निर्दस्युरभवल्लोको नानर्थं कश्चिदस्पृशत्। न च स्म वृद्धा बालानां प्रेतकार्याणि कुर्वते
There were no thieves in the world, nor did anyone suffer misfortune; nor did the old perform funeral rites for the young.
सर्वं मुदितमेवासीत् सर्वो धर्मपरोऽभवत्। राममेवानुपश्यन्तो नाभ्यहिंसन् परस्परम्
All was filled with joy, and everyone was devoted to righteousness; seeing only Rāma, they did not harm one another.
आसन् वर्षसहस्राणि तथा पुत्रसहस्रिणः। निरामया विशोकाश्च रामे राज्यं प्रशासति
For thousands of years, people had thousands of sons, free from illness and sorrow, while Rāma ruled the kingdom.
रामो रामो राम इति प्रजानामभवन् कथाः। रामभूतं जगदभूद् रामे राज्यं प्रशासति
‘Rāma, Rāma, Rāma’—such were the words among the people; the world became Rāma's while he ruled the kingdom.
नित्यमूला नित्यफलास्तरवस्तत्र पुष्पिताः। कामवर्षी च पर्जन्यः सुखस्पर्शश्च मारुतः
There, the trees were always rooted and always bore fruit, always in bloom; the clouds rained as desired, and the wind was pleasant to the touch.
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा लोभविवर्जिताः। स्वकर्मसु प्रवर्तन्ते तुष्टाः स्वैरेव कर्मभिः
Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras, free from greed, engaged in their own duties, content with their own actions.
आसन् प्रजा धर्मपरा रामे शासति नानृताः। सर्वे लक्षणसम्पन्नाः सर्वे धर्मपरायणाः
While Rāma ruled, the people were devoted to righteousness, truthful, endowed with all virtues, and all were dedicated to righteousness.
दशवर्षसहस्राणि दशवर्षशतानि च। भ्रातृभिः सहितः श्रीमान् रामो राज्यमकारयत्
The illustrious Rāma ruled the kingdom together with his brothers for ten thousand years and ten hundred years.
धर्म्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं राज्ञां च विजयावहम्। आदिकाव्यमिदं चार्षं पुरा वाल्मीकिना कृतम्
This ancient poem, composed by Vālmīki, is righteous, brings fame and long life, grants victory to kings, and is of sage origin.
यः शृणोति सदा लोके नरः पापात् प्रमुच्यते। पुत्रकामश्च पुत्रान् वै धनकामो धनानि च
Whoever in this world always listens to it is freed from sin; one who desires sons obtains sons, and one who desires wealth obtains wealth.
लभते मनुजो लोके श्रुत्वा रामाभिषेचनम्। महीं विजयते राजा रिपूंश्चाप्यधितिष्ठति
A man, having heard of Rāma's consecration, attains sovereignty in the world, a king conquers the earth and subdues his enemies.
राघवेण यथा माता सुमित्रा लक्ष्मणेन च। भरतेन च कैकेयी जीवपुत्रास्तथा स्त्रियः
Just as Sumitrā rejoiced in Lakṣmaṇa, Kaikeyī in Bharata, and their mothers in their living sons, so too will women.
भविष्यन्ति सदानन्दाः पुत्रपौत्रसमन्विताः। श्रुत्वा रामायणमिदं दीर्घमायुश्च विन्दति
They will always be joyful, surrounded by sons and grandsons; by hearing this Rāmāyaṇa, one also attains long life.
रामस्य विजयं चेमं सर्वमक्लिष्टकर्मणः। शृणोति य इदं काव्यं पुरा वाल्मीकिना कृतम्
Whoever listens to this account of Rāma's victory, whose deeds are flawless, this poem composed long ago by Vālmīki—
श्रद्दधानो जितक्रोधो दुर्गाण्यतितरत्यसौ। समागम्य प्रवासान्ते रमन्ते सह बान्धवैः
—with faith and subdued anger, overcomes hardships, and, after returning from exile, delights together with relatives.
शृण्वन्ति य इदं काव्यं पुरा वाल्मीकिना कृतम्। ते प्रार्थितान् वरान् सर्वान् प्राप्नुवन्तीह राघवात्
Those who listen to this poem composed long ago by Vālmīki obtain from Rāghava all the boons they desire here.
