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Bāla Kāṇḍa, sarga 17: Birth and upbringing of the princes; Viśvāmitra’s arrival
Summary. Daśaratha’s four sons are born and grow devoted in pairs, Viśvāmitra arrives and receives the King’s promise to fulfil his request
Sequence
- The narrative returns to the completion of Daśaratha's hayamedha (horse-sacrifice): the Suras depart with their shares, the King returns to Ayodhyā, the visiting rulers leave, and Ṛṣyaśṛṅga departs with Śāntā after receiving honors (1.17.1–5)
- Kausalyā gives birth to Rāma, Kaikeyī to Bharata, and Sumitrā to Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna → all four are described as divine portions, virtuous and radiant (1.17.6–10)
- after the eleventh day, Vasiṣṭha performs nāmakarman (name-giving) and the prescribed janmakriyādi (birth and subsequent rites) (1.17.11–12)
- the princes grow learned, brave, and devoted to the world's welfare, with Rāma especially beloved (1.17.13–15)
- Lakṣmaṇa is inseparable from him, like a second life outside his body: Rāma will neither sleep nor eat without him, and Lakṣmaṇa guards him on hunting expeditions → Bharata and Śatrughna are equally devoted to each other. Delighted with his sons, Daśaratha begins discussing their marriages with his teachers and relatives (1.17.16–22)
- The mahāmuni Viśvāmitra arrives and asks the gatekeepers to announce the son of Gādhi, of Kuśika's line (1.17.23–26)
- Daśaratha goes out with his priest to welcome him (1.17.27)
- seeing Viśvāmitra blazing with the radiance of tapas, he has the arghya, the ceremonial guest-offering of water, brought → Viśvāmitra accepts it according to the prescribed rite and asks after the King's welfare and prosperity (1.17.28–29)
- he greets Vasiṣṭha and the other ṛṣis → they enter the palace and sit according to rank (1.17.30–31)
- Daśaratha compares the visit to rain after drought, a son for the childless, and the recovery of something lost (1.17.32–33)
- he honors Viśvāmitra's rise from rājarṣi to brahmarṣi → he asks what wish he can fulfill and promises to carry out the purpose of the visit completely and without hesitation → Viśvāmitra is delighted by the welcome. (1.17.34–39)
Verses 1.17.1–39
1.17.1
nirvṛtte tu kratau tasmin hayamedhe mahātmanaḥ
pratigṛhya surā bhāgān pratijagmur yathāgatam
When that horse-sacrifice of the great-souled one was completed, the gods, having received their shares, departed as they had come.
Words: nirvṛtte — completed, finished (loc. abs.); tu — and, now; kratau — the rite (loc. abs.); tasmin — that; hayamedhe — the horse-sacrifice; mahātmanaḥ — of the great-souled one; pratigṛhya — having received; surā — the gods; bhāgān — shares, portions; pratijagmur — departed, went back; yathāgatam — as they had come
1.17.2
samāptadīkṣāniyamaḥ patnīgaṇasamanvitaḥ
praviveśa purīṃ rājā sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ
His consecration-vows completed, accompanied by the throng of his wives, the king entered the city, together with his servants, army, and mounts.
Words: samāptadīkṣāniyamaḥ — whose consecration-vows were completed; patnīgaṇasamanvitaḥ — accompanied by the throng of wives; praviveśa — entered; purīṃ — the city; rājā — the king; sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ — together with servants, army and mounts
1.17.3
yathārhaṃ pūjitās tena rājñā vai pṛthivīśvarāḥ
muditāḥ prayayur deśān praṇamya munipuṃgavam
Duly honoured by that king, the lords of the earth departed joyfully to their lands, having bowed to the bull among sages.
Words: yathārhaṃ — as befitting, duly; pūjitās — honoured; tena — by him; rājñā — the king; vai — indeed; pṛthivīśvarāḥ — the lords of the earth; muditāḥ — joyful, delighted; prayayur — departed, went; deśān — to (their) lands; praṇamya — having bowed; munipuṃgavam — the bull among sages
1.17.4
gateṣu pṛthivīśeṣu rājā daśarathaḥ punaḥ
praviveśa purīṃ śrīmān puraskṛtya dvijottamān
When the lords of the earth had gone, the illustrious king Daśaratha again entered the city, placing the best of brahmins at the fore.
