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,
समेत्य ते मन्त्रयितुं समतागतबुद्धयः। ऊचुश्च मनसा ज्ञात्वा वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्
Having gathered with unified minds to deliberate, they spoke, having considered in their hearts, to the aged king Dasharatha.
अनेकवर्षसाहस्रो वृद्धस्त्वमसि पार्थिव। स रामं युवराजानमभिषिञ्चस्व पार्थिवम्
O king, you are advanced in years, having passed many thousands of years; therefore, anoint Rama as crown prince, O ruler of the earth.
इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम्। गजेन महता यान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम्
For we wish to see the mighty-armed, heroic, and powerful Rama, riding a great elephant, his face shaded by a royal parasol.
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा तेषां मनःप्रियम्। अजानन्निव जिज्ञासुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Hearing those words, which were pleasing to their hearts, the king, as if unaware and wishing to know more, spoke these words:
श्रुत्वैतद् वचनं यन्मे राघवं पतिमिच्छथ। राजानः संशयोऽयं मे तदिदं ब्रूत तत्त्वतः
Hearing this statement of yours, that you desire Raghava as your lord, I, the king, have this doubt; therefore, speak the truth about it.
कथं नु मयि धर्मेण पृथिवीमनुशासति। भवन्तो द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति युवराजं महाबलम्
Why is it that, while I still rule the earth righteously, you wish to see the mighty prince as crown prince?
ते तमूचुर्महात्मानः पौरजानपदैः सह। बहवो नृप कल्याणगुणाः सन्ति सुतस्य ते
Then those great souls, together with the citizens and country folk, replied: 'O king, your son possesses many auspicious qualities.'
गुणान् गुणवतो देव देवकल्पस्य धीमतः। प्रियानानन्दनान् कृत्स्नान् प्रवक्ष्यामोऽद्य तान्शृणु
O lord, we shall now recount all the virtues—dear, delightful, and complete—of your son, who is virtuous, godlike, and wise; listen to them.
दिव्यैर्गुणैः शक्रसमो रामः सत्यपराक्रमः। इक्ष्वाकुभ्योऽपि सर्वेभ्यो ह्यतिरिक्तो विशाम्पते
Rāma, equal to Indra in divine qualities and steadfast in truth and valor, surpasses all the Ikṣvākus, O lord of the people.
रामः सत्पुरुषो लोके सत्यः सत्यपरायणः। साक्षाद् रामाद् विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह
Rāma is a noble man in the world, devoted to truth and righteousness; indeed, Dharma itself, along with prosperity, has arisen directly from Rāma.
प्रजासुखत्वे चन्द्रस्य वसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः। बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये साक्षाच्छचीपतेः
In bringing happiness to his subjects, he is like the moon; in patience, like the earth; in wisdom, equal to Bṛhaspati; and in strength, like the lord of Śacī.
धर्मज्ञः सत्यसंधश्च शीलवाननसूयकः। क्षान्तः सान्त्वयिता श्लक्ष्णः कृतज्ञो विजितेन्द्रियः
He knows Dharma, is true to his word, virtuous, free from malice, patient, gentle in speech, grateful, and master of his senses.
मृदुश्च स्थिरचित्तश्च सदा भव्योऽनसूयकः। प्रियवादी च भूतानां सत्यवादी च राघवः
He is gentle, steadfast in mind, always worthy, without envy; Rāghava speaks kindly to all beings and speaks only the truth.
बहुश्रुतानां वृद्धानां ब्राह्मणानामुपासिता। तेनास्येहातुला कीर्तिर्यशस्तेजश्च वर्धते
He serves learned elders and Brahmins; thus, his unmatched fame, honor, and brilliance grow ever greater.
देवासुरमनुष्याणां सर्वास्त्रेषु विशारदः। सम्यग् विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत् साङ्गवेदवित्
He is skilled in all weapons among gods, demons, and humans; properly initiated in knowledge and vows, and thoroughly versed in the Vedas with their branches.
गान्धर्वे च भुवि श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः। कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनात्मा महामतिः
The elder brother of Bharata became foremost in Gandharva arts on earth; of noble lineage, virtuous, undistressed in spirit, and of great intellect.
द्विजैरभिविनीतश्च श्रेष्ठैर्धर्मार्थनैपुणैः। यदा व्रजति संग्रामं ग्रामार्थे नगरस्य वा
He has been trained by distinguished Brahmins, experts in Dharma and Artha; whenever he goes to battle for the sake of a village or city.
गत्वा सौमित्रिसहितो नाविजित्य निवर्तते। संग्रामात् पुनरागत्य कुञ्जरेण रथेन वा
Having gone with Saumitri, he never returns without victory; after coming back from battle, whether on an elephant or in a chariot.
पौरान् स्वजनवन्नित्यं कुशलं परिपृच्छति। पुत्रेष्वग्निषु दारेषु प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च
He always inquires about the welfare of the citizens as if they were his own kin, regarding their sons, fires, wives, servants, and students.
निखिलेनानुपूर्व्या च पिता पुत्रानिवौरसान्। शुश्रूषन्ते च वः शिष्याः कच्चिद् वर्मसु दंशिताः
He asks in detail and in order, like a father about his own sons: 'Do your students serve you? Are you well protected by armor?'