Dasaratha Disowns Kaikeyi; Sumantra Sent for Rama

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.14.1)

पुत्रशोकार्दितं पापा विसंज्ञं पतितं भुवि । विचेष्टमानमुत्प्रेक्ष्य ऐक्ष्वाकमिदमब्रवीत् ।। १४.१ ।।

putraśokārditaṃ pāpā visaṃjñaṃ patitaṃ bhuvi | viceṣṭamānamutprekṣya aikṣvākamidamabravīt || 14.1 ||

Seeing the scion of Ikshvaku afflicted with grief for his son, senseless, fallen to the ground, writhing there, that sinful woman spoke this to him.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.14.2)

पापं कृत्वेव किमिदं मम संश्रुत्य संश्रवम् । शेषे क्षितितले सन्नः स्थित्यां स्थातुं त्वमर्हसि ।। १४.२ ।।

pāpaṃ kṛtveva kimidaṃ mama saṃśrutya saṃśravam | śeṣe kṣititale sannaḥ sthityāṃ sthātuṃ tvamarhasi || 14.2 ||

"Why do you lie here upon the bare ground, exhausted, as though you had committed some sin, having given me your solemn word? You ought to hold firm to your resolve."

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.14.3)

आहुः सत्यं हि परमं धर्मं धर्मविदो जनाः । सत्यमाश्रित्य च मया त्वं धर्मं प्रतिचोदितः ।। १४.३ ।।

āhuḥ satyaṃ hi paramaṃ dharmaṃ dharmavido janāḥ | satyamāśritya ca mayā tvaṃ dharmaṃ praticoditaḥ || 14.3 ||

"Those who know righteousness declare that truth is the highest duty. And it is by taking my stand on truth that I urge you toward your duty."

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.14.4)

संश्रुत्य शैब्यः श्येनाय स्वां तनुं जगतीपतिः । प्रदाय पक्षिणे राजा जगाम गतिमुत्तमाम् ।। १४.४ ।।

saṃśrutya śaibyaḥ śyenāya svāṃ tanuṃ jagatīpatiḥ | pradāya pakṣiṇe rājā jagāma gatimuttamām || 14.4 ||

"Having given his word to a hawk, King Shaibya, lord of the earth, offered his own body to that bird, and so attained the highest state."

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.14.5)

तथा ह्यलर्कस्तेजस्वी ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे । याचमाने स्वके नेत्रे उद्धृत्याविमना ददौ ।। १४.५ ।।

tathā hyalarkastejasvī brāhmaṇe vedapārage | yācamāne svake netre uddhṛtyāvimanā dadau || 14.5 ||

"So too the radiant Alarka, when a brahmin learned in the Vedas begged of him, plucked out his own eyes and gave them, his mind untroubled."

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.14.6)

सरितां तु पतिः स्वल्पां मर्यादां सत्यमन्वितः । सत्यानुरोधात्समये वेलां स्वां नातिवर्तते ।। १४.६ ।।

saritāṃ tu patiḥ svalpāṃ maryādāṃ satyamanvitaḥ | satyānurodhātsamaye velāṃ svāṃ nātivartate || 14.6 ||

"And the lord of rivers, true to his word, out of regard for truth, never oversteps even a little his own appointed shore at the proper time."

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.14.7)

सत्यमेकपदं ब्रह्म सत्ये धर्मः प्रतिष्ठितः । सत्यमेवाक्षया वेदाः सत्येनावाप्यते परम् ।। १४.७ ।।

satyamekapadaṃ brahma satye dharmaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ | satyamevākṣayā vedāḥ satyenāvāpyate param || 14.7 ||

"Truth alone is the Absolute in a single word; on truth righteousness is founded. Truth is the imperishable essence of the Vedas; through truth alone is the highest attained."

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.14.8)

सत्यं समनुवर्तस्व यदि धर्मे धृता मतिः । स वरः सफलो मेऽस्तु वरदो ह्यसि सत्तम ।। १४.८ ।।

satyaṃ samanuvartasva yadi dharme dhṛtā matiḥ | sa varaḥ saphalo me'stu varado hyasi sattama || 14.8 ||

"If your mind is fixed on righteousness, hold fast to truth. O most excellent one, since you are the giver of boons, let that boon of mine bear fruit."

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.14.9)

धर्मस्यैवाभिकामार्थं मम चैवाभिचोदनात् । प्रव्राजय सुतं रामं त्रिः खलु त्वां ब्रवीम्यहम् ।। १४.९ ।।

dharmasyaivābhikāmārthaṃ mama caivābhicodanāt | pravrājaya sutaṃ rāmaṃ triḥ khalu tvāṃ bravīmyaham || 14.9 ||

"For the sake of righteousness itself, and at my own urging, banish your son Rama—this I tell you now for the third time."

