ततो नारायणो विष्णुर्नियुक्तः सुरसत्तमैः । जानन्नपि सुरानेवं श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१-१६-
Then Nārāyaṇa Viṣṇu, appointed by the foremost of the gods, though already knowing, spoke these gentle words to the gods.
उपायः को वधे तस्य राक्षसाधिपतेः सुराः । यमहं तं समास्थाय निहन्यामृषिकण्टकम् ॥१-१६-
O gods, what is the means for the destruction of that lord of the Rākṣasas? By which I, adopting that means, might slay the tormentor of sages?
एवमुक्ताः सुराः सर्वे प्रत्यूचुर्विष्णुमव्ययम् । मानुषं रूपमास्थाय रावणं जहि संयुगे ॥१-१६-
Thus addressed, all the gods replied to the imperishable Viṣṇu: 'Assume a human form and slay Rāvaṇa in battle.'
स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्रं दीर्घकालमरिन्दमः । येन तुष्टोऽभवद् ब्रह्मा लोककृल्लोकपूर्वजः ॥१-१६-
For he, the subduer of enemies, performed intense austerities for a long time, by which Brahmā, the creator of the worlds and the ancient one, became pleased.
संतुष्टः प्रददौ तस्मै राक्षसाय वरं प्रभुः । नानाविधेभ्यो भूतेभ्यो भयं नान्यत्र मानुषात् ॥१-१६-
Satisfied, the Lord granted that Rākṣasa a boon: that he would have no fear from any being of various kinds, except from humans.
अवज्ञाताः पुरा तेन वरदाने हि मानवाः । एवं पितामहात् तस्मात् वरदानेन गर्वितः ॥१-१६-
Humans were disregarded by him at the time of receiving the boon; thus, made proud by the boon from the Grandfather, he became arrogant.
उत्सादयति लोकांस्त्रीन् स्त्रियश्चाप्युपकर्षति । तस्मात् तस्य वधो दृष्टो मानुषेभ्यः परंतप ॥१-१६-
He destroys the three worlds and even seizes women; therefore, his death is destined to come from humans, O scorcher of foes.
इत्येतद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सुराणां विष्णुरात्मवान् । पितरं रोचयामास तदा दशरथं नृपम् ॥१-१६-
Hearing these words of the gods, Viṣṇu, the self-possessed, then chose King Daśaratha as his father.
स चाप्यपुत्रो नृपतिस्तस्मिन् काले महाद्युतिः । अयजत् पुत्रियामिष्टिं पुत्रेप्सुररिसूदनः ॥१-१६-
And that king, of great splendor, was childless at that time; desiring a son, the destroyer of enemies performed the sacrifice for offspring.
स कृत्वा निश्चयं विष्णुरामन्त्र्य च पितामहम् । अन्तर्धानं गतो देवैः पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः ॥१-१६-
Having made his decision, Viṣṇu, after consulting with the Grandfather, vanished from sight, honored by the gods and great sages.
ततो वै यजमानस्य पावकादतुलप्रभम् । प्रादुर्भूतं महद् भूतं महावीर्यं महाबलम् ॥१-१६-
Then, from the sacrificial fire of the performer of the rite, there appeared a great being, of incomparable brilliance, of immense strength and valor.
कृष्णं रक्ताम्बरधरं रक्तास्यं दुन्दुभिस्वनम् । स्निग्धहर्यक्षतनुजश्मश्रुप्रवरमूर्धजम् ॥१-१६-
He was dark, clothed in red garments, with a red mouth, resounding like a drum; his body hair and beard were glossy and tawny, and his hair was splendid.
शुभलक्षणसम्पन्नं दिव्याभरणभूषितम् । शैलशृङ्गसमुत्सेधं दृप्तशार्दूलविक्रमम् ॥१-१६-
Endowed with auspicious marks, adorned with divine ornaments, as tall as a mountain peak, possessing the valor of a proud lion.
दिवाकरसमाकारं दीप्तानलशिखोपमम् । तप्तजाम्बूनदमयीं राजतान्तपरिच्छदाम् ॥१-१६-
With the appearance of the sun, resembling a blazing flame, holding a vessel made of refined gold with silver lining.
दिव्यपायससम्पूर्णां पात्रीं पत्नीमिव प्रियाम् । प्रगृह्य विपुलां दोर्भ्यां स्वयं मायामयीमिव ॥१-१६-
Filled with divine porridge, the vessel was held close like a beloved wife, grasped with broad arms, as if it were a creation of illusion.
