Ramayana

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.

चित्रकूटमनुप्राप्य भरद्वाजस्य शासनात् । रम्यमावसथं कृत्वा रममाणा वने त्रयः ॥१-१-

Arriving at Chitrakuta by the instruction of Bharadvaja, the three made a pleasant dwelling and enjoyed themselves in the forest.

देवगन्धर्वसंकाशाः तत्र ते न्यवसन् सुखम् । चित्रकूटङ्गते रामे पुत्रशोकातुरस्तथा ॥१-१-

There, they lived happily, resembling gods and gandharvas; while Rama dwelled at Chitrakuta, his father was afflicted with grief for his son.

राजा दशरथस्स्वर्गं जगाम विलपन् सुतम् । गते तु तस्मिन् भरतो वसिष्ठप्रमुखैर्द्विजैः ॥१-१-

King Dasharatha went to heaven, lamenting for his son; after his departure, Bharata, urged by Vasishta and the foremost brahmins—

नियुज्यमानो राज्याय नैच्छत् राज्यं महाबलः । स जगाम वनं वीरो रामपादप्रसादकः ॥१-१-

Though appointed to the kingdom, the mighty Bharata did not desire to rule; that hero went to the forest, seeking the favor of Rama's feet.

गत्वा तु स महात्मानं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम् । अयाचद्भ्रातरं रामम् आर्यभावपुरस्कृतः ॥१-१-

Having gone to the great-souled Rama, steadfast in truth and valor, he requested his brother Rama, with reverence and noble conduct.

त्वमेव राजा धर्मज्ञ इति रामं वचोऽब्रवीत् । रामोऽपि परमोदारः सुमुखस्सुमहायशाः ॥१-१-

He spoke to Rama, saying, 'You alone are the king, knower of righteousness'; and Rama, supremely generous, gracious-faced, and of great fame—

न चैच्छत् पितुरादेशात् राज्यं रामो महाबलः । पादुके चास्य राज्याय न्यासं दत्त्वा पुनः पुनः ॥१-१-

But mighty Rāma, in obedience to his father's command, did not accept the kingdom; instead, he entrusted his sandals again and again for the rule.

निवर्तयामास ततो भरतं भरताग्रजः । स काममनवाप्यैव रामपादावुपस्पृशन् ॥१-१-

Then, the elder brother of Bharata persuaded Bharata to return; though his desire was unfulfilled, Bharata touched Rāma's feet.

नन्दिग्रामेऽकरोद् राज्यं रामागमनकाङ्क्षया । गते तु भरते श्रीमान् सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रियः ॥१-१-

In Nandigrāma, the illustrious, truthful, and self-controlled Bharata ruled, awaiting Rāma's return.

रामस्तु पुनरालक्ष्य नागरस्य जनस्य च । तत्रागमनमेकाग्रो दण्डकान् प्रविवेश ह ॥१-१-

But Rāma, perceiving the coming of the townspeople, with focused mind, entered the Daṇḍaka forest.

प्रविश्य तु महारण्यं रामो राजीवलोचनः । विराधं राक्षसं हत्वा शरभङ्गं ददर्श ह ॥१-१-

Entering the great forest, lotus-eyed Rāma slew the demon Virādha and saw Śarabhaṅga.

सुतीक्ष्णं चाप्यगस्त्यं च अगस्त्यभ्रातरं तथा । अगस्त्यवचनाच्चैव जग्राहैन्द्रं शरासनम् ॥१-१-

He also met Sutikṣṇa, Agastya, and Agastya's brother; and by Agastya's word, he received Indra's bow.

खड्गञ्च परम प्रीतस्तूणी चाक्षयसायकौ । वसतस्तस्य रामस्य वने वनचरैः सह ॥१-१-

With great delight, he received a sword and inexhaustible quivers; while Rāma dwelled in the forest with the forest-dwellers.