Passage 1
कीदृग्रूपधरो रामो जातो दशरथालये। किमाचारः कथंभावस्तद्वदस्व विधे मम॥१॥
Creator, tell me: in what form was Rāma born in Daśaratha’s house? What was his conduct, and what was his inward disposition? Brahmā said
Passage 2
चैत्रस्य शुक्लपक्षे तु नवम्यां श्रीपुनर्वसौ। अभिजिन्नामयोगेऽसौ कौसल्यानन्दनोऽभवत्॥२॥
On the ninth lunar day of Caitra’s bright fortnight, under auspicious Punarvasu and the yoga named Abhijit, he became Kausalyā’s son.
Passage 3
स जातमात्रो निविडाम्बुदाकृतिः पीताम्बरः सुस्मितवक्रपङ्कजः। भुजद्वयो बाणवरादिचिह्नितः स्ववामभागे श्रियमुत्तमां दधत्॥३॥
At birth his form resembled a dense rain cloud. He wore yellow cloth, and his lotus face carried a lovely smile. His two arms bore the marks of the arrow and other emblems, and at his left side he held the supreme Śrī.
Passage 4
अनर्घ्यरत्नाभरणैर्विराजितः समुल्लसत्कुण्डलशोभिताननः। श्रीवत्सलक्ष्म्यार्पितकण्ठकौस्तुभ- स्त्विषा स्वयं रोचितसूतिका गृहः॥४॥
He shone with priceless jewelled ornaments, his face radiant with brilliant earrings. Bearing the Śrīvatsa mark and the Kaustubha at his throat, he lit the birth chamber with his own splendour.
Passage 5
अनङ्गलावण्यपरार्धसम्पदा संस्पृष्टसर्वाङ्गमनोहरोज्ज्वलः। शृङ्गारभङ्गीरससूचकैर् दृशोः कटाक्षपातैः कमलां प्रमोदयन्॥५॥
Every limb shone enchantingly, touched by the immeasurable wealth of Love’s beauty. With sidelong glances that disclosed the graceful rasa of divine love, he filled Kamalā with joy.
Passage 6
आसन्नगर्भोद्भवजातनिद्रया कौशल्यया लक्षितजन्मभूषणः। ततश्च सन्देशहरैर्निवेदितो नृपाय दूर्वादलशोभिपाणिभिः॥६॥
Kausalyā, overcome by the sleep that followed the recent birth, beheld the newborn adorned. Messengers whose hands shone with blades of dūrvā grass then announced him to the king.
Passage 7
स वासुदेवादिभिरात्मजोंऽशै- श्चतुर्भिरासेवितदिव्यविग्रहः। जवात्समागत्य नृपेण वीक्षितो दृग्भ्यामदृष्टाश्रुतपूर्वलक्षणः॥७॥
His divine form was attended by four portions of himself, Vāsudeva and the others. Hurrying there, the king saw with his own eyes signs never before seen or heard of.
Passage 8
तमादिपुरुषं ज्ञात्वा परं ब्रह्म स्वरूपिणम्। तुष्टाव वैदिकैः शब्दैः स्वयं दशरथो नृपः॥८॥
Recognizing him as the primordial Person and the embodiment of supreme Brahman, King Daśaratha himself praised him with Vedic words. Daśaratha said
Passage 9
नमो नमस्ते रघुनन्दनाय रामाय रामाच्युतविक्रमाय। रामाय रामाय च राघवाय स्वयम्भुवे श्रीपतये पराय॥९॥
Reverence, reverence to you, delight of Raghu’s line—to Rāma, whose valour never fails; to Rāma, to Rāma the Rāghava, self-born Lord of Śrī, the Supreme.
Passage 10
नमो हृषीकेश शिवाय तुभ्यं समस्तदैत्यावलिनिग्रहाय। भूभारहर्त्रादिवराहमूर्तये नृसिंहरूपाय च वामनात्मने॥१०॥
Reverence to you, Hṛṣīkeśa and auspicious Lord, subduer of every host of daityas; to the primal Varāha form that removes the earth’s burden, to the form of Nṛsiṃha, and to the self of Vāmana.