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.14.10)

समयं च ममार्येमं यदि त्वं न करिष्यसि । अग्रतस्ते परित्यक्ता परित्यक्ष्यामि जीवितम् ।। १४.१० ।।

samayaṃ ca mamāryemaṃ yadi tvaṃ na kariṣyasi | agrataste parityaktā parityakṣyāmi jīvitam || 14.10 ||

"And if you, O noble one, do not keep this pledge to me, then, forsaken by you, I shall give up my life here before your eyes."

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.14.11)

एवं प्रचोदितो राजा कैकेय्या निर्विशङ्कया । नाशकत्पाशमुन्मोक्तुं बलिरिन्द्रकृतं यथा ।। १४.११ ।।

evaṃ pracodito rājā kaikeyyā nirviśaṅkayā | nāśakatpāśamunmoktuṃ balirindrakṛtaṃ yathā || 14.11 ||

Thus urged on by Kaikeyi, who felt no hesitation at all, the king could not loose himself from the snare, just as Bali could not free himself from the one Indra had made.

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.14.12)

उद्भ्रान्तहृदयश्चापि विवर्णवदनोऽभवत् । स धुर्यो वै परिस्पन्दन्युगचक्रान्तरं यथा ।। १४.१२ ।।

udbhrāntahṛdayaścāpi vivarṇavadano'bhavat | sa dhuryo vai parispandanyugacakrāntaraṃ yathā || 14.12 ||

His heart reeling, his face lost all colour, and he trembled like a draught-ox caught struggling between the yoke and the wheel.

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.14.13)

विकलाभ्यां च नेत्राभ्यामपश्यन्निव भूमिपः । कृच्छ्राद्धैर्येण संस्तभ्य कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् ।। १४.१३ ।।

vikalābhyāṃ ca netrābhyāmapaśyanniva bhūmipaḥ | kṛcchrāddhairyeṇa saṃstabhya kaikeyīmidamabravīt || 14.13 ||

With his two eyes grown dim, the king seemed as though he could not see; yet steadying himself with great difficulty through sheer resolve, he spoke thus to Kaikeyi.

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.14.14)

यस्ते मन्त्रकृतः पाणिरग्नौ पापे मया धृतः । संत्यजामि स्वजं चैव तव पुत्रं सह त्वया ।। १४.१४ ।।

yaste mantrakṛtaḥ pāṇiragnau pāpe mayā dhṛtaḥ | saṃtyajāmi svajaṃ caiva tava putraṃ saha tvayā || 14.14 ||

"O sinful woman, that hand of yours which I took at the sacred fire with the recital of mantras—I renounce it now, and my own son together with you."

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.14.15)

प्रयाता रजनी देवि सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति । अभिषेकाय हि जनस्त्वरयिष्यति मां ध्रुवम् ।। १४.१५ ।।

prayātā rajanī devi sūryasyodayanaṃ prati | abhiṣekāya hi janastvarayiṣyati māṃ dhruvam || 14.15 ||

"O queen, the night has passed toward the sun's rising; the people will surely soon come hurrying me on for the consecration."

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.14.16)

रामाभिषेकसम्भारैस्तदर्थमुपकल्पितैः । रामः कारयितव्यो मे मृतस्य सलिलक्रियाम् ।। १४.१६ ।।

rāmābhiṣekasambhāraistadarthamupakalpitaiḥ | rāmaḥ kārayitavyo me mṛtasya salilakriyām || 14.16 ||

"With those very articles prepared for Rama's consecration, let Rama instead perform for me, when I am dead, the rite of the water-offering."

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.14.17)

सपुत्रया त्वया नैव कर्तव्या सलिलक्रिया । व्याहन्तास्यशुभाचारे यदि रामाभिषेचनम् ।। १४.१७ ।।

saputrayā tvayā naiva kartavyā salilakriyā | vyāhantāsyaśubhācāre yadi rāmābhiṣecanam || 14.17 ||

"That water-rite must never be performed by you, together with your son, O woman of ill conduct, if you obstruct Rama's consecration."

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.14.18)

न शक्तोऽद्यास्म्यहं द्रष्टुं दृष्ट्वा पूर्वं तथामुखम् । हतहर्षं तथानन्दं पुनर्जनमवाङ्मुखम् ।। १४.१८ ।।

na śakto'dyāsmyahaṃ draṣṭuṃ dṛṣṭvā pūrvaṃ tathāmukham | hataharṣaṃ tathānandaṃ punarjanamavāṅmukham || 14.18 ||

"Having once seen the people so full of joy, so full of delight, I am not able now to see them again—their joy destroyed, their gladness gone, their faces bowed down."

