Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhyakanda, Sarga 1. Rama The Hero

 

[Description of Rama's virtues Dasaratha contemplates to install Rama as heir apparent Invites kings and elders from towns and villages to seek their opinion.]

गच्छता मातुलकुलं भरतेन तदाऽनघ।
शत्रुघ्नो नित्यशत्रुघ्नो नीतः प्रीतिपुरस्कृतः।।2.1.1।।

तत्र न्यवसद्भ्रात्रा सह सत्कारसत्कृतः।
मातुलेनाश्वपतिना पुत्रस्नेहेन लालितः।।2.1.2।।

तत्रापि निवसन्तौ तौ तर्प्यमाणौ च कामतः।
भ्रातरौ स्मरतां वीरौ वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्।।2.1.3।।

राजाऽपि तौ महातेजा स्सस्मार प्रोषितौ सुतौ।
उभौ भरतशत्रुघ्नौ महेन्द्रवरुणोपमौ।।2.1.4।।

सर्व एव तु तस्येष्टा श्चत्वारः पुरुषर्षभाः।
स्वशरीराद्विनिर्वृत्ताश्चत्वार इव बाहवः।।2.1.5।।

तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरःपितुः।
स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः।।2.1.6।।

स हि देवैरुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थिभिः।
अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुस्सनातनः।।2.1.7।।

कौशल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा।
यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना।।2.1.8।।

स हि रूपोपपन्नश्च वीर्यवाननसूयकः।
भूमौवनुपमस्सूनुर्गुणैर्दशरथोपमः।।2.1.9।।

स तु नित्यं प्रशान्तात्मा मृदुपूर्वं च भाषते।
उच्यमानोऽपि परुषं नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्यते।।2.1.10।।

कथञ्चिदुपकारेण कृतेनैकेन तुष्यति।
न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तया।।2.1.11।।

शीलवृद्धैर्ज्ञानवृद्धैर्वयोवृद्धैश्च सज्जनैः।
कथयन्नास्त वै नित्यमस्त्रयोग्यान्तरेष्वपि।।2.1.12।।

बुद्धिमान्मधुराभाषी पूर्वभाषी प्रियंवदः।
वीर्यवान्न च वीर्येण महता स्वेन विस्मितः।।2.1.13।।

नचानृतकथो विद्वान् वृद्धानां प्रतिपूजकः।
अनुरक्तः प्रजाभिश्च प्रजाश्चाप्यनुरञ्जते।।2.1.14।।

कुलोचितमतिः क्षात्रं धर्मं स्वं बहुमन्यते।
मन्यते परया कीर्त्या महत्स्वर्गफलं ततः।।2.1.16।।

नाऽऽश्रेयसि रतो विद्वान्नविरुद्धकथारुचिः।
उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा।।2.1.17।।

अरोगस्तरुणो वाग्मी वपुष्मान्देशकालवित्।
लोके पुरुषसारज्ञ स्साधुरेको विनिर्मितः।।2.1.18।।

स तु श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः।
बहिश्चर इव प्राणो बभूव गुणतः प्रियः।।2.1.19।।

सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत्साङ्गवेदवित्।
इष्वस्त्रे च पितु श्श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः।।2.1.20।।

कल्याणाभिजन स्साधुरदीन स्सत्यवागृजुः।
वृद्धैरभिविनीतश्च द्विजैर्धर्मार्थदर्शिभिः।।2.1.21।।

धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान्प्रतिभानवान्।
लौकिके समयाचारे कृतकल्पो विशारदः।।2.1.22।।

निभृत स्संवृताकारो गुप्तमन्त्र स्सहायवान्।
अमोघक्रोधहर्षश्च त्यागसंयमकालवित्।।2.1.23।।

दृढभक्ति स्स्थिरप्रज्ञो नासद्ग्राही न दुर्वचाः।
निस्तन्द्रिरप्रमत्तश्च स्वदोषपरदोषवित्।।2.1.24।।

शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः।
यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः।।2.1.25।।

सत्सङ्ग्रहप्रग्रहणे स्थानविन्निग्रहस्य च।
आयकर्मण्युपायज्ञ स्सन्दृष्टव्ययकर्मवित्।।2.1.26।।

