Dasharatha's Proposal to the Assembly

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.2.1)

ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः | हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः ॥ 2.1 ॥

tataḥ pariṣadaṃ sarvāmāmantrya vasudhādhipaḥ | hitamuddharṣaṇaṃ caivamuvāca prathitaṃ vacaḥ

Then the lord of the earth, having addressed the whole assembly, spoke these famous words, beneficial and gladdening.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.2.2)

दुन्धुभिस्वनकल्पेन गम्भीरेणानुनादिना | स्वरेण महता राजा जीमूत इव नादयन् ॥ 2.2 ॥

dundhubhisvanakalpena gambhīreṇānunādinā | svareṇa mahatā rājā jīmūta iva nādayan

In a deep, resounding voice like the sound of a kettledrum, making the air resound as a great thundercloud, the king,

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.2.3)

राजलक्षणयुक्तेन कान्तेनानुपमेन च | उवाच रसयुक्तेन स्वरेण नृपतिर्नृपान् ॥ 2.3 ॥

rājalakṣaṇayuktena kāntenānupamena ca | uvāca rasayuktena svareṇa nṛpatirnṛpān

with a voice marked by the signs of kingship, charming, incomparable and full of feeling, the lord of men addressed the assembled kings:

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.2.4)

विदितं भवतामेतद्यथा मे राज्यमुत्तमम् | पूर्वकैर्मम राजेन्द्रैस्सुतवत् परिपालितम् ॥ 2.4 ॥

viditaṃ bhavatāmetadyathā me rājyamuttamam | pūrvakairmama rājendraissutavat paripālitam

"It is known to you all how this excellent kingdom of mine was ruled by my royal ancestors as tenderly as a son.

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.2.5)

सोऽहमिक्ष्ह्वाकुभिः सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः परिपालितम् | श्रेयसा योक्तुकामोऽस्मि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत् ॥ 2.5 ॥

so'hamikṣhvākubhiḥ sarvairnarendraiḥ paripālitam | śreyasā yoktukāmo'smi sukhārhamakhilaṃ jagat

I too now wish to join this whole realm — protected by all the kings of the Ikshvaku line, and worthy of happiness — to still greater good fortune.

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.2.6)

मयाप्याचरितं पूर्वैः पन्थानमनुगच्छता | प्रजा नित्यमनिद्रेण यथाशक्त्यभिरक्षिताः ॥ 2.6 ॥

mayāpyācaritaṃ pūrvaiḥ panthānamanugacchatā | prajā nityamanidreṇa yathāśaktyabhirakṣitāḥ

I too, following the path trodden by my forefathers, have ever, without slumber, protected my people to the best of my power.

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.2.7)

इदं शरीरं कृत्स्नस्य लोकस्य चरता हितम् | पाण्डुरस्यातपत्रस्य च्छायायां जरितं मया ॥ 2.7 ॥

idaṃ śarīraṃ kṛtsnasya lokasya caratā hitam | pāṇḍurasyātapatrasya cchāyāyāṃ jaritaṃ mayā

In working for the welfare of the whole people, this body of mine has grown old beneath the shade of the white royal umbrella.

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.2.8)

प्राप्य वर्षसहस्राणि बहू न्यायूंषि जीवतः | जीर्णस्यास्य शरीरस्य विश्रान्ति मभिरोचये ॥ 2.8 ॥

prāpya varṣasahasrāṇi bahū nyāyūṃṣi jīvataḥ | jīrṇasyāsya śarīrasya viśrānti mabhirocaye

Having lived through many thousands of years of life, I now desire rest for this body of mine, now grown old.

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.2.9)

राजप्रभावजुष्टां हि दुर्वहामजितेन्द्रियैः | परिश्रान्तोऽस्मि लोकस्य गुर्वीं धर्मधुरं वहन् ॥ 2.9 ॥

rājaprabhāvajuṣṭāṃ hi durvahāmajitendriyaiḥ | pariśrānto'smi lokasya gurvīṃ dharmadhuraṃ vahan

I am wearied from bearing the heavy yoke of the people's righteousness — a burden sustained only by royal power, one that those who have not mastered their senses could never carry.

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.2.10)

सोऽहं विश्रममिच्छामि पुत्रं कृत्वा प्रजाहिते | सन्निकृष्टानिमान् सर्वाननुमान्य द्विजर्षभान् ॥ 2.10 ॥

so'haṃ viśramamicchāmi putraṃ kṛtvā prajāhite | sannikṛṣṭānimān sarvānanumānya dvijarṣabhān

I therefore desire rest, having set my son to the welfare of the people, with the consent of all these foremost brahmins gathered here close to me.

