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.
सोऽहं विश्राममिच्छामि पुत्रं कृत्वा प्रजाहिते। संनिकृष्टानिमान् सर्वाननुमान्य द्विजर्षभान्
Therefore, I wish to rest, having installed my son for the welfare of the people, after consulting all these eminent Brahmins who are gathered here.
अनुजातो हि मां सर्वैर्गुणैः श्रेष्ठो ममात्मजः। पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरंजयः
For my son, who is superior to me in every virtue, has been born; Rama, conqueror of enemy cities, is equal to Indra in strength.
तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम्। यौवराज्ये नियोक्तास्मि प्रातः पुरुषपुङ्गवम्
Him, joined with the constellation Puṣya like the moon, foremost among upholders of righteousness, and best among men, I shall appoint as crown prince tomorrow morning.
अनुरूपः स वो नाथो लक्ष्मीवाँल्लक्ष्मणाग्रजः। त्रैलोक्यमपि नाथेन येन स्यान्नाथवत्तरम्
He, the elder brother of Lakshmana, adorned with fortune, is a fitting lord for you; under whose lordship even the three worlds would be better protected.
अनेन श्रेयसा सद्यः संयोक्ष्येऽहमिमां महीम्। गतक्लेशो भविष्यामि सुते तस्मिन् निवेश्य वै
By this excellent act, I shall at once unite this earth with prosperity, and, having entrusted it to my son, I shall become free from toil.
यदिदं मेऽनुरूपार्थं मया साधु सुमन्त्रितम्। भवन्तो मेऽनुमन्यन्तां कथं वा करवाण्यहम्
If this plan of mine, well considered and fitting, pleases you, let it be approved by you all; or tell me how else I should act.
यद्यप्येषा मम प्रीतिर्हितमन्यद् विचिन्त्यताम्। अन्या मध्यस्थचिन्ता तु विमर्दाभ्यधिकोदया
Even if this is my desire, let some other beneficial course be considered; for impartial deliberation in the midst of discussion brings forth greater clarity.
इति ब्रुवन्तं मुदिताः प्रत्यनन्दन् नृपा नृपम्। वृष्टिमन्तं महामेघं नर्दन्त इव बर्हिणः
As he spoke thus, the delighted kings responded with joy to the king, like peacocks calling to a great rain-cloud full of rain.
स्निग्धोऽनुनादः संजज्ञे ततो हर्षसमीरितः। जनौघोद्घुष्टसंनादो मेदिनीं कम्पयन्निव
Then a gentle, approving sound arose, filled with joy, echoing among the multitude of people, as if shaking the earth.
तस्य धर्मार्थविदुषो भावमाज्ञाय सर्वशः। ब्राह्मणा बलमुख्याश्च पौरजानपदैः सह
Understanding fully the intent of the king, who knows righteousness and wealth, the Brahmins and chiefs of the army, together with the citizens and country folk,