Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 3 of 119 · 49 verses
Preparations, and a Father’s Counsel
Dasharatha thanks the assembly and tells Vasishtha and Vamadeva: “This is the lovely month of Caitra, when the forests bloom; let everything be prepared for Rama’s installation.” Vasishtha orders it all: gold and jewels, offerings, every healing herb, white garlands, parched grain, honey and ghee, new garments, a chariot and every weapon, the fourfold army, an elephant with auspicious marks, two yak-tail whisks, a banner and the white umbrella, a hundred golden pots bright as fire, a bull with gilded horns and a whole tiger skin. Gates are to be decorated with sandal and garlands, food with curd and milk prepared for a hundred thousand brahmanas, flags raised, the royal road sprinkled, musicians and dancers ready, offerings set at the shrines, and armed warriors in fresh clothes to enter the courtyard.
Dasharatha sends Sumantra to bring Rama. Kings from east, north, west and south, Aryas and Mlecchas and forest and mountain peoples, surround Dasharatha like gods around Indra as he watches his son arrive, never tiring of the sight. Rama climbs to the palace, names himself, and touches his father’s feet. The king embraces him and seats him on a jewelled throne, where he shines like the sun on Meru. “You are the son of my eldest queen, eldest in virtue, and you have won the people’s love. Become crown prince under Pushya. Yet out of love I will advise you: be ever more humble and master your senses; give up the vices born of desire and anger; keep both secret and open watch, and keep your ministers and people content; fill your granaries and armouries. The friends of a king whose people love him rejoice like gods who have won nectar.” Rama’s friends run to tell Kausalya, who gives gold and cows to the messengers. Rama returns home, honoured by crowds, and the citizens worship the gods in joy.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
तेषामञ्जलिपद्मानि प्रगृहीतानि सर्वशः । प्रतिगृह्याब्रवीद् राजा तेभ्यः प्रियहितं वचः ॥ १ ॥
Accepting the lotus-like joined palms offered on every side, the king spoke to them words that were pleasing and beneficial:
Commentary on the whole sarga
Preparations, and a Father’s Counsel 1 min read.
Read the commentary
अहोऽस्मि परमप्रीतः प्रभावश्चातुलो मम । यन्मे ज्येष्ठं प्रियं पुत्रं यौवराज्यस्थमिच्छथ ॥ २ ॥
“Ah, I am supremely pleased, and my influence is unequalled, since you wish my eldest, dear son to be established as crown prince.”
इति प्रत्यर्चितान् राजा ब्राह्मणानिदमब्रवीत् । वसिष्ठं वामदेवं च तेषामेवोपशृण्वताम् ॥ ३ ॥
Having thus honoured them in return, the king said to the brahmanas Vasishtha and Vamadeva, while the others listened:
चैत्रः श्रीमानयं मासः पुण्यः पुष्पितकाननः । यौवराज्याय रामस्य सर्वमेवोपकल्प्यताम् ॥ ४ ॥
“This is the glorious, holy month of Caitra, when the forests are in flower. Let everything be prepared for Rama’s installation as crown prince.”
