देव्युवाच - किं ते व्यवसितं साधो हुताशे मा तनुं त्यज । स्थिरो भव महाभाग पिता ते जरसान्वितः
The Goddess said: "What have you resolved, O noble one? Do not abandon your body in the fire. Be steadfast, O greatly fortunate one; your father is afflicted with old age."
राज्यं दत्त्वा वने तुभ्यं गन्तास्ति तपसे किल । विषादं त्यज हे वीर परश्वोऽहनि भूपते
"Having given you the kingdom, he will go to the forest for austerities. Cast off your sorrow, O hero; on the day after tomorrow, O king."
नेतुं त्वामागमिष्यन्ति सचिवाश्व पितुस्तव । मत्प्रसादात्पिता च त्वामभिषिच्य नृपासने
Your father's ministers will come to bring you back; by my grace, your father will anoint you on the royal throne.
जित्वा कामं ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्येत्येष निश्चयः । व्यास उवाच - इत्युक्त्वा तं तदा देवी तत्रैवान्तरधीयत
Having conquered desire, he will go to the world of Brahma—this is certain. Vyasa said: Having spoken thus, the Goddess vanished there itself.
राजपुत्रो विरमितो मरणात्पावकात्ततः । अयोध्यायां तदाऽऽगत्य नारदेन महात्मना
The prince, restrained from death by fire, then came to Ayodhya, accompanied by the great sage Narada.
वृत्तान्तः कथितः सर्वो राज्ञे सत्वरमादितः । श्रुत्वा राजाथ पुत्रस्य तं तथा मरणोद्यमम्
All the events were quickly told to the king, from the beginning, by Narada; hearing of his son's attempt at death,
खेदमाधाय मनसि शुशोच बहुधा नृपः । सचिवानाह धर्मात्मा पुत्रशोकपरिप्लुतः
The king, filled with sorrow in his heart, grieved in many ways; overwhelmed by grief for his son, the righteous king spoke to his ministers.
ज्ञातं भवद्भिरत्युग्रं पुत्रस्य मम चेष्टितम् । त्यक्तो मया वने धीमान्पुत्रः सत्यव्रतो मम
You all know well the severe actions of my son; my wise son Satyavrata, worthy of the kingdom, was sent by me to the forest.
आज्ञयासौ गतः सद्यो राज्यार्हः परमार्थवित् । स्थितस्तत्रैव विज्ञाने धनहीनः क्षमान्वितः
By my command, he went at once—worthy of the kingdom, knower of the highest truth; he remained there, steadfast in knowledge, patient, though without wealth.
वसिष्ठेन तथा शप्तः पिशाचसदृशः कृतः । सोऽद्य दुःखेन सन्तप्तः प्रवेष्टुञ्च हुताशनम्
Cursed by Vasishtha, he was made like a demon; today, tormented by sorrow, he was about to enter the fire.
उद्यतः श्रीमहादेव्या निषिद्धः संस्थितः पुनः । तस्माद् गच्छन्तु तं शीघ्रं ज्येष्ठपुत्रं महाबलम्
He was restrained by the great Goddess Mahadevi as he was about to do so, and stood still; therefore, let my eldest, mighty son be brought here quickly.
आश्वास्य वचनैरत्र तरसैवानयन्त्विह । अभिषिच्य सुतं राज्ये औरसं पालनक्षमम्
Comfort him with words and bring him here at once; after anointing my true-born son, fit to rule, on the throne,
वनं यास्यामि शान्तोऽहं तपसे कृतनिश्चयः । इत्युक्त्वा मन्त्रिणः सर्वान्प्रेषयामास पार्थिवः
I will go to the forest, peaceful and resolved to practice austerity. Having said this, the king sent all his ministers.
तस्यैवानयनार्थं हि प्रीतिप्रवणमानसः । ते गत्वा तं समाश्वास्य मन्त्रिणः पार्थिवात्मजम्
With a mind inclined toward affection for the purpose of bringing him back, those ministers went, comforted the prince, and reassured him.
अयोध्यायां महात्मानं मानपूर्वं समानयन् । दृष्ट्वा सत्यव्रतं राजा दुर्बलं मलिनाम्बरम्
Brought the great-souled one to Ayodhya with due honor; seeing Satyavrata weak and clad in soiled garments,
जटाजूटधरं क्रूरं चिन्तातुरमचिन्तयत् । किं कृतं निष्ठुरं कर्म मया पुत्रो विवासितः
With matted locks, harsh in appearance, distressed by anxiety, the king thought: What cruel deed have I done, exiling my son?