ततः परं तदा राजा प्रत्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः । भगवन् स्वागतं तेऽस्तु किमहं करवाणि ते ॥१-१६-
Then the king, with joined palms, addressed him: 'O Lord, you are welcome! What shall I do for you?'
अथो पुनरिदं वाक्यं प्राजापत्यो नरोऽब्रवीत् । राजन्नर्चयता देवानद्य प्राप्तमिदं त्वया ॥१-१६-
Then the man born of the Creator spoke these words again: 'O King, by worshipping the gods, you have now obtained this.'
इदं तु नरशार्दूल पायसं देवनिर्मितम् । प्रजाकरं गृहाण त्वं धन्यमारोग्यवर्धनम् ॥१-१६-
O tiger among men, take this divine pāyasa, made by the gods, which brings forth offspring, is blessed, and increases health.
भार्याणामनुरूपाणामश्नीतेति प्रयच्छ वै । तासु त्वं लप्स्यसे पुत्रान् यदर्थं यजसे नृप ॥१-१६-
Give it to your worthy wives, saying, 'Eat this.' Through them, O king, you shall obtain sons for whose sake you are performing this sacrifice.
तथेति नृपतिः प्रीतः शिरसा प्रतिगृह्य ताम् । पात्रीं देवान्नसम्पूर्णां देवदत्तां हिरण्मयीम् ॥१-१६-
The king, pleased, accepted with bowed head that golden vessel, given by the gods, filled with divine food.
अभिवाद्य च तद्भूतमद्भुतं प्रियदर्शनम् । मुदा परमया युक्तश्चकाराभिप्रदक्षिणम् ॥१-१६-
He respectfully greeted that wondrous, marvelous, and pleasing being, and, filled with the highest joy, walked around him in reverence.
ततो दशरथः प्राप्य पायसं देवनिर्मितम् । बभूव परमप्रीतः प्राप्य वित्तमिवाधनः ॥१-१६-
Then Daśaratha, having received the pāyasa made by the gods, was supremely delighted, like a poor man who has found wealth.
ततस्तदद्भुतप्रख्यं भूतं परमभास्वरम् । संवर्तयित्वा तत् कर्म तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥१-१६-
After accomplishing that wondrous and radiant task, that being, renowned for its marvel, vanished right there.
हर्षरश्मिभिरुद्द्योतं तस्यान्तःपुरमाबभौ । शारदस्याभिरामस्य चन्द्रस्येव नभोंऽशुभिः ॥१-१६-
The inner chambers shone with rays of joy, as the beautiful autumn sky shines with the beams of the moon.
सोऽन्तःपुरं प्रविश्यैव कौसल्यामिदमब्रवीत् । पायसं प्रतिगृह्णीष्व पुत्रीयं त्विदमात्मनः ॥१-१६-
Entering the inner chambers, he said this to Kausalyā: 'Receive this pāyasa, for the sake of obtaining a son for yourself.'
कौसल्यायै नरपतिः पायसार्धं ददौ तदा । अर्धादर्धं ददौ चापि सुमित्रायै नराधिपः ॥१-१६-
Then the king gave half of the pāyasa to Kausalyā, and from that half, he gave a further half to Sumitrā.
कैकेय्यै चावशिष्टार्धं ददौ पुत्रार्थकारणात् । प्रददौ चावशिष्टार्धं पायसस्यामृतोपमम् ॥१-१६-
For the sake of obtaining a son, he gave the remaining half to Kaikeyī, and again gave the last portion of the pāyasa, like nectar, to Sumitrā.
अनुचिन्त्य सुमित्रायै पुनरेव महामतिः । एवं तासां ददौ राजा भार्याणां पायसं पृथक् ॥१-१६-
Reflecting, the wise king again gave Sumitrā a share; thus the king gave the pāyasa separately to his wives.
ताश्चैवं पायसं प्राप्य नरेन्द्रस्योत्तमस्त्रियः । सम्मानं मेनिरे सर्वाः प्रहर्षोदितचेतसः ॥१-१६-
Having received the pāyasa in this way, all the king's noble wives felt honored, their hearts filled with great joy.
ततस्तु ताः प्राश्य तमुत्तमस्त्रियो :::महीपतेरुत्तमपायसं पृथक् । हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजसो- :::ऽचिरेण गर्भान् प्रतिपेदिरे तदा ॥१-१६-
Then those noble wives of the king, having partaken separately of the excellent pāyasa, soon conceived, their brilliance equal to fire and the sun.