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.2.11)

अनुजातो हि मां सर्वैर्गुणैर्ज्येष्ठो ममात्मजः | पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरंजयः ॥ 2.11 ॥

anujāto hi māṃ sarvairguṇairjyeṣṭho mamātmajaḥ | purandarasamo vīrye rāmaḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ

My eldest son Rama, who in every virtue takes after me and more, is equal to Indra in valour, and a conqueror of the cities of his foes.

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.2.12)

तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम् | यौवराज्ये नियोक्तास्मि प्रीतः पुरुषपुंगवम् ॥ 2.12 ॥

taṃ candramiva puṣyeṇa yuktaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ varam | yauvarājye niyoktāsmi prītaḥ puruṣapuṃgavam

I wish, with joy, to install him — best among the upholders of righteousness and foremost of men, joined to fortune as the moon is joined to the Pushya asterism — in the office of crown prince.

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.2.13)

अनुरूपः स वै नाथो लक्ष्मीवान् लक्ष्मणाग्रजः | त्रैलोक्यमपि नाथेन येन स्यान्नाथवत्तरम् ॥ 2.13 ॥

anurūpaḥ sa vai nātho lakṣmīvān lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ | trailokyamapi nāthena yena syānnāthavattaram

He, Lakshmana's elder brother, glorious and fit to be lord, is such that even the three worlds would be the better for having him as their protector.

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.2.14)

अनेन श्रेयसा सद्यः संयोक्ष्येऽहमिमां महीम् | गतक्लेशो भविष्यामि सुते तस्मिन्निवेश्य वै ॥ 2.14 ॥

anena śreyasā sadyaḥ saṃyokṣye'hamimāṃ mahīm | gatakleśo bhaviṣyāmi sute tasminniveśya vai

By this good fortune I shall at once join this earth to him; and having established my son in this office, I shall be freed of all my cares.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.2.15)

यदीदम् मेऽनुरुपार्थं मया साधु सुमन्त्रितम् | भवन्तो मेऽनुमन्यन्तां कथं वा करवाण्यहम् ॥ 2.15 ॥

yadīdam me'nurupārthaṃ mayā sādhu sumantritam | bhavanto me'numanyantāṃ kathaṃ vā karavāṇyaham

If this, which I have well considered, seems to you a fitting course, then give me your consent; or tell me, how else should I act?

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.2.16)

यद्यप्येषा मम प्रीतिर्हितमन्यद्विचिन्त्यताम् | अन्या मद्यस्थचिन्ता हि विमर्दाभ्यधिकोदया ॥ 2.16 ॥

yadyapyeṣā mama prītirhitamanyadvicintyatām | anyā madyasthacintā hi vimardābhyadhikodayā

Though this is my own wish, let some other beneficial course also be considered; for thought arising from impartial minds, tested through debate, comes to a still higher conclusion."

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.2.17)

इति ब्रुवन्तं मुदिताः प्रत्यनन्दन् नृपा नृपम् | वृष्टिमन्तं महामेघं नर्दन्त इव बर्हिणः ॥ 2.17 ॥

iti bruvantaṃ muditāḥ pratyanandan nṛpā nṛpam | vṛṣṭimantaṃ mahāmeghaṃ nardanta iva barhiṇaḥ

As he spoke thus, the delighted kings acclaimed the king in reply, as peacocks cry out in joy at the sight of a great rain-laden cloud.

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.2.18)

स्निग्धोऽनुनादी संजज्ञे तत्र हर्षसमीरितः | जनौघोद्घुष्टसन्नादो विमानं कम्पयन्निव ॥ 2.18 ॥

snigdho'nunādī saṃjajñe tatra harṣasamīritaḥ | janaughodghuṣṭasannādo vimānaṃ kampayanniva

A sweet, reverberating roar of joy arose there from the assembled crowds, seeming almost to shake the very palace.

