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Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 4: Omens hasten the abhiṣeka
Summary. Daśaratha fixes the ceremony for the next day while Bharata is away, Rāma & Sītā must fast and sleep on darbha
Sequence
- After the assembly leaves, Daśaratha decides that the ceremony must take place the following day and sends Sumantra to fetch Rāma again → the second summons worries Rāma, who returns at once (2.4.1–8)
- privately, Daśaratha explains that he has fulfilled his life's obligations and wishes to see his son installed before he dies (2.4.9–16)
- he has been having frightening dreams; meteors have fallen with crashing sounds, and astrologers report threatening planetary influences on his birth-star → fearing death or another disaster, he wants the ceremony completed while his mind remains steady (2.4.17–22)
- he tells Rāma and Sītā to upavāsa, sleep on darbha grass, and have trusted friends guard them that night → he also wants to act while Bharata is away: although he trusts Bharata's character, he says that people's minds can change. (2.4.23–28)
- Rāma goes to Kausalyā's apartments, where she is praying to Viṣṇu; Sumitrā, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā are also present (2.4.29–33)
- he announces the next day's ceremony and asks for the necessary preparations for his and Sītā's upavāsa (2.4.34–37)
- Kausalyā blesses him, delighted that her prayers have borne fruit (2.4.38–41)
- Rāma tells Lakṣmaṇa that they will share the responsibilities and benefits of rule, calling him his second self → he takes leave and returns home. (2.4.42–45)
Verses 2.4.1–45
2.4.1
gateṣv atha nṛpo bhūyaḥ paureṣu saha mantribhiḥ
mantrayitvā tataś cakre niścayajñaḥ sa niścayam
When the townsfolk had departed, the king, a knower of decisions, deliberated once more with his ministers and then made his decision:
Words: gateṣv — when (they) had gone; atha — then; nṛpo — the king; bhūyaḥ — again, further; paureṣu — the townsfolk (loc. abs.); saha mantribhiḥ — together with the ministers; mantrayitvā — having deliberated; tataś — then; cakre — made; niścayajñaḥ — knower of decisions; sa — he; niścayam — the decision, resolve
2.4.2
śva eva puṣyo bhavitā śvo 'bhiṣecyeta me sutaḥ
rāmo rājīvatāmrākṣo yauvarājya iti prabhuḥ
“Tomorrow the (constellation) Puṣya will be present; tomorrow let my son Rāma, whose eyes are coppery like a lotus, be consecrated to the heir-apparency” — so (thought) the lord.
Words: śva eva — tomorrow itself; puṣyo — (the asterism) Puṣya; bhavitā — will be, will come to pass; śvo 'bhiṣecyeta — tomorrow let (him) be consecrated; me — my; sutaḥ — son; rāmo — Rāma; rājīvatāmrākṣo — with eyes coppery like a lotus; yauvarājya — to the heir-apparency; iti — thus; prabhuḥ — the lord
2.4.3
athāntargṛham āviśya rājā daśarathas tadā
sūtam ājñāpayām āsa rāmaṃ punar ihānaya
Then, entering his inner apartments, King Daśaratha thereupon commanded the charioteer: “Bring Rāma here once again.”
Words: athāntargṛham — then the inner chamber; āviśya — having entered; rājā — the king; daśarathas — Daśaratha; tadā — then; sūtam — the charioteer; ājñāpayām āsa — commanded, ordered; rāmaṃ — Rāma; punar — again; ihānaya — bring here
2.4.4
pratigṛhya sa tadvākyaṃ sūtaḥ punar upāyayau
rāmasya bhavanaṃ śīghraṃ rāmam ānayituṃ punaḥ
Accepting that command, the charioteer went once more, quickly, to Rāma's dwelling, to fetch Rāma again.
