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.
काञ्चनप्रतिमैकाग्रं मणिविद्रुमतोरणम्। शारदाभ्रघनप्रख्यं दीप्तं मेरुगुहासमम्
It stood out with golden images, jeweled and coral-arched gateways, resembling autumn clouds and glowing like a cave of Mount Meru.
मणिभिर्वरमाल्यानां सुमहद्भिरलंकृतम्। मुक्तामणिभिराकीर्णं चन्दनागुरुभूषितम्
It was magnificently decorated with garlands of precious gems, strewn with pearls and jewels, and perfumed with sandalwood and agaru.
गन्धान् मनोज्ञान् विसृजद् दार्दुरं शिखरं यथा। सारसैश्च मयूरैश्च विनदद्भिर्विराजितम्
It emitted delightful fragrances like a mountain peak in the rainy season, and was resplendent with the calls of cranes and peacocks.
सुकृतेहामृगाकीर्णमुत्कीर्णं भक्तिभिस्तथा। मनश्चक्षुश्च भूतानामाददत् तिग्मतेजसा
It was surrounded by well-made deer, beautifully carved with devotion, captivating the minds and eyes of all beings with its brilliant radiance.
चन्द्रभास्करसंकाशं कुबेरभवनोपमम्। महेन्द्रधामप्रतिमं नानापक्षिसमाकुलम्
Resembling the moon and sun in brilliance, like Kubera's mansion, equal to Indra's abode, and filled with various birds.
मेरुशृङ्गसमं सूतो रामवेश्म ददर्श ह। उपस्थितैः समाकीर्णं जनैरञ्जलिकारिभिः
The charioteer beheld Rāma's house, lofty as the peak of Mount Meru, crowded with people who had gathered and stood with joined palms.
उपादाय समाक्रान्तैस्तदा जानपदैर्जनैः। रामाभिषेकसुमुखैरुन्मुखैः समलंकृतम्
It was thronged by country folk who had assembled, adorned with faces beaming in anticipation of Rāma's consecration.
महामेघसमप्रख्यमुदग्रं सुविराजितम्। नानारत्नसमाकीर्णं कुब्जकैरपि चावृतम्
Majestic as a great cloud, splendid and lofty, filled with various gems, and surrounded even by dwarfs.
स वाजियुक्तेन रथेन सारथिः समाकुलं राजकुलं विराजयन्। वरूथिना राजगृहाभिपातिना पुरस्य सर्वस्य मनांसि हर्षयन्
The charioteer, riding a horse-drawn chariot, made the royal palace bustle with activity, shining forth; as he approached the king’s residence with a splendid escort, he delighted the hearts of all the people of the city.
ततः समासाद्य महाधनं महत् प्रहृष्टरोमा स बभूव सारथिः। मृगैर्मयूरैश्च समाकुलोल्बणं गृहं वरार्हस्य शचीपतेरिव
Then, upon reaching the magnificent, wealthy house, the charioteer’s hair stood on end with joy; the house, teeming with deer and peacocks, was splendid like the abode of Indra’s queen.