श्रैष्ठ्यं शास्त्रसमूहेषु प्राप्तो व्यामिश्रकेषु च।
अर्थधमौ च सङ्गृह्य सुखतन्त्रो न चालसः।।2.1.27।।

वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञाताऽऽर्थविभागवित्।
आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तो वारणवाजिनाम्।।2.1.28।।

धनुर्वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः।
अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः।।2.1.29।।

अप्रधृष्यश्च सङ्ग्रामे क्रुध्दैरपि सुरासुरैः।
अनसूयो जितक्रोधो न दृप्तो न च मत्सरी।
न चावमन्ता भूतानां न च कालवशानुगः।।।2.1.30।।

एवं श्रेष्ठगुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः।
सम्मतस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः।।2.1.31।।
बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्येणापि शचीपतेः।

तथा सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैः पितुः।।2.1.32।।
गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्तस्सूर्य इवांशुभिः।

तमेवं व्रतसम्पन्नमप्रधृष्यपराक्रमम्।।2.1.33।।
लोक पालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी।

एतैस्तु बहुभिर्युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैस्सुतम्।।2.1.34।।
दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परन्तपः।

अथ राज्ञो बभूवैवं वृद्धस्य चिरजीविनः।।2.1.35।।
प्रीतिरेषा कथं रामो राजा स्यान्मयि जीवति।

एषा ह्यस्य परा प्रीतिर्हृदि संपरिवर्तते।।2.1.36।।
कदा नाम सुतं द्रक्ष्याम्यभिषिक्तमहं प्रियम्।

वृद्धिकामो हि लोकस्य सर्वभूतानुकम्पनः।।2.1.37।।
मत्तः प्रियतरो लोके पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान्।

यमशक्रसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ।।2.1.38।।
महीधरसमो धृत्यां मत्तश्च गुणवत्तरः।

महीमहमिमां कृत्स्नामधितिष्ठन्तमात्मजम्।।2.1.39।।
अनेन वयसा दृष्ट्वा यथास्वर्गमवाप्नुयाम्।

इत्येतैर्विविधैस्तैस्तैरन्यपार्थिवदुर्लभैः।।2.1.40।।

शिष्टैरपरिमेयैश्च लोके लोकोत्तरैर्गुणैः।
तं समीक्ष्य महाराजो युक्तं समुदितैश्शुभैः।।2.1.41।।
निश्चित्य सचिवैस्सार्धं युवराजममन्यत।

दिव्यन्तरिक्षे भूमौ च घोरमुत्पातजं भयम्।।2.1.42।।
स़ञ्चचक्षेऽथ मेधावी शरीरे चात्मनो जराम्।

पूर्णचन्द्राननस्याथ शोकापनुदमात्मनः।।2.1.43।।
लोके रामस्य बुबुधे सम्प्रियत्वं महात्मनः।

आत्मनश्च प्रजानां च श्रेयसे च प्रियेण च।।2.1.44।।

प्राप्तकालेन धर्मात्मा भक्त्या त्वरितवान् नृपः।

नानानगरवास्तव्यान्पृथग्जानपदानपि।।2.1.45।।
समानिनाय मेदिन्याः प्रधानान्पृथिवीपतीन्।

न तु केकयराजानं जनकं वा नराधिपः।।2.1.46।।
त्वरया चानयामास पश्चात्तौ श्रोष्यतः प्रियम्।

तान्वेश्मनानाभरणैर्यथाऽर्हं प्रतिपूजितान्।।2.1.47।।
ददर्शालङ्कृतो राजा प्रजापतिरिव प्रजाः।

अथोपविष्टे नृपतौ तस्मिन्परबलार्दने।।2.1.48।।
ततः प्रविविशु श्शेषा राजानो लोकसम्मताः।

अथ राजवितीर्णेषु विविधेष्वासनेषु च।।2.1.49।।
राजानमेवाभिमुखाः निषेदुर्नियता नृपाः।

सलब्धमानैर्विनयान्वितैर्नृपैः
पुरालयैर्जानपदैश्च मानदैः।
उपोपविष्टैर्नृपतिर्वृतो बभौ
सहस्रचक्षुर्भगवानिवामरैः।।2.1.50।।

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे प्रथमस्सर्गः।

[Description of Rama's virtues- Dasaratha contemplates to install Rama as heir-apparent- Invites kings and elders from towns and villages to seek their opinion.]

