Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथ प्रजानां पौराणामन्तःपुरनिवासिनाम्। नृणां स्वेषां परेषां च जज्ञिरे सर्वतो गिरः॥१॥
Brahmā said: “Then voices arose on every side—from the citizens and subjects, from those in the inner palace, and from friends and strangers alike.
Passage 2
रामराज्याभिषेकोत्थमङ्गलानन्दचेतसाम्। साधुवादगिरो नॄणामश्रूयन्त गृहे गृहे॥२॥
“Their hearts rejoiced in the auspiciousness of Rāma's royal consecration, and words of blessing were heard in every home.
Passage 3
जना ऊचुः— अहो नो भाग्यसम्पत्तिः किमस्माभिः कियत् तपः। अकारि येन द्रक्ष्यामो रामं राजानमद्य वै॥३॥
The people said: “How abundant is our good fortune! What great austerity did we perform that today we shall behold Rāma as king?
Passage 4
कुलक्रमागतं राज्यं प्राप्य रामो वहन् मुदा। चन्द्रमा इव विद्योतन् दृशो नः सुखयिष्यति॥४॥
“Joyfully assuming the hereditary kingdom, Rāma will shine like the moon and bring delight to our eyes.
Passage 5
येषां च बत नोऽस्माकं राजासौ जानकीपतिः। किमलभ्यतमं गां पुरुषार्थचतुष्टये॥५॥
“Since Jānakī's Lord will be our king, what among the four aims of human life could remain unattainable to us upon earth?
Passage 6
यद्यदिष्टतमं लोके तत्तदस्य प्रसादजम्। प्राप्स्यामः सुकृतेनाढ्या वयं रामेण सेश्वराः॥६॥
“Rich in merit and possessing Rāma as our sovereign, we shall obtain by his grace whatever is most cherished in the world.
Passage 7
श्रीरामस्य प्रियायोध्या साक्षाल्लक्ष्मीनिवासभूः। आनन्दनगरी चैषा वसतिः परमं शुभा॥७॥
“Beloved Ayodhyā of Śrī Rāma is the direct dwelling place of Lakṣmī. This city of bliss is a supremely auspicious abode.
Passage 8
सुरनार्योऽप्यमुं द्रष्टुं कामयन्ते प्रतिक्षणम्। तमेनं मनसा दृष्ट्वा दृशौ सफलयामहे॥८॥
“Even celestial women long at every moment to behold him. Having contemplated him in our minds, we shall now make our very eyes fruitful.
Passage 9
दधिदूर्वाक्षतकराः सनीराजनपाणयः। राज्याभिषेकिनं राममद्य द्रक्ष्यामहे वयम्॥९॥
“With curds, sacred grass, and unbroken rice in our hands, and bearing lamps for worship, today we shall see Rāma receiving the royal consecration.
Passage 10
मदच्युत्कुञ्जरगतिविलोलचमरालका। चलत्सारङ्गनयना मणिविद्रुमभाधरा॥१०॥
“Royal Fortune, with the gait of an elephant streaming rut-fluid, locks fluttering like yak-tail fans, eyes moving like deer, and lips radiant as jewels and coral—
Passage 11
पद्माकरमुखश्रीका राजहंसस्खलद्गतिः। द्वितीया जानकीवामुं राज्यश्रीरद्य यास्यति॥११॥
“—her face lovely as a lotus-lake and her gait swaying like a royal swan, will today approach him as a second Jānakī.
Passage 12
राज्यश्रीरमणं चैनं दृष्ट्वा हृष्ट्वा जगज्जनः। श्रियं मातरमासाद्य महोन्नतिमुपैष्यति॥१२॥
“Seeing him become the beloved of royal Fortune, the people of the world will rejoice, attain mother Lakṣmī, and rise to great prosperity.”
Passage 13
इत्याद्यनेकधा चित्ताभिलाषभवया गिरा। पुरं कोलाहलीचक्रुः पौरा हर्षितमानसाः॥१३॥
With many such utterances born from their hearts' desires, the delighted citizens filled the city with joyful commotion.
Passage 14
अथ प्राप्ते सुमुहूर्ते वशिष्ठः श्वोभाविन्यामभिषिक्तौ मुनीन्द्रान्। सन्मन्त्रविद्याकुशलानाजुहाव पूर्वं चिकीर्षुर्मण्डपस्याधिवासम्॥१४॥
When the auspicious time arrived, Vasiṣṭha summoned eminent sages skilled in sacred mantras, wishing first to consecrate the pavilion before the royal rite to be performed the following day.
