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Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 102: Vasiṣṭha recounts the royal lineage
Summary. He traces the dynasty from creation through Ikṣvāku and Sagara, invoking its tradition of eldest succession
Sequence
- Seeing Rāma's anger, Vasiṣṭha explains that Jābāli understands the world's coming and going and spoke this way to persuade him to return (2.102.1)
- he begins his account of the royal lineage with the waters at creation: Brahmā appears, takes a boar's form, raises the earth, and creates the world (2.102.2–3)
- from Brahmā comes Marīci, from Marīci Kaśyapa, from Kaśyapa Vivasvān, and from Vivasvān Manu → Manu gives the earth to his son Ikṣvāku, the first King at Ayodhyā (2.102.4–6)
- the succession continues through Kukṣi, Vikukṣi, Bāṇa, and Anaraṇya, whose reign is free of failed rains, famine, and theft (2.102.7–9)
- Anaraṇya is followed by Pṛthu, then Triśaṅku, who reaches heaven in his own body, and then Dhundhumāra, Yuvanāśva, and Māndhātṛ. (2.102.10–12)
- Māndhātṛ's son Susaṃdhi has two sons, Dhruvasaṃdhi and Prasenajit → Dhruvasaṃdhi's son is an earlier Bharata, whose son is Asita (2.102.12–14)
- the Haihayas, Tālajaṅghas, and Śaśabindus drive Asita into exile after battle; he lives as a muni on a mountain while both his wives are pregnant (2.102.14–15)
- Kālindī approaches the ṛṣi Cyavana on the Himālaya seeking a boon for the birth of her son (2.102.16–17)
- despite poison given by her co-wife to destroy the embryo, the child is born together with the poison and is named Sagara (2.102.17–18)
- Sagara later has the ocean-bed dug out in connection with his sacrifice (2.102.19)
- he expels his son Asamañja for misconduct; the line continues through Asamañja's son Aṃśumān, then Dilīpa and Bhagīratha. (2.102.20–21)
- Vasiṣṭha follows the succession through Kakutstha, Raghu, and Pravṛddha, the man-eater also known as Kalmāṣapāda Saudāsa (2.102.22–23)
- the succeeding generations are Śaṅkhaṇa, Sudarśana, Agnivarṇa, Śīghraga, Maru, Praśuśruka, Ambarīṣa, Nahuṣa, and Nābhāga (2.102.24–27)
- Nābhāga has the sons Aja and Suvrata, and Aja's son is Daśaratha (2.102.28)
- Vasiṣṭha concludes that Rāma, as Daśaratha's eldest heir, should preserve this family's succession rule and accept the Kingdom. (2.102.29–31)
Verses 2.102.1–31
2.102.1
kruddham ājñāya rāma tu vasiṣṭhaḥ pratyuvāca ha
jābālir api jānīte lokasyāsya gatāgatim
nivartayitu kāmas tu tvām etad vākyam abravīt
But Vasiṣṭha, perceiving that Rāma was angry, replied: “Jābāli too knows the coming and going of this world; it was from a wish to turn you back that he spoke these words.”
Words: kruddham — the angry one; ājñāya — having perceived, understood; rāma — Rāma (acc.); tu — but; vasiṣṭhaḥ — Vasiṣṭha; pratyuvāca ha — replied; jābālir api — Jābāli too; jānīte — knows; lokasyāsya — of this world; gatāgatim — the going and coming; nivartayitu — to turn (you) back; kāmas tu — but out of a wish; tvām — you; etad vākyam — these words; abravīt — spoke
2.102.2
imāṃ lokasamutpattiṃ lokanātha nibodha me
sarvaṃ salilam evāsīt pṛthivī yatra nirmitā
tataḥ samabhavad brahmā svayambhūr daivataiḥ saha
Learn from me this origin of the world, O lord of the world: all was water alone, wherein the earth was fashioned; then arose Brahmā the self-existent, together with the gods.
