Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 1 of 119 · 51 verses
Rama’s Virtues; the King’s Resolve
Bharata, going to his uncle’s house, takes Shatrughna with him; they live there honoured and indulged by their uncle Ashvapati, yet both remember their aged father, and he remembers them. All four sons are dear to Dasharatha, like four arms of his own body, but Rama above all: Vishnu himself, born among men at the gods’ request to kill Ravana.
Valmiki describes Rama at length. He is always calm and speaks gently first; harsh words do not provoke him; one kindness pleases him, and a hundred injuries he does not remember. He keeps the company of elders in virtue, learning and age; he is wise, sweet-spoken, valiant but never vain of it, truthful, compassionate, free of anger, devoted to the poor. He knows the Vedas, the arts, archery, horses and elephants, policy, revenue, when to give and when to restrain. The people love him as he loves them. Seeing all this, and feeling his own age and seeing evil omens in sky and earth, Dasharatha longs to see Rama crowned while he still lives. He decides with his ministers to make Rama crown prince, and summons the leading men of the cities and countryside; in his haste he does not send for the king of Kekaya or for Janaka, thinking they will hear the good news later. The kings and citizens gather around him like the gods around Indra.
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गच्छता मातुलकुलं भरतेन तदानघः । शत्रुघ्नो नित्यशत्रुघ्नो नीतः प्रीतिपुरस्कृतः ॥ १ ॥
When Bharata went to his uncle’s family, the sinless Shatrughna, ever the slayer of enemies, was taken along by him with affection.
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Rama’s Virtues; the King’s Resolve 1 min read.
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स तत्र न्यवसद् भ्रात्रा सह सत्कारसत्कृतः । मातुलेनाश्वपतिना पुत्रस्नेहेन लालितः ॥ २ ॥
There he lived with his brother, honoured with every courtesy, cherished by his uncle Ashvapati with a father’s love.
तत्रापि निवसन्तौ तौ तर्प्यमाणौ च कामतः । भ्रातरौ स्मरतां वीरौ वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम् ॥ ३ ॥
Though they lived there, satisfied in every wish, the two heroic brothers remembered their aged father, King Dasharatha.
राजापि तौ महातेजाः सस्मार प्रोषितौ सुतौ । उभौ भरतशत्रुघ्नौ महेन्द्रवरुणोपमौ ॥ ४ ॥
And the radiant king too remembered his two absent sons, Bharata and Shatrughna, like great Indra and Varuna.
सर्व एव तु तस्येष्टाश्चत्वारः पुरुषर्षभाः । स्वशरीराद् विनिर्वृत्ताश्चत्वार इव बाहवः ॥ ५ ॥
All four of those bulls among men were dear to him, like four arms come forth from his own body.
तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरः पितुः । स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः ॥ ६ ॥
But among them the radiant Rama was his father’s delight, more virtuous than all, as the Self-born is among beings.
स हि देवैरुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थिभिः । अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुः सनातनः ॥ ७ ॥
For he was the eternal Vishnu, born in the world of men at the request of the gods, who sought the death of the arrogant Ravana.
कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा । यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना ॥ ८ ॥
Kausalya shone with that son of boundless splendour, as Aditi shone with the best of the gods, the wielder of the thunderbolt.
स हि रूपोपपन्नश्च वीर्यवाननसूयकः । भूमावनुपमः सूनुर्गुणैर्दशरथोपमः ॥ ९ ॥
He was handsome, valiant and free of envy; on earth a son without equal, like Dasharatha in his virtues.
स च नित्यं प्रशान्तात्मा मृदुपूर्वं च भाषते । उच्यमानोऽपि परुषं नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्यते ॥ १० ॥
He was always calm in mind and spoke gently first; even when spoken to harshly, he did not answer back.
कदाचिदुपकारेण कृतेनैकेन तुष्यति । न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तया ॥ ११ ॥
He was pleased by a single kindness done to him, and, being self-possessed, did not remember even a hundred injuries.
शीलवृद्धैर्ज्ञानवृद्धैर्वयोवृद्धैश्च सज्जनैः । कथयन्नास्त वै नित्यमस्त्रयोग्यान्तरेष्वपि ॥ १२ ॥
Even between his practice of arms he always sat talking with good men, elders in conduct, in knowledge and in age.
बुद्धिमान् मधुराभाषी पूर्वभाषी प्रियंवदः । वीर्यवान्न च वीर्येण महता स्वेन विस्मितः ॥ १३ ॥
He was wise, sweet of speech, the first to speak, and kind in what he said; valiant, yet not proud of his own great valour.
न चानृतकथो विद्वान् वृद्धानां प्रतिपूजकः । अनुरक्तः प्रजाभिश्च प्रजाश्चाप्यनुरज्यते ॥ १४ ॥
He did not speak falsehood; he was learned and honoured the elders. He was devoted to the people, and the people were devoted to him.
