Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 15 of 119 · 48 verses
Sumantra Goes to Fetch Rama
After the night, the brahmanas learned in the Vedas, the royal priests, ministers, army chiefs and leading merchants gather at the audience hall, delighted, for Rama’s consecration. The sun has risen clear, Pushya has come, Cancer, Rama’s birth sign, is rising. Everything is ready: golden water jars, a decorated throne, a chariot spread with a shining tiger skin, water from the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna and from every holy river, lake, well and ocean, honey, curd, ghee, grain, darbha, flowers and milk, eight lovely maidens, a rutting elephant, gold and silver pots covered with leaves and full of lotuses, the jewelled white whisk and the moon-white umbrella, a white bull and a white horse, all the music and the bards. But the king does not appear, and they ask: “Who will tell the king? The sun is up.”
Sumantra, honoured by the king, tells them he is on his way to fetch Rama by the king’s order, but will ask on their behalf why the king, now awake, has not come. He goes back into the inner apartments, stands by the curtain of the king’s bed and praises him again. The king, awake, says: “I told you, charioteer: bring Rama. Why is my order delayed? I am not asleep. Bring Raghava quickly.” Sumantra bows and leaves, thinking great joy is coming. He drives along the bannered royal road, hearing everyone talk happily of Rama’s consecration, and reaches Rama’s palace: like Kailasa or Indra’s abode, with great doors, a hundred terraces, gold statues, jewelled arches, pearls and coral, sandal and aloe, cranes and peacocks calling, carved deer and fine woodwork, crowded with country people bearing gifts and waiting with joined palms, and with Shatrunjaya, Rama’s great mountain-like elephant, standing ready. Unchallenged, Sumantra enters, like a makara into the ocean.
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ते तु तां रजनीमुष्य ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः । उपतस्थुरुपस्थानं सह राजपुरोहिताः ॥ १ ॥
After that night, the brahmanas, masters of the Vedas, with the royal priests, came to the audience hall,
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अमात्या बलमुख्याश्च मुख्या ये निगमस्य च । राघवस्याभिषेकार्थे प्रीयमाणाः सुसंगताः ॥ २ ॥
and the ministers, army chiefs and the leaders of the merchants, joyfully assembled for Raghava’s consecration.
उदिते विमले सूर्ये पुष्ये चाभ्यागतेऽहनि । लग्ने कर्कटके प्राप्ते जन्म रामस्य च स्थिते ॥ ३ ॥
The sun had risen clear, the day of Pushya had come, the sign of Cancer was rising, in which Rama was born.
अभिषेकाय रामस्य द्विजेन्द्रैरुपकल्पितम् । काञ्चना जलकुम्भाश्च भद्रपीठं स्वलंकृतम् ॥ ४ ॥
For Rama’s consecration the best of brahmanas had prepared golden water jars and a well-adorned throne,
रथश्च सम्यगास्तीर्णो भास्वता व्याघ्रचर्मणा । गङ्गायमुनयोः पुण्यात् संगमादाहृतं जलम् ॥ ५ ॥
a chariot properly covered with a shining tiger skin, water brought from the holy confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna,
याश्चान्याः सरितः पुण्या ह्रदाः कूपाः सरांसि च । प्राग्वहाश्चोर्ध्ववाहाश्च तिर्यग्वाहाश्च क्षीरिणः ॥ ६ ॥
ताभ्यश्चैवाहृतं तोयं समुद्रेभ्यश्च सर्वशः । क्षौद्रं दधि घृतं लाजा दर्भाः सुमनसः पयः ॥ ७ ॥
water brought from the other holy rivers, lakes, wells and pools, from those that flow east, those that flow upward and those that flow across, from the milky ones, and from all the oceans; honey, curd, ghee, parched grain, darbha grass, flowers and milk;
