The Birth and Boyhood of the Princes

Shloka 1 (bala.18.1)

निर्वृत्ते तु क्रतौ तस्मिन् हयमेधे महात्मनः । प्रतिगृह्य सुरा भागान् प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥ १ ॥

nirvṛtte tu kratau tasmin hayamedhe mahātmanaḥ | pratigṛhya surā bhāgān pratijagmuryathāgatam

When that great horse-sacrifice of the noble king was concluded, the gods, having received their shares of the offering, returned as they had come.

Shloka 2 (bala.18.2)

समाप्तदीक्षानियमः पत्नीगणसमन्वितः । प्रविवेश पुरीं राजा सभृत्यबलवाहनः ॥ २ ॥

samāptadīkṣāniyamaḥ patnīgaṇasamanvitaḥ | praviveśa purīṃ rājā sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ

His vows of consecration completed, the king, accompanied by his queens, servants, army, and vehicles, entered the city.

Shloka 3 (bala.18.3)

यथार्हं पूजितास्तेन राज्ञा च पृथिवीश्वराः । मुदिताः प्रययुर्देशान् प्रणम्य मुनिपुंगवम् ॥ ३ ॥

yathārhaṃ pūjitāstena rājñā ca pṛthivīśvarāḥ | muditāḥ prayayurdeśān praṇamya munipuṃgavam

The kings of the earth who had come, duly honoured by him, bowed to the foremost of sages and departed joyfully to their own lands.

Shloka 4 (bala.18.4)

श्रीमतां गच्छतां तेषां स्वगृहाणि पुरात्ततः । बलानि राज्ञां शुभ्राणि प्रहृष्टानि चकाशिरे ॥ ४ ॥

śrīmatāṃ gacchatāṃ teṣāṃ svagṛhāṇi purāttataḥ | balāni rājñāṃ śubhrāṇi prahṛṣṭāni cakāśire

As those illustrious kings departed from the city to their own homes, their splendid armies shone forth, filled with joy.

Shloka 5 (bala.18.5)

गतेषु पृथिवीशेषु राजा दशरथस्तदा । प्रविवेश पुरीं श्रीमान् पुरस्कृत्य द्विजोत्तमान् ॥ ५ ॥

gateṣu pṛthivīśeṣu rājā daśarathastadā | praviveśa purīṃ śrīmān puraskṛtya dvijottamān

When the kings of the earth had departed, the illustrious King Dasharatha then entered the city, with the foremost brahmanas leading the way.

Shloka 6 (bala.18.6)

शांतया प्रययौ सार्धमृष्यशृङ्गः सुपूजितः । अनुगम्यमानो राज्ञा च सानुयात्रेण धीमता ॥ ६ ॥

śāṃtayā prayayau sārdhamṛṣyaśṛṅgaḥ supūjitaḥ | anugamyamāno rājñā ca sānuyātreṇa dhīmatā

The duly honoured sage Rishyashringa set out together with Shanta, followed by the wise king and his retinue.

Shloka 7 (bala.18.7)

एवं विसृज्य तान् सर्वान् राजा संपूर्णमानसः । उवास सुखितस्तत्र पुत्रोत्पत्तिं विचिंतयन् ॥ ७ ॥

evaṃ visṛjya tān sarvān rājā saṃpūrṇamānasaḥ | uvāsa sukhitastatra putrotpattiṃ viciṃtayan

Having thus taken leave of them all, the king, his heart now content, dwelt there happily, pondering on the birth of his sons.

Shloka 8 (bala.18.8)

ततो यज्ञे समाप्ते तु ऋतूनां षट् समत्ययुः । ततश्च द्वादशे मासे चैत्रे नावमिके तिथौ ॥ ८ ॥

tato yajñe samāpte tu ṛtūnāṃ ṣaṭ samatyayuḥ | tataśca dvādaśe māse caitre nāvamike tithau

After the sacrifice was completed, six seasons passed by; and then, in the twelfth month, in the month of Chaitra, on the ninth day of the bright fortnight,

Shloka 9 (bala.18.9)

नक्षत्रेऽदितिदैवत्ये स्वोच्चसंस्थेषु पंचसु । ग्रहेषु कर्कटे लग्ने वाक्पताविंदुना सह ॥ ९ ॥

nakṣatre'ditidaivatye svoccasaṃstheṣu paṃcasu | graheṣu karkaṭe lagne vākpatāviṃdunā saha

under the constellation Punarvasu presided over by Aditi, with five planets in their exaltation, the ascendant sign being Cancer, and Jupiter in conjunction with the Moon,

