Ayodhya Adorned for the Coronation

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.6.1)

गते पुरोहिते रामः स्नातो नियतमानसः । सह पत्न्या विशालाक्ष्या नारायणमुपागमत् ॥ 6.1 ॥

gate purohite rāmaḥ snāto niyatamānasaḥ | saha patnyā viśālākṣyā nārāyaṇamupāgamat

When the family priest had departed, Rama bathed and, his mind composed, approached Lord Narayana in worship together with his large-eyed wife.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.6.2)

प्रगृह्य शिरसा पात्रीं हविषो विधिवत् ततः । महते दैवतायाज्यं जुहाव ज्वलितानले ॥ 6.2 ॥

pragṛhya śirasā pātrīṃ haviṣo vidhivat tataḥ | mahate daivatāyājyaṃ juhāva jvalitānale

Then, lifting the vessel of oblation onto his head, he duly offered clarified butter into the blazing fire as an offering to the great Lord.

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.6.3)

शेषं च हविषस्तस्य प्राश्याशास्यात्मनः प्रियम् । ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं स्वास्तीर्णे कुशसंस्तरे ॥ 6.3 ॥

śeṣaṃ ca haviṣastasya prāśyāśāsyātmanaḥ priyam | dhyāyannārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ svāstīrṇe kuśasaṃstare

Wishing for his own well-being, he then ate the remainder of that oblation, meditating on the divine Narayana, upon a well-spread bed of kusha grass —

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.6.4)

वाग्यतः सह वैदेह्या भूत्वा नियतमानसः । श्रीमत्यायतने विष्णोः शिश्ये नरवरात्मजः ॥ 6.4 ॥

vāgyataḥ saha vaidehyā bhūtvā niyatamānasaḥ | śrīmatyāyatane viṣṇoḥ śiśye naravarātmajaḥ

— the prince, best of men, restrained in speech and controlled in mind, lay down to rest together with the princess of Videha in that splendid shrine of Vishnu.

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.6.5)

एकयामावशिष्टायां रात्र्यां प्रतिविबुध्य सः । अलंकारविधिं सम्यक् कारयामास वेश्मनः ॥ 6.5 ॥

ekayāmāvaśiṣṭāyāṃ rātryāṃ prativibudhya saḥ | alaṃkāravidhiṃ samyak kārayāmāsa veśmanaḥ

When only one watch of the night remained, he awoke and had the entire decoration of the palace properly carried out.

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.6.6)

तत्र शृण्वन् सुखा वाचः सूतमागधवन्दिनाम् । पूर्वां संध्यामुपासीनो जजाप सुसमाहितः ॥ 6.6 ॥

tatra śṛṇvan sukhā vācaḥ sūtamāgadhavandinām | pūrvāṃ saṃdhyāmupāsīno jajāpa susamāhitaḥ

There, listening to the pleasant eulogies of the court bards, heralds and panegyrists, he sat in worship of the morning twilight and, deeply composed, recited his silent prayers.

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.6.7)

तुष्टाव प्रणतश्चैव शिरसा मधुसूदनम् । विमलक्षौमसंवीतो वाचयामास स द्विजान् ॥ 6.7 ॥

tuṣṭāva praṇataścaiva śirasā madhusūdanam | vimalakṣaumasaṃvīto vācayāmāsa sa dvijān

Bowing his head, he praised Madhusudana, and, clad in spotless silken garments, had the Brahmins recite the auspicious benedictory verses.

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.6.8)

तेषां पुण्याहघोषोऽथ गम्भीरमधुरस्तथा । अयोध्यां पूरयामास तूर्यघोषानुनादितः ॥ 6.8 ॥

teṣāṃ puṇyāhaghoṣo'tha gambhīramadhurastathā | ayodhyāṃ pūrayāmāsa tūryaghoṣānunāditaḥ

Then the deep, sweet sound of their auspicious benediction, blending with the resounding of musical instruments, filled the whole of Ayodhya.

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.6.9)

कृतोपवासं तु तदा वैदेह्या सह राघवम् । अयोध्यानिलयः श्रुत्वा सर्वः प्रमुदितो जनः ॥ 6.9 ॥

kṛtopavāsaṃ tu tadā vaidehyā saha rāghavam | ayodhyānilayaḥ śrutvā sarvaḥ pramudito janaḥ

Then all the people dwelling in Ayodhya, hearing that Rama, together with the princess of Videha, had observed the ritual fast, were filled with joy.