Words: gateṣu — having gone (loc. abs.); pṛthivīśeṣu — the lords of the earth (loc. abs.); rājā — the king; daśarathaḥ — Daśaratha; punaḥ — again; praviveśa — entered; purīṃ — the city; śrīmān — the illustrious one; puraskṛtya — having placed at the fore; dvijottamān — the best of brahmins
1.17.5
śāntayā prayayau sārdham ṛṣyaśṛṅgaḥ supūjitaḥ
anvīyamāno rājñātha sānuyātreṇa dhīmatā
Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, well honoured, departed together with Śāntā, being then followed by the wise king with his retinue.
Words: śāntayā — with Śāntā; prayayau — departed; sārdham — together with; ṛṣyaśṛṅgaḥ — Ṛṣyaśṛṅga; supūjitaḥ — well honoured; anvīyamāno — being followed; rājñātha — then by the king; sānuyātreṇa — with his retinue; dhīmatā — by the wise one
1.17.6
kausalyājanayad rāmaṃ divyalakṣaṇasaṃyutam
viṣṇor ardhaṃ mahābhāgaṃ putram ikṣvākunandanam
Kausalyā gave birth to Rāma, endowed with divine marks — the illustrious son, half of Viṣṇu, delight of the Ikṣvākus.
Words: kausalyājanayad — Kausalyā gave birth to; rāmaṃ — Rāma; divyalakṣaṇasaṃyutam — endowed with divine marks; viṣṇor — of Viṣṇu; ardhaṃ — half; mahābhāgaṃ — illustrious, of great fortune; putram — son; ikṣvākunandanam — delight of the Ikṣvākus
1.17.7
kausalyā śuśubhe tena putreṇāmitatejasā
yathā vareṇa devānām aditir vajrapāṇinā
Kausalyā shone with that son of boundless splendour, as Aditi with the best of the gods, the thunderbolt-wielder (Indra).
Words: kausalyā — Kausalyā; śuśubhe — shone, was radiant; tena — with that; putreṇāmitatejasā — with the son of boundless splendour; yathā — as, like; vareṇa — with the best; devānām — of the gods; aditir — Aditi; vajrapāṇinā — with the thunderbolt-wielder (Indra)
1.17.8
bharato nāma kaikeyyāṃ jajñe satyaparākramaḥ
sākṣād viṣṇoś caturbhāgaḥ sarvaiḥ samudito guṇaiḥ
In Kaikeyī was born Bharata by name, of true valour, verily a quarter-portion of Viṣṇu, endowed with all virtues.
Words: bharato — Bharata; nāma — by name; kaikeyyāṃ — in Kaikeyī; jajñe — was born; satyaparākramaḥ — of true valour; sākṣād — verily, in person; viṣṇoś — of Viṣṇu; caturbhāgaḥ — a quarter-portion; sarvaiḥ — with all; samudito — endowed, furnished; guṇaiḥ — with virtues
1.17.9
atha lakṣmaṇaśatrughnau sumitrājanayat sutau
vīrau sarvāstrakuśalau viṣṇor ardhasamanvitau
Then Sumitrā gave birth to two sons, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna, heroes skilled in all weapons, endowed with (portions of the remaining) half of Viṣṇu.
Words: atha — then; lakṣmaṇaśatrughnau — Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna; sumitrājanayat — Sumitrā gave birth to; sutau — two sons; vīrau — two heroes; sarvāstrakuśalau — skilled in all weapons; viṣṇor — of Viṣṇu; ardhasamanvitau — endowed with (a share of the) half
1.17.10
rājñaḥ putrā mahātmānaś catvāro jajñire pṛthak
guṇavanto 'nurūpāś ca rucyā proṣṭhapadopamāḥ
The four great-souled sons of the king were born, each apart, virtuous and comely, in radiance like the Proṣṭhapadā stars.
