thumb|प्रथमः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे प्रथमः सर्गः ॥२-
Listen to the first chapter.
स तत्र न्यवसद् भ्रात्रा सह सत्कारसत्कृतः। मातुलेनाश्वपतिना पुत्रस्नेहेन लालितः
He stayed there with his brother, honored and respected, cherished by his maternal uncle, the lord of horses, with the affection of a son.
तत्रापि निवसन्तौ तौ तर्प्यमाणौ च कामतः। भ्रातरौ स्मरतां वीरौ वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्
While residing there, the two brothers were freely gratified; yet, the heroic brothers remembered the aged king Dasharatha.
राजापि तौ महातेजाः सस्मार प्रोषितौ सुतौ। उभौ भरतशत्रुघ्नौ महेन्द्रवरुणोपमौ
The king, mighty in splendor, also remembered his two sons, Bharata and Shatrughna, who were away, equal to Indra and Varuna.
सर्व एव तु तस्येष्टाश्चत्वारः पुरुषर्षभाः। स्वशरीराद् विनिर्वृत्ताश्चत्वार इव बाहवः
All four of his sons, the best among men, were dear to him; as if they were four arms sprung from his own body.
तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरः पितुः। स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः
Among them, Rama, radiant in splendor, was his father's delight; like the self-born creator among beings, he became the most virtuous.
स हि देवैरुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थिभिः। अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुः सनातनः
For, at the request of the gods who desired the destruction of Rāvaṇa, the eternal Viṣṇu was born in the world of men.
कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा। यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना
Kausalyā shone with that son of immeasurable brilliance, just as Aditi, the best among the gods, shone with the wielder of the thunderbolt.
स हि रूपोपपन्नश्च वीर्यवाननसूयकः। भूमावनुपमः सूनुर्गुणैर्दशरथोपमः
He was endowed with beauty, strength, and modesty; unrivaled on earth, a son whose virtues matched those of Daśaratha.
स च नित्यं प्रशान्तात्मा मृदुपूर्वं च भाषते। उच्यमानोऽपि परुषं नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्यते
He was always calm in mind, spoke gently first, and even when harsh words were spoken to him, he did not respond in kind.
कदाचिदुपकारेण कृतेनैकेन तुष्यति। न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तया
He was satisfied with a single act of kindness, and, considering himself, did not remember even a hundred wrongs.
शीलवृद्धैर्ज्ञानवृद्धैर्वयोवृद्धैश्च सज्जनैः। कथयन्नास्त वै नित्यमस्त्रयोग्यान्तरेष्वपि
He continually conversed with virtuous elders, those advanced in character, wisdom, and age, even among those skilled in weapons.
बुद्धिमान् मधुराभाषी पूर्वभाषी प्रियंवदः। वीर्यवान्न च वीर्येण महता स्वेन विस्मितः
Wise, sweet-spoken, speaking first, pleasant in speech, powerful, yet not amazed by his own great strength.
न चानृतकथो विद्वान् वृद्धानां प्रतिपूजकः। अनुरक्तः प्रजाभिश्च प्रजाश्चाप्यनुरज्यते
He did not speak untruth, was learned, honored elders, was beloved by the people, and the people loved him in return.
सानुक्रोशो जितक्रोधो ब्राह्मणप्रतिपूजकः। दीनानुकम्पी धर्मज्ञो नित्यं प्रग्रहवान् शुचिः
Compassionate, master of anger, honoring brāhmaṇas, merciful to the distressed, knowledgeable in dharma, always self-controlled and pure.
कुलोचितमतिः क्षात्रं स्वधर्मं बहु मन्यते। मन्यते परया प्रीत्या महत् स्वर्गफलं ततः
With a mind befitting his lineage, he highly valued the kṣatriya duty, and with great affection considered its heavenly reward.
नाश्रेयसि रतो यश्च न विरुद्धकथारुचिः। उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तीनां वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा
He did not delight in what is not auspicious, nor enjoy discordant speech; he spoke successively reasoned words, like a master of speech.
अरोगस्तरुणो वाग्मी वपुष्मान् देशकालवित्। लोके पुरुषसारज्ञः साधुरेको विनिर्मितः
Healthy, youthful, eloquent, handsome, knowing place and time, he was recognized as the best among men, a singularly virtuous one.
स तु श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः। बहिश्चर इव प्राणो बभूव गुणतः प्रियः
Endowed with the highest virtues, the prince was dear to the people, like the vital breath moving outside the body.
सर्वविद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत् साङ्गवेदवित्। इष्वस्त्रे च पितुः श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः
Having bathed in all disciplines and vows, knowing the Vedas and their branches properly, the elder brother of Bharata surpassed his father in archery.
कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनः सत्यवागृजुः। वृद्धैरभिविनीतश्च द्विजैर्धर्मार्थदर्शिभिः
Of noble birth, virtuous, not distressed, truthful and upright, he was well-trained by elders and by twice-born men who understood dharma and wealth.
धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान्। लौकिके समयाचारे कृतकल्पो विशारदः
Knowing the essence of dharma, desire, and wealth, possessing memory and intelligence, he was skilled in worldly customs and expert in proper conduct.
निभृतः संवृताकारो गुप्तमन्त्रः सहायवान्। अमोघक्रोधहर्षश्च त्यागसंयमकालवित्
Quiet, reserved in appearance, secret in counsel, supported by companions, his anger and joy were never wasted, and he knew the proper time for renunciation and restraint.
दृढभक्तिः स्थिरप्रज्ञो नासद्ग्राही न दुर्वचः। निस्तन्द्रीरप्रमत्तश्च स्वदोषपरदोषवित्
Firm in devotion, steady in wisdom, not accepting falsehood, not harsh in speech, tireless, vigilant, and aware of his own and others' faults.
शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः। यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः
He is learned in the scriptures, grateful, and discerning of the nature of men; he is skilled in both restraint and favor, acting justly and wisely.
सत्संग्रहानुग्रहणे स्थानविन्निग्रहस्य च। आयकर्मण्युपायज्ञः संदृष्टव्ययकर्मवित्
He excels in gathering and supporting the virtuous, in assigning positions and imposing discipline; he knows the means of acquiring wealth and is aware of expenditures and their proper uses.
श्रैष्ठ्यं चास्त्रसमूहेषु प्राप्तो व्यामिश्रकेषु च। अर्थधर्मौ च संगृह्य सुखतन्त्रो न चालसः
He has attained excellence among all branches of weaponry, both pure and composite; upholding both wealth and righteousness, he pursues happiness and is never indolent.
वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञातार्थविभागवित्। आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तो वारणवाजिनाम्
He understands the divisions of practical arts and crafts, and is skilled in the training and management of elephants and horses.
धनुर्वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः। अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः
He is the foremost among those who know the science of archery, esteemed as a great chariot-warrior in the world; he is adept in attack, combat, and the arrangement of armies.
अप्रधृष्यश्च संग्रामे क्रुद्धैरपि सुरासुरैः। अनसूयो जितक्रोधो न दृप्तो न च मत्सरी
He is invincible in battle, even to the enraged gods and demons; he is free from envy, has conquered anger, and is neither arrogant nor jealous.