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.2.19)

तस्य धर्मार्थविदुषो भावमाज्ञाय सर्वशः | ब्राह्मणा जनमुख्याश्च पौरजानपदैः सह ॥ 2.19 ॥

tasya dharmārthaviduṣo bhāvamājñāya sarvaśaḥ | brāhmaṇā janamukhyāśca paurajānapadaiḥ saha

Having fully understood the mind of that king, so learned in righteousness and statecraft, the brahmins and the leading citizens, together with the people of town and country,

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.2.20)

समेत्य मन्त्रयित्वा तु समतागतबुद्धयः | ऊचुश्च मनसा ज्ञात्वा वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम् ॥ 2.20 ॥

sametya mantrayitvā tu samatāgatabuddhayaḥ | ūcuśca manasā jñātvā vṛddhaṃ daśarathaṃ nṛpam

gathered together, took counsel, and having reached a common mind, spoke thus, with full understanding, to the aged King Dasharatha:

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.2.21)

अनेकवर्षसाहस्रो वृद्धस्त्त्वमसि पार्थिव | स रामं युवराजानमभिषिञ्चस्व पार्थिवम् ॥ 2.21 ॥

anekavarṣasāhasro vṛddhasttvamasi pārthiva | sa rāmaṃ yuvarājānamabhiṣiñcasva pārthivam

"O king, you are one who has grown old through many thousands of years; therefore consecrate Rama as the ruling crown prince."

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.2.22)

इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम् | गजेन महता यान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम् ॥ 2.22 ॥

icchāmo hi mahābāhuṃ raghuvīraṃ mahābalam | gajena mahatā yāntaṃ rāmaṃ chatrāvṛtānanam

"We long to see the mighty-armed Rama, hero of the Raghu line, of great strength, his face shaded by the royal umbrella, riding upon a great elephant."

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.2.23)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा तेषां मनःप्रियम् | अजानन्निव जिज्ञासुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 2.23 ॥

iti tadvacanaṃ śrutvā rājā teṣāṃ manaḥpriyam | ajānanniva jijñāsuridaṃ vacanamabravīt

Hearing these words, so pleasing to his own heart, the king, as though he did not already know their mind, spoke thus to test them further:

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.2.24)

श्रुत्वैव वचनं यन्मे राघवं पतिमिच्छथ | राजानः संशयोऽयं मे तदिदं ब्रूत तत्त्वतः ॥ 2.24 ॥

śrutvaiva vacanaṃ yanme rāghavaṃ patimicchatha | rājānaḥ saṃśayo'yaṃ me tadidaṃ brūta tattvataḥ

"O kings, on hearing my very words you have wished for Raghava as your lord — this raises a doubt in my mind; tell me truly what it is."

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.2.25)

कथं नु मयि धर्मेण पृथिवीमनुशासति | भवन्तो द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति युवराजं ममात्मजम् ॥ 2.25 ॥

kathaṃ nu mayi dharmeṇa pṛthivīmanuśāsati | bhavanto draṣṭumicchanti yuvarājaṃ mamātmajam

"Why is it that, while I still rule this earth in accordance with righteousness, you wish to see my son as crown prince?"

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.2.26)

ते तमूचुर्महात्मानं पौरजानपदैः सह | बहवो नृप कल्याणा गुणाः पुत्रस्य सन्ति ते ॥ 2.26 ॥

te tamūcurmahātmānaṃ paurajānapadaiḥ saha | bahavo nṛpa kalyāṇā guṇāḥ putrasya santi te

They, together with the citizens of town and country, replied to that great-souled king: "O king, your son possesses many auspicious virtues.

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.2.27)

गुणान् गुणवतो देव देवकल्पस्य धीमतः | प्रियानानन्ददान् कृत्स्नान् प्रवक्ष्यामोऽद्यतान् शृणु ॥ 2.27 ॥

guṇān guṇavato deva devakalpasya dhīmataḥ | priyānānandadān kṛtsnān pravakṣyāmo'dyatān śṛṇu

O king, listen now as we recount all the virtues of your wise son, who is like a very god — virtues that are dear to all and give joy to all."

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.2.28)

दिव्यैर्गुणैः शक्रसमो रामः सत्यपराक्रमः | इक्ष्वाकुभ्योऽपि सर्वेभ्यो ह्यतिरिक्तो विशांपते ॥ 2.28 ॥

divyairguṇaiḥ śakrasamo rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ | ikṣvākubhyo'pi sarvebhyo hyatirikto viśāṃpate

"O lord of the people, in his divine qualities Rama is equal to Indra, true in his valour, and greater than all the kings of the Ikshvaku line before him.

