ते तु तां रजनीमुष्य ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। उपतस्थुरुपस्थानं सह राजपुरोहिताः
Having passed that night, the brāhmaṇas, accomplished in the Vedas, together with the royal priest, assembled at the court.
अमात्या बलमुख्याश्च मुख्या ये निगमस्य च। राघवस्याभिषेकार्थे प्रीयमाणाः सुसंगताः
The ministers, chiefs of the army, and the foremost of the citizens, all gathered joyfully for Rāghava's consecration.
उदिते विमले सूर्ये पुष्ये चाभ्यागतेऽहनि। लग्ने कर्कटके प्राप्ते जन्म रामस्य च स्थिते
When the pure sun had risen and the day of Puṣya had arrived, with the ascendant in Cancer, and the time of Rāma’s birth was established,
अभिषेकाय रामस्य द्विजेन्द्रैरुपकल्पितम्। काञ्चना जलकुम्भाश्च भद्रपीठं स्वलंकृतम्
For Rāma’s consecration, the foremost brahmins had prepared golden water vessels and a splendidly adorned auspicious seat.
रथश्च सम्यगास्तीर्णो भास्वता व्याघ्रचर्मणा। गङ्गायमुनयोः पुण्यात् संगमादाहृतं जलम्
A chariot was properly covered with a shining tiger skin, and water was brought from the sacred confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā.
याश्चान्याः सरितः पुण्या ह्रदाः कूपाः सरांसि च। प्राग्वहाश्चोर्ध्ववाहाश्च तिर्यग्वाहाश्च क्षीरिणः
And from other holy rivers, lakes, wells, and ponds—those flowing east, upward, across, and those with milky waters—
ताभ्यश्चैवाहृतं तोयं समुद्रेभ्यश्च सर्वशः। क्षौद्रं दधि घृतं लाजा दर्भाः सुमनसः पयः
From all these, water was also collected, as well as from the oceans; honey, curds, ghee, parched grains, darbha grass, flowers, and milk.
अष्टौ च कन्या रुचिरा मत्तश्च वरवारणः। सजलाः क्षीरिभिश्छन्ना घटाः काञ्चनराजताः
Eight beautiful maidens and a noble, intoxicated elephant were present; water jars, covered with milk, were of gold and silver, filled and ready.
पद्मोत्पलयुता भान्ति पूर्णाः परमवारिणा। चन्द्रांशुविकचप्रख्यं पाण्डुरं रत्नभूषितम्
Filled with pure water, adorned with lotuses and water-lilies, they shone, white as the moon’s disk, and decorated with jewels.
सज्जं तिष्ठति रामस्य वालव्यजनमुत्तमम्। चन्द्रमण्डलसंकाशमातपत्रं च पाण्डुरम्
Ready for Rāma stood the finest yak-tail fan, and a white parasol, radiant like the moon’s orb.
सज्जं द्युतिकरं श्रीमदभिषेकपुरस्सरम्। पाण्डुरश्च वृषः सज्जः पाण्डुराश्वश्च संस्थितः
Prepared was the splendid, shining, auspicious paraphernalia for the consecration; a white bull and white horses were also set in place.
वादित्राणि च सर्वाणि वन्दिनश्च तथापरे। इक्ष्वाकूणां यथा राज्ये सम्भ्रियेताभिषेचनम्
All the musical instruments and the bards were assembled, just as is fitting for the consecration of the kings of the Ikṣvāku line.
तथाजातीयमादाय राजपुत्राभिषेचनम्। ते राजवचनात् तत्र समवेता महीपतिम्
Thus, having brought all that was prescribed for the prince’s consecration, they gathered there at the king’s command.
अपश्यन्तोऽब्रुवन् को नु राज्ञो नः प्रतिवेदयेत्। न पश्यामश्च राजानमुदितश्च दिवाकरः
Not seeing the king, they said, 'Who will inform the king for us? We do not see the king, and the sun has already risen.'
अब्रवीत् तानिदं वाक्यं सुमन्त्रो राजसत्कृतः। रामं राज्ञो नियोगेन त्वरया प्रस्थितो ह्यहम्
Sumantra, honored by the king, spoke these words to them: 'By the king’s order, I have gone quickly to fetch Rāma.'