Passage 15
ते स्वस्तिपुण्याहमुदीर्य विप्रा मन्त्रैर्महाघोषवद्भिः सुभव्यैः। आदौ गणेशं वरुणं वास्तुदेवं सम्पूज्य गन्धाक्षतपुष्पदीपैः॥१५॥
The brāhmaṇas proclaimed blessings and the sacred day with auspicious, resounding mantras. First they worshiped Gaṇeśa, Varuṇa, and the deity of the site with fragrance, rice, flowers, and lamps.
Passage 16
ततोऽधिवासयाञ्चक्रुः सर्वा मण्डपदेवताः। वेदीं संस्कृत्य विधिवन्महार्हमणिनिर्मिताम्॥१६॥
Then, after ritually preparing the altar fashioned from precious jewels, they installed all the pavilion's deities according to rule.
Passage 17
प्रधानदेवतां तत्र स्थापयित्वा विशेषतः। साङ्गोपाङ्गां सुविधिभिर्जपस्तोत्रपुरःसरम्॥१७॥
They specially installed the principal deity together with all attendant forms, using the proper rites preceded by recitation and hymns.
Passage 18
अकुर्वन्नोदकीं शान्तिं विधिदृष्टां द्विजातयः। अग्निं च स्थापयाञ्चक्रुरार्त्विज्यविधिवित्तमाः॥१८॥
The twice-born performed the prescribed water rite of peace, and the priests, supremely versed in sacrificial procedure, established the sacred fire.
Passage 19
तां निशां सुखतो निन्युर्मन्त्रघोषपुरःसरम्। प्रातरुत्थाय जुहुवुस्तिलाज्यैर्जातसम्भ्रमाः॥१९॥
They passed the night peacefully amid the sound of mantras. Rising in the morning with eager care, they offered sesame and clarified butter into the fire.
Passage 20
श्रीमन्त्रनिवहैर्विप्राः कृत्वा माङ्गलिकं स्वरम्। ततश्च रामं संस्नाप्य कुशशोभितपाणयः॥२०॥
The brāhmaṇas created an auspicious resonance with hosts of sacred mantras; then, their hands adorned with kuśa grass, they bathed Rāma.
Passage 21
तीर्थोदकैश्च विविधैर्मन्त्रघोषपुरःसरम्। अथासौ मङ्गलक्षौमे परिधाय सुभूषितः॥२१॥
They used varied waters from sacred fords amid the proclamation of mantras. Rāma then put on auspicious silken garments and was beautifully adorned.
Passage 22
प्रधानदेवतां नत्वा स्थितो वेद्यां शुभासने। यावत् समभिषिच्येत मन्त्रै राज्याभिषेचनैः॥२२॥
He bowed to the principal deity and sat upon the auspicious seat at the altar, ready to be consecrated with the royal mantras.
Passage 23
तावदन्तःपुरे राज्ञ उदतिष्ठन्महाध्वनिः। रुदत्केकेयराजेन्द्रतनयाश्वासनोद्भवः॥२३॥
Just then a great cry arose in the king's inner palace, produced by the effort to console the weeping daughter of the king of Kekaya.
Passage 24
तं निशम्य नृपो व्यग्रः स्वयं दशरथः क्षणात्। सभामण्डपतः सद्यः समुत्थाय ययौ गृहम्॥२४॥
Hearing it, King Daśaratha became agitated. He immediately rose from the assembly pavilion and went into the palace. Daśaratha Finds Kaikeyī Weeping
Passage 25
सोऽन्तःपुरचरीवक्त्रादाकर्ण्य रघुसत्तमः। केकयेन्द्रसुतावृत्तं सुव्यग्रस्तामुपागमत्॥२५॥
Learning from an inner-palace attendant what had happened to the Kekaya princess, the scion of Raghu approached her in great distress.
Passage 26
सा पिधायाञ्चलेनास्यं रुदन्ती करुणावहम्। पृष्टापि नैव प्रत्यूचे राजानं धृतचण्डिमा॥२६॥
Covering her face with her garment, she wept piteously. Though the king questioned her, she maintained a fierce resolve and would not answer.
Passage 27
अन्तस्तापभरात्युष्मान् मुञ्चन्ती श्वासमात्मनः। विशुष्यदधरात्यर्थमन्तःशोकाग्निदीपिनी॥२७॥
Her inward burning made her release feverishly hot breaths; her lips dried as the fire of grief blazed within.