Words: rājñaḥ — of the king; putrā — sons; mahātmānaś — great-souled; catvāro — four; jajñire — were born; pṛthak — severally, each apart; guṇavanto — virtuous; 'nurūpāś — comely, well-formed; ca — and; rucyā — in radiance, brightness; proṣṭhapadopamāḥ — like the Proṣṭhapadā (stars)
1.17.11
atītyaikādaśāhaṃ tu nāma karma tathākarot
jyeṣṭhaṃ rāmaṃ mahātmānaṃ bharataṃ kaikayīsutam
When the eleventh day had passed, he (Vasiṣṭha) accordingly performed the naming-rite: the eldest, the great-souled Rāma; Bharata, Kaikeyī's son;
Words: atītyaikādaśāhaṃ — having passed the eleventh day; tu — and; nāma — name; karma — rite, ceremony; tathākarot — so performed; jyeṣṭhaṃ — the eldest; rāmaṃ — Rāma; mahātmānaṃ — the great-souled; bharataṃ — Bharata; kaikayīsutam — son of Kaikeyī
1.17.12
saumitriṃ lakṣmaṇam iti śatrughnam aparaṃ tathā
vasiṣṭhaḥ paramaprīto nāmāni kṛtavāṃs tadā
teṣāṃ janmakriyādīni sarvakarmāṇy akārayat
Saumitri as Lakṣmaṇa, and the other likewise as Śatrughna — thus Vasiṣṭha, greatly delighted, then made their names; and he had all their rites performed, beginning with the birth-ceremony.
Words: saumitriṃ — Saumitri (son of Sumitrā); lakṣmaṇam — as Lakṣmaṇa; iti — thus, so-called; śatrughnam — as Śatrughna; aparaṃ — the other; tathā — likewise; vasiṣṭhaḥ — Vasiṣṭha; paramaprīto — greatly delighted; nāmāni — names; kṛtavāṃs — made; tadā — then; teṣāṃ — of them; janmakriyādīni — the rites beginning with the birth-ceremony; sarvakarmāṇy — all the rites; akārayat — had performed, caused to be done
1.17.13
teṣāṃ ketur iva jyeṣṭho rāmo ratikaraḥ pituḥ
babhūva bhūyo bhūtānāṃ svayambhūr iva saṃmataḥ
Among them the eldest, Rāma, like a banner, was a source of delight to his father, and was esteemed by (all) beings above the rest, like the Self-existent (Brahmā).
Words: teṣāṃ — among them; ketur — a banner, standard; iva — like; jyeṣṭho — the eldest; rāmo — Rāma; ratikaraḥ — a source of delight; pituḥ — to the father; babhūva — became, was; bhūyo — more, above (the rest); bhūtānāṃ — of beings; svayambhūr — the Self-existent (Brahmā); iva — like; saṃmataḥ — esteemed, honoured
1.17.14
sarve vedavidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve lokahite ratāḥ
sarve jñānopasaṃpannāḥ sarve samuditā guṇaiḥ
All were knowers of the Veda and heroic; all were devoted to the good of the world; all were endowed with knowledge; all were furnished with virtues.
Words: sarve — all; vedavidaḥ — knowers of the Veda; śūrāḥ — heroic; sarve — all; lokahite — in the good of the world; ratāḥ — devoted, engaged; sarve — all; jñānopasaṃpannāḥ — endowed with knowledge; sarve — all; samuditā — furnished, endowed; guṇaiḥ — with virtues
1.17.15
teṣām api mahātejā rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ
bālyāt prabhṛti susnigdho lakṣmaṇo lakṣmivardhanaḥ
Even among them Rāma of great splendour, of true valour, (was foremost); and Lakṣmaṇa, the augmenter of good fortune, was deeply devoted (to him) from childhood on.
Words: teṣām — among them; api — even; mahātejā — of great splendour; rāmaḥ — Rāma; satyaparākramaḥ — of true valour; bālyāt — from childhood; prabhṛti — onwards, beginning from; susnigdho — deeply affectionate, devoted; lakṣmaṇo — Lakṣmaṇa; lakṣmivardhanaḥ — augmenter of good fortune
1.17.16
rāmasya lokarāmasya bhrātur jyeṣṭhasya nityaśaḥ
sarvapriyakaras tasya rāmasyāpi śarīrataḥ
Constantly he (Lakṣmaṇa) rendered every kindness to Rāma — his eldest brother, delight of the world — dearer to Rāma even than his own body.
