Dasharatha's Blessing from the Heavens

Shloka 1 (yuddha.119.1)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा शुभं वाक्यं राघवेणानुभाषितम् | ततः शुभतरं वाक्यं व्याजहार महेश्वरः ॥ 119.1 ॥

etacchrutvā śubhaṃ vākyaṃ rāghaveṇānubhāṣitam | tataḥ śubhataraṃ vākyaṃ vyājahāra maheśvaraḥ || 119.1 ||

Hearing this auspicious speech uttered by Raghava, Lord Shiva, the great god, thereupon spoke a word more auspicious still —

Shloka 2 (yuddha.119.2)

पुष्कराक्ष महाबाहो महावक्षः परंतप | दिष्ट्या कृतमिदं कर्म त्वया धर्मभृतां वर ॥ 119.2 ॥

puṣkarākṣa mahābāho mahāvakṣaḥ paraṃtapa | diṣṭyā kṛtamidaṃ karma tvayā dharmabhṛtāṃ vara || 119.2 ||

"O lotus-eyed one, mighty-armed, broad-chested, scorcher of foes, foremost among the upholders of dharma! By good fortune this deed has been accomplished by you.

Shloka 3 (yuddha.119.3)

दिष्ट्या सर्वस्य लोकस्य प्रवृद्धं दारुणं तमः | अपावृत्तं त्वया सङ्ख्ये राम रावणजं भयम् ॥ 119.3 ॥

diṣṭyā sarvasya lokasya pravṛddhaṃ dāruṇaṃ tamaḥ | apāvṛttaṃ tvayā saṅkhye rāma rāvaṇajaṃ bhayam || 119.3 ||

By good fortune, O Rama, that dreadful darkness spreading over the whole world — the terror born of Ravana — has been dispelled by you in battle.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.119.4)

आश्वास्य भरतं दीनं कौसल्यां च यशस्विनीम् | कैकेयीं च सुमित्रां च दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणमातरम् ॥ 119.4 ॥

āśvāsya bharataṃ dīnaṃ kausalyāṃ ca yaśasvinīm | kaikeyīṃ ca sumitrāṃ ca dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇamātaram || 119.4 ||

Having comforted the grieving Bharata and the illustrious Kausalya, and having seen Kaikeyi and Sumitra, the mother of Lakshmana —

Shloka 5 (yuddha.119.5)

प्राप्य राज्यमयोध्यायां नन्दयित्वा सुहृज्जनम् | इक्ष्वाकूणां कुले वंशं स्थापयित्वा महाबल ॥ 119.5 ॥

prāpya rājyamayodhyāyāṃ nandayitvā suhṛjjanam | ikṣvākūṇāṃ kule vaṃśaṃ sthāpayitvā mahābala || 119.5 ||

O mighty one, having gained the kingdom in Ayodhya, having gladdened your loved ones, having re-established the line of the Ikshvaku dynasty,

Shloka 6 (yuddha.119.6)

इष्ट्वा तुरगमेधेन प्राप्य चानुत्तमं यशः | ब्राह्मणेभ्यो धनं दत्त्वा त्रिदिवं गन्तुमर्हसि ॥ 119.6 ॥

iṣṭvā turagamedhena prāpya cānuttamaṃ yaśaḥ | brāhmaṇebhyo dhanaṃ dattvā tridivaṃ gantumarhasi || 119.6 ||

having performed the horse-sacrifice and won unmatched glory, and having given riches to the brahmins, you are fit now to go to heaven.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.119.7)

एष राजा विमानस्थः पिता दशरथस्तव | काकुत्स्थ मानुषे लोके गुरुस्तव महायशाः ॥ 119.7 ॥

eṣa rājā vimānasthaḥ pitā daśarathastava | kākutstha mānuṣe loke gurustava mahāyaśāḥ || 119.7 ||

This king seated in the aerial car, O Kakutstha, was your father in this world of mortals — the highly glorious guide and elder to whom you owe reverence.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.119.8)

इन्द्रलोकं गतः श्रीमांस्त्वया पुत्रेण तारितः | लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा त्वमेनमभिवादय ॥ 119.8 ॥

indralokaṃ gataḥ śrīmāṃstvayā putreṇa tāritaḥ | lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā tvamenamabhivādaya || 119.8 ||

