🏛️ Ayodhya Kanda

Sarga 2

48 shlokas

AK-2-1Ayodhya Kanda 2.1

ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः। हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः।।2.2.1।।

tatḥ pariṣadṃ sarvāmāmantrya vasudhādhipḥ| hitamuddharṣaṇṃ caivamuvāca prathitṃ vacḥ||2.2.1||

Translation

तत: thereafter, वसुधाधिप: lord of the earth (king Dasaratha), सर्वाम् entire, परिषदम् assembly, आमन्त्र्य having invited, हितम् aimed at their welfare, उर्द्धर्षणम् thrilling, प्रथितम् pleasing, वच: words, एवं in this manner, उवाच spoke.

Meaning

Thereafter, the lord of the earth (king Dasaratha) addressed the entire assembly of invitees. He spoke these pleasing words aimed at their welfare which thrilled and delighted the hearts (of the assembled kings):

AK-2-2-3Ayodhya Kanda 2.2–3 (युग्मम्)

दुन्दुभिस्वनकल्पेन गम्भीरेणानुनादिना। स्वरेण महता राजा जीमूत इव नादयन्।।2.2.2।। राजलक्षणयुक्तेन कान्तेनानुपमेन च। उवाच रसयुक्तेन स्वरेण नृपतिर्नृपान्।।2.2.3।।

dundubhisvanakalpena gambhīreṇānunādinā| svareṇa mahatā rājā jīmūta iva nādayan||2.2.2|| rājalakṣaṇayuktena kāntenānupamena ca| uvāca rasayuktena svareṇa nṛpatirnṛpān||2.2.3||

Translation

नृपति: lord of men, राजा king (Dasaratha), दुन्दुभिस्वनकल्पेन resonant as the sound of a kettledrum, गम्भीरेण with a deep (voice), अनुनादिना echoing, महता great, स्वरेण with voice, जीमूत: इव like the cloud, नादयन् thundering, राजलक्षणयुक्तेन having traits of royalty, कान्तेन with an attractive voice, अनुपमेन च and with an incomparable, रसयुक्तेन delightful, स्वरेण with voice, नृपान् addressing kings, उवाच said.

Meaning

Lord of men (king Dasaratha) addressed the feudatory kings with words deep, resonant, loud like the kettledrum or the rumbling cloud, in a delightful, incomparable and attractive voice that carried all the dignity of royalty:

AK-2-4Ayodhya Kanda 2.4

विदितं भवतामेतद्यथा मे राज्यमुत्तमम्। पूर्वकैर्मम राजेन्द्रैस्सुतवत्परिपालितम्।।2.2.4।।

viditṃ bhavatāmetadyathā me rājyamuttamam| pūrvakairmama rājendraissutavatparipālitam||2.2.4||

Translation

मे my, उत्तमम् greatest, राज्यम् kingdom, मम my, पूर्वकै: by the predecessors, राजेन्द्रै: by great kings, सुतवत् like children, यथा like, परिपालितम् were ruled, एतत् all this, भवताम् to you, विदितम् is wellknown.

Meaning

It is wellknown to all of you that people of this greatest kingdom were ruled by my predecessors who were great kings, who looked after the subjects as though they were their own children.

AK-2-5Ayodhya Kanda 2.5

सोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुभि स्सर्वैर्नरेन्द्रैः परिपालितम्। श्रेयसा योक्तुकामोऽस्मि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत्।।2.2.5।।

so'hamikṣvākubhi ssarvairnarendraiḥ paripālitam| śreyasā yoktukāmo'smi sukhārhamakhilṃ jagat||2.2.5||

Translation

स: such, अहम् I, इक्ष्वाकुभि: belonging to the Ikshvaku race, सर्वै: by all, नरेन्द्रै: by kings, परिपालितम् ruled, सुखार्हम् worthy of happiness, अखिलम् entire, जगत् world, श्रेयसा with welfare, योक्तुकाम: अस्मि desire to accomplish.

Meaning

I desire to accomplish the welfare of this entire world which deserves the happiness brought about by the rule of all the Ikshvaku kings.

AK-2-6Ayodhya Kanda 2.6

मयाप्याचरितं पूर्वैः पन्थानमनुगच्छता। प्रजा नित्यमनिद्रेण यथाशक्त्यभिरक्षिताः।।2.2.6।।

mayāpyācaritṃ pūrvaiḥ panthānamanugacchatā| prajā nityamanidreṇa yathāśaktyabhirakṣitāḥ||2.2.6||

Translation

पूर्वै: by my predecessors, आचरितम् trodden, पन्थानम् path, अनुगच्छता while following, नित्यम् always, अनिद्रेण vigilant, मयापि by me also, प्रजा: people, यथाशक्ति to the best of my ability, अभिरक्षिता: were protected.

Meaning

Following the path of my forefathers I protected the people to the best of my ability by being ever vigilant.

AK-2-7Ayodhya Kanda 2.7

इदं शरीरं कृत्स्नस्य लोकस्य चरता हितम्। पाण्डुरस्याऽतपत्रस्यच्छायायां जरितं मया।।2.2.7।।

idṃ śarīrṃ kṛtsnasya lokasya caratā hitam| pāṇḍurasyā'tapatrasyacchāyāyāṃ jaritṃ mayā||2.2.7||

Translation

कृत्स्नस्य of the entire, लोकस्य world's, हितम् welfare, चरता observing, मया by me, इदम् this, शरीरम् body, पाण्डुरस्य white, आतपत्रस्य royal parasol's, छायायाम् under the shadow, जरितम् attained old age.

Meaning

My body has attained old age after ruling the entire world ensuring the welfare of the people under the shade of royal white parasol.