Words: pratigṛhya — having accepted, received; sa — he; tadvākyaṃ — that command; sūtaḥ — the charioteer; punar — again; upāyayau — approached, went to; rāmasya — of Rāma; bhavanaṃ — the dwelling; śīghraṃ — quickly; rāmam — Rāma; ānayituṃ — to bring, fetch; punaḥ — again
2.4.5
dvāḥsthair āveditaṃ tasya rāmāyāgamanaṃ punaḥ
śrutvaiva cāpi rāmas taṃ prāptaṃ śaṅkānvito 'bhavat
The (charioteer's) coming again was announced to Rāma by the door-keepers; and just on hearing that he had arrived, Rāma became filled with misgiving.
Words: dvāḥsthair — by the door-keepers; āveditaṃ — was announced, reported; tasya — his (the charioteer's); rāmāyāgamanaṃ — the coming, to Rāma; punaḥ — again; śrutvaiva — just on hearing; cāpi — and also; rāmas — Rāma; taṃ — him; prāptaṃ — arrived, come; śaṅkānvito 'bhavat — became filled with misgiving
2.4.6
praveśya cainaṃ tvaritaṃ rāmo vacanam abravīt
yad āgamanakṛtyaṃ te bhūyas tad brūhy aśeṣataḥ
Having quickly ushered him in, Rāma spoke these words: “Whatever be the purpose of your coming again, tell it to me in full.”
Words: praveśya — having admitted, ushered in; cainaṃ — and him; tvaritaṃ — quickly; rāmo — Rāma; vacanam — words; abravīt — spoke; yad — whatever; āgamanakṛtyaṃ — the purpose of (your) coming; te — your; bhūyas — again; tad — that; brūhy — tell; aśeṣataḥ — completely, without remainder
2.4.7
tam uvāca tataḥ sūto rājā tvāṃ draṣṭum icchati
śrutvā pramāṇam atra tvaṃ gamanāyetarāya vā
Then the charioteer said to him: “The king wishes to see you; having heard this, you must decide about going or otherwise.”
Words: tam — him; uvāca — said; tataḥ — then; sūto — the charioteer; rājā — the king; tvāṃ — you; draṣṭum — to see; icchati — wishes; śrutvā — having heard; pramāṇam — the decision, authority (to decide); atra — in this, herein; tvaṃ — you; gamanāyetarāya vā — for going or otherwise
2.4.8
iti sūtavacaḥ śrutvā rāmo 'tha tvarayānvitaḥ
prayayau rājabhavanaṃ punar draṣṭuṃ nareśvaram
Hearing these words of the charioteer, Rāma, filled with haste, set out again for the royal palace to see the lord of men.
Words: iti — thus; sūtavacaḥ — the charioteer's words; śrutvā — having heard; rāmo 'tha — Rāma then; tvarayānvitaḥ — filled with haste; prayayau — set out, went forth; rājabhavanaṃ — the royal palace; punar — again; draṣṭuṃ — to see; nareśvaram — the lord of men
2.4.9
taṃ śrutvā samanuprāptaṃ rāmaṃ daśaratho nṛpaḥ
praveśayām āsa gṛhaṃ vivikṣuḥ priyam uttamam
Hearing that Rāma had arrived, King Daśaratha, wishing to speak (with him) about the highest and dearest matter, had him ushered into the (inner) chamber.
Words: taṃ — him; śrutvā — having heard; samanuprāptaṃ — arrived, come; rāmaṃ — Rāma; daśaratho — Daśaratha; nṛpaḥ — the king; praveśayām āsa — had (him) admitted, ushered in; gṛhaṃ — the chamber, house; vivikṣuḥ — wishing to speak, disclose; priyam — dear; uttamam — highest, supreme
2.4.10
praviśann eva ca śrīmān rāghavo bhavanaṃ pituḥ
dadarśa pitaraṃ dūrāt praṇipatya kṛtāñjaliḥ
As the glorious Rāghava entered his father's dwelling, he saw his father from afar, and, bowing down, joined his palms.
