ka: who?, cāritrēṇa with good conduct, yukta: is endowed, ka: who?, sarvabhūtēṣu for all living beings, hita: benefactor, ka: who?, vidvān learned man (knower of everything which is to be known), ka: who?, samartha: ca competent (capable of doing things which cannot be done by others), ka: who? ēkapriyadarśana: ca solely delightful in appearance to everyone,

ētat this, aham I, śrōtum to listen, icchāmi am desirous, mē my, kautūhalam curiosity, paraṅ hi is great, maharṣē O! Maharshi, tvam you, ēvaṅvidham of such (virtues), naram man, jñātum to know, samartha: asi are competent.

munē O!Sage Valmiki, bahava: many, durlabhā: ca ēva rare indeed are the ordinary people endowed with such qualities, yē guṇā: those qualities, tvayā by you, kīrtitā: described, tai: with those qualities, yukta: endowed with, nara: man, śrūyatām listen, aham I, buddhvā having ascertained, vakṣyāmi shall tell you.

buddhimān great intellectual, nītimān learned in ethical (statecraft) philosophy, vāgmī proficient in speeches, śrīmān possessing vast auspiciousness, śatrunibarhaṇa: destroyer of foes (sins), vipulāṅsa: broad shouldered, mahābāhu: strong-armed, kambugrīva: possessing conch-shaped neck, mahāhanu: having prominent and strong cheeks.

samaḥ neither too tall nor too short, samavibhaktāṅga: has well-proportioned limbs, snigdhavarṇaḥ has shining complexion, pratāpavān is mighty and powerful, pīnavakṣā: strong well-developed chest, viśālākṣaḥ has expansive eyes, lakṣmīvān lustrous body, śubhalakṣaṇaḥ has auspicious qualities (according to science of palmistry).

prajāpatisamaḥ equal to Brahma, śrīmān surpassed the entire world in auspiciousness, dhātā sustainer of this entire world, ripuniṣūdanaḥ destroyer of enemies, rakṣitā protector, jīvalōkasya of all living beings, dharmasya of code of morals, parirakṣitā protector.

sarvaśāstrārthatattvajña: knower of the true meaning of all scriptures, smṛtimān has infalliable retentive memory, pratibhānavān is talented (possessing brightness of conception), sarvalōkapriyaḥ is beloved of all people, sādhu: well-disposed and courteous (even towards those who have done harm), adīnātmā unperturbed mind (even in times of extreme grief), vicakṣaṇaḥ has dicrimination (is circumspect in doing right things in right time).

kausalyānandavardhana: he, who is enhancing the joys of Kausalya, sa: ca he also, sarvaguṇōpēta: endowed with all virtues, gāmbhīryē in depth of his thoughts, samudra: iva like a sea, dhairyēṇa in fortitude, himavān iva like Himavat mountain.

mahīpati: daśaratha: lord of earth, Dasaratha, ēvaṅ guṇasampannam him who was possessing all such good qualities, satyaparākramam him who had not a vain prowess, śrēṣṭhaguṇai: with excellent virtues, yuktam endowed with, priyam beloved, prakṛtīnām for his subjects, hitai: with good deeds, yuktam endowed with, jyēṣṭham eldest, sutam son, taṅ rāmam Sri Rama, prakṛtipriyakāmyayā ever intent on the welfare of the people, prītyā with affection, yauvarājyēna heir-apparent, saṅyōktum to install, aicchat wished.

sa: daśaratha: Dasaratha, satyavacanāt due to being truthful to his word, dharmapāśēna by the bond of duty, saṅyata: restrained, priyaṅ sutam beloved son, rāmam Rama, vivāsayāmāsa sent (to the forest).

vinayasampanna: endowed with modesty, bhrātu: for brother Rama, dayita: beloved, priya: bhrātā brother with natural affection, sumitrānandavardhana: one who enhances the joy of Sumitra, lakṣmaṇa: Lakshmana, saubhrātram affectionate brotherhood, anudarśayan showing, vrajantam departing to the forest, taṅ bhrātaram his brother Rama, snēhāt out of affection, anujagāma ha followed.

paurai: by citizens, pitrā daśarathēna ca by his father Dasaratha also, dūram for a long distance, anugata: followed, dharmātmā rāma: Rama of righteous nature (the protector of those who take refuge in him), gaṅgākūlē on the bank of river Ganga, śṛṅgibērapurē at Shrungiberapura, niṣādādhipatim the king of Nishadas, priyam endeared to him, guham Guha, āsādya having approached, guhēna along with Guha, lakṣmaṇēna by Lakshmana, sītayā ca and by Sita, sahita: accompanied sūtam charioteer Sumantra, vyasarjayat sent back.

tathā in that way, rāmē when Rama, citrakūṭam gatē had set out to Chitrakuta, putraśōkātura: stricken by the grief over the separation from his son, rājā daśaratha: king Dasaratha, sutam about his son, vilapan wailing, svargam heavens, jagāma went.

