Valmiki Ramayana - Balakanda, Chapter 7. King Dasaratha's court and description of the virtues of ministers

[King Dasaratha's court and description of the virtues of ministers]

തസ്യാമാത്യാ ഗുണൈരാസന്നിക്ഷ്വാകോസ്തു മഹാത്മന: 
മന്ത്രജ്ഞാശ്ചേങ്ഗിതജ്ഞാശ്ച നിത്യം പ്രിയഹിതേ രതാ: ৷৷1.7.1৷৷

The ministers of the great descendent of the Ikshvakus were endowed with all virtues. They were competent counsellors, skilled in judging motives from facial features and were always intent on doing good and all that was dear and helpful to the king.

അഷ്ടൌ ബഭൂവുര്വീരസ്യ തസ്യാമാത്യാ യശസ്വിന: .
ശുചയശ്ചാനുരക്താശ്ച രാജകൃത്യേഷു നിത്യശ: ৷৷1.7.2৷৷

The mighty and glorious (king Dasaratha) had eight ministers who were free from blemish in their dealings and ever devoted to royal duties.

ധൃഷ്ടിര്ജയന്തോ വിജയസ്സിദ്ധാര്ഥോ ഹ്യര്ഥസാധക: .
അശോകോ മന്ത്രപാലശ്ച സുമന്ത്രശ്ചാഷ്ടമോഭവത് ৷৷1.7.3৷৷

The eight ministers were Dhrishti, Jayanta,Vijaya, Siddhartha, Arthasadhaka, Ashoka, Mantrapala and Sumantra.

ഋത്വിജൌ ദ്വാവഭിമതൌ തസ്യാസ്താമൃഷിസത്തമൌ .
വസിഷ്ഠോ വാമദേവശ്ച മന്ത്രിണശ്ച തഥാപരേ ৷৷1.7.4৷৷

He had two well-chosen excellent rishis, Vasishta and Vamadeva, as family priests besides some other counsellors.

വിദ്യാവിനീതാ ഹ്രീമന്ത: കുശലാ നിയതേന്ദ്രിയാ: .
ശ്രീമന്തശ്ച മഹാത്മാനശ്ശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞാ ദൃഢവിക്രമാ: ৷৷1.7.5৷৷

കീര്തിമന്ത: പ്രണിഹിതാ: യഥാവചനകാരിണ: .
തേജ: ക്ഷമായശ:പ്രാപ്താ സ്മിതപൂര്വാഭിഭാഷിണ: ৷৷1.7.6৷৷

They were well-educated in all branches of knowledge and deemed unjust acts shameful. They were renowned, proficient, versed in sastras, wealthy and magnanimous. They had their senses restrained and their deeds were in accordance with their words. They acted with determination. They were brilliant, forgiving and reputed. And always spoke with a smile.

ക്രോധാത്കാമാര്ഥഹേതോര്വാ ന ബ്രൂയുരനൃതം വച: .
തേഷാമവിദിതം കിഞ്ചിത്സ്വേഷു നാസ്തി പരേഷു വാ .
ക്രിയമാണം കൃതം വാപി ചാരേണാപി ചികീര്ഷിതമ് ৷৷1.7.7৷৷

Either in anger or for pecuniary gains or for fulfilment of desire, they never uttered an untrue or unjust word. In the midst of their own people or among their enemies, they knew, through spies everything being done or had been done or intended to be done in future.

കുശലാ വ്യവഹാരേഷു സൌഹൃദേഷു പരീക്ഷിതാ: .
പ്രാപ്തകാലം തു തേ ദണ്ഡം ധാരയേയുസ്സുതേഷ്വപി ৷৷1.7.8৷৷

They knew how to deal (with people). They were true to their friends. They used to impose appropriate punishment even on their own sons.

കോശസങ്ഗ്രഹണേ യുക്താ ബലസ്യ ച പരിഗ്രഹേ .
അഹിതം ചാപി പുരുഷം ന വിഹിംസ്യുരദൂഷകമ് ৷৷1.7.9৷৷

They were experts in replenishing the exchequer and in collecting the army. They never inflicted any punishment even on those who were not their well-wishers, if they did not commit any offence.

വീരാശ്ച നിയതോത്സാഹാ രാജശാസ്ത്രമനുഷ്ഠിതാ: .
ശുചീനാം രക്ഷിതാരശ്ച നിത്യം വിഷയവാസിനാമ് ৷৷1.7.10৷৷

They were heroic. They possessed steady perseverance. They followed the state policy and always protected the virtuous people living in the state.

ബ്രഹ്മ ക്ഷത്രമഹിംസന്തസ്തേ കോശം സമപൂരയന് .
സുതീക്ഷ്ണദണ്ഡാസ്സംപ്രേക്ഷ്യ പുരുഷസ്യ ബലാബലമ് ৷৷1.7.11৷৷

While ensuring that they did not cause pain to brahmanas and kshatriyas (in thought, word and deed), they filled the treasury. They inflicted stringent punishments on a man after examining his strength and weakness.