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.14.19)

तां तथा ब्रुवतस्तस्य भूमिपस्य महात्मनः । प्रभाता शर्वरी पुण्या चन्द्रनक्षत्रमालिनी ।। १४.१९ ।।

tāṃ tathā bruvatastasya bhūmipasya mahātmanaḥ | prabhātā śarvarī puṇyā candranakṣatramālinī || 14.19 ||

While that great-souled king was speaking thus to her, the holy night, garlanded with moon and stars, turned toward dawn.

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.14.20)

ततः पापसमाचारा कैकेयी पार्थिवं पुनः । उवाच परुषं वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञा रोषमूर्च्छिता ।। १४.२० ।।

tataḥ pāpasamācārā kaikeyī pārthivaṃ punaḥ | uvāca paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ vākyajñā roṣamūrcchitā || 14.20 ||

Then Kaikeyi, of wicked conduct, skilled in speech yet now overcome with fury, spoke harsh words once more to the king.

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.14.21)

किमिदं भाषसे राजन्वाक्यं गररुजोपमम् । आनाययितुमक्लिष्टं पुत्रं राममिहार्हसि ।। १४.२१ ।।

kimidaṃ bhāṣase rājanvākyaṃ gararujopamam | ānāyayitumakliṣṭaṃ putraṃ rāmamihārhasi || 14.21 ||

"What is this you speak, O King—words like the pain of a swallowed poison? You ought to send at once, without difficulty, for your son Rama to come here."

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.14.22)

स्थाप्य राज्ये मम सुतं कृत्वा रामं वनेचरम् । निःसपत्नां च मां कृत्वा कृतकृत्यो भविष्यसि ।। १४.२२ ।।

sthāpya rājye mama sutaṃ kṛtvā rāmaṃ vanecaram | niḥsapatnāṃ ca māṃ kṛtvā kṛtakṛtyo bhaviṣyasi || 14.22 ||

"Having established my son in the kingdom, having made Rama a forest-dweller, and having made me free of rivals, you will have fulfilled your task."

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.14.23)

स तुन्न इव तीक्ष्णेन प्रतोदेन हयोत्तमः । राजा प्रचोदितोऽभीक्ष्णं कैकेय्या वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।। १४.२३ ।।

sa tunna iva tīkṣṇena pratodena hayottamaḥ | rājā pracodito'bhīkṣṇaṃ kaikeyyā vākyamabravīt || 14.23 ||

Goaded again and again by Kaikeyi's words as a fine horse is goaded by a sharp whip, the king spoke this reply.

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.14.24)

धर्मबन्धेन बद्धोऽस्मि नष्टा च मम चेतना । ज्येष्ठं पुत्रं प्रियं रामं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि धार्मिकम् ।। १४.२४ ।।

dharmabandhena baddho'smi naṣṭā ca mama cetanā | jyeṣṭhaṃ putraṃ priyaṃ rāmaṃ draṣṭumicchāmi dhārmikam || 14.24 ||

"I am bound fast by the bonds of righteousness, and my very consciousness is failing. Yet I wish to see my beloved elder son, the righteous Rama."

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.14.25)

ततः प्रभातां रजनीमुदिते च दिवाकरे । पुण्ये नक्षत्रयोगे च मुहूर्ते च समागते ।। १४.२५ ।।

tataḥ prabhātāṃ rajanīmudite ca divākare | puṇye nakṣatrayoge ca muhūrte ca samāgate || 14.25 ||

Then, as the night grew bright and the sun rose, and the auspicious conjunction of the asterism and the propitious hour arrived—

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.14.26)

वसिष्ठो गुणसम्पन्नः शिष्यैः परिवृतस्तथा । उपगृह्याशु सम्भारान्प्रविवेश पुरोत्तमम् ।। १४.२६ ।।

vasiṣṭho guṇasampannaḥ śiṣyaiḥ parivṛtastathā | upagṛhyāśu sambhārānpraviveśa purottamam || 14.26 ||

—Vasishtha, endowed with virtues, surrounded by his disciples, quickly gathering the ceremonial articles, entered the finest of cities.

