srivalmikiramayanam - Ayodhya Kanda (Book 2) Sarga 1 and 2

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar,   Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji
and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

Välmiki Rämäyana

Book Two - Ayodhya Kända

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 1

Introduction

Valmiki describes the innumerable virtues of Sree Rama in this sarga. Dasaratha wants to coronate Rama as the crown prince with the approval of all his people. With this end in mind, he invites various citizens, important people from all cities and villages in his kingdom.

gachchhataa maatulakulaM bharatena tadaa.anaghaH |
shatrughno nityashatrughno niitaH priitipuraskR^itaH || 2-1-1

1. shatrughnaH= Satrughna, anaghaH= who has no sins, nitya shatrughnaH= he who always annihilated his enemies, neetaH= was taken, priiti puraskR^ithaH= with love, bharathena= by Bharatha, gachchhathaa= while going, tadaa= then, maatulakulam= to the maternal uncle's house.

Bharatha, while going to his maternal uncle's house, has taken his brother Satrughna (he who has no sins and who annihilates his enemies) along with him with love.

sa tatra nyavasadbhraatraa saha satkaarasatkR^itaH |
maatulenaashvapatinaa putrasnehena laalitaH || 2-1-2

2. satkaara satkR^ithaH= treated with good hospitality, putra snehena= with paternal love, asvapathinaa= lord of cavalry, maathulena= his maternal uncle, saH= that Bharatha, bhratraa saH= with his brother, nyavasat= stayed, tatra= there.

Treated with good hospitality and paternal love by his maternal uncle, Yudhajit, who was a lord of cavalry, Bharatha stayed with his brother there.

tatraapi nivasantau tau tarpyamaaNau cha kaamataH |
bhraatarau smarataaM viirau vR^iddhaM dasarathaM nR^ipam || 2-1-3

3. viirau= those heroes, bhraatarau= both the brothers, nivasanthau= staying, tatra= there, tarpyamaaNauchaapi= though satisfied by, kaamathaH= all the wants, smarathaaM= were remebering, dasaratham nR^ipam= the king Dasaratha.

Those heroes of valour Bharatha and Satrughna, though staying there enjoying all the comforts, were remembering their age old father.

raajaapi tau mahaatejaaH sasmaara proshhitau sutau |
ubhau bharatashatrughnau mahendravaruNopamau || 2-1-4

4. mahaa tejaaH= Mighty, raajaapi= king (Dasaratha), also, sasmaara= was remembering, sutau= his sons, bharata shatrughnau ubhau= both Bharatha and Satrughna, proshhitau= who were out of state, mahendra varunopamau= (and who were) equivalent to Indra and Varuna.

The mighty Dasaratha was also often remembering his sons Bharatha and Satrughna who were out of his state and who were equivalent to Indra and Varuna.

sarva eva tu tasyeshhTa shchatvaaraH purushharshhabhaaH |
svasharIrAdvinirvR^ittAshchatvAra iva baahavaH || 2-1-5

5. tasya= that Dasaratha, isTaaH= was loving, chatvaaraH= his four sons, purushharshhabhaaH= best among men, chatvaaraH baahavaH= like four hands, sarve evatu= all of them, nirvR^ittaaH= emerging, svashariiraat= out of his own body.

Dasaratha was bestowing his equal love to all his four sons who were best among men, as though they were his four hands emerging out of his own body.

teshhaamapi mahaatejaa raamo ratikaraH pituH |
svayambhuuriva bhuutaanaaM babhuuva guNavattaraH || 2-1-6

6. raamaH= Rama, svayambhuuriva= like the Brahma, bhuutaanaaM= among all the living beings, guNavattaraH= the most virtuous, teshhaamapi= among those brothers, mahaatejaH= the mightiest, ratikaraH babhuuva= was a source of joy, pituH= for his father.

Rama, like the Brahma among all the living beings, the most virtuous among those brothers and the mightiest was a great source of joy for his father.

sa hi devai rudiirNasya raavaNasya vadhaarthibhiH |
arthito maanushhe loke jajJNe vishhNuH sanaatanaH || 2-1-7

7. saH= That Rama, sanaatanaH= the eternal, vishhnuH= Vishnu, jajJNehi= was born, maanushhe loke= on the earth, arthita= as urged by, devaihi= gods, vadhaarthibhihi= to kill, udiirNasya raavaNasya= the egoistic Ravana.

That Rama - was He not the eternal Vishnu who was born on earth as prayed by celestials to kill the egoistic Ravana?

kausalyaa shushubhe putreNaamitatejasaa |
yathaa vareNa devaanaamaditirvajrapaaNinaa || 2-1-8

8. aditiryathaa= like Adithi, vajrapaaNinaa= by Indra, devaanaaM vareNa= the best among celestials, kausalyaa= Kausalya, shushubhe= was shone by, putreNa= her son, amitatejasaa= the mighty.

Like Adithi by Indra, best among the celestials, Kausalya shone by her son Rama, the mighty.

sa hi ruupopapannashcha viiryavaananasuuyakaH |
bhuumaavanupamaH suunurgaNairdhasharathopamaH || 2-1-9

9. saH= Rama, ruupopapannaH cha= having beautiful form, viiryavaan= a hero of valor, anasuuyakaH= without envy, gunaiH= by virtues, dasarathopamaH= like Dasaratha, anupamaH= an incomparable, suunuhu hi= son indeed, bhuumau= on earth.

Rama was beautiful in form, a hero of valor and without envy. By virtues, he was like Dasaratha. In this way, he was an incomparable son on earth.

sa cha nityaM prashaantaatmaa mR^idupuurvaM tu bhaashhate |
uchyamaano.api parushhaM nottaraM pratipadyate || 2-1-10

10. saH= that Rama, nityam= always, prashaantaatmaa= with a peaceful mind, bhaashhate= talked, mR^idupuurvakaM= softly, uttaram na prapadyate= he did not respond to, parushhaM= hard words, uchyamaanaha api= spoken by others.

That Rama was always peaceful in mind and spoke softly. He did not react to the hard words spoken by others.

kathaMchidupakaareNa kR^itenai kena tushhyati |
na smaratyapakaaraaNaaM shatamapyaatmavattayaa || 2-1-11

11. saH= That Rama, aatmavattayaa= because of his good bent of mind, tushhyati= feels glad, kathaMchit= even by , aikena= one, upakaareNa= good thing, kR^itena= done, na smarati= (but) does not mind, satamapi= even a hundred, apakaaraaNaam= bad things.

That Rama, because of his good bent of mind, feels glad even by whatever way a good thing is done to him. He does not remember any number of bad things done to him.

shiilavR^iddhai rjJNaanavR^iddhairvayovR^iddhaishcha sajjanaiH |
kathayannaasta vainitya mastrayogyaantareshhvapi || 2-1-12

12. astrayoga antareshhvapi= Even during intervals while practising archery, nityam= always, kathayannaasta= used to converse with, shiilavR^iddhai= elders by conduct, jJNaanavR^iddhai= elders by wisdom, vayovR^iddhai= elders by age (or), sajjanaiH= with good people.

Whenever he finds some time even while practising archery, Rama used to converse with elderly people, elder by way of conduct or wisdom or age or with good- natured people.

buddhimaan madhuraabhaashhii puurvabhaashhii priyaMvadaH |
viiryavaanna cha viiryeNa mahataa svena vismitaH || 2-1-13

13. buddhimaan= wise man, madhurabhaashhii= sweet conversationalist, puurvabhaashhii= one who initiated a talk, priyaMvadaH= whose speech was compassionate, viiryavaan= person with valor, na cha vismitaH= not arrogant of, svena= his own, mahataa= great, viiryeNa= valor.

