Bala Kanda · Sarga 50 of 77 · 25 verses
Arrival at Janaka’s Sacrifice
Going north-east, the travellers reach Janaka’s sacrificial ground. Rama admires its richness: thousands of learned brahmanas from many lands, camps of sages crowded with hundreds of carts. Vishvamitra settles them in a secluded spot with water.
Hearing of Vishvamitra’s arrival, King Janaka comes out at once with his family priest Shatananda and his priests, bearing the guest offering, humble and respectful. He asks after the sage’s welfare, seats him, and says: today the gods have made his sacrifice fruitful, since he has seen Vishvamitra. The consecration lasts twelve days; then the sage will see the gods come for their shares. Then, palms joined, he asks about the two youths, godlike, with lotus eyes, swords, quivers and bows, alike in every gesture, with boyish side-locks, who walk here on foot: whose sons are they? Vishvamitra tells him: they are Dasharatha’s sons, and he relates their stay at Siddhashrama, the killing of the rakshasas, the journey, Vishala, the meeting with Ahalya and Gautama, and that they have come to test the great bow.
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ततः प्रागुत्तरां गत्वा रामः सौमित्रिणा सह । विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञवाटमुपागमत् ॥ १ ॥
Then, going north-east, Rama with Saumitri, with Vishvamitra before them, reached the sacrificial enclosure.
फिर उत्तर-पूर्व की ओर जाते हुए, विश्वामित्र को आगे करके, सौमित्रि के साथ राम यज्ञशाला पहुँचे।
Commentary on the whole sarga
Arrival at Janaka’s Sacrifice 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture They reach Janaka’s sacrificial enclosure, going north-east, the sacred direction. The journey that began in Ayodhya has arrived where it was always going.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
रामस्तु मुनिशार्दूलमुवाच सहलक्ष्मणः । साध्वी यज्ञसमृद्धिर्हि जनकस्य महात्मनः ॥ २ ॥
Rama with Lakshmana said to the tiger among sages: “Truly splendid is the richness of great-souled Janaka’s sacrifice.
लक्ष्मण सहित राम ने मुनिसिंह से कहा: “महात्मा जनक के यज्ञ की समृद्धि सचमुच शानदार है।
CommentaryNot scripture Rama admires the richness of the sacrifice. He has seen his father’s great rite; now he sees another king’s. Janaka is famous across India for learning and generosity.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
बहूनीह सहस्राणि नानादेशनिवासिनाम् । ब्राह्मणानां महाभाग वेदाध्ययनशालिनाम् ॥ ३ ॥
“Here are many thousands of brahmanas from many lands, fortunate one, devoted to Vedic study,
“भाग्यशाली, यहाँ अनेक देशों से आए वेदाध्ययन में लगे हज़ारों ब्राह्मण हैं,
CommentaryNot scripture Thousands of brahmanas “from many lands”: Mithila is a centre of Vedic learning. The Upanishads tell of Janaka’s court as a place where sages debated the deepest questions.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
ऋषिवाटाश्च दृश्यन्ते शकटीशतसंकुलाः । देशो विधीयतां ब्रह्मन् यत्र वत्स्यामहे वयम् ॥ ४ ॥
“and the camps of sages are seen crowded with hundreds of carts. Let a place be arranged, brahmana, where we may stay.”
“और मुनियों के पड़ाव सैकड़ों गाड़ियों से भरे दिखते हैं। ब्राह्मण, ऐसे स्थान की व्यवस्था हो जहाँ हम ठहर सकें।”
CommentaryNot scripture Rama asks practically for a place to stay. He is not a prince who expects to be served; he thinks of their needs.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः । निवासमकरोद् देशे विविक्ते सलिलान्विते ॥ ५ ॥
Hearing Rama’s words, the great sage Vishvamitra made their camp in a secluded place with water.