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.14.27)

सिक्तसम्मार्जितपथां पताकोत्तमभूषिताम् । संहृष्टमनुजोपेतां समृद्धविपणापणाम् ।। १४.२७ ।।

siktasammārjitapathāṃ patākottamabhūṣitām | saṃhṛṣṭamanujopetāṃ samṛddhavipaṇāpaṇām || 14.27 ||

—that city whose roads were sprinkled and swept clean, adorned with splendid banners, filled with delighted people, its shops and marketplaces thriving—

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.14.28)

महोत्सवसमायुक्तां राघवार्थे समुत्सुकाम् । चन्दनागुरुधूपैश्च सर्वतः परिधूमिताम् ।। १४.२८ ।।

mahotsavasamāyuktāṃ rāghavārthe samutsukām | candanāgurudhūpaiśca sarvataḥ paridhūmitām || 14.28 ||

—filled with great festivity, eager with anticipation for Raghava's sake, and perfumed on every side with the smoke of sandalwood and aloe incense.

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.14.29)

तां पुरीं समतिक्रम्य पुरंदरपुरोपमाम् । ददर्शान्तःपुरं श्रीमान्नानाध्वजगणायुतम् ।। १४.२९ ।।

tāṃ purīṃ samatikramya puraṃdarapuropamām | dadarśāntaḥpuraṃ śrīmānnānādhvajagaṇāyutam || 14.29 ||

Passing through that city, resembling the city of Purandara, the glorious sage beheld the inner palace, adorned with a multitude of many-coloured banners.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.14.30)

पौरजानपदाकीर्णं ब्राह्मणैरुपशोभितम् । यष्टिमद्भिः सुसम्पूर्णं सदश्वैः परमार्चितैः ।। १४.३० ।।

paurajānapadākīrṇaṃ brāhmaṇairupaśobhitam | yaṣṭimadbhiḥ susampūrṇaṃ sadaśvaiḥ paramārcitaiḥ || 14.30 ||

—thronged with citizens and country-folk, graced by brahmins, filled with staff-bearing attendants, and honoured with splendid, well-tended horses.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.14.31)

तदन्तःपुरमासाद्य व्यतिचक्राम तं जनम् । वसिष्ठः परमप्रीतः परमर्षिभिरावृतः ।। १४.३१ ।।

tadantaḥpuramāsādya vyaticakrāma taṃ janam | vasiṣṭhaḥ paramaprītaḥ paramarṣibhirāvṛtaḥ || 14.31 ||

Reaching that inner palace, Vasishtha, greatly delighted, surrounded by the great sages, passed on beyond that crowd of people.

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.14.32)

स त्वपश्यद्विनिष्क्रान्तं सुमन्त्रं नाम सारथिम् । द्वारे मनुजसिंहस्य सचिवं प्रियदर्शनम् ।। १४.३२ ।।

sa tvapaśyadviniṣkrāntaṃ sumantraṃ nāma sārathim | dvāre manujasiṃhasya sacivaṃ priyadarśanam || 14.32 ||

There he saw coming out the charioteer named Sumantra, minister of that lion among men, pleasant to look upon, at the gate.

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.14.33)

तमुवाच महातेजाः सूतपुत्रं विशारदम् । वसिष्ठः क्षिप्रमाचक्ष्व नृपतेर्मामिहागतम् ।। १४.३३ ।।

tamuvāca mahātejāḥ sūtaputraṃ viśāradam | vasiṣṭhaḥ kṣipramācakṣva nṛpatermāmihāgatam || 14.33 ||

The greatly splendid Vasishtha spoke to that skilled charioteer's son: "Go quickly and tell the king that I have arrived here."

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.14.34)

इमे गङ्गोदकघटाः सागरेभ्यश्च काञ्चनाः । औदुम्बरं भद्रपीठमभिषेकार्थमाहृतम् ।। १४.३४ ।।

ime gaṅgodakaghaṭāḥ sāgarebhyaśca kāñcanāḥ | audumbaraṃ bhadrapīṭhamabhiṣekārthamāhṛtam || 14.34 ||

"These are pitchers of Ganga water, and golden pitchers brought from the seas; and here is the auspicious seat of Udumbara wood, brought for the consecration."

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.14.35)

सर्वबीजानि गन्धाश्च रत्नानि विविधानि च । क्षौद्रं दधि घृतं लाजा दर्भाः सुमनसः पयः ।। १४.३५ ।।

sarvabījāni gandhāśca ratnāni vividhāni ca | kṣaudraṃ dadhi ghṛtaṃ lājā darbhāḥ sumanasaḥ payaḥ || 14.35 ||

"—all manner of seeds, fragrant substances, and precious stones of every kind; honey, curds, ghee, parched grain, sacred kusha grass, flowers, and milk—"

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.14.36)

