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.
स लब्धमानैर्विनयान्वितैर्नृपैः पुरालयैर्जानपदैश्च मानवैः। उपोपविष्टैर्नृपतिर्वृतो बभौ सहस्रचक्षुर्भगवानिवामरैः
Surrounded by honored and disciplined kings, city-dwellers, and country folk who had taken their seats, the king shone like the thousand-eyed Lord among the immortals.
thumb|द्वितीयः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे द्वितीयः सर्गः ॥२-
This is the second sarga. Listen.
ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः। हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः
Then the lord of the earth, having summoned the entire assembly, spoke these well-known words, beneficial and uplifting.
राजलक्षणयुक्तेन कान्तेनानुपमेन च। उवाच रसयुक्तेन स्वरेण नृपतिर्नृपान्
The king addressed the assembled rulers with a voice full of feeling, marked by royal qualities, charm, and matchless dignity.
विदितं भवतामेतद् यथा मे राज्यमुत्तमम्। पूर्वकैर्मम राजेन्द्रैः सुतवत् परिपालितम्
You all know how this excellent kingdom of mine was protected by my royal ancestors as one would protect a son.
सोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुभिः सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः प्रतिपालितम्। श्रेयसा योक्तुमिच्छामि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत्
I, too, wish to dedicate this entire world, which has been well-governed by all the kings of the Ikṣvāku line, to the pursuit of the highest good and happiness.
मयाप्याचरितं पूर्वैः पन्थानमनुगच्छता। प्रजा नित्यमनिद्रेण यथाशक्त्यभिरक्षिताः
Following the path set by my predecessors, I have always protected my people to the best of my ability, ever vigilant and sleepless.
इदं शरीरं कृत्स्नस्य लोकस्य चरता हितम्। पाण्डुरस्यातपत्रस्य च्छायायां जरितं मया
While pursuing the welfare of the entire world, I have grown old under the shade of the white royal umbrella.
प्राप्य वर्षसहस्राणि बहून्यायूंषि जीवतः। जीर्णस्यास्य शरीरस्य विश्रान्तिमभिरोचये
Having lived for many thousands of years, and now that this body is worn out, I desire rest.
राजप्रभावजुष्टां च दुर्वहामजितेन्द्रियैः। परिश्रान्तोऽस्मि लोकस्य गुर्वीं धर्मधुरं वहन्
I am weary from bearing the heavy burden of righteousness, which, though fitting for kings, is hard to sustain for those who have not mastered their senses.