Shloka 10 (bala.18.10)

प्रोद्यमाने जगन्नाथं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम् । कौसल्याजनयद्रामं सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम् ॥ १० ॥

prodyamāne jagannāthaṃ sarvalokanamaskṛtam | kausalyājanayadrāmaṃ sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutam

as the day was advancing, Kausalya gave birth to Rama, lord of the world, worshipped by all beings, endowed with every auspicious mark.

Shloka 11 (bala.18.11)

विष्णोरर्धं महाभागं पुत्रमैक्ष्वाकुनंदनम् । लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुं रक्तौष्ठं दुंदुभिस्वनम् ॥ ११ ॥

viṣṇorardhaṃ mahābhāgaṃ putramaikṣvākunaṃdanam | lohitākṣaṃ mahābāhuṃ raktauṣṭhaṃ duṃdubhisvanam

He was the highly blessed son who embodied half of Vishnu, the joy of the Ikshvaku line, red-eyed, long-armed, red-lipped, with a voice deep as a war-drum.

Shloka 12 (bala.18.12)

कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा । यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना ॥ १२ ॥

kausalyā śuśubhe tena putreṇāmitatejasā | yathā vareṇa devānāmaditirvajrapāṇinā

Kausalya shone forth with that son of boundless splendour, as Aditi once shone with her son Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, chief among the gods.

Shloka 13 (bala.18.13)

भरतो नाम कैकेय्यां जज्ञे सत्यपराक्रमः । साक्षाद्विष्णोश्चतुर्भागः सर्वैः समुदितो गुणैः ॥ १३ ॥

bharato nāma kaikeyyāṃ jajñe satyaparākramaḥ | sākṣādviṣṇoścaturbhāgaḥ sarvaiḥ samudito guṇaiḥ

To Kaikeyi was born a son named Bharata, of true valour, embodying one quarter of Vishnu himself, endowed with every virtue.

Shloka 14 (bala.18.14)

अथ लक्ष्मणशत्रुघ्नौ सुमित्राजनयत् सुतौ । वीरौ सर्वास्त्रकुशलौ विष्णोरर्धसमन्वितौ ॥ १४ ॥

atha lakṣmaṇaśatrughnau sumitrājanayat sutau | vīrau sarvāstrakuśalau viṣṇorardhasamanvitau

Then Sumitra gave birth to two sons, Lakshmana and Shatrughna, both valiant, skilled in every weapon, and each embodying half of the remaining share of Vishnu.

Shloka 15 (bala.18.15)

पुष्ये जातस्तु भरतो मीनलग्ने प्रसन्नधीः । सार्पे जातौ तु सौमित्री कुळीरेऽभ्युदिते रवौ ॥ १५ ॥

puṣye jātastu bharato mīnalagne prasannadhīḥ | sārpe jātau tu saumitrī kuḻīre'bhyudite ravau

Bharata, of tranquil mind, was born under the star Pushya, with Pisces as the ascendant; while Sumitra's two sons were born under the star Ashlesha, with Cancer rising as the sun ascended.

Shloka 16 (bala.18.16)

राज्ञः पुत्रा महात्मानश्चत्वारो जज्ञिरे पृथक् । गुणवंतोऽनुरूपाश्च रुच्या प्रोष्ठपदोपमाः ॥ १६ ॥

rājñaḥ putrā mahātmānaścatvāro jajñire pṛthak | guṇavaṃto'nurūpāśca rucyā proṣṭhapadopamāḥ

Thus were born to the king four noble sons, each in his own right virtuous, well-matched to one another, and radiant as the twin stars of the Purva and Uttara Bhadrapada.

Shloka 17 (bala.18.17)

जगुः कलं च गंधर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः । देवदुंदुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खात्पतत् ॥ १७ ॥

jaguḥ kalaṃ ca gaṃdharvā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ | devaduṃdubhayo neduḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiśca khātpatat

The gandharvas sang sweetly, the hosts of apsaras danced, the divine drums resounded, and a shower of flowers fell from the sky.