Words: imāṃ — this; lokasamutpattiṃ — origin of the world; lokanātha — O lord of the world; nibodha me — learn from me; sarvaṃ — all; salilam evāsīt — was water alone; pṛthivī — the earth; yatra nirmitā — wherein (it) was fashioned; tataḥ — then; samabhavad brahmā — Brahmā arose; svayambhūr — the self-existent; daivataiḥ saha — together with the gods
2.102.3
sa varāhas tato bhūtvā projjahāra vasuṃdharām
asṛjac ca jagat sarvaṃ saha putraiḥ kṛtātmabhiḥ
He, then becoming a boar, raised up the earth, and created the whole world together with his sons of perfected souls.
Words: sa — he; varāhas tato bhūtvā — having then become a boar; projjahāra — raised up; vasuṃdharām — the earth (wealth-bearing); asṛjac ca — and created; jagat sarvaṃ — the whole world; saha putraiḥ — together with (his) sons; kṛtātmabhiḥ — of perfected souls
2.102.4
ākāśaprabhavo brahmā śāśvato nitya avyayaḥ
tasmān marīciḥ saṃjajñe marīceḥ kaśyapaḥ sutaḥ
Brahmā, sprung from the ether, eternal, everlasting, imperishable; from him Marīci was born, and Marīci's son was Kaśyapa.
Words: ākāśaprabhavo — sprung from the ether; brahmā — Brahmā; śāśvato — eternal; nitya — constant; avyayaḥ — imperishable; tasmān — from him; marīciḥ — Marīci; saṃjajñe — was born; marīceḥ — Marīci's; kaśyapaḥ sutaḥ — the son Kaśyapa
2.102.5
vivasvān kaśyapāj jajñe manur vaivastavaḥ smṛtaḥ
sa tu prajāpatiḥ pūrvam ikṣvākus tu manoḥ sutaḥ
From Kaśyapa was born Vivasvān; Manu is known as Vaivasvata. He was formerly the Prajāpati, and Ikṣvāku was the son of Manu.
Words: vivasvān — Vivasvān; kaśyapāj jajñe — was born from Kaśyapa; manur — Manu; vaivastavaḥ — (called) Vaivasvata, son of Vivasvān; smṛtaḥ — is known, remembered; sa tu prajāpatiḥ — he indeed was the Prajāpati; pūrvam — formerly; ikṣvākus tu — and Ikṣvāku; manoḥ sutaḥ — the son of Manu
2.102.6
yasyeyaṃ prathamaṃ dattā samṛddhā manunā mahī
tam ikṣvākum ayodhyāyāṃ rājānaṃ viddhi pūrvakam
To whom this prosperous earth was first given by Manu—know that Ikṣvāku as the first king in Ayodhyā.
Words: yasyeyaṃ — to whom this; prathamaṃ dattā — first given; samṛddhā — prosperous, abundant; manunā — by Manu; mahī — the earth; tam ikṣvākum — that Ikṣvāku; ayodhyāyāṃ — in Ayodhyā; rājānaṃ — as king; viddhi — know; pūrvakam — the first, original
2.102.7
ikṣvākos tu sutaḥ śrīmān kukṣir eveti viśrutaḥ
kukṣer athātmajo vīro vikukṣir udapadyata
Ikṣvāku's illustrious son was renowned as Kukṣi; and from Kukṣi was born a valiant son, Vikukṣi.
Words: ikṣvākos tu sutaḥ — and Ikṣvāku's son; śrīmān — illustrious; kukṣir eveti viśrutaḥ — renowned as Kukṣi; kukṣer athātmajo — and from Kukṣi a son; vīro — valiant; vikukṣir udapadyata — Vikukṣi was born
2.102.8
vikukṣes tu mahātejā bāṇaḥ putraḥ pratāpavān
bāṇasya tu mahābāhur anaraṇyo mahāyaśāḥ
Vikukṣi's son was the mighty, valorous Bāṇa; and Bāṇa's son was the great-armed, illustrious Anaraṇya.