ഗച്ഛതാ മാതുലകുലം ഭരതേന തദാനഘ.
ശത്രുഘ്നോ നിത്യശത്രുഘ്നോ നീതഃ പ്രീതിപുരസ്കൃതഃ৷৷2.1.1৷৷

Bharata set out for his maternal uncle's house. He took with him the sinless Satrughna who is always successful in destroying foes and on whom he had bestowed his love and affection.

തത്ര ന്യവസദ്ഭ്രാത്രാ സഹ സത്കാരസത്കൃതഃ.
മാതുലേനാശ്വപതിനാ പുത്രസ്നേഹേന ലാലിതഃ৷৷2.1.2৷৷

Treated with warm hospitality and fatherly affection by his maternal uncle Aswapati, Bharata stayed on there along with his brother.

തത്രാപി നിവസന്തൌ തൌ തര്പ്യമാണൌ ച കാമതഃ.
ഭ്രാതരൌ സ്മരതാം വീരൌ വൃദ്ധം ദശരഥം നൃപമ്৷৷2.1.3৷৷

Though both the heroic brothers stayed there satisfied on their own they constantly remembered their aged father.

രാജാപി തൌ മഹാതേജാ സ്സസ്മാര പ്രോഷിതൌ സുതൌ.
ഉഭൌ ഭരതശത്രുഘ്നൌ മഹേന്ദ്രവരുണോപമൌ৷৷2.1.4৷৷

The glorious king Dasaratha also remembered his sons, Bharata and Satrughna, who were like the great Indra and Varuna, (now) away from home.

സര്വ ഏവ തു തസ്യേഷ്ടാ ശ്ചത്വാരഃ പുരുഷര്ഷഭാഃ.
സ്വശരീരാദ്വിനിര്വൃത്താശ്ചത്വാര ഇവ ബാഹവഃ৷৷2.1.5৷৷

Dasaratha, a bull among men, loved all his four sons equally just as the arms of his own body.

തേഷാമപി മഹാതേജാ രാമോ രതികരഃപിതുഃ.
സ്വയമ്ഭൂരിവ ഭൂതാനാം ബഭൂവ ഗുണവത്തരഃ৷৷2.1.6৷৷

Even among them the brilliant Rama was a source of delight to his father like the Self-born (Brahma) to all living beings.

സ ഹി ദേവൈരുദീര്ണസ്യ രാവണസ്യ വധാര്ഥിഭിഃ.
അര്ഥിതോ മാനുഷേ ലോകേ ജജ്ഞേ വിഷ്ണുസ്സനാതനഃ৷৷2.1.7৷৷

Entreated by the devatas desirous of slaying arrogant Ravana, the eternal Visnu was indeed born in the mortal world as Rama.

കൌശല്യാ ശുശുഭേ തേന പുത്രേണാമിതതേജസാ.
യഥാ വരേണ ദേവാനാമദിതിര്വജ്രപാണിനാ৷৷2.1.8৷৷

Kausalya looked splendid with her son, Rama of boundless energy, as did Aditi with the chief of the gods Indra, wielder of thunder.

സ ഹി രൂപോപപന്നശ്ച വീര്യവാനനസൂയകഃ.
ഭൂമൌവനുപമസ്സൂനുര്ഗുണൈര്ദശരഥോപമഃ৷৷2.1.9৷৷

Endowed with beauty and strengh, free from envy, and in virtues equal to Dasaratha, Rama was verily an incomparable son on earth.

സ തു നിത്യം പ്രശാന്താത്മാ മൃദുപൂര്വം ച ഭാഷതേ.
ഉച്യമാനോപി പരുഷം നോത്തരം പ്രതിപദ്യതേ৷৷2.1.10৷৷

With an unfailing serenity of mind, Rama never paid back harshness with harshness.

കഥഞ്ചിദുപകാരേണ കൃതേനൈകേന തുഷ്യതി.
ന സ്മരത്യപകാരാണാം ശതമപ്യാത്മവത്തയാ৷৷2.1.11৷৷

Gifted with self-restraint, Rama was pleased even with a single benefit done somehow to him, yet did not remember even a hundred offences committed by others.

ശീലവൃദ്ധൈര്ജ്ഞാനവൃദ്ധൈര്വയോവൃദ്ധൈശ്ച സജ്ജനൈഃ.
കഥയന്നാസ്ത വൈ നിത്യമസ്ത്രയോഗ്യാന്തരേഷ്വപി৷৷2.1.12৷৷

Even during intervals of his practice of weapons he never failed to interact with saintly persons and with people advanced in age, virtue and wisdom.

ബുദ്ധിമാന്മധുരാഭാഷീ പൂര്വഭാഷീ പ്രിയംവദഃ.
വീര്യവാന്ന ച വീര്യേണ മഹതാ സ്വേന വിസ്മിതഃ৷৷2.1.13৷৷

Wise and soft-spoken, he was the first to speak to others words pleasing to hear. Though mighty, he was never proud of his overwhelming strength.

നചാനൃതകഥോ വിദ്വാന് വൃദ്ധാനാം പ്രതിപൂജകഃ.
അനുരക്തഃ പ്രജാഭിശ്ച പ്രജാശ്ചാപ്യനുരഞ്ജതേ৷৷2.1.14৷৷

Rama never told lies. He was a learned man. He honoured elders by going forward to them. He loved his subjects as much as his subjects loved him.

സാനുക്രോശോ ജിതക്രോധോ ബ്രാഹ്മണപ്രതിപൂജകഃ.
ദീനാനുകമ്പീ ധര്മജ്ഞോ നിത്യം പ്രഗ്രഹവാംശ്ചുചിഃ৷৷2.1.15৷৷

He was kind-hearted and compassionate to the distressed, cool-headed and righteous. A worshipper of brahmins he was always self-restrained and pure in spirit.

കുലോചിതമതിഃ ക്ഷാത്രം ധര്മം സ്വം ബഹുമന്യതേ.
മന്യതേ പരയാ കീര്ത്യാ മഹത്സ്വര്ഗഫലം തതഃ৷৷2.1.16৷৷

He entertained thoughts befitting his (great) dynasty and honoured the code of conduct of a kshatriya. He believed one could attain heavenly abode through his great achievements.

നാശ്രേയസി രതോ വിദ്വാന്നവിരുദ്ധകഥാരുചിഃ.
ഉത്തരോത്തരയുക്തൌ ച വക്താ വാചസ്പതിര്യഥാ৷৷2.1.17৷৷

A learned man, he evinced no interest in pursuits that did not contribute to one's welfare or had he any liking for speaking against others. But in debates his oratorical flourish was comparable to Brihaspati's.

അരോഗസ്തരുണോ വാഗ്മീ വപുഷ്മാന്ദേശകാലവിത്.
ലോകേ പുരുഷസാരജ്ഞ സ്സാധുരേകോ വിനിര്മിതഃ৷৷2.1.18৷৷

He was young, eloquent, healthy and free from disease. He was conscious of (right) time and place (for his pursuits). He was capable of ascertaining the potentiality of
men. He was born a sage in this world.

സ തു ശ്രേഷ്ഠൈര്ഗുണൈര്യുക്തഃ പ്രജാനാം പാര്ഥിവാത്മജഃ.
ബഹിശ്ചര ഇവ പ്രാണോ ബഭൂവ ഗുണതഃ പ്രിയഃ৷৷2.1.19৷৷

Bestowed with such excellent qualities, the prince (Rama) became a favourite of his subjects. He was like their vital life outside their bodies.

സമ്യഗ്വിദ്യാവ്രതസ്നാതോ യഥാവത്സാങ്ഗവേദവിത്.
ഇഷ്വസ്ത്രേ ച പിതു ശ്ശ്രേഷ്ഠോ ബഭൂവ ഭരതാഗ്രജഃ৷৷2.1.20৷৷

With the appropriate sacred ablution marking the completion of the vow relating to the respective branches of learning in accordance with tradition, this elder brother of Bharata achieved proficiency in the Vedas and its auxiliary sciences. He surpassed his father in archery.

കല്യാണാഭിജന സ്സാധുരദീന സ്സത്യവാഗൃജുഃ.
വൃദ്ധൈരഭിവിനീതശ്ച ദ്വിജൈര്ധര്മാര്ഥദര്ശിഭിഃ৷৷2.1.21৷৷

Born in a family of noble descent, he was saintly. A man without meanness.He was truthful and a man of rectitude. The training he received under aged brahmins conversant with dharma and artha made him well-disciplined.

ധര്മകാമാര്ഥതത്ത്വജ്ഞഃ സ്മൃതിമാന്പ്രതിഭാനവാന്.
ലൌകികേ സമയാചാരേ കൃതകല്പോ വിശാരദഃ৷৷2.1.22৷৷

He knew the true nature of dharma, artha and kama. With a sharp memory, he was a genius. He was highly skilled in accomplishing tasks related to social practices and customs.

നിഭൃത സ്സംവൃതാകാരോ ഗുപ്തമന്ത്ര സ്സഹായവാന്.
അമോഘക്രോധഹര്ഷശ്ച ത്യാഗസംയമകാലവിത്৷৷2.1.23৷৷

He (Rama) was modest and did not reveal his inner feelings. He counselled in secrecy and had good friends. Never was his anger or pleasure in vain. He knew the occasion when to sacrifce and when to exercise restraint.

ദൃഢഭക്തി സ്സ്ഥിരപ്രജ്ഞോ നാസദ്ഗ്രാഹീ ന ദുര്വചാഃ.
നിസ്തന്ദ്രിരപ്രമത്തശ്ച സ്വദോഷപരദോഷവിത്৷৷2.1.24৷৷

He was firm in his devotion and steady in intellect. He accepted nothing ignoble nor used bad words. He was not swayed by emotions or prone to idleness. He knew his faults as well as of others.

ശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞശ്ച കൃതജ്ഞശ്ച പുരുഷാന്തരകോവിദഃ.
യഃ പ്രഗ്രഹാനുഗ്രഹയോര്യഥാന്യായം വിചക്ഷണഃ৷৷2.1.25৷৷

He was versed in scriptures. He was grateful (to those who did him some good) and skilled in differentiating the comparative merits of men. Fair in his judgement he dispensed justice in accordance with law by reprimanding (the delinquent) and favouring (the honest).

സത്സങ്ഗ്രഹപ്രഗ്രഹണേ സ്ഥാനവിന്നിഗ്രഹസ്യ ച.
ആയകര്മണ്യുപായജ്ഞ സ്സന്ദൃഷ്ടവ്യയകര്മവിത്৷৷2.1.26৷৷

He was skilled in receiving and encouraging the righteous and in punishing (the wicked). He knew whom to punish. He knew the right means of raising revenue and also expending money in the prescribed manner.

ശ്രൈഷ്ഠ്യം ശാസ്ത്രസമൂഹേഷു പ്രാപ്തോ വ്യാമിശ്രകേഷു ച.
അര്ഥധമൌ ച സങ്ഗൃഹ്യ സുഖതന്ത്രോ ന ചാലസഃ৷৷2.1.27৷৷

He obtained proficiency in scriptures and interconnected (mutually contradictory) branches of learning. Only after having grasped the (philosophy of) artha (statecraft) and dharma (righteousness), he sought pleasure. He was never indolent.

വൈഹാരികാണാം ശില്പാനാം വിജ്ഞാതാര്ഥവിഭാഗവിത്.
ആരോഹേ വിനയേ ചൈവ യുക്തോ വാരണവാജിനാമ്৷৷2.1.28৷৷

He had understanding of art and craft useful for entertainment. He knew proper ways of dispensing wealth. He was experienced in riding elephants and horses and in humbling them.

ധനുര്വേദവിദാം ശ്രേഷ്ഠോ ലോകേതിരഥസമ്മതഃ.
അഭിയാതാ പ്രഹര്താ ച സേനാനയവിശാരദഃ৷৷2.1.29৷৷

He was the best among those skilled in archery in this world. He was reckoned as a great wielder of war-chariots and one who strikes at the enemies by advancing towards them. He was an expert in commanding troops. (Atiratha is an excellent warrior who can manage his chariot, horses and the charioteer.)

അപ്രധൃഷ്യശ്ച സങ്ഗ്രാമേ ക്രുധ്ദൈരപി സുരാസുരൈഃ.

അനസൂയോ ജിതക്രോധോ ന ദൃപ്തോ ന ച മത്സരീ.
ന ചാവമന്താ ഭൂതാനാം ന ച കാലവശാനുഗഃ৷৷2.1.30৷৷

He was incapable of being repressed even by the enraged devatas or rakshasas in the battle. He was free from envy and had subdued his anger and pride. He was never malicious and he never slighted any living being nor did he bow to the pressure of time.

ഏവം ശ്രേഷ്ഠഗുണൈര്യുക്തഃ പ്രജാനാം പാര്ഥിവാത്മജഃ.
സമ്മതസ്ത്രിഷു ലോകേഷു വസുധായാഃ ക്ഷമാഗുണൈഃ৷৷2.1.31৷৷

ബുദ്ധ്യാ ബൃഹസ്പതേസ്തുല്യോ വീര്യേണാപി ശചീപതേഃ.

Thus endowed with such excellent qualities, the subjects in the three worlds held him in high esteem. In forbearance he was like the earth, in wisdom like Brihaspati and in prowess like the consort of Sachi (Indra).

തഥാ സര്വപ്രജാകാന്തൈഃ പ്രീതിസംജനനൈഃ പിതുഃ৷৷2.1.32৷৷
ഗുണൈര്വിരുരുചേ രാമോ ദീപ്തസ്സൂര്യ ഇവാംശുഭിഃ.

Rama whose virtues were cherished by all his subjects was a source of delight to his father and he shone like the rays of the resplendent Sun

തമേവം വ്രതസമ്പന്നമപ്രധൃഷ്യപരാക്രമമ്৷৷2.1.33৷৷
ലോക പാലോപമം നാഥമകാമയത മേദിനീ.

The earth desired him as her lord, for he was bestowed with such avowed virtues and with indomitable prowess equal to all the guardians of the quarters.

ഏതൈസ്തു ബഹുഭിര്യുക്തം ഗുണൈരനുപമൈസ്സുതമ്৷৷2.1.34৷৷
ദൃഷ്ട്വാ ദശരഥോ രാജാ ചക്രേ ചിന്താം പരന്തപഃ.

Observing his son endowed with such innumerable and incomparable virtues, king Dasaratha, subduer of enemies started thinking.

അഥ രാജ്ഞോ ബഭൂവൈവം വൃദ്ധസ്യ ചിരജീവിനഃ৷৷2.1.35৷৷
പ്രീതിരേഷാ കഥം രാമോ രാജാ സ്യാന്മയി ജീവതി.

Thereafter, flashed in the mind of that aged king who had (already) lived long this pleasant thought as to how Rama will become king while he was alive.

ഏഷാ ഹ്യസ്യ പരാ പ്രീതിര്ഹൃദി സംപരിവര്തതേ৷৷2.1.36৷৷
കദാ നാമ സുതം ദ്രക്ഷ്യാമ്യഭിഷിക്തമഹം പ്രിയമ്.

The thought of seeing his dear son coronated repeatedly surfaced his mind so great was his affection (for Rama).

വൃദ്ധികാമോ ഹി ലോകസ്യ സര്വഭൂതാനുകമ്പനഃ৷৷2.1.37৷৷
മത്തഃ പ്രിയതരോ ലോകേ പര്ജന്യ ഇവ വൃഷ്ടിമാന്.

(He said to himself) 'his (Rama's) only desire is to promote the prosperity of this world. He is one who shows compassion to all beings and is like the rain-god dearer than me to the people of the world'.

യമശക്രസമോ വീര്യേ ബൃഹസ്പതിസമോ മതൌ৷৷2.1.38৷৷
മഹീധരസമോ ധൃത്യാം മത്തശ്ച ഗുണവത്തരഃ.

'In prowess he is equal to Yama and Indra,in wisdom to Brihaspati and in firmness to a mountain and in virtues greater than me'.

മഹീമഹമിമാം കൃത്സ്നാമധിതിഷ്ഠന്തമാത്മജമ്৷৷2.1.39৷৷
അനേന വയസാ ദൃഷ്ട്വാ യഥാസ്വര്ഗമവാപ്നുയാമ്.

'Seeing my son ruling this entire dominion of the earth, I will experience the bliss of attaining heaven at this age.'

ഇത്യേതൈര്വിവിധൈസ്തൈസ്തൈരന്യപാര്ഥിവദുര്ലഭൈഃ৷৷2.1.40৷৷

ശിഷ്ടൈരപരിമേയൈശ്ച ലോകേ ലോകോത്തരൈര്ഗുണൈഃ.

തം സമീക്ഷ്യ മഹാരാജോ യുക്തം സമുദിതൈശ്ശുഭൈഃ৷৷2.1.41৷৷

നിശ്ചിത്യ സചിവൈസ്സാര്ധം യുവരാജമമന്യത.

King Dasaratha in consultation with his ministers observed that Rama is endowed with various virtues not found in other kings, immeasurable virtues which are praiseworthy, and exemplary. He is distinguished in this world as all qualities seem to have merged in him. The king then made up his mind to make him prince-regent.

ദിവ്യന്തരിക്ഷേ ഭൂമൌ ച ഘോരമുത്പാതജം ഭയമ്৷৷2.1.42৷৷
സ്ചചക്ഷേഥ മേധാവീ ശരീരേ ചാത്മനോ ജരാമ്.

The sagacious king, too perceived his body ageing and the portentous omens in the heaven, in the sky and on the earth causing dreadful concern.

പൂര്ണചന്ദ്രാനനസ്യാഥ ശോകാപനുദമാത്മനഃ৷৷2.1.43৷৷
ലോകേ രാമസ്യ ബുബുധേ സമ്പ്രിയത്വം മഹാത്മനഃ.

The king realised afterwards that his grief would be dispelled if noble Rama whose countenance resembled the full moon and who was a favourite of the people is crowned.

ആത്മനശ്ച പ്രജാനാം ച ശ്രേയസേ ച പ്രിയേണ ച৷৷2.1.44৷৷
പ്രാപ്തകാലേന ധര്മാത്മാ ഭക്ത്യാ ത്വരിതവാന് നൃപഃ.

Longing for it, the noble king realized that the time was ripe for the acceleration of the process of safeguarding his own and his subjects' welfare.

നാനാനഗരവാസ്തവ്യാന്പൃഥഗ്ജാനപദാനപി৷৷2.1.46৷৷
സമാനിനായ മേദിന്യാഃ പ്രധാനാന്പൃഥിവീപതീന്.

He summoned individually kings and all important citizens residing in various cities and villages of this earth.

ന തു കേകയരാജാനം ജനകം വാ നരാധിപഃ৷৷2.1.46৷৷
ത്വരയാ ചാനയാമാസ പശ്ചാത്തൌ ശ്രോഷ്യതഃ പ്രിയമ്.

The king did not invite both the kings of Kekaya and Janaka in haste with an intention that they would hear the glad news at a later date.

താന്വേശ്മനാനാഭരണൈര്യഥാര്ഹം പ്രതിപൂജിതാന്৷৷2.1.47৷৷
ദദര്ശാലങ്കൃതോ രാജാ പ്രജാപതിരിവ പ്രജാഃ.

The king who received them in a befitting manner and provided them with residence and ornaments looked like lord Brahma adorned by the people.

അഥോപവിഷ്ടേ നൃപതൌ തസ്മിന്പരബലാര്ദനേ৷৷2.1.48৷৷
തതഃ പ്രവിവിശു ശ്ശേഷാ രാജാനോ ലോകസമ്മതാഃ.

After the king (Dasaratha) who was a tormenter of enemy forces was seated, the rest of the kings beloved of their subjects entered (the assembly hall).

അഥ രാജവിതീര്ണേഷു വിവിധേഷ്വാസനേഷു ച৷৷2.1.49৷৷
രാജാനമേവാഭിമുഖാഃ നിഷേദുര്നിയതാ നൃപാഃ.

Then the kings (who entered the assembly) took the seats assigned to them facing the king (Dasaratha), following the royal tradition.

സലബ്ധമാനൈര്വിനയാന്വിതൈര്നൃപൈഃ
പുരാലയൈര്ജാനപദൈശ്ച മാനദൈഃ.

ഉപോപവിഷ്ടൈര്നൃപതിര്വൃതോ ബഭൌ
സഹസ്രചക്ഷുര്ഭഗവാനിവാമരൈഃ৷৷2.1.50৷৷

Surrounded by those feudatory kings endowed with modesty, and received with due honour and by the respectful residents of cities and villages, the king (Dasaratha), resembled lord Indra, the thousand- eyed encircled by the gods.

ഇത്യാര്ഷേ ശ്രീമദ്രാമായണേ വാല്മീകീയ ആദികാവ്യേ അയോധ്യാകാണ്ഡേ പ്രഥമസ്സര്ഗഃ.

Thus ends the first sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.