सानुक्रोशो जितक्रोधो ब्राह्मणप्रतिपूजकः । दीनानुकम्पी धर्मज्ञो नित्यं प्रग्रहवान् शुचिः ॥ १५ ॥
He was compassionate, had conquered anger, honoured brahmanas, pitied the wretched, knew dharma, was always restrained and pure.
कुलोचितमतिः क्षात्रं स्वधर्मं बहु मन्यते । मन्यते परया प्रीत्या महत् स्वर्गफलं ततः ॥ १६ ॥
With a mind befitting his family, he greatly valued his own dharma as a kshatriya, and thought it brought great reward in heaven.
नाश्रेयसि रतो यश्च न विरुद्धकथारुचिः । उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तीनां वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा ॥ १७ ॥
He took no delight in what was not good, nor any pleasure in talk against dharma; in argument upon argument he spoke like Vachaspati.
अरोगस्तरुणो वाग्मी वपुष्मान् देशकालवित् । लोके पुरुषसारज्ञः साधुरेको विनिर्मितः ॥ १८ ॥
Healthy, young, eloquent, handsome, knowing time and place, knowing the worth of men in the world, he was a good man made as one of a kind.
स तु श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः । बहिश्चर इव प्राणो बभूव गुणतः प्रियः ॥ १९ ॥
Endowed with the best of virtues, the prince was dear to the people for his virtues, like their own breath walking outside them.
सर्वविद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत् साङ्गवेदवित् । इष्वस्त्रे च पितुः श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः ॥ २० ॥
Having completed his study and vows in every science, knowing the Vedas with their limbs as they should be known, Bharata’s elder brother surpassed even his father in archery.
कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनः सत्यवागृजुः । वृद्धैरभिविनीतश्च द्विजैर्धर्मार्थदर्शिभिः ॥ २१ ॥
Of noble birth, good, never mean in spirit, truthful and straightforward, he was trained by elders and by brahmanas who saw into dharma and wealth.
धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान् । लौकिके समयाचारे कृतकल्पो विशारदः ॥ २२ ॥
He knew the essence of dharma, pleasure and wealth; had a sure memory and quick insight; was skilled and expert in the customs and conduct of the world;
निभृतः संवृताकारो गुप्तमन्त्रः सहायवान् । अमोघक्रोधहर्षश्च त्यागसंयमकालवित् ॥ २३ ॥
modest, his feelings hidden, keeping counsel secret, rich in helpers; his anger and his favour never in vain; knowing the time to give and the time to hold back;
दृढभक्तिः स्थिरप्रज्ञो नासद्ग्राही न दुर्वचः । निस्तन्द्रीरप्रमत्तश्च स्वदोषपरदोषवित् ॥ २४ ॥
firm in devotion, steady in wisdom, not grasping at the wrong, not harsh in speech, tireless and vigilant, knowing his own faults and those of others;
शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः । यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः ॥ २५ ॥
सत्संग्रहानुग्रहणे स्थानविन्निग्रहस्य च । आयकर्मण्युपायज्ञः संदृष्टव्ययकर्मवित् ॥ २६ ॥
versed in the shastras, grateful, a judge of men; wise in when to restrain and when to favour, as was just; knowing how to gather and support the good and where to punish; skilled in the means of revenue, and knowing how expenditure should be seen to;
श्रैष्ठ्यं चास्त्रसमूहेषु प्राप्तो व्यामिश्रकेषु च । अर्थधर्मौ च संगृह्य सुखतन्त्रो न चालसः ॥ २७ ॥
he had attained excellence in the hosts of weapons and in mixed combat; attending to wealth and dharma, he took his pleasure without being idle;
वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञातार्थविभागवित् । आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तो वारणवाजिनाम् ॥ २८ ॥
he knew the arts of recreation and how to divide wealth; he was skilled in riding and training elephants and horses;
धनुर्वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः । अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः ॥ २९ ॥
best of those who know archery, esteemed in the world as a great chariot warrior; one who attacks and strikes, skilled in leading armies;
अप्रधृष्यश्च संग्रामे क्रुद्धैरपि सुरासुरैः । अनसूयो जितक्रोधो न दृप्तो न च मत्सरी ॥ ३० ॥
unassailable in battle even by gods and asuras in their anger; free of envy, anger conquered, not proud and not jealous;
नावज्ञेयश्च भूतानां न च कालवशानुगः । एवं श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः ॥ ३१ ॥
not to be despised by any being, and not under the sway of time. So endowed with the best of virtues, the prince was
सम्मतस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः । बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये चापि शचीपतेः ॥ ३२ ॥
esteemed in the three worlds; in patience like the earth, in wisdom equal to Brihaspati, and in valour equal to the lord of Shachi.
तथा सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैः पितुः । गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः ॥ ३३ ॥
With such virtues, delightful to all the people and kindling his father’s love, Rama shone like the blazing sun with its rays.