Words: vikukṣes tu — and Vikukṣi's; mahātejā — of great splendour; bāṇaḥ putraḥ — the son Bāṇa; pratāpavān — valorous, majestic; bāṇasya tu — and Bāṇa's; mahābāhur — the great-armed; anaraṇyo — Anaraṇya; mahāyaśāḥ — of great fame
2.102.9
nānā vṛṣṭir babhūvāsmin na durbhikṣaṃ satāṃ vare
anaraṇye mahārāje taskaro vāpi kaś cana
Under this best of the good there was no failure of rain, no famine, nor any thief at all—under Anaraṇya, the great king.
Words: nānā vṛṣṭir — no failure of rain; babhūvāsmin — occurred under him; na durbhikṣaṃ — no famine; satāṃ vare — under the best of the good; anaraṇye mahārāje — under Anaraṇya the great king; taskaro vāpi kaś cana — nor any thief at all
2.102.10
anaraṇyān mahābāhuḥ pṛthū rājā babhūva ha
tasmāt pṛthor mahārājas triśaṅkur udapadyata
sa satyavacanād vīraḥ saśarīro divaṃ gataḥ
From Anaraṇya came the great-armed King Pṛthu; from that Pṛthu, the great king, was born Triśaṅku, who by his truthfulness, the hero, went to heaven in his own body.
Words: anaraṇyān — from Anaraṇya; mahābāhuḥ — the great-armed; pṛthū rājā — King Pṛthu; babhūva ha — came to be; tasmāt pṛthor — from that Pṛthu; mahārājas — the great king; triśaṅkur udapadyata — Triśaṅku was born; sa satyavacanād — he by his truthfulness; vīraḥ — the hero; saśarīro — with his own body; divaṃ gataḥ — went to heaven
2.102.11
triśaṅkor abhavat sūnur dhundhumāro mahāyaśāḥ
dhundhumārān mahātejā yuvanāśvo vyajāyata
Triśaṅku's son was the illustrious Dhundhumāra; from Dhundhumāra was born the mighty Yuvanāśva.
Words: triśaṅkor abhavat sūnur — Triśaṅku's son was; dhundhumāro mahāyaśāḥ — the famous Dhundhumāra; dhundhumārān — from Dhundhumāra; mahātejā — of great splendour; yuvanāśvo vyajāyata — Yuvanāśva was born
2.102.12
yuvanāśva sutaḥ śrīmān māndhātā samapadyata
māndhātus tu mahātejāḥ susaṃdhir udapadyata
Yuvanāśva's illustrious son was Māndhātṛ; and from Māndhātṛ, of great splendour, was born Susaṃdhi.
Words: yuvanāśva sutaḥ — Yuvanāśva's son; śrīmān — illustrious; māndhātā samapadyata — Māndhātṛ was born; māndhātus tu — and from Māndhātṛ; mahātejāḥ — of great splendour; susaṃdhir udapadyata — Susaṃdhi arose
2.102.13
susaṃdher api putrau dvau dhruvasaṃdhiḥ prasenajit
yaśasvī dhruvasaṃdhes tu bharato ripusūdanaḥ
Susaṃdhi had two sons, Dhruvasaṃdhi and Prasenajit; and the illustrious Dhruvasaṃdhi's son was Bharata, slayer of foes.
Words: susaṃdher api — and Susaṃdhi's; putrau dvau — two sons; dhruvasaṃdhiḥ prasenajit — Dhruvasaṃdhi and Prasenajit; yaśasvī — the illustrious; dhruvasaṃdhes tu — and Dhruvasaṃdhi's; bharato ripusūdanaḥ — Bharata, slayer of foes
2.102.14
bharatāt tu mahābāhor asito nāma jāyata
yasyaite pratirājāna udapadyanta śatravaḥ
haihayās tālajaṅghāś ca śūrāś ca śaśabindavaḥ
From the great-armed Bharata was born one named Asita, against whom these rival kings arose as enemies: the Haihayas, the Tālajaṅghas, and the valiant Śaśabindus.