Passage 11
नमो महामन्दरशैलधारिणे त्रिविक्रमायातुलविक्रमाय। श्रीवत्सलक्ष्माय सकौस्तुभाय श्रीरामदेवाय रघूद्वहाय॥११॥
Reverence to the bearer of mighty Mount Mandara, to Trivikrama of matchless stride; to him marked by Śrīvatsa and bearing the Kaustubha, divine Śrī Rāma, foremost of the Raghus.
Passage 12
त्वमादिमूर्तिर्भगवान् सनातन- स्त्रयीमयः शान्तरजस्तमोमयः। भक्तेषु कृत्वा करुणां कदाचि- दिहावतीर्य क्षपयस्यधर्मम्॥१२॥
You are the primordial form, the eternal Lord, embodiment of the Vedic triad, in whom rajas and tamas are stilled. From time to time, moved by compassion for devotees, you descend here and destroy adharma.
Passage 13
न ते विदुस्तेज उदग्रमेतद् विश्वे भवाद्या अपि देवत्तोत्तमाः। स्वरूपशक्त्यैव सदावदातया प्रकाशसे सन्ततसुप्रकाशः॥१३॥
Even the highest gods of the universe, beginning with Bhava, do not know this lofty splendour of yours. Eternally self-luminous, you shine continuously by your own ever-pure essential power.
Passage 14
त्वमादिदेवो विदितोऽसि सम्प्रति श्रिया युतः श्रीपुरुषोत्तमो हरिः। न चेदिदं विश्वविलक्षणं महः कथं प्रकाशेत मदक्षिगोचरम्॥१४॥
Now I know you as the primal God, Hari, glorious Puruṣottama joined with Śrī. Otherwise, how could this radiance beyond the universe have appeared within the range of my eyes?
Passage 15
दासेषु साधुष्वमरेषु सत्क्रियां कृत्वावतीर्णोऽसि यदादिपूरुषः। तदेव दृश्योऽसि न चेत्तु मादृशै- र्मर्त्यैः सुखाद्यो भगवान् स्वयंप्रभुः॥१५॥
Because you, the primordial Person, have descended to bless servants, saints, and gods, you can now be seen. Otherwise, how could the self-luminous Lord, source of bliss, be seen by mortals such as me?
Passage 16
नमो नमस्ते भगवन् स्वसाक्षिणे स्वमायया संवृतविग्रहात्मने। त्रिवृत्स्वरूपाय परात्पराय स्व एव धामन्यनिशं विभास्वते॥१६॥
Reverence, reverence to you, blessed witness of the self, whose embodied nature is veiled by your own māyā; whose form is threefold, who are beyond the highest, and who shine ceaselessly in your own abode.
Passage 17
रूपं तवैतत् क्षयितोऽवनीभरं चिदात्मकं भक्तदृशां मनोहरम्। पश्यन्ति नैवासुरभावमास्थिताः कथञ्चिदेवाविषयीकृतं सुरैः॥१७॥
This form of yours lightens the earth’s burden, is made of consciousness, and enchants devotees’ eyes. Those established in a demonic disposition never behold it, and even for the gods it only somehow becomes an object of sight.
Passage 18
स्थानेऽस्मदानन्दकृते भवज्जनु- र्न रावणाद्यासुरहन्तवे प्रभो। तवोद्भटा अक्षरकालधर्म- स्वभावसंज्ञाः कति सन्ति नो भटाः॥१८॥
Lord, rightly understood, your birth is for our joy, not merely for killing Rāvaṇa and the other demons. How many mighty champions already serve you under the names Imperishable, Time, Dharma, and Nature!
Passage 19
यदक्षरं ब्रह्म सनातनं स्वराट् सहस्रनेत्राननपादबाहुकम्। निरञ्जनं निष्प्रतिमं निरीहं श्रीराम तत्त्वच्चरणं वदन्ति॥१९॥
Śrī Rāma, the imperishable and eternal Brahman, sovereign in itself, with a thousand eyes, faces, feet, and arms—stainless, incomparable, and desireless— is said to be but your foot.
