समयं च ममार्येमं यदि त्वं न करिष्यसि। अग्रतस्ते परित्यक्ता परित्यक्ष्यामि जीवितम्
If you, O noble one, do not fulfill this promise of mine, then, forsaken before your eyes, I will abandon my own life.
एवं प्रचोदितो राजा कैकेय्या निर्विशङ्कया। नाशकत् पाशमुन्मोक्तुं बलिरिन्द्रकृतं यथा
Thus urged by Kaikeyī, who was unwavering, the king could not free himself from her bonds, just as Bali could not escape the snare made by Indra.
उद्भ्रान्तहृदयश्चापि विवर्णवदनोऽभवत्। स धुर्यो वै परिस्पन्दन् युगचक्रान्तरं यथा
His heart was agitated, his face became pale, and he was like a yoked horse trembling between the wheels of a chariot.
विकलाभ्यां च नेत्राभ्यामपश्यन्निव भूमिपः। कृच्छ्राद् धैर्येण संस्तभ्य कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत्
With his eyes impaired, as if unable to see, the king, mustering his courage with difficulty, spoke these words to Kaikeyī.
प्रयाता रजनी देवि सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति। अभिषेकाय हि जनस्त्वरयिष्यति मां ध्रुवम्
The night has passed, O lady, and the sun is about to rise; surely the people will hasten me for the consecration.
रामाभिषेकसम्भारैस्तदर्थमुपकल्पितैः। रामः कारयितव्यो मे मृतस्य सलिलक्रियाम्
With all the materials prepared for Rāma's consecration, let Rāma perform the water-rites for me as if I were dead.
सपुत्रया त्वया नैव कर्तव्या सलिलक्रिया। व्याहन्तास्यशुभाचारे यदि रामाभिषेचनम्
You, together with your son, must not perform the water-rites for me, if you obstruct Rāma's consecration, O woman of evil conduct.
न शक्तोऽद्यास्म्यहं द्रष्टुं दृष्ट्वा पूर्वं तथामुखम्। हतहर्षं तथानन्दं पुनर्जनमवाङ्मुखम्
Today I am unable to see the people, having once seen their faces so joyful; now, with their happiness destroyed, they will turn away in sorrow.
तां तथा ब्रुवतस्तस्य भूमिपस्य महात्मनः। प्रभाता शर्वरी पुण्या चन्द्रनक्षत्रमालिनी
As that great-souled king spoke thus, the auspicious night adorned with the moon and stars came to an end.
ततः पापसमाचारा कैकेयी पार्थिवं पुनः। उवाच परुषं वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञा रोषमूर्च्छिता
Then Kaikeyi, of wicked conduct, again addressed the king with harsh words, skilled in speech but overcome by anger.
किमिदं भाषसे राजन् वाक्यं गररुजोपमम्। आनाययितुमक्लिष्टं पुत्रं राममिहार्हसि
Why do you speak these words, O King, as if they were poisoned arrows? You should summon your son Rāma here without delay.
स्थाप्य राज्ये मम सुतं कृत्वा रामं वनेचरम्। निःसपत्नां च मां कृत्वा कृतकृत्यो भविष्यसि
Install my son on the throne, send Rāma to the forest, and make me free from rivals—then your duty will be fulfilled.
स तुन्न इव तीक्ष्णेन प्रतोदेन हयोत्तमः। राजा प्रचोदितोऽभीक्ष्णं कैकेय्या वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Then, like a noble horse repeatedly struck by a sharp goad, the king, urged on by Kaikeyi, spoke these words.
धर्मबन्धेन बद्धोऽस्मि नष्टा च मम चेतना। ज्येष्ठं पुत्रं प्रियं रामं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि धार्मिकम्
Bound by the ties of righteousness, my mind is lost; I wish to see my beloved eldest son Rāma, who is devoted to dharma.
ततः प्रभातां रजनीमुदिते च दिवाकरे। पुण्ये नक्षत्रयोगे च मुहूर्ते च समागते
Then, when the auspicious night had passed, the sun had risen, the stars were in a favorable conjunction, and the proper moment had arrived—
वसिष्ठो गुणसम्पन्नः शिष्यैः परिवृतस्तथा। उपगृह्याशु सम्भारान् प्रविवेश पुरोत्तमम्
Vasiṣṭha, endowed with virtues and surrounded by his disciples, quickly gathered the necessary items and entered the foremost city.
