स तत्र कैलासनिभाः स्वलंकृताः प्रविश्य कक्ष्यास्त्रिदशालयोपमाः। प्रियान् वरान् राममते स्थितान् बहून् व्यपोह्य शुद्धान्तमुपस्थितौ रथी
There, entering chambers adorned like Kailāsa and resembling the dwellings of the gods, the charioteer, after passing by many dear and excellent attendants devoted to Rāma, reached the pure inner quarters.
स तत्र शुश्राव च हर्षयुक्ता रामाभिषेकार्थकृतां जनानाम्। नरेन्द्रसूनोरभिमङ्गलार्थाः सर्वस्य लोकस्य गिरः प्रहृष्टाः
There he heard the joyful voices of people, gathered for Rāma’s consecration, expressing auspicious wishes for the king’s son, their words filled with delight for the whole world.
महेन्द्रसद्मप्रतिमं च वेश्म रामस्य रम्यं मृगपक्षिजुष्टम्। ददर्श मेरोरिव शृङ्गमुच्चं विभ्राजमानं प्रभया सुमन्त्रः
Sumantra beheld Rāma’s splendid palace, equal to Indra’s mansion, delightful and inhabited by deer and birds, towering like a peak of Mount Meru, radiant with its own brilliance.
उपस्थितैरञ्जलिकारिभिश्च सोपायनैर्जानपदैर्जनैश्च। कोट्या परार्धैश्च विमुक्तयानैः समाकुलं द्वारपदं ददर्श
He saw the entrance crowded with villagers, bearing gifts and offering respectful salutations, and with countless vehicles parked, making the gateway thronged and bustling.
ततो महामेघमहीधराभं प्रभिन्नमत्यङ्कुशमत्यसह्यम्। रामोपवाह्यं रुचिरं ददर्श शत्रुञ्जयं नागमुदग्रकायम्
Then he saw the mighty elephant, resembling a great cloud-covered mountain, fierce and difficult to restrain even by goads, splendid and fit for Rāma, named Shatruñjaya, with an imposing form.
स्वलंकृतान् साश्वरथान् सकुञ्जरा- नमात्यमुख्यांश्च ददर्श वल्लभान्। व्यपोह्य सूतः सहितान् समन्ततः समृद्धमन्तःपुरमाविवेश ह
He saw the chief ministers, splendidly adorned, accompanied by horses, chariots, and elephants, all dear to Rāma; the charioteer, after passing through them on every side, entered the prosperous inner palace.
ततोऽद्रिकूटाचलमेघसंनिभं महाविमानोपमवेश्मसंयुतम्। अवार्यमाणः प्रविवेश सारथिः प्रभूतरत्नं मकरो यथार्णवम्
Then the charioteer, unstoppable, entered a mansion resembling a mountain peak and a vast palace, filled with treasures, like a makara entering the ocean.
thumb|षोडशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे षोडशः सर्गः ॥२-
Let the sixteenth chapter be heard.
स तदन्तःपुरद्वारं समतीत्य जनाकुलम्। प्रविविक्तां ततः कक्ष्यामाससाद पुराणवित्
He crossed the palace entrance, crowded with people, and then reached a secluded chamber, well-versed in the ancient ways.
प्रासकार्मुकबिभ्रद्भिर्युवभिर्मृष्टकुण्डलैः। अप्रमादिभिरेकाग्रैः स्वानुरक्तैरधिष्ठिताम्
There, young men bearing swords and bows, adorned with polished earrings, vigilant and focused, loyal to their master, stood guard.
तत्र काषायिणो वृद्धान् वेत्रपाणीन् स्वलंकृतान्। ददर्श विष्ठितान् द्वारि स्त्र्यध्यक्षान् समाहितान्
There he saw elderly men in saffron robes, holding staffs and adorned, stationed at the door, and women’s overseers, attentive and composed.
ते समीक्ष्य समायान्तं रामप्रियचिकीर्षवः। सहसोत्पतिताः सर्वे ह्यासनेभ्यः ससम्भ्रमाः
Seeing him approaching, all those eager to please Rāma quickly rose from their seats in haste and reverence.
तानुवाच विनीतात्मा सूतपुत्रः प्रदक्षिणः। क्षिप्रमाख्यात रामाय सुमन्त्रो द्वारि तिष्ठति
With a humble heart, the charioteer’s son, circling them, said: 'Quickly tell Rāma that Sumanta waits at the door.'
