The Joyful Summons

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.16.1)

स तदन्तःपुरद्वारं समतीत्य जनाकुलम् । प्रविविक्तां ततः कक्ष्यामाससाद पुराणवित् ॥ 16.1 ॥

sa tadantaḥpuradvāraṃ samatītya janākulam | praviviktāṃ tataḥ kakṣyāmāsasāda purāṇavit

That Sumantra, who knew the ancient sacred lore, passed beyond the crowded gate of the inner apartments and reached the secluded inner chamber.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.16.2)

प्रासकार्मुकबिभ्रद्भिर्युवभिर्मृष्टकुण्डलैः । अप्रमादिभिरेकाग्रैः स्वानुरक्तैरधिष्ठिताम् ॥ 16.2 ॥

prāsakārmukabibhradbhiryuvabhirmṛṣṭakuṇḍalaiḥ | apramādibhirekāgraiḥ svānuraktairadhiṣṭhitām

That chamber was guarded by young men bearing darts and bows, wearing polished earrings, vigilant, single-minded, and devoted to the king.

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.16.3)

तत्र काषायिणो वृद्धान् वेत्रपाणीन् स्वलंकृतान् । ददर्श विष्ठितान् द्वारि स्त्र्यध्यक्षान् समाहितान् ॥ 16.3 ॥

tatra kāṣāyiṇo vṛddhān vetrapāṇīn svalaṃkṛtān | dadarśa viṣṭhitān dvāri stryadhyakṣān samāhitān

There he saw aged, well-composed overseers of the women's quarters, dressed in ochre robes, well adorned, holding canes in hand, stationed at the doorway.

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.16.4)

ते समीक्ष्य समायान्तं रामप्रियचिकीर्षवः । सहसोत्पतिताः सर्वे ह्यासनेभ्यः ससम्भ्रमाः ॥ 16.4 ॥

te samīkṣya samāyāntaṃ rāmapriyacikīrṣavaḥ | sahasotpatitāḥ sarve hyāsanebhyaḥ sasambhramāḥ

Seeing him approaching, all of them, wishing well of Rama, rose hastily and at once from their seats in eager haste.

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.16.5)

तानुवाच विनीतात्मा सूतपुत्रः प्रदक्षिणः । क्षिप्रमाख्यात रामाय सुमन्त्रो द्वारि तिष्ठति ॥ 16.5 ॥

tānuvāca vinītātmā sūtaputraḥ pradakṣiṇaḥ | kṣipramākhyāta rāmāya sumantro dvāri tiṣṭhati

That humble, courteous son of the charioteer said to them, "Quickly announce to Rama that Sumantra stands at the door."

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.16.6)

ते राममुपसङ्गम्य भर्तुः प्रियचिकीर्षवः । सहभार्याय रामाय क्षिप्रमेवाचचक्षिरे ॥ 16.6 ॥

te rāmamupasaṅgamya bhartuḥ priyacikīrṣavaḥ | sahabhāryāya rāmāya kṣipramevācacakṣire

They, wishing well of their master, approached Rama, who was seated with his wife, and swiftly conveyed the message to him.

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.16.7)

प्रतिवेदितमाज्ञाय सूतमभ्यन्तरं पितुः । तत्रैवानाययामास राघवः प्रियकाम्यया ॥ 16.7 ॥

prativeditamājñāya sūtamabhyantaraṃ pituḥ | tatraivānāyayāmāsa rāghavaḥ priyakāmyayā

Learning of this, and knowing Sumantra to be one intimate to his father, Raghava, wishing to please him, had him brought in at once.

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.16.8)

तं वैश्रवणसंकाशमुपविष्टं स्वलंकृतम् । ददर्श सूतः पर्यङ्के सौवर्णे सोत्तरच्छदे ॥ 16.8 ॥

taṃ vaiśravaṇasaṃkāśamupaviṣṭaṃ svalaṃkṛtam | dadarśa sūtaḥ paryaṅke sauvarṇe sottaracchade

The charioteer's son saw him, resembling Kubera, well adorned, seated upon a golden couch spread with a fine coverlet.