अष्टौ च कन्या रुचिरा मत्तश्च वरवारणः । चतुरश्वो रथः श्रीमान्निस्त्रिंशो धनुरुत्तमम् ।। १४.३६ ।।

aṣṭau ca kanyā rucirā mattaśca varavāraṇaḥ | caturaśvo rathaḥ śrīmānnistriṃśo dhanuruttamam || 14.36 ||

"—eight lovely maidens, a splendid rutting elephant, a magnificent four-horsed chariot, a sword, and an excellent bow—"

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.14.37)

वाहनं नरसंयुक्तं छत्रं च शशिसंनिभम् । श्वेते च वालव्यजने भृङ्गारं च हिरण्मयम् ।। १४.३७ ।।

vāhanaṃ narasaṃyuktaṃ chatraṃ ca śaśisaṃnibham | śvete ca vālavyajane bhṛṅgāraṃ ca hiraṇmayam || 14.37 ||

"—a palanquin fitted with its bearers, and a parasol resembling the moon; two white fly-whisks, and a golden water-vessel—"

Shloka 38 (ayodhya.14.38)

हेमदामपिनद्धश्च ककुद्मान्पाण्डुरो वृषः । केसरी च चतुर्दंष्ट्रो हरिश्रेष्ठो महाबलः ।। १४.३८ ।।

hemadāmapinaddhaśca kakudmānpāṇḍuro vṛṣaḥ | kesarī ca caturdaṃṣṭro hariśreṣṭho mahābalaḥ || 14.38 ||

"—a humped white bull adorned with golden garlands; and a maned lion, four-fanged, greatest and mightiest of beasts—"

Shloka 39 (ayodhya.14.39)

सिंहासनं व्याघ्रतनुः समिधश्च हुताशनः । सर्वे वादित्रसङ्घाश्च वेश्याश्चालंकृताः स्त्रियः ।। १४.३९ ।।

siṃhāsanaṃ vyāghratanuḥ samidhaśca hutāśanaḥ | sarve vāditrasaṅghāśca veśyāścālaṃkṛtāḥ striyaḥ || 14.39 ||

"—a lion-throne, a tiger-skin, sacrificial fuel and fire; every kind of musical instrument, and courtesans richly adorned—"

Shloka 40 (ayodhya.14.40)

आचार्या ब्राह्मणा गावः पुण्याश्च मृगपक्षिणः । पौरजानपदश्रेष्ठा नैगमाश्च गणैः सह ।। १४.४० ।।

ācāryā brāhmaṇā gāvaḥ puṇyāśca mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ | paurajānapadaśreṣṭhā naigamāśca gaṇaiḥ saha || 14.40 ||

"—preceptors, brahmins, sacred cows, deer and birds; and the foremost of the citizens and country-folk, together with the guild-leaders and their companies—"

Shloka 41 (ayodhya.14.41)

एते चान्ये च बहवः प्रीयमाणाः प्रियंवदाः । अभिषेकाय रामस्य सह तिष्ठन्ति पार्थिवैः ।। १४.४१ ।।

ete cānye ca bahavaḥ prīyamāṇāḥ priyaṃvadāḥ | abhiṣekāya rāmasya saha tiṣṭhanti pārthivaiḥ || 14.41 ||

"—these and many others besides, all delighted, all speaking kindly words, stand waiting together with the assembled kings for Rama's consecration."

Shloka 42 (ayodhya.14.42)

त्वरयस्व महाराजं यथा समुदितेऽहनि । पुष्ये नक्षत्रयोगे च रामो राज्यमवाप्नुयात् ।। १४.४२ ।।

tvarayasva mahārājaṃ yathā samudite'hani | puṣye nakṣatrayoge ca rāmo rājyamavāpnuyāt || 14.42 ||

"Make haste with the great king, so that as the day breaks, in conjunction with the Pushya asterism, Rama may obtain the kingdom."

Shloka 43 (ayodhya.14.43)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सूतपुत्रो महाबलः । स्तुवन्नृपतिशार्दूलं प्रविवेश निवेशनम् ।। १४.४३ ।।

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā sūtaputro mahābalaḥ | stuvannṛpatiśārdūlaṃ praviveśa niveśanam || 14.43 ||

Having heard these words of his, the mighty son of the charioteer entered the palace, praising that tiger among kings.

Shloka 44 (ayodhya.14.44)

तं तु पूर्वोदितं वृद्धं द्वारस्था राजसम्मताः । न शेकुरभिसंरोद्धुं राज्ञः प्रियचिकीर्षवः ।। १४.४४ ।।

taṃ tu pūrvoditaṃ vṛddhaṃ dvārasthā rājasammatāḥ | na śekurabhisaṃroddhuṃ rājñaḥ priyacikīrṣavaḥ || 14.44 ||

That elder, who had come there earlier, could not be barred by the gatekeepers, who were held in the king's esteem and always eager to please him.