Shloka 18 (bala.18.18)

उत्सवश्च महानासीदयोध्यायां जनाकुलः । रथ्याश्च जनसंबाधा नटनर्तकसंकुलाः ॥ १८ ॥

utsavaśca mahānāsīdayodhyāyāṃ janākulaḥ | rathyāśca janasaṃbādhā naṭanartakasaṃkulāḥ

A great festival, thronged with people, took place in Ayodhya; the streets were crowded with citizens and filled with actors and dancers.

Shloka 19 (bala.18.19)

गायनैश्च विराविण्यो वादनैश्च तथापरैः । विरेजुर्विपुलास्तत्र सर्वरत्नसमन्विताः ॥ १९ ॥

gāyanaiśca virāviṇyo vādanaiśca tathāparaiḥ | virejurvipulāstatra sarvaratnasamanvitāḥ

Resounding with singers and musicians of every kind, the broad streets, adorned with every kind of jewel, shone forth splendidly.

Shloka 20 (bala.18.20)

प्रदेयांश्च ददौ राजा सूतमागधवंदिनाम् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ वित्तं गोधनानि सहस्रशः ॥ २० ॥

pradeyāṃśca dadau rājā sūtamāgadhavaṃdinām | brāhmaṇebhyo dadau vittaṃ godhanāni sahasraśaḥ

The king gave fitting gifts to the bards, panegyrists, and eulogists, and bestowed wealth and thousands of cattle upon the brahmanas.

Shloka 21 (bala.18.21)

अतीत्यैकादशाहं तु नामकर्म तथाकरोत् । ज्येष्ठं रामं महात्मानं भरतं कैकयीसुतम् ॥ २१ ॥

atītyaikādaśāhaṃ tu nāmakarma tathākarot | jyeṣṭhaṃ rāmaṃ mahātmānaṃ bharataṃ kaikayīsutam

When eleven days had passed, he performed the naming ceremony, naming the noble eldest son Rama, and Kaikeyi's son Bharata,

Shloka 22 (bala.18.22)

सौमित्री लक्ष्मणमिति शत्रुघ्नमपरं तथा । वसिष्ठः परमप्रीतो नामानि कुरुते तदा ॥ २२ ॥

saumitrī lakṣmaṇamiti śatrughnamaparaṃ tathā | vasiṣṭhaḥ paramaprīto nāmāni kurute tadā

and Sumitra's sons Lakshmana and the other Shatrughna, these names the greatly pleased Vashishtha bestowed at that time.

Shloka 23 (bala.18.23)

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयामास पौरान् जानपदानपि । अददद्ब्राह्मणानां च रत्नौघममितं बहु ॥ २३ ॥

brāhmaṇān bhojayāmāsa paurān jānapadānapi | adadadbrāhmaṇānāṃ ca ratnaughamamitaṃ bahu

He feasted the brahmanas, the citizens, and the people of the countryside, and gave the brahmanas an abundant, boundless quantity of jewels.

Shloka 24 (bala.18.24)

तेषां जन्मक्रियादीनि सर्वकर्माण्यकारयत् । तेषां केतुरिव ज्येष्ठो रामो रतिकरः पितुः ॥ २४ ॥

teṣāṃ janmakriyādīni sarvakarmāṇyakārayat | teṣāṃ keturiva jyeṣṭho rāmo ratikaraḥ pituḥ

He had all the rites befitting their birth duly performed for them. Among them, the eldest, Rama, was like a banner, a delight to his father,

Shloka 25 (bala.18.25)

बभूव भूयो भूतानां स्वयंभूरिव सम्मतः । सर्वे वेदविदः शूराः सर्वे लोकहिते रताः ॥ २५ ॥

babhūva bhūyo bhūtānāṃ svayaṃbhūriva sammataḥ | sarve vedavidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve lokahite ratāḥ

and he became, moreover, beloved of all beings, like Brahma, the Self-existent one. All four princes were learned in the Vedas, valiant, and devoted to the welfare of the world.

