Ramayana

को न्वस्मिन्साम्प्रतं लोके गुणवान्कश्च वीर्यवान् । धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवाक्यो दृढव्रतः ॥१-१-

Who in this world today is virtuous, who is powerful, who knows righteousness and gratitude, who speaks truth and is firm in his vows?

चारित्रेण च को युक्तः सर्वभूतेषु को हितः । विद्वान्कः कः समर्थश्च कश्चैकप्रियदर्शनः ॥१-१-

Who is endowed with good conduct, who is a benefactor to all beings, who is wise, capable, and pleasing to all?

आत्मवान्को जितक्रोधो द्युतिमान्कोऽनसूयकः । कस्य बिभ्यति देवाश्च जातरोषस्य संयुगे ॥१-१-

Who is self-controlled, who has conquered anger, who is radiant and free from envy, and at whose wrath in battle even the gods are afraid?

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे । महर्षे त्वं समर्थोऽसि ज्ञातुमेवंविधं नरम् ॥१-१-

I wish to hear about such a man; my curiosity is great. O great sage, you are capable of knowing such a person.

श्रुत्वा चैतत्त्रिलोकज्ञो वाल्मीकेर्नारदो वचः । श्रूयतामिति चामन्त्र्य प्रहृष्टो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥१-१-

Having heard this, the sage Nārada, knower of the three worlds, addressed Vālmīki, saying 'Let it be heard,' and joyfully spoke these words.

बहवो दुर्लभाश्चैव ये त्वया कीर्तिता गुणाः । मुने वक्ष्याम्यहं बुद्ध्वा तैर्युक्तः श्रूयतां नरः ॥१-१-

Many of the qualities you have mentioned are rare; O sage, I will tell you of a man who possesses them. Listen.

इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः । नियतात्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान्धृतिमान्वशी ॥१-१-

Rāma, known among people, is born in the lineage of Ikṣvāku. He is self-disciplined, mighty, radiant, steadfast, and self-controlled.

बुद्धिमान्नीतिमान्वाग्मी श्रीमाञ्छ्त्रुनिबर्हणः । विपुलांसो महाबाहुः कम्बुग्रीवो महाहनुः ॥१-१-

He is intelligent, wise in conduct, eloquent, prosperous, destroyer of enemies, broad-shouldered, long-armed, with a neck like a conch and a great jaw.

महोरस्को महेष्वासो गूढजत्रुररिन्दमः । आजानुबाहुः सुशिराः सुललाटः सुविक्रमः ॥१-१-

He has a broad chest, wields great bows, his collarbones are concealed, he is the subduer of foes, his arms reach his knees, his head is well-shaped, his forehead is beautiful, and he is valiant.

समः समविभक्ताङ्गः स्निग्धवर्णः प्रतापवान् । पीनवक्षा विशालाक्षो लक्ष्मीवाञ्छुभलक्षणः ॥१-१-

He is well-proportioned, his limbs are evenly formed, his complexion is lustrous, he is full of vigor, his chest is broad, his eyes are large, he is endowed with fortune and auspicious marks.

धर्मज्ञः सत्यसन्धश्च प्रजानां च हिते रतः । यशस्वी ज्ञानसम्पन्नः शुचिर्वश्यः समाधिमान् ॥१-१-

He knows righteousness, is truthful, devoted to the welfare of his people, renowned, full of knowledge, pure, self-controlled, and steadfast.

प्रजापतिसमः श्रीमान् धाता रिपुनिषूदनः । रक्षिता जीवलोकस्य धर्मस्य परिरक्षिता॥१-१-

He is like the creator in majesty, prosperous, a supporter, destroyer of enemies, protector of living beings, and guardian of righteousness.

रक्षिता स्वस्य धर्मस्य स्वजनस्य च रक्षिता । वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञो धनुर्वेदे च निष्ठितः ॥१-१-

He protects his own righteousness and his people; he knows the essence of the Vedas and their branches, and is accomplished in the science of archery.

सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञो स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान् । सर्वलोकप्रियः साधुरदीनात्मा विचक्षणः ॥१-१-

He knows the essence of all scriptures, is mindful, perceptive, beloved by all, virtuous, undistressed, and discerning.