Passage 28
श्वासोष्ममलिनीभूतनासामुक्तामणिद्वया। विकीर्णालकसन्दोहरुद्धपक्ष्मचरेक्षणा॥२८॥
The twin pearl ornaments at her nose were tarnished by her heated breath, and her eyes, moving beneath their lashes, were obstructed by disheveled locks.
Passage 29
अधोमुखी गलन्मुक्ताफलस्थूलाश्रुबिन्दुभिः। श्रीखण्डकुङ्कुमालेपं क्षालयन्ती स्तनद्वये॥२९॥
Face lowered, she washed the sandal and vermilion paste from her breasts with large tears falling like pearls.
Passage 30
अनाकर्णितसख्युक्तिरार्तस्वरपरायणा। रुदन्ती करुणं दीना हतेवात्मधिया मुहुः॥३०॥
Ignoring her companions' words, she gave herself over to anguished cries and wept piteously again and again, as though inwardly slain.
Passage 31
उवाच नृपतिस्तां तु तादृशीं क्रोधनिर्भराम्। सुघोरचरितां चण्डीं विस्मृताशेषलौकिकाम्॥३१॥
The king addressed her as she remained filled with anger, fierce in conduct, and forgetful of every ordinary restraint.
Passage 32
राजोवाच— रामाभिषेकसमये किमेवं रोदिषि प्रिये। कारणं नास्य जानामि शोकाग्नेः समुदञ्चतः॥३२॥
The king said: “My beloved, why do you weep like this at the time of Rāma's consecration? I do not know the cause of this rising fire of grief.
Passage 33
वादयन्ति शुभनादानि वाद्यानि परितो गृहे। गायन्ति चारु गन्धर्वा वीणानिनदमिश्रितम्॥३३॥
“In every part of the palace instruments produce auspicious sounds, while gandharvas sing sweetly to the accompaniment of vīṇās.
Passage 34
नृत्यन्ति नर्तकीवृन्दा मुहुर्मङ्गलगीतयः। मुदिता नगरी सर्वा सहर्षाः सर्वतो जनाः॥३४॥
“Companies of dancers perform repeatedly to songs of blessing. The entire city is delighted, and people everywhere are filled with joy.
Passage 35
रामे त्रिभुवनारामे विरामेऽसिलदुर्हृदाम्। राज्येऽभिषिच्यमानेऽद्य हर्षितं सकलं जगत्॥३५॥
“Today the whole world rejoices as Rāma—the delight of the three worlds and the sword that ends the wicked—is consecrated to sovereignty.
Passage 36
विषीदसि त्वमेवैका कथं राजेन्द्रकन्यके। मलिनीकुरुषेऽकस्मात् कथमुज्ज्वलमाननम्॥३६॥
“Daughter of a king, why do you alone grieve? Why without cause do you darken your radiant face?
Passage 37
निदानमाकस्मिकशोकवह्नेर्ज्ञातुं विशालाक्षि मुहुर्मुहस्त्वाम्। पृच्छामि मूर्छन्नहमप्यमन्दशङ्कासमुद्रोर्मिविगाढचित्तः॥३७॥
“Wide-eyed lady, I ask you again and again to reveal the source of this sudden fire of grief. My own heart sinks beneath the powerful waves of an ocean of fear.”
Passage 38
श्रुत्वा भर्तुर्वचश्चण्डी श्वासोच्छ्वासक्रमाकुला। उवाच रुदिता व्यक्तस्वरोदीरितदारुणा॥३८॥
Hearing her husband's words, the fierce queen, disordered by heavy breathing, wept and spoke dreadful words in a clear voice. Kaikeyī Accuses the King
Passage 39
कैकेय्युवाच— सम्यक् त्वया कृतं राजन् मत्पुत्रः पूर्वमेव यः। गृहान्निर्वासितः साधुरपराधविवर्जितः॥३९॥
Kaikeyī said: “Well done, O king! First you sent my innocent and virtuous son away from home—
Passage 40
सपत्न्यास्तनयो नूनं राज्ये समभिषिच्यते। सर्वथा हतमानाया नाधुना जीवितं मम॥४०॥
“—and now my co-wife's son is surely being consecrated king. My honor is wholly destroyed; I have no reason to live.
Passage 41
किं नु स्थास्याम्यहं लोके सपत्न्याः पिण्डभोजिनी। सम्यङ् मे फलितं भाग्यं यस्या मे त्वादृशः पतिः॥४१॥
“How can I remain in the world eating food granted by my co-wife? My fortune has borne fitting fruit indeed, since I possess a husband such as you!