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.2.29)

रामः सत्पुरुषो लोके सत्यधर्मपरायणः | साक्षाद्रामाद्विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह ॥ 2.29 ॥

rāmaḥ satpuruṣo loke satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ | sākṣādrāmādvinirvṛtto dharmaścāpi śriyā saha

Rama is a truly good man in this world, devoted wholly to truth and righteousness; through Rama alone, as it were, righteousness itself moves in company with prosperity.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.2.30)

प्रजासुखत्वे चन्द्रस्य वसुधायाः क्ष्हमागुणैः | बुध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये साक्षाच्छचीपतेः ॥ 2.30 ॥

prajāsukhatve candrasya vasudhāyāḥ kṣhamāguṇaiḥ | budhyā bṛhaspatestulyo vīrye sākṣācchacīpateḥ

In giving happiness to the people he is like the moon; in the virtue of forbearance he is like the earth; in wisdom he is equal to Brihaspati, and in valour to Indra himself.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.2.31)

धर्मज्ञः सत्यसन्धश्च शीलवाननसूयकः | क्षान्तः सान्त्वयिता श्लक्ष्ह्णः कृतज्ञो विजितेन्द्रियः ॥ 2.31 ॥

dharmajñaḥ satyasandhaśca śīlavānanasūyakaḥ | kṣāntaḥ sāntvayitā ślakṣhṇaḥ kṛtajño vijitendriyaḥ

He knows righteousness, is true to his word, of good character and free of envy; forbearing, a comforter of others, gentle of speech, grateful, and master of his senses.

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.2.32)

मृदुश्च स्थिरचित्तश्च सदा भव्योऽनसूयकः | प्रियवादी च भूतानां सत्यवादी च राघवः ॥ 2.32 ॥

mṛduśca sthiracittaśca sadā bhavyo'nasūyakaḥ | priyavādī ca bhūtānāṃ satyavādī ca rāghavaḥ

Gentle and steady of mind, ever gracious and free of envy, Raghava speaks kindly and truthfully to all beings;

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.2.33)

बहुश्रुतानां वृद्धानां ब्राह्मणानामुपासिता | तेना स्येहातुला कीर्तिर्यशस्तेजश्च वर्धते ॥ 2.33 ॥

bahuśrutānāṃ vṛddhānāṃ brāhmaṇānāmupāsitā | tenā syehātulā kīrtiryaśastejaśca vardhate

he attends devotedly upon aged, deeply learned brahmins, and through this his incomparable fame, glory and splendour go on increasing in this world.

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.2.34)

देवासुरमनुष्याणां सर्वास्त्रेषु विशारदः | सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत्साङ्गेवेदवित् ॥ 2.34 ॥

devāsuramanuṣyāṇāṃ sarvāstreṣu viśāradaḥ | samyagvidyāvratasnāto yathāvatsāṅgevedavit

Skilled in all the weapons known to gods, demons and men, he has duly completed the vow of learning, and rightly knows the Vedas together with their auxiliary sciences;

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.2.35)

गान्धर्वे च भुवि श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः | कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनात्मा महामतिः ॥ 2.35 ॥

gāndharve ca bhuvi śreṣṭho babhūva bharatāgrajaḥ | kalyāṇābhijanaḥ sādhuradīnātmā mahāmatiḥ

and Bharata's elder brother has become the foremost in the world in the art of music; of auspicious lineage, good, never downcast, and of great wisdom.

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.2.36)

द्विजैरभिविनीतश्च श्रेष्ठैर्धर्मार्थनैपुणैः | यदा व्रजति संग्रामं ग्रामार्थे नगरस्य वा ॥ 2.36 ॥

dvijairabhivinītaśca śreṣṭhairdharmārthanaipuṇaiḥ | yadā vrajati saṃgrāmaṃ grāmārthe nagarasya vā

Well trained by the finest brahmins skilled in righteousness and statecraft, whenever he goes forth to battle for the sake of a village or a city —

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.2.37)

गत्वा सौमित्रिसहितो नाविजित्य निवर्तते | संग्रामात्पुनरागम्य कुञ्जरेण रथेन वा ॥ 2.37 ॥

gatvā saumitrisahito nāvijitya nivartate | saṃgrāmātpunarāgamya kuñjareṇa rathena vā

going together with Lakshmana, he never returns without victory. And returning again from battle, upon an elephant or in a chariot,

Shloka 38 (ayodhya.2.38)

