# Bāla Kāṇḍa 17 — Birth and upbringing of the princes; Viśvāmitra’s arrival *Daśaratha’s four sons are born and grow devoted in pairs, Viśvāmitra arrives and receives the King’s promise to fulfil his request* Portion: Birth of the princes and their allies · Verses: 39 · Ref format: 1.17. ## 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 (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 (17.6–10) - after the eleventh day, Vasiṣṭha performs nāmakarman (name-giving) and the prescribed janmakriyādi (birth and subsequent rites) (17.11–12) - the princes grow learned, brave, and devoted to the world's welfare, with Rāma especially beloved (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 (17.16–19). Delighted with his sons, Daśaratha begins discussing their marriages with his teachers and relatives (17.20–22) - The mahāmuni Viśvāmitra arrives and asks the gatekeepers to announce the son of Gādhi, of Kuśika's line (17.23–26) - Daśaratha goes out with his priest to welcome him (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 (17.28–29) - he greets Vasiṣṭha and the other ṛṣis → they enter the palace and sit according to rank (17.30–31) - Daśaratha compares the visit to rain after drought, a son for the childless, and the recovery of something lost (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 (17.34–39). ## Verses **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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). **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. **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. **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. **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; **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. **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). **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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 — **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. **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. **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.” **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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: **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! **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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.