Words: praviśann eva — just as (he) entered; ca — and; śrīmān — the glorious; rāghavo — Rāghava; bhavanaṃ — the dwelling; pituḥ — of the father; dadarśa — saw; pitaraṃ — the father; dūrāt — from afar; praṇipatya — having bowed down; kṛtāñjaliḥ — with palms joined
2.4.11
praṇamantaṃ samutthāpya taṃ pariṣvajya bhūmipaḥ
pradiśya cāsmai ruciram āsanaṃ punar abravīt
Raising him up as he bowed, and embracing him, the lord of the earth pointed out to him a splendid seat, and then spoke again:
Words: praṇamantaṃ — (him) bowing; samutthāpya — having raised up; taṃ — him; pariṣvajya — having embraced; bhūmipaḥ — the lord of the earth; pradiśya — having pointed out, assigned; cāsmai — and to him; ruciram — splendid, lovely; āsanaṃ — a seat; punar — again; abravīt — spoke
2.4.12
rāma vṛddho 'smi dīrghāyur bhuktā bhogā mayepsitāḥ
annavadbhiḥ kratuśatais tatheṣṭaṃ bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ
“Rāma, I am old and long-lived; the pleasures I desired have been enjoyed by me; and I have likewise sacrificed with hundreds of rites, abounding in food and rich in sacrificial fees.
Words: rāma — O Rāma; vṛddho 'smi — I am aged; dīrghāyur — long-lived; bhuktā — have been enjoyed; bhogā — the pleasures, enjoyments; mayepsitāḥ — desired by me; annavadbhiḥ — abounding in food; kratuśatais — with hundreds of rites; tatheṣṭaṃ — and thus sacrificed; bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ — with abundant sacrificial fees
2.4.13
jātam iṣṭam apatyaṃ me tvam adyānupamaṃ bhuvi
dattam iṣṭam adhītaṃ ca mayā puruṣasattama
The offspring I desired has been born to me — you, today, peerless upon the earth; and I have given, sacrificed, and studied (the Veda), O best of men.
Words: jātam — born; iṣṭam — desired, wished-for; apatyaṃ — offspring; me — my, to me; tvam — you; adyānupamaṃ — today peerless; bhuvi — on the earth; dattam — given (in charity); iṣṭam — sacrificed; adhītaṃ ca — and studied; mayā — by me; puruṣasattama — O best of men
2.4.14
anubhūtāni ceṣṭāni mayā vīra sukhāni ca
devarṣi pitṛviprāṇām anṛṇo 'smi tathātmanaḥ
The desired pleasures too have been experienced by me, O hero; and I am free of debt to the gods, the sages, the ancestors, and the brahmins, and likewise to myself.
Words: anubhūtāni — experienced, enjoyed; ceṣṭāni — and the desired (ones); mayā — by me; vīra — O hero; sukhāni ca — and pleasures; devarṣi — of gods and sages; pitṛviprāṇām — of ancestors and brahmins; anṛṇo 'smi — I am free of debt; tathātmanaḥ — and likewise to myself
2.4.15
na kiṃ cin mama kartavyaṃ tavānyatrābhiṣecanāt
ato yat tvām ahaṃ brūyāṃ tan me tvaṃ kartum arhasi
There is nothing left for me to do except your consecration; therefore, whatever I tell you, that you ought to do for me.
Words: na kiṃ cin — nothing at all; mama — my, for me; kartavyaṃ — to be done, remaining; tavānyatrābhiṣecanāt — except your consecration; ato — therefore; yat — whatever; tvām — you, to you; ahaṃ — I; brūyāṃ — should say; tan — that; me — for me; tvaṃ — you; kartum — to do; arhasi — ought, should
2.4.16
adya prakṛtayaḥ sarvās tvām icchanti narādhipam
atas tvāṃ yuvarājānam abhiṣekṣyāmi putraka
Today all the subjects wish for you as their king; therefore I shall consecrate you as heir-apparent, my dear boy.
