ततः शत्रुघ्नवचनात् सुमन्त्रो नाम सारथिः। योजयित्वाभिचक्राम रथं सर्वाङ्गशोभनम्
At Shatrughna’s command, Sumatra the charioteer yoked and brought forth a chariot, splendid in every aspect.
अग्न्यर्कामलसंकाशं दिव्यं दृष्ट्वा रथं स्थितम्। आरुरोह महाबाहू रामः परपुरंजयः
Seeing the divine chariot, shining like fire and the sun, standing ready, Rama, mighty-armed and conqueror of enemy cities, ascended it.
सुग्रीवो हनुमांश्चैव महेन्द्रसदृशद्युती। स्नातौ दिव्यनिभैर्वस्त्रैर्जग्मतुः शुभकुण्डलौ
Sugriva and Hanuman, both radiant like Mahendra, bathed and dressed in garments resembling the divine, went forth wearing auspicious earrings.
सर्वाभरणजुष्टाश्च ययुस्ताः शुभकुण्डलाः। सुग्रीवपत्न्यः सीता च द्रष्टुं नगरमुत्सुकाः
Adorned with all ornaments and wearing auspicious earrings, Sugriva’s wives and Sita, eager to see the city, proceeded.
अयोध्यायां च सचिवा राज्ञो दशरथस्य च। पुरोहितं पुरस्कृत्य मन्त्रयामासुरर्थवत्
In Ayodhya, the ministers of King Dasharatha, placing the priest at the forefront, deliberated wisely.
अशोको विजयश्चैव सिद्धार्थश्च समाहिताः। मन्त्रयन् रामवृद्ध्यर्थमृद्ध्यर्थं नगरस्य च
Ashoka, Vijaya, and Siddhartha, attentive, consulted together for Rama’s prosperity and the city’s welfare.
सर्वमेवाभिषेकार्थं जयार्हस्य महात्मनः। कर्तुमर्हथ रामस्य यद् यन्मङ्गलपूर्वकम्
All that is auspicious and fitting for the coronation of the great-souled, worthy-of-victory Rama, you must prepare.
इति ते मन्त्रिणः सर्वे संदिश्य च पुरोहितः। नगरान्निर्ययुस्तूर्णं रामदर्शनबुद्धयः
Thus, having instructed all the ministers, the priest quickly departed from the city, intent on seeing Rama.
हरियुक्तं सहस्राक्षो रथमिन्द्र इवानघः। प्रययौ रथमास्थाय रामो नगरमुत्तमम्
Rama, flawless, like Indra riding a chariot drawn by horses, set out, mounting the excellent chariot.
जग्राह भरतो रश्मीन् शत्रुघ्नश्छत्रमाददे। लक्ष्मणो व्यजनं तस्य मूर्ध्नि संवीजयंस्तदा
Bharata took hold of the reins, Shatrughna held the parasol, and Lakshmana fanned Rama’s head with a fan.
श्वेतं च वालव्यजनं जगृहे परितः स्थितः। अपरं चन्द्रसंकाशं राक्षसेन्द्रो विभीषणः
Standing nearby, Vibhishana, lord of the rakshasas, took up another fan, white and shining like the moon.
ऋषिसङ्घैस्तदाऽऽकाशे देवैश्च समरुद्गणैः। स्तूयमानस्य रामस्य शुश्रुवे मधुरध्वनिः
At that moment, in the sky, groups of sages and gods with the Maruts sang praises of Rama, and a sweet sound was heard.
ततः शत्रुञ्जयं नाम कुञ्जरं पर्वतोपमम्। आरुरोह महातेजाः सुग्रीवः प्लवगर्षभः
Then Sugriva, the mighty leader of the vanaras, ascended an elephant named Shatruñjaya, massive as a mountain.
नव नागसहस्राणि ययुरास्थाय वानराः। मानुषं विग्रहं कृत्वा सर्वाभरणभूषिताः
The vanaras, assuming human form and adorned with all ornaments, rode nine thousand elephants.
शङ्खशब्दप्रणादैश्च दुन्दुभीनां च निःस्वनैः। प्रययौ पुरुषव्याघ्रस्तां पुरीं हर्म्यमालिनीम्
With the resonant sounds of conches and the thunder of drums, the tiger among men proceeded toward that city adorned with mansions.