राज्यार्हश्चातिमेधावी जानता धर्मनिश्चयम् । इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा तमालिङ्य महीपतिः
Worthy of the kingdom, exceedingly wise, knowing the essence of dharma—thus reflecting in his mind, the king embraced him.
आसने स्वसमीपशे समाश्वास्योपवेशयत् । उपविष्टं सुतं राजा प्रेमपूर्वमुवाच ह
He seated him near himself on a seat, comforting him; when his son was seated, the king spoke to him with deep affection.
प्रेमगद्गदया वाचा नीतिशास्त्रविशारदः । राजोवाच - पुत्र धर्मे मतिः कार्या माननीया मुखोद्भवाः
With a voice choked with love, skilled in the science of ethics, the king said: My son, your mind should be set on dharma; those born from the mouth (Brahmins) must be honored.
न्यायागतं धनं ग्राह्यं रक्षणीयाः सदा प्रजाः । नासत्यं क्वापि वक्तव्यं नामार्गे गमनं क्वचित्
Wealth acquired by justice should be accepted; the subjects must always be protected. Falsehood should never be spoken, nor should you ever stray from the right path.
शिष्टप्रोक्तं प्रकर्तव्यं पूजनीयास्तपस्विनः । हन्तव्या दस्यवः क्रूरा इन्द्रियाणां तथा जयः
One should act according to what the wise declare; ascetics are to be honored. Cruel bandits are to be slain, and likewise, the senses must be conquered.
कर्तव्यं कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं राज्ञा पुत्र सदैव हि । मन्त्रस्तु सर्वथा गोप्यः कर्तव्यः सचिवैः सह
A king must always act for the accomplishment of his duties, O son. The counsel must be kept absolutely secret, together with the ministers.
नोपेक्ष्योऽल्पोऽपि कृतिना रिपुः सर्वात्मना सुत । न विश्वसेत्परासक्तं सचिवं च तथा नतम्
Even a minor enemy must never be neglected by a wise person, O son. One should not trust a minister who is attached elsewhere or who is subservient to others.
चाराः सर्वत्र योक्तव्याः शत्रुमित्रेषु सर्वथा । धर्मे मतिः सदा कार्या दानं दद्याच्च नित्यशः
Spies must be employed everywhere, among both enemies and friends, in every way. One should always keep the mind set on righteousness and give charity continually.
शुष्कवादो न कर्तव्यो दुष्टसङ्गं च वर्जयेत् । यष्टव्या विविधा यज्ञाः पूजनीया महर्षयः
One should not engage in empty talk and must avoid bad company. Various sacrifices are to be performed, and great sages are to be honored.
न विश्वसेत्स्त्रियं क्वापि स्त्रैणं द्यूतरतं नरम् । अत्यादरो न कर्तव्यो मृगयायां कदाचन
One must never trust a woman anywhere, nor a man devoted to women or gambling. Excessive fondness for hunting should never be indulged in.
द्यूते मद्ये तथा गेये नूनं वारवधूषु च । स्वयं तद्विमुखो भूयात् प्रजास्तेभ्यश्च रक्षयेत्
One should certainly avoid gambling, drinking, singing, and courtesans. He should himself shun these, and also protect his subjects from them.
ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते कर्तव्यमुत्थानं सर्वथा सदा । स्नानादिकं सर्वविधिं विधाय विधिवद्यथा
Rising at the Brahma-muhurta must always be done in every way. Afterward, one should perform bathing and all prescribed rites properly, as enjoined.
पराशक्तेः परां पूजां भक्त्या कुर्यात्सुदीक्षितः । पुत्रैतज्जन्मसाफल्यं पराशक्तेः पदार्चनम्
With deep devotion, one should worship the Supreme Power with utmost attention. O son, the true fulfillment of birth is to worship the feet of the Supreme Power.
सकृत्कृत्वा महापूजां दैवीपादजलं पिबन् । न जातु जननीगर्भे गच्छेदिति विनिश्चयः
Having performed the great worship even once and drinking the water from the Divine feet, one is assured never to enter the mother's womb again.