Shloka 26 (bala.18.26)

सर्वे ज्ञानोपसंपन्नाः सर्वे समुदिता गुणैः । तेषामपि महातेजा रामः सत्यपराक्रमः ॥ २६ ॥

sarve jñānopasaṃpannāḥ sarve samuditā guṇaiḥ | teṣāmapi mahātejā rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ

All were possessed of true knowledge, all were rich in virtues; yet among them the greatly resplendent Rama, of true valour,

Shloka 27 (bala.18.27)

इष्टः सर्वस्य लोकस्य शशांक इव निर्मलः । गजस्कन्धेऽश्वपृष्ठे च रथचर्यासु सम्मतः ॥ २७ ॥

iṣṭaḥ sarvasya lokasya śaśāṃka iva nirmalaḥ | gajaskandhe'śvapṛṣṭhe ca rathacaryāsu sammataḥ

was dear to all the world, spotless as the moon, and accomplished in riding elephants and horses and in the handling of chariots.

Shloka 28 (bala.18.28)

धनुर्वेदे च निरतः पितृशुश्रूषणे रतः । बाल्यात् प्रभृति सुस्निग्धो लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मिवर्धनः ॥ २८ ॥

dhanurvede ca nirataḥ pitṛśuśrūṣaṇe rataḥ | bālyāt prabhṛti susnigdho lakṣmaṇo lakṣmivardhanaḥ

He was devoted to the science of archery and to the service of his father. From childhood, Lakshmana, the increaser of glory, was deeply attached to him.

Shloka 29 (bala.18.29)

रामस्य लोकरामस्य भ्रातुर्ज्येष्ठस्य नित्यशः । सर्वप्रियकरस्तस्य रामस्यापि शरीरतः ॥ २९ ॥

rāmasya lokarāmasya bhrāturjyeṣṭhasya nityaśaḥ | sarvapriyakarastasya rāmasyāpi śarīrataḥ

Towards Rama, delight of the world, his elder brother, he was ever devoted, doing all that pleased him, as if he were Rama's own second body.

Shloka 30 (bala.18.30)

लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मिसंपन्नो बहिःप्राण इवापरः । न च तेन विना निद्रां लभते पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ३० ॥

lakṣmaṇo lakṣmisaṃpanno bahiḥprāṇa ivāparaḥ | na ca tena vinā nidrāṃ labhate puruṣottamaḥ

Lakshmana, blessed with every grace, was like Rama's very life breathing outside his body; and that best of men, Rama, could not find sleep without him.

Shloka 31 (bala.18.31)

मृष्टमन्नमुपानीतमश्नाति न हि तं विना । यदा हि हयमारूढो मृगयां याति राघवः ॥ ३१ ॥

mṛṣṭamannamupānītamaśnāti na hi taṃ vinā | yadā hi hayamārūḍho mṛgayāṃ yāti rāghavaḥ

Even the finest food brought before him, he would not eat without Lakshmana. Whenever Raghava, mounted on horseback, went out hunting,

Shloka 32 (bala.18.32)

तदैनं पृष्ठतोऽभ्येति स धनुः परिपालयन् । भरतस्यापि शत्रुघ्नो लक्ष्मणावरजो हि सः ॥ ३२ ॥

tadainaṃ pṛṣṭhato'bhyeti sa dhanuḥ paripālayan | bharatasyāpi śatrughno lakṣmaṇāvarajo hi saḥ

then Lakshmana would follow close behind him, bow in hand, guarding him. And just so was Shatrughna, Lakshmana's younger brother, devoted to Bharata.

Shloka 33 (bala.18.33)

प्राणैः प्रियतरो नित्यं तस्य चासीत्तथा प्रियः । स चतुर्भिर्महाभागैः पुत्रैर्दशरथः प्रियैः ॥ ३३ ॥

prāṇaiḥ priyataro nityaṃ tasya cāsīttathā priyaḥ | sa caturbhirmahābhāgaiḥ putrairdaśarathaḥ priyaiḥ

He was ever dearer to Bharata than life itself, and Bharata was equally dear to him. Thus King Dasharatha, with his four greatly blessed and beloved sons,

Shloka 34 (bala.18.34)

बभूव परमप्रीतो देवैरिव पितामहः । ते यदा ज्ञानसंपन्नाः सर्वे समुदिता गुणैः ॥ ३४ ॥

babhūva paramaprīto devairiva pitāmahaḥ | te yadā jñānasaṃpannāḥ sarve samuditā guṇaiḥ

was as greatly delighted as the Grandsire Brahma among the gods. And when all of them, endowed with wisdom and rich in every virtue,

Shloka 35 (bala.18.35)