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.6.10)

ततः पौरजनः सर्वः श्रुत्वा रामाभिषेचनम् । प्रभातां रजनीं दृष्ट्वा चक्रे शोभयितुं पुरीम् ॥ 6.10 ॥

tataḥ paurajanaḥ sarvaḥ śrutvā rāmābhiṣecanam | prabhātāṃ rajanīṃ dṛṣṭvā cakre śobhayituṃ purīm

Then all the citizens, on hearing of Rama's coming anointment, and seeing the night turn to dawn, set about adorning the city.

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.6.11)

सिताभ्रशिखराभेषु देवतायतनेषु च । चतुष्पथेषु रथ्यासु चैत्येष्वट्टालकेषु च ॥ 6.11 ॥

sitābhraśikharābheṣu devatāyataneṣu ca | catuṣpatheṣu rathyāsu caityeṣvaṭṭālakeṣu ca

On the temples, whose peaks gleamed like white clouds, at the crossroads, in the streets, on the sacred trees, and on the watchtowers,

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.6.12)

नानापण्यसमृद्धेषु वणिजामापणेषु च । कुटुम्बिनां समृद्धेषु श्रीमत्सु भवनेषु च ॥ 6.12 ॥

nānāpaṇyasamṛddheṣu vaṇijāmāpaṇeṣu ca | kuṭumbināṃ samṛddheṣu śrīmatsu bhavaneṣu ca

on the merchants' shops overflowing with every kind of merchandise, and on the splendid, prosperous mansions of the householders,

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.6.13)

सभासु चैव सर्वासु वृक्षेष्वालक्षितेषु च । ध्वजाः समुच्छ्रिताः साधु पताकाश्चाभवंस्तथा ॥ 6.13 ॥

sabhāsu caiva sarvāsu vṛkṣeṣvālakṣiteṣu ca | dhvajāḥ samucchritāḥ sādhu patākāścābhavaṃstathā

and in every assembly hall, and on every tree in sight — everywhere banners were raised high, and flags fluttered beautifully.

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.6.14)

नटनर्तकसङ्घानां गायकानां च गायताम् । मनःकर्णसुखा वाचः शुश्राव जनता ततः ॥ 6.14 ॥

naṭanartakasaṅghānāṃ gāyakānāṃ ca gāyatām | manaḥkarṇasukhā vācaḥ śuśrāva janatā tataḥ

From every side the people then heard voices delightful to mind and ear — the performances of troupes of actors and dancers, and the singing of singers.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.6.15)

रामाभिषेकयुक्ताश्च कथाश्चक्रुर्मिथो जनाः । रामाभिषेके सम्प्राप्ते चत्वरेषु गृहेषु च ॥ 6.15 ॥

rāmābhiṣekayuktāśca kathāścakrurmitho janāḥ | rāmābhiṣeke samprāpte catvareṣu gṛheṣu ca

With Rama's anointment now at hand, the people spoke among themselves of nothing else, in their homes and at the crossroads alike.

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.6.16)

बाला अपि क्रीडमाना गृहद्वारेषु सङ्घशः । रामाभिषवसंयुक्ताश्चक्रुरेव कथा मिथः ॥ 6.16 ॥

bālā api krīḍamānā gṛhadvāreṣu saṅghaśaḥ | rāmābhiṣavasaṃyuktāścakrureva kathā mithaḥ

Even the children, playing in groups before the doorways of their houses, talked among themselves of nothing but Rama's anointment.

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.6.17)

कृतपुष्पोपहारश्च धूपगन्धाधिवासितः । राजमार्गः कृतः श्रीमान् पौरै रामाभिषेचने ॥ 6.17 ॥

kṛtapuṣpopahāraśca dhūpagandhādhivāsitaḥ | rājamārgaḥ kṛtaḥ śrīmān paurai rāmābhiṣecane

For Rama's anointment, the citizens made the royal highway magnificent, strewing it with offerings of flowers and perfuming it with fragrant incense.

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.6.18)

प्रकाशकरणार्थं च निशागमनशङ्कया । दीपवृक्षांस्तथा चक्रुरनुरथ्यासु सर्वशः ॥ 6.18 ॥

prakāśakaraṇārthaṃ ca niśāgamanaśaṅkayā | dīpavṛkṣāṃstathā cakruranurathyāsu sarvaśaḥ

And fearing that night might fall before the ceremony was done, they set up rows of lamp-trees along every street, to keep it all illumined.

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.6.19)

अलंकारं पुरस्यैवं कृत्वा तत् पुरवासिनः । आकांक्षमाणा रामस्य यौवराज्याभिषेचनम् ॥ 6.19 ॥

alaṃkāraṃ purasyaivaṃ kṛtvā tat puravāsinaḥ | ākāṃkṣamāṇā rāmasya yauvarājyābhiṣecanam

Having thus adorned the city, the citizens, eagerly longing for Rama's consecration as crown prince,

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.6.20)

समेत्य सङ्घशः सर्वे चत्वरेषु सभासु च । कथयन्तो मिथस्तत्र प्रशशंसुर्जनाधिपम् ॥ 6.20 ॥

sametya saṅghaśaḥ sarve catvareṣu sabhāsu ca | kathayanto mithastatra praśaśaṃsurjanādhipam

gathered together in groups at the crossroads and in the assembly halls, and, talking among themselves there, sang the praises of the king.