vīra: The brave person who had conquered envy and hatred, rāmapādaprasādaka: in order to propitiate Rama's feet, sa he, vanaṅ forest, jagāma went.

rāmō.pi eventhough he delights everybody, paramōdārō.pi eventhough exceedingly generous (in fulfilling the desires like absorption in divinity etc, of those who take refuge in him), sumukhō.pi eventhough having cheerful countenance (when somebody approaches him for favours), rāma Rama, sumahāyaśā: greatly renowned (because of dispensing charities), mahābala: highly capable (in fulfilling the desires of others), pitu: father's, ādēśāt by command, rājyam kingdom, naicchat refused to accept.

sa: Bharata, kāmam desire, anavāpyaiva without fulfilling only, rāmapādau sandals of Rama, upaspṛśan touching with reverence, rāmāgamanakāṅkṣayā eagerly awaiting the return of Rama, nandigrāmē in Nandigrama, rājyam akarōt ruled the kingdom.

rājīvalōcanaḥ lotus-eyed, rāmaḥ Rama, mahāraṇyam dreary forest (Dandakaranya) praviśya tu having entered, virādham Viradha, rākṣasam Rakshasa, hatvā after slaying, śarabhaṅgam sage Sarabhanga, sutīkṣṇaṅ ca also sage Sutikshna, agastyaṅ ca sage Agastya, tathā and, agastyabhrātaraṅ ca brother of
sage Agastya, dadarśa ha saw.

tasya rāmasya when Rama, vanē in that forest (in the hermitage of sage Sarabhanga), vasata: was dwelling, sarvē ṛṣaya: all the ascetics, vanacaraiḥ saha along with those inhabiting the forest, asurarakṣasām asuras and rakshasas (seizing upon the lives), vadhāya for destruction, abhyāgaman approached.

tatraiva vasatā while living in that place itself, tēna by Rama, janasthānanivāsinī resident of Janasthana area (of Dandakaranya), kāmarūpiṇī capable of assuming any form at will, rākṣasī śūrpaṇakhā female demon Surpanakha, virūpitā was deformed.

tasmin vanē in that forest, nivasatā by Rama who was living, janasthānanivāsinām of the inhabitants of Janasthana, rakṣasām of rakshasas, caturdaśasahasrāṇi fourteen thousand of them, nihatāni āsan were killed.

"rāvaṇa O Ravana!, balavatā with that mighty and powerful (because of slaying of Khara etc. rakshasas), tēna with that Rama, virōdha: hostilities, tē to you, na kṣama: is not proper" in this way, mārīcēna by Maricha, subahuśa: well in many ways, vāryamāṇaḥ dissuaded, sa: rāvaṇa: that Ravana.

māyāvinā by the deceitful, tēna by him (Maricha), nṛpātmajau princes (Rama and Lakshmana), dūram far away, apavāhya drawing them away, jaṭāyuṣam Jatayu, gṛdhram vulture, hatvā having killed, rāmasya Rama's, bhāryām wife, Sita, jahāra carried away.

tēnaiva śōkēna pervaded by that sorrow, tata: then, gṛdhraṅ jaṭāyuṣam vulture Jatayu, dagdhvā having consigned to flames, vanē in the forest, sītām Sita, mārgamāṇa: wandering in search of, rūpēṇa in form, vikṛtam deformed, ghōradarśanam dreadful appearance, kabandhannāma named Kabandha, rākṣasam rakshasa, sandadarśa ha beheld.

mahātējā: possessing great splendour, śatrusūdana: destroyer of enemies, sa: he, śabarīm towards Sabari, abhyagacchat had gone, daśarathātmaja: son of Dasaratha, rāma: Rama, śabaryā by
Sabari, samyak duly, pūjita: worshipped.

mahābala: mighty and powerful, rāma: Rama, ādita: right from the beginning, tat sarvam all that story, viśēṣata: particularly, sītāyāśca Sita's, yathāvṛttaṅ as it happened (abduction), sugrīvāya ca to Sugriva, also to Hanuman, śaṅsat related.

tata: thereafter, du:khitēna by him who was filled with sorrow, vānararājēna by the king of
monkeys, Sugriva, vairānukathanaṅ prati his story about hostilities (with Vali), rāmāya to Rama, sarvam entirely, praṇayāt out of friendship, āvēditam was communicated.

sugrīvaśca Sugriva also, rāghavē in Rama's, vīryēṇa prowess, nityam always, śaṅkita: āsīt had a doubt, sugrīva: Sugriva, rāghavapratyayārtham with a view to get convinced about Rama, dundubhē: rakshasa named Dundubhi, mahāparvatasannibham resembling a high mountain, uttamaṅ kāyam huge body, darśayāmāsa showed.

