तेषामञ्जलिपद्मानि प्रगृहीतानि सर्वशः | प्रतिगृह्याब्रवीद्राजा तेभ्यः प्रियहितं वचः || २-३-१
teshhaamaJNjalipadmaani pragR^ihiitaani sarvashaH | pratigR^ihyaabraviidraajaa tebhyaH priyahitaM vachaH || 2-3-1
King Dasaratha, accepted their salutations with folded hands resembling lotus buds and spoke good and agreeable words to them as follows:-
अहोऽस्मि परमप्रीतः प्रभावश्चातुलो मम | यन्मे ज्येष्ठं प्रियं पुत्रं यौवराज्यस्थ मिच्छथ || २-३-२
aho.asmi paramapriitaH prabhaavashchaatulo mama | yanme jyeshhThaM priyaM putraM yauvaraajyastha michchhatha || 2-3-2
"Oh! I am very much pleased and incomparable is my fortune in that you desire my beloved elder son to be anointed as prince. "
इति प्रत्यर्च्य तान् राजा ब्राह्मणानिद मब्रवीत् | वसिष्ठं वामदेवं च तेषामेवोपशृण्वताम् || २-३-३
iti pratyarchya taan raajaa braahmaNaanida mabraviit | vasishhThaM vaamadevaM cha teshhaamevopashR^iNvataam || 2-3-3
King Dasaratha, thus duly returning the honor done by them, spoke while they were listening, to Vasishta, Vamadeva and other Brahmans as follows:
चैत्रः श्रीमानयं मासः पुण्यः पुष्पितकाननः | यौवराज्याय रामस्य सर्वमेवोपकल्प्यताम् || २-३-४ राज्ञस्तूपरते वाक्ये जनघोषो महानभूत् |
chaitraH shriimaanayaM maasaH puNyaH pushhpitakaananaH | yauvaraajyaaya raamasya sarvamevopakalpyataam || 2-3-4 raajJNastuuparate vaakye janaghoshho mahaanabhuut |
"This is the glorious and auspicious month of Chaitra, in which the forests bloom with flowers. Let all arrangements be made for the coronation of Rama as prince." While these words of the king were being completed, there was a great delightful uproar of the people.
शनैस्तस्मिन् प्रशान्ते च जनघोषे जनाधिपः || २-३-५ वसिष्ठं मुनिशार्दूलं राजा वचनमब्रवीत् |
shanaistasmin prashaante cha janaghoshhe janaadhipaH || 2-3-5 vasishhThaM munishaarduulaM raajaa vachanamabraviit |
When their applause gradually subsided, King Dasaratha spoke the following words to the best of sages, Vasishta.
अभिषेकाय रामस्य यत्कर्म सपरिच्छदम् || २-३-६ तदद्य भगवन् सर्वमाज्ञापयितु मर्हसि |
abhishhekaaya raamasya yatkarma saparichchhadam || 2-3-6 tadadya bhagavan sarvamaajJNaapayitu marhasi |
"Oh Divine Vasishta! Be pleased to order now for the traditional ceremonial that is to be done and various accessories needed for the anointing ceremony of Rama."
तच्छ्रुत्वा भूमिपालस्य वसिष्ठो द्विजसत्तमः || २-३-७ आदिदेशाग्रतो राज्ञः स्थितान् युक्तान् कृताञ्जलीन् |
tachchhrutvaa bhuumipaalasya vasishhTho dvijasattamaH || 2-3-7 aadideshaagrato raajJNaH sthitaan yuktaan kR^itaaJNjaliin |
Vasishta, the best of Brahmans, hearing the words of king Dasaratha, ordered the officers who stood there with folded hands before the king, as follows: -
सुवर्णादीनि रत्नानि बलीन् सर्वौषधीरपि || २-३-८ शुक्लमाल्यांश्च लाजांश्च पृथक्च मधुसर्पिषी | अहतानि च वासांसि रथं सर्वायुधान्यपि || २-३-९ चतुरङ्गबलं चैव गजं च शुभलक्षणम् | चामरव्यजने श्वेते ध्वजं छत्रं च पाण्डुरम् || २-३-१० शतं च शातकुम्भानां कुम्भानामग्निवर्चसाम् | हिरण्यशृङ्गमृषभं समग्रं व्याघ्रचर्म च || २-३-११ उपस्थापयत प्रातरग्न्यगारं महीपतेः |
suvarNaadiini ratnaani baliin sarvaushhadhiirapi || 2-3-8 shuklamaalyaaMshcha laajaaMshcha pR^ithakcha madhusarpishhii | ahataani cha vaasaaMsi rathaM sarvaayudhaanyapi || 2-3-9 chaturaN^gabalaM chaiva gajaM cha shubhalakshaNam | chaamaravyajane shvete dhvajaM chhatraM cha paaNDuram || 2-3-10 shataM cha shaatakumbhaanaaM kumbhaanaamagnivarchasaam | hiraNyashR^iN^gamR^ishhabhaM samagraM vyaaghracharma cha || 2-3-11 upasthaapayata praataragnyagaaraM mahiipateH |
"Gather the following in the sacred fire house of the king at dawn: gold and the like, diamonds, things needed to perform worship, various herbs, white floral garlands, corn, honey and clarified butter in separate vessels, new clothes, chariot, all weapons, the four divisions of army, an elephant with auspicious signs, white fan, flag staff, white umbrella, one hundred golden pots with brilliant shine, bull with gilded horns and a complete tiger skin".
यच्चान्यत्किञ्चिदेष्टव्यं तत्सर्वमुपकल्प्यताम् | २-३-१२ अस्तःपुरस्य द्वाराणि सर्वस्य नगरस्य च | चन्दनस्रग्भिरर्च्यन्तां धूपैश्च घ्राणहारिभिः || २-३-१३
suurye.abhyuditamaatre shvo bhavitaa svastivaachanam | braahmaNaashcha nimantryantaaM kalpyantaamaasanaani cha || 2-3-16
"If any other small things are required, arrange for all of them. Let the doorways of the royal palace and those of the entire city be worshipped with sandalwood paste, floral garlands and good smelling incense."
प्रशस्तमन्नं गुणवद्धधिक्षीरोपसेचनम् | द्विजानां शतसाहस्रे यत्प्रकाममलं भवेत् || २-३-१४
devaayatanachaityeshhu saannabhakshaaH sadakshiNaaH || 2-3-18 upasthaapayitavyaaH syurmaalyayogyaaH pR^ithak pR^ithak |
"Let fine rice of good quality with milk and yogurt, fully sufficient for one hundred thousand Brahmans be arranged."
सत्कृत्य द्विजमुख्यानां श्वः प्रभाते प्रदीयताम् | घृतं दधि च लाजाश्च दक्षिणाश्चापि पुष्कलाः || २-३-१५
diirghaasibaddhaa yodhaashcha sannaddhaa mR^ishhTavaasasaH || 2-3-19 mahaaraajaaN^gaNaM sarve pravishantu mahodayam |
"Let that rice be given with due respect to important Brahmans tomorrow at dawn; along with clarified butter, yogurt, corn, and lot of gifts."
सूर्येऽभ्युदितमात्रे श्वो भविता स्वस्तिवाचनम् | ब्राह्मणाश्च निमन्त्र्यन्तां कल्प्यन्तामासनानि च || २-३-१६
evaM vyaadishya viprau tau kriyaastatra sunishhThitau || 2-3-20 chakratushchaiva yachchheshhaM paarthivaaya nivedya cha |
"There will be an invocation for the well being of all, tomorrow at sun rise. Let brahmanas be invited and suitable seats be arranged for them."
आबध्यन्तां पताकाश्च राजमार्गश्च सिच्यताम् | सर्वे च ताळावचरा गणिकाश्च स्वलंकृताः || २-३-१७ कक्ष्यां द्वितीयामासाद्य तिष्ठन्तु नृपवेश्मनः |
kR^itamityeva chaabruutaamabhigamya jagatpatim || 2-3-21 yathoktavachanaM priitau harshhayuktau dvijarshhabhau |
"Let the flags be hung and the royal highways be sprinkled with water. Let well dressed dancers and musicians wait in second enclosure in the royal compound."
देवायतनचैत्येषु सान्नभक्षाः सदक्षिणाः || २-३-१८ उपस्थापयितव्याः स्युर्माल्ययोग्याः पृथक् पृथक् |
tataH sumantraM dyutimaan raajaa vachanamabraviit || 2-3-22 raamaH kR^itaatmaa bhavataa shiighramaaniiyataamiti |
"As worshipping is to be done in temples and at road junctions, let some deserving people gather there with rice, eatables, presents and garlands separately."
दीर्घासिबद्धा योधाश्च सन्नद्धा मृष्टवाससः || २-३-१९ महाराजाङ्गणं सर्वे प्रविशन्तु महोदयम् |
sa tatheti pratijJNaaya sumantro raajashaasanaat || 2-3-23 raamaM tatraanayaaMchakre rathena rathinaaM varam |
"Let all the warriors enter the well developed front yard of the royal palace with long swords, armors and clean clothing."
एवं व्यादिश्य विप्रौ तौ क्रियास्तत्र सुनिष्ठितौ || २-३-२० चक्रतुश्चैव यच्छेषं पार्थिवाय निवेद्य च |
atha tatra samaasiinaastadaa dasharathaM nR^ipam || 2-3-24 praachyodiichyaaH pratiichyaashcha daakshiNaatyaashcha bhuumipaaH | mlechchhaashchaaryaashcha ye chaanye vane shailaantavaasinaH || 2-3-25 upaasaaJNchakrire sarve taM devaa iva vaasavam |
Those wise men Vasishta and Vamadeva attentively ordered for all those things to be done there, informed that to king Dasaratha and performed the remaining things also.
कृतमित्येव चाब्रूतामभिगम्य जगत्पतिम् || २-३-२१ यथोक्तवचनं प्रीतौ हर्षयुक्तौ द्विजर्षभौ |
teshhaaM madhye sa raajarshhirmarutaamiva vaasavaH || 2-3-26 praasaadastho rathagataM dadarshaayaanta maatmajam |
Pleased and satisfied with the arrangements made Vasishta and Vamadeva approached king Dasaratha and told him that all had been done according to his words.
ततः सुमन्त्रं द्युतिमान् राजा वचनमब्रवीत् || २-३-२२ रामः कृतात्मा भवता शीघ्रमानीयतामिति |
gandharvaraajapratimaM loke vikhyaatapaurushham || 2-3-27 diirgha baahuM mahasattvaM mattamaataN^gagaaminam | chandrakaantaananaM raamamatiiva priyadarshanam || 2-3-28 ruupaudaaryaguNaiH puMsaaM dR^ishhTichittaapahaariNam | gharmaabhitaptaaH parjanyaM hlaadayantamiva prajaaH || 2-3-29 na tatarpa samaayaantaM pashyamaano naraadhipaH |
Afterwards, Dasaratha spoke to Sumantra "Let Rama, who has a disciplined intellect, be brought by you immediately."
स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सुमन्त्रो राजशासनात् || २-३-२३ रामं तत्रानयांचक्रे रथेन रथिनां वरम् |
avataarya sumantrastaM raaghavaM syandanottamaat || 2-3-30 pituH samiipaM gachchhantaM praaJNjaliH pR^ishhThato.anvagaat |
As commanded by the king, Sumantra brought there, Rama, the best of charioteers, in a chariot.
अथ तत्र समासीनास्तदा दशरथं नृपम् || २-३-२४ प्राच्योदीच्याः प्रतीच्याश्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च भूमिपाः | म्लेच्छाश्चार्याश्च ये चान्ये वने शैलान्तवासिनः || २-३-२५ उपासाञ्चक्रिरे सर्वे तं देवा इव वासवम् |
sa taM kailaasashR^iN^gaabhaM praasaadaM narapuN^gavaH || 2-3-31 aaruroha nR^ipaM drashhTuM saha suutena raaghavaH |
Afterwards the kings belonging to east, west, north, south as well as those belonging to Mlechha kingdom, Aryaa Vartha kingdom and those ruling in hill and forest areas sat there and attended on King Dasaratha as celestials attended on Devendra.
तेषां मध्ये स राजर्षिर्मरुतामिव वासवः || २-३-२६ प्रासादस्थो रथगतं ददर्शायान्त मात्मजम् |
taM dR^ishhTvaa praNataM paarshve kR^itaaJNjalipuTaM nR^ipaH || 2-3-33 gR^ihyaaJNjalau samaakR^ishhya sasvaje priyamaatmajam |
The sage king Dasaratha, sitting in the midst of those kings like Devendra in the middle of the celestials, saw from the palace itself, his son Rama arriving in a chariot.
गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं लोके विख्यातपौरुषम् || २-३-२७ दीर्घ बाहुं महसत्त्वं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम् | चन्द्रकान्ताननं राममतीव प्रियदर्शनम् || २-३-२८ रूपौदार्यगुणैः पुंसां दृष्टिचित्तापहारिणम् | घर्माभितप्ताः पर्जन्यं ह्लादयन्तमिव प्रजाः || २-३-२९ न ततर्प समायान्तं पश्यमानो नराधिपः |
tasmai chaabhyuditaM divyaM maNikaaJNchanabhuushhitaM || 2-3-34 didesha raajaa ruchiraM raamaaya paramaasanam |
Rama was as beautiful as the king of Gandharvas. His valiance was world famous. He had great strength and walked like a vigorous elephant. He had long arms, and with his enchanting face, he looked like the moon. He stole the eyes and minds of the people by his looks, generosity and virtues. King Dasaratha was thus not satiated enough in seeing Rama, coming like a cloud that gladdens people by relieving them from the scorching summer heat.
अवतार्य सुमन्त्रस्तं राघवं स्यन्दनोत्तमात् || २-३-३० पितुः समीपं गच्छन्तं प्राञ्जलिः पृष्ठतोऽन्वगात् |
taM pashyamaano nR^ipati stutooshha priyamaatmajam || 2-3-37 alaN^kR^itamivaatmaanamaadarshatalasaMsthitam |
Sumantra helped Rama to get down from the excellent chariot and with folded hands followed behind Rama, who approached his father.
स तं कैलासशृङ्गाभं प्रासादं नरपुङ्गवः || २-३-३१ आरुरोह नृपं द्रष्टुं सह सूतेन राघवः |
sa taM sasmitamaabhaashhya putraM putravataaM varaH || 2-3-38 uvaachedaM vacho raajaa devendramiva kaashyapaH |
Rama, the best among men, ascended the steps of the palace, which resembled Mount Kailaasa, along with Sumantra, to see the king Dasaratha.
स प्राञ्^जलिरभिप्रेत्य प्रणतः पितुरन्तिके || २-३-३२ नाम स्वं श्रावयन् रामो ववन्धे चरणौ पितुः |
jyeshhThaayaamasi me patnyaaM sadR^ishyaaM sadR^ishaH sutaH || 2-3-39 utpannastvaM guNashreshhTho mama raamaatmajaH priyaH |
Rama with folded hands approached his father, bowed down mentioning his own name and offered salutations to his father's feet.
तं दृष्ट्वा प्रणतं पार्श्वे कृताञ्जलिपुटं नृपः || २-३-३३ गृह्याञ्जलौ समाकृष्य सस्वजे प्रियमात्मजम् |
yatastvayaa prajaashchemaaH svaguNairanuraJNjitaaH || 2-3-40 tasmaattvaM pushhyayogena yauvaraajyamavaapnuhi |
King Dasaratha took into his embrace that beloved son who was standing humbly beside him with folded hands.
तस्मै चाभ्युदितं दिव्यं मणिकाञ्चनभूषितं || २-३-३४ दिदेश राजा रुचिरं रामाय परमासनम् |
kaamatastvaM prakR^ityaiva viniito guNavaanasi || 2-3-41 guNavatyapi tu snehaatputra vakshyaami te hitam |
King Dasaratha gave Rama a great throne, which was high, excellent and beautiful, decorated with gold and diamonds.
तदासनवरं प्राप्य व्यदीपयत राघवः || २-३-३५ स्वयेव प्रभया मेरुमुदये विमलो रविः |
bhuuyo vinayamaasthaaya bhava nityaM jitendriyaH || 2-3-42 kaamakrodhasamutthaani tyajethaa vyasanaani cha |
Rama, occupying that great throne, caused it to shine with his own brightness, just as the spotless sun in the morning causes Meru mountain to shine with brilliance.
तेन विभ्राजता तत्र सा सभाभिव्यरोचत || २-३-३६ विमलग्रहनक्षत्रा शारदी द्यौरिवेन्दुना |
parokshayaa vartamaano vR^ittyaa pratyakshayaa tathaa || 2-3-43 amaatyaprabhR^itiiH sarvaaH prakR^itiishchaanuraJNjaya |
Rama by his brilliance made that assembly to shine, just as the moon shines the clear autumnal sky, with the dimless stars and planets.
तं पश्यमानो नृपति स्तुतोओष प्रियमात्मजम् || २-३-३७ अलङ्कृतमिवात्मानमादर्शतलसंस्थितम् |
koshhThaagaaraayudhaagaaraiH kR^itvaa sanni chayaan bahuun || 2-3-44 tushhTaanuraktaprakR^itiryaH paalayati mediniim | tasya nandanti mitraaNi labdhvaa.amR^itamivaa.amaraaH || 2-3-45 tasmaattvamapi chaatmaanaM niyamyaivaM samaachara |
King Dasaratha was as delighted in seeing his beloved son, as one delights in seeing oneself adorned, in a mirror.
स तं सस्मितमाभाष्य पुत्रं पुत्रवतां वरः || २-३-३८ उवाचेदं वचो राजा देवेन्द्रमिव काश्यपः |
tachchhrutvaa suhR^idastasya raamasya priyakaariNaH || 2-3-46 tvaritaaH shiighramabhyetya kausalyaayai nyavedayan |
King Dasaratha, the best among those who have sons, smilingly conversed with his son, and addressed Rama as follows, as Kasyapa does to (his eldest son) Devendra (the ruler of gods).
ज्येष्ठायामसि मे पत्न्यां सदृश्यां सदृशः सुतः || २-३-३९ उत्पन्नस्त्वं गुणश्रेष्ठो मम रामात्मजः प्रियः |
saa hiraNyaM cha gaashchaiva ratnaani vividhaani cha || 2-3-47 vyaadidesha priyaakhyebhyaH kausalyaa pramadottamaa |
"Oh Rama! You are an exemplary son born to my exemplary elder wife. Being excellent in virtues, you are beloved son to me."
यतस्त्वया प्रजाश्चेमाः स्वगुणैरनुरञ्जिताः || २-३-४० तस्मात्त्वं पुष्ययोगेन यौवराज्यमवाप्नुहि |
athaabhivaadya raajaanaM rathamaaruhya raaghavaH || 2-3-48 yayau svaM dyutimadveshma janaughaiH pratipuujitaH |
"O, Rama! As you with your good qualities cherished these people, you get the princely kingdom on the day of Pushyami star (when the moon appears in conjunction with the constellation Pushya).."
कामतस्त्वं प्रकृत्यैव विनीतो गुणवानसि || २-३-४१ गुणवत्यपि तु स्नेहात्पुत्र वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् |
te chaapi pauraa nR^ipatervachasta | chchhrutvaa tadaa laabhamiveshhTamaashu | narendramaamantrya gR^ihaaNi gatvaa | devaan samaanarchuratiprahR^ishhTaaH || 2-3-49
"Oh, son! By nature, you are very humble and virtuous. Even then, because of my friendship with you, I can tell you this for your benefit."
भूयो विनयमास्थाय भव नित्यं जितेन्द्रियः || २-३-४२ कामक्रोधसमुत्थानि त्यजेथा व्यसनानि च |
"Be even more humble and always keep the senses under control. Leave the bad habits born out of desire and wrath."
परोक्षया वर्तमानो वृत्त्या प्रत्यक्षया तथा || २-३-४३ अमात्यप्रभृतीः सर्वाः प्रकृतीश्चानुरञ्जय |
"Through direct and indirect means, keep ministers and others happy."
कोष्ठागारायुधागारैः कृत्वा सन्नि चयान् बहून् || २-३-४४ तुष्टानुरक्तप्रकृतिर्यः पालयति मेदिनीम् | तस्य नन्दन्ति मित्राणि लब्ध्वाऽमृतमिवाऽमराः || २-३-४५ तस्मात्त्वमपि चात्मानं नियम्यैवं समाचर |
"Like the celestials becoming happy after obtaining the nectar, friends of a king (ruler of earth) are delighted when he fills the granaries and armories to the brim, making the common people delightful and happy. Hence, you too act like this."
तच्छ्रुत्वा सुहृदस्तस्य रामस्य प्रियकारिणः || २-३-४६ त्वरिताः शीघ्रमभ्येत्य कौसल्यायै न्यवेदयन् |
The well -wishers of Rama, after hearing those words, intending to do good to Kausalya, immediately came to her and informed the matter to her.
सा हिरण्यं च गाश्चैव रत्नानि विविधानि च || २-३-४७ व्यादिदेश प्रियाख्येभ्यः कौसल्या प्रमदोत्तमा |
The best among women, Kausalya gave away gold, cows and different types of diamonds to those who informed her good news.
अथाभिवाद्य राजानं रथमारुह्य राघवः || २-३-४८ ययौ स्वं द्युतिमद्वेश्म जनौघैः प्रतिपूजितः |
Rama, after offering salutations to king Dasaratha, ascended the chariot and went to his splendid house after being worshipped by the crowds on the way.
ते चापि पौरा नृपतेर्वचस्त | च्छ्रुत्वा तदा लाभमिवेष्टमाशु | नरेन्द्रमामन्त्र्य गृहाणि गत्वा | देवान् समानर्चुरतिप्रहृष्टाः || २-३-४९
Having heard those words of the king, seeing their dearest wish gratified, the citizens took leave of the King Dasaratha and returned to their homes full of joy, in order to give thanks and render homage to the Gods.