ह्रीमन्तः कीर्तिमन्तश्च सर्वज्ञा दीर्घदर्शिनः । तेषामेवं प्रभावाणां सर्वेषां दीप्ततेजसाम् ॥ ३५ ॥

hrīmantaḥ kīrtimantaśca sarvajñā dīrghadarśinaḥ | teṣāmevaṃ prabhāvāṇāṃ sarveṣāṃ dīptatejasām

modest, renowned, all-knowing, and far-sighted, of all these princes, so glorious in their power, so blazing in their splendour,

Shloka 36 (bala.18.36)

पिता दशरथो हृष्टो ब्रह्मा लोकाधिपो यथा । ते चापि मनुजव्याघ्रा वैदिकाध्ययने रताः ॥ ३६ ॥

pitā daśaratho hṛṣṭo brahmā lokādhipo yathā | te cāpi manujavyāghrā vaidikādhyayane ratāḥ

their father Dasharatha rejoiced, like Brahma, lord of the worlds. Those tiger-like princes, too, were devoted to the study of the Vedas,

Shloka 37 (bala.18.37)

पितृशुश्रूषणरता धनुर्वेदे च निष्ठिताः । अथ राजा दशरथस्तेषां दारक्रियां प्रति ॥ ३७ ॥

pitṛśuśrūṣaṇaratā dhanurvede ca niṣṭhitāḥ | atha rājā daśarathasteṣāṃ dārakriyāṃ prati

devoted to the service of their father, and accomplished in the science of archery. Then King Dasharatha, concerning the matter of their marriages,

Shloka 38 (bala.18.38)

चिंतयामास धर्मात्मा सोपाध्यायः सबान्धवः । तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य मन्त्रि मध्ये महात्मनः ॥ ३८ ॥

ciṃtayāmāsa dharmātmā sopādhyāyaḥ sabāndhavaḥ | tasya cintayamānasya mantri madhye mahātmanaḥ

that righteous king, began to deliberate together with his preceptors and kinsmen. While that noble-souled king was thus deliberating among his ministers,

Shloka 39 (bala.18.39)

अभ्यागच्छन्महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः । स राज्ञो दर्शनाकांक्षी द्वाराध्यक्षानुवाच ह ॥ ३९ ॥

abhyāgacchanmahātejā viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ | sa rājño darśanākāṃkṣī dvārādhyakṣānuvāca ha

the greatly resplendent sage Vishwamitra arrived. Desiring an audience with the king, he addressed the keeper of the gate.

Shloka 40 (bala.18.40)

शीघ्रमाख्यात मां प्राप्तं कौशिकं गाधिनः सुतम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य राज्ञो वेश्म प्रदुद्रुवुः ॥ ४० ॥

śīghramākhyāta māṃ prāptaṃ kauśikaṃ gādhinaḥ sutam | tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya rājño veśma pradudruvuḥ

"Quickly inform the king that Kaushika, son of Gadhi, has arrived." Hearing his words, the gatekeepers ran swiftly to the king's palace.

Shloka 41 (bala.18.41)

संभ्रान्तमनसः सर्वे तेन वाक्येन चोदिताः । ते गत्वा राजभवनं विश्वामित्रमृषिं तदा ॥ ४१ ॥

saṃbhrāntamanasaḥ sarve tena vākyena coditāḥ | te gatvā rājabhavanaṃ viśvāmitramṛṣiṃ tadā

All of them, their minds agitated, urged on by his words, went to the royal palace and there announced to Dasharatha, king of the Ikshvakus,

Shloka 42 (bala.18.42)

प्राप्तमावेदयामासुर्नृपायेक्ष्वाकवे तदा । तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सपुरोधाः समाहितः ॥ ४२ ॥

prāptamāvedayāmāsurnṛpāyekṣvākave tadā | teṣāṃ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā sapurodhāḥ samāhitaḥ

the arrival of the sage Vishwamitra. On hearing their words, the king, composed and accompanied by his priest,

Shloka 43 (bala.18.43)

प्रत्युज्जगाम संहृष्टो ब्रह्माणमिव वासवः । तं दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितं दीप्त्या तापसं संशितव्रतम् ॥ ४३ ॥

pratyujjagāma saṃhṛṣṭo brahmāṇamiva vāsavaḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā jvalitaṃ dīptyā tāpasaṃ saṃśitavratam

went forth joyfully to receive him, as Indra would go forth to receive Brahma. On seeing that ascetic of rigorous vows, blazing with radiance,