Passage 42
जरया लुप्तरूपस्य लोपिता धिषणापि ते। सत्यं च लोपितं प्रायस्तादृग्धर्मगुरोस्तव॥४२॥
“Age has taken your beauty and also stolen your discernment. It seems to have stolen even your truthfulness, though you pose as such a teacher of dharma.
Passage 43
का न्वीदृशं परिभवं भवने सहेत सापत्न्यतुल्यविभवाप्यधिकात् सपत्नात्। तज्जीवितं लघुतृणीकृतमद्य हित्वा लोके मुखं मलिनकान्ति न दर्शयिष्ये॥४३॥
“What woman, even one whose standing equals her co-wife's, could bear such humiliation from a rival now made superior? Today I shall cast away life as worthless straw and never show my dishonored face in the world.
Passage 44
सर्वथा मे गतो मानस्त्वया पत्या जनाधिप। प्रतिरोत्स्यामि त्यक्त्वापि निजजीवितम्॥४४॥
“O ruler of men, you, my husband, have completely destroyed my honor. I shall oppose this even if I must abandon my life.
Passage 45
त्वयि जीवति हे नाथ करिष्ये सर्वथा ह्यहम्। प्रवेक्ष्यामि शुचिं दीप्तं पास्यामि गरमेव वा॥४५॥
“While you yet live, my lord, I shall certainly enter a blazing fire or drink poison.
Passage 46
सहिष्ये नादरं नैव समृद्धाद् बलवत्तरात्। सपत्नात्प्राप्तराज्यश्रीजातलोकसमुन्नतेः॥४६॥
“I will not endure contempt from a prosperous and powerful rival who has become exalted before the world by gaining royal Fortune.
Passage 47
नाद्यावधि मया नाथ निकर्षः क्वापि वीक्षितः। समानचरुभागेन यया वीरः सुतोऽजनि॥४७॥
“Until today, my lord, I saw no inferiority in myself to the woman who received an equal share of the sacrificial oblation and bore a heroic son.
Passage 48
भूत्वापि वीरसूः साहं प्राप्तानल्पं पराभवम्। दैवं न प्रतिकूलं मे प्रतिकूलः परं भवान्॥४८॥
“Though I too am mother of a hero, I have met immense humiliation. Fate is not against me—you alone are my adversary.
Passage 49
रामाभिषेकपटहो वादयन् कर्णकटुर्मम। प्रोषितात्मजरन्ताया रुजत्यतितरां मम॥४९॥
“The drum proclaiming Rāma's consecration is harsh to my ears and torments me, for I grieve while my own son is far away.
Passage 50
कुर्वन्ति कर्णयोरेते तप्तसूचीव्यधव्यथाम्। वीणानिनादद्विगुणा गन्धर्वनिवहस्वराः॥५०॥
“These massed gandharva voices, doubled by the sound of vīṇās, pierce my ears with the pain of red-hot needles.
Passage 51
मन्दिरेषु प्रतिद्वारं निबद्धास्तोरणस्रजः। असह्यामनलज्वालां पातयन्ति दृशोर्मम॥५१॥
“The garlands tied above every doorway of the palaces pour unbearable flames of fire into my eyes.
Passage 52
नृत्यन्त्य एता नर्तक्यो वस्त्रसङ्घातकर्कशाः। मनश्चरणतालैर्मे मर्दयन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः॥५२॥
“These dancers perform in rustling garments and crush my heart again and again with the beat of their feet.
Passage 53
भागिनोऽस्मानतिक्रम्य सपत्नजनपक्षगा। सपत्नीव मया लक्ष्मीरद्य सोढुं न शक्यते॥५३॥
“Passing over us who share a claim and siding with my rival's family, royal Fortune herself is like a co-wife whom I cannot bear today.
Passage 54
जराविलुप्तधिषणः सर्वं विस्मृतवानसि। देवदानवयुद्धान्ते किं नु राजन् प्रतिश्रुतम्॥५४॥
“Your understanding erased by age, you have forgotten everything. O king, what did you promise at the end of the war between gods and dānavas?
Passage 55
सत्येन मारुतो वाति सत्येन तपते रविः। सत्येन च ज्वलत्यग्निः सत्येनेन्द्रोऽभिवर्षति॥५५॥
“Through truth the wind blows, through truth the sun gives heat, through truth fire burns, and through truth Indra sends rain.
Passage 56
सत्येन च चलत्येषा भूरापः सत्यतो द्रवाः। सत्येन रोदसी बद्धे सत्यं धावति सत्यतः॥५६॥
“Through truth this earth moves and waters flow. Through truth heaven and earth remain bound in order, and truth itself advances through truth.