तमेवंवृत्तसम्पन्नमप्रधृष्यपराक्रमम् । लोकनाथोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी ॥ ३४ ॥
Him, so rich in conduct, of unassailable valour, a lord like the lords of the world, the earth desired for her lord.
एतैस्तु बहुभिर्युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैः सुतम् । दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परंतपः ॥ ३५ ॥
Seeing his son endowed with these many matchless virtues, King Dasharatha, scorcher of enemies, began to think.
अथ राज्ञो बभूवैव वृद्धस्य चिरजीविनः । प्रीतिरेषा कथं रामो राजा स्यान्मयि जीवति ॥ ३६ ॥
This joyful thought came to the aged, long-lived king: “How may Rama become king while I am still alive?”
एषा ह्यस्य परा प्रीतिर्हृदि सम्परिवर्तते । कदा नाम सुतं द्रक्ष्याम्यभिषिक्तमहं प्रियम् ॥ ३७ ॥
This was his greatest joy, turning over in his heart: “When shall I see my beloved son consecrated?
वृद्धिकामो हि लोकस्य सर्वभूतानुकम्पकः । मत्तः प्रियतरो लोके पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान् ॥ ३८ ॥
“He desires the prosperity of the world and has compassion for all beings; he is dearer to the world than I, like a raining cloud.
यमशक्रसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ । महीधरसमो धृत्यां मत्तश्च गुणवत्तरः ॥ ३९ ॥
“In valour he equals Yama and Shakra, in wisdom Brihaspati, in steadiness the mountain; and he is richer in virtues than I.
महीमहमिमां कृत्स्नामधितिष्ठन्तमात्मजम् । अनेन वयसा दृष्ट्वा यथा स्वर्गमवाप्नुयाम् ॥ ४० ॥
“If at this age I may see my son ruling this whole earth, I shall reach heaven content.”
इत्येवं विविधैस्तैस्तैरन्यपार्थिवदुर्लभैः । शिष्टैरपरिमेयैश्च लोके लोकोत्तरैर्गुणैः ॥ ४१ ॥
तं समीक्ष्य तदा राजा युक्तं समुदितैर्गुणैः । निश्चित्य सचिवैः सार्धं यौवराज्यममन्यत ॥ ४२ ॥
Seeing him then endowed with such varied virtues, hard for other kings to find, refined, immeasurable, beyond the world’s measure, the king decided with his ministers and resolved on making him crown prince.
दिव्यन्तरिक्षे भूमौ च घोरमुत्पातजं भयम् । संचचक्षेऽथ मेधावी शरीरे चात्मनो जराम् ॥ ४३ ॥
The wise king perceived dreadful, portentous dangers in the sky, the air and the earth, and age in his own body.
पूर्णचन्द्राननस्याथ शोकापनुदमात्मनः । लोके रामस्य बुबुधे सम्प्रियत्वं महात्मनः ॥ ४४ ॥
And he knew that great-souled Rama, his face like the full moon, was beloved of the world and a remover of his own grief.
आत्मनश्च प्रजानां च श्रेयसे च प्रियेण च । प्राप्ते काले स धर्मात्मा भक्त्या त्वरितवान् नृपः ॥ ४५ ॥
For his own good and his people’s, and out of love, when the time came, the righteous king, in devotion, hastened.
नानानगरवास्तव्यान् पृथग्जानपदानपि । समानिनाय मेदिन्यां प्रधानान् पृथिवीपतिः ॥ ४६ ॥
The lord of the earth summoned the leading men from many cities and, separately, from the countryside, from all the land.
तान् वेश्मनानाभरणैर्यथार्हं प्रतिपूजितान् । ददर्शालंकृतो राजा प्रजापतिरिव प्रजाः ॥ ४७ ॥
Adorned, the king saw them, lodged and honoured with ornaments as was fitting, like Prajapati seeing his creatures.
न तु केकयराजानं जनकं वा नराधिपः । त्वरया चानयामास पश्चात्तौ श्रोष्यतः प्रियम् ॥ ४८ ॥
But in his haste the lord of men did not send for the king of Kekaya or for Janaka: those two would hear the good news later.
अथोपविष्टे नृपतौ तस्मिन् परपुरार्दने । ततः प्रविविशुः शेषा राजानो लोकसम्मताः ॥ ४९ ॥
When the king, crusher of enemy cities, had taken his seat, the other kings, respected by the people, entered.
अथ राजवितीर्णेषु विविधेष्वासनेषु च । राजानमेवाभिमुखा निषेदुर्नियता नृपाः ॥ ५० ॥
Then, on the various seats the king had assigned, the kings sat, restrained, facing the king.
स लब्धमानैर्विनयान्वितैर्नृपैः पुरालयैर्जानपदैश्च मानवैः । उपोपविष्टैर्नृपतिर्वृतो बभौ सहस्रचक्षुर्भगवानिवामरैः ॥ ५१ ॥
Surrounded by the honoured and courteous kings and by the men of the cities and countryside seated close by, the king shone like the blessed thousand-eyed one among the immortals.