Words: adya — today; prakṛtayaḥ — the subjects, elements of state; sarvās — all; tvām — you; icchanti — wish for, desire; narādhipam — as king, lord of men; atas — therefore; tvāṃ — you; yuvarājānam — as heir-apparent; abhiṣekṣyāmi — I shall consecrate; putraka — my dear boy, little son
2.4.17
api cādyāśubhān rāma svapnān paśyāmi dāruṇān
sanirghātā maholkāś ca patantīha mahāsvanāḥ
Moreover, of late, Rāma, I have been seeing terrible, inauspicious dreams; and great meteors, with thunderclaps, fall here with a mighty crash.
Words: api — moreover, also; cādyāśubhān — and today/of late inauspicious; rāma — O Rāma; svapnān — dreams; paśyāmi — I see; dāruṇān — terrible, dreadful; sanirghātā — with thunderclaps; maholkāś ca — and great meteors; patantīha — fall here; mahāsvanāḥ — with great noise
2.4.18
avaṣṭabdhaṃ ca me rāma nakṣatraṃ dāruṇair grahaiḥ
āvedayanti daivajñāḥ sūryāṅgārakarāhubhiḥ
And my birth-star, Rāma, is beset by fearsome planets — by the Sun, Mars, and Rāhu — so the astrologers inform me.
Words: avaṣṭabdhaṃ — beset, seized, obstructed; ca — and; me — my; rāma — O Rāma; nakṣatraṃ — (birth-)star, asterism; dāruṇair — by fearsome; grahaiḥ — by planets; āvedayanti — inform, announce; daivajñāḥ — the astrologers; sūryāṅgārakarāhubhiḥ — by the Sun, Mars, and Rāhu
2.4.19
prāyeṇa hi nimittānām īdṛśānāṃ samudbhave
rājā vā mṛtyum āpnoti ghorāṃ vāpadam ṛcchati
For generally, when such omens arise, a king either meets his death or falls into some dreadful calamity.
Words: prāyeṇa — generally, as a rule; hi — for, indeed; nimittānām — of omens, portents; īdṛśānāṃ — of such (a kind); samudbhave — at the arising; rājā — the king; vā — either, or; mṛtyum — death; āpnoti — meets, obtains; ghorāṃ — dreadful; vāpadam — or a calamity; ṛcchati — incurs, falls into
2.4.20
tad yāvad eva me ceto na vimuhyati rāghava
tāvad evābhiṣiñcasva calā hi prāṇināṃ matiḥ
So then, Rāghava, while my mind is not yet deranged, be consecrated at once; for the minds of living beings are fickle.
Words: tad — so, therefore; yāvad eva — just so long as; me — my; ceto — mind; na — not; vimuhyati — becomes deranged, confused; rāghava — O Rāghava; tāvad evābhiṣiñcasva — just so long, be consecrated; calā — fickle, unsteady; hi — for, indeed; prāṇināṃ — of living beings; matiḥ — the mind, thought
2.4.21
adya candro 'bhyupagataḥ puṣyāt pūrvaṃ punar vasum
śvaḥ puṣya yogaṃ niyataṃ vakṣyante daivacintakāḥ
Today the moon has reached Punarvasu, which precedes Puṣya; tomorrow, the astrologers declare, its conjunction with Puṣya is assured.
Words: adya — today; candro 'bhyupagataḥ — the moon has reached; puṣyāt — than Puṣya, before Puṣya; pūrvaṃ — preceding, before; punar vasum — Punarvasu (asterism); śvaḥ — tomorrow; puṣya — with Puṣya; yogaṃ — conjunction; niyataṃ — assuredly, certainly; vakṣyante — will declare; daivacintakāḥ — the astrologers
2.4.22
tatra puṣye 'bhiṣiñcasva manas tvarayatīva mām
śvas tvāham abhiṣekṣyāmi yauvarājye paraṃtapa
Then, at (the conjunction with) Puṣya, be consecrated; my mind, as it were, urges me on. Tomorrow I shall consecrate you to the heir-apparency, O scorcher of foes.
