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.
उपयेमे विवाहेन रम्यां सीतामयोनिजाम्
He married the lovely Sita, born without a womb, through the rite of marriage.
ततो द्वादश वर्षाणि रेमे रामस्तया सह
Then for twelve years, Rama enjoyed happiness together with her.
राजानमथ कैकेयी वरद्वयमयाचत
After that, Kaikeyi requested two boons from the king.
जटाधरः प्रव्रजतुवर्षाणीह चतुर्दश
Let Rama, wearing matted locks, dwell in the forest here for fourteen years.
जानकी लक्ष्मणसखं रामं प्राव्राजयन्नृपः
The king sent Rama, together with Janaki and Lakshmana, into exile.
पंचमे चित्रकूटे तु रामस्थानमकल्पयत्
On the fifth day, at Chitrakuta, Rama established his dwelling.
रामो विरूपयामास शूर्पणखां निशाचरीम्
Rama disfigured Shurpanakha, the night-wandering demoness.
आगतो राक्षसस्तां तु हर्तुं पापविपाकतः
A rakshasa came there to seize her, as a result of evil deeds.
राघवाभ्यां विना सीतां जहार दशकंधरः
Ravana, the ten-headed one, abducted Sita in the absence of the Raghavas.
रामरामेति मां रक्ष रक्ष मां रक्षसा हृताम्
'Rama, Rama, protect me, protect me, I have been seized by a demon!'
तथा कामवशं प्राप्तो रावणो जनकात्मजाम्
Thus, Ravana, overcome by desire, took Janaka's daughter.
युयुधे राक्षसेंद्रेण स रावणहतोऽपतत्
He fought with the king of the rakshasas, and Ravana was slain and fell.
संपातिर्दशमे मास आचख्यौ वानरेषु ताम्
Sampati, in the tenth month, told the monkeys about her.
हनूमान्निशि तस्यां तु लंकायां पर्यकालयत्
Hanuman, at night, searched for her there in Lanka.
द्वादश्यां शिंशपावृक्षे हनूमान्पर्यवस्थितः
On the twelfth day, Hanuman remained stationed in the shimshapa tree.
अक्षादिभिस्त्रयोदश्यां ततो युद्धमवर्तत
On the thirteenth day, a battle took place with Aksha and others.
वह्निना पुच्छयुक्तेन लंकाया दहनं कृतम्
By fire attached to his tail, the burning of Lanka was accomplished.
मार्गासितप्रतिपदः पंचभिः पथिवासरैः
The path was traversed in five days, beginning from the dark half of the month.
सप्तम्यां प्रत्यभिज्ञानदानं सर्वनिवेदनम्
On the seventh day, the token of recognition was given, and all was offered.
मध्यं प्राप्ते सहस्रांशौ प्रस्थानं राघवस्य च
When midday arrived, the thousand-rayed one shone, and Rāghava set forth.