ते राममुपसङ्गम्य भर्तुः प्रियचिकीर्षवः। सहभार्याय रामाय क्षिप्रमेवाचचक्षिरे
They, eager to please their master, promptly informed Rāma and his wife of Sumanta’s arrival.
प्रतिवेदितमाज्ञाय सूतमभ्यन्तरं पितुः। तत्रैवानाययामास राघवः प्रियकाम्यया
Upon hearing the report, Rāghava, desiring to please, summoned the charioteer into his father’s inner chamber.
तं वैश्रवणसंकाशमुपविष्टं स्वलंकृतम्। ददर्श सूतः पर्यङ्के सौवर्णे सोत्तरच्छदे
The charioteer saw Rāma, resembling Kubera, seated, adorned, upon a golden couch with a canopy.
वराहरुधिराभेण शुचिना च सुगन्धिना। अनुलिप्तं परार्घ्येन चन्दनेन परंतपम्
He, the scorcher of foes, was anointed with sandalwood paste, pure and fragrant, resembling the hue of boar's blood, and of supreme value.
स्थितया पार्श्वतश्चापि वालव्यजनहस्तया। उपेतं सीतया भूयश्चित्रया शशिनं यथा
And by his side stood Sita, holding a yak-tail fan, adorned and resplendent, like the moon attended by a beautiful star.
तं तपन्तमिवादित्यमुपपन्नं स्वतेजसा। ववन्दे वरदं वन्दी विनयज्ञो विनीतवत्
The bard, skilled in reverence and humility, bowed to him—shining with his own radiance like the blazing sun, the bestower of boons.
प्राञ्जलिः सुमुखं दृष्ट्वा विहारशयनासने। राजपुत्रमुवाचेदं सुमन्त्रो राजसत्कृतः
Sumanta, honored by the king, with joined palms, addressed the prince—whose face was radiant—as he reclined at ease.
कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पिता त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छति। महिष्यापि हि कैकेय्या गम्यतां तत्र मा चिरम्
"O Rama, son of Kausalya, your father wishes to see you. Go there without delay, along with Queen Kaikeyi."
एवमुक्तस्तु संहृष्टो नरसिंहो महाद्युतिः। ततः सम्मानयामास सीतामिदमुवाच ह
Thus addressed, the lion among men, radiant and delighted, then honored Sita and spoke these words to her.
देवि देवश्च देवी च समागम्य मदन्तरे। मन्त्रयेते ध्रुवं किंचिदभिषेचनसंहितम्
"Devi, the king and queen are surely conferring together in my absence, discussing something related to the consecration."
सा प्रहृष्टा महाराजं हितकामानुवर्तिनी। जननी चार्थकामा मे केकयाधिपतेः सुता
She, delighted and devoted to my welfare, my mother—daughter of the king of Kekaya—also desires my prosperity.
दिष्ट्या खलु महाराजो महिष्या प्रियया सह। सुमन्त्रं प्राहिणोद् दूतमर्थकामकरं मम
By good fortune, the great king, together with his beloved queen, has sent Sumanta as a messenger, eager to fulfill my wishes.
यादृशी परिषत् तत्र तादृशो दूत आगतः। ध्रुवमद्यैव मां राजा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति
Just as the assembly is distinguished, so is the messenger who has come; surely, today itself, the king will anoint me as crown prince.
हन्त शीघ्रमितो गत्वा द्रक्ष्यामि च महीपतिम्। सह त्वं परिवारेण सुखमास्स्व रमस्व च
"Well then, I shall go quickly and see the king. You remain here happily with your attendants and enjoy yourself."
पतिसम्मानिता सीता भर्तारमसितेक्षणा। आ द्वारमनुवव्राज मङ्गलान्यभिदध्युषी
Honored by her husband, Sita of dark eyes followed him to the door, uttering auspicious words.
राज्यं द्विजातिभिर्जुष्टं राजसूयाभिषेचनम्। कर्तुमर्हति ते राजा वासवस्येव लोककृत्
The king, worthy to perform the royal consecration, surrounded by Brahmins, is fit to install you, as the creator installed Indra.
दीक्षितं व्रतसम्पन्नं वराजिनधरं शुचिम्। कुरङ्गशृङ्गपाणिं च पश्यन्ती त्वां भजाम्यहम्
Seeing you, consecrated, observing vows, pure, clad in a splendid deer skin, and holding a horn of a deer, I rejoice.