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.16.9)

वराहरुधिराभेण शुचिना च सुगन्धिना । अनुलिप्तं परार्घ्येन चन्दनेन परंतपम् ॥ 16.9 ॥

varāharudhirābheṇa śucinā ca sugandhinā | anuliptaṃ parārghyena candanena paraṃtapam

The scourge of his foes was anointed with excellent, pure, fragrant sandal-paste, of the hue of a boar's blood.

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.16.10)

स्थितया पार्श्वतश्चापि वालव्यजनहस्तया । उपेतं सीतया भूयश्चित्रया शशिनं यथा ॥ 16.10 ॥

sthitayā pārśvataścāpi vālavyajanahastayā | upetaṃ sītayā bhūyaścitrayā śaśinaṃ yathā

And with him, standing by his side with a yak-tail fan in hand, was Sita, so that he shone the more, like the moon accompanied by the star Chitra.

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.16.11)

तं तपन्तमिवादित्यमुपपन्नं स्वतेजसा । ववन्दे वरदं वन्दी विनयज्ञो विनीतवत् ॥ 16.11 ॥

taṃ tapantamivādityamupapannaṃ svatejasā | vavande varadaṃ vandī vinayajño vinītavat

Sumantra, the herald, knowing the rules of courtesy, humbly saluted him who, endowed with his own splendour, blazed like the sun, the giver of boons.

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.16.12)

प्राञ्जलिः सुमुखं दृष्ट्वा विहारशयनासने । राजपुत्रमुवाचेदं सुमन्त्रो राजसत्कृतः ॥ 16.12 ॥

prāñjaliḥ sumukhaṃ dṛṣṭvā vihāraśayanāsane | rājaputramuvācedaṃ sumantro rājasatkṛtaḥ

Sumantra, honoured by the king, seeing the prince of beautiful countenance seated upon his couch of repose, folded his hands and spoke these words to him.

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.16.13)

कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पिता त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छति । महिष्यापि हि कैकेय्या गम्यतां तत्र मा चिरम् ॥ 16.13 ॥

kausalyā suprajā rāma pitā tvāṃ draṣṭumicchati | mahiṣyāpi hi kaikeyyā gamyatāṃ tatra mā ciram

"O Rama, good son of Kausalya, your father wishes to see you, together with the queen Kaikeyi; go there without delay."

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.16.14)

एवमुक्तस्तु संहृष्टो नरसिंहो महाद्युतिः । ततः सम्मानयामास सीतामिदमुवाच ह ॥ 16.14 ॥

evamuktastu saṃhṛṣṭo narasiṃho mahādyutiḥ | tataḥ sammānayāmāsa sītāmidamuvāca ha

Thus addressed, that lion among men, of great splendour, was delighted; he then honoured Sumantra and spoke thus to Sita.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.16.15)

देवि देवश्च देवी च समागम्य मदन्तरे । मन्त्रयेते ध्रुवं किंचिदभिषेचनसंहितम् ॥ 16.15 ॥

devi devaśca devī ca samāgamya madantare | mantrayete dhruvaṃ kiṃcidabhiṣecanasaṃhitam

"O queen, surely the king and the queen, meeting together, are deliberating on some matter concerning my consecration."

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.16.16)

लक्षयित्वा ह्यभिप्रायं प्रियकामा सुदक्षिणा । संचोदयति राजानं मदर्थमसितेक्षणा ॥ 16.16 ॥

lakṣayitvā hyabhiprāyaṃ priyakāmā sudakṣiṇā | saṃcodayati rājānaṃ madarthamasitekṣaṇā

"The dark-eyed Kaikeyi, ever wishing my good, skilful as she is, having perceived his intention, must be urging the king on my behalf."

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.16.17)

सा प्रहृष्टा महाराजं हितकामानुवर्तिनी । जननी चार्थकामा मे केकयाधिपतेः सुता ॥ 16.17 ॥

sā prahṛṣṭā mahārājaṃ hitakāmānuvartinī | jananī cārthakāmā me kekayādhipateḥ sutā

"She, delighted, ever following the king's wishes for good, that daughter of the king of Kekaya, my mother, desirous of my welfare, must be pressing this matter."