AK-2-8Ayodhya Kanda 2.8

प्राप्य वर्षसहस्राणि बहून्यायूंषि जीवतः। जीर्णस्यास्य शरीरस्य विश्रान्तिमभिरोचये।।2.2.8।।

prāpya varṣasahasrāṇi bahūnyāyūṃṣi jīvatḥ| jīrṇasyāsya śarīrasya viśrāntimabhirocaye||2.2.8||

Translation

बहूनि several, वर्षसहस्राणि thousands of years, आयूंषि lifespan, प्राप्य having reached, जीवत: while living, जीर्णस्य of the decayed, अस्य शरीरस्य for this body, विश्रान्तिम् rest, अभिरोचये I desired.

Meaning

Having lived for thousands of years this body is now worn out due to old age and therefore I want rest.

AK-2-9Ayodhya Kanda 2.9

राजप्रभावजुष्टां हि दुर्वहामजितेन्द्रियैः। परिश्रान्तोऽस्मि लोकस्य गुर्वीं धर्मधुरं वहन्।।2.2.9।।

rājaprabhāvajuṣṭāṃ hi durvahāmajitendriyaiḥ| pariśrānto'smi lokasya gurvīṃ dharmadhurṃ vahan||2.2.9||

Translation

राजप्रभावजुष्टां with royal qualities (might, courage etc.,), अजितेन्द्रियै: by those who have not controlled their senses, दुर्वहाम् difficult to sustain, गुर्वीम् heavy, लोकस्य world's, धर्मधुरम् burden of duty, वहन् carrying, परिश्रान्त: अस्मि I have become weary.

Meaning

I am weary of carrying on the heavy burden of duty and find it difficult to sustain the rule of dharma. It can be shouldered by those who have royal qualities (of might, courage etc) and not by those who have not controlled their senses.

AK-2-10Ayodhya Kanda 2.10

सोऽहं विश्रममिच्छामि पुत्रं कृत्वा प्रजाहिते। सन्निकृष्टानिमान्सर्वाननुमान्य द्विजर्षभान्।।2.2.10।।

so'hṃ viśramamicchāmi putrṃ kṛtvā prajāhite| sannikṛṣṭānimānsarvānanumānya dvijarṣabhān||2.2.10||

Translation

स: अहम् such as I am, सन्निकृष्टान् assembled, इमान् these, द्विजर्षभान् the best among (learned) brahmins, सर्वान् all, अनुमान्य after convincing them, पुत्रम् my son, प्रजाहिते for the welfare of the people, कृत्वा having consecrated, विश्रमम् rest, इच्छामि am desiring.

Meaning

Therefore, after convincing all of you, the best of (learned) brahmins present here, I intend to take rest by installing my son to look after the welfare of the people.

AK-2-11Ayodhya Kanda 2.11

अनुजातो हि मां सर्वैर्गुणैर्ज्येष्ठो ममात्मजः। पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरञ्जयः।।2.2.11।।

anujāto hi māṃ sarvairguṇairjyeṣṭho mamātmajḥ| purandarasamo vīrye rāmḥ parapurañjayḥ||2.2.11||

Translation

वीर्ये in prowess, पुरन्दरसम: equal to Indra, परपुरञ्जय: conqueror of enemy cities, मम my , ज्येष्ठ: आत्मज: eldest son, राम: Rama, सर्वै: by all, गुणै: virtues, माम् me, अनुजात: हि inherited indeed.

Meaning

My eldest son Rama, inheriting every virtue of mine, is a conqueror of enemy cities and is equal to Indra in prowess.

AK-2-12Ayodhya Kanda 2.12

तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम्। यौवराज्ये नियोक्ताऽस्मि प्रीतः पुरुषपुङ्गवम्।।2.2.12।।

tṃ candramiva puṣyeṇa yuktṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ varam| yauvarājye niyoktā'smi prītḥ puruṣapuṅgavam||2.2.12||

Translation

पुष्येण by the Pushya star, युक्तम् in conjunction, चन्द्रमिव resembling moon, धर्मभृताम् among upholders of righteousness, वरम् best, पुरुषपुङ्गवम् foremost among men, तम् him (Rama), प्रीत: pleased, यौवराज्ये as heirapparent, नियोक्ताऽस्मि propose to install.

Meaning

I propose to install him (Rama), foremost among upholders of righteousness and the best of men who resembles the Moon in brightness when in conjunction with Pushya star, as heirapparent to the throne.

AK-2-13Ayodhya Kanda 2.13

अनुरूपस्स वै नाथो लक्ष्मीवान् लक्ष्मणाग्रजः। त्रैलोक्यमपि नाथेन येन स्यान्नाथवत्तरम्।।2.2.13।।

anurūpassa vai nātho lakṣmīvān lakṣmaṇāgrajḥ| trailokyamapi nāthena yena syānnāthavattaram||2.2.13||

Translation

नाथेन as lord, येन by whom, त्रैलोक्यमपि even the three worlds, नाथवत्तरम् स्यात् will have better protector, स: he, लक्ष्मीवान् a man possessing signs of greatness, लक्ष्मणाग्रज: elder brother of Lakshmana, अनुरूप: befitting, नाथ: वै is the lord.

Meaning

With him (Rama) as ruler, all the three worlds will also have a better protector.That elder brother of Lakshmana with signs of greatness is certainly the most befitting to rule this kingdom.

AK-2-14Ayodhya Kanda 2.14

अनेन श्रेयसा सद्यस्संयोज्यैवमिमां महीम्। गतक्लेशो भविष्यामि सुते तस्मिन्निवेश्य वै।।2.2.14।।

anena śreyasā sadyassṃyojyaivamimāṃ mahīm| gatakleśo bhaviṣyāmi sute tasminniveśya vai||2.2.14||

Translation

तस्मिन् when such, सुते son (Rama), इमाम् this, महीम् earth, निवेश्य entrusting, अनेन श्रेयसा to ensure the welfare of the world, एवम् thus, सद्य: without any delay, संयोज्य having united, गतक्लेश: relieved of my anxieties, भविष्यामि shall become.

