Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 2 of 119 · 54 verses
The Assembly Chooses Rama
In a voice deep as a drum and rolling like thunder, Dasharatha addresses the assembly. His forefathers protected this kingdom like a son; he too has guarded the people sleeplessly. His body has grown old under the white royal umbrella, carrying the heavy burden of dharma for the world, and he wants rest. Rama, his son, equal to Indra in valour, has every virtue; tomorrow, when the moon is with Pushya, he will make him crown prince. “If this plan pleases you, approve it; or if there is something better, consider it. Impartial counsel is worth more than my own wish.”
The assembly cheers like peacocks greeting a rain cloud; the roar shakes the earth. After consulting together, brahmanas, army chiefs, citizens and country people tell him: “You are thousands of years old. Crown Rama. We long to see him riding a great elephant, his face shaded by the royal umbrella.” Dasharatha, as if not knowing, tests them: “Why do you want a crown prince while I still rule by dharma?” They answer with a long praise of Rama: truthful, devoted to dharma, gentle, patient, grateful, learned, master of every weapon and of music; whenever he returns from battle he asks the citizens about their sons, their fires, their wives and servants as a father would; he grieves at people’s misfortunes and rejoices at their festivals; his anger and his favour are never in vain. Women young and old pray morning and evening for his welfare. “Crown him quickly, for our good.”
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ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः । हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः ॥ १ ॥
Then the lord of the earth addressed the whole assembly and spoke famous words, beneficial and gladdening,
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दुन्दुभिस्वरकल्पेन गम्भीरेणानुनादिना । स्वरेण महता राजा जीमूत इव नादयन् ॥ २ ॥
in a voice like the sound of a drum, deep and resounding, a great voice, the king thundering like a cloud.
राजलक्षणयुक्तेन कान्तेनानुपमेन च । उवाच रसयुक्तेन स्वरेण नृपतिर्नृपान् ॥ ३ ॥
With a voice bearing the marks of royalty, lovely, matchless and full of feeling, the lord of men spoke to the kings:
विदितं भवतामेतद् यथा मे राज्यमुत्तमम् । पूर्वकैर्मम राजेन्द्रैः सुतवत् परिपालितम् ॥ ४ ॥
“You know how this excellent kingdom of mine was protected like a son by the kings who were my forebears.
सोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुभिः सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः प्रतिपालितम् । श्रेयसा योक्तुमिच्छामि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत् ॥ ५ ॥
“This whole world, protected by all the Ikshvaku kings and deserving of happiness, I wish to join with good fortune.
मयाप्याचरितं पूर्वैः पन्थानमनुगच्छता । प्रजा नित्यमनिद्रेण यथाशक्त्यभिरक्षिताः ॥ ६ ॥
“I too have followed the path walked by my forebears and protected the people always, sleeplessly, as well as I could.
इदं शरीरं कृत्स्नस्य लोकस्य चरता हितम् । पाण्डुरस्यातपत्रस्य च्छायायां जरितं मया ॥ ७ ॥
“This body of mine, while I walked in the good of the whole world, has grown old in the shade of the white umbrella.
प्राप्य वर्षसहस्राणि बहून्यायूंषि जीवतः । जीर्णस्यास्य शरीरस्य विश्रान्तिमभिरोचये ॥ ८ ॥
“Having reached many thousands of years of life, I want rest for this aged body.
राजप्रभावजुष्टां च दुर्वहामजितेन्द्रियैः । परिश्रान्तोऽस्मि लोकस्य गुर्वीं धर्मधुरं वहन् ॥ ९ ॥
“I am weary of carrying the heavy yoke of the world’s dharma, which goes with royal power and is hard to bear for those who have not conquered their senses.
सोऽहं विश्राममिच्छामि पुत्रं कृत्वा प्रजाहिते । संनिकृष्टानिमान् सर्वाननुमान्य द्विजर्षभान् ॥ १० ॥
“So I wish for rest, having placed my son in charge of the people’s welfare, with the consent of all these best of brahmanas here present.
अनुजातो हि मां सर्वैर्गुणैः श्रेष्ठो ममात्मजः । पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरंजयः ॥ ११ ॥
“My son Rama, born after me and best in every virtue, conqueror of enemy cities, is equal to Purandara in valour.
तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम् । यौवराज्ये नियोक्तास्मि प्रातः पुरुषपुङ्गवम् ॥ १२ ॥
“That best of upholders of dharma, bull among men, I will appoint as crown prince tomorrow morning, when the moon is joined with Pushya.
अनुरूपः स वो नाथो लक्ष्मीवाँल्लक्ष्मणाग्रजः । त्रैलोक्यमपि नाथेन येन स्यान्नाथवत्तरम् ॥ १३ ॥
“He, Lakshmana’s glorious elder brother, is a fitting lord for you; with him as lord even the three worlds would be better protected.
अनेन श्रेयसा सद्यः संयोक्ष्येऽहमिमां महीम् । गतक्लेशो भविष्यामि सुते तस्मिन् निवेश्य वै ॥ १४ ॥
“With this good fortune I will at once join this earth; having established that son, I shall be free of care.
यदिदं मेऽनुरूपार्थं मया साधु सुमन्त्रितम् । भवन्तो मेऽनुमन्यन्तां कथं वा करवाण्यहम् ॥ १५ ॥
“If this plan, fitting to my purpose and well considered by me, is approved by you, consent; or tell me what I should do.
यद्यप्येषा मम प्रीतिर्हितमन्यद् विचिन्त्यताम् । अन्या मध्यस्थचिन्ता तु विमर्दाभ्यधिकोदया ॥ १६ ॥
“Though this is my wish, let some other good be considered. For the thinking of those who stand impartial, born of discussion, rises higher.”
इति ब्रुवन्तं मुदिताः प्रत्यनन्दन् नृपा नृपम् । वृष्टिमन्तं महामेघं नर्दन्त इव बर्हिणः ॥ १७ ॥
As he said this, the kings rejoiced and welcomed the king’s words, like peacocks crying out at a great cloud full of rain.
स्निग्धोऽनुनादः संजज्ञे ततो हर्षसमीरितः । जनौघोद्घुष्टसंनादो मेदिनीं कम्पयन्निव ॥ १८ ॥
Then a soft echo arose, stirred by joy: the roar of the crowds of people, as if shaking the earth.
तस्य धर्मार्थविदुषो भावमाज्ञाय सर्वशः । ब्राह्मणा बलमुख्याश्च पौरजानपदैः सह ॥ १९ ॥
समेत्य ते मन्त्रयितुं समतागतबुद्धयः । ऊचुश्च मनसा ज्ञात्वा वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम् ॥ २० ॥
Understanding in every way the mind of the king who knew dharma and wealth, the brahmanas and army chiefs, with the citizens and country people, came together to consult, reached one mind, and, having understood in their hearts, said to the aged King Dasharatha:
अनेकवर्षसाहस्रो वृद्धस्त्वमसि पार्थिव । स रामं युवराजानमभिषिञ्चस्व पार्थिवम् ॥ २१ ॥
“King, you are many thousands of years old and aged. Consecrate Rama, the prince, as crown prince.
इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम् । गजेन महता यान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम् ॥ २२ ॥
“We wish to see the mighty-armed, mighty hero of the Raghus, Rama, riding on a great elephant, his face shaded by the umbrella.”
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा तेषां मनःप्रियम् । अजानन्निव जिज्ञासुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ २३ ॥
Hearing their words, pleasing to his heart, the king, as if not knowing, wishing to learn more, said:
श्रुत्वैतद् वचनं यन्मे राघवं पतिमिच्छथ । राजानः संशयोऽयं मे तदिदं ब्रूत तत्त्वतः ॥ २४ ॥
“Having heard these words, that you want Raghava as your lord, kings, this doubt arises in me; tell me truly:
कथं नु मयि धर्मेण पृथिवीमनुशासति । भवन्तो द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति युवराजं महाबलम् ॥ २५ ॥
“While I govern the earth by dharma, why do you wish to see a mighty crown prince?”
ते तमूचुर्महात्मानः पौरजानपदैः सह । बहवो नृप कल्याणगुणाः सन्ति सुतस्य ते ॥ २६ ॥
Those great souls, with the citizens and country people, said to him: “King, your son has many excellent virtues.
