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.
एते चान्ये च बहवः प्रीयमाणाः प्रियंवदाः। अभिषेकाय रामस्य सह तिष्ठन्ति पार्थिवैः
These and many others, delighted and speaking kindly, are assembled with the kings for Rama's consecration.
त्वरयस्व महाराजं यथा समुदितेऽहनि। पुष्ये नक्षत्रयोगे च रामो राज्यमवाप्नुयात्
Hasten to the great king, so that, when the auspicious day arrives and the constellation Puṣya is in conjunction, Rama may obtain the kingdom.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सूतपुत्रो महाबलः। स्तुवन् नृपतिशार्दूलं प्रविवेश निवेशनम्
Hearing these words, the son of the charioteer, mighty in strength, praising the tiger among kings, entered the palace.
तं तु पूर्वोदितं वृद्धं द्वारस्था राजसम्मताः। न शेकुरभिसंरोद्धुं राज्ञः प्रियचिकीर्षवः
Those royal attendants stationed at the door, unable to restrain the aged man previously mentioned, wished to please the king.
स समीपस्थितो राज्ञस्तामवस्थामजज्ञिवान्। वाग्भिः परमतुष्टाभिरभिष्टोतुं प्रचक्रमे
Standing near the king, perceiving his condition, he began to praise him with words of utmost satisfaction.
ततः सूतो यथापूर्वं पार्थिवस्य निवेशने। सुमन्त्रः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा तुष्टाव जगतीपतिम्
Then Sumantra, as before, in the king's palace, with joined palms, praised the lord of the earth.
यथा नन्दति तेजस्वी सागरो भास्करोदये। प्रीतः प्रीतेन मनसा तथा नन्दय नस्ततः
Just as the radiant ocean rejoices at the rising of the sun, so, with a joyful heart, may you bring us happiness.
इन्द्रमस्यां तु वेलायामभितुष्टाव मातलिः। सोऽजयद् दानवान् सर्वांस्तथा त्वां बोधयाम्यहम्
At this hour, Mātali praised Indra, who conquered all the demons; likewise, I awaken you.
वेदाः सहाङ्गा विद्याश्च यथा ह्यात्मभुवं प्रभुम्। ब्रह्माणं बोधयन्त्यद्य तथा त्वां बोधयाम्यहम्
Just as the Vedas with their branches and sciences awaken the self-born lord, Brahma, so I awaken you today.
आदित्यः सह चन्द्रेण यथा भूतधरां शुभाम्। बोधयत्यद्य पृथिवीं तथा त्वां बोधयाम्यहम्
Just as the sun together with the moon awakens the beautiful earth today, so I awaken you.
उत्तिष्ठ सुमहाराज कृतकौतुकमङ्गलः। विराजमानो वपुषा मेरोरिव दिवाकरः
Rise, O great king, with festivities and auspicious rites performed, shining in form like the sun upon Mount Meru.
सोमसूर्यौ च काकुत्स्थ शिववैश्रवणावपि। वरुणश्चाग्निरिन्द्रश्च विजयं प्रदिशन्तु ते
May Soma and Sūrya, O descendant of Kakutstha, Śiva and Kubera, Varuṇa, Agni, and Indra grant you victory.
गता भगवती रात्रिः कृतं कृत्यमिदं तव। बुध्यस्व नृपशार्दूल कुरु कार्यमनन्तरम्
The blessed night has passed, your task is accomplished; awaken, tiger among kings, and attend to the next duty.
उदतिष्ठत रामस्य समग्रमभिषेचनम्। पौरजानपदाश्चापि नैगमश्च कृताञ्जलिः
All preparations for Rama's consecration have been completed; the townspeople, country folk, and merchants stand with joined palms.
स्वयं वसिष्ठो भगवान् ब्राह्मणैः सह तिष्ठति। क्षिप्रमाज्ञाप्यतां राजन् राघवस्याभिषेचनम्
The venerable Vasiṣṭha himself is waiting together with the brāhmaṇas; quickly command, O King, the consecration of Rāghava.
यथा ह्यपालाः पशवो यथा सेना ह्यनायका। यथा चन्द्रं विना रात्रिर्यथा गावो विना वृषम्
Just as cattle without a herdsman, an army without a leader, a night without the moon, or cows without a bull—
एवं हि भविता राष्ट्रं यत्र राजा न दृश्यते। एवं तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सान्त्वपूर्वमिवार्थवत्
So indeed will a kingdom become, where the king is not seen; thus, hearing his words, which were gentle yet meaningful—
अभ्यकीर्यत शोकेन भूय एव महीपतिः। ततस्तु राजा तं सूतं सन्नहर्षः सुतं प्रति
The king was again overwhelmed by grief; then, regarding his son, the king spoke to the charioteer, his joy gone.
शोकरक्तेक्षणः श्रीमानुद्वीक्ष्योवाच धार्मिकः। वाक्यैस्तु खलु मर्माणि मम भूयो निकृन्तसि
His eyes reddened with sorrow, resplendent and righteous, he looked up and said: 'Indeed, with your words you cut my heart again.'
सुमन्त्रः करुणं श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा दीनं च पार्थिवम्। प्रगृहीताञ्जलिः किंचित् तस्माद् देशादपाक्रमत्
Hearing these sorrowful words and seeing the king so dejected, Sumantra, with hands joined, withdrew a little from that place.