Meaning

I shall be relieved of my anxiety by entrusting the land (ruled by me) to my son (Rama) without any more delay and thus ensure the continued welfare of this world.

AK-2-15Ayodhya Kanda 2.15

यदिदं मेऽनुरूपार्थं मया साधु सुमन्त्रितम्। भवन्तो मेऽनुमन्यन्तां कथं वा करवाण्यहम्।।2.2.15।।

yadidṃ me'nurūpārthṃ mayā sādhu sumantritam| bhavanto me'numanyantāṃ kathṃ vā karavāṇyaham||2.2.15||

Translation

मया by me, सुमन्त्रितम् well thoughtover, इदम् this word, साधु proper, मे my, अनुरूपार्थं यदि if worthy of me, भवन्त: you, मे to me, अनुमन्यन्ताम् your consent shall be given, अहम् I, कथं वा how else, करवाणि I shall do?

Meaning

Although it (this decision) is personally favourable to me and I have decided after seeking good counsel, you should also give me your consent and tell me what I should do.

AK-2-16Ayodhya Kanda 2.16

यद्यप्येषा मम प्रीतिर्हितमन्यद्विचिन्त्यताम्। अन्या मध्यस्थचिन्ता हि विमर्दाभ्यधिकोदया।।2.2.16।।

yadyapyeṣā mama prītirhitamanyadvicintyatām| anyā madhyasthacintā hi vimardābhyadhikodayā||2.2.16||

Translation

एषा this, मम my, प्रीति: यद्यपि even though I like, अन्यत् any alternative, हितम् means of welfare, विचिन्त्यताम् let it be thought over, मध्यस्थचिन्ता opinion of those without partiality, अन्या alternative, विमर्दाभ्यधिकोदया deliberations may bring good.

Meaning

Although this is what I would like to do, please suggest alternative ways of achieving the welfare (of this kingdom). Deliberations by the unbiased (on this issue) may bring good.

AK-2-17Ayodhya Kanda 2.17

इति ब्रुवन्तं मुदिताः प्रत्यनन्दन्नृपा नृपम्। वृष्टिमन्तं महामेघं नर्दन्त इव बर्हिणः।।2.2.17।।

iti bruvantṃ muditāḥ pratyanandannṛpā nṛpam| vṛṣṭimantṃ mahāmeghṃ nardanta iva barhiṇḥ||2.2.17||

Translation

इति thus, ब्रुवन्तम् speaking, नृपम् king Dasaratha, नृपा: kings, मुदिता: delighted, वृष्टिमन्तम् raining, महामेघम् thick cloud, नर्दन्त: making sounds, बर्हिण: इव like peacocks, प्रत्यनन्दन् acclaimed.

Meaning

Having thus heard king Dasaratha speak, the kings acclaimed him with delight, like peacocks crying (in joy) to see thick clouds.

AK-2-18Ayodhya Kanda 2.18

स्निग्धोऽनुनादी संजज्ञे तत्र हर्षसमीरितः। जनौघोद्घुष्टसन्नादो विमानं कम्पयन्निव।।2.2.18।।

snigdho'nunādī sṃjajñe tatra harṣasamīritḥ| janaughodghuṣṭasannādo vimānṃ kampayanniva||2.2.18||

Translation

तत्र there, स्निग्ध: affectionate, अनुनादी echoing, हर्षसमीरित: filled with pleasure, जनौघोद्घुष्टसन्नाद: sounds of rapturous cries of multitude of people, विमानम् that palace, कम्पयन्निव seemed as if shaking, संजज्ञे emanated.

Meaning

There emanated cries of love and joy from the multitude of people (conveying their approval) whose reverberation seemed to shake the palace.

AK-2-19-20Ayodhya Kanda 2.19–20 (युग्मम्)

तस्य धर्मार्थविदुषो भावमाज्ञाय सर्वशः। ब्राह्मणा जनमुख्याश्च पौरजानपदै स्सह।।2.2.19।। समेत्य मन्त्रयित्वा तु समतागतबुद्धयः। ऊचुश्च मनसा ज्ञात्वा वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्।।2.2.20।।

tasya dharmārthaviduṣo bhāvamājñāya sarvaśḥ| brāhmaṇā janamukhyāśca paurajānapadai ssaha||2.2.19|| sametya mantrayitvā tu samatāgatabuddhayḥ| ūcuśca manasā jñātvā vṛddhṃ daśarathṃ nṛpam||2.2.20||

Translation

ब्राह्मणा: brahmins, पौरजानपदै: सह along with the inhabitants of towns and villages, जनमुख्या: च prominent men also, धर्मार्थविदुष: conversant with dharma (righteousness) and artha (state craft), तस्य his (Dasaratha's), भावम् views, सर्वश: entirely, आज्ञाय having known, समेत्य having joined together, मन्त्रयित्वा having deliberated, मनसा with mind, ज्ञात्वा having ascertained, समतागतबुद्धय: unanimous in their thinking, वृद्धम् addressing the aged man (Dasaratha), ऊचु: spoke.

Meaning

Brahmins, kings and other prominent men, inhabitants of towns and villages having fully known the views of Dasaratha who was conversant with artha and dharma joined together and deliberated. They thought out well and having arrived at unanimity in their thinking thus addressed the aged king Dasaratha.