Shloka 45 (ayodhya.14.45)

स समीपस्थितो राज्ञस्तामवस्थामजज्ञिवान् । वाग्भिः परमतुष्टाभिरभिष्टोतुं प्रचक्रमे ।। १४.४५ ।।

sa samīpasthito rājñastāmavasthāmajajñivān | vāgbhiḥ paramatuṣṭābhirabhiṣṭotuṃ pracakrame || 14.45 ||

Standing near the king, unaware of that condition of his, he began to praise him with words full of the greatest delight.

Shloka 46 (ayodhya.14.46)

ततः सूतो यथापूर्वं पार्थिवस्य निवेशने । सुमन्त्रः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा तुष्टाव जगतीपतिम् ।। १४.४६ ।।

tataḥ sūto yathāpūrvaṃ pārthivasya niveśane | sumantraḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā tuṣṭāva jagatīpatim || 14.46 ||

Then, as before, in the king's own chamber, Sumantra the charioteer, with joined palms, extolled the lord of the earth.

Shloka 47 (ayodhya.14.47)

यथा नन्दति तेजस्वी सागरो भास्करोदये । प्रीतः प्रीतेन मनसा तथा नन्दय नस्ततः ।। १४.४७ ।।

yathā nandati tejasvī sāgaro bhāskarodaye | prītaḥ prītena manasā tathā nandaya nastataḥ || 14.47 ||

"As the radiant ocean rejoices at sunrise, so, delighted with a delighted mind, gladden us now in turn."

Shloka 48 (ayodhya.14.48)

इन्द्रमस्यां तु वेलायामभितुष्टाव मातलिः । सोऽजयद्दानवान्सर्वांस्तथा त्वां बोधयाम्यहम् ।। १४.४८ ।।

indramasyāṃ tu velāyāmabhituṣṭāva mātaliḥ | so'jayaddānavānsarvāṃstathā tvāṃ bodhayāmyaham || 14.48 ||

"At this very hour, Matali once extolled Indra, who thereupon conquered all the demons; in that same way do I now awaken you."

Shloka 49 (ayodhya.14.49)

वेदाः सहाङ्गा विद्याश्च यथा ह्यात्मभुवं प्रभुम् । ब्रह्माणं बोधयन्त्यद्य तथा त्वां बोधयाम्यहम् ।। १४.४९ ।।

vedāḥ sahāṅgā vidyāśca yathā hyātmabhuvaṃ prabhum | brahmāṇaṃ bodhayantyadya tathā tvāṃ bodhayāmyaham || 14.49 ||

"As the Vedas together with their auxiliary sciences awaken the self-born lord Brahma, so today do I awaken you."

Shloka 50 (ayodhya.14.50)

आदित्यः सह चन्द्रेण यथा भूतधरां शुभाम् । बोधयत्यद्य पृथिवीं तथा त्वां बोधयाम्यहम् ।। १४.५० ।।

ādityaḥ saha candreṇa yathā bhūtadharāṃ śubhām | bodhayatyadya pṛthivīṃ tathā tvāṃ bodhayāmyaham || 14.50 ||

"As the sun together with the moon awakens each day the auspicious earth that bears all beings, so do I awaken you."

Shloka 51 (ayodhya.14.51)

उत्तिष्ठ सुमहाराज कृतकौतुकमङ्गलः । विराजमानो वपुषा मेरोरिव दिवाकरः ।। १४.५१ ।।

uttiṣṭha sumahārāja kṛtakautukamaṅgalaḥ | virājamāno vapuṣā meroriva divākaraḥ || 14.51 ||

"Arise, O great king, having performed the auspicious rites of welcome, and shine forth in your own splendour, like the sun rising from Mount Meru."

Shloka 52 (ayodhya.14.52)

सोमसूर्यौ च काकुत्स्थ शिववैश्रवणावपि । वरुणश्चाग्निरिन्द्रश्च विजयं प्रदिशन्तु ते ।। १४.५२ ।।

somasūryau ca kākutstha śivavaiśravaṇāvapi | varuṇaścāgnirindraśca vijayaṃ pradiśantu te || 14.52 ||

"O descendant of Kakutstha, may the moon and the sun, Shiva and Vaishravana too, and Varuna, Agni and Indra, grant you victory."