Words: rāmasya — of Rāma; lokarāmasya — delight of the world; bhrātur — of the brother; jyeṣṭhasya — the eldest; nityaśaḥ — constantly; sarvapriyakaras — doing every kindness; tasya — for him; rāmasyāpi — even of Rāma; śarīrataḥ — than the body
1.17.17
lakṣmaṇo lakṣmisaṃpanno bahiḥprāṇa ivāparaḥ
na ca tena vinā nidrāṃ labhate puruṣottamaḥ
mṛṣṭam annam upānītam aśnāti na hi taṃ vinā
Lakṣmaṇa, endowed with good fortune, was like a second life-breath outside the body (of Rāma); and without him that best of men (Rāma) could get no sleep, nor would he eat even delicious food brought to him without him.
Words: lakṣmaṇo — Lakṣmaṇa; lakṣmisaṃpanno — endowed with good fortune; bahiḥprāṇa — an external life-breath; ivāparaḥ — like a second; na — not; ca — and; tena — him; vinā — without; nidrāṃ — sleep; labhate — gets, obtains; puruṣottamaḥ — the best of men; mṛṣṭam — delicious, choice; annam — food; upānītam — brought, offered; aśnāti — eats; na — not; hi — indeed; taṃ — him; vinā — without
1.17.18
yadā hi hayam ārūḍho mṛgayāṃ yāti rāghavaḥ
tadainaṃ pṛṣṭhato 'bhyeti sadhanuḥ paripālayan
For whenever Rāghava, mounted on a horse, went hunting, then (Lakṣmaṇa) would follow behind him, bow in hand, guarding him.
Words: yadā — whenever; hi — for, indeed; hayam — a horse; ārūḍho — mounted; mṛgayāṃ — the hunt; yāti — goes; rāghavaḥ — Rāghava (Rāma); tadainaṃ — then him; pṛṣṭhato — behind; 'bhyeti — follows, comes after; sadhanuḥ — bow in hand; paripālayan — guarding, protecting
1.17.19
bharatasyāpi śatrughno lakṣmaṇāvarajo hi saḥ
prāṇaiḥ priyataro nityaṃ tasya cāsīt tathā priyaḥ
And Śatrughna, the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa, was constantly dearer than life to Bharata; and he (Bharata) was likewise dear to him.
Words: bharatasyāpi — and to Bharata; śatrughno — Śatrughna; lakṣmaṇāvarajo — the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa; hi — indeed; saḥ — he; prāṇaiḥ — than life; priyataro — dearer; nityaṃ — constantly; tasya — to him (Bharata); cāsīt — and was; tathā — likewise; priyaḥ — dear
1.17.20
sa caturbhir mahābhāgaiḥ putrair daśarathaḥ priyaiḥ
babhūva paramaprīto devair iva pitāmahaḥ
Daśaratha became supremely delighted with his four illustrious, beloved sons, as the Grandsire (Brahmā) with the gods.
Words: sa — he; caturbhir — with four; mahābhāgaiḥ — illustrious; putrair — with sons; daśarathaḥ — Daśaratha; priyaiḥ — beloved; babhūva — became; paramaprīto — supremely delighted; devair — with the gods; iva — as, like; pitāmahaḥ — the Grandsire (Brahmā)
1.17.21
te yadā jñānasaṃpannāḥ sarve samuditā guṇaiḥ
hrīmantaḥ kīrtimantaś ca sarvajñā dīrghadarśinaḥ
When they had become endowed with knowledge, all furnished with virtues, modest and renowned, all-knowing and far-seeing —
Words: te — they; yadā — when; jñānasaṃpannāḥ — endowed with knowledge; sarve — all; samuditā — furnished, endowed; guṇaiḥ — with virtues; hrīmantaḥ — modest, endowed with modesty; kīrtimantaś — renowned; ca — and; sarvajñā — all-knowing; dīrghadarśinaḥ — far-seeing
1.17.22
atha rājā daśarathas teṣāṃ dārakriyāṃ prati
cintayām āsa dharmātmā sopādhyāyaḥ sabāndhavaḥ
then the righteous king Daśaratha, together with his preceptors and kinsmen, gave thought to their marriage.