Words: tatra — then, thereupon; puṣye — at Puṣya; 'bhiṣiñcasva — be consecrated; manas — the mind; tvarayatīva — as if urges on; mām — me; śvas — tomorrow; tvāham — you I; abhiṣekṣyāmi — I shall consecrate; yauvarājye — to the heir-apparency; paraṃtapa — O scorcher of foes
2.4.23
tasmāt tvayādya vratinā niśeyaṃ niyatātmanā
saha vadhvopavastavyā darbhaprastaraśāyinā
Therefore this night must be passed by you under a vow, self-controlled, sleeping on a bed of darbha-grass together with your wife.
Words: tasmāt — therefore; tvayādya — by you today; vratinā — under a vow, observing a vow; niśeyaṃ — this night; niyatātmanā — self-controlled; saha vadhvopavastavyā — must be spent together with (your) wife; darbhaprastaraśāyinā — sleeping on a strewing of darbha-grass
2.4.24
suhṛdaś cāpramattās tvāṃ rakṣantv adya samantataḥ
bhavanti bahuvighnāni kāryāṇy evaṃvidhāni hi
And let your well-wishers, vigilant, guard you today on every side; for undertakings of this kind are beset with many obstacles.
Words: suhṛdaś — the well-wishers, friends; cāpramattās — and vigilant, heedful; tvāṃ — you; rakṣantv — let (them) guard; adya — today; samantataḥ — on every side, all around; bhavanti — become, are; bahuvighnāni — with many obstacles; kāryāṇy — undertakings, tasks; evaṃvidhāni — of such a kind; hi — for, indeed
2.4.25
viproṣitaś ca bharato yāvad eva purād itaḥ
tāvad evābhiṣekas te prāptakālo mato mama
And just while Bharata is away, absent from this city, so long — that is, this very time — is, in my view, the fitting time for your consecration.
Words: viproṣitaś — away, absent; ca — and; bharato — Bharata; yāvad eva — just so long as; purād — from the city; itaḥ — from here; tāvad evābhiṣekas — just so long, the consecration; te — your; prāptakālo — the time being come, opportune; mato — held, considered; mama — my, by me
2.4.26
kāmaṃ khalu satāṃ vṛtte bhrātā te bharataḥ sthitaḥ
jyeṣṭhānuvartī dharmātmā sānukrośo jitendriyaḥ
To be sure, your brother Bharata stands firm in the conduct of the good — deferential to his elder, righteous, compassionate, master of his senses;
Words: kāmaṃ — to be sure, granted; khalu — indeed; satāṃ — of the good; vṛtte — in the conduct; bhrātā — the brother; te — your; bharataḥ — Bharata; sthitaḥ — standing, established; jyeṣṭhānuvartī — following/deferring to the elder; dharmātmā — righteous-souled; sānukrośo — compassionate; jitendriyaḥ — master of the senses
2.4.27
kiṃ tu cittaṃ manuṣyāṇām anityam iti me matiḥ
satāṃ ca dharmanityānāṃ kṛtaśobhi ca rāghava
yet the mind of men is unsteady — such is my conviction — even among the good who are ever devoted to dharma; and (a thing done in season) shines by being done, O Rāghava.
Words: kiṃ tu — yet, however; cittaṃ — the mind; manuṣyāṇām — of men; anityam — impermanent, unsteady; iti — thus; me — my; matiḥ — conviction, opinion; satāṃ ca — and of the good; dharmanityānāṃ — ever devoted to dharma; kṛtaśobhi — shining by being done, beautified by action; ca — and; rāghava — O Rāghava
2.4.28
ity uktaḥ so 'bhyanujñātaḥ śvobhāviny abhiṣecane
vrajeti rāmaḥ pitaram abhivādyābhyayād gṛham
Addressed thus, Rāma, dismissed with “Go” regarding the consecration that was to take place the next day, saluted his father and went to his house.