अष्टौ च कन्या रुचिरा मत्तश्च वरवारणः । सजलाः क्षीरिभिश्छन्ना घटाः काञ्चनराजताः ॥ ८ ॥
पद्मोत्पलयुता भान्ति पूर्णाः परमवारिणा । चन्द्रांशुविकचप्रख्यं पाण्डुरं रत्नभूषितम् ॥ ९ ॥
eight lovely maidens and a fine rutting elephant; gold and silver jars filled with water, covered with leaves of milky trees, with lotuses and water lilies, full of the best water, shining. The excellent white whisk, jewelled, like the blooming of moonbeams,
सज्जं तिष्ठति रामस्य वालव्यजनमुत्तमम् । चन्द्रमण्डलसंकाशमातपत्रं च पाण्डुरम् ॥ १० ॥
सज्जं द्युतिकरं श्रीमदभिषेकपुरस्सरम् । पाण्डुरश्च वृषः सज्जः पाण्डुराश्वश्च संस्थितः ॥ ११ ॥
stood ready for Rama, and the white umbrella like the moon’s disc, ready, radiant and splendid, to go before the consecration. A white bull stood ready and a white horse was in place,
वादित्राणि च सर्वाणि वन्दिनश्च तथापरे । इक्ष्वाकूणां यथा राज्ये सम्भ्रियेताभिषेचनम् ॥ १२ ॥
तथाजातीयमादाय राजपुत्राभिषेचनम् । ते राजवचनात् तत्र समवेता महीपतिम् ॥ १३ ॥
and all the instruments and the panegyrists and others. As the consecration was prepared in the kingdom of the Ikshvakus, so, bringing what belonged to the consecration of a king’s son, they assembled there at the king’s word,
अपश्यन्तोऽब्रुवन् को नु राज्ञो नः प्रतिवेदयेत् । न पश्यामश्च राजानमुदितश्च दिवाकरः ॥ १४ ॥
यौवराज्याभिषेकश्च सज्जो रामस्य धीमतः । इति तेषु ब्रुवाणेषु सर्वांस्तांश्च महीपतीन् ॥ १५ ॥
and, not seeing the lord of the earth, they said: “Who will tell the king about us? We do not see the king, and the sun has risen, and the consecration of wise Rama as crown prince is ready.” As they were speaking so, Sumantra, honoured by the king, said to all those lords of the earth:
अब्रवीत् तानिदं वाक्यं सुमन्त्रो राजसत्कृतः । रामं राज्ञो नियोगेन त्वरया प्रस्थितो ह्यहम् ॥ १६ ॥
पूज्या राज्ञो भवन्तश्च रामस्य तु विशेषतः । अयं पृच्छामि वचनात् सुखमायुष्मतामहम् ॥ १७ ॥
“By the king’s command I have set out in haste for Rama. You are to be honoured by the king, and especially by Rama. At your word I will ask the king, who is happy, of the long-lived:
राज्ञः सम्प्रतिबुद्धस्य चानागमनकारणम् । इत्युक्त्वान्तःपुरद्वारमाजगाम पुराणवित् ॥ १८ ॥
सदा सक्तं च तद् वेश्म सुमन्त्रः प्रविवेश ह । तुष्टावास्य तदा वंशं प्रविश्य स विशाम्पतेः ॥ १९ ॥
“why he has not come, now that he is awake.” Having said this, the one who knew ancient ways came to the door of the inner apartments and entered that house, always open to him. Entering, he praised the lineage of the lord of the people,
शयनीयं नरेन्द्रस्य तदासाद्य व्यतिष्ठत । सोऽत्यासाद्य तु तद् वेश्म तिरस्करणिमन्तरा ॥ २० ॥
आशीर्भिर्गुणयुक्ताभिरभितुष्टाव राघवम् । सोमसूर्यौ च काकुत्स्थ शिववैश्रवणावपि ॥ २१ ॥
approached the king’s bed and stood there. Coming very near that chamber, with the curtain between, he praised Raghava with blessings full of virtue: “May the moon and sun, Shiva and Vaishravana,
वरुणश्चाग्निरिन्द्रश्च विजयं प्रदिशन्तु ते । गता भगवती रात्रिरहः शिवमुपस्थितम् ॥ २२ ॥
बुद्ध्यस्व राजशार्दूल कुरु कार्यमनन्तरम् । ब्राह्मणा बलमुख्याश्च नैगमाश्चागतास्त्विह ॥ २३ ॥
“Varuna, Agni and Indra grant you victory, Kakutstha. The blessed night is gone; an auspicious day is here. Wake, tiger among kings, and do what comes next. The brahmanas, army chiefs and merchants have come here;
दर्शनं तेऽभिकांक्षन्ते प्रतिबुद्ध्यस्व राघव । स्तुवन्तं तं तदा सूतं सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रकोविदम् ॥ २४ ॥
प्रतिबुद्ध्य ततो राजा इदं वचनमब्रवीत् । राममानय सूतेति यदस्यभिहितो मया ॥ २५ ॥
“they long to see you; wake, Raghava.” Waking then, the king said to the charioteer Sumantra, skilled in counsel, as he praised him: “Bring Rama, charioteer, as I told you.