राम के वचन सुनकर महामुनि विश्वामित्र ने जल वाले एकांत स्थान में अपना पड़ाव डाला।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra chooses a secluded place with water. Sages prefer quiet to grandeur.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
विश्वामित्रमनुप्राप्तं श्रुत्वा नृपवरस्तदा । शतानन्दं पुरस्कृत्य पुरोहितमनिन्दितः ॥ ६ ॥
ऋत्विजोऽपि महात्मानस्त्वर्घ्यमादाय सत्वरम् । प्रत्युज्जगाम सहसा विनयेन समन्वितः ॥ ७ ॥
Hearing that Vishvamitra had arrived, the best of kings, the faultless one, putting his family priest Shatananda before him, with his great-souled priests carrying the guest offering, came out quickly to meet him, full of humility.
विश्वामित्र के आने की बात सुनकर राजाओं में श्रेष्ठ, निर्दोष राजा अपने कुलपुरोहित शतानंद को आगे करके, अर्घ्य लिए अपने महात्मा पुरोहितों के साथ, पूरी विनम्रता से जल्दी उनसे मिलने बाहर आए।
CommentaryNot scripture Janaka comes out at once, with Shatananda, his family priest, in front. Shatananda is the son of Gautama and Ahalya. He will be overjoyed in the next sarga to hear of his mother’s release.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
विश्वामित्राय धर्मेण ददौ धर्मपुरस्कृतम् । प्रतिगृह्य तु तां पूजां जनकस्य महात्मनः ॥ ८ ॥
पप्रच्छ कुशलं राज्ञो यज्ञस्य च निरामयम् । स तांश्चाथ मुनीन् पृष्ट्वा सोपाध्यायपुरोधसः ॥ ९ ॥
He gave Vishvamitra the offering duly, with dharma foremost. Receiving the honour from great-souled Janaka, he asked after the king’s welfare and the smooth progress of the sacrifice. Having asked after those sages, and the teachers and priests,
उन्होंने धर्म को आगे रखते हुए विधि से विश्वामित्र को अर्घ्य दिया। महात्मा जनक से सम्मान पाकर उन्होंने राजा का कुशल और यज्ञ के निर्विघ्न चलने के बारे में पूछा। उन मुनियों, और आचार्यों तथा पुरोहितों का कुशल पूछकर,
CommentaryNot scripture Janaka gives the guest offering “with dharma foremost”. Vishvamitra asks after the king and the sacrifice. These exchanges of courtesy are the language of respect in this world.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
यथार्हमृषिभिः सर्वैः समागच्छत् प्रहृष्टवत् । अथ राजा मुनिश्रेष्ठं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत ॥ १० ॥
he met all the sages as was fitting, joyfully. Then the king, with joined palms, said to the best of sages:
वे यथोचित रीति से सब मुनियों से प्रसन्नता से मिले। तब राजा ने हाथ जोड़कर मुनिश्रेष्ठ से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra greets all the sages “joyfully”. A happy arrival.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
आसने भगवानास्तां सहैभिर्मुनिपुंगवैः । जनकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा निषसाद महामुनिः ॥ ११ ॥
“Let the lord sit on this seat with these foremost sages.” Hearing Janaka’s words, the great sage sat down.
“भगवन इन श्रेष्ठ मुनियों के साथ इस आसन पर विराजें।” जनक के वचन सुनकर महामुनि बैठ गए।
CommentaryNot scripture “Let the lord sit.” The king offers the seat of honour. Janaka, himself a famous royal sage, honours the brahmarshi.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
पुरोधा ऋत्विजश्चैव राजा च सहमन्त्रिभिः । आसनेषु यथान्यायमुपविष्टाः समन्ततः ॥ १२ ॥
The family priest, the officiants, and the king with his ministers took their seats in due order all around.
कुलपुरोहित, ऋत्विज, और मंत्रियों सहित राजा क्रम से चारों ओर बैठ गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Everyone sits in order around them. The scene is formal and warm.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka of Mithila comes out with his priest Shatananda to welcome Vishvamitra to his great sacrifice.