सर्वदाभिगतः सद्भिः समुद्र इव सिन्धुभिः । आर्यः सर्वसमश्चैव सदैव प्रियदर्शनः ॥१-१-

He is always approached by the virtuous, like the ocean by rivers; noble, impartial to all, and ever pleasant to behold.

स च सर्व गुणोपेतः कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः । समुद्र इव गाम्भीर्ये धैर्येण हिमवानिव ॥१-१-

He is endowed with all virtues, the joy of Kausalyā; in depth like the ocean, in patience like the Himalaya.

विष्णुना सदृशो वीर्ये सोमवत्प्रियदर्शनः । कालाग्निसदृशः क्रोधे क्षमया पृथिवीसमः ॥१-१-

In valor he is like Viṣṇu, in pleasing appearance like the moon, in wrath like the fire of destruction, and in forgiveness like the earth.

धनदेन समस्त्यागे सत्ये धर्म इवापरः । तमेवंगुणसम्पन्नं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम् ॥१-१-

In the complete renunciation of wealth, he was like another embodiment of righteousness in truth and virtue; thus, Rama, endowed with all these qualities, was steadfast in truth and valor.

ज्येष्ठं ज्येष्ठगुणैर्युक्तं प्रियं दशरथस्सुतम् । प्रकृतीनां हितैर्युक्तं प्रकृतिप्रियकाम्यया ॥१-१-

Dasharatha's beloved son, the eldest, possessed the virtues befitting his seniority, and was devoted to the welfare of the people, winning their affection by his desire to please them.

यौवराज्येन संयोक्तुम् ऐच्छत्प्रीत्या महीपतिः । तस्याभिषेकसम्भारान् दृष्ट्वा भार्याथ कैकयी ॥१-१-

The king, out of affection, wished to appoint him to the succession; but when the preparations for his consecration were seen, Kaikeyi, his wife, then—

पूर्वं दत्तवरा देवी वरमेनमयाचत । विवासनञ्च रामस्य भरतस्याभिषेचनम् ॥१-१-

The queen, who had previously been granted boons, requested her boon: the exile of Rama and the consecration of Bharata.

स सत्यवचनाद्राजा धर्मपाशेन संयतः । विवासयामास सुतं रामं दशरथः प्रियम् ॥१-१-

Bound by the promise of truth and the bonds of righteousness, King Dasharatha, though dearly loving his son, sent Rama into exile.

स जगाम वनं वीरः प्रतिज्ञामनुपालयन् । पितुर्वचननिर्देशात् कैकेय्याः प्रियकारणात् ॥१-१-

That hero went to the forest, fulfilling his vow, obeying his father's command, and for the sake of pleasing Kaikeyi.

तं व्रजन्तं प्रियो भ्राता लक्ष्मणोऽनुजगाम ह । स्नेहाद् विनयसम्पन्नः सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनः ॥१-१-

His beloved brother Lakshmana followed him as he departed, out of affection, possessing humility, and increasing the joy of Sumitra.

भ्रातरं दयितो भ्रातुः सौभ्रात्रमनुदर्शयन् । रामस्य दयिता भार्या नित्यं प्राणसमा हिता ॥१-१-

Showing brotherly affection to his dear brother, Rama's beloved wife, always equal to his life and devoted to his welfare—

जनकस्य कुले जाता देवमायेव निर्मिता । सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्ना नारीणामुत्तमा वधूः ॥१-१-

Born in the house of Janaka, as if created by divine illusion, she was endowed with all auspicious marks, the foremost bride among women.

सीताप्यनुगता रामं शशिनं रोहिणी यथा । पौरैरनुगतो दूरं पित्रा दशरथेन च ॥१-१-

Sita too followed Rama, as Rohini follows the moon; he was accompanied for a long distance by the citizens and by his father Dasharatha.

शृङ्गवीरपुरे सूतं गङ्गाकूले व्यसर्जयत् । गुहमासाद्य धर्मात्मा निषादाधिपतिं प्रियम् ॥१-१-

In the city of Shringavera, he dismissed the charioteer on the banks of the Ganga, and met Guha, the righteous and beloved chief of the Nishadas.

गुहेन सहितो रामो लक्ष्मणेन च सीतया । ते वनेन वनङ्गत्वा नदीस्तीर्त्वा बहूदकाः ॥१-१-

Rama, together with Guha, Lakshmana, and Sita, entered the forest, crossing many rivers with abundant waters.