AK-2-21Ayodhya Kanda 2.21

अनेकवर्षसाहस्रो वृद्धस्त्वमसि पार्थिव। स रामं युवराजानमभिषिञ्चिस्व पार्थिवम्।।2.2.21।।

anekavarṣasāhasro vṛddhastvamasi pārthiva| sa rāmṃ yuvarājānamabhiṣiñcisva pārthivam||2.2.21||

Translation

पार्थिव O mighty king त्वम् you, अनेकवर्षसाहस्र: many thousands of years old, वृद्ध: असि have become old, स: such as you are, रामम् Rama, पार्थिवम् as ruler of the earth, युवराजानम् as prince regent, अभिषिञ्चिस्व coronate him.

Meaning

O mighty king, you have grown many thousands of years old. Therefore, you should coronate Rama as prince regent of this kingdom.

AK-2-22Ayodhya Kanda 2.22

इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम्। गजेन महताऽयान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम्।।2.2.22।।

icchāmo hi mahābāhuṃ raghuvīrṃ mahābalam| gajena mahatā'yāntṃ rāmṃ chatrāvṛtānanam||2.2.22||

Translation

महाबाहुम् mightyarmed, रघुवीरम् hero among the Raghus, महाबलम् mighty, रामम् Rama, छत्रावृताननम् his countenance shadowed by the royal parasol, महता great, गजेन on an elephant, यान्तम् riding, इच्छाम: हि are desiring.

Meaning

We cherish to see the mightyarmed hero among the Raghus, Rama, riding on a majestic elephant, his countenance shadowed by the royal parasol.

AK-2-23Ayodhya Kanda 2.23

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा तेषां मनःप्रियं। अजानन्निव जिज्ञासुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.2.23।।

iti tadvacanṃ śrutvā rājā teṣāṃ manḥpriyṃ| ajānanniva jijñāsuridṃ vacanamabravīt||2.2.23||

Translation

इति in this way, तद्वचनम् those words, श्रुत्वा having heard, राजा the king, तेषाम् their, मन: प्रियम् pleasing to their mind, अजानन्निव as if he did not know earlier, जिज्ञासु: with a wish to ascertain, इदम् these, वचनम् words, अब्रवीत् spoke.

Meaning

Having heard them king Dasaratha, pretending as though he was not aware of their heart's desire but was now wishing to ascertain it, spoke these words:

AK-2-24Ayodhya Kanda 2.24

श्रुत्वैव वचनं यन्मे राघवं पतिमिच्छथ। राजान स्संशयोऽयं मे किमिदं ब्रूत तत्त्वतः।।2.2.24।।

śrutvaiva vacanṃ yanme rāghavṃ patimicchatha| rājāna ssṃśayo'yṃ me kimidṃ brūta tattvatḥ||2.2.24||

Translation

राजान: O kings, मे my, वचनम् words, श्रुत्वैव soon after listening, यत् since, राघवम् son of the Raghus (Rama), पतिम् as king, इच्छथ wish, मे to me, अयम् this, संशय: doubt, तत् इदम् this, तत्त्वत: truly, ब्रूत you may tell.

Meaning

O kings, soon after listening to my words, all of you wish Rama to be king. (But) I doubt (in my mind) whether you have said it from your heart৷৷

AK-2-25Ayodhya Kanda 2.25

कथं नु मयि धर्मेण पृथिवीमनुशासति। भवन्तो द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति युवराजं ममात्मजम्।।2.2.25।।

kathṃ nu mayi dharmeṇa pṛthivīmanuśāsati| bhavanto draṣṭumicchanti yuvarājṃ mamātmajam||2.2.25||

Translation

मयि by me, धर्मेण righteously, पृथिवीम् this earth, अनुशासति while governing, भवन्त: you, मम my, आत्मजम् son, युवराजम् as princeregent, द्रष्टुम् to see, कथं नु why indeed, इच्छन्ति wish

Meaning

When the earth is being ruled righteously by me why indeed you intend to see my son as prince regent?

AK-2-26Ayodhya Kanda 2.26

ते तमूचुर्महात्मानं पौरजानपदैस्सह। बहवो नृप कल्याणा गुणाः पुत्रस्य सन्ति ते।।2.2.26।।

te tamūcurmahātmānṃ paurajānapadaissaha| bahavo nṛpa kalyāṇā guṇāḥ putrasya santi te||2.2.26||

Translation

पौरजानपदै: सह along with inhabitants of towns and villages, ते those (kings), महात्मानम् that magnanimous, तम् addressing him, ऊचु: said, नृप O king, ते your, पुत्रस्य son's, बहव: many, कल्याणा: auspicious, गुणा: सन्ति are virtues indeed.

Meaning

Those kings along with the inhabitants of towns and villages answered the magnanimous king: O king your son, indeed has many auspicious and admirable virtues.

AK-2-27Ayodhya Kanda 2.27

गुणान् गुणवतो देव देवकल्पस्य धीमतः। प्रियानानन्दनान्कृत्स्नान्प्रवक्ष्यामोऽद्य तान् शृणु।।2.2.27।।

guṇān guṇavato deva devakalpasya dhīmatḥ| priyānānandanānkṛtsnānpravakṣyāmo'dya tān śṛṇu||2.2.27||

Translation

देव O king, गुणवत: of the man endowed with virtues, देवकल्पस्य resembling devatas, धीमत: sagcious Rama's, प्रियान् dear, आनन्दनान् causing delight, कृत्स्नान् all, तान् गुणान् his virtues, अद्य now, वक्ष्याम: we shall speak, शृणु listen.

Meaning

O king, we shall now speak about those great virtues of the sagacious (Rama). Comparable to those of the gods, they are dear and a source of delight for every one. Please listen.