दृष्ट्वा स नृपतिस्तत्र विश्वामित्रमथाब्रवीत् । अद्य यज्ञसमृद्धिर्मे सफला दैवतैः कृता ॥ १३ ॥
Looking at Vishvamitra there, the king said: “Today the gods have made the richness of my sacrifice fruitful.
वहाँ विश्वामित्र की ओर देखकर राजा ने कहा: “आज देवताओं ने मेरे यज्ञ की समृद्धि को सफल कर दिया।
CommentaryNot scripture “Today the gods have made my sacrifice fruitful.” The arrival of a great sage is itself the fruit of the rite.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
अद्य यज्ञफलं प्राप्तं भगवद्दर्शनान्मया । धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यस्य मे मुनिपुंगवः ॥ १४ ॥
यज्ञोपसदनं ब्रह्मन् प्राप्तोऽसि मुनिभिः सह । द्वादशाहं तु ब्रह्मर्षे दीक्षामाहुर्मनीषिणः ॥ १५ ॥
“Today I have gained the fruit of my sacrifice by seeing you, lord. I am blessed, I am favoured, since you, foremost of sages, have come to the place of my sacrifice with the sages, brahmana. The wise say the consecration lasts twelve days, brahmarshi;
“भगवन, आपके दर्शन से आज मैंने अपने यज्ञ का फल पा लिया। मुनिश्रेष्ठ, ब्राह्मण, मैं धन्य हूँ, मुझ पर कृपा हुई है, क्योंकि आप मुनियों के साथ मेरे यज्ञ स्थान पर आए। ब्रह्मर्षि, विद्वान कहते हैं कि दीक्षा बारह दिन चलती है;
CommentaryNot scripture “I am blessed.” Janaka repeats the praise Dasharatha and Sumati gave. Then he explains: the consecration lasts twelve days.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
ततो भागार्थिनो देवान् द्रष्टुमर्हसि कौशिक । इत्युक्त्वा मुनिशार्दूलं प्रहृष्टवदनस्तदा ॥ १६ ॥
पुनस्तं परिपप्रच्छ प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतो नृपः । इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ ॥ १७ ॥
“then, Kaushika, you will see the gods who come for their shares.” Having said this to the tiger among sages, his face bright with joy, the king, palms joined and composed, asked him again: “These two youths, bless you, of valour like the gods’,
“कौशिक, उसके बाद आप अपने भाग लेने आते देवताओं को देखेंगे।” मुनिसिंह से यह कहकर, प्रसन्न मुख वाले राजा ने हाथ जोड़कर, संयत होकर उनसे फिर पूछा: “आपका कल्याण हो, ये दोनों युवक देवताओं जैसे पराक्रमी,
CommentaryNot scripture “Then you will see the gods come for their shares.” Janaka invites Vishvamitra to stay. And then, like everyone else, he cannot help asking about the two boys.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
गजतुल्यगती वीरौ शार्दूलवृषभोपमौ । पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षौ खड्गतूणीधनुर्धरौ । अश्विनाविव रूपेण समुपस्थितयौवनौ ॥ १८ ॥
“heroes walking like elephants, like tigers and bulls, with large eyes like lotus petals, bearing swords, quivers and bows, like the Ashvins in beauty, just come into youth,
“हाथियों जैसी चाल वाले, बाघों और बैलों जैसे वीर, कमल की पंखुड़ियों जैसी बड़ी आँखों वाले, तलवार, तरकश और धनुष धारण किए, सौंदर्य में अश्विनीकुमारों जैसे, अभी-अभी युवावस्था में आए,
CommentaryNot scripture Janaka’s description of the princes repeats Sumati’s almost word for word. Valmiki uses the repetition on purpose: everyone who sees them sees the same thing.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
यदृच्छयेव गां प्राप्तौ देवलोकादिवामरौ । कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने ॥ १९ ॥
“as if two immortals had come to earth from the world of the gods by chance: how have they come here on foot, for what purpose, and whose sons are they, sage?