राज्ञस्तूपरते वाक्ये जनघोषो महानभूत् । शनैस्तस्मिन् प्रशान्ते च जनघोषे जनाधिपः ॥ ५ ॥
When the king’s words ended, there was a great roar from the people; and when that roar had gradually subsided, the lord of the people
वसिष्ठं मुनिशार्दूलं राजा वचनमब्रवीत् । अभिषेकाय रामस्य यत् कर्म सपरिच्छदम् ॥ ६ ॥
तदद्य भगवन् सर्वमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि । तच्छ्रुत्वा भूमिपालस्य वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः ॥ ७ ॥
said to Vasishtha, tiger among sages: “Lord, you should order today everything that must be done, with all its equipment, for Rama’s consecration.” Hearing the lord of the earth, Vasishtha, best of sages,
आदिदेशाग्रतो राज्ञः स्थितान् युक्तान् कृताञ्जलीन् । सुवर्णादीनि रत्नानि बलीन् सर्वौषधीरपि ॥ ८ ॥
directed those who stood before the king, ready and with joined palms: “Gold and other jewels, offerings and every kind of herb,
शुक्लमाल्यानि लाजांश्च पृथक् च मधुसर्पिषी । अहतानि च वासांसि रथं सर्वायुधान्यपि ॥ ९ ॥
“white garlands and parched grain, honey and ghee separately, new garments, a chariot and every weapon,
चतुरङ्गबलं चैव गजं च शुभलक्षणम् । चामरव्यजने चोभे ध्वजं छत्रं च पाण्डुरम् ॥ १० ॥
“the fourfold army, an elephant with auspicious marks, the two yak-tail whisks, the banner and the white umbrella,
शतं च शातकुम्भानां कुम्भानामग्निवर्चसाम् । हिरण्यशृङ्गमृषभं समग्रं व्याघ्रचर्म च ॥ ११ ॥
“a hundred golden pots bright as fire, a bull with gilded horns and a whole tiger skin:
यच्चान्यत् किंचिदेष्टव्यं तत् सर्वमुपकल्प्यताम् । उपस्थापयत प्रातरग्न्यगारे महीपतेः ॥ १२ ॥
“and whatever else is needed, let it all be prepared, and brought at dawn to the king’s fire-house.
अन्तःपुरस्य द्वाराणि सर्वस्य नगरस्य च । चन्दनस्रग्भिरर्च्यन्तां धूपैश्च घ्राणहारिभिः ॥ १३ ॥
“Let the gates of the inner palace and of the whole city be honoured with sandal and garlands and with fragrant incense.
प्रशस्तमन्नं गुणवद् दधिक्षीरोपसेचनम् । द्विजानां शतसाहस्रं यत्प्रकाममलं भवेत् ॥ १४ ॥
सत्कृत्य द्विजमुख्यानां श्वः प्रभाते प्रदीयताम् । घृतं दधि च लाजाश्च दक्षिणाश्चापि पुष्कलाः ॥ १५ ॥
“Let fine, rich food sprinkled with curd and milk, enough to satisfy a hundred thousand brahmanas, be given with honour to the chief brahmanas tomorrow at dawn, with ghee, curd, parched grain and abundant fees.
सूर्येऽभ्युदितमात्रे श्वो भविता स्वस्तिवाचनम् । ब्राह्मणाश्च निमन्त्र्यन्तां कल्प्यन्तामासनानि च ॥ १६ ॥
“Tomorrow, as soon as the sun has risen, the blessing will be recited; let the brahmanas be invited and seats prepared.
आबध्यन्तां पताकाश्च राजमार्गश्च सिच्यताम् । सर्वे च तालापचरा गणिकाश्च स्वलंकृताः ॥ १७ ॥
कक्ष्यां द्वितीयामासाद्य तिष्ठन्तु नृपवेश्मनः । देवायतनचैत्येषु सान्नभक्ष्याः सदक्षिणाः ॥ १८ ॥
“Let flags be hung and the royal road sprinkled; let all the musicians and well-adorned courtesans stand in the second courtyard of the king’s palace. At the shrines and sacred trees let offerings with food and fees
उपस्थापयितव्याः स्युर्माल्ययोग्याः पृथक्पृथक् । दीर्घासिबद्धगोधाश्च संनद्धा मृष्टवाससः ॥ १९ ॥
महाराजाङ्गनं शूराः प्रविशन्तु महोदयम् । एवं व्यादिश्य विप्रौ तु क्रियास्तत्र विनिष्ठितौ ॥ २० ॥