Passage 57
सत्येनैव तपस्यन्ति यजन्ते सत्यतो जनाः। सत्येन फलदं सर्वं सत्यं संस्मर पार्थिव॥५७॥
“By truth alone people perform austerity and sacrifice. Through truth all things bear fruit. O king, remember truth.
Passage 58
यत् सत्यं राजशार्दूल भवानकथयत् पुरा। वरद्वयं प्रतिश्रुत्य तदिदानीं प्रयच्छ मे॥५८॥
“Tiger among kings, now give me the two boons that you truly promised long ago.”
Passage 59
इत्थं प्रणोदितो राजा कैकेय्या क्रूरचित्तया। उवाचाभिरतः सत्ये तामङ्गार्धेनिवेशिनीम्॥५९॥
Thus pressed by cruel-hearted Kaikeyī, the king, steadfast in truth, addressed the wife who shared half his body.
Passage 60
राजोवाच— उपसंहर रम्भोरु क्रोधं सापत्नभावजम्। यच्चिकीर्षसि चित्तेन तत् सत्येन ददाम्यहम्॥६०॥
The king said: “Beautiful-thighed lady, withdraw this anger born of rivalry. Whatever your heart desires, I shall truly give.
Passage 61
करोमि ते प्रियं तन्वि वरौ दत्त्वा प्रतिश्रुतौ। न कदर्थयितव्यं ते बाष्पौघैर्लोचनद्वयम्॥६१॥
“Slender lady, I shall please you by granting the two promised boons. Do not afflict your eyes with torrents of tears.
Passage 62
स्मरामि सम्यक् चित्तेन यत् तुभ्यं मे प्रतिश्रुतम्। मा रोदीः करुणं तन्वि केकयेन्द्रसुते वृथा॥६२॥
“I clearly remember in my heart what I promised you. Slender daughter of the Kekaya king, do not weep piteously without cause.
Passage 63
एतत्तवानुचितमेवमतीवदुःखं केकयराजतनये किमु रोदिषीत्थम्। सत्ये निबद्धहृदयोऽहमशेषमेव हित्वा प्रतिश्रुतवरौ तव तन्वि दास्ये॥६३॥
“Princess of Kekaya, such overwhelming grief is unfitting for you. Why do you weep so? My heart is bound to truth; slender lady, forsaking everything else, I shall grant your promised boons.
Passage 64
यथेच्छं मामनुज्ञायापरं त्वं याचस्व दास्यामि यथा प्रतिश्रुतम्। प्राप्यान्तिमामीदृशीमप्यवस्थामसत्यवाङ् न भविष्यामि लोके॥६४॥
“Ask whatever else you wish of me and I shall give it as promised. Even if I reach my final condition thereby, I will not become known in the world as one whose word is false.”
Passage 65
इति स्फुटमजसुतेन भामिनी समीरिताश्वासनवाक्यपूर्वकम्। वव्रे भूयश्चिरकामितौ वरौ राज्ञा प्रतिश्रुत्य चिरात् कृताङ्कुरौ॥६५॥
After Aja's son had plainly reassured her in these words, the queen chose the two boons long desired, whose seeds had been planted by the king's old promise. The Two Boons
Passage 66
कैकेय्युवाच— एवं चेत्तर्हि राजेन्द्र तव स्वर्गो निरन्तरः। सत्यादक्षुण्णचित्तस्य नियतं हि भविष्यति॥६६॥
Kaikeyī said: “If it is so, O king of kings, heaven without end will certainly be yours because your mind remains unbroken in truth.
Passage 67
अन्यथा तद्विपरीतैव गतिरित्यवधारय। यैः सुसंरक्षितं सत्यं प्राणादपि धनादपि॥६७॥
“Otherwise, know that the opposite destiny awaits. Those who guard truth more carefully than life or wealth—
Passage 68
तैः किं न रक्षितं लोके स्वेष्टां गतिमुपार्जितैः। येषां त्वन्तमितं सत्यं ते शोच्या जगतीतले॥६८॥
“—what have they failed to preserve in this world, having earned the destiny they desire? But those whose truthfulness has ended are pitiable upon earth.
Passage 69
प्रवासय वनं राजन् रामं प्राणसमं प्रियम्। एवमेको वरः सत्यं दत्तः स्यान्मे प्रतिश्रुतः॥६९॥
“O king, banish to the forest Rāma, who is as dear to you as life. Thus one of the boons promised to me will truly be granted.