AK-2-28Ayodhya Kanda 2.28

दिव्यैर्गुणैश्शक्रसमो रामस्सत्यपराक्रमः। इक्ष्वाकुभ्योऽपि सर्वेभ्यो ह्यतिरिक्तो विशांपते।।2.2.28।।

divyairguṇaiśśakrasamo rāmassatyaparākramḥ| ikṣvākubhyo'pi sarvebhyo hyatirikto viśāṃpate||2.2.28||

Translation

विशांपते O lord of the people (Dasaratha), राम: Rama, दिव्यै: by the divine, गुणै: by virtues, शक्रसम: equal to Indra, सत्यपराक्रम: one with proven valour, सर्वेऽभ्योपि among all also, इक्ष्वाकुभ्य: among the descendents of Iksvaku, अतिरिक्त: distinguished.

Meaning

Lord of the people Rama with his divine virtues is equal to Indra. He with his proven valour is exceptional among all the descendents of the Iksvakus.

AK-2-29Ayodhya Kanda 2.29

राम स्सत्पुरुषो लोके सत्यधर्मपरायणः। साक्षाद्रामाद्विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह।।2.2.29।।

rāma ssatpuruṣo loke satyadharmaparāyaṇḥ| sākṣādrāmādvinirvṛtto dharmaścāpi śriyā saha||2.2.29||

Translation

लोके in this world, राम: Rama, सत्पुरुष: a venerable man, सत्यधर्मपरायण: devoted to truth and righteousness, रामात् from Rama, धर्म: च अपि righteousness also, श्रिया सह along with prosperity, साक्षात् directly, विनिर्वृत्त: flows.

Meaning

Devoted to truth and righteousness Rama is the most venerable among men in this world. Even righteousness along with prosperity flows directly from Rama.

AK-2-30Ayodhya Kanda 2.30

प्रजासुखत्त्वे चन्द्रस्य वसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः। बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये साक्षाच्छचीपतेः।।2.2.30।।

prajāsukhattve candrasya vasudhāyāḥ kṣamāguṇaiḥ| buddhyā bṛhaspatestulyo vīrye sākṣācchacīpateḥ||2.2.30||

Translation

प्रजासुखत्त्वे in causing happiness to the people, चन्द्रस्य of the Moon, क्षमागुणै: in the virtue of forbearance, वसुधाया: of the earth, बुद्ध्या by wisdom, बृहस्पते: of Brihaspati, वीर्ये in prowess, शचीपते: of Indra, साक्षात् directly, तुल्य: equal.

Meaning

He is equal to the Moon in causing happiness to the people, to the earth in forbearance, to Brihaspati in wisdom and to Indra in prowess.

AK-2-31Ayodhya Kanda 2.31

धर्मज्ञः सत्यसन्धश्च शीलवाननसूयकः। क्षान्तः सान्त्वयिता श्लक्ष्णः कृतज्ञो विजितेन्द्रियः।।2.2.31।।

dharmajñḥ satyasandhaśca śīlavānanasūyakḥ| kṣāntḥ sāntvayitā ślakṣṇḥ kṛtajño vijitendriyḥ||2.2.31||

Translation

धर्मज्ञ: knower of righteousness, सत्यसन्ध: true to his vows, शीलवान् one with good character, अनसूयक: free from envy, क्षान्त: one with forbearance, सान्त्वयिता one who consoles others, श्लक्ष्ण: gentle, कृतज्ञ: grateful, विजितेन्द्रिय: one who has conquered the senses.

Meaning

Rama knows the ways of righteousness. He is true to his word and free from envy. He possesses a sound character with forbearance, gentleness and a sense of gratitude. With his senses under control, he is a source of consolation (in stressful times).

AK-2-32-33Ayodhya Kanda 2.32–33 (युग्मम्)

मृदुश्च स्थिरचित्तश्च सदा भव्योऽनसूयकः। प्रियवादी च भूतानां सत्यवादी च राघवः।।2.2.32।। बहुश्रुतानां वृद्धानां ब्राह्मणानामुपासिता। तेनास्येहाऽतुला कीर्तिर्यशस्तेजश्च वर्धते।।2.2.33।।

mṛduśca sthiracittaśca sadā bhavyo'nasūyakḥ| priyavādī ca bhūtānāṃ satyavādī ca rāghavḥ||2.2.32|| bahuśrutānāṃ vṛddhānāṃ brāhmaṇānāmupāsitā| tenāsyehā'tulā kīrtiryaśastejaśca vardhate||2.2.33||

Translation

राघव: son of the Raghus (Rama), मृदु: च softspoken, स्थिरचित्त: च steadfast, सदा always, भव्य: serene, अनसूयक: free from envy, भूतानाम् for living beings, प्रियवादी pleasing सत्यवादी च one who always speaks the truth, बहुश्रुतानाम् of those learned in a number of shastras, वृद्धानाम् of elderly persons, ब्राह्मणानाम् of brahmins, उपासिता serves, तेन with these, अस्य his, अतुला incomparable, कीर्ति: glory, यश: fame, तेजश्च splendour, इह in this world, वर्धते growing.

Meaning

This son of the Raghus (Rama) is softspoken, steadfast, always serene, truthful and free from envy. He is pleasing to all beings. He serves those elderly brahmins versed in many lores. With these virtues his incomparable glory, fame and splendour have steadily grown.

AK-2-34Ayodhya Kanda 2.34

देवासुरमनुष्याणां सर्वास्त्रेषु विशारदः। सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत्साङ्गवेदवित्।।2.2.34।।

devāsuramanuṣyāṇāṃ sarvāstreṣu viśāradḥ| samyagvidyāvratasnāto yathāvatsāṅgavedavit||2.2.34||

Translation

देवासुरमनुष्याणाम् among devatas, asuras and men, सर्वास्त्रेषु in wielding all kinds of weapons, विशारद: expert, सम्यक् properly, विद्याव्रतस्नात: completed the vow of acquiring various branches of learning, यथावत् duly, साङ्गवेदवित् has learnt the Vedas and their supplementary sciences.