Passage 20
यः कालसंज्ञः परमो नियन्ता समस्तकर्ता भगवान् महोग्रः। भूतं भविष्यदथ वर्तमानं विभ्रत्तदीशास्ति वपुस्त्वदीयम्॥२०॥
The one called Time—the supreme controller, doer of all, the blessed and terrible Lord who bears past, future, and present—is a body of yours.
Passage 21
यत् कर्मरूपं प्रतिजीवमाततं यथोचितं यच्च यावच्च रूपम्। फलोन्मुखं स्वव्यतिरेकतोऽफलं तत्त्वं प्रभो इष्टपूर्तादिसाध्यम्॥२१॥
Lord, karma extends through every being in whatever form and measure is appropriate. Though turned toward its fruit, it bears none apart from you; its reality is pursued through rites of sacrifice, public benefaction, and the rest.
Passage 22
यत् स्वात्मभक्तेषु दयां विधत्से दुष्टेषु च क्रूरतया निरीक्षितम्। सृष्टिस्थितिक्षयलीलाश्च कुर्वन् जागर्ष्यसौ ते परमः स्वभावः॥२२॥
You show compassion to those devoted to your own self and regard the wicked with severity. Performing the play of creation, preservation, and dissolution, this supreme nature of yours remains ever wakefully active.
Passage 23
तं जातमात्रं कौशल्या प्रसमीक्ष्य भुजद्वयम्। ज्ञात्वा सीतापतिं साक्षादब्रवीन्मधुरैः स्तवैः॥२३॥
Kausalyā gazed upon the newborn with two arms. Recognizing him directly as Sītā’s Lord, she addressed him with sweet hymns. Kausalyā said
Passage 24
अहो धन्ये दृष्टी पुरुषवर ते रूपममृतं पिबन्त्यौ स्वानन्दोदधिरसनिमग्नेऽद्य भवतः। निमेषोऽसह्यो मे किमिति रचितः कैरवपते पन्था ज्योत्स्नायास्ते नयनकरसम्मर्शनमभूत्॥२४॥
Ah, blessed are my two eyes today, best of persons: drinking the nectar of your form, they are submerged in the rasa of their own ocean of bliss. Even a blink is unbearable to me. Lord of the night-blooming lilies, why was it created, when the path of your moonlight has become the touch of rays upon my eyes?
Passage 25
अहो अहो धन्यतमं कुलद्वयम् अहो अहो धन्यतमे उभे दृशौ। अहो अहो धन्यतमं महीतलं यत्रास्ति योगो भवता समं हरे॥२५॥
Ah, how supremely blessed are both our families! Ah, how supremely blessed are these two eyes! Ah, how supremely blessed is the earth where union with you is possible, Hari!
Passage 26
अहो इदं रूपमतीवसुन्दरं न दृष्टपूर्वं धरणीतलस्थैः। अनेन लिङ्गेन रमाङ्कितेन श्रीरामचन्द्रोऽसि मतो नरोत्तम॥२६॥
Ah, this exceedingly beautiful form has never before been seen by earth’s inhabitants. By this sign, marked with Ramā, I know you to be Śrī Rāmacandra, highest of men.
Passage 27
यतो निवृत्ताः खलु वैदिकीर्गिरो मनस्तथा यद्विषयानुधावनम्। अचिन्त्यशक्तिप्रभवमतर्क्यं तत्त्वं परं ब्रह्म कुलेऽवतीर्य नः॥२७॥
Vedic speech turns back from you, as does the mind’s pursuit of its objects. The inconceivable reality, source of unthinkable power and supreme Brahman, has descended into our family.
Passage 28
कर्ता महन्मङ्गलमीश गोद्विज- धर्मश्रुतीनां स्वमुपाश्रितानाम्। कुलं तथा साधु सुविश्रुतं रवेः स्वपौरुषेणैव महायशो दधत्॥२८॥
Lord, you will bring the highest blessing to cows, the twice-born, dharma, the Vedas, and those who take refuge in you. Through your own valour you will make the virtuous and renowned solar line bear immense glory.