Redeemed by you, his son, the glorious Dasharatha has attained the realm of Indra; go, with your brother Lakshmana, and offer him your salutation.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.119.9)

महादेववचः श्रुत्वा काकुत्स्थः सहलक्ष्मणः | विमानशिखरस्थस्य प्रणाममकरोत्पितुः ॥ 119.9 ॥

mahādevavacaḥ śrutvā kākutsthaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ | vimānaśikharasthasya praṇāmamakarotpituḥ || 119.9 ||

Hearing these words of the great god, Kakutstha, together with Lakshmana, offered salutation to his father, seated atop the aerial car.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.119.10)

दीप्यमानं स्वयां लक्ष्म्या विरजोऽम्बरधारिणम् | लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा ददर्श पितरं प्रभुः ॥ 119.10 ॥

dīpyamānaṃ svayāṃ lakṣmyā virajo'mbaradhāriṇam | lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā dadarśa pitaraṃ prabhuḥ || 119.10 ||

The lord Rama, together with his brother Lakshmana, beheld his father, blazing with his own splendour and clad in spotless raiment.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.119.11)

हर्षेण महताविष्टो विमानस्थो महीपतिः | प्राणैः प्रियतरं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रं दशरथस्तदा ॥ 119.11 ॥

harṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭo vimānastho mahīpatiḥ | prāṇaiḥ priyataraṃ dṛṣṭvā putraṃ daśarathastadā || 119.11 ||

Then king Dasharatha, seated in the aerial car, was filled with immense joy on seeing his son, dearer to him than life itself,

Shloka 12 (yuddha.119.12)

आरोप्याङ्कं महाबाहुर्वरासनगतः प्रभुः | बाहुभ्यां सम्परिष्वज्य ततो वाक्यं समाददे ॥ 119.12 ॥

āropyāṅkaṃ mahābāhurvarāsanagataḥ prabhuḥ | bāhubhyāṃ sampariṣvajya tato vākyaṃ samādade || 119.12 ||

and the mighty-armed lord, lifting him onto his lap upon that excellent seat, embraced him with both arms, and then began to speak —

Shloka 13 (yuddha.119.13)

न मे स्वर्गो बहुमतः संमानश्च सुरर्षिभिः | त्वया राम विहीनस्य सत्यं प्रतिशृणोमि ते ॥ 119.13 ॥

na me svargo bahumataḥ saṃmānaśca surarṣibhiḥ | tvayā rāma vihīnasya satyaṃ pratiśṛṇomi te || 119.13 ||

"O Rama, I speak the truth to you — separated from you, neither heaven itself, nor the honour shown to me by the divine sages, gives me any joy.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.119.14)

अद्य त्वां निहतामित्रं दृष्ट्वा संपूर्णमानसम् | निस्तीर्णवनवासं च प्रीतिरासीत्परा मम ॥ 119.14 ॥

adya tvāṃ nihatāmitraṃ dṛṣṭvā saṃpūrṇamānasam | nistīrṇavanavāsaṃ ca prītirāsītparā mama || 119.14 ||

Today, seeing you — enemies slain, your heart's purpose fulfilled, your exile completed — I have felt supreme joy.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.119.15)

कैकेय्या यानि चोक्तानि वाक्यानि वदतां वर | तव प्रव्राजनार्थानि स्थितानि हृदये मम ॥ 119.15 ॥

kaikeyyā yāni coktāni vākyāni vadatāṃ vara | tava pravrājanārthāni sthitāni hṛdaye mama || 119.15 ||

O foremost among the eloquent, the words that Kaikeyi spoke to send you into exile still remain lodged in my heart.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.119.16)

त्वां तु दृष्ट्वा कुशलिनं परिष्वज्य सलक्ष्मणम् | अद्य दुःखाद्विमुक्तोऽस्मि नीहारादिव भास्करः ॥ 119.16 ॥

tvāṃ tu dṛṣṭvā kuśalinaṃ pariṣvajya salakṣmaṇam | adya duḥkhādvimukto'smi nīhārādiva bhāskaraḥ || 119.16 ||