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.16.18)

दिष्ट्या खलु महाराजो महिष्या प्रियया सह । सुमन्त्रं प्राहिणोद् दूतमर्थकामकरं मम ॥ 16.18 ॥

diṣṭyā khalu mahārājo mahiṣyā priyayā saha | sumantraṃ prāhiṇod dūtamarthakāmakaraṃ mama

"By good fortune indeed has the great king, together with his beloved queen, sent Sumantra as messenger to fulfil my desire."

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.16.19)

यादृशी परिषत् तत्र तादृशो दूत आगतः । ध्रुवमद्यैव मां राजा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति ॥ 16.19 ॥

yādṛśī pariṣat tatra tādṛśo dūta āgataḥ | dhruvamadyaiva māṃ rājā yauvarājye'bhiṣekṣyati

"Such as is that assembly there, such indeed is the messenger who has come; surely this very day the king will consecrate me as heir-apparent."

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.16.20)

हन्त शीघ्रमितो गत्वा द्रक्ष्यामि च महीपतिम् । सह त्वं परिवारेण सुखमास्स्व रमस्व च ॥ 16.20 ॥

hanta śīghramito gatvā drakṣyāmi ca mahīpatim | saha tvaṃ parivāreṇa sukhamāssva ramasva ca

"Come, going quickly from here I shall see the lord of the earth; you meanwhile remain happily with your companions and take your ease."

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.16.21)

पतिसम्मानिता सीता भर्तारमसितेक्षणा । आ द्वारमनुवव्राज मङ्गलान्यभिदध्युषी ॥ 16.21 ॥

patisammānitā sītā bhartāramasitekṣaṇā | ā dvāramanuvavrāja maṅgalānyabhidadhyuṣī

Sita, dark-eyed, honoured by her husband, murmuring words of blessing, followed her husband as far as the door.

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.16.22)

राज्यं द्विजातिभिर्जुष्टं राजसूयाभिषेचनम् । कर्तुमर्हति ते राजा वासवस्येव लोककृत् ॥ 16.22 ॥

rājyaṃ dvijātibhirjuṣṭaṃ rājasūyābhiṣecanam | kartumarhati te rājā vāsavasyeva lokakṛt

"May the king bestow upon you the kingdom honoured by the twice-born, and the consecration of the royal sacrifice, even as the Creator did for Vasava."

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.16.23)

दीक्षितं व्रतसम्पन्नं वराजिनधरं शुचिम् । कुरङ्गशृङ्गपाणिं च पश्यन्ती त्वां भजाम्यहम् ॥ 16.23 ॥

dīkṣitaṃ vratasampannaṃ varājinadharaṃ śucim | kuraṅgaśṛṅgapāṇiṃ ca paśyantī tvāṃ bhajāmyaham

"I shall rejoice to behold you consecrated, engaged in your vow, pure, clad in the excellent black-antelope skin, holding the deer-horn in hand."

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.16.24)

पूर्वां दिशं वज्रधरो दक्षिणां पातु ते यमः । वरुणः पश्चिमामाशां धनेशस्तूत्तरां दिशम् ॥ 16.24 ॥

pūrvāṃ diśaṃ vajradharo dakṣiṇāṃ pātu te yamaḥ | varuṇaḥ paścimāmāśāṃ dhaneśastūttarāṃ diśam

"May the wielder of the thunderbolt guard your eastern quarter, Yama the southern, Varuna the western region, and the lord of wealth the northern direction."

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.16.25)

अथ सीतामनुज्ञाप्य कृतकौतुकमङ्गलः । निश्चक्राम सुमन्त्रेण सह रामो निवेशनात् ॥ 16.25 ॥

atha sītāmanujñāpya kṛtakautukamaṅgalaḥ | niścakrāma sumantreṇa saha rāmo niveśanāt

Then Rama, having taken leave of Sita, his auspicious rites of blessing performed, set out from the house together with Sumantra.