Passage 29
एवमेव कदाचिद्वै द्वापरान्ते यदोः कुले। वसुदेवाच्च देवक्यां तवांशो वै भविष्यति॥२९॥
In just this way, at the end of Dvāpara, a portion of you will appear from Vasudeva in Devakī within Yadu’s lineage.
Passage 30
क्वचित् सुतपसो गेहे पृष्णिगर्भेऽप्यजीजनः। तेनैव पृष्णिगर्भेति तव नामानुशुश्रुम॥३०॥
Once you were born in Sutapas’s house from Pṛśni’s womb. From that very birth, we have heard, came your name Pṛśnigarbha.
Passage 31
पुरा भूमेः सजीवाया नेताऽधो वारिधेर्बलात्। वराहवपुषा देव हिरण्याक्षस्त्वया हतः॥३१॥
Long ago Hiraṇyākṣa forcibly carried the living earth beneath the ocean. God, you slew him in the body of Varāha.
Passage 32
एवमेव स्वभक्तस्य प्रतिज्ञां रक्षता त्वया। निहन्ता श्रुतिधर्माणां हिरण्यकशिपुर्हतः॥३२॥
In the same way, protecting your devotee’s vow, you slew Hiraṇyakaśipu, the destroyer of revelation and dharma.
Passage 33
प्रलयार्णवमग्नानां वेदानामुद्धृतौ क्षमम्। मात्स्यं वपुस्त्वयाऽऽस्थाय हृदयं प्रकटीकृतम्॥३३॥
Assuming the body of Matsya, you revealed the heart capable of lifting the Vedas when they had sunk into the ocean of dissolution.
Passage 34
पुरा पीयूषमथने मन्थदण्डस्त्वया धृतः। मन्दराख्यो महाशैलः कौर्मं वपुरुपाश्रितः॥३४॥
Long ago, during the churning for nectar, you assumed the body of Kūrma and supported the great mountain Mandara as the churning rod.
Passage 35
पुरा वलिं छलयता महामानिनमीश्वरम्। मन्ये वपुर्वामनस्य त्वयैव प्रकटीकृतम्॥३५॥
Long ago, when the greatly proud sovereign Bali was deceived, I understand that you yourself manifested the body of Vāmana.
Passage 36
पुरा लङ्काधिपः कश्चिद्यथेदानीं महाबलः। आसीत्स भवता देव रावणाख्यो निराकृतः॥३६॥
Long ago there was another mighty lord of Laṅkā, just like the one now. God, you destroyed him—the one called Rāvaṇa.
Passage 37
सम्प्रत्यपि बलैर्वृद्धो राक्षसेन्द्रो दशाननः। त्वयैव विनिहन्तव्यः स्तेनो देवपतिश्रियाम्॥३७॥
Now too the ten-headed king of the rākṣasas has grown powerful through his forces. You alone must slay this thief of the lord of the gods’ prosperity.
Passage 38
पुरा त्वयैव भगवंश्चरता दुश्चरं तपः। निराकृताः परशुना सुपुष्टाः क्षत्रियाः प्रभो॥३८॥
Long ago, blessed Lord, undertaking severe austerity, you destroyed with the axe the kṣatriyas who had grown overmighty.
Passage 39
अथ वैदिकजीवेषु कृपां सन्तन्वता त्वया। बुद्धरूपेण भगवन् पूरणीयो महामखः॥३९॥
Then, extending compassion toward Vedic beings in the form of Buddha, blessed Lord, you are to bring the great sacrifice to fulfilment.
Passage 40
जातुचिन्म्लेच्छबहुले जगति त्रिजगत्प्रभो। त्वया कल्किस्वरूपेण पालनीयाः श्रुतिद्विजाः॥४०॥
When the world is at some time overrun by mlecchas, Lord of the three worlds, you must protect revelation and the twice-born in the form of Kalki.
Passage 41
यौ बलकृष्णाविति विश्रुतिं गतौ स्वमाययात्तात्मगुणौ नरोत्तमौ। वेदेषु शास्त्रेषु तथा पुराणे- षूद्गीयमानौ खलु तौ त्वदंशौ॥४१॥
The two supreme men renowned as Bala and Kṛṣṇa, who assume their qualities through your own māyā and are sung in Vedas, śāstras, and Purāṇas, are indeed your portions.
