नागायुतसमप्राणा वायुवेगसमा जवे। यथेच्छविनिपाताश्च केचिदत्र वनौकसः
Some of the forest-dwellers here have life-force equal to tens of thousands of serpents, are as swift as the wind, and can descend wherever they wish.
एवं विधाय तत्सर्वं भगवाँल्लोकभावनः। मन्थरां बोधयामास यद्यत्कार्यं त्वया तथा
Having arranged all this, the blessed Lord, the protector of the worlds, awakened Manthara and instructed her in whatever task she was to do.
सा तद्वच समाज्ञाय तथा चक्रे मनोजवा। इतश्चेतश्च गच्छन्ती वैरसंधुक्षणे रता
She, swift as thought, having understood those words, acted accordingly, moving here and there, delighting in stirring up conflict.
उक्तं भगवता जन्म रामादीनां पृथक्पृथक्। प्रस्थानकारणं ब्रह्मञ्श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथ्यताम्
The blessed one has spoken of the separate births of Rama and the others; O Brahman, I wish to hear the reason for their departure—please tell it.
कथं दाशरथी वीरौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। प्रस्तापितौ वने ब्रह्मन्मैथिली च यशस्विनी
How were the two heroic sons of Dasaratha, Rama and Lakshmana, sent into the forest, O Brahman, along with the illustrious Maithili?
जातपुत्रो दशरथः प्रीतिमानभवन्नृप। क्रियारतिर्धर्मरतः सततं वृद्धसेविता
When a son was born, King Dasaratha became joyful, devoted to rites and righteousness, always attended by elders.
क्रमेण चास्य ते पुत्रा व्यवर्धन्त महौजसः। वेदेषु सरहस्येषु धनुर्वेदेषु पारगाः
In due course, his sons, mighty in energy, grew up, accomplished in the Vedas, in all secrets, and in the science of archery.
चरितब्रह्मचर्यास्ते कृतदाराश्च पार्तिव। दृष्ट्वा रामं दशरथः प्रीतिमानभवत्सुखी
Having completed their student vows and taken wives, those princes delighted King Dasaratha when he saw Rama.
ज्येष्ठो रामोऽभवत्तेषां रमयामास हि प्रजाः। मनोहरतया धीमान्पितुर्हृदयनन्दनः
Among them, Rama was the eldest, delighting the people with his charm and intelligence, a joy to his father's heart.
ततः स राजा मतिमान्मत्वाऽऽत्मानं वयोधिकम्। मन्त्रयामास सचिवैर्मन्त्रज्ञैश्च पुरोहितैः
Then that wise king, realizing his own advanced age, consulted with his ministers and priests skilled in counsel.
अभिषेकाय रामस्य यावैराज्येन भारत। प्राप्तकालं च ते सर्वे मेनिरे मन्त्रिसत्तमाः
For Rama's consecration as heir, and for the kingdom, O Bharata, the best of counselors all agreed that the time had come.
लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम्। कम्बुग्रीवं महोरस्कं नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजम्
They saw Rama, red-eyed, mighty-armed, walking like an intoxicated elephant, with a conch-shaped neck, broad chest, and dark, curling hair.
दीप्यमानं श्रिया वीरं शक्रादनवरं बले। पारगं सर्वधर्माणां बृहस्पतिसमं मतौ
Radiant with splendor, a hero equal to Indra in strength, accomplished in all duties, and in wisdom like Brihaspati.
सर्वानुरक्तप्रकृतिं सर्वविद्याविशारदम्। जितेन्द्रियममित्राणामपि दृष्टिमनोहरम्
Beloved by all his subjects, expert in every branch of knowledge, self-controlled, and captivating even to his enemies.
नियन्तारमसाधूनां गोप्तारं धर्मचारिणाम्। धृतिमन्तमनाधृष्यं जेतारमपराजितम्
A restrainer of the wicked, protector of the righteous, steadfast, unassailable, a conqueror never defeated.
पुत्रं राजा दशरथः कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्। संदृश्यपरमां प्रीतिमगच्छत्कुलनन्दनम्
Seeing his son, the joy of Kausalya, King Dasaratha felt supreme delight in his family's glory.