Words: ity uktaḥ — thus addressed; so 'bhyanujñātaḥ — he, granted leave; śvobhāviny — (the rite) to be tomorrow; abhiṣecane — the consecration (loc.); vrajeti — “go,” thus; rāmaḥ — Rāma; pitaram — the father; abhivādyābhyayād — having saluted, went to; gṛham — the house
2.4.29
praviśya cātmano veśma rājñoddiṣṭe 'bhiṣecane
tasmin kṣaṇe vinirgatya mātur antaḥpuraṃ yayau
Having entered his own dwelling — the consecration having been ordained by the king — he went out again in that same moment and made his way to his mother's inner apartments.
Words: praviśya — having entered; cātmano — and of his own; veśma — dwelling, house; rājñoddiṣṭe — ordained by the king; 'bhiṣecane — the consecration (loc. abs.); tasmin kṣaṇe — in that moment; vinirgatya — having gone out; mātur — of the mother; antaḥpuraṃ — the inner apartments; yayau — went
2.4.30
tatra tāṃ pravaṇām eva mātaraṃ kṣaumavāsinīm
vāgyatāṃ devatāgāre dadarśa yācatīṃ śriyam
There he saw his mother, clad in silk, wholly absorbed (in devotion), silent, in the shrine, praying for (his) prosperity.
Words: tatra — there; tāṃ — her; pravaṇām — absorbed, intent, devout; eva — indeed; mātaraṃ — the mother; kṣaumavāsinīm — clad in silk; vāgyatāṃ — of restrained speech, silent; devatāgāre — in the shrine, house of the deity; dadarśa — saw; yācatīṃ — praying for, entreating; śriyam — prosperity, fortune
2.4.31
prāg eva cāgatā tatra sumitrā lakṣmaṇas tathā
sītā cānāyitā śrutvā priyaṃ rāmābhiṣecanam
Sumitrā had already come there before, and Lakṣmaṇa likewise; and Sītā too had been sent for, on hearing the glad news of Rāma's consecration.
Words: prāg eva — already before; cāgatā — and (she) had come; tatra — there; sumitrā — Sumitrā; lakṣmaṇas — Lakṣmaṇa; tathā — likewise; sītā — Sītā; cānāyitā — and had been brought, sent for; śrutvā — having heard; priyaṃ — the glad, dear (news); rāmābhiṣecanam — Rāma's consecration
2.4.32
tasmin kāle hi kausalyā tasthāv āmīlitekṣaṇā
sumitrayānvāsyamānā sītayā lakṣmaṇena ca
At that time Kausalyā stood with her eyes half-closed, attended by Sumitrā, by Sītā, and by Lakṣmaṇa,
Words: tasmin kāle — at that time; hi — indeed; kausalyā — Kausalyā; tasthāv — stood; āmīlitekṣaṇā — with eyes half-closed; sumitrayānvāsyamānā — being attended by Sumitrā; sītayā — by Sītā; lakṣmaṇena ca — and by Lakṣmaṇa
2.4.33
śrutvā puṣyeṇa putrasya yauvarājyābhiṣecanam
prāṇāyāmena puruṣaṃ dhyāyamānā janārdanam
having heard of her son's consecration to the heir-apparency at (the conjunction with) Puṣya, and, through breath-control, meditating on the Person, Janārdana (Viṣṇu).
