣitaḥ: on seeing, overly rejoiced | janakena supūjitaḥ: by Janaka, highly reverenced | parama prītaḥ uvāsa: highly, contented, resided [in Mithila]. |

TRANSLATION

On seeing his two sons, the super medallists in Raghu's dynasty, King Dasharatha is highly rejoiced and he resided in Mithila with a high contentment, for the reverence of Janaka is that high. [1-69-18]

PURPORT

The expression of 'medallists' to the word Raghava-s as above will look odd. So an explanation to this is furnished in the endnote.
VERSE 19

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये बाल काण्डे एको न सप्ततितमः
सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye bāla kāṇḍe eko na saptatitamaḥ
sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

mahātejāḥ: great-resplendent one | tattva vit: essence of scriptures, knower of | janakaḥ api: Janaka, even | yajñasya ca: of Vedic-ritual [on hand,] also | sutābhyām ca: of two daughters, also | dharmeṇa: according to scriptures | kriyā: ritual acts | kṛtvā: on making [on performing / initiating] | rātrim uvāsa ha: night, resided, indeed [went into the sleep of the just with his palm on chest.] |

TRANSLATION

Even the great-resplendent Janaka on performing ritual acts according to scriptures for the Vedic-ritual on hand, and the preparatory rituals for handing out both of his daughters in marriage, went into the sleep of the just, with his palm on his chest. [1-69-19]

PURPORT

The marriages will be commenced with initial ceremonies called ankura aaropaNa aadi kriyaaH for an unhindered marriage function and for the harmonious family life of the newly wed.