किमिदं कारणं येन ममाज्ञा प्रतिवाह्यते । न चैव सम्प्रसुप्तोऽहमानयेहाशु राघवम् ॥ २६ ॥
“What is the reason my order is being delayed? I am not asleep; bring Raghava here quickly.”
इति राजा दशरथः सूतं तत्रान्वशात् पुनः । स राजवचनं श्रुत्वा शिरसा प्रतिपूज्य तम् ॥ २७ ॥
निर्जगाम नृपावासान्मन्यमानः प्रियं महत् । प्रपन्नो राजमार्गं च पताकाध्वजशोभितम् ॥ २८ ॥
So King Dasharatha instructed the charioteer again. Hearing the king’s words, honouring him with a bow of the head, he went out of the king’s dwelling, thinking it great good news. Reaching the royal road adorned with banners and flags,
हृष्टः प्रमुदितः सूतो जगामाशु विलोकयन् । स सूतस्तत्र शुश्राव रामाधिकरणाः कथाः ॥ २९ ॥
अभिषेचनसंयुक्ताः सर्वलोकस्य हृष्टवत् । ततो ददर्श रुचिरं कैलाससदृशप्रभम् ॥ ३० ॥
the charioteer, glad and delighted, went quickly, looking about. There the charioteer heard talk about Rama, about the consecration, from all the people, joyfully. Then he saw lovely Rama’s house, shining like Kailasa,
रामवेश्म सुमन्त्रस्तु शक्रवेश्मसमप्रभम् । महाकपाटपिहितं वितर्दिशतशोभितम् ॥ ३१ ॥
काञ्चनप्रतिमैकाग्रं मणिविद्रुमतोरणम् । शारदाभ्रघनप्रख्यं दीप्तं मेरुगुहासमम् ॥ ३२ ॥
Sumantra saw it, shining like Shakra’s house, closed with great doors, adorned with a hundred terraces, crowned with golden images, with arches of jewels and coral, like a dense autumn cloud, blazing like a cave of Meru,
मणिभिर्वरमाल्यानां सुमहद्भिरलंकृतम् । मुक्तामणिभिराकीर्णं चन्दनागुरुभूषितम् ॥ ३३ ॥
गन्धान् मनोज्ञान् विसृजद् दार्दुरं शिखरं यथा । सारसैश्च मयूरैश्च विनदद्भिर्विराजितम् ॥ ३४ ॥
adorned with jewels of the finest garlands, strewn with pearls and gems, decorated with sandal and aloe, giving off delightful scents like the peak of Mount Dardura, made splendid by cranes and peacocks calling,
सुकृतेहामृगाकीर्णमुत्कीर्णं भक्तिभिस्तथा । मनश्चक्षुश्च भूतानामाददत् तिग्मतेजसा ॥ ३५ ॥
चन्द्रभास्करसंकाशं कुबेरभवनोपमम् । महेन्द्रधामप्रतिमं नानापक्षिसमाकुलम् ॥ ३६ ॥
full of well-made carved deer, carved with designs, captivating the minds and eyes of beings by its sharp brilliance, like the moon and sun, like Kubera’s palace, like great Indra’s abode, crowded with many birds:
मेरुशृङ्गसमं सूतो रामवेश्म ददर्श ह । उपस्थितैः समाकीर्णं जनैरञ्जलिकारिभिः ॥ ३७ ॥
उपादाय समाक्रान्तैस्तदा जानपदैर्जनैः । रामाभिषेकसुमुखैरुन्मुखैः समलंकृतम् ॥ ३८ ॥
like a peak of Meru the charioteer saw Rama’s house, crowded with people standing with joined palms, with country people pressing in with gifts, adorned with faces eager for Rama’s consecration, looking up,
महामेघसमप्रख्यमुदग्रं सुविराजितम् । नानारत्नसमाकीर्णं कुब्जकैरपि चावृतम् ॥ ३९ ॥
like a great cloud, lofty, splendid, strewn with many jewels, and surrounded too by hunchbacked attendants.