Passage 42
एवं भवान् पूर्णकलाभिरात्मनः सङ्क्रीडमानोऽभयदो निजानाम्। इहावतीर्णोऽसि दिवाकरान्वये स्वरोचिषा रोचितसर्वविश्वः॥४२॥
Thus, sporting with the fullness of your own powers and granting fearlessness to your people, you have descended here in the solar line and illumined the whole universe with your radiance.
Passage 43
इदं स्वरूपं निजदर्शनोचित- ममानुषं तावकमीश लिङ्गम्। आवां प्रपश्येव न चेतरे जना- स्त्वया विधेयं भगवंस्तथैव॥४३॥
Lord, this superhuman sign of yours is suited to the vision of your true form. May only the two of us behold it and not other people; blessed Lord, please arrange it so.
Passage 44
इयं च ते श्रीः कमलालया रमा वामाङ्गसंस्था कमलानपायिनी। अम्भोजहस्ता नयनोत्सवप्रदा धिनोति नो नयनयुगे मृदुस्मितैः॥४४॥
This Śrī of yours is Ramā, dwelling in the lotus and inseparable from it, seated at your left side. Lotus in hand, she gives a festival to the eyes and delights our pair of eyes with gentle smiles.
Passage 45
एवं स्तवं विदधतोः कौसल्याधिपयोर्द्विज। आययुः सकला देवा ब्रह्माद्याः सेन्द्रशङ्कराः॥४५॥
Twice-born one, while Kausalyā and her lord offered this hymn, all the gods, beginning with Brahmā and accompanied by Indra and Śaṅkara, arrived.
Passage 46
ते दण्डवत्सपदि निपत्य सम्मुखे सगद्गदाः पुलकलसत्तनूरुहाः। हृष्यन्तो दशमुखवेपितान्तराः पथ्याभिः स्तुतिभिरथाभिरेभिरे॥४६॥
At once they fell like staffs before him. Their voices faltered, the hairs of their bodies thrilled, and they rejoiced even while their hearts trembled before the ten-faced one. Then they addressed him with fitting hymns. Brahmā and the gods said
Passage 47
नमो नमो भुवनभयार्तिहारिणे रिपुच्छिदे द्विजनिगमौघरक्षिणे। परात्परामलवपुषे रजस्तमः- संस्पृष्टप्रबहलसत्त्वमूर्तये॥४७॥
Reverence, reverence to the remover of the worlds’ fear and pain, destroyer of enemies and guardian of the twice-born and the flood of revelation; to the pure form beyond the highest, the dense embodiment of sattva amid the touch of rajas and tamas.
Passage 48
नमो नमो भवजनुषेऽभवाय च नमो नमोऽखिलवपुषेऽखिलाय च। नमो नमो गुणनिधयेऽगुणाय च नमो नमोऽखिलदृशेऽदृशाय च॥४८॥
Reverence to one born in becoming yet unborn; reverence to him whose body is all and who is the whole. Reverence to the treasury of qualities who is beyond qualities; reverence to the seer of all who is himself unseen.
Passage 49
नमो नमो निजविभवाप्तमूर्तये नमो नमो निजजनचित्तपण्यवे। नमो नमो निगमपथातिगामिने नमो नमो विततभवापवर्गद॥४९॥
Reverence to the form complete in its own glory; reverence to the treasure prized in the hearts of your people. Reverence to one who goes beyond the path of revelation; reverence to the giver of far-reaching release from becoming.
Passage 50
नमो नमो नः कार्यार्थमवतीर्णाय विष्णवे। लक्ष्मीशायाखिलद्वेष्टृसंहराय नमो नमः॥५०॥
Reverence to Viṣṇu, descended for the sake of our task. Reverence to the Lord of Lakṣmī, destroyer of every enemy.
Passage 51
नमो नमः पुष्करपुञ्जमालिने नमो नमः पुष्करलोचनाय ते। नमो नमः पुष्करवर्यपाणये नमो नमः पुष्करमध्यवाससे॥५१॥
Reverence to you who wear a mass of lotuses as a garland; reverence to the lotus-eyed one. Reverence to him whose hand bears the finest lotus; reverence to him who dwells in the lotus’s centre.
