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.
पूर्वां दिशं वज्रधरो दक्षिणां पातु ते यमः। वरुणः पश्चिमामाशां धनेशस्तूत्तरां दिशम्
May Indra protect you in the east, Yama in the south, Varuna in the west, and Kubera in the north.
अथ सीतामनुज्ञाप्य कृतकौतुकमङ्गलः। निश्चक्राम सुमन्त्रेण सह रामो निवेशनात्
Then, having taken leave of Sita, who had performed auspicious rites, Rama departed from the residence together with Sumanta.
पर्वतादिव निष्क्रम्य सिंहो गिरिगुहाशयः। लक्ष्मणं द्वारि सोऽपश्यत् प्रह्वाञ्जलिपुटं स्थितम्
Emerging like a lion from a mountain cave, he saw Lakshmana at the door, standing with joined palms in reverence.
अथ मध्यमकक्ष्यायां समागच्छत् सुहृज्जनैः। स सर्वानर्थिनो दृष्ट्वा समेत्य प्रतिनन्द्य च
Then, in the middle chamber, as he approached, surrounded by friends, he saw all the petitioners, greeted them, and welcomed them.
ततः पावकसंकाशमारुरोह रथोत्तमम्। वैयाघ्रं पुरुषव्याघ्रो राजितं राजनन्दनः
Then the tiger among men, the delight of the king, ascended the splendid chariot, radiant like fire.
मेघनादमसम्बाधं मणिहेमविभूषितम्। मुष्णन्तमिव चक्षूंषि प्रभया मेरुवर्चसम्
It thundered like a cloud, was adorned with jewels and gold, and shone with a brilliance rivaling Mount Meru, dazzling the eyes.
करेणुशिशुकल्पैश्च युक्तं परमवाजिभिः। हरियुक्तं सहस्राक्षो रथमिन्द्र इवाशुगम्
Drawn by excellent horses resembling young elephants, swift as the wind, yoked with green steeds, it was like Indra's chariot driven by the thousand-eyed god.
प्रययौ तूर्णमास्थाय राघवो ज्वलितः श्रिया। स पर्जन्य इवाकाशे स्वनवानभिनादयन्
Rāghava, ablaze with splendor, mounted quickly and departed, resounding like a rain cloud in the sky.
निकेतान्निर्ययौ श्रीमान् महाभ्रादिव चन्द्रमाः। चित्रचामरपाणिस्तु लक्ष्मणो राघवानुजः
The illustrious prince left his residence like the moon emerging from great clouds, attended by Lakṣmaṇa, his brother, holding a decorated fan.
जुगोप भ्रातरं भ्राता रथमास्थाय पृष्ठतः। ततो हलहलाशब्दस्तुमुलः समजायत
Lakṣmaṇa, having mounted the chariot behind, protected his brother; then a tumultuous sound arose.