Meaning

He is an expert in wielding all kinds of weapons available to devas, asuras and men. He has achieved mastery over all sciences and has appropriately acquired knowledge of the Vedas and its ancillary sciences.

AK-2-35Ayodhya Kanda 2.35

गान्धर्वे च भुवि श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः। कल्याणाभिजन स्साधुरदीनात्मा महामतिः।।2.2.35।।

gāndharve ca bhuvi śreṣṭho babhūva bharatāgrajḥ| kalyāṇābhijana ssādhuradīnātmā mahāmatiḥ||2.2.35||

Translation

भरताग्रज: the elder brother of Bharata (Rama), गान्धर्वे in music, भुवि on this earth, श्रेष्ठ: बभूव became greatest, कल्याणाभिजन: having a noble descent, साधु: a pious man, अदीनात्मा with his mind free from meanness, महामति: possessing great intellect.

Meaning

This elder brother of Bharata is the greatest exponent in music on earth. Pious, sagacious, free from meanness, he is of noble descent.

AK-2-36Ayodhya Kanda 2.36

द्विजैरभिविनीतश्च श्रेष्ठैर्धर्मार्थनैपुणैः। यदा व्रजति सङ्ग्रामं ग्रामार्थे नगरस्य वा।।2.2.36।। गत्वा सौमित्रिसहितो नाऽविजित्य निवर्तते।

dvijairabhivinītaśca śreṣṭhairdharmārthanaipuṇaiḥ| yadā vrajati saṅgrāmṃ grāmārthe nagarasya vā||2.2.36|| gatvā saumitrisahito nā'vijitya nivartate|

Translation

धर्मार्थनैपुणै: distinguished in the twin aspects of dharma and artha श्रेष्ठै: by the best, द्विजै: by brahmins, अभिविनीत: wellinstructed in all the matters, ग्रामार्थे for the sake of a village, नगरस्य वा or a town, यदा when, सङ्ग्रामम् the battle, व्रजति proceeds, सौमित्रिसहित: along with Lakshmana, गत्वा having gone, अविजित्य without conquering, न निवर्तते does not return.

Meaning

Whenever he, wellinstructed in all matters by the best of brahmins wellversed in dharma and artha proceeds along with Lakshmana to wage a war for the sake of a village or a town, he never returns without conquering the enemy.

AK-2-37-38Ayodhya Kanda 2.37–38 (युग्मम्)

सङ्ग्रामात्पुनरागम्य कुञ्जरेण रथेन वा।2.2.37।। पौरान् स्वजनवन्नित्यं कुशलं परिपृच्छति।। पुत्रेष्वग्निषु दारेषु प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च।2.2.38।। निखिलेनानुपूर्व्याच्च पितापुत्रानिवौरसान्।।

saṅgrāmātpunarāgamya kuñjareṇa rathena vā|2.2.37|| paurān svajanavannityṃ kuśalṃ paripṛcchati|| putreṣvagniṣu dāreṣu preṣyaśiṣyagaṇeṣu ca|2.2.38|| nikhilenānupūrvyācca pitāputrānivaurasān||

Translation

सङ्ग्रामात् from the battlefield, कुञ्जरेण mounting on elephant, रथेन वा or on a chariot, पुन: आगम्य having returned, पौरान् citizens, स्वजनवत् like his own kith and kin, पिता father, औरसान् पुत्रानिव like sons of his own blood, पुत्रेषु with respect to their children, अग्निषु sacred fires, दारेषु wives, प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च multitudes of their servants and disciples, निखिलेन in detail, आनुपूर्व्याच्च by following the proper order (protocol), नित्यम् always, कुशलम् welfare, परिपृच्छति enquires.

Meaning

While returning from the battlefield, either on a chariot or an elephant Rama stops and enquires in detail and in order, the welfare of the citizens as he would do for his kith and kin. He enquires about the welfare of their children, sacred rituals, wives, their servants and disciples as a father would enquire of his sons.

AK-2-39Ayodhya Kanda 2.39

शुश्रूषन्ते च व श्शिष्याः कच्चित्कर्मसु दंशिताः।।2.2.39।। इति नः पुरुषव्याघ्र स्सदा रामोऽभिभाषते।

śuśrūṣante ca va śśiṣyāḥ kaccitkarmasu dṃśitāḥ||2.2.39|| iti nḥ puruṣavyāghra ssadā rāmo'bhibhāṣate|

Translation

व: your, शिष्या: disciples, कर्मसु in their tasks, दंशिता: perform, शुश्रूषन्ते are serving, इति like this, पुरुषव्याघ्र: a tiger among men, राम: Rama, सदा always, न: us, अभिभाषते enquires.

Meaning

Rama, a tiger among men, always enquires whether our disciples discharge their duties.

AK-2-40Ayodhya Kanda 2.40

व्यसनेषु मनुष्याणां भृशं भवति दुःखितः।।2.2.40।। उत्सवेषु च सर्वेषु पितेव परितुष्यति।

vyasaneṣu manuṣyāṇāṃ bhṛśṃ bhavati duḥkhitḥ||2.2.40|| utsaveṣu ca sarveṣu piteva parituṣyati|

Translation

मनुष्याणाम् of people, व्यसनेषु in misfortunes, भृशम् profoundly, दु:खित: भवति is grieved, सर्वेषु among all, उत्सवेषु on festive occasions, पितेव like father, परितुष्यति rejoices.

Meaning

He grieves profoundly whenever people are afflicted by misfortunes (and) rejoices like a father on festive occasions.