“be set out, each separately, fit for garlands. Let brave men with long swords and lizard-skin guards, armed and in clean clothes, enter the great king’s splendid courtyard.” Having given these orders, the two brahmanas, skilled in the rites there,
चक्रतुश्चैव यच्छेषं पार्थिवाय निवेद्य च । कृतमित्येव चाब्रूतामभिगम्य जगत्पतिम् ॥ २१ ॥
यथोक्तवचनं प्रीतौ हर्षयुक्तौ द्विजोत्तमौ । ततः सुमन्त्रं द्युतिमान् राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ २२ ॥
did what remained, reported to the king, and went to the lord of the world and said, “It is done,” pleased and joyful, the two best of brahmanas, just as they had been told. Then the radiant king said to Sumantra:
रामः कृतात्मा भवता शीघ्रमानीयतामिति । स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सुमन्त्रो राजशासनात् ॥ २३ ॥
रामं तत्रानयांचक्रे रथेन रथिनां वरम् । अथ तत्र सहासीनास्तदा दशरथं नृपम् ॥ २४ ॥
“Let the self-possessed Rama be brought quickly by you.” Sumantra said “So be it” and at the king’s command brought Rama, best of chariot-warriors, there by chariot. Then, seated together there with King Dasharatha,
प्राच्योदीच्या प्रतीच्याश्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च भूमिपाः । म्लेच्छाश्चार्याश्च ये चान्ये वनशैलान्तवासिनः ॥ २५ ॥
उपासांचक्रिरे सर्वे तं देवा वासवं यथा । तेषां मध्ये स राजर्षिर्मरुतामिव वासवः ॥ २६ ॥
the kings of the east, north, west and south, Mlecchas and Aryas, and others who lived in forests and mountains, all attended on him as the gods attend Vasava. In their midst the royal sage, like Vasava among the Maruts,
प्रासादस्थो दशरथो ददर्शायान्तमात्मजम् । गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं लोके विख्यातपौरुषम् ॥ २७ ॥
दीर्घबाहुं महासत्त्वं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम् । चन्द्रकान्ताननं राममतीव प्रियदर्शनम् ॥ २८ ॥
रूपौदार्यगुणैः पुंसां दृष्टिचित्तापहारिणम् । घर्माभितप्ताः पर्जन्यं ह्लादयन्तमिव प्रजाः ॥ २९ ॥
Dasharatha, standing on his palace, saw his son coming: like the king of the gandharvas, of famed manhood in the world, long-armed, of great spirit, walking like a rutting elephant, his face lovely as the moon, utterly delightful to see, ravishing the eyes and hearts of men by his beauty, nobility and virtues, gladdening the people as a rain cloud gladdens those scorched by heat.
न ततर्प समायान्तं पश्यमानो नराधिपः । अवतार्य सुमन्त्रस्तु राघवं स्यन्दनोत्तमात् ॥ ३० ॥
पितुः समीपं गच्छन्तं प्राञ्जलिः पृष्ठतोऽन्वगात् । स तं कैलासशृङ्गाभं प्रासादं रघुनन्दनः ॥ ३१ ॥
The lord of men did not tire of gazing at him as he came. Sumantra helped Raghava down from the fine chariot and followed behind him with joined palms as he went to his father. The delight of the Raghus
आरुरोह नृपं द्रष्टुं सहसा तेन राघवः । स प्राञ्जलिरभिप्रेत्य प्रणतः पितुरन्तिके ॥ ३२ ॥
नाम स्वं श्रावयन् रामो ववन्दे चरणौ पितुः । तं दृष्ट्वा प्रणतं पार्श्वे कृताञ्जलिपुटं नृपः ॥ ३३ ॥
climbed that palace, like a peak of Kailasa, at once, to see the king. Approaching with joined palms and bowing near his father, Rama announced his own name and saluted his father’s feet. Seeing him bowed at his side with joined palms, the king
गृह्याञ्जलौ समाकृष्य सस्वजे प्रियमात्मजम् । तस्मै चाभ्युद्यतं सम्यङ्मणिकाञ्चनभूषितम् ॥ ३४ ॥
दिदेश राजा रुचिरं रामाय परमासनम् । तथाऽऽसनवरं प्राप्य व्यदीपयत राघवः ॥ ३५ ॥