Passage 70
द्वितीयस्तु महाराज मत्पुत्रे राज्यमर्पय। इत्युक्त्वा क्रूरहृदया तूष्णीमास नृपाग्रतः॥७०॥
“For the second, great king, confer the kingdom upon my son.” Having said this, the hard-hearted queen fell silent before the king.
Passage 71
तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा दशरथो भृशम्। बाणेनेवातिवज्रेण बभूव हृदि ताडितः॥७१॥
Hearing her demand, King Daśaratha felt as though his heart had been struck by an arrow harder than a thunderbolt.
Passage 72
चिरं सम्भ्रान्तहृदयो विपण्णहृदयः क्षणात्। मेने प्राणाधिकं रामं वियुक्तमात्मना नृपः॥७२॥
His heart reeled for a long time and then sank. The king imagined himself separated from Rāma, who was dearer than life.
Passage 73
सत्याश्रयेण दोषेण हतधीरिव घूर्णितः। निश्चिकायात्मनः सोऽन्तं रौद्रतापसशापजम्॥७३॥
Staggering as though his reason had been slain by the very burden of fidelity to truth, he recognized that his end, born from the fierce ascetic's curse, had arrived.
Passage 74
यावन्धौ मृतशोकेन प्रविष्टौ ज्वलनं प्रति। तयोः शापस्य समयमुपस्थितमसाववेत्॥७४॥
He remembered the blind couple who, grieving for their dead son, had entered the fire, and knew that the appointed time of their curse was now at hand.
Passage 75
तथास्त्विति द्रुतमभिधाय भामिनीं निवार्य तां कुधियमसुव्ययोद्धुराम्। विषण्णधीर्विरहहुताशनस्य स ज्वलिष्यतः स्वतनुमवेत् पतङ्गवत्॥७५॥
He quickly said, “So be it,” restraining the misguided queen who was ready to cast away her life. His mind desolate, he understood that his own body would burn like a moth in the approaching fire of separation.
Passage 76
मा रोदीः पूर्णकामासि मा च त्वं जीवितं त्यज। भरते त्वत्सुते राज्यं रामे तु वनवासनम्॥७६॥
“Do not weep; your desires are fulfilled. Do not abandon your life. Your son Bharata shall have the kingdom, and Rāma shall dwell in the forest.”
Passage 77
इत्युक्त्वा निर्गतस्तस्मात् कैकेयीभवनान्नृपः। तापलज्जामहोद्वेगपर्याकुलितमानसः॥७७॥
Having spoken, the king left Kaikeyī's residence, his mind overwhelmed by anguish, shame, and immense agitation.
Passage 78
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान् रामः कैकेयीहठभाषितम्। राज्ञो वरार्पणं चापि मुदितोऽतितरामभूत्॥७८॥
When venerable Rāma heard Kaikeyī's obstinate demand and the king's granting of the boons, he became exceedingly joyful.
Passage 79
राज्यार्पणश्रीः सा रामे पितुः सत्याभिपालनात्। नाधिकं मनसः प्रीत्यै इति तूष्णीमिवाभवत्॥७९॥
For Rāma, the splendor of receiving a kingdom could not bring greater joy than protecting his father's truth. Therefore he remained serene and silent.
Passage 80
अथैकान्ते स्थितो राजा शोकोद्वेगत्रपाकुलः। गुरुमामन्त्रयाञ्चक्रे वशिष्ठं सर्वदर्शनम्॥८०॥
The king then withdrew alone, overcome by grief, agitation, and shame, and summoned his all-seeing teacher Vasiṣṭha.
Passage 81
प्राजापत्यो मुनिर्वीक्ष्य विषादविकलेन्द्रियम्। उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठो राजानं बोधयन्निदम्॥८१॥
Seeing the king's senses disabled by despair, the sage descended from Prajāpati, foremost among speakers, instructed him as follows. Vasiṣṭha Consoles Daśaratha
Passage 82
वशिष्ठ उवाच— किं शोचसि महीपाल भाग्यं हि बलवत्तरम्। पुरुषो देवनियतः पराधीनतमः किल॥८२॥
Vasiṣṭha said: “Why do you grieve, protector of the earth? Destiny is stronger than human will. A person governed by providence is indeed dependent upon it.
Passage 83
ये भावा भाविनः पुंसः पूर्वमेव विनिर्मिताः। न तान् जानाति मनुजो देवमायावृणे स्थितः॥८३॥
“The events that will befall a person have already been arranged. A human being, enclosed within divine māyā, does not know them.
