उपासांचक्रिरे सर्वे तं देवा वासवं यथा। तेषां मध्ये स राजर्षिर्मरुतामिव वासवः
All of them waited upon him as the gods do upon Indra; among them, that royal sage shone like Indra among the Maruts.
प्रासादस्थो दशरथो ददर्शायान्तमात्मजम्। गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं लोके विख्यातपौरुषम्
Standing on the palace terrace, Dasharatha saw his son approaching, renowned in the world for his valor, resembling a king of the Gandharvas.
दीर्घबाहुं महासत्त्वं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम्। चन्द्रकान्ताननं राममतीव प्रियदर्शनम्
Rāma, long-armed, of great strength, moving like a proud elephant, with a face radiant as the moonstone, was exceedingly pleasing to behold.
रूपौदार्यगुणैः पुंसां दृष्टिचित्तापहारिणम्। घर्माभितप्ताः पर्जन्यं ह्लादयन्तमिव प्रजाः
With beauty, nobility, and virtues that captivated the eyes and hearts of men, he delighted the people scorched by heat, as rain delights the earth.
न ततर्प समायान्तं पश्यमानो नराधिपः। अवतार्य सुमन्त्रस्तु राघवं स्यन्दनोत्तमात्
Even as Rāma approached, the king could not have enough of gazing at him; then Sumantra helped Rāghava descend from the excellent chariot.
पितुः समीपं गच्छन्तं प्राञ्जलिः पृष्ठतोऽन्वगात्। स तं कैलासशृङ्गाभं प्रासादं रघुनन्दनः
With joined palms, Sumantra followed behind Rāma as he went toward his father; the joy of the Raghu line approached that palace, shining like a peak of Kailāsa.
आरुरोह नृपं द्रष्टुं सहसा तेन राघवः। स प्राञ्जलिरभिप्रेत्य प्रणतः पितुरन्तिके
Rāghava swiftly ascended to see the king in that palace; approaching with joined hands, he bowed before his father.
नाम स्वं श्रावयन् रामो ववन्दे चरणौ पितुः। तं दृष्ट्वा प्रणतं पार्श्वे कृताञ्जलिपुटं नृपः
Announcing his own name, Rāma bowed at his father's feet; seeing him bowed with hands joined at his side, the king—
गृह्याञ्जलौ समाकृष्य सस्वजे प्रियमात्मजम्। तस्मै चाभ्युद्यतं सम्यङ्मणिकाञ्चनभूषितम्
The king drew his beloved son close, grasping his joined hands; to him, he offered a splendid seat adorned with gems and gold.
दिदेश राजा रुचिरं रामाय परमासनम्। तथाऽऽसनवरं प्राप्य व्यदीपयत राघवः
The king directed Rāma to that beautiful, highest seat; having attained that excellent seat, Rāghava shone forth.
स्वयैव प्रभया मेरुमुदये विमलो रविः। तेन विभ्राजिता तत्र सा सभापि व्यरोचत
By his own radiance, pure as the sun rising on Mount Meru, he illumined that assembly, which became resplendent.
विमलग्रहनक्षत्रा शारदी द्यौरिवेन्दुना। तं पश्यमानो नृपतिस्तुतोष प्रियमात्मजम्
Like the autumn sky, pure with planets and stars, shines with the moon, so did that assembly glow; seeing his beloved son, the king was satisfied.
अलंकृतमिवात्मानमादर्शतलसंस्थितम्। स तं सुस्थितमाभाष्य पुत्रं पुत्रवतां वरः
He saw himself adorned, as if reflected in a spotless mirror; then, the best of fathers spoke to his well-seated son.
उवाचेदं वचो राजा देवेन्द्रमिव कश्यपः। ज्येष्ठायामसि मे पत्न्यां सदृश्यां सदृशः सुतः
The king spoke these words to Rāma, as Kaśyapa might to Indra: 'You are born of my chief queen, worthy in every way, and a worthy son.'
उत्पन्नस्त्वं गुणज्येष्ठो मम रामात्मजः प्रियः। त्वया यतः प्रजाश्चेमाः स्वगुणैरनुरञ्जिताः
'You are my beloved son, Rāma, supreme in virtues; by your own qualities, you have won the hearts of these people.'