पौरान् स्वजनवन्नित्यं कुशलं परिपृच्छति | पुत्रेष्वग्निषु दारेषु प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च ॥ 2.38 ॥

paurān svajanavannityaṃ kuśalaṃ paripṛcchati | putreṣvagniṣu dāreṣu preṣyaśiṣyagaṇeṣu ca

he always asks after the welfare of the citizens as if they were his own kin — about their sons, their sacred fires, their wives, and their servants and pupils,

Shloka 39 (ayodhya.2.39)

निखिलेनानुपूर्व्याच्च पिता पुत्रानिवौरसान् | शुश्रूषन्ते च वः शिष्याः कच्चित्कर्मसु दंशिताः ॥ 2.39 ॥

nikhilenānupūrvyācca pitā putrānivaurasān | śuśrūṣante ca vaḥ śiṣyāḥ kaccitkarmasu daṃśitāḥ

fully and in due order, as a father asks after his own true sons. "Are your pupils," he asks us, "serving you diligently in their tasks?"

Shloka 40 (ayodhya.2.40)

इति नः पुरुषव्याघ्रः सदा रामोऽभिभाषते | व्यसनेषु मनुष्याणां भृशं भवति दुःखितः ॥ 2.40 ॥

iti naḥ puruṣavyāghraḥ sadā rāmo'bhibhāṣate | vyasaneṣu manuṣyāṇāṃ bhṛśaṃ bhavati duḥkhitaḥ

Thus does Rama, tiger among men, ever speak to us. He becomes deeply grieved at the misfortunes of men,

Shloka 41 (ayodhya.2.41)

उत्सवेषु च सर्वेषु पितेव परितुष्यति | सत्यवादी महेष्वासो वृद्धसेवी जितेन्द्रियः ॥ 2.41 ॥

utsaveṣu ca sarveṣu piteva parituṣyati | satyavādī maheṣvāso vṛddhasevī jitendriyaḥ

and rejoices in all their festivities like a father. Truthful of speech, a great archer, a server of elders, master of his senses,

Shloka 42 (ayodhya.2.42)

स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च धर्मं सर्वात्मना श्रितः | सम्यग्योक्ता श्रेयसां च न विगृह्य कथारुचिः ॥ 2.42 ॥

smitapūrvābhibhāṣī ca dharmaṃ sarvātmanā śritaḥ | samyagyoktā śreyasāṃ ca na vigṛhya kathāruciḥ

he speaks always with a smile, and has taken refuge in righteousness with his whole being; he rightly brings about good ends, and has no taste for quarrelsome talk.

Shloka 43 (ayodhya.2.43)

उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा | सुभ्रूरायतताम्राक्षः साक्षाद् विष्णुरिव स्वयम् ॥ 2.43 ॥

uttarottarayuktau ca vaktā vācaspatiryathā | subhrūrāyatatāmrākṣaḥ sākṣād viṣṇuriva svayam

In speech built argument upon argument he is as eloquent as Brihaspati himself; with fine brows and long, coppery eyes, he is like Vishnu himself come down in person.

Shloka 44 (ayodhya.2.44)

रामो लोकाभिरामोऽयं शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमैः | प्रजापालनतत्त्वज्ञो न रागोपहतेन्द्रियः ॥ 2.44 ॥

rāmo lokābhirāmo'yaṃ śauryavīryaparākramaiḥ | prajāpālanatattvajño na rāgopahatendriyaḥ

This Rama, delightful to the world through his prowess, strength and valour, knows the true principles of protecting his people, and his senses are never overpowered by passion.

Shloka 45 (ayodhya.2.45)

शक्तस्त्रैलोक्यमप्येको भोक्तुं किं नु महीमिमाम् | नाऽस्य क्रोधः प्रसादश्च निरर्थोऽस्ति कदाचन ॥ 2.45 ॥

śaktastrailokyamapyeko bhoktuṃ kiṃ nu mahīmimām | nā'sya krodhaḥ prasādaśca nirartho'sti kadācana

He alone is capable of ruling even the three worlds — what then of this earth? Neither his anger nor his favour is ever without purpose:

Shloka 46 (ayodhya.2.46)

हन्त्येव नियमाद्वध्यानवध्ये च न कुप्यति | युनक्त्यर्थैः प्रहृष्टश्च तमसौ यत्र तुष्यति ॥ 2.46 ॥

hantyeva niyamādvadhyānavadhye ca na kupyati | yunaktyarthaiḥ prahṛṣṭaśca tamasau yatra tuṣyati

he strikes down only those who by rule deserve death, and is never angered at the guiltless; and where he is pleased, he gladly bestows wealth upon the one who has won his favour.