Words: atha — then; rājā — the king; daśarathas — Daśaratha; teṣāṃ — their; dārakriyāṃ — the marriage-rite; prati — regarding, with respect to; cintayām āsa — gave thought, reflected; dharmātmā — the righteous one; sopādhyāyaḥ — together with preceptors; sabāndhavaḥ — together with kinsmen
1.17.23
tasya cintayamānasya mantrimadhye mahātmanaḥ
abhyāgacchan mahātejo viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ
As that great-souled one was thinking, in the midst of his ministers, the great sage Viśvāmitra of great splendour arrived.
Words: tasya — of him; cintayamānasya — as he was thinking; mantrimadhye — in the midst of the ministers; mahātmanaḥ — the great-souled; abhyāgacchan — arrived, came; mahātejo — of great splendour; viśvāmitro — Viśvāmitra; mahāmuniḥ — the great sage
1.17.24
sa rājño darśanākāṅkṣī dvārādhyakṣān uvāca ha
śīghram ākhyāta māṃ prāptaṃ kauśikaṃ gādhinaḥ sutam
Desiring to see the king, he said to the door-keepers: “Announce quickly that I have arrived — the Kauśika, son of Gādhi.”
Words: sa — he; rājño — of the king; darśanākāṅkṣī — desiring an audience; dvārādhyakṣān — the door-keepers; uvāca — said; ha — indeed; śīghram — quickly; ākhyāta — announce, tell; māṃ — me, that I; prāptaṃ — arrived; kauśikaṃ — the Kauśika (Viśvāmitra); gādhinaḥ — of Gādhi; sutam — the son
1.17.25
tac chrutvā vacanaṃ tasya rājaveśma pradudruvuḥ
saṃbhrāntamanasaḥ sarve tena vākyena coditāḥ
Hearing his word, urged on by that speech, they all, their minds agitated, ran to the royal palace.
Words: tac — that; chrutvā — having heard; vacanaṃ — word; tasya — his; rājaveśma — the royal palace; pradudruvuḥ — ran, hurried; saṃbhrāntamanasaḥ — with agitated minds; sarve — all; tena — by that; vākyena — by the speech; coditāḥ — urged on, impelled
1.17.26
te gatvā rājabhavanaṃ viśvāmitram ṛṣiṃ tadā
prāptam āvedayām āsur nṛpāyekṣvākave tadā
Going to the royal palace, they then announced to the Ikṣvāku king that the seer Viśvāmitra had arrived.
Words: te — they; gatvā — having gone; rājabhavanaṃ — to the royal palace; viśvāmitram — Viśvāmitra; ṛṣiṃ — the seer; tadā — then; prāptam — arrived; āvedayām āsur — announced, made known; nṛpāyekṣvākave — to the Ikṣvāku king; tadā — then
1.17.27
teṣāṃ tad vacanaṃ śrutvā sapurodhāḥ samāhitaḥ
pratyujjagāma saṃhṛṣṭo brahmāṇam iva vāsavaḥ
Hearing their word, together with his house-priest and composed in mind, he went forth to meet him, delighted, as Vāsava (Indra) goes to meet Brahmā.
Words: teṣāṃ — their; tad — that; vacanaṃ — word; śrutvā — having heard; sapurodhāḥ — together with his house-priest; samāhitaḥ — composed, collected; pratyujjagāma — went forth to meet; saṃhṛṣṭo — delighted; brahmāṇam — Brahmā; iva — as, like; vāsavaḥ — Vāsava (Indra)
1.17.28
sa dṛṣṭvā jvalitaṃ dīptyā tāpasaṃ saṃśitavratam
prahṛṣṭavadano rājā tato 'rghyam upahārayat
Seeing the ascetic of firm vows, blazing with splendour, the king, his face gladdened, then had the guest-offering brought forth.
Words: sa — he; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; jvalitaṃ — blazing; dīptyā — with splendour; tāpasaṃ — the ascetic; saṃśitavratam — of firm vows; prahṛṣṭavadano — his face gladdened; rājā — the king; tato — then; 'rghyam — the guest-offering; upahārayat — had brought forth, presented
1.17.29
sa rājñaḥ pratigṛhyārghyaṃ śāstradṛṣṭtena karmaṇā
kuśalaṃ cāvyayaṃ caiva paryapṛcchan narādhipam
Having accepted the king's guest-offering by the rite laid down in scripture, he inquired of the king after his welfare and continued prosperity.