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.16.26)

पर्वतादिव निष्क्रम्य सिंहो गिरिगुहाशयः । लक्ष्मणं द्वारि सोऽपश्यत् प्रह्वाञ्जलिपुटं स्थितम् ॥ 16.26 ॥

parvatādiva niṣkramya siṃho giriguhāśayaḥ | lakṣmaṇaṃ dvāri so'paśyat prahvāñjalipuṭaṃ sthitam

Coming forth as a lion issuing from a mountain cave, he saw Lakshmana standing at the door, bowed with joined palms.

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.16.27)

अथ मध्यमकक्ष्यायां समागच्छत् सुहृज्जनैः । स सर्वानर्थिनो दृष्ट्वा समेत्य प्रतिनन्द्य च ॥ 16.27 ॥

atha madhyamakakṣyāyāṃ samāgacchat suhṛjjanaiḥ | sa sarvānarthino dṛṣṭvā sametya pratinandya ca

Then, in the middle courtyard, he was met by his friends; seeing all those who sought him, he approached and greeted them.

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.16.28)

ततः पावकसंकाशमारुरोह रथोत्तमम् । वैयाघ्रं पुरुषव्याघ्रो राजितं राजनन्दनः ॥ 16.28 ॥

tataḥ pāvakasaṃkāśamāruroha rathottamam | vaiyāghraṃ puruṣavyāghro rājitaṃ rājanandanaḥ

Then that tiger among men, the king's son, mounted the excellent chariot, resplendent, spread with tiger-skin, glowing like fire.

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.16.29)

मेघनादमसम्बाधं मणिहेमविभूषितम् । मुष्णन्तमिव चक्षूंषि प्रभया मेरुवर्चसम् ॥ 16.29 ॥

meghanādamasambādhaṃ maṇihemavibhūṣitam | muṣṇantamiva cakṣūṃṣi prabhayā meruvarcasam

It thundered like a cloud, was spacious, adorned with jewels and gold, its splendour like that of Mount Meru, as if stealing away the eyes.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.16.30)

करेणुशिशुकल्पैश्च युक्तं परमवाजिभिः । हरियुक्तं सहस्राक्षो रथमिन्द्र इवाशुगम् ॥ 16.30 ॥

kareṇuśiśukalpaiśca yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ | hariyuktaṃ sahasrākṣo rathamindra ivāśugam

It was yoked with excellent steeds resembling young elephants, swift, like the chariot of thousand-eyed Indra drawn by tawny horses.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.16.31)

प्रययौ तूर्णमास्थाय राघवो ज्वलितः श्रिया । स पर्जन्य इवाकाशे स्वनवानभिनादयन् ॥ 16.31 ॥

prayayau tūrṇamāsthāya rāghavo jvalitaḥ śriyā | sa parjanya ivākāśe svanavānabhinādayan

Mounting it, Raghava, blazing with splendour, set forth swiftly, that chariot resounding through the sky like a rain-cloud, filling it with its roar.

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.16.32)

निकेतान्निर्ययौ श्रीमान् महाभ्रादिव चन्द्रमाः । चित्रचामरपाणिस्तु लक्ष्मणो राघवानुजः ॥ 16.32 ॥

niketānniryayau śrīmān mahābhrādiva candramāḥ | citracāmarapāṇistu lakṣmaṇo rāghavānujaḥ

The glorious one issued from the house like the moon from a great cloud; and Lakshmana, Raghava's younger brother, holding the bright chowrie in hand,

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.16.33)

जुगोप भ्रातरं भ्राता रथमास्थाय पृष्ठतः । ततो हलहलाशब्दस्तुमुलः समजायत ॥ 16.33 ॥

jugopa bhrātaraṃ bhrātā rathamāsthāya pṛṣṭhataḥ | tato halahalāśabdastumulaḥ samajāyata

mounting the chariot behind, guarded his brother. Then arose a tumultuous, roaring uproar.