ശുചീനാമേകബുദ്ധീനാം സര്വേഷാം സമ്പ്രജാനതാമ് .
നാസീത്പുരേ വാ രാഷ്ട്രേ വാ മൃഷാവാദീ നര: ക്വചിത് ৷৷1.7.12৷৷

While the ministers of chaste conduct administered the kingdom with unanimous decisions, there was no one who was a liar, either in the city or in the kingdom.

കശ്ചിന്ന ദുഷ്ടസ്തത്രാസീത്പരദാരരതോ നര: .
പ്രശാന്തം സര്വമേവാസീദ്രാഷ്ട്രം പുരവരം ച തത് ৷৷1.7.13৷৷

In that kingdom no one was wicked or enamoured of others' wives. Serenity prevailed over the entire kingdom including the city of excellence.

സുവാസസസ്സുവേഷാശ്ച തേ ച സര്വേ സുശീലിന: .
ഹിതാര്ഥം ച നരേന്ദ്രസ്യ ജാഗ്രതോ നയചക്ഷുഷാ ৷৷1.7.14৷৷

They all were well-dressed in fine clothes. They possessed good character with an eye on justice and vigilant about the king's welfare.

ഗുരോര്ഗുണഗൃഹീതാശ്ച പ്രഖ്യാതാശ്ച പരാക്രമേ .
വിദേശേഷ്വപി വിജ്ഞാതാസ്സര്വതോ ബുദ്ധിനിശ്ചയാത് ৷৷1.7.15৷৷

They imbibed virtues from the elderlies. They were renowned in prowess. They were guided by their intellect in all affairs. They were well-known everywhere.

സന്ധിവിഗ്രഹതത്ത്വജ്ഞാ: പ്രകൃത്യാ സമ്പദാന്വിതാ: ৷৷1.7.16৷৷
മന്ത്രസംവരണേ ശക്താശ്ശ്ലക്ഷ്ണാസ്സൂക്ഷ്മാസു ബുദ്ധിഷു .
നീതിശാസ്ത്രവിശേഷജ്ഞാസ്സതതം പ്രിയവാദിന: ৷৷1.7.17৷৷

The ministers were inherently well aware of the real nature of peace or war. They were affluent, adept in keeping secrecy and sharp in comprehending the points (before making any decision). They were experts in the science of ethics and morality. They always spoke pleasing words.

ഈദൃശൈസ്തൈരമാത്യൈസ്തു രാജാ ദശരഥോനഘ: .
ഉപപന്നോ ഗുണോപേതൈരന്വശാസദ്വസുന്ധരാമ് ৷৷1.7.18৷৷

The faultless king Dasaratha, with the assistance of such ministers endowed with virtues, ruled the earth.

അവേക്ഷമാണശ്ചാരേണ പ്രജാ ധര്മേണ രഞ്ജയന് .
പ്രജാനാം പാലനം കുര്വന്നധര്മാന്പരിവര്ജയന് ৷৷1.7.19৷৷

വിശ്രുതസ്ത്രിഷു ലോകേഷു വദാന്യസ്സത്യസങ്ഗര: .
സ തത്ര പുരുഷവ്യാഘ്രശ്ശശാസ പൃഥിവീമിമാമ് ৷৷1.7.20৷৷

In the three worlds he (Dasaratha) was acclaimed in the three words as munificient and upholder of truth, a tiger among men, who ruled protecting and guarding the people through spies. He. ruled the kingdom with righteousness by deserting irreligious and keeping the subjects happy.

നാധ്യഗച്ഛദ്വിശിഷ്ടം വാ തുല്യം വാ ശത്രുമാത്മന: .
മിത്രവാന്നതസാമന്ത: പ്രതാപഹതകണ്ടക: ৷৷1.7.21৷৷
സ ശശാസ ജഗദ്രാജാ ദിവം ദേവപതിര്യഥാ .

The king (Dasaratha) had many friends. All the tributary kings were obedient to him. He killed his enemies with his might. There was no foe who was either superior to or equal to him. He ruled the world as Indra ruled the heaven.

തൈര്മന്ത്രിഭിര്മന്ത്രഹിതേ നിയുക്തൈ-
ര്വൃതോനുരക്തൈ: കുശലൈസ്സമര്ഥൈ: .

സ പാര്ഥിവോ ദീപ്തിമവാപ യുക്ത-
സ്തേജോമയൈര്ഗോഭിരിവോദിതോര്ക: ৷৷1.7.22৷৷

Accompanied by the ministers who were devoted to his welfare, adept in counselling, skilful, capable and loyal towards him, the king acquired glory like the rising Sun with luminous rays.