Shloka 53 (ayodhya.14.53)

गता भगवती रात्रिः कृतं कृत्यमिदं तव । बुध्यस्व नृपशार्दूल कुरु कार्यमनन्तरम् ।। १४.५३ ।।

gatā bhagavatī rātriḥ kṛtaṃ kṛtyamidaṃ tava | budhyasva nṛpaśārdūla kuru kāryamanantaram || 14.53 ||

"The blessed night has passed; this task now falls to you. Awaken, O tiger among kings, and do what is next to be done."

Shloka 54 (ayodhya.14.54)

उदतिष्ठत रामस्य समग्रमभिषेचनम् । पौरजानपदाश्चापि नैगमश्च कृताञ्जलिः ।। १४.५४ ।।

udatiṣṭhata rāmasya samagramabhiṣecanam | paurajānapadāścāpi naigamaśca kṛtāñjaliḥ || 14.54 ||

"The entire array for Rama's consecration has been readied. The citizens, the country-folk, and the guild-leaders too stand with folded hands."

Shloka 55 (ayodhya.14.55)

स्वयं वसिष्ठो भगवान्ब्राह्मणैः सह तिष्ठति । क्षिप्रमाज्ञाप्यतां राजन्राघवस्याभिषेचनम् ।। १४.५५ ।।

svayaṃ vasiṣṭho bhagavānbrāhmaṇaiḥ saha tiṣṭhati | kṣipramājñāpyatāṃ rājanrāghavasyābhiṣecanam || 14.55 ||

"The venerable Vasishtha himself stands waiting, together with the brahmins. O king, give the order quickly for Raghava's consecration."

Shloka 56 (ayodhya.14.56)

यथा ह्यपालाः पशवो यथा सेना ह्यनायका । यथा चन्द्रं विना रात्रिर्यथा गावो विना वृषम् ।। १४.५६ ।।

yathā hyapālāḥ paśavo yathā senā hyanāyakā | yathā candraṃ vinā rātriryathā gāvo vinā vṛṣam || 14.56 ||

"For as cattle without a herdsman, as an army without a commander, as night without the moon, as cows without a bull—"

Shloka 57 (ayodhya.14.57)

एवं हि भविता राष्ट्रं यत्र राजा न दृश्यते । एवं तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सान्त्वपूर्वमिवार्थवत् ।। १४.५७ ।।

evaṃ hi bhavitā rāṣṭraṃ yatra rājā na dṛśyate | evaṃ tasya vacaḥ śrutvā sāntvapūrvamivārthavat || 14.57 ||

"—so too will a kingdom become, where no king is to be seen." Hearing these words of his, which were both soothing and full of meaning—

Shloka 58 (ayodhya.14.58)

अभ्यकीर्यत शोकेन भूय एव महीपतिः । ततस्तु राजा तं सूतं सन्नहर्षः सुतं प्रति ।। १४.५८ ।।

abhyakīryata śokena bhūya eva mahīpatiḥ | tatastu rājā taṃ sūtaṃ sannaharṣaḥ sutaṃ prati || 14.58 ||

—the king was once again overwhelmed with grief. Then the king, his joy concerning his son now gone—

Shloka 59 (ayodhya.14.59)

शोकरक्तेक्षणः श्रीमानुद्वीक्ष्योवाच धार्मिकः । वाक्यैस्तु खलु मर्माणि मम भूयो निकृन्तसि ।। १४.५९ ।।

śokaraktekṣaṇaḥ śrīmānudvīkṣyovāca dhārmikaḥ | vākyaistu khalu marmāṇi mama bhūyo nikṛntasi || 14.59 ||

—looked up, his eyes reddened with grief, and, glorious and righteous as he was, said, "With your words you cut into my very vitals yet again."

Shloka 60 (ayodhya.14.60)

सुमन्त्रः करुणं श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा दीनं च पार्थिवम् । प्रगृहीताञ्जलिः किंचित्तस्माद्देशादपाक्रमत् ।। १४.६० ।।

sumantraḥ karuṇaṃ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā dīnaṃ ca pārthivam | pragṛhītāñjaliḥ kiṃcittasmāddeśādapākramat || 14.60 ||

Sumantra, hearing this piteous speech and seeing the king so wretched, drew back a little from that place, his hands still folded.

Shloka 61 (ayodhya.14.61)

यदा वक्तुं स्वयं दैन्यान्न शशाक महीपतिः । तदा सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रज्ञा कैकेयी प्रत्युवाच ह ।। १४.६१ ।।

yadā vaktuṃ svayaṃ dainyānna śaśāka mahīpatiḥ | tadā sumantraṃ mantrajñā kaikeyī pratyuvāca ha || 14.61 ||

When the king himself, out of his wretchedness, was unable to speak, then Kaikeyi, skilled in counsel, replied to Sumantra.