सिक्तसम्मार्जितपथां पताकोत्तमभूषिताम्। संहृष्टमनुजोपेतां समृद्धविपणापणाम्
He entered the city whose streets were sprinkled and swept, adorned with splendid banners, filled with joyful attendants, and prosperous with shops and markets.
महोत्सवसमायुक्तां राघवार्थे समुत्सुकाम्। चन्दनागुरुधूपैश्च सर्वतः परिधूमिताम्
The city was filled with festival preparations, eager for Rāghava's sake, and perfumed everywhere with sandalwood, aloe, and incense.
तां पुरीं समतिक्रम्य पुरंदरपुरोपमाम्। ददर्शान्तःपुरं श्रीमान् नानाध्वजगणायुतम्
Passing through that city, which rivaled the city of Indra, the illustrious Vasiṣṭha saw the inner palace adorned with many kinds of banners.
पौरजानपदाकीर्णं ब्राह्मणैरुपशोभितम्। यष्टिमद्भिः सुसम्पूर्णं सदश्वैः परमार्चितैः
The palace was crowded with townspeople and countryfolk, graced by Brahmins holding staffs, filled with fine horses, and highly honored.
तदन्तःपुरमासाद्य व्यतिचक्राम तं जनम्। वसिष्ठः परमप्रीतः परमर्षिभिरावृतः
Reaching that inner palace, Vasiṣṭha, greatly pleased and surrounded by eminent sages, passed through the assembled people.
स त्वपश्यद् विनिष्क्रान्तं सुमन्त्रं नाम सारथिम्। द्वारे मनुजसिंहस्य सचिवं प्रियदर्शनम्
There he saw Sumantra, the renowned charioteer, coming out at the door of the lion among men, a minister pleasing to behold.
तमुवाच महातेजाः सूतपुत्रं विशारदम्। वसिष्ठः क्षिप्रमाचक्ष्व नृपतेर्मामिहागतम्
The mighty Vasiṣṭha addressed him, the skilled son of a charioteer: 'Quickly inform the king that I have arrived here.'
इमे गङ्गोदकघटाः सागरेभ्यश्च काञ्चनाः। औदुम्बरं भद्रपीठमभिषेकार्थमाहृतम्
'Here are pitchers of Ganges water, golden vessels from the seas, and a sacred wooden seat of udumbara brought for the consecration.'
सर्वबीजानि गन्धाश्च रत्नानि विविधानि च। क्षौद्रं दधि घृतं लाजा दर्भाः सुमनसः पयः
'All kinds of seeds, fragrant substances, various jewels, honey, curds, ghee, parched grains, darbha grass, flowers, and milk are here.'
अष्टौ च कन्या रुचिरा मत्तश्च वरवारणः। चतुरश्वो रथः श्रीमान् निस्त्रिंशो धनुरुत्तमम्
'There are also eight lovely maidens, a noble intoxicated elephant, a splendid chariot with four horses, a sword, and an excellent bow.'
वाहनं नरसंयुक्तं छत्रं च शशिसंनिभम्। श्वेते च वालव्यजने भृङ्गारं च हिरण्मयम्
A vehicle attended by men, a parasol resembling the moon, white fly-whisks, and a golden vessel for sprinkling.
हेमदामपिनद्धश्च ककुद्मान् पाण्डुरो वृषः। केसरी च चतुर्दंष्ट्रो हरिश्रेष्ठो महाबलः
A bull with a hump, pale in color, adorned with golden chains; a lion with four fangs, foremost among monkeys, possessing great strength.
सिंहासनं व्याघ्रतनुः समिधश्च हुताशनः। सर्वे वादित्रसङ्घाश्च वेश्याश्चालंकृताः स्त्रियः
A throne, a tiger skin, sacrificial firewood, and the fire for offerings; all kinds of musical instruments, and women adorned with ornaments.
आचार्या ब्राह्मणा गावः पुण्याश्च मृगपक्षिणः। पौरजानपदश्रेष्ठा नैगमाश्च गणैः सह
Teachers, Brahmins, sacred cows, auspicious beasts and birds; leading citizens of town and country, and merchants with their groups.