ഇത്യാര്ഷേ ശ്രീമദ്രാമായണേ വാല്മീകീയ ആദികാവ്യേ ബാലകാണ്ഡേ സപ്തമസ്സര്ഗ: ৷৷

Thus ends the seventh sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

तस्यामात्या गुणैरासन्निक्ष्वाकोस्तु महात्मन: ।
मन्त्रज्ञाश्चेङ्गितज्ञाश्च नित्यं प्रियहिते रता: ।।1.7.1।।

अष्टौ बभूवुर्वीरस्य तस्यामात्या यशस्विन: ।
शुचयश्चानुरक्ताश्च राजकृत्येषु नित्यश: ।।1.7.2।।

धृष्टिर्जयन्तो विजयस्सिद्धार्थो ह्यर्थसाधक: ।
अशोको मन्त्रपालश्च सुमन्त्रश्चाष्टमोऽभवत् ।।1.7.3।।

ऋत्विजौ द्वावभिमतौ तस्याऽऽस्तामृषिसत्तमौ ।
वसिष्ठो वामदेवश्च मन्त्रिणश्च तथापरे ।।1.7.4।।

विद्याविनीता ह्रीमन्त: कुशला नियतेन्द्रिया: ।
श्रीमन्तश्च महात्मानश्शास्त्रज्ञा दृढविक्रमा: ।।1.7.5।।

कीर्तिमन्त: प्रणिहिता: यथावचनकारिण: ।
तेज: क्षमायश:प्राप्ता स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिण: ।।1.7.6।।

क्रोधात्कामार्थहेतोर्वा न ब्रूयुरनृतं वच: ।
तेषामविदितं किञ्चित्स्वेषु नास्ति परेषु वा ।
क्रियमाणं कृतं वापि चारेणापि चिकीर्षितम् ।।1.7.7।।

कुशला व्यवहारेषु सौहृदेषु परीक्षिता: ।
प्राप्तकालं तु ते दण्डं धारयेयुस्सुतेष्वपि ।।1.7.8।।

कोशसङ्ग्रहणे युक्ता बलस्य च परिग्रहे ।
अहितं चापि पुरुषं न विहिंस्युरदूषकम् ।।1.7.9।।

वीराश्च नियतोत्साहा राजशास्त्रमनुष्ठिता: ।
शुचीनां रक्षितारश्च नित्यं विषयवासिनाम् ।।1.7.10।।

ब्रह्म क्षत्रमहिंसन्तस्ते कोशं समपूरयन् ।
सुतीक्ष्णदण्डास्संप्रेक्ष्य पुरुषस्य बलाबलम् ।।1.7.11।।

शुचीनामेकबुद्धीनां सर्वेषां सम्प्रजानताम् ।
नासीत्पुरे वा राष्ट्रे वा मृषावादी नर: क्वचित् ।।1.7.12।।

कश्चिन्न दुष्टस्तत्रासीत्परदाररतो नर: ।
प्रशान्तं सर्वमेवासीद्राष्ट्रं पुरवरं च तत् ।।1.7.13।।

सुवाससस्सुवेषाश्च ते च सर्वे सुशीलिन: ।
हितार्थं च नरेन्द्रस्य जाग्रतो नयचक्षुषा ।।1.7.14।।

गुरोर्गुणगृहीताश्च प्रख्याताश्च पराक्रमे ।
विदेशेष्वपि विज्ञातास्सर्वतो बुद्धिनिश्चयात् ।।1.7.15।।

सन्धिविग्रहतत्त्वज्ञा: प्रकृत्या सम्पदान्विता: ।।1.7.16।।

मन्त्रसंवरणे शक्ताश्श्लक्ष्णास्सूक्ष्मासु बुद्धिषु ।
नीतिशास्त्रविशेषज्ञास्सततं प्रियवादिन: ।।1.7.17।।

ईदृशैस्तैरमात्यैस्तु राजा दशरथोऽनघ: ।
उपपन्नो गुणोपेतैरन्वशासद्वसुन्धराम् ।।1.7.18।।

अवेक्षमाणश्चारेण प्रजा धर्मेण रञ्जयन् ।
प्रजानां पालनं कुर्वन्नधर्मान्परिवर्जयन् ।।1.7.19।।

विश्रुतस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वदान्यस्सत्यसङ्गर: ।
स तत्र पुरुषव्याघ्रश्शशास पृथिवीमिमाम् ।।1.7.20।।

नाध्यगच्छद्विशिष्टं वा तुल्यं वा शत्रुमात्मन: ।
मित्रवान्नतसामन्त: प्रतापहतकण्टक: ।।1.7.21।।

स शशास जगद्राजा दिवं देवपतिर्यथा ।

तैर्मन्त्रिभिर्मन्त्रहिते नियुक्तै
र्वृतोऽनुरक्तै: कुशलैस्समर्थै: ।
स पार्थिवो दीप्तिमवाप युक्त
स्तेजोमयैर्गोभिरिवोदितोऽर्क: ।।1.7.22।।

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे सप्तमस्सर्ग: ।।