Shloka 62 (ayodhya.14.62)

सुमन्त्र राजा रजनीं रामहर्षसमुत्सुकः । प्रजागरपरिश्रान्तो निद्रावशमुपागतः ।। १४.६२ ।।

sumantra rājā rajanīṃ rāmaharṣasamutsukaḥ | prajāgarapariśrānto nidrāvaśamupāgataḥ || 14.62 ||

"O Sumantra, the king, eager all through the night with joy for Rama, wearied by his long wakefulness, has now fallen under the sway of sleep."

Shloka 63 (ayodhya.14.63)

तद्गच्छ त्वरितं सूत राजपुत्रं यशस्विनम् । राममानय भद्रं ते नात्र कार्या विचारणा ।। १४.६३ ।।

tadgaccha tvaritaṃ sūta rājaputraṃ yaśasvinam | rāmamānaya bhadraṃ te nātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 14.63 ||

"Therefore go quickly, O charioteer, and bring here the illustrious prince Rama. Blessings upon you—there must be no hesitation in this."

Shloka 64 (ayodhya.14.64)

अश्रुत्वा राजवचनं कथं गच्छामि भामिनि । तच्छ्रुत्वा मन्त्रिणो वाक्यं राजा मन्त्रिणमब्रवीत् ।। १४.६४ ।।

aśrutvā rājavacanaṃ kathaṃ gacchāmi bhāmini | tacchrutvā mantriṇo vākyaṃ rājā mantriṇamabravīt || 14.64 ||

"How shall I go, O lady, without hearing the king's own command?" Hearing this word from the minister, the king spoke to him.

Shloka 65 (ayodhya.14.65)

सुमन्त्र रामं द्रक्ष्यामि शीघ्रमानय सुन्दरम् । स मन्यमानः कल्याणं हृदयेन ननन्द च ।। १४.६५ ।।

sumantra rāmaṃ drakṣyāmi śīghramānaya sundaram | sa manyamānaḥ kalyāṇaṃ hṛdayena nananda ca || 14.65 ||

"O Sumantra, I wish to see Rama—bring that lovely one quickly." Sumantra, taking this as a good sign, rejoiced in his heart.

Shloka 66 (ayodhya.14.66)

निर्जगाम च स प्रीत्या त्वरितो राजशासनात् । सुमन्त्रश्चिन्तयामास त्वरितं चोदितस्तया ।। १४.६६ ।।

nirjagāma ca sa prītyā tvarito rājaśāsanāt | sumantraścintayāmāsa tvaritaṃ coditastayā || 14.66 ||

Delighted, and hastened on by the king's own command, he went forth; and Sumantra, thus urged on quickly by her as well, began to reflect.

Shloka 67 (ayodhya.14.67)

व्यक्तं रामाभिषेकार्थे इहायास्यति धर्मराट् । इति सूतो मतिं कृत्वा हर्षेण महता पुनः ।। १४.६७ ।।

vyaktaṃ rāmābhiṣekārthe ihāyāsyati dharmarāṭ | iti sūto matiṃ kṛtvā harṣeṇa mahatā punaḥ || 14.67 ||

"Clearly, that righteous king will come here for Rama's consecration." Having resolved this in his mind, the charioteer, once more filled with great joy—

Shloka 68 (ayodhya.14.68)

निर्जगाम महातेजा राघवस्य दिदृक्षया । सागरह्रदसंकाशात्सुमन्त्रोऽन्तःपुराच्छुभात् । निष्क्रम्य जनसम्बाधं ददर्श द्वारमग्रतः ।। १४.६८ ।।

nirjagāma mahātejā rāghavasya didṛkṣayā | sāgarahradasaṃkāśātsumantro'ntaḥpurācchubhāt | niṣkramya janasambādhaṃ dadarśa dvāramagrataḥ || 14.68 ||

—set out, that greatly splendid one, with a longing to see Raghava; and coming forth from that auspicious inner palace, resembling a deep pool of the sea, Sumantra saw the gate ahead crowded with people.

Shloka 69 (ayodhya.14.69)

ततः पुरस्तात्सहसा विनिःसृतो महीपतेर्द्वारगतान्विलोकयन् । ददर्श पौरान्विविधान्महाधनानुपस्थितान्द्वारमुपेत्य विष्ठितान् ।। १४.६९ ।।

tataḥ purastātsahasā viniḥsṛto mahīpaterdvāragatānvilokayan | dadarśa paurānvividhānmahādhanānupasthitāndvāramupetya viṣṭhitān || 14.69 ||

Then, having suddenly come forth in front, looking upon those gathered at the gate, he saw many citizens of great wealth, present there, standing at the gateway.