“मानो दो अमर देवलोक से संयोग से पृथ्वी पर आ गए हों: मुनि, ये पैदल यहाँ कैसे आए, किस प्रयोजन से, और किसके पुत्र हैं?
CommentaryNot scripture “As if two immortals had come to earth.” Janaka, a man of deep wisdom, also senses their divinity.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
वरायुधधरौ वीरौ कस्य पुत्रौ महामुने । भूषयन्ताविमं देशं चन्द्रसूर्याविवाम्बरम् ॥ २० ॥
“Heroes bearing fine weapons: whose sons are they, great sage? They adorn this land as the moon and sun adorn the sky,
“उत्तम हथियार धारण किए ये वीर, महामुनि, किसके पुत्र हैं? ये इस भूमि को वैसे ही शोभित करते हैं जैसे चंद्रमा और सूर्य आकाश को,
CommentaryNot scripture “They adorn this land as the moon and sun adorn the sky.” Janaka puts the moon first, Sumati the sun. Small variations in a repeated passage, typical of oral poetry.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
परस्परस्य सदृशौ प्रमाणेङ्गितचेष्टितैः । काकपक्षधरौ वीरौ श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः ॥ २१ ॥
“alike to each other in build, gesture and movement, heroes wearing the side-locks of boys. I wish to hear it truly.”
“शरीर, चेष्टा और चाल में एक-दूसरे जैसे, काकपक्ष धारण किए वीर। मैं यह सच-सच सुनना चाहता हूँ।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Heroes wearing the side-locks of boys” (kaka-paksha-dhara ). Janaka notes how young they are. He is looking at the boy who will become his son-in-law, and does not yet know it.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा जनकस्य महात्मनः । न्यवेदयदमेयात्मा पुत्रौ दशरथस्य तौ ॥ २२ ॥
Hearing these words of great-souled Janaka, the immeasurable one told him they were the two sons of Dasharatha;
महात्मा जनक के ये वचन सुनकर अपार प्रभाव वाले विश्वामित्र ने बताया कि वे दशरथ के दो पुत्र हैं;
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra tells him: they are Dasharatha’s sons. Janaka now knows their family. Mithila and Ayodhya, two great houses, are about to be joined.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
सिद्धाश्रमनिवासं च राक्षसानां वधं तथा । तत्रागमनमव्यग्रं विशालायाश्च दर्शनम् ॥ २३ ॥
their stay at Siddhashrama and the killing of the rakshasas, their untroubled journey there and the sight of Vishala,
सिद्धाश्रम में उनका रहना और राक्षसों का वध, वहाँ तक उनकी निर्विघ्न यात्रा और विशाला के दर्शन,
CommentaryNot scripture Siddhashrama, the slain rakshasas, the safe journey, Vishala. Vishvamitra summarises the whole adventure.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
अहल्यादर्शनं चैव गौतमेन समागमम् । महाधनुषि जिज्ञासां कर्तुमागमनं तथा ॥ २४ ॥
the sight of Ahalya and the meeting with Gautama, and their coming to make a trial of the great bow.
अहल्या के दर्शन और गौतम से भेंट, और महान धनुष की परीक्षा लेने के लिए उनका आना।
CommentaryNot scripture Ahalya and Gautama, and “their coming to make a trial of the great bow”. The real purpose is now spoken aloud. The bow that no king could string is waiting.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
एतत् सर्वं महातेजा जनकाय महात्मने । निवेद्य विररामाथ विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः ॥ २५ ॥
Having told all this to great-souled Janaka, the radiant great sage Vishvamitra fell silent.
महात्मा जनक को यह सब बताकर तेजस्वी महामुनि विश्वामित्र चुप हो गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra falls silent. The story has been told. Now it is Shatananda’s turn to speak, and he has a great deal to say about this sage.
Scene 2 of 2 · Janaka gazes at the two young princes and asks whose sons they are, as alike as the moon and the sun.