Passage 84
सुखं दुःखं व्ययो लाभो जयोऽभिभव एव च। देवस्येच्छावशे भावाः कथं नान् शोचसि प्रभो॥८४॥
“Pleasure and pain, loss and gain, victory and defeat all rest within the will of providence. Why, my lord, do you grieve over them?
Passage 85
जगल्लीलामयं हीदं परस्य परमेशितुः। तत्रायं स्वाभिमानेन जीवः क्लिद्यति नित्यशः॥८५॥
“This world is wholly the līlā of the transcendent Supreme Lord. Within it the individual being continually suffers through self-identification.
Passage 86
कृतस्य क्रियमाणस्य सञ्चितस्याप्यनेकधा। कर्मणां गतिरत्यर्थमनन्ता धरणीपते॥८६॥
“O lord of the earth, the course of karma—already performed, presently being performed, and accumulated in many ways—is exceedingly vast.
Passage 87
कर्मपाशगतं बद्धं भ्रमन्नेष उपर्यधः। आरघट्टघटीतुल्यं लभते विविधा गतीः॥८७॥
“Bound within karma's noose, the being circles upward and downward like pots on a waterwheel, obtaining many different destinies.
Passage 88
देहाभ्यामेकमूलानि कर्माणि विदधज्जनः। तत्र कर्तारमात्मानं मन्यमानोऽतिखिद्यते॥८८॥
“Performing actions rooted in body and mind, a person suffers greatly because he imagines himself to be their independent agent.
Passage 89
गुणैर्गुणानारभते हेतून् विविधसंसृतेः। गुणमय्या प्रकृत्यैष विद्वानप्यभिभूयते॥८९॥
“The guṇas act upon the guṇas and initiate the causes of varied transmigration. Even a learned person may be overcome by nature composed of those guṇas.
Passage 90
अहं ममेति सततं पुमान् भेदधिया हतः। क्रोधद्रोहेर्ष्यासूयाद्यैर्भावैर्मुह्यति तामसः॥९०॥
“Struck by the divided notion of ‘I’ and ‘mine,’ a person in darkness is bewildered by anger, hostility, jealousy, envy, and similar states.
Passage 91
समं विद्वानविद्वांश्च संसरत्यात्मनो गुणैः। पूर्वस्य बाधिता वृत्तिः परस्याभाति सत्यवत्॥९१॥
“The learned and the ignorant alike move through saṃsāra under their own qualities. The learned one's false conception is checked, while the ignorant one's appears to him as truth.
Passage 92
महान् विशेषो विदुषो जनादविदुषा ध्रुवम्। ज्ञानामृतोक्षितस्तापं शमयत्यात्मनो यतः॥९२॥
“There is therefore a certain great distinction between one who knows and one who does not: sprinkled with the nectar of knowledge, the knower quiets his inner anguish.
Passage 93
यतो गुणाः प्रवर्तन्ते भाति यस्य चिदाखिलम्। तमीशं सर्वकर्तारं शरणं गच्छ मुक्तये॥९३॥
“For liberation, take refuge in that Lord from whom the guṇas proceed, in whose consciousness everything appears, and who is the doer of all.
Passage 94
मायामोहमदाविष्टश्चिरं सन्तप्तमानसः। शास्त्रीयज्ञानवान् गच्छेच्छरणं पुरुषं परम्॥९४॥
“One whose mind has long burned while possessed by māyā, delusion, and pride should employ scriptural knowledge and take refuge in the Supreme Person.
Passage 95
चिरात् संसरमाणोऽसौ यावन्नो शान्तिमृच्छति। दृढपाशहतैर्बद्धस्तावच्चैवापवृज्यते॥९५॥
“As long as a being wandering through saṃsāra fails to attain peace, he remains bound by its powerful nooses; when peace is attained, he is released.
Passage 96
विविधक्लेशभवनमल्पमात्रसुखास्पदम्। परिणामैकविरसं जहि संसारमात्मनः॥९६॥
“Abandon from the self this saṃsāra, the dwelling of manifold afflictions, the seat of only a little pleasure, whose sole final flavor is bitterness.
Passage 97
को ह्यपायानपेयस्य पुरा चीर्णस्य कर्मणः। फलमापतितं भुञ्जन् न खिद्येत भृशं बुधः॥९७॥
“What wise person would be greatly distressed while experiencing the arrived fruit of former action, which cannot be escaped by any expedient?