Rama was a wise man. He used to speak sweetly. He was the first man to initiate a talk. His speech was compassionate. He was valorous. But he was not arrogant of his mighty valor.

na chaanR^itakatho vidvaan vR^iddhaanaaM pratipuujakaH |
anuraktaH prajaabhishcha prajaashchaapyanurajyate || 2-1-14

14. na cha= not, anR^itakathaH= speaking untruth, vidvaan= all knowing person, pratipuujakaH= Receptive and worshipful to, vR^idhaanaam= elders, anuraktaH= being loved, prajaabhi= by people, anurajyate= loving, prajaashchapi= also the people.

He did not speak untruth. He was all knowing. He used to be receptive and worshipful to the elders. People used to love him and he used to love the people.

saanukrosho jitakrodho braahmaNapratipuujakaH |
diinaanukampii dharmajJno nityaM pragrahavaan shuchiH || 2-1-15

15. saanukroshaH= had compassion, jitakrodhaH= conquered anger, braahmana pratipuujakaH= receptive and worshipful to the wise, diinaanukampii=had mercy towards the meek, dharmajNaH= knew what was to be done, nityam pragrahavaan= Had always self control, suchiH= was clean (in conduct).

He had compassion. He conquered anger. He used to be receptive and worshipful to the wise. He had mercy towards the meek. He knew what was to be done. He had always self-control. He was clean (in conduct).

kulochitamatiH kshaatraM dharmaM svaM bahumanyate |
manyate parayaa kiirtya mahatsvargaphalaM tataH || 2-1-16

16. kulochitamatiH= attitude suitable for his social rank, bahumanyate= giving due respect to, kshaatraM dharmam= righteousness of warrior-class, manyate= thought, tataha= by following that righteousness, parayaa kiirtya= by great fame, mahat= great, swargaphalam= fruit of heaven.

That Rama, having an attitude suitable for his social rank, giving due respect to righteousness of warrior-class, believed that by following the righteousness he would attain great fame and through it the fruit of heaven.

naashreyasi rato vidvaanna viruddhakathaaruchiH |
uttarottarayuktau cha vaktaa vaachaspati ryathaa || 2-1-17

17. na rataH= not interested(in), ashreyasi= actions not beneficial, vidvaan= scholar, Na viruddhakathaaruchiH= no taste in tales opposing righteousness, vaachaspatiryathaa= like brihaspathi, uttarottarayuktau= in showing series of strategies, vaktaa= a fluent speaker.

Rama was not interested in actions, which were not beneficial. He was a scholar. He had no taste in tales opposing righteousness. Like vächaspathi, his eloquent speech contained a series of strategies for action.

arogastaruNo vaagmii vapushhmaan deshakaalavit |
loke purushhasaarajJNassaadhureko vinirmitaH || 2-1-18

18. arogaH= without disease, taruNaH= young man, vaagmii= speaker, vapushhmaan= person with a good body, deshakaalavit= knew time and place, purushhasaarajJNaH=could grasp the essence of men, ekaH= the one, saadhuH= gentleman, vinirmitaH= created, loke= on earth.

Rama was a young man without any disease. He was a good speaker. He had a good body. He knew both time and place. He could grasp the essence of men. He was the one gentleman born on earth.

sa tu sreshhThairguNairyuktaH prajaanaaM paarthivaatmajaH |
bahishchara iva praaNo babhuuva guNataH priyaH || 2-1-19

19. prajaanaam= To people, priyaH= loving, saH= that, paarthivaatmajaH= prince, shreshhThaiH= with good, guNaiH= virtues, yuktaH= contained, babhuuva= existed, praanaH aiva= like spirit, bahishcharaH= moving outside, guNataH= by virtues.

People loved the virtuous prince Rama and treated him as their spirit moving outside.

samyagvidyaavratasnaato yathaavatsaaN^gavedavit |
ishhvastre cha pituH shreshhTho babhuuva bharataagrajaH || 2-1-20

20. vidyaavratasnaataH= after bathing in the discipline of education, samyak= properly, saaN^gavedavit= After knowing archery, yathaavat= as prescribed, bharataagrajaH= elder brother of Bharatha (Rama), babhuuva= was, shreshhThaH= better than, pituH= father, ishhvastre= in archery.

After completing his education properly, Rama, after knowing the science of archery as prescribed, was better than his father in the use of bow and arrows.

kalyaaNaabhijanaH saadhuradiinaH satyavaagR^ijuH |
vR^iddhairabhiviniitashcha dvijairdharmaarthadarshibhiH || 2-1-21

21. kalyaanaabhijanaH= having born in a good clan, saadhuH= gentleman, adiinaH= not a feeble man, satyavaak= speaker of truth, R^ijuH= straightforward man, abhiviniitaH= properly trained by, vR^iddhaiH= elderly, dvijaiH= wisemen, dharmartha darshibhiH= who realized righteousness.

Rama, having born in a good clan, was gentle minded. He was not feeble. He spoke truth. He was straightforward. He was properly trained by elderly wise men that knew righteousness.

dharmakaamaarthatattvajJNaH smR^itimaan pratibhaanavaan |
laukike samayaachaare kR^itakalpo vishaaradaH || 2-1-22

22. dharma kaamaartha tattvajnaH= one who knew the real form of desire, wealth and righteousness, smR^itimaan= one who had a good power of memory, pratibhaanavaan= one who had a spontaneous wisdom to respond, vishaaradaH= one who had skill, kR^itakalpaH= one who had created arrangement of, samayaachaare= customs useful at that time, laukike= for the society.

Rama knew the real form of desire, wealth and righteousness. He had a good memory power. He had a spontaneous wisdom. He had skills in arranging customs useful to society prevalent at that time.

nibhR^itaH saMvR^itaakaaro guptamantraH sahaayavaan |
amoghakrodhaharshhashcha tyaagasaMyamakaalavit || 2-1-23

23. nibhR^itaH= Humble man, saMvR^itaakaaraH= Had an enclosed form, gupta mantraH= kept thoughts to himself, sahaayavaan= helped others, amogha krodha harshhashcha= his anger and pleasure not wasteful, tyaagasaMyama kaalavit= knew the timing of giving and non-giving.

Rama was humble. He did not let his feelings appear outwardly. He kept his thoughts to himself. He helped others. His anger and pleasure were not wasteful. He knew when to give and when not to give.

dR^iDhabhaktiH sthiraprajJNo naasadgraahii na durvachaaH |
nistandrirapramattashcha svadoshhaparadoshhavit || 2-1-24

24.dR^iDha bhaktiH= had a firm devotion, sthira prajJNaH= had steadfast mind, aasadgraahii= was not stubborn, na durvachaaH= not speaking evil words, nistandriH= had no idleness, apramattaH= was alert, svadoshhaparadoshhavit= and recognized his own errors and those of others.

Rama had a firm devotion and steadfast mind. He was not stubborn nor did he speak evil words. He was free from idleness and was ever alert. He recognized his own errors and those of others.

shaastrajJNashcha kR^itajJNashcha purushhaantarakovidaH |
yaH pragrahaanugrahayoryathaanyaayaM vichakshaNaH || 2-1-25

25. shaastrajJNaH cha= He knew sciences, kR^itajJNaH + cha= knew their practice, purushhaantarakovidaH= understood differences among men, yathaanyaayam= as per justice, vichakshaNaH= discriminator of, pragrahaanugrahayoH= punishment and protection.

Rama knew the theory and practice of sciences. He understood the differences among men. He could judiciously discriminate whom to protect and whom to punish.

satsaMgrahapragrahaNe sthaanavinnigrahasya cha |
aayakarmaNyupaayajJNaH saMdR^ishhTavyayakarmavit || 2-1-26

26. satsaMgrahapragrahaNe= identifying the good and protecting them, sthaanavit= knew the people, nigrahasya cha= to be reprimanded, upaayajJNaH= knew the ways and means of, aaya karmaNi= getting income, sandR^ishhTa vyaya karmavit= knew the system of spending as mentioned in sastra.