चिन्तयंश्च महातेजा गुणान्रामस्य वीर्यवान्। अभ्यभाषत भद्रं ते प्रीयमाणः पुरोहितम्
Reflecting on Rama's virtues and great energy, the mighty king, pleased, spoke auspiciously to his priest.
अद् पुष्यो निशि ब्रह्मन्पुण्यं योगमुपैष्यति। संभाराः संभ्रियन्तां मे रामश्चोपनिमन्त्र्यताम्
On the night of the Pushya star, O Brahman, Rama will attain the sacred conjunction; let the preparations be made for me, and summon Rama.
श्व एवपुष्यो भविता यत्ररामः सुतो मया। यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्तव्यः पौरेषु सहमन्त्रिभिः
Tomorrow, the auspicious Pushya star will rise, when Rama, my son, is to be consecrated as heir apparent, together with the citizens and ministers.
इति तद्राजवचनं प्रतिश्रुत्याथ मन्थरा। कैकेयीमभिगम्येदं काले वचनमब्रवीत्
Having heard this royal proclamation, Manthara then approached Kaikeyi and spoke these words at the proper time.
अद्य कैकेयि दौर्भाग्यं राज्ञा ते ख्यापितं महत्। आशीविषस्त्वां संक्रुद्धश्छन्नो दशति दुर्भगे
Today, Kaikeyi, your great misfortune has been revealed by the king; like a hidden, enraged serpent, it bites you, unfortunate one.
सुभगा खलु कौसल्या यस्याः पुत्रोऽभिषेक्ष्यते। कुतो हि तव सौभाग्यं यस्याः पुत्रो न राज्यभाक्
Truly, Kausalya is fortunate, whose son will be anointed; but where is your good fortune, whose son will not inherit the kingdom?
सा तद्वचनमाज्ञाय सर्वाभरणभूषिता। वेदी विलग्नमध्येन बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम्
Hearing those words, adorned with all ornaments, she, bearing a splendid form with her waist bound at the altar's center, understood.
वविक्ते पतिमासाद्य हसन्तीव शुचिस्मिता। राजानं तर्जयन्तीव मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
In a secluded place, approaching her husband, smiling with pure radiance, she spoke sweet words to the king, as if reproaching him.
सत्यप्रतिज्ञ यन्मे त्वं काममेकं विसृष्टवान्। उपाकुरुष्व तद्राजंस्तस्मान्मुञ्चस्व संकटात्। `तदद्य कुरु सत्यं मे वरं वरद भूपते
You, who are true to your word, once granted me a single wish; fulfill that, O king, and release yourself from distress. Today, grant me my boon, O bestower of boons, O lord of the earth.
वरं ददानि ते हन्त तद्गृहाण यदिच्छसि। अवध्यो वध्यतां कोद्य वध्यः कोऽद्य विमुच्यतां
I grant you a boon, indeed; take whatever you desire. Let the unkillable be killed, let the condemned be freed today.
धनं ददानि कस्याद् ह्रियतां कस्यरवापुनः। ब्राह्मणस्वादिहान्यत्रयत्किंचिद्वित्तमस्ति मे
I will give wealth; whose shall be taken, whose shall be restored? Except for the Brahmanas, whatever riches I possess are yours.
पृथिव्यां राजराजोस्मि चातुर्वर्ण्यस् रिता। यस्तेऽभिलपितः कामो ब्रूहि कल्याणि माचिरं
Among kings on earth, I am the ruler of the four castes. Whatever desire you have spoken, tell me, blessed one, without delay.
सातद्वचनमाज्ञाय परिगृह्य नराधिपम्। आत्मनो बलमाज्ञाय तत एनमुवाच ह
Hearing those words, and embracing the king, knowing her own power, she then spoke to him.
आभिषेचनिकं यत्ते रामार्थमुपकल्पितम्। भरतस्तदवाप्नोतु वनं गच्छतु राघवः
Let the consecration prepared for Rama be given to Bharata; let Raghava go to the forest.