Words: bharatāt tu — and from Bharata; mahābāhor — the great-armed; asito nāma jāyata — one named Asita was born; yasyaite pratirājāna — against whom these rival kings; udapadyanta — arose; śatravaḥ — as enemies; haihayās — the Haihayas; tālajaṅghāś ca — and the Tālajaṅghas; śūrāś ca śaśabindavaḥ — and the valiant Śaśabindus
2.102.15
tāṃs tu sarvān prativyūhya yuddhe rājā pravāsitaḥ
sa ca śailavare ramye babhūvābhirato muniḥ
dve cāsya bhārye garbhiṇyau babhūvatur iti śrutiḥ
Having marshalled his forces against them all in battle, the king was driven into exile; and he became a contented sage on a lovely mountain. And his two wives were with child—so runs the tradition.
Words: tāṃs tu sarvān — but all of them; prativyūhya — having arrayed (troops) against; yuddhe — in battle; rājā pravāsitaḥ — the king was banished; sa ca — and he; śailavare ramye — on a lovely best of mountains; babhūvābhirato muniḥ — became a contented sage; dve cāsya bhārye — and his two wives; garbhiṇyau — pregnant (both); babhūvatur — the two became; iti śrutiḥ — so is the tradition
2.102.16
bhārgavaś cyavano nāma himavantam upāśritaḥ
tam ṛṣiṃ samupāgamya kālindī tv abhyavādayat
A descendant of Bhṛgu named Cyavana dwelt upon the Himālaya; approaching that sage, Kālindī saluted him.
Words: bhārgavaś — a descendant of Bhṛgu; cyavano nāma — named Cyavana; himavantam upāśritaḥ — resorting to (dwelling on) the Himālaya; tam ṛṣiṃ samupāgamya — having approached that sage; kālindī tv abhyavādayat — and Kālindī saluted (him)
2.102.17
sa tām abhyavadad vipro varepsuṃ putrajanmani
tataḥ sā gṛham āgamya devī putraṃ vyajāyata
The brahmin greeted her in return as she sought a boon for the birth of a son; then that lady, returning home, gave birth to a son.
Words: sa tām abhyavadad — he greeted her (in return); vipro — the brahmin; varepsuṃ — (her) desiring a boon; putrajanmani — for the birth of a son; tataḥ sā gṛham āgamya — then she, having come home; devī — the lady, queen; putraṃ vyajāyata — gave birth to a son
2.102.18
sapatnyā tu garas tasyai datto garbhajighāṃsayā
gareṇa saha tenaiva jātaḥ sa sagaro 'bhavat
But poison was given to her by her co-wife, out of a wish to destroy the embryo; born together with that very poison, he became Sagara.
Words: sapatnyā tu — but by (her) co-wife; garas tasyai datto — poison was given to her; garbhajighāṃsayā — out of a wish to kill the embryo; gareṇa saha tenaiva — together with that very poison; jātaḥ — born; sa sagaro 'bhavat — he became Sagara
2.102.19
sa rājā sagaro nāma yaḥ samudram akhānayat
iṣṭvā parvaṇi vegena trāsayantam imāḥ prajāḥ
It was that king named Sagara who, having sacrificed, had the ocean-bed dug out with force at the sacred juncture, so terrifying these creatures.
Words: sa rājā sagaro nāma — that king named Sagara; yaḥ samudram akhānayat — who had the ocean dug; iṣṭvā — having sacrificed; parvaṇi — at the sacred juncture; vegena — with force, vehemence; trāsayantam — frightening (it, the ocean); imāḥ prajāḥ — these creatures
2.102.20
asamañjas tu putro 'bhūt sagarasyeti naḥ śrutam
jīvann eva sa pitrā tu nirastaḥ pāpakarmakṛt
Asamañja was Sagara's son, so we have heard; a doer of evil deeds, he was cast out by his father while yet alive.