AK-2-41Ayodhya Kanda 2.41

सत्यवादी महेष्वासो वृद्धसेवी जितेन्द्रियः।।2.2.41।। स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च धर्मं सर्वात्मना श्रितः।

satyavādī maheṣvāso vṛddhasevī jitendriyḥ||2.2.41|| smitapūrvābhibhāṣī ca dharmṃ sarvātmanā śritḥ|

Translation

सत्यवादी one who speaks the truth, महेष्वास: one who is a great archer, वृद्धसेवी one who serves the aged, जितेद्रिय: one who has conquered his senses, स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च speaks with a smiling face, सर्वात्मना wholeheartedly, धर्मं श्रित: takes refuge in dharma.

Meaning

. He is one who speaks the truth. He is a great archer, one who has conquered his senses and serves the aged. He speaks with a smile and protects dharma with all his heart.

AK-2-42Ayodhya Kanda 2.42

सम्यग्योक्ता श्रेयसां च न विगृह्य कथारुचिः।।2.2.42।। उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा।

samyagyoktā śreyasāṃ ca na vigṛhya kathāruciḥ||2.2.42|| uttarottarayuktau ca vaktā vācaspatiryathā|

Translation

सम्यक् rightly, श्रेयसां योक्ता does good, विगृह्य creating dissention, कथारुचि: न not interested in conversation, उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ in debates, वाचस्पतिर्यथा like Brihastpati, वक्ता orator.

Meaning

He helps those who take refuge in him. He is not interested in conversation leading to dissentions. But during debates he is eloquent like Brihaspati (establing the truth on the basis of reasoning).

AK-2-43Ayodhya Kanda 2.43

सुभ्रूः आयतताम्राक्षः साक्षाद्विष्णुरिव स्वयम्।।2.2.43।। रामो लोकाभिरामोऽयं शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमैः।

subhrūḥ āyatatāmrākṣḥ sākṣādviṣṇuriva svayam||2.2.43|| rāmo lokābhirāmo'yṃ śauryavīryaparākramaiḥ|

Translation

लोकाभिराम: one who is the delight of the worlds, अयम् he, राम: Rama, सुभ्रू: having charming eyebrows, आयतताम्राक्ष: having large coppercoloured eyes, शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमै: with heroism, bravery and valour, साक्षात् manifesting, स्वयम् personally, विष्णु: इव like Visnu.

Meaning

Rama, who is the source of delight to the world, has charming eyebrows and large coppercoloured eyes. He is endowed with heroism, bravery and valour like Visnu manifested.

AK-2-44Ayodhya Kanda 2.44

प्रजापालनतत्त्वज्ञो न रागोपहतेन्द्रियः।।2.2.44।। शक्तस्त्रैलोक्यमप्येको भोक्तुं किन्नु महीमिमाम्।

prajāpālanatattvajño na rāgopahatendriyḥ||2.2.44|| śaktastrailokyamapyeko bhoktuṃ kinnu mahīmimām|

Translation

प्रजापालनतत्वज्ञ: proficient in the ways and means of ruling the people, रागोपहतेन्द्रिय: senses not overpowered by passion, न not, एक: alone, त्रैलोक्यमपि three worlds, भोक्तुम् to enjoy, शक्त: capable, इमाम् this, महीम् earth, किन्नु why to say?

Meaning

He is proficient in the ways and means of ruling the people. His senses are not overpowered by passion. He alone is capable of ruling the three worlds, what to speak the earth

AK-2-45Ayodhya Kanda 2.45

नास्य क्रोधः प्रसादश्च निरर्थोऽस्ति कदाचन।।2.2.45।। हन्त्येव नियमाद्वध्यानवध्ये न च कुप्यति।

nāsya krodhḥ prasādaśca nirartho'sti kadācana||2.2.45|| hantyeva niyamādvadhyānavadhye na ca kupyati|

Translation

अस्य his, कोप: anger, प्रसादश्च favour also, कदाचन ever, निरर्थ(क): in vain, नास्ति is not, नियमात् in accordance with justice, वध्यान् those who deserve to be killed, हन्ति एव is punishable, अवध्ये those who should not be killed, न कुप्यति does not get angry.

Meaning

His anger or favour never goes in vain. He kills those who rightly deserve to be killed and flares not at those whose life is to be spared.

AK-2-46-47Ayodhya Kanda 2.46–47 (युग्मम्)

युनक्त्यर्थैः प्रहृष्टश्च तमसौ यत्र तुष्यति।।2.2.46।। शान्तै स्सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसञ्जननैर्नृणाम्। गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्त स्सूर्य इवांशुभिः।।2.2.47।।

yunaktyarthaiḥ prahṛṣṭaśca tamasau yatra tuṣyati||2.2.46|| śāntai ssarvaprajākāntaiḥ prītisañjananairnṛṇām| guṇairviruruce rāmo dīpta ssūrya ivāṃśubhiḥ||2.2.47||

Translation

असौ he (this Rama), यत्र wherever, तुष्यति is pleased, तम् him, प्रहृष्ट: pleased, अर्थै: with wealth, युनक्ति bestows, शान्तै: with tranquil, सर्वप्रजाकान्तै: charming to all men, नृणाम् for men, प्रीतिसञ्जननै: causing delight to the good, गुणै: with virtues, राम: Rama, अंशुभि: with rays, दीप्त: shining, सूर्य: इव like Sun, विरुरुचे shines.

Meaning

When pleased, Rama bestows wealth. Like the Sun shining with his rays, He shines with his qualities of tranquil, charming and loving nature.

AK-2-48Ayodhya Kanda 2.48

तमेवंगुणसम्पन्नं रामं सत्यपराक्रमम्। लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी।।2.2.48।।

tamevṃguṇasampannṃ rāmṃ satyaparākramam| lokapālopamṃ nāthamakāmayata medinī||2.2.48||

Translation

मेदिनी the earth, एवं गुणसम्पन्नम् richly endowed with such virtues, सत्यपराक्रमम् with proven prowess, लोकपालोपमम् comparable to Indra and other regents of the world, (तं)रामम् Rama, नाथम् as lord, अकामयत desired.

