अयोध्यानगरे रम्ये चित्रमंडपशोभिते । ध्यायेत्कल्पतरोर्मूले सर्वकामसमृद्धिदे
In the beautiful city of Ayodhyā, adorned with splendid halls, one should meditate at the root of the wish-fulfilling tree, which grants all desires.
महामरकतस्वर्णनीलरत्नादिशोभितम् । सिंहासनं चित्तहरं कांत्या तामिस्रनाशनम्
There is a throne, enchanting to the mind, adorned with great emeralds, gold, sapphires, and other gems, whose radiance dispels darkness.
तस्योपरि समासीनं रघुराजं मनोरमम् । दूर्वादलश्यामतनुं देवदेवेंद्रपूजितम्
Upon it sits the delightful king of the Raghu dynasty, with a complexion dark as durva grass, worshipped by the lord of gods and divine beings.
राकायां पूर्णशीतांशुकांतिधिक्कारिवक्त्रिणम् । अष्टमीचंद्रशकलसमभालाधिधारिणम्
His face outshines the full moon on the night of the full moon, and he bears on his forehead a crescent like the eighth-day moon.
नीलकुंतलशोभाढ्यं किरीटमणिरंजितम् । मकराकारसौंदर्यकुंडलाभ्यां विराजितम्
His dark, lustrous hair is adorned with a jeweled crown, and he shines with earrings of exquisite makara design.
विद्रुमच्छवि सत्कांतिरदच्छदविराजितम् । तारापतिकराकार द्विजराजि सुशोभितम्
His complexion is coral-like, his noble radiance pure and bright, and his chest is splendid with a necklace like the rays of the moon and a line of sacred threads.
जपापुष्पाभया माध्व्या जिह्वया शोभिताननम् । यस्यां वसंति निगमा ऋगाद्याः शास्त्रसंयुताः
His face is beautiful, graced by a tongue red as the hibiscus flower and sweet as honey, in which dwell the Vedas beginning with Ṛg, along with the scriptures.
कंबुकांतिधरग्रीवा शोभया समलंकृतम् । सिंहवदुच्चकौ स्कन्धौ मांसलौ बिभ्रतं वरम्
His neck, shining with the radiance of a conch, is splendidly adorned; his shoulders are high like a lion’s, well-formed and strong.
बाहू दधानं दीर्घांगौ केयूरकटकांकितौ । मुद्रिकाहीरशोभाभिर्भूषितौ जानुलंबिनौ
He bears long arms, marked with armlets and bracelets, adorned with rings and pearl ornaments, reaching down to his knees.
वक्षो दधानं विपुलं लक्ष्मीवासेन शोभितम् । श्रीवत्सादिविचित्रांकैरंकितं सुमनोहरम्
His broad chest, the abode of Lakṣmī, is beautifully marked with Śrīvatsa and other auspicious signs, enchanting to behold.
महोदरं महानाभिं शुभकट्याविराजितम् । कांच्या वै मणिमत्या च विशेषेण श्रियान्वितम्
His great belly and deep navel are splendid with a beautiful waist, especially graced by a jeweled girdle, radiant with glory.
ऊरुभ्यां विमलाभ्यां वै जानुभ्यां शोभितं श्रिया । चरणाभ्यां वज्ररेखा यवांकुशसुरेखया
His thighs are pure, his knees shining with splendor, and his feet are marked with thunderbolt lines, barley, goad, and auspicious signs.
युताभ्यां योगिध्येयाभ्यां कोमलाभ्यां विराजितम् । ध्यात्वा स्मृत्वा च संसारसागरं त्वं तरिष्यसि
Adorned with two soft hands, worthy of meditation by yogis, if you meditate and remember upon them, you will cross the ocean of worldly existence.
तमेव पूजयन्नित्यं चंदनादिभिरिच्छया । प्राप्नोति परमामृद्धिमैहिकामुष्मिकीं पराम्
By worshipping him always with sandal and other offerings as desired, one attains supreme prosperity, both in this world and the next.
त्वया पृष्टं महाराज रामस्य ध्यानमुत्तमम् । तत्ते कथितमेतद्वै संसारजलधिं तर
You asked, O great king, about the supreme meditation on Rama; this has now been told to you—cross the ocean of worldly existence.
शेषउवाच। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु विप्रेन्द्रो लोमशात्परमं महत्
Śeṣa said: Having heard this, the foremost of Brahmins received from Lomaśa something supremely great.
आरण्यक उवाच। मुनिश्रेष्ठ वदैतन्मे पृच्छामि त्वां महामते
The forest-dweller said: O best of sages, tell me this—I ask you, O greatly wise one.
कोऽसौ रामो महाभाग यो नित्यं ध्यायते त्वया
Who is that Rama, O highly fortunate one, whom you always meditate upon?
किमर्थमवतीर्णोऽसौ कस्मान्मानुषतां गतः
For what purpose did he descend, and why did he take on human form?
शेष उवाच। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य मुनेः परमशोभनम्
Śeṣa said: Hearing this most excellent question from the sage—
लोकान्निरयसंमग्नाञ्ज्ञात्वा योगेश्वरेश्वरः
Knowing that the worlds were plunged into hell, the Lord of yogis, the Lord of lords—
एवं ज्ञात्वा दयावार्धिः परमेशो मनोहरः
Thus understanding, the ocean of compassion, the supreme and enchanting Lord—
पुरा त्रेतायुगे प्राप्ते पूर्णांशो रघुनन्दनः
Long ago, when the Tretā age arrived, the scion of Raghu descended in full portion.
स रामो लक्ष्मणसखः काकपक्षधरो युवा
That Rama, youthful, with Lakṣmaṇa as his companion, bearing hair like crow’s wings—
यज्ञसंरक्षणार्थाय राज्ञा दत्तौ कुमारकौ
For the protection of the sacrifice, the king entrusted the two princes.
पथि प्रव्रजतोस्तत्र ताटका नाम राक्षसी
While they were journeying on the path, there was a demoness named Tāṭakā.
ऋषेरनुज्ञया रामस्ताटकां यमयातनाम्
With the sage’s permission, Rama sent Tāṭakā to the abode of Yama.
यस्य पादतलस्पर्शाच्छिला वासवयोगजा
By the touch of whose foot, the stone-born daughter of Indra’s yoga—
विश्वामित्रस्य यज्ञे तु सुप्रवृत्ते रघूत्तमः
When Viśvāmitra’s sacrifice was proceeding well, the best of the Raghus—
ईश्वरस्य धनुर्भग्नं जनकस्य गृहे स्थितम्
The bow of the Lord, kept in Janaka’s house, was broken.