He identified good men and protected them. He knew the people worthy of reprimand. He knew the ways and means of getting income as well as the system of spending, as perceived by economic sciences.

shraishhThyaM shaastrasamuuheshhu praapto vyaamishrakeshhu cha |
arthadharmau cha saMgR^ihya sukhatantro na chaalasaH || 2-1-27

27. praaptaH= obtained, shraishhThyam= great skill, shaastrasamuuheshhu= in groups of sciences, vyaamishrakeshhu cha= and in their subsidiaries, sukhatantraH= Interested in enjoying comforts, saMgR^ihya= after understanding, artha dharmau= economic realities, na alasaH= and never remained inactive.

Rama could obtain great skill in the groups of sciences along with their subsidiaries. He was interested in enjoying comforts only after understanding the economic realities. He never remained inactive.

vaihaarikaaNaaM shilpaanaaM vijJNaataarthavibhaagavit |
aarohe vinaye chaiva yuktovaaraNavaajinaam || 2-1-28

28. vijJNaataa= acquainted with, shilpaanaam= fine arts, vaihaarikaaNaam= useful in entertainment, arthavibhaagavit= knew how to distribute wealth, yuktaH= efficient in, aarohe= in riding, vinaye= in taming, vaaraNavaajinaam= elephants and horses.

Rama was acquainted with the fine arts useful for entertainment. He knew how to distribute the wealth. He was efficient in riding and taming of elephants and horses.

dhanurvedavidaaM sreshhTho loke.atirathasaMmataH |
abhiyaataa prahartaa cha senaanayavishaaradaH || 2-1-29

29. shreshhThaH= best of persons, dhanur veda vidaam= knowing the science of archery, athirathasaMmataH= appreciated by the champions of archery, senaa nayavishaaradaH= Attained skills in moving the army properly, abhiyaataa= facing the enemies, prahartaa cha= (He) used to kill them.

Rama was the best of persons knowing the science of archery in the world; and was well appreciated by the champions of archery. He attained skills in marshalling the army. He faced and killed the enemies in battle.

apradhR^ishhyashcha saMgraame kruddhairapi suraasuraiH |
anasuuyo jitakrodho na dR^ipto na cha matsarii |
na chaavamantaa bhuutaanaaM na cha kaalavashaanugaH || 2-1-30

30. kruddhaiH= enraged, suraasurair api= even by suras and asuras, apradhR^ishhyaH= (He) could not be defeated, saMgraame= in battle, anasuuyaH= had no jealousy, jitakrodhaH= conquered anger, na dR^iptaH= Had no arrogance, na matsarii cha= Had no envy, na cha avamantaa= not humiliated, bhuutaanaam= living beings, na kaala vashaanugaH cha= had not surrendered to time.

Even enraged celestials and demons could not defeat Rama in battle. He had no jealousy. He conquered anger. He had no arrogance and envy. He had not humiliated any living being. He had not surrendered to time.

evaM shreshhThaguNairyuktaH prajaanaaM paarthivaatmajaH |
saMmatastrishhu lokeshhuvasudhaayaaH kshamaaguNaiH || 2-1-31
buddyaa bR^ihaspatestulyo viiryeNaapi shachiipateH |

31. paarthivaatmajaH= That prince Rama, evam shreshhThagunaiH= with these good virtues, yuktaH= fair, prajaanaam= to the people, saMmataH= was agreeable, trishhu lokeshhu= to the three worlds, kshamaa guNaiH= virtue of forgiveness, vasudhaayaaH= (comparable) to the earth, budhyaa= By wisdom, bR^ihaspate= to brihaspathi, viiryeNa= by valour, shachiipate= to devendra, tulyaH= (He was) equal.

That Prince Rama, with these good virtues, was fair to the people. He was agreeable to the three worlds. By patience and the related virtues, he was equal to earth, by wisdom to Brihaspathi and by valor to Devendra.

tathaa sarvaprajaakaantaiH priitisaMjananaiH pituH || 2-1-32
guNairviruruche raamo diiptaH suurya ivaaMshubhiH |

32. raamaH= Rama, guNaiH= by virtues, sarva prajaakaantaiH= which are enlightening to all the people, priitisamjananaiH= which are source of liking, pituH= to his father, viruruche= was shining, suurya eva= like the sun, diiptaH= shining, aMshubhiH= by the rays.

Rama, by his virtues, was a source of happiness to all the people and a spring of joy to his father. As the sun shines with his rays, Rama was shining, thus, with his virtues.

tamevaMvratasaMpannamapradhR^ishhyaparaakramam || 2-1-33
lokapaalopamaM naathamakaamayata medinii |

33. medinii= the Earth, akaamayata= wished, tam= Rama, naatham= (to be) the lord, evaM vrathasaMpannam= as he was adorned with disciplined life, apradhR^ishhya paraakramam= having undefeatable valor, lokapaalopamam= equal to the universal lords like Indra.

The earth wished Rama to be her Lord as he was adorned with self -control and norms of behavior bearing undefeatable valor equal to that of universal lords like Indra.

etaistu bahubhiryuktaM guNairanupamaiH sutam || 2-1-34
dR^ishhTvaa dasharatho raajaa chakre chintaaM paraMtapaH |

34. raajaa= King dasaratha, paraMtapaH= who annihilates enemies, chakre= constructed, chintaaM= thoughts, dR^ishhTvaa= after observing, sutam= the son, bahubhiH= (having) many, anupamaiH= incomparable, etaiH= these, guNaiH= virtues.

Dasaratha, who annihilates enemies, started thinking as follows after observing his son with his many incomparable virtues.

atha raajJNo babhuuvaivaM vR^iddhasya chirajiivinaH || 2-1-35
priitireshhaa kathaM raamo raajaa syaanmayi jiivati |

35. atha= thereafter, chiranjiivinaH= long living, vR^idhasya= aged, raajJNaH= Dasaratha, evam babhuuva= thus thought, katham syaat= how will, raamaH= Rama (become), raajaa= king, maya jiivati= while I am alive, eshhaa priitiH= (shall I enjoy) this happiness.

The long living and aged Dasaratha thought: "Will Rama become king while I am still alive? Shall I enjoy that happiness?"

eshhaa hyasya paraa priitirhR^idi saMparivartate || 2-1-36
kadaa naama sutaM drakshyaamyabhishhiktamahaM priyam |

36. eshhaa paraa= this great, priithiH= loving thought, saMparivartatehi= was ringing, hR^idi= in his heart, naama= when, drakshyaami= shall I see, priyam sutam= beloved son Rama, abhishhiktam= crowned as king.

A great loving thought was ringing in his mind that when he would be able to see his beloved son Rama crowned as a king.

vR^iddhikaamo hi lokasya sarvabhuutaanukampanaH || 2-1-37
mattaH priyataro loke parN^anya iva vR^ishhTimaan |

37. loke= In the country, mattaH= Better than me, priyataraH hi= (he is) better liked, vR^ishhTimaan= raining, parjanyaH iva= like cloud, vR^iddhi kaamaH= desires development of, lokasya= world, sarvabhuuta anukampanaH= has equal compassion towards all living creatures.

"Is not Rama, as a raining cloud to the earth, better liked by people than me, as he desires the development of the world and has equal compassion towards all living beings."

yamashakrasamo viirye bR^ihaspatisamo matau || 2-1-38
mahiidharasamo dhR^ityaaM mattashcha guNavattaraH |

38. viirye= In valour, yama sakra samaH= equal to Yama and Indra, matau= in wisdom, bR^ihaspati samaH= equal to Bruhaspati, dhR^ityaam= in courage, mahiidhara samaH= equal to mountain, guNavattaraH= better virtues, mattaH cha= than me.

"Rama is equal to Yama and Devendra in valor, to Brihaspati in wisdom and to a mountain in courage. He is more virtuous than me."

mahiimahamimaaM kR^itsnaamadhitishhThantamaatmajam || 2-1-39
anena vayasaa dR^ishhTvaa yathaa svargamavaapnuyaam |

39. yathaa= How, aham= I, avaapnuyaam= attain, svargam= heaven, dR^ishhTvaa= after seeing, anena vayasaa= in this age, aatmajaam= my son, adhitishhThantam= ruling, kR^itsnaam= the entire, imaam mahiim= this Earth.