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.16.34)

तस्य निष्क्रममाणस्य जनौघस्य समन्ततः । ततो हयवरा मुख्या नागाश्च गिरिसंनिभाः ॥ 16.34 ॥

tasya niṣkramamāṇasya janaughasya samantataḥ | tato hayavarā mukhyā nāgāśca girisaṃnibhāḥ

As the multitude of people poured out on every side, then came excellent, foremost horses and elephants resembling mountains.

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.16.35)

अनुजग्मुस्तथा रामं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः । अग्रतश्चास्य संनद्धाश्चन्दनागुरुभूषिताः ॥ 16.35 ॥

anujagmustathā rāmaṃ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ | agrataścāsya saṃnaddhāścandanāgurubhūṣitāḥ

Then, by the hundreds and by the thousands, they followed Rama; and ahead of him went armed men, adorned with sandal and aloe-paste.

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.16.36)

खड्गचापधराः शूरा जग्मुराशंसवो जनाः । ततो वादित्रशब्दाश्च स्तुतिशब्दाश्च वन्दिनाम् ॥ 16.36 ॥

khaḍgacāpadharāḥ śūrā jagmurāśaṃsavo janāḥ | tato vāditraśabdāśca stutiśabdāśca vandinām

Heroic men bearing swords and bows went, proclaiming his glory; then arose the sound of musical instruments and the eulogies of bards.

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.16.37)

सिंहनादाश्च शूराणां ततः शुश्रुविरे पथि । हर्म्यवातायनस्थाभिर्भूषिताभिः समन्ततः ॥ 16.37 ॥

siṃhanādāśca śūrāṇāṃ tataḥ śuśruvire pathi | harmyavātāyanasthābhirbhūṣitābhiḥ samantataḥ

And the lion-roars of heroes were then heard along the way; while from the windows of mansions all around, adorned women,

Shloka 38 (ayodhya.16.38)

कीर्यमाणः सुपुष्पौघैर्ययौ स्त्रीभिररिंदमः । रामं सर्वानवद्याङ्ग्यो रामपिप्रीषया ततः ॥ 16.38 ॥

kīryamāṇaḥ supuṣpaughairyayau strībhirariṃdamaḥ | rāmaṃ sarvānavadyāṅgyo rāmapiprīṣayā tataḥ

showering abundant flowers upon him, the subduer of foes proceeded on; women of flawless form did so out of their love for Rama, sending

Shloka 39 (ayodhya.16.39)

वचोभिरग्र्यैर्हर्म्यस्थाः क्षितिस्थाश्च ववन्दिरे । नूनं नन्दति ते माता कौसल्या मातृनन्दन ॥ 16.39 ॥

vacobhiragryairharmyasthāḥ kṣitisthāśca vavandire | nūnaṃ nandati te mātā kausalyā mātṛnandana

blessings upon him with the choicest of words, whether standing on the mansions or upon the ground: "Surely your mother Kausalya rejoices, O delight of your mother,

Shloka 40 (ayodhya.16.40)

पश्यन्ती सिद्धयात्रं त्वां पित्र्यं राज्यमुपस्थितम् । सर्वसीमन्तिनीभ्यश्च सीतां सीमन्तिनीं वराम् ॥ 16.40 ॥

paśyantī siddhayātraṃ tvāṃ pitryaṃ rājyamupasthitam | sarvasīmantinībhyaśca sītāṃ sīmantinīṃ varām

seeing your journey crowned with success as you attain your father's kingdom." And those women deemed Sita, among all wedded women, the most excellent,

Shloka 41 (ayodhya.16.41)

अमन्यन्त हि ता नार्यो रामस्य हृदयप्रियाम् । तया सुचरितं देव्या पुरा नूनं महत् तपः ॥ 16.41 ॥

amanyanta hi tā nāryo rāmasya hṛdayapriyām | tayā sucaritaṃ devyā purā nūnaṃ mahat tapaḥ

dear as she was to the heart of Rama. "Surely that queen must have performed great austerity in a former life,

Shloka 42 (ayodhya.16.42)