पूज्या राज्ञो भवन्तश्च रामस्य तु विशेषतः। अयं पृच्छामि वचनात् सुखमायुष्मतामहम्
'You are all worthy of honor from the king, and especially from Rāma; on the king’s behalf, I ask about your well-being, O blessed ones.'
राज्ञः सम्प्रतिबुद्धस्य चानागमनकारणम्। इत्युक्त्वान्तःपुरद्वारमाजगाम पुराणवित्
'The king has awakened, but the reason for his not coming is...' Saying this, the learned one went to the inner palace gate.
सदा सक्तं च तद् वेश्म सुमन्त्रः प्रविवेश ह। तुष्टावास्य तदा वंशं प्रविश्य स विशाम्पतेः
Sumantra, who was always attached to that palace, entered it; having entered the house of the lord of men, he praised his lineage.
शयनीयं नरेन्द्रस्य तदासाद्य व्यतिष्ठत। सोऽत्यासाद्य तु तद् वेश्म तिरस्करणिमन्तरा
Reaching the king’s sleeping chamber, he stood there; having come very near, he waited outside the inner curtain.
आशीर्भिर्गुणयुक्ताभिरभितुष्टाव राघवम्। सोमसूर्यौ च काकुत्स्थ शिववैश्रवणावपि
He praised Rāghava with blessings full of virtues, and also invoked Soma and Sūrya, as well as Śiva and Vaiśravaṇa, O descendant of Kakutstha.
वरुणश्चाग्निरिन्द्रश्च विजयं प्रदिशन्तु ते। गता भगवती रात्रिरहः शिवमुपस्थितम्
May Varuṇa, Agni, and Indra grant you victory; the blessed night has passed, and an auspicious day has arrived.
बुद्ध्यस्व राजशार्दूल कुरु कार्यमनन्तरम्। ब्राह्मणा बलमुख्याश्च नैगमाश्चागतास्त्विह
Awaken, O tiger among kings, and attend to your immediate duties; the foremost Brahmins, leaders of the army, and townspeople have all gathered here.
दर्शनं तेऽभिकांक्षन्ते प्रतिबुद्ध्यस्व राघव। स्तुवन्तं तं तदा सूतं सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रकोविदम्
They desire to see you; awaken, O Rāghava. Thus the charioteer Sumantra, skilled in counsel, praised him.
प्रतिबुद्ध्य ततो राजा इदं वचनमब्रवीत्। राममानय सूतेति यदस्यभिहितो मया
Then, having awakened, the king spoke these words: 'Bring Rāma here, as I had instructed you.'
किमिदं कारणं येन ममाज्ञा प्रतिवाह्यते। न चैव सम्प्रसुप्तोऽहमानयेहाशु राघवम्
'What is the reason that my command is being delayed? I am not deeply asleep; bring Rāghava here at once.'
इति राजा दशरथः सूतं तत्रान्वशात् पुनः। स राजवचनं श्रुत्वा शिरसा प्रतिपूज्य तम्
Thus King Daśaratha again urged the charioteer there; hearing the king's command, he bowed his head in reverence.
निर्जगाम नृपावासान्मन्यमानः प्रियं महत्। प्रपन्नो राजमार्गं च पताकाध्वजशोभितम्
He departed from the royal residence, thinking he was carrying joyful news, and entered the royal road adorned with banners and flags.
हृष्टः प्रमुदितः सूतो जगामाशु विलोकयन्। स सूतस्तत्र शुश्राव रामाधिकरणाः कथाः
The delighted and joyful charioteer quickly proceeded, observing as he went; there he heard conversations concerning Rāma.
अभिषेचनसंयुक्ताः सर्वलोकस्य हृष्टवत्। ततो ददर्श रुचिरं कैलाससदृशप्रभम्
They were filled with happiness about the consecration, as was all the people; then he beheld the splendid house, radiant like Mount Kailāsa.
रामवेश्म सुमन्त्रस्तु शक्रवेश्मसमप्रभम्। महाकपाटपिहितं वितर्दिशतशोभितम्
Sumantra saw Rāma's residence, shining like Indra's palace, with great doors closed and adorned with many balconies.