Words: śrutvā — having heard; puṣyeṇa — at (the star) Puṣya; putrasya — of the son; yauvarājyābhiṣecanam — the consecration to heir-apparency; prāṇāyāmena — by breath-control; puruṣaṃ — the (Supreme) Person; dhyāyamānā — meditating on; janārdanam — Janārdana (Viṣṇu)
2.4.34
tathā saniyamām eva so 'bhigamyābhivādya ca
uvāca vacanaṃ rāmo harṣayaṃs tām idaṃ tadā
Approaching her thus observing her vow, and saluting her, Rāma then spoke these words, gladdening her:
Words: tathā — thus; saniyamām — observing her vow/restraint; eva — indeed; so 'bhigamyābhivādya — he, having approached and saluted; ca — and; uvāca — spoke; vacanaṃ — words; rāmo — Rāma; harṣayaṃs — gladdening; tām — her; idaṃ — this; tadā — then
2.4.35
amba pitrā niyukto 'smi prajāpālanakarmaṇi
bhavitā śvo 'bhiṣeko me yathā me śāsanaṃ pituḥ
“Mother, I have been appointed by my father to the task of protecting the people; tomorrow my consecration will take place, according to my father's command.
Words: amba — O mother; pitrā — by the father; niyukto 'smi — I have been appointed; prajāpālanakarmaṇi — in the task of protecting the people; bhavitā — will be, will take place; śvo 'bhiṣeko — tomorrow the consecration; me — my; yathā — according as; me — my; śāsanaṃ — command; pituḥ — of the father
2.4.36
sītayāpy upavastavyā rajanīyaṃ mayā saha
evam ṛtvigupādhyāyaiḥ saha mām uktavān pitā
This night is to be spent by Sītā as well, together with me (in fasting and vow); thus my father, together with the priests and preceptors, told me.
Words: sītayāpy — by Sītā too; upavastavyā — to be observed (in fasting), to be spent; rajanīyaṃ — this night; mayā saha — together with me; evam — thus; ṛtvigupādhyāyaiḥ saha — together with the priests and preceptors; mām — me, to me; uktavān — told; pitā — the father
2.4.37
yāni yāny atra yogyāni śvobhāviny abhiṣecane
tāni me maṅgalāny adya vaidehyāś caiva kāraya
Whatever things are suitable for the consecration that is to take place tomorrow — those auspicious rites have performed today for me and for Vaidehī (Sītā).”
Words: yāni yāny — whatever things; atra — here, in this (matter); yogyāni — suitable, fitting; śvobhāviny — (the rite) to be tomorrow; abhiṣecane — for the consecration; tāni — those; me — for me; maṅgalāny — auspicious rites; adya — today; vaidehyāś caiva — and for Vaidehī (Sītā); kāraya — have (them) performed
2.4.38
etac chrutvā tu kausalyā cirakālābhikāṅkṣitam
harṣabāṣpakalaṃ vākyam idaṃ rāmam abhāṣata
Hearing this, long yearned-for, Kausalyā spoke to Rāma these words, faltering with tears of joy:
Words: etac — this; chrutvā — having heard; tu — but, and; kausalyā — Kausalyā; cirakālābhikāṅkṣitam — long yearned-for; harṣabāṣpakalaṃ — faltering with tears of joy; vākyam — words; idaṃ — this; rāmam — to Rāma; abhāṣata — spoke
2.4.39
vatsa rāma ciraṃ jīva hatās te paripanthinaḥ
jñātīn me tvaṃ śriyā yuktaḥ sumitrāyāś ca nandaya
“Dear Rāma, may you live long; slain be your adversaries! You, endowed with royal fortune, gladden my kinsmen and Sumitrā's as well.
Words: vatsa — dear child; rāma — O Rāma; ciraṃ — long; jīva — live; hatās — slain; te — your; paripanthinaḥ — adversaries, enemies; jñātīn — the kinsmen, relatives; me — my; tvaṃ — you; śriyā — with royal fortune; yuktaḥ — endowed; sumitrāyāś ca — and of Sumitrā; nandaya — gladden, delight
2.4.40
kalyāṇe bata nakṣatre mayi jāto 'si putraka
yena tvayā daśaratho guṇair ārādhitaḥ pitā
Under an auspicious star, indeed, were you born of me, my dear boy — you by whom, through your virtues, your father Daśaratha has been won over.