Shloka 44 (bala.18.44)

प्रहृष्टवदनो राजा ततोऽर्घ्यमुपहारयत् । स राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्यार्घ्यं शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥ ४४ ॥

prahṛṣṭavadano rājā tato'rghyamupahārayat | sa rājñaḥ pratigṛhyārghyaṃ śāstradṛṣṭena karmaṇā

the king, his face lit up with joy, then offered him the ceremonial water of welcome. Having received that offering from the king, according to the rite prescribed in the scriptures,

Shloka 45 (bala.18.45)

कुशलं चाव्ययं चैव पर्यपृच्छन्नराधिपम् । पुरे कोशे जनपदे बान्धवेषु सुहृत्सु च ॥ ४५ ॥

kuśalaṃ cāvyayaṃ caiva paryapṛcchannarādhipam | pure kośe janapade bāndhaveṣu suhṛtsu ca

Vishwamitra inquired after the king's welfare and prosperity, concerning the city, the treasury, the countryside, kinsmen, and friends.

Shloka 46 (bala.18.46)

कुशलं कौशिको राज्ञः पर्यपृच्छत् सुधार्मिकः । अपि ते संनताः सर्वे सामन्ता रिपवो जिताः ॥ ४६ ॥

kuśalaṃ kauśiko rājñaḥ paryapṛcchat sudhārmikaḥ | api te saṃnatāḥ sarve sāmantā ripavo jitāḥ

That most righteous Kaushika asked the king of his well-being: "Are all your vassal kings submissive to you, and your enemies subdued?

Shloka 47 (bala.18.47)

दैवं च मानुषं चैव कर्म ते साध्वनुष्ठितम् । वसिष्ठं च समागम्य कुशलं मुनिपुंगवः ॥ ४७ ॥

daivaṃ ca mānuṣaṃ caiva karma te sādhvanuṣṭhitam | vasiṣṭhaṃ ca samāgamya kuśalaṃ munipuṃgavaḥ

Are your duties, both divine and human, being rightly performed?" Then, meeting Vashishtha, that foremost among sages

Shloka 48 (bala.18.48)

ऋषींश्च तान् यथान्यायं महाभागानुवाच ह । ते सर्वे हृष्टमनसस्तस्य राज्ञो निवेशनम् ॥ ४८ ॥

ṛṣīṃśca tān yathānyāyaṃ mahābhāgānuvāca ha | te sarve hṛṣṭamanasastasya rājño niveśanam

also greeted, as was fitting, those other most fortunate sages present. All of them, with joyful hearts, then entered the king's residence,

Shloka 49 (bala.18.49)

विविशुः पूजितास्तेन निषेदुश्च यथार्हतः । अथ हृष्टमना राजा विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम् ॥ ४९ ॥

viviśuḥ pūjitāstena niṣeduśca yathārhataḥ | atha hṛṣṭamanā rājā viśvāmitraṃ mahāmunim

duly honoured by him, and took their seats according to their rank. Then the joyful king addressed the great sage Vishwamitra,

Shloka 50 (bala.18.50)

उवाच परमोदारो हृष्टस्तमभिपूजयन् । यथामृतस्य संप्राप्तिर्यथा वर्षमनूदके ॥ ५० ॥

uvāca paramodāro hṛṣṭastamabhipūjayan | yathāmṛtasya saṃprāptiryathā varṣamanūdake

that most generous king, honouring him with delight, saying: "Your arrival is to me like the attainment of ambrosia, like rain falling on a parched land,

Shloka 51 (bala.18.51)

यथा सदृशदारेषु पुत्रजन्माप्रजस्य वै । प्रणष्टस्य यथा लाभो यथा हर्षो महोदये ॥ ५१ ॥

yathā sadṛśadāreṣu putrajanmāprajasya vai | praṇaṣṭasya yathā lābho yathā harṣo mahodaye

like the birth of a son to a childless man through his rightful wife, like the recovery of something long lost, like the joy at a great and happy event.