Shloka 47 (ayodhya.2.47)

शान्तैः सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैर्नृणाम् | गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः ॥ 2.47 ॥

śāntaiḥ sarvaprajākāntaiḥ prītisaṃjananairnṛṇām | guṇairviruruce rāmo dīptaḥ sūrya ivāṃśubhiḥ

With his peaceful qualities, dear to all people and productive of joy in men, Rama shines forth as the blazing sun shines with its rays.

Shloka 48 (ayodhya.2.48)

तमेवंगुणसम्पन्नं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम् | लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी ॥ 2.48 ॥

tamevaṃguṇasampannaṃ rāmaṃ satyaparākramam | lokapālopamaṃ nāthamakāmayata medinī

This Rama, endowed with such virtues and true in valour, equal to the guardians of the world — the Earth herself desires him as her lord.

Shloka 49 (ayodhya.2.49)

वत्सः श्रेयसि जातस्ते दिष्ट्यासौ तव राघव | दिष्ट्या पुत्रगुणैर्युक्तो मारीच इव काश्यपः ॥ 2.49 ॥

vatsaḥ śreyasi jātaste diṣṭyāsau tava rāghava | diṣṭyā putraguṇairyukto mārīca iva kāśyapaḥ

O Raghava, by good fortune this dear son of yours is born for the welfare of the world; by good fortune he is endowed with all the virtues of a true son, like Kashyapa's son Maricha.

Shloka 50 (ayodhya.2.50)

बलमारोग्यमायुश्च रामस्य विदितात्मनः | देवासुरमनुष्येषु सगन्धर्वोरगेषु च ॥ 2.50 ॥

balamārogyamāyuśca rāmasya viditātmanaḥ | devāsuramanuṣyeṣu sagandharvorageṣu ca

For the strength, health and long life of Rama, whose true nature is known to all — among gods, demons, men, together with gandharvas and serpents —

Shloka 51 (ayodhya.2.51)

आशंसते जनः सर्वो राष्ट्रे पुरवरे तथा | आभ्यन्तरश्च बाह्यश्च पौरजानपदो जनः ॥ 2.51 ॥

āśaṃsate janaḥ sarvo rāṣṭre puravare tathā | ābhyantaraśca bāhyaśca paurajānapado janaḥ

every person throughout the kingdom and in the great city, whether dwelling within or without, whether citizen or villager, offers this prayer.

Shloka 52 (ayodhya.2.52)

स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तरुण्यश्च सायं प्रातः समाहिताः | सर्वान् देवान् नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे यशस्विनः ॥ 2.52 ॥

striyo vṛddhāstaruṇyaśca sāyaṃ prātaḥ samāhitāḥ | sarvān devān namasyanti rāmasyārthe yaśasvinaḥ

Aged women and young women alike, morning and evening, with focused devotion, bow to all the gods for the sake of the glorious Rama.

Shloka 53 (ayodhya.2.53)

तेषामायाचितं देव त्वत्प्रसादा त्समृद्ध्यताम् | राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम् ॥ 2.53 ॥

teṣāmāyācitaṃ deva tvatprasādā tsamṛddhyatām | rāmamindīvaraśyāmaṃ sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam

O king, may their prayer be fulfilled by your grace: to see Rama, dark as the blue lotus, the destroyer of all his foes,

Shloka 54 (ayodhya.2.54)

पश्यामो यौवराज्यस्थं तव राजोत्तमाऽअत्मजम् | तं देवदेवोपममात्मजं ते | सर्वस्य लोकस्य हिते निविष्टम् | हिताय नः क्ष्हिप्रमुदारजुष्टं | मुदाभिषेक्तुं वरद त्व मर्हसि ॥ 2.54 ॥

paśyāmo yauvarājyasthaṃ tava rājottamā'atmajam | taṃ devadevopamamātmajaṃ te | sarvasya lokasya hite niviṣṭam | hitāya naḥ kṣhipramudārajuṣṭaṃ | mudābhiṣektuṃ varada tva marhasi

O best of kings, we may see your son established in the office of crown prince. O bestower of boons, that son of yours, equal to the god of gods, ever devoted to the welfare of the whole world, and endowed with generous and noble qualities — for our good, you ought at once, and gladly, to consecrate him."