Passage 52
यत्प्रार्थितोऽस्माभिरजस्रदुःखितै- र्दशास्यकारागृहवासवेपितैः। तत्त्वं स्वयाच्ञां सफलां विधातु- मिहावतीर्णोऽसि नमो नमस्ते॥५२॥
Continually afflicted and trembling as though imprisoned by the ten-faced one, we prayed to you. You have descended here to make our request bear fruit; reverence, reverence to you.
Passage 53
कस्ते जनो वेत्ति वत प्रवृत्तिं गुणानुषङ्गव्यतिकरवर्जितात्मनः। स्वमाययाखिलजनमोहनाकृते रमायिनः स्वर्गभवापवर्गद॥५३॥
Ah, what person knows the activity of you whose self is free from the mingled contact of qualities, whose form enchants everyone through your own māyā, who sport with Ramā and grant heaven, worldly existence, and liberation?
Passage 54
कुर्मः किमीश भवदेकपरायणात्मानो वयं किमपरं समुपाश्रयामः। अभ्यर्थयाम उदितेऽनुयुगं विपक्षे गोविप्रवेदपथधर्मविवर्धनाय॥५४॥
Lord, what can we do, whose whole selves are devoted to you alone? What other refuge could we seek? Whenever opposition rises in age after age, we beg you to increase the welfare of cows, the twice-born, the Vedic path, and dharma.
Passage 55
तथापि ते सख्यमिहाचरिष्य- न्त्येते सुरा उभयतटान्तवासिनः। इहापि ते नाथ रमैव सङ्गिनी भूयान्महामोदकला विवर्धिनी॥५५॥
Nevertheless, these gods dwelling along both banks will live here in friendship with you. Here too, Lord, may Ramā herself remain your companion, increasing the phase of supreme delight.
Passage 56
एषा श्रीर्भवतो नित्या स्वांशैः क्रीडिष्यति त्वया॥५६॥
This eternal Śrī of yours will sport with you through her own portions.
Passage 57
रासादिलीला भवतो परात्परा विभातु नो हृदये नाथ नित्यम्। अशोककुञ्जे भवतो रमेश रमासहस्रेण यथा विलासः॥५७॥
Lord, may your supremely transcendent rāsa and other līlās shine forever in our hearts, just as you, Lord of Ramā, sport with a thousand Ramās in the Aśoka bower.
Passage 58
इहापि ते देव तथैव भूयात् साकेतवल्लीवनवल्लरीभिः। इमाः प्रभो सुरसरितोऽपरे तटे वनाश्रयाः सुरवर गोपकन्यकाः। रमामयास्तव जनिमानमिच्छवः ससन्ततास्तव भवितार ईश्वराः॥५८॥
God, may it be the same here among the flowering creepers of Sāketa’s groves. Lord of the gods, these cowherd maidens dwelling in the forest on the far bank of the celestial river are filled with Ramā and long for your birth; together with their lineages they shall become yours, O Lord.
Passage 59
एवं स्तुवत्सु ब्रह्मादिष्वत्र सम्मोदसम्भ्रमाः। तुष्टुवुः श्रुतयोऽप्येनं समागत्य त्रिपृष्ठतः॥५९॥
As Brahmā and the others praised him in this way, the Vedic revelations too, thrilled and overwhelmed with joy, came from the triple summit of heaven and offered him praise. --- Thus ends the tenth chapter, “Hymns at Rāma’s Birth,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa. Textual note The photographed edition is followed where its Sanskrit is irregular: verse 3 prints susmita-vakra-paṅkaja, verse 13 daivattottamāḥ, verse 22 the difficult jāgarṣy asau, and verse 43 the compressed āvāṃ prapaśyeva. Their evident sense is translated without silently replacing the root. Verse 26’s apparatus inserts three verses copied from chapter 7; because the editor explicitly labels that material as an addition in another witness and the chapter’s own numbering continues directly to 27, it is recorded in the note but not duplicated as chapter-10 root text. Verse 55 follows the page image’s clear tathāpi rather than the private aid’s tayāpi.