Seeing you and Lakshmana in good health, and embracing you, today I stand freed from sorrow, as the sun emerges free from mist.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.119.17)

तारितोऽहं त्वया पुत्र सुपुत्रेण महात्मना | अष्टावक्रेण धर्मात्मा तारितो ब्राह्मणो यथा ॥ 119.17 ॥

tārito'haṃ tvayā putra suputreṇa mahātmanā | aṣṭāvakreṇa dharmātmā tārito brāhmaṇo yathā || 119.17 ||

O son, just as the virtuous Ashtavakra redeemed the brahmin Kahola, so have you, my great-souled and worthy son, redeemed me.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.119.18)

इदानीं च विजानामि यथा सौम्य सुरेश्वरैः | वधार्थं रावणस्येह विहितं पुरुषोत्तमम् ॥ 119.18 ॥

idānīṃ ca vijānāmi yathā saumya sureśvaraiḥ | vadhārthaṃ rāvaṇasyeha vihitaṃ puruṣottamam || 119.18 ||

O gentle one, now I also understand that the lords of the gods ordained you, the Supreme Person, to come here for the very purpose of slaying Ravana.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.119.19)

सिद्धार्था खलु कौसल्या या त्वां राम गृहं गतम् | वनान्निवृत्तं संहृष्टा द्रक्ष्यते शत्रुसूदन ॥ 119.19 ॥

siddhārthā khalu kausalyā yā tvāṃ rāma gṛhaṃ gatam | vanānnivṛttaṃ saṃhṛṣṭā drakṣyate śatrusūdana || 119.19 ||

Blessed indeed, O slayer of foes, is Kausalya, who shall see you returned home, delivered from the forest, and rejoice.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.119.20)

सिद्धार्थाः खलु ते राम नरा ये त्वां पुरीं गतम् | राज्ये चैवाभिषिक्तं च द्रक्ष्यन्ति वसुधाधिपम् ॥ 119.20 ॥

siddhārthāḥ khalu te rāma narā ye tvāṃ purīṃ gatam | rājye caivābhiṣiktaṃ ca drakṣyanti vasudhādhipam || 119.20 ||

Blessed too, O Rama, are those people who shall behold you returning to the city and consecrated on the throne as lord of the earth.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.119.21)

अनुरक्तेन बलिना शुचिना धर्मचारिणा | इच्छेयं त्वामहं द्रष्टुं भरतेन समागतम् ॥ 119.21 ॥

anuraktena balinā śucinā dharmacāriṇā | iccheyaṃ tvāmahaṃ draṣṭuṃ bharatena samāgatam || 119.21 ||

I desire to see you reunited with the devoted, mighty, pure, and righteous Bharata.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.119.22)

चतुर्दशसमाः सौम्य वने निर्यापितास्त्वया | वसता सीतया सार्धं लक्ष्मणेन च धीमता ॥ 119.22 ॥

caturdaśasamāḥ saumya vane niryāpitāstvayā | vasatā sītayā sārdhaṃ lakṣmaṇena ca dhīmatā || 119.22 ||

O gentle one, you have spent fourteen years dwelling in the forest, together with Sita and the wise Lakshmana.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.119.23)

निवृत्तवनवासोऽसि प्रतिज्ञा पूरिता त्वया | रावणं च रणे हत्वा देवताः परितोषिताः ॥ 119.23 ॥

nivṛttavanavāso'si pratijñā pūritā tvayā | rāvaṇaṃ ca raṇe hatvā devatāḥ paritoṣitāḥ || 119.23 ||

Your exile is now ended, and your vow has been fulfilled by you; by slaying Ravana in battle, you have satisfied even the gods.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.119.24)

कृतं कर्म यशः श्लाघ्यं प्राप्तं ते शत्रुसूदन | भ्रातृभिः सह राज्यस्थो दीर्घमायुरवाप्नुहि ॥ 119.24 ॥

kṛtaṃ karma yaśaḥ ślāghyaṃ prāptaṃ te śatrusūdana | bhrātṛbhiḥ saha rājyastho dīrghamāyuravāpnuhi || 119.24 ||