Words: sa — he; rājñaḥ — of the king; pratigṛhyārghyaṃ — having accepted the guest-offering; śāstradṛṣṭtena — prescribed by scripture; karmaṇā — by the rite; kuśalaṃ — welfare, well-being; cāvyayaṃ — and imperishable (prosperity); caiva — and; paryapṛcchan — inquired after; narādhipam — the king
1.17.30
vasiṣṭhaṃ ca samāgamya kuśalaṃ munipuṃgavaḥ
ṛṣīṃś ca tān yathā nyāyaṃ mahābhāgān uvāca ha
And that bull among sages, meeting Vasiṣṭha, inquired after his welfare, and duly greeted those illustrious seers as well.
Words: vasiṣṭhaṃ — Vasiṣṭha; ca — and; samāgamya — having met; kuśalaṃ — (after) welfare; munipuṃgavaḥ — the bull among sages; ṛṣīṃś — the seers; ca — and; tān — those; yathā — according to; nyāyaṃ — propriety, due order; mahābhāgān — the illustrious; uvāca — addressed, spoke to; ha — indeed
1.17.31
te sarve hṛṣṭamanasas tasya rājño niveśanam
viviśuḥ pūjitās tatra niṣeduś ca yathārthataḥ
All of them, glad at heart and honoured, entered the residence of that king and sat down there according to rank.
Words: te — they; sarve — all; hṛṣṭamanasas — glad at heart; tasya — that; rājño — of the king; niveśanam — residence, dwelling; viviśuḥ — entered; pūjitās — honoured; tatra — there; niṣeduś — sat down; ca — and; yathārthataḥ — according to rank, fittingly
1.17.32
atha hṛṣṭamanā rājā viśvāmitraṃ mahāmunim
uvāca paramodāro hṛṣṭas tam abhipūjayan
Then the king, glad at heart, exceedingly generous, delighted, honouring him, said to the great sage Viśvāmitra:
Words: atha — then; hṛṣṭamanā — glad at heart; rājā — the king; viśvāmitraṃ — Viśvāmitra; mahāmunim — the great sage; uvāca — said; paramodāro — exceedingly generous; hṛṣṭas — delighted; tam — him; abhipūjayan — honouring, doing homage to
1.17.33
yathāmṛtasya saṃprāptir yathā varṣam anūdake
yathā sadṛśadāreṣu putrajanmāprajasya ca
pranaṣṭasya yathā lābho yathā harṣo mahodaye
tathaivāgamanaṃ manye svāgataṃ te mahāmune
As the obtaining of nectar, as rain upon a drought-stricken land, as the birth of a son from a suitable wife to a childless man, as the recovery of something lost, as joy at a great festivity — even so do I regard your coming: welcome to you, O great sage!
Words: yathāmṛtasya — as of nectar; saṃprāptir — the obtaining; yathā — as; varṣam — rain; anūdake — upon a waterless (land); yathā — as; sadṛśadāreṣu — in a suitable wife; putrajanmāprajasya — the birth of a son to a childless man; ca — and; pranaṣṭasya — of something lost; yathā — as; lābho — the recovery, gain; yathā — as; harṣo — joy; mahodaye — at a great event / festivity; tathaivāgamanaṃ — even so (your) coming; manye — I regard, think; svāgataṃ — welcome; te — to you; mahāmune — O great sage
1.17.34
kaṃ ca te paramaṃ kāmaṃ karomi kim u harṣitaḥ
pātrabhūto 'si me vipra diṣṭyā prāpto 'si dhārmika
adya me saphalaṃ janma jīvitaṃ ca sujīvitam
And what supreme desire of yours may I fulfil, gladdened as I am? You are a worthy recipient for me, O brahmin; by good fortune have you come, O righteous one. Today my birth is fruitful and my life well lived.
