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.
नावज्ञेयश्च भूतानां न च कालवशानुगः। एवं श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः
He is not to be despised by any being, nor is he subject to the sway of time; thus endowed with the highest virtues is the prince, son of the king.
सम्मतस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः। बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये चापि शचीपतेः
He is esteemed in all three worlds for his forbearance, equal to the earth itself; in wisdom he is like Brihaspati, and in strength, like the lord of Shachi.
तथा सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैः पितुः। गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः
Thus, with virtues beloved by all people and pleasing to his father, Rama shone forth, radiant like the sun with its rays.
तमेवंवृत्तसम्पन्नमप्रधृष्यपराक्रमम्। लोकनाथोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी
Such was his conduct and prowess, unconquerable, like a lord of the world; the earth herself desired him as her protector.
एतैस्तु बहुभिर्युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैः सुतम्। दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परंतपः
Seeing his son endowed with these many incomparable virtues, King Dasharatha, scorcher of foes, was filled with deep thought.
अथ राज्ञो बभूवैव वृद्धस्य चिरजीविनः। प्रीतिरेषा कथं रामो राजा स्यान्मयि जीवति
Then, in his old age and long life, the king wondered: How might Rama become king while I am still alive?
एषा ह्यस्य परा प्रीतिर्हृदि सम्परिवर्तते। कदा नाम सुतं द्रक्ष्याम्यभिषिक्तमहं प्रियम्
This supreme affection for him turns constantly in my heart: When shall I see my beloved son anointed as king?
वृद्धिकामो हि लोकस्य सर्वभूतानुकम्पकः। मत्तः प्रियतरो लोके पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान्
For he desires the growth of the world and has compassion for all beings; he is dearer to the people than I am, like the rain-bringing cloud.
यमशक्रसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ। महीधरसमो धृत्यां मत्तश्च गुणवत्तरः
In strength he is equal to Yama and Indra, in wisdom to Brihaspati; in steadfastness to the mountain king, and in virtue he surpasses even me.
महीमहमिमां कृत्स्नामधितिष्ठन्तमात्मजम्। अनेन वयसा दृष्ट्वा यथा स्वर्गमवाप्नुयाम्
If I could see my son ruling this entire earth at this age, it would be as if I attained heaven.
इत्येवं विविधैस्तैस्तैरन्यपार्थिवदुर्लभैः। शिष्टैरपरिमेयैश्च लोके लोकोत्तरैर्गुणैः
Thus, with these and many other rare and immeasurable virtues, difficult to find even in other princes, and surpassing those of the world,
तं समीक्ष्य तदा राजा युक्तं समुदितैर्गुणैः। निश्चित्य सचिवैः सार्धं यौवराज्यममन्यत
Seeing him thus endowed with all these virtues, the king, after consulting with his ministers, considered the installation as crown prince.
दिव्यन्तरिक्षे भूमौ च घोरमुत्पातजं भयम्। संचचक्षेऽथ मेधावी शरीरे चात्मनो जराम्
Then the wise king perceived dreadful omens of fear arising in the sky, in the atmosphere, and on earth, and also noticed old age in his own body.
पूर्णचन्द्राननस्याथ शोकापनुदमात्मनः। लोके रामस्य बुबुधे सम्प्रियत्वं महात्मनः
He also understood that the great-souled Rāma, whose face was like the full moon and who dispelled his sorrow, was beloved by the people of the world.
आत्मनश्च प्रजानां च श्रेयसे च प्रियेण च। प्राप्ते काले स धर्मात्मा भक्त्या त्वरितवान् नृपः
For the welfare of himself and his subjects, and at the proper time, that righteous king, with devotion and affection, acted swiftly.
नानानगरवास्तव्यान् पृथग्जानपदानपि। समानिनाय मेदिन्यां प्रधानान् पृथिवीपतिः
The lord of the earth summoned the chiefs from various cities and distinct regions of the land.
तान् वेश्मनानाभरणैर्यथार्हं प्रतिपूजितान्। ददर्शालंकृतो राजा प्रजापतिरिव प्रजाः
The king, adorned and resplendent, received them with appropriate honors and gifts, just as the lord of creatures greets his subjects.
न तु केकयराजानं जनकं वा नराधिपः। त्वरया चानयामास पश्चात्तौ श्रोष्यतः प्रियम्
However, the king did not summon the ruler of Kekaya or Janaka in his haste, for they would hear the good news later.
अथोपविष्टे नृपतौ तस्मिन् परपुरार्दने। ततः प्रविविशुः शेषा राजानो लोकसम्मताः
When the king, the subduer of enemy cities, had taken his seat, then the remaining renowned kings entered.
अथ राजवितीर्णेषु विविधेष्वासनेषु च। राजानमेवाभिमुखा निषेदुर्नियता नृपाः
After the various seats had been distributed by the king, the assembled kings, observing proper decorum, sat facing him.