O slayer of foes, a praiseworthy deed has been done by you, and glory has been won; seated on the throne with your brothers, may you attain long life.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.119.25)

इति ब्रुवाणं राजानं रामः प्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत् | कुरु प्रसादं धर्मज्ञ कैकेय्या भरतस्य च ॥ 119.25 ॥

iti bruvāṇaṃ rājānaṃ rāmaḥ prāñjalirabravīt | kuru prasādaṃ dharmajña kaikeyyā bharatasya ca || 119.25 ||

To the king speaking thus, Rama, with joined palms, replied: "O knower of dharma, be gracious to Kaikeyi and to Bharata.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.119.26)

सपुत्रां त्वां त्यजामीति यदुक्ता कैकयी त्वया | स शापः कैकयीं घोरः सपुत्रां न स्पृशेत्प्रभो ॥ 119.26 ॥

saputrāṃ tvāṃ tyajāmīti yaduktā kaikayī tvayā | sa śāpaḥ kaikayīṃ ghoraḥ saputrāṃ na spṛśetprabho || 119.26 ||

That terrible curse you spoke - 'I disown you together with your son' - let it not touch Kaikeyi and her son, O lord!"

Shloka 27 (yuddha.119.27)

तथेति महाराजो राममुक्त्वा कृताञ्जलिम् | लक्ष्मणं च परिष्वज्य पुनर्वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥ 119.27 ॥

tatheti mahārājo rāmamuktvā kṛtāñjalim | lakṣmaṇaṃ ca pariṣvajya punarvākyamuvāca ha || 119.27 ||

Saying "So be it," the great king, having spoken thus to Rama who stood with joined palms, embraced Lakshmana and spoke once more —

Shloka 28 (yuddha.119.28)

रामं शुश्रूषता भक्त्या वैदेह्या सह सीतया | कृता मम महाप्रीतिः प्राप्तं धर्मफलं च ते ॥ 119.28 ॥

rāmaṃ śuśrūṣatā bhaktyā vaidehyā saha sītayā | kṛtā mama mahāprītiḥ prāptaṃ dharmaphalaṃ ca te || 119.28 ||

"By serving Rama with devotion, together with Vaidehi Sita, you have brought me the greatest joy, and you too have won the fruit of righteousness.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.119.29)

धर्मं प्राप्स्यसि धर्मज्ञ यशश्च विपुलं भुवि | रामे प्रसन्ने स्वर्गं च महिमानं तथैव च ॥ 119.29 ॥

dharmaṃ prāpsyasi dharmajña yaśaśca vipulaṃ bhuvi | rāme prasanne svargaṃ ca mahimānaṃ tathaiva ca || 119.29 ||

O knower of dharma, when Rama is pleased, you shall attain righteousness and abundant glory on this earth, and likewise heaven and greatness too.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.119.30)

रामं शुश्रूष भद्रं ते सुमित्रानन्दवर्धन | रामः सर्वस्य लोकस्य शुभेष्वभिरतः सदा ॥ 119.30 ॥

rāmaṃ śuśrūṣa bhadraṃ te sumitrānandavardhana | rāmaḥ sarvasya lokasya śubheṣvabhirataḥ sadā || 119.30 ||

O increaser of Sumitra's joy, serve Rama - may good come to you; Rama is ever devoted to the welfare of the entire world.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.119.31)

एते सेन्द्रास्त्रयो लोकाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः | अभिगम्य महात्मानमर्चन्ति पुरुषोत्तमम् ॥ 119.31 ॥

ete sendrāstrayo lokāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ | abhigamya mahātmānamarcanti puruṣottamam || 119.31 ||

These three worlds, together with Indra, and the Siddhas and the great sages too, approach and worship that great-souled Rama, the Supreme Person.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.119.32)

एतत्तदुक्तमव्यक्तमक्षरं ब्रह्मनिर्मितम् | देवानां हृदयं सौम्य गुह्यं रामः परन्तपः ॥ 119.32 ॥

etattaduktamavyaktamakṣaraṃ brahmanirmitam | devānāṃ hṛdayaṃ saumya guhyaṃ rāmaḥ parantapaḥ || 119.32 ||