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.6.21)

अहो महात्मा राजायमिक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दनः । ज्ञात्वा वृद्धं स्वमात्मानं रामं राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति ॥ 6.21 ॥

aho mahātmā rājāyamikṣvākukulanandanaḥ | jñātvā vṛddhaṃ svamātmānaṃ rāmaṃ rājye'bhiṣekṣyati

"Ah, what a great soul is this king, the joy of the Ikshvaku line! Recognizing his own old age, he is now to install Rama in the kingdom."

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.6.22)

सर्वे ह्यनुगृहीताः स्म यन्नो रामो महीपतिः । चिराय भविता गोप्ता दृष्टलोकपरावरः ॥ 6.22 ॥

sarve hyanugṛhītāḥ sma yanno rāmo mahīpatiḥ | cirāya bhavitā goptā dṛṣṭalokaparāvaraḥ

"We have indeed all been blessed, in that Rama, who has seen the heights and depths of the world, will now be our protector for long years to come."

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.6.23)

अनुद्धतमना विद्वान् धर्मात्मा भ्रातृवत्सलः । यथा च भ्रातृषु स्निग्धस्तथास्मास्वपि राघवः ॥ 6.23 ॥

anuddhatamanā vidvān dharmātmā bhrātṛvatsalaḥ | yathā ca bhrātṛṣu snigdhastathāsmāsvapi rāghavaḥ

"He is free of pride, learned, righteous, and devoted to his brothers; and Raghava is as affectionate toward us as he is toward his own brothers."

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.6.24)

चिरं जीवतु धर्मात्मा राजा दशरथोऽनघः । यत्प्रसादेनाभिषिक्तं रामं द्रक्ष्यामहे वयम् ॥ 6.24 ॥

ciraṃ jīvatu dharmātmā rājā daśaratho'naghaḥ | yatprasādenābhiṣiktaṃ rāmaṃ drakṣyāmahe vayam

"Long may the righteous, faultless King Dasharatha live, by whose grace we shall now behold Rama anointed!"

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.6.25)

एवंविधं कथयतां पौराणां शुश्रुवुः परे । दिग्भ्यो विश्रुतवृत्तान्ताः प्राप्ता जानपदा जनाः ॥ 6.25 ॥

evaṃvidhaṃ kathayatāṃ paurāṇāṃ śuśruvuḥ pare | digbhyo viśrutavṛttāntāḥ prāptā jānapadā janāḥ

While the citizens spoke thus among themselves, other folk from the countryside, who had already heard the news from afar and had now arrived, listened in as well.

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.6.26)

ते तु दिग्भ्यः पुरीं प्राप्ता द्रष्टुं रामाभिषेचनम् । रामस्य पूरयामासुः पुरीं जानपदा जनाः ॥ 6.26 ॥

te tu digbhyaḥ purīṃ prāptā draṣṭuṃ rāmābhiṣecanam | rāmasya pūrayāmāsuḥ purīṃ jānapadā janāḥ

Those villagers, arriving in the city from every direction to witness Rama's anointment, filled Rama's city to overflowing.

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.6.27)

जनौघैस्तैर्विसर्पद्भिः शुश्रुवे तत्र निःस्वनः । पर्वसूदीर्णवेगस्य सागरस्येव निःस्वनः ॥ 6.27 ॥

janaughaistairvisarpadbhiḥ śuśruve tatra niḥsvanaḥ | parvasūdīrṇavegasya sāgarasyeva niḥsvanaḥ

The clamour of those surging crowds could be heard there, like the roar of the ocean swollen and turbulent on the days of the full and new moon.

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.6.28)

ततस्तदिन्द्रक्षयसंनिभं पुरं दिदृक्षुभिर्जानपदैरुपाहितैः । समन्ततः सस्वनमाकुलं बभौ समुद्रयादोभिरिवार्णवोदकम् ॥ 6.28 ॥

tatastadindrakṣayasaṃnibhaṃ puraṃ didṛkṣubhirjānapadairupāhitaiḥ | samantataḥ sasvanamākulaṃ babhau samudrayādobhirivārṇavodakam

Then that city, resembling the very abode of Indra, filled on every side with the tumult of the eager villagers gathered to see the ceremony, shone like the ocean's waters teeming and astir with sea-creatures.