श्रवणेन सुराः सर्वे प्रीयन्ते सम्प्रशृण्वताम्। विनायकाश्च शाम्यन्ति गृहे तिष्ठन्ति यस्य वै
By hearing it, all the gods are pleased with those who listen attentively; obstacles are removed, and prosperity abides in their house.
विजयेत महीं राजा प्रवासी स्वस्तिमान् भवेत्। स्त्रियो रजस्वलाः श्रुत्वा पुत्रान् सूयुरनुत्तमान्
A king conquers the earth, an exile returns safely; women who hear it while menstruating bear excellent sons.
पूजयंश्च पठंश्चैनमितिहासं पुरातनम्। सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्येत दीर्घमायुरवाप्नुयात्
By honoring and reciting this ancient history, one is freed from all sins and attains long life.
प्रणम्य शिरसा नित्यं श्रोतव्यं क्षत्रियैर्द्विजात्। ऐश्वर्यं पुत्रलाभश्च भविष्यति न संशयः
By bowing the head daily, it should be heard by warriors and twice-born; there will be wealth and the gain of sons—of this there is no doubt.
रामायणमिदं कृत्स्नं शृण्वतः पठतः सदा। प्रीयते सततं रामः स हि विष्णुः सनातनः
Rāma is always pleased with the one who always listens to or recites this entire Rāmāyaṇa, for he is the eternal Viṣṇu.
आदिदेवो महाबाहुर्हरिर्नारायणः प्रभुः। साक्षाद् रामो रघुश्रेष्ठः शेषो लक्ष्मण उच्यते
The primeval god, mighty-armed Hari, Nārāyaṇa the Lord, is truly Rāma, the best of the Raghu line; Śeṣa is said to be Lakṣmaṇa.
एवमेतत् पुरावृत्तमाख्यानं भद्रमस्तु वः। प्रव्याहरत विस्रब्धं बलं विष्णोः प्रवर्धताम्
Thus this ancient narrative has been told; may it bring you well-being. Proclaim it confidently—may the power of Viṣṇu increase.
देवाश्च सर्वे तुष्यन्ति ग्रहणाच्छ्रवणात् तथा। रामायणस्य श्रवणे तृप्यन्ति पितरः सदा
All the gods are pleased by its acceptance and hearing; by listening to the Rāmāyaṇa, the ancestors are always satisfied.
भक्त्या रामस्य ये चेमां संहितामृषिणा कृताम्। ये लिखन्तीह च नरास्तेषां वासस्त्रिविष्टपे
Those who, with devotion to Rāma, write or copy this compilation made by the sage, their dwelling is in heaven.
कुटुम्बवृद्धिं धनधान्यवृद्धिं स्त्रियश्च मुख्याः सुखमुत्तमं च। श्रुत्वा शुभं काव्यमिदं महार्थं प्राप्नोति सर्वां भुवि चार्थसिद्धिम्
Hearing this auspicious and greatly meaningful poem, one attains increase of family, abundance of wealth and grain, noble wives, supreme happiness, and the fulfillment of all aims on earth.
आयुष्यमारोग्यकरं यशस्यं सौभ्रातृकं बुद्धिकरं शुभं च। श्रोतव्यमेतन्नियमेन सद्भि- राख्यानमोजस्करमृद्धिकामैः
This narrative, which bestows long life, health, fame, brotherhood, wisdom, and auspiciousness, should be listened to with discipline by the virtuous who desire strength and prosperity.
प्राप्तराज्यस्य रामस्य राक्षसानां वधे कृते । आजग्मुर्ऋषयः सर्वे राघवं प्रतिनन्दितुम् ।। ७.१.
After Rāma had attained the kingdom and the destruction of the Rākṣasas was accomplished, all the sages came to greet Rāghava.
कौशिको ऽथ यवक्रीतो गार्ग्यो गालव एव च । कण्वो मेधातिथेः पुत्रः पूर्वस्यां दिशि ये श्रिताः ।। ७.१.
Then Kauśika, Yavakrīta, Gārgya, Gālava, Kaṇva the son of Medhātithi, and those who dwelt in the eastern quarter arrived.
स्वस्त्यात्रेयो ऽथ भगवान्नमुचिः प्रमुचिस्तथा । आजग्मुस्ते सहागस्त्या ये श्रिता दक्षिणां दिशम् ।। ७.१.
Next, the venerable Svaṣṭātreya, Namuci, and Pramuci came, along with those who resided in the southern quarter, together with Agastya.