"Shall I attain heaven, after seeing in this age, my son ruling the entire earth?"

ityetai rvividhai staistai ranyapaarthivadurlabhaiH || 2-1-40
shishhTairaparimeyaishchha loke lokottarairguNaiH |
taM samiikshya mahaaraajo yuktaM samuditaiH shubhaiH || 2-1-41
nishchitya sachivaiH saardhaM yuvaraajamamanyata |

40,41. iti= this way, vividhaiH= various, anya paarthiva durlabhaiH= Not at all seen in other kings, taistaiH= those and those, ethaiH= these virtues, loke= in the world, aparimeyaiH= which can not be counted, lokottaraiH= Best in the world, samuditaiH= gathered at one place, shubhaiH= auspicious, yuktaM= containing, shishhTaih= the remaining, guNaiH= virtues, samiikshya= seeing, tam= that Rama, mahaaraajaH= king of Dasaratha, sachivaiH saardhaM= along with ministers, nishchitya= decided, yuvaraajam= as prince, amanyata= thought.

Rama had many other virtues beyond hitherto stated virtues not to be seen in other kings. His virtues cannot be counted and they are the best in the world. Seeing that type of virtuous Rama, Dasaratha along with his ministers, decided to make Rama the prince.

divyantarikshe bhuumau cha ghoramutpaatajaM bhayam || 2-1-42
saMchachakshe.atha medhaavii shariire chaatmano jaraam |

42. atha= thereafter, medhaavii= the wise Dasaratha, aachachakshe= said, ghoram= great, bhayam= alarm, divi= in heaven, antarikshe= in space, bhuumau cha= in earth, utpaadajam= comet like things, aatmanaH= his, shariire= body, jaraam cha= getting aged.

The wise Dasaratha said that there was sign of a great alarm being forecast because of comet like things found in earth heaven and the sky. He also told the ministers that his body was getting aged.

puurNachandraananasyaatha shokaapanudamaatmanaH || 2-1-43
loke raamasya bubudhe saMpriyatvaM mahaatmanaH |

43. bubudhe= (He) recognised, raamasya= Rama, puurNachandraananasya= one who has a face like a full moon, mahaatmanaH= great wise man, loke saMpriyatvaM= liked by the people, athaH= and, aatmanaH shokaapanudam= will remove his worry.

He recognized that if Rama were crowned as king, he would not have worries as Rama had beautiful face as a full moon; was a great wise man; and was liked by the people.

aatmanashcha prajaanaaM cha shreyase cha priyeNa cha || 2-1-44
praaptakaalena dharmaatmaa bhaktyaa tvaritavaan nR^ipaH |

44. dharmaatma= the righteous, nR^ipaH= King Dasaratha, priyeNa cha= to his liking, tvaritavaan= was hurried, bhaktyaa= with interest, sreyase cha= beneficial to, aatmanashcha= his own self (and), prajaanaam cha= people, praaptakaalena= time has come.

The righteous Dasaratha was hurried with concern in the coronation of Rama as it is for his own benefit and for the benefit of people. Because it is as per his liking and also as the appropriate time has come.

naanaanagaravaastavyaan pR^ithagjaanapadaanapi || 2-1-45
samaaninaaya medinyaaH pradhaanaan pR^ithiviipatiin |

45.naanaa nagaravaastavyaan= those residing in various cities, jaanapadaanapi= those residing in villages, pradhaanaan= principal officers, medinyaaH= of lands, pR^ithiviipatiin= kings, pR^ithak= separately, samaaninaaya= called for.

Dasaratha called for other kings and officers staying in various cities and villages in his kingdom separately.

na tu kekayaraajaanaM janakaM vaa naraadhipaH || 2-1-46
tvarayaa chaanayaamaasa pashchaattau shroshhyataH priyam |

46. tvarayaa= By hurry, naraadhipaH= the king, anayaame= did not call for, kekayaraajaanaM= the king of kekaya, janakaM vaa= or Janaka, tau= both of them, shroshhyataH= could hear, priyam= the good news, pashchaat= afterwards.

The hurried Dasaratha did not call for the king Kekaya, the maternal uncle of Bharatha or the King Janaka as he thought they both could hear the good news even afterwards.

taanveshmanaanaabharaNairyathaarhaM pratipuujitaan || 2-1-47
dadarshaalaMkR^ito raajaa prajaapatiriva prajaaH |

47. raajaa= The king, prathipuujitaan= presented, taan= all of them, veshmanaanaabharaNaiH= houses and various jewelry, yathaarhaM= suitably, alaMkR^itaH= adorned himself, dadarsha= looked them, prajaapatiH= (like) lord Brahma, prajaaH iva= as children.

The king Dasaratha presented them suitably with houses and jewelry. Duly adorned himself, he looked after them in the manner Lord Brahma looks after his children.

athopavishhTe nR^ipatau tasmin parabalaardane || 2-1-48
tataH pravivishuH sheshha raajaano lokasammataaH |

48. atha= There afterwards, sheshhaaH= the remaining, rajaanaH= kings, lokasammataaH= loved by the people, pravivishuH= entered, tataH= after, nR^ipatau= the king, parabalaardhane= who annihilates the opponent's army, upavishhTe= occupied his seat.

All the invited kings, duly liked by their people, entered the assembly after the king Dasaratha , who annihilates the opponent's army, occupied his seat.

atha raajavitiirNeshhu vividheshhvaasaneshhu cha || 2-1-49
raajaanamevaabhimukhaa nishhedurniyataa nR^ipaaH |

49. atha= There afterwards, nR^ipaaH= those kings, nishheduH= sat, vividheshhu= in various, aasaneshhu= seats, raajavitiirneshhu= allotted by king, abhimukheH= facing towards, raajaanameva= the said king, niyataH= as per rules.

The kings thus entered, occupied their various seats allotted to them by the king, by facing toward the king as per the prescribed rules.

sa labdhamaanairvinayaanvitairnR^ipaiH |
puraalayai rjaanapadaishcha maanavaiH |
upopavishhTairnR^ito babhau |
sahasrachakshurbhagavaanivaamaraiH || 2-1-50

50. vR^itaH= surrounded by, labdhamaanaiH= Respected, vinayaanvitaiH= humble, upopavishhTaiH= closely sat, nR^ipaiH= kings, maanvaiH= the officers of, puraalayaiH= cities, jaanapadaiH= villagers, saH= that king Dasaratha, babhau= shone, bhagavaan sahasrachakshuriva= like lord Indra, amaraiH= surrounded by celestials.

Surrounded by the respected and humble kings sitting closely to him as well as the important heads of cities and villages, king Dasaratha shone like lord Devendra surrounded by celestials.

|| iti shriimadraamaayaNe ayodhyakaanDe prathama sargaH ||

Thus completes 1st Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter [Sarga] 2

Introduction

Dasaratha mentions his desire about coronation of Rama before the assembly of people. All people in the assembly unanimously and delightfully accept it while describing all of Rama's virtues.

tataH parishhadaM sarvaamaamantrya vasudhaadhipaH |
hitamuddharshhaNaM chaivamuvaacha prathitaM vachaH || 2-2-1

1. tataH= There afterwards, vasudhaadhipaH= king Dasaratha, evam= thus, uvaacha= spoke, hitam= beneficial, uddharshhaNam= pleasing, prathitaM= famous , vachaH= words, aamantrya= (to) invited, sarvam= whole, parishhadam= court.