Words: asamañjas tu putro 'bhūt — Asamañja was the son; sagarasyeti naḥ śrutam — of Sagara, so we have heard; jīvann eva — even while living; sa pitrā tu nirastaḥ — he was cast out by his father; pāpakarmakṛt — a doer of evil deeds
2.102.21
aṃśumān iti putro 'bhūd asamañjasya vīryavān
dilīpo 'ṃśumataḥ putro dilīpasya bhagīrathaḥ
Asamañja's valiant son was named Aṃśumān; Aṃśumān's son was Dilīpa, and Dilīpa's son was Bhagīratha.
Words: aṃśumān iti putro 'bhūd — the son was named Aṃśumān; asamañjasya vīryavān — Asamañja's valiant (son); dilīpo 'ṃśumataḥ putro — Dilīpa (was) Aṃśumān's son; dilīpasya bhagīrathaḥ — Dilīpa's (son) Bhagīratha
2.102.22
bhagīrathāt kakutsthas tu kākutsthā yena tu smṛtāḥ
kakutsthasya tu putro 'bhūd raghur yena tu rāghavaḥ
From Bhagīratha came Kakutstha, from whom they are called Kākutsthas; and Kakutstha's son was Raghu, from whom [comes the name] Rāghava.
Words: bhagīrathāt kakutsthas tu — and from Bhagīratha, Kakutstha; kākutsthā yena tu smṛtāḥ — from whom (they) are called Kākutsthas; kakutsthasya tu putro 'bhūd — and Kakutstha's son was; raghur yena tu rāghavaḥ — Raghu, from whom (comes) Rāghava
2.102.23
raghos tu putras tejasvī pravṛddhaḥ puruṣādakaḥ
kalmāṣapādaḥ saudāsa ity evaṃ prathito bhuvi
Raghu's splendid son was Pravṛddha, an eater of men, renowned on earth as Kalmāṣapāda Saudāsa.
Words: raghos tu putras tejasvī — and Raghu's splendid son; pravṛddhaḥ — Pravṛddha; puruṣādakaḥ — a man-eater; kalmāṣapādaḥ saudāsa — Kalmāṣapāda Saudāsa; ity evaṃ prathito bhuvi — thus renowned on earth
2.102.24
kalmāṣapādaputro 'bhūc chaṅkhaṇas tv iti viśrutaḥ
yas tu tad vīryam āsādya sahaseno vyanīnaśat
Kalmāṣapāda's son was renowned as Śaṅkhaṇa, who, gaining that valour, destroyed his foes together with their army.
Words: kalmāṣapādaputro 'bhūc — Kalmāṣapāda's son was; chaṅkhaṇas tv iti viśrutaḥ — renowned as Śaṅkhaṇa; yas tu tad vīryam āsādya — who, gaining that valour; sahaseno — together with (his/the) army; vyanīnaśat — destroyed
2.102.25
śaṅkhaṇasya tu putro 'bhūc chūraḥ śrīmān sudarśanaḥ
sudarśanasyāgnivarṇa agnivarṣasya śīghragaḥ
Śaṅkhaṇa's son was the valiant, illustrious Sudarśana; Sudarśana's son was Agnivarṇa, and Agnivarṇa's son Śīghraga.
Words: śaṅkhaṇasya tu putro 'bhūc — and Śaṅkhaṇa's son was; chūraḥ śrīmān sudarśanaḥ — the brave, illustrious Sudarśana; sudarśanasyāgnivarṇa — Sudarśana's (son) Agnivarṇa; agnivarṣasya śīghragaḥ — Agnivarṇa's (son) Śīghraga
2.102.26
śīghragasya maruḥ putro maroḥ putraḥ praśuśrukaḥ
praśuśrukasya putro 'bhūd ambarīṣo mahādyutiḥ
Śīghraga's son was Maru, Maru's son Praśuśruka; and Praśuśruka's son was Ambarīṣa of great splendour.