Words: kaṃ — what; ca — and; te — your; paramaṃ — supreme; kāmaṃ — desire; karomi — may I do, fulfil; kim — what; u — indeed (emphatic); harṣitaḥ — gladdened; pātrabhūto — a worthy recipient; 'si — you are; me — for me; vipra — O brahmin; diṣṭyā — by good fortune; prāpto — come, arrived; 'si — you are; dhārmika — O righteous one; adya — today; me — my; saphalaṃ — fruitful; janma — birth; jīvitaṃ — life; ca — and; sujīvitam — well lived
1.17.35
pūrvaṃ rājarṣiśabdena tapasā dyotitaprabhaḥ
brahmarṣitvam anuprāptaḥ pūjyo 'si bahudhā mayā
Formerly (known) by the title of royal seer, your splendour kindled by austerity, you have (now) attained brahmin-seerhood; you are worthy of my reverence in many ways.
Words: pūrvaṃ — formerly; rājarṣiśabdena — by the title 'royal seer'; tapasā — by austerity; dyotitaprabhaḥ — whose splendour was kindled; brahmarṣitvam — brahmin-seerhood; anuprāptaḥ — attained; pūjyo — to be revered; 'si — you are; bahudhā — in many ways; mayā — by me
1.17.36
tad adbhutam idaṃ vipra pavitraṃ paramaṃ mama
śubhakṣetragataś cāhaṃ tava saṃdarśanāt prabho
This is a wonder to me, O brahmin, a supreme sanctification for me; and by the sight of you, O lord, I am as one come to a holy place of pilgrimage.
Words: tad — that, this; adbhutam — a wonder, marvel; idaṃ — this; vipra — O brahmin; pavitraṃ — sanctification, purification; paramaṃ — supreme; mama — for me; śubhakṣetragataś — gone to a holy field (of pilgrimage); cāhaṃ — and I; tava — of you; saṃdarśanāt — by the sight; prabho — O lord
1.17.37
brūhi yat prārthitaṃ tubhyaṃ kāryam āgamanaṃ prati
icchāmy anugṛhīto 'haṃ tvadarthaparivṛddhaye
Tell me what task you desire, for which you have come; I wish to be favoured (by fulfilling it), for the furtherance of your purpose.
Words: brūhi — tell, speak; yat — which; prārthitaṃ — desired, sought; tubhyaṃ — by you, for you; kāryam — the task; āgamanaṃ — coming, arrival; prati — regarding, with respect to; icchāmy — I wish; anugṛhīto — favoured; 'haṃ — I; tvadarthaparivṛddhaye — for the furtherance of your purpose
1.17.38
kāryasya na vimarśaṃ ca gantum arhasi kauśika
kartā cāham aśeṣeṇa daivataṃ hi bhavān mama
And you should entertain no hesitation about the task, O Kauśika; I am the doer of it in full, for your honour is a very deity to me.
Words: kāryasya — of the task; na — not; vimarśaṃ — hesitation, deliberation; ca — and; gantum — to go to, to enter into; arhasi — you should, ought; kauśika — O Kauśika; kartā — the doer; cāham — and I; aśeṣeṇa — entirely, in full; daivataṃ — a deity; hi — for, indeed; bhavān — your honour; mama — to me
1.17.39
iti hṛdayasukhaṃ niśamya vākyaṃ śrutisukham ātmavatā vinītam uktam
prathitaguṇayaśā guṇair viśiṣṭaḥ parama ṛṣiḥ paramaṃ jagāma harṣam
Hearing that speech, delightful to the heart and pleasant to the ear, spoken with humility by the self-possessed king, the supreme seer, of far-famed virtue and fame, pre-eminent in his qualities, attained the highest joy.
Words: iti — thus; hṛdayasukhaṃ — delightful to the heart; niśamya — having heard; vākyaṃ — the speech; śrutisukham — pleasant to the ear; ātmavatā — by the self-possessed one; vinītam — spoken with humility, modest; uktam — spoken; prathitaguṇayaśā — of far-famed virtue and fame; guṇair — in qualities; viśiṣṭaḥ — pre-eminent, distinguished; parama — supreme; ṛṣiḥ — the seer; paramaṃ — the highest; jagāma — attained, went to; harṣam — joy
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Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.
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