Addressing invited gathering in the court, Dasaratha spoke in friendly, pleasing and clear terms.

dundhubhisvanakalpena gambhiireNaanunaadinaa |
svareNa mahataa raajaa jiimuuta iva naadayan || 2-2-2
raajalakshaNayuktena kaantenaanupamena cha |
uvaacha rasayuktena svareNa nR^ipatirnR^ipaan || 2-2-3

2,3. nR^ipati= The lord of men, raajaa= king Dasaratha, uvaacha= addressed, nR^ipaan= the rulers, dundubhi svana kalpena= like the sound of a kettle drum, gambhiireNa= resounding, mahataa= great, svareNa= by sound, jiimuutaH iva= like cloud, naadayan= making sound, raaja lakshana yuktena= marked with characteristics of kings, kaantena= splendid, svareNa= with voice, anupamena cha= without comparison, rasayuktena= containing sweetness .

In a loud voice resembling that of a kettle-drum, resounding the air like a thundering cloud and in a sweet splendid and incomparable voice endowed with the characteristics of a king's voice, King Dasaratha the lord of men spoke to the kings as follows:

viditaM bhavataametadyathaa me raajyamuttamam |
puurvakairmama raajendraissutavat paripaalitam || 2-2-4

4. viditaM= It is well known, yathaa= how, me= my, uttamam= best, raajyam= kingdom, paripaalitam= was protected by, mama= my, puurvakaiH= ancestral, rajendraiH= kings, sutavat= like son.

"It is well known that my excellent kingdom was ruled by my ancestral kings as if it were their son."

so.ahamikshhvaakubhiH sarvairnarendraiH paripaalitam |
shreyasaa yoktukaamo.asmi sukhaarhamakhilaM jagat || 2-2-5

5. saH= that, aham= I, yoktu kaamah asmi= am having desire, akhilam= entire, jagat= world, paripaalitam= protected by, sarvaiH= various, ikshvaakubhiH= descendants of ikshvaaku, narendraiH= kings, yoktu shreyasaa=be bestowed with goodness, sukhaarham= suitable for happiness.

"I have a desire that this entire land which was protected by the descendents of Ikshvaaku dynasty, be bestowed with goodness and the resultant happiness."

mayaapyaacharitaM puurvaiH panthaanamanugachchhataa |
prajaa nityamanidreNa yathaashaktyabhirakshitaaH || 2-2-6

6. aacharitam= followed by, panthaanam= path, anugachchhata= followed by, puurvaiH= ancestors, mayaapi= by me also, nityam= always, prajaaH= people, abhirakshitaH= were protected , anidreNa= with alertness, yathaashakti= within my own ability.

"Following the path established by my ancestors, I have always protected my people with alertness and to the best of my ability."

idaM shariiraM kR^itsnasya lokasya charataa hitam |
paaNdurasyaatapatrasya chchhaayaayaaM jaritaM mayaa || 2-2-7

7. mayaa= by me, charitaa= being conducted, hitham= for the benefit, kR^itsnasya= of all , lokasya= of the people, idam shariiram= this body, jaritam= became worn out, chchhaayaayaaM= under the shadow, paandurasya atapatrasya= of white umbrella.

"In conducting the kingdom for benefit of the entire people, my body became impaired under shade of the white umbrella."

praapya varshhasahasraaNi bahuu nyaayuuMshhi jiivataH |
jiirNasyaasya shariirasya vishraanti mabhirochaye || 2-2-8

8. asya= this, shariirasya= body, praapya= got, jiivataH= living, bahuuni= many, varshha sahasraaNi= thousands of years, aayuuMshhi= of age, abhirochaye= I desire, vishraantim= rest.

"This body has been living for many thousands of years. Hence I desire rest."

raajaprabhaavajushhTaam hi durvahaamajitendriyaiH |
parishraanto.asmi lokasya gurviiM dharmadhuraM vahan || 2-2-9

9. gurviim= great, lokasya= worldly, dharmadhuraM= weight of righteousness, raaja prabhaava justaam= serviced by regal power, durvahaam= could not be carried by, ajitendriyaiH= those who have not defeated senses, asmi parishraantaH= I am tired, vahan= of carrying.

"This burden of worldly righteousness is very heavy. This can be sustained only by royal power with qualities like courage and valor. A person who has no control of senses can not carry this burden. I have become tired while carrying this burden of righteousness. "

so.ahaM vishramamichchhaami putraM kR^itvaa prajaahite |
sannikR^ishhTaanimaan sarvaananumaanya dvijarshhabhaan || 2-2-10

10. saH aham= (That) I, ichchhaami= desire, vishramam= to rest, anumaanya= getting consent (of), sarvaan= all, imaan= these, dvijarshhabhaan= best of Brahmans, sannikR^ishhTaan= close at hand, kR^itvaa= keeping, putram= son, prajaahite= for the benefit of people.

"I desire to take rest, entrusting the rule to my son for the benefit of the people, after obtaining consent from all those best Brahmans who are close to me."

anujaato hi maaM sarvairguNairjyeshhTho mamaatmajaH |
purandarasamo viirye raamaH parapuraMjayaH || 2-2-11

11.mama= my, jyesTha aatmajaH= eldest son, raamaH= Rama, purandara samaH= equal to Devendra, viirye= in valor, parapuraMjayaH= conqueror of cities of foes, anujaataH hi= born along with, mamaiH= my, sarvaiH= entire, guNaiH= qualities.

"My eldest son Rama is equal to Devendra in valor. He is the conqueror of cities of enemies. He is equal to me in all qualities."

taM chandramiva pushhyeNa yuktaM dharmabhR^itaaM varam |
yauvaraajye niyoktaasmi priitaH purushhapuN^gavam || 2-2-12

12. priitaH= Joyfully, niyoktaasmi= I shall appoint, tam= that Rama, chandramiva= like moon, yuktam= together, pushhyena= with pushya star, varam= best, dharmabR^itaam= among protectors of righteousness, purushapuN^gavam= excellent man, yauvaraajye= to the realm of prince.

"Joyfully, I shall appoint Rama, who shines like the moon together with Pushya star, who is the best among the protectors of righteousness and who is an excellent man, to the realm of prince."

anuruupaH sa vai naatho lakshmiivaan lakshmaNaagrajaH |
trailokyamapi naathena yena syaannaathavattaram || 2-2-13

13. lakshmaNaagrajaH= Brother of Lakshmana (Rama), naathena= as lord, yena= by whom, trailokyamapi= even the three worlds, syaat= will have, naathavattaram= the best master, saH= That, lakshmivaan= glorious, anuruupaH= fitting, naathaH vai= Lord.

"If Rama becomes the lord, the three worlds also will have the best master. He is a glorious man. That Rama is the only fittest lord for the kingdom."

anena shreyasaa sadyaH samyojyaivamimaaM mahiim |
gataklesho bhavishhyaami sute tasminniveshya vai || 2-2-14

14. niveshya= By keeping, imaam= this, maheem= earth to, tasmin= that, sute= son Rama, evam= thus, sadyaH= immediately, samyojya= arranged, shreyasaa= with good, bhavishyaami= I shall become, gataklesaH= devoid of difficulties.

"By entrusting this kingdom to Rama, I shall be thus doing an immediate good and shall be devoid of difficulties."

yadiidam me.anuruupaardhaM mayaa saadhu sumantritam |
bhavanto me.anumanyantaaM kathaM vaa karavaaNyaham || 2-2-15

15. mayaa= by me, sumantritam= well thought of, me= my, idam= this word, bhavantaH= you, anumanyataaM= give consent, me= to me, anuruupaartham yadi= if it is befitting, saadhu= good, katham vaa= How else, aham= I, karavaani= shall do.

"I am telling this after lot of thinking. Give consent to me if you feel this to be good and befitting. How else shall I do it?"

yadyapyeshhaa mama priitirhitamanyadvichintyataam |
anyaa madyasthachintaa hi vimardaabhyadhikodayaa || 2-2-16

16. esha= this, mama= my, priitiH= desire, yadyapi= yet, vichintyaam= let there be thinking, anyat= any other, hitam= beneficial way, madhyastha chintaH= Thinking by neutral people, anyaa= distinctive, vimardaabhyadhikodayaa= well developed through grinding (of opposing views).