Words: śīghragasya maruḥ putro — Śīghraga's son Maru; maroḥ putraḥ praśuśrukaḥ — Maru's son Praśuśruka; praśuśrukasya putro 'bhūd — Praśuśruka's son was; ambarīṣo mahādyutiḥ — Ambarīṣa of great splendour
2.102.27
ambarīṣasya putro 'bhūn nahuṣaḥ satyavikramaḥ
nahuṣasya ca nābhāgaḥ putraḥ paramadhārmikaḥ
Ambarīṣa's son was Nahuṣa of true valour; and Nahuṣa's son was Nābhāga, supremely righteous.
Words: ambarīṣasya putro 'bhūn — Ambarīṣa's son was; nahuṣaḥ satyavikramaḥ — Nahuṣa of true valour; nahuṣasya ca — and Nahuṣa's; nābhāgaḥ putraḥ — the son Nābhāga; paramadhārmikaḥ — supremely righteous
2.102.28
ajaś ca suvrataś caiva nābhāgasya sutāv ubhau
ajasya caiva dharmātmā rājā daśarathaḥ sutaḥ
Aja and Suvrata were both the sons of Nābhāga; and Aja's son was the righteous King Daśaratha.
Words: ajaś ca suvrataś caiva — Aja and Suvrata; nābhāgasya sutāv ubhau — both sons of Nābhāga; ajasya caiva — and Aja's; dharmātmā — the righteous-souled; rājā daśarathaḥ sutaḥ — the son, King Daśaratha
2.102.29
tasya jyeṣṭho 'si dāyādo rāma ity abhiviśrutaḥ
tad gṛhāṇa svakaṃ rājyam avekṣasva jagan nṛpa
You are his eldest heir, renowned as Rāma; therefore take your own kingdom, and watch over the world, O king.
Words: tasya jyeṣṭho 'si dāyādo — you are his eldest heir; rāma ity abhiviśrutaḥ — renowned as Rāma; tad gṛhāṇa svakaṃ rājyam — therefore take your own kingdom; avekṣasva — watch over, regard; jagan nṛpa — the world, O king
2.102.30
ikṣvākūṇāṃ hi sarveṣāṃ rājā bhavati pūrvajaḥ
pūrvajenāvaraḥ putro jyeṣṭho rājye 'bhiṣicyate
For among all the Ikṣvākus the firstborn becomes king; a younger son is not [anointed] over the elder—the eldest is consecrated to the kingship.
Words: ikṣvākūṇāṃ hi sarveṣāṃ — for of all the Ikṣvākus; rājā bhavati pūrvajaḥ — the firstborn becomes king; pūrvajenāvaraḥ putro — a younger son, over the elder; jyeṣṭho rājye 'bhiṣicyate — the eldest is consecrated to the kingship
2.102.31
sa rāghavāṇāṃ kuladharmam ātmanaḥ sanātanaṃ nādya vihātum arhasi
prabhūtaratnām anuśādhi medinīṃ prabhūtarāṣṭrāṃ pitṛvan mahāyaśāḥ
You ought not now to abandon this your own eternal family-law of the Rāghavas; rule, O illustrious one, the earth rich in jewels and abounding in realms, as your fathers did.
Words: sa — you (as such); rāghavāṇāṃ kuladharmam — the family-law of the Rāghavas; ātmanaḥ — your own; sanātanaṃ — eternal; nādya vihātum arhasi — you ought not now to abandon; prabhūtaratnām — rich in jewels; anuśādhi medinīṃ — rule the earth; prabhūtarāṣṭrāṃ — abounding in realms; pitṛvan — like your fathers; mahāyaśāḥ — O illustrious one
← 2.101 Rāma rejects Jābāli’s advice · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.103 Bharata attempts a fast →
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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