तस्मात् त्वं पुष्ययोगेन यौवराज्यमवाप्नुहि। कामतस्त्वं प्रकृत्यैव निर्णीतो गुणवानिति
'Therefore, under the star Puṣya, receive the office of heir-apparent; for by nature and by choice, you have been found virtuous.'
गुणवत्यपि तु स्नेहात् पुत्र वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्। भूयो विनयमास्थाय भव नित्यं जितेन्द्रियः
'Yet, though you are virtuous, out of affection I will speak for your good, my son: ever maintain humility and always keep your senses under control.'
कामक्रोधसमुत्थानि त्यजस्व व्यसनानि च। परोक्षया वर्तमानो वृत्त्या प्रत्यक्षया तथा
'Abandon the faults arising from desire and anger; conduct yourself both in private and in public with proper behavior.'
अमात्यप्रभृतीः सर्वाः प्रजाश्चैवानुरञ्जय। कोष्ठागारायुधागारैः कृत्वा संनिचयान् बहून्
'Win over all, from ministers onward, and the people as well; amass great stores in treasuries and armories.'
इष्टानुरक्तप्रकृतिर्यः पालयति मेदिनीम्। तस्य नन्दन्ति मित्राणि लब्ध्वामृतमिवामराः
'He who rules the earth with subjects who are devoted and loving, his friends rejoice as the gods rejoice on obtaining nectar.'
तस्मात् पुत्र त्वमात्मानं नियम्यैवं समाचर। तच्छ्रुत्वा सुहृदस्तस्य रामस्य प्रियकारिणः
Therefore, my son, restrain yourself and act accordingly; hearing this, his friends, who were devoted to Rāma and eager to please him—
त्वरिताः शीघ्रमागत्य कौसल्यायै न्यवेदयन्। सा हिरण्यं च गाश्चैव रत्नानि विविधानि च
Quickly and with haste, they went and reported to Kausalyā; she then distributed gold, cows, and various kinds of jewels—
व्यादिदेश प्रियाख्येभ्यः कौसल्या प्रमदोत्तमा। अथाभिवाद्य राजानं रथमारुह्य राघवः। ययौ स्वं द्युतिमद् वेश्म जनौघैः प्रतिपूजितः
Kausalyā, the foremost among noble women, gave these gifts to those dear to her; then, after saluting the king, Rāghava mounted his chariot and went to his splendid home, honored by crowds of people.
ते चापि पौरा नृपतेर्वचस्त- च्छ्रुत्वा तदा लाभमिवेष्टमाशु। नरेन्द्रमामन्त्र्य गृहाणि गत्वा देवान् समानर्चुरभिप्रहृष्टाः
And those citizens, having heard the king’s words, rejoiced as if they had gained a great prize; after taking leave of the king, they returned to their homes and, filled with joy, worshipped the gods.
thumb|चतुर्थः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्थः सर्गः ॥२-
Hear now the fourth chapter.
गतेष्वथ नृपो भूयः पौरेषु सह मन्त्रिभिः। मन्त्रयित्वा ततश्चक्रे निश्चयज्ञः स निश्चयम्
When the people had departed, the king again conferred with his ministers; after deliberation, that resolute king made his decision.
श्व एव पुष्यो भविता श्वोऽभिषेच्यस्तु मे सुतः। रामो राजीवपत्राक्षो युवराज इति प्रभुः
"Tomorrow is the auspicious Puṣya day; tomorrow my son, Rāma, whose eyes are like lotus petals, will be consecrated as crown prince," declared the lord.
अथान्तर्गृहमाविश्य राजा दशरथस्तदा। सूतमामन्त्रयामास रामं पुनरिहानय
Then, entering his inner chambers, King Daśaratha summoned the charioteer and instructed him, "Bring Rāma here again."
द्वाःस्थैरावेदितं तस्य रामायागमनं पुनः। श्रुत्वैव चापि रामस्तं प्राप्तं शङ्कान्वितोऽभवत्
The doorkeepers announced to Rāma that he was being summoned again; upon hearing this, Rāma became apprehensive.
प्रवेश्य चैनं त्वरितो रामो वचनमब्रवीत्। यदागमनकृत्यं ते भूयस्तद्ब्रूह्यशेषतः
Having quickly admitted him, Rāma spoke these words: "Tell me in full the reason for your coming."