"This is my desire. Yet, let there be thinking on any other beneficial way. Thinking by impartial neutral people will be distinctive and well developed through grinding of opposing views."

iti bR^ivantaM muditaaH pratyanandan nR^ipaa nR^ipam |
vR^ishhtimantaM mahaameghaM nardanta iva barhiNaH || 2-2-17

17. muditaaH= Delighted, nR^ipaaH= kings, pratyanandan= complimented, nR^ipam= king Dasaratha, iti bR^ivantaM= so speaking, barhiNaH iva= like peacocks, nardantaH= make sound, vR^ishhTimantaM= raining, mahaameghaM= great cloud.

Those delighted kings complimented king Dasaratha so speaking with a loud applause as the peacocks cry in delight when they see the raining great cloud.

snigdho.anunaadii samjaGYe tatra harshhasamiiritaH |
janaughodghushhTasannaado vimaanaM kampayanniva || 2-2-18

18. vimaanam= That building, kampayanniva= appeared trembling, snigdhaH= sweet, anunaadii= reverberating sound, sanjaGYe= created, janaughodghushhTa sannaadaH= uproaring sound by the gathering of people, tatra= there, harsha samiiritaH= done with delight .

That building appeared trembling by the sweet and reverberating sound made by the gathering of people there with their fond uproar.

tasya dharmaarthavidushho bhaavamaaGYaaya sarvashaH |
braahmaNaa janamukhyaashcha paurajaanapadaiH saha || 2-2-19
sametya mantrayitvaa tu samataagatabuddhayaH |
uuchushcha manasaa GYaatvaa vR^iddhaM dasharathaM nR^ipam || 2-2-20

19,20. aaGYaaya= understanding, sarvashaH= by all means, bhaavam= opinion, tasya= of Dasaratha, dharmaartha vidushhaH= who knows holy and worldly matters, paura jaanapadaiH saha= the urban and rural citizens including, braahmaNaaH= brahmanas, jana mukhyaaH cha= and other important people, mantrayittva= thought, sametya= together, GYaatvaa= comprehended, manasaa= by mind, samataagata buddhayaH= came to consensus, uuchuH= spoke to, vR^iddham= aged, dasaratham nR^ipam= King Dasaratha.

After understanding the opinion of King Dasaratha, who knew the holy and worldly matters, the Brahmans, important people, urban and rural citizens came to a consensus after discussing together and told the aged king as follows.

anekavarshhasaahasro vR^iddhasttvamasi paarthiva |
sa raamaM yuvaraajaanamabhishhi~nchasva paarthivam || 2-2-21

21. paarthiva= oh king, tvam asi= you are, vR^iddhasttva= elderly person, aneka varshha saahasraH= having many thousands of years, saH= that you, abhishhinchasva= inaugurate, raamam= Rama, paarthivam= ruling, yuvaraajanam= prince.

"Oh king! You are an elderly person with thousands of years of age. Hence, inaugurate Rama as the ruling prince."

ichchhaamo hi mahaabaahuM raghuviiraM mahaabalam |
gajena mahataa yaantaM raamaM chhatraavR^itaananam || 2-2-22

22. ichchaamaH hi= we desire, raamam= Rama, mahaabaahum= who has long arms, raghuviiram= hero born in clan of Raghu, mahaabalam= having great might, chhatraavR^ithaananam= his face covered by white umbrella, yaantam= going, mahataa gajena= by great elephant.

"All of us want to see Rama, with long arms, the hero with great might born in the clan of Raghu , his face protected by a white umbrella, moving on a great elephant."

iti tadvachanaM shrutvaa raajaa teshhaaM manaHpriyam |
ajaananniva jiGYaasuridaM vachanamabraviit || 2-2-23

23. iti= thus, raajaa= king Dasaratha, shrutvaa= after hearing, tadvachanam= their sentence, abraviit= spoke, idam= this, vachanam= sentence, ajaananniva= as though he did not know, teshhaaM= their, manaH priyam= pleasing mind, jiGYaasuH= desirous of knowing.

King Dasaratha, after hearing their words, spoke as follows as though he did not know their mind earlier and sought to know their true intention.

shrutvaiva vachanaM yanme raaghavaM patimichchhatha |
raajaanaH saMshayo.ayaM me tadidaM bruuta tattvataH || 2-2-24

24. raajaanaH= Oh kings, ayam= this, samshayaH= doubt, me= to me, yat= why, ichchhatha= (you) want, raaghavam= Rama, pathim= as king, shruttvaiva= after hearing, me= my, vachanam= sentence, bruuta= inform, tat idam= the present matter, tattvataH= truly.

"Oh kings, I have a doubt as to why you want Raghava to be the king immediately after hearing my words. Inform your real opinion in this matter."

kathaM nu mayi dharmeNa pR^ithiviimanushaasati |
bhavanto drashhTumichchhanti yuvaraajaM mamaatmajam || 2-2-25

25. katham nu= how, bhavantaH= you, Ichchhanti= desire, drashhTum= to see, mama= my, aatmajam= son, yuvaraajam= as prince, mayi anushaasati= when I am ruling, pR^ithiveem= the earth, dharmeNa= with righteousness.

"Why do you desire to see my son as the prince, when I am ruling this earth with righteousness?"

te tamuuchurmahaatmaanaM paurajaanapadaiH saha |
bahavo nR^ipa kalyaaNaa guNaaH putrasya santi te || 2-2-26

26. te= those kings, paurajanaiH saha= along with urban and rural citizens, uuchuH= spoke, tam= about him, mahaatmaanam= the great soul, nR^ipaH= Oh king, te= your, putrasya= son, santi= has, bahavaH= many, kalyaaNaH= auspicious, guNaaH= virtues.

Those kings together with urban and rural citizens after hearing those words spoke to the great soul Dasaratha as follows: "Oh king! Your son Rama has many auspicious virtues".

guNaan guNavato deva devakalpasya dhiimataH |
priyaanaanandadaan kR^itsnaan pravakshyaamo.adyataan shR^iNu || 2-2-27

27. deva= Oh king, adya= now, vakshyaami= (we shall) tell, kR^itsnaan= various, guNaan= virtues, dhiimataH= of your wise son, shR^iNu= listen, devakalpasya= equal to celestials, guNavataH= virtuous, priyaan= liked by all, aanandadaan= give happiness.

"Oh king! We shall tell you now the various virtues of your wise son, listen to them. His qualities are equal to those of celestials. They are liked by all. They give happiness to all."

divyairguNaiH shakrasamo raamaH satyaparaakramaH |
ikshvaakubhyo.api sarvebhyo hyatirikto vishaaMpate || 2-2-28

28. vishaaMpate= Oh lord of the people!, raamaH= Rama, shakra samaH= equal to Devendra, divyaiH= in heavenly, guNaiH= qualities, satya paraakramaH= having a true valor, atiriktaH= greater than, sarvebhyo api= all, ikshvaakubhyaH= kings of Ikshvaaku clan.

"Oh king! Rama is equal to Devendra in heavenly qualities. He has true valor. He is greater than all the kings born in Ikshvaaku clan."

raamaH satpurushho loke satyadharmaparaayaNaH |
saakshhaadraamaadvinirvR^itto dharmashchaapi shriyaa saha || 2-2-29

29. raamaH= Rama, satpurushhaH= is good person, loke= in the world, satyadharmaparaayaNaH= interested in truth and righteousness, raamaat= By Rama alone, dharmaH cha api= Dharma, shriyaa saha= along with wealth, vinirvR^ittaH= arranged, saakshaat= without separation.