Shloka 52 (bala.18.52)

तथैवागमनं मन्ये स्वागतं ते महामुने । कं च ते परमं कामं करोमि किमु हर्षितः ॥ ५२ ॥

tathaivāgamanaṃ manye svāgataṃ te mahāmune | kaṃ ca te paramaṃ kāmaṃ karomi kimu harṣitaḥ

Such do I consider your arrival to be, O great sage; welcome to you. What is that highest wish of yours that I, delighted, may fulfil?

Shloka 53 (bala.18.53)

पात्रभूतोऽसि मे ब्रह्मन् दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि मानद । अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम् ॥ ५३ ॥

pātrabhūto'si me brahman diṣṭyā prāpto'si mānada | adya me saphalaṃ janma jīvitaṃ ca sujīvitam

O brahmin, you are indeed a worthy recipient for me; O bestower of honour, it is by good fortune that you have come. Today my birth has become fruitful and my life truly well lived,

Shloka 54 (bala.18.54)

यस्माद् विप्रेन्द्रमद्राक्षं सुप्रभाता निशा मम । पूर्वं राजर्षिशब्देन तपसा द्योतितप्रभः ॥ ५४ ॥

yasmād viprendramadrākṣaṃ suprabhātā niśā mama | pūrvaṃ rājarṣiśabdena tapasā dyotitaprabhaḥ

since I have beheld you, foremost of brahmins; for me, night has truly turned to bright dawn. Formerly known by the title of royal sage, resplendent through your austerities,

Shloka 55 (bala.18.55)

ब्रह्मर्षित्वमनुप्राप्तः पूज्योऽसि बहुधा मया । तदद्भुतमभूत् विप्र पवित्रं परमं मम ॥ ५५ ॥

brahmarṣitvamanuprāptaḥ pūjyo'si bahudhā mayā | tadadbhutamabhūt vipra pavitraṃ paramaṃ mama

you have now attained the state of a brahmarshi, and are venerable to me in many ways. Truly wondrous, O brahmin, and supremely purifying is this for me,

Shloka 56 (bala.18.56)

शुभक्षेत्रगतश्चाहं तव संदर्शनात् प्रभो । ब्रूहि यत् प्रार्थितं तुभ्यं कार्यमागमनं प्रति ॥ ५६ ॥

śubhakṣetragataścāhaṃ tava saṃdarśanāt prabho | brūhi yat prārthitaṃ tubhyaṃ kāryamāgamanaṃ prati

for by seeing you, O lord, I feel as though I have journeyed to a sacred place. Tell me what purpose has brought you here, whatever it may be that you seek,

Shloka 57 (bala.18.57)

इच्छाम्यनुगृहीतोऽहं त्वदर्थं परिवृद्धये । कार्यस्य न विमर्शं च गंतुमर्हसि सुव्रत ॥ ५७ ॥

icchāmyanugṛhīto'haṃ tvadarthaṃ parivṛddhaye | kāryasya na vimarśaṃ ca gaṃtumarhasi suvrata

for, favoured by your grace, I wish to see it accomplished for your benefit and prosperity. O sage of noble vows, you need not hesitate over whether the task can be done,

Shloka 58 (bala.18.58)

कर्ता चाहमशेषेण दैवतं हि भवान् मम । मम चायमनुप्राप्तो महानभ्युदयो द्विज । तवागमनजः कृत्स्नो धर्मश्चानुत्तमो द्विज ॥ ५८ ॥

kartā cāhamaśeṣeṇa daivataṃ hi bhavān mama | mama cāyamanuprāpto mahānabhyudayo dvija | tavāgamanajaḥ kṛtsno dharmaścānuttamo dvija

for I shall carry it out entirely, since you are as a deity to me. O brahmin, your arrival has brought me this great good fortune; O brahmin, the merit born of your coming is complete and unsurpassed."

Shloka 59 (bala.18.59)

इति हृदयसुखं निशम्य वाक्यम् श्रुतिसुखमात्मवता विनीतमुक्तम् । प्रथितगुणयशा गुणैर्विशिष्टः परमऋषिः परमं जगाम हर्षम् ॥ ५९ ॥

iti hṛdayasukhaṃ niśamya vākyam śrutisukhamātmavatā vinītamuktam | prathitaguṇayaśā guṇairviśiṣṭaḥ paramaṛṣiḥ paramaṃ jagāma harṣam

Hearing these words, so pleasing to the heart and to the ear, spoken humbly by the self-possessed king, that great sage of renowned virtue and fame, distinguished by his excellences, felt the highest joy.