Passage 98
यस्य ते सुदृढः स्नेहो यतसे यद्धिताय च। स एष भगवान् रामः सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥९८॥
“The one for whom you feel such firm affection and whose welfare you seek is venerable Rāma himself, equal-sighted everywhere.
Passage 99
स्पृहा राज्याभिषेकेऽस्य कच्चिन्नेतरलोकवत्। न द्वेषो वनवासे च सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥९९॥
“Unlike ordinary people, he has no craving for royal consecration and no aversion to forest exile. He remains equal-sighted in every circumstance.
Passage 100
येऽस्य किञ्चिद् विजानन्ति स्वरूपं तत्त्वतो बुधाः। तेषां मानापमानादिसङ्गो नास्य कुतस्तराम्॥१००॥
“The wise who know even a little of his true nature understand this. How could he possibly be attached to honor, dishonor, or anything similar?
Passage 101
को वेत्ति प्राकृतो जन्तुरस्य किं नु चिकीर्षितम्। निमित्तमात्रं कैकेयी सर्वं हि कुरुते स्वयम्॥१०१॥
“What ordinary creature can know what he intends to accomplish? Kaikeyī is only the occasion; he himself performs everything.
Passage 102
चिकीर्षितानुसारेण सर्वमस्यैव जायते। इति ज्ञात्वा न कस्यापि दोषं मनसि भावय॥१०२॥
“Everything happens according to his own intention. Knowing this, do not hold anyone at fault in your mind.
Passage 103
सर्वेषां हृन्निविष्टोऽयं प्रवर्तयति कर्मसु। जनः स्वात्माभिमानेन केवलं बध्यते भवे॥१०३॥
“Dwelling in every heart, he impels beings to action. A person is bound in becoming only through identification with a separate self.
Passage 104
अमुमेव सदा चित्ते भावयन्नखिलेश्वरम्। सर्वकर्म समर्प्यास्मिन् निवृत्तभववेदनः॥१०४॥
“Contemplate this Lord of all perpetually in your heart. Offer every action to him and become free from the pain of worldly existence.
Passage 105
विरहेऽप्यमुं शान्तं भजन् स्वात्मसमाधिना। परिक्षीणाखिलोद्वेगो ब्रह्मभूतः सुखी भव॥१०५॥
“Even in separation, worship the tranquil Lord through absorption in the Self. With every agitation exhausted, become established in Brahman and be happy.
Passage 106
यदखण्डितमैश्वर्यमाज्ञास्थविधिशङ्करम्। तदेतस्याल्पकं राजन् किं नु राज्यमिदं भुवः॥१०६॥
“Brahmā and Śaṅkara obey his command, and his sovereignty is unbroken. O king, what is this small earthly kingdom to him?
Passage 107
भूभारासुरराजन्यचमूहननहेतवे। अवतीर्णः स्वयं साक्षाद् रामो न विदितस्तव॥१०७॥
“Rāma has personally descended to destroy the armies of demonic kings that burden the earth. Have you not understood this?
Passage 108
कथं स्थास्यति रुद्धोऽयमनया राज्यसम्पदा। यस्य कृत्यं न पर्याप्तं धर्मसंस्थापनाभिधम्॥१०८॥
“How could he remain confined by the wealth of kingship when his work—the establishment of dharma—has not yet been fulfilled?
Passage 109
चरन् कान्तारभूमीषु पादाभ्यां पावयन् जगत्। हरन्नसुरयूथानि भक्तानभ्युद्धरन् भवात्॥१०९॥
“Walking through wilderness regions, he will sanctify the world with his feet, destroy hosts of asuras, and rescue devotees from worldly existence.
Passage 110
करिष्यति विचित्राणि चरित्राणि महीपते। तन्मूलमेतत् संजातं कैकेयीवाक्यकेतवात्॥११०॥
“O protector of the earth, he will perform wondrous deeds. This present event, arising beneath the banner of Kaikeyī's words, is their root.
Passage 111
अक्लिष्टान्यस्य कर्माणि सुखदानि सतां सदा। इति विज्ञाय कैकेयीं न दूषयितुमर्हसि॥१११॥
“His effortless deeds always bring happiness to the good. Knowing this, you should not condemn Kaikeyī.
Passage 112
इत्युक्तः पृथिवीपालो मुनिना तत्त्वदर्शिना। खिद्यमानोऽपि मनसा क्षणं सन्तोषमाप सः॥११२॥
Thus instructed by the truth-seeing sage, the ruler of the earth, though still grieving inwardly, found consolation for a moment.