"Rama is the world renowned gentleman. He is keenly interested in truth and righteousness. Only Rama can make both righteousness and wealth combine without separation."

prajaasukhatve chandrasya vasudhaayaaH kshhamaaguNaiH |
budhyaa bR^ihaspatestulyo viirye saakshaachchhachiipateH || 2-2-30

30. tulyaH= equal to, chandrasya= moon, prajaasukhatve= in making people happy, vasudhaayaH= earth, kshamaaguNaiH= in the quality of forgiveness, bR^ihaspateH= Brihaspati, buddhyaa= by wisdom, saakshaat= actually, shachiipateH= to Devendra, viirye= in valour.

"He is equal to moon in making the people happy; equal to the earth in the quality of forgiveness; equal to Brihaspati in wisdom and verily to Devendra in valour."

dharmajaGYaH satyasandhashcha shiilavaananasuuyakaH |
kshaantaH saantvayitaa shlakshhNaH kR^itaGYo vijitendriyaH || 2-2-31

31. dharmaGYaH= knows righteousness, satyasandhaH= is true to his word, shiilavaan= Has good character, anasuuyakaH= has no envy, kshaantaH= has patience, saantvayitaa= consoles those in troubles, shlakshaH= speaks good words, kR^itaGYaH= has gratitude, vijitendriyaH= has controlled the senses.

"Rama knows all righteousness. He is true to his word and has good character. He has no envy. He has patience. He consoles those who are in troubles. He speaks good words. He has gratitude. He keeps senses under control."

mR^idushcha sthirachittashcha sadaa bhavyo.anasuuyakaH |
priyavaadii cha bhuutaanaam satyavaadii cha raaghavaH || 2-2-32
bahushrutaanaaM vR^iddhaanaaM braahmaNaanaamupaasitaa |
tenaa syehaatulaa kiirtiryashastejashcha vardhate || 2-2-33

32,33. raaghavaH= Rama, mR^iduH cha= soft natured, sthira chittaH cha= stable minded, sadaa= always, bhaavyaH= auspicious man, anasuuyakaH= who has no envy, priyavaadii= speaks delightfully, bhutaanaam= to living beings, satyavaadii cha= speaks truthfully, upaasitaa= worshipper, vR^iddhaanaam braahmaNaanaam= to aged brahmanas, bahushrutaanaam= endued with knowledge of many sciences, tenaa= by that, asya= his, atulaa= incomparable, kiirtiH= name, yashaH= glory, tejascha= splendor, vardhate= growing, iha= in this world.

"Rama is soft natured; has stable mind, always an auspicious man, and has no envy. He speaks truthful and loving words to all living beings. He worships aged Brahmans endued with the knowledge of various sciences. By that, his name, glory and splendor are growing in this world."

devaasuramanushhyaaNaaM sarvaastreshhu vishaaradaH |
samyagvidyaavratasnaato yathavatsaaN^gavedavit || 2-2-34

34. vishaaradaH= efficient man, sarvaastreshhu= in various weapons, devaasuramanushhyaaNaaM= known to celestials, demons and men, vidyavrata snaanaH= took bath in the vow of studies, yathaavat= systematically, saaN^gavedavit= learnt branches of vedas.

"He is skilled in the use of various weapons known to celestials, demons and men. He has duly concluded his vow of studying the various sciences and has systematically learnt all the Vedas along with its branches. *"

* Branches of Vedas: - (six in number): 1.Siksha or phonetics 2.Vyakarana or Grammar 3. Chandas or Prosody 4. Nirukta or Etymology 5. Jyautisha or Astronomy 6. Kalpa or the branch of knowledge prescribing the ritual and giving rules for the ceremonial or sacrificial acts.

gaandharve cha bhuvi shreshhTho babhuuva bharataagrajaH |
kalyaaNaabhijanaH saadhuradiinaatmaa mahaamatiH || 2-2-35

35. bharataagrajaH= Bharatha's elder brother, Rama, babhuuva= became, shreshhThaH= the best, gaandharve= in music, kalyaaNaabhijanaH= one who has the best relatives, saadhuH= gentlman, adiinaatma= one who is not weak in mind, mahaamatiH= one who has great wisdom.

"Rama is best in the world in the art of music. He has best relatives. He is gentle. He is not weak in mind. He has great wisdom."

dvijairabhiviniitashcha shreshhThairdharmaarthanaipuNaiH |
yadaa vrajati saMgraamaM graamaarthe nagarasya vaa || 2-2-36
gatvaa saumitrisahito naavijitya nivartate |

36. abhiviniitaH= trained in all matters, shreshhThaiH dvijaiH= from the best of Brahmans, dharmaartha nipuNaiH= skilled in the art of righteousness and in the science of political economy, gramaarthe= for village, nagarasyavaa= or for town, yadaa= while, vrajati= moving, saMgraamam= for a battle, gatvaa= (Rama) goes, saumitri sahitaH= along with Lakshmana, na nivartate= does not return, avijitya= without victory.

"Rama was trained in all matters from the best of Brahmans skilled in the art of righteousness and in the science of political economy. If it is necessary to go to a battle to protect a village or a city, Rama goes with Lakshmana and returns home only after obtaining victory."

saMgraamaatpunaraagamya kuN^jareNa rathena vaa || 2-2-37
pauraan svajanavannityam kushalaM paripR^ichchhati |
putreshhvagnishhu daareshhu preshhyashishhyagaNeshhu cha || 2-2-38
nikhilenaanupuurvyaachcha pitaa putraanivaurasaan |

37,38. punaH aagatya= After returning, sangraamaat= from battle, kuN^jareNa= on elephant, rathena vaa= or chariot, paripR^ichchhati= inquires, kushalam= well being of, pauraan= citizens, svajanavat= like relatives, pitaa= father, aurasaan putraaniva= like to their hereditary sons, putreshhu= about sons, agnishhu= about the fire, daareshhu= about the wives, preshhya sishhyagaNeshhu cha= about the servants and the disciples, nityam= always, nikhilena= completely, anupuurvyaachcha= and as per due order.

"After returning from battle, Rama goes to citizens on an elephant or a chariot and inquires about their well being as though they were his own kinsmen, like a father does to his sons. He asks about their wives and children, about the sacred fires, about their servants and students, always completely as per the due order."

shushruushhante cha vaH shishhyaaH kachitkarmasu daMshitaaH || 2-2-39
iti naH purushhavyaaghraH sadaa raamo.abhibhaashhate |

39. raamaH= Rama, purushavyaaghraH= the best among men, sadaa= always, abhibhaashhate= speaks, naH= to us, iti= thus, vaH= your, shishhyaaH= disciples, shushruushhante= serving, daMshitaaH= keenly, karmasu= in actions.

"Rama the best among men always asks us 'Are your disciples serving you by keenly performing their actions?' "

vyasaneshhu manushhyaaNaaM bhR^ishaM bhavati duHkhitaH || 2-2-40
utsaveshhu cha sarveshhu piteva paritushhyati |

40. bhR^isham duHkitaH bhavati= feels very sad, vyasaneshhu= in troubles, manushhyeshhu= of men, paritushhyati= feels delighted, sarveshhu= in all, utsaveshhu= celebrations, piteva= like father.

"Rama feels very sad towards afflictions of men; and feels delighted in all functions celebrated by people on the occasions of child birth and the like, just as their own father does."

satyavaadii maheshhvaaso vR^iddhasevii jitendriyaH || 2-2-41
smitapuurvaabhibhaashhii cha dharmaM sarvaatmanaa shritaH |

41. satyavaadii= speaker of only truth, maheshvaasaH= He who is having great bow, vR^iddhasevii= he who serves elders, jitendriyaH= he whose senses are defeated, smita puurvaabhibhaashhii cha= he who smiles before speaking, dharmaM shritaH= He who takes shelter of righteousness, sarvaatmanaa= in all ways.