took his joined hands, drew him close and embraced his dear son. The king directed for Rama a lovely supreme seat, raised and adorned with jewels and gold. Taking that fine seat, Raghava lit it up
स्वयैव प्रभया मेरुमुदये विमलो रविः । तेन विभ्राजिता तत्र सा सभापि व्यरोचत ॥ ३६ ॥
विमलग्रहनक्षत्रा शारदी द्यौरिवेन्दुना । तं पश्यमानो नृपतिस्तुतोष प्रियमात्मजम् ॥ ३७ ॥
with his own radiance, as the clear sun lights Meru at its rising. Made brilliant by him, the assembly too shone there, like the autumn sky with its clear planets and stars by the moon. Gazing at his dear son, the king was pleased,
अलंकृतमिवात्मानमादर्शतलसंस्थितम् । स तं सुस्थितमाभाष्य पुत्रं पुत्रवतां वरः ॥ ३८ ॥
उवाचेदं वचो राजा देवेन्द्रमिव कश्यपः । ज्येष्ठायामसि मे पत्न्यां सदृश्यां सदृशः सुतः ॥ ३९ ॥
as if seeing himself adorned in a mirror. Addressing his son as he sat, the best of fathers spoke these words, as Kashyapa to the king of the gods: “You were born of my eldest wife, a worthy son of a worthy mother,
उत्पन्नस्त्वं गुणज्येष्ठो मम रामात्मजः प्रियः । त्वया यतः प्रजाश्चेमाः स्वगुणैरनुरञ्जिताः ॥ ४० ॥
तस्मात् त्वं पुष्ययोगेन यौवराज्यमवाप्नुहि । कामतस्त्वं प्रकृत्यैव निर्णीतो गुणवानिति ॥ ४१ ॥
“eldest in virtue, my beloved son Rama. Since these people have been won over by your virtues, therefore become crown prince under the conjunction of Pushya. By your own nature you are judged virtuous, as all wish.
गुणवत्यपि तु स्नेहात् पुत्र वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् । भूयो विनयमास्थाय भव नित्यं जितेन्द्रियः ॥ ४२ ॥
“Though you are virtuous, son, out of love I will tell you what is good for you. Adopt still greater humility and always be master of your senses.
कामक्रोधसमुत्थानि त्यजस्व व्यसनानि च । परोक्षया वर्तमानो वृत्त्या प्रत्यक्षया तथा ॥ ४३ ॥
अमात्यप्रभृतीः सर्वाः प्रजाश्चैवानुरञ्जय । कोष्ठागारायुधागारैः कृत्वा संनिचयान् बहून् ॥ ४४ ॥
“Give up the vices that arise from desire and anger. Acting by both hidden and open means, keep all your ministers and the people contented. Having made large stores in your granaries and armouries,
इष्टानुरक्तप्रकृतिर्यः पालयति मेदिनीम् । तस्य नन्दन्ति मित्राणि लब्ध्वामृतमिवामराः ॥ ४५ ॥
“the king whose subjects are content and devoted protects the earth, and his friends rejoice like the immortals who have won the nectar.
तस्मात् पुत्र त्वमात्मानं नियम्यैवं समाचर । तच्छ्रुत्वा सुहृदस्तस्य रामस्य प्रियकारिणः ॥ ४६ ॥
त्वरिताः शीघ्रमागत्य कौसल्यायै न्यवेदयन् । सा हिरण्यं च गाश्चैव रत्नानि विविधानि च ॥ ४७ ॥
“So, son, discipline yourself and act in this way.” Hearing this, Rama’s friends, eager to please him, quickly ran and told Kausalya. Kausalya, best of women, gave gold, cows and jewels of many kinds
व्यादिदेश प्रियाख्येभ्यः कौसल्या प्रमदोत्तमा । अथाभिवाद्य राजानं रथमारुह्य राघवः । ययौ स्वं द्युतिमद् वेश्म जनौघैः प्रतिपूजितः ॥ ४८ ॥
to those who brought the good news. Then Raghava saluted the king, mounted his chariot and went to his own splendid house, honoured by crowds of people.
ते चापि पौरा नृपतेर्वचस्त- च्छ्रुत्वा तदा लाभमिवेष्टमाशु । नरेन्द्रमामन्त्र्य गृहाणि गत्वा देवान् समानर्चुरभिप्रहृष्टाः ॥ ४९ ॥
And the citizens, having heard the king’s words, as if they had quickly gained their own desire, took leave of the king, went home and joyfully worshipped the gods.