गुणान् गुणवतो देव देवकल्पस्य धीमतः । प्रियानानन्दनान् कृत्स्नान् प्रवक्ष्यामोऽद्य तान्शृणु ॥ २७ ॥
“Hear now, god, as we tell all the virtues, dear and delightful, of your virtuous, godlike, wise son.
दिव्यैर्गुणैः शक्रसमो रामः सत्यपराक्रमः । इक्ष्वाकुभ्योऽपि सर्वेभ्यो ह्यतिरिक्तो विशाम्पते ॥ २८ ॥
“In divine virtues Rama, of true valour, is equal to Shakra; he surpasses even all the Ikshvakus, lord of the people.
रामः सत्पुरुषो लोके सत्यः सत्यपरायणः । साक्षाद् रामाद् विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह ॥ २९ ॥
“Rama is the good man in the world, truthful, devoted to truth; dharma itself, together with fortune, has come forth from Rama.
प्रजासुखत्वे चन्द्रस्य वसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः । बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये साक्षाच्छचीपतेः ॥ ३० ॥
“In giving happiness to the people he equals the moon, in patience the earth, in wisdom Brihaspati, and in valour the lord of Shachi himself.
धर्मज्ञः सत्यसंधश्च शीलवाननसूयकः । क्षान्तः सान्त्वयिता श्लक्ष्णः कृतज्ञो विजितेन्द्रियः ॥ ३१ ॥
“He knows dharma, keeps his word, is of good character and free of envy; patient, consoling, gentle, grateful, master of his senses;
मृदुश्च स्थिरचित्तश्च सदा भव्योऽनसूयकः । प्रियवादी च भूतानां सत्यवादी च राघवः ॥ ३२ ॥
“soft, firm of mind, always auspicious, free of envy; Raghava speaks kindly to all beings and speaks the truth.
बहुश्रुतानां वृद्धानां ब्राह्मणानामुपासिता । तेनास्येहातुला कीर्तिर्यशस्तेजश्च वर्धते ॥ ३३ ॥
“He serves the learned elders and the brahmanas; by that his matchless fame, glory and splendour grow here.
देवासुरमनुष्याणां सर्वास्त्रेषु विशारदः । सम्यग् विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत् साङ्गवेदवित् ॥ ३४ ॥
“He is skilled in all the weapons of gods, asuras and men; he has duly completed his study and vows and knows the Vedas with their limbs.
गान्धर्वे च भुवि श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः । कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनात्मा महामतिः ॥ ३५ ॥
द्विजैरभिविनीतश्च श्रेष्ठैर्धर्मार्थनैपुणैः । यदा व्रजति संग्रामं ग्रामार्थे नगरस्य वा ॥ ३६ ॥
“And Bharata’s elder brother is the best on earth in music. Of noble birth, good, never mean of spirit, of great mind, trained by excellent brahmanas skilled in dharma and wealth: when he goes to battle for a village or a city,
गत्वा सौमित्रिसहितो नाविजित्य निवर्तते । संग्रामात् पुनरागत्य कुञ्जरेण रथेन वा ॥ ३७ ॥
“going with Saumitri, he never returns without victory. Coming back from battle on an elephant or a chariot,
पौरान् स्वजनवन्नित्यं कुशलं परिपृच्छति । पुत्रेष्वग्निषु दारेषु प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च ॥ ३८ ॥
निखिलेनानुपूर्व्या च पिता पुत्रानिवौरसान् । शुश्रूषन्ते च वः शिष्याः कच्चिद् वर्मसु दंशिताः ॥ ३९ ॥
इति वः पुरुषव्याघ्रः सदा रामोऽभिभाषते । व्यसनेषु मनुष्याणां भृशं भवति दुःखितः ॥ ४० ॥
“he always asks the citizens about their welfare as if they were his own kin: about their sons, their sacred fires, their wives, their servants and disciples, all in order, as a father asks about his own sons: ‘Do your disciples serve you? Are your men clad in armour?’ So does Rama, tiger among men, always speak to us. He is deeply grieved at the misfortunes of people,
उत्सवेषु च सर्वेषु पितेव परितुष्यति । सत्यवादी महेष्वासो वृद्धसेवी जितेन्द्रियः ॥ ४१ ॥
“and rejoices like a father at all their festivals. Truthful, a great archer, serving his elders, master of his senses,
स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च धर्मं सर्वात्मनाश्रितः । सम्यग्योक्ता श्रेयसां च न विगृह्यकथारुचिः ॥ ४२ ॥
“smiling before he speaks, he has taken refuge in dharma with his whole being; he applies himself rightly to good works and has no taste for quarrelsome talk.
उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा । सुभ्रूरायतताम्राक्षः साक्षाद् विष्णुरिव स्वयम् ॥ ४३ ॥
“In argument upon argument he speaks like Vachaspati; with fine brows and long, coppery eyes, he is like Vishnu himself.
रामो लोकाभिरामोऽयं शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमैः । प्रजापालनसंयुक्तो न रागोपहतेन्द्रियः ॥ ४४ ॥
“This Rama, delight of the world, by his heroism, valour and might, devoted to protecting the people, with senses unclouded by passion,
शक्तस्त्रैलोक्यमप्येष भोक्तुं किं नु महीमिमाम् । नास्य क्रोधः प्रसादश्च निरर्थोऽस्ति कदाचन ॥ ४५ ॥
“is able to rule even the three worlds, let alone this earth. His anger and his favour are never in vain.
हन्त्येष नियमाद् वध्यानवध्येषु न कुप्यति । युनक्त्यर्थैः प्रहृष्टश्च तमसौ यत्र तुष्यति ॥ ४६ ॥
“By rule he kills those who should die, and is not angry with those who should not; and when he is pleased he enriches the one he is pleased with.
दान्तैः सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैर्नृणाम् । गुणैर्विरोचते रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः ॥ ४७ ॥
“With restrained virtues, delightful to all the people and kindling men’s love, Rama shines like the blazing sun with its rays.
तमेवंगुणसम्पन्नं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम् । लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी ॥ ४८ ॥
“Him, so endowed with virtues, Rama of true valour, a lord like the guardians of the world, the earth desires.
वत्सः श्रेयसि जातस्ते दिष्ट्यासौ तव राघवः । दिष्ट्या पुत्रगुणैर्युक्तो मारीच इव कश्यपः ॥ ४९ ॥
“By good fortune this child, your Raghava, was born for your good; by good fortune he is endowed with a son’s virtues, like Kashyapa, son of Marichi.
बलमारोग्यमायुश्च रामस्य विदितात्मनः । देवासुरमनुष्येषु सगन्धर्वोरगेषु च ॥ ५० ॥
आशंसते जनः सर्वो राष्ट्रे पुरवरे तथा । आभ्यन्तरश्च बाह्यश्च पौरजानपदो जनः ॥ ५१ ॥
“Strength, health and long life for Rama, who knows himself: this is what all the people pray for, among gods, asuras, men, gandharvas and serpents, in the kingdom and in the great city, people of the inner and outer realms, of city and countryside.
स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तरुण्यश्च सायं प्रातः समाहिताः । सर्वा देवान्नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे मनस्विनः । तेषां तद् याचितं देव त्वत्प्रसादात्समृद्ध्यताम् ॥ ५२ ॥
“Women old and young, morning and evening, with collected minds, all bow to the gods for Rama’s sake. Let their prayer be fulfilled by your grace, god.
राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम् । पश्यामो यौवराज्यस्थं तव राजोत्तमात्मजम् ॥ ५३ ॥
“Let us see Rama, dark as the blue lotus, destroyer of all enemies, your son, best of kings, established as crown prince.
तं देवदेवोपममात्मजं ते सर्वस्य लोकस्य हिते निविष्टम् । हिताय नः क्षिप्रमुदारजुष्टं मुदाभिषेक्तुं वरद त्वमर्हसि ॥ ५४ ॥
“You should quickly and joyfully consecrate, for our good, your son, like the god of gods, devoted to the good of the whole world, beloved by the noble, giver of boons.”