Meaning

The earth desired to have Rama, richly endowed with such virtues, possessing proven prowess, comparable to Indra and other regents of the world, as her lord.

AK-2-49Ayodhya Kanda 2.49

वत्सश्श्रेयसि जातस्ते दिष्ट्याऽसौ तव राघव। दिष्ट्या पुत्रगुणैर्युक्तो मारीच इव काश्यपः।।2.2.49।।

vatsaśśreyasi jātaste diṣṭyā'sau tava rāghava| diṣṭyā putraguṇairyukto mārīca iva kāśyapḥ||2.2.49||

Translation

राघव O son of the Raghus (Dasaratha), तव your, दिष्ट्या fortunately असौ this Rama, श्रेयसि for your welfare , ते to you, वत्स: as son , जात: was born,मारीच: son of Maricha ,काश्यप:इव like Kasyapa ,दिष्ट्या fortunately, पुत्रगुणै: by the virtues a son should possess, युक्त: is endowed with.

Meaning

O son of the Raghus (Dasaratha), because of your good fortune that Rama, endowed with the qualities of an ideal son like Kasyapa to Maricha was born to you for the welfare of this world.

AK-2-50-51Ayodhya Kanda 2.50–51 (युग्मम्)

बलमारोग्यमायुश्च रामस्य विदितात्मनः। देवासुरमनुष्येषु सगन्धर्वोरगेषु च।।2.2.50।। आशंसते जनस्सर्वो राष्ट्रे पुरवरे तथा। आभ्यन्तरश्च बाह्यश्च पौरजानपदो जनः।।2.2.51।।

balamārogyamāyuśca rāmasya viditātmanḥ| devāsuramanuṣyeṣu sagandharvorageṣu ca||2.2.50|| āśṃsate janassarvo rāṣṭre puravare tathā| ābhyantaraśca bāhyaśca paurajānapado janḥ||2.2.51||

Translation

सगन्धर्वोरगेषु along with gandharvas, uragas, देवासुरमनुष्येषु among devas, asuras and men, विदितात्मन: wellknown, रामस्य Rama's, बलम् strength, आरोग्यम् health, आयुश्च long life, राष्ट्रे in the country, तथा also, पुरवरे in the foremost of towns, सर्व: जन: all men, आभ्यन्तर: च in the neighbourhood, बाह्यश्च or distant, पौरजानपद: जन: inhabitants of towns and villages, आशंसते are wishing for.

Meaning

Gandharvas, uragas, devas, asuras, the inhabitants of towns and villages, all men living in neighbouring or distant regions are wish the illustrious Rama strength, health and long life.

AK-2-52Ayodhya Kanda 2.52

स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तरुण्यश्च सायं प्रातस्समाहिताः। सर्वान् देवान् नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे यशस्विनः।।2.2.52।।

striyo vṛddhāstaruṇyaśca sāyṃ prātassamāhitāḥ| sarvān devān namasyanti rāmasyārthe yaśasvinḥ||2.2.52||

Translation

वृद्धा: the aged, तरुण्यश्च young, स्त्रिय: women, सायम् at dusk, प्रात: at dawn, समाहिता: with steadfast minds, यशस्विन: illustrious, रामस्य of Rama, अर्थे on account of, सर्वान् all, देवान् the gods, नमस्यन्ति are invoking.

Meaning

Women, young and old alike devoutly invoke at dusk and at dawn all the gods for the sake of the celebrated Rama.

AK-2-53Ayodhya Kanda 2.53

तेषामायाचितं देव त्वत्प्रसादात्समृद्ध्यताम्। राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्।।2.2.53।। पश्यामो यौवराज्यस्थं तव राजोत्तमात्मजम्।

teṣāmāyācitṃ deva tvatprasādātsamṛddhyatām| rāmamindīvaraśyāmṃ sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam||2.2.53|| paśyāmo yauvarājyasthṃ tava rājottamātmajam|

Translation

देव O king, त्वत्प्रसादात् by your grace, तेषाम् their, आयाचितम् prayer, समृद्ध्यताम् be fulfilled, राजोत्तम great among kings, इन्दीवरश्यामम् complexion like blue lotus, सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम् destroyer of foes, तव your, आत्मजम् son, रामम् Rama, यैवराज्यम् as prince regent, पश्याम: shall see.

Meaning

O Lord let the peoples' prayer be fulfilled by your blessings. We would like to see your son Rama of the complexion of a bluelotus and destroyer of enemies as prince regent.

AK-2-54Ayodhya Kanda 2.54

तं देव देवोपममात्मजं ते सर्वस्य लोकस्य हिते निविष्टम्। हिताय नः क्षिप्रमुदारजुष्टं मुदाऽभषेक्तुं वरद त्वमर्हसि।।2.2.54।।

tṃ deva devopamamātmajṃ te sarvasya lokasya hite niviṣṭam| hitāya nḥ kṣipramudārajuṣṭṃ mudā'bhaṣektuṃ varada tvamarhasi||2.2.54||

Translation

वरद O bestower of boons, देवदेवोपमम् equal to god of the gods, सर्वस्य for the entire, लोकस्य for the world, हिते in the welfare, निविष्टम् intent upon, उदारजुष्टम् one who welcomes nobility, तम् that, ते आत्मजम् your son, त्वम् you, न: for our, हिताय welfare, क्षिप्रम् without delay, मुदा cheerfully, अभिषेक्तुम् to enthrone as heirapparent, अर्हसि behoves you.

Meaning

O bestower of boons it behoves you to install with delight and without delay your son (Rama) endowed with all virtues equal to god of the gods and committed to our wellbeing and to the welfare of this world, as your heirapparent. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे द्वितीयस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the second sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

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