O gentle one, scorcher of foes, this is that same unmanifest, imperishable being fashioned by Brahma, the heart of the gods and their deepest secret — none other than Rama himself.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.119.33)

अवाप्तं धर्मचरणं यशश्च विपुलं त्वया | एनं शुश्रूषता भक्त्या वैदेह्या सह सीतया ॥ 119.33 ॥

avāptaṃ dharmacaraṇaṃ yaśaśca vipulaṃ tvayā | enaṃ śuśrūṣatā bhaktyā vaidehyā saha sītayā || 119.33 ||

By devotedly serving this Rama, together with Vaidehi Sita, you have obtained both the fruit of righteous conduct and abundant glory.

Shloka 34 (yuddha.119.34)

इत्युक्त्वा लक्ष्मणं राजा स्नुषां बद्धाञ्जलिं स्थिताम् | पुत्रीत्याभाष्य मधुरं शनैरेनामुवाच ह ॥ 119.34 ॥

ityuktvā lakṣmaṇaṃ rājā snuṣāṃ baddhāñjaliṃ sthitām | putrītyābhāṣya madhuraṃ śanairenāmuvāca ha || 119.34 ||

Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, the king then addressed his daughter-in-law, who stood with joined palms, calling her "daughter," and spoke to her gently, in a sweet voice —

Shloka 35 (yuddha.119.35)

कर्तव्यो न तु वैदेहि मन्युस्त्यागमिमं प्रति | रामेण त्वद्विशुद्ध्यर्थं कृतमेतद्धितैषिणा ॥ 119.35 ॥

kartavyo na tu vaidehi manyustyāgamimaṃ prati | rāmeṇa tvadviśuddhyarthaṃ kṛtametaddhitaiṣiṇā || 119.35 ||

"O Vaidehi, you should feel no anger toward Rama for this abandonment; this was done by him, who wishes only your welfare, solely for the sake of your purification.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.119.36)

सुदुष्करमिदं पुत्रि तव चारित्रलक्षणम् | कृतं यत्तेऽन्यनारीणां यशो ह्यभिभविष्यति ॥ 119.36 ॥

suduṣkaramidaṃ putri tava cāritralakṣaṇam | kṛtaṃ yatte'nyanārīṇāṃ yaśo hyabhibhaviṣyati || 119.36 ||

This most difficult deed which you have accomplished, my daughter, is the true mark of your character, and it shall outshine the fame of all other women.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.119.37)

न त्वं सुभ्रु समाधेया पतिशुश्रूवणं प्रति | अवश्यं तु मया वाच्यमेष ते दैवतं परम् ॥ 119.37 ॥

na tvaṃ subhru samādheyā patiśuśrūvaṇaṃ prati | avaśyaṃ tu mayā vācyameṣa te daivataṃ param || 119.37 ||

O fair-browed one, you need no instruction regarding service to your husband; yet this I must certainly say — he alone is your supreme deity."

Shloka 38 (yuddha.119.38)

इति प्रतिसमादिश्य पुत्रौ सीतां च राघवः | इन्द्रलोकं विमानेन ययौ दशरथो नृपः ॥ 119.38 ॥

iti pratisamādiśya putrau sītāṃ ca rāghavaḥ | indralokaṃ vimānena yayau daśaratho nṛpaḥ || 119.38 ||

Having thus instructed his two sons and Sita, king Dasharatha departed by the aerial car to the realm of Indra.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.119.39)

विमानमास्थाय महानुभावः | श्रिया च संहृष्टतनुर्नृपोत्तमः | आमन्त्र्य पुत्रौ सह सीतया च | जगाम देवप्रवरस्य लोकम् ॥ 119.39 ॥

vimānamāsthāya mahānubhāvaḥ | śriyā ca saṃhṛṣṭatanurnṛpottamaḥ | āmantrya putrau saha sītayā ca | jagāma devapravarasya lokam || 119.39 ||

That noble and glorious king of kings, mounting the aerial car, took leave of his two sons and of Sita, and journeyed on to the realm of Indra, foremost among the gods.