ददृशुस्ते समायान्तं राघवं सपुरःसरम्। विराजमानं वपुषा रथेनातिरथं तदा
They saw Rāghava approaching, leading the way, resplendent in form, that mighty chariot-warrior.
ते वर्धयित्वा काकुत्स्थं रामेण प्रतिनन्दिताः। अनुजग्मुर्महात्मानं भ्रातृभिः परिवारितम्
Having offered their respects to Kakutstha, and being greeted in return by Rāma, they followed the great-souled one, surrounded by his brothers.
अमात्यैर्ब्राह्मणैश्चैव तथा प्रकृतिभिर्वृतः। श्रिया विरुरुचे रामो नक्षत्रैरिव चन्द्रमाः
Attended by ministers, Brahmins, and also by the people, Rāma shone with splendor like the moon among the stars.
स पुरोगामिभिस्तूर्यैस्तालस्वस्तिकपाणिभिः। प्रव्याहरद्भिर्मुदितैर्मङ्गलानि वृतो ययौ
Accompanied by those going ahead with musical instruments, with hands holding cymbals and auspicious symbols, joyfully proclaiming blessings, he proceeded surrounded by them.
अक्षतं जातरूपं च गावः कन्याः सहद्विजाः। नरा मोदकहस्ताश्च रामस्य पुरतो ययुः
Unbroken rice, gold, cows, maidens along with twice-born men, and men holding sweets in their hands went before Rāma.
सख्यं च रामः सुग्रीवे प्रभावं चानिलात्मजे। वानराणां च तत् कर्म ह्याचचक्षेऽथ मन्त्रिणाम्
Rāma spoke to the ministers of his friendship with Sugrīva, the prowess of the Wind-god's son, and the deeds of the Vānaras.
श्रुत्वा च विस्मयं जग्मुरयोध्यापुरवासिनः। वानराणां च तत् कर्म राक्षसानां च तद् बलम्। विभीषणस्य संयोगमाचचक्षेऽथ मन्त्रिणाम्
Hearing this, the residents of Ayodhyā were filled with wonder at the deeds of the Vānaras and the strength of the Rākṣasas, and Rāma also told the ministers of Vibhīṣaṇa's alliance.
द्युतिमानेतदाख्याय रामो वानरसंयुतः। हृष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णामयोध्यां प्रविवेश सः
Having recounted this glory, Rāma, accompanied by the Vānaras, entered Ayodhyā, crowded with joyful and prosperous people.
ततो ह्यभ्युच्छ्रयन् पौराः पताकाश्च गृहे गृहे। ऐक्ष्वाकाध्युषितं रम्यमाससाद पितुर्गृहम्
Then the townspeople raised banners on every house, and he reached his father's beautiful house, inhabited by the Ikṣvāku line.
अथाब्रवीद् राजपुत्रो भरतं धर्मिणां वरम्। अर्थोपहितया वाचा मधुरं रघुनन्दनः
Then the prince, Rāghu's joy, spoke to Bharata, best of the righteous, in words filled with meaning and sweetness.
पितुर्भवनमासाद्य प्रविश्य च महात्मनः। कौसल्यां च सुमित्रां च कैकेयीमभिवाद्य च
Having reached and entered his great father's house, he saluted Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and Kaikeyī.
तच्च मद्भवनं श्रेष्ठं साशोकवनिकं महत्। मुक्तावैदूर्यसंकीर्णं सुग्रीवाय निवेदय
That best of my houses, vast and with an Aśoka grove, adorned with pearls and cat's-eye gems—offer it to Sugrīva.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा भरतः सत्यविक्रमः। हस्ते गृहीत्वा सुग्रीवं प्रविवेश तमालयम्
Hearing these words, Bharata, true in valor, took Sugrīva by the hand and led him into that residence.
ततस्तैलप्रदीपांश्च पर्यङ्कास्तरणानि च। गृहीत्वा विविशुः क्षिप्रं शत्रुघ्नेन प्रचोदिताः
Then, taking oil lamps and bedding, prompted by Śatrughna, they quickly entered.
उवाच च महातेजाः सुग्रीवं राघवानुजः। अभिषेकाय रामस्य दूतानाज्ञापय प्रभो
The mighty Rāghava's younger brother said to Sugrīva: 'Order messengers, lord, for Rāma's consecration.'