tathā then, punaśca again, pratyayam confidence, janayan creating, ēkēna with one, mahēṣuṇā mighty shaft, sapta sālān seven palmyra trees, girim a mountain, rasātalaṅ caiva Rasatala (one of the seven lower worlds under the earth), bibhēda penetrated.

tata: then, harivara: best of monkeys, hēmapiṅgala: yellowish hued like gold, sugrīva: Sugriva, agarjat roared, tēna mahatā with great, nādēna voice, harīśvara: lord of monkeys (Vali), nirjagāma came out.

rāghava: Rama, sugrīvavacanāt in compliance with the words of Sugriva, vālinam Vali, āhavē in the battle, hatvā having killed, tata: thereafter, tadrājyē in that kingdom of Vali, sugrīvamēva Sugriva itself, pratyapādayat proposed (installed).

tata: thereafter, balī hanumān mighty Hanuman, sampātē: Sampathi's, gṛdhrasya vulture's, vacanāt in accordance with suggestion, śatayōjanavistīrṇam extending over a hundred yojanas (about 800 miles), lavaṇārṇavam salt-sea, pupluvē leapt over.

abhijñānam as token of recognition (Rama's ring), nivēdayitvā having presented, pravṛttiṅ ca the entire account, nivēdya ca having related, vaidēhīm daughter of the king of Videha with its capital at Mithila, Sita, samāśvāsya having consoled, tōraṇam outer gate of the garden, mardayāmāsa crushed.

vīra: mighty warrior, mahākapi: great monkey, Hanuman, paitāmahāt by Brahma's, varāt boon, ātmānam his own self, astrēṇa by the weapon (given by Brahma), unmuktam released, jñātvā coming to know, yadṛcchayā casually (in the expectation of his another objective of seeing Ravana), yantriṇa: restrained by ropes, tān rākṣasān those rakshasas, marṣayan while enduring, tata: after completion of that act, maithilīm sītāṅ ṛtē except Sita (Mythili), laṅkāṅ purīm the city of Lanka, dagdhvā having burnt, rāmāya for Rama, priyam welcome tidings, ākhyātum to deliver, puna: āyāt returned again.

tata: thereafter, sugrīvasahita: together with Sugriva, mahōdadhē: tīram shore of mighty ocean, gatvā having reached, ādityasannibhai: resembling sharp and hot rays of sun, śarai: with shafts, samudram Samudra, lord of the waters, kṣōbhayāmāsa agitated.

rāma: Rama, tēna through that bridge, laṅkāpurīṅ city of Lanka, gatvā having reached, āhavē in the battle, rāvaṇam Ravana, hatvā after slaying, sītām Sita, prāpya having recovered, anu thereafter, parām great, vrīḍām embarassment, upāgamat experienced (pursuant to her stay in others' house for a long time).

tata: thereafter, agnivacanāt because of the testimony of fire-god, sītām Sita, vigatakalmaṣām sinless, jñātvā having known, rāma: Rama, samprahṛṣṭa: exceedingly pleased, sarvadaivatai: by all gods, pūjita: was adored, babhau shone.

rāma: Rama, vibhīṣaṇam Vibhisana, rākṣasēndram king of rakshasas, laṅkāyām in the city of Lanka, abhiṣicya coronated, tadā then, kṛtakṛtya: having accomplished his objective, vijvara: free from distress, pramumōda ha was exceedingly rejoiced.

satyaparākrama: steadfast in truth, rāma: delightful to everybody, bharadvājāśramam hermitage of Bharadwaja, gatvā having gone, bharatasyāntikam to the presence of Bharata, hanūmantam Hanuman, rāma: Rama, vyasarjayat despatched.

anagha: sinless, rāma: Rama, nandigrāmē in Nandigrama, bhrātṛbhi: sahita: along with his brothers,
jaṭām matted lock, hitvā shedding, sītām Sita, anuprāpya having regained, rājyam kingdom, puna: again, avāptavān got (back).

puruṣā: men, kvacit any where, kiñcit even little, putramaraṇam death of ones's own son, na drakṣyanti will not see, nāryaśca women, avidhavā: will not be widowed, nityam always, pativratā: bhaviṣyanti will be devoted to their husbands.

nagarāṇi ca cities, rāṣṭrāṇi ca villages, dhanadhānyayutāni rich in food grains and wealth, yathā kṛtayugē as in kritayuga, tathā in the same way, sarvē all, nityam ever, pramuditā: were happy.

rāghava: Rama, asmin lōkē in this world, śataguṇān hundred times, rājavaṅśān royal dynasties, sthāpayiṣyati will establish, cāturvarṇyam four castes, svē svē in their respective, dharmē duties, niyōkṣyati will employ.

idaṅ rāmacaritam this story of Rama, pavitram sacred, pāpaghnam destroyer of sins, puṇyam auspicious, vēdai: by vedas, sammitaṅ ca equal to, ya: who, paṭhēt reads, sarvapāpai: from all sins, pramucyatē will be released.