स वाजियुक्तेन रथेन सारथिः समाकुलं राजकुलं विराजयन् । वरूथिना राजगृहाभिपातिना पुरस्य सर्वस्य मनांसि हर्षयन् ॥ ४० ॥
The charioteer, with his horse-drawn chariot, making the crowded royal quarter shine, his armoured chariot speeding toward the royal house, gladdening the hearts of the whole city,
ततः समासाद्य महाधनं महत् प्रहृष्टरोमा स बभूव सारथिः । मृगैर्मयूरैश्च समाकुलोल्बणं गृहं वरार्हस्य शचीपतेरिव ॥ ४१ ॥
reaching that great, wealthy house, crowded and teeming with deer and peacocks, like the house of Shachi’s lord, worthy of the best, felt his hair stand on end with joy.
स तत्र कैलासनिभाः स्वलंकृताः प्रविश्य कक्ष्यास्त्रिदशालयोपमाः । प्रियान् वरान् राममते स्थितान् बहून् व्यपोह्य शुद्धान्तमुपस्थितौ रथी ॥ ४२ ॥
Entering there the well-adorned courtyards, like Kailasa, like the dwellings of the gods, setting aside the many dear and excellent men devoted to Rama, the charioteer came to the inner quarters.
स तत्र शुश्राव च हर्षयुक्ता रामाभिषेकार्थकृतां जनानाम् । नरेन्द्रसूनोरभिमङ्गलार्थाः सर्वस्य लोकस्य गिरः प्रहृष्टाः ॥ ४३ ॥
There he heard the joyful words of the people, prepared for Rama’s consecration, words of blessing for the king’s son, glad voices of all the world.
महेन्द्रसद्मप्रतिमं च वेश्म रामस्य रम्यं मृगपक्षिजुष्टम् । ददर्श मेरोरिव शृङ्गमुच्चं विभ्राजमानं प्रभया सुमन्त्रः ॥ ४४ ॥
And Sumantra saw Rama’s lovely house, like great Indra’s palace, frequented by deer and birds, lofty like the peak of Meru, shining with splendour,
उपस्थितैरञ्जलिकारिभिश्च सोपायनैर्जानपदैर्जनैश्च । कोट्या परार्धैश्च विमुक्तयानैः समाकुलं द्वारपदं ददर्श ॥ ४५ ॥
its entrance crowded with country people standing with joined palms and bearing gifts, and with crores of others who had left their vehicles.
ततो महामेघमहीधराभं प्रभिन्नमत्यङ्कुशमत्यसह्यम् । रामोपवाह्यं रुचिरं ददर्श शत्रुञ्जयं नागमुदग्रकायम् ॥ ४६ ॥
Then he saw the lovely elephant that carried Rama, Shatrunjaya, of lofty body, like a great cloud or mountain, in rut, beyond the goad, irresistible.
स्वलंकृतान् साश्वरथान् सकुञ्जरा- नमात्यमुख्यांश्च ददर्श वल्लभान् । व्यपोह्य सूतः सहितान् समन्ततः समृद्धमन्तःपुरमाविवेश ह ॥ ४७ ॥
He saw the dear chief ministers, adorned, with horses, chariots and elephants; and, setting aside those gathered on every side, the charioteer entered the rich inner palace.
ततोऽद्रिकूटाचलमेघसंनिभं महाविमानोपमवेश्मसंयुतम् । अवार्यमाणः प्रविवेश सारथिः प्रभूतरत्नं मकरो यथार्णवम् ॥ ४८ ॥
Then, unstopped, the charioteer entered that house, like a mountain peak or a cloud, with its houses like great celestial chariots, full of jewels, as a makara enters the ocean.