Words: kalyāṇe — auspicious; bata — indeed, ah; nakṣatre — under a star, asterism; mayi — of me, in me; jāto 'si — you were born; putraka — my dear boy; yena tvayā — by which you; daśaratho — Daśaratha; guṇair — by virtues; ārādhitaḥ — won over, propitiated; pitā — the father
2.4.41
amoghaṃ bata me kṣāntaṃ puruṣe puṣkarekṣaṇe
yeyam ikṣvākurājyaśrīḥ putra tvāṃ saṃśrayiṣyati
Not in vain, indeed, has my devotion to the lotus-eyed Person (Viṣṇu) been endured, since this royal fortune of the Ikṣvākus, my son, will now rest upon you.
Words: amoghaṃ — not in vain, unfailing; bata — indeed; me — my, by me; kṣāntaṃ — borne, endured (my forbearance/austerity); puruṣe — toward the Person (Viṣṇu); puṣkarekṣaṇe — lotus-eyed; yeyam — which this; ikṣvākurājyaśrīḥ — the royal fortune of the Ikṣvākus; putra — O son; tvāṃ — you; saṃśrayiṣyati — will rest upon, resort to
2.4.42
ity evam ukto mātredaṃ rāmo bhāratam abravīt
prāñjaliṃ prahvam āsīnam abhivīkṣya smayann iva
Thus addressed by his mother, Rāma said this to the brother (Lakṣmaṇa), looking at him seated with palms joined and bowed low, and, as it were, smiling:
Words: ity evam ukto — thus addressed; mātredaṃ — by the mother, this; rāmo — Rāma; bhāratam — to the brother (Lakṣmaṇa); abravīt — said; prāñjaliṃ — with joined palms; prahvam — bowed low, humble; āsīnam — seated; abhivīkṣya — having looked at; smayann iva — as if smiling
2.4.43
lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasuṃdharām
dvitīyaṃ me 'ntarātmānaṃ tvām iyaṃ śrīr upasthitā
“Lakṣmaṇa, rule you this earth together with me; this royal fortune has come to you, who are my second self.
Words: lakṣmaṇemāṃ — O Lakṣmaṇa, this; mayā sārdhaṃ — together with me; praśādhi — rule, govern; tvaṃ — you; vasuṃdharām — the earth; dvitīyaṃ — second; me 'ntarātmānaṃ — my inner self; tvām — you; iyaṃ — this; śrīr — royal fortune; upasthitā — has come, drawn near
2.4.44
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃs tvam iṣṭān rājyaphalāni ca
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadartham abhikāmaye
Saumitri, enjoy you the desired pleasures and the fruits of sovereignty; for it is for your sake that I long for both life and kingship.”
Words: saumitre — O Saumitri (son of Sumitrā); bhuṅkṣva — enjoy; bhogāṃs — the pleasures; tvam — you; iṣṭān — desired; rājyaphalāni ca — and the fruits of sovereignty; jīvitaṃ ca — and life; hi — for, indeed; rājyaṃ ca — and kingship; tvadartham — for your sake; abhikāmaye — I long for, desire
2.4.45
ity uktvā lakṣmaṇaṃ rāmo mātarāv abhivādya ca
abhyanujñāpya sītāṃ ca jagāma svaṃ niveśanam
Having spoken thus to Lakṣmaṇa, and having saluted his (two) mothers and taken leave of Sītā, Rāma went to his own dwelling.
Words: ity uktvā — having spoken thus; lakṣmaṇaṃ — to Lakṣmaṇa; rāmo — Rāma; mātarāv — the (two) mothers; abhivādya — having saluted; ca — and; abhyanujñāpya — having taken leave of, obtained permission; sītāṃ ca — and Sītā; jagāma — went; svaṃ — own; niveśanam — dwelling, abode
← 2.3 Rāma’s abhiṣeka announced · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.5 Vasiṣṭha prepares the upavāsa →
Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki. 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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