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?'
इति वः पुरुषव्याघ्रः सदा रामोऽभिभाषते। व्यसनेषु मनुष्याणां भृशं भवति दुःखितः
Thus, Rāma, the tiger among men, always addresses you; and in the misfortunes of people, he is deeply afflicted.
उत्सवेषु च सर्वेषु पितेव परितुष्यति। सत्यवादी महेष्वासो वृद्धसेवी जितेन्द्रियः
In all celebrations, he rejoices like a father; he speaks truth, is a mighty archer, serves elders, and has mastered his senses.
स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च धर्मं सर्वात्मनाश्रितः। सम्यग्योक्ता श्रेयसां च न विगृह्यकथारुचिः
He speaks with a smile, is wholly devoted to Dharma, speaks rightly and for the good, and has no taste for contentious speech.
उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा। सुभ्रूरायतताम्राक्षः साक्षाद् विष्णुरिव स्वयम्
In answering and questioning, he speaks like Bṛhaspati; with beautiful brows and wide coppery eyes, he is like Viṣṇu himself.
रामो लोकाभिरामोऽयं शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमैः। प्रजापालनसंयुक्तो न रागोपहतेन्द्रियः
Rāma, beloved by the world, excels in courage, strength, and valor; devoted to protecting the people, his senses are never overcome by passion.
शक्तस्त्रैलोक्यमप्येष भोक्तुं किं नु महीमिमाम्। नास्य क्रोधः प्रसादश्च निरर्थोऽस्ति कदाचन
He is capable even of enjoying the three worlds—what then of this earth? His anger and favor are never without purpose.
हन्त्येष नियमाद् वध्यानवध्येषु न कुप्यति। युनक्त्यर्थैः प्रहृष्टश्च तमसौ यत्र तुष्यति
Indeed, he puts to death those who must be punished, yet does not grow angry with the innocent; he gives wealth with joy, and is pleased where there is righteousness.
दान्तैः सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैर्नृणाम्। गुणैर्विरोचते रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः
Rāma shines with virtues—self-controlled, beloved by all people, and a source of joy—like the radiant sun with its rays.
तमेवंगुणसम्पन्नं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम्। लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी
The earth herself desired Rāma, endowed with such qualities, steadfast in truth and valor, and a protector like the guardians of the world.
वत्सः श्रेयसि जातस्ते दिष्ट्यासौ तव राघवः। दिष्ट्या पुत्रगुणैर्युक्तो मारीच इव कश्यपः
Child, you are blessed with a son who excels in virtue; by fortune, this Rāghava is yours, endowed with the qualities of a son, like Marīca to Kaśyapa.