"Rama speaks only truth. He is a great hero. He serves elders. He kept the senses under control. Rama, who talks smilingly, protects righteousness in all ways."

samyagyoktaa shreyasaaM cha na vigR^ihya kathaaruchiH || 2-2-42
uttarottarayuktau cha vaktaa vaachaspatiryathaa |

42. yokta shreyasaam= procurer of benefits, samyak= in good manner, na kathaaruchiH= not interested in talks, vigR^ihya= by quarreling, vaktaa= orator, vaachaspatiryathaa= like Brihaspati, uttarottarayuktau cha= by replies and rejoinders.

"Rama duly procures beneficent deeds. He is not interested in wrangling talks. He is an orator like Brihaspati by his replies and rejoinders."

subhruuraayatataamraakshhassaakshhaadvishhNuriva svayam || 2-2-43
raamo lokaabhiraamo.ayaM shauryaviiryaparaakramaiH |

43. ayam= this, raamaH= Rama, lokaabhiraamaH= who enchants the world, subhruuH= with beautiful eyebrows, aayata taamraakshhaH= with broad and red eyes, svayam= himself, saakshhaat= absolutely, vishhnuH iva= like Vishnu, shaurya viirya paraakramaiH= in strength, heroism and valour.

"Rama, who enchants the world, has beautiful eyebrows. He has red and broad eyes. He is absolutely like the God Vishnu himself in strength, heroism and valour."

prajaapaalanatattvaGYo na raagopahatendriyaH || 2-2-44
shaktastrailokyamapyeko bhoktuM kiM nu mahiimimaam |

44. prajaapaalana tattvaGYaH= knew the ins and outs of public administration, na raagopahatendriyaH= senses not hit by passion, shaktyaH= capable of, bhoktum= enjoying, trailokyamapi= even three worlds, ekaH= alone, kiM nu= why to speak of , imaam= this, mahiim= earth.

"He knew the ins and outs of public administration. His senses are not afflicted by passion. He is capable of administering not only earth, but also the three worlds."

naa.asya krodhaH prasaadashcha nirartho.asti kadaachana || 2-2-45
hantyeva niyamaadvadhyaanavadhye cha na kupyati |

45. asya= his, krodhaH= anger, prasaadashcha= and mercy, kadaachana= at anytime, naasti= not, nirarthakaH= useless, hantyeva= kills certainly, vadhyaan= worthy of slaying, niyamaat= as per rules, na kupyati= not enraged at, avadhye= those not worthy of slaying.

"Rama's anger or mercy is not arbitrary at any time. He kills those who are to be slain as per rules. He is not angered at the innocent."

yunaktyarthaiH prahR^ishhTashcha tamasau yatra tushhyati || 2-2-46
shaantaiH sarvaprajaakaantaiH priitisaMjananairnR^iNaam |
guNairviruruche raamo diiptaH suurya ivaaMshubhiH || 2-2-47

46, 47. asau= this Rama, yunakti= bestows, arthaiH= wealth, tam= to those, yatra= with whom, tushhyati= he is satisfied, suuryaH iva= as the sun, diiptaH= shines, amshubhiH= by his rays, raamaH= Rama, viruruche= shone, guNaiH= by qualities, shaantaiH= which are peaceful, sarvaprajaakaantaiH= which are enchanting to the entire people, priitijananaiH= which create delight, nR^iNaam= to humans.

"He gladly bestows wealth to those with whom he is satisfied. As the sun shines by his rays, Rama shines by his qualities that are peaceful, which are enchanting and delightful to men."

tamevaMguNasampannaM raamaM satyaparaakramam |
lokapaalopamaM naathamakaamayata medinii || 2-2-48

48. medinii= the earth, akaamayata= desires, raamaM= Rama, evam guNa sampannam= who is endowed with this wealth of virtues, satyaparaakramam= who has true valour, lokapaalopamaM= equal to presiding deities like Devendra, naatham= as the lord.

"All people desire Rama, who is endowed with this wealth of qualities, who has true valour, who is equal to presiding deities like Devendra, to be their lord."

vatsaH shreyasi jaataste dishhTyaasau tava raaghava |
dishhTyaa putraguNairyukto maariicha iva kaashyapaH || 2-2-49

49. raaghava= oh king Dasaratha, asau= this Rama, jaataH= is born, te= to you, vatsaH= as son, tava dishhTyaa= by your fortune, yuktaH putraguNaiH= having virtues befitting a son, kaashyapaH iva= like kaasyapa, maariichaH= the son of Mareechi.

"Oh king Dasaratha! Rama is born to you as a son, because of your good fortune, for the welfare of this world. He has all the virtues befitting of a son, like Kasyapa, the son of Marichi."

balamaarogyamaayushcha raamasya viditaatmanaH |
devaasuramanushhyeshhu sagandharvorageshhu cha || 2-2-50
aashaMsate janaH sarvo raashhTre puravare tathaa |
aabhyantarashcha baahyashcha paurajaanapado janaH || 2-2-51

50,51. sarvaH janaH= all the people, raashhTre= in the state, tathaa= and, puravare= those in the capital, abhyantaraH cha= those in nearby places, baahyashcha= and, paurajaanapadaH janaH= rural and urban people, aashaMsate= desire, raamasya= of Rama, viditaatmanaH= having reputed nature, devaasuramanushhyeshhu= in celestials, demons and men, sagandharvorageshhucha= including divine singers and serpents, balam= strength, aarogyam= health, aayushcha= and long life.

"All people in the state including those in the capital as well as those in the nearby and in the far off places, pray for long life, health and strength of Rama of reputed nature."

striyo vR^iddhaastaruNyashcha saayaM praataH samaahitaaH |
sarvaan devaan namasyanti raamasyaarthe yashasvinaH || 2-2-52

52. vR^iddhaaH= aged, tarunyashcha= and youthful, striyaH= women, namasyanti= are praying, saayaM= evening, praataH= morning, sarvaan= all, devaan= celestials, samahitaaH= with stable mind, arthe= for the benefit , yashasvina= renowned, raamasya= of Rama.

"Both young and aged women are praying with a stable mind each morning and evening to all celestials, for the benefit of renowned Rama."

teshhaamaayaachitaM deva tvatprasaadaa tsamR^iddhyataam |
raamamindiivarashyaamaM sarvashatrunibarhaNam || 2-2-53
pashyaamo yauvaraajyasthaM tava raajottamaa.aatmajam |

53. raajothama= oh best of the kings, deva= king Dasaratha, pashyaamaH= we shall see, raamaM= Rama, indiivarashyaamaM= who is having the complexion of black lotus, sarvashatrunibarhaNam= who annihilates all the enemies, tava= your, aatmajam= son, yauvaraajyastham= adorned with princely kingdom, aayaachitam= prayer, teshhaam= of those people, samR^iddhyaam= be fruitful, tvatprasaadaat= by your grace.

"Oh best of kings, Dasaratha ! We shall see Rama adorned with princely kingdom. Your son Rama has the complexion of a black lotus flower and annihilates all his enemies. Let the wish of the people be fulfilled by your grace."

taM devadevopamamaatmajaM te |
sarvasya lokasya hite nivishhTam |
hitaaya naH kshhipramudaarajushhTaM |
mudaabhishhektum varada tva marhasi || 2-2-54

54. varada= Oh , fulfiller of desires, Dasaratha!, naH hitaaya= for our benefit, tvam= you, arhasi= are fit, kshhipram= immediately, mudaa= gladly, abhishhiktum= to inaugurate, tam= that, te aatmajaM= your son Rama, devadevopamaM= equal to the god of gods, Vishnu, nivishhTam= who is interested, hite= in the benefit of, sarvasya= the entire, lokasya= world, udaarajushhTaM= who is possessing the best of virtues.

"Oh fulfiller of people's desires, Dasaratha! For our benefit, you gladly and immediately inaugurate your son Rama, who is equal to Vishnu, who is interested in the welfare of the entire world and who is possessing the best of virtues."

|| iti shriimadraamaayaNe ayodhyakaanDe dvitiiya sargaH ||

Thus completes 2nd Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection