निर्वृत्ते तु क्रतौ तस्मिन् हयमेधे महात्मनः। प्रतिगृह्यामरा भागान् प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम्॥
When the horse-sacrifice of the high-souled Dasaratha had been completed, the immortals, accepting each his share, returned whence they had come.
समाप्तदीक्षानियमः पत्नीगणसमन्वितः। प्रविवेश पुरी राजा सभृत्यबलवाहनः॥
And the monarch, having observed all the rules of initiation, entered the palace with his equipage and retinue.
यथार्ह पूजितास्तेन राज्ञा च पृथिवीश्वराः। मुदिताः प्रययुर्देशान् प्रणम्य मुनिपुङ्गवम्॥
And the lords of the earth, having been received suitably by the king, with glad hearts set out for their own countries, saluting that foremost of ascetics (Rsyaśặnga).
श्रीमतां गच्छतां तेषां स्वगृहाणि पुरात्ततः। बलानि राज्ञां शुभ्राणि प्रहृष्टानि चकाशिरे॥
And clad in bright apparel, the delighted Own forces belonging to those graceful kings repairing to their homes, looked exceedingly beautiful.
गतेषु पृथिवीशेषु राजा दशरथः पुनः। प्रविवेश पुरीं श्रीमान् पुरस्कृत्य द्विजोत्तमान्॥
When the lords of the earth had gone away, the graceful king Dasaratha re-entered his palace, with the foremost of regenerate ones at his head.
शान्तया प्रययौ सार्धमृष्यशृङ्गः सुपूजितः। अनुगम्यमानो राज्ञा च सानुयात्रेण धीमता॥ एवं विसृज्य तान् सर्वान् राजा सम्पूर्णमानसः। उवास सुखितस्तत्र पुत्रोत्पत्तिं विचिन्तयन्।७।।
Followed by the intelligent monarch with his retinue, Rsyasrnga, having been duly honoured, set out with śāntā. Having thus dismissed them all, the king, his object attained, began to dwell there happily, expecting sons.
ततो यज्ञे समाप्ते तु ऋतूनां षट् समत्ययुः। ततश्च द्वादशे मासे चैत्रे नावमिके तिथौ॥ नक्षत्रेऽदितिदैवत्ये स्वोच्चसंस्थेषु पञ्चसु। ग्रहेषु कर्कटे लग्ने वाक्पताविन्दुना सह॥ प्रोद्यमाने जगन्नाथं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम्। कौसल्याजनयद् रामं दिव्यलक्षणसंयुतम्॥ विष्णोरर्धं महाभागं पुत्रमैक्ष्वाकुनन्दनम्। लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुं रक्तोष्ठं दुन्दुभिस्वनम् ॥ कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा। यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना॥
And then when the six seasons had rolled away after the completion of the sacrifice, in the twelfth month, on the ninth lunar day, under the influence of the Punarvasu asterism presided by Aditi devatā, when the Sun, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus were at Arius, Capricorn, Libra, Cancer, And Pisces, and when Jupiter had arisen with the Moon at Cancer, Kausalyā gave birth to that lord of the universe, bowed to by all the worlds, Rāma, the descendant of Iksvaku, furnished with excellent marks, the one half of Vişnu,-exceedingly righteous, with rosy eyes, and mighty arms, and crimson nether lip, and endowed with a voice like the sound of a kettledrum. Then on having given birth to that son of immeasurable prowess, Kausalyā looked resplendent, like Aditi on having brought forth that foremost of celestials the wielder of the thunder-bolt.
भरतो नाम कैकेय्यां जज्ञे सत्यपराक्रमः। साक्षाद् विष्णोश्चतुर्भागः सर्वैः समुदितो गुणैः॥
Then was born of Kaikeyī, named Bharata, having truth for prowess, endowed with all the virtues, and representing the very fourth part of Visnu.
अथ लक्ष्मणशत्रुघ्नौ सुमित्राजनयत्सुतौ। वीरौ सर्वास्त्रकुशलौ विष्णोरर्धसमन्वितौ॥
Then Sumitrā gave birth to Lakşmaņa and Satrughna, heroic, and skilled in all weapons, and endowed with the half of Vişnu.
पुष्ये जातस्तु भरतो मीनलग्ने प्रसन्नधीः। सार्पे जातौ तु सौमित्री कुलीरेऽभ्युदिते रवौ॥
And Bharata of purged intelligence was born under the asterism Pușya, when the Sun had entered Pisces; while the two sons of Sumitrā were born when the Sun arose in Cancer, under the asterism of Aslesa. (The ninth lunar mansion)
राज्ञः पुत्रा महात्मानश्चत्वारो जज्ञिरे पृथक् । गुणवन्तोऽनुरूपाश्च रुच्या प्रोष्ठपदोपमाः॥ जगुः कलं च गन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः। देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खात् पतत्॥
Thus were separately born four high-souled sons to the king, crowned with qualities, and graceful, and in loveliness resembling the constellations Prosthapada.* Thereat the Gandharvas began to chaunt sweetly, and the Apsaras to dance. And the celestial kettledrums sounded; and there showered down blossoms from the sky. *Otherwise called Uttarabhadrapada and Purvabhādrapada.
उत्सवश्च महानासीदयोध्यायां जनाकुलः। रथ्याश्च जनसम्बाधा नटनर्तकसंकुलाः॥ गायनैश्च विराविण्यो वादनैश्च तथापरैः। विरेजुर्विपुलास्तत्र सर्वरत्नसमन्विनाम्॥ प्रदेयांश्च ददौ राजा सूतमागधबन्दिनाम्। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ वित्तं गोधनानि सहस्रशः॥
And high festivities were commenced by the multitude in Ayodhyā. And the spacious highways became filled with players and dancers, glittering with all kinds of gems, and resounding with the music of singers and performers on instruments. And the king bestowed gifts upon bards and genealogists and panegyrists, and he also gave kine by thousands to Brāhmaṇas.
अतीत्यैकादशाहं तु नामकर्म तथाकरोत्। ज्येष्ठं रामं महात्मानं भरतं कैकयीसुतम्॥ सौमित्रिं लक्ष्मणमिति शत्रुघ्नमपरं तथा। वसिष्ठः परमप्रीतो नामानि कुरुते तदा॥
When the eleventh day had gone by, the king performed the Naming ceremony of his sons. And experiencing great delight, Vasistha conferred the names. And the high-souled eldest one was called Rāma; and Kaikeyi's son was called Bharata; and Sumitrā's son was called Laksmana, and the last was named Satrughna.
ब्राह्मणान् भोजयामास पौरजानपदानपि। अददद् ब्राह्मणानां च रत्नौघममलं बहु॥
And the king fed the Brāhmaṇas as well as the inhabitants rural and urban; and he bestowed heaps of jewels upon Brāhmaṇas.
तेषां जन्मक्रियादीनि सर्वकर्माण्यकारयत्। तेषां केतुरिव ज्येष्ठो रामो रतिकरः पितुः॥ बभूव भूयो भूतानां स्वयम्भूरिव सम्मतः। सर्वे वेदविदः शूराः सर्वे लोकहिते रताः॥
Thus did he celebrate the natal rites of the princes. And among all those princes, the eldest, Rāma, like that of Ketu, (The ninth of the planets.) and the special delight of his father, became the object of general regard, even as the self-create Himself. And all of them were versed in the Vedas, and heroic, and intent upon the welfare of others.
सर्वे ज्ञानोपसम्पन्ना सर्वे समुदिता गुणैः। तेषामपि महातेजा रामः सत्यपराक्रमः॥ इष्टः सर्वस्य लोकस्य शशाङ्क इव निर्गलः। गजस्कन्धेऽश्वपृष्ठे च रथचर्यासु सम्मतः॥ धनुर्वेदे च निरतः पितुः शुश्रूषणे रतः।
And all were accomplished in knowledge; and endowed with virtues. And among them all, the exceedingly puissant Rāma, having true for prowess, was the desire of every one, and spotless like to the Moon himself. He could ride on elephants and horses, and was an adept in managing cars. And he was ever engaged in the study of arms, and aye occupied in ministering to his sire.
बाल्यात् प्रभृति सुस्निग्धो लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मिवर्धनः॥ रामस्य लोकरामस्य भ्रातुर्येष्ठस्य नित्यशः। सर्वप्रियकरस्तस्य रामस्यापि शरीरतः॥ लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मिसंपन्नो बहिःप्राण इवापरः। न च तेन विना निद्रां लभते पुरुषोत्तमः॥ मृष्टमन्त्रमुपानीतमश्नाति न हि तं विना।
And even from early youth, that enhancer of auspiciousness Laksmana was ever attached to his eldest brother Rāma, that delight of all. And like to another life of Rāma, Lakşmaņa furnished with auspiciousness was in everything attentive to Rāma's wishes, even at the neglect of his own person. And that foremost of persons did not even attain sleep without Rāma's company, nor did he partake any sweetmeat that was offered, unless Rāma partook it with him.
यदा हि हयमारूढो मृगयां याति राघवः॥ अथैनं पृष्ठतोऽभ्येति सधनुः परिपालयन्। भरतस्यापि शत्रुघ्नो लक्ष्मणावरजो हि सः॥ प्राणैः प्रियतरो नित्यं तस्य चासीत् तथा प्रियः।
When mounted on horse-back, Rāghava went a-hunting, Lakṣmaṇa went at his back bow in hand, protecting him. And that younger brother of Laksmana, Satrughna, likewise became ever dearer to Bharata than life itself.
स चतुर्भिर्महाभागैः पुत्रैर्दशरथः प्रियैः॥ बभूव परमप्रीतो देवैरिव पितामहः।
On account of those exalted and well-beloved sons of his, Dasaratha experienced the excess of joy, like to the Grand-sire on account of the gods.
ते यदा ज्ञानसम्पन्नाः सर्वे समुतदिता गुणैः॥ ह्रीमन्तः कीर्तिमन्तश्च सर्वज्ञा दीर्घदर्शिनः। तेषामेवंप्रभावाणां सर्वेषां दीप्ततेजसाम्॥ पिता दशरथो हृष्टो ब्रह्मा लोकाधिपो यथा।
And when they came to be furnished with knowledge, and crowned with virtues, and endowed with bashfulness and fame, and to attain wisdom in everything, and to be farsighted, Dasaratha, the father of such powerful and flamingly effulgent sons, became delighted even like that lord of worlds-Brahmā.
ते चापि मनुजव्याघ्रा वैदिकाध्ययने रताः॥ पितृशुश्रूषणरता धनुर्वेदे च निष्ठिताः।
Those tigers among men, ever engaged in the study of the Vedas, were accomplished in the art of archery, and always intent upon ministering to their father.
अथ राजा दशरथस्तेषां दारक्रियां प्रति॥ चिन्तयामास धर्मात्मा सोपाध्यायः सबान्धवः। तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य मन्त्रिमध्ये महात्मनः॥ अभ्यागच्छन्महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः।
Once upon a time, when the virtuous king Dasaratha, surrounded by his priests and friends, was reflecting about the nuptials of his sons, to that high-souled one engaged in thought in the midst of his counsellors came the mighty ascetic Visvamitra.
स राज्ञो दर्शनाकानी द्वाराध्यक्षानुवाच ह॥ शीघ्रमाख्यात मां प्राप्तं कौशिकं गाधिनः सुतम्।
Desirous of seeing the king, he said to the warders,-Do you speedily announce that I, Gadhi's son, sprung in the Kusika line, have come!
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य राज्ञो वेश्म प्रदुद्रुवुः॥ सम्भ्रान्तमनसः सर्वे तेन वाक्येन चोदिताः। ते गत्वा राजभवनं विश्वामित्रमृषिं तदा॥ प्राप्तमावेदयामासुपायेक्ष्वाकवे तदा।
Hearing those words of his, they, urged on by them, all hurriedly began to run towards the royal chambers. And coming to the royal apartments, they communicated to Ikşváku's descendant the arrival of the ascetic Viśvāmitra.
तेषां तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सपुरोधाः समाहितः।॥ प्रत्युज्जगाम संहृष्टो ब्रह्माणमिव वासवः।
Hearing those words of theirs, Dasaratha surrounded by his priests, went out delightedly to meet him, like Indra going out to meet Brhaspati. According to Śruti BỊhaspati is the Brahmă of the gods-Brhaspatir devānām Brahmā.
स दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितं दीप्त्या तापसं संशितव्रतम्॥ प्रहृष्टवदनो राजा ततोऽर्घ्यमुपहारयत्।
And having come to that ascetic observing vows and of flaming energy, the monarch with a cheerful countenance offered him the Arghya.
स राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्याऱ्या शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा॥ कुशलं चाव्ययं चैव पर्यपृच्छन्नराधिपम्।
There upon, having accepted the king's Arghya in accordance with the ordinance he enquired of the lord of men as to his continued prosperity and peace.
कोशे जनपदे बान्धवेषु सुहृत्सु च ॥ कुशलं कौशिको राज्ञः पर्यपृच्छत् सुधार्मिकः।
And the exceedingly virtuous descendant of Kusika asked the king concerning the welfare of the exchequer, and the provinces; and the peace of his friends and acquaintances.
अपि ते संनताः सर्वे सामन्तरिपवो जिताः॥ दैवं च मानुषं चैव कर्म ते साध्वनुष्ठितम्।
And are they captains submissive: and have you vanquished your foes? And have you performed well the human and the divine rites?
वसिष्ठं च समागम्य कुशलं मुनिपुङ्गवः॥ ऋषींश्च तान् यथान्यायं महाभाग उवाच ह।
And approaching Vasiştha and the other anchorites, that foremost of ascetics of exalted piety duly asked them regarding their welfare.
ते सर्वे हृष्टमनसस्तस्य राज्ञो निवेशनम्॥ विविशुः पूजितास्तेन निषेदुश्च यथार्हतः।
And having been properly received by the monarch, they with glad hearts entered the royal residence, and sat them down according to precedence.
अथ हृष्टमना राजा विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम्॥ उवाच परमोदारो हृष्टस्तमभिपूजयन्।
Then gladly worshipping the mighty ascetic, Visvāmitra, the exceedingly generous king, wellpleased, addressed him saying.
यथामृतस्य सम्प्राप्तिर्यथा वर्षमनूदके॥ वै यथा सदृशदारेषु पुत्रजन्माप्रजस्य प्रणष्टस्य यथा लाभो यथा हर्षों महोदयः॥ तथैवागमनं मन्ये स्वागतं ते महामुने। कं च ते परमं कामं करोमि किमु हर्षितः॥
Like that of the obtaining of ambrosia, like to a shower in a land suffering from drought, like to the birth of sons of worthy wives to him without issue, like that of the recovery of a lost thing, yea, like to the dawning of a mighty joy, I consider this your arrival. O illustrious ascetic, are you well come? What is even that which is nearest to your heart?
पात्रभूतोऽसि मे ब्रह्मन् दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि मानद। अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम्॥
You, O Brahmana, are worthy of my best services. By luck it is that, O bestower of honour, I have gained you. To-day my birth has been crowned with fruit to-day has my life attained its object.
यस्माद् विप्रेन्द्रमद्राक्षं सुप्रभाता निशा मम। पूर्वं राजर्षिशब्देन तपसा द्योतितप्रभः॥ ब्रह्मर्षित्वमनुप्राप्तः पूज्योऽसि बहुधा मया। तदद्भुतमभूद्विप्र पवित्रं परमं मम॥
And truly yesterday night has been succeeded by an auspicious morning, since I have beheld you. Having first attained exceeding effulgence by virtue of austerities performed for obtaining the title of Rājarşi, you have afterwards obtained the status of a Brahmarși. You are worthy of manifold homage from me. This your exceedingly holy arrival appear wonderful.
शुभक्षेत्रगतश्चाहं तव संदर्शनात् प्रभो। ब्रूहि यत् प्रार्थितं तुभ्यं कार्यमागमनं प्रति ॥
O lord, by beholding you, surely my body has been rendered pure. Tell me, what is it that you would have, and what is the purpose of your coming?
इच्छाम्यनुगृहीतोऽहं त्वदर्थं परिवृद्धये। कार्यस्य न विमर्श च गन्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत॥ कर्ता चाहमशेषेण दैवतं हि भवान् मम। मम चायमनुप्राप्तो महानभ्युदयो द्विज। तवागमनजः कृत्स्नो धर्मश्चानुत्तमो द्विज ॥
I wish that I may be obliged by doing your will. And, ( you of excellent vows, you ought not to hesitate. I will every way accomplish your will; for you are my god. O regenerate one, surely great prosperity come to me in consequence of your coming, inasmuch as it shall be the means of bringing me entire and excellent merit, O Brāhmaṇa!
इति हृदयसुखं निशम्य वाक्यं श्रुतिसुखमात्मवता विनीतमुक्तम्। प्रथितगुणयशा गुणैर्विशिष्टः परमऋषिः परमं जगाम हर्षम्॥
Hearing this soul-soothing, ear-charming, and free-humble speech that was uttered, the illustrious prime of ascetics crowned with virtues, and furnished with all perfections, experienced exceeding delight.