रोहिणीव शशाङ्केन रामसंयोगमाप या । इति प्रासादशृङ्गेषु प्रमदाभिर्नरोत्तमः । शुश्राव राजमार्गस्थः प्रिया वाच उदाहृताः ॥ 16.42 ॥

rohiṇīva śaśāṅkena rāmasaṃyogamāpa yā | iti prāsādaśṛṅgeṣu pramadābhirnarottamaḥ | śuśrāva rājamārgasthaḥ priyā vāca udāhṛtāḥ

by which, like Rohini united with the moon, she has attained union with Rama" -- thus, while on the royal highway, that noblest of men heard these loving words spoken by women from the tops of the mansions.

Shloka 43 (ayodhya.16.43)

स राघवस्तत्र तदा प्रलापान् शुश्राव लोकस्य समागतस्य । आत्माधिकारा विविधाश्च वाचः प्रहृष्टरूपस्य पुरे जनस्य ॥ 16.43 ॥

sa rāghavastatra tadā pralāpān śuśrāva lokasya samāgatasya | ātmādhikārā vividhāśca vācaḥ prahṛṣṭarūpasya pure janasya

There Raghava heard the exclamations of the gathered crowd, and the varied words concerning himself spoken by the delighted people of the city.

Shloka 44 (ayodhya.16.44)

एष श्रियं गच्छति राघवोऽद्य राजप्रसादाद् विपुलां गमिष्यन् । एते वयं सर्वसमृद्धकामा येषामयं नो भविता प्रशास्ता ॥ 16.44 ॥

eṣa śriyaṃ gacchati rāghavo'dya rājaprasādād vipulāṃ gamiṣyan | ete vayaṃ sarvasamṛddhakāmā yeṣāmayaṃ no bhavitā praśāstā

"Today this Raghava attains royal fortune, about to gain, by the king's grace, a vast realm; we, for whom he shall be ruler, shall have all our desires fulfilled."

Shloka 45 (ayodhya.16.45)

लाभो जनस्यास्य यदेष सर्वं प्रपत्स्यते राष्ट्रमिदं चिराय । न ह्यप्रियं किंचन जातु कश्चित् पश्येन्न दुःखं मनुजाधिपेऽस्मिन् ॥ 16.45 ॥

lābho janasyāsya yadeṣa sarvaṃ prapatsyate rāṣṭramidaṃ cirāya | na hyapriyaṃ kiṃcana jātu kaścit paśyenna duḥkhaṃ manujādhipe'smin

"It is a boon for these people that he shall long govern this entire realm; for under this lord of men, no one shall ever see anything unpleasant, nor any sorrow."

Shloka 46 (ayodhya.16.46)

स घोषवद्भिश्च हयैः सनागैः पुरःसरैः स्वस्तिकसूतमागधैः । महीयमानः प्रवरैश्च वादकै- रभिष्टुतो वैश्रवणो यथा ययौ ॥ 16.46 ॥

sa ghoṣavadbhiśca hayaiḥ sanāgaiḥ puraḥsaraiḥ svastikasūtamāgadhaiḥ | mahīyamānaḥ pravaraiśca vādakai- rabhiṣṭuto vaiśravaṇo yathā yayau

Amid resounding horses and elephants, preceded by bards uttering blessings and heralds, honoured and praised by excellent musicians, he went forth like Vaishravana.

Shloka 47 (ayodhya.16.47)

करेणुमातङ्गरथाश्वसंकुलं महाजनौघैः परिपूर्णचत्वरम् । प्रभूतरत्नं बहुपण्यसंचयं ददर्श रामो विमलं महापथम् ॥ 16.47 ॥

kareṇumātaṅgarathāśvasaṃkulaṃ mahājanaughaiḥ paripūrṇacatvaram | prabhūtaratnaṃ bahupaṇyasaṃcayaṃ dadarśa rāmo vimalaṃ mahāpatham

Rama beheld the spotless royal highway, thronged with cow-elephants, tuskers, chariots and horses, its squares filled with vast crowds, abounding in jewels and heaps of merchandise.